all afâ—ayâ—es and especially for iudgements To condemne the iust is not good nor to strike Princes that haue carried themselues iustly 〈◊〉 17 v. 26. An excellent sentence and agreeing with our cause Hee called Iudges Princes and in another place they aâ—e termed Gods That if Gâ—d making his Iustice to sâ—â—â—ne hath since discouered the Murther yet hath not the Baker nor his Wife any cause to complaine of the Court The eye of God infuseth his knowledge into the spirits of men in such measure as he pleaseth giuing vnto some a neeâ—er light and as Synecius Bishop of Cyrene sayd more approching vnto things which he doth reueale to others farther off We take moysture from the Water heat from the Fire firmenes of the body from the Earth spirit from the Aire but Iustice comes from God who is the onely fountaine of all good Wee haue not this Iustice in vs be it for the good of our selues or for the perpetuall and constant dutie which wee owe vnto our neighbours to doe euery man right God onely knoweth all things and all is hidden from vs but what hee pleaseth There is none but hee which knoweth hidden things It is he whose admirable name is aboue all other names It is he whom Daniell calleth a CERTAINE by the word Palmoni of whom the admirable name of IESVS the Sauiour of the world was not reuealed before that hee was made man Dan. 8. That Sonne of Iustice whose glorie is incomprehensible It is hee who by his light doth open the Iudges eyes when it pleaseth him Iob. 22.20 To the end they should take care of the innocent and looke vnto his estate It is written in the booke of the wise King Pro. 27.19 That euen as in the water one face is opposite to an other so doth the heart of man vnto man so as oftent times the Iudge discouereth the truth of a câ—yme by the face and countenance as well as by the mouth of the Accused And to that purpose the same King sayth That Councell in the heart of man is like vnto a deepe water the which a wise man shall draw forth But this doth not often happen but vnto the King of whome the wiâ—e man saith thus There is no prophecying but in the Kings lippes and his mouth shall not stray from Iustice. Ibid. c. 16.10 God giues this priuiledge to a iust King God which is the onely searcher of hearts Ibid. 19. v. 2. There are many thoughts in the heart of man but the onely Councell of our Lord God is firme And therefore Saint Augustin in hiâ— booke of the Cittie of God in the Chapter which he hath expresly made touching the errors of humaine Iudgements makes a complaint of the perplexities whereunto Iudges are reduced when to saue an Innocent they are forced to condemne the accused vnto the racke and for an vncertaine fact they cause him to suffer a certaine paine The which hee excusing saith That a wise Iudge doing not things with a will to hurt but by necessitie to iudge that which hee knoweth not must cry vnto God A gust lib. 19. c. 〈◊〉 Ciuit dei Psal 25 v. 17. Deliuer mee from my extremities and cares The which hee speakes not to blame the racke for hee knowes it to be necessarie But if it bee not as we cannot rightly say done by malice yet is it a great miserie And doubtlesse if it bee a mischeefe yet is it well ordained and by good Lawes which are practised in al Countries whereas Iustice is well administred whereof of there are so many Statuts not onely in this Realme but in the Estates of Italie and in the neighbour Countries as in Piedmont in Saâ—oie and other parts of Christendome as there is no reason to doubt thereof Neither is it lawful to argue the Iudges of rigor in this cause for besides the presuÌ„ptions which might moue them who knowes whether the Accused had committed some other cryme whereof God would suffer this accusation whereof the now complayne should be the punishment There are some generations which thinke to be free pro. 30. v. 12. and yet they are not clensed from their filthines And what is hee that can say I haue purged my heart I am clensed from my Sinne. If thou sayest we did not know it Ibid. 24. v. 12. he that weighes the heart shall not he vnderstand it and reward euery man according to his workes In an other place the wise man saith that Hee which walketh innocently shall bee saued but the peruerse walking by two wayes shall fall Aristotle speaking of the Iudges of Greece sayd that they were accustomed before sentence to sweare that they should iudge by the best aduice they could conceiue The which Demosthenes in his Oration against Aristocrates hath sayd by the most iust aduice In which case although the Areopagites did sometimes iudge as one would say against the Law yet could they not bee reprehended to haue gone against the oath taken by them to iudge well whether it were in the Senate or in the Assembly which they call Heliaes no man being able to answere but for his owne conscience And for this reason by the Lawes of Charlemagne of Lewis the Debonair our most ChristiaÌ„ Kings It was not lawful to blaspheme that is to say to accuse of false iudgemeÌ„t to blame the Earles which was the title of Iudges in France if it did not appeare that they did iudge either by enuie 1599. or by some bad occasion To conclude the Iudges which those great Princes called Fideles were held for good and without blemish when they were oneâ—y guided by the zeale of true Iustice. So the Demanders doe not complaine of the Iudges but of the Accuser against whome if shee had framed her accusation maliciously and vpon spleene shee were then subiect to that which was decreed by the Capitâ—lâ—rie which saith Capiâ—ulaâ—ium Carolâ— magni lib 6 cap. penult That they which haue accused Innocents either before the Prince or before the Iudge if they were spirituall men they are to bee degraded if they be lay men they must bee condemned to the like punishment which they should haue suffered that were accused But this is to be vnderstood of accusations wherein there is malice in which case the falâ—e and malicious Accusers deserue that which the Accused suffred for the SlaÌ„derer resembles vnto the wicked which are represented by the wise man watching secretly for the innocent Prou. 1. v. 11. and persecuting him without cause In which case such as slander to vexe and to get money by the Constitutions of the Romaine Emperoâ—s were punished with the same punishments It is therefore no reason that the Complaynants should trouble the defendresse for the accusation which shee hath made seeing it was not with any intent of slâ—nder but they must take their trouble as an accident sent of God as a mischance which the Grecians called a
Emperour Hunault and Ieffroy being authors of this warre remayned yet vnpunished Martel was diuerted by the warre he made against the Frisons whome he vanquished and forced to become Christians and to that ende he sends them Doctors A pardonable zeale in a warrior for in truth mens soules cannot be wonne by the sword nor religion forced but must bee planted in the heart by reason The punishement ofthese turbulent men was reserued vnto Pepin who knewe well howe to effect it as we shall see At this time King Thierri died hauing raigned fiue and twenty yeares in conceit and left Childeric his sonne not heire of the realme but of his idlenes to make the last release of the Crowne and consigne it into a better hande CHILDERIC the fift the 21 King of France and the last of the first race CHILPERIC .5 KING OF FRANCE XXI HE was King in shewe nine yeares 741. fiue vnder the authority of Charles Martel and foure vnder Pepin who dispossessed him made him a Monke and seated himselfe in his place as wee shall see in order But let vs obserue what remaines of Martel The care and toyle of great affaires with his old age hauing soare broken him hee resolues to dispose of things in time and to leaue a peace to his Children He had foure sonnes Caroloman Pepin Giles and Griffon all of diuers humours The disposition children and death of Martel Caroloman and Giles more modest and of a milder spirit Pepin and Griffon more rough and ambitious Whilest he liued hee greatly honored the Kings person neyther did he in open shewe meddle with that maine point of royaltie but in effect diuiding his authority to his Children with the title of gouernments He purchased them an inteâ—est by his vertue in time the possession of the realme To his eldest son Caroloman he left Ausstrasia to Pepin whom he knew to be of a more quicke and hardie spirit France as the bodie of the Estate And seeing Giles vnfit for armes and giuen to deuotion hee made him Arch-bishop of Rouan To bridle the turbulent spirit of Griffon and to take from him all occasion of debate he would not giue him any certaine portion but the good will of his elder brethren being taught by the experience of former raignes that many commanding brethren are dangerous to an estate shewing himselfe more wise and happy therein then Clouis Thus Charles Martel hauing liued fifty fiue yeares died in the yeare of grace 741. hauing commaunded absolutely in France twenty and fiue yeares as Maior or Prince of the French vnder the raignes of Chilperic Thierri and Childeric One of the worthiest men that euer liued either in this Monarchie or in any forraine Estate He was religious wise iust valiant modest in prosperity resolute in aduersity temperate in authority not passionate nor reuengefull dilligent and happie By these excellent vertues hee did quietly purchase this goodly degree whereby his posterity hath mounted to the royall throne although he had but the payne to get it and the honour to preserue the realme from ship-wrake in the weakenesse of these Kings and the stormes of many confusions His Children according to the diuersity of their humours had diuers euents Caroloman wanted no valour but hauing accompanied his Brother Pepin in diuers exploits in the ende he resignes him all his authority becomes a Monke and dies so at Vienne Giles full of ambitious heat not pleased with the wise resolution of his father did all he could to crosse his brother Pepin although hee had giuen him a sufficient portion in Normandie Transported with this spleene hee stirres vp the Saxons Bauariens and those of Guienne against him at diuers times In the end beeing sâ—ppressed in all places he vndertakes a voiage into Italie to attempt some thing against his brother but he was slaine by the way by a gentleman of Bourgongne as a man of no valour nor quality This fire was thus quenched and Giles died vnworthily leauing this lesson to postâ—rity That ambition hastens ruine and contrariwise That the one halfe is better then the whole Forerunnings or preparatiues to the raigne of Pepin PEPIN seeing himselfe alone in great authority vnderpropt by the merits of his Grand-father and father resolued so to behaue him selfe as his owne deserts should not onely confirme this reputation left him by inheritance but also perswade the French that hee was worthy of a greater command and by their free consents hold him capable of the Crowne He knew the humor of the French who loue and honour their King with an especiall deuotion and cannot bee induced to doe otherwise but by great and vrgent reasons Hee manageth this desseigne with such dexteritie 742. as hee effects it and the meanes which the prouidence of God did minister vnto him did as it were guide him by the hand for to him wee must attribute the principall cause of this notable change The Sarazins infinitly greeued with these two defeats prepare an other armie Ieffroye was also on this partie and it seemed this third League did threaten France with a greater confusion Pâ—pin remembring that his father had beene surprised sends forth his spies and being speedily aduertised he assembles all the forces he could with an incredible celeritie and finding himselfe first in armes he enters into Guyenne and seizeth on the passages of the Pyrenee mountaines Ieffroy being thus surprised sets a good face on it promising obedience to Pepin and is a mediator for the Sarrazins vndertaking that they should renounce their interest and neuer enter more into France Pepin obteining his desire being glad to haue preuented this storme and forced so redoubted enemies to receiue a law from him applied himselfe to the peoples humor who loue peace better then a bloudie victorie He dismisseth his armie busying himselfe in repayring of the Churches which the Sarazins had ruined in diuers places to ease the Citties that were spoiled and in giuing them meanes to recouer themselues to establish Iustice to vnburthen the subiects of publike charges and finally to let the French vnderstand that he was as fit for peace as warre The Church of Rome was then in great reputation throughout all Christendome and the Popes did onely busie themselues with the seruice of God Estate of the Church to maintaine Princes in concord and subiects in their liberties the which purchased them great credit for the singular respect Christian people baâ—e to religion Zacharie held then the Pontificall seat and had the Lombards for a cause of continuall feare being his neere and irreconciliable enemies against whome he could not haue more assured and speedie helpe then in France and by Pepins meanes who held the soueraigne authoritie Martel had alreadie auoided a most dangerous warre through the amitie he had with Luitprand King of the Lombards after whose death Rachise Duke of Friol chosen in his place threatens the Pope openly for all the Lombards faire shewes and his large
protestations of friendship were but foretelâ—ings of the breach of his faith For this reason Zacharie entertained Pepin carefully the which did helpe him much to compasse his desire And although his ambitious humour made him sometimes to speake too peremptorily of his victories and ordinarie deserts yet could he conteine himselfe in greatest occasions and behaued himselfe in such sort as he seemed not to aspire vnto the Crowne but that necessitie and the common consent of all the French did as it were force him thereunto The most remarkable thing in all the course of this history is the order he held to compasse a desseine of so great importance As he discoursed couertly of his intention and openly of the vrgent necessitie to prouide speedily for the estate of the Realme Pepâ—ns means to make himselfe King hee had feed men to preach forth his prayses and the disgraces of Childeric being as visible in the one as remarkable in the other reason giuing due praise to vertue and dishonour to vice In the one they see a simple stupidity in the other a wise viuacitie in the one a foolish lightnes in the other a stayed grauitie in the one a brutish fuâ—ie and in the other a moderate and temperate spirit in the one a beastly carelesnes in the other an actiue dilligence in the one a dissolute intemperancie and in the other a well gouerned continencie So as in the one was all good and in the other all bad in the one all pleased in the other all displeased and theiractions were the table of their contrary dispositions Childeric loued no man neither did any man loue him Pepin loued all and was beloued of all tying all vnto him by all occasions and good turnes and all to his masters losse The common people loued Pepin intirely as the Protector of their libertie and hated Childeric as one that regarded not the common good in respect of his foolish and beastly volâ—â—tuousnes being neither willing nor able to doe well So the one being contemned and hated was held vnworthie to raigne the other praysed and beloued was esteemed most worthie to be a king The friends of Pepin failed not to proclaime his merits in all places and the people imbraced it with all content But there were many difficulties in the execution of this generall dâ—sire 746. religion much respected by the French the naturall reuerence and deâ—otion they bare to their Kings and the remembrance of the merits of old Clouis were strong lets to stay the violent desires of the most affectionate But Pepin could well preuent all this by an admirable and happy dexterity To the remembrance of Clouis vertues he opposed the memory of horrible disgraces and infamies wherewith his posterity had beene polluted and withall the carelesnesse of these latter Kings noating all in ranke from father to sonne And contrarywise hee did represent vnto them the liuely remembrance of the great merits of Pepin his grand-father of Martell his father and his owne and from experience past hee concludes of the future hope As for the reuerence of the French to their Kings hee shewed that it was vowed to true Kings and not to Kings in imagination painted and disguised and that the oth of fidelitie tyed them to a religious King bâ—ing valiant iust mercifull vpright diligent practised in affaires fitte to withstand his enemies to punish the wicked to defend the good and to protect the Christian lawe according to the expresse wordes of the sollemne othe which the French giue their King at his Coronation Why should they then be bound to a vicious King negligent and carelesse of himselfe and his subiects vnder the colour of a Crowne and Scepter To conclude the contract was limited and the French were bound to obey that King that was a lawfull King who being endued with royall vertues performed the office of a true King These reasons were plaine and easilie receiued of all men finding this change to be very necessary for the common good neither was there any one but expected some profit in his owne particular and sought to purchase the fauour of Pepin But yet there remained a scruple of religion for the dispensing of their othe This article must be decided at Rome where Pepin assuring himselfe of his good friends who were necessarily to vse him hoped for a good end seeing the principall was determined by the consent of the French He therefore sends Bruchard Bishop of Bourgeâ— and Folrad his Chaplaine vnto Rome men pleasing to all and faithfull to himselfe to represent the Estate of France and the generall desire of the French to Pope Zacharie The Pope duly informed of the weaknesse of Childeric being hated and contemned of all men without any support and of the generall resolution of the French to receiue Pepin but chiefely moued with hope to draw great helpes from him against the Lombards his capitall enemies dispensed the French from their oth of obedience to Childeriâ— and to all his race Now shall that race be dispossessed and this decree shall be the last act of the Merouingiens Tragedie THE SECOND RACE OF THE KINGS OF FRANCE called Carolouingiens either of Charles Martel or of Charlemagne the chiefe pillers of this race Oracles to iudge rightly of the estate of this second race God is Iudge he puls downe one and sets vp another Man walkes as a shadow he striues in vaine he gathers goods and knowes not who shall enioy them O Lord what is man that thou shouldest be mindfull of him or the sonne of man that thou so regardest him Man is like vnto nothing his dayes are like a shadow that vanisheth the sonnes of men are as nothing and great men are but as a lye If they were all together put in a ballance they would be found more light then vanitie It is hee notwithstanding that preserueth Kings CHARLES MARTEL CHARLES MARTEL A particular Chronologie of the second Race From the yeare 741. vnto the yeare nine hundred eightie eight Yeares of grace Number of Kings CHARLES MARTEL OF 741. 22. The stock or stem of this second Race is numbred among the Kings the 22. for he raigned in effect during the life of the Idâ—e Kings and so was buried among the Kings After the royall gouernment of 25. yeares he left it to his sonne 750. 23. Pepin the briefe or short who was crowned King Chilperic 4. being degraded in the yeare 750. left the crowne peaceabâ—e to his sonne 814. 24. Charlemaigne great in name and in effect who remaining absolute Monarke of the realme of France Austrasia with all the dependances Northward he added to this great masse all Italy the greatest part of Spain so possessing the territories of the Empire in the west he was receiued installed Eâ—p of the west hauing raigneâ— 40. y. 840. 25. Lewis his sonne surnamed the Gentle succeeded him and raigned Kiâ—g Emperour 27. yeares and to him succeeded 878. 26. Charles the 2.
Henry but being too weake of himselfe neither hauing any such friend as the King of France according to the triall so often made time out of minde he comes into France but he died at Cluny and in his place Calixtus son to the Earle of Bourgongne was chosen Pope The reputation of the place from whence he was descended was great so as he being a Frenchman easily called a Councell in France to the great satisfaction of the French The Emperor degraded by the Popes decree in a Councell at 〈◊〉 It was held at Rheims where by an ecclesiasticall decree he declared Henry an enemy to the Church and degraded of the Imperiall dignity As this ignominious decree did moue the Emperor so did it minister matter to the King of England his brother in lawe to imbrace all occasions to annoy Lewis his capitall enemie for seeing this Councell had bin held in France and consisted chiefly of the French Church it was very apparant that the Kings fauour was very preiudiciall to the Emperours affaires The English fayles not to harpe vpon this string to the Emperour The Emperor and â—ing oâ— England ioyne against France being already incensed by the thing it selfe promising him all his meanes incouraging him to enter France on the one side whilest that he came on the other with all the forces of Normandy and England The party was not small neither had Lewis small cause to feare being incountred by two such enemies But God shewed him the rod and reserued the punishment for an other season for as the Emperour was going to field the Germaine Princes foreseeing the misery of a warre vndertaken lightly vpon despight and weighing the importance of neighbourhood gaue him to vnderstand that he ought not to attempt warre against the King of France without declaring vnto him the causes of his discontent Hee therefore sends his Ambassadors to this end 1112. Lewis doth wisely answer him that hee is exceedinglie sorrie to see the two great Pillers of the Church so shaken by these dissentions and that it was to bee feared the whole building would bee ruined So as being a friend to both hee desired greatly to be a mediator of concord and not to carrie coales to increase the fire too much kindled alreadie the which ought to be quenched for the good and quiet of all Christendome This Ambassage was pleasing and preuailed so much as the Emperour disarmes The French King and the Emperour reconciled and was content to make Lewis a mediator for an accord betwixt him and the Pope to the great griefe of the King of England who expected a long continuance of this iaâ—â—e The composition was made at Wormes very beneficiall for the Pope in the yeare 1122. whereby Henry grants him the installing of Bishops and other benefices This did ease the sore but not cure it as the sequell of the Historie will shew While that Princes haue leisure to contend the poore people dye for hunger in many places of Europe This famine was exceeding great in Flanders Notable troubles in Flanders who then had for their Earle Charles surnamed the good for his good disposition and great charitie to the poore He sought by all meanes to releeue them But as barrenesse was one of the causes of this famine so the cruell couetousnesse of the rich was a great hinderance to the commoditie of victuals whereby there grew as remarkable an act as the successe was strange the particular report whereof the reader must pardon in the breefenesse of our stile There were three brethren at Bruges of the chiefe of the Countrie the which had gathered together a great quantitie of graine and would not sell it expecting a greater dearth which might cause a greater price that is Bertholphe Wendestrate Pouost of S. Donas and Chancellor of Flanders Lambert and Boussard Wendestrate brethren and an other rich Bourges called Lambert one of the chiefe of the Cittie This dignity of Prouostand Chancellor was so great as hee supplied the Princes place in his absence Vpon the peoples complaint the Earle decrees that all the graniers of these great houses should be opened and the Corne sold to the people at a reasonable rate The Comission was giuen to Thamard Almoner of the Earles house as a thing befitting his charge he causeth the graniers of these rich Bourgesses to be opened the corne is sold to the people and the money deliuered to the owners The people being releeued by the couragious care of Thamard commend him The Wendestrates and Lambert greatly discontented with this sale wherein they held themselues interessed cause many indignities to be done vnto him Lambert is directly accused by informations being a very audatious young man and the Wendestrates were touched therewith The Earle offended with these audatious attempts repaired them by Iustice threatning Lambert that if he continued he would seuerely punish him There was also an other complaint made by an old Abbot against the Prouost Treacherie against the good Earle of Flanders to whom the Earle spake roughly commanding him to restore vnto the Abbot what he ought him These free admonitions of the good Earle Charles did so alter the proud trecherous minds of these Cittizens as they resolue to kill him his milde facilitie giuing these wicked spirits both courage to attempt and boldnesse to execute And the end is answerable to their wicked desseine As the good Earle Charles went ill accompanied in the morning to his deuotion to the Church of S. Donas on Ash wednesday behold a troope of yong mad men led by this Lambert comes vnto him being vnarmed on his knees in a Chappell the Priest attired in his ornaments at the Altar the Earle holding forth his arme to giue his almes to a poore woman without any warning they beat him downe with their swords kill him and so forcing all to giue way The Earle of Flanders and his Almonet murthered they seeke for Thamard whom they find massacre with so great a furie as they leaue him vpon the place hewed into many peeces Their troope increaseth and they flie to the Pallace where all are amazed and finding it without gard without keyes without any gate shut they enter it with horrible cryes they kill sack and spoile and running from thence into the Cittie Crueltie in the Citty of Bruges they commit the like in those houses which they knew best affected to the good Earle Charles This furious crueltie was accompanied with an ouerweening indiscretion as if they had made some goodly conquest they braue it 1117. and play the maisters without feare of any punishment The people exceedingly grieued to see these barbarous cruelties against their good Prince whom they loued as a father durst not speake a word during this furye whereas this troupe of murtherers commaunded absolutely But the wisest Cittizens fled to Lewis as to their soueraigne Lord. Lewis comes to Bruges with great speede
Vncles Lords Physitians all sigh all lifte vp their eyes to heauen Tears fall from the Duke of Orleance eyes he beats his brest and crosseth his armes he approcheth neere to his poore brother and hee recules from him All are amazed all confounded O my Country what trouble shall this poore head giue vnto thy body But may I lawfully sigh with my Countrimen who sighed then foretelling the miseries thaâ— should befall them by this phrensie as if my selfe had beene in this disorder a witnesse of so great an afflictâ—on both to this poore Prince and to his Estate A generall Censure of this accident The History doth very fitly set downe the diuers Censures that were giuen of this accident both at Rome and Auignon famous places being then the seats of Popes and also in England and in France The poore subiects as men whoÌ„ it concerned spake sobeâ—ly with great griefe some blaming the Duke of Brittain and Peter of Craon others the Coâ—stable of Clisson and Mignons of his chamber who had induced the King into this action but all in generall lamented bitterly this great desaster England was amazed at this report and sorry for it especially the Duke of Lancaster who had conferred with out Charles very pâ—iuatly in the treaty of peace which they had at Amiens He wepâ— commending this good wise Pâ—ince being desiâ—ous of the good of all Christendome Rome and Auignon being then banded one against the oâ—heâ— by reason of the Schisme of Antipopes reioyced at this calamity befallen vnto our poore King â—roisard toâ— 4. Chap. 5. Vrbain as his professed enemy triomphed in his mâ—sery whereinto he â—ayed he was fallen by a iust iudgement of God hauing supported Clement his competitor against him Clement reioyced for that he was not fully confirmed in his authority by him the King hauing busyed himselfe with his subiects quarrells whereas his greaâ—â—st charge was to restore the dignity of the holy Sea to her ancient beauty This the Historie obserueth of the Censures of these Antipopes But the diuine Oracle saies O how happie is he that iudgeth wisely of the afflicted representing an admirable example in the perâ—on of Iob to gouâ—rne themselues discreetly in their Censuâ—es Iob hath the testimony of a very good man and yet he had great afflictions hauing lost goods children howse and helth tormented by his wife and not only abandoned but also persecuted by all his friends in that which was more deâ—re vnto him then his goods and life his credit wherof they seeke to depriue him accusing him that he had liued wickedly like an hipocrite hauing but the shew of a good man and not the integâ—ity of a good life whereof he made profession Such is the vaine iudgment of this world which holdes aduersity for a vice and prospeâ—ity for a vertue measuring things according to their passions and not with â—eason but the tâ—â—th doth teache vs an other lesson O Lord howe great are thy workes thy thoughts are verie deepe the ignorant man doth not know them nor the foole doth not vndersâ—and â—hem Thâ—t we might know the chastisements of God to be alwayes iust although the câ—uses be vnknowen vnto vs. We cannot denie but there werâ— errors in Charles but yet we must confesse in acknowledging things as they be that he was one of the least vicious Kings of France and if we shal examine the zele he had to the gouernment oâ— his Estate he must hold an honorâ—ble ranke among the most vertuous Princes that haue at any time deseâ—ued well of this monarchy Many neerer causes of his infirmitie may be truly and soberly obserued The second causes oâ—â—he Kinâ—s phrensie the disposition of his body his manner of life the â—urcharge of affaires the weaknes of his bâ—aine the abounding of choller greefe and waywardnâ—s the want of rest and foode the importunitie of his voiage the terror of this voice the noise of armes â—o waighe downe the ballance euer charged with so heauie a burâ—hen But why from man do we not ascend to God Truly God doth hold gouerne this rod and as Charles was the head of this great Estate by his wise decree so he not only punished the person of Charles but the whole body of this â—ealme that both great and small might learne by this pittifull spectacle to humble â—hem selues vndâ—r the mightie hand of God who hath created the spirit of man to woâ—ke according to his good and wise will and disposeth absâ—lutely of men their affaires as he pleaseth and that this saying may be the seale of a â—â—ue and sober humilitâ—e I haue held my peâ—ce O Lord for thou hast doone it drawen from this Maxime God dotâ— all wel what so euer he doth O Kings â—his famous example belongs to you in so famous a Kâ—ng O Subiects you must learne by the head oâ— Châ—rles of what pâ—ice his head is whome God hath gâ—uen you for king â—hat you may praie vnto him with all your hearts to make him fit for the gouernment oâ— the whole bodie without the which it cannot subsist But I wil returne to our Charles Paâ—don curteous reader thâ—s dâ—gression for the sâ—arch oâ— the vse oâ— so famous an Accident This new and stâ—ange accident made them presently to dismisse the troupes hauing other worke in hand then to make warre in Brittaine The armie dissolued All the Court is wholy affected to the Kings hâ—alth He is preseÌ„tly caried backe to Mans his sicknes â—ncâ—easeth he must be transported to a better aire The Physitians aduise it shold be to Creilâ— pon Oise one of the royall houses in the Countrie of Beauuaisin betwixt Beauuais and Senlis a pleasant and hâ—lsome seat vpon the riuer He is conducted thether with great care but his frantike feuer conâ—inues still They seeke to conceale it least the fame thereof should be dishonorable but truth speaks generally Iames Harsely an excellent Physicion of Laon is sent for and preformes his duty happely as shal appeere by the euent Caâ—â— of the Kings person Nothing wanted that mans wit could deuise to helpe and cure the infirmitie of so great a King Let vs lâ—aue Charles in the Physicions hands and returne to the Crowne as sicke as the head hauing as great need of a good and spede remedie A Paâ—lement is â—resently called they assemble at Paris with all speed All France mournes for the affliction of their King whom they loued deerely for his myldnes and the siâ—gular hope they conceyued of his reigne whereby Charles purchased the name of Welâ— beloued 1394 The Estats assemble to resolue what was necessary for the gouernment of the realme in this accident They determyne first what might bee fittest for the forme of gouernement hoping verily of the Kings speedy recouery beeing loath to seeke a remedy that might any way preiudice his authority It was therefore set downe for a lawe That they should abstaine from the name of Regent vnfit
gather treasor nor his owne disposition being an enemie to oppression of 〈◊〉 subiects but rather the time and the common dangers of Italie had prest him thereunto 〈◊〉 to countercheck the Venetians greatnesse then to oppose against the landing of King Charles That the fruits which they had reaped thereby were peace and publike quiet wherein he had happelie maintained them many yeares with a generall increase of râ—câ—es beautie of buildings inhabitants and acts with mildnes and moderation of spirit careâ—ull to administer good and breefe Iustice to euery man indifferently That the merits and gratious gouernment of his father layed before their eyes how insupportable would the insoâ—ent and proud commaund of the French be vnto them That abhorring the rough and vncâ—uiâ—l manners of strangers they should resolue for the common defence of their liues and country That the French are but a brunt which being withstood it should then be easie to resist them That the Emperour made hast to succour them in person That Prosper Colonne marched with the troupes of Frederike King of Naples That the Marquis of Mantoua was alreadie in the Countrie of Cremona hauing pacified all controuersies That to all these aydes if they did but ioyn their loyalties and good will he should find himselfe strong enough to incounter all the power of France vnited together But these admonitions came too late it wasvery apparent that necessitie and not any good meaning had forced him to this humilitie whereof hee had neuer giuen them any testimonie Thus his ruine approched The Venetians for their part made warre in Guiaradadde and had taken Carauage and other Townes vpon the riuer of Adde The Earle of Caiazze discontented that his brother being yonger of yeares and of lesse experience should be preferred before him in the commaund of the armie had secretly passed his word to the King In the meane time they thunder against the walles of Alexandria A strange coâ—ardise of Galeas and Galeas of S. Seuerin hauing with him twelue hundred men at armes twelue hundred light horse and three thousand foote not discouering his intent to any Captaine but onely to Luke Maluezzo he flies secretly out of the Towne in the night after the third dayes seege with a part of his light horse shewing by the effect that he had a brauer arme and was more experienced in iusts and tournies in which excercises all other Italians gaue him place then in the gouernmeÌ„t of an armie This flight daunted the courage of the beseeged and made the pasage easie The armie enters in at the breake of the day spoiles the garrison and sacks the Towne Alexandriâ— taken The losse of Alexandria and the following seege of Mortare opened the gates of Pauia Milan riseth the Cittizens arme and respect Lodowike so little as they giue good testimonie of their affection Milan mutins against Lodowikes Sforce by the murther of Anthony of Landriano his Treaâ—orer generall comming at noone day from the Castle Lodowike foreseeing his owne by an others ruine being well informed that his gouernmeÌ„t was exceeding hateful vnto the Milanois and moreouer amazed at the report which Galeas made of the valour of the French men at armes he sent away his children accompanyed with the Cardinals Ascanius his brother and of S. Seuerin with about two hundred thousand ducats which he had in treasor well shortned of a million and a halfe which he made shewe of few yeares before he left the gard of the Castle to Bernardin of Corte borne at Pauia whom he had bred vp young and three thousand foote furnished with victuals munâ—tion and money for many monethes he restored to the Borhomees gentlemen of Milan the landes he had taken from them Hee flâ—es shamefully But was this any liberalitie seeing he could not keepe them and the second day of September he departed for Germanie followed by the Cardinal of Esté and Galeas of S. Seuerin with a good number of horse and foote vnder colour to hasten the imagined troupes which Maximilian prepared for him Milan yeelds The Towne thus abandoned being loath to be a pray vnto the enemie who approched towards the walls preuented their coming and willingly consented to bring them in reseruing the capitulation to the Kings arriuall from whome they hoped considering their voluntary submission to receiue goodly exemptions and great priuileges All other places of the Duchie conformed themselues to the patterne of their cheife cittie Cremona abhorring the Venetian yoake stretched out both armes and harts to the French Cremona affected to the French Genes but the King vnwilling to infringe the treatie made with the Senate they were forced to yeeld to the yoake after some dayes seege Genes followes this example The Adornes to whom Lodowike had giuen the gouernment Iohn Lewis of Fiesque and the people contend who shall haue most honor in yeelding it to the King who giues them for Gouernour Philip Lord of Rauastin and Baptiste Fregose for his Lieutenant But force could not take the Castell by the aduice of Triuulce gold makes a breach Bernardin without other approch by the consent of the other Captaines namely of Philippin of 〈◊〉 bred likewise and brought vp by Lodowike Castell of Milan sells it twelue dayes after Lodowikes departure and receiues for paiement a hundred thousand Crownes some report but ten thousand yet I should terme this sale the capitulation of a foole considering the place which he commanded halfe the moueables in the Castell a company of a hundred Lances an annuall pension with many other graces and priuileges But this infamous marchant hatefull to all the world fled from by euery man as vnworthy to held any ranke amongest men of honor cast off from all companies with words full of reproch confounded with shame and tormented in his owne Conscience accusiâ—g his villanie and base ingratitude he died of griefe within fewe dayes after Thus all things foretell the ruine of Lodowike his owne indiscretion the peoples hatred the cowardlines of his Captaines and soldiars the treachery of his house-hold seruants They loue the treason but traitors are odious so as in twenty dayes he is dispossessed of this noble mighty estate which he had before vsurped The King receiuing intelligence at Lions of a speedier victory then he expected departs presently in post and makes his entry into Milan granting to the people exemptions of many customes impunity to all such as had followed Sforce restitution to the gentlemen who through the tirany of former times had lost their goods if they were not extant or not to discontent them that were in lawfull possession hee gaue money to many to buy them againe or others lands if any were to be solde He repealed by Edict the Regents and professors of learning giuing to some lands to others increase of their entartaynment The King makes his entry into Milan honored the gentlemen of the Country with his table and their houses
King more â—euer subiects gaue with greater ioy to their Soueraigne then the French did to hâ—m â—haâ— glorious surname of Father of his people FRANCIS the first of that name 58. King of France FRANCES THE I. KING OF FRANCE .58 1515. HAppie is that Realme saith the wise man which fals not into a childs hands This was the first comfort which reuiued the hearts of the French oppressed with mourning and heauinesse for the death of their good King Lewis the twelfth The second was that they cast their eyes vppon a worthie successor a Prince well borne iudicious and of a generous spirit liberall courteous in the prime of his age and fit for gouernment affable to the people fauorable to the Clergie pleasing to the Nobilitie who doe naturally loue their Princes good countenance and that which all subiects admire in their Soueraine of an excellent beautie Thus capable was he of the royall dignitie Francis being then two and twentie yeares old before Duke of Valois and Earle of Angoulesme tooke vppon him the gouernment of this Monarchie as sonne to Charles Earle of Angoulesme sonne to Iohn Earle of Angoulesme who was the yongest sonne of Lewis Duke of Orleans murthered by the Bourguignon at Paris in the time of Charles the sixth who was also the yongest sonne of King Charles the fiâ—t Hee was anointed at Rheims the fiue and twentith of Ianuary being attended on by the Dukes of Bourbon and Alanson the Earles of Montpensier Vendosme and Saint Paul the Prince of Roche-sur-Yon al of the house of Bourbon Then hauing made his entry into Paris a sollemne Tournie kept in Saint Anthonies street he confirmed all the ancient officers of the Crowne and to suppâ—ie those which were vacant hee creaâ—ed Charles Duke of Bourbon Constable of France being void by the death of Iohn the second Duke of Bourbon Anthonie Prat Chancellor for then Steuen Poncher Bishoppe of Paris was keeper of the seale Charles of Bourbon Earle of Vendosme Gouernour of the I le of France making the said Countie a Duchie and a Peere of France the Lord of Lautree Gouernour of Guienne Palisse Marshall of France Boisi his gouernour in his youth Lord Steward and Superintendant of his house with whome he ioyned Fleuremonde Robertet His dessâ—â—ins Secretarie of State With this title of King of France he tooke vppon him that of the Duke of Milan not onely as descending of the house of Orleans the true heire of that Duchie but also as comprehended in the inuestiture made by the Emperour according to the treatie of Cambraye And for that hee succeeded equally both to the Crowne and the desire his Predecessor had to recouer that goodly estate of Milan he therfore to worke it with more facilitie renued the peace made betwixt the deceased King and the King of England sending home Mary the widoâ—e of Lewis with a dowrie of threescoore thousand Crownes a yeare· who afterwards married with the Duke of Suffolke Hee also confirmed the alliance this Crowne had with the Senat of Venice The Archduke Charles sent a very honorable Ambassage to the King whereof the Earle of Nassau was the cheefe to doe him homage for the Counties of Flanders Arthois and other Lands which held of this Crowne and the which gaue great hope of a future peace betwixt these two Princes both being yong but marked for great matters to treat a marriage betwixt the said Charles and Renèe the Queenes sister who was after wife to the Duke of â—errare And for that the sayd Earle was greatly fauoured by the Prince Charles the King desirous to gratifie him caused him to marrie with the daughter of the Prince of Orange bred vp in his Court. Charles was yet vnder age but so carefully instructed by that wise Lord of Chieures of the house of Croye whome the deceased King Lewis had made choise of to gouerne him in his youth for that Philippe the father of Charles had by his testament intreated Lewis to accept the charge of his sonne that euen in his yonger yeares hee made him capable to vnderstand the affaires presenting vnto him all pacquets that came causing him to make report thereof vnto his Councell and to determine all things in his presence He did foresee that after the death of Ferdinand his grandfather by the mother the French might crosse him in his passage from Fâ—anders into Spaine holding it dangerous to stand in the midest betwixt the Kings of France and England vnited togither and not to fortâ—fie himselfe with this common alliance Moreouer his subiects of the low Countries would haue no warres with the Realme of France The King likewise desired to take from him all motiues to gouerne himselfe hereafter by the councell of his two grandfathers They therefore agreedâ— That the marriage proceeding betwixt the Archduke and Rene the King should giue him six hundred thousand Crownes and the Duchie of Berry for euer to her and to heires vppon condition she should renounce all rights of inheritance both from father and mother namely to the Duchies of Milan and Brittanie That after the death of the Catholike King the King should ayd the Archduke with men and shippes to goe and receiue his Realmes of Spaine The Arragonois demaunded a continuance of the truce but the King meaning to put out that clause Not to molest the Duchie of Milan during the truce their parle was fruitlesse The Emperour who ioyned his desseins to the councels of Ferdinand opposed against the amitie of the French The Suisses were as forward as before As for the Pope Francis desired to be freed from all bond to him that he mightt resolue for the best according to the course of his affaires To build vpon these foundations he now imployes his Captaines men at armes and the prouisions which his Predecessor had first prepared and makes his armie march with speed to Lions whether his Maiestie comes in Iuly An armie â—o all in the Duchie of 〈◊〉 hauing left the Regencie of the Realme to Louise of Sauyoe his mother The Duke of Bourbon Constable led the foreward accompanied with his brother Francis newly created Duke of Castelleraud the Marshals of Palisse and Triuulce Charles of Tremouille Prince of Talmont sonne to Lewis Vicont of Touars the Earle of Sancerre the Baron of Beard the Lords of Bonniuet Imbercourt and Teligni Seneshall of Rouergue Peter of Naurrre whome the King had drawen to his seruice giuing him his libertie without ransome commaunded six thousand Gascons and the Lords of Lorges grandfather to the late Mongomeries Pirault of Margiron Richbourg Iorteil little Lainet Onatilleu Hercules of Daulphine and Captaine Commarque euery one commaunding fiue hundred foote making foure thousand and eight or nine thousand Lansquenets led by Charles Duke of Guelders The King led the battaile followed by the Duke of Vendosme Lorraine and Albania the Earle of Saint Paul Claude of Lorraine Earle of Guise brother to the Duke of Lorraine the
is to say vntill a Councell were held to determine all controuersies of religion euery one should peaceably enioy the beleefe and ceremonies whereof he then made profession and in doing this the restoring of the Duke of Sauoy to all his estates was granted at the Germains charge Soone after William of Roquendolfe Lieutenant generall for Ferdinand King of Hongarie Ferdinands armie defeated by the Turke was defeated before Bude with the losse of twenty thousand Germains It was a great shame for the Emperour being neere to so mournfull and fatall a check if hee should not imploy his forces in his brothers fauour He vndertakes againe the voyage of Algier in Afrique with an intent that if passing through Italie he should finde the Kings affaires disordred and his sorces dispersed to attempt some thing against him making accoumpt that the King would not faile to be reuenged of the violence and wrong done vnto him in the persons of his Ambassadors But the good prouision which the King had made in Prouence and in Piedmont by Langey his Lieutenant generall caused him to passe on without attempting any thing Being at Luques hee had conference with the Pope and the King sent his Ambassador vnto them to demand satisfaction for the crime but he was put off with shifts The enterprise of Algier was vnfortunate The Emperor goes to Algier without successe the violence of the windes the continuall raine the stormes and haile with all the iniuries of the ayre had coniured against him breaking some of his shippes hee was beaten backe with great danger of his person and losse of his men Hetherto the Marquis had as couertly as he could disguised the matter but finding now that all men had discouered his deuises that notwithstanding the death of the Ambassadours he could not decipher the Kings desseine that the King demanded as well from the Emperour as from the Estates of the Empire satisfaction for this soule fact Now to make his cause seeme good hee writes to the Estates which were assembled againe at Ratisbone for their common defence against the Turke whereby he maintaines that he committed no act that might touch him for breach of the truce and in shew to iustifie him selfe of the crime wherewith he was charged There are saith he neither denying nor aduowing the fact two wayes of iustification the one ciuill the other Knightly I offer to maintaine ciuilly that there is no breach of truce growne by me The Marquis of Gâ—aâ—t iustifies himselfe and to deliuer into our holy fathers hands the protector of the truce both my selfe and all those the King shall thinke culpable of this act to the end the truth might be knowne and if any Knight my equall will charge me with any such fact and proue his saying by armes I will maintaine that he hath spoken falsely and as often as he shall charge me with the like so often shall he speake falsely We do often shadow a lye with such good words as it giues it a colour of trueth But did he thinke by this brauado to proue his innocencie the retreat of those murtherers to him bringing them all prisoners that were left aliue within the boates to the end there should be no meanes to discouer this infamous murther the detention hee made of the Water-men whom hee afterwards transported into other prisons vnder his command the penall Edicts hee did publish in places where the fact might be knowne against them that should be found discoursing of this action the ill vsage of them that had spoken of it the fauours honours and aduancements giuen to them that had beene the actors the depositions of prisoners freed by Langey were not all these sâ—fficient witnesses to crie vengeance against the Marquis Langey answering to the pretended iustifications of the Marquis was the Knight to make triall thereof by the one or the other way But the Marquis had no such meaning Wee haue heard how the King demanded of the Emperour being in conference with the Pope at Luques satisfaction of the murther audaciously and against all diuine naturall and humaine lawes committed vpon the persons of two of his especiall seruants men of estate and of reputation by their birthes hauing by their merites deserued the one an honourable degree amongst his chiefe Gentlemen the other an especiall place amongst the greatest Noblemen They would haue satisfied him with friuolous reasons and excuses perswading him to leaue the abolition of their bloud to the forgetfulnesse of time which might haue beene an imputation to his Maiestie eyther of want of witte and iudgement or of valour or courage Profit vrged the King honour prickt him forward and necessitie constrained him to vse those meanes which the law of Nations did allow to him which doth acknowledge no other superiour and three chiefe reasons did vrge him therevnto The first reason that moued the King to warre Vnder this colour of peace the Emperour had a thousand practises vpon the frontiers of his realme and the King had no sooner cut off one of this Hydras heads but presently there riseth vp an other or many mo Moreouer this truce allowed the trafficke and conference of eythers subiects The second by meanes whereof so many treasons were practised Neyther could hee drawe his subiects from the commerce of the Lowe Countries belonging to the Emperour without expresse prohibitions the which by consequence would argue hostilitie The third But that which did most mooue a noble and generous spirit hee had good and certaine intelligence that the Emperour seeing warre proclaimed in case hee did not within a certaine time make satisfaction for the aboue named murthers made his accoumpt that vnder colour of zeale to the Common-weale of Christendome filling the eares of the whole world with a goodly and great enterprise against the enemies of the faith hee would raise great forces and prouide great preparation at the cost and charge of his most credulous subiects lying most open and neerest vnto the Turkes inuasion and coniure the most Christian King to assist him eyther with men or money If then the fumes of an Affricane or Turkish voyage had beene proclaimed through the world before that warre were denounced betwixt these two Princes those which were not acquainted with the deuises of the one would haue imputed the stay of so holy an enterprise to the other Let vs adde that howsoeuer he mâ—st â—ntertaine men both in Italie and vpon the frontiers of Languedoc and Prouence for that both a truce and warre were of equall charge vnto him There were two meanes to beginne the warre The one profitable and lesse honest Many thrust him on some with discontent others with reuenge some with couetousnes some with desire of innouation or some other priuate passions offering to seize vpon diuers places for his Maiestie the conquest whereof might be a worthie reward for a long and doubtfull warre The other was more honest but of lesse profit iust
then to leaue that willingly which they could not hold by force That the King had expresly forbidden him not to consent to any Treaty nor to the choyse of any place for an Assembly before he had assurance of this restitution That hee held it a wrong done vnto the dignitye of so great a Prince to the honour of his commaundements to the equity of his cause and to his good fortune once to hearken vnto the difficulties they made to yeelde him vp that which was his owne That whosoeuer should treat with this preiudice deserued to be punished as the authors of Treaties that were dishonourable to their Maisters The Generall of the Fryars who could get no other resolutions at his hands returned twise into Flanders to let them vnderstand that among all the reasons of the Treaty that of Restitution was inuincible and that it was in vayne to demaund a Peace of the French if they did not restore all That this Restitution was the soule of the Treaty without the which it was a fantastike body without any naturall proportion and substance That in the ende desiring too much they should haue nothing and thinking to hold all they would loose all The Archduke doth aduertise the King of Spaine that there was no meanes to enter into the Temple of Peace but by opening of the gates of Calais Ardres Dourlans and other places taken in Warre vnto the King of France God inspired the heart of the King of Spaine against the opinion of his Councell of State to yeeld vp all his pretensions for the good of a Peace rather then to leaue the world in this perpetuall Discord and Confusion He did consult with his Councell of conscience vpon the necessity of this Restitution They answered him that he could not liue with a quiet soule nor die in the integrity of his Religion if he did not restore those places The King of Spaine followed this aduice aduertâ—sing the Archduke that he would not for that which he had gotten from an other loose the meanes to leaue a Peace to his owne Estates Vpon this resolution the Generall of the Fryars returnes into France The King of Spain reâ—olueâ— to yeâ—ld all the places and passeth his word vnto the Lâ—gate Sillery for the Restitution so as after an infinite toyle of two moneths these three made all things ready for a Treaty Sillery returnes to the King leading with him the Generall of the Fryars as wel to let him vnderstand from the Kings owne mouth what he had sayd vnto him by his commaundement as also to haue the Generall tell the King what hee had promised and propounded on the Archdukes behalfe The Legate remayned at S. Quintin aâ— Gardien of the words and intentions of two Princes Being assured of eythers faith they agree vpon a place for the assembly of the Deputies and to conclude the Treaty â—he Towne of Veruins being vnder the Kings obedience and neere vnto the â—â—oâ—ters of Arthâ—is was found the most commodious Veruins chosâ—n for the conference and was presently furnished with all things necessary to receiue the Ambassadors The King Deputed Pompone de Belieure Knight Lord of Grignon the chiefe and most auncient of his Priuy Councell and Nicholas Brulart Knight Lord of Sillery Councellour of State to his Maiesty and President in his Court of Parliment For the King of Spaine and the Archduke there came Iohn Richardot Knight President of the Kings Priuye Councell and of his Councell of State Iohn Baptista Taxis Knight Commaunder de los Santos of the Military order of S. Iames and Councellor of State and of the Councel of Waâ— Lewis Verrichen Knight AudieÌ„cer chiefe Secretary Treasorer of the Charters of the Councell of State The Cardinall Medicis Legate of the holy Sea assisted by the Bishop of Mantoua was as it were an Vmper of all difficulties in this good and holy reconciliation The Kings Deputies arriued first and those of the King of Spaine presently after where hauing saluted one another with hearts full of ioy and incredible content they promised to treat Roundly Sincerely Mildely communicating their Commissions one vnto an other and reforming those errors which they found The Precedence yeelded to the French that they might begin to treat more safely and freely After much question and many protestations made by the Deputies of the King of Spaine for the Precedence in the ende they yeelded vnto the French Kings to take what place they pleased after the Legate and the Popes Nuncio At their first sitting the Legate exhorts them to shewe the fidelity and integritie iâ— this action which their Maisters desired The Legate exhorâ—â— the Depuâ—ies whereof he assured himselfe by their experâ—ences as of those which had happily managed the greatest affayres of Europe more then any other men wishing them to consider that hauing the honour to Councell two of the greatest Princes of the world who submitted their wills vnto their Councells as the most diuine thing among men when it is purged from ambitious passions violent thoughts and preiudicate opinions they should omit nothing that might regard the contentment of their good intentions and not to doubt but that God who hath an especial care of Kings and Kingdomes would infuse the light of his sâ—irit into their most seceet thoughts and threaten them with the sincerity of his Iustice if they did not apply all their indeauours to his glory and the good of the Christian common weale Then they entred into Treaty with a mildnesse fit for men of that quality and the merit of the matter It was managed with such secrecie as nothing was knowne before that all was concluded The chiefe poynt of difficulty was for the restitution of Places Many reasons were propounded on eyther side but the Kings Deputies had great aduantages the force of reason the prosperity of affayres in the recouery of Amiens and aboue all the fauour of the time and occasion The King of Spaine would not dye but in Peace he desired his Sonne might raigne in Peace and that his deerely beloued Daughter might be married in Peace The Aâ—chduke languished with a desire to be married and fearing least the promise which he had not taking effect during the life of the King of Spaine the conditions would be made worse he pressed Richardot and Taxes not to proceed in this negotiation after the Spanish manner but to remember that they must not prolong their consultations nor protract an action the praise whereof depended vpon the conclusion So after they had balanced all matters in the treaty to reduce them to a iust proportion of reason all controuersies betwixt the two Kings were reconciled and ended During the Treaty of Veruins the Emperour Rodulphus the 2. as well for himselfe as for some Princes of the Empire An Agent sent from the Emperour to the Stâ—tes of the vnited Prouinces at the instant request of the King of Spaine sent Charles
to bee kept in prison vntill the money were paied and for the second losse of goods and life without hope of remission Allowing all men to stay and arrest all such as should carry such prohibited armes eight daies after the publication of the Edict None were excepted but the foure hundred Archers and the foure companies of Horse-backe of the gards of his person when as they waited in quarter the Archers of the Prouost of his house-hold of the Constable and Marshalls of France and they of the companie of light Horse belonging to the Duke of Vandosme who by the Edict might carrie Pistolls when as they were in seruice And to free his Subiects from the oppression of Souldiars to accustome them to obedience to whoÌ„ it is troublesome in the securest Peace he cut off the companies as well of Horse as of regiments of Foote but this traint was only of that which they might well forbeare It is dangerous to leaue an Estate long without Armes A disarmed Peace is weake The King therefore reserued the places vpon the fronters which remained still fortified with ordinary gards The gards appointed for Gouernors Lieutenants General of Prouinces were suâ—pended and the Companies of men at Armes were reduced to a lesser number Such whose spirits could not liue in the cessation of Armes and which were good Captaines in the time of Warre like vnto Marius but ill Cittizens in peace had leaue to go â—eeke the exercise thereof in Flanders and Hungary Peace doth change the exerciâ—e of Warre into hunting the King made it his daâ—lie exercise Being one day hunting in the great forest of Fontainbleau there was heard about halfe a League off The King hunting in the Forest of Fontainbleau a great cry of hownds and the winding of hornes and sodenly all this noyse which seemed to bee farre off came to his iudgement within twenty paces of his eare Hee commanded the Count Soissons to set out and to see what it was thinking that no man durst presume so boldly to interrupt his sports the Earle aduancing heard the noise yet could not discerne whence it came A big blacke man presented himselfe in the thickest of the bushes crying out Do you vnderstand me and then he sodenly vanished away Mâ—enteudez voâ—s At those words they which were discreet thought it great indiscretion to stay longer there a hunting The Heardsmen thereabouts say it is a spirit which they call the great Hunter who hunts in this forest others hold that it is Sâ—int Huberts chase the which is also heard in other places Many Noblemen and Gentlemen retired themselues now vnto their gouernments and priuate houses the King hauing sayd long before that he would force euery man to liâ—e of his owne and not to importune him any more Neuer any Edict was better obserued then this speech for euen then he resolued to imploy the remainder of his reuenues in publicke necessities and not in the prodigalities of Vitelâ—ius nor â—or the enriching of priuate men 〈…〉 â—00000 〈…〉 of 〈…〉 that of 〈…〉 his 〈◊〉 saying that hee would ease the poore and giue example vnto the rich to content themselues with little and to liue accordingly The Constable went to his gouernment of Languedoâ— hauing obteyned of the King a reuersion of his gouernment for Henry of Montmorency his Sonne The King in his wisedome thought he could not sufficiently grace a house which hath brought forth so many Gouernors Admiralls Marshalls and Constables and which vnder the name of Montmorency comprehends that of Horne and Laualâ— which hath giuen wiues to Kings of France and Dukes of Brittaine The letters-pattents were read and registred in the Court of Aides at Montpellier the Duke of Vantadour being President and the Bishop of Agdâ— and Nismes assiâ—ting The oâ—der which the King did settle for the affaires of his house was a President to all France shewing the religious desire which hee had to see his subiects enioye the fruits thereof His Iustice would not suffer them to be charged and ouercharged with impossible duties seeing that the violence of the Warre had left them nothing but their tongues to complaine being like vnto a skinne laied vpon a dead mans bones Yet notwithstanding they were forced to pay the publike charges for the fruites which they had not gathered And therefore the King did vnto his subiects as Constantin and Theodosius did vnto them of the Empire by a generall discharge of the remainder of their taxe and tributes Hee also sent according to the resolution of the Estates held at Roâ—n many great personages as well of his Councell as of other companies to examine the necessities of his people to order the taxes and tributes Tâ—xes remitted to protect the weake froÌ„ the oppression violence of such as during the ciuill Warres had seene no light of Iustice but through the flamé of Harguebuzes hauing so abused the time as to enioye the priuilege of Nobles they would be so esteemed rather by their shewe then by the vse and seruice of the sword and when as the Lawe which doth chiefely bind Noblemen by reason of their Tenures and titles of Nobility to the duties of armes hath coniured them to succor the necessitâ—es of their Prince and Countries they haue thrust themselues among the people lyuing idely in Townes or in the delights of their houses so long as fire and danger were in field Men â—nworthy of the name of men of Gentlemen and of Frenchmen The Commissioners forced these kinde of gallants to pay who by pretended letters of their Innoling and abuse of the Priuileges had laied their Taxes vppon the people While the King labours to reforme all abuses and to roote out disorders The Clergy of France petition vnto the King the deputâ—es of the Clergy of France being assembled together at Paris with the Kings permission beseech his Maiesty to reforme the disorders of the Church Which speech was deliuered with great reuerence before his M. by the reuerent Francis de la Geusle Aâ—ch-bishop of Tours accompanied with many of the saied deputies of the Clergie The Summe whereof was That it would please his Mâ—iesty that the holy Councel of Trent might be receiued and published in France with such necessary qualifications as concerne the French liberties the Immunities of Churches and the priuileges of Parliaments That his Maiesty would not charge his conscience with the nomination vnto Bishoprickes Abbeyes and other benefices hauing charge of soules That lay pensions giuen in recompence to Noblemen and Gentlemen vpon the sayd nominations may be reuoked That Clergy-men may be suffred to enioy their liuings quietly without charge but only to do their duties in the seruice of God and the Church That Churches may not be prophaned nor the Incumbents houses suffred to go to ruine but to be well and duely mainteyned to the ende they may not pretend any iust cause of non residence and to separate them from
to take counsell of his Conscience to euaporate those bad humors which did choake him The night past so quietly as many thought it would be but a Thunderclap which made a great noise did little harme that the King would rest satisfied to haue discouered the Treason and taken al meanes from the Traytors to hurt him not being conuenient to discouer all the conspirators He coÌ„manded the Count of Soissons to go to the Duke of Biron to do what he could to dissolue the hardnes of his Heart to draw the trueth froÌ„ him he goes vnto him he coniures adiures him to think of that which he thought least of to humble himselfe and to feare the Lions pawe the indignation of a King The Duke of Biron answered That the King could not complaine but of the good seruices he had done him that he had great reason to coÌ„plaine that he suspected his Loyalty hauing giuen him so many proofs The Couâ—t of Soissons hauing obserued his humor what litle frute might be drawne from his obdurate Heart by any more perswasions who beleeued that the King had sent him to draw something from him he left him Early the next morning the King walking in the little Garden he sent for the Duke of Biron and talked long with him thinking to reclaime him to giue him meanes to free himselfe froÌ„ the mischiefe into the which he did run headlong by his wilfulnes He continued long bare-headed liâ—ting his eies vp to heauen beating his Breast making great protestations to maintaine his innocency There appeared choller in the Kings countenance by the Duke of Birâ—â—â— behauiour there seemed fire in his words From thence the Duke went to dinner by the way he met one with a Letter which aduised him to retire himselfe he shewed it to the Captaine of his Gard who â—ished that he had beene stabd with a Dagger so as he had not come He mocked at all them which foretold his fall and seemed alwayes hardy and bold in his answers The King heard his braueries coldly Dissimulation a new vertue in Princes but not able to apply himselfe to dissemble which is held a new vertue in Princes he still cast out some words of the bad estate into the which his wilfulnes would bring him The King was much troubled in minde before he could resolue the Lords of Villeroy Sillery and Geure went and came often before they could vnderstand wherunto it tended Many thought it was to shorten the course of Iustice In great accidents Iustice it without formâ—â—â—y in so apparent a crime and begin with the execution dealing with the Duke of Biron as Alexander did with Parmenio for Princes are Masters of the Lawes they haue one forme of Iustice for great men and another for those whose quality requires not so great respect In these accidents there is no difference whether bloud be drawn before or after dinner Necessity teacheth the disorder and the Profit doth recompence the example so as the Estate be preserued by the death of him that is preuented But the King will none of that He proceedes with more Courage and Generosity These examples of Execution had beene blamed in his Predecessors he will haue his Subiects and all the World to know that he hath power and authority sufficient to roote out by the forme of Iustice not the Authors of such a Conspiracie for they be Deuils but the Complices and the instruments how terrible so euer He will haue the Solemnities and lawfull Ceremonies obserued and that they be iudged by the rigour of the Lawes The resolution was taken to apprehend him in like sort to seize vpon the Count of Aunergne The King would not haue them taken in the Castle but in their Lodgings The Duke of Biron who had some doubt thereof and who was prepared for that which he could not fore-see nor preuent thought that hee needed not to feare any thing in the Kings Chamber and that all the danger were at the going forth and therefore he prouided himselfe of a short Sword The Duke of Biron carried a short Sword with the which he presumed to make his passage They gaue the King to vnderstand that if he were apprehended in any other place it must needes be bloudy that to auoide an inconuenience it was good to passe ouer respects that were more Vaine then necessary The King walking in the Gallery called for Vitry and Pralin and gaue them order how he would haue his commandments executed and then he called for his supper The Duke of Biron supt at Montignys Lodging where he spake more proudly and vainly then euer of his owne Merits and of the friends he had gotten in Suisse Then he fel to coÌ„mend the deceassed King of Spaine He praiseth the King of Spaine his Piety Iustice and Liberality Montigny stayed him sodainly saying That the greatest commendation they could giue vnto his memory was to haue put his owne Sonne to death for that he had attempted to trouble his Estates This speech brake off the Duke of Birons discourse who answered but with his eyes and thought of it with some little amazement After Supper the Count of Auuergne and the Duke of Biron came to the King who walked in the Garden They were well accompanied intending to haue gone with a lesse Trayne It was sayd the Dukes Horses were sadled ready to be gone and that he had asked leaue in the Morning The King hauing done walking inuited the Duke of Biron to play they entred into the Queenes ChaÌ„ber The Count of Avuergne passing by the Duke at the entry of the Doore sayd vnto him in his Eare He plâ—ies at Primero with the Queene We are vndonne There played at Primero the Queene the Duke of Biron vpon whom all the mischeefe must fall and two others The King played at Chesse and in playing did acte the part of Vlisses going and comming to giue order to his affayres It appeared that his Spirit was troubled with a waighty action He entred into his Cabinet being perplexed with two contrary Passions doubtfull wherevnto he should yeeld The Loue which he had borne to the Duke of Biron the knowledge he had of his Valour and the remembrance of his seruices made him to reiect all thoughts of Iustice and to intreat him as Licurgus had done him that put out his Eye On the other side feare of trouble in his Estate and the apprehension of the execâ—able effects of so vnnaturall a Conspiracy accused his Clemency of cruelty which preferred the priuate before the publike He praied vnto God to assist him with his holy Spirit to pacifiâ— the Combat which he felt in his soule and to fortefie him with a holy resolution to that which should be for the good of his People ouer whom he coÌ„manded by his onely Grace His praier being ended all difficulties which troubled him were dispersed and he fully resolued to deliuer the
him to leaue him a base Childe of his the which he would bring vp with his owne He growes into choller whâ—â—â—e sees the hâ—ngman Going out of the Chappell the Executioner presented himselfe vnto him He asked Voisin what he was It is sayd he the Executioner of the sentence Retire thy selfe sayd the Duke of Biron touch me not vntill it be time And doubting least he should be bound he added I will go freely vnto death I haue no hands to defend my selfe against it but it shall neuer be sayd that I die bound like a Theefe or a Slaue and tuâ—ning towards the hangman hee sware that if he came neere him he would pull out his throate Hee could not endure the sight of the Executioner He had reason for they torment the body as Diuills be Executioners of the Soule And although they be Men and the Instruments of Iustice yet they are held execrable and had no dwelling house allowed them in Rome by the Censors Lawe The two Preâ—chers led him downe He goes to the Scafâ—old intreating him to resist his impatience which did but distemper his minde and made him loath to leaue the place which hee could not hold against his will CoÌ„ming into the Court he went fiue or six paces without speaking a word but ha ha ha He cast his eyes vpon the Lieutenant Ciuill in whose house la Fin was lodged to whome he sayd I am your friend beware you bâ—e not abused with Sorcerers and Magitians if you free not your selfe of them you will repent it They had made a Scaffold in a corner of the Court of the Bastille before the portall going into the Garden six foote heigh and somewhat longer there were fiue steps to go vnto it There were no Ornements no Tapistery no Distinction The most stately death is not the least troublesome the greater the preparation is the more remarkable is the infamy It is no great honor to kneele vpon a veluet Cushion vpon a Scaffold spred with Tapistry to haue by him an Executioner clad in black veluet and Crimson Silke with the sword of gold of Heliâ—gabalus The death which is least ceremonious is the best The beholders were some at the windoes some in the Court There were the Prouost of Marchants foure Sheriffes three or foure Masters of Requests some Presidents of the Chambers of Accounts and some Councellors the Lieutenants Ciuill Cryminal the kings Atturney general The Duke of Biron coÌ„ming to the Scaffold kneeled vpon the first step praying in fewe words and his eies lift vp to Heauen Hee was exhorted to kisse the Crosse in remembrance of his redemption Hee was attyred iâ— russet taffata with a blacke haâ—t He cast a furious looke vpon the Executioner Voâ—sin perswaded him that it was an other but he knew him well saying that they sâ—ught to deceiue him but he commanded him to stand by and when it were time he would call for him He threw downe his hat and cast his hand-kercher to a boy and presently called â—or it againe to vse it seeimg in this act that he had not the corage to looke vpoÌ„ deâ—th with open eyes He put of his dublet cast it to the same boy but the Executioners mâ—n got it and kept it The Executioner offered him a cloth to put before his eyes the which he reiected saying That if hee toucht him but to giue him the stroake of death hee would strangle him Hee sayd vnto the souldiars which garded the Port shewing them his naked brest that he should be much bound vnto him that would shoote him with a Musket what a pittie is it sayd he to die so miserably and of so infamous a stroake They might see by his hollowe eyes that his thoughts were distempered At these wordes the teares fell from the souldiars eyes All those of his profession sware by his Spirit by his good Angell as the Ancients did by that of their Prince The poorest souldiar was cherished by him at the least he had some good words to assure him of his good liking The Hargubuziers did wound him at the Heart through the extreame compassion they had of him So were the souldiars of Eumenes moued when they see him bound and manacled intreating them to kill him He asked if there were no pardon and directing his words to the standers by he sayd that he had made his Soule readie to present it before the face of God but he tooke pittie of the Kings soule who put him to death vniustly that he died an innocent and that this death was the recompence of his feruice Voisin sayd vnto him That it was the manner to reade the sentence He was angry that they would make him to feele death and to die so often before his death for he fealt himselfe to die cruelly in the repetition of the crimes of his condemnation being sufficient that they had brought him thether where he was ready to obey and that they which did see him were not ignorant of the cause When as the Register answered him that it could not be otherwise hee gaue him leaue but vnderstanding the words That he had attempted against the Kings person and State hee sayd that it was false That God was his Iudge that he would be depriued eternally of his grace if it were true that for two and twenty moneâ—hes past he had neuer any thought of it and that the King had pardoned him Hee talked all the while that Voisin red his Iudgement so as neither the one nor the other could bee vnderstood the Auditors not knowing to whom to giue eare The party condemned protesting still and coniuring the Assistants to remember that these two and twenty monethes he had not attempted any thing against the Kings seruice No man doth at any time condemne himselfe You shall see few of these great Spirits that die by their owne confessions although they be found guiltie Some confesse the Fact but they hold it no Cryme as that yong gentleman who was one of them that murthered the Duke of Milan being readie to receiue the stroake he cried out that the Death which he suffered was troublesome but his Reputation should bee euerlastingly glorious His Iudgement being read the Preachers perswaded him to call to God for helpe and not to thinke any more on Earth but to yeeld his Soule to the immortal disposition of the Creator and to leaue his bodie to that which Iustice had decreed He asked what he should doe and takes his hand-kercher with the which he blinds his eyes asking the Executioner where he should set himselfe He answered him there my Lord there And where is that Thou seest that I see nothing and yet thou shewest mee as if I did see plainely and therewith being in choller he pulled away his hand-kercher to see He blinded his eyes againe and for that it is a kind of grace to be soone dispatcht and a great crueltie to languish in the expectation of