when that unfortunate accident happened of the Gentleman of the Horse to the Mareschal d'Estree the French Embassadour But as the best qualified and ablest men are most envied and most liable to Persecution and Malice so he being watch'd on every side could not advance himself to those Honours which the Malignity and Emulation of others hindered him from Whence the King of France perceiving that this Person for being well affectionated to his Crown was persecuted by the Spaniards and esteeming it a dishonourable thing to keep idle and depress an Understanding so sublime took him near himself with profession of great esteem and with offers of support honour and assistance Many other Princes of Italy proffered him considerable advantages in their Courts Vittorio Amadeo Duke of Savoy a very intelligent Prince particularly invited him with much benignity to his Court. Resolving finally to pass into France he went thither in the beginning of the year 1639. and arrived just at the time when Father Joseph the Capucine died one for his great Parts and Experience in the Affairs of State imployed with great assurance by Cardinal Richlieu in the Intrigues of the Kingdom The King had nominated him to a Cardinalship and his Promotion was with all earnestness sollicited by Mazarine whose Fortune it was not to obtain the Scarlet for Father Joseph seeing that the King named him instead of the other declaring by this the great esteem he had for him in preferring him before any other of his Kingdom qualifying him besides with the Title of his Plenipotentiary at the Treaty of the General Peace which Mazarine valued more then his Recommendation to the Cardinalship Few days after his Arrival in France His Majesty sent him Extraordinary Embassadour into Piemont upon business of Importance and particularly to win to the French fide Prince Thomas and to reunite those Princes to the chief of their House He dexterously atchieved them both though that which concerned the first with Prince Thomas had not then its effect for some impediments which he could not suddenly surmount but he fixed the second in such manner that France thereby received many advantages Returned from Piemont he waited upon Cardinal Richlieu into Languedoc honoured by that great Politician with an entire Confidence and his Zele for the Kings Service was succesful not onely in the Affairs of that Voyage but also in remoter parts for at the same time by his Negotiations he reduced the strong Town of Sedan into the Kings power which was a receptacle of Male-contents He was the man that designed the Attempt of Tortona in the State of Milan and took upon him to provide all things necessary for the gaining of that City and it was he likewise that drew the Prince of Monaco to the French Party Finally on the 16th of December 1641. with universal Applause he was promoted to the purple robe to the particular satisfaction of the King and of Richlieu who was pleased to see him his Companion in the Ecclesiastical Function whom he already presaged his Successor in his Ministery He prepared for his journey to Rome to receive the Hat and to perfect many important Commissions But Richlieu's indisposition of body increasing and the machinations of his enemies growing stronger to justle him out of the Kings favour he thought fit to cause him stop his journey to make use of his help and councel of which he had so good experience very useful in that rugged conjuncture The King perfectly knowing Mazarines abilities in the foreseen failing of Richlieu had oftentimes thoughts to make use of him in direction of the Affairs of the Crown and had also discovered this his intent to some of his Confidents extolling him for the most able he knew to undergo this burden which gave much trouble to Mazarine doubting with himself that such manifestation of his Majestie might give Richlieu some jealousie it being for the most part the humour of Courtiers to look with a scouling brow on those they deem able to sustain the same charge with themselves and therefore he urged anew for leave to go to Rome which was still denied him by the King and opposed by Richlieu himself quite contrary to Mazarines expectation besides Richlieu before his death assured His Majestie that he could not better trust the Management of his weighty Affairs to any then to Mazarine Richlieu dying the King immediately began to make use of Mazarines Advice and Councel with open shew of the value and confidence he had of his ableness and fidelity and to qualifie him higher caused him one day to sit in his Presence an honour that was never bestowed on Cardinal Richlieu in so many years of his Attendance The King desirous he should take notice that the Choice he had made proceeded solely from himself assured him that of his own proper inclination he had chosen him out from amongst so many excellent men of his Kingdom The Cardinal being very wary in his demeanour conformed himself so well to the humour of his Majestie that he did not give him the least doubt of that odious power that he had abhorred in his Predecessor from whence it hapned that he became in a short time disposer of the Kings Will and Trust By how much the more he saw himself advanced in his Princes favour so much the more did he reflect on his tottering Fortune for while the King lay under a languishing condition he began to weigh what a difficult passage it would be from a firme to a wavering Government by the disorders changes and turbulencies commonly hapning in Minorities especially the Queen-Mother being of a Nation so much exposed to the jealousie of that Countrey The first trial the King made under the direction of Mazarine was to render his Armies victorious the next Campania to the intent that the world might not attribute his past Victories totally to the Government of Richlieu Mazarine in this occasion gave great proof of his dexterous abilities by obtaining that the Command of the Army in Flanders might be conferred on the Duke d' Anguien eldest son of the Prince of Conde notwithstanding his Majestie had some aversion against it The Kings sickness increasing with little hope of recovery calling for Mazarine he communicated to him his intent of forming a Councel without the Princes of the blood of which he intended to make him President The Cardinal though astonish'd at so great honour was not at all dazled with the ambition but with great reverence demonstrated to his Majestie the disorders such a form might cause and with convincing reasons framed his answer in favour of the Queen comprehending also the Princes of the blood as for what concerned his own person he beseech'd his Majestie that others might share in that honour which he thought too far exceeding his merit and too probable to excite envy against him being a stranger The King notwithstanding continued resolute in his purpose to limit at least the Regency of the Queen
Vincennes which was in his Government whether the Duke came accompanied by many followers with design to murder him the Cardinal Advertized of it forbore to appear to the Treat saved himself in the Louvre where the day following he caused Beaufort to be arrested and sent him with a strong Guard to the said Castle of Vincennes With admirable subtilty he raised a glorious Envy betwixt the Dukes of Orleans and Anguien enticing the former to the Incommodities of Warre as well by the Allurements of Glory as by the diligent furnishing him with all things necessary to make it less irksom to him by this means making use of the Triumphs of the one to moderate the haughtiness of the other which was one of his greatest Artifices to enjoy the benefit of a well-concerted Union Hereupon the Duke of Orleans marched into Flanders at the head of a most puissant Army and after the taking of Graveling Mardike and Dunkirk by all men esteemed impossible he opened a way into the heart of Flanders passed the River Colma and brought in a short time under the French Dominion Lens Bourbourg Merville Bettunes St. Venant Armentieres Bergues Courtray Ypres la Bassee Dixmude Landresy Furnes and other places He put them upon few Undertakings that did not succeed and though he failed in that of Cambray attempted by the Count d' Harcourt yet it cannot be said but that he merited great praise for the most accurate diligence that he shewed they ought to use in those Conjunctures which in all probability would have rendred the defence of that place more difficult then the taking it if his Orders had been put in execution according as he directed He caused to be sent to the Catalonians a considerable assistance with which they got Tortosa Roses and other places and to give that people a fuller assurance of the firm Protection of France he made his brother the Cardinal of Sancta Cicilia Governour of that Province In Italy after the Kings death many enterprizes were begun by his directions and Counsel and many things done to the great benefit of the Crown The Town and Cittadel of Aste were suddenly recovered they gained great advantages in the Siege of Turin in the Enterprize of Pontestura and Vigevano and many other Expeditions prudently undertaken although some were unsuccessful whether for the ill fortune of Prince Thomas of Savoy in the Warre of Italy or for the variable Accidents of War Considering moreover how beneficial the friendship of the Princes of Este would be to the French in their Affairs of Italy and making use of the happy Conjuncture when by the phlegme of some Ministers of Spain those Princes thought themselves not treated according to their merit He bent his thoughts to draw them to the French party beginning luckily with the Acquisition of Cardinal Rinaldo d' Este a Prince in earnest very worthy of that high esteem which he enjoys in the opinion of all the World causing him to be honoured by the King of France with the Protection of that Crown in the Court of Rome and afterward obliging Duke Francesco his brother by giving him the charge of General of the Army of his most Christian Majesty in Lombardy Both these by their generous actions have always upheld the one in Rome the other in the Army the Reputation of the Crown of France to their eternal glory and merit Mazarine well knowing that to attaque the Spaniards in their holds of Italy would touch them to the quick caused to be set out to Sea a very potent Fleet and aiming to gain some Poste on the Shore of Tuscany caused Orbitello to be beleagured by the Army under Prince Thomas of Savoy by Land and by the Navy commanded by the Duke of Bresé by Sea But the Duke of Bresé being slain at the very first by a Cannon-shot and the Prince probably ill served by his Officers the Action succeeded not which otherwise was well designed by the Cardinal intending by the gaining of this place to facilitate the Enterprise which he had plotted against Naples and to hinder the communication betwixt that Kingdom and the State of Milan Likewise in the other attempts made upon the same Kingdom by the Duke of Guise they found no better fortune for the sinister correspondencies of those giddy headed Napolitans with the Crown of France together with the contrariety of their humours that hindred all good operations yet whether they succeeded or not Mazarine gave not over to make his advantage of them as potent diversions for the Enterprizes of Flanders which were of greatest concernes being nearest to the heart of the Kingdom Mazarine desirous to recover the Glory of the French which the ill success in Italy had much eclipsed with an incredible and unexpected resolution that Navy which was supposed incapable to appear in the Mediterranean for a long time was seen to return again the year following more formidable then ever under the Command of the Mareschals de la Milleray and Plessis Pralin with which in a few days they possest themselves of Piombino and Porto Longone in the Isle of Elba half belonging to the King of Spain and half to the Duke of Tuscany by which Victories the Reputation of the French was much recovered the Applauses and Fame of the Victors echoing every where to the great advantage of the Neighboring Princes especially of the Cardinals Barbarini who flying the indignation of Innocent the tenth had sheltered themselves under the Protection of the King of France by the efficacious and powerful Offices of Cardinal Mazarine who by a noble Example of Gratitude upheld that Family which newly fallen from a potent and long Dominion a warning to elective Princes knew not whether to turn themselves for a friendly Sanctuary Thus by the help of Mazarine they saw themselves honoured with the Protection of the most Christian King by which means they were in a short time re-established by the Pope himself and with a strange Metamorphosis embraced again The Comedy of their wandring ending in a strict Union and Alliance by the Marriage of one of the Popes Nieces Daughters to Don Maffeo Barberino to whom Don Carlo Prince of Pellestrina renounced his Titles and Honours himself being promoted to the Scarlet whereby he had a fair pretence to free himself from the engagement wherein he had promised to wed no other then the Countess Martinozzi Mazarines Niece who finding in this as in all other occasions the usual experiment of working good out of evil saw afterward his said Niece more highly matched in the Family of Este and Dutchess of Modona It will not be amiss since we are entred upon the discourse of this Family to give a touch of what Cardinal Mazarine being chief Minister of State did in favour of the Barbarini in the War with the Duke of Parma with whom most of the Princes of Italy were joyned in League for the aversion that they bore to Cardinal Barbarini with whom they
chief Minister of State with the Kings good liking Prince Thomas of Savoy as one who besides being his great Confident was of an incomparable Integrity in whom the King might wholly confide without any suspicion he left also the Count de Servient a Person no less Politick then versed in all the Affairs of the Kingdom Tillier the Secretary of State a man of great wit and understanding ready to execute the Court-orders with faithfulness and zeal and these three for the Negotiations of the State and the War he left besides with the Queen for the directions of the most important and most secret Affairs the Abbot Ondedei who was afterwards Bishop of Fregius Counsellor of State to Her Majestie of whose known and experienc'd fidelity and practice in managements he had full assurance This being done he took leave of their Majesties with that tenderness which his ardent affection urged him to and the 19. of August 1652. departed from Pontoise for Sedan passing first to the Mareschal de Turenne's Camp to view the Army which from Lagny was already advancing into Brie to oppose the March that the Duke of Lorain was taking after the Prince of Wirtemberg had sent back the Count of Fuensaldagna's Spaniards into Flanders and proceeding in his journey with a good Convoy he came to Sedan and from thence went to Bouillon where he staid expecting from time the fruits of his truth and innocency The Prince of Conde understanding that the Cardinal was going and by consequence the Pretext of the War ceasing He sent the Marquess de Jersé to the Army of Lorain to which were joyn'd the Troops that Wirtemberg conducted to the Princes with direction to take his time and set upon the Cardinal in his journey and take him prisoner But the Spaniards upon this becoming diffident he was by their means advertized and shunn'd the danger seeing the Ministry of Spain knew that it was for their interest that the Cardinal should subsist for under this colour the civil dissentions in France were kept afoot from which they drew much profit The same day the King the Queen and all the Court went to Compeigne and the better to dispose the minds of the Parisiens to joyn themselves to their party the King so soon as he was arrived at Compeigne put forth a General Act of Oblivion the Contents whereof imported after a summary Rehearsal of all things past from the year 1648. till that time a General Pardon and abollition of all that had been done against his Royal Service making void and of no effect all the Informations Decrees Sequestrations and other Proceedings following thereupon by occasion of the disorders from the first of February 1651. till this time as also His Majesties Declarations of the month of September and the 8. of October in the same year upon this Condition that the Duke of Orleans the Princes of Conde and Conty and all others of their party should lay down their Arms within three days after the Publication of this Act. To this end the Duke of Orleans should send to His Majestie within the term of three days an Act subscribed with his own Hand by which he renounced all Treaties Leagues and Confederations made with what Prince soever without his Majesties Approbation the like was enjoyn'd the Prince of Conde and Conty who were also at the same time to put into the Kings Hands necessary Orders as well to send the Spanish Souldiers out of Stenay and Burg in Guienne and other places wheresoever as also to cause the Enemies Ships to draw off from the Coasts of France That the said Duke of Orleans and Prince of Conde should cause the foreign Troops that were about Paris to march directly to the Frontiers of Flanders and unite their Souldiery to the Army of Turenne and la Ferté Seneterre and all those who were further off within the space of fifteen days declaring that those who should fail to perform in the space of three days the Contents of this Amnesty should reap no benefit by it from which his Majestie only excepted the Crimes committed betwixt particular persons which were to remain as before without other alteration This Amnesty with such an Exception at the end of it was esteemed only as an Artifice by those that did not desire it though for that time it took no effect for it was publish'd abroad that not including those that had fought in duel and assaulted the Town-house the 4. of July it rested in the Will of the King to chastise whom he pleased under colour of this Delinquency yet it ceased not to leave an impression in many who understanding the cavil introduc'd by the Princes and the Frondeurs were much offended having always believed that when the Cardinal should be gone the Princes and the Parlement would have cast themselves at the Kings feet But although those with the Frondeurs had no thought to receive the said Amnesty though it should be made in the forme they desired nevertheless they feined themselves zealous for the publick good shewing themselves very well pleased at the Cardinals departure The Duke of Orleans and the Prince of Conde went afterward to the Parlement where it was concluded to present the King their thanks for sending away the Cardinal and the Sovereign Courts and the body of the City send Deputies to the King to the same effect and to compleat all that was necessary for the welfare and repose of the State A little after the Parlement resolved to desire the King again to return to Paris and the Princes declared that they were ready to lay down their Armes so an Amnesty were granted them in good forme making the same Protests in the Chamber of Accounts and Court of Aids The Duke of Orleans dispatch'd a Courier to the Duke d' Anville his Friend and a Minister of State very dear to the King and most faithful to the Queen to obtain of his Majestie Passports for the Deputies that were appointed to negotiate the final Peace But d' Anville having kept the Courier a while sent him back empty because it did not seem decent for the King to enter into other Treaties since by the Amnesty he had perfected every thing and expected that the Princes should suddenly lay down their Armes as they had formerly declared to do so soon as the Cardinal was gone from Court D' Anville writ withal another Letter to the Duke of Orleans importing that he believed the Passports would be granted if they renewed their requests directly to the King himself which being done a Passport was granted to the Mareschal d' Estampes to come to Court not as a Deputy but as a meer Courtier and at the same time some secret Negotiations were renewed betwixt the Secretary Goulas the Marquess de Chasteauneuf and the Dutchess of Aiguillon the drift of which was to take off the Duke of Orleans from the Union with Conde they clearly perceiving that the Declarations that he made
at Court that Barbarin had changed his first inclinations having been gained by the Pope and the Spaniards upon the hopes of having the Ecclesiastical Revenues of Naples and Sicily restored to him and the money seized upon in Rome by the Chamberlains when the Pope pretended to ruine the family of the Barberines by forcing them to an account The Pope was inclined to a reconciliation with the Barberines because having not long to live he thought it not convenient to leave his Kindred at variance with these great persons who were still very powerful in Rome the Spaniards also concurred herein thereby to disengage this Family from their dependence on France that they might not oppose them in the Election of a New Pope Cardinal Francesco cherishing himself as was supposed with these hopes complain'd having no other pretence that they made little account of him in France seeing that Cardinal Mazarine had married his Neece to the Duke of Mercoeur without concerning himself to finde out a Match for the Princess Lucretia Barberini at which he manifested so much displeasure that he sent his Nephew the Abbot Don Maffeo to Lions to bring away privately the said Princess and the Prince Don Carlo Praefect of Rome into the Countrey of Vicenza in Italy which was done while Cardinal Antonio was at Paris without his having the least inckling of it This resolution seemed strange in France and the more because the same Cardinal Barbarine had sent his Cousin Colonel Vaini a Person of great value and esteem some years before into France to ratifie the Espousals betwixt that Prince and his said Neece After this uniting of Cardinal Barberin with the Pope to engage that family to him by a streighter Tye a Marriage was concluded between Don Maffeo Barbarine at that time Abbot and a Grand Neece of his Holiness in consideration of which the Prince Governour was promoted to the Cardinalship who renounced his Primogeniture to his Brother Bride-groom as hereafter shall be said FINIS THE TABLE A. Anger 's in Armes page 155 Archbishop of Rouen deputed to Court page 157 Assembly of the Citizens of Paris page 172 Army of the Princes at Estampes page 175 Encamped betwixt St. Clou and Furenne page 218 Assembly at the Palace-Royal page 349. Gives great disturbance to the Princes page 347 B. Brisac put into the Kings hands page 326 The Battel in the Surburbs of St. Anthony page 230 Barcelona rendered to the Spaniards page 415 C. Cardinal Mazarine his Birth 1 His Voyage into Spain 2. He betakes himself to the Wars 3. Makes a Relation of the Affairs of the Valtoline 5. Endeavors to put himself in the Barberins service ib. Returns to his Studies 6. Goes to Milan with Sacchetti ib. Returns to Rome 8. is sent back to Cardinal Antonio 9. treats with the Count de Collalto ib. He captivates the affection of the Duke of Savoy 11. Chasteauneuf banished Paris 433 Chavigny endeavours to make his Peace with Mazarine 380 his death 383 Counsellor Brussel lays down his office of Prevost of Merchants 346. Cardinal de Retz deputed to the King 328 The City begins to treat with the Court 338 Casal delivered to the Duke of Mantua 416 Cardinal Mazarine his Advice to the King 318 His return to Paris 477 His Artifices to render the Princes odious to the Parisiens 292 his Plots to to reduce Bourdeaux 451 Contrives the Imprisonment of Cardinal de Retz 435 He goes to the Camp 432 Endeavors to gain those of the contrary party 423 Cardinal Antonio Barbarin Legate à Latere for the Peace 8 Protector of France 27 Sends Mazarine to Spinola 16 Cardinal Francesco Barberine complains of Mazarine 21 Grows jealous of him 27 Cardinal Richlieu takes an affection to Mazarine 12 Conspiracy of the Duke of Beaufort against Mazarine 45 Cardinal de Sancta Cicilia Vice-Roy of Catalonia 48 The Coadjutor of Paris and the Count de Chavigny envy Mazarins fortune 60 Commotions at Bourdeaux quieted 87 Cardinal Mazarine sent to the Court of France 11 treats with Cardinal Richlieu ib. He begins to render good Offices to the French treats with Spinola ib. passes into Savoy to the King of France 14 after the death of Spinola he propounds a Suspension of Arms 18 Concludes the Peace 19 treats secretly with the Duke of Savoy to deliver Pignerol to the French 20 Enters into the service of Cardinal Antonio 23 is made his Auditor ib. is sent Nuntio Extraordinary into France ib. gains the Affections of the French Ministers of State 24 is recall'd to Rome 25 the King of France recalls him to Paris 28 Nominates him to the Cardinalship 29 Flempotentiary for France at the Treaty of Munster 30 Extraordinary Embassador into Savoy ib. is made Cardinal 32 Extraordinary Honour conferrâd on him he causes the Command of the Army to be conferr'd to the Duke'd Anguien 35 Godfather to the Dolphin 38 He endeavours to confirm the Alliance with the foreign Princes 40 He draws the Princes of Este to the French Faction 49 His good Offices to the Barberins 52 Endeavours to preserve the friendship of England 61 His dissimulation with Conde 72 His Art to draw the three Princess together ib. He endeavors to quiet Bourdeux 78 He leaves Paris 103 Arrives at Havre de Grace 102 Departs the Kingdom 105 He is complemented by several Princes 112 endeavors to divide the Princes and the Frondeurs 113 Recall'd by the King 126 Returns into France with an Army 142 is kindly received by the King 151 Endeavors to gain the Duke of Lorain 187 Raises discord among those at Bourdeaux 414 He encourageth the Court of Savoy to persist in their Union with France 421 Great commotions in Paris 130 Chafteauneuf chief Minister 132 retires from Court 156 The Count de Servient recalled to Court 158 the Count de Chavigny and others dispatched to Court 177 consternation of the Parisiens upon the retreat of the Duke of Lorain 217 The Cardinal de Retz hinders the Peace 242 The Court resolves to destroy the Army of the Princes 228 The Court of Aids assemble at Pontoise 338 The Colonels of Paris go to the King page 386 D. The Duke of Angoulesm imprisoned 311 Duke of Orleans Lieutenant General of the Crown 286 The death of the Duke of Bouillon 226 Designes of the Cardinal the Retz 324 The Duke of Nemours slain by the Duke de Beaufort 295 Duke of Beaufort invites the people to assemble at the Place-Royal 208 Made Governour of Paris 258 renounces his Government 385 The Duke of Savoy complains of Spinola 14 the Duke of Lorain stopt going out of Paris 387 Dutchess of Chevreuse disgusted with the Prince of Conde 68 Divers Lords banish'd Paris 406 Disturbances in divers parts of the Kingdom 76 Duke of Wittenbergs baggage plundred 359 Dutchess of Chevreuse undertakes to free the Princes 81 Duke de Mercoeur marries the Cardinals Neece 126 His Marriage questioned in Parlement 127 Decrees of the Parlement against the Cardinal 132 Death
of the Count of Chavigny 135 Designs of the Coadjutor 145 Difference betwixt the Duke of Beaufort and Nemours 160 The Duke of Lorain marches into France 187 Dunkirk taken by the Spaniards 299 A dispute betwixt the Citizens and Souldiers 317 E. Exceptions against the Amnesty page 313 Endeavors to take off the Duke of Orleans from Conde page 316 F. The Frondeurs of Bourdeux divided into two Factions 222 French Fleet in the Garonne page 462 G. A General Pardon granted by the King 311 the Guards of the Duke of Beaufort stopt the Gates of Paris page 363 H. Hoquincourt routed page 164 K King of Spain takes away Spinola's command 15 The King draws near Paris 170 His Army at St. Denys 226 His Answer to Nesmond 272 Gives the Cardinal leave to depart 304 His Letters to the Colonels of Paris 354 His Answer to the Deputies of the City 357 His Answer to the Duke of Orleans his Letter 390 He comes to Paris 398 His Answer to the Deputies from the City page 233 L. Losses of the French in Catalonia page 90 M. Metz Tul and Verdun confirm'd to France 44 Mareschal de Turenne advances against the Duke of Lorain 185 Mazarine studies to quiet the people 242 The Mareschal de l' Hospital his words to the Duke of Orleans 248 threatens the fellow that presented him the straw 250 Madamoiselle quiets the people 256 Manifesto of the Assembly at the Palace-Royal 351 Mazarine foments the War betwixt England and Holland 470 his Progress in Champagne page 476 N. New disturbances at Bourdeux page 413 O. Orbitello besieged by the French page 50 P. The Princes conducted to Havre de de Grace 89 The Pope disbands his Troops in the Valtoline 4 Satisfied with Mazarines Relation 8 Progress of the French in Flander 46 in Italy 48 Plombino and Porto Longone taken by the French 52 Three of the Parlement of Paris imprisoned 58 Paris besieged by the Kings 60 Prince of Conde dissatisfied with Mazarine 64 displeased with the Frondeurs 67 The three Princes imprisoned 74 Prince of Conty promiseth to marry the Princess of Chevreuse 84 Princes freed from Prison 102 Paris alarm'd upon the Cardinals March 130 The Princes Army endeavors to hinder the Kings Passage 159 Prince of Conde comes to the Army 161 Parisiens exclaim against the Cardinal 166 Prince of Conde received with joy at Paris 169 The Parlement of Paris send Deputies to the King 180 The Princes desire Aid of the Spaniards 186 The President Nesmond deputed to the King 195 the people incensed against the Parlement 213 The four Proposals of the Duke of Orleans to the Parlement 259 Parlement of Tholouse declare against that of Paris 291 The Parisiens complain of the Prince 294 The Parlement removed to Pontoise 300 That at Paris declared unlawful 305 Prince Thomas of Savoy chief Minister in Mazarines absence 308 Prince of Conde sends to take the Cardinal Prisoners 310 The Perisiens weary of the Warre 327 The Prince of Conde leaves Paris 388 Prince Thomas advises the King to go to Paris 393 President Brussel stays privately in Paris 411 Progress of the Prince of Conde's Army in Champagne 430 The Parlement at Pontoise return to Paris 396 The Preachers in Bourdeaux perswade the people to Loyalty 463 Parlement of Bourdeaux removed to Agen 464 Progress of the Royallists in Guienne page 466 Q. The Queen of France anualls the Kings Will 38 Queen of England visits the Dutchess of Orleans page 407 R. Roses in Catalonia relieved by the French 490 Royallists assault St. Clou page 183 S. The Spaniards retire from the Siege of Casal page 10 Spinola made Governour of Milan ibid. Surprize of Mantua page 14 The Spaniards complain of the French for putting forces into Casal 19 open enemies to Mazarine 20 They invited the Parifiens to a Treaty of Peace 85 Servient Tellier and Lionne retire from Court 122 The Spaniards take Graveling and Irino 168 The sedition begun at the Townhouse 250 Succours out of Flanders to the Prices 262 A Sea-fight betwixt the French and Spaniards 297 The Spanish Army marches to Paris 323 Several imprisoned at Bourdeux page 458 T. Tumults in Guienne 78 Tumults in Provence quieted by the Duke of Mercoeur 223 Turenne discamps from Villeneufve St. George page 377 W. War betwixt England and Holland page 467 FINIS ERRATA PAGE 2. line 21. dele so that p. 44. l. 2. dele yet l. 17. did p. 46. l. 1. at the treat ib and saved p 70. l. 19. dele that p. 91. l. 5. dele the p 100. l. 25. not to give p. â02 l. 1 loââate p. 116. l. 4. gain p. 117. l. 1. pretensions p. 118. l. 6 the Court p. 129. l. 15. skirting p 113. l. 3. of some p. 136. l. 17. laughed at p. 137. l. 15. disposition l. 18 could not be p. 183. l. 25. made p. 189 l. 10. dele him p. 192 l. 24 said p. 193 l 1. ready p. 208. l. 1 l. 14. place p. 210. l. 15. Place p. 223. l 5. presence p. 229 l. 18. Pass'd ib. l. 18. Parifiens p. 252. l. 23. defended p. 261 l 14. dele and p. 263. l. 3. dele his p. 271. l. 4. of so p. 310 l. 13. Ministers p 317. l 22. and. p. 320. l. 21. Mose quit p. 338. l. 5. dele which p. 343. l. 25. Reghenet p. 358. l. 2 nigh to Paris p 380. l. 9. dele and. p. 409. l. 18. dele of p. 427. l. 2. Prince p. 430. l. 21. dele was p. 433. l. 15. Conty p. 434 l. 7 it self l. 25. not p. 338. l. 23. not p. 444. l. 21. them p 461. l. 23. dele him p. 44. l 16. Merchant-men p 476. l. 22. at THE HISTORY OF THE MANAGEMENTS OF Cardinal JVLIO MAZARINE Chief MINISTER of STATE of the Crown of FRANCE Written in Italian by Count Galeazzo Gualdi Priorato And Translated according to the Original In the which Are Related the Principal Successes Happened from the Beginning of his Management of Affairs till his Death Tom. I. Part II. LONDON Printed by H. Lloyd for George Calvert and Sam. Sprint at the Ball in Duck-lane and Christopher Wilkinson at the black Boy over against St. Dunstans Church in Fleetstreet 1672. THE HISTORY of Cardinal JULIO MAZARINE Part II. Lib. I. THE YEAR 1652. concluding with worse Fortune and Success to the Crown of France then it had begun Cardinal Mazarine being triumphantly returned to Paris with the universal Applause either true or pretended of the People and Parliament it self which had treated him so ignominiously not long before and wounded his reputation with so many extravigant injuries applied himself with great diligence to the continuation of the Government as well in its Politick as Military Authority endeavouring both by his Negotiations and his Armes not only to reduce the disobedient and seditious Towns that were in rebellion at home but to purge the Kingdom of all Foreign Armies and restore it to its primitive Potency and Grandeur Proceeding therefore in his
much satisfaction and commendation of Mazarine who by his sweet carriage and by Gaming in which Fortune was very favourable to him he increased his acquaintance with great men and gained the good will and esteem of all that conversed with him The Pope afterwards being desirous to disburden himself of the charge of the Warre sent Giovanni Ginetti brother to the Cardinal of that name to the aforesaid General Conti and to Commissary Sacchetti with order to disband the Souldiers which being done Conti returned into Germany and the two Brothers Sacchetti retired to Fano where Cardinal Sacchetti was Bishop Mazarine being their great friend and familiar Acquaintance accompanied them The Cardinal was made Legate of Ferrara and Superintendent of the Military Forces of that Government Giovanni Francesco Sacchetti being bred a Soulider commanded the Militia and took Mazarine along with him in whom he confided above all others Giovanni Francesco afterward returning to Rome Mazarine went also along with him and endeavoured by all means to enter into the Service of Cardinal Antonio the Popes Nephew knowing how generous and obliging he was towards his Servants but he was hindered by the malice of those that envied his Endowments He strove likewise to put himself into the Court of Cardinal Francesco but there also he received little encouragement that Cardinal not being inclined to favour so Aspiring a Wit Perceiving therefore that he had no luck in that Court and having fail'd of making his Fortune by his Sword he returned again to his Studies declaring that Virtue although she be suppressed by Envy yet he is always Master who possesseth her nor can she be taken away by any thing but Death which levels all men In a years time he made a great progress in the study of the Laws improving still his Friendship with the Family of Sachetti In the mean while the war of Mantua brake out by the death of Duke Vincenzo last of that Line whereupon the Pope resolved to dispatch Giovanni Francesco Sachetti to Milan with whom likewise went Mazarine who quickly introduced himself into the management of those weighty publick Negotiations with intire satisfaction of Sachetti and of all that treated with him having a Genius so applicable to the humour of all Nations that when he negotiated with the Ministers of Spain he knew how to form himself to their garb and with the Frenchmen according to their mode but withall he had so pleasing a manner in his Discourse accompanied with so modest a Civility that every one was ambitious of his Conversation The occasion being come which I call Fortune that Sachetti was to depart for Rome by reason of his Indisposition and afterwards by the death of one of his Brothers the Superintendency of all those Affairs was by him in his absence left in the hands of Mazarine by which means he had a large Field to give proof of his Parts and Capacity advertizing continually the Court of Rome of what passed by Letters so well indited and relishing that the Pope greatly delighting in them resolved to continue him in his Service omitting to send any other in the place of Sachetti who was graced by His Holiness with the Government of his House which Place was vacant by the death of Sachetti his brother lately deceased The rumours of the War afterwards increasing Urban deliberated to send Cardinal Antonio his Nephew Apostolical Legate into Piemont and gave him Monsignor Panziroli for his Coadjutor with the Title of Nuntio who was afterward Cardinal and Secretary of State in the Pontificate of Innocent X. Mazarine having notice of this went in all haste to Bologna to inform the Cardinal of what had pass'd and from thence to Rome to give His Holiness a distinct Account of all those Negotiations with due Reflexions thereupon The Pope was highly satisfied with his acute Discourse and judged it necessary to make use of him as one who besides his being well instructed in all things had already acquired great credit and esteem amongst them with whom he had negotiated wherefore he dispatch'd him back to Cardinal Antonio ordering him to make use of his Service having found him capable of all Imployment He found the Cardinal still at Bologna and in a long Discourse together His Eminency rested so highly satisfied that immediately he sent him to Count Collalto the Emperours General who quatter'd at St. Benedetto in the Territories of Mantua He insinuated himself so far into the favour of the said Count that having dispatched Piccolomini for some Affair to Cardinal Antonio gave him to understand that he was so well satisfied with Mazarine that he would rather treat with him then with any other declaring himself not at all content with the austere manner of proceeding of the Nuntio Panzirolo In the mean time Don Gonzales de Cordoua Governour of Milan was gone with the Spanish Army to besiege Casal in Monferat but with ill success for that place being well fortified and well defended by Monsieur de Toiras held out so long till the French Army passing the Alpes it behoved the Spaniards to quit the Siege and retire The Catholick King much unsatisfied with Don Gonzales recalled him into Spain and sent thither Governour and Captain General Marquess Ambrosio Spinola the famous Souldier in the Warres of Flanders In the mean while the Pope and the Cardinal Legate efficaciously endeavour'd to divert the approaching ruine of Italy by seeking an Accommodation Mazarine was before all others employed and knowing how to lay hold on the occasion laboured to ingratiate himself with all parties and amongst the rest he captivated the good-will of Charles Emanuel the potent Duke of Savoy in such a manner that that wise Prince finding him capable of the most important Affairs desired him to make a Voyage into France to endeavour by his perspicacious Wit to prevail with Cardinal Richlieu to stop the French Army from passing over the Mountains Thereupon he went with leave of the Cardinal Legate and the Nuntio to Lions where Richlieu was already arrived with the French Army He had conference with his Eminence proposed divers Expedients and used all Art to stop him but all in vain This was the first time that ever Richlieu saw Mazarine and although his Proposals were little to his liking nevertheless he was extreamly pleased with his so pertinent manner of discourse affirming that he had found him far beyond what he expected so that in those few days Mazarine staid at Lions he so well knew how to deport himself with that great Minister of State that he ingrafted himself deeply in his favour But failing to serve the Duke as he heartily desired he endeavored at least to render him another service of no small moment which was to perswade Prince Thomas his son who was then at Chambery in Savoy to return into Piemont to avoid an open breach with the Crown of France which his Presence in those parts might occasion The Duke laboured by all means
imprisonment of the Princes were taken out of the Monastery and brought to live in the Palace Royal with the Dukes of Mercure and Candale only son of the Duke of Espernon so that they plotted all they could to hinder the chastisement of those of Bourdeaux and to reconcile themselves to the Princes and to release them with design to fall altogether upon the Cardinal and having ruined him to fall upon the Princes and remain sole in the Government To this end they flattered the Dutchess of Chevreuse with hopes of marrying her daughter to the Prince of Conty and she being in great credit and esteem with the Duke of Orleans by her means they gained the good-will of that Duke and with various Artifices perswaded him to press the Queen that the Princes might be brought from Vincennes to the Bastile of which place the Councellour Brussel one of the chief of the Frondeurs being Governour they thought by this means to get the Princes into their custody and to unite themselves with them to confound the Cardinal or if they should be able to ruine the Cardinal of themselves then to detain the Princes still prisoners and keep the dominion in their own power They joyned themselves thereupon in a stricter union and diligently laboured to hinder the King from going into Guienne using innumerable devices to frustrate this intention of the Cardinal who for all that mock'd at all the tricks of his enemies and with more discerning and wise Counterplots deluded them Their endeavors to hinder the Voiage into Guienne not succeeding they found out another pretext to stir up the people giving out that Mazarine was the only Obstructer of the Peace and that they ought to consider of the means to force him to conclude it the the Duke of Beaufort with like pretexts endeavored to regain his credit with the people from which he was much fallen ever since the Cardinals Visit The Court at this time went into Guienne The Duke of Orleans remained in Paris in quality of Lieutenant General of the Crown The Cardinal though he found himself strong enough in forces to chastise the Bourdelese yet did not omit according to his wonted custom to seek by fair means and by treaty to quiet these differences knowing the ill consequences that follow the bloody remedies of Arms against ones own Subjects But the Bourdelese that were back'd by the Parliament of Paris by the Faction of the Princes by the Frondeurs and by the very Spaniards obstinately prepared themselves to a defence The Spaniards making advantage of this diversion recovered Piombino and Portolongone in Italy And in Flanders joyning with Mareschal Turenne they took Rhetel and la Chappelle over-running the Countrey within ten Leagues of Paris The Frondeurs rejoycing at this Progress of the enemy thought of nothing more then of the delivery of the Princes to counterballance the Cardinal hoping that the Obligation in freeing them from Prison would cancel the demerit of making them Prisoners None was more zealous to serve the Dutchess of Chevreuse then the Coadjutor who by means of Letters reciprocally convey'd to and from the Princes had gained a promise from the Prince of Conty to marry her Daughter Hereupon the Dutchess pressed the Duke of Orleans that he would likewise set his helping hand to their liberty But the Persuasions of Monsieur Tillier Secretary of State left by the King at Paris to assist the Duke of Orleans prevailing with the Duke and knowing the danger that if the Spaniards should advance as far as the Castle of Vincennes they might set the Princes at liberty consented that they should be remove to the Castle of Marcoussy to keep them still in the Kings Power The Spaniards making use of this favourable conjuncture for their interests thought to increase the animosities of the Parisiens by sending a Trumpet from the Arch-Duke with Letters to the Duke of Orleans inviting him to a Treaty for a General Peace with a shew of sincere intentions The Duke willingly lent an ear to this invitation hoping thereby to acquire no less glory abroad then credit and good-will amongst the French wherefore dispatching several Courriers to Court they to please him sent him Power and Authority to Treat the Cardinal not doubting but that quickly as it afterwards happened he should discover the Arts by which this Engine was levell'd The Princes friends in the mean time did not let slip this opportunity to instigate the people so much the more against Mazarine affixing several papers in divers parts of the City in the Mareschal de Turenne's name containing in substance that there being in the Cardinal as great a reluctancy to the peace as in the Archduke and the Spaniards there was a readiness and inclination for it they ought by no means to lose this opportunity of enjoying again so great a happiness aggravating withall the miseries and ruine that by the continuation of the war hovered over all France To this effect the Marquess de Bagni Apostolical Nuntio with the Count dâ Avaux went to Soissons to confer with the Archduke about the first Overtures Where they not onely found none on the part of the Catholick King but also were slightly answered by Don Gabriel di Toledo that it behoved them to expect Orders from Spain whilest the Archduke made account he had been Plenipotentiary having made the invitation with such earnestness and importunity Those of Bourdeaux in the mean while were reduced to great streights by the assault made upon the Town by the Kings Army so that they inclined to an Accommodation nor did the Court shew much aversion thereunto for the apprehension they had of the commotions of Paris wherefore the King granted them a general Amnesty without giving ear to their importunities for the delivery of the Princes but giving them the satisfaction in the removal of the Duke of Espernon from that Government the rest remaining in the same state This Peace of Bourdeaux was received with unexpressible bitterness by the Frondeurs who jealous that the Cardinal would set the Princes at liberty without acquainting them they united themselves afresh with the Duke of Orleans and sought by all means to set him at odds with Mazarine whom they gave to understand that the Court should return Paris and this with intent to hinder him of those advantages that he might reap by the Voyage of Tholouse and Provence which was of the Cardinal for many weighty reasons who preferring the urging desire of the Duke of Orleans for the Kings return to Paris and the necessity of providing for the securing of the Princes in causing them to be transported to a safer place then Marcousy before any other consideration he brought back their Majesties towards Paris and they remained at Fountainbleau whither the Queen invited the Duke of Orleans to consult Affairs of great importance but in effect it was onely to win him to the removal of the Princes a thing dreaded by the Frondeurs who foreseeing
complaining publickly of this reception The Duke of Mercoeur in the mean while remaining in Paris after the departure of the Cardinal was every night with the Queen when all others were retired conferring with Her Majesty about those Expedients that were most urgent and seeing his own Affairs but in an ill condition by reason of the dissatisfaction of those of his Family for his Interest with the Cardinal he supplicated the Queen for the Government of Auvergne Her Majesty before she would gratifie him asked the opinion of one of her Ministers of State in whom she confided who represented to her that the Duke obtaining what he desired might perhaps take an occasion to withdraw himself from the Marriage with Madamoiselle Mancini and therefore judged rather to defer it to gain time which ripens all things Which counsel being imbraced by the Queen caused Mercoeur aware of this artificial delay to protest with much frankness that his intent was to consummate the Marriage and that there was no reason to doubt of his word shewing all readiness to complete every thing agreed upon Upon this they writ to the Cardinal who though he did not recede from the terms agreed on yet knowing that this Parentage would give new occasion to his Enemies to foment the disturbances he resolved by any means to prefer the Kings service before his own private Interest wherefore he answered the Advocate Bluet that he did not approve that the Duke should stir from Paris as well to avoid the dangers that might happen in such a journy and for the alterations that might follow in that City under this pretext as also by reason there was none else at that time nigh His Majesty with whom the Queen might discourse freely and confide in except himself and the Mareschal de Plessis Pralin But the Duke seeing his Word and Honour engaged admitted not of this repulse esteeming that to expose himself in so turbulent a time and in the greatest heat of the persecutions to a journy full of danger would give a more clear testimony of his Fidelity and more oblige the Cardinal and the Spouse to effectuate the Marriage so that having represented to the Queen several times his determined resolution he disposed her at last to grant him leave to depart receiving besides a thousand Pistols to help to defray his charges Having thus established his departure and resolved to take his journy with all secresie to shun the Ambushes that might be laid for him on the way he sent his Gentlemen into the Country of Vendosme with semblance that he would make a journy thither and feigning himself a Servant of the Sieur de Siron a Domestick of the Cardinals in the beginning of July 1651 issuing out of the Queens Cabinet and descending all alone by a private stairs in the dusk of the Evening he took Post and with the Sieur de Siron rode to Peronne and from thence with a Spanish Pass-port passed to Brules where on the 12th of the same Moneth the Marriage was celebrated and solemnized by the Archbishop the Elector of Colen after which with the same celerity he returned to Paris where it being understood that there was an Ambush laid for him on the way the Marchioness d'Ampoux by an express Courrier borrow'd of the Venetian Embassadour advertized him of the danger whereupon he returned to Paris another way and remained there hid for some time in the house of the said Marchioness At the news of this Match a great rumour was spred in Paris arguing probably from this that Mazarine's return was no more covertly but publickly endeavoured but because by their Majesties Declaration and by the Decrees of the Parlement not onely the Cardinal but also his Kindred were condemn'd they persuaded themselves that the Marriage ought to be held invalid since that as they said a Prince of France could not marry without the Kings consent and much less with an exiled person and an enemy of the State not reflecting that if this Contract was not valid neither ought the Decrees of Parlement to be esteem'd valid which were made without the Kings assent and not ratified by his Authority Upon the account of this Invalidity the Parlement met often and the business would have run a greater Praecipice notwithstanding the Duke was not wanting in his own concern if for the change that followed and that obliged the Parlement to think of something else this Affair had not been laid aside for the which Mercoeur being call'd as Duke and Peer of France went to the Parlement accompanied with so great a number of Friends that the Duke of Orleans and the Prince of Conde arrived not till two hours after retarded by putting their Followers in order to appear full as strong as Mercoeur He being there very much pressed to clear this Affair Answered that he was not obliged to say any thing else then that he had not in the least transgressed their Ordinances and justified to their faces that the Duke of Orleans and the Prince of Conde were the persons that had persuaded him and engaged him in the aforesaid Marriage and if afterward the consideration of their Interestâ had made them change their Opinion he for his part knew what was to be expected from a Cavalier and a Prince born in maintaining his Faith and Word This notwithstanding his Father the Duke of Vendosme was call'd who appearing in Parlement and being demanded if he had given his Assent could not deny but that he had formerly consented to it and withall said that he had done it by the counsel and assistance of the Duke of Orleans but after the Cardinals departure there was no more said of it there being no occasion for it so that the Affair rested in this manner without passing further For these Controversies Paris being in a great commotion every one cast their eyes on the proceedings of the Court and of the Princes and their curiosity was grown to that pass that whensoever the Parlement assembled to treat of publick Affairs and against the Cardinal and infinite number as well of the People as of the Nobility ran to the Palace with all sorts of Weapons to assist some the one some the other Party by which the dangers daily increasing for the variety of Interests which divided and incensed their minds the Parlement decreed that every one should retire upon pain of death and the Kings Officers were charged to see the Decree observed The Queen courted the Duke of Orleans at this time to concur with her for the Election of a Council to assist the King the Duke answered that he would speak with the Prince of Conde but Her Majesty would not consent that he should communicate any thing to him holding him for one of her bitterest Enemies The Parlement met again and went on to treat about the Marriage of the Duke de Mercoeur to whom it was given in charge that within the space of three days he should put into the
hands of the Secretary of the Parlement the Circumstances of his Espousals with the Avouchment of them to be communicated to his Father the Duke of Vendosme that all the Decrees against the Cardinal his Domesticks and Kindred should be renewed and particularly against Madamoiselle Mancini who especially was prohibited to return into France and if she were there to depart within 8 days The Declaration that the King was to set forth against the Cardinal was likewise read and the Duke of Orleans made them adde The damage which ensued upon his hindering the General Peace as also for undertaking the War against Bourdeaux without his consent The Prince of Conde obtained to be added That his imprisonment was for no other cause but that he would not consent to the Marriage of the Cardinals two Nieces with the Dukes of Mercoeur and Candale Upon the retirement of Servient Tillier and Lionne the Regent saw it necessary to elect a new Council to which the Duke of Orleans assenting counselled thereunto by the Dutchess of Chevreuse and the Coadjutor who had pressed him a great while before they could prevail it was resolved on to call the Marquess de Chasteauneuf to exercise the charge of Chief Minister the Marquess of Vieville to be Superintendent of the Finances and to confirm the Chief President Keeper of the Seal and the Coadjutor was nominated to be Cardinal Chasteauneuf taking upon him the Management of Affairs began immediately to think upon those means that might hinder the Cardinals return which were to make the King to go into Berry and from thence towards Poictu for the further off he was the more difficult and impracticable it would be for the Cardinal to return as well for the Animosities of the Parlement as for the ill season of the year being to pass 14 Rivers and by keeping the King absent he should put the Duke of Orleans into the Government of Affairs which was his principal end These designs of Chasteauneuf being suspected by the Cardinals Confidents who discovering that there were but few in the Council which delivered their mind cordially the rest onely in appearance and to gratifie the Queen professed themselves good friends concluded that there was no better Expedient for their Majesties and for the Cardinal himself then to make use of their power and to get that by force which they could not obtain by reason and fair means To this intent the Abbot Ondedei by the Kings Order who with reiterated Letters had recall'd the Cardinal to Court hasted to Brules to let Mazarine understand the necessity of taking this course and to inform him really of what past assuring him of their Majesties good intentions for whose service it was absolutely necessary he should return to his Charge it being manifest that there was no person served them with more readiness and cordiality The Cardinal hearkened to what the Abbot delivered for having found him in all occasions of an ingenious free and sincere nature he much confided in him but he rested somwhat doubtful in his resolution for fear of making a greater alteration in Affairs and of giving new matter to the Male-contents and to his Enemies to raise pretexts for Seditions and Tumults to quiet which he thought it best to remain in exile with the loss of all he had gained hitherto But in the end the reasons alledged by the Abbot prevailing who with an equal zele to his hearty affection laboured to make him comprehend the necessity of his return he determined with his own mony to make without delay a Levy of four or five thousand Souldiers giving the command of them to the Mareschals at la Ferté Seneterre and d'Hoquincourt the Counts de Novailles and Broglio his intimate friends and persons of great integrity who took upon them the command and with all diligence applied themselves to serve him desiring earnestly to see him readmitted to his former State to his Enemies shame and reproach This being resolved on the Cardinal desired a Pass-port of the Spaniards to return to Bovillon which was by them delay'd foreseeing perhaps of what prejudice his return to Court might prove Wherefore departing suddenly from Brules instead of going to Juliers without drawing bit he rode to Duren a City belonging to the Duke of Newbourg from thence to Aix la Chapelle and so to Liege to Huy and lastly to Dinan whither the Counts of Novailles and Iroglio came to him to agree on the Levies for which he there disbursed the Moneys and in 40 days time that he staid there they raised their whole number of Souldiers Upon this news the Parlement renewed the Decree against the Cardinal laying to his charge that he had infringed their Order by levying of Souldiers to enter again into France and did what they could to hinder his return but he continuing at Dinan hastened with all diligence the new Levies that he might accompany them to reinforce the King and the time of his motion drawing nigh he renewed his request to the Spaniards for a Passport but it not appearing one night unexpectedly in 18 hours riding without drawing bit he came to Bovillon not without danger of being snapt by the Prince of Conde's Troops who watched diligently to intercept him skirting ever and anon the adjacent Campagne From hence he sent word to advertise the Spanish Commanders that he was gone and since they had not favoured him to with the desired Pass for himself desired that they would at least vouchsafe one for his Nieces which was immediately granted and with much Honour they were served and convey'd to Bovillon by Don Antonio Primentelli and from hence arose the good correspondence betwixt him and the Cardinal which afterward so much conduc'd to the Peace of the two Crowns to which the Elector of Colen contributed much by encouraging Mazarine to so pious and holy a work He went on to Sedan and determined as soon as might be to advance with his levied Souldiers and with those the Mareschal d' Hoquincourt had gathered who had Order from the King to joyn with him and with one Body to enter into France This novelty made a great noise in Paris but alarm'd most the Frondeurs the Parlement and the Dukes of Orleans and Beaufort who being surprised when they least imagined with clamorous complaints gave out that it was a thing not to be endured that the Court should so notoriously infringe their Promise and Word so often given and that the contempt was too remarkable to see themselves so palpably deluded The Parlement therefore decreed that in prosecution of the Judgment concluded four days before against the Cardinal to depute some with a Message to their Majesties to complain of what was acting on the Frontiers against their service by levying of Souldiers distributing of Mony and bruit of Mazarine's return all contrary to the Kings Declaration and his Royal Word for the maintaining of which they should beseech him with all earnestness that the
had a favourable Audience This Deputation was very famous not only for the quality and importance of the matter but for the merit and prerogative of the said Prelate who exaggerated highly the Ptoceedings of the Parliament in treating with so much rigour and such unusual courses a Prince of the Holy Church without considering that these were formes prohibited by divine and humane laws and that which appeared admirable in his discourse was that openly praising and yet oblikely touching the Parliament he obliged the whole Ecclesiastical Order While the Court was at Tours the Count de Servient was restored by the King to his Charge of Minister of State who being a very able and experienc'd person it turn'd too much to the damage of the publick interest to keep him at such a distance but the Sieur de Lionne his Nephew was not recall'd by the prevailing of his particular enemies to whom the Court was willing at that time to give that satisfaction From Tours the Court removed to Blois and made some stay there which was very prejudicial to it since those of the contrary party had time to provide for the Conservation of Orleans into which City Madamoiselle entred and for the defence of Chartres proposed and considered by the Cardinal for the shortest way to approach near Paris Not being able therefore neither to pass to Orleans nor to go to Chartres it was determin'd to take the way of Gergeau because the Bridge of Beaugency was broken by the swelling of the River hapning a little before with very great floods but that of Gergeau being likewise spoil'd the only Pass that remain'd was that of Gien whereupon the Court went to Sully and the Army to Sandilon a little distant According as this moved toward Gien that of the Princes went continually coasting on the other side the river to dispute their passage and interrupt their design They muster'd in the Princes Camp betwixt nine and ten thousand four thousand chosen and old Souldiers most part of them Infantry of the Duke of Orleans under the Command of the Duke of Beaufort and the rest under the Duke of Nemours and these were partly French of the Prince of Conde's and partly high Germans and other Nations levied by the King of Spain The Dukes of Beaufort and Nemours did not agree together though they were Kinsmen and should have fought a Duell near Orleans if it had not been prevented by Madamoiselle who by her interposing made them friends wherefore the Prince of Conde who was in Guienne thought fit to convey himself to this Army not only moved thereunto for this cause but for divers other reasons amongst which were the following First that by making this diversion all the Kings Forces would be drawn that way where the Prince was and by that means Bourdeaux would be out of danger Secondly because the condition of Paris stood in need to be strengthned by his Presence chiefly suspecting that the King would come thither and to oppose himself to cross the designes of the Coadjutor who used all his endeavour to disjoyn the Duke of Orleans from him And what obliged him most to go was to see whether it would turn to best Account to reunite himself to the Court or to adjust with the Coadjutor or at least to render his Intrigues with the Duke of Orleans unuseful With these considerations and with thoughts of piecing with the Coadjutor he took a journey the most difficult and most dangerous that could possibly have come into his thought being like to have been taken Prisoner by the Sieur de Saint Mor dispatcht from Court with 300 horse to track him and seize on his person nevertheless he came safe thither and the News of his coming being spred abroad the Army was as much joy'd and pleas'd as the Prince confounded and troubled at the dissention of his Generals From hence he gave advice to the Duke of Orleans and to the Parliament of his welfare and had thoughts of passing thither to resolve what was to be done to encourage his party and to settle the peoples inconstancy accustomed to vary according as the Accidents that nourish it do alter But having afterwards understood that by the Arrival of the Duke of Bovillon and many Cavaliers and Souldiers from divers parts the Mareschal of Turenne was constituted their General by the King and by this means the Court was recruited no less in courage then in forces He stayd with the Army not a little discompos'd by the differences amongst the Commanders wherefore the Court was not a little troubled seeing that their designs of their Generals upon the ill-ordered Camp of the Princes were vanish'd The Discipline being establish'd in the Army by Conde and their minds reincouraged upon the confidence that every body had of his valour he caused Montargis to be be attaqued and took it by which Post he opened a Passage into Burgundy and made feasible his designes The Royallists lodged betwixt the River Loire and the Canal of Briare The Quarters of the Mareschal d' Hoquincourt were a little distant and exposed to the enemy The Prince made semblance to march toward Chasteau-renard to go into Burgundy but altering his March he went towards Blenau Hoquincourts quarters and unawares surprized him in the night in such sort that he routed him and took all the Baggage At this News the Mareschal de Turenne caused sound to horse throughout all his quarters and speedily drawing the Troops together advanc'd towards the Posts assaulted to succour them but having notice of those that fled of the disorder and disaster wont always to be increased by Fame being confirm'd to him by divers Officers with the foresight of a great Captain he thought it not fit to hazard a new Engagement wherefore he took the way of Osoy on this side the Canal where was the quarters of Novailles with design to put himself into a safe Post they had divers skirmishes marches and counter-marches and all day the Armies faced one another without engaging otherwise then by the Exchange of many Cannon-shot The Cardinal being inform'd of the suceess gave sudden account to the King how things stood moderating the vapourings which were cunningly spred abroad His Majesty with a generous heart and courage of a great King leaping out of his bed said that himself would be at the head of his Army All mounted on Horseback and no man that had a sword by his side stayd in Gien The Cardinal very undauntedly gave all expedient Orders and dispatch'd the Duke of Bovillon to the Camp with a Squadron of Gentlemen Voluntiers and afterward advanc'd with the King to the Army of Turenne by whose means not only the disperst troops of Hoquincourt were rallied but also the Princes were constrained to retire into Estampes which afterward was attaqued by the Royallists The Prince of Conde went to Paris where the number of Male-contents daily increased heightned by the hopes that they had of the coming
him that the world might know that he was Master The Parisiens the day following had another general Assembly and selected some Deputies to desire their Majesties to remove the Cardinal further off and to return to Paris but it was to no purpose the Court standing firm in their resolution not to sully the Royal Authority endeavouring to gain time and to keep Paris Neutral that they might not supply the contrary Party with Men and Money of which they stood in need enough The Princes and the Parlement on the other side studying to maintain themselves in the Peoples favour did not omit to imploy all their industry to stir up the people against the Kings Ministers and because it was necessary to keep afoot the commerce of Paris to hinder the Kings Army from passing the Sene they made some Levies which joyn'd with some other Troops of the Princes to scower the neighbouring Campania The Army of the Princes possest themselves of the Country of Estampes situated betwixt Orleans and Paris where they found a great quantity of Corn and here they intended to abide and fortifie themselves with hopes by maintaining this Post to keep Paris and Orleans faithful which was the main scope of all While the Kings Army lay quarter'd at Chartres and thereabouts they cast themselves into Estampes with their Lieutenants Generals for the Prince and the Dukes of Nemours and Beaufort were gone to Paris where they staid to make sure of the Frondeurs and their Party a good part of whom desiring the Kings return hearkened willingly to the Treaties that thereupon were had about the entry and reception of His Majesty who if at that instant he had frankly shewn himself he would have been received with all joyfulness and applause and the Princes and their Party chased away since the Citizens were at last weary of these hurly-burlies but nothing was done the King not daring to venture himself on the peoples instability nor willing to let the Cardinal depart as he often pressed to take away all pretext from the Male-contents The Kings Army besieged that of the Princes in Estampes where followed divers skirmishes and amongst the rest a very bloudy one in possessing themselves of the Suburbs The Court fixed at St. Germains and here the first Deputation which was sent was in the name of the Duke of Orleans and the Prince of Conde who dispatched thither the Count de Chavigny the Secretary Goulas and the Duke de Rohan Chabot Chavigny was for the Prince Goulas for Orleans and Chabot for both At first they declared that they would not treat with the Cardinal but this was only a shew for they had secret order to see him and to seek all ways to come to an Agreement with him with a firm resolution to gain him to their particular interests supposing that he to continue in France and in his Ministry would easily condescend to their pretensions They were secretly in the Cardinals Cabinet treated with him and Chavigny a person of great worth propounded to the Cardinal to make an entire Agreement with the Prince by granting him four Demands One was to make the Count d' Ognon Duke and Peer the Count de Marsin a Mareschal of France the Prince of Conty Governour of Provence and the Prince himself Plenipotentiary for the General Peace To the two first the Cardinal did comply because they simply concerned only honourable titles But the Government of Provence and the Plenipotentiary of the Peace he did wholly reject declaring he would never consent that for his particular interest the Kings Authority and Service should be prejudic'd This Deputation was of huge prejudice to the Princes because it was made in a time that the Parliament and the Parisiens were more incensed against the Cardinal and when all the Sovereign Courts had deliberated to require his removal and that the Commonalty of Paris were of the same mind in a time that the Duke of Orleans and the Prince had declared in Parliament that for a general satisfaction they desired nothing but the banishment of the Cardinal so that the people seeing them act against such express Declarations from thence forward they were not a little jealous of their carriage and many that were very well inclined towards them began to be more wary in their proceedings which was afterward one of the principal causes of their fall In the neck of this Deputation the Deputies of the Parliament appear'd at St. Germains with their Remonstrances to their Majesties about giving the Cardinal his Congé against whom the President Nesmond spake with great liberty The King heard them with much civility and afterward told them that he was very well informed of the good intentions of the Parliament and wish'd that they were as well perswaded of his That he would confer with his Privy Council and in three days they should understand his will with such words and general termes concluding nothing the Deputies return'd to Paris The same day those sent from the Chamber of Accounts and Court of Aids had Audience and the Answer was the same he gave the Parliament also the Provost of Merchants the Sheriffs the Attorney-General the City-Notary and others deputed from the Communalty presented themselves before his Majestie representing to him the unhappy state of his Subjects and of the necessity of dismissing the Cardinal the sole cause of all the distasts and differences The Keeper of the Seals answer'd that his Majestie was assured of the good affection of the City of Paris and to satisfie them he intended to return thither so soon as the Passes should be open and this he said to give them a wipe that in the same time they made these Addresses they endeavored to hinder his coming cutting off the Bridges of the Sene and Marne The King therefore not yielding to condescend to such licentious demands the Male-contents took occasion to exclaim against his Council who on the other side complaining of the Subjects Proceedings every thing went more and more into confusion and all the faults which indeed did concern onely a few interessed people and Male-contents were charged upon Mazarine against whom their hatred and fury not abating he was commonly called The root of all evil and The cause of all the miseries of that flourishing Kingdom which would have been more unhappy wanting the protection of the Cardinal and the power of the Princes and of the Parlement increasing if the Kings Authority had been diminished which the more independent and absolute the more profitable to Subjects who are always most miserable where there are most Masters The Parliament Assembled to hear the Answers that the Deputies brought from Court where were present the Duke of Orleans and the Prince of Conde with all the chief of the Faction when the News came that the Royallists were assaulting the Bridge of St. Cloud defended by a little Fort whereupon the Prince of Condé mounting suddenly on Horseback with several Gentlemen and above eight
thousand Parisiens made them retire and from thence marching towards St. Denis where were 200 Swisses of the Kings Guards in Garrison and assailing those old and rotten walls they made themselves Masters of it taking those souldiers prisoners which were led to Paris in triumph But this City was soon recover'd by the Kings Forces commanded by the Sieur de Renville Colonel of Horse after which a Neutrality was granted to the Town of St. Denis upon condition that the Princes should also leave free the Passes of St. Cloud Neully Charenton and St. Maur. After these divers successes the Parliament assembled again and having heard the Relation made by the President Nesmond they determined to send him back to St. Germains to receive the Kings Answer which he had promised in three days But it being to the advantage of the Court to gain time Mazarine with great subtilty prolong'd the Resolutions keeping still the Treaties on foot not to put the people in despair and necessitate them when they should have no more hopes to declare for the Princes and for that cause the Duke d' Anville made divers journeys from Court to Paris on the Kings behalf managing dexterously the Treaty with the Princes who pressed more and more the Cardinals departure The Prince of Conde who by a particular gift of Nature was no less endowed with a most prudent faculty of discerning then with a marvellous and unparallel'd valor in Arms observing the instability of his Party grounded on uncertain and wavering designs he inclined to an agreement in any manner even without the removal of the Cardinal from the Ministry considering it better to treat with him who was of a sweet and gentle nature then others of a violent Genius as the Cardinal de Retz was reputed to be But the good intention of the Prince was diverted by his Kindred and Friends who declared that in such case they would forsake him and lastly by the Duke of Orleans sollicited thereunto by the Cardinal de Retz who was accused that for his private advantage he equally desired the ruine of the Prince and of Mazarine so that His Royal Highness vigorously opposed it and was cause that this Overture took no effect From S. Germain the Court removed to Melun for this City being upon the Sene and nearer to Estampes they might from hence with more ease send Supplies and Recruits to the Kings Camp stopping in the same time the Provisions which are wont to be brought down the River from those fertile Fields to Paris and here the King gave Order to Mareschal Turenne to endeavour what er'e came on 't to expugn Estampes and defeat the Army of the Princes who defending themselves bravely there followed many hot Skirmishes with no small slaughter of Souldiers and considerable Captains on either side wherefore the Princes perceiving that their Army would subsist a long time in Estampes sollicited the Spaniards that the Army of Duke Charles of Lorrain might advance to their succour The Ministers of Spain chearfully assenting to uphold the Party of the Princes and keep afoot the Civil War in France presently set themselves about it The Duke of Lorrain was wont every year to make a bargain with the Spaniards for the next Campania by which they obliged him for a certain summe of money to serve them with his Troops This year therefore 1652 they engaged him to pass into France to succour the Princes In pursuance of which accord he marched with his Army of 4000 Foot and about 5000 Horse with some Pieces of Artillery thorough Champagne towards the Sene to raise the Siege of Estampes leaving his Forces at Lagny he went to Paris where he was received with all the Honours wont to be given to a Prince of whom they stood in need At this news the Cardinal began to set his Wits at work and to give necessary Orders for securing the most important places He sought to gain Duke Charles by the mediation of the Dutchess of Chevreuse his Ally and of the same House She being a Lady of great sense and full of Intrigues making use of the natural jealousie wont to be betwixt the Princes of the Bloud and the Dukes of Lorrain and especially betwixt Conde and them who was much esteemed amongst the Spaniards she gave the Duke to understand that it would not turn to his benefit to assist them The Duke was convinc'd by her Reasons and inclin'd to imbrace her counsel so he could find a sufficient pretext to disingage himself from the Spaniards to whom he had promised to succour Estampes Mazarine sent the Marquess de Chasteauneuf to negotiate secretly with the Duke and they agreed together that to disingage his word and to keep himself from the blame he might incur he should raise the Siege of Estampes and the morning following that Turenne should retire from thence the Duke promis'd to retreat to the Frontier of the Kingdom to make a shew that it was not by compact but by reason of the State of the Kings Army that obliged him to take this course to which purpose they should furnish him with all necessary provisions The Princes knew him by his Conduct and by the difficulty he made in passing the Sene that he had intelligence with the Court wherefore they went to find him at his Camp and oblige him to pass the River but he represented to them that they ought to rest satisfied if so be he raised the Siege of Estampes and having some hopes that the Court would take the same resolution it was not necessary to engage himself further The Prince of Conde gave him to understand it was a small matter to cause the Siege to be raised if he did not give them the opportunity to put their Troops in safety because they could no longer subsist in a ruinated place so that after many Discourses the Duke permitted himself to be engaged before he was aware to give in writing a Declaration to the Princes by which he obliged himself to stay yet some days in the same Post upon the River Sene that in the mean while the Princes might withdraw their Troops from Estampes and come nearer Paris The Kings Army being retired from the Siege of Estampes and the Court seeing he failed in performing the private Treaty concluded with Chasteauneuf the Mareschal de Turenne by advice of Mazarine moved his Camp with expedition toward Corbeil with design to fight the Lorrainers before they should pass the River to joyn with the Princes Forces and they faced the Enemy so opportunely that being surprised and astonished doubting they should be engaged in fight they presently retired taking the advantage of the high Hills of Ville nieufve and S. George and putting themselves under covert of a little River that dischargeth it self into the Sene. The Kings Party advancing towards Corbeil took several prisoners which obliged Duke Charles to desire the Sieur de Beaulieu who was present with him to procure the fulfilling of the
against the Complices of these proceedings And the Provost of Merchants the Consuls the Sheriffs with the other Heads of the Citizens being assembled they order'd that the Colonels and Captains of the several Wards should have their Companies ready and a Court of Guard placed about the Palace to hinder greater insolencies and conserve the Liberty of the Parlement whose power was too weak to preserve the Peace since the number that followed the Party of the Princes was greater then those who adhered to the Parlement and the Common Council of the City It was concluded on to have a general Meeting of all the Inhabitants the 4th of July to resolve on the most convenient Expedients for the Indemnity of Paris and of the Parlement In the mean while the Duke of Lorrain was discamp'd from Ville neufue St. George the 17th of June and already out of the Kingdom Which unexpected News greatly surprised the Parisiens fearing that the said Duke had abandon'd and betray'd the Princes from which arose great rumours and no ordinary Trepidation in all those that were against the Court-Faction suspecting that the Kings Army apprehending nothing from the Lorrainers should beleaguer Paris and the Princes be necessitated to comply with force Wherefore the Prince of Conde caused his Troops that came out of Estampes to march towards Paris and encamp betwixt S. Clou and Surenne upon the Sene two Leagues from Paris and hither also were sent those few Souldiers that the Princes had about them in Paris with the which they formed a Body of about five or six thousand men and were provided of all necessaries from the City but all with the Princes own Money for they never could draw from the Parisiens neither Money nor other sustenance but onely free commerce popular affection and shelter in time of need Wherefore the Prince knowing that he could not long subsist without an open Declaration of the City and the Parlement in his behalf he sought all ways to oblige the one and the other to second his designs but all was thwarted by the address of Mazarine who in these fastidious Emergencies shewed in a more extraordinary manner the refinedness of his Wit And because the Castle of Vincennes in these conjunctures was of no little importance it was reinforced with 100 Souldiers by the Count de Chavigny Governour of the said place who was then in Paris and in good intelligence with the Prince of Conde although as the same went he held private correspondence with Cardinal Mazarine and by his dexterous carriage his Enemies were by little and little won over Divers other provisions were likewise made for maintaining their common Interest to which end by reiterated Carriers and by dispatching away several Gentlemen they sollicited the Spaniards in Flanders for their promised assistance and to enter into France with a powerful Army to drive away the Kings Forces from about Paris who held the Male-contents in continual jealousie and fear and fill'd the Kings Party with hopes and confidence But the Count de Fuensaldagna a sage Politician and a Cavalier of a very acute understanding consented not to give any larger help then what might suffice to uphold them in their pretensions thereby to keep afoot the civil disturbances in France and be able by such means to advance the Interest of His Catholick Majesty in Flanders Italy and Catalogne where it was more behoveful to imploy the Armies then in France where by the instability of that Nation he foresaw that if the Princes by the assistance of Spain should be made more powerful then the Kings Party His Majesty would upon easier terms agree with the Parlement and the Princes themselves who afterwards would turn with greater zele against those that had helped them He continued nevertheless to feed them with hopes and now and then with some returns of Money things not seeming to him to be reduc'd as yet to such straits to require so great aid and that they should neglect their own business to attend onely that of others The Princes and the Frondeurs were not wanting to instigate in Bourdeaux the minds of those who were desirous of novelties where many of the Citizens being more and more inclined to Sedition Ambition and Avarice added more fuel to the fire And here it will not happen amiss to understand how among those of the same Party by means of Mazarine many divisions did arise while in all reason they ought to have been united as well in Affection as Interest It is a common Maxim that One Absurdity begets another and he that cannot submit to a lawful Government much less will he endure an unlawful Usurpation The Frondeurs of Bourdeaux were divided into two Factions one was call'd the little and the other the great Fronda each compos'd of various persons as well of the Parlement as of the Citizens These divided the Province betwixt them to levy Contributions Those of the great Fronda had a strong pretext to accuse them of the losser for causers of all the disorders From these two Factions there sprang another callâd the Ormiere which in a short space being become more potent then the others because follow'd by the people there happen'd divers dangerous Seditions The Princes endeavour'd to weaken the Ormiere by the Authority of the Parlement but this occasion'd greater disorders and made them more insolent And the distempers grew so high that there followed divers fierce Conflicts and greater would have happened without the pretence of the Prince of Conty who interposing his Authority many times quieted the fury of the people and endeavoured to divert those Innovations which were plotted by some of the most insolent and seditious In several Cities of Provence there arose likewise some disorders but having none of Reputation to head them nor sufficient means to support themselves they signified little and by the vigilance of the Duke of Mercoeur who acted according as the Cardinal his Uncle who loved him extremely advised him with a few people and with little ado they were suppressed maintaining that Province in its due obedience The Court in the interim did not lay aside the endeavours for adjusting with the Princes and in particular with Conde upon whom they bottom'd their greatest foundation as of most repute in respect of his Followers and the esteem he had gain'd by his valour Nor was it difficult to bring him to an Agreement he being very much inclin'd and very willing to it but by the means of the Cardinal de Retz and others to whose Interest the Peace did not sute all the Negotiations were interrupted the Cardinal of Retz prevailing still with the Duke of Orleans to oppose it and Conde resolving not to abandon Orleans having so many times declar'd always to stand by him so that all the proposals were obstructed Cardinal Mazarine trying all means to render these Machinations unuseful the aptest was found to be to make the people of Paris see their own error which if he
there issued out about 300 Inhabitants who were placed by the Prince to guard certain Posts One part of the Baggage enter'd by the Gate of the Temple and the other by that of S. Anthony The Prince gave the Orders for the favouring and securing their retreat and sent to Monsieur de Louviere Commander at that time of the Bastile in lieu of his father the Counsellour Brussel to cause the great Guns to be discharged upon the Kings Troops which being delay'd as a thing unbeseeming a Subject Madamoiselle came into the Bastile and mounting briskly upon the Wall with an Amazonian courage as if she her self had participated of the glory and danger commanded that in her presence the Artillery should be discharged against the Kings Army which was done accordingly Thereupon Order being given for the Retreat the Horse Foot and Canon march'd forthwith It was thought at the first discharge of the Bastile that it was against the Princes Troops the Parisiens having assured the Kings Ministers that they would not receive the Princes People but afterward perceiving that they shot against the Royallists and that the Inhabitants failing of their promise the Baggage was already safe and the Troops began to enter into the City those of the Kings Party were greatly astonished for the lost hopes of their assured Victory The Kings Generals were no less troubled as well for some reproofs of their slowness and negligence as to see themselves at the very point of their Victory defrauded of their Expectations so that they retreated again to S. Denis The Cardinal being very sad for the ill success of the Enterprise and for the mortal Wound his Nephew Mancini receiv'd of which he died in few days in which time the King with a demonstration of singular affection visited him often as also the afflicted Lady of S. Magrin The Forces of the Princes encamp'd themselves in the Fields of Yvry without the Suburbs of St. Marceau and in two days time sackt all the Villages and Houses for three Leagues about Madamoiselle in this occasion did another mad prank which was seconded by all Paris She stuck a handful of straw upon her head and passing thorow the streets cried that was the sign which they that were not Mazarines ought to wear In a moment not only all the Inhabitants but the strangers of every Nation and of all sorts even to the Religious Men and Ministers of forreign Princes were seen to follow this fashion to secure themselves from the violence and insolence the people used towards those that had not this distinction about them But this was a fore-running Presage of unhappy events to follow for straw-fire being the weakest and the easiest to be extinguisht portended that that Party should suddenly be dissolved like straw-fire into smoke In this manner ended the memorable Fight in the Suburbs of St. Anthony the second of July 1652 in which the quality of the slain and wounded was more considerable then the number The Prince of Conde not at all valuing his own life running now to one place now to another where the fight was most bloody and his men in greatest danger he perform'd the Office not only of a General but of a Common Souldier and oftentimes was at the Graves Mouth His Horse was slain under him he received several shot on his Armour his Cloaths pierc'd through in many places his Feather and Hair burnt and yet to the admiration of all he remain'd unhurt The Mareschal de Turenne behaved himself with no less valour who pressing on with great celerity on every side gave worthy proofs of his experience and skill and he was heard to say that he had received order to go and fight the Prince of Conde But wheresoever he charg'd the Enemy he always found the Prince at the Head of them All the other Generals and Captains behaved themselves bravely And for their extraordinary boldness and famous and courageous deeds of both Parties this was accounted amongst the noblest and worthiest Exploits that ever happened in any Age. The Prince of Conde being grown more confident upon the increased reputation of his Arms he tried to make them declare openly in favour of his Party seeing he wanted money and other necessary assistance to maintain the War But because till that time his pressing instances made to the Citizens had taken little effect who by Mazarines means were daily more and more gain'd to the Kings party he thought as it was famed abroad and the Parisiens themselves fear'd to constrain them by force to do what he desired A General Assembly of the Citizens being to be held in the Town-House at the Greve the 4th of July in the same year 1652 It was resolved by the Princes to make the common people fall upon that Assembly and by putting them in fear bring them to their will All the Officers of the Communalty being come together which might be about 400 of the chief of the City the Duke of Orleans sent the Mareschal of Estampes to the Mareschal de l' Hospital who presided in the Assembly as Governour of Paris to assure him that that morning there should happen no disorder and that he desired that laying aside publick affairs they would consult how to put the Parlement in safety and give time to their Deputies which were gone to Court promising to be himself within two houres at the Assemblie The Mareschal answer'd that it was fit that his Royal Highness should have all satisfaction The Assembly met the Duke came thither at half an houre past four in the afternoon at which time the Greve was full of armed seditious people with straw upon their heads an evident token of some extravagant disorder and a Prelude to the funest Tragedy that followed The Duke being entred into the Hall the Mareschal resigned his Chair to him placing himself upon the Prevost of the Merchands Bench. It is not amiss to observe that the Mareschal having received the Duke at the foot of the stairs seeing him adorned with his bunch of straw told him boldly What your Royal Highness then enters with the mark of sedition into the Kings House The Duke replied he had indeed received that straw but did not approve of it they went up the stairs and Orleans taking his place thank'd the City for granting a passage to his Troops asking them if in a like occurrence they would do it again The Prince appear'd there also and spake to the same purpose The Mareschals Answer was that they should always have the same inclination to their service and when they pleas'd to withdraw they would take it into their consideration in which Speech the Prevost of Merchands concurr'd In the mean time a Trumpet arrived with a Letter with a Seal in which the King ordered that the Assembly should be put off till the 8th of the same moneth The Mareschal caused it to be read and then asked the Princes and the rest of the Assembly if they were
in the mind to obey the Kings Orders The Princes without answering any thing retired judging their Party not strong enough to make them determine on the Union which they desired and coming out of the Parquet so is the Tribunal or place rail'd in where the Lords sit called to accompany the Duke and the Prince the Mareschal was presented by an impertinent fellow with a posie of straw with which sawciness being much incens'd turning himself briskly told him that if it were not for the respect he bore to his Royal Highness he would cause him presently to be thrown out at the window and hang'd upon a Gibbet The Princes going out said that place was full of Mazarines who had a mind to prolong and gain time which occasion'd so great a commotion that the Souldiers of the Princes and the seditious people fell to discharge against the windows and doors Some Officers of the Princes to give countenance to this business had appointed several Musquettiers with their Leaders who having attempted in vain to raise a tumult in some other parts of the City came at last to this place mingling themselves with the people One of the people that stood upon the steps of the Cross in the midst of the place happened in this time to be kill'd by a shot whether by chance or on purpose which much more increas'd their rage and fury every one beginning to cry the Mazarines had made that shot and therefore they ought to kill them all menacing those that were within the Town-house and in this hurly-burly many were heard to cry Union Union and away with the Mazarines and all running with the straw in their Hats like so many possess'd with Furies they began to commit the accustomed insolencies that the indiscretion and bestiality of the rabble are wont to inspire The City-Companies that guarded the Town-house fled presently away which emboldning the seditious more and more they ran to fetch wood from the next boats and set fire to the great Gate endeavouring to get in to commit all the insolencies that blind passion could prompt them to In this danger the Mareschal and divers others undauntedly resolved rather to perish gloriously then to submit and save their lives weakly and dishonorably wherefore they prepared for a generous defence The Mareschal ordered them to make a Barricade of great Pieces of Timber above stairs at the entrance of the great Hall that looks into the Court which was defendde and maintain'd bravely by the Mareschals Guards He gave order likewise to spare their powder till night and in the mean time they should defend themselves with the stones of the pavement but at the same instant the great Gate being burnt and fallen down the seditious assaulted the Barricade where Blancart Commissary of the Princes Army received a mortal wound of which he died a little after with him some other Souldiers of the Princes were also slain While this pass'd the Prince of Conde was at the Palace of Orleans where having notice that the business went contrary to his intention which was to put them in fear but not to carry it on to extremity he intended to transport himself presently upon the place and making them by his Presence to cease the assault oblige those within to acknowledge their lives and safety from him But the Duke to whom it seemed not perhaps convenient that the Prince should hazard his person amongst that mad rabble or whether he thought it not expedient he should gain the good-will of the Citizens by that generous action and himself to bear all the hatred detain'd him by force and in no wise would not permit him to go out of his house so that to his great discontent he was constrain'd to remain quiet Many in this while seeing the imminent danger and excited by fear desiring to get out of the Palace attempted to make their way thorow the thickest of the people several of them were kill'd but some had the good fortune to save themselves without hurt The Duke of Beaufort and the Marquess de la Bollay who were in a house near by issuing out call'd aloud to some of the Assembly by their names saying he came to bring Peace and free them from the danger they were in The Mareschal believing this to be only a trick to get out those of the Princes Party and leave the rest to the discretion of the peoples fury sent to ask him if there was safety and with a constant and stout mind declar'd that they would all have their lives or all perish together The Assault lasted from five a Clock in the Evening till ten at night at which time the Mareschal going to the Barricade found it abandon'd and his Guards retired upon the false report spread that he had made his escape The people thereupon entred sack'd every thing and stript all they met who were glad to part with their cloaths to save their lives The Mareschal not knowing how to get out without being discover'd took the opportunity to put himself among the people and so passed into the next Chamber He had given the Order of the Holy Ghost to one of his Pages to keep and chang'd Hats with him and having on a Coat of a dark colour stood in the midst of them that blaspheming and raging with madness sought him every where and by the Address of a friend of his that call'd him by another name he got safe out At last Madamoiselle being moved to pity for so great a Massacre with her wonted generosity though it was three houres within night went to the Town-house and took along with her the Duke of Beaufort where she quieted the tumult and caused those of the Assembly to pass out safe and unhurt to her great commendation The Confusions and Cruelties committed in this Action served only to put the Prince of Conde in the ill opinion of the Parisiens whence as the second of July was the day of Triumph and height of his glory in that City so the fourth following was the impulsive cause of his fall being the Parisiens could never be got to contribute any money nor to come to an open rupture with the Court complaining generally of the Princes who to abate the ill esteem and to disguise as much as they could the part they had which was very considerable in this deliberation they imprisoned two Complices of the sedition who were also executed The 6th of the same month the Assembly was called again to the Town-house but few went and for all the entreaties the Duke of Orleans made sending thither even his own Swisse Guards none appeared but some few dependents of the Princes The Prevost of Merchands sent to declare that he should come no more to the Councils nor publick Assemblies till the Kings Authority was re-established wherefore Orleans substituted the Counsellor Brussel in that Charge making him take his Oath in forme and the Mareschal de l' Hospital being no more to exercise
Kingdom according to the Kings Declaration they asked no more nor would they fail to render immediately all duty and obedience to his Majesty That to send Deputies in their names was superfluous since those of the Parlement being there in whom they reposed all confidence they did not intend to do any thing without the privity of the Parlement to which effect they should at all times write their mind to President Nesmond After which it was concluded to return thanks to his Majestie for his favourable Answer for sending away the Cardinal and to supplicate him anew that it might be done speedily That the Princes would be pleased to write to Nesmond or to some other of the Deputies to second this their Declaration that whensoever the Cardinal should be out of the Kingdom they should perform what they had promised and order the said Deputy to receive what Commands the King should deem necessary In this Assembly the Prince was observed to discourse with some sternness as if he were angry Monsieur de Bust proposed to choose new Deputies that might find out the most convenient means to send the Troops farther off and to do their utmost endeavour to procure the Peace and although all things should happen to be agreed on yet nothing to be done till the Cardinal was first departed Upon this the Parlement thought it expedient to order their Deputies at Court to give the King thanks for his Promise of giving Mazarine licence to depart and to sollicit the performance of it and to desire the Duke of Orleans and the Prince of Conde to write to the President Nesmond with assurance as they had declared in the Assembly to lay down their Arms and yield entire obedience to his Majestie so soon as Mazarine should be gone Orleans therefore writ that by the desire of the Court that he and the Prince should send Deputies to the King they could imagine no other thing considering with what delays the Audience of the Deputies was retarded but that it was a device of the Cardinal to elude his Majesties resolution in banishing him the Kingdom and making Peace with his subjects that although the solemn Declarations made and reiterated before the Parlement might suffice yet to make it more clearly appear how sincerely and candidly he had behaved himself in all those Transactions he was resolved to let him know by that Letter that he might assure and faithfully promise to the King that he should punctually make good his said Declaration so soon as ever the Cardinal should withdraw in good earnest and without any other shadow of suspition and should send to render him his humble thanks receive his Orders and Commands having no other Agreements or Conditions to make with his Majestie but only to obey him as he was always ready to do with all respect and submission according to the obligation of his birth The Prince writ also to Nesmond in the same form and charged him to give all assurance of the reality of their intentions Hereupon Nesmond being admitted to the Kings Presence spake in this manner Sir The Assurance that it hath pleased your Majestie to give us for the retirement of Cardinal Mazarine hath fill'd the hearts of your Vassals with hope upon the confidence they have that the words of Kings as the Word of God bring their full effect and can never be but profitable Your Parlement hath given us in charge to testifie to your Majestie with all humbleness and respect their desire and to request the effecting it conformable to their Declaration and to the Decrees that have seconded it supplicating your Majestie to consider that the miseries of France augmenting daily and suffering no delay it will be an effect of your bounty Not to defer the remedy so desired a benefit any longer the Duke of Orleans and the Prince of Conde have given us in charge to confirm to your Majestie their first Declarations and represent on their behalf that they have nothing to propound by employing Deputies submitting themselves to obey your Orders with all obedience so soon as the Cardinal shall have fulfill'd your Majesties Declaration It depends now Sir on your Authority to shorten all these ills yielding to this departure at our supplication We have no more words to express our grief the force of which does stop our utterance The publick disorders the ruine of the State the Power of the Enemies the Misery of the People are sensibly obvious to your Majesties sight and will yet more touch your Majesties heart to whom we protest that we shall always have an eternal obligation for the end of so many mischiefs and for the Peace the Kingdom The King reply'd that he would participate all this to his Council and they should receive his Answer which was delivered them the day following in writing and read by the Count de Brienne in these words That the King had granted the request made him to send away the Cardinal though he clearly saw it was only a pretext to disturb the State if the Princes had accepted the Articles that were to be performed on their part sincerely there would have remained no other stop to the establishment of the quiet of the Realm That if his Majestie had believed that his Answer to the Deputies touching that Affair should have served as an occasion for a new Decree of Parlement he would not have given it in any wise knowng that in the condition the Parlement was then in as well for the absence of a great number of the principal Counsellours as for the violent Authority usurp'd by the Heads of the Rebellion they were deprived of their freedom and reduced to obey other mens wills since by the Decree of the first of July it was resolved not to treat nor determine any thing concerning the publick Affairs till the Courts of Justice and the City were restored to their freedom but instead of providing for their safety when the Assembly was convened in the Town-house to that effect the burnings violences and slaughters had reduced the Tribunals and the City to the extreamest oppression so that his Majestie could no longer regard the determinations made in a Company where the Liberty of Voices was not free The Kings intention in his Answer to the Deputies was to give them opportunity that the Princes might send persons of their own with Authority to receive Orders for putting the Articles by them accepted in execution and to agree upon the time the manner and the security for the performance so that not without Reason His Majesty was surprized to see Subjects pretend to obtain things of their Soveraign that were never practised even among Princes that were equal It was not fit that he should be the first to fulfil on his part what hath been agreed on till the Conditions which comprehend the true cause of these distractions be solemnly promised and cleared as they ought to be It being evident that the principal occasion
of the Disturbances of the Kingdom hath been the taking up of Arms the Union of the Princes with the Spaniards the introducing them into His Majesties Fortresses and the ruines and desolations caused by the Souldiers of the Princes and by consequence the peace can never be re-established till the Hostilities be forborn their Arms laid down the Spaniards driven out of the Kingdom and the Leagues made with them intirely broken It is therefore necessary for all these reasons that the Princes do agree upon the time the manner and the security for performance of the Conditions that they seem to have accepted And although His Majesty may in reason insist as well for the conservation of his Dignity as for Interest of State to have all the said Conditions performed by the Princes before he advance a step further on his part yet nevertheless the King persisting in his Declaration gives his Word again upon their continued instances to permit the Cardinal to retire so soon as the Duke of Orleans and the Prince shall agree not in general and obscure Declarations but clearly and in good form as is wont to be practised in occurrences of that importance and in the manner as above-mentioned for putting in execution the Articles included in His Majesties Answer of the 16th of June last past there being no likelihood that onely general Declarations inserted in a Register are of sufficient force to annul the Princes Treaty concluded and ratified with Spain for the performance of which he seemed very much concern'd and from which there is no probability he will depart if the Spaniards continue to make good their promise in sending Souldiers and Money and when he really should have a mind to break off the said Treaty he must necessarily give notice of it to the Spaniards to the end that they forbear to execute their Promise That which the King desires therefore of the Prince is that he agree of the time and manner how to declare to the Ministers of Spain that he intends to be no longer engaged with them And this His Majesty finds himself obliged the more earnestly to insist on knowing by divers Letters intercepted which were shewn and verified to the Deputies that the said Prince after the Declaration made in Parlement hath sollicited the Spanish Generals as he still continues to do that they will enter into France with all their Forces and it is very hard to believe that his intention is to establish Peace in the Kingdom which he gives out to depend on the Cardinals removal making use of the Spanish Forces for the obtaining thereof That nothing can be more for the interest and designes of the Ministers of Spain then to continue the divisions wherefore his Majesties pleasure is that the said Deputies do give notice of all this to the Duke of Orleans and the Prince to the end that they may know the Reasons for which they are obliged to send some one to Court in their name sufficiently impowered to declare more particularly their will for the real effecting every thing contain'd in the Articles and that in the mean time they remain at Court to expect the Answer and to be eye-Witnesses of His Majesties sincerity in condescending to whatever may conduce to settle the Kingdom in quiet the retarding of which can be imputed to none but the Princes if they refuse to agree to what hath been delivered with His Majesties accustomed Clemency which shines forth the more brightly and ought to be the more valu'd considering that he hath the absolute power to give Law to whom he please without condition The Court not well satisfied with the Pricâs for sending their ââpâties to receive orders and adjust businesses which they had declar'd were agreed upon they used all art and diligence to inform the people that not the Cardinal but the pretension of the Princes was the sole obstacle of the Peace and the principal cause of all the miseries of the poor subjects not omitting by the help of their party and those servants who had stuck to them to keep Intelligence and put in practice all fit means for the establishment of the Royal Authority and for the ruine of the lawless and inconsistent party seeing moreover the little effect the Kings near approach to Paris had produced in all this time the great scarcity of Provisions which more and more incommoded them the Infection in the Royal Camp which destroyed many and the fear lest that the Spanish Army keeping along the Oyse should advance towards Pontoise a very important place at that time By the Council of the Cardinal His Majestie resolved the 16. of July to dislodge from St. Denis and go to Pontoise fix leagues distant the Cardianal continuing still in his Ministry by His Majesties express Command though he continually press'd for leave to depart All the Affairs therefore being regulated as he saw fit they were so well ordered that those good effects ensued which were seen afterwards but the Princes and their Favourers continually quarrelling at the doings of the Court taxing them that they studied only tricks to delude the people and had very little inclination for the Peace which depended on the sending away of the Cardinal they redoubled their detractions with so much heat malice that it is not to be imagined the conceits spread in publick and in private against the Cardinal and other Officers of Court continually slandered with opprobrious language The Court removing from St. Denis left there the Deputies with orders to expect what Answer his Majestie should think fit to return them since they had refused to follow him upon pretence that they had not their Equipage and that it was necessary they should return to Paris to exercise their charge The King lay at Pontoise and the Army in the adjacent places upon the River to watch the motion of the Spaniards who made excursions into those Territories to the great damage of the Inhabitants The News of the Kings and Armies departure from St. Denis being spread abroad it was divulged in Paris according to the nature of same which always makes things appear more then they are that the Deputies were detained prisoners wherefore the Prince of Conde with 400 Horse posted thither to inform himself of the business found there the Deputies at liberty and offered eo conduct them to Paris They excused themselves that they had engaged their word to Monsieur de Saintot to stay at St. Denys till further Order from the King but the Parlement meeting the day following and determining to call them back Oleans Conde and Beaufort went out again with above 2000 persons and bringing them to Paris conducted them to the Parlement with such universal applause as if they had return'd from some glorious conquest albeit the King by express Order had call'd them to Pontoise for Affairs of great concern that hapned unexpectedly after his departure from St. Denis Yet the Male-contents divulged that this was an
artificial reach of the Court to weary them out by delays in stead of giving consolation in good earnest and to protract time by which Mazarine hoped to be able at last to gain the Parisiens by force of sufferings accustomed to enjoy peaceably their rich Traffick and to make extraordinarily advantage of those commodities that they send to all the parts of the world To take order for all these things the King with advice of his Council the 18th of July after a long rehearsal of all things past and of the principal causes of those ill events decreed that Information should be taken of the horrible and scandalous attempt upon the Town-house the 14th of the present moneth seeking and finding out the circumstances and dependencies also by way of Monitory and to proceed against the Authors and Complices of the Massacres and Violences committed according to the Statutes and rigour of the Laws and in the mean time annull'd and revoked the pretended Election of the Counsellour Brussel into the place of Provost of Merchands whom His Majesty expresly prohibited to act in that Function upon pain of Death and he and all his posterity to be accountable for the disorders happened or that should happen since his pretended administration He declared moreover all the Resolves made from the first of July as well in the Parlement as in the Town-house touching the publick affairs null and invalid till the Governour and the Provost of Merchands and the other Magistrates that were constrained to absent themselves were restored and that sufficient Provision were made for securing of the due Administration of Justice and safety of the City according to the tenure of that Decree The King expresly prohibited all the other Cities of the Kingdom and all his Subjects and Servants not to take any cognizance of any Orders or Decrees from Paris so long as it remain'd under the Tyrannical power of Rebels And to the end that the Money destin'd for the publick Uses of the City should not remain at the Enemies disposal to make use of it for the Warre and to pay the Spanish troops that they had call'd in His Majestie ordered it to be brought to the place where he should establish his abode to be put into Hands of the Pay-Masters of the publick Rents who were commanded to repair to Court with all the other Consuls and Sheriffs of the Cities within the term of three days after the publication of the Decree in the usual manner The Princes the Parlement and the Frondeurs were greatly disturb'd at this departure believing that the Court did but mock at their licentious and extravagant Pretences The Count de Servient had signified to the Deputies in His Majesties Name that if the Duke of Orleans and the Prince of Conde not willing to nominate Commissioners of their own should rather desire to make use of the Parlements Deputies that the King was content and would adjust the Propositions with them contain'd in the foresaid Answer promising to send away the Cardinal and that before the Articles should be performed on their part provided they could come to an Agreement with their Deputies or with those of the Parlement when they should be impowered but the Princes in stead of accepting this offer and staying the Deputies at St. Denis to expect there the Kings Answer or to go and find him at Pontoise as he had ordered they were conducted as hath been said to Paris where continuing their Complaints of their being slighted by the Court they stood firm to have the Cardinal expell'd before any thing else was done flattering themselves in their own opinions and esteeming every thing easie arising from an overweening sufficiency The Parlement ambitious to usurp a greater Authority then what became them fell at last upon the resolution to chuse the Duke of Orleans Lieutenant General of the Crown and the Prince of Conde General of the Army under Orleans and supplicated His Royal Highness to take upon him this Quality under pretence of freeing the King from the hands of the Cardinal who had snatcht him from his people and kept him in constraint But this determination profitted them little as well because it was not imbraced by the other Parlements of the Kingdom but rather refused and reprehended as also because Orleans being of a disposition absolutely contrary to violent courses would not imbroil himself in that attempt but especially because he and the Cardinal de Retz the Contriver of all the Plots promised to themselves that without their ruining the Court Mazarine would be gone of himself The Cardinal de Retz put this into the Dukes head for fear that the Court being too much depressed the Prince of Conde his irreconcilable Enemy should rise too high Retz thus endeavouring to arrive at the Ministry first with the expulsion of Mazarine and afterward with the ruine of the Prince through the re-uniting the Queen with the Duke of Orleans was supposed the onely and true cause of the total downfall of that Party and afterward of his own imprisonment The Parlement moreover decreed that should go in the sale of the Moveables and other things belonging to the Cardinal The fond was likewise laid for the 50000 crowns the price of the Cardinals Head upon a years tax on Cattel But whether it was lukewarmness or the policy of those who endeavoured with like arts to bring to an advantageous conclusion the secret Treaties still managed in the Princes name by Monsieur de Goucourt with the assistance of the Duke of Bovillon who insisted earnestly for bringing the Prince of Conde and the Cardinal to an Agreement excluding Orleans or for what other secret respects the money was never deposited and many other things were passed by by reason of the concerns of the parties that interven'd The day following Orleans went to the Parlement and after many Complements declared that he would accept the charge of Lieutenant-General of the Crown so long as the King should be retained by the Cardinal but desired to have a Council about him establish'd by the Parlement The Chambers return'd Answer that they referr'd themselves to what his Royal Highness should determine He went in the same manner to the Chamber of Accounts where he declared the same thing and made the same request to have some of their Members in his Council and here again he had the like Answer that all was left to his own choice in pursuance whereof he took into his new Council of State the major part of the Male-contents and the first Consultation that was held was the third of August But these Proceedings so prejudicial to the Crown were carried on with as much coldness as they were embraced with eagerness And although in appearance these Decrees of the Parlement and Actions of the Princes looked like some great matter of importance in reality they were only shadows which in a short time vanished of themselves for by the cunning contrivances of Mazarine by little
to the Parlement and the Court were not sincere while at the same time that he profess'd himself ready for the Peace he protested at Madrid and Brussels that he would always adhere to the Crown of Spain and hold on the War negotiating likewise in England to get assistance to carry on his designes and therefore it concern'd them to take away his Helps and Associates in France without which he would remain only a bare Captain of the King of Spain and be able to do little against a Kingdom more potent then any other when united and obedient to its King In the mean time the Troops of the Princes remain'd encamp'd on the other side the River Sene betwixt Surenne and St. Cloud expecting the supplies which were sent him from Flanders but those fruitful hills being full of Vineyards and the Grapes beginning to ripen the damage which the Souldiers did to the people was very grievous by whose Sollicitation they were drawn out to the end of the Suburbs of St. Victor where in quartering themselves they fell to blows with the Citizens that were upon the Guard at the street end where four or five inhabitants ansâ fifteen or twenty Souldiers were slain which help'd so much the more to augment the discord amongst them But the Cardinal knowing that the safety of the Royal party consisted in reducing the Parisiens to seek their quiet which began to be wish'd for by them The people the Merchants and all persons generally being weary of the calamities they sustain'd and tired out by the continual Guards which without pay and with abandoning their traffick they were constrained to keep he advised the King to stay at Compiegne and not to be prevail'd on by intreaties to return to Paris without unquestion'd security that he should not be detain'd again and this was one of the Maxims especially recommended to the Queen in his absence and which he particularly gave in charge to the Abbot Ondedei He added that the Kings Army ought to go to oppose the troops of Flanders which were marching to assist the Princes and if they were too weak so that enterprize they should remove to Ville neufve S. George on the North-side the Sene four leagues from Paris and fortifying themselvs with good trenches live upon the provisions that from Corbeil Melun and other neighboring places they should get in abundance by means of the River where making a stay the Enemies troops by consequence must lodge themselves thereabouts so that the Souldiers sacking and pillaging the Country and robbing and killing all that should pass that way without coming to a rupture of shewing any such intention Paris would be involv'd in a very troublesome siege and the Princes rendred odious as being reputed the principal occasion of all those disasters and thus carrying on their intelligence with their loyal friends in the City the Parisiens would be brought with greater facility to take fit resolutions to free them from their miseries which could not be done so long as they were deprived of the King This was the greatest stroak the Cardinal could give and it is certain that this Maxim duly observed promoted the ruine of his opposite Party for Paris could not free it self from the hovering ruine without sending away the Prince of Condé whose fall was most certain because staying there with the Army he increased their miseries which stirred up the peoples hatred against him and by retiring himself he lost the support of so rich and powerful a City with so much the more prejudice as that he would be forc'd to retire to his places upon the Mose quit the Realm and throw himself into the arms of the Spaniards Upon the news of the Cardinals departure out of the Kingdom the Ministers of Spain were not a little troubled because they perceived by his removal the Male-contents had no more pretext for what they did Taking their measures therefore to assist but not to strengthen too much the Party of the Princes two things were propos'd One was to advance with their whole Army and forcing the Kings Army from about Paris keep those Citizens faithful and united to the Princes The other to amuse that Party and the people of Paris with great hopes but little effects that by their seeming assistance they might hold firm in their pretensions and redoubling their disobedience and injuries against the Court be finally necessitated to declare against the King so that rendering themselves unworthy of favour and affrighted with the thoughts of chastisement they would endeavour to preserve their Usurped Authority To the first Proposition were opposed the imminent dangers that the Court seeing themselves reduc'd to should be forc'd to grant to the Princes those Points which with much fervency were insisted on by their friends and partakers Neither did the other seem convenient in that present conjuncture for when the Princes and the Parlement should perceive themselves depriv'd of the hopes and promises made them by the Spaniards knowing they were not able to subsist by Paris alone which was wavering even in the beginning of the Union they would be constrain'd to regulate themselves as Necessity should counsel them and accept those conditions that had been already offer'd them upon the Accommodation so that by either of these ways they apprehended they should not much help forward their Designs which they had proposed to themselves upon the continuance of the civil troubles in France Embracing therefore a third counsel they resolved to cause their Troops to advance knowing that if the Parisiens did not continue firm they should at least encourage the Martial and haughty thoughts of the Prince of Condé who making war in France as first Prince of the Bloud and esteemed one of the Valiantest of the Age he could not but much trouble and annoy the contrary Party Wherefore the Spanish and Lorein Troops began to move towards the Sene to the number of 3000 Horse under Prince Ulderick of Wirtemberg 6 other Regiments of Horse conducted by the Chevalier de Guise and 6000 Lorrainers with their Duke who all together formed an Army of about 11000 combatents These thought to put themselves into the Post of Villeneuf S. George but were prevented by the Mareschal Turenne who according to the Instruction of Cardinal Mazarine had already possessed it and intrenched himself there with the Kings Army and cast two Bridges over the River The Spaniards the Lorrainers and the Troops of the Princes quartered round about the Country so that the Souldiers of both Parties scouring the Campania on all sides Paris remained besieg'd by their own friends wherefore the Citizens daily pressed the King to return to Paris who answered he was ready so to do if the Duke of Orleans would cause the Prince of Conde to retire to his Government of Guienne the Duke of Beaufort to his Castle of Anet and the strangers out of the Kingdom The Cardinal de Retz took the advantage of these favourable accidents and with
the Dutchess of Chevreuse and the Marquess of Chasteauneuf Condé's Enemies endeavoured to separate the Duke of Orleans from the Prince and unite him to the Court that so remaining together near the King they might hinder the return of Mazarine and having ruined the Party of Condé get the management of Affairs into their own hands And this was the onely true cause of all the Caballs of these Lords for they had no ill will against the Kings service onely thought to do it handsomer then Mazarine did who was hated by many as a stranger and not beneficial Yet notwithstanding the troubles of the Court the Kings Troops went on with the Siege of Monterond and took it obliging the Defendants to yield it up for want of Provisions Brisac was likewise put into the Kings hands by the Mareschal of Guebriants Lady through the Address of Mazarine after strange occurrences happened in that place by the Intrigues of Charlevois who was taken prisoner and of the Count d' Harcourt who under some vain pretences that he was not secure at Court retired into that Fortress and staid there some time till he had spent all the Money he had got in managing the Kings Army in Guienne in which Affair Mazarine had the whole direction and ordered the matter so dexterously that the Count d' Harcourt refusing the Offers of the Spaniards and Imperialists returned at last to his due obedience The Princes in the mean time prosecuted their design to streighten so the Camp of Turenne that forcing them to quit the Post they might fight him and destroy him by the superiority of their Forces Turenne staid there with much hardship hoping to weary out the Parisiens and reduce them to their duty obliging them to drive away the strangers from the Town But all this while there happened no Action of moment because both Parties proceeded with caution and reserve lest they should receive any disaster so that the Countrey being on all sides overrun by the Souldiers Paris chiefly found the trouble and incommodity none being secure to traffick without the gates without danger of being robb'd and kill'd Upon these disorders the Townesmen began to frequent the Assemblies more then ordinary to devise how to free themselves from these tedeous miseries The 5th of September it was resolved on in the Town-house to send some of the Body of the City to supplicate the King to come to Paris For the same effect the Clergy likewise deputed some of theirs and the Cardinal de Retz was chosen their Head as Coadjutor of that Archbishoprick He went in a very splendid Equipage and made a most elegant Oration to their Majesties exhorting them to return to Paris The motive of this his going as the report went was to gratifie the Parisiens in their desire for the Courts return to gain the credit as Mediator of so great a work for the universal good and drawing advantage by Mazarines absence render himself necessary at Court gain the Kings favour and by means of the Duke of Orleans make his way The Kings answer was in general and like to the others formerly given to those that went upon the same account which was that he was ready to grant their request whensoever the Enemies of the publick peace should be driven away And this was the result and drift of the Court according to the advice of Mazarine to stir up the City against the Princes who though they laboured all they could to make them understand that the Amnesty given at Pontoise was full of Prevarication they could not so prevail but the major part accepted it and not onely in Paris but also in Bourdeaux it caused some dispute 'T is true that the Princess of Condé the Prince of Conty the Dutchess of Longueville and others being in this remote City their Presence and Authority prevailed The new Council of the Ormiera determined not to permit by any means the Parlement to accept it without the consent of the Prince of Condé The Bourdelois were in this point more resolute and constant because the Kings Army in Guienne wanting a General after the departure of the Count d' Harcourt they hoped encouraged thereunto by Count Marcin to recover the Towns and places possessed by the said Count d' Harcourt especially the Kings Troops being grown lasie and negligent they let Marsin attempt what he pleased Wherefore it being necessary to provide another Chief by the counsel of Mazarine the Government of the Army and the Province was conferred on the Duke of Candale onely Son of the Duke of Espernon a young Prince sprightly and generous and valiant above measure who undertook divers Enterprises and finally constrained the Bourdolois to return to their obedience THE HISTORY Of the Managements of Cardinal MAZARINE LIB III. AT the same time the Duke de Mercoeur was in Provence with Commissions for Governour of that Province yet without the dismission of the Duke of Angoulesme who was the true Governour but by order of the King was kept Prisoner in Berry because having promised His Majesty not to go into Provence without his Permission but to stay at Paris he notwithstanding afterwards under colour of going to his estate went out of the way with design as it was discovered by Mazarine to foment the sedition begun in the City of Tolon by this imprisonment with the diligence of the Duke of Mercoeur and the direction of Cardinal Mazarine Tolon was restored to its former obedience and the gates were opened to the Kings Troops and all the Province thereupon kept in peace which was otherwise threatned with sedition and troubles The Duke of Angoulesme remained prisoner three months but afterwards the King being assured by the promises and good intentions of the Dutchess his wife and by the interposition of the Duke of Joyeuse his son-in-law he was set free the beginning of October following and was permitted to stay in Paris and at Court keeping all this while the Patents of Governour of Provence but few months after he passed to another life and with his death his Family was extinct At the same time that the Cardinal of Retz with the other Deputies of the Clergy were compleating their business with their Majesties at Compeigne the Deputation of the Commons of Paris was sent back by the King with the Answer which followeth That his Majesty always preserving a gracious inclination for his good City of Paris and having a perfect knowledge of their fidelity and disposition to his service and their due obedience did suffer an unspeakable grief of heart to understand the oppression which it underwent and particularly since the fourth of July all seeming to be perverted which he had endeavor'd to make known his right intentions in opposition to that malice and violence through which those Conflagrations Massacres and other strange effects had taken place for no other end then to turn away his faithful subjects from their obedience that the Officers and lawful Magistrates
he ended this Answer with a demand which he made them to try their good intentions and as a business most necessary which was That the Inhabitants would re-establish in their Offices the Governour the Prevost of the Merchants and the Sheriffs who had been turned out Which being done his Majestie would presently send Orders to be observed in the Town-house assuring the six Companies of Merchants of his entire satisfaction good-will and Protection The Princes the Parliament and the whole Faction were very much disturbed at this Message and as they clearly saw that those of Paris had changed their minds and most earnestly sought for Peace which was not a little destructive to their designs they applied themselves with all industry to finde out means to overcome the Kings Army by force of Arms and make themselves Masters of the Field esteeming this the only way to maintain themselves in Paris while it remain'd deprived of that support which on all occasions it might deceive from the Kings troops But to return to Mazarine who arriving at Sedan and from thence Bovillon out of the Kingdom there wanted not persons who interposed for the adjusting at least of the Duke of Orleans with the Court. The Cardinal de Retz and the Marquess of Chasteauneuf promising to themselves that if once his Royal Highness should return to Court he might by degrees regain His Majesties favour and taking his place again in the Council they should not be left behind To this end with the consent of the Duke of Lorrain the Marquess of Saint Lambert was dispatch'd to the Court to begin the Negotiation But the Queen and the Kings Officers who were attent upon the return of Mazarine and their own security could in no wise consent that the Duke of Orleans a Confident of the Prince of Conde's and a Confederate of the Spaniards should meddle in the Government considering that if the Duke of Orleans with his followers and Adherents should insinuate themselves into the Affairs of the Kingdom there would be more danger then ever of diminishing the Kings Authority for the secure support whereof it is requisite that no Officer of State should depend upon any other then the King himself for these by diminishing the credit of others would endeavour to dispose of all things after their own fancies threatning whomsoever should oppose them to turn all things upside down again The Prince of Conde who was engaged with the Duke of Orleans by the Promise of Marriage between his Royal Highness his Daughter and the Duke of Anguien and thought he went hand in hand with him although he was left out of the Treaty might in time also have made his Peace with those advantages himself desired and the Duke of Orleans had promised Mazarine therefore making prudent reflexions upon considerations so nice who though far from the Court yet directed all things was very sensible how inconsiderate advice this must be that exposed the Government to the will and discretion of others which under an absolute Monarch will admit of no Companion These Affairs being thus on foot the Princes and the Parliament stood much upon the Point that the Act of Oblivion granted by the King did not contain a full abolition and pardon of what had been done in the last five years past nor was expressed in those termes which were desired viz. in general and without conditions but served only for the inhabitants of Paris with design that if they were once satisfied not to matter much the Princes and Parliament They urged therefore that the King ought to give full and irrevocable Authority to the Duke of Orleans to forme another without any exceptions to be ratified in the Parliament of Paris where the Counsellors gone to Pontoise ought to appear and this to be done in the Presence of the King himself for this cause the Parliament met often some Letters were writ by the Duke of Orleans the Duke d' Anville and the Marquess of St. Lambert negotiated with the Kings Council and many things were done the particular relation of which would be too tedeous But Cardinal Mazarine knowing how prejudicial this would be to the Kings Authority by his Advice the granting of Pass-ports was absolutely denied to those deputed by the Parliament already declared invalid holding firm to their first resolutions so that Affairs remained in the same posture as at first each party endeavouring to uphold their own opinions The third of October the Parliament in Paris being assembled to hear what News the Marquess of St. Lambert brought from the Court two Watermen were laid hold of who cried aloud God bless the King and Cardinal Mazarine and were seconded by many others they were led to the prison of Conciergery and Order given to draw up their Indictment as also against divers others who cried the same in several streets of Paris giving out that such kind of Fellows were set on by some that gave them money on purpose to move the people to sedition This News being brought to Court and besides that the Parliament continued to proceed against some of those who met at the Assembly in the Palace-Royal the King with the Advice of His Council passed a Decree upon the fifth of October by which he cancell'd and annull'd all the aforesaid pretended proceedings informations and orders published or to be published imposing severe penalties upon the Commissioners or Judges that should proceed any further commanding all the Inhabitants of Paris to execute His Majesties Orders and Commands In the mean time the Kings Army was at Villeneufue St. George much streightned and pressed hard upon by the Troops of the Princes and their Confederates who were superior in number and in danger either to be forced as they lay or set upon in their retreat seeing that for want of provisions and forage many both men and horses died This troubled the Court very much and above all Mazarine who was the cause that the Army put themselves in that place and doubted some sinister event the winning of the day consisting in keeping the Kings Army near Paris by which means those Practices were fomented which were managed by the Cardinals directions in that City in favour of the King The Princes who understood the importance of this business and that if the Kings Army should preserve themselves all their designs were ruined omitted nothing either to overcome them or reduce them by famine and sufferings to the utmost despair but the nearness and delights of Paris together with the sickness which hapned to the Prince of Conde Wirtemberg and many other of the Principal Commanders which may be truly attributed to an effect of the Divine Providence was the break-neck of their party but besides the sickness of these Princes the Dukes of Lorrain and Beaufort and most of the other Chief Officers with a considerable number of the best Souldiers were also in the City as well for the suspicion they had that the Citizens might rise
multitude naturally inclined to follow what flies them and flie from that which follows them He answered Nogent coldly and desired eight days time to consider of it for he could not nor would not do any thing without the Prince of Conde with whom he was bound in a strict League of Friendship The King being come to St. Clou hearing nothing of the Duke of Orleans his coming to meet him but rather that there was little appearance of it he sent the Duke d' Anville for the same purpose to him whereat the Duke was much perplexed with two great Considerations On the one side he was touched with remorse that he should deny his Affection and due respect to the King his Nephew on the other side his faith fair dealing with his friend the Prince of Conde would be called in question by all the world should he proceed in this perplexity therefore at last he resolved not to stir and it is thought that he took this resolution by the Counsel of Cardinal de Retz who promised to himself that if the Duke were resolved to stay in Paris he might make his party strong enough against the Court by the great number of people his dependents and followers but whether the Duke could not or would not enter upon this design the Proposition was rejected as shall be related A great number of Persons of the better sort besides all the Officers and Magistrates went out to meet the King and returned with him the same night to Paris His Majesty came in late by reason of his staying by the way expecting the Duke of Orleans his Answer not thinking it convenient to come into the City if the Duke did not go out or promise to do so the next Morning At the Gate of the Louvre the King was received by the Cardinal de Retz with a great number of Prelates and other Persons of Quality The Sieur de Sevin was sent the same Evening to the Duke in His Majestie 's Name to give him notice that he should retire to his dwelling at Lemours he made Answer with some resenting words They consulted again what expedient to take some insisted not to obey but that the Duke should defend himself in his Palace in St. Germains suburbs from whence it was no easie matter for the Kings Guards alone to drive him out for they judged that the People would never take Arms against the Kings Uncle especially seeing that a great number of the Parisiens were dependent upon him and on other Lords of his party amongst these was the Cardinal de Retz who was in favour with a great part of the people as well in respect that he was their Pastour as for his liberality in all things and chiefly to the poor He insisted that if the Inhabitants that were affectionate to their party were united with the help that they might receive from those of the Suburbs of Saint Germain they should be able to contest with the Court if in case they should set upon them and upon occasion they might call the Prince of Conde back again with the Army by which means it might so happen that their Majesties to avoid living in the midst of such confusions upon the confidence of the Inhabitants so much given to change would return to St Germains or else the business being brought to a Treaty and this Cardinal entring as Mediatour he should by this means set himself right again at Court and perhaps partake in the Management of Affairs of State which was thought to be the scope of all his Actions The Duke would not embrace this Counsel but resolved to obey and give way retiring the next Morning to Limours with the Dukes of Beaufort and Rohan and other Lords of his party Mademoiselle went to Fargeaux a house of hers near the Loire It was very fortunate for Mazarine that Orleans refused to agree for if after the Agreement he had remained at Paris the people would have thought that all this was brought about by his contriving whereby he would have increased his reputation with the Parisiens and maintained his former Authority so that Mazarine would not have dared to return to Court whilst there was a strong party in Paris against him and especially the Cardinal de Retz who for his generosity was more generally beloved then Mazarine who in his Actions shew'd somewhat of covetousness and was more sparing both in his expences and in gratifying his friends and servants The King therefore being absolutely restored to his full Authority and the Duke deprived of all obedience and a great way from Paris with all his Adherents those happy events which succeeded afterwards were more easily brought to pass The next Morning being the 23. all the Courts of Parliament met in the Gallery of the Louvre except those persons who had not received particular Letters from the King as the President le Bailleul son of the late Chancellour to the Queen and Surintendant of the Finances De Thou and Viole the Counsellours Brussell Genou Portail Brisac Croyssi Foquet Machault and Martineau At this Meeting they made four Declarations the first was for the reuniting of the two Parliaments the second the General Amnesty the third was a Prohibition to the Parliament not to meddle in any matters but civil and criminal according to the Laws and the fourth was to nominate those who were by the Kings ordet to retire viz. the forementioned and Counsellour Bitaut to whom a Letter had been sent by a mistake The Duke of Beaufort of Rohan of Rochefoucaut Frontailles le Bollay Penis the Domesticks of the Prince of Conde of the Dutchess of Longueville the Wives and Children of all those who were then in the service of the Princes and in the places which they held as well in Guienne as elsewhere had order to be gone from Paris and not to return upon any pretence soever without express leave from his Majesty these being the persons accused who always perverted the Parliament and made the people discontent and seditious there were also express orders made against all things contained in the third Declaration The same day the Queen of England and the Dutchess of Chevreuse went to visit the Dutchess of Orleans who remained in Paris by reason of her being great with Childe and the Dutchess of Chevreuse told her from the Queen that she had liberty to stay in her Palace The Dutchess was very much surprised at the Novelty of it and answered in modest expressions that she could not leave the Duke her husband and seeing that she could not take a journey any otherwise in the condition she was in she would be carried in mens arms and prepared for it but she received express Orders from the Duke to stay and not to hazard her life being so near her tââe which she did and was brought to bed of a Daughter a few days after Prince Thomas went also to visit her and assured her that it was never his opinion at
the Counsel that the Duke should withdraw from Court where if he had appeared he would have been received by their Majesties with extraordinary testimonies of their cordial affections But because it was not thought good that so great a Prince should be left under the notion of the Kings enemy the Wednesday following the Duke d' Anville was sent to Limours to treat with him where the King desiring that Cardinal Mazarine might be comprehended they could not agree the Duke continuing firm in his resolution never to be friends with him more nor to come to Court so long as he should have the management of Affairs but in every thing else he should be ready to give His Majestie all manner of satisfaction The Secretary Tellier and others of the Kings Ministers went some days after to try to gain him but the Duke that he might not seem mistaken in his deliberations would not yield to their reasons and having at length given notice of this to the Prince of Conde by the Sieur de Godovin Field-Mareschal whom he sent expressly to him and receiving Answer that the Prince was of the same opinion with the Duke of it was concluded in this manner that he was contented to live quietly at Blois that he would call back his Forces from the Prince of Conde's Army and unite them to the Kings upon condition that they might not be employed immediatly against the said Prince to whom by reason of the entire friendship that he professed to him he could not be wanting in what unfortunate estate soever he might be cast The Affairs of the Duke of Orleans being concluded in this manner he executed punctually all that was agreed upon and withdrew himself from the care of all worldly affairs applying himself to live quietly and free from all disturbance The Duke of Beaufort went to live at Vendosme and the rest of those who were exiled leaving Paris retired to their Countrey-houses very much grieved but especially when they saw Mazarine triumphant in their misfortunes The President Maison and Counsellour Vedeau proposed to assemble the Chambers of Inquest to treat vpon means how they might protect their Companions fallen into disgrace and gave out that they would rather renounce their places then support a grievance so prejudicial to the publick dignity But the greater part being of another opinion the Chambers met not and Maison being sent for to the Louvre received a sharp reprehension with some threathings which were afterward put in execution for he and Vedeau were also banishâd some of these were backward to quit Paris but it helped nothing being constrained to do it for fear of greater violence Only Brussel being old poor and without any Countrey-house did not stir from his in Paris where he remain'd privately saying boldly That he feared nothing because he was guilty of nothing that if the Court desired his life they might take it for he was now old enough and for a year or two more or less he cared very little seeing that the praises of good men have their birth from the bosom of death These expressions made deep impression in the hearts of many of the people whose spirits were not yet quieted and who had not forgot the good-will they had had for him nor their Prejudices against the Court. The Court took no notice of this and made as if they believed he were out of the Town being out of Commerce and sight of the people Brussel therefore remained private and retired in the City although he was banished by name Afterwards there was very good order taken for the Government of the City the security of Paris consisting in winning the affection of the people which succeeded happily by the help of him who governed in a time when by the weakness of the Court they might have expected great misfortunes it was no small marvel not to say a miracle to see in so short a time the fury and indignation of a multitude appeased of its own accord which boasted of nothing more then their firm and immutable resolutions of maintaining their own phrenzies to see the Meeting of the Fronda broken and dispersed the Parliament curbed the most audacious brought low and lastly the King triumphing more by the Power of Justice of his Innocence and Mildness then by the force of his Strength and Authority Whilst things pass in this manner at Paris many new disturbances broke out at Bourdeaux Those of the Faction called de l' Olmiere dismantled the Palace du Ha and committed many insolencies upon those of the Parlement so that there was great disorder amongst them The Parlement sought by all means to keep this Faction under but in vain seeing it was backed by the greater part of the common people Mazarine fail'd not also to use all industry to appease these disorders endeavouring to sow discord amongst them and to render them diffident of one another and in the end obtained his intent as shall be related The Spaniards in the mean-while engaged in the siege of Barcellona failed not to do their utmost for the gaining of that most important place The Cardinal though absent took care that the King gave necessary Orders for the relief of it and the Marquess de St. Andre Monbrun was commanded to march from Piemont into Catalonia with a good number of Horse and Foot which he did with all speed there ensued divers exploits The besieged making a Sally by night out of the gate of Trussana upon the 16. of July 1652. with design to drive the enemy further off assaulted and took the Fort upon the Mountain of Mongirick but not having furnished it with Provision and Ammunition it was attacqued again and retaken by the Spaniards giving good quarter St. Andrew Montbrun had relieved the Town if he had had money enough for Provisions to have put into it and for the maintaining his Army for having happily attaqued the line He entred in but was afterwards forced to retire for want of Provisions and the Horse mutinying by reason of the great hardships they endured the Spaniards took all the places which are beyond upon the Sea-Coast from Palamos to Barcelona and so deprived the besieged of that little which used to be brought in to them by night in small barks so that being reduced to the greatest extremities upon the eleventh of October the Mareschal de la Motte capitulated with Don John of Austria for the surrender and so that City returned again under the obedience of His Catholick Majesty Upon the 21 of October the same year neither the French nor the Savoyards being able to relieve Casal in Italy the Governour thereof Monsieur de St. Angel was constreined to surrender it upon Articles and to put the Citadel into the hands of the Duke of Mantua's Captains who put in a Garrison of his own souldiers laughing at them who imagined and even after the taking of it were so confident to maintain that the Spaniards should have
he esteem him faithful who had not shewn himself so to him that these offers might be like those Gifts sent exchangeably between Hector and Ajax That we ought to give least credit to things which seem most credible and to consider that the more any one offers and promiseth out of Necessity the sooner he will fail when his turn is served that he knew sufficiently the Cardinal to be a person as ready to promise much as industrious afterwards not to observe more then what he thought convenient for his interest and protested finally that he would not consent to any Agreement but wherein the Catholick King should be included to whom he profess'd himself highly obliged The Envoy laboured to draw him from these sinister opinions putting him in minde that he was a French-man and of the Blood-Royal of Bourbon and that he had too much honour and glory not to be hereafter made the object of the Envy and Jealousie of a Nation so emulous of the French That to lay foundations on the Promises of those who built upon the hopes of others was no sure structure That friends follow the fortune and not the persons of their friends That he abandoning France the French abandon'd him That to a prudent man his Countrey ought to be as dear to him as the shell to the Tortoise and that as he was sincerely his faithful servant he declared freely that it was much more honourable for a Peace as he was to bear the Title of Cousin to His Christian Majesty then that of Servant to the King of Spain He used also many other urgent Reasons but all in vain for the hatred and contempt which he had for the Cardinal did at that time turn away the minde of the Prince so that the Cardinal not being able to prevail with him he endeavour'd to disengage his brother the Prince of Conty from his party and caused to be proposed to him very advantageous conditions and such as were worthy his consideration thinking that if he could gain Conty he might by that means reduce Bourdeaux and Guienne to their former obedience seeing that this Prince had a powerful party in that City and Province The Cardinal thought to draw from hence great advantages to the Kings service by ihe Jealousies which the Spaniards might have of Conde and by the treatment he might receive from them which would be slender enough when they should see him deprived of those supports which rendred him so considerable but although Conty was no great friend to his brother and had a mind much more pliable yet he was fixed to satisfie his Sister the Dutchess of Longueville that without her he would resolve of nothing and she not being able to disengage her self from that intimacy she held with Conde nor from the hopes which were suggested to her by the generosity of his mind the attempts on this side were also rendred fruitless and by consequence all those Practices weakned which were made by the well-affected to the Kings Party in Bourdeaux while it was evident that that City was resolved to follow the resolutions of the Prince of Conty and Dutchess of Longueville But the Cardinal had recourse to other Expedients and because the design of gaining the Princes failed him he went about by new Stratagems to take away from the Princes and those of Bourdeaux the assistance of those people and places which fomented their pretensions He ordered therefore the Duke of Vaxdosme to carry his Fleet into the Garonne and sent to the Duke of Candale who was already upon his march with all the forces that he could gather out of the Neighboring Provinces He treated also with the Count d' Ognon and others to disengage them from the Union and to render the Kings party more strong in that Province as it afterwards succeeded In the mean time the Prince of Conde was in Champagne with his Army where his designs upon Reims Soissons and other great Cities full of Warlike people and faithful to the King proving little successful he went to Vervins where leaving two Regiments of Foot and one of Horse he went with the Body of his Army towards Rhetel which in a short time was surrendred to him by the Governour the Sieur de Rale by reason of the weakness of the place and for want of Necessaries to defend it he took also Chasteau Porcien not far distant from it he attaqued afterwards St. Menhand another walled Town which was yielded up to him upon the 13 of November by the Sieur de St Mor. and because this place was being situated between the Mose and the Marne upon the river Aisne and between Verdun and Chalon was some what considerable he left there a strong Garrison under the Command of the Sieur de Montalt and ordered it to be fortified hoping by maintaining this place and Rhetel to winter his forces in France From hence having dismissed the Troops of the Duke of Orleans he went speedily into Barre where he took Barleduc the Castle of Lagny and Voet but not being able to attempt any thing more by reason the season was too far advanced and his Troops wearied he sent away the Spanish and Lorain forces and put his own into Winter-Quarters about the Mose The Cardinal on the other side indefatigably exercising his minde in intricate and dangerous affairs considered that it was absolutely necessary before the Army went into Winter Quarters to dislodge the Princes forces and drive them out of the places which they held he therefore reinforc'd the Kings Camp with two thousand Souldiers which the Duke of Elboeuf had gathered together in Picardy and with others drawn out of Normandy and the Neighbouring Provinces and in stead of coming to Paris he stayed in the Camp to redress by his Presence the Affairs of the Army much diminished and weakned which the Generals would scarce been able to have done without him he drew after Him many friends and dependents and confirmed those who wearied out with long travel and pain thought rather of retiring home then of continuing the Warre at that season of the year and encouraged every one to continue in the Kings service being in great veneration and high esteem amongst the Souldiery by whom he was as much loved and respected as he was abhorred and hated by some seditious and contemptible people of Paris He was not a jot deceived in the hopes he had to draw profit from these opportune endeavours for the souldiery awakened by his gracious aspect and the military Affairs enlivened by his Counsel he gained those advantages that made him in a short time return gloriously and as it were triumphant into Paris more then ever in his Majesties favour and setled him in the Authority of his Ministry The Marquess of Chasteauneuf in the mean-while remained in Paris without employ deprived of his Offices and not being able to refrain from bewailing his ill fortune and the miserable estate of the Kingdom he was also banished
he had the will there might perhaps have followed considerable disturbances His Holiness called divers Congregations of the most learned Cardinals and in whom he most confided and although there were not some wanting who were more moderate to represent to them how circumspectly they ought to proceed in so nice an Affair yet Monsignor Marini was ordered to go to Paris and there to forme a pleading of what was imputed to the Criminal and to sollicit that the Judgment of it might be left to the Holy See which was the only Court and Tribunal for the Causes of Cardinals But as they were very certain at Rome that if they would not receive in France Monsignor Corsini in quality of Legat to that Court because there was not Advice first given of it to the King or his Ministers of State much less would they admit of the Arch-Bishop Marini with the like Commissions and consequently they determined a thing which could have no effect so they at Paris did verily apprehend that this proceeded from the Counsel of them who desired to arm the Pope with pretences to blame France for bearing so little respect to the Apostolick See giving him occasion to joyn with their enemies it being certainly believed in Rome as also in Paris that the King would never have venture to thwart the Pope in those unhappy Conjunctures so that by this bold Resolution of sending the Arch-Bishop Marini into France they should uphold the Pontifical decorum and make the Ecclesiastical Authority very glorious The Cardinal Prince Trivultio who was at that time in Rome to take care of the Spanish Interest and supplied the place of Ordinary Embassador for His Catholick Majesty wisely foresaw the bad success of this deliberation which fell out exactly as he had foretold for those that were concerned judging presently that these Maxims of the Court of Rome had no other foundation then a flattering opinion of their own wishes they quickly applied themselves to overthrow them Cardinal Mazarine convinced of the nature of the French as easie to give way to Novelties that bring their delight as inflexible to those things that threaten them he was constrained to minde nothing else but the maintaining of the Kings Authority and therefore Marini was not permitted to enter into the Kingdom the French were unsatisfied with the Court of Rome taxing them of great partiality For the Affronts and Abuses having been oftentimes represented to them that were put upon Cardinal Mazarine a year before by the Parlement of Paris against all Law divine and humane without drawing up his Indictment without lawful Authority and contrary to the Kings minde who defended him and acknowledged himself faithfully served by him and what was worse although the Parlement proceeded so far as to set a Tax of fifty thousand Crowns on his Head besides the Confiscation of all his estate yet for all this the Pope never concern'd himself for defence of the said Cardinal who had no other support left him then that of his Holiness the Kings Authority being at that time contemn'd and trampled on where on the contrary for the only detention of Retz which was done out of meer necessity for the publick good and for maintaining of the Royal Dignity against which he was accused to have a long time plotted they made so much noise They added moreover that the Pope had the less reason to find himself aggrieved seeing the most Christian King had no other intent then to stop the imprisoned Cardinal from going on in his Instigations and not to bring him to trial much less to judge him knowing very well that this did belong to the sole Vicar of Christ although the Parlement passing all respects due to the Holy See and to a Prince of the Holy Church had arrogated to themselves the Authority to do it against Mazarine These and the like Reasons were deduced by the French alledging likewise the example of Lewis the 13. who caused Cardinal Ballua to be imprisoned and detained many years for holding correspondence with the Kings Brother and the Duke of Burgundy and yet the Pope resented it only with fatherly Admonitions and good Offices for his freedom and his errours were not to be parallel'd with those wherewith de Retz was charged They said moreover that the King had caused to be conferr'd upon him the dignity of the Scarlet Robe to oblige him to serve him with the greater affection and not to make use on 't to the prejudice of the Crown That to Sovereign Princes all things were permitted for the security of their States And as the most Christian Kings did justly boast to have alwayes defended and protected the Holy See and to have also reverently and piously obey'd it assisting them in all occasions with their forces and power so His Majestie should glory to follow the footsteps of his Ancestours But that he ought likewise to take care for the benefit and quiet of his loving subjects of whom the King was the Common Father The Imprisonment of this Cardinal who was one of the principal Supports of the Faction of la Fronda compleated their total ruine and destruction for though there remained in Paris some Reliques of this Fire the Sparks were so weak that of themselves they were not able to raise the least Flame and therefore the Royal Authority being more and more setled the Ministers of State proceeded in those deliberations which they judged most proper for the re-establishing the Kingdom in its ancient splendour By these troubles the Kings Revenues were much diminished and the necessity of having money was very urgent great debts being contracted and the credit of the Court reduced to last extremity notwithstanding that the King enjoys a yearly Revenue of above eight millions of Pistols so that to raise money His Majesty made divers Decrees which upon the last day of December were ratified and registred in Parliament in Presence of His Majesty with all readiness although they amounted to the number of thirteen but to please them it was declared that the money raised should be employed upon the most urgent Affairs of the Kingdom and particularly in paying the Souldiery These Edicts were also ratified upon the 7. of January following in the Chamber of Accounts and Court of Aids in Presence of the Duke of Anjon who to that purpose was sent thither by the King with these Redresses of the Political Affairs the Military also took vigour in the Managements of the War with good success in regard of the ruines and losses suffered by the King and the whole Kingdom not only in those parts towards Flanders and in Guienne but also in Italy and Gatalonia Cardinal Mazarine was resolved to keep the War on foot in this last Countrey to divert the Spaniards from employing their forces more powerfully in other parts and therefore he opportunely reliev'd Roses with some barks of Provisions which he ordered to be sent out of Provence by the Duke of Mercoeur The
Arrival of this succour occasion'd the discovery of a notable Conspiracy in that Fortress against the Governour of it the Marquess de la Farre laid by his own familiar friends The Kings forces in Guienne began also to prosper according as those of Bourdeaux began to grow weak by the discord which Mazarine had sown among them The Duke of Candale being sent into this Province as hath been said to command the Kings Forces in the place of Count de Harcourt took the Castle of Poniols and secured Marmende and Aiguillon situated between Bourdeaux and Agen on this side the Garonne set upon and routed some Troops of the Prince seized upon Bastide and other places and by the directions of Mazarine secret Plots were carried on for reducing of Bourdeaux to the Kings obedience But because it was difficult to gain that important and powerful City by force of Armes therefore they made use of Art and Industry Father Faur a Franciscan who was afterwards made Bishop of Glandeves an understanding person and zealous for the Kings service and who had been successfully employed in bringing Paris to its duty proposed the holding of Intelligence in Bourdeaux it self by means of the Fathers of his Order to this effect Father Bertaut Guardian of Brode was sent to consult with Father Itier Superiour of the Franciscans Convent in Bourdeaux who carried with him divers Instructions for the advancement of this design according as they should have opportunity Bertaut being discovered by the Prince of Conty escaped out of his hands with much dexterity having under a dissembling confidence told him many lies to take away from him the true knowledge of their designs and of the Conspiratours But Father Itier was not at all moved at this for knowing himself to be greatly esteemed and loved by the Citizens he hope that in case his Practices were discovered he should be protected by them and the rather because he was assured that many of them were weary of groaning under the Tyranny of the Olmiere which proceeding in precipitous inconsiderate Progresses put their Countrey and Religion upon the point of being ruined by treating with the English to bring them into Guienne it was concluded therefore that there was no means more expedient and more sure them to gain some of the Heads of the Olmiere Mother Angelica Abbess of the Carmelite Nuns gave Father Ityer a fit occasion and discovered to him how that one of the Mothers of her Convent Sister to Villars had communicated to her the good disposition of her Brother to return to his obedience towards the King out of remorse of Conscience and the fear of a miserable end which he had deserved by his great wickedness and therefore he had desired his Sister that she together with the rest of her Companions would pray to God to give him grace to amend his life Father Ityer made no difficulty of confiding in the Nun and procured that she should confirm her Brother in his purpose Villars engaged to restore the City to its obedience if the King would grant a General Act of Oblivion and give him the Office of Procurator and Syndick of the Communalty and the summe of fourty thousand Crowns for himself and those who should be employed in this affair The Court consented to his demands being besought by the said Father they ordered that no injury should be done to the Princes or Princesses This design went forward well and had easily taken effect if Villars unconstant in his resolutions had not discovered the Conâpiracy which hapned by the vain ârating of the Sieur de Lenet who making as if he knew although ândeed he knew nothing of it at all that there was a new Intrigue carrying on in Bourdeaux in which were many who professed themselves of the Princes Party Villars believing that some of his Companions had revealed the secret to Lenet was in fear of being ruined and therefore sought to save himself by declaring the whole matter to the Prince of Conty saying that he had not engaged in this business but the better to discover it and then to give a more particular account of it to his Highness and that this was the reason that he did not disclose it to him before The Prince answered him that he was well satisfied touching his fidelity and charged him to continue his dissimulation and to observe the whole whole matter that he might learn the Names of the Complices and get sufficient proof against Father Ityer he bound Blerno and Giraut Goldsmiths under a solemn Oath to go and receive the money promised by the King of which there were 1500 Pistols consigned so that upon his examination and deposition Father Ityer was imprisoned and carried before a Counsel where Marsin was President with many of the Olmiere and Officers of the Army and here arose a Contest upon the Point that Laymen had not power to judge Churchmen but they did not long demurre upon it The Prince of Conde and Dutchess of Longueville commanded absolutely that they should not put him to death but that it was sufficient to keep him in prison Marsin and Lenet who sought to inrage people more caused some of the âabble to cry out Tolle Tolle Cruâifige c. At this rumour some of the Judges were much disorderâd and with disdainful countenanâes said We are no Jews and âf you are not Christians you may go and search out some Pilates for we do not intend to dip our hands in innocent blood Marsin was much humbled and composed the difference causing him to be adjudged to an open pennace which Spectacle moved the whole City to Compassion and loaded the Princes party with blame and hatred for the Father being led through the streets with a thousand reproches and insolences from the Rascallity was not at the least disturb'd either at death which they threatned him or at the injuries they did him but walked along with as great an assurance as if he had been going to a glorious triumph This behavior of his so fearless and yet full of humility and patience did so move the Citizens that they were forced quickly to send him back to the prison from whence they had taken him and because they had taken from him the habit of his Order the Dutchess of Longueville detesting such wicked doing gave command that it should be restored to him again and to check the insolence of these people After this they imprisoned a Cousin of the said Fathers a Complice in all his Contrivances whom they put to a strange torture but as if it had been nothing he endured it with an incredible and marvellous constancy nor could they ever draw from him the least word concerning this matter The same morning that Father Ityer was taken the President Dasis Counsellour Bort and Counsellour Castelnaut were also attached and committed to the Castle du Ha and afterwards released upon their words D' Asis withdrew himself from these Intrigues and went
above 2000 persons they assaulted the house of Bleru who was at that time an Agent in England that by this means the tumult which they noised abroad to be much increased might dispose the Prince and the Assembly to satisfie the Petition of the City but the unstable Rout soon gave a proof of their inconstancy deserting their Leaders in the very height of the Action who did what they could to keep them together but to no purpose and in the mean time night coming on and nothing done Virlada resolv'd to give some money to his Kinsman Cabanieux if with other of his Companions he would go and take down a red Standard which had been set up by the Olmeisti upon Saint Michaels Steeple and in stead of that funest and bloody colours put up a white one the Kings colours in its place which being done and another of the fame in like manner advanc'd on the Steeples of St. Remy and St. Peters by the well-affected of those parishes as also on the Gate next the Exchange the appearance of these colours had so great an influence that Marsin himself who did all he could to divert the Propositions for Peace condescended to all the Deputies of the Merchants desired upon a suspicion of some unavoidable surprize Twelve Deputies therefore were chosen to consult with the Princes Counsel upon such terms and expedients as should be most proper for the Conclusion of the Peace but Marsin perceiving that their fear was without any foundation the same night coming to the Town-house where the Prince of Conty lodg'd with all the Officers of the Army and the chief of the Olmiera they consulted how to disturb and prevent the designes of the well-affected to the King The Olmeisti propos'd to fall upon those that were assembled in the Burse Marsin and Fiesco were for standing upon their defence and bringing in their Troops to place them in the street before the Town-house as far as the quarter of Santa Eulalia towards the Archbishops Palace and the Castle of Ha where the inhabitants had not declared against them it was resolv'd also to make use of an Arrest of Parliament offer'd by the Frondeurs which under pretence of Remonstrating for Peace forbade all Assemblies as unlawfull and seditious to the end that the Olimiera might unite with the remainder of the Parliament against the other Citizens The Prince of Canty did not approve of bringing in the Troops as a thing which would make the Citizens disperate and and force them to open a Gate to the Dukes of Vandosm and Candal which would prove the utter desolation and ruine of the whole City so that the result was that they should only make use of the Ordinances of Parliament The next day the Counsellors of Parliament going to meet were hindred by a party of Citizens telling them the Parliament was at Agen and not at Bourdeaux Virlade clap'd a Court of Guard before the Palace of Judicature to hinder the Entrance of the Counsellors and upon the Exchange ordered the Sieur de Lovergnac one of the Advocates to reade a Letter publickly from the Duke of Candale in which he offered the Citizens his Mediation and a General Amnesty The people though they did not accept thereof yet they desired Virlade and Baccalan that they would be present as their Tribunes at the Counsels held for publick business in the Archbishops Palace This being the posture of Affairs in Bourdeaux and the greater part of the Citizens dispos'd for Peace the Kings Generals thought it not amiss to encourage these Proceedings and to hinder the seditious spirits of the Olmiera from interrupting them to cause their Troops to advance from their Quarters about Begle towards the Gate of Saint Julian and at the same time to bring the Fleet above Lormont This Council was immediately put in execution the Duke of Candale's Troops marching forward by Land to the number of about 4000 Foot and 200 Horse The Clouds of dust which the trampling of the Horses rais'd in the Air and the noise of the Artillery from the Ships against the Post of Bacalan was seen and heard with so much confusion and terrour that the Frondeurs and some Counsellours of the Parliament who were met in the Burse or Exchange dissolv'd the Assembly suddenly in great fear upbraiding the others that under the colour of Peace they had plotted the surprize and desolation of the Town Virlada did his utmost endeavor to change the Officers that had the Command of the Gates which were all of them Olmiesti but being yet all alone with the Advocate Dalon advising what was to be done their design being discover'd and seeing the people incens'd against them he resolv'd to repair to the Town-house and there with the help of some of his friends attempt the nomination of new Captains Here he found the Prince of Conty and represented to him that in respect of the confusions within the City and the approach of the enemy without the Citizens also being refractory and unwilling to follow their old Officers not so much as their Serjeant-Major Periera it was better as he did most humbly intreat for his own proper security to accept of those few Captains which in the name of the Citizens he tendred to him insinuating withal a jealousy of the pretension of the Jurates of the City against his Authority if it should happen into their power to choose them as they desired The Prince to rid himself of him quickly fearing to be surprized having taken their Oaths they took possession of their places in the Council held in the Arch-Bishops Palace and fell into debate immediately about the most probable Expedients to obtain a Peace to which end Virlade offred himself to go forthwith and negotiate with the Duke of Candale without expecting a Passport not to lose time Marsin thought to elude him appointing him for his Companion Baz a Mareschal de Camp and his very great Confident But Virlade departed at Midnight with the single Permission of the Prince without the said Baz Bacalan was nominated also to go to Vandosme with Calapian another Mareschal de Camp Brother to the Marquess de Lasignan and strictly engaged in Marsin's interest Virlade represented to the Duke of Candale the intention the City had to submit themselves to the obedience of the King and shewed him the full power they had given him to treat as also a Letter of credit from the Prince of Conty who to prevent the fatal effects of a Conspiracy contrived against his life by certain persons which had been banish'd and were return'd again into the Town condescended to treat with the said Duke his particular friend in the behalf and for the security of his Nephew the Duke de Enguien the Princesses and the rest of his Party and he entreated him most earnestly to interpose his Authority that the good Citizens might receive the effects of the Kings Clemency rather then of his justice The Duke receiv'd these Overtures
to go to Liege by Sea or by Land as he pleas'd it being his native Country and the same to the Count de Mora the Marquess of Lusignan Lenet and the rest if they refus'd the benefit of the Amnesty Some difficulties arose about the Gens d'armes the Princes Guards and the Regiment of Enguien the Generals pretending that those Troops belonging to the King they ought either to be disbanded or entred again into his Majesties service but the Example of the Capitulation at Bellegard prevailing They consented that they should have ticketts given them for quarters till they came to the Frontiers of the Kingdom The Regiments of Marque and Marquese with the rest of the Princes party were all of them disbanded The Irish had leave to retire into Spain having secretly treated with the French Generals The Castles were surrendred the Prisoners released but the dismantling of Fort Caesar Bourg and Libourne and other places upon the River was referr'd to the pleasure of the King There was a long debate likewise upon the restitution of the Parliament in Bourdeaux as also upon the Article about the taking off the Imposts establish'd at Blay of two Crowns upon every Tun of Wine the reimbursement of the debts contracted during the War upon the Merchandizes and Rents as also the revocation of the subsistence of the discharge of Taxes and Tenths for ten years and the suppression of the Court of Aids all which Articles being of more then ordinary importance were left to the decision of his Majesty Moreover the Generals refus'd to comprehend Villeneuf d' Agenois and the other Towns of the Princes side in this Treaty alledging they were free to accep of the Amnesty and return to their obedience without it if they pleas'd After this Conference the Duke of Vandosme demanded of the Deputies what the sentiment of the City of Bourdeaux would be these Articles being granted the Kings General Pardon pass'd in the forme and manner requested and the Souldiers drawn off This was a long time under debate the 29. of July in the Burse where in the presence of the Prince of Conty the Duke d' Enguien and Lenet the Propositions of the Generals were read Which contained this That the Articles being signed they were to rely upon the word of the Generals as Persons of honour seeing it would require time to procure the Kings confirmation That the said Generals would enter into the City allow Provisions to be brought in and give security to the Princes and their Troops to retire if otherwise they chose rather to expect the Kings Declaration before they suffered them to enter in that case no Provisions were to be brought in nor liberty for any to come out but the Deputies themselves The Counsellors of the Parliament who were then in Bourdeaux and who were all of them Frondeurs especially Spagnet and Saux declar'd their opinions That in that case War was to be preferr'd before a doubtful and uncertain Peace That they ought not to consent that the Kings Declaration should be registred any where but in the Parliament sitting in Bourdeaux Nor the Generals permitted to enter into the City But the Prince of Conty and Lenet were of another minde and declar'd that they ought to treat with their Sovereign in termes of obedience and respect In this Intrigue they took this expedient To cause the peace to be published To attend the Kings ratification with mutual Hostages on both sides without admitting the Generals into the Town To this was to added That the people beginning to tumult and cry out for an end of the Treaty and their miseries the Troops should be sent away and only some few days granted to the Princes to adjust their Affairs But the Generals would not condescend to these demands replying that if the peace was not absolutely concluded they could not draw off the Kings Troops from the Town and that whilst the Prince Princesses Marsin Lenet and others remain'd in the City they must only expect the benefit of the bare suspension of Armes agreed on by the Truce of the 30th of July The Prince of Conty who for himself and his whole family had subcrib'd a Treaty with Courville declar'd in the Assembly at the Burse that for his part he relied upon the Generals Parole nor should his interest or his families hinder the Citizens from obtaining a speedy remedy for their miseries by the withdrawing off the Troops That as for his part he was resolv'd to leave the Town forthwith and retire to Cadillac It was declar'd likewise by the Chevalier Todias That the Princess of Condy would retire to L' Esparre and the Dutchess of Longveville to Plassac there to expect either their passports or the Amnesty The Dutchess of Longueville as soon as hers was arriv'd by the consent of the Duke her husband retired out of the noise and clamours of the world into a Monastery of Nuns in the Suburbs of Moulins in Bourbonnois The Deputies being return'd the same day it was concluded that the Dukes might enter the Town when they pleas'd according to their condition and quality and the honour due to His Majesties Armes and that the Princes troops should withdraw as was desired The Passports were brought to the Princess of Condy the Duke d' Enguien Marsin Lenet the same day were dispatch'd to Court the Count of Montesson from the Duke of Vandosm and the Conte de Marinville from the Duke of Candale for the ratification of the Treaty The 3d. of August the Dukes were receiv'd into the Town with great Ceremony and the universal applause of the people who but few days before were of a cleer contrary mind The Dukes to demonstrate the entire confidence they had in them dismissâd their own Guards and caus'd their houses and persons to be guarded by the inhabitants They elected new Jurats and the Assemblies which were held in the Burse were removed to the Town-house The Princess with the Duke d' Enguien her Son went to Chastillon de Medoc Marsin into Spain by Sea The Count de Fiesco took Post thither by land the Prince of Conty retired to Cadillac where he found Langlade Cardinal Mazarine's Secretary sent thither to assist at the Treaties of Bourdeaux but falling sick he could not be present at the Conclusion Colonel Baltasser entred himself into the Kings service with 600 Foot and 400 Horse Monsieur de la Rocque who was at that time with some Horse and Foot at the City of Perigueux followed the example of Baltasser and took up Armes for the King the said la Rocque conceiving a jealousie that the Marquess de Chanlo Governour of that Town had a design to take him Prisoner went out himself with some of his freinds and repairing to the Commanders of the Kings forces was an occasion of a Treaty with the Inhabitants of that place in order to their returne to their Obedience Father Ythier a Jesuite by directions from Cardinal Mazarine led the
is despised As an example they alledged Cardinal Richlieu who by his extravigant greatness was become so odious to Lewis the 13th that without doubt had they lived longer together that Minister must of necessity have fallen That it would be better therfore to settle his Alliance further off to secure a retreat if any accident should happen without exposing himself to the inconstancy of that Nation who are friends to none but their own fortune But the Cardinal esteeming the advantage to be reciprocal his inclination to his own interest prevail'd above all other Advice so that the Contract was at last agreed on and the Marriage concluded by their Majesties to whose determination the Cardinal left the whole disposure of that Affair submitting his will to their pleasure as he said he had sacrificed all the rest of his faculties to their service but the consummation was put off because the Prince was unwilling to be present in the Parliament of Paris whilst they were forming a Process of High Treason against his Brother the Prince of Condy. He obtein'd therefore to protract his coming to the Court till the latter end of the Carnevale about which time he arrived and was received with all applause and satisfaction imaginable The first Saturday in Lent the Ceremony of touching the hand and signing the Articles of Marriage was perform'd The Princess had a Dowry of 200000 Crowns given her by her Uncle and 50000 by the Kings bounty besides a Pension to the Prince equivalent to his Ecclesiastical Revenue which he resign'd into his Majesties hands after this followed the Espousals and the Nuptials which were honoured by the continual Presence of their Majesties the Duke of Anjou and all the Princes and great Lords of the Court where there was not any one found so stimulated with envy or overwhelm'd with rancour no mind so enraged or corrupted that durst cavil at this Alliance since the deserts of the Uncle towards the Crown were unparallel'd and the Beauty of the Bride such an entire Compendium of the most conspicuous qualities in a woman which were able to excite the praises and commendations of the greatest Emulators and Detractors The Queen her self would needs do her the honour to see her in bed by which incomparable Civility her Majesty made appear how much she was pleased with this Wedding The King afterwards made a Present to the new married Prince of all the Estate and Offices belonging to his Brother the Prince of Condy but he out of an exemplary Grandeur of mind refused that grace as despising the riches which came from that spoil To express the content and joy every one conceiv'd for the reuniting this Branch to the Royal Stock The days following were spent in Balls Feasting Musick and other Recreations and Divertisements becoming a Royal and Majestick Court as is that of the most Christian King The HISTORY of the Managements of CARDINAL MAZARINE Lib. II. Part III WHilst Paris was thus full of joy and festivity at Brussels all was in sadness and confusion for the Imprisonment of Duke Charles of Lorrain who was Arrested Prisoner in that City as shall be related in the ensuing Narrative The Spanish Troops were retiring into their Winter-quarters and the Count de Fuensaldagna considering that by reason of the Numbers of great Officers and the Generals of the three Armies it would be impossible to quarter them all in the Low Countreys he treated with the Duke of Lorrain and paid him a sum of money upon condition he would quarter his Troops and some of the Prince of Condy's out of the Countreys belonging to his most Catholick Majesty as he was accustomed to do at other times under pretence of being General of the Empire by which he made bold with several Neutral Countreys in those Provinces and other Principalities of the Empire as were most expos'd to that inconvenience The Duke began to take up his quarters accordingly and about the middle of Winter marched with his Army into the Countrey of Liege pretending the Elector of Colen had given Sanctuary to Cardinal Mazarine in his State permitting him to make levies there and giving him other assistances against the Prince of Condy. The Elector desir'd help of the King of France against the Troops of the Prince and take Duke Immediately Orders were sent to Faber the Governour of Sedan to draw a Body of an Army together and march to the assistance of the Elector He executed the Orders with all possible expedition marching with the French Troops directly towards Liege The Duke of Lorrain so soon as he had notice hereof in stead of meeting and engaging them as he might easily have done being much stronger then Faber retired into the Territories of the King of Spain took up quarters there for his men and came himself to Brussels The proximity of these Troops of the enemie being as it were in the heart of the Countrey and the Dukes retreat without attempting in the least to oppose them The various Advices they received from several parts that what was acted by the Duke of Lorrain was done by private Intelligence with Cardinal Mazarine gave no small trouble to the Arch-Duke and the Count of Fuensaldagne and so much the more because these Advertisements did quadrate with the Treaty the Duke made with the King of France near Paris deserting the Princes in their greatest need With the withdrawing of his Troops from the siege of Rocroy with the Negotiations which were lately discover'd he had held with the Crown of Swedeland and other Princes to hinder the New Election of the King of the Romans hoping himself by the help of his money and the assistance of the King of France and the Protestant Princes in Germany to be able to pretend to that dignity This jealousie was not a little fomented by the strait correspondence he held at that time with the Elector Palatines Family with the Swedes and with other Princes of Germany to whom he had sent Ronselot his Secretary having sent likewise for the Prince Palatine of Sultzbach in the place of his Brother killed at the battel of Rhetel with design to marry him to his daughter By the displeasure he expressâd for the assistance granted to the Prince of Condy by whose Treaty with the Court of Spain he pretended to be very much prejudiced by reason that all the acquisitions made in France being to be deliver'd into his hands there remain'd no place in the power of the Spaniards to exchange afterward for those of Lorrain at the General Peace He began therefore to doubt that the bare Protection of Spain would not be sufficient to restore him to the Sovereignty of his Dominions This was one of the principal Reasons that renewed in the Duke the ancient emulation betwixt the Houses of Lorrain and Bourbon not being able to endure that the Prince of Condy should be Master not only of Stenay Clermont and other places belonging to Lorrain but of the Conquests
to the Palace He clap'd double Guards at the Gates and in the Piazza's and the same night dispatch'd the Count de Bruny to the Count de Ligneville who commanded the Dukes Troops to give him an Account of what had hapned and to let him know that the next day he would come and discourse the business with the Officers and bring money along with him to satisfie the souldiers he sent him word likewise that the Count de Sant Amour was gone Post that night to acquaint the Emperour and to invite Duke Francis to come and take upon him the Command of the Army and to take care of his Brothers Concerns The next day the Duke was sent to the Castle of Antwerp accompanied with 300 Horse and the aforesaid Camp-Master General with several other Cavaliers and committed to the custody of Colonel Barnaby de Vergas This being dispatch'd Fuensaldagne went to the quarters of the Lorrainers though many disswaded him in respect of the great danger to which he expos'd himself among those people extreamly affected to their Prince he discours'd with the Officers and carried himself so dexterously that he perswaded them partly by fair words and partly by ready money to continue in his Majesties service without any more stir assuring them Duke Francis would be with them in a short time After this they consulted to oppose the French and drive them from their Neighbouring quarters and it was concluded that the whole Army should march against them They endeavor'd likewise to establish a good correspondence with the Elector of Colen which was easily effected by the means of a Conference held in Tirlemont by the Prince de Ligni and the Seecretary Navarro whereupon the French retired the Elector having signified to them that he had no more need of them much less of the Spanish troops by which means the Country of Liege remained free in this manner this great difficulty was overcome which might have produc'd great inconvenience in that countrey the souldiers were sent again into their quarters intending to fill up their Companies and recruit them Fuensaldagne issued out Orders for the good Government and setled all Affairs sparing for no money which upon such occasions ought to be liberally dispensed Many are of opinion the Duke did absolutely believ he should have his life taken away by some lingering death But the Count de Garcies told him very discreetly that he could not but wonder his Highness had such apprehensions That the King his Master desired only to secure him for some time upon some occasion that concerned the Crown A Manifesto was afterward publish'd by the Arch-Duke declaring that when the Duke retired first into the Spanish dominions to secure himself against the violences the French began to exercise both upon his person and Estate He was receiv'd by his most Catholick Majesty and his Lieutenant Generals with cordial friendship and assurance of protection and with so much sincerity to his interests that they included him in all Negotiations and Treaties for a General Peace giving hereby sufficient proof of their candid faith and honourable esteem of his person admitting him moreover into all Councils and Resolutions concerning the War which was carried on by his Majesties Ministers That not withstanding so many and so great obligations contrary to his duty and all terms of thankfulness and gratitude he had swerv'd from these streight ties of Obligation to the great prejudice of the interest and welfare of the Crown for besides the tears sighs and general Lamentations of the people which had rendred the inhumanities rapines and sacriledge of his souldiers sufficiently notorious committed even upon his own subjects whose insolencies were connived at by the Duke himself His secret Intelligences and private designes tending to the prejudice of the publick benefit and service to which he was bound to give a most sincere assistance with all his forces were amply discover'd every one might discern his inconstancy and dissimulated variableness Besides in the resolutions of war and the delays he affected in the execution of the most important expeditions form whence there hapned by his only fault so many funest and unhappy results in several considerable Enterprises which according to all humane Providence would have proved fortunate and successful That all these things were so manifest not only to the Lieutenant-Generals the Collonells and all the Officers of the Army but to the very Souldiers themselves and the common People who were eye-witnesses thereof every one exclaiming and wondering that such abuses should be suffer'd to run on and no remedy apply'd True it was his most Catholick Majesty out of his extraordinary kindness and affection for the house of Lorrain had bin indulgent to the last extremity being very much troubled to have recourse to such expedients hoping still that the remorse of his own conscience would some time or other awaken the Duke and putting him in mind of his ingratitude towards so favourable and incomparable a King dispose him to return to his duty But growing worse every day then other and the irregularities of his actions beyond all tolleration so that all his Majesties subjects all the Princes and Neighbouring States had him in such detestation that the effect of their vengeance was like to fall heavy upon Flanders That His Catholick Majesty not to provoke any longer the displeasure of Heaven the indignation of the people and the Princes that were abused in their own Dominions could not any longer defer the necessary precautions for the stopping of these disorders and therefore had caus'd his person to be secured in which he had neither transgrest the Law of Nature nor Nations which allow all Sovereign Princes liberty to remove without respect of persons the oppressions and violences against their States or their subjects and to do justice to themselves their People and their neighbouring Potentates friends after the trial of all ways of sweetness and perswasion proves ineffectual That what was acted was not done upon any aversion to the House of Lorrain protesting on the contrary always to protect it and its interests in testimony whereof he had proposed Duke Francis his Brother to the Command of the Dukes Troops and accordingly did declare and require all persons to receive and observe the Orders of the Count de Ligneville Lieutenant-General of the said Troops till the Dukes Arrival assuring moreover all the Officers and Souldiers of a General Pardon of all their Disorders committed till that time under the command of the said Duke Charles This Manifesto was made the same day the Duke was Arrested which was the 25. of Feb 1654. It was afterwards insinuated to the Souldiers that the Duke should not be sent into Spain at all but that when some certain points were adjusted and he had given security for his future fidelity he should be set at liberty by which suggestions they appeased the minds of the Officers and Souldiers who being wel-affected to the
complains of the Mareschal 296 The Cardinal's expressions to the Duke of Elbeuf 299 The Cardinals Sisters come into France 327. The Prince of Conty Marries the Cardinals Niece 335. The Count de Fuensaldagna's orders after the imprisonment of the Duke 354. The Cardinal renews the treaty with Cromwel 373 D The Dutchess of Longueville goes to Molines 143. Dispatches to Court for ratification of the peace at Bordeaux 174. The Duke of Chaunes delivers up his Government of Amiens 229. The Duke of Lorrain dissatisfied with the Spaniards 342. He is arrested prisoner 350. Duke Francis of Lorrain is sent for to command his Brothers Troops 352. the English refuse to assist Bourdeaux 24 The Count de Estrades sent with Troops towards Bourdeaux 95. Endeavours of the well affected in Bourdeaux to dispose the people to peace 107. The Spaniards come to an agreement with the Elector of Colen 353. F. Filiot put upon the Rack 96. The French besiege Mouson 213. France begins to recover its pristin splendour 240. The French make inroad into the state of Milan 243 A fight betwixt the French and Spaniards at Rochetta 250. The French attaque Castillion 305. They advance towards Girona 309. the French Troops retire out of Catalonia to their Winter-quarters 325. Prudent reflextions of the Count of Fuensaldagna 344. His dexterity in gaining the Lorrain Officers 346 He comunicats the Kings Order to the Arch-Duke for securing the Duke of Lorrain 349 G. Several Persons sent out of Bourdeaux to treat with the Kings Generals 139 Gourville's Arrival at Bourdeaux creates jealousie in the seditious 142 Guise attempted 202 General Monte slain 242 Scituation of Girona 314 Besieged by the French 315 Girona relieved by the Spaniards 318 I. The Irish desert the Spaniards 308 K. The King resolves to send an Act of Oblivion to the People of Bourdeaux 20 The King goes to the Army 190 Returns to Paris 192 The King at the Camp before Saint Menehaud 270 His Majesties Manifesto upon the Imprisonment of the Duke of Lorrain 362 L. Levies of Germane-Horse 2 The Marquess of Lusignan goes into Spain 39 Lermont taken by the Duke of Vandome 45 Libourne attaqued 99 M. Mazarins Orders to streighten Bourdeauz 50 Prudent Councell of Mazarine 51. by Mazarines Councell the King grants another Amnesty 53. Mazarines Opinion concerning the agreement with the Prince of Condy 54. Mazarine by his sweet cariage wins the affection of many 58. By the advice of Mazarine Bellegarde is attaquaed 62. He endeavours to reduce Bourdeaux 84. the Marquess de Theubon complaines of Marsin to the Prince of Conty 85. Treates with the Duke of Candale 89. Marsin endeavours to bring the Prince of Condy's Troops into Bourdeaux 120 The Merchants of Bourdeaux assemble at the Bourse 124. A Generall meeting of the Citizens 127. Marsin endeavours to disturb the agreement with the Bourdelots 150. the Citizens oppose him 152. He endeavours to prolong the Warr 157. Mazarins Maxim of temporizing 189. Divers marches and designes of the Armys 195 Description of Mouson 215 Mazarine offers to the Cardinal de Retz 231 Marsin lands with 3000 men 265 Propositions of Mazarine in the Councell of Warr at Laon. 271 His reasons for the attaquing of St. Menehaud 272 The Mareschal de Plessis Pralin sent to command the Army before St. Menehaud 284 St. Menehaud taken 279 Mazarines diligence in ordering the Affairs of the Kingdome 287 By his Managements Phillipsbourg is surprized 291 The Mareschal de Hoquincourt prepares for Catalogna 316 A manifesto published by the Spaniards concerning the imprisonment of the Duke of Lorrain 354 N. A Notable accident 93 Negotiations betwixt the French and the Lorainers Neutrality betwixt the Basques and Biscailins O. Obstinaey of the Olmiera 48 P. Plessis Bezanson sent to the Princes of taly 4 His Negotations with the Duke of Mantua 5 Progress of the Royallists in Guienne 34 Preparations of the Prince of Condy 54 Propositions made by the Count de de Fuensaldagne in the Council of Warr. 77 Propositions made to the Olmeisti 134 The Prince of Conty signes the suspension of Armes 160 The Peace concluded the Princes depart from Bourdeaux 174 Perigueux puts it self under the Kings obedience 176 New Plots in Bourdeaux 183 The Prince of Condy's friends fail him 204 He proposes the besieging of Rocroy 205 Progress of the French Army 226 Progress of the War in Piemont 240 Some seditious endeavours top disturb the Peace at Bourdeaux 258 Provisions conveyed into Roses 287 Progress of the Marquess de Plessis Belliere 302 The Prince of Conty resolves to make his Peace at Court 328 He designes to marry the Cardinals Niece 330 R. Recruits sent into Flanders 41 Great sums of money distributed by the Spaniards among the French Rebels 43 The Revenues of Bourdeaux consists chiefly in Wines 51 Progress of the Koyallists 70 Siege of Rhetel 71 Resolutions if the good Citizens to introduce the Royallists into Bourdeaux 118 Resolutions of the Spanish Generals 188 Roye taken by the Prince of Condy. 194 A remarkable Passage 238 Roses victualled by the French 322 Relation of the Imprisonment of the Duke of Lorrain 338 S. The Spaniards foment the Civil Wars in France 28 Sarlat returns to the Kings obedience 32 Dispatches from Spain in favour of the Bourdelots 37 A Spanish Ship taken by the English 42 The 300000 Crowns taken by the English retards the Spaniards from taking the field 69 The Spaniards take the Field 81 The Kings Colours displayed on severall steeples in Bourdeaux 133 A suspension of Arms for 3 days 145 The arrivall of the Spanish Fleet is kept secret 161 The Spanish Generalls are surprized at the peace of Bourdeaux 162 The Citizens give the Spaniards an Account of their agreement 164 The seditious appose the peace at Bourdeaux 171 A Skirmish betwixt the French and Spaniards 190 Another skirmish 200 The Spaniards Land and plunder the Country 261 The Spanish Ship retire to the Foss of Verdun 263 A skirmish betwixt the French and Spaniards 266 The Spanish Fleet goes part to Biscay and part to Dunkirk 267 The Vice Admiral of Spain taken by the French 268 The Plague at Bourdeaux 269 The States of Languedoc assemble at Pezenas 301 The Spaniards routed by the French 34 T. Troops sent into Piemont 3 The Chevalier Todias his address to the Prince of Conty 130 The Truce at Bourdeaux is concluded indefinitely 157 Tannes taken by the Kings forces 296 Tiliou surprized by the French 316 V. The Duke of Vandosme promises protection to the Bourdelots 147 Ville-neuf d' agenois returnes to the Kings obedience 181 Valour of the Marquess Caracene 253 He is slightly wounded 253 ERRATA Page 72. line 2. reade finding From fol. 73. to fol 97. amend the Numbers FINIS
Julio Mazarin THE HISTORY OF THE MANAGEMENTS OF Cardinal JVLIO MAZARINE Chief Minister of State of the CROWN of FRANCE Written in Italian by Count Galeazzo Gualdo Priorate And Translated according to the Original In the which Are Related the Principal Successes Happened from the Beginning of His Management of Affairs till His Death Tom. I. Part I. LONDON Printed by H. L. and R. B. in the Year 1671. To their most Serene HIGHNESSES the Duke and Dutchess Regent of Modena and Regio c. CArdinal JULIO MAZARINE'S Government of Affairs hath deserved all the Applauses that Fame can give The World hath admired him as the Product of a Phoenix I have writ his History And as he hath been the Splendour of our times I think it proper to bring him to the Feet of your Highnesses of Este who are the most splendid Ornaments of all Italy In the Heroick Actions of so great a Minister your most Serene Highnesses may behold your own proper Glory take therefore as I most humbly supplicate this testimony of my observance with that benignity which is proper to the Greatness of your most Serene Family known for thousands of years to be the true Seminary of Heroes There is no room for Panegyricks in this short Dedication neither ought your Modesty to be wronged by my weak Pen with inferiour Praises to your unexpressible Merits and therefore with a most humble submission asking Pardon for this my boldness I rest Your most Serene Highnesses most humble and most obsequious Servant Galeazzo Gualdo Priorato TO THE Reader THE HISTORY of the Managements of Cardinal Julio Mazarine is a matter most proper and most curious for Posterity The Rules this man went by wil serve for a most profitable Example to whomsoever shall have the Fortune to pass thorough the degrees of the like Sphere Histories do mention many Statesmen with Applause and Veneration and the Managements of the late Cardinal Richlieu are Celebrated with more then humane Attributes as if Nature had given him the preeminence of all her Graces Without doubt Richlieu was a great Politician a great Minister of State and a man may truly say that for Humane Prudence France never had his equal He knew loved and had in so much esteem the vivacity of Mazarine that oftentimes he has been heard to say that this man by his ability and his fortune would surpass not only his Master but the most sublime Wits that have guided States and Monarchies Richlieu was not at all deceived for whoever compares their Actions shall not finde them equal Richlieu was a Frenchman Minister of State to a King in his Majority strengthned by Kindred Friends and Parties Mazarine an Italian Minister to a King in his Minority and to a Regent of an emulous and suspected Nation without Relations and no other friends but his own spritely Wit Richlieu was at the Helm when France was assisted by the Conjunctions of Swedeland Holland the Protestant Princes of Germany the Royal House of Savoy and many others and enjoyed an entire obedience of its subjects When England naturally emulous of the Greatness of France was embroiled by Intestine troubles and when there was a perfect Correspondency with Pope Urban VIII Mazarine governed in a time that Holland was reconciled to Spain that the major part of the Princes of the Empire had deserted the Cause the Swedes abated in their Power the English become formidable by their Victories In the heat of the Revolutions of the Kingdom Persecuted by the Princes of the blood by the major part of the Grandees by the Parliaments and by the People and under the Pontificate of Innocent X. little affecting his Person Richlieu acted with Rigour and with too high Pretensions ending his life in no good opinion with the King his Master disgusted with his vast Aims and left the Warre unquenched Mazarine deported himself with Affability and kindness and exercised Humanity more then Austerity He died in compleat favour with their Majesties who lamented his loss with tears and was he wailed by his very Enemies He gave his King a great Queen for his Wife and with her the Peace so longed for by the Kingdom with so great advantages and so much Reputation that the most Christian King Lewis XIV may rightly be instyled the Great being that France hath never had greater strength in Forces nor a greater King for Valour and all other Eminent Vertues The Reader will pardon the feebleness of my Pen if it hath not sufficiently expressed the merits of so great a man for his Actions having brought forth Effects above the order of Nature would require a Style Supernatural not to say Divine to celebrate them The HISTORY of the Managements of Cardinal MAZARINE Lib. I. HE was born in the Year 1602 at Piscina in Abruzzo the 14th day of July son of Peter Mazarine and Hortensia Buffalini In his Infancy he was instructed in the Rudiments of that tender Age and by little and little in all those Exercises befitting a Gentleman In the Jesuits Colledge at Rome he so cultivated his Understanding that the vivacity of his Wit and the sublimity of his elevated Mind shined forth even to Admiration He compleated his course in Philosophy at the Age of 17. maintaining Conclusions in the most subtile Points to the Wonder of all men His courageous heart began to be inflamed with desire of new things and to see and be informed of the Manners and Qualities of forein Nations for that purpose he accompanied Don Girolamo Colonna now a Cardinal into Spain and together with him studied the Law in the University of Alcalà and in a short time he became perfect in the Spanish Tongue While he was intent upon his Studies it hapned that his father being accused of a certain Homicide was in some trouble and having no other sons for Alexander the younger brother was become a Dominican so that he was obliged to return to assist his father in his troubles where he arrived with all diligence and bestirred himself in his Defence so efficaciously that he was clear'd from his accusations He had no sooner Accomplished the Age of 20 years when as his Heroick Genius excited him to the desire of Armes and being favoured by the House of Colonna he obtained to be chosen Captain Lieutenant of the Colonels Company in the Regiment of the Prince of Palestrina he led his Company to Milan where he came acquainted with Giovanni Francesco Sacchetti Commissary General of the Popes Souldiers sent to take possession of the Valtoline and in the management of divers smaller Affairs he made appear so much Ability that he was soon employed in matters of greater moment performing them to the entire satisfaction of those who employed him and of the parties with whom he Negotiated He made a Relation of the Occurrences in the Valtoline full of such exquisite Observations that Torquato Conti General of the Popes Forces sent them to his Holiness that perused them with
Monferat giving some apprehension to the French they presently conveyed several Troops into the Cittadel of Casal contrary to the Articles of the Stipulation whereat the Duke of Feria taking Alarm advanced part of the Army to fall upon the French in their disorderly return into Piemont Cardinal Antonio having advice thereof so order'd the matter that Mazarine not only gave notice to the chief Commanders of the French Army but likewise by gentle means delayed Galasso and Piccolomini who were advancing to fight them so that the French had time to retreat without any disturbance With new windings and Negotations he finally adjusted every thing and by his means the Peace was fully concluded at the Treaty at Chirasco in which Mazarine was the person that by the Popes order negotiated secretly with the Duke of Savoy and caused him to deliver up Pignerol to the King of France whereat the Spaniards took so great distaste that calling him Traytor made bitter complaints against him to the Pope and Cardinal Barbarine who ignorant of the private Orders given to Mazarine by His Holiness and believing that he had gone beyond those of his Patron began to favour the Spaniards complaints denied to give him Audience and sollicited the Pope that he would appoint that a Process might be drawn up against him The Pope to please the Cardinal his Nephew gives way to it but underhand encouraged Mazarine not to fear any thing who was shunn'd and murmurr'd against on all sides by the wicked and hollow-hearted Courtiers Truth lying hid and Lies taking place to please those on whom they had dependance At length being admitted to the Audience of Cardinal Barbarine with sweetness of language and much respect he lamented the wrong done him and the slender Acknowledgments he had received in recompence of all his pains and eminent services performed to the Holy Church and all Italy and so efficacious were his Reasons that the Cardinal was much mollified but as there was an Antipathy between their Genius and his malignant Enviers never ceasing to torment him the aversion he had conceived against him could never be eradicated out of his heart Mazarine in the mean time by his courteous carriage and affability made it his business to gain Friends and Acquaintance declaring that mens Fortunes did depend on their good Friends who are preserved by means of Services and Civilities the most proper Instruments to captivate mens Affections And therefore putting in practice this Maxime he began to gain the good will of many that were ambitious of his Friendship by which means having at last overcome all oppositions and abated the bitterness of Barbarine That Preferment was offered him both by this Cardinal and his brother Cardinal Antonio that at other times he had sought after and could never obtain and the Election being in his own power he chose rather to serve Cardinal Antonio then Francesco their Humours suiting better together for Antonio was of a magnanimous spirit and generous in the highest degree The Place he gave him was Vice-Treasurer with an Assignment of 800 Crowns a year but His Eminence afterwards having changed the Office of Treasurer to be Legat of Avignon declar'd him his Auditor setting a high value on him for those Affairs And a little after the Pope willing to give him some sign of his not-forgotten thankfulness made him his Houshold Chaplain and Vice-Legat of Avignon and afterward sent him Nuntio Extraordinary into France to sollicite the most Christian King for the Restitution of Lorrain to that Duke as also to endeavour to prevent the War which began to break out betwixt the two Crowns by the surprisal of Philipsbourg and afterward of Treves with the imprisonment of that Elector But before he went from Rome he married two of his Sisters Marguerit the Elder to Count Girolamo Martinozzi of Fano and Girolama the younger to Lorenzo Mancini both of them of ancient Families Monsignor Mazarine taking his Voyage towards France in the Quality of Apostolical Nuntio Extraordinary was kindly received and splendidly treated by all the Princes thorough whose Dominions he passed but especially he found an extraordinary kind Reception in the Royal Court of Savoy No sooner arrived at Paris but he revived his Friendship with his former Acquaintance and suddenly gained a Sympathetical correspondence with all the Statesmen and Grandees of that Court and particularly contracted an intimate Friendship with the Count de Chavigny principal Secretary of State Cardinal Richlieu's greatest Confident and most imployed by him The King the Queen and Richlieu himself esteemed him highly and the Cardinal was never better pleased then when any occasion offered it self to discourse with the Nuntio in whom he admired the Acuteness Eloquence and handsom way of representing of business Chancing once to fall sick the King himself honoured him with a Visit The Popes Mediation for Peace proving ineffectual by reason of the too high Pretensions of both Parties at the end of two years His Holiness recalled Mazarine who notwithstanding in his Nuntiature did not omit to perform many important Services for the Holy See He went directly to Avignon where he staid about six Moneths demeaning himself with seemly decorum and with all affability He finished and adjusted many things and did not neglect to cultivate a most intimate correspondence with Cardinal Richlieu oftentimes presenting him with divers choice things from Italy Finally having obtained leave to return to Rome he went by Sea and having given the Pope and the Cardinal Nephew an account of his Negotiations he was received by them with all demonstrations of Esteem The Pope who was a Prince of a deep understanding taking delight to discourse with a person of so lively a Wit enrich'd with the knowledge of the Affairs of the world admitted him often to Audience entertaining him for many hours together Cardinal Barbarine growing jealous of so great esteem and familiarity and not enduring that any one should insinuate himself so far in his Uncles favour rigorously forbid him his so frequent Visits and cajoling His Holiness with his Discourses by which he had wrought upon him to be content that Cardinal Antonio might be honoured by the most Christian King with the Protectorship of that Crown to the great disgust of the Spaniards and their Party who encreasing their disdain against Mazarine as the Contriver of this blow they began to study by what means they might lessen him and avoid those prejudices to their Interests which they did prognosticate by his professed Devotion to France Though he did not enjoy the good Graces of him that was prevalent in the Popes affections yet by his extraordinary ability he still maintained the Reputation he had merited for his good Services towards the Holy See and continued his Protection under Cardinal Antonio Some differences happening betwixt the House of Medici and Don Filippo Colonna by his Mediation they were composed And it was no small matter he did in hindering greater disorders
Laurel of a glorious victory Finding himself amidst these Intrigues the Prince of Conde agrieved with the Cardinal for breach of his promise as he said in not procuring the Government of Pont de l' Arche for the Duke of Longueville his Brother in Law declared publickly that he would not come to Court while the Cardinal was chief Minister who to take from the Prince all pretence of breach with the Regent offered his readiness to retire but Conde afterward revolving in his thoughts that if the Cardinal absented himself none could enter into the Ministry but the Coadjutor or the Marquess of Chasteauneuf his most bitter enemies resolved to reconcile himself with Mazarine obtaining beside the Government of Pont de l' Arche for Longueville with a promise not to proceed further in the overture of Marriage between one of his Nieces and the Duke de Mercure and moreover to send his three Nieces out of France which two years before with a Nephew he had caused to come to Court in pursuit of which the Cardinal cloystered his Nieces in a Nunnery in the Suburbs of S. Germaine For all that the Duke of Longueville and others gave not over to demonstrate to Conde that to obtain their ends of Mazarine suitable to the Conjunctures it would be convenient to necessitate him to procure his own concern Whence out of these contrarieties there arising nothing but diffidences suspicions and jealousies all their minds were agitated by secret passions bending onely to their own private Interest The Prince bore still a hidden malice against Mazarine who likewise being aware of it behaved himself daily towards him with more refined dissimulation and Conde having drawn upon himself the publick odium of the Parisiens for having discovered by his reconciliation with the Cardinal at least in appearance that he preferred his private Interest before the Publick good which was to see the chief Minister of State suppressed a great many began to wish the ruine of the Prince himself And the greatest Politicians grew amazed at the shifting of this Scene The Frondeurs seeing in the mean time their hopes of a change in the Government which they long'd for frustrated went watching all opportunities to draw the people of Paris to some considerable commotion and to that purpose they contrived with the Counsellour Joly that he should cause a Harquebuss to be discharged at an appointed time to provoke the people to an Insurrection the Marquess de la Bollaye making himself Head of the Faction who endeavoured though in vain in divers parts of the City to stir them up by his Exclamations This Essay becoming frustrate and it being told at Court that there were some Horsemen in Arms upon the new Bridge they made the Prince believe who at that instant was at Court that doubtless there was Treachery intended him from the Frondeurs and to make proof of it the Queen detaining him in her Lodgings caused him to send his Coach empty with his Pages and Laquays after the accustomed manner to observe what those armed men did there this was done and the Coach was no sooner on the Bridge but some came up to it to discover and not finding the Prince letting it pass discharged divers Shot at the Coach of the Count de Duras which followed it and killed a Laquay The news of this accident arriving at Court the Prince was furiously enraged and fill'd with desire of revenge against the Frondeurs And the Cardinal profiting himself of this lucky hit failed not to instigate Conde nourishing betwixt him and the Frondeurs a distrust which afterwards turned into open enmity The Prince complained to the Parlement of the Coadjutor the Duke of Beaufort and others as Authors of this Assassinate and seeking to extinguish that Faction fondly hoped to ruine afterward the Cardinal But he most vigilant knew to govern himself in such manner that laying hold on the opportunity obliged the Court to think of moderating Conde's Authority which he daily by little and little increased The Prince having in contempt of the Regent concluded the Marriage betwixt the Duke of Richlieu and the Marchioness of Pons furthered this Application The Court surmizing that this was done that he might the easilier afterwards get the Fortress of Havre de Grace out of Richlieu's hands of which he was Governour or at least to have it at his devotion on all occurrences The Frondeurs perceiving themselves persecuted by the Prince offered to piece with the Cardinal to lessen him being thereunto sollicited by the Dutchess of Chevreuse offended with Conde because of the aforesaid Marriage in regard she had designed her own daughter to be Dutchess of Richlieu for the love the Duke himself bore him The Coadjutor chief Head of this Faction propounded to have the Prince imprisoned for he being weakened he reckoned that Mazarine might be the easilier ruined who still carrying it fairly on with dissimulation thought of nothing more then to shock one Party against the other and to sustain intemerate the Authority of the Regent The Dutchess of Chevreuse wishing the Princes ruine in what manner soever had already obtained to this end the Duke of Orleans consent enjoyning him not to communicate the secret to the Abbot della Riviera as one not to be trusted for the strict correspondence which he held with the Prince of Conty upon the account of his Cardinalship and by consequence with the Prince himself The Coadjutor in the same time that he counselled and sollicited the imprisonment of the Prince persisting nevertheless in his desire first to abase the Cardinal of whose subtilty he was more apprehensive then of the other he sought with great diligence to reconcile himself to Conde by means of Friends Submissions Protestations and Offers but all his Attempts proving in vain by reason of the strong Antipathy that the Prince had against his person as likewise against Beaufort they resolved to joyn with the Cardinal to the prejudice of Conde with a full intention afterward to destroy him too With these Preparatives for a change began the Year 1650 and all things being already well disposed The evening before the 18th of January that was allotted for securing not onely the Prince of Conde but likewise his Brother and Brother in Law These Princes upon some preceding rumour among the people that they should be imprisoned agreed among themselves never to appear at the Council all together and till that time they observed that rule Mazarine this notwithstanding was so much his Crafts master in dissimulation and so well feigned himself a stranger to any such resolution that finally with a most subtil artifice he so wrought that the Prince himself prepared the Guards under pretext to imprison one Coutures and became instrumental to his own imprisonment The Prince that very morning had been in the Cardinals Appartiment in the instant that Monsieur de Lionne was writing the Warrant for the Arrest of him his Brother and Brother in Law The Cardinal
shew'd not the least alteration in his Countenance received the Prince with all demonstration of affection and sincere friendship and Conde complaining to him of the bruit spred thorough the City that he was not his true friend and sought his ruine Mazarine with the greatest protestations of sincerity and friendship assured him of the esteem he had for him and of his affectionate and loyal correspondence redoubling still his Asseverations that he never had the least thought of being against him and yet at the same time Mons de Lionne was writing the Order To entice the Duke of Longueville to transgress the Agreement made with his brothers in Law never to appear all three at the Council they made him believe that in the evening of the 18th of January 1650 the Affair concerning the Marquess of Beveron his great Confident would be debated so that for his care to favour his friend he forgot his own concern and notwithstanding that Mons Priolo his familiar Acquaintance advertiz'd him not to go to the Council yet would he not be persuaded so that all three came thither one after another though Conde and Conty were dissuaded by the Princess their Mother that very morning the Prince not apprehending any thing as well for the Cardinals demonstrations of his true friendship as for his confidence of the Abbot della Riviera who would have told him all supposing that the Duke of Orleans without his assent would have taken no such resolution and though it had been taken would have communicated it to the Abbot his bosom-friend They went together to wait on the Queen who feigning her self not very well was lain down to repose her self on her bed wherefore they suddenly withdrew and staying awhile in the Anti-chamber the Queen being alone with the King and sollicitous for what she knew must happen prayed the King to shut the door which he did The Princes going afterwards into the Gallery where the Council was held they found every one there but the Cardinal who was in his own Appartement discoursing with the Abbot della Riviera ignorant of this business after which he found himself openly in disgrace with the Duke of Orleans his Patron who likewise came not to Council as they had agreed for fear of what might happen abroad The Sieur de Cominges Lieutenant of the Queens Guards entered immediately into the Gallery with the Sieur de Guitault his Uncle and Croissy who told the Princes the Orders they had from the King to secure their persons They standing amazed at such news the Prince of Conde requested to speak a word with the Queen but being refused as also to speak with the Cardinal they were constrained to descend by the Back-stairs that leads to the Garden without the least noise or suspicion given to any although the Halls Chambers and Courts were full of the Princes friends and followers They were carried away in a Coach with a Guard of Horse to the Boys de Vincennes The Partizans of the Princes were exceedingly astonished at this news which was presently noised in the City the sign being given by discharging a Cannon that the prisoners were arrived at Vincennes whereupon the whole City was immediately in Arms the people believing that the Duke of Beaufort was likewise secured as the friends of the prisoners did artificially divulge to exasperate the people against Mazarine so that Beaufort was obliged that very night to ride thorough the City by Torch-light that he might be seen which pacified and much contented the people who rejoycing at the imprisonment of the Princes made Bonfires in several parts of the Town with such Acclamations as if the Kingdom had been redeemed from all misery and affliction and all blessed the Cardinal for so pious a resolution But the more reputation he gained by this act the more did he awaken their envy and incited the Frondeurs to contrive his destruction since they had obtained their intent in seeing the Prince of Conde's Party laid low pursuing still their former design of getting the sole management of Affairs in their own power After this there arose new disturbances in divers parts of the Kingdom stirred up by the Prince of Conde's Mother the Dutchess of Longueville and many other Princes and Noblemen of their Kindred and Friends in the Provinces under their Government and in Paris it self the favourers of the imprisoned being assembled in the House of the Princess Palatine consulted about the properest remedies to draw them out of prison The Coadjutor and Beaufort concurred with them in this Consultation on design to ruine also Mazarine and remain sole Masters The Cardinal finding himself more at liberty to act began to practise the ways how to arrive at his intent which was to destroy the Faction of la Fronda serving himself to that end with his wonted dissimulation excellently by him practised to make appear his reconciliation with the Duke of Beaufort seem candid and sincere who at that time was in the highest degree of Esteem and Veneration with the Parisiens and with design to make them diffident of him he went publickly to pay him a Visit unusual for him to do for which the Frondeurs murmured against the Duke calling him a Mazarine which much lessened his credit and esteem with the people and the Faction of la Fronda The Friends and kindered of the Princes ceased not at the same time to raise new commotions in the other parts of France so that the Tumults of Normandy Champagne and Burgundy were scarce appeased when as those of Guienne and chiefly of Bourdeaux began to break out Mazarine being no less agitated by the commotions of the Kingdom then by those in Paris where the people were more and more set on to Seditions he thought fit to cause the K to leave the City again under pretext to oppose the Preparations of the Spaniards who were united with the Male-contents on the Confines of Flanders Whereupon the Court went to Compeigne and because the Spaniards at this time had besieged Guise a place of great importance the Cardinal thought it convenient to go in person to the Army and attempt to relieve it which successfully he performed having encourage the Souldiers and Officers with money and many Presents distributed amongst the principal Commanders by which kind of dealing he kept the Souldiery always well-affected and faithful to the King and his own person Upon this good success the Cardinal took courage to go with the King to chastise the Rebels of Bourdeaux and drew the Duke of Orleans and all the Council to his Opinion This resolution displeased the Frondeurs for the advantages they foresaw the happy execution of this Enterprize might bring to the Court and to Mazarine and by consequence the damage and prejudice to their own Party Whereupon they began to divulge new calumnies against the Cardinal namely that this Progress was for no other purpose then to establish the Matrimony of his Nieces who after the
it had made the Duke promise them never to consent to it but the easie nature of that Prince submitting after his accustomed manner to the Genius of the Queen and to her Caresses he could not deny to give his assent for the transport of the Princess to Havre de Grace which was done the 15th of November following the Count d' Harcourt being their Convoy This blow much confounded the Frondeurs and therefore they sought anew to possess the Dukes mind with fears and suspicions and joyned themeselves again with all the Princes Kindred Friends and Partakers with the Dutchess of Chevreuse the Marquess of Chasteauneuf the Dutchess of Orleans and Madamoiselle and imployed all their thoughts on the liberty of the Princes But they doubted by what course to attempt it Some were of opinion that they should gain the Cardinal for the Prisoners once delivered and la Fronda uniting himself with them they might ruine him at pleasure But the major part concluded that they ought to make use of la Fronda's power The first way was tried but proved in vain Mazarine opining that for the safety of the Kingdom they ought not to trust them at liberty till the Kings Majority wherefore they had recourse to the second making the Duke of Orleans Head of the Caball who at length having by his intreaty won the Queen to remove to Paris gained a great step to the designs of the Frondeurs By these intestine distractions France continued to feel in divers parts more and more the effects of the present calamities losing at the same time Flix Miravet and Tortosa in Catalonia and Mouzon in France The Cardinal to recover these losses and to clear Champagne from the enemy who was fortified there upon the gaining of the Rhetel resolved to go in person to regain that place which he accordingly did about the end of November with 12000 Souldiers and recovered it within the space of five days to the great glory of the Mareschal du Plessis Pralin who commanded the Army The Opinions were various whether they should prosecute the Victory by giving battel to Turenne who was drawn near to succour it the Cardinal concluded contrary to the rest that they ought to fight him which they did and gained a remarkable Victory with the total rout of Turenne taking prisoner Don Stephano di Gammara a Cavalier of considerable condition and General of the Spanish Troops that were united with Turenne The Cardinals enemies considering that notwithstanding all their Machinations he had the hap in a few moneths and in the heat of the greatest troubles to imprison the Princes to secure their Towns to relieve Guise to conserve Havre de Grace to recover the Castle of Dijon the Towns of Danvillers Bellegarde Clermont St. John de l'Ausne Verdun Caen Diepe to confirm Rouen in the Kings obedience which had began to rebell to quiet Bourdeaux and put an end to the commotions of Guienne and lastly driven the Spaniards from Rhetel Successes able to bring his enemies to the greatest despair but which quite contrary gave occasion to his friends to do him that mischief by their flatteries which the others could not do by their persecutions for while he was resolved to continue yet some time with the Army those that had an affection for him invited him with great importunity to return to triumph in Paris to the end that as they said by the splendour of his glory he might dim the eyes of his Maligners which so awakened their envy rancour and jealousie that minding nothing else but his ruine judged there could be no better way to compass it then to free the Princes so that all uniting themselves with the Duke of Orleans and the Parlement they caused this last to make a Remonstrance to the Queen for the Princes liberty Her Majesty very prudently endeavoured to gain time hoping by these means to effectuate her designs but the Combiners continued their Assemblies and after divers Treaties they concluded with the Duke of Orleans and by engagements of Alliances and other ways took the boldness whatsoever came on 't to have the Princes out of prison The Cardinal was not well served in the management of these Treaties not having those Advertisements that were necessary for if he had been thoroughly inform'd of their designs there is no doubt but he would have found ways to have frustrated them The Coadjutor appeared in Parliament the first of February 1651 and enlarged himself in an eloquent speech in favour of the Princes giving weight to his discourse by shewing that it was wholly conformable to the sentiment of the Duke of Orleans whereby he more and more disposed the minds of the Parliamentarians in favour of the Prisoners and confirmed the Duke in his resolution perswading him openly to avow to the Court not to appear any more at Council so long as the Cardinal came there with whom he shewed himself extreamly offended The Court was much perplexed at the found of so many Alarms and knowing that the present constitution of Affairs disabled them to shun the blow they resolved to prevent it by setting the Princes free before it came to force of Arms wherfore the Mareschal de Gramont the Marquess de Lionne and Secretary Goulas were dispatched away secretly to treat with them The Coadjutor in the mean-while was much afflicted that the Parliament could not be induced to decree against the Cardinal whose innocency appeared so much the more clear that notwithstanding the most diligent Inquisition of his very enemies they could not find any proofs of the accusations laid to his charge Finally another invention was found out to incense the Parliament more highly which was to make them believe that the Cardinal had publickly communicated those Counsels with Fairfax and Cromwell which so exasperated even those that had yet some kindness for him that they not only voted the innocency of the Princes but also the Cardinals Condemnation aggravating that he had dissipated the Treasure hindred the Peace and aspersed the Parliament with injurious and dishonourable words propounding in conclusion to supplicate the Queen to send him away from Court and accompanied this their deliberation with publick cries and clamours against Mazarine The Duke of Orleans went after to the Parlement to confirm what the Coadjutor had delivered in his name and sollicited for the effectual removal of the Cardinal and for setting the Princes at liberty earnestly speaking in their behalf and with great sharpness against the Cardinal which emboldened the Parlement to persist in their deliberations against him although the first President Mollé a well-meaning man did seek to allay those too licentious discourses but he himself was constrained to go to the Queen to remember Her Majesty of her promise to free the Princes to whom the Queen answered that she did continue in the mind to set them at liberty and to that purpose had dispatched Gramont and Lionne to Havre de Grace to treat with them about it
division of the common Patrimony Besides the Prince of Conty being of a bleak complexion and tender Marriage would shorten his days These discourses did so far prevail with both the Princes that Conty declared that he would not marry Upon this repenting and going off from their word the Dutchess of Chevreuse swell'd with such disdain against the Princes that she soon withdrew her self from the Union together with the Coadjutor who was likewise much nettled at it They joyned themselves with the Duke of Orleans and endeavoured which at length they accomplished to reunite him to the Court reconciling themselves to the Cardinal all things being agreed on as hereafter shall be declared The Duke of Espernon in the mean while foreseeing the disorders inevitable in a Province against which he had shewn himself so opposite and drawn upon himself the general odium of those people he made a Proposal to the Prince of Conde to exchange his Government of Guienne for that of Burgundy where the Prince was Governour who at first did not shew any inclination to it but afterward understanding that Mazarine having an inkling of it with strong reasons had dissuaded the Queen from it he was more earnestly bent upon it And although most of the Statesmen were of Mazarine's Opinion not to permit such an Exchange nevertheless the politick Reasons alledged by the Count de Servient prevailed for it who soon after perceived his errour in believing to gain the Prince by satisfying him in this particular which clean contrary rather proved an incitement to him to pretend to greater things for he had no sooner obtained the Government of Guienne but he immediately requested to make an Exchange of Champagne under the Government of the Prince of Conty that of Provence but in this it being of greater importance then the other he met with a general opposition of all the other Ministers of State and of Servient himself The Cardinal though absent was nevertheless secretly inform'd of all the Affairs of the Crown as if he had been present he highly aggravated the concession of Guienne and reproved those that unadvisedly had given ear to the other pretensions for Provence it being a business too prejudicial to the Kings service and the Commonwealth for the consequences that might follow The King on all occasions experimenting the refined prudence of Mazarine thought on nothing more then his return continually giving him notice and assuring him of this his fixed resolution The Prince of Conde himself cooperated to this desire of the King who being disgusted with the Dutchess of Chevreuse about the Marriage of her daughter with the Prince of Conty as also with the Princess Palatine for many dissatisfactions past betwixt them by reason that the Princess having interposed for the reconcilement of the Prince with the Court and having received some promise upon the effecting it she complained that she had been mock'd These two Princesses therefore were united with the Queen for the depression of the Prince who permitted himself in this occasion to be led away by the Male-contents of this Court and in particular by the Count de Chavigny who had been thorough Mazarine's counsel at his departure out of the Kingdom recalled by the Queen to oblige him in that manner to depend on her lest if Conde should have caused his return it was to be doubted that he would not hearken to the Proposals that were made him on the Kings behalf to alienate him from the Frondeurs and the other Male-contents These two mettled Princesses thus joyning with the Queen and the Cardinal drew along with them the Coadjutor promising him a Nomination to a Cardinalship and to cause the Marquess of Chasteauneuf a great Confident of the Dutchess and the Prince's Enemy to be recall'd to the Council upon the gaining of these persons intimate friends of the Duke of Orleans the Court resolved what e're came on 't to recall the Cardinal who was wish'd for at that time by his very Adversaries for their particular Interests men of spirit laying hold on all occasions that seem opportune to them for obtaining that which is not to be had by other means To which end Bertet a Confident of Chasteuneuf's was dispatched with this Negotiation to find the Cardinal who the better to establish the business and to assure himself thoroughly of the Queens mind sent the Abbot Ondedei privately to Paris who having run many dangers in his Voyage arrived there safe and without being discovered lying hid in the House of the Marchioness of Ampoux he negotiated all this Affair succesfully He assured Chasteauneuf that at the Kings Majority he should be made chief Minister of State that the Chief President of the Parlement Mole should have the Seal the Marquess of Vieville should be made Superintendant of the Finances and the Coadjutor nominated to the Cardinalate The Prince having sented these proceedings began to suspect that the Court was musing to imprison him anew and these doubts were fomented by those that sought to revive the dissentions wherefore he resolved without saying any thing to retire to his Seat of S. Maur whither the Queen dispatch'd divers Lords to assure him of her sincerity towards him but all her diligence proved in vain the Prince justifying his suspitions to be founded upon good grounds and that having been once cousen'd he durst trust himself no more nevertheless he might easily have been pacified being naturally of a good disposition But all his Kindred and Friends threatening to abandon him if he agreed with the Cardinal and he considering that losing these he should remain too much expos'd to the Arbitrement of the Court he resolved though against his will to stand firm declaring nevertheless openly to his Relations and Friends that he began a dance that he should not so easily finish and that all of them afterward would forsake him He endeavoured then to engage the Parlement of Paris in his behalf and pretended to have the Count de Servient and the Sieurs de Tellier and Lionne removed from Court taxing them for being Mazarine's Creatures To this removal the Coadjutor also underhand assisted hoping that these being sent away who were esteemed the wisest Heads of the Cabinet he should with more ease introduce himself into the management of Affairs The Prince concerting with the Duke of Orleans for the expelling of these three persons they endeavoured to draw likewise the Parlement to their Party who refused to interest themselves in this affair The Sieurs de Servient Tillier and Lionne to take away all pretexts of new disturbances resolved to ask leave of the Queen to retire to which Her Majesty consented though very unwillingly Hereupon the Prince of Conde returned immediately to Paris and going first to the Parlement to give them thanks for their Protection of him went afterwards to visit their Majesties who received him somewhat coldly which moved him to utter these words That he would return thither no more
of Conde it not seeming decent to the Greatness of the King who was Master not to be able to have near him such as he liked best And albeit any other consideration might require that the Cardinal should continue out of the Kingdom the pretensions of the Parlement and the Frondeurs were sufficient that to confound them the contrary should be done by which means the Soveraign Authority independant from all other might shine with greater lustre and not to permit so scandalous an Example that the Servants should impudently give Law to their Master These Reasons were fomented by the first President more then any other being no friend to Chasteauneuf and alienated from the Prince for having no greater passion then that of his service to his King He had a principal part in this resolve sufficiently knowing the need that they had in Court of a prime Minister thoroughly inform'd of all the Affairs of the Kingdom The President was called to Poictiers with the Marquess of Vieville The Parisiens and the Parlement regretted their departure so much the more by how much they knew it prejudicial to their Party that a person of so high estimation had totally given himself up to the Kings Interest and the Cardinals Chasteauneuf for this cause not being able to make good his Maxim he took himself to those Arts which were suggested to him by his many years experience in the Affairs and Interests of the Court. To disturb then Mazarine's return he writ to the Sieur de Fremont Secretary to the Duke of Orleans to dispose his Master to come to Court because by his presence giving countenance and support to them that opposed the Cardinal he should easily prevail to hinder the designs of those that adhered to him But the Coadjutor on the contrary foreseeing that the Duke would be quickly brought about to the Queen and instead of opposing would condescend to her satisfaction he opposed the counsel of Chasteauneuf and with great sagacity diverted the journy of His Royal Highness who had undertaken it if instead of writing to Fremont he had writ to the Count of Chavigny and the Secretary Goulas In that interim the Mareschal de Hoquincourt had rendezvouz'd his Troops about Laon to joyn with the Cardinal who was ready with others under his pay to enter into France wherefore having agreed to meet about Derlans and Espernay upon the Marne in the beginning of January the Mareschal began to move the 18th of December and the Cardinal leaving his Nieces at Sedan advanced likewise toward Espernay with 5000 chosen fighting men and there calling a Council of War it was concluded that the Mareschal with 1000 Horse should secure the Passes on the Rivers Aube and Sene which he accordingly did passing luckily without any opposition by l' Anglure and l' Aube and crossed the Sene at Mery where the Regiments of Horse and Foot under the command of the Sieur de St. Mor joyned with him and receiving intelligence that the Duke of Orleans had sent out four Companies to Pont sur Sonne Hoquincourt charged them routed some Horse which infested the road to Sens and compelled the Sieur de Morandiere Commander of the Dukes men to quit his Post and retire It was thought that the Princes did not do all their endeavour to hinder this return for perceiving that their Affairs were in a most desperate condition the whole Kingdom concurring in favour of the King they knew that nothing could keep them from their last tottering but some new pretext that might give an honest colour to their Cause and retard the Subjects from the assistance which they contributed to their Soveraign And it was suspected that instead of providing to defend the Passes with some competent Forces which they might sooner have gathered together they delayed so long till the Cardinal was far advanced into the Kingdom and it was believed that not onely the Princes that were in Paris promoted this design but that it was also secretly fomented by the Prince of Conde it being known that he had made Gourville and others to sollicit the Cardinal to undertake his return to Court hoping that this would serve him either for a pretext to justifie his proceedings or for an occasion to piece with him because he had rather have to do with Mazarine then with Chasteauneuf The thoughts in the mean time of the Coadjutor were to induce the Duke of Orleans to frame a third Party of Male-contents and Enemies to Mazarine which perhaps might be seconded by the Courtiers that were averse to him and therefore he used all industry to make the plot succeed imagining that the Queen being intimidated by the Duke more firmly adhering to Conde she would be necessitated to keep the Cardinal further off in which case Orleans uniting himself to the Interest of the Court and fortifying himself with the Troops of Lorrain he should totally ruine the Prince But the Count of Chavigny and the rest of Conde's friends kept Orleans firm making him understand that he could not sustain himself but by uniting with the Prince and though they should not fully make sure of him they hoped at least to prevent him by closing with the Court in which case he would hardly be able to uphold himself In the interim the Duke of Nemours coming to Paris confirmed in the name of the Prince of Conde the Treaty with Orleans and the result was for the keeping out of the Cardinal and to make peace with Spain The news being spread in Paris of Orders given out by the King different to his former Declarations it is not to be imagined how the contrary Spirits were enraged yet they could do no more then make a noise so long as the Kings Authority was prevalent in the Kingdom but however the Cardinal was thwarted by the one side yet he was animated by the other for the Parlement of Brittain being sollicited by that of Paris to frame a like Ordinance in favour of the Princes against the Cardinal they ordered quite contrary that all Proceedings against him should be suspended till the Prince returned to his duty and the Spanish Troops were departed the Kingdom The Tumults of the Frondeurs continuing the Parlement decreed to proceed to the sale of the Cardinals goods and not to ratifie the Kings Declaration against the Prince till that against the Cardinal had first taken effect from whence it behoved that he should again quit the Kingdom if they meant that the Parlement should pass the Declaration They had many Consultations great in appearance but weak in substance and some Overtures to the King succeeded them The Court talked in ambiguous terms and amused them still with hopes because Time which ripens all things they hoped would also maturate the bitterness of the turbulent minds The Queen afterward sent to exhort the Duke of Orleans to retire from Paris to remove the umbrage that they had of him but the design succeeded not and increased the distrust
Agreement and to let him know the reason why they brought the Army against him while he was in Treaty with the Court. Turenne returned him answer that he supposed there was no more Treaty with him he having failed of his word or at least retarded to perform his promise yet if he would stand to the Treaty in good earnest he would advance no further and granted him four hours to consider on it which being past he was acquit of his word The term expired without any Answer and without any effect and therefore without delay the Kings Army marched hastily leaving their baggage behind against a Castle upon the River held by the Duke half a League distant from his quarters and took it upon discretion and casting a Bridge over the River passed it with the greatest part of the Foot and Cannon making the rest of the Troops foard it a little above and came within Cannon-shot of the Lorrainers which the Duke seeing and being resolved not to fight and hazard the defeat of his people which was all he had to trust to he sent my Lord Germain a principal Officer of the King of England's who was one that mediated in the said Agreement with the Mareschal to let him understand that he was reayd to fulfill the Treaty concluded Turenne told him that this was good the day before but that then being upon the point of fighting and having drawn back his word they ought to speak no more of preceding Treaties matters being now changed and dispatch'd the Sieur de Varennes to let him understand that he would not defer any longer to attaque him if he did not suddenly yield up the Bridge of Boats which he had upon the Sene if he did not forbear to fortifie himself and if he did not immediately depart out of France within 15 days by the way he should appoint him giving responsible Hostages for the performance The Duke after he had made some difficulty and sought to prolong the Affair being press'd anew with positive threatnings determin'd to assent to all that was requir'd him conditionally though that Turenne should not make use of the Bridge which he put into his hands to march against the Army of the Princes and that the Troops that he had with them of theirs should have Pass-ports to go to Paris that they should give him Billetings for his March and 15 days time to get out of the Kingdom All was concluded The Duke gave for Hostage the Count de Linville and the General of the Ordnance On the Kings part were given to the Duke the Chevalier of Marcoussé and the Sieur de Vaubecourt In this manner the Treaty with Turenne being agreed on to his great glory at the head of the Armies the Lorrainers began without delay to file off towards Brie Comte Robert The Duke having in this manner deluded the Princes and the Spaniard they were thereat highly disgusted and this was one of the chief motives that caused the Court of Spain to resolve his imprisonment as shall be related in its due place The Parlement of Paris believed by the coming of the Lorrainers that they had won the Game and therefore raising more and more their pretensions they deputed again to Court the President Nesmond to insist upon sending away the Cardinal who coming with the other Deputies to Melun they made their Remonstrance on the same subject adding that it was a small matter for the King to deprive himself of one Statesman to gain the obedience of all who for that one reason had withdrawn themselves from him The King returned answer in writing that having divers times heard the Remonstrances made him by his Parlement he let them understand that he had always in his thoughts what they represented to him being assured that as the Parlement were very much concerned for the maintaining of the Royal Authority so he should have no other thought then to contribute all his power for the advantage of his service wherefore perceiving that the wound would prove incurable without present remedy desired that the Deputies or others that were chosen should joyn with those of his Royal Council and together procure to find a remedy for the threatning inconveniences to ward his Subjects from the evident ruine into which for the caprice of a few disturb'd by their own Ambition they were ready to cast themselves His Majesty having nothing nearer his heart then the desire of Peace and Union and to restore his Kingdom to its pristine splendour Nesmond having read this Answer replied the onely means to quiet all was the putting further off the Cardinal The King instantly interrupted him and with a serious grave brow told him You have understood my Will and so brake off The Deputies returned to Paris where they rendred a distinct account to the rest of their Members of what had past they differ'd in their Opinions whether they should accept of the Conference propos'd and many assented to it but Brussel with a pretence of Zele for the publick good stood firm that there was no need of other Conference nor of other Treaties seeing that all was reduced to this one point which was the departure of Mazarine who being the onely occasion of all the distastes they ought to stand upon that which being obtain'd all the other Controversies would be at an end And the more they perceived the King averse to deprive himself of that Statesman the more clamour they made about it not that they really much desired it but because they saw it was the way to nourish the distrusts and keep alive the differences It being manifest enough that if the Parlement had believed that the King by sending away Mazarine would unite the Princes to his service they would never have wished it but rather underhand have endeavoured his stay it not being for their advantage that the Princes joyning with the King should so much the more strengthen his Authority and by consequence weaken their pretensions Holding therefore to the Opinion of Brussel it was decreed that without any delay the Deputies should return to declare anew to His Majesty that they had nothing to adde nor to propose then the effective removal of the Cardinal conformable to the Decrees and Declarations of His Majesty and the Protests of the Princes who replied in full Assembly that they were ready to lay down their Arms so soon as Mazarine should be out of the Kingdom To the same Deputies were consigned also the Queen of Swedeland's Letters to the Parlement brought expresly by one of her Gentlemen to deliver to the King the Contents of which contained an offer of her Mediation to bring them to an Agreement as a Friend and Confederate of the Crown of France whose troubles did much grieve her The Deputies appeared at Melun where the Court was the 12th of June they had Audience two days after and represented the desolation of the State to proceed from the return of Mazarine who was the
sole occasion of all these disturbances The Affair was remitted to the Council of State they examined the Answers The Cardinal renewed his instances divers times made for leave to depart alledging that it was not convenient that for him alone the tranquillity of the Kingdom should be discompos'd He was oppos'd by the King himself saying that he was Master and would be served by them that liked him best nor did he acknowledge any to give him Laws but God The Sunday following the Deputies return'd to the Audience of the King who plucking out from under his Garment a Writing said that by that they should know his Will Monsieur de la Vrilliere Secretary of State read it and afterwards deliver'd it to the President Nesmond who return'd with it to Paris It contain'd that the King did wonder very much that having in his Parlement so many persons endued with so excellent understanding and acuteness they did not discern that the request of removing the Cardinal was onely a specious and varnish'd pretext since it was manifest the true cause of the present disturbances was the Interest and Ambition of them that had taken Arms and kindled the Civil war when the Cardinal was as far as Germany from the Court and Ministry which made it clearly appear that the evils of a State were not to be healed so long as they rested upon pretences whose roots do produce as much as are lopp'd off wherefore the onely remedy left was to pluck up the deepest and most principal That if His Majesty should resolve to permit the Cardinal to retire upon some imployment abroad and with due reputation to his Honour what Security should he have that the waverings of the unquietness of the Male-contents should calm since it was fresh in memory that his departure in the beginning of the last year had rather augmented then moderated the Troubles which if they were not allay'd by his going then though it was proposed for the only remedy nor ought he less to believe that it would succeed otherwise if he were sent away a second time unless at the same instant the occasion was taken away that caused these matters That the prudence of His Majesty sought a prompt and permanent repose to his Subjects that they might not fall again into the same inconveniences of which they had too much felt the sad effects It being very well known that in the same time that the Princes declar'd themselves ready to lay down their Arms if the Cardinal was sent away they endeavoured to fortifie their party by fomenting of strangers and drawing other of His Majesty's Subjects from their obedience That the Declaration made a few days before by the Duke of Orleans to the Communalty of Paris shewing that he had no Authority over the Forces of the Duke of Lorrain which he boasted he had drawn into France was not conformable to that he made in Parlement That the Treaty concluded by the Prince of Condé with the Spaniards did not speak of laying down their Arms when the Cardinal should be sent away nor could it be mentioned for when it was concluded Mazarine was in Germany That in the mean while therefore it behoved to have real and positive Security of the Princes for the entire performance of what they offered and therefore he desired to know if they would renounce all their Leagues and Associations contracted with strangers and all Treaties concluded in particular with his Subjects against his Royal Service If they would make no other pretensions after the departure of the Cardinal If this being done they would repair to His Majesty to serve him according to their duty If they would cause the strangers they had brought in to depart the Kingdom and would promise that the Spanish Troops and the Duke of Lorrains should retire without giving them that they might pretend to in prejudice of the King and the State If the Souldiers that under their name made war against His Majesty should be disbanded If those of the King of Spains at Stenay at Bourg in Guienne and in other places should retire and refusing to do it what way should be taken to force them If the Prince of Conty and the Dutchess of Longueville would return to their devoir and whether the Prince of Conde had power to promise for them If the Prince of Conty would lay aside all pretensions If they have joyntly the power from the Persons of Quality that have engag'd with them to give Security for their obedience If the Cities and Fortified places kept in the name of the Pr. of Conde should be put into the same state and being that they were before If the City of Bourdeaux would return to its duty If the Establishment made against the Kings service since these present troubles should be revoked And finally all things settled in their former state according to the Articles in the Kings Declaration of December 1649. Concerning which Points when His Majesty should receive full assurance of their performance without cavils and and new pretences he should be induced to believe that the Malady which afflicted the Kingdom might be easily remedied This Answer being read in Parlement with the twelve Questions in reply to that of the Princes the Duke of Orleans said it was all of the Cardinals dictating who ill-inform'd of the Customs of France framed Questions to the Princes of the Bloud in form of Interrogatories which was never yet seen practised and having declared over and over as they did now again to lay down their Arms so soon as the Cardinal should be out of France there was no need of other Security since all was done with sincerity and without any doubleness They disputed a great while upon this subject in the Assembly in which it was proposed by those on the Kings side that they ought to send again Deputies to His Majesty with Authority to treat of Peace so necessary to the State The Counsellour Brussel stood still fix'd in his averseness to the Conference and to hold themselves simply to the Declaration There followed other Disputes and Contests in words amongst some of the Counsellours and the 21th of June the Chambers met again where they made two Propositions one to seek a way to maintain the poor and the other to raise 150000 Crowns for the price of the Cardinals head having thoughts that there would be some rash enough to offer themselves to kill him but this was laid aside as then as an unworthy thing and detestable in Christians and all that was done was to raise 100000 Crowns for the relief of the poor every Counsellour taxing himself 100 Livres Many of these poor people were paid expresly to clamour at the Parlement door and raise some tumult to oblige the Assembly to a declared Union with the Princes which was the design of these to necessitate Paris to provide Moneys and other necessaries for sustaining the War As the Counsellours came out of the Palace People
began to cry Bread and Peace and no Mazarine Some of them they shut in and misused others The Duke of Beaufort returning into the Palace-hall spake in a loud voice to the people that that was not the right way of proceeding but that they ought to assemble in some place and there deliberate of what was fitting to be done to bring the Mazarinists to reason wherefore he invited them all that evening to the Palace Royal where he would be himself and there every one should propound his Opinion There assembled about 5000 people Beaufort told them it was not handsom to make a noise about the Palace and pretend with weapons to force Justice in that manner oppressing the good as well as the bad but they ought to make a distinction and 24 of them to frame a Request whereby to oblige the Counsellours to declare whether they were Mazarinists or not that so being able to distinguish those that were on the contrary party and taking particular notice of them they might easily disperse them attaquing them on all sides He found the people well disposed to follow his counsel and every one willingly embracing those resolutions which did square with their humour he had no trouble to dispose them all unanimously to fury and sedition which being aware of he ended briefly his Discourse saying he expected them the next morning at the Palace The Parlement being advertised of this the Provost of Merchants gave notice presently to all the Wards and to the Colonels with order to have the Chains prepar'd and the Inhabitants in a readiness to take Arms upon the first Order they should receive In the mean while they talked up and down the streets of nothing but of falling upon the Parlement wherein they said there were divers Mazarines that would not declare themselves The same People cried out when the Prince of Condé entered into the Parlement that they would have Peace to whom he answered that he desired it himself and that he took pains to that purpose but without Mazarine The Parlement intimidated by the Sedition begun at the Palace Royal forbore to assemble as they were wont to do the 22th of July The Frondeurs nevertheless met but the Presidents convened at the House of Bailleul to consider what to resolve on which being understood by the Prince he went himself to desire them in his own and the Duke of Orleans his name that they would be at the Palace after dinner but they excused themselves being informed of the Plot laid for them for which reason they could not be secure All the Presidents were of this Opinion without being a jot affrighted at the threatenings of the Princes but being again intreated by the Duke of Orleans and Conde with a promise that they should have no wrong they assembled the 25th following and here the Princes declared that they were willing to lay down their Arms and ready to fulfill all that the King desired in the Writing brought by the Deputies so soon as His Majesty should send away Mazarine according to the Contents in his Declaration of the 6th of September last past After this Declaration of the Princes there remained no more difficulty in this Affair but onely in the form that they ought to keep in sending it whether by those that were for the King or by the Deputies of the Parlement that had been there already or by others that they should chuse out of every Chamber To all which the Princes agreed excluding onely the President Nesmond impeaching him to have been corrupted by the Cardinal This clause occasioned in the Assembly no little confusion it seeming strange to the Counsellours that they should be limited in their Deliberations at the pleasure of the Princes in which they ought to be free and depend upon none whosoever The Debate lasted three hours and the gravest of them considering that the pretences of the Princes were insupportable deplored the miseries of the times clearly seeing that by flying the Obedience of the King they slipp'd into the Subjection of the Princes wherefore they saw it necessary to make use of the same Maxim towards these as the Court practised with them boldly refusing whatever seem'd to depend on the Authority of others for in such cases by little and little Intreaties became Commands and he that would not be persuaded to obey ought not to suffer himself to be governed It was therefore resolved to send again Nesmond with the other Deputies to remonstrate to the King that upon sending away the Cardinal according to His Majesty's Declaration of the 6th of September the Princes would lay down their Arms and put in execution the Articles contain'd in the Writing sent by His Majesty to the Parlement In this manner ended that Assembly coming out of which the Counsellours were beat back by the people that were gathered together in great number at the Entrance who cried out Peace and Union with the Princes which did evidently shew that their design was to have the Parlement and the City publickly engaged on their side it being known that many of the Princes Souldiers were shuffled in among the people who occasioned a dangerous Commotion against the Parlement the Counsellours of which were pursued by the Rabble with great hazard of their Lives into the neighbouring houses where they saved and absconded themselves not without marvel that they escaped unhurt from the thick hail of shot that was discharg'd against them divers innocent persons were slain out-right besides many others hurt and amongst these the President Novion saved himself by great good fortune follow'd by the people three or four streets The Lieutenant Civill retired himself into the Chastelet with some Counsellours where he was beset by the Multitude who determined to set it on fire not being able to enter prohibited by the great number of Archers that defended it which they would have effected if they had not been opposed by Monsieur de Miton Colonel of that Quarter who with his Company made the Multitude retire Other Presidents and Counsellours saved themselves as well as they could and the Sedition lasted till the shutting in of the Evening no less to the horrour and distraction of the Parlement then of the Civil Inhabitants fearing what might be the issue of the fury and insolence of the baser sort of people kindled with rage and desire of Innovation This action was highly complain'd on not onely in the Parlement but also in the Town-house they detested the enormity of it and and lamented the publick misery occasioned by the phantasticalness of a few particular persons and it was resolved on to provide for the publick security The Parlement was convocated and a Decree made that Monsieur de Champrond a Counsellour should form a Process against the Heads and Authors of the Sedition as also against those that had printed and published any infamous and abominable Libells against the Court and Parlement an Ecclesiastical Monitory was likewise exhibited
the Suburbs it self which they did and pursued them into the very houses Here the Prince who with an unmatchable valour bore all the brunt of this hot Conflict though he declar'd aloud that the danger was great and inevitable using his Wit where Force fail'd galloping from Squadron to Squadron put his men into very good order The Royallists press'd on with marvellous courage and fury assaulting vigorously the Enemies Posts in two several places where they were courageously resisted and beat back for some while But the Regiments of Languedoc Valois and Langeron not being able to resist any longer and retreating with some loss as far as the Market-place of the Suburbs the Prince himself came speedily to their assistance at the head of his Regiment of Horse and that of Anguien and here the Fight was renewed afresh so hotly that the Prince gave high proofs of his skill in the art of War and of his undaunted Courage never shewing greater boldness nor more hazarding his Life then in this perillous Rencounter engaging himself as a common Souldier amongst the Enemies Ranks killing many with his own hands and repelling others so that to his eternal glory those Regiments assumed new courage and regained their Posts from whence they had been chased But in the other Posts commanded by the Count de Tavannes they had not the like fortune for the Marquess de St. Magrin a Cavalier of great courage with divers noble Voluntiers the Light Horse and Cuirassiers of the Kings Guards sustained by a Battalion of Suissers fell on with such fury that the Princes Troops were much shattered and near being totally routed if by the death of St. Magrin the heat of that Onset which by his boldness was fomented with an extravagant not to say bizzarre temerity had not been abated for he being in the Skirmish mortally hurt and unhors'd was miserably slaughter'd by some Freebooters who were mingled amongst them so that the Kings Troops in this part also were beaten and repulsed by those of the Princes though with the expence of much bloud for here happened their greatest loss many of the principal Gentlemen of the Army being slain or wounded In the mean while the Royallists had possessed themselves of the street Rambovillet with some Houses and Barricadoes notwithstanding the obstinate defence of the Assailed to whose succour a Regiment of Germans advancing they fail'd not to perform their parts manfully The Prince kept the street from the Gate of Paris to a large place upon the same street environ'd about with Houses and Garden-walls here the Royallists had made holes in the Houses and Walls and from thence they gall'd with shot the Princes people The Dukes of Nemours and Beaufort joyn'd both at the same instant with the Prince and although betwixt these two Brother-in-Laws there was no good intelligence they agreed very well in this Emergency and were cause that the resolution was taken to attempt the recovery of the lost Barricado The Prince though he suddenly foresaw the ill success it being difficult with people weary and worsted to vanquish those who were under shelter and fresh yet for all this his Generous Heart never refusing the most dangerous and difficult bickering he submitted to this reason that though the attempt succeeded not according to their intent he should by such a bold and extraordinary an action give his Enemies cause to look about them and lengthen the Dispute which would be the onely remedy for his safety They were thereupon attaqued by these two Dukes together with the Duke de Rochefoucaut and the Prince of Marsillac followed by a Body of Musquettiers who refusing to advance further they dismounted from their Horses run on without fear of death with so much courage not to say rashness that the Royallists being surprised and amazed they abandon'd the Barricadoes and those four Princes alone recovered them with admirable Gallantry and would have maintained them if the Enemies flank'd on both sides the streets and thundering in continually Volleys of shot against the Assailants had not made them see it impossible to make a stay in that open place where the Duke of Nemours received 13 Musquet shot in his Cuirace and two in his right hand The Duke de la Rochefoucaut was wounded in the face betwixt his Eyes and the Duke of Beaufort and the Prince of Marsillac being oblig'd to help the wounded were necessitated to abandon the Post which being observed by the Royallists they issued out of the houses in all haste to take them prisoners which they had done if the Prince of Condé with his wonted courage had not pressed forward thorough the cloud of smoke and fire with some few Gentlemen that followed him giving by this means time and opportunity to the wounded Princes to retire Many were slain and hurt on the Princes side in this Skirmish and the rest would have very hardly escaped if with the same care as the Royallists attaqued this side they had assailed that part behind the Suburbs putting themselves betwixt it and the City gate which was not done it being not thought fit to put themselves under the mercy of the shot from the Ramparts of Paris full of armed Inhabitants doubting lest they might have been persuaded to discharge upon them or as it was whisper'd though upon what grounds is not known that some persons did not desire the loss of the Prince with so many brave French Gentlemen against whom the Victory could not be but damageable it being probable that they finally perceiving their own errour would return to their duty and serve His Majesty with as much Fidelity as now they express'd Affection for the Party that oppos'd Mazarine In the same time that without the Walls they were fighting with their weapons the contest was no less in words within amongst the Citizens some pretended that they should not onely issue out to help the Princes but that opening the Gates they should give them a favourable reception Others insisted that letting the Prince be destroyed the occasion of all their misfortunes thereby they should put an end to those miseries and settle the City in its former tranquillity and be freed from those sad accidents wont to accompany the confusion of War Finally upon these differences that concluded nothing in favour of the Princes Madamoiselle d'Orleans came into the streets went to the Town-house told the Citizens that without loss of time the Inhabitants ought to go out to assist the Princes allowing the Baggage and Troops of their friends to enter the City which she urged with such efficacy that adding hereunto the lamentable and horrid spectacle of so many Noblemen of high condition gasping wounded and besmear'd with bloud they concluded to open their Gates and receive them and many crying in the streets they ought to help the Prince who with so much valour put his own Life and the Lives of so many good Frenchmen in evident and almost inevitable peril for the publick cause
his Command of Governour of Paris that dignity was conferr'd on the Duke of Beaufort and this was the first effect of the foregoing violence and the first step the Princes mounted to arrive at their intents The Parlement being afterward convened and although none of the Presidents of the Morter appeared there they did not cease to give Counsel the Dean of the Parliament presiding by way of Supplement The Duke of Orleans propounded four things which he said was convenient should speedily be taken care of The first to take order about the-Provisions and particularly about bread which was risen to an exorbitant price The second the safety of the City and Parlement shewing great displeasure for the accident hapned at the Town-house The third to finde means to retain those that left the City amongst which were several Officers of the Parlement in contempt of the Decree which prohibited them to depart from their Companions and the fourth that it being a great while that the Deputies were kept at Court without being able to obtain an Answer they ought to resolve what was to be done upon these Points It was resolved that the Decrees of the fourth of the same month and others heretofore made concerning the ordering the Provisions should be punctually observed That the Officers should be prohibited to depart from Paris and the Counsellors invited to come and assist in their several Charges Messieurs de Lesne and de Gilbert Members of the Parlement had order to forme a Process against the Riot committed by the People at the Town-house three days before That no publick nor private meetings should be held upon pain of death And because the disorders of the Princes Souldiers were insupportable who sack'd all the neighboring Territory and rifled all that pass'd those High-ways it was likewise ordered to prosecute not only those who cut or sold the corne in the fields but those also that bought it or help'd to convey it away Besides these Decrees there followed likewise an Ecclesiastical Monitory against the Authors and Complices of firing the Town-house and nothing was forgot to soften the Parisiens who were generally offended there being few Citizens that in the late disorder were not concern'd either by alliance or friendship The Prince seeing the small hopes of subsisting only with his own forces and that there was need of speedy help he dispatch'd in all haste a Courier to the Baron de Batteville at S. Sebastian with advice of what had hapned and of the urgent necessity of assistance without which he could not long subsist Batteville sending the Letters into Spain they arrived so opportunely and that it was easie for the Spaniards to supply him with a sum of ready money to finish those enterprizes which without ready coyn they could not bring to pass This was the Arrival of the Plate Fleet from the Indies the 8. of July in this same year which delivered Spain from a mischief which without money could not have been avoided Conde sent also into Flanders to represent to the Ministers of Spain the state of his Affairs And they perceiving the Princes party after the retreat of the Duke of Lorrain not a little weakned and in danger to be suppress'd or forc'd to yield to an Agreement which would prove very prejudicial to their interest they fill'd the Prince with great hopes and large Promises resolving to strengthen his Faction with a recruit of six thousand men under the Command of Prince Ulderic of Wirtemberg General of the German Horse in Flanders to which purpose the Count de Fuensaldagna entring into the Fields and taking the common Rode betwixt the Rivers of Somme and Oyse came under Chauny where the Duke of Elboeuf Governour of Picardy was with many people gathered together out of the Neighbouring Countrey to hinder the Spaniards from advancing further into France but having no Provisions nor the place defenceable they yielded upon conditions that he and his Monsieur de Manicamp his Lieutenant General with some other of the chiefest Officers should march out all the rest remaining prisoners of Warr amongst which there were above a hundred Gentlemen Voluntiers and about 500 Souldiers Officers and some few Horse which were all taken Here the Spaniards stayed several days as well to enjoy the benefits of that fertile Country as to expect a better opportunity to advance towards Paris not judging it prudent Council to give further assistance to the Male-contents while the Treaty was on foot and nigh being concluded lest the Court should condescend ro the Pretences of the Princes wherefore they neglected to answer the hopes given to the Princes and Parlement levelling their aim not to fortifie them so thar they might by their strength make the Court ply to their demands the Ministers of the Catholick King considering that if it should so happen as there was likelihood in stead of adding new fewel to these Civil broyles they should at their own charge and ruine quite extinguish them The time thus passing away without any resolution on this side was spent likewise on the other without any considerable accident for from the 2. till the 20. of July the Kings Army about St. Denis and the Princes without the Suburbs of St. Victor lay quiet without any stirring all those days being spent in Treaties of Peace betwixt both parties The result of which was that the King finally declared that although he did ever believe and still thought that the instances made unto him to send away the Cardinal were only pretexts to colour other designes Nevertheless his Majestie wishing nothing more then the Quiet of the Kingdom he was content to gratifie the Cardinal granting him the favour oftentimes requested by him to retire from Court but yet not until all things necessary for re-establishing the Peace in France should be better settled to which effect his Majestie ordered the Deputies to advertise the Duke of Orleans and the Prince of Conde to send some on their part to discuss the essential points and they in the mean time remaining at Court to expect the resolution from Paris and because some doubt might arise if before or after the Ratification the Cardinal should be effectively withdrawn His Majesty declared he should depart immediately upon the Conclusion of the Treaty and before the Consummation This Affair was variously debated in Parlement The Duke of Orleans said the Answer was ambiguous and contrived to engage them to a Conference to spin out the business That if the Cardinal had really an intent to retire he ought not to have kept the Deputies of the Parlement 15 days for an Answer and in the Interim betake himself to violent resolutions as was that of the second of this Month in the Fauxbourgs of St. Anthony to destroy the Army and afterwards cut the throats of all the Parisiens If he intended to retire there was no need of any other Conference upon this subject for so soon as he should be out of the
and little the Peoples affections thorowout the Realm and even in Paris it self were won to the King few being found that would obey the new Lieutenant-General and the Parlement of Tholouse Metropolis of the Province of Languedoc and Government of the Duke of Orleans although they acknowledged themselves much devoted to his service decreed against the Ordinance of the Parlement of Paris declaring it null and invalid All things falling thus contrary to their expectation and the Princes seeing their designs begin to fail the Prince of Conde was in much perplexity and little caring to gratifie other while he himself was nigh ruine for want of money he used such means that finally in an Assembly of the Inhabitants by the assistance of those of his party he prevail'd with them to aid him with a small summe There were many ways to draw money from the people with little noise but by the vigilance of Mazarine that way was taken which seeming most specious and practicable in appearance but hard and difficult in substance might prove ineffectual and increase the distasts of the Citizens against the Authors of these Novelties and this was a tax upon all the Gates of Houses capable of receiving Cart or Coach paying twenty five Crowns for the bigger the Shops ten and the little doors five and this in Paris and the Boroughs only By this Collection which made a great noise and heart-burning they could not raise above twenty thousand Crowns by reason of the avarice or streights of the Citizens or both disheartened by so many pressures and grievances but much more for the detestation they had of the War The Prince foresaw the ill effect of that determination as he declared to many before it happened This design therefore did not hit the mark it was aimed at which was intended to raise his reputation at Court and make them believe that he was Master of Paris in which consisted the summe of all the Affairs to necessitate them by these jealousies and threatenings to condescend to the Agreement and yield him his demands which were the same that were propounded heretofore and refused in the preceding Treaties of the Count de Chavigny and the Secretary Goulas by reason the Court could not swallow the bitter morsel to put Provence so considerable a Province under the Government of the Prince of Conty nor to make the Count Marcin a person so diffident and refractory Lieutenant General of Guienne so that this Remedy producing little effect at Court helpt as little among the Parisiens who in lieu of contributing Mony brake out into the greatest Maledictions imaginable against what was done the 4th of July accusing the Prince for the Author of it and that he alone was the person that disturb'd the quiet of the Kingdom This conceit was so strongly imprinted in the minds of the Citizens that it much increased their hatred against him and his Adherents and made way for the change that followed The Prince and the Duke of Beaufort beginning to decline in their repute with the people the Parlement fell likewise into their disesteem because instead of seeking remedies against the mischiefs they exasperated and abetted them more then the rest The Prince of Conde apprehending no more the Kings Forces they being gone towards Pontoise he sent his Troops further off to Jouisy a Village 4 Leagues from Paris but here provisions and forage failing he came with part of them to Charenton and part he sent to Saint Clou. In this interim the heart-burning and emulation betwixt the Dukes of Nemours and Beaufort his Brother in Law still continuing it proceeded to a Duel where the Duke of Nemours being slain it behoved Beaufort to retire from Paris those of the Union that opposed the Cardinal remaining in this manner deprived of two Princes of the most value and esteem with the people There arose likewise a contest and dispute betwixt the Count de Rieux of the House of Lorrain and the Prince of Tarante of the House of Trimouille about precedency in the new Council established by the Duke of Orleans whose onely Son of about two years old dying also at this time those of that Party began to consider that God when he purposes to chastise men takes from them their earthly comforts and raises discords and dissentions amongst the most intimate friends The King remain'd at Pontoise with all the Court from the 17th of July till the 19th of August during which time what with the incommodities they suffered in so streight a place the scarcity of all things necessary diseases multiplied and many persons died amongst whom the loss of the Duke of Bovillon was much lamented for his great capacity and the intire confidence betwixt him and Mazarine The Spaniards in the mean while taking advantage of the Civil Troubles in France seasonable for their Interest laid Siege to Dunkirk and began very much to streighten it By Land it was impossible to succour it because the Royal Army was necessary about the Kings Person wherefore there remaining no way open but that of the Sea the Duke of Vendosme High Admiral was commanded to take care for the relief of it The French Fleet was gone toward Biscay to fight the Spaniards who with 17 Men of War were crusing in those Seas The 9th of August both Fleet came within fight of each other about the Pertuis d'Antioch the Fight began with the furious discharge of their Cannon But each side advancing with a regard not to engage themselves too far where the success might prove hazardous the night in the mean time drawing on and the wind blowing hard they were separated On the Spanish side the Ship called The Nativity was set on fire and another Vessel of the Squadron of Naples taken and sunk Vendosme would have prosecuted this fortunate Encounter but wanting necessary Provisions and Money he rested himself satisfied in having driven them out of those Seas He went ashoar at Rochel and the Fleet returned into Brittain from whence by Order from the King they hoys'd sail again toward the English Chanel and steer'd their course to give succour to languishing Dunkirk The Parlement of England who were not willing that that place and Haven should remain in the hands of the French fell upon the Kings Fleet in such manner that taking them unawares in the Road of Calais without fighting took all those Ships except three which getting by the English saved themselves in Flushing The people that were aboard were set ashour by the English on the Coast of France and the Vessels retained under the title of Reprisals Wherefore on the 18th of September Monsieur d Estrades Governour of Dunkirk was forc'd to march out with Honourable Conditions And in this manner the Spaniards recover'd that Town after which the Prince of Ligne advanced toward the Frontiers of France with 4000 Souldiers to second the designs of the Princes who were incamped about Paris The distastes continued still more and more
in the minds of the good Frenchmen for the affronts and abuses offered them by the Seditious and for the little safety that was for them at that time in Paris where the burning of the Town-house had let them see how violent the designs were of the Male-contents whereupon Cardinal Mazarine who continually studied all opportunities for the service of the Crown perceived at last that the surest remedy was to call the Parlements from Paris of which although he had often thought and for some doubt of opposition omitted At this time he found it necessary not to defer it any longer The Cardinal and Monsieur Fouquet the Attorney General keeping correspondence with each other and taking the opportunity Fouquet propounded and maintained that the Parlement ought to remove to Pontoise which was done by His Majesty's Decree the 6th of August containing first a long discourse upon the Reasons that moved him to it annulling and abolishing all the Decrees and Arrests made as well in the Parlement as in the Town-house and particularly those of the 20th and 24th of the same August prohibiting all persons not to acknowledge the Duke of Orleans of Lieutenant of the Crown nor the Prince of Conde for General of the Army who made use of these Attributes for scandalous intents and of dangerous consequence forcing the Subjects to execute Orders and Designs tending to the subversion of the Kingdom He commanded moreover all the Counsellours and Officers of the Parlement to appear at Pontoise under the penalty of losing their Offices and with express prohibition to all not to take notice of nor obey other Orders then those of His Majesty's nor other Decrees then those of the Parlement removed to Pontoise In order to this the major part of the Presidents went thither five of six Masters of Requests and about twenty Counsellours to whom divers Counsellours of State joyn'd themselves with the Dukes and Peers that were at Court these formed a Party strong enough to precipitate the whole Faction of the Princes This new Parlement then beginning to act that they might acquire Authority and to let the people understand that they desired the publick good they proposed to the Cardinal that now he would do well to retire himself since his stay was the onely pretext of the Princes and of the Frondeurs so that he being gone they would either lay down their Arms and return to their duty by which means the King would remain absolute Master or persevering in their disobedience the world would plainly perceive their evil intention the honest people would be a weary of following them and the Parlement of Pontoise now acknowledged by the other Parlements for lawful would give out Decrees against the Princes and the Rebels and the King having made it clearly appears that the Cardinal served merely for a pretext to the Enemies of the Common wealth might the people remaining convinc'd and satisfied recall him at his pleasure The Cardinal declared that he desired nothing more then the service of His Majesty and with much readiness and zele resolved to depart against the sentiment of most of his friends and the King himself who knew not how to dispose himself to give him leave which he had so often requested This the Parlement did not only for the Reasons abovesaid but to surprise the Opinions that went about concerning the Kings breach of his Word given heretofore both in Speech and Writing for the assuring of the Cardinals departure Since that not seeing it accomplished they branded the Court with falsness and the Princes set a fair colour and strengthened their contumacy with that pretext they added moreover that this retirement of the Cardinal would greatly facilitate the Negotiation which was carrying on in Paris for receiving the King and expelling of Condé In the managing of this Affair Father Forz Bishop of Amiens and Father Bertaut a Franciscan and Monsieur Prevost a Counsellour of the great Chamber with others devoted to the King did interest themselves with much affection and fidelity who found the way more open after the departure of the Cardinal The wisdom of this Council quickly manifested it self because the People who pierce not so far took it for granted he should return no more With these considerations therefore the King gave the Cardinal leave to be gone although at that time there was more need of his presence then of his departure But before we proceed any further it must not be omitted that the Kings Council being greatly disturbed at the resolution of the Parlement of Paris in choosing the Duke of Orleans Lieutenant General of the Crown and in declaring the King the Cardinals Prisoner they proclaimed invalid not only what the Parliament had done till that time but all other deliberations for the future as unlawful insufficient and void of all Prerogative and that no other Parlement ought to be acknowledged then that which was lawfully called to Pontoise The major part of the Counsellors that remain'd in Paris amongst whom were divers of the most seditious contesting about this matter several Declarations were pass'd in opposition to that of His Majestie that the translating of the Parlement to Pontoise was invalid and unlawful protesting against it and maintaining that the Parlement was never kept out of Paris though Charles the VII once removed it for certain Affairs to Montargis They annull'd besides all that was done in the Kings Council about Prohibiting the levy of the imposition upon the gates of Paris ordering on the contrary that none should be exempt from paying it They decreed moreover that the Farmers of the Salt should pay the dues of their Farmes to the Deputies of the Parlement and that the Goods of those Counsellours and Presidents that were gone to Pontoise should be confiscated if they did not suddenly return to Paris to the exercise of their places and further would they have proceeded if force had been coupled to their will which failing all those determinations proved vain and ridiculous The Cardinal making haste for his departure the day before he went he procured the Kings Grant for a Brevet of Duke and Peer of France to Monsieur de Crequy first Gentleman of the Chamber to the King to the Marquesses de Mortmar also first Gentleman of the Chamber and de Roquelaure Great Master of the Wardrobe The Cardinal afterward consigned into the Kings hands particulars Instructions of all things concerning his Government Though his Majestie had given express Order to all the Counsellors of the Parliament to assemble at Pontoise yet many of them refusing to give their Consents the thing seemed to many to have something of impossibility in it which proved to be the safety of the Kings party since those that remain'd in Paris not having means to maintain the War and to hinder this removal to Pontoise they were constrain'd to yield to all the conditions that were prescribed them by the Court. The Cardinal left in the exercise of his Charge of
were banished the Governour the Prevost of the Merchants the Deputy and others compell'd to flie away to secure their own lives in whose room the Authors of these attempts for their recompence were placed new Sheriffs were made contrary to the Kings Prohibition Taxes laid upon the goods of the Citizens and people whilst those of the Villages and Countrey were sack'd and plundred with all temerity and insolence That his Majesty had done all things possible even to the prejudice of his own honour to restore them to their former liberty and to preserve them from the miseries of the War granting the Princes leave honourably to lay down their Armes and return to their obedience but they instead of resting quiet had called together an Assembly of the Body of the City the chief of which were without title or legal character this to delude the people with a pretence of desiring peace at the same time that themselves refused it declaring that they could not accept of the Conditions offered them whenas there were no others then the very same they had demanded that far from any thoughts of laying down their Arms they had caused a part of the Spanish Army to draw near to Paris to which they had joyned their own troops with design to maintain their usurped Authority and to share betwixt the enemy and themselves the goods of the poor subject That they had put a sinister interpretation upon those deliberations which the King had made and did still make to preserve the lives of his Officers and Magistrates by getting them out of their hands That he lived in greatest impatiency till he saw a possibility of restoring that Noble City to her ancient splendour to that plenty enjoy'd in the first years of his Reign the Trade there and the Parliament re-establish'd and to honour it with His Royal Presence not only for his own content but also for the satisfaction of all his obedient subjects That in the mean time His Majesty would be much satisfied that a good number of Officers and Inhabitants did come to him but considering that the Body of the City was over-powered guided and compos'd by the Adherents to the Princes who came contrary to the ordinary custom into the Assembly held on the fifth of that moneth to hinder that nothing else should be concluded on but what contributed fewel to the War having by such designs turned away all good resolutions which might have been taken there to oblige the Princes to lay down their Arms and return to their duty he neither could nor ought to authorize that which was determin'd in their Presence particularly in the presence of the Duke of Beaufort and Counsellor Brussell principal Authors of all these disorders without offending for ever the publick liberty and security He did therefore declare the aforesaid Assembly null invalid and unlawful and consequently could not grant the Passports which were demanded for them whom they had deputed but free leave should be given to any particular men which were dispos'd to come and see him whether they were Magistrates lawfully established in their Charges or other publick Officers Citizens Companies of Merchants or Inhabitants of the City who should be courteously heard upon all matters which they would represent De Pietre who had been sent by the Assembly being return'd with this Answer to Paris where the troubles daily more and more encreasing not only by the Commerce being interrupted but also by the damage done to the countrey round about which was made a spoil to both Armies with insupportable licentiousness especially of the Lorrainers and Germans who because they were strangers thought they might do any thing though never so extravigant the Parisiens understood how nigh their total and irrecoverable ruine did approach Especially considering that the time of sowing and the Vintage was very near wherefore they began more openly and with greater heat fomented continually by the ingenious Artifices of Mazarine to renew the Negotiation with the Court by the means of Cardinal de Retz of the Marquess de Chasteauneuf and other persons who desired no less the fall of Mazarine then the destruction of Conde The Duke of Orleans shewing himself of the same opinion and wearied with these disorders being a Prince of a very good disposition and an enemy to violence beside the often repeated Promises of his good intention to the Peace promoted by the endeavours of the Duke d' Anville and others he wrote to the Queen the 20. of September in these terms That having understood with great comfort by the Marquess Joyeuse Lambert the favourable inclination of her Majesty towards the peace he thought himself obliged to assure her by these lines that he also together with the Prince of Conde did passionately desire it and although the first subject of their Requests which they made to Heaven ought to be the good of the State yet he did protest with sincerity that the inclination which he hath always had to honour her Majesty which was one of the principal Reasons and that there could never any thing happen which should upon any account ever alter that zeal any respect with which he declared himself her most obedient Servant At the same time the Court of Aids through the secret management of Mazarine found an expedient to assemble at Pontoise in conformity to the Kings order The Kings good subjects in the mean-while did not cease to contrive how to draw themselves out of these troublesom disturbances The Bishop of Amiens and others having made palpably evident to their friends and those that knew the state of Affairs the necessity of some ready and fit resolution to restore to Paris the splendour of the Kings Authority obscured and damaged by the pretensions of the Princes and the artifices of the Enemies to the publick good the 24th of September they held an Assembly of between four and five hundred persons in the Palace Royal where the Counsellour Prevost appeared who was in perfect intelligence with Cardinal Mazarine and consequently with the Court he presented them a Letter of the Kings in which he declared that His Majesty had a very great desire to come to Paris but that he ought not to return so long as there were Seditious Governours he proposed therefore that all those who were faithful Citizens should take Arms throw away the Straw stick Paper in their Hats go out into the Streets and cry Vivele Roy and with one accord seise upon the principal places of the City drive out the disturbers and fall upon as many as should oppose this design this being done the King would then soon return The chief Heads and principal Authors of this Company after the aforementioned Bishop of Amiens Father Bertaut and the Counsellour Prevost who had all the secret and ordering of this Affair in their hands were the Sieur Barby Controller of the Kings Houshold who drew after him many of the people about the Gates of Monmartre and
as to see what was most expedient to be done in this wavering condition of the inconstant people and tired out by the long continuance of these disturbances Mareschal Turenne a no less prudent then valiant Captain stood always vigilant to observe those moments which opportunely taken bring great advantage to those who know how to make use of them in Warre and being advertised of all that past after a short Conference with his Colleague the Mareshal de la Ferte Seneterre he resolved to get out of these streights and bring his Army into a securer place and more proper for their subsistence Having caused therefore the Baggage and Artillery to pass over the Sene October 4. in the night upon the Bridges of Boats which he had there at break of day he discamped with such order and silence that the Army was got over before they were discovered by the Enemies Sentinels There was no other General-Commander left in the other Camp but the Count de Tavannes who perceiving though late the March of Turenne caused presently to sound to Horse and put his Army in order to follow him and fight him But the Mareschal continuing his march under covert of the River quickly arrived at Corbeil a place held by the King where passing the Sene over the Stone-bridge very happily and to his great reputation he withdrew himself from all danger and encamped upon the River Marne between Meaux and Lagny getting provisions for his Army from all the neighbouring Country and observing the motion of the Enemy with so much advantage to His Majesties Interest that this action becoming a great and experienced Commander was acknowledged to be the saving of the Kings Party and one of the most celebrated acts of this Prince and true Master of the art of War This blow brought extraordinary confusion and astonishment to the Princes particularly to the Prince of Condé who shewed himself very much grieved at the negligence of his Officers reproching Tavannes as if he had lost his sense of Hearing saying If he had been well so favourable an occasion should never have escaped his hands but there being no help for things past and Fortune changing being weary of staying in the midst of Confusion and so many different Humours upon the 7th following the whole Army of the Princes drew up at the end of the Suburbs of S. Anthony and encamped near to the Castle of Vincennes to keep Paris in awe The King and Court were already come to Mantes to pass the Sene the Bridges of Poissy and Meulan being broken down and so to go forwards to S. Germain with intent to enter into Paris when Affairs should be brought to that pass to which they seemed to tend every day more and more The Parisiens were resolved to free themselves of these miseries before they were irrecoverable Wherefore following one anothers example and concurring in the same mind as Fortune abandon'd the Princes so they inclin'd more and more to the Kings side The Prince of Conde therefore perceiving that the tempest which threatned him was near at hand and began to provide for his own safety his Armies by withdrawing with all speed from Paris And because by his departure and the Kings return they foresaw the quiet of Paris and the recalling of Mazarine many strove to second the rising fortune of that Minister of State and even among the Princes own friends upon this turn of Fortune some changed their inclinations and in particular the Count de Chavigny Ever since the Cardinals return into France he had thoughts of closing with him considering that if his Enemies were not able to ruine him at a distance they would be less able to do it when he should appear at Court and be Master of all affairs Besides at this time the Coadjutor was made Cardinal his capital Enemy who might he feared be made chief Minister if Mazarine was kept out He resolved therefore to come to an agreement with Mazarine so as to oblige him and that his Authority might be limited He entered therefore upon a secret Treaty for adjusting the Prince with the Cardinal and replacing of Conde there seeming an apparent necessity of making use of him and that he might live quietly at Court they would find means that he should not only preserve his Fortune but increase it But as it is not always easie to walk streight between two Praecipices so in the end he found himself deceived in his Maxims on the one side while he thought himself secure on the other for whether it was that he was resolved to forsake the Prince as he was accused that he was not Loyal to his Interests or whether he would have necessitated him to make peace by persuading him that the Duke of Orleans would otherwise conclude it without him or whether indeed he preferred his own and the Courts Interest before the Princes he made the Abbot Fouquet believe to whom the Cardinal committed the management of this affair that if the Prince did not conclude the peace upon those terms which he thought reasonable he would so order it that the Duke of Orleans should quit his Party The Letter which Fouquet wrote to the Secretary Tillier to inform him of this was taken by one of the Prince's party and presently delivered into his hands who perceiving that his confidence was misplaced in Chavigny complain'd of it to persons who were not much Chavigny's Friends and that in terms injurious to his Reputation yet would not openly fall out with him The noise of this being divulged about Paris and increased by the malice of those who were engaged in the same disorders obliged Chavigny to justifie himself to the Prince at a Conference held between them from whence he came out so mortified and concerned for having dealt with a Prince after this manner from whom he had received such high Honours that returning to his house he threw himself in despair upon his bed and after a Feaver of six days encreased by the passions of his mind he died the 19th of October This was the end of Lion de Bouttilier Count de Chavigny in the 44th year of his age a person who for being related to the deceased Cardinal Richlieu was admitted into His Majesty's Council at 19 years old at 24 he was made Secretary of State and at 34 Minister of State had the care of the most important affairs of the Crown and after the death of Lewis XIII he was nominated Plenipotentiary for the Treaty of Munster a person of a quick Wit a haughty Spirit of a ready Judgment and covetous of Glory and Greatness to procure which he spared no Industry In the mean time the Parlement and the Assemblies at the Town-house met often upon the occurrent emergencies where all the well-wishers to the publick thought themselves obliged to deliver the poor Country people from the insolencies of the Souldiery and especially of the Lorrainers who destroyed and wasted every thing Upon
the 9th of October in the Assembly held at the Town-house divers were chosen and deputed to go to Court and to intreat His Majesty again to return to Paris but because His Majesty did not admit of publick Messages from an Assembly where the Duke of Beaufort pretended Governour of Paris used to be present contrary to the Kings Prohibition so that by consequence the Assembly was accounted unlawful it was proposed in Parlement and concluded on that the Duke of Beaufort should be desired to renounce his Charge voluntarily that he might not hinder the conclusion of the Peace which was so earnestly sought for by all wherefore Beaufort remitted it into the hands of the Duke of Orleans who had conferred it upon him The whole Body of the Militia of Paris was also resolved for Peace and knowing that the presence of the King was necessary for the consummating of it they made choice at the same time of 250 persons Colonels Officers and other Inhabitants to go and render their due respects to His Majesty and to entreat him that he would honour his good City of Paris with his return These Officers having given notice of this to the Court and desired the accustomed Pasports they were immediately granted and the King himself wrote to them with Orders to come to S. Germans Octob. 14. where he intended to be that night and besides this Letter to all in general he sent one in particular to every Colonel in which he thanked them for the affection and goodwill which they expressed to his service He wrote also to the Communalty and commanded them to call a general Assembly and to restore to their Offices the Prevost of the Merchants and the Sheriffs which had been turned out The Prince of Conde seeing by all these changes that his longer stay at Paris would be to no purpose and that every thing was in readiness to receive the King he resolved to hasten his departure The Duke of Lorrain also took leave of his Brother in Law the Duke of Orleans upon the 11th of October to follow his Army which were on their march not far off but at his going out of S. Martins Gate the Guard stopt him for not having a Pasport from the Communalty and were very near giving him some affront for some of them reproching him for all those evils which had happened to France proposed to have him imprisoned and detained till his Forces were out of the Kingdom and he had given satisfaction for the damage they had done to the Country about but this was not put in execution for the respect they bore to the Duke of Orleans but they gave him a thousand injurious words and the next morning they permitted him to depart upon His Royal Highness command The Prince of Condé went away two days after together with the Duke of Wirtemberg the Duke of Rochefocaut the Prince of Tarante and many other peesons of Quality who resolved to take their Fortunes with him At his going away he said as he passed through the streets That the Parisiens hoped for the return of the Court but that would not end the War He went afterwards towards Rheims a great City and Metropolis of Champagne with intention to lay hold of what he could in that Province that he might the better winter there under the Protection of Stenay and Mauson two places upon the Mose which held for him At his departure from Paris he left a printed Manifesto in which he set forth how much he had done for the publick and in particular for the Parisiens exhorting them not to trust to the Court and to believe that he could by the force of Arms have constrained them to make Peace Conde therefore and all the Officers of the Army having thus abandoned Paris upon the fifteenth following the aforesaid Colonels and Officers went to St. Germains Accompanied with two hundred Citizens more who joyned with them upon the way They had a favourable audience in which they express'd the general desire of all to see these mists cleared up by the splendour of his Royal Presence and assured His Majesty of their inviolable faith and entire Obedience engaging faithfully their word that they would be all in armes upon any occasion ready to spend their lives and fortunes in his Royal service beseeching him not to refuse them this favour but to be touched at their sighs and tears proceeding from their sincere and zealous devotion protesting to him finally that he should finde nothing from them but due observance and a perfect propensity to make good the Character which they bore of His most humble and most faithful subjects The King Answered them with his own mouth that he should be mindful all his life-time of the service they had done him upon this occasion and desired them to be always assured of his affection and that although the disorders stirrââ up by those who were revolted might oblige him to take some other journey yet nevertheless seeing they had so great a desire he was resolved to go with the first occasion to Paris and would signifie to the Prevost of the Merchants and the Sheriffs what he thought necessary to that effect the Deputies gave him thanks and did their obeisance to their Majesties severally who were pleased to receive them with testimonies of extraordinary satisfaction After this they were treated with a Dinner and had leave to depart to Paris with so much joy of the people that seeing them pass through the streets and hearing the News of the Kings sudden return they loaded them with benedictions and deafned them with their continual shoutings of Vive le Roy. The same day that the Colonels went to St. Germains his Majesty before he left Mantes answered the Letters which the Duke d' Anville had delivered him from the Duke of Orleans to desire an Act of Oblivion in better forme then the former the Contents were that the King did not desire any further Declaration from the said Duke it being sufficient if he made his word good which he had so often given to lay down his Arms and send the foreign Troops to the Frontiers thereby to free Paris his Majesty having nothing more to do seeing he had already publish'd a General Amnesty and such an one as the most seditious could not find what more to adde to it for their security and less to pretend that it should be registred at Paris seeing that it was done publickly in the Parliament at Pontorse so that his Majestie having anticipated all that the Duke desired of him without any reservation there remained nothing but that he on his side should perform his Promises And that therefore his Request for Passports was superfluous and from the purpose because it tended to no other end but to gain time till the Spanish Troops commanded by the Duke of Wirtenberg were drawn near Paris to joyn with those at the Prince of Conde and to amuse the people whilst that another
Body of the Spanish Army under the Command of the Prince of Ligne should advance into the Kingdom which Forces were designed to keep Paris in that servitude under which it now suffered and to hinder His Majesties Return So soon as the Colonels before-mention'd were departed it was variously debated at the Counsel whether the Court according as they had resolved should return to Paris or no. They who apprehended some danger of receiving affronts by reason that there were still divers ill-affected persons said that there was no trusting to the people who being always inconstant are apt to be led away with every Novelty and to forget all Promises and therefore they ought to walk cautiously to secure themselves from falling into new inconveniences The greater part of the Counsel was of this opinion adding that they ought not to trust those who had deceived them so often or to think to finde faith amongst persons who with such bruitish insolence had shewn themselves unfaithful that to forsake the King and now again to forsake their friends whom they had so often protested never to leave was an Argument of an inconstancy which was as easie to promise as not to perform That this City by its out-rages committed against His Majesty and his Officers had rendred it self unworthy of the Presence of the King and his Court neither would it be well thus by the easiness of the Pardon to encourage subjects to commit new misdemeanors But Prince Thomas of Savoy who had the chief Management of Affairs and who being a Stranger examined matters with no other passion then that of serving their Majesties discreetly weighing the prejudice they might receive by letting slip out of their hands such favourable opportunities proposed and maintained yet with the Advice of the Cardinal that they ought to enter into the City without loss of time and drive from thence the principal Leaders of the sedition and as the Princes had made use of the favour of the people to strengthen their party so the King ought to do the same to overthrow their Faction Mareschal Turenne was also of this opinion who considering that the Countrey about Paris was wasted and the Kings Army not well provided for represented to them the necessity of making themselves Masters of Paris in respect of the abundance of all things there and that the King might be said to be without his Crown so long as he was deprived of that potent City The opinion of these Princes of so great reputation and experience overcoming all Arguments produced by others to the contrary was at length unanimously received and the rather because both of them assured their Majesties upon their words and lives that they should be received with all testimonies of affection and that the Citizens to wash off that spot they had contracted by what was past would with so much the more readiness procure the satisfaction of the Court as they had before acted to its displeasure In order to this the Mareschal of the Hospital the Prevost of the Merchants and the Sheriffs being restored to their places followed the Collonels to Paris those of the contrary party endeavored to hinder their entrance into the City perswading them that there could be no security for their persons amongst those people who had their very names in abomination The Duke of Orleans in particular told them that not being able to promise them any security they ought to consider to what danger they exposed themselves but these threatnings took no effect for they being informed of the good intention of the people to receive the King doubted not but to be welcom also and therefore freely entred The Mareschal of the Hospital took presently possession of the Bastille and the Arsenal which the Sieur de Louvieres son to Counsellour Brussell quitted and Orders were given through all the streets and quarters of the City to keep the people quiet and in obedience to the King After this His Majestie ordered the Parliament of Pontoise to be at Paris upon the 22. following in the Palace of the Lovure where he designed to lodge for his greater security the King of England who lodged there removing to the Palace-Royal he wrote also to the Communalty to advertise them that his Entrance should be on the same day and that therefore they ought to take away the Guards from the Gates and all the Inhabitants fall to the exercise of their several Professions and traffick which was presently done To Mademoiselle d' Orleans it was signified that the Kings Brother intending to lodge in her Apartment in the Lovure was therefore to be left free which she submitted to with some displeasure and removed into the Hostel of the Embassadors extraordinary in the suburbs of St. Germain On Munday morning the Parliament met where the President Nesmond declared that he had received a Letter with the Kings Seal and that His Majesty had sent the like to each Counsellour in particular in which they were appointed to meet on the morrow Morning at the Lovure there to understand His Majesties pleasure concerning the present Affairs The Duke of Orleans replied that he knew nothing of it and some other Counsellours about twelve in number said that they had received no such Letters with much resentment and paleness of face perceiving that all their designs were totally ruined and those of the Kings Party being called to give in their opinions they gave their voices for the adjourning of the Parliament to the Gallery of the Lovure although those who had received no Letters from His Majesty as the others had and that knew themselves not to be in favour endeavoured to oppose it representing the prejudice the Priviledges of Parliament might receive from this unaccustomed Novelty The President Nesmond made it appear that the King was Master to hold it in what part of Paris he pleased alledging that formerly in the Reign of Henry the second and Henry the third it was held in the Tournelle and in the house of Saint Paul and that the Chamber of Vacations had ordered the Canopy of the Kings Seat of Justice to be removed into the said Gallery and they ought to obey to this the major part consenting they determined to meet the next morning by Sun-rise in their Scarlet at the place appointed Upon the 22. of October the King departed from St. Germains dined at Ruel and from thence sent the Count of Nogent to the Duke of Orleans to give him notice of the Kings journey and to exhort him as from himself to come and meet the King and do his respects to him assuring him of His Majesties favour and kinde reception The Duke of Orleans was surprized not thinking that the King would in earnest come and trust himself in Paris where the inquietude of those spirits who had so highly out-raged him was not yet appeased but the effect confirmed how fallacious those designes are which are founded upon the inconstancy of the
entred the Town and not the Mantuans But the Marquess of Caracena kept his word punctually with the Duke in all what he had promised in so much that his Highness thinking it convenient for the security of that place to put in a Garrison of German Souldiers he proposed to take in some of those which had served in the Spanish Army after they should be disbanded by the Spaniards and had taken an Oath of Allegiance to him but the Spaniard would not consent to it left there might be some suspicion of deceit in this neither would he suffer any of his to enter into the Town nor would he go himself but in Company of the Duke of Mantua who came thither a few days after The Savoyards not being able to relieve Casale assaulted and took Crescentino and would have obtained their desired intents if those of Montferrat had corresponded with them but they being very faithful to their Prince were assisting towards the Recovery of the Town The Duke of Mantua declared the French Plenipotentiaries that whensoever his Territory of Montferrat should be restored to its former estate and put peaceably into his hands without trouble or injury to the Treaty of Chirasco he would presently renounce the three thousand Crowns a month which the Empress was to give him for the paiment of the Garrison and maintain it at his proper charge without any ones help This his Highness did to take away all jealousie or pretence which the French might have upon this account though this was not his principal motive for it is certain that he had not the least imagination of letting this most noble place go out of his hands again which rendred him conspicuous to all Italy and made him esteemed by both Crowns and this was always the opinion of the Marquess de la Val. But these Declarations of the Dukes and his Agents availed little for things being diversly suggested at the Court of France suspicion had such force that they judged always sinisterly nor could the Kings Ministers of State rest satisfied after the loss of so important a place and which rendred their Authority so considerable to all Italy Most of the other Italian Princes grew jealous also that Casale should at length fall into the hands of the Spaniards and therefore lamented that the French had not provided against it in time which they said they might have done very easily if they had not busied themselves more in persecuting Cardinal Mazarine and overthrowing his Counsels then in taking care for the concerns of the Crown their Jealousies and Suspitions were also much more encreased by the report which went about that the Spaniards after they had driven the French out of Casale were in a close Treaty with the Court of Savoy soothing their chief Ministers with a belief that his Catholick Majesty would restore Vercelli drive the French from Pignerol and the Cittadel of Turin make up the differences with Mantua and perhaps espouse the Infanta to the Duke of Savoy by which insinuations they went about to gain that house and keeping the French beyond the Mountains restore Peace to Italy and their own Authority to its former splendour These Propositions were hearkned to by the Piemontesi who opened their ears with no little attention and the more by reason that they were fearful that whilst his Christian Majesty was involved in Civil Wars and not able to contribute to the defence of Piemont the Spaniards might make some considerable Progress so that if they should defer the remedy to another time it might so happen that they should find neither time nor remedy These Treaties cast a great cloud upon the Affairs of the Court of France The Cardinal particularly considering the Prejudices which the King might receive if the Spaniards after they had setled their Affairs in Italy should employ all their forces in Flanders and Catalonia he endeavored with all industry by the means of the Embassador Servient and the Abbot of Aille to keep the Savoyards in hopes of a speedy and certain care of their Affairs so that Mazarine being in great credit and strict friendship with the house of Savoy his word alone prevailed more then all other means to elude the Artifices of the Ministers of the but because the troubles at home permitted not at that time the effecting of those things which the necessity of affairs required he sought no further at present then to keep Piemont united with the Court by putting them in hopes of restoring into their hands Verva and Villeneufve d' Astinelle and of the Honour of treating their Embassadours for the future equal to those of Kings Besides these Honours the Count de Quincé General of the French Forces in Piemont was sent to them who arrived at Turin in December accompanied with a great number of Officers and Persons of Quality Mazarine who amongst these dangerous storms had saved the Kings Authority from imminent shipwrack made himself known to all the World for one of the most expert and undaunted Pilots that sails in the Ocean of Policy so soon as ever he saw the Whirlwindes of those commotions which had so furiously agitated the whole Kingdom allayed by the Presence of the King in Paris He applied himself with all sollicitousness to search out means proper not only to calm the intestine troubles but to raise up the trampled upon credit and reputation of the Regal Dignity Wherefore he judged it would be easier to render it esteemed and honoured by pardoning then by punishing This being the Cardinals constant Maxime to win upon the generous humour of the French Nation rather by gentle usage then by violence of Arms. He began therefore to treat with those who were most contumacious He was of opinion that the sole love of the King ought to be the Quintessence fit to nourish that Concord amongst subjects which is interrupted by nothing more then by the apprehensions of hatred and revenge He revived new Treaties and Propositions of Peace with the Prince of Conty with the Parlement of Bourdeaux with the Count d' Harcourt the Count d' Ognon and with all the other Princes and great Lords of high spirit He sent also an Intimate of his to negotiate closely with the Prince of Conde to pacifie him and remove him from the Spanish service offering him the Sovereignty of some state out of France but whether the Prince found himself too far engaged with the Catholick King or whether the Nobleness of his minde would not suffer him to be worse then his word without cause or apparent reason or whether he judg'd the dignity offered him inconsistent or moved with other reasons or regards the effect of these Propositions vanish'd The Prince declared that he had no ambition of Sovereignty but was contented with the honour which he had of being first Prince of the blood-Royal that he knew not how to trust him any more who under the pretence of friendship had deceived him nor could
to his Brother the Bishop of Lombes At the same time another Frier called Lande by the means of a Gentlewoman named Laure attempted to gain Colonel Marché who hearkned to the sollicitations of the Friars brother and communicated his design to the said Widow which was to make use of an hundred light horse which he commanded in the City to deliver up a Gate to the Duke of Candale desiring this Window to write him the design and to instruct him the most proper means to execute it This Plot was also communicated to the Jurate Robert But in the end Colonel Marché himself discovered it to Marsin and after a few days Lande revealed it to the Prince of Conty whereupon the Gentlewoman was imprisoned and examined a long while in the Presence of Lande and maintained to his face that he was the Author of all this accusing him of infidelity and treacherousness whereupon he was laid hold on and banished from the Olmiera and the Widow sent back to her Countrey-house In the mean-while the City of Monsegur wherein the Regiment of the Marquess of Monpouillon lay in Garrison was surrendred to the Royallists and the Officers pretending that two thousand Pistols were due to them put themselves into His Majesties service imprisoned the Commissary and took from him a good summe of money which he had levied on the people thereabouts but they sent him free afterwards with some Officers belonging to Marsin who at the same time with the Princes Troops besieged St. Ferme a small Town near by This was a Prelude to the fall of the Princes party being forsaken by their best Troops in a time when they had most need of them not contented to take pains continually for so small profit the hopes of those rewards daily declining which the Princes promised them to soften the labours and sufferances of those of their party Divers other Accidents hapned which rendred this party still more infirm which having no other foundation then the imagination of becoming more happy by the change of fortune in stead of meeting with their desired relief they encountred the most unexpected misfortunes A certain Engineer called Larsigne was imprisoned and 3500 Pistols taken from him set him in the Pillory and banished under pretence that he wrote to Paris the News of what hapned in Bourdeaux They arrested a vessel also and confiscated twenty five thousand Crowns which belonged to Dutch Merchants for corn sold in that City and were carrying to Rochelle declaring it to be counterband goods with these and the like proceedings the foreign Merchants and the better sort of Citizens themselves were sensibly touched and exasperated seeing that without shame or conscience they exempted none from barbarous and unjust punishments The Duke of Vandosme appeared with his Fleet in the Garonne at the beginning of February and presently began to build a Fort in the Isle of Cazaux situated in the middle of the River and therefore of great consequence and which gave no small trouble to the inhabitants of Bourdeaux amongst whom there being many that were affected to the Kings party it behoved the rest to be vigilant against surprises and stratagemms which were easie to be put in practice in such Conjunctures The Curate of St. Peters having exhorted his Parishioners in a publick Sermon to shake off the yoke of their servitude and to withdraw themselves from under the Authothority unlawfully usurped by that wicked counsel of the Olmiere he was taken and put in prison but the people of that parish who were very affectionate to him beginning to rise they were forced to let him go and escape away for fear some greater mischief might follow for those who are admitted to preach the Word of God have great power over the people when they denounce to them peace and quietness for the same cause were banished also the Curates of St. Simon and St. Remi with the Prior and Guardian of the Capucines and the Dominicans divers Counsellors of the Parliament and some Citizens who were contented rather to undergo any persecution then to follow a Faction directly contrary to the service of the King so that the Parliament being at that time by the Advice of Mazarine removed to Agen that at Bourdeaux was so weakned that there remained no more then nine Counsellors and some of them so confused and fearful that they knew not what to resolve on The Parliament at Agen beginning to assemble on the third of March the Sieur de la Lane Second President presided at the opening of the Parliament in the Presence of the Duke of Candale and the Bishop of Agen the Sieur de Pontac President of the Treasurers of France came thither with divers other well-affected persons But in Bourdeaux the suspitions of some new Conspiracy being revived all possible diligence was used to interrupt it and to maintain the Princes Concerns in their vigour Proclamation was made that all strangers who were found in the City without employ should presently depart All Inne-keepers Taverners and those who let lodgings were prohibited to receive any one without express order and billet from the Magistrate appointed for that purpose Meetings were forbidden and going about in the night after such an houre and every where they kept vigilant Guards to watch all surprizes especially because the Neighboring Towns and Provinces were every day more and more incumbred with Souldiers and people of the Kings party And because that by the taking of Sarlaet Sallagnac Terrason and other walled Towns of Perigord by the Princes Troops the Souldiery over-ran all the Countrey to the great damage of that Province The Marquess of Pompodor Lieutenant of the Province of Limosin gathering together some of the Kings Troops and divers Gentlemen encountred the enemies near to the Village St. Robert in the County of Agen defeated and destroyed them and so delivered the Countrey from the continual molestation of these Souldiers who were the more licentious by reason they wanted their pay and were dissatisfied with the Princes themselves whom they served The Town of Montignac maintaining it self in its due obedience to the King did incommodate all they could the Princes forces who lost the Castle of Surin and other places which either rendred voluntarily or were gained by the force of Armes whereby those of their party being reduced to streight termes the greater part of them were perswaded by others example to return to their due obedience To these favourable events in Guienne seconded by other prosperous successes of the Kings party was added the engagement upon the 28. of February in the Narrow Seas between the English and Hollanders each party glorying to have had the advantage but seeing there was no great difference in the loss of Vessels the Victory remained undecided so that the English being busied in this new Warre they were not in a posture to embrace those resolutions which if they had been free they might have taken to encourage the seditious in Bourdeaux and
Preparations for War the Cardinal in the first place caused several sums of money to be paid to the Colonels and Captains of the old Troops for their Recruits and Commissions to be given out for new Levies he thought it necessary likewise to entertain a Squadron of German Horse as Persons very proper for his Incampments and constant to the Party in which they engage to that end he dispatch'd the Count de Nantueil Monsieur Milet Monsieur Gontier Monsieur Gravelle and others into Germany with ready money as likewise the Counts de Grandprè and Beaujeu into the Countrey of Liege And because of the loss of Casal and the Preparations for War which the Spaniards made in the State of Milan where great Recruits were expected as well from Naples as Germany Piedmont was so dangerously threatned that the Duke of Savoy by his rieterated solicitations prest hard for considerable supplies or else to be permitted to enter into a Neutrality with Spain the Court of France dispatch'd into Piedmont 4500 Foot and 1500 Horse which arrived happily in the Month of May at Anone as an insorcement to the French Troops already in those parts under the Command of Count de Quincy till the Arrival of a Mareschal of France who was expected every day And because the Spaniard continued the Negotiations which were begun long before with the Duke of Savoy to gain him to their party or at least reduce him to a Neutrality by their advantageous Exhibitions to which a Minister of that Court appear'd to be inclin'd The King sent Monsieur de Plessis Besanzon his Lieutenant General with the Title of one of his Gentlemen to all the Princes of Italy to Negotiate about the present Affairs of those parts In execution therefore of his Orders Besanzon advanced with great diligence to Turin from whence Having assured the Duke that his Majesty would maintain the Treaty of Chirasco that he would defend Piedmont always protect that State and cause an Army with considerable Commanders to march immediately thither to that purpose he proceeded to Casal where he found the Duke of Mantua at that time and being receiv'd with the honours usually exhibited to the Kings Embassador he contracted his business into two Points One was that His Majesty should be satisfy'd about the interest of Casal and that that place should be put into a condition not to be surprized exchanged or fall any other way into the hands of the Spaniard The other was about the pretences the Ministers of Spain might make under the name of the said Duke of Mantua to Montferrat which was then in possession of Savoy forasmuch as His most Christian Majesty waâ ready to deposit the sum contained in the Treaty of Chirasco for thâ discharge of the House of Savo To these two Propositions the Duke replyâd That he esteem'd the coming of the said Monsieur du Plessis as a particular favour not doubting but he as a prudent person would apprehend the necessity which obliged him to possess himself of those places and be perswaded that by no accident whatever he should be alienated from that devotion which upon so many reasons and obligations his Highness profess'd to His most Christian Majesty so he hoped also on the Other side he would shew himself so courteous as to convince His said Majesty that he was resolved to hazard his own life and estate and the lives and estates of all his subjects before he would suffer the Spaniards or any other to make themselves Master of the said places That it might possibly be the money for the payment of the Garrison might come out of the Coffers of the King of Spain which yet was more then he knew but however he protested he receiv'd it as coming from the Empress his Aunt and her Sister under whose Authority that Treaty was concluded That whenever he should be repossess'd of that part of the estate which the House of Savoy with manifest injustice detein'd from him and might freely make use of those Rents as he had formerly done and as he had often protested against the Treaties which were never consented to by the House of Mantua as being too much to its prejudice he would maintain that Garrison himself without the assistance of any one and therefore he conceived in that respect it would have been more proper for him to have been sent to the Court of Savoy to have interpos'd his Majesties Authority there and caus'd them without further expostulation to have restor'd what so unjustly they detein'd then to address himself to his Highness who would be more ready to embrace ways of Amity and Peace then of Violence and War which he knew would disturb the quiet of all Italy so much desired and endeavoured by the House of Mantua which would clearly appear to whoever would impartially look back and consider who they were which did really interrupt it and at length he told him that he could not in reason accept of the sum he was offer'd seeing he had not only not consented to but oppos'd the aforesaid Treaties and besides the said sums would fall much short of what was due by reason of the advantages had been made of the rents of it since the House of Savoy had it in their hands Du Plessis had declar'd before both to the Duke and the Marquess de la Val his Highnesses prime Minister that they could not satisfie France any other way but by putting the affairs of Casal and Monferrat in the same condition they were in before his Highness made use of the Spaniards to cause the French to march out But perceiving by their Answers both by word of mouth and in writing that that instance was in vain and believing it would be sufficient for His Majesty considering the importance of the place if it were well fortified and provided with a Garrison independent on the Spaniards and able to keep them out upon any pretence whatsoever he propos'd that to satisfie those ends if it were possible That half the Garrison should consist of the subjects of the said Duke and the other half of Swisses raised in the Catholick Cantons That all of them should remain under the Command and Authority of his Highness That one half of them should be paid by His most Christian Majesty and the other half by the Princes and Potentates of Italy his Allies and such as were most interested in that Affair He considered this Expedient would be a great ease to the Dukes Treasures till a General Peace could be concluded betwixt the two Crowns upon such conditions as should be proper to draw his Highness out of the necessity in which he was at that time of taking money of the Spaniards which was a thing much to the dishonor of those who had so often defended that place against them and might at length produce inconveniences absolutely repugnant to the quiet and security of the said Duke and his subjects John Coexens Secretary to the Emperess
Leonora whom she had sent Post with all possible diligence to the end he might in her behalf and in the name of the Emperess Regnant superintend the said Treaty was arrived and at that time present in the Court. Whereupon the Duke having communicated the aforesaid Propositions with him he replied That his Highness's Aunt and her Sister would have no small reason to complain if after his Catholick Majesty had pass't his Royal word that all things should always be maintained in the free disposition of his Highness and they received that Promise as a great Obligation he should have recourse to other persons for the subsistence of his Troops and demonstrate so little faith and confidence in his Majesty whose interest it was to conserve his Familâ and his Estate To this Coexens added That it would be taken ill from his Highness if while he received Investiture for Montferrat from his Imperial Majesty he should receive into the places depending upon it either Garrison or money from any other Prince without the Privity and Consent of the said Emperour and the rather because the aforesaid Emperesses his Aunt and her Sister were his Sureties in that Affair At length all the Dukes Answers were reduc'd to one Point which was this That if the Estates which were taken from him and possest by the House of Savoy were restored and all the rents which belong'd to them he should be able without assistance from any person to secure and preserve those places himself But Monsieur du Plessis who foresaw that would be the most ready and the most proper Answer could be given was not however satisfy'd with his Answer though as the Duke told him he doubted not but upon a prudent and serious reflexion he would approve it and according to his accustomed courtesie represent it to the King adding a thousand Professions of the Obsequiousness and Devotion he intended always to preserve for his Majestie Du Plessis was not at all satisfied with his Answers and therefore finding his Propositions desperate having received many honours and demonstration of esteem as to his person but refus'd the Presents which the Duke out of his Generosity design'd for him departing from Casal he return'd to Turin from whence he gave the King an account of his Negotiation From Turin he was conducted to Genoa here he transacted with that state to their mutual satisfaction from thence he went to Parma and Modena and having managed his Affairs there with the same good success he arrived at Venice the 24. of July The substance of his Negotiation was to let the Princes of Italy know of what importance it was to them to have Pignerol conserved in the hands of the French That the Treaty of Chirasco should be observ'd and that satisfaction should be given to His most Christian Majesty by the Duke of Mantua in reference to the Affair of Casal to prevent those disorders which would be pernicious to the quiet and liberty of Italy if his most Christian Majesty should be constrain'd to transport his Arms into the very heart of Lombardy as without their compliance he would be necessitated to do The Mareschal Turenne was confirm'd in the Command of his Army against the Spaniards in Flanders for his Lieutenant-Generals he had deputed the Marquess de Uxelles the Count de Beaujeu the Sieurs de Castelneau and de Sant Maur all brave persons of great experience and renown There were designed likewise 7500 Horse and Foot for Rossiglion and Catalonia under the Command of Mareschal Hoqiuncourt and at last after several Negotiations by the intercession of the Bishop of Xaintes he prevail'd upon the Count de Ognon to resign the Governments of the Countrey of Aunis the Isles of Oleron and Rhe and the strong Town of Brouages which he held as the Queens Lieutenant-General upon the paying him 3000 Francs and delivering a Patent to be Duke Pair and Mareschal of France The Reasons upon which this person was brought to this resignation was this That not being able to stand upon his own legs he must have been constrained to have thrown himself under the Protection of Spain or of England or return to his obedience to his Majesty so that foreseeing discreetly he should at last become a prey to those who had undertaken his defence and considering that it is the property of a wise man to prevent other people and not attend till they be circumvented themselves and to return with security to his own Countrey and obedience to his natural Sovereign rather then plunge his Name and Family in perpetual Infamy he resolv'd to surrender all into His Majesties hands The Lieutenancy of all these Governments was confirm'd upon Monsiëur d' Estrades a Person of tried integrity and experience The Lieutenancy of Brouage was given to Monsieur Champfleury that of Oleron to Monsieur de St. Leonard the Fort of Preda in the Isle of Rhe to the Sieur de Louches and the Towers of Rochel to Sieur de Aunais all four the Cardinals Confidents with whose contrivances Fortune very courteously corresponding by his success and his wisdom together he managed things so well the effects still rendred his Actions most commendable and glorious Mazarine was in the mean time contriving all ways most probable to reduce the minds of the discontented by gentle rather then by violent means he heaped up great Treasures of money for the payment of the Souldiers and for the carrying on of the War The Recruits of the old Troops and the Levies of new were not small nor difficult in respect that the reputation of the Cardinal among the Souldiers prevail'd over any interest whatever they applying themselves with effectual diligence to such ways as might render them grateful and enable them to merit his favour which was so exceedingly desired by them all and this was the cause that by their fidelity and assistance he undertook such Enterprizes and succeeded contrary to the opinions of those who were emulous of his honour The principal design of the Cardinal was to calm all intestine Agitations and reunite the distracted minds of the French and considering that restoring France to its former Amity and Obsequiousness to its King there would be no further apprehension of any Foreign Power he addrest himself therefore with the utmost of his industry and his Arms to reduce Guienne to its duty not omitting what correspondences he could make with the inhabitants of the Town of Bourdeaux with several of which he treated to that purpose In the mean time he gave peremptory Orders that the River called the Garonne which passes by that City should be stopt up to the end that perceiving all succour excluded all Commerce intercepted and the Kings Army encompassing the Town they might be terrifi'd into a surrender without the hazard of fighting The Duke of Vendosme with his Fleet possest himself of the Passes upon the River and by building of Forts in places of most importance and with his Forces by land
for the future in the maintenance and support of the Condean Party But the Count d' Ognon's Accommodation with the King of France did not a little startle Don Lewis de Haro and the rest of the Grandees of the Council the foundation they had laid upon the fidelity of this Cavalier who had franckly undertaken the defence of Guienne being taken away and no grounds left for any future resolution by reason of the inconstancy of the French who would promise the highest fidelity one day and the next day leave them in the lurch So that the Kings party increasing hourly in those parts and the Princes growing every day weaker their apprehensions could not but be very great nevertheless in this very Exigence the Court of Spain fail'd not to send their Orders to suggest their Counsels to transmit Men and Money as far as the utmost of their power and ability would extend Not long after the Baron Batteville represented to the Court the difficulty of getting in to the Garonne unless he were reinforc'd with a much stronger Squadron of Ships Twenty thousand Crowns were immediatly dispatch'd to him with new Orders to ship himself upon the aforesaid six Men of war and to put 500 Irish into Bordeaux But affairs changing daily their face it was necessary to change Counsels as often and Batteuille being unable to execute them without further supplies their Commands were received oftner then put in execution After this the Marquess of Lusignan was dispatch'd in great haste from Bordeaux to Madrid where he Arrived in May. The pretence of this Embassy was to complement his Catholick Majestie upon the recovery of the Queen who had had the small Pox with great danger of her life besides the King himself had been ill five or six days of a Feaver But the intrinsick reason was the soliciting for fresh forces in respect the French had made themselves Masters of the Garonne and fortified it so that it would be no easy matter to remove them and by consequence the Kings Army increasing without interruption as it did it must needs follow that Bourdeaux must be lost Lusignan had many fair Promises 200000 Crowns were deliver'd to him and the Dispatches for the Ships from Port de Passage consigned to him Not long after that design being look'd upon as impossible Battiville had new Instructions if it were possible to get into Bourdeaux by the Lake of Arcazon with all imaginable diligence to keep that people in their fidelity and support as much as in him lay the drooping spirits of the Prince of Conty and the rest of the Officers in his Party He had Orders moreover to propose three things to them viz. Whether they would have the Spanish Fleet force its way up the River Garonne and fight them Whether they would have them clap before the Mouth of the River and lie there Or whether they thought it not more convenient for them to cruse along the Coasts of Britain and Normandy and by alarming them in those parts give them a diversion in Guienne Nine hundred more Irish were dispatch'd into Guienne and Letters sent Post to the Arch-Duke and the Ministers in Flanders that they should take the Field with all Expedition that they should supply the Prince of Condy with 200000 Crowns mere for the reinforcement of his Troops to put him into a Condition to march immediatly for France The Spaniard considering that Mazarine being in all likelihood thereby constrained to draw down what force he could make against that Invasion would not be able to pursue his Enterprizes against Guienne but by consequence give them opportunity to make Provisions for the defence of that Province But neither in this could the Spaniard compass his design for the Ship which carried the 300000 Crowns into Flanders to hasten that Affair falling unluckily into the hands of the English they made no scruple to to seize upon it though the King of Spain was at that time in Amity with that Nation and to stop the Ship likewise for some time it being a Dutch bottom Nor was this Miscarriage to be imputed to the negligence of the Ministers but to the uncertainty of humane accidents which many times run counter though managed and contrived by the best Counsels in the World Besides these sums 30000 Pistols more were sent to the Fleet with express Orders to Batteville to try all ways of introducing himself into the Garonne and open a Passage into the Town to which end and no other that sum was intended At the same time the Count de Fiesco and several other persons went also into Spain to represent the necessities of those parts and to sollicit for relief But some are of opinion the chief end of these journeys was to receive Presents and Gratuities which the King of Spain distributed very liberally to all French-men that came to his Court so that many pretended to joyn with him more to be nibling at his money then out of any true service they intended him and it is believ'd that if the money he in this manner distributed among the French-men were fairly computed it would appear sufficient to have conquered a whole Kingdom and yet either by their treachery or inexperience all these vast sums were utterly lost and these great preparations become entirely ineffectual In the mean time the Duke of Vandosme was employ'd in hastening the building of Caesars Fort upon the Garonne as likewise another in the Countrey betwixt the two Seas beginning above Vallier before the house of Alinet who considering of what importance it would be to interrupt the Communication betwixt the several Posts belonging to the Prince and the Town of Bordeaux if he could possess himself of Lermont which was situate exactly upon the mouth of the River and Garrison'd by 500 Irish under the Command of Colonel Dillon On the 26. of May he caused the Tertia's of Moasieur Milleray and Normandy to be drawn out and ship'd in such Galleys and Brigantines as he had ready under the Command of the Chevalier d' Albret his Camp-Master who with others being embark'd they sally'd forth by the favour of the Tyde against the Galliots which lay under that place Being arriv'd there disbarqu't the Count of Comminges the Lieutenant General the two Brothers the Count and Baron of Montesson the Baron of Croix Camp-Master and Sir George Carteret who as they say perswaded the Governour of the place to take up Arms with his whole Party for the King of France They agreed upon the paiment of 7500 Franks to deliver up the Town and it was done accordingly for the Irish Soldiers being much discontented and looking upon themselves as sold to the Spaniards like so many slaves did not hold themselvs oblig'd to them by any faith or duty in the world The rest indeed had followed their Example out of a temple they had taken up that they could not in conscience serve the Spaniard because of the League and Amity at that
an humour so haughty and disdainful it could not but become odious to the Grandees of Spain who stood much upon the Ceremony and Punctilio besides the natural antipathy betwixt the Nations and his ignorance in their Language must of necessity produce some inconveniences seeing he could not speak so as to make himself understood or obey'd by the several Nations in the Spanish Army And if it should so happen that by his extraordinary valour he should atchieve any thing extraordinary it would but make them jealous and emulous of his glory and let his Actions be what they would he should be always look'd upon in Spain not only as a Foreigner but as a Conspicuous Prince of an Enemies Countrey who might every moment find out some way or other to regain him if they pleas'd But if his fortune should be adverse his loss would be accompanied with disdain and regret for having consumed as much gold for the support of one person as would have sufficed to have maintained a whole Army So that when ever the Prince came to any difference or rupture with the Spaniard it must needs redound to the advantage of France because in that case it would fall out either the Spaniards would destroy him or he ruine the Spaniard so that the leaving the Prince still in their hands would be so great a burden to them that in stead of giving them the assistance they expected he would be an impediment and obstruction to all their deliberations Again if the Prince should be restor'd and the affairs of France succeed to advantage the honour would be attributed wholly to his conduct and adding new lustre to his former reputation he would be able to eclipse the glory of other people so that reassuming his old sentiments of giving not receiving Lawes the good Government would becom confused and distracted which under a Monarchy ought to acknowledge but one Master besides which they should want occasion to evince that in France there were other Captains as considerable as he contrary to what the Royal Council of Spain had given out The King of France out of his inexpressible clemency would have condescended to have received the Prince again into his favour if without concerning himself in the affairs of that Kingdom he could have resolved to have retired out of France into som unsuspected State and quietly enjoy the profits of his Revenue till the War were ended But being in the flower of his Age and accustomed to command he was too passionately addicted to honor which is acquir'd by labour and pains to make himself a slave to his own quiet and repose Upon these Maxims the French interest being managed and the Cardinal proceeding with all courtesie and demonstration of kindness his Ministery being full of sweetness and Moderation pretending to revenge himself no further of his enemies then by making himself known to be a good man and a vertuous the acrimony and disgust at his Administration which had been infus'd into the fancies of the people by a few seditious persons began to clear up and dispel The first effects of this alteration was seen in Paris where his Reputation having been more wounded then in any other part of the Kingdom the Citizens touch't with Remorse for what they had done thought themselves obliged to make some publick manifestation of their Repentance which they perform'd by inviting him on the 29 of March 1653. to a most sumptuous Dinner in the Town-Hall an honour seldom shewn in France but to some great Prince The Cardinal went thither accompanied by several Grandees of the Court and the Principals of the Counsel of the Communalty of Paris where he receiv'd a Dinner so pompously prepar'd and serv'd up with so great demonstration of affection from the people with whom the great Piazza called the Greve was full that I my self being there in curiosity among the rest heard his name very frequent among their Acclamations heard them applaud his management and curse those who had misrepresented him with an astonishment equal to the facility wherwith those animals pass from one extream of contempt to the other of honor and esteem The Cardinal appear'd to them several times at the window and caused several sorts of money to be thrown out among them who return'd their thanks in extraordinary Applauses The Citizens drank his health very often and did him all the Honors could be exprest to a chief Minister Whilst he was at Dinner the Rooms and Hall were as full of the Citizens Wives as they could hold who were come thither as fine as they could make themselves to behold a man who as they call'd him was the Miracle of Nature The Cardinal treated them with all imaginable Civility distributing Sweet-meats and other Junkets amongst them in abundance When he went down the stairs he stop'd very often discoursing somtimes with one and somtimes with another and though he was then in the sight of the whole Piazza there was not one of the unruly and insolent multitude which gave him the least ill word but all saluted him with benedictions and well-wishes for his health with the same noise and acclamation they follow'd him to his Coach only one of them was observd to cry Per mia fe voi non sete Mazarino ma un honorato huomo In my conscience you are not Mazarine but an honest Gentleman Every one strove to see him and to be seen by him Their Augury was good and the event was suitable their happy Annunciations corresponding in their effects for the Prince of Condy's Troops under the Command of the Count de Coligny being drawn out to fall upon Couvin a little Town upon the River Noirau they were catch'd in an Ambuscade by the Count de Beaujeu cut to pieces and Coligny and others of the principal Officers taken Prisoners which the Court looking upon as a good Omen concluded the Duke of Espernon Governour-General of Burgundy should commence the Enterprise against Bellegard After the Surrender of the Castle of Dijon Burgundy was in no small distraction by the continual excursions of that Garrison that continually infested the Countrey to restrain their Extravigancies the aforesaid Duke clapt a Garrison into the Castle of Pagny which was not far off but wanting strength sufficient to reduce it he hearkned to certain Propositions made him by the Creatures of the Prince of Condy who had some thoughts of putting it into his hands as being very hard to be kept in respect of its scituation which was in the midst of the Kings Provinces But that treaty being interrupted by the high remands of the Governour thereof the Marquess de Batteville the Duke of Espernon made Preparations to besiege it and being advis'd that those of the Franche County though at that time in Neutrality might break with them and relieve it he dispatch'd a Messenger to the Marquess de Saint Martino and the Sieur de Cea the principal Directors of his Catholick Majesties Affairs in
German Horse the remainder of the famous Waymers forces and supported by several strong Towns and Fortresses all firmly devoted to their King Nevertheless as there is nothing deludes the imagination more then a mans esteem of himself the Prince of Condy was so transported with an opinion of his Reputation in France he thought that sufficient to do his business without being troubled to fight for 't This opinion therefore was embrac'd contrary to the judgement of Fuensaldagne who for two secret reasons was really averse The first was that he believ'd the Princes designs were not upon good foundation and if they were it did not consist with the interest of Spain to advance them forasmuch as it was most certain if he reduc'd the Cardinal to any streight he would find some way or other to accommodate with him and then the Spaniard would run great hazard of having him engag'd against them and the troubles in France would cease of themselves The other was that it was not convenient for him to expose the whole Forces of Spain without a certainty of gaining some considerable place and with the hazard of some dangerous disgrace not daring to be too confident in the Prince who was a Frenchman or in the Duke of Lorrain who the Count of Fuensaldagne knew had his ears always open to any Proposition of advantage and might easily be gain'd by the Artifice of the Cardinal These two Reasons reflecting so nearly upon the Prince of Condy and the Duke of Lorrain could not be publickly urged in the Council and therefore the other opinion prevailing the Spanish Army marched towards Cambray from thence to Crevecoeur and came to Chastelet without interruption and so to Fonsomme where the River Somma arises which was but two Leagues distant from the French Camp The Spanish Army comprehending the Prince of Condy's and the Duke of Lorrain's forces consisted of 30000 effective men it was compos'd of Spaniards Italians Walloons Dutch Burgundians Flemins Irish and other Nations who by the diversity of their Languages and customs were the cause of great confusion in that Camp Their Train was very great both for Cannon Ammunition and Baggage Here the Prince of Condy made a halt for several days in the face of the French Camp passing the time in frequent but inconsiderable skirmishes with their Horse which with most exact diligence were kept scouting upon the Roads The Princes hopes were impregnated with strong conceit of his Party in Paris by whose assistance he thought his success would be in infallible but he reckon'd without his Host for the King being there and the Cardinal very watchful against the least insurrection there was not one person durst appear in the City nor one Officer of those which were banish'd who durst venture to come into Paris and head the Male-contents who wish'd the Prince well in their hearts though they durst not shew it his design vanishing in fumo He lost his Reputation among the Spanish Commanders who discover'd him to be without that interest and dependence which he was suppos'd to have in France and which his friends had promis'd upon their Parols Perplex'd therefore and in confusion about the resolution they were to take the Armies confronted one another for several days The Prince of Condy being stronger in number desir'd by all means to come to a general Engagement but the French unwilling to hazard themselves on so great a disadvantage endeavor'd by the benefit of their Incampments and the convenience of the Fortresses they had thereabouts to give impediment to their Progress and make them lose time This posture of affairs gave occasion to the discovery of the valour and conduct of two Captains Competitors at that time in point of Glory and Renown the disadvantage under which the Mareschal Turenne then lay in respect of the disparity of his Numbers making his Prudence in that Juncture more remarkable then his courage But the Cardinals designs proceeded at another rate his principal Object was to reduce Bourdeaux to its obedience he knew very well that to secure this part of the Kingdom would be the safety of the other His judgment was approved by the whole Council and resolution was taken to amuse the Prince on the Frontiers of Picardy or Champagnia till the Affairs in Guienne were dispatch'd where all things tended to a fortunate Conclusion though the means used in the management were not entirely successful The Marquess de Theubon who had defended with great courage and better fortune the Town of Villeneuf de Agenois against Count Harcourt disdaining that Count Marsin should arrogate to himself the glory of preserving that City for that during an inundation of waters which had forc'd the Kings Army further off he had put into it 200 Horse as also because by his Order the Houses of some of his Relations were plundred amongst which was that of Colonges and of the Marquess Dowager of Villefranca which said houses he had taken into protection he came to Bourdeaux to make his Complaint to the Prince of Conty who intreated him to lay aside his animosity at that time and not to think of revenging himself upon Marsin as he had publickly threatned but neiher that nor the giving him 500 Crowns by way of Reparation prevailing he dispatch'd a Messenger to Blaye to negotiate his Accommodation with the Duke of Saint Simon and Vandosme the last of which was newly arrived at that place the Dukes giving the Cardinal Advice thereof were required by all means to bring him off if it were possible and what other of that Party they could This business was of importance and in a fair way to succeed but the Advocate Literie being banish'd in the interim upon some suspitions though nothing was perfectly discover'd that design was for the present laid by Theubon was advised by his friends and by those that were true servants to the King to remain in Bourdeaux to make himself Head of that Party in the Town and never to reconcile himself to Marsin but to study a revenge for if he could be so happy as to kill him he would not only satisfie his private resentment but put a Conclusion to the War and perform an Action extreamly meritorious to the publick Nevertheless being too much taken notice of he departed the Town having first setled there a good correspondence and communicating his thoughts to the Duke of Candale they agreed that advancing the Fleet to Lermont he should endeavor to introduce the Army into the City by the assistance of the Sieurs Mousnier and du Sault both highly disgusted at the Princes Government and by the help of the Counsellor de Bordes exceedingly incensed for having been imprisoned by the Princes Order though he was presently releas'd and receiv'd with great courtesie These three persons were of the chief of the Frondeurs and of great Authority in the Town and therefore with their directions it was no hard matter to compass their design especially
considering several of the Olmiera were joyned with them and particularly one Cot a Ring-leader of the seditious and another called Chevalier a son of one of the Attourneys of the Palace carried all the Letters which past betwixt the Conspirators and the Commanders in chief for the King The Fleet appear'd at Lermont ready for the Enterprize but the Messenger was taken with his Letters about him hang'd as a Spie before the Town-Hall and the whole Plot interrupted At the same time the Sieur de Chambon who was sent by the Prince of Condy into Guienne to hinder the Count d' Ognon from reconciling himself to the Court by offering him 300000 Crowns in ready money and one of his Mannors with the Title of a Duke ran the same hazard for after he had found all his Negotiations with the Count absolutely ineffectual desiring to pass into Bourdeaux though they had no good opinion of him for having delivered up Xantes to the enemy the year before He was arrested by the people drawn to the Gallows and had doubtless been hang'd if in the time granted him to make his Confession the Prince of Conty had not sent to deliver him and luckily rescued him from that infamous death Yet all this could not discourage Theubon to set on foot new Machinations for the compassing his designes and entring into a correspondence with the Count de Marin Camp-Master under the King he held frequent Intelligence with all such as he thought serviceable upon that occasion in which number having judg'd one of the Treasurers of France called Filiot a proper person in respect of the liberty he had of entring the Town daily and going out at his pleasure he committed the improvement of the correspondence to him which Count Marin held with the two Brothers of Chastein and the Counsellor du Sault Son of the Advocate-General who being offended to see the Authority of that Parliament prostituted to the impertinencies of the Olmiera engaged himself in that Plot and resolv'd to put himself at the Head of a Party of Citizens and open one of the Gates to let in the Kings Army This Scene was very well laid and the success not improbable because all was managed by Persons in whom the people had very great confidence But young Heads especially of the French Nation who are a communicative people keeping their secrets as Water in a Sieve One of the Chasteins having imparted the whole business to the Count de Auteuil the Duke d' Enguins Governour by the means of a Citizens daughter with whom the said Count was in love Filiot and the Counsellor de Sault were both taken and clap'd into prison The other Chastein not knowing the treachery of his Brother was gone out to perswade the Duke of Candale to advance with his Troops towards Bourdeaux as believing all sure The Dukes forces march'd with that diligence and secresie That though the Plot was discover'd and the assistance expected within totally interrupted yet had not the Prince of Conty been in person at the Gate to encourage his men the Duke of Candale had questionless without any Complices entred the Town in that confusion This advance of the Duke of Candale was so strong a confirmation of the truth of the Conspiracy and fill'd the Olmeisti so full of disdain that like mad men they ran up and down the streets with their swords in their hands crying out That it was better to die a thousand deaths fighting valiantly for their liberty then to suffer themselves to be so basely and villainously betray'd They immediately ordered a solemn Procession to be made to give God thanks for their delivery and caused a Franciscan Frier to preach a Sermon to exhort them to unity and fidelity to their Countrey The Frier got up into the Pulpit and though in his affections he had been a Frondeur nevertheless being at that time illuminated by the Divine Wisdom he delivered himself in such a manner before the Prince the Princess the Frondeurs the Olmeisti and the rest and perswaded them so efficaciously to Peace that all of them were touch'd and the people extreamly edified with his extraordinary eloquence and doctrine so that hence we may see that Gods Providence is as active in the confirmation and establishment as in the destruction of Kingdoms Here the innocence and goodness of the King was protected and the wickedness and ingratitude of his subjects chastised by the Justice of Heaven After this a Process was form'd against Filiot and the Evidence being short he was most inhumanely put upon the Rack in the Presence of Duratesta the chief of the Olmeisti and the Advocate Pontelier who took his examination Filiot swooned at first but having implor'd the divine assistance he found himself so strangely encouraged as he reported afterwards himself that he kept firm to his resolution of confessing nothing nor did he discover one man of all his Accomplices For du Sault they proceeded not so violently against him by reason the tears of the father and the former services of the son out-weigh'd the resentment of a Treason which had it succeeded would have left the Princes expos'd to the fury of the Souldiers without any capitulation The Negotiations and Conspiracies for reducing Bourdeaux to its obedience to the King not having the expected success and the Forces under the Dukes of Vandosme and Candale being too weak to reduce so potent and obstinate a City by force the Cardinal dispatch'd his Orders to the Count d' Estrades Lieutenant-General in Rochel to draw what strength he could out of the Neighbouring Towns and lead them with all speed to the Duke of Vendosme Estrades us'd all imaginable diligence and being a good souldier and well-affected to his Majesties service he suddenly appear'd with a considerable body of men before Bourg the Conquest of which Town being judg'd conducive to the reduction of Bourdeaux it was undertaken by his advice And to proceed the more vigorously it was necessary to attaque it in three several places but they having foot enough but for two the Duke of Candale was desired that he would furnish them with men for the third The Duke granted their desire very readily and going immediately to Caesars Fort to discourse the business with the Duke of Vandosme and l' Estrades he caus'd his own Tertia and some other Companies to march and he himself having agreed with the Duke of Vendosme about the Command would needs be of the Party Bourg was beleagured and on the 29. of June their Trenches were opened in three places The first was commanded by the Duke of Vendosme the second by the Duke of Candale and the third by l' Estrades The last Approach was managed so vigorously that the fourth day the Sieur Delus Camp-Mareschal lodg'd himself upon the brow of the ditch cut down a strong Pallisadoe in the middle of it notwithstanding several showers of small shot made against him and the Granadoes and other Fire-works poured upon them
Ministers of the Prince of Condy the Assemblies of the Merchants were upon the Exchange as a place most commodious more frequent then formerly in respect the Town-house was taken up by the Counsel of the Olmiera and the Palace where they keep the Court of Justice by the Frondeurs Lenet went twice to speak with them to sowe division amongst them insinuating that he himself approv'd of what they did so it were without the intervention of the Advocates and other persons of the Courts of Justice who being always for their own interest would ascribe all the honour to themselvs and leave only the trouble for them To others he inculcated their own interest the strength of the Prince of Condy and his affection to the City so that partly by terror partly by diffidence and partly with hopes he endeavor'd to gain them all But all this artifice could not prevent the meeting and concourse of the honest party in this Assembly by which he perceiving all things to run counter to his intention and that the hearts of the Cititizens were set immoveably upon peace instead of confiding in the Prince of Conty who continued still constant to his Brother and his family he suggested certain jealousies of him to the Princess his Sister and with the most pernicous counsel which could be given at that time to make him universally odious he exhibited several charges and accusations against the said Prince to weaken the only support he had left sowing discord in his family and among those of his party and endeavouring with crafty plots to delude them Fiesco took his Lodgings in the New-street among the Merchants to be more ready at hand to perswade them that to establish a secure peace their best way would be to follow the Counsel of Marsin a person of long experience and not be led by the Nose by Conty an unexperienc'd Youth They contrived likewise that certain of the Frondeurs in whom they had greatest confidence should be present at these Assemblies at the Burse among which there were also the Counsellers of the Parliament which remained in Bourdeaux and these to raise differences and distractions amongst them to gain time in which they placed all their hopes They contriv'd moreover that one Ramont standing Sentinel at that time in the Town-house should deny Admission to one Orial though of the Olmira because he did not second their designes as was expected which was resented by their Companions and the whole Olmiera Who commanded him to depart the City Having after this discover'd that Marsin gain'd upon the people every day by common consent they call'd a General Assembly on the 19th of July 1653. on the Exchange in which Assembly there met the Deputies from all the Companies in the City Whilst they were sitting here together the Chevalier Todias a Jurate appear'd unexpectedly amongst them whereupon laying hold on the occasion That the Presence of a Magistrate of the City rendred the Assembly lawful they constrain'd him to accept the deputation they made to the Prince of Conty to signifie to him the resolutions of the good Citizens of the Town and to intreat him to approve of the design they were upon to make an Overture of peace and to consent That the Faction of the Olmiera which was the only obstacle might be abolish'd That the Captains and Officers of the City might be cashier'd it being not reasonable that so many Persons of good quality and birth as went personally to the Guard for the safety of the Publick should be commanded by the seditious and Plebeians and that therefore they might be chang'd and other sober and deserving persons of condition and worth employ'd in their dead It was concluded in like manner that such as were present should be deputed as from the several Fraternities and meete daily as the principal Counsel of the City These to the number of about thirty with several Heads of the Artizans went together towards the house of the Dutchess of Longueville where the Prince then was part of their number remaining behind on the Exchange some thought it necessary to do somthing extraordinary so that whilst their Deputies were attending the Prince they caused all they met in the streets to cry Viva il Re e la Pace Long live the King and the Peace distributing a white Favor to every one of them Upon this noise the Deputies took heart and the Sieur Todias encourag'd by them represented with great franckness to the Prince of Conty the miseries occasioned both by the Kings forces and the Princes which were quartered under the Walls but especially by the tumultuous and insolent Olmeisti who in one year had occasion'd more mischief then many ages would be able to repair That the good Citizens could no longer endure the licentiousness of the Souldiers Wherefore in the Name of the whole Corporation he most humbly besought him to take some speedy course for the Consolation of all parties assuring him of the affection and constancy of the Citizens towards his Highness the Prince of Condy the Duke d' Anguien his Nephew and his Sister the Dutchess of Longueville the Prince told them that they should meet him the next day at the Arch-bishops Palace to agree about the means of procuring a durable Peace The Deputies coming out of the Dutchess of Longueville's house and meeting the people that were crying Peace they took each of them a white Signal and joyning with them in a moment the Cry went thorow the whole Town Viva il Re e la pace e muoia l' Olmiera Long live the King and the Peace and let the Olmiera perish The women the children every body put on white colours and they which had no other made use of their Handkerchiefs or white paper On the other side the Olmeisti and others of the Princes party distinguish'd themselves by Isabella and blew The next Lords day by order of the Prince of Conty there were present at the Council the Counts of Marsin de Mora Fiesco de Mata de Antel the Marquess of Lusignan Coll. Baltasser the Counsellors Ramont Du Duc and Spagnet who had been at the Exchange to desire Peace the President Fresne was also call'd to the Council who had conceal'd himself for two years together under pretence of a fit of sickness real or feigned They argued and discuss'd this Affair with variety of opinions some of the Frondeurs to hinder them from coming to a Conclusion endeavor'd to divert the Resolutions of the Assembly and delay time But this being discover'd by some who were well enough acquainted with the intention of the Frondeurs and understood how much it imported them not to lose time they remained behind in the Exchange with some other of their friends and besides those they had with them the day before getting some other active Persons they heartened their Deputies who at that instant were at the Arch-bishops Palace and startled Marsin their number being encreased to
with great civility and declaring himself a friend to the Prince of Conty he express'd all the demonstrations of esteem that could be expected from an entire Correspondence it being necessary for the better carrying on of the Treaty first to make a Truce which Viralda earnestly press'd the Duke reply'd he would conclude nothing of himself till he had advised with the Duke of Vendosm with whom he went hand in hand in carrying on the Kings Interest yet they proceeded so far that the Duke prohibited his souldiers under severe penalty to go out of their Quarters or to commit any Acts of Hostility either against the Goods or Lives of the Bourdelots The Duke in the mean time sent the Chevalier de Muns Captain of his Guards to complement the Prince and to assure the inhabitants of his good affection and sincere mediation to his Majesty in their behalf from thence the said Captain repair'd to the Duke of Vendosme to give him an Account of what had passed Bacalan made the same submissions to the Duke of Vendosm who receiv'd him with extraordinary Courtesie answerable to the sweetness and affability of his humour That very same day Gourville arrived from the Court at the Duke of Vendosmes quarters and desiring to pass likewise into the Duke of Candales the next way being thorow the Town he sent thither for a Passport which every one being curious to understand how Affairs went since their separation from the Prince of Condy they presently granted He arrived late in Town and Lenets house being near the Post-house where he alighted he made his first Visit to him and stayed with him all night which gave some jealousie to the Prince of Conty and the Dutchess of Longueville who imagin'd that coming from the Court he had had private Instructions to treat with Marsin and Lenet who were then in no good correspondence with the Prince and the Dutchess The next day he went to pay his Visits to them who were very importunate with him to know what Orders he had brought along with him from the Court and because he assured them that he would not meddle with any thing without communicating with them and desired them that they would look upon him as a Person wholly devoted to the service of the King they look'd upon him with more suspicion then before The Curiosity of the Princes entertain'd him in long Discourse of several things so that the same effect his Conference with Lenet had wrought in the Prince the same did his discourse with the Prince produce in Marsin and Lenet and the rather because not having negotiated any thing with them they concluded his Orders were to treat only with the Prince so that they were all of them equally in the dark Gourville pursued his Voiage in the Company of Baz who was sent by Marsin to the Camp at Begle to have an eye upon Virlade's Proceedings and coming to the Duke of Candale who received him with great kindness he communicated to the Duke all that was to be done for his Majesties service in Bourdeaux according to the Instructions he had received from Cardinal Mazarine Joyning with Viralde they together obtain'd a suspension of Arms for three days in which time the Duke of Candale promised to speak with the Duke of Vendosme to adjust the Articles of the Truce not only for the City but for the whole Province of Guienne In the mean time the Prince of Conty went to the Exchange and put on a white Scarf to the great joy of the people But the inconveniences which might arise from the frequent resort of the Kings Officers and Souldiers to the town being represented to him he prohibited the admitting any of them for the future without a Passport Whilst things were thus in Agitation Virlada return'd to Bourdeaux and inform'd both the Prince and the Citizens of his Negotiations with the Duke of Candale Marsin being enrag'd to see the Conclusion of the Treaty so near which he sought with all Art and Industry to protract and interrupt he would not consent that any Answer should be return'd from the Arch-bishops Palace Whereupon Viralda to animate the people the more and to excite them to Peace produced another Letter from the Duke of Candale by which he permitted the Citizens to go to their Countrey-houses if they pleas'd to get in their Harvest and distributed Passport to those that desired them who came in great throngs The Duke of Vandosm likewise sent Butin his Secretary into Bourdeaux to assure the Citizens of his inclinations to favour them but that he would not admit of any Treaty without the consent and participation of the Duke of Candale and that the Propositions might be the better discuss'd and examin'd they would meet together and not separate till the Treaty was concluded or broke off Butin was receiv'd with extraordinary Acclamation but the Chevalier Todias represented that it was contrary to the Rules of War and against their proper interest to shew such partiality The Secretary was sent back and Vandosmes Letter delivered to the Prince of Conty Marsin came into the Council assembled in the Arch-bishops Palace and sharply reproved Virlade for that in his Presence he had suffered Feran a Huguenot Minister to inveigh against the Princes party before the Duke of Candale adding that this was a clear demonstration that the Huguenots hated the Spaniards which was repugnant to the common interest by reason they could hope for relief from no other Countrey but Spain and that he and Feran both would have but little thanks from the Citizens Marsin hearing the relation of these transactions was not a little disturbed who foreseeing that all would be lost the greatest part of the inhabitants being disposed to return to the obedience of their King A Passport was here demanded for the Duke of Vandosm's Galleys to go and receive the Duke of Candale at Begle Marsin oppos'd it saying it might be a Treachery and proposed that the Duke might be conveyed in the Vessels belonging to the Town whereupon a Contest arose betwixt him and others who maintained that it was not decent for the Kings General to appear in any Ships but what belong'd to His Majesty Marsin insisted that the Deputies might be changed but these being in good esteem with the people that were well-affected they were confirm'd and the Articles of the Truce enlarged The Contents of them were that all Hostilities should cease till the Consummation or Rupture of the Treaty That there should be no communication betwixt the souldiers and inhabitants without passports from the Kings Generals That when the Kings Troops should be removed further off quarters should be granted to the Princes Forces four leagues from Bourdeaux That during the Treaty there should be free entrance for all kind of Provisions into the Town That Passes should be given to certain persons to be sent into Flanders to give advice of what pass'd to the Prince of Condy and into Spain to his
them he caus'd them quickly to change their note and cry out as fast Viva il Re e la Pace Long live the King and the Peace and from thence passing to the Town-house where the Prince of Conty then was he prest him to declare himself either for Peace or War telling him that as his servant he could not but advise him of the evident danger he was in seeing the design was to make themselvs Masters of the Town though with the destruction and ruine of his Highness That therefore he did earnesly desire him to continue the suspension of Arms which during till the conclusion of the peace would secure him and take away all occasion from the Kings Generals to attempt any thing against the City which in the confusions they were then in would be no hard matter for them to do to the endangering of his person and his friends or at least to his dishonour These Propositions sunk very deep into the heart of the Prince full of generosity and therefore the more dispos'd to receive such counsels as were grounded on reason and honour Besides Gourville being in private Treaty with him at that time who took great pains to remove him from all contrary sentiments he finally resolv'd to subscribe the suspension of Arms which was solemnly publish'd and went to the Exchange to declare openly that he renounc'd all leagues and confederacies with Spain Here were likewise read the Articles of peace which were to be propos'd as also a renunciation of the Citizens of all Treaties with the English and the Ministers of Spain and this was also done in publique by the Prince with much frankness which drew after him all the acclamations of the people The Arrival of the Spanish Fleet was not yet known in Bourdeaux and those that understood the inconstancy of the people always desirous of novelties endeavour'd to conceal it as much as was possible The Duke of Candale went to Lormond to the Duke Vandosme and the articles of the Truce were agreed on in the same form they were presented except the granting of quarters to the Princes Troops a passport to Baltasser or liberty for bringing in victuals or Ammunition into the Town They agreed afterwards on the houre to meet the Deputies to treat about the peace The designes of the seditious and the Spaniards being in this manner defeated The Kings Generals were much rejoyced and the rather because they had reason to fear that if the Spanish Navy had appear'd before the Treaty had been concluded they would easily have made themselves Masters of Bourdeaux and all the Kings Affairs in Guienne been utterly ruin'd besids the prejudice they would have receiv'd in the other parts of the Kingdom by so potent and so considerable a diversion The Spanish Fleet came to an Anchor at the mouth of the Garonne and the Generals having notice of the resolution of the Bourdelois whilst they lay there attending the opportunity of the Tyde to attempt the relieving of the Town were in great confusion and at a stand what to do fearing to engage themselves in vain further in the River with so much hazard not being assur'd to be receiv'd by the City but rather treated as Enemies They concluded at length to continue where they were upon their Guard and to dispatch away a Messenger with all speed to the Spanish Court to give notice of the alteration of Affaires that they might deliberate what was best to be done in this exigence They sent likewise advice into Flanders to the Spanish Ministers and the Prince of Condy who at the receipt of this News saw his expectations quite vanisht while with a secure confidence he had cherish'd himself that the Spanish Fleet would have got easily to Bourdeaux and have had the better of the day if they came to an engagement which the Spaniards themselves gave evident tokens they were not willing to undertake upon a slight account On the 27. of July the Deputies being twelve in number whereof Chevalier Todias was the chief to whom was joyn'd the aforesaid Virtade they propounded the Articles of the Peace By the permission of the Prince of Conty Bartau a Citizen of Bourdeux was sent to the Spanish Navy to let them know that the City renounced all leagues and confedederacies concluded with his Catholick Majesty and disowned all succours that came from him The Generals having perus'd the Propositions of Peace they found some things too prejudicial to his Majestie 's honor so that they had like to have sent back the Deputies But apprehending by rendring the Bourdelots disperate they might throw themselves into the Arms of the Spaniards already advanced too far they found out a medium very proper to compose all which was to shorten the Trea-and come to a Conference in which those Articles that could not be granted should be remitted to the King rather then to send away the Deputies It being more then probable that Marsin would take new courage by the discontents of the people and the well-affected themselves seeing their hopes frustrated would easily be perswaded to admit the Spanish supplies For these Reasons the Deputies were recall'd and after having offer'd them the favour of the General Amnesty for the inhabitants of the Town in the same form as it was granted to the Parisiens and as it was Registred in the Parliament transferr'd to Agen To the Princes and Princesses and all others of their partie as ample passports as they could desire to the Generals and French Officers leave to retire to their own houses and to the Foreign Troops to depart out of the Kingdom They promis'd to examine the Articles in a Conference the day following All which being tendred to the Prince of Conty and the assembly of the Citizens in the Burse in two Sessions they resolv'd them in this manner following Upon the 1. and 2. after the Kings Declaration of 1650. was read it was agreed That a general Amnesty should be granted to the Citizens of Bourdeaux with confirmation of their prviledges The 3. which respected the Person of the Prince of Condy and his indemnity was referr'd to the King but it was propos'd that they might have a months time to give him notice of their Treaty by a Messenger express to whom the Kings Generals were to give a Passport to the Court and from thence he was to have the Kings safe conduct into Flanders That the Prince of Conty and the Dutchess of Longueville were to be comprehended if they pleased in the Amnesty of Bourdeaux or if they desired one separately it should be granted them in the best form and verified for them and their dependents in the Parliament of Paris as that for the Bourdelots was to be in the Parliament of Guienne That the Duke d' Enguien and the Princess his Mother should have Passports given them for their security and residence in case they were inclin'd to abide in any part of the Kingdom That Marsin should have liberty
nor by the Prince but by a third person Chosen to that purpose by them both The Duke of Lorrain pretending that by the ill Air of that place his Troops were grown sickly and died daily on a sudden without the least intimation to the Arch-Duke he March'd off with his Forces to the great wonder and astonishment of the other Generals for without his forces which made up the third part of the Army if the French should attempt the relief of the Town they might easily effect it and force them to raise the Siege not without great danger of a further disaster wherefore the Count de Fuensaldagne followed the said Duke who was already some leagues off and overtaking him at Mariambourg with much ado perswaded him back to the Leagure The first Salley the besieged made was upon those that were lodged on the Countrescarp towards the point of the Half-Moon by 60 choice men arm'd all of them with a kind of Syths upon strong staves with which having entred the work they cut all in pieces that were advanc'd the most forward after this Salley another Captain issued out with 45 men and two Granadeers and entring into another work advanc'd by the enemy against the Bulwark of Chene under the Pallisadoe to facilitate their passage into the ditch they put all they found within it to the sword Yet notwithstanding such brave opposition the Besiegers ceas'd not to double their strength advancing to the Wall of the Bulwarks to open a breach with their Mines come to an assault In the mean time the besieged made another Sally upon the Spanish quarter doing them great mischief and taking Prisoners a Lieutenant Colonel with a Spanish Captain The besiegers some few days after opening a way into the Foss they pass'd it by the help of two Bridges of Bavins and gave fire to their Mines under the aforesaid Bulwarks one of which prov'd ineffectual by the diligence of those that were within the other took effect at the Bulwark of Chene where the Governour received a wound in the Head by a Musquet-shot who notwithstanding caus'd himself to be carried up and down in a Chair where his Presence was most requisite Two breaches in the mean time were made in the front of these bulwarks and furiously assaulted by the Spaniards and as stoutly defended by the Garrison The same night the besiegers were repuls'd in another assault upon the half-Moon yet not so but that they lodg'd themselves at the point of it carried it afterward for they within not being able to defend it any longer thought best to abandon it especially there being no Port of Communication which made them doubt that if it hapned to be forc'd all those men would be lost of which they stood in need The Governor having taken a review of the remainder of his men fit for service and finding they amounted not to 300 and seeing the breaches open in the bulwarks and another Battery began upon the Courtin which had no defence without nor water in the Ditch That same night the enemy was ready for the assault he resolv'd to capitulate which was concluded on the 30th of September and on the first of October he march'd out with 220 Souldiers with honourable conditions and was convoy'd to Charleville This Town was deliver'd into the hands of the Prince of Condy garrison'd by his souldiers and the Government of it given to the Duke d' Anguien his son which gave some resentment to such as were truly for the interest of his Majesty of Spain who discoursing politickly among themselves said that they had lost Mouson and not gain'd Rocroy for it remaining in the Princes hands would serve rather to foment his pretensions and facilitate his reconcilement with the Court of France then to augment his affection to the service of Spain Rocroy being taken the Spanish Army remain'd there for some days to demolish their lines of Circumvallation and make up the breaches and finding themselves much weakned and harrass'd with that siege they retired into the countrey about Avennes to refresh themselves the Prince remaining at Rocroy being fallen ill of a quartane Ague The Mareschal de Turenne having taken Mouson as hath been related left in it a Garrison of 600 Foot with the Regiment of the Count de Grand Pre giving him the Command of it and passing the Mose march'd directly towards Meziers and whilst he lay there he had News of the Surrender of Rocroy At the same time the Count de Novalles advanc'd to Vervins with 1500 men and having taken it Mareschal Turenne March't to Aubigny to observe more narrowly the motion of the Enemy and obstruct their attempting of any other place and here he rested for some days Whilst he was at Meziers he sent the Marquess d' Uxelles with 1200 men towards the Castle of Bousancy which not being capable of relief from the Garrisons of Stenay and the adjacent Towns by reason they were watch'd with a Party of Horse under the Count de St. Maur it surrendred before the Cannon came up The King was come from Paris the first day of September and after a short stay at Amiens removed to Soissons the 30. of the said month and thence to Laon in order to the relieving of Rocroy which he had a design to have attempted and to that purpose the Duke of Elbeuf was call'd out of Picardy who with 3000 men lay quartered in those parts to which the King joyn'd the greatest part of his Guards but the Surrender hapning before all the Preparations were ready those thoughts were laid aside and chang'd into another resolution taken up by the Cardinal with great undauntedness and courage He judged it very convenient for the King to go to Amiens whilst Affairs were in that posture to cajole the Duke of Chaunes out of that City and Cittadel who had insinuated himself into the possession of that place after the death of his Brother and as was doubted would keep it contrary to the desire of the Kings Counsel and thought the said Duke having a considerable estate in France and his mind well compos'd to the service of the King was suppos'd to have no other intent but to create a jealousie in the Court thereby to addvance his fortune which Arts are no where practised so much as in France nevertheless it was judg'd no ill piece of policy to secure themselves against the least suspicion of a person who by the Variation of his mind might contribute so largely to the prejudice of his Soveraign And though the said Duke had sent to the Court the Letters which were writ him by the Prince of Condy full of invitations and promises if he would engage on his side yet the Cardinal look'd upon it as a Seasonable piece of service to make sure of that important place considering how unstable the minds of men are and particularly of that Nation in whose brains there always boyls a certain vivacity more turbulent
to a battel on which depended their hopes Grancè sent out the Marquess of Monpesat his Lieutenant General who had the Command of the Rear to possess himself of the most advantageous ground and having drawn up the rest of his Army himself in a large field reaching to the Neighbouring Hills He advanc'd with 4 Squadrons to descry the enemy and having discover'd that Caracene began to pass his men over upon a Bridge of Boats followed by the Infantry under the Conduct of Don Vincenzo Monsuri and that the Horse foorded the River a little beneath led by the Duke de Sesto General of the Gens d' Arms and Count Geleazzo Trotti General of the Neapolitan Cavalry He thought it best not to give the Spaniards time to finish their Passage but by possessing himself first of the Field to necessitate them either to retire or to engage upon disadvantageous termes he caused therefore his main body to advance with all possible speed Caracene not being able to prevent the French by reason of the slowness of his men in passing the River and the loss of two houres time in staying for the Bridge resolv'd to expect them under the Advantage of the Posts where he was and because he had not time to draw into the Plain and the ground being somewhat strait on that side the Tanaro accommodating himself as well as he could both as to his time and his ground he drew his Horse into Squadrons behind his Infantry Thence he possess'd himself immediately of two Cottages placing there the Tertia's of Don Luigi Benaudes and Don Inigo de Velandia and in the space betwixt the two Houses the Regiments of Don Giuseppe Velasco Don Diego d' Arragon and of Beltin with design to have united them by a branch of a Trench which for want of time could not be perfected The Mareschal observing the posture of the enemy and perceiving that by the advancing of his Van he might put the Spanish Camp into some disorder by the advantage of the hill though without Musquet-shot and provided only with two little Field-Pieces he drew his Army into two lines with all possible expedition The Marquess of Monpesat had the Command of the right Wing consisting of the Regiments of Navarre Perault Aiguebonne the Kings Swiss-Guards the Squadron of the Mareschals Guards the Regiments of Orleans Feron of Prince Maurice of Savoy Marcoussè Ferues and Epinchat The left Wing was commanded by the Marquess de Vardes with the Regiment of Foot of Orleans Lionnois and Quincè and of Horse there were the Regiments of St. Andrè Brigy and Villefranche on the left hand of which stood all the Companies of Voluntiers the Cavalry of Savoy under the Command of their General the Marquess de Monte of Verona to whom were joyned the Infantry of the Regiment of Monpesat and Villa Lieutenant-General of the Savoy Horse In the second line stood the Regiment of Saux as a Reserve to the Regiment of Navarr with the Regiment of Carignan de Sault and on the left the Regiment of Grancè sustein'd the Regiments of Orleans and Lyennois having with them in the same line the Guards of Savoy the French Gens d' Armes with the Regiments of Ris Deoncly and Saint Agnan In this Order the French advanc'd and with great fury charg'd three Companies of light Horse and some parties of Foot which appearing upon the top of the Hills were repulsed as far as the Battalions of Benavides Velandia and Beltin by whom the French were received so couragiously both with Pike and Musquet which flanked them thorow several holes of the Cottages that Monpesat finding it impossible to advance further made a stand The French resolv'd to possess themselves of a little Church or Chappel towards the River about some 20 paces distant from the little Houses where Caracene had placed two Files of Spanish and Italian Musquetiers with Orders if they were attaqu'd to retire to a body of his drawn up hard by compos'd of the Tertia's of Don Carlo d' Este Don Giusippe Brancaccio Danel Assy Count di Santi lana and some foreign souldiers of the State of Milan Grancè caus'd the said Chappel to be Assaulted by 200 Foot seconded by some Horse which was immediately taken the Musquetiers retiring according to their Orders to their main Body which stood firm in their Post He sent out after them his Company of Gens d' Armes who advanc'd within 30 Paces of the Trenches on the Spanish left wing and as the same time he made a brisk charge with his Foot hoping that if he could disorder the Enemies Battalion the French Horse might fall in and put them to an absolute rout but meeting with a certain torrent of Waters which in that place falls into the Tanaro the Horse were forc'd to stop their carreer In the mean time the Troops of Savoy made their charge betwixt the River and the right Wing of the Spaniards which was the most open place where at the first volley of the Enemies Masketiers the Marquess Monte a person of great Conduct and experience and of great same for several valiant Exploits was shot in the Head and died immediatly The Marquess Villa had a slight wound in the Arme and was afterwards made General in the place of the said Monte the Count de Medavid son of the Mareschal and the Sieur de Boussy Mareschal di Battaglia and several other Officers were hurt Whereupon Grancè observing the resoluteness of the Spaniards animated by the presence of their General Caracene who according to the example of an excellent Captain kept still in the front among his first Files thrusting himself forward where the danger was greatest commanded up his second line with two small peices one of which was disabled at the first shot by the breaking of the Carriage the French continued shooting with the other but to so little purpose That being repuls'd in all places at length about Sun-set their fury beginning to abate for want of Artillery and Amunition it being observ'd that the Swissers for want of leaden Bullets had shot away most of their Pewter-buttons off their doublets they retreated to the Hill where and the next Morning took their March towards Montemagno and Granai There were slain of the French in this Engagement besides the Marquess de Monte 4 Captains and several other Officers with a considerable number of common souldiers which was not precisely known and above 100 wounded amongst which several Officers The Spaniards lost but few Souldiers and few or no Officers but several were wounded and among the rest the Marquess de Caracene was slightly hurt with a Musket-shot After this Fight the French Army remained 17 days at Mountemagno and neither the one nor the other being in a condition to undertake any considerable Enterprize all the rest of that Campagne was spent in Marches and Counter-Marches from one place to another The French to keep themselves in the Territories of Milan and to subsist
Spaniards pretended afterwards by reason the Duke of Lorrain would not give his consent The next day the Guienne Troops consisting of 12 Regiments of Horse and 10 of Foot all old and well-disciplin'd souldiers arriv'd at the Camp so that the Army being recruited with these and other forces from Germany the Prince of Condy was out of hopes of making any further attempt to relieve it without an entire Army and that with evident danger of being forc'd to a battel which was at that time much desired by the French but not by the Spanish Commanders who would have hazarded too much Wherefore they proceeded very deliberately in seconding the bold Counsels of the Prince of Condy especially the dispute being for a Town belonging to the said Prince so that the more forward he was to engage the more averse they were from venturing their souldiers for another mans advantage besides the Lorrainers pretended they had done enough that Summer and would retire to their VVinter-quarters Upon the Arrival of du Plessis Praslin the siege was carried on with more vigour then before and the Town as bravely defended by Mental with frequent Salleys and reciprocal damages and he would have done much better had not one of his Magazines of Ammunition been fired by a Cannon-shot or some other accident for it was diversly reported The night before the 6th of November the French storm'd the Half-Moon before the Porte du Bois and opened a way into the ditch but the besieged sallying out upon them they not only interrupted their works but took d' Ortis a Lieutenant of a Company in the Kings Guards prisoner and sharply handling several other Officers and Souldiers amongst which Pontet a Captain in the same Guards was wounded The 16th at night they sallied again upon the Guard of Nancre who had then the Command in the Approaches but were repuls'd as they were afterwards in another Sally upon the Trenches guarded by the Regiment of Guards and again two days after they were worsted by Carmon a Captain in the said Regiment but with the loss of la Garde a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Regiment of Burgundy The next day Damon the Serjeant Major of the Town was slain in the ditch as he was viewing which was to convey his men with most security to attaque the enemies works Castelneau in the mean time caus'd a work to be assaulted called the Ferra cavalli and having taken it he descended into the ditch where he prepared a Gallery to shelter their Mines which he happily accomplish'd after he had beat back the besieged and slain several of their men in two considerable Sallies On the other side the Regiments of Uxelles and Dampierre took the Half-Moon on the right hand of the Breach so that the French standing ready to storm on the one side and the Mine ready on the other to blow up the Bastion they within the Garrison wanting Powder the Governour beat a Parley offering to surrender upon good Conditions if they were not reliev'd in 8 days but this was refus'd by the Mareschal who went on with his Works so fast that on the 24. of November 1653. Montal was constrain'd to deliver up the Town marching away to Rocroy on the 27. onely with their Armes and Baggage followed by a few French the most part of those that served under him accepting of the Amnesty entred either into the Kings Pay or retired to their Houses amongst which the Marquess de Forz and others invited by his Majesties clemency and finding by experience that the subjects truest felicity consists in their entire duty to their lawful Sovereign laying aside all bitterness and animosity return'd to their obedience The taking of St. Menehaud concluded the Campagne for that year which in the beginning was likely to have proved very troublesom and dangerous the Kings interest as well for the inequality of their Forces in those parts as for the diversion in Guienne where at that time the Power of the Princes was much greater then the Kings so that by how much the difficulty was the greater to obstruct the progress of the enemy by so much the more did it redound to the Honour of the Cardinal and valour of the Captains who knew how to Mannage their Affaires to the best advantage for having put so happy an end to so many disasters and Misfortunes it was but reasonable to expect the Continuation of their success Seeing the malignity of times can never be so great but at length by the Constant force of policy and prudence it may be overcome The Conquest of this place freed the Neighbouring Country from the Contributions which they most vigorously exacted towards their maintenance During this siege the Cardinal with great vigilance had an eye over all and gave out such Orders as were most convenient for the good Government of the Kingdom He dispatch'd Messengers into Provence with directions for the Galleys to put in all necessary Provision of Victuals into Roses apprehending that after the happy relief of Girona the Spaniards would attempt that place He sent the Captain of his Guards to Brisac to compleat the Negotiations with the Count de Harcourt and put that strong Town once more into the Hands of his Majestie To the turbulent and unquiet spirits of Bourdeaux he apply'd such suitable remedies as made them not only relish the sweetness of Peace but abhor and nauseate their former confusions At length having issued out Orders for disposing the Souldiers into their Winter-quarters upon the Frontiers with the least grievance to the subject as was possible he return'd with the King to Paris where his Majesty made his entry in great triumph and was received with incredible applause and with such admiration of the Cardinals Management that his name became venerable and was immortalized by the very Tongues of those who had formerly traduc'd him By order likewise of the Cardinal Count Harcourt was treated withal for the accommodating his Affairs and to draw him out of Brisac upon a jealousie that he might treat with some foreign Prince and endanger that important place but the business was interrupted upon the very point of Conclusion for whilst he seemed content with the Government of Anjou and the Town of la Fere in lieu of his Government of Alsatia being mischievously informed of a design of seizing the Prince of Armagnac his eldest son who was following his studies in Paris he caus'd him to steal away secretly and come to him to Brisac whereupon the whole Negotiation ceased and their jealousies and diffidences revived It was the general opinion that Count Harcourt being a Person of valour and having such Fortresses in his hand would push on his Affairs to the highest pitch the better to capitulate and make his advantage for his reestablishment at Court but they were mistaken in their Account he had too noble a mind to engage in any Action that might reflect upon his fidelity contenting himself to pay the Garrison and
they should make in France also with the assistance of his forces He complain'd of these things very earnestly urging that Condy might be obliged at least to deliver him one of the Towns in his Possession belonging to Lorrain or otherwise that he might equally participate of the Conquests that should be made with the help of his Army Declaring openly that if they would not consent to one of these Proposition neither would he assist them with his Troops in any Enterprize to be undertaken for the sole profit of the Prince of Condy. Upon these suspicions and jealousies the Spaniard began to think of a remedy for so manifest a danger both present and to come that which imported most was to oppose the French and to pacifie the Elector of Colen with whom it was not convenient at that time to have any dispute Hereupon it was propos'd to the Duke That with his own Troops the Prince of Condy's and some of the Spanish he should make head against the French and the Electors forces the Prince of Condy being unable for that expedition as being sick at that time at Rocroy but the Duke refus'd it nor would so much as stir out of Brussels he was desir'd at least to consign them his Troops but he denied that also which increased their jealousie more and more and gave them greater cause to suspect him It was already three years that the Count of Fuensaldagne had received private Orders from the Court of Spain to secure the Person of Duke when he should see a fit time to effect it but as the success of an Affair which drew so many consequences after it was uncertain and the Count not being able to promise himself whether this Act would be approved or disapproved by the Counsel of Spain when it was done though the King of Spain had every day new Reasons to confirm his resolution without seeking further pretences He address'd himself to the prime Minister to be excus'd from that Commission but could not be dispensed withal On the contrary his Orders were renewed to take the time he should judge most convenient without participating with the Arch-Duke giving him withal the Letter that his Majesty had writ him concerning that Affair and perswaded him to give order about it The Election of the time gave no small trouble to the Count in respect the Dukes comportment rendred the execution of his Orders every day more necessary To secure his Person and not lose his Troops was very difficult For the better execution of his design the Count with great dexterity had gain'd certain of the Dukes chief Officers but without the least discovery of his Plot he made sure of several who promised to stand by him in whatever he attempted The late occasion the Duke gave was of very great importance for the furtherance of this Affair for hereby they should not only pacifie the Elector but satisfie the Emperour who was already informed of all the Dukes Negotiations and had need of the Electors of Colen and Bavaria inseparable in respect of their Parentage and common interest On the one side the securing of the Dukes Person seemed to Fuensaldagne not very difficult he being in Brussels and at a distance from his Army but on the other he saw infinite discouragements for the French Army being within three leagues of Brussels and the Dukes troops united with the Prince of Condy's he knew not though the said Princes had been perpetual enemies how Condy might resent this resolution apprehending perhaps the same fortune himself The Dukes Troops were so near the French they might joyne with them in very few houres the Spanish Army were dispers'd in their Winter-quarters The Count consider'd likewise that the Duke was in good correspondence with the inhabitants of Brussels and that there were many Lorrainers in the town that the Arch-Duke perhaps would not have him taken in the manner as was to be wished for though he had but little friendship for the Duke and was entirely for the interest of the House of Austria yet he was a Prince of so tender a Conscience that he imparted every thing that gave him the least trouble to the Jesuits who being always intent upon the greatness and conservation of their Society would not concern themselves in any thing that might prove a stop or impediment to their common advantage All these Reasons both on the one side and the other kept the Count for three days together in great perplexity of thoughts thinking within himself without daring to communicate it with any one whether he had best conceal his Orders from the Arch-Duke or discover them to him but seeing that danger does always increase with delay he resolv'd to draw the Spanish Army together under pretence of opposing the Enemy and to secure anew the Dukes Troops by Regalio's and Presents of which the said Count was always very liberal He determin'd afterward to impart all to the Arch-Duke to shew him his Orders he had from the King and to present him his Majesties Letter His Imperial Highness concurr'd immediately and the execution of it was disposed in the ensuing manner First they drew 300 Horse about Brussels under another pretence and it was resolved that the Count de Garcies Camp-Master General should go with some particular persons to find out the Duke and conduct him to the Arch-Duke under colour that he must speak with him immediately about urgent Affairs Garcies went and found the Duke with a Father Confessor of the converted Courtizans in their little Church and acquainted him that the Arch-Duke desir'd to speak with him presently about some matters of great consequence that concern'd the interest of the Crown and that he stay'd for him at the Palace The Duke answered Parmi esser l' hora un poco tarda domuttina saro à servirlo I suppose it is too late now I shall wait on him in the morning The Count replied Tengo ordine de condur V.A. alla Corte prima che si faccia notte My Orders are to attend your Highness to the Court before it be night To which the Duke answer'd V. S. vada che la Seguiro If you please to go Sir I shall follow you Being arrived at the broad place before the Palace where the Courtiers use to walk the Count said to him V. A. prenda il cammino verso quell ' altro appartamento tenendo io ordine dal Re mio fignore d' arrestarla Your Highness please to walk towards that other Appartment for I have Orders from the King my Master to Arrest you The Duke stopt immediately and desired to be conducted to the Arch-Duke but was denied leading him hastily to the quarters prepared for him where he was honourably served and guarded by the principal Officers of the Army Assoon as he was entred the Palace the Count de Fuensaldagne sent word to the Burgo-Master to put the inhabitants in Armes and place Guards in all the streets that lead
service of their Prince were not a little surprized at the novelty of this case Several reflexions were made upon this Action and some omitted not to consider whether the advantage or prejudice that might succeed upon it was likely to be the greater It was consider'd that the services the said Duke had done for the Crown of Spain were apparent but his failings publish'd in the Arch-Dukes Manifesto and Declarations were not known to all and that little credit is ordinarily given to what is publish'd by those that are interessed That it would be hard to disposses the people of an opinion they had imbided That the Duke out of meer complaisance to the Spaniards had drawn upon himself the displeasure chastisement of the King of France so that if after being beaten out of his countrey for their sakes they had received him into Flanders it was rather what they were obliged to then a courtesie That by how much the more the said Duke was blamed by the Ministers of Spain by so much the more justifiable were the Proceedings of the French against him because if the Spaniards who were so much obliged to him had just cause to chastise him it might well be thought the French had more reason he having proceeded in a hostile manner against them Moreover the doubt that this example would be mis-interpreted by others that served them gave no small trouble to the Spaniards fearing it might move them to resolutions little beneficial to their service upon suspition that their merits might hereafter meet with ingratitude and their errours never be pardoned Upon this News the Court of France made a great stir endeavouring to make advantage of this Conjuncture as favourable to calm the Actions of their enemies And because the whole Affair will be more clearly comprehended by the Manifesto which was publish'd in the Name of his most Christian Majesty the 2. of July 1654. at Sedan where the Court was then resident it will not be amiss to insert it here as followeth His most Christian Majesty being informed that several Officers as well as Souldiers and other persons belonging to the Wars Natives of the countreys of Lorrain and Barrois to the prejudice of their honour and duty notwithstanding the great injury done by the Spaniards to Duke Charles their lawful Prince in detaining his person have taken part and engaged themselves with them contemning the advantageous offers made them to enable them to set him at liberty and his Majesty considering further that to continue the same tenderness towards them which he had shewn ever since Lorrain was reduced under his obedience haveing never proceeded to any severity against those who abandoned their Country seeing they followed the fortune and commands of their Prince his Clemency would prove too prejudicial to his affaires he is resolv'd as in justice he is bound to have recourse to all such means as are in his power to repress them and make them sensible of his indignation since they acting indirectly against the interest of his Crown as also against the interests of their own Duke and his Family for whom his Majesty has always sufficiently manifested his esteem and affection having many times as is notorious to all the world offered the said Duke to restore him to his Countrey if he would desert the Spanish interest and come over to his Partie but he could never be brought to any resolution to prevent the disgrace which is at length fallen upon him imagining perhaps that by refusing such considerable and advantageous Propositions from France and by his strict Alliance with Spain so long continued and with such extraordinary constancy he should have deserved of them another kind of recompence then to be laid in prison and deprived of his âstate His Majestie therefore Orders and expresly commands all Officers Souldiers and other Natives of Lorrain and Barrois serving in the Army of the said Duke and that are any way engaged with the Spaniards to abandon them and retire themselves within the space of 15 days after the Publication hereof into the Frontiers of France either to take up Armes under his Majestie in which case they shall be entertained and used as the rest under his Command or to return into their Native Countreys or wherever else their Estates do lie provided they make a Declaration in authentick manner and form before the Kings Judges in those places where they intend to reside or the next they can meet with never to bear Arms nor to engage directly or indirectly upon any account to the prejudice of his Majesties service under penalty to those which transgress after the time allotted of being declar'd guilty and convict of High Treason and as such to be treated by the confiscation of their Estates the razing of their houses cutting down their woods and other most severe Penalties contain'd in the Orders upon such crimes His Majestie does furthermore command and require the Sieurs de Turenne and la Fertè Mareschals of France to cause these Presents to be Published in every place where need shall require to the end that no man may pretend ignorance and that they be aiding as much as in them lies to the full and entire execution of all and every particular herein contained declaring that equal credit is to be given to the authentick Copies hereof as to the Original it self To this Manifesto there was annexed a Declaration concerning what reception should be given to the Colonels Captains Officers and Souldiers of the Duke of Lorrain's Army which should come into the French service in the Tenor ensuing That the King being highly concerned for the detention of Duke Charles of Lorrain by the Spaniards and for the unworthy treatment he receiv'd from a Nation that have no Authority over his Person nor his Troops he caused to be proposed to the Count de Ligneville Commander in Chief of the said Dukes Army divers ways for the procurement of his liberty before he were convey'd into Spain according as the said Count had notice was intended But he would not hearken to this Advice to the prejudice of his honour and fidelity having suffered himself to be gained by the Spaniards to whom he hath shewn greater affection then to his own Master and considering that the Colonels Captains and other Officers might be inclin'd to follow his Majesties designes for the enlargement of the said Duke he did by these Presents give assurance to all Officers and Souldiers as well of Foot as Horse belonging to the Lorrain Army which to vindicate the wrong done to their Master and to set him at liberty should come into his Majesties service and pay That they should be placed and continued together in one body under the Command of the Mareschal de la Fertè Seneterre Governour of Lorrain and Barrois That according as any such body or company of the said Troops shall unite and joyn together they shall immediately receive a Pay both Officers and Souldiers and
every one shall be preserv'd and maintain'd in the same quality and condition as before That Justice shall be administred by the Colonel of every Regiment in the same manner as heretofore That his Majesty will assign them Winter-quarters so soon as the Campagne shall be ended and that they shall be treated in all places and upon all occasions as other forreign Troops in his Majesties service promising in the faith and word of a King to maintain and cause to be punctually observed what he has declared and promised At the first News of the Dukes Imprisonment his most Christian Majesty had dispatch'd Monsieur de la Borez to the Count de Ligneville with instructions to let him know the obligation that lay upon him to endeavor the enlargement of his Master by force of Armes if amicable ways would not prevail But all the Arguments used to the said Count and to Duke Francis who not many days before arrived in Flanders from Germany proved ineffectual the Management of the Spanish Ministers having had better success then the sollicitations of Cardinal Mazarine Ligneville excusing himself that he had express Orders from Duke Charles to obey his brother Duke Francis and this Prince relying upon the Promises made him of being put into the same command as his Brother did hope to be able to obtain more favour by his own merit then by force The Cardinal continued in the mean time with prudent Councils to manage other designs the principal was to carry on the Wars in the Enemies countrey thereby to force the Spaniard to a Peace which he said they pretended very much to wish for but in such manner and with such advantages to themselves that not being fit to be granted they accus'd him of being an enemy to all accommodation He reassumed the Negotiation of a League with the Protect or Cromwell at London to secure the French from the jealousies they had reason to conceive of that Nation at that time in Armes and free from any diversion elsewhere And to observe the motions of the Spaniards in Biscay that they might not introduce any new confusions in those parts he caus'd the Mareschal de Gramont in whose valour and fidelity he rely'd very much to repair to his Government of Bayon and Bearn there to have an eye to any attempt that might be made against those Provinces for the better security of which he concluded a Truce or Treaty of Neutrality and Commerce during the War betwixt Bayon and the Basques subjects of France and the Biscailins subjects of Spain He sent out new Orders for recruiting the old Troops and for levying of new to the end that in the Spring they might be able to take the field in Flanders Catalonia and Piemont He commanded the fitting up of the Fleet in Provence and all necessary Provisions to be got ready to put to sea when occasion should require either towards Catalonia or the Kingdom of Naples from whence the Duke of Guise reiterated his instances for their sudden resolution upon the Account of the good intelligence he held with the malcontents in that City by whom he was sollicited over and over and many Messengers sent to invite him thither And as he was seriously intent upon his martial Affairs so was he not unmindful for the establishment of quiet at home prevailing with His Majesty to extend his clemency even towards those as were still contumacious and to receive every body into favour putting an end to all domestick jealousies that it might appear to all men that there was nothing he desired more then to render his Ministry equally profitable and grateful to all the French Nation towards which notwithstanding the ill Treatment he had receiv'd in stead of seeking revenge forgetting all provocations his aim was by his goodness and meekness to work them gently to a repentance for their past faults rather then by punishing them precipitate them into new more desperate offences FINIS THE TABLE MOnsieur de St. Agolin sollicits the Court of Spain in behalf of the Prince of Condy page 35 Another Amnesty sent to the Bourdelots 246 Encamping of both Armies 84 A notable Artifice 118 The Kings Army advances towards Bourdeaux 137 The Assembly of the Olmiera is prohibited 155 Additions to the Capitulations at Bourdeaux 172 The Armies on the Frontiers of France 188 Several Persons of both Armies meet and discourse 200 The Arch-Duke comes to the Camp before Rocroy 220 The Order of the French Army 249 A General Amnesty granted to the Bourdelots 256 The Armies in Catalogne 303 B. The People in Bourdeaux sollicit for help from Spain 35 The Baron de Batteville raises difficulties in the Spanish Court 38 Orders given to Batteville from the Court 40 Propositions made by the Spaniards to the Bourdelots 41 Bellegarde taken 66 The Count Broglia surprizes the Irish 68 Bourg taken 96 Divers disturbances in Bourdeaux 110 Brisac returns to the Kings obedience 298 C Cardinal Mazarine returns to Paris with universal Applause 1 Applies himself to the War 2 By the Cardinals means the Count d' Ognon makes his Peace at Court 16 The Cardinal beloved by the Souldiers 18 His remarkable Policy ib. Count Marsin endeavors to take Granade 31 The communalty of Paris invites the Cardinal to a Dinner at the Town-Hall 59 concourse of the People to see the Cardinal at the Town-Hall 60 The Speech of a Plebeian to the Cardinal 61 The Count de Coligni taken Prisoner 62 The Prince Condy's of intelligence in Arras vanishes 73 Designes of the Cardinal concerning the Warr 73 Councell of war held by the Spanish Commanders 77 Condy's opinion prevailes 85 The Prince of Condy deceaved by his friends 85 The Conspiracy at Bourdeaux discovered 88 The Duke of Candale endeavors to enter Bourdeaux 92 Cromwell refuses to assist Bourdeaux 104 The Cardinal endeavours to win Bourdeaux rather by fair meanes then force 106 The Prince of Conty's answer to the Citizens of Bourdeaux 112 the Count de Fiesco returns from Spain to Bourdeaux 114 the Prince of Conty's answer to those that persuade him to peace 117 The Prince of Conty and Dutchess of Longueville disgusted with Marsin 121 The Prince of Condy shewes great esteem for Marsin 122 The Prince of Conty resolves to consent to the peace 140 the Duke of Candale treates with the Prince of Conty 141 The Contents of the Articles of peace at Bourdeaux 166 The Court of Rome has thoughts of defending the Cardinal de Retz 233 He is conveyed to Nants 235 A conspiracy to Kill Cardinal Mazarine 238 Great Clemency of the King 238. Expedient of the Cardinal to allay the disturbances at Bourdeaux 259 decree of the Councell against the Parliment of Bourdeaux 260 Courage of the French Nobility 276 The Prince Condy being sick orders his Commanders to succour S. Menehaud 278 The Cardinals diligence to hinder the succour 279 The Court returns to Paris 288 The Count de Harcourt's Negotiations with the Court 289 He
had already beaten off the Princes Troops from several Posts upon which it was resolv'd in His Majesties Councel to transmit a new Amnesty to the Citizens of that Town to let them understand that notwithstanding the advantages the King had which rendred affairs almost secure and infallible yet such was his gracious clemency that he stood always with his Arms open to receive them again into his favour who had so ungratefully offended him This Amnesty was published and registred in the Parliament transferr'd to Agen upon which divers Assemblies were held in Bourdeaux in which the most moderate declar'd themselves very sensibly for their Countrey making it plain and palpable in what damages and dangers those subjects would finde themselves involved who establish't the Fabrick of their contumacy and disobedience upon the foundation of foreign assistance but the incentives oâ ambition and the temerity of thâ multitude were too potent to be capable of Reason so that they âmmerged themselves over head and ears in their former presumption and more particularly those of the Olmiera who perverting the Counsels of the good Citizens and calling them unfaithful who with more fidelity and reason prosecuted the advantage of the Publick they rejected all their Counsels and Advice threatning those who spake any thing to the contrary insulting the more by how much they would have them perswaded that the said Propositions were rather an effect of the weakness of the Kings Power then of the sincerity of his heart They believ'd their best support was that which was promis'd âhem by the Spaniard who with their money and their insinuations gain'd daily upon the Principals of âhat Counsel and Faction They presumed likewise that the Engâish would not neglect so favourable an occasion of improving their interests in the divisions of France and assisting that City which was upon the point of establishing it self into a Commonwealth like another Rochel They hoped the Prince of Condy with his Flanders Army would be able to force his way to the very gates of Paris and give them so strong a diversion in those parts that the Kings forces would not be strong enough to do any thing there where the Princess the Prince of Conty and the Dutchess of Longueville with their presence gave so great lustre to the darkness which overspread the Town These Considerations were very plausible and their fair Shew had a great power to effacinate the eyes even of Prudence it self so that the spirits of the people were become so obstinately perverse that the reestablishment of the Kings Authority in those parts was esteemed a very difficult if not an impossible thing so strangely were they possest of the irresistable assistance of the Spaniard who with a vast Profusion of money omitted no provision that might quicken that party which was so likely to contribute to his Grandeur But as private interest for the most part prevails over the publick and hopes that are only grounded upon appearance produce the least fruit so the Bourdelots in time found it true to their Costs For though they dispatcht their Deputies to London to that Parliament and Cromwell to represent of what importance it was to England to assist them at that time and to foment the divisions in France and though the English understood their interest well enough and were likewise inclined to their assistance yet those inclinations were overweighed by other reflexions relating more to their future then to their present advantage The English at that time were at Wars with the Hollander and their new Government stood upon too tottering a foundation to embark in such mighty designes The consideration that the ruine of France would be the aggrandishment of Spain which was always a more implacable enemy to their Religion made them recollect that a rupture with France at that time would not suit with their present affairs in respect that the French accommodating as probably in that case they would do with the Crown of Spain they would be able by a Conjunction afterwards with Holland and by the intelligence they had with the English who for the most part submitted to that new Government for want of power to dispute it any longer they might bring King Charles once more into that Kingdom and pull that slautry and confusion upon their own backs which they design'd upon their Neighbours whereupon their resolution being to foment the differences betwixt the two Crowns equally and with such Artifice that should harrase and weaken one another and not engage themselves wholly with one which would be the way to drive them to a Peace the people of Bourdeaux had but small hopes of expectation of assistance from England Besides these there was another reason more secret and intrinsick then the rest and that was a private design which Cromwell had to reform that Government which he knew well enough not suiting with his designs to be of no long duration so that it was not convenient for him to engage in any foreign troubles whilst the discontents and emulations at home gave him such employment both for his Counsels and Armes Yet though President Bourdeaux the French Embassador at London assur'd his Master that the English would conserve the Peace and continue their intelligence with that Crown nevertheless the people of Bourdeaux did not absolutely despair but that at length some resolution would be taken for their relief flattering themselves that when the peace with the Hollander at that time in Agitation should be concluded and those differences compos'd they would apply themselves to their interests and support In the mean time the Spaniard used all possible Art to propagate their troubles and make his advantage thereby But his Indian Fleet being insufficient and his Treasure at home too small to satisfie all sollicitations and maintain War in so many places besides the Kingdoms and States under the dominion of that Monarchy being almost depopulate with long Wars and by consequence unable to afford them sufficient supplies of men they were forc't to address themselves to the English for a certain number out of Ireland which were immediately rais'd and transported to evacuate that Countrey of such persons as were Catholicks and ill-affected to the new Commonwealth In Germany and other parts they could make no levies at all insomuch than being uncapable of making any benefit of so benigne a Conjuncture it made the weakness of the Spaniard more then ordinarily conspicuous To the reinforcement of the Princes party 2000 Irish were sent at several times into Guienne The Marquess of Santa Croce had Orders to refit the Navy in the Bay of Biscay the Baron Batteville to beat up his drums for men and to provide Ammunition and all Accommodation for their speedy return into the Garonne besides which large Promises and a considerable sum of ready money was sent to Bourdeaux and into Flanders to hasten new Levies and reinforce those Armies that by the assistance of the Prince of Condy and his
disturb them in their Siege or put relief into the Town they march'd without delay to la Fere pass'd the River and by the way of Heppe Auchenne and Pollieux they came to Armilly from whence they dispatch'd away a strong party to joyn with the Count de Grand Pre who was already advanc'd from la Fere to invest Mouson The Prince of Condy foresaw that Turenne to recompence the loss of Rocroy would endeavor to get Mouson and there fore had very opportunely commanded the Count de Briole to convey himself to Stenay with 400 Horse and 1200 Foot to joyn with the Marquess of Persan's Troops who upon the surrender of Rhetel were retir'd into that Town and with them to have a special eye upon the conservation of the adjacent places which were under his command accordingly the Count de Briole understanding the motion of the French Army march'd immediately to Beaumont a Village within a league of Mouson from whence he put into the town some Companies of Foot returning with the rest to Stenay to be ready upon occasion to succour the Garrisons of Clermont and St. Menhaud if the French finding the Garrison of Mouson too strong should turnback upon som of these places But notwithstanding these supplies the French late down before Mouson dividing their Army into four quarters one at Ablemont where Turenne lay the second at Vaux where la Ferte lodg'd the third by the River commanded by the Marquess de Uxelles Lieutenant-General and the fourth in the Suburbs on the other side the Mose where the Count de Plessis son of the Mareschal of that name entred with his Regiment of Foot and some Dragoons And because it was necessary to secure their quarters in the said Fauxbourg from any prejudice they might receive from the besieged by reason of a Fort or Tenaglia they had at the very point of the Bridg Turenne past the River himself and caus'd it to be assaulted in his Presence which was perform'd with so much courage and good Order that they presently presently made themselves Master of it the Defenders retreating into the Town The taking of this Fort rendred the Bridge unserviceable to the enemy and secur'd their quarters in the suburbs The Count de Beaujeu who lay with a Body of Horse at Lobe 4. Leagues from Rocroy to observe the motion of the Spaniards came likewise to Mouson and quartred with his Horse in the Fauxbourg Mouson lies upon the river Mose one branch of which runs thorow the Town the other washes it on the right side it hath a fair Bridge and at the end of it was the said Fort or Tenaglia which commanded the suburbs which lie at a little distance The Town is encompass'd with a strong wall and Towers of an ancient Fabrick fill'd in many places with earth and flancked with half-Moons and Ravelins On one side the ditches are watered with the River which runs very pleasantly thorow them besides which it has very strong out-works which encompass it from one side of the River to the other with Bulwarks and Half-Moons There were in the Town about 1500 Foot and 200 Horse under the Command of Collonel Wolf a German with sufficient provision of all sorts and 18 Pieces of Cannon The Tenaglia at the Foot of the bridge being taken and the Fauxbourg secured the French opened their Trenches and in 4 or 5 days possest themselves of the out-works lodging themselves upon the brow of the Ditch in two places where they planted three batteries The Marquess de Castelneau Lieutenant-General lodg'd himself upon the bank on that side next the River and possessing himself of a half-Moon which the besieged had deserted and attempted to place himself at the Foot of the wall to spring a Mine but he was beaten off by the Defendants with Granadoes and other Fire-works upon which the besiegers were obliged to break the Counterscarp which was lined with stone and throw themselves into the Ditch to advance under Covert with their Galleries even to their very Pallisadoes and in this attempt the Vidame of Laon son to the Count de Boussy Nephew of the Mareschal Turenne a brave youth of 18 years of age was slain The French made their approaches over against a great Tower and passing the Ditch without the help of a Gallery they began their Mines at the Foot of it and springing one of them which taking effect they lodg'd themselves in the said Tower continuing their work in the Mine that they might utterly demolish it as they did on the other side which more then ordinary diligence pressing hard upon the Town to take it before the Spaniards should make themselves Masters of Rocroy so that their Mines being ready to spring the besieged fearing they should not be able to resist an assault resolv'd to capitulate which they did upon the 26. of September 18 days after they were attaqued the Governor marching out with 1400 choice men While the French were intent upon the taking of this Town the Spaniard was no less busie about the reduction of Rocroy hoping to compel that Garrison to surrender before they lost Mouson and so come in time enough to its relief which if it succeeded they should easily obtain their intent having finished their trenches their approaches and their batteries in five of which they had dispos'd 23 whole Cannons two upon the brow of the Ditch and 3 in the field The 16. of September the Prince of Condy caus'd 400 of his men to attaque their covert way and Lodge themselves upon the Counterscarp falling furiously upon the Half-moon betwixt the two Bulwarks which was with great courage defended by the besieged The Governour wanting neither experience nor valour by frequent and well-managed Sallies rendred the Enterprize much more difficult then was imagin'd and because the Count de Fuensaldagne had always oppos'd this Siege from whence nothing could be expected but the consuming of their souldiers the loss of one of the Kings Towns and a Conquest without profit it falling to the Prince of Condy's share upon which score some sharp expressions falling out betwixt him and the said Prince the Arch-Duke thought fit to come himself to the Camp to compose by his prudence and dexterity all differences betwixt them But if his coming did one way appease the mind of the Prince another way it discontented him as much he being very sensible that the Arch-Dukes presence would diminish the Glory which in the taking of that Town he conceiv'd did belong solely to himself of this disgust he gave a cleer proof refusing to receive the word from the Arch-Duke which he highly resenting Commanded the Prince of wirtenbourg who was lodg'd in the same quarter with the Prince of Condy not to obey his orders any more But this Affair likewise was accomodated by the Duke of Lorrain who arrived at that time at the Spanish Camp the Medium he found out was this That the word should be given neither by the Arch-Duke