to the Duke of Eguillon 283 Challenge from the Prince of Joinville to the Duke of Espernon 244 Chartres surrendred to the King 114 135 Chasteau-Neuf Garde des Sceaux in disgrace 507 Chastillon slain before Chartres 135 Church Lands in Bearn restor'd 306 Cicutat taken by the Duke of Espernon 150 Cinque-Mars Grand Escuyer of France 634 Cisteron taken by the Duke of Espernon 150 Cittadel of Xaintes demolish'd 362 Civil War breaks out 431 Commotion of the Princes of the Blood to hinder the Match with Spain 291 Comparison betwixt the Duke of Espernon and â—'Esdiguieres 405 Conspiracy of Angoulesme 87 sequentibus Conspiracy against the Queen Mother at Angoulesme 363 Conspiracy against the Duke of Espernon 180 181 Council of sixteen and their practices 68 69 Count de Brenne 344 Count de Candalle slain at the storming of Sommieres 60 Count de Bethune sent to treat with the Queen Mother 354 Count de Moret slain 496 Count de Soissons retires from Court 572 Count de Soissons furiously exasperated against the Duke of Espernon 273 Crequi made Camp-Master to the Regiment of Guards 228 La Croix sent by the Duke de Luines to the Duke of Espernon 369 D. DEath of the Cardinal of Guise 106 Death of the Dutchess of Espernon 158 Death of Pere Ange de Joyeuse 248 Death of the Duke of Cleves 250 Death of the Duke de Luines 395 Death of the Count de Soissoâ—s slain at the Battel of Sedan 628 Death of the Dutchess de la Valette 444 Death of the Dutchess of Orleans 445 Defagues Massacred at Bordeaux 538 Description of the City of Metz 39 Difference betwixt the Duke of Espernon and the Parliament of Paris 207 sequentibus Difference betwixt the Duke of Espernon and Villeroy Secretary of State 42 52 Difference betwixt Pope Paul the Fifth and the Republick of Venice compos'd by the King of France 246 Difference betwixt the Duke of Espernon and the Archbishop of Bordeaux 507 Disorders of the Kingdom 284 Dispute betwixt the Duke of Espernon and the Mareschal d' Ornano 210 211 Another 238 Dispute betwixt the Dukes of Espernon and Guise 243 Dispute betwixt the Prince of Joinville and the Duke of Espernon 244 Dispute betwixt the Duke of Espernon and the Baron de la Chastagneraye 274 Dispute betwixt the Duke of Espernon and Cardinal Richelieu about the Portugal Carricks 446 Disputes betwixt the Duke of Espernon and the Parliament of Bordeaux 424 429 Continued 436 Duel betwixt two Captains 170 Duel betwixt two Souldiers 286 Duke de Candalle discontented at his Partage given him by his Father 278 He is Married to the Dutchess of Haluin 278 His Voyage into the Levant 280 He misdemeans himself in Xaintonge 294 He comes to his Father to Bordeaux 443 444 His Death 600 E. EDict de Crue erected 557 Edict of the Vnion with the League published at Roan 80 Education of the Duke of Espernon 's Children 275 English Land in the Isle of Rhe 448 Are Defeated 455 Engagement betwixt the Duke of Espernon and I'Esdiguieres 165 Enterview betwixt the King and the Queen Mother at Cousieres 366 L' Esdiguieres Created Constable of France 405 Esgarrebaques Governour of Toulon 172 Espernon Duke offer'd by the King his Majesties Sister-in-Law in Marriage which he modestly refuses 25 He is sent to Treat with the King of Navarre 31 By whom he is offer'd the Princess Katharine the King 's only Sister in Marriage 33 His dangerous fall near to Lyons 34 35 He is offer'd the Duke of Guises Daughter since Princess of Conty in Marriage which he refuses 36 He is sent with an Army into Provence 50 His Exploits there 51 Espernon Duke Married to Margaret de Foix and de Candalle 59 sequ Espernon Duke beats up a Quarter of German Horse 63 Espernon Duke invested with the Offices vacant by the Death of the Duke of Joyeuse slain at the Battel of Coutras as also with those vacant by the Duke de Bellegarde slain at the same Battel 65 He exposes himself to very great danger 69 He retires from Court 80 He returns to Court and is well receiv'd 111 He refuses to follow Henry the Fourth and leaves the Army 119 121 He is shot into the mouth at Pierre Fonds 134 He is sent Governour and Captain General of all the Kings Forces into Provence 141 142 His miraculous escape before Aix 156 He is forsaken by his Friends in Provence 176 He is traduc'd by the Cardinal d' Ossat 183 He comes to the King to Amiens 200 His expedition into Limousin 240 Espernon Duke goes to the Hostel de Ville at Paris upon the Death of Henry the Fourth 258 And to the Augustins 259 His Harangue there ibid. Espernon Duke re-establish'd in Metz 267 Espernon Duke generously refuses to consent to the Murther of the Duke of Sully though his Enemy 265 He divides his Estate amongst his three Sons 277 He rejects the proferr'd Alliance of the Mareschal d' Encre 282 He falls sick at Angoulesme 295 Espernon Duke in Disgrace 297 Espernon Duke in great danger 298 He retires from Court 299 He presents himself before Rochelle 303 Espernon Duke's preparation in order to the Queen Mothers escape from Blois 332 His Magnificence 364 His Letter to the King 365 Espernon Duke his Expedition into Bearne 380 His successes there 383 His Generosity 384 Espernon Duke his Expedition against Rochelle 389 His Actions there 392 Espernon Duke goes to lay Siege to Royan 398 Espernon Duke created Governour of Guienne 403 He takes possession of his Government 420 He falls sick 456 He entertains the Queen at Cadillac 503 Espernon Duke stops the Progress of Rebellion in Guienne 486 And thereupon is confiâ—'d to his House Plassac 528 He is Excommunicated 505 Absolv'd 532 He falls sick 536 Espernon Duke goes against the Mutineers of Bordeaux 541 And suppresses them 550 Espernon Duke aspers'd ibid. He receives some reparation 553 He again falls sick 555 And again at Bayonne 563 Espernon Duke in the greatest Disgrace 598 He is depos'd from his Government and calâ—mniated 599 Whereupon he again falls sick 600 And again at Plassac 618 Espernon Duke commanded to retire to Loches and upon what occasion 619 sequ His arrival there 631 Espernon Duke falls mortally sick 644 His good disposition to dye 646 His Death 650 Estampes taken by Assault 114 D'Estampes barbarously slain 168 F. FAmine in Guienne 480 Father Arnoux a Iesuite 320 Favier sent to Metz as a spy upon the Duke of Espernon 314 Faure a common Souldier receives a Cannon-shot in the Belly of which he miraculously escapes 402 La Fere surpriz'd by the Prince of Condé 22 Surrendred to the King 169 Fewd betwixt the Princes of the Blood and the Duke of Espernon 273 Wherein the Queen Regent is favourable to the Duke 274 Fontarabie besieg'd by the Prince of Condé 563 The Prince defeated there 596 Fontrailles 634 Fort of Aix demolish'd 172 Fort at Arras taken by
Assault by the Duke of Espernon 201 Frejus taken by the Duke of Espernon 150 G. GArde des Sceaux du Vair 310 Gergeau taken by the King 114 De Gourgues first President of the Parliament of Bordeaux 418 His Letter to the Duke of Espernon 419 Which begets an open Rupture betwixt them 423 His Death and Character 459 Grillon 189 190 Guines surrender'd to the Arch-Duke of Austria 196 Guise Duke retires from Court and breaks into Rebellion 29 He approaches with his Army to Paris 42 Comes to Court 81 His Death 106 Guise Duke Son to the late Duke of Guise created Governour of Provence 174 He goes into Provence with an Army against the Duke of Espernon 175 H. HAM surrendred to the Arch-Duke of Austria 196 Harangue of the Duke of Espernon in the Hostel de Ville of Paris 259 Henry the third Proclaims War with the Hugonots 49 He forbids the Duke of Guise from coming to Paris 70 Who notwithstanding comes 71 He resolves to put the Duke of Guise to Death 105 Henry the Third retires to Chartres 72 Henry the Third together with the King of Navarre escape narrowly of being both taken at Tours 110 Henry the Third slâ—in at St. Clou 116 117 Henry the â—ourth turns Roman Catholick 160 Henry the Fourth comes to the Leaguer before Amiens 200 Henry the Fourths Expedition to Sedan 245 Henry the Fourth raises a mighty Army 250 Henry the Fourths Speech to the Queen in the Duke of Espernon 's Favour 251 Henry the Fourth slain by Ravillac 253 I. JAne Albret Queen of Navarre deny'd entrance into Lietoure by Monsieur de la Valette 3 4 La Iliere Governour of Loches 341 Joyeuse rises in favour 15 He is shot in the Face at the Siege of la Fere 23 Advanc'd to the Dignity of Duke and Peer of France 26 He is slain at the Battel of Coutras 65 Isle of Maran surpriz'd by the Duke of Espernon 394 K. KAtharine of Bourbon only Sister to Henry the Fourth Married to the Duke of Bar 203 King of Navarre advances to the relief of the D. of Espernon at Angoulesme 100 King of Sweeden wins the Battel of Lipsick 490 King of Navarre makes his escape from St. Germanes 9 He joyns Forces with Henry the Third of France 110 His First aversion to the Duke of Espernon augmented at the Siege of Estampes 114 115 L. LAfin's Character 206 Laon Besieg'd 230 League take up Arms 38 Their Exploits 41 They publish a Manifesto against the Duke of Espernon and his Brother 75 Lendrecis taken by the Duke de Candalle 583 Letter from the Queen Mother to the Duke of Espernon 323 Another 329 Another 330 Another 352 Letter from the King to the Q Mother ibid. Letter from the King to the Duke of Espernon 521 Letter from the Queen to the Duke of Espernon and from the Cardinal 608 Answer to the Cardinal 's 609 Letter from Lewis the Thirteenth to the Queen Mother after her escape from Blois 354 Letter from Lewis the Thirteenth to the Duke of Espernon 622 The Answer 623 Lewis the Thirteenth resolves to arrest the Duke of Espernon 311 Lewis the Thirteenth his Expedition into Italy 461 He falls sick at Lyons 478 Recovers 480 Limoges Rescu'd by the Duke of Espernon out of the hands of the League 125 Lorme 's Treachery 334 sequ Lorrain Duke makes War upon France 471 Luines the great Favourite 308 His Quarrel to the Duke of Espernon 310 His design to 〈◊〉 him 311 Prevented by the Duke's retiring 312 M. MAdaillan calumniates the Duke of Espernon 635 Madam the Kings Sister falls sick of the Small Pox at Poictiers 292 Marcelles attempted by the Duke of Esper non but in vain 153 Mareschal Byron sent Ambassadour into England 217 And into Switzerland 218 Mareschal Byron arrives at Fountain Bleau 222 He is beheaded 223 Mareschal d' Encre takes Arms against the Prince of Condé and his Faction 300 His Death 307 Mareschal de Themines his difference with the Duke of Espernon 421 They are reconcil'd 423 Marquis de la Valette Marries Madamoiselle de Vernevil Marquis de la Force revolts in Bearne 379 Marquis de la Valette like to be slain by a Mine 401 Marsillac slain at the Siege of Privas 284 Mascaron slain before Chartres 135 Match with the Infanta of Spain concluded 282 Matelet defeated attempting to relieve Callis 195 Maubeuge taken by the Duke de Candalle 583 Mauzac surrender'd to the D. of Esp. 144 Mayenne Duke goes with a great Army against the Queen Mother 356 He is slain by a Musket-shâ—t before Montauban 395 Minieux defeated and taken Prisoner by the Duke of Espernon 133 Miraculous escape 182 Mirebeau taken by the Spaniard 562 Moissac surrendred to the Duke of Espernon 144 Moncassin wounded at Tours 110 Monserrat describ'd 409 Monsieur de la Valette defeats part of the Forcin Army at Lizere 66 Monsieur Marries the Dutchess of Montpensier 439 Monsieur retires in discontent from Court 471 He returns 472 He retires again from Court 572 Monsieur retires into Flanders 484 He invades the Kingdom 〈◊〉 France 492 Monsieur de la Valette Brother to the Duke of Espernon slain at the Siege of Roquebrune 138 Montauban reliev'd by the Duke of Espernon 144 Surrendred 464 Montauron surrendred to Mercy to the D. of Espernon 145 Montereau Faut-Yonne taken by Petarr 115 Montmelian surrendred to the King's Army 208 Montmorency D. declares in favour of the Monsieur 492 He is taken Prisoner 497 He is brought to Tholouze in order to his Trial 498 The Duke of Espernon intercedes for him but in vain 499 He is beheaded 502 Montpellier besieg'd 410 Surrendred 414 Montpensier Duke Marries Katharine de Joyeuse 203 His Death 247 Money sent by the Queen Mother to the Duke of Espernon in order to her escape from the Castle of Blois 330 N. NEgrepolisse taken by assault 403 Nevers D. presents himself with a great Army before Metz 358 359 La Noue his attempt and Character 392 Noyon surrendred to the King 135 O. OAth Administred to the Queen Mother 320 Obeliske erected by the Duke of Espernon in the Church of St. Clou to the Memory of his Master Henry the third of France 269 Obsequies of the two Kings Henry the Third and Fourth of France perform'd at one and the same time 269 Office of Colonel General of France erected in Favour of the Duke of Espernon 37 P. PAris besieg'd 116 Parliament of Bordeaux draw up an Information against the Duke of Espernon 519 Peace with the Hugonots concluded 436 Peace betwixt the King and the Queen Mother concluded at Angoulesme 358 Peace concluded with the Prince of Condé 286 Peace between the Crowns of France and Spain concluded at Vervins 202 203 Peace concluded with Savoy 209 Pedro Medici wounded at the storming of Aglimant in Caramania 280 Perigueux Revolts but the Mutiny is appeas'd by Verthamont Intendant de la Justice 548 Peyroles deserts the Duke of Espernon 177 Philip Cospean his beginning
would have discover'd how highly he had resented had he not been prevented by Death the Arbiter of all Humane Controversies All he could at that time do to let them see he understood them to be no friends of his was to forbid his Sons to see them or to be presented by either of them to the Duke of Anjou desiring rather they should receive that favour from the Duke of Guise a Prince with whom he had acquir'd a great interest as having oftern serv'd under his Command but most signally at the Battel of Dreux where he fought at the head of the Reserve with which when all other hopes were lâ—st the Duke won that day and wholly routed the Enemies victorious Army To him therefore he commanded his Sons to address themselves for their access to the Duke an occasion the Duke of Guise embrac'd with so much fervour and presented them after that obliging manner with that honourable mention of the Fathers great Merit and the great hope of his Sons that they could not possibly have chosen out a man that could more handsomly more obligingly or with greater integrity have perform'd so important an Office The infinite civility of the Duke of Guise together with the singular and natural art he had to acquire men to him gain'd Caumont so absolutely to his service that it was with no little reluctancy that he afterwards withdrew himself from him which nevertheless he was shortly after enforc't to do the divers interests that sway'd the one and the other looking so several wayes that it was not possible longer to continue their intelligence Their friendship began to grow cold before it came to an open Rupture Caumont not having receiv'd from the Duke that support and assistance he promis'd to himself from so powerful and so sincere a frined as he took him to be But that which strook the main blow was this The death of Mounfieur de la Valette immediately following the Siege of Rochelle his several Employments lay vacant by his decease which made Caumont repair to Court in hopes by the Dukes favour at least to obtain the charge of Camp-Master to the Light Horse for his elder Brother neither of them yet presuming by reason of their youth to pretend to the Lieutenancy of Guienne which the Duke of Guise not only peremptorily refus'd to intermeddle in but withal carried on the interest of some other pretenders with so much vigour and efficacy that in fine he excluded both the Brothers from all their Fathers employments Upon which unexpected unkindness Caumont retir'd so much dissatisfied with the Duke that since that time neither his Brother nor he ever had any complacency for the house of Guise The Brothers after this repulse spent some time at home in order to a settlement of their own private affairs which the quietness of that time a general Peace being before concluded gave them leisure enough to do But Caumont was impatient of this Countrey life and seeing there was now no more employment for his Armes he put himself into an equipage to go to Court to try if he could by his own endeavours obtain that for himself which the memory of his Fathers great services had not power to retain to his forgotten Family It was about the end of the Year 1574. that he undertook this journey King Henry the Third being then newly return'd from Poland a Prince inâ—â—â—nitely enclin'd to Peace and to that Catharine de Medicis his Mother being also wearied out with the former troubles they bent their â—oynt endeavours to the continuing of Affairs in the same quiet posture they then were to the extinguishing of all old discontents and to the avoiding all possible occasions of new They knew very well that none had power to beget new mischiefs or to disturb the present Peace of the Kingdom except the Duke of Alanson or the King of Navarre both which they politickly made as it were prisoners to the Court by the vigilancy of Spies though without Guards or other visible marks of restraint The King of Navarre as he whose Courage and great Qualities were more to be suspected had the stricter eye upon him and although he profest himself a Catholick yet his Fortune and Confederates obliging him to the contrary Religion they were in a perpetual jealousie lest he should at one time or another embrace the Profession and Party of those with whom his nearest concerns and chiefest interests lay The Queen Mother one of the most experienc'd Princesses of her time and a Woman whose Prudence and subtlety extended to all the Arts of Government knowing as well how upon occasion to order the allurements of Peace as to guide and govern the more important Affairs in the Tumults of War being no stranger to the amorous inclinations of the King of Navarre by daily invitations to Playes Masques Revels and other entertainments made the Court continually to shine in all the lustre and temptation of Beauty if possible to divert the designs and to soften the Martial humour of this Prince in the more delicate delights of vacancy and peace which kind of life it may easily be imagin'd could not be unpleasant to a man so young and so enclin'd as the King then was The Court being now nothing but jollity the whole Nobility of France had nothing else to do but to divide themselves according to their several inclinations into the Parties and Factions of these two young Princes amongst which Caumonts particular liking and Affection to his person and great vertues having enclin'd him to the King of Navarres side he was by him receiv'd with so infinite respect and kindness that in a very short time he stood equal to the best in the highest degree of Favour and trust Of which the King could not give him a greater testimony than by discovering to him his intended escape from Court and by commending thereby so important a secret to his fidelity and assistance Our Histories have glanc'd at the grounds upon which the King took this resolution which he shortly after executed with great secresie and a very slender train For pretending to go hunt in the Parks of Saint Germains he thence with only four or five of his greatest confidents of which number Caumont was one made his escape I have often heard him say that he thought himself so oblig'd by that favour that he had never separated himself from that Prince had not he first separated himself from his obedience to the Church He accompanied him in his retirement as far as Alenson whither the King was no sooner come but that his Physician invited him to be God-father to one of his Children The Ceremony was performed in the Hugonot Congregation and after their Directory as it may be presum'd it was beforehand determined it should be Whereupon Caumont taking the usual liberty the King had ever till that time freely allow'd him converted all the passages of that Ceremony into Mirth
So that the two Factions that of the League and that of the Religion being equally weakned by his Valour and Conduct he then so establish'd those two Provinces in their duty that it was afterwards no hard matter for him to continue them in that posture of Obedience until the death of the King Whilst Mounsieur de la Valette was employ'd about these brave Services for the Crown Mounsieur de Villeroy a declar'd Enemy to the Duke his Brother was no less busie with all the ill Offices he could contrive to ruine both their Credits with the King Which though the Duke had long observ'd and as long forborn to take notice of yet could he at last no longer restrain himself from breaking out to a high and publick Rupture with him It was at St Aignan that it happened at the time the Army of Reiters were preparing to enter the Kingdom and that the King was consulting of the means to hinder their passage I have already given an account of the Animosities betwixt these two great Ministers and the Causes that produc'd them which perhaps I should not so punctually have done neither should I now do it had not D'Avila an Authour of great Repute for the History of that time enlarg'd himself more thatn ordinary upon this Difference as upon an accident very considerable and of great importance to the general Affairs that were then in agitation The Duke then and Villeroy being upon these ill terms the King at the especial instance of the Duke had assigned a summe of 20000 Crowns only for the entertainment of Mounsieur de la Valette's Army a proportion very inconsiderable for the great end to which it was design'd but very great considering the necessities the State was then in which mony Villeroy notwithstanding his Majesties Order having diverted to the Payment of the Grand Provost and his Archers the Duke discover'd it to the King in open Council complaining that a summe so disproportionable to the utility of his Brothers Services should be diverted to another use To which Complaint Villeroy who was present reply'd aloud in his Majesties Presence That what the Duke had said was not true It is easie to judge whether the Duke who was then rais'd to the highest degree of Favour were surpriz'd with so tart and so unexpected an Injury I have heard him say That in his whole life he was never so sensibly offended nevertheless he had so much power over himself as to forbear all kind of violence in the Kings Presence so much as from any extravagancy of words neither made he other reply to Mounsieur de Villeroy but this That the Presence of the King which had encourag'd him to give that Language oblig'd him to be Silent but that he should repent it The King both disquieted and displeas'd at this Quarrel and willing to interrupt them from proceeding further went immediately out of the Closet expecting the Duke should follow him but he staying behind and being now no longer aw'd by the Reverence due to his Majesties Person fell very severely upon Mounsieur de Villeroy for the words past some say he proceeded to high threats that he had his hand up to have strook him and that he gave him some very unhandsome language though I never heard the Duke confess so much in the many times he has discours'd of that business But Mounsieur de Villeroy immediately went and complain'd to the King of the Duke's Threats demanding Assurance and Protection from him where receiving no very satisfactory answer he waited time and opportunity by working his own revenge to procure his own Safety which happened not long after when we shall see the Duke's Valour frustrate all his Enemies Designs But let us in the mean time return to the general Business We have already observ'd that from the first insurrection of the League the King of Navarre not doubting but that all their preparations were chiefly intended against him had earnestly solicited all the Confederates of his Religion not only at home but in Foreign Parts to his aid but when he understood that by the mediation of the Queen Mother the Treaty of Nemours had been sign'd by the King himself at St. Maur he then foreseeing the storm that was ready to break upon him very well knew that he should infallibly be overwhelm'd without a speedy succour He therefore again press'd his Allies immediately to send their Forces if they desir'd to find him in a condition to receive the effects of their Assistance his Enemies so passionately precipitating his Ruine The German Princes spurr'd on by this new Solicitation and having yet been ancient Allies to the Crown of France would it should seem proceed with some shew of respect and thereupon concluded amongst themselves to send first an honourable Embassy to the King before they would engage in so important a Quarrel In this occurrence all the Court expected some Civil Remonstrance on the German Princes part but they soon found themselves deceiv'd for the Ambassadours either prevail'd upon by their Confederates in France or transported with their own Zeal to Religion and the passion they had for those of that Party having publickly reproach'd the King with his breach of Faith towards his Protestant Subjects it evidently appear'd that their design was not to mediate an Accommodation but to push things on to the decision of Arms by giving the King a premeditated Affront I have heard the Duke say that he was present at the delivery of this Oration and that the King justly nettled at so saucy an Embassy after having in the heat and apprehension of so great an injury spoken with greater eloquence than ever till that time he had heard him do he positively and for a final answer return'd the lye to whoever should reproach him with the breach of his Faith The Ambassadors dismiss'd after this manner fail'd not at their return home to exasperate their several Princes to the last degree who being before resolv'd upon a War made speedy and great Leavies and soon set such an Army on foot as they thought joyn'd to that the King of Novarre had already of his dependants should be able absolutely to subdue the Catholick Party in France The King as he very well foresaw what inconvenience the entry of such a multitude of strangers must of necessity bring upon his Kingdom so did he by all imaginable ways try to prevent their coming and seeing that nothing but satisfying the King of Navarre could possibly divert that mischief he once more try'd by the means of the Queen his Mother if possible to win him to a timely accommodation Which being by her undertaken after many delayes scruples and jealousies on both sides a Conference was at last concluded on at St. Brix a private house seated upon the Banks of Charente near Coynack but this Conference nevertheless being able to produce no good effect by reason of that invincible difficulty the difference of
themselves renew'd the interrupted Treaty of Peace in order whereunto the Deputies of both Crowns being met at Vervins it was there to their common satisfaction happily concluded That which I observe to be most remarkable in this Peace is that the King what necessity soever there was upon him of regulating the disorders of his own Kingdom which were many a thing neuer to be well done in the confusions of War would notwithstanding never consent his Deputies should meet to Treat till first the King of Spain had given him assurance that all the places had been taken from him in this last War should be restor'd His Majesty choosing rather to expose his Person and Kingdom to the uncertain event of another War than that his Crown should suffer the lâ—ast prejudice by a Treaty of Peace 〈◊〉 although he had hitherto been the loser yet did â—is courage 〈◊〉 him hope so well of his Fortune as to believe he should in the end bring her over to his own side So brisk an Article as this at first dash and before the King would proceed to any further Treaty it is to be suppos'd would startle the Spanish Gravity and must reasonably meet with great difficulty as it did in the Councils of War and Privy Council of Spain it being evident that in this demand the King would impose upon them who were the Conquerors the same conditions he should have done had they been already overcome which made it suffer a long Debate though at last it was condescended to and that being granted no other difficulties were likely to arise so that this happy Peace was Concluded and Sign'd by the Commissioners on both sides the second of May 1598. By the Articles of this Treaty the King was to restore the County of Charolois to the King of Spain to be by him held of the Crown of France who in exchange restor'd the Towns of Calice Ardres Monthulin Dourlens la Capelle and le Catelet in Picardy and Blavet in Britanny which Articles were Ratifi'd and Sign'd by his Majesty the eleventh of Iune who in gayety of humour at so happy a conclusion told the Duke of Espernon That with one dash of his Pen he had done greater things than he could of a long time have perform'd with the best Swords of his Kingdom This Peace was no sooner concluded but that the Court put on a Face far different from that wherewith it had appearâ—d when shaded and overcast with the tumult and trouble of War and Business nothing now was to be seen but State and Lustre nor was any thing now thought on but Feasting and Mirth which also was much added to by the celebration of several Marriages which were at this time consummate betwixt some persons of the greatest quality of the Kingdom For Katharine the King 's only Sister was Married to the Duke of Bar Son to the Duke of Lorain and Henry of Bourbon Duke of Montpensier Married Katharine de â—oyeuse with many other Marriages betwixt Persons of great Quality that were also solemniz'd at the same time but it not being my design to meddle with those wherein the Duke of Espernon was not immediately concern'd I shall only insist upon that of the Duke of Montpensier who contracting himself to so near a Relation of the Duke's that he in a manner supply'd the place of a Father to her it will be necessary I should say something of the reasons and conclusion of this particular Match The King since the Duke's return from Provence had never exceeded to him the favour of meer justice he had it is true left him free in the enjoyment of his Offices his Estate and Degree without doing him any the least injury in any thing that was his just and immediate right But as to the rest his Majesty not being able to forget his formention'd discontents against him he thought he did him a signal favour in that he forbore to do him any publick disgrace In this condition the Duke who saw himself seated at Court in a station far inferiour to that wherein he had formerly been suffer'd not a little in his own bosom from the King's coldness and indifferency to him yet concealing his discontent with the true respect he ought to pay his Prince and Master he avoided at least all occasions the only refuge of a suspected Minister that might any way bring him into a greater disgrace Yet even in this condition his fortune would not forsake him who when all other means seem'd to be lost that could probably restore him to any degree of his former prosperity sprung him a new tide to his stranded greatness and such an one as not only lifted him off those sands wherein he was like to sink and perish but rais'd him again to such a reputation as was no little support to his declining name and power Katâ—arine de Ioyeuse whom I have already nam'd was only Daughter and Heir to the Count de Bouchage and Katharine de Nogaret and de la Valette the Duke of Espernon's Sister a young Lady that besides the advantages of her Birth and Beauty was also Miâ—trâ—â—â— of very great possessions having to her paternal Estate added that of the great Favourite the Duke of Ioyeuse as she also was in expectation of that of the Cardinal de Ioyeuse her Uncle which reckon'd altogether must needs make up so vast an estate as must without dispute entitle her the greatest Fortune of France The Duke of Montpensier likewise as born a Prince of the Blood was also in high consideration wherein the advantage of his Fortune concurr'd with the eminency of his Birth he having alone a greater Revenue than all the other Princes of the Blood to which his Valour Liberality and Courtesie with other good qualities he was Master of had rais'd him to a very great esteem with the King and made him no less a Favourite to the People so that he was not only the Aim and Ambition of the best Matches of France but stood also in the prospect of some Forein Princes Amongst these the Duke of Lorain proceeded so far as to offer him his Daughter who was afterwards Married to the Duke of Cleve's with eight hundred thousand Crowns to her Dowry a proposition that being debated in the Duke of Montpensier's Council was very much lik'd of by some of his Servants who advis'd him to prefer this Match to the other Inheretrix of the House of Ioyeuse the fortune of the last being part of it yet depending whereas the offers of the Duke of Lorain being present and effectual would very much advance his Affairs and establish his greatness at great liberty and ease I have been inform'd and that by a person of Quality who was consulted about this business that one main reason which induc'd this Prince to prefer Madamâ—iselle de Ioyeuse before the other was the consideration of the Duke of Espernoâ— because in marrying her he conceiv'd he should at the
of Savoy that he was nothing startled at his other losses as supposing this City to be an inexpugnable Bulwark against whatever could be attempted against him A confidence wherein he found himself very much mistaken for the Duke of Espernon having the command of one quarter at this Siege as Biron and L' Esdiguieres had of the other two whilst they were on all hands busie in their approaches found opportunity sometimes to confer with the Count de Brandis Governour of the place interviews that being frequent and allow'd by the King wrought at last so good an effect that the Governour promis'd to surrender the City to the King if within a month the Duke of Savoy did not raise the Siege A Capitulation of that dangerous importance to the Duke that he labour'd by all possible ways during the limited term to perswade the Governour into a better resolution and had so wrought upon him what by entreaty promises and threats that he was grown infinitely wavering and uncertain what to do which notwithstanding the Duke of Espernon who had drawn the first plot of this great design happily brought it to perfection in the end he absolutely confirm'd by his perswasion the anxious Count in the terms of his first Treaty and thereupon receiv'd new Hostages from him by which dexterity he rendred himself the principal and most effectual instrument of his Majesties victories in that Country as also of the Peace which immediately follow'd the Surrender of this important City Whilst the King's Designs succeeded at this fortunate rate in this little Dukedom the Princes of Italy apprehending that after the ruine of the Duke of Savoy the sweetness and facility of that Conquest would tempt the King to advance further into the Country to seek new Victories were instant with the Pope to interpose his Authority with the King to dispose his Majesty to accept of satisfaction from the Duke of Savoy for what had past that an Accommodation might ensue to which his Holiness being enclin'd both by his own interests which could by no means admit of a War in Italy and by the importunity of the Princes of the Country he dispatch'd away Cardinal Aldobrandino his own Nephew to the King to be in his name the Mediator of this Peace as the Cardinal de Medicis had been before of that which had been concluded with Spain Never Prince came from that Country in a prouder Equipage nor with a more honourable train than did this Cardinal a Magnificence to which his Majesty being willing to hold proportion both in regard to his own greatness as also to express thereby a greater respect to the Pope to whom he was highly oblig'd in the person of a Kinsman so near and dear unto him he made choice of the Duke of Espernon amongst all the other Grandees of his Court to be the man should receive him and that because he both knew him to be a person very acceptable to the Holy Sea as also one who knew as well how to behave himself for his Masters honour as any whoever that was about his person Neither did the Duke deceive his Majesty in his choice he receiv'd the Cardinal at the head of the Army which before had been drawn up into Battalia for that purpose accompanied with the most sprightly and gay Nobility and Gentry of the Court conducting him with infinite demonstrations of Honour and Respect through the several divisions until he brought him into the presence of the King himself and though I must tell you by the way that the Duke 's imperious and haughty humour was naturally very averse to the humility of Complement and the submission of excessive Civilities yet when such an occasion as this oblig'd him to it no man of his time could perform such a Ceremony with a better grace and doubtless if at ordinary times he would have been more liberal of his courtesie and have added that to those other excellent qualities which made him admir'd by all he might have acquir'd thereby what Friends and Servants he had pleas'd Soon after the Legat's arrival the Peace of Savoy was concluded wherein a Prince whose interest it was to recover his own Dominions almost entirely over-run by the King 's Victorious Arms was now to redeem his own with what he had surreptitiously and contrary to the publick Faith snatch'd from the King during the disorders of his Kingdom and which his Majesty was now also ready to force from him as he had already done the greatest part of his own hereditary Territories in pursuit of that Quarrel So that the Duke of Savoy bought his Peace at a cheap rate through the Pope's timely mediation and all things were accommodated that were in dispute betwixt the King and him although his Majesty who very well knew what little trust was to be repos'd in the Faith of this Prince a man that would never keep his word when it was for his advantage to break it would by no means be perswaded to withdraw his Army out of his Dukedom till first the Articles of the Treaty were perform'd But it neither suiting with decency nor the dignity of his Majesties Royal Person himself to attend the execution of a thing already concluded he return'd into France leaving the command of his Army to the Count de Soissons offering at the same time the command of Lieutenant General to the Duke of Espernon who excus'd himself having taken up a resolution never to serve under less than the Person of a King as hitherto he had never done nor ever after did in the whole course of his life He therefore went back with the King whom he attended as far as Grenoble from whence when his Majesty departed for Lyons to consummate his Marriage he at the same time took his leave to return again into his Governments of Xaintonge and Angoumois The Duke's journey into that Country gave him opportunity to pass over into Gascony to view the Progress of his Building there of which he had laid the foundation at Cadillac in the year 1598. For the King after he had concluded the Peace with Spain from that time forwards not only wholly bent his own thoughts to the Embellishment of his Kingdom in which his principal design was first to Build his Houses and to Beautifie Paris with many great and noble Structures for at this time the Buildings of the Louvre Fountain-bleau and other Royal Palaces were begun as also the designs of the Pont-neuf the Place Royal with other proud and stately AEdifices were continued but would likewise that other men should fall in love with the same humour and whether it were that his Majesty had a mind his greatest Subjects should by his example employ themselves in the same designs or that he intended as some have suppos'd insensibly to drein their purses by this chargeable employment fearing perhaps that too great abundance of wealth might make them more apt to entertain thoughts
places The first intimation of this design the Duke receiv'd from the Queens own mouth who by a favour never before or since granted to any permitted him to take a number of select Souldiers in his own Livery for the Guard of his Person to attend him in all places so much as into the Louvre it self which favour was highly improved to him when for his greater security she moreover gave way that he should chuse some Gentlemen of Quality of his most confident Friends to enter with him arm'd even into her own Cabinet Those whom the Duke made choice of for this purpose were Chetin Brother to the Mareschal de St. Geran Sauue-Baeuf Bonneval the Count de Maillé Castelbaiart and Marillac all men of approved Valour a Grace which though it gave great jealousie and distaste to the Princes and Grandees of the Court who were the Duke's Adversaries her Majesty thought it fit notwithstanding to give him leave to defend his own life against whomsoever would make any attempt against it Amongst these many and great disputes wherein the Duke saw himself involv'd he forgot not the care of his Childrens Education whom he brought up to the most laborious Exercises and for whom after a foundation of Letters not only of a bare knowledge in the Latine Tongue but in the Principles of Philosophy also he took care to provide the greatest man without contradiction in Europe for the Exercises of the Body especially that of Riding which was the Sieur de la Broâ—e formerly in the Constable de Montmorencies entertainment after whose Death the Duke gain'd him to himself by so great Benefits that he gave him at one clap ten thousand Crowns in Gold with an Annuity of a thousand Crowns issuing out of the Hostel de Ville of Paris the most certain Revenue at that time in France Neither did he here limit his Bounties Under this Gentleman's excellent Discipline his two eldest Sons arriv'd to such a perfection in their exercises that no young Lords of their condition in the Kingdom went before them When they had acquir'd as much by precept as seem'd necessary he conceiv'd it time they should establish that knowledge by experience and by observing the manners and ways of living of other Countries to which purpose having put them into an Equipage suiting their quality he sent them into Germany to the end that by the different Governments of the several little Republicks of which the vast body of that Empire is compos'd they might be better enabled to judge of good and evil customs and extract a more certain knowledge for their own future conduct in the Employments to which they were by him design'd They arriv'd in that Country in a very troublesome time when all ways were very difficult and unsafe but the illustrious name of the Father in greater repute in any part of Europe than in France it self present vertues being for the most part less consider'd did not only open all ways and secure all passes to them but made them also receiv'd with great respect and honour'd with many civilities and favours by all the Princes and Republicks of both parties After having staid some time in Germany and visited at leisure the Cities and most eminent places there they went from thence into Italy where they made a considerable stay and where for the greatest part they made their residence at Rome continuing still their Exercises from whence they went to visit the most eminent Cities of that sweetest part of Europe where having made an acquaintance with most of the Princes and Lords of that Nation they return'd into France Whilst the two eldest were thus forming their minds and bodies to such qualities as were either necessary or at least becoming their condition Lewis the youngest of the three design'd for the Church was with no less care brought up in the knowledge of Letters whom so soon as the Duke his Father conceiv'd to be of a fit age he sent him to La Flesche to the Colledge of the Father Jesuits where the discipline requisite for the profession he was to take upon him was in very great repute He there continued several years and came not thence till he had first run through all the degrees by which men climb to the highest pitch of knowledge and in effect when he was call'd thence to come to Court he had made so happy a progress that Cardinal Perron a great friend of his Fathers having been by him intreated to discourse with his Son had an exceeding great opinion of him and believ'd him likely to make one of the greatest men of that age if he proceeded in his profession with a diligence proportionable to the great parts wherewith he enter'd into it The three Brothers arriving almost all at the same time at Court the Duke their Father began to think of establishing the greatness of his Family upon the surest foundation and thereupon consider'd each of them by himself for the dividing his Estate amongst them wherein though they were all embellish'd with so many excellent qualities that it could hardly be discern'd which had the greatest merit yet the Duke having design'd to confer his own name upon the second that consideration enclin'd him a little more to him than the other two By Article at his Marriage with Margaret de Foix Countess of Candale his eldest Son was to carry the name of Foix and to inherit his Mothers Estate clear'd and augmented by the Duke's mony and his own name was also so great what by the vertue of his Ancestors and what by his own that he would not leave him on whom it was conferr'd inferiour either in Reputation or Estate to any whomsoever of his condition in the Kingdom He had already by his Service obtain'd from the Queen Regent the Reversion of all his Offices viz. of that of Colonel General of the Infantry of France of first Gentleman of the Bed-Chamber an Office he had ever kept since his first Favour of Governour of the City and Cittadel of Metz and of the Messin Country of the Provinces Cities and Castles of Xaintes and Angoulesme of the City and Government of Rochelle the Country of Aulins with the higher and lower Limousin of the City Castle and Territory of Boulogne and of the City Country and Castle of Loches all which he at this time thus divided amongst his three Sons To his eldest the Count of Candale he assign'd in present causing him forthwith to be admitted into it the Office of first Gentleman of the Bed-Chamber with the Governments of Angoumois Xaintonge Aulins and Limousin in Remainder to which he added the whole Estate of the House of Candale amounting to above fourscore thousand Livers yearly revenue in goodly Lordships as also the Dutchy of Espernon with the Earldom of Montfort together with other Lands arising to above fifty thousand Crowns a year to which the Duke having obtain'd an assurance of a Mareschal's Staff for this Son so
himself to be transported into any action unbecoming his Gravity and Wisdom The Table being taken away and he having retir'd himself into his Chamber sooner than he ordinarily us'd to do he caus'd his Secretary to be call'd in his behalf to write to Messieurs de Ioinville de Turenne de Thou and de Fontravilles to recommend to them the care of his Sons health to whom all humane help was already fruitless and vain writing moreover to him himself some few lines under his own hand One of his Gentlemen who had lately been sent on the same errand was now ready to depart with this new Dispatch when the Duke overcome with the violent agitations of his mind was constrain'd to cast himself upon his Bed where calling his Secretary to him he said to him these words I do not know why you should all dally with me thus long nor to what end you should conceal from me the Death of the Cardinal my Son is it that you imagine me so weak I have not fortitude enough to support the News Do not you deceive me as the rest have done but tell me the naked truth which also cannot long be conceal'd from me At which words the poor Gentleman who for four or five days had had the power to govern his Tongue had not now the same command over his Eyes so that his Tears having whether he would or no betray'd him to be the Messenger of the ill news he had hitherto so faithfully conceal'd he proceeded by word of mouth to interpret what was before but too legible in his tears and told his Master That what he had prophesied the first hour he heard of his Sons Sickness was but too true That the news of his Death had been brought four days ago but that his people apprehending left so great a blow of mishap might ruine his health had address'd themselves to Monsieur de Saint Papoul to fortifie him with his Consolation in acquainting him with the fatal News At which words he lift up his hands to Heaven and after a profound Sigh cried out aloud O Lord since thou hast reserv'd my old Age to survive the loss of my three Children be pleas'd withal to give me strength wherewith to support the severity of thy Judgments Hereupon the Bishop of Saint Papoul was presently call'd in to him who after having highly commended his resignation of himself and his Affairs to the Will of God made him a Learned Discourse infinitely full of such admirable Arguments and Examples both Christian and Moral as were proper for his disconsolate condition And then it was that they presented him with the relations of the Sickness and Death of the Cardinal his Son wherein was observ'd so many testimonies of Piety and Resignation so firm a confidence in the Divine Mercy and so little concern for Humane Life that every one concluded him infinitely happy to have take his leave of it in so good and so holy a disposition and it was also from thence that the Duke deriv'd his chiefest Consolations After this he requested some respite from his Friends wherein to satisfie the resentments of Nature and in private to pay some tears to his Affliction His Curtains were therefore drawn when his tears which he had hitherto with so great violence to his sorrow suppress'd having now liberty to â—ally out flow'd in so great abundance that those about him began to fear his immoderate passion might endanger his health but having remain'd two hours in this condition he himself at last rows'd up his spirits so long overcharg'd with grief and was heard to say That Tears were to be left to women and that it would be a shame a man could not allay his grief but by so poor and effeminate a Remedy That he would live perhaps to survive his Enemies When starting from his Bed he had so great a power over himself as the same day again to appear in publick He entreated the Bishop of Papoul to bear him company where he walk'd with him above two hours on foot entertaining him all the while either with Discourses of Piety or the state of his present Fortune and that with a constancy this good Prelate could never sufficiently magnifie and admire It must nevertheless be confess'd that amongst all these afflictions which were many and extreme the Duke likewise receiv'd very many and great Consolations or at least what were intended for such there being few persons of any eminent condition in France who did not manifest the part they shar'd with him in his grief The King did him the Honour to write very obligingly to him he receiv'd the same Favour from the Queen the Monsieur all the Princes Cardinal Richelieu and almost all who were any ways considerable either in Birth or Dignity in the Kingdom gave him testimonies either of their Affection or Esteem upon this sad occasion But if out of all these Complements he did extract any real Consolation it was chiefly from the gracious manifestations of the Queens Royal Favour to him which took so much the deeper impression upon his mind by how much he knew they proceeded from the heart of this excellent Princess He had ever made her the object of all his Services neither was there any he would not have been very ready to have perform'd for her even in this moment of his greatest Adversity An inclination that as it gave him a legitimate Title to her Grace and Favour so was he the man of all the other Great Ones of the Kingdom that had the highest place in her Esteem but the condition of the time not permitting her to manifest it to that degree her Majesty could have desir'd she did upon this occasion all she had the liberty to do which was to send him a very obliging Letter written with her own hand of which the Contents were these Cousin I can here neither fully express nor altogether conceal the sorrow I share with you for the loss you have sustain'd in the person of my Cousin the Cardinal de la Valette your Son the sence whereof being too great to be express'd by words I shall only entreat you to believe that I partake in it equally with any person living And since it is from God alone that you are to hope for a true Consolation I do from my heart beseech him of his Divine Goodness to fortifie your mind against the severity of this accident and to pour his Blessings upon you in the abundance that is heartily wish'd by her whom you know really to be Your very good Cousin Anne From St. Germains en Laye the 12 th of Octob. 1639. Cardinal Richelieu also would not upon such an occasion be wanting in the Ceremony of a Complement but it signified no more than so and these were the words My Lord I can not sufficiently manifest to you the extreme sorrow I sustain for the Death of Monsieur the Cardinal de la Valette and
l. 10. r. enclin'd to the other p. 507. l. 6. 1. Râ—ffec p. 516. l. 37. r any extraordinary Assembly p. 525. l. 39. r. be ever committed p. 526. l. 27. r. Cospian p. 529. l. 34. r. would not deny p. 532. l. 7. r. had his instructions p. 534. l. 13. p. 538. l. 33. r. d' Aguesseau p. 536. l. 19. r. this house p. 541. l. 30. r. companions p. 545. l. 17. r. started p. 554. l. 24. r. â—eimar p. 555. l. 42. dele this p. 556. l. 29. r. granted to those who had c. l. ult r. and was not p. 562. l. 35. r. he fortunately effected p. 564. l. 31. dele on before condition p. 566. l. 9. r this couticus p. 569. l. 9. r. might be distedg'd p. 570. l. 28. r. examples enow p. 572. l. 14. r. that the Cardinal p. 573. l. 15. r. Kings 31. r. did him p. 575. l. 32. r. by how much it had been p. 578. l ult r. Poyanne p. 538. l. 27. r. Maubâ—uge p 592. l. 6. r. These desays p. 601. l. penult r. indisposition p. 61â— l 30. r. he had occastonality only p. 616. l. â—8 r. seen p. 62â— l. ult r. and to go away p. 625. l. 18. r. the trial of this p 626. l. 19. r. to chance the Garrison p. 628. l. 26 r. the Baron of Anton p. 636. l. antepenult r. ought not to be suspected p. 637. l. â—4 r. but proceedid p. 641. l. 1. r. the Authors of this calumay p. 642 l. 21. r. Seniqoux p. 644 l. 11. r escap'd his pen p 646. l. 8. r. Metivi p. 647. l. 10. r. what was to be so done well c. l. 2. r. but of God The TABLE A. ABdy'd Uzerche in Limousin taken by Count Schomberg page 356 Accident by Lig htning 597 Agen Revolts 547 The Sedition there appeas'd by President du Bernet 548 Aglimant taken by Assault by the Duke de Candalle 280 Aix block'd up by the Duke of Espernon by Forts 151 The main Fort deliver'd up to Lafin 169 Surpriz'd from him by Monsieur I'Esdiguieres 171 Demolish'd 172 Alanson D. retires from Court 10 Aletz surrendred 462 Ambergris found upon the Coast of Medoc in France 236 Amiens surpriz'd by the Spaniard 198 Again besieg'd by Mareschal Byron 199 Surrendred to the King 200 Antibe taken by Assault by the Duke of Espernon 148 Archbishop of Tholouze youngest Son to the Duke of Espernon promoted to the Dignity of Cardinal 379 Arch-Duke of Austria enters upon the Government of Flanders 192 Ardres surrendred to the Arch-Duke 196 Arles surrendred to the Duke â—f Espernon 147 Arquien Governour of the Cittadel of Metz 265 266 Arras Petar'd by Mareschal Byron but in vain 201 Assassinate attempted upon the person of Monsieur de la Valette Father to the Duke of Espernon 5 Assembly of the States at Roan 197 D'Autry Intendant de la Justice 390 B. BAron de St. Surin Governour of Royan 399 Barricades of Bordeaux 543 Barricades of Paris 72 Baussonniere Nephew to le Plessis Baussonniere in danger about the Queen Mothers Escape 339 Bathes of Bannieres 487 Battel of Coutras 65 Battel of Dreux 7 Bayonne Preserv'd by the Duke of Espernon 566 Beaujeu slain before Chartres 135 Bedossan slain 194 Bellegarde D. a Favourite 29 Bethune Count sent to Treat with the Q. Mother 354 Bergerac surrender'd to the Duke de la Valette 580 Bezaudan slain in cold Blood 168 Byron's Conspiracy 216 He is sent Ambassadour into England 217 His Death 226 Birth of Henry de Foix the D. of Espernon 's eldest Son and of Bernard de Foix and de la Valette his second Son 129 Birth of Lewis Cardinal de la Valette the Duke of Espernon 's youngest Son 130 Birth of the Dolphin now King of France 595 Blumet slain before Chartres 135 Bourg reliev'd by the Duke of Espernon 129 La Boissiere slain at Aglimant 280 Bravery of a Cooper 545 Breach betwixt the Duke of Espernon and Rucellay 359 Briet 's Coach-Horses kill'd by the Duke of Espernon 's Order 500 De la Broue an excellent Rider 275 Buckingham D. 447 Bustle betwixt Arquien and Tilladet in the Cittadel of Metz 267 Bustle betwixt the Duke of Espernon and Du Vair Garde des Sceaux 310 Le Buysson a Counsellor in the Parliament of Paris 334 Bishop of Luson afterwards Cardinal de Richelieu comes to the Queen Mother to Angoulesme 3â—0 Bishop of Paris Monsieur de Retâ— created Cardinal 309 C. CAdillac founded by the Duke of Espernon 210 Caen delivered up to the King 372 Cahors surprized by the King of Navarre 22 Callis besieg'd 193 Taken by Assault 195 Calonges Governour of Montpellier his Character 410 Cambray besieg'd by the Condè de Fuentes 176 Cambresis taken by the Duke de Candalle and the Cardinal de la Valette 583 Campagnol carries Relief into Callis beyond expectation 194 His brave behaviour there 195 Cannes surrender'd to the Duke of Espernon 149 La Capelle le Catelet and Corbie taken by the Spaniards 561 Captains fourteen hang'd at Montauron by the Duke of Espernon 145 Cardinal Richelieu in disgrace 480 Restor'd to favour 482 He revenges himself upon his Enemies 484 Cardinal de la Valette made Governour of Anjou 488 His Death 604 Cardinal Richelieu made prime Minister of State 428 His ambitious designs 501 His first distaste against the Duke of Espernon 503 Another 504 He declares himself opposite to the Duke of Espernon 429 Cardinal Richelieu comes to Montauban 464 He is there visited by the Duke of Espernon 465 His expedition into Italy 472 Cardinal de Medicis sent Legate into France 197 Cardinal Aldobrandino sent Legate into France 208 Carricks of Portugal Shipwrack'd upon the Coast of Medoc â—n Guienne 441 442 Casal besieg'd by the King of Spain and the Duke of Savoy 460 The Seige rais'd 461 Caumont enters into Arms and rescues his Pather in a Skirmish near Mauvasin 6 Goes to the Siege of Rochelle and thence to Court 7 8 He puts himself into the King of Navarre 's dependence and accompâ—nies him in his Escape from St. Germaines 9 He withdraws himself from the King of Navarre 's Service 10 Caumonts second Iourney to Court where he is very well receiv'd by the King and the Queen Mother 10 11 He receives the first bounty from the King 13 He follows the Duke of Alanson in the War 14 He is sent Ambassadour into Savoy 17 Caumont Camp-Master to the Regiment of Champagâ—e at the Siege of la Fere 23 Caumont 's first Suit to the King in the behalf of his elder Brother and his high Favour 24 Caumont offers to fight the Duke of Guise but is not permitted by the King 24 25 Caumont advanc'd to the Dignity of Duke and Peer of France 26 Challenge from the Duke of Espernon to the Mareschal d' Ornano 213 The Quarrel taken up by the King 214 Challenge from the Duke of Guise to the Duke of Espernon 244 Challenge carried by Marsillac from Balagny
Religion and the German Princes hasting away their Armies into France his Majesty was forc'd to prepare himself to oppose them A Resolution that he effected with so good orders and so prudent a Conduct that their defeat ought to live for a perpetual Monument of this Princes Wisdom no man else having any voice in that deliberation It was he alone who by his own Wise Counsels rendred all the attempts of his Enemies fruitless it was he alone that overthrew them and that having by his own prudent orders made them suffer those incommodities that unnerved them and put them out of all defense gave the Duke of Guise an opportunity to win a great deal of Honour with little trouble and danger So great an advantage it is to live in the publick opinion The King having employ'd all his care and art to hinder the Reiters from entring into the Kingdom and all to no purpose and finding all Treaties and all moderate wayes ineffectual to divert the blow that was intended against him he at last put on his wonted resolution and determined bravely to encounter that danger he then plainly saw he could not with all his dexterity prevent Having therefore in this determination assembled his Council to the end he might advise with his principal Ministers about an Affair of this important consequence and having there laid open the business to them he found their opinions very different neither is it strange that men of several judgments should dissent in a resolution of this high nature some advised him to advance with his Army out of his own Conâ—ines and there to expect and fight the Enemy others were of a contrary opinion neither did the one nor the other want reasons or example to justifie their advice At last the King himself deliver'd his own opinion which was To permit the Enemy quietly to enter the Kingdom but withal to make them pass through so many difficulties and to suffer so many necessities that they should be already as good as overcome before they should come to fight He remonstrated to them that to encounter them fresh and in their trim as they came out of their own Country animated to War by the Interest of Religion and by the compassion of their Confederates were to expose things to a doubtful event That the loss of a Battel in the flourishing condition those of the Reformed Religion would be after such a Victory would endanger France and the Catholick Religion That he had a desire to preserve both the one and the other and to ruine his Enemies more leisurely but withal more surely and that there would nevertheless be Honour enough in the Victory provided it were absolute and entire This being then the final Resolution his Majesty gave order forthwith that his Armies should be all ready in Iuly following to appear at Meaux which he assigned for the general Rendezvous and besides the present Forces that he intended to set on foot he commanded that in every Province the Nobility and Train-Bands should be ready to march at the first Summons He dispatch'd also several Commissions for new Leavies to the end they might either serve to fill up the old Troops as they should grow thin or to stand for a reserve in case any thing should happen amiss to the main Army He sent Commissaries on purpose to beat down all the Ovens and Mills that were in his Enemies way from the Frontier as far as the place he had appointed for his own Quarters He caus'd all the Grain of the Country to be fetch'd in and stor'd up in the good Towns with all Artificers and Tradesmen of what condition soever He caus'd all the defensible Cities to be fortified with Men Victuals and Ammunition and on the contrary demolish'd all such places as were not tenable nor able to withstand a Siege He commanded all the Bridges to be broken down all the Fords to be spoil'd and generally all things to be destroy'd that might any way contribute to his Enemies advantage or subsistance He further sent to the Duke of Lorain that it stood with his Interest in this occasion to do the same in his Territories and having thus dispos'd all things and the Duke of Espernon having highly applauded what he had done he told the King with his wonted freedom that there was one thing yet left undone which though it were more in his Majesties Power and Royal Disposition than all the rest would nevertheless be the hardest for him to execute The King commanded him to explain himself and to tell him what that thing was promising withal to satisfie him in it whereupon the Duke growing more serious told him That he humbly besought his Majesty to command his Army in Person and alone without a Competitor that might dispute with him the Honour of a Victory that by his Prudent disposition of Affairs was as good as certain to him Which the King solemnly promis'd him he would but afterwards according to his custom giving too much ear to the Counsels of others and not enough relying upon his own wisdom he alter'd that resolution and dividing his Army into two gave the better part to the Duke of Guise and so depriv'd himself of the whole glory of that Action to bestow it upon another The Duke of Guise expert and valiant as any Prince of his time had those Forces no sooner committed to his charge but that he immediately march'd them away to the Frontiers of Champagne to observe the Enemies motion and to oblige them by his lying so near to march close together which considering the spoil that had before been made of the Country was as great an inconvenience as they could suffer The Duke of Ioyeuse had also an Employment against the King of Navarre to hold him in play in Guienne and to hinder him from joyning with the Foreign Army that came to his assistance But the Duke of Espernon was reserv'd by his Majesty to attend upon his own person as one in whom he repos'd an entire confidence and as a man whose sole and utmost aim the King evidently saw was equally directed to his Majesties Honour and to the Kingdoms safety To him the King gave the command of the Vantguard of his own Army in which Employment he so behav'd himself both with his Valour his Advice and his Experience that the very Historians of that time though envious as the greater part of men are of the greatness of Favourites could not forbear notwithstanding to attribute to him a very considerable share in the success of that memorable Defeat And here give me leave without being blam'd for a digression from my Subject and that upon the Duke of Espernon's word a man better read than any whosoever in the business of that time to oppose his Testimony against a Scandal D'Avila has publish'd not only to the discredit of the Duke of Ioyeuse his Favour but also to the infinite prejudice of his Honour
great disorder The King willing upon this occasion of the Dukes Marriage to continue his Liberalities made him then a gift of four hundred thousand Crowns but the Duke had never other advantage by it than the bare testimony of his Masters good Inclinations towards him For the Treasury being either wholly exhausted or containing no more than was necessary to defray the immediate War the money could no ways have been rais'd but by a new Tax upon the People which would have bred new Discontents and though his Majesty notwithstanding desir'd such an Imposition might be laid the Duke a truer Servant to his Masters Interests than a Friend to his own would never consent but obstinately oppos'd it The Papers are yet to be seen amongst those that were found at his Death for an eternal monument of this good Masters Affection and for a testimony of the small accompt the Servant made of a Benefit that must be exacted with the clamours of the People and that was likely to pull down a popular Odium upon his Benefactor Amongst the preparations that were made for the Duke's Marriage the King was still intent upon his business not omitting any due care that might fit his Army to receive the strangers who were now upon their March under the command of the Baron de Dona and were already advanc'd to the Frontiers of Lorain There it was that the Germans first began to be sensible of those inconveniences his Majesties prudent Conduct had strew'd in their way which still as they advanc'd further into France where they promis'd to themselves a great abundance of all things upon the false hopes wherewith their Leaders were prepossest that the whole Court favour'd the King of Navarre and that they had only the Duke of Guise to wrestle with they found more and more to encrease upon them all things remov'd out of their way that should any ways contribute to the support of so great a Body And then it was that they plainly saw the vanity of those aiery promises that had been made them they found themselves in a few days opprest with hunger thirst and sickness their Arms with rust dismounted and useless their Horses unshod and themselves expos'd to all the other miseries with which great Armies in long Marches and in an Enemies Countrey are usually afflicted By which misfortunes their eyes being opened they began to fear and to foresee those that in a short time fell upon them but amongst all those difficulties that which troubled them the most was their encounter with the Duke of Espernon who whilst they were trying to find a pass over the River Loire having continually coasted them and attended their motion with eight hundred light Horse and five hundred Harquebusses on Horseback and having by his activity and vigilancy found an opportunity to beat up a Quarter of twelve hundred Light Horse and to take the Cornets from them they plainly saw by that action what they were likely to expect for they had been made to believe that the Duke was won over to the King of Navarre's Party a slaunder which having been first spread abroad by the League those of the Reformed Religion made good use of to encourage the strangers to enter the Kingdom but they having receiv'd so smart a proof of the contrary were now undeceiv'd and the more clearly they were convinc'd of their error the more did their fears encrease which begetting at first private mutterings and growing on to publick murmurs proceeded at last to an open Mutiny The Duke well enform'd of this disorder in the Enemies Camp began with great dexterity to manage their discontents to the King's advantage he treated therefore for an accommodation both with the Reiters and the Swisse the latter of which made up a considerable part of that Army all their Infantry almost being rais'd out of the Swisse Cantons pressing nevertheless with his flying Army the Rear of the one or the other at the same time that he disturb'd their March and their Quarters with his Armies entertaining them with overtures of Agreement putting them at once in fear of the King's Force and in hopes of his clemency by which different ways of proceeding to one and the same end the two Nations equally perplex'd at last hearkned to an Accommodation which notwithstanding was concluded only with the Swisse at that time and with them the Articles were agreed upon and Sign'd under the King 's good Pleasure the 18. of November 1587. Which being afterwards ratified by his Majesty they immediately retir'd into their Confines This great body thus separated from the Reiters the remaining Army was in such perplexity that there was now nothing but disorder and confusion amongst them so that their courages being abated by the extreme necessities they suffer'd by their being abandoned by their Confederates who made up the best part of their Army and by the fear of worse michiefs to come they now thought of nothing more than of retiring from the extreme danger they saw themselves envellop'd in and then it was that they hearkened in good earnest to the Propositions which were then offer'd to them afresh by the Duke though much harder than the former neither could all the Intreaties or Authority of their Leaders as well French as those of their own Nation prevail any thing or disswade them from concluding a composition and from retiring at last into their own Country The Articles with them were Sign'd the eighth day of December in the same year by the same Duke by which it appears that his courage vigilancy and Wisdom contributed not a little to the diversion of this dangerous storm and to the preservation of the Kingdom from so powerful an invasion as that of an Army consisting of forty thousand fighting men Yet is it not to be denyed but that the Duke of Guise did also very brave service in this occasion he defeated great numbers of them both at Vilmory and at Aulneau but in the condition they then were ruin'd and disarm'd by the King 's forecast beaten and Disunited by the Duke of Espernon's Skirmishing and Practices it infinitely much facilitated the Duke of Guise his Victories to have an Enemy reduc'd to such streights before he came to engage them But if the War was carried on with good success to the King in the forementioned engagements things succeeded much otherwise on his Majesties part with the King of Navarre for the Duke of Ioyeuse having precipitated the Battel of Coutras the advantage of his Forces having blinded him even to a Contempt of the Enemy an ordinary presage of Ruine to whoever is too secure of his Fortune he there lost the Battel with his Life the twentieth of October in the same year together with as considerable a number of Nobility and Gentry as have almost fallen in one day in any one Battel in France Some have believ'd that the King was neither so much displeas'd at the loss
of this Battel nor conceiv'd himself so much prejudic'd by it as he imagin'd himself eclips'd by the Victory he soon after obtain'd over the Strangers a deplorable effect of this Princes misfortune who could neither be afflicted with his losses nor yet absolutely satisfied with his success We have already told you the Reasons the King had not to desire the King of Navarre's Ruine so that he enjoyed in part his own deâ—ire in the loss of this Battel which made for the support of the King of Navarre and his Party by whose assistance he thought with less difficulty to mate the ambitious Designs of the League Whereas the Victory obtain'd over the Reiters only serv'd to augment the Duke of Guise's Glory who was his real and capital Enemy Hence therefore proceeded his disquiet and affliction and this was it that turn'd even the prosperous successes of his Arms to his vexation and trouble His Majesty fearing left the Duke of Guise puft up with the vanity of the popular esteem and the opinion of his own merit should take upon him the assurance to ask some of the Offices which were vacant by the Duke of Ioyeuse his Decease conferr'd them all immediately upon the Duke of Espernon who was in one day made Admiral of France Governour of Normandy Caen and Havre de Grace and the dispatches were deliver'd to him at Gergeau the seventh of November 1587. the Death of the Duke of Ioyeuse hapning but in the end of October the same year Neither was this the only advantage the Duke reap'd from the ill success of this Battel for his Cousin Bellegarde Governour of Xaintonge Angoumois and the Country of Aulnis having there receiv'd a mortal Wound and dying soon after the Duke had also the Governments vacant by his decease conferr'd upon him which as we shall hereafter see at his departure from Court afforded him the benefit of a secure and honourable Retreat Although the Victories obtain'd from the German Army were very great and of great moment yet were not the Designs of the Enemy utterly ruin'd by the Defeat and Dissipation of those Forces beyond the Loire For the Hugonot Party who were infinitely solicitous to adde all the vigour and encouragement they possibly could to their cause were principally careful to re-inforce Mounsieur Lesdiguieres who was effectually a very brave Commander and one of the main pillars of their Faction There had been therefore four thousand Swisse drawn out of the main Body of the German Army and sent away into Dauphine to assist him there and to make him able either to oppose Mounsieur de la Valette or if Fortune so favour'd their Arms absolutely to drive him out of that Province a Force like enough to cut out a great deal of work in those parts But la Valette's Fortune being here constant to his Valour their coming only administred to him an opportunity wherein to share with the Duke his Brother the Honour that was to be acquir'd in the Defeat of that Foreign Enemy For opposing that great Body with only two thousand Foot and three hundred Horse he cut them all off in their passage over the River Lizere Mounsieur de Thou says that there were not fifty Prisoners remaining so that this may be reckoned amongst the other great losses that Nation sustain'd in this Expedition And that which makes it yet more remarkable is that Lesdiguieres and Chatillon being advanc'd on the other side of the River with three thousand Foot and six hundred Horse to favour their passage were beaten back and constrain'd to look on whilst their Confederates were all cut in pieces before their eyes without being able to give them the least assistance By this handsome action so happily perform'd the hopes those of the Religion had conceiv'd of reaping any signal advantage from their Victory at the Battel of Coutras and by uniting with the Foreign Army were utterly frustrated Neither can I forbear in this place to give Colonel Aphonso afterward Mareschal d' Ornano his due share of honour who fought it with singular Valour but still under Mounsieur de la Valette's Conduct and by his directions with whom no man can dispute the absolute honour of that notable Defeat After so many brave exploits atchiev'd by the King for the defense of his Kingdom and after so considerable services perform'd by the Duke of Espernon and by la Valette his Brother for the publick safety who would have imagin'd but that his Majesty should have been welcom'd home with a thousand blessings of his people and that so good Subjects should have received the praises due to their Fidelity and Valour Nevertheless all these Victories with the care industry and hazards that produc'd them wrought a quite contrary effect through the blind affection the giddy multitude had violently plac'd upon the Duke of Guise There was now no other discourse at Paris but of him the Pulpits Courts and Publick Assemblies rung with his Name it is to him only that they owe their Lives and Liberties and 't is only his presence they desire The King 's own Person and those of his most faithful Servants are become odious to the Parisians They talk high of transferring the Regal Dignity to the Duke of Guise They scatter up and down Printed Libels wherein from railing against the King proceeding on to the King of Navarre they would have him declar'd incapable of succession to the Crown to the end there might remain no title to dispute the Duke of Guise's Possession Nay to such a contempt of his Person and Royal Dignity they were grown at last that these discourses were frequent and loud in the Kings own Family his most oblig'd Servants not daring almost to reply renouncing by that poor and unmanly toleration their own interest whilst they abandoned that of their Sovereign and Benefactor Neither was there any save only the Duke of Espernon a man that slighted his own danger and despis'd the malice of all mankind when his Masters Honour lay in the Ballance who generously expos'd himself upon all occasions to the publick violence that he might preserve the integrity of his Duty Of which to give you an instance it hapned one day in a great deal of company that the Archbishop of Lions a Prelate of a ready Wit and great Elocution but passionately zealous for the League openly maintain'd That the Pope had Power to absolve Subjects from their Allegiance to their lawful Prince To which the Duke highly offended as he had reason to be at so dangerous an Argument made answer before them all That it would be as hard to perswade him to that as to make him believe that the Pope could grant a Dispensation to a Prelate to lie with his own Sister Now you must know it was generally believ'd at Court that this Prelate was too familiar with a person related to him in that degree and as injuries make the deeper impression
and that bear the greatest sway in all Humane Designs The end of the Second Book THE HISTORY Of the LIFE of the Duke of Espernon The Third Book WHilst the Dukes Enemies exercis'd his Vertue with these continual troubles they were themselves no less afflicted with their own Ambition The Assembly of the Estates was held at Bloâ—s where all things in outward shew were dispos'd in favour of the Duke of Guise but still as he approach'd nearer to his Object the greater the height and the more difficult the access unto the place to which he aspir'd appear'd unto him That one remaining step he was to climb to reach the height of his desires seeming to rise still further from him as oft as he attempted to gain it So that tir'd out with so many present difficulties and apprehending yet more those which were to come 't is said he was often almost resolv'd to leave off his Designs and to rely upon the King's Word that had so often assur'd him the enjoyment of his present greatness wherein also he doubted not without any great difficulty to maintain himself The Duke of Mayenne either jealous as some have thought of his Brothers Greatness or else of a more moderate temper than the rest of his Family had often advis'd him to this Resolution but the Cardinal their Brother and the Archbishop of Lyons were the Incendiaries that rekindled his dying Ambition and that hurried him on to that precipice into which they themselves at last fell with him They represented to him by what infinite labours and industry they had plac'd him in that height to which he was already arriv'd That if he ever had resolv'd there to limit his desires and to content himself with a competent Fortune he ought never to have undertaken those pains nor to have undergone those dangers he had so gloriously and so fortunately overcome That the merit of his Ancestors had left him greatness enough to satisfie an ordinary Ambition but that if he ever had the thought of rising above them as doubtless he had the way was open to him and that he had already overcome the greatest difficulties That the greater part of France stood for him and that almost all Foreign Princes and States were favourable to him That God himself seem'd to take his part by giving him a negligent and voluptuous Prince whose nature being softned and unnerv'd by ease and sloth had laid him open to his Designs That it was an easie matter in the condition himself then was to make him sure That not suddenly to do it it was to be fear'd the King might recover from his Lethargy and looking into himself might re-assume his former vigour and recover his almost lost Authoriâ—y That the very fear the King then liv'd in ought to be highly suspected to him That no Counsels were so violent and dangerous as those that proceeded from apprehension or extream necessity That he infinitely deceiv'd himself if he thought there could be any safety for him what promises soever the King might make in that height to which he had already rais'd himself That the Fortune of a Subject was never more unstable and unsafe than when it rendred him suspected to his Prince That he must boldly therefore step out of the quality of a Subject if he would be out of the danger of a Sovereign They further remonstrated to him what Opinion all Europe who were joyn'd together in his Favour what all good Frenchmen who were passionate in his cause what all posterity to which he ought to have a greater regard than to the present could have of his courage if the Duke of Guise only should think himself unworthy of that Dignity to which all the world besides so passionately wish'd he might arrive That he ought then boldly to end what he had so generously begun and so gloriously pursu'd and that though death it self should follow which was not in the least to be doubted it were notwithstanding more honourable to perish in so brave a Design than to survive the shame of not daring to perform it The Duke of Guise whose ambitious and unquiet Spirit was apt enough to take fire at such Counsels as these haughty and mutinous Prelates were fit to give was soon perswaded to renew his former practice and as if he had only suspended the prosecution of his Designs to take a little breath that he might fall on with greater violence he presently sent new dispatches to Rome and into Spain still more and more to fortifie himself in the Authority of the one and Strength of the other assuring further to himself at the same time either by promises or threats by himself or by his Adherents almost all the suffrages of the several Deputies of the Assembly which the King to whom all these practices were very well known being enform'd of and then seeing the manifest danger he was in of losing both his Authority and his Crown he determined to prevent the Duke by Counsels as severe and bloody as his own were rash and mutinous and to cut him off before he should have time to effect what he had so politickly and so dangerously design'dâ— A resolution which â—eing soon agreed upon with some of the Nobility his Majesty knew most faithful to him had the execution of it without further delay committed to eight of the five and forty These five and forty were all of them Gentlemen of approved Valour and for whose fidelity they who had recommended them to the King stood themselves engag'd so that of this Company to which the number had given the name his Majesty made his most assured Guard the greatest part of his Domesticks being become suspected to him and as it were wholly entrusted the safety of his Person to their Fidelity and care They attended him where-ever he went they nightly kept Guard in his Anti-Chamber and as nothing is so powerful as benefits to win the hearts and affections of men there was not one of them who besides his Salary of an hundred Crowns of Gold a month which was very much in those times had not over and above either receiv'd or had not very good reason to expect great recompenses from his Royal bounty So that these men being absolutely ty'd to all his Majesties Interests it was no hard matter to induce them to make an attempt upon the Person of the Duke of Guise against whom the King had conceiv'd a violent and implacable Hatred I shall here say nothing of the manner and circumstances of the Death of this Duke nor of that of the Cardinal of Guise his Brother who at the same time came to the same violent end most of our Historians being particular in that Relation but I can bear testimony that the Duke of Espernon did neither then nor ever since approve of that execution and that although he had receiv'd very hard measure from the Duke in his life he notwithstanding had his great
spurr'd on by these considerations had laid Siege to Bourg and were by the favour of some of the Inhabitants of their Party receiv'd into the Town without any opposition but la Ioviziere a man of approved Valour who commanded in the Castle defended himself so well notwithstanding the ill condition of the place and the vigour of the Assailants who press'd hard upon him that he gave the Duke time to come to his Relief at whose first appearance the Enemy retir'd when the Duke having publickly commended the Governours Valour and the fidelity of some honest Inhabitants who had stuck stoutly to him in this occasion withdrew the Captain into his own Service for the testimony he had given of his Valour leaving Campagno after Colonel of the Regiment of Guards and since Governour of Boulogne with a good Garrison in his room as judging this place of that importance that it ought to have a person of no less Authority to defend it against any attempt from the Garrison of Blaye so near and so dangerous a Neighbour Yet did not the Duke keep it long in his possession for the King not long after commanding him to deliver it up to him he immediately obey'd though he had in a mannâ—r himself made a conquest of it Some say that the Mareschal de Matignon jealous of so considerable a neighbour as the Duke had earnestly importun'd the King to retrive this place out of his hands The Duke having by these successes settled all his Neighbours in peace whilst the rest of the Kingdom was in trouble it was but reasonable that he himself should share in that felicity wherein his Valour and Vigilancy had so fortunately establish'd others and of this he receiv'd the first and most happy fruits by the Blessing God was pleas'd to give his Marriage-Bed for having been already three years Married to Marguerite de Foix Countess of Candale without Issue the great and various agitations wherewith he had been continually exercis'd all that time scarce allowing him the leisure to live in company with his Wife at last this vertuous Lady in March 1591. was at Xaintes brought to Bed of Henry de Foix and de la Valette his eldest Son whom we have since seen Duke of Candale and whose Valour has manifested it self in most parts of Europe where he acquir'd the Reputation of one of the greatest Captains of his time To these Military Vertues he had yet the addition of so many other excellent qualities that it was hard to say which was to be most admir'd his Valour in War his Sweetness in Conversation or his Prudence and Dexterity in the Management and Conduct of the most weighty Affairs The year following 1592. the Duke was enrich'd with another Son Bernard de Foix and de la Valette who was boâ—â— at Angoulâ—sme and who is now the sole Heir of that illustrious Family a Prince whose Vertues would furnish me with sufficient matter for his praise did not his modesty impose my silence The third and last was Lewis Cardinal de la Valette born at Angoulesme the year following one whom the Court esteem'd and acknowledg'd for the greatest and most accomplish'd Courtier that had there been bred for many years He render d himself conspicuous in his profession whilst he continued in it by embellishing and adorning an excellent natural ingenuity with the choicest Flowers of Divine and Humane Learning and doubtless had he apply'd himself wholly to his Book might have gone equal to the most famous Church-men of this latter age but the heat of his Courage having tempted him out of the bounds of his Spiritual Profession he prov'd a better Captain than the chance of War would give him leave long to continue for the Wars of Italy wherein he serv'd the State with unparallel'd Diligence and greater Success than was to be expected from so few Forces as he commanded spurr'd on his untimely Fate as also his elder Brothers who both of them in less than four months space lost their lives in the same Army Whilst the Duke had been employing his Power and Person in these foremention'd exploits there had pass'd much important action about the Person of the King who after the Skirmish of Arques and the Battel of Yâ—ry was grown to such a height of Power and Reputation as had put him into a condition to undertake the Siege of Paris which doubtless he might then have taken if on the one side his Majesty had been less solicitous to preserve the City which would have been utterly destroy'd should his Army have entred by storm or on the other side the Citizens had been less obstinate in their defense but their despair fortifying and hardning them against their necessities which in truth were insupportable they gave the Duke of Mayenne time to fetch the Duke of Parma to their Relief which for some years prorogu'd the entire Victory his Majesty might then but for his Clemency have obtain'd After the raising of this Siege the King's Army being much decay'd by the length and ill success thereof all the Catholicks who had thus long serv'd his Majesty even his most particular Servants took the liberty highly to complain of his slow proceeding towards his intended Conversion as also the several Societies and Companies of the Kingdom generally sent their Deputies humbly to beseech his Majesty to put an end to that good work which would likewise put an end â—o all his own troubles and be the only means to preserve his Kingdom nay even the Court it self grew importunate in the same 〈◊〉 and were already laying the design of a third Party which would have involv'd the King in a new difficulty his Majesty had then no need of but to prevent all inconveniencies to stop mens mouths and to hinder all these Court-practices his Majesty saw it necessary to renew the War with new vigour and by some notable and important action to gain a reputation to his Party He took therefore a resolution to call all the Nobility he could win over to him about his person and that not so much to re-inforce his Army by their presence as to hinder them being at distance and in full liberty to dispose of themselves from joyning either with those Factions already form'd by his Enemies or such as were now even by those who had hitherto follow'd his Fortune forming against him Nevertheless his Majesty knowing very well that the major part of those who had separated themselves from him had done it meerly out of respect to Religion and that they would not easily be induc'd to return unless he first gave them some hopes as to that particular he sent to assure them that he desir'd nothing more ardently than to be instructed in the Catholick Religion to the end that with the satisfaction and safety of his Conscience he might make open profession of it to all the world Upon this assurance of his speedy Conversion which
and practices that might discompose the calm of Peace his Kingdom was now settled in but so it was that for one or both these reasons he engag'd the greatest part of his Nobility whom he knew to be monied men in vast designs of this kind amongst whom his Majesty conceiving the Duke of Espernon to be one the most at his ease he was so importunate with him as to cause a plot for Cadillac to be design'd in his own Presence order'd the charge of the whole to be cast up and made one of his own Architects to undertake for an hundred thousand Crowns to begin and perfect the work upon which assurance the Duke as has been said in the year 1598 began the foundation conceiving that such a summe as that he might without inconvenience spare to gratifie his Masters humour though time afterwards gave him to understand how hard a thing it is to contain a man's self within a determinate charge after he has once set his hand to so tempting a work as Building this Pile before it was finish'd having cost him above two millions of Livres 'T is very true and which seldom happens to undertakers of such vast designs that with this infinite expense he brought the greatest and most stately pile of Building the Royal Houses excepted in France very near to perfection the whole body of the Building being perfected before his death and nothing save some few Ornaments left to finish neither had he left those to his Successors had not the disgrace of being withdrawn from his Government which still afflicted him diverted his thoughts from the sole care of that design The Duke as has been said being come into Guienne to take a view of his Building arriv'd at the City of Bourdeaux in the beginning of August where he found the Mareschal d' Ornano but newly there establish'd Lieutenant for the King by the decease of the Mareschal de Matignon who died of an Apoplexy and where their old Animosities though great were nevertheless on both sides so well dissembled as not to hinder a mutual Civility betwixt them no more than these civilities could hinder past jealousies from breaking out upon the first occasion into a new and open rupture This Mareschal though an Alien born had yet by his Valour and Fidelity acquir'd so great a reputation in France as in the Reign of Henry the III. to be a great confident to that Prince to whom the Duke of Espernon having been a principal Favourite it is nothing strange that a man of inferiour credit should envy another in a higher degree of Favour neither if the Mareschal were prepossess'd with this antiquated jealousie was the Duke on his part insensible of the recent traverses he had in Provence receiv'd from him the greatest part of the disgraces he had met with in that Country having been laid in his way by the opposition of l' Esdiguieres and him all which put together it may easily be imagin'd were likely to beget no very good blood between them To this the Mareschal a man of an imperious and haughty temper and who only under a forc'd smoothness conceal'd a natural arrogance could with no patience endure a Superiour an humour that made him with great anxiety look upon the Honours which at the Duke's arrival at Burdeaux he receiv'd from the Parliament with the other Orders of the City and which were also continued to him by the Nobility at Cadillac who from all parts came in to do him Honour But if his impatience were great before it was rais'd up to the height when he knew the Duke who well enform'd of his dissatisfaction to make it yet more had invited all the Nobility and Gentry of the Country to Bordeaux to a publick running at the Ring a solemnity that being there to be kept where he was in Supreme Command the Duke knew would much more nettle and afflict him It is very true that the Duke might have forborn this Bravado to a man whom he knew to be so tender of his Honour as the Mareschal d' Ornano was and perhaps it was not well done to offer that to another he himself would never have endur'd from any man living in a place where he had commanded in Chief but having once engag'd in the business his great spirit whatever might succeed would by no means give him leave to desist especially when he knew the Mareschal was resolv'd by open force to oppose him This was that which made what was before only a private discontent to break out into open quarrel which grew so high that the Mareschal address'd himself to the Parliament where in the presence of them all he complain'd what a commotion the Duke went about to stir up amongst the people to the prejudice as he pretended of his Majesties Affairs acquainting them at the same time with his resolution to make his Garrison stand to their Arms to play his Cannon and in fine to do what in him lay with all the power and authority he had to break that appointment and to drive the Duke from the City This declaration from a man of his furious spirit as it very much troubled the whole Assembly so it gave the first President D' Affis one of the greatest men that Society ever had since its first institution and a particular friend of the Duke's having by him in his times of favour been rais'd to that dignity occasion to make use of his Eloquence in the best Arguments he could contrive to disswade the Mareschal from that determination but all in vain he had already given out his orders and summon'd the Gentry to come in to his assistance though not a man save only one call'd Ruat would appear a thing which though perfectly true appears almost incredible that a Governour of so great Authority and Repute should be able to procure no more than one single man to serve him against the Duke of Espernon in his own Government Neither were the people better dispos'd than the Nobility and Gentry to take Arms against the Duke all men on the contrary of any note both within and without the City so manifestly appearing for him that the Governour was forc'd to arm his Garrison of Corses and to call his Company of Gens-d ' Armes out of their Country Quarters into the Town which were yet apparently too weak to execute the Mareschal's design And this was in effect the main cause that hindred things from proceeding into a greater disorder the Duke satisfied with the advantage every one plainly saw he had over his Enemy being the more easily enclin'd to the Parliaments solicitations who had sent their second President Nesmond to him to entreat he would not persist in his first resolution at whose instance and being loath to disturb the Peace of his Country as also to expose the great number of Gentlemen of Quality who were about him against a Garrison in his own particular quarrel and having a greater
Chevreuse who was lean'd upon one of the Boots of the Coach on the dark side where he could not be perceiv'd commanded the Coach-man not to stir seeking as it was plain enough out of youthful bravery an occasion to quarrel nor did the Duke fail to give him as good a one as he could desire for not being able longer to endure the insolency of so base a fellow he cudgell'd the Coach-man so well that he forc'd him at last to give back The Prince de Ioinville who perhaps forbore out of respect to the Duke of Montpensier appear'd not at all in the business at that time but in the morning sent the Gentleman of his Horse le Comté by name to question the Duke about it The Duke was yet in his bed and asleep when the Gentleman came but being wak'd by the Groom of his Chamber who never refus'd admittance to any he sent for him to his bed-side where being come the Gentleman told him that he was sent by the Prince of Ioinville his Master to know if when he beat the Coachman over night he did it to affront him To which the Duke returning no answer but only asking him where his Master was and the other having answered that he staid at the foot of Montmartre with a good Horse and a good Sword to expect him he without more words leap'd out of his Bed drest himself in the Gentleman's presence and having led him into his Armory took out thence two Swords of equal length whereof he gave him the choice by which time the Master of his own Horse being also come to him they went all three together to the place Being there come the Duke found the Prince de Ioinville ready to receive him their Swords were already drawn and they were just going to 't when the Prince who had his face towards Paris â—eeing a Party of â—orse coming that way and suspecting it was with an intent to prevent them shew'd them to the Duke telling him withal that they must spur to gain the Bois de Boulogne and without more words turn'd his Horse that way The Duke who by the distance of those he saw conceiv'd they had yet time enough to end their dispute before they could come in to interrupt them had a great mind without going further to have dispatch'd the business there but being necessitated to follow the Prince who was already upon the gallop towards the Wood he spurr'd after though they could not make such haste but that they were interrupted before they could come there and by their Friends carried back to the City Where the King having notice of their Quarrel commanded them both to the Louvre and there took up the buâ—iness making them embrace in his presence and promise to be good friends That which was most remarkable on the Duke's side in this occasion was that the number of those who declar'd themselves of his Party was so great that they took up all the space betwixt the Roule to the Louvre whilst the Duke of Ioinville was only countenanc'd by those of his own Relation whose interest in Paris was at this time very much declin'd from what it had formerly been in the life of the Duke his Father Although the residence of this great City was very pleasing to the King yet could not the delights that entertain'd him there detain his Majesty from visiting all parts of his Kingdom where he conceiv'd his presence to be necessary for the advancement of his Affairs We saw him the last year in Limousin and this invited him into Champagne and as far as Sedan to reduce the Duke of Boüillon to his duty This Duke keeping himself still at a distance from the Court and refractory to several Summons his Majesty had sent him to make his appearance and by justifying himself to obtain his favour it was plain that his refusing to come was a contempt to the Sovereign Authority and that therefore his Majesty in the vindication of his own honour was oblig'd to chastize him Neither did he longer defer for that purpose to make his preparation for a Journey to Sedan In this expedition the Duke of Espernon whom the King began now much better to relish and whose admirable care and vigilancy upon all occasions gave his Majesty infinite satisfaction had the command of the Vant-Guard committed to him and had matters proceeded to the necessity of a Siege was design'd for one of the most important Quarters against the Town but the Duke of Boüillon having at last shut himself up in the place and not willing to pull upon himself the utmost effects of the King's indignation had recourse to his mercy and by his submissions together with the Queens intercession who ordinarily accompanied the King in all his Motions obtain'd of his Majesty an indempnity for all things past upon the most favourable terms he could himself expect or desire Whereupon he receiv'd the King into the City the seventh of April 1606. with a Garrison of 300. men which by the condition of the Accommodation were to remain four years in the Castle during which time his Majesty would make tryal of this new Convert's perseverance in his duty but that long space was by his Majesties favour reduc'd to a few months the bounty of this generous Prince ever contracting the term of mens disgraces his displeasure being short liv'd and of no continuance but his noble nature being ever constant to oblige all his Subjects Though the following year was pass'd over without any disturbance in the Kingdom yet did his Majesties Name and Reputation give him opportunity and by his Authority Power to compose one of the most dangerous differences that could possibly have hapned amongst Christian Princes and that was the falling out betwixt the Pope Paul the V. and the Republick of Venice a disorder that had it not in time been taken up would infallibly have involv'd all Christendom in the Quarrel and it is infiniâ—ely to be fear'd have given the Turk opportunity in so great a confusion to have made a formidable advance into the very heart of Europe A danger that his Majesty than whom none was clearer sighted very well forsaw and retaining a grateful memory of the obligations he had receiv'd both from the Holy Sea and that Republick at his advancement to the Crown as soon undertook to interpose betwixt those two powerful adversaries The business was carried on by the mediation of the Cardinal de Ioyeuse and Cardinal Perron wherein the one and the other proceeding according to his Majesties wise direction their endeavours were at last crown'd with success and all things concluded to the satisfaction of both parties but chiefly to the Honour of France which now appear'd to be the Arbiter of all the Estates of Europe And indeed in those times all things in a manner were sway'd by his Majesties will his desire being almost a rule to all Princes in all Affairs Neither was there
in the whole world a Kingdom to be found more glorious more flourishing or more happy than that of France during the Reign of this mighty Prince Yet could not all this reputation abroad secure him from afflictions at home neither could his greatness and bounty exempt him from the power of Death who first exercising his cruelty upon some of his Family discharg'd in the end his whole rage and fury upon his own person The precedent year had ravish'd from him one of the Princes his Children and this depriv'd him of the Duke of Montpâ—nsier his Cousin a Prince for whom his Majesty had as great a kindness as for any whatsoever of his Blood as he made it appear by the true sorrow he manifested for his death but the Duke of Espernon was afflicted beyond all expression I have already given an accompt of the Alliance betwixt these two and of the particular Friendship that Alliance begot I shall now further say they were inseparable in their conversation their Interests went ever hand in hand with one another and it will be hard to find a Friendship so pure and constant betwixt two private persons as they ever preserved entire in the corruptions and revolutions of the Court Neither could the friendship of a Prince of his extraction and vertue be otherwise than of great importance to the Duke whose prosperity and advancement had procur'd him so much envy and consequently so many enemies yet was he constrain'd to submit to the inevitable necessity of death and to bear with patience a loss for which there was no other remedy This accident was yet follow'd by another the ensuing year at which the Duke was almost equally afflicted Pere Ange de Ioyeuse Father-in-law to the Duke of Montpensier had been return'd into the Order of Fathers Capuchins from the year 1599. from which time he had continued in the austerity of his Canon with so great zeal and sanctity that he was become a president of Vertue and Holy Living to all the Religious Men of his Order Yet did he not when returning to the observation of his Vow he threw off all worldly vanities and desires banish from his breast those true affections which Nature and Reason had planted in his heart but on the contrary had ever in his greatest retirement cherish'd the Duke's friendship as if he had been his true Brother in Blood as he was in Alliance and Affection Neither was the Duke on his part less sedulous to improve so vertuous an Interest ever honouring and loving him even in his penitential Sack-cloath at as high a rate as when he liv'd in the greatest Lustre in the most honourable employments and applying himself with greater diligence to the Interests of his House and to the advancement of his Daughter than when he himself liv'd upon the great Theatre of the busie world so that in different capacities of living their friendship continued still one and the same till death came to cut the knot which along had power to dissolve it This Holy man died at Rivoly in Piedmont in his return from Rome in great reputation of Sanctity and Vertue which has since by time been made more manifest to all The following year affords so little considerable to be said of the Duke of Espernon in particular the Court being at this time wrap'd in so great a calm and security that there is nothing of moment to be reported of any save the King himself that it might well enough be pass'd over in silence But having hitherto found out something or other to record in the foregoing years I had rather travel not out of my subject only but also out of the affairs of the Kingdom than to omit the most glorious proof his Majesty could possibly give of his Authority with all the Princes and States of Christendom in the conclusion of the Truce betwixt the Crown of Spain and the States of the United Provinces This great affair had been fruitlesly propos'd almost from the very first bustle of Arms in that Country neither had endeavours been wanting even in the heat of the most bloody executions that the fury of War has perhaps produc'd in any part of Europe for the effecting of so good a work Treaties of Accommodation having every year during those troubles been constantly by some or other set on foot but the animosity of Factions the difference of Religions and the variety of Events that had ever kept Affairs on both sides as it were in-equal balance had so exasperated the minds of men that scarce any proposition of Peace would be endur'd A work it seems reserv'd to be an additional Ray to the King's Glory whose reputation only could cut the knot of all those difficulties Spain had great need of Peace which having often without interessing the King in the Affair sought in vain he was in fine constrain'd to apply himself to him to procure it and wholly to submit all things to his Arbitration A task the King very well satisfied with so high and publick an acknowledgment of his power as readily undertook and to that purpose dispatch'd away President Ianin and the Sieur de Râ—issy to manage the Work by whose prudent conduct fortified by their Masters Reputation they effected that by the weight of Authority which perhaps their dexterity how great soever without great labour and expence of much time could not otherwise have brought to pass So that things were reduc'd to the point the parties concern'd could themselves desire from whence followed an universal Peace amongst all Christian Princes It was into this tranquille condition that the Affairs of Europe were first to be wrought before the King could begin to form it into the new mould he had long design'd for this great Prince born to reconcile Monarchy and Justice being unable to endure the proud Authority with which the Crown of Spain lorded it over all her Neighbours and more impatient that by the expansion of his Empire the Spaniard should reap advantages which he conceiv'd were more justly due to his Birth and Valour he resolv'd to clip the wings of this soaring greatness to make him give back those Territories he usurp'd from his Neighbours to restore the Republicks their ancient liberty and finally to reduce his power to the limits of his primitive possession This in short is all that can be said of the King's designs and all that such as conceiv'd they penetrated deepest into his most private thoughts could possibly divine it being most certain that he discover'd the bottom of his design to none which had it been communicated to any the Duke of Espernon would doubtless in this conjuncture have participated of the trust but as this great Prince would execute all things in his own person so did he here reserve to himself the secret of his resolutions insomuch that though his Army was all ready drawn into the Field that he himself was immediately to
That to procure their consents there was no way so plausible and consonant to Law as therein to interest all the Parliaments of France by prevailing with that of Paris whose whose Act would be a kind of Warranty to the rest That should they have staid the coming of the Count de Soissons he would by his presence infallibly have sway'd all things according to his inclination That the Prince of Condé coming after would have been impatient at his younger Brother's getting the start of him in an Affair where the priority of Vote in the Election was in him by which means the variety of their interests not permitting them to concur in an Act wherein each of them would be ambitious to precede a fraction betwixt them must of necessity ensue That for that reason he had us'd all diligence in pressing the Parliament to a speedy resolution in favour of the Queen In the carrying on of which Affair it is in my opinion something hard to determine whether the Stars of France or the Duke's Prudence did most prevail It is not to be denied but that both the one and the other contributed very much to the happy performance of this great work But it is likewise most certain that the business had never been so fortunately effected if the Duke had less prudently foreseen what was likely to ensue or had proceeded with less diligence and vigour to the establishment of this Election to the general benefit of the Kingdom wherein if he perform'd a signal Service to the State he did no less for the Prince who would have met with no little impediments to his rising greatness had he at his return found the Count de Soissons settled as it were a Co-partner in the Government by being possess'd of some of the most important Employments of the Kingdom Thus was this business carried on France being from the highest step of her Glory precipitated into the greatest extream of her Misfortune and the King's Triumphs being in a moment overcast with the Funeral Black of his Obsequies but the re-establishment of the State overthrown by so great and so tragick a Revolution and the publick happiness in an instant secur'd without one drop of Blood was it not an afternoons work of the Duke of Espernon and can so great a success without injustice be attributed to any thing but to his prudent Conduct In the Narrative whereof I have not added one syllable more than the truth and doubtless there are many yet alive that can justifie all I have said I know very well that the Historians of that time have not mention'd all the particularities I have as material to my purpose insisted upon and that those who have been most exact have recorded but very few in their Relations which is in part the reason why I have more willingly enlarg'd my self in this discourse that I might impartially render what is so justly due to Truth and Virtue The sad accident of the King's Death was so suddenly spread all over Europe that it seem'd as if his person rais'd to the highest pitch of Honour to which man can arrive had fall'n in the sight of all the world The Prince of Condé who as has been said resided then at Milan receiv'd the first news of it from the Condé de Fuentes which was immediately after confirm'd by a Courrier dispatch'd purposely to him from the Queen Regent to invite him back into France The Count de Soissons who was but two little days journey from Paris was much sooner inform'd and at the same instant in all diligence repair'd thither to see what this accident might produce where he arriv'd the sixteenth of May two days only after the King's Death but late enough notwithstanding to find all things dispatch'd to his hand So that matters being already concluded the Queens Authority establish'd the Parliament People Souldiery and whole City settled in their Duty and nothing lest for him to do but to approve what was already done and which he could no ways hope to overthrow had he dislik'd it he was fain whether sincerely or otherwise to concur in the Election and thereupon went to present himself to the Queen where he assur'd her Majesty of his Faith and absolute Obedience The Count at his arrival at Court observing the Duke of Espernon to be seated in that degree of Favour and Reputation to which by his signal and recent Services to the Queen he might justly pretend he forthwith resolv'd to contract a strict connexion with him as accordingly by making him a tender of his Friendship and assistance against all whomsoever he endeavour'd to do neither did he do it but upon very good consideration for foreseeing that the Prince of Condé returning to Court as he soon after did would infallibly take upon him the preeminence and degree due to his Quality and Birth he would by that means labour so to establish himself before his arrival that it should not be in the Princes Power to shake him To which end he could pitch upon none so proper to support his Interest as the Duke of Espernon who was at that time the most considerable person in the Kingdom The Queen had appointed him Lodgings in the Louvre not conceiving her self secure as she was pleas'd to say but under his Vigilancy and Valour all dispatches were communicated to him his Orders and Advice were in all things follow'd and observ'd so that would he have stretch'd his Authority to the utmost or had he been ambitious of favour he might doubtless with great facility have made himself sole Master of Affairs but so far was he from desiring to appear necessary though effectually so to the excluding those who had right to the Council that on the contrary he entreated the Queen to call and admit into it all such as either by the priviledge of their Birth or by the repute of their capacities might reasonably pretend to that Honour coveting no greater advantage than to have a concurrence with worthy men for the publick Safety and seeing he could not without drawing great envy upon himself possess alone that preeminence in the Administration to which the King had design'd him he was content with the rest to share that part which could not equitably be denied to his approv'd Fidelity and Wisdom Though the Count de Soissons had the foremention'd reasons to seek the Duke of Espernon's friendship he had yet therein a further and a more important design and that was by the Duke's assistance to procure a Match betwixt Madamoiselle â—de Montpenâ—ier the Duke's Niece and his own Son Lewis of Bourbon since Count de Soissons neither was the Duke so ill read in this Princes intention that he did not very well perceive at what part he took his aim which made him though he receiv'd the offer of his friendship with the respect due to a Prince of the Blood nevertheless accept it with such a gravity and reservation as
Reformation was expected to ensue was immediately follow'd by a War upon which the Council after having long waver'd in the uncertainty of the Peace so lately and so dearly bought saw it necessary at last to resolve The discontents of the Prince of Condé was again the cause of this as it had been of the late Commotion and those discontents again founded upon the greatness of Conchini now advanc'd to the honour of Mareschal of France The Mareschal therefore finding the Prince had conceiv'd an implacable animosity against him and very well foreseeing that unless he freed himself from the difficulties he would eternally strew in his way he could never raise himself to that pitch of greatness to which he did aspire he resolv'd to come to a publick Rupture with him and to remove him from the King's Presence by a War that should for a sufficient time secure himself from those obstacles he was otherwise certain to receive from so powerful an Enemy The Prince was already retir'd in great discontent from Court having as before taken the way of Champagne that he might be near Sedan his surest refuge should he be overmatch'd by the Royal Power where after Conchini had long amus'd him with the hope of some advantageouâ— Accommodation he at one blow cut him off that expectation by causing a Summons to be sent him to be in readiness to attend the King in his Progress into Guienne whither his Majesty was resolv'd shortly to take a Journey for the consummation of his Marriage an Affair that having ever been oppos'd by the Prince he very well understood the meaning of that Summons and now plainly saw how he was to trust in the strength of his own Arms. He had ever since the last breach been so solicitous to continue his intelligence and to maintain the League he had contracted with the Lords of his Party the precedent year that it was no hard matter for him to engage them in this nâ—w Quarrel the Dukes of Longuâ—ville Mayenne Vendosme and Nevers declar'd highly in his favour and the Duke of Boüillon whose interest carried the whole Hugonot Faction along with it did the same so that all things were apparently dispos'd for an intestine War in all the best Provinces of the Kingdom So many discontented persons and those so considerable in themselves put the Court into no little disorder the Kings Journey in order to his Marriage had been resolv'd upon and the time with the Spanish Agents concluded which was every where so publickly known that the Honour of the King and the Queen Mother was not a little concern'd in the consummation of a thing to which they were so solemnly engag'd but there was scarce any who durst undertake to overcome the difficulties were prepar'd to hinder that great Affair For after the retirement of all the forenam'd Princes there was not any remain'd at Court except the Dukes of Guise and Espernon who were capable of serving the King in so dangerous an occasion and of these the Duke of Guise though in shew well enough with the Queen stood nevertheless so suspected to her that she durst not trust an Army in his hands lest by joyning with the discontented Princes whereof the greater part were his Kindred or nearly ally'd to him his Majesties Person might be left wholly to their discretion and although she had not the same jealousie of the Duke of Espernon no body doubting his Fidelity yet could not that command be conferr'd upon him without giving offense to the Duke of Guise In this anxiety then how she might satisfie them both the Duke of Espernon went one day to attend the Queen where he made it his humble request to her Majesty she would not in the least consider his particular satisfaction in this occurrence Telling her he should ever be very well satisfied provided their Majesties were serv'd as they ought to be That he did hope they would and that he was doing something in order to securing their Journey so far as Bordeaux wherein he nevertheless pretended to no other Command than barely to ride in the head of those Friends which he should make ready for that Service That perhaps a greater Authority might give distaste to some who at this time were by no means to be disoblig'd That for what concern'd the Princes a good Army interpos'd betwixt them and Paris under the command of some man of Quality and Experience would be sufficient and that for any thing could be apprehended from those of the Religion whose greatest strength were in Poitou Xaintongue and Rochelle upon the way to Bordeaux he himself would undertake his Governments in those parts giving him sufficient power so to do The Queen Mother by this assurance being confirm'd in her first design â— told the Duke that she absolutely resign'd the King's Person and her own to his care and protection that she therefore desir'd him to order all things as should seem to him the most convenient as she absolutely left them to his Valour and Wisdom A Commission the Duke had no sooner receiv'd but that seeing himself authorized so to do he caus'd the King's departure the seventeenth of August to be proclaim'd perswading the Queen to confer the Command of the Army which was to attend the Princes motion upon the Mareschal de Bois-Dauphin advising her Majesty further and in the first place to provide for the security of Paris that the Princes Servants who had great Authority in the City might raise no commotion there in their Majesties absence After therefore that had been taken order for by the securing of some eminent and suspected persons the Court departed from Paris happily arriving in a few days at Poictiers and had not Madam the King's Sister fallen sick of the Small Pox delayed their Journey their Majesties had been upon their return before the Princes could have got their Forces together but that unhappy accident having constrain'd them to stay near two months at Poictiers gave their Enemies leisure to put them into great apprehensions which was also the only harm they received from this insurrection At the same City of Poictiers there hapned another disorder at this time wherein had not the Duke of Espernon who was principally concern'd in the Affair rendred himself unusually tractable another obstacle to that Progress had infallibly ensu'd The Duke of Guise from the time of his Marriage with the Dutchess of Montpensier had pretended to the Wardship of Madamoiselle her Daughter who was Inheritrix to such a Fortune as might reasonably induce any man to covet the management of so brave an Estate which nevertheless he could not obtain without the consent of the Duke who was great Uncle to the young Princess and he having very good reason to believe the Duke of Guise did in this claim more consider his own interest than that of the Dutchess of Montpensier his Niece would never gratifie him in that particular But the Duke of Guise conceiving
could not however leave the Queens Court as being ty'd there by the obligation of his Command A consideration that forcing him to continue there he would nevertheless let his absent friend see how much he interested himself in his disgrace by quarrelling with those he conceiv'd had most contributed to it Wherein his malice must of necessity be directed against the Bishop of Luçon and those of his party Neither did the excessive favours they all receiv'd from the Queen a little add to the jealousie and envy of her other Domesticks and Servants they having alone obtain'd all the Governments of Anjou granted to the Queen in this Accommodation neither indeed was any thing granted but to them or at their request who alone absolutely dispos'd of all Affairs Themines therefore having resolv'd to take upon himself the revenge of all the rest took occasion to require an explanation from Richelieu of some things of very little moment which in the heat of the Debate as it commonly falls out grew at last to an absolute quarrel betwixt them Wherein having several times been prevented from fighting sometimes by the friends of the one party and sometimes of the other one day the Marquis de Themines mounted upon a little pad Nag met Richelieu in the open street whereupon alighting from his Horse they talk'd together but not long before their Swords were out when the Marquis stooping to get under Richelieu's Sword which was longer than his receiv'd a thrust which running all along his back rip'd up the skin only whilst at the same time he ran Richelieu quite through the heart who fell stone dead upon the place without being able to utter one word I hapned amongst some others accidentally to be a spectator of this Duel by which unfortunace thrust how many future Offices and Commands were made vacant and what might not this unhappy man have pretended to and expected from the infinite power of a Brother so affectionate to him had he liv'd to see him in that height of greatness to which he afterwards arriv'd Some days before this accident the Peace had been concluded to both their Majesties mutual satisfaction wherein the Queen as has been said had granted to her the Government of Anjou with the Castles of Anger 's Chinon Pont de Cé with the other places of that Province being promis'd withal that she should see the King as she did and from his Majesties own mouth be assur'd that when ever she pleas'd she might go to Court As for the Duke of Espernon after having receiv'd a ratification from the Queen of those Services he had done for her he at last sued out his Pardon from the King the only Pardon he ever stood in need of in all his life as having never excepting here in the Queen Mothers quarrel had a hand in any commotion whatsoever Both he and the Marquis his Son were restor'd to all their Estates Offices and Honours in the same condition they were before the War one thing only excepted which he could by no means obtain and that was the Cittadel of Xaintes which that it might not be put into an enemies hand he was forc'd to consent it should be demolish'd During the time of this Treaty the Council had generally been held in the Duke's Lodgings where the Bishop of Luçon was ever very diligent he came continually to the Duke's Table waiting very often in the Parlour and in his Bed-Chamber his vacancies and leisure an asâ—iduity and respect that promis'd for the future an inviolate love and friendship the Duke also on his part was infinitely obliging to him espousing all his Interests and declaring himself upon all occasions highly partial and affectionate to him notwithstanding all which we shall in time see so strange an alteration in them both and so antartick to those good dispositions betwixt them as will sufficiently inform us how little dependence there is upon the humours of men when an inconsiderate passion a little interest or which is more light than either a meer jealousie has power in a moment to overthrow the greatest and most inviolate friendship Whilst this Treaty was in agitation there hapned yet another untoward accident though no great matter was made of it and that was this A little before the conclusion of the Treaty a Powder-maker of Limousin came and made an offer of his person to such as he very well knew were enemies both to the Queen and the Duke of Espernon undertaking to insinuate himself into the Castle of Angoulesme and to fire the Powder in the Magazine the quantity whereof was so great as must infallibly have blown up the whole Town with the Castle and have reduc'd them both to ashes Which fellow though taken in the manner and upon the point to execute his cursed determination had nevertheless no greater punishment for his crime than bare imprisonment and that of a few days only the Queen it should seem desiring no other satisfaction than that of having escap'd the danger nor permitting he should so much as be put to the Question that she might not be oblig'd to an animosity against those who had either suggested to him the thought or encourag'd him in the execution of so damnable a design So that the Treaty receiv'd no interruption by this practice Bethune by his dexterity and prudence bringing it in the end to a happy conclusion All things therefore being resolv'd upon the King desiring that those assurances had been given to the Queen his Mother by his Agent should be further confirm'd to her by some person of eminent condition and Authority sent to her on his behalf dispatch'd away the Cardinal de la Rochefoucault whom he knew to be a man of great conduct and exceedingly acceptable to her The Duke beginning from this time forward to live after the rate of a man reconcil'd to his Prince would do all the Honour he could to his Ministers and therefore treated the Cardinal and Bethune with a magnificence that tasted nothing of the incommodities of the late War The Duke de Luines also desirous to regain the Queens favour and to satisfie her that he intended for the future really to become her Servant sent to her Brantes his younger Brother and since Duke of Luxembourg to assure her thereof by whom he also sent very civil and obliging Letters to the Duke of Espernon to which the Marriage that was celebrated at this time betwixt the Prince of Piedmont since Duke of Savoy and Madam Christina of France having given this Prince together with Prince Thomas his Brother accasion also to come pay their respects to the Queen her Court seem'd in that little place little inferiour to the Kings at Paris The change of her fortune invited moreover every day new Servants over to her every one now appearing as zealous to obtain her favour as they had before been shie and cold in embracing her interest and engaging in her quarrel
the Queen who had no mind to be kept any longer at a distance from the King her Son endeavour'd with Luines and that with all the insinuation and artifice her haughty and imperious nature would permit to remove those difficulties which as they had been the causes of their former separation were most likely to oppose their concurrence now The next day after her arrival the King with all his Royal houshold came also to Cousieres where at their first enterview there was nothing but mutual manifestations of great affection and tenderness on both sides from whence their Majesties went the same day to Tours where for some days they continued together but in the end after all this dissembled kindness the King returning towards Paris left the Queen more dissatisfied to see her self oblig'd to go to Anger 's after so many assurances that had been given her she should no more depart from Court than she had been before pleas'd with these demonstrations of Honour and Respect wherewith they had endeavour'd to deceive her credulity and to flatter her sincere intention From thenceforward therefore she so far resented Lâ—ines his ill usage as to meditate a revenge and how by a second War to procure what by this first Peace she saw she could not obtain neither was the Bishop of Luçon become now absolute with her sorry to see her so dispos'd He consider'd that whilst his Mistriss remain'd thus excluded from Court her power being so small his could not consequently be very great a consideration that made this aspiring spirit who already had propos'd to himself no less than the Government of the Kingdom suffer if possible with greater impatience than the Queen her self those obstacles that he saw were oppos'd to the level of his haughty Ambition and vast designs Animated therefore with these reflections he began to labour a good intelligence betwixt such as he knew were dissatisfied with the present Government to re-unite them in the Queens Interest as discontented as they Neither was it any hard matter to win many over to her side the happy issue the Duke of Espernon had single and alone procur'd to this Princesses Affairs having got him so great a reputation that the major part of the great ones of the Kingdom made no great difficulty of engaging in a cause they had seen so easily and by so little means to succeed Of this number was the Count de Soissons and the Countess his Mother the Dukes of Longueville and Vandosme the Grand Prior of France the Dukes of Mayenne and Retz with many other Princes and Lords of very eminent condition Had the Duke of Espernon not been concern'd in the first business he could never have been drawn into this so many confederates of almost equal quality giving him to apprehend more from their ill intelligence betwixt one another than he could reasonably hope from their union but the Queen who repos'd her chiefest confidence in him who had already made trial of his Service and found it so successful to her did so ply him with reiterated favours and entreaties that he could not handsomly avoid engaging in her behalf Neither had he so long stood off that he had fewer particular grievances than the rest but having engag'd his Faith to the Duke de Luines it would have been almost impossible to have perswaded him to break his word had not Luines himself given the first example and on that side it was that the Queen assaulted the Duke by representing to him the non-performances of those things had been promis'd and that as it had been principally through his assistance she had obtain'd all that had been granted to her she expected he should see the Articles of the Treaty fulfill'd endeavouring to perswade him that his own honour was no less interested therein than her satisfaction And that he might the better taste her reasons she fail'd not to prepossess him with all sorts of civilities and favour honouring him with some presents whereof one was a very fine Watch set all over with Diamonds and very curiously wrought which she accompanied with a Letter as kind as could possibly be writ upon such an occasion wherein amongst other obliging expressions she told him That the Diamonds wherewith it was embellish'd were not more firm than her affection and that he might assure himself the Services she had receiv'd from his generosity should ofter come into her memory than the hand of that Watch should point out hours every day To which words which were it seems the way of writing at that time and none of my invention I have neither added nor diminish'd But by this complement and several other testimonies of affection and esteem the Queen having awak'd the passion the Duke had to give her always all satisfaction she gave him consecutively a full accompt of her determination of all the persons of quality she had made to her party and of the powerful means she intended to make use of to re-instate her self in that degree of honour which was due to her Person and Dignity Whereupon the Duke considering this second action as dependent upon the first solemnly engag'd himself and made an absolute promise once more to serve her If the Queen was thus diligent to form and redintegrate her party Luines on the other side was no less industrious now than he had been before to break and disunite it He very well knew the Queen to be discontent which she had her self so publickly profess'd that could be no secret He was moreover inform'd that most of the great persons in the Kingdom had engag'd with her and though he doubted not but that the Duke of Espernon from whom she had for the time pass'd receiv'd so many good Offices continued still his ancient fidelity to her yet would he notwithstanding feel his pulse by la Croix de Bleré whom he dispatch'd away to him to that purpose This Gentleman therefore comes to the Duke to Angoulesme in the time of the Carnaval where he found him taken up with entertainments that nothing relish'd of the meditation of an approaching War making merry with the Company of the Town which at this Festival was increas'd with several Families of the neighbouring Gentry La Croix who would by all means make use of his dexterity to sound the Duke's intention met with a person in him that was not easie to be pry'd into so that the Duke after having discours'd with him in general terms of the Queen Mothers Interests and Affairs and having return'd a civil answer to Luines his Complement dismiss'd his Ambassadour perfectly instructed of what he conceal'd from none and of what he did not care Luines himself should know The first Essay having given the Favourite no great satisfaction who already saw that Affairs began to grow hot with the season that the Count de Soissons with the Countess his Mother had left the Court that the Duke of Mayenne
difficulty having been started in the Parliament about the manner of his reception they had determin'd to moderate the excessive honours had formerly been paid to the Sons of France or the first Princes of the Blood who had been Governours of the Province in going to receive them in their Scarlet Robes a punctilio that though it was true it had been wav'd in deference to the Duke of Mayenne it had nevertheless been done meerly out of respect to the high favour wherein he was when advanc'd to the Government of Guienne but that at this time they were resolv'd to be more reserv'd I never in my life saw the Duke more surpriz'd than at this news who jealous of his Honour and Dignity to the highest degree would rather never have enter'd Bordeaux than to suffer the least diminution of what had been granted to the Duke of Mayenne He therefore return'd an answer to this Letter dated the 27. of Ianuary 1623. wherein after having briefly answer'd what concern'd the general Affairs he insisted with great vehemency upon the denial of those honours had been paid to his Predecessor telling him amongst other things That if they had never appear'd in their Scarlet Robes but in honour of the Sons of France or the Princes of the Blood he so well understood the respect due to them as they were in a capacity of succeeding to the Crown as not to desire a new example in his favour but that he had not the same consideration for others The whole Letter being writ with his own hand he commanded me to take a Copy of it from whence I have taken the very words I present you here The Duke not yet satisfied with delivering his sense of this Affair in writing would moreover dispatch away Constantin the Comptroller of his House to Bordeaux to communicate his resolution to several Members of that Parliament who were his particular friends wherein he succeeded according to his own desire and his reception was concluded in the same form his Predecessors had been receiv'd some of the Company totally disowning all the first President had writ concerning this business by which the Duke having just reason to believe him the Author of this scruple he conceiv'd he had a mind to oblige the Society at the price of his Friends Honour so that being offended to the last degree that he should so much as bring a thing into dispute thas was his apparent due he from thenceforward entertain'd very sinister impressions of his friendship neither was it long before he made him sensible of it Whilst these things were in agitation the Duke was still advancing towards Cadillac where he intended at leisure from the Parliaments proceedings to take his measures what he was to do about his entry into Bordeaux He was here visited by all the Nobility of the Province by several of the Parliament men in particular and by an infinite conflux of Gentry who came to attend him at his entry which was concluded to be upon the last of February 1623. Whilst he here waited in expectation of the appointed day he dispos'd of the Governments of those places committed to his charge whereof that of Chasteau-Trompette was given to Plessis Nerac to the Count de Maillé but Bergerac which was a command of the greatest profit and the most important place was put into the hands of the Chevalier de la Valette the Duke 's natural Son who by his bravery had infinitely gain'd upon his love and opinion The King had besides these places moreover assign'd him two Regiments in constant pay viz. That of the said Chevalier de la Valette and that of Castelbayart together with his Company of Gens-d ' Armes so that his Authority supported by these Forces was much more considerable than any of his Predecessors had ever been The Duke having thus settled the Governments of these places would now no longer defer his entry but came to Frans a house belonging to a private Gentleman about half a League only distant from the City and upon the Banks of the River Garonne where the Iurates of Bordeaux came to receive him in a Boat they had prepar'd for that purpose He was by them convey'd by water to a place call'd Port du Caillau where he was met without the Gate by all the Companies of the Town excepting the Parliament who in their Scarlet Robes receiv'd him at the entry of the City I shall not here undertake to describe every circumstance of this Ceremony nor the Magnificence respect or applause observable in the solemnity of this reception it being sufficient to say that therein nothing was omitted or diminished of what had formerly been paid to his illustrious Predecessors and that the old affection both the City and Province had for his Person and Name produc'd a greater and more general joy at his arrival than had amongst that great people been observ'd of many years before There was only the Mareschal de Themines the King's Lieutenant in the Province who neither paid him honour nor civility either by Letter or Visit a man who although he had ever till this time had the Duke's person and friendship in very high esteem yet having been constituted the King's Lieutenant in that Province sometime before the Duke was promoted to the Government he could not without infinite impatience see himself absolutely depriv'd of all the functions of his Command He knew very well the Duke would be so active on his part that very little would be left for him to do whereas he pretended this Lieutenancy had been conferr'd upon him with a promise that if a Governour should happen to be set over him it should be no other than a Prince of the Blood who should never continue upon the place and that consequently by his absence would leave him the absolute command of the Province and in truth the Mareschals de Matignon and d' Ornano had formerly enjoy'd it after that manner so that the seeing himself by this usage defeated of that expectation was as he himself declar'd the subject of his discontent The Duke was very much surpriz'd at this proceeding he had as there was just cause ever had the Mareschal in very high esteem and could have been glad he would by gentle means have been reconcil'd to his duty that he might not have been oblig'd to make use of those remedies the authority of his Command put into his hands which that he might not do he consented that some who were friends to them both should treat with him about a better understanding betwixt them he being unwilling what provocation soever he had to have recourse to violence wherein perhaps he was more temperate than ever in his life before but in the end seeing his patience serv'd only to make the Mareschal more obstinate in his unkindness laying aside all those considerations that had hitherto withheld him he would no longer defer to make him sensible of the
with greater fury weigh'd Anchor and put out to Sea but they had no sooner committed their Carricks to the mercy of the winds but that they found themselves engag'd in the greatest stress of weather that perhaps has at any time been seen and after a Tempest of two and twenty days without any intermission they came at last to suffer Shipwrack one at Cap-Breton near to Bayonne and the other two days after upon the Coast of Medoc in which exigent of Fortune the Gallions were so faithful to them as to bear them company in ruine so that three attending either Carrick the loss was equal in both places The Duke receiv'd the first news of this accident from the Common Bruit and that not till three days after it had hapned and indeed the rains that had fall'n during this tempestuous weather had so overflow'd the ways that although this Coast be no more than ten or twelve Leagues distant from Bordeaux only it had been impossible sooner to have pass'd but it is likewise true that the Inhabitants of the Countrey a barbarous and inhumane people as generally Sea-borderers are and inur'd to the spoil of Wracks were not over hasty to acquaint the Duke's Officers with this that they might not be disturbed whilst busie ravening after Booty At last and whilst preparing for the approaching solemnity he heard of this misfortune and that a great number of Spaniards who deliver'd themselves for men of Quality preserv'd out of a greater number that perish'd were upon their way coming to implore his assistance and accordingly the next day this miserable company consisting of two hundred or thereabouts were seen to enter the City in the lamentable plight may be imagin'd of men that had been expos'd to the fury of a Wrack The Duke took care to lodge them in the City furnish'd them with Victuals took order for Cloaths for them and reliev'd them with money when being by some of them inform'd of the great Riches that was in the Carrick he mounted to Horse to hinder the Pillage and Disorder which had already continued five or six days together without intermission it was nevertheless impossible for him to get to the shoare the ways were so impassible so that he was constrain'd to return back to begin his Triumph The Solemnity was begun with a Skirmish of sixscore Cuirassieres divided into two Troops and arm'd Cap-a-pie the next day they ran the Ring in the same Equipage they fought after which they ran disarm'd with Vizors and afterwards ran at Tilt for five or six days together doing all the Exercises that are to be perform'd on Horseback The Horse Exercises being gone through they must now come to a representation of Foot Service that the angry trade of War might be set forth in all its Forms In a spacious place therefore at one of the Extremities of the City the Duke caus'd two regular Forts to be built and fortified according to all the Maxims of Art These Forts were mann'd with arm'd Souldiers to defend them they were batter'd with Cannon assaulted and in the end taken so much to the delight of the beholders as made it appear there can be no so dreadful Original from whence pleasant Copies are not to be taken The Combat of the Forts was follow'd by a noble Masque and a Ball and those by a Combat at Barriers which concluded the Solemnity the last Act of which was set out with infinite Expense and very great Art There were in it seven Entries and all those usher'd in with great Machines contriv'd by the principles of the several parties who were all persons of eminent Quality I shall not however undertake a description of all the remarkable passages therein there having been then a collection taken of them that made up a Volume of it self and I having no need to swell this with unnecessary relations It was no little addition to the Duke 's particular joy and to the general satisfaction of the whole Assembly to find it honour'd with the presence of the Duke de Candale the Duke's eldest Son It had now been ten years complete that their common misfortune had caus'd a separation betwixt them wherein though the Father had high causes of Discontent yet had the gallant behaviour of the Son been such and had so far prevail'd upon his natural affection that at this time without all doubt he had an equal share with his Brothers in the Duke's Favour Neither indeed could the Heroick Son have better spent these years of his disgrace who seeing he could not honourably live in his own Countrey whilst out-law'd in his Fathers Favour went to exercise his profession of Arms in Holland at that time the most conspicuous Theatre of War in all Europe He had not there long continued before by his brave deportment he so far won the opinion of Count Maurice Prince of Orange acknowledg'd by all the world to be one of the greatest Captains of his time that he doubtless possess'd the highest place in his confidence and esteem A short Truce being concluded in that Countrey he went from thence to Venice where he commanded some of the Venetian Militia in the Valtoline and in process of time having gain'd the favourable opinion of that Serene Republick he was at last honour'd with one of their principal Commands and made General of all their Land-Forces an Employment wherein he serv'd upon so many brave occasions as would deserve a particular History when at last more ardently desir'd than well us'd by France his native Countrey he came to end his days in his own Princes Service and in the Command of one of his chiefest Armies The Duke his Father when sometimes speaking of him would say that he could hardly wish his Son had never done amiss since he had done so glorious a Penance for his faults and by so many Heroick Actions expiated the afflictions he had brought upon him The arrival of this long absent Son was not yet the utmost bound of the Duke's satisfaction he receiv'd another at the same time that touch'd his heart with a more sensible joy than any thing that has been mention'd before and doubtless it would have been greater now than it was then had God been pleas'd to have prolong'd his life till these days that he might have seen the fruits of the just expectation he had conceiv'd at the Birth of as hopeful an Heir as he could possibly have wish'd I have already told you that the news of his Daughter-in-law the Dutchess de la Valette's being great with child was one of the occasions that caus'd this Publick rejoycing and that Assembly was scarce broke up when he receiv'd by a Courier dispatch'd away for that purpose certain news of her being brought to bed of a Son a Blessing he had more zealously begg'd of Almighty God than any other thing in this world and that he had the most reason to desire that he might see his succession
condition till they had consum'd not only all provisions fit for the use of man but also all that the extremest hunger could compel the uncleanest creatures to convert to food they yet found they had not exhausted the King's Royal goodness who had enough left to pardon the miserable remains of those wretched people the length and sufferings of the Siege had yet left alive preserving so those that had try'd and had not been able to effect their own destruction and exercising his Clemency upon such as had no compassion of themselves To conclude he made himself Master of Rochelle that is to say absolute King of France which till this City was reduc'd he could not properly have been said to be This glorious year was concluded by this happy Victory a success by which all the occasions of those civil discords which the difference of Religions had hitherto almost continually fomented were so totally rooted up as gave us for the future leisure to prosecute our Forein designs wherein we have since been so fortunate as by the success of our Arms to be secur'd of a firm and last repose for the time to come if we can continue this good union and intelligence amongst our selves the breach whereof can alone encourage our Neighbours to attempt upon our Peace The King being yet before Rochelle and the Town upon the point of Surrender his resolution was absolutely bent upon reducing the remaining Cities of the Hugonot Party to the same obedience in order whereunto his Majesty sent a Letter to the Duke of Espernon to acquaint him with so much of his design as concern'd the Province where he had the honour to Command a Dispatch that was sent away by Servient who was to be both the Bearer of this Missive and the Interpreter of his Majesties further Intentions The Employment this Gentleman had been upon into that Countrey the preceding year about the business of the Carrick and the dexterity and prudence he had discover'd in the management of that Affair had made him by the King thought worthy of and sufficient for the Office of Intendant de la Iustice Police in Guienne with which he was at this time invested but that being such a Commission as is hardly to be executed in Provinces that have Parliaments of their own without intrenching upon or at least giving offense unto their Authority soon begot a feud betwixt the Parliament of Bordeaux and him which grew at last to such a height that Servient was fain to prefer a complaint to the Council of some affronts he had receiv'd from that Assembly whereupon he had granted him a Sentence of Prohibition together with a Citation of personal appearance against the first President de Gourgues and some other Members of that Court They must therefore of necessity appear and accordingly the first President came in at the appointed time where presenting himself before the King to justifie the proceeding that had occasion'd this Citation his reception was a little severe The King dissatisfied with him as was said upon other accompts commanded him to speak kneeling which the President making some difficulty to do as an unusual form the King rising from his seat pull'd him by the Robe to compel him to it 'T is said that even in this very act and the confusion the face of an incens'd Prince might reasonably have put any man into the President immediately recollecting himself spoke of the violence was offer'd to him with an Efficacy and Eloquence that astonish'd all that heard him and that was so powerful as to extract some gentle and satisfactory expressions even from the King himself but this was also the last lightning of his Wit and he seem'd to have mustred all his Forces for this one piece of Service ending his Life almost as soon as his Oration who though of a contemptible stature and an infirm constitution but of a strange vivacity and courage was so wounded with the sense of the King's severity that he was never after to be comforted but retiring already â—ick out of his Majesties presence dyed a very few days after He had this obligation to the Duke of Espernons unkindness that it discover'd in him a great many excellent qualities that would otherwise have been buried in his Ashes for had he in truth had nothing more to do than meerly to have exercis'd the ordinary functions of his place he would even in that capacity have met with concurrences enough to have disputed that honour with him but having had opportunity to manifest his courage in so mighty and dangerous a dispute his Eloquence in so many Illustrious Assemblies and his Zeal for the dignity and honour of his Fraternity in so many notable and important occasions has left behind him so fair a memory that he does at this day pass in the opinions of all that knew him for one of the greatest men that ever presided in that Court If the King's success in the reducing of Rochelle gave a high reputation to the Royal Arms the quick dispatch of that Siege was of no less utility to his other Affairs for every one imagining this Victory would have cost as many years as he was months about it that opinion was so generally receiv'd and concluded for so infallible a truth by all the neighbouring Princes that there was hardly one who had not propos'd to himself some advantage or other from this long diversion either to the prejudice of his Majesties Reputation or to that of his Affairs The King of Spain therefore the King of England the Dukes of Savoy and Lorain entred into a powerful League that every one might make his benefit of this Civil War Wherein Spain and Savoy doubted not without any resistance to possess themselves of the Territories of the Duke of Mantua an Ally and a Vassal to this Crown The design of the English was not only to relieve and reestablish the remains of the Reform'd Religion in France but also to revenge themselves for the losses they had sustain'd in the business of the Isle of Ré and the Duke of Lorain an ambitious and offended Prince propos'd to himself and that without much difficulty the usurpation of the three Bishopricks of Metz Toul and Verdun which as they were naturally members of it would bring an equal addition of benefit and honour to his own Dukedom The last of the foremention'd Princes not daring to begin the quarrel staid expecting when the other Confederates should break the Ice in the mean time concealing his designs under a dissembled shew of Friendship and the King of England not well recover'd of the late Blow had no mind to declare without the concurrence of the Duke of Lorain so that whilst these two Princes sate still in mutual expectation which should lead the Field the King of Spain and the Duke of Savoy falling smartly to work had by Arms so far advanc'd their designs that they had already possess'd themselves