silent full of darke thoughts and carry his light inward that will vindicate an injury and write Mihi vindictae litavi this is a sacrifice to Revenge Theodoric 2.15 King of France Anno 680. THeodoric alias Thierry the second of that name having beene called out of the Monastery by Ebroin who in the time that things were in a combustion and confusion through the death of Childeric went and assaulted Leudesie from whom hee recovered the Royall Finances Afterwards pursuing him he contrary to his promise caused him to be put to death and causing himselfe to bee re-estated in that dignity of which formerly hee had beene deprived persecuted all those that had any way opposed him filling all France with murtherous cruelties insomuch that he put to death Leger Bishop of Authun and his brother Guerin Whilst the Austrasians substituted Pepin Heristed Maire of the Palace of Austrasie in the place of Vlfoald and appoynted for his Coadjutor Martin his Cousen German sonne of Clodulphe second Sonne of S. Arnulph Whereof Ebroin being advertised went to give them battaile at a place called Locofic where Pepin was enforced to betake himselfe into Austrasie for safety and Martin to Laon From whence Ebroin upon his word given him in way of promise fetcht him out and caused him to be put to death Immediately hereupon Hermonfroy slew Ebroin and for refuge betooke himselfe to Pepin By the reason whereof Theodoric took to bee Maire of the Palace one named Waraton a man well advised who having beene supplanted and undermined by his sonne Gislemare who dyed shortly after entered into the State although hee kept it not long but dying left it in the hands and power of Bertaire who in such a high nature disgusted the Lords and Nobility of France that they withdrew their affection from him and there went namely Andramne and Reole to consult with Pepin for a Warre upon Theodoric the King and Bertaire who was neare Taxieres in Vermandois defeated and the said Bertaire slaine by some that pursued him Whereupon Theodoric made a peace with Pepin and gave him the office of Maire of his Palace as he already had that of Austrasie Pepin being desirous to compose the matters of Austracy in order instituted Norbert as his Lievtenant in France in his absence Afterwards he made his eldest sonne Drogon Duke of Campagne Pepin began to governe in France Anno Domini 687. Theodoric deceased 688. having reigned nineteene yeares beeing a wonderfull patient King and one that would not be moved with any small disaster that should have happened unto him either through the Divine Power or Humane Resistance Hee left behinde him three Sonnes Clovis Clotharius and Childebert This King being onely a picture of Soveraignty without any active motion Ne vixisse inutilis olim videatur left issue to shew that he had lived He sate like a patient man and beheld the Tragedies playd by the Mayres as they had beene a game of Tables untill Pepin wonne the set and Soveraignty of France This King was of a slow disposition not contemning but neglecting the World for if he had onely slighted earthly glory he would have violated Curius who when the Samniter brought him great store of Treasure as he was sitting by the fire side hee said Non aurum haberi praeclarum sibi videri dixit sed eis qui haberent aurum imperare He accounted it no glory to have store of Gold but to governe those that had store of gold This was a magnanimity of minde but a dejected minde in a Prince suffering a Subject to over-toppe him did not expresse the Courage of a Caesar or an Alexander that desir'd to bee Monarch◠of the whole world Clovis 3. the 16. King of France Anno 689. AFter the decease of Theodorick Clovis his eldest sonne began his Reigne in his minority Anno Domini 689 having Pepin for Mayre of his Palace who was surnamed Heristel sonne of Ansigise under whom France that heretofore seemed to bee divided and as it were dismembred seemed now to be as an entire body as formerly it had beene and began to recover its pristine lustre and honour which it had in a manner lost by the precedent divisions and intestine dissentions which also had given an occasion to the Aquitans and Gascognes to range apart under the government of one proper and peculiar Prince whom they styled Duke an occasion that Roderic of Toledo tooke to make mention of one called Loup who was about that time Clovis reigned according to the Contivator of Gregory of Tours Ado and Sigebert onely foure yeares although Aimoynus through the default of Writers acknowledgeth but two yeares And it seemes that in his time the Saxons and Swedes who upon the occasion of the precedent Warres by the succession of times had withdrawne themselves out of the obedience to the French were by Pepin summoned to their duty And because they made him know that they would not performe any such thing but upon compulsion hee passed over the Rhine with an Army against them wherewith hee gave them such downe-right knocks that he beate them into a subjection according to his desire By the meanes whereof France for some space of time continued in peace recovering by little and little its authority and renowne amongst other Nations and strangers Wherefore Clovis had no leasure to enjoy a long content because hee dyed although young as it is said leaving the succession to his brother Childebert An. Dom. 692. The place of his death or interrment is not mentioned in any Authors This King reigned but foure yeares and therefore his Character may bee drawne by the Embleme of the Sunne rising with a faire and cleare aspect but presently over-cast with thick clouds having this Motto Orior morior As the Sunne which fairely rose Is hid with clouds that doe enclose The cleare beames while that it doth shew A sorrow weeping teares of dew So this King rose to a Crowne And setting soone in death went down Leaving the Spheare of Majesty His Motto this I rose to dye Childebert 2. the 17. King of France Anno 692. After the death of Clovis his brother Childebert succeeded him and reigned according to all Authours 17. or 18. yeares except Ado who alloweth him but 13. Neverthelesse it seemeth that it was in his time that Pepin made warre upon Rathod Duke of Frizeland who was as yet a Pagan and an Idolater so that he being overthrowne Pepin would not grant him any conditions of peace unlesse he would permit a Monke called Wilebrot aliâs Clement a learned and vertuous man might freely give instructions to the Frizons in the Christian Religion which for the most part was generally approved and liked by the people but the Nobles and chiefe men remained and continued in their ancient errour together with their Prince Moreover that Pepin was a man accomplished and of singular parts yet contrary to the Lawes of Marriage he was so much taken with the fond love
of a Gentlewoman called Alpaide that hee utterly loathed his wife Plectrude By reason whereof Lambert Bishop of Vtrecht or as some report Liege a man of a holy life boldly undertooke to lay open his sinne unto him although he had restored him to his See Episcopall whereof Ebroin had deprived him Whereupon Alpaide was so much enraged that shee instigated her brother Dodon to kill him but he and his associates received a reward due for such a demerite and murther Pepin on the other part hearing that Norbert his Lieutenant of Maireship of France was deceased substituted his second sonne Grimoald in the place and caused him to marry Thendesinde Daughter of Rathbod Duke of Frizeland About five yeares after Drogon the sonne of Pepin Duke of Champagne dyed as Ado noteth Anno Dom. 708 but according to Sigebert 699 whose estates were by Pepin given to his sonne Thibault after that seeing the Swedes to rebell against Childebert under the conduct of Villarius he sent Anepos Bishop against them with a powerfull Army which overthrew them saith Ado Childebert deceased An. Dom. 710 having reigned 17. yeares leaving issue Dagobert Clowis and Daniel That which is chiefly observable in this King was his dotage on Alpaide ◠faire beautifull Gentlewoman whom he loved beyond all respect of himselfe letting his Fame bleed to death wounded with a bad report for his incontinent life For that King that is addicted to the love of a woman hath all his senses so charmed that he understands nothing but his pleasure and is quite given over to follow his owne wicked desires For Est infoelicius quà m meretrice nihil A Whore may well compared be Vnto a Garden of misery He that doth both touch and taste Her fruite doth unto death make haste And hee that endeavours to make a King see his owne vice does alwaies perish in the attempt resembles Virgil◠poore Gnat which the shepheard killed with clapping his hand against his face while he strove to wake him So Bishop Lambert that would have wak'd the King was by Alpaides plot and the Kings consent murdered Dagobert 2. the 18. King of France Anno 710. DAgobert the eldest sonne of Childebert began his Reigne Anno Dom. 710 according to Trithemius Ado and Aventine not as Sigebert would have it 716. There is not any memorable thing by Pepin done in his time found or read recommendable to posterity but onely the death of Grimoald Maire of the Palace of France which was Anno Dom. 714 in April who was miserably slaine by a Souldier a Frizelander in the Church of St. Lambert belonging to the See of Liege whither he went to visite his father Pepin then lying sicke in his bed whereof he dyed the same yeare about the midst of December having executed both the Maireships with great honour for the space of 27. yeares and a halfe after he had surrogated Thibault to his sonne Grimoald to be Maire He resigned the Mayery of Austrasie to a naturall sonne of his called Charles whom he had by his Concubine Alpaide already perceiving in him the signes of a great Generosity which enabled him for such a charge although hee were but yet very young Which gave an occasion to Plectrude the lawfull wife of Pepin cunningly to surprize him and to imprison him in the City of Cologne as well for the Novercall jealousie she◠had of him as for having meanes also to ruine the estate of Austrasie as also of France being in the hands of her younger sonne Thibault assuring herselfe that the managing of businesses would passe well enough under his name But the Frenchmen not willing to be governed by a Woman being grieved also that the office of the Maire should be hereditary which formerly had beene by Election made an insurrection against Thibault whom they forced to flye into the Forrest Cocie After that they chose Ranfroy for Mayre The same yeare 714. Dagobert dyed having reigned 5. yeares This King was disswaded from the love of Alpaide by Lambert Bishop of Vtrect whom this cruell Dame in revenge caused to be slaine by her brother Dodon strucke after the acting this Murder with a disease of wormes the stench whereof he being not able to endure threw himselfe headlong into the River of Menze See here a punishment to affright the sinfull soule a King that had before lived in a most voluptuous manner that made a Whore the Center of all his thoughts thinking all happinesse to be contained within that circumference having lost his reason and being wholly governed by a petty-coat what a sad and fatall end did he meete withall For pleasure comes with a faire alluring face tempting to taste of her Circes Cup but when shee turnes her backe she hath a ragged ugly shape which offends the sight and brings the mind to sad repentance This King had highly sinned and now wormes began to be bold with him and eate his living flesh so that corruption did not follow after death but contrary to nature hee rotted and corrupted while he lived untill the worme of conscience tormented his soule a miserable death attending a bad life Clotharius the 4 19 King of France Anno 719. CLotharius the fourth sonne of Theodoric who was the fifteenth King of France was brother to the Kings Clovis the third and Childebert the second and Uncle to Dagobert the second and by the plots of Charles Martel upon the decease of Dagobert was made King For hee perceiving that the greatest part of the French had constituted King a certaine Daniel a man of the Royall blood whom they had drawne out of the Monastery and nominated him Chilperic the second he by force of Armes having valiantly fought it out in the field and victoriously overthrowne them as hereafter shall be mentioned made himselfe Master of all France and from thenceforth Charles Martel against his will was made King But he knowing that the French that could not containe themselves without a King and would not admit any to the Title but those of the Royall blood knowing also himselfe not so descended he caused this Clotharius to be Crowned King as the next of blood not that hee thought him worth such a dignity as that of a Kingdome but for a gaining of authority by this faire pretext and for the transferring of the Crowne of France by little and little to his Children which afterwards came to passe For under the name of Clotharius Charles Martel did what he pleased which so fortunately succeeded daily that by this meanes he made a scaling-Ladder for his sonne Pepin to the Crowne So that Clotharius the fourth was made but an imaginary or titulary King who did not any thing worthy of memory because hee reigned not above two yeares or little longer and in the time of his reigne all France was in great Factions and Divisions by the reason of so many pretendants to the Office of Maire of the Palace also that Charles Martel had after him the
into England to his brother The yeare following the King with the greatest part of his Nobility upon the encouragement of the Popes Legate addressed himselfe to goe against the Albigenses and Tholosans to encounter whom he led his Army and encamped on Witsun Eve before Avignon which he tooke passing further hee received the keyes of all the Townes Places and Castles of Languedoc as farre as within foure leagues of Tholouze where through the incommodity of the winter and maladies which much weakned his Army he retreated and wintered in France with an intent of returning thither the Spring following to accomplish his enterprize But his death prevented him at Montpensier in Avergne the twelfth day of November 1226. leaving Lewis Charles Alphonse and Robert his sonnes all very young and in their minority of yeares This King reigned but three yeares in whom Vice had struck no reproach nor Vertue had made him famous whereby it seemes that his minde was of a middle temper not so poore is to become impious or wicked nor so well bent and enclined to noble actions that hee would strive to get Fame by his owne vertue therefore he was onely famous in this That hee was Sonne to an excellent Father and Father to an excellent sonne In his reigne the Counsell of Lateran was assembled whither resorted all the chiefe Bishops of Christendome and Embassadours sent from Kings and Princes After Lewis had subdued the Albigeois and left Governour to suppresse any rebellion which should happen for the affection of conquerd people is treacherous who doe watch only an opportunity to revolt hee came to Mount Pensier in the yeare 1225. October the seventh and there resigned his life and Scepter leaving a faire progeny having foure sonnes who were flourishing Branches of the Royall stemme the eldest whereof was heire unto his Fathers Crowne but inherited more vertue than his Father gave him by naturall discent The Flemings were now much disquieted by an Imposture pretending that he was their Prince some were drawne to beleeve his claime untill by putting him to death the people were better satisfied and cleerely discerned that his right was meere fixion maintained by boldnesse as that Scene was wherein Parkin Werbecke in England plaid the same part S. Lewis 9. the 44. King of France Anno 1226. THis Lewis the 9. at the age of 12. yeares succeeded his Father An. Dom. 1226. Hee was consecrated at Rheims by the Arch-bishop of Sens in the absence of him of Rheims Blanch taking of possession of her sonne Lewis confirmed herselfe Regent of the Kingdome with the consent of the States whereupon the Princes in a rage proclaimed Philip Count of Bologne Unkle to the King by the Fathers side Regent of France which was a cause of great dissentions Shee brought through the sweetnesse of her words Robert Count of Dreux into the Kings obedience But the Duke of Bretagne and the Count of Champagne with the King of England were enforced to acknowledge the King on condition that the Breton should doe homage to the King for his Dutchy whereupon he was surnamed Mauclarke Hee having out-growne his minority Anno Dom. 1234. espoused Magaret the eldest Daughter of Raymund Berenger Count of Provence and after erected the Countrey of Artois into a County or Earledome which he gave to his brother Robert who was the first Earle thereof Hee made a voyage into the Holy Land where he tooke Damietta after hee had overthrowne the Mamelucks and from thence marching to beleaguer Massaure the plague grew amongst his Army which caused the Soldan of Aegypt to charge him so strongly that he was taken and most of his Army slaine neverthelesse hee was freed upon the re-delivery of Damietta About that time Blanch Mother to the King deceased which caused the King immediately to returne into France after he had composed all matters in Palestine Being returned hee studied to polish and embellish his Kingdome with good and holy Lawes Hee made an accord with the King of England who by that renounced all the right which hee pretended to the Kingdome of France and the Dutchy of Normandy About that time Charles brother to the King conquered both the Sicilyes whereof hee was crowned King An. Dom. 1266. The King Lewis made a second voyage for the recovery of the Holy Land together with the King of England Hee went first into Africke where he tooke Carthage and at the siege of Tunes hee departed this life Anno Domini 1270. Hee was canonized after his death for the holinesse of his life Hee founded the holy Chappell at the Palace at Paris wherein he placed many holy Reliques This King being asked by his Lords what Title of honour he would assume as the Roman Emperours and Kings of France in remembrance of their Acts and Victories had formerly done hee answered My greatest victory was obtained against the Devill when I was baptized in the Church of Poissi and therefore it shall be my greatest honour to be called Lewis of Poissi His familiar Letters wherein hee did not entitle himselfe King of France but Lewis of Poissi being blamed by a private friend hee said I am like a Twelfe-tide King chosen with a Beane and keeping his Feast in the Evening intimating thereby his Election to another Crowne in the Kingdome of Heaven which second Coronation should be in the Evening and end of his life Having caused a swearer and blasphemer to be branded on the lips with a hot Iron whereat the people murmur'd he said he would undergoe the same punishment conditionally that oaths and blasphemies might be no more used in his kingdom He sitting in Counsell or beginning any action would according to his Mothers instruction in his infancy blesse himselfe with the signe of the Crosse And lastly he gave unto his son Philip these instructions at his death My Sonne love God with all thy heart with all thy strength and with all thy soule offend not God in any case suffer any torment rather than sinne Beare all adversity patiently acknowledging that God hath sent it unto thee deservedly Make thy Confession often to some Minister of the Church heare diligently the divine service sung in the Church of God Keepe the good customes of thy Kingdome carefully abolishing those which are evill Impose no Taxes on thy Subjects but upon great occasion Favour those that feare GOD love Justice and hate Covetousnesse Let not thy Judgeâ— be impartiall against thy Subjects Keepe the Cities and Townes gotten by thy Predecessors preferre good and sufficient men to Benefices and Offices Be an Example to thy Subjects moderate the expences of thy Court and so God blesse thee These were the good instructions which this godly Monarch gave unto his Sonne for the leading of an upright life and to abandon all worldly delights and pleasures so as hee might both please God and be a patterne to his inferiours Philip 3. the 45. King of France Anno 1271. AFter the decease of S. Lewis Philip the
quarrell for the ill usage of his Sister Clotilda which Alarick hee slew neare to Toledo and tooke that City and upon his returne he reduced Gascogny to his obedience chasing the Visigoths backe againe into Spaine by this meanes making the Frenchmen sole possessors of both the Gaules excepting one part of Provence which for a time remained in the hands and power of the Ostrogoths of Italy Childebert upon his returne from Spaine went with Clotharius to beate Gondemar out of his Kingdome which was divided betweene them as also that of Orleans was after the slaughter of the children of their brother Clodamire except Claudius that made an escape About that time Theodobald King of the Ostrogoths of Italy yeelded up all the possessions they had in Provence into the power of the French to the end that they should joyne forces with him against Belisarius Captaine Generall of the Army of the Emperour Justinian in Italy in the interim that Childebert and Theodobert through ambition were in an ill course against Clotharius but these being reconciled by the Nobility of the Countrey Childebert and Clotharius went into Spaine and surprised Saragoca Afterwards upon a plot of Cranne a Nephew of his hee made Warre upon Clotharius who being too eager and earnest to scoure the Field and cleare him of hiâ— Enemies hee dyed in the 45. yeare oâ— his Reigne Anno Domini 558 and according to Sigebert Aymoynus 49. Hee lyeth inhumed at St. Germans dâ—â— prez This King was much troubled by his Brethren with whom he had a divided power and ruled as the chiefe King But Soveraignty admits no Partners for Royall power like an entire streame fed by the Spring whence it descended will not mingle with other Titles buâ— doth maintaine an absolute and undenyed Prerogative His troublesomâ— Reigne concluded with his fatall death for he was slaine by a wilde Bull which he hunted the manner of his death being an Embleme of his life for in his life hee persu'd wilde imaginations and vaine desires untill this sad mischance layd him to rest in a Grave to shew the vanity of humane designes which are so soone strooke dead such is the glory of this World There is no vertue in this life except it be to love the thing that is to be beloved and to love that â—s Prudence and not to be moved or troubled for any matter of molestation that is Fortitude nor for any matter of Flattery and delight that is Temperance nor for pride that is Justice Clotharius 1. the seventh King of France Anno 559. CLotharius the third legitimate Sonne of King Clovis having reigned 45. yeares at Soissons which is now called the Belgick Gaule upon the decease of his Brother Childebert who dyed without issue Males was proclaimed the 7. King of Franceâ— which his Sonne Cranne perceiving as being now destitute of the support of his Uncle Childebert by whose assistance he managed strong Warres against this his owne Father came and cryed him mercy But hee made so mall use of his fathers Grace and goodnesse that hee committed againe a new Fellony and Rebellion against him And when his latter proceedings began to bee worse and worse in successe than before hee fled to Conobre or as others say Canabo Prince and Count of the Bretons who entertained him and undertooke to secure him ftom his Father Whereupon his Father Clotharius with his Army invaded that Countrey where they joyned Battaile wherein the Bretons lost the Field their Prince being slaine in the place and Cranne taken Prisoner whom his Father caused to be shut up in a house and together with his Wife and children to bee all burnt to death But Clotharius being the last of the Sonnes of King Clovis dyed that same day twelve-month that he justly had caused his sonne Cranne and his to be burnt in the 51 yeares of his being a King Anno Dom. 563. leaving behind him foure sonnes who againe divided the French Monarchy into the former Tetrarchyes insomuch that that of Paris befell to the eldest named Cherebert or Charibert Soissons to Chilperic Orleans with the Kingdome of Burgundy to Gontran and Austrasy to Sigebert with the Provinces on this side the Rhyne but before the partage or division aforesaid they fell all upon Chilperic in open Armes for the surrender of their Father Treasures which hee had already taken possession of and by them the City of Paris Whereupon it seemes that hee tooke it to heart and ever after maliced his brothers especially Sigisbert who had beene the motive as Paulus Diaconus saith that the Hunns made warre against him This King at the time of his death said Vnach Anach How great is the King of Heaven that hath made subject unto death the greatest Kings and Princes of the world which speech discovered that his too much affection to the world made the approach of death comming to take off his upper garment of mortality more terrible whereas Mors aequo pulsat pede pauperum tabernas regumque turres sceptra ligonibus aequat Death impartially knocks at Poore Cottages and the Court gate And equally he bringeth downe Vnto the grave the King and Clowne To satisfie Pope Eugenius and for feare of Excommunication for killing Gawler of Quetot his servant hearing divine Service in his Chappell hee exempted the Lords of Quetot from homage and service due to the King thereby to expiate his bloody offence But although his life was very bad and vicious and blotted with many impieties yet in sicknes his soule recover'd some health by a free acknowledging his sinne saying That his onely hope and confidence waâ— in Gods mercy Cherebert 8. King of France Anno 564. AFter the decease of Clotharius Cherebert his sonne was King of Paris Anno Dom. 564. Hee betooke himselfe to all the kindes and sorts of dishonest pleasures that his fancy suggested him Gregory of Tours takes no notice of his reigne because he governed not long neverthelesse this mention he makes of him that he was excommunicated by S. German Bishop of Paris for that hee had repudiated his lawfull wife Iugoberge that he might take another his brothers Chilperic and Gontran being no waies different in conditions But Sigisbert was an honourable and a vertuous Prince Cherebert dyed according to the report of Sigebert and the Chronicles of France in the ninth yeare of his reigne without issue or any notable memory worthy a King which was a cause of great controversie betweene his brothers concerning the succession which in the end proved a warre which according to Paulus Aemilius was of a long continuance neverthelesse although Gregory of Tours and Aimoynus have very confusedly spoken of that warre without designing or remarking the time that it begunne nor what time Cherebert dyed yet Gregory allowes that there was a sharing of the Kingdome According to whose Relations Tours Poitiers and Aniou fell to Sigisbert but what parts befell to the others is not mentioned expressely but onely this that
hope of Glory maketh vertuous Kings Henry 1. the 38. King of France Anno 1031. THis Henry succeeded his father Robert Anno Domini 1031. notwithstanding that his Mother Constance would have advanced her yonger sonne Robert to the Crowne by the favour of Baldwin Count of Flanders and Eude Count of Champagne But being come upon them by the ayde of the Duke of Normandy he constrained his brother to content himselfe with the Dutchy of Burgundy A while after Robert Duke of Normandy visiting the City of Jerusalem dyed at Nice in Bithynia by reason whereof Maugier Arch-bishop of Rouen and William Lord of Arques his brothers maintaining themselves to be true Heires raised great Warres against William the bastard-sonne of the said Duke by him instituted to bee his Heire which was a cause that the King sent the said William of Arques accompanied with a great number of the Nobility of Normandy and France to the Warres of Italy from whence they were recalled by George Maniaces Lievtenant for the Emperour of Greece to Poville and Calabria to employ them for the recovery of Sicily which the Saracens had now possessed upon promise of giving them a part About the yeare 1042 Thibault Count of Chartres and Stephen Count of Troyes fell into a quarrell with the King Henry whereupon hee first fell upon Stephen whom hee in a Battaile overthrew Afterwards hee deprived Galleran Count of Meulan who tooke their part of all his lands and annexed them to the Crowne and encouraged Godfrey surnamed Martel to make Warre upon Thibault whom hee tooke prisoner and enforced him to surrender up the Towne of Tours for his ransom After this the King went to visite the Emperour Henry at Mets where they confirmed the Alliance made betweene them which hee broke by supporting Thibault against the King who following the example of his Father resigned his Crowne to his eldest sonne Philip Anno Dom. 1059 being aged 7. yeares and caused him to bee crowned at Rheimes the 29. of May the same yeare the yeare following King Henry deceased leaving the young King and another sonne named Hugues under the tuition of Baldwin Count of Flanders He lyes at St. Denis This Kings reigne was somewhat troubled at the beginning to maintaine his Title to the Crowne given him by his Father but belonging of right to his eldest brother which bred swelling thoughts betweene the brethren the Mother maintaining the elders right An Army was prepared to end the difference whether the Fathers gift or right of inheritance were a better Title but the cause was tryed by the Sword for Robert whose right was then in question content with tame patience to loose it and so prevent the effusion of blood by his milde disposition doing himselfe injustice Whereupon agreement being made betweene Henry and Robert the Armies returned and peace was betweene the brothers concluded Afterward when hee following therein his Fathers example had seene his son firmely seated in the Throne Death discovered the love of his Subjects exprest in their mourning for his decease and was most honourably interred with the rest of his Predecessors having all the funerall Rites and Ceremonies which belonged to so high a Monarch to set forth the excellency of his Person His Reigne begun with some blustering troubles being opposed on every side which soone ended and his subjects felt the beames of favour shining most gently on them when this Sunne of Majesty was ready to descend and set which gave them great cause of lamentation and sorrow for his departure out of this world Philip 1. the 39. King of France Anno 1060. PHilip succeeded his Father Henry Anno Domini 1060 of whom Baldwin Count of Flanders tooke charge in regard of his tender infancy untill he came to riper yeares He perceiving that the Gascognes would mutinie led his forces against them under pretence of going against the Saracens and by this meanes hee dissipated the beginning of the seditions which were pullulating A whiâ—â— after Edward King of England dyed without issue having by will instituted William Duke of Normandy heire and successor to his Crowne which in vaine was opposed by Harald sonne of Godwin because he was slaine in a battaile which William gave him Baldwin Regent of France deceased about the yeare 1067 leaving the County of Flanders to Baldwin of Monts his eldest sonne at which times King Philip might be at the age of 15. or 16. yeares He marryed Berthe Daughter of the said Baldwin by whom having two children he divorced her and betooke himselfe to the Wife of Foulques Count of Anion whom in the end he dismissed and returned to Berthe Anno Domini 1095. Pope Vrban convocated a Councell in November at Clermont en Anvergne wherein the Pope upon the complaint of the Patriarch of Jerusalem and Peter the Hermite excited the greatest part of the Princes of France of whom were principall Hugh the Great brother to King Philip Robert Duke of Normandy brother to the King of England Godfrey of Bovillon who in the yeare 1089 had the Dutchy of Loraine given him with his two brothers Baldwin and Eustachius together with the Counts of Flanders and Tholouze of Bourges and Bloys to goe to Jerusalem which was taken in the yeare of our lord 1099 the 15. of July and was given to Godfrey of Loraine to defend and keepe it as Governour under the Title of a King After that hee tooke in Palestine after having slaine above five thousand Aegyptians in a battaile and seized upon the Port of Jaffe making hereby an end of the Warre Philip at the age of 57 deceased at Melun the 25. of July Anno Dom. 1109 and lyeth interred at St. Benets upon the Loire William the bastard Duke of Normandy having beene long sick of a great swelling in his belly this King Philip intending to make Warre against him sent him word that hee had laine long in Child-bed and that if he might know of his uprising hee would provide lights against his Churching To which scoffe the Duke return'd this answer That hee would come in person into France and have a solemne Masse sung at his Churching and that for Lights he would provide a thousand woodden Torches without waxe and a thousand Lances tipt with steele to fire those Torches meaning by the Torches Houses Townes and Villages by the Lances Souldiers to set them on fire The dissention betwixt England began in this Kings reigne and upon this occasion VVilliam the Conquerors sonnes Robert and Henry came to the King at Conflans upon Oise and playing there at Chesse with Lewis King Philips sonne the young Princes fell out and words drew on blows for Lewis called Henry the sonne of a Bastard and Henry strooke at him with the Chesse-boord and had slaine him if Robert had not stayd his fury Afterward Robert and Henry fled into Normandy where they complained of wrong and incensed many to take their part Afterward naturall affection made the Fathers embrace their
way for conquest as opinion of victory and learning is a great Engine in policy to bring about matters This King lost some reputation by his unchast Wife Elenor who following him to the Holy Land blotted her Fame with a sensuall imputation loving Saladin a Iester better than the King her Husband thereby shewing that lust is base and doth not regard either birth or honour Yet Lewis shewing the vertuousnesse of his minde and Noblenesse of disposition brought her backe in his owne Ship because he would not bee derided by any forraigne Prince but beeing safely landed he was much opprest with griefe in stead of casting her in the River which she had deserv'd he covered her shame and his owne by a divorce granted by a general counsell punishing her by shewing too much mercy while hee sought onely to be freed from the disgrace Philip 2. surnamed Augustus the 42. King of France Anno 1180. AFter the decease of Lewis 7 Philip 2. succeeded to the Kingdome Anno Domini 1180 out of which he chased the Jewes then there and by his prowesse and conquests acquired the name of Augustus and Conquerour He married Isabelle or Alice Daughter of Baldwin 4 Count of Flanders in favour of which Marriage hee resigned the County of Artois but afterwards taking upon him the cause of Lionor the Inheritrix of Elizabeth or Mabel Countesse of Flanders in the Counties of Vermandois and Valois against the Count Flamend who layd claime to the said Counties as being of the ancient stocke of Flanders hee tooke onely that of Vermandois leaving that of Valois to the said Flamend whereupon he being in an indignation went and performed homage to the King of Germany the eldest sonne of the Emperour for the County of Flanders Richard also Duke of Aquitaine second sonne of the King of England began to dis-acknowledge the King whereupon the King made warre against him and tooke some Townes from him but they were immediately accorded by the Popes Legate by whose perswasion they entred a League upon an expedition for the Holy-land But this agreement was incontinently broken upon new differences which happened betweene the Kings of England and France during which the King tooke into his possession the Counties of Mans and Tours whereupon King Henry of England tooke a conceite and dyed in the Castle of Chinon whereupon Richard his sonne undertaking the Kingdome marryed Adele Sister to King Philip and they both went to the Holy Land where arriving they tooke the Towne of Acre the twelfth of July 1191. After upon some jealousies conceived betweene them Philip returned into France leaving the charge of his Army to the Duke of Burgundy And because Philip Count of Flanders was deceased the King retained to himselfe the County of Artois which hee gave to Prince Lewis Whereupon England made warres against him which were ended by the death of Richard to whom John being substituted and losing the battaile at Bonnivel the King caused his sonne Lewis to be proclaimed King of England which hee afterwards left to Henry the sonne of John After that King Philip sent his sonne Lewis against the Albigeois and as the said Philip held a Parliament at Nantes he deceased of a Feaver in the 43. yeare of his Reigne in the Moneth of July Anno Domini 1223. This King being to joyne battaile with the Emperour Otho having caused a gilt Bowle to be filled with Wine and sopps of bread hee said Princes and Lords of France heere with me assembled let every one that is resolv'd to live and dye with me this day shew his resolution by taking a sop out of the Bowle of Wine and eating it as I have done which words being spoken the Cup was presently emptied and afterward the battell being joyned the King got the victory Being informed by his Courtiers that some Royall Jurisdictions belonging to the Crowne were usurped by the Clergy his answer was I had rather connive at some petty injuries than commence Suits against the Semitears of God and his Church This King having put away his Queen Gelberge the King of Denmarke complained to the Pope of this wrong done to his Sister and a day of hearing was appointed before the Popes Legate in the Bishops Hall at Paris Philips Case was well defended by his Advocates but when none appeared to plead for the Queene a young man unknownâ— steps forth of the presse and demands audience and having deliver'd the truth and pleaded against the King for the Queene and when his Speech was ended hee returned into the presse againe and was never seene more neither was it ever knowne from whence he came The amazed Judges remitted the Cause to the Councell and King Philip did ride presently to Bois de Vinennes where Gelberge was confined and having embrac'd her receiv'd her into favour and lived with her afterward in nuptiall love And heereby it may bee discerned that no man can bring Nature to any perfection for this worthy Prince was much troubled in minde and divided in his thoughts by loving this Gelberge whom he could not forsake for she had got such strong possession in his affection that he could not turne her remembrance out of his heart pass'd away to her by deed of gift Thus hee that could overcome his Enemies could not conquer his passions He reigned 44. yeares and by his vertue governed the State with such wisedome that all his troubles had a happy faire end from whence this conclusion may be drawne That a vertuous King is in the end happy howsoever hee bee compassed in with difficulties Lewis the 8. and 43. King of France Anno 1223. LEwis the eldest sonne of Philip succeeded to the Crowne Anno Domini 1223. Hee together with his wife Blanch sister to the King of Castile was Crowned at Rheimes the 6. of August to whom afterwards the Surname of Montpensier was given because he dyed there In the beginning of his reigne he renewed the ancient consideration and allyance which was betweene France and Almany and upon his returne he led his Army into Guienne where in a set battaile he overthrew the English whereof Savary of Maleon had the command by meanes whereof the French tooke the townes of Niot S. John D' Angely and Rochelle leaving nothing of the Countrey of Guienne on this side the River Garonne unreduced to the obedience of the King Insomuch that all the Lords as well of Pojctou as Lymosin and Perigort came to sweare him fealty and obedience Amanry also sonne to the Count of Montfort came to resigne into the hands of the King of France the right which his Father had left him in the Countries of Alby Languedoc Agenois Querâ—y and the County of Tholouze whom in recompence he made his Constable knowing him to be a man capable of such a charge The yeare following Richard Brother to the King of England besieged Rochelle but hearing of the comming of the French Army he passed over Dardonne with his forces and so
of Nature beyond which humane frailty cannot reach Pepin the short the 23. King of France Anno 752. PEpin the short sonne of Charles Martell was crowned King of France in the beginning of the yeare 752 by Boniface Bishop of Magence The Saxons rebelled the yeare following but Pepin made them very feelingly sensible of their default An. Dom. 754. Pepin having beene againe annointed and crowned in the Church of St. Denis by Pope Stephen successour to Zachary who came to demand ayde of him against Astulph King of the Lombards passed over the Alpes and two severall times put the King Astulph into such streights and extremities that he was constrained to surrender to the Pope duties belonging to St. Peter the Segniory of Ravenna and all that hee could claime in Romania whereupon the Emperour of Constantinople to whom those Territories did belong being much discontented An. Dom. 759 overthrew the rebellious Saxons and compelled them to pay tribute at every generall Parliament of France 300. Horse fit for service of Warre From thence hee went against Waifer Duke and Governour of Aquitaine and enforced him to come to a composition which neverthelesse had no effectuall issue untill hee had defeated him in divers battailes and taken the greatest part of his principall Cities Which Waifer perceiving and the taking of his Mother Sisters and Nieces was enforced to commit the rest of his fortunes to the hazard of a Battaile neare Perigord where with the day he lost his life also and his Principality likewise Moreover Aquitaine received a governour who in those times was styled Duke from the appointment of the King and was reunited to the Crowne of France Pepin retreating with his Army was arrested with a fit of sicknesse at the suite of Death whereby he paid Nature what he was indebted the 24. of September in the 54. yeare of his age Anno Domini 768 leaving by his Queene Berthe Charles and Charlemaine to whom by a partage they made betweene them the Occidentall part of France together with Burgundy and Aquitaine befell to Charles who established his Seate at Noyon and to Charlemaine the Orientall whereunder the Provinces on this side the Rhine were comprised and held his Court at Soyssons This King was the first of the second Race under whose vertuous government the happinesse of France was much improved and in his sonnes Reigne but Vertue being no inheritance descending to posterity the glory of the Kingdome by the vices of succeeding Kings declined shewing that Grace and Goodnesse are the absolute free gifts of God That which assured him of his Subjects love and made him become gracious in their estimation was his honourable Actions followed by the love and obedience of his Subjects for the attractive love of Vertue firmely obliges subjects to their Prince and doth by a secret violence draw their affections His last act concluded in a Royall death being happy in his honours and hopefull Children one of his sonnes being afterward acknowledg'd the worthiest and most excellent Prince that ever reigned And himselfe by his vertue and valour gaining his subjects love instructed Princes that the subjects love is the strongest guard and that Vertue is the best preserver of Majesty giving a good and prosperous successe unto all their actions by whom she is embraced and dayly followed never leaving them hopelesse in any danger which may seeme to threaten them but rather encourage and comfort their troubled spirits with assurance of overcomming and withstanding whatsoever may prove obnoxious or hurtfull unto them and lastly it doth not onely enrich a man with all temporall blessings here in this life but hereafter advance him to immortall honour Charlemayne Emperour of Rome and the 24. King of France Anno 768. NO sooner had Charles made a partage with his Brother Charlemayne but he was enforced to restraine Lupus Duke of Gascoigne and Hunaut of Aquitaine with including them in a Fort called Fressac built neare to Libourne After that marrying with the daughter or sister of Didier King of the Lombards he entertained Trasilon Duke of Bavaria into his amity The yeare following Charlemaine deceased leaving two sonnes whom Charles permitted not to govern in their fathers estate but annexed it to his owne After that hee made warre upon the Saxons and in the yeare 773. at the request of Pope Adrian hee tooke Didier in Pavia whom hee confined in banishment to Liege recovering all the possessions he had in Italy And the same yeare he returned against the Saxons where hee founded a Fort by the name of Francfort Againe being gone into Italy against Adelgise sonne of Didier who was revolted hee returned immediately against the Saxons whom he forced to imbrace Christianity Anno Domini 776. The same yeare hee tooke from the Sarazens in Spaine Pampelonne Saragosa and made many Kings tributaries in his returne from thence the Gascognes slew most of the best men of France Hee subdued the Bretons of the lower Brittagne who had revolted and Anno Domini 787. He tooke the fidelity of Adagise Duke of Benevent and of Trasilon Duke of Bavaria whereupon he confiscated to his owne use the whole Countrey of Bavaria and enforced Theodon and his sonne to a Monasticke life Hee overthrew likewise the Sclavonians and the Vandals who held the Countrey of Brandebourg Malgebourg and Pomerania and also the Huns and Avarois who at that time possessed Pannonia Hee was saluted Emperor Anno Domini 801. upon Chistmas day And having received presents from the King of Persia hee was sought in marriage by the Empresse of Irene After that having combated the Venetians by his sonne Pepin and defeated the Normans and having founded the Vniversities of Paris Bologne and Pavia an intending to unite the Channell of the Rhine with that of Danubius he was intercepted by Death Anno Domini 814 beeing threescore and twelve yeares of Age having reigned over the French sixe and forty yeares and of Italy three and forty and of his Empire foureteene and lyes inhumed in Aix la Chapelle This Charles got some addition to his name as Alexander the Great being indeed great in the gifts of body and minde Arts and Armes The ground-worke whereon he raised noble Trophies to Fame was Religion to which he give due honour and from thence deriving Morall perfections he grew an admired Prince naturally favouring the Muses learned in the Greeke and Latin languages Philosophy the Mathematicks and other Sciences hee cal'd his pastimes and companions of his sword Something he wrot in Poetry for recreation but he especially delighted in History the Register of noble Actions The Acts of Charlemaine in the Life of his Brother Caroloman were many and most renowned and also when he was King alone but when he was enstalled Emperour he crowned all those actions by his care of the Church and his godly preparing for Death for hee was much enclined to to the reading of such Bookes as were for the bettering of his understanding and which tended
called still Mount Hebert This Lewis as was said being nine yeares in England was therefore surnamed D'ontremer or from beyond the Seas Hee was disloyall and unfortunate for though he endured much affliction and many unkind fortunes yet hee was not mended in his life by his sufferings nor had learned to embrace Vertue whose Beauty appeares most faire and comely when her eyes are fill'd with teares making sorrow looke with a sweet and lovely countenance It is that which in a Prince is most glorious causing him to fixe his minde onely upon that which may prove beneficiall to the Church and State But this was not the object wherein this Monarch was delighted so that he was deprived of that excellency which by Vertue is attained Besides he did degenerate from the blood of Charlemaine for birth nor adversity did enlarge his narrow thoughts to take pleasure in noble actions Hee came came unto the government after a long absence which made his returne more gratefull to the Subjects while his Enemies thought to creepe into his affection by the tender of fained service especially William Duke of Normandy thus Prosperity commands counterfeited offers of fidelity Lotharius the 34. King of France Anno 954. THis Lotharius succeeded to the Crowne the 12. of November Anno Domini 954. Hee gave Burgundy and Aquitaine to Duke Hughes and would have made him Governour of Aquitaine But Count William defending his right shut the Gates of Poitiers against him Hughes deceased the 16. of June Anno Domini 956 leaving Hughes Capet Otho Odo and Henry with whom the King fell into some differences concerning some Castles which he had seized from them All which were appeased by Bruno Arch-bishop of Cologne Unkle to the King who was sent by the Emperour Otho After this the King made an Assembly of the Princes and Prelates of France at Soissons for the surprising of Richard Duke of Normandy who plotted against the King but he could not be found In the meane time Arnulph the old Count of Flanders being dead who before had made a donation of his Lands to King Lotharius caused his body this yeare 965. to be transported into Flanders thereby to receive the submissions of their fidelity Lotharius Anno Domini 966. espoused Hemina or Emma Daughter to Lotharius the â— King of Italy and Adeleide Daughter to the Emperour Otho as also Matilde Sister of this our Lotharius was married unto Bernard King of Burgundy Afterwards the King intending to make Warres upon Richard Duke of Normandy at the instigation of Thibault Count of Chartres was enforced to come to an agreement with him A while after Lotharius wrought with Ranier and Lamhert sonnes of the late Count of Monts in Haynaut to make him a way for the re-entry upon the Kingdome of Loraine which the Almaines detained from him which was a cause that Otho to cut off his designes gave the Lower Loraine to Charles the brother of Lotharius to bring him thereby into his disaffection The King passed with his forces as farre as Aix where he thought to have surprised the Emperour who to require him went before Paris from whence hee was notably repulsed whereupon they came to an accord and Loraine continued to Charles who then added to his Coate of Armes an Arme proceeding out of the clouds After the death of Otho King Lotharius falls againe upon Loraine which hee did not long enjoy because hee dyed immediately after Anno Domini 985. This Kings life was a meere blanke wherein no brave actions were inscribed for the example of posterity being a fruitlesse branch and the first that grew out of his stock excepting his sonne who derived from him no sap of vertue but was also barren in goodnesse Hee did so contemne his brother Charles whom his Father had left no portion but his favour thereby to increase his respect to his eldest brother so that the Emperour whose assistance hee desired undertooke the quarrell From whence this Note may be collected that there is no depending on the favour of Kindred who looke for much reverence and will doe no justice in rewarding desert which they rather contemne untill Vertue despis'd breeds open hatred But Charles ayded by the Emperour was undiscreete in his carriage for the ayde received from the Emperour made him to cleave too fast to the Germans and disclaime the French as if kindnesse had altered his nature and this change drew on the justly conceived hatred of the French and thereby overthrew his estate by carrying too open a shew of disaffection for the wrong done by his brother and righted by the Emperour Lastly as we said Lewis dyed but the remembrance of his Reigne survived to his disgrace and ignominy in succeeding ages leaving his sonne Charles to bee the last King of this second Race Lewis 5. the 35. King of France Anno 986. AFter the decease of Lotharius Lewis the fift his onely sonne succeeded to the Crowne Anno Domini 986 and was consecrated at Rheimes The Continuator of Aimoynus writeth that he reigned nine yeares as also another Chronicler call'd Hugh is of the same opinion Neverthelesse it may be proved by certaine testimonies that Lotharius dyed An. Dom. 985 to whom Lewis succeeded and that Hugues Capet began not to reigne before the yeare 987 or 988 so that it appeares that this could not reigne above two yeares and was enterred at S. Cornelius of Compeigne Moreover Glaber testifieth that Lewis married one Blanche which was brought him out of Aquitaine who finding him not a man left him and retired into her Country which makes a likelyhood of that which is written touching his death moreover that if she were Daughter to the Duke of Aquitaine that she by consequence must be Niece to Hugues Capet This Lewis dyed as many are of opinion in the same manner as his father did by the meanes of his Wife Blanch not leaving issue to succeed him Odoramus gave him the surname of Doe nothing because hee had no leasure to performe any thing memorable by the reason of the brevity of his Reigne Moreover whilest Charles Duke of Loraine was the next by right to succeede him as being his Fathers brother so is it that Hugues Capet sonne of Hugues le Blanc tooke part against him pretending that as many do write that Lewis had resigned the Crowne to him by testament and will But others are of opinion that he confiding to the power that hee had in France and to the favour which the Nobility and the popularity of France did beare him and through the discontent of having a Competitor who was exceedingly beloved and affected of the Almaines and that he was too slow in gaining the succession of the Kingdome fallen to him and through the ill will he bore him because hee had married the Daughter of Hebert Count of Troyes encouraged him to contest against him for the Crowne Hugh Capet the 36. King of France Anno 987. HVgh Capet was proclaimed King
at Noyan by the Princes Barons and Prelates of France and afterwards annointed at Rheims the third of July Anno Domini 987 where hee caused also his eldest sonne to be crowned King with him named Robert about halfe a yeare after viz. on the first of January The people the souldiers and all the Prelates swore a fealty to Capet against all men and especially against Charles of Loraine who came with an Army to challenge and stoutly make claime to his right by force of Armes in France for the space of foure yeares and first made himselfe sure of Laon by the meanes of Arnulph naturall sonne to the late King Lotharius whither Hugh went to assaile him but hee made such a briske and valiant fully out against him that hee shamefully routed both him and his After having taken the Castle of Montagu and pillaged the Territories of Soissons and Rheimes he retreated to Laon and the yeare following hee made himselfe Master possessor of Rheimes through the intelligence which hee had with the said Arnulph newly elected Arch-bishop of that See upon the decease of Albero Whereupon Hugh using the same passages upon Charles dealt under-hand with Ascelin or Anselme Bishop of Laâ—â— who made a way for him and his Army into Laon where Charles was taken and carryed Prisoner to Orleans with Agnes his wife by whom during the time of his imprisonment hee had two children but all foure of them dyed prisoners By this prize the Warres against Charles being ended and the Cities of Laon and Rheimes retaken yea and the Dutchy of France being incorporated to the Domaines of the Crowne and the City of Paris beginning againe to take upon it the name of a City Royall Hugh caused a Synode to be held at Rheimes whereby Arnulph was deposed and Gilbert Tutor to Robert the sonne of Hugh was substituted in his place whereof the Pope not content caused a Councell to bee called in France by the decree whereof Gilbert was dismissed and Arnulph restored Hugh deceased the 22. of November Anno Dom. 996 and as others report 998. He was funebrially inhumed at St. Denis in France by his Anâ—â—stors This King was the first of the Race of the succeeding Kings being ordained to bring the Kingdome to a flourishing estate by so many great and eminent vertues meeting in his Person Hee was surnamed Capet either from the bignesse of his Head from the Latin word Capitosus or because when hee was young hee would plucke off his companions Capps fore-shewing that hee should afterward pluck off Kings Crownes for when matters were by policy and the affection of French advancing his desires fitly prepared he got possession of the Crowne though claimed by Charles sonne to Lothaire and with a complement of being unwilling to leave the Crowne to any particular Nobleman least he should seeme to be preferr'd before the rest equall in desert his sonne Robert propounded to their Election was also crowned being a wise and temperate Prince that gave much apparent hope of making the Kingdome happy in his fruitfull progeny pledges of his vertues some whereof were expressed in this saying That he was a sonne without frowardnesse a companion without jealousie and a King without ambition which was a sufficient testimony of the goodnesse of his disposition and that he was wholly bent to those things which were truely honourable applying his best helpe for maintaining the generall good of his Subjects whereby he gained the love and obedience of all men and afterward hee proved an exact Picture of his fathers great and perfect vertues Robert 1. the 37. King of France Anno 997. RObert succeeded his Father Hugh Anno Domini 996. Comming to the Crowne hee caused Melun to bee surrendered to Count Buchard which Count Odo of Chartres sonne of Berthe sister of Raoul of Burgundy had possessed After the death of his wife Lutgarde he marryed Berthe the widow of Eudon Count of Charâ—tres whom he after dismissed because she was his Godmother and tooke Constance daughter of William Count of Arles and of Blanch daughter of Foulques Count of Aniou At the same time Henry Duke of Burgundy Vncle by the Father to this Robert dyed without heires By reason whereof Otho Guillaume surnamed the stranger pretending a right to that Dutchy by cause of the adoption which Henry had made of him made himselfe very strong in Auxerre which was taken from him by the King with the Dutchy of Burgundy Otho the sonne of Charles Duke of Loraine being deceased the Emperour Henry caused Count Godfrey of Ardenne to be invested notwithstanding that Geberge and Hermengardâ— Sisters of Otho marryed to Lambert and Aubert Counts of Brabant and Nemures would have put them in possession which was a cause that the King instigated Baldwin Count of Flanders against the Emperour who siezed upon the Cities which are upon the River of Escaut as Valenciennes Dinam and others Anno Domini 1015. the King tooke away the City and County of Sens from Count Ramard surnamed the Wicked by reason of the insolencies and violences committed upon the Arch-Bishop thereof and was confiscated to the Crowne Afterwards hee compelled the Burgundians to returne to their obedience who Anno Domini 1016 were revolted and after having pacified the quarrell betweene Richard Duke of Normandy and Odo Count of Chartres who were in great warres he went to treate with Henry the Emperour concerning matters of Religion and their Dominions and Royalties in a Parliament which they held together at Iovy upon Chere And after having also appeased the quarrell betweene â—udes Count of Campagne and Chartâ—â—s and Foulque Count of Aniou hee deceased at Melun Anno Domini 1031 having reigned about three and thirty yeares and lyes interred at St. Denis in France This Robert in his whole Reigne exprest much wisedome for as his father to settle the Crowne on his progeny had caused him to be enstalled so hee Crowned Hugh his eldest sonne at Campagne and after his decease preferring vertue before eldership elected the yonger to be King being of a more Royall disposition and the Dutchy of Normandy was by Will left unto Robert When hee had thus ordered his affaires and pleased his Subjects with his happy reigne having got enough Fame and Honour he dyed leaving him in the remembrance of Posterity this opinion deepely setled That the Kingdome was happy in his government and blest in his wisedome resolution peaceablenesse and continency most eminent vertues like Starres shining in the Spheare of Majesty but with a dimme brightnesse in respect of his piety whence the other derived their borrowed light In the praise of the holy Martyres he composed a Hymne beginning thus O constantia Martyrum mirabilis and was highly pleased that his wife with whose name the former words had some agreement had an humorous affectâ—ion to approve his writings then generally applauded Immensum in Regis gloria calcar habet In hope of praise the Muses tune their strange And