his Schoole-maister and did people it with the most learned men of his time Hee had soure wiues and many Concubines the greatnesse of his vertue and the wonders of his reputation made him to be adored of his subiects and redoubted of strangers The Sophie of Persia and Prester Iohn of Ethiopia sought for his alliance He built two goodly houses His Buildings the one at Iughelheim the place of his birth the other at Nieumegue hee built the Bridge at Mentz a worke of tenne yeares the which the yeare before his death was ruined by a suddaine fire in lesse then two howres He built the Church of Aix la Chapelle where he is interred During his life he caused sixe Councels to be called at Mentz at Rheims at Tours at Chalons at Arles and at Francfort and made Orders for the Reformation of the Church s Charlemain made a booke for the reformation of the Church which carries this title Capitula Carolâ— Magni and containes Proofes of his great piety When he went to Collegiall Churches or Monasteries hee did sing with the Priests and say the lessons of the morning and caused theÌ„ to be said by his children and other Princes of his Court. He died the eighteenth of Ianuary and in the eighth day of his sickenesse in the yeare eight hundred and foureteene His Death the three score and eleuenth yeare of his age and the seuen and fortieth of his raigne including fifteene yeares of his Empire For his great and heroicke vertues which serue as an example and patterne to Princes and for his great bounty to Churches for the which Phillip de Commines saith that a Chartreux Monke called Iohn Galleas His Canâ—nization Duke of Milan Saint t Phillip de Commines visiting the Church of Pauia and beholding the statue of Iohn Galeas Duke of Milan on horseback to be higher then the Altar whom a Chartrous Monke borne at Bourges called Saint he demanded of him why he called him Saint seeing the Towns which were painted about him were so many markes of his tiranny hee answered softly in this Country we cal all theÌ„ Saints that do vs good hee built this Monastery King Lewis the 11. would that the day of his death should be solemnized like Sonday The Church doth not solemnize the birth of Saints it makes the day of their death a Feast which is another kind of birth then the first there being no more proportion betwixt the world out of which they go and heauen whereinto they enter then there is betwixt the wombe out of which they go and the world whereinto they enter He caused his Statue to be taken out of the ranke of the Kings to make an image vpon the Altar of the Chappell at the Pallace with that of Saint Lewis he would also haue his owne in his ranke after another fashion kneeling before the Image of our Lady But how great soeuer his zeale was vnto the Church yet would he haue the Popes know wherein and wherefore they were bound vnto the Crowne of France The Kings of France haue deserued the glorious Surname of Eldest sonne of the Church Popes bound to the Crown of France hauing defended it from great enemies and freed it from terrible persecutions It is also found that at the last wherewith she is threatned she shall haue no other deliuerer but a King of France u This opinion is grounded vpon a Treatise of Antichrist which some attribute to Saint Augustine others to other ancient fathers and many to Rabanus Reade vpon this subiect the eighth Discourse of Doctor Suares a Portugois vpon the Apocalipse the which hath made many to say and write that the Maiesty of the Church shall neuer bee ouerthrowne so long as the Crowne of France shall endure The deuotion of Lewis did not make him incensible of the wrongs which the Temporall power might receiue from the Spirituall Pope Pius the second Paul the second and Sixtus the fourth knew well that this spirit could not submit himselfe in all things without knowing the reason He did not dissemble the wrong which Sixtus the fourth x Pope Sixtus beeing â—ffâ—rded at the violence done to Cardinal Riario his Nephew and to the Arch-bishop of Pisa did excommunicate the Florentines declaring that â—ee would employ against them the Venetians his person goods whatsoeuer else he could The KIng vpon this aduertisement thought it not reasonable that the goods appointed for the seruice of God should be employed in war making a defence to to carry mony to Rome did vnto the dignity of his father and common pastor of Christian people banding himselfe against the Common-weales of Florence and Venice and suppoting the vndue exactions which were made in the Chancery of Rome He forbad all men to send any mony thither to haue prouision of Benefices by Buls and expectatiue graces vpon paine of confiscation of body and goods giuing the moueables iewels and horses of all the offendours to them that should discouer them Hee appointed Commissioners in the chiefe Townes of the Realme to see and peruse the Buls and prouisions which should be brought from Rome that he might know whether they were contrary to the priuileges and liberties of the French Church y The Signior of Gaucourtâ— Chamberlaine to the King was appointed in the Towne of Amiens the commission is reported by Du. Tillet He commanded the Bishops and Prelates which remained in the Court of Rome to watch ouer their Troupes and to be resident in their Bishoprickes vpon paine of priuation of the Temporall of their Reuenewes and to prepare themselues for the holding of a Councell at Lyon when it should be called vpon the instance which he would make vnto the Pope He was aduertised that Religious Friers going to generall Chapters of their Orders out of the Realme were imployed to carry packets Religious men imploied in messages and intelligences he made a defence for the going to any Chapters which should be held in forraine Prouinces z The defences by this Edict giuen at Selongnes the third of September 1476. were generall against the Religious of the Order of Cisteaux of the Charthusians of Clugny and the fowre begging Friers But the Chartusians are not subiect to the punishment by the same Edict it is spoken of the Friers Minors of the three Orders the punishment was diuers He appointed banishment for them of Cisteaux and of Clugny and declared them incapable to hold any Benefices in France and in regard of the Begging Friers besides banishment he said that he would root out and expell the Realme all them of that Order which should infringe his Edict Howsoeuer he did reuerence Church-men yet would hee not haue them stray from publicke instructions Sermons of seditioÌ„ to censure affaires of Estate for such kinds of discourses do more trouble the minds of men then comfort them They be but cloudes which breake forth into brutes of sedition
had suffered vnder the gouernment of the Duke of Berrie his vncle hee commanded the Dukes of Berrie and Burgondy to retire and would not haue any other prince neâ—re vnto his presence but Lewis duke of Bourbon his vncle by the mothers side and Iohn of Burbon Earle of March of V endosme whom hee loued infinitâ—y giuing a reason hereof openly That he loued those Princes for that they had neuer serued any other maister and had neuer had any ambition nor design against the state neither had they euer giuen him any occasion to complaine of them This vertue was neuer found in a great spirit but it did purchase power and affection with others Pride is barren humility fructifieth a vine spreading vpon the earth beares excellent fruit the high and straightest Cypres-trees are vnfruitfull Hee was not so bountifull of his fauours to the Lord of Beaujeu but hee was as sparing to the Duke of Bourbon his brother he had an implacable hatred against Iohn Duke of Bourbon sonne to Charles the Achilles of France This hatred was nourished with a fresh apprehension for that this Prince lamenting the disorders of the State the miseries and oppressions of the people and the bad vsage which Charles Duke of Berrie suffered had laid the first foundations of the league had left it by the Treaty of Ryon and re-entred againe into it vpon despight for that during this Treaty the Duke of Millan by the Kings commandement had ouer-run and ruined his Countrey of Beaujolois and Forrest But for that hee was a Prince of great power great courage and great credit in the heart of all France hee would not euaporate this fire of reuenge and indignation which hee had against them and considered rather what he might doe then what he should do And the Duke who was acquainted with the disposition of this King knewe well that all Princes write offences done them in brasse and the seruice which they receiue vpon sand wherefore he remained long in his Dutchy of Bourbonois and would not come to Court The King whose chiefe care was to weaken his enemies and to diuide them gaue him the gouernement of Languedoc dissembling the remembrance of things past Vpon this assurance the Duke of Bourbon shewed that hee did not breathe any thing but the Kings seruice neither had he any greater content then to yeeld him proofes equall to his affection and therefore hee followed him to Peronne and we must beleeue that without him in this voyage hee had giuen his Enemies more courage to execute those dangerous councels hauing resolued to stay him For besides the respectes of Alliance the Duke of Bourgondy respected this Prince who had the two principall partes necessary in great Captaines Valour and good Fortune l The two qualities necessary in the Generall of an Army are Valour and good fortune Duo sunt quae Claros Duces faciunt summa virtus summa foelicitas Lat. Pac. Paneg. Wee haue formerly seene that the Constable of Saint Pol did what hee could to drawe him to the Duke of Bourgondies partie Fidelity of the Duke of Burbon and to make him ioyne with the King of Englands forces and that this braue Prince made it knowne that nothing was able to shake his loialty no not if he should be reduced to the misery of Iob m An extreme oppression is no lawfull cause to arme against the Prince rebels seeke pretexes and coulors to shadow their discontents but good subiects suffer with patience although that the sincery of his actions could neuer wipe away the blemish which distrust had put in this Princes eyes yet would he not trouble the content which hee had receiued by the testimony which his conscience gaue to fidelity and vertue The King also fore-seeing that if his enemies were fortefied with his fauour and forces hee should be much troubled hee coniured him to come vnto him The Duke excused himselfe vpon a resolution which hee had taken to liue quietly in his house the which no man could enuy him hauing purchased it with incomparable toyles and crosses Hee besought the King to suffer him to rest in the port of this tranquility after so many stormes and to content himselfe with the seruice which the other Princes of his house and his Bastard the Admirall did him The King entreated and coniured him to come and to reape the same fruits in Picardy which he had sometimes receiued in Guienne n The honour of the glorious victory of Fromigny is giuen to Iohn the second Duke of Bourbon who then tooke the title of Earle of Clermont for hee charged the English with such fury as with the losse of tenne men onely hee defeated fiue thousand English and tooke 1400. prisoners to the shame and confusion of the English sending the Bishop of Mande vnto him to deliuer his requests and recommendations more confidently and to assure him that the occasion was not lesse glorious then at Fromigny The Duke being loath to faile France in so great an occasion and remembring that his predecessours had not desired a more glorious graue then to die vpon a field of battell couered with the bloud of their enemies o The Princes of the house of Bourbon who haue dyed for the seruice of the Crowne are Peter of Bourbon slaine the 19. of September 1356. at the battell of Poicters Iames and Peter his sonne at the Battell of Brignay neere vnto Lyon Lewis at the Battell of Agincourt 1415. Francis at the battell of Saint Bridget on holy Crosse day in September 1525. Iohn at the battell of Saint Laurence 1557. and Anthony at the siege of Roan 1562. and to free the King from all conceite that he had a will to giue eare vnto the Constable who did solicite him with all vehemency he deliuered the Constables letters into the Bishops hands protesting that hee would neuer carry Armes against the Kings seruice The effects did not differ from his words for seeing the Duke of Bourgundies troupes approach to enter the Country he went to horse and put them to rout The Earle of Conches was slaine there the Earle of Rousillon Marshall of Bourgundy was taken prisoner there with the Earle of Dammartins sonne and the Signiors of Longy de Lisle Digoin Ruygny Chaligny and the two sonnes of the Signior of Viteaux one of which was Earle of Ioygny Being then assured of the discent of the English and that they had passed the Sea he came vnto the King with sixe hundred horse and commanded part of his Army which was neere vnto Beauuais Matters being reduced to those tearmes that the King desired and the King of England hauing repassed the Sea he retired himselfe to Moulins to performe the last duties to his mother p The Lady Agnes of Bourgundy dyed in December 1476. Shee was wife to Charles Duke of Bourbon and mother to Iohn the second of that name Duke of Bourbon to Charles Cardinall and Arch-bishop of Lyon
bene made and it was reason that he which had done the harme should shew some repentance and serue as a table in the history of France that a Prince which wants piety towards God and Iustice towards men falls alwayes into o He that hath pietie iustice for the guide of his actions frees himselfe happily from confusion in all sorts of affaires These bee the glorious titles which Demetrius purchased 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 religious to the gods and Iust to men confusion The Duke said that he pardoned him for the loue of God promising him to be his friend enemy to his enemies and to renounce the aliance of England and the deputies of the Councell dispenst him of the oath which he had made not to treat without the King of England This happie and memorable peace Peace of Arras sworne the 24. of Nouember 1435. was followed with great blessings for the French and great ruines for the English This was the Comet which threatned their ruine in France and which brought the Duke of Bedford vnto his graue Death of the Duke of Bedford Regent in France for the English With the like griefe six dayes after the treaty p Isabel of Bauaria contemned of the English and Bourgundian for whom shee had â—anded her selfe against her sonne dyed at S. Paul house the last of September 1435. she was carried by the Riuer of Seine to S. Dennis and buried without pomp Her tombe was built in the same place where her husbands was and her portrait is yet to bee sâ—ene in the window of that Chappell dyed that old malicious woman the Queene mother stepmother to the king and Realme She wanted meanes to liue before her death for being no more assisted by the Duke of Bourgundy the Duke of Bedford caused her to fast vpon dayes which were not commanded to be fasted lying in Saint Paule house She had alwaies liued full of honors and affayres and now she dyes plunged in miseries and contempts The reduction of Paris was the fruit of the peace she opened her gates vnto the King Reduction of Paris which shee had shut against him for the loue of the Duke of Bourgundy for she hath dealt with friendships as with flowers the new haue alwaies beene most pleasing vnto her The King was at Montpelier when Paris was reduc'd The q The English were chased out of Paris the 27. of February 1436. where they had entred in the yeere 1420. English depart the Lillies flourish and the Kings will with the lawes of the Realme are honored there The King made his entry and was receiued as victorious of his enemies by his valor and of himselfe by his clemencie forgetting so many iniuries whereby the people had incensed him Here I seeke the Dauphin and the Historie doth not showe me him 1437. although it be credible that the father did not forget to haue him seene in this great occasion in his capitall Citie no more then at the assembly of the estates which he called at Orleans But I finde him on horsebacke at the age of fourteene yeares and commanding the Kings armie before Monstreau Faut-Yonne Hee tooke the towne by assault and the Castle by composition and made so good warre with the English that were within it as they gaue him thankes in the Kings presence confessing that hee had giuen them cause in admiring his valor to commend his bounty to the which they were bound for their liues r A Prince which saues his life whom he may kil cannot do any thing that brings him sooner to the height of glory and reputation nec vlla re propius homines ad deum accedunt quam salute hominibus danda Cic. Neither is there any thing which makes meÌ„ liker vnto Gods then by giuing life vnto men This first beginning applauded by some old Knights flattering this yong Alexander who beganne to bee discontented for that his father left him no worke to doe made him to conceiue better of himselfe then hee ought For such flattering opinions s Flattery doth so transport young Princes with a good opinion of what they are or should be as it is easily conuerted into presumption and admits no counsell nor conduct are fruitlesse sproutes and vnprofitable leaues which grow too fast in these yong plants and in the end kils them The Father who had made him Captaine so soon repented as suddainely for he beganne to make showe that hee was not borne to follow but to goe before Martin Gouge Bishop of Cleremont Christopher of Harcourt and the Lord of Chaumont make him beleeue that his valor and courage would not suffer him to stay there that the more he should eleuate his trumpet of fame the farther it should bee heard that he could not beginne any exercise of glorie and reputation to t Alexander at 16. yeares of age defeated the Megariens and was at the battell of Cheronea wherefore Demosthenes called him child Hannibal was but eleuen yeares old when hee made open professioÌ„ of armes Wee must obserue saith Phil. de Commines That all men which haue don gret matters haue begunne very yong Warre is a science which is not learned by discourse It is a troublesome practise for him that hath not accustomed it from his youth Paul Emil. soone and that he should not attend vntill that fortune tooke him by the hand to lead him to the Empire of men but he should goe and meete her These Councellers were spirits that were not capable to command nor to be commanded and which could not liue vnder that great rigor of the Kings authoritie Bad counsell giuen to Lewis who knowing his humors allowed him not what he desired and made him giue eare to such as found no other course for their greatnes and who assured him that there was no other way for his rising then to absent himselfe from the presence of his father An aduise which could not bee commended but by such to whom all wickednes is commendable For of badde counsels such as was neuer giuen by men that were u Integrity or fidelitie sufficiencie or wisedome are the two principall qualities of good counsellors they add a third which depends of the precedent to haue his heart free from passion and priuate interest wise discreete and without any priuate interest three rare qualities but necessarie for him that takes vpon him to counsel another the worst and most pernicious is that which deuides the Sonne from the Father and withdrawes him from the dutie wherewith hee is bound by the lawes of nature and religion x The commandement of the Childrens dutie was halfe written in the first table which regards Gods right and halfe in the second table wherein are commâ—ndements which concerne our Neighbours as beeing partly diuine and partly humane nothing beeing able to extinguish this bond free this seruitude nor dispence him from the obedience due to the fathers commandements how
by Religion The receit was made in a little house called the Toll-house The most seditious who would eate their bread with all libertie x A multitude neuer remaines long in an estate which seemes vniust intollerable vnto them Wâ—ere there is no will there can be no bond That which is done by force lasteth no longer then the present necessitie Haud credi potest vllum populuÌ„ in ea conditione cuius cum peniteat diutius quam necesse sit mansurum Tit. Liu. goe not to the Duke to demaund abolition of this impost but vnder coulour of a procession which they made the day after his entrie they take the case with the bones and relikes of a Saint of their deuotion come to this house and strike the case against it saying that the Saint y People haue often couered the causes of their mutinies with some respect of religion to cut off a great circuit of the Procession would passe through the house wherewith in an instant they ruined it to the ground The rest of the mutines were in Armes in the market place to fauour the passage of this Saint and to oppose against any one that would hinder it The Duke aduertised of this tumult comes to a house whose window did open vnto the place The Duke comes to heare of the sedition where he spake vnto these mutyns and commanded them to carrie the relikes of their Saint vnto the Church Some take it vp to carrie it away and others hinder it Hee desires to know what they would haue and not any one dares speake alone a In the coÌ„motion of a people if there be not one head that leades them there is not any one that dayes answere when the people of Rome retyâ—ed to the holy mountaine the Senate sent to know the cause of this retreat Not any one had the courage to answere and Tit. Liu. saith That they wanted not matter of answere but they wanted one to make the answers but altogether They were but confused complaints and insolent answeres demanding Iustice against some priuate men as in these Commotions there is alwaies some one charged to be the cause of the publike miseries He promised to doe them Iustice commanding them to disarme and to retire But they grow obstinate and continue their eight dayes at the end whereof they present themselues vnto the Duke demanding that all which the Duke his Father had taken from them might bee restored which was the threescore and twelue banners of their trades and the renewing of their priuiledges To refuse this was to hazard himselfe to their furie and they let the Duke vnderstand that whether hee would or no the Councels were taken beeing resolued to take that which they demanded for hee had no sooner spoken the word to grant them b They must somtimes grant vnto the people that which â—hey desire as they doe vnto childreÌ„ 〈◊〉 cry to mad men which rage But wâ—en a seditioÌ„ is pacified they take away iustly which they had allowed vniustly their banners He is forced to grant them what he will take away but at the same instant they saw them planted on the market place Thus the Towne of Gand from whence the Duke would draw examples of fidelitie and obedience seemed to the rest for a mirrour of reuolt and sedition for seeing that the Gantois had sped well with this boldnes many other Townes did the like and slew some of the Dukes Officers who was forced for the time to seeme to be ignorant c It is a gracious kind of pardoning not to take knowledge of an offence of that which these mutyns had done who deserued to bee intreated with such rigour as they should haue nothing remaining free but the sights of their repentance With the like wisedome and dexteritie as the King had diuided the forces of the Princes that were in league against him The King separates the heads of the league d It is an act of great prouideÌ„ce in a Prince to breake off the communication intelligence which may bee betwixt tow personages which are mighty of turbulent spirits he labors now to breake their intelligences He sets such good gards vppon the passages as the Duke of Brittanie is forced to cause such as he sends to the Duke of Bourgundy to passe first into England and then to Calice In this great circuit before their aduertisements be giuen the Councels be vnited the occasions lost and the mischiefes without remedie He hath his eyes open on euery side as he is seuer e They must punish crimes when they are committed and hinder conspiracies in the breeding to punish crimes when they are committed so is he vigilant to breake conspiracies before they bee made Hee resolues to plague them one after an other and to let them know that he repents soone or late that attempts against one that is more mighty The Duke of Normandie beeing retired into Brittanie bare and naked was sufficiently punished with the Councels of his youth The Duke of Brittanie held himselfe too weake to support him against so mightie a brother the Deputies which he had sent vnto the King to intreat him to moue him to pittie had brought nothing back but that they saw much discontentment in the King for that his brother demanded a portion with his sword in his hand The King who was then towards Mont S t. Michael sent an Armie of fiftie thousand men into Brittanie The King sends an Armie into Brittanie As the Duke of Alençon had giuen passage vnto the Brittans so his Sonne the Earle of Perch yeelds the same towne of Alenâ—con vnto the French whereat Monsieur was so offended as hee called him the right Sonne of his Father f Infidelitie is so odious as it makes the Actions of the children which are borne of them which haue beene attained to bee suspected and suspiâ—ions in others are crimes in them Brittanie was ouerrunne aboue thirty leagues compasse The Duke of Brittanie coniured the Duke of Bourgundy to succour him but he could not doe it beeing ingaged with the Liegeois who rather tired with warre then vanquished had made a new reuolt and spoiled Liny vpon the assurance the King had giuen them of his protection He had sent them foure hundred lances vnder the command of the Earle of Dammartin of Salezard of Conyhen Leigeois supported by the king and Vignoles and six thousand Archers The Constable of S t. Paul came and ioined with them with some troupes They played the madde men and did not consider the danger their hostages were in whom they had giuen for the assurance of their obedience and fidelitie The Duke held a Councell whether he should put them to death Consultation to put the Hostages of Liege to death The question require good deliberation for if he had beene constant in his first resolution they were vndone And therefore in such difficulties a
a desire to recouer them as in regard thereof hee granted whatsoeuer they would The hearts of men lie on the left side they are full of deceit y Sincerity and freedom is raâ—e in mens intentions They haue reason to say that their wils goe not right Their harts lye on the left side Aristotle in his first book of the history of beasts saith that man onely hath his hart on the left side and all beasts haue it in the middest of their brests Truth freedome and loyalty are rare vnknowne and exiled qualities It were basenesse not to dare to be lie his promises nor to accommodate his words to profit rather then to Iustice These two Princes sought to deceiue one another z It is simplicity to speak all but it is meere wickednesse not to speake what we thinke It is a basnesse of the heart when aâ— the word belies the thought the King had no will to restore any thing promising vnto himselfe that an infallible accident would preserue him that which a peace tooke from him The duke of Bourgondy wrote vnder-hand to the dukes of Guienne and Brittanie that the abandoning of their protection and friendship which he had promised was but fayned that his affection was alwaies pure and firme to maintaine them Neither of them held himself bound to keepe his word but to effect his businesse and in this bargaine they spake not all they thought Simon of Quingey who had commandement to goe vnto the Duke of Brittaine to renew the hopes and protestations as soone as the peace should be effected prest the king much to sweare it Temporising of the King profitable The king who had made profit of the time deferred it from day to day he lick't and fashon'd this little beare at leasure Quingey who knew his Maisters mind durst not importune him The king went slowly hee tooke not halfe the winde hee might haue taken to arriue at a prefixed time at the port of his desseigns thinking the winning of time very necessary for him that will effect his businesse that it cannot be bought to deere nor too long attended a When as the Barbarians demanded mony of Sertorius going into Spâ—ine for his passage through their country such as were with him grew into choller saying that is was too great a shame and indignity that a Proconsull of the people of Rome shâ—ld pay a tribute vnto those wicked Barbarians but Sertorius regarded not the shame which they pretended but answered That hee bought time which whosoeuer aspired to great matters should hold most deere so contented the Barbarians with mony after which he made such speed as he seazed vpon Spaine Plu. Hee temporized so cunningly as he at tayned to what he desired And behold a post which brings newes that the Duke of Guienne is dead a death which changed the face of affaires and depriued the Duke of all that he promised vnto himselfe It happened the twelfe of May 1471. and the manner so violent as his members turning contrary to their propper motion by strange convulsions Death of the duke of Guienne wholy disfigured his body his teeth haire and nayles fell off before his death It was thought to bee by poyson Being on a sommers day at Saint Seuere with the Lady of Montsoreau the Abbot of Saint Iohn d' Angely who was one of the Dukes fauorites at his after-noones drinking presented a goodly Peache vnto his Lady she tooke the one halfe and steeped it in wine and gaue the other to Monsieur Shee dyed soone after but the Duke contynued longer yet so sicke as his death was bruted the very day that he had taken this deadly morcell If the King were pleased with this death we may gather by the words which he spake a little before when as newes was brought him of the King of Castilles brothers death He is but too happy to haue lost his brother It was Alâ—onso b D. Alfonso second sonne to Iohn second K. of Castille and brother to Henry dyed of the plague at Cardegnosa a Bourrough neere to Aâ—ila the fift of Iuly 1468. he was sixteene yeares old and had bin declared King three yeares before his death was not without suspition of poyson who had beene chosen King by the Castillans and by the League made against king Henry This word of Brother was vnto him as a goodly name to signifie a bad thing if he wept they were teares of ioy and if they were not fayned they were presently dryed vp The little care hee seemed to haue to punish such as were accused to haue poysoned him confirmed an opinion that he was content and made many beleeue that this death came by his commandement to assure the quiet of many by the death of one alone c It is a great misery for a Prince when he sees him-selfe forced to bee cruell vnto his owne bloud to assure the quiet of his estate Hee commanded the Bishop of Anger 's Secretary to bringe him the proceedings taken before his Maister and Lewis of Amboise vpon this death Claude of Seysel in that which hee hath written of the History of Lewis the twelfth saies vpon this occasion Many there are which said but yet I dare not affirme it that he caused his said brother to die of poison but it is most certaine that he neuer had any confidence in him whilest he liued and was not greeued at his death The course of his life was so short as fortune had not time to poursue him long Obseruations of the Duke of Guyennes life shee followed him betimes and neuer ceased vntill he was daunted and deiected finding that misery is the proper portion of a mans life yea of the greatest d There is nothing but misery in man hee is borne vnto it They write that the wives of Mâ—xico when they are brought in bed assuâ—r their children of their misery in thâ—se three words Infant thou art come into the world to endure suffer endure hold thy peace They sing â—his to 〈…〉 a sleep Hee had noe constant spirit to defend him-selfe from these affronts he was as tractable to all perswations as the King his brother was cunning and stayed The History of Brittaine saith that for a truth he had noe courrage and that inconstancy did properly belong vnto him He did dictate soudenly what he had receiued and allowed e Constancy is the sâ—ale of Actions It is of spirits as of bodies neither the one in reiecting councell nor the other in casting vp meate câ—n be nourishâ—d and entertained He was not like to his Father in fortune nor to his Grand-father in courrage nor to his Brother in wisdome It is a wonder to see how children degenerate how nature delights in these contrary productions making cowards ignorant men wicked proceed from the bloud of Princes which are valiant wise good So vineger comes from wine f A good tree brings not forth
mischiefe had bin greater if the Constable had not moderated it with an apparant falling from his duty and loyalty to his King who had commanded him that when as the Bastard of Bourbon should enter into Artois hee should beseege Auennes in Hainault He spent two or three daies in that seege very carelesly without watch or gard If there were courage and resolution in his troupes c Caesar said that he desired modesty and obedience as much in a soldiar as prowesse and courrage Caesar. lib. there was little order and obedience He retyred to Saint Quintin Intelligēce of the Constable with the Duke of Bourgondy fearing to loose that retreat he excused him-selfe vpon an enterprise which he said he had discouered d I heard his man my selfe by the Kings commandement who tould so many apparant signes as he was in a manner beleeued and that one of thē was suspected to haue said som thing vnto the Constable which he should haue concealed Phil. de Com. lib. 4. cap. 4. of two soldiers who brag'd that they had beene commanded and seed to kill him Hee remayned at Saint Quentin contynuing the traffick of his faith with the two Princes Hee sent the Duke word that he was very sorry the King made his profit of his absence and he did aduertise the King that the Dukes affaires were in good estate thinking hee should finde noe other safety then in the feares and alarumes which he gaue them But when as he saw that this Lyon e Aduersitie humbles great men and makes them mild as a quarte◠ague breaks the fury of a Lion notwithstanding any feuer or shaking that he had grew nothing more myld he thought that there was noe meanes for his safety but to keepe a loose and that his last refuge was to relie vpon his first maister to whome he had offered entry into S. Quintin thinking that his Brother Iames of Luxembourg would goe thether with some troupes and not carry Saint Andrewes crosse Hee made these bargaines when as feare prest him and that hee knew not whome to trust to diuert the Kings desseignes but when as the Danger was past he would noe more heare speake of his promises and keept both ware and siluer He abused the Duke of Bourgundy thrice with such fictions his brother being taken prisoner at Arras descouered it so freely vnto the King as it was a meanes to moderate the rigorous vsage f A gratious kind vsage maks the misery of a prison more easie and supportable Plut. in the life of Niceas which a prisoner of that condition might haue He was willing to shroud himselfe vnder the Duke of Bourgondies protection but he did foresee the storme would be so great as the leaues of the tree would drowne him that should creep vnder it Hee did apprehend nothing so much as the Kings quiet and peace of the realme He gaue aduise vnto the Duke to drawe in the English to his succor and to reuenge his Iniuries and vpon this aduise the English were sollicited very earnestly to passe the sea Edward King of England who was in his soundest yeares Edward K. of England passeth into France 1475 actiue and vigorous for a great designe layes hold of this occasion in the which he did hope to recouer the rights which his Predecessors had purchased for him vpon the crowne of France He was soone perswaded to passe the sea thinking he should haue no more paine to conquer a part of France then hee had to reduce all England vnder his obedience The remembrance of the succours which King Lewis the eleuenth had giuen vnto his enemie added to the old quarrels which haue made deluges of bloud in this Realme would not suffer him to pause and consider of the Iustice or iniustice g Traian said they should neuer enter into an vniust war He alone of all the Romane Emperors neuer lost Battell of his enterprise False Assurances giuen by the Duke a Constable The Duke of Bourgundy assured him to ioyne with his forces the Constable did represent vnto him the Kings weaknes and wants offring him S. Quentin to refresh him Behold a great Armie at Douer readie to passe It did consist of fiueteene hundred men at Armes fifteene thousand Archers on horseback and a great number of foote all good and resolute souldiours hauing once continued any time on this side the sea English very ready to passe into France It was in his owne will to make it greater h There are none more simple nor vnhandsome then the English when they passe first but in a short time they are very good soldiers wise and hardy Phil. de Com. l. 4. c. 5. for there is not any enterprise in England that is seconded with more vowes and voices then that which is made against France All the world runnes vnto it their purses are not tyed but with leaues of Leekes for the King cannot exact any thing of his subiects but with the common consent of his Parliament vnlesse it be when he makes warre in France True it is that hauing imployed some part of the money leuied for this warre about the affaires of his house and finding himselfe scanted he inuented a milde course to haue money calling together the richest of the Realme and representing vnto them the greatnes of his designe with the glorie and profit which the realme might hope for coniuring them to assist him with their meanes and that in this occasion he should know them that loued him although that hee should be but a dispenser or Stuard i A Prince is but a receiuer distributer of the publike money and they that giue it regard more the publike necessitie then the Princes priuate commodities Aristotle calles him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Custodem dispensatorem vt communium non vt propriorum Polit. lib. 1. cap. 11. A keeper or distributor of that which is common not proper of that which they should giue and he called this Tribute a Beneuolence some for shame others for vanitie and some through zeale filled his Coffers The Duke of Bourgundy sent ships out of Holland and Zeland to passe the Armie It made a number of fortie or fiftie thousand men and threatned to doe double effects The Constable gaue the King to vnderstand that this Armie of strangers should land in Normandie and his aduertisement seemed the more credible for that the King knew that the Duke of Brittanie had conspired with the King of Englands designes Herevpon there arriued a Herald who brought Letters of defiance from the King of England Letters of defiance frō the King of England Letters full of brauerie and boldnes and puft vp with the Duke of Bourgundies passion and the stile k Hee brought vnto the King a Letter of defiance from the K. of England in a gallat stile which I thinke was not done by any English man He required the King to restore him the
the chimney did answere to that of the Prince by the which he might easily vnderstand what they said After that Erbeins had discoursed with the Prince of the affaires of warre and that Dijon Chalons and Beaune were ready to yeeld vnto the Arch-duke n The Townes of Dijon Beaune and Verdun reuolted against the King The Lord of Chaumont who was Gouernour recouered them Phil. de Com. saith that it was for want of iudgement in the enemy and thâ—t God giues wisedome and gâ—uernment to that part which hee will support He heard the Prince say vnto him You haue brought vs a man which is very fit for vs for the boxes which you know Whereupon Erbeins said vnto the Prince you haue done ill to discouer this businesse to one that is a French-man If you said he haue promised to make him a Knight the King will make him an Earle He hath Knighted a Scullion and giuen him great meanes Danger wherin Renond was for that he discouered the like enterprise And what remedy then said the Prince You must cast him into the Riuer answered Erbeins to the end he discouer not any thing That were ill done said the Bastard of Orange seeing that he was taken in Sauoy in the habite of a Marchant and not of a Souldier that he was a poore man who had neuer spoken vnto Souldiour but with his hat in his hand This first instrument being made vnprofitable the Prince did not for all that desist from his bad intent his reuenge was so enflamed with rage and despite against the King who had contemned him as a person that could neither do him good nor harme o The King saith Phil. de Com. did not thinke that the Prince of Orange had had courage or meanes to rebell the Country of Bourgundy as he did a great part of it The Prince demanded whom they should then employ for the Boxes I will answered Erbeins giue you one of my seruants called Catherin a very faithfull man who can both go and speake and knowes many in Court and hath ben the Winter past at Arras Paris at Tours They sent for this Catherin who promised to do any thing they would Then the Prince of Orange commanded the Bastard of Orange to carry Renond to Salins and to haue a care least he escaped You shall do well said Catherin for if he go into France I will not go for that he will discouer all 〈◊〉 designes and knowing me he will accuse me He had reason to think thereon for if he had beene discouered they would not haue giuen him any time to repent p There are crimes whose example is so necessary as they that are apprehended must bee presently dispatched In other excessesit is good that repentance go before the punishment and a good Prince Non poena semper sed saepius poenitentia contentus esse debet Not alwaies with punishment but oftentimes must be content with repentance Tacit in vit Agtic The Bastard of Orange said that he would put such irons on his feete that hee should not be well able to flye The next day Renond was led to Salins and lodged in a base chamber at Chastelbellin where hee had fetters put on him waighing aboue an hundred weight The Bastard of Orange went to Beaune q The Processe verball shows that the Country made great ioy for the reduction of Beaune 〈◊〉 these words And in making the said feasts and dancings he heard them that were in the chamber vnder the Towre where this deponent was cry out with a loud voyce Long liue Burgundy and of the rest one Thus they cryed three or foure times and so did the rest that were in Castelbellin to reduce it to the Arch-dukes obedience Renond a prisonerin Irons put to ransom which done he returned to Chastelbellin and told Renond that he was his prisoner taken in the warres and that he must put himselfe to ransome Renond could do no other thing but weepe saying that the Prince of Orange had promised him otherwise The Bastard of Orange told him that it was no place for teares and that water was deere that he should resolue either of a ransome or to be cast downe head-long from the top of the rocke Seing no remedy he promised to pay two hundred Crownes by Midsommer day and if he did not acquit himselfe within the time he should pay the double Hee found himselfe in this perplexity the first day of May which was the feast of Saint Iames and Saint Phillip he made his Vow vnto our Lady of Puy in Velay and to Saint Iames in Galicia promising to go thither to pay his Vowes if he escaped out of that prison and not to see wife nor children vntill he reuealed the Prince of Oranges practise vnto the King His prayer being ended God who hath alwaies had a particular care of the King and Realme of France gaue him meanes to breake his Irons Renond deliuered miraculously and to get out of prison to aduertise the King of these matters so much importing the safety of his person and of his estate r The Processe Verball saith that after that Renond had made his Vow his Ironsopened and hee found meanes to escape by two lances which he had tyed one vnto another and by cords which hee found there The feare hee had to bee followed made him to take the way to Lausanne from whence he went with all speed to Bourges where hearing of the Lord of Bouchages being and that he was one of the Kings principall Seruants hee addrest himselfe vnto him to tell him all that he had learned of the Prince of Orange The Lord of Bouchages sent for Raoul Pichon Councellour to the King to heare this Declaration and caused a verball Processe to be made the which was inrold in the chamber of Accompts of Dauphiné bearing date the eight and twentieth of May one thousand foure hundred seuenty and eight Signed Imbert of Baterne R. Pichon From this Discourse wee see another spring The Signior of Erbeins The like attempt discouered and punished to let the Prince of Orange vnderstand that hee had inconsiderately made choise of a French-man to be the bearer of his boxes and the executioner of his designes for that beside the bonds of God and nature which bound him to his Prince and not to hold any thing which hee should promise against him f Vniust promises must not bee kept it is iustice to flye from theÌ„ and iniustice to obserue them If they were extorted by force they bind not for his will that promised was not free The estate wherein hee was when hee promised dispensed him of his promise he said vnto him that if Renond did it for the hope of recompence hee should haue more from the King then from any other and that hee had made a Scullion of his Kitchin or one that did make sauce a Knight for that hee had reuealed the
day The Chronicle reports an example which shewes the little industry and addresse that was euen in the Maisters of this Art for all the Officers of the Ordinance being gathered together on Munday before Twelfth day Bombard made at Tours in the yeare 1448. in the field before Saint Anthonies Bastille to try a great Bombard which the King had caused to bee made at Tours At the first shot it carried an Iron Bullet of fiue hundred pounds weight vnto the Gibbet at Pont Charenton They thought it was not well boared and therefore they would haue it cleansed and charged againe The Caster playing the Gunner scoured it so carelesly as hee left fire in it so as hauing charged it anew and put in his Bullet the Bombard hauing no fire set to the touch-hole discharged of it selfe blowing vp the Caster ino the Aire into many peeces which slew neere and farre off two and twenty men and burnt and maimed many others g The Chronicle addes that the peeces of the Casters body were gathered together and buried in the Church of S. Merry and that they cried in the streets Pray vnto God for I. Maugue caster of the Bombard who is newly dead between heauen earth in the seruice of the king our Lord. Our age more industrious Ordinance of Brasse and subtile hauing caused Brasen Ordinance to bee cast that is to say a mixture of Tinne and Copper softer and more flexible then Iron Artilery beganne to be good in the warres of the Emperour Charles the fift and of Francis the first and better vnder the raigne of Henry the second King Henry the fourth hath brought it to perfection France could not carry the title of Inuincible before her Arsenals were filled with that whose want maketh the mightiest Empires weake Shee may now bragge to haue the keyes of all the forts of Europe and that there is not any one but will stoope and humble it selfe at the sight of this Thunderbolt when as at the first word of Iupiter it shall be cast forth by the Eagle which carieth it and which onely demands where is it If Christian Princes would haue vented out in any other place then in Europe Death of Mahomet 2. that warlike heate which turmoyled them to their owne ruines God had giuen them a goodly occasion to employ both the Camping Troupes of Lewis the 11. and all the forces of other Christian Princes to the ouerthrowing of that of the Turks which was wonderfully shaken by the death of Mahomet h Mahomet the second Emperour of the Turkes dyed the the 3 d. of May 1481. in the 52. yeare of his age Hee dyed at that time in Nicomedia Pope Sixtus was so glad as he appointed three festiuall daies Sixtus the 4. reioyceth at the death of Mahomet in Rome to thanke God for that the Church was deliuered from such a scourge dying hee cursed Rhodes thrice he was a wiser and more polliticke Prince then any of the house of the Ottomans as he who in all his conquests added pollicy to force Hee was thicke synowy and strong of body he had an Aquiline nose and so crooked as the end hung ouer his lip Being yong he beganne to take delight in the actes of Alexander the Great promising himselfe to surpasse or equall him i Mahomet propounded no other patterne vnto himselfe then that of Alexander not to imitate him in his vertues but in his ambition The first day he sate in the Throne of Amurath k Amurath dyed before the Castle of Croy in the yeare 1450. his father who raigned 32. yeares Mahomet surnames himselfe the Great a Prince much beloued of his owne and iust vnto his enemies he would be surnamed the Great In shew he held Mahomets Religion but hauing beene bred vp as a Christian by his Mother who was daughter to Lazarus Prince of Seruia instructed by her in the Prayers Confession of the Christian Faith when he came to the Empire he found himselfe in so great a doubt distraction what he should beleeue as he resolued not to beleeue any thing caring no more for the Gospell then for the Alcoran making a scoffe at Mahomet whom he termed to be a Slaue a Thiefe holding his Prophecies for Fables and his Lawes for Impostures The father dying had recommended vnto him his yong sonne Turcin being but eighteene Monthes old and he had promised not to make him feele the rigor of the house of the Ottomans But as he had no faith towards God so he kept none with men l Wee must not expect any obseruation of faith from a Prince that hath no Religion he forgat this promise for death had no sooner closed vp his fathers eyes but he drew this poore Infant out of the Nurses armes to beate out his braines against the wall saying that hee would not haue his father interred alone Moses one of his chiefe seruants entreated him not to defile his hands in his owne bloud This reason did not moue him but onely to change the executioner for he commanded him to kill him Moses caused water to bee brought and powred such aboundance into the mouth of this infant as he did both smother him and drowne him The mother seeing this Inhumanity fild the house with fearefull cryes and made terrible imprecations against Mahomet who to comfort her said That she sought in vaine to reuiue her sonne with teares that she should conforme her selfe vnto the Law m This custeme is inhumane and vnnaturall But we must not expect iust Lawes in a 〈…〉 it is better to murther some few then to expose a million to death by the warre which should grâ—w in the house of the Ottomans if the great Senior should suffer the Princes of his bloud to liue But where is the Law of the God which they adore that approues a Parricide It is a tyrannous custome but yet ancient The sâ—ccessors of Alexander saith Plutarch did commonly kill the mothers wiues and children with their brethren it was an ordinary custome which would not that a Prince comming to the Empire should suffer his brethren to liue for that there could be but one Head in the Empire nor but one Sunne in Heauen but if shee desired any other thing whatsoeuer it were she should be sure to obtaine it This woman changing her griefe into reuenge demanded the heart of Moses Reuenge of a woman Mahomet instantly commanded that he should be bound hand and foote and with the same knife which she thrust into his body she opened his side pulled out his heart cast it to the dogs and was therewith pacified n The Author of the History of Scandeberge relating this History in the 7 th book addes these words A profitable instruction for those corrupted spiâ—its which prostitute their consciences to the furious passions of great men Amurath had another sonne of sixe months old called Calepin and foreseeing it would be
commandement was giuen to all Prouinces Potentates Townes and Commonalties to apprehend this Archbishop Then directing his speech vnto him he exhorted him to acknowledge his error and to humble himselfe to the holy Sea that hee might recouer the Popes fauour who seeing his repentance might haue pitty on him offring to that end all the good offices that hee could desire from him The Archbishop answered in this sort I haue neuer failed in obeence and respect to the Emperour The Archbishop resisteth in his proposition and nothing hath moued me to speak against the Pope but the zeale of Gods honor I can make a distinction betwixt the person and the dignity the Chaire and him that sits in it I haue with much griefe seene the scandals and abhominations which abound in Rome and that the Pope is more pleased to fleeâ—e then feed the sheepe whom Iesus Christ with the price of his bloud hath drawn out of the Wolues throat x A Pastor should feede Christs Flocke but Illud quod hic dicitur pasce alij mutant in tonde quia multum studeÌ„t circa subditos exactionem temporalium exercere de pastu non cuâ—aÌ„t That which is here said feed some doe vnsitly change to fleece for that they study to exact the temporalities from their subiects care not for feeding Chrysost. I haue thought that there was no meanes to remedy it but by the holding of a generall Councell and seeing that contrary to the intention of the Decree of the Councell of Constance they had let passe aboue thirty yeares without holding of a Councell and that the Decrees of that of Basil were not obserued nor executed hauing often conferred with the Cardinals at Rome and found that the mischiefe was neglected I addrest my selfe to the Senate of Basill as the most conuenient place to make my good intentions knowne and if I haue therein erred I submit my self to the iudgment of the Emperour the French King the Councel and take the Vniuersity of Paris for my aduocate protesting that I had neuer any intent to offend the Pope neither can be called a Slanderer hauing truth for a warrant of that which I speake beseeching that I may haue three daies respite giuen me to answer more pertinenly to that which is obiected against me Hereunto the Frier replyed that if there were any disorder in the Church there were doctors to teach and correct whose doctrine they shold rather follow then their maners and actions y The doctrine may be good the life bad If the Pastor liues wel it is his profit if hee teach well it is thine take that which is thâ—e meddle not with another mans A bad and barren ground may beare gold and that it did not belong to him to vndertake the correction And for that in this Discourse hee shewed his wilfulnesse hee did summon the Senate of Basill to forbeare to protect him and to apprehend him prisoner The Nuncios and Commissioners deputed by the Pope made the like instance saying that they could not refuse him vnto the Pope who was his lawfull Iudge The Senate of Basil referred the dicition of this businesse to the next Councell The Popes Nuncio and other Deputies were there and the Arch-bishop appeared where the contention was long and vrged with great vehemency and affection of either part z In the Assembly of the Senate of Basile on Saturday the 21 of December 1483. the Archbishop of Krane was arested prisoner when as they consulted whether they should do it The Embassadours of the Princes of Italy which were in league against the Pope would willingly haue had a Councell to humble the great heart of Sixtus Dispute of authority of the Pope and Councell saying that they should hold themselues to the Councell of Constance which had plainely decreed that the Pope should obey the Councell had prescribed him the time for the calling of a Councell and had bound him not to dispossesse Angelo Corrario who had carried the name of Gregory the twelfth from the dignity of Cardinall or Legat That the same doctrine of the Councell of Constance had beene followed and practised in that of Basile a The Councell of Constance in the fourth SessioÌ„ made a Decree declaring that it represented the Vniuersall Church and had power immediately from God the which euery man was bound to obey yea the Pope himselfe that if they tooke away that constancy which was necessary for the obseruation of their decrees they thrust the Church into distemperatures and languishings like vnto those bodies which haue their sinewes strained and their members and bones displaced The Popes Ministers said on the other side that the Church was a perfect Monarchy that she had not her beginning from Dauid Alexander Augustus nor Fredericke neither did she acknowledge any other establishment that the Church did not depend of any other Iudge but of God That euen the Councell assembled at Sinuesseâ— would not forcibly condemne that poore Idolatrous Pope who since was held for a great Saint and who by a wonderfull weaknesse and base feare of death had obeyed the impiety of Dioclesiaâ— and sacrificed to his Gods for prostrating himselfe vpon the ground confessing his fault one of the Fathers of the Councell b In this History of Marcelline wee finde often that the Bishops said Iudica causam tuamnostro iudicio non condemnaberis that after his confession one of them sayes Iuste ore suo condemnatus est ore suo Anathema suscepit Maranatha Quoniam ore suo condemnarus est nemo enim vnquam iudicauit Pontificem nec praeâ—ul Sacerdotem suum quoniam prima sedes non iudicabitur a quoquam tooke the word saying he had iustly condemned himselfe by his owne mouth hee hath submitted himselfe to excommunication Neuer any one did iudge the Pope for the first Seate is not to be iudged by any That the Councell of Constance binding Popes to the execution of his decrees had respect onely to Anti-popes and not to them whose election was holy and lawfull When as some said that the first Seate was not to bee iudged by any one the others replyed that it was vnderstood of priuate Assemblies and not of a generall Assembly of the whole Church The day was spent in these long Disputes and night approaching Cinthius of Vrsin Commander of Saint Iohn of Ierusalem entred the Senate layd hold vpon the Arch-bishop and led him away prisoner to the Tower of Spalen The Senate was much offended and commanded the Popes Nuntio to depart the Towne seeing that his charge was ended He retired himselfe and caused new Declarations and Excommunications against them of Basill to bee published at Rahnfield Constant and other places forbidding all sortes of persons to conuerse with them The prisoner in the meane time languishing in expectation of what should become of him tooke the shortest course for his liberty and iudging that if he liued in
vpon Earth which is the Realme of FRANCE whereof many Princes and Kings our Predecessors haue beene so Great Vertuous and Valiant as they haue purchased the name of The Most Christian King c The Kings of France cary the Title of Most Christian since Clovis Charles the Bald is called Most Christian in his Coronation Pope Innocent Honorius the 3 d. in their Bulles to King Philip Augustus and to Lewis the eighth called them Most Christian. The Apostolike Legate and three Bishops named in their Letters write that the Realme of France is Most Christian. Du. Tillet as well for reducing many great Countries and diuers Nations inhabited by infidels to the good Catholicke Faith rooting Heresies and Vices out of our said Realme and maintaining the Holy Apostolicke sea and the holy Church of GOD in their Rights Liberties and Freedomes as for doing many other goodly deedes worthy of eternall memory so as some are held for Saints liuing in the glorious company of GOD in his Paradise which our Realme and other our Countreyes and Signiories we haue thankes bee to GOD so well entertained defended and gouerned as wee haue augmented and enlarged it of all sides by our great care and diligence and by the aid also of our good faithfull and Loyall Officers Seruants and Subiects notwithstanding that soone after our comming to the Crowne the Princes and Noble-men of our Bloud and Linage and other great Noble-men d The Princes and Noble-men of the League were Charles of France the Kings Brother Iohn of Anjou Duke of Lorraine and Calabria Iohn Duke of Alencon Charles of Bourgondy Earle of Charolois Iohn Duke of Bourbon Francis Duke of Brittanie Iames of Armaignac Earle of Marche and of Castres Duke of Nemours Iohn Earle of Armaignac his vncle Iohn Earle of Dunois and of Longueville Bastard of Orleans Lewis of Luxembourg Earle of S. Pol. Charles Lord of Albert father to great Alain and Anthony of Chabannes Earle of Dammartin of our said Realme or the greatest part of them had conspired plotted and attempted against vs and the Common-weale of our said Realme many great practises treasons and conspiracies so as by meanes thereof there hath followed so great warres and diuisions as it hath caused a wonderfull effusion of humane bloud ruine of Countries and the desolation of multitudes of people the which hath continued since our said comming vnto this present day and is not yet fully quenched but may after the end of our dayes reviue and continue long if some good order and course be not taken Wherefore hauing regard hereunto and to the age wherein wee are and to the certaine infirmity wherein wee are fallen for the which wee haue beene in great deuotion to visite the glorious body of Saint Claude so as with the helpe of our Creator wee are much amended and haue recouered health Wee therefore resolued concluded and determined after the returne of our said voyage to see our most deere and well-beloued sonne Charles Dauphin of Vienna and to instruct him in many notable things e Happy are those Princes which learn the formes of Gouerning well by the examples and instructions of their fathers Leon receiued them from the Emperour Basillius and Philip Augustus from Saint Lewis For if the highest knowledge of a Prince bee to know his Estate the knowledge cannot bee more faithfull nor certaine then from those which haue the experience The Booke of the Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenete for the Instruction of his sonne associated to the Empire the which is now remaining in the Kings Library is onely vpon this subiect and as Monsteur Casaubon who hath it in keeping writes in an eloquent Epistle vpon Polybius Sciebat vetus regnandi Princeps ad negotia gerenda in quibus Repub. salus continetur illud adprimè defiderari vtingenia hominum probè nota sint quibus cum agitur siue illi sint subditi siue amici siue socij siue hostes The Prince who was old in Gouernement knewe well that in matters which concerned the safety of the Common-weale it was chiefly to bee desired that the Dispositions of men with whom they are to deale bee well knowne bee they Subiects Friends Allies or Enemies for the direction of his life in good manners gouernement entertainement and conduct of the Crowne of France if it please God hee come vnto it after vs. For the accomplishing whereof after our returne from our said voyage into our Towne of Ambois wee went into the Castle of the said place where our said sonne the Dauphin was whom we haue alwayes caused to bee kept and bred vp there where in the presence of a certaine number of Nobleblemen and Ladies of our Bloud and Linage and other great Personages men of our Councell Captaines and Officers both to vs and said sonne wee haue called our said sonne before vs and haue caused those words and Remonstrances which followed to be deliuered vnto him First after a recitall made by vs of the aforesaid things or of the greatest part of them to our said sonne wee haue let him vnderstand how much wee desire that after vs he might with the aid of God come vnto the Cromne of France his true Inheritance and that he might so gouerne and maintaine it as it might bee to his honour and praise and to the profite and vtility of the Subiects of his Realme Dauphiné and other Countries and Signiories and of the Common-weale f This Instruction regards onely the setling of the Princes affaires and doth not extend vnto the duties of Conscience nor to those vertues which edifie Kings Piety and Iustice. But to what end so many Instructions To make a Princes conduct happy wee must wipe these wordes out of his minde If it please it is lawfull If it may bee it shall bee A good Prince should not will any thing but what hee ought Caesar◠cum omnia licent propter hoc minus licet vt foelicitatis est posse quantum velis sic magnitudinis velle quantum possis vel potius quantum debeas For that all things are lawfull to Caesar therefore they are the lesse lawfull As it is a happinesse to doe what thou wilt so it is a greatnesse not to will any thing but what thou mayest or rather what thou oughtest Plin. Paneg. Traja Item That if it pleased God to work his will on vs and that our son should come vnto the Crowne of France wee haue commanded and enioyned him as a father may doe his sonne that he shall gouerne himselfe and the said Realme Dauphiné and Countries by the Councell and aduice of our kinsmen Lords of our Bloud and Linage and other Noblemen Barons Knights Captaines and wise men of our Councell and especially of those whom he shall know and finde to haue beene good and faithfull to the deceased our most honored Lord and Father whom God absolue to vs and to the Crowne of France that haue been vnto vs good and
returne to Amboise not holding if fit that this new Sonne should rise before the West of his life This great reioycing of all France did but augment his heauinesse to see himselfe forced to quit the place vnto his sonne All the helpes which the Art of man could inuent were imployed He caused the holy Oile to be brought l This Vyall of holy Oile was seene by Philip de Commines vpon the Cupbord in the Kings Chamber at Plessis at the houre of his death Others baue written that the gaue vp the Ghost as it arriued the Clergy of Paris the Court of Parliament the Vniuersity and other Companies went in Procession the last day of Iuly 1483. to meete it at Saint Anthonies in the field it was lodged that night in the holy Chappell and the next day passed on and was followed with the same company vnto our Lady in the fields Phillip de Commines saith that he had an intent to take the like vnction that he did at his Coronation Others haue written that it was to know the declining of his life for when the King is dead it is empty and filleth againe miraculously for the Coronation of a new On Monday the 25. of August he fell into that extremity of sickenesse which ended his daies Last actions of Lewis the eleuenth and forced him to acknowledge himselfe not onely mortall and dying but as death At that time he sent vnto his sonne all such as came to see him saying vnto them Go vnto my sonne your King serue him well giuing to euery one some charge to deliuer vnto him but most confidently to Stephen de Vers Baliffe of Meaux who had bene his Gouernour He sent vnto him also his chiefe Officers the Chancellour with his Seales and all his traine the Captaines and Archers of his Guard his Hunts-men and Faulkeners But his intent was not to suffer them long there if hee recouered his health as assuredly as he felt his courage firme and his iudgement strong the braine not being troubled with the maligne fumes of his infirmity for he had a continuall loosenesse So wee see that the soule in this seperation of the lodging wherein it hath beene shut and whereof it hath great cause to complaine m 〈…〉 of the 〈…〉 some guest the soule complainâ—s of the body 〈◊〉 of a troublesome lodging Vt qui in alieno habitant multis aguntur in commodis semperque de aliqua domicilij parte queruntur Ita animus nunc de capite nunc de pedibus nunc de stomacho nonc aliud de alioqueritur significans se esse non in suo domicâ—o sed vnde breui sit emigrandum As they that dwell in another mans house haue many discommodities and doe still complaine of some part of it So the soule doth complaine sometimes of the head of the legs of the stomacke and other parts shewing that she is not in her own mansioan but froÌ„ whence she must soone depart SeÌ„ recouereth new strength by the ioy which it conceiues to re-enter into this spheare of her rest She disposeth saith a great man of this age more wisely and more holily of all things fore-seeth more certainely that which is to come fore-telleth it and doth prophecy for that shee beginnes to approach to her first beginning to be ioyned againe to that immortall being and to participate with the life eternall Soone after hee fell into great faintings which made him to loose his speech but he recouered it to will the Duke of Bourbon to go vnto the King his sonne and that hee should haue a care of him Commandements extraordinary of the King charging him with many extraordinarie things the which had caused terrible accidents if they had encountred a froward and difficult spirit Philip de Commines in this place speakes what hee thinkes good and confirmeth his opinion by the euents Hee gaue him all the charge and gouernement of the King and commanded him that some men should not come neere him telling him many good and not able causes and if the Lord of Beaujeu had obserued his commandements in euery point or at least in part for there were some extraordinary coÌ„mandements which were not to be kept that in the generality be had obserued theÌ„ better I think it had been profitable both for the Realme and himselfe considering those things which haue since happened n Phi. de Com. doth notâ— heere the diuâ—sioâ—which was betwixt the Lady Anne of France and the D. of Orleance whereof he hath not written any thing in the câ—urse of the history A diuision which caused the Assembly of the Estates at Tours and then of a league whose first attempts appeared before Orleance the second ended in Brittany by the battell of Saint Aubin the 28. of Iuly 1488. and by the taking of the Duke of Orleans This commandement of the King incountering a spirit which was milde tractable and temperate had not the effects it should haue had Bounty and mildenesse are sometimes negligent in matters which require heate and quickenesse This Prince was one of the best of his age being nothing but mildenesse and courtesie The more rare these qualities are in Princes o Humility and courtesie are goodly qualities in great men Humanitas tam clara in imperatore quam rara est Nam quum indiscreta felicium predissequa sit superbia vix cuiquam contingit abundare fortuna indigere arrogantia Cuius quidem ita maiores nostros semper praetesum est vt grauiorem semper putaueâ—nt sâ—ruitutae contemptum Humanity is as glorious as rare in an Emperour For as arrogancy is an indiscreeet 〈…〉 to fortune it seldome happens that any one abounds with good fortune and wants arrogancy The which was alwaies so hatefull to our fore-fathers as they held contempt more grieuous then seruitude Lat. Pac. Pan. the more excellent they are arrogancy neuer faileth in them who haue no wants and pride doth alwaies follow felicity It is a miracle to see a great Prince courteous milde and affable Rome found not any Surname more odious for the last of her Kings then that of Proud and comprehended in that word all the vices for the which she changed the forme of her gouernment and supprest the Royalty in despite of the King Yet the mildenesse and facillity of this Prince gaue a great foundation to the troubles which happened for the Regency of the Realme The King had often said in his life time Lewis the 11. would not haue theÌ„ speake of death vnto him that in what extremity soeuer they saw him they should neuer pronounce that word of death vnto him p These feares which happen at the dissâ—lution of such sweete company as the body and the soule cometh not through faihtnes of heart or want of courage this word Death hath drawne words of griefe from the soule of the Son of God it hath made the heart of the most constant to treâ—ble
They might forbid them that were no Gentlemen to carry Armes which were not fit for their profession or for Gentlemen to carry any other Crests then their Fathers had done or to open the Helmet or to crowne them without permission It was also their duty to keepe the Blason of Armes of Houses u There were great considerations in the forme of Scutchions and in the Crests of Armes A Knights Scutchion might bee cut square or voided at his pleasure wherevnto a Crest was added taken out of part of the Armes and the Helmet shut and standâ—ng straight A Squires Scutchion was round like vnto a Rondache and had had no Crest but his Helmet onely shut turned on the one side to haue recourse vnto them vpon any dispute that might growe vpon differences and conformities Office of Heralds at Armes They kept a Register of the Deuices and Colours of Soueraigne Houses as White for France Blacke for England Red for Bourgondy Blewe for Savoy Yellow for Lorraine and Greene for Anjou The King at Armes in the house of Bourgondy had a care that such as were made noble should not carry a field gueles for that it was the colour reserued for the Prince This house did greatly obserue the Respects and Ceremonies of a Soueraigne pompe Magnificence of the house of Bourgondy When the Duke did eate at any solemne Feast besides all the ordinary state of Kings he had behinde him the Kings at Armes and Heralds with their Coates and Crownes and before him were set at a low Table two Vshers and two Sergeants with their Maces who had alwayes their eyes vpon his to execute his commandements vpon the least signe he should make yea to take the greatest prisoners which could not be taken else-where These Charges haue beene contemned by the contempt of persons which haue not desired them but to couer the indignity of their birth In former times they were not held but by Gentlemen whose honour carried them vnto dangers with the same courage that they which are lesse generous flye from them They had the guard of the Kings Chamber and had that charge which since the Archers of the Guard haue x The Sâ—rgeanâ—s at Armes by day carried a Mace before the King and guarded his Chamber by night and therfore du Tillet thinkes that they held the place of the Archers of the guard They shewed good proofe of their valour at the battell of Bouuines vnder Philip Augustus by reason whereof Saint Lewis did build the Church of Saint Katherine du Val des Escoliers and King Charles the fifth appointed the brotherhood there whereas at this day many Tombes are to bee seene which haue preserued the ancient forme of their habit and Armes That which Philip de Commines obserues of a Gascon which came into the place where as the King was at the stoole with three or foure confirmes this opinion of the small care hee had of the formes befitting Maiesty for although there were no Vshers at the doores Duty of Chamberlaines yet this facility to enter euen into the Cabinet was dangerous His Predecessors had prouided for it and the Chamberlaines were bound y The first care of the kings person belongs to the Lord Chamberlaine he was bound to lye at the Kings feete wheÌ„ the Queen was not present and so Peter Lord Chamberlaine to the king S. Lewis was buried at Saint Denis at his maisters feet as hee serued him liuing And at this day in the Assembly of the Estates when as the King sits in Iustice the Lord Chamberlaine sits at his feet by the duty of this charge not to suffer it but hee contemned it all the time of his reigne vntill the end when hee was more carefull of it then was needfull passing from a great facility and confidence to a rigorous seuerity and distrust to keepe his gates shut wee finde these words very remarkeable in the Ordonance of King Philip the long After the care of the soule they must not bee so negligent of the body as through negligence or bad guard any perils arriue especially when for one person many troubles may happen Wee therefore ordaine and doe therewith especially charge our Chamberlaine that no vnknowne person nor boy of poore estate enter into our Wardrope nor lay their hand nor bee at our bed making and that they suffer not any strange sheetes to bee layd on And wee command the Steward of our house that our Pantrie or Kitchin and all other Offices of our house bee so well and carefully kept as no danger may arriue and these things wee will haue obserued in the houses of our Company and of our Children The other precept of Maiesty Great Offices shold not be hereditary is not to continue great Offices in one Family z The perpetuity of great charges is dangerous They that haue commanded long are loath to obey Antiquitas voluit Prouinciarum dignitatem amica successione reparaâ—i ne diutina potestate vnus insolesceret Antiquity would that the Gouernments of Prouinces should be supplyed yearely least that any one by a continuall command should grow insolent and to make them hereditary The Order and iustice of the state will that a distribution be made of those who by the quality of their birth or the greatnesse of their merite are capable The perpetuall Dictatorship did ouerthrow the state of Rome the great authority giuen to the Mayors of the Palace did ruine the first Family of our Kings To those that are ambitious of the same Offices their Predecessors enioyed wee should wish the like moderation and integretie that Quintus Fabius Maximus had who hauing beene fiue times Consull and vndergone many great charges intreated the Senate not to conferre that Honour vnto his sonne not that hee thought him vnworthie but that hee knewe well that the Common-weale should receiue preiudice by the perpetuity of great Offices in one Family a In an other occasion Quintus Fabius Maximus did shewe that in the election of great Charges there should be no respect had but of the publicke good hee would not consent that T. Octacilius who had married his wiues daughter should bee Consull for that hee held him not capable of that charge nor of courage to make head against Hanniball T. Liu. lib. 24. This was to loue the State more then himselfe Lewis the eleuenth tooke more delight then hee receiued content or profite to change his Officers often When as a place is executed worthily and profitably by any one his dismission is vniust and the Princes seruice is wronged Offices are to bee maintained if they be good for if the place bee not supplyed by a man of the like experience and sufficiencie the Common-weale is damnified b As the ruine of Families comes commonly from new seruants so the fall of Estates proceedes from new magistrates which enter into Offices without experience those that are new come beeing greedy of