Quotidian So finding his houre come he disposed of his conscience and of his house he greatly recommended his subiects and seruants to the Daulphin his successor and the last day of March The death of Franâ—is the â— in the yeare 1547. being fiftie and three yeares old hee changed the painfull and continuall toyles of this mortall life with the eternall rest which the happie inioy for euer A Prince wonderfully lamented both of his subiects and strangers whose vertues deserue to bee placed among the most famous valiant Courteous bountifull iudicious of a great spirit and an excellent memorie A louer of learning and men of merit to whome arts and sciences owe the perfections they haue gotten at this day hauing by his bringing vp of youth founded Colleges in Paris in the Hebrew Greeke and Latine tongues assembled from all parts of the world learned men and of good life and by this meane cleered the darknes of Ignorance wherewith the world had beene so obscured by the malice of time and negligence of former ages A Prince fauoured with many good yet crost with as many bad and sinister fortunes Happie notwithstanding that no aduersitie could euer make him degenerate from a noble and royall mind nor from the true beleefe of a good and faithfull Christian. Happie and blessed in his end to haue pacified all forraine confusions which had so long troubled his estates and his subiects quiet But without doubt hee had beene far more happie if he could haue left his realme free from those fatall diuisions which euen in his raigne had so miserably diuided his subiects and shall cause hereafter strange combustions the first consideration whereof makes my haire to stand vpright and my heart to tremble at that which is to come HENRY the second 59. King of France HENRY .2 KING OF FRANCE .59 · NAture his age and the good education he had receiued vnder his father in the gouernment of the Estate 1547. did countenance him in this succession the which he receiued on the same day that he was borne and confirmed it in Saint Germaine in Laie by the restâ—tution of the Constable of Montmorentie by the publication of many goodly ordinances for the reformation of apparell ordering of the Treasure prouiding for the poore suppression of new erected offices gouernment of the riuers and forrests maintenance of Iustice and releeuing of his subiects but aboue all that necessarie lawe against blasphemers as we may see in the Originall Doubtlesse this was a commendable beginning and worthy the homage he did owe to the Soueraigne Lord as an acknowledgment of the fee whereof he tooke possession if he had not polluted it with the mournfull spectacle of that bloudie and fatall combate betwixt Iarnac and Chastaigneray whereof he would be an eye witnesse and behold the laters bloud shed contrarie to all mens opinion by Iarnaâ— being the weaker and newly recouered from sicknesse So shall we see in the end of this raigne that Gods diuine Iustice doth suffer That the man which did thirst after an others bloud shall finde some one to drinke his owne The restoring of the Constable disapointed the Cardinall of Tournon The Constable restored and the Admirall of Annebault touching the chiefe gouernment of the State and the Lords of Longueual Esâ—ars Boncour Framezelles Antibe Grignan the Baron of la Garde the Generall Bayard and many others accused some for theft some for other disorders in their charges did somewhat trouble the Court It was an olde saying That he which eaâ—es the Kings Gooâ—e will cast vp the feathers a hundred yeares after but since they haue turned this saying into a Prouerbe He that steales a hundred thousand crownes from the King 1548. is quit if he restore ten thousand So some preâ—aâ—â—â—d by 〈…〉 others escaped rigorous punishments through fauour In the meane time the ceremonies of the Kings Coronation were 〈…〉 Rheims and hauing receiued it the 27. of Iuly by the hands of Charles of Lorraine Archbishop of Rheims Henry the 2. crowned he made a voyage into Picardie and did visit the 〈…〉 were made about Boullen then did he prepare an armie to succour Scotland 〈◊〉 whom the English made warre for that the Lords of the countrie had refused to giue their Princesse Mary Steward in marriage to yong Edward hoping by this bond tâ— vnite the two realmes of England and Scotland to the preiudice of the French of the common alliance betwixt France and Scotland The Lord of Essé was chiefe of the armie Peter Strossy generall of the Italian bands d' Andelot Colonnell of the French â—oote the Reingraue chiefe of the Lansquenets An armie in Scotland marching by land against the English forces and Leon Strossy Prior of Capoua by sea spoiled the English of the greatest part of their conquests but the confirmation of the peace lately concluded betwixt the deceased Kings of France and England ended this warre and brought back our aduenturers into France 1548. Francis at the end of his daies had well foreseene the leuaine which should soone breed new combustions with the Emperour Henry must be heire to his quarrell aâ— well as to his crowne and knowing that the Pope had a fresh and iust cause of indignation for the murther of Peter Lewis Duke of Parma and Plaisance his sonne and sortâ—â— inuasion of Plaisance by Ferdinand of Gonsagne Lieutenant for the Emperour in Italieâ— he sent Charles of Lorraine lately honoured with a Cardinals Hat this is he that shall minister so much matter to talke of him vnder the successors of Henry to draw the Pope from the Emperours partie to the Kings alliance but death shall frustrate the Pope of his intended reuenge Commonly men fish best in a troubled streame many knowing this new King to be of a mild spirit addicted to the delights of Court little practised in affaires they kindled a desire in his minde to reuenge the wrongs the Emperour â—ad done to France whereof they vrged for a testimonie the death of Vogelsberg beheaded in Ausbourg at his returne from the Scottish warres for the Kings seruice Oâ— the other side the Emperour grew not a little iealous of the progresse the King made into Bourgogne Bresse Sauoy and Piedmont as if he had carried with him an alarum 〈◊〉 to sâ—â—rre vp the people to the following warre And it may be it had then been kindled but an home-bred mutinie staied it for a time During the Kings voiage the extorsioâ—s of the tol-gatherers and farmers of Salt Sedition for the customes caused the commons of Guienne Xainâ—onge and Angoulmois to rebell In few weekes forty thousand men go to field armed with all kind of weapons the Ilanders ioyne with them and with a common consent fall vpon the tol-gatherers The people of Gasconie do presently follow this pernitious example The commons of Bourdeaux rise finding la Vergne Estonnac Maquanan and others Tribunes fit for their humors they
where the Captaines iudgement is more auailâ—able then the souldiers force But why ascend we not from these second causes true in that which doth concerne vs vnto the first and soueraigne cause The arme of the Eternall â—urging this Realme full of vicious and corrupted humours letting it blood but not suffering it to die this bloud letting shal be the beginning of a stronger medicine prescribed by the same Phisition ministred vnto France in the following raignes but in the end we shal finde the operation to the recouery of our estate Let vs now see the progresse of our miseries Edward did all he could to manage this victory wisely Philip to preuent him Edwards procâ—eding after the battell wonne Edward without any stay passeth on without atteÌ„pting the great Citties of Amiens Abbeuille although neerer he makes shew to set vpon Monstreuil Bologne but he posted to Calais a fit place for the passage of England Iohn of Vienne Marshall of France with him the Lord of Andreghan great personages in those daies commanded there with a strong French garnison being assisted with the faithfull resolution of the inhabitants So presently after the bâ—tâ—aile of Cressy Edward did besiege the Towne of Calais A long siege painfull and of remarkable successe He 〈…〉 Philip amazed with these sharp crosses fallen out beyond his hopes of ease slept not although it were with much paine and lesse fruite But his whole care was not for the ouerthrowe at Cressy He had a further reach following the trace of this vnfortunate losse Hee was entred into a newe inheritance this newe losse was to him a newe checke Affliction is a great crime both in great and small A remarkable 〈…〉 this raigne and opens their mouthes which haue their hearts ill affected The people of France were in extreme pouertie and yet the necessitie of the Kings affaires forced them to a new charge The ill gouernment of the publike treasure the falsehoode of the Treasorers who inriched themselues by the pouertie of the miserable people the fall of money imbased the decay of trafficke the increase of taxes A 〈…〉 by a plâ—gâ—e imposts subsidies were the causes of this general want the which drew the people into dispaire in this surcharge of troubles falling vpon the King This burthen grewe the more heauie by a great famine being followed by a strange generall plague throughout the whole realme as if heauen and earth had conspired to the ruine of France Philip inuironed with so many and so great difficulties continues constant with a valorous resolution against them all He prouids for the gard of the Citties of Picardy lying neerest vnto danger and to driue off the time vnfit for armes he calles a great assembly of his estats Philip calleâ— a Parliament to take Councel aide and comfort in the perplexity of so many dangerous occurrents In this assembly it was decreed to call the Treasorers to an accompt and to refer the gouernment of the treasure to Clergie men to the Nobility Therby to free the people from all iealousie of ill imploying it The Abbots of Marmoustier and Corbie are chosen for this Intendancie and to assist them there are ioyned foure Bishops and foure knights Peter of Essars Treasorer of France is committed to prison condemned in a great fiâ—e to the King Many treasorers being condemned iustly or vniustly yeeld that at once which they had bin long in gathering The treasoâ—ers called in question for thâ—â—r charge the sponge being then pressed by necessitie The Bankers Lombards other vsurers are then called to a strict accompt by reason of their vniust exactions The interests are proued to exceede the principall the which is forfaired to the King The interest is remitted to the debitor which payed the principall But the chiefe frute of this assemblie was that the whole body was wel inclined to succor the King in so vegent a necessity Bankers and vsuâ—ers are sifted without any alteration for the new difficulties of State Thus the winter was spent without any memorable acte on either side In the spring Philip goes to field with a great army and approcheth neere vnto Calais to drawe Edward to â—ight but it was in vaine for Edward contenting himselfe with his victorie and not willing to râ—n the hazard of a second battaile kept himselfe within his trenches and to manifest his resolution vnto Philip Edward to 〈◊〉 not to leaue the seege he built houses about Calais to lodge his army drie sends for his wiâ—e protesting publikely by a solemne oth not to rise vntill he did see an end and make the inhabitants pay for their obstinate resâ—lution On the other side Philip labored to crosse Edwards desseines but with small successe To worke a diuersion of this seege hee makes war in England by the King of Scotlands meanes and in Flanders by his sonne Iohn then Duke of Normandy and afterwards King of France but all succeeded ill Dauid King of Scotland hauing by Philips perswasion entred and spoyled England was defeated taken brought prisoner to London through the happinesse of Edwards fortune and the diligence of his officers 〈…〉 losse in his raigne Iohn Duke of Normandie hauing left Guienne by his fathers command comes into Flanders beseegeth the Towne of Cassel held by the English faction but he is forced to rise by theÌ„ within the Towne Then he falles vpon Lislâ— where he hath a newer repulse so as hardly could he retyre himselfe to his father Philip who sees his subiects in danger of shipwracke yet could he not releeue them Guienne abandoned by Iohn for the action of Flanders suffered much for Henry of Lancaster Lieutenant for Edward in Guienne seeing the Country left weake by Iohns departure issues out of Bourdeaux with an army and finding no enemy he doth easily surprise many Townes of Xantonge and Poitou and ladden with spoile he returnes home 1347. In the ende Calais yeelds to Edward standing to his mercy Calais taken after a long and cruell famine and almost a whole yeares siege for the siege began the 30. of September .1346 and the Towne was yeelded vp in August .1347 The French garrison was put to ransome and so set at liberty the Inhabitants were worse intreated the baser sort onely were suffred to depart with what they could carrie about them and in their steed Edward sends a Colony of English to whome he distributed all the goods of the vanquished and fortified the Towne especially towards France to leaue this place hereditary to his posterity who held it .200 yeares that is from the yeare .1346 vnto the raigne of Henry the .2 father to the King last deceased The integrity of these poore inhabitants is remarkable in their extreme affliction Edward had reserued six of the chiefe Cittizens to be at his disposition for the satisfiyng of his oth hauing vowed to make the bloud to flowe in Calais
thousand Ducats to enter Bourgongne at the same instant with three thousand horse and eight thousand and foote Germaines and Suissâ—s promising the Suisses a certaine summe of money to ioyne their forces with Maximilian being content they should reteâ—ne a part of Bourgongne vntill they were fully satisfied According to this agreement the English enters the marches of Picardie camps before Therouenne with fiue thousand horse of combate and aboue fortie thousand foote But the English forces did not molest France at land only the Admirall of England ran along the coasts of Normandie and Brittanie And the King to resist their incursions caused foure Gallies to passe the straight of Gibralâ—ar vnder the charge of Captaine Pregent At the first incounter the Admirall chased Pregent into Brest Here Pregent turnes his force fights with the Admirall and hurts him whereof he died within few daies after After that foure score English ships and twenty Normands and Brittons ships fought with equall forces ours hauing the winde But in the end Primauguet a Britton Captaine of the Nunne which Queene Anne had caused to be built beset by ten or twelue English ships and resolute to sell his death dearly grapled with the Regent the chiefe ship of the enemies fleete and fiering it burnt both the one and the other with all that was in them Therouenne was defâ—nded by two hundred and fiftie Lances and two thousand foot whilest the King prepared two thousand fiue hundred Launces ten thousand Lansquenets led by the Duke of Gueldres sixe thousand others Thâ—rouâ—â—â—e beâ—eeged which the Duke of Norfolke brought being fled long before out of England and tenne thousand French to succour the beseeged who in the meane time molested the enemie day and night with their artillerie with the which the great Chamberlaine of England was slaine and Talbot Captaine of Calis lost a legge The troupes assembled the King sent them to Aire vnder the comand of Lewis of Longueuille Marquis of Rotelin Captaine of the hundred gentlemen of his houshold Victuals grew scant in Therouenne when as the Lord of Pieâ—es gouernour of Picardie and the French Captaines chose out the most resolute of all their troupes and gaue them charge to carrie victuals to the Towne And for that their enterprise had happily succeeded retyring too confidently and reproching the enemie of couardise hauing no intelligence of their intent the English hauing sent their horse and fifteâ—ne thousand foote to cut off our mens passage who did ride on their nagges disarmed they charge them vnawares being readie to wade through a riuer that passeth at Huchin they kill about three hundred and take many prisoners amongst others the Marquis of Rotelin Bayard la Payete Clermont of Aniou and Bussy of Amboise all the rest casting away their Launces and trusting to their heeles and horses saued themselues by flight And therfore they call it the battaile of spurres which caused the yeelding of Therouenne the which was dismantled The incounâ—â— of 〈◊〉 to take away all cause of discord betwixt the Archduke Charles who by ancient right pretended it and the English who challenged it as conquered from the enemie by the sword From Therouenne Henry went to campe before Tournay following in this resolution not so much the actions of a good Commander in the warre seeing the taking of this place lying within the low Countries brought him small profit as the perswasions of Maximilian hoping that this Towne pulled from the French might in time returne to the obedience of his grandchild Charles to whome they pretended it appertained Tournay taken Tournay vnfurnished of men of warre and dispayring of succours for that the King not being maister of the field nor of sufficient force to incounter the English could not succour it saued her selfe from spoyle paying a hundred thousand Crownes To crosse the English at home The Scots defeated the King had stirred vp Iames King of Scotland an ancient allie to this Crowne but the chaunce of armes was nothing fortunate for him neither at land nor at sea for ioyning with the English armie where Queene Catherine was present he was vanquished vpon Til and slaine with aboue twelue thousand Scots After these victories the end of October approching Henry left a great garrison in Tournai The English retire dismissed his strangers and toke his way towards England carrying no other recompence for so great and sumptuous a preparation for warre but the Cittie of Tournay But some desseins vpon Scotland fallen into a pupils hands hastned him home An other storme threatned France The Suisses armed according to the former conuentions the King sends Tremouille vnto them to disperse them vnder whome many of the Colonels had receiued the Kings pay But neither by presents not promises preuailed he any thing onely he had a secret intelligence giuen him from some Captains to prouide for the defence of his gouernment of Bourgongne whether the Pope the Emperour Sforee did thrust them And behold foureteene or fifteene thousand Suisses with the troupes of the French Countie a thousand horse The 〈◊〉 enter into Boâ—â—goâ—ne and the artillerie which the Emperour gaue them vnder the conduct of Vlric Duke of Wirtemberg camped before Dijon Tremouille was returned with a thousand Launces and six thousand foot who by his practises had greatly altered the Colonels when as the multitude doubting the faith of their Captaines takes the artillerie and batters the wall Tremouille not able to resist the force of this nation which increased daily flies to the last remedy and without expecting any authoritie from his Maiestie agrees with them That the King should renounce the rights he had to the Duchy of Milan should pay them 400000 crownes within a time prefixt which they preteÌ„ded was due for their seruices in the former wars and for assurance therof he gaue for hostages his nephew of Mezieres Bailife of Dijon and foure bourgesses of the said towne who sauing themselues awhile after in Germanie escaped the threats of this people to cut off their heads if the King did not ratifie it Doubtlesse these were wise men to saue their heads from the Suisses choler A very preiudiciall accord for the King if he had beene constrayned to ratifie it But was it not better to lull the Suisses asleepe then to loose Dijon Our Lewis is now freed off two incombrances the English and the Suisses But the exemption of present dangers freed him not from a relaps for the English departing threatned to returne in the spring and prepared alreadie being loth to stay any more so long at the warre The Emperour had the like intent to annoy him The Catholike King deuised as was discouered by a letter written to his Ambassadour resident with Maximilian the meanes to draw this Duchie of Milan to Ferdinand their comon granchild yonger brother to Charles the Archduke shewing that by that meanes all the other estates of Italie should bee forced to take their law
whereof he had alwayes desired the preseruation and feared the dismembring the danger into the which Brittanie was brought when as the King encountred the Spanish violences vpon the fronter of Picardie the intelligences of the greatest of the Prouince with the enemie the meanes they had to make diuers enterprises and to draw in forces to the great preiudice of the Crowne and State had caused him to continue so long in armâ—â— after his Maiesties reconciliation with the Pope and therefore hee beseecheth him most humbly to take knowledge of his good will and to countenance and vse him aâ— his most faithfull seruant and subiect His Maiesty had alwayes wished that God would giue him the grace to ende the troubles of his realme rather by a voluntary obedience of all his subiects then by force and necessity of armes that the last come might tast the same fruites which his bounty shewed to those that had formerly returned to their obedience So the sayde Duke of Mercoeur the Clergie officers Gentlemen and other persons of all qualities and conditions making their due submission and taking the oath of fealty were restored to their goods offices benefices charges dignities immunities and priuileges So our King aboue all the Princes of the earth got this commendation to haue exceeded in wisedome valour and clemency The whole Prouince not by a politike necessitie which disposeth people to the obedience of their Soueraigne Princes but as it were appoynted by God to commaund ouer them acknowledged our Henry for their Soueraigne King protested to liue and dye in the obedience which loyall and faithfull subiects owe vnto their supreme Lord. And by this milde reunion of the members with their head of the parts with the whole forgetting the bitternesse of the forepassed warre he dispersed the confusions and disorders which threatned to bury him vnder the common ruines of these vnciuill troubles So in the ende after so many labours which Hercules could hardly haue surmounted so many toyles vnder which Atlas would haue shrunke the ciuill war dispatched the mindes of the French vnited their affections mutually conioyned by a strict bond of loue vnder the obedience of their King an d all the forces of the cheefe Kingdome of Christendome were ready to fall vpon the common enemy of his Estate But you haue fought inough the bloud of your subiects oh Princes hath beene too outragiously spilt in your Champion fields the furies of your armes haue wonderfully amazed your subiects Shewe your selues hereafter to bee pastors and fathers of nations which reuerence the beauty of your Diadems Let the seas riuers and mountaines which be as a barre betwixt the territories of your Dominions limit hereafter the greatnesse of your desires Heauen the Iudge of controuersies doth pronounce that sweet and sacred name of Peace A name which cannot displease any but such as take delight in bloud spoyle and fire and hauing nothing of a man but the name breathing out nothing but impiety licentiousnes iniustice So after a long treaty betwixt the Deputies of both Kings in the ende a peace was concluded at Veruins as you may read in the following discourse A CONTINVATION OF THE GEnerall History of France from the beginning of the Treaty of Veruins in the yeare 1598 vnto these times With a relation of the most memorable accidents that haue happened in Europe Collected out of Peeter Mathew and other Authors that haue written of this subiect THe Ciuill Warres of France being ended all the Kings rebellious subiects 1598. and the reuolted Prouinces reduced to his obedience God disposed the hearts of the Kings of France and Spaine to a generall peace for the good of their subiects who had beene long oppressed with the spoyles and miseries of bloudy Warre The wisdom iustice and piâ—ty of Pope Clement the 8. Three Popes in 17 moneths Sâ—â—tus the 28. of August 1590. Vâ—han the 7. 27. of Septem Innoceâ—t the 9. the 9 of December Clement the 8. chosen the 30 of Ianu. 159â— The Pope exhorts the two Kings to Peace God stirred vp Pope Clement the 8. who powred Balme into the woundes of France not like vnto his Predecessors who reioyced at her affllictions and sought to make them incurable applying no other remedies but fire and sword He like an other Hercules sought to calme the stormes which troubled both Land and Sea he shewed himselfe a common father of Christians a Mediator of Peace and Vnion at such a time as necessity and the estate of their affayres made them to desire rest To this end he lets Henry the 4. King of France of Nauarre vnderstand by Alexander of Medicis Cardinall of Florence then his Legate in France and doth aduertise Philip the 2. King of Spâ—â—ne by his Nuncio that it was now time to lay aside all passions of hatred and reuenge to resume peaceful spirits and to ioyne together against the common enemy of Câ—ristendome who only made his profit of their ruines That their subiects had bin sufficiently drunck with the Bloud Gall and Vinegar of Discord and that it was requisite to refreshe them now with the sweete Wine of Peace These two Princes were too high minded to demaund a Peace one of an other There must be a third person to vnite these two extreames But there must be some one to make this entrance and to be as it were an Interpreter of their intentions To this end the Pope makes choise of F. Bonauentur Calatagirone Generall of the Order of the Franciscans or Grey Fryars to acquaint these two Kings with his holy charitable perswasions vnto Peace Religious men had bin actors in this War they are now held necessary for the Peace Religious men should be Angels of Peace Spirits separated from the troubles and confusions of the world are most fit for such negotiations being lesse transported with violent passions The King of Spaine did not attend to haue the Pope exhort him vnto peace He had begun his reigne by War against the French he would now end it by a Peace with theÌ„ He proclaimed Warre against Francâ— in the yeare 1557. He was now 70 yeares old being desirous to discharge himselfe of the heauy burthen of so many Kingdomes and to leaue them quiet to his sonne To this ende he must marry his Daughter Donna Isabella who remayning in Spaine without a husband might contend for the succession of the Crowne with Don Philip her brother Hee could not giue her lesse for her dowry then the Kingdome of Portugall or the Lowe Countries with the County of Bourgundy By the one he did weaken diuide his Estates by the other he gaue his daughter meanes to contend for her portioÌ„ in Spaine For it was impossible to raigne long in Prouinces diuided by irreconciliable Warre hauing two 〈◊〉 neighbours for enemies And therefore to assure Spaine he must marry the 〈◊〉 Reasons that moued the King of Spain to a Peace and to confirme that
in the second royall branch called of Valois from Philip of Valois to Henry the third The names of the 13. kings of the second royall branch of Capets called of Valois Philip. Iohn Charles the 5. Charles the 6. Charles the 7. Lewis the 11. Charles the 8. Lewis the 12. Frances the 1. Henry the 2. Frances the 2. Charles the 9. Henry the 3. and last of this royall branch Philip of Valois the 50. king of France fol. 1 His controuersie with Edward the king of England ibid. Preferred to the Crowne and installed king ibid. Setles his affaires in France fâ—l 2. Suppresseth the Flemmings ibid. A notable sute of the Parliament against the Clergie ibid. Takes homage of Edward king of England for Guienne ibid. King Edwards oth to Philip. ibid. He resolues to go to the holy land fol. 3 The Pope discontented with Philip. ibid. Edward king of England makes warre with Philip ibid. Robert of Artois the firebrand of warre fâ—l 3 He flies into England fol. 4 Warre in Guienne and Scotland ibid. Iames of Artevill ring-leader to the seditious Flemmings ibid. Edwards practises in Flanders and Germanie ibid. Battell of Scluse in fauour of the English fol. 5 The English and French Army retire without fighting Edward takes on him the title of King of France fol. 6 Ione Queene of Naples kils her husband and the kingdome is taken by Lewis King of Hungary fol. 7 Arteuil slaine by the Flemmings fâ—l 8 The French defeated at Blanquetaque ibid. The battell of Crery with many particuler accidents that happened in it fol. 10.11 King Edward besieges and takes Calice fol 12.13 Dolphin incorporate to the crowne fol. 14 Monpelier purchased to the crowne ibid. Queene Ione of France dies ibid. Philips death and disposition fol. 15 Estate of the Empire and Church ibid. Iohn the 1. and 51. king of France COnsiderable obseruations in his raigne fol. 16 His children and most remarkable personages in his raigne fol. 17 Charles of Nauars humors and discontents ibid. Charles of Spaine Constable of Fâ—ance slaine in his bed by the king of Nauarre ibid. Nauars practises and force against the king fol. 18 Nauarre taken prisoner by the king and foure of his complices beheaded fol. 19 Warre in Normandie and Guienne betweene Iohn and the Prince of Wales sonne to Edward the 3. fol. 19. and 20 The battell of Poytiers where the French were ouerthrowne by the English and king Iohn taken Prisoner with the number slaine and taken fol. 21. and 22 Assembly of the Estates for Iohns deliuery with the insolencies of the people during his imprisonment fol. 23 The Kâ—ng of Nauarr set at libertie comes to Paris and the Dolphin yeelds to him fol. 24 Iohns generous answere to King Edward fo 25 The Parisians comes into the Dolphins lodging solicite the Cities to rebell but they refused them fol. 26 The Dolphin leaues Paris fol. 27 The Nauarrois seekes to ruine him ibid. A Parliament Compiegne and the Dolphin declared Regent fo 28. Two French armies one against another fol. 29. The Parisians mutiny with the English that had serued them who beate them backe in sight of the Nauarrois fol. â—0 The Regent is receiued into Paris with the Nauarrois attemps against him fol. 31 Edward repents an opportunitie neglected ibid. The desolate estate of France fol. 32 The Dolphin executes the Parisians and pacifies the rest ibid. Conditions for the Kings deliuery and preparation to defend the Realme ibid. Edward enters France with an Armie besiegeth Paris but in vaine fol. 33 Edward amazed with a thunder concludes a peace with Iohn at Bretigny ibid. The two Kings swear a mutuall league of friendship fol. 34 King Iohn brought to Calis and after receiued by his sonne with great ioy ibid. Iohn receiued into Paris fol. 35 Difficulties in the performance of the conditions of peace ibid. Iohns death in England the 8. of April 1â—64 with his disposition ibid. Charles the 5. called the wise the 52. king of France HIs raigne and manners with the augmentation of his brethrens portions fol. 36 His Marriage and children fol. 37 Warre in Brytany where the French are defeated by the English ibid. He reconciles the pretendants for Britany fol. 38 Wars receiued in Britany Flanders and between France and England ibid. The Emperor seekes to reconcile them fol. 39 Charles proclaimes war against the King of England ibid. The successe of the French army in Guienne with the exploits of the Prince of Wales called the Blacke Prince ibid. Peter king of Castile murthers his own wife fol. 40 Charles sends an army against him as a muâ—therer and a Tirant ibid. The king of England restores Peter and defeats the French ibid. Peter forsaken by the English taken prisoner and beheaded fol. 41 The English second passage through France vnder the Duke of Clarence ibid. Troubles in Flanders pacified by Philip. fol. 42 Sedition at Monpelier punished by the Duke of Berry with the sentence against them but moderated fol. 43 Charles his death disposition with some obseruations worthy to be obserued by Princes f. 44 The state of the Empire and Church with the originall of the Canto in Swisserland fol. 45 Diuision at Rome for the election of a new Pope And an Antipope chosen fol. 46 Charles the sixt 53. King of France NEcessarie obseruations for the vnderstanding of this raigne fol. 47 The minoritie of K. Charles the sixt Strange euents in the beginning of his Raigne fol. 48. Lâ—wis of Aniow Regent and Oliuer Clisson Constable fol. 49 Controuersie betweene his vncles at his coronation for precedence ibid. Tumults in France ibid. And in Flanders between the Earle and the Gantois fol. 50.51 King Charles succours the Earle of â—landers against the aduice of the Regent and his counsell fol. 52 He ouerthrowes the Flemmings and kils threescore thousand of them fol. 53 The Gantois appeased and a peace in Flanders fol. 54. Charles marrieth Isabell of Bauiere and concludes a peace in Brittany ibid. He sends men and munition into Scotland and resolues to make warre vpon England which the Regent dislikes of fol. 55 Preparation in France and England for war fol. 56 The Regent opposeth against this warre â—ol 57 The enterprise broken oâ— and Naples offered to the Regent fol. 58 The seditious and cruell insolencies of the Parisians but they faint and â—ue to the King for pardon fol. 59 Lewis of Aniow crowned King of Naples fol 60 A schisme in the Church fol. 61 Queene Ioan 〈◊〉 Naples taken and smoothered and Lewis Duke of Aniow and adopted King of Naples dies ibid. The English enter Picardie and Charles makes a truce with them fol. 62 The King hauing consulted what course to take with the mutinous Parisians enters the city with an army executes many they cry for mercie and he pardons them fol. 63.64.65 Charles out of his vncles gouernement who grew discontented fol. 66 HE giues the Dutchy of Orleans to his brother Lewis and visits
French lying vpon his countrie in garrison and spoiling it and so to deceiue both the Pope and Pepin but behold a strange accident befalls him Of an ill life an vnhappy end Being a hunting chasing more after his fantasies then the beast his horse casts him downe a rocke and breakes his neck Thus the subtill Lombard thinking to deceiue was deceiued he ended his subtiltie with his life and the warre begun by him without reason by a iust death The Pope recouers his places and Pepin returnes into France taking nothing in Italy but leauing the realme of Lombardie in the same estate he found it without any alteration This Kingdome ended not with Astolpho for Didier Duke of Hetruria his neere kinsman seizeth presently thereon by meanes of his intelligences but Rachise brother to Astolpho who was lately become a Monke leaues his frock to enioy his fathers kingdome yet for that he was the weaker in this iust title the Pope pacified this controuersie in fauour of Didier who remained King of Lombardie vpon condition that the Citties of Ferrara and Faenze should be yeelded to the Church But let vs returne to Pepin his absence with two yeares continuall warres had broken the vsuall custome to call a Parliament and bred many disorders within the realme Pepin confirmes his authoritie by a Parliament so as being returned into France he presently called a sollemne Parliament wherein he established lawes according to the inconueniences that were to be redrest as good lawes doe commonly proceed from bad manners In this assembly he gaue audience to the Ambassadors of the Emperour Constantin who demanded a confirmation of the amitie and alliance which the Emperour had with the house of France and receiues the new homage of Tassillon Duke of Bauiere So referring all matters of importance to the iudgement of the Estates honouring them that had honoured him he doubled his subiects deuotion and established good lawes within his realme But knowing the humour of the French impatient of rest he found how difficult it was to reteine them long in peace without some forraine imploiment and necessity presents him two occasions one in Guienne He makes a forreine wit to auoide a ciuill and the other in Saxonie Countries subiect to the Crowne of France but both impatient of the French command The Saxons began first with whom Tasillon Duke of Bauiere who as we said did homage to the King ioines contrary to his oth This warre seemed of some difficultie drawing to it all the other Germaines subiect to this Crowne but Pepin preuented it with such speed as hauing suppressed the Saxons he forced them to a new obedience charging them to bring him yearly three hundred good horses for an homage that they should vndergo the censure of the Estates be enemies to the enemies of the King and realme Hauing thus pacified Saxonie he makes a generall assembly at Wormes to settle the affaires of Austrasia from thence he marcheth with his victorious armie against Ieffroy Duke of Guienne according to the resolution of thâ— Estates being leuied for that occasion We haue said that Eudon father to Ieffroy had greatly disquieted France and left his children heires of his discontent but Martel withdrawne by new difficulties could not finish that which he had begun Ieffroy remaines sole Duke of Guienne by the death of his brother he growes daily more insolent bandies all his subiects of Guienne openly against France and afflicts the Clergie infinitly in their liues and liuings Pepin begins with admonitions and threats but Ieffroy grows more obstinate in contemning his Kings command so as they must come to open force and Ieffroy must pay the interests of his long delayes Pepin enters Guienne with an armie and Ieffroy seeing his resolution sends his deputies to auoide this storme Warre in Guienne beseeching him with all humilitie to pardon what was past promising obedience Pepin hauing comanded him to make restitution to the Clergie returnes into France and dismisseth his armie supposing Guienne to be quiet Ieffroy seeking his owne ruine by his furious rashnes goes to field with such forces as he could leuie among his subiects hauing pasâ—ed Loire he enters Bourgogne in hostile manner hoping to surprise Chaâ—lons The King held a Parliament at Orleaâ—s 764 when this intelligence came vnto him he sends them presently to Neuers assembleth his forces and marcheth against Ieffroy who sodenly repasseth the riuer and with great marches recouers Bourdeaux as the Citie of his greatest safetie being as much confuâ—ed in his defence as he was rash in his attempt Pepin pursues him and in his passage all the Townes of Guienne yeeld without any difficulty as to him whom they acknowledge for their lawfull King Ieffroy forsaken of all men pursued criminally by his Prince is slaine by one of his houshold seruants and is interred like a beast in a marish â—ere to Bourdeaux In detestation of his memory Ieffrâ—y pittifully slaine 〈◊〉 like a beast A foolish life a filthy end the place is called the Tombe of Caiphas vnto this day Thus was the vniust and rash rebellion of Ieffroy punished by his death the warre died in Guienne and the wise valour of Pepin was so much the more commended for that his iust pursute was accompanied with patience and mildnesse But Pepin was mortall the toile of so great warres the care of publike affaires had much broken him so as his old age might be more profitably imployed in the maintenance of Iustice and peace then in warre the burthen whereof he might without danger lay vpon his eldest sonne Charles Pepin resignes the Crowne to Charles a wise a valiant young Prince of whose modestie and obedience he was well assured Thus resoluing to passe the rest of his dayes in quiet but not idlely he retires to Paris but soone after he was surprised with a sicknesse whereof hee dyed and so went to heauen there to find rest which he could enioy on earth it was in the yeare 768. of his raigne the eighteenth By his wife Berthe with the great foote he left two sonnes Charles and Caroloman recommending them to the Estates to giue them portions at their pleasures So great was the assurance of this good Prince in the loue of his subiects whom as he had made the most assured gard of his person state so at his death he left his children to their faithfull discretion Pepins childreÌ„ He had seuen daughters Berthe the wife of Milon Earle of Mans mother to that great Roland Hiltrude wife to René Earle of Genes mother to that renowmed Oliuer Roâ—arde Adeline Idubergue Ode and Alix He had the happines to enioy his owne father vntill hee came to the age of man the like good hap continued in his children and for the perfecting of his happinesse hee had a sonne one of the greatest and most excellent Princes that euer ware crowne Thus Pepin the first of that race
good meaning he desires him to be pleased with his repaire to Rome there to confer with him in priuate The Pope who neuer flies to the French but in necessity was easily perswaded by Didier who came to Rome confers with the Pope and makes great protestation of his obedience But this good shew continued not long There was a gouernor at Rome for the Emperour called Paul Ephialte Didier corrupted this Grecian and as the execution of Iustice was in his hands hee makes vse of him so cunningly as in the preseÌ„ce of Pope Stephen he causeth him to seize vpon two of his chiefe Secretaries Christopher Sergius accused by him of supposed crimes and to hang them infamously Their greatest offence was to haue fauored the French This presumption proceeded farther The Lombards presumption hanging the Popes Secretarâ—es for he caused all the principall Cittizens to bee banished whome he noaâ—ed to bee of the French faction that hauing taken away all leâ—s he might be master of Rome in despight of the Pope Stephen discouering the Lombards practise to his preiudice flies to Charlemagne beseeching him to prepare an armie against his force that did ruine him by his apparent mildnes Charlemagne was fully resolued but Didier had prouided a remedy in France by the meanes of Caroloman to stop Charles his passage into Italie making worke for him in Guienne where there grew a perilous warre vpon this occasion Wee haue sayd before that although the Countrie of Guienne depended of the Crowne of France yet were there many tumults through the practises of some Noblemen of the Countrie Rebellion in Guienne by Hunauâ—t who stirred vp the people being mutinous of themselues to rebellion The cause of these reuolts was the abuse of the Kings bountie who suffered such people as they had conquered to inioy their priuileges and liberties intreating them with all fauour Eudon began first vnder Martel Ieffroy and Hunault his children and h eires of his discontent had continued it vnder Pepin Ieffroy being dead Hunault succeeds him with the like hatred the which Caroloman entertayned to imploy him against his brother Charles And as iealousie and ambition thrust him on to attempt against him so did he make his profit of the couetous ambition of Hunault feeding him with the hope of the reuenues of Guienne seing his humour was to bee a Duke supposing to haue credit inough with the people if hee were fauoured by one of the Kings of France against the other Guienne was a part of Charles his portion Hunault layes the foundation of his desseine to withdrawe himselfe wholy from the Crowne of France and to make open warre against Charlemagne in practising the people of Guienne to bee declared Duke by their consent according to the â—ight which he pretended The countenance of Caroloman could do much but the wisdome and courage of Charlemagne preuailed more for being aduerâ—ised of Hunaâ—lts practises and of his brothers secret desseignes hee armed with such speede as hee surprised the townes of Poitiers Xaintes and Angoulesme 774 and by that meanes all the Country adioyning Hunault who made his accouÌ„ without Charles finding himself preueÌ„â—ed fled to a Nobleman of the Country named Loup whome hee not onely held to bee very firme to his faction but also his trustie and affectionate friend Charlemagne sends preâ—ently to Loup hee summons him to deliuer Hunault into his hands as guilty of high treason and in the meane time hee builds a fort in the midest of the Country whereas the riâ—ers of Dordone and Lisle do ioyne the which he called â—ronsac as it were the front of the Sarrazns whom he had caused to feare if these desseins had succeeded Thus getting Hunault with all his family he doth punish him as a rebell he pardoned Loup and all that had obeyed him and so ends a dangerous warre without blowes but he graunts life and libeâ—ty to Hunault and the enioying of all his goods Instruction how Priâ—ces should carry themsâ—â—ues in ciuill warre leauing a memorable example to Princes howe they ought to carry themselues in ciuill warres preuenting a mischiefe by wisdome and dilligence and not to thrust their vanquished subiects into diâ—paire by rigour Caroloman seeing his practises against his brother to succeede ill vndertakes a voiage to Rome with an intent to cause some alteration there yet with a shew of deuotion His Mother Berthe who likewise went this voiage was honorably receiued in her iourney by Didier king of the Lombards treating a marriage betwixt her sonne Charlemagne and Theodora Sister or Daughter to this Didier one of the greatest enemies of her sonnes good fortune Yet Charlemagne to please his Mother receiued this wife but soone after hee put her away as vnfit for his humours and affaires and so that which seemed a cause of loue bred greater hate betwixt these two Princes Caroloman hauing effected nothing at Rome but only made shew of his foolish and malitious iealousie too apparent in this his fayned deuotion returnes into France and there dies soone after in the yeare 77. Now is Charlemagne alone by his Bothers decease Caroloman dies and leaues Charlemagne King alone who quietly takes possession of his Estates and reteineth such of his seruants as he knew to haue beene most trustie to his brother during their common iealousies expecting the like faithfullnes hauing entertayned them when there was least hope The deeds of Charlemagne King of France alone vntill he was Emperour CHarlemagne hauing put away his wife Theodâ—re for susâ—ect of incontinency â—ee married with Hildegrade or Ildegrade Daughter to the Duke of Sueue his vassall by whom he had Charles Pepin Lewis and three daughters â—otrude Berthe Gille the nurcery of his Noble family Carolomans iealousie died not with him but suruiâ—ed in Berthe his wife who impatient of her conditionâ— thrust head-long with 〈◊〉 oâ— reuenge against her brother in lawe Charles retires with her two sonnes to Diâ—â—er King of Lombardy as to the most bitter and irreconciliable enemy of Charlemagne Didier entertaynes her kindly with her children hoping to effect his desseine but this was the Leuaine of his owne ruine His practise togither with the widdowes was to procure the Pope Stephen being dead and Adrian a Romaine gentleman succeeding him to confirme and Crowne the sonnes of Caroloman for Kings of France The Lombard had two strings to his bowe meaning both to put the Pope in disgrace with Charlemagne the easier to suppresse him beeing destitute of French succors whereon hee chiefely relied and likewise to set France on fire by the establishment of newe Lords Didier besâ—echeth the Pope to graunt this confirmation to the children of Caroloman 〈◊〉 his sake But Adrian well acquanted with the Lombards humour was so resolute 〈◊〉 denying his request as they fell to open hatred Didier discontented with this repulse 〈◊〉 and enters the six gouernments with all his forces being a Seigneury vnder the Popes iurisdiction spoiles the Country and
acknowledgment of the peace hee should graunt them what summes hee should appoint Trechery of the Sarazins and so should retyre with his armie into France leauing such troupes in Spaine as he pleased to maintaine the conditions agreed vpon Gaâ—es discouered vnto them the necessitie of his returne and Charlemagnes great desire to leaue the smallest forces hee could in Spaine The composition made Charlemagne departs with his armie attending a better opportunitie to end what he had begun leauing Rowland onely with twenty thousand men for the execution of this treaty But to make his passage the more easie he commands him to lodge in a place of aduantage of the Pyrenean Mountaines called Ronceuaux The French army passed marching towards France vnder the conduct of Charlemagne who dreamed not of the disgrace he receiued by this meanes Whilest the French armie remoued Marsile and Bellingand slept not but gathering together all the forces they could they lodge their troupes secretly in the hollow caues of the Mountaines being places inaccessible and vnknowne but to them of the countrie They had intelligence from Ganes what forces Charlemagne had lest in Spaine vnder the command of Rowland to whom the authority of his vncle and the credit of the people of Spaine in the chiefest Townes was of more esteeme then his twenty thousand men Rowland deâ—â—â—ted at Ronceuaux although they were the choise of all the armie Rowland had no feare of the enemy when as returning to his garrison he is sodainly charged by the Sarazins farre more in number then the French Seeing himselfe thus assailed on al sides they defend themselues valiantly against these miscreants but still fresh troupes issue forth on all sides in so great numbers as in the end the French tyred with so long and painfull a combate are oppressed by the great multitude of Sarazins Rowland performed both the duty of a good Captaine in so extreame a danger gathering together the peeces of his shipwrack and of a resolute souldiar in fighting valiantly for hauing beat downe a great nâ—mber in the presse in the end hee slew King Marsille with his owne hand But Bellingand holding this victory absolutely his owne pursues the French so as Rowland not able to stand â—etires himselfe a part where hee dyes for thirst through the long and painfull combate he had endured and all together tyred he striues to breake his good sword Durandâ—ll but his strength â—ailing him he dyes Râ—wland dyes â—or thâ—rst and with him Oliuer and Oger the Dane Renold of Montauban Arnault of Belande and other great personages whose names remaine in fabulous tales and the fame of their singular vertues not onely in the Originals of true Histories but the honor of their heroycall deeds is ingrauen in the common beleefe of all French men Charlemagne aduertised of this vnexpected and strange losse returnes sodainly and takes reuenge vpon the Sarazins Charlemagne takes reuenge of this tâ—eacherous defeate killing an infinite number vpon the place he causeth the traitor Ganelon to be drawne in peeces with foure horses found to haue beene the author of this miserable defeate and transported with a iust disdaine for this preiudiciall affront he resolued to passe farther into Spaine for his reuenge But the great affaireâ— of his other estates called him into France and so the warre of Spaine ended with smaâ—l successe hauing troubled Charlemagne at diuers times for the space of foureteene yeares But God had appointed the limits of his desseignes as hee reserues to himselfe a Soueraigne power ouer all mens enterprises yea of the greatest 793 Charles made a tumbe for his nephew Rowland and honored the memorie of those worthie warriors being dead in the bed of honor with monuments I haue reported this in one discourse to represeÌ„t as a table what hath chanced most memorable the which can hardly be gathered without some direction in the confusion of so long and obscure reports wherewith this historie of Charlemagne is intangled End of the Spanish warre At his returne from Spaine necessitie bred diuers warres to exercise the valour and diligence of Charlemagne both in Italie and Germanie God fauouring him in all places Italie during these troubles of Spaine had rebelled by Adalgise the Duke of Beneuents meanes to repossesse the race of Didier but it was soone suppressed by Charlemagne to the cost of the Lombard rebels but in the end behold an other warre in Germanie The like occasion bred a warre in Bauiere for that King Tassillon sonne in Law to Didier King of Lombardie pressed by his wife being wonderful discontented with Charlemagne shakes off the yoake and flies to armes but Charles surpriseth him with such celeritie as Tasillon was forced to sue for peace Charlemagne grants it Bauiere incorporated to the Crowne for rebellion imposing the yoake of the French Monarchie but Tasillon not able to conteine himselfe raiseth a new war in another place as when we stop one breach it opens by another vent He stirs vp the Huns and Auares a neighbour people of Austrasia one of the Estates of our Monarchie against Charlemagne who suppressed them with such happy successe as Tassilon vanquished by Charlemagne and found guiltie of rebellion and treason was condemned to loose his Estate according to the Salique law and so the kingdome of Bauiere ended the which was wholy incorporate to the Crowne of France The Huns and Auares of whose names ioyned togither the word of Hungarie hath bin deriued and the Hungarians be issued from these vnited nations were likewise punished by Charlemagne brought vnder the yoake of the French Monarchie They had begun a war in disquieting the Countrie of Austrasia Charlemagne opposed his forces but at diuerse times so as the warre continued eight yeares and the successe was that all their Countrie obeyed him and the Danes the Sorabes Abrodites the Westfaliens all vnited in this warre of Hongarie were likewise brought vnder the same obedience of Charlemagne The limits of the Northren region called Austrasia were so extended The limits of the French Monarchie in Germanie as it was distinguished into two kingdomes noted in the Germaine tongue to shew that the Original of our Ancestors is out of Germanie and that our ancient Kings haue commanded there seing their possession is manifest and that they haue not onely giuen a Germaine name to the Countrie that is beyond the Rhin but also to that on this side I am not ignoraÌ„t how much this discourse is diuersified with sundrie probabilities euery one preferring what likes him best But not transforming of coniectures into Oracles as without doubt the plainest is the best behold a true diuision of the Seigneuries which Charlemagne had in Germanie as the traces of names yeeld an assured testimonie The Realme of Austrasia which ioynes vpon France was called Westreich that is to say the realme of the West and that which is towards Danube Osterreich that is the kingdome of the East
her impudencie did so faâ—re exceed as shee would dishonourablie haue stayed in Antioche and left her husband presuming to cloake her shame with a shew of Religion saying without blushing that she could be no more the wife of Lewis to whom shee was Cousin in the fourth degree preferring the loue of a Iester named Saladin of the Sarrazin race Queene Elenoâ— vnchast before the greatnesse of a King of France her lawfull husband Lewis being much disquieted perswades this woman to returne a heauier burthen to his minde then to his ship being returned to his house hee frees himselfe with all the speed he can And whereas hee should haue cast this insatiate woman into the Riuer being no more his wife and retained her Dowrie iustly gotten she playing bankerout of her honour Lewis pretends a cause to be diuorsed from Elenor and restores her Guienne hee calles a Councell at Baugency to haue her diuorsed the which was granted vnder colour of this farre fetcht consangunitie But his desire was to bee freed from her So retaining two Daughters borne vnder the vale of their marriage hee restores vnto Elenor all her Countrie of Guienne that is he puts into the hands of his furious enemie a Torche to set his whole Realme on fire for so soone as shee sees her selfe freed from the subiection and feare of a husband shee stayed not long to acquaint her selfe with Henry King of England and Duâ—e of Normandie Elenor marries with Henry King of England the greatest and most capitall enemie that Lewis had So hee obtained Guienne by the voluntary cession which Lewis made to haue the better meanes to annoy him and his whole realme Moreouer Lewis payde deerely for so great a discomoditie for the Pope would not giue him a dispence to marrie againe without a great summe of money to be imployed in the warres of the Holy Land and to finish this worke hee tooke to Wife Constance the Daughter of Alphonso King of Galicia being a weake friend Lewis marries againe and farre off This marriage was not greatly conuenient neither for his owne quiet not the peace of his subiects This subiect of deadly rancor encreasing the hatred of these two neighbour Monaâ—kes of France and England burst forth soone by dangerous effects The benefit of the new purchase of Guienne was the cause of that perrilous warre the which had so long and so lamentable a continuance William Duke of Guienne Grand-father by the Father to Queene Elenor had marryed the onely Daughter of the first Raimond Earle of Tholouse who had ingaged the sayd Countie to Raimond Earle of Saint Gilles who since also called himselfe Earle of Tholouse being seized of the sayd Countie and enioyed it quietly vnder the Kings obedience Henry King of England offers the money to Raimond to redeeme it The first war betwixt France and England for the Earledome of Tholouse and demands the Earledome as his Wiues right Vpon his refusall he armes enters into Quercy takes Cahors spoiles the Countrie and besiegeth Tholouse Lewis intreated by Raimond runnes to quenche this fire Beeing arriued and the two Armies readie to ioyne a peace was made betwixt the two Kings by the marriage of Marguerite the Daughter of Lewis with Henry the eldest Sonne of Henry King of England The two kings reconciled by a marriage But for that shee was very young and not yet mariageable shee was deliuered into Henry the Fathers hands vntill shee were of fitte age to marry Lewis had now buryed his wife Constance who left him but two Daughters without any heyres male so as being desirous to haue a successor hee made no delay to matry and tooke to his third Wife Alix the Daughter of Thibaud Earle of Champagne his vassall 1151. and newly reconciled but not greatly affected vnto him vntill that time Hee had a Sonne presently by her whom hee called Dieu Donné or giuen of God as an acknowledgement that God had sent him at his and his subiects praiers This is hee that shall succeed him I should begin to describe his raigne but order commands me to relate what happened during the raigne of Lewis in the neighbour nations of England and Italy wherein Lewis had great crosses Henry King of England had two sonnes by Elenor Richard and Geoffrâ—y and by his first wife hee had Henry who was made sure to Marguerit of France of whom wee haue spoken The Father caused him to be crowned to settle him in his life time and tyed the English vnto him by homage A young Prince ambitious audatious ill aduised and rash who cannot long conteine himselfe with the taste of this new authoritie Notable troubles in England betwâ—â—â— the father and the sonne but will play the King with his Father And although his Fathers admonitions restrained him for awhile yet this ambitious humour still burst forth So as the Father from milde admonitions came to threats the insolencie of this young Prince increasing dayly Some yeares passed whilest this fire lay smothered very long for young Henry to whom the Fathers life seemed too tedious and the children of the second wife grew by the care of Elenor their Mother Henry the Father discontented with his Sonne and fearing that in consumating the mariage betwixt him and the Daughter of France the young Prince would grow proud augmenting his traine and State and through the fauour of King Lewis his Father in Lawe attempt something preiudiciall to his authoritie Hee delayed the accomplishment of this marriage although the Virgin werâ— of more then sufficient yeares to marrie To this mischiefe was added an other more shamefull for that Henry the Father caused this Princesse to bee carefully kept the which should bee his Daughter in Lawe fearing least his Sonne should violently take her away Prince Henry iealous of his owne father and marry her Elenor falles into iealousie as if Henry had abused her And it was easie to settle this conceit in her sonne in Lawe Henryes head who had the chiefe interest in this delay And to publish this scandolous report vnto the people to make the old man more odious vnto the whole world A malitious and importune woman borne for a great plague to both these Estates As men doe commonly adore the Sunne rising so there wanted no Sicophants in Court to flatteâ— the cares of this young King and likewise to incense the two Kings one against the other in flattering their passions Thus Henry transported by these occasions complaines to Lewis of the double wrong his Father did him both in the delay of his marriage and deniall of his authoritie And as Lewis at his request had giuen some admonitions vnto Henry in the end this passionate young Prince came to Paris where beeing well receiued hee enters League with Lewis to make warre against his Father and to disquiet him in diuers parts William King of Scotland is an associate vpon condition that Henry shall giue him
Realme of Sicilia giuen him by authoritie of the holy Sea as a holy gage of the Church Peter answeares That Charles is the vniust vsurper hauing violently rauished the Lands of the Empire from Manfroy the lawfull heire That hee could not bee ignorant of his right hauing married Constance his daughter by whom hee had Sonnes to whome he could not denie the dutie of a Father without wronging of Nature Thus he opposeth the authoritie of Nature to the Popes power right to wrong and reason to passion Moreouer to this law of nature he ioynes faith the ground of humane societie being called and desired by a people vniustly wronged in their goods liues and honors Should hee then contemne their teares being bound to succour them He hath therefore done what he ought 1282. a lawfull heire against an vsurper and a tyrant for poore people oppressed resolute to continue so great a worke worthie of a Châ—istian King perswading himselfe that God who had giuen him a good beginning would send him a happy ending leauing Sicilia free and peaceable to his posteritie And thus one for an other The Pope supports Charles against Peter Hereunto Pope Martin the fourth did add his thundrings supporting Charles his cause with as great vehemencie as his Predecessor Nicholas had laboured to plot his practise against him He sends a Legat to the Sicilians to let them vnderstand that they were excommunicated and their goods confiscate The Legat deliuers his Commission freely and cites all the people to Rome with an expresse inhibition to all Preests not to communicate any Sacraments vnto them vnder great paines So all the Churches in Sicilia were shut vp by the Popes authority The same thunderboult is cast against Peter he is Excommunicated Degraded and his realme of Arragon accursed but from words they fell to blowes Charles resolute to hazard all intreats Philip his nephew to succour him with his best meanes in this his great necessitie And the better to ingage him he giues Catherin the daughter of his son Charles the lame in marriage to Charles the yongest sonne of Philip and in consideration of this marriage giues him the Duchie of Aniou Of this marriage shall issue Philip of Vallois who shall be King of France Philip succors his vncle Charles fortie three yeares after All France armes for this warre Philip imployes all his meanes Peter Earle of Alanson the Kings brother Robert Earle of Artois his nephew the Duke of Bourgongne the Earles of Bologne Dampmartin Ioygny with an infinite number of the Nobilitie repaire from all parts of the Realme Charles sending men expresly with priuate letters to all his friends to inuite them to this war And to keepe Paleologus in Constantinople hee workes with the Christians of Asia and with the Ilands of Cipres Malta Rhodes and others to make warre against him and likewise he fought to disquiet Arragon by meanes of the Nauarrois Philip remayning at Tolouse for that purpose Behold the Arragonots in great perplexitie charged on all sides both with spiritual and temporall armes but that which troubled him most the Sicilians excommunicated by the Pope and amazed at so great forces as came to Charles from all parts not not onely grew cold The Sicilians seeke to make their peâ—ce with Charles but also sought to make their peace with Charles To this end they goe to Rome to Pope Martin of whome they craue pardon with an extraordinarie humilitie for the Historie noates that their Deputies being on their knees cryed to the Pope Qui tollis peccata mundi miserere nostri A title belonging onely to Iesus Christ. This deuout respect had in a manner drawne the Sicilians to Charles his obedience wherein Doubtles he had preuailed if he would haue imbraced the occasion for Pope Martin had perswaded them to yeeld but without a French garrison Whereunto Charles would not coÌ„discend seeking to haue them at his discretion Peter was not quiet in mind amidst al these difficulties hauing the Pope in front the people readie to reuolt Philip watching ouer his Realme of Arragon and an armie in the Port of Naples redie to land Peter doth pollâ—tikly auoyd all dangers Hee findes an expedient for all these difficulties to stay all these forces to quiet this storme of Sicilia and to escape all dangers after a manner in shew worthy of commendation for the reputation valour and bountie of so great a Prince Hee giues Charles to vnderstand that hee lamented the common miserie of so much people whome he did see in danger for their priuat quarrels that it were much better to end it betwixt themselues by the sword That if hee were an honest man a souldiar and a King hee was redie to fight with him and Sicilia should remaine to the Conqueror They were both old and broken but both equall Peter had onely the aduantage in one thing he was more cunning then Charles and his intent was to circumuent him as indeed he did A Combat appointed betwixt two Kings Charles willingly accepts the combat The manner is determined by a common consent â—hat either King should take a hundred choise horse and that the conquering troupe should purchase Sicilia to his King Bourdeaux is chosen for the place of combat the day is appointed All Europe flies to this Theater to see an end of so notable a quarrel by such an extraordinary meanes Charles comes to the place at the prefixed day with his troupe chosen out of the brauest Gentlemen of the Armie Peter appeares not nor any one for him 1283. he is called he is summoned they protest against him but there is no newes of him So after all these soâ—lemne protestations euery one retires with laughter Peter fortifies himselfe in Sicilia but Peter was otherwise imployed he assured Sicilia by his wiues meanes whom he sent thether prouiding to fortifie the weaker places both of Sicilia and Naples equally threatned The heate of the French is cooled by this intermission of time by the hope of an accord and by the departure of so great a multitude disbanded to see this sight the Sicilians had taken breath and Peter stood firme to choose his best aduantage The French being out of hope to see this controuersie ended by combate returne to armes but with lesse courage To make warre in Sicilia they must approach and they must land Roger of Lore a banished man of Apulia Admirall of the Arragon Fleete had the garde of the landing Charles the Lame sonne to King Charles offers to land but his Fleete is defeated and he taken prisoner Charles wonderfully perplexed with this losse runnes from Cittie to Cittie in his Realme of Naples seeking to raise new forces when as death calls him to his rest Charles the Lame the sonne of Charles taken prisoner the which in his life time he would neuer enioy hauing giuen to many and receiued himselfe infinite troubles without any fruite In his youth his
sitting in his royall throane attyred with a long robe of violet coloured veluet pouldred with Fowers-deluce of gold a crowne on his head and the scepter in his hand holding a royall Maiesty accompanied with his Constable Chauncellour and great Chamberlaine The Vicount of Melun great Chamberlaine of France coÌ„mands Edward to take off his crowne sword spurs to kneele downe the which he doth Then hee tooke both his hands and hauing ioyned them both together hee spake vnto him in this manner The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 King oâ— England to 〈◊〉 You become a Leege man vnto the King my Lord who is here present as Duke of Guienne and Peere of France and you promise to be faithfull vnto him loyal Say yea And Edward answered yea In like sort he did him homage for the countie of Ponthieu intreating Philip to restore him all those places in Guienne 1330. which his Predecessors had inioyed Philip answered him with great grauity that he would consider thereof This was the homage which Edward King of England did vnto Philip King of France the which I haue particularly noted as the first act of a notable Tragedy The euent will shew that Philip had done farre better without preiudice to his authority Philips error in receiuing homage lawfully purchased by the law of State to pacifie Edward by all ciuill meanes obseruable betwixt Kings and not to braue him vpon an inferiour quality the which is no blemish to the other for in the end he shewed himselfe his equall in dignity A furious bayte of hatred among Princes which cannot be reconciled Edward departed discontented from Philip The cause of Edwards disconteÌ„t against Philip. resolute to attempt all meanes to crosse him and to ruine him Hee seekes out all instruments fit for this dessigne both in Flanders Brittaine and Germanie whereof followed mournefull euents both for the King and his Realme I will note euery thing in order reseruing the Estate of the Church and Empire to the ende of his raigne least I should intterrupt the order of this discourse Philip was otherwise affected then Edward as commonly desire makes shewe of that which is not pleasing men with vaine imaginations for supposing that he had tamed Edward with his imperious homage he presumed that he had well setled his affayres to be obeyed by him without any contradiction and to haue his realme enioy an assured peace without any anoyance vnder his commaund Vpon this conceipt he intends a voyage to the East Philip resolues to go into the East desirous to be nothing inferior to the glorious and renowned zeale of his Predecessors In this deuotion he easily yeelds to the perswasions of Pope Benedict .xi. borne at Tholouse then resident at Auignon His fleete was then preparing at Aiguesmortes a sea Towne of Languedoc whilest that he prouides for the regencie of the Realme giuing it to Iohn Duke of Normandy his eldest sonne being foureteene yeares old leauing him a graue and learned Counsell And seeking to sownd Edwards mind if he would accompany him in this holy warre imitating the example of his Predecessors he learnes by certaine intelligence that he watched his departure to inuade France This new occasion gaue him a reasonable subiect to change his resolution and not willingly to expose his new inheritaÌ„ce to his enimy But this satisfied not Pope Benedict The Pope disconteÌ„ted with the King who grew so bitter vpon this alteration that exclaiming generally of Philip as disloyall he sought all meanes to annoy him There was a capitall hatred betwixt the Emperour Lewis of Bauiâ—re and the sea of Rome hauing excomunicated him as an heretike Benedict absolues him and becomes his friend seeking to oppose him against Philip who dislyking of this proceeding sends Entragues a gentleman of Viuarez to Auignon to let Benedict vnderstand that if he did not forbeare to speake ill of him he would force him to silence after the example of that his Predecessor whose name he bare and who had left so famous a remembrance of his rashnes to posterity Edward being returned into England sleepes not A Prince of an excellent iudgement great courage and of a resolute and actiue spirit high minded and a fatall instrument to chastise France His repulse his homage and his great meanes Edward resolues to make warre against Philip. were both the baite and the 〈◊〉 to this generous resolution which thrust him on to disquiet the possession of that by force which he could not obtaine by reason But for so great a proiect he needed a â—â—eat Counceller to direct and fortifie him in the execution of an enterprise of so great import Robert Earle of Artois a Prince of the blood of France descended from an other Robert sonne to Lewis 8. and brother to S. Lewis had a great suite with his Aunt Mahauld Countesse of Burgongne for the Earledome of Arthois Robert had laboured much for Philip in his great question for the crowne against Edward King of England before mentioned assuring himselfe that Philip would requite him in his vniust pretention but Philip preferred the countesses right before Roberts wrong so as leauing the course of iustice free the County of Arthois was adiudged to Mahauld Robert of Arthois the frebrand of war by a decree of the court of Parliament of Paris This losse did so discoÌ„tent Robert as he presumed to brag openly that he would dispossesse Philip of the crowne by the same meanes that he had raysed him vnto it But this presumptuous threat deliuered rashely before many witnesses cost both the realme and himselfe deere 1331. who in the ende smarted for his malitious and vnâ—easonable discontent He flies into England carrying nothing with him but a minde transpoâ—ted with passion armed with pollicy He flies into England Philip proclaimes him guilty of high Treason and seizeth vpon his lands Edward receiues him with al shewes of loue giues him the first place in his couÌ„cel Behold these two great Kings banded one against another entring into a dangerous warre which shall much afflict their estats as commonly the subiects pay for the follies of Princes The first breach began in the easiest places Guienne was the first exchecker of this long and dangerous game The Earles of Foix and Armagnac were for the King in Guienne the Earle of Albret for Edward The King of Scotland is a formall partaker for France warre begone in Guienne Scotland against Edward Edward begins to spoile Philips Countrie and Philip takes from Edward the Castell of Xaintes by Charles Earle of Alanson his brother Edward on the other side makes war against Dauid King of Scots and Philip sends him succors These were the first drops of that cloude which darkened the heauens attending the storme which shall fall after these thunder cracks but what is al this in regard of that which shal presently succeed By the aduice of Robert of Arthois Edward makes a proclamation against
the bridge to be fortified with three turnepikes to stoppe their free entrance into the Towne whether the Bourguignon must come by dutie vnto the Daulphin This succeeded according to his desseine but it carried the shewe of an enemie The Bourguignon sends three gentlemen of his houshold to the Daulphin Thoulongâ—â—â— Ernoy and Soubretier to aduertise him of his comming They giue him notice of the two barricadoes made vpon the Bridge and wish him not to aduenture Hauing referred it to his Counsell all beeing on horsebacke he resolues in the ende to passe onâ— he lights at the Castle where his lodging was assigned and setts his gardes at the entry of the gate towards the Towne Hereupon Tanneguy of Chastell come vnto him who after a due reuerence saluted him from the Daulphin saying that he attended him at the bridge foote at the towne gate Then Iohn of Bourgongne hauing chosen out ten of his most trusty followers Charles of Bourbon the Lords of Nouaille Fribourg S. George Montagu Vergy 〈◊〉 Pontauillier Lens Giaâ— and his Secretarie Seguinat hee approcheth to the first barre where he inco unters with som from our Charles who intreat him to enter vpon their maisters word and assure him by oath Before he enters as if his heart had foretold his harme he stayes sodainely and askes aduice of his company who incouâ—aging him to passe on he enters the second barre the which was presently lockt and then he caused some to go before him and some behind he remaining in the midest Tanneguy of Chastell comes to receiue him and the Duke laying his hand vppon 〈◊〉 shoulder very familiarly This is he saies the Duke in whom I trust I will conclude this bloudy Catastrophe with the very words of the Originall And so he approched 〈◊〉 vnto the Daulphin who stood all armed with his sword by his side leaning on a barre Before whom he kneeled with one knee on the ground to do him honour and reuerence saluting â—im most humbly Whereat the Daulphin answered nothing making him no shewe of loue 〈◊〉 charged him with breach of his promise The Daulphin causeth Iohn of Bourgongne to be slaine for that he had not caused the war to cease nor drawn his men out off garrison as he had promised Then Robert de Loire tooke him by the right armâ— and said Rise you are but too honourable The Duke hauing one knee on the ground and his sword about him which hong not to his minde somewhat too farre backe kneeling downe he laid his hand on his sword to pull it forward for his ease Robert said vnto him doe you lay your hand vppon your sword before my Lord the Daulphin At which 〈◊〉 Tanneguy of Chastell drew neere vnto him on the other side who making a signe saiâ— It is time striking the Duke with a little axe so violently on the face as he cut oâ—f his chinne and so he fell on his knees The Duke feeling himselfe thus wounded layde his hand on his sword to draw it thinking to rise and defend himselfe but hee was presently charged by Tanneguy and others and beaten dead to the ground And sodainely one named Oliuer Layet with the helpe of Peter Fortier thrusts a sword into his belly vnder his coate of Maile Whilest this was doing the Lord of Nouailles drewe his sword halfe out thinking to defend the Duke but the Vicont of Narbonne held a dagger thinking to striâ—e him Nouailles leaping forceably to the Vicount wrested the dagger from him being so sore hurt in the hinder part of the head as he fell downe dead Whilest this was acting the Daulphin leaning on the barr beholding this strange sight retyred backe as one amazed and was presently conducted to his lodging by Iohn Louuet and other his councellers All the rest were taken except Montagu who leaped ouer the turnepike and gaue the Alarum There were 〈…〉 vpon the place but Iohn Duke of Bourgongne and Nouailles S. George and a Aâ—cre were hurt The Dukes men charged home vnto the turnepike but they were eâ—sily repulsed His troupes retyring to Bray are pursued by the Daulphinois with losse and in the ende the castle is abandoned by him that had it in gaâ—d The Dukes body stript off al but his Doublet and Bootes is drawne into a Mill and the next daye buried This happened the tenth of September in the yeare 1419. Behold the ende of Iohn Duke of Bourgongne Seeing then this murther troubled the Daulphin who had caused it to be committed what stonie heart would not be amazed thereat Truly the breach of faith is vnexcusable howsoeuer it be disguised for as faith is the ground of humane society so doth it extend euen vnto enimies with whom it must be inuiolably kept This blowe shall be deere to Charles Through this hole the enimye shall enter so farre into the Realme as he shall put him in danger and in the ende he shall be forced to confesse his fault not able to excuse himselfe without accusing of his councellours But from vniust man let vs ascend to the wisedome of that great Iudge of the world who is alwaies iust The Oracle cries He that strikes with the sword shall perish with the sword and The disloyall to the disloyall They loued misery and misery found them out And wise antiquity saies God punisheth great wickednes with great paines euen in this life And Hardly can tyrants descend into the graue with a dry death that is without blood or murther Oh iustice of God alwaies iust alwaies wise and alwaies good Thy iudgements are righteous O Lord. I condemne the errour of men yet I held my peace Bloud punished with bloud because thou dâ—dest it Draw the curten Iohn of Bourgongne hath played his part vpon this Theater He had slaine the the Duke of Orleans traitorously and now he wallowes in his owne goare being treacherously slaine by the Daulphin Charles Now let vs see the care his son Philip Earle of Charolois had to be reuenged of Charles for this cruell murther but all is not yet ended The Catastrophe of this miserable raigne Philip sonne to Iohn Duke of Bourgongne stirres vp great troubles against Charles the Daulphin in reuenge of his fathers death BY whose meanes Isabell an vnkinde mother makes warre against Charles her sonne and peace with Henry the fift King of England then a capitall enemy to the state She giues him her daughter Katherine in marriage and procures King Charles the 6. her husband to declare Henry his lawfull heire and to dis-inherit his only sonne Charles the 7. from the realme of France 1420. During these occurrents Henry the 5. and Charles the 6. die leauing the Crowne of France in question betwixt Charles the 7. and Henry the 6. proclaimed King of France at the funeralles of Charles the 6. From the yeare 1419. to the yeare 1422. AFter this tragicall and strange murther of Iohn of Bourgongne Philip his sonne Duke of Bourgongne by his decease seekes
seruice Queene of Sicile his mother in lawe with Tanneguy of Chasâ—ell being very acceptable to these two bretheren Their comming did greatly aduance this businesse They preuailed so farre as the Duke of Brittaine the Earle of â—ichmont his brother were both ready to imbrace the Kings friendship and to doe him seruice so as the Duke of Bourgongne would yeeld vnto it and in the meane time to draw this businesse to some good end Richmont should go and treat with his maiesty vpon good hostages for his safety This condition was accepted by Charles and to loose no time the Lord of Albret and the bastard of Orleans were sent vnto him for hostages and the townes of Chinon Loches Lusignan Meung were giuen him for assurance vntill the end of the treaty and ample pasports made to go and come with all liberty This worke began this yeare in Nouember and shal end the next yeare with a notable successe But the Duke of Bourgongne imbraced an other notable occasion which shall more preiudice the English then this occurrent of Brittain We haue said that this leâ—ain was layde in the yeare 1423. by the marriage of Iaquâ—line Countesse of Hainault Holland Zeland a wife contended for by two husbands the Duke of Brabant cousin germaine and a deere friend to the Duke of Bourgongne and the Duke of Glocester brother to the Duke of Bedford and vncle to Henry the 6. King of England two great parties which shall diuide the Dukes of Bedford Bourgongne and shall be the meanes to reconcile the BourguignoÌ„ to Charles A notable processe of Iaqueline against her husband supported by the Bourguignon reduce him to the obedience of this crowne expell the English out of France and restore the realme But the prouidence of GOD which goes insensibly by degrees aboue mans conceipt must be distinctly considered About the ende of this yeare Iaqueline of Hainault comes out of England with the Duke of Glocester her second husband foâ—tified with an armie of fiue thousand English She caused the Nobility and the Citties to renue their othes both to her and the Duke of Glocester her lawfull husband All the Nobilitie obeyes this commandement except the Earle of Conuersan Iohn of Iumont Angilbert of Anghien and all Townes except Hals The Duke of Bourgongne greatly affected this quarrell The Duke of Bedford foreseeing the danger that might growe by the Bourguignons discontent labors to suppresse it in the breeding and to that ende he drawes them to Paris with their friends but in vaine The one striues to inioy his estats and the other to hinder him So as whilest the cause is disputed in the Court at Rome the armies prepare on eyther side to ende it by bloud and spoile The Glocestrian begins the Bourguignon followes So the end of this yeare is the beginning of a warre of foure whole yeares but it shal be ended in fauour of the Bourguignon This newe yeare shal be spent in the altercations of the Court and Brittaine The Brittoâ— made Constable of France The Earle of Richemont comes to Tours to Charles as he had promised to the Queene of Sicile but not able to resolue any thing without the consent of the Duke of Bourgongne as we haue sayed the King seeing it very necessary he should go to him doth sende to him with a very honorable Ambassage Iames of Bourbon Earle of Clermont and a Prince of his bloud the Archbishop of Rheims and the Bishop of Puy The ende of their negotiation was double That the Duke of Bourgongne should like of the alliance betwixt the King and the Princes of Brittain Charles sends an ambassage to Philip of Bourgongne and that hee himselfe should bee reconciled vnto him to liue and continue good friends as they were neere in bloud The first was fully concluded with the Bourguignons consent the other was surseased The causes are specified for that Philip could not with honestie let slippe the death of his father where of Charles was the Authour this reconciliation could not bee well efâ—ected vnlesse that Charles did chase from him all such as had dipped their hands in this massacre eyther as fautors or as executioners They were specified by name Iohn Louuet President of Prouence Tanneguy of Chastel William d'Auaugour Iohn of Gyac son to that Lady of Gyac who perswaded Iohn Duke of Bourgongne to go to Charles at Monsâ—reau-faut Yonne where he was slaine But these were but colours for notwithstanding thâ—ir absence from Court yet the Bourguignon seemed to be nothing inclined to the Kings seruice In effect he stood watching the oportunitie to effect his desseins and so entertayned time to keepe the stakes as the whole course of the Historie will declare Charles imploying all his friends and meanes intreats Amedee Duke of Sauoyâ— to be a mediator of this accord In respect hereof he comes to Monuel in Cresse but in truâ—h this was but a shadow They all sought to get from Charles and so watched for oportunitie Yet the Bourguignon made all shewes of his seruice vowed to the King the establishment of France which he lamented infinitly to be fallen into the hands of Strangers He spared no cheere nor entertaynment for the Ambassadors and for a gage of sincere loue Philip giues his yongest Sister Anne in marriage to the Earle of Clermont but with an intent to winne a Prince of the bloud neere the King Thus the Bourguignon leueled alwayes at this marke did nothing but with an intent to maintaine his greatnesse at what price soeuer In the meane time the meaner smart for the follie of great men The Mignonâ— chased from Court At the returne of these Ambassadours the Court is in an vprore Charles greeues to chase away his seruants which could not be done but in contempt of his authority And yet the Ambassadors cryed out that without it they should not effect any thing and the more they stayed the execuâ—ion the more they hindered the Kings seruice d'Auaugour parted fâ—â—st with the good liking both of King and Court Gyac made his peace by the meadiation of the Queene of Sicile who had all power in this action The King was wonderfully discontented for the departure of Tanneguy of Chastel whome hee called Father A man beloued and of amiable conditions But there was no remedy Hee had giuen the chiefe stroake to Iohn of Bourgongne So likewise hee protested without any difficultie to retyer himselfe whethersoeuer his maister should command him Hee beseeched him to giue him an autenciall testimoniall that it was not for any fact of his 1425. but for the good of his seruice He obtaines it and a promise withall that his offices should be continued him Thus he retyers to Beaueaire in Languedoc and the office of Prouost of Paris remayned to him still with the fee and a good reputation with all men to haue beene a good seruant to the King and carefull of the publicke
the bounds of reason 1500. This did greatly estrange the peoples hearts from him He slue with his owne hand some butchers who according to their commonrashnes refused to pay the ordinarie customes and withstood the receiuers with armes Doubtlesse if such as haue the gard of a mightie estate newly conquered displease both Nobilitie and people what may bee expected but a generall alteration Adde thereunto the lightnesse of an inconstant multitude alwayes desirous of inâ—ouations Now they lament him whome before they hated Lodowike aduertised of these broyles strikes while the iron is hot and without any longer feeding himselfe with the Emperours vaine and frustratorie hopes hee makes a sodaine leuie of eight thousand Suisses and fiue hundred men at armes Bourguignons Milan reuolâ—s by the helpe but not entertayned of the sayd Maximilian and flies to Come with all speede the which being abandoned by the French garrison finding the humor of the inhabitants inclyned to change gaue him an easie entrie Triuulce felt this storme comming and to auoyd it he demaunds speedie succors from the Venetians according to the association which they had made with the King and makes knowne to the Lord of Alegre who commaunded the French troupes and the Suisses in the Dâ—ke of Valentinois armie the necessitie which calles him speedily to Milan The Venetians send Nicholas Earle Petilliano to ioyne with Triuulce or Aubigni and if he were debarred to spoile the Milanois countrie The Earle not able to ioyne with Aubigni spoiles the Countrie and then returnes towards the Townes vppon the â—iâ—er of Adde to preuent any new alteration Aubigni departs sodainly with the Suisses and all the horse obtaining free passage through the Countries of Parma and Plaisance vppon condition to abstaine from all acts of hostilitie And comming neere to Tortone at the perswasion of the Guelfs of that Towne who had beene expelled by the rest that were at Lodowikes deuotion hee enters and sacks the whole Towne Guelfs and Gibelins without any distinction then hee went towards Alexandria where as the Suisseâ— for want of pay Suisses reuolt went to Sforces armie The losse of Come hauing stirred vp the people of Milan and the chiefe of the Gibelin faction Triuulce leaues within the Castle such forces as the present necessitie could furnish hee fortified Nouarre with foure hundred Lances and puts himselfe with the rest into Mortare thinking that Lodowike would force it before he passed and in the meane time giuing the King aduertisement of this sodaine alteration hee should haue meanes to stay the enemies proceedings But it chanced otherwise Sforce recouers Milan Sforces armie neglecting both Mortare and Nouarre flies to the most important and recouers Milan as easily as they had lost it Pauia and Parma presently set vp Sforces armes Lode and Plaisance had done the like if the Venetian troupes had not sodenly entred Alexandria and other places neerer to Asl then to Milan would not declare themselues before they had seene the last act of this Tragedie The Genouois refused to returne vnder Lodowikes commaund and the Florentines reiect his request touching the restitution of money which hee had lent them for the which they had past their promise vnto the King The Marquis of Mantoua sent him his brother with some men at armes The Lords of Mirandole Carpi Correge the â—osses those of Verme and Bobie with other such wethercocks follow the wind that blowes finally this new Conquerour findes more affection and ioy at his returne then hee had least at his departure Milan being recouered Lodowike leaues the Cardinall Ascanius bis brother before the castle and renforced with fifteene hundred men at armes besides the Bourguignions great troupes of foote he takes Vigeuen by composition and the Kings succors not able to come in time for the defence of Nouarre they compound to yeeld the Towne and to depart with all their baggage Triuulce and Aubigni diuided But the Castle which holds yet for vs shall shortly be the meanes of Lodowikes ruine At Triuulces first summon the King had dispatched the Earle of Ligni with a good number of foote and horse But hee found the two commanders Triuulce and Aubigni so diuided as if the King had not speedily and wisely preuented this pestilent contagion it had doublesse ended with a pittifull and bloudie Catastrophe Aubigni and Triuulce held themselues equall in power and venue The first would haue them presently to force Milan the other would attend about Nouarre the new armie which the King leuied in Suisserland If Aubigni set at libertie any prisoners taken in the warre Triuulce ransomed them Fnally what the one built the other pulled downe and they tormented one another with continuall riots The King aduertised of this preiudiciall partiality he sends vnto them Lewis of Bourbon yonger brother to Gilbert late Viceroy of Naples and Iohn of Foix Vicount of Narbonne but by reason of their young yeares they were guided by Lewis of Tremouille Lord of Thouars being accompanied by the Lords of Grauille Admirall of France Lautree and many others followed with fifteene hundred Launces ten thousand Suisses sixe thousad French and the Cardinal of Amboise who was Lieutenant for his Maiestie on that side of the Alpes Triuulce being arriued treating with these two Commanders Reconciled by Tremouille he easily drew them in regard of his Maiesties seruice to lay aside all rancor and to become good friends handling them so wisely as there appeared no change in their gouernment but in stead of two they afterward seemed to bee three heads in one hood Thus vnited they resolue to send some companies of light horse vpon the way to Milan to cut off the passage to foure hundred horse and a great number of foot that came from Milan to preuent Lodowike of all meanes to get vnto Milan if he were prest then they turne the force of their army against Lodowike being at Nouarre There were among the Suisses that were entertained by Sforce many captains which had serued in the voiage of Naples at Nouarre who complained of their entertainment not payed at the appointed time Tremouille deales with theÌ„ vnderhand and vpon promise of a great summe of money withdrawes them from Lodowike The Suisses by the perswasion of their Colonels begin tumultuously to demaund their pay Lodowike giues them all his plate and intreats them earnestly to attend the men and money that came from Milan But feaâ—ing least by the coming of these Milanois they should be forced to winke at Lodowike and to faile Tremouille they caused the French armie to approch neere to Nouarre to draw Lodowike to field who was loath to ingage himselfe among men whome he sees ill affected to him They are not deceiued in their hopes Disloyaltie of the Suisses He goes forth with his armie and puts his light horse to beginne the charge Tremouille makes it good vntil the Admirall Grauille and Edmond of Prie arriuing
in the capitulation expired without any effects of warre the King commands the Lord of Chaumont to begin He thereupon passeth the riuer of Adde the 15. of Aprill and campes before Treui batters forceth it to yeeld at discretion taking prisoners Iustinian Morosin Comissary of the Venetian Stradioâ—s or light horse Vitelli de Cita de Castello Vincent de Nalde other Senators 1509. and with them a hundred light horse and a thousand foote then he repasseth Adde to attend the Kings comming at Milan The Emperour was gone into Flanders to require a leuying of money from the subiects of Charles his grandchild a testimonie that he could not begin the warres within fortie dayes after the King as his promise was The Venetians prepared and seeing a great part of Christendome armed against them they seeke to dissolue this vnioÌ„ by reasonable offers But the Pope could no more accept that which he had before desired The Catholike King had not credit enough to diuert the rest The Emperour full of disdaine would not so much as see Iohn deâ— Estoille their Secretarie As for our Lewis they hoped for nothing from him but by the sword The Venetian armie They therefore entertaine two thousand men at armes barded foure fighting men for euery Lance three thousand light horse and Stradiots fifteene thousand foote of the flower of Italie and fifteene thousand others chosen out of their territories they arme many vessels to garde the bankes of Romagnia the Townes of Apulia the approches of the Lake of Garde Po and other neighbour places fearing to be molested by the Duke of Ferrare Fatall prognostications for the Venetians and the Marquis of Mantoua their enemies But behold bad signes and prodigious fote-runners of losses wherevnto besides the threats of men the Venetians shall be shortly subiect A Barke carrying ten thousand Ducaâ—s to Rauenna was drowned The Castle of Bresse was fiered with lightning the place where the Charters of the Common-weale did lye was sodenly ruined And that which did most terrifie them their great counsell being assembled fire tooke their Arcenall whereas the Salt-peter did lye and burnt twelue gallies with a great quantitie of munition Moreouer hauing entertained Iulius and Rance Vrsins and Troile Sauelle with fiue hundred men at armes and three thousand foote the Pope commanded them vpon greeuous censures as defendants of the Church not to depart out of Rome And presently did publish in forme of a monitorie a horrible Bull conteining The vsurpations the Venetians had made in the sea of Rome the authoritie they did arrogate to the preiudice of the Ecclesiasticall libertie and the Popes iurisdiction To giue Bishoprickes and other spirituall liuings being vacant To decide spirituall causes in secular Courts and other things belonging to the censure of the Church specifying moreouer all their disobediences past The Venetians cenâ—ured by the Pope and admonishing them To yeeld vp within 24. dayes next ensuing the townes of the Church which they possessed with the fruites receiued since they enioyed them vpon paine to incurre not onely the censures and cursse of the Cittie of Venice but also of all the territories vnder their obedience and of all others that should receiue any Venetian declaring them guiltie of high Treason and detested as perpetuall enemies to all Christians to whom he gaue power to take their goods in all places to make their persons slaues Against this Bull they cast forth a writing about Rome conteining after a long protestation against the Pope and our Lewis An appellation from the monitorie to the next Councel and for want of humane Iustice to the feete of Iesus Christ a most iust iudge and the Soueraigne Prince of all The Venetian armie being assembled made their beginning famous by the recouerie of Treui after the retreate of Chaumont But it was famous to the Conquerour for during the heate of the spoile the King who came to releeue it passed the riuer of Adde with his whole armie without any let the 9. of May. And Triuulce seeing the armie past This day sayd he O most Christian King haue we wonne the victorie The King lodged within halfe a league of the Venetian Campe and holding it more glorie if of himselfe without the assistance of any other he ended this warre he drew the enemie by all meanes to the combate The enemies desseigne was to keepe themselues close in places of strength to flye the necessitie of fighting and to keepe the French from attempting any matter of importance So both armies continued a whole day one in view of an other The next day the King stood foure houâ—es before the enemies lodging with his troupes in battaile and tooke Riuolte in their view without making any other shew then to want courage to come to the fight Necessitie must then force them to it hunger driues the Woolfe out off the wood The king to cut off the vittells that came to them fro Cremona Creme raiseth his campe to lodge at Vaile or Pandin and the Venetians to ingage their enimies in the like difficulties resolue to follow them at the heeles and alwayes to lodge in places of aduantage There were two wayes to the said places The one was longer and lower which going bias against the riuer of Adde was in forme like a bow the other shorter and higher but straight as a line The King takes the lower the enimy the higer Chaumont led the foreward of the French Aluiane the Venetian They approch neere vnto Agnadel when as Aluiane being forced of necessity to fight plants six peeces of artillery vpon the caussie of a brooke which was then almost dry which parted the two armies and his foote in the vinyardes adioyning to it The battell of Agnadel and comes resolutely to charge our foreward The combate was long and doubtfull for that by reason of the stocks and branches the French horse could not fight commodiously And now the Suisses begin to wauer when as the King sending Charles of Bourbon to incourage them and aduancing himselfe with his battaile into a more large and open place hee redoubled the shock fauoured by his artillery the which the enemy could not discouer by meanes of certaine small trees and bushes So as after a resolute fight of eyther side about three houres the Kings presence not suffering any one of faint and the Suisses returning to their first heat the Venetians wonderfully spoyled by the horse and Cannon and hindred by the raine and haile which beat in their faces began to yeeld both in courage and force and finally resoluing to sell this victory to the French very deare fayling rather in force then courage they desired rather to loose their liues then their honours by turning of their backs The Earle of Petiliano with whom was the greatest part of their forces incountred with a squadron of their owne men flying greeued that Aluiane had contrary to his aduice presumed to fight and thinking that
and reiecting the chiefe causer thereof vpon the want of paiement Without doubt it is a great error in a Kings Officers especially in an army to conuert the money appointed for the paiement of an armie to other vses Iâ— was at the passage of the riuer of Adde that the last act of this tragedie must be played for the defence whereof Lautree sent the Lord of Pont-dormy with his Compâ—â—â—e that of Octauian Fregose led by Count Hugues of â—epolâ— a Bolonois a thousand or tâ—elue hundred foote and two faulcons But it pleased God at this time to satisfie the Popes couetousnesse with the spoile of our men that might execute the iust iudgement of his Vengeance soone after vpon his person The enemie beates backe our gardes and puttes them to flight killes some and amongest others Gratian of Lucâ— and Chardon neighbours to the forrest of Orleans who commanded either of them a regâ—ment of fiue hundred men They passe Adde at Vauci and force Lautrec to retire to Cassâ—n and so towards Milan with his whole army The passage of Adde recouered Prosper Colonnes reputation who for the retreat before Parma and his ordinarie tediousnesse was ill reputed of as well at Rome as in his army Contrariwise Lautrec wanting neyther valour nor braue resolution but Vigilance and happinesse purchased contempt of his men and hatred of the Milanois whome he did the more exasperate in causing Christopher Paluoisin to bee publikely beheaded a man of great Nobility great authoritie great age and a long time deteyned a prysoner Colonne aduertised of the retreat of the French to Milan lodged at Marignan and his Suisses in the Abbie of Cleruaut doubtfull whether hee should passe on to Milan being fortyfied with so many men or turne to Pauie beeing destitute of soldiars Being thus irresolute there appeeres vnto the Marquis of Mantoua an aged man Lautrec odious to his army meane in shewe and apparell who being brought before Colonne and the other Captaines assures them that he is sent from the parishioners of Saint Cir of Milan to let them vnderstand that at the first approach of their armie all the people of Milan are resolued to take armes against the French by the sound of the belles of euerie parish wishing them to set forward with speede without giuing the French leysure to bethinke themselues And so he vanished away not knowne to any man The Commanders gaue credit to this intelligence A notable aduenture The 23. of Nouember the Marquis of Pescara with his Spanish bands presents himselfe at the port of Rome at sunne setting and presently chargeth the Venetians appointed to gard the suburbes with a bastion which they had newely begunne hee puts them to flight making no resistance and the Suisses likewise that were lodged by them killes â—ome and hurts others before our men had any knowledge of their arriuall Theodore Triuulce who beeing sicke and disarmed came to this alarum vpon a little moyle was taken The Gibelins seizing on the part brought in the Marquis of Fescara and Mantoua the Cardinall of Medicis Colonne and a part of the army Milan taken and sackt the victors not able to conceiue by what happinesse and meanes they had so easily obteyned so notable a victorie the which was confirmed by the sacke of the Cittie which continued fifteene dayes We cannot but blame our Commanders herein of negligence and too great confidence in not discouering the enemies remooue that day and beleeue that they would not assault the Rampars without their artillerie the which could not 〈◊〉 the wayes being broken with continuall raine Lautrec troubled with the feare and the darknesse of the night not able to discouer in so short a time the estate of the enemy confusedly lodged â—ome in the Cittie others in the Suburbs Abandoned by Lautrec he left Mascaron a Gentleman of Gasconie within the Castell with fiftie men at armes and six hundred French foote and retired his armie to Come wheâ—e leauing Iohn of Chabannes Lord of Vandenesse brother to the Marshall of Chabannes with fiftie men at armes and fiue hundred foote he repassed the riuer of Adde at Lecâ—â—e and tooke the way of Bergamo to put his men at armes into Garrison in the Venetians Countrie and other places which held yet for the French It is an vsuall thing to yeeld vnto the Conqueror Laude Pauia Plaisance Alexandria Cremona hold for the Empire and the Duke of Milan Ianot of Herbouuille Lord of Bunou held yet the Castell of Cremona Lautrec sent his brother Lescut thether who since the retreat of Parma had ioyned with the armie with part of his forces to recouer it Who being repulsed Lautrec brought all his troupes which were but fiâ—e hundred men at armes foure thousand Suisses a few other footemen foure hundred men at armes Venetians and six thousand foote As all things were readie for the assaâ—â—t the enemie being amazed demanded a composition the which they obteined with their liues and baggage Cremona recouered A small comfort for men halfe discouraged Frederic of Bossole came from Parma with his forces by Lautrecs commandement He â—ad no sooner passed the Po but Vittelli seizeth thereon with a most pleasing consent of all the people All these victories were glorious to the enemy but the treacherie of one blemished their former reputation Come spoiled contrary to the capitulation Come besieged battered ten or twelue dayes despairing of succour and defence had yeelded vpon condition that as well the French companies as those of the Towne should haue their liues and goods saued depart with their Launces vpon their thighes and be safely conducted into the Venetians country and yet when the French would depart the Spaniards entred and spoiled both the Souldiars and the Cittizens Vandenesse accusing the Marquis of Pescara to haue broken his faith challenged him to the combate If you will mainteine answered he that this sacke is happened by my commandement or permission I say you haue lyed But before the quarrell could be ended Vandenesse was slaine at Romagnen at the retreate of the Admirall of Bonniuet whom the end of the warres of Nauarre had drawne beyond the Alpes At the same instant those of the League sent the Bishop of Verule to the Suisses to withdraw their affections from this Crowne But displeased that their men had marched against the King and complaining of the Cardinall of Sion the Pope and all his officers who had perswaded them to breake the conditions of their alliance they put this Bishop in hold at Bellinsone and called home the troupes they had in Italy On times the victor is partaker of the discommodities of warre they made preparation to assaile Cremona and Genes But their desseins are broken by the death of pope Leo who hauing newes of the taking of Milan Death of Pope Leo. but especially of Parma and Plaisance for the recouerie whereof to the Church he had chiefly mooued this warre he was so wonderfully
had no sonner turned his backe but Anthony de Leue came and recouered Biagras the 18. of the sayd moneth and prepared to passe into Lomeline to take Vigeue and Nauare but Lautrec aduertised of this attempt sends backe Peter of Nauarre with six thousand French foote and some men at armes who chased the Spaniard into Milan setled Sforce in Biagras The Lansquenets being arriued Lautrec tooke the way to Plaisanee where the Duke of Ferrare it may be well pleased to see the Pope against whom he had beene long incensed receiue some disgrace leauing the Imperialls ioyned in League with the King and there was concluded the marriage of Hercules his eldest sonne with Renée the yongest daughter to King Lewis the 12. The Marquis of Mantoue a friend to the strongest did likewise ioyne with the confederats The Emperour then foreseeing that the inuasion of the realme of Naples by Lautrec would force him to call backe his forces which hee had in the territories of the Church he sent his Comisson to set the Pope at liberty which done after many treaties he agreed the last of October The Pope deliuered To attempt no thing against the Emperour neyther for the estate of Milan nor the Realme of Naples To pay three hundred and fiftie thousand duâ—ats that is three score thousand presently to the Lansquenets and thirtie fiue thousand to the Spaniards the like summe within fifteen dayes and the rest three moneths after The Pope to free himselfe from prison fled to those remedies which hee had before his restraint neglected hee made Cardinals for money the most of them saith the histoâ—â—e being vnworthy oâ— so great an honour Necessary it was that the Court of Rome should thus be disgraced that they might lâ—sse meâ—dle in worldly affaires looke to their spirituall duties The 10. of December was come when as the Spaniards should conduct the Pope to a place of safetie but knowing the bad affection of the Spaniards especially of Don Hugues de Moncade Viceroy of Naples by the death of Launoy and â—earing a worse condition or some other change he deceiued his gardes the night before disguised like a marchant he went secretly out of the Castâ—e saued himselfe in Oruiete but his hostages payed his ransome A rare example to bee noted in the Church since the time it came to that greatnes To see a Pope issued from one of the greatest families in Italie â—allen from so great a dignitie to loose Rome to be a prisoner and to haue all his estate possessed by the violence of Christian armes then in few moneths to be restored to his seat and by the meanes of the eldest son of the Church to recouer his estate greatnes authoritie Without doubt the Emperour suffering himselfe to bee so much prest for the Popes deliuerie shewed that the Counsell of Spaine was more gouerned by ambition then deuotion The Pope being at libertie he exhorted the Confederats to draw their Companies out of the territories of the Church that by their example the Imperials might make their retreat according to promise as in deed they did he gaue thankes to Lautrec in particular for that he had assisted him in his deliuerance adding that he was as much bound vnto the King and hâ—m as if hee had beene freed by his forces But the Moore changeth not his hewe He held saith the historie his accustomed disposition hauing not by his imprisonment left his craft and couetousnesse As the Kings of France and England required him to reioyne his armes and means with them and their allies sometimes hee fed them with hope that he would imploy himselfe for a generall peace and the good of all Christendome sometimes with excuses that wanting men money and authoritie his coniunction with them would be fâ—uitles and giue the Imperials occasion to wrong him in many respects Lautrec stayed at Bologne attendâ—ng directions from the King eyther of a full resolution of peace or to proceed in his course of armes The Emperour offred to settle Sforce in his estate and to compound with the Venetians Florentines other confederats But the Emperour and the King stâ—od vpon the point of honour which should trust other A point which plainely discouered the bitternes of their spleene The King would not be bound to draw his armiâ— out of Italie before he had recouered his children yet hee offred to put hostages iâ—to the King of Englands hands for performance of whatsoeuer hee should be bound vnto if vpon the deliuery of his children hee did not presently withdrawe his armie The Emperour was obstinate and saying that hee could not trust him who had once deceiued him The King of France and England proclaimed war against the Emperour The Ambassadors of France and England tooke their leaues of the Emperour and according to their maisters Commission proclaimed war against him The Emperour accepts it cheerefully but to stay the Ambassadors presently to send them fâ—fteene leagues from Bourges where then the Court of Spaine remayned to giue them a gard of shot halberds and not to suffer them to conferre or to write in any sâ—â—t Was not this to violate the Law of Nations The fire is now kindled they dreame of nothing but warre Lautrec proceeds in his course he takes the way to Rimini Antone and Râ—â—anate chaceth the Imperials before him into the realme of Naples where we sâ—â—ll soone see the expliots of his armes The King aduertised of the detention of the Bishop of Tarbe his Ambassador who was afterwards made Cardinal of Grandmont he coÌ„mitted Nicholas Perienot Lord of â—ranuelle the Emperours Ambassador to the Chastelet at Paris staied al marchants sâ—biects to the Emperour But this was not all The Emperour had before time at Crenado when as they treated of a peace betwixt them sayed That he would willingly end all controuersies with the King 1528. by a single combat of his person against the Kings he now deliuers the same words vnto the Herald that denounceth warre vnto him adding That the King had basely and treacherously broken his faith with him The King would not haue refused it but his Ambassador did then wrong him in concealing this speech It may be the Emperour had such an intent He was a most vaâ—iant Prince but our Francis did yeeld nothing vnto him in courage Hee had no sooner intelligence of his challenge but calling togither the twentie eight of March all the Princes all Ambassadors with the whole Court into the great hall of the Pallace at Paris King Francis challengeth the Emperour to the combat sitting in his royall seate he caused Iohn Robertet one of his Secretaries of Estate with a loud voyce to reade a Cartell signed with his owne hand That the Emperour accusing the King to haue falsified his faith had spoken vntruly and as often as he did speake it he did lie To the end therefore heeshould not deffer the deciding of their controuersies
expell the customers sack many good houses vnder colour to seeke for these exactors the commons enter to the towne massacre all that follow not their party Moneins lieutenant for the King within Bourdeaux sends a number of shot out of the Castle of Ha thinking to terrifie this inraged multitude But all this increased their popular furie They forced the Councellors of the Parliament Cruelties comitted in Bourdeaux by the rebels to lay aside their gowns to put on Mariners caps to carry pikes to follow their Ensignes the maisâ—ers of Saulx bretheren the one Captaine of the towne the otheâ— of Castle Trompet to be their leaders to assist at the sacking of many houses and to see their friends fellow cittizens massacred before their eyes They spoile the Towne-house a goodly store-house for armes to increase their villanies they murther Moneths most cruelly being come amongst them thinking with courteous words to pacifie the fuâ—ie of these muâ—mes Hauing wrought their wils and being laden with booâ—y they disband some one way some another the parliament fortified with men of honor and resuming their authority punish by exemplary iustice La Vergne one of the chiefe Tribunes of this rebellion La Vergne drawne with â—oure horses and some other of the most apparent The King was no lesse ready to reuenge this outragious and rashe rebellion then the commons were actiue in the execution The Constable had the commission for Guienne Francis of Lorraine Duke of Aumale whom we shall afterwards see Duke of Guise so famous vnder Francis the 2. and Charles the 9. that of Xaintonge with foure thousand Lansquenets many French horse This man seeking to win the reputation of a mild mercifull Prince pacified the CouÌ„try without punishment of what had passed The other marched after another maner for ioyning both armies togither he entered into Bourdeaux disarmed the people tooke and burnt all the records registers rights priuileges of the Câ—ttizens of al the country of Bourdelois he caused the Court of Parliament to cease beats downe their bells forced 7. score of the chiefe to go vnto the Carmes they had three daies after the mutiny in the night takeÌ„ vp this poore dismeÌ„berd carcase lying filâ—â—ly vpon the ground with a gentleman of his named Montâ—lieu to fetch the â—odie of Mâ—neins and to conduct it in mournful sort vnto S. Andrews Church by the punishmeÌ„t of the two Saulx Estonnac an other Tribune who had seized vpon the Castel Trompâ—t many others he purged their offence Talemagne and Galaffie Colonnels of the coÌ„mons were afterwards broken vpon the wheele either of them carrying a Crowne of burning iron for a marke of the soueraignty which they had vsurped The end of this yeare was more comicall Anthony of Bourbon Duke of Vendosme married Ioane of Albreâ— daughter to Henry of Albret King of Nauarre and of Marguerit sister to King Francâ—s the 1. and the Duke of Aumale the daughter of Hercules of Esâ—é Duke of Ferrare of Renâ—è of France Daughter to king Lewis the 12. And during these sports in Court that extraordinary chamber against them whoÌ„ they call Lutherans was erected who persisting constaÌ„tly in the profession of their faith suffred their bodies to be consumed to ashes The birth of Lewis the Kings yonger son the 3. of February at S. Germaine in Laye his baptisme the 19. of May the coronation of Queene Katherine at S. Denis the x. of Iâ—ne the stately entry of their Maiesties at Paris the 6. of the same moneth and the great â—ournoy at the Tournells made in fauor of the Ladies continued the sports in Court which finished the King sitting in his seat of Iustice the 2. of Iuly would giue sentence in his Court of Parliament at Paris according to the ancient custome of his predecessors The presence of the Prince giues authority to the Magistrate and the eye of the king saith the wise man scatters il counsells Troubles in England At that time the nobility of England weâ—e at iarre with the CoÌ„mons The people required restitutioÌ„ of religion The nobles who by their change of religion enioyed the Clergy lyuings would not yeeld So the people rise the nobility takes armes Thomas Semer Admirall of the realme Vncle to yoâ—g King Edward the 6. by the mother is accused to haue supported their party which folowed the Romish church by coÌ„sequence to haue conspired against the king his own brother the Dâ—ke of Somerset caused his head to be publickly cut off Edward 〈◊〉 for those forces which he had prepared beyond the seas against our Henry Cleâ—eâ—s Gueldrois Bourguignons and Germains a means to reconcile the Nobles with the Câ—mmons During these tumults in England the King sent Paul Lord of Termes to continue the war in Scotland begon by Essé who hauing lately defeated the English before Hedingâ—on and taken the Isle of horses resigned his charge to his successor In the moneâ—h of Iune Iames of Coucy Lord of Veruein was beheaded at Paris Oudard of â—â—ez Marshall of â—rance degraded after a long imprisonment the one for that he had incoâ—sideratly comitted the gard of Boullen to his son in Law the other for that he had so lightly yeelded vp a strong and well fortified place vnto the enemy Yet in the yeare 1575 â—he heire son of Veruein shal restore the memory of his father grandfather by the mother side to their former honor dignity and renowne There falls out an other suâ—e since the yeare 1540. the Parliament of Prouence had for matter of religion condemned 17. persons of Merindol to be burnt the village to be razed and the trees to be cut downe withi◠〈◊〉 huÌ„dred paces The Clergy pursued it but some gentlemen and others lesse bloudy staied the execution of this decreee and King Francis fiue monâ—thes after sent â— pardon to these Vaudois of Merindol other places vpon 〈…〉 within three monethes they should abiure their errors They appeere in 〈◊〉 protest that 〈◊〉 â—â—ue not maintayned nor published any erroneus thing ofâ—â—ag to 〈…〉 the word of God they can shew them any sounder doctrine they 〈…〉 of 〈…〉 in writing with an answer to the reproches wherewith 〈◊〉 were taxed and require to be allowed or iudicially heard in their defences Foure yeares passe away 1549. during the which being onely threatned with 〈…〉 subsist But the President Chassané being dead Iohn Menier his successor a violen◠〈◊〉 became a mortall enemie to those of Cabrieres and Merindol amongst whome◠〈◊〉 dwelt certain subiects of his Oppede whose lands he possessed to ioine theÌ„ to â—is 〈◊〉 Through the perswasions of Menier the Cardinall of Tournon obteines letters paâ—e its from King Francis to the Court of Parliament for the execution of the first sentence according to the which Menier terming himselfe Lieutenant of the Lord of Grignan gouernour of Prouence accompanied with the Baron of la Garde and a great
Pistoll and when as these three wounds were not able to ouerthrow him Besmes wounds him on the legge euery one of the rest giues his blow and thus they cast that body miserably to â—he ground whom liuing and in health they durst not looke in the face The Duke of Guise hearing the noyse of their armes in the base Court enquires if it bee done and commands them to cast him out at the window who yet breathing layes hold on the pillar but these butcherly murtherers hurle him downe headlong where the Duke wiping his face with a handkerchefe I know him sayeth hee it is the very same and so spurnes him with his foote then going into the streete Courage companions we haue begun happily let vs proceed to the rest the King commands it An Italian of the houshold of the Duke of Neuers cutts off his head and carryes it to the King and Qâ—eene Mother which causing it to bee imbaulmed sent it to the Pope and the Cardinall of Lorraine for an assurance of the death of his most capitall enemie The Palace clocke strikes and the people flie to the Admiralls lodging like madde men one cutts off his hands another his priuie members The Protestants masâ—acred and for the space of three dayes they dragge this poore carcasse with all indignity through the streetes and then they carry and hang it by the feete at Montfaucon His lodging is spoyled his household seruants murthered Those which attended on the King of Nauarre and Prince of Condé are driuen out of their chambers they were in the Louure where the King had lodged them to the end sayd he that those of Guise hauing the people at their deuotion they should not in like maner feele the effects of their violence and murthered in the base court the Noblemen and Gentlemen lodged in the Admiralls quarter vndergo the like fortune The like furie oppresseth the other Protestants throughout the Citty and Suburbes of all ages conditions and sexes men women and children riche and poore There is nothing to be heard in Paris but a horrible noyse of armes horses and Harguebuses a lamentable crye of people going vnto death a pittifull complaint of such as cryed for mercy and the pittilesse showts of murtherers The streetes are strewed with carcases the pauements market places and riuer dyed with bloud One day alone by the murtherers saying hath ended the quarrell which neyther Pen Paper decrees of Iustice nor open warre could see determined in twelue yeares About ten thousand â—oules makes this Sunday famous for euer polluted with the spoyling of goods and the effusion of their bloud that were asleepe disarmed and at such a season as they thought themselues most safe And doubtlesse the horrible catastrophes happened since to our Charles to his brother and successors and to the bretheren of the house of Guise in the last acts of their liues and generally to all this realme euen vnto our dayes forceth vs to confesse That mans bloud violently spilt when as the manner of it may not lawfully be qualified with the name of Iustice cannot please his sight who hath created them to his owne image and liknesse and sels them deerely to the authors of this effusion The fame of this massacre had already passed from the Citty to the Suburbes when as the Earle of Montgomery Iohn of Fâ—rrieres Vidame of Chartres Beauâ—aâ—◠〈◊〉 Nocle Fontenay and many Gentlemen lodged in the suburbes of Saint Germâ—ine perceiuing a number of men to crosse the riuer to make them equall with their companions they abandon their baggage go sodenly to hoâ—se and saue themselues â—ith speed being pursued halfe a dayes iourney by the Duke of Guise But he that shouâ—d haue brought the Keyes of S. Germains gate hauing mistaken them gaue them sâ—me leisure to get the aduantage The King sends for the King of Nauarre and the Prince of Condé and giues theâ— to vnderstand The King aduowes the murther That hauing been crost many yeares with a continuance of warre he had in the end found an assured meanes to cut off all motiues of confusions to come that by his commandement they had slaine the Admirall the pernicious author of passed troubles that now they did the like to others in the Citty that were infected witâ— the poyson of heresie and the ministers of his wickednesse That he remembred well the discommodities hee had receiued by their two meanes making themselues the heads of a troupe of desperate men That now the cause and opoâ—tunity giues him meanes to be reuengâ—d of such outrages but notwithstanding hee doth pardon their offence by reason of consanguinitie and their young age beleeuing that all had beene committed not by their fault and councell but by the Admirall and other wickeâ— sâ—biects who now haue suffered and doe suffer a iust punishment due to thâ—iâ— deserts so as hereafter they repaire their faults pasts by fidelity and obedience and renouncing the doctrine of their prophane superstition they cleaue to the Catholike relâ—gion and returne into the communion of the Church That hereafter he will haue but one religion within his realme euen that which hee hath receiued from his Ancestors That they should aduise whether they would obey him in this point if not let them resolue to yeeld their heads to the like punishments of their companions The King of Nauarre beseecheth his Maiestie to remember his promise aâ—d the alliance lately contracted and not to force him in the religion which hee hath leaâ—ned from his infancie The Prince of Condé answers That the King hath giuen his faith to all them of the religion and that he cannot perswade himselfe hee will breâ—â—e â—o sollemne an othe As for the obedience saith he you require of me I haue fâ—itâ—fuâ—â—y performed it vnto this day neyther will I hereafter straye in any thing from my duty But as for my religion A noble resoluâ—ion of a yong Prince my Liege I am resolued to continue constant and with the hazard of my life mainteine it to bee true you haue granted me the exercise tâ—ereof and God hath giuen me the knowledge to whom I must yeeld an account leâ—uâ—â—g my body and goods to the disposition of your will This resolute answer puts Charâ—es into choller who full of threats giues the Prince but three dayes libeâ—ty to aduiâ—e whether he would soone loose his head vpon a scaffold In the end both abâ—ure the doctrine they had followed and by the intercession of the Cardinall of Bourbon their Vncle they obteyned pardon of the Pope and were receiued into the bosome of the Church After the massacre those of Guise according to the conclusion of the Councell should retyre themselues into some one of theyr houses out of Paris and Charles should expreslye charge and command the Gouernours of Prouinces and Townes to obserue the Edict of peace and to punish the breache thereof seuerely to the end the people of France and their neighbours should impute all
the priuileges of the Towne In the same moneth the inhabitants of Troyes expelled the Prince of Ioinuille and recalled the Lord of Inteuille their ancient gouernour for the King In Champagne In Poâ—ctou Gasconiâ— The Townes and Prouinces contend who shall haue the honour to returne first to their due obedience from the which these popular furies had withdrawen them Sens Poitiers Agen Villeneufue Marmande and other Townes of Gasconie and in a manner all that had followed the dance of Orleans and Paris do now frame themselues to their tune And all this is done in few weekes The mâ—st factious of the partie did still feed the fire of rebellion in some Townes of Picardie Amiens and Beauuois wauered the Spaniard possessed Laon and La Fere places of importance in that Prouince and the Conâ— Chaâ—les of Mansfield had euen now besieged and taken Capelle a small Towne but strong in the Duchie of Thierasche The King being aduertised thereof went home to their Trenches to drawe them forth to fight but making no show to come forth to get that by force which he could not obtaine by reason hee besiegeth Laon defeates the succors at sundry times that come to the besieged kills aboue fifteene hundred of their men in sundry encounters and taking the Towne by composition in the end of August he ends by this act the furies of ciuill warres without hope of reuiuing and then returnes triumphing to Paris Chasteau Thierry before the siege and after the siege of Laon Amiens Beauuois and all the Townes in Picardie except Soissons and La Fere which the Duke of Mayenne and the Spaniard held did shake off the Strangers yoake and tooke the oth of fealtie to the King Cambray did likewise acknowledge him and gaue his Mâ—iâ—stie such aduantage as his enemies remained without meanes to maintaine the warre and without hope to obtaine their peace The Duke of Mayenne in the meane time entertained all his friends and intelligences at Bruxelles but the supplyes of men and money which hee drew â—rom thence were not able to stay the course of the Kings prosperities Hee therefore retyred himselfe into Bourgongne to assure such places as were yet at his deuotion Contrarywise his neerest kinsmen retyring themselues left him almost alone to treat with the Spaniard The Duke of Nemours made his accord at the Castle of Pierre-aâ—cise but being escaped the 26. of Iuly as we haue sayd death depriued â—im of the vse of his libertie as wee shall see hereafter The Duke of Guise did first testifie The Duke of Guise reconciled to the King that hee desired nothing more then the Kings seruice and drawing in the moneth of Nouember to his Maiesties seruice his bretheren with himselfe many Noblemen the Cittie of Reims and many other places it did greatly shake this monstrous building which was now ready to fall to ruine The sect of Iesuits had as chiefe pillars of the League mightily supported it vnto this day and by all meanes laboured to aduance the Spaniard in France Processe against the Iesuits renued they had spred throughout the whole realme the furious effects of the fire which they had kindled and continued in priuate confessions as lately in their Sermons to disgrace the memorie of the deceased King and the Maiestie of the King now raigning and to encrease it the principall of their Colledge and some others had lately approued countenanced and perswaded that execrable attempt of Peter Barriere The Vniuersitie of Paris grounding the renuing of theiâ— ancient Processe against the Iesuites vpon these considerations and motiues demand the rooting out of them Some great men and of the chiefe men of Iustice sue for them the Cardinall of Bourbon supports them The Duke of Neuers makes their cause his owne The respect of their learning and care and diligence to instruct and teach youth did moue them and a very vrgent cause must drawe the Court of Parliament whose authoritie notwithstanding they did contemne and reiect to pronounce and declare this great decree the which an accursed and detestable attempt by one of their owne disciples did in the end extort 1554. They procured that the cause might bee pleaded secretly for 〈◊〉 said their Aduocate to defend my Clyents I shall bee forced to speake some things offensiue to many which haue lately turned to the Kings seruice But their pleaâ—ings are to be read in Arnault against them and Versoris for them both graue and learned aduocates By the reduction of so many Prouinces Townes Comonalties and priuate Noblemen the League shall bee now confined into some corners of Bourgongne Picardie and Brittanie where the Spaniards to haue alwaies footing within the Realme entertayned the hopes of the Duke of Mayenne and Mercoeur The first began to fall from them but the other grounded vpon some vaine pretentions of the Duchie where he gouerned by reason of his wife hoped to preuaile if not of all yet at the least of a good part The Queene Dowager his Sister laboured to make his peace but hee delayed the time knowing that in his greatest extremity he should finde grace with the King The Spaniard being brought into Blauet by his meanes a fort which the situation of the country had made almost impregnable if as they had built a fort neere vnto Croisae to shut vp the entrie of the port at Brest they had also made an other right agaiâ—st it on the other banke hoped that being chased out of the other Prouinces he should yet hold this as a pawne for the money he had disbursed His Maiestie sent the Marshall D'Aumont Warre in Brittanie and Generall Norrice an English man to encounter him who fortified with a Fleete vnder the command of Captaine Frobisher they became maisters of Quimpercorentin and Morlay and then they forced the new fort at Croisae and slue but with the losse of men and of the sayd Frobisher foure hundred Souldiars to whom the gard was committed France grew quiet yet must they imploy the Souldiars and carry the warre into the Spaniards country It seemed this would free the realme but sildome doth it bring forth the effects that are expected In Luxembouâ—g Yet for a triall the King agrees with the Estates of Holland and their confederates to inuade the Duchie of Luxembourg with their common forces The Duke of Bouillon now Marshall of France and the Cont Nassau seeke to enter in October but they finde the passages stopt and the Cont Charles Mansfield before them who by the defeat of the Hollanders troupes made this attempt fruitlesse On the other side the King seekes to keepe the frontiers of Picardie safe from the Spanish forces and threatned Arthois and Henault That if they fauoured the forces of Spaine which molested Cambray and the Countries there about he would make violent watre against them The Estates of those Prouinces make no answer to these threates framing their excuse that they could draw no direct answer
thereof for the obtayning wherof he had vsed the intercession of the most Christian King of France of the Duke and Seigneury of Venise of the Duke of Florence and other great Princes as well Italians as Germains and euen of the Emperour himselfe but he could neuer obtaine this fauour although hee offred great summes of money equalling in a manner the value of the said Duchie wherewith he grew so discontented as dying he aduised his nephew the Bastard to seeke by al meanes to maintaine himselfe in the said Duchie by aâ—mes procuring him the fauour of Princes his Allyes Confederats Neighbours and Friends There was much expected from the Dukes of Guise and Mayenne of the house of Lorraine by reason of the famous Princesse their mother who was daughter to the Duke of Ferrara and to Madam Renée daughter to Lewis the 12. King of France but the pietie of the most Christian King and the modestie of thoâ—e Princes would not suffer them to attempt any thing against the Church Caesâ—r prepareâ— to armes Yet Caesar although hee were base takes vppon him the title of Duke hee fortifies himselfe leuies men and prepares for a braue defence Hereupon Pope Clement the eight holds a Conclaue and resolues with his Cardinals that the said Caesar should bee called to Rome to yeeld his obedience and in the meane time nothing should bee attempted but all should remaine in peace Caesar refuseth to obey and seekes the fauour of his vnckles friends So as many inclined in the beginning to giue him succours and there were great controuersies among the Doctors vpon this point of Law Qui filij sint legitimi Some affirming that bastards may succeed being once aduowed to be of the bloud Others sayd that they could in no sort inherit although they were aduowed In the end all inclyned to the Holy Sea considering the coÌ„ditions of the institution made to the fiâ—st of the familie by the Church Yet Caesar fainted not but scornes all that was â—â—tempted against him The Pope excommunicates him and all his adherents Neither doth that dismay him but he giues them battaile neere to Boulognia where many were â—â—aine but more of the Popes side then of his He seekes by offer of monâ—y to pacifie the Pope and Cardinalls but he preuailes nothing His friends by little and little grew cold and dealt no more but by secret Intelligences He sees the danger whereinto hee was readie to fall not onely to loose what hee demaunded but also his fathers inheritance which was not called into question So as in the end hee resolues to submit himselfe and to obteine as profitable a Peace as he could After much consultation in the end a conclusion was made at Faenza conteining sundrie articles Thus ended the warre of Ferrara whereuppon his Holines resolued to go thither After hee had visited the holy places of Rome hee departs accompanied with seuen and twentie Cardinals foure and thirtie Bishopps and fiue â—undred Knights and gentlemen hee fell sicke at Camerate whereuppon processions were made in Rome and the prisons set open Hee past by Lauretto and visited our Ladies Chappell The Duke of Vrbin receiued and conducted him through his Countrie where the Dukes Caesar and Alexander d' Esté with the Earle of Mirande came to kisse his feete The Popâ—s Entry into Ferrara After that the Cardinall Aldobrandin his nephew had â—eceiued the homage of the Cittie and Duchie of Ferrara his Holines made his entrie with great solemnitie whereas he continued all that Summer The King of Spaine before his death had concluded a marriage betwixt his Sonne and Margaret daughter to the Archduke of Austria of Gratze yongest sister to Marie who being promised him to wife died before the espousals Albert the Archduke had commaundement to go and receiue the said Margaret at Gratze to conduct her into Spaine but being readie to depart and hauing sent the Admirall of Arragon Captaine Generall of his armie into the Countrie of the Duke of Iuilliers and Cleues hee receiued newes of the death of the King of Spaine Notwithstanding hee went on his iourney The Archduke Alâ—ert meets with Margaret of Austria and met with the Princesse Margaret of Austria not farre from the same place whereas the Emperour Charles the fift and Ferdinand his brother would haue a memoriall left of their happie enteruiewe comming from diuers parts the which is represented in a table This Princesse was accompanied by her mother being of the house of Bauiere and fiue hundred gentâ—â—men of high Hungarie where the Archduke her father hath most commonly his cheeâ—e aboade The nine and twentith of October they came to Trent and so entring the territories of the Venetians two Senators were sent by the Seigneurie to receiue the sayd future Queene with great honour They pâ—sse throuâ—h the Veâ—etiâ—nâ— Countâ—y in a Village named Delce situated vpon the banke of the riuer of Athesis called by the Italians L' Adice whereas they passed by an artificial bridge newly made by commaundement of the Seigneurie There were in the future Queenes and the Archdukes traynes about 2000. horse and three thousand fiue hundred men all which were defrayed ten dayes togither by the State of Venice Being past Verona they entred into the Duke of Mantouas Countrie There is a small â—owne câ—llâ—d Ostia The Duke of Mantoua vppon the bankes of Po thither Vincentio Gonzague Dâ—ke of Mantoua came in post with ten Noblemen to salute the Qâ—eene There were boates prepared to passe the riuer being all very richly appointed among the rest there was one Nuptial barke into the which the future Queene with her mother the Archduke the Noblemen and Ladies entred it was diuided into Parlours Chambers and Cabinets hanged with cloth of siâ—uer Being entred the Qâ—eene found the table layd and furnished with all exquisite seruices of meate from thence they were carried doâ—ne the riuer to Ferrara where the Pope had remayned since the composition made at Faence with Caesar Duke of Estè The Pope and the Lâ—gats The Pope being assured of the sayd Queenes arriuall he presently sent the Cardinalls Aldobrandin and Saiâ—t Clement his Legats with a great number of Prelâ—ts and gentlemen to meet her They mâ—t the Qâ—eene three miles off euen as shee landed and receiâ—ed her very honorably in the name of the Holy Apostolike Sea and of the Holy â—ather presenting her a very rich Carrosâ—e the iâ—oÌ„ worke being al guilt drawne by â— white horses in the which she entred Ferrara with her Mother the Archduke Without the Cittie gate the Duke of Sessa Ambassador for the Catholike King attended her and presented vnto her in the name of the sayd King a litter couered with cloth of siluer guilt with two white Moyles with rich harnesses and the Muâ—etiers in the same liuerie The Duke of 〈◊〉 Ambassaâ—or oâ— Spâ—iâ—e and withall a Carrosse with sixe pied horses and two Coachmen in cloth of gold At
the Rhine that it would please his Imperiall Maiestie and their Excellencies to write as well to the Admirall as to Andrew the Cardinall of Austria being at Bruxelles Gouernour in the absence of his cousin Albertus the Archduke and to the Generall Estates of the vnited Prouinces that either side should leaue the Townes which they held with any garrisons vpon the Territories of the Empire restoring euery one to his Prince or proper Lord. The Princes Electors of the Empire being aduertised hereof did write presently vnto the Emperour The Electors write vnto the Emperour to whom they sent an ample information of the hostilities committed by the Admirall vpon the lands of the Empire Vpon these Letters and aduise of the said Electors the Emperour did write as well to Albert the Archduke being at Milan as to Andreas the Cardinall at Bruxelles by the which hee commanded them to make reparation for the wrongs their Armie had done and admonisheth them to carry themselues modestly He did write also of the same date to the Estates of the vnited Prouinces and to the Admirall and therevnto did adde an Imperiall command whereby he charged them to depart out of the territories of the Empire restoring the Townes and Castels which they held vnto their true Lords and repairing the wrongs which they had done vpon paine of Proscription But the Admirall nor his Spaniards were not greatly moued at this charge they must haue other meanes then Edicts to chase as well the Admirall as the Pâ—ince Maurice out of the limits of the Empire All this yeare hath beene very tumultuous almost throughout all Christendom Hungarie vexed by the Turke The troubles of Ferrara had disquieted all Italy if the pietie and wisedome of Pope Clement the 8. had not preuented it Frâ—nce was not fully in quiet but had a suspension and cessation of Armes by the 〈…〉 that Noble King whom God had happily sent them England was troubled 〈…〉 Irishmen who were ayded and succoured by the Spaniard Spaine being exhaâ—sâ—â—d 〈◊〉 money by reason of the many expeditions which they were forced to mak◠〈…〉 feaâ—e to see Portugall wrested from them by the meanes of Sebastian King 〈◊〉 Portugall whom the Portugais hold to bee yet liuing and that they did see hi◠〈…〉 1598. Onely Poland had some rest but sodenly warre disquiets them Sigismonâ— Kiâ—g of Poland by election and by succession of Sueden Gothe and Vandale was â—ome tâ— make his residencie in Poland and had left Charles Duke of Suiderman his Vnâ—le 〈…〉 Fathers side for his Viceroy in his Countries of Sueden By this election 〈…〉 Polanders had made of Sigismond for their King who pretended the Duchie oâ— Liâ—â—nia by the right of his Mother it seemed that these two Realmes vnder one Kâ—â—g should haue enioyed a good and a long Peace But it fell out otherwise for the Duâ—e of Suiderman did many things in Sueden which Sigismond did not allow off Aâ—d therfore he had often intreated the Palatins and chiefe of the States of Poland to suffâ—r him to go into Sueden the which with much importunitie they granted Aâ—â—u tâ—e middest of Summer he imbaâ—kes at Dantzik with an armie promâ—sing to returne presently He arriues at Colmar a Sea Towne in Sueden The chiefe cause which hee pretended of his voyage was to reforme the State of Sueden and to restore the Catholâ—ke Religion But his Vncle Charles who was a Lutheran according to the confession of Ausbourg much respected both of great and small knowing the Kings arriuall and his intention and seeing that some of the best although few in number had gone and yeelded vnto the Kng he puts himselfe into armes leuies men in all parts and opposeth himselfe against the King his Nephew Warre in Sâ—edâ—n going to incounter him at Stekenbourg with whom he had many skirmishes sometimes with gaine sometimes with losse In this doubtfulnesse of the euent which might ensue hee sends Deputies to his Nephew to end their quarrels by a Peace the which the King refused saying that hee would not receiue a law from his Vncle and so the Deputies returned The King finding himselfe wronged with this taking of armes and with these skirmishes and incounters wherein hee had lost much resolues to Warre and marcheth towards the Towne of Lincop Duke Charles hearing that hee was dislodged followes him sodenly and sends him another Mediator for Peace by an Herauld after the maner of those Countries the King giues him no audience but according to their custome appoints tâ—e place of Battaile The Kâ—ngs Armie is ready at the day appointed but Charles and his people appeaâ—e not The Polonians held themselues for victors and went to lodge as they commonly say after the manner of the French Charles discouering their estate by his spies A sâ—â—atagem oâ— warre chargâ—th them being a sleepe and so were the Polonians surprised and defeated The King thinking to do well caused the Bridges to be broken which was the cause of a greater losse of his men The King of Suâ—dâ—n deâ—eaâ—ed who had no other meanes for their safety but to cast themselues into the water so as in a manner all perished that fled from the Battaile The King saued himselfe as well as hee could and sending Deputies tâ— his Vncle for a Peace in the end it was concluded First that all offenceâ— past should be forgotten and neuer more to be remembred That all Officers of the realme of â—ueden Pacification 〈…〉 which were at that time with the King should bee giuen in Hâ—stage to Dâ—ke Charles And that the Estates of Sueden should bee called in the Kings name witâ—in foure moneths to determine of all controuersies to whom they referred themselueâ— promising to allow of whatsoeuer they should determine Things thus concluded the King was expected by his Vncle at Stockholm but in steed of going thâ—ther he imbarked with his Sâ—ster at Stekenbourg and arriued at Colmar from whence hee set saâ—le to returne into Poland Most of his ships were spoiled and some perished in the tempest so as he landed at Dantzik more like vnto one that had escaped shipwrack tâ—en returned from a iust nauigation and it seemed that all adueâ—sities did bandâ—e against his fortune Such was the successe of King Sigismonds enterprise About the end of September Omar Bascha Vizir that is to say Lieutenant geâ—erall to the Turke with an armie of three score thousand men besieged Varadin â— Towne of Transiluania in the which one Melchior Reder a Silesian Gentleman was Gouernour The Turke 〈…〉 in vaâ—ne a man of great reputation as well for his knowledge as for his practise in Warre finding the Towne not defensible he burnt it and withdrew all he could into the Castell whereas the Gouernour Melchior Reder tooke an oth of the Souldiers that none should presume to parlee with the enemie or once to speake of yeelding vpon pâ—ine of death as well for the Author of this Councell as for his Adherent iâ—
then those of the Consistorie The Ambassador of Spaine at Rome would not haue the Duke of Sauoy doe his businesse alone nor the controuersie for the Marquisate of Salusses to remaine at his disposition the King his Maister was interessed therein The King of Spaine repaires all it was reasonable he should be the first Moouer of all his motions He therefore intreated the Pope not to leaue things imperfect and not to refuse to end a worke so happily begun for the generall good of all Christendom greatly interessed in the Concord of two Kings who could not long continue if all occasions of Warre that might growe vpon this question for the Marquisate of Salusses were not taken away The Duke had already found in many occasions that the Councels of Spaine were not alwaies put in execution to his content that he fastned his Hopes to a rotten Cable trusting to their resolutions and that their deceits though couered with goodly shews of Loue and affection were so much the more odious vnto him for that he which deceiues vnder the name of friendship The Duke complaines of the Spainards is more to be blamed then he that is deceiued He therefore propounded to doe his businesse without them and from many great discontents hee tooke a resolution to go into France so as from that time hee neuer slept quietly vntill hee were assured of the Kings word The Duchesse of Beaufort had alwaies fauoured his intentions Gabrielle d' Estrey Marquâ—s of Monceaux and Duchesâ—e of Beaufort and desired to assure her selfe of such a Prince who offered vnto her all his meanes to support her fortune hauing sent vnto her tâ—e goodliest Iewell that was in the Cabinet of Madam Marguerite his Mother She also considering that whatsoeuer is done by Men may bee vndone by them againe that Princes fauoures are inconstant and that humane things haue nothing firme nor constant no more then the Sea shee willingly gaue eare to the promises which hee made her for the good of her hopes He could not haue found a better Sollicitor but death tooke her away Shee parted from Fontainbleau in the beginning of the weeke before Easter to come to Paris and there to passe the Feasts The Diuiners whom Idlenesse and Curiositie entertaines commonlie at the Court sayd That a Child should hinder her from attaining to that wherevnto shee did aspire Shee had heard some thing and in this apprehension she tooke her leaue of the King at her departure as if she had beene assured neuer to see him more recommending her Children vnto him the finishing of her Houâ—e at Monceaux and the Rewarding of her Seruants This recommendation of her Children did chiefely concerne the Duke of Vendosme whom she loued deerly and whom she intended to bring vp in the most perfect institution of Vertue Being at Paris shee went on the Wednesday to S. Anthonies Church to heare the Musick where shee was seized with extreame paines which neuer left her vntill that life had left her They killed the Infant in her and tormented her with such cruell convulsions as they drew her mouth to the nape of her neck Shee was first lodged at Zamets house neere Saint Anthonies gate but being fallen into this extremitie shee was carried to the lodging of Madame de Sourdis her Ante in the Cloister of Saint Germain l'Auxerrois Death of the Duchesâ—e of â—eaufort where on the Saterday shee ended her life Vpon the first aduertisment of her sicknesse the King went from Fontainbleau to see her The Marshall d' Ornano met him and beseeched him to returne for that sight could not prolong the life of the sicke and would but increase his greefe Presently after arriued Belieure who brought the newes of her death into whose Carosse the King went to euaporate more at ease his sighes the which hope of recouerie had somewhat restrained Words are not able to charme such sensible blowes and it is an error to thinke that griefe is driuen away by exorcismes that it regardes words or is stayed by discourse Yet this first violence of the Kings affliction was calmed by the wise and graue admonitions of this Nestor who said that France had acknowledged him for her Hercules and as hee had beene like vnto him in many labours equally glorious and admirable so now hee should bee vnlike him in that he did abandon the Argonautes for the griefe he had for the death of Hylas whom he loued This death did much trouble the Couâ—t for the sorrow and lamentation which the King made for her Her beautie and good behauiour had moued the King to loue her for the long absence of Queene Marguerite whose place she was in hope to possesse absolutely She left him three Children Caesar Monsieur Duke of Vendosme Alexander Moâ—sieur who was named Earle of Armagnaâ— at this time is appointed Grand Prior of France and one Daughter She was more lamented of priuate persons then of the publike who found her hopes more insupportable then her carriage She offended few and bound many vnto her A great Personage sayd That she was of such an humour that seeing the King must needs loue he could not loue an obiect whose loue would be lesse preiudiciall to himselfe nor to his people so as shee continued in the first condition of her birth The Duke of Sauoy was much grieued for her death But as Domesticall afflictions which chance to Princes although they bee separated from the publike are not lesse â—eeling and violent his griefe to see his affaires so crost on all sides was augmented by the Death of D. Phillippin his Bastard Brother whom Crequy slue in combate It is a great paine to purchase Honour a greater to preserue it but greatest of all to recouer it when it is lost Speaking of Honour I meane the reputation of goodly and vertuous actions whereof Honour is the recompence and the sweetest nourishment Of those things which do blemish the lustre of Honour the fiâ—st and most base is to speake or do any thing for feare of death The second is to endure and suffer a word of Contempt Iniurie or Affront The third is a Lye This rigorous obseruation of the point of Honour doth now countenance a Combate as memorable for the condition of the persons the forme and circumstance of the combate and the cause of the quarrell as any other of this age Qâ—arrels haue not alwayes reasonable grounds The litlâ— Fort of Chamousset was taken by Les Diâ—uieres in Iuly 1597. this had nothing but despight which D. Phillippin had conceiued being told him that Crequy had vanted he had gotten his Scarfe at the taking of the little Fort built by the Duke of Sauoy neere vnto Chamousset to fauour the passage of his armie D. Phillippin some moneths after thinking that this was spoken to the preiudice of his Honor sent him a challenge Crequy comes to the place appointed by the appeale but the appellant was kept back
much grieued for his death his funeralls weâ—e made in Lorraine and at our Ladyes Church in Paris the whole Court of Parliament did assist and Francis de Sala elect Bishop of Geneua made the Funerall Sermon A Complaint of the third Estate of Daulphine During the publike sports in Court the Kings Councell laboured to end the sute betwixt the Commons or third Estate and the two first Orders of Daulphine The Commons complayning that all the Charges and publike oppressions and all that might be burthensome was layd vpon them without any hope from the other Estates of the Prouince although they made not the sixt part being reasonable that all the charges being common they should bee supported equally by all the Prouince by her first condition beeing declared free from all such charges and with this freedome was giuen at the first to France Euery order pleaded for his owne liberties by the Deputies the which the King hauing heard he set downe a generall order touching the Taxes of Daulphiné as you may â—eade at large in Pierre Mathewe The King hauing pasâ—ed the feast of Easter at Fontainbleau prepared to goe to Blois to Tours and to Poitiers and farther if the good of his presence so required Many beleeued that his intent was to go an other way which agreed well with their humours who breathed nothing but warre The great leuies which were made in Italie the Warlike humor of the Count of Fuentes· the great stirring of the Duke of Sauoye who could not liue in Peace the discontent of the Spaniards for the preiudiciall â—onditions of the Treaty of Veruins and many other considerations gaue some shew of the common opinion of Warre The King also had some intelligence that the Sea Army prepared in the Realme of Naples had an enterprise vpon Prouence although the Spaniards gaue it out that it was for Algier but the cleer-sighted knewe well that without some treason among the French the Spaniards affaires were not in so good Estate as to attempt any thing against France The King was aduertised that the Duke of Biron was strayed from his dutie The Duke of Birons câ—nspiracy discouered and assured moreouer that this disposition of his did not growe in an instant that he had not entred into these bad resolutions sodenly if hee had not had conference with strangers Hee could not beleeue that a spirit so Vigilant so Actiue and so Valiant could suffer it selfe to be transported with such violent furies and it seemed a dreame vnto him that a man which had gotten so much Honour to whome his Father had left so much and who had receiued daylie what hee would from the King should resolue to that which was contrarie to his Honor and the greatnesse of his courage This good opinion made the King not to beleeue the aduice which was giuen him of his badde intentions making no shew thereof but that he would giue him the Gouernment of Guienne and two hunred thousand Crownes recompence with the Castells of Trompette and Blaye to drawe him from the Frontier which was more comodious for conference with them who were resolued to withdrawe him from France or to ruine him They had sought him after the taking of Lan The Duke of Biron refused the Gouâ—rnment of Guienne when as they descouered that hee was come to Paris in choller for that the King had refused him some thing wherewith hee gratâ—fied the Duchesse of Beaufort then they offred him two hundred thousand Crownes yearely entertaynment and to bee Generall of all the Kings of Spaines orces in France As they had found him an Achilles in battayle so they found him an Vlisses to their words stopping his eares at their Inchantments saying that choller should neuer drawe him from his dutie that although his Nature were fire and boyling in the feeling and apprehension of a wrong He refused entertainment from the Spaniards yet his heart would neuer suffer this fire to consume the Faith and Loyaltie which hee ought vnto his Prince Hee retayned nothing of the offer which they made him but onelie the remembrance of the esteeme which they made of his valour and euen then hee suffred himselfe to bee carried away with those motions which doe often transport the minde to insolency and contempt of all things when they see themselues assured of ease howesoeuer the chance fall and that they shall neuer bee vnder the seruitude of necessity He was some-times herd-say that hee would not die He sayd hee would die a Soâ—â—eraigne before he had seene his head set vpon a quarter of a Crowne that hee would rather goe to a Scaffold to loose his head then to an Hospitall to begge his bread that hee would die young or haue meanes to doe his friends good Eyther Caesar or nothing Either a free life or a glorious death but hee had neither of them His desseignes made him to vtter words of a Soueraigne and so absolute as the wise did impute it to extreame arrogancie the which hath alwaies ruined them that entertaine it It is a great happinesse for an Estate to haue great Captaines but there is nothing so hard to entertaine for when as they thinke that they haue bound their Country vnto them although all they doe bee lesse then their duties they are easily discontented and like to Pausanias and Themistocles speeke new allyances and friendship from enemies if they bee not rewarded to their owne wills and to the heigth of their Ambition The Duke of Biron had done great seruice to the King and Realme He was honored with the first charges oâ— the realme so were his recompences so great as no Nobleman of his quality in France but might enuie him For beeing not yet forty yeares olde hee had enioyed the chiefest dignities of the Realme At foureteene yeares hee was Colonell of the Suisses in Flanders Soone after Mashall of the Campe and then Marshall generall Hee was receiued Admirall of France in the Parliament at Tours and Marshall of France in that of Paris Hee acknowledged none but the King at the seege of Amiens and was his Maiesties Lieutenant Generall although there were Princes of the bloud To encrease his greatnesse hee was declared a Peere of France and his Barony erected into a Duchie And yet not content with all this hee sayd hee would not die but hee would straine higher That hee will goe no more to recouer the Townes of Picardie vnlesse the King set vppâ— his Image in brasse before the Lovure vsing still in his brauerie some very dangerous speeches and with such affection as hee was not pleased with them that did not applaude them When hee sawe after the seege of Amiens that Brittaine was reduced and the Warre ended He desires contâ—nuâ—nce of the Warre hee thought that hauing no more vse of his valour hee should haue no more credit that hee should haue no more meanes to play the petty King and to doe all that without
Duke of Biron into the hands of Iustice if he might not otherwise draw the truth froÌ„ him of his bad attempts They continued play still the King taking the Queenes place sometimes attending the end of his resolutions The Count of Avuergne was retryed The King sent for him and walked vp down the chaÌ„ber whilest the Duke of Biron drempt of nothing but his Game Varenâ—es Lieutenant of his Company making a shewe to take vp his Cloake told him in his eare That he was vndon This word troubled him so as he neglected his Game The Queene obserued it and told him That he had misreckoned himselfe to his owne losse The King said That they had plaied ynough commanding euery man to retire He entred into his Cabinet comanded the Duke of Biron to enter with him whose Health or Ruine depended vpon an answer pleasing to his Maiesty Who willed him once for all to declare what he had done with the Duke of Sauoy the Count of Fuentes and that he should assure himselfe his Clemency should be greater then his fault He will 〈◊〉 humble himselâ—e to the Kings Clemency The Duke of Biron who beleeued that he deserued Death that demanded Life had not the Heart to humble himselfe nor the Tongue to craue pardon He answered the King more boldly then euer That they had ouerprest an Honest man and that he neuer had any other desseigne then that which he had sayde I would to God it were so replyed the King but you will not tell it mee Adieu Goodnight As he goes out off the Cabinet and had past the chamber doore he met with Vitry who layes his hand vpon his Sword He is seized on at the Kings chamber dore and demands it of him by the Kings commandment From me said the Duke of Biron to take away my Sword who haue so well serued the King my Sword who haue ended the War and haue setled a Peace in France That my Sword which my Enemies could neuer take from me should be taken from me by my friends He intreated the Duke of Montbazon to beseech the King to giue him leaue to deliuer it into his owne hands The King sent Vitry charge to doe his commandment The Duke of Biron was forced to suffer them to take it from him and in deliuering it he cast his eyes about him to see if hee could seize vppon some other but they had preuented him When as he sawe all the Gard placed in order in the Gâ—llerye hee thought they would haue slaine him and demanded something in his hand That he might haue the Honour to die in dâ—fending himselfe and some little time to praye vnto God They answered him That there was not any man would offend him that they had no other charge from the King but to conduct him to his lodging You see said he in passing how they intreat good Catholikes Hee was conducted to the Cabinet of Armes whereas he neither slept nor laye downe Pralin went to the Count of Avuergne declared vnto him the Kings Commandment and demanded his Sword Hold take it said the Count it hath neuer killed any but wilde Boares The Count of Avuergne taken if thou hadâ—st aduertised mee of this I had beene in bed and a sleepe two houres since These two Noblemen were like vnto two Torches which beeing held downward are quenched with the Waxe which did nourish them and giue them light And as if all the Dâ—kes power had beene in his Sword as soone as he had deliuered it he remayned as a Body without a Soule and was in a moment depriued of all that which Galba held most precious among Men Fayth Liberty and Friendshippe There came no word out off his Mouth but did offend God or the King Hee suffered himselfe to bee carried away with extreame impatience The foresight of miserie which doth moderate it in others made it insupportable to him cursing himselfe and his Indiscretion in that hee had not beleeued his good friends who aduised him to make his Peace a farre off This Choller in effect was not much vnlike vnto a Madde man but in the countenance for sodainly he reclaymed himselfe and considered that all his Cries and Words were not of force to saue him Presently Dispatches were made to all the Princes and Potentats of Christendome to Gouernors of Prouinces and to Ambassadors who were amazed at this accident as of a most odius conspiracy by a person that was so much obliged Those which â—auoured it gaue out false brutes in Italy that it was a blowe giuen to Religion to weaken it in the ruine of him who said that he desired no more glorious Title False bruites of the causes of his imprisonment then to be surnamed The Scourge of the Huguenots That it was an aduice from England to breake the Iauelins one after another The King would haue these false impressions made cleare by the light of truth euen whereas the passion of his Enemies did seeke to obscure it One wryting out off the Realme vpon this subiect said That it was no question of Religion but to dismember the Crowne and to diuide it at the discretion of the Counsell of Spaine A Letter written by one of the K ngs seruants and the Duke of Sauoy rooting out the King and his Race It may bee the Authors and Vndertakers would haue beene troubled in the execution of their desseigne although we had not preuented them as now we haue But it was the end whereunto they aspired The names of many haue beene drawn in vnknowne to them the which the Kings Iustice might well discerne and veresie you must not be moued with the bruits which fly abroad but beleeue what I write vnto you for it is the very truth The next day about Dinner-time the Duke of Biron sent to tell his Maiesty The Duke of Biron thinks to feare the King That if he tooke not order for Burgundy it was lost for that as soone as the Baron of Lux should heare of his Imprisonment he would vndoubtedly deliuer Dijon and Beaune vnto the Spaniard These words did greatly offend the King who said Behold the Boldnesse and impudency of the Marshall Biron who sends me word that Burgundy is lost if I take not order and that the Barron of Lux will draw in the Spaniard when he shall heare of his imprisonment His Obstinacy hath vndone him if he would haue told me the truth of one thing whereof I haue proofe by his owne hand writing he should not be where he is I would I had payd two hundred thousand Crowns that he had giuen me meanes to pardon him I neuer loued any so much as him I would haue committed my Son and Realme into his hands He hath done mee good seruice yet he cannot deny but I haue thrice saued his life I drewe him out off the enemies hands at Fontaine-Francoise so wounded and so amazed with blowes that as I played the Souldiar
him for a Study said vnto him My Son I see that he whose Natiuity this is shall come to great Honours by his industry and Millitary valour and may be a King but there is a CAPVT ALGOL which hinders it And what is that said the Baron of Biron Aske me not said la Brosse what it is No said the Baronâ— I must know it In the end he sayd vnto him My Son it is that he wil do that which shall make him loose his Head WhervpoÌ„ the BaroÌ„ as they report did beat him cruelly hauing left him halfe dead he went downe carried away the Key of the Garret dore whereof he bragged wheÌ„ he was gone They say he had conference with one Caesar who was a Magitian at Paris who told him That onely a backe-blow of the Bourguignon would keepe him from being â— King He remembred this prediction beeing a Prisoner in the Bastille And intreated one that went to visit him to learne if the Executioner of Paris were a Bourguignon and hauing found it so he said I am a dead man During these last Ciuill Wars 〈◊〉 Father being Commander of the Kings Army of a young Baron hee was sodainâ—y made a Captaine and Marshall of the Campe. After his Fathers death at Eâ—pernâ—â— he was Generall and Admirall of France then Marshall and Lieutenant of the Kings Armyes the defeate of the Spanish succors at Laon with his exploytes in Burgunâ—y and Picardy made the King so to loue him as he onely was in credit there remayned nothing but to vse his happinesse modestly Doubtlesse hee did great seruices to the King and to the Crowne but he was rewarded with great fauours and 〈◊〉 to the greatest Dignities and Honours of the Crowne the which if he could haue vsed temperately euen in the height of his Fortune he had beene too happy 〈◊〉 reported that his Father sayd vnto him seeing his haughty disposition Baron I would aduice thee when a Peace shal be made The Marshall birons words vnto his Son when he was but Baron of Biron to go and liue priuately at thine owne house else thou must leaue thy head at the Greue All Princes that were allied to the Crowne of France reioyced at the discouery of the Duke of Birons Treason The Queene of England and the King of Scotland sent their Ambassadors vnto the King to congratulate that God had so happily preuented this last Conspiracy The King of Spaine did the like by Taxis The â—rchduke sayde all the blame vpon the Count of Fuentes The Duke of Sauoy sent the Count of Viesque vnto the King as well to obserue howe the Duke of Birons death had beene taken in Court and in that Great Citty whereas there was diuersity of Humors and Opinions as to excuse him from the Imputation which was layd vpon him to be the first Architect of this Conspiracy The Ambassadors of England Scotland and Sauoy were receiued of one day at Monceaux Ambassadors sent to the King to congratulate The King in receiuing of them made a great difference for hee receiued them not with one Countenance The last was not vsed like vnto the first the King leaning vpon a Window shewed by his gesture that he was not pleased with his excuses and that words alone could not repayre so bad effects nor make him beleeue that the Duke of Sauoy had not beene an Actor to corrupt the Duke of Biron The Dukes Ambassador made his excuse with a great Grace and Boldnesse although it be a very hard thing to discourse of a subiect to one that can giue no beleefe vnto it The Count of Viesque passing through Lions visited the Gouernoâ— and gaue him a Letter from his Maister the which he sent vnto the King who was very well pleased with his proceeding The Kings Letter to 〈◊〉 de la 〈◊〉 the 1. of September 1â—02 and writ vnto him in this sort It was not needefull to send me this Letter but onely to giue mee a newe Confirmation of your loyalty which I hold so assured as it needed neyther that nor any other But the wisest do alwayes obserue the ancient formes whereof that is one of the principall not to sâ—e nor heare any thing from forraine Princes without the priuity and permission of his Maister The King parted from Monâ—eaux to go to Paris where he dispatched the Ambassadors That of Sauoy came to his Maister being newly returned from Vercel where he had visited the Duke of Saxonies brother passing into Italy He presented him with eight Horses richly furnished and a Hat-band with a Iewell esteemed at twelue thousand Crownes Soone after hee â—ent to Riuoly for his pleasure of Hunting leading D' Albigny with him to whom hee made shewes of extraordinary Loue. Mens coniectures were not able to peerce into the secrets of that which they treated of together but they will burst forth before the yeare shall end The Count of Viesque came to Riuoly in the beginning of October Euery man said at Thurin that his Ambassage was Gratious Bâ—uâ—es of war after the death of thâ— Duke of Biron and that the King was weâ—l pleased with that which the Duke of Sauoy would haue him beleeue yet all Sauoy was â—ull of Souldiars and no man knew howe they should bee imployed Some sayd that the Duke of Birons death would breed a newe storme in France but all the choller and threats of them that repined thereat was but a fantasticall lightning The Count of Fuentes would haue done his best to haue bred a storme his spirit which hath no rest but in exercise thinking with Teres father to Sitalâ—es that nothing doth dâ—stingâ—ish him from the rest of his Maisters seruants but War was so much discontented for this death as he could not sleepe He did meditate of reuenge and the King was well aduertised thereâ—f It was thought that vnder colour of passing a newe army ouer the Alpes hee would discouer some desseine and the King was aâ—uerâ—iâ—ed from many parts that the Cittie of Lions was not the last nor the least in his chollenke thoughts That three and twentie companies of Spaniards in the which wereâ—t the least three thousand men had past the Mountaines and were dispersed in Sauoy that the Duke of Sauoy had at Romilly fiue hundred men vnder the Regiment of Valdisers and at Anissy 1500. Neapolitains that they attended some Lansâ—uenets that neere vnto Genoa their were thirtie Companies of Spaniards landed and that they fortâ—fied Saint Genis against the last Treatie of Peace a fit place to execute any desleine vppon Lions or Vienne The King therefore foreseeing that if they sought any aduantage vppon France it should be rather for Lions then any other place hee therefore lodged in the Bastions of Saint Iohn and Saint Clair fiue Companies of the Regiment of Bourg L' Espinasse and those of Nerestan at Montlael and Seissel The opinions of this new Armie were as diuers as their desseins were secret yet