King more â—euer subiects gaue with greater ioy to their Soueraigne then the French did to hâ—m â—haâ— glorious surname of Father of his people FRANCIS the first of that name 58. King of France FRANCES THE I. KING OF FRANCE .58 1515. HAppie is that Realme saith the wise man which fals not into a childs hands This was the first comfort which reuiued the hearts of the French oppressed with mourning and heauinesse for the death of their good King Lewis the twelfth The second was that they cast their eyes vppon a worthie successor a Prince well borne iudicious and of a generous spirit liberall courteous in the prime of his age and fit for gouernment affable to the people fauorable to the Clergie pleasing to the Nobilitie who doe naturally loue their Princes good countenance and that which all subiects admire in their Soueraine of an excellent beautie Thus capable was he of the royall dignitie Francis being then two and twentie yeares old before Duke of Valois and Earle of Angoulesme tooke vppon him the gouernment of this Monarchie as sonne to Charles Earle of Angoulesme sonne to Iohn Earle of Angoulesme who was the yongest sonne of Lewis Duke of Orleans murthered by the Bourguignon at Paris in the time of Charles the sixth who was also the yongest sonne of King Charles the fiâ—t Hee was anointed at Rheims the fiue and twentith of Ianuary being attended on by the Dukes of Bourbon and Alanson the Earles of Montpensier Vendosme and Saint Paul the Prince of Roche-sur-Yon al of the house of Bourbon Then hauing made his entry into Paris a sollemne Tournie kept in Saint Anthonies street he confirmed all the ancient officers of the Crowne and to suppâ—ie those which were vacant hee creaâ—ed Charles Duke of Bourbon Constable of France being void by the death of Iohn the second Duke of Bourbon Anthonie Prat Chancellor for then Steuen Poncher Bishoppe of Paris was keeper of the seale Charles of Bourbon Earle of Vendosme Gouernour of the I le of France making the said Countie a Duchie and a Peere of France the Lord of Lautree Gouernour of Guienne Palisse Marshall of France Boisi his gouernour in his youth Lord Steward and Superintendant of his house with whome he ioyned Fleuremonde Robertet His dessâ—â—ins Secretarie of State With this title of King of France he tooke vppon him that of the Duke of Milan not onely as descending of the house of Orleans the true heire of that Duchie but also as comprehended in the inuestiture made by the Emperour according to the treatie of Cambraye And for that hee succeeded equally both to the Crowne and the desire his Predecessor had to recouer that goodly estate of Milan he therfore to worke it with more facilitie renued the peace made betwixt the deceased King and the King of England sending home Mary the widoâ—e of Lewis with a dowrie of threescoore thousand Crownes a yeare· who afterwards married with the Duke of Suffolke Hee also confirmed the alliance this Crowne had with the Senat of Venice The Archduke Charles sent a very honorable Ambassage to the King whereof the Earle of Nassau was the cheefe to doe him homage for the Counties of Flanders Arthois and other Lands which held of this Crowne and the which gaue great hope of a future peace betwixt these two Princes both being yong but marked for great matters to treat a marriage betwixt the said Charles and Renèe the Queenes sister who was after wife to the Duke of â—errare And for that the sayd Earle was greatly fauoured by the Prince Charles the King desirous to gratifie him caused him to marrie with the daughter of the Prince of Orange bred vp in his Court. Charles was yet vnder age but so carefully instructed by that wise Lord of Chieures of the house of Croye whome the deceased King Lewis had made choise of to gouerne him in his youth for that Philippe the father of Charles had by his testament intreated Lewis to accept the charge of his sonne that euen in his yonger yeares hee made him capable to vnderstand the affaires presenting vnto him all pacquets that came causing him to make report thereof vnto his Councell and to determine all things in his presence He did foresee that after the death of Ferdinand his grandfather by the mother the French might crosse him in his passage from Fâ—anders into Spaine holding it dangerous to stand in the midest betwixt the Kings of France and England vnited togither and not to fortâ—fie himselfe with this common alliance Moreouer his subiects of the low Countries would haue no warres with the Realme of France The King likewise desired to take from him all motiues to gouerne himselfe hereafter by the councell of his two grandfathers They therefore agreedâ— That the marriage proceeding betwixt the Archduke and Rene the King should giue him six hundred thousand Crownes and the Duchie of Berry for euer to her and to heires vppon condition she should renounce all rights of inheritance both from father and mother namely to the Duchies of Milan and Brittanie That after the death of the Catholike King the King should ayd the Archduke with men and shippes to goe and receiue his Realmes of Spaine The Arragonois demaunded a continuance of the truce but the King meaning to put out that clause Not to molest the Duchie of Milan during the truce their parle was fruitlesse The Emperour who ioyned his desseins to the councels of Ferdinand opposed against the amitie of the French The Suisses were as forward as before As for the Pope Francis desired to be freed from all bond to him that he mightt resolue for the best according to the course of his affaires To build vpon these foundations he now imployes his Captaines men at armes and the prouisions which his Predecessor had first prepared and makes his armie march with speed to Lions whether his Maiestie comes in Iuly An armie â—o all in the Duchie of 〈◊〉 hauing left the Regencie of the Realme to Louise of Sauyoe his mother The Duke of Bourbon Constable led the foreward accompanied with his brother Francis newly created Duke of Castelleraud the Marshals of Palisse and Triuulce Charles of Tremouille Prince of Talmont sonne to Lewis Vicont of Touars the Earle of Sancerre the Baron of Beard the Lords of Bonniuet Imbercourt and Teligni Seneshall of Rouergue Peter of Naurrre whome the King had drawen to his seruice giuing him his libertie without ransome commaunded six thousand Gascons and the Lords of Lorges grandfather to the late Mongomeries Pirault of Margiron Richbourg Iorteil little Lainet Onatilleu Hercules of Daulphine and Captaine Commarque euery one commaunding fiue hundred foote making foure thousand and eight or nine thousand Lansquenets led by Charles Duke of Guelders The King led the battaile followed by the Duke of Vendosme Lorraine and Albania the Earle of Saint Paul Claude of Lorraine Earle of Guise brother to the Duke of Lorraine the
parties being hard the widow of Charles of Blois being called King Charles reconciles the pâ—eâ—endants for Britâ—aine and the matter debated he reconciles them vpon these conditions That for the interest which Ioane pretended for her and hers to the Duchie of Brittaine she should haue the Earldome of â—onthieure the Seigneuries of Auaugour Guello Gincamp Rochedorie Lauuton Chaâ—â—eaulin in Cornwaille Dualt Vhelgost and Rospreden to the value of twentie thousand Eures or franks of rent 2000 pound starling and if Iohn of Montfort died without lawfull heires the Duchie of Brittaine it should returne to Ioane and her issue male or female This accord drew Iohn of Montfort to Paris where hauing done his fealtie and homage as well for the Duchiâ— Brittain as the Earldome of Montfort and other Lands hee had in France the widow of Charles of Blois ratified it by vertue of the decree Oliuer of Clisson at the same treatie was restored to the possession of all his Lands forfaited when his father was beheaded as we haue saied He shal be Constable and shall giue vs good cause to speake of his life This accord was made in the Towne of Guerande in the yeare .1365 but it continued not long for Lewis of Aniou the Kings brother sonne in lawe to the Duchesse of Brittain was not pleased with this agreement whereby he saied he was greatly wronged Iohn of Montfort distrusting King Charles had his recourse to the King of England to whome he went in person to require ayde against the forces which he pretended would come against him The warre reuiued in Brittanie leauing Robert Knowles an Englishman in Brittaine who not attendâ—ng Iohns returne began to make warre vpon the French with all violence Charles being pressed both by the Duches Ioane and by Lewis of Aniou his brother declares Iohn guiltie of high Treason for that he had broken the accord would noâ— appeare vpon sundry summons dayly made vnto him So the warre began againe the successe whereof we wil note heere after Thus there passed six or seauen yeares with varietie of accidents in Brittaine In Fâ—anders Whilest that Brittaine was thus shaken with sundrie stormes Flanders was not without trouble by the accustomed practises of the English Lewis Earle of Flanders sonne to that Lewis which was slaine at the Battaile of Crecy had one only daughter named Marguerite who remayning heire of this great and rich estate was the Lâ—uaine of the antient iealousie betwixt the two Kings Charles and Edward striuing who should haue her The Citties of Flanders of greatest power in this purâ—ute held stoutly for the Engliâ—â— Conâ—e Lewis father to the maide was in suspence feaâ—ing both the English and the Freâ—ch for diuers respects and yet hee loued the first and feared the last But in the end by the meanes of Marguerite of Arthois mother to the Earle a marriage was concluded in fauour of Philip the hardy brother to Charles King of France to Edwards great griefe both father and son who in disdaine of this refusal sought al meanes to breed new troubles in France The treatie of Bretigny ministred a newe subiect and apparent cause of discontent to the King of England who complayned that hee had beene deceiued by Charles vnder a shewe of faithfulnesse hauing restored vnto him all his hostages receyuing onely the sommes promised for the ransome leauying vpon his simple word the reuenues of those Seigneuries granted him by the treatie The cause of new warre 〈…〉 and â—nâ—â—and Charles had retyred all his hostages in good time paying readie money and making knowne vnto Edward the sundrie charges he had giuen to the Countries and places comprehended in the treatie to yeeld them selues whollie into his power he likewise signified vnto him his subiects answers who in the beginning excused themselues ciuilly by honest delayes but in the ende the generall Estats giue Charles to vnderstand That the question being for the generall interest of the States they were not to bee forced to yeeld to an vnlawfull action directly contrarie to the fundamentall lawe of the realme which suffers not the King to preiudice the Crowne nor to alienate the reuenues thereof which were not to be alienated That tâ—is accord made in prison for the Kings redemption was forced and so by consequence vneiuill and not to be allowed by the Lawe of nations The effects followed this resolution with such an obstinacie of the Countries Citties Noble men which were charged by this treatie to yeeld as they protest freely to Châ—rles that they wil willingly spend goods liues rather then fal into the king of Englands hands coÌ„trariwise wold imploy al their meanes to liue vnder the subiectioÌ„ of the king of Fraâ—ce This faithâ—ull constancie of the interessed subiects must needs be pleasing vnto Charles 1366. but to that he himselfe had made this treatie his honouâ— was greatly ingaged the which he must 〈◊〉 by good and auaylable reasons and make it â—nowne vnto all Europe who haâ— tâ—eir eyes fixed vpon these two Princes playing their parts vpon so famous a Theater 〈◊〉 complaines by a sollemne Ambassage to the Emperour Charles the fourth 〈…〉 the paines to come into France The Emperor seâ—kes to reconcile theiâ— two Kings with an intent to imploy his authoritie and 〈◊〉 to reconcile these two Princes but it was in vaine The cause of this fruitlesse 〈◊〉 pâ—oceeded from Edward being resolute to haue his part tryed by armes being 〈…〉 by his victorious successe in the former raignes Châ—rles â—ad alwayes protested to obserue the treatie of â—retigny inuiolable But hauing 〈◊〉 the geneâ—all resolution of the States and of the countries and Noblemen 〈◊〉 bâ— the said treatie he resolues to protect them and hauing excused himselfe both to the Emperour and forraine Princes by a publike declaration he sends a Gentleâ—â—◠〈◊〉 Bâ—â—ussâ— called Chapponeau to the Prince of Wales being at Bourdeaux summoning 〈◊〉 to appeare before him at Paris Câ—arlâ—s proclaimes waâ—â—e against the Kinâ— of Eâ—â—â—lâ—nd at the instance of the Nobilitie and commons of 〈◊〉 complaining of him He also sent a Herald to the King of England to proclaime wâ—rrâ— against him The Earle of Armagnac the Lord of Albret who had newly maried 〈…〉 Boâ—rbon and by this alliance was become French the Earles of Perigort Cominâ—â— and Carmaâ— the Lords of Barde Condon Pincornet Pardaillan and Agenois began 〈…〉 against the King of England followed by all those Prouinces protesting 〈◊〉 the crowne of France At 〈◊〉 example all the Townes of the Countie of Ponthieure yeelded to Guy Earle of 〈◊〉 and to 〈◊〉 of Chastillon Maister of the Crosbowes Then the Kings armies marche 〈◊〉 parts vnder the commands of the Dukes of Aniou and Berry the Constable 〈◊〉 to whose wisedome especially to the Chancellor Dourmans The successe oâ— the Frâ—nâ—â— armie in Gâ—â—â—nne they attribâ—â—e the obedience of the people of Guienne discreetly practised by them Limoges and
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
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
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
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
people and shuttes himselfe into his Castell They enter Bruges The Gantois following and killing them that fled enter pel mel and seized vpon the gates Arteuille hauing speedily prouided for the guard thereof the Gantois being victorers disperse themselues through out the Cittie crying against the vanquished The Cittie is wonne and proclaimed for the good Cittizens Libertie killing all such as they found to fauour the Earle searching all houses for his seruants and commanding to spare the good Cittizens The Earle foreseeing by this brute that the enemy would presently pursue him he sodenly leaues his riche attire and takes the simplest of one of his gromes and so forsakes the Castell to seeke some corner to hide his head in He was scarse gone out but his Castell was beset and easily taken and spoiled whilest that he saues himselfe in a poore womans house The Earle hides himselfe where in her sillie cottage she had onely one roome beneath and aboue a gatret to the which they mounted by a ladder The Earle creepes into this cabbin and the woman hides him in the bed-strawe where her children did lie and comming downe tooke away the ladder The Gantois hauing made search in euery corner for the Earle they came to the house where the Earle was and searching it they went vp to the place where hee laye hidden The Earle of Flandâ—rs in great peâ—plexâ—â—e He that could haue read the secrets of this poore Princes heart in this amazement should haue seene a remorse of conscience for that he had not intreated his subiects with more mildnesse Being thus freed hee creepes out of this cottage and gettes forth of the Towne being alone and on foote running from bush to bush and from ditche to ditche fearing euery one that passed when as behold lying hidden in a Ditch he discouers a houshold seruant of his owne named Robert Marshall who takes him vp on horse-backe behind him and in this order he recouers Lisle This vnexpected successe bred new desseignes in the frantick braine of this Tribune and of this furious multitude who should haue beene satisfied to haue auoyded shipwracke The error of the Gantois and returning to their houses should haue fallen to their vsuall trades and haue vsed this profitable successe to good purpose and made their peace with their lawfull Lord being sufficiently chastised But vanitie thrusts them on and the certaintie of Gods threats shewed it selfe in the following punishment to teach vs That man hath but the miseriâ— which he seekes by his owne folly A generall lesson for great and small both for men families and States Arteuille with his Gantois hauing glutted themselues with the sacke and blood of such as were any way affected to the Earle hauing spoyled his Castle and left it desolate beaten downe the gates of Bruges and filled vp the ditches From thence they goe to conquer the other citties of Flanders where he conceiued a newe Empire Presently all obey him Ypre Dam Bergues Bourlbourg Furnes Scluse Pourprigné Courtray and the lesser townes Andenard resists It is presently besieged At the brute of this sucesse all Flanders flies thither so as in few daies there were aboue a hundred thousand men assembled before the towne All Flanders reuolts and ioynes with the Gantois The Earle amazed with so violent a reuolt of all his subiects hath recourse to his son-in-law Philip Duke of Bourgongne that by his meanes hee might bee relieued from the King although he were more affected to the English then French hauing beene too much respected by our Kings A proud Prince he was in prosperity and too much deâ—ected in aduersity The Regent and the Councell refused to venture the King with this man in so dangerous a cause but two reasons moued the King thereunto and made him ouerrule both the Duke of Aniou his Vncle and his whole councell by the perswasions of the Duke of Bourgongne King Charles succoâ—s the Earâ—e oâ— Flanâ—â—â—â— contrarie to he aduice of the Regent and Councel The one was Arteuille himselfe who during the siege of Andenard not content to haue ruined the Noblemens houses of the Country had made some roades vpon the frontiers of France The other was King Charles dreamed that he was mounted vppon a flying hart which carried him gently through the ayre and a Heron vnder him which did beat downe all other birds came then flying to his fist and the Hart brought him to the place from whence he carryed him to his great content Arteuille to auoide this storme fortâ—fies the passages into Flanders especially Pont du Lis neere to Comines The french surprise this passage cunningly hauing patiently attended all night in the miery fenne vp to the ancles expecting the commoditie of the passage there As the King conceiued a delight to report this dreame 1382. as presage of some good successe so the Duke of Bourgongne labored to drawe him into Flanders The King vpon these motiues doth presently leuie an armie and goes to field Arteuille to auoide this storme fortefies the passages of Flanders especially Pont du Lis neere vnto Comines The French surprise this passage politikly hauing attended all night in the dirty maâ—â—sh vp to the ancles expecting the comoditie of the passage Their patience was the more comendable for that it was in the depth of a sharpe winter in December Comines and Veâ—rain being taken sackt and burnt the Towne of Ypre killes their gouernor who wold not suffer them to obey the King and yeeld themselues paying fortie thousand fraâ—ks for a composition By their example Cassel Bergues Bourlbourg Grauelin Furnes Dunkerke Fourprigné Tourront Vaillant Messine other neighbour Townes resolue to seaze vpon their Gouernors being Gantois and to send them bound hands and feete vnto the King as testimonie that they had yeelded vpon force Charles receiues the Townes to mercie and cuts off the heads of these vnlawful Gouernors Arteuille fearing the reuolt of other Citties The Townes of Flandâ—rs seaze vpon their Gouernors and send them to the King and that his forces which were great would fall from him resolues to preuent Charles and to force him to fight promising himselfe the like successe as he had against the Earle before Bruges With this resolution he chargeth the French army betwixt Courtray and Rosebecque vpon the Mount of gold but hee â—ound an alteration The Gantois charge ouâ— foreward like furious beasts which at the first shocke did somewhat amaze them they recoyling a little but without any disorder yet supported by the Battaile and rereward they breath and all togither charge this multitude with so great a furie as all are put to flight are cut in peeces or taken with a strange disorder They number aboue threescore thousand men slaine and an infinite number of prisoners taken after the Nobilitie had glutted their choller vpon this seditious rable The Flemings ouercome by Charles and threescore thousand slaine who had made rebellion a
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
the Countrie in alarme Occasions are offred of dayly skirmishes and daylie the English are beaten But the long stay of this little army and this thorne of Saint Denis stirred vp the people of Paris who loth to be so restrayned prepare a great power to force Saint Denis at what price soeuer The Marshall of Rieux loath to ingage himselfe beeing in all shewe the weaker retyres honorablie to Meulan without any losse The English beat downe the defences of Saint Denis being a common retreat to all men without any more labour eyther to keepe it or to recouer it The accord of Philip Duke of Bourgongne with Charles the 7. King of France IN the ende behold an agreement made with Charles so much expected so vnprofitablie sought after and nowe freely offred by the Duke of Bourgongne The deputies of the Councell presse both French English and Bourguignon to ende al quarrells by some good composition The Cittie of Arras is allowed of by them all to treat in The Assemblie was great from the Pope and the Councell of Pisa there came the Cardinalls of Saint Croix and Cipres An assemblie to treat of a peace with twelue Bishops For the King of France there was the Duke of Bourbon the Earle of Richmont Constable of France the Earle of Vendosme the Archebishop of Rheims Chancellor of France the Lords of Harcourt Valpergue la Fayette Saint Pierre du Chastell du Bois Chastillon du Flay de Railliq de Rommet Curselles and de Cambray first President of the Parliament at Paris with many wise and learned men as Iohn Tudart Blesset Iohn Charetier Peter Cletel Adam le Queux Iohn Taise and la Motte For the King of England the Cardinalls of Yorke and Winchester the Earle of Suffolke the Bishop of Saint Dauids Iohn Ratcliffe keeper of the great seale the Lord of Hongerford Ralfe the wise the Official of Canterburie and some Doctors of diuinity For Philip Duke of Bourgongne there came the Duke of Gueldres the Earle of Nassau the Bishop of Cambray the Earle Vernambourg the Bishop 〈◊〉 Leâ—ge the Earles of Vaudemont Neuers Salines S. Pol and Ligâ—y besides the deputies oâ— many of his best Townes The pompe was great both on the deputies behalfe of the Duke of Bourgongnes who intertained theÌ„ with all the honour good cheeâ—e that might be 〈◊〉 But leauing these circumstances I make hast to the principal matter The Kâ—ngâ— of France and England began the treaty The â—undamentall question was to whom the Crowne of France belonged The English did challenge it The question for the crown of Fâ—anâ—e both for that he was 〈◊〉 from a daughter of France as also by the graunt of Charles the 6. who did instâ—â—ce Henry the 5. and his successors heires of the crowne had disinherited Charles 〈◊〉 7. whom he termed an vsurper The deputies for Charles answered that they ought 〈◊〉 to call in question the ground of the Estate which cannot stand firme without that 〈…〉 heire to whom the lawe appoints and therfore without prouing of that which was apparent of it selfe they came to offers for the ending of all controuersies That if the King of England would both disclaime the title of King of France yeeld vp the countries held by him in diuers parts of the Realme he should inioy the Dâ—chies of Guiâ—nne and Normandy doing homage for them vnto the Kings of France as his soueraigne and with those conditions which his Ancestors Kings of England had formerly inioyed theâ— They stood vpon very different tearmes their authority was limited and possession puâ—t vp the English But sometimes he refuseth that after sues He that striueth to haue all most commonly looseth all One moitie in effect had more auailed the English then all in imagination who in the ende shall finde that the soueraigne Iudge the preseruer of the lawe and of States giues and takes away Charles the English cannot agree appoints and disapoints according to his good and wise will and that there is no force nor wisedome but his Tâ—e mâ—tter was soone ended betwixt the Kings of France and England seeing right could do no good the sword must preuaile Thus the Ambassadors of England returne without any effect those of France stay to treate with the Duke of Buurgongne and his deputies amongest the which he himselfe was the chiefe as well for his owne interest as for his iudgement in affaires A man exceeding cunning who could imbrace all occasions to make his profiâ— by an other as the discourse of his life hath made manifest Bâ—t 〈◊〉 what ende serues all this morter and so great workemanship to frame a building which shall be ruined vnder his sonne and shal bury him in the ruines thereof It is a â—oolish reason which thou calledst reasâ—n hauing no ground of reason and doest not hearken to the voice of heauen O Foole all thy riches shal be taken from thee this night Man walâ—es in a shadow he toyles in vaine to 〈◊〉 â—is name immortall in the graue he hunts with infinite labour and takes nothing As for Charles he sought to retire the Bourguignon from all league and alliance with tâ—e King of England and taking from him all occasions of discontent so to ingage him 〈…〉 honours as he should resolue to follow his faction as the most profiâ—â—â—â—â— knowing that his own priuate interest was the chiefe end of his desseins Matters 〈◊〉 câ—rried in shew according to the humour of that age the dâ—sposition of the court 〈◊〉 for the honour of Charles who must aske the Duke of â—ourgongne pardon hauing 〈…〉 father to be slaine against his faith Charles sends a blank to the 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 what conditions he pleased But was it not true must not the crime be câ—nfessed by hiâ— that was culpable Charles therefore resolues to send him a bâ—anke tâ—e accâ—rd doth testâ—fie that the Bourguignon fiâ—led it with so many vnreasonable conditâ—ons as it is strange so great a monarch should stoâ—p so much to his subiect vassall but necessity â—ath no law A presidâ—nt for great men not to attempt any thing against reason least they bee constrayned to repaiâ—e it with reason and yet to know that it is an amendment of a fault to yeeld to necessity for the good of the state beeing a great thrift to loose for gaine The â—â—iginall sets downe at large all the conditions of this treaty wâ—o so please may reade 〈◊〉 Monstrellet in the history of S. Denis The summe is that the massacre 〈◊〉 〈…〉 person of Iohn Duke of Bâ—urgongne at Montereau-â—aut-yonne 〈…〉 repaired by confession and ceâ—emonies Great sommes of present money with goodly Seâ—gâ—â—uries are giuen to the Duke of Bourgongne so many assurances for him and hi◠〈◊〉 a great volume is full of these scrupulous conditions The Duke of Bourgongnes promise is more simple that he should declare himselfe a friend to Charles the 7. King of France King Charles and the
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
passe them and moreouer the ditch at Plessis compassed in with great barres with â—â—ure engins of irâ—n at the corners Canoniers and foâ—tie croâ—bow-men were appointed to stand teâ—ne a day and night sentiâ—ell in the ditch with commission to shoote at any one that should approch in the night vntill the opening of the gate in the morning Doubtlesse the iustâ—ce of God would that those cages of iron and those of wood couered with plates of iron bâ—th within and without those shakles bolts manacles cheines tyed to a great bowle waightie beyond humaine force where hee had often times imprisoned many yea and of honour for very fâ—â—uolous causes should noâ— be so many toâ—tures to his conscience at the last point of his death and as he had giuen them eight foote in bredth and it may be so much in height to stretch out themselues so he now retires himselfe into a little coâ—ner of the Castle and like an other Vâ—rillus theâ—â—ere fatall to their first deuiser the Bishop of Verdun remained foureteene yeares shut vp in the first that was made To conclude no diâ—patch came to Court during this lamentable estate The King had but one or two about him men of no credit who knew well that after his death the best that could chance vnto them was to be shamefully chased away But a great confusion attends them shoâ—tly These men made no report vnto him of any thing that happened but onely that which concerned the Estate and the realme labouring to mainteine loue with all men As for his person euery day a new grome of his chamber euery day new seruants Yet knowes hee not whome to trust Strâ—nge distemperatures One onely amongst the rest gets some credit but forced It is his Phisâ—ion Iames Cottier a Bourguignon he giues him 10000. crownes monethly and what offices or what lands he will demand be it from himselfe or his friends and for a nephew of his the Bishopricke of Amiens and as a man would say his Crowne and his scepter so as he will prolong his life An odious impudent and audâ—câ—ous Physition who to continue his credit sayed vnto the King I know wel that one of thâ—se mornings you will send me away with the rest but swearing a great otheâ— you shal not liue eight dayes after A strange hart-breaking â—â—wis braued by his Phisition to be braued by a rascall â—hereas to many great Princes did yeeld him voluntary obedience But oh vanitie to thinke that the deuice of man can adde one minute to mans life Lewis had neede to haue been put in mind of this Oracle I haue said you are Gods and all the children of the Lord but you shall die like men and you that are the principall shall fall like other men At that time liued Francis borne at Paul in Calabria a deuout Hermit His disordâ—red â—â—ale without learning but of an austere life and holy reputation founder of the fâ—iars Minimeâ— The King sent for him by a Steward of his house in the company of the Prince of Tarentum sonne to the King of Naples at the first sight hee kneeles vnto him and desires 〈◊〉 to prolong his dayes In truth we haue often zeale but not according to knowâ—edâ—e But Put no confidence in the chiefe of the peopâ—e nor in any of the sonnes of man who haue no power to deliuer thee O how happie is he whome the mightie God of Iacob 〈◊〉 and whose trust is in the Eternall In the meane time Lewis deâ—lines His Inuention to make beleeue that he lâ—ued 〈◊〉 and death fâ—lâ—owes him at the heeles yet will hee not haue men to thinke so and on it s no inuention to diuert this opinion both within and without the realme Within he attyres himselfe richly contrary to his custome and shewes him selfe but onely in his Court and gallerie he makes seuere lawes to be feared sends away officers dischargeth men at armes cuts off pensions and takes some quite away To conclude hee passeth â—is time to make and marre men Without the realme he payeâ— that dutie in England which he owes in all other places where he will haue them thinke that he is sound and aliue he sends men vnder colour to buy something Into Spaine Naples and Germanie some horses in Sicile some good mules but especially of some good officer of the Countrie and payed double for them In Brittanie gray-hounds and spanieâ—ls In the kingdome of Valence little water-dogges In Denmarke and Sueden haukeâ— In Barberie little Lions of the bignes of foxes To conclude the more he feared the decay of his dignitie toward his latter end the more he sought to be feared and takes away all occasions to thinke that his end approched Feeling his end drawe neere hee seâ—t for the Daulphin his sonne whome he had not seene in many yeares causing him to be nourished apart least the colour of his presence should haue bred some faction as there had rashly risen in his yong age against Charles the 7. his father And experience hauing taught him how dangerous a sodaine alteration was he commaunded him expresly not to displace any Officer and especially to maintaine Oliuer le Daim in the offices and goods hee had gotten in his seruice Lâ—wâ—â— hiâ— admonitiâ—nâ— to the Daâ—â—â—hin his sonne as hauing assisted him well in his sicknes But as this man was hastilie too highly exalted so must he and some others of like sort be shortly supprest and Iohn Doyac gouernour of Auuergne from whome he had receiued good and notable seruices to call mâ—ister Guyot Pot and the Lord of Bouchage to Counsell to follow Philippe of Cordes for armes Not to beleeue his mother especially in the goueâ—nment of his State Who as a Sauoâ—sien hee had foâ—nâ— by experience to fauour the Bourguignon and generally to confirme all those in their dignities whome he had aduanced And to ease the people whome he had oppressed by the necessitie of the warres Few dayes after the King had spoken to the Daulphin his sonne his ordinarie infirmitie takes him sodenly lost his speech with a great debility of his forces Hauing recouered â—udging himselfe but a dead man he sent the Duke of Bourbon to the king his son so theÌ„ he called him giuing him the charge gouernmeÌ„t of his said son Then he sent the Chancellor with the seale part of the archers of his gard Captaines al his hounds hauks other things all such as came tâ— see him he sent them to Amboise Yet was he not so wel resolued for his death but he had some hope to escape namely by the means of his Hermit a multitude of reliks which were brought from Rheims from Paris from Rome the holy oyle The Diuineâ— tell Lewis that he must die the rodds of Moises Aaron the holy Crosse were it true or false such like vntill the diuines had taken counsell to let him vnderstand that he deceiued
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
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
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
in the Archdukes Court The Duke of Sauoy who enioyed the same benefit of the Peace M r de 〈…〉 King â—f the Duke oâ— â—irâ—â— practâ—â—es was bound to the obseruation thereof by the like forme The King sent to M r dela Guiche Gouernour of Lion that hee would willingly haue giuen him that charge but that he feared his absence might somewhat preiudice the good of his affaires and his indisposition not suffer him to performe the voyage Hee therefore commanded Guadagnes Seneshall of Lion and Knight of both orders to vndertake this charge The oth was taken in the Friars Church of Chambery on Sunday the second of August The Dâ—ke of Sâ—â—oy sweares thâ— pâ—ace where the Duke was assisted with all his Knâ—ghts of the Auanciado and to witnesse the content which hee had of this peace and reconciliation with his Maiesty he sayd vnto Guadagnes that hee held this day the happiest of all the daies of his life and that all which remayned should bee to maintayne and honour the memory thereof That it were not onely an indiscretion but a blindnesse and a madnes for him to change the felicities of Peace for the miseries of Warre The Duke gaue vnto Guadagnes to the chiefe gentlemen of his trayne Iewells Horses Chaines of gold and to all so many good words as there was not any one but did wishe him more profit by this Peace then he reaped He refused not any thing that was demanded of him in the execution of the treaty for the deliuery and ransome of prisoners but onely the liberty of the Admirall Chastillons wife Hee made answere to the Instance which Guadagnes made in the Kings name Iaâ—â—â—line Countâ—sse of Antiemâ—nt wife to the Admirall was Prisoner at 〈◊〉 and there dâ—d That the respect hee bare vnto his Maiesties comandement was so great as to please him hee would restore her goods and giue her some more liberty whilest that hee might giue his Maiesty to vnderstand the iust causes of her restraint That whatsoeuer had beene decreed at Rome for her absolution was rather in sauour of his Maiesty then for any reason for that hee was seized vpon bookes and writings that were execrable and damnable The afflictions of this Lady did mooue the harts of the chiefe Officers of this Crown of many great Noblemen of the realme her kinsmen and allies The King had commiseration of her for her misfortunes her imprisonment losses and disgraces deserued pitty The Constable the â—â—rdinall of 〈◊〉 the Duke of Ioyenze and M. Danâ—â—â—lot intreated the Legâ—t to do hâ—r â—ustice She was so transported with the good successe of the Kings affaires that although shee were among her enemies yet the fire of her desires could neyther be smothered vnder the ashes of affliction nor vnder the fume of dissimulation If she could haue done that whereof they accused her she would haue made as soden alterations on the earth as Henry King of Sueden did in the aire and as admirable as her will was absolute to desire that the King might ouercome his enemies and haue satisfaction for Nice and Salusses Vpon the hope that this Peace should giue her some content and that the Kings commendation by his Ambassador should giue some truce to her miseries shee writ a letter of the pittifull course of her misfortunes wherby appeared the excellâ—y of her spirit in these words Although saith shee the comparison bee as different as an Elephant and a Gnat yet are they both vegeratiue and sensitiue creatures My fortune and that of my house hath alwaies followed that of France and the Kings for as since his marriage I haue alwaies seene my Estate declyning euen vnto the period of a totall ruine The Councelle of Antâ—emonts letter to Peter Mathieâ—â— by the ill successe of his affaires so now when as God hath powred his blessings vpon him that hee hath reueÌ„ged him of his enemies euen by his enemies that against the conspiracies of the wicked the iudgement of the good hee doth enioy his Inheritance I will hope there shal be some change in my condition I desire it may be good but if it proue otherwise I will not alter my resolution to receiue both good and euill as from the hand of God I haue this aduantage ouer fortune that hereafter her iniuries how violent and soden soeuer shall not be strange vnto me Custome makes afflictions easie I am inured to my afflictions as a Galley-slaue to his oare Necessity â—eacheth me to suffer constantly and custome makes my suffrance eaâ—â—â— The King also gaue Guadagnes charge to let the Duke vnderstand that hee had receiued three seuerall complaints from the Citty of Geneua how that his troupes which he entertayned thereabouts vsed insupportable hostâ—lities tooke prisoners chopt and changed them that his Maiesty desired the Towne might reape the fruite and safeâ—y which the common good of the peace did promise them Comâ—laiâ—ts from the Towne of Geneua and that the Dukes troupes might be retired to the end all Iealousie and distrust might ceasse The Duke would not answer herevnto by writing least saith he he should preiudice the pretensions which he had to that Towne for aboue foure hundred yeares saying only that hee did not thinke it had beene comprised in the treaty of peace for that all other Townes and Prouinces had beene particularly named and not that of Geneua That hee could not free his neighbors from feare and distrust The Dukes pretensions but in retyring his troupes that were about the towne to refresh them in Lombardie hee should take away the cause hauing no intention to prefer War before the happines of Peace He therefore commanded Don Iuan de Mendoza a Spaniard to draw his Regiment which consisted of twelue hundred men out of the territories of Geneua to passe to Milan The King of Spaine fiâ—ding himselfe decrease daily both in strength and health desiring to fâ—â—ish that which he had resolued for the mariage of his eldest Daughter Madam Isabelle with Albert the Archduke his Nephew although he were aduanced to great Ecclesiasticall dignities Donation of the Lowe Countries to the Infanta of Spaine especially to the rich Archbishoprick of Toledo he called before him in the Citty of Madril the 6. of May Prince Philip his onely sonne being about 20. yeares old whom he had also promised in mariage to Madam Mary daughter to the Ferdinand Archduke of Austria but she died soone after accompanied with Don Gomes d'Auila Marquis de Vellada Gouernour and Lord Steward of Prince Philips house DoÌ„ Christopher de Mora Earle of Castel Roderigo great CoÌ„mander of the Alcantara Don Iuan d' Idiaques great CoÌ„mander of Leon all 3. being Councellors of State M. Nicholas Damant Knight CouÌ„cellor President Chancellor of Brabant with Lâ—lâ—o Secretary for the affaires of the Low Countries no more whereas the King made a Grant of the Lowe Countries to his Daughter the which
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
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
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
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
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
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