treate with him So as hee begins to taste of some proposition of peace moued before Saint Disier by the Lord of Granuelle and his Confessor a Spanish Monke of the order of Saint Dominike and of the house of Gusmans A â—reatie of peace A day is appointed for the meeting of the Deputies at La Chaussee betwixt Challons and Vitry For the King there came the Admirall of Annebault and Chemans Keeper of the Seale of France â—or the Emperour Fernand of Gonzague and to know if the King of England would enter into it they sent the Cardinall of Bellay Raymond chiefe President of Rouan and Aubespine Secretarie of the State and Treasurer As the Emperour camped towards the riuer of Marne a league beneath Chalons and within two leagues of the French armie a riuer being betwixt both William Earle of Fursiemberg parted about midnight with a guide onely to view a â—oard which hee had in former times passed when as he came into France for the Kings seruice Being come to the foard he leaues his guide vpon a banke sounds it findes it easie and passeth the riuer But he discouered not some Gentlemen of the Kings house and part of the Admiralls company who had the gard that night who without giuing any alaâ—â—m put themselues betwixt the riuer him take him without resistance lead him to the Campe know him and send him to the Bastille at Paris from whence he shall not depart vntill he hath payed thirtie thousand Crownes for his ransome In the meane time the Emperour sees his armie ready to breake for hungar they cutt off his victuals behinde and on either side And if that goodly Captaine whom the Daulphin had sent to draw into Espernay the victuals thereabouts to breake the bridge vpon the riuer and to spoile the Corne Wine and other prouisions which could not be saued had carefully executed his commission the Emperour disappointed of the munition and victualls which he found in Espernay and hauing no meanes to passe the riuer had not in the end enioyed those commodities which he found in Chasteau Thiery an other Storehouse of the French campe whereby his troupes languishing for hungar recouered some strength In the end the Daulphin being come to campe at La Ferté vpon Iouarre and hauing sent a good number of men to Meaux to hinder the Emperours passage who deuising to make his retreat by Soissons he takes his way by Villiers-coste-Retz vnder hand reuiues the proposition of peace with the King The King knowing that a battaile could not be giuen in the heart of his realme so neere vnto his capitall Cittie without a verie doubtfull and dangerous consequence and the losse of men and in case he should vanquish the King of England and the Earle of â—ures would encounter him with as mightie an armie as his owne that by the losse of one and perchance two battailes his realme were in danger that winning them hee should get little especially vpon England being an Iland Moreouer the Marshall of Biez was almost forced to yeeld vp Montrueil to the English â—or want of victualls and succours the sufficiencie of the Lord of Verâ—ein gouernour of Boullen as we shall shortly see was not without cause suspected and without a conclusion with the Emperour hardly could these two important Townes be releeued The King therefore sent the Admirall of Annebault againe to the Emperour being in the Abbie of S. Iohn des Vignes in the suburbes of Soissons where in the end was concluded A peace concluded That Charles Duke of Orleans should within two yeares after marry with tâ—e Emperours daughter or his neece daughter to Ferdinand King of Roâ—aines and at the consummation of the said mariage the Emperour should inuest the said Duke of Orleans in the Duchie of Milan or in the Earledome of Flanders and the Low Countries at the choise of the said Emperour And in exchange this done the King promised to renounce all his rights pretended to the said Duchie and the Kingdome of Naples and to restore the Duke of Sauoy to the possession of his Countries when as the Duke his sonne should eniâ—y the said Duchie of Milan or the Earledome of Flanders and all things during the terme of two yeares as well on this as the other side the Alpes should remaine in the same estate as they were at the truâ—e made at Nice So the Emperour deliuered vnto the King on this side the mountaines Saint Desier Ligny Commercy and the King Yuoy Montmedy and Landrecy Steâ—â—â— was deliuered into the Duke of Lorrains hands and the fortifications razed On the other side the Alpes the Emperour had nothing to yeeld but Montdeuis and the King Alba Quieras Antignan Saint Damian Palezol Cresentin Verruë Montcal Barges Pont d' Esture Lans Vigon Saint Saluadour Saint Germaine and many other places which he possessed These treaties thus concluded and pâ—oclaimed beyond the Alpes the Duke of Anguien returned into France with as great glory and honour as a wise and valiant Prince could enioy and the Emperour retired his armie which the Earles of â—eux Bures lead ioyntly with that of England he dismissed his owne and parting from Soissons tooke his way to Bruxelles accompanied beyond the frontiers by the Duke of Orleans the Cardinals of Lorraine and Meudon the Earle of Laual la Hunauday others The Emperour is now out of the realme let vs also seeke to send the King of England beyond the seas Henry the 8. King of England according to the League he had with the Emperour landing at Calais with an armie of thirty thousand men fortified with ten thousand Lansequenets and three thousand Reistres which the Earle of Bures lead and the troupes of the Earle of Reux chiefe of the army of the Low countries for the Emperour he found Picardie very much vnfurnished of men the King had withdrawne his forces towards Champagne to oppose them against the Emperour and the Duke of Vendosme being weake in men had fiue places of importance to furnish Ardre Boullen Therouenne Montrueil Hedin all equally opposed to the inuasion of the English Henry therefore seeing no armie to withstand him making his accoumpt to carrie a legge or an arme of the body of this realme sent the Duke of Norfolke and the Earles of Reux and Buries to besiege Montrueil The King of England besiegeth Boullen Montrueil and himselfe went and camped before Boulen The Marshall of Biez was gouernour But when hee saw the enemy turne the point of his armie towards Montrueil he left the Lord of Veruein his sonne in lawe to command in Boullen from which he was disswaded by some to whom his sufficiencie was well knowne assisted by Philip Corse a Captaine very well experienced in armes the Lords of Lignon and Aix otherwise called Renty young and without experience with their regiments and halfe the company of a hundred men at armes of the sayd Marshall and he put himselfe into
then to leaue that willingly which they could not hold by force That the King had expresly forbidden him not to consent to any Treaty nor to the choyse of any place for an Assembly before he had assurance of this restitution That hee held it a wrong done vnto the dignitye of so great a Prince to the honour of his commaundements to the equity of his cause and to his good fortune once to hearken vnto the difficulties they made to yeelde him vp that which was his owne That whosoeuer should treat with this preiudice deserued to be punished as the authors of Treaties that were dishonourable to their Maisters The Generall of the Fryars who could get no other resolutions at his hands returned twise into Flanders to let them vnderstand that among all the reasons of the Treaty that of Restitution was inuincible and that it was in vayne to demaund a Peace of the French if they did not restore all That this Restitution was the soule of the Treaty without the which it was a fantastike body without any naturall proportion and substance That in the ende desiring too much they should haue nothing and thinking to hold all they would loose all The Archduke doth aduertise the King of Spaine that there was no meanes to enter into the Temple of Peace but by opening of the gates of Calais Ardres Dourlans and other places taken in Warre vnto the King of France God inspired the heart of the King of Spaine against the opinion of his Councell of State to yeeld vp all his pretensions for the good of a Peace rather then to leaue the world in this perpetuall Discord and Confusion He did consult with his Councell of conscience vpon the necessity of this Restitution They answered him that he could not liue with a quiet soule nor die in the integrity of his Religion if he did not restore those places The King of Spaine followed this aduice aduertâ—sing the Archduke that he would not for that which he had gotten from an other loose the meanes to leaue a Peace to his owne Estates Vpon this resolution the Generall of the Fryars returnes into France The King of Spain reâ—olueâ— to yeâ—ld all the places and passeth his word vnto the Lâ—gate Sillery for the Restitution so as after an infinite toyle of two moneths these three made all things ready for a Treaty Sillery returnes to the King leading with him the Generall of the Fryars as wel to let him vnderstand from the Kings owne mouth what he had sayd vnto him by his commaundement as also to haue the Generall tell the King what hee had promised and propounded on the Archdukes behalfe The Legate remayned at S. Quintin aâ— Gardien of the words and intentions of two Princes Being assured of eythers faith they agree vpon a place for the assembly of the Deputies and to conclude the Treaty â—he Towne of Veruins being vnder the Kings obedience and neere vnto the â—â—oâ—ters of Arthâ—is was found the most commodious Veruins chosâ—n for the conference and was presently furnished with all things necessary to receiue the Ambassadors The King Deputed Pompone de Belieure Knight Lord of Grignon the chiefe and most auncient of his Priuy Councell and Nicholas Brulart Knight Lord of Sillery Councellour of State to his Maiesty and President in his Court of Parliment For the King of Spaine and the Archduke there came Iohn Richardot Knight President of the Kings Priuye Councell and of his Councell of State Iohn Baptista Taxis Knight Commaunder de los Santos of the Military order of S. Iames and Councellor of State and of the Councel of Waâ— Lewis Verrichen Knight AudieÌ„cer chiefe Secretary Treasorer of the Charters of the Councell of State The Cardinall Medicis Legate of the holy Sea assisted by the Bishop of Mantoua was as it were an Vmper of all difficulties in this good and holy reconciliation The Kings Deputies arriued first and those of the King of Spaine presently after where hauing saluted one another with hearts full of ioy and incredible content they promised to treat Roundly Sincerely Mildely communicating their Commissions one vnto an other and reforming those errors which they found The Precedence yeelded to the French that they might begin to treat more safely and freely After much question and many protestations made by the Deputies of the King of Spaine for the Precedence in the ende they yeelded vnto the French Kings to take what place they pleased after the Legate and the Popes Nuncio At their first sitting the Legate exhorts them to shewe the fidelity and integritie iâ— this action which their Maisters desired The Legate exhorâ—â— the Depuâ—ies whereof he assured himselfe by their experâ—ences as of those which had happily managed the greatest affayres of Europe more then any other men wishing them to consider that hauing the honour to Councell two of the greatest Princes of the world who submitted their wills vnto their Councells as the most diuine thing among men when it is purged from ambitious passions violent thoughts and preiudicate opinions they should omit nothing that might regard the contentment of their good intentions and not to doubt but that God who hath an especial care of Kings and Kingdomes would infuse the light of his sâ—irit into their most seceet thoughts and threaten them with the sincerity of his Iustice if they did not apply all their indeauours to his glory and the good of the Christian common weale Then they entred into Treaty with a mildnesse fit for men of that quality and the merit of the matter It was managed with such secrecie as nothing was knowne before that all was concluded The chiefe poynt of difficulty was for the restitution of Places Many reasons were propounded on eyther side but the Kings Deputies had great aduantages the force of reason the prosperity of affayres in the recouery of Amiens and aboue all the fauour of the time and occasion The King of Spaine would not dye but in Peace he desired his Sonne might raigne in Peace and that his deerely beloued Daughter might be married in Peace The Aâ—chduke languished with a desire to be married and fearing least the promise which he had not taking effect during the life of the King of Spaine the conditions would be made worse he pressed Richardot and Taxes not to proceed in this negotiation after the Spanish manner but to remember that they must not prolong their consultations nor protract an action the praise whereof depended vpon the conclusion So after they had balanced all matters in the treaty to reduce them to a iust proportion of reason all controuersies betwixt the two Kings were reconciled and ended During the Treaty of Veruins the Emperour Rodulphus the 2. as well for himselfe as for some Princes of the Empire An Agent sent from the Emperour to the Stâ—tes of the vnited Prouinces at the instant request of the King of Spaine sent Charles
put the principall authors thereof to death as the ringleaders of rebellion Gillon entertaines this aduise he puts them to death that were the instruments of Chilperiâ—s disgrace And so with one stone giues two stroakes He take them away that might frustrate his desseine and disposeth the Frenchmens hearts to desire their ancient King And thus he makes the way for Chilperics returne by a very happie dexteritie and the â—â—ent was answerable Gillon hauing put these aforenamed to death became very odious to the French Guyemans abandons Gillon and cunningly embraceth this occasion in fauour of Chilperic He blames the French for their lightnes to haue expelled their naturall Lord and reciued a stranger farre more insupportable Chilperic called home chasticed by affliction Thus he makes them resolue to call home Chilperic who vnderstanding their desire and seeing the peece of gold the token of his returne sent by his faithfull friend returnes confidently into France he is receiued by the French and by their ayd forceth Gillon to resigne him the place and to retire himselfe to Soissons Such was the first part of Chilprics life The last was of another temper for being taught by himselfe he was so addicted to do good as he got the good will of the French of whome he was beloued honoured and obeyed all the rest of his life So as to good minds capable of reason affliction serues as a chastisement and not for a ruine for an instruction and not a destruction Hee did fight happily against Odoacre King of the Saxons subdued the Germans woon a great couÌ„try along the Rhin He added to this State the Country of Aniou hauing forced the citie of Angiers and to make absolute his happines hee had one sonne who augmented and assured his Realme They only obserue one notable error committed after his returne in taking Basine to wife being the wife of Basin King of Turinge who had courteously entertained him in his distresse violating the sacred lawes of hospitalitie suffering himselfe to be abused with the loue of a woman 585. accounted a witch for they say this woman who had forsaken her husband for him was a witch causing him to see a vision the first night of their vnlawfull marriage the which did represent the state of the succeeding kingdome by lions vnicornes leopards the which appeared fiâ—stin this visioÌ„ then by beares and wolues And lastly by cattes dogges and other small beasts the which did teare one another in sunder You must pardon these fables of antiquity bred as it seemes long after by the which she would represent the estate of the three races according to their diuerse occurrents Chilperic hauing liued thus and raigned thirtie yeares he left Clouis his sonne for successor and heire of one of the goodliest and bewtifullest pyllers of the French Monarchie as shall appeare by the following discourse CLOVIS the 1. the 5. King of France and the first Christian King CLOVIS .5 KING OF FRANCE CLOVIS succeding his father Chilperic was installed in the Royaltie by the French according to their ancient custome borne vpon a target in open assembly Hee began to reigne the yeare 485. and raigned thirtie yeares Hee had scarse atteyned to the age of fifteene yeares when as he mounted to the royall throne A yong man of great hope borne for the stablishment of this monarchie His forefathers had layed the foundation but he did build vpon these goodly beginings with so great valour wisedome and good fortune as he is to be held for one of the greatest Architects of this estate hauing had the honour to be the first King of France that receiued the Christian religion the greatest beautie of this Crowne and a priuilege so carefully planted by his successors as they haue purchased the title of most Christian as a marke of their chiefest greatnesse The progresse of the Historie will shew both his vertues and vices But at this entrie his mind being guided to so great a worke whereunto the wise prouidence of almightie God had appointed him fortifies it selfe the first fiue yeares of his raigne 485. being the time of his apprentiship before he vndertooke any thing the which hee did manage so discreetly embracing all occasions that were offered as in the end hee thought himselfe able to subdue all Gaule if God had not stayed the ambitious course of his vnmeasurable desires to shew vnto great personages that hee reserues a Soueraigne prerogatiue ouer all their enterprises We haue saâ—d before that in the dissipation of the Empire the Gaules had many vsurpers Bourguignons Goths and Frenchmen the Romaines had the least part for hardly could they keepe Soissons Compiegne Senlis and other small townes thereabouts The Bourguignons enioyed a great countrie the two Bourgongnes the Duchie and the Earledome Sauoy Lyonnois Forests Beauiolois Daulphiné and Prouence Arles being the Metropolitane Citty of the Realme The Goths possessed all Gaule Narbonnoise to the which they gaue the name and all Guyenne with the appertenances The French had the best part from the Rhin vnto Loire imbracing all the richâ— Prouinces of the Lowe countries vnto the Ocean the countries of Heyâ—ault Cambresie Picardie Normandie the Iâ—le oâ— France Maine Anâ—ou Touraine Vandomois the prouince of Orleans Beausse Hurepois GastiÌ„nois Sologne Berry and the neighbour countries although these great and large territories had particular Lords amongst the which the King was acknowledged for Soueraigne Such was the state of Gaule when as Clouis vndertooke the helme of this French monarchie To become absolute Maister of this goodly country which was set to sale to the mightiest he begins with the weakest the neerest Clouis aspireâ— to the Monarchie of all Gaule and him with whom hee had the most apparent shew of quarrell which was the Romane who held nothing of this great name but the shâ—w and pride in a weaknesse altogether contemptible Siagrius sonne to that Gyles of whom we haue spoken commanded at Soissons for the Romans Clouis had an hereditarie quarrell against him hauing sought to vsurpe his estate irreconciliable quarrels among Princes Hauing so goodly a shew to demand reason for so notable a wrong he dâ—fies him They assemble their forces Clouis calleâ— to his aide Ragnachaire the petty King of Cambray and Chararic of Amyens the first assists him the other excuseth being desirous to keepe the stakes and to be a looker on The first rooting 〈◊〉 of the Romaines and then to ioyne with the stronger Siagrius is ouercome in battell In this ouerthrow he leaâ—es his estate to Clouis and flies to Alaric King of the Goths being at Tholouse Clouis not content with Siagrius goods demands his person of Alaric and obtaines it Siagrius is sent vnto him his hands and feet bound Hauing him in his power he makes him taste the griefe of his misery reproching him that he had basely lost his gouernment deserued capitall punishâ—ent and so he cuts off his head afterwards he suppressed Chararic
of grace 920. the Empire being then very weake After Conrad was chosen Henry the â—ouler Duke of Saxony and after him his sonne Otho Princes adorned with great singular vertues fit for the time to preserue the West for the East did runne headlong to her ruine so as since Nicephorus who liued in the time of Charlemagne they did not esteeme them but held them as abiects in regard of those great Emperours which had liued before them namely Michel Curopalates Leo Armenien Michel the stamering Conâ—usion in the East the two Theophiles father son Basiâ—e the Macedonien Leo the Philosopher Alexander Constantine a Romaine all which had nothing of the Romaine but the name Thus this poore sicke bodie languished being torne in peeces by the infamies of these men either of no valour or altogither wicked attending the last blow by the hand of the Mahomeâ—ans whose power they fortified by their vitious liues vntill they had lodged them vpon their owne heads A notable spectacle of Gods iust iudgement who dishonours them that dishonour him In the Church and expells them from their houses that banish him from their hearts In these confusions of State the Pope of Romes power increased daily by the ruines of the Empire who thrust himselfe into credit among Christians by many occurrents Their desseins was to build a Monarchie in the Church by authoritie power Seigneuries ciuil Iurisdictions armes reuenues and treasor being growne to that greatnes as afterwards they sought to prescribe lawes to Emperours and Kings who refusing it and disputing vpon this primacie many dissentions grew among them and so were dispersed among the people This is the summe of all that shall be discoursed in the future ages in Christendome wherein we shall view the the sea of Rome the Empire and the kingdome I treat but of matters of State 929. wherevnto the subiect and the order of our desseine doth tie me to report by degrees so long and so obscure a discourse of those ages plonged in darkenesse Plantina the Popes Secretary reports a very notable accident happened at Rome in those times a yong maide loued by a learned man these are his words came with him to Athenes attyred like a boy In vita Ioannis octaus and there profited so well in knowledge and learning as being come to Rome there were fewe equall vnto her in the Scriptures neyther did any one exceede her in knowledge so as she had gotten so great reputation as after the death of Pope Leo she was created Pope by a generall consent was called Iohn the eight But it chanced that hauing crept too neere to one of her gromes shee grewe with child the which she did carefully conceale But as she went to the Basilique of S. Iohn de Lateran betwixt the Colises and S. Clement she fell in labour Pope Ioan deliuered of a Child in the open streete and was deliuered of this stolne birth in a sollemne procession in view of all the people And in detestation of so fowle a fact a piller was erected where this profane person died So without flattering the truth not the Empire alone went to wrack but also the realme and the Church being in those daies full of confusions in which they fell from one mischiefe to an other by the barbarous ignorance of all good things both in the State and Church as the wise and vnpassionate reader may obserue in the continuance of the history plainly described But let vs returne from the Empire and sea of Rome to France Wee haue sayd that when Charles the simple was first imprisoned the Queene Ogina his wife had carried her sonne Lewis into England to Aldestan the King her brother She had patiently suffred all during the furious raigne of Raoul the vsurper while the experience of diuers masters did ripen the French-mens discontents to make them wish for their lawfull Lord. After the death of Raoul Aldestan King of England hauing drawne vnto him Willam Duke of Normandie the sonne of Rhou sends a very honorable Ambassage to the States of France intreating them to restore his Nephewe Lewis to his lawfull and hereditary dignity The French wish it so as without any difficulty Lewis the sonne of Charles was called home by the Estates of France whether he was accompanied with a great troupe of English-men and Normans as the shewe of a goodly army which might seeme to force them to that which they willingly yeelded vnto LEWIS the 4. surnamed from beyond the seas 33. kâ—ng LEWES .4 KING OF FRANCE XXXIII 935. LEWIS returnes into France hauing remayned nine yeares or thereaboutes in England surnamed D'outremer or from beyond the seas by reason of his stay there He beganne to raigne in the yeare 935. and raigned 27. yeares A disloyall and vnfortunate Prince hauing made no vse of his afflictions 〈…〉 disloyaâ—â—â—rince vnworthy the bloud of Charlemagne And thus their ruine aduanced by the default of men the which God held back by his patience He fouÌ„d the Estate of his realme like vnto one that returnes to his houâ—e after a long and dangerous nauigation He was receiued with great ioye of all men Those which had beene most opposite vnto him made greatest shewes of faithfull and affectionate seruice to insinuate into his fauour Amongest the rest William Duke of Normandy but especially Hugâ—es the great Maior of the Pallace whome wee haue already noted as the sonne of Robert the chiefe of the said League Hee had imployed all his meanes for the calling home of Lewis into France and at his returne he spared nothing to confirme his authority This was the meanes to â—ay the foundation of a greater authority for his successors They must begin the newe gouernment of this Prince with a wife to haue lawfull issue The Emperours allyance was very needefull Otâ—o heâ—d the â—mperiall dignity being the sonne of Henry the fowler Duke of Saxony â—ewis marrieth one of the Emperors sisters 〈◊〉 â—ather to Hâ—gh Caâ—et marriâ—th an other He had two sisters Heâ—bergue and Auoye King Lewis marrieth the eldest and in signe of brotherly loue he motioned the marriage of the youngest with Hugues the great Lewis had two sonnes by Herbergue Lothaire who succeeded him to the Crowne of France and Charles who shal be Duke of Lorraine and contend for the Crowne but shall loose it Hugues the great was more happy then Lewis for of the yongest hee had Hugh Capet who shall take their place and ascend the royall throne to settle the French Monarchie 937. shaken much in the confusions of these Kings vnworthy to raigne or beare any rule And of the same marriage Hugues had Otho and Henry both Dukes of Bourgongne one after another Behold now vpon the Stage two great and wise personages the King and his Maior whom we may call a second King they striue to circumuent each other the which their actions will discouer but man cannot preuent that on earth
declared capable to gouerne the estate alone be freed from Tutors But oh the weakenes of mans wisedom he did not foresee that his son should be ill gouerned by his Tutors in his minority that the age of 14. should not free him from Tutors and that euen his sonne coming to mans estate should giue more scope to the ambition of his owne vncles more worthily to be called murtherers then tutors then his weakest youth had done He had a Fistula in one arme by the which those ill humors were drawne away which grewe by poison and gaue him great ease when it did run It chanced this Fistula stopt and then his maladie encreased much Charles resoluing by this sharpe alarum to go the common way of all flesh calls for his three Bretheren Lewis Iohn and Philip and hauing recommended his children and subiects vnto them he giues them particular aduise for the gouernment of the Realme leaâ—ing the custody of his sonne and the Regency of the Realme vnto them He died the 16. of September .1380 in the Castle of Beauty seated vpon the Riuer of Marne He commaunded that Oliuer of Clisson should be Constable hauing commended his fidelity and sufficiency and that they should carefully preserue the amity of Germany Thus died Charles the wise wonderfully beloued and lamented of his subiects leauing his Realme in good estate Charles dies after so horrible a desolation And although the confusions passed had wonderfully impouerished the subiects and wasted the Kings Treasor neyther was his raigne free from warre yet did he leaue the Prouinces of his Realme very wealthy and an infinite tresor in his cofers although he had built the Louure S. Germaine in Laye Montargis Creill the Celestures and some other Churches Of such power is good husbandry in this realme as in riches it yeelds not to the treasors of Peru not in â—eâ—tility to any country vnder heauen to subsist amidst so many storms and to be presently restored by good husbandry An example for Princes to imitate and not to despaire in like confusions but to hope for all that may be wished for in the restoring of an estate by paâ—ience and dexteâ—ity vertues proper to our wise Charles A Prince so much the more praise worthy hauing preserued this Estate when it seemed lost His dispositioÌ„ religious wise modest patient stirring and stayed when need required able to entertaine euery man according to his humor hauing by these vertues wonne a great reputation both within and without the Realme and honourable to his posterity as he to haue saued France from shipwracke He loued leaâ—ning and learned men Nicholas Oresme was his schoolemaister whom hee honoured with great preferments He caused the bible to be translated into French imitating S. Lewis I have seene the originall in the Kings lodging at the Louure signed by King Charles and his Brother the Duke of Berry A goodly obseruation of the auntient simplicity of those royall characters I haue likewise seene a Manuscript of the translation made by the commaundement of S. Lewis He delighted in the reading of the holy Scâ—iptuâ—e Phâ—losophy hauing likewise caused the Eâ—hicâ—s and Politicks of Aristotle with many bookes of Tully to be translated into French The fauâ—ut he shewed to learned men stirred vp many good witts who began to draw the Muses from their graues both in France and Italy The History doth paâ—ticulaâ—ly note that he did often vâ—sit his Coâ—rt of Parliament and his chamber of accompts gaue audience vnto sutors read their petâ—tions and heard theâ—r complaints and reasons imploying some dayes of the weeke euen in his greatest affaires to do those fatherly and royall workes of Iustice. He tooke greaâ— delight to aduance his houshold seruants giuing them meanes secretly and without the pâ—iuity of any to instâ—uct their sonnes and to marâ—ie their daughters A testimonâ—e of a good conscience and of a wise man This bond of loyaltie could haue no better foundation then in transpoâ—ting it from the Father to the sonne nor almes be better imploied then from the maister to the seruant Royall vertues and worthy of eternall memory But alas what shal be the successe of this bounty and wisedome The raigne oâ— his sonne Charles shâ—lbe most miserable 〈◊〉 hath done the part of a good Brother of a good master a good Father and a good 〈◊〉 but God the Soueraigne of Kings had limited the euents of his cares To â—each vs 〈◊〉 a notable example That vnlesse the Lord build the house the worke men lâ—bour but â—n vaine if the Lord keepe not the citty the watchman watcâ—eth but in vaine for an eternal maxime of â—â—uernement and state ConsideratioÌ„s worthy to be obserued by Princes Whosoeuer glories let him glory in the Lord. But vertues are noâ— herâ—dâ—â—ie Iohn not very wise begat Charles a wise and happy Prince and he begets a frantâ—ke man vnhappy both in youth and age We may on the other side oppose other considerations very disputable Profit aduised him to marry the heire of Flanders not onely to pacifie that country but also to inlarge his owne dominions adding therevnto that great and rich estate of Flanders from whence so many mischiefes haue sprong to France but his delight made him preferre the fayre before the rich Moreouer the rules of State did not permit him so to aduance his brother making him in a manner equal to himselfe in power the which must needes be the cause of many inconueniences as it after happened The cause of his brother Philip Duke of Bourgongne is ordered by the same rule for who can with reason mislike that Charles giues a portion to his brother by his fathers will and that in the rich marryage of a Prince his vassall and of a neere estate whereby his realme was dayly annoyed he preferres his brother before his capitall enemy But God had reserued the honour to himselfe Bourgongne since Robert the Grandchild of Hugh Capet had beene successiuely in the power of Princes who had alwayes done faithfull seruice to the crowne and now it shal be a scouâ—ge vnto it yet in the ende it shal be vnited vnto the crowne againe and taken from such as had abused it Experience doth teach that in matters of State the ende is not alwayes answerable to the beginning nor the successe to the desseine to the ende that Princes may depend of him who is greater then themselues who hath made them and can marre them without whom they cannot do any thing Behold the life death race raigne and manners of Charles the 5. called the wise But before we enter into the troublesome raigne of Charles the 6. The Estate of the empire Let vs obserue the estate of the Empire and of the Church We haue saide that Charles the sonne of Iohn King of Bohemia had beene chosen Emperour and called Charles the 4. Hee held the Empire 32. yeares beginning in the yeare 1350. So the raignes of Iohn and Charles
realme The King followed accompanied with the Dukes of Berry Bourgongne and Bourbon his Vncles and the Dukes of Lorraine and Bar he lodgeth at Blandelle two leagues from Cassell with an intent to charge the English who presently leaue the seege of Ypre Cassel and Grauelins and retyer to Bergues where Charles presently beseegeth them The English demande a parle with the Duke of Brittain they put him in minde of the benefits he had receiued from their nation Charles makes a truce with the English and demande requitall in this occurrent The Duke of Lancaster remaines at Calais by reason of his weakenesse the English Captaines requier respit to vnderstand his pleasure In the ende the King receiues them vpon honest conditions to depart with bagge and baggage and to leaue Flanders the which they performe Being returned into England they are accused to haue sold the Earldome of Flanders to the French so as by Richards commands they are beheaded The Gantois made a dutifull answere and promised obedience and loyaltie to the King A Truce was concluded for one yeare with the English by meanes of the Duke of Lancaster for King Richard and the Duke of Berry for our King Charles Such was the issue of this sodaine voyage of Flanders being a meanes to settle a businesse of a deeper consultation and more dangerous consequence seeing it concerned not onely the heart but the whole body of the Staâ—e They sought how to suppresse the sedition which was apparently bred in Paris and by their example in many great citties of the Realme To this ende Charles vpon his returne from this voyage stayed at S Denis with his vncles the Constable Chancelour and his whole Councell they were all troubled to resolue in so important a cause for what should they do To punish the poore people â—yred with the warres threatened with losses halfe dead by the feeling of so great calamities that were to beat one lying sicke in his bed for his waywardnesse The King consults what course to take 〈◊〉 the mutineus 〈◊〉 and not to cure him of the paine which is the cause thereof It were a meanes to driue him to dâ—â—paiâ—e to apply a remedye worse then the disease And not to punish them would argue â—eaâ—e and make them grow more proud and insolent a means to animate them to all impuâ—â—ty and to lay the way open to a disordered rebellion But the last aduice preuailed beeing well verified that since the paiment of the sine the Parisiens were growne worse and more bitter hauing had conference with the 〈◊〉 audacious mutines and the right artisans of rebellion holding it a vertue to play the madde men against their naturall Lords and also had so farre abused the Kings bountie as they had presumed to sollicit the best Citties of the Realme to the like disorder It did greatly import for the good of the Kings seruice and of the State that such phrensies should be suppressed by an exemplarie punishment done vpon the chiefe authors Iohn de Marais was verie deepe ingaged in these tumults and the more dangerously for that he cast the stone and withdrewe his arme and making a shewe of seruice to the King he fed the people in these madde humours very torches of sedition vnder a colour of the Common weale for who can beleeue they would put so famous a person to death without some â—ust cause I knowe they write diuersly and euery man hath his iudgement â—râ—e yet is it not true not likely that in pardoning a whole multitude offending they would punish him in whome there were no shewe of offence If hee were not culpable at the least he was accused of that which was the subiect of a publike condemnation Charles being aduised to punish the Parisiens for the insolencies they had comitted in hâ—s pâ—cience caused his armie to lodge about the Cittie and on a certen day he sends for the Prouost of Marchants the Sheriffs who come vnto him to Saint Denis with a countenance full of humility and shewe of amendment The King gaue them to vnderstand by Peter Orgemont his Chanceller that he ment to goe to his Cittie of Paris to punish the rebells and seditions who had not respected his presence The Prouost makes answere That the whole bodie of the Cittie was wonderfully greeued for that which had beene committed by men in despaire worthy to be seuerely punished but the good Cittizens had no comunity with these rascalls and that the whole Citâ—ie was readie to do him faithfull seruice There were many about the King which made all odious that concerned the Parisiens but Charles made them no other answer but that he would be soone at Paris The King enters Paris with his army and doe what reason and the dutie of a good King required He causeth his foreward to march led by the Constable Clisson and the Marâ—shall of Sancerre who seaze vpon the gates the which they found open without any gards The King accompained with the Dukes of Berry Bourgongne and Bourbon with other Lords of his Councell and an infinit number of Noblemen and Gentlemen in great shewe terrible to the people marcheth into the Cittie Being come to Saint Denis gate he causeth the barres to bee beaten downe The Prouost of Marchants the Sheriffs with the chiefe Inhabitants of the Cittie carrying the keys beseech the King to giue them audience hee denyeth them and passeth on to the house of Saint Pol but the army is dispersed throughout all the quarters of the Citty Presently they take away all the chaines and send them to Bois de Vincennes 1385. They search all houses for armes the which are instantly carried to the Louure and the Bastile The Dukes of Berry and Bourgongne with the Prouost and his Archers go throughout the citty causing 300. of the most seditious to be apprehended The next day many heads were stroke off at the Halles amongst the rest that of Iohn de Marais Iohn de Marais a fâ—mous aduocate with many others executed whoÌ„ al men had heard of late discours so eloquently with admiratioÌ„ being held for the Oracle of France These executions were done by fits with such a shewe of grauitie as the seat of Iustice did more terrifie then the executioners arme vpon the scaffold A whole day was spent in these slowe proceedings the citty gates being kept so straitly as no man might issue forth houses and shops were shut vp with so great a silence as if all had beene dead euery man being hidden in his house or else so amazed as he durst not looke into the streets The vniuersity which then was in great credit with the King becommeth sutor for the people and beseecheth him not to include the Innocent with the culpable The King answereth coldly that he would aduise what to do willing them to retyre In the meane time a great Scaffold is made on the highest staire of the Pallace before the great image of Philip
for their deliuery changed the face of our affaires and dismaied the enemies And to conclude by a miraculous meanes gaue a happy successe both to our King and Realme and this was the 〈◊〉 A young Maiden named Ioane of Arâ— borne in a village vppon the Marches of Barre called Domremy neere to Vaucouleurs of the age of eighteene or twenty yeares issued from base parents her father was named Iames of Arc Ioane the virguâ— and her mother Isabell poore Country folkes who had brought her vp to keepe their cattell shee said with great boldnesse That she had a reuelation howe to succour the King how he might be able to chase the English from Orleans and after that to cause the King to bee crowned at Rheims and to put him fully and wholy in possession of his Realme After shee had deliuered this to her Father Mother and their neighbours she presumed to go to the Lord of Baudricourt Prouost of Vaucouleurs she boldly deliuered vnto him after an extraordinary manner all these great misteries as much wished for by all men as not hoped for especially comming from the mouth of a poore country maide whom they might with more reason beleeue to be possessed by some melancholy humour then diuinely inspired beeing the instrument of so many excellent remedies in so desperate a season After the vaine striuings of so great and famous personages At the first he mocked her and reproued her but hauing heard her with more patience and iudging by her temperate discourse and modest countenance that she spake not idlely in the ende he resolues to present her to the King for his discharge So she arriues at Chinon the 6. daye of May attyred like a man The disposition of Ioane She had a modest countenance sweet ciuill and resolute her discourse was temperate resonable and retyred her actions cold shewing great chastity Hauing spoken to the King or Noblemen with whom she was to negociate Shee presently retired to her lodging with an olde woman that guided her without vanitie affectation babling or courtly lightnesse These are the maÌ„ners which the Original attributs vnto her The matter was found ridiculous both by the King and his counsell yet must they make some triall The King takes vpon him the habit of a countriaman to be disguised this maide being brought into the Chamber goes directly to the King in this attire salutes him with so modest a countenance as if shee had beene bred vp in Court all her life They telling her that shee was mistaken shee assured them it was the King although she had neuer seene him She beginnes to deliuer vnto him this new charge which she saies she had receiued from the God of heauen so as shee turned the eyes and mindes of all men vpon her This matter being referred to counsell it was concluded they should take the aduise of diuines They answer that in desperate diseases the prouidence of God doth commonly raise vp extraordinary remedies and imployes women when as men grow faint hearted as in the afflictions of Israell he hath mightily vsed Debora and Abigail The one to teach the people the other to kill a furious tyrant and Iudith which 〈◊〉 that great tyrant in the middest of his army So as necessity which made them to seeke all sorts of remedies caused the King to try if this maide spake trueth but without the hazard of any thing This Ioane holden for a prophetisse by many is reported by Girrard called Lord of Haillin Ioane held to be an impostor or mad and sundâ—y other French writers plainely said to haue bin induced to this imposture by three Noblemen who had incited hir thereto and layed that plot onely to encourage King Charles to battaile dispayring of his state She is armed and sent to Orleans She desires of the Kâ—ng that she may be conducted to Orleans to begin the worke which she said she had in charge A sword remaining in Touraine in a place called S. Katherine of Fierebois was brought vnto her to bee armed therewith They gaue her armes and horse with a sufficient troupe to enter the Citty Lewis of Cullent Admâ—ral of France and Iames of Rieux Marshall had charge to accompany her with some victualls to the besieged and to haue a care that all should bee wisely carried without hazard She prepares her colours being armed at all points she went to take leaue of the King with a grace worthy of a great Captaine Beseeching him to trust in God in whose name she spake Thus she parts from Chinon the 12 of Aprill Now they reckoned the sixt moneth of the siege the â—esieged crie out for hunger This victualing prouided at Blois is conducted by the abâ—ue named commaunâ—â— with great care as well for feare of the English who had their seâ—â—inels 〈◊〉 plâ—ce as for the distrust they had of this new commander She marched in the foremost rank betwixt the Admirall and the Marshall very watchfully carrying the countenaâ—ce of a very resolute personage She victualls and relieues Orleans They arriue with this prouisioÌ„ safely at Orleans the English making no shew of arming although she passed before their forts in viewe of the army yet had they scarce six hundred men in this supply The power of Gods prouidence is admirable in the hearts of men making them to yeeld insensibly to what he hath decreed 1426. This first blow stirred vp the spirits of the French Orleans begins to reioyce at the sight of this maide attired like a man standing vpon the point of yeelding This first releefe was not sufficient for so great a multitude They resolued to fetch more victuals and to that end would returne to Blois But before their departure the Maiden writes this Letter following to the chiefe of the English armie and sends it by a Trumpet I haue truly set it downe out of the originall in the owne proper stile both for the reuerence of antiquitie the noble courage of this Virgin and the truth and state of the subiect King of England doe reason to the King of Heauen for his bloud royall yeeld vp to the Virgin the Keyes of all the good Citties which you haue forced Ioan sends threats to the English She is come from heauen to reclaime the bloud royall and is ready to make a peace if you be ready to doe reason Yeeld therefore and pay what you haue taken King of England I am the chiefe of this warre wheresoeuer I incounter your men in France I will chase them will they or no. If they will obey I will take them to mercie The Virgin comes from the King of heauen to driue you out of France If you will not obey she will cause so great a stirre as the like hath not beene these thousand yeares in France And beleeue certainly that the King of heauen will send her and her good men at armes more force then you can haue Go in Gods name into
great troupes of men O light and inconstant people how easâ—y is it to moue thy affections and to make thee in an instant to applaud that partie which euen now thou diddest abhorre But let vs leaue them in this good humour and see what remedy the King had for these garboyles attending the succors the Duke of Milan sent him Lewis being after the battayle retyred from Corbeil to Paris flatters the peoples humours treates popularly with them erects a priuie Counsell of six Counsellors of the Court sixe Doctors of the Vniuersitie and sixe Burgesses to gouerne his affaires according to their aduice and direction he leaues sixe hundred Lances in Paris vnder the command of the bastard of Armaignac Earle of Cominge of Maister Gilles of Saint Simon Bayliffe of Senlis la Barde Craon Charles of Mares and Charles of Melun his LieutenaÌ„t in the said towne Then he goes into Normandy to assemble al the Nobility and men of warre he could from whence he sent the Earle of Eu to haue the commande of the war and of the Cittie followed with two hundred archers well in order The Earle being arriued he sends the Lord of Rambure to the Leagâ—rs offring to bee a mediator for their discontents vnto his maiestie but it was without effect The King hauing intelligence of the confederats trafficke with the Parisiens knowing that this people doth easily change their affections with the successe and foreseeing that this baâ—te of the commonweale would soone bewitch them displeased also that the Bishop had without his knowledge treated of an accord he hastens his returne accompained with the Earles of Maine and Ponthieure and the forces of Normandie And for the first fruits of loue to his subiects hee confirmed all the priuileges they inioyed in his fathers life he abolished all new impositions and retayned none but the ancient and ordinary farmes of marchandise that is sold by great Meanes to pacifie a people that wauer then did hee punish eyther with banishment or death such as had yeelded to the reception of the heads of the League into the Cittie He doth sharpely blame the Bishop and at the Instigation of the Cardinall of Albi to haue beene a dealer in his absence for his enemies with an inconstant and il-aduised people and hauing prouided for the surety of the Cittie hee prepares to offend and defend The Bourguignoâ— likewise vseth all force great and daylie skirmishes with the Parisiens Lewis his proding at Paris Newe succors to both parties sometimes chasing and sometimes chased And therevpon comes newe supplies to the Leaguers the Dukes of Bourbon and Nemours the Earle of Armaignaâ— and the Lord of Albret notwithstanding the former treaty with about six thousand men On the other side the King receiued from Francis Sforze Duke of Milan fiue hundred men at armes and three thousand foote commanded by Galeas his eldest son with this Counsell of State A Politâ—ck aduice That to diuide this company hee should yeeld to all conditions and onely preserue his men An aduice which Lewis shall cuningly put in practise speedily Thesâ— Milanois were imployed in Bourbonois vntill newes of the peace shall come The Earle thus fortified offers battaile but the King would not hazard any thing desiring to disperse this mistie cloud without effusioÌ„ of bloud And to annoye them of Conâ—â—â—ns Charenton he sends foure thousand frank-archers about foure hundred pioners supported by the Nobility of Normandie and some at armes who plant themselues vpon riuers side right against Conflans at the English port where they make a large and a long trench vnto the Cittie with a bulwark of wood and earth whereon they plant many peeces of artillery the which at the first driues the Duke of Calâ—brâ—a out of Charenton with great losse of his men and an extreame terror to the Earle of Charolois who lodged at Conflans in a house belonging to his Father Two Cannon shot passed through his Camber being at dinner and slewe his trompetor carrying a dish to his table This amazement makes him go downe with speed he fortifies his lodging pierceth the walles and plants a Cannon for a counterbatterie But they must dislodge these frank-archers preuent the losse they receyued from the other side of the water A bridge of boats at Charenson For the effecting of this he obtaines a truce for two dayes in which time he made a bridge of boats The bridge almost finished the franke-archers leaue their trenches carrie away their artillerie and retire to the suburbes into the Carthusians cloister A part of the Bourguignons army passeth the water they enter the suburbes of Saint Marceau and skirmish but with little losse on eyther side Herevpon our Captaines resolue to assaile the enemy in diuers parts A page sent by night giues them intelligence At the breake of day some horsemen charge home to the artillery and kil a Canoniere This was in shewe the effect of the pages aduertissement All arme they make barricadoes and stand firme The artillery thunders the Kings answers them They send forth two hundred horse to discouer who see a troupe issuing forth the Cittie to learne the cause of this tumult and moreouer a great number of Lâ—nces in conceit and so they report that all are come forth in battaile but the daye breaking they proue but thistells So this alarme turnes to laughter In the meane time they treate of peace but the demands of the Confederats were excessiue The Duke of Berry demands Normandie for his portion The Earle of Charolois the Townes of Somme lately redeemed For the better effectâ—ng hereof the two commanders conclude of an enteâ—uiew An enterview of the two heads The King mounts vp the water right against the Bourguignoâ—s armie accompanied with the Lords of Montauban Admirall Nantouillet Du Lau and few others The Earles of Charolois and S. Paul come to receiue him He then offers to giue his Brother the Prouinces of â—rie and Champaigne excepting Meaux Melun and Montereâ—u the which he would not accept He graunts the Charolois his desire disauowes Moruilliers in certaine speeches wherein he saith he had exceeded his charge and for the Earles sake he promiseth to giue the office of Constable to the Earle of S. Paul These entercourses of either side proue lamentable for the King Fatall for the King for besides that the Princes doe daily suborne more of his men then he can draw from them behold Pontoise is deliuered to the Britton by Sorbier commanding there vnder the Marshall Ioâ—câ—â—m and to finish so notable a treacherie he marcheth towards Meulan to the same intent but the inhabitants being aduertised he returnes without effect There growes an other vpâ—ore in Paris the Souldiers vaunt insolently The 〈◊〉 ready to mutine that the Cittizens goods are at their free disposition that they will take the Keyes of their houses from them and for a need will pull the cheines out of their streetes Herevpon the
march vnder their ensignes one bataillon goes towards the riuer the other takes the high way from Neuf-uille to Nancy The Duke of Bourgongne attends them firmely in a place of strength and aduantage hauing before him a litle riuer betwixt two strong hedgrowes nere vnto the hospital of Magonne and at the entry of this gâ—eat hieway where one of the bataillons marched Charles had planted the greatest part of his artillery which thunders vpon the Suisses at their first approch but with smal hurt being far off This battailloÌ„ leaues the hie way mounts vp towards the wood coasting along the dukes army The Duke makes his archers to turne head appointing two wings of men at armes the one led by Iames Galiot a Neapolitaiue an honest man a valiant Captaine The other by the Lord of Lalain lieutenant of Flanders This batailon hauing gotten the aduaÌ„tage on the higher ground stands firme then like vnto a violent streame it fals vpon the Bourguignons armie and with a thundring volle of shot defeates the foote At the same instant the other batailloÌ„ chargeth Galiots squadron who behaued himselfe like a wise and valiant Captaine but the horse seeing the footemen amazed leaue all and flie after The other wing coÌ„manded by Lalain mainteines the fight Charles ouercome and slaine but vnable to withstand the violent shock of the Suisses in the end thy giue way turne towards the bridge of Bridores where was the greatest shew of their men that fled This bridge is halfe a league froÌ„ Nancy towardes Thionuâ—lle Luxembourg Campabasso had stopt the passage so as all such as tookâ— that course were either slaine drowned or taken if any recouered the woods the peasants beate them downe with leuers A chase which continued from noone vntill two houres within night Charles thinking to saue himselfe was ouerthrowne by a troupe of men that followed him discouered by them which the traytor Campobasso had left to obserue him The next day he was found among the dead lying frozen in a ditch well knowne by many of his houshold seruants He had three woundes one with a halbard aboue the eare which cut him to the teeth the second with a pike through both the thighes the third by the fondement René caused him to bee honorably buried in S. Georges Church at Nancy In this battaile there died three thousand Bourguignons and there were taken the Earle of Nassau the Marquis of Rothelin an English Earle Anthonie and Baldouin brethren bastards to the Duke whose ransomes the King did pay and many gentlemen The bootie was small but the victory of Gransson was yet fresh and as they then did sing he lost his goods at Gransson his men at Morat and his life at Nancie Behold this great Nembroth who made himselfe equall with Emperors and yeelded not to the greatest Kings before time the terror of Christendome â—eared by his subiects sought to by his neighbours who had purchased to himselfe the surname of terrible warriour dronke with ambition transported with the desire of an others estate now confounded with his owne greatnesse who with his fall ruines his house Doubtlesse the dayes of mortall man are like to grasse he fades like the flower of the field for the wind passing ouer it it is no more seene nor the place thereof knowne Shame and destruction follow pride at the heeles And who doth not iudge by the effects The causâ—s 〈◊〉 his ruâ—ne that the chieâ—e causes of his ruine were couetousnesse pride and crueltie couetousnesse in that contrary to his honour and faith hee had deliuered the Constable for the gredie desire he had to enioy Saint Quintin Han and Bohain and some mouables Pride in that God hauing raised him to greater dignitie then any of his pâ—edecessors accompanied with many goodly and singular graces yet hee thought that the habitable earth could not prescribe limits to his conquests attributing all to his owne force and not to the power of the Eternall the happie successe of his affaires to his owne iudgement Crueltie for that in the warre of Leege he had bathed himselfe in the bloud of his poore subiects glutting his wrath with that sexe age whom the rigour of warre doth vsually pardon And what shall we say of the right hands hee caused to be cut off of those poore soldiars at Nesle Of the fires wherewith he hath wasted so much couÌ„try Of the Suisseâ— haÌ„ged at Gransson after they had yelded vpon his faith giuen to the contrarie of late had hanged a gentlemaÌ„ being taken in the war He had good parts valiant painful vigâ—lant The disposition of Chaâ—les of Bourgogâ—e desirous to entertaine men of merit liberall but with discretion to the end that many might taste of his bountie He gaue aduice priuatly honoured strangers and receiued Ambassadors with state But since the battaille of Montleâ—erie presuming by his onely valour to haue forced a mightie King to leaue him the field hee conceiued so ouerweening a presumption of himselfe as neuer after would he beleeue any other Counsell but his owne attributing the issue of his enterprises to his owne iudgement industrie with so obstâ—nate a constancie in his vnmeasured desseines as in the end it was his confusion So The voice of the Eternall breaks downe the Cedars yea the Eternal bâ—ates down the Cedars of Libanus God punisheth sinne with the like sinne Galeas Duke of Milan murthered But let vs note the iudgemeÌ„t of God That before Nancy he deliuered the CoÌ„stable before Nancy he was betraied by CaÌ„pobasso And let vs obserue the like in our dayes as we shall see hereafter Eleuen dayes before this battaile Galeas Duke of Milan was murthered in a Church by Andrew of Lampogagno a Milanois who leauing a son very yong left withall many discordes for the gouerment of the Duchie amongst many Noble men one among them called Robert of S. Seuerin neere kinsman to the Duke banished from his house by the stronger factioÌ„ retired himselfe into France hoping to perswade the King to atteÌ„pt something against the state of Milan Lewis taught by former experieÌ„ce that the French haue alwaies lost easily with shame that they had gotten with much paine sweate in Italie would not harken vnto it no nor suffer any succors passe for the reliefe of the FloreÌ„tines being ancient friends allies to the French against whom Pope Sixtus Ferdinand King of Naples made warre 1477. But for that he would not seeme vtterly to abandon them he sent the Lord of Argenton vnto them with some troupes leuied in the State of Mâ—â—an as wee shall shortly see But what doth Francis Duke of Brittaine hauing lost one of the chiefe supporters of his building He sees that of three of the strongest heads of the coÌ„mon weale The practiseâ— of the Duke of Bâ—iâ—taâ—â— two are cut off Charles Duke of Guienne Charles Duke of Bourgongne he knowes ful well that the
on this side the Pyrenâ—e mountaines So as the English seeing that Ferdinand did vse them onely to satisfie his priuat couetousnesse tooke shipping and sayled into England To recouer this vsurped realme the King sent Francis Duke of Longneuille gouernour of â—uienne Charles Duke of Bourbon sonne to Gilbert late Viceroy of Naples Odet of Foix Vicontu of Lautrec Iohn of Chabannes Lord of Palisse Marshall of France Peter of â—errâ—â—l the Lords of Maugiron Lude Barbezicux Turene Escars Ventadour Pompadour and other valiant Captaines and Gascons which hee assembled from all parts But the army being diuided by the dissention of the Duke of Longueuille who as Gouernour of Guienne pretended the commande to belong vnto him and the Duke of â—ourbon vnwilling to yeeld vnto him by reason of his quality proued fruitlesse for the King of Nauarre Thus the realme of Nauarre was inuaded by the Spaniards who remayned master thereof The departure of the English and the enterprise of Nauarre being made frustrate 〈◊〉 affects the affaires of Milan with greater vehemencie whilest that the Castel and that of Cremona held good but the opposition of so many enemies bred many 〈◊〉 There were many hopes to drawe some one of these from this common alli 〈…〉 Bishop of Gurce had courteously giuen eare to a friend of the Cardinall of S. 〈…〉 whome the Queene of France had sent vnto him and held one of his people at 〈…〉 Court to make a motion that the King should bind him selfe to aide the 〈◊〉 against the Venetiâ—nâ— that Charles grand-child to Maximilian should 〈…〉 â—ingâ— yongest daughter to whome he should giue the Duchie of Milan 〈…〉 the King shoâ—ld yeeld vnto them the rights he pretended to the realme of Naples 1513. and that the said Duchy being recouered Cremona and Guiaradadde should be held by the Emperour Moreouer the Veneâ—â—ans were wonderfully grieued at the Popes new treaty with the Emperour which put the King in hope to draw the Venetians vnto him The Arragonois came betweene by a politike stratageme to assure his new Conquest of Nauarre he had sent two Fryers into France it is the Spaniards custome to manage affaires by the meanes of religious persons to make their negâ—tiations the more graue and to colour their policies with more subtilty to treat with the Queene touching a general peace or a priuate betwixt the two Kings The amity of the Suisses did import much But remembring that by their forces Charles the 8. had first troubled the peace of Italy Lewis his successor by meanes thereof had conquered the Estate of Milan recouered Genes and ouerthrew the Venetians that at this present the Pope and other Potentates of Italie payed them annuall pensions to bee receiued into their confederacie They grew obstinate in refusing the Kings alliance whâ—ch he sought by the Lords of Tremouille and Triuulce In the end the King being reiected by the Suisses seekes the Venetians who conclude to make a league with the King according to the capitulations made formerly betwixt them by the which Cremona Guiaradadde should remaine to theÌ„ Robertet Secrettary of the State Triuulâ—e and almost all the chiefe of the Councell approued this league But the perswasions of the Cardinall of S. Seuerin opposite to Triuulce and the Queenes authoriâ—y who desired much the greatnes of her daughter by the foresaid marriage so as sâ—e might remaine with her vntill the consummation thereof made the King and his Councell incline to the Emperours party But discouering that these were but practises of the Emperour to make the King proceed more coldly in his courses he soone gaue it ouer Whilest that armes ceased on all sides the Popes passions encreased He reuiued his desseines against Ferrare Sienne Luques Florence and Genes and as if it had beene in his power to beat all the world at one instant he thrust the King of England into warre in whose fauour he had dispatcht a Bull in the Councell of Lateran whereby the title of most Christian was giuen vnto him and the Realme of France againe abandoned to him that should conquer it But as he deuised of all these things and without doubt of many other more high secâ—â—â—s according to the capacity of his terrible spirit howe great so euer death ended the course of his present toyles the 21. day of February at night Pope Iulius dies A Prince doubtlesse of courage of admirable constancie and most worthy of glory if he had directed his intentions to aduance the Church by peace as hee sought to grow great in temporall things by policies in war Iohn Cardinall of Meâ—icâ—s succeeded â—im and was called Leo .10 The happy memory of his father his lawfull election free from bribes and Sâ—monye his faire conditions his liberality and mildnesse of spirit A new election gaue great hope of the quiet of Christendome Yet soone after his instalment he shewed plainely that he was rather successor of his predecessors hatred and couetous passions then of S. Peter According to the treaty of the aboue named Friers the Kings of France Arragon concluded a truce A truce betwixt â—rance and Arragon whereby our Lewis hauing more liberty to thinke of the warres of Milan resolued to send an army knowing well that the people of that estate oppressed with excessiue taxes leauied to pay the Suisses and with the lodging and payment made to the Spaniards desired earnestly to returne to his obedience And to make this enterprise the more easie the accord propounded before with the Venetians was againe renued so as the Venetians considering that a concord with Maximilian keeping Verona from them was not sufficient to protect them from troubles and dangers and that hardly they should get such an occasion to recouer their estate they binde themselues by Andrew Gritti Peace betwixt the king of Fâ—ance and the Venetians To ayde the King with eight hundred men at armes fifteene hundred light horse and ten thousand foot to recouer Ast Genes and the Duchie of Milan And the King to assist them vntill they had recouered all they had possessed in Lombardie and in the Marquisate of Treuise before the treaty of Cambray The King knew well it were but labour lost to seeke the Pope who desired to haue no Frenchman in Italy Yet the deuotion he had to the Romaine sea made him sue vnto Leo not to hinder him in the recouerie of the aboue named places offering not onely not to paâ—se any further but also at all times to make such peace with him as he pleased But Leâ— â—reading the steps of his Predecessor perswades the King of England to ioyne with the Arragonois in the oppression of France according to the Bull gâ—uen by Iulio he protested to continue in the League made with the Emperour with the Catholicke King and with the Suisses The King thus frustrate of a peace with the Pope A royall army in the Duâ—hie of Milan sends the Lord of Triuulce with fifteene
fetch the Lady Marguerite Daughter to Ferdinand the Archduke of Austria who was brother to the Emperour Maximilian the 2. being fianced or made sure vnto Prince Philip of Spaine The Archduke should conduct her into Spaine to consuÌ„mate her marriage with the sayd Prince and he his with the Infanta both at once the which he did as we shall see hereafter The Archduke before his departure had written letters of the 18. of August vnto the generall Estates of the vnited Prouinces giuing them to vnderstand that he wâ—nt to marry with the Infanta with whom he should haue the Lowe Countries in dowrie The Archdâ—ke writes to the vnited Prouinces being already receiued by most part of the Prouinces for their Lord Prince That he desired nothing more then to plant a good peace in the Lowe Countries And being now apparent that the King was resolued to diuide the said Countries from Spaine thereby to take away all causes of iealousie and distrust he desired the States to call to minde that warre must once haue an end and therefore they should conforme themselues with theÌ„ of Brabant Flanders and giue eare vnto a generall peace to receiue and acknowledge him for their Prince Lord for the effecting wherof he had giuen authority to the generall Estates of his Prouinces whereof he expected their answers There were Letters also from the Prince of Orange the Duke of Arschot Letters from the Prince of Orange to Count Maurice the Marquis of Haure to Count Maurice of the like tenor perswading him to be the instrument of a good peace and to set before his eyes the honour of his house wherevnto he could neuer do better seruice seeing that all the other Prouinces had already acknowledged and receiued the sayd Arch-duke for their Lord c. To all which letters nothing was answered neyther by the States nor by Count Maurice The Emperour seeing the Estate of the Empire in danger appointed a Diet at Raâ—â—sbone A Diet at Ratis â—one sending his brother the Arch-duke Mathias thither accompanied with a number of graue and wise men Hee propounded the iust complaint of the Emperours Maiesty for the great expences he was to make aginst the enemies of Christendome That their attempts were not lesse and their threats increased dayly contynuing theiâ— barbarous cruelty so as he had no more means to make head against him much lesse to giue him battaile That the Estates of the Empire should remember the miseries of Hongary during the raigne of Mathias vnder whom it was lost and that they should prouide least the like calamities should chance for want of succors by means wherof in steed of the holy Christian faith the Turke would settle his cruell and baâ—barouâ— superstitions And that in these following yeares the Estates should furnish him 〈◊〉 twelue thousand foote and 4000. Horse that if the worst should chance the Empire might haue means to mainteine iâ— selfe if they lost a victory or to march on with their forces if they did winne it Martin Bishop of Segobia did likewise make great complaints for the Countries of Stiria Carinthia and Carniola for the which hee demanded present succors The Estates of the Empire hauing consulted some daies decreed to giue succors vnto the Stiriens and to the otâ—er people that bordered vpon the Turke onely for the â—pace of two monthes And for the rest they resolued to giue the Emperour the supply of money which he required Those of Aix la Chapelle had beene in mutiny some yeares before and had expelled the Catholike Magistrate and changed the whole Estate of the Common-weale by reason whereof at the instance of the King of Spaine by his Ambassador the Admiral of Arragon to the Emperour importuning him much to haue it reduced to the former Estate Exâ—cution of the Emperiall sentence agaâ—nst the Towne of 〈◊〉 lying so neere vnto his Countries the Emperour had made a proclamation against them with an interdiction of all succors commanding the Arch-bishop of Treues and the Duke of Iuiliers to force those rebells by armes and to reduce them to their obedience The Inhabitants being amazed seeing also Albert the Arch-duke to enter into their Countrie with his troupes and garrison of Lâ—mbourg they resolued to submit themselues by the meanes of some Senators intreating the Arch-bâ—shop of Cologne by their deputies to mediate their Peace tâ—e wâ—ich was granted them expelliâ—g the Ministers of the Confession of Ausbourg and others of the reformed relâ—gion The whâ—ch was executed the Catholike Magâ—â—â—â—ate restâ—red as bâ—fore About this time the most Christian Kâ—ng sent backe tâ—e Lord of Euzenuall into Hâ—lland to the States to continue his charge of Ambassadâ—r He aâ—sâ—red them thâ—â— as â—â—rre as his Master might preseruing the Peace hee would faâ—oâ—r them promising to repay them the money wherewith they had assisted his Maiesty dâ—â—ing the warres 〈◊〉 â—ecouered from tâ—e Turke Some yeares before the Christians had receiued a sore blowe by the losse of Iauâ—rin which the Turke had taken euen by the disloyaltie of some Christians which had betrayed it This yeare that wound was eased and almost cured by the recouery of the sayd Iauarin the which was surprised in the night by a valiant Captaine called Adolphe Schuartzbourg accompanied with the Barons of Palâ—i and Nadâ—stz two Frenchmen one being the Seigneur of Vaubacour the other called Caâ—iac who had the charge of the Petards with the which they forced a Port. They slue the Sangâ—ac of Iaâ—arin a great number of Turkes Many of them especially women cast themselues into the Riuer so perished There were 300. Ianisaries which shâ—t themselues into a Tower in the which was Powder which they set on fire and so died There happened a strange accident in the Realme of Naples a certaine woman transported with lust The loosenes of a Lady of Naples poisoned her husbaÌ„d called Appian de â—oisy Chancellor of the realme a graue learned reuerend old man abandoning her selfe to one called Talâ—isy an idle perâ—on of no qâ—ality for that she might coÌ„tinue it with more imputiny she poisoned her â—ather Alexander â—uringel a worthy knight in his CouÌ„try for that he would not consent she should marrie with her adulterer She did also poyâ—on her sister with her two Sons And in the end being miserably married to this man she grew iealous and growing bitter one against another in words they accused one another for these murthers so as they were iustly condemned and executed The King of Spaines sicknes beginning in Madril before the resignation which he made of the Low Countries to his daughters Isabella incâ—eased â—aily â—o as about the feast of Saint Iohn Baptist finding his strength to decay and somâ—times afflicted with a feuer by the torment of a gout in his hands as he had alwaies â—ad a great deuotion to his Church of Saint Laurence and a great delight in his Couâ—t of
them to Alba regalis promising the Turkes to deliuer them Shuartzbourg or if he would not trust them they would shew them the meanes to take him in Zolnock whether hee should come to bring their money Scuartzbourg had intelligence thereof yet some of the Traitors inuited him by their letters to come promising to open him the gates being come the kept him and sought to surprise him so as hee was forced to send Captaine Scharpffenstein with the Cannon to force them the 22. of Iune The Traitors receiued carts loden with prouision from the Turkes and deliuered them Christian prisoners which they carried a way to Vesprin and Alba regalis with great treacherie crueltie euery one deliuering vp his Host. In the meane time Michael Marot aduertised Schuartzbourg to come himselfe to beseege Pappa for that the Traitors were at diuision among themselues killing one another Schuartzbourg goes takes one of these trecherous Captaines at a sallie causing him to bee flead aliue and his head to be set on the end of a Pike to stirke terror into the rest They also take a Bastion from them by force by the which they might let in Turkish â—uccors who did all they could to succour them the which they could not effect by reason of the great floâ—ds and the resistance of the Christians The Traitors being famâ—shed and in great want of all things grew desperate desiring rather to die then to yeeld and be executed Among others they make one sallie in the night the last of Iuly and charge Marsbourgs quarter where finding the souldiars dronke they defeated many and put the whole Campe in armes Schuartzbourg a braue and valiant Captaine going to giue order for this tumult was slaine with a shot to the great greef of all the Câ—ristianâ— Schuartzbourg slâ—iâ—e before Pappa Notwithstanding his death the seege was continued the Traitors defended themselues desperately making a sallie the next day carrying many prisoners 〈◊〉 tâ—e Towne with some Captaines and slue three hundred And being perswaded to yeeld they answered that when all their victualls were spent they would eate their prisoners yea and Michael Marot the Gouernor The Emperour giue the charge of this army to Melchior Reder who had brauely defended Vaâ—adin The Traitors seeing they could hould no longer fore-cast how they might 〈◊〉 and the 9. of August they dryed vp a poole which did enuiron Pappa of one side and for that the bottome did sinke they did cast Hardles Strawe and other baggage into it Reder aduertised hereof sends Nadaste the Count Thurin and Colonitz to sâ—rprâ—ze them The Traitors flying had alreadie gotten vnto a wood at the end of the Poole where they ouertooke them and refusing to yeeld some of them were cut in peeces And among others la Motte their Captaine with a hundred more were slaine Their Mediator with the Turkes was taken with many of the chiefe of the Treason In the meane time Marot the Gouernor whom the Traitors had put in prison being freed from his bonds gets forth with others and comes to the Campe. Reder by this meanes enters into Pappa and deliuers the other prisoners At this entry many of the Traytors were slaine some were reserued for execution and were sent to other Garrisons to serue for an example Some were Impaled others broken vpon the Wheele and scorched with a small fire and basted with Lard Diuers punishmâ—nts of Trayâ—ors some had their Bowells pulled out off their Bellies and burnt before their faces and their thighes shoulders and other parts of their Bodies scorched some had their Hearts pulled out aliue others had their throats filled with Sulpher and Pouder and so set on fire some were buried aliue vp to thechinne and ther heads broken with Bullets euery one by order of Martiall Lawe to make them apprehend by the seuerity of their deaths the foulenes of their treason Which diuersity of seuere punishments seeming to tend to cruelty was very necessary to make all Christians abhorre treason The Lords of Sillery and Alincourt by the Popes aduice and the Kings commandement went from Rome to Florence A Treatie of the Kings marriage to treat a marriage betwixt the King and the Noble Princesse Mary of Medieis the which had beene propounded before This demaund was so pleasing vnto the great Duke as he made no difficlulty Her Portion was six hundred thousand Crowns comprehending that which the Great Duke had lent the King of the which he paid himselfe with Iewells and other precious moueables The Contract was past in the Pallace of Pitty the 25. day of Aprill in the presence of Charles Anthony Putei Archbishop of Pisa and Virginiâ— Duke of Bracciano All Florence shewed great ioy thereat and the Princesse was presently declared Queene of France She dyned publikely vnder a cloth of Estate the great Duke sitting farre beneath her The Duke of Bracciano gaue her Water and Sillery the Kings Ambassador the Towell The rest of the day was spent in all kind of sports Soone after Monsieur Alincourt went to carry these good newes vnto the King with the Queenes picture which the great Duchesse sent him The King sent Frontenaâ— The Queenes Picture sent to the King to serue the Qâ—eene as her cheefe Steward who presented vnto her his Maiesties first Letter and withall he sent his Portrait to the great Duke The King resolued to effect the promises of Marriage as soone as the Duke of Sauoy had performed his touching the Restitution or the Exchange of the Marquisate of Salusses and to go to Auignon to receiue the Queene but the Duke was much perplexed what hee should doe After the Duke of Sauoyes departure the King went to passe the Lent at Fontainbleau where there was A Conference at Fontainbleau a great Conference betwixt the Bishop of Eureux and Philip de Mornay Lord of Plessis Marly Gouernour of Saumur Intendent of the house and Crowne of Nauarre in the presence of the King Princes and Officers of his Crowne Councellors of State Prelats and other Noblemen of marke It was touching a booke which Monsier du Plessis had published of the Institution of the Lords Supper and against the Masse wherein the Bishop did taxe him to haue falsified many Authorities Whervpon du Plessis presented a Petition vnto the King that his Maiesty would be pleased to appoint Commisioners to examine euery passage of Scripture cited in his booke The King yeelded to this Conference that the trueth might be made cleare against the darknesse of sâ—ander referring the care thereof to his Chancellor The Commissionars appointed for the Catholiks were Augustin Thuanus President of the Court Parliament at Paris Pithou Aduocate in the Court and Fieure Schoolemaister to the Prince of Condé in whose absence came Martin the Kings Phisition And for the other the President of Calignon Chancellor of Nauarre in whose place entred de Fresnes Gauaye President of the Chamber of Languedoe and Casaubon his Maiesties Reader
vnto God Lord come not neere mee vntill I bee fortefied I must confesse that I feare your Countenance hauing admitted such men to accuse me seeing that your Maiesty demands my Iustification the which hath retayned me not that my coÌ„science doth accuse me of any fault that is worthy of such an examination Seeing it doth import your seruice it is requisit I should satisfie your Maiesty your Realme mine Honor and free them of my Relligion from the scandal which they should receiue if my crime were not punished mine Innocency known For the attayning wherof I assure my â—elfe that your Maiesty would not depriue me of the liberty which all your subiects of the Relligion enioye and the rather for that no Iudges can be more interessed in these affaires seeing the question is of the decaye of your Realme to augment that of Spaine where-in all your subiects haue one coÌ„mon losse but those of the Relligion whereof the Chambers do consist haue a more particular the which they esteeme more deare then their liues which is the losse of their exercise They will therefore bee seuere Iudges rather then milde If they shall finde mee guiltie they will hate me more then any other from whom they did least expect it I most humbly therefore beseech your Maiestie to send my Accusers Accusations thinking the imputation which is layd vpon me heauie the time tedious vntill your Maiestie may be fully satisfied of mine Innocencie for the speedy effecting wherof I will attend at Castres the Iustification of my fault or Innocencie Iudging that the time which I should haue spent in going to your Maieâ—â—ie would haue but prolonged the affliction of my Soule remayning accused seeing that your Maieâ—â—ie was to send mee backe to the Chambers to condemne or obsolue me being the Iudges which your Edict hath giuen me That it would therefore please you to releeue my minde speedily in giuing mee the meanes to make my Innocencie knowne and that by this proofe you may rest assured of my faithfâ—ll seruice and I of your fauour the which shal bee aboue all things desired of your most Humble most Obedient and most Faithfull Subiect and Seruant Henry de la Toure The King caused the Prince of Ginuille to be coÌ„mitted to the Duke of Guise his brother Sillery examined him very carefully The Prince of Ginuilâ—â— committed his Maiestie relying vpon his wisedome and integrity He aduertised the Gouernours of Prouinces why he did it vsing these words I haue committed my Nephew the Prince of Ginuille vnto my Nephew the Duke of Guise his brother for that he had rashly and indiscreetly giuen eare to certaine propositions that were made vnto him against my seruice I will hold him in the same gard vntil that matters be made plaine But I assure my selfe it concernes him only wherein those of his house haue no share neither is there any one named or coÌ„prehended with him whereof I thought good to aduertise you The King hauing since bin satisfied of the truth he returned againe into fauour Humbert de la Tour Daulphiâ— giues Daulphiné to the fiâ—st sonnâ— oâ— Fâ—ance There came 15. or 16. Deputies out of Daulphiné to Paris This Prouince was giuen to the Crowne of France by Humbert Prince of Daulphiné vpon condition that the Kings eldest Son the presumptiue heire of the Crowne should be soueraigne thereof from his birth Hauing made great ioy for this blessing and to see that which they had not seene since King Charles the 8 they made choise of some out of the three Estates of the Country to go performe their first duties of subiection to know their Soueraigne Lord. Ierosme of Villards Archbishop of Vienne was the cheefe of this Ambassage the which he gouerned and ended happely and with honor Hauing done their duties to the King and Queene and let them vnderstand the charge which he had from the States of the Countrie with the other Deputies hee was led to S. Germans to see their new Prince who was vnder a cloth of Estate in his Cradle vpon a little bed The Archbishop of Viâ—nnes speeâ—h to the Daulphin The Count Soissons Gouernour and Lieutenant generall of Daulphiné his Gouernesse and his Nurse were by him The Archbishop of Vienne spake vnto him standing al the rest kneeled of one knee The substance of which speech was That the ioy of France had beene infinite by his birth foreseeing that her felicitie should be imperfect without it and that the blessing of Peace could not continue without his Birth who should bee the death of all pretexts of Ciuill warres but your Prouince of Daulphiné hath farre greater cause of Ioy â—or that it feeles in effect that which the rest of the Realme hath but in hope Those which haue beleeued that felicitie could not be in the infancie of a Child Children cannot beâ— tâ—rmed happy seeing it requires a continuance of years and a constant knowledge of virtue and fortune ment it not by Kings Children and aboue all of the first borne of the Crowne of France at whose first birth wee see all the fauours raigne vpon his head the which Heauen can powre vpon them whome it will make happie The same day my Lord that you saw the light the Sunn did salute you a great Prince and the Sonne of a great King you are borne our Soueraigne Lord and wee are become your faithfull vasâ—alls and most humble Subiects so as this Prouince which amidest so many afflictions hath sighed aboue a hundred yeares for the day when it should see borne that sacred bud of the Royall flowre houlds it the greatest point of glorie and felicitie not to know any power more absolute and soueraigne then yours and to obey you before that you know what it is to command This Cradle my Lord about the which the Eternall Prouidence which hath a speciall care ouer this Realme and hath appointed his Angells for your grad is the Throne wherein wee adore in your lyuing Image the inuisible Maiestie of the liuing God The rocking of this Cradle hath setled the filicitie of France which began to bee shaken by furious and dangerous attempts both without and within It is an extreme greefe vnto vs that the lawe of this Cradle will not suffer vs to heaâ—e you make vs so happie as to vnderstand you And if you vnderstand not but by the LaÌ„guage of InfaÌ„ts which be Tears you shal knowe the affection of your peoples Harts by the tears of Ioy which fall from their eyes praising God that it hath pleased him to giue them a Prince issued from the first Crowne of the world who carries in his Heart the generosity of his Father and in his eyes the sweetnes of the Mother A Prince which in greatnes of courrage and in reputation of braue and immorâ—al Actions shall exceed the glory of all the Princes of the Land and Sea as the Daulphin in lightnes and swiftnes passeth
A GENERAL INVENTORIE OF THE HISTORY OF FRANCE From the beginning of that MONARCHIE vnto the Treatie of VERVINS in the yeare 1598. Written by IHON DE SERRES And continued vnto these Times out off the best Authors which haue written of that Subiect Translated out of FRENCH into ENGLISH by EDWARD GRIMESTON Gentleman HENRY·IIII·KING OF FRANC ' AND NAVAR · · Imprinted at LONDON by GEORGE ELD 1607. TO THE RIGHT NOBLE AND MOST WORTHY OF ALL HONOVRS AND ALL TITLES THOMAS EARLE OF SVFFOLKE ROBERT EARLE OF SALISBVRIE MY MOST HONOVRED LORDS I dare not so much trespasse against the publicke as after the solemne and tedious manner of Epistling to vsurpe your time with a barren Preface it is my gaine if I be but heard to say I dedicate my selfe in which I vnderstand my vtmost abilities and of those doe here offer vnto your Lordships a small part being rather the redemption of my life from the note of idlenesse then any fruitfull course of liuing For being after some yeares expence in France for the publike seruice of the State retired to my priuate and domesticke cares it was yet my couetousnesse to winne so much vpon them as the leisure of Translation to this generall Historie of France written by Iohn de Serres an Author whom aboue mine own particular knowledge of this subiect I haue heard vniuersally esteemed for the most faithful and free from affection that euer toucht at that Argument able to teach the vnlearned to delight the learned and draw to him as many Commenders as Readers The Maiesty Graces and Strength of whose worke if I in my traduction haue any way vnsinewed or defâ—rmed I confesse a sinne against his graue yet in my consecration of him to your Lordships I haue made him plenarie satisfaction which presumption of mine though he may glorie in I haue no other meane to expiate but by naked professing my selfe to both your Honours bound in all obligation of dutie seruice no lesse then your selues are each to other in the faith of loue freindship For which sacred respect I haue thus prefixed you joyned in the face of my Altar where I omit to speake more of your mutuall and knowne merites except I had volumes to fill not pages and desire onely that where I am studious to be gratefull I may not deserue to offend Your Lordships deuoted in all dutie and seruice EDVVARD GRIMESTON To the Reader I Could not Courteous Reader neglect an vsuall complement in the publishing of this worke to recommend the worthines of the Author and to excuse my weakenesse To free my selfe from the imputation of Idlenesse I vndertooke the Translation of this Historie of France and to giue some content vnto such as either by their trauell abroad or by their industrie at home haue not attained vnto the knowledge of the Tongue to read it in the originall Where you may see the sundry Battailes woon by our Kings of England against the French and the worthie exploits of the English during their warres with France whereby you may bee incited to the like resolutions vpon the like occasions I doubt not but those which haue conuersed most familiarly with the Histories of France will concurre in that generall approbation of his writing to be as freâ— from affection and passion as any one that euer treated of this subiect He hath digested into one Worke whatsoeuer hath beene written by many touching the French History since the beginning of their Monarchie And if he hath not dilated at large the great attempts of Strangers in France employed eyther for their Kings or against them he is not therefore to be blamed nor to be held partiall for that the subiest whereof he treats being great the time long and his style short and succinct he had vowed to note euery accident of State and Warre briefely and truely Besides you must consider that he was a Frenchman and although hee would not altogether smother and conceale those things which might any way eclipse the glory of his Nation least he should be taxed to haue fayled in these two excellent vertues required in an Historiographer Truth and Integritie without passion yet happily he hath reported them as sparingly as he could The History of Iohn de Serres ends with the Treatie at Ueruins betwixt France and Spaine in the yeare 1598. I haue been importuned to make the History perfect and to continue it vnto these times whervnto I haue added for your better satisfaction what I could extract out of Peter Mathew and other late writers touching this subiect Some perchance will challenge me of indiscretion that I haue not translated Peter Mathew onely being reputed so eloquent and learned a Writer To them I answere first That I found many things written by him that were not fit to be inserted and some things belonging vnto the Historie related by others whereof he makes no mention Secondly his style is so full and his discourse so copious as the worke would haue held no proportion for that this last addition of seuen yeares must haue exceeded halfe Serres Historie Which considerations haue made me to draw forth what I thought most materiall for the subiect and to leaue the rest as vnnecessarie But now I come to my last though not my least care how this my labour shall be accepted the which must vndergoe the censure of all humors Some I doubt not regarding the content and profit they may reape thereby will allow of mine endeauors though others do but prie into it with a curious eye to note what is defectiue obseruing more the elegancie and choise of words then the worthinesse of the Historie But let me intreat as much kindnesse of these curious Surueyors as a graue Senatour of Rome did of one of his companions who had found him playing in his garden with his yong sonne The Father somewhat abashed to see himselfe so surprised requested his fellow Senatour not to publish his folly vntill he had a yong Sonne Euen so I intreat them not to detract nor to maligne that which is well meant vntill they haue produced the like Concluding with the Poet Carpere vel noli nostra vel ede tua I must craue your patience in regard of the Presse intreating you to supply with your iudicious reading such errors as you shall find committed For that I my selfe could not attend it being drawne away about other imployments And so referring all to your kind acceptance I rest Yours Edward Grimestone IOHN DE SERRES TOVCHING THE VSE of this his Inuentorie AS an Historie is the Theater of mans life whereby all may learne one common lesson The generalâ— vse of Histories by the goodly examples she represents vnto their eyes eares and vndeâ—standings Euen so she inuites all men to view heare and to conceiue them well what language soeuer she speakes what subiect she 〈◊〉 of what time shee notes and what person soeuer shee represents Thus offring her selfe to all with this
excellent vse she deâ—erues rustly to bee imbraced Experience verifying the testimonie which Antiquitie doth giue her That shee is the Misâ—resse of Mans Life the Testimonie of Trueth the Recorder of Iusticâ— the resplendâ—â—t Beames of Vertue the Register of Honour the Trumpet of Fame the Examiner of Actions the Comptrouler of all Times the Rendez-vous of diuerse Euents the Schoole of Good and Euill and the Soueraigne Iudge of all Men and all Actions This praise is common to all Histories But as in a generall action euery one ought to haue a more speciall care of that which concernes his dutie So in the generall Historie of all Nations euery man is bound to be more perticularly informed of that which toucheth himselfe and instructed in the managing of the State vnder which he is borne By reason whereof I haue alwaies held the complaint of Thucidides one of the chiefe Architects of a History very considerable That it was a great shame for Grecians to be Strangers in Greece when as busying themselues in forreine Histories they were ignorant of their owne May we not in like sort say That it was a great shame that French-men should be strangers in France for why should the ignorance of our Historie bee more excusable in vs then of theirs in them Doubtlesse we often seeke for that a farre off which is neere vnto vs at home The partieâ— leâ— vse of thâ— Hâ—storie of France I commend the diligence of our men in searching out of forrâ—ine Histories But if it may be lawfull to speake of this Subiect as one of the common sort I dare say there is no Nation vnder the cope of Heauen without flattering my selfe with the loue of my Countrie since Man was borne that hath more admirable matters or more worthy euents in euery kinde and by consequence a History more memorable then ours of France Bee it for the forme of Gouernment there was neuer Kingdome nor Common-weale established with goodlier lawes then our Monarchie It is the true patterne of a perfect estate such as the wise Politicians in former times vsed to discourse off in their Academie A â—oueraigne Commander with Authoritie absolutely â—oueraigne but fortified with a power so well qualified with the Counterpoise of inferiour offices that we may rightly call the French Monarchie a mixture of all the lawfull gouernments of a Common-weale by a well gouerned proportion if the lawes prescribed be well obserued the which I haue 〈◊〉 that end planted in the front of this building Bee it for the greatnesse and stâ—ength of the State although I know well that the foure Monarchies which commâ—nded ouer Nations had larger dominions then the French yet was there neuer any Empire better vnited better grounded nor of longer continuance more 〈◊〉 for the beautie and bountie of the Land scituation of the Country Riches of the people and excellencie of wittes eyther in Peace or Warre As for the greatnesse of her Prouinces what is the French Monarchie but diuerse kingdomes vnited in one and sundry Crownes annexed to one But herein it excels the rest that although they all in generall hold as it were of the Church yet ours hath herein a speciall priuiledge hauing diuerted from Europe that great deluge of Infidels which 〈◊〉 all Christendome with Shipwracke To conclude it yeelds to no Monarchie whatsoeuer neither needs it any thing but good husbandrie As for worthy men which be a liuing law and as it were the soule of an Estate is there any nation whatsoeuer that can shew so many excellent personages yea and Kings as France may There is no Vanitie more vaine nor more vnworthy of a free minde making profession of an Historie wholy vowed to truth then flatterie But the most strictest Areopagite that euer was cannot deny but ouâ— Monarchie may produce as many excellent Kings and Princes as any other whatsoeuer The three Races haue made shew in diuerse times But the third had the continuance of a more temperate season for the estabâ—â—shing of an Estate Let iudgement bee made by an vnpassionate tryall of their Reignes and Actions to set downe Kings beautified with sundry graces as necessitie required Valiant in Warre Wise for Counsell Resolute in Aduersitie Milde to pardon faults when as Forgetfulnesse was necessary for the good of the State and the quiet of the Realme What shall wee say of great and worthy Euents such as may chance to Man being good or euill Hath any Historie more rare Examples then ours eyther ordinarie in the common sufferance of Prosperitie or Aduersitie or extraordinarie in the greatest and most â—ragicall rare accidents that may bee noted in any other Nation there was neuer State reduced into greater difficulties both within and without the Realme and not subuerted And in these extreame dangers what valiant Resolutions Truly our History sets downe in diuerse Reignes the Courage and Constancie of diuerse Kings and People in shew conquered in effect Conquerors in that they neuer dispaired of the Common-weale in the middest of their dispaire what loue of Kings to their Subiects and of Subiects to their Kings in common calamitie Our Historie is full of these Examples and of all things else considerable in the societie of Man eyther in Warre or Peace and which depends vpon their vertues which held the Helme of this great Barke Excellencies remarkable in the miraculous consâ—ruation of thiâ— State But as wee cannot hide nor depriue of their due praise those goodly lights which shine in diuers parts of our History by the many examples of Valour Equity Wisdome Magnanimity Modesty Dexterity and other Excelleâ—â— Vertues of our Kings so to iudge thereof soundly wee must flye to the Father of lights who vsing these great and worthy personages for the building preseruation or increase of this Monarchie hath inriched them with great and preâ—ious graces that acknowledging him the Author aswell of all these Vertues as of the happy succâ—â—â—e of things managed by them we may learne to yeeld him Homage for the Preseruation Continuance and Increase of this great Estate The negligence of our Kings hath too often brought our Royall Diadem into danger whereof they made themselues vnworthy making it weake and contemptible in their persons who by their basenesse and chiâ—dâ—sh gouernment suffered their Seruants to command absolutely The Kingdome hath beene as it were dismembred by the diuision of â—oyall commands And by this meanes Brothers deuided by strange and selfe-wild discentions haue abandoned all to spoyle and from these domesticall diuisitions haue sprung ciuill Warres amâ—ddest the which the Inferiours fishing in a troubled Water freed themselues and opposing against their Soueraigne became petty Kings Wee haue seene their rage extend faâ—ther attempting against the Kings person imprisoning him forcing him to quit his Crowne and in the end reducing him to that extremity as to dye desperaâ—ely seeing himselfe so outragiously dealt withall Wee haue seene Kings pâ—isoâ—ers in their enemies hands and abandoned by their Subiects Kings
besieged in their houses We haue seene a poore young man appointed to guide a Ship during the fury of a storme without Helme without Maste without Sayles and without Oares beaten without by the Tempests and within by the Saylers Seized on in his Cabin by madde men imbrued with the bloud of his most trusty Seruants murthered before his eyes yea euen in his bosome Wee haue seene the Crowne of Kings in their minorities set to sale by their Tutors who became murtherers and of Regents Theeues making themselues Kings We haue seene a King in his non-age become madde gouerned by the passions of Men and Women holding the chiefe degrees in state which did striue to ruine it with in-bâ—ed Factions Rages and populer Tumults by tragicall Massacres and furious Hostilitie Wee haue seene amidst these Combustions the Stranger not onely awaked at this brute but also Armed entred within the Realme and lodged within the bowels of the goodlyest Prouinces And which is more installed in the Kings Authoritie by the Edict of a lawfull King seated in the royall throne hauing the Crowne on his head with the Scepter and Purse in his hand and a Daughter of France in his bedde for a gage of this vniust pretension a Sonne to warrant his possession with the force and obedience of the Capitall Citty and the first Princes of the bloud armed with Power and Counsell to countenance these horrible confusions Amiddest these ruinous disorders of our Countrie who hath preserued the Realme of France but hee that with one and the same hand hath made both the lawe and the King of France O my Countrymen it is to you to whome your History is directed hauing the chiefe interest in the estate of our Mother although Strangers are forced to admire it But what Our Ancestors haue seene all these things specified here and represented in particuler in the discourse I now offer vnto you But I beseech you what haue wee seene with our owne eyes within these thirtye and fiue yeares haue wee felt lesse miserie or tryed weaker Remedies What were our troubles and to what extremitie were wee brought vnto of late yeares By the conference of our Historie with our Ancestors ours serues as a Comentarie for the well vnderstanding thereof yet can wee not denie but our age hath seene things farre more extraordinary and miraculous So as wee may say That wee haue liued in a time of myracles Without doubt our posterity will admire in particuler the Historie of our time as the rarest part of the whole body wee that haue seene it should often belye our Eares and Eyes in reading or hearing it when shee shall appeare in publâ—ck to put vs in minde of that whereof wee were Eye witnesses and therefore witnesses aboue all exception But euery thing must bee done in order and time Behold the first part of my enterprise which it behooues you to looke vnto SHALL IT then bee in vaine The speciall vse of thâ—â— Historie and without any fruite it is not my intention if the end of euery commendable enterprise be the VSE Shall wee thinke that the knowledge of our Ancient Estate is vnprofitable and in a time when as wee haue so great need of consolation Truly in the continuance of our long calamitie wee must needs bee oppressed with a troublesome care But in feeling the paine why seeke wee not the remedie If wee often apply the example to things wee do eyther without lawe or against the lawe how much more should it auaile vs being ioyned with reason An Example rightly represented in the Historie of our Ancestors serues vs now as a good guide to comfort vs when as the like misery is common to vs and them And if it please God to make vs like in condâ—tion what reason haue wee to complaine At the least wee may therein obserue that not at this time alone France is afflicted and hath shewed her indiscâ—etion So likewise by the same reason it is not now alone that shee hath felt the succours of her Protector who preserues her amends her follyes and repaires her defects without this pâ—otecting hand shee had long since perished What shall wee then say truely wee were much too blame to accuse our Fathers and seeke to excuse our selues of the like or greater errors our waywardnesse were not pardonable if our hearts should faint in these difficulties seeing that wee learne in the same Historie that our Fathers haue deliuered from the liâ—e afflictions It is therefore a speciall vse of this History to cast our eyes vpon the condition of our Predecessors to mollifie our languishings as a necessary symptome of our inciuill warres which like a continuall feauer hath suckt euen to the marrowe all the vigour of this Estate and hath not yet left it We must accuse our impatience and nicenesse if we shall complaine to haue been worse intreated then our fore-fathers seeing wee obserue in them the like afflictions Experience layes goodly grounds to reason this certaine experience ingenders in our hearts hope of future things without confusion or deceit Do wee not then reape excellent fruites of this Historie if by the deliuerance of our Fathers wee conclude and hope for ours but in such sort and at such times as the wise prouidence of God hath appointed which ordinance neither Enemies can hinder not Friends aduâ—nce and therefâ—re the direction of this truth doth teach vs to saile in this Sea euery one as hee ought according to his degree expecting a happy harbor by the bountie and wisdome of him that rules the waues of humane confusions as the soueraigne Iudge holding in his hands both the hearts of Men the euents of Things Do we greeue at our long troubles let vs read the â—eignes of Iohn Charles the fiâ—t Charles the sixt and Charles the seuenth of our late losâ—es Let vs read the reigne of Philip of Valâ—is and wee shall see that the losse of the same Cittie was deerer to him then to vs. As wee may neuer dissemble our losses so iâ— there a time to loose and a time to gaine if in our houses in the Countrie or Citty all things succeed not as wee desire who can with reason require alwaies the like successe in a State To conclude it to flatter the disease be no meanes to cure it or to compaire without remedie seeing that choller and despaire brings no helpe to the diseased let vs rather seeke for remedy then increase the disease by a bootlesse complaint If we wish for peace abroad let vs lodge it first in our hearts at home This inward peace shall be a good warrant for the generall but wee are very sick if we thinke by waywardnesse and furie to cure the disease If then wee seeke any sound cure for our griefes the Apothecaries shop is open behold some preparatiues But what is that in regard of the serious reading of the Historie it selfe as necessary at this day for French-men as necessity doth
of a very renowned people who might both hurt and helpe by their multitudes and their valour of theiâ— Armes The style of this desseine which I haue vndertaken doth only note the thing for your vnderstanding without spending time in longer proofes This Apprentiship of the FRENCH by their many voyages into Gaule contynued a hundred and thirtie yeares for so much it was from Gallienus to Honorius vnder whome they began to sett footing into Gaule vpon this occasion Those of the Citty of Treues tyred with the Tyranie of the Romaines were infinitely grieued that Lucius their Gouernour a Romaine had by force taken the wife of a notable Cittizen This excesse ministred a subiect to call the French-men to their ayde who expelled the Romaines seased quietly on the Citty with the consent of the Inhabitants and so proceeding in their conquest they possessed their neighbour Countries and in time became Maisters of all that lyes beyond the Riuers of Escaut and Some and in the end hauing woone Paris and the territories about they gaue their name to the conquered Country I doe briefely touch what shall be represented in particular in euery place and sett downe truelie the originall of the FRENCH in this Realme PHARAMOND layd the first stone in the buylding of this estate CLODION followed in this desseine MEROVE made it appeare aboue ground in a more goodly forme hauing purchased credit among the Gaules both by his valour and the happy succeesse of his Armes CLOVIS adding the profession of Christ to his Predecessors valour and his owne did so winne the hartes of the Gaules who were for the most part Christians as by their hearts he got their voluntary obedience and the assured possession of these newe Conquestes Two nations vnited in one by the Conquerour giuing lawe to the Conquered with so wise and mylde a discretion as they held him worthy of this Alliance and Name â—nd the fruite of this mariage was to happy as the nâ—we name of FRANCE was generally receiued in Gaule Thus this newe estate increased dayly in thâ— râ—ce of PHARAMOND by diuers occurrentes during the space of three hunâ—â—â—d yeares But iâ— was much more augmented by the famous race of PEPIN And â—â—d the Author of all good order in mankind giuing him to Sonne CHARLEMAIGNE to preuent the ruine of the Empire inriched him with singular graces and confirmed in him that great authoritie and power of the King of FRANCE and Emperour of ROME which greatnesse God would make profitable to all Christendome But his race Inheritor of these great honours did not inherite his valour and happinesse hauing scâ—rce continued 237. yeares but degenerating from his vertues they lost both Authoritie and Crowne so much augmented and beautified by him and CHARLES MAâ—TELL So this second race vnworthy of the blood and name of their Grandfathers was spoyled of their Kingdome by their negligence But God the Guardian of Monarchies who changing the persons would preserue the State râ—â—sed vp HVGH CAPET a wise and modest Prince arming him with wisedome and dexteritie fitt for the preseruation of his Crowne accompanying his Armes with lawe and his royall authoritie with well gouerned Iustice. It is to HVGH CAPET that the Realme of FRANCE standes most indâ—â—ted for the establishment of those goodly Ordinances by the which together with the vallour and fidelitie of the FRENCH this great Monarchy halfe withstood the stormes of so many ages and maintaines euen vnto this day the lawfull heire in the same race for the space of fiue hundred and thirtie yeares So as gathering the summe of all these yeares they reckon from PHARAMOND to HENRY the fourth that now Raignes 1175. yeares This is the Plot or desseigne of the whole History of France the which being thus laid before we raise this great building in euery part according to the true measâ—res and iust proportions let vs make a Diagramme as a liuely figure which may conteine nakedly and without circumstance the names of our Kings according to the order of these three royall Races To the which we will adde a particuler Chronologie The order forme of thâ—â— Inuentorie which shall be proued by the discourse of our Inuentorie I haue distinguished it into three parts according to the order of the three royall Races In the front of euery part I note the names of Kings and the time they haue reigned that at my first entrance you may obserue all that is represented in this pâ—rticuler discourse wherein the wise Reader that shall take the paines to conferre this modell with the whole Historie will iudge that I haue omitted nothing that may concerne the subâ—ect of the History with all principall circumstances to the end the truth in this short simple and vnseemly weed appointed for euery day may serue aswell as that which the Learned and eloquent writers shew forth in open Theaters at Festiuall times To Actions carefully described I adde sometimes my Iudgement for the vse of the History examined by the Maximes of State To actions I say generally aduowed as for the rest I leaue them â—emembring that I am a Witnesse and no Iudge to do seruicâ— to such as could not see the Originals I note in the beginning the Elections the Birthes Liues Aduentures Intents Desseignes Maners and Complections of our Kings the Motiues Actions Alterations Crosses Issues and Successe of their affaires both in Warre and Peace their Enterprises taking of Citties and Countries Battels Encounters Victories Ouerâ—hrowes Aduantages Disaduantages and other things remarkeable in State Finally I obserue their ends in their death as the Catastrophe of their Life and closing vp of their Reigne But to make this disâ—ourse more proportionable for the knowledge of our Monarchie it was necessary to explaine it by that which hath chanced of most import in forreine Estates especially in the Church Empire the most famous Theatâ—rs of the world by reason wherof I haue added a most carefull Collation of the one and the other with our Realme I intreate the wise Reader to way with iudgement what I shall report concerning matters most subiect to comptroule as those of the Church I doubt not but that hee shall finde that I haue conteined my selfe within the limits of State talking nothing of Religion nor medling with the diuerse humors of this age I haue onely treated of the politique gouernment of Rome with as much modesty as the subiect would permit I know likewise that making profession to write a History no man will wish mee eyther to disguise or to conceale the truth the which will warrant it selfe and free me from reproche in making knowne to iudicious and modest wits that I haue no other passion but my duty whereof I can giue no better proofe theÌ„ in iustifying my discourse with the Original if there appeare any difficulty I protest I haue only had a true desire to serue the publique whose profit is the only scope of my labours As for the Computations
as they be very necessary for the well vnderstanding of the History which is the Register of times so hath it much troubled me being altogether neglâ—cted by the most ancient Writers borne in the first obscure ages The learned which haue happily handled this subiect before me finding plainly this notable difficultie haue held it expedient to make litle or no accompt to obserue the dates which was iâ— my conceipt vnder correction be it spoken to cut the knot a sunder insteed of vnloosing it But it hath made me more carefully to labour in this search â—o finde out some meanes amidst these extremities And therefore I haue distinguished the most nâ—table chaâ—ges not onely from one Race to another but in the Races themselues placing the dates iâ— the â—ront of the whole discourse as a Boundston to limit the Lands Moreouer I haue faithfully collected in grosse the yeares of euery reigne and haue deuided them as I thought most likely by the continuance of publike and priuate actions It is all I could do iâ— the most ancient reignes being vnable to deuine further but in those that approach neerer to our age the Reader shall see the vniting of things from yeare to yeare by degrees whereby he may marâ—lâ—e plaâ—nly in so goodly a light without any confusioâ—â— The Diagâ—â—mmes shall supply the particuler default of times which we cannot otherwise distinguish But let vs first see the whole patterne of our Monarchie without â—â—y câ—lour or fâ—â—â—â—ish whatsoeuer A generall Diagramme WHich notes onely the names of the Kings of France according to the order and succession of three Races from Pharamond the first King vnto Henry the 4. King of France and of Nauarre now raigning in number three score and three The first Race called Merouingiens in number twenty and two Kings 1. Pharamond 2. Clodion or Cloion the hayrie 3. Merouee Who vpon the foundation laid by his Ancestors of this Monarchie made the building appeare more resplendent and beautifull 4. Chilperic the first 5. Clouis the Great the first Christian King and the first of that name 6. Childebert the first 7. Clotaire the first 8. Cherebert 9. Chilperick the second 10. Clotaire the second 11. Dagobert the first 12. Clouis the second 13. Clotaire the third 14. Childeric or Chilperic the third 15. Theodoric or Thierry the first 16. Clouis the third 17. Childebert the second 18. Dagobert the second 19. Chilperic or Childeric the fourth 20. Thierry the second 21. Chilperic or Childeric the fift 22. Charles Martel Maior of the Palace in name but King in effect hauing layde the foundation of the royall Authoritie to his posteritie and so reckoned among the Kings the two and twentie The second Race of Carlouingiens or Carlees of Charles Martell or of Charlomaigne in number 13. Kings 23. Pepin the short or the briefe sonne of Martell 24. Charlemaigne King and Emperor hauing drawne the Empire of the West into France 25. Lewis the gentle King and Emperor his sonne first of that name 26. Charles the first called the bald King and Emperor his sonne 27. Lewis the second called the lisping King and Emperor his sonne 28. Lewis the 3. and Carloman basâ—ards to Lewis receiued by the estates against the Insâ—itution of Lewis by his will who had named Eudes for Regent they gouerne the Realme togither in the first yeare of the minoritie of Charles the simple pupill and lawfull heire to Lewis and yet being crowned Kings although they were but Regents are accompted amongst the Kings and make but one In the libertie of this Nonage Lewis the do nothing or idle Sonne or Brother to Carloman takes vpon him to be King but not being acknowleged by the French as they were readie to dispossesse him hee dyed and is not reckoned for any 29. Charles the 2. called the grosse a Prince of the bloud of France and Emperour of Germanie confirmed in the Regencie by the States following the example of these bastards is Crowned King hee was degraded from the Empire and the Crowne And in his place 30. Eudes or Odo Duke of Anger 's named by the Kings testament as is sayd is called and crowned as the other Regents and for this cause accompted among the Kings in the end the Crowne comes to 31. Charles the simple the lawfull King after 22. yeares but being forced to renounce it he dyes for sorrow in prison and leaues for his lawfull successor Lewis the 4. his sonne carried into England by his Mother yeelding to the violence of the victorious league by the which 32. Ralfe or Raoâ—l Duke of Burgondie Prince of the Bloud was called to the Crowne and and so is accompted among the Kings although he were an Vsurper and he being dead 33. Lewis the 4. called Doutremer or beyond the Sea Sonne to Charles the Simple is restored and leaues the Crowne to 34. Lothaire and he to 35. Lewis the 5. his onely sonne who dyed without issue Male hee was the last of this second Race leauing the Throne empty to Hugh Capeâ— the Stocke and first King of the third Race following The third Race called the Capeuingiens or Capets in number 27. Kings 36. Hugues or Hues Capet to whom succeeded 37. Robert his sonne alone of that name and to Robert 38. Henâ—y thâ— 1. his sonne And to Henry 39. Philip the 1. his sonne And to him 40. Lewis the 6. surnamed the Grosse his Sonne And to Lewis the 6. 41. Lewis the 7. called the young his Sonne And to him 42. Philip the 2. surnamed Augustus his Sonne And to Philip the 2. 43. Lewis the 8. his Sonne father to the King St. Lewis the most ordinary marke of his name And to Lewis the eight 44. Lewis the 9. honoured by the name of Saint for his singuler pietie and vertue to whom succeeded 45. Philip the 3. his sonne surnamed the Hardy and to him 46. Philip the 4. called the Faire his Sonne who was also King of Nauarre by his wife Ioane And to him succeeded 47. Lewis the 10. called Hutin his Sonne also King of Nauarre by his Mother he had one Sonne borne after his death called Ianenterre but not numbred among the Kings for that he dyed in the Cradle so by the lawe of State 48. Philip the 5. called the Long sonne to Philip the Faire succeeded his Brother Lewis Hutin he dyed without issue Male who left the Crowne to 49. Charles the 4. called the Faire his Brother who also dying without issue Male the Crowne came by right of inheritance to 50. Philip of Valois the 6. of that name first Prince of the bloud and first King of the royall line of Valois to whom succeeded 51. Iohn his sonne onely of that name vnfortunate to him succeeded 52. Charles the 5. surnamed the Wise who preserued the State during a horrible combustion to him succeeded 53. Charles the 6. his sonne called the Welbeloued and yet too wâ—ll noted by his long and vnhappy reigne amiddest the furies of
ciuill warres bred in his minority and increased in his frensie so as a strange King was crowned King of France and became Maister of the greatest part of the Realme to Charles the 6. succeeded 54. Charles the 7. his sonne who established the Realme in expelling the Stranger and to him succeeded 55. Lewis the 11. his sonne who hauing incorporated Bourgongne and Prouence to the Crowne and purged the Leuen of intestin diuision left the Realme rich peaceable to 56. Charles the 8. his sonne who dying without Males left the Realme according to the law of State to 57. Lewis the 12. Duke of Orleance first Prince of the bloud who likewise dyed without issue Male leauing the Crowne to 58. Francis the 1. of that name first Prince of the bloud Duke of Angoulesme and he to 59. Henry the 2. his sonne and Henry to 60. Francis the 2. his sonne who dying without Male left it to 61. Charles the 9. his brother who dying without issue lawfully begotten left it to 62. Henry the 3. his brother the last of the royall race of Valois who being slaine by a Iacobin and dying without issue by the same right of the Fundamentall law of State he left the Realme intangled in diuerse confusions to 63. HENRY the 4. then King of Nauarre first Prince of the bloud and first King of the royall race of Bourbon A Prince indued with vertues fit to restore a State but successor to much trouble wearing a Crowne not all of gold but intermixt with Thornes wreathed with infinite difficulties gouerning a body extreamly weakned with a long and dangerous disease surcharged with Melancholy and diuerse humours sed with the furie of the people bewitched by the practises of Strangers who had crept so farre into the bosome of our miserable Country that they were ready to dispossesse the lawfull heires and to inuest a new King if God the Gardian and Protector of this Realme had not opposed a good and speedy remedie to their force in shew triumphant by the valour and clemencie of our Henry incountring his enemies with the one and by the other reducing his Subiects strangely distracted to their duties God send him grace to finish as he hath begun and Crowne the miraculous beginning of his reigne with the like issue Truly all good and cleere-sighted French-men may note how necessary this Head is for the preseruation of the State and by their daily and feruent prayers to pray vnto God for the long and happy life of our King And for the peace and tranquillity of this poore and desolate Realme Rom. 13. There is no power but from God and all powers in an estate are ordeyned of God THE FIRST RACE OF THE KINGS OF FRANCE CALled Merouingiens of Meroueé the third King of the French the most famous founder of the French Monarchie DANIEL 1.2 verse 21. The Soueraigne Lord rules ouer the Kingdomes of Men. And giues it to whom he pleaseth He putteth downe and sets vp Kings at his pleasure A particuler Chronologie of the races from the yeare foure hundred and twenty to seauen hundred and fiftie The yeare of grace Kings  420 1 PHaramond raigned 11. yeares 430 2 Clodion the hairy 20. yeares 450 3 Merouee the great Architect of this Estate and in this regard the most famous Stem of this race raigned 10. yeares 459 4 Chilperic or Childeric the first the sonne of Merouee 24. yeares 484 5 Clouis the first 30. yeares the first Christian King   The foure sonnes of Clouis to whom he diuided the whole Realme that is 514 6 Childebert King of Paris   Clotaire King of Soissons   Clodamite King of Orleans   Thierri King of Metz reigned together 42. yeares and 558 7 Clotaire the 1. reigned alone eight yeares 564 8 Cherebert King of Paris   Chilperic King of Soissons   Gontran King of Orleans   Segebert King of Metz reigne together 25. yeares 578 9 Chilperic the 2. in the end reigned alone 8. yeares 586 10 Clotaire the second 37. yeares 632 11 Dagobert the first 16. yeares 647 12 Clouis the second 18. yeares 666 13 Clotaire the third 4. yeares 670 14 Chilperic the third and  15 Thierri 19. yeares 689 16 Clouis the third 4. yeares 693 17 Childebert the second 17. yeares 710 18 Dagobert the second 5. yeares 715 19 Chilperic the 4. called Daniel by his first name 5. yeares 720 20 Thierri 20. yeares 740 21 Chilperic or Childeric the 5. the last of the race of the Meroueens hee liued with the title of a King ten yeares being degraded from the Kingdome he dyed a Moncke and left the Crowne to 750 22 Charles Martel Maire of the Palace who without taking the name of King but inioying it in effect left the Monarchie heredâ—tarie to his posteritie the date of his reigne being set vnder the name of Chilperic vnto the decease of Martell So this race hath reigned in France 320. yeares PARAMOND 420. the first King of France PHARAMOND I KING OF FRANCE· PHaramond the son of Marcomir is held for the fiâ—st King of Fraâ—ce by the consent of all our writers The fundamenâ—a l dare of the Freâ—ch Monarchie In the yeere of grace 420. He began his Reigne the yeare of Christ 420. A date very remarkable to describe the first beginning of the French Monarchie At that time Honorius and Arcadius brethren sonnes to Theodosius the great held the Romaine Empire inuaded so by strange nations as it was not onely disâ—eâ—bred into diuerse parts but euen Rome was spoyled and sackt by Alaric King of Goths Amidst these confusions the French Monarchie had her beginning vppon the ruines of the Empire The French inuited by them of Treues Estate of the Empire at the beginning of iâ— for the aboue named occasion first seized on the Cittie and from thence extended themselues to the neighbour countries they name Tongrie for their first possession which the learned hold to be the countrie of Brabant and about Liege This conquest was not made at one instant but augmented by degrees and the nearest prouinces were first surprised The French comming from beyond the Rhin it seemes they did first seize on that part which then lay neerest vnto them as the Countries betwixt the Rhin the Escaâ—t and the Mâ—use and from thence extended themselues euen to the riuer of Loyre They hold for certaine that this happie exploit of the French was vnder the name and authoritie of Pharamond their King who departed not from his natiue countrie but sending forth this troope as a swarme of Bees he reaped the honour and fruit of the conquest as the Soueraigne head Hee is commended to haue established good lawes His policie to haue framed and inured the French to a ciuil and well gouerned kind of life and to haue laid the first stone of the foundation of this great Monarchie in Gaule he reduced into one body and expounded
more plainely the ancient lawes of the French called Saliques augmented them and shewed the vse as well for the gouernment of the estate as for priuate persons 422. And therefore he is called the author of those Lawes although he receiued them from his Ancestors He raigned xi yeares leauing Clodion his sonne for his successor The time of his raigne 422. with a good tast of his integritie noted in his name for Waramond or Pharamond according to the common pronunciation in the old French language that is to say in Germaine signifies a true mouth a vertue in truth worthie of a Prince and necessary for the conduct of humane societie This is all that may be certainly written of the originall of the French Monarchie yet Gregorie of Tours a very ancient author makes no mention of Pharamond and sets downe the beginning of this estate in grosse as a thing vncertaine What certaintie then may we looke for of more ancient times We find in the Romaine histories some apparent steps to guide vs to the knowledge of our beginning These goodly Prouinces of Gaule were courted by all their neighbours the Romaines vnder colour of conueniencie seized on that which lay neerest vnto them by meanes whereof they sought to become masters of the rest but they wanted no competitors The Heluetians since called Suisses likewise the Almaignes would haue lodged there if Caesar had not withstood them His successours were inccuÌ„â—red with the like difficulties but in the end they preuailed to whom God had determined the possession that is to the French issued doubtlesse out of Germanie and gouerned by Kings We read in the liues of the last Emperours the names of Melâ—baudes Richimer Marcomir Berther Sunno Pharabert Theodemir and Dagobert but hereof wee cannot with reason beleeue all that the Registers of Hunibauld Trithemius do comment touching these ancient Kings Let vs therfore leaue these subtilties to such as haue leisure to refine their wittes lay before our eies the light of a more sound and profitable truth let vs obserue the estate of the Church when as this Monarchie began to appeare for hereafter the Church shall be her principall gemme although the French Kings were infidels in theâ—e first beginnings S. Ierome Chrisostome Ambrose and Augustine liued in those times spectators of the dissipation of the Empire The estate of the Church wherein the Church suffered much Damasus Siricius Anaâ—â—asius Innocentius Sosâ—â—mus and Bonifacius Bishops of Rome liued there one after another men renowmed for their pietie learning and dexteritie amidst the confusions of the Empire euen at Rome whereas the Emperours were seldome seene so as the absence of the Emperours troubled to withstand the Barbarians and the miserable estate of the time which forced Christians to flie to their Bishop for counsell and comfort in their confused afflictions laid the foundation of their authoritie then small being tyed to their charges and subiect to the Emperours command but it grew by degrees vntill it came to the height of this soueraigne and absolute power so as in the end they haue prescribed lawes to the Emperours Kings and Christian Princes A necessary obseruation both for the truth and order of this Historie to vnderstand rightly both the times and meanes of their rising In the first age the Bishops of Rome durst not shew themselues being persecuted imprisoned martired by the Emperours Since Constantine the great their authoritie began in the dissipation of the Empire it increased and this Realme did fortifie and augment it Our first Kings knew them not their next successors maintained aduanced them as Charles Martell Pepin Charlemaigne to whome they are indebted for the greatest support and increase of their cheefe authoritie Fundamentall Rules or Maximes of the State of France 423. BVt before we proceed any further in this Theater reason and order commands vs to set downe the soueraigne Maximes of our Monarchie as goodly pillers in the first fronte of this great building to the end we may not dispute either of the ancient forme of gouernement in the first age of our Ancestors The first Maxime or of the Fundamentall lawes of the estate It is necessary that our mindes euen in our infancie be seasoned with this common beliefe The French cannot indure any other gouernment theÌ„ a Royalty being the bond and vnion of the naturall obedience we owe vnto our Kings Without doubt it is neither true nor likely that our Predecessors taking possession of this goodly inheritance made any question of that which had beene concluded amongst them from father to sonne The most ancient histories whose authority is without controll testifie that the French nation was gouerned by Kings and experience ioyned with reason doth shew that the French cannot be otherwise commanded then by a royaltie Whereto then serues this question amongst the French touching the forme of gouernment when as Gaule was first possessed by them And to what end should these goodly painted speeches be vttered by our ancient warriours who made so great profession to do well as they neglected eloquent words This Maxime thus layde as the ground of the Estate of France 2 The royalty of France is successiue the truth of that which hath passed in ancient times doth plainly shew what the forme of this royaltie hath beene for who doth not see by the names of the Kings of France as they haue commanded in this realme amidest so many alterations of the State in the change of the three Races where wee may note the succession from father to sonne from brother to brother from cousin to the nearest kinsman of the bloud Royall that it was hereditary froÌ„ all antiquity This is the law The efficacy of a successiue Royalty the vse wherof is so worthily regarded in all coÌ„mands the force wherof defends the State amidst the strangest confusions yea sucking babes haue enioyed it without any dispute or contradiction At the very name of an infant King Armies haue marched vnder the command of a woman otherwise very odious by reason of her vices and yet so respected being the Kings mother as the French haue growne desperate in most perillous battailes returning with bloudy victories thrust forward with this onely resolution to preserue the estate of their yong King lying in his swadling clothes By the force of this law the French after the decease of their lawfull Kings A royalty is the best sort of gouernement leauing their wiues with childe haue reuerenced the wombe of their Queene expecting her deliuery being a sonne hee was nourished bred vp and honoured as their King And if he dyed in his first infancie they haue performed his obsequies with the like respect and reuerence as to a King in his maioritie To conclude reason authority and experience doe plainly shew that a succeeding royaltie is better then that which depends vpon the peoples choise and election How it appeares by reason
For what is a Royaltie but the image of a fathers command the loue honour and obedience which children beare towards their parents bee the effects of the lawe of nature figured in their hearts A father commands ouer many children who although they bee planted in diuers parts as wee see in the peopling of great familyes yet all returne to the chiefe stock or stemme all acknowledge and honour the father all obey him while he liues by a more voluntary obedience for that it is meerely naturall Behold the patterne of a ciuill gouernement To apply it to our subiect it appeares the first man had this naturall authoritie euen as wee see it at this day As mankinde multiplyed into diuers families so this multitude had neede of a greater gouernement Man cannot liue alone society consists in commandement and obedience From this fountaine a royaltie springs 425. Looke what is done in a family the like is in a state by the same force of nature one commands and is obeied There this naturall respect is that bond of lawfull obedience So here in like sort whereas the commandement of one giues lawe to all for that the lawe of nature hath power ouer all it doth authorize this respect in the hearts of subiects by a voluntary obedience to their Kings as to their fathers And as wee neede not to be taught to honour father and mother So who is so vnkind that wil make any question to honour the Prince vnder whom hee is borne It is that which the originall of the first truth doth teach vs Honour father and mother not onely to tie vs to them that gaue vs life but to those that make vs to liue happily in the common societie of mankinde that is to the father in the house and to the King in the state as the father of our fathers Thus a Roialty is the most antient and best forme of gouernment when as the King is Father of his people according to the ordinance of nature as we shal shew else where at better leasure I hope this smal digression shal be excused for the necessity of the subiect A Roialty then is the Image of a fathers authoritie How can a father then whom God hath giuen by the course of nature be chosen by his children A succâ—sâ—iue Roiaâ—tâ—e is the best If to liue well according to nature and by consequence that which proceeds from nature be the best who doubts but a Roialtie the which God hath giuen vs by the law of State the soueraigne law of societie wherein wee are borne is without doubt better then that which depends on the tumultuous factions of people Thus much for reason Now let vs see what Authority saies By authoritie which speaks plainly in the goodliest estate oâ— the world which was the comon weale of Israel wherin God had planted his church as his most pretious iewel Truly the lawful Royaltie of the house of Dauid hath bin hereditarie successiue from father to sonne and from Cousin to the nearest kinsman A paterne whereby to frame a perfect estate farre better then the common weale of Plato who notwithstanding hath respected the bloud Royall in the race of Kings with great prerogatiue moued thereunto by the force of nature to acknowledge the best forme of gouernment in an hereditary succession whereas one is borne to commaund an other to obey I will dilate no more of so rich and ample a subiect hauing onely coated that which is necessarie for the circumstance of my purpose By experience But what shall wee say of Experience the mistres of fooles What is hee but may thereby feele the visible proofs of this truth Doubtles those Countries and States which haue kept this libertie to choose their Kings do often feele to their costs the tumultuous fruites of their elections striuing with much paine to maintaine this priuilege against the lawes of nature postiâ—g from nation to nation with much toyle and small profiâ— searching for that a farre off which they might easily finde at home and for the avoiding of tumults which might growe among equall Competitors they procure vnto themselues infinite troubles the which they might auoide in receiuyng of him willingly whome God should cause to be borne among them with a lawfull authority But some will obiect that which we cannot deny to haue beene practised in two Races That the French had in former times authority to place and displace their Kings as appeares aswell by the Kings Chosen by Parliament In old time at the reception of a new king they vsed to caâ—rie him vppon a target in a publike aâ—â—emblie which were borne vpon targets as also by the famous examples of Pepin and Hughe Capet Wherevnto the answere is true and plaine that this consent was but the seale of the naturall prerogatiue due to the race of our lawfull Kings and their dissallowing a declaration of their base slouthfulnesse vnworthy of that naturall prerogatiue wherewith they were honored in their birth and from the which they did degenerate in liuing ill And as we see in the succession of Kings the neerest allied holds the other by the hand so in these two alterations when as necessitie forced the French to change their King as when the like necessitie constraineth the children to giue their furious father a tutor wee may obserue that they haue alwayes made choise of men neerest to the blood royall preferring vertue before a maske of Authoritie corrupted with vice the publique good before the priuate interest of a vitious man reteyning nothing but the name of his noble race 426. They haue preserued as much as they could their naturall respect to the bloud royall The lawe made the King that is his birth But the law of nature The prerogatiue of a Kâ—ng is nothing impaired by the peoples consâ—nt at his last recâ—ption fâ—lâ—owed by the law of nations and the free consent of the people hath not beene the cause but the very effect of this naturall authoritie So this royall authoritie is limited and ruled by the souereigne law of State which doth so aduance the head aboue all the members of the bodie as they may not be separated For what is a King without subiects but a head without members the King preserues his estate as the head doth the bodie But as the head from whence life proceeds to the bodie liues with the bodie so the King who preserues the estate by his authoritie is preserued in the estate by the consent of his subiects In this inseparable vnion hee doth fortifie his power by theirs and his commaund with their voluntary obedience Plato sayes that Authoritie not subiect to controulment is pernitious to him that commaunds and to them that are commaunded It is a lawfull and profitable restraint for Kings and the necessary counterpoyse of their authoritie This lawe will haue euery member to hold his place in the bodie of a State And by consequence
that the subiects consent who offer their goods and liues to their King be held in due degree This hinders no more the hereditarie prerogatiue of a Roialtie then the diuerse ministerie of the members do the soueraigne authoritie of the head ouer the whole bodie And as in the beginning or in the rising or infancie of an estate vertue ministers occasion for the people to choose such as should commaund ouer them successiuely leauing as it were in sacred gard in the hands of their best men what they hold most pretious and so to their successors who by all reasonable coniecture must be good and vertuous being borne of good parents euen so in the end vice makes them to hate such as abuse this prerogatiue and in like manner the same vertue makes them flie to others whome they hold more worthy to command in that they are obedient vnto reason This Maxime then stands firme that the authority of the states not being incompatible with the soueraignty of a king the royaltie of France is and hath alwaies beene merely hereditary without any exception nor can it otherwise subsist and stand all well considered And who so thinkes or speakes otherwise imagyning popular common-weales in France he is ignorant of the disposition of the French and feeds himselfe with a dangerous vanity The third The mâ—le only capable of the Crowne the female excluded in France But this lawe of a succeeding royaltie is limitted by a third Maxime That the right of the Crowne is tied to the heires male whereas in many nations for want of males the soueraigne Authority of a royaltie falles to the females of the royall race And this lawe receiued by the approbation of the subiect people is happily put in practise The president is very memorable and remarkable in the Realme of England whereas Queene Elizabeth alone hath surpassed the happinesse of the greatest Kings her predecessors ruling a long time with great Authority in peace So as hauing gotten most famous victories ouer her enemies shee hath erected through peace the goodliest trophies that euer king of England could haue planted there So great is the force of the lawe in the society of mankinde the which God will haue inuiolable vnder the gage of faith and publique order The French were often called Saliens of the riuer Sal in Francoâ—ia and the French lawes termed Salique lawes But the royaltie of France is wholy restayned to the males the fundamentall lawe of state being called the Salique lawe not admitting the females For this soueraigne lawe is set downe in these words In the Salique land let no portion of the inheritance come to the female but let the male haue the possession That is to say the males onely are capable of the Crowne of France the females being wholy excluded and by coÌ„sequence their issue the which can pretend no more interest then their mothers neither haue they any portion in the reuenewes of the Crowne which cannot be alienated So as it is giuen them but for terme of life by assignation of dowrie at the Kings good pleasure Thâ— fundamentall lawe called Salique This fundamentall lawe is called Salique by excellency although the Salique lawes conteine the rights of priuate men but amongest them that which concernes the maiesty of the prince is the principall and for this cause is knowne by this worthy obseruation 428. The practise of this fundamentall law is apparent in the first race where the cheefe proofe of antiquitie must be made in the daughters of Childebert The practise thereof sonne to the first Clouis In the daughters of Cherebert sonne to Clotaire the first in the daughters of Gontran son of the same Clotaire all which were excluded from the Crowne and in their places the neerest Princes of the blood admitted by the consent of all the French The second race hath no examples of this law in the particular circumstance of women The third hath very notable ones Edward King of England was excluded by iudgment of the States from the right he pretended to this Crowne being sonne to one of the daughters of France the onely daughter of Philip le bell Philip of Valois was preferred before his Neece daughter to Lewis Hutin And of late memory Francis the first of that name Duke of Angoulesme before the two daughters of Lewis the twelfth without any controuersie This law was obserued among the French before Pharamond was borne and by vertue of this law he reigned as Successor to his Ancestors Marcomir Sunno Melobaudes Here the Author wouâ—d haue a â—amed sâ—pposition to be taken for an vndoubted truth and others And as he was appointed by the wise prouidence of God to bee the first Architect of this Monarchie so was hee indued with singular graces fit for so excellent a worke in the which the law should fortifie the valour of this fierce warlike nation Thus Pharamond is renowned for his wisdome and iudgment who did countenance authorize the Salique lawes and that especially which was the chief to take away all future debate from his Successors And for the better strengthening of his lawes he assembled his captaines whereof the Counsellors of our ancient Kings were chosen They name among the chiefe of them Widogast Sabogast Wisogast and Bosogast the which our fabulous curiosities do transforme into some great Orators without any appreheÌ„sion of truth These were good warriors yet wise men and iudicious But who can beleeue they were great Rhetoricians So Pharamond was not the Author but the bewtifier of the SALIQVE lawes as Iustinian of the ciuill lawes of the Romaines To search out the originall of the word neither my style nor my humor will suffer me to dispute thereof Of the word Salique euery one hath his iudgement free But this is my opinion as words be the images of things so are they inuented to represent the nature of the thing whereunto they are applied It appeares that among the French the Saliens were those that held the cheefe degrees What the Saliâ—ns were and gaue the name to the whole Nation So as all Frenchmen are ofteÌ„ times called Saliens The SALIQVE lawes therfore are the FreÌ„ch lawes appointed to rule and gouerne the French It was the aâ—cient name continued with the most ancient lawes the which the honour of the Nation and the reuerence of so sacred a thing hath forbidden in any sort to alter So the SALIQVE lawe hath continued time out of mind the Soueraigne law of State vnder the which the French haue liued and so haue continued from father to sonne without any alteration either in the substance or the word maiesticall in the heartes and tongues of all French men What apparence is there then that Phillip of Valois hath borrowed the name of Pharamond in the inuention of this law to make it serue his turne How much vnlikely is it that so important a law being the ground of the Estate should
remained in Gaule he opposed himselfe violently against the French who at diuerse times endeuoured to passe the Rhin and to returne into France Clodion fortifying himselfe couragiously against this storme fainted not for all these first difficulties In the end hee resolued to hazard all vpon this last cast and to this effect hee raysed a mighty army with an intent to go in person to the conquest of this goodly kingdome But God had resolued to giue it to the French yet by an other hand then that of Clodion for he dyed in this voyage being on the bankes of Rhin with an intent to passe it in the yeare of grace 451. leauing Merouce heire of his desseigne and valour He was called Le Cheuelu or hayrie for that he made a lawe that none but Kings and their children with the Princes of the bloud should weare long hayre Law for wearing long hayre in token of command after the Romaine maner who shaued the heads of their slaues and seruants and left the Periwig onely to the Patriciens and the head bare This custome confiâ—med by the law of Clodion hath beene long time obserued in France so as by this maâ—ke Clodamyre the sonne of Clouis being slaine in a battaile by the Bourguignons was knowne among the dead and in token of a degrading or dishonouring they shaued such as they degraded from the royall dignity as it appeares by infinite examples amongst the which our History makes mention of one very memorable of Qâ—eene Clotilde who chose rather to cut off the heads of her young sonnes then to haue their hayre pold or shauen that is to say she preferred an honest death before the dishonour of her children for in cutting off their hayre the marke of their naturall dignity they were depriued of all hope to enioy their degree and were confined into a base estate vnworthy of their greatnesse to dye continually with heart-breaking reproche and infamie Genseric King of the Vandales at that time seized vpon Affricke The estatâ— of the Church and euen when as he besieged Hippone which at this day they call Bonne famous for the fishing of corall S. Augustine dyed the third moneth of the siege the fourth yeare of his ministery in that Citty and the 76. of his age hauing both seene and felt those tragicall desolations in the desolate estate of the Church afflicted then in diuers parts of the world by these Barbarians Theodosius the second the sonne of Arcadius a good and a wise Prince did his best endeuour to stop the course of this lâ—st shipwrack but hee preuailed not The insolencie of Valentinian the third a Prince extremely vitious thrust it headlong and the ill gouernment of his seruants namely of Bonifacius gouernour of Affricke and of Aetius gouernour of Gaule called in the Barbarians to the subuersion of the Empire who to be reuenged one of another being capitall enemies for the iealousie of their greatnesse did whaâ— they could to ruine their maister MEROVEE the third King of France who gaue the name and greatest grace to this first race MEROVEE KING OF FRANCE III 451. MErouee sonne or the nearest kinsman to Clodion succeeded to the Crowne as well by vertue of the fundamentall lawe of state as by the free Election of the French in the yeare 451. He was farre more happy then Clodion for he not onely effected his desseine in passing the Rhin and taking footing in Gaule but did happily extend the limits of his new kingdom further And the same Aetius which crossed Clodion Meâ—â—uee sets footing into France made the way easie for Merouee vnawares for the execution of his enterprise by this occasion Aetius fell in disgrace with Honorius his maister being greeued to see the great successe of the Goths Vandales and other barbarous nations in the Empire imputing the fault vnto his seruants and officers Thus growing iealous hee calles him from his gouernment of Gaule and sends Castinus in his place who was not onely vnacquainted with the estate of the Gaules bâ—t was also discontented with Bonifacius gouernour of Affricke with whome he had commandement to ioyne his forces to oppose against the common enemies of the Romaines During those actions Honorius died leauing Theodosius in the East and Valentinian in the West two yong princes of diuers humors Merouee imbracing this occasion with great dexterity sounds the hearts of his neighbors the Gaulois and finds them disposed to his deuotion He rayseth an army passeth the Rhine takes Treues at the first comming and then Argentin which is nowe called Strasbogh with the Countries adioyning to it Hee extends euen vnto Cambresie and Tournay and proceeding farther into Gaule hee seised on the best Citties of Champaigne with so great expedition as no Romaine appeared to stop the course of his victory Valentinian aduertised of this successe called back Aetius to quench this fiâ—e 452. sending him into Gaule with an armie against the French but there was other worke prepared for him for Attila King of the Huns The â—â—ench ioynâ— with the Romaâ—nes and 〈◊〉 who named himselfe the Scouâ—ge of God to chastise the Empire hauing assembled an incredible number of men in the desarts of Asia being fiue hundred thousand souldiars falles downe like a furious deluge spoiling all the countries where he passed and hauing crossed through Poland into Germanie and passed the Rhin he threatned to inuade France a country desired by all these nations for her fertilitie and beauty Aetius had no shorter course nor better meanes to auoyde this storme then to become friends with the French and with all the other possessors of Gaule who were threatned by this common storme so as in steed of warre he made a peace with Merouee vpon this extremity Attila entred Gaule and aduanced so farre that hee besieged Orleans Oâ—leans besieged by Attilâ— where Auian liued then a most famous Bishop who did greatly comfort the besieged by his piety and wisdom whilest that the forces of their confederate friends assembled by the meanes of Aetius the Romaines French Gothes and Bourguignons Orleans being at the point to yeeld Thierri King of the Goths arriues so happily as he forceth Attila to raise his siege to take another course Attila marching away with this vaste body of an armie he was pursued speedily by Aetius and his confederates who ouertooke him in the fields of Catalauna the which is diuersly taken either for the country about Chalons or about Tholouse The battaile was giuen and the combate was furious Attila ouerthrowne but not quite vanquished but the check fell â—pon the Huns who lost as it is constantly written 180000. fighting men and the victorie remained in commun to the Romaines French and Goths but the triumph and honour to Merouee and his men who fought very valiantly Thierri King of the Goths was slaine very happily to make the way easie for Merouee It was propounded in councell to pursue Attila but Aetius would not
wherevnto he added a complaint of their bounds in the diuision whereof he would resolutely haue the aduantage But to giue a better colour to this quarrell of State hee ioynes religion For saith he to his people to what end should these Arrians haue so good a paâ—t among the Christians Yet before he would come to open force Warre against the 〈◊〉 he talkes of a friendâ—y conference The two Kings appoint a day and a place for an enterview to parlee of their affaires But this meeting increased their hatred for being both vpon the place some confident seruants to Clouis gaue him notice that Alaric had laide an Ambuscadoe to surprize him in their parle Clouis was much moued with this and resolues to make warre against Alaric hee raiseth an armie and beeing ready to marche towards Guyenne behold a new occasion which makes him turne his forces towards Bourgongne We haue shewed how that Gondebault King of Bourgongne Warres in Bourgongne and why slue his brother Chilperic father to Clotilde vpon the first diuision of their portions after their fathers death Hee had two bretheren remaining Gondemar and Gondegesil of whom he desired infinitely to bee freed hauing too many bretheren and too little land according to his vnsatiable desire Their debate was for Prouence and Daulphiné which they demanded for their portions Gondebault enioyed the chiefe Citties except Vienne which the brethren held Clouis his Armie ouercomes that of Gondebault marching victoriously through the Countrie of Venaison where the battell was fought Gondebault saues himselfe with great difficultie in Auignon and is presently besieged by Clouis who yee grants him an honourable composition and labours to reconcile him with his bretheren which done he returnes into France and Gondemar and Gondegesil retire into Vienne dreaming of nothing lesse then to haue their elder brother for an enemy But Vienne must be the pitte-fall of their misery to swallow them both vp one after an other for behold Gondebault is with a strong armie at the gates of Vienne and his bretheren are reduced to that extremitie as hauing no meanes to defend themsâ—luâ—â— nor to get reliefe from their friends the Citty is easily taken and euery mâ—n seekeâ— to saue himselfe as he can Gondemar flyes into a Tower where he is besieged assaâ—â—ed and burnt with all his troupe Gondegesil is taken aliue after this tragick feare but being alone he slippes a way and flyes to Clouis whome hee found in Armes ready to march vpon this new accident Clouis takes new aduise The ancient hatred he bare to Gondebault who had crossed him in his mariage the iniustice and more then barbarous crueltie the complaint of this poore Prince his ally who cast himselfe into his armes had much power to perswade him to the voyage of Bourgongne But that which made him resolue was for that Gondebault prepared to succour Alaric against whom Clouis did now march with his forces Thus the iust iudgement of God prouided a scourge for this murtherer who addes rashnesse and insolencie to his first disorders Clouis enters with an armiâ— into Bourgongne Feare doth not onely surprise the countrie but also the peoples iust hatred of this tyrant being infamous with so many parricides so as in few dayes the principall Citties yeeld vnto Clouis and the rest are ready to submit themselues into his hands as to their deliuerer Gondebault pursued by God and men faintes being insolent in prosperitie and daunted in aduersitie 507. All things conspired to his ruine But as God doth not alwaies take sinners at the rebound Clouis conquestes in Bourgongne hee stayed the blow by meanes of Clotilde who grieuing to see her house decay to the ouerthrowe of the state of Bourgongne makes intercession to her husband for her vncle and his Countrie and preuailes so with him through her intercession as shee perswades him to passe no further but to leaue the rest to her vncle Gondebault with a reasonable peace whereof she drew the articles Thus Clouis dismisseth his armie hauing onely prouided for the gard of Vienne Mascon Chaalon and other Townes taken from Gondebault and hee giues the charge of them to Gondegesil This is all that Gondebault could hope for in so great a danger but he would needes perish A treacherous attempt of Gondebault when as he sees himselfe without any enemie By Clouis departure he marceth so secretly with his forces as in one night he surpriseth Vienne by the Conduit heads guided by him that had them in charge being cast out ofâ— the Citie with the scumme of vnprofitable people Vienne must bee the Sepulchre of Gondegesil as it was of Gondemar for in this vnexpected surprise as 〈◊〉 and the Bishop sought meanes to saue themselues in the temple of Saint Mory amazement giues an easie entrie vnto Gondebault who being maâ—ster thereof doth massâ—cre both Gondegesil his brother and the Bishop without any reâ—pect Clouis moued with this treacâ—erous attâ—mpt returnes with his armie and beseegeth Gondebault who vnable to resâ—st escapâ—â— by night and saues himselfe in Italie with Thierry King of the Ostrogoths his friend and confederate They being tormented in conscience A iust punishment oâ— the murtherer Gondebault without all 〈◊〉 of releefe hee falls into horrible dispaire and dyes hatefull euen to those that had receiued him leauing a notable example to all men that man is the cause of his â—wâ—e miserie that hee deceiueth himselfe when as ouerruled by his owne passion hee thinkes to mocke God freely who sleepes not when as men are most secure in their wickednesse But after a long patience God payes both the principall and the interest and hee that seekes an other mans goods doth often loose his owâ—e the halfe being better then the whole for to liue quietly with content This was the end of Gondebault and the beginning of the title which the Kings oâ— France pretended to Bourgongne The fast winning 〈…〉 â—nd Prouâ—nce The States of Prouence Daulphiné and Saâ—oye were dependances on this Crowne Clouis reteyning Daulphiné and the Countries adioyning vnto Bourgogne he left Sauoy and Prouence to Sigismond and Gondemar the children of Gondebault ioyning equitie and mildnes to his iust victorie Hauing thus setled the affaires of Bourgongne he marcheth presently with his victoâ—ious armie into Languedoc against Alaric King of the Visigoths who held not onely that goodly Prouince but 〈◊〉 the Countrie from the Pirence mountaines euen to the bankes of Rosne and Loire as wee haue sayd Clouis hauing assembled his armie at Tours marcheth into Poictou where Alaric attends him with his forces meaning to fight with him at his entrie The battaile is giuen and much blood shed on either side but the absolute victorie remaines to Clouis as the bodies the held and the head of Alaric whome hee slew with his owne hand an accident very remarkable 〈◊〉 slaine by the hand o◠〈◊〉 that one Prince should kill another with his sword in hand in the
Flaunders and Normandie Clodamyr King of Orleans and the estates of this realme were all the Duchie of Orleans Bourgongne Lionois Daulphiné and Prouence Thierri was King of Mets and to his realme were subiect the Country of Lorraine and all the Countries from Rheims vnto the Rhin and beyond it all Germany which was the auncient patrimony of the Kings of France Hee was receiued in this royall portion with his bretheren although hee were a bastard the which hath beene likewise practized by others in the first line And as euery one of these foure Kings called himselfe King of France so they also added the name of their principall Citty where they held their Court. Thus they called them by speciall title Kings of the Cittie where they had their residence And in truth euery one caried himselfe as King in the Countries vnder his obedience not acknowledging the elder but by mouth onely As the plurality of Masters is a plague in an estate so is it miraculous that the realme had not beene ruined by so many Kings especially amidst such monstrous confusions Horrible confusion among brethren which then reigned full of treacheries cruelties and parricides I tremble to enter into this labyrinth the which I will but passe ouer measuring the Readers sorrowe by my griefe in reading and writing these tragicall confusions But let vs obserue things by order After these foure brethren had peaceably made their diuisions and taken lawes of their owne accord in the yeare 515. according to the most approued calculation they marry their sister Clotilde to Almaric sonne to Alaric King of the Vuisigoths who had recouered a good part of Languedoc the which Clouis had taken from his father and by this marriage they yeeld vnto him the Cittie of Toulouse But this alliance was the cause of great diuisions and ruine Ambition and Couetousnes good Counsellers of state made euery one to conceiue as great a kingdome for himselfe as that of his father perswading them to attempt any thing to bee great Bourgongne was quietly returned into the possession of Gondebaults children Sigismond had the name of King as the elder and Gondemar a portion Clodomyr King of Orleans as nearest neighbour castes his eyes vpon this goodly Country although hee had no cause of pretension but onely conueniency Yet hee findes a colour to beginne this quarrell The rights pretended by his mother Clotilde issued from the house of Bourgongne and the zeale of Iustice to chastise Sigismond for that he had slaine his eldest sonne to please his second wife and her Children Clodomir takes and is taken He enters into Bourgongne with a mighty army seizeth on Sigismond his wife and children brings them to Orleans and there castes them all into a well Thus God punished the cruelty of Sigismond an vnkinde father by a cruell and disloyall hand Clodomir presumed that he had conquered all hauing slayne the King of Bourgongne But the Bourguignons incensed with this crueltie confirme Gondemar in his brothers seate and leauy an army to defend him against Clodomir The armies ioyne Clodomir puft vp with this first successe promysing vnto himselfe a second triumph thrusting himselfe rashely into his enemies troupes is slayne with a Lance and is knowne by his long haire the marke of Kings and Princes of the bloud as wee haue said The Bourguignons cut off his head pearch it on the top of a Lance and make shewe thereof to the French in derision who retire themselues after the death of their Generall But Childebert Clotaire his brethren returne into Bourgongne with a strong army force Gondemar to flie into Spaine leauing them free possession of 〈◊〉 reâ—â—me the which was their proiect rather then the reueÌ„ge of their brothers death 〈◊〉 was dâ—â—ided among the brethren as a coÌ„mon prey all the realme of Bourâ—â—â—â—â—â— is therin coÌ„â—rehended Thierri King of Metz had his part but the poore children 〈◊〉 are not only excluded Cruelty of brethren but two of them are barbarously slaine by the cruel commaundement of their vnnaturall Vncles 520. and they say that Clotaire slewe one of them with his owne hands Cruelâ—â—e of bretheren in the presence of Childebert the other was thrust into a monastery This confusion was followed by two others Thierri King of Metz making warre against them of Turinge called his brother Clotaire to his aide being repulâ—ed at the first by the force of that nationâ— aided by his brother he preuailes and the vanquished stands at the mercy of the conquering bretheren but behold they fall to quarrell for the spoile Thus the ende of a forein warre was the beginning of a ciuill dissention betwixt them Warre betwixt the bretheren They leauie forces with intent to ruine one another Childebert ioynes with his brother Thierri against Clotaire Such was the good gouernment of these bretheren as desire and ambition did counsell them They are in armes ready to murther one another As their armies stood in field ready to ioyne behold a goodly cleere day ouercast sodenly with such darkenesse that all breakes out into lightening thunder and violent stormes so as the armies were forced to leaue the place and by this aduertisement as it were from heauen An admirable reconcilement these Kings assembled to shed blould change their mindes and turne their furious hatred into brotherly concord Thus God the protector of this estate hath watched ouer it to preserue it euen when as they sought to ruine it and that men hastened to their owne destructions But from thence the vnited bretheren passe into Languedoc against Almariâ— King of the Visigoths their brother in lawe The cause of their quarrell came from their sister Clotilde maried to this Gothe as we haue said so as she which should be the vniting of their loues was the cause of their bloudy dissention She was a Christian and hee an Arrian This difference in religion was cause of the ill vsage shee receiued from her husband and his subiects These bretheren incensed by the complaint and calling of their sister enter into Almarics Country with their forces who hauing no meanes to resist seekes to saue himselfe but he is taken and brought before his brethren in lawe by whose commaundement he was slaine Thus Childebert and Thierri hauing spoyled the treasure and wasted the Country of their confederates returne into France accompained with their sister but shee died by the way inioying litle the fruite of her vnkinde impatience although shadowed with the cloake of inconsiderate zeale Thierri dies soone after leauing Theodebert his son heir both of his Realme and of his turbulent and ambitious humour A part of Bourgongne was giuen him with the title of a King the which he left to his sonne and as a chiefe legacie the hatred he did beare to his brother Clotaire King of Soissons As soone as he sees himselfe King by the decease of his father hee takes part with his Vncle Childebert King of Paris against
shewed how farre the election of our Kings extend euen in this first race But to conceiue well the diuerse occurrents of this reigne wee must remember that Clotaire the 1. had 4. sons Cherebert king of Paris who is reckoned the 8. King of France and died without children Sigebert King of Metz slaine by Fredegonde and Gontran King of Orleans who suruiued all his brethren a good and a wise Prince and died without children Sigebert King of Metz left for heire Childebert his sonne with his wife Brâ—nehault a subtile and a wicked woman This ground being laid I will returne to the course of my historie Gontran Kâ—ng of Orleans vnckle by the father to this yong King was his nearest and most assured kinsman so as by a generall consent of all the French he was called to be Regent of the King and realme And now they talked of an assemblie Notable subtletie of a woman Fredegonde flying the light and libertie of publique assemblies â—earing not onely to be reiected from the gouernment but to be accused for the murther of her husband preuents the States from the calling of Gontran the first Prince of the bloud and the kings vnckle as they should haue done if leisure had suffered them to assemble and to speake in an vnited bodie with publike authoritie Thus shee gaines time beseeching the cheefe of the Councell to prouide for the Conuocation of the Estates and in the meane time to giue order that Gontran may come to Paris both to informe of the execrable murther and also to take vppon him the charge of her sonne and the gouernment of the common weale This discourse was far from her thoughts but shee supposed to make an euasion by this goodly shew And in the meane time shee practised to kill Gontran Shee did write vnto him in all humilitie holding him as a father to the King her sonne and the support of her widowhood Gontran foreseeing the pollicie of Fredegonde prouided so wisely that being arriued at Paris he was receiued by a generall consent Regent of the Realme He made no shew of discontent to Fredegonde who notwithstanding hauing a guiltie conscience packs vp her baggage being readie to flie vppon the least shew that Gontran would call her into question But it was not his meaning his onely proiect was to bring vp his yong nephew and to preserue him in his realme wherein hee was borne supposing this mild manner of proceeding to bee the best both for the King and the Realme Thus without any alteration he wisely dissembles all the actions of Fredegonde hee respects her as the Kings mother and imployes her in the education of her son And knowing how much the presence of the Prince workes in the subiects to haue him acknowleged for King He makes a progresse throughout the Realme leading with him this yong infant with the mother receiuing in all places the oth of fidelitie and obedience Being returned to Paris he giues him in gard to the mother and applyed himselfe wholy to the gouernment of the Realme As the affaires were managed with this good order two great difficulties crosse Gontran almost at one instant for Childebert King of of Metz iealous of his vnckles Authoritie requires to be associated in the Regencie the which he pretended to appertaine vnto him with the same right it did to Gontran and Fredegonde for the punishing of whome hee complayned much both of the foulenesse of the fact which should not remaine vnpunished and of Gontrans sufferance which was too palpable For the which Gontran prouided stopping Childeberts entrance into Paris and causing Fredegonde to retire herselfe quietly to Rouan by reason of the peoples hatred reuiued by Childeberts complaint And for that hee would not seeme to haue altogither neglected the punishing of Chilperics murther he caused information to be made against a Chamberlaine of the Kings called Cherulphe who being found guiltie he caused him to be slaine in the Temple whether hee was fled And so proceeded no farther in this search least Fredegonde should be found too farre ingaged Besides this crosse there happened a second for one named Gondeuault hauing termed himselfe a long time to bee the sonne of the great Clotaire An imaginarie King and kept in a Cloyster in the end he escaped and was openly maintained by Childebert who sought but a colour of trouble and innouation He is followed by a parte of the Nobilitie and Clergie and seizeth on many good Townes in Guienne And hauing written his letters to all the Prouinces hee carries himselfe for lawfull heire of the Realme with better right said hee then this yong child the sonne of a strumpet And by consequence a doubtfull heire to the Crowne That which was most to be feared in this newe accident 592 was the spirit and force of Childebert but Gontran preuented it with iudgement For seeing himselfe olde and without Children and knowing his Nephewes humour hee doth institute him his heir and by that meanes makes him to abandon Gondeuault So this supposed King left by Childebert was soone abandoned by all the rest and by them was deliuered into the hands of Gontran who presently put him to death And hauing assembled the Clergy of the realme hee caused the Bishoppes to bee condemned who had so rashely followed the frensie of this bold Impostor Gontran hauing with such dexterity preuented these daungerous difficulties and performed those good turnes to the King his Nephewe in his infancie he retires himselfe to Chaalons where soone after he died without Children leauing his estate to Childebert and the realme of his poore pupill who had scarse attayned the age of ten yeares to the mercy of the waues tempesâ—ts of all sorts of miseries incident vnto states Gontran was no sooner dead but the ambitious desire of Childebert A king in his cradle a Conquerour growne great by the new estates of Orleans and Bourgongne inflamed him against young Clotaire conceiuing an assured victory in his ouerweeâ—ing brayne imagining soone to suppresse a yong Childe and a woman ill beloued But the God of victories had otherwise disposed for Childebert hauing brought a mighty army to field and entred into the heart of France behold Fredegonde armed with more then a manly courage and wisdome encounters him with an other army beeing fortified more by her exhortations and the presence of the yong King whome shee shewed openly to the French then by the number of men of warre The battell was giuen and the imagined Conquerour was vanquished by a Childe and a woman beeing surprised with so happie a celeâ—itie by Fredegonde as he could hardly beleeue she had beene parted from Paris when as he sees his whole army defeated He lost in this conflict 20000. men his honour and his life for hauing recouered his Country with much ado hee died of melancholy leauing a memorable example to Princes neuer to attempt a warre to take from another without iust occasion He left two
called the Bald King anâ— Emperour who raigned 33 yeares and to Charles the 2. succeeded 879. 27. Lewis the 2. his sonne called the Stuttering King and Emperour who raigned but a yeare and six moneths   At his death he left his wife with child who being borne was acknowledged for lawfull King and called Charles the Simple his minoritie lasted 22. yeares Many Tutors many confusions These Regents are crowned Kings and acknowledged by that name doe hold the ranke among Kings and so we must diuide these 22. yeares to euery Regent according to his raigne 881. 28. Lewis the 3. and Caroloman bastard of Lewis the stuttering raigne as Regents fiue yeares 889. 29 Charles the 3. a Prince of the bloud called the grosse as Regent he raigned 7. yeares being both King and Emperour he was put from them both 896. 30. Eudes or Odon sonne to Rob. Duke of Aniou as Regent he raigned 10. y. In the confusion of these last Maisters the royall autâ—oriâ—y being greatly weakned many Countries freed themselues from the obedience of the French Monarchie So fell out   THE ECLIPSE OF THE EMPIRE   Both in Germanie Italy The body of the Empire remained in Germanie being afterwards gouerned by an Emperour chosen by the Princes Electors And Italy was dismeÌ„bred into diuers Principalities vnder diuers Potentates In the end after this minority of 22. â—eares 899. 31. Charles the 4. called â—he Simple sonne to Lewis the Stuttering was crowned as lawfull King raigned 25. yeares But Raoul of Boâ—rgongâ—e 923. 32. A Prince of the bloud was called by the League to put downe King Charles called the Simple being imprisoned by them and forced to renounce the Crowne Charles dying with griefe Raoul raigned 13. yeares but in the end was expelled from this vniust vsurpation 936. 33. Lewis the 4 called d'Outremer or beyond the sea sonne to Charles the Simple being called out of England whether his Moâ—her had carried him to preserue him from the League was acknowledged King and raigned twenty and nine yeares 954. 34. Lothaire his sonne suâ—câ—eded him who raigned thirtie and three yeares 986. 35. Lewis the 5. sonne to Lothaire raigned about two yearâ—s and dying without issue interred with him the race of Charles Martel as his Ancestors had of long time obscured his vertues and that of the valiant Charlemagne vnfortunate in their successors Thus the second race called Carlâ—â—ingiens hauing raigned 230. yeareâ— ended 〈◊〉 Lewis the 5. and gaue place to the third raâ—e which raignes at this day 750. PEPIN the short the 23. King of France and first of the second race PIPIN KING OF FRANCE XXIII THE French thus freed by the Popes dispensation from their oth of obedience assemble their generall Estates and to auoyde confusion in the Realme apparently growen by the negligence of their Kings they conclude to reiect Childeric and to choose Pepin the one vnworthie to raigne by reason of his vices and the other most worthie to be King for his royall vertues And to the end the fundamentall Law of state should not bee directly infringed in this new election they bring Pepin from the race of great Clouis of whome they sayd hee should be acknowledged for the next heire Pepin chosen King by the Parliâ—ment and Childeric reiected seing that vertue his race being duely weighed he approched nerest to him in vertue Pepin himselfe would not assist at this assemblie that the offer of this dignitie being made without his appareÌ„t seeking it might be the more honorable Being called to heare the general conclusion of the Parliament and the common desire of all the French hee presents himselfe being pleasing to all men in more then an ordinary sort little of bodie but shewing in his countenance the greatnes of his spirit amiable by his mild and modest behauiour and admirable for his graue pleasing Maiestie The Assembly lets him vnderstand by Boniface Archbishop of Mayence or Mentz that the French in regard of his vertues and their future hope hâ—d by a free and generall consent chosen him King of France And for execution of the said decree hee was instantly in the presence of them all installed King the royall Crowne was set vpon his head by the said Archbishop and then he was raysed vpon a target and carried about the assembly after the ancient ceremonie of the French And by vertue of the same decree Childeric was chalenged as vnworthy of the Crowne degraded shauen and confined into a Monastery thereto passe the remainder of his daies This notable change happened in the yeare 750. in the Citty of Soissons but with so resolute a consent of all the French nationâ— as there appeared not any one that made shew to dislike thereof A most assured testimony that Goâ— had so determined Soueraigne câ—uâ—es of this chaâ—ge hauing resâ—rued to himselfe the soueraigne authority ouer Kings to place and diâ—â—lace gird vngird raise and cast downe according to his good pleasure alwaies iust alwaies wise To him we must ascribe the principall and soueraigne cause of all changes For God is the gouernour as hee is the Creator It being a necessary consequence that he gouernes that which he hath created and by his prouidence watâ—â—eth especially ouer mankinde for whom he hath made the world If we shall otherwise seeke the neerest causes of this alteration we may iustly say that vice dispossessed Childeric vertue set Pepin in possession of the Crowne loue the reuerence of sâ—biects being the sâ—pport of publike authority hate and contempt the ruine thereof To the end that Princes by so worthy an example may learne to banish vice which making them hatefull contemptible thrusts them from their Thrones and to plant vertue which causing them to be respected and honored makes them to raigne ouer nations Now we begin a new gouernment vnder new Kings and in a new race In the beginning we shall see two great Princes The estate of this second race vnder whom good order shall make an alteration of affaires with an abundance of all blessings both spirituall temporall Iustice wisdom pollicie armes valour large limits of territories abundance of peace the excellent knowledge of learning to raise this estate to the greatest happines that euer it enioyed scarse any other kingdom whatsoeuer let forraine nations say what they please But the happines of these two Kings shall not be hereditary in their posteâ—ity who beginning soone to degenerate shall decline by degrees vntil that vice depriuing them of the Crowne vertue shall giue it to another who shall shew himselfe a more lawfull successor and righter heire to Charlemagne hauing a better part in his vertues This second race shall enioy the kingdom 237. yeares beginning to raigne in the yeare 750. ending in the yeare 987. hauing begun by vertue and ended by vice A goodly lâ—sâ—on for Potentates thâ—t bounty wisdom and valour Inâ—â—â—uction for
sprong the first occasion of the fall of this race a King of small merit A confused and vnhappy raigne hauing performed nothing praise worthy for in that wherein hee desired to winne the reputation of doing well hee did exceeding ill His greatest ambition was to seeme a good Vncle to the onely daughter of his brother Lewis with whome hee had made so strict a League of loue He married her to Boson as I haue sayd but the euents shew that he married her with an iâ—tent to goâ—erne her inheritance at his pleasure Being proclaymed Emperour hee leuies a great and mightie army and goes in person into Italie His pretext was to suppresse the Dukes of Spoletum and Beneuent who â—ought to free themselues from the subiection of the Empire and to become Soueraigâ—es but â—is intent was to seize vpon the strong places of Italie Charles seekes to deceiue hiâ— Neece and so â—y conseqâ—eâ—ce of that which belonged to his Neece Hermingrade But Bosâ—n her husband discouering her Vncles intent preuented him ioyning with the sayd Dukes and prouiding for the Citties of Italie with all expedition 879. as his wiues inheritance and then hee aduertised Charles entring into the Countrie that it was needlesse for him to passe any farther and to put Italie to vnnecessarie charges seeing that he himselfe could gard it sufficiently the foresaid Dukes did submit themselues to reason But being easie to iudge that Charles hauing an armie in field Charles diuerted from the warre of Italy and a resolute desseine would not retyre without constraint Boson makes factions in France in the heart of his Estate to diuert him An easie matter both for their discontents against him and the miserie of that age nourished in the libertie of vnciuill warres This occasion drew Charles from this vniust desseine for at the first brute of rebellion he turnes head towards France but there chanced more to him then he expected for he not onely left his Neeces patrimonie but his owne life in Italie with a notable instruction Not to loose this life for the desire of an other mans goods Thus died Charles the bald at Mantoua the yeare 879. leauing the Realme to his sonne Lewis Where he dies the which hee sought to augment with an others right LEVVIS the second called the stuttering 27. King and Emperour LVDOWICK .2 KING OF FRANCE XXVII HE raigned onely two yeares and succeeded his father likewise in the Empire but not without opposition for the Princes of Italie sought to be Soueraines and the Germaines bearing impatiently the confusions passed desired to restore the beauty of the Imperial dignity greatly decayed in Italie by such as possessed the â—aâ—ds of the Empire They spared not the Pope himselfe who by little and little vsurped the Imperiall rights in Italie These complaints being made to Lewis the Emperour Iohn the 3. Pope of Rome came into France to redresse that which conceâ—ned the Sea of Rome He was courteously receiued by the King 880. staied in France a whole yeare and there held a Councell at Troyes in Champagne The raigne of Lewis was very short The Pope was scarcegâ—ne but hee was lodged in the bed of death He had no lawfull children but two bastards Lewis and Caroloman both men growne whereof the one was already married to the daughter of Boson King of Arles His wife was with child In the doubtfulnesse of the fâ—â—ite which should be borne he must prouide a Regent to gouerne the realme if it were a sonne And although Lewis loued his two bastards deere'y yet would he not haue them Regents but made choise of Eudes or Odon Duke that is to say gouernour of Anger 's the sonne of Robert of the race of Widichind of Saxony of whom we haue before made mention to bee Regent of the Realme and experience taught Lewis leaues his wife with childe that his iudgement was good Thus Lewis dyed hauing left nothing memorable but a sonne wherein I obserue three notable things The efficacie of the Lawe of State preseruing the right of the lawfull heire not yet borne The minoritie of a King subiect to many confusions and miseries and the liberty of great men in the weakenesse of a young Prince who fiâ—he boldly in a troubled streame In this raigne happened the Eclipse of the Empire The first check giuen to this second race was by a League which dying in shew made the King to dye in effect and in the end carryed away the Crowne burying both the King and all his race in one tombe This History is very obsâ—ure by reason of the Regents which are numbred among the Kings during the minoritie of the lawfull heire and therefore good directions are needfull in so confused a laborinth of diuers raignes Behold therefore the simple and plaine truth Lewis the Stuttering being dead the Parliament assembled to resolue for the gouernment of the realme vntill that God should send the Queene a happy deliuery The estates honour the Queenes wombe and if it were a sonne appoint who should be Gouernour to the King and Regent of the Realme vntill he came to the age of gouernment There was no Prince that made any question to the Infants title that was to bee borne or that sought to take the adâ—antage of the time to aduance himselfe vnder colour of neerenesse of bloud but it was concluded by common consent they should carefully preserue the Qâ—eenes wombe vntill her deliuery The Kings will was plaine for he called Eudes as we haue said to be Gouernour to his child vnborne and Regent of the realme Regents crowned as Kings but Lewis and Caroloman bastards of France had so laboured for voyces as they preuailed against this Testamentary decree and were chosen Regents by the Estates who for confirmation of this authoritie decreed they should be crowned yet with a profitable exception for the pupils interest the lawfull heire of the Crowne A dangerous proceeding A dangerous course making seruants taste the sweetnesse of Soueraigne command which made the way to a horrible confusion and multiplying the authoritie of many masters did greatly preiudice the lawfull heire the which may not without extreame danger be imparted but to one onely The Queene was happily deliuered of a sonne the which was saluted King and was called Charles of whom wee shall speake hereafter The day of his birth was the 12. of December Charles borne after his â—athers death in the yeare 881. But we must now passe 22. yeares full of troubles before our pupill comes to age so as to marche safely in so obscure a laborinth wee must distinctly note the diuers parcels of this interreigne 882. The Minoritie of Charles called the Simple the which continued 22. yeares vnder 4. Regents whom they call Kings LEwis and Caroloman Brothers the bastards of Lewis the Stuttering chosen by the States raigned two yeares or there abouts to whom they adde Lewis the idle the sonne of
Caroloman but hee is not numbred among the Kings Charles the Grosse raigned nine yeares Eudes or Odon eleuen yeares Behold the 22. yeares of this minoritie The 28. raigne vnder LEWIS and CAROLOMON LEWES .3 KING OF FRANCE XXVIII CAROLOMAN KING OF FRANCE XXVIII THey talke diuersly of these Kings who in deed were no lawfull Kings but guides to a lawfull King A confused and obscure age which hath leâ—â— such famous persons in doubt But wee may say in their excuse that men being weary of these confusions haue willingly left them doubtfull to hide the infamie of their times or else no man durst set Pen to Paper to represent the shamefull courses of those miseries Lewis and Caroloman tooke either of them a part to gouerne Lewis the countrie on the other side of Loire and Caroloman that on this side They had the Normans and Boson King of Arles for common enemies Lewis defeated by the NormaÌ„s and â—yes for griefe and as continuall thornes in their sides in diuers places and vpon diuers occurrents for the ending whereof they besiege Boson in Vienne and resolue to take it but presently the Normans come to his succour Caroloman continues the siege and Lewis goes to incounter the Normans But oh the vanity of humaine conceptions the Regents are frustrate of their hopes for Lewis looseth his Armie and afterwards his life through griefe of his defeat Carolomon on the other side takes Vienne but not Boson who saues himselfe in the Mountaines of Viuarez And contrarywise hee that hoped to haue his greatest enemy in his power was surprised by death vnlooked for and extraordinarie 885. hauing ended his â—eege and become sole Regent by the death of his brother But the manner of his death is diuersly obserued some write that running in iest after a gentlewoman he was crusht vnder a gate whether his horse had violently carried him Others say that hee was slaine by a boare going a hunting or that being at the chase he fell downe and brake his necke But all this notes that the manner of his death was violent and extraordinarie Caroloma◠〈◊〉 a violent death So the Regencie of these two bastards gotten by sute against the Law was both short and vnfortunate Lewis succeeded to these two brethren Men dispute with much vncertaintie what he was to Caroloman either brother or sonne but all agree he was an idle person It is likely hee was the nearest kinsman hauing seized on the authoritie after the death of these two Regents but in effect the French had the power in their owne hands It chanced as they were readie to free themselues off this Lewis that he died and so they called Charles the grosse King of Bauiere first Prince of the bloud to this great dignitie CHARLES called the grosse or great 29. King and Emperour An Example from a tragicall change to a worthie person CHARLES THE GROSE KING OF FRANCE XXIX CHarles called the grosse began to raigne the yeare 88â— and raigned nine yeares 885. His entrance was goodly but his end tragically fowle Hee was installed in the Regencie with the same ceremonies that the other two forenamed for he was crowned King with promise to restore the Crowne to the lawfull heire and to gouerne according to the will of the States Hee was sonne to Lewis called Germanicus sonne to Lewis the gentle as wee haue said This neerenesse of bloud gaue him an interest and the Imperiall dignitie power and meanes to gouerne the Realme well So the eyes of the French were fixed on him as the man which should restore their decayed estate Great hopes oâ— Charleâ— his good gouernment after so many disorders and confusions His entrance was reasonable happie as at the first euery thing seemes goodly being respected of all his subiects He went into Italie and expelled the Sarazins which threatned Rome but being returned into France hee found a new taske for the Normans a Northerne people gathered togither not onely from Denmarke but â—lso from Sweden and other neighbour Countries as the word of Norman doth shew signifying men of North were dispersed in diuerse parts vpon the sea coast of the Realme of France and had cheefly set footing in the Countries of Arthois â—herouenne and other low Countries and in Neustria one of his greatest and neerest Prouinces taking their oportunitie by the troubles so long continued among the brethren Neustria new calleâ— Normanâ—ie Chaâ—les defeated by the Noâ—mans yâ—lds to a preiâ—diciall peace Charles marcheth with his armie against them but at the first incounter he was beaten This checke although the losse were small stroke a greater terror and in the end caused an apparent impossibilitie to recouer that Prouince from so great forces so as he was aduised to enter into treatie with them and to make them of enemies friends leaâ—ing them that which he could not take from them The which hee did absolutely of his owne authoritie being very great vnited in these two dignities without the priuitie of his Estates So Charles yeelded Neustria to the Normans vppon condition they should do homage to the Crowne of France Then gaue they their name to the Countrie which they had conquered ratified by this sollemne title and called it Normandie He likewise lost Frâ—seland and gaue Gisele in marriage being the daughter of Lothaire his Cousin to Sigefrid or Geffrâ—y one of the cheefe of the Normans thinking thereby to stoppe this storme But therby he wrought his owne ruine for this grant was found so woÌ„derfully strange that the French not only greeued that the Regent had done it without their aduice but also that in yeelding this goodly countrie to the Normans he had dismembred the inheritance of the Crowne which is inalienable by the law of State And although necessitie might inferre some consideration for Charles his excuse yet the French for this respect conceâ—â—ed so great a hatred against him Charlâ—s extreamly hated as they could not rest vntill they had degraded him And as one mischeefe neuer comes alone Charles finding himselfe thus disdayned fell sicke This corporall sicknes was accompanied wâ—â—h a distemperature of the mind farre more dangerous by an extreame iealousie hee had conceiued against his Queene Richarde daughter to the King of Scots suspectâ—ing her to haue beene too prodigall of her honour These two infirmities of bodie and mind made charles altogither vnfit for his charge which consists more in action then in contemplatiue authoritie and in a season when as occasions were ministred on all sides This difficultie and disabilitie to serue effectually in the regencie of the Realme and Empire vnited in one person of whome all men expected much and they discontent of the ill gouernment which the French and Germains depending of this Crowne pretended in quitting Normandie made both the one and the other to enter into strange alterations against Charles At the first his great authoritie kept the boldest in awe and his sicknes did excuse
which is decreed in heauen At this time William Duke of Normandie the sonne of Rhoâ— The Duke of Noâ—manâ—â—â— traâ—terously â—â—aine who had shewed himselfe so affectionate in the restoring of the King to his dignitie was traiterously massacred by the meanes of Arnoul Earle of Flanders his capitall enemy leauing one sonne named Richard a young man vnder gouernment This vnexpected and extraordinary death must needes breed great troubles in Normandie an estate which was but now beginning It did greatly import for the good of France to haue this Prouince in quiet Lewis was likewise particularly bound Troubles in Normanâ—ie for the good entertainment he had receiued of William in his greatest necessitie the which tyed him to his sonne These were goodly shewes to maâ—e him imbrace this cause so as hauing intelligence of this accident hee sends expresly to Richard and his Councell to assure him of his loue and succour and followes himâ—elfe presently to Rouan with a traine fiâ—te for his royall greatnesse being loth to bee the weakest after so strange an alteration where the most audacious do commonly fish in a troubled streame The colour of his comming was to comfort Richard with his councell and fauourable assistance but in effect it was to seize vpon his person and estate Hee sends for this young child to his lodging conducted by his gouernour the Knight Osmand he doth assure him with sweete words of his fatherly loue but when night came he would noâ— suffer him to depart detaining him three dayes with a carefull garde The people incensed by them that had the charge of the young Duke mutine and besiege the Kings lodging Hauing pacified this popular fury in deliuering them their Prince hee protests to haue no other intent but to preserue his estate And so in an open assembly of the Citty receiuing him to homage hauing giuen him a discharge of his lands and Seigneuries hee doth solemnly promise to reuenge the death of William against Arnoul Earle of Flanders and gets the consent of the Normans to lead their Duke with him to be instructed with his sonne Lothaire a young childe of the same age Hee brings him to Lâ—on whether Arnoul the murtherer of William repaires in shew to purge himselfe of the murther but in effect to perswade him so to seize on Richards person as he might enioy his estate Lewis being resolute in this determination a man disloyall by nature Lewis deales tâ—echeroâ—sly wâ—th the Duâ—e of Normandie and louing nothing but himselfe hee caused this poore young Prince to bee straightly garded but this Gouernour Osmond retires him cunningly out of Laon conducting him to Senlis to Hebert his fathers conâ—ident friend This is â—ee which imprisoned Charles the Simple contrary to his faith and now hee detests Lewis his Soueraigne Lord who seekes to doe the like vnto onâ— of his vassalls But we shall soone see the Iustice of God aboue all who will punish one by an other and shew himselfe an enemie and reuenger of all disloyaltie and misdemeanour both in seruant and maister and in all other as all are naturally subiâ—ct to this soueraigne lawe of integritie and faithfulnesse to all men Hugues the great Earle of Paris and Maior of the Pallace had won great credit with the Citties and men of warre but hee was more feared then loued of Lewis a treacherous and reuengefull Prince whome hee distrusted and opposed his authoritye against him Hebert was his confident friend So in this occurrent of this young Prince hee comes to Paris and winnes him to promise fauour vnto Richard or at the least to make him promise not to bee his enemie 942. The King likewise knowing how much his friendshâ—ppe did import in these 〈…〉 labours to winne him such was the strangnes of that age as the master must 〈…〉 the seruant the which hee obtayned vpon condition to giue him a good part 〈…〉 Herevpon the match was made that Hugues should accompany Lewis 〈…〉 warre of Normandy and should enter on the one side while the King came on the other promising to diuide their conquests according to their agrement But this succeeded not according to their meanings the two deceiuers were deceiued but the greatest bare the greatest burthen This complot of Lewis and Hugues could not be so secret but it came to the knowledge of Hebert who gaue intelligence to Richard and his gouernors Osmond and Bernard the Dane so as they assemble at Senlis and resolue to crosse this double dealing of Hugues with the like policy To this ende Hebert according to the familiarity he had with Hugues goes to conferre with him to put him in minde of his promise of the right of a yong Prince vniustly pursued by Lewis and of his treacherous and disloyall disposition who hauing vsed him to worke his will would in the end deceiue him beseeching him to stand firme in a good cause for his ancient and faithfull friends and not to fortifie their common enemy by the afflictions of an other but in defending the right vniustly set vpon prouide for his safety and profit Hugues who thought it best to haue two strings to his bowe distrusting Lewis in his heaâ—t more then any man lyuing doth easily grant Hebert to assist Richard against Lewis and doth confirme his promâ—se by oth Hebert hauing thus ingaged Hugues and yet distrusting him greatly whome he sees to play on both sides returnes to Senlis to Richard and his gouernors where they conclude that if Hugues ioyned with the King against Richard they would compound with the King to his cost The deceiuer is deceiued and so it happened The King goes to field with his army on the one side and Hugues on the other to inuade Normandy in diuers partes when as Bernard the Dâ—ne chiefe gouernor of the State for Richard and Osmond of his person came boldly vnto Lewis and sayd vnto him that he had no neede to attempt Normandy by force when as he might enioy it by a voluntary obedience for proofe whereof if it pleased him to come to Rouan he should be obeyed But withall he aduised him to take heed of Hugues his ancient enemy shewing him treacherously the countenance of a friend seruant least he were circumuented but rather to accept of al Normandie with Rouan the which offred it selfe vnto him to receiue peace from him yeeld him obedience as their Soueraine Lord. Lewis willingly giues eaâ—e to this aduice he comes presently to Rouan and is honorably receiued sending word to Hugues that seeing the Prouince obeyed there was no neede of further proceeding and hauing not imployed him in this voluntary conquest it was not reasonable he shoul participate in an other mans estate that the publike good and reason required him to leaue Richard as he was vnder the obedience of the Crowne without dismembring of his Estate Hugues who pretended a good part of this rich Country was greatly discontented with Lewis Hauing dismissed his
Lothaire dyes detâ—sted of all men and Lewis his sonne for a finall conclusion of his race as an outcast of great Charlemagne LEWIS the 5. the 35. King and the last of this second race LEWES .5 KING OF FRANCE XXXV HE raigned one yeare onely and dyed without heire 964. without friends and without memorie The last King of the race of Charlemagne leauing his place voyde at time of need in troubles of State and confusion of times horribly corrupted He was likewise called idle hauing done nothing worthy of memory but in leauing the place to a better Prince and more worthy then himselfe whom God the protector of the Crowne of France had reserued for this estate in so great necessitie God the disposer of Kingdomes and states for as God had decreed that out of the house of Hugues the great should issue a great King which should repaire the errors of this bastard race of Charlemagne so likewise hee had prepared the meanes both for the father to lay the foundation and for his sonne Hugh Capet appointed for this dignity to finish this goodly building as it appeares in the following discourse THE THIRD RACE OF THE KINGS OF FRANCE Called Capets or Capeuingiens of the name of Hugh Capet Father to the Kings which raigne happily to this day I haue made the earth with a stretched out arme and dispose of the estates of men at my pleasure By me Kings doe raigne A particular Chronologie of the third Race Yeares of grace Kings From the yeare 988. vnto the yeare 1598. 988. 36. Hugues or Hugh Capet The first of that race who setled the Estate of the French Monarchie much shaken by the confusion of ciuill warres and the multiplicity of masters He reckons twentie and eight Kings issued from him successiuely from father to sonne or from branch to branch according to the order of the fundamentall Law of the State of France Hauing raigned nine yeares he leaues 996. 37. Robert his sonne alone of that name a peaceable King who raigns 32. yeares and to him succeeds 1028. 38. Henry the first of that name his sonne who raigns 33. yeares and to him 1061. 39. Philip the 1. his sonne who raigned 49. yeares and to him 1109. 40. Lewis the 6. called the grosse his sonne who raignes 29. yeares and to him 1137. 41. Lewis the 7. called the yong who raigned 44. yeares and to him succeeded 1181. 42. Phillip the 2. surnamed Augustus or giuen of God his sonne who raigned 44. yeares and to him succeeded his sonne 1223. 43. Lewis the 8. called the father of Saint Lewis who raigned 3. yeares and to him 1227. 44. Lewis the 9. called Saint Lewis a great and famous Prince he reigns 44 yeares and to him his sonne 1271. 45. Philip the 3. surnamed the hardie who raigned 15. yeares and to him his sonne 1286. 46. Philip the 4. called the faire who raigned 29. yeares and to him his sonne 1315. 47. Lewis the 10. surnamed Hutin hauing raigned 2. yeares hee leaues the Crowne to his brother 1317. 48. Philip the 5. called the long who raigned 6. yeares and leaues the scepter to his brother 1322. 49. Charles the 4. called the faire who raigned 6. yeares And by the law of State for want of sonnes or brother the Estates of France notwithstanding the pretentions of Edward King of England 1328. 50. the sonne of the onely daughter of Philip the faire placed in the royall throne 1350. 51. Philip of Valois the 5. sonne of Charles Earle of Valois and second sonne to Philip the 3. and by consequence the neerest kinsman to the three former Kings Heraignes 23. yeares and to him succeeds his sonne Iohn alone of that name   Vnder him began a confusion in the Realme the which continued neere a hundred yeares with much miserie that is from this Iohn vntill the warre of the common weale vnder Lewis the XI So wee reckon 5. very troublesome raignes vnder Iohn Charles 5. Charles 6.  Charles the 7. and Lewis the XI who setled and augmented the Estate of the realme being greatly decayed by the continuance of ciuil wars Iohn hauing raigned 14. yeares leaues the realme to 1364 52. Charles the 5. his sonne called the wise who raigned 18. yeares and to him succeeded 1382. 53. Charles the 6. his sonne who raigned with much paine 42. yeares and to him 1424. 54. Charles the 7. his sonne   Who expelled the English out of France and setled the Crowne seized on by the King of England who was Crowned and proclaimed King in Paris hauing raigned 39. yeares He leaues the royall scepter to 1463. 55. Lewis the XI his sonne   Who vnited Bourgongne and Prouence to the Crowne and thereby tooke away all occasions of trouble leauing the royall scepter to his sonne 1483. 56. Charles the 8. with peace   The which continued without any disturbance a boute a hundred yeares from the yeare 1462. vnto the yeare 1562. vnder the raigns of Lewis 12. Francis 1. and Henry 2. Charles the 8. hauing raigned 14. yeares dying without Children the realme was transported to 1498. 57. Lewis the 12. Duke of Orleans who raigned 18. yeares and for want of heires male remits the Crowne to 1515. 58. Francis the 1. of that name Duke of Angoulesme who raigned 32. yeares   An excellent Prince who after the long ignorance of obscure ages caused the knowledge of learning to flourish hauing beautified his vniuersity of Paris with excellent learned men in the tongues and sciences the which were dispersed ouer all Europe and to him succeeded his sonne 1547. 59. Henry the 2. of that name who raigned 12. yeares and to him succeeded 1559. 60. Francis the 2. his sonne who dying without Children there succeeded him his brother  61. Charles the 9. who dying without Children left the Crowne to  62. Henry the 3. his brother the last of the royall race of Valois who beeing slaine by a Iacobin and dying without Children there succeeded in the lawfull masculine line  63. Henry the 4. before King of Nauarre and the first King of the royall line of Bourbon who now raignes and long may he rule happily and holyly beloued obeyed and respected The Genealogy of King Henry the 4. now raigning according to the order of succession is at the ende of the royall branch of Valois HVGVES or Hugh Capet the 36. King and the first of the third race the which raignes at this daye vnder Henry the fourth HVGH CAPET KING OF FRANCE XXXVI THE royall throne of France remayning voide 987. by the death of Lewis the 5. did visibly call Charles Duke of Lorraine to the Crowne of whome we haue before made mention as the first Prince of the bloud royall to whome I say the fundamentall Lawe did adiudge the Crowne for want of heires males Charles Duke of Lorraine hâ—ire presumptiue reiected from the Crowne and. Hugh Capet chosen King of
France lawfull sonnes of Kings Charles was sonne to Lewis the 4. brother to Lothaire Vncle to Lewis the 5. the last King But it chanced otherwise for Hugh Capet sonne to Hugues the great Maior of the Pallais Earle of Paris and also Prince of the French carried it from Charles being aduanced to the Crowne by the free election of the French assembled in Parliament according to the ancient and inuiolable customes of France By whose decree Hugh Capet was elected King and Charles Duke of Lorraine reiected from the Crowne This election being confirmed by the blessing of God who hath mainteyned the possession thus made lawfull by the consent of the French nation in the successiue posterity of Capet who happily preserued the French Monarchie vnto this day The date of this change vnto the third Race against the sundry violences of strangers This change happened in the yeare 987. in the moneth of Iuly But as this action was one of the worthiest that euer chanced in this realme beeing an estate vnder which our Ancestors haue liued and we do liue at this day which gouernment hath continued 619. yeares Yet all this is handled by our ordinary writers with such obscure breuity as if Hugh Capet had fallen out of the clouds or beene sodenly bred in one night like vnto a mushrome 987. The wise reader which seekes the truth must giue me leaue to dilate my stile to shewe him by degrees the breeding continuance and establishing of this newe royaltie in the house of France transplanted into the house of Capet as I could collect it by the curious search of the Originalls and as the traces of truth could direct me in so crooked a Laborinth vnknowne to the greatest part of our French nation What I haue heere described is faithfully drawne out off diuers authors which liued in those times I haue onely fitted my report to be the more intelligible and will simplie represent what passed in this change not giuing my iudgement but leauing it free to the vnpassionate reader We haue sayd in the second race that Lewis the 5. sonne to Lothaire dying without heires males had buried the royalty with him for Charles Duke of Lorraine whome the Lawe of state preferred to this dignity had by his actions made himselfe vnworthy of this great honour He had recourse to the Emperour Otho and had taken the oth of fealty The reason why Charles was reiected to be inuested in the Duchie of Lorraine So by this homage he had renounced all the interest he could pretend to the Crowne of France Moreouer hee had aggrauated this error by an irreconciliable hatred for being Duke of Lorraine he had shewed himselfe a passionate enemy to the French in maynteining the Germaine saction against them who had not long before with-drawne themselues from the obedience of our Monarchie It is also likely that many priuate men were mooued with the interest of this generall quarrell by reason of the situation of Lorraine the ordinary passage from France into Germany Prouinces of comerce togither These priuate iniuries bred in the end a generall discontent the which was increased by such as had a priuate interest in the wrongs they pretended to haue receiued The feeling of these bad practises acted so lately by Charles against France both in generall and particular did incense the French against him But the example and cries of them of Lorraine added to their experience confirmed their resolution to stoppe his entrance to the Crowne for Charles beeing a rash and a wicked man bearing a Kings minde vnder a Dukes title did infinitly oppresse his subiects of Lorraine for the supplying of his prodigall expences hauing as little iudgement and temperance to intreate them of Lorraine mildely as hee had reason to gouerne himselfe The president of these newe subiects whome he enâ—â—â—ed but sufferance preuailed much with the French in this newe accident 〈◊〉 â—â—at could they with reason conclude of his vsage against them who should be his natuâ—all and necessary subiects being yet terrefied with the memory of that which 〈…〉 â—â—â—red vnder Lothaire his brother This waâ— the preparatiue of Charles his 〈…〉 wrought by himselfe to depriue him of that authority wherevnto God had 〈…〉 These were the causes which made the French resolue to withstand Charles 〈…〉 with all their force in his pretension to the Crowne of France But howe then Charles beeing reâ—â—cted the realme had neede of a King vnable to subsist without one no more then a body can without a head Thus the end of the one is the beginning of the other and necessity gaue the people this first adâ—â—ce to change tâ—rust forward with the only consideration of their quiet and proâ—lit But the Nobility growne great by the disorders of troubles past had yet more interest in this change for the preseruation of their goods and honours They could not liue all equall 〈…〉 command the 〈◊〉 of an â—state This equall commande is a plague to the French they had deuoured 〈◊〉 an other without a great commaunder respected of them all for so many Prouinces so many petty Kings which had neuer yeelded one to an other without a Controuler In this estate they could haue no recourse but to Hugh Capet being accompanied with all the commendable qualities that might make a man worthy of a great commaund Hugh Capet 〈…〉 wot 〈…〉 Crowne with authority power vnderstanding courage wisdome equitie mildnesse dexterity valout and credit both within and without the realme We haue before spoken of his father Hugues the great the sonne of Robert Duke of Anger 's who was the head of the League against Charles the Simple shewing that he not onely maintained himselfe after the death of his father Robert but also built his desseignes vpon the same foundation vnder the raignes of Lewis the 4. and Lothaire Princes hard to bee circumuented They feared him more then they loued him yet hee vsed their authorities to his owne good and did so wisely preuent the practises of these two malitious and reuengefull Princes as hee mainteined his authority firmely by the meanes of his great commands Being Duke of the French The wise proceeding of Hugues the great his father he had the command of armes As Mayor of the Pallace hee held the helme of the affaires of State and being Earle of Paris hee had the chiefe credit with the people who had their greatest trade in the Capitall Cittie of the realme This was the fruite which the respect of these offices brought him being well gouerned by his wise dexterity And although these Kings loued him not yet the alliance hee had with them as brother in lawe but especially vertue countenanced by so great credit were the cause they not onely made shew to loue him as their allie but also to respect him as one of the chiefest pillers of the State But to these offices and dignities hee added the friendship of the chiefe Noblemen
of the Realme being very carefull to entertaine their loues Richard Duke of Normandie was one of his most confident friends whom hee had gratified mainteining him in the possession of his estate Hee receiued requitall of this good turne with interest in the person of Hugh his sonne to seate him in the royall throne as our History shall declare But all these aduantages were not onely crowned with a goodly and great offspring but also with a sonne endowed with singular graces both of body and minde Hee had sixe Sonnes and two Daughters The offspring of Hugues the great but his eldest was the chieâ—e heire of his name vertue authority credit and happinesse with such successe as he made perfect the worke his father had begun Hee was named Hugues and by surname Capet eyther for that he had a great head He was called Capitosus or that being young hee was accustomed to catch at his companions cappes as a presage of that hee should do to Kings Othâ— and Henry two other sonnes of Hugues were Dukes of Bourgongne one after another his other sonnes were aduanced to Ecclesiasticall dignities the one Archbishop of Tholouse the other of Rouan and the third dyed young One of his Daughters was married to the Duke of Normandie the other to Frederike Earle of Metz. Hee had taken his first wife from England the Daughter of King Edward and sister to Queene Ogina the wife of Charles the Simple mother to Lewis the fourth and although he had no children by her yet did he carefully preserue the friendship of this allyance and before his death he chose a wife out of this great house for Hugh Capet his eldest sonne the which was Adelais the daughter of King Edward Thus he fortified his greatnesse by all meanes the which raised his posterity to the royall throne purchasing credit both within and without the Realme by all meanes fitte to establish a great family These were the ordinary proceedings which humaine pollicie being the gift of God and a branch of his wisdome in those that he will blesse leauing the wretched plonged in their wretchednesse by their owne indiscretion doth vsually prescribe to wise and carefull men But Hugues the great had another benefit which surmounted all these his great meanes or the force of his friendships and alliances hauing a sonne capable of iudgement for great attempts fit for the time brought vp and instructed by himselfe To conclude all things were so disposed in France as they must necessarily receiue him for King Necessity the generall consent both of great and small and a meanes to preserue the Crowne from ruine the which hee alone could effect But if the French were forward in seeking to him Hugues was so much the more incouraged to imbrace so great and famous a dignity And in the execution of this generous desseigne hee carried himselfe with so great wisdome moderation and dexteritye as wee may well say that God called him as it were from heauen There remayned nothing but an orderly proceding to that which reason presented vnto them Hugues beganne with the greatest who had a speciall interest to preserue what they held Hugh Capets proceeding to attaine the Crowne He treated mildly with them for the coÌ„mon necessitie The condition was To leaue them all that by inheritance which they held of the Crowne by title of office and they to do homage and acknowledge him for their lawfull King Thus was the accord made betwixt the Nobilitie of France Hugh Capet profitable for the great meÌ„ necessarie for the people honorable for Hugues beneficial for the realme for by this meane the realme was maintained in one bodie vnder the authoritie of one absolute Commaunder Hugues was well furnished hauing a sonne capable of the realme which was hereditarie The better sort had what they could desire for them or theirs A Parlement called at Noyon â—or the election of Hugh Capet and the people remayned in quiet after so many miseries Things being thus disposed on all sides the Parliament assembles at Noyon whither they runne from all parts and both necessitie and desire to winne his fauour to whome reason should assigne the Realme brought all the citties and made such hast thither as sought to settle their priuat estates by this publike authoritie Hugh failes not likewise to call all his friendes to reape the frute so long sought for with so great paine and trauaile both by himselfe and his father and now to imploy them as in a day of battaile The assembly was great by the concurse of all the Prouinces and Citties of the Realme which repaired thither It was the more famous for that in shew the French offâ—red the Realme to Capet as if hee had not affected it As things passe in this sort Charles Duke of Lorraine well aduertised of the Frenchmens intent the desseignes of Hugh labours to preuent him and being resolued to imploy all his forces hee begins first by admonitions but so ill seasoned as it made the way more easie for Capet for hee sends his Ambassadors to the assembly of the States not to intreat them to receiue him into their fauours Charles sends his Ambassadors to the Estates and and so to the Crowne according to his hereditarie right but to summon them That if they did not speedily obey hee would reduce them to obedience by force The French alreadie incensed against Charles and hauing placed their hopes in Hugh being present and soliciting for himselfe assisted with his best friends fell into so great a rage against Charles by his rough and importune speeches as hardly could the law of nations restraine them from doing some outrage vnto his Ambassadors for their indiscretion Then the Estates inact by a sollemne decree That for as much as Charles had shewed himselfe a friend to the enemies of France I reiâ—cted from the Crowne and a sworne enemie to the French so likewise did the French renounce his friendship declaring him incapable of the benefit of the Law both for that hee gaue the first cause as also not being bound to acknowledge him for King that is an enemie to the State their oth binding them to a King which is a father iust wise mild and temperate And therefore Betweene God and their consciences without any alteration of the fundamentall law they renounce him and declare that their intention is to choose a King which should prouide for the quiet of France They deliuer this declaration to Charles his Ambassadors commanding them to auoid the Realme presently Thus Charles his reiection was the raysing of Hugh Capet for presently the generall estates assembled in one bodie and representing all the Prouinces of the Realme declare by an autentike and sollemne decree That being necessarie to choose a King for the preseruation of the Crowne of France destitute as well by the death of Lewis the fift as by the apparent treacherie of Charles Duke of Lorraine That in
equitie according to God and their consciences the Estates did choose Hugh Capet for King promising to obey him Hugh Capet chosen King oâ— France and and his as their lawfull Kings according to the law of State This is the ground of Hugh Capets royaltie There was no need of any preachers to perswade the people nor to send to Rome for the Popes dispensation as Pepin did The people were fully perswaded in their mindes and a fit occasion was offered that without any iniurious change as that was in the person of Chilperie they might supplie the place being voyde with a better King 988. and more profitable for the common weale This Act was made at Noyon in the moneth of May in the yeare 987. and to giue more authority to this famous decree Crowned at Rheims the same Assembly goes to assist at the Coronation of Hugh who was annointed and crowned King the third of Iuly after his election Hugh Capet being thus chosen and crowned King he studied by all meanes to let the French vnderstand by the effects that they had made a good choise as the successe of his raigne and of his posterities will shewe in the following discourses From Rheims he went to Paris wel accompanied where he makes his entry to the great applause of all the people He imployes his first endeauours to send them all home well satisfied who had giuen him so notable a proofe of their affection But euery one being returned to his house behold Charles of Lorraine reiected assembles forces and with part of them begins to ouerrun Champagne shewing all acts of hostility Within few moneths after he himselfe comes to field with a great army of Germains Charles of Lorraine begins war and surprâ—seth towns Lorrains and Bourguignons and hauing taken Rheims at his first approch hee passeth on towards Paris as to the head or heart of the Estate and enters into Picardy where he seizeth on the Citties of Soyssons and Laon al by the practises of Arnâ—lphe the bastard sonne of King Lothaire and Archbishop of Rheims a man both cunning and head-strong from thence he runs euen to the gates of Paris filling all the country with fire and feare Hugh sleepes not but knowing howe much it did import to possesse the people with good conceit of him and to stoppe the courses and spoyles of Charles who of purpose tormented the Parisiens to breed some innouation hee gathereth together what troupes he can attending the rest which he had sent for and with them he goes presently to field but it chanced that Charles being far stronger then Capet did easily defeat him so as hauing cut his troupes in peeces Hugh Capet deâ—eated at the â—irst in great danger he had almost surprised Hugh in the sight of Paris where he saued himselfe with much paine and danger These beginnings did as much amaze the people who had so cheerfully chosen Hugh as it puft vp Charles already a Conquerour and a peacefull King in his own conceit Charles promiseth to himâ—selfe a happy raigne who being retired to Laon in great triumph sends newe letters to all the Prouinces of France perswading them to acknowledge him for their lawfull King vaunting of this happy beginning as a gage of the felicity which did attend him in his raigne But he had not cast vp his accounts with him who holds the euents of things in his hand for the contrary fell out to that he had imagined Hugh is nothing dismayde at this first repulse these summonings of Charles make him to vse all hast and prickes them foreward with whom he had diuided the Realme hauing an especiall interest in his raigne according to their election All men flye vnto him Charles supposing that Hugh ment to yeeld and that these assemblies were made to haue the better conditions had dispersed his army about Laon and retayned the least part within the citty and with this assurance that all necessaryes should abound he had no care to make vse of his victory when as sodainely Hugh appeares with his army before Laon hauing stopt all the passages he beseegeth it all the Lorraines small troupes which were found in the villages thereaboutes were easily taken and disarmed and the citty was presently summoned to yeeld in the Kings name and to deliuer vp Charles of Lorraine guilty of high treason and enemy to the French vpon paine of fire and sword Charles flies to intreaties and teares The inhabitants complayning of him as the cause of their misery resolue with the aduice of Anselme their bishop to obey Hugh Capet as their lawfull King and to deliuer Charles into his hands The which they did with his wife and children Charles taken in Laon and This happened in the yeare 991. and so the controuersie betwixt Hugh and Charles of Lorraine for the crowne was decided in lesse then foure yeares Hugh being a Conqueror goes to Orleans and leades with him Charles Caried to Orleans where he dies in prison and the remainder of his miserable family inflicting no greater punishment on him then perpetuall imprisonment where he was well kept with his wife vnto his dying day in the which he had both sonnes and daughters 990. There are diuers opinions vpon this point Some say they died all there others say that they repeopled the State of Lorraine and transplanted their race vnto the Princes that rule there at this present But howsoeuer As the Romains had expelled the Gaules and themselues were afterwards driuen out by diuers nations and the race of Pharamond which had dispossessed them was displaced by Pepin so Hugh Capet expelled that of Pepin with a better title then Pepin beeing lawfully called by them which had the right and the presumptiue heire was iustly degraded for his fault Hugh Capet no vsurper Nâ—câ—ste Hugo regni inuasor out vsurpaâ—oâ— eliquaâ—iâ—er est iudicandus queÌ„ regniproceâ—es elegerunt saith Nangius so as no man can with reason say That Hugh Capet was an Vsurper seeing he had so solemne and lawfull a calling by a decree of the generall Estates of the Realme To whom the application of the Soueraigne Lawe belonges as Nangius an auncient writer doth testifie For what auailes it the legitimation of his royaltie to say that Hugh Capet came of the race of Charlemagne by his Mother Auoye daughter to Otho Duke of Saxony and Emperour In this regard shee could not be of Charlemaignes race the which without doubt fayled in Lewis the fourth the sonne of Arnoul neither would it auaile him any thing to bee the sonne of a daughter of France seeing the Distaffe may not lawfully succeede This victory added an incredible reputation to Hugh Capets vertue the which was most apparent in greatest extremities and made him an easie way to purchase obedience in his newe Kingdome He began by homage as the seale of authority To that ende The subiects do homage vnto Hugh hee calles all Dukes Earles
Barons Noblemen and Gentlemen to come and take the oath of fealty They runne on all hands onely the Earle of â—landers that Arnould which had beene the firebrand of those warres in Normandy playes the mutine Hugh hauing called him to doe homage and noted his contumacy goes to field with his forces to compell him thereunto Hauing seized on the greatest part of his country He forceth the Earle of Flanders to his obedience the Earle flies to humility and by the mediation of Richard Duke of Normandy whom he had so much wronged in his youth he makes his peace with Hugh yeelding him the homage which hee had denied with promise to obey him Hauing thus fortified the authority of his Soueraigne commaund hee passed vnto the gouernment of the realme and to make this voluntary obedience so well begun more pleasing to his newe subiects he calls an assembly of the cheefe of the Realme and giues them all to vnderstand that his desire was to haue their aduice for the well gouerning of the State Necessity spake and his proceeding did winne the most violent Hugh doth institute the Pecres of France Hauing renued their homages he sets downe the order of the twelue Pecres of France and protests vnto them all that he will not doe any thing of importance eyther in peace or waâ—re without their aduice So as in yeelding he did aduance himselfe with a wise and victorious modesty By the most ancient institution the chiefe charge ouer armes belonged to the Mayor of the Pallace to the which Martell added the authority of Duke of France But these two great changes gaue a sufficient testimony how much this great authority did import to counteâ— ballance and cheeke the soueraigne authority of Kings and Hugues himselfe was both a witnesse and iudge of that which he had done in the execution of this charge beeing in a manner royall He therefore resolues to suppresse it He â—uppresseth the Mayor or the Pallace and to bury it in an honourable tombe Hee sees many Competitors and takes thereby an occasion to discouer his intent declaring to the greatest of his nobility how happy he was in his raigne hauing the choise of so many persons worthy of this great dignity but finding himselfe bound to al he knew not to whome he was most indebted and was so affected vnto them all as he could not saye to whome hee wished best And therefore to satisfie all his good friendes hee had bethought himselfe of an expedient That his sonne whome nature had giuen him and France had nourished and brought vp for her seruice should be the person to content all his friendes in the execution of this charge which should be in title of a royalty All the Noblemen which would haue endured it oâ— an other impatiently imbraced this speech willingly the which preuented all iealousie and cured the cheefe sore So with one consent it was decreed That Robert sonne to Hugh Capet Crowning his sonne Robert King should bee his Lieutenant generall and to that end should bee anointed and crowned King as hee was at Rheims in the yeare 990 three yeares after his fathers election A wiâ—e Prince and of a temperate disposition a well seasoned plant for the fruitfull continuance of this latter raigne of whome it is sayd That hee was a sonne without frowardnes Roberts vertues a companion without iealousie and a King without ambition So Hugues effected 3. things by this wise proceeding Hee tooke away the breeding of future dangers by restrayning of so great a power he suppressed all iealousie and assured his owne estate in the person of his sonne But in burying thus honorablie the name and apparent shew of this dignitie he confirmed an other to reape the same frute for it is a resolued maxime That in a royaltie the first mouer of an estate must be fortified with some neere instruments with whom he may communicat some beames of his authoritie to impart them to other inferiour motions according to their order The Constable in old time had no commaund but ouer the horse either as great master or as generall vnder the charge of the Maior The Constable succeeds the Maior as the name doth signifie Hugh amplified this dignitie and in suppressing the name of Maior hee gaue that authoritie to the other for the which the maiâ—altie had beene in old time instituted reseruing the frute and preseruâ—ng France both from danger and feare of so great power which might aduance the seruant aboue the master yet this authoritie of Constable is very great soueraigne ouer armes vnder the Kings good pleasure to order the men of warre to take knowledge of their faults The authoritie of the Constable and either to punish or to pardon offences at his pleasure to order battailes to dispose of all things that concerne the souldiar and finally he keepes the kings sword for which the Constable doth him homage Moreouer vnder this dignitie Hugh appointed Marshals to execute the Constables commaunds as his cheefe hands and so by these two goodly institutions Marshals A proclamation to call all gentlemen togither that hold lâ—â—d of the Crowne for martiall affaires Hugh decrees that the elder should raigne alone amongst his brethren He suppresseth the Maior of the Pallais 〈◊〉 the charge ouer armes continued in great credit vnder the great light of the royall Maiestie Hee likewise fortified by new decrees the royall homages of Ban and Arrierban instituted by Charlemagne and to conclude hee made all those militarie orders wherein France surpasseth all other nations to be reduced to their ancient institution and right vse And as good lawes spring from bad manners so Hugh hauing carefully obserued the errours of former raignes endeuoured to redresse them and to preuent the like inconueniences The most dangerous error had beene the multiplicitie of many soueraigne masters one King being sufficient for a whole Realme as one Sunne is for all the world He therefore decrees That hereafter the title of King should not be giuen but to the eldest who should haue some raigne power and commaund ouer his brethren and they should respect him as their Lord and father hauing no portions but his good fauour As for the lands which their elder should assigne vnto them for their portions they should hold them of the Crowne to do homage and to be augmented diminished at the Kings good pleasure The aduancements of Kings bastards had much interessed the State hauing beene allowed and apportioned with the lawfull children yea euen raised to the royall throne as we haue seene Therefore Hugh decreed That hereafter bastards should not onely be reiected from the Crowne but also from the surname of France the which before was allowed them To him likewise are due the goodly ordinances of Iustice and of the treasor wherein without doubt France excels so as they be well executed according to the institutions of the golden age Thus by these wise decrees
reader may peruse it without passion Here beganne the great iarres and contentions betwixt the Emperours and Popes The Estate of the Church and Empire The ancient custome of the Catholike Church practised from Constantin the great the first Christian Emperour was That the Emperour should be president in the election of all Bishops euen of the Bishop of Rome The Popes would not allowe the Emperour should hold this prerogatiue ouer them since the time that Boniface the 3. tooke vpon him the name preheminence of vniuersall Bishop but were chosen without license froÌ„ the Emperour Iohn had held the pontificall sea by vnlawful meanes did lead a dissolute life to the discontent of many for the redresse whereof the Emperour Otho comes to Rome and vpon complaints hauing labored to reclaime this man to his dutie whome he found incorrigible in the ende hee calls a Councell within Rome where by a decree of this Assemblie Iohn the 12. was deposed and Leo 8. substâ—tuted in his place But the Emperour is scarce gone out of Rome The Pope confirmed by the Emperour when as behold newe factions Leo the 8. beeing chosen by his order is exâ—eâ—led by disorder and Benedict the 5. seated in his place Otho returnes and restoreth Leo who vpon this occasion made a decree That in executing the ancient rule of discipline which giues the election to the people and Clergie The power to chose and consecrate the Pope and to rule things belonging to the Apostolike sea and to establish and confirme the Bishops should belong vnto the Emperour as the head and first moderator of discipline Seditious election of Popes So the remedy was well expounded but not well applied for after the restitution of Leo they number seauen Popes Iohn the 14. Benedict the 6. Donus the 2. Boniface 7. Benedict 7. Gregory 5. Iohn 1â— which were one after another placed and displaced by sedition eyther expelled or imprisoned or strangled vntill that Gilibert Arch-bishop of Rauenne of whome wee haue spoken came to be Pope beeing named Siluester the 2. In the life of Siluester the 2. He was brought in by so strange a manner as I haue horror to read Platina who saies it was by deuilish arts But the wise reader may vewe the rest of this troublesome report in the author himselfe altogether vnreprouable beeing a confident seruant to the Popes and so may eaâ—e vs of this tedious toyle Such was the Empire and the sea of Rome amidest these horrible confusions Hugh Capet dies whilest that our Capet labored to repaire the breaches of his newe Kingdome Hauing raigned peaceably nine yeares he died the 22. of Nouember in the yeare 996. Leauing his sonne Robert not only successor to the Crowne but alâ—o of his vertues his happinesse his credit in the deuout loue of the French He had him by Adelais the daughter of Edward King of England in whome hee was so happy as not onely to see him of age but also crowned King and well married He raigned both alone accompanied with his sonne 996. beloued and honored of him and his subiects if euer father and Prince were A patterne of a great States man coming to the extremity of a desperate disease wherevnto he applied such seasonable remedies as hee might well bee called the Restorer of the French Monarchie But from him wee must ascend to God the true gardien of this estate meaning to preserue it by his care and wisdome who gouernes changes by his wise prouidence and giues vertues and successe at his pleasure Now we begin a new raignâ— a wiser more happy and longer then the two precedent whereof the one continued but three hundred and twenty yeares and the other two hundred thirty eight and this vnto Henry the 4. now raigning continueth 619. yeares so as counting the date of it first beginning from the yeare 420. making of all these particulars one grosse summe The Monarchâ—e of France of greater continuance then euer any from the yeare of our Redemers comming into the world we shall finde in all 1596. yeares inclusiue A terme which no State euer atteined vnto It is true that the bounds of this Monarchie shall not be so large as vnder Charlemagne yet better limited and although it seemes that Hugh Capet in yeelding the propertie of the Crowne lands vnto the Gouernours of places did diminish it yet in effect he did augment it in assuring the Crowne by this good husbandry being extraordinary yet very conuenient in such extreame necessitie And since all that which seemed to bee dismembred is returned from whence it came We must therefore set before our eyes all this great Monarchie imparted to diuers Lords aâ—d the royall authority ouer all as the head ouer the whole body which hath diuers members giuing life and force to euery part to exerciâ—e his proper function we shall see in order as things haue fallen out the greatest part of those Prouinces which were made hereditarie by this conuention of Capet returne to the Crowne againe The which I will labour to effect so long as the light shall guide me in the diuersiâ—ie of these changes We shall now enter into a more temperate raigne then the two former We shall not see so many armies in field so many victories nor so many conquests neyther shall we see so many audacious and infamous outrages so many murthers and parricides so many vnnaturall cruelties of children against the father of bretheren against bretheren of husbands against their wiues and of wiues against their husbands wee may well note and obserue diseases but neither so dangerous nor so tedious as haue beene played on the theater of horrible Tragedies in former raignes Doubtlesse as the body and minde haue their proper diseases so hath the estate of mankinde Man cannot be alwayes sound nor alwayes pleasant his body and minde haue their passions in their seasons according to the degrees which God hath prescribed them by the course of nature Likewise the changes are remarkable in all this Monarchie but this raigne iudicially considered we may admire the notable proofes of Gods prouidence who would fortifie this estate for the preseruation of his Church in Europe whereof France is a notable member and doth import much to all other nations The History therefore of this third raigne is most worthy of memory for the vse whereof we may obserue three famous parts to helpe the iudgement and memory An order for the vse of this third raigne The first from Hugh Capet to Philip of Valois where began the controuersie of the English against the French long and lamentable for the pretension to the Crowne of France The second from that raigne to Henry the third the last King of that branche of Valois The third begins at Henry the 4. now raigning the first of the most noble race of Bourbon This Inuentary shall faithfully and briefely quote the particularities of these last reignes to sent
by the decree of Clement But this was not all those which were opposite to the Emperour chose in the place of Gregory Vrbain the 2. and their party growing strong the confusions increased opposing oâ—e Emperour against another Herman of Luxembourg to Henry and after him Egbert Marquis of Saxony the which were taken by Henry and slaine one after another Vrbain hath other practises against Henry hee animates his owne sonne by his first wife against him forcing all the lawes of nature The Pope incenseth the sonne against the father who takes from him both his Empire his life And as Henry had suppressed the practises of this his eldest sonne Pope Paschall who succeeded Vrbain the 2. succeeds him euen in the like monstrous practises incensing his other sonne Henry whom the father intended to make Emperour relying on him as on his child beloued aboue all the rest So this sonne bewitched by ill councell found meanes to seaze on his Father depriuing him first of the Empire and then of his life The Pope added to this death a new disgrace causing by his thundring Bulls The Popes malice against the Emperour being dead the body of Henry to be digged out of his graue These were the fruites of their serious controuersies for preheminence not onely vnknowne to the ancient Church nor practised by the Apostles but expreslie forbidden by the holy mouth of the sonne of God The Popes one after another troubled with these crosses had recourse vnto our Philip so had Henry the 4. being a prisoner to his sonne but the respect of his coÌ„mon friends made him to keepe the stakes and to be a spectator of these lamentable confusions And yet many orders were erected by the Popes amiddest these disorders that of the regular Chanoines for a difference of the secular the Charteaux Templiers Benedictins and Carmes Thus Philip a witnesse of others miseries raignes peaceably during this age full of confusion both in Church and State The Emperour had reduced the realme of Bourgongne to the Imperiall iurisdiction distinguished as wee haue sayd but during these disorders The begining of the estaâ—es of Daulphiné Sauoy Prouence and Francâ—e Conté the whole body was dismembred and reduced to an other forme as when one is wearie of an old garment The industrie of such as held the Citties and Countrie in their possession made foure peeces of this garment The one was for Otho of Flanders which is the Countrie about Besançon with the title of an Earledome whereof it carryes yet the name The other for Berald of Saxony who enioyed Sauoy The third for Guigue the fatte Earle of Grisiuaudan who from little grewe so great in the confusions of times hauing taken the chiefe Citties of the Country and in the end Grenoble the capitall Citty as he became absolute Lord of all that Prouince the which hee called Daulphiné in fauour of his Sonne who hauing married the Daughter of the Earle of Albon and Vâ—ennois named Daulphin would carry the same name holding himselfe honoured by so worthy an allyance The fourth peece is Prouence one of the goodlyest and richest both for the fertilitie of the Countrie and commoditie of Ports most conuenient in all the Mediterranian Sea this was fallen into the hands of Berengers successors by the meanes before specified So the Empire lost the command of these foure Prouinces which fell to foure diuers Lords leauing yet in Daulphiné some traces of the ancient name without any effect for they yet call it the Empire in their common language as wee haue sayd elsewhere But as during the raigne of our Philip these confusions were notable Voyage to the Holy Land so that great and renowned voyage to the Holy Land made by our Argonaâ—tes Christians â—s worthy to be carefully obserued The proiect was to deliuer the Christians of Asia â—ormented by the furious tyranie of the Mahâ—metaines and to repeople the land the which God had honoured with the first fruits of his Church This zeale of Christians was commendable I would to God they had at this day changed their disordered passions glutted with their owne bloud into so holy a resolution vniting their mindes and forces against the common enemie of all Christendome The occasion was giuen by a French Gentleman called Peter the Hermite The motiâ—â— of this enterprisâ— who hauing long trauelled in the East and seene the miseries of the Christians among the Barbarians the maners of the Leuantins and the commodities and discommodities of the Prouinces of Asia neerest to the Holy Land he laide a pâ—ot with Simeon Patriarck of Ierusalem to solicite all Christian Kings and Princes to imploy their forces for the conquest of the Holy land The euent was answerable to the proiect for being come to Rome to Pope Vrbain the 2. he did so well lay open the estate and importance of this action as being satisfied by him he resolues to inuite all the Kings Princes Potentates States Comoâ—altieâ— Lords and Gentlemen of Christendome therevnto To this end hee calls a Councell at Clermont in Auuergâ—e where he assisted himselfe and induced the whole assemblie by his perswasions with so great efficacie as they resolued neither to spare their persons nor estates in the execution of so important a worke Godefroy of Bouilâ—on sonne to Eustace Earle of Boulogne vpon the Sea being Duke of Lorraine by his Vncle Godefroy the Crooke-back the sonne of Gothelon a great and a generous Prince ofâ—â—ed himselfe the first to this expedition and was chosen chiefe of this famous action The Emperour and all Christian Princes promised to contribute their meanes some their persons A troupe of all the selected Nobilitie of Europe did willingly consecrate themselues The names of such as went to the Holy land The most apparent were Eustace and Baldwin brothers to Godefroy Hugh the great Earle of Vermandois brother to Philip King of France Robert the Frison Earle of Flanders Robert the second sonne to William the Bastard Duke of Normandie and King of England Stephen Earle of Blois and Chartres Aimar Bishop of â—uy William Bishop of Oranges Raimond Earle of Tholose and Saint Gilles Baldwin Earle of Hainault Baldwin Earle of Retbel Bohemond Duke of Apouâ—lie Garnier Earle of Grez Harpin Earle of Bourges Ysoard Earle of Die Rambaud Earle of Oranges William Earle of Forest Stephen Earle of Aumal Hugh Earle of S. Pol Rotron Earle of Perche and many others worthy to be registred in this Historie I haue onely noted such as I could finde out All Europe was moued with this voyage France Germanie Italy England Scotland Hongarie Denmarke and Sueden Spaine onely failed being at that time much troubled to keepe their owne home from the Sarrazins who were lodged euen in their bowels France did contribute more then all the rest of Christendom The zeale which moued these generous and valiant men made them to hazard all Dukes Marquises Earles Barons Knights and Gentlemen sold and ingaged their Seigneuries
no other respect but for the reuerence of Religion and the zeale of publick peace This famous acte happened at Venice in the yeare 1171. in the presence of the Ambassador of the Kings and Princes of the greatest States of Europe that were Mediators of this Accord From Venice Frederick went into the East with a goodly Armie according to his promise And the dissention was well pacified by his humilitie but not altogether suppressed in Italy for it reuiued afterwards as wee shall see in the continuance of this Historie Thus the Christians liued whilest their enemies preuailed dayly in Asia to the great and shamefull losse of all Christendome Such was the estate of the Church and Empire vnder the raigne of Lewis the 7. 1179. Lewis caused his sonne Philip to bee sollemnly Crowned at Rheims at the age of foureteene yeares in the yeare of Grace 1179. Hee betrothed him to Isabel the Daughter of Baldwin Earle of Hainault and hauing thus disposed of his affaires hee dyed the yeare following 1180. An vnwise Prince and vnhappy with all his pollicies Lewis dyes leauing a Leuin of great miseries to his posteritie Doubtlesse the greatest pollicie is to bee an honest man This assured peace caused the Vniuersitie of Paris to flourish as farre as those obscure times would permit Gratian Peter Lombard and Comesior Complaints against the abuses of the Church learned men liued in that age The inexcusable confusion which raigned in the Church was a iust subiect of complaint to the good as appeares by the writings of Peter of Blois Ihon de Saraburck Bishop of Chartres and Bernard Abbot of Cisteaâ—x great and worthy men Their Bookes liue after their deaths wherein the wise Reader may see an ample and free Commentary of this Text the which the Historiâ— suffers me not to dilate of PHILIP the 2. called Augustus or Gods Gift the 42. King of France PHILIPPE .2 KING OF FRANCE XXXXII. THe title of Augustus giuen to Philip is worthy of his person and raigne who not onely preserued the French Monarchie An excellent King and an excellent raigne amidst so many sorts of enemies and difficulties but enlarged it with many Prouinces diuided to diuers proprietaries by Hugh Capet and vnited them to the Crowne for this cause hee was also called Conquerour His dispositioÌ„ The beginning of his raigne was a presage of happinesse for there appeared in his face a great shew of a good disposition inclined to pietie iustice and modestie being strong quick vigilant valiant and actiue Hee did consecrate the first fruites of his raigne to purge the corruptions which raigned among the people Blasphemies Playes Dicing houses publicke dissolutions in infamous places Tauernes and Tippling houses Hee made goodly lawes which our age reads and scornes doing the contrary with all impuniâ—ie but whilest he raigned they were duly obserued The Iewes were mightily dispersed throughout the Realme who besides their obstinate supeâ—stition vsed excessiue Vsurie and were supported for some great benefit by the Pope and oâ—her Princes and States where as they haue liberty at this day to liue after their owne manner Philip expelled them The Iewes banished out of France although they obtained a returne for money yet in the end they were banished out of all the territories of the French obedience and so continue vnto this day This was a small apprentiship and an entrance of much more happy paine the which hee should vndergoe both within and without the Realme in great and troublesome affaires as a famous subiect worthy of his valour England Flanders and Asia prouided varietie and change of worke to imploy his raigne the which continued fortie foure yeares but the change of his intricate marriages troubled him more then all his affaires 1190. as the progresse of our discourse will shew In the beginning there was emulation who should be neerest to gouerne him Philip Earle of Flanders and the Duke of Guienne were competitors The one as Vnckle to the young Queene Isabell his wife Competitors for the gouerment of the state and named by his Father Lewis The other as his neerest Kinsman and both the one and the other had great meanes to preuaile but Richard was the stronger as well by the Kings fauour as by the forces of England of whence he was an Inâ—ant and well beloued of Henry his brother who then raigned Behold the King is imbarked against the Earle of Flanders by the aduise of his Councell The subiect of their quarrell was for Vermandois which the Earle enioyed the King demanded it being no longer his by the decease of Alix dead without children and therefore must returne to the Crowne From wordes they go to armes Their troupes being in field and ready to fight a peace was made with this condition That Count Philip should enioy Vermandois Troubles in Flanders for the Earldome of Vermandois during his life and after his decease it should returne to the Crowne But this peace continued not long among these Princes The King could not loue his Wife Isabel It seemes this was the cheefe cause of the dislike the King had against the Earle of Flanders her Vncle. In the end hee put her away in the yeare 1188. from which time Philip loued Richard Duke of Guienne But this good agreement continued not long by reason of another coÌ„trouersie betwixt him and the English Marguâ—rite the Daughter of Lewis the 7. sister to Philip marryed to Henry of England as wee haue said dyed then without Children Philip doth presently redemand his Sisterâ— dowâ—ie Henâ—y sonne to Hâ—nâ—y the 1. King of England dyes before the father which was the Countrie of Vexin The King of England is loth to leaue the possession so as they fall to Armes and the mischiefe increased by this occasion Henry first sonne to old Henry dyed Richard Duke of Guienne his brother who might haue compounded this quarrell being called to the Crowne embraceth the action with all eagernesse And to crosse Philip by an important diuersion like to olde Henry auoides the blowe in Normandie and enters Languedoc by Guienne into the Countie of Tholâ—usa renuing the old quarrel he had against Count Raimond Philip being assailed in two places is nothing amased Hauing leuied an Armie with all celeritie Warre with England hee enters the English pale Where he sodenly takes Chasteaucaux Busaâ—cais Argenton Leuroux Montrichard Montsorâ—au Vandosme with other Townes and passing on hee batters and takes Mans and hauing waded through the Riuer of Loire he presents himselfe before Tours which yeelds at the terror of his forces Philip of Frâ—nce and Ricâ—ard of England make â— peace Old Henry amazed at the sodaine valour of this yong Prince faints and oppressed with grieâ—e dyes at Chinon in the yeare 1190. leauing his Realme to his Sonne Richard but noâ— his Malâ—ce For presently after his Coronation hee concludes a peace wiâ—h â—hilip vpon a cause very honourable to them both The
and publicke Violence Charitable Liberall and Iudicious to giue with Discretion To conclude the Patterne of a great King by whome our Kings should take example to learne how to gouerne the Helme of an estate in the tempests and stormes of manie toyles and confusions and by the managing and successe of his raigne to gather this goodly Poâ—sie or rather to take this pasport for the confirmation and greatnesse of Kings That a vertuous King is in the ende happie howsoeuer hee bee compassed in with difficulties But before wee enter into a new raigne order requires that wee obserue the estate of the Church and Empire Fredericks humilitie to the Pope Estate of thâ— Empire had somewhat calmed the violence of these factions and his voyage to the Holye Land to performe his full obedience seemed to bring a perfect peace to Christendome when as behold a newe cause of troubles Frederick going for Asia had with the consent of the Princes of the Empire The Pope opposeth agaiâ—â—â— the Emperour confirmed his eldest Sonne Henry Emperour but hee being dead and his Sonne Henrie to succede him Pope Innocent opposed an other Emperour which was this Otho of whome wee haue spoken The Emperour muâ—theâ—red by 〈◊〉 who succedâ—â— him and did excomunicate Henry in hatred of his Father Frederick Otho ambitious of commande caused Henry to bee murthered in his Chamber But it chanced that hauing committed this fact hee went to receiue that disgrace in France 1223. which was his death and Frederick the second succeeded him â—oâ—as he liued when as our Augustus left the Crowne to his Sonne Lewis Of Italy In the meane time the Guelphes maintained the Popes factions withall vehemencie and the Gibelins that of the Emperour The Cittie 's swelled with these humors which distracted their mindes into sundrie factions whereof grew those cruell contentions euen in their owne bowels The heads of Guelphs and Gibelius the which haue continued long with irreconciliable hatred At Rome the Vrsins and Sabelles against the Colonnois Frangepans Cesarins and others At Florence the Medicis Ricci Bondelons Amidees Cerchis against the Strossi Saluiati Passi Albicci and Donati At Genoa the Flisques Grimaldi Fregoses against the Spinoles Adornes Dories and so at Bolonia Milan Ferrara Mantoua Luques and other Citties which by these dissentions haue lost their liberties and are fallen into the hands of diuerse Princes Venice was wise in thâ—se deuisions preseruing her libertie against both factions whilest the rest dismembred and ruined one another The Popes had still an eye vpon France to confirme their authoritie there as they had done in Sicilia and England The Popes soueraigne authoritie ouer Christendom not ceasing vppon euery light occasion to censure it or to threaâ—en it with their censures But our Kings by the wise Councell of their Parliament at Paris restrained them not suffring them to vsurpe any thing ouer their royall prerogatiue and the libertie of the French Church But howsoeuer the Imperiall State being made subiect to the Pope the way was easie to draw all the Kings and Princes of Christendome to obedience and to aduance their throne aboue the rest Their great reuenues and the shew of their stately and sumptuous traine kept the people in obedience but the deuoute respect of religion the strictest bond to tye soules was the fundamentall support of this soueraigne authoritie the which not being limited within the bounds of mortall life without doubt struck an vnauoidable terror into mens consciences ouer which it had power So as the Pope gaue lawe to all men and whosoeuer obeyed not what they commanded he was excommunicated by this spirituall authoritie of the Keyes which they say doe open and shut Paradice binde and loose sinnes This beleefe setled in the mindes of Christians bred a great deuotion and respect in them and did minister daily new meanes to encrease it At that time sprung vp many orders of religious Friars and Monkes and out of S. Bernards Schoole very famous in those times from this streame grew two branches One was called The poore in Lions the other the humble of Italy which liued of Almes and conuersed with other men expounding the Scriptures and reprouing the abuses of the Church with the like zeale and libertie as we see at this day in the writings of S. Bernard This free and plaine reprehension displeased the Pope who suppressed these two orders with his censures and confining the desciples of S. Bernard to Cisteaux he confirmed 4. new orders of religions The Franciscans instituted by Francis an Italian the Iacobins by Dominick a Spaniard Orders of religious men Carmelites by Albert Patriarke of Ierusalem the Augustins by Innocent the third The Vniuersities of France Germanie and Italy were carefully entertained by meanes of the great reuenues of the Church to settle and augment the Popes authoritie the which was mightily encreased by the diligence and dexteritie of such as instructed the youth easie to receiue such impressions as were giuen them especially their teachers hauing great power ouer their soules Such was the estate both of the Empire and of the Church when as Lewis the 8. entred the royall throne after the decease of his father Philip Augustus Lewis the eight Father to Saint Lewis the 43. King of France LEWES .8 KING OF FRANCE XXXXIII LEWIS was thirty yeares old when he beganne to raigne 1223. in the yeare .1223 was crowned with his wife Blanch beeing then the mother of many children His raigne â—eâ—th Hee died in the yeare 1226. hauing raigned but three yeares neither noted for his vices nor coÌ„mended for his vertues only famous in that He was Sonne to an excellent father father to an excellent Sonne bearing his name not beeing famous inough of himselfe His father imployed him confidently but with small successe The manners of Lâ—wâ—â— the eight He desquieted England but reaped no benifit That which is most remarkable in his raigne Languedoc one of the goodliest and ritchest Prouinces of the French monarchy began to returne to the Crowne froÌ„ the which it was dismembred by Hugh Capet and left as â—n inheritaÌ„ce to the Earles the means was by the ruine of CouÌ„t Raimond chiefe of the Albigeois The Albigeois take their name of a diocese in Languedoc Languedock returnes to the Crowne whereof the head is Alby the 22. Bishoprike of this large Prouince but this name was common to the whole party for that a priuate impression deuided from the common beleefe of Christians which hath caused them to be held for heretikes tooke its beginning with this people of high Languedock and so was dispersed into other Prouinces In this difference of religion we may obserue diuers humors iudgements and censures Diuers opinions touching the Albigâ—ois In so great an vncertâ—nty I will report plainly what is written by the most approoued Authors not giuing any Iudgement the which belongs to the reader neither wil I
all sutes among his subiects and happily hee might haue preuailed in reconciling that great deuision betwixt the Emperor and the Pope if zeale to releeue the afflicted Christians had not made him to abandon his owne quiet with all his good workes to transport his treasure and life into Affrick and there to leaue them among the Barbarians All declined in the East Mahomet preuailed so both there and in Affricke as Europe was threatned by their neighbor-hood Spaine as the neerest and Prouence and Languedoc by the easie aboard of the Mediterranian Sea Lewis not able to liue without seeking the aduancement of the Christian religion resolues a voyage into Barbarie Lewis goes into Barbèrie against the aduise of his estate and contrary to his owne experience A zeale which shall succeed ill for himselfe and his whole realme whom we cannot excuse of indiscretion Thus he inrouled himselfe the second time and his Sonne Philip likewise which shall succeed him with Peter Earle of Alanson and Iohn Earle of Neuers surnamed Tristan He left the Regencie to Simon of Neele and Mathew of Vendosme of whose fidelitie he relyed much Before his departure he made a league with the King of England to whom he had done many good offices in his great necessitie It was agreed A League wiâ—h Enâ—land 1269. â—hat the English should pretend no interest to Normandie nor to the Earledome of Aniou Maine Poitou and Touraine and as for Guienne hee should enioy the Countries of Quercy Limosin and Xainronge vnto the Riuer of Charenton all which Countries hee should hold by homage of the Crowne of France and in this regard he should be Vassall and Leege-man to the King of France For confirmation of this accord Edward his Sonne enters into societie of Armes with Lewis for the voyage of the Holy-land to maâ—che at the same time This accord was made in the yeare 1269. and their departure was the yeare after 1270. the first day of May. He paâ—ted from Aigues-mortes and not from Marseilles as some haue written for that there was no good port vpon the Mediterranian Sea hee caused the Cittie of Aigues-mortes in Languedoc to bee built and compassed it with goodly Walles which speake yet of him and with Chanels for the commoditie of the shoare the largest is calâ—ed The great Lewis by his name Edward takes his course for Asia and Lewis for Affrike the French armie consisting of forty thousand fighting men that of England is not specified The voyage was shott vnhappy for them both but especially for our good Prince Lewis had scarce lost the sight of shoare and discouered the Iland of Sardinia when as both he and his whole Fleete had almost perished in a storme Lewis in danger at Sea A presage of a mournfull successe In the end he lands in Affricke A Country worthy to loose that ancient name among vs and to be called Barbarie for the barbarous and vnfortunate successe it brought Lewis resolues to take Carthage a new Cittie built vpon the ancient name and held for a strong garrison of the Barbarians He takes it but with great paine and losse From thence heâ— goes to Thunis a strong and well garded Cittie resolute to haue it at what price soeuer But man purposeth and God disposeth For as Edward sonne to the King of England turned backe from his voyage of the East The Armie infected with the plague hauing passed but to Malta and Charles King of Sicilia going to ioyne with him to set vpon the Barbarians of Affricke altogether In a manner at the same time as they arriued all at Thunis the plague had deuoured a great part of the French armie and taken away many Noblemen And to encrease the mischiefe 1270. it enters the Kings pauiâ—â—on and strikes Lewis although some say it was a Flux But whatsoeuer it be our Lewis is extreamly sicke and feeling it deadly Lewis being sicke giues his sonne instruction hee calls for Philip his eldest sonne whose age and vertue preferred him to the Crowne Hauing giuen him goodly admonitions and exhorted him to serue God to liue verâ—uously and to gouerne his people â—atherly vnder the obedience of his lawes which hee himselfe must first obey hauing recommended vnto him the loue of his brethren Lewis dyes and intâ—eated all the Nobilitie about him to obey Philip he yeelded vp his soule to God to take his true rest in heauen leauing all his followers in great heauinesse being the most perfect patterne of a good King that euer was read off in Historie He only wanted the happinesse of a good writer although these small gleans which wee finde in the writings of the Lord of Ioinuille make his vertue admitable A Prince borne for a testimonie to that obscure age Lewis his vertues and for ours which is corrupted to be a President to all Kings and Princes of Religion Equitie Clemencie Wisdome Valour Magnanimitie Patiencie and Continencie to Loue Pietie Iustice Order and Peace to ioyne the loue of holy things and the modestie of manners with armes and State Hauing shewed that it is very fitting for a King To be a good Christian a good Warriour a good Husband a good Father a good Gouernour a good Iusticer and to know how to make Warre and Peace Verâ—ues required in a prince That it is very necessary to ioyne vnto the Maiestie royall Pietie Clemencie and Authoritie to gaine the Loue Respect and Obedience of all men And to conclude That the best gaâ—de and most assured reuenew of a Prince is the loue of his subiects worthy of that venerable name of Holy wherewith posteritie hath iustly honored him He was twelue yeares old when he began to raigne His raigne and gouerned 44. yeares So hee died in the 56. yeare of his age hauing receiued this mortall Crowne in the yeare 1226. and the immortall in the yeare 1270 the 25. of August Of Marguerite the Daughter of Raymond Earle of Proâ—ence His Children hee had foure Sonnes and foure Daughters A Princesse worthy of so great a husband the sole Wife of one husband and hee the onely Husband of one Wife His Sonnes were Philip surnamed the Hardie King of France Peter Earle of Alanson Robert also Earle of Alanson succeeding his brother Peter deceased without Children and he likewise died without any issue and Robert Earle of Clermont in Beauvoisin His Daughters were Blanche Queene of Castile Isabell Queene of Nauarre Marguerite Countesse of Brabant and Agnes Dâ—chesse of Bourgongne His posteritie in his two sonnes Philip and Robert So as of his foure Sonnes there suruiued but two Philip and Robert From Philip the 3. called the Hardie his eldest Sonne are issued successiuely eyther from Father to Sonne or from brother to brother or from the neerest kinsman to the next of bloud Philip the 4. called the Faire Lewis the 10. called Hutin Philip the 5. called the Long Charles the 4 called the Faire Philip
hands 1303. as a pawne vntill the end of the paiment and he might beat downe what he had built in the Castels of Lisle Douay deliuering them to the Earle as to their lawful Lord. The Flemings tyed to sâ—â—ict conditions That the Flemings should raze the walls and Forts of fiue principal Citties Gaunt Bruges Ypre Lisle and Douay and neuer to build them againe That the King should make choise of 3000. men at his pleasure in Bruges and thereabouts that were coulpable of the seditions and murthers committed a thousand of them to bee imployed beyond the seas and two thousand on this side and that the Flemings should furnish 600. men at armes to serue the King one whole yeare where hee pleased And for the performance hereof the Citties should bee bound Six thousand pounds and should forfaire threscore thousand Liuers for non-payment for the effecting whereof Deputies should bee appointed During this treatie the Earle Guy and his daughter Philip Guy Earle of Flanders and his daughter dye the subiect of this troublesome reuolt died to the great great greefe of Philip who sees himselfe frustrate of al meanes to shew his clemencie and bountie But when these Articles were brought vnto the Citties the people did mutine with great impatiencie so as the Deputies perswaded Philip to moderate those which were most greeuous The demantling of the Townes except Bruges where the reuolt began and the banishment of the men conuerting it into a pecuniary fine and a great summe to an annuall pension prefixt to easie paiments Thus the accord was made Robert William and Guy brethren The conditions moderated the sonnes of the Earle Guy of Flanders were deliuered with all the prisoners but we shal see that in the execution thereof there was much trouble During these hard rough proceedings Edward King of England hauing receiued a check in Guienne was quiet fearing Philips resolution in greatest dangers whereof hee could wisely free himselfe in the end an accord is made by the marriage of Isabel the daughter of Philip Isabel the daughter of Philip married to Edward King of England with Edward the 2. who in regard of this marriage recouered all he had lost in Guienne in the taking of Isabell he left to his posteritie a heauy pawne to pretend a title to the whole Realme Philip had his reuenge of this Emperour Adolphe who had so boldly braued him in the beginning of this quarrell vnder coulour of demanding the lands of the Empire lying in the Countries of Bourgongne Daulphiné and Prouence being in old time the realme of Arles but then in the power of diuers Lords as we haue sayd vnder the Kings authoritie The King of England and Earles of Flanders had great cause to complaine of him hauing receiued two hundred thousand Crownes to make war against Philip the which he imployed in the pourchase of Thuringe taking possession of that goodly Land so vniustly gotten being solde by an vnnaturall Father who would disinherit his Children This filthie traffick agrauated by the complaints of the King of England and Earle of Flanders Adolphe the Emperour deposed made Adolphe of Nassau very odious and contemptible being issued from a noble and worthie race but this Act against the poore Children made him vnworthy of the Empire from which he was deposed by a decree of the Electors Albert of Austria seated in his place who poursuing him with war slâ—e him as they write with his owne hand in an incounter neere vnto Spire But Pope Boniface the 8. Philips greatest enemie remained yet vnpacified who stil continued his chollor against him in a season when as he thought him to be drawne drie both of men and money for they write that this warre of Flanders had wasted aboue three hundred thousand Frenchmen in eleuen yeares during the which it coÌ„tinued We haue seene how he vsed him by his Nuncios this last Act will not onely shew the continuance of his spleene but shal also represent a bad Catastrophé in this Tragedie the which shall light vpon the head of Boniface sought for by himselfe Albert of Austria was no sooner chosen and installed Emperour by the Electors but Boniface applyed his wit to winne him against Philip supposing to preuaile against Philip Pope Boniface his practise against Philip. as Gregorie the ninth had done against Frederic the second Hee proclames him Emperour inuests him King of the realme of France giuing him both the title and armes and taking occasion to sowe deuision in the heart of the Realme by meanes of the Clergie who by reason of their reuenues had great power in the State and for the interest thereof great will to preserue them Hee did also write his letters to Philip in this manner Boniface Bishop seruant of the seruants of God to Philip King of Frenchmen Feare God He write arâ—ogantly to Philip. and obserue his commandements wee wil thee to vnderstand that thou art subiect to vs both in spirituall and temporall things and that it belongs not to theâ— to giue any prebend or benifice If thou hast the keeping of any of them being vacant thou must reserue the profits of them to the successors If thou hast giuen any wee iudge thy gift to be void and do reuoke all that hath beene done and whosoeuer beleeueth otherwise wee iudge them heretikes giuen at Latran the fourth of the Nones of December the 6. yeare of our Popedome The King answeres him thus Philips answere to the Pope Philip by the grace of God King of France to Boniface calling himselfe the soueraigne Bishop little or no health Let thy great follie and rashnes be aduertised that in tempâ—ral things we acknowledge none but God for superiour and that the gift of prebends being void belongs to vs by our royall prerogatiue and the fruits that grow thereby the which wee will defend by the sword against all them that shall seeke to hinder our possession esteeming them fooles and without iudgement that shall thinke otherwise These are the very words drawne out of the originall But Philip to preuent the plots of Pope Boniface asseÌ„bled the Prelaâ—s of his realm at Paris with al speed hauing represeÌ„ted vnto theÌ„ the wrong which Pope Boniface had done him by his decree from the which he had appealed as erronious he makes them to renew their oath of fidelitie Hee thankes the King of England in that he yeelded not to the perswasions of Boniface who would haue incensed him against him and in the end he seekes to stay the violent course of his furious practises There was a Gentleman following the Court whose name was Felix of Nogaret borne in Seuennes a mountaine Countrie of Languedoc of the familie of the Albigeois as in that Countrie there were many reserued from father to sonne since the grant made them by Saint Lewis whome Philip held fit for the execution of this charge there was likewise a guide
but the life of men was inestimable The Pope remoues his seat to Auignon Thus this feast gaue no cause of ioy but was famous to posteritie by this notable accident and by the translation of the Popeâ— seate from Rome to Auignon in the yeare 1305. vnto the yeare 1379. vnder Vrbaine the 6. This was the first acte of Clement the 5. being arriued in France In the meane time the Flemings practise new troubles refusing to performe the conditions of peace 1305. and their Earle Robert gathered together men and money on all sides for the warre Wherevnto Philip tyred with the long miseries which had wasted his Realme was vnwillingly drawne Yet he giues charge to Enguerand of Marigny Earle of Longueuille Superintendant of his treasure to finde meanes to leuie an Armie appointing Charles of Valois his Brother for Generall accompanied with Lewis his eldest Sonne and a great number of the Nobilitie But the difficultie to recouer money was so great as the King was forced to grant a truce to Robert Earle of Flanders the which was more auaileable for him then for France This did greatly displease these two Princes who had the chiefe places in the Armie complaining of Enguerand The Princes discontented againâ—â— Enguerand of Marigny as if hee had purposely crossed this leuie with a pretext of want of money when as hee himselfe was rather corrupted by the Flemings They smothred this dislike vntill Philips death who countenanced Enguerand as his good and faithfull seruant against the ordinarie complaints of these Princes of the bloud But after long delayes Flanders continuing still more obstinate in their rebellion and Robert seeking but to gaine time necessitie forced Philip to the Warre and want of money held him backe yet both the one and the other were apparent For the redresse whereof hee finds an expedient to call an assemblie at Paris of all the Citties of his Realme and there to represent vnto his Subiects the great necessitie of his affaires to induce them thereby to contribute meanes for so important a Warre being both necessarie and honorable The assembly was held in the Court of Parliament a solemne place where the King assisted with all his Councel Enguerand of Marigny made the speech as the man which had the managing of his affaires â—he Prouost of Paris made offer of any thing the Cittie of Paris could doe that the example of the capitall Citty might draw on the rest who made the like offer A penny vpon two shilâ—ings sterling They grant a new imposition of ten Deniers vpon the Liuer or Franke of all marchandise wares but when it came to the execution there were daily seditions and mutines in Picardie Normandie Orleans and Lions whither Philip sent Lewis his eldest sonne to pacifie them But oh the vanitie of this world Philip had liued with much paine hee had passed his apprentiship in his fathers troubles crossed with the warres of Guienne and Flanders he had giuen and receiued infinite losses shaken with the pricking thornes of Pope Boniface who sought to ruine both body and soule in excommunicating him seeking to spoile him of his estate Was it not then time to rest after all these toyles and yet behold he is more ready then before to imbarke himselfe in new troubles by the enterprise of a new and dangerous warre wherof all his posterity could neuer preuaile But God more wise then himselfe did cut off his long discourses cast in the mould of an infinite life in this life so soone ended So he dies when his troubles began to liue Philip dyes and goes to seeke rest in heauen the which he could not find on earth He died at Fontainbleau in Gaslâ—nois in the yeare 1314. hauing raigned 28. yeares and liued 58. His disposition and his children are noted in the beginning of his raigne and the estate of the Empire and the Church throughout the whole discourse thereof The estate likewise of the Christians in Asia and Affrike and of the French in Sicilia Naples and Arragon must necessarily be described both that which was past and that which is to come The Popes had imbarked all Christendome in this action goodly in shew and very hurtfull in effect for those voyages beyond the Sea haue consumed an infinite number of men throughout all Christendome The finite of the Easterne voyâ—geâ— Our France hath a great share yea of our Kings Many houses were cast away vpon this shelfe whence grew infinite sutes And from thence likewise came the corruption of fees by meanes of the sale of Lands made by GentlemeÌ„ to pesants To conclude they imployed 200. yeares to purchase much paine infinite losse We haue hetherto seene how things haue passed froÌ„ raigne to raigne from the yeare 1096. the day of the first departure of the Christian armie into the East vnto the yeare 1315. The ordinary practise of the Popes of Rome was to free themselues of Kings and Emperours the more easily to settle their authoritie ouer them as the wise and vnpassionate Reader may verifie by all the circumstances and order of the true Historie I speake onely in termes of State and as mildly as truth will permit me In those times 1314. the Tartar who had vndertaken the protection of the Christians the better to settle their affaires obtained of Pope Clement a new Croysado to the which Philip had vowed two Sonnes Philip and Charles but it had no successe although Clement did what hee could to further the actâ—â—n But a Dog that is â—calâ—d feares the colde water And experience is the mistresse both of wisemen and fooles So all these great shewes in the end came to nothing The Countries so valiantly conquered by the Christians were seized on by the Infidels so as after infinite toiles there sâ—arce remained any relickes of this shipwracke oneâ—y some Ilands to the Venetians and Genâ—uois Cypres Candie Corfu Chio and to all the Christians ioyntly Rhodes and Malta The Christians looâ—e all in the East The Templers placed for the garde of Christendome became so disloyall and corrupt as they must be rooted out the which Phiâ—ip did in France in whose place were instituted the Knights of Rhodes and Malta the which continue vnto this day Behold the end of the voyage of our Argâ—nautes which made so goodly a shew vpon this Theaâ—er in the first Scene But the Catastrophe was so miserable as the Countries where the Gospell had beene Preached remained a shamefull prey to the enemie of Christendome and the Christian Church at his mercie As for Sicilia behold the estate Charles the Lame heire to his Fathers misfortunes taken by Roger Admirall of Arragon The estate of Sicilia and held prisoner foure yeares in the end was released vpon condition he should relinquish all his interest to the two Sciliaes And all which Philip had taken in Arragon returned presently after his death to Iames of Arragon the lawfull heire of that
Realme Naples continued longer in the French mens power but in the end all was lost as we shall see hereafter so as the Arragonois retained to himselfe the possession of these goodly Estates and left vs in our voluntarie losses the gages of our accustomed rashnesse and an apparent testimonie that the Popes gifts to our Kings haue not greatly enriched the poore realme as appeares by infinite examples After that of Naples Hungarie was in no better estate being giuen by the Pope to Charles Martell Sonne to Charles the Lame thâ—se two quarrels hauing drawne all Europe into a strange confusion So there was euery where vanitie for truth brute without fruite and shewes without effect The originals are my warrant for this trueth the which I ought to the honor of the Historie without dissembling LEWIS the tenth called Hutin the 47. King of France LEWIS .10 KING OF FRANCE XXXVII 1315. THIS raigne is short and of small fame as the actions of this King are not greatly commendable He began to raigne in the yeare 1315. and dyed the yeare after the 16. of Iune and so hee scarce raigned a yeare and a halfe The mâ—nâ—rs o◠〈…〉 which time was full of tâ—ouble and confusion according to his turbulent and stirring disposition whereof he bare the name for a blemish to his posteritie fo◠〈◊〉 in old French signifies Mutine A Chollerick Prince Iâ—grate 〈…〉 Outragious defacing his royall Authoritie by the insolent abuse oâ— his power couâ—ring his mortall passions with the vale of his authoritie Hee first maâ—â—â—ed wiâ—h Marguerite the Daughter of Robert Duke of Bourgongne being detected o◠〈…〉 she was confined to Chasteau gaillard vpon Seine where she dyed in hâ—r ignominâ—e Afâ—er her death he married with Clemence the Daughter of Charles brother to Robert King of Sicilia Hâ—s Wiues pretended King of Hungarie Hee made a great preparation against Robert Earle of Flanders but could not passe with his Armie for Waters He discharged his choller vpon Enguerand of Marigny Earle of Longueuille Superintendant of the treasure whome Philip had imployed long and confidently Charles Earle oâ— Valois brother to Philip the Faire accused Enguerand of extortion and robbing the Tâ—easurie making him odious to the people for that he had long manageâ— the treasuâ—e of the Realme to his maisters good liking 〈◊〉 of 〈…〉 put to 〈◊〉 but Lewis and Charles had hatched thâ—s hatred against him to the losse of his life Hee had caused the Pallace to bee built and he disposed of the publike treasure during the long warres of Flanders the which had wasted much to the peoples oppression and hinderance And therefore it was a pleasing spectacle to see Enguerand of Marigny hanged by a solemne sentence vpon the gallowes which he had caused to be made at Montfalcon beating downe his image in the Pallace where the place is yet to be seene with this inscription by it Let euery one rest content with that he hath For he that hath not sufficient hath not any thing This iudgement was very famous yet afterwards it was reuoked but the bodie was not taken out of the graue although he were fâ—eed from the ignominy of so shamefull a death The Earle of Valois was soone after taken with a languishing disease which consumed him by degrees and King Lewis Hutin died so sodenly as he scarce lay sick one day These were the workes of heauen which made the foolish people change their opinion of whom it was rightly spoken What the people sayes a foole speakes for euery one tooke these extraordinarie deaths as witnesses of Gods iustice who punisheth great Princes which abuse the ordinarie power which hee hath giuen them to serue their owne passions And it is to be obserued that this iustice of God continued in the posteritie of Lewis Hutin for he left his wife Clemence with Child who was deliuered of a Sonne an imaginarie King hauing liued but eight dayes and though he were royally interred with Kings yet is he not numbred among them Moreouer hee left one Daughter by his first Wife called Iane for whom Eudes of Bourgongâ—e her Vncle by the Mother caused great Tragedies against the fundamentall Law of State Iane the Daughter of Lewiâ— Hutin pretends the realme to haue her admitted Queene of France wrongfully and vniustly for that women are excluded by the law whereon the French Monarchie was grounded as we haue sayd So this miserable raigne was begun and ended by confusion and iniustice A notable example to obserue the vanitie of the Court in good seruants vniustly afflicted of the people in their false and passionate iudgements rendring euill for good and suffring themselues to bee transported with the ebbing and flowing of their passions speaking good and euill of the same action and the same man without rule without measure and without trueth And of the vanitie of great men which thinke it to bee the chiefe fruite of their greatnesse to abuse their power insolently to the ruine of their inferiours not remembring being blinded with their passions that they haue a superiour ouer them to make them yeeld an account of their vniust proceedings forcing them to make restitution with interest The Parliament made ordiâ—â—râ—â— All that Lewis Hutin did worthy of commendation was that he made the Parliament of Paris ordinary which had but two sittings in the yeare although this commoditie of pleading hath bred many sutes to the hindrance of the publike and priuate good He was called King of France and of Nauarre and left the two realmes to his successor who disposed thereof as we shall see PHILIP the 5. called the Long 48. King of France PHILIPPE .5 KING OF FRANCE XVIII THE controuersie touching the Crowne was easily decided by the euidence of reason and also for that Iane the Daughter of Lewis Hutin 1316. remained by the Will of Philip her Vncle Controuersâ—e for the Crowne of France Queene of Nauarre and Countesse Palatine of Briâ— and Champâ—gne and yâ—t for the discontentment of some Princes of the bloud Philip crowned Philip went to Rheims with a strong Armie to bee annointed there where he was installed the doores of the Church being shutte and well garded He began to raigne in the yeare 1316. and raigned sixe yeares Hee had foure Daughters by Iane the Daughter of Othelin Earle of Bourgongne and no Sonnes By meanes of his Daughters hee made his peace with his discontented Princes His children For hee gaue the eldest to Odon Duke of Bourgongne who had supported the Daughter of Lewis against him and gaue in dowrie the Countie of Bourgongne belonging vnto her by her Mother and to Lewis Earle of Eureux his other opposite hee gaue Iane with the Kingdome of Nauarre and the Counties of Brye and Champagne whereof he afterwards carried the title His dispositioÌ„ A Prince of a very tractable disposition and by consequence easie to bee corrupted rather inclining to ill then good There is
nothing memorable vnder his raigne but that through his facilitie all was tollerable to his bad seruants who vnder his name laid great exactions vpon the people the which caused them to mutine in many places neither did he being great of body and therefore called Long but little of witte vse his authoritie Vnder colour of a voyage to the East two seditious men a Priest and a Monke of the order of Saint Benedict 1322. assembled a multitude of mutinous people which committed a thousand insolencies where they passed Rebels calling themselues Shepherds calling themselueâ— Shepheards but in the end they were defeated in Languedoc The Iewes expelled before were now admitted to returne for money a wretched nation giuen to all kinde of wickednesse and therefore odious to the people An artificiall plague who exclaimed against the disorders growen vp by the facilitie of Philip. This generall hatred bred such a rage in the licentious mindes of the Iewes as they brought the plague into diuers parts of the realme vsing the helpe of Lepars Many were greeuously punished by Iustice and the rest banished out of the dominions of France Flanders seemed ready to fall into new troubles but in the end they were pacified by the marriage of Marguerite the Kings second Daughter with Lewis Earle of Flanders Flanders pacified Neuers and Rethel and the paiment of certaine summes due by the sayd accord These are the most famous acts of that raigne for to what end serues it to relate that priuate Iustice was done vpon a Prouost of Paris who was hanged for that he had put to death a poore innocent for a riche man that was guiltie and condemned to dye Or that Philip would make one waight and one measure throughout his Realme but he could not maintaine his authoritie by the rule of reason These things either too common or not effected are not worthy of a Historie Thus Philip the fift died with small fame the fift yeare of his raigne in the yeare 1322. CHARLES the 4. called the Faire the 49. King of France CHARLES .4 KING OF FRANCE XLIX 1322. AS Philip the Long had succeeded Lewis Hutin his brother with some dispute Charles crowned without opposition so Charles brother to Philip the last of the Sonnes of Philip the Faire succeeded without any dâ—fficultie the question being formerly decided He was Crowned King with great solemnitie the Princes of the bloud and Noblemeâ— assisting â—n the yeare 1322. and raigned six yeares A wise and a temperate Prince His dispositioÌ„ louing Iustice and yet vnfortunate in his familie He was thrice married His first wife Blaâ—che was acâ—uâ—ed and conuicted of Adulteâ—ie duâ—ing his fathers life and was confined to Chasâ—eaâ—-gaillâ—rd by Andely vpon Seine His second Wife was Mary the Daughter of Henry of Luxenbourgh Emperor by whom he had one Sonne whiâ—h dyed as he was borne and his Mother soone after at â—â—ssoudon in Bâ—rry His third Wife was Marguerite the Daughtâ—r of Lewis Earle of Eureux by whom he had Daughters onely His issue leauing â—er with Child as shall be said But let vs make a collection of his life which is not long The facilitie of Philip the Long the furie of Lewis Hutin and the long warres of Philip the Hâ—rdie had peâ—uerted all and giuen libertie to euery man to do what he pleased especially the Nobilitie who being armed committed many insolencies by this libertie and impunitie Charles being annointed he held a great Sessions in his chiefe Citty of Paris to heare all mens complaints and causeth many Gentlemen to be punished Câ—arles punisheth disorders without respect Among the rest Iourdain of Lâ—sâ—e a Gasâ—on who vnder colour of being Nephew to Pope Iohn the 22. then resident in Auignon hauing had his pardon for eighteene crimes whereof the least deserued death continued still in his wickednesse In the end he was taken and brought to Paris The remitting of what was past made him presume of Impunitie But the Iustice of God which comes in 〈◊〉 euen when the insolent and obstinate sinner dreames not of it preuented him 1324. 〈…〉 laying all respect aside caused him to be hanged as a memorable examâ—â—â—â—â—at respâ—ct is an enemy to Iustice which must bee executed without sparing of any oâ—â—â—hat is guâ—ltie of any notable crime 〈…〉 second King of Eâ—gland stood vpon termeâ— for his homage of Guienne 〈…〉 sâ—nt his wife Isabel the Daughter of Philip the Faâ—re and Sister to the King 〈…〉 pouâ—d with him Chaâ—lâ—s brought him to reason bâ— his authoritie and as Hugh 〈◊〉 Lord of Montpesat in Agenâ—is would haue fortified his house without his permisâ—â—â—â—â—e forced him to obey razing the Casteâ—l of Montpesat whence the quarrell 〈◊〉 and made him to giue hostages for the assurance oâ— that hee had promised 〈◊〉 lâ—st these generall quarrels Isabel complaines of her husband Edward King of England there chanced a iarre betwixt Edward and his wife Isabâ—â— dâ—â—contented with her husband for that both she and her Sonne had lost their 〈◊〉 wiâ—h him by the pernicious councell of Hugh Spencer Yet was he so supported by King â—harles as he sent her back into England without any countenance commandiâ—g her to apply her selfe to her husbands humors the which she endeuored to doe bâ—ing a wiâ—e and a couragious Princes yet being assisted as it is likely vnderhand by tâ—e meaâ—es of her Nephew Charles the Faire she preuailed in her desseignes causing Hâ—gh to be apprehended and punished as the Leuaine of all their breach and hauing bâ—ougâ—t heâ— Husband vnto reason she confirmed her Sonne Edward the third a Prince who shortly shall be the cause of much trouble to this Monaâ—chie Charles likewise râ—duced Lewis Earle of Flanders to obedience although he were husband to his Aunt 〈◊〉 hauing called and condemnâ—d him by Court of Parliament at Paris he restored hâ—m to his estates the which he had forfaited by fellonie shewing in one subiect both hâ—s seueritie to punish offences and his clemencie to remit the due punishment The same Eaâ—le being fallen in some dislike with his chiefe Townes seeking to reclaime them by force Charles aduised him to winne them by mildnesse The subiectâ— infirmities must be cured by mildnesse a true remedie to reconcile subiects which are accustomed to oppose themselues against rigour and in resistâ—ng to know their owne forces the which belongs to their Princes by obedience Thâ—s he pacified these discontents betwixt the Earle and the Citties of Flanders by a common reconciliation vpon condition That the Earle should bee acknowledged in his degree and the King as Soueraigne Tâ—is is all that chanced worthy of obseruation in the raigne of Charles the Faire A Prince worthy of the French Monarchie and to bee numbred among the greatest aâ—d most famous men of State His life was veâ—y short in regard of his great sufficienciâ—â— yet with more order and authoritie then his brother Philip the Long who left noâ—e but
Daughters whose names are buried in the confusion of times troubled by the pâ—etences of Males and Females and his wife with Child as wee haue sayd A wombe which shall breed many long and perilous controuersies Charles dyed in the yeare 1328. leauing the Crowne to the second royall branche of Capets wherevnto the order of the fundamentall law did lawfully call them THE SECOND PARCELL OF THE THIRD RACE OF CAPETS CONTAINING THIRTEENE KINGS in the second royall branche called of Valois from Philip of Valois to Henry the third THE NAMES OF THIRTEENE Kings of the second royall branch of Capets called of Valois Philip of Valois Iohn Charles the 5. Charles the 6. Charles the 7. Lewes the 11. Charles the 8. Lewis the 12. Francis the first Henry the 2. Francis the 2. Charles the 9. Henry the 3. the last of this royall branche From the yeare a thousand three hundred twentie eight vnto the yeare a thousand fiue hundred eightie eight PHILIP of VALOIS the 50. King of France PHILLIP KING OF FRANCE L. THe doubtfulnesse of the issue which was expected from the royall wombe of Iane 1328. widow to Charles the faire held the beginning of this raigne in great suspence and perplexitie Controuersie for the realme betwixt Edward the 3. King of England Pâ—iâ—iâ— of Valois euen for the regencie it selfe for Edward the 3. King of England the sonne of Edward the 2. and of Isabell of France the daughter of Philip the faire and sister to the three Kings last deceased pretended it as his right and in case the child died whatsoeuer it were the realme also by the title of royall consanguinitie according to the lawes of England 〈◊〉 Philip of Valois the first Prince of the bloud of France maintained that 〈…〉 of the male if any were borne as the realme if it were a daughter oâ— the sonne died belonged directly vnto him without all controuersie holding the first 〈…〉 among the Princes of the bloud after the decease of the three brethren who had bin 〈…〉 aâ—ter another For Philip the hardie had left two sonnes Philip the faire and 〈◊〉 Earle of Valâ—iâ—â— of whom it is said That he was the sonne of a King brother to a King 〈…〉 father to a King and yet no King 〈◊〉 Philip and Charles had succeeded to the Crowne one after another so as after 〈…〉 the right came to Charles and his children according to the fundamentall law oâ— State To decide this controuersie the generall Estates were called at Paris Philip of Valoâ—â— preferâ—ed to the â—â—owne with great solemâ—iâ—â—e where they decree That Philip of Valois should be Regent of the realme if Queene 〈◊〉 had a sonne and King if it were a daughter 〈◊〉 was delâ—uered of a daughter the first of Aprill at Bois de Vincennes the which was caâ—â—ed Blanche This quaâ—rell thus decided Philip installed King Philip of Valois was saluted and proclaimed King of France and within few daies after was annointed and crowned at Rheims accordiâ—â— to the vsuall custome And â—hen being well accompanied with his Princes Peeres Officers and an infinite number of his nobility he made his entry into his chiefe Citty of Paris with an incredible ioy and pompe this was in the yeare .1328 Being thus in possession of the Realme he studied to settle his estate much disordered by the ill gouernement of the forepassed Kings 〈◊〉 settles his 〈…〉 France and likewise to satisfie the daughter of Lewis Hutin in regard of the Counties of Brye and Champâ—gne lying too neere to his good Citty of Paris to be diuided from the crowne So he treated with her and held them by his prerogatiue giuing vnto her as much in exchange as the said Earledomes were worth lying farther off in the counties of la March Rouergue and Languedoc But Flanders troubled him much more the Earle and his subiects were greatly incensed one against an other by reason of some exactions of money made by the Earle for the payment of his old debtes due by the accord so as they made warre against their Earle and tooke him prisoner Beeing the stronger they controlled their Lord but soone after they payde for their folly for the Earle being deliuered had recourse vnto Philip as to their soueraigne Philip takes the Earles cause in hand He suppresseth the Flemings rayseth a great armie against the Flemings takes sacks and burnes Cassel where they had made the body of their army after the defeate of two and twenty thousand Flemings in a pitched field Hauing subdued this mutinous people hee aduised the Earle to vse that aduantage modestly to win theÌ„ by mildenes not to thrust them into errors by despight or dispaire the which are sooner preuented then repayred in popular tumults Beeing returned from this voyage Philip found newe worke at Paris The Courts of Parlement and all the Soueraigne Iudges assembled from all the Prouinces made a general complaint against the Clergy of France A notable sute of the Patlements against the cleargie they accuse them ofsundry abuses namely that against the due of their charges they intermedled with the politike iurisdiction The sute was vehement famous for the greatnes of the parties The King to reconcile this quarrel calles a general assembly of his whole realme at Paris The cause was pleaded before him with great liberty by Peter of Cugnere this is he who by derision they called M. Peter Cugnet whoÌ„ at this day they finde in the great Temple at Paris noted with a little Monkeys head placed betwixt two pillers to put out the candles being odious by reason of his pleading and as coldly defended by Peter Bertrand both famous Aduocates in those times The issue was doubtfull but Philip foreseeing the euent of so important a busines after that he had seriously exhorted the Prelates to reforme themselues in reforming the abuse to auoide these popular complaints he referred the matter to a further hearing But he had other worke in hand Edward the 3. King of England for that he was not receiued King of France practised great and new desseines against him studying onely vpon reuenge He had purposely refused to assist at his coronation makes no shew of any intent to do homage for Guienne whereunto Philip did cal him Edward hauing no colour to refuse so apparent a duty came to 〈◊〉 with so great and extraordinary a traine as it seemed plainly not to be done to honour the king but rather to strike some feare or admiration into the French of his great forces To check this bold brauâ—do Philip shewed himself a King at his first enteruew with Edward who euen then champt vppon the bit and smothered his choler Edward appeares at the place and time prefixt royallie attired with a long roabe of crimson veluet pouldred with Leopardes of gold a crowne vpon his head a sword by his side and golden spurres on his heeles He presents himselfe standing before Philip
sitting in his royall throane attyred with a long robe of violet coloured veluet pouldred with Fowers-deluce of gold a crowne on his head and the scepter in his hand holding a royall Maiesty accompanied with his Constable Chauncellour and great Chamberlaine The Vicount of Melun great Chamberlaine of France coÌ„mands Edward to take off his crowne sword spurs to kneele downe the which he doth Then hee tooke both his hands and hauing ioyned them both together hee spake vnto him in this manner The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 King oâ— England to 〈◊〉 You become a Leege man vnto the King my Lord who is here present as Duke of Guienne and Peere of France and you promise to be faithfull vnto him loyal Say yea And Edward answered yea In like sort he did him homage for the countie of Ponthieu intreating Philip to restore him all those places in Guienne 1330. which his Predecessors had inioyed Philip answered him with great grauity that he would consider thereof This was the homage which Edward King of England did vnto Philip King of France the which I haue particularly noted as the first act of a notable Tragedy The euent will shew that Philip had done farre better without preiudice to his authority Philips error in receiuing homage lawfully purchased by the law of State to pacifie Edward by all ciuill meanes obseruable betwixt Kings and not to braue him vpon an inferiour quality the which is no blemish to the other for in the end he shewed himselfe his equall in dignity A furious bayte of hatred among Princes which cannot be reconciled Edward departed discontented from Philip The cause of Edwards disconteÌ„t against Philip. resolute to attempt all meanes to crosse him and to ruine him Hee seekes out all instruments fit for this dessigne both in Flanders Brittaine and Germanie whereof followed mournefull euents both for the King and his Realme I will note euery thing in order reseruing the Estate of the Church and Empire to the ende of his raigne least I should intterrupt the order of this discourse Philip was otherwise affected then Edward as commonly desire makes shewe of that which is not pleasing men with vaine imaginations for supposing that he had tamed Edward with his imperious homage he presumed that he had well setled his affayres to be obeyed by him without any contradiction and to haue his realme enioy an assured peace without any anoyance vnder his commaund Vpon this conceipt he intends a voyage to the East Philip resolues to go into the East desirous to be nothing inferior to the glorious and renowned zeale of his Predecessors In this deuotion he easily yeelds to the perswasions of Pope Benedict .xi. borne at Tholouse then resident at Auignon His fleete was then preparing at Aiguesmortes a sea Towne of Languedoc whilest that he prouides for the regencie of the Realme giuing it to Iohn Duke of Normandy his eldest sonne being foureteene yeares old leauing him a graue and learned Counsell And seeking to sownd Edwards mind if he would accompany him in this holy warre imitating the example of his Predecessors he learnes by certaine intelligence that he watched his departure to inuade France This new occasion gaue him a reasonable subiect to change his resolution and not willingly to expose his new inheritaÌ„ce to his enimy But this satisfied not Pope Benedict The Pope disconteÌ„ted with the King who grew so bitter vpon this alteration that exclaiming generally of Philip as disloyall he sought all meanes to annoy him There was a capitall hatred betwixt the Emperour Lewis of Bauiâ—re and the sea of Rome hauing excomunicated him as an heretike Benedict absolues him and becomes his friend seeking to oppose him against Philip who dislyking of this proceeding sends Entragues a gentleman of Viuarez to Auignon to let Benedict vnderstand that if he did not forbeare to speake ill of him he would force him to silence after the example of that his Predecessor whose name he bare and who had left so famous a remembrance of his rashnes to posterity Edward being returned into England sleepes not A Prince of an excellent iudgement great courage and of a resolute and actiue spirit high minded and a fatall instrument to chastise France His repulse his homage and his great meanes Edward resolues to make warre against Philip. were both the baite and the 〈◊〉 to this generous resolution which thrust him on to disquiet the possession of that by force which he could not obtaine by reason But for so great a proiect he needed a â—â—eat Counceller to direct and fortifie him in the execution of an enterprise of so great import Robert Earle of Artois a Prince of the blood of France descended from an other Robert sonne to Lewis 8. and brother to S. Lewis had a great suite with his Aunt Mahauld Countesse of Burgongne for the Earledome of Arthois Robert had laboured much for Philip in his great question for the crowne against Edward King of England before mentioned assuring himselfe that Philip would requite him in his vniust pretention but Philip preferred the countesses right before Roberts wrong so as leauing the course of iustice free the County of Arthois was adiudged to Mahauld Robert of Arthois the frebrand of war by a decree of the court of Parliament of Paris This losse did so discoÌ„tent Robert as he presumed to brag openly that he would dispossesse Philip of the crowne by the same meanes that he had raysed him vnto it But this presumptuous threat deliuered rashely before many witnesses cost both the realme and himselfe deere 1331. who in the ende smarted for his malitious and vnâ—easonable discontent He flies into England carrying nothing with him but a minde transpoâ—ted with passion armed with pollicy He flies into England Philip proclaimes him guilty of high Treason and seizeth vpon his lands Edward receiues him with al shewes of loue giues him the first place in his couÌ„cel Behold these two great Kings banded one against another entring into a dangerous warre which shall much afflict their estats as commonly the subiects pay for the follies of Princes The first breach began in the easiest places Guienne was the first exchecker of this long and dangerous game The Earles of Foix and Armagnac were for the King in Guienne the Earle of Albret for Edward The King of Scotland is a formall partaker for France warre begone in Guienne Scotland against Edward Edward begins to spoile Philips Countrie and Philip takes from Edward the Castell of Xaintes by Charles Earle of Alanson his brother Edward on the other side makes war against Dauid King of Scots and Philip sends him succors These were the first drops of that cloude which darkened the heauens attending the storme which shall fall after these thunder cracks but what is al this in regard of that which shal presently succeed By the aduice of Robert of Arthois Edward makes a proclamation against
where the Captaines iudgement is more auailâ—able then the souldiers force But why ascend we not from these second causes true in that which doth concerne vs vnto the first and soueraigne cause The arme of the Eternall â—urging this Realme full of vicious and corrupted humours letting it blood but not suffering it to die this bloud letting shal be the beginning of a stronger medicine prescribed by the same Phisition ministred vnto France in the following raignes but in the end we shal finde the operation to the recouery of our estate Let vs now see the progresse of our miseries Edward did all he could to manage this victory wisely Philip to preuent him Edwards procâ—eding after the battell wonne Edward without any stay passeth on without atteÌ„pting the great Citties of Amiens Abbeuille although neerer he makes shew to set vpon Monstreuil Bologne but he posted to Calais a fit place for the passage of England Iohn of Vienne Marshall of France with him the Lord of Andreghan great personages in those daies commanded there with a strong French garnison being assisted with the faithfull resolution of the inhabitants So presently after the bâ—tâ—aile of Cressy Edward did besiege the Towne of Calais A long siege painfull and of remarkable successe He 〈…〉 Philip amazed with these sharp crosses fallen out beyond his hopes of ease slept not although it were with much paine and lesse fruite But his whole care was not for the ouerthrowe at Cressy He had a further reach following the trace of this vnfortunate losse Hee was entred into a newe inheritance this newe losse was to him a newe checke Affliction is a great crime both in great and small A remarkable 〈…〉 this raigne and opens their mouthes which haue their hearts ill affected The people of France were in extreme pouertie and yet the necessitie of the Kings affaires forced them to a new charge The ill gouernment of the publike treasure the falsehoode of the Treasorers who inriched themselues by the pouertie of the miserable people the fall of money imbased the decay of trafficke the increase of taxes A 〈…〉 by a plâ—gâ—e imposts subsidies were the causes of this general want the which drew the people into dispaire in this surcharge of troubles falling vpon the King This burthen grewe the more heauie by a great famine being followed by a strange generall plague throughout the whole realme as if heauen and earth had conspired to the ruine of France Philip inuironed with so many and so great difficulties continues constant with a valorous resolution against them all He prouids for the gard of the Citties of Picardy lying neerest vnto danger and to driue off the time vnfit for armes he calles a great assembly of his estats Philip calleâ— a Parliament to take Councel aide and comfort in the perplexity of so many dangerous occurrents In this assembly it was decreed to call the Treasorers to an accompt and to refer the gouernment of the treasure to Clergie men to the Nobility Therby to free the people from all iealousie of ill imploying it The Abbots of Marmoustier and Corbie are chosen for this Intendancie and to assist them there are ioyned foure Bishops and foure knights Peter of Essars Treasorer of France is committed to prison condemned in a great fiâ—e to the King Many treasorers being condemned iustly or vniustly yeeld that at once which they had bin long in gathering The treasoâ—ers called in question for thâ—â—r charge the sponge being then pressed by necessitie The Bankers Lombards other vsurers are then called to a strict accompt by reason of their vniust exactions The interests are proued to exceede the principall the which is forfaired to the King The interest is remitted to the debitor which payed the principall But the chiefe frute of this assemblie was that the whole body was wel inclined to succor the King in so vegent a necessity Bankers and vsuâ—ers are sifted without any alteration for the new difficulties of State Thus the winter was spent without any memorable acte on either side In the spring Philip goes to field with a great army and approcheth neere vnto Calais to drawe Edward to â—ight but it was in vaine for Edward contenting himselfe with his victorie and not willing to râ—n the hazard of a second battaile kept himselfe within his trenches and to manifest his resolution vnto Philip Edward to 〈◊〉 not to leaue the seege he built houses about Calais to lodge his army drie sends for his wiâ—e protesting publikely by a solemne oth not to rise vntill he did see an end and make the inhabitants pay for their obstinate resâ—lution On the other side Philip labored to crosse Edwards desseines but with small successe To worke a diuersion of this seege hee makes war in England by the King of Scotlands meanes and in Flanders by his sonne Iohn then Duke of Normandy and afterwards King of France but all succeeded ill Dauid King of Scotland hauing by Philips perswasion entred and spoyled England was defeated taken brought prisoner to London through the happinesse of Edwards fortune and the diligence of his officers 〈…〉 losse in his raigne Iohn Duke of Normandie hauing left Guienne by his fathers command comes into Flanders beseegeth the Towne of Cassel held by the English faction but he is forced to rise by theÌ„ within the Towne Then he falles vpon Lislâ— where he hath a newer repulse so as hardly could he retyre himselfe to his father Philip who sees his subiects in danger of shipwracke yet could he not releeue them Guienne abandoned by Iohn for the action of Flanders suffered much for Henry of Lancaster Lieutenant for Edward in Guienne seeing the Country left weake by Iohns departure issues out of Bourdeaux with an army and finding no enemy he doth easily surprise many Townes of Xantonge and Poitou and ladden with spoile he returnes home 1347. In the ende Calais yeelds to Edward standing to his mercy Calais taken after a long and cruell famine and almost a whole yeares siege for the siege began the 30. of September .1346 and the Towne was yeelded vp in August .1347 The French garrison was put to ransome and so set at liberty the Inhabitants were worse intreated the baser sort onely were suffred to depart with what they could carrie about them and in their steed Edward sends a Colony of English to whome he distributed all the goods of the vanquished and fortified the Towne especially towards France to leaue this place hereditary to his posterity who held it .200 yeares that is from the yeare .1346 vnto the raigne of Henry the .2 father to the King last deceased The integrity of these poore inhabitants is remarkable in their extreme affliction Edward had reserued six of the chiefe Cittizens to be at his disposition for the satisfiyng of his oth hauing vowed to make the bloud to flowe in Calais
King Iohn who had already granted his pardon vpon good assurance Iohn grants his request yet could he not command his heart to leaue this malitious iealousie the which made him to seeke new occasions daylie to crosse his father in Lawes actions He then offers his seruice to the King of England who failes not to imbrace this occasion hauing the heart and hand of a Prince of the bloud whose power was great in the State Vpon this assurance he sends Edward his eldest sonne Prince of Wales into Guienne with a goodly armie a yong man of an exceeding hope And giues him for councell Iohn Shandos Robert Knowles Fraâ—cis Hali and Iohn of Arondel great men in their times and which shal be famous in those actions which shall follow New warre by the King of Nanâ—s practises He attended the end of truce the which being expired he enters Guienne and passeth into Langnedoc to Thâ—louse Narbonne ouer al he spoiles sacks kils and finds no resistance and returnes wiâ—hout difficulty to Bourdeaux being loaden with spoiles At the same instant another cloud of English men breakes out of Calis and spoiles the Country of Picardy but Ioâ—n by these skirmishes foresees the tempest of a greater warre measuring the forces of England by the will of King Edward his assured and tryed enemie He therefore seekes a remedie by an ordinarie course he calls a generall Parliament to take Councell and comfort from them in these newe occurrents Charlâ—s of Nauaâ—re assists but with an intent to crosse the Kings procedings by indirect practiâ—es and to withdrawe the subiects affections from assisting the King with their meanes in this necessitie Open force of the 〈◊〉 against the King but it was in vaine for in regard of Iohns promise to better the coyne they granted him a reasonable aide to raise and intertaine a great armie This faithful resolution of the French did for that time suppresse the violence of the English but not the furious malice of the Nauarrois for hauing labored in vaine to disswade the people from their promised succours and hauing raised by these practises seditions in diuers parts of the realme he lands at Cheâ—ebourg with two thousanâ— men robs and spoiles the countâ—y and takes â—he Castel of Coâ—ches in Normandie from the King An intollerable presumption of a subiect against his Prince after the muâ—ther of a Constable But Iohn disâ—embles this assiont and by the mediation of his sonne Charles Daulphin of Viennois he remâ—ts this second fault and receiues the King of Nauarre his son in Law againe into fauour but in effect he doth it to frustrate his purposes and to punish such as had assisted him Iohn did then giue the Duchie of Normandie to the Daulphin for his portion so as hee must take posâ—ession thereof An apparent cause to drawe him thether but in effect Iohns intention was to drawe the Nauarrois into a place of easie surprise to make him and 〈◊〉 adherents to giue an accompt of their wicked actions and to preuent them hereafter The new Duke of Normandie arriues at Roan whether all the good Townes of the Countrie runne to do him homage The King of Nauarre who held Eureux and many great Lordships in the Country with one of the greatest dignities in the realme comes to do him honouâ— well acompanied but better receiued by Charles his brother in law The King aduertised that the Nauarrois was at Roan with his sonne goes speedilie from Paris accompanied with his Brother Philip Duke of Orleans Lewis his second sonne Duke of Aniou the Earle of Tancaruille and Arnoul of Endreghan Marshall of France and ranne to Roan with this great traine 1352. Arriuing about dinner time he presently goes to his sonnes lodging where he findes him at table accompanied with the King of Nauarre and the most of them which had assisted him at the Constables murther where without any more deliberation or delay he causeth them all to be apprehended And then not pausing longer he made choise of fower out of this number the two Brethren of Harcourt the Lord of Maubue and Colinet Doublet chieâ—e actors in the foresaied murther and without any other forme of proceeding as a matter long before determyned he causeth their heads to be cut off Charles of Nauarre taken pâ—isoner by the King Fower of his complices beheaded setting theÌ„ vpon stakes and drawing their carcases to the gibet The next day he made choise of prâ—soners and sends the Nauarrois with Friquet and Bontabu his domesticke and most trustie seruanâ—s to Arras vnder sauegards and presently dismisseth all the rest to their houses enioyning them expresly vnto fidelitie and loyaltie to his seruice bynding them by a new oath This vnexpected execution amazed the whole Countrie like to a cracke of thunder but it roused vp the Nauarrois faction especially Philip of Nauarre brother to Charles and Geoffroy of Haâ—court Vncle to the two Bretheren beheaded Occasion of newe warre the which opened the gates to a strange confusion which shal cast Iohn into miserable captiuitie and drawe the Nauarrois out of prison with a flaming torch in his hand to fier the whole realme Behold Philip and the house of Haâ—court presently in England crying out against murther They intâ—â—ate Edward to stretch â—orth his hand to bee reuenged of so notable an iniustice and disloyaltie They offer him their hearts persons goods Townes and hauens to land in Nâ—rmandie without any difficultie and there to make warre comodiously against so trecherous and cruell a Prince Edward a wise and vigilant Prince who had his eyes open to all occasions that might annoy his enemy imbraceth this offer hee asâ—embâ—es his troupes to send them speedâ—ly into No mandie And to do nothing by halues hee imploies all hee can to leuie a great army the which he sends into Guienne to make worke for Iohn in diuers places and not to suffer this first heat of the discontended french to coole hee then without anie delay sends the Duke of Glocester into Normandie with .4000 choise men who lands easily Warre in Normandy and ioynes with Philip of Nauarre and so they ouerrune and spoile the Champion Countrie The terror of these newe forces spâ—eads presently ouer all The Towns of Lizieux Orbes B cheloin and Ponteau on the sea yeeld presently And not staying to beseege any great Citties he goes to Bretueil and Tuillieres and from thence to Vernueil in Perche the which he takes easilie giuing it out in all places that it was to reuenge the wrong done to the King of Nauarre and his seruants a dutie of humanitie which Kings ought not to refuse one to another in their greatest necessity King Iohn hasteth thither with his armie and recouers Bretueil and Tuillieres and had easily repossessed all the rest if a new occasion had not drawen him else where and the secret decree of God to his owne ruine Edward Prince of Wales the eldest sonne of Edward King of
him to his ouerthrow This great squadron forceth into the Vines and enters fight with the English foote but the issue of Iohns new stratagem was contrary to his expectation for in â—hâ—s first charge they finde resistance The Archers planted in the Vines with aduantage galled them in the first rankes with their arrowes whilest that others lying vnseene in the rowes adioyning aime at them at their pleasures shooting forth a dangerous storme of arrowes and vpon their flanke riseth another showre which passeth through these horsemen whereas neither Lance nor Battleaxe could preuaile Hauing made this first charge with so great losâ—e they seeke to retire and to charge the enemie in some other place Battaile of Poitiers but they fall into a greater perplexitie for the horses sinck in this mirie ground and are intangled among the sâ—ubbes stakes and trees some fall some rise againe all are in confusion they lie plunging in the ditches and trenches and the English arrowes flie from all sides This troupe hauing drawne downe the rest by degrees like to a current of water which disperseth it selfe by a chanell the more men the more disorder Our Frenchmen grow amazed at this repulse The English seeing them giue back in confusion crie victorie The French defeaâ—ed by the Enâ—â—â—sh and follow their aduantage striking on all sides as they lay wallowing one vpon another King Iohn runnes to repaire this disorder He performes the dutie both of a good Captaine in gathering together his dispersed men and of a valiant Souldiour in fighting couragiously but the blow was already giuen all was lost The Duke of Athenes Constable and Ihon of Clermont Marshall were slaine at the first charge The Standard royall appeares no more by the fall of the Earle of Charnie who carryed it in this dayes fight The greatest part of the commanders and of this braue Nobilitie who sought to be in the front are vnhorsed This rampart ouerthrowne and the rest shaken broken in peeces the Prince of Wales preuailes the more easily King Iohn is farre ingaged in the conflict The English crie to the King to the King Being charged on all sides he defends himselfe admirablie and his sonne Philip being neere him surmounted the ordinary courage of the most resolute Souldiers in shielding his father from blowes This generous valour did first purchase him the name of Hardy and the course of his life did confirme it in diuers worthy actions but in the end they are both prisoners There was some controuersie not without extreame danger to his person for hauing yeelded vnto Denis of Morbec his owne subiect borne in the countrie of Arthois banished for some fact he was halled by other souldiers who pretended an interest in this prize But the Prince of Wales vnderstanding therof sent him an honorable gard of some of his most trusty seruants whilest that he made the victory absolute The head being taken all are surprized with feare all are dispersed and the slaughter is generall without resistance Edward content to haue the head sounds a retreate and forbids them to pursue the victorie Many saue themselues in Poitiers which stands vpon her garde least the enemy should â—nterwith them that fled The victorious Prince remayning vpon the place of battell sendes a troupe of Noble men Gascons King Iohn taken prisoner Prince Edwaâ—â— recâ—iues him with great â—espect to receiue the King prisoner and to conduct him to his pauilion the which they do with great respect Edward seeing him approch meetes him with great reuerence honours him comforts him entertaines him with a louing discourse and promiseth him all the good vsage a great King could expect in his aduersity A young Prince twise a conquerour hauing vanquished his enemie both by valour and courtesie leauing an honourable trophe of his humanity and wisedome to posterity Iohn setling his countenance shewed a couragious minde in his misfortune A notable example for Princes to shewe an inuincible constancie against the most dangerous losses amongst which the losâ—e of liberty holds the most mournefull rancke and is of the biâ—terest digestion Our losse was then very great and the sâ—quele very pernitions They number seuenteene hundred Gentlemen slaine in this battell The number oâ— the dead amongst the which there were fifty two Lords The chiefest of marke were Peter of Bourbon the Duke of Athenes Constable of France Iohn of Clermont Marshall of France George of Châ—â—ny great Chamberlaine Renauld of Chameil Bishop of Chalons the Lords of Pont and Fayette and of the common sort fiue or six thousand A hundred ensignes were brought away in triumph the spoyle carried away the place of battell free the dead bodies at the conquerours mercie The King was taken the cheefest part of the victory with him was led into the same prison Philip his fourth sonne afterwards Duke of Burgogne Iames of Bourbon Earle of Ponthieu The prisoners â—aken in the battell Iohn of Arthois Earle of Eu Charles of Arthois his brother Earle of Longucuille Charles Earle of Tancaruille Iohn of Melun and his sonne Archbishop of Sens the Earles of Vendosme Salbruch Nassaw Dampmartin la Roche and many other men of accompt This ouerthrow happened in the yeare 1356. the 19. day of September continued with many confusions whereof I tremble to discourse But let vs continue the order of our history Iohn falling into his enemies hands is brought to Bourdeaux and froÌ„ thence safely conducted into England to Edward who shewed himselfe as curteous to his capitall enemie being his captiue as glad of his Sonnes victory Some say he commended him more to haue receiued Iohn with humanity then to haue conquered him by his valour A lesson for great Princes A lesson for great Princes to learne that vertue doth equall valour and that he is rightly a conqueror that can vanquish himselfe He doth lodge him honourablie in the Citty of London in the Duke of Lancasters house with his son Philip vnder a sure gard The other prisoners are dispersed into diuers places according to their qualities to drawe a reasonable ransome from them the which as they payed he sent them free to their houses with much honour and at that instant he gaue liberty vpon the kings word being captiue to all such as he would answer for In this great calamity God looked vpon France with his eye of pitty willing to chastice it but not to ruine it For he reserued during the Kings captiuity royall heads to saue this estate from shipwracke being almost ruined both by the great afflictions passed as also by the imprisonment of their soueraigne head and the death of many great personages necessary instruments for the preseruation greatnesse of the State As Charles eldest son to Iohn The admirable prouideÌ„ce of God in the preseruation of this estate Daulphin and Duke of Normandy Lewis Duke of Aniou and Iohn Duke of Berry escaped in this defeat Charles was of so wise and temperate a
spirit as he seemed capabâ—e to gouerne this great barke in the most horrible stormes of confusioÌ„ which happened in this Realme during his fathers imprisonment Iohn continued fiue yeares a prisoner for he was taken in the yeare 1356 in September and was deliuered in the yeare 1361. in the moneth of May. But let vs describe in order the disorders which chanced in his captiuity As soone as the Daulphin so called vntill he be regent came to Paris he imploies al his wits to procure his Fathers liberty and to maintayne the Kings free authority in the Realme the which was as much restrayned as the Kings person But in this good and coÌ„mendable resolution he found strange difficulties He presently calls a generall assemblie of the Estates at Paris in October following an expedieÌ„t remedy for the greatest affaires of this monarchy profitably practised in the most vrgent causes of our Kings There Charles laieth before them not onely the miserie wherevnto the King his father was brought but also the whole realme in his person he intreats them to giue him councell and assistance in this so great an extremitie The cause spake of it selfe his person was an excellent Orator Moreouer he failed in no point of his dutie for his mournfull countenance expressed his sorrow naturallie and he could well vrge the necessitie of the proofe with so wise modest an eloquence as it would haue moued and dissolued euen the hardest Rockes of the Pyrenean mountaines But the answer which was then made him A 〈◊〉 ill 〈…〉 dangerous 〈◊〉 an 〈◊〉 and the long continuance of crosses gâ—uen him in so commendable an action shew well what an ill councelled people is and how dangerous it is to let slip the reines of restraint to so furious a beast which growes then most outragious when there is greatest need of mildnesse and modestie Without doubt there had beene many disorders in the former raignes and in this new controuersie for the Crowne Philip had made great breaches But is it now time to complaine of the sick when he lyes at the point of death and to represent vnto him his forepassed errors iâ—â—â—eed of applying fit remedies for his griefe So doe the people being wittie and 〈◊〉 complaine of the errors of their superiours and are more ready to increase the diâ—easâ— by remedies worse then the disease it selfe rather then to cure it The peoples inâ—olencie during K. 〈◊〉 imprisonmeÌ„t as shall appeare by the popular actions during the raigne of King Iohn who from complaints haue exceeded to audacious seditions and in the end to cruell and tragicke massacres not onely to tread vnder-foote but to ouerthrow the lawfull authoritie of this Monarchie The Parliament consisted of all the best citties of the realme but as Paris is the chiefe so hauing among the rest the first degree and greatest meanes it was also the chiefe in credit So as when order is well obserued it brings the greatest benefit to this estate but when as disorder raignes the greatest confusion comes from thence Paris the chiefe 〈◊〉 of France â—yther for good or euill The Church holds the first ranke in Parliament and then the Prouost of Marchants in the cittie of Paris whereas the Vniuersitie had then great credit All parts shall play vpon this Theater eyther for good or euill by strange accidents But let vs returne to our Daulphin After that he had made his proposition the Estates being assembled in one body resolued That to auoide confusion there should be fiftie chosen out of all the Prouinces to determine of things necessary according to the instructions remembrances declared to them Thâ—se fiftie deputies assemble in the Gray-friars where by a common consent they resolue what to say vnto the Daulphin who being intreated to come vnto their assemblie and set to heare some notable offer of assistance conformable to the necessitie of the time Robert le Câ—câ— Bishop of Laon spake thus vnto him in the behalfe of the companie The Deputies of the Parliament make vnreasonable demands vâ—to the Daulphin That the assembly beseeched him to sweaâ—e to keepe secret what should be deliuered vnto him by the â—states This young Prince being nothing amazed in this perplexitie answers them presently with a resolution That he should greatly forget the degree he held in the State in receiuing a law from his fathers subiects And therefore he did command them by the naturall authoritie he had ouer them to speake freely what their hearts conceiued Then the Bishop in all their names made knowne vnto him the ill gouerment of the treasure demanding râ—â—â—â—mation thereof with a commission to call the receiuers to an accoumpt that all such as had managed the kings money should be displaced that hereafter both the treasure and the affaires of State should be gouerned by 4. Prelats 12. Bouâ—gesses aâ—oâ—gst the which the cittie of Paris should haue the first degree credit and that without this councell the Daulphin should attempt nothing And for the conclusion of all their demands they require him most instantly to set the King of Nauarre at libertie And vpoÌ„ this condition they promise the Daulphin aide succour for his fathers deliuery The Daulphin noting plainely both the intention of this ill aduised people and that it was now out of season to take exception at the violence of these popular furies demands respite to giue them an answer the next day passeth in this sort without answer to the deputies who intreate him to resolue He makes his excuse vpon the importancie of the affaires and demands a new day to consider thereof And as they pressed him dayly to make his answer so he still prolonged the time by many subtill delaies grounded vpon sundry excuses of purpose to disperse them and to dissolue their councels the which he sees was practised by his enemies 1357. And hauing caused the deputies to attend many daâ—es this plot so hotlie pursued grew colde and tired with tediousnesse they returne home to their houses without any other frute then great sâ—ewes leauing the King languishing in prison and the realme in pittifull disorder But they parted not without leauing the chiefe leuaine of their intended mischiefe at Paris and too many hands to worke in this masse of confusion to the great preiudice of France An ill aduised people hath this humor To complaine still of the present estate and to seeke the future with hope of better The Parisiens who had seized vpon authoritie more caâ—efull for the deliuerie of the King of Nauarre then of their lawfull king summon the Daulphin to set the Nauarrois at liberty according to the decree of the Estates and taking his delaies for a deniall they practise with Iohn of Piqueny gouernour of the countrie of Aâ—thoâ—â— to whom K. Iohn going to the vnfortunate battaile of Poitiers had giuen it in keeping to deliuer him out of the Castell of Alleux in Cambressis where he had remained
Churches and publike places in priuate houses in great and smal troups without any feare or respect of the royall dignity The Daulphin more a prisoner then his father durst not repine against these disorders which increased hourely like to a violent streame which falles from a high mountaine through the force of much rayne This furious multitude puffed vp dayly by the practises of the Nauarrois who imployed both heart and hand to ruine the Daulphin falles in the 〈…〉 threats to blowes The Apostum is ripe it must needs breake An exchaÌ„ger named Peâ—eâ— Maâ—â— pickt a quarrel with the Daulphins treasorer killes him in Saint Maries street Hauing slaine him hee flies into Saint Iames of the Butcherie and no man pursues him The Daulphin seeing his authority too much blemished in suffering himselfe to be 〈◊〉 braued he caused the murtherer to be drawne out of the Church and to be executed his hand to be cut off in the place where the murther was committed and from thence to be drawne to the gibet and hanged And to the end the people should not mutine he went accompanied with a gard of soldiars led by Robert of Clermont Marshal of France The same day arriued the Ambassadors of King Iohn being prisoner to sollicit his deâ—â—â— after many voiages made for the space of two yeares King Iohn sends to the Parisiens for his deliuery but in vaine that is to say two ages for a 〈◊〉 prisoner to whome delay is a double languishing But they were too true witnesses 〈◊〉 of the frutlesse tears of this poore Prince and of the barbarous cruelties of these Caâ—â—â—â—â—es They beheld the Bishop of Paris in the Daulphins sight and in the vewe of all the world to take this murtherers carcase from the gibet and to carry it to the Church from whence he was drawne and there to be honourably interred But this was not all Iohn of Piqueny comes to the Daulphin from the Nauarrois to summon him to hold his promise concerning the demands which were granted him in councell And as the Chancellor replied that they had beene performed He answered the Daulphin being present and the two Queenes The insolency of Iohn of Piqueny in the Daulphins presence That whosoeuer would maintaine the contrary had lyed And to heape one mischiefe vpon another the Prouost of Marchants with some of the Vniuersitie come vnto the Daulphin who by a Iacobiâ— Orator called Simon of Langres for it is not at this day alone that Monkes haue beene medlers in State require him to performe the promises made to the King of Nauarre or else the people would rise against him if he refused so apparant and reasonable a dutie A Parliament was likewise called for the Kings deliueâ—y wherevnto the blood of France which cannot degenerate caused the citties to be inclined so as things seemed in the end to promisse some redâ—esse The Parisiens comes in armes to the Daulphins lodging Being assembled at the Augustins the Prouost of Paris gathered together three thousand men of the basest artisans and comes armed to the house of S. Pol where the Daulphin was lodged hauing seazed vpon the gate and stopt all the passages he ascends to the Princes chamber being followed by his armed men The Daulphin was therewith much amazed Feare not saies the Prouost for any thing you shall see for what shall be done hath beene decreed and it must be so The watchword being giuen Horrible murthers comâ—utted in the Daulphins presence behold Iohn of Constans and Robert of Cleremont Marshalls of France two trustie seruants to the Daulphin are slaine before his eyes and so neere vnto him as the bloud rebounded vpon his face Ha cryes this poore Prince what is this will you attempt against the bloud of France No my Lord sayes the Prouost vnto him feare nothing it is not against your person we pretend they be your disloyall seruants we seeke who haue soâ— d aduised you Then he tooke the Daulphins hood and put his vpon the Daulphins head being halfe red and halfe skie-coloured the cittie liuerie and he did weare the Daulphins all that day being of a browne blacke imbrodered with gold in token of his Dictatorship The insolency of the Prouost of the Marchants This done their bodies are drawne to the Marble table and from thence cast into the Pallace yard for a spectacle to this furious people which flock thether from all parts with shouting and clapping of hands He presently sends to the Daulphin cloth both red and skie couloured to make him a hood and assembles the people at the Towne-house at the Creâ—â— where he makes them to approue this massacre and afterwards both the Daulphin and the Estates to do the like which were then assembled for very contrary effects The Parisiens solicite the Citties to rebell And to confirme and iustifie his vnbridled impudencie he writes letters in the name of the Citty of Paris to all the good townes of the realme exhorting them â—o ioyne with the chiefe cittie and to take their liuerie as the Daulphin had done the better to reforme the disorders of the realme As these confusions encreased dayly and hourely William of Mountigu Bishop of Terouenne Chancellor of France The officers of the crowne flâ—e out of the realme with many other officers of the Crowne flie from Paris and for the most part retire into â—ermanie as a shelter to auoyde these stormes expecting a better season The Chancellor had left the great Seale with King Iohn being prisoner so as then they vsed none but the small Seale of the Chastelet as well in the decrees of Parliament as in all other publike acts The Parisiens likewise erect a Councell of State composed of Sâ—â—uen Coeq Bishop of Laon the Cocke of this confusion of Renauld of Corby the first President Stephen Marcell Prouost of Marchants who in the end shal receiue the reward of his wickednesse Iohn Roussac Iohn Lisle with many of the Vniuersitie who had not the least voyce in the new commonweale Affliction is good for somthing as the Parisiens whom their furious ringleaders had fed with an imagination of the soueraigne gouernment of the State The Citties refuse to ioine 〈◊〉 the Parisieâ—â— to dispose of all things at their pleasures had assured themselues of a willing obedience from all the Citties of the Realme to whom as we haue sayd they had written to ioyne with them in a common league So were they greatly amazed that for answer to their imperious letters They receiued a generall denyall from all parts oâ— the realme the Citties refusing to harken to any priuate League 1358. and detesting the excerable example of so audacious a rebellion standing more carefully vpon their gard for feare of a surprise by the Nauarrois whome they confidently beleeued to be the cause of the Parisiens â—rensie and confusions The Daulphin being thus vnworthily intreated by the Parisiens The Daulphin leaues Paris retiers
King Iohn hauing long expected the time of his deliuerie parts from England with a strong garde and is conducted to Calis attending the money 〈◊〉 the first pawne of his libertie The Regent his sonne labours earnestly the 〈◊〉 of Paris did contribute willingly a hundred thousand Royals and after their example all other citties paied their portions Of such power is our head cittie both to 〈◊〉 good and euill so by this ende they made amends for all former errors The money is brought to S. Omer whether the Regent comes to see the deliuerie Edward returnes to Calis he is wonderfull kinde to Iohn The two Kings sweare a mutuâ—ll league of friendship and they sweare a league of friendship and comprehended Charles King of 〈◊〉 being absent in this peace his brother Philip vndertaking for him to the end that all quarrels might be troden vnder foote and all men liue in peace vnitie and concord So Iohn being set at libertie after a languishing imprisonment foure yeares take his 〈◊〉 of Edward with all the shewes of loue that might be betwixt brethren and 〈◊〉 friends Being parted f om Calis he findes his sonne Charles comming to meete him with a great and stately traine I cannot well expresse the ioy of this first encounter this good King imbracing his sonne as his redeemer with ioy mixt with teares and full of fatherly affection with the content of his sweete recouered libertie seeing himselfe in his 〈◊〉 armes who had giuen him so many testimonies of his faithfull loue in his necessitie 〈◊〉 in the middest of his subiects with his first authoritie depending no more vpon anothers will King Iohn receiued by his sonne with great ioy And contrariwise what ioy was it for this wise sonne to enjoy his father so precious a gage of the authoritie order and obedience of a State and a great discharge for him of this painfull burthen Thus discoursing of what had bin done during his imprisonment and of what was to be done they arriue at Heâ—in whether not onely the whole countrie repaires 〈…〉 the Deputies of Paris and of all the prouinces of the Realme to congratulate their good Kings deliuerie where he disposeth of the gouernment of his house The King of Nauarre meetes him at Compiegne hauing fiâ—st sent back his hostages to shew that he relyed onely on his word put himselfe into his power Thus passeth the world after a storme comes a calme 1361. King Iohn made his entrie into Paris with this goodly traine being receiued with an incredible ioy of all his subiects The Kings reception into Paris The Parisiens going to kisse his hands offer him their hearts with a goodly cubberd of Plate worth a thousand markes for homage of their fidelitie and obedience The Parliament had surceased aboue a whole yeare Iohn for the first fruits of his recouered authoritie would honour the opening of the court with his presence being set in the seat of Iustice in the midst of all his officers to the incredible content of all men who beheld the cheerefull countenance of this Prince like the Sunne beames after a troubled skie Such was the returne of King Iohn into his realme after his imprisonment as the catastrophe of a Comedie in the which after mourning they reioyce This happened in the beginning of the yeare 1361. Some moneths were spent in these publike ioyes but they must seeke to get againe his hostages in the effecting whereof they found many difficulties for neither the priuate Lords whose homage he had bound to the King of England nor the countries whose Soueraignties he had yeelded by this accord would obey They argue with the King in councell and demand an acte shewing Difficulties in the performance of the conditions of peace that the King cannot dispose of the soueraigntie of his realme nor alienate the reuenues of the crowne Iohn on the other side fearing least Edward should reproche this vnto him as a practise betwixt him and his subiects made them sundry commandements to obey He went to Auignon to visit Pope Innocent who dyed at this time and Vrban the sixt succeeded in his place both Limosins To hansell Iohns recouered libertie and to ease his minde afflicted with long imprisonment Vrban exhorts him to vndertake the voyage of the holy land as generall of the action Iohn promiseth the Pope to goe with an armie Iohn not remembring the examples of Kings his Predecessors Lewis the 7. 9. nor apprehending the present burthen of his great affaires nor the danger of so mighty and watchfull an enemie who had so long and with so great paine kept him prisoner accepts the charge and makes a solemne promisse and to hasten the execution thereof he returnes into England Some saye the loue of the Countesse of Salisbury whose husband had the garde of the King being a prisoner was the principall motiue of his returne The which I cannot beleeue vpon the report of the English being vnlikely that his age his aflictions his great affaires and the voyage wherevnto he prepared should suffer this Prince to follow so vnseasonable a vanitie But whatsoeuer moued him therevnto he dyed there leauing his life in England where he had so long languished as a presage of his death Thus Iohn died in England in the yeare 1364. the 8. of Aprill Iohn dies in England His dispositioÌ„ leauing Charles his eldest sonne heire to the Crowne of France A good man he was but an vnfortunate Prince wise in ordinarie things but ill aduised in great affaires iust to all men but not warie how or whom he trusted in matters of consequence temperate in priuate but too violent in publick To conclude a good Prince but not considerate more fit to obey then to command Truely these heroicke vertues are the proper Iewels of Crownes and wisdome is a companion to the most excellent vertues especially in Princes who are aduanced vpon the Theater of manslife to gouerne the rest We haue noted that Bourgogne had beene giuen to Robert the grand-child of Hugh Capet for his portion A little before the deceasse of King Iohn Bourgogne annexed vnto the Crowne it was vnited to the Crowne of France by the death of Duke Philip a young man of the age of fifteene yeare sonne to that Iohn which dyed in the battaile of Poitiers He was betrothed to the heire of Flanders but both the Duchie and the Daughter were for another Philip the sonne of Iohn to whom the father gaue this new succession in recompence of the faithfull seruice he had done him the day of his taking and had continued it in prison CHARLES the 5. called the Wise the 52. King of France CHARLES THE V. KINGE OF FRANCE .52 THis Charles during the life of his father Iohn had giuen so many testimonies of his sufficiencie to gouerne well 1364. that he was held for King before he tooke the crowne Charles his raigne the which he receiued at Rheine
one another by new attempts Charles hauing pacified Flanders and Brittaine resolues to bee reuenged of Richard who had sought all meanes to annoy him in eyther prouince besides the ordinary brauadoes he gaue him within the hart of his realme Charles sends men and mâ—nition into Scotland He therefore sends a thousand men at armes to Dauid King of Scots and threescore shippes well appoynted with furniture to arme twelue thousand men of his country vnder the command of Iohn of Vienne Admirall of France Their entry into Scotland was pleasing but the Scottishmen grew soone discontented with our men eyther through their fault or our they accusing vs of insolency and loosenesse and we them of barbarousnes and cruelty to their friend a stranger who came to succour them This diuision caused Dauid to make a peace with Richard and our Admirall of Vienne to returne speedily home with his Frenchmen but not without obseruing the manners strength and commodities of this Iland diuided into two kingdomes And least he should seeme to haue made a fruitlesse voyage yeelding an accompt vnto the King of what he had done seene and learned in Scotland he lets him vnderstand that the strength of Scotland consisted but in fiue thousand horse and thirty thousand foote halfe armed and that of England in eight thousand horse and threescore thousand foote This relation were it true or false gaue aduice to assayle the King of England in his own Country where he might be vanquished with more facility then abroad the which so moued the minde of this yong Prince transpotted with the great harmes suffered with much indignity by the English as it was easie for the Duke of Bourgongne â— whom it much concerned to haue the English molested being often disquieted by him in his country of Flanders Charles resolues to make war in England to perswade the King to vndertake this war Oportunity did likewise seeme to inuite him for that the Duke of Lancaster pretending right to the realme of Castile by his wife had exhausted England both of men and money and the Gantois being pacified all Flanders would be held in subiection by this check The Regent acquainted with the Duke of Bourgongnes humoâ— being his brother who for his priuate interest would hazard the whole and noting the eminent dangers in the Kings person who would imbarke himselfe in this action the great want of money the peoples exclamations the great danger of tumults by the great exactions which must be made and in the action it selfe the inconueniency so apparant to any one that would open his eyes the impossibility of so great an enterprise to assaile a great King so oft a Conquerour within his owne Realme not holding any land there The Regent dislikes of thâ—â— enteâ—prise he was vtterly against it yet he spake soberly least he should offend the King who greatly affected it Lewis Earle of Touraine the Kings brother who soone shal be Duke of Orleans the Constable Clisson the Earle of S. Pol the Lord of Coussy and others in whom Charles had most trust had beene so perswaded by the Duke of Bourgongne as they had nothing else in their mouths nothing sounded in this yong Princes eares but the necessity profit honour and facillity of this voyage What my Liege say they are you lesse then the King of England shal the French yeeld to the English in valour courage or force what an indignity is it to haue this people alwayes at our gates to nourish them in our bosomes and to furnish them with armes to beat vs what a benefit wil it be to take their nest from them and leaue them no place of retreat Your Countries of Guienne Normandie Picardie and Flanders are wholy yours How much doth that import for the honour of your Maiesty and the good of your Realme to returne them their owne who haue so often defeated your armies taken your ancestors spoyled your Estate braued it in your Townes and beseeged your chiefe citty of Paris As for the facility of the execution who sees not but you may effect it if you please The Saxons conquered England with a handful of men far from their own home and with small meanes and William the Conquerour with his sword alone And you my Liege hauing a realme ful of men victualls monie euen at your enemies gate shall not you preuaile England opens her armes vnto you your Realme inuites you which without doubt will imploy both heart and purse for so great generous a desseine the which imports both the honour and quiet of your Maiesty Such and like speeches they did continually buzz into Charles his eares but from his Chamber they were published in the Court and so through out the whole realme as that which pleaseth the King doth commonly please all The desseine was to bee wished against a capitall enemie of the State and the proceeding had a fayre shewe At the generall instance of all the French the King decrees in counsell to leauy a great armie for the voyage of England letters are sent out to all parts Subsidies Taxes Loans imposed greater then during the imprisonment of King Iohn but all was shadowed with this reason That they must endeauour once for all to roote out the English who vndermined this estate and sought to ruine it This decree was put in execution with great applause of all men as if France had layed new foundations of her greatnesse both to warrant it selfe from danger at hand to haue a reuenge of former losses and to build a newe Estate at the cost of the common enemy of the French nation The Nauie is prepared at Scluse and Blanguerge to the great content of the Flemings They armed fower hundred eighty seuen Shipps for warre with an infinite quantity of victuals the which came from all parts like to a flowing streame The nobility striues who shal be best appointed Strange Princes are inuited The King of Spaine then a friend to our King the Earle of Sauoy Preparation for the warre of England The Dukes of Saxony and Bauiere send men Our Princes will not yeeld one to another in costly showes they adde superfiuous curiosity to necessity They paint and gild their shippes All glisters with goodly ensignes penons banners standards and streamors The masts painted with rich grounds shining with leaues of Gold gaue notice to all men that they went not onely to a certain victory but to some ioyfull nuptialls But all this feast was made without any reckoning with God who laughs from heauen at these ants that striue to climbe without a Ladder and at Princes who made these brauadoes at the poore peoples cost who remembred not that God hath a soueraigne court and a register to controll their actions and to oppose against their vanities The armie was prepared in two places in Flanders and in Brittaine It consisted of twenty thousand Knights and Squires as many Ganouois archers on foote and fiue
hundred men at armes Brittons vnder the command of the constable Clisson who was with the fleet in Brittaine They had a care safely to lodge this great army after their descent in England expecting with safety the variable euents of warre against a king and people whom they came to fight with on their owne dunghill To preuent all in conueniences they build a great frame or engine some attribute this inuention to the Constable Clisson others to Iohn of Vienne Admirall of France who had layde the first plot of this enterprise like to a towne of warre with towers bastions bulwarks A strong sort of wood made flankes and other defences according to the manner of that age There was a lodging for the King and his court according to the degrees of Princes Officers and Noblemen of marke Lodgings for the chiefe of the armie according to their quarters and space to set vp their tents and pauillions halls and common places for the munition and victualls which followed the army and to conclude conuenient roome to imbattell a great number of men of warre Thâ—s inclosure or frame was round and made of many peeces with admirable arte and so great aboundance of stuâ—fe as if they had cut downe a whole foâ—rest it was finished with wonderfull speede by the great number of workemen which came from all parts To the men shippes victualls and this engine the Kings court gaue an extraordinarye beauty being accompanied with the Dukes of Lorraine and Bar the Earles of Sauoy Armagnac Geneue S. Pol. Longueuille Eu Daulphin of Auuergne the Lord of Coussy Master William of Namur with all the great Barons of France and an infinite number of braue nobility who imbarked themselues more willingly then in the voyage to the holy land The preparation of the English for their defence Thus was the preparation made in France for England where they remayned in great perplexity to see so great a storme readye to fall vpon them They prouide the best they can first by deuotion hauing recourse vnto God then they fortifie their ports and all passages with great dilligence both with men of warre and all sorts of incombers to helpe those places which nature had made of hard accesse in this Iland They say that Richard leauied a hundred thousand foote and ten thousand horse which was not answerable to the Admirals relation the first Architect of this ridiculous attempt But thus are princes oft times abused imbarking themselues in dangerous actions without reason whose endes are not answerable to their beginnings All was ready in the end of September the King had prouided for the gouernement of the realme in his absence leauing his brother Lewis Earle of Touraine assisted with the Duke of Berry his vncle and the bishop of Beauuois his chancellour Thus he parts from Paris and comes to Scluse with great speed to recouer the time lost The Regent should not abandon his person in so long and important a voyage but he stayes behind the King promising to follow presently but his meaning was to bring this enterprise to nothing The king beeing arriued the howers of stay are tedious he tells the minutes and complaines of the time lost he sollicites his vncle to come by sundry letters The Regent seekes to ouerthrow the action and sends post after post he stampes he chafes by reason of his stay The whole Court is of the same humour The Duke of Aniou answers the King that he will part to morrowe but he stayes at Paris to make good cheere at leysure of purpose to draw on winter to make the voyage impossible and so to ouerthrow the action the which was neuer pleasing vnto him eyther for that it was pleasing to the Duke of Bourgongne his brother and so to crosse him or for that he held it preiudiciall to the King and his realme But seeing himselfe prest by importance and impatient letters from the King he parts from Paris and the same day the Constable Clisson waies anckor at Lantriguer in Brittaine with this great Towne of wood and seuenty two ships of warre meaning to ioyne with the whole bodye of the armie at Scluse but it fell out contrary to his disseine and otherwise then the facility of his supposed victory had represented vnto him For hauing â—un his course towards Flanders to take port at Scluse behold a contrarye wind casts him vpon the coast of England Part of the French nauie dispersed at sea where notwithstanding all the diligence of his Marriners his fleete was dispeâ—sed into diuers parts three ships wherein this great Engine was are driuen into England and runne on ground at the mouth of the Riuer of Thames Behold our Argonautes as much amazed to see themselues taken in a weyre as the English were glad who with ioy and admiration see themselues possessed beyond all hope and without any paine of that which had cost their enimies so much to ruine them These newes flie speedily to King Richard who commaunds this great booty to bee brought vp the riuer vnto him whether all the Country flocks to so strange a spectacle and euery one holds it for a presage of good successe to haue taken their Citty which should haue taken them An other part of the Fleet is driuen into Zealand and the Constable of Clisson with the rest arriues at Scluse much amazed at this first successe All their ioy of an assured victory is conuerted into a generall feare least some newe losse should followe this vnfortunate beginning The Regent opposeth himselâ—e directly against thiâ— voyage But whilest this amazement troubled most of the French the Duke of Bourgongne and those of his faction who desiâ—ed the performance of this voyage at any rate made these difficulties light as common accidents which should not hinder great enterprises the which cannot bee executed without some crosses for the which they must seeke a remedy and not dispaire He had perswaded the King againe easie to be drawne to what he desired Hereupon the Regent arriues who seeing the King resolued to imbarke vales his maske speakes plainely and tels the King in his Counsell That he will neuer consent he should expose his person and estate to the hazard of the sea of weather and of war and vpon an aduice which seemed apparently false being most certain that the King of England had assembled aboue a hundred thousand fighting men That these first losses were aduertisements froÌ„ heauen to bridle those vaine hopes which are sooner conceiued then brought forth He had alwayes sufficiently declared that it was not his aduice yet for that he would not seeme to contradict the Kings will crosse such as gaue him this councel as honorable to himselfe and profitable to his Realme he would not rashly oppose himselfe But seeing now that God spake he did open his mouth the more boldly bearing in his heart a faythfull zeale vnto the Kings seruice and the good of the State That
he would not accept of this gouernment without the good liking of the Duke of Berry so as all the punishment fell vpon Betizac his chiefe Treasurer who 〈◊〉 burnt at Beziers Betizac the Dukes treasurer burnt purging in the fire the extorsions he had committed vnder his maisterâ— authoritie At that time Charles King of Nauarre died so often blemished in the truth of this historie we haue noted how he had retired himselfe from Court into his realme of Nauarre As this retreat was vnto him a reprochfull banishment so this shamefull solitarinesse was a ciuill death But the Catastrophe of his tragicall life was a famous proofe that God doth often reuenge notable sinnes by notable punishments euen in this life He was much broken by the excesse of venery and all sorts of dissolutions the which he had exceedinglie vsed with his wonderfull tyrannie and crueltie As they did anoint him with medicines fit to warme and comfort his benummed members some say they had chafed him with Aqua-vitae The tragicall 〈◊〉 of the Nauarroâ— and wrapt him in a sheete but behold fire takes hold of this sheete with such violence as being vnable to quench it he was consumed by degrees liuing some daies as suruiuing his paine and that which encreased the horror of Gods iudgement his death made both great and small to reioyce and was receiued in France with as great content as the winning of a great and famous battaile Great robbing during the truce There was a generall truce betwixt the French and English so as the garrisons lying stâ—ll the Souldiars bred vp and nourished in armes fighting no more by order vnder their eâ—sâ—gnes sought now their prey by disorder vpon the labourer and marchant The countries of Rouergue Perigort Limosin Auuergne and La Marche had English garrisons who spoiled these countries and did runne vp into the neerest parts of Languedoc Velai Geuaudan Viuarez and Suenes where the villages are for the most part walled in to preuent these sodaine incursions There were many theeues amongst them Teste noire or Black-pate in the Castell of Ventador Amerigor Marcel at Roâ—h-Vandais who breaking the truce sought to be supported by the King of England but in the end they all fell into the hang-mans hands or perished miserably by some strange death an Image of our late confusions Libertie had bred vp these warriours with so great aboundance as the English passed the sea to make Turneys and to fight at Barriers as they vse at great Triumphes There was a Tilt set vp betwixt Calais and Saint Iaquelvuert where the Nobilitie made triall of their valour as in a Schoole of Fence To take away this troublesome aboundance they tooke occasions to make long voyages into Castille and Italie but in the end there was a very famous one offred against the miscreaâ—ts of Barbarie at the Geneuois request who suffred many discommodites in their traffick by these barbarous Affricans Charles granted them succours willingly and gaue the charge of this warre to Peter duke of Burbon assisted with the Earles of Auuergne and Foix the Lords of Coucy Guy of Tremouille A voyage into Affâ—â—â—ke by â—he Frenâ—h English together Iohn of Vienne Admirall of France Philip of Arthois Earle of Eu Philip of Bar Harcourt Antoing Linge Pyquiny and many other great men from all parts of the Realme which ranne to so famous an action vnder so worthy a commander and at so great leysure more painfull then the toyle of warre to men that desired nothing but imployment Richard King of England to imitate Charles granted succours to the Geneuois vnder the command of the Earle of Salisburie accompanied with many Noble men and Engâ—â—sh Gentlemen moued with desire like vnto the French in the enterprise of this pleasing paine The Deputies of the Kings of France and England assembled to treate of a generall peace but not able to effect it they continue a truce for foure yeares with goodly pâ—ouisions against robberies for the safetie and quiet of their Estates Charles gaue free passage to the English by the Countries of Langâ—edâ—â— and Daulphiné to passe the Alpes safelie All come to Genes to the great ioy of the Geneuois Being shipt they land within fewe dayes in Barbarie Presently they beseege the Citty of Affricke So our histore termes it as bearing the name of all the vast and barbarous counâ—ry They call the Afâ—ricanic commanders Agadinquor of Oliferne and Brahadist of Thunes But our Argonautes found them which stayed their fuâ—y The Barbarians defended themselues with an obstinate resolution But their foâ—ce did them lesse harme then the ayre and diet beeing very contrary to theiâ— complexions so as our armie decreased dayly especially of men of accompt This siege conâ—inued six weekes with much losse no hope to preuaile The 〈◊〉 noated alwaâ—es to be â—aithlâ—sse The Geneuois hauing conceiued a hope of a sodaine victorie began to grow cold and slacke in furnishing of the armie The Duke of Bourbon foreseeing the difficulties which might grow in continuing obstinaâ—e at this siege fearing the winter and not trusting the Geneuois who are famous for that they haue no faith remembring the example of the King S. Lewis resolued to returne wiâ—hout any greater losse He trusseth vp his baggage bringes backe his troupes into France coÌ„tinuing the example to al such as are capable of reasoÌ„ how difficult it is for Christâ—ans to performe these strange attempts after the experience of many ages The â—rench and the English hauing liued louingly together in this voyage returned to their houses without doing of any memorable act but to haue endeauored to doe sometâ—ing worthy of memory to auoide idlenesse during so peacefull a time â—ritâ—aine did then conceiue and afterwards bring forth more preiudiciall effects then Bâ—rbary iâ— selâ—â— and the way was made by light occasions to horrible and monstrous efâ—ects to the great preiudicâ— both of the King and Realme for a notable tesâ—imonie to posterity what Councellors Enuye and ambition be in a state we like wretches seeke for peace and when God gâ—ues it we flie from it we maligne an other mans good and depâ—â—ue our selues of our owne But alas it were a small matter for a great personage to hurâ— himselfe by his owne passions if this poison did not spred abroad to the preiudice of â—he common weale We haue said that Iohn of Montfort remained peaceably Duke of Brittaine by the death of Charles of Blois and the agreement he made with his widow Hatred betwixt the duke of Briâ—â—â—ine the Constable Clisson whose eldest sonne Iohn of Brittâ—ine Earle of Ponthieure was redeemed from prison out of England by the constable Clisson who gaue him his daughter in marriage payed his â—ansome The constable was a Briâ—ton and so a subiect to Iohn of Montfort Duke of Brittaine his ancient and capitall â—nimy and yet by this newe succession was become his Lord. Doubtlesse in this quality Clisson could not
but yeeld vnto him as his vassall but as coÌ„stable of France and deerely beloued of his Maister the greatest monarch in Europe and Soueâ—aigne to the Duke of Brittaine herein the Duke must needes respect him his place giuing him auâ—hority in many notable actions ouer the greatest personages within the Realme This was the ground of their hate which not onely embarked King Charles lord vnto them both but carâ—ied him so farre into the maine as he could not auoide a notable shipwracke by their meanes By the former accord Iohn of Montfort was to yeeld vnto Clisson all his patrimonye whereon he had seized vnder colour of a confiscation reuoked by Charles â—he which he had not yet performed And alâ—hough he had promised the King and giuen him a newe assurance Complaines against the Duke of Briâ—taine yet did hee not â—â—ust â—he King but continued hâ—s intelligences with the English fortified his places and coyned boâ—h gold and siluer against the Lawes of State He refused likewise to acknowledge Clâ—ment â—he 7 for lawfull Pope whom France approoued noâ— to suffer the Eaâ—le of Ponthiâ—ure aforesaid to beate the name and armes of Brittaine These were the chiefe causes of their complaâ—nts and differences The King and his most secret councell Mercier Montagu and la Riuiâ—re held for the Constable The Dukes of Berry and Bourgongne and the Chancellour Orgemont for the Duke of Brittaine a cunning dissembling Prince and high minded He spake proudly by reason of his intelligence with England which could not fâ—ile him and mildly when as he found meanes to do his businesse vnder-hand not to breake with the King 1391. He comes to Tours vnto Charles where afâ—er many discourses their quarrells are ended by marâ—iages He is reconciled to the king Constable the Kings daughter beeing yet yong is promised to the Dukes sonne and the sonne of Iohn Earle of Ponthieure borne of the Constables daughter to the Dukes daughter who promiseth likewise to restore Clisson his lands in shew friends but in their hearts irreconciliable enimies Hereuppon Clisson goes into Brittaine to receiue his lands The Duke held a Parliament at Vannes whether he called his nobility The Constable comes fearing no enemie the Duke had built a Castle called the Hermine where he feasts the Sâ—ates The Constable is called and welcommed with the first this countenance did not shew what was prepared for the end of the banket against the Constable After dinner â—he Duke taking him by the hand vnder colour to shew him his building and to haue his aduise as of a great Captaine and well seene in Architecture he leads him from place to place through halls chambers and closets vntill hee had brought him to a great Towre hauing an iron doâ—e wherein were armed men The Duke enters first the Constable followes him as viewing the proportion of this worke and the thicknesse of the walles by the windowes But behold the Duke slips out of the Towre where he leaues the Constable and shuttes the doore after him This signe giuen â—he armed men seaze vppon the Constables sword and keepe him prisoner putting irons on his legges The Duke of Briâ—â—aâ—â— â—eâ—zeth treacherously on the Constable The Constable was not so much amazed at this strange vsage as the Duke reioyced at this sweet content of reuenge thinking to attaine the full of his desires to be reuenged of a capitall and cruell enemy and in the heat of his fury he commands a faithfull seruant of his called Iohn Baualan to dispatch the Constable presently Baualan accepts this charge but he doth not execute it He goes to the Towre and assures himselfe of the Constables person retaining the souldiours whom the Duke commanded to â—bey him and so he passeth the night with the constable But the night gaue him Councell The Duke transported with ioy in the heat of his choler goes to his rest but care awaked him and reason of more force then his passion lets him know the fault he had committed and repentance followed this first act A wise seruant in not obeying his masters passion The Duke lying restlesse a great paâ—t of the night riseth â—arely in the morning calleth Baualan and demands what is become of the Constable The Duke of Briâ—tain repents him of what he had done his passion bewrayes his minde before he spake witnessing the shame he had of his choler and his griefe for this furious charge Baualan comforts him and assures him that the Constable is well The Duke wonderfully glad of this newes which freed him from so cruell a torment commands he should be well intreated and with respect attending newes from the King from whom there comes post vpon post with complaints and commandements to the Duke The Duke without any great delay excuseth himselfe of his imprisonment and sends the Consâ—able to the King It had beene more auaileable for him to haue suppâ—essed his choler in committing this errour But he did verifie That he which offends doth neuer forgiue The Constable goes to the King to Blois he thanks him for his care of his deliuery the Duke doth likewise send vnto him to craue a safe conduct to come himselfe to make his iust excuses and to shewe what reason had moued him to put the Constable in prison The Dukes of Berry and Bourgongne holding openly for the Britton obtaine leaue for him to come vppon the Kings word He comes well accompanied and not onely iustifies the taking of Clisson being his subiect and in his owne Country but also hee would haue the King beholding vnto him for the respect he bare vnto his officer whoÌ„ oâ—herwise he might iustly haue put to death It is an easie matter for great men to manage their aâ—fairâ—s at their seruants cost The Constable digested quietly this new affront being glad to haue recouered his liberty but the Duke of Brittaines malice shal be the cause of great miserie both to the King and realme seeking new deuises to satisfie his choler a furious beast which can neuer bee tamed by flattery It burst forth vppon a light and ridiculous subiect which bred a horrible Chaos of sundry confusions Peter Craon a Nobleman of the Countrie of Aniou 1393. had great credit with the King and with Leâ—is Duke of Aniou his Brother who loued him so deerely as he trusted him with his greaâ—est secreats euen with his amorous passions wherevnto his loose disposition his age â—asâ— and Court made him too proane to the great discontent of Valentine his wife who exceeding iealous of her husband and an Italian seeking by all meanes to learne how he was affected feeling him so colde to her she finds no better expedient then to gaine Craon whome shee handled so cunningly as she drewe the worme from his nose Hauing speciall aduertisment of her husbands loues she threatens the Ladie that was beloued and complaynes to her husband naming the reporter The Duke of Orleâ—ns finding himselfe wâ—onged by this
in this sodaine accident An order for the gouerment of the Realme the King being aliue of years And they concluded That during the Kings infâ—rmitie and without any preiudice to his authoritie the soueraigne gouernment of the Crowne of Frâ—nce should be giuen to the Princes of his bloud But this point being decided there was an other of no lesse difficultie To what Prince The order of the fundamentall Lawe called Lewis of Orleans the Kings Brother as first Prince of the bloud but neyther his age nor the present necessity could allowe therof The States yeelding vnto reason Contention for the gouerment decree That being apparantly necessary to prouide for the State by reason of the kings weaknesse being verie sâ—cke it were not conuenient to lay so heauie a burthen vppon so weaâ—e shoulders as the Kings brother a young Prince but that the Dukes of Berry and Bourgoâ—gne his vncles next to his brother should haue the gouernment of the realme vntill the Kings recouery Iohn Duke of Berry was elder then Philip but hauing pourchased an iâ—l fame in Languedoc The disposition oâ— Pâ—ilip Duke of Bourgongâ—e to be couetous and violent hee was nothing pleasing so as the French were better affected to Philip the hardy Duke of Bourgongnâ— a cunning cold temperat mild patient and popular Prince but ambitious factious reuengefull and malitious Being therefore pleasing to the States the chiefe charge was imposed on him the title was common to both brethren but the effect of the authoritie was proper to him aloane The Estates adde to their decree especially in his fauour that the Duchesse of Bourgongne should haue the first place next to Queene Isabell our sicke Kings wife and by consequence they giue her accesse to her chamber and the goâ—ernment of the Children at all euents This was Marguerite the heire of Flanders a woman of a manly courage Women rule in the State raised for her great possessions and wholly bred to ambition This newe presidence displeased Valentine the Duchesse of Orleans who yeelded nothing vnto her in greatnesse of courage We stand now vpon good termes that must be gouerned by three women a Germain an Italian and a Flemings all which had absolute authority ouer their husbands whose distaffes did cut like swordes wherof they will giue vs presently a sufficient proofe Philip Duke of Bourgongne Aduanced to the gouernment of the Realme by a decree of the States BEhold the Kings Vncles now at the helme to the great discontent of the Duke of Orleans and of Iames of Bourbon his Vnclâ— by the mother side The winde changeth and the sailes turne Two facâ—â—onâ— in Court the Court is transformed There are two factions but that of Berry and Bourgongne is the stronger The Dukes of Orleans Bourbon make the other but there is no equality The authority of the whole gouernment and of the treasor is in their hands to whome the States had decreed it Such force hath this sollemne consent of the â—rench in matters of State Such as had bin of Charles his most secret Councell were out of fauour An alteraâ—ioâ— in Court and the fauoâ—â—rs diâ—graâ—ced the Constable Begue de Villaines Montagu la Riuiere and Mercier they are all in bad estate for their ouerthrow is plotted by what meanes soeuer The Dukes authority must begin with them yet there was no loue betwiâ—xt the two brethren for who can bâ—leeue that ambition and couetousnesse are fit to winne friendships bâ—t onely to ruine their common enemies and to suppresse their authority Such as were in their rowle had their turâ—es but diuersly The Duke of Bourgongne standing vpon his gard restrayned his imperious wife who at his first aduancement to this great commande would haue turned all topsie tuâ—uy but he seekes all meanes to prâ—uâ—nt his enemies being resolued to begin with the Constable as with the strongest The mignona of King 〈◊〉 aâ—e ill intreâ—ted and this he concluded with hâ—s brother of Berry Montagu cunningly smels out this practisâ— and withall the best hee could carry away saues himselfe at Auignon attending some better oportunity but he shall returne too soone to loose his head on a scaffold The Constable Clâ—sson at his fiâ—st speech with the Duke of Bourgongne is so checkt and thretned by him as â—wallowing this pil quieâ—ly he steales out of Paris retiers to his house at Montlhery from whence with extreame danger he saues himselfe in Brittain The Consâ—â—ble Clisson flâ—â—s from Paâ—is hauing the Duke for hâ—s capitall enemie But hee had his son in Lawe there the Duke of Aniou the Earle of Ponthiâ—ure and so many friends within the Country as in the ende the equity of his cause shall draw the Duke of Brittain to reason being his most dangerous enemy After notice that the Constable was fled Begue de Villaines a gentleman of Beausse who had married the Contesse of Rebelde in Castille la Riuiere and Meâ—cier were coopt vp but all escaped by sundry meanes only Montâ—gu in the end shall loose the mould of his doubleâ— although he seemed to haue better prouided for his safety â—hen all the rest That we may hold for an vndoublted Maxime in all the resolutions which mans reason can set downe in greatest dangers That what God keeps is well kept Yet not rashâ—ly to omit the lawful meanes of our preseruation neyther to rely ouer much vpon our owne wisdomes no more then to a rotten planke in passing of a great riuer The Duke of Bourgongne had nothing lesse in his heaâ—t nor more in his mouth then the sacred name of Iustice. Hauing the Court of Parliament of Paris at his deuotion he bâ—gins to plant his artillery against the Constable by this authority The Kings Aduocate hauing framed a complaint against him Comissions are sent into Brittain to summon him who not finding him The Coâ—stable condemned being absent they proceede against him by exceptions al formalities being obserued they condemne him by a decree of the Court of Parliament in the presence of the Dukes of Berry and Bourgongne as guiltie of high treason hauing attempted against the Kings person by poyson and against the state by theâ—te and treason That as guilty of these crimes he was degraded of the office of Constable condemned in a hundred marks of siluer to the King and banished the Realme A â—trange alteration â—he which the Hâ—story represents in these versâ—s Inconstant Fortune neuer staies her motions turning are alwaies The highest mounted on the wheele is strangely cast behinde the heele But truth coâ—rects the vanity of this popular opinion God is Iudge he raiseth one and casts downe another Aduancement comes not from the eâ—st nor from the west but Goddoth raise vp and pull downe by his wise prouidence for God that hath made the world should not he gouerne the woâ—ld the eye sees not the Sunne through a thick cloude and yet it is in heauen notwithstanding the weakenes of our
by Iohn Duke of Bourgongne and in the ende Iohn makes a counterfeit peace with the children of Lewis but it is the renuing of greater troubles IOhn of Bourgongne hauing resolued to kill Lewis of Orleans his cousin Germaine went to Paris with so good a shew as if he had no intent to breake the accord so solemnely made betwixt theÌ„ That which most troubled him was to see his enemies authority coÌ„firmed by this reconciliatioÌ„ hauing the absolute gouernement of the State respected as the kings brother and the first Prince of the bloud And to giue him greater authoritie and power the good King Charles had giuen him for a new years gift i◠〈◊〉 yeare 1407. the Duchie of Guienne for his poâ—tion whereof the Daulphin then carâ—ied the tâ—tle This newe fauour and great aduancement kindled the coale of iâ—alousie in the â—ourguignons braine being already much transporâ—ed and holding it for certaâ—ne â—hat he should neuer by any ordinary course pâ—euâ—â—le against so passionate powerfull an enimy who as his meanes did increase so would his desire augment to â—â—â—â—e him He â—hereâ—ore thinkes it conuenient to preuent him and drawes vnto him meÌ„ fâ—â—o◠〈◊〉 aâ—dâ—cious a murther Raoulet of Auâ—onuille a Norman an ancient seâ—uant of his hâ—use and discontenâ—ed with the Kings brother for that hee had taken from him the oâ—â—â—ce oâ— Geneâ—all of Normandy and a Souldiour of Guines called Wâ—lliam Corteheuze with others of the same huâ—or to the number of eighâ—eene This William had a brother called Sâ—as of Courteheuze a groome of the Kings chamber who should be the instrument to draw this poore prince into the pittfall The Queene laie then in childbed the Duke of Orleans goes to visit her after supper when as this Sâ—as of Corteheuze goes to the Queenes chamber to tell him that the King desired him to repaire presently vnto him for very important affaires The Murtheters were lodged secretly in a house by the which the Duke shold pasâ—e Being mounted vpon his moile accompanied only with 2. Squires vpon one horse and one that followed on foote his pages carrying torches both before behind him as the horse which carried the 2. Squiers came before the house where this ambuscadoe lay he began to snort to run The Murtherers issue forth instanâ—ly and charge the Duke at the first they cutte off his hand which held thereines of his horse He cries out I am the Duke of Orleans and they answer The Duke of Orleans murthered by thâ— â—ouâ—gâ—â—gnoâ— It is you wee seeke for They double their blowes with such violence as they beate him downe and cleaue his head so as the braynes lay scattered vpon the pauement The yong Squire that remained with him runs desperatly among their weapoÌ„s is presently slaine vpon his poore maister The pagâ—s had alreadie giuen the alarum at his lodging and many came running to succor their Lord whome they finde thus massacred There was nothing to bee heard but cryes and lamentations whilest the murtherers hauing fyred a house and cast Calthrops in the streets gette themselues into Bourgongnes house Thus the night passeth in miserable lamentations Valentine doubles the terror of this horrible accident with feareful outcries The Princes his Cousines runne thither to participate in this sorrow All weepe and lament all crie out in this mournful house When the day appeers they finde his hand on the one side and his braines scattered on the other The relicks of this head are gathered together with teares and all is kept for an honorable funerall O head howe many mischiefes attend the O murtherer thou shalt be murthered disloyall thou shalt be disloyally slaine I haue horror yea I tremble to shed this bloud againe by my report The very enemies of Lewis were amazed at this audacious murther foretelling the miseries that should follow The Queene wonderfully passionate causeth herselfe to be remooued to the Kings lodging and doubles the gards In the ende the King hath notice thereof and apprehends it according to the weakenesse of his braine but the Princes prouided presently for his safetie and their owne euery man fearing for himselfe in so strange an accident Such was the violent death of Lewis Duke of Orleans traiterously slaine at Paris by Iohn Duke of Bourgongne The sequele of this treacherous murther the 20. of Nouember in the yeare 1407. who thinking to kill his enemies slewe himselfe and left this bloud prodigiously shed as a mournfull Legacy to his posterity and hoping in his ouerweening spirit to vsurp France from the lawefull heires he lost Bourgongne from his posterity neyther could hee hinder his issue whome he had so trecherously murthered from the happy enioying of the whole realme for Lewis Duke of Orleans left three Sonnes by Valentine the heire of Milan Charles Philip and Iohn from Charles the eldest being Duke of Orleans is issued directly King Lewis 12. the father of the people of Iohn Earle of Angoulesme father to King Francis The iâ—â—ue of Lewâ—â— of Orleanâ— 1. the father of the muses who hath giuen fower Kings successiuely to ouâ— monarchie But of Iohn of Bourgongne we can reckon but two successors Philip and Charles Philip was his sonne who by the patience of God left Charles in his place but Charles suffered for his grandfathers errors and his owne for he died in blond hâ—s pride was interred in an vnknowne tombe and Bourgongne was pluckte from the â—ellonious hands of this murthering race and vnited to the Crowne Nowe Iohn of Bourgongne shall committe strange disorders during twelue yeares fâ—om the date of this massacre and it semes that blinde Fortune hath adorned his temples with baâ—es and triomph to guerdon these execrable crimes but hee is not freed that drawes his halter after him Hee shall soone pay both principall and interest to Gods iust iudgement which slackes not although it seeme slacke but comes in due season marching slowely to take all excuse from the obstinate and impudent sinner recompencing in the ende this apparent slacknesse of punishement by the greatnesse of eternall paine But les vs retune to this desolate house Valentine widowe to Lewis with her three sonnes and Isabell of France the Kings eldest daughter wife to Charles the eldest sonne of Lâ—wis nowe Duke of Orleans by the decease of his father come all to our poore King Charles Valâ—â—â—ine demands iustice for the death oâ— her husband being sicke to demande iustice All cast themselues at the Kings feeâ—e as much discomforted as themselues for the cruell death of his onely brother whome he had alwayes loued deerely both sound and sicke Lewis of Aniou King of Sicilâ— and Naples the Dukes of Berry and Bourbon with all the Princes of the bloud accompany them in this lamentable state wherein Charles promiseth to giue them satisfaction The Kings Councell beeing assembled they require an account of the Prouost what hee had done in search of these murtherers He answers that hauing done
wisely weighing the vanity of popular tumults resolues to husband this occasion and to make his peace with the King and the housâ— of Orleans hauing so great an aduantage ouer them to ratifie the abolition which he had obtained against at all euents He then sends his Ambassadors to King Charles to Tours William Duke of Bauiere the Lords of Saint George Croy Viefuille Dolehaing to treat a peace with him and the children of Orleans making great shewes of humiliâ—y and loue This new course mooued the King and Princes the which they expected not from the Duke of Bourgongne Valantine Duchesse of Oâ—leans dies for griefe being so late a Conqueror so as they easely yeeld to an agreement vpon conditions but stil to the preiudice of the poore widowe and afflicted orphans In this confusion Valentine Duchesse of Orleans seeing her paines lost in the pursuite of so iust a cause dies for thought within fewe dayes after leauing great trouble and fewe friends to her Children and great ioy to the Bourguignon seeing his cause wonne by the death of this couragious woman who onely might oppose her selfe The King comes to Chartres to solemnize this peace hee sends for Charles Duke of Orlâ—ans and his bretheren and for Iohn Duke of Bourgongne and al appeere at a prefixed day A counterfeit peace betwixt Ioâ—n and the Duke of Oâ—leans children A scaffold is made where the King sitts in his seate of Iustice enuironed with the Princes of his bloud in great state Iohn Duke of Bourgongne approching neere the King kneeles downe with Dolâ—haing his aduocate who speaketh thus Licge Lord behold the Duke of Bourgongne your seruant and Cousin is come vnto you for that he vnderstands you are much offended with him for the deed done and committed on the person of my Lord the Duke of Orleans your brother for the good of the realme and of your person as he is redie to let you vnderstand when soeuer it shall please you therefore my Lord he doth humbly beseech you that it would please you to forget the wrath and indignation you haue conceyued against him and receiue him into fauour After these wordes the King commanded the Duke to retyre himselfe which done the Queene the Daulphin the Kings of Sicile and Nauarre the Duke of Berry fall on their knees before the King the Queene sayed Dread Lord we beseech you to grant the request of your Cousin the Duke of Bourgongne The King answered Wee will and do grant it for your sakes The Duke of Bourgongne being callâ—d againe kneeles before the King who saies vnto him Faire Cousin we grant your request and pardon you all The Duke hauing thanked the King riseth Behind the Kings chaire stood Charles of Orlâ—â—ns with his Brethren weeping bitterly The Duke of Bourgongne goes vnto them accompanied with his Aduocate and hauing saluted them with a very humble counteâ—ance the Aduocate spake thus vnto them My Lords the Duke of Bourgongne â—ere presâ—nt intreats you to put out of your remâ—Ì„brance that hatred which you may haue against him for the outrage committed on the person of my Lord of Orleans your father The Dukes of Orâ—â—â—ns aâ—d 〈◊〉 reconciâ—ed and that here after you will remaine good Kinsmen and louing friends The Duke added And hereof I pray you But they answered nothing Then the King said vnto them My fayre Cousins I will hâ—ue it so And they answered Liâ—ge Lord seing it pleaseth you to command vs we yeeld thereto for we will not disobey your commandements in any thing The Duke accepted it thanking the king and his Cousins of Orleans Then the Cardinall of Bâ—rr brought â—he holy testament whereon boâ—h parties did sweare a peace neuer to remember what was past and â—o hold a pâ—rpâ—tuall League of friendship And the King saied We will that heareafter you liue likegood Kinsmen and friends together and we straightly charge you not to wrong one another nor any other person that hath fauored you neither shew any malice or hatred vnto them as you tender our displeasure excâ—pt such as committed the said murther whom we banish our â—ealme for euer Theâ—e are the very words faithfully out of the Originall of that age This happened the 9. of March .1409 Then followed nothing but marriages the Duke of Bourgongne married his two brethren Philippe Earle of Neuers with the heire of Coussy and Anthonie Duke of Brabant with the heire of Luxembourg He is greatly in credit both with the King and Queene his â—â—ayne semed greater then his masters The bounty of his Kitchin drawes men from all parts but he had not made his peace with God neither in his heart with thâ—â—e poore orphelins destitute both of friends and means at whose coste this peace was made the which was but counterfait and continued not long Iohn Duke of Bourgongne gouerning all in the Kings name and the Daulphines The faction of Orleans opposeth The ciuill watres reuiue ended with a peace and the newe authority of this Daulphin who dispossesâ—eth the Bourguignon and restores them of Orleans From the yeare 1409. to the yeare 1413. AFter this accord the Court takes a newe forme Queene Isabell thinkes no more of her poore Nephewes of Orleans shee is wholy the Duke of Bourgongnes The Duke of Berry followes the same traine For proofe of a cordial friendship Iohn gouerâ—â—â— the court The Daulphin marrieth the the duke of Bouringongneâ— daughter the Queene doth openly fauour the marriage so long promised of Lewis the Daulphin her eldest sonne with Katherine daughter to the Duke of Bourgongne which marriage was solemnised Nowe Iohn of Bourgongne is father-in-law to the Daulphin it is he which gouerns both his heart and house Moreouer Charles King of Nauarre Lewis duke of Bauierre the dukes of Lorraine Brittaine Bar Alenson Cleues Vaudemont and after their example the greatest Noblemen in Court are all on his side There is nothing but feasting in his house all ioy whilest the Orphans of Orleans weepe Paris honours him as their protector and trusts none but him and Iohn doth affect â—othing more carefully with the King and Daulphin then the loue of the people Hee doth all he can to please them The chiefe subiect of his discourse is to reforme the State to seeme thereby more affectionate to the common weale In a solemne feast where al the court was present he gaue to his friends in stead of a banket plomets of gold and siluer shewing by this figure that his desire was to rule the State â—ell and to shewe the effect of his words he procured this notable occasion All men cried out of the Treasorers as horseleeches of the common treasure the chiefe causes of bad husbandry whereby the King and people were so much impouerished We haue made mention before of one of the Kings chiefe mignons called Montagâ— who had too soone fled the storme beeing returned he growes in greater credit with the King then before who
happily for the Duke of Bourgongne Henry the 4. King of England calles home the troupes he had sent to his succour The English troupes leaue the Bourguignon vnder the Earle of Arondells commande intreating the Duke to hold him excused if he did vse his owne at his neede Hee had no meaning to fauour the stronger paâ—ty but to succoâ— the weaker as experience did soone teach This sodaine altâ—ration did somewhat stay the Bourguignons desseine to attempt Orleans but making warre aduisedly he attends his enemies proceeding and taking an honest leaue to retyre by reason of the winter he comes to Paris where not to loose any time he continues the Kings thundring Edicts and executes many of his prisoners to flesh the people To bloud he addes Ecclâ—siasticall excomunications against the Armagnacs whilest the Orleanois â—ake cold by making warre in Charolois and sending for succors into England seeking for releefe in the same place where their enemy had found a scourge to whippe them Certaine letters carried by a monke from the Duke of Orleans to the King of Englâ—nd were intercepted and brought to Paris being examined in full assembly of the vnâ—uersitiâ— and from thence imparted to the people with the Bourguignons commentaries They made the Orleans faction so much the more odâ—ous as if the Dukes of Orleâ—ns Berry and Bourbon combined togither had sought to take the Crowne from the King and Daulphin and to dismember the realme in giuing part of it to the English and to deuide the rest among themselues Strange newes without any subiect which vanish at their breeding but yet they serue to purpose according to the desseine of their Architect The King and Daulphin being possessed by Iohn of Bourgongne haue no thought but to ruine the Orlean party and pufte vp with this first successe hoping to finish the rest they imploy all their meanes to leuie a great army the which through the Bourguignons care was held to be a hundred thousand men A notable number after so many miseries and â—n so great a confusion The Cittie of Bourges was of great importance for the vniting of the Prouinces on that side Loire where the Associate Princes had their greatest supplies of men The Bourguignons greatest malice was against the Duke of Berry who not onely had forsaken him but â—or his degree and age vnderstood much iâ— his enemies affaâ—res They resolue therefore to beseege it to make the way more easie for conquest of â—he rest In the beginning of the Spring the King and Daulphin go from Paris to theâ—r army which assembled in â—asâ—inois being entred into Berry the lesser Townes yeeld without question Dun le Roy Fontenay and Sancerre Bourges being summoned makes answere That neyther the King nor Daulphin did make this warre but the Duke of Bourgongne The King Dâ—ulpâ—iâ— beseege Bourges by the Bourguâ—gnons â—eane who holding their persones and willes captiue would depriue the Princes of France of their right hauing imbrued his murthering hands in the bloud of the fiâ—st Prince of the Câ—owne seeking to vsurpe the State There were verye many good soldiars within the Cittie which were supplied with all that might be wished for in a long seege They intreated the enemye in korne that hee would approch neere the Cittie and leaue their gates open in a brauery Many fortunate sallies are made by them crying in field God saue the King They take many prisoners The waters abroad are poisoned and many die before they discouer the cause All â—â—ngs out with military raylings of Armagnacs and Bourguignons but the greatest defeat is in spoyling oâ— the Country â—erry made desolate All â—he prouision being carried into the Citâ—y what a spoile shold an army of a hundred thousand men with their followers make and to increase the miserie all the houses of the champion Country were eyther sackt or burnt The English being victors in France neuer committed greater spoiles then these French armiâ—s As the Duke of â—erry the Lord of that Country was much greeued to see these spoyles so the Daulphin â—he heiâ—e apparent of the Crowne was discontented with his father in Lawes ambâ—tion growing odious vnto him His bloud which could not degenerate mooued him to compassion and the bloud vniustly shed troubled his coâ—scieâ—ce Foâ— to what ende should they ruine a whole â—ealme to maâ—ntaine so execrable a murther The Daâ—lphin disconâ—enâ—ed with his father in Law the Duâ—e of Bouâ—gonâ—â—â— If zeale to reforme the State saieth hee bâ—e the Bourguignons intent is thâ—s the way His father being sicke could not apprehend these things by reason of his infirmitie what râ—proch then were it for him being his â—ldest sonne to â—uffer himselfe to be bâ—flâ—d by his father in Lawe like vnto an infant These apprehensions mooued this yoâ—g Prince who nothing dissembling his conceptions told his â—ather openly that he was not pleased with these confusions that they must finde out some meane to pacifie them It chanced one day as they aduertised the King that in a sally made by them of the Towne they had slaine some one of his seruants the Daulphâ—n câ—ied out in the presâ—nce of the Bourguignon Shall we neuer haue an ende oâ— these misâ—ries I am resolued to make them câ—â—sse The Bourguignon hauing before discouâ—red some coldnesse in this young Prince found his mind now to be wholly changed He therefore replyed mildely That it should be well done so as they of Orleans would acâ—nowledge their error How saith the Daulphin shall they acknowledge thâ—ir fauâ—t if wee do not knowe them for our bloud And then they resolued to make a peace The Duke of Berry had layed the foundaâ—ion by Lignâ—c great master of Rhodes who fayled not to imbrace this occasion seeing the Daulphin so well affected The Eaâ—le of Sauoie had sent his Ambassadors to exhort both parties After a monethes seege they begin to treate of â—he meanes to pacifie these troubles The Bouâ—guignon mâ—kâ—s hast to bee the first in all things and parlees with the Duke of Berry betwiâ—t two barres One accuseth the other excuseth but in the ende a peace is concluded by deputiâ—s The Priâ—ces at an enteruewe imbrace one an other with all shewes of cordial louâ— such as their bloud makes shewe of after long bitternesse The Bourguignou onelâ— is tâ—oubled doubâ—ing this peace to them would be a warâ—e to him for that hee had no peace in his owne Conscience The King enâ—ers into Bourges where â—he peace is signed and for that reason it was called the Peace of Bourges the 25. of Iuly in the yeare .1412 â—he peace of 〈◊〉 A Parliament is called at Auxerâ—e to coâ—firme it by sollemne oath The Princes are receiued inâ—o fauour with the King and Daulphin alâ— Edicts made against thâ—m were disâ—nulled and of no force They and theiâ—s restored â—o their degrees and dignities All things to bee forgotten Tâ—e names of Armagnac and Bourguignon as in famous marks of ciuill dissention
especially of the treasure for the releefe of the poore people To make this partie good the Citty of Paris must make the first point The Bourguiâ—non raiseth sedition at Paris but the vniuersity which stood as a newter dealing with nothing but their bookes should make the proposition and first instance The cause was vehemently set downe by a Doctor chosen for the purpose and auoched by the Cittie and deputies of the Prouinces Such as were subiect to accompts were much terrified and the greatest number fled Such as were taken lost their heads at the Halles or Greue to the peoples great content who highlie commend the Duke of Bourgongne as the onely Prince which loued the good of the realme The Daulphin growes â—ealous at the sound of the praises as preiudicall to his honouâ— vowing neuer to suffer the Bourguignon to attempt any thing against his authoritie The Daulphin takâ—s vpon him the name of Regent Such as were interessed fedde the yong Princes humor Who by the meanes of Lewis of Bauiere his Vncle by the mother side perswade him to take the name of Regent for a marke of his greatnesse He takes this title and giues notice to the Duke of Bourgongne that it is nowe high time he were knowne in his degree The Bourgongnon protesting that hee hath no other obiect but the good of the Realme makes no shewe to deale in these affaires leauing the gouernment thereof to whome it appertayned yet vnder hand he caused the Parisiens to arme and least the better sort should be called into question he imployes the basest beeing led by one Caboch a butcher followed by a multitude of rascalles who being armed come in troupe to the Regents lodging and require of him by rowle the chiefe enemies of the Bourguignons house who they sayed had gouerned the treasure or had beene enriched by excessiue gifts A strange sedition in Paris Amongst the which was Peter of Essars who without any long proces lost his head receyuing a iust reward for his great wickednesse by his hands who had then caused him to commit them But this was not one dayes furie the next day the people assemble in great multitudes and taking white cappes for their badge they come to Saint Pol where the King lodged and demaund audience hauing seized on all the passages to his lodging after a terrible manner A Carmelit Frier was speaker for the people accompanied with the Deputies of this multitude as his ruffians Being entred into the Kings chamber after many tedious speeches he demands reformation of the State The Parisiens insolenâ— bâ—hauiâ—r protesting they would not be fed with words they vrged the King to punish such whose names they had conteyned in a liste being guiltie of capitall crimes The Duke of Bourgongne makes a good shewe and answers That the King would consider thereof This Frier replies impudently that they would not depart before they had such as they demanded Their rage was such as the King and Princes tooke white cappes the marke of the seditious They demand the chiefe seruants of the King Queene and Daulphin not onelie men but also women which had beene in any credit and aboue all Lewis of Bauiere the Queenes brother There was not any one but stood amazed at these audacious impudencies The Queene comes weeping shee intreats the King the Monke and the deputies of the people They answere it is their charge and they cannot alter it The people crie fâ—om the base Court with a violent noyse that if they deliuer not these prysoners â—hey will force the lodging So as after all these intreaties Lewis the Queenes brother with the rest specified in the rowle both men and women yeeld vnto the mercie of these madde and furious men and are by them led into diuers prysons The Bourguignon the secret practises of all these insolencies This night passed not without many murthers many were strangled and many cast into the riuer without any other formes of iustice but the Bourguignons secret commandement who with his cold and graue countenance made shewe to haue no interest in the action 1414 The Citty was neuer in so lamentable an estate by this shameâ—full contempt of Law order of the King Princes Magistrates There is no taâ—ke but of bloud killing hanging and drowning of poore prisoners The horror of this confusion toucht the hearts of the most passionate The vniuersity which had b in the mouth of these captious complaints repaires to Henry of Marâ—e the first president to Iohn Iuuenall of Vrsins the Kings aduocate protesting that they were not guilty of these infamous disorders And hauing taken aduice they resolue to go to the King The vniuersity dislikes of these disorders as well to purge themselues of the suspition of these abhominable confusions as to intreat him to giue eare to a good peace They giue him meanes to winne the heads of this popular faction and set vp an Ensigne with the Kings armes crie in all parts of the Cittie Peace peace good people an inuention which preuailed much in this action Ill councell is most hurtfull to him that giues it the Bourguignons practises light on his owne head The people pacified The people seeing themselues disauowed by the vniuersity who then had great credit for their esteeme of wisdom and knowledge hauing the King and his parliament opposite being abandoned by their Tribunes they hide themselues in â—ourgongne and he himselfe feeling the storme to approch retires to Compiegne attâ—â—ding the euent The Orlean faction repaires to Paris with speede and were receiued ioyfully by the people as the Anchor of their hope All the world exclaimes of the Bourguignon as the onely motiue of the troubles of France The King incensed against the Bourgongâ—ion and the people forsake him and vnworthy to hold so honorable a â—ancke among the Princes of the bloud The Queene feedes this dislike for the interest of her brother imprisonned and the King thunders forth his edicts against the Bourguignon the which are seuerely executed vpon such as are apprehended Scaffolds riueâ—s and streetes witnesse the reuenge of the murthers committed by the Bourguignons vppon the Orleanois All Officers preferred by the Bourguignon are displaced and all such as had supported him are ill intreated Valeran Earle of S. Pol is put from the dignity of CoÌ„stable Guichard Daulphin of Auuergne from that of great Maister Charles of Rambures from beeing maister of the crossebowes The Bouâ—guignon faction disgraced and banished the which is at this day as the colonell of the infantery Three hundred men and women of the Bourguignon faction are banished by a decree of the Court of Parliament Iohn Duke of Brittain leaues the Bourguignon comes to court against him To conclude all bandie against the Bourguignon yet he is nothing amazed but continues constant against all stormes He craues ayde of his citties in Flanders in this necessity being thus
but we sought our owne decay The Constable Albret comanded â—he foreward that day and with him were the Dukes of Orleans Bourbon the Earles of Eu and of Richemont the Lord of Bouciquault Marshal of France the Lord of Dampierre Admiral The Battaile was led by the Duke of Bar and the Earles of Alenson Vaudemont Neuers Blamon Salines Grandpre and Roussy The Reerward by the Earles of Marle Dampmartin and Fouquembergue The King of England forced â—o fight Henry being denied pasâ—age by the Constable resolues to fight puâ—ting his trust in God and in his owne valour determining to vanquish or to die He made choise of a place of hard accesse and the better to fortifie his archers euery one had a sharpe stake planted before him The French ordered as before attended their enemies either looking who should begin the game Impatiencye forceth the weaker like desperate men the English Archers being in fight with such a furie as the French foreward cannot endure the violent fal of this furious storme the CoÌ„stable Albret was slaine fighting in the foremost ranke The Duke Anthony of Brabant brother to Iohn Duke of Bourgongne seeing this disorder leaues his troupe to redresse it but he was also slaine by the English bowe men And gets the victorie with his bâ—other Philip Earle of Neuers The battaile was likewise foâ—ced after a great fight The reerward fled and saued them selues in the neerest places of retreate So as the losse was not so great as the shame and ouerthrow They number ten thousand men slaine but their rashenes was inexcusable The head smarâ—ed for it and the Bourguignons brethreÌ„ had there an honorable tombe Charles Duke of Orleans Lewis of Bourbon the Eaâ—ls of Eu Richemont Vendosâ—e the strongest pillers of the Orlean faction with many Noblemen and Gentlemen were taken and led into England This deâ—eat chancâ—d the 20. of Ocâ—ober in the yeare The Battaile of Agincourt 1415. called the euill Battaile of Agincourt And as one mischief comes neuer alone the bodies at this defeat were scarce buried before Lewis the Daulphin dies This Lewis eldest Sonne to our Charles Sonne in Law Lewis the Daulpâ—in dies and a terror to the Bourguignon was little lamented of the people and lesse oâ— his father in Law who hated him to the death A Prince of little valour and much toâ—le more busied with himselfe then with the affaires he managed the which he made troublesome by his insufficiencie presumptioÌ„ to know much His disposition vnwilling to learne fâ—om others what he vnderstood not for the good of the State and his owne duty Iohn Duke of Touraine his brother succeded him in the first degree of the Prince of the bloud The Duke of Berry dies and the Earle of Armagnaâ— was made Constable in the place of Charles of Albret who shall minister good occasion to speake both of his life and death Iohn Duke of Berry brother to our Charles the 5. augmented these losses A wise Prince and louing Learning coÌ„mendable in al things but for his couetousnes the which made his vertues of lesse fame A blemish very il beeseming a generous and heroicke spirit These great losses should haue made the Bourguignon humble but he became more insolent making new practises to raise him selfe hauing no competitor Imbracing this ocasion he gatheâ—s togither what troupes he can with an intent to go to Paris The Queene and Constable of Armagnac vnwilling he shoud come armed comand him in the Kings name not to aproch The Parisiens were not then so well conceited of the Bourguignon being restrained by the court vnâ—uersitie but especially by the Kings authoâ—ity being present who spake whatsoeuer his wife the Constable would haue him being then alone in authority in the Kings Councell The Bourguignons troupes kept the field 1416. committing all kinde of insolencies and spoyles against whom the King made Edicts as against common theeues The Bourguignon renewes the warre giuing the people liberty to kill them But this did nothing mollify the heart of this reuengefull Prince borne for his Countries misery hauing no other intent but to afflict it wâ—th new calamityes To this ende as in the Kings sicknesse the Daulphin had the name and authority of the State he sought to winne the fauour of Iohn succeeding in the right of his brother deceased This occasion was offered but the issue was contrary to his desseine The misery of our France was such as the common duty of humanity moued forraine nations to pitty foreseeing our ruine if the warre betwixt France and England continued In this common desire The Emperor Sigismond comes into Francâ— the Emperour Sigismond by the consent of the Germans came into France His traine and the good worke he vndertooke deseâ—ued an imperiall Maiestie but the ende will shew hâ—s intent to be other then he protested Being arâ—iued in France to the great content of all the French he findes our Charles at his deuoâ—ion who receiued him with all the pompe he could giue to so great a Monarch making shewe of the great desire hee had to make a peace betwixt the French and the English for the generall good of both estates But this accord was but halfe made The Emperour hauing remained some time with Charles goes into England where he findes Henry of an other humour puft vp with the happy successe of his affaires the weakenesse of ours and in trueth the measure of our miseries was not yet full So Sigismond hauing perswaded Henry in vaine returnes into France Charles to honour him sends his sonne Iohn Duke of Touraine and Daulphin of Viennois into Picardie to meete him hauing married the daughter of the Earle of Hainault as great a friend to the Bourguignon as ill affected to the French The Emperour seeing his labour lost in seeking this reconciliation takes his shortest course into Germany leauing a reasonable subiect to the cleare-sighted The Daulphin Iohn fauours the Bourguignon to iudge that he had an other intent then to settle a peace in France by countenancing of the Bourguignon the instrument of her miseries for after this yong pâ—â—nce had spoken with the Emperour he is wholy changed in fauour of the Duke of Bourgongne and resolues to â—andy with him against the Duke of Orleans This foundation beeing laid by the Emperours pollicy it was fortified by the Earle of Hainault father-in-law to Iohn the Daulphin Nowe he imbraceth the greatest and most dangerous enemie of all true Frenchmen with a wonderfull affection But the subtill is taken in his own snate the end doth often bewray the intent As all things tended to a manifest change by meanes of this yong Prince inchaunted by his charmes hauing a spirit like vnto waxe apt to receiue any impressions from so subtill an artisan as the Bourguignon behold death cuts off all these hopes The Daulphin Iohn dies cast in the mould of
this newe authority buried in Iohns tombe who died during these practises at Compiegne when as the fire began to kindle in fauour of the Bourguignon and to the apparent reuiuing of troubles in France To Iohn succeeded Charles Earle of Ponthieu the yongest sonne to our Charles the 6. He remained also the first Prince of the bloud with the prerogatiues of the fundamentall lawe A Prince that shall minister much matter to talke of his life in the course of our history guided by the singular prouideÌ„ce of God to raise vp this monarchy almost ruined The least but the happiest of all his brethren for this is that Charles the 7. who hauâ—ng corrected that furious giant of Bourgongne in the end shal expel the English and leafte a faire way to his posterity to restore this estate so neere the ruine But this shal not bee without many painefull difficulties the which the order of our history commands vs to represent in their due places Iohn of Bourgongne the murtherer of Lewis of Orleans hauing added newe troubles to the former ioynes with Isabell Queene of France Who hauing declared her selfe Regent of the Realme makes warre against her Sonne Charles the Daulphin The Quâ—ene takes vpon her the Regenâ—ie seiseth vppon Paris and there commits a cruell massacre where the Constable of Armagnaâ— and Henry of Marle Chancellor of France are â—laine But this Iohn of Bourgongne is in the end slaine by the Daulphin From the yeare 1415. to 1419. A Newe kind of misery now supplies the stage to despight Nature by the frantike drunkennesse of our confused passions A strauge coÌ„fusion the mother against the sonne An vnnaturall mother forgets her onely Sonne she bandies with his capitall enemy against her owne bloud seeking to transport the hereditary Crowne to strangers a Crowne inalienable by the lawe of Sâ—ate to the ende this Medea might fight both against nature and the Lawes of the Realme A horrible phrenâ—ie a fit of ciuill warre that is to saie of the assured ruine oâ— tâ—e State They câ—ll it ciuill being the ruine of Cittizens but very vnciuil indeede for if we shall iudge thereof by the barbarous and brutish cruelties what is therein the whole world more vnâ—iuill But alas behold the image of vnkinde confusions whereof the fâ—â—y of our warres hath made vs eye witnesses for haue we beheld lesse hauing seene the Crowne set to sale and our Kings blood shed vpon our Sâ—affold But the Hâ—stoâ—y requires audience to report things intheir order as they haue chanced accordâ—ng to the causes and motiues Charles Earle of Ponthieu had married the daughter of Lewis of Aniou King of Sicâ—lâ— Câ—arâ—es an enimy to the house of Boâ—â—gongne a capitall enemy to the â—ourgignon So this young Prince bred vp from his youth in hatred â—gâ—inst the house of Bourgongne must be the instrument to ruine him and his whole race He loued his pleasure much and sometimes he gaue himselfe vnâ—o it with too gâ—eat a scope yet he could imploy himselfe well to serious affaires and force his spirit in necessity firme in his resolutions and iâ—moueable in his desseâ—â—s wherein he happily ended his daies restoring the Realme strangely shaken by the errors and losses of his predecessors In thiâ— beginning of his new authority he was faithfully though not profiâ—ably assisted by the Constâ—ble of Armagnac one of the chiefe pâ—llers of the Orlean party almost alone since the imprisonment of the Duke of Orleans the death of the Dâ—ke of Berry the King continuing in his infirmity sometimes better sometimes woâ—se but alwayes weake both of body and minde The Bourguignon had his troupes together to the gâ—eat spoyle of the countrye who complayned still without any redresse This Prince being resolute in his course seekes all occasions of new garboiles his hatred encreaseth daily against the contrary faction The Bouâ—guignoâ—s practises seeing them aduanced in credit being out of hope to haue any interest in this new Daulphin who was wholly possessed by Armagnac an old foxe and an meconciliable enemy He hath practâ—ses in Amiens Abbeuille Peronne and all other good townes of Picardy who by reason of neigâ—bourhood are easily drawne to his party making goodâ—y protestations to maintaine them in peace and liberty vnder the Kings obedience He writes likewise to all the good townes of the Realme complayning of the death of Iohn Duke of Touraineâ— a Prince whom he assured to be wholy giuen to the good of the State and for this cause had bin poysoned by the enemies of the publike quiet But his true intent was to make such odious as were in credit about the King person 1417. although he named them not in his letters but in notâ—ng them he made a still and dangeâ—ous warre against them incouraged by his forces and perswasion â—â—o entring the Citties freely and causing his letters to be publikely read â—e moâ—ed tâ—eâ—â— hearts by the feeling of former confusions the blame whereof the Bouâ—guignon laied vpon his enemies The Kâ—â—g that is to say his Councell being incountred both by writings force sâ—ould lâ—keâ—ise oppose armes and writings agaiâ—st the Bourguignon but he sends the Lord of Canâ—y to treat with the Bourguignon which negotiation was fruâ—tlesse both â—or thâ—t the perâ—on sent vnto him was odious as also by reason of his charge which was nâ—â— pleâ—siâ—g vnto him He had an intent to put Canny to death but the respect of his maâ—ster withheld him making answer to all his instructions specified at large in the originall oâ— this historie But what auailes it to repeat many vaine words witâ—out any effect Iâ— bâ—iefe these are but accusations and excuses plaâ—nts and counterplaints All protest â—o be the Kings seruants and all ruine the Kâ—ng in troubling his realme Wâ—at plâ—â—ne Commentarie can we desire of these factions then what we haue heard and sâ—â—ne in our timeâ— The Bourguignon made a more dangeâ—ous warre then with Papers he had â—â—cret practises within the Citties to winne the inhabitants The Boâ—â—â—â—â—gnoâ— armeâ— drawâ— in the English He also drew the Engliâ—â— â—â—to armes and armed himselfe ioyning their forces togither but with dâ—uers inâ—entions yet their generall desseigne was to afflict France fiâ—hing in a troubâ—ed water making their profit of our confusions and building their affâ—ires vpoâ— the ruine of the realme The Daulphin Charles playes an other part he had scarse knowne the Couâ—t when as â—e was forced to go into Aniou to the funeralles of Lewis Dâ—ke of Aniou Kâ—ng of Sicile his fâ—ther in lawe and to assure the Duchie being in some danger by reason of the neigâ—bourhood of the Dâ—ke of Brittaâ—ne a doubtfull friend in the inâ—ertitude of â—hoâ—e confused times Being arriued behold a charge of dâ—â—ficultie for the fiâ—st fruites 〈…〉 new authoritâ—e The people were mutined at Rouen they had slaine Gaâ—court Gouâ—râ—our of the Câ—ttie the Aduocate and the Kings Proctor A mutiniâ— aâ— Rouan and besiâ—ged the Casâ—eâ—l
and to multiply the afflictions the Bouâ—guignon is in field and besiegeth S. 〈◊〉 The Kâ—ngâ— armie is not d smâ—ssed but dispersed into dâ—uers parts according to tâ—e nâ—cessitâ—e of his affaires The Daulphin hauing need of the gâ—eatest part for Rouen seâ—d the lesser to the besieged bâ—t the succours being â—eake and slâ—cke S. Florentine yâ—eâ—d to the Dâ—ke of Bouâ—gongne This hard beginning might haue beene preâ—udiciaâ— to â—is aâ—â—aires at Rouen but they succeed better for the chiefe of the cittie mette â—itâ— the Daulâ—hin and excuse themselues of this tumult imputing it to the people ouer-charged they beâ—eech him to pardon this fault and to receiue their voluntarie obedience Thus he is honourablie receiued into the Câ—ttie already pacified â—nd settle aâ—l things â—ith mâ—ldnesse But there are other newes of harder digestion for the Bourguignon marcheth to Paris â—ith a great power and the English takes port in Normandie with a thousand â—aile Tâ—ere were reasons on eâ—ther side to ballance these great difficulties The Dauâ—pâ—iâ— incoâ—ntâ—ed by three great enemies and to trouble tâ—e Dâ—uâ—phiâ— for whether shall he go fiâ—st if he march to Paris the English will conâ—â—â—â— without resistâ—nce If he make head against the English then Paris is lost being wholy inclined to the Bourguignons practises who sees not but the losse of the capitall 〈…〉 would be his ruine and the ouerthrow of all his desseâ—gnes The Boâ—â—guigâ—on The English But 〈◊〉 did not foresee a gâ—eater difficultie at hand by his mother more waâ—gâ—tie and daâ—â—erous then all the rest yet must he auoide all these three stormes not without greâ—t danger That the prouidence of God His motheâ— the preseruer of this Monarcâ—ie might 〈◊〉 it selfe more admâ—rable restoring this estate being in shew vtterly lost For Charles â—ho in so sharpe an incounter reaped so worthy a victory owes tâ—e homage vnto God who gaue him meanes both to fight well and to vanquish happily The Daulpâ—in stâ—â—dâ—ng doubtfull betwixt these two great extreames resolues to go to Paris to deâ—eâ—d the Cittie against the Bourguignons practises and to assure the Kings person whom he knew would speake whatsoeuer he pleased being in his power Henry of Maâ—le Chancellor of France remained at Paris with the King being wholy at the Daulphâ—ns deuotion The people stirre not being kept in awe by the Parliament and Vniuersitie who were then well vnited But experience will soone discouer the inconstancie of humane attempts when they seeme most assured and the vanitie of a multitude being the actors of great mens proiects The Bourguignon at one instant doth publish his protestation and displaies his colours causing his troupes to marche He makes a declaration conteining the causes for the which he takes armes The BourguignoÌ„ makes â— declaration That is To reforme the state extreamly desolate by the ill gouerâ—ment of such as abusing the Kings infirmity managed the affaires of the realme at their pleasure and without pittie of the poore people oppressed them with extraordinarie charges against all right and reason He protested to haue no other intent but to restore the realme to her former libertie But he shall change his coppie imposing new exactions to the preiudice of the people and shall grow offended with such as shall oppose themselues so as it seemes all this was but a maske to abuse the people vnder the goodly shew of ease and libertie But as at the first all seemes goodly so these glorious beginnings wonne him great credit with the French nation Thus his armie begins to marche through Picardie towards Paris All Citties open their gates where he doth presently proclaime an exemption of all Subsidâ—es and other charges except of Salt as the gentlest imposition seeing that all men without distinction payed their part But aboâ—e all he was very carefull that his armie should liue orderly and modestly without any oppression to the poore people being his ordinarie discourse as one greatly grieued for their afflictions and being very desirous of their quiet aâ—d content These examples proclaimed his vertues and wonne him the peoples hearts Other Citties in Picardie follow this example Beauuais yeelds willingly vnto him and shout out for ioy at his entrie he goes presently to Senlis kept by Robert Deusné for the Armagnacs The Cittizens desirous to imitate the rest seize vpon their gouernour open their gates wiâ—lingly call in the Bourguignon and receiue him with all ioy From thence he marcheth speedily to Beaumont the which hauing indured some Canon shotte being subiect to the house of Bourbon yeelds vpon an easie composition Ponthoise and Melun obey without any dispute The Bourguignon with an armie before Paris So by degrees he come before Paris and to shew his armie to the Parisiens he lodgeth at Mont-rouge but to approach neerer he incampes lower in a place called The withered Tree vnto this day by reason there stood a great dryed Tree A presage what should after befall his greene and flourishing desseignes Being there he writes his letters to the King and Cittie of Pariâ— full of cunning admonitions beseeching the one and exhorting the other to hearken seriously to a good reformation of the State the true and soueraigne eâ—d of his armeâ— In the meane time hee looseth not an houre Iohn of Luxembourg during this his necessarie aboad at Paris goes with a part of the armie to trie the voluntarâ—e Citties and euery day made new conquests Chartres Estampes Gaillardon Montlehery Auncau and Rochefort obey and after some dayes of rest to annoy Paris he besiegeth Corbeil a place of importance for the victualing thereof But whilest he pressed Corbeil with exceeding hast behold he sodenly abandons it against the opinion of all men The Daulphin and the Constable of Armagnac supposed that seeing that he had lost his labour at Paris hee would seeke to possesse himselfe of places of eâ—â—â—er conquest according to his course begun But the effect will shew that his râ—siâ—g was to an other intent which bred a horrible combustion throughout the whole realme for Isabell Queene of France discontented with her sonne Charles intreâ—tes the Dâ—ke of Bourgongne to free her from captiuitie The Bourguignon goes to Queene Isâ—â—â—ll at Tours She was then at Tours with some gard by the Kings commandement for the which she blamed her sonne and the Constable who then had the gouernment of the Court They kept not so strict a garde oâ—â—he Queâ—ne but she hâ—d lâ—beâ—tie to walke both wiâ—hin and without the Citty â—uen to the Abbâ—e of Maâ—mâ—ustiâ—r where she had her speciall 〈◊〉 This was a mâ—anes to giue intelligence vnto the Bourguignon and to slip into hiâ— hands as we shall sâ—ewe Reason requiâ—es the history should set downe the motiue of so vnnatural a discontent but she is silent and reports onely a very light occasion Tâ—â— King disâ—â—kâ—â— oâ—â—hâ— Queene That the King comming from visiting of the Queene who held her state at â—ois-de-Viâ—câ—nnes and returning to Paâ—is
hee met Lewis Bourdâ—a Knight going to Bois-de-Vincennâ—s who coÌ„ming neâ—re to thâ— King bowed himselfe on horse-backe and so passed on lightly without any other reuerence The King sends presently his Prouost of Paris after him commanding him to apprehend him and to keepe him safely The Prouost executing his charge tooke the sâ—ied Knight and brought him to Chastâ—leâ— where by the Kings command he was cruelly tortured and dâ—owned in the riuer of Seine and some fewe dayes after by the commandement of the King the Daulphin and such as then gouerned at Paris â—he Queene accompanied with her Sister in Lawe the Duchesse of Bauiere was sent to Blois and so to Tours to remaine there in meane estaâ—e William Torel The Queenâ— sent with a gard â—o 〈◊〉 Iohn Picard and Laurence Dupuis were appointed for her gard without whose consent shee durst not attempt any thing no not to write a letter These bee the wordes of the Originall Thâ—s her imprisonment was aggrauated by a newe rigour All the treasure which she had in Churches or priuate houses within Paris was seized on by the Constable of Armâ—gnac a free executioner of these proceediâ—gs This shewes a notable dislike betwixt the husband and the wife and the mother and sonne but the cause is not specified If it be lawfull to serch into this secret shall we say that Queene Isabel mother to our Daulphin louing the one better then the other as the variety of the mothers affection to her children is too common had strained all her credit to countenâ—nce Iohn after the death of Lewis being thus ingaged with the Bourguignon whome she dâ—d hate deadly by reason of the imprisonment of her brother Lewis of Bauiere but as she had fiâ—st loued and after hated him might she not in like sort receiue him againe into fauour as the diuersitie of her passions did moue her by newe occasions to loue or hate the same man The Emperour Sigâ—smonds proceeding made it very suspitious beeing the greatest instrument of the allyance betwixt Iohn and the Bourguignon And to what ende did the â—ourguignon go to him into Sauoie after all this It is likewise to be considered that the sodaine death of Iohn encreased this womans furie against her sonne Charles holding it for certaine that by the Constables councell hee had caused him to bee poysoned Ambition and choller are furious beasts not to be restrayned by respect especially in a woman in whome hatred and reuenge make deepe impressions Iealousie might likewise be a violent councellor vnto Charles As if Charles animated by the Constable of Armâ—gnac fearing least his mother had some great practise with the Bourguignon and his associats had incensed the King against her hauing mooued him with some other pretext But in effect it was wholy to restraine this womans power depriuing her both of libertie and treasure But the euent will shewe that she was not alwaies busied at her distaffe or in her deuotion The search of the motiues is necessarie in a History especially in famous actions but the doubtfull coniectures are free to euery mans iudgement This is all the certaintie of this actâ—on The â—ourguignon beeing called by Isabel leaues the siege of Corbeil lodgeth his footemen in the Townes of Beausse â—hat were most fauorable vnto him and with his horse which were aboue ten thousand hee goes into Touraine The Bourguignon ioynes with the Queenâ— when as behold the Queene beeing one morning at her deuotion in the Abbie of Marmoustier according to her custome hee arriues with his horsemen at an hower appointed He meetes the Queene receiues her and enters the Cittie with her without any difficultie hauing first cunningly seized vpon the gats Being entred he proclaimes an exemption of charges in the Queenes name and being accompanied by the people hee pâ—esents himselfe before the Castel which opens vnto the Queene being exceeding glad to see her selfe at liberty and to command freely 1418. She referres her seâ—fe wholly vnto the Bourguignons will who likewise seekes to vse her name to make his desseines more plausible Hâ—uing therefore assured Tours they march to Chartres a more conuenient Towne for their affaires lying so neere vnto Paris Being there hauing assembled all the clergie Nobility three estâ—tes and such Citties as they could of theâ—r faction she causeth Philip of Morueliers to make knowne vnto them That by reâ—son of the ill gouernement of the Realme through the great weakenesse of the king her huâ—band and according to the degree whereunto God had raised her The Queene declares her selfe Regent of Fâ—ance being Queene of France shee desired infinitely to reforme it And the rather for that Charles her sonne corrupted by thâ— ill coâ—ncell of the enemies of the state shewed her not the dutie of a child to her great griâ—fe Soâ—s to prouide good and wholesome remedies for the preseruation of the state and for the seâ—â—â—e of the king her husband by the good aduice of her cousin the Duke of Bourgoâ—gne a Prince of the bloud she declares her selfe Regent of France The which was pleasing vnto them 〈◊〉 with this title Isabell â—y the grace of God Queene of France hauing by reason of the king my Lords infirmity the gouernement and administration of the Realme by an irreuâ—câ—bâ—e graunt made vnto vs by our said Lord and his councell And for confirmation of this neâ— authority she caused a seale to bee made whereon was grauen her image standing right vp with her armes hanging downe to the earth as one wâ—thout comfort and requiring helpe on the one side were the armes of France and on the other that of France and Bauiere quartered with these words This is the seale of Causes Soueraignties and Appellations for the King There were two Soueraigne Courts of Iustice erected one at Amiens and the otâ—er at Troye in Châ—mpaigne New Courts erected new officers made with expresse charge not to go to Paris The office of Constable was giuen to the Duke of Lorraine by the depriuatâ—on of the Earle of Armagnâ—â— and the Chancellourship of France to Eustache of Basâ—re by the giuing ouer of Henry of Marle As these things begâ—n to kindle a new fire of miseries there were certaine Bishops which laboured to reconcile the Queene and Daulphin The Bourguignon accepts of the motion but the Constable of Armagnâ—c breakes off the treaty An article which shall make him more odious with the people The Bourguignon hauing retyred hiâ— armye and put his men into garrison goes into Sauoy where at that time the Emperour Sigâ—smond was who erected the Earledome of Sauoy into a Duchye and there did confeâ—â—e with him at Mommellain This was not without some great desseine In his absence Philip of Bourgongne his sonne held a Parliament to resolue vppon the meâ—nes to make warre with more aduantage Thus the Bourguignon wrought â—or his part The Daulphin seeing the fields freed and without any enemie thinkes good that the
the bridge to be fortified with three turnepikes to stoppe their free entrance into the Towne whether the Bourguignon must come by dutie vnto the Daulphin This succeeded according to his desseine but it carried the shewe of an enemie The Bourguignon sends three gentlemen of his houshold to the Daulphin Thoulongâ—â—â— Ernoy and Soubretier to aduertise him of his comming They giue him notice of the two barricadoes made vpon the Bridge and wish him not to aduenture Hauing referred it to his Counsell all beeing on horsebacke he resolues in the ende to passe onâ— he lights at the Castle where his lodging was assigned and setts his gardes at the entry of the gate towards the Towne Hereupon Tanneguy of Chastell come vnto him who after a due reuerence saluted him from the Daulphin saying that he attended him at the bridge foote at the towne gate Then Iohn of Bourgongne hauing chosen out ten of his most trusty followers Charles of Bourbon the Lords of Nouaille Fribourg S. George Montagu Vergy 〈◊〉 Pontauillier Lens Giaâ— and his Secretarie Seguinat hee approcheth to the first barre where he inco unters with som from our Charles who intreat him to enter vpon their maisters word and assure him by oath Before he enters as if his heart had foretold his harme he stayes sodainely and askes aduice of his company who incouâ—aging him to passe on he enters the second barre the which was presently lockt and then he caused some to go before him and some behind he remaining in the midest Tanneguy of Chastell comes to receiue him and the Duke laying his hand vppon 〈◊〉 shoulder very familiarly This is he saies the Duke in whom I trust I will conclude this bloudy Catastrophe with the very words of the Originall And so he approched 〈◊〉 vnto the Daulphin who stood all armed with his sword by his side leaning on a barre Before whom he kneeled with one knee on the ground to do him honour and reuerence saluting â—im most humbly Whereat the Daulphin answered nothing making him no shewe of loue 〈◊〉 charged him with breach of his promise The Daulphin causeth Iohn of Bourgongne to be slaine for that he had not caused the war to cease nor drawn his men out off garrison as he had promised Then Robert de Loire tooke him by the right armâ— and said Rise you are but too honourable The Duke hauing one knee on the ground and his sword about him which hong not to his minde somewhat too farre backe kneeling downe he laid his hand on his sword to pull it forward for his ease Robert said vnto him doe you lay your hand vppon your sword before my Lord the Daulphin At which 〈◊〉 Tanneguy of Chastell drew neere vnto him on the other side who making a signe saiâ— It is time striking the Duke with a little axe so violently on the face as he cut oâ—f his chinne and so he fell on his knees The Duke feeling himselfe thus wounded layde his hand on his sword to draw it thinking to rise and defend himselfe but hee was presently charged by Tanneguy and others and beaten dead to the ground And sodainely one named Oliuer Layet with the helpe of Peter Fortier thrusts a sword into his belly vnder his coate of Maile Whilest this was doing the Lord of Nouailles drewe his sword halfe out thinking to defend the Duke but the Vicont of Narbonne held a dagger thinking to striâ—e him Nouailles leaping forceably to the Vicount wrested the dagger from him being so sore hurt in the hinder part of the head as he fell downe dead Whilest this was acting the Daulphin leaning on the barr beholding this strange sight retyred backe as one amazed and was presently conducted to his lodging by Iohn Louuet and other his councellers All the rest were taken except Montagu who leaped ouer the turnepike and gaue the Alarum There were 〈…〉 vpon the place but Iohn Duke of Bourgongne and Nouailles S. George and a Aâ—cre were hurt The Dukes men charged home vnto the turnepike but they were eâ—sily repulsed His troupes retyring to Bray are pursued by the Daulphinois with losse and in the ende the castle is abandoned by him that had it in gaâ—d The Dukes body stript off al but his Doublet and Bootes is drawne into a Mill and the next daye buried This happened the tenth of September in the yeare 1419. Behold the ende of Iohn Duke of Bourgongne Seeing then this murther troubled the Daulphin who had caused it to be committed what stonie heart would not be amazed thereat Truly the breach of faith is vnexcusable howsoeuer it be disguised for as faith is the ground of humane society so doth it extend euen vnto enimies with whom it must be inuiolably kept This blowe shall be deere to Charles Through this hole the enimye shall enter so farre into the Realme as he shall put him in danger and in the ende he shall be forced to confesse his fault not able to excuse himselfe without accusing of his councellours But from vniust man let vs ascend to the wisedome of that great Iudge of the world who is alwaies iust The Oracle cries He that strikes with the sword shall perish with the sword and The disloyall to the disloyall They loued misery and misery found them out And wise antiquity saies God punisheth great wickednes with great paines euen in this life And Hardly can tyrants descend into the graue with a dry death that is without blood or murther Oh iustice of God alwaies iust alwaies wise and alwaies good Thy iudgements are righteous O Lord. I condemne the errour of men yet I held my peace Bloud punished with bloud because thou dâ—dest it Draw the curten Iohn of Bourgongne hath played his part vpon this Theater He had slaine the the Duke of Orleans traitorously and now he wallowes in his owne goare being treacherously slaine by the Daulphin Charles Now let vs see the care his son Philip Earle of Charolois had to be reuenged of Charles for this cruell murther but all is not yet ended The Catastrophe of this miserable raigne Philip sonne to Iohn Duke of Bourgongne stirres vp great troubles against Charles the Daulphin in reuenge of his fathers death BY whose meanes Isabell an vnkinde mother makes warre against Charles her sonne and peace with Henry the fift King of England then a capitall enemy to the state She giues him her daughter Katherine in marriage and procures King Charles the 6. her husband to declare Henry his lawfull heire and to dis-inherit his only sonne Charles the 7. from the realme of France 1420. During these occurrents Henry the 5. and Charles the 6. die leauing the Crowne of France in question betwixt Charles the 7. and Henry the 6. proclaimed King of France at the funeralles of Charles the 6. From the yeare 1419. to the yeare 1422. AFter this tragicall and strange murther of Iohn of Bourgongne Philip his sonne Duke of Bourgongne by his decease seekes
to be reuenged vpon Charles the Daulphin and Charles to defend himselfe The exploites of the Daulphin and of Philip of Boâ—rgâ—ogue after this murther Philip was then in Flanders The Parisiens passionate partisans of the Bourguignon who had seene the Duke of Orleans murthered without mouing and they themselues had massacred the chiefe Officers of the Crowne and had shed the bloud of many good men for his pleasure and passion hauing repayed the bloud so treacherously slaine by him in the same coyne they nowe growe into a greater mutinie then if the King himselfe had beene slaine They send their deputies to Philip and promise not onely to bee faithfull but to assist him with all their meanes to reuenge the murther committed on the person of his father And at the same instant Montagu being escaped from the Turn-picke writes to all the Citties vnder the Bourguignons obedience of this accident the which he could report as an eye witnesse Charles on the other side writes to all the good Citties of the realme yeelding a reason of this murther and imputing the fault to the Bourguignons bad dealing who would haue slaine him at a parle exhorting the people not to mourne for the iust execution of a man borne for the ruine of France who had willingly thrust himselfe into this mischiefe offring all his meanes to settle the realme in peace according to the authoritie whereunto God had called him But in talking hee seekes countries Stephen of Vignoles called la Hire and Poton of Xaintrailles winne Crespy in Laonois and Caradoz of Quesne with Charles of Flauye take Roye places very important to trouble the Citties of Picardie where the Bourguignon was chiefely obeyed The strong Caâ—tell of Muin opposite to Crespye and Roye is surprised by the industry of his seruants keepes all Vermandois and Laonois in alarume This beginning caused Philip to seeke al speedie meanes to crosse Charles his proceedings being resolute to continue what he had begunne yet the Parisiens feared pressing Philip againe not to abandon the seruants of his house the which made him more prompt in the execution Philip being assured of his Flemings obtaines a suspension of armes from Henry the 5. King of England and a day and place appointed to treat a general peace betwixt the two realmes Then marching with his army through Picardie hee recouers Crespy Roye and Muin to the great content of his partisans and so he arriues at Troyes in Champagne the appointed place for this treatie Isabel Queene of France a cruell Medea and and vnnaturall mother continued her tragike choller against her Son who hauing defaced the common feeling of nature did soone forget the honor she had receiued to be married into the house of France Being thus wedded to the Bourguignons passions Queene Isabel hates the Daulphin hir sonne deadly she tormented her poore husbands spirâ—ts being exceeding weake perswading him that his best course was to disinherit this wicked son to declare his daughter heire and in marrying her to the greatest King vpon the earth to giue her likewise the realme after his decease to her issue as descended from the bloud of France Philip comming to the King found newe worke for presently Henry the 5. King of England concludes a peace with King Charles the 6. weddes Katherine his daughter and doth obtayne by letters pattents That establiâ—â—ing a firme and free peace in both the Realmes of France and England in regard 〈…〉 marriage of Catherine of France he is declared Regent of the realme during the life of King Charles to whom the title of King remaynes and to â—sabel his wife the title of Queene during their lâ—â—es But presently after the Kings decease The lawfull heire reiected and Henry the 5. declared heire of France the Crowne realme of France with al their rights and dignities should remayne vnto him whome King Charles the 6. calles by his letters patents his most deere and welbeloued sonne and to his heires in chiefe They cause this poore sicke King to sweare vpon the holy Bible to promise this for him and his withall exemptions and necessary clauses in so great and important a businesse This goodly act the finite of the furious passions of ciuill warre was made aâ— Troye the 21. of may in the yeare 1420. This done the French and English forces ioyning and marching vnder the same colours acknowledge one Comander and for their first exploit they win Monstreau-faut-Yonâ—e where they take vp and bury Iohn of Bourgongne againe and so marching on as against Rebells they take Melun Meaux and Morst and beseege Compiegne But least matters should growe cold Henry of England whome they call Regent returnes to Troye and with a goodly traine conducts the King Queene and his newe wife Catherine to Paris being better followed and serued then the King himselfe The Parisiens folly did wonderfully imbâ—ace the comming of this newe royaltie promising vnto themselues a newe heauen but this humor lasted not long hauing tried the power of forraine Princes and the commande of their Kings by very contrary effects The Regent held a Councell presently in great state in the Pallace of Saint Pol Henryes proceeding in his new royaltie of France being the Kings lodging Two throanes were erected for the two Kings and a seate vnderneath for Philip of Bourgongne The Kings councell being fewe in number is supplied by the Court of Parliament and the vniuersity Philip demandes Iustice of the muâ—ther committed on the person of Iohn of Bourgongne his father His Aduocate Rolâ—in made this instance The Kings Aduocate and the vniuersitie assisted him in the 〈◊〉 King Charles promiseth Iustice against his Sonne the Daulphin and to dâ—al good â—ffâ—ces for King Henry his newe Sonne This was the first act of the newe Regencie against the onely Sonne of his house And moreouer they decreed that heereafter all the treasure should be gouerned by the Regents authoritie and commande Henry resolues presently to call a Parliament for the necessity of his returne into England whether he ment to conduct his new Spouse The Bourguignon craues iustice against the Daulphin A Parliament was held according to this decree but all were amazed at this sodaine alteration euen the very report of my Historie hath some fealing thereof for what canst thou see herein gentle reader but frosen ice in the remembrance of these confusions renewed by the fealing of our owne Thus the Regent caused Charles Duke of Touraine and Daulphin of Viennois to be called to the marble table All sollemnities obserued and he not appearing by a decree of the Councell and of the Court of Parliament he was banished the realme The Daulphin banished the realme by a decree and he appeales and iudged vnworthy to succeede in any of the Seigneuries as well present as to come The Daulphin appeales from this sentence To God and his sword who in the ende doing him iustice shall blesse his sword and
the Constables good seruices After this shamefull disgrace hee seekes to couer his fault He exclaimes against the King exclayming first against the King as if hee had beene the cause of this infamous disorder happened at Saint Iames hauing too freely discouered his grieâ—es vnto the King he presumed to take Iohn of Malesâ—roit Chancellor of Brittain prisoner as beeing particularly charged to solicit the payement of such money as was appointed for this Britton army Charles was much offended with this presumption and in despight of the Constable caused Malestroit to bee presently released and sent into Sauoy The Constable was greatly discoÌ„tented with this proceeding the which he tooke as an affront done to his person and resolues to be reuenged So great were the confusions of that age as the seruant durst prescribe a Lawe to his maister and his counsell bandâ—e against him to controll his will Yea the Princes of the bloud so great was the corruption of that wretched age were the chiefe controllers of the Kings actions Then was there nothing more miserable then France who discontented with her King A dangerous waywardnesse to make the King odious or contemptible nourished the ambition of many Kings This iealous ambition did nothing cure the infirmities of our Estate Charles found it lost he could not raise it alone To debase his authority was no meanes to cuâ—e the confusions of the realme And as there is nothing more troublesome then affliction the French nation beeing then extreemely afflicted did nothing amend their condition in casting vpon the King the reproches of their calamities This deptiue themselues of their head wherein consists the whole life of the bodie An vnreasonable discontent The whole body of the State was sicke and this distasted people would haue their head sound A notable circumstance for it is strange that after so many miseries this domesticall confusion had not beene the vâ—ter ruine of the State But let vs returne to our discourse The Constable had great credit with the counsell whome in the beginning the King had greatly countenanced but the priuate practises and the generall discontent of great persons had made him halfe a King to crosse the Mignons whome al men hated Great men hated them as possessing the King the people detested them as managing all things at their pleasure to the preiudice of the common weale There were two Mignons that did greatly vexe them Gyac and Camus of Beaulieu They resolue by a generall consent to dispatch them The Princes with the Lords of Albret and Tremouille who had a great interest in the Sate were of the partie But the Constable must do the execution The matter concluded betwixt them was thus executed Gyac was taken in bed with his wife carried to Dun le â—oy condemned and executed that is he was put into a sacke and cast into the riuer The Kings Mignons slaine by the Councell The Constable performed this office without any other forme of lawe then his bare commande Afterwards Camus borne in Auuergne as hee walked in the Kings lodging was venturously slaine by a soldiar belonging to the Marshall of Boussac Charles vnderstood it and in a manner toucht the bloud of his two domesticall seruants beeing wonderfully discontented but the time which did authorise these confusions caused him to swallowe this pill quietly Tremouille married Gyacs widowe the heire of Lisle Bouchart and entred newly in credit with the King giuing him to vnderstand that all was for his seruice so as there was no more speeche thereof euery man shut both eyes and eares But Tremouille shall haue his turne hee shall leaue some of his haire and hardly saue the moulde of his doubled Thus the affaâ—â—es of Court ebbed and flowed the which raiseth vp one and cast downe an other In this deceytfull manner of life there is nothing certaine but incertentie fauours beeing â—â—uen not by desert but most commonly by a blind appetite which hath no other iudgement but the apprehension of weake heads diuiding the happinesse of a 〈◊〉 life into quarters this day to one and to morrowe to an other A goodly lesson for such as are fauored in Court not to bee transported with vaine hope toyes to deceiue the indiscreete The surest gards of prosperity are Integritie wisdome modesty and patience to remember aduersity in prosperitie according to the precepts of the wise This was the good gouernment of the Constable of Richmont a bolde practiseâ— of these domesticall confusions whilest the Bourguignon plied his businesse Wee haue made mention of the sute of Iaqueline Contesse of Hainault and Holland for Humfry Duke of Glocester her pretended husband against Iohn Duke of Braâ—â—nt her lawfull husband for so had Pope Martin pronounced it in fauour of the Bâ—â—bantin but from lawe they go to armes The Bourguignon supported the 〈◊〉 These Princes hauing prepared their forces begin by writing The 〈◊〉 accuseth the Bourguignon of couetousnesse and trecherie The Bourguignon giues him the lie But from reproches they fall to armes The Bourguignon offers the Glocâ—â—â—â—an to ende the question by combate and by that triall to auoide the effusion of theâ—â— sold aâ—s bloud The Glocestrian accepts it all is prepared for the combate but the Duke of Bâ—â—â—ord interpeseth his authoritie To this ende hee calls the cheefe men of all estats to Paris to quench this fire and by common aduice decrees That that day 〈◊〉 disanulled â—eyther should it bee preiudiciall to eyther partie That is to say 〈◊〉 being well vewed and considered there was no iust cause for eyther to call the other to this wilfull combate from the which they could not depaâ—t althouâ—â— it were accepted without great preiudice to both their honours In the meane time neither the Popes authority nor the Regents decree by the generall aduice of the States could preuaile but all bursts forth into open warre The Bourguignon proued the stronger so as the Glocestrian leauing Iaqueline at Mons posted into England for newe forces but all was in vaine the Bourguignon making his profit of this Princes absence did easily effect his desire hauing no oposite but a woman dishonored for her infamous adulteries Hee failes not to enter Hainault with a stronge army and vseth all force to reduce this people to reason The Country seeing it selfe pressed by the Bourguignons forces neyther hoping for noâ— desiring any succors from England The Duke o◠〈◊〉 leaseth on Iaqueline Countesse of Haâ—â—â—auâ—â— and perswaded that Iaqueline supported a bad cause resolue to obey the stronger Hauing to that effect protested vnto their Lady what they thought fitting for their dutie they seize on her person and deliuer her into the hands of the Duke of Bourgongne Philip receiues her honorably and promiseth her all offices of friendship to comfort her From Mons hee causeth her to bee conducted with a goodly traine to Gand by Lewis of Chaalons Prince of Orange a braue Noble man The Gantois imploy their
the English Bowe-men All fâ—â—e some here some there without order without command and without courage and few fight Such as made head were slaine The rest saue themselues within Orleans There were fiue or sixe hundred of our men slaine vpon the place The English lost but one man called Brisanteau The chiefe of our side were the Lord of Oruall of the Noble house of Albret Iohn Stuard Chasteaubrun Montpipel Verduisant Larigot La Greue Diuray Puilly with better then a hundred Gentlemen This ouerthrow was called the battaile of Herings for that they carried them to the besiegers The amazement was greater then the losse for that the Earle of Clermont a Prince of the bloud who should haue beene a ring-leader of resolution and magnanimitie in these extreame accidents was so amazed with this losse as he retired with his men leauing the Cittie to the bastard of Orleans who resolues to attend the end of this siege at what price soeuer In this gallant resolution he was vertuouslie seconded by the Lords of Guitry Gaucourt Grauille Villars La Hire and Xaintrailles lights of great hope in this cruell storme and worthy of eternall memorie in that they dispaired not of this monarchie in so apparent dispaire And that which is chiefely to be obserued herein The King in dispaire of his aâ—â—aires the King vnderstanding this retreate of the Earle of Clermont said that he did see no meanes to saue the rest from shipwrack To increase this feare the Duke of Bourgongne comes to Paris at the same instant with a troupe of six hundred men at armes richly appointed Our Commanders being full of resolution were not onely to incounter with the English but with the confusion of times the Kings mâ—sfortune and which was worst of all the amazement of the men of warre who discouered plainly the disorder of the State They were loth to cast the helme after the hatchet but sought the most assured meanes to saue the Cittie in this storme Orleans stands vpon termes to yeeld to the Duke of Bourgongne They aduertise the King hereof who was so irreâ—olute as he referres all to their discretions They resolue to deliuer the Towne into the Duke of Bourgognes hands to keepe it for the Duke of Orleance or the Duke of Angoulesme his brother being then prisoners in England with the Kings good liking Pothon Xaintrailles and Peter of Orson wiâ—e and valiant men go to Paris to the Duke of Bedford vpon his assurance The Duke of Bedford refuseth the Deputies and discontents the Bourguignon He heares them and returnes them presently both for that he distrusted the Duke of Bourgongne and held the conquest assured The Burguignon was greatly discontented with the Duke of Bedford for his refusall whom after that time he neuer loued The English triumphed thus as a victor so as our Ambassadors could hardly saue themselues with their pasport Then the English saith the originall being in great prosperitie had no consideration that the wheele of fortune hath power to turne dayly But the holy veritie of the church which drawes vs to the wise prouidence of God cries I haue said to the fooles play not the fooles and to the wicked Lift not vp your hornes speake not with so great pride for greatnesse comes not from the East noâ— West neither from the Northâ—â— is God that raiseth vp and casteth downe He holds a cup of Wine in his hand he imparts it tâ— euery one as he pleaseth Truely the pride of the English who possessed of this Monarchy being drunke with his good fortune was nowe come to his height there remained nothing but the hand of the soueraigne Iudge to suppresse him but he shall not long hold it O my country forget not the time of thy visitation reade in this true discourse the estate of thy predecessors Remember their afflictions behold their feare see the image of that time wherein thou hast borne a part and iudge if now onely thou beginnest to be afflicted In this extremity as the French were exceedingly distressed so the English were transported with ioy for their late victory The estate of the French desperate and reioycing with a new hope as if all were wonne they cry to the besieged Will you buy my faire herings At the same instant the townsmen issue forth vpon the shoare The Earle of Salisbury stoode at a window in the tower vppon the bridge beholding the skirmish when as one of his Captaines named Glacidas said vnto him My Lord behold here your citty here may you view it plainely But behold a Cannon charged with stones was shot from the Towne The Earle of Salisbury slain before Oâ—leans which aymed at the Earles head strooke him and left him dead in the place This vnexpected blow comming as it were from heauen changed this exceeding ioy of the English into mourning being a man of great valour who by his carriage had wonne great credit among them beloued honoured of all for the mildenesse of his manners So this losse troubled both the wits and affaires of the English armie The Lord Talbot commandâ— in his place the which had greatly disbanded if the Earle of Suffolke Talbot Iohn Fastoll and Scales famous Captaines had not happily beene there to reuiue their spirits and forces attending the Duke of Bedfords pleasure who gaue the charge to Talbot beeing the choise of their best men with new foâ—ces So as the siege is continued with more vehemencie then before with great presumptions that all would go worse with the besieged In this occurrent Charles knewe not what to doe to whom should he flie his Princes forsake him Orleans beeing taken whether should he retire Bourges was ready to yeeld and withall the Country adioyning King Charles his miserablâ— estate He had no whole Prouinces vnder his obedience but Languedoc and Daulphiné And at the same instant the Bourguignon and Sauoyard prouide worke for him in those countries The taking then of Orleans which in reason seemed vnavoydable was the ouerthrowe of Charles and his estâ—te There was no winking at that which was too apparent That considering the estate of his affaires in generall and of his house in particular If Orleans should be lost all the citties vpon the riuer of Loire and in like fort the rest already varring would abandon him Amidest these fearefull considerations what could the braue and Noble Commanders within Orleans doe but plant their hopes in God and in themselues A soueraigne remedâ—e in extreame daungers So to purchase an honourable and profitable composition they set a good face on it giuing the English to vnderstand that if they desired their liues they should buye them deerely France reduced to so great an extreamity and truely such as men could doe no more behold God raiseth vp an extraordinary meanes the which meanes reason could not foresee and much lesse prouide A meanes which reuiued the daunted spirits God raiseth vp a newe meanes
growes very hote Our men greatly incouraged by this Virgin runne headlong to the Bastion and force a point thereof Then fire and stones raigne so violently as the English being amazed forsake their defences Some are slaine vpon the place some throw themselues downe headlong and flie to the Towre vpon the bridge In the end this braue Glacidas abandons this quarter and retires into the base Court vpon the bridge Many English drowned at Orleans the bridge breaking and after him a great troupe of his Souldiars The bridge greatly shaken with Artillerie tried by fire and ouer-charged with the weight of this multitude sinkes into the water with a fearefull crie carrying all this multitude with â—t Thus the riuer of Loire was the Sepulchre of Glacidas and of his troupe alwayes accustomed to vanquish but when they were vanquished An example of mans vanitie who drunke with their victories cannot conceiue that the rodde of the Iudge of this world may touch them The English lost in these three dayes skirmishes aboue eight thousand men and we scarse a hundred the which was Gods handie worke If the ioy of Orleans were great Orleans freed from the English and the Virgins honour proclaimed in this happy successe being proofes of her true foretellings If her triumph were double when as passing through the Citty hauing her arme honourablie hurt she was inuironed by the Earle of Dunois Pothon Xaintrailles and all the most famous Captaines the perplexitie of Suffolke Talbot and Sâ—ales was not lesse foreseeing the vnauoidable proceeding of their misfortune if they should obstinately defend the other fortes that were towards Beausse although a good part of their armie remained there So they take councell from danger to abandon all these Fortes to retire into some place of safetie and to aduertise the Duke of Bedford of their misfortunes The same night they gather together with great silence about nine thousand men and take the way to Baugency The Orleanois are watchfull obseruing their departure The English retire with their forces prepare to charge the enemie but the Virgin would not consent therevnto And in truth this remainder was appointed for other victories The inhabitants thus freed issue early in the morning out of the Cittie they come to the Bastions where hauing gathered together great store of armes victualles and baggage they cast these great monuments of the English labours vnto the ground They giue sollemne thankes vnto God the author of so miraculous a deliuerie and to the end this singular benefit might be celebrated yearely they erect a monument for this memorable successe King Charles the seuenth armed and Ioane the Virgin likewise armed both kneeling vpon their knees Truely thanksgiuing for so excellent a good is due to God onely and this memory ought to bee religiously consecrated to posteritie as the first fruites of the restoring of this Estate then halfe dead through the force and might of Strangers To confirme this goodly victorie the Virgin parts well accompanied from Orleans and goes to the Kâ—ng to Chinon to yeeld him an accoâ—mpt of her Commission It cannot be spoken with what ioy this Prince beheld her and what credit she purchased by this miraculous successe But My Liege saith she This is but a beginning we must finish the God of heauens worke causing you to be crowned at Rheims and chasing your enemies out of your state This is the commandement I haue receiued And so by her aduice Charles assembles all his forces The Constable of Richemont The Constable of Riâ—hemont reconciled to thâ— King who neuer durst shew himselfe after the quarrell with Tremouille is now reconciled by the Virgins intercession and hereafter shall doe very good seruice to this Crowne Charles of Bourbon Earle of Clermont is now wonderfully discontented to haue retired himselfe from the battaile of Herings hauing not honourably assisted in these exploits in the which he had held the first ranke But Iohn of Bourbon Duke of Alençon arriued happily out of prison from England he had beene taken at the battaile of Vernuâ—il to be commander of these goodly troupes which go resolutely to take possession of the Citties of Champagne being all then in the possession of the English Men post from all parts to this banket Their hearts being reuiued their countenances change and their affaires take a new forme They then plot saying But whilest the King prepares for his Coronation at Gyen and to be neere his chiefest affaires let vs suppresse these English which remaine after that great defeat of Orleans The English defeated at Iaâ—geau the Earle of Sufâ—olâ—e taken his â—rethren slaine and let vs take from them those Townes which are neere about The Earle of Suffolke was at Iargeau the Towne is besieged and taken all the English are either slaine or taken prisoners one of the Earles bretheren was slaine in the fight another of them drowned and he himselfe was taken vpon the Bridge as he was flying away Meung was taken by Guy of Lauall and seuen or eight hundred English-men slaine Baugency yeeldes by composition The Duke of Bedford gathers together what forces he can to preserue the rest of the Townes from shipwrack sending a troupe of foure thousand men to fortifie them Talbot with Thomas Rameston haue the charge This troupe was presently subiect to our victorie and when as they finde that neither men nor Townes can hold out for them they seeke to retire themselues but they are incountred at Patay a small village in Beausse The English defeated at Patay where all are slaine or taken yet our mens furie being past many are spared both in the fight and in prison that the English might haue a testimonie of our mildenesse The great Talbot is taken and brought to Charles who vseth him with great respect Iohn Fastoll flies shamefully and is therefore degraded by the Duke of Bedford This chanced the 20. of May. Wee had all the tokens of an absolute victorie The Commanders slaine or taken the field wonne A hundred and ten Ensignes brought to our Temples Their Canons Artillerie and all other habillements of warre are seized on and moreouer the hearts of the King and the French were resolued to end the matter Behold the first fruites the haruest shall be gathered in time as the Historie will shew by degrees But let vs go to Rheims to Crowne Charles according to the Virgins appointment THE CORONATION OF CHARLES the seuenth BY this happie successe the way was made to Rheims although the Kings Councell framed many difficulties to hinder this voyage King Charles crowned at Rheims as superfluous and almost impossible for why say they should Charles be crowned The lawe of State made him to bee borne a King and he was Crowned at Poitiers But if to please the people it must of force be so where is the meanes to effect this decree Rheims and all the Townes of Champagne bee in other mens possessions Thus did
discourse BY VVHAT MEANES AND DEGREES THE TOWNES SVBdued by the English returned to the obedience of this Crowne and how the English were chased out off this Realme From the yeare 1429. to 1454. after the ebbing and flowing of many actions and the accord of the Duke of Bourgongne with Charles long debated and in the ende obtained by the meanes of the Duke of Bourbon Paris yeeldes to the King The other Citties and Prouinces of this Realme one after another in diuers seasons and by diuers occasions returne to the King as to their head and expell the stranger who held the state TO THE REDVCTION OF PARIS ARE 7. YEARES TO THE FVLL RESTORING OF THE REALME 18. AND IN ALL 25. YEARES AFTER HIS CORONATION THis happy beginning of the Kings affaires seemed to bring with it a generall restoring of his whole Realme by the absolute obedience of all Townes and Prouinces But God which gouerns nature by seasons and giues not haruest when as they sâ—w the seede he doth likewise gouerne the society of mankind by degrees that the force of mans industry of it selfe may appeare vaine and nothing and not successefull but by his grace without whoÌ„ man can do nothing We haue hitherto seene into what distresse the preseruer of this estate hath drawne both the King and Realme but in the ende his prouidence shal appeare no lesse admirable in preseruing it The English seeke to crossâ— Câ—arles in his course The Duke of Bedford wonderfully discontented with his happy successe resolues to stop the course both by force and policie To this ende hee sends to Englâ—nd for succors both of men and money he leauies all he can in France and practiseth with the Duke of Bourgongne who was held of both parties to haue power to strike the lâ—st stroake in this equality of affaires So as finding himselfe sought vnto by them all he intertaines them all giuing Charles secretly to vnderstand that he was for him and yet he presently takes armes for the English The Bourguignons dispositioÌ„ A man wholy adicted to his affaires hauing â—â— other obiect but his owne greatnesse yet shall he effect no wonders beeing nowe so much sought vnto Charles parts from Rheims to obserue his enemies way he passeth by Soissons Chasteau Thierâ—y Prouins Coussy in Brye and comes to Crespy in Valois all these Townes shake off the English yoake to obey him Bedford was at Senlis with an armie of ten thousand men from thence he writes letters of defiance to Charles as to the vsurper of the realme He represents vnto him at large the compassion he had of the poore French people so long opprest with warres and doth challenge him to appoint a day and place to end this long miserie eyther by a peace or battaile A part ill acted by a Stranger for who could beleeue these protestations in the mouth of a Stranger against the heire of the Crowne Charles answers him by effects and offers himselfe to the combate the English armie was before Senlis being lodged in that renowmed Temple of victorie the antient monument of the valour of Philip Augustus The French armie was opposite against them without hedge or bush in a large Plaine The King called a Councell whether he should giue battaile Ioane the Virgin diswades King Charâ—es from fighting The Virgin held opinion they should not hazard these happy beginnings vpon a doubtfull combate being sufficient to staye the enemie in shewing him the Armie without striking So as these two Armies stood two dayes together in battaile looking one vpon another without mouing although many skirmishes seemed to offer occasion to drawe them to a generall fight In the end there was a confused charge of some fore-lorne hopes Picards and French but the battailes stood firme After this countenance Bedford takes his way to Paris to auoide the alterations which the Kings approche and prosperitie might breed Charles hauing receiued the obedience of Compeigne Senlis Creil Beauuois Pont Saint Maxence Choysi Gournay Remy Neufuille Mognay Chantely Sainctines and other places thereabouts with the homages of the Seigneuries of Mont-morency and Mouy he marcheth towards Paris The Bourguignon abuseth King Charles vpon promise made by the Bourguignon to be receiued by the Cittizens Being at Saint Denis he not onely findes Bedford in Armes without the Cittie but also the Cittie well garded by the Inhabitants Ioane the Virgin sore wounded and her men defeated so as the Virgin seeking to surprize Saint Honories ditche had like to haue beene taken being sore wounded and loosing a goodlie troope of her best and most resolute souldiars The inconsiderate desire which Charles had to winne the loue of the Duke of Bourgongne did much preiudice his affaires for all Picardy held him in great esteeme especially the great Townes of Amiens Abbeuille and S. Quintin but the respect he bare the Bouâ—guignon made him to neglect these occasions to his great hurt Hauing therefore found this passage to be very perilous he retires into Berry and the Duke of Bedford freed from the feare of his forces goes into Normandie where the Constable Richemont had surprised Eureux Aumâ—le Chasteau-gaillard and Audely places of importance in that Prouince But during these alterations the Duke of Bourgongne married with Isabell daughter to the King of Portugall adding this third wife to his two former deceased The Duchesse of Bedford was at this marriage not in regard of the feast but for her husbands affaires The Bourguignon conducts her to Paris with foure thousand armed men where he renewes the League more strongly somewhat shaken through the affaires of Iaqueline Duchesse of Hainault with his brother in lawe The Duke of Bourgongne makes the order of the Golden fleese There hee made the order of the Golden Fleese as if he had already conquered the Gardens of Hespâ—rides like a second Iason but hee determined to make violent warre against Charles the yeare following and returning into Picardie hee tooke Gournay and Choissy places lately subdued to the Crowne Melun Sens and Villeneufue le Roy gaue a happy beginning to this yeare yeelding to the Kings obedience but the losse of the Virgin Ioane and the taking of Pothon two of the greatest and most valiant heads of the Armie quailed all the ioye of these conquests The Tragedie was thus acted The Bourguignon hauing taken Choissy by force hee buies Soissons of the Captaine that commanded and so hee marcheth against Compiâ—gne with his armie 1430. with whom the Earles of Suffolke and Arondel ioyne with two thousand men The Virgin issues forth with a notable number of the best Souldiers to charge the besiegers Ioane the Virgin taken at Compeigne by the Bourguignon who being too farre ingaged in the fight alone was taken by the Bastard of Vendosme and presently brought to the Duke of Bourgongne Hee reioyced much at so notable a prize as hauing conquered all Charles his good fortunes and reserues
In the end by the Dukes meanes yeelding him his libertie this quarrell was ended marrying the eldest sonne of René with the daughter of the Earle of Vaudemont But let vs reserue the rest to the following raigne About the end of this yeare a solemnitie was done in Paris which carried more shew then substance We haue said before how that Henry the 6. King of England Henry King of England crowned at Paris had beene crowned King of France when as our Charles was crowned at Poitiers after the decease of his father Henry was but two yeares old and came not out of England vntill that Charles had bin sollemnly crowned at Rheims to the great ioy of all the French but when as the Duke of Bedford found how much this autentike publication aduanced the affaires of Charles he caused Henry to be brought into France and to be crowned at Paris with an extraordinarie Maiestie to out-countenance Charles his Coronation by a greater shew of pompe But the bloud of France cannot dissemble no man was moued thereat no more then to see a Tragedie acted vpon the Stage This yeare is very barren of all memorable exploits but that this silence noted an entrance to an accoâ—d both parties being weary of pleading yet with great slacknesse as we see in diseases which come sodenly and passe away slowly we must therefore crosse this rough way before we come to Paris Montargis taken by the English as we haue said Montarâ—is taken and lost againe was noâ— recouered by the French but after a diuers maner for the English lost the Toâ—ne by the Castell and the French the Castell by the Towne yet were they three moneths in winning of the Castell Hauing taken all they lost all by the same meanes tâ—at made them so much to gape after the Castell which was the want of money This shamfull losse greeued many of the greatest in Court and bred a new trouble by this occasion Tremouille was yet in great credit with the King Tremouille taken and deliuered againe hauing by this meanes a great hand in the State they accused him to haue heaped vp great treasure to the preiudice of such as daily imployed their liues for the Kings seruice The greater men reâ—olue to take Tremouille prisoner and to punish him like vnto Giac and others before mentioned The King was at his Castell at Chinon Tremouille followes him as his 〈◊〉 but it chanced as he was in his chamber the Lords of Brueil Coytiuy and Fetard 〈…〉 with 40. armed men enter and take him not one of a hundred of that sort could escape But six thousand Crownes saued his life hoping to returne againe into credâ—t The Constable of Richmont growes into greater fauour then before Thus misfâ—rtune is good for some thing Bedford puft vp with the successe of Montargis takes Mâ—lly in Gasâ—enois but hauing besieged Lagny in Brie he was repulsed· and at the same time Iohn of Luxembourg of the Bourguignon faction is dispossessed of Ligny in Barrots by the Gentleman of Comeâ—cy A disgrace which shall draw the Bourguignon to a â—â—mposition so much desired togither with the happy successe of the French in the Câ—untry of Arthois the taking of S. Valery in Ponthieu The confusion of the warre and the generall wauering of 〈◊〉 câ—iefe Citties in Picardy tired with these confusions being so great as no man was 〈◊〉 of his person of what partie soeuer if he were the weaker The Cardes were so shuffled 1432. as an English man would become French to take a Bourguignon and a Frenchman become English or a Bourguignon to take a Frenchman These vnkinde treacheries were vsuall especially at Amiens Abbeuille and throughout all Picardie where the warres had been most licentious Which outrage hath been reuiued in ouâ— miserable age through the crueltie of these wretched warres which causeth men to make shipwracke both of faith and honour This yeare had a plausible beginning but without any great effect The Councell of Pisa being assembled as we haue said to redresse the confusion of Antipopes and to reduce the Church diuided by this Schisme vnto vnion sends the Cardinall of Auxerre vnto the Kings of France and England to exhort them vnto peace Charles protested that he desired nothing more the English said the like They assemble to this end at Auxerre in great troupes but at their first meeting all this treatie was broken off for both the one the other stood vpoÌ„ the qualitie of King of France being the fundameÌ„tall point of all their quarrell The Duke of Bedford spake more proudly then Charles himselfe A treatie betwâ—xt the French and English as if the law of State which maintained this Monarchie had beene made in England an Iland become firme land and France changed to the Isle of Albion or of Brittanie of such force is error euen in matters of State when as passion ouer-rules the light of reason So as they all depart without any effect They onely conclude a truce for the great want of the poore people who could suffer no more But this truce was a pit-fall for many trusting the countenance of this courteous warre which making profession to meane nothing so is more to be feared when she smiles then when she frownes Ioâ—n Duke of Bourbon dies in England Wee haue saied that Iohn Duke of Bourbon was taken prisoner in the battaile of Azincourt whom they could neuer redeeme at any rate This yeare he dyed in England and his sonne Charles succeeds him He had to wife the sister of the Duke of Bourgongne but they fall to words for their rights and so to warre Charles takes from Philip A quarrell betwixt the Dukes of Bourbon and Bourgongne Grancy Aualon Perepertuis Mucy-l'Euesque Chaumont and other places The Bourguignon had his reuenge and besiegeth Belleuille in Beauieulois belonging vnto Charles Mary Duchesse of Berry labours to reconcile these Princes and drawes them to a peace the which shall soone be a meanes of a generall accord betwixt the Bourguignon and France by the mediation of the Duke of Bourbon a profitable instrument of so good a worke This occasion not preuented was seconded by an other for the Duke of Bedford Bedford marrieth againe after the death of his wife being sister to the Duke of Bourgongne marries with Iaquelin the daughter of Peter of Luxembourg Earle of S. Pol who was no friend to the Bourguignon and moreouer the youth and beautie of this new spouse had so bewitched Bedford as he was easily drawne from Philip whose loue he entertained with great difficultie The Duke of Bedford and Bourgongne in dislike yet in respect of the generall cause they made a good shew and had met at S. Omer to that effect but this enterview encreased their discontents In the meane time the truce being ill obserued on either side is conuerted into a languishing warre Bedford makes warre in the Countrie of Maine by Scales and
you haue yet done So the accord was made without comprehending of these three The Dukes of Bourbon and Alenson sweare to serue the King and yeeld vp Loches Corbeil Bois de Vincennes Sancerre Sancouins Erie Conterobert and other places which they held The Daulphin remaynes with his father who changeth all his trayne except his confessor and Cooke But all this is but counterfeit you shal soone see other broyles This phrensie of state bred in the Kings house against the King himselfe was by our Ancestors called the Pragâ—â—â—y Nine monthes of this yeare being spent in these garboiles Charles returnes to Tours to prouide for the raysing of the seege at Harfleu where the Earle of Somerset had lien long but it was in vaine for the Towne was taken in the end after a long and painfull constancie of the Inhabitants who could not be releeued in time by reason of these home-bred troubles and yet there was a second mischiefe The Lord of Gaucourt gouernor of Daulphiné a most profitable seruant of the King returning from the seege and causing some of his baggage which was scattered from the troupe to retire he was surprised by a companie of English and led prisoner to Rouen to the great griefe of Charles who loued him hauing giuen good testymones of his loyaltie in his greatest extremities But in exchange Charles takes Conches and Loâ—â—iers Townes of importance in Normandie from thence he came into Champaigne to subdue a part of these aduenturing theeues who had surprized some places in this Prouince Musse l'Euesque Montagu and others The Kings army led by the Constable takes them and razed them by the Kings commande pardoning most of these theeuish Captaines the bastard of Vergy and the Lord of Commercy A memorable execution but he caused Alexander bastard of Iohn Duke of Orleans to be drowned a notable theefe who hauing followed the discontented Princes had spoken vnworthilie of his maister This execution of Iustice is memorable vpon one of so high a birth being followed the same yeare with the exemplarie death of Gylâ—s de Raiz Marshall of France issued from a great and famous house The Marshall de Raiz burnt for sorcerie who beeing found guilty of Negromancie and Sorcerie was condemned by the Court of Parliament of Brittaine and burnt at Nantes with some of his seruants culpable of the same crymes He was honored for his valour but neither his armes nor his bloud could stay the hand of diuine Iustice meritoriously exâ—cuted by this iust decree of the magistrate Priuate actions worthie to be registred in the historie to shew that the greatest cannot flie the hand of God after they haue long abused his patience But the treaty of peace betwixt France and England being discontinued aboue a yeare was againe reuiued by the industrie of the Duchesse of Bourgongne a Portugall but much affected to the quiet of the Realme and a very sufficient woman who had great credit with her husband She followes it so wisely as in the ende two Kings sends their Ambassadors to Calais On Charles his behalfe were the Archbishops of Rheims Narbon A treatâ—e betwixt the two Kings for a peace but 〈◊〉 and the Earle of Dunois bastard of Orleans For Henry King of England the Cardinall of Yorke and the Duke of Exeter who brought with them Charles Duke of Orleans so being longe kept prisoner in England This poore Prince after the languishing of so long a prison was exceeding glad to see some meanes to returne to his house hauing felt the aire on this side the Sea and imbraced the Earle of Dunois one of the branches of his house hee who â—ad so faithfully serued him in his afflictions but hee greeued to see himselfe presently carried backe into England for that they could not agree vpon the foundamenttall points the English being resolute not to leaue one foote of that which they held in France And although the King were content they should freely inioy what they possessed so as they held it as they had done in times past of the Crowne of France by homage yet would they not yeeld in any sort being loath to relinquish their pretended souerainty But he refuseth which afterwards doth sue At this time they were inforced to retire with this resolution That without infringing any thing of the treaty begun euerie one should go home and consider of his affaires to assemble againe when neede should require The Duke of Orleans deliuered the which eyther part desired And this is al could be done for the general They proceeded farther for the duke of Orleans but as in these trafficks such as hold the possession do coÌ„monly vse policy the stronger giuing lawe to the weaker so in so precious matter as life the English must bee sued vnto making no hast to deliuer him for that they drewe great profit yearely for the pension of this great Prince Moreouer Charles had no great care of his deliuerie for that some malicious spirits had seasoned him with some bad impression against this poore Prince perswading him that his long imprisonment was not without some mistery and that it hatched some mischiefe against the King and his estate The which being miserable in so great a person gaue all men a iust cause of compassion But notwithstanding all these difficulties yet must this Prince one of the goodliest plants of this Crowne be now deliuered to leaue a successor for the realme of France The diuers aâ—flictions of the Duke of Orleans and God who would honor his race with the Crowne had prepared an admirable meanes for his deliuery by his helpe from whom in reason he might least hope euen when his owne friends had abandoned him A notable example for all men in many respects a prison of fiue and twentie years was a great affliction to a Prince borne to commande and yet captiue to an other The losse of all his goods gaue him a sufficient occasion to resolue to perpetual miserie and to leaue it for an inheritance to his posterity In the ende sclander a most cruell sting to a generous minde which hath honour for his assured Treasor had beene able to suppresse him But God who goâ—erns the rodde wisely giues him libertie goods and honour in due season in despight of this deuilish enuy which seeking to afflict the afflicted and controuling aduersitie as well as prosperity is then corrected when it seekes to correct an other but God doth neuer send helpes too late The Duke of Bourgongne vndertaks for the Duke of Orleans ransome Philip hauing resolued to do this good turne for the Duke of Orleans and to withdraw him out of prison compouÌ„ds for his ransome with the King of England for three hundred thousand Crownes He giues his word for it and payes it and so Charles Duke of Orleans being honorably conducted comes first to Calais where the mony beeing payed hee comes free to Grauelin to the Duke of Bourgongne his deliuerer
8. to relinquish But the Bohemiam action was of more difficulty forthey spake bodly being in armes and Sigismond the Emperour prest to haue audience for them hauing receiued great reproches for that to please the Pope he had violated the publicke faith and suffred the breach of his pasport These causes made Martin the 5. to call a Councell at Basill whether the Bohemians had free libertie to come but the Emperour gaue them hostages for their suerty The Counsell of Basils decree â—gainst the Popes authority trusting his word no more the which he had broken in the death of their Countrimen There were likewise many other besides the Bohemians which desired some redresse for these visible confusions so as it was there freely disputed of the necessity to reforme the Church being fit to begin first with the Pope and not suffer the forepassed disorders to the great scandall of al Christians and that to auoide a future inconuenience by the generall discontent of all men it was reasonable he should submit himselfe to the censure of the Coun cell wherevnto hee was subiect As the fathers of the Councell with a generall consent had thus concluded and had drawen articles That the authoritie of the Councell was aboue the Pope Eugenius foreseeing the preiudiciall consequence of this decree reuokes the Councel assembled at Basill for certaine great considerations which he sayed proceeded from the holy ghost transported it to Bologne to the exceeding discontent both of the fathers the Emperour They resolue to oppose themselues against this brauado of Eugenius and to withstand him by the like authority of the Church wherby he sought to ruine them By the authority of the general Councel lawfully assembled they giue him an assignation to appeere before them The Counsel of Basill summons the Pope to appeere and in case he disobeyes they declare him degraded and excomunicate Eugenius to calme this storme makes shew to yeeld vnto this decree promiseth to obey yet seeking meanes vnder hand to crosse them relying vpon our Charles the 7. who followed his party It chanced also as Eugenius desired that the Emperour Sigismond who was the chiefe opposer to his desseins died during these disorders Yet the Councell of Basill was not dissolued but were resolute to continue firme Albert of Austria is chosen Emperour after Sigismond and succeeds him both in his desire to continue the Councell at Basill and in the Imperiall dignity Matters grewe then more violent our Charles the 7. beeing loath to yeeld in anâ—e thing to the Emperour hauing made a generall truce with the King of England as wee haue sayed the English likewise holding with Eugenius sends his son Lewis neere vnto Bâ—sill with an army compounded of French English vnited to nourish this notable disunion the issue whereof was as we haue saied The Councell of Basill incensed by these bitter and violent courses practised by Eugenius The Duke of Sauoie made Pope in the end they resolue to degrade him and in his place they choose this Amedee Duke of Sauoie of whom we haue spoken in diuers places hauing made himselfe a monke of purpose to be chosen Pope amongest so many which aspired to this dignity and was called Felix But this cured not the dâ—sease for at this new election of a Duke of Sauoy to the Pontificall dignity al Kings Princes Potentats were mooued France England Italie and Spaine at so strange a proceeding and disauowe Felix In the meane time the colledge of Cardinalls at Rome choose Thomas Sarzan Pope name him Nicholas the 5. a man commended in histories All Princes oppose against his election fit to suppresse this Schisme to reduce the Church to vnion being wise modest learned and quiet all Kings and Christian Princes allowed of him by a generall consent Felix was supported by the Germains for Albert fauored him but hee dies soone Frederic the 3. succeeding in the Empire a wise and a modest Prince who not to contradict the Germains at the first followed their humour in fauoring of Amedee but in the end ouerruled by a generall consent of all Christendom he vseth his authority with Amedee to make him renounce his Popedome Our Chaâ—les doth likewise interpose his authority and sends Iohn Iuuenall of Vrsins his Chancellor vnto him being well accompained who finds him at Lozanne where he had made his Pontificall seat with a stately colledge of Cardinalles He feared the King more then any man lyuing whom in his conscence he had moued to a iust dislike of him when as he made a good shew and yet betrayed him in his greatest afflictions crosses which wounde euen the verie heart of a generous minde Moreouer Charles was both strong and neere at hand to comptroule him if hee should continue obstinate Felix stands vpon tearmes but in the ende whereas the Kings Ambassadors spake vnto him of force he grew more milde and treated this busines by the Kings authority protesting that for his loue hee did willingly resigne his right Thus all obey Nicholas and Amedee had a Cardinalls hat â—e renounceth his tâ—â—le with the title of Saint Sabine and was Legat ouer his countries and of some part of Germanie This was the end of that feuer which so much tormented all Christendome the raine of Charles being honored with this blessing of God to haue beene a sollemne theater both of the restoring of the realme and the reunion of the Church But alas during these cruell confusions of the westerne Church the Christians of the East who had endured much were now vtterly ruined We left them in very poore estate vnder the raigne of Charles the 6. in the yeare 1396. In fifty yeares during the scandall of this miserable Schisme and the willfull warres of France and England there happened a greater alteration The misâ—â—â—ble state of the â—ast Our Kings and Princes had labored long in vaine to recouer the holy land consuming an infinite number of men and money and preuayled nothing But Constantinople the head of the Easterne Empire remayned stil in state with Grece Macedonie Thessalie and the neighbour countries Sclauonia Walachia Russia Seruia Bulgaria and a part of Natolia whereof Trepisonde was the chiefe of that Empire In this weaknes which drewe nere to a totall ruine the Christians vanitie was so great as to make two Empires the one in Europe and the other in Asia and then euery Empire being diuided into diuers parcels held by sundrie Despotes or soueraine Lords that among so many maisters there should be none at all These confusions did bring in fortifie wholy settle the Turkes who were the horrible instruments of Mahomet and enemyes to all Christendome I enter not into the particular discours of this Easterne historie it belongs not to my subiect I onlie obserue the continuance of time to shew the estate of the Church and the Empire with our Monarchie After our French had abandoned as we haue saied
there is no vice whereon God doth more often shew his iudgements then vpon pride The great wealth thou hast gathered together during thy long felicitie hath it so furiously transported thee beyond the bounds of obedience and to what end is thy great wealth but to draw thee headlong to thy ruine Philip takes his reuenge by the defeat of foure thousand Liegeois fortified within Montenac a village fiue leagues from Liege The Earle of Nassau did this exploit but the Duke would be present in person with the Earle his sonne at the taking and vtter desolation of Dinan He besiegeth it with aboue twenty thousand horse beside foote which were in great numbers takes it spoiles it and destroyes it and draggs eight hundred prisoners chained together to be drowned in the Meuze before Bouuines an expiation for the tyrannicall extorsions they had endured by the Dinanâ—ois Those of Liege did for this time escape the like fortune but it was but deferred and behold an other cause of indignation which they procure to themselues Lewis of Bourbon Bishop of Liege by resignation and admitted to the dignitie by the intercession and fauour of Duke Philip to the Pope beginnes to preferre the most confident and trustie seruants of the said Philip to all offices and dignities within the Towne The people are grieued thereat they mutine and expell the Bishop This reuolt against their spirituall and temporall Lord procures the Popes excommunication against them Philip after the destruction of Dinand turnes head against them but terrified with so sharpe a punishment they flie to the Earle of Charolois who is a meanes for their peace and pardon paying six hundred thousand Florins of the Rhin in sixe yeares and three hundred hostages for a securitie of their deeds and promises specified by the Bishops Thus this people restored to fauour with their Prince A Florin is about three shillings and seuen pence and reconciled to their Bishop were absolued of the excommunication by Onofrie a Romaine Cittizen and Bishop of Troye Whilest that Philip subdues the Liegeois Lewis imployes his whole studie to ruine the house of Brittanie Lewis supports the Liegeois against their Duke and to confirme a truce with the English who threatned France with a new descent during our diuisions and hee practiseth the Bourguignon by all meanes And to presse him to renounce his Brother Charles and the Duke of Brittanie he takes the Liegeois into his protection against their Duke in case hee shall hereafter wrong them the which he doth signifie vnto him by the Constable of S. Paul and the Cardinal Balue offering notwithstanding to renounce their alliance if he will likewise abandon his brother and the Britton This Brauado proceeds to effects He sendes them foure hundred Launces of his ordinarie vnder the conduct of the Earle of of Dammartin the Lords of Salezart Conyhem and Vignolles with sixe thousand Archers The Earle of S. Paul but without the Kings authoritie lead them some troupes speedily leuied vpon the frontiers of Picardie The first act of his Tragedie which in the end shall make him leaue his head at the Greue in Paris Philip of Bourâ—gongne dies But it was now time for Philip to leaue the troubles of this world to enioy an assured and euerlasting rest in heauen This inconstant and mutinous people supposing by the decease of their Lord to be at libertie they breake out go to field recouer all the Townes chase away the garrisons placed by the deceased Duke spoile and sack the places they take by force The Liegâ—oiâ— â—ebelll againe without any care of their ingaged hostages who were all readie to be sacrificed by Charles the new Duke of Bourgongne to require the madde insolencies of their countrimen yet he reserues the reuenge for a more famous memorie Hee partes from Louuain in armes and well accompanied and goes to besiege Saintron The Liegeois to raise the siege issue forth with thirtie thousand men some fiue hundred horse and great store of Artillerie The Duke turnes head againe chargeth them and ouer-comes them They are defeated he killes about nine thousand the approching night saues the rest Presently after this charge the Duke puft vp with this good successe speakes bigge he writes vnto the Constable like a Rodomont answerable to the speeches he had with him at Louuain That he besâ—eched the King for his sake to attempt nothing vpon the State of Brittanie aduertising him of the memorable battaile which he had wonne After the which Saintron yeelds vpon conditions and the tenth man is chosen out at the Dukes pleasure and then beheaded Tongres was no better intreated and these miserable wretches thus tithed were for the most part of those hostages which hee had freely sent home vpon condition to imploy themselues to pacifie the seditious humours of their fellowe Cittizens In the end as he turned all his forces against Liege premeditating with himselfe of a lamentable and bloudie reuenge The Liegeois submit themselues to their Duke behold three hundred of their best Cittizens come forth in their shirts bare headed and bare legged bringing the Keyes to the Duke He enters the Cittie by a great breach of twentie sadome beaten downe in the wall disarmes the inhabitants takes from them their artillerie which remained razeth all the Towers and Towne walles and chargeth them with heauier impostes then euer his father had done A worke of heauen which quencht the fire of sedition which began to flame at Gand a stirring people and second to the Liegeois in inconstancie of whome it is commonly sayd That they loue the sonne of their Prince but not the Prince himselfe So the Gantois bring vnto him on foote as farre as Bruxelles the seuentie and two banners of the occupations which he had graunted them at his entrie with all the priuileges and letters they had tumultuously wrested from him Charles sent the sayd Banners to Bologne la grasse to accompany those which his father had in like sort taken from them he disanulled their priuilege of the law whereby the people had right of 26. Sheriffes of the Towne to choose euery yeare two and twenty and the Prince but foure he condemned them in thirtie thousand Florines to himselfe and sixe thousand to his officers and followers All other Townes compounded for money and then he made his entrie armed into Gand. Thether came Ambassadours to him from Lewis labouring to drawe him to consent to the warres which he preâ—ended to make in Brittanie the which not able to obtaine the Winter was spent in sending one to another and Summer being come Lewis enters the said Duchie with an armie of fiftie thousand men and at his first arriuall he takes Chantoâ—â—â— and Ancenis and after some other militarie exploites he forceth both his brother and the Duke of Brittanie to accept such conditions as he would prescribe vnto them That they should renounce all alliances and especially that of the Duke of Bourgongne
yeelds the Towne The King for his reward gaue him a chaine of twenty linkes and euery linke worth twenty Crownes in gold and a good peâ—sion for his mainteynance The taking of Hedin brought the King to Therouenne and Montreuil the which easily yeelded to his obedience Theronâ—nne Montreuil Bouâ—loâ—gâ—e beeing summoned refuseth but beeing battered it yeeldes the fift or the sixt day The Towne belonged to Bertrand de la Tour Earle of Auuergne the King finding it commodious for the State of his Realme compounded Lâ—â—is purchaseth the couÌ„â—â— of Boulogne and doth homage for 〈◊〉 giuing him a sâ—fficient recompence and as newe Lord of the Towne he did homage without sword or spurs bare headed on his knee before the virgin Mary offâ—ing as a duty to the sâ—ydimâ—ge a heart of massie gold weighing two thousand Crownes vpon condition that he and his successors Kings after him should hold the County of Boullen of the sayd virgin do homage vnto her image in the Church dedicated to her name paying at euery change of a vassal a heart of pure gold of the same weight While the King remaines at Boullen those of Arras seeing themselues enuironed on all sides Dissimulation of the Aâ—tesians write to their friends of Lisle and Douay to succour them with some numbers of men and moreouer they send to the Duchesse of Bourgongne to furnish them with some succors meaning to put themselues into her hands The Deputies beeing two or three and twenty in number make shewe to go to the King to treate with him and vnder this colour they obtaine a pasport of the bastard of Bourbon Admirall of France Bâ—t being discouered vpon the way to Flanders they were taken brought to Hedin deliuered to the Prouost of Marshalls condemned and eighteene of them beheaded the rest were saued by the Kings arriuall The Deputies of Aâ—ras taken and many of them executed Amongest them that were executed there was one Oudard of Bussy borne at Paris and married at Arras The King had in former time offred him the place of a Counsellor of the Court of Parliament at Paris then voide and since he gaue him the office of maister of the accounts at Arras Hee caused his head to bee vnburied and set vpon a pole in the market place with a red hoode furred with meniuer like to the Counsellors of the Parliament A worthy punishment for so malitious an ingratitude There were some fewe horsemeÌ„ at Douay of the remainders of Nancy they arme three hundred good bad and some fewe foote and march at noone day in the sight of Arras The Lords of Lude and Fou with the company of the Marshall of Lâ—heaâ— aduertised of their approch go to meete with them they fight with them kill and take in a manner all of them The King at his arriuall caused foure score of these prisoners to be executed to terrifie those fewe men of warre that remayned in the Country Some of them enter the Towne The succors of Arras defeated but they were not able to stand out against so great forces So as after a hard battery they yeeld by composition That they should remaine vnder the Kinges obedience as their Soueraigne for want of heires male rights and duties being â—ot performed That the subsidies and tributs should be leuied by the Kings officers and deliuered by them to Mary the heire of Bourgongne vntill she had doone homage and taken her oath of fealtie to the King her Soueraigne Lord. Arras yeelded During which time the Inhabitants should reuiue no garrison from the King This was the 4 of May. These things thus concluded the King sent the Cardinall of Bourbon the Chancellor of Oriole de Cordes gouernor of the Towne and Guiot Pot Bayliffe of Vermandâ—is to take the oath of fealtie of the Inhabitants But after this oath holily and religiously receiued by the Deputies who tooke their repast in the Monastery of Saint Vast behold an insolent troupe of desperate people comes crying kill kill yet they were but terrified A mutiny at Arras and the Deputies in danger and saued themselues presently in the Citty This terror togither with the greedinesse of the Commanders was the cause the composition was but ill obserued for in the presence of Lude and Cerisay many good Ciâ—tizens and other rich meâ— were spoiled and slaine and the Citty set at threescore thousand Crownes fiâ—e of the King the which they say was afterwards restored And to keepe these mutines in awe the King transported most of the Inhabitants of Arras and planted it with a new Colony of French commanding it should be called Ville Francoise At the same time the King aduertised that the Flemings were in troupe and lodged at Blanc-fosse he sent to charge them but they dislodge at the brute thereof yet not so spedily but they leaue about two thousand men slaine at the first charge and the like number in the chase being pursued eight Leagues within the County of Flanders The French in their returne razed Mont-Cassell Fiennes and some other places The Gantois whome the seuere punishment of the Liegeois had kept in awe nowe breake They make a ward of their Duchesse force her to restore their ancient priuileges Insolency of the Ganâ—ois which Philip and Charles had taken from them and sodenly they resolue a deadly reuenge vpon such by whome they say they had beene controuled They lay hold vpon those whom they called their twenty six Lawiers whom Charles had established in the gouernement of the Citty and puts them all or the most part to death They haue saie they cut off ones head without any authority for their power ended with the death of Charles Their barbarous crueltie And moreouer they slew many good men within the Cittie that were wise and faithfull friends to Charles in his life But they proceed yet farther The happy course of Lewis his Conquests doth much amaze them wherevpon they assemble some foâ—me of a Parlement by aduice whereof they make a motion of peace to the King by an Ambassage giuing him to vnderstand that the Infanta of Bourgongne is determined to gouerne her selfe hereafter by the aduice and Counsell of the three Estates of her Countries they request the King to desist from making of warre and to appoint a daie when they may quietly pacifie all controuersies There was nothing at that time able to withstand the violence of the Kings army The lowe Countries were left naked of soldiars those which suruiued being inconstant had forsaken the Inâ—antâ—es seruice He was well acquainted with the inconstancie of this people not able to digest any man of iudgement that had bin in any authority with their deceased Prince Hee knew that their inclination was to loue the declyning of their Lord â—ed by Lewis his policie so as it were not with the preiudice of their Countrie And therefore he forecasts if he might to sow some seeds
of diuision amongst them wherby he should greatly incomber them Hee staies the Ambassadors vpon their speeche That their Princesse would not conclude any thing without the Counsell of the three Estates of the Country wherevnto he replies that they spake without warrant and that he is duly informed her meaning is to gouerne her affaires by priuate persons who desired no peace And vpon their protesting to the contrarie affirming that they were grounded vpon good instructions the King opens Maries letters brought by Hugonnet Himbeâ—court and other Ambassadors at their first Ambassage and they returne with no other dispatch then this letter Behold here a company vnexperienced in affaires returne light with care but fraught with reuenge and diuision they make their report vnto their Ladie assisted with the Duke of Cleues the Bishop of Leege and many other great personages They strike on that string which they ment to play vpon That the King had proued them liars in that they mainteyned constantlie that she reâ—erred the gouernment of her affaires to the resolution of the States And foâ— proofe as they mainteined the contrarie not imagining her letter to had beene produced behold the Pensionarie of Gand a brutish man and without respect draws the said letter out of his bosome and confounds this bashefull Princesse before the whole assemblie The Dowager Rauasâ—ein Hugonnet and Himbercourt were likewise present The Duke of Cleues treated the marriage of his eldest sonne with the Infanta hee sees himselfe now frustrate by the aboue named so as he presentlie becomes a mortall enemy to Himbercourt from whome he expected fauour in this sute The Bishop of Leege complained of manie disorders committed by him at Leege wherof he had the gouernment The Earle of Saint Paul sonne to him that was beheaded Great 〈◊〉 against 〈◊〉 and â—â—â—bercoâ—â—â— loued neither Hugonnet nor Himbercourt for they had deliuered his father to the Kings seruants The Gantois according to their humors hated them deadlie for that they were men of merit and had beene good and loiall seruants to their master To be short the night after the letter was deliuered Hugonnet and Himbercourt were tumultuoslye seized on and deliuered to suborned men of their Lawe and â—oâ— that they had caused the Citty of Arras to be yeelded by the Lord of Cordes as they saied or rather vpon certein corruptions in iustice and bribes which they said had bin receiued by them of the Citty of Gand in a sute against a priuate man and vpon many extorsions in their charges They are 〈◊〉 supposed crimes câ—â—â—demned 〈◊〉 beheadâ—â— and other things contrary to the priuileges of Gand against the which said they whosoeuer offends must die these two reuerend and graue personages were with a shadow of Lawe condemned by the Sheriffe of Gand and notwith standing their appeale before the King in his Court of Parlament at Paris supposing that this respect and delay might giue their friends meanes to procure their deliuerie they were vnworthily put to death Oh vniust barbarous anâ— inhumane people That the humble and earnest supplication of thy Princesse being in the Towne house nor her weeping and desolate presence before that mournefull scaffold were not of force to preserue and keepe the liues of these her two faithfull seruants This execution ended they sequestred from this poore Princesse the Dowager and Rauastein Mary ouerruled by the â—antâ—is who had signed the Letter they disposing absolutely of her Poore without doubt hauing not onely lost so many good and great Townes but also sees her selfe now in the tyrannicall possession of the ancient persecutors of her house A great corrosiue to bee commanded by such as should obey Afterward they banished whome they pleased placed and displaced officers after their owne appetites chase away indifferently all such as had best deserued of this house of Bourgongne And to continue their popular furie they deliuered out of prison Adolfe Duke of Gueldreâ— whom Charles had long deteined and making him their head they made a leuie in Gand Bruges and Ypâ—e of about twelue thousand men the which they sent to Tournay The Gantois ouerthrowne and Adolfe Duke of Gueldres slaine and burnt the suburbes and then they retire But the garrison issuing forth put wings to their feete so as Adolf a valiant Pâ—ince of his person turning head to fauour them that fled and to make the retreate was ouer-throwne and slaine with a great number of his people with him The Infanta was nothing greeued for if this stratagem had succeeded for the first fruites of his armes some hold they would haue forced her to marry this Adolfe But we haue wandred long enough in Arthois and Flanders let vs retire a little into Bourgongne and consider how this Duchie became French Iohn of Chaalon Prince of Orange was in great credit there Hee possessed much land both in the Duchie and Countie he was a man of action and much esteemed in the Countrie and pretended some inheritances against the Lords of Chaumergnon his Vncles Charles of Bourgongne had giuen sentence in fauour of his aduersaries The conquest of Bouâ—gongne and as he sayd to his great preiudice so as hee had twise left his seruice Now the question is to winne him againe The King promiseth to inuest him in all those places which hee pretends to belong vnto him by the succession of his grand-father and to giue him good preferments in France So he makes him in shew the head of that armie which the Lord of Craon commanded being Lieutenant generall for the King in Bourgongne whom the King trusted more then the Pâ—ince beeing rashe and light in the change of parties Craon hauing commandement to enter into Bourgongne hee sends the Prince of Orange before to practâ—se the Towne of Dijon Hee wrought so politickly that Dijon and many other places both of the Duchie and Countie did willingly submit themselues to the French command Auxonne and some other places of strength continued still vnder the obedience of Marie of Bourgongne Craon seeing himselfe in possession of all these places desired rather to hold them vnder the Kings authoritie then to deliuer them to the Prince of Orange notwithstanding the Kings promise and instance who desired to gratifie this Prince and yet would not discontent Craon who commanded the forces The Prince hauing to doo with a man that would yeeld nothing without good consideration The reuolt of the Prince of Orange and seeing himselfe frustrate of his pretensions he ioynes with Chasteauguion his brother and Claude of Vaudry a braue Gentleman raiseth some troupes with the which he draweth from the King the most part of the aboue-named places with as great facilitie as if hee had conquered them for him and then followes the Infantaes partie whose age and weaknesse required a great support by some worthy alliance There was some speech of Charles the Daulphin but he was yet but nine yeares old The Duke of Cleues laboured for his
fiue and which was worse the gates were shut vpon them The Senators seeing these rascalls thus handled put their heads out at the windows they see this tumult and heare Iames Pacis and others crying Liberta Liberta and Popolo popolo words to moue the people and to make them follow their faction but they moued not so as Pacis and his companions fled from the place and those that were entred were presently hanged at the barres of the Pallace windowes Francis Saluiat Archbibishop of Pisa The mutinie appeared and the murtherers hanged hauing said masse with a cuirasse on his backe was taken and hanged in the same habit The Gouernours seeing the whole Towne to stand firme for them and the Medicis they send presently to all the passages to apprehend all such as should be found flying Iames and Francis Pacis were presently taken with an other Captaine of the Popes troupes vnder the Earle Ieronimo and hanged instantly with other great personages to the number of fourteene some groomes and other base people were knockt downe in the streets Nicholas Cardinall of S. George nephew to the Earle was a long time prisoner The King aduertised of this hurliburly sends the Lord of Argenton both to take in his Maiesties name the homage which Bonne Duchesse of Milan ought for the duchie of Genes in the behalfe of the yong Duke Iohn Galeas her sonne and to receiue the men at armes which they had granted in fauour of the Medicis The Pope aduertised of the execution done at Florence doth excommunicate the cittizens and with the same breath commands his armie to march to ioyne with that of Naples being great and faire It was commanded for the Pope by the Duke Vrban Robert d' Arimini The Pope and the king of Naples send their forces against Florence Constantin of Pesaro and many others and for Ferdinandâ— by his two sonnes the one Duke of Calabria the other Don Frederike They take many places about Florence and almost ruine the whole state There were few Commanders of smal experience and weake forces The Kings assistance did somewhat comfort them beeing after much war absolued and reconciled to the church as also to terrifie the Pope Lewis had called a councell of the French Church at Orleans for the restoring of the pragmatick Sanction in France and to abolish the custome to carry money to Rome for the obtayning of Bulls yet the assembly brake off without any conclusion was referred to Lions the next yeare but without effect Thus passe the affaires of this world but many doe oppresse at the length Our Lewis hath in a manner out-liued al his greatest enemies Lewis begins to decline and now he begins to decline Troubles care waywardnesse call him mildly to his graue the vigor of his spirits faile him hereafter wee shall see a strange alteration in his humors The truce ended and seeing we must returne to warâ—e let vs begin it by some notable stratageme The Archduke Maximilian hath nowe the Flemings hearts at his deuotion To imploy theÌ„ he camps before Therouenne with aboue twenty thousand Flemings some Germaine troupes and three hundred English ledde by Thomas Abergeiny an English Captaine The Lord of Cordes Lieutenant generall for tâ—e King in Picardy assembles what troupes he can out of the neighbour garrisons eight thousand franke archers eleuen hundred men at armes and makes haste to relieue it Maximilian vnderstanding of their approch raiseth the siege marcheth towards theÌ„ affronts them at Guynegaste The battell of Guinegaste Des Cordes was the stronger in horse but the weaker in foote The forwards ioyne without any stay the Archdukes being ledde by Rauestein doth not mainteine the fight but is soone broken and chased euen vnto Aire by Cordes Torci The foote stand firme supported by the Archduke himselfe the Lord of Rhomâ—nt the Earle of Nassau two hundred Gentlemen all on foote the franke Archers of the French supposing that these footemen would flie with the foreward and fall vppon the baggage The Duke doth charge them forcing them to leaue their booty and fall to armes The slaughter was great but most of the enemies 1479. Eleuen thousand Bourguignons were slaine sayeth the History and nine hundred prisoners Many slaine on both sides but the French left the field amongest the which was a Germaine Earle and the King of Polands sonne of the French there died fiue thousand and the small number of the Kings army made the enemie continue master of the field who gathering togither the remainders of his troupes tooke the Castell of Malaunoy by assault where Captaine Remonet notwithstanding the faith which was giuen him when he yeelded was hanged For satisfaction hereof fiftie of the aboue named prisoners Cruelties against the lawe of armes were hanged by ten in a place ten whereas Remonet was executed ten before Douay ten before Saint Omer ten before Arras and ten before Lisle Des Cordes did runne rashly to this battaile and without the Kings commandement who was somewhat amazed with the first newes thinking they had concealed the truth that it was quite lost for him If it be so saith he farewell all my latter conquests he was not accustomed to loose but alwayes verie happie being loath to hazard much in fight Lewis much perplexed But if any Captaine had meanes to sell him a good place he was a liberall purchaser at what price soeuer but the seller must afterwards take heede to his gossip Tristam the Hermit This blast made Lewis resolue to treat a peace with Maximilian so as it might bee profitable vnto him and that he might thereby curbe the Arche-duke and by the helpe of his owne subiects so as afterwards he should haue no meanes to annoy him For this effect the King seekes to the Gantois that by their mediation a marriage might be made betwixt Charles the Daulphin and the Daughter of the sayd Arche-duke Lewis seekes for a peace of Maximilian vpon condition to leaue him the Counties of Bourgongne Auxerre Mascon and Charolois and to quit him Arthois reseruing Arras in the estate hee had setled it the Citty commanding the Towne the which hereafter should be held of the crowne by the Bishop As for the Duchie of Bourgongne the Earldome of Boulongne the Townes lying vpon Somme and other places in Picardie there was no mention The Gantois and by their soliciting those of Bruges with some other chiefe Townes of Flanders and Brabant who desired rather to suppresse then to fortifie their newe Lord gaue eare to this transaction ill intreating Maximilian and his wife all they could The Gantois and those of Flanders and Brabant hate their newe Lord. being loath to submit themselues to his commande first for that he was a stranger secondly for that they knew more iudicious Princes but not any more couetous then his father whose son was seasoned with the same base couetousnesse which carries
demand was iust that it was a pittiful thing to see the hard subiectioÌ„ that did oppresse theÌ„ Fauoured indiscreetly by the King The king who did not coÌ„sider the importance of this action breaking the treaty of Serezane that he câ—uld not giue liberty to a towne that was not his into the which hee was receiued onely by curtesie rashly le ts slip these words I am content 1494. Prick forward a strong headed horse and he will runne at randoâ— This multitude doth presently change their crie of liberty into cryes of ioy and running to the bridge vpon the riuer of Arne they beat downe the Mazorco this was a great Lion planted vpon an high pillar of Marble with the armes of Florence and cast it into the riuer and in the same place they set vp a King of France holding a sword in his hand and treading this Mazorco vnder their feete But oh the lightnesse of Italians fewe yeares after at the entry of the King of the Romaines they shall deale with the King as with this Lion This ignominious and rashe wound giuen to the estate of Florence by Peter of Medicis contrary to the example of his predecessors without the aduise of the Cittizens and without any decree of the Magistrates had wonderfully incensed his fellow Cittizens Being returned to Florence to prepare his lodging for the King going the 9. of Nouember to enter the Palace of the Seigneurie to treat of the Kings arriuall behold Iames Nerli a yong man Noble and rich with other Magistrates being armed offer him the entrie alone Peter de Medicis and his bretheren expelled Florence but denyeth it to all his followers Hee retires home to his house and resolues to get that by force wâ—iâ—h hee could not willingly obtaine Hee armes and causeth Paul Vrsin to apprâ—acâ— with his troupe the which was in the Florentins pay The State proclaimes hiâ—â—rebeâ—l the people flie to armes and cryes Libertie Peter recouers the gates and witâ— him were the Cardinall Iohn and Iulian his bretheren they flie to Bolongne and from tâ—ence to Venice Peter had no cloake but one of his groomes being hated of his fellow Cittizens disdained of his domesticall seruants his house spoiled with losse of aboue a hundâ—ed thousand Ducats in moueables His miserable estate at Venice and to increase his misery a factor of his at Venice refused him for the value of a hundred Ducats in cloath A notable example of the inconstancie of worldly affaires Thus by the rashnesse of one yong man lately equall in a maner to great Princes the house of Medicis fell for that time which vnder colour of ciuill administration had gouerned the common-weale of Florence three score yeares peaceably and with a respected authority The Kings entry into Florence Charles entred the next day triumphantly into Florence himselfe his horse armed and his Lance vpon his thigh The Florentines were not ignorant of his discontent for that they sought to crosse him in his enterprise and that many of his followers thrâ—st on by couetousnesse gaped after nothing more then the sack of so rich a Citty hauing first of all resisted the power of France and that others also did solicite the restitution of Peter of Medicis especially Philip Earle of Bresse And although the Citty might worthily iustifie that violence whereof Peter and his complices were the onely motiues The Florentines fortifie themselues in their houses for feare of the King yet did they wisely foresee that the King would not let slip this oportunitie to become their Lord. But being vnable to stop this violent streame by any force they had secâ—etly filled their cheefe houses with resolute men receiued their entertained Captaines into the citty and did giue order that euery man both within and without neere the Citty should arme at the sound of the Pallace great bel Thus fortified with men they stand stiffely vpon the termes of composition Oft times we loose the eeâ—e by ouer-gâ—iping The fauour they did see some beare vnto Peter the insupportable summes of money that were exacted the absolute Seigneurie of Florence which the King demanded as hauing conquered it by the law of armes considering in what maner he entred made them refuse these rigorous demands with a firme resolution to mainteine their publike liberty with the perill of their liues Who makes vnreasonable demands Thus they grew angry on eyther side and for a conclusion of the last conference the Kings Secretary reading the articles which his Maiesty would resolutely haue concluded behold Peter Caponi one of the 4. deputies for the Citty a violent man and one of the mightiest families in the State puls the articles from the Secretary and teares them Seeing you demand of vs saith he so outragious conditions A bold acte you shall sound your Trumpets and we our Bells This audacious brauery did moderate the excesse of their demands for how lamentable had it beene to haue fallen to any tragicall decision of their controuersie The King calls him back and containing himselfe within the bounds of reason passeth this capitulatâ—on That the Cittie of Florence should be a friend confederate and in the perpetuall pâ—otection of the Crowne of France That at the end of the enterprise of Naples The Articles of the agreement the King should yeeld vp without any charge to the Florentines Pisa Liuorne Pietresancte Serezane Serezanelle and all other places taken or reuolted and in case of deniall they might recouer them by force that they should giue the King fiftie thousâ—nd Ducats in fifteene dayes forty thousand in March and thirty thousand in Iune following They should pardon the Pâ—ans their rebellion and other crimes They should free Peter of Medicis from banishment and confiscation vpon condition that he should not approach within a hundred and fifty miles of their confines nor his bretheren neerer then a hundred miles This accord was sâ—orne vpon the great altar in the Church of S. Iohn at Florence But matters succeeded otherwise as we shall see so the Florentines changed their red Lillie into a white Two dayes after the King parted towards Sienne a Citty well peopled seated in a fertile country in ancient time rich mighty and the second Citty in Toscane which yeelded in many factions to the stronger party so as they enioyed more the name then the effects of liberty They tooke off their gates for the Kings entry notwithstanding the Citty being suspected of him for that it had beene alwayes at the deuotion of the Empire he left a garrison and tooke his way to Rome The Venetâ—ans Mâ—lanâ—is growe iealous of the Kings proceedings Aigue-pendenté and Montâ—â—â—scon places belonging to the Pope receiued him with royall pompe and laid the way open to Viterbe The Florentine fortes which the King held and the garâ—â—son left in Sienne made the Venetians and Milanois to feare that hee would hardly end his conquests with Naples To preuent this
Baptist Caracciol had promised to giue him entrance into Sesse but Dom Frederick Ferdinands vncle preuented him committing the bishop and others guilty of this practise to prison The sury of the warre was in Apulia and the successe was variable for both parties lodged in diuers Townes who rather by their ordinary roads then by any valour made warre against the poore cattell Virgilius Vrsinus and Marian Sauelli had gathered togither an infinite number of cattell the custome betwixt S. Seuere Porcine and Ferdinand with six hundred men at armes eight hundred light horse and fifteene hundred foote comes by night to driue them away who by the breake of day beeing planted before Saint Seuere with his men at armes to make head against Viriglius if hee issued forth he caused his light horse to driue away about threescore thousand head of cattell Sauelli issueth forth of Porcine to the rescue but being too weake he was forced to retyre with the losse of thirtie men at armes This check drewe the Viceroy against Ferdinand being at Fogge to recouer both the honour and the pray that was lost Vpon the way hee encounters eight hundred Lansquenets betwixt Nocere and Troye which went to ioyne with Ferdinand hee chargeth them and beeing obstinate in fight defeats them and killes them all with some losse of his men Ferdinands Lansqueneâ—â— defeaâ—ed by the French and so presents himselfe in battaile beefore Fogge but none issuing forth saue the light horse hee laye in ambush in the wood of the Incoronate or not crowned and recouered the greatest part of the cattell Then presenting himselfe before Fogge hee retyres to Saint Seuere when as the light horse falling vpon those that did driue away the bootie depriued eyther party of the greatest profit for the cattell being dispersed here and there were abandoned to the first that could take them Herevpon the army at sea ioynes with the Viceroye and the Marquis of Mantoua with the Arragonois So the chiefe forces of both armies approch The French were stronger in foote and the Italians in horse which held the estate of affaires in suspense The King began now againe to affect the affaires of Italy and hauing made a progresse to Tours and Paris to performe sayeth the history some vowes which â—e had made at Fournoue he returnes to Lion Charles returnes to Lion His owne inclynation drew him naturally to this war glorious for that he was the first of the Kings of France after many ages that had renued the French armies in Italie Moreouer the Florentins the Cardinall of Saint Pierre Iohn Iaques of Triuulce the Vrâ—ins the Earle of Montoire sent to that end by the Barons of the Realme of Naples who yet did carry the flower de Lice but with more importance then all the rest the Cardinall of Saint Malâ— and that Mignon the Seneshall of Beaucaire gaue him a certaine hope of victory by meanes of a great and speedie succour and contrarywise of an apparent losse if matters were more neglected Euen those which before had disswaded this enterprise of Italie greeued nowe exceedingly to see their conquest so cowardly lost and the French Nobility to perish who vnfurnished of aide were ready to suffer shipwracke The Admirall of Grauille alone could not sauour this warre These resolutions were somewhat hindred by the warre which the King supported in the County of Roussillon from whence the Spaniards made ordinary roades and robberies in Languedoâ— Charles of Albon grandfather to the deceased Marshall of S. Andrew defended the frontier as Lieutenant to the Duke of Bourbon gouernor of that Prouince the which was greatly indaÌ„maged by the garrison of Saulses a little Towne in the sayd County strong of men and situation and defended by some gentlemen of the King of Castills house who were seconded by an army in field bigger then the French Albon vndertakes to beseege Saulses batters it make a breach and giues an assault and within ten houres carries it by force where he slew some forty Spanish gentlemen of marke and about foure hundred men of defence A worthy reward for the wrong which the Castillian had done to Charles who had so willingly restored him the possession of this Country hoping to binde him by this good turne not to crosse him in his desseins vpon the Realme of Naples as by the contract of reddition he had promised This exploite kept the Snailes within their shelles who vnder pretense and colour to continue their Conquests vpon the Moores A truce betwixt the Kings of France and Castilâ— whom they lately ouercame and chased out of Granado in the ende they motioned a truce the which beeing concluded from March to October for themselues and such of their faction as would accept of it diuided the Castilian from the other confederats attending that a mutuall assemblie at Montpellier should end all their controuersies by a firme and durable peace Thus Charles freed from this incombrance returnes more vehemently to his first desseins 〈◊〉 greatly aâ—â—ects the â—nteâ—prise of Itâ—â—â—y and to drawe his counsell therevnto hee sayed that hee felt a diuine inspiration in his soule which called him into Italie It was according to the predictions of Sauoâ—arâ—la In the ende it was concluded That Triuulce should returne to Asâ— with the title of the Kings Lieutenant with eight hundred Lances and foure thousand French and Suisses That the Duke of Orleans should soone followe and then the King That thirty shippes should passe the straights into the ports of Prouenâ—e and should be armed for the passage of Naples with men victualls money and all other munition A braue desseine and a goodly order if it had taken effect But it is a great error in Kings to giue the chiefe places of authority rather to Church-men then to their Princes The Cardinall of Saint Malo â—â—nders the 〈◊〉 voâ—age or to Noblemen of merit seeing that these men haue but one oath which is to their King and the other hauing two they commonly preferre that which they owe vnto the Pope The Cardinall of Saint Malo gouerning the Treasor and in a manner the whole State did not directly contradict the Kings will hauing so greatly affected the first voyage but so slackt the expeditions delaying the necessary payments that no prouision was effected And who would not beleeue but the Pope giuing to this man a Cardinalls hat would likewise drawe him to his faction But let vs heare another disturbance when as euery man supposed that the King would spedily passe the mountaines he makes a poasting voiage to Paris and to Tours for three reasons The first vnder colour of deuotion to take leaue sayd he of Saint Denis and Saint Martin according to the ancient ceremonies of the Kings of Fraâ—â—e The second to bid the Queene farewell who was resident at Tours The third to draw all the Citties of the Realme to ayde him with money after the example of Paris to auoide the necessities of
the yeare before But he did not set downe the fourth and it may be more vrgent the loue of one of the Queenes maids an importune passion which doth so restraine all the spirits of man as he neglects all other cares Charles departs and returnes not in foure monethes he sends Triuulâ—e to Ast with a small troupe more to confirme the friendship of Philip the newe Duke of Sauoie by the death of the little Duke his Nephew then for any preparation of warre and for the prouision of Naples six shippes were prouided laden with victualls and laden with hope to be soone followed by a great army and to receiue forty thousand ducats due at Florence This was physicke after death for if they had arriued in time they had preserued or at the least stayed for a season the losse of the Realme If Brisonnet were so dull in these Commissions in the Kings presence Iudge if he made any hast in his Maiesties absence Yet the body of the Neapolitane state was so shaken as for want of speedy remedy it was ready to fall The two armies approch both so tired as the warre must sodenly end by the ruine of the one The French were camped before Circelle ten myles from Beneuent and Ferdinand to diuert this seege was before Fraâ—gette of Montfort For the succoring whereof our men leaue Circelle but the Lansquenets apprehending a second assault left the place at randon This was a losse which did greatly import our men They had meanes in shewe to defeate this army so busie at the sacke of Fraâ—gette as the Captaines aduertised that there was but a valley betwixt the French and their lodging they could not in time call backe the soldiars from the spoile to armes The Earle of Montpensier would haue imbraced this occasion Virgilius Vrsâ—â—â—s did vrge it Persi d' Alegre by an enuious or malicious shew of hazard which they should incurre in passing the valley at the mercy of the enemy loathing the Suisses Laâ—squeâ—ets which he coÌ„manded disconteÌ„ted moreouer with the smal entertainment they had made him wheÌ„ he preseÌ„ted himself to succor the castells of Naples hindred the executioÌ„ and besides vnder colour of pay as they say he caused the strangers to mutine Thus the Viceroy forced to sound the retreat went to followe the seege of Ceâ—cille where Camille Vitelli performing the office of an excellent Captaine and soulciaâ— during the assault was wounded in the head with a stone whereof he died An accident which caused the French to abandon both the assault the seege to retire towards Arriane and to seeke some meanes to draw the Arragonois to battaile But they had to deale with cunning temporisers who knowing our men to be pressed with the want of meat and mâ—ny and foreseeing that the slacknes of their succors would breed greater discommodities and desasters they suffered them to keeepe the field and lodged in their forts where their commodities could not be cut off Not onely the armie but also the other parts of the realme were greatly distressed Annibal the bastard sonne of the Lord of Camerin Diuerse variable exploiâ—â— had of late defeated the Marâ—uis of Bitonte of the French faction in Abruzze for a reuenge Gratian de Guerres being in field ouerthrew the Earles of Selane and Popoli leading three hundred horâ—e and three thousand foote for Ferdinand Notwithstanding the losse of an occasion of a victorie at Frangette the extreame necessitie of all things the discord of the Captains and continuall contradiction of Persi refusing to obey the Earle of Montpeâ—sâ—â—r for that saith he he had against reason abandoned the Castles of Naples the disobedience of the souldiars the discontent of the Neapolitane troupes following the King not payed iniuriously intreated in the diuisions of booties or victuals the departure of many from the Campe the mutinies of the Suisses and Lansquenets who cryed out tumultuously for their pay the neighbourhood of many Townes supported by the enemies armie and many desasters concurring daunted the courage of our soldiars ingendred a contempt and hatred in the people forced our men to flie from place to place without any hope of meanes to fight with the enemie who to spare the bloud of his people would not hazard any thing All these difficulties carried our French into Apulia The last act of this tâ—agedie and as they were busied in the taâ—ing and sacking of Atelle and then to possese Venouse a strong Towne and abounding with victuals Ferdinand takes Gesâ—alde in one day the which in former time had iâ—dured a seege of fourteene monethes and taking from them all hope of Venouse he forceth them to retire to Attelle and presently campes before it desirous to win a â—icâ—orie without perâ—â—l and losse of men and cutting off all the passages hee takes from them all meanes of vittaile But this accident made his desseignes more easie The remainder of the Lansquenets who since their departure from their houses had receiâ—ed but two monethes pay seeing the time of their entertainment past they went tâ— the Arragon partie And that which hastened the totall ruine of our men was the euent in Calabria By reason of the Lord of Aâ—bignies sicknes many of his company were gone to the Viceroyes armie The Earle of Melete and Albert of S. Seuerin with manâ— other Barons of the Countrie seruants to the Kings lodged at Laine vppon the riâ—er of Sâ—pri couered with the Castle on the other side of the riuer against any one 〈◊〉 should asâ—aile them vpon the high way and from some other places belonging to the Pâ—ince of Bisignan It is very dangerous to be too confident especially in matters of warre These Noblemen assembled all the forces they could to charge Consalue who made warre in that Prouince and after the taking of some places was camped before Casirouillare Goasalue preuents them and comming neere the riuer he causeth hi◠〈◊〉 to march towards the bridge which lyeth betwixt the Castle of Laine and the vilâ—age Which bridge was negligently garded relying vpon the aboue named places whilst that he passeth with his horse at a foard two miles aboue and both should charge our men at one instant The effect succeded he arriues before day finds them wâ—thout sentinel without gard chargeth and breakes them instantly takes eleuen Barrons prisoners and almost all the souldiars who flying towards the Castle The 〈◊〉 defâ—ated fell amongst the foote who had alreadie seized vpon the bridge This victorie layed the way open for Gonsalue to ioyne with Ferdinand with 6. thousand men this relief was the ruine of our troupes pressed with 3. armies the Arragonois Venetian and Spanish 1495 So as being no more able to be releeued with victualls nor go to forrage neyther to haue any passage to the riuer to water their horses being themselues in great extremity for water beeing vanquished with so many difficulties and abandoned of all hope after two and thirty
dayes seege they obtayned of Ferdinand a truce for thirty dayes and necessary victualls for that time during the which none of the beseeged should go forth Licence for the Duke Montpensier to signifie this accord vnto the King the soldiars their liues and goods saued with the which they might retire into France by land or sea and the Vrsins with other Italian soldiars whither they would out of the Realme Impunity to the Barrons and al others that had followed the French faction and restitution of their goods and offices so as within fifteene dayes they returned to Ferdinand All this is good A dishonorable composition made by the French but there followes a very dishonorable promise That if the Earle of Montpensier bee not releeued within thirtie dayes he shall deliuer Acelle and all that he holds within the Realme of Naples into Ferdinands hands with all the artillery Thus reason yeelds where force commands The time expired all were conducted to the Castell of Stabbie vpon the sea and the Viceroy was summoned to yeeld vp all the other places which the King possessed But pretending that his authority did not extend to the Captaines which commanded in Calabria Abruzze Caiette and other places which the King himselfe and not he had giuen them in gard the Arragonois making shewe to dismisse them caused them to be conducted but more properly confined them vpon this controuersie to Blaie and Puzzol where vnder colour that shipping was not yet readie part of them by the wants they had endured and part by the indisposition of the aire beeing hot and vnholsome and part feeding intemperatly vpon Grapes and other fruit halfe ripe but with more likelehood hauing as some write seasoned their meates mixt their wines with drugs insupportable for the stomake the Earle of Montpensier died and of fiue thousand men The Earle of Montpensier dies with most of his troupes scarce fifteene hundred returned safe to their Country There is but one hazard to loose all A battaile although very disperate had beene far more honorable and lesse fatall But let vs rather note the examples and errors of other then reproue them Virgilius and Paul Vrsin by the Popes commandement who had sworne the runne of that house were shâ—t vp in the Castell del'Oeuf their men led by Iohn Iordan the â—on of Vrsin and Bartholmewe of Aluiane were stript in Abruzze by the Duke of Vrbin and these two commanders called by Ferdinand to Naples were likewise imprisoned Aluiane escaped soone after the rest died in prison Now all things smile vpon the conquerour but hee pursues the victory otherwise then wee can doo and in these garboiles euery one flies to the stronger and makes his peace as he may Ferdinand â—ends Don Frederic his Vncle and Prosper Colonne before Caiete and Fabricio Colonne into Abruzze who receyued Aquille for the Arragonois tooke the rocke of Saint Seuerin by force and caused the Captaine and his sonne to be beheaded to terrifie the rest then he went and incamped before Salerne where the Prince of Bisignan made his peace for himselfe for the Prince of Salerne for the Earle of Cappacie and some other Barons Gratian des Guerâ—es forced to giue way to this violent streame leaues Abruzze and retyre himselfe with eight hundred horse into Caiete where don Frederic doth presently inuest him Gonsalue returned into Calabria where the Lord of Aubigni after such resistance as his forces could make being gotten in to Groppoli in the end promiseth to leaue all the Prouince hauing liberty to returne into France by land The other Captaines eyther for that they had filled their bagges with the prouisions of their places or had by disorder consumed that in fewe dayes which in time of necessity might haue serued long or through feare or impatiency of the discomodities which followe a seege were forced to yeeld them at the first summon But shall Ferdinand long enioy the happy successe of his armes Behold hauing not yet tasted the sweetnes of his Conquests remayning nothing for the recouery of the Realme but Tarentum Caiete and fewe other places held by Charles of Sanguin Mont Saint Angelo where Don Iulian of Lorraine commanded who caused the neighbour Countries to feele both the greatnes of his courage and the weight of his arme 1497. death comes and cuts off both the course of his victories the threed of his life and transports his Crowne to Don Frederike his vnkle King Ferdinand dies Thus the state of Naples felt the diuers humors of fiue Kings in three yeares Ferdinand Alphonso or King Charles the eight Ferdinand the incestuous hauing married his Aunt sister to Alphonso his father and Frederike Frederike leauing the seige of Caiete comes to enioy his Nephes succession and those which had before followed the French partiâ— as the Princes of Salerne and Bisignan the Earle of Cappacie and others were the first to proclaime his name in Naples and to 〈◊〉 him to finish the remainder of the warre against our men Tarentum beseiged by the Venetians was forced to yeeld through famine who hauing held it some dayes noâ— without suspect that they would appropriate it to themselues in the end they consigned it vnto Frederike at the Popes intreate and the King of Spaines Caieâ—â— might haue held out some monethes but iudging the King would haue as little care to succour them as many other places negligent lie lost to the preiudice both of a great number of the Nobilitie and also of the Crowne they compounded with Frederike by the meanes of the Lord of Aubigni giuing them leaue to returne by sea into France with bagge and baggage And consequently all other places did quite reiect the French commaund in the state of Naples And Frederike hauing obteyned the inuestiture of the Realme from the Pope was sollemnly crowned Thus King Charles was freed from the care hee had for the recouerie thereof but the losse and infamie thrusts him on to reuenge vpon the next neighbour The Princes of Italie incâ—nse the king against the Venetians and Duke of Milan Many Poâ—eâ—rates of Italie perswade him thereunto the Duke of Ferrara knew well that the Venetians hauing taken Polesan from him sought his ruine and amidest these diuisions he was like vnto a sheepe betwixt two wolues that is to say the Venetians and Duke of Milan his sonne in law who preferring his safetie and his childrens before the loue of the Duke of Milan offered the King fiue hundred men at armes and two thousand foote The Marquis of Mantoua being discontented with the Venetians fel from them with 300. men at armes Iohn Bentiuole offered a hundred and fiftie men at armes the companies which his two sonnes led with a good number of foot The Florentines not to loose Pisa and other places and to warrant themselues from the wrongs which the Venetians practised against them promised eyght hundred men at armes and fiue thousand foote at their
had greater occasions then euer Experience had made him wise He remembred the errors he had committed in his first iourney and obserued theÌ„ wel hoping if he might recouer his losses to prouide better for the gard of the Realme His intelligences from all parts called him He had a truce with the Castillian Reasons to drawe the King into Italy He had a new league with the Suisses The Emperour was discontented with the Venetians and sought his friendship beâ—â—g desirous to ioyne with him to seise vpon the states of Italie with their common force and expenses imitating the Castillian Pope Alexander labored to reconcile himselfe The Venetians deuised how to estrange themselues from Lodowike The Florentins had resolued to free themselues as soone as Charles should begin the warre And to this end they demanded the Lord of Aubigni for their generall with a hundred and fiftie Lances whereof they should pay a third part The Marquis of Mantoua was discharged from the Venetians pay and should bring to the King with the Vrsins the Vitelli and the Captaine of Rome brother to the Cardinall of S. Pierre fifteene hundred men at armes Italians He had the friendship of the Duke of Sauoye and the Marquises of Saluces and Montferrat Iohn Bentiuole promised to ioyne with his troupes as soone as he should passe the mountaines But he is diuerted by diuers meanes Some of his fauorits thrust him forward to this enterprise but with so huge a preparation both by sea â—and and so great prouision of money as it required a long time Hindred by diuers meanâ— Others entertayned 〈◊〉 his delights and loathed him with all difficulties and the Cardinal of S. Malo according to his vsuall manner lackt the prouisions of money Thus the time was â—â—st matters made fruitlesse which were almost brought to their perfection There â—ere no dispatches for the Lord of Aubigni no money for the Vrsins Vitellies Fregoses no man passeth into Italy So as all mens mindes growing cold the Fregoses make their peace with the Duke of Milan The Vitelli had passed to the Venetians pay if the Florentins had not entertayned them for a yeare The Florentins themselues counselled by Lodowike Sforce â—n the beginning of the yeare 1498 sent an Ambassage to Rome sigâ—iâ—â—ing although in doubtfull termes that if Pisa might be yeelded vnto them they â—ould ioyne themselues with the rest for the defence of Italy against the French A 〈◊〉 â—olicy but made frustrate by a Venetian shift The Venetians beeing labored to yeeld to the restitution of Pisa seeing there was no 〈◊〉 meanes to separate the Florentins from the French The Venâ—tiaâ—â— oppose against the Floâ—eâ—tiâ—s they couer their couetousnes with many colours they complaine that this counsell proceeds not of any care they haue to the coÌ„mon good but from the bad affection which some one carries to their estate â—or say they by their Ambassador at Rome the Florentins hoping to enioy the greatest port of Thuscany by the returne of the French into Italie the yeelding of Pisa were not able to diuert them from their naturall inclination to the house of France but contrariewise the more mightie they are the more meanes they shall haue to disturbe the quiet of Italy Why then haâ—e the Confederats by a common consent promised the Pisans to defend their libertie aâ—d nowe to violate both their honour and faith Is this the reward for the exceeding charge we haue so willingly maintayned when as all the other confederats were so vnwilling to disâ—â—rse any thing for the common good By what meanes was Italy preserued With what forces did they fight at Taro With what armes haue they recouered the Realme of Naples Wherewith haue they forced Nouarre to acknowledge her first Lord Can any one denie but tâ—â—sâ— actions did proceed from a sinceere affection to the good estate of Italy seeing wee were not the neerest vnto dangers neyther are the disorders growne by vs whereof wee suffer the paine Whilest these things were treated of at Rome among the Confederates The Caâ—teâ—â— of 〈◊〉 built by Câ—arles not without apparent signes of future diuision a newe humor carries away our Charles to his Castell which he caused to be built at Amboise a building of admirable worke charge hauing to that end brought the most rarest workemen that could be found 1498. from Naples and all other parts and for the beautifying thereof he had gathered together the goodliest plots that could bee found in France Italy Flanders and else-where not able to foresee that in steed of a proud and stately Palace he should end his life in a base and filthie gallerie Broken off by his death Hauing his minde inclined besides his building not onely to a second voyage beyond the Alpes but to reforme his life honouring the Queene his wiues bed with a chaste respect whereas many loose allurements had transported his youth To restraine the pompe and ambition of the Clergie To order Iustice giuing audience twise in the weeke to all complaints and free accesse to any that would desire iustice Doubtlesse Note O yee Princes The King sitting in his throne of Iustice saith the Wiseman disperseth all ill with his looke To reâ—orme his house to dispose of his treasure to ease his subiects restraining all taxes which had beene made vpon his subiects to twelue hundred thousand Frankes besides his reuenews a summe which his estates had graunted at his comming to the Crowne for the defence of the realme It chanced the 7. of Aprill going after dinner with the Queene into the Castle ditches he strooke his forehead against the doore of a gallerie whereas he meant to see a set at Tennis this blowe being a certaine aduertisement to driue him to the premeditation of his approching end the last pangs of death moued him presently with a godly and holy resolution but wisely conditioned according to mans weaknesse the which he testified by these words talking with Iohn of Beauucis Bishop of Anger 's his Confessor touching the faults he had committed in his younger age I hope saieth he neuer to commit mortall nor veniall sinne if I can auoide it Presently vpon this protestation he fell backward falling into an Apoplexie wherewith he had beene a little before troubled which closed his eyes with the sleepe of death about eleuen of the clock at night A notable example wherein wee read the pittifull estate of Princes when as death knocketh with an euen hand both at Kings Palaces and at poore mens cottages giuing them an end like to all other men and the inconstant loue of Courtiers Behold a King who commanded ouer so many Prouinces whom so many great Citties obeyed who had such numbers of sumptuous Castels at his pleasure and now building a house of a royall attempt giuing vp the ghost in a chamber neere to a gallerie stinking with the Vrine which euery one made as he passed through it laid vpon a poore
maâ—â—resse King Charles dyed such as they could finde out by chance And before his eyes were shut vp with this last sleepe euery one forgets the course which this declining sunne had runne to follow the hope of the Easterne starre which came to lighten this realme Thus Charles the eight liued and thus he dyed an humble Prince liberall religious courteous His disposition familiar and of easie accesse of a good and tractable disposition small of statute but of an inuincible courage louing Iustice and his people capable of counsell commended for his great attempts hauing in his youth purchased so much glory and giuen so great hope both within and without Christendome that if God had granted him a longer life without doubt he had equalled the same of the most excellent and rarest Princes In him failed the direct line of the Kings of France descended from Philip of Valois and the crowne fell to the collaterall line of the which the neerest and most capable of the succession was Lewis Duke of Orleans and Valois LEWIS the twelfth the 57. King of France LEWES THE .12 KING OF FRANCE .57 · NOWE behold our France hauing 1498. vnder Charles the eight happily breathed after the troubles and confusions which had so long afflicted the state during the raignes of his Predecessors takes her rest vnder the protection of a Prince excellent in bounty of nature in sweetenesse of manners in temperance and moderation of minde and affection finally in the happines and felicity of his raigne Who hauing extended his Empire beyond the lymits of Gaule subdued vnder his obedâ—eâ—â—e two of the noblest and mightiest Citties of the world Milan with Lombardie and Genes with her two riuers East and West togither with the Ilands of Corseque 〈◊〉 reconquered and diuided the Realme of Naples with the Castillian but in the end lost it by his treachery and disloyalty vanquished the Venetians in that memorable 〈◊〉 the 15. of May 1509. suppressed the Popes insolency defeated the Venetians Againe before Bresse made a peace with the Spaniard and Venetian consequently allied â—â—â—selfe with the King of England He shall haue this honor and content to see â—is â—ubiects in so great prosperity that by the conference of things passed before his 〈◊〉 the Realme was neuer so mighty in armes and men The happines of his raigne neuer so plentifull in all 〈◊〉 of commodities neuer so fortified with such strong places and which imports 〈◊〉 neuer so blessed in concord neuer so voide of diuisions neuer so able to 〈◊〉 a great charge and to produce noble attempts A Godly King chast vpright courteous good to his seruants gratious to his eneâ—â—es mercifull to all men a friend to Iustice and sincerity an enemy to flatery libeâ—rall but without oppression of any loyall respected in all parts of the world who in regard of learning shall open a way which his thrice worthy successor should bring to a most happy perfection But to crowne him with titles of honour hee was called The father of his people A King commanding a nation most willing to obey A people multiplying by millions in Nobilitie Marchants tradesmen and the common sort A people replenishing the Townes before halfe desert To conclude a people testiâ—yâ—â—â— the excellencie and greatnesse of their Soueraigne For the greatnesse of a King sayeth Salomon is in the multitude of people but when his subiects decrease it is the fall of his Soueraigntie But let vs see by the relation of the Historie the course of this admirable prosperitie and first of all his rights of Succession as well to this Crowne and that of Naples being King of France as also to the estate of Milan by reason of Valentine his grand mother King Charles the 5. had two sonnes The eldest Charles the 6. his successor who was father to Charles the 7. of whom was borne Lewis the xi father to Charles the 8. who dyed without children The genealogie of Lewis the 12. The yongest Lewis Duke of Orleans who married Valentine daughter to Iohn Galeas Earle of Vertus first Duke of Milan by whom he had three sonnes Charles his successor Duke of Orleans Iohn Earle of Angoulesme Philip Earle of Vertus The said Charles freed from his long imprisonment in England had by Mary of Cleues his wife our Lewis the 12. heire for want of heires male in the direct line of this realme and of the dependencies thereof and so was annointed at Rhâ—ims the 27. of May 149â— assisted at this sollemnitie by Iohn Duke of Alanson seruing as a Peere in the place of the Duke of Bourgongne Peter Duke of Bourbon for the Duke of Normandie Anthonie Duke of â—orraine for the Duke of Guienne Philip Earle of Ranasâ—ein in place of the Earle of Flanders Gilbert of Cleues for the Earle of Champagne Gaston of â—oix for the Earle of â—holouse and for the Peeres of the Clergie the Bishops that were then resident Afâ—â—â—wards he receiued the royall Crowne in the Abby of Saint Denis in France the first of Iuly following and the day following made his triumphant entâ—ie into Paris We iudge of the inward beautie of a Pallace by the entrie thereof Who would not then by these happy first fruites of this raigne conceiue a constant hope of a heauenly blessing Lewis after he had worthily performed the funeralls of his Predecessor hee first purchased the loue of the Noblemen of his Court mainteining euery man in his dignitie and state and the Magistrates in their offices He applyed his minde to order and to cut off the tediousnesse of suites freed his subiects of the third part of the Subsidies which oppressed them yea euen the rights which they are accustomed to pay to their new King for the charges of his funerall that is deceased and for his coronation and for a second benefit to the countrie he put the men at armes into their garrisons reducing them to the ancient discipline of warre which the disordered liberty of troubles past had much corrupted This done by the aiding of his best States men he made many goodly lawes vpon the abusâ—ue charges in the pursute of Iustice neither did he euer publish an Edict before it was confirmed by the iudgement of Soueraigne courts His decrees conteined some limitâ—tion of the pâ—iuileges granted in old time to Vniuersities the which they abused to the oppâ—â—ssâ—on of the people The Vniuersitie of Paris opposeth against the publication thereof and were ready to make a sedition many publishing infamous libels both against the King and against the Chancellor of Rochefort The Schollers troupe together and â—esolue to abandon both study and the exercise of learning Iohn Caue being Recâ—or The Vniuersitie at Paris 〈◊〉 forbids the Regents to read any more and the Preachers to preach vntill the Vniuersitie had recouered her ancient priuileges The King aduertised of these mutinies drawes many men at armes into Paris and sitting in Parliament confirmes the
the Italian troupes giue way and are put to rout The Suisses pressed to fight answere That they will not fight against their brethren kinsmen and others of their nation without leaue from their superiors And approching neere their Countriemen making as it were but one armie they protest that they meane to returne and so obteine free passage through the French armie Lodowike compassed in in this nation could neither by prayers nor promises diuert them from their disloyall intent only he got a promise To set him in a place of safetie So they agreed that disguised armed like a Suisse on foote hee should march in their rankes But going betwixt two great troupes of men at armes this poore Suisse disguised is discouered in one of their Battailons with Galeas of S. Seuerin Fracasse and Anthonie Marie his brethren and stayed the Italians were stript but the Lansqueuets and Bourguignons were sent away without touch and Lodowike was led prisoner to Lions where the King remained and within two dayes after was sent to the great Tower at Loches Lodowike taken where he continued captiue about tenne yeares vntill his death Behold the ambition and aspiring conceits of him whome all Italie could not conteine now restrayned in a straight prison And to auoyd a greater corsey he intreats Tremouille that he might not see Triuulce his enemie Who being aduertised and hasting thither Sforce sayd hee with a brauing speech thou seest the wrongs thou hast done me are now repaied in the same measure This happened the thursday before Palme sunday Doubtles the circumstances of Lodowike Sforces miseries are remarkable wherein we may learne that the diuine Iustice doth alwaies punish offenders and takes from them at need both iudgement courage wit and all other faculties Let vs obserue in this Tragedie that Lodowike being feareful Lodowikes disposition promising praying sighing flying disguised is mockt taken finally dies in a most pitiful estate A Prince excellent in many perfectioÌ„s of nature industrious eloqueÌ„t of an high and busie spirit but infamous for the death of his nephew couetous vaine ambitious turbulent proud treacherous impious cruell paying a Crowne for euery french-mans head that his hoast should murther going to the Iubile Lodowikes dispositions So as it is not strange if he hath felt the rigour of Gods iustice in his owne person And to fill vp the measure of affliction in his fâ—milie the Cardinall Ascanius vppon the brute of this defeat flying from Milan to recouer â—ome place of safetie with many gentlemen of the Gibelin faction who hauing affected Lodowike dispayred of pardon refreshing themselues at Riuolte in theterritorie of Plaisance Conrad of Lande Lord of the same place his kinsman and ancient friend sends presently for Charles vrsâ—â— and Sonzin Benzon Captaines vnder the Venetians pay and treacherously deliuer vnto them the said Cardinal with Hermes Sforce brother to the deceased Duke Iohn Galeas with most of the gentlemen in their company who presently conueied them to Venice but the Senate at the Kings instant request who considered how necessarie it was for the safety of the State of Milan to haue these men in his power deliuered both the Cardinall Baptista Vicomt and Hermes with all other Milanois that were retyred for the same cause into the Townes of Guiaradadde The Cardinall was sent to the great Tower at Bourges vntill that hauing the whole Realme for his prison hee obteined leaue by the intercession of the Cardinall of Amboise to goe to the election of a newe Pope promising vppon his oth â—euer to attempt any thing to preiudice the Crowne and to bee a meanes to aduance one of the French Cardinals to Saint Peters chaire But oh the ingratitude and treacherie of this Milanois the Colledge of Cardinals inclyning to choose the Cardinall of Amboise hee alone by his faction wrests the popedome from the French to giue it vnto Iules the second a Geneuois in the yeare 1503. Milan being restrayned from all meanes of religion sues presently for pardon Milan pardoned by the King the which they obtaine of the Cardinall or Amboise in the Kings name vppon condition to repaire their rebellion by the payment of three hundred thousand ducats whereof his Maiestie did afterwardes remit the greatest part The rest of the rebelling Citties were euery one taxed according to their abilities Thus all the Duchie of Milan was quiet the Suisses were dismissed who returning to their houses seize vppon Belinzone lying in that mountaine the which not drawen out of their hands as the King might haue done for a little money shall hereafter greeue the author of this error being a most conuenient passage to stoppe the Suissers entrie into the Duchie of Milan and shall giue occasion to liberall tongues to scoffe both in publike and priuate at the greedinesse of Lewis whereof these braue Commaunders returning into France had had more cause to complaine if the Queene had not supplyed this defect with that bountie which the King did owe vnto their merits Doubtlesse she did bountifully repaire those errors which the King did ofteÌ„ commit in that respect And the King restrayning his libertie within the bonds of frugalitie would not seeme bountifull with the oppression of his people Now let vs see how the remainder of the yeare was imployed The exceeding prosperity of a Prince is suspected vnto other great personages who feare some diminution in their estates Maximilian considering how the alienation of so gooly a fee was preiudiciall to the Empire and the blame he did incurre by suffering Lodowike to be thus spoyled who had cast himselfe into his protection hee dismissed the Ambassadors of France and Venice being readie to proclaime warres against them as vsurping the laÌ„ds of the Empire With this desseine he acqauints the Princes Electors with the iniurie done to him to them and to all the Germanie nation the apparent danger least their too still patience should make the King of France seeke to ioyne the Imperiall Crowne vnto his owne like vnto some of his predecessors That partly through necessitie and partly through the ambitious desire which the Pope had to aduance his sonne Borgia Duke of Valentinois he would willingly winke at these proceedings This consideration made the King to put off the war of Naples vnto the next yeare But as the forces of Germanie moue but heauily so had hee leisure to assist the Florentins who had shewed themselues readie in the recouery of Milan for the King to discharge the oath made by his Predecessor The King â—uccors the Florentiâ—â— and his owne with six hundred Lances maintained by his maiesty and seauen thousand Suisses but payed by their common-weale and diuers companies of French with artillery and munition necessary for the recouery of Pisa Pietresancte Montpulcian Mâ—tron and other places vnder the command of the Lord of Beaumont whome they demanded but ill chosen for them To auoide this storme the Pisans Geneuois Siennois and Luquois
enuying the Florentins greatnesse offred the King a hundred thousand Crownes in ready money to the ende the Florentins should not benefit any thing by the recouery of those places so important for their states promising to pay him fiftie thousand crownes yearely foâ— euer vpon condition that the Pisans should recouer their liberty by his meanes and the fortresses of Liuorne with all the territory of Pisa. Triuulce and â—iesque pleaded for the Pisans shewing howe expedient it was for the King to weaken the Florentins and some other Potentats of Italy but offring a great some of money to the King they discouered their inward greedinesse to make themselues Lords thereof Finally the matter was concluded in fauor of the Florentins And whilest this army remaynes in Lombardie expecting their pay the King causeth the Lords of Mirandole Carpi and Correge to pay their fines who for twenty thousand Ducats obtayned remâ—ssion of their rash rebellion The Potentats of Italâ— reconciled to the King The Marquis of Mantoua to auoide the like censure humbly craued pardon Iohn Bentiuole hauing fauored Lodowike as the rest payed fortie thousand Ducats and the King by this meanes tooke both him and the Citty of Bolongne into his protection whilest that the army to loose no time tooke Mont chiarucole in the territorie of Parma belonging to the Torelli fauorers of Sforce then returning backe to passe the Appenin by the way of Pontreme at Fregoses request they spoiled Aubri Malespine Lord of Massa with small credit and other places although he were in the Florentins protection In the end the Cardinall of Amboise performing his promises but badly with the Florentins receyued for a summe of money the Luquois into the Kings protection agreeing that his maiesty should hold Pietresancte in gard vntill it were decided to whome it did appertayne The Pisans being resolued to make a defensiue warre repaire their fortifications men women and Children worke with great earnestnes The Pisans fortifie themselues and to coole the heate of the French comming to their seege they made knowne the affection they bare to the Crowne of France by an antentike Instrument sent to the Lords of Beaumont and Rauastein Gouernor for the King at Genes who receyued them in the Kings name and Beaumont suÌ„moning the Towne of Pisa had for answere That they desired nothing more then to liue vnder the obedience of his Maiesty and therefore they yeelded vnto the King vpon promise not to deliuer them into the Florentins power Doubtlesse he was ill practised in politick and military affaires to seeke that by force which hee might haue without toyle or shame And was it not a hard thing to ruine a people which made such shewe of tender loue and voluntary obedience to this Crowne Beaumont campes before Pisa the 29. of Iune Pisa beseâ—gâ—d batters it all night and some part of the day following beats downe about threescore fadome of the wall and mounts to the assaults both with foote and horse But he discoâ—ered not a deepe and large trench which the Pisans had made betwixt the wall and the rampar within so as the bredth and depth amazing our men they remayned vpon the breach rather as spectators of the worke then hauing any desire to enter Strangers speake truely that wee are but a brunt and that beeing withstood at the first wee are easily broken The quality of the rampiers the obstinacie of the Cittizens their ancient inclynation to the French ingenders such a familiarity betwixt the beseegers and beseeged as conferring familiarly togither going into the Towne of Pisa and comming out safely as from a friend Towne the soldiars nowe fall to accusing their Commander of rashenesse and support the Pisans against their Captaines so as in stead of assayling them they themselues incouraged them to defend suffers Tarlatin borre at Costello The French armie tauours the Pisans to enter the Towne with some old soldiars to receive the commaund for matters of warre as hee did euer aâ—ter with much â—onor This sufferance both of horse and foote breeds other disorders They defiriâ—g to haue the seege raised spoyled the vittles that came to the campe and Beaumont vnable to stay this insolencie the Gâ—scons first leaue the armie in tumulâ—uous manner and giue example to all the rest of the foote And abandons the seege The Suisses likewise found a retreat the horse returne into Lombardie leauing the Florentines affaires in great confusion and diâ—order The Pisans imbrace the oportunitie and with one breath take Librefacta â—reeing themselues towards Luâ—ques And the King complayning that the Florentines had preferred Beaumont before the Lord of Alegre would haue sent backe his men at armes to winter about Pisa that roading vp and downe the Countrie they should keepe it as it were blockt vp giuing them hope and promise of a new seege in the Spring But the Florentines refusing this offer dispaiâ—ing of any better successe by the French forces exposed themselues to the common iniuries of their ill willers the Genouois Siennois Luquois and all others who desired their ruine On the other side the King considering that the Popes vnion with the Emperour would bee wonderfull preiudiciall vnto his desseine for the reuenge of the reuolt at Naples The King sends forces to Pope Alexander although he had some reason of discontent against Alexander who had nothing assisted him during the warres of Milan yet his Maiestie shewed himselfe alwaies most tractable to second the Popes continuall desseines in fauour of the Duke of Valentinois sending vnto him vnder the comand of the Lord of Alegre three hundred Launces and two thousand foote accompanied with threates To be reuenged of those that should oppose themselues against the Popes desseins as an iniurie done to his owne person And the Pope likewise promised him both his sonnes person and his men whensoeuer hee should recouer Naples So Borgia ioyning sixe hundred men at armes and sixe thousand foote to the French troupes enters Romagna takes Pesere Rimini Brisiquelle and runs without any resistance throughout all the vallie vntill that Faënze stayed for a time the violence of this streame He campes before the Towne in Nouember The exploits of Caâ—aâ— Borgia batters it makes a reasonable breach and the fist day of the seege giues a fierce assault sâ— valiantly defended as the death of Honore Sauelli and a great number of his men sâ—aâ—ne at the first charge forced him to sound a retreat and the snowe falling with an exceeding cold to raise the seege The former threats had terrified the Potentates of Italie and the Kings request vnto them in priuate made them abandon Romagna The Venetians renounced the protection of Peter Astor Lord of Faënze Iohn Bentiuole his vnkle conteines himselfe fearing to incense the King and the Popes forces and the Duke of Valentinois could not endure that an vnwarlike people hauing no otheâ— head but a yong man of eighteene yeares
warre against Gonsalue if he speedily depart not out of the Capitanat And seeing the King of Spaine resolued not to leaue the possession hee enters Tripalde by force the 19. of Iune and consequently the other Townes which Gonsalue held in that Country They are now imbarked in warre and the King is at Lions to prouide necessary things more commodiously to crosse the vniust practises of his aduersary Vpon this desseing he sends 2000. Suisses by sea to supply his men and entertaynes the Princes of Salerne and Bisignan with an intent to passe into Italy if neede required The newe tumults which Vitelloze impatient of the death of his brother Paul Vitelli beheaded at Florence as we haue sayd did raise in Tuscane drewe him thither They begun by the reuolt of Aretzo against the Florentins at the perswasion of the sayd Vitelloze New broiles in Italy of the Vrsins Iohn Paul Baillon Pandolfe Petrucci and others which desired the returne of Peter of Medicis into the state of Florence The Florentins protecting themsâ—lues with their new leâ—gue with the King flie to him accuse the Pope and the Duke of Valentinois to be the Authors of these stirres sound forth the iminent danger of the Duchie of Milan Lewis succors the Florenâ—ins if the aboue named vnited and conâ—ured to ruine their estate reduce it into their power The King had beene long tyred with the insolency and ambition of the Pope and his sonne He did foresee that the treaties of accord being broken with Maximilian the Venetians would soone crosse him· and that hauing open warre with the Spaniard the inuading of Tuscane doone by the secret practices of others would proue very preiudiciall vnto him And therefore he sent foure hundred Lances to succor the Florentins with commandement to Vitellozze and his adherents Not to molest those any more whome he had receyued into his protection the which he declared to all those that should feare to incurre his indignation In the meane time the Duke of Valentinois vpon the confusions of Aretze went out off Rome with his army and vnder a false pretext to take Camerin hauing before to weaken Guidobalde Duke of Vrbin drawne men and artillery from him leapes into that Duchie and takes all his estate without any let except the Rocke of S. Leon Maiuolâ— to the great discontent amazemeÌ„t oâ— Vittellozze the Vrsins Petruccio who by an others ruine began plainely to discouer their owne This coÌ„quest had made the Valentinois to assaile the Florentins if the commaÌ„dement made him froÌ„ the King or rather the coÌ„ming of his maiesty had not diuerted him The Duke of Valentinâ—â—s his cruelty Camerin was the obiect of his armes He tooke it with a barbarous inhumanity caused Iules of Varane Lord of the sayd place to be strangled with his two sonnes The King arriues at Ast and Lewis of Tremouille comes into Tuscane with two hundred Lances three thousand Suisses and great store of artillery for the recouery of Aretze in fauour of the Florentins The Pope with his Borgia foreseeing that the King being incensed against them as the chiefe motiues of this warre would spoile Borgia of Romagnia and other places which he possessed and that they were too weake to withstand this storme they returne to their accustomed practices imputing the bellion of Aretze to Vitellozze and his Associats whome they could not say they neyther by prayers nor authority diuert from this enterprise And to pacifie the King the Valentinois sent word to Vitellozze that if hee did not giue vp Aretze and other places belonging to the Florentins he would cast him out by force Vittellozze was ready to beare the whole burthen but by what meanes considering the weakeness of his forces and that the strongest were ready to reconcile themselues and to leaue him in the mier therefore makes no delay but consignes Aretzâ— and the other Florentin Townes which the violence of his forces had put into his power Moâ—t Saint Souin Chastillon d' Aratze Cortone and the rest of Valdichiane al which were presently by the Kings command restored to the Florentins An other allâ—ance bâ—twixt the King and Pope The affaires of this world require euery man to shroude himselfe vnder the strongest The King hath no sooner set footing into Italy but all the Princes and common-weales according to their accustomed manner flie vnto him some to get pardon some to maintaine their estates and all in generall to draw his Maiesties forces against the Pope and his sonne But doth it not commonly fall out that what many desire succeds but seldome Their priuate intrest and respects are most commonly contrary to their outward and shewes and desires So the King not so much mooued by the Popes exact diligence who by all meanes and messages sought to pacifie him and to returne againe into fauour as by the Cardinall of Amboises perswasion who to entertaine the Pope in vnion with the King presumed to frame himselfe a ladder to mouÌ„t vnto the Popedome to aduance some one of his house to be Cardinall he happely followed of two wayes the worst fauouring the Pope and his followers The wise reader may iudge thereof by the euent of the historie True it is the Emperour was a chieâ—e motiue to draw our Lewis to this accord His fiâ—gars itched he could not be quiet and vnder colour of his passage which he did so much affect to receiue his Imperiall Crowne of the Pope he might happely trouble the state of Italie to the Kings great preiudice and indeed he had alreadie sent many horse and foote to Trente making great offers to the Pope in fauour of this passage Moreouer the King was not ignorant Made vpon sundry considerations how vnwillingly the Venetians did see the state of Milan the realme of Naples in his hands Adding thereunto the imperious threats which foure Cantons of the Suisses made That if the King did not yeeld them the rights he had to Belinzone and giue them Volteline Schafouze The Suisses braue the king with other outragious demaunds they would compound with Maximilian But to adde more crosses he must dispute the conquest of Naples by the sword All these considerations made our Lewis desirous to entertaine the Popes friendship whereby Maximilians desseins were sodainly disappointed So the King hauing more libertie to prouide for the estate of Naples sent a fresh supply by sea of two thousand Suisses and tenne thousand French the which ioyned to the Viceroy who had alreadie taken all the Capitanate except Manfredonia and S. Angelo They camped before Canose the which Peter of Nouarre yeelded by composition to depart with bag and baggage The taking of this place did shut Gonsalue into Barlette without money with little vittels and lesse munitâ—on And the French Captaines alledging The exploits of the Fâ—ench in the Kingdome of Naples against the aduice of the Lord of Aubigni that the armie could not all campe
and streetes and of such as tooke their way by sea few suruiued long the extreame discommodities which they had endured amongst others the Marquis of Saluce Sandricourt and many Gentlemen of marke It were better to foresee all those difficulties before wee part from our houses then to go so farre to seeke our graues Captaine Bayard returned admired greatly euen by Gonsalue himselfe hauing purchased great glory and reputation amongst the French Doubtlesse besides the discord and bad gouernment of Captaines the sharpnesse of the time The chiefe causes of this ouerthâ—ow and impatience of our men in militarie labours two things principally had wrested this victory from the King The one was the long stay of his armie in the territories of Rome for the Popes death so as winter came and Gonsalue had leisure to practise with the Vrsins before this armie entred the realme The other was the treacherous couetousnesse and theft of the Commisaries and Treasurers who commonly emptie the Kings coafers to fill their owne bagges to the preiudice of the souldiers pay and the order they should take for victualls Iohn Herouet Treasurer condemned of theft was publikely executed Alegre Sandricourt and others were for a time in disgrace with the King The losse of Naples the death of so braue a Nobilitie the infinite numbers of men slaine in these attempts had filled the realme and Court with great heauinesse and mourning The King much perplexed with these losses euery man cursing the day wherein that miserable desire to purchase new estates in Iâ—aly had first entred into the hearts of our Kings of France The King seeing well how much his reputation would bee blemished with strangers and how much the losse of so flourishing an armie would weaken his forces was not without feare eyther that Maximilian would alter some thing in the State of Milan or that Gonsalue following his course would imploy his victorâ—ous armie to the subuersion of the sayd Duchie and those which followed the French partie in Italy feared least in his way he should alter the estate of Tuscane Without doubt it was likely that the King wanting money weake of men and the French daunted in courage and without any desire to repasse the Alpes would without any great resisâ—ance haue giuen place to the victors violence But Gonsalue content with the suâ—name of Great Captaine which the Spanish boasting had giuen him restrained his desiâ—es within the limits of this happy victorie True it is that many extremities kept him back He did owe much vnto his armie who made great instance to be payd and put into garrisons Moreouer it was a matter of dangerous consequence to lead his armie out of the realme from whence the enemie was not yet fully expelled But that which stayed the course of his prosperities was a dangerous sicknesse so as he could not execute any enterprise in person he sent Bartlemewe of Aluiane against Lewis of Ars who during the stay of the armie vpon the bankes of Garillan had seized vpon Troye and S. Seuere and had put all Apulia into armes This stay of Gonsalue held the rest of Italy rather in iealousie then any way troubled â—t and the Pope forbearing yet to discouer his desseins laboured to get the possession of such Castles as the Valentinois held of Furli Cesene and Bertinoire The Valentinois was content for Cesene but the Pope hauing sent Don Pedro d'Ouiede a Spaniard to receiue it in his name the Captaine of the place iudging the composition of no force for that the Valentinois was a prisoner caused him to bee hanged So as the Pope dâ—spayring to get it without his libertie agrees with him That he should bee put into the Castle of Ostia with commaundement to the Cardinall of S. Croix to inlarge him when he had consigned the said Castles This consignation made the Valentinois escapes with the Cardinals permission and retires to Naples from whence Gonsalue sent him afterwards to Ferdinand his King The Duke of Valentinoiâ— prisoner in Spaine who confined him prisoner to the Castle of Medina del Campo An act in truth vnworthy the sinceritie of a great Prince but most worthie of this Duke who not satisfied with the wickednesse hee had formerly done deuised anew to trouble other mennes estates and to sowe dissentions throughout all Italie A prison which did greatly comfort all Romagnia being freed from the euill spirit which so tormented it A common necessitie is vsually the mother of a peace or truce betwixt Princes that haue long tormented one another Behold the Kings of France and Spaine A truce with the Spaniard both wearie of warre conclude a truce Lewis fought it and Ferdinand accepts it willingly thiâ—king by this meanes to confirme his new conquests with more safetie vppon coâ—dition That it should be lawfull for the subiects of either partie to trafficke throughout all their realmes and dominions except at Naples The Kings of Spaine haue alwaies treated vppon aduantage with our Kings Gonsalue doth cunningly make his profit of this clause placing vpon the frontiers of those places which the French did yet possesse as Rosane in Calabria Oire in the land of Otrante Venouse Conuersan and the Castâ—e of Mont in Apulia gards to watch that no man liuing should conuerse in any place that was held by the Spaniard The which brought the inhabitants to so great a straight as resoluing to yeeld to the enemie Lewis of Ars was forced to retire into France But what auayles it to auoyd one danger and fall into another We haue not yet breathed from our trauels past and see we now stâ—die on new iarres and confusions In truth the estate of this world is like a chessebord where Princes with a variable chaÌ„ge play most couetous games sometimes with losse sometimes with gaine oft times treating with men in whome there is no trust they fall out of one mischiefe into a greater inconueniencie At the same time Ambassadors being come from Maximilian and Philippe to confirme that which had bin propounded by the comâ—ing of the Bishop of Cisteron and the Marquis of Final sent expressly by the Pope for that busines this peace was in the end concluded That the marriage of Claude the Kings daughter with Charles the Aâ—ch-Dukes eldest sonne should take effect A peace betwixt the King Emperouâ— that all the former inuestitures of the Duchie of Milan being disanulled Maximilian should grant the inuestiture vnto the King for himselfe and his heires males and for want of males should giue it in fauour of the marriage of Claude and Charles and if Charles should die before the consummatian of the sayd marriage to Claude and the Arch-Dukes yongest sonne in case hee married with her for which possession the King should pay vnto Maximilian vppon dispatch of the letters patents threescore thousand florins of the Rhin and threescore thousand more within sixe moneths after and euery yeare on the birth day of our
continuing his desseâ—â—e he arriued at Bresse nine daies after his departure besieged it takes it by force and sacks it Doubtlesse this braue Prince did hazard his owne ruine if he had not with gâ—eat iudgement and order commanded that no man should looke to any spoile Bresse recouered by the 〈◊〉 before the towne were fully at his command And he dâ—â— so well put it in practise as the first that made shew to abandon his ranke was slaine by his companions But who doth vse such discipline at this day when as being greedy of bootie they loose so goodly occasions Our French lost some men at armes and many foote but the enemy lost about eight thousand some inhabitants armed some Venetians who were fiue hundred men aâ— a 〈◊〉 eight hundred light hoâ—se two hundred stâ—adâ—ors and eight thousand foote 〈◊〉 Contaâ—in Comissary of the Stradiots was slaine Andrew Gritti Anthoâ—ie Iusâ—iniâ—n Iohn Paul Maâ—fron and his sonne the Cheualier Volpe Balthazar of Sâ—ipion one of 〈◊〉 soâ—â—es of Anthonie of Pié Count Lewis Aâ—ogare his two sonnes and Dominique 〈◊〉 Captaine of the Stradiots were prisoners Count Lewis and his children the chiefe 〈◊〉 of this rebellion were afterwards beheaded A reuolt deeâ—elâ— bought by this 〈◊〉 which yeelded not to any other in Lombardie in Nobilitie and dignity and in wealth nâ—xt vnto Milan it exceeded all the rest This chasâ—â—sement made â—ergame and the other reuolted Townes to call backe the French whom they had lately expelled These prises and reprises conquests and happy successe prolonged the stay of the French in Italy and yet they did nothing settle their 〈◊〉 seeing what they enioyed was rather a charge and expence to them then any profiâ— Buâ— behold strange crosses both by land and sea do hereafteâ— bandie against the happinesse of our men They giue the King intelâ—igence from Rome A new league against the King that Henry the 8. King of England notwithstanding his promise was ioyned in league with the Pope it was coâ—firmed by writing that a Galeasse laden with wines corne and other prouision arriuâ—ng in England from the Pope had exceedingly altered Henry with the 〈◊〉 Clergie and commons of England That he should with his armie at sea inuade the coasts of Normandie and Briâ—tanie and send 8000. foote into Spaine to begin warre in Cuâ—enne ioyntly with the Arragonois And they made already great preparations of men and shipping in England and likewise of ships in Spaine to passe into England Moreouer the Emperour was altered and changed in his affection complaining that the King contrary to the capituâ—ation of Cambrai did hinder the aduancement of the Empire in Italy Hee required that Renee the Kings yongest daughter should be promised to Charles his grand-child giuing him Bourgongne in dowâ—ie and that the Maide should then bee presently deliuered into his hands and custodie That the controuersies for Ferrare Bologne and the Councell should be referred to him And moreouer hauing made a truce with the Venetians for eight monethes he protested not to suffer the King to increase his estate in Italie But these were but bare shifts to couer his bad intent Besides the Cantons of the Suisses were so incensed against this Crowne that although the King sought to winne their loues with store of gold yet the perswasions of the Cardinall of Sion whereby wee may see that Cardinalles haue beene alwayes dealers in matters of state had newly made them graunt to the confederats a leuie of six thousand men And the Pope to straine all his strings against our Lewis fearing least his extreeme rigour should induce the Florentins to followe the Kings fortune to the preiudice of his desseins he reuokes without any sute the Censures wherevnto he had bound them To quench this fire before it flamed farther the King commanded his Nephew to march with speede against the confederats army of whome he promised himselfe the victory being amazed and yet the weaker and then to assaile Rome and the Pope with all violence desirous that this warre to seeme the lesse odious should be made in the name of the Councell called first at Pisa and that a Legat deputed by the Counsell should receiue the conquered Townes in the name thereof The Cardinall of Saint Seuerin was appointed Legat of Bologne in the army So the Duke of Nemours furnishing all places with men necessary for defence gathers togither all the forces the King had in Italie â—e makes a company of sixteene hundred Lances fiue thousand Lansquenets fiue thousand Gascons and eight thousand French and Italians to whom the Duke of Ferrare added a hundred men at armes two hundred light horse The French army in Italy and a great quantitie of good artillery Gaston hauing left his at Finall by reason of the bad way The enemies army was 1400. men at armes a thousand light horse seauen thousand Spaniards three thousand Italians newly leuyed Gaston thrust forward aswell by the Kings commande as by his owne valour and desire of Glory was desirous to see if the enemy would willingly trie the hazard of a battaile They on the other side temporised attending their Suisses and that the English and Spaniards beginning warre in France should force the King to call backe all or the greatest parts of his troupes and yet coasted alongest the French army least the Townes of Romagnia should bee left in prey and the way layed open to go to Rome lodging alwayes in strong places neere to some strong towne which might serue them for a retreate at neede So the Duke of Nemours not able to cut off their viâ—tualls through the commodity they had of the Tâ—wnes of Romagnia nor force them to fight without great disaduantage goes and inâ—amps before Rauenna hoping they would not be so base minded as to suffer such a Citty to bee lâ—â—st before their eyes and by this meanes an occasion should be offered to fight with them in an equall place The enemy discouering this purpose sends Marc Anâ—honie Colonne to Rauenne with threescore men at armes of his company â—eter of Castâ—e with a hundred light horse â—alezar and 〈◊〉 â—ith six hundred Spaniards The â—owne is seated betwixt two riuerâ— Ronâ—ne and Monâ—one which descending from the Appenin hills straighten themselues neere vnto Rauenna with so small a distance that on eyther side they passe close to the walles Sauenna beseeged by the Duke of Nemâ—urs 〈◊〉 ioyning togither they runne into the sea three miles from thence Gaston incamps himâ—elfe betwixt the two riuers plants his artillery some against the toâ—er of 〈◊〉 betwixt â—ort Adrian and Ronque and some on the other side of the 〈◊〉 of Montâ—ne whether almost halfe his troupes were passed to batter in diuers places and tâ— hold the riuer at his will Hee batters the wall makes a breach of thirty fadome choseth ten out of euery companie of men at armes to couer the foote diuides his army into three squadrons giues a furious
to the Towne being opened â—alaâ—s taken and the beseeged sodainely surprised without hope of speedy succouâ—s first the castle and then the towne returned to the obedience of this crowne as gâ—adly as we haue seene her antient Burgesses bid their poore desolate country mournfully farewell in the yeare 1347. The county of Oye 1558. and all the forts the English held there returned likewise to the subiection of their first and lawfull Lord. Guines and other places dismantled spare the cost which should be consumed in the defence thereof On the other side the Duke of Neuers did take for the King the Castle of Herbemont the forts of Iamoigne Chigny Rossignol and Villeneufue The Daulphin married to Mary 〈◊〉 of Scotlâ—nd Thus their sorrow was turned into ioye their hearts panting yet with that bloudy battell of S. Laurence The Court was partaker of this ioy celebrating the 28. of Aprill in the midest of these prosperities the marriage of Francis Daulphin of Viennois with Mary Steward Queene of Scotland daughter to Iames the 5. and Mary of Lorraine daughter of Claude Duke of Guise During these happy victories and coniunctions of alliances the Duchesse Dowager of Lorraine laboured to increase these solemne and publike ioyes by the conclusion of a peace betwixt the two kings The Cardinall brother to the Duke of Guise met with her at Peronne to that intent but this parâ—e without effect hastened the execution of an enterprise vpoÌ„ Theonuâ—lle the which being battered froÌ„ the 5 to the 21. of Iune with fiue and thirty Canons and the mynes ready to plaie receiued an honourable composition The proiect of this prize is giuen to the Duke of Neuers the glory of the execution to the Duke of Guise and the Duke of Nemours the Marshall of Strossy who was slaine there with a shot vnder his left pappe the Duke of Guise leaning on his shoulder as they caused a platforme to bee vndermined the Lords of Montluc Theonâ—â—â—le taken by the French Vâ—elleuillâ— and Bourdillon had the honour to haue giuen good testimonies of their valours in this prize Chigny taken afterwards from the Wallons was fortified Arlon Villemont and Rossignol burnt and made vnprofitable for the warre The English in the meane time spoyled the coasts of Normandy and Picardy and the King to stop their courses prepares two small armies one at la Fere vnder the Duke of Aumale the other at Calais vnder the Marshall of Termes who succeeded Stroâ—â—y The Marshall attempts Berghes they feared not the French there the towns which the Spaniards held vpon that coast were ill furnished he takes it sacks it and by that meanes opens the way to Dunkerk Dunkerkâ— being taken and spoyled in foure dayes inriched both the souldiers and boyes of the armie But the Flemings force them to make restitution the Marshall camped before Grauelines and the Cont Aiguemont Lieutenant for the King of Spaine in the Lowe Countries hauing speedily assembled out off the neighbour garrisons and of other forces about sixtâ—ene thousand foote a thousand or twelue hundred Reâ—stres and two thousand horse cuts off his way vpon the Riuer of A which comes from S. Omer and forceth him to fight At the first charge the French army ouerthrowes some squadrons of horse but at the second shocke The Marshall of â—ermes defeated the Marshall is hurt and taken with Villehon Senarpont Moruilliers and Chaune a great number of Captaines and souldiars are slaine vpon the place and all the troupes so discomfited as of all the companies of men at armes of three corners of light horse Scottishmen fourteene enseigns of French foot and eighteene of Lansquenets fewe escaped death or imprisonmentâ— a wound which reuiued the â—â—ar of S. Laurence and did frustrate the Duke of Guise his enterprise vpon Luxembourg but it was partly recompenced by the Lord of Kersimon vpon six or seuen thousand English Flemings which landed at the hauen of CoÌ„quest spoyling and burning the weakest parts of the coast of Brittain This was in the end of Iuly The Duke of Guise fayling of Luxembourg came to lodge at Pierrepont in Tirasâ—â—e and there â—ortified with seauen Cornâ—ts of Reistres brought by William younger sonne to Iohn Frederick Elector of Saxony and a newe regiment of Lansquenets led by Iacob of Ausbourg made the French army as strong as the yeare before Aboue all others were most apparant the companies of the Duke of Guise Lieutenant geneâ—all of the Dukes of Montpensier Neuers Aumale Bouillon Nemours Saxony Lunembourg of the Prince of Roche-sur-yon of the Prince of Salerne of the Cont Charny the Marshall S. Andre the Marquis of Elheuf and of the Lords of Rochefoucault Randan Curton Montmoâ—ency the Constables elâ—est sonne Esâ—henets Roche du-Mâ—â—â—e Ienlis La Veuguion Mourdillon Tauanes of Beâ—uuais The light horse of the Earles of Eu and Roissy of the Lords of Valete Bueil Laigny Rottigotty Lombay and others wherof the Duke of Nemours was generall and so great a number of â—ermaines Suisses and Frenchmen as this flourishing armie of men lodging neere to Amiens along the riuer of Somme preuailed much for the treatie of peace which followed soone after Philip had his armie likewise vpon the riuer of Anthie both intrenched and fortified with artillerie as if they meant to continue there and in time to tire one another Some moneths passe without any other exploite then inroades and light skirmishes In the end the eternall God of armes who from his heauenly throne beheld tâ—e seate of these two mightie armies changed the bitternesse of former warre into a pleasiâ—g peace confirmed by alâ—iances the yeare following The Abbie of Cercamp vpon the limits of Arthois and Picardie gaue tâ—e first entâ—ie And as the Constable being freed from prison the Marshall of S. Andrew the Cardinall of Lorraine Moâ—uilliers Bishop of Orleans and Aâ—bestiâ—e Secretarie of State assâ—mbled for the King treated with the Duke of Alua the Prince of Orange Regomes de Silues Cupbearer to King Philip Granduelle Bâ—shop of Arras and Vigle of Zuichem President of the Councell of State of the Lowe Countries behold the death of Charles the 5. Emperour chancing in September and that of Mary Queene of England aâ—out the middest of Nouember changed both the place and the time of this conclusion Castle Cambresis had the honour to finish it at the second conference the which was confirmed by the marriages of Philip with Elizabeth eldest daughter to King Henry of Phillibert Emanuel Duke of Sauoy with Marguerite the Kings onely sister and of Charles Duke of Loâ—raine with Claude a yoâ—ger daughter of France The King yeelded to the Castillan all that hee had taken from him as well on this side as beyond the mountaines To the Sauoyard he restored Bresse Sauoy Piedmont to the Genouoiâ— the Isle of Corse and about foure hundred places more conquered during these â—atall and pernitious Warres which had made so many Prouinces desolate ruined so many Castâ—es Villages
Guise to set a good countenance on a bad cause And the Queene mother seeking to hold her authority by supporting them of Guise calles the King of Nauarre into her closet As he was entring a Ladie of the Court sayd to him in his eare My Lord denie the Queene Mother nothing that she shall demand else you are dead So he signed what shee desired A grant of the right which hee might pretend to the gouernment of the King and Regencie of the Realme and his reconciliation with them of Guise Vpon this graunt she promiseth to make him the Kings Lieutenant in France both for peace and warre and nothing should passe but by his aduice and of the other Princes who should bee respected according to the degree they held in France In the meane time death presseth the King The death of Fancis the 2. and those of the house of Guise shut vp in their lodging and seized vpon three or foure scoore thousand frankes which remained yet of the treasor came not forth in two dayes vntill they were assured of the King of Nauarre who hauing imbraced one an other all quarrells seemed to be layd vnder foote In the end this Catarre with a feuer brought the King to his graue the fourteenth of December hauing giuen no time by reason of his yong age and the shortenesse of his â—aigne to discouer any thing in him but onely some shewes of courtesie continency and modestie vertues which his Vncles had easily corrupted by the tast of crueltie which they began to make an impression of in his soule as they did in his successors little lamented for his person but of such as possessing him in his â—oâ—age grounded the greatnesse of their vsurped estates vpoÌ„ his life to ouerthrowe the fundamentall Lawes of the Realme whatsoeuer some wretched writers do babble whose soules haue beene as vendible as the Guisiens armes were then new in our France This death gaue life to the Prince of Condé opened the prisons for such as had beene committed for his cause reuiued an infinit number whome the Princes condemnation had drawne into danger countermanded the troupes of Spaine which aduanced towards Bearn disapointed Montluâ— of the Earldome of Armagnaâ— the which he had deuoured in hope by the promises of the house of Guise and brought many of their most secret seruants to the King of Nauarres deuotion CHARLES the 9. the 61. King of France CHARLES THE .9 KING OF FRANCE 1560. NOW we fall from a feuer into a frensie Wee shall see vndâ—â— aâ—â—ther pupill King of eleuen yeares of age raigning in the wrathâ—â— God the heauens to powre vpon this Realme all the curses 〈◊〉 promised against a nation whose iniquities hee will punish 〈…〉 dâ—â—pleasure A raigne cursed in the Cittie and cursed in the 〈◊〉 cursed in the beginning and cursed in the ending Mortality 〈◊〉 and â—amine haue followed it euen vnto the end The heauens aboue are of brasse and the eaâ—th vnder iâ— of iron the carcases are a prey to the birds of the aire to the bâ—â—sts of the field and no man trouble them They suffer no thing but wrongs and robberies and no man releâ—â—es them Men marry wiues but others sleepe with them They 〈◊〉 and plant but the nations whom they haue not knowne deuowre the fruit To conclude there is nothing but cuâ—sing terror and dissipation The 23. of December the Parliament began and that which the Queene mother most desiâ—â—d the coâ—firmation of heâ— Regencie allowed by the Chancellor and afterwards by those that were the speakers Iohn Quintin of Autun a doctor of the Cannon Lawe at Paris A Parliament â—â—ld â—t Orleans for the Clergie the Lord of Rochefort Damoisel of Commerâ—y for the Nobility Angelo then Aduocate of the Parliament at Bourdeaux and afterwards Councellor there for the people The Chancellor propounded manie articles touching the meanes to pacifie the troubles and the remedies for that which concerned the estate and religion to discharge the Kings debts Quintin would haue the ministers of the Church inforced to discharge their duties not altering any thing in the reformation thereof the which cannot erre not to suffer any other then the Chatholike Apâ—stolicke and Romish religion Against such as demanded Temples and against the deliuerer of their petition meaning the Admirall against whom said he they should proceed according to the Canon and Ciuill constitutions for the prohibiting of such bookes as were not allowed by the Doctors of the Sâ—rbonne and for the rooting ouâ— of Lutherans and Caluinists â—ochfort did speake against the iurisdictions vsurped by the Clergie against the disorders growne among the Nobles against the wrong done to the true Nobilitie against the confusions growne by confiscations for matter of religion against seditions of the meanes to order the Clergie to containe them in their vocation for the releefe of the people especially in matters of Iustice the which should be reduced to a certaine number of Officers Ange insisted much vpon the ignorance couetousnesse and dissolution of the Clergie whence proceeded the greatest part of these present scandales The next day vpon the Admirals complaint to the Queene Mother Quintin excused himselfe vpon the instructions which were giuen him in writing and in his second speech hee did moderate his pleâ— to the Admirals content The Estates continued their conferences and made the beginning of this yeare famous by some prouision for matters of religion whereby it was forbidden vpon paine of death noâ— to reproach religion one to another and commandement giuen to all Iudges and offiâ—ers to set at libertie all such as had beene imprisoned for the said religion Many other good necessary lawes were published but with more confusion then profit And in truth a number of lawes ill obserued peruert Iustice and giues the people occasion not to regard them But when they come seriously to handle the discharge of the Kings debts and that the Nauarrois submits himselfe to restitution If it be found that he hath receiued any extraordinary guifts those of Guise and others which could not make the like offer found meanes to frustrate this proposition by the referring of the Estates to Ponâ—oise hoping hereafter to find some deuise to preuent their yelding vp of any accoumpt Put of to Ponâ—â—oise And in truth all these assemblies vanished away like smoake without any other resolution then to lay the paiment of the Kings debts vpon the Clergie The King of Nauarre the other Princeâ— of the bloud the Constable seeing themselues held to no end in Court and that for matters of State they had but the leauings of them of Guise it made them trusse vp their baggage to retire with an intent to crosse the regencie of the Qâ—eene Mother and the Guisiâ—ns authoritie To frustrate this desseine she makes a new accord with the Nauarrois doth associate him in the gouernement of the realme and concludes with him that leauing the title of Regent he should
great confusion which the following ages did bring forth the like â—ssistance according to his power but both doe promise ioyntly â—o maintaine by all meanes the dignitie of the Catholike religion to cut off as much as in them lay all lets and speedily to seeke all occasions profitable for this desseigne beginning first with the heads This businesse was not so secretly managed but the Prince of Condé the Admirall and other Noblemen of that partie had intelligence They stand vpon their gardes aduertise their men and for this time preuent surprises The end of the yeare brought the King home much satisfied with the ioyfull entertainment his subiects had made him plunging himselfe with his yong brethren in maskes delights whilest the Queene his Mother with her Councellors gouerned France at their pleasure and layde plottes which shall soone breed as dangerous stormes as the former Whilest our Christian Princes studie by their enterview and League to kindle horrible combustions in their estates The Turkes army at Malâ—a they giue the Turkish Armie the better meanes to land in the Isle of Malta to besiege and take the Forte of Saint Elme latelye built by the Pryor of Capoua and by this victorye to make the siege of Malta more easie Let vs obserue three notable things before we conclude the yeare The first was that braue attempt of Peirot the eldest sonne of Montluc who weary to liue idâ—e rigged out some shippes with a good number of Gentlemen Souldiars and Marriners The death of the Pope and Emperour to make a voyage into Affricke hee tooke and sackt the Isle of Madera but with the losse of his life leauing his troupe excluded from all returne into France by the pursute the King of Portugall made demanding satisfaction of the outrages done to his subiects The Earle of Sanzay was sent to pacifie him and â—uen then was treated but without any effect the marriage of Marguerite Sâ—ster to Charles with the sayd King The second was the death of Ferdinand the Emperour and King of Hongarie deceased in September leauing his Sonne Maximiâ—ian for his successor The third was that of Pius the 4. in whose place was chosen to the Pontificall Chaire Michel Giseleo a Iacobin Cardinall of Alexandria and tooke vpon him the name of Pius the 5. The first fruites of this yeare were very commendable and if they had giuen hope of the like proceeding the haruest had beene very happy but such as trust â—ot but vpon good cautions take not all kindes of money for payment growing very suspitions by reason of the conclusions taken in this voiage 1566. To make it more gloâ—ious and lesse suspect the King calls an assemblie at Moulins of the greatest peâ—sonages of his Realme as well for the gouernment of Iustice as for other causes concerning the good and quiet of the state wherof followed that great volume of statutes of the which they rightly say That they were as iust and holy as ill obserued A 〈…〉 Those of the houses of Guise and Chastillon were called The quarell of Paris inuited the Marshall of Montmorency And the Admirall hauing purged himselfe by oath of the crime wherof they pretended him to bee principall motiue the King hâ—d already pronounced him innocent by his letters pattents the King the Qâ—eene Mother the Duke of 〈◊〉 brother to the King the Cardinalls of Bourbon Lorraine and Guise the Constable â—he Marâ—shall of Bourdillon and Vielle-uille the Bishops of Valence Orleans Limoges Ihou and Seguier first and second Presidents of Paris Dasis the first of Tolouse Lagebaston of Bourdeaux Truchon of Grenoble le Feurs of Dâ—â—on Fourneau the second President of Prouence and many other Noblemen assembled to that effect besides the aboue named Statutes made a reconciliation betwixt the two houses whereof followed imbracings protestations promises not to attempt any thing whatsoeuer against an other But the issue will verifie the saying That there is no trust in a reconciled enemie In the meane time the resolutions of Bâ—yonne appeared manifestly the moderations they made of the Edict the insolencies they committed in many places with all impunity the threats they gaue the protestants amazed them on al sides The Prince and Admirall were vigilant obseruing the countenances of their enemies The preparations of Spaine against the Lowe Countries made them to foresee that this enterprise wold in like sort preiudice their partisaÌ„s in France The Prince of Roche sur-Yon had before his death discouered many particularities they coÌ„plained that aboue three thousand persons had perished of violent deaths sence the Edict without any Iustice and theiâ— complaints had no other satisfaction but goodly words and gratious letters To conclude the winds saied they which did blow at Bayonne must needes cause a strange tempest So the causes of their discontent were manifest and secret and consisted in the dismanteling of some townes to take from them the meanes in the building of Cittadells in some places of their exercise in the ordinary murthering of their men Causes of the Protestanâ—s discontents in the massacring of men of accouÌ„t without punishement in the ordinary threats That shortly they should not lift their heads so high but especially in the leauie of six thousand Suisses made vnder a fained pretence so gard the frontier against the coming of Don Fernand Aluares of Toledo Duke of Alba who marched against the Protestants of the loâ—e Country with a mightie army whom notwithstanding they caused to enter â—â—r within the realme by some letters intercepted being sent from Rone and Spaine they had discouered many practises made for their destruction And the intelligences they had from one in Court well affected yet secretly to their party The 〈…〉 to 〈◊〉 That it was decreed in a secret Councell to seize vpon the Prince Admirall to put the one to death and keepe the other prisoner at the same instant to bring two thousand Suisses into Paris two thousand into Orleans the rest into Poitiers then by the abolishing of the last Edict to establish one quite contrary All these coÌ„siderations made the chiefe heads resolue to stand vpoÌ„ their defence to obserue fourethings in this new taking of armes To seize on â—ew townes but of importance To bring a gallaÌ„t army to field To cut the Suisses in peeces by whose fauor the Catholikes should be alwaies masters of the field to chase the Cardinal of Lorraine from Court if they might as the chiefe fire-brand of tâ—e confusions which would consume the whole estate Man purposeth and God disposeth and of many resolutions fewe haue their desired ende The pleasure of God doth often disapoint the desseins of them which are most practised in knowledge valouâ— discours wisdome some enterprises little or not at al premedâ—taâ—ed do oâ—ten fall out veâ—y succesfully For the execution of the first point diuers considerations had made them to name three townes Lions Tolouse and Troyes
Roâ—hell was in the meane time belegard soâ—ldiars arriued hourely giuing terrible threats against the Towne who began to crie tâ— the Admirall for succours In other Townes they heard secret murmurings â—hich terrified the most cleere sighted among the Protestants These aduertisements sound continually in the Admirals eares But he continues alwayes like vnto himselfe constant in the midest of all motions and grew resolute against all such as laboured to call him from Court eyther by mouth or writing As for the house of Guiâ—e sayd hee whereof they will put me in feare the King hath taken order making vs to sweare before him to continue friends and as for them of the religion the marriage of Madam Marguerit whom his Maiestie giues not to the King of Nauarre alone but as it were to all those of the party to ioyne himselfe vnto them by an indissoluble vnion is the finishing of their quiet and safetie To conclude he will be no more troubled touching the Kings ill meaning nor the Qâ—eene Mothers the Duke of Anious the Guisiens nor any others And that which setles the Admirall the more in his conceit he finds the King after the death of Sigismond King of Poland to affect the pursute of that Crowne in fauour of his brother Negotiation of Poland Charles was cleere sighted in affaires of State he was young yet of a quick and ready wit and if bloudie and furious councels had not peruerted him without doubt he might haue brought forth better fruites and this Monarchie â—ad beene freed from the miseries which haue since ruined it His brother had great credit generally in France his mildnesse made him pleasing to his Mother and his liberalitie to the people He desired rather to see him command farre off then neere And the Admirall who knew the Duke of Aniou to be an irreconciliable enemie to tâ—e Protestants supposed that the King would by his absence settle a firme peace that Henry being confined in Poland his adherents would grow more milde that the house of Guise disapointed of this support would feare the Kings lookes the which sometimes appeared terrible and that Charles would soone discharge the Queene â—is Mother from the gouernment of affaires and take it wholy vnto himselfe as already he made some shewes of his intent The Admirall seeing Iohn of Monluc Bishop of Valence a man of iudgment and practised in negotiations departed for this Ambassage hee fed himselfe with new hopes And contrarywise Monluc foreseeing the iminent storme was very glad to be neither a councellor nor a witnesse of the miseries that were like to fall vpon the Protestants And indeed he had before councelled many of the principalls amongst them not to medle in this imaginary warre of Flanders but to retyre in time to theyr houses and not to trust ouermuch in the goodly shewes of Court considering the enuie of the great and the ill will of the people of Paris But thus God confounds the iudgment and blinds the vnderstanding of such as he reserues for an example to their posterity O France my haire stands vpright and I tremble 1972. to enâ—er into the relation of so inhumaine a tragedie And shall wee neuer bee satisfied to heare the lamentable and contiâ—uall slaughter of our countrymen what man would not be troubled what minde would not be oppressed with heauinesse and griefe to see so much bloud vnprofitably spilt in our Citties which should be carefully preserued for the defence of our country against strangers and common enemies yet let vs passe this dangerous passage the course of times inuites vs to proceed A great number of Noblemen both Catholikes and Protestants repaired from all parts to the solemnizing of this marriage Those of Guise come bringing with them a large traine of persons of all qualities faithfull vnto them The water which moues by little and little the birdes which houer aboue it and the ayre colder then of custome foretell a storme to come So the common murmurings the stirring of the quarter maisters and other Captaines of Paris the Kings gards dispersed through the Citty the ordinary threates against the Protestants were certaine testimonies That this marriage should be seasoned more with bloud then water The day appointed comes the Cardinall of Bourbon marries the parties vpon a hiâ—h scaffold The marriage solemnisâ—d built before the doore of our Ladyes Church at Paris Foure dayes are spent in playes feasts dancing and maskes which finished the King protests to the Admirall that he â—â—ll answer and satisfie the Protestants requests Euery one of their Churches had their Deputies in Court for many affaires wherein the Admâ—rals authority was very necessaâ—y They ought a great summe of money to the Germaines due for their entertainment in former warres for the payment whereof the King had suffered them to taxe themselues to the fift part of their estates The Commâ—ssioners and Receiuers prest the collection being desirous to make an end of that businesse the day of payment being past Hereon the Admirall treated with the Priuie Councell on Fâ—iday the two twentith of August where the Duke of Aniou in the Kings absence was president At the rising of the Councel the Admirall hauing attended on the King who went to play at Tenis he retyred himselfe to his lodging at dinner time being accompanied with fifteene or sixteene Gentlemen and reading a petition when as being about a hundred paces from the Louure a Harguebuse shotte from the window of a lodging neere by belonging to Villemur sometimes Schoolemaister to the Duke of Guise The Admiral huâ—t carryes away the forefinger of the right hand and wounds him in the left arme They breake downe the doore of the lodging they finde the Harguebuse but not him that discharged it This was Maureuel vnder a counterfet name of Bolland of the Kings gardes a fitte man for such murthers who mounting vpon a Genet of Spaine which was prouided ready for him fled by Saint Anthonies gate to a place of safetie The King played and vpon the first report of this hurt Shall I neuer haue quiet said he shall I dayly see new troubles And casting his Racket to the ground he retyred to the Louure and sweares with an execration to the King of Nauarre and the Pâ—ince of Condé who were come vnto him to complaine of this outrage to take such exemplary iustice of the offendor his fautors and adherents as the Admirall and his friends should haue cause to rest satisfied Hee presently commands to purâ—ue him that shotte but they go slowly after him hee appoints three of the Parliament to make infoâ—mations against the culpable Thran Morsan and Viole hee leaues onely two gates open with greaâ— gardes vnder colour to search for such as were priuie with this outrage putting the whole Citty into armes The Qâ—eene Mother seemes to â—ee discontented They doe great wrong vnto the King cryes she if hee should suffer this crime vnpunished they would in the end
and the Clergie Henry himselfe desiâ—ed rather to beare the title of Duke of Aniou in France then the King of Poland neyther was hee greatly pleased to make so long and so crosse a pilgrimage His most confiâ—ent seruants would willingly haue discontented the Polonois in their answer eyther to haue sent them away ill satisfied or to winne time vntill the spring But there was no remedie Charles could no more conteine himselfe amidest the complaints which came from so many parts of his realme but sometimes giues out threats against them which had abused him making him beleeue that after the execution of the 24. of August last past he should raigne free from confusions Strangers reproche him openly with the irreparable wrongs he had done to himselfe and to his subiects accuse him that in steed of a father he had beene a butcher and a hangman of his people or at the least taxed his honor with this title by the induction of the principal authors of this horrible disorder The delayes of his Brother displeased him Henry by his affability wonne the peoples hearâ—s The affection which Charles noted of long time in the mother to his aduancement as her best sonne the credit which the house of Guise had in him or at the least seemed to haue the hope which the Clergy grounded vpon his authority they had already recompenced these agreeable seruices which hee had done them with a present of three hundred thousand Crownes and had much augmented it if Rochâ—lle had bin taken made him to be suspected and fearefull to the King his Brother who euen then would willingly haue found the means to chastise such as vnder the shadow of his name had opened the way to so great iniustice such inraged furies But during these garboiles and confusions of affaires he found not any one of his Councellors of State that did teach him to dissemble and to conteine himselfe vntill that oportunity should giue him meanes of reuenge So his complaints and threats were carefully obserued and bitterly digested by such as it concerned The Queene Mother not able any longer to differ the departure of her sonne Henry King Charles falls dangâ—rously sick Go saith she my sonne you shall not continue long there And as Charles goes before vnto the fronter pressing hiâ— brother to follow him he is sodenly staied by a great sicknesse at Vitry in Champagne giuing occasion to his most confident seruants to thinke that aboue two attended the issue of his infirmity and to speake disgracefully of the Queene Mother the new King and their trustiest seruants whereof some retired from Câ—urt went to shrowd themselues in Brittany seeing that the vigour of the Kings youth had expelled the venom of his disease by his head neck and visage The King of Poland building vpon his mothers promises departed in the end of October being assured of the loue shee bare him aboue the other two She feared the humors and threats of Charles and Francis Duke of Alanson did not greatly affect the house oâ— Guise neither had he approued the massacre New practises in Court The malcontents who with a lesse odious name called themselues Politikes finde credit with him thinke him fit to reduce the affaires to a better course make him to repiâ—e at the small account is held of him they let him vnderstand how smal a proportion was allotted him for his maintenance the distrust they haue of his faith the opposition of the Q Mother to keepe him from the Lieutenancy of the Realme who gaue the King to vnderstand that by meanes of his malcontents hee might stirre vp some factious mutinie hauing the forces at his commaund the search was made of him and the meanes which were offered vnto him to restore the Realme Catherine was well acquainted with these practises but she cunningly makes her profit of them all during the Kings sicknes to auoid the danger when she pleased and to ruine one by an other at need as hereafter we shall see they will doe their best During these alterations those of Languedoc fortified themselues To keepe them at a sâ—ay vnder hope of some content they appoint a generall Parliament at Compiegne the Prouinces prepare their remembrances some Deputies were on the way with instructions and Commissions to speake boldly namely against the Authors and Councellors of murthers The Queene mother and her followers fearing the touch obâ—eine a reuocation of the States and labouring at the first to pacifie these deputies by promises and wordes in the end they change their countenances they vse threates and do so terrifie them as they returne home onely with a vaine hope to receiue satisfaction shortly to their demaunds and permission especially to them of Languedoc to assemble againe for the drawing of new articles concerning the preseruation of themselues and their associats the which they did afterwards at Millaud in Rouergue and those of Rochelle entred into association with them forced vnto it by the practises and deuises of Puigaillard Landereau the Baron of la Garde and others attending to surprise them but ended with the yeare and the liues of some that vndertooke it being publikely executed The fourth troubles begun with the massacres Beginning of the â—ourth troubles had some respite by the peace of Rochell but now this last conspiracie discouered and the practises to surprise them of Languedoc the secret leuies of men to assaile them sodainly giues an enterance to the 〈◊〉 The Protestants alleage for the ground of their arming the infinite outrages which haue beene done them within few monethes and send aduertisements and admonitions to the Princes Nobilitie the Parliaments and the Estates The Malcontents and such as were most inward with the Duke of Alanson foreseeing the shortnes of the Kings life yet not daring to complaine of it but in shaking of the shoulders and holding downe the head sollicit him to gett the Lieutenancie generall to represent the Kings person or if they will imploy him against them of Languedoc that he should seeke to saue the Realme from the violence of such as by the death of Charles and the absence of Henry would seeke to seize thereon Hee makes request vnto the King being at Saint Germain in Laye and the King doth acquaint the Queene mother and the Marshall of Montmorency with the Dukes desire To deny the Duke his request saith the Marshall were to do him wrong and to call his sufficiencie into question seeing the same place had beene giuen to the Duke of Aniou without demaunding it But the Queene mother and those of Guise desired it rather for the Duke of Lorraine whome soone after shee expresly called to Court and in the meane time seemes to beleeue that they bee practises of the Marshals of Montmorency and Cosse at the perswasions of the King of Nauarre and Prince of Condé to the end the Kings furie might bring to ruine both the one and the other She therefore takes
to enter into the League such as demaunded nothing but change bankroutes men indebted malefactors and wicked persons To conclude such as had neede of ciuill warre to liue vpon the Common followe the Guisiâ—ns Enseignes The double pistoletes of Spaine begin to shine the Captaines arme and go to field But the Huguenotes are at Rochelle in Languedoc Guyenne and Daulphiné and they go to seeke them in Picardie Champagne Bourgongne and Prouence Marseilles is surprised the ninth of Aprill by the practises of Daries the second Consull but sodenly recouered and Daries hanged Mandelot seised on the Cittadell of Lions the second of May. Orleans shuts her gates against the Duke of Montpensier sent by the King to assure himselfe of the Towne The other Townes riâ—e the factious worke and the armie of the League growes towards Paris euerie day they are fortified with some new troupe and euery day some Towne declares it selfe enemie The King in the meane time made no warre but by writing The Kings declaration thinking by milde and gentle meanes to pacifie them that spake too proudly Hee shewes by his declaration the zeale hee hath alwayes borne to the Catholike Religion and the necessitie that forced him to a peace finding all the Estates of his Realme tyred with the calamities past that peace was the onely meanes to vnite his subiects in one religion to establish Iustice to reforme abuses and manners to ease the Clergie honour the Nobilitie and to free the people from oppression That hee giues no benefices but to Prelates indued with learning and pietie The Nobilitie should bee reconciled leauing their splene and distrusts The people freed from deuouring warre should eate their bread in peace and yet many both impudent and rashe more hypocrites then religious gather by this peace that hee secretly fauours heretikes the which neuer entred into his thoughts That hee neuer fauoured the succession of a King who may preiudice the Catholike religion But to vndertake a quarrell for the royall succession whilest he is yet aliue and in hope to haue issue that were to distrust of Gods bountie and as it were degrade him from the estate whereunto God had called him That he hath honoured with the greatest and worthiest offices of the Crowne those Princes that complainâ— to bee debarred his fauour And in deed the Duke of Guise was Lord Steward of France Gouernour of Brie and Champagne and euery one of the same house aduanced to a gouernment Then hauing promised to restore the Church to her beautie to giue content to the Nobilitie and to ease the people hee intreates coniures exhorts and commaunds all Clergiemen gentlemen Parlaments and Townes corporate to separate themselues from that which may hinder so holy an intention to abandon all Leagues and associations and to vnite themselues vnder his obedience Moreouer the King writes to the King of Nauarre That hee should conteine himâ—elfe with patience to the end the people may know whome to blame as the motâ—ues of these new combustions assuring him of his loue and that hee will neuer forget his interest no more then his owne against them who vnder goodly shewes attempt aginst his person and Crowne to make them great with his losse and the whole ruine of his estate The King of Nauarre obeyes The King of Nauars declaration and leting passe all occasions to arme hee protests notwitstanding That seing the sword readie to strike his Lord and brother hee will preuent the danger And whereas he is accused of heresie hee answeres That hee was borne vnder the tolleration of two religions in France that hee will leaue that wherein hee was bred when by a lawfull Councell they shall shew him an other truth then that which hee beleues and therefore hee is no heretike nor yet relaps seeing hee was not fallen from his first opinion That he is no enemie to the Catholikes for that when the Edicts had granted libertie of conscience he presently layed downe armes that in all places he maintaines his subiects in the same libertie as he found them after the decease of hismother That at the pretended accord of Magdebourg which the preachers of the League publish in their pulpits as an imaginarie asâ—embly and fit to be spoken by a Montbanke the deceit appeares plainely in that they name in the extract published by them the Ambassadors of the Elector Palatin and of the Prince of Auranges whereof the Electtor was deceased aboue a yeare before the terme they specified the Prince slaine at Delfe foure monethes before That he hath requested of the King a prolongation of the Townes which hee holds for assurance of the last Edict and will deliuer them befâ—re the time so as the League lay aside armes anâ— yeeld vnto the King the places they had seized That whereas they declare him incapable of the Crowne it 〈…〉 him very neere yet doth he thinke least of it hoping that God by his bountie 〈…〉 preserue the King for the good of his realme and will giue him issue to the greeâ—e 〈◊〉 his enemies That those which by their declaration terme him desirous of the 〈◊〉 death a troubler of the State and an enemie to the Catholiks haue falsly and 〈◊〉 lyed beseeching the King to giue him leaue to end this quarrell with the 〈…〉 Guise one to one two to two or tenne to tenne without any troubling him 〈…〉 afflicting any of his people but no man vndertakes this lye no man accepts o◠〈◊〉 challenge Against this first insolencie of the League hee should oppose other armes then a pen A great error of State an other cuirasse then a penitents weeds an other countenance then doubâ—â—â—â— aâ—d trembling The authoritie of an assured browe the constancie of a manly â—â—â—rage a resolution fitt for a royall Maiestie should haue dispersed this warre of Gâ—ants and supprest these mutinous Legions But the Qâ—eene mother accustomed to 〈◊〉 in a troubled streame winkt at the Duke of Guise She was well pleased with theâ—◠〈…〉 she was contented the Duke should terrifie the King to make him abandoâ— tâ—e â—rotestants and to force him to banish his new minions from Court â—ho had 〈…〉 in disgrace with the King her sonne hee had now sequestred her from a great pâ—rt oâ— the affaires and held her as it were confined in her houses â—ithout the Louure 〈…〉 end she might bee sought vnto to auoyd tâ—e blowes of him that was readie to 〈◊〉 Her ambition moued her thereunto ratâ—er then any desire shee had to aduaâ—ce the Duke to crosse both the King and Duke and to bring disorder and confusiâ—n â—â—to the State and to stand alonâ— in the midest of these furious tempestâ— The League might easily haue beene ouerthrowne In the beginning they â—ad but a thousand horse The League weake and foure thousand foot in field and the greatest part knoâ—ing thaâ— these troubles concerne the King and his estate retyred themselues in time Mâ—st oâ— the Townes wauered betwixt
lookes bigge the Clergie reioyceth the Preachers tongues are fire-brands of sedition they speake in derâ—sion of the King in their Pulpits before time the Pulpits of trueth are now beâ—â—â—me the Chaires of Iuglers they make the King a Saul and the Duke of Guise a â—auid Saul slew his thousand but Dauid his ten thousand They publish generally in their Sermons that the King had leuied the Riestres to oppose them against the Dukes holy enterpriâ—es and to expose Paris as a prey but by the Dâ—kes valour and constancie religion had now triumphed ouer heresie The 〈◊〉 sends vnto the Duke a Sword grauen with flames The King of Spaine and thâ— Dâ—ke of Sauoye conceiue great hopes The Duke of Parma salutes him and Amongst all the Princes of Europe saith he Henry of Lorraine alone deserues to command in warre â—hey make bonfires in all places and sing the wondrous workes of the Duke of Guise to the Kings diâ—grace The people of Paris especially possessed with the praises of the house of Guise the disorders of the King the dissolutnes leachery anâ—â—yâ—ocrisie of the Court vnder a shew of penance leane to the party which they hold most certaine they disdaine the present estate apprehend what is to come and thinke to loose nothing by the change Henry of Lorraine discouers all this and thinkes to make his profit of so goodly an 〈◊〉 He knowes moreouer that Ioubert and Miron haue giuen their opiniâ—◠〈◊〉 the Kings disabilitie to haue children Hee makes himselfe more pleasing to the people who feare the succession of a Huguenot Prince hee entertaynes them 〈◊〉 great familiarity but with an humour aspiring vnto tyrannie Hee sees the mâ—iestâ—e of his Soueraigne disgraced his enemies retired to Rochelle England readâ—e to bee inuaded by a proud Armie from Spaine hee giues eare to the counsell of the Arche leaguers encreased to the number of sixteene by reason of the sâ—â—teene quarters of Paris He is crafty aduised foreseeing The disposition of the Duke of Guise generous and valiâ—â—t but variable corrupt a dissembler secret and patient Hee will by no meanes vse his owne name in any thing yet will hee effect that by another which hee atteâ—â—tâ— or takes in hand He aduertiseth the Cardinall of Bourbon who goes but as he as led that this goodly oportunity must not be lost 1588 But the secrets of his 〈◊〉 contrary to his outward shewes This assembly at Nancy tended only to force the King to make his will and to 〈◊〉 the regencie to them It was therefore conculded That the King should be 〈◊〉 to ioyne his forces effectually with the League To displace such from their offices aâ— should be named To bring in the inquisition of Spaine and to publish the Councell of Trent but with a moderation of such things as derogate from the priuileges of the French Church To consent to the restitution of the goods sold by the Clergie for the charges of the warre To giue them Townes to bee manned and fortified as the time and necessity required To forâ—â—it the Huguenots bodies goods and to entertayne an army vpon the frontiers of Lâ—rraâ—ne against the Germains who threatned reuenge for the insolencies committed in the Countie of Montbelliard But to subiect the Kings authority to the desseins practises of the league what â—as it but by this means to aspire to the Crowne To haue him ruine them he loued and that were alied vnto him in bloud what was it but to make a bush of a forest and a desert of a goodly kingdome And this word of Inquisition is it not hatefull vnt◠〈◊〉 men It was necessary for the Spaniards who had no better meanes to plant and maintaine Christianity But the tediousnes and manner of their proceeding is horrible the malice and Calumniation of their spies and informers abhominable their pâ—isons vnder ground fearefull their rackes and tortures intolâ—erable the yellow gowne without sleeues painted all ouer with deuills the Miter and Corde and for the last act of this pittifull Tragedie the fire haue made it detestable to the Flemings and execrable to the French As for the reception of the Councell of Trent the â—oueraigne Courts of this realme haue neuer so aduised our King for the preiudice they should do vnto the Crowne and the pruileges of the French Church To require redemption of the Clergie goods and to haue the King force them that were beneficed to redeeme them was it not to haue him make warre for the Church and the Clergie should giue the alarme and shadow themselues vnder the temporality whilest that the Nobility should go to fight and the people languish The League had obtayned some townes of assurance and the Parliaments labored to put downe the Huguenots To conclude the King had not refused the chiefe of the League any demande that he might lawfully graunt and had yeelded them many things which he might by his authority refuse Besides the motions of the Kings apprehensions the first beginning of his misâ—â—â— iâ— that almost all his councellors of state are corrupted The Kings Councell corrupted they conceale the truth they fit themselues to his humors they are fearefull weake and inconstant 〈…〉 that Prince is miserable saied anâ— Emperour from whome they 〈…〉 They perswade him the Duke of Guises partie is strong that the Townes anâ— Pâ—ouinces looke onely after him if hee enters not into it hee must be subiect both to League and Huguenot Yet he meanes to be master ouer both but hee takes nâ—t the safest course Hee becomes the head of the Guisards party and talking of nothing but of the voyage of Poitou thinks to winne the peoples loue and to stoppe the mâ—â—muring of the League Deaâ—h of the â—rince of Conde The Prince of Condes death made the enterprise easie A great debility of the stomacke a difficulty of breathing a great costiuenes a continuall vomiting with an alteration and extreame paine surprised him the third of May halfe an houre after supper and the second day of his sicknesse a suffocation of all his vitall â—pirites sent him from the bedde vnto the graue Hee was a Prince indeed with aâ—l the qualities fit for a great Captaine vnder whose magnanimity the Protestants conceiued great hopes The bodie was opened and the iudgement of Physitians was diuers The botome of his bellie was pale and burnt his bowells oueâ—flowed with a reddish water the stomacke aboue the orifice perced through with a round hoâ—e the vitall parts being vlcered made some suspect poyson others held that it was the remaynder of the potion he swalowed in the yeare 1572. which making an impression in the bowells had by little and little weakened the stomake of the paine wherof as alâ—o of his side by reason of the blowe he receiued at the battaile of Coutras with a Lance he had complayned many weekes before his death The schoole of Montpellier did subscribe to this last opinion Iâ— the meane time the King doth
not greatly affect this enterprise against the Huguenots hee desires to diuert the warre which the League would make imortall But the Commander vnder whome he assembles his forces makes him fall from a feuer to a frensie They had long before made the Duke of Espernons aduancement odious to the people The League made him the onely author of all disorder but the succession to the office of Admirall and the gouernment of Normandie wherein the King had installed him sence the death of the Duke of Ioyeuze and their disdaine for that he had crossed the Duke of Aumale in his enterprises vpon Boulougne and other places in Picardie shall soone discouer the violences of an ambâ—tious spirit who thinks that the very heauens should giue him place The Duke of Guise findes that the warre which he made against the Princesse of Sedan by Rosâ—e his Lieutenant did but blemish his newe trophees She had alreadie chaâ—ed him from Douzy shee had by the Lord of Nueil slaine seauen score of the most resolute of his troupes almost as many hurt and drowned in flying The Duke of Guise 〈◊〉 the warre of Sedan and two hundred led prisoners to Sedan The consideration of an innocent pupill makes this warre execrable and makes them odious that attempt to take from an other without any iust cause The Parisiens faint if he come not to confirme them They call him and he leauing Sedan and Iamets thinkes it is nowe high time that the King either yeeld or breake and that nowe they must shewe the effect of the Conclusion of Nancy He comes to Soissons The King is very iealous of this approche and knowing the Parisiens humor and deuotion to the Duke he sends him worde by the Lord of Belieure a man of great and sound iudgement who for his great imployments both within and without the realme was then one of the chiefe of the Kings Councell and now the most worthy Chancellor of France that he should do him a pleasure not to come to Paris in a time so full of troubles and factions If hee come against his will hee will lay vpon him the cause of all the miseries which his presence shall breede He comes 〈◊〉 Paris But to loose all there is but one hazard Pompee thinks that striking the ground with his foote hee shall raise vp a hundred Legions He comes to Paris at noone the ninth of May followed onely with eight gentlemen not to amaze the King Hee lights at the Qâ—â—ene mothers lodging and goes with her to do his dutie vnto the King The people follow him by troupes with great ioye euery one blesseth his comming euery one makes new wishes The Parisiens had long forgotten that ancient and cheerefâ—ll salutation of God saue the King When they see him passe they change it into God saue the Guise God saue the piller of the Church A doting gentlewoman sitting vpon a stal pulls downe her mas ke Good Prince saieth she seeing thou art here wee are all sâ—ued Hee makes his reuerence vnto the King but not so assured as hee was accustomed the laâ—es open the causes of his comming and iustifies his actions as well as hee could Then seeing the King readie to dine he retiâ—es to his lodging not one Courtie accompanied him At diner he growes more resolute They meete both after diner at the Queene motâ—â—â—â—â—â—dging The King full of iealousie feare The Duke with a braue and resolute countenance The people attend the issue of this conference The next day the Arch-Biâ—hoâ—pe of Lion the chiefe piller of the League arriues the Dukes friends and serâ—â—â—ts enter the sixteene bring and carrie away sundrie intelligences To conclude all 〈◊〉 preâ—â—re to execute that whereof they fayled the last yeare 〈◊〉 error of state for destroying the principall the accessary perisheth of 〈…〉 The King had sufficient forces to suppresse these fiâ—st insolencies An error iâ— state He had the 〈…〉 of his enemies most of theÌ„ were danted with feare with these long 〈…〉 one to an other others did hide themselues some dreamed of nothing but of flight The multitude is apte for tumults A cheerfull and reâ—olute countenance of the King might easily haue dispersed this tempest But in steede of confirming him they make him more irresolute they talke of nothing to him but of the Dukes practises with the Parisiens and that by his long delay hee will bee preuented He meanes to anticipate the houre and thinks it sufficient to terrefie them for the effecting whereof hee commands the Marshall of Biron to drawe his gards of Suisses and French out off the Suburbes into the Cittie Barricades at Paris and lodgeth them in diuers quarters to feare the people if they stirre Le Gast with his companie held the little bridge neere to our Ladies Church Grillon Saint Michels bridge the Marshall d' Aumount mans our Ladies bridge with harguebusiers the Suisses are diuided into diuers places before the Towne house in the new market place at S. Innocents Church But eyther through want of iudgement or for want of men they had forgotten the place Maubert The people growe amazed the chiefe of the League terrefie them with the apprehension of a spoile they shut vp their shoppes Their trafficke tooles pens and paper are conuerted in halbards pertâ—isans harguebusses swords The schollers come froÌ„ the vniuersity and ioyning with some multitudes of the people they seize vpon place Maubert the neighbors arme all the Cittie is in combustion some crie out for Barricades there is nothing but stopping of the waies they flanke them and man them they make them from thirty paces to thirtie euen to the fentinells of the Louure they drawe the chaines no man passeth without the word or a passe-poâ—t from the Colonels or quarter masters The Earle of Brissac Bois-Daulphin Chamois and other heads of the League charge the Suisses and kill some the rest beeing terrified with this vnexpected furie of the people without Commanders without conduct and without assurance of the Kings intention choose rather to yeeld their pikes then to charge them in this violent occasion Without doubt a more manly courage and constant resolution had forced the Parisiens to fortifie themselues in the bottome of their cellars Citties begin a mutiny boldly but they execute it faintly if they see any resistance vsing still more words then deeds The consideration of wife children and shoppe do easily quaile their first heate Saint Paul a simple gentleman but a chiefe man in this party causeth the Kings gards to retire with their hatts in their hands and their armes downe They crie out generally against the Tirant against the Hueguenot against the Politikes It fares with them in a manner as it did in former times with the English and Bourguignons The Queene mother had alwaies made her profit of the variety of factions she is nowe deceiued the Duke of Guise will not imploy her in that hee hath desseined shee
in the Kings heart and to preuent all contrarie euents they thinke it not yet time to satisfie the oath which they had made to renounce all intelligences Leagues which they had made both within and without the realme They take newe Councells and resolutions at Paris Newe resolutions of the League to maintine this authority and credit gotten with so many crosses and disgraces vnto the King and so to presse him and to subiect his will vnto theirs as he shall not see speake nor mooue but by the eyes tongue and sinews of the League to haue the Deputies of the Parliament house of their faction with instructions drawne out of the articles of Peronne Nancy Nemours and Ginuille To vrge the King against the Huguenots and to sollicit him to ease the people by the discharge of taxes thereby to make him odious if he refuseth these first fruits of their vnion To make them strong at the Parliament and to that ende to send for all the Nobility of their owne faction and their adherents to assist with their armes To hold good correspondencie with the Duke of Parma and to aduertise the King of Spaine that this accord made with the King tended onely to effect their common desseins To retaine Pfiffer Colonell of the Suisses and Balâ—gny gouernour of Cambray with the priuate conuentions passed betwixt them To preuent least the Duke of Neuâ—rs whome the King resolued to send into Picardie to suppresse the violences of the League should winne away their most trusty friends To binde the Cittie of Paris vnto the Lord of Villars gouernour of Newe-hauen for the summe of thirtie thousand Crownes yearely to haue him fauorable to their partie These newe Councells bred newe teares The King cannot conteine from subscribing of these newe articles but his misfortune forceth him to hazard his Estate to preserue his person Hee knowes well that these are but imaginations that his Edict of reunion wil be obserued by none but by himselfe or so farre as it toucheth the subuersion of his Crowne And yet too much bountie or too great an apprehension makes him scrupulous to preuent it The Protestants offer to trie this greate quarrell at their owne perilles so as hee will remaine a neuter and suffer them to oppose against the mutinies of the League Hee reiects this aduice For there is lesse danger sayeth he to remayne with those which persisâ— in the vnitie of our religion then with them which are diuided and beecome heads of newe opinions So whether it were of a good meaning or of purpose hee returnes to Chartres He sees imbraceth and maketh much of the Duke of Guise and there all his fauours and bounties are liberally bestowed on the chiefe pillers of the League Hee giues the Duke of Guise the generall commaunde ouer all the mâ—n at armes of the Realme This was not the name and title but in effect the office and charge of Constable He makes the Cardinall of Goise Legate of Auignon the which hee promiseth to obtaine for him of his holinesse To the Duke of Mayenne a goodly army for the warre of Daulphine To the Duke of Nemours the gouernment of Lions as his father had enioyed it and hee determined to giue the seale to Peter of Espinac Arch-bishoppe of Lion to winne him vnto him by this great bounty promising to procure him a Cardinalls hat of Pope Sixtus by the meanes of the Cardinal of Gondy whoÌ„ he had sent to Rome Without doubt he had receiued more honor by being Chancellor of France then in being Chancellor of the vnion The Chancellor Hurault Earle of Chyuerny and the Lord of Belieure and Villeroye had then leaue to attend the Kings pleasure at their houses He declares the Cardinall of Bourbon the first Prince of the bloud deciding by a doubtfull speech that great question of prerogatiue betwixt the Vncle and the Nephew whereon there hath beene so much written and so much disputed peruerting the ancient order of succession and making the Cardinall to serue the passions of the League They present vnto the King being but sixe and thirty yeares of age a successor who had euen then passed the Climacterical yeare of threescore and three Was it not the Leagues meaning vnder the Cardinall of Bourbons image to raise vp a stranger and violently to aduance his tirany to vsurpe the royaltie To conclude the King continues renues and amplifies his fauours to all such as haue any credit with the League he doth nothing without them hee opens the very secrets of his heart vnto them and for their sakes causeth euery one of their partisans to tast some portion of his bounty and makes shewe to beleeue whatsoeuer they say vnto him His Councell blind his eyes so as hee cannot discerne what is the dutie of a good King they disguise the truth from him and studie onely to satisfie their ambition and couetousnesse The Kings Councellors dismissed the Court. So as to please them euen in this he himselfe pulls out those eyes whereby he did see most cleere giues them leaue to retire to their houses there to shrowd them selues from these confusions of state The Duke of Espernon was out of Court but hee had authority from the King to command in the Prouinces of Aniou Troubles against the Duke of Espernay in Angoulâ—sme Touraine Poictou Angoulmois and Xaintonge Being at Loches hee is aduertised that the League practised with some inhabitants to deliuer them Angoulesme Hee posts thether and the people receiue him with great honour as the Kings Lieutenant He publisheth the Edict of reunion his words and deeds testifie nothing but a courage resolued to preserue the Catholike religion But behold sodenly a strange Catastrophe Some Leaguers had perswaded the people that he ment to drawe the Huguenots troupes into the Castell and so subdue the Towne The Maior beeing the head of the conspiracie enters into the Castell on Saint Laurence day vnder colour to present vnto the Duke certaine postes that were come from Court he mounts vp to his Chamber at his entry he dischargeth two pistolls and seekes to force the house The Duke was then in his Cabinet attending the houre of masse wheâ—e hee red the history of Pierce Gaueston in old time deerely fauored by Edward the second King of England prefered before all others in Court inriched with the Kings treasure and the peoples wealth but after banished the reaâ—me and in the end beheaded at the sute of the Parliament This slanderous libell beeing printed at Paris not so much against the Dukes honour as the Kings compared the Duke with Gaueston and concluded that vnder Henry the third hee should ende his daies by the like tragedie Vpon the first tumult the Dukes gentlemen flie to armes and repulse this armed multitude the Maior beeing hurt with the shot of a pistoll through a doore died within seauen houres after The alarume â—lâ—es into the towne The people arme storme and make barricadoes But
this common hatred which was ready to fall vpon him hee beseecheth hâ—s Maiestie onely to assure his people and make them to taste the frutes of contentâ—ment which he had promised in the othe of the holy vnion that hee would quench tâ—e fiâ—e which the Huguenotâ— did nourish in this realme and giue him this commission agaiâ—st the Stranger he will be the first that shall passe the Alpes to make the Sauoyâ—â—â— cast vp his gorge But could they hope for any remedy from him who by his continuall practises wiâ—h strangers had giuen life and motion to the mischiefe So the King considering that neyther his Edict of revnion nor the othe to depart from all asâ—ociations â—roduced the effects were promised and that the League consenting to the pernitious desseignes of the Stranger had made the way for the breach of the sayd vnion hee thinkes himselfe no more bound to the othe of this vnion and euen then 〈◊〉 to bee reuenged of all the offences past In the meane time he dissembles his discontent As these newes troubled the assemblie at Blois Assembly and petition of the Protestants the King of Nauarre seeing the practises of the League had excluded him whereas hee should hold the first place 〈◊〉 another in the Towne house at Rochelle and by their aduise hee sent in the 〈◊〉 of the French exiled for religion a common petition to the Estates beseeching the King To restore them the liberty of the first Edict which they call of Ianuarâ—e To appoint a Nationall Councell where controuersies of religion may be mildâ—â—e dâ—sputed and holily resolued To grant them restitution and free enioying of their goods To suffer their petition to bee inrowled and the contents thereof granted by his clemencie to the end that nothing may bee done to their preiudice Nothing lesse This petition was directly against the principall intentions of the Estates affected to aduance the League And therefore not satiâ—fied with tâ—e 〈◊〉 which the King had made vnto them by the Edict of Vnion they wâ—est from tâ—e 〈◊〉 owne mouth a more particular declaration touching the perpetuall insufficiâ—nâ—â—◠〈◊〉 the King of Nauarre and other Princes of the bloud his Cousins adherents say 〈◊〉 and fautors of heâ—etiks to the succession of this Crowne The conclusion of this Parliament should haue beene for the good quiet of the CoÌ„mon-weale And doubtlesse some smal number whose wills were not tied to the passions of the Leaguers wished that remedy which had bin practised in former times against most pernitious heresies which was a free and lawfull Councell vniuerâ—alâ— oâ— nationall but the greater part ouer-ruled both the King and the Estates The League to ruine the state will oueâ—throwe the pillers which be the Princes of the bloud· and if the branches of Valois and Bourbon that is to say if all the race of Saint Lewis be not degrâ—ded they cannot passe ouer the Crowne to the family of Lorraine The K â—g by his Edict promiseth to dispose of the succession but he and the Qâ—eene his wiâ—e are yet in the vigor of their age they hope that God will blesse them with heires masâ—es Hee takes no pleasure they should harpe vpon this string it is a blemish to his authority and disrobes him before he is readie to sleepe when as a Prince hath named his â—uccessor his testament is made Yet he is content to satiâ—fie the violent appetits of the League He suâ—fers them to dispute of the succession and in the assemblie of all his subiects to exclâ—de the â—awefull succesâ—or hee is content they should propund that which most part of the deputies had alreadie resolued The Clergie had the 4. of Nouember condemned the Kâ—ng of Nauarre for an heretike the chiefe of them relapse excomunicate depâ—iâ—ed of the gouernment of Guienne and of all his dignities vnworthy of all successions Crownes and realmes The Arch-bishop of Ambrum the Bishop of Bazas the Abbot of Citeaux and other Clergie men impart it to the deputies of the Nobility and third Estate all consent to the first conclusion and appoint twelue of euery chamber to acquaint the King with their resolutions But the King of Nauarre had often giuen them to vnderstand that he was borne during the permission of both religions instructed and bred vp in one from the which he cannoâ—â—n conscience depart without better instruction neither hope nor dispaire of a Crowne can drawe hâ—m to so violent and rash a change he should thereby incurre the blame of inconstancie infidelity and hipocrisie He is and alwaies will be readâ—e to receiue instruction from a free and lawfull Councell These submâ—ssions are full of Iustâ—ce and consideration he defends nothing obstinatâ—ly it is the honour and zeale of his conscience that binds him There is no reason then saied the King to condemne him wâ—thout hearing Let vs consider with iudgemeÌ„t foresight whether it be expedient to summon him againe to sweare the Edict of vnion and to declare himseâ—fe a Catholike The Parliament is not of this aduice The Cardinall of Bourbon his Vncle say the deputies hath once obtayned absolution for him the Queene Mother hath labored to winne him The King hath sent Doctors to reclaime him he is bred vp from his Cradle in this â—ewe opinion condemned by the Councell of Trent and maâ—y others The Consistory hath receiued him into grace he is fallen into the error which he had abâ—â—red he is therefore an â—eretike hee is relapse and vnworthie of obedience vnworthie of respect and vnwoâ—thy to be praied for The holy sea of Rome hath declared him a Schismatike excommunicate incapable of the succession of the Crowne the Estates theâ—efore must ratâ—fie this sentence To conclude an Heretike cannot raigne in France it is an incompatible thing with the Coronation and oath which he ought to take hurtfull to the honour of God and preiudiciall to the good of this Realme Soft and faire nature and the Common consent of nations will that the accused should bee heard God himselfe who hath no neede to bee satisfied by humane witnesses and is not bound to any iurisdiction would not condemne our 〈…〉 before he called him into iudgement examined him checked him and 〈◊〉 his excuses Heare then the King of Nauarre he may say vnto you that the Pope by 〈◊〉 hath noted him of hersie hee knoweth not yet any other trueth then 〈◊〉 â—herein the Qâ—eene of Nauarre his mother hath bred him If he hath at any time yeelded vnto the force and violence of the time hee had not then his will free and as soone as oportunity gaue him meanes to reâ—â—râ— from Court into his Countiye o◠〈◊〉 he framed his beliefe to the modell of that which had beene prescribed him bâ—t protesting alwayes to the Estates and Parlements of France that he hath no greater dâ—sire in his soule then to see the seruice of Gâ—d vnited vnder one religion by the 〈◊〉 of a free and lawfull assemblie of the vniuersall Church or a
fauour may for a time fill your sayles and carrye your desseignes violentlye to Sea but they are inconstant light and disloyall And if they haue shaken off the yoake of dutifull obedience and loue to their King what shall they doe to a Prince to whome they shall not bee bound but as to the Protector of their mutinie They spake truly for after the tryall of all sorts of gouernments France must in the end returne to a royaltie and the Duke by a commendable resolution might haue vnited the mindes which his brother had diuided But when as others represent vnto him the aduantage hee should haue to succeed in the fauour credit and authoritie of his brother and by consequence his owne hopes he reiects the integriâ—â—e of the first councell coniures all the friends of his house to reuenge parts from Lion on Christmas day in his passage hee assures himselfe of Mascon Chaalon and â—ijon The Court of Parliament there refused to consent to this rebellion and therefore the châ—efe were driuen away and some imprisoned others apprehending the losse of their commodities Letters from the King to the Duâ—e of Mayâ—nnâ—â— did easily submit their neckes to the yoake of a new Democratiâ— At Dijon hee receiued Letters from the King promising to surcease the punishment of forepassed faults with the death of his bretheren whom sayd he I haue caused to dye to saue my life from the danger whereof you did aduertise me The Duâ—e attributing the Kings clemency to some weake abiect affection proceeding froÌ„â—eare either to haue him his enemy or to loose his friendship grows obstinate in â—is resolution reiects the Kings officers giues coÌ„mission to Rosne S. Paul and others to coÌ„mand in Champagne Brie and to seize vpon the best places he comes to Troyes where the Towne long before corrupted by the infected humâ—rs of the 〈…〉 receiued him with as great honor as they could haue done tâ—eir King 1588 and in 〈◊〉 where he passed they were easily drawne into rebellion euery Towne 〈◊〉 themselues after the modell of Paris and Orleans Three thousand men sent from Paris to succour the Chenalier d' Aumale 〈◊〉 in Orleans by the Marshal of Aumont with the â—obilitie of the Court 〈…〉 of foot and horse and the Kings gards had beene defeated neere vnto Estâ—mâ—â—s by Fargis and Montigni but the Marshall vnderstanding of the Duke of Mayennes â—â—proch rayseth the seege and retyres to â—oisgency In the meane time the King â—â—mselfe in person did vew and examine the conclusions of the Estates but this 〈◊〉 enterprise of the Dukes made him to leaue the worke imperfect to prouide 〈◊〉 the safetie of his person and for a conclusion the fiâ—teenth and sixteenth of Ianuary â—ee heard the Deputies greefes and complaints vppon the disoâ—ders which 〈◊〉 France The Estates diâ—â—olued The Archbishop of Bourgâ—â— speech The Arch-Bâ—shop of Bourges President for the Clergie after the Cardinals death imputed the cause of our miseries to contempt of religion which breaking the bâ—â—ds that tie vs vnto God had in like sort diuided the hearts and willes of families and Comonalties Hee greatly commended the Kings zeale to religion insisted long vppon the abuses of the Church which the corruption of the time had bred the vnâ—ortâ—y promotion of Prelats the nomination to Abbaies and other spirituall dignities of all sorts of persons souldiars ignorant men suborned men gardiens simoniaks â—omen children touching the alienation of the Clergie lands pluralitie of benefiâ—eâ— vâ—urpation of the reuenues of hospitalls deprauation of that goodly ancient order whereby none might come vnto Commanderies of the oâ—der of the Knights of Saint Iohn of Ierusalem vnlesse hee were a gentleman of three descents disorders of vniuersiâ—ies and monasteries in former times the nurceâ—ies of holy fathers Then hee tuâ—ned his discourse to the disorders noted in the Nobilitie of France who were in former ages the terrour of all nations and from whome neighbour nations confesse to â—â—ue leâ—rned the exercise and profession of cheualrie vpon the excesse of men of wa◠〈◊〉 the â—astâ—ng of the treasor other disorders which spring from these first headâ—â—â—â—ally hee beseecheth the King to make a good refoâ—mation whereby his people 〈◊〉 multiplie Iâ—stice should daily flourish and peace should bee setled iâ— the â—â—â—lme Câ—arlâ—s of Cosse Earle of Brissâ—c chief Pantler chief Fawconer of France newly restoâ—â—◠〈◊〉 fauour PresideÌ„t for the Nobility The Eâ—â—le of 〈◊〉 shewes that they be not the hands of â—ortune â—hich â—â—uiâ—oned his Maâ—esties forehead with this double diademe It is God who hath 〈◊〉 him our King who had before chosen him King of a more remate 〈◊〉 for the pietie faith clemencie and magnanimitie wherewith hee hath beeâ—e endued from his tender age That heresie schisme and discord which are crept into the peoples hearts haue not taken their beginning vnder his raigne whom God hath râ—â—sed 〈◊〉 amidest the furies and afflictions of France to bee reuenged by him and aduâ—â—ced aboue all the nations of Christendome who draw their firmestsupport from the stabiâ—â—tâ—e of his Crowne That â—he wished victories in France ouer heresie shall be vnto the King but a continuance of the route and defeate of that fearefull armie of Râ—isâ—res Lansquenets Suisses and French Huguenots which like so many trompets proâ—laime to all places the honours prayses and victories of his Maiestie That now those vowes fastings teares and toyles of the ancient French are heard who seemed to demaund â—engance against the fire furie and rage of those who after so many religious ages haue violated the sepulchres of their fathers and ours and would take from amongst â—s that onely religion which the holy fathers haue planted in old time throughout the world Then hauing represented the zeale and affection of the Nobilitie to assist the King to restore religion and the State to their former beautie following the example and the hereditarie vertue of their Ancestors who had chased and vanquished the Gothes Vandales Arriens Albigeois Lombards Sarrazins Turkes and Pagans 1589. and continuing the defence of the faith and the victories of the Kings of France haue leâ—t no other limits to the reputation of their valour then those which the Sunne takes in making of his course about the earth He beseecheth his Maiesty to fauour the auncient priuileges of the Nobility to recompence in them the seruices of their Pâ—edecesâ—ors to confirme the military discipline of Kings his forerunners not to suffer any by â—auour or purchase to chalenge the title of Gentlemen to mainteyne the priuileges of the Knights of S. Iohn of Ierusalem to cut off the superfluities in Iustice to moderate the subsidies order the treasure establish the Magistrate plant discipline among souldiars reâ—orme the Church and to punish the enemies thereof Finally he wished a thousand happines to the King and peace to his people But this braue and commendable humour shal not hold him long but he shal returne to his
but la Noue whome the King had especially commaunded to assist the Duke of Longuâ—uille with Councell in matters of warre did so wisely make choise of the houre and oportunitie to charge as the Duke of Aumale Balagni Gouernour of Cambray Of the Duke of Aumale and Balagni at Senliâ— and the rest puting in practise the vse of their long spurre rowels lately inuented as a mournfull prediction to the League saued their persons by the swiftnes of their horses and left the field died with the bloud of fifteene hundred slaine vppon the place in the â—light and poursuit verifying the saying He that flies betimes may fight againe Chamois Menneuille and diuers others could not runne fast inough The artillerie baggage and many prisoners remained at the victors discretion who by the Kings commaundement went to receiue the army of strangers which were come to the fronters The Kings meaning was to subdue Paris The greatest of the Hidraes heads being cut off did weaken the whole bodie and gaue hope to his Maiestie by that meanes to find what hee had lost the loue and obedience of his subiects To this end hee sends the Duke of Espernon to take from the Parisâ—ens the commodities aboue the riuer and assembles his forces to compasse them in beneath Thus the warre growes hot The Nobilitie goes to horse on all sides to reuenge the wrong done vnto the King but the more his troups increased the more bitter his subiects grew against him No prosperitie is so gâ—eat but it hath some crosses As the King attends the forces which the Prince of Dômbes now Duke of Montpensier brings him from Tours Losses for the King newes comes that the Earle of Soissons whome he had sent to commaund in Brittanie had beene defeated at Chasteaugiron three Leagues from Rennes and led prisoner with the Earle of Auaugour and many other Lords to Nantes That the Duke of Mayenne had taken Alenson That the Lord of Albigni a yonger brother to the house of Gordes and a partisan of the League had chased the Colonnel Alphonso out of Grenoble and seized on the Towne The taking of these Earles caused the King to send the Prince Dombes thither who more happily reduced many places to his Maiesties obedience The happie successe of the Kings affaires made men to iudge Towneâ— taken that the League would soone bee ruined the Kings armie increasing hourely Three hundred horse of la Chastre who presently after the Tragedie of Blois had made shew to iustifie himselfe vnto the King for the strict familiaritie hee had with the Duke of Guise were defeated by the Duke of Montâ—ason and the Marquis of Nesâ—e his Lieutenant and fiftie of his companie slaine the taking of Iargeau Pluuiers Ianuille and Estampes terrified the Parisiens They call backe the Duke of Mayenne and he finding the Duke of Longueuille farre off goes into Brie assures some places and takes Montreau-faut-yonne by composition from the Duke of Espernon but the Kings approch carried him sodenly to Paris where suffering his troupes to liue at discretion in the suburbs hee caused an ill impression to grow in some which could not well digest this confusion in the State An armie of about twentie thousand men gathered to gither by the Duke of Longueuille ioyning with the Suisses Lansquenets of Sansy Pontoise returned to the Kings obedience soone after the Kings arriuall all the Kings forces ioyned in one bodie being about fortie thousand men lodged about Paris and the taking of Saint Cloud made the Parisâ—â—ns readie to yeeld when as a deuilish monke an excrement of hell a Iacobin by profession Iames Clement of the age of two or three and twentie yeares Paris beseeged vowes said hee to kill the Tirant and to deliuer the holy Cittie beseeged by Sennacherib Thus resolued hee imparts his damnable proiect to Doctor Bourgoing Prior of his Couent to father Commolet and other Iesuits and to the heads of the League to the chiefe of the sixteene and to the fortie of Paris All encorrage him to this 〈◊〉 desseine they promise him Abbaies and Bishoprikes and if he chance to be made a Martir no lesse then a place in heauen aboue the Apostles They caused the Pâ—eachers to perswade the people to patience seauen or eight dayes for before the â—nde of the weeke they should see a notable accident which should set all the people at liberty The Preachers of Orleans Rouan and Amiens clatter out the like at the same time and in the same termes The first of August the Monke goes out of Paris and marcheth toward Saint Cloud vpon his departure they take aboue two hundred of the chiefe Cittizens and others prysoners whome they knewe to haue goods friends and credit with the Kings partie as a precaution to redeeme that cursed murtherer in case he were taken before or after the deed Being arriued at Gondyes house where the King lodged he goes to la Guesle the Kings Proctor generall in his Court of Parliament at Paris and saies that he had brought some matter of importance which might not be imparted to other but to his Maiesty and had letters of credit from the first President The King who for the reuerence he bare vnto Church men gaue free accesse vnto such as vnder the habit of religion made shew to bee deuoted vnto the seruice of God commands hee should bee brought into his Chamber willing the Lord of Bellegarde and the saied Proctor generall to retire who were then alone nere the King hoping both by the quality of the person whome he did counterfeit whose long imprisonment in the Bastille had giuen sufficient testimony of his faith and integrity to his Maiestie and the simple demonstration of the Wolfe disguised into a Lambe to learne some secret matter of importance and receiues this counterfet letter from him The King did no sooner begin to reade it but this wretch seeing himselfe alone growes resolute and drawing a Knife out of his sleeue made of purpose thrusts his Maiestie into the botome of the bellie and there leaues the knife in the wound The King drawes it forth and with some striuing of the Monke strikes him aboue the eye Many ranne in at this noyse and in the heate of choller killing this monster of men preuented the true discouery of this enterprise and the authors thereof worthie to be noted with a perpetuall blot of disloyaltie and treason The Physitians held the wound curable and the same day the King did write of this attempt The death of Henry the â— being murthered and of his hope of recouery to the gouernors oâ— Prouinces to forraine Princes and to his friends and confederates But fealing that the King of Kings had otherwise determined of his life hee did first comfort himselfe in foreseeing that the last houre of his crosses should be the first of his felicities then lamenting his good and faithfull seruants who suruiuing should finde no respect with those whose mindes
erected to a Duchie in the yeare 1329. Lewis Duke of Bourbon and Mary the daughter of Iohn the 18. Earle of Hainault had Peter Duke of Bourbon and Iames Earle of Ponthieu Constable of France Peter had by Isabell the daughter of Charles Earle of Valois Peter Lewis Lewis and Iames. Lewis surnamed the good Duke of Bourbon had by Anne Countesse of Auuergne Lewis Earle of Clermont who died without children Iohn Iames. Iohn Duke of Bourbon had by Bonne Duchesse of Auuergne and Countesse of Montpensur Charles Iohn and Lewis Earle of Montpensier father to Gilbert of whome issued Charles the last Duke of Bourbon Câ—â—â—les Charles Duke of Bourbon had of Agnes the daughter of Iohn Duke of Bourgongne Iohn and Peter Iohn the second of that name married Ioane of France daughter to Charles the 7. and dying without lawfull heyres of his body the name and armes of Duke went to Peter his yonger brother Peter the second of that name Peter Duke of Bourbon had of Anne of France the daughter of Lewis the eleuenth one onely daughter Susanne the generall heire of Bourbon Châ—â—les the last Duke of Bourbon who was wife to the aboue named Charles the youngest sonne of Gilbert who likewise was the youngest sonne of Lewis aboue named Earle of Montpersur and brother to Charles Duke of Bourbon But no children growing from this marriage the branch of the eldest sonne of Lewis created Duke of Bourbon ended in this Charles Duke of Bourbon and Constable of France who died at the seege of Rome and the Duchie of Bourbonoâ—s beeing incorporate to the crowne Iames the yonâ—est son of Lewâ—s duke of Bourbon Iohn we must seeke the line of Iames of Pontieu they also giue him the titles of Earle of Charolois and la Marche Constable of France the yongest sonne of Lewis the first Duke of Bourbon Iames had by Ioue the daughter of the Earle of S. Paul Iohn his successor Earle of la Marche Iohn had of Katherine the onely daughter and heire of Iohn Earle of Vendosme issued from the Dukes of Normandy and Earles of Aniou Iames King of Naples who leauing none but daughters Lewis Earle of Vendosme transported his right of inheritance to Lewis his yongest brother Lewis had no children by Iane of Roussy his first wife the daughter of Ralfe Earle of Montfort and of Anne of Montmorency but of Iane the daughter of Guy Lord of Guare and of Anne heire of Lauall and Vitry in Brittany or of Mary the daughter of Engerard Lord of Coucy and of Isabel his wife the daughter of Edward King of England according to some opinions By his second marriage he had Iohn his successor and Earle of Vendâ—sme Iohn the second of that name Iohn the second had of Iane of Beauieu or of Isabel of Beauuais Frâ—nciâ— daughter to the Lord of Pressigni Francis his successor and Earle chiefe of the Nobility le ts them vnderstand the deceassed Kings will touching 〈◊〉 by a generall or nationall Councell whereof he protests to followe the instruction I giue leaue said he to all such as would leaue me so to doe Yet I am sorry they are no better Frenchmen for their owne good and safety I haue friends enough 〈◊〉 out them to mainteine my authority God hath neuer left mee and will not nowe abandon mee He hath not begun this so miraculous a worke to leaue it vnperfect 〈◊〉 for my sake alone but for his owne names sake and for so many soules affâ—â—cted in this Realme whome I desire and promise by the faith of a King to releeue so 〈◊〉 as God shall giue mee the meanes But how grieuous is this to mee that am your lawfull King and who leaue you in the liberty of your religion to see you go about to force mee to yours by vnlawfull meanes and without former instruction This declaration reteyned them that were least scrupulous in their duties and his promise not to alter any thing in religion might haue shaken many of the League To crosse him the Duke of Mayenne publisheth an Edict of the 5. of August iâ—â—is name and the Councells of the holy vnion established at Paris attending a generall Assembly of the Estates of the Realme to vnite said he all Frenchmen that were good Christians for the defence and preseruation of the Catholike Apostolike Romish Church and the mainteynance of the royall Estaâ—e in the absence of their lawfull King Charles the 10. of that name For whose liberty he inuited them all to armes But he desired no more the liberty of his pretended King then our Henry did to force religâ—on the support whereof serues them for a goodly cloake Some Parlements growe iealous of these sodaine changes in the State and seeme to entertaine the people in doubt and feare of the subuersion of their religion Violent decrees That of Bourdeaux commaunds all men vnder their Iurisdiction by a decree of the 19. of August to obserue inuiolablie the Edict of vnion to the Catholike Apostolike and Romish Church and declarations were thereupon made That of Tholouse is more violent They decree that yeerely the first day of August they should make processions and publike prayers for the benefits they had receiued that day in the miraculous and fearefull death of Henry the third whereby Paris was deliuered and other Townes oâ— the Realme forbidding all persons to acknowledge Henry of Bourbon the pretended King of Nauarre for King declaring him incapable euer to succeede to the Crowne of France by reason said the decree of the notorious and manifest crimes conteyned at large in the bull of excommunicatioÌ„ of Pope Sxtus the 5. Without doubt the authority of the Soueraigne court is much blemished in pronouncing a decree which they must reuoake by a contrary sentence Thus the League kindled anewe the fires which the seege of Paris had somewhat quenched The King raiseth hiâ—â—eâ—ge from Paris the Kings troupes decreased hourely sicknesse diminished their numbers and the Duke of Mayennes increased The King therefore diuides his armye into three one vnder the commaund of the Duke of Longueuille into Picardy the other into Champagne vnder the Marshall d' Aumont and he is aduised to passe himselfe into Normaâ—dy with twelue hundred horse three thousand French foote and two regiments of Suisses as well to receiue succours out off England as to assure some places passages fit for his desseines but with direction to ioyne at neede In his passage he causeth the Kings body to bee conducted and left at Compiegne and reduceth to his obedience His conquests Meulan Gisors and Clermont he receiues from Captaine Roulet both the place and the hearts of the inhabitants of Pont de l' Arche foure leagues from Rouan a passage very commodious for the trafficke betwixt Rouan and Paris He visits Deepe confirmes the towne of Caen forceth Neufâ—hastel to yeeld hauing by Hallot and Guitry his Lieutenants ouercome the
charge the Kings light horse The Marâ—shall ioynes with them and makes them turne their tayles presently their groue of Reistres is so violently repulsed and driuen backe as they turne sodenly to rallie themselues behinde the other troupes An other squadron of Lanciers Wallons and Flemings seeing his Maiesties troupe separated some-what from the rest which the Reistres had charged come hotly vpon them The Baron of Biron makes it good A second charge and not able to charge them in the front takes them behinde perceth a part of them the rest breaketh away like a billowe against a rocke The Baron had two wounds one in the arme and the other in the face Nowe comes the Duke of Mayenne with his bodie of horse-men in the which were the Dukes of Nemours and Aumale hauing vpon their wings foure hundred Carabins which were Harguebuziers on horse-backe armed with murrions and plaistrons who make a furious sally fiue and twentie paces off vpon his Maiesty troupe This done the King parts like a violent lightning from the head of his squadron beeing sixe hundred horse hee chargeth two thousand of the enemies hee breakes them scatters them and is so ingaged among the thickest of them A bloâ—die charge as notwithstanding the great plume in his Caske and that in his horse head which made him apparent hee remayned a good quarter of an houre vnknowne euen to his owne people in this great forest of Lances amidest a great shower of strokes giuing a good testymony that if before he could do the office of a great King and Captaine in ordring so could hee nowe performe the dutie of a braue soldiar and resolute man at armes in fighting But aboue all of a most milde and mercifull Conqueror who in this bloudâ—e fight did sound forth that gratious speeche Saue the French and downe with the stranger Doubtlesse hee is well kept whome God keepes Some were greatly astonished and amazed others trembled and quaked hauing lost the sight of the Kings Maiesty This great bodie whose foundation was so much shaken beganne to wauer those who euen nowe presented their faces so furiously with the points of their Lances and swords 1589. do now shew their heeles cast away their armes and trust to their horses His Maiestie being freed from this presse hauing with twelue or fifteene in his company A generall ouâ—â—thâ—owe taken three Cornets and slaine the Wallons that did accompanie them and returning to his squadron a triumphing Conquerour he filled the armie with exceeding ioy and the armie the ayre with that louing crie of God saue the King The Suisses remayned yet whole but abandoned of all their horse and layed open They propound to send the French foot on the right hand who had not yet fought to breake them But the respect of the ancient alliance of that nation with this Crowne made the King to graunt them life and receiue them vnto mercie Laying downe their armes they passed to his Maiesties side and those French that were with them inioyed the like clemencie But the time his Maiestie lost in pardoning the Suisses did greatly fauour their retreat that fled gaue the Duke of Mayenne leisure to passe the riuer of Euâ—é to breake the bridge after him and to recouer Mante in safetie The Marshaâ—l of Biron stood firme without striking yet did he more terrifie the enemie then any other for seeing this troupe of rescue whole they supposed that this old souldiar hauing bin practised in so many battailes in his life time would easily breake them and make the victory absolute Hereupon the Marshal d' Aumont the Earle of Ciermont the Baron of Biron and other Commaunders returne from the chase gather togither their troupes and ioyne with the King And the King hauing receiued his forces that came out of Normandie makes a bodie leaues the Marshall of Biron with the armie to follow him sends the Earle of Auuergne before takes the Baron of Biron on his right hand and an other troupe on his left and accompanied with the Prince of Conty Duke Montpensur Earle Saint Paul Marshall d' Aumont the Lord of Tremouille and many others poursued the point of his victorie chasing beating and killing vntill that the broken bridge diuerting them a League and a halfe out off the way to passe at the foard of Anet and the horses whose logges the Reistres had cut to stoppe the way hindring the ponrsute and the approching night ended the victorie The disorder was great in the retreat of the vanquished and the slaughter great in the fury of the fight Losse of the Leaguers aboue fiue hundred horse were slaine or drowned and aboue foure hundred prisoners The Cont Egmont the yong Earle of Brunswike Chastaigneray and a great number of other Noblemen slaine Bois-Daulphin Mesdauit Cigongne who carried the white Cornet to the Duke of Mayenne Fontaine Martel Lonchamp Lodonan Falendre Hâ—nguessan the Marshals of the field Trenzâ—y Casteliere Dâ—â—imeux and many other French Germaines Spaniards Itolians and Flemings were prisoners whereof the most part being gratiously released did afterwards abuse the Kings bountie by a reuolt who neuer could practise that vnciuill maxime of State a dead man neuer makes warre There were twentie Cornets taken the white Cornet the great standard of the Generall of the Spaniards and Flemings the Cornets of the Colonnel of the Reistres threescore ensieignes of foot of diuers nations and the foure and twentie of Suisses which yeelded All the footmen which yeelded not or were not drowned were cut in peeces All their artillerie all their baggage carried away Such as fled into the woods found lesse mercie in the peasants then in the men of warre The Duke of Mayenne saued himselfe in Mante and gaue the Townesmen this flout for their comfort that the Beaâ—nois wâ—s slaine or little better The Duke of Nemours Bassompiert the Vicont of Taâ—ennes Rosne and some others tooke the way of Chartres To conclude his Maiestie poursues them almost to the gates of Mante finding the wayes notwithstanding his lets full of runners away which remayned at his discretion And if those of Mante persisting in their first resolution to keepe their gates shut had not yeelded to the Dukes earnest request both hee and all his followers had fallen into the victors hands Thus God poured out his wrath vpon this armie thus a handfull of men defeated many Leagions thus the French spoyled Perou euen in France On the Kings side were slaine Clermont of Entragnes Captaine of his Maiesties gards Tieb Schemberg Colonnell of the Reistres Lost on the Kings side fighting then vnder the white Cornet Loneaulnay of Normandie beeing three score and twelue yeares olde an honorable graue for that braue olde man Crenay Cornet to the Duke of Montpensier Fesquiers 1590 and at the most twenty Gentlemen more The Marquis of Nesle being hurt died within eâ—ghâ— daies after The Earle of Choesy the Earle of Luden d' O Monlouet Lauergne Rosny
allowe thereof This was to recouer some life after a long numâ—es and fainting and to returne to the way of obedience But the Legat of Rome a pensioner of Spaine and the cheeâ—e of the League hoping to draw the affaires to another course calling from all parts the Deputies of Townes confederate to assist at the Estates at Paris they sought all meanes to mortifie these motiues of charitie to their countrie which reuiued in the most modest And the better to aduance their desseins they publish a certaine writing in forme of a Bull commaunding and giuing authoritie to the Cardinall of Plaisance to assist and to confirme the future election of a new King This doth sufficiently discouer that which hitherto they haue concealed and kept secret couering with the pretext of religion their wicked and damnable conspiracie which opened the gate to the ouerthrowe and ruine of all order and humaine societie instituted by God especially of this most famous and flourishing monarchie whereof the fundamentall law consists cheefly in the order of the lawfull succession of our Kings The Court of Parliament being remoued from Paris to Chaalons A sentence against Clement the 8. Bull. by a decree of the eighteenth of Nouember confirming the request of the Kings Proctor generall allowed of his appeale from the grant of the said Bull and authoritie conteined therein the publication and execution thereof and whatsoeuer was therein conteined They decreed that Phillip of the title of Saint Onuphre Cardinal of Plaisance should bee cyted to plead against the sayd appeale They exhorted all men not to suffer themselues to bee infected with the poyson and witchcraft of such rebells and seâ—â—tious persons but to continue in their duties like good and naturall Frenchmen and to retâ—ine still the obedience and loue they owe vnto their King and Countrie not adhering to the practises of such as vnder the colour of religion would inuade and trouble the State and bring in the barbarous Spaniards and other vsurpers They did expresly inhibit and forbid the keeping of the sayd Bull to publish it to aide or fauour the sayd rebells or to transport themselues into any townes or places that might bee assigned for the sayd pretended election vpon paine for the Nobles to be degraded of their Nobility and they and their posterity to be declared infamous and base and for the Clergie to loose the possession of their benefices and to bee punished as all other offenders guilty of treason troublers of the publike peace traitors to their Country without hope to obtaine pardon remission or abolition And all townes not to receiue the sayd rebells and seditious to make the sayd assemblie to lodge entertayne or harbour them Moreouer they decreed that the place where that resolution had beene taken togither with the towne of the sayd assemblie should be quite razed without hope to be reedified for a perpetuall memory of their treachery and treason Commanding all persons to set vpon such as should transport themselues to the sayd towne to assist at this assembly And to the Proctor generall to informe against the Authors and procurers of such monopoles and conspracies made against the Estate This decree was but laughed at by the heads of the League and did nothing daunt their priuate hopes Euery one makes his faction apart Euery one desired to set in his masters chaire and not one would bee a seruant or Companion The Dukes of Guise Mayenne Nemours and Sauoy the Marquis of Pont sought by sundry practises to get the voices of the pretended Estares The instructions found in the cofers of the Baron of Tenissey after his defeate by Vaugrenan who commanded for the King in Saint Iohn de Laune in Bourgongne did sufficiently discouer the high proiects which certaine bad Councellors made this yong Prince to conceiue But aboue all the Duke of Mayenne The Popes â—ulls disanuled supposing that after the death of the Duke of Parma whom he feared as very opposite to his authority this occurrent would giue him meanes to recouer his credit began to play the King within Paris hoping the Estats would prefer him before the yonger or at the least the title of Lieutenant generall to the King of Spaine could not escape him in the Conquest of the realme For the first fruits of his absolute power he forceth the Presidents and Councellors remayning at Paris to receiue Rosne one of his most trusty friends with the title of Marshall of the Crowne gouernor of the Isle of France dignities fit for a Nobleman of a better house quality And to bridle the Parisiens who demaÌ„ded peace he caused on Christmas Eue going vp to the pallace the Citty being in armes the foresayd decree against the Popes Bul to be openly burnt then by a publâ—ke declaration he inuited al the Catholikes of the realme to vnite themselues to forsake the obedience which they shewed to a Prince whose prosession perseuerance made him incapable appointed the conuocation of the Estats on the 17. of Ianuary following at Paris There ioyntly to seeke without passion saâ—ed he or respect of any mans interest the remedies which they should thinke in their coÌ„science to be most profitable for the preseruation of religion and the Estate But what Estates Like vnto those of Troyes where they disinherited Charles the 7. the true and lawfull heire of the Crowne as excomunicate Estates chosen almâ—st of all the scomme of the people of the most matinous and seditious corrupted by money and all pretending some priuate profit in change and innouation A â—arliament compounded of men which eyther enioyed the benefice the office or the house of their neighbour or that had stolne his goods or detayned his reuenues or to conclude that feared by a peace to be toucht for some committed Crimes bankerouts infamous and wicked Estats where there appeeres not one Prince of the bloud no Chancellor no Marshalls of France no Presidents of Soueraine Courts none of the Kings Proctors generall in his Parliaments fewe men of reputation knowne to haue loued the peoples good and their owne honours No men of marke and account without whome they could not assemble nor hold any iust and lawfull Estates Fâ—nally a Parâ—â—â—ment where they see none but passionate strangers gaping after France geeedie of the bloud and welth thereof ambitious and reuenging women corrupt Preestes licentious and full of vaine hopes No Noblemen of worth 1593 but three or foure who alreadie had resolued to abandon that faction all the rest were beggarly louing warre and trouble during the which they eate the good mans bread not able to maintayne their owne traynes in time of peace An Italian Legat and vassall to a strange Prince who in this quality neyther can nor ought to haue any place sent to hinder the liberty of voices and to authorise such as had promised him to do wonders for the affaires of Rome and Spaine A Cardinall of Peluè a Frenchman by
from the Archduke Ernest Lieutenant generall for the King of Spaine in the Low Countries who soone after perswaded the subiects of the sayd Countries to arme and to inuade France The better to knowe Picardie and to iudge of what should be necessary against the attemptes of this newe enemy the King makes a voyage to the fronter and then returnes to Paris to celebrate the solemnity of the knights of the order of the holy Ghost and to receiue the Ambassadors of Venise Vincent Gradenico and Iohn Delphino being sent to congratulate the happy successe of his affayres and Peter Duodo to succeed Iohn Mocenigo At his arriuall hee receiues three good aduertisements That the Marshall d' Aumont had taken from the Spaniard one of the places he had fortified in Brittaine That the Spaniards thinking to enter into Montrueil hauing giuen fiftie thousand Crownes to the gouernour had beene repulsed with the losse of fiue or sixe hundred men And that the Marshall of Bouillon had ioyned with the army of Cont Maurice in despight of Cont Charles But oh monstrous attempt the onely remembrance should make our haire to stare and our hearts to tremble The 27. of December the King being booted in one of the Chambers of the Louure The Kingâ— hurt in the â—â—ce hauing aboute him his Cousins the Prince of Conty the Cont Soissons and the Earle of S Paul and a great number of the chiefe Noble men of his Court bending downe to receiue the Lords of Ragny and Montigny who kist his knee a yongman called Iohn Chastel of â—he age of eighteene or nineteene yeares the sonne of a wollen draper in Paris a Nouice of the Iesuits 5594 encouraged by their instructions thrust on by a diuelish furie creeps into the chamber with the presse surprising his Maiestie as he was stooping to take vp these gentlemen in steed of thrusting him into the bellie with a knife as he had determined he strooke him on the vper lippe and brake a tooth This wretch was taken and confessed it without torture The King vnderstanding that he was a disciple of that schoole Must the Iâ—suits then said hee be iudged by my mouth Thus God meaning by this cursed and detestable atttempt to countenance the pursute of the vniuersitie of Paris against that sect Iohn Chastel hauing declared the circumstances of his wicked intent was found guiltie of treason against God and man in the higest degree and by false and damnable instructions holding that it was lawfull to murther Kings A decree against the murtherer and that the King now raigning was not in the Church vntill he were allowed by the Pope was by a decree of the Court condemned to do penance before the great dore of our Ladies Church naked in his shirt vpon his knees holding a burning torch of two pound weight to haue his armes and legges pinched at the Greue with burning pincers and his right hand holding the knife wherewith hee sought to commit this parricide to bee cut off his bodie to bee torne in peeces by foure horses burnt to ashes and cast into the wind and all his goods forfeit to the King The said Couâ—t decreed by the same sentence That the Preests schollers and all others terming themselues of that societie as corrupters of youth troublers of publike quiet and enemies to the Kings state should depart within three dayes after the publication of this decree out of Paris and other places where they had colledges and within fifteene out of the Realme vppon paine after the said time to bee punished as guiltie of high treason all their mouable and immouable goods to bee forfaited to bee imployed in godly vses forbidding all the Kings subiects to send any Schollers to the Colledge of the said societie without the Realme there to be instructed or taught vnder like paines as before The Decree was executed the nine and twentith of the said moneth Peter Chastel the father and Iohn Gueret schoolemaster to this murtherer were banished the first for a certaine time out off Paris and fined at two thousand Crownes the last for euer out off the Realme vppon paine of death The fathers house standing before the pallace razed and a piller erected conteyning for a perpetuall monument the causes of that ruine Amongst the writings of one named Iohn Guignard of Chartres were found certaine outragious and scandalous libells against his Maiestie made since the generall pardon granted by him at the reduction of Paris for the which hee was executed the seuenth of Ianuary following Experience hath often taught Warre proclaymed against the Spaniard that armes produce greater effects abroad in the enemies Countrie then at home and that the goodliest triumphe is sought farthest off Our vnciuill confusions were forged cheefly in Spaine and the Iesuits had beene the cheeâ—est workemen One Francis Iacob a scholler of the Iesuits of Bourges had lately vanted to kill the King but that hee held him for dead and that an other had done the deed And this horrible attempt of late vppon the sacred face of his Maiestie wherein hee was miraculously preserued doth witnes that they were the cheefe firebrands So the King grounding the necessitie of his armes vppon these considerations after hee had rooted out this sect of Schooles which they held within the Iurisdiction of the Parliament of Paris hee published a declaration for the making of warre against the King of Spaine Without doubt the reasoâ—s were verie apparent and manifest and the beginning more fauourable then the end The Marshall of Bouillon begins this new warre he enters the Duchie of Luxemâ—ourg with an armie of a thousand horse and foure thousand foote and at the first putâ—â—o rout eleuen Cornets of horse of Cont Charles neere to Wirton kills two hundred and fiftie vppon the place makes the rest to leaue armes horse and baggage and to saue themâ—â—lues in the next forrest 1595. Philip likewise for his part proâ—â—â—iâ—es 〈◊〉 against our Henry The Duke of Lorraine on the other side hauing taken a truce 〈◊〉 his Maiestie Some Lorrains serue the King the Baron of Aussonuille with the Seignieurs of Tremblecourt and 〈◊〉 George who before made warre vnder him now take the white scarfe they enter the County of Bourgongne with a thousand horse and fiâ—e thousand foote and at the first they seize vpon Vezou de Ionuille and other places Behold the fire which threatens two Prouinces but the Spaniard suffers them not to be consumed as men presumed that being busie to quench it he would leaue Picardie in quiet Hee commands the Archduke Erneste that with the hazard of the Lowe Countries he should transport all his forces into Picardie and moreouer causeth the Constable of Castille gouernour of Milan to passe the Alpes with a great armie of Spaniards and Neapolitanes who recouered the places and forced the Lorraines to disperse themselues The Artesiens and Hannuyers foreseeing the desolation which the continuance of this warre would
whereof he had alwayes desired the preseruation and feared the dismembring the danger into the which Brittanie was brought when as the King encountred the Spanish violences vpon the fronter of Picardie the intelligences of the greatest of the Prouince with the enemie the meanes they had to make diuers enterprises and to draw in forces to the great preiudice of the Crowne and State had caused him to continue so long in armâ—â— after his Maiesties reconciliation with the Pope and therefore hee beseecheth him most humbly to take knowledge of his good will and to countenance and vse him aâ— his most faithfull seruant and subiect His Maiesty had alwayes wished that God would giue him the grace to ende the troubles of his realme rather by a voluntary obedience of all his subiects then by force and necessity of armes that the last come might tast the same fruites which his bounty shewed to those that had formerly returned to their obedience So the sayde Duke of Mercoeur the Clergie officers Gentlemen and other persons of all qualities and conditions making their due submission and taking the oath of fealty were restored to their goods offices benefices charges dignities immunities and priuileges So our King aboue all the Princes of the earth got this commendation to haue exceeded in wisedome valour and clemency The whole Prouince not by a politike necessitie which disposeth people to the obedience of their Soueraigne Princes but as it were appoynted by God to commaund ouer them acknowledged our Henry for their Soueraigne King protested to liue and dye in the obedience which loyall and faithfull subiects owe vnto their supreme Lord. And by this milde reunion of the members with their head of the parts with the whole forgetting the bitternesse of the forepassed warre he dispersed the confusions and disorders which threatned to bury him vnder the common ruines of these vnciuill troubles So in the ende after so many labours which Hercules could hardly haue surmounted so many toyles vnder which Atlas would haue shrunke the ciuill war dispatched the mindes of the French vnited their affections mutually conioyned by a strict bond of loue vnder the obedience of their King an d all the forces of the cheefe Kingdome of Christendome were ready to fall vpon the common enemy of his Estate But you haue fought inough the bloud of your subiects oh Princes hath beene too outragiously spilt in your Champion fields the furies of your armes haue wonderfully amazed your subiects Shewe your selues hereafter to bee pastors and fathers of nations which reuerence the beauty of your Diadems Let the seas riuers and mountaines which be as a barre betwixt the territories of your Dominions limit hereafter the greatnesse of your desires Heauen the Iudge of controuersies doth pronounce that sweet and sacred name of Peace A name which cannot displease any but such as take delight in bloud spoyle and fire and hauing nothing of a man but the name breathing out nothing but impiety licentiousnes iniustice So after a long treaty betwixt the Deputies of both Kings in the ende a peace was concluded at Veruins as you may read in the following discourse A CONTINVATION OF THE GEnerall History of France from the beginning of the Treaty of Veruins in the yeare 1598 vnto these times With a relation of the most memorable accidents that haue happened in Europe Collected out of Peeter Mathew and other Authors that haue written of this subiect THe Ciuill Warres of France being ended all the Kings rebellious subiects 1598. and the reuolted Prouinces reduced to his obedience God disposed the hearts of the Kings of France and Spaine to a generall peace for the good of their subiects who had beene long oppressed with the spoyles and miseries of bloudy Warre The wisdom iustice and piâ—ty of Pope Clement the 8. Three Popes in 17 moneths Sâ—â—tus the 28. of August 1590. Vâ—han the 7. 27. of Septem Innoceâ—t the 9. the 9 of December Clement the 8. chosen the 30 of Ianu. 159â— The Pope exhorts the two Kings to Peace God stirred vp Pope Clement the 8. who powred Balme into the woundes of France not like vnto his Predecessors who reioyced at her affllictions and sought to make them incurable applying no other remedies but fire and sword He like an other Hercules sought to calme the stormes which troubled both Land and Sea he shewed himselfe a common father of Christians a Mediator of Peace and Vnion at such a time as necessity and the estate of their affayres made them to desire rest To this end he lets Henry the 4. King of France of Nauarre vnderstand by Alexander of Medicis Cardinall of Florence then his Legate in France and doth aduertise Philip the 2. King of Spâ—â—ne by his Nuncio that it was now time to lay aside all passions of hatred and reuenge to resume peaceful spirits and to ioyne together against the common enemy of Câ—ristendome who only made his profit of their ruines That their subiects had bin sufficiently drunck with the Bloud Gall and Vinegar of Discord and that it was requisite to refreshe them now with the sweete Wine of Peace These two Princes were too high minded to demaund a Peace one of an other There must be a third person to vnite these two extreames But there must be some one to make this entrance and to be as it were an Interpreter of their intentions To this end the Pope makes choise of F. Bonauentur Calatagirone Generall of the Order of the Franciscans or Grey Fryars to acquaint these two Kings with his holy charitable perswasions vnto Peace Religious men had bin actors in this War they are now held necessary for the Peace Religious men should be Angels of Peace Spirits separated from the troubles and confusions of the world are most fit for such negotiations being lesse transported with violent passions The King of Spaine did not attend to haue the Pope exhort him vnto peace He had begun his reigne by War against the French he would now end it by a Peace with theÌ„ He proclaimed Warre against Francâ— in the yeare 1557. He was now 70 yeares old being desirous to discharge himselfe of the heauy burthen of so many Kingdomes and to leaue them quiet to his sonne To this ende he must marry his Daughter Donna Isabella who remayning in Spaine without a husband might contend for the succession of the Crowne with Don Philip her brother Hee could not giue her lesse for her dowry then the Kingdome of Portugall or the Lowe Countries with the County of Bourgundy By the one he did weaken diuide his Estates by the other he gaue his daughter meanes to contend for her portioÌ„ in Spaine For it was impossible to raigne long in Prouinces diuided by irreconciliable Warre hauing two 〈◊〉 neighbours for enemies And therefore to assure Spaine he must marry the 〈◊〉 Reasons that moued the King of Spain to a Peace and to confirme that
drawe him to this resolution The King of 〈…〉 of a Pâ—aâ—e yet such as had counselled him to proclaime VVarre against him whâ—n as his affaires were most desperate euen when as foure or fiue Dukes his subiects were in armes against him would not aduise him now to make a Peace when as all France was reduced vnder his obedience He therefore commands the Archduke to proceede warily and wisely and not to do anything that might be dishonorable in seeking of a Peace The Archduke knowing that the Kings inclination to a Peace proceeding from his owne proper motion and from the best aduice of his seruants who held a long Warre to be as ruinous for France as a long Peace is hurtfull to a warlike nation continued his first motion sending backe Sancerre vnto the King who was then at Roan A 〈◊〉 Peace 〈◊〉 â—o a warliâ—e nation to speake more openlie and playnely vnto him and to vnderstand his Maiesties pleasuâ—e in what Towne vpon the fronters the Deputies of eyther sidâ— might assemble This negotiation was not managed by letters but by instructions and by one man only which was kept so secret as on the Kings part no man was acquainted therewith but Villeroy the Oracle of the secrets of this Estate neither would the Archduke trust any one but himselfe and the Duke of Sora master of his horse to the ende that Spaine should not know any thing but what pleased him when neede should require If matters had beene managed moâ—e openly they might haue proued lesse succesfull These Princes wanted not spirits of diuision about them which blamed this Peace Diuer◠〈◊〉 of the Peace There were some in Spaine which maynteyned that the lawes of Religion and Conscience would not allow them to lay downe armes vntill that all France were reduced vnder one Religion and that it were dishonourable for so warlike a nation as Spaine to demaund a Peace of them which had proclaimed Warre agaâ—nst them In France some cried out that they should make no Peace with Spaine without satisfaction for Milan Naples Flanders and Nauarre Those which did second this good worke with their graue and wise Councell were men full of affection to the publike good and capable of the remedyes of this diuision The President Richardot was the first to whom the Archduke imparted this secret and the King would haue Bellieure his chiefe Councellor of State acquainted therewith vnto whom Sancerre imparted the order and state of the busines This done he returned to the Archduke to Brusselles carrying with him a resolution of the Kings pleasure wherevpon the Archduke commaunded him to conduct the Generall of the Fryars into France being then come out off Spayne The Generall acquainted the King with the commandement he had receyued from the Pope to passe into Spaine to dispose the Catholike King to a good and holy Peace wherâ—by the forces and wills of all Christians might be vnited against the common enemie who made his proffit of this miserable diuision That the King of Spayne foreseeing it well and lamenting this generall desolation had said vnto him that hee desired a Peace which by his will should bee firme and durable for the recouery of that which discord had caused the Christian Princes to loose desiring not onely to treat a reconciliation of friendship betwixt the two Crowns but also to preuent all occasions of fâ—ture War And to this ende he had giuen all his power to the Archduke his Nephew who was a Prince desirous of Peace The King answered That he was desirous of a Peace neither would he prescribe him any other coÌ„ditions then the honour iustice of his pretensions the which he held so assured as no man might call them in question The Generall of the Franciscans assured him that the King of Spaine would giue him all the contentment hee could expect from a iust Prince Reason which alwayes findes place in generous mindes and necessity whose stings when she is moued are very violent made thâ—se two Princes laye downe armes to releeue their Subiects tired with miseries and publike oppressions These first hâ—pes of a Peace did but begin to appeare when as the King was aduertised of the surprise of Amiens This was a frost which nipt all the hope of this first seed a Winde which blew away all the flowers of this young Plant. The Generall of the Friers returnes into France to assure the King that if he pleased him the taking of Amiens should not hinder the Peace â—he King answered that he held himselfe wronged in this propositioÌ„ The Kings generous resolution that he neither could nor would hearken vnto it that he neuer did any thing by constraint neyther were matters now fit for an accord I will not sayth he that they demaund a Peace of mee in a brauery I will neuer yeeld vnto it by force We will talke more when I haue recouered Amiens Calais and Ardres and so hee sent backe the Generall of the Fryars to the amazement of the enemy who did admire the Kings noble resolution The Generall of the Fryars returnes in deâ—payre of a Peace which like vnto the ancient Romains was more admirable in Aduersity then Prosperity Amiens being recouered and the Pope foreseeing by the continuance of the Kings victories that it would produce no other effects but a weakening of the whole body he coniures the two Kings anewe by the apprehension of the publike miseries and the pittifull estate of Christian affaires to agree and to resume their chiefe inclinations to Peace The proposition of â—eace continued He commands his Legate to dispose them to some conference whereby hee might discerne who was to be blamed and who fayled in his affection for the generall good of a Peace The Legate goes to S. Quintin the Generall of the Fryars comes thether vnto him and beseecheth him to be a meanes vnto the King to send some man of credit with whom they might confer of a treaty The King sent the President Sillery with an expresse commandement not to consent to any treaty of a Peace but vpon assurance to haue those Townes yeelded vp which were held by the King of Spaine The Popes Legate the President Sillery and the Generall of the Fryars met at S. Quintin the greatest difficulty at this first entrance was for the restitution of Places The fiâ—st negotiation of Peace at S. Quintin The Generall of the Fryars sayd that the King of Spaine would not purchase a Peace at so deare a rate Sillery answered that the King of Spaine did giue nothing of his owne but did onely yeeld vp that which he could not keepe the King hauing made proofe by the recouery of Amiens what he might expect of the other places And if they desired a good and a durable Peace they must make it iust for else it could not continue That there was nothing more iust then restitution A iust Peace is durable nor more honourable
Nutzel of Honderpuizel his Councellor in the Realme of Hongary to the Estates of the vnited Prouinces who had audieÌ„ce at the Haghe His Ambassage was to perswade the States to admit and heare certaine Ambassadors sent from the Emperour and some Princes of the Empire to finde a meanes for the propounding of a Peace betwixt them and the King of Spaine To whom the States made answer that according to their fiâ—st resolution they desired not to enter into any conference of reconciliatâ—on with the Spaniard That they had neuer refused any Ambassadors from his Imperiall Maiesty beseeching him not to take the refusall which they now made in ill part the which was not done through contempt but rather to auoyde his indignation which they might incurre if such and so stately Ambassadors returned not to his Imperial Maiesty with a pleasing answer Albert the Cardinall to whome the Infanta of Spaine had beene long before promised in marriage with a Donation of the Low Countries by the commaundement and aduice of the King of Spaine The Admirall of Aâ—ragon sent Ambassador to the â—mperour sent Don Francisco de Mendoza Marquis of Guadaleste Admirall of Arragon in Ambassage to the Emperour to demaunde of him 6. poynts of great importance for the surety and augmentation of the limits of his future Estate and of the said Infanta 1. That the Emperour should aduance the King of Spaine to the Lieutenantship or Viconty of Bezançon 2. That he should declare himselfe openly against all such as should hinder a Peace betwixt the state of the Lowe Countries 3. That he should appoint a Gouernour and Councell in the Duchies of Cleues Iuilliers 4. That the sentence giuen against them of the Cittie of Aix should presently bee put in execution without any deâ—â—y 5 That hee should prouide some speedy remedy for the Hans townes to restraine the insolency of the English men 6. Thâ—â— hee will giue permission to lâ—uie troupes of souldiars in the territories of the Empire To the first Demaund touching Bezançon the Emperour who desired to see the iâ—sue as well of the Peace which was treated at Veruins as of his Brothers marriage Albertus the Cardinall answered That he was not ignorant how much it did import the Townes vnder the King of Spaines obedience lying neere vnto Bezançon to haue the said Towne mainteyned in Peace vnder the protection of the Empire That for diuers and notable considerations he must confer with the Princes of the Empire touching the said Vicarship And to the ende it might be done with greater assurance and authority he would perswade them to confirme it In the meane time he desired the King of Spaine to take this delay in good part This Viconty of Bezançon which is an Imperial towne in Bourgundy did belong vnto William of Nassau the Prince of Orange deceased whose goods the King of Spaine had confiscated as wel in the Franche County as throughout all the Countries of his obedience He therefore desired that the Emperour making vse of this confiscate against the said Prince and his heires would transfer the Viconty of Bezançon on him The Spaniard made this demand that in processe of time he might by his Officers attaine to the knowledge of all the exchanges other busines that passe at Bezanson for France Germany the Low countries Italy the which import much to be knowne but aboue all to haue some footing in the Duchie of Bourgundy To the second Demaund That his Imperiall Maiesty should declare himselfe openly against such as hindred the progresse of the Peace betwixt the States of the Lowe Countries The Empeâ—our did well vnderstand that the King of Spaine did couertly accuse some Princes of the Empire as if they had fauoured the warres of the Lowe Countries especially by some words which the Admiral vsed vnto him That it would please his Maiesty to make a difference betwixt the King and his Rebells giuing the world to vnderstand by whom the Peace is hindered punishing the Offendors according to the coÌ„stitutioÌ„s of the Empire But the Admiral could not moue his Imperial maiesty to stir vp new broyles among the Princes of the Empire vpon this cause who answered That till then he had giuen sufficient testimony of the loue he bare to the Peace of the Lowe countries when he hath heard the report of the Deputies he will aduance it as far as his authority will permit him Which Deputies were sent from the Emperour and certaine Princes as I haue formerly sayd To the third Demaund That he would appoint a Gouernour and a Councell for the Duchies of Cleues and Iuilliers His Imperiall Maiesty did answer That he had resolued to send one or two thether good Catholikes to auoide a greater inconuenience In the meane time the King of Spaine should be carefull to keepe good gard on his part and â—â—sure himselfe of all necessary succours the which notwithstanding must be done with discretion to the end that such as pretend any interest haue no occasion of Iealousie the which the Emperour himselfe is forced to intertaine by reason of the concurrence of the time Whereunto the Admirall replied That it was necessary also that his Imperiall Maiesty should commaund those Princes which pretended any right vnto the said Countries that hereafter they attempt not any innouations tending to the diminution of the Imperiall authority or to the preiudice of his Catholike Maiesty and that his Imperiall Maiesty should call home those Deputies which are at Duysseldorp as Authors of badde practises to the ende his Catholike Maiestye may not bee â—oâ—ced to vse other meanes And although it were very conuenient to respect the Princes yet must they not bee so carelesse as in curing the outward griefe not to prouide for all inward dangers To whome the Emperour answered That as for Cleues and Iuilliers he wouâ—d send to the Princes pretending any right that they should not stirre seeing it did belong onely to his Imperiall Maiesty to determine among them hoping they would obey him The cause of this demaund was for that Iohn Duke of Cleues of Iuilliers and of Berghe who is yet in good health was a widower and somewhat distempered in his braine without children without hope to haue any which bred a strange confusion in those Countries which are ioyning to the Lowe Countries Germany The neighbour Princes were much troubled and his Country was made very desolate vpon this pretext during the yeares 1598. and 1599 There were three sorts of Pretendants and before he was dead they seemed to play the Fable of the Beare First the Duke of Prusse and the two Brethren Dukes of Deux-Ponts pretended by reason of their wiues â—isters to the said Duke Iohn of Cleues the 2. The Emperour who maintayned that for want of lawfull heires Males the said Duchy by right of the fee should returne vnto the Emperour their soueraigne beeing as fees masculine of the Empire And Albert the Cardinall brother to
as they yeelded it presently whereâ—s hee lodged and fortified Orsoy speedily passing three regiments of Spaniards there with that of Count Bouquoy with twelue companies of Horse the which camped right against the Towne whilest that the Admirall caused a strong fort to bee buâ—lâ— at Walsom vpon the other banke of the Rhine to haue the passage free In the meane time the Spaniards spoile many other Townes in the Duke of Cleues Country and iâ— Westphalia Prince Maâ—rice his exploits This soden comming of the Admirall into the territories of the Empire awakened Prince Maurice who parting speedily froÌ„ the Haghe appointed the rendezuous for his troupes about Arnhem in Guelderland where he arriued the 13. of September resoluing to make head against the Spaniard The 25. of September the Estates of the Duke of Iuilliers assembled where it was concluded That the Duke should write aswell to the Emperour as to the Princes Electors to demande succors against the Admiralls attempts That commandement should bee giuen to the Earle of Lippe Captaine generall of the nether Circle of Westphalia to assemble the fiue lower Circles in the Towne of Dormont that they might seeke to preuent the miseries that were falling on them and also to stay the leuies as well of men as of money appointed for the Turkish Warre That Ambassadors should bee sent to Albertus the Arch-duke who was yet at Niuelle to complaine of the taking of Orsoy and other the Admiralls attempts Touching the Ambassadors that were sent vnto the Arch-duke hee made this answere The Arch-dukes answer to the Ambassadoâ—s That hee neuer had any intent to preiudice the Landes belonging vnto the Empire nor to giue any cause of complaint but seeing hee was forced to make Warre against his Maiesties rebells he did aduertise theÌ„ that what was done was by a resolution of the whole Councell That he intreated his Cousin the Duke of Iuilliers not to take it otherwiâ—e then in good part And if hee do not presently leaue Orsoy and ruine the fort of Walsom he will do it vpon the first occasion That for the present hee doth only hold them to haue a passage vpon the Rhine for the effecting of desseins against the Rebells That the Kings men of Warre both in their passage and lodging should keepe such good order as none should haue cause to complaine But contraâ—y to these promises the Spaniards tooke Burich Diuslack in Holt and Rees in the same Country of Cleues and all other places and forts there aboutes chasing and killing the garrisons that were in them The Earle of Brouk writ also the 20. of the same moneth vnto the Admirall intreating him to send him a safegard for his Castell of Brouk his family and Subiects wherevnto the Admirall answered that if the sayd Earle carryed himselfe according to his dutie he should bee receiued into his protection with all loue The Earle of 〈◊〉 besâ—â—ged and taken in his Casâ—ell by the Spaniaâ—dâ— then slâ—â—ne by them and burnt and honored according to his merits the which should bee a moâ—e assured safe-gard vnto him then paper Yet the Earle hauing certaine intelligence that the Spaniards intended to force his Castell of Brouk the 6. of October late at night he sent away his Wife Daughters and Gentlewomen resoluing the next day to carry away his richest stuffe The which he could not do for the next daie his Câ—stell was beset on all sides by the breake of day some Cannons planted and it battred the same day The 8. of that moneth the Earle parleed with the Spaniards and concluded that the souldiars that were within the Castell should depart with him and hee conducted to a place of safety Herevpon the Castell was yeelded and hee went forth with his men Cruelty of the Spaniards which were all choise Souldiars But he was presently set vpon by the Spaniards and taken prisoner the Souldiars to the number of forty were led into a nere Champian field and there disarmed and all slaine There remained yet six of the Duke of Iuilliers people who beeing loth to trust vnto the Spaniards curtesie had retired themselues out of the way vntill the greatest furie were past In the meane time they stript the Earle whom they had also slaine if a Captaine had not withdrawne him into a Chamber And by this meanes the six Souldiars had also their liues saued yet they stript two of them naked whom in derision they placed on either side the Earle but at his instant request they suffered them all sixe to depart In the meane time the Earle had a garde of Halbards in his Chamber so as none of his people might come neere him but the Lord of Hardemberg his Cousin and one Page The 10. of the moneth the Captaine appointed for the garde of the Castell came and told the Earle that he might go walke if he pleased wherevnto he answered That he would willingly if it might be without danger After dinner hee had a desire to walke with the Captaine in whose company he feared nothing As he walked he saw much bloud shed along the way and said to his Page behold the bloud of our seruants If they haue an intent to do as much to me The Spaniards treason against the Earle I had rather it were to day then to morrow Going on towards the Riuer of Roer hee was beaten downe with the Staffe of a Pertuisan or Halberd and slaine vpon the ground saying onely with his hands lift vp to heauen My God and had presently two or three thrusts through the body They left him a while dead vpon the place and afterwards burnt him Those of Wezel the chiefe towne of Cleues thinking to free themselues by presents sent vnto the Admirall hee returned them an answer VVezel forced to fuâ—nish Money and Corne. that they should haue peace with him so as they would restore the Catholike religion and expell the Protestant Ministers The which they did but it would not worke their peace for he forced them to giue a hundred thousand Kings Dallers a thousand quarters of Corne to pay and feed his Armie Afterwards the Admirall tooke Berke vpon the Rhine which was held by the States Emeric Isseâ—berg Deuteâ—om held also by the States and Schuylembourg but want of victuals his armie being driuen to great extremities was the cause why he entred no farther into the States Country desiring nothing more by reason of the Winter then a good lodging to winter his Armie in so as the 16. of Nouember he marched vp the Riuer and lodged them all winter in the Countries of Cleues Munster Berghes and Mark. The Deputies of the neather Circles of Westphalia whereof the Earle of Lippe was Captaine generall being assembled at Dormont hearing the complaints that were made from diuers parts of the Admirals inuasion vpon the territoâ—ies of the Empire and the Spaniards outrages they resolued to write vnto the Emperour and to the foure Princes Electors vpon
hee did not speedily aduertise the Gouernour All did sweare willingly and the Hungarians with them The Gouernour did also promise neuer to abandon them but to tarry with them vnto the last gaspe The Tuâ—ke continued the siege vntill the 3. of Nouember and attempted it by Assault Sappe and Mine with all the violence that might be but he was still repuâ—â—ed with great losse and dishonour so as in the end they were forced to raise the Siege and go to Zolnoc and so to Buda leauing a great victorie to the Christâ—ans to their great griefe and shame On the other side the Christâ—ans receiued the like repulse before Buda They went to besiege it the 5. of October vnder the command of Schuartzbourg and Palfi Buda attâ—mptâ—d in vaâ—nâ— bâ— the Christians and hauing taken the Suburbes Mathias the Archduke came the Forte oâ— Potentiane vpon the Riuer of Danâ—w was taken and the Turkes so distressed as the 29. â—ay there remained nothing but to yeeld for the Castell of Potentiane being taken a reaâ—onable breach was made to giue an assault vnto the Towne and all the Inhabitants Men Women and Children cast themselues at the Baschaes â—eet seeing the imminent danger wherevnto he was ready to yeeld but he durst not by reason of three other Baschaes that were within the Towne that of Caramania that of Natolia and that of Bosne But there fell such abundance of raine as all their powder was wet and wrought no effect neither by Mine as they tried nor otheâ—wise so as they were forced to giue ouer The Christians retired themselues into Varadin and the Turkes into Buda being well assailed and well defended on eyther side There died 13000. Turkes before Varadin and within the Towne a thousand three hundred Christians and within Buda 1500. Turkes and fewe Christians But the first of Nouember aboue 7000. Peasants with their Wiues and Children came and yeelded themselues vnto the Christians Armie they being Christians and fearing the Turkes reuenge vpon their families In December the Riuer of Tiber at Rome was so strangely swelled as in lesse then three dayes there was nothing but the seuen hills An inondation at Rome and some eminent places free from that fearfull inondation At the first furie and in lesse then foure houres it carryed away S. Maries Bridge many houses all the shops of the Statioâ—ers and Droguists In this inondâ— ion men did lâ—â—pe â—rom oâ—e top â—f a hâ—usâ— to anothâ—â— to 〈…〉 and Storehouses for Wine Oyle that were about the Castell S. Angâ—lo Fortie prisoners were slâ—ine vnder the ruines of the Tower De Noue not being â—ble to resist the violence of the water nor they to be succoured for that this accident happened by night which preuented all foresight On Christmas day the Churches within Rome were without Priests without Masse and without people The Pope praied vpon the Mountaâ—ne and powred out teares for them that trembled and were drencht belowe in the Deluge Hâ— gaue so good order as such as were besieged without by the VVater and withiâ— by Famine were alwaies releeued against the violences of the one and the â—tâ—er Rome was neuer seene in such desolation the inondation during the siege of Pâ—pe Clement the 7. was not so violent Tâ—is yeare the Pope created 16. Cardinals that is to say Baronius of the Oratorie of Rome It is a Congregation of Priests The Pope creaâ—es 16. Cardinalâ— which make profession to liue in common and do exercise themselues in Meditations and Declamations euery one according to his profession He hath shewed by his Annales the greatnesse of his spirit which exceeds the Ordinarie oâ— Doctors Giury Bishop of Lisieux a French man Bellarmine a Iesuite a famous Doctor Dossat then Bishop of Rennes and afterward of Bayeux a man of iudgement who managed discreetly the affaires of the King and State at Rome against the enuious and calumnious practises of the Spaniard hâ—s 〈◊〉 touching the Kings conuersion to the Church was found good and hoâ—soâ—e and hee politikely drew many other Cardinals to his opinion euen the Cardinaâ— Tolet although he were a Spaniard Lucius Saxus a Romaine Petrus Aldobranainus Nephew to his Holinesse De Soâ—rdis Archbishop of Bourdeaux Bartholomeus Caesâ—â—s a Romaine Franciscus Casa Legate of Marchia Pompeius Ballianus Franciscus Manâ—â—câ— Siluius Antonianus Laurentius Blanchettus Franciscus d' Auila a Spaniard Octaâ—â—â—â— Bâ—ndinus and Camillus Burghesius Treatie at Boulogne The King at the conclusion of the treatie of Veruins was desirous that his good Sâ—ster the Queene of England should be comprehended therein But it was an accâ—â—d which the King of Spaine would make a part for the effecting whereof the Kâ—ng did offer the Towne of Boulongne for an enterview of the Deputies where they mette of both sides Suprema lex salus pâ—puli but the Ceremonie for Precedence made it fruitlesse For whereas the deputies of England would not giue place to them of Spaine they returned without dâ—ing any thing neither was there any of them that thought it reasonable to purâ—hase a peace with such a preiudice to his Princes seruice They say that the peoples health is the Soueraigne lawe but that which concernes the respect of the Prince and the ranke which he is to hold before others is alwayes immutable There are some Liâ—eâ— mortall and others which neuer dye Those haue their continuance according to the time Necessitie makes the other alwaies durable for the perpetuall good they fiâ—d in the obseruation as Lucius Valerius said pleading against the Oppian law Of the condition of these mortall lawes is the right of Precedence He that shall suffer the diminution is not worthy of the increase During this dispute for the Precedence the King was at Monceaux to take the dyet The Physitians had giuen him so great liberty to eate Melons of Chenonceau Lion The King 〈◊〉 at Moncâ—aux as he felt it and paied deerely for the taste of his delights for the third day of his diet walking in his doublet in his gallery at Monceaux a feuer tooke him which turned his dyet into speedier remedies and brought him to that estate as many built their hopes vpon the despaire of his health and there were posts attended ready to carry these bad newes But the desseignes of Troubles and Factions dyed when as they saw him recouer his former health The Duchesie of Beaufort serued him in this sicknesse with an affâ—ction and care equall to the loue which makes the louer feele the same greefe that the beloued doth It was at the same time when as she hoped to be aswel Qâ—eene of France as she raigned in the Kings heart They said that our Daulphins should be Caesars or Alexanders and that that which had been but a sport or pleasure should now be made a Contract of necessity A generall estate of the Kings expences Being recouered he came to S. Germaine in Laye there to end the yeare and to resolue
vpon his expences Hee would haue the aduice of the Princes and Officers of the Crowne to acquaint them with the estate of his affaiâ—es to the end that if euery man did not obtaine what he demanded he should impute the cause vnto necessity The great tables charged with vnknowne superfluities more esteemed for the price and rarenesse then for the tast or necessity were then cut off by the Kings example which hath alwayes more force then either Law or Correction Excesse was conuerted into frugality Frugâ—litie 〈…〉 va our haâ—h â—otâ—en so necessary in an estate as the Romaines were no lesse bound to the Figges and Carrots of the Fabricij Curij then to their swords Then was there seene a new order in the disposition of the Kings treasure by the care and industrie of the Marquis Rhosny vnto whom his Maiesty gaue the charge of Superintendent From the first day he let them know how hard it was to draw monie out oâ—f the Kings Cofers for so many dealers in it as were wont to be there should now be but one His humor seemed strange hee cared not for all the petty Gods so as he pleased Iupiter as Apuleius saith He refused many things to the end that the grant might be reserued for the King all fauours receiued from his Maiesties only hand not from any other the which hath purchased him many enemies who enuying his prosperitie and condition desire the ouerthrow of his happines and yet are constrayned to admire the force and soundnes of his vnderstanding Those which are raysed to the Solstâ—ce of their greatnes must consider that Princes fauours are alwaies perillous It is a dâ—fficult thing to stand long firme vpon this ice and the fall how gentle soeuer will neuer suffer him to rise againe The which is proued in Tiberius to Seianus Charles the 6. to Iohn Montague and many others I haue learned of a great personage Ambassador to a Prince of Germanie 3. words which he carried grauen in a Clocke Hâ— said them once a day and did thinke of them continually Fauour may turne inâ—o diâ—fauour and grace into disgrace Gnad Kan Wol Zoin Werden Gnad erket nicht But hee that serues his Master according to his owne heart that doth nothing against his conscience and that gouerns his intentions according to Law Iustice and Equitie neuer abandons the Helâ—e although the wind beat his barke he needs not to feare any thing Fortune must alwayes â—eeld vnto vertue The Emperour hauing the last yeere as wee haue formerly sayd sent an Imperiall commandement as wel to the Admirall as to the Prince Maurice to depart out of the territories of the Empire and to restore the places they held vnto their right Lords whereof they made no great account finding many delayes and shifts to continue there still to the end they might haue elbowe roome to rob and steale and to winter there The Princes and Electors of the Rhine of the nether Circle of Westphalia The Deputies of the Princâ—â— and Sâ—â—â—es of the Empire assemble at Collen sent their Deputies to Collen where they did assemble in the beginning of Ianuary to redresse those disorders which the Admirall and Prince Maurice had committed seeing the Emperours letters were so little respected of them To the same end they did write vnto the Princes and States of the Circles of Franconia and base Saxony to moue them ioyntly to prepare to armes to expell as well the Spaniard as Prince Maurice out of the limits of the Empire that to that end the sayd Princes with the fiue Circles would send their Deputies to Conflans the eleuenth of March following The said Deputies being at Collen made new complaints by their letters of the one twentith of Ianuary vnto the Emperour as well of the Admirall and Spaniards as of the Prince Maurice and the States army beseeching him to grant an Imperiall armie which should be commonly of 40000. men to force both the one and the other to depart out of the lymits of the Empire and to repayre the losses sustayned by them The Emperour writes againe the eleuenth of February from Prague to Andrew Cardinall of Austria Gouernour of the Low Countries reiterating his commandâ—ments and also to the Admirall who had newly taken againe the Towne of Emerick in the Countrie of Cleues the which Prince Maurice had taken from him and deliuered freely vnto the Duke It seemed that these two armies played at base in the Countrie of Cleues The sayd Cardinall and Admirall sent excuses for an answere both to the Emperour and to the Deputies at Collen Ferdinand de Lopes of Villanoua The Elector oâ— Menâ—z answere vnto Carâ—inâ—ll Andrew going from the Cardinall to make his Spanish iustifications vnto the Emperour he past by the Archbishop Elector of Mentz whome hee thought to make deafe and blind presenting vnto â—im in the Cardinalls name a tedious writing conteining certaine reasons like vnto those which William Rodowitz Commissarie for the Admirall deliuered vnto the Deputies at Collen wherefore the Spanish armie had entred into the limits of the Empire and why it stayd there but the Prince Elector of Mentz gaue him a short and resâ—lutâ— answere That he could not alow of that which the Cardinall and Archduke had attempted against the constitutions of the Empire As for himselfe he would nâ—t â—aile in that which concerned his dutie for a preseruation of the peace and quiet of Germanie being troubled and disquieted in this manner aduising the Cardinall for for the bâ—st to retire his armie as soone as hee could out off the lymitts of the Empire and not to attend the end of Aprill to repaire the wrongs done to restore what they had violently taken and to make satisfaction for the damages done as well to the generall as to the particular In so doing the Princes and States of the Empire should haue occasion somewhat to excuse what was past to allow of the vrgent necessitie wherewith they seeke to purge and iustifie themselues 1596. This answere was made â—y the Elector the fiue and twentith of February 1599. The Admirâ—ls letter to the Deputieâ— of Câ—llâ—n The Admirall in the behalfe of the King of Spaine of Albert Archduke Andrew Cardinal and in his owne sent a Commissioner to Collen to treat with the Deputies of the Princes and States and especially with that of the Count Lippe Captaine generall of the Lower Circle of Westphalia The sayd Commissioner presented letters of Iustification from the Admirall to the Deputies written from Rees the 20. of Ianuarie full of allegations of the necessitie which had moued the King of Spaine to lodge his armâ—e in those quarters He vpbraideâ—â— them wâ—th 〈◊〉 goâ—d deeds the better to subdue his enemies and the States And first for the great benefits the Empire had receiued from the King of Spaine and the house of Burgundie it was reciprocally bound to ayde and serue him herein
seeing that hee was not come thither with any bad intention not to seize vppon an other mans Countrie nor to wrong any man but for extreme necessitie a sincere afâ—ection hee carried to the Empire and the preseruation thereof He blames the States That the States and vnited Prouinces were the cause of this mischeefe who would neâ—er reconcile themselues vnto the King their Lord notwithstanding so many offers of good vsage and intercâ—ssions of the Emperour of other Kings and of the Princes of Germanie nor yet the grace and fauour which the King of Spaine hath done them hauing transported all the Low Countries to the Infanta his daughter married to Albert the Archduke That the said King and Archdukeâ— hauing made him Generall of their armie the sooner to set him to worke and to enter into their Countries which were held by their enemies did thinke that they might well allowe them so much as to passe by the fronters of the Empire to wrest out off the enemies hands the places which they held and afterwards to râ—store them to their true owners He bâ—amâ—s the Elector of Coâ—len That through the long delay of the Prince Elector of Collen after the yeelding vp of Rhinberg and the retreat of the States shippes vpon the Rhine the sayd army had stayed along the Rhine pretending to raze Schercks Sconce lying at one of the Corners of the Rhine And being come thither that â—or the treaties and negâ—tiations which were long in managing they must remaine there for â—heir maintenance to free the riuer of Rhine and to keepe the Towne of Orsoy and that for some other reasons hee was forced to take the Towne of Burich to anoy the enemie to crossâ— their desseines He excuâ—etâ— the 〈◊〉 of the Eaâ—le of 〈◊〉 That victuals and forrage being spent considering the complaints of their neighbâ—urs many things haue past amongst others that of the Earle of Broucke who for his accustomed crueltie bad inclination killing tâ—em that went to forrage hauâ—ng contemned all brotherly admonitions desiring rather to practise armes then to enteâ—taine friendship if any misfortune had happened vnto him he was sorie for it beiâ—g reâ—olued to do Iustice. That when as the neigâ—bour Countries came to complaine vnto him of iniuries and oppressions which they sayd they endured he had vpon euery point giuen them iâ—st and lawfull excuses He excusâ—â—h 〈…〉 That after he had taken the Towne of Bergh to preuent the policie of his enemies and receiued money and victuals from them of Wezel according to their agreemâ—â—t for their ransome he raised his army and went to Rees the which hauâ—ng well fâ—rnâ—shed he came to Emerick in the vew of the enemie a Towne seated vpon the Rhâ—ne neer vnto the fort of Schenck the which being strong both by Art and Nature oâ— hard accesse by reason of the waters not easie to batter and much lesse to giue assault he â—ft it and tooke his way by the high Countrie he went before Deutecom which yeelded and â—o did the Castle of Schuylâ—mbourg That after many consultations of the reason of war and of the iniurie of the Tâ—me it was found expedient for the preseruation of the armie to cause it to winter 〈◊〉 places neerest to the â—erritories of the Empire to stoppe the enemies courses and spoyle to entertaine the Kings armie during winter and to haue it alwayes readie That many by â—eason of the strangenes of the fact being ignorant of the Perill Necessitie and Profit therof haue made their complaints vnto their Princes who 〈◊〉 the discomodities of their Subiects haue also coÌ„playned vnto him 1599. who hath answered them curteously commending the good amitie of the Lords conâ—ederates vpon the Rhine and of their Countries against all inconueniences He prayâ—â—â—h the Kâ—ng of Spaine putting them in mind of the Kings great benefits to his gâ—eat hazard to preserue the Lands and Territories of the Empire from vtter subuersion to the hindrance of his owne affaires That he did thinke by his mild carriage to haue cut off all cause of complaint and did hope that hereafter there should bee no mention made to the Empeâ—our nor in the other Courts and Estates of the Empire whereof notwitstanding he heard the contrarie fearing that in this assembly by the exclamations of some mooued with spleene and hatred against the King and the Catholike religion and through indiscretion or malicetrusting too much to the enemies inconstant promises or through ingratitude or some such like cause that such false reports are againe brought in question That he had held it expedient to aduertise his Imperiall Maiestie of the Kings merits and iustifications against such friuolous complaints and to send them to the Princes and States of the Empire in writâ—ng and to that Assembly Intreating them in his Maiesties name and his owne that without iust occasion they would not take any bad impression of his Maiesties sincere intention by an vndue greefe commiseration oâ— spleene growing from some smal misdemeanors which be the ordinary frutes of warre least they fall into greater inconueniences and troubles which might breed a greater mischeefe whereof would follow a â—o late repentance But rather shewing wâ—sedome and Discretion measuring the good with the bad comparison being made of small damages and losses happened on these fronters of the Empire ioyning to those of the King from whome the Empire had receiued so many good turnes they should take all in good part That it will well appeare with what Bountie Moderation Clemencie Dilligence and with what Charge his Maiestie hath amidst so great troubles and turmoyles of warre preserued the whole Diocese of Collen and the neighbour Countries being in danger to bee lost and the Catholike religion supprest and that to the great preiudice of his â—owne affaires By the which merits and good deeds togither with the bond by the which the said Diocese and Countrie of Westphalia are tyed no man of Iudgement if hee will not bee blemished with the note of ingratitude can with reason blame his Maiesties actions nor his own touching the lodging and wintering of his army conteyned in all militarie modestie This Iustification was tedious but it was answered all the points of vpbraidings and accusations made therein examined and reiected as false and calumnious to the preiudice of the Emperours honor of the Princes and States of the Empire This Assembly was referred to Conflâ—ns We shall hereafter see what passed there We haue before shewed how that Madam Catherine the Kings only Sister The Kings sister marâ—ied to 〈◊〉 Duke of 〈◊〉 the 31. oâ— Iâ—nuary he câ—ntâ—act 〈◊〉 at 〈◊〉 the 5. oâ— August 1598. had bin promised to the Marques of Pont Prince of Lorraine and Duke of Barr. The coÌ„tracts were made in the preseÌ„ce of the Duke of Lorraine who came into France The conditions were that the sayd Lady should be entituled Duchesâ—e of Albret Countesse of Armâ—gnac and of Rhodez Vicountesse
in the mildnesse of his gouernment and that the common feeling of so many miseries which they had suffered and which had continued together should perswade them to grow familiar and friendly together and to haue no more occasion to remember things past then his Maiestie had meaning to remember his owne wrongs Warre is not dead in an Estâ—te whereas Consciences are diuâ—ded it doth but sleepe a small matter awakens it there is nothing more apprehensiue or that doth pierce more violently into the perswasion of Men to bandâ—e them one against another then Religion Euery man thinkes his owne the better and so iudgeth of it more by his owne Zeale and Passion then through Knowledge and Reason The King during the Warre had runne to those things which did most presse him and to the dangers that did most import he had deferred to reconcile this diuision being grieued in his Soule that the impietie of the Warre would not suffer him to make shew of the fruites of his Pietie They of the Reformed Religion made many and great complaints that the Kings Edicts were not obserued nor kept that they were not prouided of all things necessarie for the exercise of their Religion the Liberty of their Consciences Complaints oâ— them of the Religion and the safetie of their Persons and Fortunes They sayd moreouer that they desired not that the order of gouernment of State should bee changed to their profit or of any forraine Prince nor to haue the State torne in peeces to please the Ambition of some fewe Men but onely to enioy their Consciences with Peace and their liues in safetie That so many iust requests being granted vnto them by the Edicts of Kings Predecessors to his Maiestie demanded and defended by himselfe with so great Zeale Vertue had not been hearkened vnto vnder his raigne when as they should best hope and vnder whom and had it not been for the affection which they had vnto his Greatnesse and the foundation which they laied on his good will towards them they might lawfully and profitably haue practised the wayes which they were forced to hold vnder Kings his Predecessors But they could not despaire any thing of him whom God by the Protection of his Church had brought vnto the succession of the Crowne nor obtaine lesse then Libertie and Liâ—e hauing spent their blouds so freelie for him They complained that Preaching was banished from his Maiesties Court to banish them consequently from his house where they could noâ— serue him without seruing of God No good man might remaine there but hee was dayly in danger of murthering or to bee hurt without hope of comfort or assurance of grace That they practise dayly to exclude them of the Religion from all Charges and Offices in the State 1599. Iustice Treasurâ—â—nd Pollicie which they did neuer greatly affect Exclusion froÌ„ publike charges shamefull No man is held a Cittâ—zâ—Ì„ if he be not partaker of the honors of the Cittie as his Maiestie can best witnesse They beseech him to iudge if it be reasonabâ—e they should doe wrong vnto their Children to depriue them by their dulnesse to be held in future ages for Iewes within the Realme in steed of the honorable ranke which their progenitors had left them and which their seruice done vnto his Maiesty should haue purchased them That it was more tollerable to liue vnder the truce of the deceased King who was an enemie to their profession yet he did grant vnto them the exercise of their Religion both in his armie and in his Court allowed the Ministery at his owne charge and gaue them a Towne of retreate in euery Bayliwike With these and such like complaints the King was daily importuned the end of all these assemblies was to obtaine an Edict from the King so cleere and plaine concerning all their necessities as they should not be constrained to sue for any other as they did not cease vntill the King had signed it the last yeare being at Nantes after that hee had reduced that Prouince vnto his obedience conteining a Declaration of the Edicts of Pacification of the troubles growne in France for matter of Religion the which was not established in the Court of Parliament at Paris The last Edict for religion at Nantes in April 1598. vntill the 25. of February this yeare 99 by reason of many oppositions and difficulties that were made At Saint Germaine in Laye Berthier one of the Agents for the Clergie made many petitions vnto his Maiestie and did greatly importune the Lords of the Councell to consider of it In like sort the Bishop of Mâ—dena who was then the Popes Nuncio in France dealt in it beseeching the King so to deale for his Subiects that were gone astray as the honour of God might â—emaine whole and the Church receiue no preiudice In so doing his Holinesse would endure all things for the peace of Franâ—e Berthier demanded that his Maiestie would not suffer the Ministers of the Reformed Religion to haue any other libertie on this side the Riuer of Loire but to liue quietly and not to bee sought after That the Catholike religion should bee generally restored in all places and Churchmen doe their offices without any danger And thirdly that the Clergie men should be wholy freed from the vexations which they had suffred vntill that day in Townes and Places held by them of the Religion where they had taken away their Pensions and Reuenues and in some Prouinces had forced them His Maiestie granted the second and third Article and as for the first the King not being able to make any such prohibition without some trouble it was let alone There was also great conteâ—tion in particular betwixt the said Berthier and some of the Reformed Religion touching the Assembly of their Synods the which they would haue free without demanding leaue from his Maiestie maintaining that they might go freely into forraine Countries Contestation touchinâ— their 〈◊〉 with Strangâ—rs and assist at their Synodes and other Actes and in like sort receiue Strangers into theirs the which the Marshall Bouillon had managed with some who perhaps had not foreseene the danger but Berthier contested it so vehemently against the Marshall in the Kings presence as his reasons being heard and the importance of the thing considered that it was a meanes to continue their Leagues and Intelligences with Strangers to bee ready to take Armes at their pleasures the which could not bee but with the ruine of the State The King hauing heard by their Contestations finding of what importance it was hee presently caused that Article touching forraine Synodes to bee razed forbâ—dding them expreslie to go to any Assemblies without his permission vpon paine to be declared Traitors The Rector for the Vniuersitie of Paris was also a sutor vnto his Maiestiâ—s Councell that none of the Reformed Religion nor their Schoole-maisters and Tutors might bee admitted into any Colledges of the Vniuersitie but to bee excluded
a peace but desired warre and to entertayne it not only in Flanders but throughout all Europe whilest that the Turke most cruelly inuades and vsurps all he can vpon the Christians imbracing the occasion whilest that Christian Princes are troubled with the seditions of their subiects and by this meanes doth inlarge the limits of his most cruell Empire But aboue all the sayd Hollanders haue of late done a great and intollerable wrong refusing to heare the Ambassadors sent vnto them from the Emperour and the Princes of Germanie and yet the Emperour hath not forgotten the desire he had to seeke a Peace but hath sent a new Ambassage vnto them whereof the issue is yet vncertaine and yet the sayd Hollanders omitt not to do all kind of hostilities against their lawfull Princesse being growne proud by some happie successe in their opinions when as the Spaniards were busied in the warres of France Moreouer a Peace being made with the French they haue vsed all the policie they could to hinder the Conclusion And being required by the King of France to inclyne to a peace they haue not onely refused the treatie but haue also renewed the warre by their meanes who holding the Estate in their power haue no other care but to thrust all the world into combustion To them this inconuenience is to be imputed if no frute of peace hath beene imparted to any of the Belgick Prouinces In former times they pretended for their excuse that they could not giue eare to any peace whilest that Spaniards and strangers commaunded of whome they would not depend for that they could not trust them But the deceased King by his clemency had taken from them this pretext sending vnto them the Archdukes Ernest and Albert whose care and singular desire was only to imploy themselues for the publike good the which was knowne vnto all the world for that either of them did labour for a peace with great care and diligence offering to be mediators for them to recouer their Princes fauour Contrariwise they had contemned them and would not vse so great a benefit So as the poore people being opprest with tyrannie and reduced to dispaire contemne or cannot comprehend the things which are for their quiet and tranquilitie yea their Princes whome the King had appointed for them were contemned by them wheras the States of other Prouinces had exhorted them to acknowledge Her returning her Ambassadors which shee had sent vnto them not vouchsafing Her any answere The which may iustly bee held too vnworthie for that all the world wil so conceiue that no man ought to haue society nor confederation with them which make warre against God their Prince and their Countrie That vnto this day they haue had free libertie to trafficke the which hath produced no other frute but to make them more bitter for that they abuse the Entries Excises Imposts and Customes to imploy them for the mayntenance of the Warre whereof they haue raysed a great commoditie And as for the Archduchesse shee hath imployed all meanes by her Councell and with the intention of the King her brother to haue her Subiects liue in Peace and submit themselues vnto their duties Seeing then these people cannot be reclaymed by mildnesse nor any benefits shee as a Soueraigne Princesse by the aduice of her Councells namely of Cardinall Andrew forbids all her subiects to haue any more trafficke or commerce with the said Hollanders and Zelanders and that nothing bee vented vnto them by her subiects neither by Land nor Sea directly reuoking all letters and pasports concerning the Nauigation and fishing and also all other pattents for negâ—â—â—ation vnlesse within one moneth they resolue to harken vnto a Peace Which doing shee promiseth them all Clemency and Fauour although they haue so often refused it vnto this daie This Edict of the Infantaes was scarce proclaymed The answer of the vnited Prouinces to the Infantaes Proclamation when as the Estates made an o the contrary vnto it after this manner That it is easie to see what the Spaniards pretended as well by this Edict as by the other stratagems of thâ—ir Councells which tends to no other ende but to ouerthrowe all the liberty not onely of Flanders but of all other Nations will challenge vnto themselues a right and power not onely ouer Bodies and Goods but â—â—so vpon Soules and Consciences wherevnto tended those great late enterprises not â—nely by secret conspiracies and suborning of the subiects of France and England against their Princes but also the Spaniards haue sought by maine armes both by Land and Sea to inuade the sayd Realmes whereof being frustrate they haue attempted against the Princes of Germaine the Electors of the holie Empire to vexe them taking their Townes and Castells and spoyling their Countries making all desolate by Rapin Rauishing and Murthers without any respect of sexe or quality of persons hauing massacred Princes and Earles And they threaten neuer to lay aside armes vntill they haue reduced all them to the ancient Ceremonies that were fallen from the Romish Church So as they change Religion freely and the administration of the Common-weale by force and violence in Emperiall Townes and Citties Yea and they shewe by their proceeding and publish it euery where that they wish the Princes Electors and other Estates of the Empire would defend themselues by Warre taking armes so should they more comodiously effâ—ct what they pretended That in the same shop this present Councell hath beene forged by the which the King of Spaine hath forbiden all vse of trafficke and hath vsed the Marchants and Marriners most cruelly whome they haue taken seized vpon the Shippes stolne the Goods and Marchandise that was in them and violated his promises in diuers sortes whereof the Infanta following his example hath commanded the like should bee done in Flanders It is for that they are greeued that wee haue expelled the tiranie which did hang ouer our heads by meanes of vnion that is amongest vs and by our Courage Goods Meanes and Forces haue withstood their attemptes and made frustrate their fraudes relying chiefely vpon the fauour of God and then being aided by the Queene of England and other Kings and Princes The which we haue resolued to do and to endeauor with all our powers not onely to defend our limits from iniury but also to reuenge the wrongs which haue beene done vs not doubting but God will assist our endeauors with his fauour beeing so necessary and inspire the hearts of Kings and Princes with this good intention to prouide for their affaires and maintaine their Dignities against the wicked practises of them that seeke to supplant them In so doing they hope vndoubtedly that within short time the Spanish forces being expelled out of the limits of the Empire and aboue all out of Flanders a generall peace shal be confirmed as it is most desired with as great assurance as euer was And for as much as to perfect this
much honored This discontent was shewed in all the sorts the Malcontents could deuise The Images at the Kings comming to the Crowne at his entry into Madrid did speake They made the Image of Iupiter câ—rrying a globe of the World vpon his shoulders and discharging one moetie vpon King Philip with an inscription shewing that the Empire was diuided betwixt Iupiter Caeâ—sar there were found these words written in an vnknowne hand vnder Iupiters Image This is the Duke of Lerma The King coÌ„ming one day from walking â—ound vpon his table a letter sealed with this superscription To King Philip the third of that name King of Spaine being at this present seruant to the Duke of Lerma The King vnderstood al this and laughed at it saying to the Duke of Lerma See what they say of vs. There was a Tragedy made at Valladolid the speakers were the King the CoÌ„stable of Castille the Duke of Lemos and the People The argument was the Complaint and Insolencies of the Duke of Lerma The Catastrophe was the death of the Duke torne in peeces by the furie of the People A Iester going betwixt the King and the Duke of Lerma thrust the Duke in such sort as he made him stagger saying Stand fast for if thou fallest thou wilt neuer rise againe The King taking these words as spoken against him answered presently Wee will both fall then Great men which had laughed at the Bouffons speech were amazed at the Kings answere All Spaine admires his Fortune the most Happie thinke that they must be borne vnder the same planet that will be Happie But no man can say how long this happines will continue for in the end the great and vnmeasurable fauours of Princes are Preiudiciall and Ruinous to their Fauorites Courtyers burne themselues therein like Butterflies But they are wise that drinke of these fauours as the Dogges do of of the water of Nilus in passing and running least they be deuoured of the Crocodiles of Enuie and Iealousie Assemblie of the Deputies of some Princes of the Empire at Conâ—â—ans We haue sayd before that the Assembly of Collen was referred to Conflans which the Germains call Coblents the eight of March Thither came the Deputies of the fiue superiour Circles to consult of the meanes wherby they might defend and maintaine the liberties of Germanie and suppresse the insolencie of the Spaniard who attempted in hostile manner vppon all Estates This word of Circle according to the Germaine Custome and Phrase signifies properly a Canton of the Countrie but it is taken for the Allyance and League which certaine Princes and Imperiall Townes haue one with another And of these Circles there are fiue superiour that is to say of high Germanie and the fiue Inferior are those of Low Germanie and it is one of the causes for the which the Allemans are called Germains for that their Countrie doth all equally belong vnto Soueraigne Lords according to their titles one a Duke another an Earle a third a Marquis And as for the free Townes they be such as haue redeemed theÌ„selues from their Lords haue obteined the Lords Fee vnto themselues as they of Metz The Circles of Germanie who redeemed their Liberties froÌ„ Godefroy of Bullen going to the conquest of the holy Land The fiue Inferior Circles are Westphalia which is vnder the Iurisdiction of the Prince Elector of Collen Hamborough Lubeâ—k Vtrecht and East Phrise with the Countries adioyning and vnder them are comprehended the Hans Townes which be 72. in number the which haue very great Priuileges Those of the vpper Circles were such as assembled then at Conâ—â—ans the first is Mayence or Mentz Treues Collen and the Palatinat which makes one Circle The second is Brandebourg Wirtzbourg Henneberg Hohenlo and Noremberg The third is Wormes Simmer Hesse Nassau for the fourth is Munster Iuilliers Paderborne Lippe for the fift Magdebourg Brunswike Meâ—elbourg and Mulhous These haue an Allyance togither and it is lawfull for them to assemble when they please Beeing thus assembled all the Propositions formerly made vnto the Assembly at Collen by Rodowitz Commissioner for the Admiral were againe vewed and considered of with the iustifications of the States of the vnited Prouinces which were these in effect That they had receiued letters from the Princes Electors and others of Germanie conteining the complaints of the Estates of the Circle of Westphalia The Iustifications of the vnited Prouinces vpon the oppressions and outrages which the Countries of Cleues and Iuilliers of Collen and Westphalia did suffer by the men of warre of either partie whereby they were required to retire their men presently out off the territories of the Empire to restore the Townes which they held raze the Forts which they had built and to leaue the Countrie Townes and States of the Empire in their ancient Peace Rest and Quiet wherupon their answere resolution was also required For answere whereunto the sayd Estates declared that they were sorie to heare such complaints and the more for that they were put in the same ranke with the Spaniards and Admirall who had not forborne to Beseege Batter Force and Take Townes Castels Fortresses and Gentlemens houses in the Countrie of Cleues and others of the Circle of Westphalia by Murthers Burning Spoile and Rauishing of Wiues and Mayds without any respect of Estate Qualitie or Condition And yet not content therewith they had by their garrisons and threats forced some of the sayd Townes besides their Ransomes and concussions to change the Religion and Gouernment which they haue many yeares inioyed vnder the authoritie of your Excellencies and of other Princes whereas the King of Spaine had no interest nor could with any reason colour his attempts And contrariwise for their part â—ayd the States no thing had beene done but by extreame constraint and necessitie the which hath no Law for the Preseruation Maintenance and Assurance of thir vnited Prouinces and tâ—e which according to the Law of armeâ— and custome of warre may be done without any contradiction whereunto they had beene forced By reason whereof they did beseech their Excellencies and all men of Iudgement in matters of warre if considering the Admirals attempts â—eeing they had no other meanes to make head against the enemie but in preuenting him and occupying of those places which he himselfe would haue taken they haue first seized on them and put in men seeing that the Tolhuis which they had seized on was not sufficient to resist the Admirals forces who would not haue failed to come thither whereas the Inhabitants should haue beene treated with the same mildnes that he hath vsed in other places therby to haue had an entrie into their vnited Prouinces Besides they neuer had any intention to vsurpe one foot of ground belonging to the Empire nor of any Prince or neutral Lord to hold it in Proprietie as they sayd they had of late assured his Imperiall Maiestie and the Princes of
the Empire and namely the Prince Elector of Collen with whome they desired nothing more then to entertaine al good Alliance Amitie CorrespoÌ„dencie and good Neighbourhood maintayning themselues in that sort without diminution of their Estate vntil they might once see an end whereunto they did alwaies tend and aspire euen vnto this houre The which they haue made sufficiently knowne by their resolution to restore Rhinberg vnto the sayd Prince Elector of Collen The Towne of Rhinâ—eâ—g to hold it vnder the rights of neutralitie if it had not bin preuented by the seege which the Enemy layd before it whereby hee would haue giuen some colour to his attempts with such as thâ—ough ignorance or impatiencie haue not sounded the ground of the matter The which attempts are manifest by the surprises of Townes and places and change of Religion and Gouernment whereby he did not onely aduertiâ—e Princes and Lords but plainly teach them how he meanes to intreat them and their Subiects at his first oportunity to settle the Spanish Monarchie They had seene by experience how willingly and freely sayd the States they had the last yeere at the request of the sayd Princes and States of the Empire deliuered vp diuers places which they had wrested out of the enemies hands lying within the lymits of the Empire vppon hope that the enemies would also yeeld what they held depending of the Empire as they had promised to the sayd Princes and States which deliuerie vp by them and refusall of the enemie hath beene so preiudiciall vnto them as in the end they haue beene constrayned to beseege and force the Townes of Alpen Moeurs and Berck according to the good successe which they haue had It is also manifest how they restored the Townes of Alpen and Moeurs without restitution of one penie for the charges of the Conquest and how they had offered to do as much for the Towne of Berck with a declaration of the true meanes to entertaine the lymits of the Empire in Peace if the Enemie who sought the contrary had not hindred it Which their good and sincere intention hath beene so much the more manifested for that according to the order set downe by Prince Maurice their Captaine to expell the enemies garrisons out of the Towne of Emericke they did it restored the sayd Towne vnto the right Prince wherby your Excellencies and other Princes may see the sincerity of our actions without any farther doubt or distrust But rather that you would seeke the meanes whereby the Spaniards and their adherents may be chased out of Germanie and their pretended Monarchie preuented to the end that the members and Subiects of the Empire may be freed from so great dangers troubles for the effecting wherof said the States we haue these many years done our bâ—st indeuours mind so to continue trusting that God will moue the harts of Kings Princes Potentates Commonweals States to effect imbrace their coÌ„mon defeÌ„ce ruÌ„ning al iointly to quench this fire So beseeching their ExcelleÌ„cies to take c. These IustificatioÌ„s being conferred by the Deputies with them of the Admiral they acquainted Charles Nutzel Commissioner for the Emperour therewith who gaue them to vnderstand Propositions of the Dâ—puties of VVestphalia c. That it would please the Princes Electors to consider with what care and dilligence the Emperour had sent his commaundement and letters as well to Albert the Archduke as to Andrew the Cardinall who were not yet well aduertised how things had past That to leuie an armie onely vpon the teritories of the Empire they must take good aduice and that by a Diet or Generall Assembly of all the Estates of the Empire That the Spaniards and States had mightie armies and their souldiars had beene hardened and practised in armes for these thirtie yeares That both the King of Spaine and the said States hauing had warre with other Kings and Princes and their armies defeated they haue presently renued the warres and with greater forces That for many reasons he would not aduise them to take armes presently but to stay a time and in the meane while they should require both the one and the other againe to repaire the hurt done by them in the Emperours Countrie by some friendly composition and that in the meanetime the Emperour should call an Imperiall Diet where if it should be resolued to leuie an armie to chase as well the Spaniards as the States out off the territories of the Empire that the Emperour as the soueraigne head should consent thereunto and do any thing that was befitting his charge Contrariwise the Deputies of Westphalia of base Saxony and of the vpper part of the Rhine did shew that they could not attend to any othertime to resist the Spaniards and the Admirall who contrary to the promises made by them to restore the places taken did still rauage more and more ouer the Countries of Westphalia Cleâ—es Mark and Bergh That Albert the Archduke and Andrew the Cardinall had beene aduertised of the violence of their armies and that they must resolue to repell force by force Wherupon it was decreed by the consent of the greatest part in forme of an Imperiall Edict A decree made at the Assembly of Coâ—â—lâ—nâ— That they should giue necessarie succors to the Circle of Westphalia and to the other Estates of the Empire that were beseâ—ged According vnto this Decre Henry Iules Duke of Brunswike and of Lunebourg Postulus of Halberstat and Prince Maurice Landgraue of Hesse leuied good troupes of mâ—n with that which the States of the aboue named Circles did ad vnto them all which togither made a good bodie of an armie of Germains of ten thousand foote and three thousand horse Count of â—ippe Generall of Germaine armie whereof Simon de Lippe was Captaine Generall the Earle of Hohenloo commaunded the Duke of Brunswiks troupes and Count George Euâ—rard of Solms those of the Landgraue of Hesse And for Generall of the Artillerie they had Oliuer de Timpel Lord of Cruybeke This armie being on foote the Spaniards left their lodging about the end of Aprill in the quarters of Westphalia and Munster the which they had made very desolate and came and planted themselues along the Rhine about the Townes of Emeric and Rees And afterwards as the sayd armie approched hauing stayed to beseege the fort of Walsom right against the Towne of of Rhinberk vppon the riuers side which the Germaines did take in the end they continued almost two moneths vnprofitably in that quarter and neuer aduanced to the great discontentment of the said Princes of Brunswike and Hesse and of their Lieutenants In the end the Count of Lippe marching downe the Rhine on the same side the Admirall of Arragon retyred his Spaniards out off Emeric the 7. of May remouing his bridge which he had vpon the Rhine and placing it lower before the Towne of Rees After he had wel manned the said Towne with a
Marchants forbidding to lay any new imposition vpon the marchandise remembring well that as the auarice of the Duke of Alua in the imposition of the tenth penny vpon all marchandise had made all the Prouinces reuolt so it was reasonable to augment their liberties Isabelle of Valois Mother to Isabelle of Austria called The Queene of Peace for the Prince which seekes to inrich his subiects cannot be poore wheÌ„ they are rich They did hope that the Infanta Daughter to a Princesse whom Europe called The Queene of Peace should be the Doue to bring the Oliue branch in signe that these great Deluges of bloud should cease but she declared presently that she could not yeeld vnto a Peace liberty of Conscience In all other things they do acknowledge her a Generous Princesse full of Pietie and Clemencie Let vs leaue their Highnesses in their Councels at warre and returne into France to see how the King doth husband the Peace He imployes all his thoughts for the profit of his subiects to restore them to those commodities whereof war had depriued them And therfore considering that a great multitude of his people remained vnprofitable for that they were not imploied in trades and occupations most necessary for traffick for that the works which should be made within the realme by FrenchmeÌ„ The enâ—â—ie of Silkes forbidden in France were brought and sold by Strangers namely Silkes and Cloth of Gold and Siluer he did therefore forbid by an Edict the entrie into his Realme of all Stuffes made of Silke Gold or Siluer pure or mixt vpon paine of confiscation to the end the French might be imploied in the making of all those marchandises which were forbidden to be brought in As the Marchants of Tours did solicit these Prohibitions so they of Lions made great sute to hinder it They alleaged that prohibiting the entry of Marchandise made by hand they must of necessity be made in France the which being well planted would yeeld sufficient coÌ„modity to nourish 500000. Frenchmen the Gold Siluer which goes out of the realme in specie in great abundance should continue there stil. Those of Lions did shew They of Lions hinder the purâ—ute of theÌ„ of Tours that this prohibitioÌ„ made the King to loose halfe his custome at Lions that it would ruine the Faires this ruine would draw after it the ruine of the Citty the which had bin built for the comerce and traffick of all Europe and was neuer seenâ— more flourishing then since the strangers frequented it by meanes wherof it did for a time so abound with money as our Kings haue found great succours in the necessity of their affaires and somtimes were indebted 6. or 7. Millions of Gold as well to the Inhabitants as to Marchant strangers That the whole State was interessed into her preseruation being one of the Bulwarkes of the weakest part lying open to enterprises of his enemies That many Strangers being ready since the Peace to come and make their Banke at Lions were held back vpoÌ„ the brute of the prohibition of strange wares if the Citty should continue disinhabited of Marchants of that quality it would be dangerous to leaue it in the hands of poore Artisans who are insolent in time of peace impatient in troubles and alwayes desirous of Innouations hauing nothing more vnpleasing vnto them then the present Notwithstanding all these reasons the King would haue the Edict passe the Duchesse of Beaufort was greatly affâ—ctâ—d to it The deceased King would haue done it and it was found reasonable by his Councel but in the end time let them know that it was no time to vse such prohibitioâ—â— The King in â—auour of the Queenâ— reuoked the forbidding of the entry of Silkes that before they hinder the entry of forraine stuffes made of Silke they must haue wherewithall to mâ—ke it within the Realme And therfore this Edict was reuoked at the Qâ—eenes entrie into Lions This yeare there was a notable Imposture which ministred matter of diâ—course to the Kings Councell to Preachers in their Pulpits and to the Court of Parliament 〈…〉 possest with a Diuell A yong maide of Romorantin named Martha Brossier hauing curiously read ouer the discourse of the Diuel of Laon she was so transported with the imagination of that which she read as imitating the motions of her folly she seemed to haue the Fits Passions of one that were possessed with the Diuell although nothing be so hard to counterfeit as the Diuell Iames Brossier her Father a man of himselfe busie and â—actiâ—â—s â—â—sirous of new things hauing obserued in his Daughter furious motions with such a stupidity and feare as it did moue commiseration and amazement in the most resolâ—â—e feare in the weaker hee seemed to beleeue that which hee would haue the people beleeue who came running to see this new Diuell publishing euery whâ—re that his Daughter was possest with an euill Spirit He presented her to the â—heologâ—â—l of Orleans who beleeued some thing seeing that his desseigâ—e grew into credit 〈…〉 the most famous places of all the Diocesse for deuotion 〈…〉 to be a Counteâ—fet to all the people beâ—eeuâ—d ceâ—taâ—nly that she was possest the which must be verified by the Iudgement of the 〈…〉 the Bishop of Angiers a graue and a wise man discouered her to be a 〈◊〉 and sent her away threatning to punish her if she returned into his Dâ—ocesse The 〈◊〉 of Orleans did also finde out her imposture forbidding the Clergie of the Diocesse to Exorcise her vpon paine of Suspension After that she had run 15. moneths vp and downe the Country being growne perfect in her counterfeit tricks Deuiâ—ish motions her Father thinking she knew enough that it was now time to present her vpoÌ„ the great Theater of France he conducts her to Paris and leads her to all the Churcheâ— to gather almes The people crie out presently to haue the Diuell coniured 〈…〉 an impiety to suffer one of Gods Creatures to bee so tyrannically 〈…〉 Diuell The Bishop assembles the learnedst Diuines and Pâ—isitioâ—s of the 〈…〉 Paris to haue their aduise about the coniuring of this 〈…〉 lie that it was but counterfeit A Capuchin griâ—ued to see the 〈…〉 said with some passion If any one beleeue not if he will 〈…〉 carry him away Marâ—scot fearing not be carried away by this kind of 〈…〉 that he would abide the hazard setting his knee vpoÌ„ Marthâ—s 〈…〉 he coÌ„manded her to be quiet whervpoÌ„ she stâ—rred not saying that her 〈…〉 The Court of Parliament seeing that all the people did run after Martha 〈…〉 that superstition which goes before is alwaies the beginner of impiety 〈…〉 their opinions and affections and cause some dangerous sedition 〈…〉 that Martha should be deliuered into the hands of the Lieutenant 〈…〉 Clergie said that those that were possest did not belong vnto the temporall in 〈…〉 and that the
Church had power to Iudge thereof Yet she is committed to 〈◊〉 They haue recourse vnto the King who commands that the Parliament be obeyed So as by a Decree of the great Chamber and the Tournelle the Lieutenant of the shorâ— Roabe was inioyned to conduct Martha with her Sisters Iames Brossier her 〈◊〉 Romorantin forbidding her to depart out of the Towne without leaue from the Iâ—dge of the place And so the Diuell was condemned by a sentence An other Diuell possest the soule of a miserable wretch 〈…〉 King â—iscouered who made an execrable attempt against the Kings person A Capuchin of Milan called father Honorio gaue intelligence thereof and the party that was described in his letter was found apprehended at Paris The King did thanke this good religious man by expresse Letters and did witnesse by his Ambassador resident at Rome that he would preserue the remeÌ„brance of so good a turne to make it knowne vnto all his Order that he had bound him vnto him The Kings desire to settle his affaires God would not call a Prince so necessary for the Earth so soone into Heauen before he had setled his people in that rest which their long paines calamities had deserued It was the Kings onely care to settle euery thing in his order with the aduise of the Princes of his house and the Lords of his Councell They sound that the subiects could not fully enioy the benefit of the Peace nor be eased of their charges so long as the Crowne was indebted Râ—nts fees of Officers Pensions gâ—rrisons and men at armes cost the King yeerly almost sixe millions of Gold and that that which should serue to maintaine his Royall Estate was not sufficient to pay the Rents Pensions which amounted to two Millions of Gold the fees of Officers came to 18000. Crownes many other charges which were not discharged for lesse This extreame necessitie made them to seeke out mary Rights and Duties belonging vnto the Crowne the which had beene morgaged and aliened during the last troubles which suffered all that could not be amended This was most apparent in Languedos whether the King sent De Maisse one of his Councell of State and Refuge a Councellor of the Court of Parliament at Paris And although it be a hard thing to draw a multitude compounded of Mutinies Factions vnto reason yet through their perswasions the Countrie did grant vnto the King the sum of two hundred thousand Crownes to be paied in foure yeares with an increase of the Gabelle or Custome vpoÌ„ Salt vnto two Crownes which came to fifty thousand Crownes a yeare at the least more then the King receiued So as the assured succours from that part encreased the Kings treasure 150. thousand Crownes yearely But it increased much more by the continuance of the imposition of a Soulz vpon the Liure the onely remedy to supply the Kings affaires A Liure is 2. shillings the ground whereof is necessity which makes that seeme iust which is profitable to the Common-weale The Commissioners appointed to establish this Leuie of a Solz vpon the pound French Disabilitie â—auseth complaints against impositions were not receiued without opposition nor executed without murmuring vsuall in such inouations There was no towne which fouÌ„d not it selfe ouer-burthened to shew that they were not able to beare any more This body was growne so weake with this long disease as euery little thing how light soeuer did seeme to oppresse it But they complained not alone of this Imposition other Subsidies were the cause of more ordinary greeuances grouÌ„ded vpon more reason Traffick is one of the Elements of a Realme when that ceaseth the subiect feeles it presently nothing hath so much hurâ— it as the augmentation of Customes and Imposts nothing hath made it so contemptible as the couetousnesse of such as had the charge to gather it The Marchants of Lionâ— complainâ— of a new custome and no man hath more felt the discomoditie of it then the Marchants of Lions who complained chiefely for that they had erected a new Custome house in the Towne of Vienne which staied all marchandise that came out of the Leuant These complaints were so common and so often reiterated to the Gouernor of Lions as he thought it good to send some one when as the 12. Townes in Daulphiné should assemble theâ—e Estates to intreat them to take away this Custome which made the Marchants to keepe from Lions least they should come neere vnto these 〈◊〉 The â—eputy made an excellent speech vnto the States of the Prouince assembled at Grenoble as you may read at large in the Original This discourse full of reason truth had not the power to make them of Daulphiné redresse the complaints of Lions but only to beseech his Maiestie to moderate the cause His affaires would not suffer him to giue that ease which Iustice and his Maiesties clemencie desired Whilest that the Comissioners trauell throughout the Prouinces about the executioÌ„ of the Kings Edicts as well for the good of the Peace as to supply the necessity of his Exchequer Complaint of the King of Spaine he passeth the greatest heat of SuÌ„mer at Blois There the Ki. of Spaine gaue him to vnderstand by his Ambassador that hee had great reason to complaine of the French especially of the Lord La Noue who against the conditions of the Treatie of Veruins were gone to serue Count Maurice the States of the Low Countries if the publick â—aith did not maintaine these reciprocall bonds the Peace would be more iniurious then war being impossible to auoide the deceits of hostility of him who shewâ— himselfe a friend is an enemy in effect The King hauing protested that his intention was to haue the contents of the treaty truly obserued he coÌ„manded La Noue all his subiects to returne home within six weekes vpon paine of losse of life forbidding all others to go thether vpon the like penaltie The Archdukes â—end to the King The Archdukes sent the Prince of Orange to visit the King and to giue him intelligence of their arriuall into the Lowe Countries and Andrew the Cardinall hauing resigned vp his charge takes his way through France to see the King About this time the yeare granted for the Arbitrement of the Marquisate of Salusses was expired with the prolongation of three moneths yet would not the King attempt any thing but commanded his seruants onely to stand vpon their gardes whilest that he approched neerer to the Duke of Sauoy to know what he would say The brute notwithstanding of an armie which the King of Spaine had caused to imbarke in Portugall staied his voyage vntill he might see what way it would take An armie defeated at Dunkerâ—e But this great Armie which had no reputation but a farre off and was not knowne by reason of the distance proued in the end but fiue Vessels the which were
incountred by the States and beaten neere vnto Dunkerke The King aâ— Males-herbes with the Marquis of Verâ—nucil Nothing did hinder the Kings exercises and sports at Blots and Males-herbes where hee spent his time with the Marquise of Vernucil in the meane time his good seruants watched both within and without the Realme for the good of his affaires all laboured in diuers actions but with one will and to one end to make the State as flourâ—shing as it had beene and the Maiestie of the Prince to be respected as it is Sacred and Holy Out of this number of good Seruants Officers of the Crowne death tooke away Phillippe de Hurault Earle of Chiuerny and Chancellor of France The death of the Chancelloâ— Chiuerny He had beene at the first Controuler of King Henry the 3. house being Duke of Aniou and King of Poland and by him made keeper of the Seales in the life of the Cardinall of â—iraque and after his death Chancellor and by him dismissed to his house at the States of Blois when as the Seales were giuen to Montheleu Aduocate in the Court of Parliament In this change he made triall that Princes Officers are in his hands as Counters be in an Auditors who raiseth them to the greatest and highest number and sodenly brings them downe to the lowest And although it be not spoken why the King commanded him to retire yet assoone as they saw him disgraced the friends of his fortune and the seruants of his fauours abandoned him He continued a while like an old cast ship which lyes in the harbrough and serues to no vse Hee returned to his charge and serued the King stoutly in the most troublesome and dangerous time of his affaires Complaints against the Chancellor Afterwards he had many crosses There were so great complaints exhibited against him in the Assembly at Roan as he was in danger to haue lost the keeping of the Seales or not to haue a Cardinals Hat demanded of the Pope for him Hee did not affect the second and the first hee preuented considering that they could not take away any thing nor diminish his great Dignities but with Shame and Disgrace Pompone de Belieure Chancellor of France Pompone de Belieure succeeded him after his death he restored the Seales the sacred instruments of Soueraigne Iustice to their honour All corrupt practises which made friends to the preiudice of the Common-weale were banished There is no other fauour then that of Iustice no other expedition but in publike and by order Nothing is setled extraordinarily but by the Kings expresse commandement or for the good of his seruice which may not bee deferred vnto the Sealing day and that in the view of all the Officers of the Chancerie Nothing is presented which hath not beene examined and held iust by the Maisters of Requests that were present The King hauing receiued newes of the Chancellors death he commanded Villâ—roy to dispatch his Letters before he demanded the place which done he presented himselfe to take his oth betwixt his Maiesties hands kneeling vpon a Cushion of Vehâ—eti the which the Chancellor and Constable onely doe and no other Officers of the Crowne His Maiestie would not binde him but to doe what hee had alwayes done for the good of his seruice and of his Crowne To conclude hee was not preferred to this high dignitie before any one that exceeded him in ranke of seruice or in merit and experience hauing vndergone the chiefe charges within the realme and happily performed abroad important and weighty Ambassages for the King About this time Iohn de Schomberg Archbishop and Elector of Treues dyed and in his place was chosen Lothaire Death of Iohn de Schomberg of the noble family of the Meternits a man of great experience and singular learning and aboue all a great louer of peace and quietnesse a worthie vertue in Princes and Prelats Death of the yong Princesse of Conâ—é This yeare also tooke away some Princesses in France amongst others Madamoiselle the onely daughter of the Prince of Condé the which hee had by his first Wife the Princesse of Neuers and Marquis of Lisle Her obsequies were made at Saint Germain des Prez with great shew as it was fit for a Princesse of the bloud Loâ—se de Budos the Constables wife died also a little before the Duchesse of Beaufort hauing left one Sonne and one Daughter whereby the famous house of Montmorency is renued the which was like to fall to the Distaffe The Marquise of Belle-Ile widow to the Maâ—quis the eldest Son to the Duke Marshall of Raiz The Marquise of Belle Ile becomâ—s a Feuâ—llantine at Tâ—oloâ—se a yonger daughter of the house of Longueuille hauing passed fiue yeares of her widowhood brought vp her Son in al vertue and pietie departed secretly out of Brittanie not aduertising any one of her kindred and went to professe her selfe a Nunne in the Monasterie of the Feuillantines at Tholouse Her Brother and her Husbands brethren posted after to diuert her but she was already in the Couent and resolued to end her dayes there A generous resolution of a Ladie issued from that noble house of Longueuille which holds one of the first places in France It is Soueraigne of the Countie of Neufchastel in Suisse and allyed to the house of Bourbon in diuers branches Execution of the Edict of Pacification The Commissioners which were imployed for the execution of the Edict of pacification found some difficulties in those places whereas the Bishops and Pastors of the Catholike Church had neither Temple nor place of retreat yet the Masse was restored to those places where it had beene banished fifteene or twentie yeares and the Preaching appointed onely in those places that were allowed by the Edict They found in all places rough and violent Spirits very hard to be dealt withall which inuented vaine quarrels when as they wanted iust cause of complaint The Commissioners exhort either partie as well to Concord as to Pietie and alwayes to containe their wills within the bounds of Obedience and not of Rebellion and to forget the factious names of Papists and Huguenots the which haue beene no lesse fatall to France then those of Guelphes and Gibellins in Italie They aduised the Preachers to take heed that their discourses were not streames of sedition as they are sometimes of Eloquence for they that make profession to teach the word of God may do as much harme in fauouring a Sedition as they shall gather profit of his Ministerie when hee shall preach Peace The Commissioners did admonish the Magistrates and cheefe of Iustice to preuent the first motiues of sedition which getting credit with the simple is the cause of great disorders So the Edict was executed throughout the realme and the most sauage began to liue louingly togither burying the remembrance of things past Things done cannot be recalled We must grow wise hereafter by the consideration of
marriage betwixt his Maiestie and the Queene Marriages broken for iust causes Duchesse of Valois being no lesse easie then that of Charlemagne with Irmengrade and Theodor a Daughter Sister to Didier King of Lombards for indisposition and sterilitie of Lewis the 7. with Elenor Duchesse of Guienne for some discontentments set downe in the Historie and couered with the pretext of Consanguinitie of Lewis the 12. with Ioane of France daughter to King Lewis the XI constrayned by force and want of consent That they should not be troubled to seeke lawfull causes of this dissolution for besides the want of issue in the which consists the secoÌ„d end of Matrimonie and the preseruation of the State they should not need to inuent the degree of consanguinitie being knowne to all men that the King and Queene are in the third degree a blemish which hath alwayes accompanied the Marriage since the sollemnisation thereof and the which was not taken away by the breefe of Pope Gregory the 13. for that the necessarie and essentiall formes were not obserued After that hee had shewed the necessitie profit of this separation he beseecheth the King to choose his second Wife in a cheefe and soueraigne Familie and which had beene heretofore honoured with the like happines and to consider that so great a Realme flourishing in Princes and many Noblemen and ancient houses cannot easily submit themselues to the commaund of those which by both sides shall not be of the bloud royall or soueraigne halfe Princes halfe simple gentlemen And if at any time wee must respect the distinction of Birthes Races it must be when as they that come are borne to coÌ„mand ouer others That they could not giue Heires to a Realme of too worthie a House· and if hee bee not equall by the Fathers side yet at the least that he come neere vnto it for men being by nature high minded do not willingly submit themselues to them whom they thinke to bee inferiour vnto their Fathers vnto whose commaund they haue beene inured The King was well pleased wâ—th this discours and aduertised Queene Marguerit thereof by L' Anglois one of the Masters of Requests of his Maiesties houshold to vnderstand her resolution touching the nullitie of their Marriage Shee who vpon the like demand during the life of the Duchesse of Beaufort had made refusall for some reasons returned him answere that shee would deliuer her mynd vnto Berthier Agent for the Clergie and Intendant of her affaires The Kings intentions were imparted vnto him and hee sent vnto her who returned with this answere vnto the King and his Councelâ— A Letter from Queene 〈◊〉 vnto the King That shee desired nothing more then the Kings contentment and the quiet of the Realme and withall shee sent a priuat letter vnto his Maiestie beseeching him To grace her with his protection vnder the shadow whereof shee would passe the remainder of her yeares The sayd Qâ—eene sent a Petition vnto the Pope Hâ—â— request â—nto the Pope conteining That her brother King Charles the 9 and the Queene her mother had married her against her will to which marriage her heart had neuer consented That the King and shee being in the third degree of consanguinitie she beseeched his Holines to declare the marriage voide The King made the like request This busines was managed very seriously by the Cardinaâ—l of Ossat and by the Lord of Sillery the Kings Ambassador at Rome who at the same time pursued the Iudgement â—or the Marquisate of Saluces They beseeched his Holines in his Maiesties name That for that which should concerne the nullity of the sayd marriage he desired no other fauour then that of Iustice. This busines was imparted by the Pope vnto the Consistory Pope Gregories dâ—spenâ—aâ—on was 〈◊〉 the maâ—râ—age and many reasons set downe to proue the nullity of the marriage All the difficulty was Pâ—pe Clement the 8. thought it some-what strange that hee should declare that marriage voyde which Pope Gregory the 13. had approued and who by his absolute authoritie had taken away all lets and hindrances All which was answered at large And although it were true that Qâ—eene Marguerite had continued long with the King Yet this coâ—abitation was alwaies forced and the same feaâ—e which was in the beginnâ—ng of the marriage had continued during the life of her Bretheren and the Queene â—er Mother and the time was to be regarded so long as the feare continued for marriages contracted by force and constraint without consent are voyde and time doth not deface the nullity if he that is forced hath not liberty to do that freely which they haue made him do by force In the end it was resolued on in the Consistory that a Commâ—ssion should be granted to certaine Prelats to take iust knowledge of the cause vpon the place The King 〈◊〉 boâ—ne the 1â— of December 1553 and baptâ—zed 〈…〉 the Cardinaâ—l of Bourbon 〈◊〉 King Henry the 2. and to iudge of the nullity of the sayd marriage His Holineâ— sent this Commission vnto the Cardinall Ioyeuze to the Bishop of Modene his Nuntio in France and to the Archbishop of Arles a learned Italian Prelate and well practised in those affaires who being assembled at Paris after that they had obserued all solemnities that were requisite and caused information to be taken of his Maiesties age hauing vewed the reqâ—isition of the three Estates of France conteyning the great interest they had therein Aâ—l being wel examined considered they declared the sayd marriage voide set the parties at liberty to marry where they pleased The King sent d'Alincourt Gouernor of Pontoise Knight of his Orders to thanke the Pope for his good iustice the Earle of Beaumont to Queene Margeret to let her vnderstaÌ„d that the Popes Delegates had giuen vp their sentence The kingâ— letter to Queene Margueâ—iâ— And seeing that God had suffred that the bond of their conâ—uÌ„ction was disolued the which his diuine Iustice had done as well for their particular quiet as for the publike good of the Realme hee desired no lesse to cherish and loue her then before resoluing to haue more care of that which did concerne him then he had had to let her vnderstand that hereafter he would not be a Brother to her only in name but shee should finde effects worthy of the trust which she had reposed in the sincerity of his aâ—fection She made answer vnto the King Queene 〈◊〉 answere That although it were easie to receiue comfort for the losse of any worldly thing yet the onely respect of the merit of so peâ—â—ect a King and so valiant did by the priuation therof cut off all consolation being the marke of the genâ—rosity of such a spirit to make her griefe immortall as hers should be if the fauor which it pâ—eased his Maiesty to do her by the assurance of countenance and protection did not banish it At the same time
sent to Court to knowe the Kings pleasure touching this difficulty The King demanded of him what a Chanoine of Honour was and if the Duke of Sauoies reception had beene like vnto his La Faye answered that the great and famous Churches of Europe had Chanoines of Honour who were either Soueraigne Princes in whose domynions they were founded or forraine Princes who by their piety haue bound the Church to this acknowledgement of Honour That the place of a Chanoine of Honour is neither for the office nor for the charge but onely for reuerence and priuiledge for as the Prince who is a Chanoine of Honour is not bound to any other thing but to sweare the protection and preseruation of the rights of the Church so hee reapes no other proffit but is partaker of their Prayers which they make there That this Honour should be of small import if the greatnesse of Princes which had disired it did not make it great in a great Church the which being one of the cheife of France as well in Antiquity as in Dignity the reputation thereof haue beene spred in farre nations who haue founded their Churches after this modell That this Honour had beene giuen in ancient time to the most Christian Kings Chanoins of honor are bound to shewe the antiqâ—â—ty and greâ—â—nesâ—e of their extractio◠〈◊〉 but the â—ing to the Dukes of Sauoy Earles of Villards to the Dukes of Bourgondy Dukes of Berry and Daulphins of Viennois which haue beene receiued Cannons of Honour in that Church but those receptions did differ from that of the Kings The King asked the opinion of his Councell in that case and by their aduice he answered that the Duke of Sauoy holding no more the County of Villards should not pretend the rights that depended thereon that comming into France to reconcile himselfe vnto his Maiesty hee would make so small an aboad in Lions as hee did not thinke that hee would stay for so simple a Ceremony That if he should demand that place of Chanoine of Honour as they had giuen it to his deceased Father the Chapter should excuse themselues vntill they knewe the Kings pleasure to do their duties at his returne The Duke was much offended with the refusall of that was due to him and the which they had giuen vnto his deceased Father Neither did hee dissemble his discontent for he would not go into this Church although he were lodged in the Archbishops Pallace nor passe ouer the place which is before the principall doore and when as the Deane with the whole body of the Church went to salute him hee sayd that he had alwaies honored that Companie as hauing the Honour to be of it Being receiued into Lions according to the Kings order command he had many presages of discontentment in his voyage His seruants in Court aduertised him that if he came without other desseine then to offer the Marquisate of Saluces hee would reâ—ent his comming One sayd vnto him that hee should not get any great matter of the King seeing hee was not pleased that the Cathedrall Church at Lions should afford him a little Honour and Ceremony A man at armes of the company of the Marquis d' Vrfe was put in prison vpon a false aduice that came from Geneua that hee followed the Duke with an intent to do a bad act at Paris It was strange in Court that the King had not sent any other vnto him then the Controuler generall of the Postes But nothing troubled him more then when as Varenne among other discourses which the Duke offred to sound their opinions touching his voyage sayd vnto him he should bee welcome so as hee restored the Marquisate A speech which toucht the Duke vnto the quick who esteemed not all the Estates of his patrimony as the Marquisate alone It is true that they loue that better which they haue gotten then that which hath beene purchased by their Predecessors Hee went by post from Lions to Roane from thence hee went by water to Orleans whether the King sent the Duke of Nemours to receiue him Betwixt Orleans and Fontainbleau he was met first by the Marshal Biron and then by the Duke Montpensier beeing followed by many Noblemen The 13. of December at night a memorable day for the Kings birthe hee arose when he knewe his traine to bee a sleepe and departs secretly to get to Fontainbleau before his people were awake Varenne who had commandement from the King to come before aduertise him had much adoe to follow him and if the Duke had found horses readie at the first post they had not carried the first newes of his arriuall He found the King comming from Masse with all the Noblemen of his Court attired all in redde and ready to go to horse-backe to meete him they did walke long togither after their first imbracings excuses Then the Duke told him the occasions of his voiage the which he had kept secret from his Councell The King his nobles werâ— aâ—â—ired in red the Dâ—â—e and his â—raine in black But hee could drawe nothing from the King by this first parle but hee should haue him his friend in yeelding him his Marquisate It is a difficult thing to feede a King with a white beard with words The King sayd alwaies that he desired nothing but his owne And the Duke of â—â—uoy beeing in the Lovure spake boldly that no power in the world should euer make him yeeld to this restitution A free couragious speech in anothers Country not among his owne people but to Villeroy the Kings chiefe most confident Secretary of State From Fontainbleau he went to Paris with a goodly traine he was lodged in the Lovure spent the Christmas in Nemours house He admired this great Court where he sees the chiefe Noblemen of the realme and noted that L'Esdiguieres who had so much trobled him was not so great in Court as in Daulphiné The Dukes presence did increase his reputatioÌ„ The Dukes praises he gouerned his actioÌ„s in such sort as hee freed theÌ„ from the skorne mockery of the Court His wisdom his Discretion his Courtesie made theÌ„ to forget the tales which were yet told of the good Duke Charles his Grand-father They did obserue in his actions Curtesie Courage Liberality Discretion Policy This yeare ended in all sorts of pleasures and sports familiarities and profes of true friendship so as many beleeued that the two hearts and the two Courts of these Princes were but one but there was alwaies some marke of constraint and amidest these embrasings there alwaies past some gird or quip The King who is ready and sodaine in his answers gaue him alwaies some touch to thinke on There was too great difference betwixt the tunes of their humors to make along good harmony But whilest the Court abounds in pleasure and delights Duke of Mercaeur voiage into Hungary in October 1599. the Duke Mercaeur
is in Hungary in the midest of many discomodities which he holds pleasing for Gods cause but before he goes he giues them occasion to talke of him in the Court of Parliament He had a cause pleaded there and his Aduocate gaue him the quality of a Prince Seruin the Kings Aduocate holding it a base preuarication to be silent at that which ought to be spoken for the Kings seruice and the Lawe of State did shew that that quality did not belong to any but to Princes of the bloud The Duchesse of Mercure who was then in presence sayd that they could not take from her Husband a quality that was due vnto him by the right of his birth and that the King held him so The Duke Mercure holding that which the Kings Aduocate had sayd in discharge of his duty for a brauado and a contempt went the same day vnto his house and gaue him iniurious words The King being aduertised thereof held it a bold act The Court esteemed the iniury done vnto them desired the more to repaire it for that the honor of the Kings seruice was wronged and that it had bin done in sight of the ParliameÌ„t of the Capital Citty of the Realme in his house that was wronged the which should be to euery man an inuiolable Sanctuary The Court decreed that he should be personally adiorned and had proceeded further if the Kings commandement had not stayd them It was a great vertue in the President Lizet when he decreed that the quality of Prince which the Cardinall of Lorraine tooke should be raized out of his Aduocates pleadings The Cardinall complayned vnto the King but the President Lizet answered with sutch Courage and Constancy before the King beeing in Councell that the Cardinall was no Prince nor equall to Princes if you will sayeth he vse it shew vs the place of your Principality A free speech which purchased the old man much reputatioÌ„ In the yeâ—re 1598. yet within two yeares after he made him resigne his place vnder an other pretext There was no Nobleman in France that vsed the benefit of the Peace more worthily theÌ„ the Duke Mercure for disdayning the idlenesse of the Court and the ease of his house hee imployed himselfe to succor the Christians against the greatest enemy of their Religion He leads with him the Count of Chaligny his brother with some gentlemen at his owne charge resoluing to imploy his Goods as well as his Life in this holy warre hauing vowed to serue Christendome two yeares at his owne charge Hee shewed himselfe a great Captaine as well to defend as to assaile hauing kept the enemy with an army of a hundred and fifty thousand men from beseeging of Strigonia this was in his first voiage before whose returne the Emperour desired to see him What pâ—st in Hungary and intreated him to take his way by Prague After the raysing of the seege of Buda or Belgrade the Christian army was dismissed sent to Garâ—isons Buda receiued a new Bascha The Knights of Comorre at the beginning had defeated part of the troupes which were come to coÌ„duct accoÌ„pany the Bascha they spoiled a Ship being laden with spoile they returned to their coÌ„panions The Turke sent fiue Shippes to Buda and changed aâ— the Estate and one of the Baschas which had beene there during the seege who had bene of opinion to yeeld the place was punished It was thought the Bascha of Agria would haue giuen some notable attempt hauing made great preparation for Warre in diuers places and prouided three hundred barrells of poulder Those of Sigeth on the other side hauing made Souldiars Coates of the Germaine fashion thought to surprize the Christians but they fayled being discouered The Tartares The Tartares demand a peace which adhere vnto the Turke by his commandement spoyled the Country vpon the riuer of Hipolis and fell vpon Peste Zolnâ—ek and Hattouan Townes subiect vnto the Turke who being tired with their courses and exhausted of money by the great warres hee had against the Persian hee resolued to demaund a Peace of the Emperour The Tartares came to make this demand at Vienna in the beginning of February who being adressed vnto the Arch-duke Mathias they had no answer The Tartares reuenge for being contemned The Tartares defeated by Palfi but returned as they came by reason of the spoile their men made this request was not reported vnto the Emperour nor vnto the Court at Prague In the meane time the Tartare made a furious reuenge hauing surprised the Citty of Tolice and put all to fire and sword they slue all within it that were of mans age and had done worse if the Lord of Palfi had not made head against them and slaine some among others three Captaines who choose rather to bee slaine then to yeeld except one Vallet who demanded his life and was saued They of Ratzen with all their men retired vnto the Mountaines to auoide the fury of the Tartares but they of Crabatzen resisted them brauely and tooke one of their Captaines Those of Vaxence vnto Buda defeated a great number being gone to freeboote neere to Palaner Meugrade and Zetschen but the rest of the Tartares hauing notice thereof burnt aboue thirty villages neere vnto Calon which had like to haue beene taken and Laomare also if it had not beene well manned but they durst not sally forth for that the enemy was aboue 12. thousand The Fort of Canisia was also burnt at that time whereas the soldiars and the Inhabitants lost all their baggage mouables About that time the garrison of Strigonia defeated a Conuoy tooke a great Booty Orsipetre the Gouernors Lieutenant got much welth and honor among other things he had a Gowne of cloath of Tissue of Gold and Siluer which was sent to the Bascha and knowing that the Fort of Wailes was fallen hee enters it and defeats the garrison with the Aga which is the Gouernor and deliuered them of Bischir The Heiducks which are horsemen led away 800. Sheepe which did greatly releeue Strigonia In the meane time there happened a great alteration in Transiluania the Vauoide Sigismond who had before accepted a recompence of the Emperour to deliuer Transiluania into his hands hauing gonne from his word What past in Transiluania hee prest the Emperour by the Bishop of Alba-Iulia and by Stephen Paschay his Chancellor to restore him Transiluania againe And without attending any answer he goes thether in post takes it againe and makes his Cousine Andrew Battâ—ry the Cardinall to sweare fealty vnto him the which he did also cause George Balte to approue being then at Cassouia in heigh Hungary Generall of the Emperours army who was therein surprized for hee gaue him to vnderstand that it was for the good of Christendome and in the meane time Cardinal Andrew treated with the Turke by safe conduct The Emperour sent Doctor Petzen thether but coÌ„ming to Thorne the Principall Towne
Duke Charles hangâ— vp the Nobles of Suâ—â—land that serued the King Charles takes Coâ—mar and sendes awaye freely the Hungarians Poâ—onians and Germains and hanged all the Nobles of Suedland to the number of 48. Iohn Sparre with Christopher Laurence 〈…〉 their heads Ladislaus Bechez was in like â—ort condemned but the King 〈◊〉 hâ—m mâ—anes to â—aue hâ—s liâ—e by the yeelding vp of the Sueden prisoners whom the Kâ—ng had 〈◊〉 away with him So as the Souldiers which â—ollowed the King 〈◊〉 afterwards hold for Charles to those that would depart he gaue leaue and appoynted them two shâ—ps to returne by Pomerania and hauing armed his ships of War he left them in Garrison at Colmar Seuen Demands of Duke Charles to the 〈◊〉 of Sueâ—â—n the rest of the Fleet he sends by the Baltike Sea the whâ—ch doth much annoy them of Lubee and the Country thereabouts But not content with al this he assembles the States againe at Stockholme where he propounded seuen Articles 1 That they should allowe of the taking of Colmar seeing that the King would keepe it with a Garrison of strangers against the Lawes of Sueden 2 That they should ratifie the orders made at Lincop and Inecop according to the Peace sworne at Lincop vpon condition that the said Towne of Colmar should be restored vnto the Suedens 3 If they would haue him to mainteyne them still in liberty they should prouide to giue him more meanes for the recouery of Finland and Liuonia and other Countries subiect to the Crowne of Sueden 4 That they should aâ—aigne the Archbishop of Stockholme other seditious Councellors who had practised against his life 5 That those of Lubee should be punished in hostile manner for that they had declared themselues enemies to the State 6 That all the Seditioâ—s should be punished and their goods confiscated or at the least banished and their fam lies degraded of all dâ—gnity and that they should consider what they would do therein 7 That seeing the King would not vouchsaâ—e to answer the Ambassage of the States held at Inecop to know whether they were any more bound to him by obedience what they expected more See how this ambitious spirit subiected himselfe to the humour of a multitude to attaine to that degree whiâ—h he could not hope for Notwithstanding it was decreed that King Sigismond was no more their King but his son Prince Vladislaus was not excluded â—f within two yeares he came into Sueden to mainteine the auncient Lawes of the Country for default therof they would prouide for the State according to Custome All the rest of the Aâ—â—â—cles were gratned so as being transported with pride vaine glory he entred presently â—nto Finland where without the succo s of Iohn Back a great Captaine of Finland he had beene in danger of his life by the meanes of Asâ—hel Kork a Finlandois who held for the King so as Aschel was forced to retyre to Vibourg but the Vibourgins being loth to hazard the fortune of the Warre dismissed him and receiued Charles Viceroy of Sueden who a little before had taken Helfingfor which was the cheefe cauâ—e that Vibourg yeelded where their three braue Captaines Gaspar Tisnen and William Faremsbach remayned prisoners in the Castell of Vibourg 〈…〉 Greue saued himselfe All things falling out successfully he came to Nience with sixe ships of warre hauing sent Peter Stoly a Nobleman of Suedeland thither before and was receiued by the Russians and them of Iuangrode the Capital Cittie of Russia He sought also to reduce them of Riualia to the obedience of the State which is the vttermost bound of the Bâ—ltike Sea who answered That they would not acknowledge any but Sygismond and resisted him In the meane time the Fort of Abovuiâ— in Finland being yeelded Charles put garrisons in the places which he had taken and leauing Ieams Schel Admirall and his Lieutenant Generall he returned into Sueden about the end of Nouember where we will leaue him to finish the Christians enterprises this yeare against the Turke The Heidugues attempted the Castell of Formes beneath Buda The Christians enterprises in Hungarie against the Turkes being repulst from it wâ—th the CannoÌ„ hauing lost aboue 400. men they brake the bridge of Transiluania tooke 2. Castels ruining all the other bridges sinking the boats of the passages the which did greatly annoy the Turke For this cause Schuartzebourg did againe try if he could surprise Buda but Colonel Orsipre incountring with certaine Turkes some of them went presently to Buda to giue them intelligence thereof the which was contemned by the Bascha who issuing forth off the Towne was taken by the Christians and led to Schuartzebourg who sent him to the Emperour with certaine enseigns which the Barons of Palfi and Nadaste had taken from the Tartarians The Basha of Buda taken Pesta was beseeged where Schuartzebourg was sore hurt in the foote the Emperour to keepe him still in the army sent him a chaire in the which he might sit without paine The Bascha Serdar being in Buda threatned to beseege Strigonia the which was furnished for all euents that the Forts built by Count Charles Mansfelt might hold firme In the meane time Paul de Niar Gouernour of Varadin tooke the Towne Zarrada and placed a garrison there During these attempts they did not forberae to talke of peace A place was appointed for the assembly A parle of peace betwixt the Christians Turks and Tartaâ—es The great Cham of the Tartares sent his Deputies and Sardar the new Bascha of Buda sent Amurath Basha and Ameth for the Turke and for the Emperour Schuartzebourg Palfi Nadaste and Doctor Peâ—zen but the demaunded Iauarin Fillech and Serchin to be restored vnto them and they would deliuer vp Agria so as nothing could be concluded Presently after Palfi defeated 700. Turkes The Tartarians nere to Fillee to the number of 3000. were charged by the Hussars which are Hungarian Knights almost al slaine At that time two Turks turned Christians who discouered that Serdar Basha was countermanded by the great Turke who was much afflicted by the Persians and Georgians so as Serdar Basha hauing made some courses vpon Vespain and Pappe he retired to Constantinople and the Christian army was dismist by the Archduke Mathias for that yeare Whilest they laboured thus in Hungarie all Transiluania came into the Emperours power by the meanes of Michael Vauoide or Palatin of Valachia who chased the Cardinall Battory from thence hauing put himselfe into the Turkes protection and become his tributarie and declared himselfe enemie both to the Emperour and to Michael the Vaâ—oide who opposed himselfe against him with all his forces The Palatin tooke Cronstar neere to Poland and going downe that way he conquered Halleâ—s and then the Castell of Fogear finally he encountered the Cardinalls armie neere vnto Cibigno and vanquished it of twentie fiue men which fled with the Cardinall there were few escaped but al
one of the Realmes which holds in fee and doth homage vnto the Church of Rome and for that reason besides the eight thousand Ounces of Gold which they owe yeerely they are bound to take armes for defence of the Church They had their part also of the fruites of the Holy yeare during which time many Frenchmen and others of the Religion went to see for curiosities sake without any feare of the Inquisition whose iurisidiction doth cease in the yeare of Iubilé many great personagâ—s from diuers parts of Europe went to this Iubile The Duke of Bar goes to Rome disguized to the Cardinal Aldobrandin and Ossat and to Monsieur de Sillery among the cheefe was the Dâ—ke of Bar who went in a disguised habit to get absolution for that hee had beene married against the rules of the Church and without dispensation of the degrees of consanguinity that were betwixt him and the Kings Sister for which cause the Bishop of Lorraine refused him the holy Sacrament and held him for excomunicate The King assisted this Princes humility and submission with his letters of fauour to diuers Câ—rdinalls The Duke of Sauoy was not pleased with the long delaies of the Court he complained that he was intreated with to great rigour The Duke thought to finde a King â—f Complements And the King a Duke more easie to restore that which he held The Duke couered his discontent with silence and discretion In the end they agree to treat of their affaires and differences by Deputies Deputies for the King and Duke For the King were named the Constable the Chancellor the Marshall Biron the Marquis Rhosny and Villeroy Fâ—r the Duke Bely his Chancelor the Marquis of Lullins Iacob the Earle of Moret and Aâ—â—mes The Kings Deputies demand restitution of the Marquisate of Saluces in the same Estate it was in wheÌ„ the Duke surprized it The Dukes first propositioÌ„ was to haue the King renounce the protection of Geneua the which was not sayd they coÌ„prehended in the Treaty of Peace in speciall words as other Townes This did much offend the King and his Councell The Duke intreated the Popes Nuntio to make this proposition The Popes Nuntio intreatâ— the King to leaue the protection of Gâ—neua who hauing his soule as free from craft and dissimulation as it was full of zeale and integrity found meanes to speake vnto the King without trouble or alteration He sayd that there was a meanes to vnite the extremities of their wills for the same reason which required the Duke to restore the Marquisate did not hinder his Maiesty from the enioying of that which did belong vnto him It is true sayd the King There the Nontio repiled The Towne of Geneua belongs vnto the Duke and nothing hinders him from settling the authority which his Predecessors had there but the power of your protection Is it not then reason that as you will haue him restore the Marquisate which is yours you should suffer him to enioye the Towne of Geneua which is his The King to be speedily freed of this argument answered that things were different that hee had not made the protection of Geneua It was a Treaty whervnto he was bouÌ„d by faith for the reuerence he did beare vnto his Predecessors who had made them selues Protectors of that Common-weale from whom they had receiued seruice in their necessities And he would neuer oppose himselfe against the firmnes of their promises The Nuntio sayes presently vnto the King As you will not leaue the protection of Geneua for that it was made with your Predecessors in like sort the Duke is not bound to yeelde you the Marquisate of Saluces for that he tooke it not from you but from the deceased King Our difference replyed the King although for my part it consists of many points is reduced onely to that which concernes the Marquisate of Saluces The vsurper must restore the Duke of Sauoie hath vsurped my Marquisate there is nothing that doth free him from restitution I hold nothing of his and therefore must not restore him any thing I will neuer hinder him from hauing reason of Geneua so as hee get it without armes for when hee shall come thether with force I will alwaies resolue of that which I ought He thinkes that if I should abandon that Towne he might force them to acknowledge him but I should purchase in abandoning them much blame it being against the honor of this Crowne and the firmenesse of a Kings word The Duke had reason to affect this place he might make a great Bul-warke thereof against the Suisses to recouer that which they did hold from the ancient house of Sauoye and to make all things difficult for the French among the Cantons This proposition of Geneua was razed out of the Duke articles no more spoken of in the Assembly of the Deputies They did presse the restitution of the Marquisate or the exchange of the Countries of Bresse Pigneroll and Sauillan with some valleys for the passage of Piedmont The Deputies assembled but once The Duke fore-seeing what the issue would be They demand an exchange insteed of restititution and hauing vnderstood that the Chancellor speaking of the Restitution or Exchange had sayd that they must passe that way or by the sword he let the King vnderstand that to many delt in the busines and that it should be sooner ended if but one did faithfully report the intentions of either part The Patriarke of Constantinople was imployed therein but the Duke disliked thereof Hee resolued to free himselfe of these difficulties and to runne the hazard and shame of the refusall Then hee presented his first proposition of the Empire and Duchie of Millan giuing him very plausible meanes if they had beene as easie in the execution as in the discourse shewing that for all the fruite of the conquest he desired nothing but to hold the Marquisate of Salusses Whervnto the King answered That he was neither of that age nor his affayres in that estate that King Francis his were when he aspired to the Emâ—ire That there was not a Duke of Saxony nor a Langraue prisoner to giue him the Title of Protector of Germany and other Princes prisoners as vnto King Henry the second If a King of France should bee ambitious of any thing greater then his Crowne it might bee an Empire but not in the estate that it is nowe The Emperor hath little more then the title the soueraignty remaining to the States of thâ— Empire the title of an Emperour beeing little more then that of a Duke of Venice but as it was vnder Augustus when as Rome which commands but 7. hills had reduced all the world vnder one Empire or at the least as it was vnder Charlemagne As for the Duchie of Milan the King said that the enterprise was tedious and the issue vncertaine as of all other desseins and for the meanes which the Duke discouered vnto him there was nothing so
for the Greeke tounge All singular Men in learning and tonges This conference began the 4. of May in the Hall at Fontainbleau in the midest whereof was a Table of a resonable length At the one end sat the King on his 〈…〉 Bishop of Eureux The manner of their sitting at the Conference and on the left right against him Du Plessâ—s 〈…〉 Mercier Secretaries of the Conference were at the lower end 〈…〉 Some what higher on the Kings right hand sat the Chancellor the 〈…〉 Behind the King stood the Archbishop of Lions and the Bishops of Neuers 〈◊〉 and Chastres On the Kings left hand were the foure Secretaries of State 〈◊〉 them which conferred were the Dukes of Vaudemont of Nemours of 〈◊〉 of Mayenne of Neuers of Eibeuf of Aiguillon and of Ionuille the Officers of the 〈◊〉 Councellors of State and other Noblemen of quality After that all were â—â—â—manded to keepe silence his Maiesty hauing said that the Dispute was not betwixt paâ—â—y and paâ—ty but particular betwixt the two Confereâ—ts not for any 〈◊〉 Right and Doctrine but for the literall trueth of some passages and that he 〈◊〉 they should Treat with al Mildâ—es and Moderation without any 〈…〉 but that of the trueth Declaring moreouer that he did not meane that this 〈◊〉 should in any thing alter or disquiâ—t the Peace of his Subiects as the Chancellor 〈◊〉 then declare vnto them at large by the Kings commandement After the first dayes Conference Monsieur du Plessis fell very 〈◊〉 so as they could proceed no further The King did write the same day vnto the Duke of 〈…〉 had past in thiâ— Conference and shewed by his Letter what his iudgement was 〈◊〉 friend the Diocesse of Eureax hath vanquished that of Saumur Wherewith Moâ—sâ—ur â—u Plessis was discontented so as in a discourse which he or some of his friends had 〈◊〉 soone after touching this Conference he termed this Letter A Sparke of fire and that the Bishop of Eureux Fly was made an Elephant The King had particular aduice that the Duke of Sauoy was irresolute what to do The Duke of 〈…〉 and that he had sent vnto the Pope and to diuers Princes and Common weales in Italy to let them vnderstand that he had beene forced to the Treaty of Paris and how much it did import them if this Treaty were effected but he found not their intentions to iumpe with his neither had he the answer which he expected His Maiesty had also intelligence of his deepe dissembling saying somtimes That he would not restore the Marquisate but by force sometimes That he had rather deliuer Bresse then the Marquisate and most commonly hee would say That he would restore the Marquisate and that with a double desseine The one was that the King thinking he proceeded faithfully would graunt him some delay for the Restitution of the Marquisate during the which and before that the King should 〈◊〉 an Army Winter should come the which would hinder the French from attempting of any thing against him this yeare The other was to the end that the King of Spaine and his Councell who apprehended aboue all the Restitution of the Mâ—rquisate for the neighbourhood of the French to the Duchie of Milan should grant vnto â—eâ—y the Dukes Chancellor and his Ambassador in Spaine whither he had sent him expresly to 〈◊〉 the Spaniards who 〈◊〉 offended with the Dukes voyage into France 〈◊〉 of Men and Money in case the King would force him or else that hee might draw some recompence from the Spaniard for the exchange of Bresse with the Mâ—rqâ—isate Bely complaines to the Councell of Spaine The 〈…〉 of the little time which their remayned for the Restitution of the Marquisate to the French to whom they answered That armyes were not so soone leuied in France that hee should assure the Duke his Maister that the Count de Fuentes should be at Milan by August whereas two millions of 〈◊〉 attended him with so many men and other prouision as whosoeuer should seeke to force him should haue inough to do to defend himselfe The King being well aduertised of all these practises The first of Iune beeing past The King 〈…〉 9. oâ— Iâ—lâ— by the which the Duke according to the Treatye of Paris should restore the Marquisate his Maiesty came to Lions where the Duke intreated him by his Letters to giue him some dayes of respite that he would satisfie him by his Ambassadors Whervnto the King yeelded TheÌ„ the Archbishop of Tarantaise the Marquis of Lullins and â—oncas his Ambassadors came to Lions the 16. of Iuly Who sayd vnto the King That the Duke their Maister did complaine of the treatie of Paris that he durst not refuse any thing to his Maistie when as he was in the chiefe Citty of his Realme that he might be more blamed for holding of the accord then in breaking it The Dukes Ambassadors come to Lions for the great interrest of himselfe his Children and his Countries Notwithstanding he was ready to yeeld the Marquisate but he beseeched his Maiesty to graunt him the Inuestiture of it for one of his Sonnes The King answered them The Kings answer to the Ambassadors That the Duke had written many letters vnto him from Chambery and Thurin aduertising him that he was very well pleased with the accord which he had made at Paris promising to effect it as he was bound to doe As for his Demand of the Inuestiture of the Marquisate for one of his Sonnes there was no likelihood he should vse any such Liberalitie hauing so small cause To conclude he was much discontented with the difficulties which the Duke made vpon their accord the which if he did not performe by the first day of August he should prepare to defend himselfe Roncas the Dukes confident seruant returnes to his Highnes to let him vnderstand the Kings discontent resolution but espcially to giue him time to thinke of his affaires At that time Fosseuse returning out of Piedmont assured the King that he had heard the Duke of Sauoy sweare that he would neuer yeeld vp the Marquisate and if the King did attempt to make warre against him he would shew him sport for fortie yeares with such like words which were vnpleasing to the King Roncas returnes speedily bringing news that the Duke was content seeing the King would haue it so to restore the Marquisate of Saluces according to the treatie of Paris M r de Sillâ—ry and the President Iaâ—in deputies for the King The King seemed well pleased with this resolution giuing the charge to Brulart and Ianin to treat with the Dukes Ambassadors how the restitution of the Marquisate should be made The articles were agreed vpon and being readie to signe them Roncas saide vnto the Ambassadors that his master might take it ill if they should signe them before hee had seene them that there were diuers humors about his Highnes that it would be more
easie for him to get him to approue the Articles when they were not signed Roncas takes vpon him to carry the Articles the King hauing liuen him heaue to goe and knowe his Masters last resolution shewing that he was determined not to suffer himselfe to be entertained any longer with words but in steed of returning he sent backe a letter whereby they found that the Duke did nothing but dessemble and keepe the King ocupide vntill that the Count de Fuentes came out of Spaine and that he had assembled his forces and prouided for his safety But the Archebishop of Tarantaise and Lullins entering againe into conference with the said Presidents of Sillery and Ianin they propounded foure difficulties Dificulties inuented by the Duke 1. Vpon the restitution of places in the Marquisate by the Duke and of Pont de vaux in Bresse by the King at the same time 2. Vpon the restitution of the Baillewicke of Gex 3. Vpon the restitution of the Artillerye and Munition that was within Cormagnole 4. Vpon the nomination of a Gouernor in the Marquisate All which being resolued the Dukes Ambassadors beseech the King to giue them time to aduertise their Master thereof the King answered them that if by the sixteene of August all his places in the Marquisat were not restored vnto him that he would seeke to recouer that by force which he could not haue by reason Before the kings departure from Paris the Diuill had perswaded a wretched woman called Micole Mignon to poyson him An attempt to poison the King who had some means during the forepassed warres she had had the fauour to talke priuatly with the King who is as ful of Bounty as the Libertie of armes in time of warre giues such familiarities Princes some times frame themselues vnto it Being kept back from the Kings presence with whom she would needs speake in priuate being full of indignation and hauing resolued this cruell attempt against the King she addresseth her selfe to the Count Soisons a Prince of the bloud and Lord Steward of France that he might giue her husband some place in the Kings Kitchin and so in going to see her husband she should haue meanes to effect her damnable enterprise In the ende she had accesse and said vnto him that she was resolued to doe an act which should make him the greatest Prince and her the most contented woman in the world He desired to vnderstand of her the meanes in particular whereat hee was much amazed And for that it was a matter of importance hee wished her to come againe the next day for that it deserued to bee well considered of The Count of Soissons goes presently vnto the King and telles him what hee had heard of this Woman beseeching him to giue him some confident man who beeing shut vp in his Cabinet might heare the same when as shee should come at the time appointed The King commanded Lomenâ—ye Secretarie of his Cabinet to goe Shee returnes full of Courage and Resolution to effect this wicked 〈◊〉 She speakes more and protests to do worse then shee had done the day before Hee prest her to tell who had councelled her and whâ—e shee attempted so dangerous a thing Hee could drawe nothing from her but that it proceeded from the Deuill from whom comes all damnable inspirations and whose actions are Mâ—rthers Sacâ—iledges and Impâ—eties When shee had all sayd shee was apprehended by the Prouost and led vnto the Court Beeing examined shee deniâ—d the accusation and reproched the accuser as audatiously as shee had shewed her selfe furiously resolute to the execution Lomeny was produced against her and her conscience although verie desperatly wicked could not deny that which hee had before time deposed â—he is burnt aliue but confessed the truth and was condemned to bee burned quicke It is miraculous what hath past in diuers conspiracies against the King and howe 〈◊〉 God hath deliuered him It was one of the causes which made the Duke of Sauoye seeme so resolute to hold the accord which hee had made with the King at Paris for the Marquisate of Saluces hauing vnderstood that the King had beene so often threatned by the attempts of such Murtherers presuming that it was not possible but some one would hit Foure 〈…〉 the King and about the same time there was one taken come 〈◊〉 of Piâ—â—mont to kill the King whereof their was great rumor and great suspition And three others which had vndertaken to kill the King when as he was in Sauoye wheâ— coâ— they had certaine intelligence with their portraites the which were well knowne And as they would haue taken them his Maiesty would not suffer them saying Let those wicked wretches alone God will punish them without my doing Those of Zeland finding themselues much oppressed by the sixe Gaâ—â—eyes which Ieronimo Spinola a Marchant of Genoa had obtayned of the King of Spaine in satisfaction of money which hee had lent and the which notwithstanding the States Shipps of Warre which lay in the narrowe Seas hee had brought into Scluse to make Warre against them besides the great losses they sufired daylie by them of â—unkerke The 〈…〉 as well in their fiâ—hing for Herring as in their trade of Marchandise they intreate the Generall Estates of the Vnited Prouinces seeing there was no more danger towards Holland nor Guelderland by the taking of the Forts of Saint Andrewe and Creue-caeur to helpe to free them from those Galleys and them of 〈◊〉 and by that meanes to diuert the Warre from Holland and â—uelderland into â—landers to the Sea Toâ—nes of Dunkerâ—e Nieuport and Sâ—lâ—se The Arch-dukes 〈…〉 of Spaniards and Italians were all mutined for their paie which could not bee so soone nor so easily pacefied the arâ—erages beeing so great and therefore very likely if they entred into Flanders with all their Armie there would not bee any to hinder their desseine hoping they should get one of the sayd three Townes before that the Arch-dukes Armie should bee readie All well debated and the resolution taken the Prince sent vnto the Sea Townes of Holland Zeland and 〈◊〉 for as many Shipps as should serue to imbarke his Army his Artillery 〈◊〉 and other munition for the Warre assigning to euerie one his quarter and 〈◊〉 to come to the Generall Rendez-vous to the number of two thousand and eight hundred sayle of all sorts the like whereof hath not heeretofore beene seene in any expedition in the Lowe Countries All which Sâ—ops lying before the Castell of Ramekens to attend a fit winde to carry them to Ostende vpon the Coast of Flanders which holds for the States there to land hauing nothing but a Northerly winde all the time of their anchoring there with the which they could hardly reach to that Towne The Prince fearing that their long stay there might giue the Arch-duke Albert time to gather togither his forces before they should bee entred into Flanders leauing Zeland he
recompence had practised an enterprise very easie to execute if the bargaine had held It was a doing during the treatie of Peace with the Duke of Sauoy who sent Don Sanchio de Salina to Milan to the Count of Fuentes with two of them which made this match whereof the one gaue aduice to the President Du Vair He which had promised to deliuer the Tower of the Port for an entrie to the enemie Discouerâ—d by the Complâ—ces discouered himselfe to the Duke of Guise La Goye a gentleman of Prouence was sent vnto the King to beseech him to giue him leaue to incounter theÌ„ with the like practise The King who desires not to gaine by trecherie said that he was content to keep his own to let the world know who did first trouble the peace At that time an other enterprise was discouered vppon the Towne of Metz. The. King sent the President Ianin thether An enterprise vpon Metz. the accused were brought to the prison of the Pallace at Paris The proofs being weake some were inlarged vpon condition they should appeare when they were called for his Maiestie commanding they should informe more amply against the rest banishing two from the Townes of Metz Thoul and Verdun This great army finding no imployment in France made worke for the hangman in Italie by the discouery of many conspiracies The Seigneurie of Venice caused a gentleman to be executed publickly being appointed to be Gouernor of Crema for that he was conuicted to haue intelligence with the Spaniard A Venetian gentleman executed Hee was of the house of Donati but being preuented his neerest kinsmen disauowed him and abandoned him to the rigour of the Law There was more suspition then proofe against him But in matters of State presumptions conclude condemne Their desseigns hauing failed in Italie and Prouence the Sea armie of Spaine which had put all Italie in iealousie turned head against the Turke the troupes imbarked at a place called Vada The King of Spaines army imbarkes belonging to the State of Gena but the body of this imbarkement was made in two troupes the one vnder Carlo Doria the other vnder Prince Doria his Father The Pope the Duke of Sauoy the great Duke of Florence the great Master of Malta had giuen him some gallies for this enterprise The Venetians did nothing least they should breake the peace which they had with the Turke they were in all about 70. Gallies The Prince of Parma went as a voluntarie and no man knew what was intended but the Generall The spoyles made by Francisco de Mendoza Admirall of Arragon in the former yeares had greatly anoyed not onely the vnited Prouinces but also the Countries of Cleues â—uliers Westphalia and the neighbour Prouinces in the taking of Rhinberâ—e a Towne of importance by reason of the passage the seat and trafficke seruing the Archduke as a place of retreat for Eriseland besides the great contributions of money which the garrison drew monethly from many neere places as well friends as enemies was a great preiudice to the Marchants of Holland Zeland Westfrisland and others in their trafficke of Germanie Berck bâ—seged by Count 〈◊〉 Prince Maurice thought to take this moate out of their eye to chase the Spaniards out of Berk and to assure the nauigation of the Rhine to the ease and profit of the Estates In winter in the yeare 1600. and 1601. the Prince and States resolue what was to be done in Aprill May they mustered their Garrisons the choise of their troupes of Warre Diuers bruits were spred abroad touching their desseigne and the Arch-duke was watchfull where the army would make head to oppose himselfe against the Enemy But his forces being to weake to make an offenciue War he was forced to stand vpon his defence expecting the succors that were sent him out of Italy The Prince vnderstanding the estate of the Dukes affaires and hauing his forces ready made shew to attempt some thing vpon Flanders or Brabant but sodenly he turned towards Guelderland the 10. of Iune he came with an army of 17. thousand men nere vnto Rhinberke or Berk vpon the Rhine the which hee did inuiron two daies after Within the riuer of Rhine right against Berk there is an Iland which was kept by some soldiars for the Arch-duke who hauing bin battered by some shot as well from the States shipps as by the Cannon that was planted on the riuers side made no long resistance so as the 18. day of the month the Iland was yeelded to the Prince who presently caused two fortes to be built at the point towards Holland and an other aboue towards Cologne furnished with some â—mal peeces to shoote into the Towne shutting vp the passages of the Riuer with 〈◊〉 Ships that no succors might come to the beseeged Moreouer the Prince hauing sommoned the beseeged to yeeld the place which they refused being neere foure thousand fighting men he cast vp a large trench in forme of a Cemicircle round about the Towne either end ioyning vnto the Rhine fortefied with fiue great Bul-warkes the which with the Iland and the Shipps compassed in the Towne of all sides There was also a Bastion neerer vnto the Towne two bridges cast vpon the Rhine by the which they went from the Iland from a place belowe to the sayd Bastions great Campe. He made also a more spatious halfe Moone then the first hauing in a conuenient distance made a deepe and large trench of a League in compasse either ende comming to the Rhine In which trench by equall distances were built 17. quadrangular forteâ— betwixt both the trenches were the Companies of horse and foote lodged with passages to go in and out so as neither the enemy with in the Towne nor any one without could easily anoy them without great danger Ferdinand d' Aualos was Gouernor of Berk who defended it with great resolution expecting succors from the Arch-duke who not able to raise the seege of Berk by reason of the late arriuall of 8000. men from the Count Fuentes hee resolued to beseege Osâ—end to make a diuersion And although d' Aualos had resolued to die rather then to yeeld vp this place yet seeing the imminent danger without any hope of succors being sommoned the third time by the Prince to yeeld the place in the end he made a Composition and gaue vp the Towne the lasâ— of Iuly Berk yeelded going forth with thirteene hundred soldiars and as many hurt men hauing lost aboue a thousand soldiars leauing a place in powre of the States well furnished with victuells and Munitions of Warre and threescore peeces of Cannon The Prince hauing giuen order for the Towne returned to the Hâ—ge where the States were assembled to prouide for meanes to succor Ostend Maeurs taken by â—rince Maurice which the Arch-duke had beseeged In his way he sent vnto Maurs the which was held by the Duke of
Iulliers after the decease of the Countesse of Valpurg He sommoned the Gouernor to yeeld who finding himselfe to weake abandoned the place The Gouernor complayned to his Master the Duke of Iulliers but the controuersies betwixt him Prince Maurice and the States were reserued to be determined by the Imperiall Chamber The Arch-duke beseeged Ostend Oâ—tâ—nd beseeged the which continued three yeares and eleauenth weekes it was noted for the most memorable seege that euer was in Europe whereas so many thousands of men ended their daies and which endured so many hundred thousand Cannon shot before it yeelded Ostend which hath beene the place whereas all the brauest subiects of Spaine for the Arch-dukes And al the valiant English and Hollanders for Prince Maurice and the States haue in emulation one of an other shewed their corrages and whereas many French according to their diuers affections haue â—ought Honour This Ostend is a Sea Towne in the CouÌ„ty of Flanders two Leagues from Oudenbourg three from Nieuport and foure from Bruges vpon the riuer of Iperle the which runnes into the Sea making it a good port for shipping It was walled about but in the yeare 1572. and in the yeare 1587. It was better fortefied by the States of the vnited Prouinces The particularities of this seege I omit because they are written at large and published by others Ferdinand the Archduke being at the seege of Canisia demanded succors from the Pope and the Princes of Italy The Duke of Mantoa was Lieutenant Generall The Pope sent him his Nephew Iohn Francis Aldobrandino hauing deliuered into his hands the blessed Standard with Ceremonyes The King of Spaine sent him sixe thousand Germaines and the Great Duke of Tuscany two thousand foote the time was spent in contending for command betwixt the Duke of Mantoa and Aldobrandino who beeing Marshall of the Campe would receiue no direction from the Archduke Great men for the iealousie of command loose great occasions but death ended this quarrell Aldobrandino dying three moneths after of a Qâ—otidian feauer the Troupes which he conducted continued still at the seege The Pope disposed of his Estates to Siluester Aldobrandino his Sonne his obsequies were made at Rome with great pompe Rochepot beeing Ambassador in Spaine 〈…〉 Ambaâ—â—aâ—or 〈◊〉 Spaine certaine French Gentlemen among the which his Nephew was had a quarrell with some Spaniards who did iniury them and cast their Clothes into the Water they being a swimming The Spaniards had the worst and some were hurt and slaine Their Kinsmen demanded Iustice of the King who commanded his Officers to doe it but the Ambassadors lodging was forced and the Gentlemen drawne forth to prison notwithstanding any thing that he could say or doe to maintaine the liberty of his place the which is inuiolable euen among enemies The King was so offended with this iniury as hee commanded his Ambassador to returne giuing the King of Spaine to vnderstand that hee assured himselfe that he would do him reason when hee had well considered what cause he had to complaine Wherevpon all Trafficke was forbidden betwixt these two Realmes The Pope fearing that this violence done vnto the Ambassador of France could not passe without some feeling and that this Coale might kindle the fire of Warre betwixt these two great Kings hee sent into Spaine to haue the prisoners the which were sent vnto him and the Pope deliuered them presently vnto the Lord of Betunes the Kings Ambassador at Rome and so the Peace was continued The Ambassadors of Venice were better intreated in France That great and wise Senate holding themselues bonnd by the Lawes of friendship An Ambassâ—ge from Venice to deplore the misfortune and to reioyce at the prosperity of their friends hauing beene long troubled for the afflictions of France they send a great and solemne Ambassâ—ge to congratulate the fruit of the Kings victories and the beginning of his Marriage The Ambassadors were chosen out of the Procurators of Saint Marck and of the cheife men of the State They came to Paris Donâ—t Dâ—lphin Procureurs of S. Marck Ambassadors Donat was in election to be Duke the King sent the Marquis of Rhosny to conduct them to Fontainbleau and to intreat them to bee contented with their Reception in that place whereas the Queene was seeing their Ambassage was common to both and that for the indisposition of her greatnesse it could not bee at Paris which occasion did renue the ioyes of the Court the which was in so great Tranquilitye as it seemed neuer to haue beene in trouble The Great Turke sent Bartholomew de Cueur his Physition vnto the King Bartlemew de Cueur of Marseilles a Christian Renegado sent to the King by the Turke to acquaint him with the Estate of his affayres and to intreat him to mediate a Truce in Hungary When as this man spake of the Turkes power hee did so extoll it as if hee had beene able to vanquishe all the Princes of Christendome not expecting Pope nor Emperor so as the King of France did not meddle in it Hee presented a Dagger and a Cymiter vnto the Kings Maiesty whereof the Hilts and Scabberds were of Gold garnished with Rubies and a Plume of Herons feathers The King related vnto him what hee had done in Sauoy and complayned that to the preiudice of ancient Capitulations not onely the English were distracted from the Banner of France vnder whose guide and protection they were bound to trafficke but also the Flemings Hollanders and Zelanders were comprehended vnder the Banner of England To this complaint hee added an other against the courses and violencies of the Pirats of Algier and the Coast of Barbary saying that if the Iustice of the great Turke did not cause these Pirracies to ceaâ—se he should haue no reason to beleeue his friendship It was at such a time as the Great Turkes affayres were very confused and troubled in Asia The Seriuano reuolted in Asia by the reuolt of the Seriuano and almâ—st desperate in high Hungary The King of Persia had sent Ambassadors to the Christian Princes to animate them to make War against him promising to contribute an Army of a hundred and fifty thousand horse The King of Persia sent his Ambassador to the Pope Emperor King of Spaine and threescore thousand foote offering vnto the Christians liberty of Religion and free Trafficke in his Kingdomes His Spays and Iannissaries murmured against him and the bad carriage of the Empresse his Mother who during his Delights and Dissolutions held the reyns of Gouernment did alwayes through the mallice and frailty of her Sexe support the worst Councells and Resolutions They complayned dayly of the Mother and the Sonne speaking of her as the Romaines did of Agrippina crying out that they should intreat her worse then by a simple banishment and of him as the Souldiars spake of Gallienus whom they esteemed not to be borne but for the pleasures which are in and vnder the belly
and to ruine all the world with his delights At this time there sprong vp Religious men in France who said they were true Obseruers of the Order of S. Francis The order of 〈◊〉 and that the Franciscans and Capuchins did not maintaine it so exactly but they needed Reformation The King gaue them a Couent at Beauâ—ort by the example of this piety many other places desired it They would lodge at Balmette neere vnto Anger 's the which had beene Founded by Rene King of Sicilia The FranciscaÌ„s who could not indure to be dispossessed by these Recollets beseeged them offered to force their Gates and to scale their Walles The Beseeged defended not themselues with Words and Excorcismes but with Stones and in such Choller as if the People had not come the Scandall had not ended without Murther The Prouinciall seeing that the Recollets would not receiue him Trouble in the â—ouent of Balmâ—â—te and that the Bishop would not suffer him to vse force appealed as from an abuse of their Establishment The Recollâ—ts shew vnto the Court that they are the true Children and Disciples of S. Francis liuing according to the Rule and Discipline that was obserued in Italy from whence the good Precepts of the Reformation of Regulers were drawne that if those of the Famely of Obseruance and of Capuchins were tollerated honoured in France they should be of no worse Condition This cause was the Argument of a famous pleading in the Court Parliament in the which Seruin the Kings Aduocate said That a Reformation was necessary not only in the Order of the Franciscans or Grey-Friars A great pâ—eadâ—â—g â—n the Court of Parlament but also in all others but they must be careful not to transforme by Nouelties in steed of Reforming by Censures alleadging many reasons against the bringing in of nâ—we Orders Whereupon the Court pronounced that there was abuse and restored the Ancient Religious to the Couent of Balmette forbidding all religious Men of the Order of Grey-Fryars to go out off the Realme without license from the King or their Superiors Iealous and distrustfull heads gaue it out that the Peace was in weake estate when as after the iniury done vnto Rochepott in Spaine The King gâ—es to Calais and the forbiding of Trafficke they see the King gonne sodainely to Calais and that from thence hee had sent the Duke Biron into England The Archdukes tooke a sodaine Alarum and to that end sent the Count Soâ—a vnto the King to deliuer vnto him the state of the Seege to Ostend The Count Sora sent vnto the King and to beseech him not to suffer that their enemies should thinke that these approches should be to their aduantage and that their rebellion should be fauoured by an example so hatefull to all Princes The King sent the Duke of l' Esguillon to visit them The Duke of l' Eâ—guillon sent to the Archdukes and to assure them that his intention was not to trouble the Peace but onely to visit his Fronter and to prouide for the fortifications They did not generally beleeue this for although he made this Voyage in Post many thought that he would imbrace this occasion of the seege of Ostend and all the Court followed him as to some great Exploite And for that he would not haue the world in suspence of his desseignes he gaue the Gouernors of his Prouinces to vnderstand that the cause of his going to Calais was but to visit his frontier and to prouide for that which should bee necessary to assure it not from present dangers but from those that might happen He declared also that he had no other desseigne then the preseruation of Peace withall his neighbours to enjoy that which God had giuen him But there were other practises which could not be dispersed but by the Kings presence The Queene of England sent Sir Thomas Edmonds to visit the King and the King returned her the like by the Duke of Biron Hee went accompanied with a hundred and fifty Gentlemen The Count of Avuergne was there as vnknowne The Duke of Biron sent into England but his qâ—aâ—ity discouered him There was nothing omitted that might be for the reception of an Ambassador somewhat more Being at London many Noblemen receiued him and accompanied him to Basing where he rested a day or two before he did see the Queene who made him knowe that shee was honoured by her Subiects aboue other Princes A Prince should loose no occasion to let Strangers see the greatnesse of his Estate to giue them cause to admire him and to maintaine his Subiects in the dutie which they owe him The Queene of England who hath made good proofe that Wonten may raigne as well and as happely as Men obserues this bâ—â—tâ—r then any Prince of her age making all them that followed the Duke of Biron in this Legation to giue the like Iudgement The Queene beeing set in State all the French Gentlemen entred first His entry to the Queene but when as shee discouered the Duke of Biron whome shee knew by the description they had made of his Face and stature shee spake with a loud voyce Ha Monsieur de Biron how haue you taken the paynes to come and see a poore old Woman who hath nothing more liuing in her then the affection shee beares vnto the King and her perfect iudgement to knowe his good Seruants and to esteeme Knights of your sort As she spake this the Duke made a low reuerence the Queene rose from her Chaire to imbrace him to whoÌ„ he deliuered the charge he had from the King and withall his Maiesties Letters the which she read She thanked the King for his remembrance of her but she said she could not conceale The Queenes speech that as there was nothing vnto a heart like vnto hers full of affection and desire more pleasing then to see and heare what it desired so could she not but feele an extreme torment to see her selfe depriued of the sight and presence of the obiect which shee had most desired whose actions she esteemed not onely immortall but diuine being ignorant whether she should more enuy his Fortune then loue his Vertue and admire his Merits so much the one the other did exceede the greatest maruailes in the world That she could not say that a courage which feared nothing but the falling of the Pillers of Heauen should feare the Sea or not trust vnto it for a passage of seuen or eight houres blaming them rather which had not instructed him as well to contemne the Waues of the Sea as the desseignes of his enemies vppon the Land From these speeches shee fell into some bitternesse of Complaints which shee deliuered with a little vehementie saying That after she had succored this Prince with her Forces Purse and Meanes and if she could haue done it with her owne bloud and had as much desired the happy successe of his affayres as himselfe
and the ruine of his Enemies moÌ„re then himselfe they made no accompt of her forcing her to thinke that the loue they bare her was but for the hope of commodities they might drawe from her the which being dried vp all affection was cold That they had sought her in the torment to forget her when the time was calme That they preferred newe friendship before the olde Wisedome before Iustice and Profit before Reason And for a signe of Inhumanity they refused her her owne Then taking the Duke of Biron she led him to a Window where shee continued her discourse in softer and milder termes There she gaue her hand vnto all the Gentlemen which the Duke of Biron presented vnto her among them all she noted Crequy to be Sonne in Lawe to l' Esdigueres She commanded him to approch neere vnto her when all had done to whome shee declared what esteeme shee would make of him for his sake whome shee held to bee without peere saying That if there were two l' Esdigueres in France she would demand one of them of the King her brother Crequy answered That he would thinke himselfe happy if by the Kings commandment any occasion were offered worthy of her seruice to witnesse vnto her Maiesty that he did partake in the desire which his Father in law had alwayes had to giue her some proofe of his affection that he would alwaies carry himselfe so in effect seeing he could not be present but in desire the Kings seruice binding him to remaine elsewhere To whom the Queene saide That she did accept of his good will and wished him to remember The Duke of Biron returned out of Englang in the beginning of October The Duke of Biron receiued all the honours of the Queene and State that might be giuen to so great a Personage the particularities whereof I omit for breuities sake Hauing finished his Legation hee tooke his leaue of the Queene to whom she gaue a great Present and so dismissed him with very gracious speeches He found not the King at Calais at his returne who was gone backe to Fontainbleau against the Queenes lying downe where he had left her the Duchesse of Bar with her All France attended the Fruit of this Birth as the full of their Felicities assuring themselues that by the birth of a Daulphin they should finde all that which forepassed ages and that which was to come could desire Ten dayes before his birth the Earth quaked in many parts of Europe The great Duchesse who desired greatly to be neere the Queene A Cradle sent to the Queene sent her a rich Cradle exquisitely made at Florence hoping it should serue for a Daulphin for shee would not haue giuen it with so good a will for another Sexe intreating the Gouernor of Lions by her Letters to fauour the passage and his dilligence that had charge of it to the end that he might arriue in time The Princes of the bloud may be in the Queenes chaÌ„bâ—â— when 〈◊〉 is in trauâ—ll to maintaine the Salâ—que Lawe and not to suffer any to open the Cofers The Queene fell in labour on Thursday at night the 27. of September The King and the Princes of his bloud were in the Chamber according to the ancient lawe of the Ceremonyes of the Crowne to the end that the interessed in the succession may not pretend there was any supposition The Queene was held for a while in great danger for she had giuen her selfe such liberty in eating of fruite as shee felt it and repented it in her trauell but in the ende about eleuen of the clock she was deliuered of a Sonne The Daulphin bâ—rne The King blessing him put a Sword in his hand to vse it to the glory of God and the defence of his Crowne and People All the Princes and Noblemen flocked to reioyce at this new Grace The ioy was so great and the King was so prest with the Congratulations of them that came about him as going to the Church to giue God thankes for this Grace hee lost his Hat in the throng The Secretaries of State made dispatches presently into all Prouinces to make them partakers of this great ioy The first was brought to Paris by Varennes about foure of the clocke to the Chancellor of the Court Parlament the Towne house Presently thankes were giuen to God and Bonfires made throughout all the Realme the people holding this latter grace as an assurance of the fruite of all the precedent Sovuray was chosen for his Gouernor The Pope sent presently vnto the King and Queene to congratulate with them of this Birth and to carry vnto the yong Prince swadling bands beaâ—ing clothes and other things blessed by his Holinesse All Princes allied to this Crowne sent to congratulate this happy occasion The Queene of Spaine was brought to Bed about the same time of a daughter The Queene of Sâ—aine deliuered of a Daughter The Spaniards were no lesse content then the French saying that they had rather the Queene should begin with a Daughter then with a Sonne least they should fall into the accidents which Iealousie and Ambition do breed when the Children appeare so soone to solicite them to bee gone when as their ages are confounded that the one is in the flower the other in the season of fruites the which is most capable to command and rule and that the desire to succeed may not giue occasion to troble the order of Nature and maketh the one repent that they are Fathers and declares the other vnworthy to bee Children This great â—oy for the birth of the Infanta of Spaine was mixt with some griefe for the fruitlesse retreat of their great Army at Sea Spanish Army at Sea goes to Naples which had kept their desseigne so secret as for a time they knew not whether they would attempt any thing vpon Asia Affrick or Europe In the beginning of Iuly they came to Naples to prouide great store of armes and a good number of Petards which made the world to beleeue two things the one was that he would arme some subiects of the great Turke that were inclyned to rise the other that he had intelligence vpon some place to surprise it with small force And for that foote-men are weake if they be not supported by horse they made prouision also of fifteene hundred or two thousand furnitures for â—orse The Venetians seeing them to bend their course to Messina entred into newe apprehensions that if they attempted any thing in Albania they should haue company in their gulph They were not long in this suspence for they set sayle and came to Trepany which is the pointe and promontory of Sicilia neerest vnto Affricke-Cigala was parted from Constantinople with fifty Galleys Cigala at Sea to finde some occasion to charge this army in their retreat if he should finde any part of them disperced and to frustrate their enterprises When they see that they were
Nobility An Edict for vsury if hee had not prouided for Vsuries which haue ruined many good and ancient houses filled Townes with vnprofitable persons and the Country with miseries and inhumanity Hee found that Reâ—ts constituted after ten or eight in the hundred did ruine many good famylies hindred the trafficke and commerce of Marchandise and made Tillage and Handicraftes to bee neglected many desiring through the easines of a deceitfull gaine to liue idely in good Townes of their Rents rather then to giue themselues with any paine to liberall Arts or to Till and Husband their inheritances For this reason meaning to inuite his subiects to inâ—ich themselues with more iust gaine to content themselues with more moderate profit and to giue the Nobility meanes to pay their debtes hee did forbid all Vsury or constitution of Rentes at a higher rate then sixe pounds fiue shillings for the hundred The Edict was verefied in the Court of Parliament which considered that it was alwaies preiudiciall to the common-weale to giue money to Vsury for it is a serpent whose biting is not apparent and yet it is so seâ—cible as it peerceth the very heart of the best families The affaires of the Realme beeing in so great tranquility as the King had no â—are but to enioye the fruites of Peace Ambassadorâ— chosen to send to forraine Princes Hee made choise of Ambassadors to send to forraine Princes that were in League with him Barraux was named for Spaine Betunes for Rome the Count Beaumont was chosen for England and the President Fresnes Canaye to goe to Venice who had a particular aduice giuen him the which for that it is of consequence and serues for instruction to others in the like charges deserues to bee noted It hath alwaies beene obserued at Venice betwixt the Popes Nontio and Princes Ambassadors that remaine there that the last come is alwaies first visited by the others before hee returnes them the like 1602. It happened that Huraut de Messe the King Ambassador at Venice hauing beene twise or thrise sent backe thither by his Maiestie and no other Ambassador at his last returne the Popes Nuncio refused to visit him saying that he was not a new Ambassador and that it was in him to visit him 〈◊〉 the which he did as well for that they could not take his returne for the beginning of a new Ambassage from this complement of courtesie the Popes Noncio would dâ—aw a consequence of dutie and would challenge a right to bee visited first So as the Ambassador of Spaine hauing made difficultie to visit the Nuncio attending it first from him according to the ancient order they stood so long vpon this Ceremonie as they passed all the time of their Legation without visiting one another And therefore the King foreseeing that if de Fresnes Canay were not informed of these particularities hee might haue beene surprised in this Complement of visiting In this discourse of Ambassadors Mâ—ns dâ— Câ—eurieres Ambassaâ—or to Thuriâ— let vs see the issue of two important Ambassages the one for the King at Thurin the other for the Duke of Sauoy at Paris both for the swearing of the peace Iames Mictes of Myolans Lord of Saint Chaumont Knight of both the Kings Oâ—ders was commanded to goe to Thurin to receiue the Dukes oath Hee went well accompanied with gentlemen and neuer Ambassador was better receiued then hee was in Sauoy PiedmoÌ„t D' Albigny Gouernour of Sauoy feasted him at ChaÌ„bery like a Pâ—ince the Duke commanding him to entertaine him in all places as himselfe Comming to Thurin he was entertayned with all honour that might bee and the ceremonie being ended hee tooke his leaue and was no lesse honoured at his departure then at his comming giuing the Ambassador a Iewell of foure thousand Crownes and to all the Gentlemen Horses The Marquis of Lulâ—â—â—s Ambassador for the Duâ—e The Marquis of Lulâ—ins came into France to take the Kings oath The Ceremonie was done at the Celesâ—ins in Paris according to the accustomed manner and â—orme vsed in the like Treaties and in the presence of many Princes of the bloud Noblemen and Councellors of State the Act being signed by the King by Vilieroy and Forget Secretarie of State The Seigneurie of Geneua intreated the King to giue them the Balewike of Gâ—x as a necessarie thing for the saâ—etie of their Estate The King answered that being concluded by the treatie which hee had made with the Duke of Sauoy that the lands exchanged for the Marquisate of Saluces should remaine vnited and incorporated to the Crowne hee requested them to rest satisfied with this condition and not to hope for any alteration for this consideration these Countâ—ies being of one condition with the other Prouinces of the Realme the would not admit any diuersitie in their Lawes hee therefore established the exercise of the Romish religion and sent the Baron of Lux to put the Bishop of Geneua in possession of the Churches of his Diocesse causing Masse to be said in the Churches of Gex They of Geneua made fasts and publike prayers to the end sayd they to keepe the Idolls from their walls We must add to this discourse one of the most famous Impostures as some said that euer age had seene Of D· Sâ—â—â—stian King of Poâ—tugal It was a generall bruite throughout Europe that Don Sebastian King of Portugall was aliue and the Portugalls did presently giue credit thereunto It was Atheiâ—me among them not beleeue it inhumanitie in Princes and Common-weales not to succour him and iniustice not to intreat him as a King Maâ—ie Impostures haue beene seene throughout the world but none like vnto that which is spoken of this prisoner It is aboue twentie yeares that the friends of D. Sebastian King of Portugal haue lamented his misfortune the Moores reioyced therat They write to 〈◊〉 the bodie of the King D. 〈◊〉 being knowne was caâ—â—ied into Seâ—te after the battaile the realme of Portugal made his funeralls and the King of Spaine giuen a hundred thousand Crownes for his bodie Foure Kings haue raigned since acounting the electon of Don Antonio and yet there is a man found say the Spaniards so audatious as he wil trouble all the world to make them beleeue that hee is the true King D. Sebastian of Portugal He presented himselfe to the Seigneurie of Venice and demands audience He relats vnto them the Historie of his life and the raigne of his Fathers in Portugal his defeate in Affrike his retreate into Calabria 1601. the resolution which he had taken neuer to shewe himselfe more in the world for the shame of his misfortune and the punnishment of his indiscretion if the spirit of God had not inspired him with an other will and giuen him hope to make himselfe knowne for a King as he was borne Hee sayd moreouer that among so many soueraigne powers that were in the world hee would not addresse himselfe to any
propound the marriage of the Duke of Sauoyes third daughter vnto him which he would not harken unto seeing his Maiestie would take the care to marrie him He intreated and adiured Cerezat to aduise La Fiâ— to dismisse all those that had made the voyages with him especially of a Curat and to lay his papers in some place of safeâ—ie if he would not burne them and to consider in the end that he had in his hands his Life his Fortune and his Honor. La Fin comes to Couâ—t La Fin came to the Court at Fontainbleau in the end of Lent he spake first with the King and with Villeroy alone he had conference with the Chancellor in the night with Rhosni in the forest and with Sillery at the pressing place All had horror to see the writings and to heare the desseins which they vnderstood We must not beleeue lightly for slander is subtill doth seeke to supplant the most innocent actions But when the preseruatioÌ„ of the State is in question the most doubtfull things are not to bee reiected nor contemned The King could hardly beleeue so great a wickednes the facilitie of his bountie made him hard of beleefe La Fin made him to see such apparent and certaine proofs of this conspiracie as he was forced to beleeue more then he desired Hee declared all that had past in his voyages to the Duke of Sauoy and the Earle of Fuentes for the Dâ—ke of Biron Saying that hee desired that the returne of the warre might haue troubled his Maiestie and profited them that were the cause of iâ— But seeing that his sacred and inuâ—olabe person was not excepted and that they made cruell desseigns against him he had such horror as he was resolued to giue him intellegence thereof chosing rather to faile in his promise to the Seruant then in his dutie to the Master The King ful of clemencie and bountie was wonderfully greeued to see so vnnatural a conspiracie Yet he sayd that if the Conspirators did their duties and gaue him the meanes they might to preuent the bad desseigns of his enemies he would pardon them If they weepe said he I wil weepe with them If they remember what they owe me I will not forget what is due to them They shall find me as full of clemencie as they are voyd of good affections I would not haue the Marshall Biron the first example of the seueritie of my Iustice and that he should be the cause that my raigne which hitherto hath beene like vnto a calme and cleere skie should be sadainly ouercast with clouds of thunder lightning And from that time his resolutioÌ„ was that if the Marshal Biron coÌ„fesâ—ed the truth The King expâ—cts â—epentâ—nce oneâ—y of the Duke he would pardon him His Councell were of that opinion so as he would imploy himselfe effectually to doe as much good for the seruice of his estate against his enemies as he had practised il among them Of many papers which La Fin preseÌ„ted vnto the King they mâ—de choise of 27. peeces which were not those which concluded most against the Dâ—ke of Biron but which maâ—e mention onely of him the King being vnwilling to haue the rest discouered to the end that the punishment of one might serue for an example to all The Chancellor kept these papers with such care as he caused them to be sowed vnto his dublet being loth to trust any one with them or shew them till need required The Baron of Lux was at Fontainbleaâ— when as La Fin arriued the King sayd vnto him that hee was very well satisfied that La Fin had spoken so honorably and so wisely of the Duke of Biron that he knew well his intentions were not conuerted to any bad desseignes as they sayd Hee returned to Dijon well content thinking that all things were sound La Fin writes to the Duke of â—iron that he had satisfied the King of his actions and hath sayd nothing but what he thought might serue to banish all bad impressions The King mannaged the busines so wisely as the euent was happy making shewe to feare no enemies but abroad He grewe iealous at the arming of â—o many Galleys at Genoa for the King of Spaine vnder collour of the Prince of Piedmonts passage An army at sea for the King of Spainâ— least they should haue some enterprise vpon Prouence He therefore commanded the Dukes of Guise and Vantâ—dour to be carefull of their charges He writ to the â—ouernor of Lions whose intent was to spend some part of the Sommer at Chaumâ—nt to returne to Lions for that hee was aduertised from all partes that his enemies had some desseigne there whereof they vanted Hee commanded Lesdigâ—eres to goâ— to Horse-backe if neede were and when the Gouernour of Lions should send for him And he caused the Marquis of Spinolas troupes to bee obserued the which were readie to passe at Pont de Gresin to goe into Flanders the which in truth were but to couer the Duke of Birons practises The King parted from Frontainbleau to go to Blois and so into Poiton There are alwaies in States as in great bod es swellings and bad humors The King goes to â—â—ois which are not to bee cured by violent remedies but gently and by the Princes presence There were in Guienne and Poitou diuers motions which could not bee dispersed but by the light of the King He resolued to go into those quarters and to shewe himselfe vnto them Glorious in Peace who had neuer seene him but Triumphant in Warre He past to Blois Tours and then to Poictiers His presence did pacifiâ— all Mutinies which grewe by reason of the imposition of a Soulz vpon the Liure and through the apprehension which was giuen the People The â—ure is two shillings that he would giue Garrisons to some Townes and Citadells to others and to all in generall an increase of their miseries But as soone as the King had said vnto them that he came not to see them and ruine them but to releeue them That he would build no other Fortresses but in their Hearts not vse any more constraints to succour the necessities of the Crowne then their own good wills That he desired more to ad and increase then to take away or diminish their contents And that hee would not haue the gold of his treasure to bee bathed in the teares and bloud of his subiects there was no man but did blesse the yeares of his raigne and did wish it immortall His presence did also disapoint many badde practises which were growing France was so full of badde humors as vpon the least motion that came from abroad it was readie to fall into her former Phrensies The great trouble of the Pallace at Paris by the intermission of hearing of causes and the dismission of Solyciters the which happened the twelfth of May a fatall moneth for the Parisians by a greater reuolt seemed to presage some newe
to aduance Death and to haue no other consolation but in the oneâ—y desire of an impossible thing He spent the first dayes of his Imprisonment without eating or sleeping These violent motions of Chollor and the heat of his bloud put him into a Feauer and Griefe carried fuming passions vnto his Braine which increased his sicknesse in the which as in all other diseasses the feare of Death the payne of his Body and the alteration of his Life did much augment the greefe of his Prison Hee was â—â—mewhat afâ—rayd least vnder colour of remedy they should giue him Poyson to cure all his griefes and therefore hee would haue them take a taste of euery thing although there were no other assurance of his life but what his owne Coâ—science could giue vnto him His Captiuity depriued him not of the liberty of speaking The fire of his Courage was not smothered vnder the Ashes of this affliction What saide hee and what saide he not Cholâ—er thrust forth a steeme of Words in the which theâ—e was not a droppe of Reason Sometimes hee saide That if they dâ—sired to put him to death His wâ—rds in Prison they should dispatch him that they should not bragge they had made hâ—m to feare death that they should speedily drinke themselues drunke with the bloud which remained of thirty and â—iue Woundes which hee had receiued for the seruice of France They feared that Solitarinesse Fasting Melancholy and change oâ— the place would trouble his Braine and thrust him inâ—o some furious passion To pacifie the discontent of his first imprisonment they perswaded him to submit himselfe to the mercy of God and gaue him hope of the Kings pardon The Archbishop of Bourges went to see him he disswaded him from many bad Maximes of Conscience and satisfied him of many poynts which hee held against the purity and integrity of a iust Confession He desired to speake with Villerâ—y and Sillery who went to see him by the Kings commandment In the beginning of his imprisonment he taâ—ked of notâ—ing but of Iustice but knowing his fault he had no hope but in the Kings Mercy Some one published an admonition at Paris beseeching the King to change the punishment of death into perpetual Imprisonment his Imprisonment into Banishment and his Banishment into an honourable seruitude to make War against the Turke That if by his offences he did not merit to serue the State which hee sought to ruine yet he might serue the Generall Estate of Christendome This Councell was dangerous for who could assure the King that â—e would make War in Hungary and what caution could be sufficient for France Heâ— had beene more dangerous without it then with in A bâ—rning firebrand casts more flame and smoake without a Câ—imney then with in it Hee added moreouer that he should forbid him the carrying of Armes and tie him from the War but if he should haue made his house his Prison who should haue kâ—pt him iâ— he â—ad desseignes oâ— reuenge in Prison what would he haue done at Liberty Many which respect no more the Lawes of Honour then of Iustice would haue repayred vnto him to bring in inâ—uâ—table mischiefs â—here was an intent to saue him The Iron worke was forged in Bresse The refusall of fiue hundred Câ—ownes for the Petardier hindred the execution As soone as he was a Priâ—oner euery one saâ—de he was a dead Man and seeing himselfe so carefully garded hee sayde â—hat they did not put Birds of his sort into a Cage to suffer them to escape Hee made that Iudgement of himselfe which the Admirall did of the Earles of Egmont and Horne when he heard they were Prisones when they once come to accuse and imprison a Mâ—n of courage and faction it is more dangerous to absolue him then to condemne him Letters to the Court of Parliament to mâ—ke his Proceâ—â—e The Kâ—ng sent his Letters to the Parliament to proceed in the Criminall and extraordinary Processe of the Duke of Biron according to the formes which are to bee obserued in Crimes of so great importance against persons of his quality all other afâ—ayres set aside The Commissioners appointed for the King were Achilles de Harlay first President in the Court of Parliament at Paris Nicholas Potier second Presiâ—ent and Councellor of State to his Maiesty CoÌ„missioners â—ppoinâ—ed Stephen Fleury and Phillibert of Thuâ—in Councellors of the Parliament good Iudges but not to bee moued in Crimes of State Informatioâ—s were taken at the Basâ—ille The Prisoner made some Ceremonies to answer but beeing entred into discourse hee gaue the CoÌ„missioners matter ynough to worke on confessing in a mâ—nner all From his answers alone they might haue framed his Condemnation saying ynough to make him loose as many Liues as hee had Yeares Hee had so ill gouerned his Iudgement in his Prosperity as it did him no seruice during his Imprisonment yeelding sometimes vnto Griefe sometimes vnto Chollor and alwayes to Indiscretion speaking as much to Râ—ine himselfe as to Diâ—charge him Hee was Confronted with the Witnesses Face to Face but when aâ— hee did see la Fin hee fell into an extreame shaking The first President asked the Prisoner If hee would except any thing against La Fin He answered That he held him for a Gentleman of Honour his Friend and his Kinsman But when hee had heard his Deposition hee cried out against him as the most execrable Man in the World appealing to all the Powers of Heauen and Earth to iustifie his Innocency La Fin grieued that he should hold him for a Slanderer a name common to all wicked Men sayd vnto him That he was sorry they were in a place where the one was allowed to speake all and the other was forced to heare all Hee maintained all he had saide against him and spake more playnely of his Conspiracy He is amazed to â—â—ee â—â—nazé whom he held to be dead then in his Deposition The Prisoner said That if Renaze were there he would auerre the contrary He was brought before him wherat he was much amazed to see him whom he held to be dead and who was out of his remembrance as in an other World Hee then beleeued that the Duke of Sauoy had set him at Liberty to ruine him he felt hâ—s Conscience toucht when as all things conspired to his Condemnation An admirable iudgement of Gods secret Iustâ—ce in this escape of Renaze Mens intentions produce contrary effects Hee was detayned prisoner at Quiers in Piedmont to the end he should not discouer this practise he escapes from his Gard and comes to fortefie his Maisters Deposition who else had beene but one witnesse He had many Friends but not to iustifie his Innocency as Plato sayth That many â—riends is a signe of Wisedome and want of them shewes the contrary There were none that durst preâ—ume to sue for his Liberty or Pardon The Kâ—ng had made this attempt so Detestable and Odious to all the Princes and
Nobleâ—en of the Court and the meanes to execute it so execrable as all his Friends were silent there were some that saide that for any other crime yea if he had killed a Prince in the Kings Cabinet No man 〈◊〉 â—ue for him they would haue begged his pardon and would haue sacâ—ificed their Children to the Kings Iustice for an expiation of the Offence rather then to loose him But in this acte Friendship was Conspiracy and Intercâ—ssion a Crime His Friends went to S. Maur where the King was they cast themselues at his Maiesties feet to implore his Mercy and to moderate the seueâ—ity of his Iustice more in consideration of his Father then for any respect of the Sonnes seruices which could not equall his fault The King said That it was a matter of such importance for his Estate that he was constrayned to leaue it to the course of Iustice that to hauâ— attempted against him who was his King and his Benefactor was insupportable that he could not remit this Crime but he must ruine himselfe the Queene his Wife his Sonne and his â—â—state That he knew they were such true hearted Frenchmen that as they desired not the one so they would haue patience for the other They hauing knowne the foulenesse of the fact and the reasons which forced Clemency to yeeld vnto Iustice abandoned the pursute The Countesse of Roussy solicited the Court. The Prisoners Mother was not there The King commanded the Court of Parlament to proceede to Iudgâ—ment without any intermission The Prisoner was a Peere of France A Peere cannot be iudged but by his Peeres the Baronie of Biron beeing made a Duchie and a Paire by the King A Peere cannot be iudged but by the Kiâ—g and his Peeres but the King is neuâ—r present when he is a Party and that the accusation of the Party concernes his Person his Honour or his Estate And although the Order of the Ancient Peeres be more in number then by the first institution for that of the six Secular Peeres fiue are vnited vnto the Crowne and the sixt doth no more obey the King yet the newe created enioy the same Priuileges and Pâ—erogatiues that the ancient did aâ—d the last although he be aboue the number shal not bee iudged but by his Peeres but may assist at the Iudgement of another Peere and haue his voyce as well as the Duke of Burgundy who is the Deane of the Peeres yea the Wiues whose Lands are erected into Paynes or that hold it by successioÌ„ may assist Mathilda Countesse of Arthois Peere of France was caâ—led and deliuered hâ—r opinion with the other Peeres at the iudgement of Robert Earle of Arthois Bâ—t if the Peeres being called do not appeere The Peers come not they may proceed The Peeres of France were called to the araignment of the Duke of Biron they appeered not The Court forbeares not to proceed notwithstanding their absence All the Chambers beeing assembled the Chancellor accompained by Maisses and Pontcâ—rre two Councellors of the State entred into the Parliament two Sargents at armes and some officers of the Chancery going before him Hee was receiued at the entring of the Barre by two ancient Councellors and beeing saluted by the Court hee set him downe in the Presidents place hauing deliuered the Kings intention and his assurance of the integrity and wisdome of the Court vppon an occasion importing the State and vpon a foule crime in a person other waies recoÌ„mended for his seruices he made a signe to Stephen Fleury the Reporter of the Processe to begin This was done for want of the Peeres His Processe reported A request was made in the pâ—isoners name that it would please the Court to allow him Councell to direct him in the formes of their proceeding whereof he was as ignorant as he had let all France know how well hee vnderstood the Art of War De la Gesle the Kings Attorny Generall being heard vpon this request His request reiected and Seruin the Soliciter Gâ—nerall speaking for him he said that although this request seemed to bee grounded vpon some Presidents for that the like had bin granâ—ed vnto the Prince of Condé Yet there was great diuersity and many considerations for the denying of this Their opinions being giuen it was reiected Cicero pleaded for Rabirius and Anthony for Norbanus but there is no Aduocate admitted for Treason They which are accuâ—ed of Crimes muâ—â— plead â—or â—hemselues Counsell depends of the Conscience of him that is accused his defence must come from his owne innocâ—ncy and hee may well free himselfe from blame without the mediation of any man and without the helpe of an Aduocate If he be innocent Truth will confound all the practises of his Accusers If hee bee Guilty there is no excuse nor â—uasion but his guiltinesse will appeare It is not lawfull to defend the Wicked and Good men haue no neede of Defence They spent three sittings to examine the informations which done the conclusions of the Atturny Generall were read and followed There rested nothing but to heare the Prisoner and to call him before the Parliament While they were viewing of the Processe one had set vp a discourse vpon the Pallace Gate to moue the Iudges to pitty and that they should not punish the weakenesse of Adam for the Serpents subtilty The Lord of Montigny came vnto the Bastille about foure of the clocke in the morning the Prisoner who alwayes slept little holding sleepe to bee no life was already vp and at his Deuotion hee would not trouble him in so necessary an action but stayed vntill he had done Entring into his Chamber hee told him the occasion of his comming that the Court was assembled for his Processe that the Lord Chancellor was there and had commanded him to bring him Hee seemed a little troubled although he had beene aduertised that hee should bee sent for Beeing ready hee goes out off the Bastille thinking neuer to returne and that they drewe him out off the cares of Captiuity to leade him vnto the darkenesse of Death and that hee left the prison to loose his Life Hee was conducted iâ— the Marquis of Rhosnies Carosse through the Arcenall to the Riuers side where he entred into a Boate couered with Tapistry in the which the Kings Gardes were The chiefe Approches the Ports the Greue and the Towne house were manned with Suisses Hee entred into the Pallace by the first Presidents Garden and went to rest himselfe in one of the Chambers vntill hee were sent for presenting him a Bâ—eakfâ—st before he entred The houre beeing come the Register went to call him and hee entered into the Golden Câ—amber He enters and is heard in the Gâ—â—deÌ„ chaber The place whereas Strangers haue come to implore Iustice of the King whereas great Kings haue held it an Honour to haue a place where he himselfe had set had bin honoured with the most glorious Titles of Vertue whereas one
but such as were ordinarily with him That the Gouernours of places who were then the Dukes subiects and now the Kings could witnes if there were any fauour vsed And if in making warre hee had any other obiect but the execution of his Maiesties commandements That if he had had any bad intent he had not yeelded vp Bourg so easily as he did To the fourth vppon the aduise giuen to the Gouernour of Saint Katherins Fort to kill the King He beseecheth his Maiestie to remember that hee alone did disswade and diuert him from going to vew the Fort giuing him to vnderstand that there were very good Gunners in the place and that he could not goe without great danger That vpon this aduise his Maiestie altered his purpose saying that if hee desired to see the place hee would bring him a plot of it the next day offering his Maiestie to take it with fiue hundred hargubuziers and that â—e himselfe would goe vnto the assault To the fift that he had treated with the Duke of Sauoy and the Count of Fuentes by the mediation of La Fin. He answered that being denied the keeping of the Cittadell of Bourg hee grew into that dispayre as he had desired to bee all couered with bloud being capable to say or to doe any thing At these words the Chancellor asked him with what bloud hee desired to bee couered with mine owne answered the Prisoner wishing to liue no longer after this refusall and I would haue ingaged my selfe in such sort among the enemies as I would haue dyed there or would haue returned all couered with bloud That for two moneths space he had written and spoken more then he ought but he had not omitted to doe well Hee added moreouer that La Fin had â—oe bewitched him with inchanted waters and by speaking Images as hee was forced to submit himselfe to his wil That he spake not vnto him but in secret vnknowne words calling him his Master his King his Prince his Lord. And scratching his left eare He spake execrable things against La Fin to moue the Court not to regard his accusation testimony Hee that had not seene the fact verefied by his owne letters would haue sayd it was Vlisses accusation forgâ—ng false letters from Priam to Palamedes He still fled to his pardon saying that hauing done nothing since the Kings clemency should remit his fault and that if he must implore it once more he had his Knees as supple as euer to doe it The Chancellor sayd vnto him that he had written a letter vnto la Fin since the Daulphins birtâ— by the which hee did aduertise him that seeing it had pleased God to send the King a Sonne he would no more dreame of those vanities desiring him to returne and if he had not imployed him he would not haue written This letter was produced to shewe the continuance of his bad desseignes whereof he made vse to iustefie himselfe and to shewe his repentance saying alwaies that hee had done well â—rooâ—e by writing of the conâ—â—nuâ—nce of his practises although hee had some thought of doing ill The Chancellor sayd vnto him that seeing he felt his coâ—science so cleere and knowing that hee had done nothing why did he not laie himselfe more open vnto the King who sought him with great affection at Fontainbleau to tell him the truth of that which hath beene since discouered by the processe Hee wauered at this demand saying that he did not thinke the King had knowne any thing of that which had passed betwixt him and la Fin for that hee had assured him by othes and fearefull curses that hee had sayd nothing that might hurt him That hauing conferred with a relligious man of the order of the Minimes to knowe if hauing past his word with an othe to la Fin neuer to discouer what had past betwixt them he might with a safe conscience say any thing He had answered him that seeing there was no more any intent to execute the things that were sworne betwixt them he ought not to reueale them That this resolution continued so constant in his minde that although the Arch-bishop of Bourges had visited him in prison and had giuen him many reasons to free him from these scruples yet hee held it an act vnworthy of a man to falsefie his oth and that it was onely fit for a Soule hardened with Atheisme the spring of all impiety to sweare with an intent to circumuent Here his speech fayled him with the violence of his greefe but recouering his spirits he spake these words My misfortune hath this consolation that my Iudges are not ignorant of the seruices which I haue done to the King and Realme and with what loyaltie I haue carried my selfe in the greatest and most important affaires to restore the King vnto the Realme and the Realme vnto the King to preserue the Lawes of State and to settle you in this place from the which the Saturnales of the League had expelled you This Bodie wherof you hold the life and death in the disposition of your Iustice hath no veine which hath not beene opened and which I would not willingly open for you This hand which did write the letters which are nowe produced against mee is the same which hath done the contrary to that which it hath written It is true I haue written I haue sayd and I haue spoken more then I ought but no man can shewe that I haue done ill And there is no Lawe that punisheth the lightnesse of a simple word or the motions of the thought with Death my words haue beene alwayes Feminine but the effects of my courage Masculine Choller and Despight haue made mee capable to say all and to do all but Reason would not suffer mee to doe any thing but what deserued Praise and Imitation I haue had bad desseignes but they neuer past my thougâ—t At the same instant they sprong vp they were smothered If I had beene desirous to nourish and make shewe of them I haue had great meanes and occasions I could haue done bad seruice to the King in England and in Suiserland There are aboue a hundred Gentlemen that can witnesse of my behauiour in the first Ambassage and for the second He shewâ—â— by what means he might hauâ— done ill I desire no other testimony but that of the Seigneurs Sillery and de Vic who know in what maner with what fidelity I imployed my selfe to reconcile and vnite so many wills disioyned with-drawne from the Kings alliance If you will consider howe I came and in what Estate I lefte the places of Bourgongne it wil- be impossible to haue any badde conceite of my desseignes They found not a man of Warre in my Gouernment I haue left the places without garrisons I haue giuen the Captaines no other commandement but to serue the King well and to doe that onely where vnto they are bound Euery man aduised mee not to
Alexander to put Philotas to death being giuen to vnderstand that if he pardoned him he would maâ—e him able to attempt newe treasons against him when as it should not bee in his power to pardon him A pardon doth not change the bad intent of a mighty malefactor This Philotas knewe well that they which had exhausted all mercy and drawne it drie hauing no more hope did runne head-long into dispaire That there are benefits which are odious for that hee blusheth to confesse the cause and to acknowledge himselfe debttor for his life to anâ— one Alexander had enemies enough abroad he had no neede of any at home and assurâ—ng his Estate of these hee needed not to feare the rest Kings like vnto Physitions must knowe the diseases of their States the accidents that â—â—e past the present and the future and imploye Iustice as a drogue the which is not good for them that bee sicke and may pâ—ofit others before the disease hath actually seized on them There remaines one only consideration that the Duke of Biron may do great seruice and that it is not impossible but he may returne to the way of his first innocency Therâ— is lesse harme not to beleeue it then to beleeue it Wee must not vpon an vncerteâ—â—tie that is to come neglect the râ—medy of a present mischiefe There is more trouble to absolue him and more daâ—ger to set â—im at liberty then to put him to death Heer 's not likely to doe any more good we can expect nothing but reuenge from his courrage There is no more any Fuâ—ius Camillus who changed his exile into a bonde vnto his Country that had banished him Serpents seeme dead in winter the cold keepes them from hurting but when as the Sunne recouers his forces they spend their venom The prisoners bad intents might sleepe for a time but it shold be to awake againe and neuer to leaue the State at rest Qui 〈…〉 profit exempâ—â— He that can neuer profit by his vertue nor his loyalty must profit by his example These were the reasons of the Court vpon the which by a generall consent a sentence of death was concluded against the Duke of Biron There were fewe in condemning him but sayd that it was fit to araigne la Fin and giue warrant to apprehend him and that it was impossible hee should be cleane from the slâ—â—ne which he had handeled that if the affaires of Spaine which is like vnto the Temple of Hecatompedon the which goes forward in words and not in workes had bin answerable to the vehemency of their affection hee had sayd nothing The King was aduertised â—hereof who assured la Fin by his letters that he would neuer endure that so great a seruâ—ce done vnto the Crowne should be his ruine It was reason for if the Ancients did appoint Honours for Beastes that had done any seruice to the Common-weale they should bee no lesse thankefull vnto a Gentleman that had saued his Country Whosoeuer discouers a Conspiracy against the sacred and inuâ—olable perâ—on of the Prince ought to bee rewarded by the publicke So was Vindicius by the Romains Princes loue them for a while that haue done some great villamies for their seruice They that reueale conâ—piracies are to be rewarded the which is soone turned into deadly hatred lothing to looke on them for that their presence doth reproch them with the wronging of their conscience But this happenns not to him who without any instigation of the Prince but mooued onely with his duty doth reueale a CoÌ„spiracy chosing rather to faile in the office of a Friend then in duty of a faithfull Subiect The Chancellor concluding their opinions pronounced the sentence of death The Chancellor pronounceâ—h the sentence of death and by graue reasons and great examples reconciled some fewe opinions for the apprehending of la Fin. Saying that the enterprise of the prisoner condemned was not in his head alone that there were others who hauing a desire to say some-thing would retire themselues when they should see la Fin so intreaâ—ed who in the common opinion had deserued reward And although that Mars would not haue the day which is giuen vnto him to bee the last to one that had deserued the name of a second Mars yet the shadow of death did enuiron him on Twesday about Noone seeing a great multitude of Parisians about Saint Anthonies gate he then beleeued that he should be a spectacle vnto them The Lord of Vitry's Lieutenant freed him from this imagination The Duke of Biron deâ—iers to see Mâ—nsiâ—ure de Rhosny making him beleeue that it was to see certaine Gentlemen fight Herevpon and of that which the heart doth alwaies Diuine in the like accidents seeing more signes of death then of life hee framed in his imagination infallible consequences of his death sending the Seigneur of Baranton to intreate the Marquis of Rhosny to come vnto him or if he could not to be an intercessor vnto the King for his pardon He answered that he was extremely greeued that hee durst not do the first and had not meanes to effect the second I hat the King was sorry that at his comming to Fontainbleau hee was obdurat and would not deliuer the truth which tooke from him the meanes to saue his life and for his friends to sue for him This multitude did not runne to the gate without some occasion they knewe that the sentence of death was giuen the day before Certaine officers of the Court and the Executioner were seene enter in the Bastille the Scaffold which should bee set vp at the Greue was made but they were ill informed for the King hauing commanded the Chancellor to send him the sentence after he had giuen it in the Parliament that he might let him vnderstand his pleasure touching the execution Sillery who had carried it to S. Germaine returned with letters by the which for the auoyding the ignominy of his death at the suâ—e of his friends and for other coÌ„siderations his Maiesty was pleased to change the place of the execution and to appointe that in the Bastille which should haue bin done at the Greue The King would haue him executed in the Bastille These letters being verefied on Wedensday morning the last of Iuly the Chancellor accompained with the first President of the Court of Parliament de Sillery and three Masters of Requests followed by some Officers of the Chancery The Châ—ncellor comes to the Bastilâ—e De Voyson register for Crymâ—nall causes 6. vshers came to the Bastille about 9. of the clock in the morning to let him heare the sentence of the Court. At his entring hee coÌ„manded them to make the Prisoner dine and not to aduertise him of his comming remayning in a little Chamber nere the entry on the left hand about an houre and halfe where he resolued who shold be sent for to assist at this execution of whoâ—e names he made
It was red in these termes The Procesâ—e beeing extraordinarily made and examined by the Court and Chambers assembled by the Presidents and Councellors that were deputed by letters pattents of the 18. and 19. of Iune at the request of the Kings Attorney generall against Charles Gontault of Biron knight of both orders Duke of Biron Peere Marshal of France Gouernor of Bourgongne prisoner in the Bastille accused of treason interrogations confessioÌ„s denialls confronting of witnesses letters aduises instructioÌ„s giuen to the enemy confessed by him and all which the Attorney general hath produced A sentence was giuen the 22. of this moneth by the which it was decreed in the absence of the Peeres of France being called they shold proceed to IudgemeÌ„t the conclâ—sions of the Kings Attorney generall beeing giuen and the prisoner beeing heard by the Court vpon the Crimes wherewith he was charged al considered it was sayd That the sayd Court had declared and did declare the sayd Duke of Biron guilty of heigh treason for his conspirecies against the Kings person The crimes for the which the Duke of Biâ—on was condemned enterprises against his Estate Treacheries and Treaties with his enemies beeing Marshall of the Kings army For reparation of which crimes they depriued him of all his Estates Honors and dignities condemned him to loose his head vpon a Scaffold at the Greue declaring all his goods mouable immouable wheresoeuer to be confiscate vnto the King the Seigneury of Biron to loose the name title of Duchy and Peere for euer with all other goods held immediatly of the King to bee vnited vnto the Crowne of France decreed in the Court of Parliament the last day of Iuly 1602. and signed by Belliuere Chancellor of France and Fleury Councellor in the Court and Reporter of the processe He fals into choâ—lâ—r â—tter the reading of his sentence Hee grewe into choller thrice in the reading of the sentence when they sayd that he had attempted against the Kings person hee protested with great Imprecations that it was false That he had neuer made any CoÌ„spiracy that he had his head troubled with some enterprises of State for that he would not liue idlely in Peace but giue some imployment to men of war But it was aboue two and twenty monethes since hee had any thought of it desiring that Voisin might raze that out of the sentence When hee heard that hee should bee executed at the Greue he sayd he would not goe thether but would rather bee drawne with â—oure horses and that it was not in all their powers to leade him Vâ—isâ—n sayd that they had prouided for it and that the King had done him the grace to change the place of his execution hauing appointed it at the Bastille What grace answered the Prisoner The third point of his sentence was that hee was troubled for the reunion of the Duchie of Biron to the Crowne the which hee sayd could not bee forfeited to the preiudice of the substitution of his Brethren and that the King should be satisfied with his life The Diuines after the pronouncing of the sentence spake more boldly vnto him of death and to free himselfe of all worldly cares as he had done of his goods After sentencâ— pâ—onounced they vse to â—ind their hands and that he should haue no other thoughts but of his Soules helth Hee then grewe into choller swearing that they should suffer him in Peace and that it concerned him only to thinke of his Soule with the which they had nothing to do It is the order in Cryminall executions to deliuer the party condemned into the hands of the Executioner as soone as his Iudgement is read They would haue done so with him but Voisin went to speake vnto the Chancellor to know if they should not distinguish him from other prisoners The Chancellor was in doubt whether they should binde him or not Hee asked Sillery what he thought who vnderstanding by Voisin that the party condemned was well pacefied sayd it was to bee feared that in seeking to binde his hands they would cause him to breake the bonds of patience and enter into newe fâ—ries for that they which are in that distresse are distempered for small matters Yet the Chancellor would haue the aduice of the first President who was in an other Chamber for that he had dined before he came vnto the Bastille Hee sayd that it was dangerous to suffer his hands free and therefore they must binde him Euery one was of Silleries opinion who considered not so much what should be done as what might bee done for the Party condemned would neuer haue suffred himselfe to haue beene led bound to the place of executioÌ„ but in Fury Dispaire The Executioner who sayd since that a young hangman and not experienced would haue died for feare had beene in danger to endure that which hee would make him to suffer In this liberty his spirit was alwayes free in his thoughts for the last disposition of affaires The Diuines intreated him to consider that he was no more what he had beene that within an houre or two he should Be no more that he must leaue this life to liue for euer that his Soule must go before the fearefull Throne of the liuyng God to be rewarded with a more happy and perfect life then that which hee had past in this world or condemned to infinite paines in coÌ„parison wherof that which he should suffer was but a light pricking in respect of the burning flames of the diuine Iustice. He then entred into the examinatioÌ„ of his Conscience in the which he remained aboue an houre He confesseth himselfe This action required an Humble Penitent and a Contrite heart and yet hee seemed much more carefull of worldly things and of the affaires of his house then of his Soules health and as it were a yong apprentise in the first prayers of his Relligion praying vnto God not as a deuout Christian but as a Soldiar not as a relligious Man but as a Captaine not as Moyses or Elias but like to Iosua who on horse-backe and with his sword his hand prayed and commanded the Sonne to stand still His confession beeing made he walked vp and downe the Chappell still casting out some exclamation for his Innocency and some execration against la Fin asking iâ— it should not bee lawfull for his brethren to cause him to be burnt Hereupon Voisin comes who tells him that the Chancellor and the firâ—â— President were very glad of the constant and generous resolution hee had to die and that they would come presently to see him He resolueâ— to die He answered that he had beene long resolued and that it was not the paine of death but the manner that did amaze him Whilest he attended them there were many notes brought him touching his affaires whereunto he answered without trouble or passion Hee recommended the payment of some debtes which he
him to leaue him a base Childe of his the which he would bring vp with his owne He growes into choller whâ—â—â—e sees the hâ—ngman Going out of the Chappell the Executioner presented himselfe vnto him He asked Voisin what he was It is sayd he the Executioner of the sentence Retire thy selfe sayd the Duke of Biron touch me not vntill it be time And doubting least he should be bound he added I will go freely vnto death I haue no hands to defend my selfe against it but it shall neuer be sayd that I die bound like a Theefe or a Slaue and tuâ—ning towards the hangman hee sware that if he came neere him he would pull out his throate Hee could not endure the sight of the Executioner He had reason for they torment the body as Diuills be Executioners of the Soule And although they be Men and the Instruments of Iustice yet they are held execrable and had no dwelling house allowed them in Rome by the Censors Lawe The two Preâ—chers led him downe He goes to the Scafâ—old intreating him to resist his impatience which did but distemper his minde and made him loath to leaue the place which hee could not hold against his will CoÌ„ming into the Court he went fiue or six paces without speaking a word but ha ha ha He cast his eyes vpon the Lieutenant Ciuill in whose house la Fin was lodged to whome he sayd I am your friend beware you bâ—e not abused with Sorcerers and Magitians if you free not your selfe of them you will repent it They had made a Scaffold in a corner of the Court of the Bastille before the portall going into the Garden six foote heigh and somewhat longer there were fiue steps to go vnto it There were no Ornements no Tapistery no Distinction The most stately death is not the least troublesome the greater the preparation is the more remarkable is the infamy It is no great honor to kneele vpon a veluet Cushion vpon a Scaffold spred with Tapistry to haue by him an Executioner clad in black veluet and Crimson Silke with the sword of gold of Heliâ—gabalus The death which is least ceremonious is the best The beholders were some at the windoes some in the Court There were the Prouost of Marchants foure Sheriffes three or foure Masters of Requests some Presidents of the Chambers of Accounts and some Councellors the Lieutenants Ciuill Cryminal the kings Atturney general The Duke of Biron coÌ„ming to the Scaffold kneeled vpon the first step praying in fewe words and his eies lift vp to Heauen Hee was exhorted to kisse the Crosse in remembrance of his redemption Hee was attyred iâ— russet taffata with a blacke haâ—t He cast a furious looke vpon the Executioner Voâ—sin perswaded him that it was an other but he knew him well saying that they sâ—ught to deceiue him but he commanded him to stand by and when it were time he would call for him He threw downe his hat and cast his hand-kercher to a boy and presently called â—or it againe to vse it seeimg in this act that he had not the corage to looke vpoÌ„ deâ—th with open eyes He put of his dublet cast it to the same boy but the Executioners mâ—n got it and kept it The Executioner offered him a cloth to put before his eyes the which he reiected saying That if hee toucht him but to giue him the stroake of death hee would strangle him Hee sayd vnto the souldiars which garded the Port shewing them his naked brest that he should be much bound vnto him that would shoote him with a Musket what a pittie is it sayd he to die so miserably and of so infamous a stroake They might see by his hollowe eyes that his thoughts were distempered At these wordes the teares fell from the souldiars eyes All those of his profession sware by his Spirit by his good Angell as the Ancients did by that of their Prince The poorest souldiar was cherished by him at the least he had some good words to assure him of his good liking The Hargubuziers did wound him at the Heart through the extreame compassion they had of him So were the souldiars of Eumenes moued when they see him bound and manacled intreating them to kill him He asked if there were no pardon and directing his words to the standers by he sayd that he had made his Soule readie to present it before the face of God but he tooke pittie of the Kings soule who put him to death vniustly that he died an innocent and that this death was the recompence of his feruice Voisin sayd vnto him That it was the manner to reade the sentence He was angry that they would make him to feele death and to die so often before his death for he fealt himselfe to die cruelly in the repetition of the crimes of his condemnation being sufficient that they had brought him thether where he was ready to obey and that they which did see him were not ignorant of the cause When as the Register answered him that it could not be otherwise hee gaue him leaue but vnderstanding the words That he had attempted against the Kings person and State hee sayd that it was false That God was his Iudge that he would be depriued eternally of his grace if it were true that for two and twenty moneâ—hes past he had neuer any thought of it and that the King had pardoned him Hee talked all the while that Voisin red his Iudgement so as neither the one nor the other could bee vnderstood the Auditors not knowing to whom to giue eare The party condemned protesting still and coniuring the Assistants to remember that these two and twenty monethes he had not attempted any thing against the Kings seruice No man doth at any time condemne himselfe You shall see few of these great Spirits that die by their owne confessions although they be found guiltie Some confesse the Fact but they hold it no Cryme as that yong gentleman who was one of them that murthered the Duke of Milan being readie to receiue the stroake he cried out that the Death which he suffered was troublesome but his Reputation should bee euerlastingly glorious His Iudgement being read the Preachers perswaded him to call to God for helpe and not to thinke any more on Earth but to yeeld his Soule to the immortal disposition of the Creator and to leaue his bodie to that which Iustice had decreed He asked what he should doe and takes his hand-kercher with the which he blinds his eyes asking the Executioner where he should set himselfe He answered him there my Lord there And where is that Thou seest that I see nothing and yet thou shewest mee as if I did see plainely and therewith being in choller he pulled away his hand-kercher to see He blinded his eyes againe and for that it is a kind of grace to be soone dispatcht and a great crueltie to languish in the expectation of
long Hayre by the which hee was hanged King Lewis then did alwayes say That Pride carried Ruine behinde him A Heart which knowes from whence the good comes which it inioyeth is alwayes an enemy to Pride So there is but a moment betwixt Glory and Ruine Great Trees are long in growing but are rooted â—p in an instant And it is true if the Duke of Biron had had a Brayne he had not lost his Head and had not brought it into the handes of his Princes Iustice whom hee had so much offended The Marshall Bâ—â—ons Virtues This Marshall had goodly parts communicable to fewe his Valour was admirable and happy in all his incounters of an inuincible Courage infatigable and neuer tired with any toyle continuing ordinâ—rily fifteeene dayes together on Horse-backe He was not inclined to Volâ—ptuousnesâ—e nor much to the loue of Women sober ynough the which began to quench that furious humour as Intemperancy greatnesse increased or that Rest did moderate his boyling passions He was extremely Vaine-glorious His Vanity Glory yea sometimes he would refuse his meate and content himselfe with little to feede his Fantasie with Glory and Vanity He was of a meane stature Blacke reasonable grosse hollow eyd and rough in speech and conuersation He was aduenturous in War Ambitious beyond all measure The excesse of his Ambition made him to braue it without iudgement He became so presumptuous as he thought that the King nor France could not subsist without him He was become ill-tounged speaking ill of all the Princes threatning the Parliaments and the Officers of Iust ce some with death and to dispossesse others of their places He was aduanced from the meanest to the highest degrees of Honours of a simple Souldiar hee became a Captaine then a Colonell afterwards Admirall and Marshall and in the ende Lieutenant of the Kings Armies and in his Heart he aspired to be Duke of Burgundy Son in Lawe to the Duke of Sauoy A comparison betwixt Silla and the Duke of Biron and Nephew to the King of Spaine If Sylla were Resolute Cruell and Bloudy he yeelded nothing to all men together If he were Valiant this man exceeded him by ten degrees and all the Romaine Princes together Their Actions and their ends were almost alike but that Sylla died after he had vanquished this before he could vanquish and in the middest of his Course did feele the Vengeance of Gods wrath His Credit and how hee was esteemed Howsoeuer he had wonne the Souldiars hearts to whom hee gaue all liberty he purchased credit with them that had neuer seene him for they that had seene and felt him wished him at the Indâ—es and made Strangers admire his valour the Constable of Castille in the Franche-County the Archduke at Amiens and the Marquis of Waranbon in Artois whom he made to pay forty thousand Crownes for his ransome with many Spaniards which he caused to be hanged sodainly for that they had called him Baron Moreouer the Kings exceeding fauours the prayses wherewith he did publikely honour him his admirable fortune his coÌ„ming to the restoring of the last ruines of the State like to an other Camillus to deliuer the Capitoll had made him not onely famous throughout all Europe fearefull to all the neighbours but necessary for France Behold a man that was happy full of content which held Fortune captiue withall her treasures he coÌ„manded the felicities of this world he had Glory Honour Riches those gifts which Fortune imparts to her darlings He was raised to the top of Fortunes wheele but he fell for he that gouerns the Helme and all her motions could no longer endure his insolency and vanity Sequitur superbos vltor a tergo Deus The causes of his ruine are infinite Shame followeâ— Pride the contempt of piety is the chieâ—e this ground taken away all vices abound and as the seruant said to King Atraeus O Prince follow the infallible way of Piety your Scepter shal be durable for wheras Faith Holines hath no place there is no happines the reason is for that without God we hold all things indifferent the Law folly Iustice frensie and Faith a fantasie we hold the words of vertue vice to be idle wheras the feare trust in God limits our passions insatiable desires so as gouerning our actions by a iust proportion we cannot erre â—e was oftentimes seen to iest at the Masse to laugh at theÌ„ of the Reformed Religion with whoÌ„ he had bin bred vp from his infancy â—or at the age of eight yeares the Lady of Brisambourg his Fathers sister being of the reformed Religion did so affect him for his actiue disposition as she demanded him of his Mother the which she granted froÌ„ that time she made him her onely heire Vntill the age of 16. yeares he was called Charles of Gontault for then he had an elder brother which died since at the Duke of Alançons voyage into Flanders bred vp at Brisambourg nere vnto S. Iean d' Angely where he was nothing giuen to his booke but wholy inclined to Armes for which consideration his Father the Marshall Biron a Martiall Man then a Catholike â—ooke him froÌ„ his Aunt led him for a while with him through the Countries of Xaintonge Aulins Angoulmois where he caused him to be instructed in the Catholike Religion but vpon false principles which he did learne of some Courtiars he did often mocke at all Religion The second cause of his ruine was the alteration of his Fortune After the death of his elder Brother his father caused him to be called Baron of Biron brought him to Court where at the first he had a quarrell with the Lord of Carency son to the Earle of la Vauguion the which was ended by a Combat of three against three Biron Loignac Ienissac of the one side slue Carency Estissac and la Bastie their quarrell grew for the heyer of Caumont which either of theÌ„ affected in mariage yet neither of theÌ„ had her The Duke of EspernoÌ„ got his pardoÌ„ the which was coÌ„firmed through the credit which his father had theÌ„ in Court Some say that being thus in troble he went disguised like a Carrier of Letters He went to a Mathematicien to know his Fortune vnto one la Brosse a great MathematiciaÌ„ whoÌ„ they â—eid to be skilful in casting of Natiuities to whom he shewed his Natiuity drawn by some other And disseÌ„bling it to be his he said it was a Gentlemans whom he serued that he desired to know what end that man should haue La Brosse hauing rectified this figure said vnto him That he was of a good house no elder then you are said he to the Baron asking him if it were his the Baron answered him I wil not tell you But tel me said he what his Life his meanes end shal be This good old man who was then in a little Garret which serued
Graue and a part of his Armie beeing mutined for their pay and seized vpon Hoochstraten retired himselfe into Spaine where hee was receiued with small grace and countenance hauing serued his Master ill in the Lowe Countries This yeare all the Elements did contribute to the prosperity and blessings of the Peace the Earth did let the King see a newe production of his Treasor Mines of gold dâ—â—couered They discouered in many partes of the Realme mines of Gold Siluer Copper and Lead In the Country of Lionois neere vnto â— village called Saint Martin the plaine which depends of the Country of Saint Iohn of Lions there was a Mine of Gold found by a Countryman who laboring in his Vineyard found a flint stone intermixt with Gold whereby they gathered an infallible assurance that this member was not without a bodie De Vic Superintendant of the Iustice at Lions had commandement from the King to set some to worke in it The first production was admirable and among many goodly peeces one was shewed vnto the King very riche in the which the Gold did appeere and put forth like vnto the budds of a Vyne as fine as that of Carauana so as it might bee sayd that these fiue thousand yeares the Sonne had made nothing more perfect in the bowells of the Earth For it was not Gold in Pepin nor in Poulder as in the running streames of the newe found Land nor mixt with sand as in Bohemia but in Stoanes and in Rockes all pure Gold or pure Siluer for alwaies the one goes with the other perfect of it selfe without mixture of any other mettels The King immitating his Predecessors who had alwaies fauored the workes of Mines which bring infinite commodities made a generall Edict for the ordring of the worke and worke-men An Edict for the ording of the Minâ—â— Hee created a great Master and a Controuller generall ouer all the Mines of France with priuiledges to drawe in forraine worke-men which they could not want Bellegarde was the first great Master of the Mines who resigned it to Ruse Beaulieu Secretary of State Bellingin first grome of the Kings Chamber was Controller generall The newe allyance with the Suisses beeing concluded they deputed fortie two among them to whome they gaue power to sweare the obseruation thereof They came into France in September beeing honorablie receiued in all places The fourth of October they came to Charanton a League from Paris where they were Royally feasted at the Kings owne charge in Senamys house After diner the Duke of Montbazon and the Lord of Montigny Gouernor of Paris went out of the Citty with a hundred or sixscore Gentlemen to meete them and to welcome them in the Kings name At S. Anthonies Gate Bargelone Prouost of Marchants with the Sheriffes Councellors of the Citty Quarter-Maisters chiefe Bourgesses and the three Companies of the Archers of the Citty Their reception receiued them and conducted them to their lodging in S. Martins Streete The next day they dyned with the Chancellor after Dâ—nner he went to his Maiesty to the Lovure desiring them to haue a little patience vntill the King sent for them Soone after the Duke of Esguillion accompanied with fifty young Gentlemen of the best Houses that were then in Court went to fetch them and to conduct them vnto the King entring into the base court of the Lovure the Duke Montpensier with many Knights of the Holy Ghost and Noblemen of mâ—ke receiued them in the Kings name at the Stayres foote going vp to the Hall the Count of Soissons with many Gouernors of Prouinces and old Knights of the Order receiued them and so conducted them into his Maiesties Chamber where they did their obeysance the King taking euery one of them by the Hand Then the Aduoyer of Bearne who was their speaker said vnto him in his owne language That the cause of their comming was to sweare the renewing of the Alliance and to assure his Maiesty of their faithfull seruice Viger did interpret vnto the King who after hee had answered them and witnessed the content which he had of the Declaration they had made in the behalfe of their superiors he told them that they were welcome from thence they went to kisse the Qâ—eenes hand who was in her Chamber with all the Princesses and Ladies of the Court presenting their seruice vnto her and the good affection of their Superiors for the which she thanked them Before the oath was taken they intreated the King that it would please him to heare some particular charges they had from their Superiours The Chancellor was appointed to heare what they demanded The Suisses demands the which the Aduoyer of Bearne deliuered vnto him in three Demands The first was that it would please his Maiesty to augment the summe of foure hundred Crownes which was appointed to be distributed euery yeare among them being not sufficient to pay their interests The second was that the priueleges of those of their Nation which trafficked in France might be confirmed The third was to giue them the declarations that were promised as well vnto the fiue petty Cantons for the continuance of their alliance with Milan and Sauoy without infringing that of his Maiesty as to the Protestant Cantons that they might not be forced to giue men to make Warre in France against them of the Râ—ligion To the first his Maiesty made answer that the ciuill and forraine Warres where-with his people had beene ruined would not giue him meanes to do better yet and that they must content themselues with that which had beene promised The second and third were granted and the declarations required by them signed Sunday the 12. of October was appointed for the swearing of the Alliance in our Ladies Church whether the Ambassadors were conducted by Monsieur de Vic. The King being come to the Church and set in State the Princes of Condé and Conty went to fetch the 42. Ambassadors in the Bishops Hall and conducted them to their places All beeing set the Archbishop of Vienne approched to his Maiesty carrying a booke of the Euangelists in his hands and at the same instant the Ambassadors drewe neere also Before them was Vaguer Secretary of State at Soleuvre betwixt M. de Sillery de Vic he carried betwixt his armes a Cushion of Crimson Veluet garnished with Gold on the which were two treaties of the Alliance Treaties of Alliance presented to the King the one in French the other in the Germaine tongâ—e sealed with his Maiesties seale and those of the Cantons and their Allies After they had all done their duties and saluted his Maiesty Monsieur de Sillery saide vnto the King That these Treaties of Alliance were the same which his Predecessors had made with the Seigneuries of the Cantons and that whatsoeuer was added was for the honour and profit of his Maiesties seruice The Aduoyer of Bearne who delâ—uered the speech The Aduoyers speech vnto the King
that it would not bee taken ill at Rome knowing that he did it onely to please the King and to haue audience But he had some difficulty to decipher himself when he was to speake vnto the King for he could not vnder one habit play two contrary personages neither had hee words in his mouth nor teares in his eyes for this sorrow He that will ease an others griefe must shew that he hath a part feeling thereof Hee went after an other maner and his spirit did fit him with an other kinde of complement the which although it were free yet was it not vnpleasing Hee sayd vnto the King that such as knew what he was and in whose name hee spake would wonder at the office which he did but he had more occasion then any other for that al lamented the losse of the Body but his Maister the losse of the Soule The King sayd vnto him that hee beleeued his Sister was saued for that in the last gaspe an extreame griefe might carry her right into Heauen the Noncio replied My Lord that discours is more Metaphisicall then Phisicall and so they both entered into other talke The great Duke of Tuscany had an enterprise profitable glorious for ChristendoÌ„ The Knights of his Order presented unto him often many occasions which might fill their hands with palmes and charge the Turkes with blowes and shame The burning of the Turkes gallies at Algier hee made choise of the most difficult important in burning of the Turkes gallies at Algier that he might make all that season fruitlesse and his preparation vnprofitable The time did hasten the execution but the wisedome of the great Duke did iudge that the stay was more safe then the hazard if a Diomedes were fit to do this enterprise an Vlisses was as necessary to coÌ„duct it Policy Wisdom being better then Force An English Captain arriued happily with a Ship laden with Marchandize for a Marchant of Pisa. The great Duke informes himselfe of him in what estate the Gallies were in the Port of Algier He told him that they were eight in number ready to set sayle in the beginning of Aprill to scowre along that coast The great Duke discouered his desseigne vnto him the Captaine gaue him some reasons to make this enterprise easie and the great Duke â—eanes to execute it He laded his ship with Salt vnder the which he had hidden his Fire-workes Powder Armes and to the end that if the execution succeeded not as he hoped the King of England should not be offended he left the English Flag and tooke that of the Estates of Holland and Zeland Hee entred the Pâ—râ— of Algier making a shew that he would vnlade his Salâ— Where finding two other English Vessells he discouered his desseigne vnto the Captaine offering them part of the Honour and Profit of the execution if they would hazard themselues in the same danger They agree and prepare for it happilie taking such good oportunity to cast the fire as if the great Duke had bin as well serued by them which made the artificiall fires as by them which cast theÌ„ the Turke had saued nothing of his Gallies but the ashes which the Winde had left vpon the Port and the spoyles of this Pyâ—at had beene preuented He had another Enterprise against the Turke where in he was not hindred but by the Infidelity of those to whom he had giuen the Word Faith of a Prince to dwell safely in his Estates An other enterprise of the great Dukes in Negrepoâ—t The Iewes which liue at Liuorno did discouer it giuing intelligeÌ„ce thereof so soone as the Marriners which came from the Leâ—ant and past by the Port said that they attended the great Dukes Gallies in Negrepont The great Duke did but laugh at it Theâ—e be the affects of Fidelity and Affection which Princes may expect in nourishing those Serpents in their bosomes The Iewes bee the Turkes best spies who knowes that they are madde against Christians with an implacable furye Curst Dogges are kept tyed all day and let loose at night But these People should be straitly garded at all times And in all places they should be still kept in seruitude as their rebellion against the Trueth hath deserued The King of Spaine discontent The King of Spaine is offended that the French go to serue Prince Maurice to hinder his brother the Archduke in the taking of Ostend That he lends them money that he prohibits his Subiects to trafficke into Spaine and Flanders The King saies that he hath not therby any cause to coÌ„plaine For the first he doth not aduow them that go to serue the States For the second he reâ—tores that which they haue lent him paies in small summes the grosse which he had receiued in his necessity But the King hath two great occasions to be offended with the King of Spaine The one was that he refuseth to reuoake the impositioÌ„ of 30. in the 100. which he hath set vppon all Marchandize that goes in or comes out off Spaine Discomodities vpon the Inhibition of Trafficke Vpon this refusal he was couÌ„celled to forbid the French to Trafficke into Spaine or Flanders The MarchaÌ„ts of the Towns of Traffike made great sute to haue it taken awaye and deliuered in reason that deserued consideration if the King had not had others of greater importance the which made him to continue constant although he in his own priuate receiued more preiudice then any other by the great dimynution of his Customes But he respected not this losse in regard of a greater good hauing found that the continuance of the Trafficke which the French made into Spaine into the Archdukes Countries would be more ruinous then profitable vnto theÌ„ for the great and insupportable impositions which they lay vpon the Marchandize that went in or out off their Estates An Ambassador fâ—om the King of Cusco at Valence The King of Spaine should haue pleased many if hee would haue made shewe of this discontent vppon this Interdiction But he had other thoughts And hauing had some speech with the Ambassador of the King of Cusco at Valence many beleeued that he would againe attempt Algier for that he caused him to be conducted by a Maister of the Campe an Ingener with great store of munition and wilde fire laden in three Frigats This Inhibition did nothing alter the Peace of Veruins as they desired which cannot carry their Hands but vpon the pomells of their Swordes their Feet but vppon a breath and their eyes but vpon a place of Battaile but a wise Prince doth neuer vndertake any Warre lightly considering that the time of frindship is more sweete then that of reuenge Treason discouered The other cause of offence was that hee did withdrawe the Kings subiects from their faith and loyalties and that he alwaies entertained some Traitors in â—rance Desbarraux the Kings Ambassador in Spaine
coÌ„plained often by his letters that he was al informed of the affaires and so late as the King of Spaines ministers vndersâ—â—od theÌ„ before him The King was much troubled to discouer this treachery which came fioÌ„ a place that was without all suspition Villeroy had a yong man in his seruice in whom he trusted for that he must of force trust some one and this confidence tried by many yeares seemed to be the more certaine for that he was Son to a Father who neuer had other Maister nor better Fortune He gaue him vnto Rochepot going to remaine Ambassador in Spaine to serue him for a Secretary and in a small time he grew so capable both of the Langage and Maners of the Spaniards as he did write speake treate like vnto a naturall Spaniard He was some-what discontented with his Master so vpon a dispight hee resolued to betray him discouering his intention to a French-man called Raffis who was retired into Spaine for some crime that was not pardoned nor aboâ—ished by the Edict of Peace He presents himself vnto one of the King of Spains Secâ—â—taries and offers his Honor and his Conscience to his seruice Hee made no great esteeme thereof thinking it to bee but the wandring liberty and fantasies of a young man the first motion of his defection a heat of youth a fire of straw for some discontent a French inconstancy fit to receiue all sorts of formes and changes in a word a bad Seruant for a good Maister Hee sayd vnto him that the King of Spaine resolued not to studie any more in the Bookes of an others heart hauing so good Intelligence with the King of France as he desired not to vnderstand his affaires by any other Instrument them his Ambassadors This answere which did not satisfie his opinion made him not to change his resolution He adrest himselfe vnto an other who was one of the chiefe of the King of Spaines Councell who considering howe much it doth import a Prince to knowe his Neighbors secrets and that hee could not giue to much for a good Intelligence a faithfull Spie and a confident Traitor which they must seeke out by all means hee gaue eare to this yong man and iudging that a Traitor may be made of any mettall and that in the like occurrents they must tast and heare all he gaue him good entertainment incorraging him to continue in his resolution making him great promises in recompence of his treacheries He sent him backe to him to whom he had first discouered himself assuring him that he should giue him satisfaction He returned to the first who beeing aduised by the second that the neglect of such an occasion did wrong the Kings seruice and the duty of his charge he considered more exactly of his ofâ—eâ—â— assuring him that hee did willingly imbrace it that his seruice should bee respected bâ— the King of Spaine He makes him to speake with the Duke of Lerma whom for the first proofe of his deuotion and of that which he could do he did acquaint with the Kings letters sent to the Ambassador his Master Here the bargaine was concluded the Treason framed and fauored with a present of twelue hundred Crownes L'osté the traitor returnes into France and serues Mons Villeroy an assurance of the like yearely pension more according to his seruice Rochepot finishing not the time of his Ambassage the miserable wretch was out of hope to enioye â—r deserue that which was promised if he did not coÌ„tinue to giue theÌ„ inteligence He therfore workes so as he retuâ—nes into seruice with his first Master after that Rochepot had assured him that he had serued him well faithfully in his Ambassage In his Cabinet sâ—ring all desseigns al executions are framed there is the Table of al that passeth throughout the world hee alone knowes the affaires of France hee is acquainted with the most secret and doth manage the greatest The first Law for such as enter into his seruice and there is not any one that is not well knowne and tried the Kings chiefe seruants holding it an Honor to place their Children in this Academy of affaires oâ— State is secrecy and loyalty for that the most important expeditions for the Kings seruice or of this State come out of his head and passe through the hands of such as he â—rusts to reduce them into forme The aduices which they giue or receiue from the Kings Ambassadors and Agents that reside with Princes and Potentates both within and without Christendome He hâ—d secret conference with Taxis Ambassador of Spaine being alwaies in Cipher they are left to such as haue the couÌ„ter-Cipher to decipher relying vpon their fidelities This yong man being returned to his first condition but not to his first dutie continued to giue intelligence to the Ambassador of Spaine of that which hee did see learne by the dispatches which he did cipher and decipher and to aduance the King of Spains seruice he hindred the Kings giuing Taxis the Spanish Ambassador and after his departure Suniga his successor in that charge meanes to dispatch their Posts with such aduantage as the King of Spaine was still aduertised before the Ambassador of France whereof he complayned He discouered it more plainely vpon this occasion The King had written a letter to his Ambassador to acquaint the Popes Nuncio with a part thereof and to keep the rest secret Hauing receiued it he commanded one of his seruants to shew the Kings letter vnto the Nuncio vnto a certaine place to conceale the rest He goes vnto the Popes Nuncio who had beene alreadie informed of the busines by one of the King of Spains Secretaries Hered the letter and past not the place which the Ambassador had markt The Nuncio seeing that he stayd there told â—im that he knew the rest that the King of Spaines Secretarie had acquainted him therewith This being reported to the Ambassador he knew well that he was sold and the King betrayed Hee could not but aduertise the King thereof Râ—ffis taking this occasion for the surest meanes to worke his peace goes vnto the Ambassador tels him that â—e had meanes to discouer a Traytor vnto the King who reuealed his secrets The Ambassador gaue him letters and assured him of what he desired for his pardon and of a greater recompence He takes post to returne into France the King of Spaines ministers were presently aduertised of his departure they speedely dispatch a Courtier to the Ambassador to assure him that there was one gone out of Spaine by whoâ—e meanes the King might discouer the treacheries of Losté commanding him to do what he could to saue him and to charme him to silence that being taken he might noâ— reueale that which could not be known nor discouered but by his owne mouth The Ambassador giues him notice thereof 2. houres before the King was aduertised telling him that hee was vndone if he did
deliberates long and resolues constantly would neuer reuoake this Imposition for that they would not loose the reputation of the constancie and firmenes of their Lawes and not to bee taxed of lighâ—nes applying themselues to the time and occasion But they must endure it and the Deputies of the two Kings and of the Archduke being resolued vpon that point there was no difficultie but that the Commerce was restored to the first libertie The Constable of Castille returning into Spaine came to the King at Fontainbleau The trafficke open with Spaâ—ne The King sent to receiue him at the entrie of Paris by the Duke of Montbasson who was well accompanied and the next day at the entrie of the forest of Fontainbleau hee found fiueteene Carosses full of Gentlemen of the Court who left them to offer them to him and to his trayne and so mounted vppon their horses which did attend them The Constable of Castile comes to the King It cannot bee spoken hoâ— royally the King receiued him Among many testimonies of honour and affection this was not ordinarie Zamet inuited him to supper being readie to washe the King accompanied onely with Bellegarde and Roguelare enters saying that hee would suppe with them The Constable offered him his napkin and would haue kneeled The Kings receiues him with all â—onâ—â— He suâ—s with the Consâ—able the which the King would not suffer saying vnto him that it was not for him to yeeld honours but to receiue them for hee was of that house being allyed to the house of Velasques to whome the dignitie of the Constable of Casâ—ille and Leon is hereditarie and is an honour in a manner equall with a Soueraigne The house oâ— Velasques the Emperour Valentinian finding no other place wherewith to honour and aduance his Brother Valence The Commerce which had beene forbidden for some monethes being restored there was nothing contayned in the Treaty of Veruins but was duly executed â—ut 〈◊〉 with concerned the priuate interest of the Earle of Saint Paul As for the General 〈◊〉 went so well as it might be sayd the two Kings had neuer had better coâ—â—eâ—pondeâ—cy and that their wills although contrary had beene like vnto wine and water which cannot be seperated As for the affaires of the Realme the King found so great respect and obedience in all places as if there remaines any passion in the hearts of his Predecessors they must bee greeued that they were neuer so well obeyed This yeare the States of the vnited Prouinces had prouided an Army of two thousand fiue hundâ—ed sayle great and small to releeue Ostend â—f it were possible or els to attemâ—ty 〈◊〉 Sluse which is the chiefe port of Flanders with this resolution the Count Maurice Landed his Army tooke the Isle of Casandt Isandike and all the sorts vpon the 〈◊〉 Land neere vnto the Towne so as they of Slâ—se dispayring of releefe seeing the Marquis Spinola repulst from Cassant Lost by the vâ—nity of Mattheo Serrano the gouernor made a signe of yeelding they deliuered vppe the Towne vpon Honorable Conditions the Capitulation was made the nineteenth of August 1604. The Arch-dukes forces returned againe to Ostend to presse the beseeged wâ—ileâ— the season of the yeare would suffer them the which was defended with great Constancy and Resolution The â—ediousnesse of this seege cost the States more then the entertainment of a great Army Ostend yeelded by composiâ—ion the 15. of September and therefore Count Maurice sent expresse commandement to the Gouernor to Capitulate and leaue that ruine which cost them so many Men and so much Money Before they entred into Capitulation they sent away their Artillery and all their stuffe by Sea After three yeares seege and more they yeelded vp the Towne vpon as Honorable conditions as if they had deliuered vp the best place in Europe The Arch-duke entred it and they that went with him were amazed to see that they hâ—d conquered nothing but a Church-yarde after so long time and so great expences and had made an other without that was better peopled It was a great Glory for the Arch-duke to haue taken this Towne after so longe a patience of three yeares In matters of Warre they consider not the time that is spent but the successe The Archduke enters it Hee lost three yeares time but the gaine of the thing desired did recompence his losse The Beseegers spent much Powlder to haue a heape of Sand they lost an incredible number of Men to get a Church-yarde It is all one the victors Glory is not impayred hauing that which hee would haue there was neuer seene the like For tâ—â—e of a Fort nor so great resolution to asaile and defend a Towne without houses yea without grounde and which promised to the Conqueror nothing but a Barren heape of dust â—t seemes that Warre hath made choise of the Lowe Countries to continue there all this age as it hath donne the best part of the precedent Oâ—â—er Prouinces haue beene ruined by Warre and especially by ciuill Warre where the Conqueror smartes and sedâ—s the losie but they increase and growe Rich by their Warre They had not beene so Rich if they had not taken Armes against their Prince who in the ende will finde it true that it is dangerous to make long Warre with any people The Lowe Countrâ—â—s 〈…〉 by warre for that the assidâ—ity and continuance of this exercise makes them warlike and Capable to vanquish them who in the beginning durst not incounter his forces After they haue once put a sword into the Peoples hands it is hard to wrest it from them The sword makes the feeble and the stronge equall and can hurt and wounde in any hard Agesiâ—laus beeing beaten and wounded by them whome hee had forced to take Armes was mockt by Antaleâ—das saying that the Thebans had payed him the hire of that which hee taught them against their wills And although the King of Spaine and the Arch-dukes powers bee far greater then that of the States yet they make Warre with greater commodity and safety then he Among many remarkable considerations of the scituation of the Country they haue the Sea free by the which they may conduct what numbers and what quantitie of munition and equipage for the Warre they please and to any place they please the which cannot bee carried by land but with exceeding great charge and by great marches So as wee may say of them as Taxiles sayd of the Romaines that their Armies are inuincible and wee neede not to maâ—uell that they haue so much Artillery Munition Carriages and Men seeing they haue so many Shippes in their ports And at their doore two great Kingdomes full of warlike Souldiars which cannot liue in Peace but Glory in the incounter of dangers to whome there is no paine that is strange nor place in accessible nor enemy redoubtable The King of Spaine hath great difficulties in this Warre Aduantages of
concerne the King his Person and his State and if it bee tollerable to heare what is sayd yet is it not lawfull to â—peake or publish it His Maiestie himselfe hath not yet declared the cause of the Count of Avuergues restraint and in the letter which hee did write vnto the Gouernour of Lions vppon that subiect hee did onely send him these wordes The Kings letters to la Guiche from Fontainbleau the 15. of Nouemb 1604. You haue vnderstood how that I haue againe caused the Count of Auvergne to bee apprehended being aduertised that hee continued still in his bad practises and that hauing sâ—nt often for him hee would not come At the least I will keepe him from doing ill if I can At the same time when as the Count of Auvergne was taken the brute was that the Duke of Bouillon had like to haue beene surprised When as he could find no other refuge for his â—ffayres but to retire himselfe out of the Realme hee hath vsed the lâ—bertie of his retreat wisely and hath alwayes sought the Kings fauour for the assurance of his reâ—urne Some forraine Prince of his friends aduised him not to returne to Court to hold all reconciliation suspect and to beleeue that when a Prince is oâ—ce offended he is neuer qâ—iet vntill the offence bee reuenged That hee must not trust to that which hee promiseth nor to that which hee sweares houlding both the one and the other lawfull for reuenge That the word of a Prince that is offended is like vnto Zeuzis cluster of grapes which takes Birds but his oth is like vnto Parrasius vayle which deceiues Men. Those which haue lost the fauour of their master for that they had intelligence with them whome they could not serue without cryme are alwayes in continuall distrust the which followes the offence as the Boat doth the Shippe vntill they haue quenched and smothered the cause and made it knowne that they are diuided and enemies to all their wils that would distract them from their duties for Men that are double and dissemblers are neuer tamed no more then a Batt which is halfe a Ratt and halfe a Bird or the Chastor which is flesh and fish The Duke of Bouillons patience hauing giuen the King time enough to consider of his intentions The Duke of Bouillon is redie through the Kings Clemencie to obtaine all that he could desire to returne to a greater fortune in the which lesse is allowed then to a meaner estate The Duke Tremouille ended his fortune by death Hee might haue dyed when as the King would haue lamented the losâ—e of him more Death of the Duke of Trâ—mâ—uille for hee was not now well pleased with certaine wordes which had beene reported vnto him and if hee had liued he would haue beene in paine to excuse himselfe of the commandement hee had made him to come vnto him to answere it From hence spring two fruitful considerations the one that there is nothing so fearefull and terrible as the threats and disgrace of his King the other that it is alwayes dangerous to speake ill of his Prince For the first Cassander greatlly feared Alexander euen when hee was dead for that hee had seene him once transported with choller against him And although that after the death of Alexander he was aduanced to the Throne of Macedon yet walking in the Cittie of Delphos and hauing seene an Image of Alexanders who was nowe rotten in his graue he did so tremble as his Hayre stood right vp his knees fayled him and the palenesse of his countenance shewed his amazement and the terrible assault which his memory gaue him for the second when a free speech hath once escaped against the respect of the Prince he must haue a great and a strong Citty as Lisander sayd to defend his liberty of speech They haue neither Friendes not Councell against the King and if their misery findes any shadowe or protection it is but like vnto Ionas Gourd of one night Let them not flatter themselues in the greatnes of theiâ— houses nor their Allyances this qualitie doth but increase their offence Princes are not so much mooued with that which the common people do as with the Lycentious words of great men Caius disguised himselfe into as many fashions as he imagined there were Gods A Cobler seing him set in his Pallace like Iupiter with a scepter in one hand a Thunderbolt in the other and an Eagle by his side burst out in a great laughter Caius causing him to come neere asked him why he laught I laugh at this foolerie answered the Cobler The Emperour laught also suffering it to passe freely without choller yet punishing other speeches seuerely which came from persons better quallified Thus ends the seuenth yeare after the conclusion of the Peace FINIS ⧠A TABLE OF THE MOST memorable things contained in this Historie Pharamond the first King of France THe fundamentall date of the French Monarchy Folio 1 The estate of the Empire at the beginning thereof ibid. The time of his raigne fol. 2 The estate of the Church ibid. The French can endure no gouernement but a Royaltie â—ol 3 The Royaltie of France successiue and the efficacie of a successiue Royaltie ibid. A successiue Royaltie the best kind of gouernement fol. 4 The manner of the receiuing of a new King in old time ibid. The people consent not to preiudice the Kings prerogatiue at his first reception fol. 5 In France the Male is onely capable of the Crowne ibid. The fundamentall Law which they call Salique ibid. The practise of the Salique Law â—ol 6 Of the word Salique and what the Saliens were ibid. The death of Pharamond fol. 7 Clodion or Cloion the hairie the second King of France THe first attempt of Clodion fol. 8 The estate of the Empiâ—e fol. 9 A Law â—or wearing of long haire ibid The Estate of the Church ibid. Mâ—roâ—â—è the third King of France HE enters France â—ol 10 The French ioyne with the Romanes and Gothes fol. 11 Orleans besieged by Attila hee is ouerthrowne but not quite vanquished ibid The happie raigne of Meâ—ouâ—è fol. 12 The estate of the Empire and the Church ibid. Childeric or Chilperic 4 King of France HE is expelled for his vice fol 13 He is called home againe ibid. Clouis 1. the 5. King of France and the first Christian King HE aspires to the Monarchy of all Gaule fol. 15. The fiâ—st rooting out of the Româ—ins ibâ—d Clouis becomes a châ—istian fol. 16 Religion the only true bond of aâ—â—ectâ—ons ibid. Gaule called France ibid. Waâ—res against the Wisigothes fol. 1â— Warres in Burgundy and the cause why ibid. Clouis conquests in Burgondie fo 18 A â—recherous attempt of Gondâ—bault hee is justlie punished for his murthers ibid. The first winning of Burgundy Daulphine and Prouence ibid. Alaric slayne by the hand of Clouis ibid. The Emperour sends Ambassadours to Clouis fol. 19 Clouis being conqueâ—or is conqâ—ered ibid. He looseth
diuers Prouinces and many men â—ol 2â— His cruell pracâ—ises to become great ibid. Horrible murther committed by Clouis ibid. The death of Clouis fol. â—1 His vertues and his vice ibid. The Estate of the Churâ—h ibid. The 6. raigne vnder the â—oure sonnes of Clouis Childebert Clodamir Clotaire Thierry Who raigned together 42. yeares as Kings of France but with particular titles vnder this generall but the eldest beares the name Childebert the 6. King of France HOrrible confusion among brethren fol. 23 Clodamir takes and is taken Crueltie of brethren ibid. Warre betwixt brethren fol. 24 A happie reconâ—ilement ibid. A good and happie warre ibid. Warre rashly vndertaken prooues vnfortunate fol. 25. Austrasia now called Lorraine ibid. A horrible punishment of a rebellious Sonne ibid. Clotaire 1. the 7. King of France PRinces ought not to thrust their subiects into despaire fol. 26 Cherebert 8. King of France DIuision of portions breâ—ds a diuision of harts fol. 28. Horrible confusions betwixt brethren and by their wiues One makes warre against another ibid. Sigâ—bert â—laine fol. 29 Chilperic 1. the 9. King of France THe father kils his sonne through the practises of a woman fol. 30 The husband puts away one wife and kils another ibid. He oppresseth his subiects and the punishment of his crimes ibid. Impietie the spring of all euill fol. 31 Clotaire 2. the 10. King of France THe efficacie of the law of State fol. 31 Notable subtiltie of a woman fol. 32 An imaginarie King ibid. A King in his cradle a Conqueror fol. 33 Tragicall practises of two women ibid. â—redâ—gonde dies with her victorie ibid. Brunâ—hault incenseth one brother against another â—ol 34. The husband against the wife ibid. The brother kils the brother ibid. Brunâ—hault murthers her sonne fol. 35 She is put to a horrible death ibid. Mildnesse fit to repaire a decayed estate fol. 36 The greatnesse of the seruant is a blemish to the master ibid. Too great facilitie hurtfull to an estate ibid. Dagobert 1. the 11. King of France HE forceth his subiects to obedience fol. 37 The Iewes banished France ibid. He was blamed for his adulterie ibid. Hee did great exploits of armes vnder the conduct of Pepin fol. 38 He preferred his younger sonne before the elder ibid. Clouis 2. the 12. King of France THe manners of the idle King fol. 38 The Maior of the Pallace gouernes the whole State â—ol 39 The brethrens portions and their good agreement ibid. The â—eligious life of Queene Baudour ibid. Clouis carefull to releeue the poore ibid. Clotaire 3. the 13. King of France CLotaire a cruell and a wicked King oppressed his subiects fol. 40 Childeric or Chilperic 2. the 14. King of France HE takes his brother and makes him a Monk fol. 41. He growes prowd and cruell The French hate him ibid. He is murthered by his subiects his Queene being with child fol. 42 Thierry 1. the 15. King of France OF a Monke he is made a King fol 42 He is taken prisoner by his subiect iâ—â—d A trecherous murther fâ—l 43 Ebroin Maior of the Pallace growes cruell and â—euengefull hee is murthered by a French Gâ—â—tleman ibâ—d Pepin Maior of the Pallace gouernes with gâ—eaâ— credit ibid. Clouis 3. the 16. King of France HE raigned foure yeares and died without memorie fol. 44 Childebert 2. the 17. King of France HE raigned 17. yeares and did nothing worthy to be spoken of fol. 45 Dagobert 2. the 18. King of France PEpin commanded in a manner absolutely 44. yeares â—ol 46 Princes must looke to whom they commit the charge of affaires ibid. Pepins behauiour during his Maioraltie fol. 47 He was incontinent Charles Martell his bastard ibid. Charles Martell chosen Mayor of the Pallace fol. 48. A second victorie to vse it well ibid. Chilperic 3. the 19. King of France A Prince of no valour simple and voluptuous fol. 49. Thierry 2. the 20. King of France CHarles Martâ—ll chosen Prince of the French â—ol 50. Multiplicitie of Masters a ruine to an Estate ibid. The Sarazens inuade France with 400000. men fol. 50. Martel encounters them and encourageth his men ibid. A memorable defeat of Abdâ—rame the Sarazen and his death fol. 52 The fidelitie of the Viennois to the Fâ—ench fol. 53. The courage of a Bishop ibid. New attempts of the League ibid. A new armie of Sarazens in France ibid. Languedoc seuerely punished by Martell fol. 54 Martel forceth the â—risons to be christened ibid. Childeric 5. the 21 King of France the last of that race THe disposition children and death of Martel fâ—â— 55 Pepin armes against the Sarazens and prescribes them a Law â—â—l 56 He repaires the ruines of the Sarazens ibid. The estate of the Church ibid. Pepin meanes to make himselfe King ibid. The Pope dispenced the French from their oath of obedience to Childeric fol. 57 Pepin the short the 23. King of France and the fiâ—st of the second race PEpin chosen King by the Parliament and Childeric reiected â—ol 60 Soueraigne causes of this change fol. 61 The estate of this second race ibid. Instruction for great men ibid. Pepin striues to win the French by good deeds ib. The Saxons rebell and are subdued ibid. Pepin prouides for the affaires of Italy â—oâ— 62 His wiâ—dome in vndertaking a warre ibid. Astolpho breaks his faith and besiegeth Rome ibid. Pepin confirmes his authoritie by a Parliament fol. 63 He makes a forraine warre to auoide a ciuill ibid. Ieffâ—râ—y of Guienne slaine by his seruant fol. 64 Pepin resignes the crowne to Charles ibid. His children his death and his Manners ibid. The estate of the Empire ibid. Italie made desolate by the Gothes and by the Lombards fâ—l 65 They are expelled by the French ibid. The beginning of Mahomets sect in the East ibid. The estate of the Church at Rome â—ol 66 Contention for Primacie A worthy speech of S. Gregory Dispute for Images At the first but a politicke inuention ibid. Estate of the ancient church Insolencie of Popes at this day â—ol 67 Charles the Great or Charlemaigne the 24. King of France PEpins children diuide the Realme fol. 68 Charles the patterne of a great King ibid. His manners his studies and his armes ibid. The successe of his raigne fol. 69 Carolomans iealousie against his brother ibid. Troubles at Rome 〈◊〉 deeds in 〈◊〉 of his 〈…〉 fol. 70 The Lâ—mbards dissimulation and his presumption in hanging of the Popes Secretaries ibid. Rebellion in Guienne by Hurault ibid. Instruction for Princes fol. 71 Caroloman dies ibid. Charlemagnes wiues and his children ibid. Carolomans widowe ioynes with the Lombards against him 〈◊〉 deeds 〈…〉 â—ntill he 〈◊〉 Empeâ—â—â— ibid. Didier king of the Lombards makes warre against the Pope fol. 72 Charles opposeth himselfe against the Lombard ibid. Charles makes warre with the aduice of his estates and deâ—eates the Lombard twise ibid. He takes Verona and is entertained at Rome fol. 73 Pauia taken and Didier in it ibid. A memorable warre in Germanie and
the cause of this warre fol. 74 Charles subdues the Saxons and perswades Witichind to be a christian ibid. The ofspring of Witichind f. 75 The Institution of the twelue Peeres of France fol. 76 Treachery of Idnabala the Sarazin ibid. Pampalune taken and the Sarazins victorie ibid. The Sarazins enter into Gascoine ibid. Conditions propounded by Aigoland and accepted by Charles fol. 77 Sarazins defeated in Spaine ibid. The treason of Ganelon fol. 78 Rouland defeated at Ronceuaux he dies for thirst ibid Charles reuengeth this treacherie ibid. The end of the Spanish warre fol. 79 Bauiere incorporated to the crowne for rebellion ibid. The limits of the French Monarchy in Germany ibid. The occasion why Charlemagne was proclaimed Emperour fol. 80 Contention in the East â—or Images ibid The tragicall death of Constantine fol. 81 Irene his mother banished ibid. Diuision of the Empire ibid. Warre in Italie and in Saxony fol. 82 Charles hâ—s dâ—edes while he was Emperour Charles repulst at Venice He diuides his possessions to his children and settles an order for their lawes The Danes reuolt ibid. Charles looseth two of his best sonnes ibid. Rebellion against Charles fol. 83 The Empire confirmed to him his care to rule the Church ibid. A good Instruction for princes to loue pietie ibid. New warre in Spaine crost by secret practises ib. A happy conclusion of Chaâ—lemagnes life ibid. Charles makes his Will and dies fol. 84 The true praises of Charlemagne and his vices ibid. Lewis the gentle the 25. king and Emperour of the West THe declining of this race fol. 85 Lewis his wiues and children fol. 86 His base facilitie ibid. A furious crueltie his indiscretion ibid. Tragicall rebellion of children ibid. Abuse in the Clergie fol. 87 Lewis imprisoned by his children hee is forced to giue them portions and he dies ibid. Diuision among the brethren and the cause fol. 87 The estate of Lewis his children aâ—teâ— his death Loâ—haire thinking to surprize his brethren is surprized and defeated fol. 88 He dies a Monke ibid. An accord betwixt Charles and Lewis fol. 89 Hermingrade daughter to Lewis married to Bosan king of Arles fol. 90 Charles the bald the 26. King and Emperour A Confused and an vnhappy raigne fol. 91 Charles seekes to deceiue his Neece ibid. He is diuerted from the warre of Italie where he dies fol. 92 Lewis 2. called the stuttering the 27. King and Emperour THe princes of Italie oppose against him f. 92 The Pope vsurpes the imperial rights in Italy ibi Lewis dies and leaues his wife with child fol. 93 Regents crowned as Kings ibid. Charles borne after his fathers death ibid. The minoritie of Charles called the Simple the which continued 22. yeres vnder 4. Regents whom they call Kings The 28. raigne vnder Lewis and Caroloman Basâ—aâ—ds LEwis is defeated by the Normans and dies for griefe fol. 94 Caroloman dyâ—s of a violent dath fol. 95 Charles called the Grosse 29. King and Emperour GReat hopes of his good gouernment fol. 96 Neustria called Normandie ibid. Charles defeated by the Normans yeelds to a preiudiciall peace ibid. Hee is extreamâ—ly hated and deiected both from Empire and Realme ibid. He dies poorely in a village fol. 97 Eudes or Odon named Regent by Lewis the 2. the 30. King of France THe race of Eudes from whence Hugh Capet sprong fol. 98 Eudes maligned in his Regencie fol. 99 France full of factions ibid. Eudes resignes the Regencie to the King a little before he died ibid. Charles 3. called the Simple the 31. King of France A Memorable League made by Robert brother to Eudes against King Charles fol. 100 Charles put from the Crowne fol. 101 Robert the head of the League and in armes ibid. Robert causeth himselfe to be crowned King fol. 102. The errors of King Charles ibid. Robert defeated and slaine by Charles ibid. Charles taken prisoner by Hebert he dies for griefe ibid. Queene Ogina flies into England with her sonne Lewis ibid. Raoul the 32. King but in effect an vsurper RAâ—ul an Vsurper raignes vnfortunately fol. 103. Necessâ—rie obseruations for great Estates fol. 104 Confusions in France Italy and Germany ibid. Confusion in the East and in the Church ibid. Pope Ioan deliuered of a child in the open streete fol. 105. Lewis 4. the 33 King LEwis a disloyall prince fol. 106 Hee marrieth one of the Emperours sisters Hugues father to Hugh Capâ—t marrieth another ibid. The duke of Normandie tâ—aiterousâ—y slaâ—â—e 〈◊〉 107. Lewis deales trecherously in oppressing the Normanes 〈◊〉 The King of Denmarke comes to succour tâ—e Duke of Normandie fol. 1â—9 Lewis taken prisoner at a parle and set free vpon conditions ibid. Richard Duke of Normandy marries the daughter of â—ugueâ— the great ibid. Lâ—wis seekes to ruine Hugues his brother in Law â—ol 1â—â— Trecherie punished with trecherie Count Hebert hanged ibid. Lewis dies hated of his sâ—biects ibid. Lothaire 34. King of France LOthaire a trecherous king fâ—l 111 He attempt warre against Richard of Normandie but in vaine ibid. Lothaire makes warre against the Emperour 〈◊〉 112. Lorraine giuen to Charles of France by the Emperour ibid. Lothaire dies detested of all men ibâ—d Lewis 5 the 35. King and the last of the sâ—cond â—ace THe last King of the race of Charlemaigne fâ—l 113. God the disposer of Kingdomes and States ibid. Hugh Capet the 36. King and the first of the third Race CHarles Duke of Lorraine heire presumptiue reiected from the Crowne and Hugh Capet chosen King of France fol. 117 The reason why Chaâ—les was reiected fol. 118 Hugh Capet held most worthy of the Crowne ibid. His fathers wise proceeding fol. 119 His off-spring ibid. Why he was called Capâ—t ibid. Hugh Capets proceeding to attaine to the Crowne fol. 120. A parliament at Noâ—on â—or his election ibid. Hugh Capet crowned at Rheims fol. 121 Charles of Lorraine begins warre and surpriseth townes ibid. Hugh Capâ—t defeated and in danger ibid. Charles promiseth vnto himselfe a happie raigne ibid. He is taken in Laon carried to Orleans where he dies in prison ibid. Hugh Capet no vsurper fol. 122 The subiects doe homage vnto him ibid. Hee doth renew the orders of the twelue Peeres of France He suppresseth the Mayor of the Pallace ibid. Hugh crownes his sonne Robâ—rt King fol. 123 Roberts veâ—tues ibid. The Constable succeeds the Maior the Constables authoritie ibid. Hugh decrees that the eldest should raigne alone among his brethren ibid. He suppresseth the Mayor of the Palace ibid. The French cannot subsist but vnder a Royaltie ibid. Paris the chiefe place of Hughes residence ibid. His proceeding against Arnulph bastard of Lothaire who is deposed from his bishopricke ibid. The manners of Pope Iohn the 12. fol. 125 The estate of the Church and Empire ibid. Hugh Capet dies ibid. The Monarchy of France of greater continuance then euer any fol. 126 An order for the vse of this raigne ibid. The names of 13. Kings of the first royall branch of Capets placing Hugh Capet for
the stemme foundation of the third royall race which raigne at this day Robert Philip the â—iâ—st Lâ—wis 7. called the Long. Lâ—wiâ— the eight Philip 3. called the bardy Lewis 10. called Huâ—in Henry Lewis 6. called the grosse Philip 2. called Augustus Lewis 9. called S. Lewis Philip 4. called the faire Philip 2. surnamed the long Charles the 4. called the Faire the last of this fiâ—st branch Robert the 37. King of France THe raigne of Robert long happy fol 129 He preferres Henry his younger sonne to the Crowne before the elder ibid. His disposition ibid. Wise Kings and of long life are happie for an Estate fol. 130 He giues Burgundie to Robert his eldest sonne ibid. Robert makes an agreement with the emperor for Lorraine ibid. He reconciles the Duke of Normandie and the Earle of Chartres ibid. Henry 1. the 38. King of France HIs raigne fol. 131 Contention betwixt the brethren ibid. Odo earle of Campaigne seekes to seize vpon Burgundie fol. 132 Robert Duke of Normandie preferres his bastard before his lawfull children fol. 133 Happie succâ—sse of the Normans in Italy ibid. Henry dies ibid. Philip 1. the 39. King of France BAldwin Regent in Philips minoritie fol. 134 He punisheth the rebels of Gascoine ibid. He dies much lamented fol. 135 The disposition of Philip. ibid. Philip forsakes Baldwins children ibid. William bastard of Normandie aduanced to the Crowne of England Philip discontented at his aduancement ibid. The Leuaine of dissention betwixt France and England fol. 136 The English enter Guienne ibid. Confusions in Italy betwixt the Emperour and Popes ibid. The Pope incenseth the sonne against the father and takes both Empire and life from him fol. 137. The beginning of the states of Daulphine Sauoy Prouence and Franche Countie ibid. A voyage to the Holy land and the motiue of this enterprise ibid. The names of such as went to the Holy land fol. 138. The number of the Army ibid. The Mahometans command fol. 139 The Christian troupes twice defeated by the Turkes ibid. Godfrey conquers the greatest part of Asia ibid. He is chosen King of Ierusalem ibid. The sonnes of William King of England fol. 140 Philip dies his disposition ibid. Lewis 6. called the Grosse the 40. King THe estate of this raigne fol. 141 Rebels suppressed and punished fol. 142 The Emperour grieued for the ill vsage of his father comes to Rome and forceth the Pope to take an oath ibid. The Emperour degraded by the Popes decree ibid. The Emperor and King of England ioine against France ibid. The French King and the Emperour reconciled fol. 143. Great troubles in Flanders ibid. Crueltie in the citie of Bruges ibid. Lewis King of France punish the rebels fol. 104 Pretendants for the Earledome of Flanders ibid. William of Normandie made Earle of Flanders ibid. The Flemmings chuse them a new Earle and Thierry the new Earle of Flanders defeated ibid. William of Normandie slaine in Flanders ibid. Troubles in Bourbonois fol. 145 The stocke of the house of Bourbon ibid. Philip eldest sonne to Lewis died by a strange accident ibid. Lewis the yong marries the heire of Guienne ibid. Lewis the 6. dies fol. 146 Lewis 7. called the yong the 41. King of France THe estate of his raigne fol. 146 The Christianâ— affaires in the East ibid. Godâ—frâ—y of Bouillon dies and the Christians loose all in the East fol. 147 The Emperor and King of France resolue to succour the Christians ibid. A horrible massacre coÌ„mitted by the souldiers of Lewis and by his consent fol. 147 The Emperour and Lewis goe into the East ibid. The Emperor of Greece deales trecherously with the Emperour and the King ibid. The Emperor and King of France make a shamefull returne from the East fol. 149 Queene Elenor vnchast ibid. Lewis pretends a cause to be diuorced from Elenor and restores her Guienne ibid. Elenor marries with Henry King of England ibid. The first Warre betwixt France and England for the Earldome of Tholouse ibid. Great troubles in England betwixt the Father and the Sonne fol. 150. Prince Henry â—ealous of his owne Father ibid. The Sonnes make Warre against the Father and Lewis supports his Sonne against him fol. 151. Henry King of England reconciled to his Sonnes ibid. Frâ—derike the Emperor ruines Milan takes Rome and creates a newe Pope ibid The Emperor subiects himselfe basely vnto the Pope fol. 152. Lewis dies ibid. Complaints against the abuses of the Church ibid. Phillip the 2. called Augustus the 42. King of France An excellent King and an excellent raigne fol. 153. His disposition The Iewes banished out of France ibid. Competitors for the gouernment of the State fol. 154. Troubles in Flanders for the Earldome of Vermandois ibid. Henry Prince of England dies before his Father ibid. Phiâ—lip of France and Richard of England make a Peace ibid. The miserable Estate of the Christians in Asia ibi The Christians in Asia at Ciuill warre fol. 155. The Emperor of Greece murthered by his Tutor ibid. King Philip and Richard King of England make a voiage to the Holy Land ibid. Richard exploits in Asia ibid. Philip stirs vp Iohn against his Brother Richard King of England fol. 156. Richard makes a truce with â—elâ—din ibid. Hee is kept prisoner by the Emperor and put to ransome ibid. An vnknowne Aduocate pleads against the King for his wife Gâ—lbâ—rge ibid. Philipâ— warre against the King of England and the Earle of Flanders fol. 157. Richâ—rd King of England dies fol. 158. Iohn succeeds Richard and makes a Peace with Philip. ibid. Warre betwixt Iohn King of England and Arthur his Nephew ibid. 〈◊〉 murthers his Nephew 〈◊〉 ibid. Iohn declared guilty of murther and felony by Philiâ— ibiâ— Philip takes Normandy and Poitou from Iohn ibiâ— Great enemies against Philip and a dangerous League against him ibid. His Victory at Bouines against the Empeâ—or fol. 159. The Emperor dies for griefe of his disgrace ibid. Iohn makes the Realme of England tributary to the Pope â—ol 160 He doth homage to the Popes Legat. 〈◊〉 Iohns oppression of his subiects is tâ—e cause of his ruine 〈◊〉 The English reiect Iohn and offer the Realme to Philip. 〈◊〉 Lewis of France receiued by the English 〈◊〉 King Iohn dies for griefe â—â—l 161. The English change their opinion They â—â—ceâ—ue Henry the Sonne of Iohn and dismisse 〈◊〉 of France 〈◊〉 Philips Actions Testament and his Lands vnited to the Crowne fol. 162. His death and his conditions 〈◊〉 The Estate of the Empire 〈◊〉 The Pope opposeth against the Emperor 〈◊〉 The Emperor muâ—thered by Otho who succâ—eded him ibid. The faction of Guelphes and Gibelius fâ—l 163. The Popes seekes to haue soueraigne authority ouer Christendome 〈◊〉 Orders of Relligious men ibid. Lewis the eight Father to Saint Lewis 43. King of France HIS raigne and death fol. 164. His manners ibiâ— Languedoc returnes to the Crowne ibid. Diuers opinions of the Albigeois and their opinions as some write ibid. The Earle of Tholouse
King Charles fol. 159 The â—â—state of the Empire and â—hurch A horrible Schisme with the cause thereof fâ—l 160.161.162.163.164.165 The English seâ—ke to crosse Charles in his affairs fol. 166. Iâ—are 〈…〉 the Pucelle disswades 〈◊〉 from fighting is sore wounded and her meâ— dâ—fâ—atâ—d fol. 167. The Institution of the order of the Golden-fleece by the Duke oâ— Buâ—gundy ibid. I 〈…〉 the Virgin called the Pucelle taken at CoÌ„piegâ—e sent to Roan condemned for a Wâ—ch and buâ—â—t fol. 168 Compeigne releeued by the French the 〈…〉 fol. 169. The Duchesse 〈◊〉 Bedforâ— dies fol. 170. 〈…〉 by the English and Chartres by the 〈◊〉 ibid. Henry King of England â—rowned at Paris ibid. A Treat◠〈◊〉 the French and English fol. 172 A quarâ—ell betweene the Dukes of Bourbon Bourgoâ—nge and Bedford ibid. King 〈◊〉 goes into Daulphine and 〈…〉 takes armes against the English fol. 173. The English defeated and the Earle of Aâ—undell slaine 〈◊〉 174 The Accord of Philip Duke of Bourgoing with King 〈◊〉 the 7 ibid. Waâ— very violent against the English fol. 176. Queene Isabell and the Duke of Bedford dies 〈◊〉 The Citty of Paris yeâ—ldes to the King and expells the English 〈◊〉 177. The Constable râ—câ—iuâ—d into Paâ—is 〈◊〉 178. The Daulphin 〈◊〉 marâ—ied to a Daughter of Scotland 〈◊〉 179 The Duke of Sauoye becomes a Monke 〈◊〉 180. 〈◊〉 Son of 〈◊〉 of Bouâ—gongne 〈…〉 of France 〈◊〉 182. 〈◊〉 calles a Parliament at Orleance to treat of a gâ—nâ—rall Peace fol. 181. The Pâ—â—nces of the blâ—ud makâ— a League to aduâ—â—ce thâ— Daulphin 〈◊〉 183. King 〈◊〉 goes with an Army against the Duke of Bouâ—bon and the Daulphin flies into Burgundy 〈◊〉 184 The 〈◊〉 of 〈…〉 Sorcery 〈◊〉 185 A Tâ—â—aty 〈◊〉 the 2. Kiâ—gs for a Pâ—aâ—e but fruâ—tâ—â—sse ibid. Aâ—â—er the 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 of the Duke of O lâ—aâ—câ— the Duke of Bouâ—gâ—nge and he becomeâ— greâ—t fâ—iends 〈◊〉 186 The mâ—morable seege of Penthoâ—â—e fâ—l 187. The Parliament of Tholouse erected 〈◊〉 192. A generall Tâ—uce and the French and English make Warre in Suisseâ—land with the causes thereof 〈◊〉 193. The Sâ—isses â—ight valiantly but are defeated fâ—l 194. The English breake the truce and suâ—prize Fougers fol. 195. 〈◊〉 and the Duke of Brittaine combine against the English and take townes in Guienne and Normandy fol. 196. Charl sends his Army to Roan 〈◊〉 197. Takes it and bâ—seegeth the English in their Forts fol. 198. The Earle of Sommerset and Talbot yeeld and come to King Câ—â—arles ibid. King Câ—arlâ—â— deales honourably with Talbot fol. 199. The English defeated at 〈◊〉 fol. 200. All Normandy yeelds to Câ—arles ibid Guiâ—â—ne returnes to the Crowne of France fol. 201. THE French Army in Guienne takes Blay Bourg Liborne Fronsack Boudâ—aux and Baionne fol. 202.203 Talbot enters with newe English troupes and takes Bourdeaux and all the Townes againe fol. 204. The English defeated and Talbot slayne fol. 205. Troubles in England fol. 206. The Councell of Basill with the miserable Estate of the Church fol. 208.209 Constantinople taken by the Turke and Constantine the Emperor smoothered fol. 210. Printing inuented fol. 221 King Charles and the Dolphin discontented one with another ibid. The king sends an armie against his sonne fol. 212. Lewis the Dolphin marries againe to the great dislike of his father fol. 213 Charles his waiwardnes his loues fol. 214 An enterprise vpon England and Sandwitch taken fol. 215. The tragicall death of Charles fol. 216 Lewis the 11. the 55. King of France HIs wiues and children fol. 218 He purchaseth the Countie of Rousillon fol. 219. The Common-weale makes a league against him which he discouers fol. 220.221 The warres of the Common-weale fol. 222. The battel of Montlehry fol. 223. Famous for running away fol. 224 Paris beleagred fol. 225 The confedâ—rates and Lewis after much trouble make a peace at Coâ—â—ans 226.227 Difference betweene the Duke of Britany and Charles Duke of Normandy fol. 228 Lewis discontent with the duke of Britanie fol. 229 He makes a league with the Liegeois ibid. A horrible outrage committed by them of Dinan fol. 230. He supports the rebellious Liegeois against their Duke fol. 231. He makes a peace with the Duke of Bourgogne fol. 233. Duke Charles besieges takes and ruines the rebellious citie of Leige fol. 234.235 Edward king of England and the Earle of Warwicke diuided fol. 236. Warwicke flies into France fol. 237. Is slaine and his whole army defeated by Edward ibid. Charles the 8. borne at Amboise ibid. S. Quintin taken by the duke of Bourgogne and by and by the king fol. 238. Charles of Bourgogne abandoned by his friends ibid. Submits himselfe and obtaines a truce fol. 239. A new league against Lewis fol. 240 The Duke of Guienne dyes by poison fol. 241 The Bourguigons practises against Lewis fol. 242 Perpignan deliuered by treason to the king of Arragon fol. 243. The Duke of Alonson condemned but pardoned by king fol. 244 The king and the Burguignon conspire the Constables death fol. 245 The Burguignon seekes to poison the king ibid. He marrieth his two daughters fol. 246 Adolfe the sonne of the Duke of Gueldres an vnkinde sonne fol. 247 The English prepare for France fol. 24â— The Duke of Burgogns Lieutenant executed by the Suisses fol. 249 Open warre betweene the Duke of Bourgogâ—â— and the Suisses ibid. Mournefull presages to the Constable fol. 25â— Lewis sends an ambassador to the Emperor fol. 251 Charles in great perplexity leaues the siege of Nuz ibid. Edward King of England defies Lewis fâ—l â—52 Lewis sends a counterfait Herald to King Edwâ—â—d fol. 253. Ambassadors sent from both Kings with â—he Articles of agreement between them 〈◊〉 254 The Duke of Burgogne reprocheth King Edward for making a Truce ibid. Edward King of England discouering the Constables disseins reiects him fâ—l 255. An enterview of the kings at Picqugny with Lewis his politike proceedings fâ—l 256 King Edward protects the Duke of Brittaine and returnes home into England â—ol 257 King Edward being discontent with the Burguignon offers Lewis aide against him â—ol 258 The last act of the Constables tragedie with his pitifull and desperate estate fol. 259 The Constable yeeldes to the Burguignon is deliuered to the king and beheaded fol. 260 Campo-bachio a traitor to Charles of Burgogne offers Lewis to kill him which Lewis discouers to Charles fol. 262 Charles Duke of Burgogne makes warre against the Suisses ibid. Is ouerthrown at Granssen and looses al his baggage esteemed at 3. millions fol. 263. The Suisses reuenge the crueltie of Charles at Granssen fol. 264. Charles armes again besiegeth Morat and is ouerthrowne fol. 265. The battell of Nancy where Charles is ouerthrowne and slaine fol. 267. Lewis discouers the Duke of Brittanes practises with his Chancelor fol. 269. Townes in Pycardie yeeld to the king fol. 270 The Duke of Nemours beheaded fol. 271 Lewis his health decaies fol. 272 Arras Hedin Therouenne and Montreuill yeeld to Lewis fol. 273 The insolencie and barbarous crueltie
from Paris fol 707. The Duke of Guyse seekes to returne into fauor fol. 708. The Queene mother Imployed for a peace seauen demands of the League and the Kings answeare fol. 709 The Duke of Espernons Iustification Deputies of the Parliament with the King and his answer fol. 710.711 The defeate of the Spanish Armado in 1588. with the Duke of Medinaes excuses fol. 712. The King refuseth to go to Paris with new resolutions of the League fol. 713. The Kingâ— Couâ—cellors dissmissed the Court trobles against Espernon in Angoulesme fol. 714. Conuocation the Estates at Blois the Kings speech fol 715. The Marquisate of Salusses surprised by the Duke of Sauoy fol. 718. The Duke of Guisses dissembling fol. 719 Assembly and Petition of the Pâ—otestants ibid. Obiections against the Duke of Guise and the Kings last resolution fol. 723. The Duke of â—â—ise slaine fol. 724 Death of the Queene mother fol. 725. Nâ—ort taken by the King of Nauar. ibid. The Parâ—sians Insolencies fol. 726. The Duke of Mayennes couâ—ses the Kings letters to him fol. 727. The Estates at Blois disâ—olued with the Archbishop of Bourges others speeches fol. 728.729 A generall Councell of the vnion with their Insolencies and reuolts fol. 730. The Duke of Mayennes attempts fol. 731. Reconciliation of the the 2. Kings fol. 732. Paris beseeged fol. 733. The Death of Henry the 3. his last speech and manners fol. 736.737 The 3. parcell of the 3. race of Capets in the Royall branch of Bourbon beginning with Henry before King of Nauar and the 63. King of France THe Genealogy of the King S. Lewis fol. 740.741 The King raiseth his seege from Paris goes into Normandy and the Duke of Mayenne followes him fol. 742. Notable exploits at Arques against the League fol. 743. The King approcheth to Paris fol. 745. The seege of Dreux and disposition of the kings army fol. 748. The Battell of Yury where the Leaguers are ouer-throwne with the losse on both sides fol. 749.750 The seege of Parâ—s with their miseries fol. 752. Deputies sent to the King with his answere to them fol 753. The seege of Paris raised and the Duke of Parmas retreate fol. 754.755 Roan beseeged and succored by the Duke of Parma fol. 759. A trecherous decree of the Court Parliament of Roan fol. 760. Death of the Duke of Parma and the Marshall Biron fol. 762. A sentence of the Court Parliament against the Bull of Pope Clement the 8. fol. 765. The Kings declaration against the Leaguers fol. 767. The Kings Conuersion fol. 769. By what meanes the townes of the League returned to the Kings obedience and the Spaniards chased out fol. 771. The Kings Coronation fol. 772. The miraculous reduction of Paris to the Kings obedience fol. 773 A decrree against the League and the Duke of Mayenne fol. 775. The Duke of Guise reconciled to the King fol. 777. Processe against the Iâ—suites renewed ibid. The King hurt in the face by Iohn Chastell fol. 778. Warre proclamed against the Spaniard fol. 779. Spaniards in Pycardie great seruice done by the Constable fol. 780. Wonderfull efects of the King Armies with the wisdome and valure of the Marshall Biron fol. 782. Haâ— surprised for the King and Humieres slaine fol. 784. Cambraâ— beseeged yeelded to the Spaniard fol. 785. The Pope blesseth the King and the Dukes of Mayenne and Nemours are receiued into grace fol. 786. Calais and Ardres taken by the Spaniard and La Ferte by the King fol. 790. Amiens surprised by the Spaniard fol. 791. Beseeged againe by the King with the effects of the warre in Britanie and Champagne fol. 792. Warre in Sauoy and Maurienne taken fol. 793. The Duke of Sauoy defeated in sundry places fol. 795. Amiens yeelded and the Spaniards depart fol. 799. Crequi taken prisoner and the Fort of Saint Bartholomewe taken by L' Edigueres fol. 801. The reduction of the Duke Mercure and Britany to the King fol. 882. The most memorable things conteyned in the continuation of the generall History of France THE wisdome Iustice and piety of Pope Clemenâ— the 8. fol. 805. Three Popes in 17. monethes ibid. The Pope exhorts the two Kings to Peace ibid. Reasons that mooued the King of Spaine to a Peace fol. 806. The Prince of Spaine reiects the Councell of Peace ibid. The Infanta desirous of a Peace ibid. The Arch-duke applies his minde to Peace ibid. He sends Armes vnto the King fol. 807. The King of Spaine doubtes of a Peace ibid. A long Peace preiudiciall to a warlike nation ibid. The Kings generous resolution fol. 808. The Generall of the Friars returne in dispaire of a Peace ibid. The first negotiation of a Peace at 5. Quintiâ— fol. 809. The King of Spaine resolues to yeeld vp all places ibid. Veruins chosen for the conference ibid. The Precedence yeelded vnto the French fol. 810. An Agent from the Emperor to the states of the vnited Prouinces ibid. The Admirall of Arragon sent Ambassador to the Emperor ibid. The Duke of Sauoy desires to be comprehended in the treaty of Peace fol. 813. A Peace concluded ibid. Ambassadors to sweare the Peace and Hostageâ— for the restitution of places fol. 814. The King of Spaine signes and sweares a Peace 〈◊〉 His Sonne signed it not till the treaty of Sauoy Anno. 1601. ibid. Deputies sent froÌ„ the King to the Arch-duke to take is oth fol. 815. Charles Gontault of Biron created Duke of Biron and Peeâ—e of France 〈◊〉 A feast made at Paris by the Duke of Bâ—ron ibid. The Arch-duke sweares the Peace 〈◊〉 816. Hee giues presents to the Duke of 〈◊〉 ibid. The King is aduertised of the Duke of Birons practises 〈◊〉 The Duke of Sauoy sweares the Peace 〈◊〉 laquiline Contesse of Antremont wifâ— to the Admiral was prisoner at lurâ—e and 〈◊〉 died fol. 817. Her Letter to Peter Mathew 〈◊〉 Complaints from the towne of Geneua 〈◊〉 The Duke of Sauois pretensions 〈◊〉 Donation of the Lowe Countries to the 〈◊〉 of Spaine fol. 818. The conditions The Prince ratefies the donation ibiâ— The Infanta sends Procuration to the Arch-duke to take possession of the Low CouÌ„tâ—ies ibid. An Assemblie at Bruxelles vpon the donation made to the Infanta fol. 819. The Arch-duke leaues his Cardinalls habit ibid. The Arch-duke writes to the vnited Prouinces ibid. Letters from the Prince of Oâ—ange to Count Maurice ibid. A Diet at Ratisbone fol. 820. Execution of the Imperiall sentence against the Towne of Aix ibid. Iauarin recouered from the Turke ibid. The loosenesse of a Ladie of Naples ibid. The life and death of the King of Spaine fol. 821. Don-Carlo conspired against his Father fol. 822. The diuers reports of his death ibiâ— The sentence of the Inquisitors against D. Carlo fol. 823. The death of the Prince of Spaine ibid. The death of the Queene of Spaine ibid. Instruction of the King of Spaine to the Prince his Sonne 〈◊〉 824 The carrying of Armes forbidden in France ibid. The Clergy of France
make a petition vnto the King fol. 827. The Kings answere vnto the Clergy ibiâ— The Iesuits seeke to be restored ibid. The Kings onely Sister fianced to the Prince of Lorraine fol. 828 Troubles for the Duchy of Ferrara 〈◊〉 Duke Câ—â—sar prepares to armes fol. 829. The Popes entry into Ferrara ibid. The Arcâ—-duke Albert meetes with Marguerite of Austria ibid. They passe through the Venetians Countrie fol. 8â—0 The Duke of Mantoua meetes them ibid. The Pope and Legats receiue them ibid. The Duke of Sessa Ambassador for Spaine attended her ibid. The Queens entry into Ferrara ibid. The King of Spaines marriage ibid. Foure of one Family of the same Name and bearing the same Armes married together fol 8â—1 The Popes nuptiall gift to the Queene of Spaine ibid The Admirall of Arragons exploytes in the Duchy of Iuilliers ibid. Prince Mauâ—ice his exploites fol. 832 The Archdukes Answer to the Ambassadors ibiâ— The Earle of Broâ—ke taken by the Spaniards in his Castle and then murthered iâ—iâ— Wezell forced to furnish Money and Come fâ—l 833. The Electors write vnto the Emperor ibid. Warre in Sueden fol. 834. The Turke beeseegeth Varadin in vaine fol. 8â—5 Bâ—da attempted in vaine by the Christians ibid An Inundation at Rome ibid The Pope creatâ— 16. Cardinalls ibid. A treaty at Boulogne fol. 836. The King sicke at Monceaux iâ—id The Deputies of the Princes and States of the Empire assemble at Collen fol. 837. The Electoâ— of Mexiâ— answer to Cardinal Andâ—ew ibid. The Admiralls Letter to the Deputies at Collen fol. 838. He excuseth the murther of the Earle of Brouk and his otheâ— outrages ibid. The Kings Sister marryed to the Duke of Barfoll fâ—l 839. She refuseth to change her Religion and why ibid. The King desires his Sister should become a Catholike fâ—l 840. The Prince of Lorraine comes vnto Paris ibid. Complaints made by them of the Religion fol. 841. Exclusion from publike charges ignominious â—â—l 842. No man is held a Cittizen if he be not partaker of the honors of the Citty ibiâ— The last Edict for Religion at Nantes ibid. Contestation touching their Synode with strangers ibid. The Court of Parliament opposeth against the edict of Religion fol. 843 The Kings speech to the Court of Parliament ibiâ— A Pâ—ince giues no reason of his Edict fol. 844. Necessity the fiâ—st and essentiall cause of an Edict ibid. The Kings sister pursues the establishment of the Edict fol. 845 The Inâ—â—ntas proâ—laâ—ation against the States of the vnâ—tâ—d Prouinces ibid An answer made by the Vnited Prouinces â—â—l 847. The Archduke comes to Genoa with the Queene of Spaine fol. 848. The magnificence at the King of Spaines mâ—rriage at Valentia ibid. Knights of the Golden-Fleece fol. 849 The life and death of Monsieur de Pinaâ— Archbishop of Lions ibid. Barricadoes at Lions against the Duke of Nâ—mours fol. 850. The Duke of Ioyeuze returnes to the Capuchins fol. 851. The seâ—ond Duke of Ioyeuze drowned fol. 852. The Earle of Bouchage left his habit of Capuchin by the Popes dispensation and is Duke of Ioyeuze ibid. His mother desires his returne to be a Capuchin and the King commends his resolution ibiâ— Iesuites incapable of Spirituall dignities fol. 853. The Marquisate of Salusses in question ibid. The Duke of Sauoy seâ—kâ—s to be reconciled vnto the Kiâ—g ibid. The Pope made Iudge of the Controuersie ibid. Brauery of the French fâ—l 854 The Aâ—biteâ—ment broken The King of Spaine repayres all fol. 855. The Duke complaines oâ— the Spaniards â—bâ—d Death of 〈…〉 Marquis of Monceaux and Duchesse of Beaufort ibid. A quaâ—â—ell betwixt D. Phillippâ—n of Sauoy and Monsieur Crequi fâ—l 856. They fought twiâ—e and at the second combate D. Philâ—â—pâ—â— was slaine fol. 857. Aâ—â—igâ—ac demands D. Philâ—ppins life fol. 858. The Estate of the Kings affayres in Suisse ibid. The petty Catholike Cantons allyed to Spaine ibid. Monsieur Sillery Ambassador in Suisse fol. 859. The King sends money to the Suisses ibid. The Duke of Lerma fauorite to the King of Spaine ibid. Asseâ—bly of the Deputies of some Princes of the Empire at Conâ—â—ance fol. 860. The Iustifications of the Vnited Prouinces ibid. Propositions of the Deputies oâ— Westphalia fol. 862. A Decree made at Conâ—â—ance ibid. The Count of Lippe Generall of the Germaine Army they beseege Rees ibid. Prince Maurice assures them of Bommell by his presence fol. 863. The Admirall takes Creuecaeur ibid. The Spanish Aâ—â—ye and that of the States retire out off the limites of the Empire ibid. The Arch-dukes passage into Flanders fol. 864 Isabelle of Valois mother to Isabelle of Austria called the Queene of Peace ibid. The entry of silkes forbidden in France ibid. The King at the Queenes request reuoaked the Edict for silke fol. 865. Martha Brossier possest with a Diuell ibid. The Bishop of Anger 's discouers her to be a CouÌ„teâ—feit ibid. A decree made by the Court against her ibid. An Attempt against the King discouered ibid. Complaint made by the King of Spaine fol. 866 The Archdukes send vnto the King fol. 867. An Army defeated at Dunkerke ibid. The death of the Chancellor Chiuerny Complaints against him ibid. Pompone de Bellâ—â—re Chancellor of France ibid. The death of the Elector of Treues fol. 868. Death of the yong Princesse of Conde ibid. The Marquis of Belle I le becomes a religious Woman ibid. Execution of the Edict of Pacification ibid. The Duke of Iuilliers marries the Daughter of the Duke of Lorraine fol. 869. The Court of Parliament perswades the King to marry ibid. Monsieur de la Guesâ—les speech vnto the King ibid The King of France neuer dies fol. 870. A Letter from Queene Marguerit vnto the King ibid. Her request vnto the Pope ibid Pope â—râ—gâ—rieâ— dispensation was after the Kings marriage fol. 871. The Kings age ibid. The Kings Letter to Queene Marguerit Her answer ibid. â—oure Knights of the Golden-Fleece made by the Archduke fol. 872. The Archdukes Army retires out off the I le of Bommell ibid. The States answer to the Emperors Deputies ibid. The Duke of Sauoy resolues to goe into France iâ—id Hee seemes to bee discontented with Spaine fol. 873. The Councell of Spaine demands the Dukes children ibid. The King of Spaine offended with the Duke ibid. The King giues order for the receiuing of the Duke of Sauoye at Lyons fol. 874. The Duke of Sauoye comes to Fontainbleau fol. 875. The Duke of Mercures voyage into Hungary fâ—l 876. The Tartares demand a Peace fol. 877. They are defeated by Paâ—fi ibid. Redeâ— and â—ebâ—sse made Knights by the Emperor fol. 878 Ambassadors from the Moscouite to the Poland ibid. The great Duke of Moscouie sends presents to the Emperor ibid. Duke Charles hangs vp the Nobles of SuedlaÌ„d that serued the King And makes seauen demandes vnto the Estates of Sueden 〈◊〉 879. The Christians enterprises in Hongaâ—y 〈◊〉 the Turke A Parle of Peace betwixt the Christians Turkâ—â— and Tartares 〈◊〉 Cardinall Andrew Battory defeated and 〈◊〉 by
the Valachians 〈◊〉 8â—1 Publication of the Iubile the beginning tâ—erâ—of 〈◊〉 882. New-yeares gifts sent by the King and Duke ibid. The Duke of Biron refuseth a presâ—nt fâ—om the Duke of Sauoy 〈◊〉 The chiefe cause of the Dukes voyage â—ntâ— France ibiâ— The Duke of Nemours his affection to the Kâ—ngs seruice foâ— 883. The Duke of Sauoyes pollicy ibiâ— The Duke of Biron impatient to heare an otheâ—s praise ibid. The King leades the Duke of Sauoye to the Court of Parliament to heare a cause pleaded ibid. Anne Robert Aduocate for the Plaintife fâ—l 884. Anthony Arnault for the Defendresse fol. 888. L. Seruin for the Kings Attorney generall fol. 891. Monsieur d' Alincourt comes to Genoa fol. 899. He comes to Rome ibid. The Duke of Bar goes to Rome disguised ibid. Deputies for the King and Duke of Sauoye fol. 900. The Popes Nuncio intreates the King to leaue the protection of Geneua ibid. Exchange demanded insteed of the restitution of the Marquiâ—ate of Salusses ibid. The Emperor of Geâ—many hath little more then the Title fol. 901. The Duke of Sauoy demands the Marquisatâ— for one of his Sonnes iâ—id The Duke of Sauoye perplexed fol. 902. A pretext of the Dukes stay fâ—l 903. Articles of the treaty of Paâ—is ibid. The Duke of Sauoyes departure and his discontent fâ—l 905. The Duke going out off Bourg shedde teares fol. 906. The Archdukes men mutine in Saint Andrewes Fort. iâ—â—d The Fort of Creueeaeur beseeged and yeelded to Count Maurice ibid. S. Andrewes Fort beseeged ibid. And yeelded fol. 907. Briaute killes his enemy fol. 908. He is murthered ibiâ— An Ambassador from the Turke to the Palatin of Valachia ibid. George Basta and the Palatin of Valachia hate one another fol. 909. Thâ— Valachians demands of the Emperor ibid. The Moldauian and Battory defeated ibid. The Valachian abandoned by his friends for his cruelty ibid. Basta receiued Vaiuode of Transiluania for the Emperor ibid. The Valachian defeated fol. 910. The Treason of two hundred souldiars in Pappa and thâ—ir punishment ibid. Schuartzbourg slaine before Pappa ibid. A treaty of the Kings marriage fol. 911. The Quâ—enes picture sent to the King ibid. A Conference at Fontainbleau ibid. The manner of their sitting at this Conference fol. 912. The Duke of Sauoyes irresolution ibid. He sends Ambassadors into Spaine their answer to him ibid. The King comes to Lions ibid. The Dukes Ambassadors come to Lions fol. 913 The Kings answer to the Ambassadoâ—s ibiâ— Monsieâ—r de Sillery and President Ianin Deputies for the King ibid. Difficulties inuented by the Duke ibid. An attempt to poyson the King ibid. She is burnt aliue fol. 914 Foure enterprises against the King ibiâ— Tâ—e States resolue to make ware in the County of Flanders ibiâ— Count Maurice prepares for it and lands at the Fort of Philipâ—n in Flanders fol. 915 Oudenbouâ—g abandoned by the Spaniard ibid. Count Ernestus and his Troupes defeated ibid. The order of the Princes Army fol. 916 The battell of Niewport The Admirall of Arragon prisoner Men of Account slaine on the Archdukes side The chiefe prisoners ibid. The Prince returnes to the seege of Nieuport fol. 917. He beseegeth Isabâ—llas Fort. ibid. The Archduke releeues it and rayseth the seege ibid. Count Maurice returnes into Holland ibid. The exploytes of the Vice-admirall of Flanders ibid. The Admirall of Arragon set at liberty fol. 918. Eaâ—le Gouries attempt to kill the King of Scotland ibid. The Duke of Sauoy refuseth to signe the Articles concluded by his Ambassadors ibid. The Kings preparatiues for War fol. 919 The Duke sends the Patriarke of Constantinople vnto the King fol. 920 The Kings answer to the Patriarke ibid The Duke demands two Legates of the Pope fol. 921. The King offers mercy to the Inhabitants of Chambery fol. 922 The King comes to Conâ—â—ance and batteâ—s it ibid. The King of Spaines Ambassador in Suisse complaines of the King fol. 923 Two desperate men senâ— to kill the King fol. 924. The seege of the Castle of Montmelian it is summoned The Earle of Brandis answer ibid. The vanting of the Sauoyards fol. 925. Cardinall Aldobrandin sent Legate vnto the French King ibid. He comes to Turin and is receiued by the Duke fol. 926. The Duke of Sauoy resolues to fight ibid. The King returnes to Montmellian fol. 927 The Capitulation of the Castle of Montmelian ibid. Hermiâ— iâ— returnes to the Legate fol. 928. The Dukes Letters to the Earle of Brandis ibid. The Legates speech vnto the King ibid. The Kings answer fol. 929. The situation of S. Kathâ—rins Fort. fol. 930. The Capitulation of the Fort. ibid. The Cardinall Alâ—â—brandin comes to Florence fol. 931. His speech vnto the Queene ibid. The Queenes answer vnto the Cardinall ibid. The Queene parts from Florence to goe into France ibid. The Queene enters into Lyons ibid. The Kings fiâ—st sâ—ght of the Quâ—ene fol. 932. The Duke of Mercure Lieutenant generall to the Emperor Canisia beseeged The Dukes answer to the Veâ—ir ibid. Canisia yeelded to the Turke fol. 933. The Gouernor of Canisia beheaded at Vienna ibid. The Dukes deputies demand Peace of the King and his answer fol. 934 The Kings speech to the Ambassador of Spaine ibid. Bouvens letter to the Dukes Ambassadors fol. 935. Monsieur de Rhosny renewes the Treaty of peace ibid. A Peace concluded ibid. The Ambassadors of Sauoy consult with Taxis fol. 936. Bourg yeelded to the King fol. 937. The Marquisate of Salusses transported to the Duke ibid. The King and Queene go to Paris ibid. The Legate is Aduertised that the Duke refused to signe the Peace fol. 938. The King grants a prolongation of the truce ibi The Legate dâ—scontented with the Duke of Sauoy ibid. The Count of Fuentes excuse fol. 939. The Legate and the Duke of Sauoy meete ibid Diuers opinions of the Peace fol. 940. Commodities which the Duke got by the Peace ibid. The death of Queene Loise of the Princesse of Condy the Princesse of Conty and the Duchesse of Eguillion ibid. The Queene comes to Paris ibid. An Enterprise vpon Marseilles discouered by the complices fol. 941 An enterprise vpon Metz. ibid. Berk beseeged by Count Maurice yelded ibid. Maeurs taken by Count Maurice fol. 942 A Christian Renegado sent by the Turke vnto the King fol. 943. The Scriuano reuolted in Asia fol. 944. The King of Persia sends his Ambassador to the Pope Emperor and King of Spaine ibid. The Duke of Biron sent into England His coÌ„ming to the Queene The Queenes speech fol. 945. The Duke of Biron returned out off England fol. 946. The Queene in trauell The Princes of the bloud may be then in the Chamber ibid. The Daulphin borne ibid. The Queene of Spaine deliuered of a Daughter ibid. The Spanish Army at Sea goes to Naples ibid. Cigala at Sea fol. 947. Chaâ—teauneuf in Morea taken by the Galleys of Malta ibid. The Prince of Parmas speech to Prince Doria his answer ibid. The policy of Count Fuentes fol.
enterprises were happy but in his age very vnfortunate Robert Earle of Artois by the decease of the Father and imprisonment of the Sonne remaines Tutor to the Children of his Father in Lawe Charles the Lame and Regent of the Realme of Naples Charles King of Naples â—yes but Peter of Arragon keepes Sicilia at that time lost for the French After the death of Charles of Aniou behold Peter of Arragon is assailed with a new partie Pope Martin the fourth doubled his excommunications against him as a capitall enemie of the Church and inuested Charles the youngest Sonne of Philip King of France in his Realme hee absolues the Arragonois from their othe of obedience and Proclaimes a holy Warre as against a sworne enemie of the Church For the execution of these threats Philip imployes all his meanes to raise a goodly Armie vowing to be no more circumuented by Peter of Arragon Iames King of Maiorica and Minorica ioynes with him an enemie to Peter Philip makes warre agâ—inst Peter of Aragon who had spoiled him of his Estate so as there were foure Kings in this Armie Philip King of France and his eldest Sonne Philip King of Nauarre Charles his Sonne inuested in the Realme of Arragon by the Pope and Iames King of Maiorica The Armie was faire and the Frenchmens courage great being very resolute to reuenge the massacre of the Sicilian Euen-song the ridiculous scorne of the combate and the imprisonment of Charles The Red scarfe the marke of the holy Warre Warre in Arragon against one excommunicated and their couragious resolution to bee reuenged of a cruell enemy who had shed bloud by treason appeares in these troupes brauely armed All this promised a great victorie to Philip who commanded his armie in person But the issue will shew that being a Conquerour he lost the fruites of his victorie and in the death of three great personages shall bee seene the vanitie of this world Philip enters the Countie of Rossillâ—n with a goodly Armie all obeyes him except the Cittie of Gennes neere to Perpignan the which hee besieged and it was well defended but in the end it was taken by the French Peter was come out of Sicilia to defend his Fathers inheritance hee fortifies all hee can against Philip and the difficultie of the passages seemed to fauour him but the resolution of the French surmounted the steepenesse of the Rockes The passages are forced Peters Armie is defeated and hee saues himselfe with difficultie by these inaccessible places The Armie enters the Countie of Emporias Peter of Arragon defeated Pierre 〈…〉 in one day Girone is besieged and as Peter comes to succour it the French incounter him and ouercomes him who hardly saues himselfe in Ville-franche extreamly amazed with this happy beginning of Philip. What followed hee that was accustomed to deceiue all the world by his inuentions and pollicies He dyes could not by any meanes deceiue Death transported with griefe sorrow impatiencie and dispaire hee dyes the fifteene of August in the same yeare with his enemie Charles The brute of Peters death makes Girone to yeeld presently 1286. being a very strong Citty and promiseth Philip an assured possession not onely of the realme of Arragon but also of Sicilia where in shew they could not resist when as behold other occurrents which mans reason could not preuent Philip assuring himselfe thus of the peaceable possession of the realme of Arragon minding to free himselfe of a needlesse charge he dismisseth the Galleys of Genoa and Pisa the which hee had hired and for that the plague was crept into his Campe he had dispersed his forces about the Citties of Giâ—onne and Perpignan whether he retired himselfe very sick with an intent to pacifie the whole Countrie hauing recouered his health and taken some breath Roger Admirall of Arragon of whom we haue spoken ignorant of Peters death was parted from Sicilia with an intent to bring him succours against the French Fleete Being arriued at Genoa a newter Cittie and of free accesse for both parties he is informed both of the death of his Maister and of the estate of Perpignan and being there of this new accidentâ— he takes a new aduise In steed of returning into Sicilia hee hiers the Galleys of Genoa and â—isa dismissed by Philip and resolues to enter the Port of Perpignan where he had intelligence that Philip remained without any great garde and the Port to bee without defence He arâ—iues so happily as without any opposition he giues a signall to the people of his arriuall Philip set vpon vnawares and 〈◊〉 danger who sodenly rise and kill the French in the houses streetes Philip lay sick in his bed and the French Souldiars had no thought of Roger. The King made a vertue of necessitie he incourageth his men with a sicke and feeble voice and they behaued themselues so valiantly as they expell Roger out of Perpignan and Philip held the Citty who was so distempred with this alarum as his sicknesse encreased dayly The death of Philip. and he died the 15. day of October hauing suruiued Peter but two moneths in the same yeare 1286. and in the same moneth dyed Pope Martin the 4. to shew vnto great Princes the incertaintie of their great desseignes Thus liued thus raigned and thus dyed Phillp the 3. surnamed the Hardie hauing raigned 15. yeares and liued fortie a great vndertaker leauing no memorable acte to his posteritie but a good example not to deale in other mens affaires Of his first wife Isabel he had Philip and Charles remaining His children Charles was Earle of Vallois of Alanson and of Perche Father to Philip of Vallois who in his course shall succeed to the crowne Philip his eldest Sonne was King of France of the same marriage he had one Daughter Marie who was Duchesse of Austria By his second wife Marie he had Lewis Earle of Eureux and Marguerite Queene of England The estate of the Empire after a long confusion of diuers Emperours and the interregne had some rest the Popes being busied in the warres of Sicilia Raoul of Auspourg a good and a wise Prince was chosen Emperour after these disorders imploying himselfe carefully to cure the wounds of Germanie and held the Empire from the yeare 1273. vnto 93. The estate of the Church appeares by that which hath beene spoken in this raigne This onely is particular That a Councell was held at Lions by Gregorie the 10. where it was Decreed That to auoide the tediousnesse of the Popes election the Cardinals should assemble at the Popes death and keepe the Conclaue neither going forth not conferring with any one vntill the Pope were chosen The which is practised at this day In those dayes dyed Thomas Aquinas a very subtill disputer Bonauenture Ihon Duns called Scott and Gabriel Biel famous men in those dayes suruiued him PHILIP the fourth called the Faire the 46 King of France PHILIPPE .4 KING OF
FRANCE XXXXVI HE found his authoritie respected within the Realme 1286. as well for his age The dâ—spâ—sition of Philip. as hauing gouerned the State with dignitie vnder his Father Philip. A good Prince Iudicious and of a noble minde and the which was not the least point of happinesse in this life he was well married with Ioane Queene of Nauarre whereof he tooke the name of King before the decease of his father His issue enioying her as a sweete companion of his complexions He had three sonnes by her goodly Princes of body and excellent spirits Lewis Philip and Charles which shall bee Kings successiuely one after another but all so ill matched Philip vnhappie in the marriage of his sonnes as it was his greefe to see his childrens houses infected with three Strumpets and put away without all hope of issue hauing seuerely punished the corrupters of his Daughters in lawe and confinâ—d these inâ—atiat mastiues into Monasteries He had also one Daughter of the same bed named Isabel who was married to Edward King of England leauing vnto France a heauie and dangerous Leuaine of horrible confusion by the meanes of her sonne a fatall scourge for this realme Philip after the decease of Ioane His second wife maried Constance the Daughter of Charles King of Sicilia a faire and a young Princesse whom he left great with a sonne the which was borne eight dayes after his decease and suruiued him but few dayes His raigne He began to raigne in the yeare 1286. and dyed in the yeare 1315. hauing raigned twenty and nine yeares The entrance of this raigne was goodly but Flanders Guienne and the Pope gaue him vpon diuers occasions and at diuers times many great and painfull crosses He loued Iustice and Learning wherin he was well instructed for that age so as he did consecrate the first fruits of his raigne to honor both the one the other as also the Muses did honour him with a goodly Oration which is read in the Originall of this Historie 1287. for a commendable memorie to posteritie of the vertues of this great Prince The Parliament was not tyed to any place but changed according to the necessitie of Prouinces Sutes were most commonly iudged definitiuely by the Bayliffs and Seneshals and the greatest causes were decided Soueraignly in the Kings Councell who gaue free audience to their Subiects Philip hauing obserued by the experience of former raignes that it was very necessarie to haue â—urisdictions distinctly limited The Parliament of Paris erected left a Soueraigne power to his Parliament at Paris a part of his royall authoritie in ciuill and criminall causes and the better to gouerne it he appointed a sufficient number of Presidents and Councellors with his Aduocate and â—roctor which number hath beene since augmented according to occasion and for the greater countenance of this dignitie hee placed it in his chiefe Cittie of Paris and to that end he caused that great Pallace one of the most admirable buildings vnder the coape of Heauen to be built by the meanes of Enguerand of Marigny Earle of Longueuille The Palace built Superintendant of the Treasurie of France Hee first oâ—dained but two sittings of the Parliament in the yeare the which necessitie hath made ordinâ—rie vnder Lewis Hutin his Sonne who also erected an Exchequer at Roan Other Prouinces had their Parliaments at diuers times and vpon diuers occasions With like affection he fauoured his Vniuersities of Paris with all maner of priuiledges hauing his Wife Ioane a companion of the same humour whom he suffered to build in her name that goodly Colledge of Nauarre where at this day in this Iron age Colledge of Nauâ—râ—â— wee may bâ—hold with admiration the great bountie of â—ur Kings in commendable and vertuous actions These goodly beginnings in shew the first fruites of a sound peace were crossed with many difficulties both within and without the realme Flanders gaue the fiâ—st subiect This Countrie is one of the chiefe Seignâ—uries of this Monarchie and in the yeare 1225. this lawfull subiection was acknowledged at Meluâ— by the Earle of Flanders Cause of the wâ—râ—e in Flanders In the beginning of this raigne Guy Earle of Flanders came to do his homage to Philip who required to haue the Citties of Flanders to ratifie this peace of Melun the which was performed but vnwillingly by this riche people who still complained vnto Philip that his Parliament at Paris did infringe their Priuiledges for the which hee wisely prouided but the great securitie of these rich Citties musâ— â—eeds be the cause of their own afflictions as it chanceth ofteÌ„ that a rich people being too faâ—r The cause of quâ—rrell in Guyenne seâ—ke wilfuâ—ly their owne ruine Guyenne did likewise much trouble Philip and these two quarrels were intricate one with another like vnto diseases which come together according to the times and occasions when they chance The King of England was Duke of Guienne since the marriage of Elenor as wee haue seene but many difficulties haue fallen out the accord made by the King S. Lewis specified by vs had limittâ—d the Seignâ—uries of Guienne to the English the which hee should hold by homage of our Crowne but he could not limit his desire being watchfull vpon all occasions to free himselfe from the subiection of France Let vs follow by degrees the actions and the orâ—er of times in the combersome report of these new stormes falling out diuersly and in diuers places like as in a time inclined to raine a Cloud dischargeth it selfe by Planets in diuers parts â—he force and neighbourhood of England increased the quarâ—ell and caused a continuance by diuers accidents Edward the first of that name Sonne to Henry the third liued then in England and Count Guy in Flanders Edward came likewise into France and did homage to the new King for the Duchie of Guienne and other lands which he held of the Crowne Occâ—sioâ—â— to râ—nue the war with the â—â—glish as Guy had done for his It chanced that certaine English Ships scouring along the coast of Normandie made a great spoile of the subiects of France Philip vpon their complaints intreates Edward to cause restiâ—â—â—ion to be made of that which had beene vniustly taken by his subiects Edward neglects it so as Philip causeth him to be adiourned to yeeld a reason of this attempt as vasâ—all to the Crowne He appeares not and so by sentence he is declared guiltie of fellonie and of high Treason and to haue forfeited his interest in all his Seigneuries of France For the execution of this decree Arnoul of Neele Constable of France is sent into Guienne with an armie 1293. in the yeare 1293. a notable date to coate the fiâ—st letter in this Inuentarie of a very long processe although with some inteâ—mission yet so violent as it had a most ruined France The Constable doth his exploit Pâ—ilip sends an armiâ— into
but to the State of Venice to iudge of the truth of his condition And to giue them better proofe thereof hee noted with great circâ—mstances the Ambassadors which had beene sent from the Seigneury vnto him the answeres and dispatches they had carried backe and the difficulties that were made The Senat who in all things but especially in matters of State proceeded warely and with great iudgement made a search of their relations and found them conformable to that which hee had spoken of the Ambassadors that had beene sent to the King D. Sebastian Hee was wisely and iudiciously examined of the Estaâ—e of other affaires wherevnto hee answered so boldly as of some hee was held for the true King D. Sebastian and of others for a Magitian The King of Spaines Ambassador maintayned in his Masters name that hee was a counterfit and an Impostor causing him to bee committed to prison King Sebastian of 〈◊〉 had a â—reâ—â— lippe and one hâ—nd 〈…〉 then tâ—e othâ—r where they informed against him who seeking to iustifie the resemblance of their bodies they caused him to bee stript to see if the markes of his body were answerable to those that D. Sebastian had They found seauenteene whereof some might well bee made by art the rest were by nature as one hand longer then an other and a great Lippâ— a marke of the Princes of the house of Austria from the which D. Sebastian was discended by his Grand-father Iohn the 3. King of Portugall A sentence giuen bâ— the 〈◊〉 of Venice who had married Katherine sister to the Emperour Charles the 5. and by his Mother Ioane who was Daughter to the same Emperor In the end after that the Senat had kept him long in pryson not knowing howe to be rid of him they decreed that with in three daies he should depart out of the Venetian Territories vpon paine of the Galleys Hâ— waâ— deliuered oâ—t of prison the 16. oâ— Dâ—câ—mber 1600. where he had 〈…〉 who le yâ—â—res To milde a sentence against a Counterfit and too cruell against a Prince if it had not beene to giue this prisoner means to saue himselfe and to seeke Iustice els where Beeing at liberty some Portugals remayning at Venice beseeched him to speake vnto them that they might see if his speech would giue them as much knowledge of his quality as his countenance not being able to iudge of the inner man by the outward parts the knowledge whereof belongs to him that gouernes the minde and thought His spâ—eâ—h to the Poâ—tuâ—aâ—s Hee spake vnto them after a Portugall manner proudly and Royally Doubt not my Children sayth hee that I am that miserable King D. Sebastian not only vnworthy of the possession of his Realme but of the light which shines and of life the which I haue not preserued but for the good of my people WheÌ„ I represent vnto my selfe that against the aduice of the Cardinall mine Vncle of the King D. Philippe of Queene Katherine my Mother and of all my Councell I vndertoâ—ke the defence succor of the Infidel Mulei Mahamet expelled out of the realme of Fez Maroc against Mulei-Moluc Wherby there could rise no glory to the ChristiaÌ„ religion nor any coÌ„tent to my selfe but the fume of vaine reputation That to raise this Army I charged my subiects with vniust exactions and forced my Nobility to followe mee vpon paine of loosing of their fees and priuiledges That hauing set footing there I dismissed some troupes at Cadis through a presumtuos confidence beleeuing rather the lies which Mulei Mahomet told mee of the intelligences hee had in Affrike and of the man of Warre which did expect him then the reasons of his good seruants who shewed him the inequality of their forces and the weakenesse of his succors That the violence of his bad carriage had make Affrike the graue of so many thousand men which might haue done good seruice to Christendom I take no ioye in the world but haue long desired that death had discharged mee of this heauy burthen of life beeing heereafter weary to liue among the miseries of Fortune But hauing learned by my selfe and mine owne misfortune that there is no Wisdome but doth erre before the Iudgementes of almightie GOD and that nothing can auoyde the decrees and ordinances of his fatall disposition I am forced to goe where his commandement doth lead mee and to shew my selfe for him that his will is I should be These words forced teares from him in speaking and from them in hearing who thinking to doe great seruice vnto God and a great good vnto their Countrie to saue their Kings head and to set him in a place of safetie they attire him like a frier of the order of S. Dominicke The pretended â—ing of Portugal stâ—id by the Duke of Florence â—n Ianuary 1601 Conducted prisoner to Naples 23. of Aprill 1601. and conduct him vnto Florence to go more safely to Rome The great Duke caused him to be appreheÌ„ded by the aduice of the Archbishop of Pisa and in stead of sending him to the Pope he deliuered him into the Viceroy of Naples hands when he saw himselfe in the power of the Castillians and that the Duke had intelligence with them hee reproched him with the breach of his faith his royaltie and the rights of hospitalitie It is not commendable for a Prince to deliuer a suppliant into the hands of his aduerse party hauing thrust himselfe vnder his protection But the great Duke seeing that the King of Spaine had a great Army amazing all Italy and threatning his Estates he thought it good policy not to incense a mighty King and a poynt of wisdome to auoide the storme and not to enter into War the end whereof must needes be ruinous He was conducted to the Viceroy of Naples before whom he presented himselfe with as assured a countenance as he had done before the Senate of Venice and the Great Duke Entring into the Hall and comming towardes the Viceroy who either for the Reuerence of this action or for the Disposition of the time was bare-headed he called vnto him a farre off Earle of Lemos couer your Head These words deliuered with Grauity and Courage amazed the Assistance The Viceroy answered him presently From whence haue you this power to command mee It was borne with mee replyed the other You seeme not to know mee I know well who you are remember that Don Philip King of Castille mine Vncle sent you twise vnto mee He discoursed so plainely and distinctly of that action as hee left a great trouble in the Viceroys minde and a great opinion in the Assistants that he spake the trueth The Viceroy said vnto him That he was a Counterfait These words of comtempt and insupportable iniury to men of Courage did so offend him as he vsed some bitter speeches against the Viceroy Hee is shut vp in tâ—e Casâ—le dâ— Oâ—o But he could not free himselfe from the Castle