forerunners of new troubles for that the Alliance made between Subjects of so great birth and spirit might if they lifted keep the Kingdom still in disorder had not several interests interposed in breaking this Alliance one whereof was the Dutchess of Longuevil's arrival at Paris who as being a handsome young Lady could not without envy tolerate this honour in Madamoselle Chevereux who was not so old as she who when she should be her Brothers wife as Princess of the blood was to be her Superior and because she could not brook coming beneath her being infinitely beloved by her Brother the Prince of County she indeavoured to divert him as much as she could from the Marriage to this was added the opinion of the Prince of Conde that his Brothers life might be shortned by this Marriage he being in the opinion of Phisicians but of a weak complexion but much more that he might not be bound to renounce for ever the great possessions which belong'd unto him by Church-livings and that he might also give too great countenance to the faction of the Frondeurs nor was the Court wanting in having an influence upon this whose Agents and particularly Count Serviente and Monsieur de Lyons had a great hand in the Government thereof who being still thought to be good friends and faithful servants to the Prince did according to what suited best with his interests infuse into him what they knew was good for the King's service The Queen likewise had a part therein who being desired by the Prince so to do wisht the Dutchess of Chevereux to proceed no further in this Alliance without the Courts consent in short the treaty vanisht the very Princes failing in their Devoirs whereat the house of Chevereux was highly scandalized in so much as the Dutchess who was very sensible of injuries and of a manlike spirit resolved by the Coadjutor's means who was her great friend to be revenged Whilst this treaty was breaking off the Duke of Rochfaucolt to bring it on again agreed with Madame de Rhodes an intimate friend to the Dutchess to her Daughter and to the Coadjutor that it behoved the Prince of Conde to have his Brothers Marriage take effect and that it behoved the Frondeurs to make Conde Governour of Guienne County Governour of Provence and Lieutenant General of Guienne and that this should be done at one and the same time on both sides But the Frondeurs not being in a condition to make good what they offer'd unto the Prince he thought himself also not bound to observe what he had promised concerning the Marriage The Coadjutor who was become an Enemy to the Dutchess of Longueville and to Rochfaucolt told the Prince that the Dutchess and her friends were not troubled at his proceedings in this affair but that the Dutchess of Longueville did for her particular concernments go about to break this match yea without the Prince his knowledg and that therefore he acquainted him therewith that he might be aware thereof the Prince finding out the design was very angry and told the Coadjutor in plain terms that he was sure to expect little from him and from the Dutchess of Chevereux when the match should be concluded since he sought to put division in his Family and to put discord between him and his sister allied unto him no less in love than in blood and then he communicated the whole business to the Dutchess and to the Duke of Rochfaucolt The Prince by this visit found that his Brother was really in love with Chevereux and that he had desired President Viola to draw up the Articles that so all obstacles might be removed and the business not retarded That Monsieur de Leghe a friend to Chevereux had discoursed long and frequently with County so as these things being added to the Advertisement of President Mortaro who was a friend and servant of Conde's who told him that the Marriage was to be concluded secretly without expecting dispensation and without his participation which made him resolve to take his Brother off from the thought thereof awakening in him some jealousie which he had formerly conceived adding that he thought he might do well to renounce that contract wherein his Sister Longueville did also labour so as they joyntly agreed how to silence it for ever and afterwards they agreed with Count Serviente and with Monsieur de Lyon that the Queen should forbid Chevereux and County to proceed any further in these espousals which was the cause of all the distasts and disagreements which insued afterwards and which did facilitate the Cardinals return to Court Thus Conde losing the Dutchess of Chevereux lost also the Coadjutor who became his bitter Enemy as well for this as for that he found he either could not or would not help him to be Cardinal The Duke of Bullion and Marishal Turenne flew also from him for his coolness in maintaining their interests in the business of Sedam he likewise lost Grandpree for not restoring him to his Government of Moson in the acquisition whereof he had so great a share and which was yet held by the Spaniards he likewise lost the Marquess Savebeuf by reason of some certain pretentions which he had and by his changeable nature he lost the first President of Parliament Mole for having prefer'd President Viola to be Secretary of State before Champetreux who was his eldest Son and with him he also lost many Counsellors of Parliament he likewise lost the Princess Palatine for not using his Authority in making Marquess Vieville superintendent of the Finances as also in consideration of her own interest and that she having assisted Conde so much she had not as yet got any good thereby she knew that to quench her thirst she must go to the Fountain's head and that persons of her condition could receive favours only from the King wherefore upon conference with the Dutchess of Longueville they both agreed that if they could get the Prince to give way that the Cardinal might return to Court they might have what they would of the King they communicated this their thought to him who suspended his resolution therein neither granting nor denying it Which they interpreting to the best sense the Princess Palatine motioned it to the Queen who listned attentively thereunto and said she would procure excellent conditions for Conde if he would do his duty But he having divers respects one contrary to another was a while doubtful what answer he should make but being told by his friends that he could not handsomely treat thereof without the Duke of Orlean's consent who had dealt so cordially for him and remembring with what applause he was received in Paris when after his imprisonment he came thither not so much in respect of himself as for being held to be a bitter Enemy to the Cardinal he resolved upon the denial wherefore the Princess Palatine having discover'd her thought unto him under the Seal of secrecy and he
began to invent plausible pretences under which they masked their true and secret ends and won upon the peoples affections who are incapable of any reason save what sutes with their own likings These Male-contents were most of them the chiefest Lords of the Court and some of their Adherents in Parliament For the better knowledge of whom and to inform those who are not fully acquainted with the Affairs of France we will tell of what the body of this great Assembly doth consist which hath afforded so much Matter to this present History The Parliament of Paris is the first of all other Parliaments of the Kingdom and consists of Dukes and Peers who are born Councellors I say Peers because those that are not Peers are not admitted thereinto though they be Dukes for their admission their Peerage must be proved Of six Presidents which are called del Mortaro by reason of a Cap of Velvet with a Gold Gallown-lace which they carry in their hand in shape like a Mortaro the which they put upon their heads upon any Solemn day or great day of Ceremony Of Masters of the Requests who are also born Councellors and whereof onely four sit at a time in Parliament Of Church and Lay-councellors which are divided into many Chambers or Classes as into the Great Chamber the five Chambers delle Iuchieste or of Enquiries the Chamber della Tornella which takes Cognizance onely of Criminal Affairs the Chamber dell ' Editto which dispatches the Controversies or Law-Suits onely of Hugonots There are moreover three other Chambers but not Soveraign or Supream though they be of the body of the Parliament to wit the Chamber of Requests for the King's House and two other Chambers of Requests for the Palace Councellors of Honour have also place in Parliament who usually are great and deserving men and for the most part chief of the King's Council to whom his Majesty gives Letters Patents to be Councellors of Honour and who are afterwards receiv'd in presence of all the Chambers assembled together and are next to the Dukes and Peers After these come Counsellours at Law who having served twenty years in that Employment keep their place though they have sold it and all these Dukes Presidents and Councellours may amount to about the number of two hundred There is then another Supream Body which is called the great Council this enters not into Parliament but walks hand in hand with it It hath sometimes been ambulatory as it was in these last Conjunctures wherein it followed the King but usually it keeps in Paris and meets in the Cortile of St. Iermains Auxerrois It consists but of one onely Chamber the Presidents whereof ought to be Masters of the Requests The Jurisdiction of this Council consists in distributing matters of favour gli Indultarii and judging the Contests between the Praesidiali or Magistrates which are subject to the Parliament The Chamber of Accounts is also a Body apart from Parliament and the incumbency thereof is to review the Accounts of all the Financiers All the Treasurers of France are under it and there are of these Chambers in divers Provinces The Court of Aides is another supream Jurisdiction whose Power extends to Gabels Taxes Impositions and Excises They have under them the Magistrates which are called Eletti And of these Courts there are divers in many parts of France The King's Exchequer being much exhausted by so long War the Council was forc'd to think upon ready and feasible Expedients to raise Moneys which gave occasion to the Male-contents to mask their indiscreet Zeal and to make use of this publick necessity so to undertake with more boldness pernitious novelties Divers means were proposed to raise Moneys but all means requiring time and being in some sort grievous to the people and therefore not certain whether the Councils resolutions would be approved in Parliament or no Monsieur Emery Superintendant of the Finances proposed the taking away of the Paoletta or Annual Right upon designe either to make the Parliament more submiss and more obedient to the will of the Court and consequently less averse to pass the Edicts of the Council-Royal or else to renew the Annual Right in some other form which might be more advantagious and more proper to raise ready Moneys This as it had a fair appearance and came from one who was reputed to be of a high Spirit and of a great reach pleased many Lords of the Council but the Cardinal would not have this fallen upon in haste but wisht it might be more maturely examined So by reason of some other Emergency which arose it was laid aside Antiently and before the Reign of Francis the First who was he that brought in the selling of Offices Places were by the King conferr'd onely upon well-deserving men and such as were capable of them In the time of Henry the Fourth one named Paoletto propounded a means of raising two millions of crowns yearly by permitting all Counsellours and Officers as well of Justice as of the Finances to convey over their Offices after their death to their Heirs or to sell them to others reserving a certain annual sum to be duely paid This was embraced and agreed unto that upon payment of a certain annual sum according to the worth of the Place the Office or Place was to descend to the Heir or the Possessor if he pleased might sell it whilst he lived to any one that was capable of it And that if any one should die without having paid this Annual Right his Heirs should not enjoy the benefit of the Place but that it should be left to the King's disposal This Contract was to last for nine years onely which time being expired the Priviledge was to be continued or abolished as the King should please Thus from this time forward taking the name from the inventor of it this Annual Right was called la Paoletta Emery's Intention was that the nine years of the Paoletta being expired the King should totally abolish it and that if any of the Officers should desire to dispose of their Offices after these nine years he should make a new Agreement advancing some considerable sum By which means he thought to raise good store of Money whereby the expence of War might be supplied without grieving the people This might have taken effect had it not met with some opposition in the Parliament of Paris by some troublesome Spirits who had other particular ends It was therefore thought fit to exempt it from the said abolition which condescention through weakness was the cause from whence arose licentious Resolutions which confounded all good Government But the Counsellours having adherences friends and alliances with many other Lords and Officers of the Kingdom suspected lest this being introduced into the parts farther off might by little and little creep into their Employments wherefore they began those Novelties which shall be the subject of the ensuing Narrative Yet neither were the alteration of the
Chastegniere which kept always constant to the King For which the Bishop of Poictiers one of the said Family was besieged by the Citizens in his own House for 24 hours the Abbot of Rochesposey who was his Nephew together with the Dutchess of Roan was deteined in Tours and the Marquiss who was head of the Family and Lieutenant-General of the Province was not safe in his own houses The Court was much troubled hereat seeing that it was now between those two Great Rich and Popular Cities not knowing what the end of so bold a beginning might prove But Roan chiefly exprest her ill will for the rest of the Kingdom was as then quiet knowing that the happiness of Princes doth not consist in lesning the King's Authority The other Parliaments therefore answered that of Paris That they liked not the Engagement which was not the way to bring Peace to France but to put her in a Civil War out of the capriciousness of a few envious and unquiet Spirits whence nothing but Confusion and Ruine could be expected The scarcity of Victuals and Moneys which grew daily greater was added to the troubles of the King's Council who saw that many Princes and Lords declared for Paris and Roan Nor was the Cardinal less troubled for jealousie of Orleans who seemed weary of the War Nor was he a little cruciated by Condé's unquiet disposition whose constancy in this enterprize he apprehended who was of a more fiery and lively spirit than the other but the Cardinal watched him carefully knowing how apt the French were to change opinion He was informed that Condé treated with the Frondeurs and he was troubled at his being two days out of St. Germain◠especially it being said that he was turned over to his Brother's party which though it were false yet it smelt of suspicio◠The Cardinal did therefore double his diligence in observing the Prince his actions and thinking that he had suffered some Victuals to be carried into Paris which he might have hindred the Cardinal sent a Confident of his with a small party of Horse to discover if he did so which Condé being aware of took very ill On the 16 th of Ianuary Lagne was taken a Walled Town standing upon the Marne seven Leagues from Paris by Monsieur Persan Camp-Master and the High-Dutch who were quartered at Charenton were removed thither Some Polacks got also into Meuden where there was a fair Castle not far off belonging to the Duke of Guise whose Inhabitants held for Paris Whereat the Parisians were much vexed though it was no considerable Pass to see the King's Forces come so neer Paris They therefore offered to recover it but in vain for the Souldiery in Paris were neither enough in number nor sufficiently Disciplin'd The Coadjutor raised a Regiment at his own expence which was called Corinthian he being Arch-Bishop of Corinth and being more desirous of Glory and Greatness than the rest he desired to carry on his designe by appearing popular and a friend to the Publick His chief end was to make the Court affraid of him which through too much goodness sought to win upon these unquiet and turbulent spirits of which number the Coadjutor was thought to be one who having Eloquence joyn'd to his Learning upon the celebrating of St. Paul's day which is done on the 25 th of Ianuary resolved to preach in St. Paul's Church upon the present occurrences rather to win Credit with the common people than to perswade them to Peace The Family of the Gondi one of the noblest Families of Italy came from Florence into France with Queen Catherine of Medici the chief whereof rose to a great fortune under her Government who was Wife to Henry the 2 d and Mother to three Kings This Coadjutor was Brother to the Duke of Rets Peer of France Nephew to the Arch-Bishop of Paris by the Father's side a personage of generous Thoughts and of lively Spirits full of Worth and of a wonderful Wit but ambitious of Glory and of more Greatness The Arch-Bishops of this City are by right Counsellors of Parliament but not the Coadjutors but this man for his Habilities and Wisdom was made Counsellor of Honour by which Title he had admittance into Parliament where winning favour by his profest enmity to the Cardinal he had a great stroke in the management of publick affairs His first endeavours were to grow great with the Dutchess of Longueville and with the Prince of Conty excluding Prince Marsilliack who was the chiefest in their favour which made Marsilliack so jealous as he resolved to be no longer his friend which occasioned afterwards many inconveniencies For the Coadjutor finding his designes vain in this joyned more straightly with the Frondeurs and with Duke Beaufort who made himself their head as also head of the Parisians as well for his Condition as for the hatred he also shewed to the Cardinal The Parliament was this mean while so diligent as nothing issued out but Decrees Ordinances and Remonstrances whereby they thought to maintain the War And though it had been often known that Princes disliked nothing so much as to have their actions found fault with yet the Parliament thinking that albeit the Regent was not to be removed from her resolutions by verbal Remonstrances yet they might justifie their pretensions by publishing the ground-work of their Reasons they made a Writing and sent it to Guinegande the State-Secretary wherein speaking freely against the Cardinal they blamed him for having drunk in ambitious Maximes and that as soon as he had got the Government of the affairs of the Kingdom abusing so high a favour he made himself master of the Kings person under a new title of Superintendent of his Education disposing absolutely of all places Dignities and Towns Governments Arms and Finances he onely receiving the thanks ordering punishments and making not onely the fortunes of private men but of the Publick depend wholly upon him that his administration of Government proved a strange piece of policy clean contrary to the customs of France a continuance of War the peoples misery a ruine of the Finances and which was more the corruption of the whole Kingdom That he made War his fixed Star hated Peace to the end that he might make his Councels more considerable and have the better pretence to raise Moneys and enrich himself That he had endeavoured by all means to divide the people and the Parliament and so to make the people take up Arms against the Parliament to the end that the Parliament being broken he might be the absolute Master of the Kingdom With these and the like demonstrations they concluded that they had not taken up Arms nor made any of these Decrees save onely to defend themselves against that State-Minister and for the publick preservation in which case it was necessary to proclaim the Cardinal an Enemy to the King and Kingdom That the preservation of Kingly Authority and of the King was the sole reason
Victuals which were to be brought from afar off the Convoy whereof being encountered neer Quesnoy by 1000 Foot and 2000 Horse commanded by Colonel Bruch they after a lusty Skirmish pass'd happily on the Spaniards being somewhat indamaged and pursued even to the Ditch of Quisnoy losing 80 men and the French losing not above ten and Monsieur de Sassey who was taken Prisoner The Cardinal returned to Compeigne before the Army went into that Island and found the Prince of Condé come thither who prest that the King might return to Paris wherein he was seconded by the Duke of Orleans The Court removed from Compeigne to Paris with such general applause and satisfaction as it might be rather said to be a glorious Triumph than an usual arrival Then the Articles of Marriage were treated of between Mancini and Duke Mercoeur wherein the reversion of the Admiralty was promised him after his Father the Duke of Vendosme's death but when all this was upon concluding the Prince of Condé's jealousies mar'd all The Match between the Duke of Candale Eldest Son to the Duke of Espernon and the Cardinal 's other Niece the Countess Martinozzi was also treated of and agreed by all parties interested but not effected for reasons which you shall hereafter hear The more the Kings Authority did increase in Paris the more did that of the Frondeurs decrease who notwithstanding ceased not to be Enemies to the Cardinal and all men observed Beaufort's proceedings who for his Reputation and to maintain himself Head of the people would appear to be faithful to his party by going to visit their Majesties at the Court without visiting the Cardinal glorying to be the onely man in the Kingdom who made head against him But though he was admitted by the King the Queen to shew that she could not tolerate the little esteem that was put upon her in the prime Minister of State seemed not well pleased with his Visits whereat he in a distasteful manner flung out of the Room saying aloud in a scornful manner That he would return thither no more since he was so badly received And though the Cardinal applied himself to moderate the unquiet Spirit of this Prince who by the peoples adherence might cause new Convulsions to which purpose he made great proffers to his Parents the Duke and Dutchess of Vendosme yet all proved vain for as it was said the Prince of Condé did underhand endeavour to keep them at odds that the Court being weakned by a contrary Faction he might thereby the more increase his Authority and govern in the Council as he lifted And Beaufort by this means got an opinion amongst the people of being undaunted But whilst by often frequenting the House of Monbason as he pass'd to and fro from the Court during his abode in L'Hostelle de Vendosme he exposed himself to the will of the Kings Guards being told of what hazard he ran he changed his Lodging and lodged in the Street of Prâ—velles neer St. Eustace and nearer to la Hostelle de Monbasan whereby he shewed his distrust of the Court the more Now because since the Decree of the 2 d of March the Parliament was not called for publick affairs whereat the Court was well pleased the Frondeurs being back'd by the Malecontents promised to make both that and all the supreme Chambers meet at the usual Audience of St. Martins and though it was agreed upon by Articles that the Chambers should not meet without express leave from the King yet they said these were unsufferable errours and complained much that the Cardinal had replaced Monsieur d'Emery in his former place of Superintendant of the Finances but they were not aware that this was done meerly by Conde's means who having won much favour at Court after the War of Paris saw it necessary to have the Superintendant of the Finances his Friend so as contrary to the opinion of all men and contrary to the Cardinal's pleasure he would have him restored to his Place declaring That none was so fit for it as Emery which made Condé's action the more suspected and more vigilantly observed But Emery continued not long in the place for being seized on by Sickness he died soon after and the Mareshal Milleray succeeded him and though Condé was he who was to be blamed for the replacing of Emery yet he turn'd the fault so cunningly upon the Cardinal as all men attributed it to the Prime State-Officer which made the Court and Court-Officers to be hated by the people who hoped that being fomented by him they might facilitate what they had agreed upon But whilst things went thus at Court the Emergencies which arose in other Provinces were no less remarkable which will occasion us to look a little backwards Amongst several ways found out to raise Moneys the Court had resolved to introduce Semistry which is an addition of as many Officers as were before to the end that they might not exercise their places as before for the whole year but by turns from six months to six months whereby not onely much Moneys might be raised by the sale of Places but the exorbitant authority of Counsellours was thereby moderated Orders being issued forth for the putting the Semistry in practise in Provence as it was in Normandy the Count â— Alets Governour of Provence undertook the work and without acquainting the Court what Novelties it might occasion caused the Kings Commands to be published and gave order for the sale of the new Places wherein some of his Domesticks interessing themselves negotiating their own advantage with the Purchasers considerable Commotions arose whereof one was That one called Lughet that he might make way for others was one of the first that bought one of the said Semistry which did so anger the Counsellours as he was not onely looked upon as a new Companion or Fellow-brother but as an Enemy to his Country and e're long was unhumanely treated for as he was one night at Supper with his Friends certain people came in Masked and slew him whereat the Governour was so scandalized as he caused several that were thought complices to be imprisoned that the Malefactor might be found out which not being done for those that were guilty were escaped he banished those from the City whom he suspected most and particularly those who had most opposed the new Edict in the Parliament who withdrew to their Country-houses many of them going to Carpentras a City in the County of Avignon who though they were asunder held such Corrâ—spondency with their Friends who remained in Aix the Metropolis of Provence and with other Friends in the Country insomuch as a considerable number being assembled together the Count grew jealous who being unprovided of Souldiers and wanting part of his Regiment who were imbarked in the â—leet which went to Naples thought himself not able to withstand the contrary Party if they should attempt any thing So as he treated of Accommodation which was concluded by suspending
Queen and Cardinal and also to the Prince who being then at Court and upon the first knowledge of it was returning home had he not been stayed by her Majesty and the Cardinal who represented to him that those persons could have no other designe in meeting there but against him and therefore desired him that he would by no means hazard his person The Prince was at last perswaded by them and went to lodge for that night at his Stewards house but to be satisfied touching the matter sent home his Coach accompanied with some of his Servants and retinue When they came neer Pont Neus two Horsemen came up with the Coach but not finding him there went to that of the Count Duras which followed and discharged several shot into it one of which killed a Lackey that was in it This made the Prince who had designed the destruction of the Frondeurs Faction that the Heads thereof might not be made use of by the Court to frame a party in opposition to him readily lay hold on this occasion for the doing of it by taking this Assassinate to have been intended against him The Cardinal who looked on this conjuncture as favourable to the designe he had of making an immortal hatred between the Prince and the Frondeurs laid hold on the occasion which he managed very dextrously by making the Prince sensible that all this was a Plot of the Duke of Beaufort and the Coadjutor to take away his life because by his agreement with the Court he had given a stop to their designes mean while there having been great talk touching the matter attempted by Bollaye the Duke of Beaufort brought him unto the Marshal Grammont's House where the Prince supped to justifie himself from having had any ill intentions against his person The Prince answered he knew not whom to suspect but could not see Bollaye since he had endeavoured to make a rising among the people whereby he had incurr'd his Majesties displeasure Beaufort answered that he was well assured Bollaye had not the least ill thought towards his Highness for which he would be a pledge for him and if he should appear in the least guilty would be the first man to punish him The Prince thanked him and the Marshal having desired him to stay Supper he dismiss'd Bollaye and sate down with them The Signior de Bovillon la Mark Captain of the Guard of Switzers and Bollaye's Father-in-law besought the Queen to pardon the action by him done the Saturday before but her Majesty told him it was a matter of high consequence and that therefore she must not stop the course of Justice The Duke of Orleans returned to Paris the same day having been sent for by the Queen to consult touching some fit means to quiet the disturbances begun and to assist the Parliament in punishing such as upon examination should appear guilty As soon as the Duke came to Court there was a private Council held and the next morning a Letter was sent to the Parliament giving them orders to make enquiry and proceed against those who had endeavoured to raise Storms in Paris and to assassinate Iolly concluding with words full of confidence of their zeal and affection unto his Majesties service and the publick Peace and quiet of the Kingdom Next day the Parliament met and thither came the Duke of Orleans accompanied with the Prince the Dukes of Vendosme Elboeuse Mercoeur Bovillon and several others where his Majesties Letter being presented by Monsieur Saintes was ordered to be read and registered The Duke of Orleans thereupon made a handsom discourse touching the present juncture of affairs but the Prince was silent though 't was reported he intended to enter his complaint in Parliament The City-Colonels and Captains were all summoned to the Town-house and commanded not to take Arms or chain the Streets without express order from the City-Council upon a report which was spread that the discontented party intended a second rising The Parliament ordered the restraint of Bollay of the Advocate Germain of the Provost de L'Argent and of Anean a Wine-Merchant and then the Prince made his own complaint and demanded Justice for the assassinate designed against him Her Majesty the same day sent for several of the principal Citizens and assured them that the King her Son was very much satisfied with the proof he had now of their Loyalty and Affection towards his service notwithstanding the great endeavours used by some factious spirits to raise Commotions And it was really a great satisfaction to the Court who thought that Paris would upon the least provocation have risen against them to finde that on the contrary the Parisians were very Loyal and affectionate unto his Majesty and that if the contrary had at any time appeared 't was brought about by the false practices of some few seditious persons who were Enemies to the publick Peace The Parliament adjourned then for six days that those who were to make enquiries might have time to do it during which Monsieur de Iolly upon what occasion it was not known presented a Petition to the Great Chamber setting forth that the Assassinate attempted against him being a private action was no matter of State nor had any connexion with their crime who endeavoured to raise Sedition in Paris and therefore prayed that his Cause might not be judged in Parliament but left to be determined in the ordinary Court appointed for the tryal of those Cases and that he might have leave to proceed there against those who were guilty and their Complices adding that he had now gotten some light touching the matter and hoped in case he were left at liberty to proceed freely therein to make a full discovery thereof Upon this Petition it was ordered that he should give in his Charge in Parliament and that the Great Chamber should have the hearing of it Upon the 20 th of December all the Chambers being met there appeared the Duke of Orleans attended by the Princes of Condé and Conty the Dukes of Beaufort Retz Bresac and Luynes the Coadjutor and other Councellors of Honour above 20 in number This Meeting and two others which were held upon the 22 th and 24 th of the same Moneth were spent in contests touching the persons who were to be Judges exceptions being taken against all those who were parties either as persons against whom the Assassinate was intended or as favourers of the designe of doing it amongst which the Duke of Beaufort and the Coadjutor were pointed at so as after several disputes touching that matter the Assembly broke up without agreeing any thing and was adjourned till the Wednesday after the Holy-days But the Prince was so positively resolved to pursue the resolution he had taken to destroy the Faction of the Frondeurs that 't was an easie matter for the Court to gain him with the shew of being troubled at the attempt against him and render him a mortal Enemy unto the Duke of Beaufort
being a discreet person he had apprehended This news being divulged gave particular occasion for all the Court to take notice of the Princes confidence and intention to assume all matters to himself because thereby he not onely undertook to dispose of the Marriage of the greatest Subjects of the Kingdom with so much inequality in respect of their conditions but also for the jealousie they had of some designe of his upon Havre de Grace either for himself or his Brother the Duke of Langueville or at least that Richlieu being Governour by his Wife would be won over to his party together with this Fort which by reason of its scituation being just upon the mouth of the River of Seīne where it disgorges it self into the Ocean is a place of huge importance These discourses and Apprehensions made the Dutchess of Aiguillon's complaints for the injury done to the Family of Richlieu to be much listned unto and resented This great Lady was Niece unto the famous Cardinal of that name and being of a great spirit and endowed with a most exquisite Beauty and all other perfections both of Minde and Body thought it a great affront that any other should underhand strike up a Marriage for her Nephew she having provided for him so advantageous a party as was the Princess of Chevereux And the Duke's Mother being also sensible thereof highly resented this proceeding of Condé and the Dutchess of Longueville and being intimately acquainted with the Coadjutor knew so well how to make use of this conjuncture that upon several meetings with the principal of the Frondeurs they agreed with her to joyn with the Cardinal and stand for him in case he would break with the Prince and then it was that the Cardinal considering the great prejudice his Majesties Authority would suffer by giving way to the pretences of a Prince who was so ambitious and greedy of Power and Command resolved to give a stop to his designes and at the same time to steer such a course as might hinder all other endeavours of that kinde for the future by the depressing of those Factions that are dangerous unto the Government especially when it is engaged in a War against another powerful Prince or State to effect which he thought the best way was to unite the Frondeurs to the Court and oppose them unto the Prince as a curb to his proceedings This affair was for many days very secretly managed eight persons onely being privy to it That is on the Frondeurs part the Dutchess of Chevereux the Coadjutor the Marquiss of Noirsmonstere and the Signior de Lighe On the Court-party the King the Queen the Cardinal and Monsieur de Lyon who was the onely person whom they thought fit to trust with a matter of that importance to the Crown The Coadjutor in a Souldiers habit together with Noirsmonstere for many Evenings together came to the Countess of Lud's house from whence Monsieur de Lyon brought them in a Coach to the Palace Royal where in a private appartment the Cardinal met and conferr'd with them The Cardinal was well inclined to grant them whatsoever the Frondeurs desired for reconciling of them to the Court but would not consent to have the Prince imprisoned foreseeing that if this were done the Frondeurs would grow strangely high and think to have the sole management of all affairs he measured matters with a right Compass and found 't was necessary to soment the difference between the Factions so as neither of them growing too powerful the Court might reap that benefit which a third person hath whilst two are struggling till his Majesty coming to age and finding them both weakned might at his pleasure overcome and destroy them both The Queen was also of the same opinion saying that in case that were done the Frondeurs would be more dangerous and have higher pretentions than the Prince Those who observed these Noble persons going in the night unto the Countesses House thought it was about some Love-business the Countess having a Daughter that was incomparably Beautiful and this was in particular Beaufort's opinion who had no knowledge of this Treaty it being not thought fit to communicate the same to him for fear he should reveal it to the Dutchess of Monbason and in truth he knew nothing of the matter until about two hours before the execution of it at which time he was acquainted therewith that he might keep the common People of the City quiet The Dutchess d'Aiguillon in this mean time commenced her Suit in Parliament for the avoiding of this Marriage as being an apparent Rape and pressed to have it declared such And as for Havre de Grace she besought the Queen to take some fitting course about it who accordingly dispatched Monsieur Bar who had been Captain of the Cardinal Richlieu his Guards with Letters from his Majesty but the Prince of Condé having given notice thereof unto the Duke of Richlieu he was denied entrance thereinto to the great trouble of the Court who thereupon resolved to proceed very cautiously and with great reservation in all their business as on the other side the Prince took occasion thereby to shew his confidence and scorn of all that party which did oppose him The Duke of Longueville having had no hand in this Marriage was very angry at his Wife as also with her Brother the Prince of Condé and complained publickly that his Wife should without his knowledge engage her self in such a business so prejudicial to his Reputation and so injurious to others and that without acquainting him therewith she had made use of his House for the Marriage and of his Guards as a Convoy for the married couple to Havre de Grace He went also to excuse himself unto the Cardinal assuring him that he knew nothing of it The Cardinal accepted of his excuse it being reasonable so to do and drolling with him said My Lord Duke this Marriage was like that of Arlechin the Player who having the Bride in his house and a Feast ready knew not that he was to be married The Cardinal knew well this matter would make a strangeness between him and Condé and resolved therefore not to imprison him but to engage him in the Court-party and what was after done to the contrary was for reasons which shall hereafter be related The conjuncture of Affairs at this time seemed favourable to the Court and to afford them an opportunity to free themselves from the oppression of the Prince of Condé who treated all men with contempt and taking to himself the whole Authority threatned all persons that seemed any way to oppose him They were perswaded to imprison him by many important considerations the Examples of his Grandfather and Great Grandfather both Princes of Condé who were imprisoned during the Regencies of Queens who were Forrainers the general hatred the Prince by his insolent carriage had contracted the just pretext of the great danger to the Government by the excessive greatness
Subject and the gratitude he owed unto the King by whose Father he had been so highly advanced and trusted as to the single persons of the Princess and Duke d' Auguien he would be ready to receive them into Blaye in case they were resolved to continue there quietly without endeavouring to make any alteration in the Government The Dukes de Bovillon and Rochefaucault saw themselves then totally deserted the Marshal de Breze who was a Kinsman to Condé being late before dead and the Duke de la Forie irresolute and not willing to proceed further but being unwilling to quit the Kingdom without doing something that was considerable they besought the Princess to let them have the Duke d' Anguien as well to make use of his presence in Bourdeaux for the encouragement of the Inhabitants as also that he might not be exposed to danger being the onely person of the house of Condé who was at liberty The Dutchess of Chastillon Widow to the before mentioned Duke who was killed at the taking of Charenton and Monsieur Lenet assured Gourville that they would obtain this from the Princess very suddenly and the Duke de Rochefaucault who had no strong place in his Government of Poicâ—on nor any Troops of Souldiers under his command was notwithstanding the first that took up Arms in favour of the Imprisoned Princes The Commander in Sauâ—ur whereof the Government had been assigned to Monsieur de Cominges delayed the rendering of it and sent unto the Duke of Rochefaucault offering him to be of his party in case he would bring Forces thither to defend it This place was of great importance for the Interest of the Princes but Rochefaucault could not then bring any Forces together but such as depended upon his own particular credit and that of his Friends He therefore made use of the occasion being to Inter his Father to draw together some of the Nobility and others of his Country to the number of about 2000 Horse and between 600 and 700 Foot with which he marched towards Saumur which was then invested by the Kings Troops and although he came before the expiration of that time until which Monsieur Dumont the Governour had promised to defend it yet he found the Articles agreed upon so as he was forced to return home where notwithstanding he could not long continue because the Marshal de Milleray Governour of Britany marched against him with all his Forces and he not having any strong place unto which he might retire went into Turenne after he had posted 400 men in Montrond and there joyned with the Duke de Bovillon who having great store of acquaintance in Bourdeaux sent Monsieur d' Anglade his Secretary thither who was a person though young yet very able and full of Spirit who knew so well how to demean himself as in a short time he raised a very great and powerful Faction in the Parliament against the Court. The Duke of Bovillon used also another Artifice to â—ull the Duke of Espernon asleep which was to assure him that he would interpose nothing against his Government to which purpose he frequently sent Monsieur de Champagae to give him the assurance of it and in the mean time Monsieur de Savagnac was sent to bring away the Princess and the Duke de Auguien who had resolved privately to leave Montrond Bovillon and Rochefaucault with 300 Gentlemen raised in the Marquisate of Sillery marched into Auâ—ergne to meet the Princess and conducted her into the Vicounty of Turenne where they made a halt for eight days took Brivola and broke the Prince Toâ—â—so of Savoy his Troop of Gen d' Armes whom they encountered neer that Country This delay which was necessary for disposing those of Bourdeaux to receive them afforded the Cavalier dela Valette who was watchful and had taken care to inform himself of what their designes tended unto and who had at last got notice of what they intended to march out against them with 600 Horse and 1200 Foot with which he posted himself at Font de Terrason to hinder their passage but the Dukes passed above it making a semblance that they would with the assistance of Monsieur de La Forâ—e seize upon Bergerac the fear whereof made La Valette quit his post to oppose them where he found the Duke of Espernon In this mean time Bovillon with his party passed to Liment Rochefort and Linde Castles belonging to him and conducting the Princess along the River Dordoyne as he passed by Limeul sent out a Squadron that fell upon and took Valette's Baggage But the Duke d'Espernon coming up pursued the Dukes who with some difficulty saved themselves with all their Forces in Courtras there making a halt they sent the Princess before them and endeavouring to cast a Bridge over the River Iald for passing off their Troops they were opposed by the Kings Forces commanded by La Valette who suspected they had a designe to surprize Libourn by means of some intelligence within the Town The Princess continuing her Journey came without any other stop to Bourdeaux where the Inhabitants at her first coming shut the Gates refusing to admit her but this refusal caused so great a heat and dispute between the Nobility and the Common people that for preventing a Commotion they resolved to admit her and the Duke of Anguien her Son with their Domestick Servants into the Town refusing entrance unto Bovillon and Rochefaucault who declared to those of Bourdeaux that they intended not to engage in any thing against his Majesty having no other intention but to secure the person of the young Prince against the unjust violence of Mazarine and that they had a confidence in them and hoped they would not quit the protection of a Prince who was imprisoned for no other cause but for the kindness and respect he had shewed unto their City which he had endeavoured to right against the injuries offered unto them by the Fury and Injustice of the Duke of Espernon The same night that the Princes remonstrated these things unto the Citizens and People they crossed the River and went to quarter in the Suburbs there where they staid three days during which they were visited by the principal persons of the City whom they endeavoured to gain by several kindes of applications made unto them Monsieur Lenet who was a great Servant and Confident of the Prince of Condé and a person of great Wit and Judgement being with some few others admitted into the City with the Princess began to make some Pactions and Parties and had gained some Men and several Women who are not onely easily perswadible themselves but are also fit Instruments to perswade others so as the Princes growing daily more and more in vogue and the Court being deâ—â—ied there the Dukes one night came into the City upon pretence of visiting the Princess and seeing that no notice was taken of their being there they staid and each of them presented a Request
went in August near to Montronde where he continued for a month still defying the Garrison though it were more numerous than his men but as he returned to his Camp with but only 30. Horse he fell into an Ambuscado of the Enemies who shot at him with Muskets and Pistols wherewith he was wounded in the hand and had his face burnt yet throwing himself fiercely amongst the Enemy he forced them to fly without loss of any one of his men and having slain some of the Enemy with his own hands he returned to his Quarters and was no sooner healed but being advertised by Cavalliere Barada that a party of the Enemies were in the Castle of Garghelissa he presently got on Horseback accompanied by 300. of those of Tsouldon and set upon Garghelissa where the Enemy wanting all things particularly water they yielded the 2d day Eighteen Officers remaining Prisoners and above 150. common Souldiers A Trumpet came in the interim to Paris on the beginning of September with Letters sent from the Archduke to the Duke of Orleans wherein boasting of his good intentions to a general place he invited him to accept of the offer The Duke listned to what the Trumpeter said and he being also desirous of peace sent the Baron of Verderonne Gentleman of his Bedchamber with a gracious answer shewing a reciprocal good will which was not altogether well approved by all men as misbecoming the respect due to the King without whose consent no treaty ought to have been held with the Enemy and the Duke after this having sent a Messenger to Court to crave leave that he might apply himself to the Treaty the King's servants observed that he had ingaged himself further than he ought to have done Yet to keep from irritating the people more who already complain'd that no means was used to make peace and also not to distaste the Duke totally Commission was sent him to Treat but with some others join'd with him It was thought that these projects of the Spaniards tended to two ends the one to increase the peoples hatred yet more against the Cardinal the other to win the good will of the people who were opprest with continual grievances and by insolencies of War And in earnest by this cunning things were reduced to that condition as the Archdukes name was publickly cried up in Paris and he as well as the Spaniards were said to have deserved well of the Parisians nay singing Songs and eucomiums in praise of the Archduke they called him a good Frondeur But the Archduke knew not how to make use of the Parisians applause as he ought to have done for having so far ingaged himself in the aforesaid offers and his after proceedings not corresponding with his beginning it was thought he did not mean sincerely and that he did not really desire peace so much as he seemed to do On the other side the Duke of Orleans imbarqued therein incited by vain glory thinking to win the peoples applause by so good a work he sent Messengers continually to Court the Officers whereof spying into the Spaniards deep designs laughed at the vanity of the business which being built in the Air vanisht soon away in smoak The Count de Avaux knowing how much his power in Court was lessened and thinking how to regain it grew in love with these Treaties and intending to be the guider thereof so to win credit with the people he went with the Pope's Nuntio to Soisouns to confer with the Spanish Commissioners but he found none there for the Archduke as was appointed nay Don Gabrielle di Tolledo at his return to Paris said that Orders were first to be expected from Spain contradicting plainly what the Archduke had said who affirmed that he was Plenipotentiary to conclude all things But the Prince of Conde's Friends finding that the Parisians were pleased with nothing more than with this whisper of peace framed some Libels in the name of Marishal Turenne though he knew nothing of it and on the 4 th of September they were found fastned upon all the Corners of the Streets and the people ran to read them with such delight as the Duke of Orleans striving to have them pul'd down the people did oppose it with so much heat as two men were upon that occasion kil'd The Contents of these Libels were verbatim as followeth The Marishal of TURENNE to the good Citizens of PARIS IF Cardinal Mazarine who is the disturber of publick Tranquillity had not refused to make the most advantagious peace three years since that France could desire the Kingdom would not have been troubled with so many commotions as hath cost it so much blood and Treasure and you should not now grieve to see the fire which is preparing to consume so many fair Provinces unless you extinguish it The Archduke who might justly make advantage of the disorders of France and of the Confusion whereinto it is put by the wickedness of some particular men who prefer their own particular interest before the peace of Christendome comes to your Gates to offer you that peace which till now the Cardinal Mazarine hath hindred This design appears to me to be so generous and so good for the publick as it is fitting to follow it Friends you are invited to receive it he himself presents you with it it now depends upon you Lassure you the intentions of this Prince are sincere his offering to Treat with his Royal Highness and with the Parliament the moderation which he will use during the whole course of this Negotiation will justifie to all Europe his intentions to make it peaceful he tells you that the disloyalty of Cardinal Mazarine which is better known by strangers than by you hath made his Catholick Majesty resolve not to accept of any proposals made by him but to make use of his absence to Treat thereof with the Duke of Orleans and with the Parliament of Paris who are bound to be accountable to the King and to the State of the publick conduct of affairs and of the disorders which the continuance of War will occasion It is you that must solicit your false Tribunes who are become Mazarine's Pensioners and Protectors who have long laughed at you who have sometimes excited you sometimes allured sometimes cooled you sometimes held you back according to their Capricioes and different progress of their ambitions from preferring the publick interest and the general good to the welfare of this States-man whom afterwards when he hath paid them for their friendship they exalt unto the Heavens notwithstanding the continuance of this War The Archduke comes with a spirit of peace intending to facilitate the conclusion of a Treaty so necessary for the two Crowns but he protests that as he will leave nothing undone to effect so noble and so glorious a design to Christendome so he will imploy the Army which he commands to revenge his Catholick Majesty in case these just and reasonable conditions to which he
rather by jealousies and suspicions than natural passions had estranged themselves from their Obedience to his Majesty the first effects of which wise conduct were seen in the Pardon which the King by the Madiation of the Mareschal De la Motte granted unto the Baron of Sant Annes Governour of Leucata who had forsaken his Majestie 's Service upon several sinister impressions till by this way of sweetness he was otherwise convinced and satisfied This Cavalier had revolted by the suggestion of some unquiet Spirits and some distaste taken unto the Court by reason his pretensions were discountenanced but he was quieted and sweetned by the dextrous management and civil means used towards him by the said Marquess a person of great abilities with whom the last of November he made an Accord That pardon should be given to him and all the Inhabitants of Leucata his Sons who were Prisoners in Paris should be released the goods belonging to himself or his friends restored the Castle of Termes to be put into the hands of the Arch-bishop of Narbon to be restored to the said St. Annes after six months or otherwise in case his Majesty should not be pleased to ratifie this Article the two Troops of Horse raised by the said St. Annes should be put into his Majesty's Service and there should be paid unto him 860 Doubloons for his Charges in the said Levy and 415 for the Losses of the Inhabitants of Leucata and the Ransom of Poder his Cousin all the Prisoners to be freed all Treaties with the Spaniards or the Princes recalled and an assurance upon his Honour and Parol given never to swerve again from the obedience of the King The Cardinal had caused also a strict negotiation to be made with the Prince of Conde by means of some Confidents of his to pacifie him and make him quit the Spaniards Service offering him the Soveraignty of some Country out of France But whether it were that the Prince found himself too far engaged with the Spaniard or that the generosity of his Mind would not permit him to falsifie his word without some apparent cause or pretext or that he thought this Dignity too mean or were taken with the pleasant gust of those advantages he received from Spain and in particular with the great Assignations made unto him or whether he were led by other Suspicions Reasons or Respects amongst which probably that which held the first place was the desire of the occasions to use his Sword his great heart being unable without trouble to return into the calm of Peace the Propositions vanished without effect The Prince declared That he was no wayes ambitious of being a Soveraign Prince contenting himself with the Quality he had of being first Prince of the Blood that he knew not how again to trust a person that had once deceived him nor believe that person would be faithful to him who had before shewed himself not to be such that these Offers were like those Gifts which had formerly passed between Hector and Ajax that we ought to give least credit unto those things which appear most probable and that we must consider that how much more is promised for necessity so much more likely are we to fail thereof when that is over That he knew the Cardinal sufficiently for a person as apt to promise much as he was afterwards industrious to perform onely what suited to his own ends And he protested in fine That he would never consent to any Accommodation wherein the King of Spain should not also be included to whom he professed himself highly obliged The person imployed endeavoured to take from him all sinister Impressions and represented to him that he should call to mind he was a French-man and one of the Blood-Royal that he had too much Reputation and Glory not to be made the Butt of Envy and Jealousie to a Nation that had so much emulation with France and were ambitious to have no dependance but on themselves that to build his hopes upon those who proposed to themselves ends different from his was to make a ruinous building That Friends follow the Fortune not the Bodies of their Friends and that in quitting France he should be abandoned by all the French-men that ones Countrey ought to be as dear unto a prudent Man as his Shell is to the Snail and that being his true and faithful Servant he took the freedome to tell him It was much more honourable for such a Princes as he to be Cousin to the King of France than Servant to the King of Spain He added hereunto many efficatious reasons but all in vain because the hatred and disdain of the Cardinal were prevalent in the imagïnation of the Prince and the opinion he had firmly conceived that he should be the next Campagne too powerful for the King's Forces and be enabled thereby to return to Paris The Cardinal therefore not being able to prevail with the Prince thought of the means how to divide his Brother Conty from him He caused advantageous Conditions to be proposed unto him and thought that having once gained him he should thereby restore Bourdeaux and Guienne to their Pristine Obedience because the Factions of this Prince were very powerful in that City and Province and the effects thereof were likely to be very advantageous to the King's Service and the reduction of his Brother by reason of the Jealousies which peradventure the Spaniards might upon that occasion have of his Person and the ill usage which it was probable he should receive from them when he should be deprived of that support which rendred him so much the more considerable But although Conty were not a friend unto his Brother and that his mind was much more apt to receive satisfaction yet he was so fixed not to disoblige the Dutchess of Longueville his Sister that without her he would resolve of nothing and she remaining firm in the good Intelligence she held with Conde and the hopes which the generosity of her own mind suggested to her all those attempts proved useless and consequently all the other attempts and practises of those in Bourdeaux who were affectionate to the King's Party fell to the ground their indeavours tending onely to bring things unto that pass that the City should second such resolutions as should be taken by the Prince of Conty and the Dutchess The Cardinal therefore took in hand other expedients and since he could not gain the Princes indeavoured by new Orders to deprive by little and little both them and the Town of Bourdeaux from those Subjects and Places which fomented their pretensions and therefore the Duke of Vendosme was ordered to Sail with the Fleet into the Garonne unto the Duke of Candale who was already departed to Govern the Forces in Guienne were dispatched all the Troops which could be got together in the neighbouring Provinces and the Negotiations with the Count D' Ognon and others to divide them from the contrary Faction were
to the new Town of the Ampuries where he sojourned some time to amass together all the Corn found there and carry it to Roses as he did making every Company carry six Quarters of their Country measure After this having nothing more to do in the Countrey of Lampourdam the Troops not being able longer to maintain themselves there they made them pass the hill of Pertus upon the 28th of September and leaving the Regiments of Anjou Languedoc Roquelaâ—re Grammont and Harcourt in Roses they came unto Boulon a place upon the River Tiech the 30th day from whence the Mareschal sent his own men to quarter in Rossillon and those of Plessis Belliere in Conflans All these Troops stayed in that little Country till the arrival of those of Guienne Commanded by the Mareschal Marinville and assoon as they were entred into Rossillon Oquincourt resolved to pass a Convoy into Rosa. He caused all things to be prepared for that purpose and himself would have the conduct of it together with all the General Officers and the whole Militia excepting only such as were thought necessary to be left for guarding of some Posts were to be maintained in Conflans Upon the 29th of October he passed the Mountain and the next morning made the said Convoy enter into Rosa and the French Army advancing met the Spaniards near Loustelnaâ— in a bad posture but because 't was necessary to make haste that the Foot might pass the Mountain they had the means to retire the Marquess Marinville who that day had the Van with his Troops of Guienne followed them to Figuieres from whence the Spaniards drew the Garrison and the Inhabitants assoon as they saw Mariâ—ville's Troops cried Vive le France the Garrison which also was in Castillon retired from thence in great disorder Upon the 6th of November Plessis Belliere having the Vantguard commanded out 100 Horse to get Intelligence of the Enemies condition by whom having notice that they had discovered seven Squadrons of Spaniards beyond the River towards Servia Oquincourt being then with Belliere they marched forthwith to the River side where Belliere being acquainted with the Fords by the Mareschal's Order passed and marched after them with so much swiftness and good success that he came up to them and fell upon their Rear skirmishing with them till they came into Bourdilles one of their Quarters where they thought to make a stand being seconded by those who were at that time in the Quarter but being driven from it and beaten unto another of their Quarters and thence to Saltâ— which was their general Quarter they made another stand by the assistance of the Troops there but with the same ill success they had at first being intirely routed and defeated many being killed upon the place and a number wounded and taken Prisoners all their Baggage of the value of above 10000 Crowns lost and their whole Army disordered and in confusion the French having only some few Souldiers hurt and two Brothers of the Villavoir's Prisoners who engaged themselves too far into a Troop of Officers who were retreating â—owards Girone After this Noble and Famous Action the French Troops lodged without disturbance in the same Quarters the Spaniards had taken up for themselves and enlarged themselves something farther that they might maintain themselves with more convenience and for the longer time till the arrival of Monsienâ— Picoy who was expected from Court with the King's Orders for the French Armies Winter Quarters and they staid thus about two Moneths in Lâ—mpoâ—rdam the Spaniards not daring after the said Rout to offer them the least disturbance until at last about the 20th of December Picoy came with the Winter Quarters at which time the Mareschal held a Councel where it was resolved to send the Army into Quarters Rosa was in the mean time furnished with all sorts of Victuals and they transported thither whatsoever they could find in Laâ—poâ—rdam The 27th of December the French Army repassed the Mountain and entring into Rossillon the Mareschal gave Order to Plessis Belliere for quartering of his Troops who having appointed them their Quarters and sent them thither took leave of the Mareschal to go to Court according to his Majestie 's permission given him for so doing and the Mareschal remained there to place the Souldiers in their Quarters and to make all such Provisions as he thought fiâ— to be done according to the Discipline of War Whilst these things were in Action the Cardinal Mazarine was thinking upon the means which might be fittest for gaining of the discontented Spirits rather by the way of gentleness than rigour and yet neglected not to make Provisions as well of Mony as Forces for continuance of the War the Recruits of the old Troops and raising new was not hard because the Cardinal's Credit prevailing with the men of War beyond all other Interest they imployed themselves with affection and diligence therein that they might thereby make demonstration of their gratitude and deserve his favour a thing whereof the Souldiery being infinitely obsequious and devoted to him was most ambitious by whose force he was after able to compass his designes which in spight of the contrary Opinion of those who envied him took good effect as will appear by that which follows The Cardinal 's principal aim was to calm the Intestine Broyls and re-unite the divided minds of all the French wisely considering that all France being at unity and in obedience to the King there was no Forreign Power whatsoever of Strangers was to be feared He applied therefore his utmost diligence by Treaties and Arms to reduce those of Guinne not neglecting the Designes entertained with several Inhabitants of Bourdeaux he gave Order that before all things they should block up the City from making use of the Garonne without which it could neither receive supplies nor continue its Commerce and being harrassed by the King's Forces 't would in a short time be forced to yield without stroke strucken The Duke of Vandosme therefore having with his Majesties Fleet stopt up the mouth of the River built Forts in the most important places and driven away the Prince's Forces from several Towns with the Land Forces it was resolved in Council to publish a new Proclamation of Grace to those Citizens letting them know That notwithstanding so many advantages as rendred the Enterprize in manner certain yet his Majestie 's clemency was so great that he was ready with open arms to receive them into his favour who had with so much ingratitude risen against him This Act of Grace was published and Registred in the Parliament which was adjourned to Agen upon occasion whereof many Assemblies were held wherein the most moderate Persons spoke with great sense in favour of the Country setting forth the prejudices it suffered and the dangers in which these Subjects were involved who upon the foundation of Forreign hopes build up a structure of Contumacie and Rebellion but the incentive of Ambition were too
to the report of Fiesco transported with the Passion he had for upholding of the disobedience against his natural Soveraign After which all the Religious went to perform the same Office for the Publick safety and repose The Chapter of the Cathedral Church of St. Andrew made the same Request but their Deputies were threatned by Granant the Goldsmith a principal person amongst the Seditious there came also Ministers from the Hugonots who in all these occasions shewed themselves very zealous and affectionate to the King's Service The Prince of Conty answered to all That himself also desired Peace but such as should be lasting and secure that when the same could be obtained with fit security he would be more ready than any other to imbrace it At which time he also sent unto the Marquess de Santa Cruz General of the Spanish Army several Expresses to represent unto him the Necessity of a speedy Succour any small delay whereof would bring all things unto the utmost extremity and therefore the resolution was to be forthwith taken that himself was ready and resolved if any new Stirrs happened in case Baltissar would march out with some Troops of Horse to go with the Duke of Anguien his Nephew unto Tartas and so by Land unto the Frontiers of Spain This was a bold and hazardous Attempt and as such was opposed not onely by the Princesses but by Lenet and Marsin himself Mean while the Citizens being weary of the Indiscretions and Tyranny of the Rabble of the Olmiera by the advice of the Vilconte de Virlade a Councellor of State and of Monsieur de Bacalan Advocate General du Chambre des Edicts and several other persons devoted to the King's Service took a resolution to make themselves Masters of the City Gates by being present at the changing of the Guards with their Servants armed that so they might be stronger in number as they were superiours in valour to the Captains of the Guards who were all of them of the Olmeira who were lifted by the Prince of Conde and paid by him that he might have them true and faithful to him these were extraordinarily astonished and amazed seeing a number of Persons of Quality with Halberts on their shoulders Pistols and other Arms about them to lift themselves and serve in the same manner as the meanest of the common people whereupon some of the Captains of the Olmeira offered to go along with them and demand Peace There were some of the Citizens who seeing themselves Masters of the Ports desired to bring in the King's Forces that they might with more ease shake off the Yoke but the rest who were as willing to preserve the Prince of Conty and his Family as to free their Countrey opposed such violent courses and endeavoured to have the Peace concluded upon Honourable Terms and not by falshood and conspiracies whereby the City might be exposed unto the fury of the Souldiers with danger to the Prince's life who being of a bold undaunted spirit would according to his wonted custome run upon the least noise and expose himself unto the greatest danger And therefore these moderate Persons insisted That the things resolved upon were to be executed vigorously but with good order rendring to the Prince and his Family the Respects due to their Royal Birth and endeavouring to gain all persons by sweet means such as might procure most advantage to their Countrey and gain most Glory to their Actions In the mean time Marsin and Fiesco had resolved to bring Souldiers into the City that might reduce the Inhabitants by force unto their wills and to the end they might more freely vent their fury had a design upon the Prince of Conty his liberty and the lives of Monsieur de Saracin and the Abbot of Colnac his Confidents The Prince was advertised thereof by the Fathers of the Society and desired That for his safety he would please to lye either in the Town-Honse or retire himself into their Colledge which was near unto it But the Visconte de Virlade being advertised of all this was the first who took Arms and with his Friends seised upon the Port de Chapelle Rouge through which they were to have let in the said Forces He Treated also with the Irish who were the persons that should have struck the stroke and by perswading them that Marsin intended to put them into the hands of the English their Enemies and Persecutors with whom he Treated by means of Francars and Blaru Deputies of the Olmiera who were in England brought them to take imployment under his Majestie The Disgusts between the Prince of Conty and Marsin sprang from Marsin's ever growing in his Pretensions whereby Lenet and he arrogating to themselves all the Authority treated the Prince as he had been a liveless Statue so as Conty and the Dutchess of Longueville his Sister not being able longer to support the insolence of these two persons wrote Letters testifying their resentments to the Prince of Conde That he might take some order for their satisfaction which could not be otherwise but by removal of those two persons or by permitting them to retire themselves The Prince was two moneths ere he returned an answer and then did it contrary to what they expected writing onely in general terms desiring them to lay aside all animosities and study Peace and declaring That he intended Marsin should Command all things relating to the Warr and Lenet those touching the Finances and Monsieur de Chouppes having also written to him touching the abuses of Marsin and Lenet he sent unto them the Original Letters This was sufficient to have given occasion unto the Prince and Dutchess to leave their Brother's Party who besides seemed not to confide in them but these Princes used more prudence and moderation than they were bound unto and quite contrary to what Conde had done would never Treat about any Union with the Court for themselves separately as the Prince their Brother had done who without acquainting them therewith by means of the Dutchess of Chastillon the Duke of Rochefaucaut and Monsieur de Gaucourt had the Year before held a secret Treaty for making his own peace But they remained constant even to the last extremity having besides Monsieur de Chouppes and the Marquiss de Lusignan dispatched Monsieur de Brequigny unto the Catholick Court and Monsieur de Fay unto the Marquiss de Santa Cruz then at St. Sebastians where the Baron de Batteville unsatisfied that any other should enjoy the fruit and honour of his Labours cast in new difficulties to the Resolutions of the Spanish Court who according to their usual delayes entertained the Princes and their Party onely with hopes These differences continuing between the Princes and the Ministers of Conde were in part the means that gave more life and boldness to the Merchants Meetings in the Common Burse that being thought the most convenient place because the Town House was taken up by the Counsel of
too much Glory as being jealous of his inconstancy After many consults touching the course they were to hold it was at last unanimously resolved To endeavour by all means the forcing of the Enemy unto a Battel according to the event whereof they might afterwards proceed to farther resolutions With these Designs therefore the Armies advancing and confronting of each other â—taid eight or ten dayes having no other obstacle to hinder their encountring but the River Oyse which ran between them The Mareschal Turenne although inferiour in number to the Spanish Army would have have accepted of the Battel to which his noble Courage did provoke him had not his daring spirit been restrained by that staid Experience which though young in years he had to his great glory gained in Two and twenty pitch'd Battels wherein he had commanded and he was forbidden by express Orders from the Cardinal who seeing the Fortune of the Kingdom to depend upon that Army would not expose to the uncertainty of an Encounter upon so much disadvantage all his past labours present condition and future hopes And thereupon following the opinion of that wise Roman who destroyed the Carthaginian Army with holding it at a bay without concerning himself for publick rumours he contented himself with galling them sometimes in the flank sometimes in front and sometimes in the rear with enforcing them sometimes to Quarter close together sometimes to enlarge themselves to hinder their Marches reduce them into want of Victuals and finally to overthrow all the designs they had projected against France But there being in Turenne as well as the Prince of Conde a most ardent desire of glory he could not satisfie his Mind without giving some proof of his Courage upon some occasion and therefore he passed the River one day with between 700 and 800 Horse and joyning with the great Guard he kept beyond the River charged that of the Enemy kept upon the head of the Marsh of Fonsomma beat them into the gross of the Spanish Army took many prisoners and with incomparable Courage and Conduct made a safe retreat to his own Quarters Upon the 24th of Iuly the King Cardinal and the whole Court came to the Army where he was received with extraordinary Duty and Applause by 100 Squadrons of Horse and 18 Battalions of Foot drawn out which made up in all 16000 Combatants consisting of Old Souldiers inured unto the Warr Expert Officers and Noble Persons who were Volunteers Turenne being willing to give them the Divertisement of a Skirmish which was wonderfully desired by his Majesty who was full of Lively Martial thoughts passed the Oyse at a Foord with the Guard of Cavalry Gens d' Arms and about 1000 Horse drawn out of the Army charged upon and beat up the same Guard of Conde who taking it for granted that the French Generals upon his Majesty's arrival were resolved to give Battel drew up all his Army and stood firm observing the motion of the French until the King retired and that 't was known to have been onely a party at which time they were troubled they had not advanced and tried their Fortune His Majesty staid all that day in the Camp filling all persons by the Majesty of his presence with Courage and Desire to do something which might signalize them in his Service He Dined that day in Turenne's Quarters with a good number of the principal Commanders who sate at Table with him at Night he Supped in those of the Mareschal de la Ferte Senneterre with the same order and lodged in Turenne's Quarters in the middest of the Army and went the next day from thence towards Paris Two or three dayes after the King's departure the Spanish Army rose from these Posts and took their March directly towards San Simon and Serocourt Passes upon the River Somme between Ham and San Quintin That of France followed it marching the way of Fera lodged at Chery and Maiou and passing the Oyse in the same place where it makes a little Island and a little higher at Verduel it drew up in Battalia a little above Travessy where it encamped alwayes observing the Enemy that he might not have time to invest any place or throw up Works about it as they desired to have done after they perceived the difficulty of drawing the French to a pitched Battail Conde doubting least Turenne should be upon his Back as they filed along by San Simon was careful in the passage and took up Quarters onely a league from Ham which gave great apprehension that he thought of besieging that most Important place situated upon the Somme between St. Quintin and Peronne This Motion obliged the French Generals to advance unto Chauny a Town upon the Oyse and from thence to coast unto Noyon chief Town of a County strong in Men and situate upon the same River where they made a halt some dayes during which the Spaniards making head against them the Prince of Conde went with 6000 men to Magny and from thence to Roye a walled Town upon the head of the River Moreul and approaching it on three sides got it by Surrender in 15 hours there being none but the Inhabitants and some Gentlemen of the Countrey thereabouts who ran in to defend it and being without Parapets or other Fortifications The taking of this being understood by the French Generals they suspecting the Attack of some place upon the Somme marched to Magny Conde designing the Enterprise of Corbie a most Important place Royally built seated upon the Somme between Peronne and Amiens made shew of marching with part of the Army and Artillery upon the way of Beauvais a City the Metropolis of a rich County one of the strongest and wealthiest of France bathed by the River Therin that he might cause the French to draw off from the Post which they had taken and at the same time clap about Corbie Turenne who by long experience was able to discover the Prince's Arts and knew full well that he would not engage himself into France with so many strong Towns behind him and an Army in flanck instead of marching after him as it might seem probable he should have done after he had consulted with the Mareschal his Collegue upon the 9th of August marched that very Night to Magny where they made the rejoycings due for the good News of the Reduction of Bourdeaux which filled all their Minds with confidence of good success and presently passing the River dispatched the Count Schomberg Lieutenant of the Company of the Scotch Guard with 400 Horse and 200 Foot to reinforce Corbie and prevent the Prince's designs upon it All the French Army marched at the same time towards Ham passed the River by night and quartered on the other side where having notice that the Count de Maile with a great Convoy of Ammunition and Victuals 4000 men drawn out of the Garrisons of Flanders and 6000 Freebooters was parted from Cambray to reinforce the Spanish Camp before any