pardoned instead of acknowledging his fault complotted against the State of the said King which being discovered he entred into an Amity with the King of England By meanes whereof King Iohn having surprised him sent him prisoner to Paris Hereupon Philip of Navarre his brother in an indignation caused the English to come into Normandy against whom the King intending an opposition was enforced to turne it upon the Prince of Wales in Poicton where having lost the field through his temerity hee was taken Prisoner In the meane time the Parisians at the perswasion of Stephen Martel mutinyed against the Dauphin who tooke upon him the Regency of the Realme and appeased the tumult having first restored the places of Normandy to the King of Navarre who had escaped out of prison Afterwards upon a treaty made at Bretigny the eight of May 1360 a peace was concluded with the English and ratified at Calais the 24. of October In the meane time Philip Duke of Burgundy deceased at Roucere neere Dijon without issue by reason whereof Iohn the King declared himselfe to be his Heire After that he making a preparation for a beyond-sea voyage first came to London intending to make a strong peace with England and dyed there the eighth or ninth of April 1364 leaving Charles the Dauphin Lewis Duke of Aniou John Duke of Berry and Philip Hardy Duke of Burgundy This King shewed magnanimity in his most adverse fortune for Apparet virtus arguiturque malis Vertue will apparent be In the depth of adversity which was verified in this King John who sitting in the English Campe at a Supper prepared for him by the Prince of Wales who had taken him prisoner in the Battell of Poitiers said I purposed to have bestowed a Supper on you this night but the fortune of the War hath made me your Guest The Englishmen for a summe of money having got by composition the Castle and Towne of Gwines King Iohn complaining to the King of England that the Truce was broken contrary to their compact and agreement King Edward answered That Trafficke or Merchandise the surrender of the Castle being by money procured did not breake the former Truce This King when King Edward required homage for the Realme of France as held of England answered that hee could not justly alienate a right inalienable received from his Ancestors and therefore he resolved to leave it entire to his children for affliction might engage his person but not the Crowne of France while hee was King who would sacrifice his life for the preservation of France Hee dyed in England Anno 1364 being a good Prince but infortunate wise in ordinary matters but not in great affaires just but too confident in trusting others temperate in his private life but violent in the publicke government For great vertues meeting with Wisdome doe on the Theater of this life give unto Kings a Crowne of applause and commendation Charles 5. surnamed the Wise the 52. King of France An. 1364. AFter the decease of Iohn the first this Charles 5. surnamed the Wise was crowned the 19. of March Anno Dom. 1364. At the comming to the Crowne hee gained against those of Navarre a very memorable victory under the Conduct of the Lord Bertrand du Gueselin in favour whereof he gave him the Dukedome of Longueville From thence the said Guesclin went to aide Charles of Blois against whom Iohn of Monfort relying upon the English had begun warres for the Dutchy of Bretagne where he was taken fighting valiantly before the Castle of Aulroy against Iohn Lord Chandos High Marshall of England but a peace being made betweene the Duke of Monfort and the Countesse of Blois the King likewise made a peace with those of Navarre and after sent Guesclin to ayde Peter King of Arragon against Peter King of Castile in favour of Henry Sancho and Telco his naturall brothers and also in revenge of the death of his Wife Blanche the daughter of the Duke of Bourbon whom hee had caused to be slaine Peter of Castile being deposed of his kingdome and Henry substituted hee retired to the Prince of Wales who restored him to his former estate After returning into Guienne he imposed upon his Subjects unaccustomed taxations and imposts which caused the Lords of Armaignac and of Albert to appeale to the King of France as to their Soveraigne Lord which was a cause that moved Charles to give an eare to Henry who offered to hold his kingdome of Castile from him so that hee would ayde him in the re-conquest thereof Whereupon the King sent him Guesclin who gained sixe battells against his Enemy and in the sixt Peter of Castile was taken by the Lord de Villaines a French Knight of whom Henry ransomed him and put him to death enjoying by that meanes the kingdome of Castile In the meane time because the King embraced the appeale of the Lords of Gascogne the Prince of Wales denounced warre against him which the King managed so well by the assistance of his brothers that repairing the losses of his Father and Grandfather received by the English hee reconquered Guienne Poictou and Bretagne and deceased in September Anno Dom. 1380 leaving Charles and Lewis under the tuition of their Unkles This King had many vertues shining in all estates both in happinesse and adversity and when the Realme was in the heate of troubles he saved it from ruine so that his fame was spred abroad leaving an honourable remembrance to his posterity Hee favoured Learning and the learned preferring the Schoolemaster Nicholas Oresme He caused the Bible to be translated imitating therein St. Lewis and tooke great delight to read the Scripture and Philosophy and he made Aristotles Ethicks and Politicks and many places of Tully to be translated into French and his favour shewed to learned men cherished their fancies and made them seeke unto the forsaken Muses for witty inventions Hee would heare Suits in open Court and redresse the wrongs of the oppressed and tooke pleasure to advance his houshold servants and gave them meanes for bringing up their sons and marrying their daughters And as he was a favourer of Learning so Bartholl Baldus Petrarch Bociac Plorindes Bonaventure and John Wickliffe of Oxford in England lived in his Reigne But Vertues are not hereditary for Charles sonne to this King degenerated from his Father and the Kingdome of France was afterward punished in the weaknesse of the succeeding Kings so that the confused government brought forth sad effects such as are to bee expected where the rabble multitude have a power unrestrained by Authority and doe swarme and rove about like unruly Bees Charles 6. the 53. King of France Anno 1380. THis Charles 6. about the age of 14. yeares was crowned the first of November Anno. Dom. 1380. In the beginning of his Reigne hee received homage for the Dutchy of Bretagne and enforced the Gaulois to their obedience to their Duke as also he chastised the Parisians who had mutinyed
three precedent Kings succeeded to the Crowne by title of his favour excluding Lewis of Evreux his Vncle who at that time as it is thought was already dead and was confirmed by the States notwithstanding that Edward King of England pretended the Crowne by his Mothers right who was the onely daughter of Philip the Faire He recovered a faire battaile against the Flemings who had revolted against their Duke and enforced the King of England to doe homage for the Dutchy of Guienne and other lands which he held of the Crowne who in revenge thereof entertained Robert of Artois Count of Beaumont who was banished out of France through a false accusation by whose perswasion the King of England beeing allyed to all the Princes of the Empire whereof hee had already obtained the Vicariate beganne to warre against Philip in Nantonge Anno Domini 1336. Afterwards he caused the Flemings to revolt against their Duke by the means of one James Artivel an Artisan The French that were in the Towne of L'Isle and first discomfited the English and Flemings but afterwards they were shamefully overthrowne at the Sluce Port when they laboured to hinder the English from joyning with the Flemings And after this victory he encamped before Tournay where he continued during fifty dayes during which time the Mother of the Count of Hainault wrought a Truce between the Kings of England and France which continued not long because the warres were renued shortly after betweene them because the King of France caused Oliver de Clisson to bee executed for Treason In which warre the French lost the memorable battaile of Crecy neare Abeville wherein the greatest part of the Nobility and flower of all France was slaine and the Towne of Calais taken After this the King having marryed in a second wedlocke the Lady Blanche daughter of the late Philip King of Navarre and received the Danphinate of Humbert together with the City and Countrey of Montpelier for a purchase of the King of Maillorque he retired to Nogent there to conclude his daies the 23. or 28. of August 1350. leaving Iohn Duke of Normandy and Philip Duke of Orleans He was an ingenious wity Prince as appeareth by his justification of the Salique Law by these words of Scripture Consider the Lillies of the field how they doe grow and doe neither labour nor spinne intimating whose Armes are Lillies or Flower de Lyces should not fall to the Distaffe Also he taxed the unfaithfulnesse of King Edward of England in these two Verses by himselfe composed Anglicus Angelus est cui nunquam eredere fas est Dum tibi dicit Ave tanquam ab hoste cave The Englishman an Angell is which trusted will deceive thee Beware of him as of a Foe when he doth say God save thee After his marriage with Blanch daughter of Philip of Evreux he lived not long after he had tyed this knot this new wife being an unnecessary trouble in his old age so that sickning at Nogent advising his two sonnes to live in peace and bee carefull of the Realme which he resigned to the eldest he concluded his reigne and dyed He was a King in whom vertues and vices were equally mingled for he was valiant in danger and couragious in affliction just and loving to his subjects But his rash valour whereon hee presumed often engaged him and his subjects in many miseries Edward the third King of England Anno 1351. THis King comes here to be inserted amongst the Kings of France being the first that left the Title Hereditary to the Kings of England and first quartered the Armes of France with the English Armes giving thereby occasion and provocation of his succeeding Warres he obtained a gentle victory at Sluce upon Midsommer day in a sea sight Afterward he challenged Philip of Valois then King to a single combate by him not accepted afterwards makes a Truce with France their battailes being ready to joyne in Britagne in France then he declares the Truce with France broken He arrives afterward in France with bloody Colours with his hopefull son the Prince of Wales then about sixteen yeares old Afterward he got the Lawrell wreath of Conquest in the battaile of Cressey and his sonne was as victorious as his Father both sharing equally in honour purchased by valour But his sonne afterward whose veines were full of his Fathers Spirit and fortitude shewing that Nasci a Principibus est magnum obtained another triumphant victory against the French at Poictiers and by it confirmed his Fathers atchievements Then againe Henry invaded France besieges Paris concludes a peace King Iohn of France being taken prisoner and afterward ransomed hostages were also given and so the Clouds of warre were a while drawne away but suddainly againe France felt a new storme from England for the Earle of Blois slaine in Battaile by the English loseth the Dukedome of Britagne Then againe King Edward sends Iohn Duke of Lancaster to invade Prance and Sir Robert Knoles to the parts about Britagne and thus as he was famous for his many other Royall vertues expressed done at home and in the circumference of his owne Dominions so likewise he appeared in France like a flaming Comet which boded the effusion of much French blood But age sicknesse comming on hee was forc't to leave the world as the same did him before his breath left him but Nature could not hold out any longer and he was forced to resigne his life into the hands of his Creator at Shene now Richmond the one and twentieth day of Iune Anno Domini 1377. in the 64. yeare of his Age having reigned fifty yeares foure moneths and odde dayes in which time France felt the desolation which warre had made he carrying away the never dying Fame of a valiant Conquerour he lyeth buried at Westminster for as much of him as was Mortall but Multum sui vitabit Libitinam his soule and Fame are immortall in Heaven and on earth and was especially famous for Conquering France and writing himselfe Roy de Angle tèrre France King of England and France John 1. or the second of that name the 51. King of France Anno 1350. JOHN the first or second of that Name succeeded to the Crown and was consecrated at Rheims the 26. of Septem An Dom. 1350. In the beginning of his reigne hee caused the Lord Ralph of Nesle Cōstable of France to be beheaded for Treason and in his place hee justituted Charles of Spaine Count of Angolesme The Truce being broken betweene him and England he betooke him to S. John d' Angely and in his returne he instituted the Order of the Starre in the Noble and Royall House or S. Owen Afterwards Charles King of Navarre caused the Constable to be massacred upon a jealousie which hee had conceived against him on the sixt of Ianuary 1353 and the Lord Iames de Bourbon was substituted in his place In the meane time the King of Navarre whom the King of France had
Mouth of the Lord Sillery his Chancellour declared his Mother to be Regent in France that shee might have the tuition of his person and the administration of the affaires of his Kingdome during his minority with all authority and power according to the charge of that Court given the day before The same Moneth the criminall indictment was preferred against the most inhumane Parricide Francis Ravaillac and on the 23. of May he was declared guilty and justly attainted and convicted of the crime of Laesae Majestatis in the highest degree in the great Court and Chamber of Turnella in Paris before all the Assemblies Presidents Counsellours and Commissioners at the request of Du Viquit Atturney Generall to the King whose place and authority was there then to inquire against this Francis Ravaillac for the murther of his late Soveraigne Henry the fourth King of France and Navarre Whereupon this Ravaillac with a sad and death-like countenance holding up his guilty hand before this great assembly presently confessed guilty and that he became this his Countries shame onely by the instigation of the Divell and not any other accomplices and confederates would he reveale but in a Satanicall manner vowed himselfe to secresie and being found guilty he was with a strong guard of armed men conveyed to prison which otherwise by the violence and rage of the common people had beene torne in peeces such was their love they owed to their late King for which Fact he was condemned to pay his forfeit before the great gate of our Lady Church in Paris and thence to be conveyed to the place of execution and in the meane time to make him confesse he was to be pinched with hot Pincers upon his breasts armes buttocks thighes and the Calves of his legges his right hand to be burnt off with fire of brimstone with an order that in those places where hee was so pinced melted Lead should be powred boyling Oyle Pitch Rozen Waxe and Brimstone melted altogether This being done that his body should be torne in pieces and dismembred by foure horses and that his Limbes should be burnt and consumed to ashes and cast into the winde all his goods to be confiscate to the King that the house wherein he was borne should be demolished and never any Edefice upon that ground to be built that within fifteene dayes after the publication of this sentence in the towne of Angolesme his Father and Mother should depart the Realme and never returne againe upon paine of being hanged without any other proceedings It was also forbidden in the aforesaid High Court that his brothers sisters uncles and all others that beare the name of Ravaillac to whom it was enjoyned to change it into another name upon the same penalty All which was published and put in execution the same day by the order of the whole assembly in the aforesaid Court in Paris but before I conclude I will speake againe of the manner of his death because in that place I will not omit some things more worthy of note Afterwards it was provided for the Funeralls and obsequies of the dead King and then the body of the late Henry the third was removed from the Towne of Compeigne to be interred at St. Denis which was performed and the heart of this Henry the Great at the same time was carryed to the Jesuites at la Flech The Sorbone renewed the Decree of the Councell of Constance against Paracides of Kings and by the Court of Parliament upon the Iuine it condemned a Book of Iohn Mariana one of the Society a Spaniard intituled De Rege Regis institutione and caused it to be burnt by the Executioner before our Ladies Church The Martiall de la Chastra being sent with an Army of twelve thousand foot and two thousand Horse to Tulliers which he took the second of September Divers Embassadors came to Paris to the King to bemoane and condole with him the death of his father and King Iames of England sent unto him the Order of the Garter which he received the foureteenth of September The 17. of October the King was consecrated at Rheimes and the next day he received the Order of the Holy Ghost and he gave the Order to the Prince of Conde and returned to Paris where he was magnificently entertained The sixe and twentieth of November it was proceeded and decreed in the Court of Parliament against a Booke of Cardinall Bellarmine touching the Popes authority In Temporalibus which was forbidden to be printed to be sold or kept upon paine of High Treason The seventeenth day of November Anno Domini 1611. the Duke of Orleans brother to the King deceased at St. Germans en Lay and his body was conveyd to St. Denis in France The Lord of Vatan made a kinde of a Rebellion in Berry whereupon his Castle was taken and he carryed to Paris where he was beheaded the second of January Anno Domini 1612. This yeare were solemnized the marriages of the King with the Lady Anne Infanta of Spaine and of the Kings Sister with the Prince of Spaine The yeare 1614 the Prince of Conde retired himselfe to Paris and the Marquesse D' Ancre was made Marshall of France The Statue of Brasse of Henry the Great was by the great Duke of Tuscany sent to Paris and placed with the Horse of Brasse upon the midst of the New Bridge And about that time the Prince of Conty dyed The Prince distasted with the Kings espousalls with the Queene at Burgos made a hurly burly in the Countrey but the Espousalls being ended the Duke of Guise with a strong Army conducted her to Fontarable where shee was received by the Spaniards and an exchange being made the Queene was by the said Duke conveyed to Bourdeaux where shee was most magnificently entertained by the King where hee expected her and the Nuptials were celebrated on St. Katharines day The yeare 1616. such was the rigour of cold weather in January that the Rivers were frozen and the yee was the cause of the fall of St. Michaels at Paris The 16. of August the taking of Peronne was a cause of new commotions and the first of September was apprehended at the Louure and after kept under a strong guard in the Bastile Many of the Lords retired from the Court as the Duke of Vendosme of Nevers of Guise of Mayenne and Bovillon with other Lords whereof some returned againe the others not which was a cause that the King in Parliament declared the causes wherefore he kept the Prince his brother in hold In the beginning of the yeare 1617. he made a Declaration against the Duke of Nevers in Parliament the 17. of January also in February against the Dukes of Vendosme Mayenne Bouillon the Marquesse of Caevure and the President le Jay Also another Declaration was made in March for the re-union to his Domaines and a Confiscation of the goods of the said Nobility upon the 16. of the said Moneth This King
THE Epitome OF All the Lives oF The French King s From PHARAMOND the first to the now Reg ning Lewis the 13 Contaynening all there Chefest actions LONDON Printed by I. Okes and Are to be sould by I Becket at the Inner Templegate An Epitome OF All the Lives of the Kings of France From PHARAMOND the first to the now most Christian King LEVVIS the thirteenth With a Relation of the Famous Battailes of the two Kings of England who were the first victorious Princes that Conquered France Translated out of the French Coppy by R. B. Esq LONDON Printed by I. Okes and are to be sold by Iames Becket at his shop within the Inner Temple Gate 1639. To the Generous Reader the Translator presents his Labours c. Courteous Reader HIstory hath been from all Antiquity as Noble as Notable and as full of Pleasure as Profit Poetry I must confesse to be the elder Sister of the two and the first reducer of Mankinde to Humanity and Civility But what the Elder hath delivered unto us Fabulously the other hath done faithfully Great is the Vtility which redounds to all men by History of what function or quality soever First to Princes it is a modell by which to paterne their Lives and Actions And by reading the Heroicall deeds of others to make their presidents as well by imitating their Vertues as avoyding their Vices To States-men how to establish politicke Lawes and gravely to manage the Affaires of a flourishing Common-Weale It instructs Soveraignes how to governe with Justice mixt with Lenity and Subjects to obey with duty tempered with loyalty Historiographers have in all Times and Ages and amongst all Nations and Languages bin held in great reputation and reverence Amongst the Hebrewes Philo-Judeus and Josephus Bengorion who flourisht in the time of Hierusalems last subversion and depopulation c. Amongst the Grecians Herodotus Thucidides c. Amongst the Romans or Latins Titus Livius Cornelius Tacitus Salust Iustine c. Amongst the French Philip Comines The Author of the French Inventory the Composer of this Epitome of Chronicle c. Of the Scotch Hector Boetius Georgius Buconanus c. And of our English to omit many Holynshed Fabian Speed Mr. Samuel Daniel c. But concerning the present Argument now in agitation I have reade of one Spintherus Tarentinus a man for his knowne VVisedome by the unanimous voyce of Greece adding an Eight to the Seven Sages who when he was to deliver his Opinion of Epaminondas prime Captaine of absolute power and command without limit after he had studied so honour him with his best Expression he uttered of him onely these few Words Hee was a man who knew much and spake little The like I may say of the Author of this present VVorke who sixty foure with their Conditions Natures chiefest Acts and Deaths as also of the severall places of their Jnterment with many of their accute and witty sayings all which noble and Courteous Reader I present unto thee with a Table of all the Kings names at the latter end of the Book and if thou pleasest to accept of my endeavours and but cast a benigne smile and a gentle censure I shall take it a double courtesie and labour to amend what hath beene done amisse But least in commending the Brevity used in his Discourse I might on the contrary erre in the prolixity of my Epistle I â—hiâ— though abruptly as commit thee so commend thee to thy gentle Interpretation Thine R. B. An Epitome of all the lives of the Kings of France from Pharamond their first to the now Reigning Lewis the 13. Pharamond the first King of France Anno 429. THE French Nation inhabiting the lower Germany long time before the Reigne of the Valentinians Emperours of Rome whether they were Originaries there or Forraigners they according to the report of Aymoynus Ado and other Historians had for an intervall of time ceased to be governed by Kings being contented to be ruled by Dukes untill such time that they had a desire to returne to their manner and custome being incited thereto by the example of other Nations in so much that upon a mature deliberation they concluded their Election upon Pharamond for their King by reason that over and above the vertues resplendent in him he was the last Sonne of their latest Duke Marcomire who was Duke of Franconia or East France whom Stilico had confined as an Exulant in Tuscany from the yeare of our Lord 395. The time of his Election hath not beene precisely recorded by any Historians the Moderne Authors also agree not upon the certainty and number of the yeares of his Reigne For some German Chronicles accompt but 7 others 9 Onuphrius 14 but almost all the French Annalists following Sigebert agree upon 10. or 12. yeares which they begin at the yeare of Grace 419 or 420. The French-men then estated him in the Castle of Dispargun which was according to Gregory in Tongry or Turingia on that side the Rhine where hee made his residence or rather in Germany without an intent of enlarging his command any farther studying onely to institute and found the Kingdome with good policy and the Lawes called Ripuâ—ry and Salique by reason the French inhabiting for the most part upon the River of Sals which disgorgeth it selfe into the Mein a great and famous River of Germany were called Salians and their principall City Selgestadt which peradventure might seeme to derive its nomination from Salagast who was a chiefe Founder thereof Pharamond lastly comming to the period of his life left the succession to his Son Clodion Anno Domini 430. His Character of life is drawne in these Lineaments he made good Lawes and conformed the French to the obedience of civill government revived the Salique Lawes and was the Founder of the French Monarchy his Name Waramond or Pharamond imported a true mouth Truth being a noble vertue in a Prince The Church was then happy in those Lights of Religion Jerome Chrysostome Ambrose and Augustine shining through the Clouds of Oppression wherewith those times were darkned and obscured And the Papacy was then but weake in power afterward growing strong by the Emperorâ— absence warring against the Barbarâ—ans and by succouring afflicted Christians Cloion or Clodion the second King of France Anno 432. CLoion or Clodion according to Sidonius Apollinaris and Gregory of Tours succeeded his Father Pharamond in the Regall estate in the yeare 432. of our Redemption He was surnamed the Hairy because hee commanded the French men to weare long haire in token of Liberty to the end they might be knowne and distinguished from Romans or as some Moderne Writers will have it to this end that none should weare long haire but those of the Royall blood In the beginning of his Reigne perceiving the Romans to bee employed altogether against the Vandals in Africke and a notable dissention betweene Aetius and Boniface went from his Castle of Difpargunâ— and fastened upon Cambray and
all that Countrey which lyes betweene the Rivers of Escaut and the Somme where to this day are the Cities of Monts Valenciennes Cambray and the Forrest heretofore nominated * â—aleâ—â—st in â—nge Carbonaire Afterwards having made a great discomfiture of the Romans who made head against him hee came as farre as the Bourough of St. Helens which is in the Land of Artois He also subjugated those of Thuringia the Saxons and other populations of Almaine as Funecius is of opinion Others also adde that the City of Mayence was by him taken in The Hunnibalt of Trithemius holds that he divided his Kingdome into two parts nominating that upon the Coast of the Rhine Austrasie and the part upon the West Neustria or Westria The Chronicles of Flanders say that he led his Army against those of Therovenne otherwise called Morinians whom he made subjects they perceiving their Auxiliars the Cinabres and Ruthenians and their Captaine Generall Gondmar overthrowne who had a Daughter whom this Clodion caused to be married to a Nephew of his who was called Flandebert from whom they will have the Countrey of Flanders to derive its first Nomination although it is more evident that it was not so called before the time of Charlemaigne He deceased in the 20. yeare of his Reigne Anno Domini 450 according to Ado and Aymoinus leaving as Jaques Meier and Richard of Wassebourgh doe relate Ranchaine or Ranachaire and Alberic alias Auberon his sonnes Wearing of long haire as was said was ordained by this King to bee the Ornament of Princes whereby Clodamire slaine in Battaile was knowne from the vulgar Souldiers and shaving off the Haire was a Ceremony used at degrading of Kings and Queene Clotilde suffered her Sonnes Heads to be cut off rather than their Haire preferring honour to life and accounting the disgrace which her Children should receive by shaving making them incapable of the Royall dignity worse than death for Life after the decease of honour is but a continuall lingring death Hippone was now besieged by Genserick King of the Vandals Saint Augustine being 76. yeeres old having seene and suffered in the miseries of the Church then generally afflicted by the Barbarians wearied with being a Spectator of those Tragedies withdrew to Heaven and dyed leaving the Christian World a mourner for his departure Merovaeus the third King of France Anno Domini 450. MErovaeus Maire of the Palace of Clodion according to Jaques Meier and Richard of Wassebourgh the Authors afore-said which Merovaeus neverthelesse the Abbot of Vrsperg thinkes and other French Historians are of opinion to have beene a Bastard-sonne or a neare Kinsman of Clodion was by the reason of his valour and experience in Warre chosen King of the French Anno Domini 450. secluding the Sonnes of Clodion from the inheritance of the Kingdome Many are of opinion that he was the first that tooke upon him to March boldly all over the Countries of the Gaules because by force of Armes hee opened the way into those parts where none of his predecessors had had any peaceable habitation or abode And for this cause hee being acknowledged by the Ancient French to be the first King to have passed so farre the Gauls or Frenchmen were called Merovinians Others are of opinion that it was for that he was the first of the Line that reigned over the French untill Pepin it being that the sonnes of Clodion were supplanted who betooke themselves for assistance to their Mother in the Kingdome of Thuringia where being growne to age by the ayde of other Nations recovered Almany Cambresis Tournay Henault and Couloine of which parts they tearmed themselves Kings and maintained it against the Merovinians untill the time of Glovis In the meane time Attilla King of the Hunnes having spoiled a great part of Europe laboured to joyne with the Visigoths and French to ruine the Romans which was a cause that Aetius a Roman Gentleman who had the command of all the Roman forces of the West had this Warre in charge who gave unto Merovaeus the right wing of the Battaile against Attila who lost the field This Battaile was fought in the Catalaunicke Plaine which some esteeme to have beene that at Chaalons in Champaigne others at Solongne by Orleans who seeme better of opinion than those who would have it neare Tholouse because it is certaine that Attilae never penetrated so farre into the Countrey of the Visigoths where the Shock was so bloody and cruell that there remained one hundred and fourescore thousand men slaine in the place Merovaeus yeelded to Fate in the tenth yeare of his Reigne according to Sigebert and other Historians Anno Domini 459. This King was fortunate in his Warres for after the Death of Aetia executed by the Emperour Valentinians command being so faithfull a servant that it was said that the Emperour had cut off his right hand with his left by valour potency and opportunity hee advanced the Monarchy of France growing more exact and compleate in strength hee being the third Stone in that Royall building called Gaule which new-begun Estate was raised to a greater perfection by many other Royall Builders descended from his Race and called Merovingieres in memory of this Merovee who as Titus Vespasian said Non perdidi diem so hee accounted that Day lost wherein hee did no good This worthy King was much lamented of all men they gave him the solemne rites at his funerall which appertained to a King in those dayes which was teares and sorrow for forty dayes after The Church was now much troubled by the Nestorian and Eutichean Heresies which weeds were by two Councells assembled at Ephesus and Chalcedon plucked up out of the Garden of Christendome and the true Christian Religion was now defended by Cyrillus and Theoderet two stout Champions for the Church who imployed their whole strength and power for the maintenance thereof so that the remembrance of their pious and noble actions will continue in all ages to their eternall praise and commendation Chilperic or Hilperic the fourth King of France Anno 459. CHilperic succeeded in the Kingdome by the favour of the memory of his Father Anno Domini 459. notwithstanding that he seemed borne fitter to lead an Army than governe a Kingdome in Justice and peace by reason of his insolence and lubricity for which the great and powerfull men of his Kingdome enforced him having already reigned three yeeres to flye into the Kingdome of Thuringia there to expect the issue of his fortune But before his departure his friend Vidomare or as others report Guiemans gave him his word and promise breaking a peece of Gold betweene them the King keeping the one halfe and he the other advising the King that hee should boldly returne when he should receive the other halfe from him Hereupon the French chose in his place Gilles or Gillon Governour of Soâ—issons under the Romans who reigned as King 8. yeares in the end whereof Chilperic was re-appealed
quarrell for the ill usage of his Sister Clotilda which Alarick hee slew neare to Toledo and tooke that City and upon his returne he reduced Gascogny to his obedience chasing the Visigoths backe againe into Spaine by this meanes making the Frenchmen sole possessors of both the Gaules excepting one part of Provence which for a time remained in the hands and power of the Ostrogoths of Italy Childebert upon his returne from Spaine went with Clotharius to beate Gondemar out of his Kingdome which was divided betweene them as also that of Orleans was after the slaughter of the children of their brother Clodamire except Claudius that made an escape About that time Theodobald King of the Ostrogoths of Italy yeelded up all the possessions they had in Provence into the power of the French to the end that they should joyne forces with him against Belisarius Captaine Generall of the Army of the Emperour Justinian in Italy in the interim that Childebert and Theodobert through ambition were in an ill course against Clotharius but these being reconciled by the Nobility of the Countrey Childebert and Clotharius went into Spaine and surprised Saragoca Afterwards upon a plot of Cranne a Nephew of his hee made Warre upon Clotharius who being too eager and earnest to scoure the Field and cleare him of hiâ— Enemies hee dyed in the 45. yeare oâ— his Reigne Anno Domini 558 and according to Sigebert Aymoynus 49. Hee lyeth inhumed at St. Germans dâ—â— prez This King was much troubled by his Brethren with whom he had a divided power and ruled as the chiefe King But Soveraignty admits no Partners for Royall power like an entire streame fed by the Spring whence it descended will not mingle with other Titles buâ— doth maintaine an absolute and undenyed Prerogative His troublesomâ— Reigne concluded with his fatall death for he was slaine by a wilde Bull which he hunted the manner of his death being an Embleme of his life for in his life hee persu'd wilde imaginations and vaine desires untill this sad mischance layd him to rest in a Grave to shew the vanity of humane designes which are so soone strooke dead such is the glory of this World There is no vertue in this life except it be to love the thing that is to be beloved and to love that â—s Prudence and not to be moved or troubled for any matter of molestation that is Fortitude nor for any matter of Flattery and delight that is Temperance nor for pride that is Justice Clotharius 1. the seventh King of France Anno 559. CLotharius the third legitimate Sonne of King Clovis having reigned 45. yeares at Soissons which is now called the Belgick Gaule upon the decease of his Brother Childebert who dyed without issue Males was proclaimed the 7. King of Franceâ— which his Sonne Cranne perceiving as being now destitute of the support of his Uncle Childebert by whose assistance he managed strong Warres against this his owne Father came and cryed him mercy But hee made so mall use of his fathers Grace and goodnesse that hee committed againe a new Fellony and Rebellion against him And when his latter proceedings began to bee worse and worse in successe than before hee fled to Conobre or as others say Canabo Prince and Count of the Bretons who entertained him and undertooke to secure him ftom his Father Whereupon his Father Clotharius with his Army invaded that Countrey where they joyned Battaile wherein the Bretons lost the Field their Prince being slaine in the place and Cranne taken Prisoner whom his Father caused to be shut up in a house and together with his Wife and children to bee all burnt to death But Clotharius being the last of the Sonnes of King Clovis dyed that same day twelve-month that he justly had caused his sonne Cranne and his to be burnt in the 51 yeares of his being a King Anno Dom. 563. leaving behind him foure sonnes who againe divided the French Monarchy into the former Tetrarchyes insomuch that that of Paris befell to the eldest named Cherebert or Charibert Soissons to Chilperic Orleans with the Kingdome of Burgundy to Gontran and Austrasy to Sigebert with the Provinces on this side the Rhyne but before the partage or division aforesaid they fell all upon Chilperic in open Armes for the surrender of their Father Treasures which hee had already taken possession of and by them the City of Paris Whereupon it seemes that hee tooke it to heart and ever after maliced his brothers especially Sigisbert who had beene the motive as Paulus Diaconus saith that the Hunns made warre against him This King at the time of his death said Vnach Anach How great is the King of Heaven that hath made subject unto death the greatest Kings and Princes of the world which speech discovered that his too much affection to the world made the approach of death comming to take off his upper garment of mortality more terrible whereas Mors aequo pulsat pede pauperum tabernas regumque turres sceptra ligonibus aequat Death impartially knocks at Poore Cottages and the Court gate And equally he bringeth downe Vnto the grave the King and Clowne To satisfie Pope Eugenius and for feare of Excommunication for killing Gawler of Quetot his servant hearing divine Service in his Chappell hee exempted the Lords of Quetot from homage and service due to the King thereby to expiate his bloody offence But although his life was very bad and vicious and blotted with many impieties yet in sicknes his soule recover'd some health by a free acknowledging his sinne saying That his onely hope and confidence waâ— in Gods mercy Cherebert 8. King of France Anno 564. AFter the decease of Clotharius Cherebert his sonne was King of Paris Anno Dom. 564. Hee betooke himselfe to all the kindes and sorts of dishonest pleasures that his fancy suggested him Gregory of Tours takes no notice of his reigne because he governed not long neverthelesse this mention he makes of him that he was excommunicated by S. German Bishop of Paris for that hee had repudiated his lawfull wife Iugoberge that he might take another his brothers Chilperic and Gontran being no waies different in conditions But Sigisbert was an honourable and a vertuous Prince Cherebert dyed according to the report of Sigebert and the Chronicles of France in the ninth yeare of his reigne without issue or any notable memory worthy a King which was a cause of great controversie betweene his brothers concerning the succession which in the end proved a warre which according to Paulus Aemilius was of a long continuance neverthelesse although Gregory of Tours and Aimoynus have very confusedly spoken of that warre without designing or remarking the time that it begunne nor what time Cherebert dyed yet Gregory allowes that there was a sharing of the Kingdome According to whose Relations Tours Poitiers and Aniou fell to Sigisbert but what parts befell to the others is not mentioned expressely but onely this that
owne souldiers yeelded up to Clotayre and by the chiefest persons of his Dominions condemned to bee tyed to the tayle of a wilde Mare and drawne through a stony rough Countrey being thereby torne in peeces and dying many deaths in one death yet St. Gregory in certaine Letters commends her piety and wisedome for many Temples were by her builded and endowed while in the Temple of her soule shee sets up Altars to murder and whoredome Dagobert the 11. King of France Anno 632. DAgobert being possessed of the Crowne Anno Dom. 632. notwithstanding the oppositions of Brunulph Vncle and governour of Aribert he assigned him the Countries of Aquitan and Guienne for his maintenance whereunto he gave the stile and title of a Kingdome and bounded it with the River Loire and the Pyrenian Mountaines After that he laboured to polish his Kingdome administring justice to every man In the ninth yeare of his reigne which was the third yeare after the decease of his Father he captivated himselfe to vices and voluptuousnesse in such sort that hee grew infamous although hee seemed much devoted to the Abby of St. Denis which he caused to be built and enriched it with the pillaging of other Churches In the interim King Aribert deceased the seventh yeare of his reigne leaving a sonne called Chilperic who survived him but few dayes of whose death Dagobert was strongly suspected Hee immediately united the Kingdome of Aquitan to the Monarchy of France and dismembred the Dukedome of Almania into divers parts as Munster affirmes Hee released the Saxons of a yearely Tribute of five hundred Cowes which they payed to those of Austrasia upon condition that they should keepe the Sclavonians out of the Dominions of France After this hee crowned his sonne Sigisbert King of Austrasia But because that in the 12 yeare of his reigne Clovis or Lewis was borne by his wife Nentilde he confirmed the kingdom of Austracy upon Sigisbert and designed the occidentall part of his Kingdome called Neustria together with that of Burgundy to his sonne Clovis At that time Radulphe Duke and governour of Thuringia for King Dagobert would needes oppose himselfe against Ansigise Maire of the Palace of Austracy and make himselfe King but in vaine Afterwards Dagobert combated victoriously the rebellious Gascognes and intending as much to the Bretons Iudicael did him homage for his Kingdome Lastly he deceased with a Flux the 19. or as others affirme the 29 of Ianuary Anno Dom. 647. sixteene yeares after the decease of his Father Hee lyes inhumedat St. Denis with this King dyed the splendour of the Kings of France and the power of the Maires of the Palace beganne to take a dangerous and pernicious roote The Character of this King may bee thus drawne He was better furnished with vertue than his education promised he strained the Kingdome by Iustice and brought it to moderation and obedience the state thereof being too much flackned by his fathers â—enity and as he had tun'd the government to yeeld a vertuous harmony he grew into the opinion of his Subjects by his affection to Piety which he made to shine most cleare and evident by building and enriching many Temples especially St. Denis honour'd since by being the constant Sepulchre where the Kings of France lye buried He banished also the Iewes out of his Territories But these resplendant vertues were darkened and disgraced by the foule sinne of Adultery whereby he grew infamous to his Subjectâ— and Strangers and was so confirmed in this vice that Anand Bishop oâ— Paris perswading his Conversion was therefore banished But his reason was awaked by Pepins constant reprehension to whom banishment being threatned yet he persisted and by a brave importunity neglecting his owne danger obtained of the King to bee mercifull unto himselfe and forsake his sinne such was the minde of this vertuous Prince to hearken to the words of a wise man which were spoken in season that ever after he was wary both of his words actions leaving an example of loyalty in a servant and of Reasons victory in a Prince Clovis aliâs Lewis 2. the 12. King of France Anno 645. THis Clovis or Lewis although he were the younger brother of Sigisbert whom some hold to have beene borne of a Concubine tooke the possession upon him of the Kingdomes both of France and Burgundy under the government of his Mother Nentilde and of Prince Aega Mayre of the Palace who shortly after dyed in whose place was substituted Ercembault kinsman to the late Dagobert by the mothers side In the meane time Pepin Mayre of the Palace of Austrasie dyed into whose office and place his sonne Grimoald would enter But perceiving himselfe to be opposed by a certaine Otho who formerly had had the government of Sigebert in his minority made a quarrell betweene him and Leuther Duke of Almaine who slew him After taking upon him the dignity of Mayre of the Palace hee matched his Sister Begga to the Duke Ansigise sonne of St. Arnulph by whom hee had Pepin Heristel Nentilde deceased Anno Dom. 651. as also her Favorite Flaveate did who was by Nation a Frenchman Constable of Burgundy and Wilebald Governour of Burgundy Trans-jurane by the reason whereof Ercembault governed solely the Kingdome until the King came to age Afterwards in the yearâ— 657 Sigebert perswading himselfe that he should have no issue adopted Childebert sonne of Grimoald Mayre of his Palace as his sonne but after having a son borne to him whom he named Dagobert at his decease hee left him to succeede under the charge of Grimoald who caused the Infant Dagobert to be transported into Scotland by Dudo Bishop of Poictiers there to be made a Monke and caused his owne sonne Childebert to be crowned King of Austrasie which caused the King Clovis accompanied with his Mayre Ercembault to give him battaile in which they were both taken and carryed to Paris where they dyed By reason whereof Clovis instituted his second sonne Childeric King of Austrasie and appointed Walfroy for Mayre of his Palace After that there being a great famine Clovis tooke all the Plate and Treasure out of the Church of St. Deâ—nis and gave it to the poore and in recompence thereof hee exempted that Abby from the subjection of the Bishop of Paris He departed this life to a better An. Dom. 665 in the 21. yeare of his age or as others 23 and lyeth at St. Denis expecting a glorious Resurrection This King and many other his successors retained nothing of Soveraignty but the name and habilements of Kings having resign'd their Regall power to their Mayres For after they had committed all their Authority to these Vice-kings they themselves did never appeare in publick but on the first day of May and then in their Chariots stuck with flowers and drawne with 4. Oxen. No suiters were admited to the Kings presence who in his Chamber surfetted on all kind of pleasure while the Subjects complained onely to the Mayre and by
entire government of the whole Kingdome and command of all insomuch that he was called Prince of the French-men great Master and Governour of France And Clotharius had but the bare title of King which is a cause that Paulus Aemilius and other Historians have not inserted him into the Catalogue of the Kings of France The aforesaid Clotharius deceased about the yeare 719 and lyeth inhumed at Nancy This King having not the power of a King was like a Picture of Majesty for some years exposed to the publick view but afterwards death drew a Curtaine between him and the world and then he was soone forgotten whereas vertue doth give a second life to Princes while their name is preserved fresh in memory For Sola virtus expers Sepulchri Vertue alone can never dye But liveth still in memory And therfore that excellent monument better than any Marble stone cut into forme by Carvers Art is the statue of the mind not that of the body for Statue huiusmodi relinquendae quae virtutis sint monumenta magis quà m staturae corporis That King doth need no Tombe cut out by Art Whose Fame doth live in every Subjects heart Daniel alias Chilperic 20. King of France Anno 719. DAniel whom some affirme to have beene the Sonne of Childebert and brother to Dagobert and others that he was onely of the blood Royall was taken out of the Monastery to bee made King and his former name was changed into Chilperic Anno Domini 715. In the beginning of his Reigne he entered into a confederacy with Ratbode Duke of Frizeland In the meane time Charles Martel escaped the imprisonment of his Step-mother Plectrude and as hee made all possible meanes and waies for the recovery of his right before that hee could effect any thing he was by Ratbode defeated neare the Meuse before that Rainfroy and Chilperic could come to charge him Neverthelesse Anno Domini 716. after as the Frenchmen went with a Convoy of an infinite treasure of monyes from the parts neare Cologne which Plectrude had given them Charles Martel set upon them with such a fury that he enforced them to forsake it neare unto Albis By the meanes whereof taking heart for this his first fortunate enterprize he overthrew Rainfroy an◠Chilperic Anno Domini 717. th◠21 of March neare unto Vinciate who came with an intent of an ample revenge Charles by this victory assuring himselfe of the French desirous to reduce the rest of the Kingdome of Austracy entered by force into Cologne and forced Plectrude to surrender unto him all his Fathers Treasures And for the greater validity of his cause puts one forward whom some esteeme to have beene the Uncle of the last King Dagobert called Clotharius or Lotharius forcing him to take upon him the title and name of King with him afterwards hee went to encounter Chilperic and Rainfroy who by the meanes of Eude Duke of Aquitan or Gascogne were destitute of their Forces being by him defeated and overthrowne in Champagne insomuch that for safety Chilperic retired to the said Duke with all his Treasures Anno Domini 719. Clotharius the titulary King departed this life whereupon Charles Martel sent to demand King Chilperie of Eude that he might bee sent unto him by whom he was afterwards acknowledged as a King and entertained Eude into his amity and love Chilperic also a yeare after deceased Anno Dom. 720. having reigned five yeares and a halfe in a troublesome and turbulent State which was scarce settled in all the time of his Reigne Charles Martel with Clotharius or Lotharius who had tooke the name and title of King raising many perturbations in his Kingdome But Death at length drew his dayes to a period after his great and manifold troubles and lyeth interred at Noyon Theodoric 21. King of France Anno 720. THeodoric was by Charles Martel substituted to Chilperic Anno Domini 720. and reigned onely titulary as others had done before him for the space of eighteene yeares Charles Martel left Anion to Rainfroy upon condition that hee should resigne the office of Mayre and after that went to terrifie and chastise the Saxons who had rebelled at which time Ratbod Duke of Frizeland dyed A.D. 727. He brought the Almaines into such a servitude to the French that before that time they never performed Afterwards having enforced Plectrude to come to an agreement he marched into Aquitan against Eude where in the way hee by a generall Parliament made himselfe to bee stiled Prince of the French Whereupon Eude more enraged than vanquished incited the Saracens of Spaine by the meanes of Muguoce Lord of Lerdane his sonne in Law their servant whom Charles encountred before Tours and gave them an overthrow by the assistance of the said Eude who was enforced to take his part by reason of the insolencyes committed by the Saracens who had now come downe into his Countrey In this expedition hee gained the sirname name of Martel for the Mortality he made of his enemies After the ending of this warre he went against the Burgundians to punish them for their rebellion and also those of Provence After that knowing the death of Eude he reduced Guienne and Aquitaine into his obedience dis-inheriting Gaifer and Walde the sonnes of Eude who retiring themselves into Gothland and Septimany alias Languedoc recovered by the assistance of the Visigoths a part of Guienne in the meane time that Martel was in warres against Pepin the sonne of Ratbod whom he overthrew and forced the Frizons to become Christians After having sent backe his Vncle Childebrand against the Visigoths and Saracens who had possessed Avignon himselfe went to quell Burgundy now upon a revolt and by the aide of Luitprand King of the Lombards he went to drive Athin out of Narbon and out of all Languedoc and Provence all which he submitted to the Crowne of France and hee tooke away the Earledome of Marsiles from Count Morice who had delivered Avignon to the Saracens Theodoric dyed about the yeare 740. It was a usuall custome for great Warriers and Souldiers in those times to get some titular addition to their name as Alexander was called Ille magnus so Martel was so sirnamed Quasi mortalis or Martialis because he was mortal in his expeditions full of martiall valour he was the first founder of the second Race of the French Kings and therefore must needes be a man of great vertue since the raisers of private families are either Saints or Divells that get honour by vertue or goe to hell for it to leave it to their Posterity Childeric 3. the 22. King of France Anno 740. CHilderic succeeded his brother Theodorick Anno Domini 740. He was the last King of the race of the Merovees Charles Martel deceased at Paris October the 22. An. Dom. 741 leaving Carloman and Pepin surnamed The short Giles Arch-bishop of Rouen and Griffon who was by another Mother Carloman and Pepin tooke upon all their Fathers possessions and
entituled themselves Dukes and Princes of the French They called Hunaud to accompt who had made himselfe a proprietary Lord of Aquitaine In the meane time Griffon fastened upon Laon claiming it as his right from whence he was fetcht out and imprisoned at Ardennes After Carboman having compelled the Almans who had revolted to his obedience An. Dom. 743 went with his brother to combate Odilon or Vtilon Duke of Bavaria who was now in Rebellion and had stolen and married their sister whom they having compelled to alter his Title of King to Duke they were contented he should peaceably enjoy their Sister as his wife At their departure out of Bavaria An. Dom. 744. they went against the Saxons whom they enforced to undergoe their accustomed yoake giving their Duke Theodoric as an Hostage who upon his owne word was sent backe but the yeare following hee was againe taken in a relapse of a new revolt against the French An. Dom. 746. Carloman became a Monke of Mount Soracte in Tuscany and afterward at Mount Cassin Whereupon Pepin reduced the whole Monarchy into his sole power Afterwards hee pursued his brother Griffon who had retired himselfe into Saxony and from thence into Bavaria from whence Pepin having fisht him hee brought him into France and gave him the Dukedome of Angely in Normandy After this Pepin affecting to joyne to himselfe both the name and the Royall Authority wrought with Pope Zachary by Bouchard Bishop of Witsbourg and by Volrude his Domesticke Chaplaine so farre that the States of France assembling at Soyssons following the declaration of Pope Zachary degraded Childeric and his wife Gisale and sent them to live a Monasticke life in the Countrey of Bavaria Anno Dom. 752. Thus was the Merovaean race deprived of its honour 293. yeares after the death of Merovaeus This King and his Queene were enforced to be religious and being depos'd were sent to a Monastery for it was a usuall custome sometime to confine the right Heire to such houses or when they would be rid of their Kings they did shave their heads and made Monks of them wherein it may bee they did their soules good but compelled Religion can never be sound Jerome living in a Wildernesse beheld Rome and a King in a Cave will thinke on a Crowne and therefore it may be said When a King weares the Fryers hood He is either very bad or good Charles Martell Duke and Prince of the French ONE Charles Martel is placed here amongst the Kings of France not because in his life time hee tooke upon him the Name and Title of a King but because indeed hee commanded all France after that hee had made an escape out of the imprisonment of Plectrude his Mother in law untill his death having made himselfe to bee created in an Assembly of three Estates of the Kingdome Prince and Duke of the Frenchmen more haughty and illustrious than that of Mayre of the Palace wherewith his Predecessours were contented and the Kings that reigned in his time had onely the bare Name and Title without any power at all as it hath beene already mentioned yea and after his decease his successors qualified him as a King as it appeares by his Tombe in the Church of Denis in France where his Statue is crowned and acoutred with Robes of Regality and is written about it in Latine words Charolus Martellus Rex And justly hee may be so styled because there was no King in his time but who he pleased Pepin Heristel was his Father Ausigise his Grandfather S. Arnulph his great Grandfather who being a Widower was made Bishop of Mets which S. Arnulph was directly descended in the Masculine Line of Clodion the sonne of Pharamond the first King of France This Charles was so valiant and generous that he obtained the Surname of Martel for the exceeding great strength of his arme and the memorable Victory which he obtained against the Saracens neare unto the City of Tours of whom he slew in the place to the number of 375. Thousand He reduced the whole Countrey of Languedoc otherwise called Septimany to the Monarchy of France which untill that time was not warranted Hee was very zealous in the defence of the Christian Religion yea and Rome it selfe being distressed by the siege of Luitprand King of the Lombards and brought into great extremities Pope Gregory sent by a Bishop Anastasius and Sergius a Priest the Keyes of the Sepulchre of St. Peter to Prince Martell whereby he intimated unto him that he put himselfe the Church and the City of Rome into his protection and safeguard Wherefore he sent Embassadors to the Lombards to intreate them for his sake to desist and to permit a peace to the City of Rome which tooke such effect that from that time afterward the Popes in all distresses sought to France for reliefe upon all occasions whereof they never were destitute In the end the Goths being vanquished the Saxons and Frizons subdued Languedoc conquered and Provence recovered and France enjoying the tranquillity of a happy peace Charles made a distribution of his estate to his Children and shortly after dyed the â—â— of October Anno Domini 741 who was the first that was ever styled Prince of France and lyes at St. Denis in France This Charles Martell being King of France in power though not in Title did make Childeric called Daniel Clotâ—rius the fourth Theodoric the second and Childerick the third successively Kings of France The Realme anâ— Crowne of France being by Childeriâ— the third offered to Charles Martell who refused the Diademe saying That it was more glorious to reigne over kings than to be a King as appeareth by this Epitaph on his Monument 〈◊〉 Brabantinus Dux primus in orbe triumphat â—â—â—â—eus in mundo speâ—ialis Christicolarum Dux Dominusque Ducum Regum quoque Rex fore spernit Non vult regnare sed Regibus imperat ipse The Duke of Braban whom Fame doth renowne For the chiefe Champion of all Christendome Ruled both Dukes and Kings and did disdaine To be a King but over Kings did reigne He had foure sonnes Caroloman and Giles of modest milde spirit Pepin and Griffon rough and ambitious he left to Caroloman Austrasia to Giles being more hardy France and Giles given to devotion hee made Bishop of Roan â—nd Griffon being of a turbulent dispoâ—ion had no portion but was enâ—orced to depend on his brothers â—hereby the ambition of many broâ—ers reigning together was prevented Fame doth report that this Monarchy nor any forraigne State did ever yeeld a worthier man or any one so well accomplisht with so rare and goodly qualities being greatly admired and generally beloved for his pious and renowned actions For Religion Wisdome Justice Valour modesty in prosperity resolution in adversity temperance in Authority diligence and good fortune made him a most compleate Prince not wanting any endowments fit for so high a calling and the example of vertuous perfection for Vertue is the highest perfection
to the leading of a vertuous and godly life as may appeare by his spending three yeares in reading the Bible and St. Augustines Bookes before he dyed And the Character of his Life was That his vertue was the paterne of Princes and his good fortune the subject of their wishes Lewis the Debonaire Emperor of Rome and 25. King of France Anno 814. LEwis who was left the sole son of Charlemagne was consecrated at Rheimes by Pope Stephen Anno Domini 814. In the beginning of his Empire he reduced the Sclavonians Sorabes and Gascoignes under his obedience who had revolted upon the death of Charlemaine He held a Parliament at Aix where he caused his eldest sonne Prince Lotharius to bee crowned Emperour with him and caused his other sonnes to bee Crowned Kings giving unto Pepin the Kingdome of Aquitaine and to Lewis the Dutchy of Bavaria By reason whereof his Nephew Bernard rebelled against him who by a sentence of the Emperours Counsaile had his eyes pulled out whereupon he dyed with griefe From thence Lewis went against the Bretons who had made an insurrection and chaced Lindeute Governour of Austria out of Pannonia And having Anno Domini 824 renewed his alliance with Michael the Emperour of Constantinople and his wife Hermingarde being dead he marryed with Judith daughter of the Count Artolf which Iudith because she advanced hers to the disadvantage of the Emperours Children was a cause that they raised an army against their Father who having confined her into a Monastery of Italy she was put into a Coffer at St. Medards of Soissons from whence she was conveyed out by the French Princes Lotharius seeing this fled into Italy The troubles of France being appeased the Danes and Normans ransacked the Countrey of Zeland and Frizland and also the Bretons rebelled Also the Saracens much perplexed the Emperor in the chasing them out of Italy and Provence who finding himselfe neare his end bequeathed unto his son Charles the Occidentall part of France and by the death of Pepin A.D. 838. Aquitaine was added to Lotharius he left the Empire with the rest of the Kingdome of France to Lewis the kingdom of Bavaria Lewis being discontented at this partage would needes take Almaine into his power but having beene hindered two severall times by the Emperours Army in the end the Emperour dyed in an Isle of the Rhine the sixtieth yeare of his age and the 27. of his Empire and reignâ— Anno Domini 840. This Lewis was of a milde and gentle disposition fitter to be a Church-man than a King wherby he grew contemptible to his Subjects yet milde natures much provoked are violent in revenge for having taken Bernard he imprisoned him then put out his eyes and all the Bishops noblemen his adherents Hee indiscreetly gave his sonnes their portions and thereby procured his own affliction arming them with strength to rebell against their Father and for affection to Church-men he was by them censured for his cruelty to the Bishops to be confined to a Monastery while the Clergy adhered to the rebellious Children against the father whose late attempt was to chastise the insolency of of his sonne Lewis but age and griefe concluded his happinesse and the good old King having felt enough vexation in the unnaturall rebellion of his Children forsooke the world and so found rest and happines Charles the Bald Emperor and the 26. King of France Anno 840. THis Charles the Bald having attained to the Kingdome Anno Dom. 840 made great Warres against Lotharius untill hee gave him battaile at Fontenay During these debates the Bretons revolted and the Normans came even unto Paris to sacke the Abby of St. German insomuch that Charles was enforced by money to hire them to a retreate After this Charles went against Neomenius King of Bretagne whom he routed and defeated twice afterwards Anno Dom. 851. after Aquitaine fell into the hands of Charles who encloystered his Nephews Pepin and Charles Hee againe overthrew the Bretons the Normans on the other side tooke the City of Nantes confounding all with blood and fire not sparing the Bishop who was then at Masse Fifteene yeares after the battaile at Fontnay Charles the Bald made himselfe to be annointed King in the City of Limoges Lotharius became a Monke leaving the government to his son Lewis but that part of Gaule beyond the mountaines was divided betweenâ— Charles and Lotharius his other sonnes Baldwin having espoused the daughteâ— of Charles the Bald without his consent in the end was acknowledged as Sonâ— in law to whom Charles gave the County of Flanders and lost Aquitaine whereupon Lewis caused himselfe to be Crowned King of Germany in the City of Sens while Charles was entertained in Warres against the Normans which he recovered Anno Domini 859 forcing his brother to retreate into Germany Anno Dom. 863. they entered into a League In the meane time there grew great troubles amongst the Nobility of France by the meanes whereof the Bretons came as farre as Poitiers whence they were chaced by Charles and An. Dom. 863. they were constrained to take their Kingdome and Dutchy by faith of homage to him And Anno Dom. 869. hee was elected King of Loraine by the death of his Nephew Lotharius He was also crowned Emperor Anno Dom. 875. by the death of his Nephew Lewis which hee enjoyed not above two yeares in the end whereof being desirous to returne out of Italy into France he was poisoned by his Physitian the sixth of October Anno Dom. 877. The Reigne of this Prince was confused and unhappy and of small fame being a King of no merit for from the confusion in his reigne the fall of this Race did spring But as Timanthes when he drew Iphigenia ready to be sacrific'd painted Calchus with a sad countenance Vlysses sadder and having spent all his Art in expressing Menelaus griefe and not knowing how to make the Fathers countenance more sorrowfull cover'd his head with a vaile leaving his passion to be conceived by imagination so this Kings Picture deserves to bee hidden and obscured with the vaile of silence for it is better not to write at all than to write though justly disgracefully of deceased Princes Lewis 3. Emperour and 27. King of France Anno 877. AFter the decease of Charles the Bald Lewis surnamed the Stut was heire and successor of his Father declared himselfe not onely King of France Anno Dom. 877 causing himselfe to be crowned in a full assembly of Princes and Prelates at Rheimes but also Emperour of Rome Aymoynus testifieth that hee was in some difference before his Coronation with the Primates of his Kingdome because he had distributed the estates and dignities of France without their advice Insomuch that he was enforced to give them content In the meane time Pope John the 8. conceiving a better hope of the French than of the Almaines laboured what he could to reduce Italy into the good liking of Lewis the
Stut by the reason whereof he became an enemy of those that tooke part with Caroloman Nephew to the said Lewis and eldest sonne of Lewis King of Bavaria who tooke the Pope prisoner whence hee made an escape by the meanes of his adherents and retired himselfe into France with the Treasures of the Church after that he had excommunicated his adversaries who neverthelesse desisted not to detaine the City of Rome for the party of Caroloman In the meane time the Pope was conducted from Arles by Duke Boson to Lions from whence he went to visite the King at Troyes and there the King caused himselfe by him to be crowned with the Imperiall Diadem After that the Pope was reconducted by Boson into Italy whiles the Emperour Lewis went to visite Lewis King of Germany in Loraine where they concluded a treaty of peace for the which the controversie touching the Empire was deferred till another time and it was agreed that the possession should rest as it did of that which each of them had in Italy untill such time that it was otherwise agreed upon Afterwards as the Emperour was in his journey with his forces to goe visite Bernard Marques of Gothland or of Languedock which had given an occasion to the Emperour to distrust his fidelity hee was surprised at Troyes with a malady which moved him upon hope of recovery to returne to Compaigne where he deceased the tenth of April An. Dom. 879 leaving his Wife great with child who shortly after was delivered of a son who was called Charles afterwards surnamed the Simple whose life is set downe as the occasion falls convenient wherein you shall read Notes worthy your observation In whose minority three things are observable the efficacy of the Law of State preserving the unborne lawfull Heires right The minority of a King subject to many miseries And the liberty of great men in the weaknesse of a young Prince For Lewis and Caroloman being first chosen Regents after procured themselves under colour of the pupiles interest to be crowned Kings Lewis and Caroloman or Carlon the 28. King of France An. 879. THis Lewis and Carlon or Caroloman sonnes of Lewis the Stui and of Ausgarde whom hee had taken to wife without the knowledge of his father and after by his command divorced her according to the Almaine Chronicles were crowned Kings of France An. Dom. 879. according to the appointment of Lewis the Stut at his death to the Peeres of his Realme Upon which occasion some Abbots and great Lords partializing against them appealed Lewis King of Almany to take charge of the affaires of France into his hands To which purpose being arrived at Verdun he was pacified with the part of the Kingdome of Loraine which was given him upon which he and his late Father had quarrelled with the Kings of France This fire being thus quenched another controversie grew concerning the County of Authun betweene the Counts Theodoric to whom it was given by the late deceased Emperour and Boson who layd a claime thereunto to whom it was adjudged by Hugh the Abbot upon condition that he should leave the Abbies with their revenues which were in those parts to Theodoric The State of France being thus troubled Boson grew more turbulent causing himselfe to be crowned King of Burgundy as also did the Normans whom the Kings overthrew upon Saint Andrews day Anno Dom. 879 slaying 5000. of them in the field After in the yeare 880 they made a partage of the Kingdome of France by which all the Neustrick France befell to Lewis and Aquitan with Burgundy with the Marches to Caroloman This being done they went to surprise the Normans whom they cut in peeces in the Carbonary Forrest to the number of 9000 the yeare after he deceased The Normans not desisting from wasting and sacking the Countrey of France came up as farre as Paris Carloman was enforced to buy a peace of them for 12. yeares which he enjoyed not long for in the yeare 884. he was slaine by a wild Boare a hunting having reigned five or sixe yeares or running after a Gentlewoman his horse carried him away and crush'd him under a gate or at the Chace hee fell downe and broke his necke for report differing in the manner of his death agrees that it was violent and accidentall Lewis the Lubber and Charles the Grosse the 29. K. of France An. 885. THis Lewis surnamed the Lubber or Doe-little sonne of Carloman succeeded in the Kingdome An. Dom. 885 at the pursuite of Hugh the Abbot who was so named because as it is thought he was the first of the Lay-Princes that usurped the revenues of the Abbies so that all that part on this side Seine and that which was called Neustry remained in the obedience of Lewis the Doe little and the parts beyond the Seine with Burgundy were under Charles the grosse Emperour who came to take the protection of France against the Normans according as Fulco Arch-Bishop of Rheimes testifieth Therefore it is that they are placed in the Ranke and Catalogue of the Kings In those times the Normans ranged about Neustry sacking and spoyling the greatest part of Cities in those parts namely Rouen Eureux and Bayeux but they were so soundly curryed by the valour of Hugh the Abbot that in a long time after they durst not set a foote there which was a cause that the same yeare 887. they returned to thunder upon the other parts of France not sparing the Emperours Countrey where they surprised the Castle of Lovanne From thence they came before Paris under the conduct of their King Sigefroy hoping there also to make a prey as they had done elsewhere but it was so bravely defended by Count Eudes the Abbot Goslin that they were quite frustrate of their expectation and pretence This Lewis dyed immediately after having borne the name of a King to his dying day for the space of two yeares according to the Chronicle of St. Benigne Moreover Charles became so stupefied in his senses and understanding that when the Princes of the Empire knew that there was no hope of his recovery and that the affaires of the Empire might fall into some disasters they gave him into the charge of his Nephew Arnulph naturall sonne of the late Caroloman in whose custody he dyed soone after on the 12. of January Anno Dom. 888. This King was approved in the beginning of his Reigne and reverenced by his Subjects but afterwards having made a dishonourable peace with the Normans yeelding them Neustria now called Normandy hee lost his Subjects affection and then through griefe and jealousie conceived against his Queene Richarda fell sicke and through the distemper of his body and minde being unfit to governe was deposed rejected both from the Realme and Empire banished from the Court and having neither house nor meanes was starved and dyed for want of reliefe in a poore Village of Suevia Thus one of the great Monarchs of the world dyed
without house without bread without honour without mourning without memory but that his end was prodigiously memorable The reasons were his imperious pride in prosperity and his despairing dejectednesse in adversity fooâ—â—sh extreames becomming not a magnanimous mind therefore his affliction was hated of his subjects not considering the true cause of his affliction But the chiefe cause was his distrust in God in his extremities for he should have acknowledgd that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as David said O Lord although I am throwne downe I have held my peace thou hast it done Eudes or Odo the 30. King of France Anno 891. EVdes or Odo sonne of Roberâ— Count of Paris and of France Tutor to the young Charles tooke the government of the affaires under the Title of King and by the consent of Arnulph and the Lords of France Hee was consecrated and annointed King and crowned by Walter Arch-bishop of Sens who was a cause that Baldwin Count of Flanders and Fulco Arch-bishop of Rheimes sent Guy Duke of Spoleta into Italy to take the affaires of France into his hands Odo being established gave the County of Paris and of France to Count Robert his brother and instituted Richard Count of Authun governour of the lower Burgundy for the defence thereof against the Normans who having beene Anno Domini 888. repulsed from before Paâ—is by Count Robert came before Sens from whence they were heaten by the â—â—id Richard Duke of Burgundy who was the first that left that dignity hereâ—itary and patrimoniall to his succesâ—â—rs Walter Nephew to Eudes making 〈◊〉 insurrection against him betooke himselfe into Lygus whence fetcht out he was put to death At the same time Ebulo Abbot of St. Germans and Count Ranulph together with his brother Gotsbert arose against Eudes in Aquitaine whom he made to goe against them In the meane time the greatest part of the Lords of Neustria were in pursuite of Fulco Arch-bishop of Rheimes and of the Counts Heribert and Pepin the young Charles the Simple whom they caused to be crowned King in the City of Rheimes Whereupon Eudes and he grew to great Warres so that Charles the Simple would have entered into a confederacy of a Fleete oâ— Normans under the conduct of Hastingâ— for the recovery of his Kingdome buâ— he was prevented by Fulco the Archbishop of Rheimes because they werâ— as yet Pagans Fulco made peace betweene Eudes and Charles the Simpleâ— Anno Domini 897 and by this reconciliation a part of the Kingdome wâ—â— given to Charles and the other permâ—ted to Eudes who enjoyed it not lonâ— after because he deceased without issue the 13. of January Anno 898 and at his death hee declared that of right the Crowne after him ought to returne to Charles the Simple to whom it of equity and right appertained From the Race of this Eudes sprung Hugh Capet for Widechind of Saxony favour'd by Charlemagne sent his son Robert or Rupert into France who had two sonnes Eudes and Robert Father to Hugh the great Father to Hugh Capet afterward King of France Fame drew this Character of Eudes that hee was a good wise man yet he could not please the French by his Regency for the excesse of his vertue curbing the desire of such as sought to raise their fortunes by usurping power over the State and the Kings weaknesse supported by Eudes drew envy on his actions seeking the good of the Common-wealth which hee neglected but with approved resolution not abated by private malice went forward with the government of the Realme and at last resignes all his Authority to the King who like Phaethon unfit to rule the Chariot of the Sunne by his bad government met those misfortunes which Eudes kept off while hee lived for Wisdome and Discretion is Scutum invincibile an invincible Buckler folly envy policy treachery slander adversity necessity power and injustice and all the Devills invisible Artillery cannot pierce nor wound him that is therewith arm'd Charles the Simple the 31. King of France Anno 898. CHarles surnamed the Simple was estated in his Fathers Throne Anno Dom. 898 and by the reason of his imbecillity every one encroched upon him by making whatsoever possessions they held as hereditary to their posterity what belonged of right to the Crowne in so much that great dignities Dutchies Earledomes and government of Provinces which formerly were held but for terme of life in a titulary way were now made hereditary Anno Domini 912. he made a peace with Rollon upon condition that the Countrey of Neustry bounded by the River Epte on the one side and by the Ocean on the other should remaine to Rollon in Title of a Dutchy to hold it in homage of the Crowne of France conditionally also that he and his whole Countrey should bee baptized in the Christian Faith By reason whereof he was baptized Robert after the name of his Kinsman Count Robert from thence Normandy had its denomination In those times also there were great troubles in France which were raised by Robert brother to the former Odo who had caused himselfe to bee crowned King by Herivee Arch-bishop of Rheimes whilst Charles was in Loraine for the recovery whereof Charles led an Army of Lorainers against Robert whom he tooke at unawares neare to Soyssons Notwithstanding this Robert resisted him valiantly but with the losse of his life The battaile neverthelesse was lost by Charles who fled into Loraine Whereupon the Allies of Robert called in Duke Rodulph of Burgundy whom they caused to be crowned King at Soyssons for want of Hugh le Blanc sonne of the late Robert who by reason of his youth durst not pretend the Crowne After this Charles staid not long to be entrapped in the snares of Hebert the Count who sent by his Cousin Bernard Count of Senlis to take him so that he was detained prisoner in the City of St. Quintin and afterwards was sent to the Castle of Thyerry upon the Marne and from thence to Peronne where he ended his life five yeares after his imprisonment leaving Lewis in the power of his Mother Theargine who for his safety conveyed him into England This King having resign'd his Crowne to Raoul his God-sonne the first Prince of the blood by his Mother Hermingrade Daughter to Lewis and wife of Boson King of Burgundy dyed with griefe and of a languishing Melancholy to see that his treacherous vassage should so affront and oppose him and use him in such a disgracefull manner For there is no greater misery or vexation than when the Master through want and poverty is abused by the man it doth even astonish the minde and pierce the Heart unto death for Asperius nihil est humili cum surgit in altum Rodulph or Raoul of Burgundy the 32. King of France Anno 923. ROdulph having beene crowned King at Soissons the 13. of June Anno Dom. 923 reigned 13. yeares hee went afterwards to warre with Hugh le Blanc against the Normans others
against those of the Faction of Rollon and also those that inhabited upon the River Loire from whence he was recalled to receive the oath of the Lorainers excepting that of Duke Gislebert and Rotharius Arch-bishop of Treues Afterwards having espoused Berthe the Daughter of the Duke of Swede and because having a hope to attaine the Empire he passed into Italy where hee overthrew Berengarius and drove him out of Italy and at his returne having made peace with the Normans hee went against William Duke of Aquitaine whom hee enforced to acknowledge his estate to have dependance from the Crowne And upon the parting of Estates of the Kingdome which was held at Attigny hee had gone into Loraine had hee not beene hindered by a fit of sicknesse which retained him at Rheimes After that he went against the Normans but through the rebellion of the Lorainers who had surrendred the upper Loraine into the power of the Emperour Henry he was enforced to make peace with the Normans which continued not long because having recommenced their wonted courses he was constrained to purchase his peace with a great summe of monies that hee might goe against the Duke of Aquitaine who was now in rebellion from whom hee tooke Nevers The bruite of the Hungarians comming into France gave him to understand of the revolt of Count Heribert who accompanying himselfe with Hugh le Blanc went to take an Alliance with Henry the Emperour in Loraine and in his returne released King Charles out of prison who went to meete William Duke of Normandy to enter a League against Rodulph This beginning of Warres being pacified betweene them Heribert caused Charles againe to be imprisoned who dyed shortly after at Peronne In those times there were great contentions amongst the Paires of France concerning the Provinces which proceeded from the politick slights of the Emperour who sought to hold the partialities of France in an equality for feare lest the tranquillity of France might not produce a trouble to his estate in Loraine Rodulph deceased the twelfth or fifteenth day of January Anno Domini 939. This Roul was an usurper and his reigne was troublesome and unfortunate and for hee and others that had beene servants to the Crowne being now Kings and Dukes thought to make their Dominions proper to themselves and not depending on the Crowne which bred much confusion in France Italy and Germany The Church did now strive to advance the Authority of the Pope of Rome gaining a great opinion among Christians in the Empires declining estate and growing so great a Monarch that he assumed primacy above Kings and Emperours which they and their subjects refused to acknowledge In these times a young Maide attired like a Boy went with a learned man to Athens and returned from thence so good a Scholler being well read in many Authors of exquisite learning and profound knowledge and so expert likewise in the holy Scriptures that after the death of Pope Leo shee was created Pope John the eight but afterward being with childe by one of her Groomes she was as shee went in solemne procession according to the custome and order observ'd amongst theâ— delivered of a childe in the open streete Thus the Empire the Realme and the Church were in those times much distemper'd and disgraced price and ignorance breeding many miseries and reproachfull accidents Lewis 4. the 33. King of France Anno 939. LEwis son of Charles the Simple was recalled out of England by the Princes of France and at the instance of Hugh le Blanc was crowned at Laon by the Arch-bishop of Rheims the 19. of July An. Dom. 939. From thence hee went to recover the City of Langres from Hugh le Noire brother to King Rodulph and having entertained the Lords of Burgundy before he came to Paris hee discarded Hugh le Blanc and for his owne Mother that he might make use of her counsell which caused Hugh to allye himselfe to the Emperour Otho by taking his sister in marriage and to reconcile Heribert Afterwards they went to follow the King even into Burgundy who in revenge fell upon Loraine which caused the Emperour to depart out of Almaine to oppose him but they made a peace betweene themselves This notwithstanding the King could not obtaine peace of his adversaries untill the Dukes of Normandy Aquitaine and Bretagne being encouraged by Pope Stephen embraced him and they wrought so that the Emperour accorded with the Princes Hugh Heribert who awhile after that was taken by the King and hanged because he had imprisoned his Father which so much disturbed the repose of France together with the death of William Dukes of Normandy who was murthered by the Count of Flanders that Warres being enkindled over all France the King was taken prisoner by the Normans from being recovered by Hugh le Blanc who delivered him to Count Thibaut who detained him longer for the space of a yeare The Emperour Otho seeing this debated the cause of Hugh le Blanc and began to maintaine the Kings so long untill carrying himselfe indifferent hee came to reape the fruite of both their ruines without any danger at all In conclusion this last Warre which had continued seven or eight yeares being ended by an agreement betweene the King and Duke Hughes in the City of Soyssons the King dyed of a strange malady in the Moneth of September or according to others the 12. of November Anno Domini 954 after he had reigned about 19. yeares leaving by his wife Gerberge Lotharius and Charles This King as it is formerly briefly mentioned to revenge the death of his Father whom Hebert Earle of Vermandois had kept a prisoner in the Castle of Peronne untill hee there dyed caused one in the habite of an Englishman to come in haste to his Court at Landun with Letters which himselfe had written though fained to be sent from the King of England The messenger being entred and the Letters read softly to the King by his Secretary the King smiled and said The Englishmen are not so wise as I esteem'd them to be for our Cosin Harmant King of England hath signified unto me by these Letters that in his Countrey a labouring man inviting his Master to dine at his house caused him to be slaine and now hee desires your counsell my Lords what punishment this fellow hath deserved Whereupon Thibaut Earle of Bloys said that hee was worthy to be tortur'd and then hang'd on a Gibbet which sentence all the Lords there present and also Hebert Earle of Vermandois did confirme and allow Whereupon the Kings Officers there provided in a readinesse apprehended the said Hebert Earle of Vermandois unto whom the King said Hebert this wicked Labourer is thy selfe who didst put to death thy Lord and Master King Charles my Father for which thou hast condemned thy selfe to dye by thy owne judgment Whereupon Hebert was hanged on a Gibbet on the top of a Mountaine neare Lodun which since his Execution is
called still Mount Hebert This Lewis as was said being nine yeares in England was therefore surnamed D'ontremer or from beyond the Seas Hee was disloyall and unfortunate for though he endured much affliction and many unkind fortunes yet hee was not mended in his life by his sufferings nor had learned to embrace Vertue whose Beauty appeares most faire and comely when her eyes are fill'd with teares making sorrow looke with a sweet and lovely countenance It is that which in a Prince is most glorious causing him to fixe his minde onely upon that which may prove beneficiall to the Church and State But this was not the object wherein this Monarch was delighted so that he was deprived of that excellency which by Vertue is attained Besides he did degenerate from the blood of Charlemaine for birth nor adversity did enlarge his narrow thoughts to take pleasure in noble actions Hee came came unto the government after a long absence which made his returne more gratefull to the Subjects while his Enemies thought to creepe into his affection by the tender of fained service especially William Duke of Normandy thus Prosperity commands counterfeited offers of fidelity Lotharius the 34. King of France Anno 954. THis Lotharius succeeded to the Crowne the 12. of November Anno Domini 954. Hee gave Burgundy and Aquitaine to Duke Hughes and would have made him Governour of Aquitaine But Count William defending his right shut the Gates of Poitiers against him Hughes deceased the 16. of June Anno Domini 956 leaving Hughes Capet Otho Odo and Henry with whom the King fell into some differences concerning some Castles which he had seized from them All which were appeased by Bruno Arch-bishop of Cologne Unkle to the King who was sent by the Emperour Otho After this the King made an Assembly of the Princes and Prelates of France at Soissons for the surprising of Richard Duke of Normandy who plotted against the King but he could not be found In the meane time Arnulph the old Count of Flanders being dead who before had made a donation of his Lands to King Lotharius caused his body this yeare 965. to be transported into Flanders thereby to receive the submissions of their fidelity Lotharius Anno Domini 966. espoused Hemina or Emma Daughter to Lotharius the â— King of Italy and Adeleide Daughter to the Emperour Otho as also Matilde Sister of this our Lotharius was married unto Bernard King of Burgundy Afterwards the King intending to make Warres upon Richard Duke of Normandy at the instigation of Thibault Count of Chartres was enforced to come to an agreement with him A while after Lotharius wrought with Ranier and Lamhert sonnes of the late Count of Monts in Haynaut to make him a way for the re-entry upon the Kingdome of Loraine which the Almaines detained from him which was a cause that Otho to cut off his designes gave the Lower Loraine to Charles the brother of Lotharius to bring him thereby into his disaffection The King passed with his forces as farre as Aix where he thought to have surprised the Emperour who to require him went before Paris from whence hee was notably repulsed whereupon they came to an accord and Loraine continued to Charles who then added to his Coate of Armes an Arme proceeding out of the clouds After the death of Otho King Lotharius falls againe upon Loraine which hee did not long enjoy because hee dyed immediately after Anno Domini 985. This Kings life was a meere blanke wherein no brave actions were inscribed for the example of posterity being a fruitlesse branch and the first that grew out of his stock excepting his sonne who derived from him no sap of vertue but was also barren in goodnesse Hee did so contemne his brother Charles whom his Father had left no portion but his favour thereby to increase his respect to his eldest brother so that the Emperour whose assistance hee desired undertooke the quarrell From whence this Note may be collected that there is no depending on the favour of Kindred who looke for much reverence and will doe no justice in rewarding desert which they rather contemne untill Vertue despis'd breeds open hatred But Charles ayded by the Emperour was undiscreete in his carriage for the ayde received from the Emperour made him to cleave too fast to the Germans and disclaime the French as if kindnesse had altered his nature and this change drew on the justly conceived hatred of the French and thereby overthrew his estate by carrying too open a shew of disaffection for the wrong done by his brother and righted by the Emperour Lastly as we said Lewis dyed but the remembrance of his Reigne survived to his disgrace and ignominy in succeeding ages leaving his sonne Charles to bee the last King of this second Race Lewis 5. the 35. King of France Anno 986. AFter the decease of Lotharius Lewis the fift his onely sonne succeeded to the Crowne Anno Domini 986 and was consecrated at Rheimes The Continuator of Aimoynus writeth that he reigned nine yeares as also another Chronicler call'd Hugh is of the same opinion Neverthelesse it may be proved by certaine testimonies that Lotharius dyed An. Dom. 985 to whom Lewis succeeded and that Hugues Capet began not to reigne before the yeare 987 or 988 so that it appeares that this could not reigne above two yeares and was enterred at S. Cornelius of Compeigne Moreover Glaber testifieth that Lewis married one Blanche which was brought him out of Aquitaine who finding him not a man left him and retired into her Country which makes a likelyhood of that which is written touching his death moreover that if she were Daughter to the Duke of Aquitaine that she by consequence must be Niece to Hugues Capet This Lewis dyed as many are of opinion in the same manner as his father did by the meanes of his Wife Blanch not leaving issue to succeed him Odoramus gave him the surname of Doe nothing because hee had no leasure to performe any thing memorable by the reason of the brevity of his Reigne Moreover whilest Charles Duke of Loraine was the next by right to succeede him as being his Fathers brother so is it that Hugues Capet sonne of Hugues le Blanc tooke part against him pretending that as many do write that Lewis had resigned the Crowne to him by testament and will But others are of opinion that he confiding to the power that hee had in France and to the favour which the Nobility and the popularity of France did beare him and through the discontent of having a Competitor who was exceedingly beloved and affected of the Almaines and that he was too slow in gaining the succession of the Kingdome fallen to him and through the ill will he bore him because hee had married the Daughter of Hebert Count of Troyes encouraged him to contest against him for the Crowne Hugh Capet the 36. King of France Anno 987. HVgh Capet was proclaimed King
hope of Glory maketh vertuous Kings Henry 1. the 38. King of France Anno 1031. THis Henry succeeded his father Robert Anno Domini 1031. notwithstanding that his Mother Constance would have advanced her yonger sonne Robert to the Crowne by the favour of Baldwin Count of Flanders and Eude Count of Champagne But being come upon them by the ayde of the Duke of Normandy he constrained his brother to content himselfe with the Dutchy of Burgundy A while after Robert Duke of Normandy visiting the City of Jerusalem dyed at Nice in Bithynia by reason whereof Maugier Arch-bishop of Rouen and William Lord of Arques his brothers maintaining themselves to be true Heires raised great Warres against William the bastard-sonne of the said Duke by him instituted to bee his Heire which was a cause that the King sent the said William of Arques accompanied with a great number of the Nobility of Normandy and France to the Warres of Italy from whence they were recalled by George Maniaces Lievtenant for the Emperour of Greece to Poville and Calabria to employ them for the recovery of Sicily which the Saracens had now possessed upon promise of giving them a part About the yeare 1042 Thibault Count of Chartres and Stephen Count of Troyes fell into a quarrell with the King Henry whereupon hee first fell upon Stephen whom hee in a Battaile overthrew Afterwards hee deprived Galleran Count of Meulan who tooke their part of all his lands and annexed them to the Crowne and encouraged Godfrey surnamed Martel to make Warre upon Thibault whom hee tooke prisoner and enforced him to surrender up the Towne of Tours for his ransom After this the King went to visite the Emperour Henry at Mets where they confirmed the Alliance made betweene them which hee broke by supporting Thibault against the King who following the example of his Father resigned his Crowne to his eldest sonne Philip Anno Dom. 1059 being aged 7. yeares and caused him to bee crowned at Rheimes the 29. of May the same yeare the yeare following King Henry deceased leaving the young King and another sonne named Hugues under the tuition of Baldwin Count of Flanders He lyes at St. Denis This Kings reigne was somewhat troubled at the beginning to maintaine his Title to the Crowne given him by his Father but belonging of right to his eldest brother which bred swelling thoughts betweene the brethren the Mother maintaining the elders right An Army was prepared to end the difference whether the Fathers gift or right of inheritance were a better Title but the cause was tryed by the Sword for Robert whose right was then in question content with tame patience to loose it and so prevent the effusion of blood by his milde disposition doing himselfe injustice Whereupon agreement being made betweene Henry and Robert the Armies returned and peace was betweene the brothers concluded Afterward when hee following therein his Fathers example had seene his son firmely seated in the Throne Death discovered the love of his Subjects exprest in their mourning for his decease and was most honourably interred with the rest of his Predecessors having all the funerall Rites and Ceremonies which belonged to so high a Monarch to set forth the excellency of his Person His Reigne begun with some blustering troubles being opposed on every side which soone ended and his subjects felt the beames of favour shining most gently on them when this Sunne of Majesty was ready to descend and set which gave them great cause of lamentation and sorrow for his departure out of this world Philip 1. the 39. King of France Anno 1060. PHilip succeeded his Father Henry Anno Domini 1060 of whom Baldwin Count of Flanders tooke charge in regard of his tender infancy untill he came to riper yeares He perceiving that the Gascognes would mutinie led his forces against them under pretence of going against the Saracens and by this meanes hee dissipated the beginning of the seditions which were pullulating A whiâ—â— after Edward King of England dyed without issue having by will instituted William Duke of Normandy heire and successor to his Crowne which in vaine was opposed by Harald sonne of Godwin because he was slaine in a battaile which William gave him Baldwin Regent of France deceased about the yeare 1067 leaving the County of Flanders to Baldwin of Monts his eldest sonne at which times King Philip might be at the age of 15. or 16. yeares He marryed Berthe Daughter of the said Baldwin by whom having two children he divorced her and betooke himselfe to the Wife of Foulques Count of Anion whom in the end he dismissed and returned to Berthe Anno Domini 1095. Pope Vrban convocated a Councell in November at Clermont en Anvergne wherein the Pope upon the complaint of the Patriarch of Jerusalem and Peter the Hermite excited the greatest part of the Princes of France of whom were principall Hugh the Great brother to King Philip Robert Duke of Normandy brother to the King of England Godfrey of Bovillon who in the yeare 1089 had the Dutchy of Loraine given him with his two brothers Baldwin and Eustachius together with the Counts of Flanders and Tholouze of Bourges and Bloys to goe to Jerusalem which was taken in the yeare of our lord 1099 the 15. of July and was given to Godfrey of Loraine to defend and keepe it as Governour under the Title of a King After that hee tooke in Palestine after having slaine above five thousand Aegyptians in a battaile and seized upon the Port of Jaffe making hereby an end of the Warre Philip at the age of 57 deceased at Melun the 25. of July Anno Dom. 1109 and lyeth interred at St. Benets upon the Loire William the bastard Duke of Normandy having beene long sick of a great swelling in his belly this King Philip intending to make Warre against him sent him word that hee had laine long in Child-bed and that if he might know of his uprising hee would provide lights against his Churching To which scoffe the Duke return'd this answer That hee would come in person into France and have a solemne Masse sung at his Churching and that for Lights he would provide a thousand woodden Torches without waxe and a thousand Lances tipt with steele to fire those Torches meaning by the Torches Houses Townes and Villages by the Lances Souldiers to set them on fire The dissention betwixt England began in this Kings reigne and upon this occasion VVilliam the Conquerors sonnes Robert and Henry came to the King at Conflans upon Oise and playing there at Chesse with Lewis King Philips sonne the young Princes fell out and words drew on blows for Lewis called Henry the sonne of a Bastard and Henry strooke at him with the Chesse-boord and had slaine him if Robert had not stayd his fury Afterward Robert and Henry fled into Normandy where they complained of wrong and incensed many to take their part Afterward naturall affection made the Fathers embrace their
Childrens quarrell invading one anothers Territories and maintaining hot warres But to conclude the memorable Warre undertaken to recover the Holy-land from the Saracens was now begun under the conduct of Godfrey of Bologne who being chosen King of Jerusalem refused the Diadem saying It is not fit for any Christian Prince to weare a Crowne of Gold since Jesus Christ the King of Kings did weare one made of Thornes Lewis the 6. the 40. King of France Anno 1109. THis Lewis the Grosse succeeded to the Crowne after Henry his Father and was solemnly Crowned at Orleans by Gislebert Arch-Bishop of Sens Anno Domini 1109 He first beganne to quell the pride anâ— power of the great Lords of France who countenanced by the King of England arose up against him but in the end he accomplished his designes In those times the Englishmen moved their first warres upon the French in the behalfe of Count Thibault of Campagne and Bloys But the King in revenge commanded William the sonne of Robert Duke of Normandy and sent him accompanyed with Baldwin Count of Flanders and Foulques Count of Aniou with an army to surprise them whereupon there was a peace made betweene them and the English to quit Cisors to William the sonne of Henry Baldwin Count of Flanders being wounded in the Conquest of Normandy went to end his life in Flanders who for want of issue instituted Charles son of Conutus King of Denmark to bee his heire In the meane time the King being advertised that the Emperour came in aide of the English prevented â—is designe and forced him to retreate Iâ— forced also the Count of Aâ—vergne and the Vicount of Polignac to give satisfaction to the Bishop of Clermon and at his returne he notified to William Duke of Aquitaine that onely Avergne but also Aquitaine were in tenure of the Crowne of France The County of Flanders was in question betweene Arnulph the Dane Baldwin Count of Haynaut and William of Ipres by the death of Charles who was slaine in S. Donatus in Bruges and by the King it was adjudged to Robert Duke of Normandy by right of consanguinity whereupon warres ensued After that the King caused his sonne Philip to be Crowned at Rheimes the fourteenth day of April 1129. the King of England being in presence but two yeares after hee dyed by meanes of a Hogge that came under his Horse feete and frighted the Horse that hee threw him on the ground Lewis his brother was Crowned in his place by Pope Jnnocent the five and twentieth of October 1131 Lewis the Grosse deceased at Paris Anno Dom. 1137. leaving sixe Children Baldwin Earle of Mons in Henault complaining unto Lewis the Grosse that he had wrongfully given the Earledom of Flanders which was his right unto Duke William of Normandy and desiring to have leave granted to maintaine his Title by Combate The King said You must combat then against me for the Seignory which you claime is my right and inheritance This King also in a Battaile being severed from his Souldiers was likely to be taken Prisoner by an English Knight who laying hold on the raines of his Horse cryed aloud The King is taken whereupon the King valiantly kild the Knight and as he fell downe said One man alone cannot in Chesse play give the King the Mate At a certaine siege being forsaken of his Souldiers in regard of the unseasonablenesse of the weather and constrained to retire hee said with a brave kind of anger That an honest and honourable death was better than a shamefull and dishonourable life The last action of his reigne was the marrying of his sonne unto the daughter and heire of William Duke of Normandy by this allyance to settle a more firme peace and make his sonne strong in friends while his younger sons were compelled to depend on the meere favour of their elder brother on whom the estate being setled they might therby bee instructed to shew unto him a willing obedience for equality breeds discord and grumbling but an acknowledged dependance on another procures respect for necessity makes brave minds glad to be oblieged Lewis the 7. the 41. King of France Surnamed Augustus Anno 1137. THis Lewis undertooke the government the same Moneth wherein his Father dyed and marryed Elianor the onely daughter of William Duke of Guienne and Poictou Afterwards hee made warre upon the Count of Vermendois because following the censures of the Pope hee repudiated Peronelle sister to Queene Elianor that he might re-entertaine his former wife whom before he had divorced And taking the Towne of Vitry in Parthois hee put to the sword and fire more than 3500 persons for the expiation of which fact St. Bernard advised him to make a voyage with his Army into the Holy Land for the succour of Palestine Whither hee arriving with his army he had but an ill trick put upon him by the Emperour of Greece Moreover perceiving his Army much affoibled by the assaults of the Turkes he saved himselfe in the towne of Attalia and came to Antioch where the King conceived a great distaste against his Wife who had accompanyed him all that vâ—age Afterwards he joyned forces with Conradus the Emperor for the beleaguering of Damietta But that siege tooke no effect through the envy of the old Christians there conceived against the new-commers which was a cause that the Emperour and the King â—etreated each to his owne home where the King was in danger to have bin surprised by the Emperour of Greece but he was rescued by George Lievtenant of the King of Sicily The King upon his returne divorced his Wife who married with Henry Count of Aniou and Normandy who should succeede to the Crowne of England bearing with him the Counties Poictou and Aquitaine Afterwards the King took to wife Constance the daughter of Alphonsus King of Castile who being deceased he tooke Adele or Ale alias Alice daughter of the Count of Champagne by whom An. Dom. 1165. he had a sonne named Philip and surnamed Deodoctus to whom the King growne aged resigned his Crowne notwithstanding hee was but 14. yeares of age and was Crowned at Rheimes An. Dom. 1179. King Lewis deceased the 19. or the 29. of September although some report upon the 29. of the same Moneth or August An. Dom. 1180. Hee lyes interred in the Abby of St. Barbeau which hee had formerly built In his reigne the Holy Land which the Christians had taken seemed to bee utterly conquered remaining under the Christians obedience untill the unhappy death of Godfrey of Bouillon for when the Commander was gone whose unspicious good fortune put life into this action the Warre did not prosper yet before his death he encountred an Army of sixe thousand men which the Turkes had brought into Palestine and came off with very good successe and had so proceeded if his Death had not prevented the good fortune of Christendome For the name of so great a Warrier conducting an Army prepares the
way for conquest as opinion of victory and learning is a great Engine in policy to bring about matters This King lost some reputation by his unchast Wife Elenor who following him to the Holy Land blotted her Fame with a sensuall imputation loving Saladin a Iester better than the King her Husband thereby shewing that lust is base and doth not regard either birth or honour Yet Lewis shewing the vertuousnesse of his minde and Noblenesse of disposition brought her backe in his owne Ship because he would not bee derided by any forraigne Prince but beeing safely landed he was much opprest with griefe in stead of casting her in the River which she had deserv'd he covered her shame and his owne by a divorce granted by a general counsell punishing her by shewing too much mercy while hee sought onely to be freed from the disgrace Philip 2. surnamed Augustus the 42. King of France Anno 1180. AFter the decease of Lewis 7 Philip 2. succeeded to the Kingdome Anno Domini 1180 out of which he chased the Jewes then there and by his prowesse and conquests acquired the name of Augustus and Conquerour He married Isabelle or Alice Daughter of Baldwin 4 Count of Flanders in favour of which Marriage hee resigned the County of Artois but afterwards taking upon him the cause of Lionor the Inheritrix of Elizabeth or Mabel Countesse of Flanders in the Counties of Vermandois and Valois against the Count Flamend who layd claime to the said Counties as being of the ancient stocke of Flanders hee tooke onely that of Vermandois leaving that of Valois to the said Flamend whereupon he being in an indignation went and performed homage to the King of Germany the eldest sonne of the Emperour for the County of Flanders Richard also Duke of Aquitaine second sonne of the King of England began to dis-acknowledge the King whereupon the King made warre against him and tooke some Townes from him but they were immediately accorded by the Popes Legate by whose perswasion they entred a League upon an expedition for the Holy-land But this agreement was incontinently broken upon new differences which happened betweene the Kings of England and France during which the King tooke into his possession the Counties of Mans and Tours whereupon King Henry of England tooke a conceite and dyed in the Castle of Chinon whereupon Richard his sonne undertaking the Kingdome marryed Adele Sister to King Philip and they both went to the Holy Land where arriving they tooke the Towne of Acre the twelfth of July 1191. After upon some jealousies conceived betweene them Philip returned into France leaving the charge of his Army to the Duke of Burgundy And because Philip Count of Flanders was deceased the King retained to himselfe the County of Artois which hee gave to Prince Lewis Whereupon England made warres against him which were ended by the death of Richard to whom John being substituted and losing the battaile at Bonnivel the King caused his sonne Lewis to be proclaimed King of England which hee afterwards left to Henry the sonne of John After that King Philip sent his sonne Lewis against the Albigeois and as the said Philip held a Parliament at Nantes he deceased of a Feaver in the 43. yeare of his Reigne in the Moneth of July Anno Domini 1223. This King being to joyne battaile with the Emperour Otho having caused a gilt Bowle to be filled with Wine and sopps of bread hee said Princes and Lords of France heere with me assembled let every one that is resolv'd to live and dye with me this day shew his resolution by taking a sop out of the Bowle of Wine and eating it as I have done which words being spoken the Cup was presently emptied and afterward the battell being joyned the King got the victory Being informed by his Courtiers that some Royall Jurisdictions belonging to the Crowne were usurped by the Clergy his answer was I had rather connive at some petty injuries than commence Suits against the Semitears of God and his Church This King having put away his Queen Gelberge the King of Denmarke complained to the Pope of this wrong done to his Sister and a day of hearing was appointed before the Popes Legate in the Bishops Hall at Paris Philips Case was well defended by his Advocates but when none appeared to plead for the Queene a young man unknownâ— steps forth of the presse and demands audience and having deliver'd the truth and pleaded against the King for the Queene and when his Speech was ended hee returned into the presse againe and was never seene more neither was it ever knowne from whence he came The amazed Judges remitted the Cause to the Councell and King Philip did ride presently to Bois de Vinennes where Gelberge was confined and having embrac'd her receiv'd her into favour and lived with her afterward in nuptiall love And heereby it may bee discerned that no man can bring Nature to any perfection for this worthy Prince was much troubled in minde and divided in his thoughts by loving this Gelberge whom he could not forsake for she had got such strong possession in his affection that he could not turne her remembrance out of his heart pass'd away to her by deed of gift Thus hee that could overcome his Enemies could not conquer his passions He reigned 44. yeares and by his vertue governed the State with such wisedome that all his troubles had a happy faire end from whence this conclusion may be drawne That a vertuous King is in the end happy howsoever hee bee compassed in with difficulties Lewis the 8. and 43. King of France Anno 1223. LEwis the eldest sonne of Philip succeeded to the Crowne Anno Domini 1223. Hee together with his wife Blanch sister to the King of Castile was Crowned at Rheimes the 6. of August to whom afterwards the Surname of Montpensier was given because he dyed there In the beginning of his reigne he renewed the ancient consideration and allyance which was betweene France and Almany and upon his returne he led his Army into Guienne where in a set battaile he overthrew the English whereof Savary of Maleon had the command by meanes whereof the French tooke the townes of Niot S. John D' Angely and Rochelle leaving nothing of the Countrey of Guienne on this side the River Garonne unreduced to the obedience of the King Insomuch that all the Lords as well of Pojctou as Lymosin and Perigort came to sweare him fealty and obedience Amanry also sonne to the Count of Montfort came to resigne into the hands of the King of France the right which his Father had left him in the Countries of Alby Languedoc Agenois Querâ—y and the County of Tholouze whom in recompence he made his Constable knowing him to be a man capable of such a charge The yeare following Richard Brother to the King of England besieged Rochelle but hearing of the comming of the French Army he passed over Dardonne with his forces and so
into England to his brother The yeare following the King with the greatest part of his Nobility upon the encouragement of the Popes Legate addressed himselfe to goe against the Albigenses and Tholosans to encounter whom he led his Army and encamped on Witsun Eve before Avignon which he tooke passing further hee received the keyes of all the Townes Places and Castles of Languedoc as farre as within foure leagues of Tholouze where through the incommodity of the winter and maladies which much weakned his Army he retreated and wintered in France with an intent of returning thither the Spring following to accomplish his enterprize But his death prevented him at Montpensier in Avergne the twelfth day of November 1226. leaving Lewis Charles Alphonse and Robert his sonnes all very young and in their minority of yeares This King reigned but three yeares in whom Vice had struck no reproach nor Vertue had made him famous whereby it seemes that his minde was of a middle temper not so poore is to become impious or wicked nor so well bent and enclined to noble actions that hee would strive to get Fame by his owne vertue therefore he was onely famous in this That hee was Sonne to an excellent Father and Father to an excellent sonne In his reigne the Counsell of Lateran was assembled whither resorted all the chiefe Bishops of Christendome and Embassadours sent from Kings and Princes After Lewis had subdued the Albigeois and left Governour to suppresse any rebellion which should happen for the affection of conquerd people is treacherous who doe watch only an opportunity to revolt hee came to Mount Pensier in the yeare 1225. October the seventh and there resigned his life and Scepter leaving a faire progeny having foure sonnes who were flourishing Branches of the Royall stemme the eldest whereof was heire unto his Fathers Crowne but inherited more vertue than his Father gave him by naturall discent The Flemings were now much disquieted by an Imposture pretending that he was their Prince some were drawne to beleeve his claime untill by putting him to death the people were better satisfied and cleerely discerned that his right was meere fixion maintained by boldnesse as that Scene was wherein Parkin Werbecke in England plaid the same part S. Lewis 9. the 44. King of France Anno 1226. THis Lewis the 9. at the age of 12. yeares succeeded his Father An. Dom. 1226. Hee was consecrated at Rheims by the Arch-bishop of Sens in the absence of him of Rheims Blanch taking of possession of her sonne Lewis confirmed herselfe Regent of the Kingdome with the consent of the States whereupon the Princes in a rage proclaimed Philip Count of Bologne Unkle to the King by the Fathers side Regent of France which was a cause of great dissentions Shee brought through the sweetnesse of her words Robert Count of Dreux into the Kings obedience But the Duke of Bretagne and the Count of Champagne with the King of England were enforced to acknowledge the King on condition that the Breton should doe homage to the King for his Dutchy whereupon he was surnamed Mauclarke Hee having out-growne his minority Anno Dom. 1234. espoused Magaret the eldest Daughter of Raymund Berenger Count of Provence and after erected the Countrey of Artois into a County or Earledome which he gave to his brother Robert who was the first Earle thereof Hee made a voyage into the Holy Land where he tooke Damietta after hee had overthrowne the Mamelucks and from thence marching to beleaguer Massaure the plague grew amongst his Army which caused the Soldan of Aegypt to charge him so strongly that he was taken and most of his Army slaine neverthelesse hee was freed upon the re-delivery of Damietta About that time Blanch Mother to the King deceased which caused the King immediately to returne into France after he had composed all matters in Palestine Being returned hee studied to polish and embellish his Kingdome with good and holy Lawes Hee made an accord with the King of England who by that renounced all the right which hee pretended to the Kingdome of France and the Dutchy of Normandy About that time Charles brother to the King conquered both the Sicilyes whereof hee was crowned King An. Dom. 1266. The King Lewis made a second voyage for the recovery of the Holy Land together with the King of England Hee went first into Africke where he tooke Carthage and at the siege of Tunes hee departed this life Anno Domini 1270. Hee was canonized after his death for the holinesse of his life Hee founded the holy Chappell at the Palace at Paris wherein he placed many holy Reliques This King being asked by his Lords what Title of honour he would assume as the Roman Emperours and Kings of France in remembrance of their Acts and Victories had formerly done hee answered My greatest victory was obtained against the Devill when I was baptized in the Church of Poissi and therefore it shall be my greatest honour to be called Lewis of Poissi His familiar Letters wherein hee did not entitle himselfe King of France but Lewis of Poissi being blamed by a private friend hee said I am like a Twelfe-tide King chosen with a Beane and keeping his Feast in the Evening intimating thereby his Election to another Crowne in the Kingdome of Heaven which second Coronation should be in the Evening and end of his life Having caused a swearer and blasphemer to be branded on the lips with a hot Iron whereat the people murmur'd he said he would undergoe the same punishment conditionally that oaths and blasphemies might be no more used in his kingdom He sitting in Counsell or beginning any action would according to his Mothers instruction in his infancy blesse himselfe with the signe of the Crosse And lastly he gave unto his son Philip these instructions at his death My Sonne love God with all thy heart with all thy strength and with all thy soule offend not God in any case suffer any torment rather than sinne Beare all adversity patiently acknowledging that God hath sent it unto thee deservedly Make thy Confession often to some Minister of the Church heare diligently the divine service sung in the Church of God Keepe the good customes of thy Kingdome carefully abolishing those which are evill Impose no Taxes on thy Subjects but upon great occasion Favour those that feare GOD love Justice and hate Covetousnesse Let not thy Judgeâ— be impartiall against thy Subjects Keepe the Cities and Townes gotten by thy Predecessors preferre good and sufficient men to Benefices and Offices Be an Example to thy Subjects moderate the expences of thy Court and so God blesse thee These were the good instructions which this godly Monarch gave unto his Sonne for the leading of an upright life and to abandon all worldly delights and pleasures so as hee might both please God and be a patterne to his inferiours Philip 3. the 45. King of France Anno 1271. AFter the decease of S. Lewis Philip the
third surnamed the Hardy his eldest sonne having beene proclaimed King in the Campe before Tunis in Africk tooke his journey in his returne through Italy directly to Viterbe to make an agreement between the Cardinals who in two years space were in a dissention upon the Election of a Pope Hee was Crowned at Rheimes by the Bishop of Soissons the thirtieth of August Anno Dom. 1271. He after incorporated the County of Tholouse to the Crowne upon the decease of the Count Alphonse his uncle He went to aide Gerard of Cassebonne his Subjects against the Counts of Armigna and Foix by reason whereof the Count of Foix submitted himselfe to his mercy He restored the Countrey of Navarre to the obedience of Ioane daughter of the late Henry King of Navarre deceased The King marryed Mary the daughter of Henry Duke of Brabant who was suspected to have poysoned Lewis the eldest sonne of the King by his first wife Isabelle of Aragon She was found innocent by the report of two Bishops who were sent to a Nunne or rather a Sorceresse to know the truth The yeare after Peter De la Bresche great Chamberlaine of France and superintendant of the Finances and affaires of the King was hanged being accused and convicted for having discovered the secrets of France to the King of Spaine together with the death of the Kings sonne Anno Domini 1282. the Sicilian Evensong were executed upon the Frenchmen upon an Easter day or as others report on the thirtieth of March or thirteenth of April whereupon Charles Uncle to the King offered battaile to Peter of Aragon the author thereof but he refused it Afterwards the King having caused Ioane the onely daughter of the late Henry King of Navarre to be marryed to his eldest sonne Phillip he marched with his Army for the Conquest of Aragon which by the Pope had been given to Charles de valois the second sonne of Philip who conquered the County of Russillon after that the City of Gennes And after that having in an Embuscado slaine the King of Aragon he forced the Towne of Gironne to be yeelded up He went to conclude his Fate at the Towne of Perpignan of a Malady which surprised him in his Campe Anno Domini 1285. the 6. of October This King as it appeares in the whole course of his life would engage himselfe in all businesses and was therefore called the Hardy but his desperate Father would not undertake his Neighbours quarrells nor seek to make betwene them any agreement unlesse it might be done by safe and quiet means The reigne of this King was much disturbed by the warres maintained by Peter and Roger for the Isle of Sicily and after much effusion of blood Charles dyed and also Peter though politicke could not deceive death but having received a great overthrow concluded his Act of life with griefe and sorrow At last this King was by Roger Admirall of Arragon friend unto Peter set upon him lying sicke a bed at Pepignan yet in extreamity he exprest a noble courage and with his sicke weake voyce so encouraged his Souldiers that Roger was droven out of Pepignan the City held by Philip so distempered with this alarum that he grew sicke and dyed the fifteenth of October two moneths after Peter Pope Martin the fourth dying the same yeare 1286. to shew great Princes that their chiefe designes are crost by death It was now decreed in a Counsell at Lions that the Cardinals meeting after the Popes death should not come out of that Conolme untill they had chosen the Pope which begun upon occasion of the tedious Election of the former Pope and the Decree is still observed Thomas Aquinas now dyed being a subtile disputer But Bonaventure John Duns called Scot and Gabriel Biel succeeded and were famous schollers And to conclude hee was a Prince borne for a testimony to that obscure age and for corrupted times to bee a patterne to all Kings and Princes of religion equity clemency wisedome valour magnanimity patience and constancy to love piety justice order and peace to joyne the love of sanctity and modesty of manners with Armes and State Having shewed that it is very sitting for a King to be a good Christian a good warriour a good husband a good father a good governour a good Iustier and to know how to make war and peace That it is very necessary to joyne unto the Majesty Royall piety clemency and authority to gaine the low respect and obedience And lastly that the best guard and most assured revenew of a Prince is the love of his Subjects Thus he was worthy of that venerable name wherewith posterity hath justly honourd him being the Honour of vertue Philip 4. the 46. King of France Anno 1286. PHilip 4. surnaming himselfe The Faire King of Navarre succeeded his Father An. Dom. 1286. After that he had withdrawne his Army from Parpignan hee was crowned at Rheims the sixt of January He caused the Palace to be built at Paris at that time Edward King of England pretending to lead his Army to the aide of the Towne of Acre which the Saracens had now beleaguered made some incursions upon the Sea-townes of Normandy thinking to have surprised Rochell whereupon ensued the second Warre which the French had against the English Heere the French Writers shew themselves most shamefully partiall and false yet I am bound to follow my Authors they being of that Nation who notwithstanding their alliance with the Emperour Adolphus were valiantly repulsed as well by Charles of Valois where the Lord of St. John was taken as by Robert of Artois who gained the victory upon the fresh Army which Edmund brother to the King of England had led to Bayonne yea and the Count of Flanders who declared himselfe on the English party lost the battaile at Furnes against the Count of Artois who went to joyne forces with the French who besieged Lisle and the Lords of Mont Morency and Harcourt tooke the Towne of Dover The English perceiving that demanded a Truce which was converted to a peace by the Marriage of Madam Marguerite of France Daughter of King Philip with the King of England Afterwards the Emperour Albert and this King made an accord betweene them for the conservation of their kingdomes against all men A while after the Pope being much moved against the King sent a Bull into France by the Arch-bishop of Narbona interdicting the King which Bull was burnt in the Court of the Palace At that time the Flemings slew all the French Garrisons whereupon the King being enraged sent his Army to Courtrac which was by them defeated Whilest the King sent the Lords Tarra a Colonian and Nogareth with 2000. Horse into Italy they put the Pope in such a terrour that he dyed The King also tooke such a revenge upon the Flemings neare to the Mount of Poville that hee overthrew 36000. of them After that the King having suppressed the Knights Templars and causing James de
Moulay or Beavieu Generall of that Order deceased at Fontainebleau An. Dom. 1314 and lyes inhumed at St. Denis This King being perswaded to take revenge on a Bishop who had underhand strooke fire to kindle the tindar of contention betweene him and the Pope he said That it was more noble in a Prince to save than kill to pardon than to persecute and to forgive and remit rather than to revenge for saith he It must be of necessity that all things which angry men doe must needs be full of blindnesse and necessity because it is no easie matter for a man troubled with envy to have the use of Reason and whatsoever is without Reason is without Art It behooveth us therefore to take reason as our guide in all our actions and to remove these passions of envy and revenge for they ought not to rest in a wise mans breast Yet he was much affronted by Pope Boniface coÌ„manding him by his Bull to succour the Tartar which the King engaged in many affaires refusing to doe the Bishop sent by the Pope told him That if the King would not obey the Pope he would deprive him of his Realme But afterward two Gentlemen imployed by the King seized on the Pope in his Palace-Hall at Anagma and carryed him to Rome where he grew mad and dyed Thirty five dayes after hee was taken and had this Epitaph made by common Fame in his disgrace Hee entred his Popedome like a Foxe hee reigned like a Lyon and dyed like a Dogge Lewis the 10. the 47. King of France surnamed Hutin Anno. 1315. THis Lewis the tenth already by his Mother King of Navarre Count of Brye and Champagne succeeded his Father Anno Domini 1315. His Kingdome from the beginning was marvellously troubled with mutinies and popular seditions and for that cause he was surnamed Hutin which in old language imports mutiny and quarrells Enguran De Marigny Count of Longue Ville was accused before the King by Charles of Valois the Kings Vncle for having ill governed the Finances charged the people with many impositions and taxes and infinite confusions also for having taken money of the Flemings to grant them a peace to the disadvantage of the King wherefore he was hanged upon the Gallowes of Paris which himselfe had caused to be built Afterwards the King caused himselfe to bee annoynted and Crowned at Rheimes upon the Feast of the Assumption of the B. Virgin then he led his Army against the Flemings whom he forced to raise and forsake the siege of L'Isle And at his returne he seated the Court of Parliament at Paris to the end that the pleaders should not be anymore incommodated by so often removing it The yeare following the Count of Flanders came to visite the King at Pontoise to treat of a peace with him In the interim Lewis Count of Navers his sonne would sieze upon Flanders if the Flemings would have beene content therewith which was a cause that his Father returned after that hee had promised the King to ratifie to the Flemings that which he had treated with him Vpon this the King was surprised with a Malady at Bois De Vincennes whereof he died the fifteenth of Iune in the eighteenth moneth of his reigne leaving his second wife Clemence great with Childe who was delivered of a sonne the foureteenth of November who was baptised Iohn who lived above eight dayes there remaining none of his Line but Ioane whom he had by his first wife the daughter of Robert Duke of Burgundy by whom Eudes Duke of Burgundy her Vncle would lay claime to the Crowne but Philip the Tall brother to the late King Lewis opposing the Lawes and Customes of France in right of his Neece caused the Crowne to be adjudged unto him Lewis the tenth surnamed Hutin had two Wives Marguerite daughter of Robert Duke of Burgundy by whom he had a daughter named Ioane who was married after to Philip Count of Evreux sonne to Lewis of France brother to the late Philip the Faire and by this meanes the Kingdome of Navarre entered into the families of the Counts of Evreux and Clemence sister to Carlobert King of Hungary whom at his decease he left with Child of a sonne who was called Iohn and although he dyed an infant without having beene crowned hee hath not beene heretofore ranked in the Catalogue of the Kings of France Neverthelesse seeing that he was truely legitimate and sole heire to King Lewis Hutin he deserved the title Royall and to bee inserted to the number of Kings seeing that dying hee was with solemnity and Regall pompe carryed to St. Denis the Princes his Vncles and kinred being present at his Funeralls where hee was proclaimed although dead King of France and Navarre In the meane time that Clemence was with Child immediately upon the decease of Lewis Hutin it was ordered by the Court of Parliament that Mounsieur Philip of France Count of Poitiers should be Regent of the Kingdome untill the fruit of the Queene if it were Male should attaine to the maturity of eighteene yeares and therefore hee he bore in his Armes the Title of Philip Sonne of the King of France and Navarre Regent of the Kingdomes of France and Navarre And so the Regency was given to the next Prince of Blood so that hee were the nearest to succeed the Crowne After the death of the said Iohn who lived but eight daies or at the most but 20 daies as some do write there was some dispute amongst the Princes of the kingdome some maintaining the right to bee ill grounded upon Ioane daughter to the â—â—â—e Lewis Hutin and others resting upon the Iustice of the Salique Law which yet was never violated in France and ordayneth that there being never an heire Male of a King the next of Blood of the Male side shall come to the Crowne and excludes the daughters and the descendents from them although they be Males But in the end the Parliament of the Paires and Counsell of France adjudged that Philip the Tall Vncle to the late Iohn was the true and lawfull heire to the Crowne which was the first debate and difference of the Salique Law The King reigned but an yeare and an halfe thereby to make good the position of Philosophy Nullum violentum est aeternum for his government was violent and therefore could not long continue Enguerand accused by Charles Earle of Valois and made odious to the people by his oppression of them whereof they are onely sensible was made a Sacrifice and Hanged but after his execution the Earle of Valois fell into a languishing Consumption King Lewis Hutin dyed suddainly so that the people began to imagine that Enguerands unjust death was thus revenged on these Princes which change of their opinion shewes that it was rightly spoken what the people saies a foole speakes Therefore it is observeable that good Subjects may be unjustly afflicted that the people blinded by passion and discerning not the truth
will undeservedly speake well and ill of the same Action and the same man And lastly that great men loving not to come to accompt may abuse their authority Philip 5. the 48. King of France Anno 1317. THis Philip the 5 surnamed The Tall the controversie of the right to the Crowne being not yet determined betweene him and his Neece Daughter to Lewis Hutin whom Eudes her Unkle upheld and maintained her right marched with an Army every where compleate to Rheimes where hee made himselfe to be annointed King by the Arch-bishop of that See on the Feast of the Epiphany Anno Dom. 1317 and after returned to Paris Whither hee summoned Robert Count of Artois whom he forced to renounce the right which he pretended to that County whereof hee had Vi Armis by force and Armes taken possession to the prejudice of Mahant his Wives Mother In the meane time Lewis Count of Neuers Sonne of Robert Count of Flanders entertained the Flemings to his utmost endeavours in a revolt against the King who because hee came not to render homage for the Counties which hee held in France was cited to answer for himselfe before the King and fayling in his appearance all his possessions were seized for the King In the end the said Lewis Count of Nevers came and submitted himselfe to the King and recovered his Countries After upon perswasion of the Popes Legate there was a peace concluded betweene the King and the Count of Flanders the 15. of May Anno Dom. 1320 insomuch that the said Count did homage for his Lands to the King of France and accorded that Lewis the sonne of Lewis of Nevers should marry Madam Marguerite the second Daughter of France upon condition that he should succeede to the County of Flanders after his Grandfather and Father About the same time the Marriage of Isabelle the third Daughter to the King with Guy the Dolphin of Vienna was treated who not long after succeeded his Father John in Dauphine The Eldest Daughter was before marryed to Odo Duke of Burgundy After that the King quitted all the actions against his Subjects which some of his Councell in abuse of his good nature had put upon and against them And as he was deliberating to have but one sort of weights and measures in one and the same species and also a certaine rate and value of monies a malady intercepted his designes by which hee ended his dayes the third of January An. Dom. 1322. He was a Prince of a tractable disposition and therefore easily corrupted inclined more to ill than good The chiefest thing worthy remembrance in his Reigne was that his bad servants presuming on his gentle Nature layd heavy taxations on the people who thereupon maintained and thus hee suffering his Authority to be abus'd by them shew'd that although hee were great and tall of stature yet hee had but little wit and understanding A Benedicting Priest and Monke pretentending a voyage to the East committed many outrages in the East with a multitude of people by them assembled and called themselves Shepheards untill they were defeated in Languedoe This Philip would have made one weight and measure throughout his Realme but it proved but an Eutopian conceite not to be maintained by Authority or Reason The Jewes which were formerly expelled and driven out of the Kingdome were now againe admitted but after they endeavoured to bring in an Artificiall Plague into the Kingdome by using the helpe of Lepers some were grievously punished and the rest banished out of France Lastly this Kings five yeares Reigne was Rasa Tabula a blanke Table wherein Fame hath written no Royall action Charles 4. surnamed the Faire the 49. King of France Anno 1322. CHarles the 4 Count of Marche brother to Philip the Tall and to Lewis Hutin came by the same Law to the Crowne as his brother Philip had done who left no issue Male to inherit He was crowned the twelfth of February Anno Dom. 1322. He was severe in Justice giving every man his right desirous that all should be guided and governed by the Lawes and Authority of Magistrates Following that Norme he caused Jordan of L'Isle a great Lord to be attached who upon accusations of infinite enormities was attainted and convicted wherefore hee was hanged although hee had marryed the Neece of Pope John 22 and as others are of opinion his Step-mother About that time deceased Lewis Duke of Nevers the eldest son of Robert Count of Flanders who dyed immediately after By which occasion Robert the younger sonne of the said Robert Count of Flanders entred into a difference with his Nephew Lewis sonne of the Count of Nevers Hereupon the cause was pleaded in the Court of Parliament which proved of no validity to the good of the Nephew Then began the Warres betweene the English and French Anno Dom. 1324 upon the occasion that the Lord of Montpesac would to the Kings prejudice fortifie a Castle in Gascogne upon the borders of France Whereupon the King sent Charles of Valois his Unkle who so happily acquitted himselfe of his charge that hee recovered into the Kings powers all the Townes and strong holds in Burgundy which are beyond the River Garonne except Bourdeaux Bayonne and S. Senes Afterwards having obtained a Truce of the English he dyed in December An. Dom. 1325 as also the King deceased at Bois de Vincennes the first of March leaving Madame Joane de Eureux his wife great with Child who afterwards in the Moneth of April 1328. was delivered of a Daughter called Blanche Hee was the first King that ever permitted to the Pope the Decimations of the Churches of France This King reigned sixe yeares being wise temperate and just three chiefe vertues in a Prince but unhappy in his progeny Assoone as he was annointed he held a great Sessions in Paris to heare complaints and caused many Gentlemen to be punished in which number was one Jourdain of Lisle a Gafcon who being Nephew to Pope John the 22 had beene pardoned for eighteene capitall crimes and yet still grew more impious former mercy making him presume more of pardon untill at last he was taken and brought to Paris where King Charles caused him justly to be hang'd as a memorable example that Respect is an enemy to Justice which must be executed without sparing the guilty To conclude this Prince was worthy of the French Monarchy and deserved to be reckon'd amongst the chiefest men of State And as the Kingdome was happy in having so worthy and sufficient a King so his short Reigne deprived the Realme of that good which it should receive by his government But the best and most perfect men are in the blind world either despised for excesse of good or some tooke away by death to envy greater happinesse equall to their desert Philip of Valois the 6. and 50. King of France Anno 133. THis Philip Count of Valois the Sonne of the late Count Charles and Cousen german to the
about imposts having Malleâ—s as a token of their faction whereupon they were called Maillotins In the meane time Peter de Craon wounded Clisson Constable of France whereof the King intending a revenge fell into a frensie by reason whereof the kingdome was put into the hands of the Dukes of Berry and Burgundy who laying hands upon Clisson by an Act of Parlement caused him to be deprived of his estate and banished the kingdome The King of England marryed the Lady Isabell the eldest Daughter to Charles whereupon a Truce was concluded betweene the English and French for Thirty yeares But King Richard being afterward slaine shee was sent backe into France without a Dowry by reason whereof the Duke of Orleans presented a combate of seven French against seven English within the lists which combate the French gained Then also upon some rancors and dissentions â—etweene the houses of Burgundy and â—rleans for the government of the â—ingdome John the eldest sonne of â—e late Count of Burgundy caused the Duke of Orleans brother to the King to be slaine the 22. of November 1407 whereupon ensued all the subsequent disorders in France by meanes whereof the King of England gained the famous and memorable battaile of Agincourt and continued his warres for the space of 29. or 30. yeares during which he tooke Rouen and in a manner all Normandy In those times also the Duke of Burgundy was slaine at a Parlement upon the Bridge of Monteâ—â—au Faux-yonne by those that accompanied the Dauphine who for that fact was by his Father Charles not yet in sense dis-inherited and in his place he instituted Henry King of England to whom upon a peace hee had given in marriage Katherine of France together with the government of France and Paris making warres against the Daâ—phin untill death which was followeâ— with that of the King who had beforâ— given consent to the Duke of Bedford to be Regent in France for young King Henry who was yet in his Cradle This Charles the 6. was of a magnanimous and Heroick soule full of the fire of true valour which upon any brave occasion broke forth in glorious actions which vertue was declared in his younger yeares by this answer to his Father Charles the fifth by whom 〈◊〉 Crowne of Gold enchased with precious Stones and a Helmet of Steele fairely guilt being propounded to his choise hee answered hee would rather chuse the Helmet than the Crowne Afterward being crowned King of France this Sonne of valour rising in the spheare of Majesty shined forth with early beames of valour for being shewed by his Officers his deceased Fathers rich Treasury and precious moveables and also his Armory full of warlicke Furniture and all sorts of Armes hee said â—e had rather have those Armes than 〈◊〉 Fathers Riches As this King and â—s Noblemen marched against the Duke of Britaine being entred the Forrest of Mans a man bare-headed and bare-legged attired in a Coate of white â—â—ngge steps suddainly forth betwixt two Trees taking hold of the Raines of the Kings Horse and staying him â—nd unto him King ride no farther but â—eturne backe for thou art betrayed â—he King was amazed at this voice and the man being forced with blowes to leave the Raines of his Horse vanished Afterward it chanced that his Page being very sleepy let fall his Lance upon him which carryed the Helmet making a great noise like the rustling of Armes the King starts with amazement at this noise and seeing the Crimson Bandâ—oll of the Lance having his spirits weakened with the former distemperatures transported with the imagination of this sound sleepy with labour and heate he imagins himselfe to be compassed in with many armed men which pursu'd him to the death Charles thus transported with this phrenzy layes hold on his Sword drawes it runnes violently after his Pages and calls them Traytors The Pages conceiving at first that hee had beene displeased for the disorder of the Lance flye from him The King follows after The Duke of Orleance runnes towards him to let him know the cause of his anger The King very violently layes at him not knowing him the Duke flyes and the King follows Thereupon all drawing neare unto him they take his Sword from him and his thick Velvet Jerkin and scarlet Cap and lay him on the ground Pope Vrban his Enemy triumphing and rejoycing at his misery said it was a just judgment of God for supporting and assisting his Competitor But the holy Scripture sayes O how happy is he that judgeth wisely of the afflicted representing an admirable example in Job who was accused by his friends that hee was an hypocrite good in shew but not in integrity of life Such is the judgment of the World accounting adversity a vice and prosperity a vertue measuring matters according to their passions and not with reason for GODS Judgments are just and righteous but the causes thereof are unknowne though GOD doth all well whatsoever he doth Henry the fifth King of England Anno 1412. THough it be more easie to succeed in victoryes than atchieve them yet this Henry maintained by the sword that Title of King of France which his Predecessor Edward the third had gained and as King Edward cut down the Flower of France in the Battaile of Cressey so Henry the fift exasperated by the Dolpins of France sending him a Tunne of Tennis Balls sent him backe such Iron Balls or Bullets that the French were neare brought to a great hazzard in this Tennis Court or field of Mars For hereby Henry wonne France teaching Princes that contempt addes a double courage when right is by contumelies fought with greater violence Afterward King Henry tooke Harflew and fought the memorable battaile of Agincourt wherein hee got a wonderfull and unexpected victory by a stratagem of erecting sharpe Stakes before the foote troopes whereupon the Horse issuing violently they were disranked and routed so that the earth blush't with blood to see the French so overtaken and also the Archers upon the nicke of this opportunity sent many showres of Arrowes whereby the whole Army on the French side was discomfited and the English Archers giving backe the French Horsemen ran themselves upon the sharpe poynted stakes At last the French maine Battaile was put to flight and then King Henry gave thankes unto God the giver of all victoryes This Battaile was famous triumphant and fortunate the successe whereof was celebrated with great joy at the Kings returne into England Princes being then most amiable as well as private men in the sight of their subjects when Fortune smiles on their attempts and Victories such as this was at Poictiers makes their vertues more apparant Afterward Truce being made with the French and by them broken hee invades France againe and takes the Towne of Harflew in Normandy and Cane Then proceeding in his Conquest of Normandy takes Fallais after a long siege and Articles of agreement confirmed by the King he besieges also Roane and
the Lady Katharines Picture was sent to King Henry to move him to pitty Roane Hee grants them peace and receives of the Burgesses of Roane 356000. Crownes of gold upon the sixteenth of June Anno Domini 1418. Afterward many Townes were surrendered to Henry At last a peace was concluded betweene King Henry and King Charles and the Duke of Burgogne Afterward Henry goes in person to Trois where he was met by Iohn King of France the Queene and the Lady Katharine to whom hee was contracted and by their marriage peace was established in France and the Crowne of France was entailed to England and the Subjects of France were sworne to duty of allegeance unto King Henry as also the two Crownes of England and France were united and confirmed to King Henry by his marrying the Lady Katherine for marryages have alwayes beene the happy conclusions of Tragicall Warres as may appeare by happy marriage Afterward the French growing rebellious King Henry besieges Paris and takes it Bicardy afterward sweares fealty and obedience to King Hen. Matters being setled all the Warres was concluded with joyfull Solemnities at the marriage of King Henry and the Lady Katharine with whom he returned afterward into England where every Subject exprest his love and loyalty to him each one contending who should be the forwardest for the entertaining of so Noble and victorious a Prince and his most Royall Consort Afterward King Henry being at the siege of Meaux his wife was delivered of Henry of Munmouth his last joy on earth for not long after sickning at at Melum and his malady encreasing at Bois De vincennois hee cheerefully rendred his Soule to GOD who received him to immortall joy where he remaines Crowned with Caelestiall glory while his body being conveyed into England was with all pompous Celebrity interred in the Church at Westminster where on his Tombe are ingraven these Verses Dux Normanorum verus Conquestor eorum Haeres Francorum decesset Hector corum Here Normans Duke so stil'd by Conquest just True heire of France great Hector lyes in Dust Charles 7. the 54. King of France Anno 1422. AFter the decease of Charles the 6 Charles 7. his sonne began to style himselfe King of France notwithstanding that his Father had dis-inherited him and given it to Henry King of England In the beginning of his Reigne having made Count Arthur brother to the Duke of Bretagne High Constable of France sent him against the English who in a manner were Masters of all France and had now beleaguered Orleans contrary to their promise made to their Duke who at that time was prisoner in England whereupon the King sent the Count of Dunois the Bastard of Orleans Pothon Hire all valiant Commanders to relieve it At that time the French lost the Battaile of Harens whereupon the King being enraged and not knowing which way best to betake himselfe was encouraged by Joane the Maid who miraculously drove the English from before Orleance and having recovered many lost Townes and gained the battaile neare Patay and conveyed the King to be crowned at Rheims but upon a Sally which she made out of Champagne upon the English she was taken and put to death at Rouen In the end a peace being made betweene the Duke of Burgundy and the King of France they first drove the English out of Paris nineteene yeares after their enjoying it into which the King made his entry the twelfth of November Anno Domini 1437 to equall which there presently ensued the Praguery Faction The quarrells also of the Houses of Orleance and Burgundy were extinguished by the Marriage of Charles Duke of Orleance with Mary of Cleue neare to the Duke of Burgundy The English also lived promiscuously with the French but the Truce being broken by an English Captaine who took in the Castle of Fougeres the King imployed his uttermost to quit France of all the English and thereupon hee to this designe appointed his Franc-archers or Boemen and began with Normandy which he reduced wholly to his obedience after that Guienne and the Citty of Bourdeaux insomuch that the English could retaine nothing on that side the Seas but Cales and the County of Guiennes The King enjoying this repose of peace was much troubled with the absence of the Dauphin who for sixe yeares had betaken himselfe to the Duke of Burgundy and thence into Brabant where hee remained till his Fathers decease which was the 22. of July Anno Dom. 1461. This King being unfortunate in his Warres grew so behind hand both in fame and estate that amongst other afflictions hee was burthened with reproach and poverty so that he dined in his Chamber attended on by his houshold servants where Pothon and la Hire comming to Chusteaudun to require succours found him at Table with a Rumpe of Mutton and two Chickens He was reproached for the love of faire Agnes but the History of St. Dennis reports that hee loved her onely for her pleasing behaviour eloquent speech and beauty and that he never used any lascivious action unto her nor never touched her beneath the chinne Joane a Virgin or rather Witch professing that she had a Revelation how to succour the King and chase the English from Orleance was brought by the Lord of Baudie Court Provost of Vancoleurs to Chinon attired like a man The King takes upon him the habite of a Countryman yet shee goes directly to the King although they told her shee was mistaken Shee had Armes and Horse given her with a Troope to enter the City accompanied by the Admirall and Martiall of France Shee comes to Orleance they rejoyce to behold the Maiden Warriour whereupon Joane sends threats to the English by Letter subscribed Vnderstand these Newes from God and from the Virgin Orleance was assaulted by her counsell The Virgin entred the Fort first crying Montjoy St. Dennis the Fort is wonne The English grew amazed at the Virgins exploits In memory whereof a Monument was erected King Charles the seventh armed and Joane the Virgin armed kneeling on their knees before a Crucifixe of Brasse which is still to bee seene upon the Bridge at Orleance Lewis the 11. and 55. King of France Anno 1461. LEwis the 11. departing out of Brabant being accompanyed with the Duke Philip of Burgundy and the Count of Charolois his sonne caused himselfe to be crowned King of France the fifteenth of August 1461. The Princes seeing themselves in contempt especially Mounsier Charles his brother who rose up in Armes against him under a pretensive colour for the common good giving him the famous battaile of Montlâ—bery the fifteenth of Iuly Anno Domini â—463 The King for the dissipating of their forces following the advise of the Duke of Milan gave Normandy to his brother which afterwards by subtilties he withdrew from him againe But in the end hee was enforced by the Duke of Burgundy to give unto his brother Mounsier Charles the Counties of Champagne and Brie which hee
afterward exchanged for the Dutchy of Guienne by this meanes to weane him from the Duke of Burgundy recalling all the Townes upon this side the River Somme and afterwards against his brother Charles for the withdrawing of the Dutchy of Guienne who immediately dyed not without suspition of poyson Afterwards he made a treaty of peace at Bouvines with the Dukes of Bretagne and Burgundy for the ensnaâ—ing of the High Constable S. Paul who had beene the prime sparke of all the dissentions after the battaile of Montlebery In the meane time the King works the Duke of Burgundy quite out with the Emperour Fredericke and with the Duke of Loraine working his ruine at the siege of Mus. Then he takes in many Townes of the Burgundion who had appealed to the English for aide with whom the King had already made a treaty of Piquigny by which Charles the Kings sonne was to marry with the daughter of England when they came to be of age which constrained the Burgundion to make his peace with the King and to deliver the High Constable into his power The Duke of Burgundy was slaine before Nancy leaving one sole Daughter Mary who was marryed to Maximilian the onely son of the Emperour Fredericke by reason whereof the King recovered all the Countrey upon the Somme together with the Dutchy and County of Burgundy But afterwards the Prince of Orange caused the Franch-Conite to revolt After this the King allyed himselfe to the Swisses and recovered the County of Provence from Renatus Duke of Aniou by way of Donation The K. afterwards having marryed his son Charles to the Lady Marguerite of Flanders hee surrendered his life the 30 of Aug. 1483. Hee said that Charles the sage might be a wise man in his Tiring-Chamber or Closet but in giving his youngest brother the Dutchy of Burgundy hee played the fooles part Being told after a battaile that his enemy Count Charolois did lodge in the field He replyed That he having neither Towne nor Castle must needes lodge in a field-bed It was his usuall saying That when pride walketh or rideth afore shame and dishonour like serving men attend behind Being told that one of the Canons of the Church where hee had heard Masse was dead he gave the Prebendship to a Priest which lay sleeping in an adjoyning Chappell that hee should say afterward that his good fortune came unto him sleeping To a Gentleman that was ready to handle a rich Chaine of gold which a Captaine wore about his neck and was suspected to be made of the reliques of a Church he said Take heede how you touch that Chaine for it is a holy thing He said also that in regard of his troubles at the beginning of his reigne if by the expression of courage and experience he had not procured feare and reverence he might have beene ranked amongst the unfortunate Princes in the last Chapter of Boccace A rich Nobleman having builded a faire Hospitall he said That having made many poore for the Hospitall hee might justly make an Hospitall for the poore and so convert his sinnes into Almes-houses Hee would often say to his Noblemen that his sonne should learne no more Latine than Qui nescit dissimulare nescit regnare and that the government of the Kingdome and Common-wealth was his best study for other studies would too much soften his minde and Historicall examples unfortunate in their event and successe would discourage him from attempting brave Actions He said also that the Genowayes should nâ— long remaine under his protection 〈◊〉 he would bequeath them to the Diveâ—â— Being advised to send an Embassadoâ—â— that had many Dignities and Titles 〈◊〉 said he is like a peece of Brachigraphâ— that hath many a Title but Learning very little Being told that the Goâ— haunted rich men that fared deliciouâ—ly and wore fine cloathing he said hee would alwaies afterward weare cloath cloathes because the Gout should not take him for a rich man He could finde all things he said in his Kingdome and his Court except truth which was sicke in his fathers time and was now starke dead having before her death made no Confession to a Priest The Realme of France he said was a meddow which he did cut every yeere and as often as he listed He asking a meane fellow which â—new not the King when he saw him what he gained by following the Court The fellow answered I get as much as the King that is maintenance while I â—e and a sheete when I dye He said that a curious ignorant man having a Library of faire Bookes was like a crooke-backt man having a â—unch on his backe whereby the deformity of the one the ignorance of the â—ther was more discerned He made gold â—e engine of his actions saying that an Army of silver Launces doth usually winne the victory Great services he said through the arrogancy of the parties performing them or the neglect of Princes regarding them were often recompenced with hatred or ingratitude and therefore â—he bounty of Princes exceeding desert was more fortunate and happy than desert exceeding the bounty of Princes not enduring to be indebted or obliged Having felt the smart of the English warres he said the King of England was his Brother in his owne Countrey but hee did not like his company in France Having caused a faire goodly Tombe to bee made for the faire Lady Agnes the love of his late Father the Cannons of the Church desiring that the Monument might bee removed out of the heart of the Church into a side I le or Chappell he answered that their request was neither just nor reasonable neither would he suffer her Tombe whom his father loved to be violated After Monsieur Bussi was beheaded and buryed he caused the head to be digged up againe and placed on a wooden pole in the Market place and so being covered with a scarlet Cappe furred with Minivere in regard he had beene a Counsellour of the Parliament A suiter to the King for an Office be-in denyed humbly thanked his Majestie who wondring at his moderate yet man-like spirit asked if he conceived a right of his answer yes said the Suiter and I thanke your Majesty for giving me a dispatching denyall rather than feeding delayes with which Answer the King was so contented that he had his Office immediatly granted A Noble-man seeing this King ride a Hunting on a very little Horse said he had gotten a goodly stout Horse for though he seemed but weake and little yet he must needes be very strong because he carryed him with all his Counsell Thereby taxing the King preferring the wisedome of his owne conceite before all other Counsell Hee demanding what present he might bestow on the English Embassadors that might not cost him much was answered That he might present them with his Musitians that so they might not cost him much as formerly they had done Before the joyning of a Battaile this King said hastily unto a Noble-man that
he had no affiance in his service who for proofe thereof having desired to exchange Armes and Ensignes with the King charged bravely on the enemy and being supposed to be the King was slaine wherein the King with weeping teares sayd he had lost his life to expresse his love and loyalty Being informed that the Saracens were misreckned 10000 Francks in the payment of 200000 thousand pounds for a ransome he would not embarke or set saile untill the aforesaid Francks were paid such was his fidelity to those Infidells This King having appoynted a Bishop to goe take a Muster of the Souldiers in Paris a great Noble-man desired a Commission to reforme the Bishops Church saying that employment was as fit for him as the other was for the Bishop When this King was Daulphin of France he taking great pleasure in hunting often resorted to a poore Forresters Cottage where he did use to eate Radishes he comming to be King the Forrester perswaded by his Wife in hope of reward presented to the King a faire Radish which his Majesty accepted and rewarded the Forrester with a thousand Crownes Afterward a Courtier presented the King with a faire goodly Horse expecting a greater reward because he had beene so bountifull to the Forrester But the King contrary to his expectation gave the Courtier his Radish wrapped up in white paper the Courtier returning to his lodging opening the packet found nothing but a Radish whereupon he informed the King of the mistake as he supposed The King said I have paide thee well for thy horse for the present which I gave thee cost mee a thousand Crownes thus the poore mans good affection was wel rewarded and the Courtiers audaciousnesse slightly regarded This Lewis sends an Embassadour to the Emperour to excuse him for not sending an army promised by treaty entreating him not to make a greement with the Duke of Burgogne but that he should confiscate all the Dukes Signonories that held of the Emperour as hee would doe those that held of the Crowne of France The Emperour answered that they must not divide the Beares skinne before the Beast be dead This King commming to an interview of the King of Castile unto whom hee was formerly strickly allyed conceived a contempt and disdaine each of other The French of the Castilians sumptuousnesse and pride in their words countenance and apparrell The Castilians of the plainnesse of the French attire So as from that day these Kings did never love and the French did ever since hate the Spaniard Charles 8. the 56. King of France Anno 1483. CHARLES the 8. at the age of 13. yeares came to the Crowne under the Regency of Madam de Beavien his owne Sister and of the Duke of Bourbon her Husband whereupon the Duke of Orleance the nearest to the Crowne and had married his other Sister as in an indignity conceived convocated and summoned all the Statesmen to Tours In the meane time the Duke of Orleance seeing that Madam of Beavieu managed all the affaires of the kingdome retired himselfe into Bretagne whereupon the King made Warre against him and recovered a Battaile against him at St. Albins the Duke of Orleance and the Prince of Orange being taken Prisoners After this the Duke of Bretagne deceased leaving his sole Daughter Anne Inheretrix who notwithstanding that she had made a promise to Maximilian King of the Romans was after marryed to the King for which cause the King of England made a preparation for Warre against him in the behalfe of Maximilian but it was concluded that the King should send backe the Princesse Marguerite with her Dowry of the Countries of Artois and Burgundy After having surrendred the County of Roussillon to the Spaniard by the perswasion of his Confessour he went upon the recovery of the succession which Renatus the late King of Sicily and Charles the Count of Maine his brother had left unto him by Will for the rights which they pretended to the kingdome of Naples In his journey hee was Regally entertained by Ludovicus Sforza surnamed the Moore in the Towne of Ast and after having proceeded into Tuscany by Peter de Medicis who delivered into his command the Fortresses of Florence and the City of Pisa From thence hee went to Rome where nolens volens he entered Alexander 6. being then Pope who working his peace with him gave him the Title of Emperour of Constantinople and invested him to the kingdome of Naples whither the King having made his entrance the 12. of May Anno Dom. 1495 hee was crowned King of Sicily Whereupon the Monarchs and Potentates of Italy being amazed intended him an Ambuscade in his returne at Fournoue but the King passing another way escaped the plot and came safe into France where having intelligence of the losse of Naples and intending a second voyage thither for the recovery of his losses dyed of an Apoplexy as hee was seeing a Game at Tennis in the Castle of Amboise the seventh of April Anno Domini 1498. This King among other facetious sayings gave the Florentine Embassadours this merry Answer denoting their unfaithfulnesse in these two Italian Verses Concortesia e fede poca Va a Florence vender loca To Florence he went of his Goose to make sale Without any faith or courtesie at all which Verses were formerly made on this occasion A Countrey Pesant sold a fat Goose to a faire Dame of Florence for the fond satisfaction of Venery but afterward on colder thoughts growing wiser this piece of leatherne ignorance contrary to his former agreement without either fidelity or courtesie demanded the price of his Goose in the presence of her Husband and made her for the former sawce of the Goose pay him againe And with this Italian Proverb which had this wanton Originall the King answered the unfaithfull Embassadours of Florence His Queene Anne having received tidings of his Death said Gods will be done I doubt not but I shall be as great as I was before intimating thereby her hopes to be Queene of France afterwards verified by her Marriage with King Lewis the twelfth Friar Jerosine Savonarola living at Florence foretold in his Sermons that this King should come into Italy and obtaine great victories which fell out accordingly and in those Warres nothing was gained but a stinking contagious disease afterwards spred over all France and since then called the French Poxe After this King had ended his warres he builded a Castle at Ambois not knowing that instead of a stately Palace hee should end his life in a base and filthy Gallery He intending to reforme his life it chanced the seventh of April going after with the Queene into the Castle-ditches hee strooke his forehead against the doore of a Gallery whereas he meant to see a set at Tennis This blow driving him to the premeditation of his approaching end hee said to his Confessour that hee would never commit any mortall or veniall sin if he could avoide it which was a good
the Dutchy of Milan into his power he went to besiege Pavia where he was taken and by the industrious treaty of Madric Anno Dom. 1525 hee was sent backe into France Afterwards Charles of Bourbon was slaine skaling the Walls of Rome which was taken by the Spaniards with the Pope Anno Dom. 1529. a Treaty of Cambray was concluded and the children of France were sent backe into France with Madame Elianor The King and the Pope by Embassies came to an agreement at Marsilles where the Marriage of Henry Duke of Orleance with the Countesse of Bologne the Popes Niece was solemnized After this the King sent the Lord of Montmorency against the Emperour who intended to come against Marsilles who enforced him to retire into Spaine and afterwards invaded France upon the Coast of Picardy and sent another Army to Piedmount against whom the King sent his forces which tooke Suse Villane and Montcalier which caused the truce of Nice for ten yeares during which the Emperour passed through France into Flanders In the meane time Caesar Fregose and Anthony Rineon the Kings Embassadours to the Turke were slaine by the Imperialists Whereupon the King according with the Duke of Cleve against the Emperour tooke Luxembourg Landrecy and other places Of which the Emperour being certified besieged Landrecy but in vaine On the other side the Lord of Anguyen the Kings Lievtenant in Piedmont having gained the battaile of Cerisolles tooke Carignan whereof the Emperour being advertised made a preparation against Paris but perceiving the French too powerfull in forces demanded a Peace which was published at Paris This being done the King intends a Warre against the English at Boulen with whom having made Peace hee went to pay his debt to Nature at Rambouillet the last of March 1547 and lyes interred at St. Denis To one that desired pardon for another that had used ill speeches of his Majesty this King said Let him for whom thou art a suiter learne to speake little and I will learne to pardon much At Paris in an Oration against Hereticks hee said If my arme were infected with that contagion I would cut it off from my body and cast it into the fire Hee said that hee was sorry that the Gentlemen of his Realme being most serviceable and ingenious were not qualified with Learning to be capable of Civill offices as well as Military since Vertue is the formall cause of Gentility which should exceed base low dispositions by an eminent exaltation of goodnesse deriving their pettigree from Heaven for Vera est Nobilitas quaedam cognatio Dijs True Nobility is a certaine affinity to the Gods A Treaty of peace being propounded and ready to bee concluded betweene the Emperour Charles the fift and this King Francis hee said Peace and amity betweene us cannot long endure for the Emperour cannot abide an Equall or Companion and I cannot endure a Master Henry the 2. and 59. King of France Anno 1547. HEnry the second succeeding to the Crowne on his birth day was consecreted at Rheimes in August 1547. Hee sent the Lord of Esse into Scotland for a defence of that Countrey and built a Fort over against that of Boullen immediately after the Commons of Guienne mutined upon taxations whilst the King was in Piedmont from whence being upon his returne into France he caused them to be punished by the Constable and made his enterance into Paris proclaimed open warres against England and renewed his allyance with the Swisses Pope Iulius the third being incensed against the King for the City of Parma solicited the Emperour to take up Armes against him and to beleaguer Parma and Mirandula whereupon the King made a prohibition of sending to the Court of Rome for matters of Benefices and in the meane time he tooke Quiers S. Damian and other places of Piedmont on the other side the Burgundions and Hannuyers over-runne the Countrey of Santois above Peronne but to requite them the King making an expedition into Almany by the policy of the Constable seezd of the Metz and the Countrey of Messin and tooke the Duke Dutchy of Loraine into his protection Afterwards hee joyned forces with Duke Maurice who falsifying his faith in his returne invaded the Dutchy of Luxembourg taking the Townes of Yvoy Montmedy Lumes and Civay In the meane time the Emperor marched to the siege of Metz whence he was forced to dis-encampe with the losse of 30000 men and threw himselfe upon Therouenne which he tooke with the Castle of Hedin The King on the other side tooke Mariembourg and other Townes in Piedmont After that the Emperour quitting the Empire retired himselfe into Spaine to live a solitary life and a peace for five yeares was concluded between the Emperour the Kings of England and France which continued not long For warres being renewed betweene the said Kings the day of St. Laurence to the losse of the French in revenge whereof the King tooke Cales Gnines Hames and the County of Oye Peace after being made by the marriage betweene King Philip and the Lady Elizabeth of France and of the Duke of Savoy with Madam Margarite sister to the King and in the continuance of the solemnity the King running at Tilt was hit in the eye of which hurt he dyed at Tournells the twentieth day of Iuly Anno Domini 1559. and lyes interred at St. Denis in France This King having the good inclination of his Nature confirmed by being well brought up under his Father ordained many good Lawes for the reforming apparrell providing for the poore maintenance of Justice and releeving his oppressed Subjects but especially hee made a Law against swearing and blaspheming and herein he did singularly well but he disgraced these good actions by permitting a bloody and fatall Combate betwixt Iarnac and Chastaignery Gentlemen upon the giving the lye performed at St. German in Lay on the sixeteenth of July before the King and divers Princes and Noblemen wherein Jarnac held the weaker got the better and gave the other many deadly wounds whereof he dyed whereupon the King did forbid all Combats Thus hee beganne his reigne with this Tragedy and ended it with his owne For at the marriage of Elizabeth of France the King having published a solemne running at the Tilt as is before mentioned the King would needes be one of the Challengers and the second day of the Tourny being perswaded by the Queene and the Duke of Savoy to retire out of the Lists he desired to runne once more against the Earle of Montgomery who first refused but afterward runne and upon the Kings Helmet broke his Lance and with a splinter thereof his Beaver being somewhat open strikes him so deepe in the eye so that he dyed in his house at Tournells in the 44. yeare of his age The day before his death he would have the Duke of Savoy and the Lady Margaret his sister marryed in his Chamber His heart was interred in the Celestines Church in the Duke of Orleans
his Chappell His Character was good but hee was formerly voluptuous and permitted himselfe to be abused by his Officers selling Lawes and his authority For such Kings are but pictures of Princes without life all power remaining in the subject to the oppression and wrong of the Land Francis the 2. and 60. King of France Anno 1559. THis Francis King of Scotland by Mary Stuart his wife at the age of fifteene yeares and five Moneths succeeded his father Henry and was Crowned at Rheimes September 1559. by the Cardinall of Loraine Arch-Bishop of that See after his Coronation he went to conduct his Brother in law the Duke of Loraine and the Dutchesse Claudia his sister as farre as Barle Duke from whence hee returned into France and sojourned for a while in the City of Blois where he reformed some abuses of those that followed his Court. In the meane time this President Minard was slaine in his owne House returning from Court This murther was a cause that it was forbidden to carry trucheons and weapons The Counsellor of Bourg was burnt for his Religion The King having made preparations sent the Lord of Martigues into Scotland for the suppression of some Scots who upon pretext of Religion were in Armes during which time Mary of Loraine Dowager of Scotland deceased At the same time also certaine Gentlemen of France being assembled in Armes neare the City of Amboise where the King was attended by the Cardinall of Loraine and his brother the Duke of Guise were discovered in a certaine enterprise which they pretended to be for the publicke good and for the dispossessing of some strangers usurpers of the Kings authority and Kingdome contrary to the ancient authority of the three Estates of France and also for making some remonstrances to the King concerning Religion for which many were executed to death amongst whom the Baron of Castelnau was one At that time the Chancellour Oliver deceased in whose place and dignity was instituted Monsieur de'l Hospital Shortly after the King went to Orleans there to settle himselfe where he fell sicke of an Apostume in his left eare whereof he dyed the foureteenth of September Anno Domini 1560. having reigned about eighteen months and twenty dayes and lyes interred at S. Denis The Protestants were very much persecuted in this Kings reigne and there were foure prisoners of especiall note Castelnau Villemongis Campagnac and le Picard who cryed out against the Chancellor that had signed the sentence of their deaths who thereupon fell suddenly sicke and when the Cardinall of Loraine came to visit him cryed out O Cardinall thou hast damned us all While the King lay dangerously sicke the Queene mother intending to support the Guisans called the King of Navarre into her closet to whom as he was going a Lady of the Court said My Lord deny the Queen mother nothing that she shall demand else you are dead whereupon he signed what shee desired and thereby obtained her favour Afterward the King dyed of Catarch and a Feaver the 14. of December whose seeds of vertue lay hid in his nature and were not discerned onely some shewes of courtesie modesty and continency were in his younger yeares apparent and therefore his death was not much lamented but of such as in his nonage possessed usurped estates After his decease the Prince of Conde turned the streame of affaires To give a briefe Character of this King and his reigne he was a picture of Majesty drawne in raw colours being young in yeares and judgement governed by his Mother and his wives Uncles The Princes of Blood were in his reigne not regarded power and might prevailed in Court and the Clergy sought protection from the disturbers of France The Nobility were ingaged in warres and the people divided in matters of Religion and in the Court factions were maintained this was the face and complexion of those times miseries incident to the minority of Princes Charles the 9. and 61. King of France Anno 1560. THis Charles the ninth at the Age of thirteene succeeded his Brother Francis Hee pursu'd the enterprises of his Predecessor for his State affaires which were begunne the eighth of December ' Anno Domini 1560. at Orleans and and afterward finished at Pontoise August and September following Anno Domini 1561. At that time hee assembled the Prelates of France at Possi to a Nationall Counsell The January following it was permitted to the Huguenots to make their exercises and Sermons out of the Cities Whereupon ensued great troubles warres and slaughters of great Lords and personages as of the King of Navarre who was slaine before Rouen and in the battaile of Dreux which was given the 19. of March Anno Domini 1562. the Martiall of St. Andrew and the Duke of Guise were slaine before Orleans A while after the Towne of Haure de Grace was recovered which had beene before yeelded to the English The King at the Parliament at Rouen being declared Mayor after an Edict of Pacification made went to visit his Kingdome Anno domini 1564. and went to meet his sister the Queene of Spaine at Bayonne where great magnificences were performed After having visited the Gascogne Guienne and Poitou he came to Moulins where he made many excellent Ordinances The second civill warre sprung up wherein after that the King had made an escape out of Meaux the battaile of St. Denis was fought wherein the Constable was wounded which was a cause of another Pacification by reason of the siege of Chartres which was broken by the third intestine warre which continued two yeares space during which the battaile of Iarnac was fought wherein the Prince of Conde was slaine and another battaile at Montcontour After which another Edict of Pacification was made Anno Domini 1570. Afterwards the King marryed the Lady Elizabeth of Austria daughter to the Emperour Maximilian Also the marriage of the King of Navarre was celebrated Anno Domini 1573. and the 24. of August the same yeare the Admirall was slaine in Paris with a great number of the Hugonots and Rochelle was besieged Then a fourth pacification by the election in Poland of the Duke of Aniou brother to the King was made he being gone in his Kingdome of Poland was certified of his brother the Kings death on the 30. of May at the Bois de Vincennes 1574. having one daughter who dyed an Infant He lyes at St. Denis Hee was a Prince that had excellent naturall gifts but blended and mingled with vices wherewith his Governours and Schoolemasters had corrupted his young minde which at the first was more vertuously inclined delighting in Musick and Poetry But as he was a great Hunter that lov'd to shed the blood of wilde beasts so hee suffered also during his reigne the Protestants blood to be shed and in revenge thereof in his sicknesse before his death great store of blood issued out by vomiting and by other passages of his body in the two last weekes of his sicknesse
to the King and to the Duke of Guise Governour of Provence Hee also after eight Moneths siege tooke the Towne of La Fere in Picardy about mid May notwithstanding the resistance of the Spanish forces then under the Conduct of the Arch-Duke of Austria who came purposely out of Flanders to raise that siege At Rouen in a generall assembly of the Peeres of France the Alliance betweeen him and Queene Elizabeth of England was renewed by Embassages extraordinary in October when the King received from her the Order of St. George aliàs the Garter as not long before the Order of the Chevalry or Knighthood of France was sent unto the Queen of England by Monsieur the Marshall of Bouillon Anno Domini 1599. the King made ordinary Knights of the Holy Ghost at Rouen which was never there done before at any other place than at Paris Not long after the Towne of Amiens was taken by the Spaniards and cruelly pillaged for the space of 5. daies and the French beaten out The King resolved upon a revenging siege and to that end caused it to be encompassed by Monsieur the Marshall of Biron and his Troops for the impeachments of all manner of supplies and the King in person the 21. of May marched towards the said siege of Amiens which after many furious assaults Sallies and Skirmishes was surrendred upon composition upon Thursday the 25. of September notwithanding that the Cardinall of Austria came even to the Trenches with an Army of 18000. foot and 2000 Horse with 18. Cannons for Battery but was valiantly beaten backe and intercepted of his designe of relieving the City and enforced to a shamefull retreate with the losse of a great part of his men The same yeare the Marriage of the King with Madam Margaret of France for many strong and lawfull causes was annulled and made void and by the Authority of Pope Clement the eight was so published The yeare 1600. the Marriage of the King was treated and concluded with the Lady Mary of Medicis Princesse of Florence Daughter of the late Great Duke of Tuscany Francis of Medicis and of Joane of Austria Daughter of the Emperour Ferdinand and in May shee in her owne Countrey was proclaimed Queene of France The 13. of June 1602. Charles Duke of Biron and Lord High Marshall of France being come to Fontainbleau was arrested upon high Treason by the Kings command and from thence conveyed to the Bastile at Paris Hee was convicted by his Peeres for attempts against the Kings Person and State and upon the Munday before being the 29. of July hee was adjudged to lose his head with the confiscation of his goods and the land of Biron deprived for ever of being a Dutchy and Pairy of France and was reunited to the Crowne It was pleaded against him Qui nec virtute nec fide prodest prosit exemplo He that can never profit by his vertue nor his loyalty must profit by his example and thereupon he was condemned and put into the said Bastile whither the Chancellour comming to pronounce the sentence of death against him hee shaked the Chancellour by the Arme saying You have judged me and God will absolve me hee will lay open their iniquities which have shut their eyes because they would not see my innocency You my Lord shall answer for this injustice before him whither I doe summon you within a yeare and a day I goe before by the judgment of men but those that are the cause of my death shall come after by the judgment of God Afterward he said I see well that I am not the most wicked but I am the most unfortunate Those that have done worse than I would have done are favoured the Kings Clemency is dead for me He doth not imitate Caesar nor Augustus or those great Princes who not onely pardoned the intention of doing ill but the Act and wherein can the King shew himselfe greater than in pardoning Clemency is a Kingly vertue every one may give Death but it belongs onely to Soveraignty to give life But the Chancellour told him that a condemned man must not dispute against his Judgment whereupon the Duke of Biron delivered up the Kings order Afterward the Chancellour said that hee had brought two Divines to comfort him and prepare him for death but the Duke said That he was already prepared and that his soule was in such tranquillity as the night before hee had spoken with God Within few daies after he was beheaded and his body interred by night in the Church of S. Paul The yeare 1604. the King was advertised that one Nicholas l' Hoste Secretary of State discovered to the King of Spaine from whom he received an annuall Pension to that end the secrets and affaires of the State upon the notice taken L' Hoste put himselfe in flight for his owne safety but he was so closely followed and pursued that he was enforced to hide himselfe in the River of Marne where he dyed through cold and feare His body being found was condemned to bee drawne in peeces with wilde horses and the foure quarters to be set upon foure wheeles at foure gates of Paris The yeare 1610. there were taken out of the Arsenal of Paris Fifty great Gunnes with store of Munition of powder and shot and great numbers of Souldiers were leavied The King intended shortly after to enter into his Army but he would first see his Queene should bee crowned at St. Denis which was performed with great solemnity But the next day after this Magnificence and pompe of the Queenes Coronation this great King was on Friday the 14. of May 1610. about foure in the afternoone most trayterously murthered in his Caroch with two stabbs with a knife neare the region of his heart passing in the Streete of the Ferronery neare the Charnells of the Innocents Church-yard by Francis Ravaillac borne in Angolesme His Obsequies were performed the three dayes following the 21 22 23. of June with infinite teares and lamentations and after many funebriall solemnities his Corps was conducted to St. Denis where it remaineth interred He lived fifty sixe yeares and thirty one daies Hee reigned in Navarre Thirty seven yeares eleaven moneths or thereabout and in France Twenty yeares nine moneths and thirteene dayes Lewis the 13. and 64. King of France Anno 1610. LEwis the 13. at his age of eight yeares seven Moneths and seventeene dayes succeeded his Father Henry the Great and the fifteenth of May Anno Domini 1610. he sate personally in the Court of Parliament then sitting at the Augustines where in the presence of the Queene his mother who sate by him of the one side foure Cardinalls foure Ecclesiasticall Peeres of France some Princes of the Blood and other Princes who met in that assembly also of the Constable with many Dukes and secular Peeres of the Marshalls of France and Officers of the Crowne of Governours of Provinces of Presidents and Counsellors of the Parliament he by the
succeeded after the Tragicall death of his Father when great troubles were like to follow but all those clouds were blowne away and this young Prince shined forth like the Sun in a cleare skie First of all hee went to the Parliament and made a Declaration that his Mother should be Queene Regent during his minority Afterward the Jesuites received his Fathers heart with great Ceremony being received into La Flech Here the Arraignment and cruell Execution of the Murtherer Ravilliac deserves to be drawne forth in blacke colours Imagine that Ravilliac was first arraign'd after he had beene put to the Rack then condemned afterward hee was brought out of the prison in his shirt with a Torch of two pound weight lighted in one hand and the knife wherewith he had murdered the King chained to the other then he was set upright in a Dung-cart now hee is doing pennance at our Ladies Church now imagine the raging people are ready to teare him in peeces but the Officers restraine them the Murderer came to the Scaffold he crosses himselfe in signe that he dyed a Papist hee was bound to a St. Andrews Crosse then his fatall hand with the knife chained to it smoaks in a Furnace of fire and brimstone it is consum'd yet hee will not confesse any thing but roare and cry like to a Soule in hell but yet unpitied and then his flesh was pulld off with hot Pincers and burnt then scalding Oyle Rozen pitch and brimstone melted together were powr'd into his wounds and on his navell a roundell of Clay was set into the which they powred molten Lead and then he roared but confessed nothing At last to conclude this Tragedy his body was torne in pieces with foure strong Horses which could not plucke them asunder being so firmely knit together untill the flesh under his armes and thighes was cut In this manner was this Paricide tormented and executed being the horrid picture of a Traytor suffering extreame tortures yet misery nor death could not enforce from him any confession And surely if Hells tortures might be felt on earth it was approved in this mans punishment yet he would reveale nothing but that he did it by the instigation of the Devil and his maine reason was because the King tollerated two Religions in his Kingdome Oh small occasion that for this cause one servile slave should thu quench the great light of France whose brightnesse glistred thorow Europe One thing this Villaine confessed that of all the severall torments that were invented and laid upon him none was more terrible to him than his losse of sleepe for sixe dayes and nights together for there were appointed severall officers by turnes to keepe him waking by thrusting red-hot bodkins into his breasts and sides so that if he did but offer to winke or give a nod then presently they awaked him with those Irons He was torne in peeces as I said before and his bones burnt the ashes whereof were scattered in the winde as being thought unworthy of the earths buriall This Ravaillac was borne at Angolesme and by profession a Lawyer and was perswaded as it is thought by the Jesuites to perpetrate this bloody act by murdering this Kings Father Henry the fourth the hope of Learning and the glory of Armes Afterward the Duke of Fener Embassadour from Spaine came to Paris and being brought into the Kings presence he said that he came from the King his Master to visite his Majesty This young Prince answered I thanke the King my brother for his good will I will remember him and you also Seeing he desires it he may expect from me all friendship and good intelligence such as hee had with the deceased King my Father Afterward the Lord Wotton Embassadour from England came to Paris and then Embassadours for confirmation of mutuall league being sent into Spaine England and to Rome the King was at Rheims with solemne pompe and great state crowned FINIS The Table of all the Names of the Kings of FRANCE which are contained in this Booke PHaramond the first King of France Anno Domini 429. page 1. Cloion or Clodion the second King of France Anno. Dom. 432. pag. 5 Merovaeus the third King of France An. Dom. 450. pag. 9 Chilperick or Hilperick the fourth King of France Anno 470. pag. 14 Clovis the fifth King of France and the first Christian King of that Nation Anno 485. pag. 18 Childebert the sixth King of France Anno 514. pag. 23 Clotharius the first of that Name and the seventh King of France An. 559. p. 28 Cherebert the eighth King of France Anno 564. pag. 32 Chilperic the ninth King of France Anno 577. pag. 36 Clotharius the second of that name and the 10. King of France Anno 586. p. 40 Dagobert the 11. King of France Anno 632. pag. 44. Clovis aliàs Lewis the second of that name the 12. King of France Anno 645. pag. 49 Clotharius the third of that name and the 13. King of that Nation Anno 666. pag. 53 Childeric 2. the 14. King of that Nation Anno 570. pag. 58 Theodorick the 15. King of that Nation Anno 680. pag. 62 Clovis the 3. the 16. King of that Nation Anno 689. pag. 67 Childebert the 2. the 17. king of that nation Anno 692. pag. 71 Dagobert the 2. the 18. king of that Nation Anno 710. pag. 75 Clotharius the 4. the 19. king of that nation Anno 719. pag. 79 Daniel alias Chilperick the 20. king of that Nation Anno 719. pag. 83 Theodorick the 2. the 21. king of that Nation Anno 720. pag. 87 Childerick the 3. the 22. king of that Nation Anno 740. pag. 91 Charles Martel Duke and Prince of the French Anno 788. pag. 95 Pepin surnamed the short the first of that name the 23. king of that Nation Anno 752. pag. 101 Charlemaine Emperour of Rome the 24 king of France An. 768. pag. 106 Lewis the Debonaire Emperor of Rome and the 25. king of France Anno 814. pag. 111 Charles the Bald Emperor of Rome the 26. king of France An. 840. pag. 115 Lewis and Charoloman or Carlon the 28. king of France An. 879. p. 128 Lewis the Lubber and Charles the grosse the 29. king of France An. 885. p. 126 Eudes or Odo the 30. king of France Anno 891. pag. 130 Charles surnamed the simple the 31. king of France An. 898. pag. 135 Rodulph or Raoul of Burgundy the 32 king of France pag. 139 Lewis the 4 the 33. king of that Nation Anno 939. pag. 144 Lotharius the 4 the 34. king of France Anno 954. pag. 150 Lewis the 5 the 35. king of France Anno 986. pag. 155 Hugh Capet the first of that name the 36. king of France Anno 987. pag. 158 Robert the 1 the 37. king of France Anno 997. pag. 163 Henry the 1 the 38. king of France Anno 1031. pag. 168 Philip the 1 the 39. king of France Anno 1060. pag. 173 Lewis the 6 the 40. king of France Anno 1109. pag. 178 Lewis the 7. was called Augustus being the 41. king of France An. 1131. p. 183 Philip the 2 who was surnamed Augustus the 42. king of France Anno 1180. pag. 188 Lewis the 8 the 43. king of France Anno 1223. pag. 194 Lewis the 9 the 44. king of France Anno 1226. pag. 199 Philip the 3 the 45. king of France Anno 1271. pag. 205 Philip the 4 the 46. king of France Anno 1286. pag. 211 Lewis the 10 who was surnamed Hutin the 47. king of France Anno 1315. pag. 216 Philip the 5 the 48. king of France Anno 1317. pag. 223 Charles the 4 surnamed the Faire the 49. king of France Anno 1322. pag. 228 Philip of Valois the sixt of that Name the 50. king of France Anno 1327. p. 232 A Relation of Edward the 3 King of England who was the first that quartered the Armes of France and made it subject to England Anno 1351. pag. 237 John the 1 the 51. king of France Anno 1350. pag. 241 Charles the 5 surnamed the Wise the 52 King of France Anno 1364. p. 246 Charles the 6 the 53 King of France Anno 1380. pag. 251 A Relation of Henry the 5 king of England who gave a great overthrow to the French at the Battaile of Cressay and still maintained the right left him by Edward the 3. of England Anno 1412. pag. 258 Charles the 7 the 54. king of France Anno 1422. pag. 264 Lewis the 11. the 55. king of France Anno 1461. pag. 269 Charles the 8 the 65. king of France Anno 1483. pag. 281 Lewis the 12 the 57. king of France Anno 1499. pag. 287 Francis of Valois the first of that Name was the 58. king of France An. 1515 pag. 294 Henry the 2 the 59. king of France Anno 1547. pag. 299 Francis the 2 the 60. king of France Anno 1559. pag. 305 Charles the 9 the 61. king of France Anno 1560. pag. 310 Henry the 3 the 62. king of France Anno 1574. pag. 315. Henry the 4 surnamed the Great the 63 king of France An. 1589. pag. 320 Lewis the 13 which now reigneth styled the most Christian king is the 64. King of France and began his Reigne in the yeare 1610. pag. 331 FINIS
at Noyan by the Princes Barons and Prelates of France and afterwards annointed at Rheims the third of July Anno Domini 987 where hee caused also his eldest sonne to be crowned King with him named Robert about halfe a yeare after viz. on the first of January The people the souldiers and all the Prelates swore a fealty to Capet against all men and especially against Charles of Loraine who came with an Army to challenge and stoutly make claime to his right by force of Armes in France for the space of foure yeares and first made himselfe sure of Laon by the meanes of Arnulph naturall sonne to the late King Lotharius whither Hugh went to assaile him but hee made such a briske and valiant fully out against him that hee shamefully routed both him and his After having taken the Castle of Montagu and pillaged the Territories of Soissons and Rheimes he retreated to Laon and the yeare following hee made himselfe Master possessor of Rheimes through the intelligence which hee had with the said Arnulph newly elected Arch-bishop of that See upon the decease of Albero Whereupon Hugh using the same passages upon Charles dealt under-hand with Ascelin or Anselme Bishop of Laâ—â— who made a way for him and his Army into Laon where Charles was taken and carryed Prisoner to Orleans with Agnes his wife by whom during the time of his imprisonment hee had two children but all foure of them dyed prisoners By this prize the Warres against Charles being ended and the Cities of Laon and Rheimes retaken yea and the Dutchy of France being incorporated to the Domaines of the Crowne and the City of Paris beginning againe to take upon it the name of a City Royall Hugh caused a Synode to be held at Rheimes whereby Arnulph was deposed and Gilbert Tutor to Robert the sonne of Hugh was substituted in his place whereof the Pope not content caused a Councell to bee called in France by the decree whereof Gilbert was dismissed and Arnulph restored Hugh deceased the 22. of November Anno Dom. 996 and as others report 998. He was funebrially inhumed at St. Denis in France by his Anâ—â—stors This King was the first of the Race of the succeeding Kings being ordained to bring the Kingdome to a flourishing estate by so many great and eminent vertues meeting in his Person Hee was surnamed Capet either from the bignesse of his Head from the Latin word Capitosus or because when hee was young hee would plucke off his companions Capps fore-shewing that hee should afterward pluck off Kings Crownes for when matters were by policy and the affection of French advancing his desires fitly prepared he got possession of the Crowne though claimed by Charles sonne to Lothaire and with a complement of being unwilling to leave the Crowne to any particular Nobleman least he should seeme to be preferr'd before the rest equall in desert his sonne Robert propounded to their Election was also crowned being a wise and temperate Prince that gave much apparent hope of making the Kingdome happy in his fruitfull progeny pledges of his vertues some whereof were expressed in this saying That he was a sonne without frowardnesse a companion without jealousie and a King without ambition which was a sufficient testimony of the goodnesse of his disposition and that he was wholly bent to those things which were truely honourable applying his best helpe for maintaining the generall good of his Subjects whereby he gained the love and obedience of all men and afterward hee proved an exact Picture of his fathers great and perfect vertues Robert 1. the 37. King of France Anno 997. RObert succeeded his Father Hugh Anno Domini 996. Comming to the Crowne hee caused Melun to bee surrendered to Count Buchard which Count Odo of Chartres sonne of Berthe sister of Raoul of Burgundy had possessed After the death of his wife Lutgarde he marryed Berthe the widow of Eudon Count of Charâ—tres whom he after dismissed because she was his Godmother and tooke Constance daughter of William Count of Arles and of Blanch daughter of Foulques Count of Aniou At the same time Henry Duke of Burgundy Vncle by the Father to this Robert dyed without heires By reason whereof Otho Guillaume surnamed the stranger pretending a right to that Dutchy by cause of the adoption which Henry had made of him made himselfe very strong in Auxerre which was taken from him by the King with the Dutchy of Burgundy Otho the sonne of Charles Duke of Loraine being deceased the Emperour Henry caused Count Godfrey of Ardenne to be invested notwithstanding that Geberge and Hermengardâ— Sisters of Otho marryed to Lambert and Aubert Counts of Brabant and Nemures would have put them in possession which was a cause that the King instigated Baldwin Count of Flanders against the Emperour who siezed upon the Cities which are upon the River of Escaut as Valenciennes Dinam and others Anno Domini 1015. the King tooke away the City and County of Sens from Count Ramard surnamed the Wicked by reason of the insolencies and violences committed upon the Arch-Bishop thereof and was confiscated to the Crowne Afterwards hee compelled the Burgundians to returne to their obedience who Anno Domini 1016 were revolted and after having pacified the quarrell betweene Richard Duke of Normandy and Odo Count of Chartres who were in great warres he went to treate with Henry the Emperour concerning matters of Religion and their Dominions and Royalties in a Parliament which they held together at Iovy upon Chere And after having also appeased the quarrell betweene â—udes Count of Campagne and Chartâ—â—s and Foulque Count of Aniou hee deceased at Melun Anno Domini 1031 having reigned about three and thirty yeares and lyes interred at St. Denis in France This Robert in his whole Reigne exprest much wisedome for as his father to settle the Crowne on his progeny had caused him to be enstalled so hee Crowned Hugh his eldest sonne at Campagne and after his decease preferring vertue before eldership elected the yonger to be King being of a more Royall disposition and the Dutchy of Normandy was by Will left unto Robert When hee had thus ordered his affaires and pleased his Subjects with his happy reigne having got enough Fame and Honour he dyed leaving him in the remembrance of Posterity this opinion deepely setled That the Kingdome was happy in his government and blest in his wisedome resolution peaceablenesse and continency most eminent vertues like Starres shining in the Spheare of Majesty but with a dimme brightnesse in respect of his piety whence the other derived their borrowed light In the praise of the holy Martyres he composed a Hymne beginning thus O constantia Martyrum mirabilis and was highly pleased that his wife with whose name the former words had some agreement had an humorous affectâ—ion to approve his writings then generally applauded Immensum in Regis gloria calcar habet In hope of praise the Muses tune their strange And