disposition suspitious h Suspition and facillistie is to beleeue all things Suspitionum credendi temeritas Taâ— ruins friendships and the most firmest affections and boyling made them of Croüi to feele the indignation which hee durst not euaporate against Lewis who fauoured them It burst forth at such time as they setled the estate of the Earle of Charrolois house The Duke would haue Philip de Croui Sonne to Iohn de Croui set downe for the third Chamberlaine in the absence of the Lord of Auchy the first and of the Lord of Formelles the second Chamberlaine The Earle of Charrolois entred Anthony Raulyn Lord of Eimeries The house was diuided some followed the Fathers will and others the Sonnes i A controuer sie between two priuate Noblemen is able to diujde the opinione of a whole Court That which was betwixt Chimay of Emeries who should haue the first place in the absence of the L. of Auchy first Chamberlaine to the Duke was so affected as the father was for the one the son for the other The Duke seeing the danger which might grow by this adoration of the sunne rising made it knowne that he was both master and father commanding his Sonne to bring him the Rowle and in his presence cast it into the fire and then willed him to goe forth Monstrelet saith that the Duke commanded the Earle of Charolois to cause Croui to martch in his ranke I will not answered the Earle they of Croui shall neuer gouerne as they haue done and that the Father being offended at an answer so bold and of so little respect he would haue fallen vpon his Sonne but not able to get him he commanded him to auoid the country The Sonne departs full of murmuring and despite the Father comming to himselfe and seeing that his Sonne returned not Displeasure of the Duke of Bourgundy to his Sonne goes to horseback all alone sad and pensiue in a raynie night rides through the country to let the Dauphin know the griefe hee had and his Son the choller wherin disobedience had drawen him k Whatsoeuer the Sonne doth yet must the Father alwaies show himselfe a Father matters are very foule strange when as hee is forced to forget the dutie of a Father He lost himselfe in a wood and lay all night in a Collyars cabbin with hunger in his belly and choller in his head He came the next day to Seuenbergh a little towne of Brabant whereas he found one of his huntsmen who conducted him to Guinneppe where as the Dauphin the cause of all this trouble besought him to pardon the Earle of Charrolois The Duke would haue held the refusall of so iust a request cruell being made by and for a person so neere vnto him l As it is vnpleasing to intreat a stranger so is it a very sensible discipleasure to bee refused of his owne for he could not but loue his onely Sonne in despight of his youthfull wayward affections He required no other satisfaction but that hee should dismisse two seruants William Bithe and Guiot of Vsie who retired themselues into France Soone after the Earle of Charrolois bred another subiect of choller in his fathers hart Wandring of the Dauphin being a hunting he was come from hunting without the Dauphin and had suffered him to wander in a wood thinking that hee had been before When the Duke saw him returne alone he blamed him sharpely and commanded him to goe presently to horsebacke to seeke the Dauphin They sought him long by torch-light and found him on the way to Bruzells conducted by a Pesant m The Dauphins wandring was in the night abeue eight leagues from Brussels The Duke caused him to bee sought for with torches the next day hee gaue a crowne to the Pesant which had conducted him The Duke was exceeding glad to see him returne for he knew that he should be alwaies bound to yeeld an account of so precious agage and that he might be assured whilest he held him he might haue what he desired from the King Birth of Mary of Bourgundy the 13. of Feb. 1457 God sent the Earle of Charolois a Daughter for the first fruits of his marriage the Duke intreated the Dauphin to christen her Mary This birth did moderare the grief which the Lady Isabel of Bourbon her Mother had conceiued six monthes before for the death of her Father Charles Duke of Bourbon n Charles the first Duke of Bourbon dyed in the end of the yeere 1455. he was Sonne to Iohn the first Duke of Bourbon and of Boâ—na of Bourgundy daughter to Philip the hardy Hee married Agnes of Bourgundy Daughter to Iohn Duke of Bourgundy and had fiue sonnes and fiue daughter His sonnes were Iohn the second Duke of Bourbon Lewis who died yong Peter Lord of Beauien Charles Cardinall of Bourbon Archbishop of Lyon and Lewis Bishop of Liege The Daughters were 〈◊〉 Princesse of Orange Catherine Dutchesse of Gueldres Margaret Countesse of Bresse and Dutchesse of Sauoy Isabel wife to Charles Duke of Bourgondy and Mary married first to the Duke of Calabria and afterwards to Gaston de Foix. The King was offended for that hee did not yeeld him his Sonne and desired some occasion to let him know his discontent the which hee did not dissemble when as the Duke sought to punish the Gantois for a rebellion commanding him to suffer them to liue in peace as being vnder his protection The Dauphin thought the time of his returne into France long and had sworne that he would not make that voyage vntill his Father were past vnto another world 1459. The first yeare of his abode there Charlotte of Sauoy Daughter to the Duke of Sauoy was brought to Namur to consumate the marriage which had beene concluded fiue yeares before o One of the goodliest parts of ciuill society is marrage the first gate to enter into it is loue there is none to go out of it but that of death And for that in the marriages of Princes they regard more the interest of subiect estates then their own content It happens that their loues are not so pure and free A marriage which being made vnwillingly was continued without loue When the Duke of Bourgundy gaue the Dauphin his pension of 12000. Birth of the Dauphins sonne at Gnenneppe in Iune 1459. Crownes Oliuer de la March writes that it was vpon condition that he should marry her which shewes that he had no great desire She was deliuered of a sonne who was named Ioachim the Duke of Bourgondy was so glad of this newes as he gaue a thousand Lyons of gold to Ioselin du Bois which brought it He was the Godfather and the Countesse of Charrolois the Godmother The Insant dyed presently after and left the father very sorrowfull who being not then in those distrusts which age brings desired to see him great knowing well that the Children which were
his owne conscience and tried that villanies are more easily committed then excused q It is a trouble to colour and disguise a villany An ancient Lawyer being importuned by a Tyrant to excuse a parricide which he had committed in killing his owne Brother answered That it was much more difficult to excuse an offence then to commit it hee imbraced the Dukes knees demaunded pardon of him and promised to marrie this woman to repaire the wrong iniurie which he had done her She craues reuenge for the death of her Husband and not the loue or alliance of him that had slaine him those that were present aduised her to accept of the offer seeing the mischeefe was done and Iustice might well reuenge but not repaire the wrong She being forced to fly to forgetfulnesse the Goddesse of the vnfortunate resolued to giue her selfe vnto him who had depriued her both of honour and husband and to binde him vnto her for his life which he could not saue but by her means The promises were written concluded and sworne whereunto the Duke added this Article that the husband and dying first without Children all his goods should remaine to his Wife This concluded their hearts did sacrifice to the concord of marriage and they promised to liue louingly together It seemed there was nothing else to be done nor that so cleare a heauen as was that day should haue any lightning or thunder The Duke turning towards the woman demaunded if she were content I am my Lord answered she by your bountie and Iustice. I am not replied the Duke who wayed how much the Commonweale was wronged in this crime that a Prince may well declare but he cannot make an offender innocent that he is bound to do Iustice r A Prince doing Iustice equally wins more glory then if he had giuen limits to the Sea vanquished Monsters ruined hell and supported heauen to giue an accompt of innocent blood there being no triumph equall to that which a Prince raiseth to his glorie in doing Iustice. He commanded the woman to retire caused the Gouernor to be carried to prison giuing charge that he should loose his head in the same place wher he put the womans husband to death A woman depriued at one time of two husbands and that he should bee also put into a Coffin s D. Ferdinand of Gonzaga Lieutenant Generall to the Emperor Charles the 5. in Italy made the like reparation to an Italian Lady Hee caused his head to be cut off that had committed the rape hauing first made him to marrie her to giue her all his goods Which done he sent this woman to the prison who being amazed at this spectacle to see her selfe the widow of two husbands in so short a time was so violently opprest with greefe as within a short space she followed the way which these two men had made her But to end the life and discourse of Charles Duke of Bourgoundy he died at the age of three and fortie He came into the world at Dijon on Saint Martins Eue in the yeare 1433. The verie daie that he was christned he receiued the choller of the golden fleece and withall the name of Charles which Charles Duke of Bourbon gaue him the title of Earle of Charolois and Lord of Bethunes The house of Bethunes entred into that of Flanders long before the house of Flanders entred into that of Bourgundie Baldwyn Earle of Flanders who purchased the Empire of Constantinople by the force of his Armes and the happie assistance of Anthonie and Coesne of Bethunes had two Daughters Ione married first to Ferdinand Prince of Portugall and afterwards to Thomas Prince of Sauoie and dyed without Children Margaret her Sister married William of Dampierre and had three Sonnes and one Daughter Guy William Iohn and Marie Guy married the Daughter of Fegard of Bethune Robert of Bethune succeeded him to Robert Lewis of Neuers to Lewis of Neuers Lewis of Malain Father to Margaret his only Daughter who was married to Phillip Duke of Bourgondy great Grand-father to Charles This house of Bethunes hath like vnto others t The house of Bethunes hath brought forth many great Captaines vnder this name of Robert Robert who defeated Manfroy in Sicily marryed the Daughter of Charls of Aniou Robert who beseeged and forced Roche vandais Looke in the Duke of Sullys Panegyre felt the iniuries of Time and Fortune Of Time which changeth and rechangeth all things which maketh the grasse to grow vpon the tops of Towers and giues bounds to Empires and Monarchies Of Fortune which makes of houses and men as an Auditor doth of Counters and a Melter of Medalles the first doth value them as he pleaseth and the last doth cast the same Image in Leade and Gold It hath remained in a manner ouerthrowne vnder the ruines of this house of Bourgondie there remained nothing but the remembrance of her greatnesse and a mournefull conference of that which she was with that which she had beene but Vertue would neuer suffer Fortune to deface out of the courage of her descendants the magnanimity which was hereditarie vnto them Valour and magnanimity were as naturall marks in their hearts u Many at their birthes haue carryed marks of their extraction the ChildreÌ„ of Seleucus caried an Anchor vpon their thigh they of Pithon of Nâ—sibe had vpon their bodies the impression of an Axe and the childreÌ„ of Semes founder of Thebes had a Lance. as the Anchor the Axe and the Lance to the Children of Seleucus of Pithon and of Semes But as that riuer which hauing runne farre vnder ground riseth vp more proudly and violentlie so this house continues about a hundred yeares vnknowne and farre from fauours and great dignities it shall be like vnto an example of vertue without fortune of fidelity without credit of merit without recompence it shall not bee but to appeare more glorious more powerfull and more happy then euer At the same time Galeas Duke of Milan was murthered Death of Galeas duke of Milan his in-iustice and crueltie had made him odious and insupportable He caused a Priest to be buried quicke with a dead mans bodie the which he would not interre without money An extreame cruelty and an extreame auarice Nothing did so much hasten his ruine as a disgrace which he had done vnto his Schoole-maister hauing caused him to haue as many blowes with a stirrop leather giuen him in his own presence as he had receiued stripes with a rod from him being his Scholler x Princes doe willingly remember the seuerity which hath beene vsed towardes them in their Inâ—ancies Nero put Seneca to death Arsenius fled into the desart for that Arcadius his Disciple had resolued to kil him To reuenge this affront hee disposed there of his Disciples whom he knew to haue beene wronged in their honours by Galeas to kill him Cruelties and whoredomes of the Duke of Milan
The Kings intention was that the Riuers should returne vnto the Sea from whence they came and his reason was grounded vpon the Law of the Realme which giues no part of Reuenues of the Crowne in propriety to the Females and portions giuen to the Princes of France passe not to their daughters when as they leaue no sonnes s In old time the Infants of the House of France had their Portions in Soueraignty This was abbrogated in the third race and so ordered as the yonger sonnes could not pretend any thing to the Succession of the King their Father but a prouision for their entertainement the which hauing no Heires Males returned to the Crowne Heereupon there was a Sentence giuen to the benefite of King PHILIP the third for the Earledome of Poitiers and Lands of Auuergne against CHARLES the first King of Sicile brother to Saint LEVVIS in the Parliament of Tousaints 1283. Finally vpon that Maxime That the reuenues of the Crowne are Inalienable and not subiect to prescription For men cannot prescribe any thing against God nor priuate men against the Estate To apply the square vnto the stone and the Hypothesis vnto the Thesis the Kings Deputies did shew that the Dutchy of Bourgondy the Franch-County with the Earledomes of Flanders Artois and Henaut were peeces of the Crowne If their discourse was not in these tearmes it was so in substance The beginnings of the diminution of Flanders as they of all the great Empires of the world haue beene weake vncertaine and fabulous t Estates as all other things in the world haue three times the beginning the decrease and the declining The Countrey was peopled by a Colony of Saxons whom Charlemaigne brought thither gouerned vnder the authority of the Crowne of France by their Lords Forresters u The Gouernors and Guardiâ—ns of Flanders saith M r. du 〈◊〉 before Baldwin surnamed Iron-Arme were Officers mutable at the will of the Kings of FraÌ„ce although that some sonnes haue succeeded in their fathers Offices for that that they were heires of their vertues were called Forresters not that their charge was onely vpon the land being fall of Forrest for coles but the guard of the sea was also commutted to them The Estate began by Baldwin suruamed Iron-arme and continued in his posterity but as it ended by Maud daughter to Baldwin the fifth Flanders past vnder the commands of the Dukes of Normandy then of Thierry Earle of Alsatia who married Sibilla daughter to Foulques of Anjou King of Ierusalem and had but one daughter who was heire to the Earledome of Flanders and married to Baldwin the fourth of that name Earle of Henaut of this marriage came Baldwin Earle of Flanders the eighth of that name who was Emperour of Constantinople who died at Andrinopile who left but two daughters Ioane who died without children and Margaret Countesse of Flanders x Margaret Countesse of Flanders who raigned thirty yeares had two husbands the first was Bourcher an Englishman by who she had one sonne which dyed yong and William of Dampierre second sonne to Archambauld Lord of Bourbon Father to Guy Earle of Flanders Father to Robert of Bethunes who married William of Bourbon Guy Earle of FlaÌ„ders sonne to Archambâ—uld Lord of Bourboun He was father to three sonnes William who died without children Guy Earle of Flanders and Iohn Lord of Dampierre Guy Earle of Flanders married Maud daughter and heire to Robert others named him Fegard of Bethunes Robert of Bethunes by whom hee had fiue sonnes and three daughters Robert of Bethunes his sonne who hath deserued the surname of Great as well for the greatnesse of his vertue as his fortune succeeded him Charles of Anjou King of Sicile brother to Saint Lewis gaue meanes to acknowledge his valour more gloriously hauing set two Crownes vpon his head by the Victory of the battell of Benevent y Battle of Benevent the 10 of February 1565. where as Manfroy bastard to Conrade whom he had poysoned was slaine whereas the Parricide Manfroy ended his tyranny honour and life Hee had enioyed them longer and more happily if hee had followed the councell of this Prince z Robert of Bethunes Earle of Flanders did not allow of the death of Conradyne The History which detests it reserues him this honour Vtrique nouâ— ac regio nomine indigno crudelitatis in or be Christiano exemple fecuri vitam eripit frustra Flandriae Comite monente generosum victorem decêre moderationem clementiam Sed vicit vox cruenta vita Conradini mors Caroli mors Conradini vita Caroli Hee tooke away both their I was by an example of cruelty which was new in the Christian world and vnworthy the name of a King the Earle of Flanders â—â—lling him in vaine that moderation and clemency did become a generous victor but that cruell voyce preuaâ—â—d The life of Conradine is the death of Charles and the death of Conradine is the life of Charles who found the death of Conradine and Frederick of Austria Prisoners taken in the warre barbarous and inhumane Of this Marriage Charles was borne who dyed yong a Charles of Bethunes son to Robert Earle of Bethunes dyed at a eleuen yeares of age They write that he brought from his mothers wombe the figure of a Crosse betwixt his shoulders and Lewis who was father to Lewis the second Lewis the second of Bethunes Earle of Flandes Hee married Margaret of France daughter to Phillip the Long who treating of the conditions of this Marriage would that Robert of Bethunes his Grand-father should declare the children that were to be borne of this marriage Earles of Flanders This Lewis of Bethunes surnamed of Cresse for that he dyed at the battell of Cresse Lewis the third of Bethunes left one some called also Lewis and surnamed of Mallaine These so diuers names haue but one Spring Mallaine is Bethunes and Bethunes is Flanders The greatest Families of Europe haue forgotten their first names to continue them of their portions and successions So we see Bourbon for France Austria for Habspourg and in this Genealogy of the Earles of Flanders Dampierre for Bourbon Bethunes for Flanders and without any other distance but from father to sonne Neuers and Mallaine for Bâ—thunes Lewis of Bethunes or of Mallaine married Margaret daughter to the Duke of Brabant and had his onely daughter Margaret who was first married to Phillip Duke of Bourgundy and afterwards to Phillip the Hardy sonne to King Iohn From this truth we must conclude that the Crowne of France had the right of homage and of Soueraignety ouer the Earledome of Flanders before this marriage The like is said of the Townes of Lisle Douay Orchies and Bethunes Consequently Artois cannot bee separated from France no more then the Earledome of France from whence it is come County of Artois for the parties follow the nature of their whole King Lewis the ninth performing the will of
dispose thereof by Testament h When as they say that women are incapable of dignities it is to be vnderstood of charges which consist in Functions and Offices A Woman cannot be a Consull a President or a Chancellour but when the dignity is patrimoniall and annexed to the Fee such a dignity may belong vnto a woman as wel as the iurisdiction The King caused a Consultation to be made of all the learned Lawyers of his Realme to know what his Neeces right was They found that it depended vpon this Maxime That the Nephew or Grand-childe represents his Father and Grand-father in the right of Primogeniture or first borne That this right is transferred to the children of the elder although hee die before the Father and holds the place of lawfull heire They did also consider the custome and common obseruation of this Realme where the eldest sonne dying and leauing a sonne hee succeedes the Grand-father as his Father should haue done The Grand-fathers second-sonne being excluded from all pretention for the Nephew excludes the Vncle and representation hath place in this Realme in Fees which are not diuisible In the time of King Charles the fifth his Maiesty sitting with the Peeres of France in his Court of Parliament Ioane of Brittany married to Charles of Blois i Charles of Blois and the Lady Ioane of Brittaine his wife did enioy this Dutchy fiue twenty years or thereabouts vntil that Iohn of Montford being succoured by the Forces of England slewe Charles of Blois in battle and expelled his wife out of the Dutchy was declared heire to the Dutchy of Brittany as representing her Father against Iohn Earle of Montfort her Vncle. She was daughter to the Duke of Brittanies second brother and the Earle of Montfort was the third brother Allain Lord of Albret as sonne vnto the eldest Vicount of Tartas who was deceased succeeded his Grand-father in the Landes of Albret and excluded from the succession the Lord of Sancte Bazille his vncle and the Lord of Oruall his Grand-fathers yonger brother k In the house of Albret there are many Earledomes The Earledome of Gaure the Earledome of Dreux the Earldome of Peyragore and many Vicounties and Baronies They held that house in the time of King Lewis the eleuenth to haue sixe thousand pound sterling of yearely rent King Philip in the yeare 1314. did iudge the suite betwixt Maud daughter to the Earle of Artois and Robert of Artois her Vncle and by his iudgement it was decreed that the daughter should succeed as the neerest vnto her father Lewis Earle of Flanders had but one daughter the richest heire of Chrstendome the which succeded her father in the Earledome of Flanders excluding the Duke of Brabant her Vncle and was married to Philip of France sonne to King Iohn and first Duke of Bourgondy l The Treaty of Marriage betwixt the Duke of Bourgondy and Margaret Princesse of Flanders was made the twelfth of Aprill one thousand three hundred sixtie nine the Dutchy of Guienne which comprehends all Gasconie as well that which is of the iurisdiction of Tolouse as of Bourdeaux and more was carried to the Crowne of England by the marriage of the daughter of William Duke of Guienne with Henry King of England m Elenor the onely daughter to William Duke of Guienne and Earle of Poitiers was married to Lewis King of France and beeing put away by him shee married againe to HENRY sonne to the King of England and Duke of Normandy Henry King of Nauare Earle of Champagne left one daughter who was married to K. Philip the Faire and succeded her Father in the Earledome of Champagne The last Earle of Poictou n The County of Poictou and the Towne of Poitiers were vnited to the Crowne by King Charles the seuenth in the yeare 1436. had one daughter named Margaret who was married to the eldest sonne of France and succeeded her Father notwithstanding that the Earle of Saint Valier her Vncle was then liuing Raymond the fifteenth and last Earle of Tolousa dying without Issue Male Ioane his onely daughter succeeded him and was married to Alphonso of France brother to the King Saint Lewis o The marriage of Alphonso of France and Ioane Coumtesse of Toâ—ouse was treated in the yeare 1228. Matthew Earle of Foix dying without children in the yeare 1398. his sister surnamed Isabel succeeded him and was married to Archambaut of Grailly Lewis of Luxemburge Earle of S t. Paul had many children but his eldest sonnes daughter who was married to to the Earle of Vandosme was sole heire of all his lands as representing her Father who was the eldest p They hold that the Countesse of Vendosme did not succeede in the Earledome of Saint Paul by right of succession but by a Treaty of peace and that her Vncles were all incapable of this sucession for that the Landes of Lewis of Luxemburg her father had been confiscate The Earle of Lauragais left but one daughter who succeeded in the Earledome whereof she made donation to the French King The Earle of Castres had one daughter who was married to a yonger sonne of the house of Bourbon Earle of Marche who after her fathers decease succeeded in the Earledomes of Castres and Vandosme and excluded them of Montfort who were her Vncles from the succession Of this marriage were borne two sonnes Iames of Bourbon the elder who was Earle of Marche and of Castres and the yonger who was Earle of Vandosme Iames of Bourbon married Beatrix of Nauarre q Iames of Bourbon Earle of Marche married with Beatrix daughter to Charles the second King of Nâ—uarre the fifteenth of August one thousand foure hundred and fiue Elenor their onely daughter was married to Bernard Earle of Armaignac and Perdiac who after her fathers death succeeded as well in the Earledome of Marche as of Castres and excluded the Earle of Vandosme from the succession True it is that these Earledomes haue remained in the house of Bourbon by transaction r The King made Donation of the Earledome of March to Monsieur de Bourbon and his wife The Duke of Nemours children beeing restored to their Landes there was a sute to ouerthrow this Donation and then an Accord was made by the which the Earledome of Marche remained to the house of Vendosme and Bourbon the Duke of Nemours children being otherwise recompensed William Vicount and Lord of Mountpellier although hee had many kinsmen of his name had no other heire but his daughter Mary wife to Peter King of Arragon Peronelle s Du Tillet saith that this Peronella of Bigorre had fiue husbands 1. Gaston of Bearne 2. Ninion Sance Earle of Sardaine 3. Guy of Montford 4. Raoâ—l Tescu 5. Boson of Mathas daughter to the Earle of Bigorre succeeded her father in the Earledome of Bigorre in the yeare one thousand two hundred sixty foure and was married to Boson of Mathas Vicount of Marsan and
Charles the seauenth armes against his sonne the Dauphin and takes S. Maixaint and Niort 9. Estates asseÌ„bled at Clermont euery man seeks to recouer the kings fauour 10 Repentance of the Dauphin and the Princes of his party 11. King Charles the seauenth pardons his sonne and refuseth to pardon them thut had corrupted him 12 A new order in the Dauphins house 13. Instructions which King Charles giues him 14. Seige of Pontoise the Academies of military exercises The taking of Tartas 15. The taking of Diepe The Kings armie in Languedoc 16. Montbeliard taken Basil besieged 17. Suisses defeated at the Hospitall of St. Iames of Basil. 18. Truce betwixt France and England 19. Death of Margret Steward wife to Lewis the eleuenth 20. Life of King Charles the seauenth The idlenes of peace 21 Lewis the eleuenth retires into Dauphiné Refuseth to returne at the Kings command 22 He passeth into Flanders to Duke Philip who lodgeth him at Gueneppe 23. Practises of Lewis the eleuenth 24. Hatred and contrariety of humors betwixt Lewis and the Earle of Charolois 25. Birth of Ioachim of Valois first sonne to Lewis the eleuenth 26. Army of Charles the seauenth The Duke of Bourgondy in alarum 27. Distrustfull and suspicious nature of Charles the seauenth 28. His death with a collection of his principall actions THE FIRST BOOKE OF THE HISTORY of LEWIS the XI ISabel of Bauaria Disinheriting of Charles the Dauphin an ambitious Princesse and a cunning woman but a cruell mother a Humane wisdome 〈◊〉 deceiued in matters which it thinkes iâ— hath foreseenâ— Charles the 5. had desired to seeke an alliance in Germany for his sonne to fortifie hâ—m against the English Hâ— married Isabell daughter to Stâ—phen Dâ—â—e or Bauaria 〈…〉 nature â—anded against Charles her sonne to transport he Câ—owne to strangers had so great power ouer the will and weaknes of Charles the sixt her husband as he disinherited the Dauphin his sonne and gaue the Crowne of France to Henry the fift king of England his son in lawe by a treaty made at Troie the xxi of May 1420. This declaration published at the Marble table was followed by another of the Kings Councell which promised to vse all the seuerities of Iustice against the Dauphin to punish him for the murder of Duke Iohn slaine at Monstereau A murther which making an altar vnto Mars of all France gaue him for offerings not prodigious showes of vices but an infinite number of braue men worthy of a more happy age and a better end He that knowes not the History cannot vnderstand that of the warres which it hath caused betwixt the kings of Fraunce and the house of Burgundy nor of those tragicall effects of malice and hatred which continued all the raigne of Lewis the xi But behold a true Table Charles the vi b Charles the 6. going from Mans in Iuly in the extreaâ—most heat of the day his head being couered with a great hood of scarlet he meâ— with a man 〈◊〉 â—eaded and bare-legged 〈◊〉 in white rugge at the enâ—ry of the forest who staying his horse by the reyacâ— said vnto him King ride no farther for thou art betraid These wordes to a spirit weakened with care watching distemperature and distrust turned his braine and made him mad O what misery did this poore head bring to the whole body of France for the infirmity and weaknes of his spirit Distraction of Charles â—he 6. suffered himselfe to be gouerned by Lewis Duke of Orleance his brother whom he loued dearely Philip Duke of Burgundy Vncle to the king by the father grew first iealous then an enemy to this great authority and his hatred tooke such deepe roote as it died not with him for Iohn his sonne was his heire and sware the ruine of the house of Orleance The two factions are framed Faction of Orleanois and Burgonians and the heads discouer their hearts by their deuises the motto of that of the Duke of Orleance was Ie l'enuie hauing a knotted staffe that of the duke of Burgundy was a Ioyners plan with this motto Ie le tiens th' one shewing how he would maintaine his authority and the other how he would ouerthrow it The Duke of Burgundies designes succeeded both to the ruine of himselfe and his house He grounded himselfe vpon the practice of the Townes and especially of Paris supplanting the Duke of Orleance of all c The credit and confidence which they haue in a man of commandement is the cheife support of his authority for from thence proceeds the loue of the people which is a buckler vnto the 〈◊〉 and a stâ—ong ramâ—iâ—e against 〈…〉 and wicked credit and loue and seeking to make him hatefull in the speeches but worse in the affections of the people who were otherwise incensed against him for some new subsidies which he had raised The first effect of this cruell hatred was that after many combustions both within and without Paris Death of Charles D. of Orleans and euen then when as they thought their minds were least inflamed the Duke of Orleance returning from the Queenes Palace where she then lay in and hauing past most part of the night by her on the 20. of Nouember 1407. fell into the hands of xviij murtherers which slew him It was a spectacle full of pitty the next day to see about this poore sicke King the widow d Valentine of Milan widdow to the Duke of Orleance Charles Philip and Iohn her sons Isabâ—l of Fâ—ance the Kings daughter married to Charles eldâ—st sonne to the Duke of Orleance the Kings of Sicile and Nauarre with the Dukes of Berry Bourbon demaund iustice of the murther and her three sonnes assisted by the three Princes of the bloud imploring iustice They seek out the crime but they finde not the offenders The Duke of Burgundies hatred is a great presumption that these were the fruites of his reuenge The Duke of Burgundy flies into Flanders all mens eyes were cast vpon his which his conscience made him to hould downe He drawes the King of Sicile and the Duke of Berry apart and aduowes the fact he leaues Paris with fiue more in his company and recouers his country of Flanders in great hast so as the suspition was changed into apparant proofe Sone after he e The Duke of Bourgondy returning into France with a great army carried in a table two lances in saltire the one hauing a sâ—arpe head for the warre the other a burrhead for the tourney giuing the choyce of war or peace returnes with a mighty army they that would haue condemned him He returnes to Paris are now forced to seek his friendship Paris receiues him as the Demon Gardian of her wals he maintaines puqlikely that he had caused the Duke of Orleans to be slaine to free the estate from oppressions A Doctor of the Sorbonne vndertooke to iustifie him before the Kings Counsell with so great impudence and flatterie
as it seemed he would canonize him before his f Flattery giues honors to mortall men which belong not vnto them Tertullian reprocheth the Pagans of lying and flattery which made them declare men Gods and Tacitus saith Deum honor Principi non ante habetur quam agere inter homines desierit Tac. An. lib. 15. The honor of the Gods is not to bee giuen vnto the Prince vntil hee hath left to liue among men death after this followed an accord by the which the Duke of Burgundy should for a reparation aske pardon of the King vpon his knee The Queene the Dauphin the Kinges of Sicile and Nauarre the Duke of Berry making the like request for him in the presence of the Children of the Duke of Orleans melting with teares and weeping with sobs to see the bloud of their Father put to compromise and themselues forced to forget so sencible an Iniurie France was presently deuided into two factions of Orleanois and Burgundians A league of Armagnacs Th' one taking his fauour and authority from the ruines disgrace of the other The Duke of Burgundy hath the soueraigne gouernment of affaires and forceth them of the howse of Orleans to make an offensiue and defensiue league against that of Burgundy g League of Orleanois at Gâ—en the tenth of March 1410. the heads were Charles Duke of Orleance and his brethren Iohn Duke of Berry Lewis Duke of Bourbon Iohn Earle of Alanson Francis Earle of Clermont Bernard Lord of Armagnac and Charles of Albert Constable of France The heads of the Bourgundy faction were Iohn Duke of Bourgundy his brethren Charles King of Nauarre son to Charles the bad the Dukes of Lorraine Brabant Brittaine the Marques of Pont the Earles of Neuers Vaudemont St. Paul Ponthure The name was of Armanacks the marke a white scarfe the cause the Kinges liberty who was in captiuity vnder the law and will of the Duke of Burgundy Challenge sent to the Du. of Burgundy and to the end the quarel might be ended with lesse danger losse of men and time Charles Duke of Orleans sent a challenge to the Duke of Burgundy to fight a combate with him and to be reuenged of his fathers death The Duke of Burgundy who had drawn the Queene vnto his party had noe great dificultie to perswade the King that the designe of the howse of Orleans was nothing but ambition and rebellion in denying him to demaund succors from Henry the fourth king of England The Dolphin being of yeares able to iudge of the intentions of the one and the other The sonne in lawe against the father in lawe found that the interest of the house of Orleans was that of the Crowne and that the ambition of the Duke of Bourgondy his father in law h Queene Isabel being banded against her nephewes of Orleans adhered to the Duke of Burgundy made the marriage of his daughter Catherinâ— with the Dauphin Lewis was the cheefe motiue of those troubles wherefore he vndertooke to crosse his designes and to make a peace this soule was seasond with good thoughts at the siege of Burges for when they told him that in a salley which the besieged had made some of his seruants were slaine and that the souldiers dyed of poisoned waters he said vnto the King his Father and the Duke of Burgundy That this warre lasted too long and that he would make an end of it Iohn of France Duke of Berry and i Enguerand of Monstrelet notes in what manner the Duke of Berry came to this treaty in his armes notwithstanding that hee was 70. yeares old for he llued aboue 80 hauing vpon theÌ„ a Cassocke of purple with a band poudred with marigolds and so he is painted in the gallery of the â—oâ—ure Philebert of Lignac great master of Rhodes employed themselues vertuously to reconcile the nephewes and the vnckle The conditions of this peace were concluded at Burges Peace of Burges sworn in a great assembly at Auxerre the names of that fatall faction of Armagnac and Burgundian were comprehended in the forgetfulnes of things past and Philip Earle of Vertus was married to the Duke of Burgundies daughter But all the parts of France recouer not their former health The warre renues againe and the Dauphin is no more for the Burgundian whose principall force consists in the sedition of Paris and the succours of the English who making their profit of ciuill diuisions win the battell of Azingcourt which was called the vnfortunate day of the 25. of October 1415. The battle of Azing-Court The Duke of Orleans armed to reuenge his fathers death and the libertie of his country was led prisoner into England and if religion had not comforted him he had no lesse reason then Pompey k The Mitcleniens came to salute Pompey after the battel intreating him to land which he refused and aduised them to obey the victor and not to feare any thing for that Caesar was a iust man and of a mild nature and then turning to the Philosopher Cratippus who was also come to see him he complained and disputed a little with him touching the diuine prouidence wherein Cratippus yeilded mildly vnto him putting him still in better hope to be amazed at the prouidence of God which seemeth to fauour the most vniust party tyranny against libertie and couetousnes against freedome Death of the Dolphin and Duke of Turraine This losse was followed by the death of Lewis the Dauphin and of Iohn Duke of Touraine the Kings second sonne By the death of these two Charles Earle of Ponthieu saw himselfe in the first degree of the Princes of the bloud and presently made show that he had been bred vp to apprehend the iniury which the Duke of Burgundy had done vnto his vncle All the Princes and Noble men which had followed the house of Orleans came vnto him and among others the Constable of Armagnac but his greatest affliction was for the vnnaturall hatred which the Queene his mother bare him who declared her selfe against him Regent of the Realme was maintained in that quarrel by the Duke of Burgundy vnder her was that cruell massacre committed the 12. of Iune 1418 whereas the l Amassacre at Paris vpon the Armagnacks from 4 of the clock in the morning the 12 of Iune vntil the next day 10. of the clock To note the Constable by the scarse which he carried they flead a bend of his skin and tyed it crosse his body his office was confirmed to the Duke of Lorraine and the Chancellors to Eustace de Lastre Constable of Armagnac and the Chancellor de Marle were slaine and the Dauphin ranne a daungerous fortune if Tanneguy du Chastel Prouost of Paris and his faithfull seruant had not saued him in the Bastille Paris saw it selfe reduc'd to that miserable estate as it seemed a retrait for Beares and Tigers During this fatall diuision the English
preuailed in Normandy and Guyenne Peace treated at Pouilly and then a peace was treated betweene the Dauphin and the Duke of Burgundy vnder the assurance whereof the Duke came vnto the Dauphin being at Montereau Faut Yonne m The Dauphin sent Charles of Poitiers Bishoppe of Valence to the Duke of Burgundy to draw him to Monsteâ—cau in Gasteacis for that he had refused to come by Tanneguy du Chastel saying that it were better for the Dauphin to com to Troye The 10. of Nouember 1419. he came was slaine vpon the bridge which was fortified with 3. barres The Duke hauing past the first entred into some apprehension of his fortune and meeting Tanreguy du Chastel he laid his hand vpon his shoulder saying Behold hâ—m in whom I trust and presenting himselfe vpon his knee Robert de Loire taking him by the arme sayd vnto him rise you are but too honourable who rising laid his hand vpon his sword to drawe it forward for that it hung too much back then said de Loire vnto him Doe you lay your hand vpon your sword before my Lord the Dauphin whereupon Tanneguy du Chastell stroke him so forceably vpon the face with a battell-axe as he made him to fall vpon his knee and cut off his chin another thrust his sword into his belly The body being stript was drawne into a mill and buryed the next day This death reuenged the house of Orleans but it gaue so great a share of the Realme to strangers as there remained very little for Charles who presently after the death of the Duke of Burgundy was declared by the king his father at the perswasion of his mother vnworthy to succeede vnto the crowne of France Hee might iustly haue appealed from these declarations to the Kings good sence but seeing him decay daily and that hee was still vnder the gouernment of this Medea he chose rather to appeale to God n Priuate persons haue many Iudges kings haue none but God saies M. Anthony Dion Niceâ—s the Iudge of Kings and to his sword lamenting with teares drawne from the bottome of his heart his owne miserie and that of France This disorder Death of K. Henry the fifth Charles the sixth contrary to the reason of nature the lawes of the realme was followed with strange changes Henry the fifth dies and 50. daies after Charles the sixth king of France Henry the sixth king of England is crowned at Paris Charles the seauenth at Poictiers there were two kings in one Realm two parties two armies but the English holde Paris and the first o In all factions the authority of the Senate is of great force Otho to shew the difference of his partie that of Vitellius said Nationes aliquas occupauit Vitellius imaginem quandam exercitus habet Senatus nobis cum est Sic fit vt hâ—c Resp. inde hostes Reip. constiterint Tacitus Hist. lib. 1. Senate who thought that all authoritie and soueraigne command was in effect on their side that the king had but the image some calling him for pitty sake Dauphin of Viennois and others in mocking King of Bourges or Earle of Ponthieu there remaining nothing to make him knowne to be the fourth sonne of Charles p Charles the 6. had 5. sonnes Charles who died of a â—â—â—sumption at 9. yeeres Lewis D. of Guyenne who died at 19. Iohn Duke of Touraine married to Iacquet of Bauaria in the yeaâ—e 1404. Charles the seuenth borne in the yeer 1402. the fiâ—th was he of whom the Queene was brought to bed when the Duke of Orleans was slaine the sixth but a peece of the crowne He goes to field weake of all things of armes friends men and mony but strong in right and courage to maintaine the quality of his birth which the enuy of fortune and the conspiracie of his enemies could not take from him for his mother had brought him into the world vnder purple q The Emperors of Constantinople ordained that their wiues should bee brought in bed vnder purple 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nicetas lib. 5. and the flower deluce There is nothing so powerfull as a good cause maintained with a good sword nothing doth so much comfort the soule in aduersity nor moderate it in prosperitie as the iudgement of conscience when as she feares not to haue her intentions knowne to God and men But seeing himselfe forced to vanquish before he raigne that victories depend of the force of Armes and that the triumphant Chariot of Mars is not moued but by the force of gold and iron r Fower things do perpetually follow warre men iron siluer and bread but of these 4. the two first are the most necessary for that mâ—n and iron cannot furnish siluer bread but bread and siluer may find men and Ironâ— that the springs of his treasure are drawne dry and the royall reuenues held by his enemies he procures his subiects to assist him with taxes Taxes ordained The French who haue alwaies excelled other nations in fidelitie and deuotion towards their Kings not knowing what it is to haue good when they want did contribute freely cheerefully to the necessities of Charles who like a good Shepheard was content to fleece his 〈◊〉 and not to flea them France which had beene besieged 70. yeares Miseries of France last 70. yeares with the miserie and calamitie of warre might well haue beene without this cruell diuision which was no other thing then a conspiracie of the Children s Ciuill warre is a mortall seuer in an estate This ardent desire in the Graecians to make warre in Greece is called by Plutarch a conspiracy against themselues by the which they staid with their own armes the fortune which led them to the height of felicity and turned their weapons against their owne bowels to turne the points of their swords against their owne bowels to inuite their Ancient enemies to the funerals of her liberty and to bring back those cruell and bloudy dayes for the which England hath giuen to the two Edwards the proud titles of Lightening Edward the third and the Prince of Wales and Eagle There was nothing in generall but miseries confusions amasements and desolation The pesant being stript both of flesh and fat had nothing left but bones and they were bruised The Historie admires that euen the cattell hearing the bell a signe of the enemies approch fledde of themselues to recouer their retreates She had so lost her first excellence as she seemed a building of whose beauty no man could iudge but by the peeces that remained of her ruines Vertue and Fortune t For the greatnes and continuance of an Empire fortune or to speak better prouidence and destiny must agree with vertue Roma vt ageretur sublimibus incrementis faedere pacis aeternae virtus conuenit atque forâ—una quarum si altera defuisset ad perfectam non venerat summitatem Ammianus which in the beginning
should not be curious to lay open matters which are distastfull Modestie of the History 〈◊〉 the Kings loâ—es hath beene so carefull of the Kings respect and of the honor of this Ladie as it hath spoken very lightly of that which in those daies was knowne to all and published by few It onely saith that for that shee appeared alwaies richly attyred was one of the Queenes maides and that the King saw her oft they thought she was wholly the Kings x The fayre are easily suspected of incontiuency for that chastitie and beauty doe not alwaies agree That her eyes were the Altars whereon he made his vowes vnder the vales of Night and secret The Author of the Historie of S. Dennis saith that by the duty of his charge The Historie of France in those dayes was written by Monkes as it was at Rome by the High Priests y By the policy of Rome the charge of the History and the Anualls did belong vnto the High Priests Res omnes singulorum aunorum man dabat literis Pont. Max. Cic. 3. de Orat Penes Pontifices scribendae Historiae potestas suit Fla. Vopis He informed himselfe most curiously of his most inward seruants making some of them sweare whether the common brute were true from whom hee had learned what hee had written That Charles loued her onely for her gallant humor Shee was excellent in many pleasant conceits but especially in her speech and incounters which is one of the gestures of Loue. Strangers whose testimonie in these Occasions is as free from flatterie as it is subiect to Hatred haue spoken no more plainely Oliuer de la Marche saith that in the yeare 1444. the Duches of Bourgundy passing into Flanders saw the French Queene at Chalons Where they had great and priuate conference together z There is some kinde of case in the conference of troubles and afflictions For they had one griefe and one disease and there were reasons for their iâ—alonsies for that the King had giuen vnto Agnes de Soret a traine comparable to that of great Princesses and the Duke was very louing and had many base children both sonnes and daughters But who sees not that flatterie hath falsified the Annales of those times And that the little which they report is sufficient to assure that Charles and Agnes knew where to meete and to haue newes one of another they were not troubled to write vppon the marbles of Churches and on the Mercuries of the high waies Pithius is on the right hand and Pithias on the left Princes who thinke they may say if it please it is lawfull haue sometime greater want of enterprises then of fortune The King which held a peace miserable which gaue not some rest stole some howers in his affayres to imploy them in his loues gardeus He went no farther to seek for palmes and bayes he would not haue any but from the hands of this Lady Shee had a daughter Mont strellet saith that she was not auowed a Charlote Base Daughter to Charles the seuenth and Agnes Sorter was married to the Earle of Mauleurier sonne to Peter or Iohn de Brese Seneshall of Normandy and the Author of Lewis the eleuenths Chronicle writes that she was married to the Seneshall of Normandies sonne Yong Princes haue alwaies discoursers which speake of euery thing not to dispute thereof but to taxe it who carrying their thoughts to the future neuer speake of the present but with distaste and disdaine b Pleasures are enemies to libertie Wee should bee our owne if they were not ours These droanes buz continually about the Dauphins eares and raise vp in his soule vnlawfull murmurings against the Kings delights They made him beleeue that Charles could neither loue himself nor any other so long as he loued faire Agnes The Dauphin could not dissemble his discontent The Dauphin enemy to fayre Agnes c A malicious spirit looscth no occasions to doe ill they seeke them and this cunning woman for the safetie of her fortune did all shee could to seaze vpon the fathers loue And that hee should not receiue any grace but at her discretion least that her disgrace should grow by their accord The King by the bad offices of this Lady who incensed the Fathers wrath against the Sonne and sought occasions to content his dislike who by the iealousie which hee had conceiued that a sonne of thirtie yeares of Age did tread vpon his heeles saw him no more but with an eye troubled with way wardnes and despight Princes who haue children growne to age should not vse towards them the austere grauitie of fatherly authoritie whereby denying them the honour of their familiaritie they depriue themselues of the sweetest conuersation of d Princes should breed vp their children in a liuely and not a falned and constrainted affection towards them they may alwaies cause themselues to be feared but they were better to purchase loue There are saith Michael de Montagne so many defects in age so great weaknes and it is so subiect to contempt as the best purchase item make is the affection and loue of his owne command feare are no more his armes life For whom doe they keep this loue and proofe of affection Feare they that it will shorten their power and that God and Nature and the Lawes haue not well prouided to maintaine it If they haue loued them in their infancie when as they could not distinguish of the force and respect therof why doe they take from them the knowledge when as age giues them the feeling and commands them to yeeld vnto this loue the tributes of the same loue feare and obedience Many young Princes dying haue left vnto their Fathers this troublesome griefe nay rather this reproch that they haue neuer let them know that they loued them amidst these austere courses The Dauphin by reason of his age and his disposition being tractable and quick was carried to sodaine alterations during the which hee onely considered the qualitie of the first Sonne of France and not the authoritie of the King e Although the father stray in many things froÌ„ that which he ought yet the sones ought rather to think of that which hee is bound to doe rather then of that the father hath not done nor the reuerence of the Father R. Gaguin He strikes her writes that during these impatiencies he stroke fayre Agnes at Chinon They adde to these discontents an other occasion which made him leaue the Court. Anthony de Chabanes Earle of Dammartin a man valiant but not able to endure was in the greatest fauour in Court and these fauours had taken such deepe rootes f The fauour of Courtiers must take deepe rooting before it be setled This seed of a Princes fauour lies long before it springs It seemes often to flourish when it hath no roof so as the first paffe of choller or disgrace ouer throwes it as
he was freed from taxes Necessitie in whose schoole hee had learned great experience dispenst with him for the obseruations which are made in the choice of souldiers These were called Franke Archers who being well led did great seruices being able to indure all paine as beeing bred vp in discommodities and wants without cunning or malice They beganne their profession at the siege of Vernon The defects which are obserued in the life of this Prince as the griefes of Kings n The raignes of Princes doe not continue and end alwaies as they haue begdnne The first fiue yeares of Neroes raigne were iust Constant was good ten yeares cruell twelue and prodigall ten doe not alwaies incounter ends like vnto their beginnings His loues and his diuersions could not hinder it but that France hath giuen him the well deserued title of Victorious The end of the first Booke THE CONTENTS OF the Second BOOKE 1 KIng Lewis his going into France His entrie and Coronation at Rheims 2 The Duke of Bourgundy doth him homage and followes him at his entrie into Paris magnificence of the Parisians vpon this occasion 3 Estate of the Kings affaires with Pope Pius the second Reuocation of the Pragmatique Sanction 4 Discontent of the Noblemen of the Realme vpon the Kings first actions An obseruation of his Humors 5 His voyage and designes in Brittanny 6 Oppression of the people by new inuentions of Subsedies 7 Strange and furious reuolutions in England betwixt the houses of Lancaster and Yorke 8 Edward the fourth expels Henry the sixt King of England 9 Hee seeks to marry the Queene of France her Sister and takes a widdow in England 10 The King goes to Bourdeaux and there treates a marriage betwixt his Sister and the Earle of Foix. 11 Troubles betweene the Crownes of Castill and Arragon The Earledome of Rousilion engaged to the King 12 The Kings of Castille and Arragon referre their differences to the King 13 Enteruiew of the Kings of France and Castille vpon the Riuer of Vidaazo 14 The King returnes to Paris redeemes the Townes vpon the Riuer of Somme and visits the Frontiers 15 The Duke of Bourgundy comes to the King at Lisle to demaund his aduise touching a voyage which he pretended to make against the Turke 16 Ariuall of Lewis Duke of Sauoy at Paris 17 The King declareth his pretentions vpon the soueraigne rights of Brittany 18 The Earle of Charrolois stayes the Bastard of Rupembrâ— at the Haage 19 Ambassadors from the King to the Duke of Bourgundy vpon diuers complaints 20 The Duke of Bourbon first author of the league of the common weale Death of Charles Duke of Orleans 21 Charles Duke of Berry the Kings brother retires into Brittany 22 His Letters to the Duke of Bourgundy and his declaration vpon the taking of Armes 23 Death of Pope Pius the second to whom succeeded Paul the second a Venetian THE HISTORY of LEVVIS the XI THE SECOND BOOKE A Death which brings Scepters Crownes 1461 doth not alwaies meete with sorrow and teares When there is a question of the succession of the Realme An heyres teares are sone dried vppe a desire to raigne doth presently dry vp the teares which the law of Nature drawes from the eyes a There is no water whose spring is sooner dryed vp then that which flowes from a profitable mourning Lewis longed too much to be at home to be grieued when as they brought him newes that Charles the seuenth had quit him the lodging Hee had already spent two third parts of his age in obeying hee held the rest very short to command and to end at in great enterprises worthy of his qualitie b Life is very short for great entrriprises and inconstancie makes it much shorter Hee entertained the Iuie of his hopes in the ruines of this old building he did not hope for any light but by the ecclipse of this Sunne and his vowes were no let that his Father was not already among the God c The Romans held their Fathers dead in the number of the Gods and their Images were reuerenced as persons deysied Wherfore among the predictions which Antonin had of his adoption and successim to the Empire they note that In somrio saepe monitus suit penatibus suis Adriani simulacrum inserere Capitol Hee was often admonished in his sleepe that hee should place Adrians Image among his boushould Gods And what can a Kings eldest Son desire but to raigne euery obiect lesse theÌ„ a crown is vnworthy of his birth Lewis comes into France but the wishes are vnnaturall monstrous vpon vniust effects To desire for a crownes cause the death of him of whom he holds his life is ingratitude impiety The same day that Charles dyed Lewis was aduertised of his death d They that haue written that these newes were sent by Charles Duke of Aniou Father in lawe to Charles the seuenth are mistaken both in the name and matter for Lewis Duke of Anion liued since the yeare 1417. He went presently to horse to goe into France fearing least Charles his brother should make his profit of his absence The Duke of Bourgundy and the Earle of Chartolis accompany him with foure thousand horse chosen out of the flower of all the forces of their Estates and the Princes their friends He makes his entry into Rheims Hee entred into Rheims the fourteeene of August e The King arriued at Rheims the 14. August and caused himself to be annointed the next day A remarkable diligence They cannot goe too speedily to so great a Feast The Duke of Bourgundy being followed by the Earl of Charolois the Earle of Neuers the Earle of Estampes the Duke of Cleues the Earle of S t. Pol and many other Noblemen went out of Rheimes to the Abbcy of Saint Thierry to meet the King being attired in white and crimsin damask vpon a white courser caparonessed with the armes of France The next day he was anoynted and crowned The peeres of the Church were there in person The Duke of Burgundy Deane of the peeres The Duke of Burbon held the place of the Duke of Normandy The Earle of Angolesme for the Duke of Guienne The Earle of Eu for the Earle of Tholousa The Earle of Neuers for the Earle of Flaunders and the Earle of Vandosme for the Earle of Champagne The King is anoinâ—ed and Crowned The ceremony of his coronation was beautified with an other which they found very new and strange The King is anointed and Crowned The King drawing his sword presented it to the Duke of Bourgundy and intreates him to make him Knight He gaue this honour of Knight-hood to an hundred and seauenteene Gentlemen the first were the Lord of Beauieu Iames of Burbon the Earle of Geneua the Earle of Pontieu the Earle of Witembergh Iohn of Luxembergh and to the Marques of Saluces Sonne From the Coronation they went to the Royall feast whereas
to submit himselfe to the mildest yoake seeing that hee could not remaine free o The miseries of ciuill diuision reduced Rome to that estate as hauing no hope euer to recouer her liberty she sought for nothing but for the mildest serâ—itude Hee left vnto Henry the name of King onely for all the authoritie was in his hands he gaue to the Earle of Salisbury the Office of Lord Chancellor of England and to Richard Neuell his Sonne the gouernment of Callis He disposed of publike charges as he pleased still giuing them vnto those of his faction In the end the king discouers the Duke of Yorkes designe Queene Margaret his wife who had been aduertised thereof le ts him vnderstand that he did temporise but vntill the partie were made to ceaze both of the king and Realme and among his partisans the king was held but for a Tyrant As if his Raigne had been by vsurpation or constraint p Among many differences betwixt a King and a Tyrant they put this that a King raigns with the loue anâ— consent of the people and a Tyrant rules by constraint The king imparted this to his principall seruants D. of Yorke retires from the Court of England who were of aduise to restraine this great authoritie which the Duke of Yorke had within the Realme The Duke beeing suddenly aduertised thereof retired secretly to Wigmore in Wales Richard Neuell to his Castle of Midleham in the North Countie and Richard Earle of Warwicke to Callis so as the cruell seditions in England grew more violent then before during the which the French spoiled the coasts of Kent and Iames king of Scotland inuited by the same occasion entred by Roxborge The same cause which made this warre ended it q The shaâ—pest Ciuill wars are pacified when as strangers meddle to gaine by them The two parties agree against the third and although the Prince be offended yet it is better to remit the punishment The king of England let the Duke of Yorke vnderstand that the ciuill discord and the bad intelligence which was betwixt them had opened a gate to the enemies to inuade England that the common danger did binde them to vnite their forces to defend it and that hee was contented to forget all matters past vpon hope of a better conduct hereafter English cease their ciuill discords to war against the French excusing himselfe that matters had not alwaies gone directly being impossible for a Prince to obserue all the kinds of Iustice and equitie r Many things vniust of themselues are made iust when they are countenanced by necessitie or profit wherfore Plutark obserues That if there were question to accomplish al the kindes of iustice Iupiter himself might not in that case bee a Prince The Kings intention was allowed by all men the Duke of Yorke being loth to be the author of the ruines of the Realme declared that all his affections tended to his greatnes and quiet and to take away all occasions of doubt He came vnto the King to London with the chiefe of his faction The feare of a forraine warre quenched the ciuill s There is no such indiscretion as to hazard ones own to get another mans and to draw forth the bloud which is needfull for the life of the bodie It is more glorie for a Prince to maintaine himselfe them to grow great Preseruation safety is the essence of an estate profit it but an accessary Mens mindes altered with things past grew milder and all their wills were vnited in one accord for the defence of the Realme detesting the discord which had drawne them into a warre which was not necessarie nor could bee happie and made them a prey and triumph to their auncient enemie But as the fire of sedition is neuer so well quenched but there remaines some sparks in the ashes Troubles renewed in England which kindle again if they be a little blowne that there be alwaies some which delights in troubles for that it is their rest t Seditions commonly are fed supported by three sorts of men First the heads of factions Secondly they that cannot liue in safety in the time of peace Thirdly they which are out of the presse find themselues free from dangers and in danger for that they come not neere them being like vnto those riuers which enter into the sea and doe not mingle their streames the Duke of Yorke and the Earle of Salisburie being retired to their houses after this accord were presently forced to leaue them to reuenge an affront done to the Earle of Warwick at VVestminster where he had been set vpon by the kings guard and forced to saue himselfe by the Riuer of Thames with the hazard of his life They said that Queene Margret was the author thereof being very desirous to ruine the Nobility of England and to ouerthrow the cheefe howses u A King should maintaine great families neither can hee suffer theÌ„ to be wâ—onged but hee shal weaken the greatnes of his maiesty wherof the Nobility is the cheese piller In all estates the Nobles haue beene respected and distinguished from others euen amongst the Thracians the genlâ—emen went only vppon horseback and at Rome Noblemens wiues went in Littors who were the pillers of the Realme The warre began as soone as it was declared The three Richards are in field King Henry hauing leuied great forces comes to York Andrew Trollop who was come from Calleis with the Earle of Warwick thinking to serue the King when as he saw their armes turned against him left the Earle of Warwick to follow the King who in moment scattered his enemies and forced the Duke of York to passe into Holland there to attend vntill his Partisans had raised the ruines of that party Battaile before London whereas K. Henry was defeated Presently after the three heads of the faction returne into England with an intent to vanquish or to dye they present themselues at the gates of London they giue and winne a great Battell whereas the Victors saw tenne thousand men slaine and as many prisoners King Henry who seemed to haue beene raised vp to show the inconstancy of Fortune and the misery and vanity of man remained at the Victors discretion The English remembring that his grandfather had caused King Richard to dye in prison began to acknowledge the iudgements of Gods iustice who punisheth the Children for the offences of their fathers x Henry Earle of Harford and Duke of Lancastre tooke armes against Richard the 2. seazed on him puts him into the Tower of London and caused himselfe to bee crowned King and after that he had forced him to resigne the Crowne hee sent him to Langleâ— where hee was murthered In this great prosperity the make falls from the Dukes face He speakes plainely Duke of York declared Regent that whatsoeuer he had done was grounded vppon the rightes of the house of Yorke the
to his head with foure nayles f The Emperor Henry the sixt beeing in Sicile discouerâ—d some conspiracie against him and his estate He caused the chief of them to bee apprehended to punish his ambition he set a crowne of copper vpon his head caused it to be fastened with foure nayles Nic. li. 2. Queene Margaret to effect her designe had drawne some succours from Rene King of Cicile her Father The King lent her sonne two thousand pound sterling at Chinon vpon condition that as soone as King Henry should recouer Callice hee should deliuer the gouernment thereof to Iasper Earle of Pembroke or to Iohn of Foys Earle of Candalles paying him moreouer fortie thousand crownes But all this preuailed nothing the King remained a prisoner and the Queene had much adoe to saue her selfe with the Prince of Wales her Sonne g Monstrellet saith that Queene Margaret her Son La Varenne were met by theeues that she said vnto a theefe that met her bold my friend saue the son of thy King that shee went to Scluce and from thence to Bourges and that the Duke of Bourgundy caused her to be coÌ„ducted to her Father The Princes of the house of Lancaster retired themselues whether their feete and dispaire carried them Some were seene in the Duke of Burgundies Court in miserie Misery of the house of Lancaster begging their bread Fortune how cruell soeuer can doe no worse vnto a Prince then to reduce him to the apprehensions of hunger h Ph. de Commines saith hee had seene a Prince of this house of Lancaster follow the D. of Bourgundyes traine and without hose begging his bread from house to house and that being knowne they gaue him a small pention to liue on The beasts are freed from it The fishes pay no tribute to passe from Riuers into the sea Swallowes flying through so many regions dyed not of Hunger It is a pittifull thing that men and the chiefe among men haue difficultie to liue and to finde what to eate and drinke and wherewith to cloth themselues i Nature comprehends all the necessities of the world in these three words Non esurire Non sitire Non algere not to be hungry thirstie and cold all the rest is superfluous Edward in this great prosperitie of affayres troubles not his iudgement but considers that the house of Lancaster was ruined without hope of recouerie and the Red Rose withered That it was impossible euer to rise againe if it were not assisted with the forces of France Wherefore he desired to make his alliance with the king and sent the Earle of Warwicke to demand Bonna of Sauoye the Queenes sister in marriage Edward fals in loue with a Widdow But during this negotiation Loue which may be held a kinde of furie k Loue is put in the ranke of Melancholly diseases and kindes of fury it peruerts the iudgement and confounds the good with the euill for that it troubles the iudgement carried the affections of this Prince to the seruice of a Ladie who would haue held her selfe much honoured to haue serued the Queene of England and yet she had the ambition to be so Fortune agreed with her beauty Being widdow to Sir Iohn Grey her age bound her to follow rather the life of the Doue then of the Turtle l The Empresse Barba wife to Sigismond the Emperor being told after the death of her husband that she should imitate the Turtle If I must said shee initate beasts why rather the Turtle then the Doue or the sparrow Aeneas Sil. de dict Sigismondi et Frederici Imper. for her first marriage had scarce touched the flowers of her beauty nor of her youth Edward did not liue but for her his heart receiued no law but from her eyes to whom he did submit the full disposition of his fortunes She being powerfull in the charmes of loue let him presently vnderstand that she did not accept of the sacrifice of the hearts of Kings but of the Altar of honour that he might not hope to haue her for a Mistris if he would not assure her to make her his Queene They that loue ardently are easie and tractable m Hee that loues refuseth not any thing In loue there is force and pleasure force constraines the will and pleasure deceiues the iudgement they spare neither wordes nor oathes Edward transported with this fury forgets the sute which he made in France and changeth all his wills into the obedience of this Lady who seeing her selfe to command ouer the Kinges heart assures her selfe to raigne soone in his Realme He is not capable to refuse her any thing The wind of her disdaines and the couldnes of so faire a mistris may well quence the fire in the beginning but being once kindled it giues it nourishment and increase In the end Edward promised to make her Queene and his promise was presently followed with the consumation of the marriage to the great amazement of the Nobility of England who thought the King was bewitcht n Beauty and grace are the mighty charmes of loue said Olimpias the mother of Alexander Loue which growes from amorous drinckes continues not Plutarch gueth these Epithites 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 short toublesome changeable And he saith it doth easily change into hatred and disdaine and wisht him a more honorable alliance Lewis tooke it ill and the Earle of Warwick was so greeued as from that time he was wholly the French Kings who by his counsell plotted a reuenge which shall shew it selfe in the yeare one thousand foure hundred seauenty one Marriages and alliances vnworthy of the greatnes of Princes cause murmurings and discontentments in the people o The people which loue their Princes reioyce at their victories and prosperities They are aflicted at their losses especially if they do any thing which may impaire their honor as when they treat of alliances vnworthy the greatnes of their houses Tot luctibus funesta ciuitate pâ—rs maeroâ—is fuâ—t quod Iulia Drusi filia quondam Neronis vxor dempsit in domum Rubelliâ— Blandi cuius Auum Tiburtem equitem Romanum plerique meminerant Rome did mourne generally when as Iulia daughter to Drusus the sonne of Tiberius and widdow to Nero son of Germanicus married with Rubellius Blandus whose Grandfather had carried no other title then of a Knight The great Calme which was in France King Lewis goes into Guienne did notwithstanding presage a great storme and gaue the King meanes to visit some of the prouinces of his realme he went to Burdeaux whereas he treated of a marriage betweene the Lady Margret his sister and Gaston of Foix who was sonne to Elenor of Aragon daughter to Iohn King of Aragon and Blanch Queene of Nauarre He accepted this Alliance for that this yong Prince was valiant and coragious and that the successions of the Crowne of Nauarre Foyx Berne Bygorre and other Lands lying in
France did belong vnto him The Earle of Foyx sent his Ambassadors and Deputies to the King being at Bordeaux to conclude the treaty p The cheife condition of the Marriage was that the children which should be borne without distinction of malâ— or female should succeed in the counties of Foix and Bygorre He past to Bayonne to end a controuersie betweene the 2. Kinges of Nauarre and Aragon 1462. and Henry King of Castile his Nephew A controuersie begun with great spleene and was continued with the like and had not ended without excesse if he had not dealt in it for the parties flattered themselues in their pretentions were blind in their interests and found that the obscurenes proceeded rather from the thing then their owne blindnes But behold the causes and the effects After the death of Charles the third q Charles the third King of Nauarre taking delight to build at Olîta died suddenly in September 1425. the threescore and foure yeare of his age and the thirty nine of his raigne he was buryed at Pampeluna King of Nauarre the Crowne past from the house of France and Eureaux into that of Castile and Aragon not without trouble and discord Iohn second sonne to Ferdinand of Aragon married Blanch Infanta of Nauarre presumptiue heire of the Realme of Nauarre and widdow to Martin King of Sicilie and it was agreed by a treaty of marriage that in case she should die before her husband hee should raigne the rest of his life in Nauarre after king Charles the third his father in law Of this marriage was borne at Pegna Charles Prince of Viana born Charles Prince of Vianna a title belonging to the eldest Sonne of the King of Nauarre r Charles the the third King of Nauarre ereected Viana into a principalitie and did affect it to the eldest son of Nauarre in the yeere 1421. as Dauphin to that of France The Asturiez in Castille and Wales in England Charles the third his grandfather made him to bee sworne heyre of the Realme by the Estates after the death of Iohn his Father Charles being dead Iohn was declared King of Nauarre by some and Blanch his wife was acknowledged Queene by others yet both were crowned at Pampeluna Iohn had great warres with his brother the King of Castille Marriage betwiâ—t the Prince of the Asturies and Blanch of Nauarre who did confiscate the lands which he held in Castille Iohn Earle of Foyx reconciled them by a marriage betwixt Henry Prince of the Asturies sonne to Iohn King of Castille and Blanch Daughter to Iohn king of Nauarre s By the constitution of the marriage of this Princesse which was of 42112. Florens of gold wee may iudge in what estate K. Charles the third had left the Realme of Nauarre The marriage was celebrated with great pompe and solemnitie but the Prince was vnable to consummate it The which the Princesse did long dissemble Shee had great cause to complaine of this want and to wish her selfe to be a widdow or her husband vnmarried t The dissembling of couiuâ—all imperfections is very seemly especially in a woman Tullia a great Romane Lady is blamed for her ordinarie complaints murmùring at her husbands disabilitie De viro ad fratrem de sorore ad viruÌ„ se rectius viduam illuÌ„ caelibem futurum Tit. Liu. but like an other Eusebia shee did long suffer for the disabilitie of Constans desiring rather to wrong her youth and beautie then her modestie A while after Blanch Queene of Nauarre died and king Iohn married againe with Ione Henriques Charles Prince of Viana fearing that his alliance would keep him back from the hope of raigning and from the inheritance of the Queene his Mother did not dissemble his discontent u A desire to raigne makes the father iealous of the sonne Plutarc saith in the life of Demetrius that the greatest and most ancient of all Alexanders successors did glorie that he feared not his sonne but suffered him to approch neere his person holding a Iauelin in his band pretending that by the lawes of the Realme his Father by marrying againe had lost the fruit of the Crowne Behold all naturall affection is altered betwixt the Father and the Sonne The desire of rule makes them enemies the Father growes iealous and would not suffer his Sonne to come neere him armed On the other side this second wife seeing her selfe mother to Ferdinand did what she could to show that she was mother in law to Charles x What will not an ambitious mother doe and vndoe for her children D. Ioane lying in the bed of death by reason of a Cankar which did consume her remembring what she had done to assure the Realme vnto her Sonne spake often these words with sighes which are reported in the 21. booke of the history of Spaine O my Son thou hast cost me deare For him she had caused Don Charles to bee poysoned and neuer ceast vntill this young plant were quâ—â—â—ht by the nipping cold of her bad intentions seeking to haue a share in the regencie of the Realme in the absence of the king who had reuiued the warre in Castille Hence sprung those two great factions Factions of Beaumont and Grandmont that of Beaumont which followed the intent of of the Prince against the King and that of Grandmont which was for the father against the sonne so as presently the Realme was diuided into two kings two constables Lewis of Beaumont Earle of Lerin was Constable to the Prince and Peter of Perault was Constable to the king The kings cause as the better and more iust remained victorious the Prince beeing twice ouerthrowne is forced to flye to Alfonso king of Arragon Valencia Sardinia Maiorca Minorca and Sicile hee had recourse vnto his clemencie and besought him to pardon him The king who could not forget the loue of a Father vnto him who shewed the dutie of a Sonne receiues him but hee had new aduertisments that hee made secret practises to trouble him wherefore he sent him prisoner vnto the Alferie of Saragossa from whence hee was drawne by the Cattallans who tooke armes for his libertie Charles of Nâ—uarre poisoned by his mother in law but he went out of the prison to enter into a graue y Charles Prince of Viana died being forty yeares old a valiant Prince a great Historian a subtill Philosopher and a good Poet hee translated Aristotles Ethicks into the Castilain tongue and hee wrote the History of Nauarre vnto the time of King Charles his Grandfather For the very day of his deliuerie he was poisoned and dyed with much repentance for that hee had rebelled against the king his father The Infant Don Ferdinand was acknowledged heyre of the crowne of Arragon They of Cattellonia tooke armes to reuenge the death of Prince Charles The seditious who blow the cole of this desection said that his soule walked in the
kill him The Earle of Charolois being at the Hage in Holland Rubempre staid at the Hage Rubenpre lands with three other disguised like a Marchant The Earle caused him to be stayed and gaue it out that he had attempted by the Kinges commandement to take him or to kill him At such time as the Duke was at Hedin with the King it was generally bruted and the king was blamed for this designe in open pulpit by the Preachers of the multitude who intermixt their discourses with matters wherewith they should not meddle e It is an insupportable abuse to make the word of God an instrument of seditioÌ„ to moue mens mindes to follow the passions and interests of the world beeing onely ordained to guide them in the waies of saluation Of such Doctors or rather busie bodies we may say with Laâ—â—tantius lib. 3. cap. 30. Facessant omnes isti qui vitam humanam nâ—n instruunt sed turbant Let all these be silent which rather trouble then instruct mans life Oliuer de la March the Dukes cheife steward hauing made many voiages vpon this occasion could not hold his peace but spake what he thought to the preiudice of the Kings honor The Duke vppon this aduertisement fearing to be staid parted secretly from Hedin without the kings leaue or priuity The King was offended at this iniury done vnto Rubenpre and at the repors which were diuulged vpon his voyage into Holland Complaints and discontents of the King It had been a timiditie both dishonorable dangerous to dissemble f In fearefull and induring humâ—rs contempt is infallible They feare not to wrong him who hath no care to reuenge it He sent Moruillier his Chanceller the Archbishop of Narbonne and the Earle of Eu to the Duke of Bourgundy to complaine of the detention of the Bastard of Rubenpre and for that he had suffered his Maiesties name and respect to bee wronged publikely and taxt That Oliuer de la March and a religious man had spoken il of him and that the Earle of Charolois had allied himselfe vnto the Duke of Brittany These were the complaints whereon their embassy was grounded Moruillier represented the Kings intentions with much bitternes and passion quallifying this intelligence of the Duke of Brittanie and the Earle of Charrolois with no milder name then crime and conspiracy adding that he could not conceiue why it had been made but for that the Earle of Charolois was discontented for that his pension was not paid him g The Earle of Charolois was much moued at that word which imputed his discontent to a matter due which the greatnes of his courage made him to contemne thinking that Moruillier would inferre thereby that hee could not liue without his pension The Earle of Charrolois thinking that his silence would preiudice himselfe and wrong his friends defence Impatience of the Earle of Charolois did still interrupt Moruilliers discourse The father who had bred him vp more to heare then to speake h staid his impatiencie to giue Moruillier leasure to discourse of the Kings complaints with the like heate as he had begunne them The Duke hauing heard him with patience answered coldly and wisely that the bastard of Rubempre being charged with crimes had giuen his sonne cause to doubt of his stay in Holland where hee had been taken a countrey which did not acknowledge any other Soueraigne then himselfe i laqueline Countesse of Henalt Holland was wife to two â—usbaÌ„ds the Du. â—oâ— Glocester brother to the D. of Bedford and the D. of Bâ—abant Being dâ—famed for her adulteries shee declared Philip Du â—f Burgundy heyre to her countries Henalt Holland and Zeland in the yeere 1426. The first cause of the bad intelligence which was betwixt the BurguÌ„dians and English and reconciled Philip and Charles the seuenth That Oliuer de la March was borne in the Franche County k Oliuer de la March was son to Philip de la March who serued the house of Bourgundy fifty yeares and is author of the obsâ—ruations which are published in his name and was not answerable before any Iudges of France That if he had erred against the Kings respect hee would cause him to bee punished And as for the preacher of Bruges he knew not what was become of him and that he was a man of that condition as his conscience would not suffer him to lay hold of him The Earle of Charolois did still interrupt Moruillier in his discourse who told him that hee was come to speake to the Duke his Father and not to him Whereupon the Earle entreated his father to suffer him to speake I haue answered said the Duke for thee as in mine opinon a father should answere for his sonne yet if thou hast so great a desire thinke of it to day and to morrow speake what thou wilt He would not haue his sonne carried away with those blind guides Choller and l Ia affaires of consequence especially when one that is more mighty is to bee satisfied nothing is to bee answered suddenly nor with choller They suffer troubled water to settle that it may bee cleare Choller precipitaâ—ion are enemies to Counsell Precipation Moruillier persisted in the bitternes of his discourse forgetting nothing that might be said to blemish and disgrace a Prince Hee shewed that the Bastard of Rubempre had been sent by the King to stay the Vice-chancellor of Brittanie returning out of England That hauing landed at the Hage in Holland the Earle of Charralois had been too suspitious The Duke answered that the Bastard of Rubempree had been found faulty As for his Sonne the Earle of Charolois if he were suspicious hee had it not from him but from his mother who was a very suspicious and distrustfull woman and yet notwithstanding if hee had been at the Hage at the passage of Rubempre he had done no lesse then his sonne m D. Isabella Infanta of Portugal daughter to the King Don Iohn was married to Philip Duke of Bourgundy in the yeare 1429. and was mother to Charles Moruillier coÌ„plained also that the D. went from Hedin without taking leaue of the King and against that which he had promised Ha said the Duke with some little perturbation and heate finding himselfe toucht with the breath of his word n Nothing can be reproched more sensible to a Prince then the breach of his word who should rather faile himselfe then his promises wherein he should be 〈◊〉 lesse iâ—dicious then constant I neuer promised any thing but what I haue kept And fearing that in speaking this they should finde that he was moued he added smiling that hee had neuer failed of his word but to Ladies that hauing promised the King not to goe from Hedin he had added this condition if there came no other newes That the discouerie of the Bastard of Rubempre and other important matters had caused him to goe to horse Hereunto Moruillier The
facile puellas oculis adiiceret easque deperiret the Earle of Warwick being wounded in so sensible and tender a part began to distaste the seruice which he did him and repenting him of that which he had formerly done hee retired from Court into his Earldome of Warwicke The Earle of Warwick reuolts whereas his hard fortune made him know the difference of his friends b In the disgrace and crosses of fortune friends are knowne Namertes answered him that required a rule to know them by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plut. and where he shews that a great courage had rather die reuenged then liue with the reproch of a wrong or an affront The Duke of Clarence the Kings Brother the Archbishop of Yorke and the Marquis of Montague came vnto him Euery one brought his complaint with him and the vlcer he had in his heart against Edward The Earle of Warwick represented vnto them the miserable estate they ranne into if they did not labour to restore King Henry to his Fathers throne and themselues to libertie To binde the Duke of Clarence to this designe hee giues him his Daughter He makes a league with the Duâ— of Clarence Proximitie of bloud did sufficiently binde the other two being his Brethren whose friendship he might account among the sweet fruits of his felicitie c It is a part of the sweetnes felicitie of life to see Telemachus recounting his miseries amoÌ„g which he reports that he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without a broâ—â—er Plut. The partie was made and the resolution taken vpon the consideration of things present to come was that he should goe to Calice and in his absence they should make some stirres in the Prouince of Yorke to the end hee might haue a subiect to come thither and to arme The pretext of rising was for the deniall of some Corne which they of the Earle of Warwicks faction refused to pay for the entertainment of St Leonards Hospitall in Yorke and there were others which did murmure giuing it out that what should serue the poore was spent by great men d Sedition can haue no iust causes but the most apparant are wheâ— as priuate men make their profit of that which belongs to the publike In a word it is inequalitie and Iniustice This refusall did so incense the people Commotion in Yorkshire as in a short time there were fifteene thousand men in armes which marched directly to Yorke to haue reason of them which refused to pay what they ought vnto the Hospitall But when as they found themselues too weake An Armie at the gaâ—es of London being a multitude of seditious and mutenous fellowes who are naturally cowards and hauing no Canon to force an entrie they past to London to demand Iustice of the King with torches of rebellion in their fists e Seâ—ition is alwaies saint and cowardly and cowards are euer most seditioâ—s QuantuÌ„â—abes ad â—ustinendum laboreÌ„ miles tanto ad discordias proÌ„ptior Tac. Hist. Lib. 2. The Earle of Warwick was no sooner aduertised of these broiles but he parted from Calice with the Duke of Clarence and came and ioined with this multitude who wanted not any thing but a head King Henries presence and the Earles did countenance the faction and increase it with a greater number with the which he resolued to giue Battell to recompence the errors ruines and occasion past f Hee that knowes how to giue a Battell recouers â—is reputation if it were blemished it restores him if he be ruined excuseth all errors which he hath coÌ„mitted in warre for a Battell won defaceth all misfortunes reproch of other precedent actions The Earle of Pembroke whom the King of England had sent not to fight but to punish those rebels was put to route and they had the victory Richard Lord Riuers father to Queene Elizabeth and his sonne Iohn Wooduille with some other Gentlemen lost their heads The King sought to make some accord with the Earle of Warwicke and vpon the assurance which he gaue him neglected to keep good gard in his Campe the which should not bee omitted euen among friends Loue goes naked by day and armed by night g Crates said that loue went al day naked but at night hee caried a Cuirasse that a prince which trusts in the loue of his subiects may by day goe in safety and without feare but by night he should haue his gard The Earle of Warwicke hauing obserued this carelesse guard by his spies he vndertooke to charge him by night â—dward defeated and taken prisoner with so great aduantage as killing all he found in the trenches hee came without any resistance to the place where the King was whom he tooke prisoner and led away But for that they could not make good vse of this fortune they ruined themselues and vndid King Henry for whom they had taken Armes God who hath a speciall care of Kings depriued them of Iudgement for although they knew well that it was impossible to settle King Henry peaceably in the Realme during Edwards life yet could they not keep him so well but hee escaped hauing corrupted his gards with hopes and goodly promises whereof great men are no nigards when they haue need of their inferiors Edward being at libertie recouers Yorke where he was receiued with ioy which was as great as it was vnexpected From thence he went to London to confirme their wils whom his captiuitie had made to wauer and considering that victory doth alwaies fauour them which haue the aduantage both of Councell and force h A prince hath a great aduantage ouer his enemie when he exceeds him in Armes and that hee hath the CouÌ„cels executions sooner readie then he he raised a might Armie and went to seeke out the Earle of Warwicke Earle of Warwick defeated whom he put to rout and returned triumphantly the victorie was made famous by the death of ten thousand men Queene Margaret Prince Edward her Sonne the Duke of Clarence and his wife the Earle of Warwick with their children and friends were forced to flye They came to Calice but the Earle of Warwicks Lieutenant would not receiue them nor scarce suffer them to carrie two bottels of Wine for the Duchesse of Clarence who was deliuered of a Sonne whilest the ship rode at an Anchor This rudenes and indiscretion did so please King Edward and the Duke of Bourgundy as the one sent him authoritie to command as Gouernor of Calais and the other a good pension to increase his entertainement The Earle of Warwicke who was much esteemed in France and in great credit with the King for his worthy deeds which had made his reputation great and not easie to bee shaken i ReputatioÌ„ is a Colosse which is hardly raised by reason of its waight buy wheÌ„ it is vp it staÌ„ds firme and supports it selfe by his owne heauines It is hard to lay the
bad frâ—tâ— and yeâ— wee see that from â—ood fathers come bad children The Iewes prouerb is Homets ben iin vâ—neger is the son of wine Natum crebro tanquam ex industria malis ebonis agrestes â— doctioribus ceteris â—u vic torin Caliguls Impressions were very easie in this lightnesse The rigor which King Lewis the eleuenth shewed vnto him made him giue eare to such as sought to finde their owne contentments in his discontents It is Iniustice in a Soueraigne brother not to prouide for the entertainment of his yonger whom he should put in the number of his forces and felicities They are of the same bloud and grounded vppon part and portion of the successiue rights but they haue neuer prospered which haue troubled the house for this and conspired with the members against the head Twenty yeares before this death France had seene a notable example in Brittaine Tragicall end of Giles of Brittaine There is no danger to lay the History a little aside Giles g Iohn the fift Duke of Brittaine left three Sonnes Francis Peter and Giles sonne to Iohn the fifth Duke of Brittaine and Brother to Francis the first being not well pleased with his portion retired himselfe to Guildo a Castle neere vnto the sea by Matignon The Duke his Brother makes King Charles the seuenth beleeue that he was there to fauour the English with aduice and intelligence h Vpon the first suspition of any ones fidelity they presently ad the communicatiâ—n of friends They doe exactly reuise actions past which deface or confirme the doubt of the present A beliefe which might easily bee setled in the soule of a iealous King for that this Prince had beene bred vp in England and the king had giuen him the Order of the Garter and the office of Constable Proces made to the Prince of Brittany Vppon this first impression the king sends to take him and deliuers him into the Dukes hands who sends him prisoner to Chasteau Briant commanding his Attourney Generall i The Duke demanded of the Atturney Generall what should be done in this processe The good man answered that he did not see what might be done that by the custome the elder had no criminall iustice ouer his yonger brother and that the Duke could not call him to his Iustice. An answer which was more simple theÌ„ true Hâ—st of Brit. lib. 11. to make his processe for treason but there was no crime nor any accuser The hand which had hurt him sought to cure him The king beeing informed of his innocencie laboured for his deliuerance The Duke durst not refuse him but being ready to be set a libertie his enemies suppose letters from the king of England wherevpon the king changeth his aduice and causeth him to bee kept more straightly in the Castle of Touffort There he is made to languish and endure greater extremities then those of the Quarries of Siracusa k The vsage of such as were shut vp in the Iayle of the Quarries of Siracusa was very straâ—ght for they had but two dishfuls of barley and one of water allowed them by dayâ— lut in the life 〈◊〉 for they refused him water and if he had bread they were the scraps of a poore woman who hearing him cry for hunger put them in at a window which was vpon the ditch side His gardes who had vndertaken to starue him seeing it continue to long Gilles of Brittany adiournes his Brother before God strangled him They gaue him leysure to thinke of his conscience hee charged a Friar to adiourne his Brother to heauen seeing there was no Iustice on earth for his innocencie l Gilles of 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 speech charged a Friar to goe vnto D. Francis the first and to tell him in what estate hee had left him the miseries he endured by iniustice that he could haue no right but referred all to the iudgement of God before 〈◊〉 he called him The Duke appeared Death pulling this thorne out of the kings heart gaue him meanes of more rest if his spirit had been capable of rest It carried him into many places m A spirit which is not restrained to certaine designes liues in continuall disquietnes Phil. de Commines speaking of this Prince saies these words The time that he rested his vnderstanding laboreâ— for â—e had to doe in many â—aces and did as willingly busie himselfe with his neighbours affaires as with his owne and thrust him into sundry designes medling with his neighbours affaires as with his owne True it is he had great crosses by them that were neerest vnto him Imprisonmenâ— of the Duke of Alencon Iohn the second Duke of Alençon the first Prince of the bloud was sent prisoner to the Louure for conspiring with the Kings enemies and at the same time they saw other Princes afflicted with the like Domesticke diseases Lewis was nothing sorrie to disquiet them he did what he could to fill vp the measure of their cares hauing no respect to make enemies so as they came to his Mill. Iohn the second King of Nauarre and Arragon had prosperities and aduersities Troubles in Nauarre both publike and priuate so variable and diuers as it could not be said whether he had more of the one then the other his youth was tost and his age was not quiet but still his courage remained inuincible in the greatest fury of the storme n They that make profession of wisedome faint in aduersitie are like vnto Pilots which grow sick during a storme Charles the onely Sonne and presumptiue heyre of the Crowne of Nauarre tooke Armes against him to bee King Charles Prince of Nauarre makes war against his Father Henry the fourth King of Castille who had married his eldest Daughter fauored his rebels of Barcelona and Gaston Earle of Foix husband to Elenor his second daughter seeing him busied against the Castillans sought to dispossesse him of the Crowne of Nauarre D. Pedro of Portugall was chosen King dyed at the siege of Tortosa o After that the Aâ—ragonis had declared K. Iohn vnwortâ—y the crown as the murtherer of his own son they did choose D. Pedro the third CoÌ„stable of Portugal son to D. Pedro D. of â—imbra Rene of Anjou Duke of Lorraine and Earle of Prouence being desirous to recouer the Title of a king which he had lost at Naples accepted the same election by the aduice of King Lewis the eleuenth and sent the Duke of Calabria his Sonne into Spaine with French troupes which ioyning with them of the countie of Roussillon besieged Girone The French besiege Giâ—onne The Arragonois were beaten and defeated and the Prince D. Ferdinand sonne to the King of Nauarre in danger to be taken prisoner p At the Battell of Denia the Prince D. Ferdinand was prisoneâ— Roderic of Rebâ—ledo caused himselfe to â—ee taken in his place to giue him meanes to escape and the King redeemeâ—
which he ware about his neck and which resisted poyson but the Chancellor kept it to present it vnto the King This disposition beeing made they led him to a great seaffold from the which they did ascend to an other which was lesse but higher where he should receiue an end of his life u Death is sweet when it is the end not the punishment of life And they say it is a troublesome thing to die before one be sick for a punishment Vpon the greater were the Chancellor the Siegneur of Gaucourt and some other of the Kings Officers all the place and all windowes were full euen to the tops of houses He went vp vnto the Scaffold with his hands vnbound He is executed at the Greue the executioner bound them with a little cord They presented him a Cushion of other stuffe then those be wheron the Constables x The Chancellors Constables of France take their oth vnto the King kneeling vpon a cushion of veluet here they offer the Constable one of wooll with the Armes of the City of Paris of France take their oth vnto the King He remoued it with his foote and set it right and then he kneeled downe with his face towards our Ladies Church There in the sight of heauen and of two hundred thousand people the fire-brand of warre was quencht the 29. day of December 1475 He dyed much amazed but full of deuotion and repentance He dyed trembling To dye trembling after that manner was not to dye like a man who had carried the sword of France The executioner should not haue been more hardy to strike y In what place soeuer death assailes a generous man hee should die generously The generosity of courage doth something abate the infamie of the punishment Rubrius Flauius being condemne thy Neâ—o to loose his head when as the executioner said vnto him that he should stretch forth his neck boldy he answered Thou shalt not strike more boldly then I will present my head then he to offer his neck to receiue the blow Thus he who had no care nor thought but of diuision had his head diuided from his sholders the which as full of winde goes into the Ayre and the bodie fals to the earth the life which remained caused some little motion which makes the head to moue apart and the bodie apart but it is without soule for that is not diuided The Franciscane Friars carried the bodie to their Church and they said then vpon the dispute which they had with the Curate of S. Iohn at the Greue that two hundred Friaâ—s had had their heads cut off Wee must conclude this discourse with so certaine a Maxime as whosoeuer shall affirme it cannot lye Neuer any one that dealt craftily with his Prince but in the end he was deceiued and there is nothing more certaine by considerations of presidents experience and reason that who so keepes his Master in feare forceth him to free himselfe This place remained vnsupplyed aboue fortie yeares ImportaÌ„ce of the office of Constable for the command is so great ouer all the forces of the Realme and the name of such lustre as if it fals into the hands of an ambitious man that is able to make his authoritie march equall with the Kings if of a Prince of the bloud he is the Kings King if of an other the Princes and great men of the Realme will not obay him and his commandement as Bertrand of Gueschin said z Berâ—rand of Gueschin refused to accept the Office of Constable for that he was but a simple Knight and durâ—t 〈◊〉 presume to command the kings bâ—others Câ—zins 〈…〉 not your selfe by this meanes for I haue neither Brother Cozin nor Nephewes Earle nâ—r Baron within my realme but shal obay you willingly if any one should doe otherwise hee should displease me Froislard doth concerne the great rather then the lesse The Constables goods beeing forfeited were restored to Francis of Bourbon Earle of Vendosme marrying Mary of Luxembourg Her slender and small stature brought into this house the smalnes of bodies of those great Princes who before were of that goodly and rich stature The first beauty of men admired and desired in Kings As the King had shewed an example of his Iustice in the Constables death Duke of Alencon set at libertie so did hee one of his bounty to the Duke of Alençcon a The D. of Alencon was coÌ„ducted from the Louure to the house of Michel Luillier on Thursday the 28. of December 1475 at six of the clock at night by Iohn Harlay Knight of the watch with foure torches as the Author of the Chronicle doth obserue whom he suffred to go out of the Louure where he was a prisoner and to be lodged in a Burgesses house of Paris The fortune of this Prince was to be pittied and the consideration of his birth bound the Princes to commiseration Hee was of the bloud of France and the house of Alençon was a branch of that of Valois Charles of France Earle of Valois had two sonnes Philip of Valois King of France and Charles of Valois b Charles of Valois Brother to Philip of Valeis King of FraÌ„ce had four sonnes by Mary of Spaine his second â— wife Charles who was a Iacobin and then Archbishop of Lyon Peter Earle of Alencon Philip Archbishop of 〈◊〉 and Robert Earle of Perch Earle of Chartres and then of Alençon who dyed at the Battell of Crecy He was father to Iohn first Duke Duke of Alençon who married Marry of Brittanie and by her had this Iohn the second of that name Duke of Alençon his sonne Rene Duke of Alençon married Margaret of Lorraine by whom he had Charles the last Duke of Alençon married to Margaret of Orleans the onely Sister of King Francis the first and died without children By the Constables death the Duke of Bourgundy receiued from the King St. Quentin Profit and blame of the Duke for the Constables death Han and Bohain and the spoiles of the dead which might amount to fourescore thousand crownes He was sorie that he had lost him who had made him haue so good a share in France He was blamed to haue giuen him a safe conduit and then c Behold the iudgment which the Lord of Argenton makes vpon this deliuerie There was no need for the D. of Bourgundie who was so great a Prince of so famous and honorable a house to giue an assurance to the Constable to take him which was a great crueltie the Battel where he was certain of deth and for couetousnes deliuer him 1476. and to deliuer him to him that pursued him after the assurances of Protection and defence This breach was noted for an infallible presage of the ruine of his house The Annales of the Franche Contie of Bourgundy adde an other cause which was that the Duke had seazed of a great sum of money at Aussone
she hath forsaken He was shot with an arrow at this siege by reason whereof he was carried secretly to Varna to the end it should not daunt the courage of the Turkes and fortefie the Christians Being drest he demanded what they did in the Campe Losse at the siege of Belgrade to whom it was answered That all was in disorder the Bassa of Asia slaine the chiefe Captaines put to rout forty thousand men dead vpon the field the Ordinance lost and that they lost time to thinke to take the Towne which the onely presence of Iohn Coruin made impregnable These words put Mahomet into such a rage and rage into such despaire as cursing both heauen and earth Mahomet seekes to poison himselfe and blaspheming God he called for poyson to kill himselfe which being refused him he set fire of his Campe and retired As the vnfortunate euent of the Seige of Belgrade made him to desire death so that of Rhodes and an extreme sorrow to see himselfe vanquished Mahomet dyes for griefe hauing done nothing but vanquish made him to dye x Mahomet coÌ„tinued sixe and forty daies before Belgrade the siege bganne the 13. of Iune and was raysed the sixt of August 1456. Dispairing then to subdue the Rhodians and hauing continued all his fury and violence of warre against that strong rampart of Christendome foure score daies he retired to Damiet in Nicomedia y It is hard for a Prince to bee vanquished hauing alwaies bin victor Boleslas the third King of Polonia hauing won 47. battles and being forced at last against the Russians to flye dyed for griefe Crâ—m lib. 6. where he was surprised with so violent a Cholick as he died Phil. de Comines saith That euery yeare in the beginning of Summer one of his legs did swell as big as his body and did fall againe after some time yet no man could giue a reason of this griefe He imputes it to his Gourmandize and to the punishment of God It may be it was that legge into the which Bladius brother to the Prince of Valachia stabd his knife to saue his honour from that Goat who would haue forced him to the infamous and vnnaturall lust of a barren Venus z Amurath his father would haue done the like to twelue yong Gentlemen of Polonia whoÌ„ he reserued for that abhomination they resolued to kill him but being dâ—scouered they slew one another to auoid a more miserable life or a more ignominious and cruell punishment His cruelties inhumanities made some Souldiours of his Gard resolue to kill him in his bed Excesse of Mahomet The Conspiracy being discouered by a Christian he caused the Conspirators to be strangled and from that time he suffered not any one aboue twelue yeares old to enter into his chamber For these reasons Mahomet is the second of those great Princes whom Phil. de Commines preferres before all others to haue raigned at one time King Lewis the eleuenth is the first and Mathias Huniades the third The King did not extend his thoughts so farre Designes of the King vpon Lorraine and Prouence for seeing himselfe approach neere vnto the West of his daies he carried them not into the East His thoughts were conuerted vpon his neerest neighbours as vpon Loraine and Prouence he held the Councels to plant the bounds of his Empire vnworthy the courage of a great Prince He would haue France like vnto a great Tree which with the spredding of his branches and shadow hindreth the growth of all that is about it a Augustus was authour of this Counsell to Tibeâ—â—us CoerceÌ„di intra terminos impeâ—ij To â—â—straine the Empire within certaine bounds A hard lesson for a Prince that hath courage Vna ea vetus causa bellandi est profunda cupido Impeâ—ij diuitiaâ—um A great desire of Empire and riches hath beene the old and onely cause of war Sal. The Estates of Nauarre Flanders Brittaine and Prouence were not more in the power of their Princes then in his and trembled vnder his authority as the Pigion or Partrige do vnder the flight of the Hauke The designes which hee had vpon Lorraine and Prouence were executed in adding wisedome to occasion and force to reason To vnderstand this proceeding we must know that Iohn Duke of Lorraine Estate of Loraine did first marry Sophia daughter to Eberhard Earle of Wirtemberg and had two sonnes Charles and Fredericke b The children of Charles Duke of Lorraine were Ralph Lewis Charles Robert Frederick Maâ—y married to Enguerand Earle of Coucy Margaret to the Earle of Baden and Isabell to René of Aniou Charles succeeding him in the Dutchy of Lorraine married Margaret daughter to Robert of Bauaria Count Pallatine by whom he had many children which dyed before him leauing no heire but Isabell. Fredericke Earle of Guise married Margaret daughter to Henry Earle of Vaudemont and had Anthony Earle of Vaudemont Charles married his daughter Isabel to René Duke of Aniou Calabria and Bar Earle of Prouence King of Sicily Naples and Ierusalem Of their marriage came Iohn Lewis René Charles Elizabeth Margaret Yoland and Anne After the death of Duke Charles René would haue entred the Dutchy as his wiues Inheritance Anthony Earle of Vaudemont opposed himselfe by this reason that the Males exclude the Females c At the Councell of Constance Anthony Earle of Vaudemont demanded of the Emperor Sigismond the inuestiture of the Dutchy of Lorraine against René of Aniou for that it was a see of the Empire wherof women were not capable The controuersy was first ended by Armes René lost the battell of Blanuille and was taken prisoner by Anthony Earle of Vaudemont who gaue him to Phillip Duke of Bourgundy for that hee had succoured him afterwards by the marriage of Yoland daughter to Renè and Isabel with Ferry sonne to Anthony of Vaudemont the Dutchy of Lorraine remained in effect to René the Husband of Isabell Renè of Aniou D. of Lorraine and in hope to Ferry husband to Yoland Iohn succeeded in the Dutchy of Lorraine Hee had married Mary d Iohn and Mary had foure children Isabel who was married to Iames King of Scotland Rene Iohn Nicholas daughter to Charles Duke of Bourgundy who dyed in her deliuery of Nicholas Marques of Pont her third sonne who succeeded in the Dutchy of Lorraine after the death of his father and brethren Hee left the affection which his Predecessours had borne to France and fell to the Duke of Bourgundies party vpon hope that he would giue him his daughter in Marriage Death surprised him in the yeare one thousand fiue hundred seuenty three in the thoughts of his Marriage and to renew a second enterprise vpon the Towne of Mets e Nicholas Duke of Lorraine would haue seized vpon Mets by this Stratâ—geme Hee caused certaine pipes to bee put into Wagons as if they had beene full of wine wherein there
Lewis the eighth his father gaue it for a portion to his brother Robert vpon condition that he should not transferre it to the daughters which should be borne of his marriage with Maude daughter to the Duke of Brabant For these reasons the treaty of Arras betwixt King Charles the seuenth and Phillip the second Duke of Bourgundy did expressely reserue the Fealty Homage and Soueraignty of those lands which did hold of the Crowne b King Lewis the eighth disposed after this manner of the Country of Artois Volumus ordonamus quod filliusnoster secundâ—â— natu habeat totamterram Attrebatensemin feudis domanijs totam aliam terram quam ex parte matris nostrae Elizabeth possidemus saluo dotalitio matris suae Quod si idem qui Attrebatensium tenebit sine haeredem decedat volumus quod terra tota Attrebatensis alia terra quam tenet ad filium nostrum Regni nostri successorem liberos integrè redeat The Franch-County hath made a part of the â—state vnder Cloues The Franch-county and Cloâ—ilde The Dutchy of Bourgundy hath alwaies beene one of the goodliest Flowers Henry the first King of France gaue it to Robert of France his brother for his portion His posterity hath held it vnto Phillip the sonne of Eâ—des Phillip the fourth married Ioane the eldest daughter of King Phillip the Long c Phillip the Long had foure daughters by the Lady Ioane of Bourgundy Ioane married to the Duke of Bourgundy Margaret married to Lewis of Crecy Isable married to Guy Dauphine of Viennois who was slaine with an arrow before the Castle of Lapierre and Blanch a Nunne in the Monastery of Louchan neere Paris By this alliance the two Bourgundies were vnited and of this marriage came Phillip Prince of Bourgundy who was married to Ioane daughter to Robert Earle of Bolleigne who died at the battell of Crecy Phillip his sonne surnamed de Roue succeeded in the Dutchy of Bourgundy after his Grand-fathers death in the yeare one thousand three hundred fifty and foure Hee was married yong to Margaret of Flanders the onely daughter to Lewis the third Earle of Flanders and dyed at the age of twenty foure yeares in in the yeare one thousand foure hundred three score and two By his death the Dutchy of Bourgundy came vnto the Crowne by the right of returne and by proximity of bloud King Iohn being found neerest to the succession This proximity is easie to verefie being certaine that Robert Duke of Bourgundy had foure sons and two daughters by Agnes of France daughter to King Saint Lewis Hugh or Hughues Eudes Lewis Robert Ioane and Margaret Hughues was Duke and dyed without children Eudes succeded him Ioane was married to Phillip of Vallois father to King Iohn who onely remained of the discendants of Robert Phillip the Hardy Duke of Bourgundy He caused it to bee vnited and incorporated to the Crowne and gaue it to Phillip the Hardy his sonne by reason of his seruice and recommendation d In the inuestiture which beares date the 6. of September 1363. wee reade these words Ad memoriam reducentes grata laude digna seruitia quae charissimus Phillippus filius noster quarto genitus qui sponte expositus mortis periculo nobiscuÌ„â—mperterritus impauidus stent in acie prope Fictauos vulneratus captus detentus in hostium potestate ibi post liberationem nostram hâ—ctenâ—s exhibuit indâ—fessevero amore filiali ductus ex quibus suam merito cupientes honorare personam perpetuoque praemio fulcire sibi paterno correspondentes â—more spem fiduciam gerentes in domino quod ipsius crescente prouidentia dicti nostri subditi Ducatus eiusdem à suis oppressionibus releuabuntur The Deputies of Flanders were well instructed what they should answere and if they had not beene a deniall had serued for a sufficient reason for in disputes of consequence to consent were base and to deny wisedome They said that reasons drawne from Lawes and Customes obserued did not proue that successions Fees and the place of Peeres were incompatible with the quality of women Iudith daughter to Charles the Bald brought vnto her successors Earles of Flanders the Low CouÌ„tries with their largest limites e The ancient bounds of the County of Flanders were betwixt the Ocean Sea and the Riuers of Escault and Somme The same Prouinces haue beene gouerned in diuers seasons by women Margaret of Alsas Ioane of Constantinople and Margaret of Mallaine The place of Peeres of France hath beene held by woâ—men f In France women are capable to hold the places of Peeres and to giue their opinion in the iudgement of Peeres Maude Countesse of Artois did assist at the Processe of Robert Earle of Flanders in the yeare 1315. And in this quality the Dutchesse of Orliance and the Countesse of Artois were adiourned to iudge the Processe of Iohn Monfort Duke of Brittany The examples are in Normandy Guienne Tholousa and Brittaine Raouâ— married the daughter of Lewis King of France who had Normandy for her Dowry Eliâ—or daughter to William Earle of Guienne had that goodly Prouince in marriage Alphonso brother to King S. Lewis was Earle of Tholousa by his wife Maude of Artois g Maude of Artois caused Robert Grand-child to Robert the second Earle of Flanders to be excluded from the succession by two decrees the one made by Phillip the Faire at Asmeres the 9 of October 1309. and the other by Phillip the Long 1318. by the iudgement of Phillip the Faire succeeded in the County of Artois by this onely reason that the daughters were capable of this succession and that representation had no place in the direct line To all this the Deputies of France answered suddenly Answeres to the obiections That Prouinces once vnited to the Crowne can bee no more dismembred That great Empires should endure great changes and alterations if the Females were made equall to the Males in the right of succession for their Crownes should not be dismembred into many peeces for that we finde in Common-weales in generall and in Families in perticular more daughters then sonnes That if examples had more force then reason and that they must decide the controuersy by the number they might not contradict the authority of King Phillip the Faire who would that the County of Poictou which hee had giuen to Phillip his sonne should returne vnto the Crowne for want of Heires Male by reason whereof when as Eudes the fourth Duke of Bourgundy and Ioane of France his wife daughter to Phillip the Long had pretended the succession of the County of Poictou against King Charles the Faire h Phillip the Faire would that the County of Poictou which he gaue to Phillip his son who was afterwards King of France Surnamed the Long should returne to the Crown for want of Heires Male vpon condition that the King should be bound to marry the Daughters they were
most famous actions As there are iniuries which are repaired by the quality only of them that doe them y The basenesse of him that doth a wrong defaceth the fearing of the iniurie Crates hauing receiued a blow on the face by Nicodromus a Man of base condition was contented for revenge to set these words vpon his wound Nicodromus faciebat so we see writings of so poore a fashion as it is indiffrent whether they be inserted or not But how comes it to passe that so diligent so exact and so iuditious a Writer had neuer cast his eyes vpon this house which had held all them of France in admiration and had not spoken of the actions of Iohn the second Earle of Vendosme which were no workes of ambition but of vertue and had not glory for their simple obiect but the contentment of his owne conscience desiring rather they should be grauen in the memory of good men then vpon the front of publicke workes An Historian that doth surpasse honour wrongs the publicke and as a sacriledge doth rauish the recompence of vertue z The sweetest fruit of a great and heroicke action is to haue done it they are deceiued which thinke to giue any other glory vnto vertue then it selfe She cannot finde out of her selfe any recompence worthy of her selfe and doth enuy the fruit that may grow thereby For although that men may be borne generous and full of heate for the loue of vertue yet it is needfull that the precepts and Images be often represented vnto them and that the statues which 〈◊〉 set vp in the Temple of memory grauen with the sciffers of eternity should bee shewed them yet it is not sufficient to shew them adorned with the Palmes and Crownes of their Triumphes they would haue them represented in such sort as they may seeme to breath speake and say vnto them a Mens mindes are excited to the loue of vertue by the examples of glory honor which adornes the memory of men whom she hath made famous werefore Polybius saith that they did represent to the youth of Rome their Images as liuing breathing to encourage them to that desire of honour which doth accompany good men Poly. lib. 6. You shall be as we are if you will liue as we did This labour may haue great defects they are found in the most perfect A History should be free from loue or hatred but they shall rather seeme to come from want of Iudgement then of will the which I finde free in this kinde of writing from hatred and loue furious passions which disguise both truth and false-hood They shall rather reproch me with ignorance then with lying and my writings shall alwayes haue more salt then spleene with what face shall they appeare in this age so much bound vnto the Kings glorious actions if they were dishonored as the rest with so iniurious a forgetfulnesse of his Predecessors Iohn Earle of Vendosme great great Grand-father to Henry the fourth King of France and Nauarre was sonne to Lewis Lord Steward of France and Gouernour of Picardy sonne to Lewis Earle of vendosme sonne to Iohn Earle of Marche sonne to Iames Constable of France the yonger sonne of Lewis of Clermont Duke of Bourbon eldest sonne to Robert of France second sonne to S. Lewis His Grand-mother was Katherine heire to the house of Vendosme his mother Ioane of Lauall daughter to Guy of Lavall surnamed dé Gaure b The Signiory of Laual was erected to an Earldome by K. Charles the seuenth at the instance of Lewis of Burbon Earle of Vandosme was the first act of Soueraignety which he did after his Coronation His father dyed in the yeare of our Lord 1447. and this death happened in a time so full of troubles as hee was forced to gird his sword vnto him more for the necessity of common defence then by reason of his quality or for seemelinesse Hee past his first Apprentiship in Armes vnder the braue Achilles of France Iohn of Orleans Earle of Dunois and was at the siege of Rouen Bourdeaux and Fronsac with Iohn Earle of Clermont sonne of Charles Duke of Bourbon and Carles of Bourgondy Duke of Neuers He serued King Charles the seuenth in all occasions that were offered to restore France and to free it from the oppressions of her enemies and did merit the Title of Most faithfull seruant of his Kings will and an inuincible companion of his dangers These two qualities which should haue purchased him loue with his successor Loialty of the Earle of Vandosme were the cause of his disgrace wherein hee did comfort himselfe by the knowledge he had of this Princes humor who did not loue any of his bloud nor them whom his Father had loued This was not able to withdraw him from his duty for hee still preserued the reputation of the ancient fidelity of them of his house vnto the Crowne c This branch of Vandosme hath that of glorious that it hath neuer left their kings in a maner all the Princes of France were of the league of the Common-weale yet Iohn Earle of Vandosme would not hearken to it When as the Duke of Orleans tooke Armes against the Lady Anne of France he drew vnto his party Charles Earle of Angoulesme the chiefe Noblemen of France onely the house of Vendosme remained with the Kings Gouernesse And although that Iohn the second Duke of Bourbon had declared himselfe of the league of the Common-weale for that the King had dispossest him of the gouernment of Guienne from whence he had expelled the English and had reduced it vnder the obedience of the Crowne yet would he not imbark himselfe in the same ship and for that he would not looke vpon this storme from a safe shore he was present at the battell at Montlehery with Francis and Lewis his children one of which was prisoner to the Earle of Charolois As the example of the head of his house did not make him reuolt so the feeling of his owne interest did not make him discontented His father had carried the Staffe of Lord Steward and his great grand-father the sword of Constable of France King Lewis the eleuenth disposed of the one and the other in fauour of men as farre inferiour in comparison of his merites as in qualities of his birth yet he did not murmure nor seeme discōtented considering that it is no more lawful for the greatest Prince of the bloud then for the least Officer of the Crowne to prescribe a law to the Soueraignes will to make it yeeld vnto his passions and that the elections of Kings in the distributions of honors are not subiect to the rules of distributiue Iustice which obserues a proportion betwixt recompence and merit d The King of France holding his Crowne of God only the ancient Law of the Realme distributes honors as he pleaseth It is a great violence to force a a minde full of courage to hate
that which hee loues and to ruine that which he hath raised In the end this charge of Lord Steward is returned into the house from whence it went It did honor others Charles of Bourbon Earle of Soissons doth honor it at this day by the great and goodly qualities which heauen addes to the greatnesse of his birth he restored order in the kings house and reuiued the glory of his Maiesties seruice With the same courage that Iohn the second followed the King against his rebellious subiects he serued him against forraigne enemies e He was present at the great Assembly at Ambois with all the Princes of the bloud and the chiefe Officers of the Crowne to resolue a warre against the house of York in England against the duke of Brittanie where there was a league made for the defence of the house of LaÌ„caster and Edward sonne to King Henry the sixth was married to the Earle of Warwicks daughter and was imployed with the Duke of Bourbon to disperse the storme wherewith King Edward the fourth threatned France being come thither not so much to fight as to receiue the triumph which the vanity of his ambition promised him The proofes of his seruice are not verified by those of recompence and wee may say that this Prince beeing not present at the distributions of the great honours of the Realme had no great share in the Kings fauours and bounty Wee see him hold his ranke at the Coronation and in the Assembly of the Estates but being none of those that were honoured with the first colours of the Order of Saint Michael hee hath remained in the ranke of those great Spirits whose contentment dependes onely of themselues All the Princes of the bloud cannot haue all the honours of the Realme All Planets make not a shadow the refusall of a dignity augments the glory of him that hath well deserued it and the concession doth not make him famous that is vnworthy f They ordained statues for them that had made war in Affricke against Tacfarinates though they did not vaÌ„quish him Dolabella went thither defeated him slue him he demanded the same honours which had been giuen to others which Tiberius refused Taciâ—us thereupon said Sed neque Blesus illustrior huic negatus honor gloriaÌ„ intendis He had sixe daughters Ioane of Bourbon married to Iohn the second Duke of Bourbon Catherine married to Gilbert of Chabannes Ioane wife to Lewis of Ioyeuse Charlotte married to Engelbert of Cleues Earle of Neuers René Abbesse of Paintes and then of Fonteuerard and Isabell Abbesse of Caen and two sonnes Lewis Earle of Vendosme g Lewis of Burbon haâ— 2 sons Iohn Earle of Vendosme and Lewis of Roche-sur you head of the house of Montpensier who married Mary of Luxemburg and Charles his eldest sonne the first Duke of Vendosme married Frances of Alençon and had by her seuen sonnes and six daughters the second of his sonnes was Anthony who married Ioane of Albret Queene of Nauarre and heire of the house of Foix Albret Bearn and Armagnac Of their marriage was borne Henry the fourth king of France and Nauarre their third sonne was Lewis of Bourbon Prince of Condé father to Henry Prince of Condé to Henry Prince of Conty to the Cardinall of Vendosme and to Charles Earle of Soissons and Grand-fahter to Henry Prince of Condé first Prince of the bloud The yonger sonne of Iohn the 2 d Earle of Vendosme was Lewis head of the branch of Montpensier and of Roche-sur-yon whom death hath cut off from this great tree There remains one daughter promised to the Duke of Orleans the Kings second sonne Death freed the Earle of Vendosme from the cares which a longer life had augmented by the iealousies and distrusts which the King conceiued of all the Princes of his bloud which kept him continually in the diuers agitations of hatred and feare It is impossible but that he who by his extreame rigors seuerities hath offended many should feare alwayes hee cannot trust his subiects as his Children seeing he hath not entreated them as a Father h Loue is a strong guard of a Princes person Agesilaus said that he wold liue safe without gardes if he coÌ„manded his Subiects as a good father doth his children He must be beloued of his subiects and feared of strangers Amorem apud populares meâ—â— apud hostes quaerat Tacit. he hath his share of the feare which hee hath made common Wheresoeuer hee casteth his eyes he seeth markes of his seuerity so hee findeth not any one but puts him in feare hee hath feare of his Children feare before him and feare behind and as in his life hee had alwayes desired more to be feared then loued so in the end he found himselfe composed of the same humor fearing more then he loued Hitherto it seemeth he did not trust any man but Peter of Bourbon Lord of Beaujeu his son-in-law in whom he had so great a confidence as he referred vnto him all the care of his affaires when as the pleasure of hunting entertained him in the Forrests not for some few dayes but whole moneths The Author of the Annals of the house of Bourbon who hath seene the originals of many great treaties speakes after this maner This Peter of Bourbon Lord of Beaujeu was in such fauour with the king as his Maiesty desiring to retire himselfe from affaires kept commonly at Chamois and places thereabout a Countrey at that time full of wood and wilde beasts causing the said Lord Peter of Bourbon his son-in-law to remaine at Montereau-faut-yonne to bee chiefe of the Councell to whom all men repaired for their dispatches which had any businesse in Court i A Prince must be feared and loued but for that it is difficult to haue these two things concurre together it were better and more safe to be feared for that Princes which haue grounded themselues vpon the loue of the people haue found that there is nothing more inconstant men do sooner offend him that makes himselfe to be loued then hee that is feared yet must they not in seeking to bee feared make themselues odious The King loued the woods and hunting to free himselfe from cares reposing all vpon the said Lord of Beaujeu His Maiestie also said That hee did hate deadly them of Bourgondy Aniou Alençon and the Dukes of Brittanie for their pride And contrariwise that hee loued Charles of Artois Earle of Eu for that hee retained nothing of the arrogancy of his predecessours and them of Bourbon more for their mildnesse and humility k It is not the first testimony which the kings of France haue giuen of the mildnesse wisedome and moderation of the Princes of the house of Bourbon When as King Charles the â—sâ—h passed from Auâ—gaon where hee had seene Pope Clement the sixth iâ—to Laâ—gueclock to settle an order for the coplaints of the Countrey against the oppressions which they
yeeld to any thing contrary to the dignity of his Crowne which cannot endure to be forced and doth neuer shew himselfe in publicke actions but with what is fit and necessary for his greatnesse and power e The words and actions of Princes are so considered and the people iudge of them as they vnderstand them and therefore should alwayes appeare Maiesticall and if it may bee Diuine And ancient Grecian said That a Prince should not speake before the people but as if hee were vpon a stage in a Tragedy This Maiesty is like vnto Moses Rod Maiesty compared to Moses rod. the which being held in the hand was the Instrument of admirable things but creeping on the earth there was nothing but horror and contempt Lewis the eleuenth was alwayes very carefull to maintaine this Maiesty being wonderfull desirous of reuerence respect and reputation and yet his priuate and familiar actions were very contrary This care was the last garment he put off hee shewed it vpon the tigpe of his lippes when as hee thrust forth the last words of his life He gaue it two supporters Feare and Admiratition f 〈…〉 that greâ— God who the Prince doth represent It is the support and protecâ—sion of an estae and confâ—â—â— bee contemned nor wronged but the whole body will be distempered maiestas Imperij solutis tutela Maiestly is the guardian of the Empires health another would haue maintained it with Loue and Authority but hee mist this first way at his comming to the Crowne and could neuer after recouer it hee found such sauadge humors and so accustomed to liberty that as the intemperance of the Patient iustifies the seuerity of the Physitian he was forced to vse fury to make mad men wise Thus his Maiesty was feared of the greatest Princes of Europe it was not contemned of any man without punishment and it was reuerenced of all his subiects This Maiesty was like vnto those Pictures which seemed fairest farre off It was admired in forraine Prouinces but it was something blemished by his carelesnesse and facility wherewith he did often wrong his greatest actions The Castillians at the voyage of Bayone scoffed at him to see him with so little pompe and maiesty Custome of Lewis 11 at ceremonies Vpon dayes of great shew hee caused some one to bee attired like himselfe g At the enterview of King Lewis the eleuenth and Edward the fourth at Piquigny Philip de Comines was attâ—â—ed like the King And yet a Prince should neuer doe any thing that should cause him to bee sought for among his subiects and seruants the brightnesse of his Maiesty must shine like vnto a Planet ouer the lesser starres Great men which inuiron a Prince giue a lustre to the greatnesse of Maiesty Offices of the crown The Offices of the Crowne are ordained to that end and the great dignities which France doth impart to great merites addes reuerence and doth incite their mindes to merit them It is like vnto the Garden of Phaeaces which abounds with all sorts of fruites It is not vnfitting to set downe heere who tasted of them during this Reigne h When as king Lewis the eleuenth came vnto the Crowne there was no Constable Arthur Duke of Brittanie Earle of Richmond was vnder the Reigne of Charles the seuenth Constable Lewis of Luxembourg Earle of Saint Paul no other carried the Sword during this Reigne Chancellour Peter of Moruilliers Iuvenall of Vrsins Lord of Treynell and Peter of Oriole Lord Steward The Lord of Nantoillet IOHN of Croi CHARLES of Melun ANTHONY of Croi sonne to IOHN of Croi and ANTHONY of Chabannes Earle of Damartin Chiefe Chamberer IOHN the second Duke of Bourbon i The Office of chefe Chamberer or Gentleman of the Chamber continued long in the house of Bourbon The King Saint Lewis gaue it to Robert of France his sonne Lewis the first Duke of Bourbon Charles the first Iohn the second Peter the second Dukes of Bourbon Lord Chamberlaine IOHN of Orleans Earle of Dunois ANTHONY of Chasteauneuf Lord of Lau. Marshals of France ANDREVV of Lauall Lord of Loheac IOHN Bastard of Armagnac Earle of Comminges Ioachim Rouant Lord of Gamasche of Boismenard and Peter of Rohan Lord of Gye There were but two vntill King Francis the first Admirall Iohn Lord of Montauban Lewis Bastard of Bourbon Earle of Rousillon Lewis Lord of Grauille Maister of the Crosse-bowes k The maister of the Ordinance of France or the Coâ—oncll of the Infantery haue succeeded in this charge Iohn of Estouteuille Lord of Torcy Great Butler the Lord of Lau. Wee finde not that hee had any Maister of his Horse or Maister of the Pantry Ioachim of Rouant was Maister of the Horse at his Coronation Yuon of Fau his chiefe Hunts-man Lewis of Lauall Lord of Chastillon was maister of the Waters and Forrests The ancient order of France was that Knights Banneret the Maister of the Pantrie the chiefe Caruer and the chiefe Cuppebearer should serue the King at the foure Annall Feastes and to either of them was giuen foure poundes sterling but when as Lewis the eleuenth neglected this Gratuity they forgot the Dutie It is one of the precepts of Maiesty that the markes of Soueraignty bee not imparted to any l A prince shold not be more sparing of any thing then of honours which depend of his maiesty yet hee suffered the Prince of Orange to stile himselfe Prince by the grace of God Here P. Mathew is deceiued and to René King of Sicile to seale in yellow Waxe in the yeare one thousand foure hundred sixty nine the which doth onely belong to the Kings of France other Princes of Christendome seale in waxe of diuers colours and to Charles Earle of Angoulesme to release prisoners when hee made his first entry into any Towne where he commanded m In this priuiledge but for once to Charles Earle of Angoules me prisoners for high Treason were excepted It was granted in the yeare 1477. Hee was very staied in giuing Titles of Honour and Dignity to great Families a Prince cannot bee too warie therein for it falles out often that the considerations which fauour the priuate merite of any one end with him when hee dies but when the dignitie is tyed vnto the person as the feodall titles of Dukes Marquises Earles and Barons bee the Family for the which the gratification was made is dispossest thereof when as the Landes goe away n Many disallowed that the feodall Titles of Dukes Marquises c. should bee giuen in France to the Land and not vnto the Bloud for it happens that some one loosing the land doth also loose the meanes to maintaine the Title which remaines Hence it comes that in England such dignities are not annexed to the Landes and Fees Policy in England for the titles of Houses but to the Bloud and the Descendants of the Familie The German doth not impart it to the
whole posterity but onely to them which descend from the Males There are two houses which bee so great and famous of themselues as they honour the titles which are giuen them King Charles the seuenth his Father hauing made the Earledome of Foix a Pairie for Gaston of Foix hee confirmed this erection but hee made not any new This house of Foix was in those times one of the most famous in Christendome and compare with Soueraigne Princes o We find that in great ceremonies the Earles of Foix are named before the Princes and had precedence of the Earles of Vendosme There is no other reason but that the eldest of Princes houses precede the yonger of other houses and therfore at the Estates held at Tours the Earles of Neuers Eu and Foix had precedence of the Earle of Vendosme Gaston of Foix who liued in the time of King Charles the fifth went equall with Kings when as King Charles the sixth was at Tholousa he sent the Earle of Sancerre Marshall of France and the Signior of Riuiere one of the chiefe of his Councell to the Earle of Foix who was then at Mazere to intreate him to come vnto him or else he would goe to see him He did not excuse himselfe vpon the Indispositions of his great Age and being sorry that hee had not preuented this summons he parted from Mazere with six hundred horse and came to the King to Tholousa Traine of the Earle of Foix. The History saith that presenting himselfe vnto the king hee was followed by two hundred Gentlemen all cloathed in silkes among them there was noted the Vicount of Bruniquet and his brethren Roger of Spaine Lord of Montespan issued from the bloud of Arragon and head of the house of Montespan p Espagno let of Spaine sonne to Roger of Spaine sonne to Leon of Spaine and the Lord of Corras who first raised the honour of the Earles of Caramain a great and rich family Beginning of the houses of MoÌ„tespan Caramain allied to that of Foix and who seeing that Houses and Families haue their periods like to all other worldly things could not desire a more glorious fall then into the house of Monluc where it begins to reuiue King Charles the sixth requited this visite at New-yeares tide in the yeare 1390. q At this voyage the Earle did institute King Charles the sixth his heire the which hee would not accept for that he would not defraud the Vicount of Chastellan his lawfull Heire He fauoured the house of Lauall with the like declarations of honour House of Lauall the which was long before held for one of the worthiest of France hauing neuer wanted children nor the first dignities and alliances of France hauing for their stemme the House of Montmorency r They drawe the beginning of the first house of Montmorency to the time of Saint Denis by whom the first that was conuerted among the French Knights was a Lord of Montmorency and therefore the ancient Deuice of this house is God helpe the first Christians the first Christian of France and there is no difference in their Armes but fiue Cockle-shels Argent to the Crosse. Wherefore he would that Francis of Lauall Lord of Gaure sonne of a daughter of king Charles the seuenths sister should go in rank with the Earles of Vendosme as well in Councell as in Parliament and in all other publike actions and caused his letters to be dispatcht at Mans the nine and twentith day of Nouember 1467. to serue for a speciall and perpetuall priuiledge to his posteritie He had much contemned the glorious and honourable markes of Maiesty s Princes had alwayes men appointed to serue in time of peace and warre for the ornament of their maiesty and royall greatnesse Heralds were instituted in France for that respect in time of peace they carried mayles vpon their breasts and in times of warre their Coat of Armes powdred with Flowers de Luce. I haue obserued in the Church and Cloister of Saint Catherine du Val of the Schollers twenty of their Tombes which shew the forme of their Maces and Scutchions Bodin writes that hauing chased away almost all the Gentlemen of his house hee imployed his Taylor for a Herald at Armes and his Barber for an Embassador and his Physitian for a Chancellor as an ancient king of Syria did Apolophanes his Physitian whom he made the president of his Councell Philip de Commines obserues it when hee shewes how much hee was troubled to furnish out a Herald which he sent to the King of England Heralds were necessary for the Maiesty of a Prince in actions of war and in the most solemne dayes of peace They had diuers names and diuers charges and they either carried the Titles of the Soueraignes Prouinces or of some other famous occasion as in France the Heralds are diuersly named and wee finde often in the History of France these names giuen to Heralds Bosios error in the History of Malta Monjoy e Saint Denis Mont Saint Michel t This word of Monjoy Saint Denis was sometimes the warlicke cry of the French They say it grew vpon that which Clouis said in the battell neere to Colleyn when as fearing to loose it hee promised to beleeue in Iesus Christ worshipped by Clotilde his wife and to hold him for his Ioue Since that time they cryed in their battels Monjoye Saint Denis as if they would say Christ whom Saint Denis hath preached in Gaule is my Ioue that is to say my Iupiter The word of Ioue beeing turned into that of Ioye The Antiquities of Gaule wriâ—ten by the President Fauchet wherein a great man of Italy hath erred and moues them that obserue it to laugh for hauing found in our Histories that King Lewis the eleuenth had sent two Heralds to Bajazeth to complaine that hee had broken the peace with the Venetians hee sets downe their names after this manner Monsieur Gaudio de Saint Denis Monsieur de Saint Michel whereas hee should haue saide The Herald Monjoy Saint Denis and Mont Saint Michel They were created at great and solemne Feasts and when they presented Wine vnto the Prince hauing drunke he gaue the cup to him whom he made Herald wherwith he should make his Scutchion Oliuer of la Marche saith that Philip Duke of Bourgondy did somtimes giue them the name of that Country whereas the Wine which hee then dranke did grow which done the other Heralds gaue him the Coate of Armes charged with the Princes Armes There were more Ceremonies at the Creation of a King at Armes for his sufficiency was to bee testified by all the Kings at Armes Creation of Heralds and Heralds that might bee found and they were distinguished from others by a Crowne croslet which they carried on their heads Their chiefe charge was to make a distinction of the Armes of Families to preserue the ancient and preuent the vsurpation of new
Kings owne mouth Clemency Clemency This goodly Pearle is not seene in his Crowne b The vertue which rayseth Kings to heauen is Clemency Consulere patriae pâ—rcere afflictis fera Caede abstinere tempus arque ira dare Orbi quietem saeculo pacem suo Haec summa virtus petitur hac coelum via Sen. in Octau this great and royall vertue which pardons the afflicted rayseth vp them that are deiected Lewis the 11. knew not how to pardon and breakes the current of choller was vnknowne vnto him Yet neuer Prince found more occasion to winne himselfe honour but that deceitfull Maxime that a Princes iustice may alwaies and in all cases dissemble c A Prince may mingle prudence with Iustice he may bee a Doue and a Serpent with these three conditions that it be for the necessary apparant and important good of the State that it be with measure and discretion and that it be for an offence and not to offend and sow the Foxes skinne vnto the Lyons fil'd his raigne with tragicall examples of seuerity and gaue him in dying that contentment not to haue left any offence vnpunished Phillip de Commines being to liue vnder the sonnes raigne hath not written all he knew and could haue spoken vpon the fathers and yet he saies but too much to shew his rigour Hee was these are his words suspitious as all Princes bee which haue many enemies and which haue offended many as he had done Hee was not beloued of great men nor of many of the meaner sort and had charged his Subiects more then euer King had done If Commines would haue painted out a cruell Prince hee could not haue imployed other coulours then those wherewith hee sets forth his rigorous prisons his Cages of Iron and his fetters d Cardinall Balue inuentor of these Cages of Iron was lodged there with the first and continued 14. yeares Lacum fodit aperuit eum incidit in foueaÌ„ quam fecit He digged a pit and opened it and fell into the Ditch whicâ— hee had made Hee saith That they were of wood couered with plates of Iron that he had caused Germanes to make most heauy and terrible fetters for mens feete Rigorous prisons of Lewis the eleuenth and there was a ring to put vpon the legge very hard to open like vnto a choller the chaine was great and waighty with a great bullet of Iron at the end much more weighty then was fit and they were called the Kings Snares Although that punishments be the effects of Iustice and very necessary for that hee hurts the good which pardons the wicked yet it caries some shew of cruelty when as the Prince himselfe seemes more carefull thereof then he ought and that hee doth employ them as well against innocents as those that are guilty e The more rare executions bee the more profitable is the example Remedies which curemildly are to be preferred before theÌ„ which burâ—ne mutulate To affect new punishment and against accustomed manners of the Country are markes of cruelty I haue seene saith Phillip de Commines good men prisoners with fetters on their feete who afterwards came forth with great honour and receiued great fauours from him amongst others a sonne to the Lord of Gruture of Flanders taken in battell whom the King married and made his Chamberlaine and Seneschall of Anjou and gaue him a hundred Lances Also the Lord of Pieâ—â—es a prisoner in the warre and the Lord of Vergy For hee found in the end that vigour doth but distract mens minds the violent gust of the Northen wind cannot make a passenger to abandon his Cloake whereas the Sunne casting his beames by little and little doth heate him in such sort as hee will bee ready to strip himselfe into his shirit Generous horses obey the shaddow of a small Wand whereas Asses tell their paces by the number of their blowes The raigne of this Prince was wonderfull stormy they could not say of him as of Antonyn that hee had shedde no bloud f The raigne of the Emperour Antonyn was so good as Herodian called it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to say without bloud Tristan his great Prouost who for his barbarous and seuere behauiour did as iustly as Maximin deserue the name of Sowre was so ready in the execution of his rigorous commandements as hee hath sometimes caused the innocent to bee ruined for the offendor Hee alwaies disposed this Prince rather to vse a sword to punish faults then a Bridle to keepe them from falling A more temperate Spirit would haue staid him and Princes in these stormes doe but what pleaseth them which guide the effects of their Wils A Prince is no lesse dishonoured by the multitude of executions g A multitude of executions saith Seneca breeds as bad a reputation to the Prince as a multitude of Burials to a Physitian too great rigours makes the paines contemptible augments the number of offendours and makes them to become wicked through despight then a Physitian receiues blame by the death of his Patient Claud of Seyssell could not say any thing more bitter to the memory of this Prince then that which hee writes That there were seene about the places of his abode many men hanged vpon Trees and the prisons and other houses neere full of prisoners who were often heard day and night crying out for the torments which they endured besides others which were cast into the Riuer Many great Princes haue felt the seuerity of his humours Iohn Duke of Alençon had in the end as much cause to murmurre against his iustice as hee had to commend his Clemency in the beginning of his Raigne Hee had beene condâ—mned to loose his head vnder Charles the seuenth The King restored him to his liberty and honour to make him some yeares after vndergoe the like censure h The Duke of Alençon being prisoner in the Casile of Loches was led to Paris the sixt of Iune 1473. by the Lord of Gaucort Chaletiere Steward of the Kings house with 24. Gentlemen and 50. Archers Hee caused him to bee apprehended and carried to the Towre at the Louure His Processe was made in the yeare one thousand foure hundred three score and foureteene and a Sentence pronounc't the eightenth of Iuly in these termes Sentence against the Duke of Alençon The Court hauing seene the Charges Informations and Confrontations of witnesses against Iohn of Alenâ—con his voluntary confessions the Processe and other things which were to bee seene touching the great and heynous crimes committed by him by the conspiracies practises and treaties which hee hath many and sundry times had and made with the English the ancient enemies and aduersaries of this Realme and other Rebels disobedient to the King and to the great preiudice of the King and subuersion of the publique good of the Realme forgetting through ingratitude the great grace that the King had done
honors and deserued great aduancements in the house of Bourgondy he receiued the Coller of the golden Fleece when as D. Charles did first solemnize the order at Bruges after his fathers death f Charles 〈…〉 should haue stood with these words which are read in a Chronicle M. S. of the Kings library The Earle of Neuers being adiourned by the letters patents of the most high and most excellent Prince my redoubted Lord the Duke sealed with the seale of his order of the Fleece to appeare in person at this present Chapter there to answere vpoÌ„ his honor touching witchcraft and abusing the holy Sacraments of the Church hath not appeared but hath made default And to auoid the sute and depriuation of the order to bee made against him he hath sent back the Coller and therefore hath been and is declared out of the order and not called in the offring when as the Earle of Neuers was degraded more vnworthily then the respect of his house made him to hope from a Prince his neere kinsman The Duke gaue him the gouernment of the County of Boullein afterwards of Artois He came vnto the Kings seruice and deliuered into his hands the Towne of Arras after the Dukes death It seemes that Philip de Comines would not speake all he knew nor call a Fig a Fig. He knits it vp shortly in these words He could not mistake in submitting himselfe vnto the Kings seruice vnlesse he had taken a new oath to the yong Lady of Bourgondy and in yelding vp that vnto her which he held of hers They haue and will speake diuersly hereof wherfore I referre my selfe to the truth Tristan the Hermit whom the rigor of this reigne hath made so famous for the suddennesse of his executions was high Prouost Tristan the Hermit King Charles the 7 th made him knight after the siege of Fronsac g After the siege of Fronsac there were made knights Iohn of Bourbon Earle of Vendosâ—ne Iohn of â—ourbon his base brother the Vicount of Turaine the Lords of Rochefautaut Commery Rochechouart Grignaux de Barres Mommorin Bordeilles Fontenelles and Estauge The name of Tristan was giuen to Princes borne in some great affliction Iohn of France was surnamed Tristan for that he was borne at Damiete during the Imprisonment of S. Lewis his father In like manner the sonne to the King of Sicile was called Tristan for that he was borne in Catelonia when his father was a prisoner Philip de Commines Lords of Argenton Philip de Commines Some haue thought that he freed the king from the danger of Peronne and that it was the cause of the great fauour which he had purchased with the king I haue wondred why the king did not adde the honour of the Order of S. Michael and how it was possible that it should faile a man who wanted not any thing and who was so much fauoured and so familiar with the king as he did often lye in his Bed eate at his Table sit at his Councell and carried his most secret designes to Princes treated q Wee doe often finde the 〈…〉 of the secrets in Lawyers books Procopius sayth that the wâ—ters of 〈◊〉 were called a Secretis Honor qui tunc dabaâ—ur egregijs dum ad Imperiale Secretum tales constet eligi in quibus reprehonsionis vitium nequeat inveniâ—i An honour which was then giuen to worthy men whilst such are chosen to the secrets of the Empire in whoÌ„ no vice of reprehension can bee found happily but by them that know them by the beginning Secretarie of state a necessary Office progresse and effects by whose eyes and hands they see them and then dispatch them Sufficiency Experience and Fidelity serue as a lampe in obscurest deliberations and giues them Ariadâ—es threed which keepes them from meeting the Minotaure of repentance r The Venetians whose state is Aristocraticall change all their Officers yearely and some euery two moneths but the Duke the 〈◊〉 of S t. Marke the Chancellor and the Secretaries of State are for life the which the Florentines ordained in their state whâ—â— as Lewis the twelfth freed them from the tyranny of Count Valentine in the intricate Labyrinth of Enterprises For this reason in some well-gouerned Common-weales where as Offices are annuall that of Secretary is perpetual to the end that one alone may be Register of that which is concluded by many and an inviolable Guardian of Secrecie which is the soule of affaires and returnes neuer when it is once let slip s Secrecie is the soule of affaires and as Valerius calles it Optimum ac 〈…〉 agendâ—rum vinculum The best and safest hand for the managing of Affaires France cannot passe without the Counsell and experience of him who for that hee hath serued foure Kings in that great and painfull charge is held by all Europe for the Oracle of all resolutions and reuolutions There is not any thing vnpenetrable to his Iudgement who entring into the most confused and obscure affaires doth presently draw light But it is time to go to land This name so famous and renowned throughout all the world is the rocke of Adamant which drawes my ship Hee is the Port of this Nauigation which I finish he shall be the North-starre of another which I continue The profit of them shall redound to all in generall the thankes vnto the King and the glory vnto God The end of the History of Lewis the eleuenth MAXIMES IVDGEMENTS AND POLITIKE OBSERVATIONS OF PHILIP DE COMMINES Lord of Argenton VPON THE LIFE REIGNE AND ACTIONS OF LEWIS the eleuenth and of diuers other occurrents PLACES AND TITLES of these Maximes Prouidence of God Princes Realme Salique Law Enter-view of Princes Gouernments Councels and Councellors Court of Parliament Embassadors Treasure of the Prince Assemblies and Treaties People and Subiects Townes and Nations House of Bourgondy Enemies Enterprises Battels Warre Souldiars Sieges Victories Changes Prosperity and Aduersity Diuision Tumults and Sedition Liberalitie Iustice and Iniustice Punishment Iniury and Offence Wisedome Secresie Experience Knowledge Historie Nourishment Nature Hope Age. Fore-sight Carelesnesse and Vigilance Pride and Presumption Treacherie Dutie A good Man POLLITICKE MAXIMES PROVIDENCE OF GOD. ALL well considered our onely hope should be in God In the end of the first booke for in him consists all our assurance and all goodnesse which cannot bee found in any other thing in the world But wee do euery man acknowledge it too late and after that wee haue neede yet it is better late then neuer Grace and good fortune comes from God Lib. 1. chap. 4. In all enterprises wee must haue God of our side Lib. 2. chap. 1. God hath alwaies loued the Realme of France Lib. 4. chap. 1. To see things which God hath done in our time Lib. 4. chap. 13. and doth daily shewes that he will leaue nothing vnpunished And we may see plainely that these strange workes come
seuere and difficult so euer The Duke of Bourbon 1411. who would make his profit of this diuision betwixt the father and the sonne Charles Duke of Bourbon and who was discontented to see the King contemne and reiect the Princes to fauour priuate men practised this diuision The Dauphin who was bred vp in the Castle of Loches vnder the charge of Iohn Earle of March y The Earle of March was gouernour to the Dauphin He wrought meanes to get out of his hands and to bee at libertie They said then that King Charles should not haue married him so soone to entreat him like a child saw him carried away by the bastard of Bourbon and was content to goe and to be ridde of his gouernor who suffered him to enioy conuenient libertie thinking it vnfit to treat the first sonne of France seuerely being now great and married Hee was led to Moulins whereas the Duke of Bourbon attended him Thither came the Duke of Alençon and Chabannes Earle of Damartin beeing incensed for that the King had called him Captaine of Bandilieres These were men who after the peace of Arras like vnto some after the treaty of Bretigny z When as treaties of peace are concluded they must prouide for the retreat of forraine troopes elâ—e they wil ouerrun the Prouinces After the treaty of Brâ—tigny in the yeare 1360. the English trooopes did ouerrâ—n and spoile France and defeated them that sought to stop their violencâ—s at â—regnay neere to Lyon did ouercome and spoyle all the whole country leauing the peasant nothing but his shirt There imbarked in the same ship the Earle of Vandome the Earle of Dunois Bastard of Orleans and the Lord of Chaumont Tremouille Boucicaut and Prye There resolution was not to yeelde him vntill that an order were setled in France the Princes in Authoritie and the malecontents in fauour If their intention had appeared in her true and naturall forme her deformitie had displeased all the world for it was nothing but a meere conspiracie of great men who abusing the youth of this Prince ingaged him in an vnnaturall ingratitude and thought to make him greater then eyther nature or God himselfe had yet ordained that vnder his shadow a He that wil enioy the shadow of his Prince must reioyce at his greatnes so as it be not raised vppon a foundation of Iniustice and ingratitude they might liue at their ease and make their profit of the publicke ruines To giue some forme to this illusion they deuise supposed members and giue it for a face the b All deformities and imperfections are so foule being seene bare as like vnto them that haue both their armes and â—egs cut off make other of Ironâ— or wood euen so they that haue had deseignes do couer them with some goodly pretext maske of reformation of disorders protesting that they had no other intention but to settle the Dauphin to the end that all things might bee done by his authoritie with the aduise of the Princes of bloud They had sought to imbarke the Duke of Bourgundy with them Duke of Burgundy refuse to enter into the league but he who would not reuiue a quarrell if not altogether quencht yet at the least smothered And knowing the folly of this designe sent them word that he would liue in peace and that at the end of the course whereinto they were entred there was an ineuitable downefall c of rash designes we may easily foretell theâ— vnfortunate euents and hopes whcih haue vniust foundations cannot long continue That they should doe wisely to returne into the way which they had left for that they more they went into this the more they should wander that of all the miseries that would fall abundantly vpon them they should not be d He that is the cause of his owne misery hath small reason to complaine and few men pitty him lamented of any for that they were knowne to bee the causers That although there were some disorder in the state yet could it not be so great as that which should grow by this diuision and France should be little beholding for her help to those which had made her so sicke to cure her e It is a desperatee cure when as healtâ— must be beholding to siicknes and peace to Ciuil warre for that neither the disordred gouernement of affayres nor the vaiust commandement of the Prince would not cause so many ruines and inconueniences as disobedience and rebellion f Ruines and miseries grow not by them that command but by such as obey Obedience hath made Estates to prosper and florish vnder vniust and tiâ—ranous commâ—n â—ementâ— The common weale of Spaâ—ta was happy not for that their Kings commanded wel but for that this subiects obeyed well Theopompus That for his part he could not seperate himselfe from the King his Lord without forsaking himselfe That his armes and forces were alwaies at the Dauphins commandement so as his designes were not disauowed and that he would more willingly employ himselfe to bring him to his fathers presence then to withdraw him The Princes of this league were very sorrie for this declaration For they considered that if they could haue kindled a hatred betwixt these two houses they would haue beene more violent and yet they made this yong Prince beleeue by reasons fuller of oftentations then truth Letters of Lewis to the good Townes that all would doe well They dissembled the g In enterprises of 〈…〉 â—onsiâ—er the ground and iustice of the cause rather 〈◊〉 the issuâ— and successe The Romans had this glory neuer to enter into it wrongfully They did not so mucâ— glory saith Titus Liuius in the prosperous successe as to hauâ— beguâ— it vppon a reasonabâ—e and lawfull occasion Iniustice of this warre and flatter him with sweet hopes of the euent They write letters in his name to the townes of Auuergne and other prouinces whereas they thought these designes would be well liked of and this Innouation pleasing But they were reeeiued of the wise with more amazement for this defection then desired to adhere vnto them and although there be no cause so bad but it findes some refuge and some one to fauour it and that which is held a crime h All the actions of men are taken by two ends some commend them others blame them Coesar is commended for that he attemptâ—d against the liberty of Rome Brutus iâ— blamed who opposed himself to his deseignes to reuenge his contries libertâ—es Some blame Cateline for that hee would haue done and others commend Caesar for that hee did in some is commended by others as a publique seruice yet all the townes did abhor this rebellion They held it impossible that such a diuision could prosper and that France would bee made a Theatre of a new Tragedie that the reasons whereof they did ground it were like vnto false stones which haue some transparant shining like
He assembled all the Princes The King rewards his serâ—ants Noblemen and Captaines he commended them that had done well z After a victory a Prince must take knowledge of such as haue done him good seruice honor recompence valor blame cowardize Luce orta saith Liui. in his 6. Booke vocatis clafico ad concilium mili tibus Manlius primam ob virtutem Jaudatus donatusque and thanked theÌ„ for the fidelity and proofes which they had showne he made many knightes and gaue to the Lord of Iâ—longe the place of marshall of France and a pension to him that entred first into Pontoise by the breach If the History knew his name she would giue him a murall Crowne and would doe him the like honor as the Parthians did to him that mounted first vpon the walls of Seleucia a The names of such as go to apparant dangers for the publicke safety should not be forgotten in a history and yet they remaine vnknowne 〈◊〉 they be not noted by some other quality then a simple soldier Plutarch remembers the name of Surena who first sealed the wall of the great Citty Seleucia the reason is for that hee was the second among the Parthians next the King The King led the Dauphin to Tartas being assieged by the English and then to Limoges teaching him stil that wisdome and temporising surmount all difficulties The Dauphin besiegeth Tartas and that it is a more excellent thing to settle his estate in peace then to spoile and wast his enemies contry With the instructions and maximes of his father who had giuen him in his infancy good gouernours and in his youth good councellors b Great Princes hauing had good maisters beeing little wise Counsellors being great haue effected great matters he made him capable of the actions of a Prince to command well and to cary the commandements of the King his father into Languedoc to frustrate the practise of the Earle of Armagnac Bastard of Armagnac fauord by Lewis the eleuenth The Bastard c This Bastard was made Admirall of France by Lewis the eleuenth who gaue him the Earledome of Comminge and the gouerment of Guienne whereof bee disposest Iohn Duke of Bourbon his Brother in law of this house aduertised him that the Earle of Armagnack treated of some alliance with the English Ielousie vpon such aduertisements are alwayes excusable and there is nothing that doth so much bind the wisedome of Princes as to foresee that great houses doe not ally themselues against their liking and transport vnto strangers the goods which should remaine in their estates which cannot be carried away without preiudice vnto them Such practises are more easily preuented then broken when they are made The house of Armaignac is ancient ritch and mighty in Guienne and her beginning is found in that of the Crowne of d D. Sancho surnamed the great King of Naturre hauing conquered some land in Gascogne on this side the Pyrenees gaue it vnto Garsias his sonne Earle of Armagnâ—c in the yeare 1013. he made his second sonne Arnold Garcias â—arfe of Estarac whose dissent is entred into the house of Foix and a branch of Candalle Nauarre Iohn 4. Earle of Amagnac Constable of France had bought of Iohn Duke of Bourbon the Earledome of Lisle Iourdain in the yeare 1421. for 38000. crownes of gold of 64. to the marke He had married Isabell of Nauarre The greatnes of his house and that of his alliance made him presume during the troubles of France when as euery man cast his eyes vppon the peeces of her shipwrack to qualifie himselfe Prince by the grace of God and to seeke the allyance of the English by the marriage of his daughter The King who made no difference betwixt treason and such allyances sent Commissioners to make the Earles processe as guilty of high treason hauing offended against the Lawes of France e Marriages treated with strangers without the Kings permission haue been dangerous for them that treates it Valeran of Luxembourg Constable of France was disgract by King Charles the fifth and King Charles the sixth dislikâ— the treaty of the Duke of Berries daughter with the Duke of Lancaster Philistus for this reason was banished out of the estates of Denis King of Sicile which forbids any Nobleman to make any marriage with strangers without the Princes consent The King sent the Dauphin thither who besieged Lisle Iordain and tooke the Earle of Armagnac Earle of Armagnac a prisoner at Lisle Iourdain His sonne fled into Spaine Iohn de Meaux second President of the Parlament of Toulouse had heard the Earle of Armagnac vpon his practise and had drawne from his owne mouth the truth of the principall points He thought that he should be quit for this confession f Natures wel bred are â—asily bound by fauors they would haue corâ—upted Lewis King Charles his father giues him part of the gouernment of the estate and of his affaires by which meanes he was drawne from thoughtes contrary to his duty and the peace of the estate and that the President hauing no other force then that of Iustice could do him no great harme but when hee saw himselfe a prisoner in the Dauphins power hee said that whatsoeuer hee had confest was against his owne conscience and the truth hauing onely spoken it with a desire to recouer his goods which the King had seazed on After hee had expiated this offence in prison the King restored him his liberty giuing the Earledome of Foix for a caution The Dauphin at his returne from this voiage was sent into Normandy with the title of Lieftenant Generall But we must obserue that he was twenty yeares old before he had any gouernment and that the King gaue it him only to disappoint the deseignes of such as would haue drawne him elce-where and did busie themselues more then he himselfe did in the estate wherein he was He chased the English from Deepe The Dauphin takeâ— Deepe and this victory did presently carry the generosity of his courage and the happines of his conduct throughout all the Prouinces of France whereas nothing did diminish the greatnes of this growing reputation but this reason that being sonne to so braue a father it was not strange to see him so valiant The French said that the father had need of such a sonne and the sonne had need of such a father The King glories to haue made him with his owne hand and to see his instructions so well followed he augments his authority and praiseth his command and sends him into Languedoc The Dauphin goes into Languedoc with a thousand Lances whereas his sword made his way He staid not his courage at small g A Prince must flye vanity and seeke the effâ—ct â—f a soâ—lid and true glory nam vt â—â—uitatis est in mem aucupart rumorem omnes vmbras etiam falsae gloriae consectari sic ieiuni est
they were able to resist the most violent stormes of Enuie Vertue and good fortune had alwaies held the helme and sailes of his nauigation The troupes which he led had been well beaten vpon the fronter of Bourgundy The Dauphin said vnto him by way of iest yet without bitternes for he knew that this spirit would be easily moued g Euery iest that containes truth in it offends although it he spoken by a superiour The more mens cour ages are raised vp the lesse they endure and the longer they remember it 〈…〉 facenis irridete follius quarum apud praepotentes in longâ—â—â— memoria est Tac. An lib. 5. 〈…〉 wont to scoffe at Tiberius 〈…〉 neither did he dwell vpon it for iests should end when as they begin to moue laughter How now Earle of Dammartin by the faith of my bodie the Marshall of Bourgundy hath vnshod you he doth contrarie to other Smithes who shooe horses and he vnshooes them You say well answered the Earle but I haue gotten ten thousand crownes to make new shooes for my horses He was very inward with him and of that credit as meaning to be reuenged of any one that had offended him Reuenge against the Seneshall of Normandy he imparted his deseine vnto him and gaue him mony to execute it h The Chronicle Martinienne speakes plainely of this proceeding A rack which euery Prince should shun if hee will not make shipwrack of his reputation To cause an enemy to be slaine is an act of feare and not of brauery It is a proud abstinency to refuse his prince but a great misery when it is for the recompence of a seruice which subiects the consience vnder the tyranie of repentance and remorse Iames of Chabannes Lord Steward of France blamed his brother for this match making by the which he gaue his friends cause to repent themselues for the esteeme they had made of him i He that doth an act to ruine his reputation forceth many to repent themselues of the admiration esteeme they haue had of him The King was aduertised and not able to dissemble an Act so vnworthy the generosity of the blood of France Excuse of the Dauphin to accuse Chabannes which knoweth not how to shed blood neither for delight nor reuenge but onely for necessity k Tyrants saith Seneca shed blood for pleasure and Kings for necessity reprehended him bitterly The Dauphin to excuse himselfe accused the Earle of Dammartin saying that it was by his counsell The Earle desuring rather to wrong his fortune then his honour did not accord with the Dauphin but tolde the King that therein he had but giuen eare and obayed The Dauphin seeing himselfe discouered and contradicted saide vnto the Earle reseruing my duty to the King my Lord you haue lyed The reproch of a lye is the most sensible offence that may be done by words but it is neither weaknes nor basenes to endure it of his prince it were indiscretion to be moued therewith Yet the Earle of Dammartin sought to reueÌ„ge those words with this speach Reseruing the respect I owe vnto the King if you were not the Kings sonne I would make answer with my person against yours The Dauphin leaues the Court. but if there be any gentleman of your howse that will charge me with this matter I will make him say the contrary The King iudging by their countenances the truth of their intentions commanded the Dauphin to absent himselfe for fower Monthes l A Prince which hath many Children great capable to command should not keepe them about him hee must giue them some obiect to consume their ambition The idlenes of Court giues them vitious inclinations had deseignes Wherefore Tiberius absented himselfe Vrbano â—uxu laseiuientem His spirit began to grow disordered by the excesse of the City and idlenes which make men humerous from Court and to go into Dauphine The Dauphin going out of the Kings Chamber bare headed and his heart full of reuenge and collor spake these words By this head which hath no hood I will be reuenged on those that haue cast me out of my howse And he kept his word for he was too true in his threats and promises of reuenge He did neuer loue that which he had hated and his disposition was far from that generous precept that wee must hate to loue more ardently m We must not 〈◊〉 hate but we wâ—st so dispose of hatred as it may be conuerted into more ardent friendship Whether the Kinges iealousie or the dislike of faire Agnes the wordes of the Earle of Dammartin or spies or flatterers had caused the absence of Lewis the father bare it with much greefe and repented himselfe that he had no more regarded his owne age then the age of his sonne and that he had neuer showed him his face but fraught with waiwardnes not opened his heart but full of wrath and disdaine n The youth of Primers hath their lawes and priuiledges The fathers seuerity should not seeke to breake them quite but to bend them gently He that had nothing refused to his owne youth should not deny all thinges to his sonnes Time which should haue cured this wound The Kings griefe for the Dauphins absence did but augment the griefe He is victorious ouer forraine enemies but he hath in his heart ciuill war which is more cruell He hath giuen peace vnto France and his soule is in trouble It was a great griefe not to see himselfe assisted and serued by a sonne so great and so valiant in those goodly occasions which hee ended so happily to make all France French Battell of Firmigny The siege of Rone and the reduction of all Normandy in one yeare and sixe dayes hauing remained English the space of 30. yeares the battell of Firmigny o The Battell of Firmigni the 15. of Aprill 1450. whereas there were slaine in the place and put into 14. pits 4574. english except 12. or 13. that were prisoners Our Histories report this battel diuersly we must giue credit to that geadly ould peece of tapestry which is at Fountainble au whereas the whole is represented A thousand fighting defeated 6000. English which for the death of 8. or 10. Frenchmen gaue the victory against the English of whom there were 4574. slaine vppon the place The Conquest of all Guienne The siege of Chastillion whereas Talbot p The English called Iohn Talbot their Achilles Hee is interred at VVhitechurch to whom they haue giuen this Epitaph Orate pro anima praenobilis Domini D. Iohannis Talbot quondam Comitis Saloprae D. Talbot D. Furniual D. verden D. Strange de Blaemere at Marescalli Franciae qui â—biit in bello apud Bourdeaur the 7. of Iuly 1453. the Achilles of the English was slaine whose name doth yet terrifie the little children in Guienne The taking of Bourdeaux with other great and goodly occasions which should haue beene as
his frontier may also prepare himselfe to endure the contempt of his reputation among strangers and of his commandements designes amoÌ„gst his owne subiects And Caesar commends the Germans for that they would not suffer any one to approch neere their frontiers A power which is not feared by strangers is not well obeyed by subiects But he was in that estate as hee thought it safer to trust his enemies then his Fathers seruants Who conducts him into Fladers He is found to plant his foote vpon the precepts which fortune presents vnto him and to get out of this Libia he trusts himselfe vnto Rauens a Alexanders armie being in Egipt had Rauens for their guide Plutarch saith that they followed the wandring souldiers and neuer ceast crying and flying about them vntil they had brought them into the right way he was beaten and pursued by the Puttocke the protection was sacred and it is inhumanitie to deliuer a suppliant Wherefore they assured him and then they conduct him with safety vnto Brussels Duke Philip beeing aduertised of his comming He is honored as the sonne of France hee dislodged from Deuenter hee sent the Earle of Estampes vnto Louuaine to meet him and soone after the Earle of Charalois to accompanie him The Duches of Bourgundy the Countesse of Charolois and the Lady of Rauestain receiued him at Bruxelles A day or two after the Duke arriues and the Dauphin gets downe the staires b The Princes of the bloud of France go equal with others how great and mighty so euer they be Oliuer de la March saith that the Duke of Bourgundy went to meet the Emperor Frederick when as became to Bezancon that seeing the Emperor come a farre of bee vncâ—uered his bead and approching neere he bent himself downe vpon his saddle powell with all the reuerence that might be Adding a reason for that he did not light that he was the third Sonne of King Iohn of France to salute him for the which the Duke was very sorry and held this honour greater then hee should receiue of a Sonne of France the presumptiue heyre of the first crowne of the world And hee knew well that they that were issued from thence did not conceiue any thing greater then themselues and did not humble themselues to other Princes but by eurtesie This Ariuall was in the beginning of the yeare 1456. He is lodged in Gueneppe The Duke lodged him at Gueneppe neere to Bruxells and sent his Ambassador to the King to aduertise him thereof and to beseech him to pardon Lewis The King made no other answere but that the Duke should haue a care not to feede the Foxe which would deuoure his hens Many thought that the Father and Sonne had intelligence one with another and that Charles was glad that Lewis should discouer the desseignes and obserue the actions of the Duke of Bourgundy and his sonnes Whatsoeuer it were they kept him carefully as an hostage of the quiet and prosperitie of their affayres c A Prince assureth the treaties affaires which hee hath with one that is more mighty when hee can draw into his power some one of his children or his neerest kinsmen They be gages and hostages which they alwaies respect and feare to loose Time now teaching them that it was more profitable and more safe to maintaine themselues in the estate wherein peace had setled them then to seeke the increase thereof which is not done without paine nor preserued without danger The King beleeuing that if he were prest by necessitie in a forraine country He is disposest of his reuenues in Dauphiny hee would returne the sooner to his fathers house went into Dauphiny to seaze vpon the Townes and meanes wherewith he might be relieued All men came vnto him such as had promised to hold good said that they would not offend the Father to content the Sonne d The people consider but the present whereunto they accomodate their thoughts and affections at the sight of their first master they forget the new But fearing that the same necessitie would bring him backe in furie as he had gone away in choller and that he would fortifie himselfe in some place He assured himselfe vpon all the passages and frontiers he did prohibite the gouernors to receiue him with any strength and did punish Iames Caeur very seuerely who had subiected his heart purse and fortune to his wils and had made himselfe too passionate a minister of his youthfull affections e Iohn de Seres saith that the Signiors of Loudun and S. Ponâ— Gentlemen of Viuarez dying very old said that they had beard the one of his Vnckle the other of his Grandfather both houshold seruants to the Dauphin that the true cause for the which Iames Coeur was so intreated was for that hee had beene too familiar with Lewis as one of the Ministers of his youthfull delights Others haue told mee that faire Agnes â—ad ruined him Charles Earle of Charolois He agrees not wel with the Earle of Charolois the Dukes Sonne bred vp also as Lewis in the French libertie more then in a Laconicall discipline f The laconical discipline saith Plut. was hard and painefull but it taught childreÌ„ to obey and therefore Sparta is called the Tamer of men had not alwaies his affections conformable to those of his Father neither did he accord well with Lewis He had been much gouerned by them of the house of Croüi the which was one of the most apparant in the country as drawing their extraction from the crowne of Hungarie Lewis a great Prince to insinuate did not cease till hee had wonne and drawne them to his affections The Earle of Charrolois found it and aduertised the Duke his Father who would not beleeue it and if hee did yet hee dissembled the beliefe applying himselfe to the humors of this Prince for we must not feede a Lyon or we must please him g It is indiscretion to bandy against a power which we haue supported and raised Aristophanes brings in Pericles ghost aduising the Athenians not to feed the Lyon or to please him The Earle of Charrolois from that time frowned at them of Croüi and there grew so great an Antipathie of wils in the minds of these two Princes as all the remainder of their liues they were but fained friends They of Croüi made an altar of refuge of the Dauphins fauour against the Earle of Charalois and thought that notwithstanding that they were great both in Alliances and meanes yet they had need of some greater support as the heauens how excellent soeuer they be haue need of the motion of the first mouer Disposition of the Earle of Charolois besides the Nature and assistance of their owne intelligences Lewis could counterfet and dissemble his passions so cunningly as the Duke who had an excellent iudgement could not discouer any thing But the Earle of Charrolois being of a harsh
Alencon was condemned for that he would have brought the English into France The cleere sighted said that his misfortune grew rather from Iealausie or from the loue which he â—are vnto the Dauphin who gouerned him by his counsels The Dauphin being wel aduertised of al that passed at Court grieued at the misfortunes of his godfather whom he loued The desire to see a change did much disquiet him Claude of Seyssel Bishop of Marceilles vnder the raigne of Lewis the twelfth saith that the Dauphin and they that followed him desired nothing more then his Fathers death some enquired by Astrologie some by Negromancie He had many politique inuentions to augment his Fathers cares and caused his suspition to turne into feares d Great courage should not easily receiue suspitions and Seneca saith that it is the act of a timerous soule to turne suspition into feare He knew that the Earle of Dammartin was as it were the Kings King and he found meanes to bring him into iealousie with the King whose braine beeing weake and very moist did easily receiue such impressions e In matters of state Princes enter easily into icalousies of their most trusty seruants and suspition is a bone which age of it selfe doth willingly gnaw vpon He wrote a letter vnto a Lady whom the King loued and sent it vnto her by a Franciscane Fryer which hee wittingly deliuered to the Earle of Mayne enemie to Dammartin who shewed it to the King f The chiefe points of this letter reported by the Chronicle Martiâ—ienna are I haue receiued letters from the Earle of Dammartin whom I make shew to hate I pray you tell him that hee serue mee still wel as he hath alwaies done I will thinke of those matters whereof hee did write vnto me and hee shall very shortly receiue newes from me It was full of termes of so great trust in the Earle of Dammartin as the King not considering from whom it came nor by whom it was presented commanded the Earle of Dammartin to retire himselfe then being informed by the Dauphins secretaries that this Prince had no greater enemie that he had not written vnto him he did easily beleeue that it was an act of his bad Sonne who had so much troubled him as it was the ordinary argument of his complaints Some few daies before his death hee recalled him apprehension bred no lesse amazement in him then his life gaue him affliction The aduise which a Captaine gaue him that hee could not liue long K. Charles resolues to dye of hunger and that there was a conspiracie plotted against his life did so distemper and torment him as he could not liue without feare and trembling g There is no tormeÌ„t so much to bee feared as feare what auailes it to feare that which is ineuitable to feare death is to call it for the feare of death is a perpetuall death And imagining that they ment to poyson him he depriued himselfe of eating and brought himselfe to so great a weakenes as when they would haue caused him to take any thing to restore him the passages were so shrunke as that which hee would haue done willingly happened vnto him by force and against his will and it may be said that he died of hunger h The Earle of Dammartin who was retired to his house at S t. Forgeau came to see the King the day before his death perswading him to take something who told him that he would take a Cullis from his hand if he saw it made the which hee presented vnto him but he could not swallow any thing the conduits were so stopt the 21. of Iuly 1461. Dying he recommended to the Earle of Dammartin his yonger Sonne whom he called the little Lord to whom hee desired to leaue the Crowne knowing the spirit of Lewis to be terrible an implacable enemie to his best seruants God would not suffer him to trouble the Order of Nature to reuenge his priuate affections nor to runne the fortune of Alphonso i Alphonso beleeuing by the rules of his Astrologie that the youger of his sonnes would be the more capable to raigne named him his successor whercat the elder was soineensed as be caused the Father to dye in prison and slew his Brother King of Castill who hauing preferred the yonger before the elder forced him to bee a parricide and a fratricide Charles the seuenth was the restorer of France France hath giuen him the title of Victorious of a Towne of Bourges he made a whole Realme he expeld the English who of the whole peece which they held kept nothing but Callice He had the honor to haue pacified that great and deadly schisme against the which were held the Counsels of Constance and Basill A time of such strange and terrible confusion as no man could say that Rome was where the Pope remained as they were wont to say that whereas the Emperor was there was Rome k During the Schisme of three Antipopes they might say Imperiumque suis a sedibus errat Claud. But they could not say that the authoritie of the church was whereas the Pope remained for there was a Scisme as they were wont to say that where the Emperor was there was Rome 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Herod lib. 1. for there was a Pope in Spaine one in France and two in Italy He ordeined by the aduise of the Prelates of France and caused to bee confirmed and past at the councell of Basill the pragmaticke sanction l The orders which the councell of Basill made for the gouernment discipline of the Church were not generally receiued Germany and Italy would none of them King Charles caused as assembly to be made at Burges by the aduise whereof they were obserued and published in Parliament the seuenth of Iuly 1438 vnder the name of the Pragmatick Sanction With the like zeale as he laboured for the peace of the Church he desired to reuenge the iniurie which it had receiued in Asia and Europe by the armes of Amurath Mahomet Pope Nicholas and Pius the second exhorted this Prince as Elezeus did Ioas to shoote his arrowes against the East but he was so troubled for his iust defence against his neighbours as he had no meanes to think theron m Among the obseruations which they giue for the leuies of Souldiers they haue respect to the ayre and the place hot countries produce men of more vnderstanding then courage and could doe the contrary A good rule for them that haue diuers prouinces to choose but to make it generall they must take them where they finde them They also giue vnto this Prince the honor to haue set an order for his troupes for seeing that the number of his souldiers were so diminished as his could not equall those of his enemies hee made leuies throughout all his villages taking one labouring man out of threescore who were bound to arme and pay him and
the twelue peeres were set on either side the King At the end the Duke of Bourgundy kneeled downe intreating the King to forget the iniuries of such as had offended him during his Fathers raigne f This request is reported by Monstrelet in these termes When the tables were taken away the noble duke of Burgundy vsing his accustomed gentlenes in the nobillity of his courage kneeled downe before the King and intreated him for the honor passion and death of our Sauior that he would pardon all those which he held suspect to haue set discord betwixt his father and him which request he granted reseruing seauen persons He answered there are seauen which I cannot pardon Reuenge had mounted with him to the Royall throne he had not trod it vnder foote he carryed it in his head it was in his mind like vnto those starres that were fixed about the pole Hee findes it not so sweet to recompence the good as to reuenge the bad The King cannot forget the iniuries which they had done vnto the Dauphin g A royalty should make meÌ„ forget forepassed iniuries The Emperour Adrian being come to the Empire said vnto his enemy which was before him Euasisti thou hast escaped Quos in vita priuata â—nâ—micos habuit Imperator neglexit AE Spart And Lewis the twelfth said generously it is not fit that a King of France shold reuenge the iniuries done to a duke of Orleans Two daies after the ceremony of the Coronation the Duke did him homage for his countries which held of the crowne of France and offered him others which he held in Souerainty h The Duke of Burgundy was receiued to fealty and homage by King Lewis the eleuenth and to be Peere and Deane of the Peeres of France by reason of the Dâ—â—â—ie of Burgundy the 17. of August 1461. From Rheims the King went to Meaux then to Saint Dennys and made his entry into Paris where they did number twelue thousand horse which followed him All the pompe and magnifficence which was made at this entry did represent aswell the simplicity and ignorance of those times as the greatnesse and State of Paris Good witts in such occasions do not represent all things so plainely to the eye as there doth not remaine some thing where-with to content curiosity by the paine it hath to seeke and the pleasure to finde and to deuine at the intelligence of their inuentions Brokers were then more necessary then paynters for they did only set persons of diuers ages and sexes for all kinds of histories A Virgin was sufficient to represent the Citty of Paris as we finde not any more in bookes nor in auncient medalls for Rome nor Athens and there were fiue to signifie Paris euery one carrying a letter of it name They were conducted on horsebacke by a Herald towards Saint Ladros Church and there presented vnto the King The Cronicle saith that they had all personages fitted to the signification of fiue letters making Paris and that all spake vnto the King as they were appointed The Frontispice of S. Denis gate was beautified with a great ship in the which were the three Estates in three Persons which made the Prosopopeia Ridiculous representations and Iustce sate in the prow who spake vnto the King On the toppe of the Mast there was a Lilly out of the which came a King conducted by two Angells At the fountaine du Ponceau they gaue wine and Ippocras to them that past i The Chronicle vseth thee wordes in this place A little within the Towne at Foâ—taine du Ponceau were wild men and women which did fight made many countenances and there were also three fairâ— maidens representing mermaides naked where they might see the faire white pap seperated round and hard which was a pleasant sight and they had pretty speechâ—â— and neer vnto them were certaine fâ—ll Instruments which made great melody And to refresh such as entred into the said Towne there were diuers pipes in the said Fountain casting mike wine and lippocras wherof euery man dranke that would And beneath the said Fountain right against the Trinity there was a passion by men without speech Christ being hanged on the Crosse and the two theeues on the right and left hand There were also three Virgins like Mermaides all naked and at the Trinity was the passion of Iesus Christ represented by a liuing man being tyed vnto a Crosse betwixt two theeues At S. Innocents Fountaine there was a Hinde put forth beeing followed by a great cry of Hounds and Huntsmen At the Burchery was the Bastille of Diepe as the most glorious trophee of this Princes youth Passing ouer the Changers Bridge which was couered ouer head they let flye two hundred dozen of small Birdes The King went to pray in our Ladies Church he supt and lodged in the Pallace and the next day he went to the Tournelles in St. Anthonies street where hee made a new world changing his chiefe Officers The Duke of Bourgondy and the Earle of Charolois made a great part of the pompe they and their traines being so ritchly appointed as there were not any more stately The King made shew of great loue both to the father and sonne but there was so great a diuersity of manners and humors betwixt Lewis and Charles as this harmony lasted not long k Enâ—y and Iealousie which trouble great men will not suffer the one to reioyce at anothers good Themiâ—tocles not able to indure Cymons prosperity dyed through Impatiencie Into their most sincerest affections Iealousie which is the poison of friendship did alwaies creepe There was nothing pure nor perfect the prosperity of the one was a troublesome crosse vnto the other The King came vnto the Crowne like a new heire to his fathers possessions Lewis seeks for the rights of the Crown who doth not so much affect his kinsmen and tutors as he desires to see his Registers examine his accompts and know if he doth enioy all the rights of his successions from these first wordes they iudge what his designes and actions would be l Not onely by the first actions but by the first wordes of a Pâ—ince comming to the Câ—owne they iudge of the future so the word which Seuerâ—s spaâ—e Lâ—boremas and that of Pertinax militemâ—s were taken for signes of warre or peace in the Empire AElms Spart The Pompe and magnificence of this publike ioy being ended the Duke of Bourgondy and the Earle of Charolois tooke their leaues of the king to returne The Duke went into Flanders and the Earle of Charolois to Diion Death of Mary of Aniou Queene of France and then to St. Claude the King to Ambois to see the Queene his mother whose dowry he assigned vppon the County to Xaintonge and the Towne of Rochell shee did not long inioy this assignation passing from this life vnto a better Her death aflicted them who knowing that this King did all of his
literae expeditae per Praelatos personas Ecclesiasticas dictiregni receptae non fuerunt nec ipsi Praelati personae Ecclesiastâ—cae illis parere nec monitis Sixti Innocentii Iulii aures praebere sed eidem Pragmaticae constitutioni inhaerere voluerint The Buls of Sixtus the third Innocent the eight Alexander the sixt and Iulio the second were fruitlesse The Decre of the Councell of Lateran serued to no purpose and this Pragmatick Sanction ended not before the Concordants were past at Bolonia betwixt Pope Leo the tenth and king Francis the first They did iudge by the kings first actions 1461. what the manner of his gouernment would be The King discontents the Nobilitie and that he would beautifie the diuinations of his raigne with other trophies then of clemencie t Clemencie is the Ornament of the raigne of Kings they should begin with it Nouuâ— imperium occupantibus vtilis clementiae â—ama Tacit. lib. 4. Hist. Hee disappointed in a manner all the officers and seruants of king Charles his Father taking a great delight to vndoe that which hee had raised and to raise that which hee had puld downe He gaue Berry onely to his brother for his portion vpon condition that it should returne vnto the Crowne if he dyed without issue male u There was a time when as the Kings of France left vnto the Princes of their bloud the proprieties of their portions Philip of Valoiâ— left the Countie of Valois to Charles his younger brother Philip the Faire was the first that ordained by his Câ—dicill that the County of Poictou giuen by him with other lands to his yonger sonne Philip of France who afterwards was K. Philip the Long should returne to the crowne for waÌ„t of Heyres male vpon condition the King which should then raigne should marrie his Daughter Hee tooke the Seales from Iuuenall of Vrsins and gaue them to Peter of Moruilliers The Duke of Alençon was a prisoner in the Castle of Loches whom he set at libertie Hee caused the Earle of Dammartins processe to be made and after that the Court of Parliament had condemned him to dye hee gaue him his life vpon coÌ„dition that he should imploy the remainder in the I le of Rhodes for the seruice of Christendome and should put in caution but not able to find any hee had the Bastil for his prison from whence he escaped in the night by a hole which he had made in the wall at the same time when as the Duke of Berry passed into Brittanny Taneguy of Chastell x Taneguy of Coastel Nephew te him that â—lâ—w the Duke of Bourgunay was master of the horse to K. Charles the seuenth hee retired into Brittany where the Duke made him his high steward Chamberlaine being discontented for that he was not satisfied the money which he had aduanced for the funerals of Charles the seuenth retired himselfe to Francis Duke of Brittany This Prince had succeeded to Arthur of Brittany Earle of Richmond his Vncle Francis the second Du of Brittany and was well informed of the humor and designes of Lewis and therefore in the beginning hee sent his seruants throughout the Realme disguised in the habites of Iacobins and Franciscans to moue the people to looke vnto the beginning of this Raigne and to coniure them to defend their libertie with tooth and nayle y The Embassadors of Sparta beeing sent to Xerxes said vnto Gidarne who commended the felicity of such as serued the King If thou didst know Gidarne what libertie were thou wouldest counsell vs to defend it not with the launce and target onely but with our teeth and nayles aduising them that this King entered into the Realme as into a countrey of Conquest that he held all that pleased him to be lawfull That he forced great men not to obey but to serue The people not to bee gouerned but tiranized and to prepare themselues to liue in such sort as they might say they had not any thing Being aduertised of the Duke of Brittaines practises The Kings voyage into Brittany he went to see him vnder coulour to visit the Church of S. Sauiour of Redon Deuotion was the pretext and a desire to know the Dukes country and forces the cause of this Pilgrimage z It is a great aduantage to know the forces of an estate which one meanes to assaile and to measure them with his It was the aduise of Xenophon Chabrias said that theron consists a part of the Generals dutie He was not resolued to leaue him in peace He knew well that three or foure yeares before hee had sought to make himselfe a companion to King Charles the seuenth hauing refused to doe him homage vpon his knee and without his sword for the Dutchie of Brittanie a In the homage which Francis the second Duke of Brittany did vnto King Charles the seuenth at Moâ—bason in February 1458. Iohn of Estoteuille said vnto him My Lord of Brittanie you should put off your girdle And Chauuâ—n Chancellor of Brittany answered He ought not It were an innouation he is as he should be hee had also discouered that hee and the Earle of Charolois had giuen their faith to runne the selfe same fortune although that the remembrance of the Death of the Duke of Orleans his grandfather by the mothers side had beene able to disswade him from the house of Bourgundy and that it had beene better for him to ioyne with his Cozens the Dukes of Orleans and Angolesme and to continue his designe vpon the Duchie of Milan to recouer his grandmothers inheritance whereof Francis Sforce had ceazed b Francis Duke of Brittanie sonne to Richard of Brittanie and Margaret of Orleans Daughter to Lewis D. of Orleans and Valantyn of Milan had vndertaken to make warre against Francis Sforce Anâ—al of Brittanie The Venetians and Borso of Este Duke of Ferrara gaue eare to the propositions which they made giuing hope to assist the rights of the house of Orleans These first years of the Raigne of Lewis were very sharpe and those which followed altogether insupportable Great men were depriued of their Dignities Rigor in the beginning of Lewis raigne and the meaner opprest with great charges There was couetousnes for men of merite and prodigalitie for the rest c It is good aâ—ter a prodigall Prince to haue one that is couâ—tous who may restraine those excessiue prâ—fusion he that findes not any thing to giue cannot be liberall He said he would gather money together to redeeme the townes vpon the Riuer of Some He had knowne what a crowne was worth and how many peeces would make one They that haue past by the indiscretions of necessitie proceed very discreetely in their expences If all the time that hee had beene banished from the Court he had no want of necessarie things so had he no great abundance superfluous His sparing was the lights which swelled by the leannesse
night through the streetes of Barcellona complaining that the Queene his mother in law had separated it from his bodie by the violence of poison The Queene who was come to Girona saw her selfe besieged with Prince Ferdinand her Sonne and the Tower wherein she was retyred furiously battered The king seeing this great reuolt of his subiects entreates Lewis the eleuenth to succour him with men and money hee ingageth the Counties of Rousillion and Sardaigne vnto him for three hundred thousand crownes King of Nauarre demaunds succors froÌ„ the French King The king sent vnto him Gaston Earle of Foix Prince of Berne z Gaston Earl of Foâ—x married the second Daughter of Iohn King of Nauarre and of Queen Blanch his first wife and sonne in law to the king of Nauarre who freed the Queene and raised the siege of Gironna The Cattellanes nothing tractable to endure the humors of their Prince made a proclamation against the king declaring him falne from all the authoritie which he might haue ouer them and a murtherer of his owne sonne and violating the lawes of the country a They of Cattellonia declaâ—ed the K. an enemy vnto the countrey by diuers informations proceedings against his actions and the murther of his son the which they sent to Pope Pius the second They sent to Henry King of Castile to embrace their defence and protection submitting themselues vnder his obedience and offering him the crowne of Arragon beseeching him to adde vnto the iust title which their election gaue him vnto the Realme the right of Armes they alone doe purchase Empires b There are fiue kindes of Titles to Realmes the first by Armes so Cyrus Alexander anâ— Caesar made themselues Monarches secondly by the grace of God and in this manner raigned Moses Dauid thirdly by succession fourthly by election and the fist by the nomination of the Prince Marc. Anthony named Lucius Verus for his successor Dioclesian Maximinian and Gratian Theodosius and being gotten defend and preserue them He gaue them for succors two thousand and fiue hundred horse vnder the command of Iohn of Beaumont Prior of S t. Iohn of Nauarre The K. of Castill aides the Cattellans when the French and the Castillians met neere vnto Ixar they would not fight c No man can dispose as hee pleaseth of Auxiliary troupes they haue respects coÌ„trary to the designe of such as imploy them and the French intreated the king of Nauarre to take it in good part if they sought rather to end then entertaine their quarrels The Earle of Foix who was brother in law to the king of Castill and sonne in law to the king of Nauarre disposed the two Princes to referre themselues to the iudgement of the French king They yeelded sending their embassadors to Baiona where the French king was an honor pleasing to the humor of Lewis who would be interessed in all things and very deere to the reputation of France which was in possession not onely to iudge of the controuersies of forraine crownes but also to giue kings vnto those which had not any d The realmes of Christendome haue taken Princes out of the house of France to raign ouer them Alphonso son to the Earle of Tollousaraigned in Spaine the house of Eureux in Nauarre the Dukes of Normandy in England they of Aniou at Naples and Sicilie The Empire of Constantinople was held three yeres by the French They haue raigned a hundred yeares in Sora Cipres Palestina Charlemain Lewis the gentle haue added vnto the Empire of the Gaules all Italy Bohemia Hungarie and Germany In a word the seat of Popes haue beene in France The king of Nauarre went not from Saragossa Lewis the French K. made arbitrator betwixt the Kings of Castill and Arragon nor king Henry from S t. Sebastians in the prouince of Guipuscoa relying vppon that which their Embassadors treated The king hauing conferred of the controuersie betwixt them and of the causes which had moued the Cattellans to reuolt did iudge in such sort as to reconcile the parties it was necessarie they should meete and speake together vpon the frontier The enterview was at Endaia whereas the sentence giuen at Bayona was read by Aluaro Gomes The Cattellans were not content with this Iudgement saying that as the king of Castille had abandoned them so his Embassadors had betrayed them The king of Nauarre being offended for that hee was condemned to yeeld the towne of Estella to the king of Castille Enteruiew of the Kings of France and Castill to the preiudice of the reuenues of the crowne of Nauarre made the estates of Nauarre protest of nullity King Lewis reaped the greatest profit of this action for he practised and drew vnto his seruice some Ministers of these two kings and made them his pensioners e The King of Castille suffered himselfe to be gouerned by the great master of Castille and the Archbishop of Tolledo King Lewis made much of them to be informed of the state of Castille or at the least to drew them to his deuotion It is the least a Prince can attend of one that comes to see him This assembly did not confirme the affections which the crownes of France Castill had had together f The friendship and alliance betwixt the French and the Castâ—llans haue continued long Vpon which assurance K. Charles the sixt sent his Embassadors to Iohn King of Castill in the yeare 1418. to 〈◊〉 succors against the English The Castillians who could not lodge at Bayona with the French without quarrelling did not forbe are to scoffe at them at this enteruiew vpon the Riuer of Vidasa g The riuer of Vidâ—so diâ—ides the two realmes the Spaniards hold it is all theirs The King of Castill past the Riuer and came vnto the king The Castillians seeing him attired in cloth and very short with a hat differing from the rest and for a Iewell an image of lead imputed it to miserablenes h Apparell doth often minister cause of laughter The Siciliens did not esteeme of Gilippus their generall seeing him simply apparelled in a poore cloake wearing long bayre yet Syâ—â—â—â—s saith that the ancient Kings were knowne and distinguished rather by the minde then the pompe and 〈…〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Syn Orat 〈◊〉 regno There are Nations whereas they contemne the Prince if hee bee not so gorgeously attired as if he should show himselfe vpon a theater It is impossible to abstaine from laughter looking vpon the portraites of the Emperors of Greece which are so couered with Pearle and precious stones as they can not bee knowne but by their beards The French finding also the habites of the Castillians vnpleasing their king very hard fauoured and their manners insolent and full of African pride Of all this there could grow no great Alliance for such enteruiewes are alwaies noted more by the alienation of mindes then by alliances of estates
to the toombe of his Father at the Celestins at Paris the 21. of February 1504. by the commandement of king Lewis the twelfth his sonne After the battell of Azincourt he remained fiue and twenty yeares prisoner in England The English would not deliuer this Flower-deluce without ransome and to redeeme him the D. of Bourgundy payed three hundred thouthousand crownes What a change Iohn Duke of Bourgundy depriues Lewis of Orleans of his life Philip Duke of Bourgundy his sonne giues libertie to Charles of Orleans and to make the bond perfect he giues him the golden fleece and marries him to his Neece Mary of Cleues shee was the third wife hauing before his imprisonment married Isâ—bel of France widdow to Richard King of England and Bonna of Armagnac x The afronts which are receiued from great persons must not onely be disgested patienâ—ly but also after a constant manner murmuring auailes nothing Many haue made of scratchings incurable wounds oftentimes the iniury is doubled and renewes when as they make it knowne that it is receiued according to the designe of him that doth it x By Mary of Cleues hee had Lewis the twelfth his onely sonne and two Daughters Mary was promised to Peter of Bourbon and afterwards married to Iohn of Foix Vicount of Narbonne father to that Achilles of France GastoÌ„ of Foix Duke of Nemours of Germaine Queene of Arragon Anne of Orleans was Abbess of Fonteueâ—aud The Duke of Bourbon hauing opened the passage to this designe of the warre of the common-weale The Duke of Berry retires into Brittany they attended no more but to see the head Charles of France the Kings brother beeing at Poictiers and making show to goe a hunting whiles the king was in his deuotions steales away and goes vnto the Embassadors of Brittaine Iohn of Rommille vice chancellor of Brittaine and Tanequy of Chastell who were come to haue a Prolongation for other three monthes to make answere to the kings demands carried him away speedily by the meanes of the Lord of Lescon a Gascoine and led him into Brittanie y The King being gone in deuotion to our Lady of Pont in Limosin the Duke of Berry retires into Brittaine He was but eighteene yeares old hee held life so short and that of Princes which liue in subiection so troublesome as if he did not speedily know what it was to bee a master the knowledge would euer come to late He was welcome for this was the firebrand which they must cast to set France on fire The Duke of Brittanie promised him the seruice of his person and all the succors of his forces Hee declared the cause of his departure by letters which hee wrote to the Duke of Bourgundy and to the other Princes of their intelligence The most apparent was drawne from the bad gouernment of the affaires whereof the Princes of the bloud z It concernes the Princes of the bloud to look into the disorders of the estate and to assist the King faithfully to rearesse theÌ„ whiles there is heat in tâ—is bloud wee may hope for the life and continuance of the body which haue the chiefe interest and care of the whole bodie should apprehend the dangerous euents and had subiect to complaine to see vnworthy men without honor or merit to deale in that which should passe by their hands and to leap ouer their heads to great offices That his armes and his desires had no other obiect but to restore order vnto the Realme and there withall to ease the people of their oppressions the which he could not otherwise hope for but in making the King know in the beginning of his raigne a At the Câ—mming of new Pâ—aces they make demands and pursuits for that which they dâ—sire the rest of the Raigne for when they are well settled they will no more beare speake That 〈◊〉 Petcennius hauing prepared his companions to mutine hee said Quando ausuros exposcere remedia nisi noâ—â—m et nutantem adhuc Principem vel armis adirent Tacitus lib. 1. Annal. the extreame necessity whereinto it was brought His will was manifested more amply by his letters to the Duke of Bourgundy which Monstrellet setts downe in these termes Most deere and welbeloued Vncle I recommend me vnto you I let you vnderstand that of late I haue often heard the clamors of the Princes of the blood my kinsmen and other Noblemen of this Realme in all estates of the disorder and pittifull gouernment which now doth raigne by the councell of men being about my Lord full of all lewdnes and iniquity who for their owne profit and priuate disordered affections haue drawne my Lord into iealousie and hatred against you me and all the Noblemen of the said Realme yea against the Kinges of Castile and Scotland so long allyed vnto the Crowne b The most ancient alliances of the French haue beene with the Scots and then with the Castilians The Crowne of France hath had pretentions vpon Castille at the inheritance of the Lady Blanch of Castile mother to St. Lewis as euery man knowes In regard how the authority of the Church hath beene kept Iustice done and administred the Noblemen maintained in their rights and priuiledges and the poore people supported and freed from oppression I write no more vnto you for I know you are sufficiently informed and I am greeued at the said thinges as I ought to be as he whom it doth so neere concerne as euery man doth know c The Children of one family are interessed in the 〈…〉 and the Princes of the bloud in the gouernment of the estate and desire to prouide for it by the Counsell of you of the said Princes and kinsmen and other Noblemen who haue all promised to aid and serue me not sparing body or goods for the quiet of the Realme and the publick weale thereof and also to saue my person which I found to be in danger For incessantly and openly my said Lord and they about him spake such wordes of me d The words of such as are neerest vnto a Prince make men iudge of his intentions The Duke of Berry hearing that the seruants of the K. his brother spake freely against him thought that their discourses were framed vpoÌ„ his Good words entertaine friendship and bad dissolues theÌ„ as I might with Reason haue cause to doubt I therefore left my said Lord and am come vnto my good Cosin of Brittaine who hath giuen me so good and commendable reception as I cannot sufficiently commend it and is resolued to serue me with body goods and all his power to the good of the said Realme and publicke weale And therefore my most deere and welbeloued vncle my intention and desire is to imploy my selfe with you and the said noblemen my kinsmen whose counsell I will vse and not otherwise to restore and redresse the said desolate Realme knowing that you are one of the greatest of the Realme whom
for many Captaines haue souldiers to serue the King in his Armies whom they would not imploy in their houses y If there bee not choise iudgment and distinction in the leuies of souldiâ—rs the Princes seruice cannot prosper Vegetius imputes the ruine of the Empire to this carelesnes Huic saith hee 〈◊〉 vbique ab hostibus illatae sunt clades dum longa pax militem incuriosus legit dum possefloribus indicti tyrâ—nes per gratiam aut dissimulationem probantur talesque sociant Armiâ— quales Domini habere facti dicunt Veget. Lib. 1. cap. 8. The Duke of Bourgundy caused the Earle of Charolois his son to march and at his departure he said vnto him Goe my Sonne in a happie hower Words of the Duke of Bourgundy and resolue to die rather then to flie if you fall into any danger you shall not be abandoned for the want of a hundred thousand men Words of power to giue courage to one that had been borne without it Words of infallible assurance spoken from a father whose loue admits no comparison all other friendships are but winde He did wisely looke vnto the future which Princes doe not alwaies they doe seldome looke vnto that which shall befall them and doe not thinke that great assents haue great downefals The E. of Charlois entred into France with an armie of fifteene thousand men he besieged Nesle in Vermandois and tooke it and past by Noion and Mondidier The Earle of Neuers his Cousin found himselfe to weake to stop his entrie into Picardie whereas all the people seemed ready to set vp Statues z The people follow a victory They of Samos erected a statue to Alcibiades in Iunos Temple but when hee was defeated they gaue another to Lysander his enemy for the Victors and to acknowledge him that should be most fortunate or most strong The Earle of Saint Pol hauing taken Pont Saint Maxence by composition or rather by the trechery of the Captaines which were within it the Armie past the riuer of Oyse and entred into the Isle of France The Earle of Charolois carried the title of Lieutenant generall to the Duke of Berry These first bruites a In new occurents reputation hath great effects In nouis ceptis validissima est fama Tacit. lib 13. gaue great reputation to his desseins he made a generall proclamation of liberty and exemption from taxes Hee caused the Rowles to bee burnt at Laigny and made a declaration that all should bee free causing the salt to be distributed at the Marchants price b He that will draw the people to his deuotion and build a foundation vpon their loues must free them froÌ„ oppressions for they hold eeuery one that hurts them for an enemy and neuer iudge of the equity of the warre but by the good which they receiue vpon these proclamations the people thought they should haue an ende of their miseries but they were but cries a farre of and vanished comming neere like vnto those noyses which vpon certaine coasts of the straight of Saint George terrefie those that are a farre of and when they come neere they heare not any thing The Princes of the League entring into France cryed liberty for the Common-weale and exemption for the people but comming neere to treat they spake noe more of it c The pretexts of ciuil war are alwaies goodly and plausible but when they are considered they vanish and haue noe substance Ioachin Rouvant Marshall of France Marshall Ioachin enters into Paris did alwaies coast the army but a farre of and hauing noe meanes to attempt any thing neerer he cast him-selfe into Paris with a hundred and tenne lances The Earle lodged at Saint Denis whereas the other Princes had promised to meete him to consult of their affaiers his army was lodged thereabouts Hee presented him-selfe in battell before Paris the amazement was great and the skirmish terrible euen vnto the gates Hauthourdin thought that the towne was to be taken in this amazement for they began to shut vp their shops A giddy headed fellow ranne through the streets crying the enemy was entred and with d One word of amazement or bad prâ—sage is punishable this man was whipt through the streets of Paris the Chronicle saies that the King cried out to the hangman whip him soundly for hee hath wel deserued it feare many fell into feuers The King was well serued in this occasion by the Marshall Ioachin and Charles of Melun Prrisiens amazed Many as it happens alwaies in ciuill diuisions played the temporizers saw the storme comming and fitted them-selues for euery Element It was thought good not to attempt any thing vntill the Kings brother and the Duke of Brittaine were come They march slowly and the Earle complained of their stay Stay of the army of Brittany saying that they had broke their word for they had promised to be together in armes before Paris at the feast of S t. Iohn Romille Vice Chancellor of Brittaine excused his Maister and filled vp blanks signed to keepe the Earle in breth and to giue the Duke time to assemble forces at Chasteaubriant where he mustred his armie obseruing strictly the seuerity of discipline e It is impossible in ciuil war exactly to obserue military discipline if excesse bee punished in one party the souldiâ—r who â—â—ues nothing but disorder flies vnto the other Ciâ—ilibus bellis plus militibus quaÌ„ docibus licer Tâ—cit lib. 2. Histo. although it be in a manner impossible in ciuil wars whereas the souldiers can doe more then the Captaines A resolution being taken to ioyne with the troupes of Brittaine the Earle of Charolois seased vppon the bridge of Saint Clou to passe to Estampes where a Lady aduertized him that the king had past Orleans Battle of Montlehery and came withall speede to enter into Paris Hee resolued to attend him and lodged at Longiumeau sending the Earle of Saint Pol to Montlehery where he made choise of a place of Battell betwixt both On twesday the 16. of Iuly the King arriued at Chastres he desired to enter into Paris or to goe out of the realme f King Lewis the eleuenth said that if hee had not entred into Paris hee had gone 〈◊〉 seeke succors in Italy of the D. of Milan has great fâ—iend It mâ—y be he wâ—ld not haue taken so desperate a resolution but would haue coÌ„sidered that he had to doe with men which would not liue long together without some dispute if hee might not doe it And for that he would not hazard any thing amidest so many discontentments and infidelities he had commanded Breze great Seneshall of Normandy not to fight who notwithstanding this prohibition tould one of his friends that he would bring the two Princes so neere together as he should be a very able man that could part them He was slaine with the first and he is produced for an example that seldome doth that succeed
sonnes Philebert and Charles vnder the gouerment of the Lady Yoland of France Sister to Lewis the eleuenth But whilest that France enioyed this quiet which the King had purchased in dispersing these terrible windes her auncient friends felt the storme and yet she had no meanes to relieue them for that she would not open the wound which began now to close vp nor fauour the examples of rebellion against a lawfull Prince They of Liege not thinking the warre should last so little betwixt the King and the house of Bourgundy Liege Reuolts against the Duke of Bourgondy had done all acts of hostilitie against the Duke of Bourgundies subiects preferring alwaies their owne interest d Hee that knowes well how much his owne interests concernes him will neuer haue it march after another mans before a strangers The King had promised them two hundred men at Armes euery one hauing three horses at the least to spoile the country of Henault and not to treat any peace without comprehending them Vpon this assurance and a presumption that their towne was impregnable e The people do alwaies presume of their forces with an ouer-weening and rashnesse The Iuhabitants of Nouogarde the chief Citty of Russia said braggingly Men can do nothing against God nor vs but Iohn Basileus K. of Muscouy made them to change that language Crant lib. 13. Vand. cap. 15. and themselues inuincible they sent a Herald to Bruxells to proclaime warre against the Earle of Charolois and threaten him with fire and bloud In his absence the Duke receiued and read the letters and then deliuered them againe vnto the Herald saying that his Sonne was in France and that he should carrie them vnto him if he list Hee returned to Liege from whence he was presently dispatcht with the like letters against the Duke himselfe and all his Allies These threats were sodainly followed by the effects they entred into the Dukes Contry with all kinds of outrages and inhumanities To commend this Prince or to speak well of the house of Bourgondy Army of the Duke of Bourgondy against the Liegeois were crimes which could not be expiated but by death The poore peasants were slaine like sheepe for no other reason but for that they are his friends and cannot like of the rage of these wolues The Duke armes and by his commandement the Dukes of Cleues and Gueldres The Earles of Nassau and Horne with the Marquis of Roselin They presse these snailes in such sort as they dare not put forth their hornes of Rebellion and keepe themselues within their walles with repentance that they had so soone gone to field vppon hope that the King who had then another taske in hand would assist them and that they should not want meanes nor courage to defend their liberty f Liberty doth animate mens mindes and fill their harts with courage valour that defend it In the famous Battels of Miltiades Leonides and The mistocles for the liberty of Greece the nomber hath yeelded vnto Courage They of Dinan subiecte vnto Liege were no lesse mad against the Duke vpon the newes which ranne and which was as soone beleeued as receiued that the Earle of Charolois had beene defeated at Montleherry They made an Image very like vnto the Earle and carry it with great shoutes and cries neere vnto the walles of Bouinnes Indignities and Insolencies of people râ—nolted where they set vp a Gibbet and hang it thereon calling him whom it did represent Traitor Viâ—laine and Bastard The veriest rascall made the greatest noise They made also another image for the Duke the which they did set vppon a high peece of wood cryng out See heere the seat of that great tond your Duke An act which cannot bee too seuerely punished by iustice nor remitted by repentance vppon hope of amendement g In these coÌ„motions there is nothing bâ—t fury no courage nor valour Certatim vt quisque animi ignauus procax est ore Tâ—cit Hist. lib. 2. This furious mockery against the Prince was followed by all kindes of cruelty against his subiects of Bouines who thinking to aduize these madmen to returne vnto their duties they first sent the Herald of their towne to perswade them and then a little boy with letters signed They cut off the head of the first and â—are the second in peices O inconstant people what is there cruell and barbarous but thou committest in thy fury h Men would not kill aspicks nor vipers if they might bee tamed made harmelesse when there is no hope of amendment Clemency is iniurious and Iustice alwaies necessary whereas the publique is wrongd crimes whose Impunity draw on others are irremissible The Duke although hee were exceeding old thought that he could not dye honorably vnlesse he were reuenged of the ingratitude and rebellion of Dinan The Duke buâ—eegeth DinaÌ„ takes it and ruines it He caused himselfe to be carried thither in a litter leading an army of 28000. horse and a great number of foot he takes the towne ruines it and casts 800. of the Inhabitants into the riuer of Meuze i A Prince should neuer dissemble an open rebellion for hee that doth not punish a rebell in such sort as he may no more rebell must be held to haue little witte and lesse courage and they which did not end their miseries now in dying remained to dye daily k The miserable man is beholding vnto death it frees him from miseries Tamberlan slew as many lepers as he found that they might haue an end of their miseries and infect no more by their coÌ„tagion Calcondile For the same reason Dracula Prince of Valachia shut a great troupe of Beggers into a â—arne and set it on fire hauing made them all drunke Bonsin. Lib. 3. beeing nothing beholding to them that meetâ—ng them suffered them to liue The Liegeois apprehending the like vsage yeelded vnto the Duke hauing made shew that they would giue him battell Liegeois giue 50. Hostages they gaue him fifty hostages for assurance of the fealty which they promised and sixe hundred thousand Florins of the Rhin paiable in sixe yeares This warre ended the Duke of Bourgondy ended that of his life and changed it into an eternall peace Death of Duke Philippe in the 72. yeare of his age the 48. of his raigne the 15. of Iuly in the yeare 1497. l Phil. de Commines saith that the Liegeois gaue 300. Hostages the number was but 50. whereof 32. were of Liege sixe of Sainctron or St. Trid sixe of â—ongres and sixe of Hesselt Hee left his house in the height of felicity ritch in alliances honour friendes and reputation gold in his coffers and iron to defend it m It is nothing to haue gold if they haue not Armes to keepe it Craesus shewed his treasure to Solon who seeing it to be of an infiniâ—e valew demanded where was the iron and steele to keepe that gold It
was not an estate gotten by hazard and increased by iniustice n There are some estates which haue beene begun by hazard and augmented by iniustice It had the foundation of them in the Realme of France the continuance seemed immortall Greatnes of his house But Architectors dye and the buildings remaine This greatnes did not passe the fourth Male it was disinembred into many peeces the cheefe fell to the house of Austria He had three wiues Michelle of France daughter to King Charles the sixth Bonna of Arthois daughter to Phillip Earle of Eu and Isabella of Portugall mother to Prince Charles in marrying of whom he setled his thoughts for marriage and tooke for his motto Autre N'auray but he did not forbeare the exercise of his loues so as his iniust intemperance begat eight sonnes and foure daughters This Prince was valiant and hardy wherof he made good proofe in that great and troublesome warre which he vndertooke against France the which continued 82. yeares without respite or truce A warre which made mountaines of dead Carcasses and riuers of bloud in France into the which he said he had entred against his mind desiring rather to imploy his armes against Infidels as he did in the holy League o Iulian Caesarin Cordinall of St. Ange and Legat to the Pope with Ladiflans being at Buda made a new league among the Christians to ruine the Ottoman name into the which he had drowne Pope Eugemus the 4. The duke of Bourgundy the Venetiant and the Geneâ—â—ois to succour Hungary against Amurath He made it knowne by his deuice of many fufills or irons to strike fire fastened to a flint which cast forth flames whereby hee would say that his humor was addicted to mildnes and to peace if they did not force him to warre as the fufill retaines his flame if hee bee not toucht But doth presently thrust it forth when it is strooke He liued in such credit and authoritie among the soueraigne Powers of Europe that although he carried not the title of a King yet hee marcht equall with the greatest Kings and if hee had would might haue had his estates erected to a Kingdome When as Pope Eugenius the fourth saw that most Christian Princes were banded against him hee fled vnto the Duke of Bourgundies protection and presented vnto him the miraculous Host which is in the holy chappell at Dijon A good Prince beloued of his subiects His bounty courage moderatioÌ„ whom hee did not intreat according to the power which he had ouer them p The greater a Princes power is the more his liberty should be restrained The more mighty a Prince is ouer his subiects the more mighty his subiects make theÌ„selues against him respected of strangers with whom he could liue but blamed to haue been the Instrument of the cruell Tragedies which had beene acted vppon the Theater of France He iustified his Armes by the reuenge of his fathers death slaine by Charles the seuenth being Dauphin vpon the bridge of Monstreau Faut Yonne But hee did not reuenge it vpon the Ladie Michelle q The iniury of kinsfolks to the wife is sometimes reuenged by the husband vpon his wife The D. of Bourgundy loued not his lesse notwithstanding that the sight of the Sister did for three yeares together reuiuâ— the iniury of the Brother his wife Sister to Charles neither did he loue her lesse hauing no intent that innocencie should be mingled with the memory of the offence Charles succeeded him if the children retaine the complexions of them that haue put them into the world Humor and disposition of Charles his sonne as the graine which is cast naked into the earth doth notwithstanding bring forth the straw stalke and eare from whence it came This Prince beeing borne of Philip and Isabell of Portugall must needs be of a fantastick temper The Father was hardie the Mother distrustfull they wondred how shee could beare him nine monethes in her wombe seeing the humor of this Prince could not rest one houre in a place Princes desire to begin r Princes which enter newly into a realm must think that their reputation depends of the beginning They must giue them selues to such high and eminent Actions as they may settle a beleefe in their neighbours that they are not onely capable of the fortune which they haue found and which they hold but they haue wisedome and courage to augment it with anything that time and occasion shall offer their raigne by some famous action wherein their is both hardines and good fortune they will that all they doe in the beginning may be a president for they iudge of the issue by the entrie His entrie into Gand. Hee thought that of all the townes in Flanders there was not any one where hee was so beloued as in Gand and therefore he would begin the entrie and visiting of his Townes there assuring himselfe that hee should be receiued there with so great proofes of affection and obedience as it would bee a lesson for all the rest to frame themselues to the like dutie For the people doe wonderfully desire the first view of their Princes s The peoples hearts are filled with incredible ioy at the sight of their Prince The lawâ—s haue held it fit to moderate the expences which the excesse of ioy doth breed in such occasions Si Sacros vultus inhiantibus forte popuilis inferimus hoc sine immodico pretio nunciari exipique sancimus L. 1. C. Publicae Letitiae Lib. 12. and the Prince should desire that his subiects fly not from him like a wild beast which comes out of his den but that they fly before him as before some goodly light Hee knew not that to demand wisedome of a multitude is to seeke it of a mad man t To demaund wisedome of a multitude is to seek gouernmeÌ„t in a mad man In the common weal of Athens wise men propounded and fooles determined He had forgotten the prouerbe of the humor of them of Gand that they loue their Princes Sonne well but not their Prince Whilest that Philip liued Charles was their Sunne rising but the same day that the Sonne entred into the Fathers place hee found the change of their affections Their obedience was but at discretion u Inconstancie which is common to people is more remarkable in them of Gand for the many muâ—inies reuolts they haue made against their Princes and they thought that he could not hurt them vnlesse they would endure it Being deceiued in his conceit hee entred the Towne of Gand Custome of the Guntois he found the gates open but their hearts shut to his commandements neither did they stay long to let him know it Duke Philâ—p had made warre against them two yeares and in the end they were forced to receiue conditions which they held very hard and withall an imposition vpon the Corne for the charges Sedition cloaked
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
this indisposition hee assembled his Captaines and recommended his sonne vnto them Sicknes death of Scanderbeg whom hee would haue conducted into Pouillia vntill he came to age leauing him vnder the Venetians gouernment And for his last wordes he said vnto him That if he were good he gaue him a Realme most firme and stable if otherwise very weake and feeble yeelding vp his last groanes the 17. of Ianuary 1467. he gaue an amazement to his enemies This Prince with small forces defeated great Armies who beside the good qualities of the mind for Iudgement Conduct and Councell f The Turkes came running about Croy some horsemen went out of the towne by ScaÌ„derbegs commandemeÌ„t the enemy thinking he had been there in person grew amazed and fledde through the mountaines although they were 15000. horse and left the booty they had taken froÌ„ the Scutariens had an admirable strength of body comparable only to that of the ancient Champions Force and dexterity oâ— Scanderbeg Biton g Biton carried a great Bull vppon his shoulders Pauâ—anias Fusius Saluius went lustily vp a ladder with 200. pounds waight in his hands 200. at his feet and as much vpon his shoulders Plinie Seruilius did sight 23. times body to body and was alwaies Victor Plut. Fusius Saluius Seruilius Talking with Ieams Picenin Generall of the Duke of Calabrias Army he did lift him aboue his head like a child of sixe yeares old He had a Cimiterre with the which he had done miraculous deedes as cutting of the head of a Boare at a blow and of a wild Bul which was famous for the ruines it had done in the Country hauing hurt and slaine many that assayled it This dexterity force and agility of body continued all his life and exercise h Exercise doth continue the dexterity and disposition of the body long Philopemen of whom Plutarch speakes was nimble in his age by great exercise made it in the beginning of his age in a manner equall to that it had beene in the prime of his youth After the siege of Croy they presented vnto him in chaines Iouyma and Hedert the Brother and Nephew of Baillaban this representing vnto him the cruelties which they had committed vppon his subiects put him into such choller as hauing not the patience to attend any other hand he cut them both asunder by the wast at one blow He punished them with the like paine that their Prince did punish Christians i Mahomet made one man die as it were of two deathes he made them to be cut off by the wast at a blow of tentimes it happened that hee dyed of two deathes for Chalcondile saith you might see either part liue long after the blow During the Truce he had with Mahomet he sent him this Cymeterre for that he desired to see it hauing heard say that with it he cut any armes asunder The strongest armes of his Country would trye if it were true and finding not the vertue which was ascribed vnto it he sent it back againe disdainefully thanking him for a thing which he held to haue beene better Scanderbeg answered The vertue of my sword depends of mine owne arme which I cannot send him for that I reserue it against mine enemies It was an increase of glory and reputation to the common weale of Venice to see Kings and Realmes vnder their charge But at that time they did an act of prouidence k Prouidence is one of the most apparant effect of wisdome Prudents postumus dicere prouidentes which shewes that wisedome hath long held the helme of that Estate They did adopt for daughter of the common-weale the heyre of Marc Cornare and married her to the King of Cypres after whose death and of the after-birth his sonne she was acknowledged for Queene and made present of her Crowne vnto the Venetians her fathers by adoption From this action followed two diuers effects the one of great ioy to the Venetians the other of extreame afliction to Charlotte of Sauoy the French Queene who by this act saw her Brother as it were exiled from Cipres and seperated from the Queene his wife The History is long and tragicall but thus in breefe By the like accidents that other realmes haue beene made desolate the Crowne of Cipres fell from the house of Lusignan l Iames of Lusignam King of Cypres put Peter his brother to death and being told him that the Genouois were entred into his Pallace with armes had some designe vpon his person hee put many innocent Marchants to death a cruelty which made the Signory of Genoua to arme against him Bolius writes the History at large in the which it had long remained A Fratricide was the cause for Iames of Lusignan hauing put his brother to death to raigne alone added other violences to this cruelty which made him odious to the people and forced the Genouois to arme against him Cruelty makes the Princes of Lusignan odious to reuenge an iniury done vnto certaine Marchants of their Common-weale Hee was dispossest of the Crowne his brothers Children restored to the Realme and he himselfe carried prisoner to Genoua where he had one sonne who was King of Cipres m King Iames of Lusignan had one sonne named Iohn or Iames who was K. of Cypres and Anne married to Lewis Duke of Sauoy sonne to Amidee Iohn had one daughter named Charlotte who was first married to Iohn King of Portugall and after his death to Lewis of Sauoy and this sonne one daughter whom he left sole heire to the Crowne She was married to Lewis of Sauoy sonne to Lewis Duke of Sauoy and to Anne of Cypres Sister to King Iohn Lewis imbarked at Venice to passe into Cipres to take possession of his wife and Realme Iames base sonne to King Iohn Bishop of Nicosia past into Egipt to haue succours from the Soldan of Egipt who made him to be proclaimed King of Cypres Letters of the SouldaÌ„ to the King of Cipres prepared a great Fleet at Sea to goe into Cypres and wrote in these termes to King Lewis Thou art come out of the Westerne parts to possesse another mans Realme in the East and to spoile the heire of his iust inheritance whâ—ch is in thee a foolish enterprise The Iland of Cypres is tributary vnto me and it belongs to me to dispose assure thy selfe if thou dost not dislodge presently thou shalt dye by the sword of Egipt If thou hast a desire to carry away thy wife I am content vpon condition that thou dost not attend a second Summons This barbarous letter deserued no other answer but by the sword n Perswasions are vnprofitable when as Iustice is inferiour to force but Iustice being forced to yeeld vnto tirrany King Lewis by the meanes of the great maister of Rhodes let him vnderstand that by the Christian lawes the Realme did be long vnto the lawful daughter that
foundation and to raise it for it canâ—otlast vpoÌ„ light actions That of the E. of Warwiâ—k must needs be great hauing twise changâ—d the estate of EnglaÌ„d and as it were disposed of the Crowne sent vnto the King to receiue him The King seemed to haue a great desire to see him and succour him He landed at Diepe and was conducted with all his troupe to Amboise The people flockt vppon the high-wayes to see those mournefull relikes of Troy Euery man had heard speake of the desolation of the house of Lancaster they did regard them as Prodigies of fortune whom she had chosen to be pittifull examples of her inconstancie Within six monethes the King gaue them meanes to returne into England The K. giueâ— succors to K. Henry with such forces as Edward durst not affront them Hee was forced to quit the partie and seeing how dangerous it was to stay vntill the Earle of Warwick came vnto the gates of London hee retired into Holland to the Duke of Bourgundie carrying nothing with him but a hope to returne k It is a poore equipage for a Prince which goes out of his estate with hope to returne but a retreat of this sort against a Prince that is stronger is honorable Valentinean the second left Aquilea to Maximin and fled into Thessalonica with Iustina his mother where he obtained succors of the Emperour Theodosius who restored him to the Contrie Sigon Lib. 9. Imp. Occident Behold Henry the sixt drawne out of prison and set in the royall throne Henry the sixt 〈◊〉 it lâ—bertie and Edward expelled but he continued but six monethes for Edward being relieued with ships and men from the Duke of Bourgundy returned into England and presented himselfe before the gates of London where he entred victorious The Duke of Clarence left the Earle of VVarwick l The Duke of Clarence being in France was sollicited and wonne by a Gentlewoman which came out of England from the King his Brother and he 〈◊〉 that belong in England he would turne to his side side King Henry was murthered in the Tower his sonne was detained prisoner Death of King Henry the sixt and soone after slaine The Earle of VVarwicke was slaine vpon the place and the Queenâ— was a prisoner Thus the Realme which Edward had lost in eleuen dayes was recouered in one so true it is that Estates change in a moment m The euersions and conuersions of the estates are most commâ—â—ty 〈◊〉 Breui bus momentis suÌ„ma verti possunt Tac. lib. 8. An. that it is hard to make good vse of things ill 〈◊〉 During these Tragedies the King who wisht they had continued longer the more to weaken the Dukes designes and to humble his thoughts continued the warre which he had begun in Picardie The Constable who would needs be a necessarie euill n Hibrea a wise Cittizen of Messala a Towne in Caria said smiling to Eutidianus a man very profitable but difficult and insupportable in the gouerment of publike affairs that hee was a necessary euill to the Towne for that noâ— manâ— could indure him for his roughnes nor â—liue without him for his good gouermeÌ„t to these two Princes was glad to let the Duke vnderstand what he could doe Amiens S t. Quentin taken He took S t Quentin Amiens opened her gates vnto him Abbeuille the Cittadell of Picardy had entred into the same partie if Philip of Creuecaeur Lord of Cordes had not entred The Duke not holding himselfe safe in the middest of the Constables friends retyred to Dourlans and from thence to Arras Being there he receiued a letter from the Duke of Guienne containing these wordes Labour to content your subiects and then care not for you shall find friendes The Duke seeing himselfe thus surprised and dispossest of the Townes which he did so much esteeme intreated the Constable not to presse this warre so hotly nor to doe the worst he could and to consider that the King without any precedent offence had taken armes and broken the treaty of Peronne before that he had disclaimed his friendship o The Romans before they made war Renunciabant amicitiam Germanicus being wronged by Piso Gouernour of Soria sent him word that he was no more his friend The Constable beeing glad to see the pride of his first maister humbled Pollicy of the Constable of S t. Paul makes the danger greater then it was hee threatens him with an ineuitable ruine if he did not open his eyes to those expediments which he propounded vnto him letting him know that in the darknes of his infidelity he did alwaies reserue a good day for his seruice p I neuer knew saith Phil. de Commines that man haue a good end that sought to terrifie his Maister and keep him in Iealousie Yet will he not declare himselfe to be other then a good Frenchman for to mannage his busines with honour the leape was too dangerous from S t. Quintin to Brussels The passage from one contrary to another is neuer made without violence q MeÌ„s thoughts passe not sodainly from one extreame vnto an other they goe by degrees there must be a meane betwixt both to vnite the two extreames He promiseth to serue the Duke in effect in seruing the King in shew and to make knowne the fruites of his seruice by the bad intelligence and diuision which hee would still entertaine and was already framed betwixt the two brethren the King and Mounsire the only means for him to be in safety and his estate in peace r The hatred and discord of brethren is the ruine of States all well as of priuate families This mischeefe hath bin long in the world the examples are borne with it And if two brethren could not agree together in their mothers womb it is no wonder if two brethren being armed quarrell But to end this war which was begun and would continue with such cruell effects Hee councells the Duke to giue his daughter to the Kings Brother against him there was no other help but to win Monsieur in giuing him his daughter in marriage that all his desires should ayme at this marke as the true end of his contentment from the which he might wander by many waies s They say we may come to one end by diuers meanes But to hit one marke there is but one direction the straightest lines are the shortest we may misse by diuers meanes ayming too high or too low on the right hand or on the left It is euen so in the actions of men and could not attaine vnto it but by this Allyance that if he were so resolued hee would follow his party and bring his head to his seruice with the Towne of S t Quentin and a good number of his seruants In a word that he would doe any thing yea set fire of the Temple of peace t There are seruants â—ound sit for all assaies
and without condition C. Blosius said that he would do all that Tiberius Gracchus should coÌ„mand him yea hee would burne Iupiters Temple if â—e would Val. Max. lib. 45. 7. if he pleased He should not haue perswaded the Duke of Bourgondy to this marriage with reasons of feare and amazement A great courage doth neuer any thing to shew that he feares This course was odious vnto the Duke but much more vnto the King being offended that the Constable would make such an alliance and not acquaint them with it for the same fault a Nobleman of the same quality dignity lost his head in Spaine u Amongst the causes for the which the Coâ—stable of Aâ—alos was beheaded at Vailledâ—lit in the yeare 1453. They marke for that he presumed to make the marriage of the Sonne of D. Pedro of Portugal without the permission of the K. of Castile his maister The Duke had other thoughtes then to marry his Daughter Many beleeued that he would not do it whilst hee liued contenting himselfe to leaue her pleased in this liberty Desseins of the Duke vppon his Daughters marriage to hold many hopes in seruitude for he entertained them that might assist him or anoy him with goodly discourses of this allyance The Daughters of Soueraigne houses are not married to all them they are made sure vnto x When as they wondred why Hercules of Este Duke of Fâ—rrara had married Lucretia daughter to Pope Alexander the sixth hauing been made sure to three husbands was then widdow to Gismond Prince of Bisselli whom the Duke of Valentinois had â—â—aine the only coÌ„sideration of the safety of his estate and of his affaires tooke away the amazement Guichard Lib. 5. Princes in marrying do not regard their pleasure but the necessity and profit of their affaires But seeing the Constable propound no other remedy but this marriage of Monsieur and his daughter and that yeelding vnto it hee should fill the world with a beleefe that hee had consented for feare of his enemies y A free spirit cannot indure â—o bee forced Vt in Principaâ—â— beatisâ—imum est non cogi ita miserrimum non suaderi he beganne then to hate him deadly and to sweare his ruine The King who iudged of the future by the knowledge of things past z Things past carry a light before iudgment which searcheth into the obscurity of future things The world goes alwaies after his manner There is not anything spoken or done but hath some ancient example Thinges goe and come vnder diuers names and other coullers â—â—ut a wise man doth discernâ— them trusted him no more for he had discouered that in this war he regarded his own priuate interest more then the good of his seruice that hee had made himselfe the instrument of an allyance which was so much the more vnpleasing vnto him for that hee ment to keepe him in Iealousie with his brother and to hold his greatnesse suspect Although the Duke of Brittany did still intertaine the Duke with feares and amazements sending him word that the King had desseins vpon Amiens Bruges and Brussells that hee was resolued to beseege him a These aduertisements were deliuered vnto the Duke of Bourgondy by mouth by a footman of the Duke of Brittaines To whom the Duke answered sodainely that his maister was ill aduertised and that the Townes whereof he spake were too great to bee beseeged where hee should find himselfe deceaued euen in Gand The King discouers the Constable yet hee went to field with his Armie beeing resolute to passe the riuer of Somme vppon a bridge which hee had made at Piqueny and to fight with the King if hee sought to hinder him Hee remained sixe weekes before Amiens saying that hee attended vntill the King who was then at Beauuais should come and force him to dislodge But the King by his temporizing let him know that hee did not fight by the fortune of his enemies but by his owne b A Prince should not suffer himselfe to be driuento that extremity as his eâ—nemy should prescribe him a Law and bind him to fight Biorix King of the Cimbrians seeing the Consull Marius to lye still offred him Battell But Marius answered that the Romans were not accustomed to fight at their enemies pleasures Romanorum reos est suo non hostrium Arbirrio dimicare The Towne was fortified with the presence of the chiefe men of the realme the Constable the Lord Steward the Admirall and Marshall were within it with one thousand and foure hundred men at Armes and foure thousand franke Archers They had resolued to sally foorth vppon the Duke and to ingage him betwixt the king and them Seâ—ge of Amens but the King would not his mind was so resolute to end or to continue the warre as any wauering might cause his will tend to the one side or the other c When themind is in suspence betwixt doing and not doing a small matter turnes the ballance A lâ—ght reasonor any president makes the waight but there is a great difference betwixt the irresolution and suspencion of the mind which growes by the concurrence equality of reasons When as a mighty Prince doth not all he can vnto his inferiours it argues that eyther hee hath some great desseine to circumuent him or that warre is vnpleasing vnto him Wherefore the Duke beeing aduertised that the King had not allowed of this desseine sent Simon of Quingey with a letter of six lines written with his owne hand in tearmes of great humility and exceeding greefe to see that warre begun vnder coullor of his seruice to satisfie another mans passions adding that he beleeued if the King had beene well informed of all things hee would not haue done it The King who would not doe all hee could for oftentimes hee that would haue all looseth all d A Prince should not desire to haue the extremity of all things The wise men of Italy say Volere ostinatamente ill sommo di turte cose Somtimes in thinking to draw more frute from an occasion then it can in honesty yeeld it ruines the affaires tooke delight in this letter hauing discouered the practises of his Brother of the Duke of Brittany and the Constable wherefore hee sent backe Simon of Quingey with good words and granted a truce to the Duke of Bourgondy which sent euery man home A Truce granted dissolues the Armies the King into Touraine Monsieur into Guienne the Duke into Flanders and the Constable to Saint Quentin where he still continued his practises and not onely tormented himselfe with his owne discommodities but with that which succeeded happily to either of these two Princes e A miserable folly and a foolish misery of those which ar not content to torment themselues with their owne miseries which are but too great but they aflâ—ct theÌ„selues with the felicities of other men The King who knew well that the Duke of Bourgondy
made his Brother the packhorse of his passions sought to put him out of hope to marry his daughter Marriage sought in Castille and perswaded him to seeke the marriage of the King of Castiles daughter f The K. desired the Marriage of Isabella Infanta of Castile with his brother but she was married to D. Fernando Prince of Arragâ—n King Henry treated for his Daughter D. Ioane Monsieur submitted his will to the Kings and Deputies were sent into Castille to King Henry the fourth The King had for his part the Cardinall of Alby and the Lord of Torcy The Duke of Guienne gaue his procuration to the Earle of Bolloigne and to the Lord of Malicorne to consent vnto this marriage and had neuer beheld the Bride Princes drinke these waters without seeing them This poursute was pleasing to the King of Castile who was offended that his Sister D. Isabella had married to Ferdinand of Arragon without his consent The King sends Ambassadors into Castile and tooke it for a great honor that shee whom the Grandes of Spaine held and who in effect was the supposed Daughter of Castile should bee wife vnto the French Kings brother hauing no meanes to lodge her in a better house Hee commanded the Archbishop of Seuill the Bishop of Siguenç and the master of the order of S. Iames to treat the marriage with the Embassadors of France All being concluded the King would haue the promises made in a great Plaine g The Princesse D. Ioane was brought into the field by the Marques of Santillana who had her in charge and to whom the King gaue in recompence of his seruice three Townes of the Infantasgo Alâ—ocer Valdolinas and Salmeron neere vnto the Monasterie of Paular enual de Locoia in the view of an incredible multitude which came thither The K. hauing renued his declarations against his sister D. Isabella and confirmed to his Daughter D. Ioane the title of Princesse and heire of Castille the Cardinall of Alby addressing himselfe to the Queene her mother besought her to sweare whether D. Ioane were the Kings daughter or not She sweare that she was He made the like adiuration vnto the King who affirmed the same They had not any need to seeke for the Iewes waters of probation h The Iewes to proue adultery had probation waters as they caled them The adulterous woman drinking therof did burst The Geâ—mans tried if their Children were lawfull making them swim vpon the riuer of Rhin nor to make this Virgin swim vpon the Riuer to know the truth of her birth And yet vpon this affirmation all the Grandes at that time kist her hands and she was againe sworne Princesse of Castille In this qualitie the Cardinall of Alby made her sure to the Duke of Guienne the Earle of Boulongue promising and receiuing the promises for him Whilest the King laboured to prouide a wife for his Brother Birth of Charls the 8. God sent the King a Sonne i Charles Dauphin of France was borne at Amboise the 14 of Iuly or as the Annales of Aquitaine report the last of Iune 1470. Charles of Bourbon Archbishop of Lion was Godfather and gaue him his name This birth reuiued the King who began to grow old his Maiestie was more respected factions were weakened Monsieurs hopes recoyled and France wholly preserued by these two great and speciall fauours of heauen valor and prosperitie or vertue and fortune which haue made her reputation to passe through so many ages k Valour without the which a great enterprise cannot bee ended laied the foundation of the Monarchy of France and prosperity withâ—out the which the best setled estates are not assured preserues it The Constable seeing that by Monsieurs marriage with the Daughter of Castille Constables new practises all his designes vanished into smoke labors with all the capacitie of his iudgement to disswade him from this alliance letting him know that it was dishonorable by reason of the vnlawfull birth of Bertraiamina for so they called her and dangerous for the hatred which he should purchase of D. Ferdinand and D. Isabella declared Kings of Castille with the like Art he represented vnto him the greatnes he should expect by the marriage of the Princesse of Bourgundy Death of Pope Paul the second Pope Paul the second died l Paul the second dyed of an Apoplexie the 28. of Iuly 1471. hauing raigned 6. yeers ten moneths during this poursuite and after that he had yeelded vnto it hee was sodainly surprised by death hauing held a Consistorie and eaten two melons at his dinner His election was as vnexpected as his death Cardinall Scarampi who was his enemie m Cardinall Lewis Scarampy Patriarke of Aquilea was enemie to P. Paul the second being yet a Cardinal Lewis reproched to Peter the sumptuousnes of his buildings and Peter said that he had rather exceed in that then in dice playing wherein Lewis tooke great delight did in the beginning of the Conclaue breake off the proposition which was made and yet contrarie to the ordinance of elections the suffrages agreed vpon the same subiect which they had reiected and the contention which had begunne the Conclaue ended This Pope shewed a great generosite for beeing chosen and seeing that the gowt or rather shame and discontentment hindred this Cardinall from comming to the adoration hee went to meete him imbraced him assured him of his loue and to forget all matters past This Pope augmented the pompe of the Court of Rome hee gaue Scarlet foot-clothes to the Cardinals Mules Platina saith that he loued not learned men and called all them hereticks that made profession and therefore he supprest the Colledge of Abreuiators which was full of great excellent spirits The feeling which Platina seemed to haue of this iniury did wholly ruine his fortune in the affliction whereof he wrote a letter vnto the Pope n â—latinas letter had thâ—se words Si tibi lâ—cuit indicta causa spoliare nos â—mptione nostra iusta eâ— legiâ—ima debet nobis licere conqueri illatam inâ—uriam inâ—â—stamque ignominiâ—m eiecti a te ac tam insigni coÌ„â—umelia affâ—cti dilabemur paâ—sim ad reges ac Principes eosque adhortabimur vt tibi consilium indicanâ— in quo potissimuÌ„ rationem reddere cogatis cur nos legitima possessione spoliaueris full of bitternes and without respect This Pope was also taxed to be very greedy of money Paul the secoÌ„d a great builder and not to haue held the iustest meanes to get it and yet his magnificence in the sumptuous building of the Pallace of St. Mark and in the reparation of that of S. Peter freed him from blame with such as know that magnificence is the daughter of liberalitie The promises beeing broken in the Castille the poursuite of the marriage with the Duke of Bourgundies Daughter was followed by the Constable with great vehemencie who could not endure
that any other should deale in it Hee represented vnto him the greatnes and commoditie of the Estates which this marriage would bring him after the death of his brother and father in law makes him to apprehend it in such sort as this yong Prince who filled not his fantasie with small imaginations continued his first poursuite of an alliance with duke Charles assuring him that it would produce great effects for their common fortunes and profit o An apparent and important profit is a great motioÌ„ to diuert the effect of a promise The Duke of Brittanie promised vnto himselfe the honour of the mediation for a matter which did profit few men and offended many The King had no desire his brother should be so great p Tâ—e Kings of France haue in former times repented themselues for that they had made their brethreâ— so great Charles the â—ifu gaue to Philip the hardie the Duchie of Bourgundy which K. Iohn had vnited vnto the Crowne maâ—ied â—im to the heyre of â—landeâ—s The house of Bourgundy grew so mighty as it would equall it selfe with that of France The King of England sent often to the Duke of Bourgundy to diswade him from this alliance entreating him to consider that the Duke of Guienne Designe of the King of England succeeding the King who had no children and holding the countries belonging to the house of Bourgundy England did foresee her ruine and destruction The Duke of Bourgundy would haue no such sonne in Lawe he gaue a desire and appetite to all men with one hand and tooke all hope from them with the other he promised her to all gaue her not to any he made vse of his daughter to entertaine the loue of Princes and to passe ouer his affaires with more successe to repaire by pollicy the defects he found in his owne strength thinking that his weaknes did dispence him of his word and that fraud was glorious against his enemies q Deceit which makes an enemy receiue an affront is as commendable as it is to bee blamed when it deceiueth him that is not so declared whereas they say that fraud is glorious in warre it is not to be vnderstood in breaking words and promises but of politick fained and artificiall stratagems But he had no desire to marry her propounding vnto himselfe in this marriage more the aduancement of his owne designe then the contentment of his daughter hee promised her to Maximilian sonne to the Emperour Frederic Princes pretending to marry the Daughter of Bourgundy and inclined much to that party to doe his busines in Germany where he desired to purchase some credit for at the same time Sigismond ArchDuke of Austria had ingaged vnto him for fourescore thousand florins the Country of Alsatia and Brisgaeu with the County of Ferette r The Country of Alsatia Brisgâ—â— the black Forrest the Contie of 〈◊〉 or Forrest Were ingaged by Sygismond Arch-duke of Austria for 80000. floriâ—â— vpon condiâ—ion that the D. of Bourgundy should not alter any thing of the Lawes and Customes of the Country in the yeare 1496 Hee promised her in like manner to Nicholas sonne to the Duke of Calabria to draw him from the Kings allyance who had promised him his eldest daughter To the Duke of Guienne to trouble the Kings of France and England and to Phillip Duke of Sauoy for an other designe Yet the practise was so followed by the Duke of Brittaine and the Constable who promised in regard of that marriage to draw him into Amiens and S. Quintin as he gaue his word to consent vnto it and at the same instant hee assured the King of England that hee would not doe it his words vppon this subiect were neuer of one tune s It was a witty comparison of him that said that mens actions were like notes of musick sometimes in spaces sometimes in lines sometimes aboue and sometimes beneath and neuer or seldom straight for any long coÌ„tinuance and did not accord with his heart The Dukes of Guienne and Brittanie being well aduertised that their hopes were crost by the King of England gaue the Duke of Bourgundy to vnderstand by their Ministers that without the assistance of the English they were strong inough and had sufficient intelligence to force the King to doe him right and that the principal end of their Armes being for the publike good of the realme they could not haue that successe which they expected imploying their ancient enemies and that so long as they had forces and meanes in France it was not needfull to seek them in England t Wâ—ilest that wee may passe without succors we should not seek them Plato in his Lawes forbids to dig for water in a neighbors house before that hee had sought it in his owne These words were deliuered vnto him by Vrfe in the behalfe of Monsieur Wherevpon the Duke said to Philip de Commines Behold the Lord of Vrfe presseth me to make mine armies as great as I can and tels me that we shall doe great good vnto the Realme doe you thinke if I enter with the company that I shall lead that I shall doe any good Philip de Commines answered smiling In my opinion no Then the Duke said I loue the good of France better then my Lord of Vrfe thinkes for whereas there is but one King I would there were six He would gladly haue had the whole peece u Ambition striues to diuide and teare in peeces that which shee can not breake nor carry wholly away but knowing the impossibilitie that the ascent was too steepe and the top too slipperie hee had no care but to breake that which he could not wholly enioy x There is not any one of so great a courage but thinking to make himselfe a King he trembles the ascent vnto a royaltie is slipperie the top shaking and the precipise fall fearefull He prepared great forces and the King sent his into Guienne being incensed that his Brother had restored the Earle of Armagnac to his lands which had been confiscate and hee spoyles both the one and the other He wins his cheife seruants the more easely to chase him out of Guienne The Duke of Guienne prest the Duke of Bourgondy to succor him the Duke sent vnto the King to intreat him to suffer Monsieur to liue in peace The King answered that hee had no intent to alter any thing of his brothers portion but to keepe him from attempting beyond his bounds And behold a remarkable poynt of wisedome in this Prince whilest the Duke prepared his army he sent Peter D'oriole Chancellor of France vnto him and the Lord of Craon to make an ouerture of an accord A Peace treated and a promise made to restore Amiens A peace was treated and the King promised to restore Amiens and Saint Quentin the duke was so much greeued for the losse of these two townes and had so great
without Armes to iustifie himselfe of those crimes wherewith he was charged according to the offers made by him That the Lord of Beaujeu and the Cardinall of Alby should obtaine all Letters and expeditions necessary for his better assurance That in the meane time he might remaine in his Countrey of Gascoine in what place he should thinke good except the Towne of Lestoré the which should be deliuered into the hands of the Lord of Beaujeu It was also agreed that in case they gaue him not this assurance n A man of quality should desire nothing more then to make his innocency knowne and to see himselfe purged from all accusaâ—ion For the consideration of their honor many haue desired to be araigned or that the thinges promised were not effected the Towne of Lestoré should be restored vnto him The Lord of Beaujeu hauing receiued the Kings commauÌ„dement vpon this accord the assurance demaÌ„ded Lestore recouered by the E. of Armagnac he sent it vnto Barran whereas he then was by the which it was granted him to goe vnto the King with threescore horse But in steed of going thither he executed an enterprise which he had vpon Lestoré by the meanes of Iohn D. Aymier The younger brother of Albert surprised it o In the Earle of Armagnacs defence it is said that seeing that the Lorde of Beauieu commaunded him to void the Country he required him to restore him the Towne of Lâ—store seing that he had not any Town whether to retyre himselfe and that it was deliuered and tooke the Lord of Beaujeu with the Noble-men and Gentle-men that were with him prisoners D' Aymier was quartred at Tours and the younger brother of Albert being Lord of St. Basile lost his head at Poitiers Hereupon new forces ar sent to the Cardinall of Alby and to the Seneshals of Toulouza and Beaucaire to beesiege Lestoré The siege continued three months and the Cardinall seeing that force would not preuale p To make men subiect either force or fraude must be vsed Sparta was forced by Alexander Siracusa deceiued by Denis he added policy for Townes and Common-weales loose their liberties and are made subiect by the one or the other They propounded againe the precedent condition of the accord A second accord made with the Earle of Armagnac The Abbot of Pessans Bishop of Lombes Chancelor to the Earle comes on his part to treat they granted the assuraÌ„ce which he desired to go vnto the King a bolition of all thinges past of the seruices which he had done in the Duchie of Guienne against the King pardon for the Noble-men Gentle-men of his party of al that had bene done in the surprise of the Town of Lestoré q This treaty iustified the E. of Armagnac if it had bene represented but it was not seene They say that the Earles Secretary who had it in his custody was threatned to be â—ast into a well if he deliuered it not to the Cardinall of Alby In consideration of this he deliuered vp Lestoré vnto the King The articles were signed by the Cardinal Ranfort Balsac Gaston of Lyon Iohn Daillon Lord of Lude on Thursday the fourth of March 1472. In execution of the treaty the Earle of Armagnac deliuered vnto the Cardinall the Castell of Lestoré caused his men to disarme and retired his Cannon making all the ports to be sett open to the Kings men r They that trust are easily deceiued The wise prepare themselues for dangers in assurances In ipsa securitate animus ad difficilia se preparat At this entry there was a great disorder the treaty was broken Earle of Armagnac slaine vnder the assurance of a treaty the Earle of Armagnac was slaine in his house and cast naked into the streets the Townespoiled the Countesse of Armagnac carried prisoner into the Castell and within fewe dayes after was deliuered of a Sonne before her time the Castell and walles of the Towne were razed and it was fiered in euery place and in the end all were intreated with that liberty which the rigor of war permits against Townes and people that rebell s Razing burning and sacking are the ordinary punishments of rebellious Townes Alba was razed Carthage burnt the Vâ—iens were râ—oted out So we finde in the Roman History vpon the punishment of reuolts seditions Muri deiecti senatus abductus Charles of Armagnac the Earles Brother was caried prisoner to the Bastille Charles of Armagnac a prisoner and mad This Imprisonment which continued foureteen yeares bred him wonderfull sorrowes and griefe and as the passage is not great from melancolly to madnes his spirit grew weake and made him incapable to rouse the enemies of his howse They gaue him certaine Noble-men of the Countrey to be his gouernors Many haue written the Taking of Lestoré and the death of the Earle of Armagnac after an other manner and such as if they which had vndertaken to iustifie his memory had held it true it had not beene forgotten in their Apology t The Pagans did so much respect others as they held a Periurâ—d maÌ„ to deceiue the Gods In sui ranâ—um perinde estimandum quaÌ„ si Iouem fesellicet Deorum Iniurias Diis curae Tacit. The more promises are colored with straÌ„ge â—aths and misteries the more they are to be suspected The Accord made betwixt the K. of Nauarre Charles Regent of France was sworne vpon the Sacrament They say therefore that the Cardinall of Alby entred into some treaty with the Earle of Armagnac for the assurance whereof he vsed a damnable pollicy Trechery most damnable for seeing that the Earle feared to fall into the Kings hands he sware his promises by the most sollemne misteries of his Religion giuing halfe a consecrated Hoste vnto the Earle and himself taking the other halfe That in the meane time the soldiers slipt into the Towne and that the Earle meaning to charge them fearing a surprise u Vntill the capitulation be made all pollicies all surprises are alowed They laugh at them who suffering themselues to be surprised in those bargaines cry out of disloialty In courses of hostility there is nothing more excellent then deceipte nothing more safe then distrust they cryed out for succors the Kings Armie entred by the breaches which the cannon had made the Towne was spoiled and ruined all were put to the sword and the Earle slaine The Lord of Beaujeu with the other Gentle-men prisoners were deliuered Such was the Tragicall and fatall end of the Earle of Armagnac Fortune who desired to ouerthrow the greatnes of his house blinded his eyes that hee could not apprehend the dangers which did threaten it She had not a more powerfull instrument then the hatred which the King bare him A hatred conceiued long before nourished and augmented by many free hardy actions He was therfore inuironed with so many perplexities and perturbations as hee needed
appeared vnto him in his dâ—eame said vnto him for thy impieties I cut off fourteen yeares of thy 〈◊〉 he dyed instantly Paul Diacre Lib. 15 As this Princes hart was inflamed with choller so his cruelties coÌ„tinued for hauing caused Nesle to be razed he presented himself before Roy which yeelded without defence Louiset of Balagny Mouy and Rubemprè who had about two hundred Lances went forth with the losse of all that was within it The victors gained by this bootie aboue an hundred thousand crownes From thence hee thought to surprise Beauuais the measure of the ladders were as ill taken as his designes Choller carrying him to rashnes f when as the iudâ—eâ—ent is darkened with Châ—ller Crueâ—ty makes it to take strange resolutions Valentinean was cruell because he was cholerick As soone as any word was spoken crosly vnto him Choller transported â—im beyond the bounds of reason was the cause of his death all his inward parts were found dryed vp burnt and that vnto indiscretion hauing failed in his first designe he desired saith Phil. de Commines to take it by assault and burne it He caused them to discharge two peeces of Ordinance which made a great hole in the gate whereas the besieged defended themselues couragiously and in the end set fire of it Siege of Beaunais which troubled the assailants so as they could not stop the approches towards Paris An error which ruined their designe An error which a Generall of an armie should foresee and which had vndone Caesar before Alexia g Caesar wonne great reputation at the siege of Alexia where he did besiege and was besieged There were a hundred and seuentie thousand men within the Towne and three hundred thousand without yet he kept them from ioyning and forced the Towne to yeeld Plut. if he had not preuented it An error which was the preseruation of Beauuais and did shew the iniustice of the enterprise and that there is in heauen an all-seeing eye which blinds malice Innocencie were in a hard case if wickednes were alwaies accompanied with wisedome shee hath more furie and rage then conduct and resolution to hurt These approches remaining free Succors sent by the K. to Beauuais the besieged were releeued with victuals munition from Paris and Orleans h Orleans releaâ—ed Beaâ—â—ais with a hundred pipes of wine Paris with Pioners Canons Poulder Bowes and Arrowes and with good numbers of foote and horse The chiefe honor of these succors is due vnto the memory of the Earle of Dammartin and to the Marshals Ioachim and Laheac who being followed by many other Captaines were no sooner entred but hearing the assault left their horses with women which kept them and went directly to the wals to repulse the enemies and their assault the which continued from seuen of the clocke vntill eleuen before noone on Thursday the 9. of Iuly 1472. in the which the Duke of Bourgundy lost fifteene or sixteene hundred men The next day i The History names them that were at this succors the Earle of Dammartin the Marshals Ioachim and Loheac William of Vallee Crusol Rubempre Estoutâ—uille Tâ—rey Bueill Salezard Vignoles and Croy. Captaine Salezard performed a generous Act Occasion Braue exploits of Captaine Salezard k Wee must alwaies watch for occasions and embrace them Vespasian did often vse the words wâ—ich Pittacus had taught him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Know the time they said at Rome I came in time As we must not vnder take any thing before an occasion so we may not let it passe without the which it is folly to vndertake and also follie to let it slip gaue him the meanes The losse of so many men in this assault the expectation and feare of worse had strooke a great amazement into the assaylants armie He made a sally at the breake of day surpriseth the enemie in his Campe fires it kils all hee incounters wins two Bombards wherewith the Towne had beene battered two Serpentines one great Canon of Brasse which they called one of the twelue Peeres which the King had lost at the Battell of Montlehery Although that in these occasions many haue no more share in the paine and perill l An vnprofitable presence ought to haue no share in the glory of a painfull action then the flye hath in the labour of the Oxe or the running of the horse yet all say we haue pursued wee haue vanquished and euery man ascribes vnto himselfe the best part of the glory The men which were at the siege of Beauuais could not deny it vnto women Courage of the women at Beauâ—ais for they presented themselues valiantly and more then manlike vpon the walles casting wild-fire stones and scalding oyle and water vpon the enemies There was to be seene in the Iacobins Church of Beauuais an ensigne which a woman called Ioane Foucquet wrested out of an Ensigne-bearers hands who had gotten to the top of the wall This did shew that vertue makes no distinction m In Platoes Commonweale women are called to politick and militarie charges Antistenes did not distinguish masculine from seminine vertues of sexe and that there are women to bee found which may teach men to liue and die The Duke of Brittanie had promised the Duke to come before Rouen n If the Duke of Guienne had not dyed saith Phil. de Com. I beleeue the K. would haue bin much troubled for the Brittons were ready and had greater intelligence within the Realme then euer all which failed by reason of this death to help him to besiege it Spoile done to the Duke of Burgundies Armie The Duke of Bourgundy went but hee appeared not for Monsieurs death had made all his desires subiect to the yoke of feare and reason so as he was contented to burne all that quarter of Normandie euen vnto the gates of Diepe The same furies of warre which the Duke had caused to be seene in Normandie were heard vpon the frontier of Champagne wheras the Earle of Roussy the Constables sonne led them The Earle Dauphin of Auuergne did the like in Bourgundy and in all places the victory was not famous but by the lamentable estate wherin the vanquished were left The King had affaires o That victory is famous which doth subdue an enemy and not make him perpetually miserable The Consull Popelius stript the Ligurians of their goods and sold them as slaues hauing vanquished them The 〈◊〉 found this Act to be cruell and reuoked all that had been done concluding Claram victoriam vincendo non saeuiendo in afflictos fieri Tit. Liu. in diuers places when as he turned head against the Duke of Bourgundy he was sure to haue the Duke of Brittanie at his heeles and hauing seperated them with a designe to pacifie the one and content the other he sees them vnited againe to make warre against him The Duke of Brittanies Embassadors came vnto the King being at Pont
shall seldome see a great spirit without some medley of fâ—lly wherof the purest comâ—s froÌ„ the finest wisdom and therefore Thucidides will not haue the choose high aspiring spiriits into the Counceller of Princes nor to the maâ—naging of affâ—ires but those that are meane who are lesse obstinate Hee thought to make a perpetuall warre betwixt the King of France the King of England and the duke of Bourgundy behold he is amazed to see them reconcyled and against him He hath made him-selfe vnworthy of grace with the first of succors and defence with the second and of all hope with the third and in opinion with all three that hee would play the companion b As it is dangerous to contend with ones equall so is it madaâ—sto quarrell with his superior and to seeke to go hand in hand with him with them raise his reputation and merits vpon the ruine of their affaires mingle his ashes with those of their Estates and eternize his memory not in burning one Temple alone Ill with the King but the Estates of them all three The King had done him good not in respect of his person but of the seruices which he might doe him and when as he saw his affections altered his will also grew could making it knowne that great hatred proceeded from great friendship c The fauors benefits of Princes are not for the respect of the persons but in consideration of seruices and merits which they find in their seruants when these qualities change it is not strange if in like manner their fauors and affections alter Hee could not forget the practises which hee had made to keepe France in trouble and combustion nor the arrogant and insolent shew of armes vpon the Causey of Compiegneâ— nor the letters written to the King at the sight whereof he sware his great oath which hee did neuer violate that he should die Nor so many acts of a spirit which made it selfe miserable for that he could not beare his felicity The Duke had neuer pardoned him the taking againe of Amiens and Abbeuille Ill with the Duke the desire of his reuenge was a riuer d Reuenge runnes on still although it appeares not Plutarque compares it to riuers which runne vnder the earth and afterwards hurst forth with more violence which had his course through the rockes of the difficulties of his affaires He could not forget his cunning practise to marry his daughter to the Duke of Guienne nor his refusall to receiue his men into Saint Quentin after that he had caused them to come Moreouer he was incensed e Offences often renewed end with immortall paynes for that he had first made warre in his country by fire the rest being contented to vse the sword for whilest he lay incamped before Amiens the Constable had made a roade into the country of Haynault and burnt the Castell of Seurre belonging vnto Baldwin of Lannoy whome the Duke loued Ill with the King of England The King of EnglaÌ„d was offended with him for that hauing councelled and perswaded him to come into France to tryumph there hee had returned without tryumph All three would rather haue made an other hell then haue suffered such trecheries vnpunished All things seemed to bandie and conspire his ruine hee could not keepe himselfe vp firme seeing so many persons about him ouerthrowne The Constables perplexity after the peace f It is no wonder not to bee mooued in traÌ„quillity but we may be amazed to see a man rise when as all others shrinke and to stand firme amongst them that stuÌ„ble Sen. Epist. 73. The disgraces which fortune hath done him in the publike ruines are augmented by many other priuate crosses His wife the only support of his greatnes is dead Iames of S. Paul his brother prisoner la Scala his nephewe returning out of England was taken by the Kings men and found seazed of daungerous Instructions the Earle of Roucey his Sonne in the duke of Burbons hands The Earle of Dammartin his enemy with the Kings forces neere vnto S. Quentin And the Prince of Orange at liberty carrying the title of Prince by the grace of God g Ielousie and enuy worke strange diâ—â—emperatures in their mindes which martch hand in hand The Constable of S â— Paul could not indure the prosperity of some greate men in court He is grieued that the prince of Orange is set at liberty for thirty thousand Crownes and that the king hath suffered him to carry the title of Prince by the grace of God to coyne money and to pardon all offences except heresie and treason All these things were so many thornes in his bed to keepe him from sleepe he doth not dreame wake nor thinke but how to stand firme against all these violent stormes of fortunes but he seekes to cure his harmes h A pernitious remedy to cure one mischiefe with another and to think to be cured by disorders which caused diseases the intemperance of the Patienâ— causeth the cruelty of the Phisition by other mischefes He is like vnto an earthen vessell which must needes breake if it fall vppon a stone or a stone fall vppon it The nedle of his Compas turnes toward the Kings Clemencie as to his north He sends Rapin his secretary vnto him with silken words humble and milde beseeching him to beleeue that the King of England and the Duke of Bourgundy desired nothing more then to draw him to the extremitie of dispayre The Constable seeks the Kings fauor and to seeke his safty of them beeing that he could not finde it with the King That a desire to bee reuenged of him who had not offended theÌ„ but in that he had not offended his maiestie had giuen way vnto the slanders which had bin published against him and fauoured by the il will of his enemies which were about his maiestie namely by the Lord of Dammartin and Lude who did not loue him and that his heart could not bend vnto that diuine rule to loue his enemies i To loue ones enemies is a diuine Action to loue his friendes humane but to hate his friendes is bruitish But men are of that disposition especially great men they cannot indure the prosperity of their enemies Good workemasters know one anothers worke one line makes them iudge by whome the picture was made The King his craftsmaster in dissembling did iudg that whatsoeuer the Constable pretended to doe was but couÌ„terfeit Aristotle speakes of a rock which burnes hauing oyle cast vppon it that an ambitious spirit dissembles as he list k It is dangerous to giue credit to the wordes and actions of those that haue any designe 〈◊〉 a desire to attaine vnto it makes them to faigne any thing that a wicked man is neuer worse then when hee will counterfeit to be good wherfore all the oyle of his goodly l words doe not allwayes serue to open but to couer the
Body hath no cause to grieue when the head is wounded Suet. The Admirall tould them that by the Kings commandement hee did deliuer the Constable ouer vnto them to make his processe with all speede vppon the letters written and sealed which the King of England and the Duke of Bourgundie and Bourbon had sent the which he presented vnto them d The want of rewarding the good is not so preiudiciall to an estate as the impunity of the wicked The Empires of the world martcht vppon two feete vppon the recompence of good and the punnishment of ill and they must goe streight on the one and not halt on the other and yet it is better to faile on the right foote which is the reward of good then on the left which is the punnishment of whomesoeuer On this foote they went against the Constable but somewhat to swiftly Hee saw him selfe reduced vnto those termes as they did not regard his seruices past but his present offences He beares this affliction as impatiently e They carry prosperities insolently and aduersities impatiently which thinke that neither the one nor the other can euer chaÌ„ge as hee past his prosperities insolently They began his processe by his answers Hee must eyther speake or beee silent His processe is made his words discouer the treason his silence the Traytor There is nothing but pitty to speake for him and there is not any to be fouÌ„d for crimes of this sort His own writings were against him He coÌ„fest that to maintaine his office of Constable and trouble the Kings estate he had alwayes entertayned war betwixt the king the Duke of Bourgundy His Conâ—â—ssions to this effect had giuen him his seale and promise that when as the souldiers which martcht vnder his commaundement should be ready to strik hee would cause them retyre That seing a marriage f He that desires to continue warre in an Estate let him follow the Maxime of the Constable of S t. Paul alwaies to keepe the King in bad termes with the neerest of his bloud As the Princes of the bloud beeing well vnited vnto the Prince make him to bee more assured and redoubted so when as they are drawne away the state must needs suffer Hereof we reade two goodly examples one of Hipparcus in Thucid the other of Sext Tarquinius in Tit Liâ—ius treated and concluded betwixt the Duke of Guyenne the kings brother the princesse of Castill he wrote vnto M sr aduising him to haue a care how he proceeded as soon as he should be gone into Spayne to fetch his wife the King was resolued to send an Army into the Dutchie of Guienne to dispossesse him to make him miserable and that if he would giue eare to marry with the Duke of Bourgundies daughter he assured himselfe to make him haue her so as hee would send his seale to the Duke of Bourgundie that he would passe a procuration to obtaine a dispensation of the oth for his promse of marriage with the Princesse of Castill That the Duke of Bourgundie hauing sent a man expressely to him to haue his seale the which he would send to the Duke of Sauoy he would that they should paffe to the Duke of Bourbon to draw him vnto their league and intelligence against the King who answered them that he had rather be as poore as Iob g There is no misery comparable to that which treason and infidelâ—ty causeth and therefore the Duke of Bourben did rather choose the condition of Iob then to reuolt against his K. then consent to their conspiracie and that the end would be miserable That the king hauing commanded him to write to the king of England to the Queen to the Earle of Somerset and to M sr de Candalles touching the E. of Warwick that he had writen quite contrary to the kings intentions They desired to heare him touching the barre and Causey of Compeigne At that word he found his owne mistaking and that the perfection of mans actions depends of well knowing himselfe h The first precept or rather the summary of the Instructions of the conduct of mans life is to know himselfe wel Theron depends the good or bad issues of actions Heraclitus speaking of a great and high cogitation of his spirit said that he sought himselfe He could not denie but that he had there played the companion with his master He confest that when he spake with the king neere vnto Compiegne he had caused a barre to be made betwixt the King and him to the end he might talke in safety and yet the king notwithstanding past the barre to imbrace him and to intreat him to holde his partie the which he promised and sware notwithstanding two dayes after the Duke of Bourgundy sent one vnto him to know if he would performe that which he promised him to offer him a pension of a thousand pounds sterling That he had writen vnto the Duke of Bourgundie that he could finde meanes to seaze vppon the king and then kill him or carry him to any place and that he would lodg the Quene and the Dauphin where as they should be allwaies found They shewed him the letters which he had written to the king of England He acknowledgeth his letters written and he doth acknowledg them and if there had bene no other cryme i Phil. de Commines saith that the hast of this proceeding was sound strange and that the King did much presse the Commissioners The Historiens haue not well obserued the time but wee may coniecturâ— it in that the Earle of Mâ—rle the Constables sonne sent on the 4. of December a herald called Montioy who did reside commonly with the Constable to Iohn Ladreche President of the accounts borne in Brabant to intreat him to succour and to stay the Constable if this were the beginning of his â—mprisonment as it is credible his processe was made in fifteene or sixteene dayes it had bene sufficient to conuict him The king did presse the Commissioners very earnestly and they proceeded but slowly in a matter of that weight The treason being apparent their opinions tended to death by the courses of extremitie and of the highest point of Iustice and the sentence was pronounced in Parliament by the President of Popincourt It was necessary that the prisoner should heare it in Parliament Hee is sent for to the Court of Parliament and therefore the Siegneur of S t. Pierre went early in the morning to the Bastile to fetch him comming into his Chamber he demanded of him what he did and if he slept he answered that he had been long awake but he kept his bed hauing his head full of fancies The Siegneur of S t. Pierre told him that the Court of Parliament had viewed his processe for the expedition whereof it was necessary hee should be heard He rose and prepared himselfe to goe vnto the Pallace not thinking that
subdued the victors and that a Prince is not ruined so long as hee hath a spirit hope and a sword remaining k As long as a Prince keepes himselfe vp how ruinous soeuer his affaires hee wee must not â—ould him for lost Masanissa beeing put to rout by Siphar saued himselfe by swimming hid himseâ—fe in a Caue being bruted that he was dead He went to field beeing cured of a wound receiued and recouered his Realme Leonidas sonne to Syphâ—x expellâ—d him another time hee fled with 70. horse and by Scipios meanes was restored The King informed himselfe particularly of this defeat Contay told him that there were but seauen men at armes slaine Number of them that were slaine in the battell but the losse of the baggage was inestimable The King being among his most confident seruants made it appeare that nothing displeased him so much as the little number Hee commanded them to make Contay good cheere who made no shew to heare the people of Lions singing through the streetes the shame and ruine of this battel the courage of the Suisses and the rashnes of the Bourgondians for at that time there was not a Battell but there was presently a Song made of it l The custome is very antient to make hymms and Songs of Battells and victories There are examples in Aristophanes and in Plutark in the life of Flaminius Charle maigne caused a collection to be made of all the rimes of the like subiect This hard incounter bred a great alteration in mens mindes and affections Those which feared the courage and admired the prosperity of this Prince began presently to contemne him after the newes of this rout There was not any friend no loue Galeas Duke of Milan renouncing the alliance the had made with him besought the King to renew those which he formerly had with France and offers him a hundred thousand Ducats The King made this braue proud answer to his Ambassador Tell your maister that I will none of his money and that once in a yeare I leuie three times more then hee as for peace and warre I will dispose as I please but if he repent himselfe to haue left my alliance to imbrace that of the Duke of Bourgondy I am content to returne as we was vpon which wordes the Truces were published againe This good newes augmented the content which the King tooke at Lion whether Rene Duke of Aniou came to see him This good Prince who had seene the death of his three sonnes Rene Duke of Aniou comes to the King and had but one daughter m Rene Duke of Aniou had by Isabel daughter to Charles Duke of Lorayne three sonnes who died in the flower of their yeares Iohn Duke of Calabria Nicholas Duke of Bar. Lewis marquis of Pont and yoland put the Duke of Bourgondy in some hope that hee would adopt him for his sonne and transferre the rightes of his house to the Crowne of Sicile with the Earledome of Prouence and this Prince had already sent Chasteau Guion into Piedmont with 20. thousand crownes to leuie soldiers and to passe them into Prouence to take possession thereof The King being aduertised heereof sent to Phillip Earle of Sauoy to seaze vppon Chasteau Guion with his money and men Hee had great difficulty to saue his owne person but lost his money adding this losse to others which his maister had receiued The King intreated him to come to Lion and not to deale with the Duke of Bourgondy who sought to ruine him The good old man being discontented with the Duke of Lorraine who had forced him to giue his daughter n After the death of Charls the first of that name Duke of Lorraine Rene Duke of Aniou pretended the Duchie as husband to Isabell daughter to Charles Hee lost a Battell against the Earl of Vaudemont and was taken prisoner forced to giue his Daughter Yoland to Ferry of Lorraine son to Anthony Earl of Vaudemont Yoland of Aniou to Ferry his sonne resolued to this voyage Complaint of the Du of Aniou made by the Seneshall Hee led with him Iohn Cosse Seneshall of prouence who with a freedome worthy of the age wherin he liued and little knowne to them of his nation for he was a Sicilien let the King vnderstand that all which o Rene of Sicile sold to Lewis of Chalon the homage soueraigntie of the Principalitie of Oranges his Son submitted it to the Parliament of Dauphiné and afterward K. Lewis restored it vnto him Duke Rene had treated with the Duke of Bourgondy touching Prouence Sicily and that which he had dismembred to the benefit of the Prince of Orange was only to make his maiesty know the wrong which hee had done him in detaining the Castles of Bar and Anger 's and crossing him in all his affaires that this dispight had forced him to these resolutions the which notwithstanding he had no desire to effect if he might otherwise haue reason from his maiesty The King taking the libertie of this Discourse in good part as free from flatterie and seasoned with discretion p To fit a discourse to flattery for to please is impudencie but it is a great indiscretion to be to free and hardy to auoid pleasing flatterie They must obserue a mean Seemelinesse comes from mediocritie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plut. he found truth in it which he could not gainesay the which did binde him by all courtesie and good vsage to deface the discontents which the good old man his Vnckle King of Sicile had against him The Chronicle saith that he made him great cheere at Lyon he made him see the faire of S t Iohn and the faire Dames of Lyon but hee did well requite this good cheere for before hee parted hee contented the King with such assurances as he desired to adde Prouence to the Crowne The Duke of Bourgundy had besieged Morat Morat besieged by the Duke of Bourgundy a small Towne two leagues from Berne with an armie of fourescore thousand men The Suisses had twelue thousand Pikes ten thousand Halbards and ten thousand shot The Duke of Lorraine came also with such troupes as the King had giuen him and although the number were not great yet hee was commended by the Suisses q They were weary saith Phil. de Com. in our Court of the D. of Lorraine When a great man hath lost al his owne most coÌ„monly he tires them that support him There might be in all some thirty two thousand foote and three or foure thousand horse The Duke of Bourgundy held it impossible for the Suisses or the Duke of Lorraine to succour Morat Battell of Morat won by the Suisses and yet they did attempt it and execute it very happily As they approched the Duke saluted them with his Canon which did play so furiously vppon their troupes as presently there were many horses seene without riders The Suisses notwithstanding
his life Hee liued six yeares eleuen monthes Philip Earle of Bresse sonne to Lewis and great Grandfather to Charles Emanuel who had been prisoner at Loches succeeded him a great Prince as all they haue been whose fortunes haue been tost and crost z They whom a variable vnconstaÌ„t fortune hath exercised and tryed gouerne theÌ„selues better then others Tacitus speaks it of Caractatus QueÌ„ multa ambigua multa prospeta extâ—lerant vt câ—teros Britannorum Imperato resprâ—mineret Whom many crosses and many good fortunes had raised vp that he might exceed the rest of the Brittish commanders After that Iustus Lipsius to confirme this truth hath spoken of Charles the fiâ—t and Lewis the eleuenth he addes Emanuel Philibert Duke of Sauoy and concludes that the Greeke word is true 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I haue learned of them that haue hurt me Miseria brudentiae bona mater Misery iâ— a good mother of wisedome At the Kings returne from Lyon Alfonso K. of Portugal comes to demand succors in France Alfonso King of Portugall came to salute him being at Tours hee came vnto him as to his last refuge being no longer able to resist the power of King Ferdinand and Isabelta The cause of their contention is well worthy the knowing and to vnderstand it wee must remember that it was formerly said that by the peace made betwixt Iohn King of Castille and Iohn of Nauarre Blanche the eldest Daughter of Nauarre was married to Henry of Castille Prince of the Asturies and that the marriage was not consummated by reason of the disabilitie and coldnes of the husband a Pope Eugenius the third gaue a dispensation for the degree of proximitie that was betwixt the married couple and the marriage was celebrated at Madrid in the yeare 1440. The bashfulnes and modestie of this Princesse made her dissemble her misfortune Disabilitie of Henry K. of Castillâ— whereof no man might inconsiderately grow in doubt for the Prince was of a manlike and braue aspect but his actions were faint and languishing They were but fiue and twentie yeares old when they were married At one and thirty he succeeded to his father who died in the yeare 1454 of a quartaine Ague after that he had put Aluaro de Luna b Dom Aluato de Luna abusing the greatnes of his charge and the great loue the King bare him was hated of the Princes Noblemen of Castille they forced the King to banish him six yeares from the Court His faction won the Prince D. Henry who armed against his father wroght so as he was restored to fauor and made Master of the Order of S. Iames but seeking to be reuenged of his enemies and making many enterprises against them Queene Isabel fauoring them made the King resclue to put him in prison to haue him exâ—cuted at Vaile dosâ—t The King did forfeit al his goods they did set a siluer Basin whereas his head was to receiu that which passers by would giue for his entertainment A remarkable example of the inconstancy of Kings and fortunes fauours Al sin 〈…〉 vita a la tarde loa el dia. The life is commended by the end and the day by the Euening his Constable to death and had raigned nine and forty yeares and six monethes Henry succeeded him and Alfonso his second sonne was great Master of the Order of St. Iames hee would willingly haue giuen him his Crowne for the griefe he had conceiued for Henries disobedience His Daughter Isabella was but three yeares old to whom he gaue the Towne of Cuellar and a great summe of money for her mariage All things succeeded otherwise then he had proiected The eternall prouidence which hath written in his tables of Diamond the aduentures of things which are haue been and shall be had disposed after another manner But as the most constant patience is tired at length this Princesse The Pope dissolues the mariage for sterilitie hauing for a long time endured her husbands disabilitie began to murmure and he preuented her complaints presenting a request vnto the Pope to bee seperated from her and shewed that she was barren and could not be a mother and that the affaires of Castille required an heire The Pope dissolued the first marriage and suffered him to marry againe with Ione Infanta of Portugall Sister to King Alfonso and Daughter to King Edward a Princesse exceeding faire who more desirous to bee a Queene then a wife consented to this marriage notwithstanding that shee was fully aduertised of the disabilitie of the husband which she tooke who although he were a great Prince could not haue found a woman where as euery one may haue for his money But shee made it knowne that a politick woman neuer dyes without an heyre On the other side the King held the blemish of disabilitie to be so dishonourable as to make the contrarie knowne and to haue children to succeed vnto his Crowne he consented that Bernard de la Cueua one of his fauourites c Some write that D. Ioane consented therevnto by force but when she had once made this leape she had more need of a bridle then a spurre A wonderfull incontinency and impudency Being at it were confined to the Castell of Alacaes vnder the custody of the Archbishop of Seuelle she had by D. Pedro the Archbishops Nephew two children D. Ferdinand and D. Apostol should lye with the Queene who presently conceiued with child and to the end it should not bee thought to be done by supposition he would haue her deliuered in the presence of Henry Earle of Alba de Lista the Archbishop of Toledo and the Marquis of Vellena It was a Daughter which had for her Godfather the Earle of Armagnaâ— who was at that time Embassador in Castille to King Lewis the eleuenth Wisedome and discretion might haue made this deceit more fortunate then it was Henry the king of Castille degraded for all Spaine made demonstration of incredible Ioy for the birth of this Daughter but there was follie and indiscretion of all sides The King who would confirme this opinion that he was a gallant man sought the loue of other women who soone discouered the deceit The Queene made shew to be iealous entertained her loue securely with D. Bernard so as the great familiaritie he had with her made the world doubt of her chastitie and when as they saw that the King honored him with the chiefe charges of the Realme making him master of the order of St Iames and then Duke of Albuquergue they did imagine that he made him play his part in this Comedie which ended with cruel tragicall effects for the Great men of the realme made a league to seaze vpon D. Alfonso and D. Isabella brother Sister to the end that this Bastard should not depriue them of their rights Alfonso being about twelue yeeres old was proclaimed K. of Castille by them and then did D. Henry shew
the imbecillitie and weaknes of his Nature for whereas hee should haue opposed himselfe against those mutinies he suffred them to get such credit and authoritie as the Archbishop of Toledo being sent for to come vnto him to the end hee might pacifie those troubles he said vnto him that brought him this charge Tell your King that I am weary of him his affaires and that he shall shortly see who is the true King of Castille The Grandos of the Realme assembled in a great plaine neere vnto Auila to degrade the King from the royall dignity That which they could not doe vnto his person Alfonso proclained K. of Castille they did vnto his statue d When as King Henry vnderstood of this degradation which was in Iune 1â—65 he said I haue bred vp children and they haue contemned me I came naked from my mothers wombe and the earth atâ—ends me naked No man can liue so poorely as hee is borne and it God expels mee now for my fins he wil comfort and preserue mee afterwards for his infinite power is that which kils and restores to life which wouÌ„ds and cures that which giues Siegneuries takes them away which raiseth vp Kings puls them downe when he pleaseth which they presented vpon a scaffold when as the Herad said that D. Henry was degraded from the royall dignity the Archbishop of Toledo tooke the Crowne from his image the Earle of Plaisance the sword and the Earle of Beneuent the Scepter this done Diego Lopes cast it out of the royall seat Alfonsos standard was aduanced and poore Henry shouted at and contemned They would end the quarrell by a battell before Olivedo e The Battell of Oluiedo was in the yeare 1467. They doe not agree who had the victory D. Alfonso was seen armed aâ— all peeces incouraging his men D. Henry appeared not in the fight but entered triumphing towards night into Medina del Campo The two Armies fought by order one squadron against another The Archbishop of Toledo led his army hauing a white stole vpon his armes The combat continewed three houres and ended with so great disorder of either side as both parties made bonfiers for the victory The Pope sent his Legat f Anthony de Veneris Bishop of Lyon the Popes Legate being in Spain coÌ„manded them to lay downe Armes vpon paine of excommunication the great men of Spaine opposed themselues said that they appealed to a Councill The Licentiat Iohn D. Alcacer and Doctor Alphonso of Madrigall were committed for this appeale to pacefie these troubles during the which King D. Alfonso hauing raigned three yeares died of the plague at Cardegnosa Death of Alfonso King of Castille The League would haue declared Isabella heire of the Realme the which she would not accept the King her brother lyuing wherevpon a peace was made by which she was declared Princesse of Castille the nineteenth of September 1468. vpon condition that she should not marry without the consent of the King hir brother They would haue married her to Alfonso of Portugall who was a widower and D. Ioane to Iohn the eldest Sonne of Portugall vpon condition that if there came no children of the marriage of the Pincesse Isabell g D. Isabella was sought for in marriage by the brother of King Lewis by the King of Englands brother She made choise of D. Ferdinand Prince of Arragon He came to see her vnknown D. Guttiere of Cardona who coÌ„ducted him shewed him her saiing in Spanish Esse es It is he To whome the Princesse answerered sodenly and S. Shal be thine armes vpon this cause the family of this knight doth at this day carry an S in tâ—eir armes and deuice those which issued from the marriage of D. Ioane should succeed to the realme Castille But D. Isabella had other thoughts she loued Ferdinand sonne to Iohn King of Navarre and Arragon whome shee caused to come to Vaillidolet in a disguized habit and marryed him the eighteenth of October 1469. Isabella of Castille marries Ferdinand of Arragon King Henry was so incensed at this marriage as hee declared his Sister fallen from all the rights which shee might pretend to the crowne of Castille and caused Ioane his daughter to be proclaymed his true heire who was married to Charles Duke of Guienne as hath beene formerly said This treaty of marriage was broken by the death of the Dukd of Guienne King Henry died also h The death of Henry the 4. King of Castille was in the yere 1474. the one and forty yeare of his age and the on twenteth of his raign Hee was interred in the great Chappell of the Monastery of Guadalupe He appointed 52. lampes of siluer to burne day night vpon his tombe And notwithstanding that the Crowne were assured to Ferdinand and Isabel yet Ioane continued the title of Queene of Castille Troupes sent out of France into Castille and in this quality she married with Alfonso King of Portugall which was an occasion of great warres The French King being discontented with the house of Arragon and the warre of Pergignan sent troupes to the King of Portugal vnder the command of Aman of Albret i Ambassadors haue oste ingaged their Maisters in very ruin ous voiages Philip de CoÌ„mines who had treated with them of the K. of Portugall saith that if they had beene well aduised they would haue informed themselues better of matters here before they had councelled their Maister to this voiage wâ—ich was very preiudiciall vnto him But the King of Portugal hauing lost his enterprises and his Partisans was forced to retyer himselfe into Portugall carring away no other triumph of the warre of Castille but the Princesse D. Ioane his wife whome notwithstanding hee would not mary before hee were assured of the Realme of Castille and therefore he went into France to implore ayde from King Lewis with whome he had treated an alliance by his Ambassadors who vnder the good chere which was made them and the good words which were giuen them during the treaty without any other intent perswaded their Maister to come into France assuring him that he should doe more by his presence for the succors which he demanded then by the mediation of his servants and that there might bee a marriage made betwixt the Dauphin and D. Ioane his Neece He landed at Marseille Alfonsâ— K of Portugall comes to Tours came to Lyons and so went downe the riuer of Loire to Tours where he acquainted the King with the cause of his voyage k Necessity â—orceth Princes euen to things vnworthy of their quality They write that this Prince besought the King to succor him with such vehemency and humanity as hee fell on his knees at his heete It had not beene secret though he had beene silent Kings come neuer to the gates of other Kings to offer or to giue but to demand and entreat He carried a Lampe in
the one had beene depriued of his benifice the other two saw their Sisters dishonoured by the voluptuousnes of this Prince y Galeas Duke of Milan defloured the Sister of Charls Viscount master of his ward robe and then gaue her to one of his Mignons to abuse Paul Iou. The conspiracie being resolued and they furnished with courage and armes for the execution they go to him being at the doore of St. Stephens Church in Milan approching neere him He is slaine at the Church doore making shew to salute him Iohn Andrew Lampognano strook him in the windpipe z They write that Lampognano to accustome and incourage himselfe to this execution did euery day stabbe the Dukes picture with a dagger and after his cruell meditations executed his desseigne Ierosme Olgiato in the throat and stomacke and Charles Viscount wounded him in the belly It was impossible to escape presently the Dukes Seruants seazed of them The first being content to die seeing that Galeas was dead cried out as they cut him in peeces After this manner I desire to die Ierosme was taken aliue and being condemned to be fleied and quartered vpon a scaffold aliue he saied making no other repentance for this crime that of so cruell a death the reputation would be perpetuall a Ierosme Olgiati beeing strecht out vpon the scaffold to be quartered said Mors acerba fama perpetua stabit vetus memoria facti Burt. Lib. 5. Hist. Florent A bitter death but a perpetual fame the memory of the fact shall remaine old The King was not so much greeued for the death of Galeas as he had beene for that of Francis Sforce Lewis xi a friend to Francis Sforce the best of his good friendes froÌ„ whom he receiued 500. men at armes and 3000. foot led by Galeas against the league of the Commonweale and to whom he was resolued to retire if he might not haue entred into Paris When as the King saw himselfe freed of one enemy Lewis sends an Ambassador into Scotland he studied what he should do to be reuenged of another and remembring that K. Edward had past the seas for the D. of Bourgundies passions hee desired to cry quittance with him and therfore he sent Robert of Ireland a Scottishman and a Sorbonist with two French Gentlemen to perswade Iames 3. King of Scotland to make warre against England but the Estate of Scotland was so full of bad humours as they could not stir this bodie without danger of an incurable disease b Whilist that a body is found it feeles not the putrified and corrupted humors which are disperced into diuers mebeâ—s but as soone as one part is grieued all gather together run thither It is euen so of states whilst they are in peace but vpon the first trouble any thing that is wicked seditious and rebellious discouers it selfe The King was but seauen yeares old when he succeded to his Father ContentioÌ„ in Scotland for the Regency and the diuision was great to know who should haue the Regencie and Gouernment of the Realme Some were for Queene Marie his Mother Others were for Iames Kenneth and George Douglas Earle of Anguse The Queene caused her selfe to be declared that which she would be they that were for her saied that if they regarded Proximitie there was not any neerer vnto the Sonne then the mother If they did consider the good of the childe not any one could haue more care then she If they could not contend with her in the degree of Proximitie it were indiscretion to call her affection and fidelitie in doubt hauing therein nature for her Caution If they respect the common good the condition of her birth was considerable for that being a stranger no way possest with loue nor passion they should not finde that she would support the one to the preiudice of the other as they might doe which had Alliances Kinsmen and Intelligences within the Realme who carried their dessignes beyond the Kinges life and might builde vpon his toombe As for her the death of her Son could bring her no other fruits but a perpetuall sorrow and therefore she was bound to desire his health and preseruation Kenneth seeing this ScottishmeÌ„ hate the commaund of women stirs vp the people to apprehend the iniurie which was done vnto the Lawes of a Realme which had alwaies detested the rule of Women as contrary to that of nature c Gynecoratis or the gouernment of women is directly against the laws of nature which hath giuen vnto men seâ—ce wisedom arms and commaundment and hath taken it from womeÌ„ and the law of God hath wisely decreed that the woman should bee subiect vnto the man not onely in the gouernment of realms and Empires but also in euery mans priuate family Bodin Lib. 6 cap. 5. and which had seen the raigne of an hundred Kings and not any one of their Daughters that succeeded Shall wee not finde saied hee among so many thousands of men one man that is capaple to commaund men must a Nation which hath no other experience but armes beforced to subiect their swords to the lawes of a distaffe and suffer themselues to be gouerned at the discretion of a woman and of a strange woman d The first woman which opened the waie for the rule of women in Scotland was Mary Stuard and Mary the Daughter of Henry the 8. in England To pacifie this discord they resolued to leaue all matters as they were for a moneth during the which the passions of both parties were but the more enflamed Many within the Realme desired rather to obey the Queene then any other that should be of an equall condition or superior vnto them But as in such occasions a man of credit and authority workes wonders drawing the hearts and opinions of men as he pleaseth Iames Kenneth Archbishop of St. Andrew giuing the Parlament to vnderstand e Cato desirous to let the Romans vnderstand that the commandemeÌ„t of women was shameful spake these wordes vnto them All men coÌ„mand women wee coÌ„mand men and women command vs. Plut. that to giue the authority to the Queene was to contradict the auncient Lawes of the Realme to expose Scotland to dangers and Scottishmen to the scorn of a shamefull gouernment and who should iustifie the reproach which might be made vnto them to commaund men and to be commaunded by women That Scotland neuer knew what the gouernment of women was they found no names in their language to expresse it they had neuer seene woman preside in their Councels nor Parliaments nor to dispose of Iustice nor of the Treasure and that which other Nations call Queene Scotland cals the Kings Wife f The history of ScotlaÌ„d reports the wordes of Iames Kenneth Mairoes nostri adeo erant a cura publica muliaeribus mandanda alieni vt si omnia reruÌ„ vocabula excutias ne mulâ—ebus quidem imperii nomen opud eas
waxt by which hole we did looke into the Castle-yard Hee saith also that Margaret of Clisson Mother to the Earle of Ponthieure came scoft at him vsing these words Deposuit potentes de sede He hath put the Mighty from their seate Hist. of Brit. Lib. 11. it had felt the ruines and desolations which the Iustice of God brings vpon Principalities for the sinnes of the Princes and People The diuision betwixt the Houses of Montfort and Blois had brought it to the last extremity and it had seene an Act of wonderfull presumption of a vassaile against his Lord Duke Iohn hauing beene prisoner to Oliuer of Blois with such vnworthy vsage as hee was in a manner depriued of the aire which all the powers of the world cannot take from Man there beeing nothing but death that can depriue him of breath This poore Prince had no Aire at all but was in darkenesse p When as God saith Epictetes takes from thee necessary things as food raiment and thy sences he sounds a retreat hee opens the doore and commands thee to come and in a little Chamber where hee could not see but by a hoale made with a Pinne the Sunne for the which many haue beleeued they were in the world Anaxagoras said that hee was in the world to admire the Sunne A more tedious kinde of life then death it selfe and hee that is reduced vnto it hath a strong resolution if he doth not murmure that God suffers him to liue so long One of the wise Stoickes thought that hee gaue man leaue to depart this life when as he gaue him no meanes to liue But let vs returne vnto the King Townes vpon the riuer of Somme recouered by the king Before the newes of Duke Charles his death was assured hee brake the Truce which should haue continued seuen yeares longer and seized vpon Abbeuille Dourlans Monstreuil Montdidier Peronne Han Bohain Saint Quintin and the Townes vpon the Riuer of Somme which by the death of Charles the last Male of the House of Bourgondy returned vnto the King Hee wisht hee might haue done as much to all the Low Countreyes and by some iuster meanes then by Armes in marrying his sonne to the heire of Bourgondy Lewis desires to marry his sonne to the heire of Brittain But beside the great inequality of their ages hee had promised him to the Princesse of England and he desired to giue him the heire of Brittaine for she was more sutable to his sonnes age and this Princesse was a Rampart against the fury of the English who being seconded by the Dukes of Brittaine haue entred that way and come into the heart of the Realme He perswaded himselfe to preuaile by other meanes he had good seruants at Gand who had made shew that this kinde of gouernement was against their mindes and that they affected new Maisters q The day after that the Ganto is receiued newes of the Dukes death they put to death 25 men of their Lawe The pretex was for that they had executed a man before they were confirmed in their charge He thought that in taking some of the chiefe Townes of the Countrey the rest in this confusion of Councels and weakenesse of forces would yeeld of themselues and as if there had beene no other difficulty he disposed already of places and gouernments of Prouinces His humor was to imploy meane men in great affaires and to handle great works with small engines He sent Robinet of Odenfort to S. Omer and Oliuer le Dain his Barber to Gand who was of such power and authority euen with the King as the French going out of the Realme they demaunded of them in mockery among other newes of Court Presumption of Oliuer le Daine if Lewis were in good tearmes with Oliuer r StraÌ„gers mock at princes which depend vpon 〈◊〉 companions and giue themseles as it were in a prey to their conduct This man for that hee was borne in a village neere vnto Gand was so presumptuous as hee thought he could make this Towne subiect to the Kings will and tooke this charge vpon him to goe thither vnder colour to carry some message to the Princesse who had called an Assembly of the Estates at Gand s Estates in the Law Countries held at Gand. The Oath of fidelity was renued to the Princesse for it had in already taken by Guy of Roâ—â—fort Lord of PluvaÌ„t her Chamberlain by Guy Perrot her Secretary of state and vnder hand practised men to what he had intended he stiled himselfe Earle of Melun This purple-hue did nothing at all beautifie the Ape but made him more ridiculous to them that knew the basenesse of his breeding t Basenesse of birth is a reproach which is giuen to them that gloriously forget theÌ„selues Iphicrates Tully and Marius endured it Yet the King perswaded himselfe that hee would doe wonders in this Citty telling the chiefe Noble-men of his Court that they whom he had sent to Gand and Saint Omer were able to get the keyes of the Towne and to draw in his Troopes He made account of the one as Augustus did of Mecenas u Augustus Caesar loued 2. men aboue all others Agrâ—ppa for his patience and Mecenas for his secresie and discretion Being in Councell with them after the war of Actium how hee should gouerne himselfe Agrippa aduised him to liue a priuate life but Mecenas wisht him to think of a monarchy Dion Plut. Suet. and of the other as Agrippa Oliuer hauing demanded audience of the Princesse Affront done to Oliuer at his audience with the Princesse and refusing to speake vnto her but in priuate hee caused himselfe to bee scorned and this disgrace concerned him that had sent him who had not considered that such Commissions did properly belong to men of birth or of great merit and that it seemes they contemne the Prince to whom they send Embassadours of base condition x They that carry the Title of Embassadours should be men of credit reputation Caesar said that the Suisses sent Embassadors vnto him the chiefe wherof was Deuico he who in the Cassian warre had bin their Generall The Gantois hauing discouered Negotiation of Oliuer le Dain at Gand and taking of Tournay that hee had some secret practises in their Towne hee was in danger to haue beene cast into the Riuer whereupon hee retired to Tournay and practised thirty or forty men by whose meanes hee brought in Mony with his Company which hee had at Saint Quintin and seized of the Towne sending seuen or eight of the Gouernors to Paris The Princesse Councell seeing that her subiects fidelity was shaken and the Townes of Picardy deliuered vnto the King that she had to deale with a Cyrus Embassage sent from the Princesse of Bourgundy to the King and that she was no Tomyris y Cyrus hauing attempted against the Massagets a people of Scythia Tomyris their
Gand to giue him a fauourable end of his suite and to haue infringed the priuiledges of Gand Hogonet Imbercourt condeÌ„ned to die the which may not be changed nor broken without paine of death Vpon these accusations or rather slanders the Maior AldermeÌ„ of Gand condemn theÌ„ to loose their heads In 6 daies their processe was made the number of their freinds nor the appearance of their innocency which in those extremities is the last refuge could not saue them n Innocency is the last refuge of the miserable helps him much that hath nothing else remaining It hath sometimes set the condemned in the Iudges place Neri sonne to Vgucione of Fagiuola Lord of Luga condemned Castrucio to death and the people freed him going to execution and set him in Neris place Three houres after the sentence was pronounced they were executed without any respect to the appeale which they had made to the Court Parliament at Paris Brother in law The Pope and Emperor offended at this impiety at whose instance the Pope and the Emperour Fredericke send vnto Adolph to set the Country at liberty and to yeeld obedience to his father and vpon the contempt of this commandement they write vnto the Duke of Bourgundy not to suffer this impiety any longer The Duke was then about Dourlans he commanded Adolph to come and to bring his father Adolph durst not displease so mighty a Neighbour The Duke heares them in their complaints and confronts them together The sonne accuseth the father of villanous and wicked actions Duke of Bourgundy Iudge of the quarrell whereof he presently purgeth himselfe and by the testimony of Noblemen that were there present at this confrontation the sons slander was discouered and detested then the father transported with extreme griefe presented the single coÌ„bat vnto his son The Duke would not allow it for the vncertaine euent could not be where soeuer the victory fell without a certain crime Hauing conferred of this businesse with his Councell hee ordained that the father should retaine the title of Duke with the Towne of Graue and 3000. Crownes for his entertainment the son should haue all the rest Notwithstanding that this iudgement was so fauourable for the sonne as all men thought that the Iudge was more affected to him then to the father x Adolph had maried Catherine of Bourbon daughter to Iohn Duke of Bourbon and Anne of Bourgundy sister to Phillip The Sig r. of Argenton saith that the Duke fauored Adolph in respect of this marriage yet this vnnaturall sonne straying from all obedience duty y Decius was commended for that hee refused the Empire saying that being Emperour hee should forget to be a sonne Imperet pater meus meum imperium sit parere humiliter imperanti Let my father rule my Empire shall be humbly to obay him that rules Val. Max. lib. 4. would not be satisfied saying That his father had raigned long enough and that he should content himselfe with the pension of 3000. Crownes and that he should neuer set his foote in the Countrey of Guelders To be short that hee had rather cast his father into a Well and himselfe headlong after him then consent to the conditions of this sentence z It is an impious thing saith Plato for any one to force his father and his Country he saith more-ouer that the child should haue a care not to offend him for there is not any praier which the Gods heare sooner then that which the fathers make against their children The Duke being prest to go vnto his Army before Amiens leaues them in this dispute and would not alter his iudgement The sonne fearing that his obstinacy might bring him to the place where he had put his father and knowing that few men affected him stale away in a disguised French habite and tooke the way to Graue Adolph steales away and is taken prisoner But passing the Riuer at Namur with one man in his company he was knowne by a Priest and staied by others and conducted to the Duke of Bourgundy who sent him prisoner to Villeuor and afterwards to Courtray where he remained miserable and no man pittied him in his misery a It is a cruelty and inhumanity to pitty a parricide The punishment which he endures how great soeuer doth not giue so much amazement as the crime causeth horror and execration vntill that the Gantois set him at liberty to be their Generall in the warre of Tournay The father dying had giuen the Dutchy of Guelders to the Duke of Bourgundy The warre being vndertaken by them of Gand against Tournay and the Mutiny growing insolently violent against the Dutchesse of Bourgundy they had need of a Head for without it their hands were not much to be feared He is set at liberty by the Gantols They cast their eyes vpon Adolph draw him out of prison and like mad-men as they are thinke that this cruell wretch who could not loue his father will haue a care of their affaires b What piety can bee expected of him that hath beene impious and inhuman to his owne father Qui fallere audebit Parentes qualis erit in ceteris He that dares deceiue his Parents what will hee bee to other men Casiod They giue him absolute command being resolued to aduance him higher then his Predecessours and to make him husband to the Dutchesse People in such distractions haue played madder prankes and made more indiscreete elections He lead them to Tournay where hauing burnt the Suburbs he was slaine His death was not more honourable vnto him then his life The Princesse was not sorry for this action For if hee had returned tryumphing from this exploite the Gantois had forced her to mary him and rather then to haue had a husband of their choice she would haue taken one by chance as the heire of Bohemia had done Primislaus a Laboâ—er becomes King of Bohemia who marryed Primislaus and drew him from labour to the honour of her Marriage and Crowne c Lybussa daughter to Gracus second King of Bohemia declared in an Assembly of the Estates held in an open field that shee would take him for husband before whom a horse shold stay which she should let go without guide or force He stayed before Primislaus who was tilling his Land They tooke him and led him to the Princesse who made him her husband and gaue him to the people for their King His wodden shoes were long kept in the Cathedrall Church of Prage and shewed to the Kings of Bohemia to make them remember their beginning The Princesse of Bourgundies affaires impaired Many Physitions vndid the Patient The King had a mighty Army which kept all the Low Countries in awe in his absence it was commanded by the Bastard of Bourbon Admirall of France There was nothing attempted by the enemy but was defeated In many exploits of warre which were made vpon this
Liuius did of the Romans n Nulla vnquam Respublica nec maior nec sanctior nec bonis exemplis ditior fuit nec in quam tam serae auaritia luxuriaque immigrauerint nec vbi tantus ac tamdiu paupertati ac parfimoniae honos fuerit There was neuer Common-weale greater nor more holy nor richer in good examples nor into which auarice luxury crept later nor whereas pouerty and parsimony were so long honoured That neuer Common-weale was better maintained in her ancient discipline nor wheras Auarice had lesse credit and Simplicity more honour then in that of the Suisses For these reasons the king made a defensiue leaue with them Alliance of France with the Suisses by the Treaty gaue himselfe the Name of the first Ally of their Common-weale and tearmed himselfe their Bourgesse o The Duke of Sauoy said that the Title of the first Ally of the Suisses belonged to him before all others They promised to furnish him with eight thousand men at all times for foure German Florins and a halfe of monthly pay 2000 pouÌ„d sterling Moreouer he gaue them a pension of twenty thousand Franckes to be distributed among them By the meanes of this Alliance his forces increased greatly in Bourgondy Dole was taken by assault spoiled ruined and made miserable But this pillage did impouerish the King beeing certaine that what is taken from Townes vanquished is lost for the Victor p Craesus King of Lydia seeing Cyrus Souldiers running vp and downe the Towne of Sardes he demanded whither they did run They go to the spoyle of the Towne answered Cyrus They take nothing from me replied Craesus all they carry away is thine and not mine Aussonne held out but fiue dayes Besançon an Imperiall Towne continued in her liberties and was not forced to more duety then shee had beene accustomed to yeeld vnto the Earles of Bourgondy Verdun would not yeeld but by force and suffered for her wilfulnesse Beaune auoyded it submitting herselfe to a fine of forty thousand Crownes The King labouring to ruine the house of Bourgondy Estate of the affairs of Castille apprehended the rising of that of Castille seeing that by the marriage of Ferdinand and Isabel the Realmes of Castille and Arragon which had beene diuided 405 yeares were vnited q Castille Arragon in the beginning were but Earldomes they were made Realmes after the death of D. Sancho the great king of Nauarre who was the last Earle of Arragon Castille He would haue beene nothing sorry if the contention which was betwixt them who should haue the gouernment of Castille had continued longer Queene Isabel said that as daughter to King Iohn of Castille shee was sole heire of the Realme and that her marriage should not depriue her of her quality King Ferdinand obiected that he was sonne to Iohn the second King of Nauarre and Arragon descended in the direct line from Iohn the first King of Castille and that it was not fit a woman should carry the Scepter of so great a Realme r Lipsius speaking of this Prince and Princesse giues this censure Maritus caetera vir egregius restrictor aut timidior erat retinere sua melior quam augere Haec dilatabat The husband a worthy man a holder fast or more fearefull hee was better to hold his owne then to augment it She enlarged it It was concluded by the aduise of the Grands that all Letters and Expeditions should bee made in the name of both and vnder the Seale of both Realmes of Castille and Arragon and the money coined with the Armes quartered This iudgment wherwith Ferdinand was not well pleased was grounded vpon the great and eminent vertue of Isabel Vertues of Isabel of Castille another Zenobia of Spaine and who did neuer breath any thing but what was great and generous A great Iusticer if euer any were and inexorable to rebellions s The Citty of Seâ—ile being reuolted through the factions betwixt the house of Gusman and Ponti the queen Isabella went thither forst them all to their duties she caused all that were in the Castle to bee hanged hauing refused her the entry she made the Court of Spaine a true Academy of honour and vertue out of which came Gonsalue the great Captaine her counsels were followed as Oracles and often times her husband and the Grands of the realme hauing found that no great matter was effected if it were not approued by her aduice neuer disputed against that which she had resolued It is she that began and ended the war of Portugall expelled the Moores out of Grenado added the realme of Nauarre to that of Castill and gaue meanes to Christopher Columbus t In the yeare 1492. the third of August the Queene D. Isabella sent Christopher ColuÌ„bus from Palos de Moguet in Andalusia to discouer the westerne Indies hauing sailed 2. moneths and 8. dayes hee first landed in the Iland of Guanahamo betwixt Florida Cuba to discouer new countries they also commend her for her great constant piety and for her admirable sobriety hauing neuer drunk wine she loued learned men and tooke delight in the knowledge of the Latine tongue she was full of courage resolution in aduersity for being vpon the treaty of her daughters marriage with Emanuel King of Portugall newes being brought her of the death of her only sonne u The Prince D Iohn of Castille being married to Margaret of Austria died at SalamaÌ„ca The History of Spaine saith that the King D. Ferdinand to acquaint his wife D. Isabella with this death caused a brute to be raised that hee was dead and then presently shewed himselfe vnto her so one sudden consolation betwixt two great afflictions did moderate both the one and the other she did not cease to proceed suppressing her griefe vntill that Emanuel was aduertised therof by others She was very constant in al distemperatures and dolours of the body for she was deliuered of her children without any groane or cry x In partus acutissimis doloribus gemitum vocem supprimebat rem incredibilem nisi à fidissimis matronis quae à cubiculi cura erant id certo se cognouisse Marinaeus Siculus adfirmaret In the bitterest pangs of childbearing she did neither groane nor cry an incredible thing if Marinaeus the Sicilian did not affirm that he had receiued it from the faithfullest matrons of her chamber King Lewis beeing very iealous of the county of Rousillon Death of D. Iohn King of Nauarre which was a thorne in the foot of Castille held the kings in iealousie and expences and desired to haue the realme of Nauarre continue in the possession of the successors of King Iohn who died in the end of the yeare 1479. y D. Iohn king of Arragon died at Barcelona being 81 yeares old hauing raigned in Nauarre 53. yeares and 4. moneths and 21 yeares six moneths in Arragon He
in the first part of his History accordingly as it is set downe in the Text the which to auoyd repetition I omit in the aire vpon the walles Vision miraculous a shining Crosse of gold a virgin attired in white with a Target on her Arme and a Launce in her hand and a man muffled with a Camels skinne followed with a great troope of armed men all glittering which seemed to come to succour the towne that the assailants were so amazed and terrified with this vision as they that were neerest vnto the walles durst not goe on and they that were farre off fled This miracle hath beene mentioned by all the Historians that haue written of this siege and William Coarsin Vice-Chancellor of the Order speakes amply in his Commentaries The Bashaw mad at their great constancy and resolution Retreat of the Turks retired caused his Artillery to be carefully drawne away whereof a Generall should haue an especiall care for the losse is dishonorable He caused it to be imbarked with his hurt men The rage which he could not poure forth vpon the Inhabitants of Rhodes shewed it selfe round about the Towne leauing no tree vn-cut Vine vn-puld vp nor house vn-burnt The Bashaw going out of the Port discouered two great ships which Ferdinand K. of Naples sent to their succour he held it an affront if hee should suffer them to passe without fighting But in despight of him and 20. Gallies which assailed these two ships they entred the Port after three houres fight Thus Rhodes the cleere Sun b For that there is no day how cloâ—dâ— soeuer but the Sunne is seene at Rhodes the aâ—cients said it was consecrated to the Sun It lyes in the Carpatiaâ—sea in the 〈◊〉 of Iâ—cia separated from the coast by an Arme of the sea which they call the 〈◊〉 of Rhodes 20 miles broad It is loâ—g and 〈◊〉 about 120 miles compasse Towardes the North lyes â—â—eya Aeâ—â—pt to the south 〈◊〉 to the Eaâ—t and Candy to the west of the sea so famous in the Histories of Antiquity was preserued for the Christians All the Citty in signe of ioy made bon-fires shot off Ordinance rung their bels The Trumpets Hautboyes and drums were vpon the walles vpon the newes which the great Maister receiued from Pope Sixtus the fourth of a mighty Army which came to his succour The Bashaw desirous to know the cause of this ioy sent certaine Grecians to demand it of the Centinels who told them it was for that the Christian Army was neere which being reported vnto him hee commanded to weigh anchor and to set saile the 18 of August hauing continued at this siege 89 dayes and lost the best part of his Army This valiant resistance for the preseruation of the Island of Rhodes did purchase much glory to Christendome and bound Christians to praise the God of Victories to make him fauourable when hee should be called c Xenophon exhortâ— men to honour tâ—e Gods in prosperity to the end they maâ— be â—auouâ—able vâ—to them in aduersity in the like necessity for that the defence of towns and the defeat of Armies come only from him The Crosse triumphed ouer the Cressants Mahomet after this affront did but languish hauing propounded for a reuenge to make a great enterprise vpon Italy to make Rome another Constantinople a Serrail of the Vatican and a Mosquee of Latran Vpon the apprehensions of such ruines and desolation Sixtus the fourth was ready to abandon Rome and go into France Italy being too weake to resist so mighty an enemy who hauing made himselfe Maister of 12 realms in the lesser Asia of the Archipelagus of Albania and of Sclauoâ—ia of all the Empire of CoÌ„stantinople of Trebizond threatned to enter into Europe by Apulia Calabria d Mâ—homet the 2 d. made warre three yeares in Apulia and Calabria hee tooke the Townes oâ— Ydrunte Tatum and Leuce by force where he had caused wonderfull desolations and spoiled Italy of the flower of her horse-men and it may be he should not haue found Princes which would haue sent backe his Embassadors so couragiously nor contemned his threats as Mathias Coruinus K. of Hnngary and Poland did for when this Barbarian had sent to him to haue him yeeld him his realme of Polonia he made this braue and hardie answere to his Embassadors e This generous answer made by Mathias Coruinus is related by Ioachin Cuâ—eus in the Annals of Silesiâ— Mahomet did euer after feâ—re him Go and tell your maister that he reignes in Greece by my meanes and that he shall remaine there no longer then I please The end of the eighth Booke THE CONTENTS OF the Ninth Booke 1 MAXIMILIAM makes no good vse of his aduantage after the battell of Guinegaste 2 Attempt against the Kings Person miraculously preuented 3 The like enterprise discouered and punished 4 Taking and recouering of Beaune and Verdun 5 Sigismond Arch-duke of Austria giues his Estates to the Arch-duke Maximilian his Nephew 6 Lewis of Bourbon Bishop of Liege slaine by William de la March. 7 A new discipline for Souldiours made 8 Goodly obserâ—uations of the aduantages which Foot-men haue ouer Horse 9 Death of Mahomet the second Emperour of the Turkes an abridgement of the chiefe actions of his life and his cruelties 10 The Kings designe vpon Lorraine Estate of that House from Duke Iohn to Yoland of Aniou wife to Ferry Earle of Vaudemont 11 Variable successe of the huse of Aniou in the Realme of Naples from Lewis the second sonne to King Iohn to Rene Duke of Aniou 12 Death of Rene Duke Aniou his death and exercises he instituted the Order of the Croissant 13 Charles Earle of Mayne and Prouence giues the County of Prouence vnto the King 14 The King seazeth vpon the Dutchy of Barre 15 Rene Duke of Lorraine Generall of the Venetians Army 16 Warre of Ferara against the Venetians The Pope and the King of Naples deale in it The Venetians are excommunicated 17 Peace treated against the Popes liking magnanimity of his courage 18 Necessity of the Church to hold a Councell 19 Hardy enterprise of a Prelate against the Pope ⧠THE HISTORIE Of LEWIS the eleuenth THE NINTH BOOKE WHAT auayleth it for Stagges to haue goodly and strong heads if they haue not courage to vse them MaximiliaÌ„ makes no great vse of his aduantage at Guinegaste The Arch-duke Maximilian had more subiect to repent himselfe then to reioyce for the successe of Guinegate for that he did not make vse of his aduantage If he had presented himselfe before Therouenne or Arras hee had found amazement for resistance But hee durst not attempt it a Phillip de CoÌ„minâ—s saith that after the battell of Guingaste if Maximilian had beene counselled to returne before Therouenne hee had not â—ound any creature within it nor yet in Arras So as the battell which should haue purchased him glory among the Flemmings Hee lost more then he
were armed Souldiers They entred but seeking to seaze vpon the gate the Portcullis was let downe and they all taken and slaine in the Towne which they would haue surprized the first hauing beene vnlucky and vnfortunate Thus there remained not any Male of the Branch of the Dukes of Lorraine there was not any but that of the yonger brethren of Vaudemont and Guise Branch of Vaudemont The Law preserued the right of the succession for the daughters of René Duke of Aniou and of Isabel of Lorraine Margaret Queene of England being a prisoner pretended not any thing Yoland widdow to Ferry Earle of Vaudemont succeeded Shee was mother to many children and the right of Priority gaue the title of Lorraine to René but Yoland reserued the authority and command vnto her selfe the which held ten yeares René assured himselfe to be Earle of Prouence as he was Duke of Lorraine that his Grandfather by his mother side disposing of his estate would remember him but the King had perswaded him to make Charles of Maine his Nephew his Heire f René Duke of Aniou King of Sicile and Earle of Prouence made his Will at Marsellis the 22. of Iuly 1474. as hee did in all his Estates except in the Dutchy of Bar the which hee gaue to René Duke of Lorraine with the lands of Lambesque and Orgon Hee gaue to Iohn his base sonne the Townes of S. Reny S. Canat and the Marquesat of Pont. They would both haue had Prouence but the good old man to let them know that neither of them should haue it being one day at Table hee cast a shoulder of mutton to two Spannels which fought for it and at the same instant hee let slippe a great Dogge which scattered them and tooke it away It shall bee euen so said René of your affaires you contend for that which one that is more mighty shall carry away This Embleme is yet to bee seene imbost and ingrauen on a chaâ—re in his Oratory in Saint Sauiours Church at Aix This Discourse grounded vpon the very Originals do contradict the opinion of them that haue written René did not giue Prouence to the King g An errour of some Writers which haue beleeued that which the chronicle hath spoken of this donation making expresse mention that René being at Lyon concluded with the King that after his death the County of Prouence should returne directly vnto the King and bee vnited vnto the Crown that René gaue the Earledome of Prouence to Lewis the eleuenth That the losse of the battell at Gransson hauing altered the minds of many Princes towards the Duke of Bourgundy King René changed that which hee had done to institute him his Heire and that being come to Lyon he flatly renounced his friendship and did consent that Prouence should bee vnited to the Crowne vpon condition that the King should set at liberty his daughter being Widdow to Henry the sixth King of England and prisoner to Edward and that for her ransome hee should pay fifty thousand Crownes that in regard of this summe shee should renounce the pretensions which she might haue vnto Prouence That to content those which the children of his daughter Yoland Dutchesse of Lorraine might also haue hee left them the Lands of Lambesque and Orgon That to make the King know that the declaration of his Will came from his heart with an extraordinary content hee wrot this Donation in letters of Gold with his owne hand and did enrich it with exceeding faire Lymning h Wee must obserue that among the titles which René tooke in Testament hee addes that of Earle of Prouence Barcelona Forcalqueci Pâ—dmont The Testament of this Prince speakes not any one word of King Lewis neither is it found that he made any other notwithstanding that hee came vnto him the yeare following being at Lyon Hee named for Executors of his Will Queene Ioane of Lauall his wife Executors of Renes TestameÌ„t Charles Earle of Mayne his first and cheifest Heire René Duke of Lorraine his second Heire William of Harcourt Earle of Tancaruille Gui of Laual Knight Signior of Louë and Seneschall of Anjou Iohn of Vignolle Deane of Anger 's and President of the Assises and Accounts of Anjou Iohn Pinot Doctor of Diuinty his Confessor Peter Le Roy called Bemanon Vice-Chancellour of Angiers Iohn Buell Doctor of the Lawes and Maister of the Accounts i Beside the contentment which the obseruation of these names may giue vnto those families which haue any interest therein it serues to the curiosity of diuers qualities vnited in the same persons the which at this time seeme incompatible Hee would also that if hee dyed in Prouence the Archbishop of Aix and the great Seneschall of Prouence should bee among the Executors of this Testament The King being aduertised that René Duke of Lorraine made practises in Prouence and fearing that by his meanes King René should change his mind commanded that they should seaze on him k Kings haue long hands and many sâ—ares to entrap their enemies It is hard to auoid all their ambushes and laid so many ambushes for him as it had beene impossible for him to escape if hee had not speedily recouered Marsellis where hee imbarkt Hee remained three monthes at Sea past into Sicile came to Venice and crossing through the Grisons Country hee arriued in Lorraine neuer complaining of the dangers which had runne nor the time which hee had lost to make hast and flye from an incensed Prince whose clemency is nothing but a wearied seuerity and rigour René had that misfortune which is insupportable to great courages 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to suruiue the greatnesse of his house Hee saw the Crownes which had honoured the heads of Kings his Predecessours broken Battell of Rocgueseiche Lewis Duke of Anjou his Grand-father second sonne to King Iohn had gotten the second Title of Right vnto the Crowne of Naples but his bad Gouernement after the battell which hee had wonne against Ladislas in the yeare one thousand three hundred foure score and three l At the battell of Rocqueseich the troupes â—f Ladislas were defeated by them of Lewis but the victory was not pursued wheÌ„ as Ladislas spake of this encounter he said that the first day after the battell his enemies had beene Maisters both of his person and the whole Realme if they done their endeuours to vanquish the second day they might haue beene Lords of the Realme and not of his person if they had followed the victory but the third day they could neither haue had his person nor the Realme whereof hee had reaped not the profite which hee should haue done forced him to quitte Italy where hee had entred with an Army of fifty thousand men and to retire into France grieuing very much at the vnfortunate and ill successe of his enterprises His sonne Lewis the third Duke of Aniou was also declared King
that of Arragon We heare often in their pleadings Id quod nostrum est sinâ— causa nostra à nobis aufeâ—ri non potest and to fill vp the measure of his sorrow hee saw the first Branch of this Powerfull and Royall house of Aniou wither in his sonne and grand-childe René surviuing his sonne and grand-childe dyed in the yeare 1480. A Prince who had great and eminent qualities worthy of a better fortune hee was a great Iusticer and an enemy to long dispatches He said sometimes when as they presented him any thing to signe being a hunting or at the warre that the Pen was a kinde of Armes which a Prince should vse at all seasons u K. René although he were in Armes did not forbeare to doe iustice to them that demanded it saying That the pen of Princes should neuer be idle that long expeditions made them to loose the loue of their subiects They write that he drank not any wine and when as the Noble-men of Naples demaÌ„ded the reason he answered that it had made Tit. Liuius to ly who had said that the good wines caused the French to passe the Alpes The reigne of so good a Prince was much lamented for he intreated his subiects like a Pastor and Father Commendation of René of Aniou They say that when as his Treasurers brought vnto him the Royall taxe which was sixteene Florins for euery fire wherof Prouence might haue about three thousand fiue hundred hee enformed himselfe of the aboundance or barenesse of the season and when as they told him that a * The Northeast wind Mestrall winde had reigned long he remitted the moity and sometimes the whole taxe Hee contented himselfe with his reuenues and did not charge his people with new tributes Hee x Michael de Montagne in the 2 d booke of his Essaies C. 17. of presumption saith that being at Bar-le-Duc he saw presented vnto K. Francis the 2 d. a portrait which René K. of Sicile had made of himselfe spent his time in painting the which were so excellent as they are yet to be seene in the Citty of Aix he was drawing of a partridge when as they brought him newes of the losse of the Realme of Naples yet he would not draw his hand from the worke such pleasure hee tooke therein He liued long A President of Prouence making an Oration before King Charles the ninth in the yeare 1573. said that hee had beene seene by some that were then liuing Hee instituted an Order which hee called of the Cressant The Knights carried a Cressant or halfe Moone vpon their right arme with this Motto l'Os en Croissant encouraging them thereby to seeke and desire the encrease of their valour and reputation Hee dyed at Aix his wife caused his body to bee transported into France and by a witty pollicie deceiued the Prouençals who would haue had it His death made no other change in Prouencae but of the person Charles Nephew to René succeeds him Charles his Nephew sonne to the Earle of Mayne was acknowledged Earle of Prouence but his time was very short for hee dyed before he could finish the second yeare of his reigne Some few dayes before his death on the tenth of December 1481. he made the King his heire and after his decease Charles his sonne and the other Kings his Successors y The institution of the heire is set down in thâ—se tearmes in his Testament Et quia haeredis institutio est caput fundamentâ—Ì„ cuiuslibet testamenti dictus Serenissimâ—s Domiâ—uâ— noster rex in omnibusâ— regnâ—s commitatibus Vicecomitatibus c. fecit instituit ordinauit ac ore suo proprio nominauit sibi haeredem suuÌ„ vniuersalem insoliduÌ„ Christianissimum excellentissimum principem ac dominum Ludouicum Dei gratia Francorum Regem eiusdem consobrinum Dominum chariffimum atque reuerendissimum post eius obitum illustrissimun clarissimum D. Delphinum c. beseeching him with all his heart to suffer his subiects of Prouence to enioy the graces liberties and priuiledges which they held of King René Prouence giuen to K. Lewis recommending vnto him his Cousen Francis Lord of Luxembourg to keepe him in his Court and to maintaine him in the lands of Martigues which he gaue him he did not recommend him vnto any one of his seruants in particular but one Archer of his guard called the great Pickard There was little difference betwixt his Testament and his death K. Lewis takes possession of Prouence and lesse betwixt his death and the taking of possession for on the nineteenth of the same moneth of December one thousand foure hundred eighty one the King sent a Commission to Palamedes Forbin a Knight Lord of Sollier Chamberlaine to the Earle of Prouence to take possession and to command in the Countrey in quality Lieuetenant generall with absolute power to dispose of Offices to place and displace Officers to remit and abolish crimes yea high Treason to confirme or reuoke ancient Priuiledges and to grant new to assemble the Estates to impose Tributes and to leuy Souldiers for to force obedience z This commission was dated at Thouars the 29. of December 1481. in the presence of the Earle of Marâ—e Marshall of of France and of Estellan Bailiffe of Rouen The quality of this Commission was a great Testimony of the seruice which he had done the King hauing solely disposed his Maister to make this goodly present vnto France But as all changes cause amazement there was some trouble to execute this Donation some holding the party of Lorraine and others of France René René duke of Lorraine discontented Duke of Lorraine finding his friends feeble and his power weake against the King was not willing to grow obstinate in Prouence a Hee that encounters one that is more mighty doth but vndoe himselfe More mighty is to be vnderstood in dominions subiects force and treasure A wise Italian saith to this purpurpose Si tu truoui vna machina cresciuta per la felicita disciplina d'ottocento anni discostati da essa che è cosa impossibile quando pur ella cadesse che tu non rouini sotto If thou findest a worke grown by the felicity and dâ—scipline of 800 yeares auoyd it being impossible if it falles but thou shalt bee ruined vnder it He passed the Alpes with an hundred men at Armes and a regiment of a thousand foote The King sent a garrison of Scottish men vnto Bar vnder the command of the Lord of Aubigny hee caused the Walles to bee repaired and the Armes of France to be set vpon the gate such as are yet to be seene Hee remained in Italy till after the Kings death which day hee held to be the rising of his hopes the which were onely supported by the assurance which the Duke of Bourbon b This hope was not vaine for in the first yeare of the reigne
of K. Charles he was restored to the Dutchy of Bar and had a company of an hundred Lances giuen him gaue him that this rigorous season would be followed with a greater calme Warre against Ferrara The Venetians entreated him to accept the charge of Generall of their land Army against the Duke of Ferrara It was a warre which shaking the peace of Italy brought the peace of Christendome into question and gaue a great aduantage vnto the Turke who beheld these Tragicall furies neere at hand And this was the cocasion After the death of Borsio of Esté Hercules of Esté his brother would succeed in the principality Lionel of Esté their brother had left Nicholas his sonne who had the same pretension Italy was in a maner diuided the one for the Vncle the other for the Nephew The Venetians did succour Hercules so powerfully so fitly as the Scepter of his fathers remained to him He married Elenor daughter to Ferdinand of Arragon and being fortified with this new alliance he suffered the heate of friendship which his fathers entertained with the Venetians to grow cold as commonly Princes doe not long follow their predecessors steppes and if they commend their Orders yet they subiect not themselues vnto them c Borsio had very carefully entertained friendship with the Signiory of Venice When there fell out any controuersie betwixt them for their limites or that their Officers did attempt vpon one anothers Iurisdiction Borsio came to Venice with a small troope like a priuate person to giue reasons vnto the the Senate He restored the Salt-pits of Commachio contrary to the ancient Conuentions hee tooke from the Venetian Merchants the exemptions and freedomes of Imposts which they had enioyed he caused a Fort to be built neere vnto Cap d' Argent to bound his Estates and dissembled the wrong which the Magistrate of Venice residing in his Citty by accord had receiued hauing suffered him to be excommunicated by the Archbishop of Ferrara The Venetians The venetians proclaim war against the Duke of Ferrara although tired with warre by reason of the great ruines which they had receiued by the Ottomans yet they declared it against Hercules of Esté they grounded it vpon the necessity of their defence which iustifieth all kindes of proceedings and makes all that to be found good that is profitable All times are in season d When there is question of a defence there is no regard to be had to Iustice or Religion A certaine and ineuitable danger iustifies Armies The Romans held some dayes vnfortunate for enterprises but when as necessity forced them they feared not any thing Dies certos euitabiles obseruabant cum inferenda in hostes arma non propulsanda forent They did obserue certaine auoidable dayes when to assaile an enemy but not to repell him They raise two Armies one by land and another by sea the one to run along the Costs of Apulia and Calabria and to hinder the succours of Ferdinand the other to remaine in the riuer of Pau. The Pope was in the beginning for them and hindered Alphonso of Naples from passing with foure thousand men to succour his brother-in-law The Senate sent Robert of Arimini to succour the Pope Pope Sixtus ioynes with the Veâ—etians who wonne a battell against Alphonso of Arragon but this victory cost him his life which he ended soone after e They write that in one day died two of the greatest Captaines of Italy â—redericke of Vrbin at Ferrara and Robert of Arâ—minial Roâ—e Pope Sixâ—us caused thâ—se words to bee set â—pon 〈…〉 veni vidi vici pontifici retuli 〈◊〉 secundis rebus invidet I came I saw and ouercame and told the Pope that death enuies prosperity Ferrara was besieged and so prest with the valour and good fortune of the Assailants as it could no longer hold out The Pope who had incited the Venetians to this warre exhorted them to peace He declares him selfe against them and seeing that they would not harken vnto it declared himself for the Ferrarois he drew the spiritual sword against them strook them interdicting their Common weale Baptista Zeno Iohn Michele 2 Venetian Cardinals did coragiously resist this resolution yet the Pope notwithstanding their contradiction proceeded on It is true that as in the heate of Armes they doe not alwayes thinke of religion his censures were contemned by the Venetiaâ—s who did not respect them as good physicke but as an Emperikes plaister the which Popes were wont to vse for all kinds of sores They found it strange that hee would force them vnto a peace the which notwithstanding had not beene obserued when they were busied in warre against the Turke The Princes of Italy made a league against them and an Assembly of the Confederats which was held at Cassal-maior in the territory of Cremona Fredericke Gonzague Prince of Mantua was chosen Generall of the Army the honour of the enterprise and of the chiefe authority being reserued to the Arragonois There was not any Prince Citty nor Common-weale in Italy except Genoua but was engaged in this enterprise to ruine the greatnesse of Venice f The greatnesse of Venice was then suspected to all the Potentates of Italy if it had beene augmented with the estate of Ferrara the way had beene open to greater designes René of Lorraine whom the death and ruine of Charles of Bourgondy had aduanced to the reputation of one of the greatest Captaines of this age serued most gloriously in this Expedition Both parties were soone weary of this warre they spake of treating of a peace at Cesara but this Proposition tooke no effect It was continued at Tourbolles betwixt Robert Sanseuerin and Lewis Sforce Peace coÌ„cluded who finished it and it was concluded That the Venetians should returne into all the places which they had lost during this warre in Lombardie and should retire all the garrisons which they had on either side of the riuer of Pau They should ruine all the Forts which they had made on the bankes thereof and should restore to Hercules of Este all that they had taken from him except the Pâ—llesin of Rouigâ— which they should retaine vnto themselues should enioy the same rights both old and new which they were went to haue in Ferrara and there abouts Such was the end of the sociall warre which cost the Venetians in lesse then 2 yeares three millions and 600000 duckets This peace was receiued with much content after these turbulent and ruinous seasons They made bon-fires and combates with great pompe at Venice g When â—s Guichardiâ— speakes of this peace he saith that it was honourable for the Common-weale of Venicâ— shamefull for all the rest of Italy the which with a generall applause and at such time as it did flourish in riches armes force had â—anded to ruine the Venetians but God would not that the effects of his sâ—uerity and mercy
circumstances and dependances not doing or suffering any thing to bee done to the contrary either now or hereafter vpon any cause or occasion what soeuer forcing all them that shall oppose themselues to the contrary by the taking away of their letters granted to the contrary 〈◊〉 thereof seizure and detention of their goods in our hands imprisonment of their persons euen as is accustomed to be done for our own affaires notwithstanding any opposition appeale or complaint or any Ordonance made or to be made by Vs or our said sonne restraint or commandement defences or letters to the contrary for the which wee will not haue the contents effect and execution of these presents in any sort deferred stayed or hindered And for that many men haue need of these Presents in diuers places We will that full credit shall be giuen vnto the Copy therof made vnder the seale Royall or signed by the said Parrent or any other of our Notaries or ordinary Secretaries as to this present Originall In witnesse whereof we haue caused our Seale to be set to these Presents Giuen at our Castle of Ambois the 22 of September in the yeare of grace 1482. and of our reigne 22. By the King my Lord the Dauphin the Earle of Beaujeu the Earle of Marle Marshall of France the Archbishop of Narbona the Signiors of Bouchage Percigny Plessis of Solhes Iohn Doyac Gouernor of Auuergne Oliuer Guerin Steward of his houshold and many others being present Miscounting in the History Signed Parrent The date of this Edict discouers the mis-counting of Philip de Commines n Philip de Comines was sent into Sauoy to set at liberty the Signior of Illins a Dauphinois whom the King had giuen for Gouernour to Duke Philebert his Nephew When as the Earle of Bresse sawe the Kings Armie at Maston hee did what they desired who saith that in the yeare 1483. the King would see the Dauphin his sonne whom he had not seene in many yeares before and that soone after he had spoken vnto him he fell into the extremity of his sicknesse whereof he died for this Remonstrance was made in the Castle of Ambois in September 1482. and the King died not before August the yeare following But to resolue the doubt of times it may be that the King some few dayes before his death had a will to see the Dauphin when as they conducted him to Paris to make his entry and to celebrate his marriage and that Philip de Commines not beeing at Ambois when this first Remonstrance was made beeing stayed in Dauphin or Sauoy whether the King had sent him with Troopes against the Earle of Bresse hee had no knowledge thereof and therefore hath written That the King had not seene the Dauphin in many yeares before If a History bee the Image of Truth o A History is the proofe of time the light of truth the life of memory the mystery of life and the Trumpet of Antiquity It is the Image of truth and as the image is perfect that doth rightly represent the Originall so a History should represent all things in their simple truth and if Truth can haue but one vniuersall face in all things how can it accord the Chronicle with this Edict It writes that the King going to Saint Claude and before his departure out of Tourraine sawe the Dauphin at Ambois and gaue him his blessing That in the moneth of October the same yeare beeing fallen into a Relapse of his sickenesse hee caused himselfe to bee carried to Ambois to exhort him to that which hee should doe which makes mee to wonder if in matters that bee secrete and important Writers doe not alwayes giue full perpetuall and immutable Assurances seeing that in these they dispense so freely with the Certainety The Instructions which the King gaue vnto the Dauphin were found Good and Holy but they could yeeld no good fruits but with a peace All the rest without it had beene of small vse there being nothing whereof a Father who leaues a yong heire should bee more carefull then to leaue him his inheritance quiet and assured Being therefore resolued to giue a peace to France who attended it as a gift from heauen p There can bee nothing giuen more pleasing noâ— more healthfull to the people then a peace Vt circumspiciamus omnia quae populo grata â—â—nt atque iocunda nihil tam populare quam pacem quam concordiam quaÌ„ otium reperimus Let vs looke vnto all things that are pleasing and acceptable vnto the people wee shall not find any thing more popular then peace concord and ease Cicerâ— pro Le Agr. he thought to giue his sonne a wife but not the Princesse of England who was promised him by the Treaty of Piquigny After the death of the Dutchesse of Bourgondy the Gantois had seized vpon Prince Philip Estate of the Low-countries at the discretion of the Gantois and the Princesse Margaret her Children telling the Arch-duke Maximilian that the Guard and Tutele belonged vnto them The King who desired to haue the Princesse Margaret married vnto the Dauphin and knewe well that by the Gantois meanes the Propositions of the Treaty would bee to his aduantage commaunded Des Cordes to make some Ouerture thereof with two or three petty Companions of the Towne of Gand who had purchased some credite in the Seditions and Mutinies of the people These Men sitting their duety to the time and fortune A proposition of a peace and marriage transported with priuate passion a deadly poyson q All passion priuate affection is a poyson in the conduct and managing of affaires Peffimum veri affectus Iuditij venenum sua euique vtilitas Euery mans private interest is a deadly poyson to true iudgement Tacit. in Affaires of importance and distasted with the soft and effeminate commande of Maximilian consent speedily to the Propositions of Des Cordes and promise to make them succeed to the Kings good liking There was little paine in the effecting of this businesse for the Gantois to preuent all difficulties which the Father might propound in the marriage of his Daughter told him plainely that they would haue no more warres with France They insulted ouer him doing and vndoing many thing contrary to his Intentions On the other side Pope Sixtus both by the reason of his Office P. Sixtus mediates a peace as a common Father and by the Law of Religion which doth nothing more Christian r There is nothing more proper for a Christian then to make peace 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 BASIL then to make peace solicited the King and the Archduke thereunto to ioyne their forces against the common enemy of Christendome and had sent the Cardinall of Saint Peter ad Vincula to exhort them The Deputies of either side met at Arras A Treatie of peace and marriage they layd open all the Pretences of the Crowne of France to the House of Bourgondy
sometimes in sachirresolution as not daring to make warre heâ— doth things preiudiciall to peace Phillip de Commines saith His Exercises and pleasures that hee had no thought but of Ladies and more then was fit of Hunting and to entreate his owne person well When hee went a Hunting hee caused many Pauillions to be carried for Ladies and in this sort made great feasts for hee had a body as fit for it as any that euer I saw being yong and as beautifull as any man that liued in his time q Edward was held in his youth to excell all the Princes of his age in beauty and stature but when as hee came into France in the yeare one thousand foure hundred three score and fifteene He was growne grosse Fâ—w men become so but by their owne meanes Entring into the Realme hee saw himselfe surprized with a storme and expelled by him who had assisted him to conquer it Hee retired into Holland with two Hulkes a little Ship and many men without mony seeing himselfe to giue a gowne furred with â—ables to satisfie the Marriner who had transported him At the end of sixe monthes he re-entred into London when as his enemies had held him to be lost In eleuen daies the Earle of Warwicke had wonne the whole Realme for Henry the sixth Edward recouers it in twenty daies with the hazard of two great battles The strongest carried it r They are sometimes bound to fortune and sometimes to pollicy for the happy euents of great enterprises but most coÌ„monly the stronger is the Maister 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Occurrat forti qui mage fortis erat and remained peaceable King yet with some remorse to haue beene bound for the quiet possession of his Realme to the cruelties and inhumanities which he committed against his owne bloud For he put to death King Henry the sixth and Edward Prince of Wales his sonne with the Duke of Clarence his brother The cause of this brothers death is not very certaine The most common opinion is that hee would haue armed to succour the Princesse of Bourgundy contrary to his brothers liking Polydore Virgil saith that enforming himselfe he learned of them that liued in those times that King Edward being aduertised by a Coniurer s All the answeres of Sorcerers are doubtfull and deceiue them that trust in them They spake truely meaning the Duke of Glocester and the King deceiued himselfe vnderstanding it of his brother of Clarence that his name that should succeed him beganne with a G. had a conceit that George Duke of Clarence his brother should take the Crowne from his children Death of the Duke of Clarence the Kings brother and vpon this apprehension hee put him to death in a But of Malmesey Others haue written that hee sought the Alliance of the Princesse of Bourgundy and that the Dutchesse Margaret sister to Edward fauoured his Designes which the King not wishing so great a fortune to his brother hindred That at the same time one of the Dukes seruants hauing beene condemned to dye for poyson the Duke of Clarence was offended and spake in such sort as the King taking his words for threates of some great trouble caused him to die in pryson t George Duke of Clarence brother to the King of England made choice to dye in a But of Malmeâ—cy to die with some content which an 〈◊〉 disolution of the soule is wont to cause as Seneca saith or to make himselfe drunke and to free himselfe from the horrour end feeling of death Drusus meaning to dye of hunger would not cate any thing in nine daies but the flockes of his bed Tacit. l. 6. Annal. An act notwithstanding which did afflict him with such griefe and repentance as remembring the great precipitation of his iudgement procured by his brothers enemies when as any came to sue for a pardon for any one that was condemned to dye u Repentance doth vndoubtedly follow cruell and rash actions Caracalla hauing put his brother Getâ— to death hee did neuer thinke of him or looke vpon his stature but hee wept Hee caused Loetus who had perswaded him to this paracide to be imprisoned and did all kindes of honour vnto his Funerall Funus Gerae accuratius fuisse dicitur quam eius qui à fratre videretur occisus Getas Funerall was performed with more then his that seemed to bee murthered by his brother AELIVS SPARTIANVS he alwaies said My poore brother had not any to sue for him He left two children Margaret who was married to Richard Poole and Edward whom the King made Earle of Warwicke All the crosses which Edward had suffred did not so much afflict him as he receiued contentment at his returne from the warres of France for the peace which he had brought backe and the Treatie of marriage which he had made of his daughter with the Dauphin of France and the pension of fifty thousand Crownes So when he saw the Dauphin married vnto the Lady Margaret of Austria he was so grieued as hee resolued to returne into France to reuenge this iniury Choller and griefe were so violent in his soule as he dyed the tenth of Aprill at Westminster whereas the Parliament was assembled to resolue vpon the warre of France His body was carried to the Castle of Windsor and interred in S. Georges Chappell He had tenne children by Elizabeth his wife and left Edward Prince of Wales and Richard Duke of Yorke liuing All his life hee had beene liberall and dyed coueâ—ous Hee recommended his wife His brother murthers his children children and Realme to Richard Duke of Glocester who to haue the Crowne put Edward who had raigned but two monthes and Richard his Nephewes to death x Edward had a base sonne called Arthur his daughters were married to diuers Princes Brigit the last was a religious woman The daughters were declared Bastards by the Parliament for that a Bishop affirmed that hee had married Edward vnto a Lady of England before that hee was married to the Lady Elizabeth Riuers Hee caused himselfe to bee Crowned King in Iuly following The parricide of his two Nephewes caused so great scandall and horrour in all the orders of the Realme and the mother who had fledde into the Sanctuary at Westminster y This trust and recommendation of such precious Iewels bound the Duke of Glocester to haue a care of them IS DIGERDES King of Persia seeing that ARCADIVS the Emperour his enemy had recommended his some THEODOSIVS vnto him found himselfe bound to preserue his Estates and laying aside all passions of precedent hatred hee proclaimed warre against any one that should molest his pupill hauing fore-seene the rage of this Tiger filled the Citty of London with very pittifull and strange complaints as euery man found this greedy and vnsatiate desire to raigne inhumane and tyrannous hauing forced him brutishly to teare in peecees the Lawes of Nature and to pollute his hands with
his owne bloud z Churches are Sanctuaries but they giue no safety but to Innocents and to them that are wrongfully 〈◊〉 The Temples of the Ancient were a Sanctuary to three sorts of men to Offendours to Slaues and to Debtors God did raise vp the Earle of Richmond Earle of Richmond prisoner to the Duke of Brittany who was prisoner to the Duke of Brittaine all good men desired it to reuenge the innocent bloud and this Tyrant fore-seeing that there was nothing to bee feared but from that part sent Thomas Hutton to the Duke of Brittany to deale with him that hee might not bee set at liberty a Ambition of raigne is not restrained neither by the respect of piety nor the motions of Nature Cupido regni fratre fillia potior The desire of raigne is deerer then brother or daughter Tacit. Annal. lib. 12. seeking the friendship of King Lewis who would not make any answeres vnto his Letters nor heare his Embassadours calling him most inhumane cruell and wicked for the most horrible and execrable murther of his Nephewes The King assisted the Earle of Richmond who being set at liberty by the Duke of Brittany past into England with three thousand Normanes the scumme as Phillip de Commines saith of the whole Prouince and was presently fortified by all them that were offended for the death of their lawfull Prince Earle of Richmond King of England giuing him battell within few daies after his arriuall in the which this Tyrant was slaine and the Earle of Richmond acknowledged for King In all these great reuolutions wee must confesse a Diuine Iustice which doth earely or late reuenge iniquities pursuing them euen in the generations of children who are punished for their fore-fathers offences Henry the fourth caused Richard the second to dye in prison Henry the sixth his Grand-child dyed a prisoner to King Edward the fourth Richard Duke of Glocester murthers Edwards children and Richard is slaine by Henry Earle of Richmond the seuenth of that name Who can deny but there is an Eternall Iustice in all this b When 〈◊〉 ◠wicked man commits any villany hee is presently a prisoner to GODS Iustice and like a fish hee is taken with the baite of pleasure and delight which hee hath taken in doing it which doth punish the wicked by themselues and makes vse of them to scourge others and it deferres publicke punishment for a time the secret doth neuer abandon the crime and is a perpetuall thorne in the offenders soule Francis Phoebus sonne to Gaston Earle of Foix dyed also hauing succeeded to Elenor of Arragon his grand-mother Death of Francis Phoebus King of Nauarre hee being but twelue yeares old and raigned vnder the gouernement of his mother c The Ladie Magdaline of France during her sonnes minority carried this Title Magdaline Daughter and Sister to the Kings of France Princesse of Viana Gouernesse to our most deere and wel-beloued sonne Francis Phoebus by the Grac◠of GOD King of Nauarre The Realme of Nauarre was so diuided as it had neede of a Prince of more greate respect and farre better experience and yet for that hee was neere allied to the Kings of France and Castile the most factious were quiet and tooke the oath of Alleageance when as hee entred with incredible applause into the Towne of Pampelone the tenth of December in the yeare one thousand foure hundred foure score and two Presently after his Coronation Ferdinand King of Castile offered him Ioane his second daughter in marriage The Queene his mother did still protest that her will did wholly depend vpon King Lewis the eleuenth her brother The History of Spaine saith that he had a desire to marry her to D. Ioane a Nun at Coimbra to the end hee might renue the pretensions which shee had to the Realme of Castile as daughter to Henry the fourth and by this meanes hee did alwaies assure himselfe of the County of Rousillon But when as his mother had brought him backe into Bearne hee was poisoned at Pau playing on a Flute Hee dyed with this griefe that his life nor death did not profite any man d As no man should desire to liue to himselfe alone so that death is honourable which is imployed for the publicke Turpe est sibi soli vivere mori Plut. there being nothing that doth more trouble a great spirit then when he liues and dyes not for himselfe Dying hee spake these holy words which the mouth of the Sonne of God pronounced a little before his death My Kingdome is not of this world If hee had liued he was borne to be a great Prince but the world to speake truely is so small a matter as the Phylosopher had reason to mocke at Alexander who had carried the Title of Great e Alexander would be instructed in Geometry to learne the greatnesse of the earth Hee found that the Title of Great which he carried was false cōsidering Quā pusilla terra esset ex qua minimum occupauerat Quis enim esse magnus in pusillo potest How little the earth was wherof hee held the least part who can be great in a small thing Sen. The Lady Catherine his sister succeded him Katherine of Foix Queene of Nauarre and was married to Iohn of Albret Iohn of Foix Vicount of Narbona her Vncle did quarrell with her for the Earledomes of Foix and Bearn saying that these lands lying within the Realme of France whereas women did not succeede Queene Katherine could not pretend any thing and did by force seaze vpon Maseres and Monthaut and besieged Pamiers but could not take it Queene Katherine aduertised King Lewis the eleuenth with this inuasion f France doth furnish many examples against the Vicount of Foix to shew that the daughters being neerest of bloud did exclude the Males that were farther off who sent Commissioners into the Country to forbid the Vicount of Narbona to proceed by way of fact vpon paine of loosing his right This controuersy was of such importance as he himselfe would be iudge thereof Controuersy for the lands of Foix Bern and Bigorre and after him Charles the eighth was Arbitrator In the end they must passe by the censure of the Court Parliament of Paris Iohn of Foix Vicount of Narbona and after his decease the Kings Atturney Generall as Tutor and Gardien to Gaston of Foix his sonne said against Katherine of Foix that daughters being vncapable of dignites by reason of their sexe might not succeed in the Realme g King Charles the eighth sought to make an agreement betwixt the parties and therefore committed it to the Cardinall of Foix and Monsieur D'Alby but seeing they could not agree hee sent them to the Court Parliament All which proceedings in writing were imparted vnto me by Maister Galland one of the most famous Aduocates of the Parliament Dutchies or Counties but onely the Males and that they might not
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
confirmed by Pope Alexander the sixth in the yeare one thousand fiue hundred and one and shee caused the Monastery of Saint Laurence of Bourges to be built The habite of her Religious women is a blew or skie couloured Gowne a white Kercher and a red Scapulaire with a Cord of tenne Knots signifying the ten Vertues or Consolations which the Virgin Mary had in her life l The ten Knots of this Cord had relation first to the purenesse secondly to the wisedom thirdly to the humility fourthly to the faith fiftly to the vertue sixthly to the praise seuenthly to the obedience eighthly to the pouerty ninthly to the patience and tenthly to the pitty of the Virgine Mary She dyed at Bourges the fourth of February one thousand foure hundred and foure Her body was burnt and the ashes cast into the wind in the first troubles when as the Earle of Montgomery tooke the Towne of Bourges Charles his sonne succeeded him at the age of thirteene yeares The Histories of those times speake much of the greatnesse of his courage and the weakenesse of his braine They all agree that hee neither had any great vnderstanding nor much wit Two great defects in two little words the which are much dilated in the actions of his life whereas wee see that hee attempts lightly and giues eare to many things which are alwaies preiudiciall to them that hearken to them m A Prince should stop his eares to reports and should flye them Clandestinas existimationes nullisque magis quam audientibus insidiantes susurros Melius omnibus quam singulis creditur Singuli enim decipere decepi possunt nemo omnes neminem omnes fefellerunt Secret suggestions and whisperings which circumuent none more then them that giue eare vnto them It is more safe to trust all in generall then any one in particular A man in particular may deceiue and bee deceiued no man hath deceiued all men neither haue all men deceiued any one man C. PLIN. PAHEG If the felicity of an estate dependeth of obedience if to obey well depends of commanding well if to command well depends of a Princes wisedome what good coÌ„mandement can be expected from a Prince who neither hath a sound iudgment nor hath gotten any thing to make it better What hope is there that hee shall euer be able to command others and himselfe well After that Philip de Commines hath shewed that hee was touched with the like feuer of the braine to Charles the seuenth his Grand-father and to Lewis the eleuenth his Father who both feared their Children and that for this cause hee soone past ouer his griefe for the death of the Dauphin his sonne He addes that this Prince was alwaye little DispositioÌ„ of Charles the eighth both of body and vnderstanding but hee was so good as there was neuer a better creature seene Claudius of Seissill saith That hee was a good Prince Noble and of a greater courage then of body couetous of honour and glory desiring all good and honest things as much as his age could beare and that hee failed in the flower of his youth when as hee began to vnderstand his owne affaires Peter Desrey a Champenois who hath written his Chronicle saith That hauing past the weaknesse of his first Age youth gaue great hopes of more force and vigor of his Spirit and that hee did exercise himselfe in the knowledge of many things which make Princes learned in the difficult knowledge of all n The knowledge how to reigne and commaund is the highest and most difficult of all others Bookes may helpe much for that they furnish examples whereof the shortnesse of life cannot see the hopes But a good vnderstanding doth all The knowledge which comes froÌ„ books may serue for an ornameÌ„t but not for a foundation The Phylosophy of Princes is constancy faith and sincerity other scyences are but as Paintings as Plato saith After the death of his father saith this Chronicler and that hee had taken vpon him the Royall dignity he began very willingly to reade bookes written in the French tongue and had a desire to vnderstand the Latine and to do like a good Prince hee imployed his youth willingly to serue God deuoutly and to heare the councell of wise men desiring to learne how to gouerne well Notwithstanding that the carelesnesse of Lewis the eleuenth to haue him Royally instructed and bred vp hath ministred occasion to the most famous Historian of those times and which hath beene since to write that which cannot bee spoken but of a Prince ill bred and worse brought vp yet let it not displease him for this Charles whom hee giues vs for an Ignorant Man is the same whom hee compares vnto Iulius Caesar for that his comming and his victory in Italy was but one thing o Carlo condotto ad allogiare al Castel Capoano gia habitatione antica de re Francesi hauendo con marauiglioso corso d'inaudita felicita sopra l'essempio di Iulio Caesare prima vinto â—he veduto con tanta facilita che non fusse necessaria in questa espeditione ne spregare maivn padiglione ne rompere mai pur vna lancia Charles being conducted to lodge in the Castle of Capua an ancient habitation of the Kings of France hauing with an admirable course of vnheard of felicity beyond the example of Iulius Caesar vanquished before hee had seene and that with so great facility as in the expedition he had no need either to pitch a Tent or to breake a Launce For it is true that hee strooke more amazement into Italy at the brute of his comming then the Gaules had done by their descent in former times Hee put all the Potentates in alarme Pisa at liberty Florence in feare and Sienna in iealousie and hauing the effects of his desire greater then those of his hopes hee entred armed into Rome with his Launce vpon his Thigh hee planted his Cannon on the Market-place and made himselfe to bee acknowledged and admired of all men for the Deputy of the liuing God for the reformation of the disorders of Italy and without striking stroake or pitching any Tent hee entred a Conquerour into Naples and in his returne hee marched as it were vpon the belly of Italy being all banded against him to hinder his retreate And although that France hath not reaped the glory and fruit which shee promised vnto her selfe by this voyage it sufficeth that the cause was iust and glorious for wee must iudge of things not by the euents and executions but by the causes and motions of their wils that haue done them p He that considereth of things by the euents doth iudge of the whole Image by the heele In all occasions we must settle our iudgements not vpon the issue execution but vpon the causes intentions of them which doe them and the differences of things Polyb. lib. 2. This course might haue carried me vnawares to
disobedience was the trouble of the Praguery which hath bene formerly related when as he suffred himselfe to be surprized and stole away from the Earle of March his Gouernour whom Chroniclers haue called a Prince of the Bloud and erroniously haue taken the husband for the wife For it is true that Iames of Bourbon h The Lady Elenor of Bourbon daughter to Ieames of Bourbon Earle of March was married to the Earle of Perdriac sonne to the Earle of Armagnac Earle of March King of Naples and sonne to Iohn of Bourbon first Earle of Vendosme hauing but one daughter of his first marriage gaue her to Bernard of Armagnac Earle of Perdriac who by this marriage carried the name of Earle of March and Gouernour to Lewis the 11. i They write that Lewis chased away the Earle of March for that hee had aduertised King Charles that the Duke of Alençon was come to Niâ—rt to subborne him For this reason it was late before he gaue him the gouernment of the Country of Dauphine neither would hee that the displacing of Officers should depend vpon his capricious humours this wise father hauing found that his actions were so wandring inconstant and contrary to themselues as it was a difficult thing sometimes to beleeue that they proceeded from one spirit for there is nothing equall k Mens mindes change not according to the motions of reason but according to occasions Nemo non quotidie consilium mutat There is not any man but changeth his minde daily if it comes not from the same resolution wherefore in the Letters Pattents which were granted at Charleiu the 28. of Iuly 1440. the King reserued not any other thing but that he should not displace those Officers which were setled in their charges and that the Chancellour of France should keep the seale of Dauphine For the taking of possession of this Prouince he sent Iohn Signior of Gamaches a Knight and Gabriel of Bernet Signior of Targey a Squite Steward of the Kings house to Grenoble whom he termed his Embassadours they presented the Kings letters and the Dauphins to the Councell of Dauphine in the presence of Iuuenal of Vrsins a Knight Lord of Treynell Leiutenant of that Prouince in the absence of the Lord of Gaucourt who was Gouernour and of the chiefe Noblemen of the Prouince Stephen Guillon President in that Councell made an Oration vpon this subiect but after such manner as it discouered the rudenesse and simplicity of the matter for who so should discourse now after that manner they would wonder why the feete should do the eares so much wrong as to suffer attention l A Babler demanding of Aristotle if his discourse were not strange no answered he but yet a man hauing feet should not giue himselfe so long patience to beare thee They found men in those times who knew how to speake but few were able to discourse eloquently It is easy to iudge of the beauty of the building by the frontespice Behold the first periode of this Oration Seeing it is the pleasure of my Lords the Embassadours to our most redoubted Lord and Prince my Lord the Dauphin Lewis that I should say some-thing vnto you concerning the matter of their Embassage to obey them as I ought I will speake it as well as I can with the help of our Lord of his Mother and also with the good supportation and correction of them and you my Masters and the better to relate it I take for my Theame Fillius ditus est nobis dominator Dominus in manu eius potestas Imperium I say the third and the ninth chapter m In those times publicke actions were performed like Sermons and alwaies they tooke some passage of Scripture for the ground of their discourse The whole Discourse is of the like straine and extends it selfe vpon the Dauphins praises being drowned as it were in the allegations of diuers passages of Diuinity and Law I thinke in those daies they had more regard to deeds then words Simplicity of the eloquence in the old time and that they had more care to do then to speake that their discourses were without pompe or vanity and did not fauour of that bold babling which will make men beleeue that he which is beaten should make reparation and that the vanquished is victor n Thucydides and Pericles had charge of the gouernment of the Common-weale of Athens yet could neuer agree Archidamus King of Lacedemonia termed their contention a wrastling and asking Thucydides who was the stronger he answered When I haue throwne Pericles downe be makes them that see it beleeue that he is not vanquished but that hee stands still But in this action there is neither choice of termes nor choice of reason and for that he would not haue it wholy without inuention he stands vpon the letters of Lewis his name and saith that that in this word Ludouicus there are nine letters the first represents the Liberallity of this Prince the second that he was Vertable the third that he should Domineere and be feared the fourth that he was Orthodoxall the fift Vigilant the sixt a Iustiâ—er the seuenth Charitable the eight Vertuous and the ninth that he was filled with Wisedome Hauing ended the Dauphins Panegericke he fell vpon that of â—his Embassadours and said that the Signior of Gamasche who was called Iohn was a fore-runner to IESVS CHRIST and the other the Angell which did fore-tell his Incarnation to the Virgin MARY for that his name was GABRIEL Such kind of writings are like vnto Medals which men esteeme more for their stamps and for the testimony they giue of the doubts of Antiquitie then for their proper beauty neither doe wee see any but giue some light in the obscurest difficulties and serue in the managing of great affaires We see in the beginning of his discourse o The Dauphin is not acknowledged Prince of Dauphiné vntill the King hath giuen him the power how this President labours to satisfie them who held that Dauphiné should acknowledge the Dauphin from the day of his birth for he maintained That the eldest sonne of France could not bee acknowledged for Prince and Lord of Dauphiné vntill it should please the King to giue him the prouisions and command The History sets downe how he retired into Dauphiné and from thence into Flanders A wonderfull hearts griefe vnto the King Griefe of K. Charles the 7. which did accompany him vnto his graue In either of his vioages he was alwaies accompanied by necessity His seruants purses being emptied in the voiage of Dauphiné they borrowed a hundred Crownes of them of Romans The Bill which hee made is carefully kept among the publicke writings of that Towne It is true that Lewis the eleuenth was such towards Charles the seuenth his father as hee desired not that Charles the eighth his sonne should be like vnto him and doubting that the disposition of his nature
the Kings Authority to restraine him from this liberty Hee made of men as an Auditor doth of Counters placing some for hundreds others for thousands some for ten and some for vnits He allowed many petty Companions in his Cabinet who could not remember the condition of their fore-fathers without blushing or disavowing them s Honor meeting with an vnworthy subiect hath lesse luster and esteeme When as the people of Athens saw that Yperbolâ—◠〈◊〉 decayed man and who had nothing to loose was intreatreated equally with good men they dissolued the 〈◊〉 an honorable punishment for those whose vertue was suspected In like manner they tooke it ill at Roma when as Flauius being freed by Appius was made Edilis Curulis But for all that he did not leaue to haue about him and to imploy in great charges Noble-men issued from houses which were then illustrious both by their owne vertues and by those of their fore-fathers Of this number was Iohn of Daillon Lord of Lude The Lord of Lude and Imbert of Baterney Lord of Bouchages They came in fauour with this Prince by diuers meanes and maintained it in like maner The Lord of Lude had been bred vp with this Prince and the affection which begins so soone doth not wither easily Philip de Commines addes this reason that he knew well how to please the King Fortune fauoured the merits of Imbert of Baterney Imbert of Baterney Lewis Dauphin of France retiring himselfe into Dauphiné and going from Moras to Romans hee staied in a valley vnder the Castle of Baterney to take the coole aire and demanding some refreshing in the heate of the season and the tediousnesse of the way the Lord of Baterney sent some things vnto him and came himselfe to doe his duty hee brought with him Imbert of Baterney being then but a youg man who carried a Hauke with the which hee kild some Partridges t The pleasure of hunting which had beene the raâ—ing of his fortune was in a manner the cause of his ruine Claude of Seyell saith that going to 〈◊〉 to see the Dauphin hauing had him to field to see his Haukes flye the king was much incâ—sed thinking that he had a designe to make him see the woâ—ld and to know it The Dauphin tooke pleasure in it and commanded him to come vnto him to Romans for that hee had a desire to see that Hauke flye againe He went and did so please this Prince as he demanded him of his father and from that time he neuer abandoned him vntill his death He made him great in riches and honor as he was in merit and vertue Charles of Artois Charles of Artoix Earle of Eu hauing remained three and twenty yeares prisoner in England returned into France and was much beloued of king Lewis the eleuenth for that he held nothing of the sower arrogant humors of his predecessors he continued in the Kings seruice at such time as the Noble-men left him to follow the Princes Armie He reconciled the King and the Duke of Brittanie and soone after died in Iuly in the yeare 1471. without any children Iohn of Bourgondy Earle of Neuers his Nephew was his heire u The accord betwixt the king and the Duke of Brittany was made at Saumur in the yeare 1469. and the difficulties were decided by the deâ—terity of the Earles of Eu and Dunois Iohn of Orleans Bastard of Orleans Earle of Longueville base sonne to Lewis Duke of Orleans was the greatest and most fortunate Captaine of his time he alone of all the Noblemen of the league of the Common-weale pursued the fruits which France expected of such an enterprise He was chiefe and President of the Commissioners appointed for the reformation of the disorders of the Realme and died before he could see the effects of that which hee had so earnestly pursued in the yeare 1470. Andrew of Laual Andrew of Laual Lord of Loheac Lewis 11. tooke from him the dignity of Marshall of France wherewith Charles 7 had honoured him and rewarded his seruice Hee restored it vnto him againe when as necessity made him know that none was more capable then he For his sake he gaue vnto his brother the Lord of Chastillon the Office of great Maister of the Waters and Forrests Alaine of Albret purchased the surname of Great by the same greatnesse of courage which gaue the sword of France to Charles of Albret his grand-father Alaine of Albret x Charles of Albret was not onely entreated but in a manner forced by the King to receiue the sword of Costable The king pâ—t it into his hand the Dukes of Orleans Burgondy Berry Bourbo girt him with it a little before hee had caried Charles the seuenth vnto the font He left the league of the Common-weale as soone as he was entred into it and remained more constant in the assurance of his word then the Duke of Nemours his great corage found nothing impossible He was often wont to say that he which had force in hand needed no other thing He married Francis Vicountesse of Limoges and was father to Iohn of Albret King of Nauarre Iohn of Bueil Iohn of Bueil Earle of Sancerre presently after the coronation of Lewis the eleuenth was dismist from his Office of Admirally y The Earle of Sancerre was Admirall of France by the death of Pregent of Coitiuy Son-in-Law to Giles of Raix Marshall of France for no other reason but for that he had serued Charles the seuenth He returned to Court and fauour but yet he stood alwayes vpon his guard against that Lyon which strooke with his paw when they least thought of him Iohn of Andie Iohn of Andie Bastard of Armagnac Lord of Lescun and Earle of Cominges was Admiral of France after the dismission of the Earle of Sancerre and then Marshall of France he chased the Brittains from Baieux and was Gouernour of Dauphine Ioachim of Rouvault Ioachim of Rouvault z Hee had done great sâ—ruices vnder King Charles the seuenth and had beene present at the battell of Fromigny and at the siege of Bourdeaux The King gaue him the place of Marshall of France and Monstrelet saith that Charles the seuenth made him constable of Bourdeaux and that hee tooke his oath in the hands of the Chancellors of France Lord of Gamasches serued him worthily and couragiously in the warre of the Common-weale and was the cause of the preseruation of Paris He alwayes coasted the Duke of Bourgondy his Army to keepe it from scattering to the hurt of the Kings subiects and that it should not make profit by the surprise of any places in passing Then he cast himselfe into Paris and by his presence fortified the courages which an accident rather feared then foreseene had much deiected The King gaue him the gouernment with a troope of two hundred maisters and made him Marshall of France Tanneguy of Chastel Tanneguy
of Chastel a He was one of the Commissioners whom the King appointed for the accusation and Imprisonment of the Cardinall of Balue one of the Architects of the league found in the end that there was no better lodging then at the kings armes His fortune was ruined in Brittany and raised in France Hee did negotiate the enter-view of the King and Duke of Bourgondy at Peronne he was imployed in the Truce of nine yeares 1475. and was aduanced to the gouernment of Rousillon The Lord of Nantoillet had for a time the authority ouer all the Armies of France Lord of Nantoillet he wanted nothing but the name of Constable for he did exercise the Functions the King hauing made him his Lieutenant Generall throughout his whole Realme and afterwards Lord Steward of France He was so fauoured as the King gaue him often the moity of his bed This fauour lasted not long The Chronicle of the Kings library saith That the King could not pardon any one of whom he had suspition Death of the Lord of Nantoillet He caused his head to be cut off in the yeare 1468. and that the Hangman hauing cut off but a peece at the first blow hee lest him force and courage enough to stand vp and to protest before heauen and the people that hee died an Innocent After that Philip de Commines had said that he had serued the king well in Paris in the warre of the Common-weale he addes In the end he was ill rewarded more by the pursuite of his enemies then by the Kings fault but neither the one nor the other can well excuse themselues Anthony of Chabannes Anthony of Chabannes Earle of Dammartin brother to Iames of Chabannes Lord Steward of France saw the ship of his fortune cast vpon the shelfe in the beginning of this Princes Reigne His good fotune drew him out of the Bastille to go to the warre of the Common-weale in the end whereof hee was made Lord Steward of France hee had the chiefe charge of the Kings Army in Guyenne and was then much fauoured by this Prince with whom hee was so inward as when hee meant to marry his second Daughter to the Duke of Orleans hee discouered his secret affections vnto him by a letter which hee did write vnto him vpon that subiect wher of the Chronicle in written hand of King Lewis the twelfth makes mention hee sent him word that whatsoeuer they said hee was resolued to giue his daughter to the yong Duke of Orleans but no man should bee troubled to nourish the Children that should bee borne of that marriage Peter of Termouille Peter of Tremouille Lord of Croan saw not his life to end with the fauours and honors hee had had of this Prince His Predecessors Guy of Tremouille and Iohn of Tremouille Lord of Ionuelle were made great in following the Duke of Bourgondies party The eldest of this house married Ioane Countesse of Boulleyn and Comminges Widow to Iohn of France Duke of Berry b K. Charles 〈…〉 yeare 1430. King Charles 7 supported George of Tremouille Lord of Craon in the quarrell which he had with the Earle of Richmont for the Lands of Thouars and Benon Peter of Tremouille defeated the troopes of the Prince of Orange before Gy in the Franch-County but hauing beene repulst from the siege of Dole hee was disgraced by Lewis the eleuenth who loued the seruices better then the seruants Hee was saith Philip de Commines a very fat man who being reasonably well content and rich retired himselfe to his house Charles of Ambois did long feele the disgrace of Peter of Chaumont his father Charles of Ambois who retired himselfe in the begining of the reigne of Lewis with the Duke of Berry c The House of 〈…〉 by the Kings Commandement in the 〈◊〉 1465. He was afterwards imployed in great affaires and continued vnto the end His brother was Bishop of Alby and then Cardinall and the greatest fauourite of Lewis the twelfth who called him M r. George Philip de Commines calleth Charles of Ambois a most Valiant Wife and Diligent Man Peter of Rohan Peter of Rohan Lord of Gy did gouerne his fortune happily amidst the waues and stormes of this Princes reigne who made him Marshall of France He was one of the foure which vndertooke the gouernment of affaires during the Kings infirmity and disability d 〈…〉 the Bishop of 〈◊〉 the Lord of Châ—umont the Marshall of Gye and the Lord of Lude gouerned the Estate for 10 or 12 dayes Hee continued this great Authority vnder the reigne of Charles the eighth for the respect whereof the Lady Anne of France Regent to the King and Wife to Peter of Bourbon offended that the Duke of Orleans attempted vpon her Authority would haue taken him prisoner by the Marshall of Gye The Duke of Orleans retired himselfe and hee that was chosen to stay him was the Instrument of his returne and made his peace with the Regent Iohn of Chalons Prince of Orange Iohn of Chalons left the Duke of Bourgondy to serue Lewis the eleuenth then hee left Lewis to serue Mary daugther to the Duke of Bourgondy This first discontentment against his first maister grew for that disputing the succession of Iohn of Chalons Prince of Orange his Grand-father e Iohn of Chalons sonne to Lewis Margaret of Vienne was married to Mary of Baussac heire of the principalitie of Orange by whom hee had Lewis surnamed the Good Lewis first maried Ioane of Montbelâ—art by whom hee had William and then hee maâ—â—ied Elenor of Armagnaâ— by whom hee had Lewis and Hugh Williaâ— was married to Katherine of 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Iohn of Chalons was borne of whom wee now make mention against Lewis and Hughe his vncles the Duke of Bourgondy being President in his Councell when as the cause was pleaded made a Decree against him This despight drew him to the Kings seruice who promised to restore him to his lands and to giue him the gouernment of Bourgondy but when as he saw that he had but the name and that the Lord of Tremouille had the command of all the forces he returned to the seruice of the Princesse of Bourgondy and caused the whole Countrey to reuolt from the King He troubled him much and let him see that a great Prince hath no small enemies that a Hornet is able to put a Bull into fury Iohn of Esteteuille Iohn of Eâ—â—teuille Lord of Torcy gouerned his fortune amidst so many rockes and shelues vnto a safe port The King made him maister of the Cross-bowes and committed vnto him the guard of the Cardinal of Balue in the Castell of Montbason It was he that came and aduertised the King of the danger in suffering such numbers of English to enter into Amiens during the Treaty of Piquigny Philip of Creuecoeur Philip of Creuecoeur Lord of Esquerdes or Cordes Marshall of France He had great
of the wise negotiation of the Lord of Imbercourt to draw in the Duke One of the greatest signes of Iudgement that a Prince can shew is to draw vnto him vertuous and honest men For he shall be held in the opinion of the world to be of the disposition and humour of such as are neerest about him God hath not ordained the Office of a King or Prince to be executed by beasts nor by them who through vaine glory say I am no Clarke I refer all to my Councell I trust in them and so giuing no other reason go to their sports If they had beene well bred in their youth they would haue other reasons and bee desirous that both their persons and vertues should be esteemed God cannot send a greater plague vnto a Country then a Prince of weake vnderstanding for from thence proceed all other miseries First growes diuision and warre for he alwaies puts his authority into an other mans hand the which hee should be more carefull to keepe then any other thing and from this diuision proceeds famine and pestilence and all other mischiefes which depend of warre Princes hate them mortally that seeke to keepe them in feare Wise Princes do alwaies in their Designes seeke some honest and apparant coulour Example in Lewis the eleuenth who caused the Estates to assemble at Tours and there made his complaints against the Duke of Bourgundy to haue a Subiect to breake the peace Of those bad Princes and others hauing authority in this world which vse it cruelly and tyrannously not any or few haue remained vnpunished but it is not alwaies at a prefixed day nor at such time as they that suffer desire it It is no blemish to Princes to be suspitious and to haue an eye ouer those that go and come But it is a great shame to be deceiued and to loose by his owne errour yet suspitions should haue a meane for to exceed is not good A weake and couetous Prince endureth any thing Example in the Emperour Fredericke whom the Authour cals a man of a faint courage and who endured all for feare of spending There is no reason a Prince should thrust himselfe into danger for a small matter Lib. 1. chap. 1. if God hath not abandoned him Example in the Duke of Bourgundy who vndertooke a war against the Suisses for a very light occasion and without hope of profite considering the nature of the people and country Princes giue not honours and riches at their pleasures that demand them In the 〈◊〉 Princes feare not to thrust a seruant into danger if neede require Lib. 3. The Duke of Bourgundy had commanded Phillip de Commines to go to Calice which he durst not do without some assurance The Duke commanded him to passe on although he should be taken promising to redeeme him A Prince gouerned by other counsell then his owne doth in the end returne to that which is most necessary for him Lib. 3. chap. 10. Example in the Duke of Brittany A Prince should alwaies feare to put any thing in hazard Lib. 6. chap. 2. There is not any man Lib. 6. chap. 12. of what dignity soeuer but doth suffer either in secret or in publicke and especially they that cause others to suffer The condition of two Princes which haue beene enemies is therin miserable that they cannot by any meanes assure themselues one of an other Example in Lewis the eleuenth and Charles Duke of Bourgundy When they were together at Leige there were not fifteene daies past that they had made and sworne a Peace and yet saith the Authour there was no trust The old age of a Prince makes him patiently to endure many things Lib. 1. chap. 2. Example of the Duke of Bourgundy who dissembled that which the Earle of Charolois his sonne did against the house of Croüy Realmes GOD hath had Lib. 4. chap. 7. and hath still the Realme of France in speciall recommendation The diuisions of Realmes are made in heauen Lib. 1. chap. 3. Example of the houses of Lancaster and Yorke and of the crownes of Castile and Portugall Lib. 5. chap. 18. God hath giuen to the Realme of France the English for Opposites Lib. 3. chap. 18. and to the English Scots to Spaine Portugall to Castile Grenado to the Princes of Italy the Common-weales to the house of Arragon the house of Anjou to the Sforca's that of Orleans to that of Austria that of Bauaria and the Swisses to that of Cleues that of Guelders to that of Guelders that of Iuliers The Princes and Townes of Germany are opposite one to another and it is necessary it should be so throughout the world Salique Law VVIth wise and great deliberation Lib. 6. chap. 3. and the Assistance of Gods Grace that Law and Ordonance was made in France that the daughters should not inherite the said Realme least it should fall into the hands of a forraigne Prince for hardly should the French euer haue endured it neither do other Nations And in the end there is no great command whereas the Country doth not remaine to them which are of the Country the which you may see by France whereas the English haue had a great command within these forty yeares and at this day they haue nothing left but Callice and two little Castles which cost them much to keepe The rest they lost with much more ease then they conquered it and they lost more in one day then they got in a yeare The like wee may say by the Realme of Naples the Iland of Sicile and other Prouinces which the French haue enioyed many yeares and at this day there is no signe nor memory of them but by the Sepulchres of their Predecessours And although they should endure a Prince of a Forraine Nation with a small traine well ordered and himselfe wise yet shall they hardly do it with a great number of men For if he brings with him a great Traine or he sends for them vpon any occasion of warre they fall out with the Subiects as well for the diuersity of their humours and conditions as for their violence and for that they are not beloued in the Countrey as they that are borne there and especially when they seeke Offices Dignities and the Managing of great affaires in the Country A Prince that will shew himselfe wise when he goes into a Forraine Country must reconcile all his Townes and if he bee endowed with this vertue which onely comes from the grace of God it is to be esteemed before any other thing And if hee liue the age of a man hee shall haue great troubles and affaires and all they that shall liue vnder him especially when hee shall come to age and his men and seruants shall haue no hope of amendement Enterueiw of Princes IT is almost impossible that two great Lords shall euer agree Lib. 1. chap. 14. for the reports and suspitions which they haue howerly
he haue force and authoritie where he liues ouer others if he bee learned and hath seene or read it will either amend him or impaire him For the bad impaire with much knowledge and the good amend Yet it is credible that knowledge doth rather amend him then impaire him were there nothing but the shame to know his owne euill it were sufficient toâ—keepe him from doing ill at the least not to wrong any man whereof I haue seene many experiences among great personages whom knowledge hath drawne from many bad desseignes and also the feare of Gods punishment whereof they haue greater knowledge then ignorant men who haue neither seen nor read History IT is a great aduantage for Princes to haue read Histories in their youth Lib. 2. Chap. 6. where they may plainely read of such assemblies and of the great fraudes deceipts and periuries which some of the ancients haue vsed one against another hauing taken and slaine them that haue relyed vpon such assurances It is not said that all haue vsed it but the example of one is sufficient to make many wise and to giue them a will to stand vpon their gard And in my opinion one of the greatest means to make a man wise is to haue read ancient Histories and to learne to gouerne himselfe wisely thereby and by the example of our predecessors For our life is so short as it sufficâ—th not to haue experience of so many thinges Besides we are decayed in age and the life of man is not so long as it was wont to be nor their bodies so strong All the Bookes that are written were to no vse if it were not to reduce things past to memory where we see more in one booke in three monthes then twenty men liuing successiuely one after another can see by the eye or learne by experience Although that enemies nor Princes be not alwaies alike notwithstanding that the subiect be yet is it good to be informed of thinges past Nourishment ALl men that haue beene great Lib. 1. Chap. 9. and done great matters haue begun very yong And it coÌ„sists in the education or coms from the grace of God This is spoken by the Author vppon the good education of Lewis the eleuenth without the which it had beene impossible for him to haue surmounted those great difficulties which he had in the beginning of his raigne and to blame that of the noblemen of his time who were not bred vp but to shew their folly in their speach and apparrell They haue no knowledge of any learning and there is not a wise man among them They haue Gouernors to whom they talk of their affaires and not to themselues and they dispose thereof and there are such Lords which haue not sixescore and ten pounds starling yearely rent which take a glory in saying speake vnto my officers thinking by these wordes to seeme great men In like manner I haue often seen such seruants make their profit of their maisters giuing them to vnderstand that they were beasts And if happily any one returnes and desires to know his owne it is so late as it serues him to small purpose A Princes subiects haue cause to greeue when they see his Children ill bred vp and in the hands of bad conditioned men Nature A Naturall wit perfectly good excells al other sciences that may bee learned in the world Example of Lewis the eleuenth who without any knowledge of learning had the reputation and the effects of the wisest Prince of his age Hope ALL well considered our only hope must be in God In the end of the first Book for in him lies all our assurance and all bounty which cannot be found in any worldly thing But euery man knowes it too late and after that he hath need yet it is better late then neuer Age. THe fathers old Age makes him to indure the Insolencies of his sonne patiently Lib. 1. Chap. 2. Example of Philip Duke of Bourgondy who dissembled the bad vsage of his sonne the Earle of Charolois to them of thâ— house of Croy. Foresight VVIsemen discerne so farre off as their life is not sufficient to see halfe of those things which they haue foreseene Lib. 3. Chap. â— Carelesnes and vigilancy MAd and distracted Princes are not to bee blamed if they gouerne their affairs ill Lib. 6. Cha. 4. but they that haue their iudgments sound and are well disposed of their persons if they spend their whole time in idlenes and folly they are not to be pittied if they fal into misfortunes But they which diuide their times according to their age somtimes seriously and in Councell and somtimes in feasts and pleasure are much to be commended and the subiects are happy to haue such a maister An Alphabeticall Table of the principall matters contained in the first seuen Bookes of this History A ACcord betwixt the King of Castile Portugal fol. 220. Affaires of a Prince are then effected with most safety and aduantage when he hath won that person who is most in credit and authority with the other with whom he Treates 166. Affection of Maisters to bad seruants is the cause of much disorder 14. Alphonso King of Portugall comes to demand succours in France 215. But is refused by the French King 218. Alphonso proclaimed King of Castile 217. His death Ibid. Amazment breeds strange effects 80. Ambition hath no other law then the fancy of the Ambitious 77. Amurath puts Scanderbegs brethren to death 120. growes fearefull of Scanderbegs valour Ibid. Army of the Earle of Charolois 79. Articlâ—s of a peace betweene France and England 165. Attempt against the Duke of Bourgundies life discouered by the King 206. B Balue the Cardinall imprisoned in a cage of his owne inuention 132. Basile besieged by Lewis the Dauphin 22. Battell of Firmigny 30. Battell at Montlehery 81. Battell at Wakefield 56. Battell of Varna 121. Battell of Morat 213. Battell of Nancy 224. Beauuais besieged 164. Birth of Charles the eight 146. Boldnesse after danger past 86. Bothwell in great fauour with the King of Scotland 232. C Cadet rescueth the Earle of Charolois 83. Challenge sent to the Duke of Bourgundy 3 Charles the seuenth disinherited by his father Charles the sixt 1. Hee armes against his sonne Lewis the Dauphin 12. He takes the Castle of S. Maxiant 13. His reprehension of the Duke of Bourbon 14. His fragility 26. His Death 27 Charles Duke of Orleans led prisoner into England 3. He dieth for sorrow 69. Charles of Nauarre poysoned by his Mother in Law 61. Charles Duke of Berry retires into Brittany 70. His solicitatioÌ„ of the Duke of Bourgundy to assist him for reformation of disorders in France Ibid. Campobasse his treason against the Duke of Bourgundy 223. Charles Earle of Charolois afterwards Duke of Bourgundy his negligence in trayning his Army 82. Is in danger to be slaine or taken 83. His repast among dead bodies 84. Runs into vnseene danger 94.
of Naples by the Pope and instituted Heire by Iohn the second who had succeeded Ladislas her brother This Princesse so famous in the history for her vnchastnesse was first married to the duke of Guelders and afterwards to Iames of Bourbon Earle of March whom she expelled both from her bed and Realme and this poore Prince made choice of the Conuent of Franciscane Friers Ioane Queene of Naples died at Cossence at Besançon for his last retreat where hee caused him selfe to bee carried vpon a Siue in despight of the greatnesse and vanities of the world Shee dyed at Cossence without Issue in the yeare one thousand foure hundred thirty and foure and remaining sole of the house of Duras shee left her heire by Testament René Duke of Bar brother to Lewis Alphonso King of Arragon who had beene adopted by Ioane and afterwards dishinherited by her Alphonso of Arragon adopted sonne to Ioane of Naples besieged Gaetta René beeing freed from prison m René after the Battell of Blâ—niuille in the yeare 1431. against the Earle of Vaudemont and the Marshal of Bourgundy was deâ—â—yned prisoner whereas the Duke of Bourgundy had held him armed to go to Naples whither hee had sent Isabell and his children Hee was receiued at Naples like a victorious Prince The Pope sent him the Inuestiture of the Realme vpon condition that hee should pay him a Tribute This was an occasion of great and extraordinary ioy at Naples being followed with so great honours as there was reason to hold them for signes of the peoples inconstancy n The peoples great ioy the honours which tâ—ey doe vnto their new Princes are aâ—vaies followed with some act of their inconstancy Thus excesse of honor is a bad signe of their loue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plut. in Demet. Hee went through the Streetes on Horse-backe in a Royall Habite a Crowne vpon his head and a Scepter in his hand he made seuen and twenty Knights choosing them from among the chiefest and most valiant of the Noblemen and of his most faithfull serseruants Hee raigned foure yeares with some happinesse Seige of Naples but hee had Alphonso of Arragon alwaies opposite vnto him who besieged Naples with foure thousand horse and a great number of foote He entred by an old Conduite of water which a Mason had discouerd vnto him being the same by the which Bellisarius that great Captaine had entred it nine hundred and fifty yeares before and had expelled the Gothes This Citty in one night became wholly of the Arragon faction René left it and returned into France with much griefe for his losse but with more resolution to liue in peace detesting warre and ambition which entertained it Alphonso dyed Ferdinando base sonne to Alphonso being much troubled in minde to haue broke his word with Lewis of Aniou o Alphonso had promised by expresse capitulations not to trouble Lewis his cozen in the Realme of Naples But a Crowne is too sweete a morsell not to breake with a friend and to seeme too full of conscience Hee perswaded Queene Ioane to adopt him and shee for assurance of this Adoption deliuered into his hands the two Castles of Naples Ferdinando his sonne was crowned by Pope Pius the second Iohn Duke of Calabria sonne to René sought to recouer the Realme which his father had lost The Geneuoâ—s did furnish him with three Shippes of burthen and tenne Gallies and lent him three score thousand Crownes He went out of the Port of Marsellis with twelue Gallies and a promise from King Charles the seuenth of greater succour at neede With this Fleete hee arriued at Gaette for the greatest of the Realme came posting to kisse his hand Battell of Sarmy wonne by Iohn Duke of Calabria and to declare themselues for him Hee wonne the Battell of Sarmy and Saint Fabian and was wonderfully well serued by Count Iames Picenin so named for his small stature who in a little body had an inuincible courage and the forces of a Giant p Wee must not so much regard the greatâ—esse and stature of the body as the force and vigor of the minde Homer saith that Tideus father to Dyomedes was little but warlike and valiant He was Generall of his Army and held for one the of most valiant Captaines of his time The power of the Arragonois had beene quite ruined if the q 〈◊〉 the secod decleres himself for Ferdinand King of Naples gaue him the Crowne vpon condition that he should restore vnto the Church the lands of Benâ—vent and Teâ—acina held by Aâ—phonso of Arragon his father At the councell which hee called at Mantoua in the yeare 1459. hee exhorted Christian Princes to succour Ferdinand against Iohn Duke of Calabria Pope who fearing least the prosperity of the French affaires would preiudice the liberty of Italy had not made a league with the other Princes to succour the Arragonois beeing besieged in Barry a Towne ill fortified and worse furnished against the necessities of a Siege But all their league had preuailed little if it had not beene fortified by Scanderbeg that other Mars of Albania whom Ferdinand called to his succours and whom Pope Pius the 2 d coniured to assist him Hee came in regard of the strict amity hee had had with Alphonso and was exhorted to this voyage by Paul Angé Archbishop of Duras Scanderbeg ioyned at Duras with twelue Italian Gallies and from thence came to Ragusa r Ragusa in old time was called Epidaurum vpoÌ„ the Adriaticke sea It hath a Castle which in those times was held impregnable the gouernment is Aristocraticall attending his Troopes and preparing victuals to send into Apulia Hee forced Iohn Battell of Vrsare wonne by Scanderbeg Duke of Calabria to raise the siege of Barry and wonne the battell of Vrsare The Duke escaped the danger by the switnesse of his horse he recouered Troy where he was receiued and drawne ouer the wall with a cord from thence he caused himselfe to bee conducted to Genoua where hee found a Gally which carried him into France despairing euer to doe any more good at Naples nor in Sicile from whence he carried nothing but the bare name of Duke of Calabria He was followed by some Captaines who for that they had run the same fortune durst not remaine vnder the command of the Arragonois s Count Picenin hauing escaped this danger remained for a time hidden in Italy Francis Sforce Duke of Millan hauing drawne him vnto him by a false promise to make him his sonne in law deliuered him to K. Ferdinand who put him to death so as René grewe old in the complaints of this vsurpation fauoured by the Popes All his hopes were dead for the recouery of his fore-fathers Inheritance t The inuestiture of the Realme of Naples hauing beene once granted by the Popes to the house of Aniou could not bee giuen away against their liking to