she should come and visit him and bring the Cardinal along with her who answered Her life would not be safe amongst in incen'sd people The Queen repli'd she would come alone without the Cardinal he answered He feared the people would rise Then the Duke sent to the Marishals of France to forbid them to take orders from any one but himself who was Lieutenant General of the State and of his Majesties Armies they answered That whilst the King was present they were to depend upon the King upon no other He sent the same order to the Provost of Merchants wishing him to will the Colonels and Captains not to take up Arms without his Command they excused themselves with ambiguous words and went presently to acquaint the Queen therewith who answered They might not do ill to receive orders from the Lieutenant General of the Crown since she could not believe that he would command any thing contrary to the Kings service at the same time many of the Nobility being assembled together in the Marquess of Vieville's House who was not over affectionate in his heart to the Cardinal to think how to get satisfaction from the Cardinal for what he had said to their shame he carried them to L' Hostella d' Orleans telling him That if he pleased he would frame their assembly to which the Duke not dissenting they had their first meeting and choosing the same Vieville and the Marquess Lordis for their Presidents both which were desirous of novelty that so they might be of some consideration and get advantage thereby since as yet they were in no great credit at Court The Coadjutor finding that the Parliament delaid the execution of the three proposals against the Cardinal and that the first President with many of the more moderate sort sought to sweeten bitterness and that suiting himself to the most plausible opinion he desired earnestly the Princes liberty insisted that they were to acknowledg it from the Queens goodness who had already given way thereunto and had sent Marishal Gramont Monsieur de Lyon and Monsieur Goulas to treat with the Princes selves And he perswaded Orleans to come to the Parliament and by his Authority to foment what was desired the Duke suffering himself to be perswaded by the Coadjutor came to the publick Palace on the fourth of February accompanied by the Dukes of Beaufort Gioyuse and Rets by the Coadjutor's self and by all the great ones of Parliament he told them that he had given the Coadjutor order to acquaint the Assembly with what the Cardinal had said to the King to their detraction and with what his answer was both to the Queen and Cardinal and how that in regard of such unworthy speeches he had sent word to her Majesty that he would come neither to Court nor Council so long as Mazarine was there adding That he was come to Parliament intending to joyn wholly with them and to see all things performed that they should Decree that for above a month nothing had been spoken of in the Privy Council but private business instead of taking order for the Emergencies of State or the Princes liberty that the Cardinal would not have them disimprisoned though himself had solicited any time these three months He also declared that it was the Queens importunity that had made him consent to their imprisonment and that she was induced thereunto by the Cardinals false suggestions He made also a Narrative of what had been done since the Princes imprisonment blaming what had been done at Burdeaux by the Cardinal and that if he had consented thereunto it was only that he might not displease the Queen to whom he had always profess'd much obsequiousness but that perceiving now that instead of growing better things grew worse he was resolved to go no more to Council as long as the Cardinal was there that he was come to the Assembly to acquaint them with thus much and to be advised by them knowing that so he should not erre This the Duke speaking so freely against the Cardinal was applauded not only by those few that were his Enemies but made deep impression in many others who had altered their minds since they had heard what the Coadjutor had related and which was afterwards confirm'd by Orleans The first President who was a good man and of great experience answered in very respective terms to the Duke and with much moderation That he was absolutely for the Princes liberty but not by violence nor by any other hand than the Kings Then entring upon the Dukes discontents he said That if they arose from the Princes imprisonments he might be sure they should be freed from imprisonment but if from the Cardinals greatness he was to make use of his wisdom therein for it was lawful for the King to make use of whose service he pleased and that if he thought himself injured by the Cardinal if he would declare his reason there were means to satifie him without putting France into confusion here the Duke interrupted him saying That for what concerned the Princes liberty he the Duke ought to know more than he but that he did not believe him for he had a tye in writing upon Bar that he would never set them at liberty without order from the Queen and from him the Duke Whilst the Counsellors were giving their Opinions the Master of the Ceremonies came to the Parliament with a Letter from the King commanding them to send Commissioners to him Some were of opinion not to hear him but the Duke would not suffer any such contempt they therefore resolved to continue the Assembly and in the interim to send the first President and President Bailleul with twenty Counsellors more to receive his Majesties commands Then came Count Brien the first Secretary of State who in the Queens name desired Orleans to come and assist in Council in the Court assuring her self that he who had always born such affection to her Majesty would not refuse her such a favour The Duke replied he could not answer her there but when he should be returned to his own house he would as he did that very night declaring that there could be no safety for him whilst the Cardinal was there when the Commissioners came before her Majesty the Lord Keeper acquainted them with the reason why the King had sent for them and at the same time he delivered a writing containing what the Queen had to say to them to the Secretary of State Guinegaute who read it After which the first President said that the Assembly marvelled why after the Parliaments Remonstrance and after her Majesty had past her word that the Princes should have their liberties there was so little sign thereof to which the Queen answered that Marishal Grammont was already gone to treat with them and that she was content they should come out giving necessary precaution for the safety of the State afterwards inlarging her self and re assuming what had been
resolving not to consent thereunto he presently acquainted Orleans with it so as the Princess being sensible how her service was neglected thought she was no longer bound to back him Those who were gratified by him were Count Marsine who after the Prince his return from Haure de Grace was made Governour of Steney Marquess Boutevile who was made Governour of Belgarde Monsieur Arnault made Governour of the Castle of Dijeon Marquess Persan made Governour of Montrond Count Melle made Governour of Cleremont Count Tavanes destined to command the Princes Troops and Regiments in Champagnia and Burgundy of all whose fidelities he did no ways doubt beside some others to whom he gave several imployments The Princes together with their liberties were restored by order from the Queen to all their Governments the Duke of Longueville was restored toh is Government of Normandy But he and his friends in that Province and Count de Alets with his adherents in Provence severed their interests from those of the Prince and left him to himself in affairs which did occur that which moved them chiefly thereunto was for that these Princes being of more mature years and of a more setled nature would not hazard themselves upon such misfortunes and ruine as wisely they foresaw but as for the Duke of Nemeurs and Rochfaucolt though neither of them were fully pleased with the Prince the first kept faithful to him by means of the Dutchess of Chastillion and the other by the Dutchess of Longueville His most considerable friends were the Duke of Orleans by Beaufort's means the Dutchess of Monbason the Frondeurs and part of the Parliament who fearing the Queen and Cardinal sided with him The whole Clergy of France were already sufficiently wounded by the Decree of Parliament and by the verification thereof in excluding all Cardinals from the Kings Council which made them by frequent meetings of Prelats seek remedies for this wound Many Gentlemen also who were weary of the Wars and grown poor did frequently assemble under pretence of proceeding to a Convocation of the States General whereby to amend disorders of the Kingdom many thought good to add the Clergies grievances to theirs so to seek remedy for so many evils wherefore some of the Nobles having had discourse with the Church-men they all joyned in indeavouring the Convocation of the States General to this purpose was Count Fiesco chosen who was President of the Assembly and more imbittered than the rest He with the Secretary and with twelve Gentlemen of the twelve Provinces of France went on the seventh of February to the Covent of the Augustine Fryers where Fiesco in a Hall where the Clergie was met spoke as followeth Gentlemen The whole Nobility which is now in Paris being brought together under the Protection of the Duke of Orleans the King's Vnkle and the States Lieutenant General the first thing resolved upon was to desire you to joyn with them which desire being so just and grounded upon so many examples they cannot doubt but you will readily imbrace it the rather for that this assembly is no other than a continuation of that which was made the year 1649. by leave from the King Queen Mother and the Duke of Orleans where you made the same Vnion with us which is now demanded You may remember Gentlemen that when we broke up we were allowed to meet again whensoever the things that were then promis'd us were not observed and when remedies should not be applyed to the violence used to Gentlemen contrary to the priviledges and immunities of their birth We should go less in our condition and in what our predecessors have won for us by their blood lost for the aggrandising of this Crown if we should silently lose them and not use all just and lawful means to preserve them our design being so justifiable we beg of you to joyn with us and co-operate with us adding your Suffrages to ours and second the Duke of Orleans his generous resolution in obtaining the liberty of the Princes of the blood-Royal and in assisting his Highness to break the Cords of these unfortunate Princes who have been declared innocent by Parliament their detention being so prejudicial to the King's service and to the common good Behold here Gentlemen our Commission which we beseech you to approve of for which our Assembly doth by us promise you their respect and service The Archbishop of Rheims first President of the Clergies Assembly answered That the Nobility had always been gracious to the Clergy and that the Assembly acknowledged the obligation so with specious words dismist the Nobilities Commissioners They then presently fell to examine the Proposals which were made unto them and resolved to represent to the Queen and to the Duke of Orleans that there had ever been an Union between these two bodies insinuating their inclination to continue it The chief thing desired by the Nobles was the Princes their liberty wherein the Assembly had formerly been supplicants to his Majesty and would still continue to be so and would desire the Duke of Orleans to use his power therein with the Queen and because the Clergy had not as yet paid their respects to the King and Queen they sent to the Duke of Orleans to know if he would be pleased that they should send Deputies to their Majesties which he approving of the Archbishop de Ambrune with divers other principal Prelates went on the ninth of February for audience to the King where they express'd the reasons of their Assembling alledging the example of the year 1949. and the Duke of Orlean's Authority and in fair words did supplicate their Majesties for the Princes liberty The Guard de Seaux answered them That the Assembly of the Nobles was unlawful that the Queen did disapprove thereof and that she would not take it well that they of the Clergy should joyn with them that for what concerned the liberty of the Princes it was that which her Majesty did desire so as they that were of their party would lay down their Arms and that she had sent Marishal Grammont to treat with them then the same Deputies went to the Duke of Orleans and desired him to continue his noble inclinations and put an end to a business of such importance for the publick peace The Duke thanked them praised their indeavours and said that as for their joyning with the Nobility they might do it that by all means he would have the Princes out of Prison and that they needed say no more unto him wherefore the Bishop of Cominges was sent by the Clergy the next day to the Assembly of the Nobles accompanied by divers other Bishops and Abbots and acquainting them with what he had to say from the Assembly he assured them of a constant confederacy To which the Marquess of Lordis answering with like civility an Union was agreed upon but that the Duke of Orlean's assent in writing must be seen for the meeting of the Nobles which
civil War would without speedy remedy be kindled The Prince of County thinking that the first President 's words aimed at the taking the cognition of these affairs from the Parliament stopt him at the word of Civil War saying he wondered that he should speak of Civil War where the Prince his Brother meant nothing but safety to his own person He wish'd him therefore to give over these speeches which tended only to make the Prince his actions appear contumacious and blameable which were of themselves just tending to the publick good and to the keeping up of the Grandezza of France which consisted in being govern'd by those of her own Nation and not by Forrainers who mind only the undoing of others to enrich themselves The first President repli'd he wonder'd no less to be interrupted it being a thing not permitted to any one and that in that place he was to speak any thing which tended to the King's service and to the common good County answer'd that he had the honour to be a Prince of the blood and that when he heard his Brother ill spoken of he was bound to defend him and that he thought it improper to speak of civil War when a Prince was spoken of who had done so much for the service of the King and State The first President replyed that the Princes of the blood were in that place but mere Counsellors that no notice was taken there of any Prince but the King and that such speeches as these had been heard upon the like occasions in other times but the contention was interrupted by the Duke of Orleans and the Parliament was adjourned till the next day Affairs were kept this mean while on foot at Court and touching giving satisfaction to the Prince it was wholly put over to the Duke of Orleans who holding good intelligence with the Prince it was hoped that by his means some good agreement might be come unto or if that he should further his designs the Court might have just reason to make good her resolutions to the world of humbling the Family of Conde which was grown too great for the King's Authority Orders were sent to all the Governours of Provinces and Towns to stand upon their Guard nor to own any commandement but from their Majesties Marishall Grammont was sent to his Government of Berne a Province bordering upon Spain to watch over whatsoever might be contrived on that side against the King's service to which purpose the Queen used all means to bring the Cardinal back who as a forreiner and not depending upon any faction was known to be requisite for the good of the Government and for the defence of his Master's Dignity and because she found there were few of his friends who spoke freely for him since the very imagination of not being against him was able to make any honest man hated she caused the Abbate of Ondedey to return to Paris who kept incognito as hath been said at Peronne to the end that by his dexterous fidelity he might bring the wisht for indeavours to a good end The Parliament meeting again on Monday another Gentleman appeared from Conde with a Letter wherein he discovered himself more fully touching his suspitions and pretences complaining that the Kingdom was governed by those that adhered to the Cardinal saying that Tillier was made Secretary of State merely by the Cardinals favour that Monsieur de Lyon had the honour to be the Queens Secretary only for having been in the same imployment formerly for the Cardinals service and that Count Serviente had added nothing to what had made him deserve being deprived of the Office wherewith he was honoured by the late King more than hindering the conclusion of the general Peace that if these three were removed from the Court he would forthwith return unto the King These Letters were perused and presently sent by the King's party to the Queen by whom the Duke of Orleans was again desired to interpose in appeasing the Prince and to free him of his conceived jealousies to which purpose the Duke went to Rambulliere not far from St. Antoine where he spoke with the Prince but to as little purpose as formerly for he persisted that he would see the aforenamed three persons removed whom he held to be his chiefest enemies to this he was egg'd on by the Counsellors Croisy St. Germain Count Fiesco with the privity of Chasteauneuf and the Coadjutor who contributed to the business though underhand to avoid the making Conde more jealous who held no good correspondence with them About the midst of Iuly the Duke of Orleans spoke again with Conde at Rene two leagues from Paris which though it appeared to be for this agreement yet the truth was that instead of reducing the Treaty to some fair issue and reciprocal satisfaction as was thought might be done if Orleans had dealt really they agreed to expell the three forenamed Men to the end that the Queen being deprived of their assistance and others who depended upon them being put into their places they might predominate in the Council and obtain their desires They therefore prest the Parliament as much as possibly they could to interest them against the aforesaid three to which the Parliament would not consent Monsieur Tillier the mean while knowing that the whole Caball was against him alone for as for Servient and Lyon he did not think them to be so far out with the Prince as that he should seek their ruine he told the Queen that though his being Secretary of State might dispense with him for not condesending to the Prince his demands and for keeping the Parliament from interesting themselves therein that notwithstanding having no other end but the King's service and the quiet of the State he would willingly yield so to put an end to all pretentions and to obviate new disturbances The other two followed his example so they all got leave to retire from the Court and went to their Country houses wherefore the Prince adding still to his pretences and growing still more haughty came to Paris on the 21. of Iuly accompanied by Duke Rochefaucolt Marishal de la Motte and other friends of his and going to Parliament with the Duke of Orleans he thanked them for their protection and went from thence to visit the King and Queen and because he seemed still to doubt new Imprisonment many men were placed about the Palace Royal. And the Duke of Orleans who upon his word had brought him to the Court shew'd him a Dagger as he went out of the house which hung by his side saying that he would with that kill the first man that should offer to stop him The King was willing to see him but the Queen appeared somewhat cool and avoiding any discourse of interest talked only of what did presently occur whereat the Prince was not much satisfied and as it is usual for men that are apprehensive to interpret all things to the worst he
to hault at the Village above the aforesaid Castle that he might make use of them if he should be forced to retreat The Spanish Captains coming in as their Soldiers ran away rallied them so as the French were forced to retreat to their reserve where the Foot behaved themselves so well as having disordered the Spanish Horse by a furious volly of Musquet shot Pardalian had opportunity to fall upon them with his reserve and to discompose them killing many and taking many Prisoners The rest of the day was spent in defials and slight Skirmishes on both sides and they lay that night in the fields which retarded the march of the Spanish Army one day and made the Spaniards hazard the loss of their Rear if Pardallian had had more men or had the Piemontese Militia done as they ought to have done Thus without makeing any more attempts they all retreated to their former quarters and where they staid till they were forced to remove by mere accidents as small be said in the insuing books The remainder of this year and the beginning of the next were spent in treaties between the Governour of Millan and the Dutchess of Savoy to whom the Spaniards made great offers perswading her to make use of the present conjunctures of time when little assistance being to be expected from France by all reason she ought to agree with Spain and shun the ruine which Piemonte was likely to run into for want of necessary defence but the Dutchess though she seemed not to be distasted with such a treaty yet entred she thereinto only to feed the Spaniards with hopes till times might prove better THE HISTORY OF FRANCE The SEVENTH BOOK The CONTENTS The King's Majority after which divers expeditions are made Marquess Chasteauneus is sent for back into the Court and made Minister of State The seals are given again to the first President Mole The Coadjutor Gondi is named by the King to be Cardinal The Prince of Conde retires to Berry and from thence to Burdeaux The King goes with his Court to Berry and from thence towards Guienne Divers accidents of War happen Cardinal Mazarine is sent for back by the King who raiseth men to enter France War begins again in Guienne with several successes which are advantagious for the King Count Marsine abandons the King's service and goes from Catalonia to France to Conde's party The Duke of Nemeurs raiseth men in Flanders and falls in with the party of the Male-contents The Cardinal parts from Sedam and comes with about 6000 Soldiers to Poictiers to serve the King the Duke of Bullion and General Turenne are received in favour to the Court Turenne is declared General of the King's Army Angiers is taken The King marcheth to Blois Nemeurs enters France with the Army which he raised in Flanders Differences arise between him and Duke Beaufort who differ in managing the War Count Paluan besiegeth Montrond Madamoselle comes to Orleans and keeps that City from declaring for the King The King's Army advanceth to Guienne Conde comes incognito from Guienne to Nemeurs and Beaufort's Army Several accidents of War happen The Spaniards continue the seige of Barcellona ON the 7 th of September the day destined for the Ceremony of the King's Majority all things were prepared which were fitting to Celebrate such an action the King Queen Princes and great ones of the Court go to the Hall of Parliament where the King being seated in his Chair of Justice the Queen sate on his right hand together with the Dukes of Anjou and Orleans Prince of County the Dukes and Peers of France who were there viz. the Dukes of Vsses Mercure Beaufort Luines Brisack Rochefaucolt and Candalle who were followed by the Marishals of France viz. D' Estree de L'Hospitalle Villeroy Oquincourt la Motta Plessis Pralin de Estampes the Son of Millerey great Master of the Artillery and on the left hand sate the Lord de Aumaule Archbishop of Rheimes Cohorse Bishop of Beauvois Vialarde Bishop of Chalouns Barada Bishop of Noyoune the four Ecclesiastical Dukes and Peers all these sate on high and lower on the right hand sate the Archbishop of Paris the Bishops of Saulis and Tarbes at the Kings foot sate Duke Chamberlain Ioyeuse the chief Provost of Paris the Counts Charost Tremes Gesure and Villaquiere who were Captains of the King's Guard Count Brienne Messieurs della Vrliere Plesses Guinagaude and Tillier who were four Secretaries of State upon a Bench over against the King's feet At the Queens feet sate Monsieur Guitand Captain of her Guard Coninges her Lieutenant Count Harcourt with the Crowns Sword in a violet velvet sheath studded with Golden Flower-de-luces The Chancellor in his usual place in a velvet Gown upon another seat behind the Counsellors of State sate the six Masters of Requests and President Montaro upon another Bench sate the Princess of Carrignano and her Daughter Princess Luise and then the Queens maids with their Mother in the high Lantern sate the Queen of England the Dutchess of Orleans Dutchess of Espernoun the Marquess of Gesures and Cominges in the Lantern on the side of Nodari the Pope's Nuntio the Embassadors of Venice and Holland in the Tribunal upon their knees four Heralds at Arms two before and two behind one bearing the hand of Justice another the Scepter and the other two Truncheon of violet Velvet studded with small Golden Flower-de-luces the Dukes of Crequi and Mortman chief Gentlemen of the Kings Bed-Chamber and Marquess Sourches grand Provost of France and on seats below all the Counsellors Officers and others of the Court and Parliament Being thus stately inthroned the King spoke thus I am come to the Parliament to tell you that according to the Laws of the Kingdom I intend to take upon my self the Government of the State and hope through God's goodness to do it with piety and justice The Chancellor will tell you the rest who standing up and bowing low unto the King made a neat discourse upon that action which when he had done he return'd to his place Then the Queen rising a little from her seat spoke thus unto the King Sir this is the 9th year that by the will of the late King my ever honour'd Lord and Husband I have taken upon me the care of your Education and the Government of the State God of his goodness hath blessed my indeavours and preserved your person which is so dear to me and pretious to your Subjects Now that the laws of your Kingdom call you to take upon you the Government of this Monarchy I with much satisfaction surrender the Authority that was given me of Governing it hoping that God will assist you with his spirit of strength and wisdom whereby to make your Kingdom fortunate Then the King turning towards her with a chearful countenance said He thanked her for the care she had taken of his Education and of the Government of the Kingdom that he desired her to continue
the House of Savoy his onely word prevailed more than all other means to overthrow the Artifices of the Enemies unto the Crown of France but in regard the Intestine troubles gave them not liberty to furnish Supplies as the Affairs required that he might have the Court of Piedmont constant to their Union with France he encouraged them with putting Verna and the new Town of Asti into their hands and with the Honour of Treating their Ambassadours after the manner of those sent from Crowned Kings at their first Audience of his Majesty and that the Guard should receive them in compleat Armour which was a thing long pretended unto and much desired by those of Piedmont Besides these Honours the Count de Quince a bold Cavalier and one ready for the executing of all Designs was sent thither with the Title of General of Piedmont who being in France with Title onely of Lieutenant General that he might command in chief accepted this Imployment which was before refused by many others not for hazard of their persons because the French Cavaliers are generally bold and daring but for Interest sake as doubting that by reason of the divisions in the Kingdom they were not like to receive Money which is the Life and Soul of all Affairs This Count came to Turin the 6th of December accompanied with a good number of Gentlemen of Quality and amongst others the Marquess of Richelieu Brother unto the Duke of the same Name who having consummated a Marriage with Madamoiselle Beavois and representing to have done it contrary to the liking of his Relations went into Italy with an intention to break it but the Design took not because the Queen being unwilling the Lady should be abused declared the Marriage valid and treated her publickly as Marchioness of Richelieu to which the Marquess after some few Months acquiesced and returned to Court Quince was shortly after followed by a good body of French Horse and quitting the Court went into Piedmont by which recruit the minds of those in Piedmont were quieted and the Designs of the Spaniards grounded upon the Civil Broils in France were broken In the mean time the happy News of this Success touching Casal being brought the 16th of November unto the Catholick Court Te Deum was the next day Sung in the Royal Chappel and the same day towards night their Majesties accompanied with the Dutchess Margaret of Mantua and all the Grandees of the Court went to our Ladies of Atochia to give due thanks for the accomplishment of a Design which had ever before been fatal to that Monarchy and may be said to have been the sole impediment unto the fortune of the Spanish Arms although perhaps 't is probable the troubles of Italy will not so end because the French being inforced thereby unto a greater care of the Affairs of Italy it may so happen that the humours declining one where will elsewhere gather and be followed by those ruins in Lumbardy which are used to be the consequents of a change in people They thought after according to the wonted generosity of that great King upon the demonstrations of esteem and gratitude due to the Marquess Carracene who by Arms and Policy had accomplished an Affair of that importance and they considered also the Merits of the Marquess of Mortara who after so much suffering and hardship in a Siege of Fifteen Moneths had restored Barcelona and Catalonia unto the Monarchy but the rewards were below the expectation because Carracene who pretended to the Honour of a Grandee could not obtain it the number of persons of merit being so great that making one it was necessary to confer that Title also upon many others by reason whereof the first Minister being more sparing in the conferring of that Dignity than was the late Lord Duke his Uncle it was forborn honouring him instead thereof with the charge of a Gentleman of the King's Chamber a Dignity conspicuous and of much esteem amongst them To the Marquess of Mortara was granted an encrease of some yearly Rent and to both hopes of larger acknowledgments hereafter in time convenient There was in the mean time a fierce War between the Cossacks and Polanders whereupon many fore-seeing what prejudice migâ—t thereby happen to the Kingdome engaged also in a War with Muscovy when the Truce with the Crown of Sweden should be expired and Hostility renewed with that Kingdom powerful by a numerous Militia enured to War and rich in Money amassed together by the Plunder of the Empire desired to interest three neutral Potentates in the Treaty of Peace between the Polanâ—â—â— and Swede that in a Meeting to be appointed in some indifferent place they might be Arbitrators touching the Equity of what was in dispute between them these were the most Christian King the Republicâ— of Veniâ—â— and the States of Holland who willingly undertook the Charge and appointed for the place of Conference the Hans Town of Lubeck Polâ—nd dispatched thither four Plenipotentiaries persons of Quality the principal of which was the Count of Lessenehâ—s and each of theâ— having a distinct Train appeared with a noble and splendid Equipage Sweden also sent four of theirs the principal of whom was the Lord of Rofeâ—aâ—t with an Equipage nothing inferiour to them The King of France sent for his Extraordinary Ambassadour and Mediatour the Lord of Chenut The State of Venice the Cavalier Michael Morosini and the United Provinces three of their Deputies The Elector of Brandenbourgh dispatched thither â— person of Quality his Kinsman who not being able by reason of a Sickness happened to him to supply the place there were surrogated in his stead three of his confidents who became altogether useless there by reason of some Ceremonies pretended to by the Elector equal to that of Soveraign Princes whereby they remained excluded from all Conferences or Visits from any other than the Polanders The Cavalier Morosini Ambassadour from the Republick of Venice was then in France and by the arrival of the Senator Giovanni Sagredo his Successor at Court ended his Imployment with the entire satisfaction of his Majesty and his own Prince towards whom although France were at that time grievously afflicted with an Intestine War his Majesty gave testimony of his gratitude by extraordinary Presents and affectionate Expressions of his esteem As soon as he had notice of the safe Conduct for the Plenipotentiaries of the Crowns he left Paris the 22th of September and after a troublesome Voyage came to Lubeck with a Train of Threescore persons which he increased there that he might not appear inferiour to any in the Splendour of his Retinue as he was equal to them in his knowledge The Baron of Chenut followed him some few dayes after and about the beginning of December all parties being met at the place appointed although the Hollanders were not yet come they entred upon the matters that were Preliminary to the Treaty The first Pretension of the Swedes was That they would
Duke of Orleans his Speech The first President his The Duke's Reply Resolutions for the peoples ease Endeavours to straiten the King Treaty of Noysy Duke of Longueville's disgusts Debates in the Kings Council The Cardinals opinion seconded by Milleraye Proceedings in Flanders Treaty at Munster begun by Pope Urban 8. Richlieu dies and the French King Protestants at Osnaburgh Deputies for the several Princes Hollanders for their own ends The Swede constant to their Allyes A Truce propounded Bavaria for the French The Hollanders conclude a Truce apart change it for a Peace Zealand excepts against the Peace Sum of the Peace Modena his disgusts with Spain The King of Spain marries the Emperour's Daughter FRANCE continued in the same Fortune and Condition the Year of our Lord 1648 that King Lewis the Thirteenth left it And was in the highest and happiest Posture that she ever had been in the Reign of any whatsoever other King being wholly united and all of a piece She extended her Conquests from the Banks of the Mosel to beyond the Rhine in Germany and beyond those of the Iberi in Spain by the possession of Flix and Tortosa and scouring throughout the Mediterranean with a powerful Fleet was both dreaded and respected Lewis de Bourbon Prince of Conde as famous for War as any of our Age having continued his Victories in Flanders had filled all those Provinces with Dread and Fear Marshall Turenne by his preserving of so many places taken and by his seâ—eral Deâ—eats â—iven to the â—nemy in Germany hâ—d penetrated beyond â—he River Lecâ—â— in the 〈◊〉 of Bavaâ—â—a and made the French Forâ—es formiâ—able thrâ—ugh the whoâ—â— Emâ—ire Count Plessis Pâ—alin joyning with Francis Duke of Modena declared to be General of the King of France his Forces in Italy occasioned no little apprehension in all those Princes by his Siege laid to Cremona it being evident that if he should succeed in that Enterprize the French would get footing in the State of Milan The Armies were composed of Warlike People all of them almost of the same Nation which by Vivacity and Courage makes her self as fit for the managing of Arms and effecting of great Enterprizes as any other Nation and her Commanders were most part of tried Valour and conspicuous as well for Birth as Courage France was Confederated in Germany with the Swissers and with the greatest part of the Protestant Princes the Peace not being yet concluded with the Emperour and in Italy with the Houses of Savoy and Modena and kept excellent Correspondency with almost all the other Princes of Italy In Spain the Catalonians continued constant and the Portuguezes confident Nor could she be jealous as then of England or Holland the former being busied in Civil Wars and the latter willing to enjoy that Peace which she had obtained at the expence of so much Money and Blood Europe being a Spectator of these her Prosperities looked upon this her Prepotenza with the same reflexions as she had looked upon the Success of the Emperour Charles the Fifth's Forces when Fortune smiled most upon them Nothing appeared wanting to crown her Felicity but a Moderation in some of her Natives who were guided by Ambition and by Spleen against him who manged this so great weight So as these natural and almost unalterable defects being taken away she might peradventure not have found any thing to withstand her in her highest and most generous Designes For the better knowledg of what hapned in these times it will be requisite to look a little back and take the beginning and true reasons of the first Revolution in Paris which afforded Fuel to raise the Flame of Civil War a little higher And because this had no other rise but his fortunate guidance who directed the Kingdom which won him so much credit as awakened jealousies and envy in those who saw themselves not so much respected we must attentively examine the Motives that we may the more clearly deduce the Fallacies of the Conclusions King Lewis the Thirteenth leaving the Queen his Wife Regent when he died left a great share of managing the Affairs to Cardinal Mazarino moved thereunto by the trial he had often had of his Loyalty and Worth in divers difficult Emergencies And he may be truly said to be even now one of the greatest Ministers of State that France ever had For Fortune favouring his designs made him not only effect unexpected Enterprizes but won him Applause throughout all Europe It is rather incredible than strange that an infant-Infant-King a Queen of a Rival Nation a Forreiner chief Minister of State have not only been able to resist the Contracts of so many divers Opinions amongst a People so lively Spirited but being badly looked upon by so many Princes and Lords at Court but have at the same time won so many Battels taken so many Towns and dilated the French Dominion on all Sides having no reason to envie the fortunate Government of the late King nor the Administration of the ever-memorable Cardinal Richelieu The most Christian King advancing amongst so many Conquests to his Majority it is hard to relate what confusion arose amongst those that were enemies to his Crown who found cleerly that notwithstanding the Peace concluded between Spain and Holland the affairs of France were grown to that height as had it not been for Novelties introduced by the French themselves the Spanish Monarchy would have been reduced to very bad terms For if you will consider Italy Cremona was besieged by the French which if it had been taken would have put the State of Milan in much danger and the Kingdom of Naples would have been indangered by the Fleet at Sea that Kingdom being more in the power of the people than of the Spaniards and Tarragona might have been blockt up by the same Fleet when the French had taken Tortosa so as there would have been but small hope of preserving that place the loss whereof would have made way for the French to have entered into the Bowels of those Kingdoms and would have kept the Spaniards from entering into Catalognia And in Flanders the winning of the Battel of Lens by the Prince of Condè made it be known that the French were sufficient to get the better of the Spaniards best Forces without any diversion of the Vnited Provinces But because by how much the King's Authority grew greater so much more did the jealousies and apprehensions of some few Male-contents increase who feared the loss of Favour and Authority and began to be sensible how slowly Favaours were conferr'd upon them which they desired more than became them they thought that in the conjuncture of the pressing occasions of Court they might advance their designes by causing some rents in Court before the King should be out of his Minority They therefore took a seeming pretence of the common good and under the specious asserting that the King's Authority ought to be bounded within the terms of moderate Dominion they
them in her presence Wherefore all the said Masters of Requests went joyntly to the Palace-Royal to acquaint the Queen with their grievances who sharply upbraided them with baseness taxt them with temerarity in opposing the King her Son's will and by her treating them thus did much mortifie them For there was not then any Faction on foot and this would hardly have held good had it been disturb'd at the beginning But the Duke of Orleans thinking it fit to apply Remedy to the Evil before it grew too contagious interposed himself and wrought with the Queen that she would permit them to exercise their places But they not being herewith content grew more insolent believing that many who did not openly applaud them would afterwards joyn with them in lessening the Cardinal's power which was envied by many and privately practised against as was suggested unto them by those who did but wait a time to give the blow They therefore continued their contumacy and not long after notwithstanding the King's inhibition the joyning of all the Bodies of Tribunals was decreed and met where Brousel Blammenil Charton and others spoke without any regard against the Court-government An Act of great Disobedience and contrary to all Laws and Practice all the Bodies not being accustomed to be called together nor to meet but by extraordinary order from the King But those who sought a propitious conjuncture of time to inhanse or exalt their pretended Authority by lessening that of the Kings being desirous to winde themselves into the Affairs of State laid hold of the pretence of wasting of the King's Finances and gave way to this fatal Union wherein they were applauded by many not onely for the novelty of the Act but out of hopes which other Male-contents and their idle followers conceived that they should be eased of their Grievances by the punishment of those who imploy'd the King's Moneys ill and that they should thereby have Peace which they said was retarded out of the Officers particular ends That which these Supream Companies did for no Appeal was to be had from their judgment was to send many Deputies who marched two and two through the City being invironed by an infinite company of people to shew the King that they were met to provide during his Majesty's Minority against the bad administration of his Finances from whence proceeded the Kingdoms ruine and the emptiness of the Exchequer fearing lest they might hereafter be blamed by his Majesty for carelessness when he should come to his Majority as they said Charles the Fifth had done who complained of the Parliament of those times for not having hindered the miss-spending of his Revenue in his Minority And to this purpose they chose some of their Deputies to meet in the Chamber called St. Lewis which is an extraordinary Congregation which meets onely upon urgent and grievous occasions which are unpleasing to the King for that therein things contrary to the Function of Parliament are treated of and where the Counsellours as well of Parliament as the Chamber of Accounts the great Council and of the Court of Aids sit The power of which Deputies when they are met together reaches no farther than to examine and give their opinions upon such things as they treat on which are afterwards to be reported to the Soveraign Courts wherein they are either approved or rejected These Broulieres continued on the Parliaments side by keeping together and by often meeting as on the Courts behalf in impeding them and crossing them till such time as the Court lost as much esteem as the Parliament got and till it was necessary for the King's Council to take away the Superintendency of the aforesaid Emery in that Office though it appeared necessary in that emergency of time he promising again to furnish moneys for some time to maintain that War He was ordered to retire from Paris to his Country-house in appearance of sacrificing him to the satisfaction of the people and to rid the Parliament of further trouble by preventing them in their Decrees which it was thought would be by them shortly thundered out against him This his deposing which was done contrary to the general belief served to provoke the Parliament and the Male-contents to yet higher thoughts whereinto upon like occasions humane insatiateness doth usually fall The Chambers therefore forbear not to meet nor the People to murmur they railed openly against the King's Ministers of State they cri'd out aloud against the Government they made it appear that instead of seeing that State restored Misery and Ruine did still increase though France was then more powerful and victorious than it had been known to be at any time before And in sequele of these giddy attempts which are the usual food of the petulant Vulgar it happened that Monsieur di Bachaumont Son to President Coigneux hearing his Father speak in the Parliament in behalf of the Court being one night at Supper in Monsieur di Paris his house Mareshal of the Field and discoursing there with divers Friends touching the present Commotions said jeastingly to his Companions with whom he began to sport throwing Oranges at one another That he had a designe to sling to some purpose at his Father's Opinion This jeast was taken notice of and thereupon when one declaimed boldly in pleading against any person of Quality men would say that he slung soundly that morning so passing from one Jeast to another he that railed most against the Government was called a good Slinger And this went through every ones mouth some months before there was any talk of the Faction called la Fronde or the Sling but the rise thereof was taken from the Boys who sometimes slung Stones under the new Bridge when the water was low whence the forenamed Bachaumont took occasion to say that he would sling at his Father's Opinion comparing the Whizze of a Sling to the force of Discourse in Rhetorick The chief men that declaiming in Parliament were first called by this Nick-name of Frondeurs which is as much as to say Slingers which grew as common as that of the Gueuses or Beggers did in Flanders whence so great disorders arose there afterwards were the Presidents of Novion Viola Blaumenil Charton the Counsellours of Browssel Longuille Coulon and divers others of a turbulent disposition and desirous of Innovation but in time some few fell from that Faction and finding their errours returned to their Duties from which the chief Lord President never budged who was a man of a settled and undaunted Spirit and who did always appear unconcern'd knowing how to make use of his Credit in Parliament in the Affairs whereof he was very expert for the service of the Court wherein he carried himself with much Integrity and Courage As all these things were a mighty prejudice to the King's Soveraignty and of very bad Example and a great scandal in Subjects who were bound to obey and the Cardinal being therewith sorely netled took a
to provide speedily against the eminent danger not onely by sending Messengers to the Regent to solicite her to return together with the King to Paris but by proceeding in the Decree against Forreigners And so ignorantly obstiâ—ate were they in this as they foolishly believed that as soon as the Decree should be out the Cardinal would be presently destroy'd and if you would ask them by what Forces they answered That above 50000 armed men would make the Decree be observed in despight of the World And thus they began that unhappy War which being disorderly begun every wise man knew would disorder all things The Cardinal ceased not to labour this mean while to reduce the Subjects to their due obedience by fair means He gave order that 4000 Germans old Souldiers the remainder of Weymar's men who were now under General Erack Governour of Brisack should presently advance towards Paris and divers other Troops Officers and Gentlemen that were known to be well affected to his Majesties service were likewise sent for from several other places And it being known that Count Chavigny who was not well pleased with his present condition might very much prejudice the King's Affairs by holding intelligence with the publick Enemy and with the chief of the Frondeurs in the Parliament he being a Parisian he was made Prisoner in the Castle of St. Vincent by order from the King by Monsieur Drovet Captain of the Guard And thus was he kept from contriving such Plots as he indeavoured to do whereby to put himself into the same condition he was in Richelieu's time and from whence through too much ambition he was fallen Monsieur di Gaulas Secretary to the Duke of Orleans was also banish'd by means of his Enemy the Abbot di Riviere who knew him to be inward with Chavigny and therefore equally subject to suspition By these proceedings at Court the Parliament grew hourly more jealous They met on the 22 of September where President Viola said That the people feared lest Paris should be besieged that the Court was full of hatred and revenge against the Counsellours of the Chamber terming them Tumultuaries disloyal and the causers of all Disorder That the Publick Safety was exposed to Imprisonment Exile and to other Violences wherewith they were severely threatned who seemed to be most concerned in the Common Safety That therefore it was now time to pull off Masks and without delay to provide for their own Indemnity concluding that before they should put on any further resolutions they should send some of their Members to the Regent to intreat her to bring the King back speedily to Paris and that since it was now known who was the principal Author of all the Kingdoms troubles all the Princes and Officers of the Crown should be sent to the Parliament to revive the Decree of the year 1607 whereby all Forreigners were inhibited receiving any Honours or Dignities in the State or any part of Government Viola was not well pleased with his own condition though he was sufficiently provided for by Monsieur Lambert and particularly he appeared an Enemy to the Cardinal thinking that he had kept him from being the Queen's Chancellour Blanmenil maintain'd and back'd Viola he moved that the Cardinal might be made to give an account of the Money that were sent into Italy and elsewhere and that he might purchase the name of an honest man he put himself into the number of the Iansonians President Novion plai'd his part also amongst the Frondeurs Amidst all these Agitations the Parliament resolved to intreat the Queen by way of humble Remonstrance that she would be pleased to return together with the King to Paris and put an end to the peoples Jealousies by her presence and that she would keep the Souldiers away that were coming The Duke of Orleans the Prince of Condé who was then returned from Flanders the Prince of Conty the Dukes and Peers were sent for to come the next day to Parliament to use necessary Expedients for the safety and good of the State and the Provost of Merchants and the Consuâ—s were sent for to receive such Orders as should be given them They sent a President and two Counsellours to make their desires known to the Princes but the Answer was not according to their desires for they said They could not nor would not do any thing without the Queen's consent Orleans told the Deputies That he would come no more to Parliament whilst they did licentiously advance their pretentions too far against Reason and against the Laws as they had done by their bold and scandalous Proposals that morning Condé said That the Parliament had nothing to do with State-affairs that he neither could nor would go thither and that he would be obedient to the Queen though it cost him his life Conty said onely He would not go Longueville told them in somewhat more milder words That they had transgressed the bounds of Duty and that the discourses made by the said Presidents were too passionate and did deviate from conveniency The Deputies hearing this were extremely amazed and without making any Reply return'd the same day to Paris where the Frondeurs were no less troubled fearing that they could not do what they intended without the assistance of some Prince of the Blood whose joyning with the Queen hindered all their intentions The first President and the other Deputies were gone to Ruel to acquaint the Queen with the Parliaments Remonstrance who returned answer That she wonder'd at their incongruous desire of having her return to Paris That she used every year to go abroad and take the Air That she valued more her own health and that of her Son 's than any vain ridiculous suspition of the people That they might be ashamed to make such desires to a Soveraign King whose satisfactions were to be had in Reverence and not examined by his Subjects And forthwith a Decree was past in the Council of State full in the teeth of all that the Parliament had done the day before commanding them to keep within their due bounds and not to meddle any more in such resolutions contrary to the Law and to Regal Authority Notice was given of this to the Parliament the same day that they met to hear the first President 's Report which being diversly discuss'd they resolved to make a new Remonstrance to the Queen not by word of mouth but in writing And they began to take fitting course for the safety of the City The Provost-Marshal was ordered to send to all places seated upon the River to get Grain and all things necessary for the sustenance of so numerous a City from thence to Paris They resolved that the Inhabitants should keep in Arms for a publick Guard and that the next day they should proceed to a Decree like to that of the year 1617. Though this was not the means to extinguish but rather to increase the fire yet the Parliament did so flatter themselves with
dead and sent Saravedra back to Spain From the King of France the Counts Avaux and Servient and at last the Duke of Longueville who pretending to be called by the title of Highness caused much hindrance in the carrying on of the business The Elector of Bavaria sent Baron Haslare thither as his Embassador All the other Potentates of Europe sent their Deputies for there were but few who were not in some sort concern'd therei So as the multiplicity of affairs the weight thereof and the hardness of the pretences some whereof were ever and anon altered according to the success of Arms was the cause why the Mediators being drawn from off the main point lest the affair involved in such difficulties as are not yet overcome The French being confederated with the Swedes and Hollanders intended that their Interests should be treated on joyntly but the Swedes declared that they would have nothing to do with Spain and the Hollanders intended not to meddle with what concerned the Empire so as France was forced to change her form of proceeding the Princes with whom she was to treat being divided into two Classis the one whereof included the Swedes Empire and Emperour the other the Hollanders and the King of Spain and yet this division wanted not difficulties which were almost insuperable For the Hollanders would not as then listen to any more than a Truce and the Swedes and other Confederates with France declared they would have a Peace Castel Roderigo offered a Blank unto the Hollanders which they might treat of at home The Hollanders pretended Truce onely and not Peace for that their Commonwealth being maintained by Arms thought it would be dangerous to reduce it to Idleness which they had by experience found to be so To this the Prince of Orange his Interest was added who getting great advantage by War would not willingly listen to a long peace They intended also to make this Truce so as that if France should enter thereinto she should oblige herself upon any breach to reassume War But though the other Confederates did not correspond herein the Treaty of Truce was continued which was afterwards converted to a perpetual Peace New Articles were therefore agreed upon between the Counts of Avaux and Servient as they passed thorough Holland to Munster on the one side and the States General on the other Wherein the parties did reciprocally binds themselves not onely not to treat of any thing without the assent and participation of the other Colleague but that the Treaty should be carried on so equally as if one of the parties should see the others business advance more than its it should desire the other to proceed no further till its affairs were equally advanc'd The French inclined to Peace because it made for them to have Peace in such a conjuncture of time as they could not be more glorious nor more powerful and it proved very advantageous for them for thereby they eased the Kingdom of the vast expence they were at by War and secured themselves from the Conspiracies and Troubles which usually arise in France in their Kings minority It is true they pretended thereunto upon such advantages as they thought became them by reason of the great Forces they were Masters of and by the Intelligence which they held in Germany and elsewhere The French Agents ends were these nor would they ever be drawn to any thing apart from their Confederates concernments The Swedes and Princes and States of the Empire were of the same minde The Hollanders who supposed that by their abundance of Shipping they might assume unto themselves all Traffick during the War between the two Crowns and thereby swallow up all the Wealth of France and Spain seemed not to insist upon their Colleagues senâ—e for as a Commonwealth which measures Affairs onely so far as they tend to their own advantage they knew they could not advantage them more than by the disadvantages of the two Crowns leaving them engaged in War and therefore they seemed to steer a course differing from the rest and it was thought that thereby they did very much prejudice the business which was otherwise in a fair way The Spaniards did really desire Peace for being weary of so many long Wars and depressed by the Revolts of their own Dominions they loved once to put an end to the inconveniencies which people feel by the long course of sinister fortune and the rather for that the Kingdom wanting Male succession the people were less willing to contribute to the Grandezza thereof they applied themselves to more adequate means whereby to moderate the high pretences of the French and sought to break the Union of their Enemies that they might make them more pliable to fair and honest things They therefore endeavoured to make Caesar treat with the Hollanders apart not including the French but the Queen of Swedeland and her Council carried her self with much faith and constancy towards her Colleagues They found matters better disposed with Holland for to boot with the aforesaid Reasons and Interests the business was to be managed by particular men and more subject to be corrupted And the French gave out that here was the Rent for some of the Holland-Deputies were bribed by Count Pignoranda but none were found guilty but Myn here Niderolfe Deputy of Guelderland In the first Proposals the French projected that the King of Spain should call himself no more King of Portugal nor of Navarre nor Prince of Catalonia that the Elector of Treves should be set at liberty And they together with the Swedes pretended that the Deputies of the Cities and States of the Empire should assist in the Assembly Caesar would not consent hereunto thinking that it became not his Vassals to appear as Soveraigns in these management he demanded the making good of the Treaty at Ratisbone the year 1632. The Spaniards required what had been taken from them upon the example of the several Peaces made at Cambray Crespy and Vervins and they would not by any means have that the Duke of Braganza should be included in the Peace who had usurped the Kingdom of Portugal and that whilst the King of France was in his Minority wherein they hoped that the face of Affairs might alter and for their greater security the Parliament of Paris was to take Cognizance of the whole Affair The War between Sweden and Denmark being hereunto added the Treaties slept for eight months This War was made by the Swedes not so much concerning the Sound as to keep the King of Denmark from medling with their Affairs as Mediator of Peace whom they held to be their antient Rival The Mediators did at this time demand the Deputies that they would shew their Plenipotentiary Patents The French denied to deliver theirs till those of the Emperour and the Swedes had delivered theirs which was thought to be a pretence to prolong time whilst by reason of the War with Denmark they had not been
then possess'd of the fourteen Villages which were held by Frederick Duke of Holsatia di Gottorpe and by those that descended from him in the Jurisdiction of Holsatia Tritoâ—â—ico and Rimbeck being for ever to remain to the said Duke Fâ—â—derick To the Elector of Brandenburg the remainder of the further â—ost Pomâ—rania and in lieu of that part that was granted to the Swedes the Bishopricks of Magdeburg and Minden together with some lesser Lordships The Palatine of Rhine was restored to the lower Palatinate and to all the prerogatives injoy'd therein before the Rebellion of Bohemia and an eighth Elector was to be made which was to be the said Palatine the upper Palatinate and County of Câ—mb with the Title of Elector was given to the Duke of Bavaria he being to renounce his pretensions to the thirteen Millions and all other claims upon the upper Austria Six hundred thousand Dollars were to be paid to the Lantgrave of Hâ—ssen within nine months space by the Electors of Mentz and Culen for restitution of the Towns taken in these Wars That the Town of Brisack with all the Territories thereof the Lantgraveship of the upper and lower Alsatia and of Langaw the Provincial Jurisdiction of the ten Emperial Cities in Alsatia viz. Hagenan Colmar Slecstat Weisemberg Landaw Oberstein Rosheim Munster in St. George his Valley Kaiserberg and Tarinhaime should for ever be incorporated into the Kingdom of France and the King of France might keep a Garrison perpetually in the Town of Philipsburg he being to pay three Millions of French Livres in three years which were to commence when the King of Spain should have subscribed the Treaty and the rest of the Cities and Towns that were taken were to be restored unto him The Emperour and Empire were to relinquish to the King of France the right of Soveraignty which they could pretend unto in Pinarol in Italy and to take away all occasions of further Ruptures between the Dukes of Savoy and Mantua the King of France was to pay 494000 Crowns to the Duke of Mantua which were promised him by the late King at the discharge of the Duke of Savoy to whom the Emperour was to give the Investment of the Fee-farms and States which were adjudged unto him at the Treaty of Chirasco Caesar promising moreover never to molest the Duke of Savoy in his right of Soveraignty in Rocaverano Olmo and Cesol and what belonged thereunto as if they were wholly independant upon the Empire Five Millions of Dollars were to be paid to the Crown of Sweden at three limited payments with due Cautions Many other Articles were specified in the Articles to the satisfaction of other Princes States Cities and interessed Seigniories and in this Peace all the Confederates Friends and adherents as well of the Emperour and Empire's side as of the French and Swede's were comprehended And this Torâ—ent of Miseries being thus ended all those parts were full of joy and content The Nuntio Chigi who had carried himself zealously in the Peace between the two Crowns conceiving when they should be agreed the Protestants would not be so high in their pretensions as also in the other between the Emperour and France when he knew that in this Setlement certain Conditions were inserted which were prejudicial to the Catholick Religion he accounted all his labour and mediation ill spent Out of Zeal to God and the Church he forbad the Plenipotentiaries to speak to him any more of that Peace he shut up his House where all the Meetings had been held and protested against the Agreement made in Osnaburg he made his name and the names of Pope Vrban and Pope Innocent be cancel'd out of the Instrument of Peace he protested against the Subscription made at Munster on the 6th of October and he also protested against the Ratification between the Emperour and the King of France made in the February following as he had protested against the Peace of Spain with the Hollanders by reason of the prejudice that was therein done to the Catholick Religion And this Nuntio who had never mediated in the Protestant Treaties but was against them always that he might as much as in him lay restore and sustain the Catholick Religion and Pontifical Authority sent back the Presents made him by the Emperour and King of France to the value of more than 14000 Crowns for reward of the pains he had taken declaring That he would have no hand in a Peace which was made to the prejudice of the Catholick Religion the honour whereof he preferr'd before any particular advantage whereby he merited so much from the Holy Sea as he was made Cardinal and afterwards Pope But because Polititians value appearance much as that which makes good or bad impressions in peoples minds who are not capable of the secret dealing of Statists the Spaniards denied what had been divulged against them by the French blaming them for having broken the Treaty without concluding Peace and giving out both in Words and Writing that the carriage of the Cardinal of Count Servient and of other of the King's Agents did not correspond with their appearances So as it was easie to make them be thought little zealous of the publick Quiet and to be hated by those people who wish'd for nothing more than to have an end of their miseries from whence it arose That it was not hard for those who sought for disturbances to augment such a pretence and to cause the Revolutions which are the subject of this History The Spaniards did also reiterate their complaints against the Emperour's State-Ministers for not disswading their Master from separating himself from the Union of their King now that the Hollanders were no less apprehensive of the French greatness than were the English so as it was to be believed that as the one had fallen off from the French to avoid their further fomenting their unsatiateness the others would apply themselves to oppose so vast presumptions They blamed the Caesarian State-Ministers of unadvisedness and pointed particularly at some of them as if to the end they might possess Lands and Lordships in the Country which was possess'd by the Swedes they had been easily perswaded rather to make Peace with them to recover what they had lost than to do what was good for their Master And for these reasons they were a long time resolute not to restore Frankendal and other Towns which they possess'd in the lower Palatinate But the Dutch who were open enough in their actions not listning to such Whispers seem'd to be content with Peace They said It was better for a wise Prince to purchase assured Peace to his Subjects though upon some disadvantage than to continue War with uncertain hopes of profit They observed religiously what they had promised and thereby won applause The French on the contrary said They needed no justification where there was no fault and did therefore refer themselves to the judgments of such as were best inform'd Cardinal
By this fortunate success the French should have fallen upon Cremona which in this confusion would soon have yielded but they forbore the attempt for two reasons the one was necessity for they wanted Victuals and Artillery to batter The other for that the whole Council of War agreed that it would be better to pass over the River Adda without engaging in any Siege and march into the bowels of the State of Millain whereby depriving the people of gathering in their Harvest which was yet in the fields they might ruine them but they failed in this for being forc'd to tarry for the getting of Victuals they were forced to tarry at Cava longer than they thought to have done Howsoever they attempted to pass over at Maeastorna and at several other parts but still in vain by reason that the River was so swoln by the great fall of Rain and by the Spaniards vigilant Guards They therefore retreated to Crotta and advanced to Spinadesco and from thence with their whole Army drew neer Cremona placing their Artillery against the Fortifications which the besieged raised at the Mills upon the Poe. The Marquiss of Caracena was glad that the Enemies Army which he feared would have pass'd over Adda sat down before Cremona for knowing that he could relieve it as he lifted he thought to make them wait their Forces there to no purpose He therefore re-enforced the Garrison again and failed not in the part of an expert and valiant Commander Wherefore the French knowing how hard it is to take Towns that may be relieved by Water they fought to keep the Spaniards from coming upon the Poe but failed for other Armed Vessels coming out against them they forsook their Boots and got to land The Duke of Modena would have fallen upon the City with all his Forces as being but weakly walled which being gotten the Castle might be brought to yield the more easily being to be invironed by a few men He alleadged the Example of Tortona when Prince Thomaso took it and was seconded in his opinion by Marquiss Villa who was then come thither with a recruit of 3000 Horse and 2000 choice Foot accompanied by Marquiss St. Andrea Lieutenant-General Mombrune and by Marquiss Monte who commanded in the third place But Marquiss Plessis Pralin and other French Commanders diverted them making them resolve to fall onely upon the Castle because they had not Foot enough to assault the large compass of the City in several parts and for that the Castle being taken the rest would soon be had This advice prevailing the French pass'd over the Water which runs by the side of the Castle and advanc'd against the Half-Moon of Ambrosio where they fortified themselves Don Alvano di Chignones Governour of the Castle came out against them and fought them many of both sides were slain of the French Monsieur de la Lieu Mareschal of the Camp and Monsieur Guillotiere was mortally Wounded And of the Besieged Count Piatti Don Giuseppe Monpavone and Don Carlo Stampa were slain The Duke then endeavoured to block up the Poe with a strong and long Chain but did no good for the Besieged sallying out ever and anon with many choice Souldiers hindred them amongst other Sallies one was remarkable made by Don Diego Quintano a Spanish Camp-master by night on the 19 th of August where both sides fought bravely where the same Quintano with many other brave Officers were slain and of the French Count Vaian was slain and Count Navayles mortally Wounded Other actions past daily wherein sometimes one sometimes another had the advantage but the French fared always worst They were chiefly prejudiced by Marquiss Villa his failing to pass over Ada who went from his quarters to the Camp to advise with the Duke and Marshal where whilst he staid expecting the springing of a Mine which the French gave fire unto he was slain by a Cannon with much sorrow to the whole Army and much grief to the Dutchess of Savoy of whom he had deserved very well by his long and faithful service yet the French continued the Siege more fervently than before and though they were still worsted yet they forbore not making attempts At length the expected Forces from France not appearing who were retarded by the troubles which hapned in that Kingdom the French Army being much lessened and the Spaniard's increased they resolved to raise the Siege The French discamped on the 8 th of October and retreated to Castore and when they had carried their Artillery Baggage and Sick folks to Monticello they went to Rebecko Thus did this Campaigne end unfortunately which was thought at first would have proved glorious for France The Austrians happiness was afterwards Crown'd with the Marriage between the King of Spain and his Niece Anna Maria Daughter to the Emperour Ferdinand the 3 d. She was first designed for a Wife to the Prince of Spain who dying and the King of Spain having no Issue Male he resolved to marry her himself and writ to the Emperour that in remembrance of his Daughter the Empress he had chosen her for his Wife whom he intended for his Daughter The Marriage-Ceremonies were made by the Cardinal d'Arach and the King of Hungary married her on the 8 th of November in the King of Spain's Name THE HISTORY OF FRANCE The SECOND BOOK The CONTENTS The Queen being displeased with the Parliament goes out of Paris with the King and the whole Court Retreats to St. Germains Great Rumours arise hereupon The People incited by some seditious people take up Arms. Both sides prepare for War The City is at last besieged by the King Before which several accidents happen The Duke d'Elboeuf is with great applause chosen General of the Parisians The Prince of Conty and Duke Longueville come to Paris Conty goes to Roan and Longueville is declared Generalissimo The Siege continues with advantage to the King Arch-Duke Leopold sends to offer himself to the Parisians Victuals grow scarce The Inhabitants are aware of their loss An Agreement is endeavoured Peace concluded Agreement is made in Italy between the King of Spain and the Duke of Modena The King of England is beheaded by the common Hangman The Spaniards make divers attempts in Catalonia Some proceedings in Flanders WAR being resolved upon against Paris by the King 's Privy Council consisting of the Queen the Duke of Orleans the Prince of Condé the Cardinal the Marshals of Milleray and Villeroy the Abbot della Reviera and Monsieur Tilliere Secretary of State it was held expedient that the King together with all the great ones of the Court should go out of Paris to the end that the Sun being vanished which illuminates the City she might remain in that obscurity whereinto her own indiscretion had concentrated her About the beginning of the year 1649 the Queen and Cardinal went in a Coach together after Dinner to L'Hostelle d'Orleans to agree upon many things with the Duke touching their Majesties going
honest and permanent Peace he had sent him to the Members of Parliament who he knew were concern'd in the real Interest of the King and State to offer them to be Arbitrators of the Peace and that his Catholick Majesty would willingly submit to their judgment wherein if they would not be Judges he would permit the same Parliament to chuse Deputies out of their own Members and to let them be in what place they pleased yea even in Paris if they would and that the King of Spain would send his Deputies thither to treat of and to conclude a good and convenient Peace sufficient to give lasting quiet to the two Crowns In which Treaty the Duke of Lorain should be comprised who refused to accommodate himself to the Cardinal but kept joyned to the Spanish party That he had declared he had well-nigh 20000 men upon the Frontiers and that he would pass his word not to meddle with any of the Towns of the Kingdom as he easily might do considering how bad a condition they were in there being but 200 Foot in Peronne as many in St. Quintins and fewer in Chatelet and proportionally in other Towns That he had offered all these Forces to serve the Parliament if they should have occasion for them and that they might make use of them as they should please and make them be conducted by French Officers such as did depend upon the Parliament or that they might take what other course they pleased to free themselves from all fear that the said Forces should do any thing otherwise than for the service of the Parliament and according to their intentions And in case they should have no occasion to make use of them he would pass his word they should keep upon the Frontiers and do nothing whilst the Peace was negotiating He concluded with desire of an Answer which he might carry back to his Master These offers were debated in Parliament with diversity of opinion according as men were diversly concerned the greater number were minded rather to yield to the lawful fair pretences of their King than to be obstinate in those pretensions which being fomented by Forreigners must needs be ruinous The most of the Generals were of this sense who being sorry that they had entred into this Labyrinth sought all means to reconcile themselves to the Court and to reap that satisfaction by submission which is easilier in the Clemency than in the Justice of a Soveraign They considered that they were not of themselves to withstand the King That the Parisians were weary of the Siege That their Victuals grew daily less That the people would one day value Bread more than all the Victories and advantages of the Parliament or Princes That to throw themselves into the Arms of the Spaniards who were naturally their Enemies was to shun an April-shower and expose themselves to a Winter-tempest for that doubtedly they sought to weaken both parties equally that they might put the Yoak upon them both That if the French could so ill endure one sole Forreigner who was so affectionate and so advantageous to their King it was to be imagined that so many others who were naturally Enemies to France would be more hateful to them That if they had taken up Arms to obtain satisfaction from the Court they ought to endeavour the getting of it in this conjuncture of time than which they could not wish a better whilst for fear they should close with the Spaniard the Court would be glad to come to an agreement These things being thus reflected upon the first President the Presidents of Mesmes and Viola for the Grand Chamber the Counsellors of Chaumont and others for other Chambers and Courts were chosen to go at Deputies from the Parliament to the Queen to thank her for having received their former Members so gratiously to desire her that she would make good her words and raise the Siege before Paris as also to carry her a Copy of the Arch-Duke's Letter and acquaint her with what Arnolfini had said that their Majesties might see how sincerely the Parliament was minded not to fall from their due obedience by which generous action they hoped to regain the Regent's favour and make her yield to such an agreement as was desired by those that were wisest both in Parliament and Paris The Princes sent also Messengers with secret Instructions not to confer with any of the Kings Deputies save joyntly with those of the Parliament of Paris of Roan and with those of Duke Longueville and that touching the manner of Conference they should do as those of the Parliament did and regulate themselves according to the conference at Ruel That if those that were sent by Longueville and by the Parliament of Roan should not be come to where the meeting was to be they should wait their coming That if the Court should insist upon any Instruction contrary to this Instruction they should presently send word to the Prince of Conty and do nothing till they should have received an answer That in case the Court-Deputies should pretend that such a condition were repugnant to the full and absolute power which the Deputies ought to have and that they should refuse to do any thing without their present consent they should demand time to let Conty know it that there might be no interruption in the Conference That they should be careful to give daily intelligence of what should pass That they should demand for the Parliament and for Paris all that was demanded at the Conference of Ruel That they should pretend for the Parliament and for all the Territory thereof whatsoever was demanded by the Parliament at the Conference of Ruel That they should also insist upon the execution of all the Decrees of Parliament for the ease of the people and for a discharge of all the Taxes for two years for the Parishes belonging to the Territory of Paris and for 8 Leagues about the City in respect of their being ruinated by the passage and by the abode of the Kings Army That because the people could not expect ease nor the State safety during the War they should insist upon proceeding of the Treaty of Peace and that they should name some of the Parliament and of the Prince's people that it might be proceeded in effectually and unimpeded by any that were concern'd in the War and before Spain could make advantage of the present discords of France and to oblige the Arch-Duke who had offered the Parliament to become Arbitrator of all differences and to see all the promises performed that nothing should be undertaken against the Kingdom as appeared by a Letter of the 10 th of February and that in case of denial the Deputies should enter their Protestation against whatsoever mischief might thereby happen unto France or Christendom That the Article of Oblivion should be confirmed in terms answerable to the Treaty of Loudun in the year 1606 made with the late Prince of Condé Father to
had commanded with much Glory and Honour and his Army remained obedient to the King commanded by General Rosse Turenne kept in the neighbouring Towns expecting some turn of Fortune and though he could perswade none of the Army to follow his perilous Fortune he advanced to relieve the Parisians who were encamped at Vitry and Villeieve and had thrown a Bridge over the Seine somewhat higher where it joyns with the Marne thereby affording means for Victuals which were brought though but in small quantities from Brie and thereabouts to the City the Army being encamp'd abroad on the West-side Marshal Rantzaw's misfortune may be added to that which befel Turenne he was Governour of Dunkirk and being no friend to Condé yet having caused jealousie in the Cardinal he thought good to make him his friend and came to St. Germains where on the 28 th of February he was arrested and sent to the Castle of St. Vincent and Grinoliere his Serjeant-Major as also Priore Pristiere his Secretary were imprisoned in Gravelin This mean while the Conferences between the Kings Agents and the Deputies of Parliament began who though they abhor'd the Cardinal's presence pretending that being declared guilty by the Parliament it became them not to Treat with one that was Condemned yet it being the Queens will that he should be there or that else she would condescend to nothing he was admitted though against the good will not onely of the Deputies but also of some of the Court who intended to cast all the Odium upon him and thereby to gain so much more the affection of the People and to make it be believed that they were onely they who were the Authors of the Agreement Whereunto both sides being well inclined Peace was concluded on the 11 th of March upon these Conditions That all Hostility should cease and that the Passes should be opened That the Parliament should go to St. Germains where the King being in his Seat of Iustice the Declaration and Articles agreed upon should be verified And that then the Parliament should return to Paris to perform their Employments That in the year 1649 all the Chambers should not meet upon any whatsoever pretence unless it were to receive some new Officers and for the Merchants affairs wherein upon such cases nothing should be treated of save ordinary things tending to the Civil Government of the City That the Declarations of May July and October in the year 1648 which were made in Parliament together with those of the 6th of January 1649 and till that present time should be void and null save what concerned Criminal affairs between particular parties That all the Letters under the Kings Seal sent upon the last Commotions of Paris as also the Declarations and Decrees made by the Privy Council in that point from the 6th of January to that instant should be abolished That all the Forces raised in Paris and out of it should be cashiered when his Majesty should have caused his Forces to retreat to the usual parts upon the Frontiers That the Inhabitants should lay down their Arms and not reassume them without the King's permission That he who was sent by the Arch Duke should be sent back without any other Answer That all Writings and Moveables should be restored to those from whomsoever they had been taken That the Bastile and Arsenal together with the Artillery and Ammunition therein should be put into his Majesties hands That the Prince of Conty the other Dukes Peers Princes Officers of the Crown Lords and Gentlemen and all of whatsoever condition should be restored to their Statu quo as if nothing had happened and that their past actions should never be questioned That those who would not be concluded in this present Treaty should receive no favour or assistance whatsoever from the City of Paris nor from any others That the King should return to Paris as soon as his occasions should permit him That those who had raised any Moneys Forces sold any Moveables Warlike Ammunition or Victuals either out of the Arsenal of Paris or elsewhere should be freed from giving any account thereof That the Election of Xantes Coignack St. John d'Angely taken from the Court des Aydes and attributed to the Court des Aydes at Guienne should be restored to the Court des Aydes at Paris where they were before the Edict That in case the Parliament of Roan should accept of this present Treaty within the space of ten days the King would take order for the abolishing of the new Six Moneths and the re-uniting of all the Officers of the said Six Moneths and of part of them to the body of the said Parliament That the Treaty of the Parliament of Provence should be put in execution according to the Form Tenour and Letters sent by the King for the revoking and abolishing the Six Moneths of the Parliament of Aix and Chamber of Requests in conformity to the Articles agreed upon between the Deputies of the Parliament of Paris Concerning the discharge of the Taxes propounded by the Election of Paris the King would be informed of the state or condition of the said Elections as soon as the Forces were retreated and would provide for the ease of the Grievances of the said Election as he should think fit That when Deputies should be sent to treat of Peace with Spain his Majesty would be pleased amongst them to send some of the Parliament who should have the same Authority as the rest According to all Maximes of War or Civil Government the King ought not as then to have made an Agreement since in case the Siege had been maintained yet 15 days the City was reduced to great extremity and the seditious People mought have been punished according to their disobedience yet a deeper and more secret Maxime prevailing it was condescended to though with some prejudice to the Court onely as was believed out of the jealousie of the Prince his actions and that Condé thinking that by the Peace the Besieged's hatred would rest wholly upon him and the praise upon the Cardinal it is said that he endeavoured to get all advantages for the Parisians though they were reduced to so straight terms as they ought rather to beg pardon than to demand Conditions But were it out of this or any other more secret reason many bad effects ensued upon it for the Parisians seemed to be but badly content with the first Articles and much more for that the Parliament had refused to take protection of that of Roan Wherefore when the Deputies of the Chambers were seen to fit in presence of the Prince's and King's Officers as if they had been Commissioners from a free Commonwealth the people were so scandalized thereat and grew so indiscreet as the Decrees which were before reverenced as Oracles became scorn'd and detested And then the Usurpers of Regal Authority were aware that whilst they would have climb'd too high they fell from their own Tribunal and instead of getting
Lord High-Admiral which place was taken from him by the late King the Queen who was not well pleased with that Family desired Mercoeur to accept the Place thinking thus to satisfie him and to revenge her self of the rest Orleans and Condé were of the same minde being glad to see Vandosme and Beaufort humbled and they did what they could to perswade Mercoeur to it but he thinking it unfit to accept of what did of right belong unto his Father refused it unless it might be with the Duke his Father's good will The Queen was indued with the place of Admiralty after the death of the Duke of Brets and enjoy'd all the Emoluments thereof and yet she was content to forego them so as the Marriage between the Cardinal's Niece and Duke Mercoeur might take effect She therefore excluded the Duke of Vandosme and his Son Beaufort out of the favour of the Prince of Condé but Mercoeur being constant to his Father's Interests who being reconciled unto the Queen was restored to his Estate in France and was with great submission brought to Court it was not hard for him to overcome the Contrasts of Fortune Vandosme though he shewed the contrary did inwardly rejoyce to see his second Son Beaufort in such favour with the Parisians for he thereby grew more considerable at Court where the Cardinal's Friends continuing to shew the necessity of keeping this Family in obedience to the King they considered that the Marriage of Mercoeur and his Father's satisfaction hapning at the same time they should both have won the good Will of those Princes and have fastned the Cardinal better Vandosme and Mercoeur were well pleased with these Proposals whilst by alliance with the chief Minister of State they might raise up their House which was in a low condition The Cardinal on the contrary knowing what bad effects come usually of Marriages made for Interest and not for Affection seemed to be far from exposing himself to more Persecution and Envie which do usually accompany rising Fortunes but being finally overcome by the reiterated Reasons alledged by his Friends and being much more convinced by the necessity of getting a considerable support in the Kingdom and that he might win Beaufort from the troublesome thoughts that were insinuated into him by the Frondeurs which might cause more disorders he suffered the Treaty to proceed But the Duke of Bullion and Count Chavigni infused Jealousies of this into the Prince's minde moved thereunto principally out of self-interest for Bullion thought that by raising a contrary party in Court he might make himself necessary and manage his return to the possession of Sedan the better And Chavigny being displeased to see himself totally excluded from Government hoped that if the Prince should reassume the government of Affairs he might come to his former condition He therefore durst not at first meddle in dividing the Royal Family nor oppose the Prince to the Cardinal But Condé being very sensible of his own Interests he told him afterwards That nothing could be denied to his deserts and that he might easily obtain the Admiralty if he would desire it That he had reason to pretend thereunto since he was possess'd of the estate of his Brother-in-Law the Duke of Bresse and ought therefore to inherit that as well as his other Possessions and that he might reap great advantage by obliging many in the distributing of Places at Sea and by the Commands of the Fleet. Wherefore the Prince was easily perswaded being like those Plants which being shined upon by the Sun grow strong and lively and when the Sun sets fade and languish for sometime approving and sometime disapproving the designe he seemed not to assent thereunto And yet he made it be known under hand by Monsieur Mazarolles a follower of his That he could be content the Admiralty were conferr'd upon him Nor was it onely the Duke of Bullion and Count Chavigny who sought to interrupt this Marriage but President Peraut Superintendant of the Prince his house and who had been his ancient Servant failed not to inform him of what he thought fit The Prince who had the honour of Arms and the desire of Glory added to the greatness of his Birth approving of such Councels grew full of jealousies and suspitions which lessened the friendship and confidence which he seemed formerly to have in the Cardinal and occasion'd the disagreements which ensued for seeing that Paris had been by his means reduced to Reason and knowing how the people were minded towards the Cardinal he designed to assume unto himself all Regal Power and to make himself sole Arbitrator of all things He therefore carried himself Imperiously at Court making small account even of the Queen and thought wholly to abolish the Frondeurs to the end that their Heads being quell'd and dispers'd they should not be able to oppose him but as the strength of a weak Twig joyn'd to many others gives not way to a great piece of Wood all the Prince's Cunning and his Partakers Wits seemed to aim at nothing but at keeping mens minds and interests divided And the Frondeurs studying also how to keep Condé divided from the Court did all they could to keep Beaufort who was then little less than Idolatrized in Paris from fastning to the Cardinal insinuating unto him that to keep himself in the esteem which he was in he must appear an irreconcilable Enemy not onely to the Queen and Cardinal but even to his Father and Brother as he beyond all expectation did Condé was also troubled to hear that the Cardinal treated touching the having of the Government of Picardy from the Duke d'Elboeufe who was Governour thereof which notwithstanding did not ensue for that the Price was not agreed upon and for that it was not considerable without the particular Government of the City and Citadel of Amiens which were held by the Duke Chaunes as also of Peronne which was in the possession of the Marquiss d'Ochencourt of whom the Court had then some jealousies for having received the Dutchess of Chevereux into that Fort when she returned from Flanders during the War without the Kings permission By reason of two Accidents which casually ensued Ochencourt grew so afraid as made him get into favour with the Cardinal and become his partial friend And thus it was As some of the King's Guards went to the Frontiers of Flanders to joyn with some other Troops of the King 's though they had no order to touch upon Peronne yet being desirous to go thither the Marchioness his Wife was jealous shut the Gates upon them refused them entrance and sent word to her Husband who commanded the Army upon the Frontiers as Lieutenant-General and a Gentleman of the Cardinals coming thither at the same time whom he suspected was come to make him Prisoner he forsook his Command and went to Peronne Which case the Cardinal commiserating and Oquincourt not daring to come neer him the Cardinal chose a place to
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
there sent for him into his Room upon pretence of having something to confer with him about where he kept him till it was over As for the Queen she was dressed and lay upon the Bed in a withdrawing Room where being visited by the Prince of Condé's Mother she pretended to be sick and presently dismiss'd her This same Princess that very day had the two Princes her Sons and the Dutchess of Longueville her Daughter at Dinner with her and after Dinner advised the Prince of Condé to be careful of himself for that the Court intended to play him some trick He who thought all as open-hearted as himself and could not be perswaded that the Cardinal durst attempt any thing against him answered That he was well enough assured of the Court but that the Duke of Orleans failed him at the sollicitation of the Abbot de la Riviere his Favourite and saying this he turned unto the Prince of Conty and told him he desired to have him along with him that day to Council to mortifie La Riviere who had pretended to be in all things ruled by Conty But the Abbot was innocent of all the Duke of Orleans his Plots and was at that time out of favour with him The Princes of Condé and Conty being come to Court the Duke of Longueville was there also presently after them and coming up the great Stairs which was at the entrance into the Hall the Door was suddenly clapt to and all those shut out who did attend him at which time the Duke began to suspect what after followed and called to minde the good and faithful advice he had received from Priolo they went all three together to wait upon the Queen who being upon her Bed and seeming to be somewhat ill they presently retired out of her Chamber and being then all together mocking and jeasting at each other in the Anti Camera before they went into the Gallery before the Council-chamber the Queen who was something disturbed with the apprehension of what was to be done prayed the King who was alone with her in the Chamber to go softly to the Chamber-door and shut the same against them At last the Princes and Duke came into the Gallery where all the Council and Ministers of State were excepting onely the Cardinal who calling to Monsieur de Cominges Lieutenant of the Queens Guard told him 't was time to execute what her Majesty had commanded he thereupon gave notice of it to Monsieur Guitault his Uncle on the Father's side a Captain of the Guard who forthwith ordered Monsieur Croissy Alferes of his Troop to arrest the Duke of Longueville and Monsieur de Cominges to attacque the Prince of Conty at the same time as he should seize upon the Prince of Condé They therefore coming into the Gallery Guitaust addressed himself to the Prince of Condé and told him That he was troubled at the Orders he had received from the King and Queen to secure his person but that his Highness knew his part was to obey his Majesty's Commands The Prince either believing or desiring it should be thought he believed it was a Jeast turning to the rest of the Councellors there present said Here is a pretty trick Guitault saith he hath a Commission to arrest me Guitault replied Indeed I have an order so to do Whereupon the Prince shrugging up his Shoulders answered Why what have I done Have I not always served the King and Queen unto the utmost of my power Cominges and Croissy said the same thing unto the Prince of Conty and the Duke of Longueville in presence of the Chancellor who was desired by Condé to go and tell the Queen that he humbly begged the favour from her that he might speak a word unto her which he did that by that means he might draw neer unto a Window from whence he might call upon some of his followers to endeavour the rescue of him the Chancellor readily performed his request but returned with this answer That she was reposing her self upon the Bed and that he could not be admitted to speak with her He also prayed Count Servient to tell the Cardinal that he would willingly have spoken with him to assure him he was his Servant as he had many times before and very lately also assured him Servient went but returning found that Monsieur Guitault had before carried away the Prince for twenty of the Guard being commanded into the Gallery the Officers carried the Princes and Longueville down the back-stairs into the Garden which is divided by a Wall from the Court-Yard of the Palace all the Doors and Passages being exceeding well guarded by the Souldiers and the Stairs the King's Apartment and the Courts at the Louvre being full of persons of Honour Cavaliers and others who were friends unto the Princes 'T is a wonder how silently this matter was carried all things being wonderfully well ordered for preventing of the mischief which must have necessarily hapned had it been known to the well doing whereof the back Private Stairs did much contribute down which they carried the Princes into the Garden and through the little Door which opens upon the Cardinal Mazarine's Palace where one Squadron of the Guards is always posted The Princes were there put into a Coach with six Horses which going out at the Port Richlieu with onely Sixteen Troopers for their Guard which were commanded by the Count Miossan carried them privately cross the streets that go to Mount Marter St. Denis and St. Anthony along a very bad and myery way where the Coach broke and forced them to stay full two hours e're it was mended brought them at last to the Castle of St. Vincennes where they were put into the Dungeon which is a great Tower divided from the rest of the Castle by a Ditch and Wall The news thereof was presently sent by Guitault with all diligence to Paris Whilst the Princes were thus carrying away a Messenger was sent unto the President Perault who was Steward or Major Domo to the Prince of Condé a great Confident of his and one who under him had got a large Estate to let him know the Prince desired he would come to him to the Palace Perault said He wondered the Prince had not sent one of his own Servants for him But without saying more went presently and passing over Pont Neus was arrested by Monsieur de Guiet and carried Prisoner to his house where he was kept two days and then carried to the Castle St. Vincennes and his house searched to see what Papers they could finde and the Lieutenant Civile was ordered to take an Inventory of them Upon the first report of this news all the Lackeys Servants Coachmen and others who waited for them at the Court-gates ran about like Mad men some here some there and the same did the Noblemen Cavaliers and others of their Friends and Kindred so as upon the noise made in the streets and the running up and down
the Count putting himself in the head of those Gentlemen he had with him and seconded by two Bodies of the Inhabitants which were drawn up made so fierce an Assault upon the Ramparts that Grasset forsaken by his men who were terrified with so unlook'd-for an attempt rendered the place upon Composition in less than an hours time after it was attacqued This good success was seconded by the surprize of the Castle of Clermont in Lorain by means of an intelligence which the Marquiss Ferte Senneterre Governour of that Province had with two Serjeants of the Garrison and the Kings Forces took possession of it on the 27 th day of Ianuary And the Fortress of Danvillers which was commanded by the Prince of Marsilliack his Brother as hath been said returned unto the Kings obedience the Garrison rising against him by the perswasion of Captain Bocherelle who imprisoned their Governour and gave up the place in the doing whereof he was not more commended for his Loyalty than the Governour was blamed for his great indiscretion in not foreseeing of the danger and changing some of the Officers of that Garrison when he took the resolution to change his party The Duke of Vendosme coming to Dijon in Burgundy removed the Garrison and Governour out of the Castle there putting into it other Souldiers under the command of Monsieur de Conetty taking security from the Inhabitants for their fidelity as he did also from those of St. Iean de Losne and of Verdune by means of some Commissioners whom they sent to him This was the more resented by Condé because he believed those people would shew their affections to his Family by the close espousing of his Interests on this occasion And this was thought to be the cause that he never after had any kindness for the Burgundians and when he was released declined the coming into that Province The next care of the Court was to regulate the affairs of Roan and Normandy where Count Harcourt was placed to prevent any rising of the Friends or Party of the Duke of Longueville the Garrison and Governour of the Old Palace were removed thence and 100 French Souldiers placed there under the command of Monsieur de Montroit Fourville The Count Harcourt took the ordinary Oath of Fidelity as Governour-General of the Province before Monsieur D' s second President of the Parliament there and Monsieur de Montenay a Councellor of Parliament appointed principal Captain of the City by the Parliament voluntarily quitted his command to take away all occasion of suspition from the Court he being a very intimate friend of the Duke's and Monsieur de Sallet had his command And because the same day the King went to Roan the Council of State published a Declaration whereby the Duke de Bovillon the Prince de Marsilliack and the Marshals de Breze and de Turenne were commanded within the space of 14 days to come to Court and that in case of failer they should incur the crime of Lease Majesté and be prosecuted as Rebels to the State this Declaration was verified by the Parliament of Paris by whom the Duke of Beaufort the Coadjutor Broussel and Charion were the same day declared innocent of the crime whereof they were accused His Majesty returned after upon the 22 th of February having quieted all Normandy without any blow struck and changed the Governours in the strong Holds there without stir excepting onely in Pont de L' Arche where Monsieur de Chambois being Governour refused at first to submit upon pretence of some thousands of Crowns which he alledged to be due unto him but the matter was afterwards adjusted by a composition Presently after this his Majesty sent Monsieur de Villiere of the Family de Phillippeaux Secretary of State a person of excellent parts to require the Seals from the Chancellor Seguier and restored them presently to the Marquiss de Chasteau Neuf at the instance of the Frondeurs who did very earnestly desire it they having been 17 years before taken from him by Cardinal Richlieu for the intelligence he had held with the Dutchess of Chevereux in opposition to him The Court resolved to take away the Seals from the Chancellor and restore them to Chasteau Neuf because there was a necessity to satisfie the Frondeurs who were very earnest for it and though Seguier were a very able person and truly faithful to his Majesties Interests for which cause he had a great esteem from the Parliament yet the Council thought it necessary to sacrifice him for the satisfaction of those Malecontents to avoid the ill consequences which otherwise their jealousies and complaints might have occasioned The Court was also very desirous to have setled all things in Burgundy as they had done before in Normandy and to that purpose upon the fifth of March the King the Queen and Duke of Anjou attended by the Cardinal the Dukes of Ioyeuse and Les Diguieres the Marshals de Gramont Plessis Pralin and Villeroy and many Lords and persons of quality marched thither by the way of Melun and Monteraux and the 24 th day of the same Moneth the Cardinal came to St. Iean de Loue whither he caused the Troops drawn together in the neighbouring places to advance under the command of the Duke of Vendosme notwithstanding the great Rains to attacque Seuvre which the Prince of Condé had late before caused to be called by the name of Belle Garde This place was kept by 500 Foot and 400 Horse commanded by the Count Tavanes and Monsieur de St. Muand the Duke of Vendosme together with the Count de Palau the Lieutenant-General and the Count de Navailes and Monsieur Plessis Besansson Marshals de Camp and one part of the Army took up their Quarters at Champblanc and the Marquiss d'Vxelles Major-general and the Marquesses de Chatelluau and Roncelvoles with the rest of the Army quartered at St. George where they began presently to make their Approaches with about 1200 Pioneers brought from the neighbouring Towns it being not thought necessary to fortifie their Camp by reason that Marshal Turenne was far off and had no reason to suspect that any such thing should be attempted but principally because he was to pass divers Rivers and leave several Garrisons of the King 's at his back in case he should have a desire to relieve them The besieged made what provision they could for their defence and suspecting the Inhabitants to be inclined to the King took away their Arms and set Guards upon them His Majesty being at this time in Burgundy not far from the Camp and being moved by a curiosity natural to his Martial inclination and a desire to hasten the taking of the place came to St. Iean de Losne over-night and the next morning into the Camp to view the several Posts and the besieged being summoned to yield by Monsieur Tivoliere Lieutenant to the Queens Guards he gave them notice of his Majesty's being in the
weak condition of States being considered in the Minority of Princes to keep from breaking with those who perswaded him to clap up the Princes was content to give them satisfaction suffering Feure to be chosen whom the Frondeurs pretending to make use of as partial to them and as an instrument to work their ends so the Cardinal by his innate attractiveness and assisted by Fortune which commonly favours him that can sooth her up knew so well how to handle La Feure as at last he prevailed with him upon the weightiest concernments The Cardinal thinking by the Spaniards raising their Siege from before Guise that they were weaker than indeed they were and consequently less to be feared was the more minded to make the Journey to Guienne to suppress the designs of the Burdelois hoping to reduce that City to obedience within a few days But the more successful he fancied his designs the Frondeurs jealousies grew the greater wherefore they studied all means possible whereby they might either totally ruine him or make him more pliable to their wills So as keeping still close together they gave out that they would never tolerate the suppression of Burdeaux nor yet the Marriages nor his establishment in France and by the way of friendship they made it be insinuated into him that he should not do well to suffer the King to go from Paris and leave affairs in the condition they were in But the Cardinal professing that his main end was to restore the King to his Regal Splendor and Authority which was not a little obscured by the disobedience and exorbitant pretentions of Subjects he minded not the Frondeur's threats but defending himself on the one side from the Treachery of his Enemies and fencing himself on the other side from the infidelity of his Friends he by his wit and simulation rendred all prejudicial attempts vain But for that the Frondeurs pretention to divert the King from his Journey to Guienne which was intended to suppress the Burdelois tasted of insufferable boldness and petulancy and that being no good pretence whereupon to raise novelties it would have wanted the general applause to gild over the indecency thereof they made use of a palliated zeal to the publick good as if they desiring the general peace found no obstacle but the Cardinal who did in several manners divert it though when he arrested the Princes he promised to conclude it and thereby to put an end unto the peoples miseries and these affections were so zealously carried on by Beaufort and his Adherents as if the Cardinal had had the disposal of his Enemies will and as if the Spaniards were to have given way to whatsoever should be demanded by the French Whereupon the Parisians were more exasperated and people murmured in all places not being aware of the art wherewith affairs were masked nor of the cheat which was put upon them whilst the Cardinal wisely knew that to have peace the Kingdom must be in a condition of continuing War and not to discompose Treaties by civil discords it not being to be doubted but that the Spaniards would have cooled in their desire of agreement and would have heightned their pretentions the more by how much they should see France involved in intestine troubles Thus by degrees they began to colour over the breach which they were resolved to make Beaufort coveting popular applause desired a breach knowing that the best way to become powerful with the simple people was to seem to hate what they hated he therefore used all means to be accounted an Enemy to the Cardinal and this the rather for that by reason of the visit which was made him as hath been said he began to grow less in the opinion of the Parisians people ran not after him as they had wont to do when he past through the Streets and many of the Licentious people would call him a Mazzarinian so as it became him to think upon new ways to regain their good will and to remove the opinion that it was not the publick interest but his own private concerns which made him close with the late Revolutions The Journey to Guienne being upon these Reasons resolved upon the Duke of Orleans remained chief Governour in Paris assisted by the Marshal de L' Hospitale the Marquis of Chasteau-neufe and by Monsieur de Tillier Secretary of State The King and Queen the Duke of Anjou the Cardinal with the whole Court and all the Agents of Forraign Princes went from Paris on the 4 th of Iuly towards Guienne and some speech of peace between the Two Crowns being renued the glory whereof was desired by the Cardinal he desired the Venetian Embassador Michiele Morosini to follow the Court that he might make use of his Mediation if the Adversaries should incline to agreement This news coming to Burdeaux the Citizens thereof were much troubled many publick and secret meetings were had to find out what best expedient was to be had Some were for humbling themselves and for submitting to the King rather than to expect force and to dismiss the Dukes of Boullion and Rochfaucolt to the end that they might expect some good by Clemency What can we expect said one that was of that mind but that the King being made more certain of our contumacy by our resistance shall for ever shut his ears against any subjection that we can offer that being berest of all the Prerogatives that this noble City hath ever injoy'd we be forced to receive such hard Laws as are usually put upon the Conquered by the Conquerour Why do we carry our selves so proudly against our King who passing by all the injuries that we have done him hath never shewn himself loth to pardon us there is no doubt but that the Duke of Espernoun exceeding the bound of conveniency hath injured us in many things but these are miseries common to all states which have not their Masters ear And upon this occasion who knows not that more good may be had by humbly acquainting our Soveraign with our grievances than by having recourse to violent means which are always hurtful when accompanied with want of respect to the Soveraign by what forces shall we oppose the whole Kingdom which attributing not only her losses but the retarding of her Victories to our persidiousness will be upon our backs to vindicate the injuries of their betraid Country and the outrages done to Majesty if commerce cease if Traffick fail what helps can you expect from an afflicted City which hates the Authors of her miseries you will not therefore look to do any thing of your selves will you perhaps hope for good from forraign forces say I pray with what heart shall we see the Spaniards within our Walls who from their very Cradles hate our Nation who having been so often beaten by us wish nothing more then to make themselves whole by our losses for my part said he I cannot think that the Heavens mean us so much
mischief as to blind us thus But if our sins shall pull down such mischiefs upon us may the Heavens be propitious to me in shutting up mine eyes in an everlasting sleep that I may never see Garomne swoln with our blood or hear my Country as flourishing as any other in all France groan under unevitable slavery and ignominy to the eternal testimony of her contumacy when her King stood in most need of her The pathetick commiseration of this pious and prudent Citizen had well nigh prevailed to perswade the Assembly to humble themselves unto the King but for that Offices are vendible in France which makes them be usually confer'd upon those who are the most wealthy though perhaps upon those who are most ambitious and incapable it was strongly opposed particularly by those that were of riper years for the young men were more moderate Moreover the name of Conde was almost adored in that City nor was his Wives being present there of small moment in making the Citizens well minded towards him by reason of her rare indowments both of mind and body she incouraged those to stand upon defence who hating the present Government did unwillingly hear such discourses as tended to surrendring which as they presumed would make Espernoun's Government more cruel than before wherefore one of the Graver sort did with much vehemency exaggerate the grievances which he pretended to receive daily from the said Espernoun which were not to be remedied but by the change of Government for the Duke working as they thought according to the dictates of the Cardinal it might be conceived their sufferings would have no end save by obliging the Court by resistance to give the Province such satisfaction as was pretended unto Have we said he past the Rubicon and shall we not stand to our Arms what good have we received by our modest complaints made to the King that he would be pleased to moderate I will not say Espernoun's Government but his Reign who was born to be the ruine of this Country nothing but the more consolidating him in his Tyranny and the making him the bolder to destroy us nor can he do otherwise whose hopes being grounded upon alliance with Mazarine we can expect nothing but that growing daily more furious he shall prejudice us more by his indiscreet Government then whole Armies would do It is not we alone said he who are in these miseries nor are we only they who are compel'd to have recourse to Arms to keep back force the commotion is Universal throughout the Kingdom Paris the place wherein our Kings reside finding that it is not justice nor honesty which now prevails but the Favourites pleasure betakes her self to those means which are those alone that are left her to defend her self against the wrongs which she receives and shall we fear to be overcome All other Provinces incouraged by our example will betake themselves with us to seek out remedies for those evils which do now disquiet the Kingdom The Spaniards if we shall have need of them will not fail to assist us without hopes of getting footing in these parts where they know they can take no root they will be satisfied in diverting in some fort the King's Forces which may perhaps bring on the general peace which is as much desired by all the World as it is kept of by the King's Ministers of State and we being the promoters of this good shall purchase praise whereas by idely looking on to our shame we shall at last like Cowards bewail our misfortunes to the eternal Infamy of this warlike Province The Parliament had hardly well ended their discoursing hereupon when the Princess of Conde accompanied by other Princes and Gentlemen of that party appeared who renuing by new exaggerations the commotion before awakened in those Councellors and inciting the mutinous people to adhere to their fury obtained so much as they joyned yet more straitly in Union with the Princess and gave fitting orders for War declaring still that they would be good French-men and faithful Subjects to the King They did not notwithstanding send any Embassy to the King but sent Monsieur Voysin with Letters to the Parliament of Paris and to Monsieur Guionet their Deputy in Ordinary acquainting him with their Resolution whereunto they were compelled by insupportable grievances quite contrary to that famous Declaration of the Year 1648. whereof the Parliament of Paris having been the Authour they desired them to interpose in procuring ease to the threatning ruine of that Province They reduced their grievances to Three heads their being oppressed by their Governour whom they therefore desired might be removed the contriving of the King's Declarations and Will concerning the Imprisonment of the Princes and the extortions and violences used by the Financiers and that they might not be opposed by such as adhered to the King and who complained of these proceedings they drove them all out of the City calling them Mazzarinians and bad French-men they secured the Princess of Conde and the Duke of Anghienne and all their dependants that they might live securely under the protection of the King and Parliament They made hast to arm themselves that they might keep the River open they renued their decrees of Union between all the Corporations and Officers of the Chamber of Edict and charged Commissaries appointed to that purpose to proceed incessantly in execution of the decree against such as were suspected Not long after this decree Marack a servant of the Queens came to the Parliament with Letters from the King dated the 22. of Iuly and he was bidden not to stay at Poictiers but to go strait on to Burdeaux to cross the proceedings of the Dukes of Boullion and Rochefaucolt against the King's Service These Letters were accompanied by others from the Secretary of State Monsieur de Vrtiere directed to the Procurator General wherein he acquainted him with the King's Journey to Guien to the end that the Parliament might appoint Commissioners to meet his Majesty and render due and usual respects When these Letters were delivered to the Parliament they resolved to make an humble Remonstrance in writing to his Majesty that the Cardinals coming near Burdeaux who was an Enemy to that City and a favourer of Espernoun might cause diffidence and despair in the exasperated people But that his Majesty should not doubt of the Parliaments sincere fidelity and it was also resolved that the Procurator General should answer Vrtiere that the Cardinal was the occasion why they durst not send Deputies to their Majesties to assure them of the Cities intire Loyalty and unalterable obedience and all these were delivered to the same Marack The Cardinal finding that it would be a long and difficult business to make the Burdelois not adhere to the interest of the Princes and that if they should fight the Victory must be very bloody and being desirous that the Subjects might be reduced to obedience with as little shedding of
goodness to Burdeaux by a general act of Amnesty or Oblivion and was therefore to be received in like manner as Kings were usually received in the Towns of their Dominion that the Dukes of Boullion and Rochefaucolt were to be sent out of the City as being declared by the Parliaments of France guilty of High Treason as chief inciters of all the disorders and that things should be put into their former condition But just as it was hoped that this would take happy effect the news of Richon's death discomposed all and did so incense the people as they ran up and down the Streets crying Justice and Revenge but no peace Wherefore the Duke of Boullion who had divers Prisoners in his hands which were taken in the recovery of the Island of St. George on the 6 th of August caused Monsieur de Caroles to be hanged The Marshal Millerey being gone from about Vaires incamped at Creon three Leagues from Burdeaux The Knight of Vallette Lieutenant General under Espernoun commanding all those Forces in chief in the Dukes absence undertook to recover the Island of St. George but as he advanced too forward to discover the Enemy he was shot by an Harquebuse on the Thigh whereof he dyed at Cadilliack four days after the Court came to Libourn to the great grief of as many as knew him he was a Gentleman of much Generosity and very faithful to the King he had served the Commonwealth of Venice long in Italy and it was he who entring Paris when it was besieged threw divers Papers amongst the People wherein he exhorted them to expell the Frondeurs and to submit unto the King for which he was imprisoned and hazarded his life Count Palaw was by the King put in his place and Island being stoutly defended by Monsieur De la Motta Delas the Kings men were forced to tarry there some days longer than they had thought waiting for their Canon which made much for the Burdelois for if this important place had been lost the City had been reduced to great straits and want of many things wherefore it stood the King's men much upon to perfect this enterprise who did therefore plant some great pieces of Canon upon the hill of Cambes wherewith playing incessantly upon the Fort and making several assaults they forced it to surrender which redounded much to the prejudice of the City which was not far off So as thinking how to defend ' this place they caused some Baracadoes to be made at Sansurino which were furnisht with Souldiers of Fortune to keep the Inhabitants from going out There was also a Fort with four little Bulwarks at Bastida a place beyond the City over against the City The Port of Dicoux was fenced by a woful half Moon made of Marle without a Ditch some other armed Vessels were put into the Water Affairs passing thus in Cuien during the Kings absence from Paris the Court being ingaged in Arms before Burdeaux could not supply the needs of all Parts States and Cities which required defence wherefore the Spaniards took the advantage of the present conjuncture of times being well informed by Count de Ognate Viceroy of Naples who knew very well how much it concerned his King to bereave the French of Piombino and Portolongone which were receptacles for the Enemies Fleets to the prejudice of that Kingdom and therefore resolved not to let slip that opportunity which was now offered by the troubles of France He prepared all things sitting and betook himself to that expedition which was approved of by many Princes of Italy and also by some Forreign Princes for these Harbours were become receptacles for French Pirates which troubled Navigation not distinguishing Friends from Enemies to the great hindrance of Traffick Nor did the Court of France remedy this as well because it was not good for her to disgust a number of men well experienced in conducting Fleets at Sea as also that they pleaded a Law in their defence which was confirm'd by the States General in the time of Francis the first permitting the reprisal of all Vessels which carried Merchandize of any whatsoever sort belonging to the Subjects of any Prince with whom France was in War The Viceroy having mustred 6000-Foot 800 Horse and being accompanied by many Gentlemen and Titulado's imbarqued on the 10 th of Iune seconded by Don Iohn of Austria who as the Kings Son had the chief Command one part of the Forces imbarqued in the Island of Elbe one part with Count Connersano who upon this occasion was made General of the Horse incamped before Piombino and Cannon was planted at one and the same time against both these places they began to dig Trenches that they might hasten the Conquest before succour could be sent from France which being impossible to be done in those Domestick Wars he had of himself provided for the Defence of Portalongone and orders were sent to Provence that all possible means might be used to send some relief thither But nothing being to be done without money and experienced Commanders the orders availed nothing The French Agents who were in Rome foreseeing these difficulties thought good to interest the Pope and the great Duke but all their reasons could not prevail with these Princes who prohibited their Subjects to assist either party Count Conversano did this mean while straiten Piombino being recruited by Don Iohn de Austria with 1000. Foot and having driven the French out of the Town he betook himself to oppugne the Castle which was constantly defended by the besieged who were incouraged by the Arrival of Seignior Valperga a Piamontese well experienced in the Military Mystery who was come into Provence hoping assuredly to relieve it But the place not being able to hold out longer by reason of the scituation which was so weak as it was not to be fortified the Governour parlied on the Eighteenth of Iuly by vertue of which capitulation the French and Swissers being to go out Valperga was detained as an Italian and not comprehended in the Articles the place being Garrison'd Conuersano went with all his Forces to strengthen the Vice-Roy before Longone whither 500. Foot were come sent by the Marquess of Caracena Governour of Millan and Skirmishes past daily between both parties But whilst Cavalliere Poll was providing a Vessel in Thouloen to attempt Relief Cardinal Mazarine gave order to Monsieur Lauriere the Lieutenant of a French Gally to arm it suddenly and that taking in 100. of the Queens Guard he might indeavour succouring the place Lauriere who was very valiant but not over good at ordering affairs instead of going the nearest way to Monte Christo from whence the Winds having kept the Spanish Gallies aloof from that Haven he might have effected his design he wheeled about by the Coast of Corsica and came late to the aforesaid Island which the Spaniards being aware of they sent Ianettino de Oria General of the Neapolitan Squadron to find him out with two good
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
were imprisoned that this was plotted in all parts and that the thoughts of the Parliament of Paris and of others aimed all at this and that finally they themselves would not deny but that all their endeavours should tend to the same end as those who were bound to prefer this before all other interests This discourse wrought the effect which the Duke desired it wrought upon the Cardinal and did infuse such jealousie into the Frondeurs and Duke of Orleans as it made the Duke resolve to reunite himself with them and again to endeavour the Cardinals destruction The Queen nor the Cardinal were neither of them well pleased with Madamoselle for having always thought her well affected to the Court she upon this occasion appeared otherwise But this agreement did disturb other affairs for the hatred of the Parisians and the authority of the Duke of Orleans and Beaufort and of their adherents did thereby increase the more against the Cardinal whom they told that howsoever they would have the Court return speedily to Paris and that the journey to Tolouse and Provence should be put off to another time which was intended that the States General might be held there and to raise monies which they wanted much to provide for the occurrences of the Kingdom and particularly of Catalonia and for payment of the Servants of the Court who had not received any monies of a long time the Cardinal was minded that the King should go to Languedock and Provence before his return to Paris for besides that the People should thereby see the Kings Person which wins upon the peoples love there was some need of his Majesties presence in those Provinces as well to hold the States General in Languedock as to quiet the differences in Provence between the Count de Ales who was Governour of that Country and the Parliament but the Cardinal being told that for certain the Duke of Orleans did extreamly desire the King should return to Paris to take order for affairs there and to provide for the safe custody of the Princes who were not thought to be safe enough in the Castle of Mercousy he resolved to return to Paris where the Frondeurs grew daily more desirous to deprive him of the glory which he might have gotten with apeasing the uproars of Provence On the 5 th of October the King Queen and the whole Court entred into Burdeaux with above 4000. what Horse what Foot which were brought in not so much for the Kings safety as for his Grandezza whereat the Frondeurs were so terrified as many of them sought to hide themselves The Burdelois appeared mightily pleased with the King coming they lodged the King Queen Cardinal and Duke of Aniou in the Archbishops Palace Madamoselle d' Orleance in President Pontacks stately Palace and the Cardinals neeces were lodged in the Doyen The Court tarried ten days in Burdeaux and being solicited by the Duke of Orleans to return to Paris it marched thitherward The Court being come to Orleans instead of going streight to Paris went to Fountainbleau to take order for securing the Princes who on the 15 th of November were removed from the Castle of Mercousy and were convey'd to Haure de Grace conducted by Count Harcourt with 400. Horse and as many Foot and after Eleven days march they were shut up there being still under the Guard of Monsieur de Bar and of those whom he confided in After which the Queen was not affraid to return to Paris since the Prisoners were gone so far from thence and that they were now at her disposal The Frondeurs were much troubled thereat who with all the other Malecontents ceased not to exclaim against the Duke of Orleans that he had deluded them that the Cardinal did not desire the general peace nor the peoples ease but aimed only at his own private ends wherefore they altered their minds and began to commiserate the Princes not so much for their imprisonment as for the danger of their lives so as the Princess their Mother and all their Kindred and adherents began again to plot their freedom and though by the death of this Lady who died on the 2 d. of December it was thought the servour thereof would abate yet it proved otherwise and it turned rather to the advantage than to the prejudice of the imprisoned Princes for the Dutchess of Orleans and Madamoselle inclined more to the Princes party their envy and hatred ceasing which they bore for her too great Fasto and Intonatura There were two means to be used for getting the Princes liberty the one by closing with the Cardinal the other by joyning with the Frondeurs the Princesses would not by any means abase themselves so far as to receive help from the Frondeurs they rather inclined to lean towards the Cardinal and to agree with him But since the Court cared not much for the Frondeurs now that the Princes were secured and did mind nothing but aggrandizing the Kings Authority it was not judged fit to trust too much to Conde's sickle nature and that it would be better to expect a while so as the Princesses finding that their Husbands were not likely to get their freedom at least for some time by the Cardinals means they had recourse to the Duke of Orleans and to the Frondeurs and the Treaties were very privatly begun by the Princess Palatine who in the managing of this Affair behaved her self very discreetly for spinning on the time of Treaty as long as she could with the Frondeurs she was perswaded she might bring them over to the Queen and Cardinals party She therefore negotiated this with the Court equally affectionately and with equal Dexterity shewing them how much more worthy they would be of commendation by obliging the Princes to eternal gratitude by an act of singular clemency and confidence and that by persisting to be rigorous they would afford the Frondeurs occasion to merit this from the Princes and consequently to increase their pretentions with evident danger that being so strongly backt they might make way for more pernicious consequences but all this did nothing with the Cardinal who thought he could not now confide any longer and held it dangerous to bring the Princes back to the Court during the Kings Minority so the Palatiness was forced to advance the Treaty with the Frondeurs The Dutchess of Cheuereux with many others entred likewise into this new confederacy against the Cardinal under a publick pretence but with private ends and they strove to shew their Majesties how necessary it was for them to return to Paris but the Cardinal strongly opposed this shewing how dangerous it might prove to the Kings power and how unsafe to the Court to put themselves into the peoples hands and into a faction which having broken all the bonds of Duty they might expect all bold attempts from them and he moreover made it known that the Kingdoms peace consisting in the imprisonment of those that
next day as the Assembly rose a great noise â—as heard in the outward Hall of the Palace made by divers who were hired to do it amongst which one was so bold as to say and swear to President Mesnies in an outragious manner that they would have justice and a fig for Mazerine which made the President return into the Chamber fearing worse The Duke of Orleans answered to the desire made unto him by the two aforesaid That he would not come to the Assembly for that there was so great tumultuating and that when he should come it should be to the cost of some body who made it lawful to publish that the Princes were removed from Marcousi to Haure de Grace without his consent that knowing they would not meet without he were present to treat of affairs of such importance he would not come to them but let them do what they would nothing was to be done but to remit that business to the Queen to do what she pleased therein and that it had never been heard that the Parliament did meddle in any such affairs That whereas it seemed strange unto them that Monsieur di Bar should guard the Princes let them consider that the late Prince was guarded in the Castle of Vincennes by a Lieutenant of the Navarre Regiment Notwithstanding they continued to treat of the Princes and the aforesaid Dandales moved that a Remonstrance might be made both by word of mouth and in writing to the King that Haure de Grace not being a sitting Prison for Princes of the blood nor la Bar of a sitting condition to be their keeper it being a place belonging to the Guards of the Kings body the Princes might be removed to the Louvre and be there guarded by the Kings Officers Crespin being of the Kings party asked where the Parliaments Artillery was to force Bar to let loose the Princes and whether they had 50000. Ussieri or Serjeants to make an Army and besiege him in case he refused to obey them Thus the Assembly ended without concluding any thing and adjourned till the next day When the Marishal de L' Hospital being in the great Hall and hearing himself called a Mazarinian turned about and said aloud who is he that calls me a Mazarinian one of the insolent people replied I am he that says so but who are you that ask me The Marishal wisely said nothing finding that they were people who desired nothing but to raise Tumults When the Assembly met again the same Dislandes propounding what he had done before added that if the Parliament should think good to fall upon the Cardinals bad Administration of Government he would lend his helping hand but that then the other Parliaments must be invited to co-operate joyntly for the good of the State this being well liked by many afforded occasion to many to commence the discourse Counsellor Brussels seconding Dislandes added that all the Evils that had befaln France for the four last years had proceeded from the Cardinals bad guiding of affairs he imputed unto him that he had appropriated unto himself almost all the Revenues of the King that he detain'd the pay of the Armies and of the Fleets for his own use which occasioned the Soldiers plundering and extortions even to the Gates of Paris That it was a shame for France to tolerate a stranger so long he then fell to speak of the Prince of Conde shewing that in the Kings own Declaration he was charged chiefly with being too ambitious of having the places of Government bestowed upon his Friends which if it were a fault in him it might much more be called guilt in the Cardinal there not being any strong place whereof he was not now absolute master that his going to Rethel was only to treat of Charleville and of Monte Olimpe and alledging divers other examples and reasons concluded that in their Remonstrances they must mention the Cardinal and declare unto the King in writing the unless speedy remedy were taken he went about to undo the State Champound Refuge Meusiner Sevin Coqueley and others continued to inveigh mightily against the Cardinal but nothing was resolved upon for the delight of backbiting spun out the time till it grew late nor was there any thing concluded the Munday following For news coming that the Battel of Rethel was won the Chambers were invited to assist at Te Deum which was no pleasing news to many for that it was altogether in praise of the Cardinal in whose behalf Malnerdeau Champre advancing said that all the good Fortune of France proceeded from the Cardinal who was the cause of obtaining that Victory and of all the advantages gotten by the former Champagnias He commended his Government and joined in opinion with those that were for the King And for what concerned the Prince they were to be given into the Cardinals custody who would have a particular care of them but he was not listned unto The Parliament met the following days and the Coadjutor discoursed vehemently against the disorders of the State not naming any body he said that the Victory being gotten and the Enemy being so reduced as they could do nothing they must think upon home affairs and free the Kingdom from the bad Administration of the Finances but that all things could not be done without setting the Princes at liberty which was a point of State and ought to be done though they should not prove innocent Barine master of the requests Aisne and other Councellors continued still to blame the Government but President Viola was more passionate than all the rest he discoursed largely of the Princes affairs he spoke of the Cardinal as of the common Enemy He quoted a place of Scripture where it is said that Forreigners ought not to be received into the Government of States nor be acquainted with publick affairs adding that all the Kings confederates did abandon him by reason of the bad satisfaction they received from the Favourite when they were to negotiate any thing That the few Princes of Italy who were yet Friends to France were in doubt whether they should continue still so or no that Catalonia which had cost the King above 60. Millions was about to be lost That the English did threaten that all France was full of fire wherefore he concluded for the Remonstrances Blanmenill and Gilbert shewed examples â—out of History of what disorders had besaln States which have been governed by Forreigners and how that all Princes that ever made use of them have been forced to abandon them and to send them away and here amongst other examples he alledged the Declaration made by the late King Lewis the 13 th when the late Prince of Conde was set at liberty after a long imprisonment occasioned by the ambition of the Marquess de Ancere a Florentine Gilbert remembring violences committed by Ministers of State against the chief Lords of the Land added that Favorites thought themselves out of credit when they did
not do some Coupe de Maistre That Cardinal Richelieu had begun it and Mazarine had continued it as was to be seen in divers Presidents and Counsellors in Messieurs de L' Hospital Vitry Barrillon Duke Beaufort Marishal Della Motta and lastly in Princes of the Royal Family He did inculcate that evils must be provided against by stout Resolutions of Parliament which had always upheld Regal Authority though the Cardinal imputed all the disorders thereunto And here he called to mind that Henry the 4 th said once to the Duke of Savoy that he acknowledged his Crown from the square Caps Lottin said hereupon that it was no new thing for Parliaments to meddle in such affairs for that it was to be found in publick Records even to the years 1415. and 1417. that the Parliament had nominated Commissioners to make Remonstrances to the King touching the ill Government of the State and that the Cardinal said false in saying that the Parliament was an Enemy to the King and Kingdom Vedaw condemning the Government of Forreigners alledged an example taken out of what History I know not of a Lake seated between certain Mountains whereinto if a stone were thrown it would become Tempestuous others spake in praise of the Princes and were all for the Remonstrances at last three or four days being spent in such like discourses in which time many Libels were posted up on several corners of the Streets tending to sedition the first President finding that the greatest part were for the Remonstrance and that it lay not in the wit of man to alter them that he might not appear contrary to the Princes to whom he was also a well wisher was contented that an humble supplication should be made to their Majesties for the Princes liberties to which function he himself with some others of the Assembly were deputed who not having audience before the 22 th of Ianuary spoke as followeth Sir It is to be believed that your Majesty is informed of the present condition of your Kingdom and of the late conquests which have been such as they may be said to be peculiar to your Crown we have with grief seen the loss of so many advantages of so many Towns in Italy and in Catalonia which have cost so much Blood and Treasure The Enemy hath been so bold as to set his Foot in France and to take Towns in sight of the French Army Your Majesty hath been forced to go into many Provinces of this your Majesties Kingdom to quench a fire which seemed to extend it self every where your Majesty hath been forced to march into several Provinces of your Kingdom to quench a fire which seemed to threaten a general Conslagration the pains and troubles of which voyages hath prejudiced your Majesties health and which is the greatest misfortune can belong to us hath put your life into much danger all men know that these disorders have happened since the 18 th of January 1650 that fatal day wherein two Princes of the blood were imprisoned together with the Governours of Normandy Some thought by this to break the thread of all our disasters and to quiet France but in lieu thereof it hath widened all wounds We very well know that there are some secrets of State which it is not lawful to pry into and that there are some mysteries which ought not to be soon made known It being sufficient that in time the truth shall be made known This perhaps hath made us believe there were many strong and valid reasons for this Imprisonment which in time might be discovered had not the Letter which was sent to the Parliament the next day decipherd the Aenigma making us know the innocency of the rather unfortunate than blamable Princes We placed the strength and welfare of this Kingdom in the Regency intrusted in our Vertuous Queen your Sacred Majesties Mother assisted by the Duke of Orleans and by the Prince of Conde but as soon as this knot was loosened all misfortunes besell us We had thought that the Authours of this Council might have altered their minds knowing that there is no way to keep off publick ruine but to think upon the liberty of these Princes and to restore unto France those Champions who have kept her so long Victorious and preserved her from all forreign injuries but though we have expected this with impatiency as necessary for the good and safety of this Dominion we will boldly say it hath been in vain the liberty of these Captives might make us know that our Enemies were no longer able to advantage themselves by our disorders and divisions But when we expected this good fortune we were struck with astonishment to see them removed to another Prison where their lives are in danger yes I say in danger and I add that they may well be kept from our eyes but never from the hearts of minds of true Frenchmen Madam this is the effect of our humble Remonstrance who ought to watch that the publick may receive no prejudice we have been long silent out of respect and had been so still had it not been that we might have been blamed for not giving notice of the threatning disorders But Sir as this Assembly if your Majesty had extended your Authority too far upon any particular Member of this Parliament had been obliged to have interceded for that Member so ought it much more do so for the Princes of the blood who are children of the Royal Family the firmest upholders of Monarchy and the most noble and honourable Members of this Kingdom So many Victories so many Conquests so many Services done to the State plead in their behalf as if any thing might be feared from their comportments the apprehensions which are conceived might suffice that unless their misfortune have a speedy end the stones which do inclose them will speak so loud as the passers by who shall hear them will carry their mournful complaints throughout all France wâ—ll awaken the hearts of all true Frenchmen which will make such a noise as it is to be feared that from this bold action some inconvenience may result unto your Majesties in this so great and pressing danger We humbly beseech your Majesty Madam to find out some convenient Remedies and that you will give us leave with all dutiful respect to say that unless you provide speedily for it the zeal care and fidelity which we owe to the preservation of the State and to the Kings service will force us to lay our hands to it and to imploy all our endeavours to keep this Crown from falling We have thought fit Madam to represent all these considerations to your Majesty and humbly to desire that you will set these imprisoned Princes at liberty to the end that they may be able to do that faithful service to the State as they have formerly done and Sacrifice the Remainder of their blood and lives to the glory of this Monarchy further beseeching your Majesty
read she said That all the relations that had been made to the Parliament were mere Calumnies suggested by the Coadjutor who had told them falsehoods that he pretended to too much and that he was of an unquiet spirit that he infused pernicious Counsel into the Duke of Orleans because he was not chosen Cardinal which he had been so bold as to desire threatning if otherwise be would set fire on the four quarters of the Kingdom She afterwards recounted what had past in Council the Tuesday before between the Duke of Orleans and the Cardinal she complain'd of the Duke having refused to let her come unto him under pretence that the people might commit some outrage upon her person which consideration she said should not at all have altered her Resolution but on the contrary if she should have perceived the people begin to stir she would have come out into the Streets being sure that her presence would suddenly have quieted all disorders for she very well knew what Reverence the Parisians bore to Royal Personages she added further that such affairs as these should be carried on mildly That Marishal Grammont was already gone and that therefore they needed not have any more meetings about that and she moreover told them that the King was growing out of his minority and sufficiently inform'd to distinguish between those who were seditiously given and those who were well affection'd of which number she said they were and that the King would one day remember them for it so she dismist them The Commissioenrs being returned to Parliament the first President related what the King had said and made the writing which was given him be read and which contained almost the same thing whereupon they began to consult and there was difference of opinions But at last Orlean's Authority prevailing the Frondeurs and tumultuous people whereof the Hall was full joyn'd in a Resolution of beseeching the Queen to send a letter away speedily for the freedom of the Princes and to send the Cardinal from Court grounding their pretence upon what the Duke had said that he would not go to the Council so long as the Cardinal was there And they further said That since there was a necessity that one of the two should retire it was fair and honest that his Highness the Kings Uncle and Lieutenant General of the State should tarry and that the other who was a Forrainer should be sent away this being decreed in the Assembly the first President was sent to acquaint the Queen with it and humbly to desire the Princes liberty Thus the Assembly ended and Orleans returned to his own house attended on by many of the Gentry and by a great number of the Populacy The next morning he sent for the Duke of Espernoâ—n and for Marishal Schomberg and told them That he being Lieutenant General of the Crown they were hereafter to come to him for orders touching their imployments the one being Colonel of the French Infantry the other of the Switzers they both answered That they knew very well what became them to do and the respect which they were to bear him but that whilst the King was present they were only to depend upon his Majesty the same day the Queen sent for the Dutchess of Orleans and for Madamoselle and discoursed with them above two hours but no good came of this conference for there were few who through either envy or emulation did not declame against the Cardinals greatness neither had the Dutchess of Anguien's indeavours better success who labour'd to take off Orleans from the sinister impressions which the Coadjutor had made in him of the Cardinal But though there was so great concourse of people about the Duke yet the Palace Royal was frequented by much Nobility and those of the greatest esteem who kept their due obedience to their Majesties Amongst which all the Marishals of France except de Estempes Duke Mercure who still was of the Queens party never waver'd from the friendship which he protest to the Cardinal and sent a challenge that very day to his Brother Beaufort but Marishal de Estre hindred their meeting Whilst things were in this posture both sides studied how to win the peoples affection wherein the whole affair did consist but they being born away by the desire of Novelty inclined rather to favour the male-contents than the Court which made the Frondeurs joyn the more closely to the Princes and to the Duke of Orleans It will not be much from the purpose upon this occasion to say something upon the Court interests which consisted wholly in the Kings and Queens Authority and in the Forces of the Kingdom which were firm in the same Resolution with the Cardinal never to set the Princes at liberty till the King being come to years of Majority might be able to divert those Plots which they had framed in his minority to the prejudice of his power for now they were in a safe place The Duke of Orleans together with his Wife and Daughter being joyn'd to Beaufort and the Frondeurs solicited the Parliament and the Parisians to concur in freeing the Princes to the end that the Cardinal's credit being lost their Authority might be the more considerable in the King's minority The Dutchess of Chevereux and the Coadjutors aim was the same She by reason of the Marriage agreed upon between the Prince of County and her only Daughter and the Coadjutor promising himself by this Alliance that the Dutchess was to have with the Prince of Conde to arrive at the Cardinals Cap since he had no such hopes from the Court Thus Paris being wholly set by the concurrance of so many Princes and people of quality upon pulling down the Cardinal nothing was seen in the Parliaments Palace but the concourse of people and of Cavalliers who publickly cri'd out for the Princes liberty and against the Cardinal So as instead of seeing the Court quieted after the favourable successes in Champagnia and the peace of Guienne it was on the contrary become fuller of confusion But the Cardinal not being aware of the correspondency which the imprisoned Princes had with their adherents was not much troubled thereat by reason of the assurance he received from La Bar who thought not to be deceived by his own people for the Prince of Conde won one of Bar's Servants who was appointed to attend him by whose means he received Letters corrupted the Guards and had notice of all things by the means of Physicians Chirurgions which visited him so as he sent and received advertisements without the knowledg of Bar or of the Cardinal Thus the Dutchess of Chevereux having made the Marriage sure and the Coadjutor having won the Duke of Orlean's favour they kept him always firm to them the Dutchess of Chevereux and the Princess Palatine carried all things with great dexterity and secresie and amidst all the tumultuous meetings that were made in Ianuary the first President did great
be in safety out of Paris And the Frondeurs growing still more wavering being still bent to bring affairs to some extremity strove to raise sedition in the City under colour whereof they might legâ—timate their pretence to remove the Queen from her Regency chose a new Council for the King and that they might take the Government of the Kingdom upon themselves but were it either out of Gods goodness or the innate goodness of Orleans and Conde who were against too violent Revolutions all such attempts were still kept back leaving the Government to the Queen and continuing the Kings Council in their places in peaceful manner The Cardinal went from Haure with about One hundred Horse and with some of his friends marching in long cold dark nights till he came into Picardy where he was received civilly by all but by the Town of Abeville where he was forced to pass over the Some in small Boats which were there by chance and being past over he came to Dorlans a strong Town between Amiens and Arras accompanied by Bar the Governour thereof where he staid a while considering how he might take his journey with most safety for there was danger in passing those Frontiers without a pass which made the Queen write to him to be gone speedily out of the Kingdom The Parliament being assembled on the 20 th of February the King's Declaration was brought unto them which contained that no Forreigners though naturalized should hereafter be admitted into the Council of State which being read it was added that no Forreigner nor French Cardinal should be admitted into the Council which was done not so much in respect of Cardinal Mazarine as to exclude the Coadjutor who disturb'd all things that he might be made a Cardinal and so become first Minister of State Beaufort was one of those that were the Authors of this Addition being distasted with the Coadjutor for having concealed from him the negotiations which he secretly held with other confederates And the Princes friends insisting still to have them declared innocent the Queen being willing to please them was content that such a Declaration should be made the contents whereof were That the King growing apprehensive of the Princes their actions by information had from several parts was forced for the good of his State to secure them that time which matures all things and brings the truth out at last had made him know their innocence and how the Crown was prejudiced by their imprisonment that therefore in an affair of such importance and in respect of the Parliaments earnest supplications and by the advice of his Unkle the Duke of Orleans and others of his Council he had resolved not only to give them their liberty but to take away all pretences that might prove prejudicial to their Loyalties he did declare the said Princes not only innocent of all jealousies which had wounded their Reputations but that all Conde's actions in particular had never tended to any thing but to the establishment and increase of Regal Authority and to the good of the Crown whereof the King was fully satisfied annulling all Letters and Decrees given out against the said Princes and restoring them to their former places honours and dignities this Declaration was verified in Parliament on the 27 th Printed and disperst throughout all Europe And therein were also contained the Dutchess of Longueville Marishal Turenne and all the rest of that party Six days after the Parliament met again and the Decree made against Forreigners though naturalized was read with the addition of excluding all French Cardinals from the King's Council Orleans was the first who spoke being wisht so to do by the Coadjutor and said that after this Declaration the Clergy had made a Remonstrance upon it to the King and that Archbishop Ambrune had told his Majesty that of the three orders which are in France the Ecclesiastick was the first and noblest that no such motion had at any time been made since France had been a Monarchy That the Oath which Cardinals take unto the Pope comes after that which they take to their King and Countrey so as they were injured by being excluded the King's Council and in being berest of serving the State that this exclusion would not be well taken in Rome'â— that they had been Mazarinians that had insinuated this novelty into the mind of some body to revenge themselves of the Parliament by putting discord between it and the Clergy that when this Declaration was made he was present and was against inserting that clause foreseeing the mischief it might occasion by causing division between the Clergy and Parliament The first President said That the French Clergy were not any ways concern'd in this for in the decree all French Archbishops and Bishops were excepted wherefore they had no reason to complain and that the Archbishop Ambrune would be but little praised for his Remonstrance it being well known who it was had excited him to make it Monsieur de Courtine master of the requests alledged two examples to shew that the Clergy ought to content themselves with their callings and not meddle in Court affairs The one of Antonio Perez who being fled into France in the time of Henry the 4 th was one day asked by his Majesty how he thought France might be best governed he answered by three things by good Council rich Finances and by keeping great power in Rome inferring that to be powerful in the Pope's Court they must have many Cardinals there and that therefore they were to be kept at Rome as not being necessary in France The other was the example of the late Archbishop of Burdeaux who going to take his leave of the Pope's Nuncio when he went to command the King's Fleet the Nuncio thunder'd these words into his ears You shall not give an account of the men that shall be slain in the War which you go to make but of those that shall dye in your Diocess during your absence you shall be sure to give an account inferring that a Pastor should have a care of his flock Monsieur Barin la Galissennieve who was also master of the requests spoke against the Cardinal saying he was to be made to give an account of his Administration of Government President Charton said that the Crown had suffered much by the Administration of Cardinals and that worse was to be expected if they were continued in that imployment The Resolution was put off till the next day when much dispute being had thereupon by the first President it was at last decreed that the Cardinals should assist in their Functions in Rome and not meddle in State ' affairs and that her Majesty should be humbly desired to send a Declaration to the Parliament conformable to the Decree of the 9 th and of the 20 th of last February as well against Forreigners as against French Cardinals that they might not be admitted into the King's Council and Archbishop Ambrun's
Remonstrance was much spoken against But these discourses had no foundation and were totally false for who knew not that France did never flourish more than when Governed by Richelieu and Mazarine These proposals were known to be mere invectives and calumnies so as though the Decree past it was never executed only a notable Decree succeeded thereupon as you shall hear hereafter against Mazarine who by the delay of Pasports which were expected from Flanders was forced to tarry in France so as the Queen was forced by reason of the noise that was made in Parliament to send Billinghau and Ravigny with new Letters to him to make hast out of the Kingdom The Cardinal's friends and well-wishers were so incensed with this the Cardinals so unlooked for departure and by his being so sorely persecuted as many of them did readily offer him their best assistance to make head against his Enemies amongst which Marishal de Hochencourt Governour of Peroun Count Navailes Governour of Beaupames and Count Broglia Governour of la Bassea did all of them offer him their strong holds and therewith their lives And Monsieur de Bar Governour of Dorlans Monsieur Mondedieu Governour of Rue Monsieur de Faber Governour of Sedam Monsieur de Montigue Governour of Rocroy and Monsieur Rale Governor of Retel and others that were well affected to him offered to raise 10000. fighting men and by means of those chief Forts to defend him in despite of his Enemies which might have been done but not without much prejudice to all France for all assistance might have been expected from Spain as was already offered the Spaniards profering the Cardinal 100000. Crowns a year and to reimburse to him whatsoever he should lose in France in all his moveables and Revenues but the Cardinal did generously declare in publick that he would rather be a wanderer in the world than be at any time so much as in thought occasion of any prejudice to that Crown to which he ought all his fortune and knowing what danger their Majesties and all his friends would run if he tarried longer in France he observed the orders exactly which he had received by these Gentlemen and went presently from Dorlans to Peroun and then went with his Nephews who were there to la Fera and from la Fera to Retel from whence he sent Count Angusshiola of Parma to desire Major General Rosse to come and conduct him on his way but he excused it and sent only 300. of his German Horse from Rethel the Cardinal intended to go to Bovillion a neighbouring place out of France in the Countrey of Leige belonging to the Elector of Collen But the Governor was not able to receive him without orders from his Master he therefore went to Balduck intending to go for Alsatia and as he was going to Nancy a Messenger came to him from the Elector with ample offers not only of Bovillion but of his whole State wherefore he altered his mind and went to Cleremont attended and defrai'd by the Marishal Ferte Senetre who being his faithful friend met him upon the way When he was at Cleremont two of the Prince of Conde's Gentlemen came with order from the King to the Marishal to deliver up that place to them to which he answered that he very well knew that those Commissions were extorted by violence from his Majesty wherefore he would not surrender the Fort unless he were commanded by the Cardinal who had given it him in custody The Cardinal who was present wisht him to obey the Kings commands which he did From Cleremont he went to Sedam where he would have staid had he not received orders again from the Queen to be gon speedily out of the Kingdom which he at last did Many thought it was not politickly done to send so chief a Minister of State who was so well inform'd of all the affairs and secret interests of the Kingdom out of France and that the Crown might receive much prejudice thereby Wherefore the Queen indeavoured by the Princess Palatines means to acquaint the Princes with the importancy thereof and that she would wish them to permit that some safe place might be appointed to the Cardinal to live in in some corner of the Kingdom but they would not be perswaded thereunto The Cardinal being in Bovillion and not able to pass any further without a Pasport from the Spaniards he would not demand one from the Archduke without the Queens leave who willingly granted it he therefore sent Monsieur Baiseman Lieutenant of his Guard to desire Count Fuenseldaglia to procure him one from the Archduke which being readily granted and also another from the Duke of Lorrain he was conducted by Don Antonio Pimontell with a Regiment of Croats from Bovillion to Rochfort a Castle held by the Lorrainers from whence he went to Huy a City in Leige and to Leige it self where he was met by the Governour and by all the Inhabitants in Arms with the going off of Guns and other demonstrations of respect He lay that night in a Village two leagues off and then went to Aquisgrave where he was visited and complemented by Seignior Chigi the Pope's Nuncio and by the Lansgrave of Darmestate who were both afterwards Cardinals from Aquisgrave he went to Iuliers where he was received with as much honour as if he had been the Archduke being thrice saluted with all the Guns From Iuliers he went to Chempen a place belonging to the Dutchess of Chevereux where he staid and refreshed himself and from Chempen he came to Brales whither the Prince Palatine sent Count Fustenberg to Treat him like a Cardinal he was lodged in the Electoral Palace well provided of all things and two days after the Elector came to Bona to visit him as did all the chief men of Cullonia and of the whole Country and particularly Prince Francis of Lorrain Bishop of Verdune and Brother to Duke Charles The Cardinal went afterwards to Bona to return the Electors visit where he staid one night and was sumptuously treated he received Letters from all the Princes of Europe with offers of all possible honours and conveniences The Pope himself answered a Letter of his with expressions of great esteem and affection Upon occasion of the Cardinals being accompanied in his journey by Pimantell a very great confident of Count Fuesendaglia he thought good to enter into some project of a general peace with him which Pimantell accepting of as if God had been the Author of this holy work a treaty was by his means introduced between the Cardinal and Count Fuensendaglia who received ample Authority from Spain to continue and conclude the business but a meeting being requisite to be had between them for the agreeing of all things between the two Crowns without other Mediators The Prince of Conde's sending of Marquess Sillerey into Flanders to establish an Union with that Crown did discompose all things for the Court of Spain building great hopes upon the troubles of
France and upon the Reputation which Conde had won in Arms. Fuenseldaglia's order was revoked nay he was forbidden to hold any correspondency with the Cardinal to avoid giving jealousie to Conde's party which was well minded to joyn with the Spanish faction but before the Cardinal went from Dorlans after having received orders from the Queen by Belingau and Ravigny he writ a Letter to her Majesty of these contents Madame HAving seen the Letter which your Majesty was pleased to honour me with all and heard what Monsieur Ravigny delivered me from your Majesty by word of mouth touching what concerns your Majesties service to wit that together with my departure from Court I be speedily gone out of the Kingdom I have willingly obey'd your pleasure whose commands shall always be the only law and rule of my life I have sent a Gentleman to find me out some Sanctuary though I want all necessaries for a long journey To morrow without all fail I will go towards Sedam and from thence to any place I can get for my abode I am so much bound to observe your Majesties orders as I will not give way to retard the willing obeying of them yet Madame there are many who were they in my condition and had they justice and number of friends that I have would find ways to defend themselves from the persecution which I undergo and whereon I will not think chosing rather to content mine Enemies than do any thing that may prove prejudicial to the State or displeasing to your Majesty and though upon this occasion they have been able to keep his Royal Highness from seconding the motions of his innate goodness they have notwithstanding witnessed unto him though contrary to their wills the good opinion which he is forced to have of my intire obedience as also of my zeal for the good of the State For did they not know that I were not to be removed from this sense they would not have been so unwise as to reduce me to these extreams without reflecting upon the knowledg that I have of the secret and most important affairs of the Kingdom whereof I have by your Majesties favour had the Government so long and have served you faithfully as is known to all the world But Madame I am too much obliged to your Majesties goodness to dream of any thing contrary to your liking and would the sacrificing of my life give you the least satisfaction I would readily do it and I do protest that I am very well satisfied when I shall know that in this my misfortune your Majesty will be pleased to remember what service I have done the State after the late King of glorious Memory was pleased to honor me and to trust me with directing all things and did often before his death desire your Majesty to keep me in the same imployment with what integrity zeal and unconcernment to my self I have discharged it your Majesty knows and if I may be permitted to say so with what good success for the wisest and even the Spaniards themselves do confess that they do less wonder at the conquests made by your Majesties Armies in the first five years of your Regency than to see how you have been able for these three last years to manage affairs and to save the Ship from Shipwrack which hath been plaid upon from so many parts and agitated by the storms of home divisions I wish Madame that I could conceal from strangers the ill dealing which I receive for fencing off the blame from a Nation which I have always loved and reverenced But when they shall see me go to seek whither I may retire to live in safety with those that are nearest unto me they will have too much reason to wonder to see a Cardinal so treated who hath the honour to be the King's Godfather and that two and twenty years of faithfull service have not been able to procure a safe place to retire unto in this Kingdom whose confines the world knows are much increased by his means I beseech God Madame that as what hath befaln me shall never alter the passion which I shall preserve till death for the Grandezza of your Majesty and for the flourishing of your State it may also make all disorders cease making it appear that those who have declared against me have done it only against my person Having written this Letter and being come to Bovillion where he received new orders to go further from the confines of the Kingdom he thought fit to write another Letter to Count Brien the first Secretary of State wherein many things being touched upon which may give more light to what is here treated on I hope it will not prove tedious to relate them I send you an answer to the Letters written unto me by her Majesty I should have been some days ago upon the Rhine had I been the only guilty party but my nearest Relations being likewise involved in my faults and sentenced to be sent out of the Kingdom I could not possibly be more diligent since I was to carry them with me and to cross an Enemies Country full of Armed men without a Pasport I am very much perplext in performing the orders which are sent me since I cannot imagine that their Majesties intend that I should expose my self to apparent danger of either being slain or taken Prisoner as I am told for certain his intention is who boasts amongst those of his party to have framed the decrees against me before they came into Parliament and that he had sufficient means to make the Court acquiesce therein For I may easily conceive what his intentions are touching the State and me after his punctuality in seducing a Collegue of his to imbrangle the Parliament Nobility Clergy and People and to bring all to ruine unless he were chosen Cardinal And I very well see how he labors incessantly to cause orders be given me and at the same time to keep me from obeying them that so he may have a pretence to raise a hubbub in Paris and to compass his ends by my utter ruine If this could be any way advantagious or acceptable to the King or Queen I would concur therein with all my heart But I must then have known it for being given to their Majesties I cannot dispose of my self otherwise than as they shall command me it was their pleasure that I should go from Court and out of the Kingdom together with all my nearest Relations and Domesticks and that at the same time I should be brought to the common Goal at Paris Now that I am out of France they will have me go yet further and at the same time they lay traps and ambushes to hinder me I desired to be conducted to Charleville and Mesieres but was denied I must not go into the King of Spain's Dominions and they have requested several Princes not to suffer me to come into their States They leave nothing undone at
Rome to incense the Pope against me Seven of the Duke of Lorrain ' s Regiments are come within four leagues of this place and lye upon the way that I am to go for Germany Marishal Turen sent some Horse out against me when I went from Retel and two days after he sent 100. Horse to sack a village but one league from hence who after having taken all things from me and evilly intreated the Master of the Place they dispersed abroad great store of Tickets wherein was contained that if Cardinal Mazarine should be received into any Towns in the Country of Leige those Towns should be plundered as you may see by one of the Tickets which I herewith send you I do very much wonder that one whom I have served so much and whom I have so tenderly loved and so highly esteemed should so much insult over me in my present condition I must believe my persecutors think me some body since they leave nothing undone to ruine me whilst they are so much troubled about me but I promise you if they saw how I bear all this it would lessen their delight in persecuting me for having always served the King well and faithfully as all men know I am at peace within my conscience not upbraiding me with any thing that I have done amiss And could my desire of the good and welfare of the State be greater than it is it should be so much the greater by how much greater my troubles are never was any man of my condition treated as I have been But thereby they afford me matter of consolation knowing that it is interest and not justice that prevails with them they have rob'd me of all as well of what I had got in serving the late King as of all the best and most curious things which I brought from Rome which as all men know I intended to bequeath to Paris as I had bequeathed my self to France Of all the favours I have received from his Majesty they have left me nothing but the Cardinals Cap which his Majesty procured me after twelve years service wherein he hath experienced my Loyalty and my zeal I was the means of taking many places which are now under the Dominion of this Crown and as the King hath said often whilst he was alive I contributed boldly to the glory won by his Armies in Italy particularly at Casal where without loss of one drop of blood they gave the Law I ended the negotiation of Pinarolle by my means the Princes of Savoy Mauritius and Thomaso did the second time forgo the Catholick King 's party whereby many Towns in Piemont were gotten from the Spaniards at which being highly distasted they did always afterwards oppose my promotion which I had deserved as well as any other for my service done to the Holy Church I was the cause that Sedam and many other Towns fell into the King of France his hand as is well kâ—own to all the World I conjure you to desire their Majesties from me that they will procure from Rome that the Cardinals Cardinals Cap may be taken from me and that it may be bestowed upon some more deserving person who may serve them better and I shall be very well pleased when after being berest of all I shall in my heart bear more affection to their service than ever I beg but one only favour of them which is that they will be just to me in the preservation of my honour which they ought not suffer to be question'd by my Enemies since it is apparent that the preservation and increase thereof hath been that which I have only aimed at during the course of my whole life If any persecutors have reason to punish me methinks they should do it by the usual course of Law and not by unpractised violence I hear of no accusers and yet they have begun with me by a sentence and have done by me as we hear in holy Scriptures that God had wont to do but with infallible wisdom punish whole Families for the sins of their Forefathers After they have punish'd me no fault appearing they have left nothing untried to make the meaner sort of people believe there lives not a worse man than I you know whether it was I that hindred the conclusion of the general peace and with what sincerity the Duke of Longueville hath always spoken therein though he was not then bound to defend me and how often after his return from Munster he hath said in Council that he could never find what it was the Spaniards would be at You know also that the Plenipotentiaries did not extend their power so far as they might to make peace and that in their Letters they alledged reasons which diverted them from doing otherwise amongst which one was that the result of making peace would be to manifest their own weakness without doing any good The Spanish agents being bent to spin on the business with France that they might draw on the conclusion of peace with Holland believing that being free from War on that side they might the more easily turn all their forces against France You may remember that when it was known the Holland Agents had power to make peace with Spain without France they used all possible diligence that it might be joyntly done and therefore resolved to sweeten all points that the Spaniards stuck upon You may also remember that it was then held fit to have extraordinary Councils which were held in L' Hostelle de Orleans and sometimes in my House by his Highness orders wherein the dispatches of Munster were read the points examined and answers resolved upon which being done they were again read over in Council to see whether there were any thing to be amended added or diminished every one striving to do or say something which might contribute to the perfecting of so good a work but all this diligence did nothing and Pignoranda made known what his orders were for when he had concluded with the Hollanders he was never at quiet till he was retired from Munster to avoid being prest by the Mediators to accommodation with this Crown I had not only been persidious but out of my wits if I had not done what in me lay to make peace for the Kingdom being thus quieted I should not only have shared of the good which this peace would have produced but should have purchased much glory and thanks Those who to render me odious to the people labour'd to make it seem that it was I who did impede peace know the contrary and there needs no more to make their malice notorious to the whole world than the knowledge of all the dispatches sent to Munster the particular Letters written to the Duke of Longueville Monsieur de Avaux and to Count Servient and what answers they received These bad minded Criticks were apt to backbite and to puzzle all that could be done in the Assembly and much more if peace had been
they obtained from him in these words We do consent and approve that the Nobility do Assemble to give in their grievances in writing so asthey put them into our hands and that they comprehend not any thing therein which is not conformable to the orders and decrees of the States General and that when they shall have received satisfaction in their grievances they dissolve when we shall bid them Vpon these conditions we promise them our protection This was written and subscribed on the second of February 1651. They then sent to the Prince of Conde and to the other Princes to congratulate their liberty and Marquess Lordis President of the Nobility made an Encomiastical Oration to the Prince the act of Union was subscribed on the 21 th of February as it had been drawn up seventeen days before by all the Nobility of the Assembly except the elder Marquess Vieville who was won over to the Court upon hope of being made superintendant of the Finances The Princes were well satisfied with the Assemblies complement they then dispatched away Letters through all the Provinces to exhort all other Gentlemen to enter into their Union and continued the Assembly that they might advance their designs Count Fiesco did very much labour the Convocation of the States General as the only means to come by the wisht for general peace strove to keep the Clergy firm to their first intentions and accordingly Archbishop Ambrune and Bishop Cominges spoke boldly for this Convocation using examples and places of Scripture to draw all men to the same opinion In this interim the Parliament which did not like the Convocation of the States General as well for fear left their Authority might thereby be moderated and that the Sale of places might peradventure be thereby suppressed and confer'd upon better deserving men as also out of the innate jealousie which is commonly found between Parliaments and States the latter pretending to be superior in Authority and the other did maintaining that States can resolve nothing unless it be by them verified notwithstanding met And here Monsieur de Coqueley brought a request presented by the Procurator General wherein he blamed the Assembly of the Nobility for being met without the King's Authority and insisted upon the inhibiting thereof but whilst they were deliberating hereupon and that the first President moved that the first Authors thereof should be punished reading the Letters sent by the Assembly to the several Provinces wherein the Duke of Orleans was concerned by whose permission the Assembly met that Duke and the Prince of Conde were intreated to come to the Parliament to deliberate upon this weighty affair for the Assembly began to be in great vogue in the Provinces and there was danger that by continuing the Assembly new disorders might arise This mean while the Queen by agreement with the Duke of Orleans and the Prince of Conde sent on the 16 th of March to the Marishal de L' Hospitalle to inform the aforesaid meeting that it should break up and that as for their desire of having the States General called they should have it granted to meet on the first of October next at Tours The same was confirmed by the Duke of Orleans and the Captain of his Guard past his word that what had been said by the Marishal de L' Hospitalle in the name of the King and Queen should be punctually perform'd The like did the Cavaliere de Vieville by order from the Princes of Conde and County none of which were pleased with the calling of the States General as things too prejudicial to Regal Authority and to themselves in particular and therefore they sought by such excuses and promises to carry things on to the end that all might afterwards dissolve into nothing The Duke of Orleans instigated by the Coadjutor who partook of all his secret Councils became Protector of the Assembly of the Nobility the major part whereof depended upon him as being his intimate friends And the Coadjutor being very much troubled that even French Cardinals were by Decree of Parliament debar'd being of the Privy Council whereby he was deprived of his hope of becoming the chief Minister of State and of being Cardinal made the Duke of Orleans incourage the Clergy to joyn with the Nobility and to complain onto the Queen of the unjust proceedings of Parliament whereat the Court was not at all displeased seeing her adversaries at variance within themselves This Assembly of the Nobility was introduced when the King's Authority began to totter by reason of the hatred conceived against the Cardinal and it was begun by certain Bishops who were discontented at the Court proceedings and by certain Nobles who were not therewith well pleased only to make a noise and to make themselves of some consideration at first these Assemblies were held but by a few and in private houses The chief Authors of those of the Clergy were the Archbishop of Sens Brother to Marquess Termer the Bishops of Orleans Haghen and the old Bishop of Albi who were all three of the house of Bene and come to France from Florence the Bishop of Cominges and others the Marquess of Lourdis and of Vieville the Counts of Betumirs Fiesco Montresore Vrse Fourilles Montignack and others who were all without any charge and but little considered at Court they took their pretence from some ill usage of the Nobility in the Country of Vexin by the King's Officers about a suit touching some counterbar'd Salt brought in by the Soldiers and hid amongst their baggage in the March which the Army made towards the Frontiers some of them came to Paris to complain thereof and finding men displeased at the imprisonment of the Princes and laying hold of that pretence that Mazarine had told the Queen in full Council that the Nobility of France hated the King and that the Parliament would do as that of England had done they bethought themselves of calling the Assemblies by the Assent and Authority of the Duke of Orleans who was not altogether content with the Court. So as nothing but novelty was sought after whereby to win credit and get some Office or place in the King's Council The same whereof being spread over the whole Kingdom so numerous was the concourse of Prelates and of Cavaliers as they became formidable not only to the Court and Parliament but even to the Princes who had first protected the Assembly for they thought that the States General would moderate their power by taking away their Governments and places and that peradventure they would take the boldness of England for when the third Estate should concur and the States General should be met the Arbitrement of affairs would almost depend upon these Afterwards private houses proving too little for these Assemblies they were adjourned to the Covent of St. Francis and St. Augustine where in the great Halls thereof affairs were disposed of in good order But this being done without the King's
permission and State-affairs being therein treated of the Queen forbad all that belonged to the King or Court to go thither as did also the Duke of Orleans and the Princes but finally all ended in the aforesaid eager desire that the States General might be called that by the Authority thereof the disorders of the Kingdom might be provided for and it was prai'd that they might be held in Paris But the Queen did withstand it as much as she could and was seconded therein by the said Princes After many contestations not without heart-burnings on both sides the said Convocation was by Letters from the King put off to be held on the first day of October at Tours and was afterwards adjourned to the eight of the said month on which day the King entring into his Majority the Court and Princes hoped to disanull it since it was introduced by the discontent and interest of particular men and not for the publick good as was pretended France never having been in a more flourishing condition then it was then had it not been for these intestine alterations The Assembly finding that the Queens design was to spin on time till the King was of years that he as his Mother hoped might make it vanish those Gentlemen were much confused and were in dispute whether they should obey the Kings orders or no but the Parliament being met in the interim to oppose these Assemblies the Duke of Orleans declared that he had assented thereunto First to obtain the Princes liberty Secondly to Counterpoise the Cardinal and to remove him from about the King and lastly to preserve every mans interest that notwithstanding that these three points were ended the publick quiet could not be secured whilst Count Servient Tillier Lyon and Madame Navailes were about the Queen all which being the Cardinals Creatures he although he were far off did by their means govern the Court disposing of all things as he had done formerly and having disposed of three Abbies of late of no small concernment that he would therefore desire the Queen to remove these four from her and would intreat the Execution of the Decrees That lie and the Prince of Conde had indeavoured to separate the Nobility upon good pretence and to that purpose the Queen had given way to the calling of the States General on the first of October next But that the Nobility having represented that this promise might prove null since her Regency would then be at an end the Queen had promis'd what she was not able to perform unless the King should consent thereunto that as the Queen had been desired to put off the meeting till the first of September next so he desired the Assembly to retard all resolutions till the next Monday in which time he hoped to end the business with satisfaction to all that he was sufficiently informed that the Cardinal's friends had used all their indeavours that the Parliament might make a Decree against the said Assemblies and that they had indeavoured to divide the Prince of Conde from him since the Mazarinians could not subsist but amidst divisions and disorders The Prince of Conde spoke to the same Tune and added that it was not long since they had gone about to pluck him from his Royal Highness but that they had gained nothing therein for that he was constant in the Union agreed upon for the King's service and preservation of Regal Dignity After this the first President spoke against this Assembly terming it unlawful contrary to Regal Authority that they ought to obey the orders brought them by the Marishal de L' Hospitalle not joyn with the Clergy was yet more to contemn the King's Dignity and therefore was not to be tolerated by Parliament that the end thereof was to confound Government and to introduce civil War so as to oppose it and destroy it was to serve the publick good That the Duke of Orleans had promised by the Marishal de L' Hospitalle to cause it to dissolve on last Wednesday and that notwithstanding it still continued that the Parliament was grieved to see the fractures of the Royal family which was fomented by some troublesome spirits who abusing his Royal Highness good nature fed him with false representations and adding one disorder to another did confound all in so much as after the Cardinals expulsion those who stood candidate for the same Dignity afforded matter of new Revolutions the remedy whereof was no longer to be retarded The Duke of Orleans answered That he had not appointed Wednesday with the Marishal de L' Hospitalle that he would resist and not maintain any thing that was prejudicial to the King's service and promised that on Monday next the Assembly should be quietly dissolved The first President replied that he heard another Assembly was held in the Covent of the Carmelites at the Palace Mobert which took upon it the quality of the third Estate and which tended to new sedition that therefore it was no longer time to neglect the King's service and the States interest the King's Authority being so far ingaged and that the business was to be taken into consideration according to yesterdays Decree The Duke answered he did not think the Company would deny him three days at the end whereof he promised to be present in Parliament and to give his consent to all Decrees if the Assembly were not first dissolved The President of Mesmes asked him whether or no he would disapprove the said Assembly if it did not dissolve before Monday And Marishal Grammont to ease the Duke of replying propounded that if the Assembly should not dissolve before Monday his Highness should promise to disapprove it and to oppose it with all his Power and Authority upon which promise the Resolution was put off till Monday President Cognieux Brussells Thou and Charton spoke in favour of the Assembly and Thou said there was of the best blood of France therein to which the first President answered that there were men in France who were twenty times better than they who had not subscribed it whereof those of the Assembly being advertised they presently publish'd a declaration of their pretentions shewing that they were met only for the publick good and this was accompanied by a Letter sent upon the occasion of the Assembling of the Nobility which did contain a declaration against those who said their Assembling without the King's Authority was Criminal they said that all that could be objected to it was that it was done without the King's permission for that the Laws forbid all publick meetings without his Majesties consent that for any thing else what the Nobility did complain of and whereof they could speak was correlative to the Law and what in justice could not be denied that during the King's minority his Authority was in the Regent and in the Lieutenant General of the Crown so as their Authority must be had to make a lawful Assembly that the point lay
in this whether they were to have the Queens permission or whether it was sufficient to have leave from the Lieutenant General that the Nobility had Assembled for three reasons for the liberty of the Princes for driving out the Cardinal and for the maintaining of the Nobilities priviledges which were lost by the bad Government of State Ministers That nobody could doubt but that the two first points were contrary to the Regents desire since the Princes had been imprisoned by her that therefore it was unnecessary to ask leave for the Assembling of the Nobility seeing it was contrary to her sense wherefore not being able to address themselves to her Majesty they had be taken themselves to the Lieutenant General who having given them leave to meet the occasion of taxing them for having taken upon them an unjust power ceased That those who sided with the Cardinal said this was a Criminal fact but that they could not shew any other way which was more innocent that they were shut up between two great extreams either to become guilty by complaining or to be opprest by holding their peace and to suffer that without remedy the honour of their Wives and Daughters their Goods their Houses and all they had should be exposed to the insolence and violation of Soldiers Marishals Task-masters and to the avarice of Officers and that their liberties and immunities should be opprest through the jealousie of those who had neither birth nor worth thatthe Kingdom of France was a free Kingdom and that the most noble and freest part thereof ought not to be forbidden lamenting and demanding justice against such excesses and their conclusion was that any thing might be done which was just and reasonable at last the Clergie and after them the Nobility did acquiesce upon the reiterated desires and perswasions of the Duke of Orleans and of the Prince of Conde and much the rather for that they had not met with such correspondences as they looked for from the meeting of the third order without which and contrary to the King's power the Clergy and Nobility could of themselves do nothing So all was husht up upon hopes of the next Assembling of the States General which Orleans and Conde did under their hand assure them of The Cardinal being gone from the confines of France Paris grew weary of keeping continual Guards at the gate for which the Soldiers had no pay wherefore those Guards were taken away so as the Court being at liberty to go into the City and Country the Princes party was thereby not a little weakned who confided much in Armed men Conde began to apprehend a second imprisonment which he feared as himself said more than death wherefore he grew more circumspect than usual The Court began to take courage and to think how to uphold the King's Authority and because the Cardinal at his departure counselled the Queen to recall Count Chavigny who was Conde's friend to keep him from thinking to return by some other means he was sent for back and the seals were taken away by the Queens direction from the Marquess of Chastauneuf who was suspected to be become a friend to the contrary party and were given to the first President Mole which made it be believed that the Queen did all by intelligence with the Prince who was a friend to Chavigny and Mole and an Enemy to Chasteauneuf the next day he took the wonted Oath and the Queen used him with honour and esteem whereat the Duke of Orleans was much amazed in whose House the Prince of Conde Duke Beaufort the Dutchess of Chevereux and of Moâ—bason met together with the Coadjutor and other conspicuous persons of that party and they discoursed long upon the Queens taking too much upon her contrary to their pretentions speaking openly that if the Duke of Orleans would suffer such shame he would incourage his Enemies who would grow the more haughty But because the Council differ'd in their opinions it will not be amiss to lay open the affections of the one and of the other because private interest is more minded in France than in any other Court or Nation and is prefer'd before any publick consideration The Duke of Orleans his Daughter Madamoselle Duke Beaufort and the Dutchess of Monbason minded only their own greatness The Prince of Conde and his adherents cared not much for this mutation as being adversaries to Chasteauneuf and friends to the first President the Dutchess of Chevereux and the Coadjutor as friends to Chasteauneuf were more incens'd against the Queen than all the rest the rather for that they thought they had been upon good terms with her Majesty Orleans broke forth into sore complaints against the Queen for making such alterations without his knowledg Duke Beaufort offer'd to make the people rise in his behalf when he should please Count Montresore a great friend to the Coadjutor said it was no longer time to dally that the people must forthwith take up Arms and force the first President to forgoe the Seals and afterwards go with the like fury to the Queens Court and do as occasion should serve it was thought that this being a violent proposal came from the Coadjutor who was of the same opinion but the Prince of Conde who held private intelligence with the Court declared he would not ingage himself in a War in the Streets of Paris as not being accustomed to fight with stones and that therefore he would leave the care thereof to others That he would be ready to obey the Duke of Orleans if he should so command him in going presently into Burgundy to raise men and make War wheresoever he should please Upon these speeches of so renown'd a man the diversity of opinions ceased and the Marishal de Estampes one that loved not troubles said it was now late and that the business might be defer'd till the next morning which was done The Coadjutor finding Conde to declare thus much intreated the Duke of Orleans to give him leave to withdraw himself from the intrigues of the Court and follow his study and seemed to continue a while thus resolved The Queen was somewhat troubled at the taking the Seals from Chasteauneuf and giving them to President Mole by reason of Orlean's so highly resenting it which the Frondeurs also did so as fearing some extravagancy though she did much protect the first President she was at last forc'd to forsake him and to take the Seals away from him and to deposite them in the Lord Chancellor's hands with promise under hand to the said President by Marishal Grammont that they should be restored unto him when the King should be of years yet was not he well pleased since the Queen had made him accept that place against his will not being able to protect him therein but he was more offended with Conde from whom for his past service he promis'd himself more fervent assistance wherein the Prince failed him to keep from breaking with the
who was much distrusted at Court should go into Normandy it would have been suspected that she had kept intelligence between those Princes and given the Court occasion to take the Government of that Province from her Husband so as to keep from doing so she was forced to keep far from him and that she would rather seem discontent than otherwise to the end that if the Prince should imbrace peace she might presently be gone to Normandy The second reason was that the Dutchess governing the Prince of County at her pleasure who was not upon over good terms with his Brother were it either for his being young which would not suffer him as yet to have full cognizance of weighty affairs or were it by reason of his easie nature ready to alter upon any occasion it was consequently requisite that the Dutchess should keep them joyned together wherefore she went to Montrond on the 28 th of Iuly When the Prince was come to St. Maure he sent Duke Rochefaucolt to desire the Duke of Orleans to assure the Queen from him that he was not withdrawn out of any ill intention but to free himself from danger which he apprehended the Duke wondered at this his so sudden departure and answered that he would indeavour to put all things in good order being sure that the Court had no ill opinion of him The Queen sent Monsieur de Cominges to the Duke to tell him that she put the King's concernments into his hands to the end that he might give sufficient caution to the Prince whom she accused of being too apt to believe false and imaginary suggestions When Orleans spoke with her Majesty they resolved to send Marishal Grammont to discover the Prince his pleasure and to offer him all security if he would return to Court The Marishal acquainted the Prince with what the Queen and Duke of Orleans had given him in charge the Prince grew to know his Error but doubted least he might grow less in Reputation if he should so easily acknowledg he had put on a resolution for which he had no ground wherefore to maintain what he had done and to make it appear that he had done it not out of any causeless fear he dryly answered there could be no safety for him whilst the Cardinals creatures kept about the Queen whereupon the Marishal desired to speak with him in private but he would not consent thereunto saying that he was not to treat with him of any thing which was not to be discovered to all his friends so dismissing him with very small satisfaction the Marishal returned to acquaint the Queen with what had past The Princess Palatine went also to acquaint the Prince into what a precipice he was about to throw himself upon vain suspicious suggested into him by such as desired Novelty and desire the ruine of the Royal Family She told him he needed not doubt the Queens word and that she having interposed her self in the first agreement and promised in his name what was agreed upon these retractations seemed strange to her which were grounded upon weak pretentions Marishal Villeroy and Count Chavigny went to him also to the same end but could do no good the Prince said he had been once deceived and durst confide no longer so long as Count Servient Tillier and Lyon the Cardinals creatures kept in the posture they were in with the Queen That the Cardinal would undoubtedly return with whom continual commerce was held notwithstanding the Parliaments prohibition that private negotiations had been had in Sedam and in Brisack to bring the Cardinal into one of those strong holds wherefore the Prince had thought fit to withdraw himself into a place of safety and he sent afterwards a Letter by a Gentleman to the Parliament unto the same purpose The first President answered that Conde had undertaken a dangerous Resolution whilst not many days before the Queen had assured him by the Duke of Orleans that there was no imaginable evil conceived against him that he might go to the Parliament and freely propound his sense that he should find there the same security that County had the Assembly was adjourned till the next day and County being this mean while returned from St. Maure he acquainted his Brother with what had past on Saturday he came to the Parliament where those of the King's party appeared with a writing from his Majesty containing That the Queen did not believe the Prince of Conde would have continued his Iealousies so as to withdraw from the Court after that she had sufficiently assured him that she had never any thought which might make him mistrustful that the Duke of Orleans knew the sincerity of her actions and that he had ascertained the Prince of the Truth of what her Majesty had said unto him that it was far from her to act any thing contrary to the liberty of his person that Marishal Grammont had assured as much to the Prince who might inform the Assembly of what had past That the King had impowered the Duke of Orleans to treat of an agreement and that he would be very glad the Parliament would intercede therein that if the Prince his Iealousies consisted only in his own safety and in the Cardinals return her Majesty declared from the very first her intentions of not recalling him That she had past her word thereupon unto the Parliament which she would religiously preserve and that for what concern'd the negotiations of Sedam and Brisack she might justly think her self injur'd that the Lieutenant of that Government had without his Majestie 's order thrust the King's Governour out that for as much as concern'd those who were of the Privy Council that they being the Queens Domestick servants which she might at her pleasure chuse it was answered that the first had served the late King with such fidelity as the Prince had no reason to distrust them that her Majesty could assure them that she had never had any occasion to suspect they had any intentions contrary to his Majesties service and that none of them was ingaged in the Cardinals return That if the Prince did not admit of what was offer'd him but should still keep far from the King it was to be suspected that there was somewhat else which kept him from waiting personally upon the King which the Queen was infinitely troubled at who desired nothing more than to see a perfect Vnion of the Royal Family which was so requisite for the good of the State This writing being read the first President began to discourse thereupon and turning to the Duke of Orleans said that it belonged unto him to undertake a business of such importance since the Queen putting most confidence in him and that the Prince was more joyn'd in interest with him than with any other he might easily do good He therefore desired him to use his wisdom to grub out those Roots which might bud forth into the unevitable ruine of France wherein
declared his distaste by saying he would return no more thither But keeping his negotiations on foot as well in Flanders as in France to the end that he might effect his designs abroad if he should not effect them at home he with large offers and fair allegations invited the Duke of Longueville to enter into his party But Longueville who was wise and loved his quiet though he seemed to joyn in his interest yet keeping his agreement made with the Queen did not accept the invitation saying that though the beginnings of all civil Wars seem specious yet their middle and their end prove fatal to those who undertook them and that therefore as a true friend and allye he exhorted him to agree and peacefully to injoy his Governments well foreseeing what the contrary might produce as being fomented by ambitious people and who for their particular concernment desire to put the Kingdom into troubles Yet these the Princes ways tended not to the precipice of War though they seemed to do so for by what happened afterwards it was known he pretended rather to make an advantagious agreement than to enter into an uncertain and dangerous War At this time the Prince received a Letter from Marquess Bouteville Governour of Belgarde wherein he advertised him that Monsieur de Isole was come thither sent by the Emperour who desired to speak with him and to let him know that if he would declare himself he would invest him in Brisack and would cause all the rights of the house of Austria therein to be given unto him That moreover he would give him 4000 Soldiers which he would add to the Garrison of Franchendelle which the Spaniards should abandon so as together with his own Soldiers which at that time were 5000 he might make an Army of Ten or Twelve thousand men The French Army lay this mean while about the River Liss but was not able to make any considerable assault upon that Frontier for want of Corn and Artillery and much more for want of Money the rather for that the Enemies Towns were all well fortified whereat the Queen was not displeased in these present disorders that so she might have her Forces disingaged and free to send against the Prince upon any emergency Notwithstanding Marishall de Aumont incampt at Arleaux not far from Doway with 10000 foot and 6000 horse and sent Duke Chaunes to fall upon two redoubts which were sheltered by the River Scarpe making 600 Musquetiers ford over the River at the same time conducted by the Count de Espagne and Chevalliere Chaunes so as the Spaniards having had two Squadrons of Croats routed forsook the redoubts by the taking whereof whilst it was thought the French would approach Doway they went away without doing any thing else and went to Inchy a Town three leagues off and quarter'd in the Abbey of Vauxelles On the other side Marishall Fertesenetre Governour of Lorain went with some Troops gathered up in the Neighbouring Provinces to take Charte upon the Mosell the Castle whereof though it were but small was well fortified and of no little consideration in respect of the Neighborhood of Lorrain and he took it though it were by the Garrison stoutly defended to the great advantage of the King's Forces who were thereby likewise unincumberd on that side Whilst things were in this condition Duke Mercure who staid in Paris after the Cardinal was gone met every night with the Queen when all others were withdrawn maturing such expedients as stuck most with them and seeing himself much prest in his own particular affairs for the ill satisfaction which was conceived against his Family by reason of his interest with the Cardinal he beg'd the Government of Auvergne Her Majesty before she would gratifie him therein ask'd the opinion of one of her confidents who told her that if the Duke should get what he desired he might find some means to avoid marrying Madamoselle Mancini and that therefore he thought fit to defer it and make advantage of time which advice being approved of by the Queen made Mercure who was aware of the cunning delay to protest seriously that he intended the marriage and that there was not the least reason to doubt his word shewing all possible readiness to accomplish what was agreed upon notice was given of this to the Cardinal who though he went not from what was agreed yet knowing that this alliance would afford matter to his Enemies to make the troubles greater would howsoever prefer the King's service before his own concernments He therefore answered Advocate Bluet that he did not approve the Duke should go from Paris as well for his shunning the bad accidents which might befall him by such a voyage through the alterations which upon this pretence might arise in Paris as for that there was none with the Queen but himself and Marishall Plessis Praliâ— with whom her Majesty might freely discourse and trust without suspition But the Duke not admitting of this denyal held himself bound in honour and thought that the exposing of himself in so turbulent times and in the greatest heat of persecution to a dangerous voyage would give the clearer testimony of his faith and the more oblige the Cardinal to assist him in his marriage So as having often acquainted her Majesty with his firm resolution he brought her at last to give way thereunto and she gave him moreover 1000 pounds for his journey this being therefore resolved with all secrecy to shun the treachery which might be laid for him in his journey he sent his Gentlemen into the Vandomase seeming as if he would take that journey and he feigning himself to be servant to Monsieur de Siron one of the Cardinals Domesticks went from the Queens Cabinet on the beginning of Iuly and went post with the same Siron to Peronne and from thence to Brules where on the twelfth of the same month the marriage was solemnized by the Archbishop of Colen which being done he returned with like speed to Paris At this news great rumors were had in Paris arguing thereby that assuredly the Cardinals return was indeavoured but because by their Majesties Declaration and by the Decrees of Parliament not only the Cardinal but all his kindred were sentenced they were of opinion that the marriage must prove null since as they said a Prince of France was not to marry without the King's leave and much less with one that was banish'd and an enemy to the State Being come in great pomp to the Parliament at Paris sent for as Duke and Peer he was much prest to declare the truth of the business He answered that he was not bound to say any thing save only that he had done nothing contrary to their Decrees and did publickly affirm that the Duke of Orleans and Conde had ingaged him in the said marriage that if afterwards they had for their own concernments alter'd their opinion he knew what belonged to a Gentleman that was born a
That the liberty taken by those Forces to plunder his Majesties Subjects had caused many Soldiers to go from his Majesties Camp and to go into the other which did what they would that he had thought fit to acquaint them with all these things though the most of them were already sufficiently known believing that these publick proceedings of the Prince would prove that his secret designs could be no less dangerous nor could be no longer dissembled without abandoning the rudder of the State which God had put into his Majesties hands and which he was constantly resolved to maintain That without speedy remedying disorders the Enemies of France would never apply themselves to the so much desired general peace nor reform the abuses of the Kingdom without stopping the course thereof which his Majesty was resolved to do This writing being read the Prince of County who was present told the Queen that the Prince his Brother had done nothing but what he was able to justifie and that these were the impostures of his Enemies whilst things continued in this disorder Conde continued to visit the Counsellors to assure himself of their favours and indeavour'd to keep his friends well dispos'd to him in all parts and upon all occurrences The Queen on the contrary advising continually with her friends and making particularly use of Abbate Vndedey who did all he could for the service of the Queen and Cardinal found it was necessary to chuse new Counsellors to supply the places of those that were put out And the Duke of Orleans being of the same mind who was therein advised by the Dutchess of Chevereux and the Coadjutor it was resolved that assoon as the King should be of years the Marquess of Chasteauneuf should be made chief Minister of State that Marquess Vieville should be made superintendent of the Finances and that the first President should be confirmed Guarde de Seaux the first because he promised to use all his power in getting the Cardinal recalled though he failed therein afterwards as shall be said Vieville because President Maison who was superintendent of the Finances was thought to be too much concern'd in Conde but the Prince declaring that all this was prejudicial to the decrees of Parliament and to the King and destructive to the Princes of the Realm promised he would never consent to Chasteauneuf's return who would prove worse than the Cardinal saying that those that favor'd him were his implacable Enemies That the Dutchess of Chevereux and the Coadjutor were the chief Plotters saying that they and the three Barboni were Authors of the writing which was pretended against him he therefore desired his Royal Highness to maintain his interests as he would do his till death For what remain'd he absolutely declared that rather than to see the King put into the hands of his Enemies he would throw himself into the hands of the Spaniards and after so much freedome of words he bewail'd the unhappiness which threatned France and all good men wherefore the Coadjutor thinking that the Prince his words might work something with the Duke of Orleans he strove to keep the Duke in his former opinion A treaty was this mean while begun between Chasteauneuf Villeroy and Chavigny by the means of Counsellor Croisy and Monsieur de St. Romain whereby they had almost brought the Prince to consent to the establishment of the aforesaid Council provided that the Queen would speak to him therein But these Lords not daring to move the Queen to do so least she might suspect they held some intelligence with the Prince the Dutchess of Aiguillona and Count Brien were imploy'd to desire the â—ueen that she would suspend the business for a few days but she fearing that this was a new trick of Conde's to keep her from performing her word proceeded in the establishment which afforded afterward cause of new complaints This writing was followed by divers other pressings that the Prince his actions might be known to be such as did not become his duty and which were condemned for such when the Parliament met the Prince appeared waited upon by some of his followers but Orleans came not thither that day wherefore Conde intreated the Assembly to adjourn the handling of what was communicated to them at the Palace Royal as also the reading of the King's writing to the end that the Duke might be present at the reading of them pretending to justifie his actions wherein the Parliament was pleased to gratifie him and sent to invite Orleans to come thither but it was thought he would not come having heard that what was done against the Prince at Court was thought to have been done by his knowledg for that it was imagined the Queen would not have attempted it without holding intelligence with him but foreseeing that unless he were protected by Orleans his adversaries might undo him by what was alledged in that writing he again desired his presence in Parliament that he might not want such a prop in a business of such importance The Duke having excused himself for several reasons the second time the Prince desired him that at least he would give him a Declaration of what had past between his Highness and him the Duke could notwithstand the violence of these pressures which were seconded by President Viola but yielded thereunto rather inforced than willingly So as sending immediately for the Secretary without giving the Duke leave to repent he caused it to be written the 18 th of August the contents thereof being as followeth His Royal Highness declared that till after Seven a clock at night on Wednesday last Count Brien had not acquainted him with the Queens resolution of calling the Sovereign Assemblies together and those of the City to tell them that her Majesty had no intention to recall the Cardinal and that she would issue out all necessary Declarations to that effect and that she might say that the Prince had not been at the Palace Royal since he the Duke had brought him thither That the next day the Queen made him come into her Oratory and caused the aforesaid writing to be read unto him whereof he had had no knowledg wherein there were many things which might be gain-said and particularly touching his intelligence with Spain which he judged not fit to be read but that the Queen would absolutely have it done saying that it was necessary for her discharge the King being to be of years within Twenty days He moreover declared that the Prince had propounded unto the Queen and Council after Marquess Sillerey was sent to Brussels that there were two ways whereby to make the Spaniards go out of Stenay the one by a treaty the Spanish Agents having offered the said Sillerey so as a suspension of Arms might be had between them and the Towns of Luxemburg during that Campagne the which being by the Queen denied the Prince had told the Queen that he could not drive 500 Soldiers who were in the Town out
extraordinarily devoted to their King the Inhabitants of Burges by the means of Chasteauneuf who was much beloved in that Province wherein much of his estate lay sent a Citizen of theirs speedily away to Fountainbleau to invite the King to their City where he should be lovingly received and faithfully served Divers discourses were had hereupon before their Majesties Chasteauneuf was for their going thither out of three reasons wherein his own interest was concern'd the first for that being no friend to the Prince he sought to bring him lower the second because by such advancement he got esteem amongst the people and thereby made himself necessary for the administration of Government The third for that the further the Court should go from Paris he thought the Cardinals return would be the more difficult as well by the Parliaments animosity as by the bad season wherein he was to pass over fourteen Rivers and by keeping him away he put the Duke of Orleans in Authority which was his chief end the Guard de Seaux opposed this saying that it behoved not to hazard the King's Authority by undertaking what was not sure to succeed well and that the foundation was to be grounded upon his own strength not upon the uncertainty of the peoples favour which was always wavering This design of Chasteauneuf's being seen into by the Cardinals confidents whereof there were but few in the Council though they all appeared to be much his friends they concluded there was no better expedient for the service of their Majesties and of the Cardinal than to make use of their own Forces and to get that thereby which they could not do by reason nor fair means wherefore by orders from the King who by reiterated Letters had sent for the Cardinal back Abbate Vndedey went to Brules to acquaint him with the necessity of this expedient and to acquaint him truly with all that had past assuring him of their Majesties excellent intentions towards him For whose service it was requisite that he should return and take upon him the Government of affairs they being now sensible that none could do it better nor with better affection The Cardinal listened diligently to the Abbate as confiding much in him yet was he doubtful what to resolve upon but at last the reasons alledged by Vndedey prevailing he resolved to raise with his own monies an Army of about 5000 fighting men whom he committed to the charge of the Marishals of Oquincourt and of Ferte Senetre the Count Navailes and Broglia who took upon them the imployment and diligently apply'd themselves thereunto This being thus resolved The Cardinal desired a pasport from the Spaniards to return to Bullion which they procrastinated foreseeing how prejudicial his return to Court might prove wherefore he went unexpectedly from Brules and instead of going to Iuliers went towards Duren a City belonging to the Duke of Newburg and from thence to Aquisgrave Siege Hâ—y and then to Dinan whither the aforesaid Counts of Novailes and Broglia came to agree about their leavies for which they there received monies and in forty days which they staid in that Town they raised their men But because the Male-contents might not in the King's absence plot things prejudicial to the Court the Guard Seaux Guinegaude Secretary of State Marishal Vievelle and the Marishal de L' Hospitalle were left there to whom joyntly the King gave all Authority being assisted by the Duke of Orleans who remained there as Viceroy which was because the Guard Seaux being the first President in Parliament might prevail much by his Authority that Guinegaude might make the dispatches of State Vieville who was the master of the Finances might find monies and the Marishal de L' Hospitalle as being Governour of Paris and much esteem'd in the City by those who loved the Court But the Duke of Orleans who was not well pleased with the Kings going against the Prince as well for the union between them as for fear the Cardinal should return comply'd artificially and palliated his affection as well as he could with the Duke of Arville and with others who were sent unto him by the King to be assistant to him Yet the Dutchess of Chevereux and the Coadjutor who desired the downfall both of the Prince and Cardinal watched the Duke of Orleans narrowly and making use of the credit they had with him indeavoured to stave him off from them both and would have wrought their ends upon him had not Count Chavigny and Monsieur Gaucourt who were the Prince his friends counterpois'd their designs being fomented by Beaufort and the Frondeurs who desired to uphold the Prince that they might keep the Cardinal from Court But Beaufort on the other side considering what need there was of a Commander of the Forces in Guienne who might vye for valour with the Prince wrought it so as the King gave that imployment to Count Harcourt a Prince full of courage and of great esteem in Arms and who was well disposed to the Kings service and a sincere friend to the Cardinal whereupon he went to Fountenbleau after he had received the Patent in Paris the same day that the King went from thence to kiss their Majesties hands and so to go towards his charge The King had with him 4000 of his French Guard and Switzers and for their General the Marishal de Estre whose Lieutenant General was Count Paluau both of them particular friends to the Cardinal and 4000 more were taken out of the Army of Picardy under the Marquess of Castelneau who was also Lieutenant General together with other Troops which were raised in other parts Marquess St. Luke Lieutenant General of Guienne was ordered to take what care he could of that Province and that he should keep in Cohors and Montaubank to keep those Towns in the King's obedience which he did This going of the King to Berry did infuse much fear into all the Prince his friends in so much as they sever'd themselves and withdrew some to Montrond some elsewhere the Prince of County and Dutchess of Longueville forsook even Burges in great confusion when they knew the agreement made between the Inhabitants of that place and the Court but the Dutchess of Nemeurs as not accustomed to the rumor of War went to Vandosme that she might keep quiet there The Court being gone from Paris the tumults which were almost ceased in Paris grew greater than ever as well amongst the people as in the Parliament to impede the Kings journey and keep the Cardinal from returning Wherefore the Dukes of Orleans and Beaufort the Frondeurs Parliament and part of the people return'd to their former commotions not with Arms but by decrees of Parliament and Remonstrances to the Court but Chasteauneuf who still indeavoured to keep the Cardinal away and to make the Court prevent the resolutions of Parliament used this precaution as when he found that any decrees were to issue out from thence contrary to the
private ends of the King's Council he anticipated them by Letters from the King commanding the same things which he thought the Parliameâ—t would ordain and did studiously apply himself thereunto upon these emergencies with intention to save thereby the King's reputation seeming as if he were the Authour of those decrees changing the aspects of those decrees which tended much to the prejudice of his supream Authority but the Parliament finding out these artifices made no more account of the King's Letters thinking that the Court did not therein desire what it seemed to do and that all was but tricks to make vain their designs And the Queen suspecting not without reason before the Prince departed that Marsine General of the Catalonian Forces was turn'd to be of his party as being much affected to him and that by his concurring with Conde he might much prejudice the King's service she thought she might make him lay aside all sinister opinions by putting some esteem and honour upon him and to keep him loyal out of mere gratitude as he had been till then much to his glory and this was by sending him Letters Patents to be Viceroy of Catalonia but the Messenger who carried them came too late for he had already abandoned the King's service and betook himself to serve the Prince as hath been said and shall be said hereafter Count de Ales was at this time in Paris his Father the Duke of Angolesme being dead who was Governour of the Province where those that sided with him Maugre Vandosme kept the City of Tolon a famous haven in that Province where he was particular Governour and having out of a desire of returning thither consented that Conde's friends should attempt some novelty there The Baron of St. Marke a Gentleman of Aix and friend to the Prince was sent thither with others that related to him intending to raise a party for Angolesme and to interest the Prince therein but after some rather Chimera than undertakings it turn'd all to nothing by the vigilancy of the King's Commanders who diverted all their plots and the City remained as before in obedience to the King wherefore the divisions failing in that Province whereby the Prince had thought to bring Forces into several parts of the Kingdom and to divert the punishment wherewith Guienne was threatned the Male-contents were mightily affrighted and confused The Prince of County Dutchess of Longueville the Duke of Nemeurs and others who were in the Castle of Montrond fearing least they might be therein shut up went out by night with 200 Horse leaving Marquess Persan there with a good Garrison of Foot and Horse afterwards the Town was besieged by Count Paluau with about 3000 men at a distance commanded by Cavaliere Barada and others the besieged were constant in the defence thereof as well against Famine as against the assailants County with his Sister Longueville and Duke Nemeurs went to Burdeaux losing some of their baggage for the Marquess of Sauntbeuf with many Gentlemen of those Provinces was continually upon their backs The King came to Burges to the great content of those people whom he permitted to demolish the Tower which belonging to Conde's Government was interpreted the beginning of a breach and it was known that they were to think of War rather than of Peace which being resolved upon they were treated with to raise men the Towns of Dordognia were secured by Conde he put Garisons into Bergerack St. Foy Libourn and Perigreu good Towns which commanded a great tract of Country All the Towns upon the Garomne till you come to Agen were secured by Conde who treated with Count de Ognone Governour of Rochel Brouages and the Isles of Oleron and Ree and with much ado having drawn the Count over to his party he provided diligently for all emergencies Ognone joyn'd with the Prince hoping to be made Duke and Peer of France by the Prince his means which he had indeavoured to do by the Court but could not at this novelty not only the Kings party was much troubled but all others who wished well to the State It was therefore resolved that the King should go into Poictou to secure that important Province which is esteemed one of the best of all France and to provide against the eminent dangers of Rochel Count de Ognone was second Brother to Marquess St. Germain Beaupre and as one who had been Page to Cardinal Richelieu had contracted a particular friendship with Marishal de Bresse chief of the Navigation he was imploy'd in the Fleet and after made Lieutenant in the Government of Brouage which belonged to the said Bresse and in Rochel Oleron and the Isle of Ree which belonged to the Queen after the said Bresses death it was not hard for him to get to be wholly master thereof though he were not well beloved by the people He entred into Conde's party by the Princess her mediation who was Sister to the said Bresse The King wrote to the Duke of Orleans before he went from Burges that out of the great desire he had of his Subjects quiet he did again refer Conde's business totally to him and desired him to speak with him and to know the reason of his discontent wishing him to take along with him the Marishal de L' Hospitalle Messieurs de Alegre Marguiri Mesmes Menardeau Champre and Chaumont assuring him that he would do what he could to serve him In pursuit hereof the Duke sent Monsieur de Serre Son to Marishal de Aubettere to desire the Prince that he would give him a meeting in Richelieu Conde sent la Serre back with answer that he should hear from him in this particular within three days Soon after the Prince was come to Burdeaux Gurville went thither and told him from the Duke of Bullion that if he would listen to reason the Duke would mediate for him and indeavour his satisfaction and how the Cardinal did much fear that if civil Wars should arise in France they would not be well able to maintain War abroad wherefore he studied how to divert it and that he had declared that he would procure the Government of Blay for him and all fitting satisfaction for his Friends Gourville made this proposal to him but the Prince having then sent to treat with Bullion and Marquess Turenne would not listen to the proposition but said That if he would put the treaty in hand he must first declare in his behalf and that his Brother Turenne must go to head his Forces which were gone into Flanders and that when this should be done he would give ear to what had been proposed The Prince spoke high because he thought that Turenne would not refuse the command of his Army and that when he should have so famous a Commander on his side whom he only feared it would make much for him in treaties of peace or in making War And being that very day assured of Count de Ognons joyning with him as
Court that by her ready and ingenious spirit she might foment such as were proper to destroy the Cabal of Male-contents whither she and divers other Lords came This mean while the Cardinal coming with the Army and all the Generals from Pont Sur Iona went to Chasteau regnarde where hearing that Marquess Sourdis Governour of Orleans was come to Gien to keep him from passing over the Loire he found that the Citizens would not receive Sourdis men who fearing to be arrested withdrew his men and in great hast retreated to Orleans The Cardinals Army therefore at that Bridg past over the Loire and quarterd in the Suburbs beyond the River and in the neighbouring Villages and going along by Aubigny came to Veirson where he left his Army to be brought by Count Broglio to Guienne and he came on the 28 th of Ianuary to Poictiers accompanied by Oquincourt Granee Navailes Maincampe Quincy Cossy Beaâ—an Lainville and other considerable persons He was met without the City by the King Duke Anjou Prince Thomaso of Savoy and by all the Princes and Grandees of the Court The King came out of the Coach embraced the Cardinal and went along with him to the Queen whose joy as also that of the whole Court was greater than ever but the gladder these were the sorrier were those of the contrary party which did not appear more in any place than in Burdeaux Whose Parliament followed the example of that of Paris and continuing their meetings and unlawful decrees drove whole Families of such as were well affected to the Kings service out of the City They took a Brigade of Foot into pay to guard the Town they provided Victuals and Ammunition raised plat-forms half Moons and other Fortifications about the Walls whereunto the Citizens did freely contribute their Monies by little and little they framed the Council del l' Olmiera so called from the Elms under which it was kept which grew so great and so considerable afterwards as in a short time it arrogated all Authority unto it self whence many disorders arose as shall be said The chief directors hereof were Advocate Puy â—restâ—e Gay and two others called Villars and Duratesta who were fomented by President Gourges Blanc Moivesine Esparguet Raimonde Duke who were all of them Counsellors and by other unquiet spirits who thirsted after Novelty and all this was done under the protection of the Princes who made use of these to keep the other Citizens true to them and to abase the pretentions of Parliament When the Cardinal was entred into France the King with his Council of State did on the 16 th of Ianuary annul the decree of the Parliament of Paris made the 29 th of December expresly forbidding all men to obey it and not to attempt any thing against the Cardinal upon pain of life He prohibited the sale of his goods or books the offenders being to lose as much as they should pay for them and be fined in 1000 pound he declared that the said decree was contrary to his intent contrary to the usual course of justice and to the custome of the Kingdom injurious to the sacred Colledge of Cardinals and to the Apostolike Sea that the Cardinal was come into the Kingdom by his express order and to bring with him a good body of Souldiers raised at his own charge to serve him in these present commotions and that being supream King he ought to be obeyed by his Subjects without limitation The Prince of Conde not being able to keep longer in the field as well by reason of the season as by the blows which he had received from Harcourt put his Forces into their Winter quarters beyond the Dragona to secure them by that great River upon which he had divers good Cities and Towns and having won over the Duke of Rohan Cabot Governour of Anjou who took his pretence upon the Cardinals return and incouraged by the Army raised in Flanders by Count Tavanes which was just then to enter the Kingdom he caused the people of Angiers to rise he provided the Castle with all things necessary and pretended to second the Princes party whereinto upon several hopes he had thrown himself Angiers is the chief City in Anjou washed by the River Main which devides into two parts and a little below falls into the Loire it hath a very long Bridg well built with houses on both sides it is begirt with walls and Towers all antique the Castle stands upon a height flanked by Eighteen square Towers built of black Stone with a Ditch cut out of a Rock and hath a River on one side which on that part makes it unaccessible The Prince garrison'd Loudan Durtal la Flesche and other walled Towns The Lieutenant General of Angiers was arrested and Monsieur Arnaud formerly Abbate of St. Nicholas then Bishop of that City being gone into the Country of Servient found the gates lock'd upon him at his return and was not suffer'd to enter The King staid six days at Poictiers after the Cardinals return wherein great concourse of Gentlemen and Commissioners from all Provinces came to him to do their duties and to assure him of their loyalty Divers Councils were held frequently about the present affairs which were reduced to two points the one to go with all their Forces into Guienne to defeat Conde totally and vanquish Burdeaux and this was seconded by the Queen and Cardinal who alledged that Conde had but a few men with him and those no veterans who were cow'd by being beaten so as he would easily be made to fly into Spain with loss of all his Forces and reputation and though the season of the year considered was thought might prove long yet they did not doubt the issue The other was to march towards Paris with most of their Forces to dissipate the Duke of Orleans his men to countenance the well affected Citizens and to keep out Nemeurs his men who were to come from France Several reasons were alledged for both these opinions but it not being thought sit to leave the Prince in Guien where he might recruit himself and put himself into a condition of continuing the War the first opinion was adhered unto and it had been effected had not the insurrection at Angiers hindred it for instead of going to Guien the Cardinal thought fit to march to Saumeures which was done on the 6 th of February much to the grief of Marquess Chasteauneuf who finding that it was resolved in the Council to go for Guien and that afterwards without his knowledge the march to Anjou was resolved upon thought he was not much considered and that the Cardinal was again become the Arbitrator of all things wherefore he resolved to do as you shall hereafter Their Majesties were received by Monsieur Cominges Governour of the Castle and by all the Inhabitants with much joy and here the news of the Duke of Rohan's preparations continuing and that he fortified the bridge of Cee the King ordered
the other Monastery de la perellas who were made to believe that this was done in expectation of some French Merchants who were to pass over the neighbouring Mountains with rich Merchandise this being agreed upon the Spaniard went on the 7 th of Iuly to the places appointed and were recruited by some Forces brought by Don Pietro de Lara they placed themselves so as that the Horse might withstand those who should first advance They were not above Four hundred they marched very silently and got into the Monastery of St. Dominico The French Garrison before they open the Gates use not only to look about all the places about the Town but to visit the neighbouring Covents particularly The Serjeant Major hid himself and his Foot in a certain place which the French had never observed and placed his Horse in a place apart called Valfagona When day appeared the accustomed Guards went out to search the Covent the Governour came to the Gate himself to wish the Souldiers to be vigilant and to keep all Country people out Salamanque sent a Frier who was held partial to the French to acquaint his confederates in the Town and agreed with another that whilst the one should enter by the first Portcullis the other should possess the second this being done the Serjeant Major came forth with his men and cutting the Rafters breaking down the Gates got with his best men at last into the City and after a small skirmish wherein few of either side perished he forced Faro the Governour to retreat with his Garrison into St. Marie's Church where he capitulated to surrender the Town the same day upon honourable conditions which were granted him by the Governour of Lerida who upon the first advertisement went thither himself in person The Spaniards having gotten Bellaguer thus turned presently upon the Castle of Castellon de Farfana and from thence to Camerassa both which not being provided for defence received the first offers which were made by Pietro Valenzuela and yielded obedience to the Spaniards THE HISTORY OF FRANCE The EIGHTH BOOK The CONTENTS The Prince of Conde leaves the Army and goes to Paris The Parliament sends again to the King to discard the Cardinal The Coadjutor Conde is made Cardinal Graveling is besieged and taken by the Spaniards Mardike is forsaken by the French The King of France goes from Guien to Melune and from thence to S. Germans The Army of the Princes fortifie themselves in Estampes S. Martino is taken Divers other incounters Orleans together with Conde send to Court to negotiate Peace Duke Charles of Lorrain enters France He makes the Kings Men raise the siege of Estampes They incampe near S. Clou. New troubles in Burdeaux The beginning of the Olmira Rumors in Provence The King goes to S. Dennis The Prince of Conde indeavors to bring his Army to Charrenton He is followed by Turenne He gets into S. Antoine where he is assaulted and a bloody business follows By Madamoiseles means the Gates of Paris are opened and the Princes with their Men are received in New Sedition The Palace of the Communalty is fired with much confusion and disorder not having effected what the Princes desired Conde solicites the Spaniards in Flanders to assist him The King goes to Pontois and carries the Parliament thither Most of the Counsellors refuse to go stay in Paris and continue the Assemblies The Cardinal goes from Pontois and withdraws out of the Kingdom The Parliament declares the Duke of Orleans Lieutenant General of the Crown and set 50000 Crowns upon the Cardinals head A Duel between Beaufort and Nemeurs wherein Nemeurs is slain A general Amnesty published by the King of France The Duke of Lorrain Prince of Witenberg and Spanish Army in Succor of the Princes they besiege Marishal Turenne in Villanova Montrond Surrendered Harcourt retreats to Brisack The Miseries of War Candalle commands the Forces in Guienne The King writes to the Duke of Orleans Barcellona besieged and lost WHilest Arms were thus managed in the Field Counsels were frequently held by both parties what resolution to put on The Malecontents being still more desirous how to establish themselves by lessning the Kings authority All agreed that the Cardinal was the ruine of the Kingdom All Paris was full of Libels and Satyrical Verses of fabulous Histories and politick Discourses Which casting durt upon Mazarine and the State Ministers redounded to the dishonor of their Royal Majesties and put bad impressions into the common people who were ignorant of the Arcana Regum All the streets sounded of nothing but of the Praises of the Princes and of the Archduke who were celebrated both in prose and verse by infinite Writers stiling them Liberators of the oppressed People And many Parish Priests did in their Pulpits take no less liberty railing upon the present Government and filling the Peoples ears with sinister impressions with no less blame to the Superiors who tolerated it then to the Authors thereof The Parliament desiring nothing more then the Cardinals ruine sent President Nesmond with Five Counsellors and other Deputies of the City to Sully where the King was to represent how necessary it was to put the Cardinal from his Council according as his Majesty had formerly promised Wherein Nesmond spoke with no less eloquence then freedom upon the Declarations made by the King and by the Parliament and did much complain that they had been so delusively broken But the Court was not at all moved with this for the others might well barke but they could not bite The Coadjutor in the interim continued in making a third party by staving the Duke of Orleans from off Conde's enterprise with whom he seemed desirous to be Friends and did really negotiate it But this was rather to perswade the Court to concur in his being made Cardinal which he thought the Court did cunningly prolong than out of a desire to reconcile himself to the Prince Who finding how necessary it was to make himself sure of the Duke of Orleans and to get the City declare for him as also to receive applause for the happy success at Blenau and to justifie himself in Parliament touching the Declaration made against him by the King and which the Parliament had justified but suspended the effects for a while came to Paris where he was received with general applause being met by the Duke of Orleans and an infinite of people The next day he came into the Assemblies indeavoring to justifie himself These Reasons brought him thither but could not keep him there but for a while for the Army needed his presence Count Chavigny who as it was reported had made his peace with the Cardinal by the mediation of Monsieur Faber and who did intend to do so with the Prince likewise Possest the Prince with new jealousies of the Coadjutor and of Chasteauneus alledging the example of the Duke of Orleans in Count Soisons affairs who had recourse to the King for favor
by the River Seene Their Majesties vvere received in Auxeres vvith incredible joy So as the Court being comforted to find so great loyalty in those Inhabitants the King dismist his ovvn Guards and vvould be guarded by the Citizens Auxeres is one of the chiefest Cities of Burgundy seated upon the Banks of Tone begirt vvith Walls and Tovvets after the ancient form of a large circuit and vvell peopled having about Five thousand armed men usually lifted in it From thence their Majesties came to Sens an Archipiscopal City upon the same River and from thence to Montreule and so to Melune upon the Seene vvhere the King vvas received also vvith extraordinary content and thither came many Parisians to kiss his hand and to assure his Majesty of their uncorruptible fidelity And the preservation of all these places being the only means in these present conjunctures to vvin the game for from those plentiful parts the Parisians greatest subsistance comes Foot and Horse Garisons vvere put by the King into Forgeaux Iogray Sens Montereux and into all the Walled Cities and Tovvns in those parts And vvhilest the Court vvent from one place to another the Army marched still by the parallel Line So as vvhen the Court came to Melune the Army came to Moret a little Tovvn upon the River Loin near Fountainbleau not incountring any Enemy for they lay tovvards Estampes to keep the Passage and Communication free betvveen Paris and Orleans The Famishing of Paris vvas propounded in the Kings Council and the compelling it to lay down all contumacy by bereaving it of the Commerce of the River but the Cardinal vvould not listen thereunto knovving that though the City fell then into extravagancies it vvas by the procurement of some seditious people vvho vvere more greedy to advantage their ovvn particular interests then the publick good as vvas given out but that being freed of the Witchcraft vvherevvith thev vvere possest the King should not need to desire any thing of his Subjects Moreover that it was not good to exasperate the people of that City yet more by rigor and to preci pitate them desperately to declare for the Prince which was the thing desired by him and his followers and without which their party could not subsist That those people often altered their opinion and sometimes for the better as it was likely they might do now they having desired his Majesty to return to his Royal Throne to which they had sent Monsieur de Leaygue to him Though by these strong Reasons he sought to perswade the Council to return it was notwithstanding observed that the Parisians were only moved by the suspicion they had of the Kings Forces which not being able of themselves to oppose they must consequently throw themselves into the hands of Foreigners or succumb to the Regal Authority But three things hindered the effecting of this Council The first was the condition of those who made the invitation the second because their Subjects who were well affectioned to the Court counselled the contrary the third that it became not the King to put his person in ballance with the People or Frondeurs without good Caution By these and the like arts Paris was kept from declaring particularly but keeping as it were Neutral though it appeared otherwise it afforded time for such things as made for the Kings behalf The Court went afterwards from Melunt to Corbeile and from thence to S. Germans by the way of Silly being still sheltered by the Army But before the King went from Gien he sent a Letter to the Marishal de l'Hospitalle and to the Corporation of the City to acquaint them with his going from thence and with his drawing near Paris Wherefore he commanded that no Assembly should be made before his coming for he intended to be there in person and having heard under hand that Guards of the Inhabitants were to be placed at the Gates he gave order likewise for the same to let it be seen that it was done by his Majesties order and not by the Parliament And the said Guard being desired by Merchants as well in respect of the nearness of the Armies which came even to the Suburbs as for the peoples insolency who in a sedition were apt to plunder the houses of the ablest men And that though Paris was not in open Rebellion against the King they held notwithstanding frequent correspondency with the Princes and for that Counsels and Preparations for War were made there and in the Assemblies a General was made who should be one of the Corporation assisted by the Deputies of Parliament In which Parliament it was Decreed That when the Cardinal should be driven out of the Kingdom with assurance never to return they would immediately lay down Arms But as they made use of this pretence only to make the people believe their actions innocent and that they aimed at nothing but the Publick good by sending away that State Minister to whom they imputed all their grievances and the continuance of War So the Court knowing that if the Cardinal should be sent away they should get no more by his dismission then they had done when he was before sent out of the Kingdom and that by yielding to the Princes pretensions the Regal Authority would be insensibly wounded which ought to be absolute and independent They also pretended that it belonged neither to the Princes nor to the Parliament to give Laws to their Prince but to receive Laws from him And that the very pretending that the King should make use of such State Ministers as they should chuse deserved correction since it stood not with the Maxims of good Government That any of his Majesties Council should depend upon any bodies will but the Kings They therefore said it was impertinently done to desire that any one should be turn'd away whose service the King approved of to place another there who was not so much to his satisfaction and who would be more careful to please private men than the publick or the Crown and that it did plainly appear that to deprive the King of the Cardinal was to take his satisfaction from him as they listed that therefore to avoid so pernitions an example though the King should have a mind to dismiss him he should forbear doing it and maintain him against all men the King being their sole Patron and Master The Parisians who were not aware of the Princes their actions had a general assembly the next day wherein they chose Commissioners to desire that their Majesties would return to Paris and to send away the Cardinal which was the way to restore peace to his faithful Subjects But the Council finding that the design of the Princes and Parliament was to banish the Cardinal to the end that they might govern all things as they listed they would not alter their resolution of maintaining the Royal Dignity but on the contrary resolved to suppress the exorbitant and indiscreet pretences of the Princes and
Kingdom That Marcouse and Vaubecourt should be given for Hostages on the Kings behalf and Count Linville and the General of the Artillery on the Dukes with promise that no Hostility should be committed in his march the treaty was thus stipulated by Turenne much to his glory which being concluded in the face of both Armies the Lorrainers began presently to march towards Bria Whilst things went thus in these parts the Parliament who now that Lorrain was come thought they had hit the nail on the head raising their pretensions still higher sent President Nesmond again to the Court to insist upon sending the Cardinal away the Commissioners being come to Melune made the Parliaments desire known adding that it was a small business for a King to deprive himself of a Servant whereby he was to regain the obedience of so many who had withdrawn themselves from it only out of that respect The King returned his answer in writing That having often heard the Remonstrances made by his Parliament wherein they still asserted their intentions to maintain regal Authority and that they would always contribute their chiefest power to the advantage of his service and that finding the wound did now begin to Gangrene without speedy remedy he desired that their Commissioners might meet with his Privy Council to the end that they might joyntly find some remedy for the threatning mischief and to keep his people from the apparent ruine whereinto they were ready to fall through the capricious unquietness and ambition of some sew and that his Majesty indeavoured nothing more than how to restore his Kingdom to its former splendor When Nesmond had read this answer he reply'd That the only way to satisfie all was to send away the Cardinal The King thus interrupted him and with a serious aspect said You have heard my pleasure no more words The Commissioners returned to Paris where they gave an exact account to their Companions of what had past Many were for accepting the propounded Conferences but Brussels with an appearing zeal to the common welfare was firm that there needed no other Conference or negotiation since all was reduced to one sole head which was the sending away the Cardinal who being the sole occasion of all resentments they must stand upon it for this being had all controversies would be ended And the more averse he found the King to part with him the more he prest it not for that he cared much for it but that knowing how difficult a business it would be he might nourish the diffidences and maintain discord For it was apparent that if the Parliament had believed that the King would have parted with the Cardinal and with that re-unite the Princes to his service he would never have pretended thereunto but would have underhand indeavoured his tarrying for it did not make for him that the Kings Authority should be the more fortified by the joyning of the Princes with his Majesty and that consequently the pretences of the Parliament should languish Brussels opinion being adhered unto it was decreed that the Commissioners without any delay should return again to the King and tell his Majesty that they had nothing to add nor to propose but the effectual dismissing of the Cardinal in conformity to the decrees and Declarations made by his Majesty and to the protestation made by the Princes who were ready to lay down Arms as soon as the Cardinal should be gon out of the Kingdom Letters written from the Queen of Sweeden to the Parliament were given to the Commissioners to be delivered to the King the content whereof was her offering her self to interpose as a friend and confederate to the Crown of France in agreeing all parties The Commissioners came to Melune the 12 th of Iune and had Audience two days after they represented the desolation of the State by the Cardinals return which they said was the only cause of all the disturbances of the Kingdom The business was referred to the Council of State and the answers examined the Cardinal renued his many former desires that he might be dismist saying it was not fit that the peace of the Kingdom should be confounded merely for him This the King denyed saying that he was master and was to be served by whom he pleased and that none but God could prescribe laws to him The next Sunday the Commissioners had Audience again wherein the King gave them a writing saying that thereby they should know his pleasure Monsieur Vrilliere read it and gave it to President Nesmond wherewith he went to Paris the contents of the Letter were these That the King did very much wonder seeing there were so many wise and well advised Subjects in the Parliament that they should not know the desire of dismissing the Cardinal was but a specious and nice pretence since the true cause of all the troubles appeared to be the interest and ambition of those who had took up Arms and waged War when the Cardinal was in Germany dismist from the Court and Government which made it clearly appear that the maladies of a State are not cured whilst pretences are stood upon the roots whereof produce as many mischiefs as by those pretences are desired to be cut off so there was no remedy that would do good but to pluck up the chiefest and deepest evil by the Root That if his Majesty should permit the Cardinal to withdraw himself into some forreign imployment with due respect to his honour how should he be secured that the Male-contents would be quieted since his departure in the beginning of the last year had rather augmented than moderated the troubles so as it was not to be hoped it should fall out otherwise when he should be gone again unless the cause which produced the effect were presently taken away That his Majesty did desire speedy and permanent quiet to his Subjects that they might not fall into the former inconveniences the rather for that he knew well that at the same time when the Princes declared they were ready to lay down Arms if the Cardinal were sent away they provided for the contrary by strengthning their party with Forreigners and by seducing other of his Majesties Subjects from their obedience that what the Duke of Orleans had said some days before to the Commonalty of Paris touching his having no power over the Duke of Lorrains men which he had boasted to have brought was not like to that which he had affirmed in Parliament that the treaty made with the Spaniards by the Prince of Conde mentioned not laying down of Arms if the Cardinal were sent away nor indeed could it be spoken of since he was in Germany when it was made That therefore the Princes were to give real and positive security for performing what they promised wherefore he desired to know whether they renounced all leagues and associations made with Forreigners and all particular treaties had and made with his Majesties Subjects against his Royal service
whether they would not pretend to somewhat else when the Cardinal should be gone and whether they would come to his Majesty and serve him as they ought if the Cardinal should be gone whether or no they would send the Forreigners out of the Kingdom which they had called in and would promise that the Spanish and Lorrain Forces should retire without giving them that which they might pretend to to the prejudice of the State Whether those who in their names made War with his Majesty in divers parts of his Kingdom should be dismist Whether the Spaniards who were in Stenay Bourg Guienne and in other parts would retire or no and in case they would not how Conde could force them to go Whether the Prince of County and the Dutchess of Longueville would do their Devoirs and whether Conde had power or no to promise for them Whether County would forego all pretentions Whether they had all of them joyntly Authority from those of condition who had followed them to answer for their obedience and that they should renounce all the leagues and confederacies which they had made against him Whether the Cities and places fortified and guarded in the name of the Prince of Conde would put themselves into the same condition they were before Whether Burdeaux would submit to do its duty and whether the decrees made against his Majesties service since these present Commotions should be revoked and all things put into the same posture they ought to be according to the Articles of his Majesties Declaration in December 1649. which things when he should be assured they should be done without any Cavils or new pretences it might easily be believed that the remedy should be found out to cure the malady under which the Kingdom laboured When this Letter was read in Parliament the Duke of Orleans said it was wholly dictated by the Cardinal and that not being well informed of the Customs of France he questioned the Princes of the Blood by way of Interrogatories which was not a thing usually practised And that since they had often declared as they did now at this present That they would lay down Arms as soon as the Cardinal should be gone out of France there was no need of further security All things being done in sincerity and without equivocation Yet this was long argued in the Assembly wherein it was proposed by those of the Kings party that Commissioners should be sent again to his Majesty with authority to treat of Peace which was so necessary to the State Counsellor Brussels was still fixt to his resolution of refusing all Conferences and that they were only to execute their Declaration Other Counsellors not speaking of such affairs said That it was necessary to think upon some means how to maintain so many poor people The Provost added Who will give me Bread Counsellor Betault answered That one who had Three thousand five hundred pounds sterling a year ought not fear to die of Famine Thus some sharp words past between them The One and twentieth of Iune the Chambers met again where two Propositions were made the one How to maintain the poor the other To raise Fifty thousand Crowns as a reward for the Cardinals Head if any would undertake the business But this was for that time laid aside and it was only resolved to raise One hundred thousand Crowns for relief of the poor every Counsellor being to pay Ten pound sterling thereunto there being many of them paid purposely that they might come and exclaim at the Parliament door and make a tumult which might oblige the Assembly to joyn with the Princes which was apparently their design to the end that they might necessitate Paris to raise moneys and other things for the maintenance of the War by crying when the Counsellors went out of the Palace Bread Peace and a fig for Mazarine They shut the doors upon some of the Parliament insulted over President Bailleule and evilly treated many others amongst which Monsieur Vassan and the Sons of Monsieur Emery were kept four hours in a private shop but were afterward set free by Beaufort who went thither himself in person and as he returned to the Palace said aloud That this was not the right way but that they were to meet in some place and think how they might demand right from the Mazarinians He therefore wished them to come to the Palace Royal that night where he vvould be where every one might propound their opinions Thither came four or five thousand of them vvhere Beaufort told them They did not vvell to go bavvling before the Palace and pretend to force Justice oppressing as vvell the good as the bad But that they vvere to distinguish and that Tvventy four of them ought to desire the Counsellors to declare vvho vvere Mazarinians and vvho not vvhereby they might knovv the Mazarinians and fall upon them in all places He found the common people ready to follovv his advice and disposed them all easily to fury and sedition so ending his discourse He said he vvould expect them the next morning at the Palace The Provost des Merchants hearing this acquainted all the Quarters and Colonels vvith it ordering them to have their Chains ready and that the Inhabitants should be prepared to come forth Armed upon the first Summons Nothing vvas spoken of the Streets but of assaulting the Parliament vvherein they said there vvere many Mazarinians vvho vvould declare themselves The people cried aloud to Conde as he entred the Palace That they would have Peace to whom he said He desired the same and that he indeavored it but without Mazarine The Parliament fearing sedition met not on the Twenty second of Iuly as they ought to have done but the Frondeurs appeared there the Presidents met in Ballieules house to resolve what to do which the Prince hearing he went to intreat them in his own name and in the name of Orleans to come to the Palace after dinner Which they refused to do saying That there was a conspiracy against them and that they could not be their safe Conde treated Ballieule spightfully at first threatning That if he came not to the Palace Orleans and he would deal with him little to his liking But when he saw the other Presidents were of the same opinion and that they valued not his threats he fell to intreaties He desired the President to speak with Orleans which he refused to do saying That all was but Beauforts cheats whose designs he well knew He again desired him and assured him he should receive no wrong so as at last he prevailed with him Orleans prest him very much that the Parliament might meet that day Ballieule answered That the Assembly was resolved not to meet unless their safety might be provided for that the Duke of Beaufort had discovered his bad opinion And that though the Presidents and Counsellors should be assured not to meet with any offence they could not come together before the Twenty
who being brought to have audience before the King spoke as followeth Sir Your Majesties assurance given us that you will send Cardinal Mazarine away hath rejoyced the hearts of all your Majesties vassals Your Parliament hath charged us to thank your Majesty for it and to desire the performance beseeching you to consider That the evils of France increasing daily so as they can admit of no delay Your Majesty will be very gracious in not deferring to make us injoy a good so much desired The Duke of Orleans and the Prince have commanded us to confirm their former Declarations to you and to tell you That they cannot satisfie you otherwise by Commissioners of their own but will obey your Commands as soon as the Cardinal shall have obeyed your Majesties Declarations It now lies in your Majesty Sir to abbreviate all these evils by dismissing the Cardinal We can say no more to express the grief which doth even suffocate our words The King answered That he would advise with his Council and would give them his Answer as he did the next day in writing as was read unto them by Count Brien to this effect That the King had granted their desire of sending away the Cardinal though he clearly foresaw it was nothing but a pretence to trouble the State But if his Majesty did believe that this answer would occasion another Decree in Parliament he would not have given it knowing that in the condition the Parliament now was by the absence of so many of their leading Members and by the violent Authority usurped by the prime Rebels they could do nothing but execute their wills since by their own Decree of the first of this present July they had resolved not to treat or resolve of any thing touching publick affairs till Iustice and the City might be secured But that instead of providing for such security when the Assembly were met for that purpose Iustice and the City were opprest with fire violence and slaughter So as his Majesty could not build upon the resolutions of those whose Votes were not in their own free power The Kings intention in this Answer was to afford means to the Princes to send some with Authority to receive orders concerning the Articles which they had accepted of and to agree upon the time manner and security of their being performed The King for several Reasons resolved to go from S. Dennis to Pontois on the Sixteenth of Iuly the Cardinal remaining still in his Administration by the Kings express command though he still desired to be gone but affairs were so well governed by his Council as the good effects which you shall hear hereafter insued thereupon But the Princes and their party complaining still upon the Actions of the Court saying That it sought only to delude the people and that it had no mind to have Peace which depended solely upon dismissing the Cardinal they redoubled their detractions both in private and in publick against the Cardinal and other Court Officers When the Court went from S. Dennis the Parliament Commissioners were ordered by the King to tarry there to expect what word his Majesty would send unto them for they refused to follow his Majesty pretending That they were not in equipage and that they must needs return to Paris to discharge their duties The King lay in Pontois and his Army was quartered about the River to watch over the proceedings of the Spaniards who overrun those parts to the great prejudice of those who had any goods there The news of the King and Armies being gone from S. Dennis coming to Paris it was whispered that the Commissioners were detained Prisoners which made Conde get on Horsback with Four hundred Cavaliers and go speedily thitherward to inform himself of the truth He found the Commissioners free and offered to carry them back to Paris but they excused themselves saying They had given their word to Monsieur S. Tor to stay at S. Dennis till they should receive further orders from the King But when the Parliament met which was the next day they resolved to send for them back Wherefore Orleans Conde and Beaufort with above Two hundred thousand common people went thither and brought them back to the Parliament with as much applause as if it had been a glorious triumph notwithstanding that the King sent express order for them to come to Pontois for affairs of great consequence which had hapned since his going from S. Dennis Yet they gave out that this was but a Court trick which useth to weary with delay when it means not to comfort with effects and to spin out time wherein they thought they might reap advantage by the sufferings of the Parisians who are accustomed peacefully to injoy their rich Traffick To provide against all which the King and his Council of State did Decree on the Eighteenth of Iuly after a long debate of all that had been done that Information should be taken of the horrible and scandalous attempt that was made upon the publick Palace upon the Fourth of the present Moneth and that the circumstances should be sought into and the Authors and abettors of the massacres and violences committed should be proceeded against according to the rigor of Law and in the mean while revoked and nullified the pretended Election of Brussels to be Provost de Merchants And the King forbad him upon pain of life to act any thing therein saying That he and his posterity should give an account of the disorders which had hapned and which should happen after his pretended administration He declared also all the resolutions void and null which were made in Parliament on the first of Iuly as also in the Common Hall concerning publick Affairs till such time as the Governor of the City and the lawful Provost de Merchants and the other Magistrates which were forced to absent themselves were taken in again and that sufficient provision might be given for the security of Justice and of the City And the King did further expresly inhibite all the other Cities of his Kingdom and all his Subjects and servants to take notice of any thing that should be written to them or ordered from Paris since it was tyrannically possess'd by Rebels and to the end that the Moneys which were intended to pay the Rent of the Communalty might not be disposed of by the Enemy to make War and pay the Spaniards whom they had called in he ordered that they should be brought to the place of his abode to be put into the hands of those that were to pay the Rents whom he commanded to come to Court with all other Consuls and Sheriffs of the City within three days after this Decree should be published The Princes Parliament and Frondeurs were mightily troubled at this departure believing that the Court laughed at their pretentions Count Servient had told the former Commissioners in his Majesties name That if Orleans and Conde would not name new Commissioners but
the French Ships to Callis for they were not free from some new convulsion amongst the people and detained only the Ships and Goods in lieu of the Reprisal made by the French Pirats of Shipping and goods belonging to their Merchants whereby they had much prejudiced the Nation upon the Mediterranean The preparations made at Callis remaining thus of no use Dunkirk wanted its expected succor and the Court of France being much troubled at this unexpected accident fearing least England might break peace with them when it learnt what was true was aware that not only the reprisals but the loss of Dunkirk was that which they intended Thus in performance of the Treaty of the 18 th of September Monsieur de Estrades marched out with 600 wounded and sick men and with but only 500 that vvere whole and in health vvith every one of them a course Loaf in their hand vvhich vvas all the livelyhood that vvas left them in the time allotted them to go to Callis which was but two days above 300 sick Soldiers dyed they marched out with Arms and baggage Four great Guns and one Morter piece and a years time was allowed to the French that inhabited there to alienate any goods they had gotten there or to remove them with safety The Archduke having reposed his Army till the 27 th of September sent some of them toward Terrowan seeming as if he would enter into the Bolognese but went elsewhere and the Prince of Ligne with 4000 fighting men advanced towards the Frontiers of France to second the Princes their interests whose Forces lay about Paris where such as were better minded than the rest to the Kings service remembred how they had been used on the Six and twentieth of Iune last as they went out of Parliament and how unsafe they were in Paris where the burning of the Commons House taught them how violent the Malecontents designs were Monsieur Fouchet the Kings Attorney General who had long before desired that the Parliament might be removed from Paris making use of the present favorable time was one of the chief that occasioned his Majesty to remove the Parliament to Pontois by a Decree of the Sixth of August wherein he declared why he did it and made void all the Decrees made in Parliament as also in the Town-house of Paris particularly those of the Twenty and twenty fourth of that Moneth prohibiting all men to acknowledge Orleans as Lieutenant General of the Crown or Conde as General of the Forces He also charged the Counsellors and Officers of Parliament to come to Pontois whereupon most of the Presidents came thither and five or six Masters of the Requests and about twenty Counsellors whereunto divers honorable Counsellors and Dukes and Peers of France who were at Court being added an Assembly was made able to overthrow the Princes their factions When this new Parliament met the Cardinal bethought himself of retiring since his tarrying was the only pretence of the Princes and Frondeurs so as when he should be gone they would lay down Arms and do their duty So the King would be absolute Master or if they should continue their disobedience the World would know their leud intentions all good men would be weary of adhering to them And the Parliament of Pontois which was already acknowledged lawful by the other Parliaments of the Kingdom would give our Decrees against the Princes and Rebels And when their Majesties should have made it clearly appear that the Cardinal served only as a meer pretence to the Enemies of the Commonwealth they might when they pleased recal him and the people would be satisfied The Cardinal declared his sole endeavors were to serve the King and with much willing zeal prepared to be gone contrary to the opinion of most of his Friends and of the King himself It was added that at this the Cardinals retreat the Parisians were for receiving the King and driving out Conde in the management whereof Father Forts Bishop of Amiens Father Bertaut a Franciscan and Counsellor Pevost imployed much affection and fidelity And the wisdom of this advice prospered for the people who did not discern so much did verily believe he would return no more thither Upon these Reasons their Majesties were perswaded to let the Cardinal go though they needed his presence then more then his departure But before we pass further it must not be forgot that the Privy Council being much troubled at the Parliaments rash resolution in chusing Orleans for the Lieutenant General of the Crown and for their declaring the King to be a prisoner to the Cardinal they declared not only all that till then was done in Parliament to be void and null but whatsoever else they should do and that no Parliament should be acknowledged but that which was lawfully removed to Pontois Upon which the greatest part of the Counsellors who remained in Paris debating amongst which were the most seditious divers Declarations were made contrary to those of the King As that the transferring the Parliament to Pontois was unvalid and illegitimate protesting against it and maintaining that the Parliament was never kept out of Paris though Charles the Seventh did for some occasions of his own remove it once to Montargis they also damned all that was done in the Privy Council touching the prohibiting of Taxes upon the Gates of Houses in Paris They farther ordered that the Salt-Farmers should make their payments to the Parliament and that the goods of such Presidents and Counsellors as were gone to Pontois should be confiscated if they should not forthwith return to Paris to do their service And they would have proceeded further had their power been equal to their will but that failing all their determinations were ridiculous The day before the Cardinal went he caused the King to give Patents of Dukedom and Peerage of France to Monsieur de Crequi first Gentleman of his Majesties Bed-chamber Son to Monsieur de Canaples who was Son to Marishal Crequi as also to the Marquess of Mortmar of the House of Rochefaucolt Knight of the Order and Gentleman of the Bed-chamber and to Marquess Rochelaure Master of the Wardrobe The Cardinal did afterward give unto his Majesty in writing particular instructions touching Government and amongst the rest that he should never agree with the Parliament of Paris unless it should first render obedience by coming to Pontois which was impossible since all would never consent thereunto which proved the welfare of the Kings party For those that remained in Paris wanting means to maintain War and to hinder this removal to Pontois they were forced to give way to all conditions that were prescribed them by the Court He left Prince Tomaso of Savoy Count Servient Count Tillier Secretary of State to succeed him as chief Ministers of State Moreover he left with the Queen for Director in her most important and private interest Abbat Vndedey Thus taking leave of their Majesties he went from Pontois towards Sedam
same time to make his Name famous and to get good store of Mony from the Spaniards and that if he should fail of the appointed payments he might at all times make his Peace with the King upon advantageous Terms and that injoying the Wealth gotten by War which far exceeded what he lost in France he should make the World know that Troubles being the advantage of a Souldier they ought never to be fore-gone by one who professeth Arms. These Treaties being over the Princes and Parliament stood still upon the point That the Amnesty granted by the King and pardon for all that had been done the last five years was not as was desired to wit not general and without condition but that it reached only to the Parisians bearing but little respect to the Princes and Parliament they therefore pretended that his Majesty should give ample and unretractable Authority to the Duke of Orleans to frame another without any exceptions and that it should be Authenticated by his Majesty in the Parliament of Paris whither the Councellors that were gone to Pontois should come Many meetings were had about this his Royal Highness writ some Letters to Court Duke Anâ—iâ—e and Marquess Ioyeuse negotiated with the Privy Council and did many other things which would be too tedious to relate But the Court finding that it would be prejudicial to the Kin'gs Authority Pasports for the Parliaments Commissioners were absolutely denied so as Affairs remain'd intangled as before The Parliament being met on the third of October to hear what News Marquess St. Lambert brought who was return'd from Court Two Boat-men were imprisoned who cry'd Vive le Roy e Mazarino and many more were led to the Concergeria and Process was ordered to be made against them and it was said that this was done of purpose by some that gave them mony that they might move the people to Sedition This being brought to Court and that the Parliament continued to proceed against some of the Assembly in the Palace-Royal the King with his Council pass'd a Decree on the fifth of October Whereby He annull'd all the pretended proceedings of the Parliament of Paris which were or were to be publish'd imposing severe punishment upon such Commissaries or Iudges as should act any thing further therein and commanded all his Majesties People in Paris to see his Orders executed The King's Army lay this mean while at Ville Neuf St. George much straitned by the Princes Troops and those of their Confederates being more than they in number and were in danger to be beaten out of their Quarters and fought with in their Retreat for not only many of their men but many of their Horses perished for want of Victuals and Forrage The Court was much troubled hereat fearing some sinister accident for the Victory consisted in that Armies abode near Paris whereby the endeavors which made for the King were fomented The Princes who knew the importancie hereof and that if the King's Army were preserved all their Plots were ruin'd did what they could to overcome it by Famine but the neighbourhood of Paris and the sickness which besell Conde Wirtemberg and many other of their Chief men which may truly be attributed to an effect of Divine Providence caused the ruine of their Party Together with these sick Princes Lorrain and Beaufort and almost all the Chief Commanders were come to Paris with a considerable number of their best Soldiers for fear of some Conspiracy amongst the Inhabitants and to advise upon what was best to be done in this the Peoples tottering condition who were weary with the length of these troubles Turenne a no less wise than valiant Commander after a short consultation had with his Collegue Ferte Seneterre resolved to get out of these Straits and to remove his Army elsewhere where it might be safe and have whereon to live The 4th of October he past his Baggage and Artillery by night over the Seene by a Bridge of Boats by break of day his Army rise in such order and silence as they past undiscovered by the Enemies Sentinels Tavanes was the only General that was left in the enemies Camp who being aware of Turenne's march though too late sounded to Horse and put his Army in order to follow and fight him But Turenne being shelter'd by the River got soon to Corbeile a place which was guarded by the King's men where crossing the Seene upon a Stone-bridge he escaped danger with much honor and quarter'd upon the Marne between Meieâ—x and Lagny raising Victuals from all the neighbouring parts for the maintenance of his Troops The Princes were mightily amazed at this Conde in particular was scandalized complaining of his Officers carelessness saying That had he been well he would not have lost so favourable an occasion But what is past being past remedy On the 7th of the next Month the Prince's Army advanc'd to the head of the Suburbs of St. Antoine and for the defence of the City incampt near St. Vincents-Castle The King and Court went from Pontois to Mantes that they might pass over the Seene there and so come to St. Germains intending to come to Paris when things should go as it was hoped they would do The Parisians were resolved to withdraw themselves out of those miseries wherein they were plunged and being all of the same mind accordingly as Fortune forsook the Princes they sided with the King wherefore Conde finding the storm ready to fall bethought how to save himself and his Army by removing quickly from Paris and because by his going away and the King's return the good of Paris and the Cardinals return was foreseen many sought to follow the Cardinals re-rising Fortune and some of the Prince's Friends began to wheel about and particularly Count Chavigny Being much vext in mind at these changes of Fortune Chavigny fell sick and died on the 11th of October and this was the end of Lyon di Boutelliere Count of Chavigny aged 44 years one who at 19 years old was admitted into the King's Council and at the age of 21 and 24 was made Secretary of State and in 1642 had the care of all the important affairs of the Crown committed to his charge and when Lewis the Thirteenth died was made Plenipotentiary at the Peace of Munster He was quick-witted of a lively spirit ready counsel and ambitious of Glory and Greatness The Parliament and Town-house met often touching the present occurrences and all good men being grieved to see the poor Country people so wasted by the Souldiers especially by the Lorrainers who left nothing unransackt divers Commissioners were chosen in the Town-house on the 9th of October to go again to Court and to desire their Majesties to return to Paris But because the King intended not to admit of publick Addresses from that Assembly which was held illegitimate since Beaufort pretended Governour of Paris contrary to his Majesties Command was there it was propounded and agreed upon in
ought never to believe where they had once deceived nor think to find truth in those who had been so fouly false But Prince Thomaso of Savoy who had a chief hand in the Government and who as a Forreigner desired what might be most serviceable to their Majesties wisely weighing the prejudice which might be received by suffering favourable occasions to escape their hands was for entring Paris without delay for driving the prime Seditious out and as the Princes had made use of the popularity to strengthen their party so the King ought to serve himself of the same to overthrow the contrary faction Turenne was of the same Opinion who considering that the parts about Paris were totally ruin'd and the King's Army consequently but ill maintain'd said It was requisite to be Masters of Paris in respect of the abundance of all things there and that without that City the King might be called a Prince without a Crown This Opinion was imbraced In pursuance hereof the Mareschal de l'Hospitall the Provost des Merchants and the Sheriffs being restored to their places went with the said Colonels into Paris to the great satisfaction of the people Those of the contrary party indeavoured to keep them from coming into the City saying That they would find but little safety there amongst a people that hated them And Orleans said in particular That he not being able to promise them any thing they ought to think what a hazard they should run But these Threats did no good for being informed how well the people were disposed to receive the King they were also assured to be made welcome The Mareschal de l'Hospitall presently took possession of the Bastile and of the Arsenal putting out Louvieres and order was taken through all the Corners and Streets of the City that the people might rest quiet His Majesty ordered his Parliament at Pontoise to meet on the Two and twentieth day afterwards at the Louvre where he intended himself to lodge and the King of England who lived in the Cardinal's Palace withdrew himself he moreover writ to the Commonalty that his Majesty would make his Entry the same Two and twentieth day that therefore Souldiers should be removed from the Gates and that all Inhabitants should exercise their Professions which was speedily done and all the Guards were taken off Madamoiselle was made acquainted that the Duke of Anjou being to lye in her Lodgings at the Louvre she was to leave them which she unwillingly did retiring to the House provided for extraordinary Embassadours in the Suburbs of St. Germains near the Duke her Father's House On Monday Morning the Parliament met whither Orleans Beaufort Estampes and other Lords met President Nesmond told them He had received a Letter from the King and that the like was sent to every particular Councellour willing them to be the next Morning at the Louvre to understand his Majesties will touching the particular Affairs Orleans and twelve other Councellours said they had received none which they seemed to resent much and were greatly abashed finding that their ends were utterly ruin'd the business was debated The King's party being call'd to speak their Opinion were for the Parliaments Meeting in the Gallery at the Louvre Those who had received no Letters knowing thereby that they were in disgrace opposed it shewing how harmful such a president might be to the priviledge of Parliament Nesmond said The King might keep his Parliament in what place of Paris he pleased alledging that the like had formerly been done in the time of Henry the 2d and Henry the 3d. He moreover said That la Camera delle Vacationi had resolved to carry the Cloth of State and the King's Seat of Justice into the same Gallery and that it behoved them to obey the major part agreeing herein They resolved to be the next Morning by Sun-rising at the place appointed in red Robes Yet the Councellours Meusniera and Refuge were appointed to acquaint the Chancellour and Guard de Seaux how prejudicial this would be to the King's Service and to their Authority The same 21 of October their Majesties and the whole Court went from St Germains towards Paris whither about noon came the Chancellour and Guard de Seaux and after them the Presidents Noyon and Cognieux The King din'd at Ruell in the Dutchess of Aiguillon's Palace where he was nobly entertain'd by the said Dutchess from hence he sent Count Noget one who was very zealous in the King's Service to acquaint the Duke of Orleans with his Majesties coming and to wish him as from himself to meet and complement his Majesty assuring him that he should be gratiously received The Duke was strangely surprised not thinking that the King would come so unexpectedly to Paris where the unquiet disposition of those yet remained who had so much outraged his Authority He answered the Count coldly That he askt eight dayes to give his Resolution since he could not do it without acquainting the Prince of Conde with it with whom he was ingaged in friendship The King being come to St. Clous and hearring no news of the Dukes coming sent the Duke to say the same thing unto him His Highness was much beset with two weighty considerations on the one side he was troubled to think he must deny to pay his due respects to his Nephew the King on the other side he feared to fail in his friendship to the Prince of Conde which might make the World doubt whether he did it out of necessity or out of any other respect At last he resolved not to go and it was thought he did it by the advice of the Cardinal de Retz who thought if the Duke would tarry in Paris he might inable him against the Court by many who depended upon him The mean while the Mareschal de l'Hospitalle the Provost de Merchants the Sheriffs and others who were met in the Town-House prepared to meet the King with all Magnificency and to Welcome him as became faithful Subjects to do They met his Majesty with a great number of civil People besides Magistrates and Officers and returned that night with him to Paris 't was late ere the King arrived for he linger'd by the way expecting Orleans his coming not thinking it fit to enter the City whilst he was there or that he would promise to go out the next morning for it became not Regal Dignity that he should tarry there without seeing his Majesty He was met by a great number of people without the Gates of all Conditions above 300000 persons came to see his Entry which he made on Horse-back accompanyed by the King of England Prince Thomaso by a great number of Princes Dukes and Mareschals of France and other Lords who were then in the City The Queen came after the King in Coach together with the Duke of Aâ—â— jou she entred by Port St. Honore and went by the Cardinal's Palace where the King of great Britain lighted from Horse-back
His Majesty was met at the Louvre-gate by the Cardinal de Retz together with a great number of Prelates at night Fire-works and Bone-fires were made the Bells rung Cannons went off from the Bastile and Arsenal and you might read Joy in the Faces of all honest men for this return whereby that City was quieted which had been so mâ—ch disturbed and so it did succeed for his Royal Presence dissipated all turbulent Clouds as doth the Sun Some Malecontents said notwithstanding that the Court came to Paris only for refuge That Conde might return who had a great Army that the design was to raise Impositions that therefore it behoved them to keep in Arms and to keep better Guards than bâ—fore for the King beguirt the Louvre with Guards and his Army lay not far off The night of the King's Arrival Monsieur Saivin was sent to the Duke of Orleans to will him from the King to retire to his House at â—imoâ—â—s He answered somewhat sharply and Beaufort who was present said That he should contain himself within his Quarters But they consulted again what Orleans had best to do some were for his not obeying but that he should tarry in his House at St. Germain's Suburbs from whence he could not be so easily driven out by the King 's bare Guards for it was thought the people would not take up Arms against a Prince so near a kin to the King and besides many Parisians depended yet upon him and upon others of his Party whereof Cardinal de Retz was one and who was much favour'd by the Parisians he insisted that if all the well-affected people would repair to those parts they might withstand the Court by the help of the Inhabitants of the Suburbs and that making Conde return with his Army and with the Spaniards and Lâ—rrainers it might be that the King unwilling to live amongst such confusion upon the foundation of Citizens who were subject to change might return to St. Germains or else that the business falling to a Treaty wherein Retz might become necessary to the Agreement he might be well with the Court and assisted by Orleans might be taken in to have a share in the State Government which was â—â—s main end The Duke would not follow this advice but resolved wisely to obey and to withdraw the next Morning to Lymours accompanied by Beaufort and Rohan and many others of their Party His Daughter Madamoâ—selle went also out and lived at Fargeaux a Castle of hers by the Loire towards Briara It was happy for the Court that Orleans would not agree and that he withdrew from Paris for the King being now in full Authority and the Duke refractory and out of Paris with all his adherents happy events might easily succeed The same day the Parliament met at the Louvre all save those who had not received particular Letters from the King which were the Presidents Bâ—llieule Thou and Violet the Councellours Brouselle Salement Genoa Pertaile Brisack Croysy Fouquet Machault and Martinau and all of them having their places in the great Hall near the King's Lodgings the King being underneath his Cloth of State said His Guard de Seaux should acquaint them with his will who after a short and Eloquent Oration upon the present Occurrences acquainted them with Four Declarations the Re-union of the Two Parliaments the general Amnesty the Prohibition that the Parliament should meddle in nothing but in things Civil and Criminal according to Law and the Names of those who by the King's orders were to withdraw which were the fore-named who had received no particular Letters from the King to whom Councellour Bitaut was added who by mistake had a Letter sent him all these were willed to withdraw as also Beaufort Roâ—an Rochefaucauâ— Frontailles Bulley Penis the Domesticks of Conde and of the Dutchess of Longueville President Perâ—ult the Wives Children and Domesticks of all that served then under the Princes and in any Towns held by them as well in Guienne as elsewhere who were not to return to Paris without the King's leave it being laid to their charge That they were those who had alwayes subverted the Parliament and made the People seditious Express Orders were also made against all things contained in the third Declaration The Queen of England and the Dutchess of Chevereux went the same day to visit the Dutchess of Orleans who sâ—aid in Paris by reason that she was with Child to whom Cheverâ—ux said in the Queen of France her Name That her Highness had leave â—o stay in her Palace or to go whither she pleased The Dutchess was very much affected with the novelty of this Action and answered modestly That she could not abandon the Duke her husband and thâ—â— not being able to do otherwise in the condition she was in she would be carried in Mens Arms but she did not so for she had express Orders from her Husband not to hazard her self being so near her being brought to bed as she was some few dayes after of a Daughter Prince Thomaso went to visit her and said That he was never of opinion that the Duke should go from Court whereunto if he would have come he should have been received with all cordial Affection by their Majesties But because it was not thought fit to suffer so conspicuous a Prince to remain an Enemy to the King Duke Anuille was sent to him to Limours on Wednesday to Treat of Agreement wherein the King desiring that Mazarine might be comprehended nothing was done The Duke was resolute never to be reconciled to him nor never to come at Court whilst â—e was at the Helm of Government for all things else he would have comply'd with the King A while after Secretary Tilliere and some others went to win him over but they could not prevail at last having acquainted Conde with what had past to whom he sent Camp-master Godoviâ—â— and being answered That he agreed with him in all things it was agreed That he should go 〈◊〉 quietly at Bloyse that he should send for his Forces from Conde's Army and joyn them to those of the King on Condition that they should not be imploy'd against the Prince to whom professing himself a friend he could not fail him in any whatsoever condition The Duke's Affairs being thus adjusted he perform'd what was agreed upon and withdrew himself wholly from the care of the World applying himself to live quietly and free from trouble Beaufort retired to Vandosme and all the others that were banisht went to their Country-houses mightily grieved and much more mortified that Mazarine should triumph over their Miseries President Nesmond and Councellour Vedau propounded the meeting of le Chambers of Requests to think how they might protect their companions who were in disgrace saying They would rather quit their Imployments than suffer such a prejudice But the major part being of another Opinion the Chambers met not and Nesmond being sent for to Court received a sharp reprehension accompanied
set on foot thereby to render as it after happened the King's Party in that Province the more powerful In this mean time the Prince of Conty sojourned with his Army in Champaigne where having failed in his Designs upon Reims Soissons and other great Cities full of People War-like and Faithful to their King he came at last unto Vervins a feeble Place without Garrison or Fortification and having left there two Regiments of Foot and a Regiment of Horse sate down with the gross of his Army before Rhetel which in a short time was rendred to him by Monsieur di Kale who was Governour by reason of the weakness of the place and want of things necessary for defence of it as also did Chasteau Porcien which is but little distant from it but St. Merhaud another walled Town with a Castle not contemptible scituate upon the head of the same River Aisne which passeth to Rhetel held out until the 13 th of November and being not relieved by the Mareschal Turenne was then forced to a Capitulation which was honourably granted unto the Baron of Saint Mor who was there Governour and because this Town being scituated between the Mose and the Marne and between the Cities of Verdun and Chalons was of some consequence principally because it was not far distant from Clermont and Stenay places held by Conde he left there a great Garrison under the Baron di Montalt and gave them orders to fortifie pretending by maintaing of that and Rhetel to winter all his Troops in France and thereby not onely to trouble all the neighbouring Frontiers but also to ease Flanders where had not this been he must have quartered and also to give life thereby to the Cabals in Paris which though they were much weakened were not so totally extinguished there but that many of his friends and of the Duke of Orleans his Partisans endeavoured by underhand practises to raise some trouble After which having licensed from his Camp the Troops of his Royal Highness who under the Command of the Baron of Valon their Commander in chief passed into Picardy to the Service of his Majesty but upon ingagement not to accept any Imployment against Conde he marched into the Barrois he took Barleduc with the loss of the Baron de Fougges Lieutenant General to the Duke of Lorrain and after that Lagny and the Castle of Voet all of them places of small strength after which the Winter being far advanced and his Souldiers unwilling to begin any new Enterpise he licensed the Troops of Flanders and Lorrain and gave Winter Quarters to his own Souldiers upon the Mase and the adjacent Country The Cardinal on the other side exercising his thoughts indefatigably about these so imbroiled and troublesome Affairs considered that it was absolutely necessary before putting of the Army into Winter Quarters to dislodge the Prince's Forces from their new Lodgings and to recover the places they had taken he therefore caused the King's Camp to be re-inforced with â—000 Combatants drawn from the Duke of Elbeufe in Picardy and by others from Normandy and the bordering Provinces and in lieu of coming to Paris whither he was by his Majesty earnestly invited went into the Army to redress by his presence those matters there which by the late divisions were much weakened and in great disorder and which without him could harldly have been executed by the Generals because bringing along with him many Friends and Dependents he stopt all those who wearied with the past toyls thought rather of retiring to their Houses than tarrying longer and encouraged the rest to continue in the King's Service being had in great veneration and esteem among the Souldiery by whom he was as much loved and reverenced as he was hated and abhorred by the seditious and base Plebeians in Paris neither was he at all deceived therein because the Souldiery being revived by his presence and the Military Councils being thereby quickned he gained those advantages which caused him shortly after to return glorious and as it were Triumphant into Paris more than ever in their Majesties favour and the Authority of his Ministry The Marquess de Chasteauneuf continued notwithstanding all this while in Paris without Imployment discharged of his Officers with that resentment which is usual unto a great and generous heart like his accompanied with an accomplished knowledge and experience in matters of State and a professed inimitable Loyalty towards his Majesty alone independent of all private interest whatsoever and being therefore unable to contain himself being in conversation among some Ladies from the expression thereof nor from mingling in his Discourse together with his sighs against his own ill fortune some censures touching the persons that then were at Stern he was by the King upon the 12th of November banished from Paris the next day his Majesty appearing in the Parliament caused to be there verified and registred the Decree made in his Council of State against the Princes of Conde of Conti the Dutchess of Longueville the Duke of Rochefoucunt and others who were all of them declared guilty of High Treason against the King The Court continued after to give fitting orders and redresses for the good Government of the Kingdom and the avoiding of these new Machines which had been lately raised in opposition to the Royal Authority and the King's Councel above all things applied themselves to find out fitting means for the quieting the mind of the Cardinal de Retz who being full of lofty thoughts and eminent pretensions was much troubled to see the Cardinal Mazarin re-established quiet in Paris and the Kingdom to which he was much adverse by reason of his particular designes He gloried so much in the lustre of his Purple and the value he put upon himself that hoping with the same Arts he had gained them to overthrow also the glory and the fortune of the other and reimbuâ—se himself the vast expence he had been at during the Broyls whereby he was run far in debt he went continually seeking the means to compass his intent and as he had thrown down the greatness of Conde to ruinate also that of the Cardinal Mazarin He therefore sollicited the Parliament to meet and consult upon the means of restoring their secluded Members pressed the Partizans to demand the Monies advanced by them from the King though they had all the time before never mentioned a word of it to hold correspondence with the Seditious and Male-contents to renew the Troubles and compass his desires And although remorse of Conscience made him at times suspicious yet he fâ—ared not to be imprisoned by reason of his Dignity of Cardinal as he was used to publish amongst his Confidents And if he went not to Court it proceeded rather from the Maxime that he would not be esteemed gracious there and preserve thereby the favour of the people whom he thought apt enough to a Commotion than from the fear of receiving an affront so highly did he
year before to represent the Injuries done by the Parliament of Paris to Cardinal Mazarine against all Humane and Divine Laws without any legal accusation or just authority contrary to the King's Pleasure who justified and owned him for his Faithful Servant when a reward of 50000 Crowns was set upon his head besides the Confiscation of all his Goods the Pope had not concerned himself at all in his protection who had then no other support but his Holiness the King's Authority being trodden under foot and violated whereas there was now so great a Noise for the Imprisonment onely of the Cardinal de Retz to which his Majesty was necessitated for the Publike good and maintenance of the Royal Authority against which Retz was accused to have long plotted and the rather because his Christian Majesty had no other intention but to hinder his proceedings therein not to make his Process and much less to judge him as knowing well the same belonged onely unto Christ's Vicar Although the Parliament had arrogated to themselves an authority to do it against Mazarine without any of those cautions necessary to be used by any who bear Reverence to Holy Church These and the like Reasons were given by the French who also urged the President of Lewis the 11 th King of France that imprisoned and kept the Cardinal Ballua many years in restraint holding correspondence with his Majestie 's Brother and the Duke of Burgundy and yet the Pope interposed onely by Fatherly Admonitions and Requests for his delivery although the things whereof he was accused were nothing in comparison of what de Retz was charged withal They said farther That the King had procured this Dignity for his Subject to oblige him unto a greater diligence in his Service not to protect him in any thing prejudicial unto his Crown That all things necessary for maintenance of their Kingdoms were lawful unto Soveraign Princes but all things were not permitted to Subjects which conduced unto their satisfaction That none ingaged himself in the defence or gave a more intire obedience unto the Popes in matters of the Church then the Most Christian King for which he had been alwaies willing to expose his Crown but he ought likewise in the Interests of State to take to heart the good and quiet of his Subjects unto whom he was a most indulgent Father The disgust which the choice of Monsieur Corsino gave to the Court of France sprang hence his Majestie 's Ambassadour at Rome having received some inckling that the Pope intended to send another Nuntio in lieu of Monsieur the Marquess of Bagni gave notice to his Holiness That in case he intended such a thing 't were fit he should first declare what Prelate he intended to intrust with that Imployment that he might know whether he were a person would be grateful to his Majestie The Pope pretended to have no such thought but â—ome few days after published the Election of the said Monsignior Corsino The Ambassadour gave present notice of the disgust his Majesty would take at the manner of this Election rather then for the quality of the person who was in himself very considerable and one to whom his Majesty had no other exception But the Pope insisting That he had no obligation to send onely such Nuntio's as should be pleasing to the Princes unto whom they went as he obliged not them to send him onely such Ambassadours as he approved continued positive in what he had before resolved as conceiving that to alter him would prejudice the Reputation of the Holy See and commanded the Nuntio to prosecute his Voyage The Kings of France pretend chiefly in time of Warr not to receive any Nuntio's or Legate from the Pope but one that shall be to their satisfaction for a reason which obliges no other Prince besides the Popes viz. Because it happens often that those Prelates who are sent are not Subjects of the Church but of some other Italian Prince as this Corsino was being a Florentine and because although they were the Churches Subjects they might be Pensioners to other Princes therefore France hath not thought fit to accept any before an Information given of his quality lest they might otherwise receive into their house one who was an enemy or of their party For this cause therefore and no other the Kings of France have used to require that they may be advertised before a Nuntio be chosen and therefore Monsignior Corsino was stopped in Provence but afterwards upon Treaty it being known that this Prelate was independent of any but the Pope he was admitted and had been certainly received had not the accident of Cardinal Retz and sending of the Archbishop of Avignon given a stop to the whole Business The Imprisonment of this Cardinal who was one of the principal supports of the Faction Della Fronda did break and totally destroy it because although there remained yet some reliques of this fire they were such feeble sparks as of themselves could raise no flame and therefore the King's Authority growing more vigorous proceeded in the Execution of all those Councels which were esteemed proper for restoring the Kingdome into its pristine splendour The King's Revenues were by these Troubles very much diminished and therefore the business for Money was very pressing vast Debts being contracted and the Credit of the Court being reduced unto the utmost extremity notwithstanding that his Majestie 's Annual Revenue amounted to more than Eight Millions of Dobloones of Gold There were therefore many Decrees for raising Money made by his Majesty which were the last day of December verified and Registred in Parliament in his Majestie 's presence with all readiness although they were Thirteen in number To which was added one Clause to sweeten them viz. That this Relief should be employed in the most urgent Business of the Kingdom and particularly in payment of the Souldiery And those Edicts the 7th of Ianuary following were also verified in the Chamber of Accompts and the Court of Ayds in presence of the Duke of Anjou who was sent thither by his Majesty to that purpose Together with these good Reliefs unto the Civil Government the Martial Affairs began to be managed with a new vigour and good success considering the loss and ruines which had happened to the King and the whole Kingdom not only in the parts of Flanders and Guienne but also in Italy and Catalonia in which Province Cardinal Mazarine having resolved to maintain a brisk Warr that the Spaniard might be thereby diverted from sending great supplies to other parts had caused the Town of Roses to be seasonably relieved with some Barks of Provision sent thither from Provence by the Duke of Mercoeur and with the Regiment of Foot of Anjou commanded by Monsieur Friquembaut by whose arrival there was discovered a notable Treason plotted in the place by one Ganot an Intendant married to a Catalonian Woman handsome enough and wanton and therefore much frequented by the Garrison
Emperour intended also that the Meeting should be kept in his own Palace upon the same ground of his want of health but the States were so positive against this that he could not obtain it but the same was in the publick house destinated unto such occasions At last the Assembly met and the Marquess de Buda after a fine Elegant Oration made in praise of Caesar and of the Assembly opened the Propositions upon which they were to Treat being these First Concerning the manner whereby to establish the Peace gained with so much Labour Trouble and Expence between the Head and Members and between them and Forraign Princes to cherish the antient and sincere confidence was heretofore and in what manner their common Countrey afflicted with so many passed Warrs might for the time to come be preserved from any ill intelligences which might arise and that what remained to be done and concluded in the Treaty of Peace might be executed as was just and fitting To consider touching the Expedients whereby without long delayes which are alwayes hurtful those things may be decided which are remitted to the Diet by the said Treaty His Imperial Majesty shewed himself ready to subscribe all these Propositions promising to continue in a Fatherly and Cordial Affection towards all in general and every one in particular The Meeting therefore at first went on with general Propositions touching the Policy of the Empire and the things which were reserved unto the Diet by the Treaty of Munster but afterwards they entred upon the Treaty touching the Election of a King of the Romans The Hans Towns then set on foot their Pretensions to be admitted to the said Election whereunto they were privately encouraged by the French and Swedes whereat the Electors were offended that others should intrude themselves into a business appertained solely to them And the differences at last grew to that height that there being no means to accord them the Electors resolved to divide from them and to meet in Augusta where in the moneth of May following they proceeded to the Election of Ferdinand the Fourth King of Hungary for King of the Romans after which they returned to Ratisbone to perform the Ceremonies of his Coronation The said States protested against it pretending it to be invalid but in vain because it was approved by all the rest and the King was lawfully inthron'd and settled in that Dignity The Ceremony of the Coronation was performed in which there grew a difference between the Elector of Brandenburgh and the Palatine either of them pretending that it belonged to him to carry the Imperial Crown which was at last adjusted by the Emperour who caused the said Crown to be consigned unto the Palatine as Treasurer of the Empire the Count of Hohen Zollern carried the Scepter the Count of Papenham the Sword and these with the Elector Palatine went before the Emperour who was carried in a Chair into the Church where solemn Mass was sung and all Ceremonies performed which are usual in such occasions The Hans Towns seeing their pretensions to have a vote in the Election insufficient declared That they intended to take into consideration the 49. Articles which used to be solemnly sworn by a new King of the Romans that is to examine add to or take from them The Reformed insisted That they should be ratified and sworn by the King according to the Form they had appointed This Dispute continued for some time with obstinacy but the Emperour's Authority and the Reasons alledged at last prevailing they acquiesced and this difficulty was overcome The Meeting continued after and debated upon the Points already mentioned but with so little success that the Diet was at last dissolved with little satisfaction by reason of the difference in Opinions which rose amongst them The Protestants pretended that in all things which were to be decided they might give their Votes apart alledging That forasmuch as the Catholicks were more in number it was convenient to the end things might be indifferently carried that their Voices should be equal to the Catholicks The Emperour was much against it and stood firmly in the negative but being above measure desirous of Peace and that the Diet should end with an entire satisfaction to all Parties he at last consented to it with this reservation That the same should be onely understood to extend unto those things which were to be decided not to such as were already settled and that it stould be for this time onely The Protestants having advanced this step were not content but pressed farther in regard the Assembly being to break up and the matters which were not determined being to be referred unto another Meeting in Frankfort a free City situate near the Lower Palatinate upon the River Maine they pretended also to have the same liberty of voting apart as was granted them in this Assembly at Ratisbone The Catholicks shewed themselves resolute not to give way unto this Innovation of the Protestants They had therefore secret meetings apart and took a resolution to oppose it vigorously The Protestants also had their meetings and resolved to insist upon this demand and go through with the obtaining of it if otherwise they could not compass it by force of Arms declaring to be a matter just honest and convenient These their Propositions were backed by the Swedes and the French also who were glad to set Division between the Parties and to render the party which depended upon them equal in all advantages with those who they believed would not run their way so as the matter tended to a new Rupture and breach of the Peace which had been gained with so much trouble The Emperour wisely foreseeing the ill effects which this division might beget by the Advice of his Council and particularly of the Count of Ausbourg a Person of great Integrity Abilities and Experience who was after made a Prince of the Empire gave notice by the Count Curtio Vice-Chancellor of the Empire unto the Elector of Moguntia That he should endeavour by all means to adjust this Difference The Protestants having by some means got notice of the Emperour's inclination to adjust this difference grew more positive in their Resolutions to have it so as the Archbishop of Moguntia being not able to gain any thing upon them that he might accomplish the Emperour's desire endeavoured to perswade the Catholicks to comply with them and therein laboured so effectually as he perswaded those who were the most averse to consent unto the satisfaction of the Protestants that is to say that they should also have an Equality of Votes in the meeting of Frankfort upon condition it should be for that time onely and should extend onely to the three Points which were there to be discussed and ended which were First Touching the Arming of the Circles of Germany and the Provisions fit to be made for the Publick Safety Secondly The settling of the Policy and good Orders of the Empire Thirdly
into the Territory of the Venetians where she was received upon the Confines by Anthonio Bernardi Captain of Brescia Royally served and her Charges defrayed through all that State From thence she continued her Voyage through Tiroll where she was generally Treated by the Arch-Duke Charles Ferdinand and in the Moneth of Iune following came to Monaco the Residence of his Electoral Highness where she was received by the Elector her Spouse with such tender Love and Affection as is peculiar to one who had long wished for and expected her and as was due to the Rare Beauties and Perfections of such a Princess When the Coronation of the King of the Romans was to be performed the Emperour caused Notice to be given unto the French Ambassadour That he might if he pleased be present at the Ceremony but that in case he came he must needs give the Precedency to the Ambassadour of Spain Vautort answered That as for coming thither he would do as he saw best but as for the Precedence he knew not any person who could take it from his King who was undoubtedly the first of Christendome He forbore notwithstanding to go thither because he would not stand in an ill posture with the House of Austria but might apply himself to those Affairs for which he came which were to continue and encrease the good intelligence between the States of the Empire and the Crown of France that he might be watchful to prevent all prejudice might come unto the Interests of that Crown or its Friends and Confederates by the Resolutions which should there be taken to get the investiture of the places held by the French in Alsatia and to countenance the Interests of Savoy in the investiture he pretended unto of the Towns in Monferrat according to the before mentioned Treaty of Chierasco After the Coronation the Ambassadour Vautort going for Audience unto his Imperial-Majesty he was received with shews of great Esteem and courtesie the Emperour excusing himself modestly That he could not do otherwise The Ambassadour replyed with all Civility to his Complements but defended the Interests and Prerogative of his King with all freedome and boldness The Crown of Sweden sent to this Diet the young Count Oxenstern with the Title of Ambassadour Extraordinary to have the Investiture of the Towns of Pomerania assigned unto the Swedes by the Treaty of Munster but the Emperour refusing to receive him under that title because he came to perform the Office of a Feudatary some differences arose which notwithstanding were after laid aside There were also in this Diet great Controversies between the Emperour and the States who set on foot a bold and a very distastful Pretension which was That they conceived there ought to be an Election of Iudges who might Censure and Iudge the Actions of the Emperours themselves with power to revoke and adnul all Decrees which they conceived to be contrary to Iustice or the Constitution of the Municipal Lawes This Affair as it pressed hard upon the Emperour was very warmly impugned and rejected it being censured as an audacious boldness to go about to prescribe Laws unto him who had the power of making them The Contest was long as being full of knotty Points and tedious difficulties and was solicited with great earnestness and fervour by a person depending on the Emperour himself who having had a Judgment passed against him before his Majestie feared he should not be able to find a good dispatch hereafter of his Causes there but the Endeavours and Artifices of those who laboured therein found such opposition that the Pretenders were finally inforced to give it over without being able to make a farther progress in it At this Meeting the Marquess of Castle Rodrigo Ambassadour from the Catholick King a Person of great Virtue and deep foresight managed divers things advantageous to the Interests of his Master He endeavoured by all means to engage his Imperial Majesty in some Treaty with the Count d' Hâ—rcourt who was in Brisac being upon ill terms with the Court of France to gain out of his hands that most Important Fortress which he said was the Gate by which the French might at their pleasure pass the Rhine and come into the heart of Germany and a Key which would keep them shut up in their own bounds That France shook hands by means thereof with the States Princes of the Empire and Protestant Cantons their Friends so as the Circles of the Empire having alwayes at hand the assistance which upon all occasions they might draw from that united Kingdome so well armed would by consequence swell with such high Pretensions as must necessarily either disturb the Publick Quiet or much weaken and eclipse the Imperial Authority That Caesar being so highly concerned for the general Good ought not to let slip an occasion presented him by Fortune to regain by Art a Place which was never to be won by force of Arms. He shewed farther That Lorrain being beyond Burgundy and Alsatia although the Duke should be restored by the General Peace it would instead of being what it was formerly a Knot that united the Low-Countries with the Franche Comtè and the Austrian Countries be rather a barr and partition to continue them divided from each other which was the greatest prejudice could happen to the Dominions of his Catholick Majesty and of the whole House of Austria whose weakness consisted principally in this That their Countries being dis-joyned they could not without great difficulty communicate those Succours to each other which are necessary for their subsistence in time of Warr. Besides that the French being freed from all Iealousies on that side would with more confidence employ their whole strength in other places But all his Endeavours were without effect as well by reason of the noble disposition of the Emperour who was resolved to observe inviolably the Peace of Munster as of the Ingenuity of Harecourt who would never give ear unto the Propositions reiterated to him from the Spaniards who used their utmost endeavour to make him enter into a Treaty with them by their own and by the Duke of Lorrain's means whom they made sensible what advantage the dislodging of the French out of Alsatia would be unto the Interests of his House and particularly out of Brisac which would alwayes be a bridle upon Lorrain if he should hereafter recover it by any Treaty But Harecourt preferring his Honour and Reputation before all other advantages that might befal him although he might perhaps give ear unto some Propositions and Invitations to a Treaty refused notwithstanding to enter into any or to negotiate touching this Affair Castle Rodrigo sped notwithstanding well touching the Imprisonment of Charles Duke of Lorrain with whom the Spaniards were ill satisfied because they found not in his actions that correspondence which they expected from his gratitude They represented therefore to his Imperial Majestie That the said Duke was not sincere and cordial in his union
he might return from Brisac with an answer but notwithstanding this the Truce was suddenly broken and the Place vigorously assaulted The Count d' Harcourt upon notice hereof dispatcht presently Orders unto the said de Grun to receive in the King's Forces without contest which Orders Dautichamp sent away forthwith by a Souldier who went all night and himself came thither the next morning But the Mareschal not willing to receive from Harcourt a thing which he knew he could gain by himself suffered them not to speak together and so the City was Assaulted with great fury Castlenau being hurt there with a Musket shot and divers other Officers of either party The Governour trusting upon what had been treated with the Mareschal coming out of the Town to discourse it with him was made Prisoner and the King's Souldiers entred the Town plundered the Governour 's own house and himself was condemned to pay 3000 Dobloones to his great mortification and trouble to have been betrayed under colour of the Publick Faith Dautichamp having at last got to speak with the Mareschal and the Regiment of Lorrain being brought into the Town the Mareschal himself who at first had demanded onely the Town and had as the Count d' Harcourt said promised not to attack the Castle demanded that should be also rendred and gave onely four dayes time to the Commander that he might have Count Harcourt's Orders who that he might by this last Action take away all pretences could be made against the sincerity of his dealing at the same time released Brinon and sent back Dautichamp unto the Mareschal and from thence to Court to throw himself without reserve at his Majestie 's Feet declaring that he went to put himself into Phillipsbourgh where he would expect his Majestie 's Commands And so this Prince quitted Brisac and Charlevois being at the same time satisfied what he had advanced the Garrison was changed and the said Monsieur de Besmenus was placed there as Commander with other Officers depending entirely upon his Majestie This Action which succeeded just as the Cardinal contrary to the opinion of many others had foretold much encreased the Reputation of his Managery and merits from the Crown But the Cardinal declared notwithstanding unto the Duke d'Elbeuf That he was sufficiently satisfied of the Count d'Harcourt's Ingenuity and had him in the same Esteem as formerly and that in case he would leave the care thereof to him he would find a fit occasion to procure an entire satisfaction for the Count. The Court was well pleased with his respect and the generosity of his proceedings and his Enemies who had falsly slandered him with many imputations laid to his charge were very much confounded and ashamed The Duke d' Anvil who a few dayes before had been banished the Court was recalled and restored unto his former degree of favour with his Majesty and the Cardinal he fell into this disgrace because having promised to surrender the Government of Limousin destined to the Mareschal Turenne for recompence of his Services when it came to the point he refused by the instigation of the Archbishop of Bourges who suggested to him that he was not to quit it but upon other terms whereupon the Court who were engaged unto Turenne and could not let him want it without some shew of collusion found themselves obliged to take this course as well to satisfie the Mareschal as to let the Duke see how 't was resented by his Majestie which he perceiving and performing what he promised he was restored unto his former degree of Favour Whilest the Mareschal d'Hoquincourt was making preparation for his Voyage into Catalonia the meeting of the States of Languedoc was that Winter held at Pezenas a City with a Castle situate upon the Point where the two Rivers of Peine and Erand do meet together the Marquiss de Plessis Belliere was then quartered there and finding the minds of that People through the unhappiness of the Times disposed rather to make Cabals than contribute Money to the King did what possibly he could to make them sensible of their duty and discovering at last that the States would fall upon a resolution not to give any thing unless the Troops were removed out of that Province and knowing that the Money for accommodating of the Horse and other things necessary for the provision of the Army in the Campagne must be raised by what should be given by that Province which would â—ail totally if they gave nothing and that by consequence the Army would be disabled to march he resolved to get into the Field that something might be contributed to that purpose which accordingly they did He saw farther that the Season of the year was advanced and was informed that there came unto the Spaniards Recruits of men from Italy That the Enemies drew to a Rendezvouz That they made preparation in Castile of Pieces of Battery Powder Bullet Scaling Ladders and all other Necessaries and intended forthwith to besiege Roses And believing that there would be no means of relieving it in case they should finish their Line before his coming he resolved to make a timely preparation for it He parted therefore from Pazenas the 25th of May and advanced to Segean and Rivesalta where he made a halt that he might draw together all his Troops and to see what would be the last Resolution of the States he knew well the importance of preserving Rossillon to which purpose the Cardinal had written to him and recommended that Province to his care he therefore appointed Boulon for the general Rendezvouz of all the Troops from whence he marched the 16th of Iune to pass the Hill of Pertus his Army was composed of about 2500 Horse and Three or four thousand Foot all tried old Souldiers That of the Spaniard was stronger by a Regiment of Foot and was commanded by the Baron of Sabach the Constable of Castile and the Marquiss Serra and it was therefore probably thought they would have opposed the French at that Pass but they onely put a Guard in the Tower della Ionquiera with a thought notwithstanding that the same would have stopped the French until they might march up to charge them with advantage but the Tower contrary to all expectation yielded forthwith upon sight of two small Pieces of Canon which the French had brought with them out of Rossillon There they staid one day to expect the Rear-Guard and the Baggage and from thence advanced into the Plain beyond Loustelnau Plessis Belliere ordered his Army into two Battails having advice that the Enemy would expect him towards Castillon and to the end they might be stronger in the Field they had burnt their Forts before Roses and drawn the Garrison out of Feguieres The French marched in good order towards the Spaniards leaving Feguieres on their right hand the Van-Guard saw the Spaniards in Battalia behind Castillon covered by the Town a Morasse and by several Ditches and Cutts but as soon
was in amity therewith but being in the flower of his Age and enured to command he was too passionately in love with Glory which is not gained without toil and labour to be content to fit down and give himself unto repose and quiet France being therefore Regulated by these Maximes and the Cardinal working by courteous means and demonstrations of affection rendred his Ministry full of sweetness never pretending to take other revenge against his Enemies but onely to let them know he was a good and virtuous Person whereby that bitterness against him which by a few seditious persons Enemies unto the Publick Quiet had been infused into the minds of many was in a great measure allayed and sweetned The first effects whereof were seen at Paris where his Reputation having been more blasted than in any other place the Citizens by the remorse of their own Consciences thought themselves bound to make a publick shew of their Repentance by making him an open satisfaction for the injuries they had by a publike Arrest done to his Reputation the Year before and in order thereunto invited him upon the 29th of March unto a sumptuous Feast in the Town-House being an Honour never used by them but to great Princes The Cardinal went thither accompanied by the Dukes of Guise and Arpaion by the Mareschals of France Estree L'Ospitall Villeroi Grammont Motte Haudecourt Ferte Senneterre Aumont Hoquincourt and Grancè by the Count of Servient by Monsieur de Fouquet Surintendant des Finances Monsieur le Tellier Secretary of State six Counsellors of the Community three Quatreneurs and many others Then followed the Feast with great Pomp and Order and with so much shew of affection in the people of which the Piazza in the Greve was so full that being my self there out of curiosity I heard them publickly bless his Name praise his management blame those who had falsely slandered him with divers other wonderful things which happen when a people changes the extremity of hatred and contempt into the excess of honour and esteem The Cardinal came several times to the windows and caused pieces of Money to be thrown amongst the people to his great applause his health was often drunk by all those Citizens and all those honours were done unto him which can possibly be rendred unto a first Minister of so high a Condition whilest he dined the Seats and Hall were filled with as many of the City Dames as the place would hold drawn thither by their curiosity to see a Man they esteemed the Miracle of Nature The Cardinal used great Civility towards all throwing about great quantities of Sweet-meats at his going through the Hall at parting he entertained sometimes one sometimes another and although he were in view of all in the Piazza there was not amongst all that people heard one that spake an ill word of him but I observed that all applauded and wished him good success I heard more than one say he was a good Friend to France and the Spaniard's Scourge Others said he had given unto France a King and to the King a good Minister of State with such like sayings they ran after his Coach every one desiring to see him and to shew himself the Omen was surely good and the events proved it to be so the effects being correspondent to such good wishes The Count de Beaujeu held about this time Intelligence with one of the Inhabitants of Rhetel and agreed to surprize that place through a hole in the Wall he drew together 600 Foot and 400 Horse and on the 4th of April at night came privately thither and caused some Souldiers to enter through the hole but being discovered before a sufficient number were got in the Design failed and he notwithstanding took in hand another Enterprize The Count had been advertised that the Lorrenois Commanded by the Chevalier de Guise Brother unto the Duke leaving their Quarters beyond the Mose and the Sambre were drawing towards the Frontiers of France he therefore advanced that way and whilst he was at Charleville consulting with the Marquiss of Noirmonstier Governour of that place with Monsieur de Bussy Lamet and others they had news from Monsieur de Mentegu Governour of Rocroy That the Count Coligny Lieutenant-General to Conde was gone to attaque Couvin a little Town upon the River Noirau three Leagues distant from Rocroy in the Country of Liege garrisoned by the French who had beaten thence a Regiment of the Enemy which had been quartered there and that he had invested it with two Pieces of Cannon Whereupon gathering together all the Troops which in so short a time could be assembled at Rocroy they marched from thence unto a little rising distant a quarter of a League from the Camp of those of Conde's Party and put themselves in Battalia under the covert of a Coppice from whence Beaujeu and Mentegu alighting to discover the posture of the Enemy saw their Cavalry drawn up in Order beyond the River and the said Wood. Beaujeu presently considered That in case he should march with the whole Body the Horse would then retire under the shelter of the Musquetiers where the French would have much more difficulty to fight them and therefore thought 't was best to make the Enemy believe their number was much less so as believing it to be a small Party they might ingage to fight them and follow them into the whole Body behind the Wood and so it punctually happened for two Squadrons only being sent out they were immediately charged by Coligny's Troops the King's men began to skirmish receiving the Charge with great dexterity Conde's men not doubting any Stratagem advanced so far that they fell in among those by whom they were expected Beaujeu and the other Commanders when the time served fallied out and charged the Enemy with so much fury that they forthwith put them to flight spurring hard towards their own Quarters The Royallists in the Chase took several Prisoners Monsr de la Villetta at the same time fell upon the Foot abandoned by their Horse who were retiring to Bossat but being charged after they fired once yielded forthwith and throwing down their Arms took Quarter as Prisoners of War in which number was Coligny himself after he had performed all the parts of a valiant Cavalier in labouring to make those who fled turn face against the Enemy he was taken by Monsieur de Delore Cornet of the Troop of Rocroy the Colonel Ghegy was taken by Monsieur de Rumelly Monsieur de Buchol and several other Officers were also Prisoners and in this Action Monsieur de Loan Montreuil and the Marquiss de Caufort carried themselves nobly they being the Persons who charged the Foot between Couvin and Bossat This good Success joyned to the other whereof we have before treated gave great satisfaction to the Cardinal as on the other side it brought great trouble to the Prince of Conde who had there lost above a thousand good
taken Prisoner by the Kings Forces who whilst they strove whose prisoner he should be Count Rosan came in with five Squadrons and charged the Kings men so briskly as Marsilliack making use of this confusion freed himself from these Foot and though he were on foot and wounded took a Horse from a Souldier and got away with Count Mà tha Grance being reinforced in this skirmish by some of his own Squadrons fell so furiously upon the Enemy as he routed them immediately Roson was mortally Wounded and taken Prisoner together with divers other Officers and as many as were not slain Whereupon Grance marched into la Brie sackt the Castles of Lasegny Sercon and Villemenon and assaulted the very Town of Brie which was begirt with an ancient Wall and defended by the Inhabitants but he forced them to surrender the Town The said deputed persons were brought before the Queen as she sat in the midst of the Council where having done their due reverence Tallon told her how a Herauld had appeared at the Gate of St. Honoré just as the Parliament was sate to speak with the Assembly from her Majesty Whereat all the Councellors being surprised they knew not what to think of it but that it was to try her Subjects fidelity and to see whether they would treat with the King their Master in another manner than Vassals do when they receive his Commands That they therefore thought they had not disobeyed knowing that Heraulds are not sent but to Enemies or equals wherefore they pretending to continue the glorious Title of most humble Subjects thought it the lesser evil to dismiss him and to take the course which they had taken Wherefore they presented themselves before her Majesty with sorrowful Souls and humble Hearts to intreat her to accept of her Parliaments excuse who had not heard her Herauld for fear of offending her Royal Dignity or prejudicing her Soveraignty of the preservation whereof they had a greater care than all the World besides by which refusal she might finde the obedience of devoted Subjects and the innocency of their Councils which aimed at nothing but the preservation of Regal Authority against the power of the Enemies of France concluding that if she had sent him as to Soveraign personages she might see their respects and that they acknowledge their happiness consisted onely in their obedience To assure her Majesty whereof was the express cause of this their coming But if she sent him as to criminal people they were come to submit themselves to her Will and to be punisht by her The Queen heard these words with her wonted goodness and afterwards commanded the Chancellor to assure them that she was satisfied with the Declaration which they had made but that she could not be fully content unless their Words were accompanied by Effects and they might then assure themselves of her good will toward them and of her care for preservation of the Persons and the Fortune of all of them without exception The Duke of Orleans added That he wondred exceedingly why the Parliament did not readily render obedience to the Queen being in all reason obliged to do it and since they might promise themselves all fair dealing both in general and particular from their Majesties Clemency Condé spoke to the same purpose adding That the Queen aimed at nothing but the good of the State and the preservation of the Regal Authority and the welfare of every particular person These men returning to Paris made their report unto the Parliament whereupon they no sooner began to treat but Don Ieusippe Arnolsini was brought in to disturb it who was sent from Brussels by the Arch-Duke on the 24 th of February to Paris incognito with Letters of Credence which he presented to the Prince of Conâ—y whilst he was in private conference in L'Hostelle d'Elbâ—â—ufe with the Dukes of Beaufort and Bulliâ—n the Marshal de la Motte the Coadjutor the Presidents Conieux Navion Viola and Brousel the Counsellor The onâ— of these Letters was sealed and sent to the Prince of Conty The other was sent open to the Parliament He was privately treated with by Saraâ—ine Secretary to the Prince of Conty to finde out what he would â—e at the Spaniards by him made specious proâ—fers to advance onely as the Princes and Heads of that party should please and that they desired nothing but to free Paris and to procure a general Peace This was the Hood that caught the Prince of Conty for he thought iâ— a glorious thing if the Kingdom might be restored to Peace at the first unsheathing of Swords He therefore dispatcht away the Marquiss of Noirsmonstere Monsieur Laigne Monsieur Roussiere and Briqâ—igny who was stopt at Quinteyns The sum of Arnolfini's business was that the Arch-Duke would advance the Spanish Troops and those of Lorain to free Paris for which the Spaniards required a cautionary Town La Motte propounded Corbie but with small hopes of getting it out of his Brothers hands who was Governour thereof and was firm for the King There were better hopes in the Treaties between the Dutchess of Monbason and the Marquiss of Oquincourt who being in love with her it was hoped that she might get Peronne from him but neither did this hit For Oquincourt's affection to the King and his honour prevailed over his love to Monbason besides that this Proposal was refused by the Parliament who thought it unbecoming them to assigne over a Town of France to the Enemies of France whilst they were in treaty of a general Peace which would prove a perpetual reproach to the Loyalty which they professed to bear unto their King There was nothing therefore done in it more than that Arnolfini was heard in the Parliament where he appeared and explained the Arch-Duke's Letter and then gave in his Commission the Contents whereof was That he was sent by his Master the Arch-Duke to the Parliament where he could not think but he should be welcome since he brought the offer of Peace which was by all Christendom so much desired and so necessary for the quiet of the two Crowns That it was true that Cardinal Mazarine would not make Peace two years ago though he might have done it upon very advantageous terms for France But that after the King went from Paris the Cardinal propounded an Agreement with Spain upon very large terms saying that his chief motive therein was to chastise the Parliament-Rebels and to reduce them to reason But that the Catholick King did not think these exhibitions fair nor safe at this conjuncture of time thinking that it would be a shame for him to make use of such means so to oppress the Capital City of the Kingdom That his Majesty thought it not safe to treat with one who was condemned by Parliament as an Enemy to the King and Kingdom since the Parliament is to register and authenticate the Treaties of Peace But that as his King would make no other advantage of this conjuncture than an
been guilty of much Violence and Extortion in the execution of his Commission The President Bailleul was ordered to go to Court with these Instructions who was to be attended by one Councellor out of every Chamber and two out of the Grand Chambre these were the Messieurs Meusnier St. Tot Canaye Camus Pon Casse Bitrult and the Counts Montanglau Mangis and Martmean who set forward upon the 8 th of Iuly towards the Court. There were in France at the same time several Councellors sent from the several Cantons of the Switzers to sollicite on the behalf of their several Countries the payment due by the King unto the Forces of that Nation under his pay the same amounting to a very considerable sum upon occasion whereof many of the Commanders and Souldiers being discontented had in several places laid down Arms and declared that they would serve no longer unless they were paid all their Arrears and secured of their Pay as it should grow due for the time to come This affair was a matter of great consequence in that conjuncture of time and was also very carefully considered by his Majesty's Council who were sensible that 't was a thing of huge importance not to disoblige these Forces which being well paid do serve truely and faithfully on all occasions And the Marquiss of Chasteau Neuf Keeper of the Seal Monsieur de Longue Treasurer and Monsieur de Tillier Secretary of State were therefore appointed to treat and agree with them who after several Meetings and Treaties had between them at last upon the 20 th day of Iune came to the conclusions following First That they should be forthwith paid in ready money 40000 Doublons and 60000 more at three days of payment the first at the end of July then next following the second upon the last of September and the last Payment to be made on the last day of December the same year together with 1000 Doublons more for the Interest of those Sums For the Payment whereof his Majesty was to deposite some Iewels as a pledge for the securing of those Payments Besides which his Majesty was to pay in five years following the sum of 250000 Doublons more by 50000 Doublons at each Payment The first to begin upon the first of January 1651 and that the sum of 66000 Doublons more should be paid in the year 1656. all which said Payments should be secured by assignations to be made upon the Kings Revenues of Lyons Valentia and those of Paris for which the Farmers of those places were to give security As to the payment of the Colonels Captains and Souldiers that should be in his Majesties service there should be a Fond established and 15000 Doublons paid monethly until all was satisfied This Agreement was signed by both parties Registered and Verified by the Parliament in solemn form with which the Cantons were all satisfied and the Deputies returned home highly contented with the Honours and Favours his Majesty had been pleased to bestow upon them declaring that they would continue to serve him faithfully with their Lives and Fortunes upon all occasions The end of the Fourth Book THE HISTORY OF FRANCE The FIFTH BOOK The CONTENTS The King and Court Return from Champagne to Paris The Spaniards raise their Siege from before Guien a Iourney to Guise is proposed and resolved upon The Frondeurs are apprehensive thereof and Mutiny again against Mazarine commotion in Burdeaux at the news that the King is marching that way The Princess of Conde incourageth the Burdelois who therefore joyn with the Princes and prepare to make Resistance something of action insues and soon after agreement is made The Kings entry into Burdeaux who within a few days parts from theme and comes to Fontenbleau The Spaniards besiege and take Piombino and Portolongone in Italy and make themselves Masters of La Capella and of Rethel in Flanders The Princes are carried from the Castle of St. Vincennes to that of Marcoussi The Archduke moves a general peace with the Duke of Orleans his ends and Artifice Mazarine goes to the Army in Champagne Marishall Plessis Pralin takes Rethell gives Battel to General Turenne Routs him The Spaniards take Flix Mirauet and Tortosa in Catalonia The Princes liberty is proposed by the Duke of Orleans and by the Frondeurs Many Treaties are had and many disorders arise thereupon THE Court being returned from Champagne to Paris it was not hard for the Cardinal to free himself from being Prest to Transport the Princes into the Bastile as well out of his great affection which he bore unto the King and Queen as by the instigation of the Princes Friends and Kindred who apprehended Condé's life if he should fall into the hands of the Frondeurs and especially of such as being full of Malice and Revenge made them not a little afraid knowing very well that all of them being fully bent to effect their desire which was to strengthen their Faction the most they could either by totally annihilating the Prince or by winning him wholly over so to destroy afterwards either by his assistance or without his obstacle the Cardinals Authority which made them press the Queen that the Princes persons might be secured rather in the Bastile than elsewhere News came this mean while that the Spaniards had raised their Siege from before Guise whereat the King's Ministers did not a little rejoyce seeing their advice had succeeded so well Wherefore the courage of the Cardinals Enviers failing who saw him grow daily stronger and stronger The Duke of Orleans took occasion thereupon being eg'd on by the Coadjutors to joyn the rather with the Frondeurs so to counterpoize that greatness which did not a little vex him They therefore by common consent resolve to hold up their Authority especially in Paris wherefore the time of choosing the Provost of Merchants a place of concernment especially then when the City was divided into Factions being now at hand they gave out that for the following years they would have Monsieur La Feure have that Office who was a Counsellor of Parliament and in whom they did much confide to the end that being joyn'd in interest with the Inhabitants they might the more freely dispose of the Counsel of the City so as they press the Cardinal now no longer in a fair becoming way but told him boldly that they would be gratified in that person And the Dutchess of Chevereux the Dutchess of Monbazon and Duke Beaufort told him freely that if he would have them esteem him their Friend he must by no means refuse it The Cardinal was much troubled at this he complained much of the Frondeurs boldness which setting aside the respect they ought unto the King they durst so sawcily meddle with that which did not belong unto them but as in a great storm a wary Pilot strikes the main yard and takes down the Masts to keep the Vessel from being exposed to the injury of the winds so the Cardinal the