to get clear of the ditches we had certainly fault and perhaps defeated them as to say the truth we might have done however had some been so disposeâ— I 'm sure it stuck not at our Companies nor at Monsieur de Tais But Monsieur le President Birague if he will speak the truth knows very well where the fought lay for he was then in the Army with Monsieur de Boitieres and both heard and saw all they said and did and knows very well that I with two hundred Harquebusiers pursued them upon their retreat fiting all the way for above a mile and a half together and ready to tear my flesh to see how faintly they advanc'd which shew'd they had no great stomach to fight 'T is an ill thing when a Generall is in fear of being beaten and whoever goes timerously to work will never do any thing to purpose had there been no greater men in the Company than my self without trisling after that manner I had done as I did by the Spaniards which I defeated but fifteen days before There were a great many excuses however on all sides why we did not fight and not only there but also throughout all Piedmont where they spoke of us God knows with what Characters of honor After the report of this Cowardise for it can be call'd by no other name was spread abroad Monsieur dc Boitiâ—res was not very well satisfied with himself but I shall leave this discourse and fall upon some other Subject only this I must say that the world had after no great opinion of him he was ill obey'd and worse respected â—f there was any fault on his part or not I leave others to judge and there are enough yet living that can tell better than I yet was he a prudent and a good Cavaliâ—r but God makes no body perfect at all points Three or four days after came Ludovico de Birague who propos'd an enterprize to Monsieur de Boitieres which was that in case he would leave Monsieur de Tais about Boulongne where he was Governor with seven or eight Companies of Foot that then 〈◊〉 would â—ngage to take Cassantin St. Germain and St. Iago a thing that because Monsieur de Boitieres was upon the design of breaking the Bridge at Carignan he made very great difficulty to consent unto until the said Bridge should first be broken down but Monsieur de Termes being come with his own Company and the two Companies of the Baron de Nicolas it was concluded amongst them that Monsieur de Tais might be spar'd to go with Signior Londiné with seven Ensigns being that still there would remain five or six the three Companies of Monsieur de Dros which he had again recruited and seven or eight others of Italians I do not well remember whether Monsieur de Strozzi was himself yet arriv'd or no for the last nam'd were his men but it may suffice that we made up what French and Italians eighteen Ensigns besides the Swisse It was therefore concluded in the Council that before they should take in hand the breaking of the Bridge they should first see how the enterprize of the said Signior Ludovico should succeed which should it miscarry and that they were defeated all Piedmont would be in very great danger But in a few days after news was brought to Monsieur Boitieres that they had taken St. Germans and St. Iago with four or five other little enclos'd Towns Neither must I forget that Monsieur de Tais stiffly insisted to have had me along with him insomuch that there arose some dispute about it But Monsieur de Boitieres protested he would not undertake to break the Bridge unless I was there Monsieur de Termes Monsieur d' Aussun the President Birague and Signior Francisco Bernardin stood very high on Monsieur Boitieres his side so that I was constrained to stay very much against my will I having a very grâ—â—t desire to have gone along with Monsieur de Taâ—s both because he lov'd me and had as great confidence in me as in any Captain of the Regiment as also that he was a man of exceeding great mettle and would seek all occasions of fighting however the foremention'd news being brought the breaking of the Bridge was conccluded and after this manner It was order'd that I with five or six Companies of Gascons should go fight the hundred Germans and hundred Spaniards that had every night kept Gaurd at the end of the Bridge ever since our Army had been at Pingues To which I made answer that I would not have so many for being to pass through narrow ways so great a number of men would make so very long a Fâ—le that the sixth part of them could never come up to fight and in short that I would only have an hundred Harquebusiers and an hundred Corslets to be equal to the Enemy not doubting but before the Game was done to make it appear that our Nation were as good as either German or Spaniard but withal that Boguedeâ—ar la Pallu and another Captain whose name I have forgot should bring all the rest of the men after at the distance of three hundred paces to assist me in case the Enemy should sally out of Carignan to relieve their own people Which accordingly was left to my discretion There was a house on the left hand the Bridge which it was order'd the Italians who might be between twelve and fourteen Ensigns should possess themselves of to favour me should the Enemy make a Sally that Monsieur de Boitieres should advance with all the Cavalry and the Swisse within half a mile that Captain Labardaâ— with his Company should advance on the other side of the River with two pieces of Canon to make some shot at a little house which was on the Bridge end on our side where the Enemy kept their Guard and that Monsieur de Salcede who but a little before was come over to us with three or fourscore Country fellows every one bringing a hatchet along with him should attempt to break the Bridge For whom also seven or eight Boats were prepared wherein to convey themselves under the said Bridge where they were to cut the Posts not quite thorough but to the thickness of a mans leg and that being done to cut the long beams that supported the Bridge above which dividing from one another the Pillars would totter and break of themselves they had moreover certain fire works deliver'd to them which they were made to believe being applyed to the Pillars would in a short time burn them down to the water Every one then going to execute the orders they had received I with my two hundred men chosen out of all the Companies went full drive directly towards the Bridge where I could not however so soon arrive but that the Canon had already made one shot at the little house had broken into it and kill'd a German whom at my coming I
the Bastard of Auzan a Gentleman who has nothing blemish'd the legitimate Sons of his race though all of them men of singular bravery and remarkeable valour Now you must know that â— the Company I commanded was no other than Cross-bows for at this time the use of the Harquâ—buze had not as yet been introducâ—d amongst us only three or four days before six Gascon Harquebusiers came over to us from the Enemy which I had received into my Company having by good â—ortune been that day upon the Guard at the great Gate of the City and of those six one was a native of the Territory of Monâ—luc Would to heaven that this accursed engine had never been invented I had not then receiv'd those wounds which I now languish under neither had so many valiant men been slain for the most part by the most pitiful fellows and the greatest Cowards Poltrons that had not dar'd to look those men in the face at hand which at distance they laid dead with their confounded bullets but it was the Devil's invention to make us murther one another Being thus past the River I order'd the Bastard d' Auzâ—n not to suffer his men to shoot but only to present as if they intended to do it to the end that he might favour mine and give them time to discharge and retire again into their order Now when I was under the foot of the Hill I could not possibly see what our men did but being advanc'd a little further into the plain I saw all the Enemies three Squadrons drawn up into one body and the great party on the left hand marching upon a good round trot directly towards ours who were rallyed and stood firm without being able either to advance forwards or to retire back by reason of some great stones that lay scatter'd in their Rear Here it was that Captain Carbon who had no Arms on having before been wounded in his left arm by an Arquebuze shot seeing me so nâ—aâ— him came up to me and said Oh Montluc my dear friend charge up boldly I will never forsake thee Captain said I take you only care to save your self and your Gens-d ' Armes at the same instant crying out shoot Comrades at the head of these Horse I was not above a dozen paces distant from the Enemy when I gave them this Volley by which as it appear'd by the testimony of the Prisoners who were taken a few days after above fifty Horses were kill'd and wounded and two Troopers slain an execution that a little cool'd their courage and caus'd their Troops to make a halt In the mean time Captain Carbon had leisure with his party to retire full gallop towards the brook I had pass'd over to relieve him where such as had their horses lost taking hold of the others horse tayls sav'd themselves also and all together pass'd over the River Which hast they were necâ—ssitated to make or otherwise the great party of horse on the left hand had charg'd them in the Flank had they drawn more leisurely off In the mean time under favour of the twenty Cross-bows of d' Auzan who sustain'd us we rallied again and gave another volley So soon as Captain Carbon had passed the River with his Horse remounted Monsieur de Gramont on another horse and mounted the rest â—n Crouppe he commanded the said Siâ—ur de Gramont to ride to the top of the hill and in all hast to draw off the Ensigns both of horse and foot at a round trot directly to the other River where the bridg was that leads towards Bayonne Which order being given he suddenly turned back again towards me having in his company an Italian call'd Signior Diomedâ— and the Siâ—ur de Mainaâ—aâ—t where he found me retreating towards a ditch upon the edg of a Marish and of which I might be within some twelve or fourteen paces which not only hindred him from getting up to me but moreover gave him enough to do to save himself I notwithstanding in spite of the Enemy recovered the ditch of the Marish being still sheltred by d' Auzâ—n whom I commanded to climb over in great diligence and there to make head which he accordingly performed The Spaniards in the mean time made a shew as if they meant to charge but they durst not attempt to break into me neither were my six Harquebusiâ—rs idle all this while but did wonders with their shot when having at last retreated my men within five or six paâ—â—s of the ditch I caused them all in an instant to throw themselves into it and under favour of d' Auzan almost as suddainly to mount the ditch bank on the other side over which we all got safe and sound saving three Soldiers who were slain with Harquebuze shot for not having been so nimble as the rest and here it was that as in a little sort I made head against the Enemy Now you must know that that party of the Enemy which came up on the left hand made a halt at the bank of the River when they saw our Horse were already got half way up the hill and those who had fought and to whom I had given a stop at the ditch bank were now upon their retreat home when seeing three Squadrons of Harquebusiers coming along the plain and making towards them with all the speed they could it reviv'd their spirits and inspir'd them with new courage to face about again I in the mean time having also discover'd these fresh succours began to shift along by the ditch till being by the return of a corner of it slipt out of their sight I drew my men into a very narrow meadow from whence at full speed I gain'd the â—oot of the hill I had descended before and having repass'd the River soon recovered the top of the mountain The danger wherein I saw my self to be as well of the Horse I had pressing upon my Rear as of the Battaillon of Inâ—antry which I saw fast advancing towards me did not however make me loose my Judgment in a time of so great need nor hinder me from discerning and taking this opportunity for my retreat during which I made the little handful of men I had march very close together and by turnes encouraging and speaking to them made them often face about and salute the Cavalry who pursued me both with Cross-bow and Harquebuze shot when having gain'd the top of the hill I drew into an Orchard making fast the Gate on the inside that the Horse might not so suddainly enter and by the favour of that and several others planted with Apples still made on towards the Bridge till I came to a little Church call'd Hâ—itée from whence I perceived the great road to be all covered over with the Enemies Horse there being nevertheless a great ditch betwixt them and me from whence I bestow'd upon them some Arquebuze and Cross-bow shot which also very seldom fail'd of their effect and compell'd them seeing
Port they could not possibly do This Galley upon the sight presently began to let fly whole broad-sides of Canon at us one whereof kill'd two men of my Company close by me and so near that the brains both of the one and the other flew into my face There was very great danger in that place for all the bullets as well of this Galley as of the others which did the same play'd directly into the place where I was insomuch that seeing them still to continue their shot for those of the Gallies took us for the Enemy I was constrain'd to draw off my men into the ditches to secure them In the mean time they mounted the Prince in all hast on horseback and made him to save himself full speed towards the Camp all his Gentlemen running after on foot They had no great leisure to stay with us for I believe being so lately come they had no mind to dye Their hast was so great that they had no time to land either the Princes Baggage or his Bed and there were some who were wise enough to keep themselves aboard the Gallies But the Seigneur de Candale and Count Hugues were men of another sort of mettle and staid upon the cross high way where their men had been plac'd before and Captain Artiguelaube went to the Battaillon that was drawn up behind the Rampire The Game began with me and I do not know whether it be my good or my evil fortune but so it is that in all places where I have been that I have evermore found my self in the thickest of the blows and there where the business ever first began Now a Band of Harquebusiers came directly towards me running and that because I had placâ—d one part of my Harquebusiers behind a ditch bank that borders all along upon the high way and the rest on the right and left hand in the ditches in file which I did more for fear of the Artillery that plaid from our own Gallies than for any apprehension of the Enemy and came within twenty paces of us where we entertein'd them with a smart volly of all our shot by which five or six of their men fell dead upon the ground and the rest took their heels and fled we following after as far as the Magdaleine There they rallyâ—d and withdrew from the high way on their right hand and on that side where Monsieur de Lavall of Dauphiné stood with his Company of Gens-d ' Armes he was Nephew to Monsieur de Bayard and Father to Madame de Gordes who is at this time living and a very valiant Gentleman Monsieur de Candalle who had seen my Charge and saw that the Enemy now all discover d themselves and that both Horse and Foot drew into a great Meadow where Monsieur de Lavall stood fearing they might charge me again he sent me a supply of fifty Harquebusiers just at the time when a Battaillon of German Foot presented themselves within twenty paces on my right hand The Spanish Harquebusiers in the mean time fir'd with great fury upon our Gens-d ' Armes who began to draw off at a good round trot towards the high way possessed by Monsieur de Candalle where there was a great oversight committed which I will also give an account of that such as shall read it may make use of the exemple when the chance of War as at one time or another it may shall perhaps reduce them to the same condition Count Hugues and Monsieur de Candalle had drawn up their Pikes upon the great Road without leaving room for the Cavalry to retire and there was a necessity that Monsieur de Lavall must in spite of his heart pass that way for betwixt Monsieur de Candalle and me there was a great ditch that Horse could not possibly get over Had they left the Road open and drawn themselves up in Battalia behind the ditch they might have given a stop to the Enemies fury and by that means Monsieur de Lavall might at great ease have got off along by the high way and have made an honorable retreat So soon as the Enemy saw that Monsieur de Lavall was forced to his Trot they presently charg'd him both in flank and rear with both Horse and Foot at once when having thrown himself into the Road to get clear of this storm he encountred these Pikes upon his way where he was constrained against his will to force his way thorough and in so doing bore down and trampled under foot all that stood before him for our Pikes were drawn up so close that they had no room to open This put all into confusion and I was ready to run mad to see so great an absurdity committed yet is not the blame justly to be laid â—pon Monsieur de Candalle he being very young and having never been upon such a service before but Count Hugues is highly to be condâ—mned who was an old Soldier and understood the discipline of War yet I will not say but that he behaved himself with very great bravery in his own person but it is not enough to be bold and hardy a man must also be wise and foresee all that can happen forasmuch as oversights are irreparable in matters of Arms and smal faults are oftentimes the occasion of very great losses as it happened here to him who had not provided against all adventures For he was himself taken prisoner as also Monsieur de Candalle being wounded in his arm with a Harquebuze shot Three days after the Enemy seeing he was not likely to live sent him back to Monsieur de Lautrec who was his Kinsman and the next day he died and was buried at Bresse He was a brave and a worthy young man as ever came out of the house of Foix and would in time doubtless have been a great Soldier had he lived to hold on as he had begun I never knew man so industrious and desirous to learn the practice of arms of the old Captains as this Lord was To which effect he rendred himself as obsequious to the Count Pedro de Navarre as the meanest of his Servants He was inquisitive into the reasons of things and informed himself of all without fooling away his time about trifles that other young men covet and love and was more frequent at the Quarters of the Count Pedro de Navarre than at those of Monsieur de Lautrec insomuch that the Count would always say he was there training up a great Captain And in truth when he was brought back into the Camp the said Count kiss'd him with tears in his eyes It was a very great loss of him All who were at the same post were â—ither kill'd or taken some excepted who saved themsesves by the ditches leaping from ditch to ditch but those were very few for the Enemy pursued their victory on that side very well I on my side began to march along by the side of a hedg
confederate himself with the King of England who was fallen off from his obedience to the holy Chair out of despite which two Princes as it was said had divided the Kingdom for so both the Marquis de Guast told Monsieur de Termes and I have since heard the same from an English Gentleman at Boulogne but however it was but disputing the bears skin France well united within it self can never be conquer'd till after the loss of a dozen Battels considering the brave Gentry whereof it is fruitful and the strong places wherewith it abounds And I conceive they are deceiv'd who say that Paris being taken France is lost It is indeed the Treasury of the Kingdom and an unexhausted Magazine where all the richest of the whole Nation unlade their Treasure and I do believe in the whole world there is not such a City for 't is an old saying that there is not a Crown in Paris but yields ten Sols revenue once a year but there are so many other Cities and strong places in the Kingdom as are sufficient to destroy thirty Armies So that it would be easie to rally together and to recover that from them again before they could conquer the rest unless the Conqueror would depopulate his own Kingdom to repeople his new Conquest I say this because the design of the King of England was to run directly up to Paris whilst the Emperor should enter into Champagne The Forces of these two Princes being join'd together consisted of fourscore thousand Foot and twenty thousand Horse with a prodigious train of Artillery by which any man may judge whether our King had not enough to do and whether it was not high time to look about him Without all doubt these poor Princes have greater care and trouble upon them than the inferior forts of men and I am of opinion the King did very well to call back his Forces out of Piedmont though some are pleased to say that the State of Millan might otherwise have been won and that the Emperor would have been necessitated to have called back his Forces out of France to defend that Dutey but all this depended upon event So it was that God would not suffer these Princes to agree betwixt themselves each of them being bent upon his own particular advantage and I have often heard and sometimes seen that when two Princes jointly undertake the Conquest of a Kingdom they never agree for each of them is always 〈◊〉 of being over reach'd by his companion and evermore jealous of one another I have not I confess much conversed with Books but I have heard say that after this manner we first lost the Kingdom of Naples and were cheated by the King of Spain This suspition and jealousie at this time preserved us as it has at other times â—one seâ—â—ral others as the Hâ—storians report For my part I should more apprehend one great single Enemy than two who would divide the Cake between them there will always be some exceptions taken and two Nations do not easily agree as you see here The English King came and sat down before Boulogne which was basely surrendred to him by the Siâ—ur de Vervin who lost his life for his labour an example that ought to be set before all such as undertake the defence of strong holds This by no means pleased the Spaniard who reap'd no advantage by it saw very well that his confederate would only intend his own business Our Colonâ—l Monsiâ—ur de Tais brought three and twenty Ensigns to the King being all the same which had been at the Battel saving one nâ—w Company but I fell sick at Troyes and came not up to the Army till they were advanc'd near to Boulogne where the said Sieur de Tais delivered me the Patent his Majesty had sent me for the Office of Camp-Master but there was nothing done worthy remembrance till the Camisado of Boulogne As we arrived near to la Marquise the Dauphin who commanded the Army had intelligence that it was three or four days since the Town had been taken though he knew it before and that the Kâ—ng of England was embarked and gone for England It is to be presumed that this Prince had made such hast away only to avoid fighting forasmuch as he had left all things in so great disorder for in the first place we found all his Artillery before the Town in a Meadow that lies upon the descent towards the Tower of Ordre secondly there was found above thirty Casks full of Corslers which he had caused to be brought out of Germany therewith to arm his Soldiers which he had left for the defence of the Town thirdly he had left all the ammunition of victual as Corn Wine and other things to eat in the lower Town insomuch that if Monsieur de Teligni be yet living as I am told he is the Father of this who is a Huguenot and who treated the peace during these troubles and was taken upon the Camisado in the lower Town where not one man but himself escap'd alive he will bear witness that there was not in the higher Town provision to serve four days for himself told it me The occasion of the Camisado was this A Son in law of the Mareschal de Bies not this fine Monsieur de Vervin but another whose name I have forgot came to Monsieur de Tais and told him that a Spy of his who came from Boulogne had assured him that as yet nothing had been remov'd to the higher Town but that all still remained below and that if they would speedily attempt to take the lower Town which might easily be done they would in eight days time have the upper come out to them with ropes about their necks and that if Monsieur de Tais so pleased he would in the morning lead him where he might himself discover all the Spy morcover affirming that as yet not one breach in the wall was repaired but that all lay open as if it were a village Upon this information Monsieur de Tais was impatient to go to take a view of all and took me along with him together with this Son in law of the Mareschal We might be about a hundred Horse drawn out of the several Troops and just at the break of day we arrived before the Town leaving the Tower of Ordre some two or three hundred paces on the right hand and saw five or six Pavillions upon the descent in the great high way leading to the Gate of the City We were no more than five or six Horse only Monsieur de Tais having left the rest behind a little Hill This Son in law of the Mareschal and I therefore went down to the first Pavillion and passed close by it into the Camp on the left hand till we came to the second from whence we discovered all their Artillery at no further distance than fourfcore paces only neiâ—her did
Avenues to give us continual advertisement of the Enemies motion and that he should not offâ—r to hinder their passage but let them pass by and only put himself in their Rear I then dispatcht away Captain Maussan a Gentleman of my own Company to go to the Valleys by which the Enemy was to pass giving him order with the Baâ—â—sain to raise all the people of the Valleys and Villages and joyn himself to the Baron de Larbous to fall into their Rear Thus much for the Recruits we expected to come in to us now on our side our Cavalry was every night on horseback and we had Scouts out continually as far as Nay for Monsieur de Montamat was of necessity to pass over the Bridg of the said Nay to go meet his relief and in case we had not taken the Castle before the said Montamat and his Succours should unite Monsieur de Gondrin with twenty Light-horse and four Ensigns of Foot was to stay with the Artillery and I with the rest of the Camp when the news of their approach was brought to us was to march day and night to go and fight them This was the Order we had concluded on had any Forces come to relieve them making account that in case we defeated their Succours the whole Country of Bearn was our own Which I have here set down and enform'd my reader withal that others may take exemple by it when they shall be engaged upon the like occasion the young Captains I mean for the old Soldiers know well enough they are to proceed after this manner My deliberation moreover was the Castle being taken to dispatch away a Gentleman who should post it day and night to the King to carry his Majesty news of the success to the end that he might send some Gentleman to the Mareschal d' Anville who was about Montpelier following the trace of the Enemy where I have not heard of any great harm he did to bid him write to those of Tholouze to send me eight pieces of Canon of twelve of Narbonne that were yet at the said Tholouze and order him to direct his Letters to the Parliament and the Capitouls to move them forthwith to defray the charge of conveying the said pieces of Canon to me Which whilst it was in doing we would go attaque another Castle within two little Leagues of Rabasteins which vvas not very strong and from thence would go to pass the Gave at a Foard above Nay very well known to the Bearnois Gentlemen in our Camp and take Nay there to establish our Magazine of victual and to receive Messieurs de Luxe and de Damazan the Vicount de Chaux and d' Almabarix with the Basques they were to bring in to us and so to march before Pau where the Vicount d'Orthe was to come with the two pieces of Canon and the Culverine had been left in his hands at Dacqs being confident that all the Country some for good will and the rest for fear of their lives and estates would immediately surrender to us That having taken Pau and the eight piecâ—s of Canon being come to us from Tholouze we would then march before Navarrâ—ins and whoever would have put me to my Oath whether I should have taken it or no I should rather have sworn I should than I should not for we had with us Gentlemen of Bearn and Bigorre and principally Monsieur de Basillac who had commanded at the Siege of Navarreins for Monsieur de Terride who both then said and have since affirm'd that had we assaulted Navarreins as briskly as we did Rabasteins we should have carried that with less difficulty than the other every one that knew them both concluding that Rabasteins was by much the stronger place But as men design and God disposeth as seemeth best to him the Events of things he was pleased to order it very much contrary to what we proposed to our selves for the fifth day of the Siege the 23 of Iuly in the year 1562. upon a Sunday about two of the clock in the afternoon I resolved to give an assault the Order whereof was after the manner following That Monsieur de Sanctorens Mareschal de Camp should lead the Companies one after the other up to the Breach which that he might the better do without confusion I order'd all the Companies to be drawn by four and four together out of the Town which upon pain of death were not to stir from their places till Monsieur de Sainctorens should come to fetch them who was to stay three quarters of an hour betwixt every leading up and in that manner to conduct all the Companies one after another and it was also order'd that the two Captains who were upon the Guard by the Breach which were l' Artigues and Salles of Bearn should go on first to the Assault As I was setting down this Order one came in haste to tell me that the two Canons that batter'd the Flanck and that had been remov'd in the night were forsaken and not a man durst shew himself upon the Battery by reason the Artillery it self had ruin'd all the Gabions I therefore left it to Messieurs de Gondrin and de Sainctorens to conclude the Order of the Fight that is to say that the Companies should go on successively one after another which was to be set down in writing and my self ran on the outside to the whole of the wall where I found only ten or twelve Pioneers squat with their bellies close to the ground for Tibauville the Commissary of the Artillery who had the charge of those two pieces of Canon had been constrain'd to quit them and even Monsieur de Basillac himself Seeing then this disorder I unbethought my self of a great number of Bavins I had the day before caused to be brought into the Town and said to the Gentlemen who were with me these words I have heard and alwayes observ'd that there is no labour nor danger that Gentlemen will ever refuse follow me therefore I beseech you and do as you shall see me do They did not stay to be entreated and so we went in great haste directly to the Bavinâ— that were within the Town and lay in the middle of a Street there where not a man durst abide and there I took a Bavin and laid it upon my shoulder as also every Gentleman took one and there were a great many who carried two a-piece after which manner we return'd out of the Town by the same way we entred in and thus I marcht before them till we came to the hole By the way as we were going I had given order that they should bring me four or five Halbardeers which at my return I found already arriv'd at the hole and made them enter into it We threw them the Bavins into the hole which they took with the points of their Halberts and ran to throw them upon the Gabions
in his hearing said to the Priest â—o get him from thence Pray Father go down and tell Corporal Janin that my Lord is at the Gate where he stays to speak with him and at the same time himself also departed from the window pretending to go down whereupon Captain Favas and his Soldiers ran to open the Gate which was only bolted and all on a suddain leap'd upon the Bridge Seeing this the Count who was one of the most active men of all Italy and who held his horse by the bridle the best one of them that ever that Country bred and which I afterwards gave to Monsieur de Tais vaulted over a little wall which was near to the Bridge drawing his horse after him with intent to have leap'd into the Saddle for there was no horse so tall provided he could lay his hand upon the Pummel but he could aâ—m'd at all pieces vault into the Seat but he was prevented by the Bastard of Bazordan call'd Ianot yet living and then of my Company who by misfortune being he either could not or would not get over the wall to lay hands upon him let fly at him an Harquebuze which taking the default of his Arms went into his belly piercing thorough his bowels almost to the other side of which shot he sunk down to the ground Captain Favas took his Nephew and another the Trumpet but the other Gentleman escap'd down the Hill crying out that the Count was either kill'd or taken whereupon the Lieutenant and all his Company skutled to horse in so great a fright that they never look'd behind them till they came to Fossan Had it so fallen out that Ianin at the second entry had not been slain they had not only snap'd the Count and by degrees all his whole Troop for they might have compell'd him to have spoke to them with a dagger at his reins ready to stab him should he make a sign but moreover might perhaps from hence have spun out some contrivance against Fossan it self for one Enterprize draws on another These things being done they in the evening dispatch'd away Captain Milhas a Gentleman of my Company to bring me the news and to relate to me from point to point how all things had passed together with a Letter from the said Count wherein he entreated me seeing he was my prisoner and that greater advantage was to be made of his life than of his death to do him the courtesie as to send him with all speed a Physician a Chirurgeon and an Apothecany Captain Milhas arriv'd just at the time that they open'd the Gates of the City so that he found me putting on my cloaths and there related to me the whole business thereby delivering me from the great anxiety and trouble wherein from Sunday till Wednesday I had continually remain'd for though I was really concerned for the place yet was I much more afflicted for the loss of my Lieutenant and my Soldiers who were most of them Gentlemen and all very brave men Immediately upon the news I ran to Monsieur de Termes his Lodgings whom I found sick a bed but I dare say that neither he nor I were ever so overjoy'd for we both very well knew that had it fallen out otherwise there were Rods in piss So soon as I departed from him I presently sent away a Phisician a Chirurgeon and an Apothecary whom I mounted upon three horses of my own for the more speed neither did they either stop or stay until they came thither but it was impossible to save him for he died about midnight and was brought to Savillan whom every one had a desire to see even Monsieur de Termes himself as sick as he was and he was very much lamented by all The next day I sent the Body to Fossan but detein'd the Nephew and Trumpet with the rest that were taken prisoners at Barges until they should send me back the Wife and Son of the said Granuchin which the next day they did and I also deliver'd up all the Prisoners I beseech you Captains you who shall see and hear this Relation to consider whether or no this was a stratagâ—m for a Merchant believe me the oldest Captain would have been puzled and have had enough to carry it on with so much dexterity and resolution as he did wherein although Captain Favas was the performer of it when it came to execution nevertheless the Merchant was not only the original contriver but also a principal Actor throughout the whole business having the heart in order to his revenge to expose his Wife and Son to the extreamest danger In reading of which fellows in Arms you may learn diligence with temper and take notice what sleights and polices were used and continued for the space of four days together such as no man either of theirs or which is more of our own could possibly discover both parties being held equally suspended The Count for a prudent Cavalier behav'd himself herein with very great levity especially upon the second Letter but he repair'd his fault when he refused to enter the Castle without first seeing his man though that caution signified nothing as it fell out Whenever therefore you design an enterprize weigh every thing and never go hand over head and without precipitating your selves or being too easie of beliefe upon light foundations judge and consider whether there be any appearance or likelyhood in the thing for I have seen more deceived than otherwise and whatever assurance is given you or whatever promises may be made be sure to raise your Counter-battery and never rely so wholly upon him who is to carry on the work but that you have still a reserve to secure your venture should his faith or conduct faâ—l It s not I confess well done to condemn him who has the management of an affair if it do not succeed for men should always be attempting how ever they speed and hit or miss 't is all one provided there be neither treason nor absurdity in the case Men must try and fail for being we are to conâ—ide in men no one can see into their hearts but however go warily to work I have ever been of opinion and do think that every good Captain ought to have the same that it is better to assault a place upon a surprize where no one is privy to the design than to have perhaps some Traytor for your Guide for as much as you are certain there can be no counter-treason against you and though you fail you retire with the less danger for your enemy can have laid no ambuscados to entrap you Caesar de Naples being this day at Carmagnolle had there news brought to him of the Count's disaster and death at which he was extremely afflicted and to secure Fâ—ssan would send thither three Companies of Italians which had formerly been in Garrison there to wit that of Blaise de Somme a Neapolitan that of Baptista a
the Camp I acquitted my self of my charge towards Monsieur d' Anguien and presented him my Letters from the King who was infinitely overjoy'd and embracing me in his arms said these very words I knew very well that thou wouldst not bring us peace and turning to the Gentlemen about him Well my Masters said he the King is pleased to gratifie our desire we must go to 't I then gave him an account of the difficulty I had met witht in obtaining that leave and that the King himself was the only cause of it which ought the more to encourage us to behave our selves bravely in the Battel He was moreover very glad when I told him that the forementioâ—ed Lords were coming after me being certain that several others would also follow after them as they did Bidding me by all means go discharge my self of his Majesties commands to all the Colonels Captains of the Gens-d ' Armes Light horse and Foot which I did not observing one that did not mightily rejoyce when I gave them to understand what assurance I had given the King of the victory Neither did I satisfie my self with speaking to the Officers only but moreover went amongst the Soldiers assuring them that we should all be highly recompenc'd by the King making the matter something better than it was for a man must now and then lye a little for his Master During the time of my absence Monsieur d' Anguien had block'd up Carignan being he could not carry it by fine force without infinite loss quartering in the mean time at Vimeus and Carmagnolle and soon after the arrival of these Gentlemen the Marquis de Guast departed with his Camp upon Good Friday from Ast and came to lodge at the Mountain near Carmagnolle and upon Easter day remov'd his Camp to Cerizolles The Company of the Count de Tande was this day upon the Guard to which Captain Vanrines was Lieutenant who sent word to Monsieur d' Anguien that the Camp was upon their march and that their drums were plainly heard Monsieur d' Anguien thereupon commanded me presently to mount to horse and to go in all hast to discover them and to bring him certain intelligence of their motion which I also did Captain Vaâ—rines giving me twenty Launciers for my Guard I went so far that I discover'd the Cavalry who march'd thorough the Woods belonging to the Abby of Desteffarde and heard the Drums some marching before and some following after which put me to a stand to guess what the meaning of this order might be At my return I found Monsieur d' Anguien Messieurs de Chatillon de Dampierre de St. André Descars the Father of these now living d' Assier and de Iarnac in the Chamber of the said Seigneur d' Anguien talking with him having caused their Arms to be brought and laid upon the Beds in the said Chamber where I made a report to him of what I had seen whereupon all the Gentlemen cryed out to him Let us go Sir let us go to fight to day for it is a good day and God will assist us Upon which the said Seigneur commanded me to go bid Messieurs de Tais and de St. Iulien to draw out their Regiments into the field at the same time sending another Gentleman to the Gens-d ' Armes and the Light horse to do the same which was perform'd in an instant and we drew out of Carmâ—gnolle into a plain leading toward Cerizâ—lles where we were all drawn up into Battalia Monsieur de Mailly Master of the Ordinance was there ready with his Artillery as soon as any of us all and we heard the Enemies Drums almost as plainly as we heard our own In my life did I never see so chearful an Army nor Soldiers so well disposed to fight as this of ours was excepting some of the great ones of the Army who were evermore persecuting Monsieur d' Anguien not to put it to the hazard of a day representing to him what a blow it would be to the King should he lose the Battel which might perhaps occasion the loss of the Kingdom of France and others were still perswading him that he ought to fight the King having granted leave and expecting he should now so do so that amongst them they put this poor Prince being yet very young into so great a perplexity that he scarce knew which way to turn him nor what to do You may imagine whether I was not mightily pleased with these doings and whether I would not have spoke at mouth had I had to do with my match neither as it was could I altogether forbear The Lords who were lately come from Court were all for fighting and I could very well name both the one and the other if I so pleased but I shall forbear to do it for I have not taken my Pen in hand to blemish any one but the Admiral Chatillon and Monsieur de Iarnac who are both living know it as well as I. Both the one and the other had reason for what they said and were not prompted by any fear of their own persons but only the apprehension of losing all witheld them and some perhaps as I have often seen argue against their own inclinations and the plurality of voices to the end that if any thing fall amiss they may afterwards say I was of a contrary opinion I told him as much but I was not to be believed Oh there is great cunning in dawbing and in our trade especially of all others Just as we should have march'd to go to fight four or five drew Monsieur d' Anguien aside alighting from their horses where they entertained him walking up and down for above half an hour whilst every one gnash'd their teeth for rage that they did not march in the end the result of all was that all the Regiments of Foot should return to their Quarters and also the Artillery and the Gens-d ' Armes and that Monsieur d' Anguien with four or five hundred Horse and some of the Captains of his Council should go to the plain of Cerizolles to discover the Enemies Camp that I should bring after him four hundred Harquebusiers and all the rest to retire to their Quarters I then saw a world of people ready to run mad for veaxtion and do verily believe that if God had so pleas'd that Monsieur d' Anguien had march'd according to his determination he had won the Battel with very little difficulty for the Drums that I had heard return into the Enemies Rear were all the Spanish Foot who went back to draw off two pieces of Canon which were set fast in such manner that they could not be stirr'd either backward or forward so that we had had nothing to fight with but the Germans the Italians and the Horse none of which nor even the Marquis himself could have escap'd us But after we had stood above three hours facing the Enemy which were
had ascended the Mountain and taken a view of the place we returned back to the Mareschal who stayd expecting the said Monsieur d' Aumale who at his coming told him that my reason was very good and that no body had taken notice of what I had perceiv'd nor observ'd those resting places in the Rock All the Princes and Lords were yet in the Hall where the Mareschal had din'd where Monsieur de Bassé at that time was I do not certainly remember for the Mareschal sent for him to come with his Company and two French Companies more with command to Captain Tilladet and Savallan to advance night and day and come to joyn with him which they accordingly did The next morning I went to see which way we were to get up this Mountain withour being gall'd by the shot from the Castle and here I first discover'd five little loop-holes made for Harquebuzes only to which we lay open and expos'd all the way we were to go To countercheck these I intreated Captain Ynard to bring me three hundred Harquebuzeers of the bâ—st marksmen he had in all his Companies which so soon as they came we divided to be set ten to each loop-lole who shot as they do at a mark one after another and all open and when the last of the ten had made his shot the first always began again There was in the Town a house higher than the rest from the roof of which one might play into the Castle and all along the Curtain but the Enemy to shelter themselves from this inconvenience had nail'd several plancks one above another in such sort that those who were upon the top of the house could see nothing within the wall Now these plancks were very thin and before the beginning of the War I had put it into the Mareschal's head to cause four hundred Harquebuzes to be forg'd at Pignerol of a bore to carry point blank three or four hundred paces of which he might distribute twenty to each Company with order to the Treasurers to allow twelve Francks pay to such as should carry those arms These Harquebuzes were already made and distributed wherefore I intreated Captain Richelieu the same who was since Campmaster to place twenty of those Haquebuzeers upon the said house to shoot through the Planks along the Curtine whose shot broke thorough with as much â—ase as if they had been paper insomuch that what with the Harquebuzeers that from the top of the house playd along the Courtain and what with the other who fir'd by tens against the loop-holes the Enemy were in such a condition that not a man durst venture to pass to and fro on the inside of the Curtain We then deliver'd to every one of the three who had view'd the way up the Rock twenty Pioneers and three Masons with great hammers and picks of iron wherewith to break some Rocks that were in the way And thus about eight a clock in the morning we began to work upon the way which by two in the afternoon was brought to perfection and at one of the clock in the night they began to mount the first Piece with fourscore Soldiers of my company I had there with me the rest being left behind at Montcallier which they also mounted This Piece gave them more trouble than all the other three for they were after so well acquainted with the way that the rest came up with much greater â—ase Mâ—nsieur de Piquigny all the way carried a little Lanthorn to light the wheels of the Carriages by the aim of which the Enemy began to shoot but no shot ever toucht us Messieurs de Caillac and de Duno were in the mean time busie behind the Castle above placing the Gabions and filling them with earth and as the Pieces were hall'd up to the top of the Mountain they still came to receive and plant them in battery but not a man ever put a hand to the drawing up of the foresaid Canon but my Soldiers only for although Monsieur de Bonnivet had brought one Company and Captain Ynard another to assist them yet would they not accept of their service but told them that they needed no help and that since they had had the honour to hale up the first Piece they would likewise have the advantage to bring up all the rest Which I was very glad of because they were already very perfect in all the turns and by three of the clock in the morning all the pieces were planted ready to batter The Mareschal and Monsieur d' Aumale were by this time come from their Quarters where I believe they had not slept much that night The Mareschal out of the fear he had that it was not possible to hale the pieces up and Monsieur d' Aumale on the other side was in no less pain forasmuch as after he had viewed the place he had assur'd him that I would infallibly mount them The Princes and Lords who had been at work the night before took their rest till the Mareschal sent to rowse them which was not until Captain Martin a Basque who had a Company in his own Regiment came and assur'd him that he had seen the last piece brought up to the top of the Mountain Which Captain Martin I do verily believe made that night fifty journeys to and fro for the Mareschal had sent him almost every moment to see in what forwardness we were The Marâ—â—chal and all the Princes and Lords being come they found that all the four Canon were ready mounted to begin the batter I had caused half a Sack of a very excellâ—nâ— sort of apples four great leather Bottles of wine and some bread to be brought to the place wherewith to refresh my Soldiers But first the Mareschal and after him all the Princes and Lords rob'd me of all my apples and whilst they staid expecting the break of day out of an ugly pot drunk two bottles of my wine I leave those who shall read this History to judge whether or no I did not swagger the Mareschal seeing he had so highly oppos'd me about the bringing up of the Artillery I think in my whole life I was never in so good a humour as well in respect to the conâ—entment I discover'd in the Maâ—eschal as also in all the other Princes and Lords who were present and had all had their share of the 〈◊〉 In the morning by break of day we made three or four volleys against the Wall which piâ—rc'd it and thorough the Stables entred into the Basâ—-Court and from thence into the Lodgings of the Castle The Mareschal had also caused three pieces of Canon to be planted below on that side by which we came which batter'd upwards only to terrifie the Enemy for hurâ— they could do none But so soon as our Artillery had given their three or four volleys they began to sound a parley and presently surrendred The Mareschal left Captain Brueil brother-in-law to
these and know well enough how to avoid them The Mareschal then withdrew with all his Army about Sebe and the next day carried away the Canon that Messieurs de Bassâ— and de Gordes had brought along with them vvhen they took it â—â—aving there three Companies two French and one Italian and so retired by Montdevi towards Turin and Quiers How Sebe was after lost I do not remember but lost it was for we return'd a year after to recover it vvhen it was much better defended and longer disputed than before as hereafter you shall hear Sometime after Don Ferrand set an Army on foot by much exceeding all the forces the Mareschal could make he having neither Swiss nor German Foot wherefore being advertized by the Signeurs Ludovico de Birague and Francisco Bernardin that this Army was design'd for the retaking of St. Martin and the other Castles we had taken before and also to take Cassal some seven leagues distant from Turin and to fortifie it to the end that Turin might receive no relief from the mountains and valleys of Lans and especially from Cassal from whence we had most of the fruit and wood that vvas brought to Turin So soon as Don Ferrand's Army was ready to march directly to St. Martin the Mareschal call'd a Council of his Officers to deliberate vvhat he should do concerning Cassal seeing it was neither fortified nor tenable who amongst them concluded to quit â—t and to dismantle it though the dismantling could signifie nothing forasmuch as Don Ferrand would soon have repair'd it again I was the same night advertized at Montcalliâ—r of this determination which was the reason that I went early the next morning to the Mareschal to Turin where I made bold to ask him if it were true that he had taken a resolution to abandon Cassal vvho told me that yes because he could find no one who would hazard his life and reputation in putting himself into it and that therefore they had concluded in the Council to put only one Company of Italian Foot into it which was to surrender the Town so soon as they should see Don Ferrand approach with an intention to attaque it I then told him that that would signifie very little for the Captain himself would however tell the Soldiers as much to make them willing to stay but that he must Garrison it in good earnest and not after this manner And who said he would you have so senseless as to undertake the defence of it to which I made answer that I would be the man He then told me that he had rather lose the best part of his estate than to suffer me to engage my self in it considering that the place could not in a years time be fortified to resist Canon To which I made answer Sir the King does entertain and pay us for three things only one to win him a Battail to the end that he may overrun a great space of ground and subdue several strong holds to his obedience another to defend a Town for no Town can be lost but a great deal of ground goes along with it and the third to take a Town for the taking of a Town brings a great number of people into subjection all the rest are only skirmishes and rencounters that signifie nothing to any body but our selves to make us known unto and esteemed of our Superiors and to acquire honor to our own particular persons for the King has by this no advantage at all nor by any other effect of war saving by the three ferementioned services wherefore before this place shall be so quitted I will lose my life in its defence The Mareschal hereupon disputed it very strongly with me to divert me from this intention but seeing me resolv'd at last gave me leave to do as I would He was a man that would be govern'd by reason without relying too much upon his own judgment as did Monsieur de Lautrec who was ever observed to be guilty of that fault as I think I have said elsevvhere Cassal is a little City enclâ—sed with a rough wall of Flints without any one Axler stone amonâ—st them a Graffe that environs it into which the water comes and goes so that the Graâ—le can neither be made deeper nor the water retain'd in any place to be much above knee deep There was no manner of Trench either within or without neither were the four Flankers fill'd at all so that the Enemy having once batter'd me a Courtain by the Canton they might afterwards batter me in the flank I demanded of the Mareschal 500 Pioneers of the Mountain which he sent presently to raise so that within four dayes they were all at Cassal I demanded likewise a great number of Instruments and iron Tools wherewith to furnish my Soldiers also for the work which he also suddenly sent me together with great store of grain bacon lead powder and match I demanded moreover the Baron de Chipy la Gard Nephew to the Baron de la Gard le Mas Martin and my own Company All these five Companies were exceeding good and their Captains also who having understood that I had made choice of them of my own accord took it for a great reputation and a high honour to them I demanded of him also le Gritti a Venetian who had a Company of Italian foot all which were granted to me In the morning then I went to put my self into it and at night all the Companies arrived Monsieur de Gye eldest Son of Monsieur de Maugiron was there in Garrison with the men at arms belonging to his Father to whom the Mareschal sent order to march away and to carry his Company to Montcallier but he writ an answer back that he had not continued so long in Garrison at Cassal to abandon it at a time when a Siege was going to be laid before it especially when so old a Captain as I had undertaken the defence thereof and that therefore he was resolv'd there to live and die with me The Mareschal would not take this answer for currant pay for the next day betimes in the morning he came himself to Cassal having Monsieur d' Aussun Monsieur de la Mothe-Gondrin and the Vicount de Gourdon in company with him I had there already assign'd all the Quarters for the Foot without dislodging the Gens d' Arms forasmuch as I saw Monsieur de Gye and all his Company obstinately resolute to stay And although the Mareschal himself was come in person yet could he never prevail with Monsieur de Gye to depart the Town who plainly told him that he if he so pleased might command his Company away from him but for what concern'd himself he was resolv'd not to stir a foot which was the reason that the Mareschal returned very much dissatisfied with himself that he had granted me leave to take upon me the defence of that place which was conceived to be so
that Quarter where their houses stood and to assist the Captains of the said Pioneers Now I had ever determin'd that if ever the Enemy should come to assault us with Artillery to entrench my self at a good distance from the Wall where theâ— Battery should be made to let them enter at pleasure and made account to shut up the two ends of the Trench and at either end to plant four or five pieces of great Canon loaden with great chains nails and pieces of iron Behâ—nd the Retirade I intended to place the Muskets together with the Harquâ—buzeers and so soon as they should be entred in to cause the Artillery and small shot to fire all at once and we at the two ends then to run in upon them with Pikes and Halâ—erts two banded Swords short Swords and Targets This I resolved upon as seeing it altogetâ—er impossible for the King to send us relief by reason that he was engaged in so many places that it would not be possible for him to set on foot Forces sufficient to raise the Siege neither by sea nor by land and Monsieur de Strozzy had no means to relieve us wherefore I would permit them to enter and make little defence at the Breach to the end that I might give them battail in the Town after they had past the fury of our Canon and smaller shot For to have defended the Breach had in my opinion been a very easie matter but then we could not have done the Enemy so much mischief as by letting them enter the breach which we would have pretended to have quit onely to draw them on to the â—ight For five or six dayes before the Artillery came I every night sent out two Peasants and a Captain or a Serjeant as Centinels perdues which is a very good thing and of great safety but take heed whom you send for he may do you a very ill turn So soon as the night came the Captain set a Peasant Centinel at some fifty or sixty paces distant from the Wall and either in a ditch or behind a hedge with instructions that so soon as he should hear any thing he should come back to the Captain at the foot of the Wall which Captain had in charge from me that immediately upon the Peasant's speaking to him they should clap down upon all four and so creep the one after the other to the place where the Peasant had heard the noise or rather fall down upon their bellies close to the earth to discover if there were not three or four who came to view that place and to observe if they did not lay their heads together to confer for this is a certain sign that they came to view that place in order to the bringing up of Artillery To do which as it ought to be done they ought to be no other than the Master of the Ordnance the Colonel or the Camp-Master of the Infantry or the Engineer the Master Carter and a Captain of Pioneers to the end that according to what shall be resolved upon by the Master of the Ordnance the Colonel and Canoncer the Master Carter may also take notice which way he may bring up Artillery to the place and the Canoneer ought to shew the Captain of the Pioneers what is to be done for the Esplanade or plaining of the way according to the determination of the rest And this is the discovery that is to be made by night after you have discover'd a little at distance by day for if those within be an Enemy of any spirit they ought either by skirmiâ—hes or by their Canon to keep you from coming to discover at hand The Captain had order to come give me a present account of what he and the Peasants had heard or seen and to leave the Peasants still upon their perdue and a Soldier in his own place till his return Three times the Enemy was discover'd after this manner and immediately upon the notice having also the List of the Eight Quarters and of the Eight of War who commanded those Quarters I suddenly acquainted Signior Cornelio who could presently tell me both the Quarter against which it was and the Gentleman of the Eight of War that commanded it I had never discover'd my intention to any one but to Signior Cornelio onely who was a man of great wisdom and valour and in whom I reposed a very great confidence who so soon as he knew that I meant to give them Battail in the City we did nothing of one whole day but walk the round both within and without taking very good observation of all the places where the Enemy could make a Battery and consequently by that knew where to make our Retirade And so soon as ever notice was given me by the Captain who stood Centinel without the City I presently advertized the Commander of that Quarter and he his Deputy and his Deputy the Captain of the Pioneers so that in an hours time you might have seen at least a thousand or twelve hundred persons beginning the Retirade Now I had order'd the City to make great provision of Torches so that those who had discover'd were hardly return'd to the Marquis but that they saw all that part within the Town cover'd with torches and people insomuch that by break of day we had very much advanc't our Trench and in the morning sent back those to rest calling in another Quarter to the work till noon and another from noon till night and consequenty others till midnight and so till break of day by which means in a little time we performed so great a work that we could by no means be surpriz'd After this manner I still turn'd the defences of the Town towards the Marquis his attempts who lodg'd at the house of Guillet the Dreamer and Signior Fernando de Sylva brother to Signior Rigomez who commanded on that side towards the little Observance with whom I had some discourse upon the publick faiâ—h the Friday before we departed out of the City betwixt their Quarters and the Fort Camoglia told me that the Marquis had some jealousie that some one of their Council betray'd to me all their deliberations seeing he had no sooner design'd to batter any part but that we alwayes fortified against that place for by night the least noise is easily heard and so great a bustle cannot be concealed and because he told me that he had compiled a Book of the particularities of the Siege of Sienna he entreated me to tell him by what means I so continually discover'd their intentions whereupon I told him the truth But to return to our subject the Marquis in the end came and planted his Artillery upon a little Hill betwixt Port Oville and the great Observance The choice of this place put me who thought my self so cunning almost to a nonplus forasmuch as at Port Oville there is a very spatious Antiport where the houses of the City do almost
touch because they shot over by reason of the height of the Gabions and in the twilight they made seven or eight shots at the Obsâ—rvance where we were and the houses adjoyning and of all night after shot no more We work't exceeding hard all night to finish our Retirade and the Count de Bisque was no less diligent at the Antiport so that two hours before day all was perfected and every one settled in his Post where he was to fight That which made us make so much haste was that we heard a great noise at their Artillery and thought they were bringing up the rest which made me put out a man to discover their Battery who brought us word that they had cut above fourscore paces of the wall within a span or two of the bottom and that he believ'd in a few hours they would have beaten it totally down which we did not much care for though they did for we hop'd to sell them their Entry very dear and about an hour before day they ceased their noise which made us think that they only expected the break of day to give fire I then mounted upon the wall having Captain Charry always with me who by main force would needs have me down when the day began to break and soon after I perceiv'd that at the Windows of the Gabions there was no Artillery and that instead of planting more they had drawn off those there were I then called out to Signior Cornelio that we were out of danger of an Assault and that the Enemy had drawn off their Canon at which news every one began to come upon the wall where the Siennois sufficiently rated the Enemy in their language saying Coioni marrani venete qua vi metteremo per terra vinti brassi di muri They were constrain'd to stay three days at the foot of the mountain to repair their Carriages which the Demy-Canon we had brought to Fort Camâ—glia had broken and spoild them Now as I have already said the Gentleman of the Emperors Bedchamber had all the while kept a great deal of clutter what Canon would do to the winning of the Town but after he had been an eye witness of all that has been related and that the Marquis had remonstrated to him that the Retirade and those other Fortifications I made within was to let him enter and to give him Battail in the City for if I knew what he did he was no less enform'd of my proceeding there being evermore one Traytor or another amongst all people he then was of the same opinion with the Marquis and the other Captains that the Town was never to be taken by force but that it was to be reduc't to famine and therefore thought it convenient that the Artillery should be sent back to Florence He then return'd back to his Master to give him an account of what he had seen and that the Marquis could do no more than what he had already done I do not know whether or no he acquainted the Emperor with the fright he had been in which the Marquis himself gave me a relation of at my going out of Sienna as he went along with me above two miles of my way where he told me that at the time when their Artillery was forsaken by reason of the Havock our Demy-Canon made amongst them he was close by the side of the little house in his Litter being then very lame of the Gout where his Litter being set down upon the ground this Gentleman of the Emperor 's was talking to him having his hands upon the Cover of the Litter and his head within it whispering with the said Marquis when our Governor seeing the Artillery abandoned and every one retyr'd under the shelter of the little house made a shot at it with which a part of the wall which was of brick fell upon the Litter so that the said Gentleman was by it beaten down upon the Marquis's Legs sc astonish't as nothing more and the Marquis swore to me that in his life he was himself nevâ—r in so much fâ—ar of being kill'd as at that time that they drew the Gentleman out from off his legs and himself after with much ado all the Litter being full of the ruine and covering of the said house And the said Marquis moreover told me that at the great fright he was in his Gout left him for the whole ruine fell at once upon him and upon the Gentleman who verify thought himself to be kill'd I have often heard that the apprehension of death has cur'd many diseases I know not if the Marquis his Gout be returned since but he assur'd me he had never had it after from that fright till the time I saw him If it be return'd or no I leave others to enquire This might be about the middle of Ianuary and not above eight dayes after we began to perceive that the Germans grew very impatient at the little bread they had having no wine which was the most insupportable of all The Rhinecroc himself who was sickly could no longer endure there being nothing to be had unless it were a little horse-â—lesh or a piece of an Ass. Signior Cornelio and I then began to contrive which way we might get these Germans out of the City and conceited that if they were gone we could yet keep the Town above two moneths longer whereas if they staid we should be necessicated to surrender we therefore concluded to send a man privately to Monsieur de Strâ—zzy to remonstrate all this to him and to entreat him to send for them after the most plausible manner he could which I also directed him how to do and sent to him Captain Cosseil who is now my Ensign very well instructed It was with exceeding great difficulty that he was to pass which that he might do we were to fight two Courts of Guard by reason that the Marquis had already cast up a great number of Trenches which came up close to the walls of the City on every side Of these Captain Charry fought the one and the Count de Gayas with a Company of Italians the other so that whilst they were fighting he got over the Trench and recovered the rear of the Camp with his Guides and two dayes after return'd in Company with an Italian Gentleman call'd Captain Flaminio who brought Letters to the Rhinecroc and to me also wherein Monsieur de Strozzy writ to me to send the Rhinecroc with his Companies out to him for that he intended to set on foot a flying Army having with him great store of Italian horse and foot and that without some of those Tramontane sinews he should never be able to relieve me and that he would protest against me if the City was lost To the Rhinâ—croc likewise he sent very obliging letters having before-hand made Captain Flaminio very perfect in his Lesson The Rhinecroc upon the receiving these orders broke out into very
ground to give the horses to â—at from Mâ—ntalsin to Sienna and from Sienna to Florence I will now give an account of my self after what manner I liv'd I had no manner of advantage no more than the meanest Soldier and my bread weighed no more than twelve ounces and of white bread there was never above seven or eight made whereof three were brought to my Quarters and the rest were saved for some Captain that was sick Neither those of the City nor we from the end of February to the 22th of April ever eat above once a day neither did I ever hear so much as any one Soldier complain and I can assure you the Remonstrances I often made to them serv'd to very good purpose for if they would have gone over to the Enemies Camp the Marquis would have created them very well for the Enemy very much esteem'd our Italian and French Soldiers and in the skirmishes that had happened betwixt us had had very sufficient tryal of their valour I had bought thirty hens and a Cock to get me eggs which Signior Cornelio the Count de Gayas and I eat for we all three constantly eat together at noon in one place and in the evening at another but towards the end of March all these were eaten the Cock and all 'T was pitty we had no more and so I remain'd without â—lesh and without eggs and had nothing to eat but my little loaf with a few pease boyl'd with a little Bacon and Mallows and that but once a day only The desire I had to acquire honor and to put this bafflle upon the Emperor so long to have held his Army in play made me find this so sweet that it was no trouble to me to fast and this pittiful supper with a bit of bread was a feast to me when returning from some skirmish I knew the Enemy to be well drub'd or that I knew them to suffer under the same necessities we did But to return to the Capitulation the Marquis sent to the Duke of Florence and Don Iuan Manricon who was Embassador from the Emperor to the Pope and resided at Florence by reason of the Siege whereupon the said Duke sending a safe conduct the Siennois also sent to the Pope which was Pope Iulio who died two or three days after from whom they received a very scurvey answer he reproaching them with their obstinacy and commanding them to submit to the Duke of Florence his mercy without any condition He was a terrible Pope but the Duke proceeded after a more modest and courteous manner as a Prince ought to do who would gain the hearts of a people and indeed he was one of the greatest Polititians of our times It behooved him so to be to establish his Principality in the time of two of the greatest and most ambitious Princes that ever were who had both of them a great mind to get footing in Italy But the Spaniard was more subtle than we and this Duke manag'd his business very well his name was Cosmo and I believe he is yet living In the mean time Commissioners for eight daies together went and came betwixt Florence and the Camp and upon Monday night the Capitulation was brought to Sienna and the morning before the Marquis had sent a Trumpet to me entreating I would send two Gentlemen out to him in whom I might confide he having something to say to them that he desired I should know and that he was come to St. Lazare to that effect I thereupon sent out to him Signior Cornelio and Captain Charry who being come to him he there acquainted them with the terms of the Capitulation which would that night be brought to the City and that amongst other things there was one Article which exprest that the Sieur de Montluc with his Italian and French Companies and all the Officers of the King should march out with Bag and Baggage Colours flying Drums beating with match lighted and Bullet in mouth but that this Article would do me no good forasmuch as we did not belong to the Siennois but to the King of France and being we did not belong to them they consequently had no power to capitulate for us that therefore I was my self to capitulate in the name of the King my Master which if I thought fit to do he assur'd me I should have what conditions soever I would demand and that his service to the Emperor excepted he would do as much for me as for the Cardinal his Brother that he and I were two poor Gentlemen who by our Arms were arrived to such degrees of honor that the greatest both of France and Italy would be glad to have our places telling them withal he would there stay to expect my answer They found me at Porto Novo walking with Messer Hieronimo Espanos where after I had received his Message I bad them go back and tell him that I very well knew he had read the Roman History wherein he might have taken notice that in the times of the antient warlike Romans they had sent one of their Colonies to inhabit Gascony near to the Pyrhenean Mountains of which Province I was a Native and that if he would not content himself that the Siennois had comprized me in their Capitulation I would at my coming out let him see that I was descended from those warlike Romans who would rather have lost a thousand lives could they have had so many to lose than an inch of their honor that I had rather the Siennois should capitulate for me than I for them and that for my part the name of Montluc should never be found subscrib'd to a Capitulation They then return'd to him to whom having repeated my answer he said to them in Italian Che vol dir questo mi pâ—re che vol jocar a la desperata Altre volte io rose due forteresse con ragione ne per questo ne sui maj represo de l'Imperatâ—re no resta sâ— Majesty a servir si di me Signior Cornelio then told him that I was positive in this determination and would rather put all to the hazard of the sword than to the hazard of a Capitulation Well then said he recommend me to him and tell him I will let him see that I am his friend and that he may march out in all assurance upon the Capitulation of the Siennois or after what manner he pleases himself and so they return'd Oh Camrades you have here a fair exemple before you when you shall find your selves in such an affair never to discover any fear for nothing in the world so much â—â—artles an Enemy as to see the Chief with whom he has to do to be undaunted in all extremities and that he gives him to understand he will rather run the hazard of a Fight than a Capitulation nothing so much puzzels him as that besides the encouragement it gives to your own people I was
his duty what good countenance soever he might shew them out of complacency to such as would disposess him of the ill opinion he had conceiv'd it never came from his heart as the Mareschal de St. Andre ' has often assur'd me who told me his humour He was very familiar with him and understood him very well Five or six daies after his Majesty came to Paris where I ask'd leave of him to go home to my own house to see my family which he freely granted I shall never conceal the benefits and the honor my Masters have conferr'd upon me that being only worthy and becomming a mean and dirty nature and an ungrateful heart The End of the Third Book THE COMMENTARIES OF Messire Blaize de Montluc MARESCHAL of FRANCE The Fourth Book I Had scarce been three weeks at my own house when His Majesty dispatch'd a Courrier to me commanding me forthwith to repair to him wherever he was without reply or staying for any other command which I presently did having scarce seen my house and my friends But Glory is a notable spur At my arrival His Majesty told me that I must of necessity go into Piedmont to Monsieur de Brissac who had sent to demand me to command the Foot making account that to relieve S. Iago where Monsieur de Bonnivet was shut up he must be forc'd to come to a Battel Two days after I had my dispatch the King manifesting great tokens of Friendship to me and to be very well satisfied with my service I found Monsieur de Brissac at Turin very ill of the Gout and the next day went to seek out Monsieur d' Aumale who commanded the Army at S. Valant near Vlpian which consisted of five thousand foot a thousand men at Arms and twelve hundred Light Horse The King at my going away gave me a Courser of his own which was an exceeding good one and which I ordered with my Train to follow after me for I went post The same day that I came to Monsieur d' Aumale I would go to take a view of Vlpian in order to a siege for the Duke of Alva had made a fool of the work and quitted S. Iago and the laid Sieur d' Aumale lent me a little grey Nag I went then in open day to discover the place with in less then fifty paces of the wall for I would let them see that for having been lately with my Wife I had forgot nothing of what I was wont to do This discovery was made in the sight of Monsieur d' Aumale and several others where at my return I gave him so good an account that he found I had told him the truth of all The next day he drew part of the Army toward the Castle where the Enemy had cast up a great Platform environed with a large ditch with a Tenaille that covered the Castle and betwixt the Tenaille and the Castle there was fourscore paces or more in which space they had moreover cast up a Trench in the middle to the end that in case they should lose the head of this great Bastion and Tenaille before they could get to the Castle they might retire to this Trench Monsieur d' Aumale had at this time for Engineers Duno and Balasergues who began their Trenches above five hundred paces from the Town where they found the earth so full of little slints that a hundred men could not cast up twenty paces of Trench in a day and the said Monsieur d' Aumale spent two days in this kind of work I was very much discontented that they would not do as I would have them but in the end Monsieur d' Aumale was resolved himself to see what I would counsel him to do so that an hour after day-light we went on that side by the corner of the Town on the left hand and behind a little Chappel which was within fifteen or twenty paces of the Counterscarp He took no soul living with him but me and Fequieres who as I have been told has since fac'd about to the House of Guise though the said Seigneur shewed him as much favour and respect as any Gentleman about him Monsieur d' Aumale and I went upon the Counterscarpe and Fequieres went underneath where we measured how much of the Counterscarpe we were to cut to plant the Artillery upon the brink of the Ditch and to discover also if the Enemies Harquebuzeers might not see into the Recoil of the Canon and us also should we lodge on the other side of the Counterscarp We went upon it and all along by the Ditches above sixscore paces and whispering to one another past by two of their Centinels without being questioned by them so that had we brought two Ladders with us Monsieur d'Aumale would have tempted Fortune to have seen what would have been the issue for she often presents her self when we least dream of any such matter and when we came to the third Centinel he call'd out and wak'd the rest who as I believe were certainly asleep which made the said Seigneur and me retire towards the little Chappel much better accompanied at our return than when we went but it was with good round volleys of Harquebuze shot so that we were constrained to run into the Chappel the backside of which Fequieres recover'd Now this Chappel was open towards the Town and that part to which the door had been hung when it had one was a square pillar of stone about the thickness of a man that was not very gross and the Harquebuze shot put us in such haste that Monsieur â— Aumale was forc'd on a sudden to clap behind this pillar bolt upright and I behind him for all the Chappel besides was open In my life I never heard so great Harquebuze shots I know not whether it was not our fear that made them seem so but I am sure there was good cause to be afraid for the Bullets almost continually slapt against the pillar with which Monsieur d' Aumale shelter'd himself He serv'd me for a sâ—ield and I held my head and my body close to him They kept us there above a long half hour besieg'd and it is most certain they had heard us for vvhen vve vvere enter'd into the Chappel vve heard them in Spanish cry out Iuro a Dios ellos son en la Capilia io los è entendidos Monsieur d' Aumale has often since talkt to me of the frights we were in for I do verily believe that above a hundred Harquebuzeers came to take aim at us they also threw wisps of flaming straw into the ditch that they might aim the better We were in a fine case said Monsieur â— ' Aumale should they sally out upon us Sir said I those of the house of Lorrain were never so unhappy as to be taken skulking neither will the rule of War permit them to sally out without knowing what we are We have here a
situate upon a Plain and so open that a bird could not stir without being seen and there they plyed us with their Canon till they had not left a house standing in the whole Village insomuch that we were constrain'd to secure our selves in the Cellars under ground I had pitch'd my Pavillions very cunningly betwixt two Walls but they beat down both Walls and Pavillions in my life I never saw a more furious Counter-battery The night following the Mareschal de Strozzy past the River with Monsieur de Guise and we began to cast up our Trenches along this Plain where we lay seven or eight dayes before we could approach within two hundred paces of the City by reason the nights were short and by day they did so thunder the Trenches that there was no working but by night The Mareschal never stirr'd from us unless he went sometimes to his Tents which yet remain'd on the other side of the water to shift his clothes and that not above once in three dayes He gave me leave to make the Trenches according to my own fancy for we had at first begun them a little two narrow through the wisdom of an Engineer At every twenty paces I made a back corner or return winding sometimes to the left hand and sometimes to the right which I made so large that there was room for twelve or fifteen Soldiers with their Harquebuzes and Halberts and this I did to the end that should the Enemy gain the head of the Trench and should leap into it those in the back corner might fight them they being much more Masters of the Trench than they who were in the straight line an invention that both the Mareschal and the Duke did very well approve of Monsieur de Guise then told me that I must send to discover what effect our Artillery had wrought against the Tower and that I must do it by valiant persons In order whereunto I took with me Captain Sarlabous the younger Millac St. Estephe Cipiere and Captain Montluc my Son and went So soon as we came near unto the Tower we were to pass over certain little Bridges the Enemy had made by which to pass over the Marish to the Tower and being come to the Tower we found a Pallisado of posts as thick as a man's thigh that from the Tower went seven or eight paces into the River and we were to go all along by the Pallisado in water to the end of it and afterwards on the other side of the Pallisado to return to the Tower We had made two Soldiers bring two Pikes along with us I for my part did not go into the water but all the rest past the Pallisado after this manner and one after another view'd the breach that had been made in the Tower and they put a Soldier into it by a Pike and found that within the Tower there was water up to the arm-pits and being the River made a great noise at this place by reason of the Pallisado their Centinels never heard us though the Tower was no more than four paces distant from the Wall of the Town This being done we return'd and went to give Monsieur de Guise an account of what we had seen who would not give credit to our discovery but told me he was certain there was no Pallisado and that people who came lately from thence had assur'd him to the contrary and that therefore the night following we must discover it better I was vext to the blood at this answer but said no more to him but only this that I conceiv'd the testimony of those Captains was sufficient but seeing he was not satisfied with it let some body in the name of God discover it better to which he made-answer that he did not mean I should go my self neither said I do I intend it The Mareschal knew very well that I was angry and said to the Sieur Adrian Baillon and to Count Thâ—ophile I know Montluc is angry by his answer to the Duke of Guise and you shall see if he do not go this night to discover after a terrible manner for I know the complexion of the man This night Monsieur de Guise detein'd the Mareschal with him in his Quarters and so soon as it was night I took four hundred Pikes Corslets all and four hundred Harquebuzeers and went to lay the Corslets upon their bellies upon the ground within a hundred paces of the Gate of the City and I with the four hundred Harquebuzeers marched directly to the Pallisadâ— The Captains themselves who had discover'd before vvere as angry at the answer Monsieur de Guise had given them as I and themselves first passed the Pallisado Now I believe the Enemy had in the morning perceiv'd that people had past by the end of the Pallisado for we there found a Court of Guard of twenty or five and twenty men of which the most part were kill'd and the rest escap'd into the Rampire where our people pursued and entred after them but the door of the Ravelin that went into the Town was so narrow that one man only could pass at a time which was the reason that our men stopt short for the Enemy defended the door Nevertheless they made shift to dismount and tumble a Bastard from the Ravelin on our side down to the ground and being that by the Tower our Artillery from the other side of the water had beaten down part of the Wall so that it was pretty low we with some Pikes that came along with us came to dispute it with them where the fight continued for above a long hour Monsieur de Guise who saw all from the other side of the River was stark mad at what he saw but the Marâ—sâ—hal who was with him laught with Sieur Adrian and the Count de Theophile saying did I not tell you he would make one I had made the Soldiers to carry five or six hatchets along with them with which during the time of the fight I caused all the Pallisado to be cut and pulled up so that we needed no more to wade the water at our return Captain St. Estephe was there slain with the Ensign of Cipierre and another Ensign but they had not their Colours with them for I had brought none together with ten or twelve Soldiers kill'd and wounded Captain Sarlabous is yet living and several others who can witness that had we taken with us five or six Ladders seven or eight foot high only we had entred the place for they kept very ill guard on that side and in that place relying upon the Guard they had left without so that it was a long time before they came to the defence of this Post whilst in the mean time five or six of our Soldiers helping one another mounted upon the Wall so that had we had Ladders to reach from the top of the breach in the Wall up to the Terrass I
were under the Wall but they must discover themselves from the girdle upwards and all their harm came from those of ours who were under the Ravelin and those that I commanded where we shot point-blank The same night that the Capitulation was sign'd Monsieur de Guise dispatched away Monsieur de la Fresne who before he went came to take his leave of me on horseback asking me if I would command him any service to the King to which â— made answer that he himself had seen how all things had past and that I had so much confidence in Monsieur de Guise that he would not conceal my service from the King who thereupon told me thâ—t he had express charge to give his Majesty a particular relation of the fight and that amongst other things the Duke had commanded him to tell the King that three men had been the cause of the taking of Thionville of which I was one and that his Majesty ought to acknowledg my service And I perceiv'd afterwards that he had done me right to 〈◊〉 King for he brought me back letters from his Majesty full of very obliging expressions of which one among the rest was that he would never forget the service I had done him I shall not I hope deprive other men of their due honor relating what I did my self I believe the Hâ—storians who write of none but Princes and great persons will speak enough and pass over in silence those of a more moderate stature Behold then the City of Thionville taken Notwithstanding that some who had no very great kindness for the Duke of Guise had pasted a Libell at the Gates of the Palace and upon the Corners of the streets of Paris that he should not find that at Thionville he had done at Calâ—ce where there were none but rascally people to oppose him it went in Rhyme though I remember nothing of it but it must be contriv'd by the envy some unworthy people bare to this brave and valiant Prince for the honorable command the King had conferr'd upon him which I have nothing to do to treat of neither do I intend to trouble my self with such trumpery Envy has ever reign'd upon the earth before we were born and will do after we are dead and gone unless God would please to mold us anew There were some who were ready to burst for spite that Monsieur de Guise had so good success for there are some and too many of such a vertuous disposition that they had rather see the ruine of their King and Countrey than behold the Triumph not only of their Enemy but of their Friend and Companion and if any disgrace befal him for men are not Gods they laugh rejoyce and make an Elephant of a Gnat. Let us leave such to swell with their own poysonous envy till they burst In the mean time Thionville was ours with a great deal of honor The night before the Enemy march'd away Monsieur de Guise put Monsieur de Vielle-Ville into the City who refus'd to enter unless I went along with him because he should not he said be master of the Souldiers but they would enter by force over the walls I therefore took two or three hundred Souldiers and three Captains and went in with him he having his own Company of Gens d' armes where we were fain to play the Centinels all night to watch that the Souldiers did not climb over the walls and never slept one wink I wonder at what we read in the Roman Histories of those who before the day of a pitcht Battel slept as profoundly as it had been the day of their wedding I have never I confess been so indifferent and inapprehensive but on the contrary have past three days and nights without sleeping or so much as having any great inclination to it The next day I advis'd Monsieur de Guise to remove his Camp from thence for otherwise it had been impossible to govern the Souldiers and to speak the truth they very well deserv'd to have had the sack of the Town given them for it is to discourage Souldiers not to give them some reward and the least thing they gain from the Enemy gives them better contene than four pays But Monsieur de Guise would by no means permit it saying that the Town must be preserv'd for his Majesties Service being that thorough the Vicinity of this City to Germany he might at all times draw what forces he pleas'd from thence and that moreover Iohn William Duke of Saxony being to pass that way the provisions must be preserv'd and so sent away the Army to encamp about half a mile from thence and Monsieur de Veille-Ville with three or four Ensigns of Foot and his own Company of Gens d' armes was left Governor there Here Captains my Companions you have an example if you please to take notice of it by which you may see of what use promptitude is this place being won by the great haste I made immediately upon Captain Volumat's Souldiers telling me that the Enemy had quitted the Casemats I had not patience to put in above nine or ten men but immediately I put in my Son the first and after him the Gentlemen that had follow'd me at the siege of Sienna and at Montalsin and it stood me upon to make haste and to make them go speedily to the fight for had I stay'd till there had been as many in the Tower as in appearance were necessary for such a service the Enemy had re-entred into it and been suddenly re-inforc'd so that it had been impossible ever to have taken it I have been at many Sieges but never without some hopes of taking the place excepting at this for having discover'd and consider'd all that was to be done for the taking of it I found my self as far off as Heaven is from Earth and in plain truth the glory of it is due to Monsieur de Guise alone who was so obstinately bent upon it that the fight lasted six or seven hours and I do verily believe that without the continual solicitation I had almost every moment from him we had all retir'd knowing that we might to as much purpose have invaded Heaven and we ought to believe that through his good fortune and the assistance of God who would have it so this siege was brought to a good issue and not by the power of men being certain that there was more Canon shot fir'd from within than we spent from without When Camrades then you see an opportunity hasten the execution and never give your Enemy leisure to recollect himself take that advice from me I have three qualities that are not common to all one whereof is to be good at numbring of men wherein I never met with any Serjeant Major or other that surpass'd me and provided the Enemy was not divided part sloping and part in plain let the Body be never so great I could number them
of Light Horse and two hundred Harquebuzeers came to meet us bringing me along with him Captain Mora'let and other four with two others that some Gentleman had taken at S. Liurade all which upon Tuesday without holding them longer in suspence I caus'd to be hang'd which strook a great fear into the whole party saying What! he puts us to death without tryal Now their opinion was that in case they should be apprehended they must be proceeded against by witnesses and that then there would not be one who durst give evidence against them for fear of their throats and also that there was no Judicature great nor small but would have some of their own Religion amongst them who would set nothing down in writing but what should be to their advantage and in order to their justification Thus was Justice slubber'd over without any punishment inflicted upon them and when they had murther'd any one or broke Churches these wicked Officers for so they may justly be called would immediately present themselves to take cognizance of the fact when the Informations being perfected the Catholicks were evermore found to be the beginners of the brawl the beaten must bear the blame and that they themselves had broken the Churches by night that it might be said the Hugonots had done it I do not think it is to be found in History that ever such Rogueries Cheats and Machinations were invented or practiced in any Kingdom of the world and had the Queen delay'd sending me with this Commission but three months only all the people had been constrain'd to turn to this Religion or have lost their lives for every one was so terrified with the severity that by the Judges was exercis'd upon the Catholicks that there was no other way left them but either to abandon their habitations to lose their lives or to turn to that party The Ministers publickly preach'd that if they would come over to their Religion they should neither pay duty to the Gentry nor taxes to the King but what should be appointed by them others preach'd that Kings could have no power but what stood with the liking and consent of the people and others that the Gentry were no better men than they and in effect when the Gentlemens Bailiffs went to demand rent of the Tenants they made answer that they must shew them in the Bible whether they ought to pay or no and that if their Predecessors had been Slaves and Coxcombs they would be none This insolence grew so high that some of the Gentry began so far to give way to its fury as to enter into Composition with their Tenants entreating them to let them live in safety in their houses and to enjoy their own Demeasns and as to Rents and Chiefs they would not ask thâ—m for any No one was so bold as to dare to go out a hunting for they came and kill'd their Hounds and Greyhounds in the field before their faces and no one durst say wrong they did for fear of their lives but if any one meddled with any of them all their Churches were presently made acquainted with it and wiâ—hin four or five hours you had been dispatch'd out of the world or enforc'd to hide your self in some of the Confederates houses or in Tholoâ—zâ— there being no safety in any other place and this was the miserable condition to which Guienne was reduc'd The particularities whereof I am necessiâ—ated to insist upon to let you see whether or no the King had not reason to honor me with that Glorious Title of Conservator of Guienne and whether it was not necessary to fall to work in good earnest for had I proceeded with Mildness and Moderation as Monsieur de Burie did we had been lâ—st He promis'd them great matters but I perform'd nothing knowing very well that it was only to deceive us and by degrees to get places into their hands To be short these Upstart Christians would give us the Law and there was not a little Minister amongst them who did not Lord it as if he had been a Bishop and these were the hopeful beginnings of this fine Religion and the manner after which she instructed men to live At our departure from the said Villeneâ—fve we went to Fumel where we found that Madam de Fumel with Monsieur de Cançon her Brother and some other Gentlemen of the Family had put themselves into the field upon the news of our being come thither and had taken five and twenty or thirty of those who had massacred the Sieur de Fumel Monsieur de Burie then sent to the Commissioners to come and to fall in hand with their Commission who sent him word â—laâ—ly they would not but that we must come to them and I had intelligence sent me by a friend that they had said that since I proceeded to execution without Form or Indictment they would make bold to bring me my self to my tryal after they had done with the rest by which I saw that I was to try with them a better or a worse for otherwise we should fall into the greatest misfortune that we could possibly fall into and if we did not uphold our Authority and keep the people in aw of us without suffering them to be in fear of these Commissioners all would go on the side of the new Religion Neither did I fail to represent this danger to Monsieur de Burie but I found by his answers that he was either in fear of doing amiss or as I said before that he a little enclin'd to that side but his end has clear'd that point to us Seeing therefore that we could not have our own Commissioners we sent for Counsellors from the Tribunal of Agen who presently fell to trying these people whom they found so guilty that they confest themselves to have been Actors in the Massacre of their Lord for they were all his own Tenants who had begun the business and sent to call in their neighbouring Churches to assist them in the performance of this Religious exploit butchering this poor Gentleman with an infinite number of wounds and being but half dead laid him against a cushion upon his bed and shot at Buts against his heart pillaging and sacking his house and all that he had these good people crying out when they had done Let the Gospel live For which to be short in one day what upon Gibbet and what upon the wheel thirty or forty of them were sent out of this world I cannot tell whither From thence we went to Cahors where we found these venerable Lords who had begun and were already a good way advanc't in their process against the Catholicks and kept in prison Monsieur de Viole Canon and Arch-deacon of Cahors and Chancellor of the University a Gentleman of a Family of seven or eight thousand Livres a year belonging to Messieurs de Terride de Negrepelice and other Gentlemen of the Country The Sieur
the defect of his Councel than thorough want of courage or good conduct for he had as much of both those qualities as any Lord Lieutenant I ever serv'd under I continued my Apprentiship under Messieurs les Mareschaux de Strozzy and de Brissac and others I have seen errors enow committed by the King's Lieutenants upon â—he reports have been made them by those they have sent out to discover and will moreover be bold to say that when a General has himself seen and discover'd the Enemy he is more confident and commands with greater boldness and if before he was in some apprehension as no man living is without fear when he sees his Enemy make head against him he will reassure himself and forget his apprehension How many times did Monsieur d' Anguien curse and revile himself upon Easter day at night before the Battel of Serisolles that he had not trusted to his own opinion and that of the rest who were for fighting when he saw the Enemy face to face and had not his Army with him Assure your selves Lords Lieutenants I do not write this without great reason on my side but you will say that this were to put the person of the Chief in hazard though it may be done without any such apparent danger Let such as are afraid of danger lie abed go to discover in your own person no one can be a better judge than your self who will easily discern if you have never so little experience by your Enemies countenance and motion if he be timerous or resolute And pardon me if I be constrain'd to write my own praises for seeing I am to write my own Life you shall have the truth neither would I have seâ—upled had I been beaten to have confessed it If I lye in any thing I have said there are a thousand Gentlemen that are able to disprove me But to return to my Subject and to make an end of this War Monsieur de Montpensier went with all 〈◊〉 Forces to stay for the Spaniards at Barbezieux where he met with intelligence from Monsieur de Sansac that Monsieur de Duras was retir'd and Monsieur de la Rochfoucaut and that they made a shew as if they intended to turn towards him I was come to Bergâ—raâ— to which place Monsieur de Montpensier dispatcht away to me two Courriers â—ne in the heels of another intreating me with all possible speed to return back to him for that Messiâ—urs de Duras and de la Rouchefoucaut were rallied together and as he was enâ—orm'd were turning towards him As God shall help me amongst all the Gentlemen both of the King of Navarre's Company and my own I could not find thirty Horse that could go a step without great pain however two hours within night I set out and except to eat a bit or two by the way never rested till I came within two leagues of Barbezieux in which march I twice met parties of the Enemy by the way of those who were escap'd from the Battel whom I cut to pieces and about one of the clock in the nâ—ight took up my Quarters at St. Private my Brother Monsieur de Lieux was with me who could not come time enough to the Battel and we were at Monsieur de Montpensiers riâ—ing who took the great haste I had made to come to him very kindly at my hands and there I found Monsieur de Sansac who told me that the Enemy in a day and a night had marcht eighteen or twenty Leagues There being then nothing to do Monsieur de Moâ—â—pâ—nsier dismist me and I return'd to lie at St. Privat near unto Aubeterre and the next day to Bergerac where at my return I found Don Iuan de Carbajac with the ten Spaniâ—h Companies who staid one day there and the next morning marcht away Thus I return'd and dismist every one to his own house there being nothing that stâ—â—'d in all Guienne nor a man that dar'd to own he had ever been of that Religion every one going to Mass and to the Processions and assisting at Divine Service and the Miâ—â—sters who had been the Trumpets of this Sedition were all vanisht and gone for they knew very well that in what corner soever they could lie I should trap them and then they knew what would follow Being come to Agen I there heard that Monsieur de Terride was gone to engage himself before Montauban with the Artillery of Tholouze and the two Companies of Bazordan that I had left to guard the Country and seven or eight more that those of the City had set on foot which Siege he had undertaken immediately upon the news of the Battel being won and after I had been eight daies there the Cardinal of Armagnac who at that time commanded Tholouze sent to entreat me with whom the Court of Parliament also joyn'd in the request that I would go to Montauban they conceiving that matters there went very slowly on which put them out of all hope of any good account of that Enterprize I immediately then departed and took the way directly to Tholouze where I recieved a Letter from a friend of mine wherein he writ me word that Monsiâ—ur de Terride had sent a Letter to the Cardinal another to the Court and another to the Capitouls wherein he writ that he had heard they had sent for me to command at the Siege of Montauban complaining that they did him great and manifest wrong and invaded his honor for by that means after he had beaten the Bush another must come and take the Hare These were the contents of his Letters which were brought by Captain Bidonnet Being then at Tholouze I was pâ—esâ—'d to go to the Leaguer but I made answer to the Cardinal and the rest that I would not do my friend that wrong especially since it appear'd by hiâ— Letters that he made himself sure of the place when seeing they could not prevail with me to take upon me the command of the Siege they entreated me at least to go thither to see how matters went which I did At my coming thither Monsieur de Terride shewed me all he had done by which I found that in twelve dayes he had lain before it he had not done two dayes work and saw the beginning had not been very good which made me doubt the end would be worse for I found that he had quitted the Fauxbourg St. Antoine which is upon the way from Caussade by which they carried out and brought into the Town whatever they would He had indeed been necessitated to do it because the Soldiers had forsaken him after the death of Captain Bazordan who had been there slain and serv'd him in the quality of Camp-master which had it not so fallen out it was my opinion and several others were of the same that matters would have gone much better for he was an understanding man and a good Soldier Neither is it to
Marmanda and Thoneins that they should not fail to be the next day which was the same that I arriv'd at St. Pâ—stour at a place the name whereof I have forgot and that he would come and bring the rest of his Forces to joyn with them before I could be rallied with Messieurs de Terride and de Bellegarde They who had sent him this intelligence believ'd that I would stay the next day at Monflanquin or at least if I departed thence I would noâ— march above a leagâ—e or two at most Monsieur de Pilles had appointed his General Rendezvouz at a convenient distance from their Quarters and immediately the six Coâ—nets departed one after the other by reason they were quarter'd in several places and the Rendezvouz for those six was appointed to be at Miremont there to refresh themselves till midnight only and after to go to the other Rendezvouz to Monsieur de Pilles In the mean time Monsieur de Madaillan went directly to Miremont when being come within view of the entrance into the Village where there was no wall he was aware of a great number of white Cassacks going to and fro in the great street whereupon he immediately dispatcht away to Mâ—nsieur de Fontenilles and my Son Captain Montluc that they should with all speed advance for that he was so engag'd he must of necessity fight and that they should give me speedy notice of it also It is a good league from Mâ—remont to Monbahus and the Sieur de Fontenilles sent me word with all imaginable diligence There were at Miremont two Cornets who were first come and already alighâ—ed and their horses in the Stables and thâ— other two which were yet on horseback were but just arriv'd and seeking for accommodation to bait and refresh themselves Monsieur de Madaillan who saw himself discover'd charg'd these two Cornets that were on horseback and beat them out of the Village in rout and confusion so that they fled with might and main towards la Sauvetat the other two that were already lodg'd hereupon run to their horses and just as they were mounting Monsieur de Fontenilles and Captain Montluc arriv'd and charg'd them and they fled as many as escap'd towards Aymet In less than half a quarter of an hour arriv'd the other two Cornets who seeing their fellows defeated fac'd about towards Ponens from whence they came It was ill luck for had not Monsieur de Madaillan sent me word that he could hear no news of the Enemy I had still marcht on in the same order we began and had not turn'd back again to bait I came up at the same time that the last two Cornets did arrive where I thought to have had as good a prize of them as the rest of our people had had of the other four but when I came up to our Foot an Archer came to tell me they had fought and pursued the Enemy half a league and that some prisoners they had taken assur'd them that Pilles and all his Forces were at St. Bensa and Aymet not above a league and a half from thence wherefore they were retreating towards me not being strong enough to withstand the Enemies Forces should they come upon them This is the truth of what passed in this Engagement They brought me two Cornets but in running away they had torn off the Colours Could we thus keep spies amongst them as they do amongst us of such as the King has given liberty to live quietly in their own houses our affairs would prosper better than they do and if I had been advertiz'd by some friends of ours as they were by theirs of Monsieur de Pilles his retreat I had easily defeated him for Monsieur de Sainctorens had been joyn'd with me who was coming very well accompanied to seek me out the very same way the Enemy fled when seeing night coming upon him he drew into Monsegur to expect further intelligence which way I was gone and in pursuing them by night I had means to send a man or two to him to give him an account of all that had pass'd We lay upon our Guard and kept very strict watch suspecting lest the said de Pilles should come upon us for his revenge but he was quite otherwise dispos'd for he marcht all the night as fast as ever he could directly to St. Foy where he arriv'd as we were enform'd by break of day though it be the worst way imaginable for the Country is marvelously dirty and the night was so dark that men could not discern a yard from one another Thus we see how the affairs of War do oft miscarry for want of good intelligence for Monsieur de Sainctorens his answer came not to our hands till the next day nor that of Monsieur de Lauzun and the Messengers they sent to me had like to have fall'n in amongst the Enemy which put them into such a fright that they hid themselves till the day appear'd In the morning by Sun-rise Messieurs de Terride and de Bellegarde came up to us who when they heard of the Engagement had pass'd were ready to tear their own flesh cursing the Foot to all the Devils of Hell and the hour that ever they came from about Tholouze for they might easily have been at Monbahus as soon as we had it not been for the Foot the staying for them being the only reason they came up so late and the belief they had we would not offer to fight till we were first joyn'd all together had made them carâ—ful not to leave the Foot behind them and I heard Monsieur de Bellegarde say a notable thing upon this occasion That he now perceiv'd it was not alwayes good to proceed with too much disâ—retion in matters of warre He said very true for who ever will alwayes confine himself to the ordinary Rules of war oft-times loses more than he gets We marcht straight to Miremont and by the way met with one of Monsieur de Madaillan's Archers who came to bring us news of the disorder of Monsieur de Pilles his people that the news of their defeat had reacht as far as his head Quarter that thereupon the said Monsieur de Pilles and the remainder of his Forces had taken their way directly to St. Foy that twelve Soldiers Monsieur de Madaillan kept in his house near unto la Sauvetat had kill'd two and twenty of them at the Gates of the said house being mounted upon pittiful Jades that the Inhabitants of la Sauvetat had also sallied out upon them and had kill'd three or fourscore and taken their horses and had Monsieur de Sainctorens staid a quarter of an hour only in one place by which he pass'd the most of them had fall'n into his hands which alass he knew not till the next dayâ— no more than I and had then his share of vexation as well as the rest of us But a man cannot prophecy things which makes
Enterprize of Pâ—rcou and I marcht before la Roche having already notice that the Artillery was already within half a league of us which could not however arrive at la Roche till noon by â—eason of the ill way they had met withall Monsieur de la Vauguyon entred the Town for the Enemy were all retir'd into the Mills upon the Bridg his men forc'd and gain'd the Bridg and so all was wonne and in the night I made my approaches and planted my Canon in Battery At break of day Monsieur de la Roche desir'd to parley with Monsiur de Montferran who being he was his Kinsman and a young Gentleman would not let him go in again but detein'd him and the others when they saw the Artillery ready to play began to cry out that they would surrender who seeing no one give ear to them they cried out again that they would surrender to our discretion The Governor of Fronsac and even the Hugonots themselves who were of Courtras and were come along with us cried out that we should by no means receive them to mercy for that they were Libertines and men of no Religion especially one of them call'd Brusquin who had kill'd above fourscore men with his own hands the most of them Labourers and Country-men It then came to the question of marching out whereupon the said Sieur de la Roche entreated of me a certain Lacquay of his his Valet de Chambre and his Cook which I granted him and we cull'd them out from the rest Monsieur de Montferran put himself into the Castle with ten or twelve men to preserve it from being rifled and the men that came out of it I recommended to the Soldiers dispose who were handled according to the life they had lead for not one of them escap'd excepting those I have mentioned before That very Brusquin the Hugonots so exclaim'd against to have him kill'd caught hold of my leg for I was on horse-back having five or six upon him and held me in such sort that I had enough to do to disingage my self from him and narrowly escap'd being hurt my self They found in his pocket a List of a hundred and seventeen men that he had murthered he having there writ them down such a one Priest such a one Labourer such a one Monk such a one Merchant setting down after that manner of what Trade or calling every one was which was no sooner read but that the Soldiers return'd to him and gave him above two hundred cuts and thrusts although he was already dead Monsieur de la Vaâ—guyon came in just upon the execution where one of them endeavouring to fly away gave him and his horse so rude a shock as almost turn'd him out of the way but he was so close pursued that he went not far I was enform'd that these people were newly return'd from St. Aulaye and that they had spoken with Monsieur de Iarnac who had told them that Monsieur de la Noüe was retiring towards la Roche-Chalais which was the reason that we concluded Monsieur de la Vauguyon should return to the place from whence he came and that Monsieur de Montferran and I would go carry the Artillery directly to Bridoiere but before we parted I told them that although Monsieur de la Roche did properly belong to 〈◊〉 and of right was my particular prisoner I being head of the Enterprize I was nevertheless content that we should all three share in his Ransome which we did so that his Ransome being set at six thousand Crowns the Dividend came to two thousand Crowns a piece Being come to Libourne I sent the Artâ—llery up the River which went day and night for we had a great many men to draw the rope of the Bâ—at which was no sooner come to Castillon belonging to the Marquis de Villars but that there came a Messenger sent from Monsieur de Madaillan to tell me that the Enemy of Bridoire were escap'd away and â—led at which I was as much troubled as at any news almost could have been brought me for my purpose was to have dealt no better with them than I had done with the rest and so we return'd the Artillery down the River directly to Bourdeaux and leaving Captain Mabrun wiâ—h three Companies to guard it Monsieur de Monsferran and I went before to the City The next day after I came thither I went to the Palace to take my leave of the Court of Parliament being resolv'd to return to my old Quarters that I might be nearer to the Monsieur in case he should be pleas'd to send for me There Mâ—nsieur la President Rossignac in a short speech return'd me thanks in the behalf of the whole Assembly for the service I had done forasmuch as by this little war he said we had so secur'd the Rodes towards Xaintonge that every one might now safely come and go betwixt France and Bâ—urdeaâ—x That I had also secuâ—'d them on that side towards the Dordogne having reduc'd the Castle of Bridoire and on that side towards the Garonne by having taken Levignac Taillecabat and Pardaillac by reason that before neither provisions nor men could come by those wayes to Bourdeaux or by any other saving out of Gascony These were the successes of these Enterprizes perform'd in five or six dayes without putting the King to the expence of a Tâ—ston and the Parliament less and had these Messieurs of the City of Bourdeaux kept their words with me I would have laid my head that I had turn'd Blay topsyâ—turvy neither would I have askt any more than eight dayes time to do it in provided I might have had the Baron de la Garde along with me to have attaqu'd them by sea and would have engag'd to have paid them back the thirty thousand Fâ—ancs I demanded of them wherewith to pay the Foot and to defray the charge of the Artillery and Pioneers if I did not carry the place Nay seeing they would not relish that motion I offer'd to lend them twelve thousand Francs for a year without interest and Monsieur de Vaâ—ence my Brother would lend them two thousand more in short the Court of Parliament was very hot upon the Enterprize but when they saw it was requir'd that every one should lay to his helping hand there was no more talk of the business These men of the Long Robe are a dry hide-bound sort of people and still pop us in the mouth with their Priviledges I will maintain and that by the testimony of the best and honestest men of Bourdeaux that they were the cause this Enterprize was not executed for when the Citizens saw they would part with no money they would part with none neither saying that the Court of Parliament had as much or more wealth than half the City besides and twice they made me come to them assuring me that so soon as ever they should see my face all things should
the rest who were interâ—sted in the welfare of that Province as I my self was which made us grow so hot in dispute that at last I could not forbear to tell the Mareschal That he was responsible to the King for Guienne as well as for Languedoc and that if he pleased to consult his Pâ—tent he would find that he had taken upon him the Command of the four Provinces which were Daupâ—◠é Provence and Guienne as well as Languedoc alone though that was his particular Government and that I entreated him to consider of it To which he return'd me answer That all the three Provinces had respective Governors of their own and therâ—fâ—re let every one look to his own business as he would do to his I very well knew by this brâ—â—k reply that he was nettled at what I had said to him for these people expect their Wâ—ll should be a Law and are impatient of being contradicted and yet what I told him was true for he had undertaken all that however seeing the Mareschal angry and the Council irresolute I withdrew having first entreated Messieurs de Ioyeuse and de Bellegarde to lay things home to him for I saw very well that I had displeas'd him and therefore would give him no more trouble Which they having promised me to do I left a Gentleman with them to bring me an account of his determination Presently after the said Sieâ—â—s sent me word that he was resolv'd to go to Granade of which I was infinitely glad and so were all the rest and I thereupon immediately went to him to know if I should go away in the night before to try to shut up those who were in Granade and trap them to which he return'd me answer That he should be well pleased with it and that he had already sent away l' Estang de Cornusson with his four Cornets of Cavalry to put himself into Cazieres which four were that of the said l' Estang and those of St. Pourget du Sendat and Clerac I parted then in the beginning of the night with the Gentlemen and my own Company of Gens-d'arms and had it not been for the rain that fell upon us in the night the gâ—eatest that I think I ever saw I had snapt fourscore or an hundred Horse at Granade that were there and who were my Neighbours at Thonens and Cleyrac which I had rather have met withal than three hundred others and I think I should have handled them so that there would hardly have been any more fear of them for that is the very Den of Rogues But one mischief seldome comes alone for the rain beat me into Gaube belonging to my Brother Monsieur de Valence which continu'd above three long hours and yet had they not escap'd me had it not been that so soon as ever Monsieur de l' Estang came to Cazieres he sent away Captain Porget's Ensign in the beginning of the night with twelve Gens-d'arms to scoure the Road as far as beyond Granade towards Mont de Marsan who passing close by Granade did not enter into it neither did he think that any of the Enemy were there and therefore would not discover himself but went on above a league further towards Mont de Marsan and seeing no sign of an Enemy return'd back the same way he came when being before the Gates of Granade he sent in his Guide to discover if there was any Body in the Town who coming to the Gate saw Horse going towards the Market-place and up and down the streets and thereupon return'd to the Ensign telling him what he had seen and that though the night was very dark he thought they had white Cassocks The Ensign then alighted and went all alone to the Gate and enter'd into it although he very well saw the Horse but he had an opinion it was I because he had heard that I was to be there by break of day as I had been and two hours before if the rain had not hindred me He could not very well discover if they had white Cassocks or no and therefore stept four or five paces into the Town which as he was doing those who quarter'd near unto the Gate came out to mount to horse the Ensign who saw them was so near that he perceiv'd they had white Cassocks and had then thought to have recover'd the Gate but he was enclosed behind and taken where they made him tell them all he knew and mounting him behind one of their Troopers carried him away a good round gallop The Count de Montgommery who lay about Montaut and Nugron was soon advertiz'd of what the Ensign had told his people at which he took such an Alarm that he immediately mounted to horse and never aligted till he came to Orthez leaving his Artillery by the way abandoned by all saving some thirty who were bolder than the rest by the report of the honest people of the Country and also by the confession of those who were taken prisoners A little after sunrise the Mareschal came to Granade my Quarter with the Vaunt-guard was at St. Maurice which appertains to Monsieur de Barsac of Quercy and the Mareschal would that Monsieur de Savignac should also be of the Vaunt guard with the Companies of Messieurs de Gramont d' Arne and Monsieur de la Chappelle Lauziâ—res together with my three Companies of Gens-d'arms and thus we came all to Granade within three leagues of Mont de Marsan Two dayes after our arrival the Mareschal was again talking of returning back for that was evermore the burthen of his song asking me what I would that he should do in Bearn seeing that all the Garrisons were surrendred and that the King had neither Towns nor Castles there that he should only lose so much time that on the other side provisions would fail him and that already the Soldiers cried out of hunger and besides he had no Artillery to batter the Towns He had in truth reason on his side for what concern'd Provisions by reason that our Carriages were not yet come up and yet I had taken such care that so soon as ever he had sent me word he would march I immediately sent to tax Condommois Armagnac Esterac Commenge and Bigâ—rre so that in two dayes we had as much victuals as we could wish In the end I perceiv'd very well that his inclination would not be apt to continue him long in this service neither were those of his Council any better enclin'd than he for my part I never was present at any consultation but only that at Noguarol for I was never call'd and I never offeâ—'d my self because I knew they had a prejudice against me for saying we ought to make war in Guienne the Enemy being there and I knew also that all the consultations that should be call'd without me would never do Guienne any goâ—d so that we who were Gascons kept together by our selves Seeing this humour of returning to
mind not to go to the Assault knowing very well that my death would at this time be of ill consequence if not to the Enterprize in hand yet to the general design upon that Country this fancy therefore still running in my head the morning before the Assault was to be given I said to Monsieur de Las the Kings Advocate at Agen who was of our Council these words Monsieur de Las there are some who have exclaim'd and do yet cry out that I am very rich you know of all the money I have to a Denâ—â—r for by my Will to which you are a witness you are sufficiently enform'd of my Estate But seeing the world are not otherwise to be perswaded but I have a great deal of money and that consequently if by accident I should die in this Assault they would demand of my Wife four times as much as I am worth I have here brought a particular of all the money I have at this day in the whole world as well abroad at Interests as at home in the custody of my Wife The account is of my Steward Barat 's drawing and sign'd by my own hand You are my friend I beseech you therefore if I dye that you and the Councellor Monsiâ—ur de Nort will transfer your love and friendship to my Wife and my two Daughters and that you will have a care of them especially Charlotte Catherine who had the honor to be Christned by the King and the Queen his Mother Which having said I deliver'd the Scrowl into his hands and very well perceiv'd that he had much ado to refrain weeping By this you may judge if I had not the misfortune that befel me before my eyes I have no familiar spirit but few misfortunes have befall'n me in the whole course of my life that my mind has not first presag'd I still endeavour'd to put it out of my fancy resigning all things to the good will of God who disposes of us as seems best to his own wisdom neither did I ever do otherwise what ever the Hugonots my Enemies have said or written to the contrary against me So soon as two of the clock the hour prefixt for the assault was come I caused eight or ten Bottles of wine that Madam de Panjas had sent me to be brought out which I gave the Gentlemen saying Let us drink Camrades for it must now soon be seen which of us has been nurst with the best milk God grant that another day we may drink together but if our last hour be come we cannot frustrate the decrees of Fate So soon as they had all drunk and encourag'd one another I made them a short Remonstrance in these words saying Friends and Companions we are now ready to fall on to the Assault and every man is to shew the best he can do The men who are in this place are of those who with the Count de Montgommery destroyed your Churches and ruined your houses You must make them disgorge what they have swallowed of your Estates If we carry the place and put them all to the sword you will have a good bargain of the rest of Bearn Believe me they will never dare to stand against you Go on them in the name of God and I will immediately follow Which being said I caused the Assault to be sounded and the two Captains immediately fell on wheresome of their Soldiers and Ensigns did not behave themselves very well Seeing then that those were not likely to enter Monsieur de Sainctorens marcht up with four Ensigns more and brought them up to the Breach vvhich did no better than the former for they stopt four or five paces short of the Counterscarp by vvhich means our Canon vvas nothing hindred from playing into the Breach vvhich made those vvithin duck dovvn behind it I then presently perceiv'd that some body else and other kind of men than the Foot must put their hands to the work which made me presently forget the conceit I had of being kill'd or wounded and said to the Gentlemen these words Camrades no body knows how to fight but the Noblesâ— and we are to expect no victory but by our own hands let us go then I will lead you the way and let you see that a good horse will never be resty Follow boldly and go on without fear for we cannot wish for a more honourable death We deferre the time too long let us fall on I then took Monsieur de Gohas by the hand to whom I said Monsieur de Gohas I will that you and I fight together I pray therefore let us not part and if I be kill'd or wounded never take notice of me but leave me there and push forward that the Victory however may remain to the King and so we went on as cheerfully as ever I saw men go on to an Assault in my life and looking twice behind me saw that the Gentlemen almost toucht one another they came up so close There was a large Plain of an hundred and fifty paces over or more all open over which we were to march to come up to the Breach which as we passed over the Enemy fir'd with great fury upon us all the way and I had â—ix Gentlemen shot close by me One of which was the Sieur de Besoles his shot was in his arm and so great a one that he had like to have died of his wound the Vicount de Labatut was another and his was in his leg I cannot tell the names of the rest because I did not know them Monsieur de Gohas had brought seven or eight along with him and amongst the rest Captain Savaillan the elder of which three were slain and the sad Captain Savaillan wounded with a Harquebuze shot quite through the face There were also hurt one Captain du Plex another Captain la Bastide both Kinsmen of mine about Villeneufue who had alwayes serv'd under Monsieur de Brissac one Captain Rantoy of Damasan and Captain Sales of Bearn who had before been wounded with the thrust of a Pike in the Eye There were two little Chambers about a Pike height or more from the ground which Chambers the Enemy so defended both above and below that not a man of ours could put up his head without being seen however our people began to assault them with a great shower of stones which they pour'd in upon them and they also shot at us but ours throwing downwards had the advantage of this kind of â—ight Now I had caused three or four Ladders to be brought to the edge of the Graffe and I as turn'd about to call for two of them to be brought to me a Harquebuze-shot clapt into my face from the corner of a Barricado joyning to the Tower where I do not think there could be four Harquebuzeers for all the rest of the Barricado had been beaten down by our two Canon that playd upon the Flanck I was immediately