Countrie finding more safetie at Rome then in other citties of Italie retyred themselues thither and peopled the Cittie So by this occasion newe Rome the seat of the Popes iurisdiction succeeding the Emperours hath beene built within old Rome amidst the Pallaces walkes Basiliques Coliâ—ees Amphytheatres and other ancient buildings But aboue all the credit and authoritie of the Bishop of Rome by these new occurrents crept in by degrees vntil he aduanced hiâ—selfe aboue the Emperours Kings Princes of Christendome yet he of Constantinople held himselfe the Superior being in the proper seat of the Empire and in the light of the Imperiall Court Thus they fall to debate Contention for the Priemacie and the cause of their dissentions was the preheminence of their seas and the authoritie of the vniuesall Bishop This contention bred infinite confusions in the Church and in an vnseasonable time which inuited men to sacke and spoyle So as S. Gregorie Bishop of Rome a man of singular pâ—etâ—e learning hauing couragiously opposed himselfe against Iohn Bishop of Constantinople who affected this title of vniueâ—sall Bishop and detesting so vnreasonable and vnseasonable an ambition cries out Oh times oh manners the whole world is set on fire with warre Christians are euerie where massacred by Idolaters A worthie speech 〈◊〉 S. Gregorie Citties and Temples razedby Barbarians and yet the pastors of the Church as it were treading vnder foot the common calamitie of Gods people dare vsurpe names of vanitie and braue it with thâ—se prophane titles The reader curious to vnderstand the Estates of those times and to note the degrees and authoritie of this vniuersall Bâ—shop established in the Church may read the epistles of this good father great in name and in effect without troubling my selfe to â—et them downe in particular whose intention was to shew That who so taketh vpon him the authoritie and title of vniuersall Bishop in the Church and to haue any Soueraigne preheminence presumes aboue Iesus Christ the onely head of the sacred bodie of the Church Hee that takes on him the title 〈◊〉 vniuâ—rsâ—ll 〈◊〉 is the 〈◊〉 oâ— Antichrist and by consequence he doth affirme that he is the foâ—erâ—nner of Antichrist And yet after these graue and serious admonitions of Saint Gregorie the great within tenne yeares after Boniface the third obteined from Phocas the Emperour the title of vniuersall Bishop with authoritie ouer the vniuersall Church as Platina the Popeâ— Secretary doth reâ—ort To this quarrell for the Supremacie was added the controuersie for images which caused infinite confusions Dispute for Images the â—mperours and Bishops were banded one against another and by their dissentions the people were stirred vp to seditious reuolts the which aâ—ter many Tragicall euents were a meane to ruine the Empire of the East It was a popular custome to erect Images to those whome they would honour as hauing deserued well of the Common weale Christians desiring to honour the memorie of holy men began to set vp images euen for them also following this ciuill custome and did erect them in Temples as places consecrated to deuotion Some Bishops â—auored this new deuice in the Church and others did impugne it Epiphanius did teare a picture in peeces Images at the 〈◊〉 a politike 〈◊〉 and Serenus did beat downe an image the one in the Eâ—st the other in the West The Christians borne and bred in this ancient doctrine of the Apostles My children beware of Images maintainâ—d in the Catholike Church by succession from father to sonne could not digest this innouation no more could the Emperours Hence grew the dissention the greatest part of the Bishops holding the contrarie That it was a part of the seruice of God and a bond to retayne mens soules in deuotion with reuerence This contention grew in the time of the Emperour Philippicus called Bardanes who by an Edict caused them to be throwne downe in the yeare of grace 713. the which continued to 782. vnder Constantin the second called Copronimus an enemie to images who commaunded them to bee cast downe contraâ—y to the liking of his mother Irene who not onely maintained them with violence but also caused them to be confirmed by a Councel held at Nicee a Cittie in Bithinia seeing 〈◊〉 at Constantinople where shâ— had made the conuocation of this Ecclesiasticall Assembly the people were resolute to withstand them Hence grew an execrable Tragedie in the Imperiall Court Irene seing her sonne resolute against her deâ—ence oâ— Iâ—ages was so transported as hauing seized on him in his chamber she caused his eyes to be put out so as dying with greefe she vsurps the Empire Through this bad gouernment Tragicall crueltie of a mother against her soâ—ne confusion so increased in the East as in the end necessitie made the way for Charlemagne to take vpon him the dignitie and title of the Emperour of the West and to preserue prouinces in those parts from the disorders of the Grâ—â— Emperours as wee may see in the continuance of tâ—is Historie I am bound to obserue these so notable occurrents in those times as belonging to the subiect of my Historie to represent truely both the Estate of the Empire and of the Church when as Charlemagne vndertooke the gouernement of the Empire and vnited it happily to the French Monarchie The wise reader may verifie more plainly in the Originalls from whence I haue drawne this Inuentorie what I haue briefly set downe here touching the occurents of those ages wherein the Oracle of holy antiquitie was verified by the end of these straÌ„ge Tragedies The truth is lost by contending The first simplicitie of the Catholike Church being rich in her pouertie by the abundance of truth conteined since the golden age of the Apostles and their Dâ—sciples was changed into rich and stately pompe the Crownes of martirdome wherewith the fiâ—st Bishops of Rome had beene honoured into a triple Crowne Estate of the ancieÌ„t church which not onely hath and doth giue Lawes to the Emperours Kings and Princes of the earth but doth tread them vnder foot dispossesse them of their estates Insolencie of Popâ—s at this day and declares them incapable of rule when they obey him not and for a marke of this soueraigne authoritie hee makes them to kisse his feet in token of the homage of deuotion and spirituall reuerence as hauing power ouer soules to iudge of all men and all things soueraignly and not to bee iudged by any as the circumstances of our historie wil shew in diuerse places This was the Estate both of the Empire and of the Church vnto the death of Pepin the short the first King of the second race in the yeare 750. or thereabouts CHARLES the Great or CHARLEMAGNE the 24. King of France From the yeare 768. vnto the yeare 814. CHARLES THE GREAT KING OF FRANCE XXIIII 768. THE Estates of France assemble after the death of Pepin and by their consents and aduice
of a very renowned people who might both hurt and helpe by their multitudes and their valour of theiâ— Armes The style of this desseine which I haue vndertaken doth only note the thing for your vnderstanding without spending time in longer proofes This Apprentiship of the FRENCH by their many voyages into Gaule contynued a hundred and thirtie yeares for so much it was from Gallienus to Honorius vnder whome they began to sett footing into Gaule vpon this occasion Those of the Citty of Treues tyred with the Tyranie of the Romaines were infinitely grieued that Lucius their Gouernour a Romaine had by force taken the wife of a notable Cittizen This excesse ministred a subiect to call the French-men to their ayde who expelled the Romaines seased quietly on the Citty with the consent of the Inhabitants and so proceeding in their conquest they possessed their neighbour Countries and in time became Maisters of all that lyes beyond the Riuers of Escaut and Some and in the end hauing woone Paris and the territories about they gaue their name to the conquered Country I doe briefely touch what shall be represented in particular in euery place and sett downe truelie the originall of the FRENCH in this Realme PHARAMOND layd the first stone in the buylding of this estate CLODION followed in this desseine MEROVE made it appeare aboue ground in a more goodly forme hauing purchased credit among the Gaules both by his valour and the happy succeesse of his Armes CLOVIS adding the profession of Christ to his Predecessors valour and his owne did so winne the hartes of the Gaules who were for the most part Christians as by their hearts he got their voluntary obedience and the assured possession of these newe Conquestes Two nations vnited in one by the Conquerour giuing lawe to the Conquered with so wise and mylde a discretion as they held him worthy of this Alliance and Name â—nd the fruite of this mariage was to happy as the nâ—we name of FRANCE was generally receiued in Gaule Thus this newe estate increased dayly in thâ— râ—ce of PHARAMOND by diuers occurrentes during the space of three hunâ—â—â—d yeares But iâ— was much more augmented by the famous race of PEPIN And â—â—d the Author of all good order in mankind giuing him to Sonne CHARLEMAIGNE to preuent the ruine of the Empire inriched him with singular graces and confirmed in him that great authoritie and power of the King of FRANCE and Emperour of ROME which greatnesse God would make profitable to all Christendome But his race Inheritor of these great honours did not inherite his valour and happinesse hauing scâ—rce continued 237. yeares but degenerating from his vertues they lost both Authoritie and Crowne so much augmented and beautified by him and CHARLES MAâ—TELL So this second race vnworthy of the blood and name of their Grandfathers was spoyled of their Kingdome by their negligence But God the Guardian of Monarchies who changing the persons would preserue the State râ—â—sed vp HVGH CAPET a wise and modest Prince arming him with wisedome and dexteritie fitt for the preseruation of his Crowne accompanying his Armes with lawe and his royall authoritie with well gouerned Iustice. It is to HVGH CAPET that the Realme of FRANCE standes most indâ—â—ted for the establishment of those goodly Ordinances by the which together with the vallour and fidelitie of the FRENCH this great Monarchy halfe withstood the stormes of so many ages and maintaines euen vnto this day the lawfull heire in the same race for the space of fiue hundred and thirtie yeares So as gathering the summe of all these yeares they reckon from PHARAMOND to HENRY the fourth that now Raignes 1175. yeares This is the Plot or desseigne of the whole History of France the which being thus laid before we raise this great building in euery part according to the true measâ—res and iust proportions let vs make a Diagramme as a liuely figure which may conteine nakedly and without circumstance the names of our Kings according to the order of these three royall Races To the which we will adde a particuler Chronologie The order forme of thâ—â— Inuentorie which shall be proued by the discourse of our Inuentorie I haue distinguished it into three parts according to the order of the three royall Races In the front of euery part I note the names of Kings and the time they haue reigned that at my first entrance you may obserue all that is represented in this pâ—rticuler discourse wherein the wise Reader that shall take the paines to conferre this modell with the whole Historie will iudge that I haue omitted nothing that may concerne the subâ—ect of the History with all principall circumstances to the end the truth in this short simple and vnseemly weed appointed for euery day may serue aswell as that which the Learned and eloquent writers shew forth in open Theaters at Festiuall times To Actions carefully described I adde sometimes my Iudgement for the vse of the History examined by the Maximes of State To actions I say generally aduowed as for the rest I leaue them â—emembring that I am a Witnesse and no Iudge to do seruicâ— to such as could not see the Originals I note in the beginning the Elections the Birthes Liues Aduentures Intents Desseignes Maners and Complections of our Kings the Motiues Actions Alterations Crosses Issues and Successe of their affaires both in Warre and Peace their Enterprises taking of Citties and Countries Battels Encounters Victories Ouerâ—hrowes Aduantages Disaduantages and other things remarkeable in State Finally I obserue their ends in their death as the Catastrophe of their Life and closing vp of their Reigne But to make this disâ—ourse more proportionable for the knowledge of our Monarchie it was necessary to explaine it by that which hath chanced of most import in forreine Estates especially in the Church Empire the most famous Theatâ—rs of the world by reason wherof I haue added a most carefull Collation of the one and the other with our Realme I intreate the wise Reader to way with iudgement what I shall report concerning matters most subiect to comptroule as those of the Church I doubt not but that hee shall finde that I haue conteined my selfe within the limits of State talking nothing of Religion nor medling with the diuerse humors of this age I haue onely treated of the politique gouernment of Rome with as much modesty as the subiect would permit I know likewise that making profession to write a History no man will wish mee eyther to disguise or to conceale the truth the which will warrant it selfe and free me from reproche in making knowne to iudicious and modest wits that I haue no other passion but my duty whereof I can giue no better proofe theÌ„ in iustifying my discourse with the Original if there appeare any difficulty I protest I haue only had a true desire to serue the publique whose profit is the only scope of my labours As for the Computations
countries Thus the war of Saxonie ended being both long dangerous those which were conquered by the truth were the true conquerers in knowing the true God Charlemagne hauing caused the Saxons to leaue their false opinions was carefull to haue them instructed in the truth Care of religion most worthy of Princes to this end he appointed holy and learned men in all places and gaue meanes to maintaine them as the Germaine histories report more particularly It sufficeth me in declaring this briefely to shew his pieâ—y compatible with his valour and happinesse and for a president to Princes to make religion the soueraigne end of their armes and authorities This Widichind was a great personage both in wisedome valour and authority and by consequence very notable in the order of our subiect From him are descended very famous races The two Henries the one called Oiseleur or the Fowler and the other of Bamberg and the two Othoes all Emperours and likewise the Dukes of Saxonie the Marquis of Misne the Dukes of Sauoy and also the most famous race of Hugh Capet is drawne from this spring The offspring of VVidichind by the common consent of learned writers the which ought to be well obserued in the continuance of this Historie From this warre of Saxonie sprung many other in the Northerne parts whereof I will intreat hauing discoursed briefely of the warre of Spaine both for that it chanced during that of Saxonie as also being very memorable for the ouerthrow of the Sarazins who threatned Christendome like a deluge Histories differ much touching this warre but I will report what is most likely by the consent of most approued writers whereof the studious reader may iudge by conference I being but a faithfull reporter The motiue of this Spanish warre was more vpon pleasure then necessitie but the zeale of religion gaue a colour and shew of necessitie to the heroycall desire of Charlemagne seeking to inlarge the limits of the French Monarchie by armes Warre in Spaine So this warre of Spaine was more painfull more dangerous and of lesse successe then that of Italy whereunto necessity and duty had drawne Charlemagne but his wise proceeding in the action did warrant him from all blame The occasion which made him bend his forces against the Sarazins in Spaine was the assurance of his good fortune the quiet peace of his realme the meanes to imploy his Souldiars the Spaniards hate against the Sarazins and the generall feare of all Christians least these Caterpillers should creepe farther into Europe This was the estate of Spaine the Sarazins had conquered a great part thereof Estate of Spaine and were diuided into diuers commands vnder the title of Kingdomes yet these diuers Kings resolued to oppose their vnited forces against Charles their common enemie Foreseeing then the tempest they seeke to preuent it and to crosse the desseignes of Charlemagne which being discouered they caused King Idnabala a Sarazin to insinuate into his friendship being a man full of subtill mildnesse This stratageâ— preuailed more then all their forces Charlemagne was thrust forwards by Alphonso surnamed the chaste King of Nauarre and by the Asturiens and Galliciens Christian people of Spaine to vndertake this warre being easie profitable and honourable and by consequence most worthy the valiant happinesse of Charlemagne Moreouer this Idnabala making a shew of friendship laboured to hasten him to the execution of this enterprise from the which he knew well he should not diuert him but in effect it was to betray him by the discouering of his intentions flattering his desire to get the more credit by pleasing him Charlemagne then well affected of himselfe and perswaded by others calles a Parliament at Noyon and there concludes a warre against the Sarazins of Spaine 786 The armie he imployed in that action was goodly both for the number of men and valour of great warriours Waâ—â—e agâ—inst the 〈…〉 being the choise of the most worthy Captaines in Christendome Amongst the which they number Milon Earle of Anger 's Rowland the sonne of Milon and Berthe sister to Charlemagne Renald of Montaban the foure sonnes of Aimon Oger the Dane Oliuer Earle of Geneua Brabin Arnold of Bellande and others the gâ—eat valour of which persons hath beene fabulously reported by the writers of those obscure times with a thousand ridiculous tales vnworthy the valour of those heroick spirits Institution of the twelue Peeres proofes of the ignorance of that age being barren of learned wits They say that Charlemagne to make this voyage more honourable in shew did then institute the order of the twelue Peeres of France Being entred into Spaine he found no Sarazin forces in field but their Citties well fortified hauing resolued a defensiue rather then an offensiue warre The most renowmed Sarazin Kings were Aigoland The treachery 〈…〉 the Saâ—azin Bellingan Denisâ—s Marsile and Idnabala which be the sâ—bâ—ect of our fabulous tales but the last as I haue sayd made shew of friendship wâ—th Charlemagne and open hatred against the other Sarazin Kings with whom notwitâ—standing he had most strict correspondencie to betray Charles Pâ—mpelune takâ—n The first Cittie he attempted was Pampelune in the Kingdome of Nauarre the which he tooke by force but with much paine losse and danger Hauing sackt it and slaine all the Sarazins he found Saragoce yeelds to him by composition with many other small Townes terrâ—fied by the example of Pampelune This beginning incouraged him to march on relying on his wonted fortune but as he passed through the Prouinces of Spaine like a victoâ—ious Prince without any dâ—fficulty hauing giuen a part of his armie to lead to Milon of Angiers his brother in law it chanced neere vnto Bayonne that Aigoland a Sarazin King hauing in this common dispaire thrust an army into field incountred â—ilon with his troupes little dreading any enemy and tooke him at such an aduantage as he defeated him The losse was very great for they report it was of forty thousand men The Sarazins victory where Milon was slaine for a confirmation of the Sarazins victory Charlemagne was farre off and not able by any diligence to preuent the losse hee pacifies this amazement least it should daunt the whole armie Hee hastens thether and gathers together the relikes of these discomfited troupes keeping the conquered Citties and such as were friends in their obedience But after this followes a second accident Aigoland puft vp with the pride of this victory â—asseth into Gasconie and besiegeth Agen to diuert Charlemagne from his pursute and to draw him home to defend his owne country The Saâ—azins 〈◊〉 into Gâ—sâ—onie So as Charlemagne fearing least his absence and the Sarazins late victory should alter the mindes of them of Guienne being then subiects of small assurance he returnes into France Aigoland hauing continued some moneths at the siege of Agen and preuailed little but in ouerrunning the country the which he did freely without
hee preuailed more then all the armes of his Predecessors in preseruing a great Monarchie vnto this day supported with these goodly lawes and ordinances wherein without flattering the truth we may see by the effects that which the most learned Academicke doth represent but in discourse touching the true and perfect patterne of a well gouerned State vnder the fatherly authoritie of a King reuerenced by the hereditarie Law of his race with the free consent of the people confirmed by the Estates counterballanced by the authoritie royall 993. determined by the libertie of those which owe him voluntarie obedience The continuance of ciuill warres had bred such disorders in all parts of the realme as it was not without cause if men which liued in these miseries said that God had sent Hugh to restore the French Monarchie and they auouch predictions and prophesies of this raigne The fruits of Hughs raigne VVilliam Nangius as Oracles Doubtlesse this masse of building was too huge to continue long against so great a storme God made vse of it for a time as he had wisely decreed that is to say to deliuer the west from the blasphemies and furies of Mahomet and there to preserue his Church But it was necessarie this power should bee limited within his bounds to the end it might be well gouerned and in the end giue some rest vnto Christendome This happened in his raigne as if the building had then taken a firme and sure foundation War had raigned too long and ruined the poore subiects to inrich men of warre who being seized of the strongest places had without doubt deuoured one an other an ruined the Realme if a greater authoritie had not shewed it selfe to maintaine euery one in peace vnder the reuerence of the Lawes in the bosome of one common Countrie This confused warlike season had more need of a wise man to saue what was gotten then of a valiant man and stirring to make new Conquests Such was Hugh Capet a wise Prince aduised experienced resolute neither dull nor a coward as he made proofe in the beginning of his raigne against the rebells And whereas he parted with the Crowne-lands so easily to such as were seized thereon seeming therby to haue blemished the greatnes of his State it was like vnto one which had much land lying wast and had let it to farmers at an easie rent yet remaining alwaies master therof and to seize on it againe at his pleasure else all had bin lost for want of good husbandrie in so great and confused an abundance for Hugh Capet leauing to the possessors that which he could not take from them assured the Crowne landes by certaine homages and preserued the royall authoritie throughout the Realme And that which was profitable and necessarie for the State proued the most easie for the gouernours of the prouinces and strong places hoping to hold that which they had in hand desired rather to obey a King with any title auaileable to them and theirs then to play the pettie Kings at their pleasures and commaund absolutely alone for a while ouer few and beâ—n danger to lose all as vsurpers A notable proofe of the Frenchmens humors The French caâ—ot â—ubsist but â—nder a Reâ—â—lâ—e borne to obey a King and not able to subsist but vnder a royaltie The French had no lesse poweâ— then the Germains to make an electiue common weale as they had done but their humor sorted with an hereditary royaltie without the which they could not stand Thus Hugh Capet had setled his raigne with â—o great wisedome and authoritie and was so fortunate in the successe as we may iustly say he restored the Realme of France when it was almost ruined Hee raigned nine yeares foure alone and fiâ—e with his sonne Robert in great peace beloued and honoured of al men France as after a long and tedious winter puts on the new face of a pleasant spring All men honoured him Paris the chief â—lace 〈…〉 as the meanes of their assured rest His most vsuall retreat was to Paris the which was greatly augmented and beautified in his raigne whereas other Kings before him remained in diuerse places at Aix la Chapelle Compiegne Laon Soissons and else where according to occurrents and their humors Wee haue sayd that Arnulphe bastard to Lothaire was the onely man which had fauoured Charles of Lorraine against Hugh Capet The historie notes this man to be peruerse and disloyall hauing deceiued both Charles of Lorraine and Hugh Capet who had giuen him the Archbishopâ—â—ke of Roâ—an in recompence of the seruice he promised him against Charles to whom notwithstanâ—ing contrary to his faith hee gaue meanes to seize vppon the Citties of Rheimâ— LaoÌ„ SoissoÌ„s Hugh taking this presuÌ„ption for a preiudice to come learning by what had passed Hughes proceeding against Arnulpâ—e bastard to Loâ—â—aire who is deâ—osed from his Bishoprik how much the name of a bastard of France might import for a colour to disquiet the State and what danger there was of trouble in the beginning of his new raigne not yet well setled he therefore resolues to suppresse Arnulphe but respecting his qualitie hee assembled a nationall Councell of the French Church in the Cittie of Rheims This assemblie deposeth Arnulphe as guilty of treacherie and a troubler of the publick quiet and they substitute Gilibert in his place 995 who had beene Schoolemaster vnto Robert Afterwards Hugh coÌ„fines him to Orleans with Charles there to end his daies in rest Pope Iohn the 12. very ill satisfied with Hugh for that hee had not appealed to him for his confirmation in this new royalty disanulls this decree of the Counceâ—laâ— Rheims excomunicates the Bishoppes which had assisted restores Arnulphe and depriues Gilibert of the Archebishoprike of Rouan and to temper this sharpe and â—ough proceeding with some sweetnes he doth inuest Gilibert with the Archebishoprick of Rauenna But wee shall presently see that this was a meanes to raise him to the dignâ—â—y of Pope Hugh doth not for all this contend with Pope Iohn but hauing restored Arnulphe hee tooke from him all meanes of troubling the state to his preiudice It is that Pope Iohn The mâ—nners of Pope Ioâ—n the 12. of whome Platina writes so plainly as the wise reader may finde in the originall it selfe where hee shall reade with admiration not only the depraued manâ—ers of that man raised to so great a dignity whome hee disgraceth as a monster terming him most lewd most wicked and most pernitious These are his very words but also the confusions which raigned in those times for wee reade of nothing but partialities and factions one to expell an other and all to ouerthrowe the authority of the Emperour of Rome All these practises were not made without sharpe and long contentions as the history shal note the occurrentts this my inuentory shal be but a simple direction to the Originalls where as the pure truth speaking more freely the
of age should obscure the fame of his first exployts he returnes in the beginning of the new yeare laden with ladders and seeks to surprise it but in vaine Cooled by the seege of Faâ—nze Pollicie not succeeding he returnes to force and by the taking of Russy and other places of the countrie he makes the enterprise easie A new breach is made and new asâ—auâ—ts giuen the first without effect the second gaue hope of victorie but the violence of the Canon which battred in flanke the incouÌ„tring of a deepe large trench the death of Ferdinand Farnese with many other men of worth and the number of the wounded makes them to leaue the assault But at length he carries it The losse the Fauentines had receiued in this assault and the dispaire of succours cooled this first heate feare making theÌ„ apprehend hard conditions if force reduced them into the victors power they treated to yeeld their liues and goods saued vpon condition that Astor their Lord Facuze yeelded should with his libertie choose what retreat he pleased enioying the reuenewes of his patrimonie But poore Astor oh Burgia who soeuer shall read the detestible life and horrible death of thy father will alwaies iâ—dge thee a right and worthie sonne of such a father being yong and verie beautifull was with goodly shewes and honorable demonstrations of loue reteyned in the Valentinois Court 1501. and soone after conducted to Rome where some one sayeth the Originall The pittiful death of the Lord of Faâ—â—s murthered by Borgia naming no man but noting the vilain with his fingar hauing taken his pleasure of him and glutted his lust they caused him to be secretly murthered with his bastard brother and the Pope with the approbation of the Colledge giues to his sonne Borgia the inuesting and title of Duke of Romagnia This estate seemed to him imperfect without the adiunction of the territory of Bologne But the Kings expresse commandement not to attempt any thing against the estate of Iohn Bentiuole whome he had taken into his protection caused the Valentinois to content himselfe for that time with a transaction from Bentiuole to haue passage and victualls through his country a tribute of nine thousand ducats yeerely a certaine number of horse and foote and Castel-bologne a place vnder the iurisdiction of Bologne and so he transported his forces into Tuscane Marke here a notable example of a childe to his father One of the sonnes of the L.G. Montpensier going to Pozzuolo to visit the sepulcher of his father suffred himselfe to be so much ouerruled with passion that after he had washed all parts of the monument with his lamentable teares he fainted and fell downe dead vpon the Sepulcher of his father who had as little sence of those his latest forrowes as he had feeling of so great a fault to giue such libertie to the rage of nature The Florentins are mightely perplexed they had greatly mooued the King by their bad order in the recouery of Pisa The Florentiâ—s in gâ—eat perplexity as we haue heard before but there springs vp newe motiues of discontent The exceeding charge they had beene at and were still forced to beare for the warres of Pisa the iealousie of the Popes forces and of his Borgia made them slacke in paying the King the money which the Duke of Milan had lent them and the debt which hee pretended to bee due vnto him by reason of the pay made by his maiesty to the Suisses which he had sent against Pisa whom hee had maintayned with his owne money vpon refusall which the Florentins had made them vnder colour that they would retire into their Country before their time perfixed and the King who sought to empty their cofers to the ende he might gouerne them more absolutly demanded it very earnestly Moreouer they grewe more weake by their owne ciuill discords which troubled them in the popular gouernment wherein many of the Cittizens being suspected eyther as friends to the Medicis or desiring an other kind of gouernment matters were managed with more confusion then counsell and to increase their crosses the King did presse them for the aides and summes of money promised for the voâ—voâ—age of Naples pretending That he had performed the conâ—entions they had made togither whereto they were bound seeing that by their owne fault they had hindred the recouery therefore hee was no more bound to protect them And in truth Iulian de Medicis beseeching him in person and at the Popes perswasion The Fâ—oâ—entins freed by a fayned transaction with Borgâ—â— to restore him and his breâ—heren into their estates vpon promises of a great summe of money hee most willingly opened both eare and heart to these offers All these considerations drewe the Valentinois into Tuscane with seauen hundred men at armes fiue thousand choise foote which Bentiuole gaue him the French companies lodging apart to attend the Kings army which began to march But he knew that the King would not bee pleased with this entry in Hostile manner into the Florentins Country and that otherwise his army was both weake of men and munition to force any Towne The Florentins also knowing themselues naked both of horse and foote others then of the Country oppressed with iealousie feare and diuisions hee makes this accord with them That there should bee a confederacie betwixt the common-weale of Florence and the Duke of Valentinois with a prohibition not to aide the rebelles on eyther side and that the Florentins should entertayne him for three yeares at their charge with three hundred men at armes and six and thirty thousand Ducats yearely which men at armes hee should send to them when soeuer they had neede eyther for themselues or any other and should not oppose themselues against him for the defence of the Lord of Plombin who was in their protection But this composition was onely to disarme the Valentinois and to send him packing And hee well informed of the policie staying in the same County spoyled it in reâ—enge both by fire and sacke most like to an open enemy tyring them with demandes which partly they refused partly differred hoping that the Kings authority should free them from these bonds which necessity of the time and Borgias force had extorted from them The King indeed held the rodde but stayed his arme he was pleased the Valentinois should terrifie them but not tyranise ouer them For although hee would willingly haue seene some other forme of gouernment at Florence yet an alteration then would haue beene very preiudicial vnto him the King being loath to see the Valentinois aduanced to any other authoritie or by any other forces then his Maiesties So The warres of Naples reâ—â—ued by the commaundement of Lewis he leaues Florence and enters the territorie of Plombin taking Surgeretâ—e Scarline and the Islands of Elbe and Pianosa where leauing a sufficient garrison as well to guard the places as to molest them of Plombin
cause sollicited the Archduke to seeke some meanes to quench 〈◊〉 but death cuts off the course of his enterprise The Earle of Fuentes that is to say Fontaines aduanced them couragiously Spaniaâ—ds in Picardie causing the gouernour of Arthois to enter into Picardie with a thousand horse and sixe thousand foote Behold rough seas and great stormes which violently beat vpon our great Pilot but in despight of their attempts he shall guide his ship to a safe port and bring his enterprises to an end Vienne Nuiz Antun Beaune and Dijon did happily assist him let vs see the successe The Duke of Nemours escaped from prison The Duke of Nemouâ—s makes warre against Lionois assembled a good troupe of Souldiars horse and foote and drawing to him three thousand Suisses which wintered in Sauoy for the defence of the Country with these forces hee pretended to subdue the Prouinces of Lionois Forest and Beauieulois and to reuenge the disgrace hee had receiued in Lions For a beginning he had reduced to his deuotion Thisi a strong Castle in Lionois Vienne in Daulphiré Feur Montbrison Saint Germaine and Saint Bonnet Toâ—nes in Forest and by this restraining them both aboue and beneath the riuer hee made an account eyther â—o bring Lions to some extremity of victuals or to cause some tumult among the people Great seruice done by the Constable who should giue him entrie into the Cittie Being ready to effect his desseignes the Constable parted from Languedoc to ioyne with the King hee resolues in this encounter to doe him a notable seruice Hee comes into Lionois followed with a thouâ—and horse and foure thousand choise Harguebuziers happily for the preseruation of the Countrie for hee presently stayed the course of the Duke of Nemours prosperity who posting to oppose himselfe against the Constable hauing made a voyage to the Constable of Castille with hope to haue authoritie ouer these forraine forces and to dispose of them for the execution of his desseignes fortifies Saint Colombe a small village at the foote of the bridge of Vienne towards Lionnois lodgeth some troupes there and the rest hee puts in garrison into the Towne This great multitude of men shutte vp in Vienne makes their victuals grow sâ—ant they likewise want other necessaries and munition for warre The Constable cuttes off all meanes from them The Suisses mutine for want of paye and being called home by their Colonels go to ioyne with the forces of Sauoy which the Marquis of Treffort commanded being Lieutenant generall for the Duke of Sauoy on this side the Alpes To curbe Lions more straightly the Marquis came to winter his men at Mountluel a small Towne of Sauoye three Leagues from Lions The Constable preuents him and surprising the Towne disapoints the Marquis lodgeth his men drye and leaues the Sauoysien subiect to the iniuries of the ayre and keepes him from attempting any thing against Lions The Constable aduertised of some discontent betwixt the Captaines of the Strangers that were in Vienne and the Seigneur of Disimieu a Gentleman of Daulphiné who commanded in the Castle of Pipet the chiefe Forte of the sayde Towne he practiseth Disimieu lets him vnderstand of his dutie to the Kings seruice his naturall Prince his duty to his Country and the profit hee shall bring by the reduction of this Towne to so many people threatned with forraine oppression Disimieâ— giues eare and without any great difficulty hauing passed his word to the Constable suffers the Seigneur of Montoison to enter the Castle with a troupe of Harguebuziers The Constable parts the 24. of Aprill with eight hundred Harguebuziers three hundred horse and many Gentlemen as well of the Country as his owne followers and marcheth towards Vienne The Marshall of Ornano doth likewise meete him with fiue hundred Harguebuziers and two hundred maisters All shew themselues about Vienne at noone-day Then Disimieu giues the Seigneur of Cheylart and Dom Vincentio Colonnell of the Italian foote that were there in garrison to vnderstand That being well informed of the sinister practise and charge they had to seize vpon his person hee had resolued to yeeld the Towne and Castle vnto the King yet would he not put it in execution before hee had obtâ—yned a safe conduct for them and their troupes Montoison shewes himselfe with his troupe and makes Cheylart and Vincentio to accept the condition that was offered them They go forth and take the waye to Sauoye garded by a company of light-horse Disimieu brings them vnto Saint Blandine where the Constable attended him and there takes the oth of obedience and fealtie to the King Towards night the Constable entred Vienne and receiued the Towne and Castles of Pippet and La Bastie in his Maiesties name So Vienne the onely Sanctuarie of the Duke of Nemours the Rendezuous of Strangers and the Porte of Daulphiné to neighbour Prouinces caused the quiet of all the Country and neighbours about Since the which the Duke alwayes droopt being contemned hated and frustrate of all his attempts and finally hee ended all his griefes by a mournefull and pittifull end As all things succeeded happily for the King the Marshall of Biron hauing taken Beaune in view of this great armie of the Constable of Castille Autun Nuys in Bourgongne hee puts himselfe into Dijon being called by the Inhabitants hee chased away the Vicount of Tauannes troup es who held the Inhabitants shutte vp in a corner of the Towne fortified their Barricadoes against the Castle and did beleguar it attending his Armie which made haste to returne out of the Franche Conté His Maiestie foreseeing that the Constable of Castille being free after the recouerie of Vezou should bee imployed by the Duke of Mayenne to succour the Castle of Dijon wherein consisted the chiefe hope of his rising makes hast to Troyes makes a solemne giuing of thankes for so happy a victory and takes his way to Dijon arriues there the fourth of Iune carrying with him the execution of a desseigne more miraculous then all the rest Without doubt our posterity may put this History with the fabulous tales of the foure sonnes of Aymond of Rowland Oliuer and others if wee set not downe the trueth with the chiefe circumstances for is it not a dreame an enchantment and a fabulous tale that foure score Caualiers but true French Gentlemen generous and well lead haue amazed and put to flight two thousand horse But what durst not this braue Nobility doe hauing in the head of them so incomparable and valiant a Captaine and a King so well beloued and respected of all The Castillian had already passed his troupes and Artillerie vpon bridges of boates at Grey when as the King hauing fortified the Inhabitants with a thousand men commanded by the Earle of Thorigny hee viewed the Castle of Dijon the Fâ—rt of Talen a Cannon shotte from the Towne and all the approches whereby tâ—e enemie mâ—ght attempt to succour the Castle made choise of battaile
gouernment of our great King which hath erected so many euerlasting trophes of his Clemencie and Bountie equaâ—ling at this time by the glorious effects of Iustice which shines throughout all this great and mightie Estate the victories and the stately triumphes of fearefull warre shewing by the effects that the same Vertue and the same Magnanimitie carries great Princes and excellent Captaines into the midest of the most blodie and furious battayles and doth conduct them also to the holy and sacâ—ed actions of most happie and blessed Peace Wee haue then no need amongst vs of these Talion punishments the which were as soone Abrogated Talions Law wholy abrogated as they were Inacted If they were in force not two crymes among a hundred should bee punished at the beginning wee must necessaâ—â—ly follow coniectures and presumptions If they may lead vs to the certaine knowledge of the truth they condemne the culpable if not they forbeare God onely walkes in light but men in darkenesse But I beseech you to consider what power I haue had in all this Cryminall proceeding The Plaintife begins his action against mee because I am the most weake If hee durst challenge the Iudges hee would doe it much more wâ—llingly all the instruction of the Processe comes from the Cryâ—inall partâ—e It is not I but the Kings Atturney generall Alas I brought notâ—iâ—g but thy sigthes therein consists my cryme Oh I may well double my teares 〈◊〉 it is not lawfull for mee to weepe it were more then a second losse of my Sonne to lose my teares The Plaintifs intent is to hâ—ue againe for his domage and interest the money which Iustice hath forced him to yeeld I haue it not I haue beene imployed in praying vnto God for my Sonne who was cruelly murthered and had no time to thinke of his â—oule which was a double crueltie Howses shake before they fall The smoake fore-tels the fire that will consume vs. A Tempest is discouered a far off but the murthering hand of man strikes sodenly when wee least thinke of it If you condemne mee in Domages and Interests you may iudge that remembring his paynes how rigorusly hee will intreat mee I haue nothing left to pay it that little which I had was imployed in the education of my Sonne holding it to bee the richest and cheefest treasor that I could desire O deceitfull hope By vertue of your sentence he will confine me into a Prison but I regard it not so as hee make choise of a darke and a hidious one that it may soone shorten my miserable life the whch shall neuer find ease but in death for I am resolued to passe the remainder of my dayes like vnto those Mothers which accompanie their Children vnto the Graue All that makes me to desire Libertie is to the end that I might liue among the Rockes in desarts and the most solitarie Woods and that I might neuer see Mothers that make much of their Children Alas my Sonne my poore Sonne I shall call on thee night and day although thou answerest me not If this extreame miserie doth not satisfie the Plaintife let him feare and apprehend the wrath of God and a second punishment Let him not abuse the grace which he hath done him in making manifest the truth of his Murther Let him liue happely to see his innocencie knowne and I alwayes vnhappie to haue lost my poore Child I conclude that it would please the Court to absolue me from his request After this the Kings Solliciter General master Seruin The defendres conclusioni did rise to plead and conclude for the Atturny Generall vppon that which the Solliciters had deliuered for the parties the opinions of the hearers were in such suspence as they knew not which way to incline He that had first heard for the Plaintife sayd that he had reason but as Iudges must alwayes reserue one eare for the defender being impossible to iudge definitiuely vpon the discours of one partie when the second had pleaded there was such an equalitie and concurrence of reasons found as it seemed they had both a good cause The Kings Solliciter discours was the poulder to separate the truth from that which had some apparance of truth but let vs heare this other Demosthenes of France whose pleading followeth L. SERVIN for the Kings Atturny General said thus MAY IT PLEASE YEE IF it be true according to the worthy saying of Statius Caecilius vsed by Apuleius defending himselfe against an accusation of impietie That innocency is true eloquence it might satisfie the intention of the poore Playntifes and might promise them an honorable issue for that a Poore and vntainted life speaking for them surmounts in the opinion of good men the richest eloquence of them that are Guiltie For hee may well defend that can purge himselfe from crymes hauing done nothing but what he dare publikely auow But if it be more true that the art of speaking be Vertue and Wisedome as the Stoicks haue defined it signifying thereby that the vertuous and wise haue subiect enough to talke It is most certaine that God which giueth Wisedome and out of whose mouth proceeds all knowledge and vnderstanding hauing not endued the Plaintifes with such graces seeing they haue neither the knowledge nor word which is drawne out of the holy Scriptures nor the perswasiue speech of humaine Wisedome hauing not the refined discourse of Reason they had great need of the assistance of their Soliciter who as hee doth not yeeld in Eloquenâ—e and knowledge to any one of his profession hath made proofe by this present action how wel he can defend the innocent the which is so much the more commendable for that Dionisius Halicarnasseus a great iudge of Orators did hold Plato worthie to be blamed for that he had written the Appologie of Socrates in a flat and cold stile On the one side Maister Anne Robert hath liuely represented vnto you the miserable estate of the Baker and his wife lately accused and now Plantifs how they haue beene pursued in the Chastelet iudged and appealed and condeÌ„ned by sentence the Husband put to the torture and the racke presented to the Wife and to her Maide and to conclude al the family in trouble by the accusation of a horrible Murther pretended to be committed vpon the persoÌ„ of his guest a crime which God hath made knowne by the reuelation of the Murther that the hearts and hands of these poore people were innocent By reason whereof they demand reparation of Honor with Domage and Interest against the Accuser You haue on the other side heard Maister Anthony Arnaud for the Mother of the deceassed Iohn Prost miserably murthered beeing before Plaintife and now accused of Slander who may well defend herselfe by the simple colour of Piety which cries and isintercessor for her for her I say A Mother whose affliction is such as there is no tongue but the Mothers or rather the voyce of GOD that can well expresse
D' Ono where he continutinually cried out to be carried into Portugal That the People might see him and that not onely Men but Beasts and Stones would take him for the true King D Sebastian of Portugal Many held him for a Calabroâ—s borne at Tauerne and a Monke that had leâ—t his Order other for Marck Tully Catizoni of Apulia The Portugales sweare by his Life and Head The prisoners which were in the same Castle saw him euery morning at Masse did note some tokens of a Prince which made them say That hee was the King D. Sebastian or a Deuill The best aduised haue held him for an Impostor the Ignorant for a Magitian and the simple for a King During the Viceroys life hee was not so rigorously intreated but his Sonne succeeding him he was more strictly garded The 17. of Aprill 1602. a yeare after he had beene in the Castillians hands hee was commanded to answer presently without any further proceeding To whom he said That they tooke not a right course to Examine and Iudge his Processe That they should present him vnto the Portugalles who had Nourished him Knowne him and Serued him for all the Proofe and Verification of his cause depended vpon theyr Saying and Testimony protesting that if he liued a thousand yeares he would neuer answer otherwise and that if they were resolued to put him to death without anie other Order or Proofe hee tooke God for his onely Iudge who knew the trueth of his fact that hee was the right King D. Sebastian of Portugall and that they might effect what they had formerly pretended to doe In the ende they condemned him to be led ignominiously vpon an Asse through the streetes of Naples He is conâ—emned to Galles and to passe the rest of his life in the Gallies the which was executed the last of Aprill cutting off the hayre of his Head and Beard and tying him to the Chayne yet he was not forced to Rowe but was intreated as a Gentleman of the Galleys From Barcellona the Galleys entred into the Ocean Sea and came in August 1602. to S. Lucar of Barameda where the Duke of Medina Sidonia and his Wife desired to see him Hauing long discoursed with him the Portugalles affirme that hee whom they call their King asked the Duke if he had the sword yet which hee had giuen him when as he imbaâ—ked to passe into Barbary The Duke answered His â—peech to thâ—â—uke o◠〈…〉 that in truth D Sebastian King of Portugal had giuen him a sword at his imbarking the which hee kept among others Seeing tâ—en you haue it replied their King I pray you send for it for although it be foure and twentie yeares since I gaue it you yet will I know it well The Duke caused about a dozen to be brought the which their Kiâ—g hauing wel vewed sayd that it was not there the Duke commanded that they should bring all the rest and their King seeing it in his hands that brought them sayd Behold Duke the sword I gaue you when I past into Affrike Then turning to his Cousin the Duke of Medina Sidoniâ—s wife the which is daughter to the Prince of Eboly after that hee had told her what speeches had passed in secret betwixt them when hee bid her fare-well at Cadiz he sayd vnto her I remember that I gaue you a Iewell haue you it yet Tâ—e Duches answered that she had a Iewell which the King D. Sebastian had giuen her Shew it me then said hee I will know it well and will shew you a secret which is yet vnknowne vnto you The Duches sent for it with many other Iewels the which he knew from all the rest saying Behold the Iewell which I gaue you and to proue my saying cause the stone to be taken out and you shal find my name and my cipher grauen vnderneath it There was in the Duches company a Negro whom their King knew saying that she had washed his lynen when as he raigned in Portugal They say that when as the Duke saw so many apparent things approching vnto truth he admired them as miraculous and retyred with a heauy countenance as it were weeping for compassion to see this miserable Prince in so wretched an esâ—ate They say moreouer that many ancient Portugals of diuers conditions went to see him and that al confesse maintaine that it is the true Don Sebastian King of Portugal who is now shut vp in the Castell of S. Lucar But ending the contrarieties of Spaniards and Portugals touching King Sebastian we will say That it is in the power of the King of Spaine to lay open the greatest strongest deceit that euer was in the world by a publike punishment of the Impostor or being knowne to bee such as hee sayth to rauish all the world with admiration In the beginning of this yeare the Court being quiet 16â—â— and dreaming of nothing but of feasts and dancing the whole state in such tranquiâ—â—ie as nothing might seeme to interrupt it The Aâ—â—â—â—nce with 〈…〉 râ—â—â—wed The King had but one busines without the Realme wheron depended the coÌ„â—entment which he might giue to the Suisses in confirming the promise which his Ambassador had made in renewing of their allyances There had bin many Assemblies held to that end at Bade Soleure but all vncertaine as they be commonly Their resolutions were inconstant and variable with new demands which did cut of nothing of the necessitiâ— of the first These diuerse agitations sprang from Milan Sauoy who could not endure to see the Flower de Luce flourish in the rocks and Alpes and were greened to haue spent so many double Ducats in vaine to choake the seedes of their affection to this Crowne De Vic disposed things in as good sort as the King could desire Brulâ—rt was sent to make the worke perfect He gaue them to vnderstand the Kings last resolutions with so great wisedome and dexteritie as they were allowed by the greatest part of the Cantons After that the partisans of Spaine and Sauoy found that al their crosses brought more aduancement then difficultie to the Kings affaires and that the most obstiâ—aâ—e became temperate and were forced to yeeld that they could not hinder but that the light of vertue and the Kings fortune would shine through the Caos of their practises Syllery finding that their wills were well prepared and disposed to entertaine accept of the Kings intentions A Diâ—â— a◠〈◊〉 the 11. of September he made the proposition of renewing of the League at a Diet held in the Towne house of Soleure in September in a very learned elegant discourse His discourse was very pleasing unto the hearers who thought that the allyance of France with whom they neuer had any question 1601. and whose friendship had not bin troubled with those feelings which the iniuries of war do fixe deeply in the minds of men was more profitable and necessary then
Barons Noblemen and Gentlemen to come and take the oath of fealty They runne on all hands onely the Earle of â—landers that Arnould which had beene the firebrand of those warres in Normandy playes the mutine Hugh hauing called him to doe homage and noted his contumacy goes to field with his forces to compell him thereunto Hauing seized on the greatest part of his country He forceth the Earle of Flanders to his obedience the Earle flies to humility and by the mediation of Richard Duke of Normandy whom he had so much wronged in his youth he makes his peace with Hugh yeelding him the homage which hee had denied with promise to obey him Hauing thus fortified the authority of his Soueraigne commaund hee passed vnto the gouernment of the realme and to make this voluntary obedience so well begun more pleasing to his newe subiects he calls an assembly of the cheefe of the Realme and giues them all to vnderstand that his desire was to haue their aduice for the well gouerning of the State Necessity spake and his proceeding did winne the most violent Hugh doth institute the Pecres of France Hauing renued their homages he sets downe the order of the twelue Pecres of France and protests vnto them all that he will not doe any thing of importance eyther in peace or waâ—re without their aduice So as in yeelding he did aduance himselfe with a wise and victorious modesty By the most ancient institution the chiefe charge ouer armes belonged to the Mayor of the Pallace to the which Martell added the authority of Duke of France But these two great changes gaue a sufficient testimony how much this great authority did import to counteâ— ballance and cheeke the soueraigne authority of Kings and Hugues himselfe was both a witnesse and iudge of that which he had done in the execution of this charge beeing in a manner royall He therefore resolues to suppresse it He â—uppresseth the Mayor or the Pallace and to bury it in an honourable tombe Hee sees many Competitors and takes thereby an occasion to discouer his intent declaring to the greatest of his nobility how happy he was in his raigne hauing the choise of so many persons worthy of this great dignity but finding himselfe bound to al he knew not to whome he was most indebted and was so affected vnto them all as he could not saye to whome hee wished best And therefore to satisfie all his good friendes hee had bethought himselfe of an expedient That his sonne whome nature had giuen him and France had nourished and brought vp for her seruice should be the person to content all his friendes in the execution of this charge which should be in title of a royalty All the Noblemen which would haue endured it oâ— an other impatiently imbraced this speech willingly the which preuented all iealousie and cured the cheefe sore So with one consent it was decreed That Robert sonne to Hugh Capet Crowning his sonne Robert King should bee his Lieutenant generall and to that end should bee anointed and crowned King as hee was at Rheims in the yeare 990 three yeares after his fathers election A wiâ—e Prince and of a temperate disposition a well seasoned plant for the fruitfull continuance of this latter raigne of whome it is sayd That hee was a sonne without frowardnes Roberts vertues a companion without iealousie and a King without ambition So Hugues effected 3. things by this wise proceeding Hee tooke away the breeding of future dangers by restrayning of so great a power he suppressed all iealousie and assured his owne estate in the person of his sonne But in burying thus honorablie the name and apparent shew of this dignitie he confirmed an other to reape the same frute for it is a resolued maxime That in a royaltie the first mouer of an estate must be fortified with some neere instruments with whom he may communicat some beames of his authoritie to impart them to other inferiour motions according to their order The Constable in old time had no commaund but ouer the horse either as great master or as generall vnder the charge of the Maior The Constable succeeds the Maior as the name doth signifie Hugh amplified this dignitie and in suppressing the name of Maior hee gaue that authoritie to the other for the which the maiâ—altie had beene in old time instituted reseruing the frute and preseruâ—ng France both from danger and feare of so great power which might aduance the seruant aboue the master yet this authoritie of Constable is very great soueraigne ouer armes vnder the Kings good pleasure to order the men of warre to take knowledge of their faults The authoritie of the Constable and either to punish or to pardon offences at his pleasure to order battailes to dispose of all things that concerne the souldiar and finally he keepes the kings sword for which the Constable doth him homage Moreouer vnder this dignitie Hugh appointed Marshals to execute the Constables commaunds as his cheefe hands and so by these two goodly institutions Marshals A proclamation to call all gentlemen togither that hold lâ—â—d of the Crowne for martiall affaires Hugh decrees that the elder should raigne alone amongst his brethren He suppresseth the Maior of the Pallais 〈◊〉 the charge ouer armes continued in great credit vnder the great light of the royall Maiestie Hee likewise fortified by new decrees the royall homages of Ban and Arrierban instituted by Charlemagne and to conclude hee made all those militarie orders wherein France surpasseth all other nations to be reduced to their ancient institution and right vse And as good lawes spring from bad manners so Hugh hauing carefully obserued the errours of former raignes endeuoured to redresse them and to preuent the like inconueniences The most dangerous error had beene the multiplicitie of many soueraigne masters one King being sufficient for a whole Realme as one Sunne is for all the world He therefore decrees That hereafter the title of King should not be giuen but to the eldest who should haue some raigne power and commaund ouer his brethren and they should respect him as their Lord and father hauing no portions but his good fauour As for the lands which their elder should assigne vnto them for their portions they should hold them of the Crowne to do homage and to be augmented diminished at the Kings good pleasure The aduancements of Kings bastards had much interessed the State hauing beene allowed and apportioned with the lawfull children yea euen raised to the royall throne as we haue seene Therefore Hugh decreed That hereafter bastards should not onely be reiected from the Crowne but also from the surname of France the which before was allowed them To him likewise are due the goodly ordinances of Iustice and of the treasor wherein without doubt France excels so as they be well executed according to the institutions of the golden age Thus by these wise decrees