maner of aranging the horse in hay or file is now to small vse also that it were necessarie they should take the vse of Squadrons pag. 184 16 Of the vse of Camarades which among the Spanish footmen are of great accompt pag. 190 17 Of the rewards ordinarily bestowed vpon the Spanish souldiers when they haue done any notable peece of seruice which they tearme their Aduantages pag. 194 Foure militarie Paradoxes 1 That a squadron of Reistres should beate a squadron of Speares pag. 198 2 That 2500. Corcelets and 1500 Harquebuziers may more easely retire three French leagues in a plaine field then 2000. Speares pag. 203 3 That it is expedient for a Captaine to haue susteyned an ouerthrow pag. 210 4 That daily experience haue taught such meanes to fortifie Houlds as are most profitable in respect of the small charge thereof and no lesse defensible then such stately ones as the Ingeniors haue aforetime inuented pag. 215 19 That the continuation of the wicked proceedings of the warres of these daies doe make a iust cause to seeme vniust pag. 220 20 That a King of France is of himselfe mightie enough though he neither couet nor seeke other greatnesse then his owne realme doth afford him pag. 226 21 That alliances of Christian Princes with Mahumetistes the capitall enemies of the name of Christ haue euermore bene vnfortunate also that we ought not to enter any firme confederacie with them pag. 234 22 That the Christian Princes well vnited are able in foure yeeres to expulse the Turkes out of Europe pag. 245 23 Of the Philosophers stone pag. 291 24 Against those that thinke that godlinesse depriueth man of all pleasures pag. 312 25 That euery man according to his capacitie and vocation may vse contemplation pag. 334. Obseruations of diuers things happened in the three first troubles of France together with the true reporte of the most parte of the same The first Troubles That the Protestants but for the late accident at Vassie had bene preuented in the beginning of the first ciuill warre pag. 346 Whether the Lord Prince of Conde in the first troubles committed so great an ouersight as many haue giuen out in that he seased not vpon the Court or Paris pag. 350 Of three things which I noted that happened afore the armies tooke the field The one pleasant the other artificiall and the third lamentable pag. 352 Of the Prince of Condees promise somwhat rashly made to the Queene Mother that hee would depart the Realme of France and why it was not performed pag. 357 By what occasion the warre did first breake foorth betweene the two armies pag. 362 Of the good discipline which for the space of two moneths only was obserued among the Prince of Condees troopes both of hotsemen and footmen Also of the originall of Picoree or Prowlinge pag. 361 Of the reasons that moued the Prince of Condees armie to breake vp after the taking of Boisgency also how hee conuerted that necessitie into profite and of the purposes of the King of Nauarre pag. 366. That but for the forraine ayde that the Lord of Andelot brought in the Protestants affayres had bene but in bad case and many mens mindes shrewdly daunted as well through the taking of Bourges and Roan as for the ouerthrow of the Lord of Duras pag. 372 Of the Prince of Condees purposes when he sawe his forraine succour approach and how he came before Paris from whence after he had there soiorned eleuen daies and done nothing he departed toward Normandie pag. 375 Of sixe notable occurrences in the battaile of Dreux pag. 379 Of the siege by the Lord of Guize layd to Orleance also of the Lord Admirals iourney into Normandie pag. 384 The second Troubles Of the causes of the taking of armes in the second troubles also how the purposes wherevpon the Protestants had built themselues proued vayne pag. 388 That the P. of Condees attempt of three things set a proud face vpon the beginning of his enterprise wherat the Catholiks were at the first astonied pa 394 Of the most notable occurrēces happened at the departure frō S. Denis p. 396 Of the voyages of both the armies toward Lorrain but to seueral intēts p. 400 Of the returne of the two armies toward Orleance Paris also of the course that the Prince of Conde tooke in victualling marching and lodging of his men pag. 403 Of the new forces out of sundrie Prouinces that met at Orleance which inuited the Prince of Conde to vndertake the voyage to Chartres pag. 406 The second peace concluded at Lon-iumeau pag. 409 The third Troubles Of the Protestants diligent retreat in the last troubles also of the Lord of Martigues braue resolution when he came to Saumure pag. 411 That the respite which his Maiestie gaue to the Prince of Conde without sending any armie against him was a meanes for him to preuaile of a great Prouince without the support wherof he could not haue cōtinued the warre p. 415 Of the first progresse of both the armies when being in their prime they sought with like desire to fight pag 418 That both the armies endeuouring to ouercome each other could not so much as come to battaile also that the sharpnesse of the wether parted them almost destroying as well the one as the other in fiue daies pag. 425 Of the death of the Prince of Conde at Bassac pag. 430 Of the notable passage of the D. of Bipont from the borders of Rhine euen into Aquitaine pag. 434. The siege of Poicters pag. 438 Of the battaile of Montcontour pag. 442 That the siege of S. Iohn d'Angely was the springing againe of the Protestants pag. 446 That the towne of Rochel stood the Protestants in this warre in no lesse stead then Orleance had done in the former pag. 447 That in 9. moneths the Princes armie marched almost 300. leagues compassing in maner the whole realme of France also what successe they had in this voyadge pag. 449. The causes of the third peace The comparison therof with the former also whether the same were necessary pag. 454. FINIS THE POLITICK AND MILITARIE DISCOVRSES of the Lord De la Nouë The first Discourse That the realme of France doth by little and little runne into decay and is neere to a great ouerthrow vnlesse God of his goodnesse vphold it Also that as yet there be some remedies to raise it vp againe in case they may bee with speede accepted THE mindes of euery man ought to be firmely and stedfastly resolued that God is the author of all politick gouernements which he hath established to the ende that through good order all humaine societie may bee preserued and mainteyned in pietie and iustice also that it is he that vpholdeth them in their beautie force and dignitie vntill that vpon mans contempt of his lawes and corruption of their maners he powre foorth his wrath vpon them whereof doe ensue the subuertions and alterations of Monarchies and Commonwelths Those men
when the men of arms were instituted maintained ordinarilie vsed y t others were quite reiected reseruing vnto them only their auncient name with a verie weake effect Howbeit I will not blame the institution of the men of armes which haue brought forth so good effects still may bring forth more nay rather I wil alow it but likewise I wish to see a good order among all that deale w t armes The difference between thē consisteth not in y e men for y t same nobilitie y t in time past serued after one manner doth now serue after another The diuersitie resteth in the warfare which is changed The better to vnderstand these changes to know the dueties of seruice we must take things farther of climbe euē to their original Those that haue written of the affaires of France especiallie the L. of Haillan do aduow that our fees were instituted vnder the first line of our kings By which fees he meaneth a certain quantity of land which they gaue to some more to some lesse to such gentlemen famous warriors as had serued thē in the wars to holde the same vpon their faith homage to come serue them a certaine time of the yere at their own charge To the end also that these noble innobled persons should be the better able to maintaine thēselues they licensed thē to let and demise their lands to the pesants for rent and yerely pension Moreouer they granted thē both high meane and lawe iustice ouer their men and vassalles the appeales whereof were reserued to their soueraigne iurisdiction Thus had the high Iusticer his lawe and inferiour Iustices vnd er him whom he tearmed his men of warre for they were bounde to wait vpon him as vpon the Lord of their fee and the others he tearmed peasants These landes thus giuen vpon condition aforesayd such a fee was to set out one man of armes such a one an archer such a one a third and such a one a fourth who were bound to meet at a place appointed so oft as by the dukes or earles who were but simplie gouernors of the prouinces townes or their bailiefes or stewards y t succeeded thē they should be commanded These assēblies were called Ban or Heriban which after some signifieth crie or outcrie This order seemeth to haue bene confirmed in the time of Charlemayn vnder whose posteritie the fees Lordships which vnder our former kings were but benefits giuen for tearme of life were through fauour continued from the Father to the sonne and so grew to be patrimoniall and hereditarie Heereby it appeareth what goodly priuiledges haue bene graunted to the nobilitie but withall we are to consider that the bonds are verie strict For they must alwayes come armed in defence of the Realme and be readie to repulse the assaultes and violences of straungers abroad These were the auncient strength of France where with our kings for the space of seuen hundred yeeres did many notable deedes vntill the yere 1454. wherein the men of armes were instituted But who so is desirous more perticularly to see theyr auncient order let them read Frossart who describeth the difference between the Barons Bannerets and high Iusticers as also of those that might beare banners which were square Ensignes and of those that might carrie but penons Likewise the armes of knights and manner of fight as well ioyntly as seuered with the rewards and martiall punishments neither doe I doubt but hauing seene all this he will iudge our auncestors to haue beene braue fellowes The Lord of Haillan like wise in his discourses of France dooth shew how fees came to be alienated which were not amisse to bee knowen The first cause proceeded of our parents deuotion For they being by the Cleargie dayly perswaded that they that gaue most to the beautifying and enriching of the Church had the highest places in paradise such of them as were able founded Abbies Priories and Chappels al wel prouided for of good rents therby thinking sufficiently to discharge themselues Then followed the imaginations of Purgatorie where they were tolde that for a mortall sinne they must burne seuen yeres in a most violent fire howbeit y t they might be deliuered therefro through abundance of messes and praiers Wherevpon he that had but one hundred shillings of rent gaue twentie for singing and praying as well for his owne soule as for his kinsfolkes and parents deceased Thus came aboue the sixt part of the fees of France into the hands of the Clergie The second cause was the vioages vndertakē for the conquest of the holy land whereat whosoeuer bare anie valiant minde would not faile to be the rather for y t our kings thēselues went in person And because that some lasted three or foure yeres the nobles solde part of their fees so to get money to maintaine themselues withal Besides all this they also made their wills wherein they bequeathed in case they died a good portion thereof to be praied for so as many dying in those dangerous and long iourneies a greate number of the fees were still alienated to the Church The third cause hath growen of the continual warres with the Englishmen where through many Gentlemen haue bene forced to sell their fees to the vnnoble who had permission of the kings to buy the same for with out such license they could not before haue anie proprietie therein All which alienations set together haue pulled the third part of fées out of the bodie of the nobilitie whereby they are fallen as it were into dead hands that is into their hands who cannot in person discharge the auncient duties belonging to the same Likewise since that time the Lawiers Receiuers some Merchants haue so wel husbanded for themselues that they also haue laide holde vppon a good part of the sayd fees so as we may truly saie that the nobilitie doe not now possesse aboue the one halfe Which notwithstanding our kings in the meane time haue still had the vse of their Arrierbans wherin were but few Gentlemen who all almost ranne into place where paye honours and martiall rewards were shared out so as there remaine none but men of smal experience neither were they imploied but in the defence of those prouinces that lay farthest out of the danger of warre Moreouer many of all sorts of people both great and smal haue purchased exemptions frō the charges wherto their fées are bound which haue bred as great weakning both in men and money Our kings Frances the first and Henrie the second seeing all these inconueniences which they sought to redresse made notable decrees for the reducing of the said Arrierbans into some order which for lacke of well obseruing haue not much profited Thus much in briefe of the succession of these matters Some man may now tell me y t I labour in vaine in giuing counsaile to redresse that thing which the experience of many yeres
dishonor him neither neede we elsewhere seeke the cause of the Turkish prosperitie then in our owne sinnes the continuance whereof doe thereto minister sustenance and strength where contrariwise our amendment would bée an occasion that the Lord should pull it downe I would wish all such as are familier with Princes often to put them in minde that lawfull Monarchies which ought to be supported with Pietie and Iustice cannot bee preserued by any meanes repugnant to these vertues so to resolue them the more not to seeke any profite in actions vtterly seperate from honestie I knowe there may be some that will say that France is now so weake and brought so low that it were not meete it should for sake those leagues which seeme to retaine her enemies in any feare who would peraduenture be easely enduced to set vpon her so soone as the proppe which is to them a terror shall be taken away First the Germaines would redemaund the imperiall townes Then the Spanyard who hath sundrie both olde and new quarels would alleadge some one or other and it is to bee doubted but such mightie enémies would deale hardly with her Indeede this requireth consideration But the Germaines will aunswer That their nation is not so hot to entangle the Empire in so great a warre which they would not wish to bee mightier then it is least it should gripe them as did the Emperour Charles the Duke of Saxony and the Lantgraue Neither would they aduance the ruine of France which they knowe to bee a good counterpaize for the inner side of Christendome and a strong shield for the outer side The Spaniards do say that the long peace betweene their King France together with his affayres in the Low countries doe sufficiently declare that he intendeth not to molest her with warres For it is enough for him that she daily decayeth through her owne ciuill dissentions whereby now he no whit feareth her power which aforetime hath bene a terror vnto him So as it were rather to be beléeued that if the Princes her neighbours might see France for an vniuersall benefite to giue ouer their league with the Turkes they would like very well of so commendable a worke which they haue long desired Howbeit I referre my selfe to the matter as it is and to conclude doe say that our Kings in olde time shewed forth their affection to the rooting out of the enemies of Christendome for them selues trauailed personally together with the flower of their Subiects euen into Asia and Affricke to fight with them namely Lewes the yong Phillip August and S. Lewes as also Godfrey of Bolein with most of the Princes that accompanied him in his voyadge to Ierusalem were for the most part French men Likewise long before them what scourges were Charles Martell and Charlemaigne to the Sarazens who being the Lords of y e French nation obteyned mightie victories against that terrible people Wherevpon I conclude that vpon good occasion with condition and assurance sufficient vnto our King that none would attempt against his state I thinke we should not finde him to haue any whit degenerated from his auncesters zeale to wisedome and valour The 22. Discourse That the Christian Princes well vnited are able in fower yeres to expulse the Turkes out of Europe IT might better beséeme sundry excellent Captaines whome I take to bee yet liuing as the L. Iohn Dorie the Italian Lazarus Schuendy the Germaine or the Knight of Romegas the French man who haue bin employed in diuers warres against the Turkes to discourse of such meanes as may best serue to suppresse their power then mee who neuer sawe their streamers waue in the wind either by sea or by land neither looked vpon their frontiers Neuerthelesse sith yet they haue layd open no parte of their goodly conceipts in this argument howbeit I cannot thinke but they haue imparted some to their friends I haue thought good as well for mine owne content as also to instruct others who peraduenture haue not employed their cogitations vpon such an hautie exployt to speake somewhat thereof and that the rather because I suppose it to be most iust and necessarie to the vniuersall benefite of all Christendome Yet not that I would men should thinke I would at randon put forth any speeches depending onely vpon my owne imaginations for so might they conteyne small assurance But hauing read and ouer read the histories that entreate of their warres therwith noted what hath happened in our time I haue accompted such a ground to bee sufficient to beare vp whatsoeuer we list to build therevpon Here might I haue occasion to rehearse the originall and encrease of this tyrannous and vnpitifull Turkish Empire but sith I haue alreadie declared it in an other small treatise I will vse no repetition Such as are neighbours thereto doe bat too much feele the waight thereof neither ought they that bée farther of to bee ignorant that it is a horrible scourge of Gods vengeance which hauing many yeeres agoe ouerthrowne the florishing Easterne Empire and set deepe foote into the Westerne doth yet threaten the rest to bring it vnder the intollerable yoake therof The consideration of the greatnesse of this perrill which is so neere might bee sufficient to terrifie and waken especially those that are in chiefest dignitie to straine themselues to prouide for cōmon preseruation For the fire by little little taketh hold hath alreadie consumed the suburbes of Christendome namely Hungarie with all the great coastes of the Adriatick sea cōmonly called Sclauonia So as by sea wee haue these barbarous people at the mouthes of our hauens vpon the land in our gates Certaine it is that had it not bene for the famous victorie of Don Iohn of Austrich a most valiant and noble Prince together with the warre of Wallachie wherein died 50000. Turkes now their last with the Persian which hath cost them very deere we should haue felt their forces Al which losses notwithstanding yet do they hold the I le of Ciprus as a glorious monument of their tryumph hauing withall quite rased to the very foundations the proud forteresse of Goletta in Affrick Herein do we see y t as they haue lost men they are able for euery one get 4. where we haue lost land by our vsuall procéedings it is almost vnpossible to recouer it out of their hāds Thus do their losses breed their cōmoditie whereas ours doe leade vs to destruction Now to those that knowe them not they seeme to be on sleepe or letted for a great while whereas contrariwise they do but take breath prouide neither tendeth their delay to any other ende but to gather force wherby their first assaults may be the more furious One of the first solemne othes that all these tyrants of the house of Ottoman at their entrie into the Realme do make when they take their vsurped scepter importeth that they shall bee
written in great letters to all others of the same trade to beware of the like behauiour Neuer did you see wiser men then the rest were for a moueth after but then they returned to the practise of their good customes which without seueritie will not be forgotten As also in fauour of the Catholickes this I will say that at the beginning they likewise were well ordered did not much anoy the coÌ„mons whose nobilitie did also shine among them Howbeit I cannot well tell how long they so contiuued but I haue heard that they also did by and by spred their sayles and tooke the same course as the other Thus albeit our disorders may somtimes procure sport yet haue we greater cause to weepe when wee see so many of those that deale with armes through their bad behauiours deserue the name of theeues rather then souldiers Of the reasons that mooued the Prince of Condées armie to breake vp after the taking of Boisgencie also how he conuerted that necessitie into profite And of the purposes of the King of Nauarre THE principall Captaines and such as were best practised in worldly affayres did well for esee that their armie would not long continue whole because they did in parte want the necessarie foundations thereof so as they feared this dissipation as men feare least the fall of some great Dake shaken with y e windes should light vpon some wall and cast it downe or vpon a number of small plantes bearing fruite which caused them to giue counsaile while it was in force to hazard thâ— fielde whereof they missed Now after the taking of Boisgencie when they see the contrary power placed at Bloys which standeth vpon the riuer of Loyre and that the warre grewe long their first heate began to coole as also at the same time began their treasure wherewith to wage Souldiers who had alreadie consâ—med all that they had gathered as well aâ— Orleance as els where to faile This necessitie opened the gates to diuers discontentmens whereof the most parte had but simple foundations albeit the principall motion proceeded of the naturall impatiencie of the French nation which if it by and by see not the imagined effects doe grow out of liking and murmureth Neither will I conceale but that some euen of the chiefe of the Nobilitie too much affected to their goods either endued with somwhat an ambitious hope or els ouer delicate and tender endeuouring to hide these defaults did call the equitie of the warre into question This being knowne they were requested to departe least their speeches should alienate the minds of others As for the greater parte of the Nobilitie and Gentrie which could not bee maintained or placed in the neerest Garrisons and might serue els where it was thought good to employe them in their owne countries where debate began to breake foorth betweeene the Protestants and Catholickes especially in Poictou Xaintogne and Angolesme Thether sent they the Earle of Rochfoucault to Lyons the Lord of Soubize and to Bourges the Lord of Iuoy with his regiment Also seeing the Germaines Suiâ—zers and Spanyards did alreadie enter into France in fauour of the Catholickes they sent the Lord of Andelot into Germanie and the Lord of Briquemaud into England to seeke for helpe and succour By this meanes did the towne of Orleance remaine freed and safe from that which would most haue molested it forreine negotiation well established and the preseruation of those Countries from whence they had succour prouided for Thus were the difficulties that happened among the Princes partie determined so as the hope of the successe of this warre was not much deminished whereof I doe not much meruaile For sith in extremities wise and valiant persons can finde remedies why should they dispayre in such as are not so farre growne In the meane time in matter of warre want of money is no small inconuenience neither is it any losse to haue to deale with voluntarie persons which is a burden of it selfe hard to be borne whereby a man is soone oppressed and this doth none so well knowe as he that hath proued it The King of Nauarre and his assotiates considering that it was not good to lose time which ought to be precious to those that haue power at commaunde encreased their campe as well with French men as Straungers and besought the Queene to bring the King into the armie to the ende the Huguenoâ—s who 〈…〉 ned it the King of Nauarres or the Duke of Guizes might be forced to call it the Kings campe as also the more to 〈…〉 horise the warre that was prosecuted in his name which she did And they met at Chartres where they resolued to set vpon Bourges before it were fortified for sayd they so mightie a citie not past twentie leagues distant from Orleance did but too much benefice the Princes affayres Thether they marched and assaulting it found no such resistance as was looked for whereby it fell into their hands Then being with this so sudden victorie which sayd they was the cutting off of one of the Protestants armes puffed vp and very ioyfull they entered deliberation of their affayres Many were very earnest to besiege Orleance whose reasons were these That the two chiefe heades that moeued all this bodie namely the Prince of Condé and the Admirall were there so the same being taken they might easely make the rest of the bodie immoueable That the strangers that looked vp and euen tickled to come into France when they should but heare of the siege thereof would not bee very willing to set forward That they had men enowe to begin the siege for placing and fortifying two thousandmen in the little gate to bridle the towne on that side they should still haue tenne thousand footmen three thousand horse who might suffice vnto the ariuall of other their power that was marching Finally that the towne was but weake as being neither well flancked nor well diched and hauing no counterscarpe Onely there was a rampier wherein thirtie Canons would in sixe daies make a breach of two hundred foote But sayd they if ye giue those Huguenotes any respite to finish their fortifications wherein they labour alreadie wee shall not bee possibly able to winne it That they should remember that that towne was no small thorne in the foote of France but euen a very great darte which pierced the bowelles thereof and kept it from breathing Others of the contrary opinion did thus replie That by their intelligences in Orleance they were assured that the two regiments of Gascogns and Prouincials amounting to aboue 3000. souldiers were in it Also fiue or sixe hundred other souldiers of those that had bene in Bourges and were now retired thether Moreouer foure hundred gentlemen Then the townsmen able to beare armes being no lesse then three thousand persons All together aboue seuen thousand men besides such as hearing of the siege drawing thether would likewise enter thereinto That a towne
commit against God it may be they would refrayne themselues but as the sleights of the deuill are merueilous so doth he drawe them on by fayrer pretences vntil they find themselues so snared that they cannot escape The cause of these mens mishap consisteth in their corrupted affections which driue them by vnlawfull and damnable waies to seeke their accomplishment One would knowe what successe he should haue in some great enterprize another how he might eschue some euident daunger The couetous and ambitious man must know how to atteyne to his desires he that hateth and seeketh to doe harme the like One seekes to lengthen his life another to shunne death This man desireth to know the issue of the warre that man whether the estate may be preferued with infinite other such things as mans imagination can conceiue To be briefe mans vanitie hath of vanitie it self made Oracles wherwith to satisfie his curious frowardnesse hereof are sprung vp so many kindes of Magicke Enchauntments Witchcrafts and Sorceries that we say that there is nothing in heauen in earth neither vnder the earth which the man that is plunged in this error doth not vse in hope to finde some instruction or ease although ordinarily he is frustrate of his expectation because therin he can meete with nothing but falshood and deceipt And what els is to bee looked for out of the instructions of the deuill considering that himselfe is a lyer and deceiuer But that we may the better knowe how these abuses are to bee reiected let vs heare what Moses sayth When thou shalt sayth he be entred into the land which the Lord thy God shall giue thee beware that thou followe not the abhominations of those people neither shall there bee foūd in thee any person that shall passe his sonne or daughter through fire or that shall enquire at the Southsayer or that shall obserue dreames or the singing of birds neither shall there be any Sorcerer or Enchanter or any that shall seeke counsaile at familier spirits or that shall aske the truth at the dead for all these things be abhomination to the Lord and for such abhominations will the Lord driue them out before thee This was no lawe deuised by any Lawyer but an expresse inhibition of almightie God wherein wee may note three things First that these impieties be the inuentions of such as haue forsaken God Secondly that he detesteth them especially aboue all other offences and thirdly that he doth grieuously chastize them with most terrible punishments But in our daies if any man couet to see where these accursed vanities are practized let him goe to the Courtes where he shall finde some of all sorts and callings that are not only affectionate thereto but do euen runne mad after Soothsayers as they did after one Nostrodamus and others whose lyes were receiued for trueth Thence let him walke all ouer France and he shall finde that among the Nobilitie Clergie and men of lawe there bee many secret disciples of this profession of whom I suppose some doe not thinke to doe so much mischiefe as they doe and yet in these cases the least transgressions are reputed most heynous sinnes as witnesseth the holy Scripture which to the end to aggrauate the heynousnesse of any offence doth say that it is as the sinne of the Soothsayers And vndoubtedly the encrease and tolleration of such abhominations is one of the most euident tokens of the subuertion of any Commonwelth wherefore it is requisite that euery one that is polluted with this or the rest doe clense themselues For it is a hard matter for him to bee a good Citizen of France that for so wicked a cause doth voluntarily banish him selfe out of the holy Citie of God Now must wee speake of Vniustice which is a publicke and particuler oppression vsed by such as bee in auctoritie or mightie ouer the poore and weake who also through their pride couetousnesse and wealth doe practize all violence deceipt and extremitie against the simple These disorders haue bene so long continued against the poore that now it is openly sayd that they are no longer shorne but euen flayne with a thousand extraordinarie oppressions and newe impostes heretofore vnknowne in such sort that y e coyne now wrested from them is watered with teares and accompanied with most sorowfull complaints And notwithstanding whatsoeuer knowledge that men haue of Gods finall succour to the oppressed either that he doth chastize their oppressors yet will they not cease therefrom but still continuing the same course they doe day by day proceed to augment the miseries of others vntill they bring them to such a passe as themselues doe tremble thereat Thus haue we procéeded from yeare to yeare in so wofull an estate that without speedie remedie France must growe halfe desert Then if we marke the men of lawe which are ordeyned to minister iustice to euery man wee shall see a many of them helpe themselues with this holy vertue to entrap the wealth of those that either through follie or neede haue entangled themselues in the most subtile nets of pleading neither can any man expresse the extortion that vnder such colour is committed Moreouer there runneth a great rumour of some gouernors of Townes and Castles and paraduenture of whole Prouinces who to the ende to mainteyne their pompe and fill their coffers doe vse newe lawes to the detriment both of the King and Commons as if the purpose of offices tended either to make an outward shewe or to glut them with wealth and not rather to make their vertues to shine in such functions both to the reliefe of many to their maisters honor But if there be any behauiour that may be termed rage it is the behauiour of the men of warre who are so farre out of square that hauing habandoned all humanitie they make no lesse hauock in their owne countrie then in the enemies land where all is made a pray vnto them in such wise that the forraine warres of France for these eightie yeres haue not wasted so much as the souldiers robberie haue done since these ciuill warres began Yea and there be some gentlemen who as I thinke doe imagine that the true tokens of Nobilitie doe consist in making themselues to bee feared and in beating presumpteously taking from their subiects any thing y t may be cōmodious vnto themselues as if they were their slaues The great cities what do they but encroch to themselues all the cōmodities that they may thunder foorth their priuiledges lay all the burthen charges vpō the poore country people who being besides pinched by the subteltie of the receiuers it is a merueile wherevpon they liue and finde themselues To be briefe if wee looke generally into the particuler dealings of each one toward other wée shall finde plentie of fraude and vyolence as if a man were brought into the world only to hurt his like Well let that which is
will wee speake in the ende after wee haue first layd open such dissipations as oftentymes happen vnto the mightiest Monarchies Some there are that notwithstanding they knowe there bee great dissipations yet doe they make them but small especially when they applye them to their owne countrie as well in respect of their charitie thereto as also because they bee loath to bee the reporters of so many mischiefes In such affayres as this wee must not flatter neither our selues nor other men but freely declare what passed experience doth shewe Among many desolations happening to an estate readie to fall the two worst are these The first when one mightie nation or many being of diuers dispositions and language doe come to vsurpe and bring into bondage then is it not to bee demaunded how many miseries the subdued must endure The other when a Kingdome renteth it selfe in many péeoes and that the quickest or strongest doe seaze each vpon his owne portion which they gouerne in diuers maner and for the maintenaunce of themselues doe leane to straungers then likewise ensueth a great ouerthrowe of all things and the calamities doe long endure Of these two only will I now discourse as being those which threaten vs and are the worst neither is it to any purpose to replye that France cannot incurre these inconueniences For sith so many and so detestable mischiefes together with so many and so diuers partialities haue set in foote we must imagine them without speedie remedie to bee the open gaâ—es vnto newe maisters If wee doe throughly marke the accidents happened in sundrie estates we shall finde that many haue decayed when ciuill dissention hath so beaten them downe that they haue not bene able to defend themselues against straungers The kingdome of Iuda being mightie and florishing vnder Dauid and Salomon and deuided vnder Roboam it followed that the Kings of Israell and Iuda held almost continuall warres against each other and so weakened themselues euen in good maners that the Assyrians led them into captiuitie Soone after that the Romaine Empire was deuided in it self the seate transported to Constantinople that vice augmenting the vertue of Princes decayed the Northerne nations rose vp and rent it in sundrie péeces neither is it possible to rehearse the calamities of them that liued in those daies In the kingdome of Hungarie which in tymes past hath bene so florishing and mightie when those that should succéede straue who could carie it away the Turke stepped in betwéene them and became Lord of the greatest part thereof And although the Turkes conquestes are extraordinarie destructions yet must wee in these examples note Gods punishments with the causes that bring them in thereby to take warning that vnlesse we preuent them there will bee no want of such as shall put them in execution Yea which shall come and bereaue vs of our libertie life and land And who doubteth not that many nations our neighbors doe but lye in waite for such occasion Is not the Spanyard who seeketh to force all men to stoope vnder his scepter and contemneth the French mightie enough to bring vs vnder Will the Germaynes that distayne vs be slowe to such a bootie How suddenly will the Italians that behold vs be readie to catch whatsoeuer may fit them The English calling to mynd their auncient losses may then haue their remedie yea the Scots and Suitzers which now bewayle vs may peraduenture seeke to plucke away each of them some one small feather Finally the Flemmings that did loue vs whose hate we haue perforce procured how ioyfully will they skippe in our neckes I take him to be very sencelesse that doth not feare it But some man will say that it is an easie matter in words and writing to raise vp many nations which neuerthelesse wee sieldome see in effect come to passe Hereto I aunswer that whensoeuer God is determined to thunder vpon the sinnes of men he doth much sooner stirre vp those whom he pleaseth to vse as ministers of his vengeance And in case the report of histories bee true with what celeritie I pray you did the Goths Huns Alans Francons Burguignions and Wandales fall vpon Italie Gaule Spayne Affricke Such was their furie and speede that in short space they subdued and wasted all those great Prouinces The like also did the Sarazens two hundred yéeres after in the conquest of Spayne Haue not we also had tryall in France during the English warres that that only nation which in deede by enheritance at that tyme possessed almost the third parte thereof brought it into so miserable estate that they were like to haue bene maisters of all Let vs then feare least that which hath alreadie happened to others doe fall vppon vs considering that our iniquities are so readie to the haruest Concerning the dismembring of an estate by the selfe nation among whom many tymes the straunger hath his share it is no lesse a kinde of miserable destruction then the former This did the Empire of Constantinople finde soone after that Baldwine Earle of Flanders was made Emperour For then did Alexis Comnene as Carion reporteth erect y e Empire of Trebizond Thessaly shaking off the yoke of Michael Angel yeelded to y e Paleologues Achaia Attica Peloponessus Aetolia Caramania and Epirus had their seuerall gouernors whom they often chaunged according to the sundrie euents of warres and sedition Especially Attica Achaia and Peloponessus were gouerned sometymes by the Grecians sometymes by the Sicilians and Florentines sometyme by the Genowayes Venitians euen as the hazard of warre fauoured notwithstanding most of them made there no long aboad The Bulgarians Ruscians and Seruians had their Despottoes who being sometymes friends and confederates with the Emperors of Constantinople and by and by againe enemies did with continuall roades wast Thracia and Macedonia These confusions did deserue the name of théeueries rather then of warres because both the ground of them was vniust and the practises wherewith they holpe themselues most wicked For they sought all meanes to rent and teare the Empire in péeces whereby the Emperour of the Turkes had oportunitie to seaze vppon Constantinople and the other Prouinces The same author in an other place saith thus I will likewise rehearse the calamities that oppressed almost all Italie as a punishment for the sinnes that therein rayned which happened during the mortall deuisions betweene the Emperours and the Popes when the names of Guelph and Gibeline were the markes of each faction For so many mischiefes were there then committed so much blood shed so manytownes destroyed and whole Countries layd wast that whosoeuer shall reade the histories thereof cannot but meruaile Then did there spring vp many pettie Tyrants in most townes acknowledging no superiour but leaning some to the Popes and some to the Emperours exercising all cruelties against both friends and foes vntill that Italie rather wearied then satisfied with so many miseries did after a
to the ende to labour them the more earnestly to long after a good vnion of heartes as yet so strangelie alienated It is most euident that all these thrée Princes did greatly loue their people especially Lewes and those charges that hee layed vppon them procéeded through the vrgent necessitie of warres notwithstanding some haue bene but rashly enterprised The lyke or rather more was theyr loue shewed to theyr nobilitie as well in respect of the accesse and familiaritie that they allowed them about their persons as also of the worthie rewardes bestowed vppon them Likewise we neuer sawe vertue in greater estimation than at that time But what obedience honour and affection did as well the nobilitie as communaltie than beare to their kings More coulde not haue bene wished for they were neuer wearie of sounding forth their prayses beholding of theyr personnes and hazarding themselues to all daungers for them Then if we woulde but consider the accord that was among the sayde subiectes what shoulde wee doe but wonder how they could since so farre disagrée To be briefe that all partes of this mightie Realme dyd together yéelde so pleasant a harmonie as euerie man was gladde to dwell therein yea euen straungers flocked to participate in that felicitie And notwithstanding in the time of King H. the second many things beganne to alter yet did vertue beare such swaie that the outward forme at the least seemed fayre After this manner dyd the Frenchmen liue vntill the yeare 1560. when Concord beganne to flie from among them after whose departure vertue and iustice haue not so much shewed themselues abroade nay they are gone to soiourne heare and there among their priuate friends where they assure themselues of better entertainment This in my opinion may suffice to proue that through concord small things doo increase and great are maintained and kept Now let vs compare that time with this which wee now so often haue triall of and we shall see the difference to be no lesse than betwéene a faire bright Sunne shine day in the spring time wherin nothing appeareth but flowers greene grasse and a foule Winters daie in the which the clouds tempests darkning the aire nothing is to be séene but y e grasse depriued of her ornamēts séeming to be white with frosts and snow But like as by the order which God hath established in nature after foule weather commeth faire so are we to hope for a more fortunate world after this when once we haue through a holie conuersion appeared his wrath If a man enter into speech hereof by and by a number come in and saie Oh what is it that hath troubled and diuided vs but diuersities of opinions in Religiō Likewise there are others which on the other side doe replie that it is not the nature of Religion to bring forth such and so many calamities but rather that the cause is to be impeuted to the mallice of man who loueth darknes more than light and to their ignorance that think that such contrarieties should be decided by fire and sword when in deede they ought to be determined by gentlenesse and clemencie I would thinke that experience should make vs wise in this difficultie which shall nothing let me from prosecuting my purpose declaring what discord doth ingender Neither will I goe to séeke exāples hereof in foren lands neither in times past but in our own Countrie and age for if anie man be desirous to behold the image of all mischiefe hee néede not seeke farther than into France where this tragedie haue bene plaied the actors whereof beeing Frenchmen who euer since they were sezed of this cursed passion doe neuer sticke to hurt each other And like as a continuall feauer weakneth and pulleth downe the strongest bodie euen so the continuance of our warres hath almost abated depriued the Realme of the principall of her greatnesse mightinesse and beautie Wherin appeareth the truth of the other parte of the sentence alreadie alleadged viz. that by descord great thinges doe perish and runne into decaie Now notwithstanding hatred ordinarilie ingendereth discord where amitie for the most part bridgeth forth concord yet hath not this bene the cause that hath driuen many of those that are entered hereinto but rather some haue bene vrged by zeale others by persecution and othes by some duty that they ow to other men As also we haue séene many diuerse effects some more gentle than other some whereby the authors of the same deserue commendation in that they haue in these vnmercifull calamities borne themselues more moderatlie I dare not rehearse the horrible cruelties committed in all places notwithstanding some haue felte them more than others for the remembrance of them cannot but either bréede great horrour or exasperation Yea some such haue beene wrought as may be tearmed to bee against nature as when some haue deliuered their néerest kinsmen to the slaughter or dipped their handes in the bloud of their owne friends I thinke if anie man had in the dayes of king Frances the first foretolde those thinges that haue since happened he had ben slame as a spreader of lies and yet haue our beastly mindes bene such that we haue euen extolled and magnified the prodigious actions which blind rage hath committed I beseech God we neuer fall againe into the like abhominable gulfe of inhumanitie Thucidides a wise hystoriographer dooth briefely describe the manner howe the Grecians behaued themselues in their ciuill warres Whose saying I haue thought good here to insert to the end we may compare the forepassed mischiefes with those of our time thereby to discerne in which of these times mallice preuayled most After it was knowen sayth he that anie riot was committed in one place others waxed bolde to doo worse to the end to worke some noueltie to shew themselues either more diligent than others or else more insolent and hot in reuenge and all the mischiefes that they cōmitted did they disguise with gaie titles as tearming rashnesse magnanimitie modestie cowardlinesse headlong indignation manhood and boldnesse counsaile wise deliberation cloked dastardlynesse Thus he that shewed himselfe most furious was accounted a loyall friend and he that reproued him ranne into suspition If anie one of the contrarie faction propounded any thing that were good and honest it was not liked of but if they were able indeede to impugne it they had rather be reuenged than not to be wronged If by solemne oth they made any attonement the same lasted vntil the one see himselfe the stronger whereby he might violate infringe and ouercome it through mallice Yea he reporteth much more which to auoide tediousnesse I omit Now therefore would I know whether we haue not bene equal with the Grecians in like actions I thinke that none dare denie it but that we haue surmounted them in crueltie it is most euident Such Frenchmen as after so many ruines shall remayne maye iustly make that exclamation
to encurre great losses For sith they that will not lose the goodes that they haue gotten will not for the kéeping of them absteyne from vyolence the surest way were now to wincke at some incurable mischiefes and to looke vpon those that be curable The lawe of obliuion which wee haue alwaies placed first in our outcryes which also the Romaines and Athenians after their ciuill warres did put in practise doth warne vs in these chaungeable tymes to forget many things The like consideration is there to bee had of the Clergie for as many did affirme that it were good to take away halfe their goods which most of them doe abuse to discharge the Kings debts considering that the people in respect of their pouertie are not able to doe it these great words as tending to deminish their temporall possessions did so terrefie them that calling together their wittes they haue with wonderfull sleights oftentymes ouerthrowne these motions wherein men began to take some small taste shewing that they could neuer be any whit enclined to relieue his maiestie vnlesse he first set free the Church of Rome from the oppressions of the Protestants after the rooting out of theÌ„ they would worke merueiles To be briefe by such meanes and deuises they haue so runningly giuen vs the turne as we vse to say that they are best in rest whiles the others are by warre pursued And sometymes when they haue bene disposed to take the bit in the mouth what haue they done It was seene in the States holden at Blois in the yéere 1577. For they there so played their parts that they set one part of France against the other while themselues indged of the blowes Yea some went so farre as to to say that the Clergie possessed aboue fifteene millions of Francks in yerely rent so that if any sought to oppresse them they would make those that had bitten them to let goe well enough These examples doe shew that it is not for vs to vse force against those that are able by force to resist But I presume that in as much as they are Frenchmen they will neuer see their King fall in necessitie but will succour him in case they finde that by courtesie they be required Besides that seeing they employe not the Church goodes to that vse to the which they were bequethed they ought not to refuse to helpe him whose auncestors haue permitted them the possession of the same The same moderate procéeding is in my opinion to bee taken with the Protestants because all the extremities that haue bene practised against them to reclaime them as the speech goeth haue brought them with force to defende themselues For it is not possible that so bloodie a worke of conuersion can bee perfected according to the first intent of those that began to frame it and therefore the best way is to leaue it If we presume that they erre they must be reformed by the words of Christ and his Apostles and not by the persecutions and fires that haue many yeeres flamed in France Fire belongeth to Sodomites and not to those who in the middest thereof call vpon the sonne of God only Our Kings hauing by their Churchmen bene perswaded that the rooting of them out of their territories should be an acceptable sacrifice vnto God thinking to doe well haue done their endeuours and to that effect consumed more money men and tyme then Caesar did in his Conquest of Gaule Spayne and England Sith therefore experience teacheth that all this haue nothing profited should wee not seeke more milde conuenient waies to preserue rather then to destroye men His maiestie might doe well to say to his Clergie My maisters seeing the materiall sword hath not in so many yeeres bene able to bring your counsaile to passe labour you another while with the spirituall which is teaching and preaching adding thereunto good life to redresse pietie and godlinesse I would thinke that either part should take the same course to conuert one another which so many excellent personages haue done heretofore As Irineus Policarpus Athanasius with other good Shepheards that haue guided an innumerable quantitie of poore soules which before were the bondslaues of ignorance and sinne into the way of saluatioÌ„ With the sword you may well bereaue some of them of their liues but the taking of perswasions out of the hart cannot be compassed by any materiall instrument but rather by better perswasions of truth Obseruing this rule it were moreouer requisite to the ende to see some apparant rest in the Church that his Maiestie should call a nationall franke and free counsaile for the Pope will neuer agree to any generall which he feareth as thunder consisting of honorable Deuines charitable and louers of concord who being holily assembled may finde some indifferent meanes able to reduce vs to a Christian vniou which we all ought to wish where before we fled one from an other through deuision Our maisters may peraduenture hereunto aunswer that the Catholicke Romish religion must not bee brought into question or argument but rather the newe opinions as being full of error But if any Heretick will dispute let him come to the facultie of Deuinitie there shall he bée talked withal with the great teeth Hereto I say that our maisters haue too great an aduauntage when they are in their maine Bulwarkes as at Rome in the Spanish Inquisition and in Sorbonne For there is not so subtile a Gospeller but should lose his laâ—tine Yea Aristotle himselfe with all his Greeke if he were in the stay should finde himselfe hardly beset for there haue they more important arguments then those of the first figure For when they heare any that oppugneth their opinions and pricketh them with the stinges of the Scripture by and by they deliuer him a sillogisme to dissolue which is either of fire water or halter whereto he must aunfwer in person not in figure so as a poore condemned man before he bee conuict is forced corporally to yéeld to the force of their arguments which doe necessarily conclude in death The best way therfore were to giue ouer all these passed euill customes and to followe those remedies that I haue propounded or others more meete to attaine to liue in peace withall for feare least our maisters endeuouring to compell others to admit their heauenly opinions happen to lose their earthly possessions as alreadie they haue done in a great parte of Europe As also wée doe alreadie in France see the ritchest members of their Demaines in the handes of the Catholicke warriours who hauing receiued such benefites for the rewardes due vnto their seruices it will shortly followe that if the ciuill warres doe continue necessitie and couetoufnesse will procure many of them to appropriate to themselues the things whereof before they were but farmers as heretofore it happened in this Realme in the tyme of Charles the Simple This briefe aduertisement I thought good to giue them as being
their estate wherein is no correspondent proportion kept I thinke I should not doe amisse though I declared that which might seeme better to be concealed For as well our forreine neighbours doe imagine thrise more then there is and say that wee are so affected to our King that we will according to our callings imitate his liberalities and expences This therfore that I now speake tendeth only to make vs wiser and more readie to repayre our domesticall decayes as well to eschue other mens scoffes as to expell sundrie cares out of our mindes and relieue those wants that oppresse vs. Now although it bee so that all doe agree in the confession of this pouertie yet when wee come to shewe how it commeth there is a contrarie difference therein For one saith one thing and another another yea euery one seeketh to accuse the vyolence of the long warres which as Monsters doe deuoure all rather then them selues Thus doe wee see how readie each one is to seeke starting holes whereby to cléere himselfe of his fault in liewe that he ought with vpright iudgement to examine from whence such disorders doe proceede To excuse a mans selfe is a very common matter and such as euery one is willing to doe because the excuse seemeth somewhat to blot out the spottes that may blemish his good renowme But because to accuse bringeth shame it is neuer put in practise vntill it needes must whereof it falieth out that that matter lyeth long hid in ignoraunce which ought sooner to haue bene knowne The prouerbe falleth out many tymes true which sayth That the euill which we knowe well is as it were halfe healed Let vs therefore seeke the cause of our owne and that will be to vs a readie way and preparation to finde remedie Those that doe attribute it to the ruine and charges of warre doe say that there be yet liuing many honorable persons that haue seene in what wealth and prosperitie the French Nobilitie liued vntil the tyme of Henrie the second For so long as we had peace there was nothing to be seene among the Lords Gentrie but liberalitie magnificence visitations with other such honest expences y e witnesses of wealth And yet all this notwithstanding they sould no landes as well for feare of reproach as also because of the moderation vsed in such things Likewise whensoeuer there was any warre proclaymed it will hardly bee beléeued what goodly furniture euery one caried with him as appeared in the voyadge into Germanie But as nothing in this world is long permanent so in the warres that were renewed in the yeere 1552. betweene the Emperour Charles the fifth and King Phillip which lasted seuen yeeres it was driuen to great expences as well for the selfe honor as in respect of the loue it bare to so good a Prince as was King Henry Then ensued the vniuersall ciuill warres all ouer the Realme comparable to violent streames which so encreased the ruine thereof that now all that the Nobilitie is able to doe is to maintaine it selfe liuing miserably in it owne house And hereof is growne the pouertie thereof These be their reasons which also I will not vtterly reie◠For I will still confesse that these stormes haue bred part of our pouertie but that it is wholly procéeded thereof I doe not aduowe and I will hereafter shewe that it had other helpes of greater importance to set it forward So as their argument concludeth but in parte Now let vs examine what may haue bene the ruine in the first warres It was not great for the Nobilitie that then serued were neither euill paide neither destitute of honest rewards procéeding of the Kings liberalitie True it is that some perticulers being too forward did in parte vnfeather themselues as also that the frontier Nobilitie encurred some losses But the greatest number continued in good state In the ciuill warres there fell out more losses which neuerthelesse lighted not vpon vs. Besides that in our pettie peaces since concluded it had still meanes to repayre the breaches Withall that France is so fruitfull and well peopled that whatsoeuer the warre wasteth in one yéere is repayred againe in two Sith therefore such discommodities haue still bene accompanied with some remedies as also that they haue assayled but the least parte of the Nobilitie wee are not to accompt this mischiefe either so vniuersall or great But in my opinion the cause why all the blame is layd vpon the warres is first because the same is by nature hurtfull secondly that the vyolence that moueth it is horrible and terrefieth and thirdly because men are glad to haue a shroude to hide their euill husbandrie or els artificially to pleade pouertie as the couetous doe A man that hath had a long continuall agew being cured thereof will remember it a long tyme and feare the like disease and yet the corruption of the humours whereof it proceeded did growe by little and little through his intemperance of life whereof he tooke no heede The like doe wee in thinges breeding our pouertie For some there are that wee finde out by and by and they make vs to lament but others which are neither so common nor agreeable with vs wee let easely slippe as if wee were insensible and will not knowe them And I dare affirme that if the ruines of warres and martiall charges that so wee complaine of haue brought vs fower ounces of pouertie our foolish and superfluous continuall expences which wee doe not greatly repent vs of haue procured vs twelue In this proposition we are to consider that the French Gentleman doth excéede in any thing whereto he is affected and will spare for nothing Then that most of them spend not in one thing only but in fower or fiue so diuers are their minds and that is the cause that drieth vp the liueliest springs of ritches Now one of the principall thinges wherein they ouerflowe is apparell wherein they haue neither rule nor measure yea custome hath wonne so much that a man dare not almost appeare in any good companie vnlesse he be guilt like a Challice for thereby many perswade themselues to bée the more honored The Courtiers were they that brought in these inuentions who in the meane tyme doe sharpe pennance for their labours in that there is no yéere but such large expences doe sende at the least one dosen of them into the Litter who for the pleasure of seeing themselues a fewe daies couered with silke and siluer must many moneths after beare the griefe of finding themselues houselesse or so haled by Usurers as they could not be worse in y e gallies Two other things there be besides the ritches of apparell which greatly encrease charges The one that men will haue diuersitie the other that from two yéeres to two yéeres the fashions doe chaunge and must be renued who so doth not frame himselfe hereto is laughed to scorne To be briefe either the hand
of the Priuiledges that they haue obtained namely high parlies and will alwayes bee payed their olde billes And besides all this they are wonderous polytike to liue in the fielde But I praie you will some aunswere doe the French aduenturer sleepe in his sentinell dooth hee not plaie his parte well inough Truelie wee must confesse that he that is an vnthrift and corrupt helpeth himselfe brauelie and vnderstandeth it better than most of the Priests of Lymosin doo theyr Dominus vobiscum But in deed they can neither write nor reade Yet do they not come neere these others in the vnderstanding of this martiall practise Now a worde or two of those that had rather runne alwayes abroade than returne to theyr occupations or serue some there are that thinke such delyberations to proceede of generositie Which I cannot graunt vnlesse to a verie fewe for it is not vnlyke but among a greate number of common people exercising handie ceaftes there maye bee some that are indued with a noble minde and well disposed to vertue Setting aside therefore this small number I will speake of the rest of whome I will saie that it is more lykely that the â—ainglorie wherewith after they haue serued a while they bee pusâ—ed vp together with idlenesse and souldierlyke libertie dooth breede their vnwillingnesse to returne to their former trade of life For they imagine that such as see them trauayle and get theyr liuinges with their handie worke especially after they haue ben Corporals or Serieaunts will scorne them but withall they consider not that in seeking to eschue this imaginarie shame they doe manye times by a voluntarie constraynt plunge themselues in robberyes deceites and cousoâ—nings Necessitie saie some doe sometimes compell the poore souldior for his lyfe to borrowe of them that haue ouermuch yea according to the law of Necessitie But lykewise according to the ciuill lawes if they bee caught they paie deerelie for it It were more for theyr profite to imitate a great number of other Souldiours who after they haue valyauntly handeled their weapons doe not disdayne their olde accustomed vocations And my selfe haue knowen them in Gascogne whose stomackes are haughtie enough whome in the time of peace we shoulde see in Townes working in theyr shoppes and yet in the time of warre had charge and commande ouer companies And the same is the practise in all the Townes of France especiallie since the ciuill warres beganne For in as much as during the troubles all the Townsmen haue bene in armes also that for theyr safegards so many tooke weapon in hande it must needes followe that all this multitude in time of peace shoulde returne to theyr first trades sauing some fewe But before it was not so for it was some trouble to furnish againe those that had abandoned them And euen at this time among such of the Spaniards as liue in their bandes it is a reproch to trauayle in Mechanicall artes Wherein they haue reason because that they endeauouring to fashion maintaine and increase themselues in footemen and withall so continuing some twentie or fiue and twentie yeeres without anie care of returning into their owne Countries it becommeth them not amisse I will also aduowe that among vs he that hath some long time professed armes delighteth in them and is in the waie to attaine thereto in seeking a place among the standing companies or some other good fortune dooth but his dutie But when such commodities fayle him hee â—â—ust not thinke himselfe dishonoured though he labour for the maintainance of himselfe and his familie if he haue anie as euen to this daie they doe in Germanie Zuitzerland and Flanders All these so common exaÌ„ples should rather induce those that be gone affraie to imitate them than to doe as they doe But if anie doe thinke that the setting vp againe of their occupations doth abase them let them goe serue the Gentlemen Which in my opinion they cannot refuse to doe considering how the poorer sorte of gentlemen can settle themselues to that calling howbeit if they be out of tast herewith they must be let runne and tarie till time amend them We lykewise finde some of the bodie of the Gentrie who moued by diuerse reasons doe also set the feather in the winde and go to seeke the like aduentures Among which the youth is most to bee excused who driuen by a certaine desire to learne and to winne credite doo goe wheresoeuer occasion may serue They wanting iudgement to discerne which enterprises are lawfull and which not so soone as the winde bloweth in the sayles of theyr desires which are large doe spred them and so are easily carried awaie It is pittie so many are lost in such places where beeing neither knowen nor guided they passe vnder the miseries of the multitude Those that haue authoritie ouer them ought to be careful to counsayle them well Others there are whome pouertie driueth from home for beeing noble the exercises of Mechanicall artes and traficke woulde turne to their reproch and therefore they must seeke the liberall and honourable among whome weapons doe walke Neuerthelesse though this profession bee conuenient for them yet must they not abuse it as they that I haue spoken of For so are they the more to be blamed in that the noble Gentleman is straightlyer bound to liue vertuously than the peasant What shall hee then doe if you will not let him seeke his fortune I answere that in our France poore Gentlemen haue no cause as desperate persons to take diuerse partes considering what meanes they haue to attayne to honour and wealth First the men of armes were instituted for the maintainance of these to the end theyr valour should not perishe but bee reserued for the benefite of the state Then haue they the Ecclesticall offices whereto they may ascend as also the iusticeship which in olde time they exercised The coÌ„mendatories of Malta do also releeue some likewise the seruice of Lordes with whome not onely they were brought vp as pages but also being men they haue their maintainance is a good refuge for them Finally the bands of footmen doe retaine many Wherefore the wise should rather settle themselues to the best of these than by thinking to profite abroade to loose their liues Some will saie that death catcheth not so many as wee speake of but they deceiue themselues for I haue noted the number to be greater than we weene for of meere compassion that I take of them I would that through good instrâ—utions or other remedies the mischiefe might bee preuented Yet doe I not meane that orders shoulde be so strict that none may go forth without leaue For in such a great populous kingdome as this that lawe cannot be established And if there were but foure or fiue hundred voluntaries as well of the Gentrie as communaltie that of theyr owne perticular motions would yeerely go into the warres as foule to theyr haunt it were but a small matter not
to be spoken of But there go many more of that sorte as I haue sayd And many Gentlemen also of account and greate credite who are readie inough to march and whensoeuer they moue they incite many other Wherfore before they so do it were theyr parts well to examine the causes which being vnlawfull as being moued by nothing but their owne profite or honour they shew that they haue small care of their friends in counsailing them those things that tend more to their own particular interest than to common equitie In this case men must be wise to choose rather than willing to depart Now are we to looke what fruite our Nation reape of these martiall voyages which they take vppon them rather of iolitie than any good foundation I take it to bee verie small First in these dayes most of them through the libertie of ciuill warres beeing growen into wonderfull discordes going abroade doe nothing but laie open theyr imperfections which they should seeke eyther to amend or hide Some are blasphemers of God others adulterers quarellers and dissolute persons and many disobedient to their Captaynes of whome lykewise some do eyther for their owne profite or through ignaraunce breake good lawes and order So as when men see that the effects bee not answerable to the French name they growe of liking with them On the other side those people that are driuen to beare theyr insolencies I meane of the lawlesse not of the modest albeit euermore there bee good and valiant men mingled among the greate number doe growe to hate the whole Nation for the mallice of some thinking it incompatible and in their harts doe powre forth continuall curses agaynst the same so as although there be some Captaines Gentlemen and Souldiours who through theyr good behauiours doe become agreeable vnto them yet are they not able to suppresse the generall mislyke And heere is yet another inconuenience namelie that if there happen anie mishappe in the warre rather through the strength of the enimie than anie presumption or insufficiencie of the Captaines eyther through the disobedience or small valour of the souldiours than doe the peoples tongues euen teare in peeces those whome hauing begunne to hate they afterwarde vtterly contemne Now it is most certayne that in this counterfaite discipline losses are as common as good successe or rather more Which truelie shoulde make these that haue charge to beleeue that it is harde to escape stumbling in so rugged a quarrie Whosoeuer therefore purposeth to goe on warrefare in a foreine Countrie let him make greate account of vertue for according to the same hee shall be esteemed and many times a little shall bee accounted off Whereas contrariwise if men cary new vices especiallie such as offende no man will receiue them for seruauntes much lesse for Maisters and without affoording them anie thing will laugh at them which is yet worse they shall be feared as much as if they were open enimies This together with the miseries afore touched maketh mee to beleeue that vntill that manners and martiall discipline bee in better state among the French nation they shall atchieue small credite and lesse good will among our neighbours whome they shall goe to serue Truelie it is in vaine to thinke that force onelie can worke anie greate effects for not beeing accompanyed with iustice faith and modestie it is vnperfect But by the demonstration of vertue the heart is wonne which is a sure and glorious conquest examples whereof the Romaines haue lefte vnto vs. I knowe well inough that as well the Gentleman as the Souldiour maye obiecte to those that set them on worke manie things worthie consideration namelie that they hazarde theyr liues receiue bodilie woundes spende their goods and endure great paine for their seruice all which will neuerthelesse loose their grace and bee of no account if these deprauations continue For the people whome the Souldiours dooth oppresse will not so much excuse them for defending of them as they will curse them for deuouring them as burying the remembrance of the benefite in the smart of the euils But those that performe theyr duties to the best of theyr powers as well in fighting as in good life they loue and excuse Some will saie in these foreine warres that they they go to seeke they may learne much I confesse it But withall wee must note that from the siege of Mastricht which was the notablest in our time there escaped but tenne French Souldiours and not foure from that of Harlem in which two Townes there were enough as I haue heard I am not so ignoraunt but I knowe that the propertie of warre is ordinarilie to deuour at the least the fourth parte of those that followe it but when of the fiue partes it catcheth foure as often times it doth is it not too rauenous This haue I sayde to the end that those that goe as vnfeathered boultes into places of great noise may remember y t easely they depart but verie hardly returne agayne Those that weene that when France hath had peace for two or three yeeres she shoulde neuer haue warre agayne doe deceiue themselues For if they consider what hath passed since the yeere 1494. they shall see that shee hath not beene long in rest since To be briefe they that bee wise if they will follow my counsaile shal enter into these voluntarie purposes with leaden heeles yea euen the Gentlemen as calling to minde that to goe rashlie and put their liues in more dangerous than necessarie aduentures which they shoulde neuer doe but vppon good occasions is an argument of French rashnesse an engendering of parents teares and a weakening of the sinowes of the state But when theyr enterprises are vnderpropped with iustice and that the lawe full commaundements of Kinges wealthes doe set in foote who in respecte of alliaunces doe sende helpe to theyr confederates and vppon any other necessarie occasion doe succour and releeue the oppressed then must wee not consider of anie daungers or discommodityes For in dooing our duetyes whether wee suffer or whether wee perishe our labour or losse is alwayes well imployed Nowe will I discourie vppon a certayne polytike rule vsuallie alleadged in such lyke affayres as this Which many verie excellent persons both haue and still doe allowe to see howe the same may agree with vs. This is it A great estate replenished with warlike people ought still to haue some foreine warre wherewith to keepe it occupied least beeing at quiet they conuert their weapons each against other The maintayners heereof doe alleadge the example of Scipio Nasica who counsayled it to the Romaines Concluding that Carthage ought not to bee razed to the end still to haue an enimie whome to feare and bee alwayes busied withall For sayde he if this feare and cause bee taken awaie they be in danger to moue one against another in their owne land Heereto they adde that experience hath taught that when we haue
appeased our foreine warres we haue entered into ciuill which haue almost beaten vs quite down Moreouer that our Nation beeing insolent in peace impatient of tarrying long in the house full of generositie and desirous of glorie must of necessitie exercise it selfe in armes to the ende to discharge so many conceites of the minde without the Realme and not within Finallie that the badde humours remayning of our ciuill dissention by these humours meaning corrupted persons had need to be purged and therefore that we should suffer them to go out of themselues if wee see them so displosed or else to force them foorth by arte least they shoulde breede anie new disease And this hath beene put heeretofore in practise at the ende of our warres agaynst the English Nation Trulie I dare not denie but we are to attribute much to the obseruations of antiquitie of things that haue had good successe when they haue bene vsed in time conuenient But withall I dare aduowe that euerie time to applie the same to an estate and not to consider the seuerall disposition thereof is to mistake Likewise the better to know how to applie this vnto vs let vs looke in what state it now standeth In truth it is so euill at ease that the ministering of so vigorous a lawe in steade of a remedie were the waie to weaken it more and more Euerie man knoweth that our troubles began aboue 24. yeres agoe which haue beene no warres but butcherly slaughters who so list to beleue a booke printed vnder the name of Frumenteau which layeth open the chiefe desolations of our land how can be but wonder at so terrible destructions Aboue halfe the Nobilitie is perished As for souldiours we must count them by legions the people vniuersally wasted the treasuries sucked drie debts increased discipline neglected godlinesse perished manners depraued iustice corrupted men diuided and all thinges in sale Be not these braue preparatiues to build new purposes It is as if a man in lieu of stones should take clots of earth and myre in stead of lime and then choose a marish ground to builde a Castle vpon whom we might with good reason wish to renue his wits to consider the defects of his stuffe and to staie vntill hee were better prouided Likewise in that state wherein we now stand to enter of a iolitie into anie great warre before that foure or fiue yeres haue renued our youth were it not as a man shoulde say as much as to let him bloud againe that hath alreadie lost almost all his bloud And to vndertake the same w tout discipline is as much as to builde without rule Neither is it any lesse inconuenience to be vnprouided of money For sooner might a man make a ship to swim without oares or sayles than prosecute a warre without wealth Who then would be so farre ouerseene as to counsayle vs to beginne the thing that must haue a bad end which necessarilie will ensue of the defects aforesayd I am sure that Scipio Nasica aforementioned neuer meant to wish them voluntarily to begin an enterprise whereof they coulde reape nothing but losse and infamie neither would aduowe such a one to bee profitable to a lande alreadie halfe buried in miseries For hee feared not the Romaines aduersitie but theyr prosperitie which brought with it pride and insolencie And this we are to note that foure yeere after that Publius Cornelius Scipio had ouercome Hannibal and made peace with the Carthegenians the Romaines grewe so haughtie seeing themselues crowned with so many victories and triumphes that theyr skinnes coulde not holde them Then was not discipline anie whit out of frame The common treasurlie was mightilie increased as well with the riche spoylos of Carthage as of Spaine neyther had they anie want of men This was the cause that moued the Senate to thinke it conuenient to be doing with Philip of Macedon which was a verie wise practise of y e rule aforesaid But what conformitie is there between our present state and the state of the Romaines at that time As much as betweene a rich sound and well ordered man and a poore sieke and buruly person Let vs then first cure our diseases before wee imitate their dooinges in theyr full force and strength Many doe thinke France to bee as well replenished with men as euer it was Wherein they deceiue themselues And in my opinion the matter that deceiueth them is that they see the most of those that gaâ—â—e vp and downe make great bragges in words habite and coâ—â—tenaunce For if a cobler hath beene a souldiour but two yeeres hee will thinke himselfe worthie to weare a guilte swoorde which our Fathers woulde haue beene loath to permitte to anie vnder the degree of knighthoode yea and hee will weare it if hee can come by it eyther by hooke or crooke as also his silke neatherstockes which good King Henrie the second neuer ware whereto lykewise his speech shall bee correspondent For if this souldiour doe but looke awrie vppon a man hee is by and by dead at the least This is it that blindeth such as take in payment shews and lookes who peraduenture applying to them the Prouerbe that One man is worth an hundered doe imagine that our France doe ouerflowe with men of armes and warriours But my opinion heerein is that yet wee haue a good number both Gentlemen and commons These beeing well kepte and to them adioyning the youth which sixe yeeres may bring forward wee maye trulie saie that it shall ouerflowe with such men as shall neede no great pricking forward to make them to stirre Lesse time can we not haue to redresse our warfare and replenish our coffers but especially to restore our vertues But will some saie if anie good occasion should fall out shal we let it slippe That is the maisters parte to iudge of and peraduenture the Ladie may be so beautifull that shee may haue a good looke Yet will it be hard for vs to lyke of anie vntill we haue put on agayne our auncient ornamentes As for the purgation aforementioned meete to cast foorth the dregges which the ciuill wars haue lefte behinde them I doubt it will proue lyke to Antimonie which expelleth both good and badde humours together As wee maye see by that which euen lately wee haue to our domage tried Our weaknesse longeth rather after restoritiues than those things that purge violentlie For so to thinke that France cannot bee pacified without sending awaie fiue or sixe thousand disordered souldiours is but to winke with one eie But let vs stirre them a little and wee shall see that wee must goe farther and that these little bells doe not sound before the great ones haue rong out We must thinke that most Frenchmen yea euen those that follow aduentures are wearie of suffering so many mischiefes as the Romaines were of the slaughters of Marius and Silla lykewise that they mislike not of rest because they knowe it to
of him that termed prowesse and quarels two bad beastes for worse are there none to be found I haue heard of a gentleman y t reported that for ten yeres space he was much troubled with 4. horrible mischiefes frō which God had deliuered him The 1. a processe in law whervpon the one halfe of his liuing did depend the 2. a disease thought incurable the 3. a bad wife the 4. a quarell grounded vpō great iniuries among all which he affirmed y t the quarell had bred him most cares disquiet with continuall torment where in the rest he had some respite ease And this may well be for he that perswadeth himself that vntill he bee reuenged euery man skorneth disdaineth him dare scarce shewe his face in any cōpanie He is still in care how to find meanes to haue amēds of the iniurie that he hath receiued His hatred to his enemie stil stingeth his hart the desire of reuenge leaueth him no rest Likewise when he considereth the fortune of Combats the feare of infamy molesteth him Finally if he haue any feeling of godlinesse or religion that he thinke vpon the euident danger of his soule if his body should perish in the pursuite of so mortall reuenge may not all these troubles be compared with the furies that the auncients haue so much spoken of And to say the truth it is the very punishment of quarellers whom Gods iustice permitteth to be continually molested because themselues will not suffer others in rest Many mischiefes there are that light vpon vs wherof we are in small fault but this our selues doe forge and take vp vpon our shoulders at the least they that will not liue without controuersies There be gentlemen enow that hauing had 1000. or 2000. crownes rent haue spent it all in this miserable exercise If a man should aske of y e quarellers What is it that so troubleth you and causeth you to encurre so many hazards and perils and to wast your selues in so great expences It is will they say the respect of our honor Truely that is such an honor as bringeth many miseries where it should rather bréed content pleasure But I doubt if we should more néerely consider hereof wee should finde that the cause of this mischiefe consisteth in our owne errors and follies And as the ambitious as Plutarke sayth to the ende to hunt after a phantasticall glorie doe habandon the true so haue we formed to our selues a false honor that is obteyned by a certaine valiancie which yet were commendable in warre against our enemies consisting but in braueries bragges iniurious speeches outrages stripes and murders and all against those that before were our companions and friends This is a briefe description of that magnificent honor which is now adaies so rife in our mouthes Herevpon will some man say Why must I beare wrong stripes and not reuenge my selfe againe Hereto I aunswer that my entent tendeth not to will you to suffer all but rather that you must in no wise commit such iniuries What then is true honor It is a goodly praise and commendation by good men attributed to some in respect of their vertue which by diuers good effects they make demonstration of And this consisteth in the vse of wisedome iustice prowesse temperance truth courtesie and such other vertues wherof it ensueth that the ground of honor consisteth in the possession of vertue wherewith he must be clothed that mindeth to atteyne to the fruition thereof Those therefore are deceiued that thinke themselues woorthie to tryumph of the one and haue so smally profited in the knowledge of the other for it is as much as to seeke to haue the shadowe without the bodie or the barke without the tree I assure my selfe that the wise will choose to thriue by the waies afore recited rather then by imitating the abuse of custome wherewith they should helpe themselues onely in great extremities as men doe with corrosiues and not otherwise For it may so fall out that a sober gentleman shall be so grieuously wronged through the insolencie of an other that he cannot brooke it so is he after a sorte compelled somewhat to frame himselfe to the custome vntill such good order bée restored as men neede not to encurre the reproach of cowardlinesse or base mindes It was an old prouerbe That men should flee a hundred miles from an assault and runne a hundred miles to a battell which with greater reason may be sayd of quarels wherein there is lesse honor to bee gotten then in an assault It is but small honor to set vpon and ouercome him that is weaker then my selfe but if I maime him that is taken to be a braue fellowe euery man will bewayle his mishap and accuse my valour as hurtfull to my owne nation likewise if it bee my friend and I kill him who will not accuse me of inhumanitie Wherefore for my institution it were requisite that all men should know that the aforenamed did force me to proceede so farre which circumstances doe but sieldome happen France hath at all tymes had many couragious gentlemen of whom wee haue euen in our daies seene some shewe wonderfull proofes of valiancie in priuate quarels neuerthelesse they haue not bene any thing so much commended therefore as for other their valour shewed in skirmishes assaults and battels In the warres are wee to display our forces and liberallie to hazard our liues which they that cast them selues headlong into quarels doe seeme to make small accompt of Here might I yet note other abuses in these cases committed but they are so common and so well knowne that it would but breed tediousnesse to heare thē repeated And more meet it were to discourse of the fittest remedies for the banishing or helping of the same wherof if some had bin sooner applyed they might haue done more good for the longer wee delay the deeper roote doth the mischiefe take Howbeit it is yet curable if we will begin our cure rather by the causes thē by the accidents The maner hath bene that if any honorable person had chaunced in any quarell to bee killed in the Court by and by there were decrees and orders set downe to preuent the like inconuenience againe which was diligently obserued for some moneths space and then all was forgotten This was as a man should say after meate mustard or when the man is dead seeke the Phisition as also the preseruatiue was too weake for the tyme to come But we must remember that the mischiefe is vniuersall and that the remedies ought also so to be likewise that all the parts grieued both neere and farre should taste of the benefite of the medicine Sundrie bookes haue bene published which being translated out of Italian doe entreate of iniuries amendes combats c. which also doe teach Gentlemen how to shunne quarels and prescribe meanes when a man is in how to get out again without losse
prohibition not to hurt each other vnto his maiestie to whom onely belongeth the graunt thereof Whosoeuer shall by himselfe or by any other strike a Gentleman with aâ—udgell shall after satisfaction be also punished by limited banishment or some other grieuous payne because it is a boyish iniurie If the partie iniuried practise any trecherie for the recouerie of his honor the superiour shall force him to amends for his cowardlinesse Likewise for those who in the Prouinces through their quarels shall make any great assemblies or with open force pursue their aduersarie because such are but sparkes wherewith to kindle warres Many other such like articles may be hereunto added which digested into order would beare some grace But after some good resolution taken for their well obseruing they may soone enough bée reuealed For this tyme it may suffice to runne ouer these small peeces which I haue layd together to awaken many good wittes that I knowe in France to the ende they may say better then I haue done correct that which I haue set downe and shew the great ones that it is their dueties by all meanes to seeke to reduce the Nobilitie into the way from whence it hath strayed for so long as it shall remaine wandring both in word and deede it shall still prophane Uertue and Armes and wast it selfe whereas contrariwise if good discipline may force it to reenter into the carrier of our auncesters easely it may atteyne to the end therof where the crownes of true honor are distributed The thirtenth Discourse That his Maiestie ought in the tyme of peace to enterteyne at the least fower regiments of footmen reduced into the number of 2500. men as well for the preseruation of martiall discipline as to bee alwaies assured of a great body of olde Souldiers WOrthely is King Charles the seuenth commended for his so profitable establishment of the men of Armes whereof he was the author Neither doth the great King Frances deserue lesse praise in that imitating the auncient discipline he could finde meanes among his owne subiects to forme a mightie bodie of footmen wherewith the more to furnish out his warsare For before there was but small accompt made of them as is aforesayd But since the setting downe of good rules and that the exercise thereof hath ensued they haue fashioned themselues and are growne more obedient and valiant Harquebuts came but little before into vse which haue made them very terrible and so necessary as they may not be missed Sith therefore the experience of many warres haue taught that it is not possible to prosecute them well without a good number of footmen were it not a great ouersight not to lay any foundation of them Considering that a meane hath bene found how to forme so strong a one of Horsemen For the same reasons that moued our auncient Kings to ordeyne the one may vrge them that now raigne to establish the other In olde tyme the chiefe differences of warre were decided in the plaine field where now they consist in surprises assaults and defence of Houlds Wherein the Harquebuts and Pikes are not only profitable but also necessarie Now if wee list to consider the number of Footmen that France mainteyneth in the tyme of peace they will seeme to be fewe in respect of the Horsemen who in the tyme of King Henry the second were aboue sixe thousand speares For excepting the Garrisons of Citadelles and Castles which are there to bee settled the rest is a small matter But for the procuring of a well ordered warfare it is requisite there be some proportion betwéene the parties and sortes of men of warre whereof it consisteth as there is betweene the meÌ„bers of a mans bodie For either superfluitie or want doe breed deformitie And notwithstanding the men of armes doe in dignitie surmount the others yet doth it not thereof ensue that they should in quantitie so farre excéede The arme is more honorable then the legge yet is the legge as massiue and great as it yea and as profible in his function In my opinion therefore it seemeth there were some reason in tyme of peace to entertaine fower regiments of footmen of sixe hundred in each so to concurre with the force of the Ordinances notwithstanding the same now consist but of 4000. Speares I will not stand to shewe what neede France still standeth in of an armed arme for all men of iudgement doe sufficiently know that the Eagles of Austrich would come and eate vp her Chickens if martiall order were extinct But many doe thinke the French nation to be so well enured to warres that they neede but stampe on the ground as Pompey sayd to bring foorth whole legions armed Howbeit they are deceiued neither is there any trust to be reposed in that For if discipline and enterteynment faile the more men there be the more is the disorder and confusion Such as suffer themselues to be abused with the noyse of many Drums with the sight of many Flagges wauing in the wind and with the view of a field couered with men doe not wéene themselues to bée deceiued because they thinke that euery one should be as readie to doe his duetie as he is to make a bragge but at the proofe we many times finde that a small troope of resolute enemies doth ouerthrow all this Haue not wee also within these twentie yeeres sufficiently felt the spoyles that a disordered multitude doth worke euen to their friends All these experiences might perswade vs that a few olde Souldiers doe profite more then a great sort of rawe and vnskilfull I knowe that no man will say but wee ought alwaies to maintaine a good number of men of armes but for Footmen some thinke that in time of peace they may well enough be spared because the Realme for want of habilitie had néede to spare many things But I will say that if the Realme bee poore it will bee contemned if it be contemned the more will practise against it which ought to moue the mightie well to vnderproppe it with counsaile and force I will be aduised how I will thinke our pouertie to be such as not to be able to maintaine fower thousand Speares and fiue and twentie hundred Footmen in ordinary besides the garrisons and warders of Castles Wee might doe more but when a little will suffice a great deale is superfluous Now doe I wish that the bodies of regiments should still bee in force to the ende the arte of warre bee not forgotten not in speculation but in practise as also to preserue many men of commaundement I haue guided companies of 60. men which in my opinion would bee sufficient in time of peace For when occasion should fall out to augment them putting into euery companie the full number they will in two moneths as well through the diligence of good Capteynes as by vertue of good orders bée trayned to doe good seruice But so will not the newe leuyed
when the legions should be perfected vp to their ful bodies such persons as should be added coulde in short time bee trained Heereto I saie that it is greatlie to bee presumed that such wildinges as shoulde bee grafted into this free and well pruned tree by taking theyr releefe therefro woulde come in short space to beare the lyke fruit And lyke as good Pilots and shippe maisters do soone make their Mariners fit for nauigation so well taught Captaines doe soone giue their souldiours good instructions Some will saie that our legions cannot be good for want of maintainance I confesse they might be the better but we must withall consider that it would cost aboue 900000. Frankes by yeere which is the reuenue of a good Prouince whereas after my rule set downe they shall not spend in time of peace aboue 16800. crownes which to a king is but foure sets at Tenis or the bad luck of two houres play at Primero Wel warre being proclaimed and the Colonels charged to fill vp their number of men they should wish their Captains to put in as much Gentrie as they might and wee must thinke that by their credite many would be willing yea as many as I haue sayd that is 150. to euerie legion Afterward they should also choose other good soldiours enow fit for the pike Corcelet although many were but so so yet hauing so proud a head they should shew themselues wretches if they would not followe so good guides As for harquebuziers they should neuer be aboue fiftie in a companie and we shall finde of them thousands It were also requisite his Maiestie should deliuer to euerie legion flue hundred Corcelets for the which he to paie part of the mony aforehand to the merchants and appoint paiment of the rest at the musters And so doth the K. of Spaine sometimes when he Ieauieth anie Germaine regiments For he prouideth the most part of armour otherwise the Captaines shoulde not be able to doe it on such a sodaine During the warres they should be maintained as the ordinarie hands and at their feete as also they should obey the generall of the Infanterie Likewise their Captaines being men of honour and able to liue as also sufficiently instructed by their Colonelles of the infamie growing of disordered militarie proulings pilferies should studie how to keep their cōpanies as compleat as might be and not excessiuely to rob them as some do yea to helpe their poore souldiours in their greatest necessitie but withall when the warre were ended they should be paide their charges If this order might come to perfection the king could hardly be surprised by anie euimie whatsoeuer for in 6. weeks the foure regiments afore spoken of together with these three legigions may be brought into the field and their bodies furnished with 14000 braue souldiours whereof to make foure goodly battailes of pikes which are so necessarie Also if part of the men of armes and light horse were ioyned vnto it it would be a meetly sufficient army of our own natiō to defend our borders vntil strangers might be leuied I know some wil peraduenture saie that few meane soldiours will serue in such bands wherein we looke to haue all chiefe officers taken out of the bodie of the Gentrie but for preuenting this inconuenience I thinke it were not amisse to leaue some honours for the vnnobls if by vertue they may growe worthy the same as the Serieant maiors office the Lieuetenantships of companies meane serieants roomes Thus may they be contented But the Lieuetenant Colonell the Captaines Ensignes should alwayes be Gentlemen Concerning the difficultie ordinarily propounded which in deed is not small how to induce the common soldiours to take the pike I suppose it would soone be decided when they should see as I haue said the Captaines gentry practise the same weapon vpon occasion to fight ioyne with the body of the battell sauing such as shall be appointed to lead the shot as also to imitate the Spaniard who alloweth the Corcelet greater pay than the simple harquebuze I haue heretofore heard some Princes counsailours who sought to make their maisters too thriftie mislike the maintaining of many militarie officers in the time of peace and peraduenture there be yet some of them that may saie that it were more meete to hyer one hundred good souldiers that might keep a frontier towne than to enter into charges for that which I haue propounded To these will I make no answere but euen referre them to the Marshalls Montmirencie and Biron two olde Captaines of Fraunce who vnderstand more of the arte of warre than my selfe and if they condemne me I yeeld but I imagine that I shal not loose my plea for euen of themselues I haue heard that the good Captains make the good souldiours because they be the preseruers of good order discipline which others do soone neglect yea euen contemne vnlesse they be bound thereto But will some man replie can your selfe well performe the thing which yee tell others may be done so easily Truly I think that it properly appertaineth to those which now beare the title of Colonels of the Legionaries and are better seene in the arte of warre than my selfe to labour in it and to reape the honour therof As also I beleeue that in France there be 1000 Gentlemen more sufficient than my selfe and can better discharge it Nowbeit that they shall not thinke that I would set downe things that cannot be practised and like vnto paradoxes whereof I will discourse and yet are so strange I saie that if my King should command me to try such a matter notwithstanding I coue◠not anie offices whether great or smal I would thinke within two yeres to forme such a bodie as therewith I durst wrastle with anie other regimēt whatsoeuer so it were of such a nation as beare vs no great good will And I assure my selfe the Zuitzers who helpe themselues with the pike as well as anie souldiours in the world would be gladde to haue the assistaunce of such a legion This is my opinion Wherein if I ouershoote my selfe let men consider that I am a French man whose eares doe so gloe with hearing my nation set at naught that I would wish it to do that which I know it is able if it were holpen to the end men might perceiue that industrie and valour are not quite perished in France The fiftenth Discourse That the auncient manner of aranging the horse in haie or file is now of smal vse Also that it were necessarie they should take the vse of squadrons THe Frenchmen who are verie readie to embrace nouelties and to abandon olde things haue not alwaies so obserued that rule but that they haue continued steadfast in some auncient customes which they haue accounted ineete to be retained But growing to a more diligent examination it appeareth that as in some they haue left the worse to embrace the better
whereof they spared not their goods The same by the lyke reason should now be more liuely sith for the defence therof we spare not our liues These marks although they be good be not the principall For the best and most assured in this point wherin our doe honor seruice to God doth consist is to yeld to his holy will reuealed vnto vs in the Scriptures As for y e other part of deuotion which hath relatioÌ„ to our neighbors our coÌ„tentions hath wonderfully indomaged it yet must wee returne to this passe that the Frenchman take the Frenchman not only for his felow countriman but eueÌ„ for his brother grieuing at his hurt wish his good I think that yet among our dissipations there be many y t practise this rule so as if peace might gouerne any time we should not find in all Christendome any better Catholikes Gospellers than in France Some there be y t cannot graunt therto for hearing any speech of FrenchmeÌ„s pietie they smile say that y e protestants know but little the Papists if they know it doe yet cloath it with hypocrisie But I wil make theÌ„ no other answere but y t albeit our nation be no longer the Popes minion yet this old trée which in the time of Charlemaine spred out such goodly branches alouer Christendome may stil â—â—d forth the like to y e benefit of many For Iustice in no couÌ„try in the world is better established knowen than in ours so as the corruptions y t haue infected her beâ—ing purged awaie she will shine forth agayne And where are there at this daie goodlier portraitures of these ancient Senates iudiciall courtes than in our parliaments The 3. point concerneth our treasury which is much subiect to pinching whereof we are thought to be halfe spoyled yea eueÌ„ of y e coÌ„mon But it is an error to suppose that it may bee dried vp in this realme For besides our 4. sortes of Aâ—ammant stones afore mencioned there be many other smaller kinds y t continually draw them in make them to fleet vpon the seas So as were it not that one part therof do afterward through a certaine hiddeÌ„ attractiue power flow to Rome another through violeÌ„t puls into Germanie we should many times see euen great tides In the time of Henry the 2. the coÌ„mon treasury was such as by ordinarie meanes he yerely raised vpoÌ„ his coÌ„mons 15. milions of franks part wherof was since paied forth for debts which not withstanding our k. doth at this day gather as much Now would I demand whether a king in ioying such a reuenue may be saide to bee beggered The holy father y t liueth in such glory pompe princelike coÌ„mandeth ouer diuers states prouinces hath not 150000. crowns reuâ— of al y t his late predecessors good husbandry hath purchased for him for of the patrimonie of S. Peter he inioyeth but a net to fish withall of S. Pauls but a cloke Those men therfore are misinformed that report the k. of France to be at beggers dore For albeit he owe 50 millions of fraÌ„ks they may be all paied in 10. yeres by winning his subiects harts for hauing y e harts he hath y t goods also What shal we say of coÌ„cord which is so great a help to y e increase of all estates Forsooth y t she was like to haue gotten from vs to haue gone else where but now she beginneth to inhabit again to souÌ„d forth some ancieÌ„t agreemeÌ„ts which maketh to vs hope y t shortly we shal heare her perfect harmonie in case we wold abandoÌ„ forein counsel which vnder faire preteÌ„ces go about to kil her as knowing well inough y t FraÌ„ce caÌ„not stoop to theÌ„ before it be diuided in it self therfore they secretly thrust it into such diuisions to y t end to ouerthrow it wherby themselues may afterward fall vpon the spoile I am assured it would be loth to bend the neck to their authoritie wherfore it were good to tell them in time My masters neuer let your mouths run on water after so daintie a morsell for you may not tast of it It is so hot it will burne your lips and therefore retire to your owne quarters As for martiall discipline wee must confesse that of late it hath bene so sicke as to be driuen to keepe the chamber and not to come abroad but peace may by little and little restore it to health if her medicines would worke earnestlie it would soone be on foot again Our Censors we speake but too much of the absence thereof from among vs saying that our footmen fight fayre far of our horse-men are verie furious at the first but afterwarde can fauour themselues well inough yea they â—oast that with three thousand speares they will fire the Milles at Paris I cannot denie but there is much bad matter among vs but withall I will aduowe that there is some verie good But those men are deceiued that will assesse iudgement vpon the ordinarie and well ordered forces of a mightie state by the extraordinarie voluntarie forces which the abundance thereof hath vpon occasion cast forth And sith this speech forceth mee to laie open our wares I saie that of so many our battailes and combats we haue yet remaining sixe braue Princes as well of the bloud royall as others who haue many times commanded whole armies of whome some haue giuen great ouerthrowes and both defended taken townes of account Next vnto them shal come our Marshals of France who haue many times ben imployed among whom the Lords of Montmorency Biron may be commended for the two best experienced Captains that we haue Twentie other good Captaines of the men of armes may we finde who hauing seene the warres of Henrie the second doe deserue to leade an auantgard How many other Lordes and Captains be there who hauing seene but the ciuil wars or part of them haue diuersly testified their valiancy and good conduct Likewise from among our great numbers of Captaines of footmen I suppose we may well choose halfe a dozen good and worthie Colonels Hereby it appeareth that we are not cleane destitute of men of command which is the principall part of our warfare I wil not speake of the rest of our nobilitie and soldiours for leade them well and they will shew valour sufficient neither can anie warre weare away either the one or the other If our king should perceiue anie neighbour readie to plaie with his frontiers I thinke he might easily make an armie of 60. companies of men of armes twentie Cornets of light horse and fiue companies of harquebuziers on horsebacke to whom he might â—ode three or foure hundred Reisters aboue 100. Ensignes of French footmen and fortie of his good friends the Zuitzers and all this notwithstanding the rest of the frontires to be sufficiently furnished of men as well to defend in the
our smal wars we stil find want of money it were meet to lay a good foundation for treasure a yere before the enterprisiug of any thing for beeing of sufficient abilitie before they begin they should afterward hardly incurre any want It may bee said that to threaten the enimie so far before hand were as much as to giue him time to prouide but hauing well waied all it were a greater inconuenience according to the prouerbe To take shipping without bisquet Besides it is to be imagined that their pride glory is such they so much contemne the Christians that they will take it to bee rather some brag to terrifie theÌ„ than any preparation to assaile theÌ„ As for power I thinke no man can denie but that Christendome is at this daie verie mightie For all Countries are full of men these domestical warres haue greatly exercised in armes The art of war is also better knowen than it hath bene these 150. yeeres whereto the knowledge of histories both Greeke Latine conioyned with experience haue bene a great helpe We see likewise that their courages are no whiâ— quailed as wee doe but too often proue to our great griefe and losse Of souldiours therefore hauing both â—now good we must looke for Captaines for they bee the men who thorough their wisedome magnanimitie are great helps to the winning of the victories In this point we of force confesse that Christendome hath not now any of so great experience as euen in our daies we haue seene as the Duke of Alua the Duke of Guize the Constable of France the Admirall of Chastillion and for the sea Andrew Dorie Howbeit we cannot likewise saie that it is vtterly vnprouided for although those that remain be but yong yet do they follow the steps of the others neither want they any thing but the subiect of a braue war the more to display their vertue besides that many times good hap accompanieth young heads as appeared in Don Iohn of Austria at Lepanto the Duke of Anguien at Serisolles the Duke of Sanoy at S Quintins the Earle of AigmoÌ„t at Graueling especially the Prince of Parma in FlaÌ„ders We are to thinke that we liue in a time wherin the large schooles are open for Captaines to learne to frame themselues grow good Let vs therefore content our selues with those that yet liue hope well of their conduct I will name none particularly for they be sufficiently knowen who in Spaine France Italy Germany haue purchased fame Now are we to looke to discipline wherof I wil say thus much that without great care that it be diligently obserued kept we are not to look for any good issue of the war We see how y e ciuil wars haue quite corrupted it and the infection is shed ouer all nations though ouer some more than othersome It were meet therefore at the first to establish rules which may be put in practise thereto to ad both a punishment reward for if we carry our accustomed disorders into these wars we shal soone become a praie to the Turkes Titus Liuius discoursing how y e Romaines attained to their great conquests among other things attributeth it to their good obseruation of order discipline Yet do I not herein require as great perfection as in those daies but rather to fit the coat to the bodie the laws to the vertue I doubt not but ther is yet enough spred abroad among our Christian nations Whereof if a great part were gathered into one armie it would suffice to bring forth good fruit These be the principall preparatiues which the Princes should consider of betimes For the rest which neuerthelesse are necessary as wepons vessels artillerie munition they are much easier to bée gotten Philip of Macedon Alexander the greats father prepared for such things as he needed for his wars a yere or two before hand but he died before he could begin his sonne finished them yet it serued his turne wel that he found all things redie but especially he made great account of fiue or six old Captains whom his father left him Another Philip the father of Perseus purposing wars against the Romaines made no lesse preparation though his sonne imploied it but badly And we are as greatly to feare the Turkish nation as they did the others for it holdeth at this day the greatest Empire in y e world Many there are y t being badly informed of their customes do take theÌ„ to be barbarous people giuen to cruelty wanting all other good qualities wherin they are deceiued for among all soldiers in the world they shew themselues most sober obedient of their Captains diligent For a while they had small vse of the harquebuze but now they can help theÌ„selues therew t against vs do begin to arme their horsmen with certain light breastplates morions to couer the foreparts of their bodies heads although they retain the vse of the bow target it is a great meruaile considering how many Christian soldiers do daily go to them denie their faiths y t they haue no sooner taken our fashions which are better thaÌ„ theirs Footmen with the pike corcelet they haue none which in my opinion is our aduantage as being a verie profitable kind of soldiers All this ought to hasten vs to preuent theÌ„ before they conforme theÌ„selues to vs in things wherin we exceed theÌ„ neither is to be doubted but in time they will imitate Pyrrhus Hanibal who brought their souldiers to take vp many of the Romaine fashions both in wepons discipline as hauing by experience in their wars against theÌ„ found the same to be better than their own I leaue it therfore to any good Captains iudgement if they should thus doe considering their great numbers of people whether it were possible to stande before them if they should arme but 50000. horsmen after our maner surely the same would suffice to fight with al the horse in Christendome but they put in their general armies well neere 200000 which is an incredible matter I heard a French Gentleman y t was at Sighet when Sultan Soliman besieged it say y t there he saw 150000. which â—raue him into admiration seeing all the earth couered with horse men as thicke as trees in a large forrest When we in our smal warres see 10. or 12000. horse we thinke them able to fight with the whole worlde what then would we saie if we should see these wonderfull troops They haue euermore vsed to march thus yea the Sarazens whome they succeeded in y e law of Mahumet vsed mightie armies though not so strong in horse I will not stand vppon the description of the large extent of their dominions as being a thing sufficiently knowen onely I will saie that in Europe they holde more land than all France Spaine Italy doe containe from whence they take theyr best men of
to the marrow He that shall consider of speech which is proper to man onely will thinke nothing to bee so common and familier but if he ascendeth to the inward worde which is the conceipt of the vnderstanding in which receptakle a thousand images perfect and vnperfect true and false bee resident and passe to and fro which afterwarde be reuealed by the sensible speech he cannot but wonder at Gods so wonderfull workmanship Thus ought wee from terrestriall matters to ascend into celestiall and againe from the highest to returne to the lowest For what els is the composition of man but celestiall and terrestriall which by a most excellent and inimitable workmanship are conioyned together whereof wée gather this instruction that the contemplatiue and actiue life doe very well agree together and to seeke to deuide them is as it were to force nature Some may say that although Contemplation beseemeth the Philosopher yet the Prince Captaine Iudge Phisition ought rather to labour for that at their hands we are to expect only good effects Hereto I aunswer that effects proceede of consultation and consultation from discretion whereto wée first attaine by experience then by meditation When he that possesseth the royall dignitie shal often thinke with himselfe that mercie and truth doe merueilously preserue the King and that his throne is vphoulden by gentlenesse as Salomon saith will he not bee more diligent in his duetie then he that thinketh himselfe to bee set vp as a paynted Image vpon an Aulter to be admired and magnified Those also to whom is committed the administration of Iustice and regarde of health in liewe of employing their whole mindes in the filling of their purses should then not doe better sometimes in the 〈◊〉 to occupie themselues the â—udges in meditating vppon this goodly saying of King Iehosapht who sayd to those of his time Consider what ye doe for yâ— exercise not the iudgement of man but of the Lord And all your iudgements shall redound to your selues Also the Phisitions in the saying of Ecclesiasticus The soueraigne hath giuen knowledge vnto â—â—on to be honored in his merueiles For by often consideration of these admonitions they will growe more duetifull to men and obedient to God whose â—â—ttie instruments they are to make those vertues which he freely bestoweth vpon them which neuerthelesse they sell full deere to shiue here vpon earth But ambition which is properly tearmed an honorable torment and couetousnesse which is a shamefull hell doe withdrawe as well the one as the other from so high thoughts whereof ensueth confusion in politicke order Concerning the third order which is tearmed the third estate I will deuide it into two parts The worst whereof is the countrie people who seeme to be led as much by affection as by reason and is so grosse that although it be taught yet a man would say that it either contemneth or is vtterly ignorant of the superiour exercises of the soule and that the same are no more conuenient for it then is Magnificat for morning prayer But charitie should make vs to iudge that God doth nothing in vaine also that hauing giuen them a like substantiall forme as to the highest he hath in no wise forbidden them the vse of whatsoeuer may make them partakers of the benefites which are offred vnto all and consist in the knowledge of him And if we well note what the Scripture saith we shal finde that he reuealeth himself to the lowly and is hidden from the wise Herof we should learne to be modest in the iudgement of this matter sith faith which is a supreme contemplation is not denyed the veriest clownes wherein we see Gods wonders in that he maketh many of them learned to saluation in a science which seemeth vtterly vnlearned The towne dwellers are more capable of instruction and besides their deuotions doe also apply their mindes to the artes whereof sometimes groweth such perfection of workmanship that many are driuen to confesse that the boysterous hand could neuer haue performed them had not quicknesse of wit bene the guide And whereas the soule abaseth it selfe in the matters which we touch which is much vnworthier then that that is materiall yet doth it not so before it hath bene long stayed vpon the consideration of the formes wherewith 〈…〉 â—othe it also vppon the meereâ— to attaine to such an 〈…〉 to inuent the instruments necessary thereto Cobre 〈◊〉 by the deduction afore sayd we see first that it is meeâ—e for all men to contemplate more or lesse in deuine misteries Secondly that it may also in part be applyed to inferiour things Thirdly that 〈…〉 member our selues from ciuill societie and 〈◊〉 stable or liue aparte to the entent the better to attend thereto for in all 〈…〉 priuate or publique he that hath leisure and will hath also vse thereof But before I ende this discourse I haue thought good to vse this small admonition to those that care so little for submitting those noble partes of their soules not to workes of small accompt but euen to horrible vice and to set before their eyes the saying of Dauid Man being in honor hath no vnderstanding but is compared vnto the beastes that perish and is made like to them For when they disdaine to enioye the goodly priuiledges graunted vnto them and choose rather to burie this light in earthly pleasures as a man would doe a precious diamont in mire then doe they as a man should say transforme them selues into beastes which is a iust punishment due to their ingratitude and blockishnesse I will also aduertise others which are quite contrary to these because of the quicknesse of their vnderstandings not to soare ouer high beyond the limited boundes But to remember what God said to Adam touching the tree of good and euill Thou shalt not eate thereof for in the day that thou shalt eate thereof thou shalt dye the death Hereby should they learne to content themselues with that wisedome which he hath vouchsafed to impart vnto theÌ„ as wel coÌ„cerning deuine as humane causes which is if we take it right most wonderfull Least contemning the person of so excellent an Apostle as S. Peter we transforme our selues into a Simon Magus or disdayâ—ing an Aristotle become a phantasticall Stoike Thus much of Contemplation may suffice me to haue spoken who neuer went to Monckish schoole and he that listeth to knowe more let him repayre thereto if he so thinke good CERTAINE OBSERVATIONS OF DIVERS THINGS HAPpened in the three first troubles of France Together with the true reporte of the most parte of the same The 26. Discourse The first Troubles That the Protestants but for the late accident at Vassie had bene preuented in the beginning of the first Ciuill warre FRance notwithstanding the agreeing vpon and concluding of the Edict of Ianuary in the presence of the King by the aduice of a very notable assembly of the wisest politicks of
Romish religion also the King of Nauarre reuolted conformed themselues to them which redounded to the greate disgrace of the Prince of Condie and those whome hee maintained Besides that if hee had come first hee coulde not haue soiourned there long without incurring much hatred for if to a Court you propounde reformation take awaie vaine pleasures and entangle it in businesse it will hate you euen vnto the death Finallie hauing manie enemies therein and more abroade hee coulde not but haue verie small assuraunce This maketh mee to thinke that the fouudation of the Court was not of anie more certayntie than that of Paris Howbeeit hee attempted another deuise but it was not put in execution in my opinion of more apparaunce which was his moouing of the Queene mother to goe and carrie the King to Orleance and some writers doe saie that it was motioned to her when shee feared the motions of the league also that shee hearkened thereto but all vanished awaie in smoake neuerthelesse I suppose that if the effect heereof had ensued all theyr weapons had beene sheathed vp agayne For had the Court beene in place where it coulde not haue beene surprised in respect of such force as might haue ben brought and where it shoulde not haue beene forced for no man durst haue discharged the Canon agaynst the walles that enuironed the King they might haue parleyed and dealte on horsebacke vntill the affayres had beene somewhat reestablished according vnto the Edict of pacification not withstanding euen to imagine that this remedie coulde haue vtterly extinguished the warres I dare not presume onelie it had sufficed if it had but delayed them for a while Of three things which I noted that happened before the armies tooke the fielde The one pleasaunt the other arteficiall and the thirde lamentable THE Writers of greate Histories who are to represent more matters than there bee leaues vppon a spread Oake cannot alwayes expresse and note euerie the perticulars that accompanie them for if they shoulde binde themselues thereto for euerie volume that they publish they shoulde bee forced to sette out foure and therefore it is enough for them to declare whatsoeuer is most notable Wherefore my selfe if in reading things past I meete with ought eyther much or little wherevppon a man to the ende to bring it into taste or reape anie profite might dilate doe somewhat delight so to doe especiallie in those thinges whereof I haue beene an eie witnesse which also may peraduenture somewhat serue to the vnderstanding of the storie which is the rich storehouse whereto they that couet goodly ornamentes ought to haue recourse for that which I heere sette downe is but a Pedlers packe conteyning wares of meane price albeit vnlesse I bee deceiued not falsefied or counterfait The first matter that I meane to shew is in what sort the Prince of Conde and his troope ariued at Orleance The daie before hee came hee sent the Lorde of Andelot to take the Towne who comming vnknowen perceiued there woulde bee some lette wherevppon hee sent worde to the sayde Lorde to make speede to assist him for hee was lykelie to haue some bickering Nowe the whole companie beeing loth to loose so good a morcell desired not to trot but euen to galloppe which was no sooner sayde but it was done For sixe leagues off beganne the course The Prince hauing with him as well in maisters as seruauntes aboute two thousande horse taking the greate galloppe the whole bodie did the lyke and so continued euen to the verie gates Innumerable were the people that they mette by the waie going to Paris who beholding the mysterie of this course and withall that none asked them anie question did for the most part at the first thinke that all the fooles in Fraunce had beene there assembled or else that it had beene for some wager for as yet there was not anie noise of warre Howbeit thinking better thereof and considering both the number and nobilitie they grewe into greate admiration yet so as they coulde not but laughe at so forcible a motion which did not beare downe the trees as the windes of Languedocke but seemed rather to beare downe it selfe for ordinarilie by the waie they might behold seruants cast downe horses shouldered and tyred and sumpters ouerthrowen which bred continuall sporte euen in those which did runne But they that the same daie were thrust forth of the towne did Catholikly bewaile their dispossession from the staple of the pleasantest wines in France Concerning the second point the matter is of more grauitie as consisting in both generall and priuate accusations defences reasons and other pollicies to perswade which were the weapons wherewith so many great Captaines for the space of two moneths fought together as also to comfort and hearten their confederates and partakers For in these so new and extraordinarie alterations of estate it was verie requisite to abolish all bad opinions out of the minds of those that knew not the drifts of the enterprisers and as the assault was great so was the defence forcible as may appeare by reading the actions as well of the one part as of the other which are inserted into the Annales Some there are that weene if their cause be good that it will so shew it selfe to all men and therefore will not publish the truth thereof wherein they ouershoote themselues For albeit iust and true matters doe in time shew forth their light yet is it in sundrie occurrences meete to anticipate them and that men should betimes knowe that that will at length appeare though not with so much fruit Also as weedes doe many times for want of pulling vp choke the good hearbes so if the slanders which the aduersaries doe ordinarily obiect agaynst such things as bee good be not refelled they would no doubt many times thereby bee suppressed besides that we are the more supported when in whatsoeuer case we haue proued that we walke vpright and labour with an euen hand To be briefe in this world men are so slothful in publike duties that without continuall calling vppon they remaine immoueable But they that haue but a bad cause in hand haue more need of arteficiall speeches to cloake that which being reauealed will bring it out of fauour neither do I thinke them to be tongue tied whereby we may perceiue that eloquence resembleth a two edged knife but whatsoeuer men saie it is a hard matter to disguise falsehood or blemish the truth The third point consisteth in the parley néere to Toury in Beausse betweene the Queene Mother the king of Nauare the Prince of Condie to deuise vpon some meanes to appease the controuersies fallen out Many did imagine that the presence and conference of the greatest woulde bee of more efficacie than the sundrie embassages from part to part and albeit euteruiewes be sometimes dangerous yet was it concluded the rather at the Queenes instance with the limitations ensuing That on each
did neuerthelesse enter thereinto which was the safegard of the towne The L. of Ligniers did commaund therein who had in all two and twentie companies neyther did anie man spare for all remedies for fortification which are vsuall in such lowe places as are preuented The assailants also for their parts noted those places that seemed most assaultable which on euery side were so bad that it was hard to say which was worst and hauing discouered a mountaine which commanded vpon the flanke of a Courtine without farther consideration they tooke it and at the first blush it promised much howbeit the remedies there agaynst were easie For the Prince hauing but fiue field peeces and foure light Culuerines what were they able to do agaynst so many men of defence and labour as were therein And in two daies and two nights it was so crossed and entrenched that they durst not enter vpon them The French man is so sodain that he will immediatly discouer y t which cannot be found without long search And through this redinesse I haue seene the discouerers of places commit so many ouer sights that I thinke it a most profitable rule to looke twice yea thrice vpon a thing before we resolue or settle our iudgement thereof After the breach was made we knew that to giue the assault on that side was to loose our men wilfullie and as we were preparing for a new batterie in some weaker place the peace was concluded which ouerthrew all militarie actions True is the Prouerbe that there is no well to the good men for the place must be verie bad wherein they cannot find meanes to accommodate themselues Men should neuer keepe anie long siege agaynst such places in deede to let an armie lie before it 3. weekes or a moneth it may be done whiles another is leauied in fauour of the besieged During our abode there the Lord Admirall attempted a braue enterprise which was determined in manner ensuing The contrarie armie being beyond the riuer of Sein durst not I wot not why approch the Princes maine power yet would it not omitte anie opportunitie to fauour the besieged And to the same effect was the Lord of Vallet a famous Captaine sent with eighteene cornets of horsemen to surprise one of our troopes in their lodgings to hinder our forage to breake off our victuals and to keepe vs in often allarums He approched within foure leagues of the camp and lodged verie close from whence he began greatlie to molest vs The Lord Admirall haere of aduertised tooke vppon him to prouide remedie thereto And vsing commonlie to march strong for feare sayd he of want of game he tooke 3500. horse departed so earlie that by the Sunne rising he was in these horsmens quarters of whom many notwithstanding their good watch kept in the fielde were ouertaken so as there were foure cloutes taken but few men slayne The Lord of Vallet who lodged in Oudan gathered together foure or fiue hundred horse with whom albeit a thousand of ours did folow he retired in good order often making head agaynst vs as indeede he had both skill and experience Hereby we see that it is not good soiourning long in the face of a strong power of horse vnlesse a man be as stronglie lodged For before he be aware he may be surprised as it were with a sodaine storme and the same may be vpon him in manner as soone as his sentinels scoutes or discouerers for it marcheth assured seareth nothing and still sayth to the foremost On charge and follow all that thou findest In such affayres the wisest and most circumspect are sometimes ouertaken The second peace concluded at Lon-iumeau THroughout the whole troubles in Fraunce wee haue still seene it fall out that they haue spoken of peace in the middest of all the war so willing was euerie man to shew himself to like of so health some a matter as also there haue ben diuerse concluded but none worse to the Protestants than this The treatie hereof was againe begun while the Prince lay before Chartres who sent the Cardinall of Chastillon with other Gentlemen to meete with the kings deputies at Lon-iumeau where they so folowed it that the articles were agreed vpon which were sent some to Paris others to Chartres there to decide the chiefe difficulties arising therein Now as a good peace was not onely greatly desired but also as necessarie so were there few that staied to consider what maner of one this was but as if y e verie name had also brought the effect most of the Protestants were fully resolud y t it must bee accepted And to speake plainly that was it that forced the P. Admiral who saw such readinesse euen in the nobilitie to condescend therto to accept of it It was as a whirle winde which they could not resist but that it carried thē awaie True it is that the P. was of himselfe somwhat inclined vnto it but the Admiral stil doubted of the obseruation thereof for he almost perceiued that they meant to be reuenged of the Protestants for y e iniurie receiued at the iourney of Meaux Yea euen then some such of the Catholiks as could conceale nothing gaue out openly that shortly they would haue a day One of our agents also for the peace sending word that hee had oft heard such speeches perceiued great indignation hidden in some of their hearts with whom they did conferre wished it might be loked vnto as noting some singular euent Some likewise euen of the court who sometime stole speeches out of the closet sent their friends kinsmen word y t vndoubtedly they would be deceiued vnlesse they wrought surely which might haue sufficed to wakē those y t slept so soundly vpō y e sweet pillow of peace but notwithstanding al aduice y e brook which alredy ouerflowed could not be restrained It may be meruailed y t these Captains being of such credit w t their partakers could not persuade thē to that which was so profitable howbeit if we consider what these voluntarie persons were also the violent desire to visite a mans home we shall perceiue y t the anchor of apparant necessitie being broken the shippe that is driuen with such vehement windes cannot be staied Sundry whole Cornets and diuerse perticular persons euen before the raising of the siege from before Chartres were departed without asking leaue toward Xantoigne and Poictou This humour also tooke place among the footmen euen those that dwelte farthest off Many also sayde that sith the King offered the last Edict of pacification it might not be refused Other of the Gentrie gaue out that they would retire into theyr owne Prouinces for the preseruation of their families whome the enimies cruelties oftentimes murthered The footmen complayned of the want of paie and that ordinarily their victuals failed them Thus might not the Generals of the Protestants cleaue to such aduertisements as they receiued and so reiect
all olde souldiours and the others newe did so disorder them as they were forced to abandon the village and leaue him free passage Finallie within two leagues of Saumure hee founde yet another companie of footemen lodged in a Church whome hee forced and tooke theyr Ensigne and so at the shutting in of the euening came safe with his men well wearyed with fighting and marching hauing lost but twentie of them but slayne foure times as many of his enemies and scarred aboue a thousande This exploit did I thinke good to sette downe as seeming to bee replenished with a braue determination albeit it was â—o meruayle that the Lorde of Andelots troopes entered not within them for they were sodainelie surprised beeing all scattered a sunder besides that the horsemen were in too straight a roome to fight well and although they had beene gathered agayne together yet were the enemies alreadie in safetie Thus do we see how much it standeth a body in hand both to march in order and to be well determined and this is it that causeth those small troopes that are willing in valour to supplie their weaknesse ordinarily to ouercome Notwithstanding this checke yet was not the Lord of Andelot past hope of passage ouer the riuer hauing therfore closed his men in two bodies he caused them to trye euery where In the ende they found a foord as it were miraculously where no man had in mans memorie passed and the next morning both he and all his being very glad that they had met that which they hoped not of he passed ouer vnto the other side Remaining in these vncerteynties I could him that it were good for vs to consider what wee had to doe if our passage were stopped wherevpon he aunswered What can wee elâ— doe but take some extreeme partie either to dye as Souldiers or to saue our selues as Souldiers My opinion is sayd he that wee all ioyne and so retire seauen or eight leagues hence into the open countrie and thence to aduertise the Lordes of Montpensier and Martigues that we be fled are scattered euery man seking to escape the daunger which they will soone beleeue In the meane time we will encourage and prepare our men to ouercome Then if they approach neere vnto vs as vndoubtedly they will rather to spoile than to fight let vs valiantlie set vppon them so shall we bâ—eake them and afterwarde will no troope for one moneths space bee so bolde as to come before vs thus maye wee easilie gette into Germanie or vp the riuers This readie and couragious counsayle of so gallant a knight is no more in my opinion to bee concealed than the braue determination of the Lord of Martigues two personages vndoubtedly worthie the best militarie offices The last woâ—ne farre greater honour in his passage and the first much more profite as getting him and his into safetie For within eight dayes after hee ioyned with the Prince of Condie which was a greate strengthening vnto him This the Protestants so badde a beginning and enterie into the warre by such headelong retreates was a foretoken that they would vse these remedies in the continuation thereof which also came to passe albeit in the former they had but verie seldome had anie such happe whereof if there bee anie that desire to knowe the causes I will set them downe It proceeded of the contempt of discipline and the multiplication of vice the which dooth breede greate disorder and engendreth bouldnesse in many not in all who vnder colour of necessitie doo take vpon them too much libertie That the respite which his Maiestie gaue to the Prince of Conde without sending any armie against him was a meanes for him to preuaile of a great Prouince without the support whereof he could not haue continued the warre THE Protestants whole refuge in these last troubles coÌ„sisted in retiring to Rochel which hauing embraced the Gospell and reiected the doctrine of the Pope rested alreadie at their deuotion The towne is reasonable large and wel seated vpon the sea coast in a soyle abounding with victuals full of rich Marchants and good artificers which was very profitable for the preseruation of sundrie families the reaping of al commodities necessarie for the Souldiers and whole armie both by sea by land Now after the Lord of Andelots arriuall the Captaines were aduised to lose no time so as hauing taken some artillerie out of Rochell they assayled the townes of Poictow and Xantoigne which then were but weake and meanly prouided of garrisons and so became maisters of as many as they might as Nyort Fontenay S. Maixant Saintes S. Iohn d'Angely Ponts and Coignac Afterward they tooke also Blay and Angolesme some being wonne easely others with batterie and assault To bee briefe in lesse then two moneths of poore vagabonds as at the first they were they had gotten into their hands meanes sufficient to coÌ„tinue a long warre In all these places they lodged about thirtie companies of footmen and seauen or eight cornets of horse which was a great ease to the countrie and so formed a braue politicke and militarie order as well for the Frenchmen as for the guiding of the armie Herein do I consider how necessitie being followed by occasion the Protestants could helpe themselues with both Being oppressed with the first they layd open all inuentions of the minde and strength of bodie to eschue destruction And when the second came in place they found themselues readie to embrace it I sometime heard the Lord Admirall applie the goodly saying of Themistocles to the state of the affayres of that time viz. We were lost if we had not bene lost thereby meaning that had we not fled we could not haue recouered that good spring which was farre better then the same that we had before I knowe not how it fell out that the Catholikes did no sooner knowe that they whome they had driuen from about them did settle themselues a farre of and so send remedies there against for vndoubtedly if they had it might haue cut off halfe our conquestes but I thinke that at Paris they were so glad to see those Prouinces and Townes which before had made them so sharpe warre abandoned that many of their harts were so puffed vp that afterward they disdained the Protestants effects who thought Rochell only able to resist them wherein in three moneths they might bee shut vp These be the forecastes of man after some fauourable accident The Queene of Nauarre perceiuing these stirres was very diligent to draw to those quarters bringing with her her childreÌ„ and some good power which serued as well to authorise the cause as to strengthen the armie She feared least staying in her owne countries she should bee forced as well by the commotions of her subiects as by other power to let her sonne go to the Court where vndoubtedly at the least in outward shewe he should be driuen to change his religion In consideratioÌ„ wherof she made
He that giueth a notable Captaine respite to bring forth that which his imagination hath conceiued he doth not onelie heale vp his old woundes but also ministreth strength to his languishing members therefore he should rather endeauour still to diuert combet him so to break the course of his purposes The longest aboad y t this half army made in anie place was about the quarters of Agen Montauban where it spent almost al the winter through the good entertainment that it there had it was restored as it were with new mens bodies Heereto ought all such as haue anie militarie offices to haue regard and not to do as the couetous labourers who granting no release to their lands doe make them barren for when for the increase of their owne glorie they doe euen tier their souldiours for lacke of refreshing they doe vtterlie ouerthrowe them Also if the North winde together with the moisture of the Moone doe euen weare the stones how much sooner will the delicate bodie of a man bee worne out with such labours rigorous toyles Wherefore the best rule is infayre weather to emploie themselues well and in foule to take some rest except extreame necessitie constrayneth to the contrarie In this voiage they verie well followed the rule of Hanniball in Italie which was to giue the enemies Countrie to be a praie to their owne men so often as occasion required that they should bee contented for who so list to aduenture wanted no commodities such plentie raigned in those Prouinces The first power that ioyned with the Princes was the Countie of Montgomeries who returned victorious out of Bearne which truly was a braue exploit and is at large set downe in the histories for through his diligence he preuented the power of the L. of â—erid who besieged Nauarrins which alreadie was tired with his long aboâ—de therabout neither is it to be demanded whether he was wel welcommed at his comming About the ende of Winter they marched toward Tholouze where began a kinde of most violent warre in respecte of the fires permitted howbeit onely against the houses of those that belonged to the Court of Parliament The cause heereof was sayd to be for that they had euermore bene most sharpe in burning the Lutherans and Huguenotes as also for the beheading Captain of Rapin a gentlemaÌ„ Protestant who brought them from the king the edice of peace They found this reuenge to be verie hard howbeit it was sayd that it might bee a warning for them to be more moderate afterward as in deed they haue so shewed themselues This companie is one of the most notable in the realme many learned men therein albeit they might haue vsed more clemencie The L. Marshall d. Anuil was then in the sayde towne with a good power was bitten by slanderers who reported that he had intelligence with his coosen the L. Admirall yet throughout all that voiage no man warred so sore vpon the Princes armie as he for he ouerthrew foure or fiue companies of their horse This report was vndoubtedly false and that I well knowe notwithstanding whatsoeuer may since haue fallen out The army went on euen into the County of Roussillon where albeit it belonged to the Spaniard it vsed some some sacking Thence it marched along Languedocke and comming neere to Rhosne Countie Lodowicke went ouer with part of the armie to assaile some holdes But the chiefe intent of these Captaines tended to get some footmen out of Daulphine to the increase of their bodie as also they thought to haue done out of Gascogne Languedock which desire could not be brought to anie good effect for when the souldiers vnderstood that it was to march toward Paris and into the heart of France withall that they considered the miseries which theÌ„selues their companions that had bidden by it had indured the last winter euerie man fled from it as from a deadly downfall desiring rather without coÌ„parison to stay folow the war in their own countries neuerthelesse they gathered together aboue 3000. shot determined to passe any whether which were distributed among the regimeÌ„ts but they were al on horsback Necessity forced theÌ„ so to do in respect of the tediousnesse of their iourney sharpnesse of the winter albeit it sometimes bred pesturing yet came there profit of it in y t as occasion fell out their footmen were alwaies Iustie fresh neither was there much sicknesse among them in respect y t they were euer wel lodged entertained The L. Admirall a man of great experience in such affaires well perceiued albeit there were some treatie of peace that yet it was harde to purchase any good vnlesse they did approch to Paris and therewithall knowing that beyonde the riuer of Loire hee shoulde finde greate fauour and helpe did hasten the voiage but the difficultie of passing the mountains of Sauenes and Viuarets were some stay but more his sicknes that tooke him at S. Steuens in Forest was like to haue caried him awaie which if it had fallen out peraduenture there woulde haue ensued change of counsayle for hauing lost the henge where vpon the whole gate was turned they could hardly haue found such another True it is that Countie Lodouicke was a braue Captaine and well thought of among the French howbeit hee was not yet come to the authoritie experience of the other neither dare I affirme if he had died whether they woulde haue proceeded in theyr carrier or not In the end God sent him health to the great contentation of all men after the which the armie marched so swiftly that it ariued at Rhene le Duc in Burgundie There had lyke to haue ben giuen a terrible sentence for the peace which neuertheles was but good for the setting of it forward The L. of Marshall of Cosse gouernor of the kings armie was expresly charged to keepe the Princes army from comming nere to Paris yea to fight if he see the game fayre wherevpon he coasted it in full deliberation so to doe Finding it placed in a reasonable strong seat he thought with his artillerie which the other wanted to take awaie the aduantages thereof also by skirmishes of shotte to make them forsake certaine passages that they had Onelie one ditch did they at the first abandon where happened great charges recharges of the horsmen wherin either part when their turn came were pursued The Captaines which on the Catholiks part gaue the first onsette where the Lordes of La Vallette Strossie and Chastre who bare themselues wel on the Protestants side those that bare the first brunt were the Lord of Bricquemaud Marshall of the fielde the Countie Montgommerie and Genlis and in this action did the Princes albeit as yet verie young in theyr countenaunces shew theyr desires to fight wherby it was thought that in time they would proue most excellent Captaines In the end the Catholikes seeing how hard it was
yeelded Concord good manners and obedience to the lawes were alâ—eadie in so good forwardnesse throughout Fraunce that it seemed to bee wholie restored but discorde with her secrete driftes troubled all Concerning the seconde it was a peace but no peace neyther had it anie more than the name for in effect it was secrete warre It may be tearmed The reward of the Protestants follie because that not withstanding all aduertisements that it wold be very bad they would neuerthelesse receiue it The third was much desired in respect of the ruines past the necessitie present and that euery man was wearie of labour and trouble for as the Frenchman is vnpatient so doth he fit the warre to his owne humors And in as much as the conditions were equall or rather better than the former it ought in my minde to be tollerable to the Protestants considering withall y t there was no meanes to haue anie better Like wise for the two yeeres that it lasted fewe can complayne except at the very breach thereof which was in such horrible sort as it deserueth to be quite buried vp Nowe who so euer shall consider all these peaces in their iust obseruation hee will as I suppose iudge them to haue beene a profitable and necessarie remedie vnto all but if hee haue respect but onelie to their endes he cannot choose but name them dissembling peaces And this hath made some so time rous that they beleeue that stil there is some poison hidden vnder the faire glosse of this golde In Fraunce wee haue alreadie had sixe generall like as wee had in the ciuill warres of Burgundie and Orleance and as well the one as the other were infringed but the seauenth which was concluded at Arras was durable and holpe to restore Fraunce by which example it may bee inferred that our seauenth shoulde bee good albeit it were to be wished wee neuer came to those tearmes for to wish to bee sicke that wee might recouer health may seeme impertinent I beseech God to prouide therefore according to his good pleasure Trulie euerie man seeing the Realme flaming in warres ought to set before his eies Gods wrath and displeasure and the same against himselfe rather than agaynst his enemies where nowe some doe saie These bee the Protestants who through their heresies doo strrre vp Gods wrath against them Others doe replie They bee the Catholikes who with their Idolatries do prouoke the same And thus in these discourses no man accuseth himselfe In the meane time the first thing that wee ought to doe is in these vniuersal calamities to examine and accuse our owne imperfections to the end to amend them then to loke vpon others mens faults Likewise when we see a short counterfait peace we should saie y t we deserue no better because y t according to the prouerb when we are ouer the bridge wee mocke the saint most of vs returne to our vanities and accustomed ingratitude Howbeit it is a commendable affection which desireth peace I meane a good peace for y e bad are verie cut throats because therby pietie and vertue doth seeme to reuiue whereas contrariwise ciuill warres are the shops of all wickednesse which good men doe abhorre The time hath bene that of both parts their haue ben diuerse that toke no great delight in hearing peace spokeÌ„ of of whom some sayd That it was an vnworthie and vniust deede to make peace with rebols and heretikes who deserued grieuous punishment yea they persisted in their speeches vntill their disease were cured on this sorte If they were warriors they were inioyned to march formost at an assault or in a skirmish so to kill vp these wretched Protestants of which punishment by that time they had twice tasted they soone changed opinion As for the rest which were either cleargie men or of the long robe by telling them that they must part with halfe their rents to paie the soldiour they consented to the peace To be briefe whatsoeuer their pretence were whether pietie or iustice sure their passions were cruell Other there were euen among the Protestants which did no lesse reiect the peace as tearming it to bee nothing but treason but had it bene neuer so good they woulde haue said as much because the warre was their nursemother and rising One good waie to reduce them to reason were to propound in respect of necessitie thereof the cutting off of their paies or the leauiing of some lones of them so would they long after some good end For take from many of these people their profites and honour then will they iudge more sincerely of matters Also for counsayle in waightie matters we ought to choose those that serue God and are endued with greatest discretion for they still preferre the common wealth before their owne commodities and affections I will likewise speake of another sort of people who indifferentlie do like of all kinds of peace and mislike of euerie kind of warre who if they might be assured in quiet to eate their wortes and laie vp their crops could well enough let euerie time slide yea albeit at euerie of the foure quarters of the yere they should haue halfe a dozen good bastonadoes These haue in my opinion locked vp hidden their honours and consciences in the bottome of some coffer The good Citizen ought alwayes to beare a zeale to the common wealth also to looke farther than to liue in shamefull bondage To conclude in these affayres reason ought to be our guide which doth admonish vs neuer to enter wars vnlesse a iust cause and great necessitie constraineth vs for warre is a most violent and extraordinarie remedie which in healing one wound maketh more and therefore is not to bee vsed but extraordinarily whereas contrariwise we are alwaies to wish for peace I meane not such peace as may be presumed to be stedfast not vniust for the false on s do not deserue y e title but rather to be tearmed traps snares as was the same of the second troubles The rest may some men say were not much better because they lasted not long but I am not of that minde for A doe thinke that vntill they were broken they were moste prosâ—table so doth experience giue vs to vnderstand neither is that any better argument then to say This man was naught because he linen but fifteene yeéres but I will argue and pleade to the contrary saying they were good because men woulde not suffer them to last any longer for had they bene noisome to the Protestants they would haue â—et them haue had their course God graunt so good a one to France nowe torue with ruines and destitute of good manners that she may renue in beauty and be no longer the fable of all nations but an examplary of vertue INPRINTED AT LONdon by Thomas Orwin for Thomas Cadman and Edward Aggas 1588. In what considerations this discourse is necessarie and ought to bee published Three causes
of the subuertion of Commonwelthe Impietie Atheisme the first braunch of Impietie Psalm 14. 53. Wisdome 2. The originall of Atheisme in France Of Swearing and blasphemie the second braunch of Impietie Aunswer to those that thinke it not meet so fore to insist vpon punishment of swearing and blasphemie Leuit. 24. Of Magicke and sundrie sorts of Diuinations the 3. braunch of Impietie Infinite sorts of Magicke The decree of God against such Deut. 18. Where Magicke and her trayne doe soiourne Iniustice the second cause of the destruction of Commonwelths Esay 3. Excesse the third cause of subuertion of Commonwelths Two fountaynes of excesse The kindes thereof Adulterie The pompes superfluities of the Court Commons Gentrie and women Pride Table excesse and great furniture A coÌ„clusioÌ„ gathered of the former speeches viz. that France is in manifest perill in that the causes of the subuertion of Commonwelths doe in so many sorts beare rule therein Tokens of Gods wrath Two obseruations meet for the curious Of the Periode of Commenwelths Lib. 1. Diuinat cap. 7. lib. 4. cap. 2. Gods sentence concerning the periods and reuolutions of publick and priuate estates Deut. 28. Obiections against the maxime taken from Moses Aunswer The Maximes of Philosophers concerning the alterations of CoÌ„monwelths The application of these principles to the consideration of the state of France An other obiectioÌ„ of theirs that thinke that we ought either very gently or not at all to touch the wounds of an estate namely of our owne country Two springs of great desolation in an estate A discourse vpon the first cause or originall of the desolation of an estate A confirmation gathered in the considerations of the subuertions of many mightie Monarchies as of the Iewes Romaines Grecians and Hungarians The second confirmation taken of the affections of the nations our neighbors Obiection against that which is afore sayd Aunswer Discourse vppon the secoÌ„d cause of the desolation of a coÌ„monwelth Histories which verefie this discourse Another historie which more neerely toucheth France set downe at large in the French Anales The extreme miserie of France if once it come to dismember it self Whether the Realme could subsist though such partialities should dismember it The last part of this discourse which entreateth of the remedies The first and principall poynt Example Ionas 3. Another example Obiection against the former remedie Aunsweâ— Esay 〈◊〉 The second consideration of the first remedie afore mentioned with an aunswer to those that call it a Paradoxe Discourse vppon other necessarie remedies Reformation of sundrie abuses propounded as it were by the way That the remedies to restore France are easie The third remedie which is most necessarie Aunswer to the obiection That it is vnpossible for two Religions to consist in one commonwelth What the chiefe principall members of the state may and ought to doe in the restauration thereof Meanes to confirme the state after that it is set vpright Reasons that should moue vs hereto The notable saying of the Pagan Micipsa ought to waken those that are or ought to be best instructed The consideration of this sentence What concord is It is dispersed all ouer the world The kindes thereof and first of the domesticall Vpon what considerations it is founded Of Domesticall concord Of Ciuill concord Of the profite and pleasure that it breedeth Similitude Example in generall A perticuler example Defaults in the concord required in vs. The meanes to mainteyne concord Of publique concord A sentence A notable Embleme Another example Plut. in the life of Aratus A thirde example A fourth example Obiection against the former counsel aduice Answere ConfirmatioÌ„ by the examples of the ancient Frenchmen Another example Beginning of the discords of France The originall thereof Frutes of discorde Diuers effects according to the diuersity of the French mens passions tossed with discorde The image of France in the state of olde Greece Thucid. li. 8. How many calamities discord hath brought into France Why these mischiefes are here set downe What should teach France the consideration of her euill warres Monsters bred in ciuill warres A necessarie profitable exhortation Whether it be a hard matter to bring peace againe into France The meanes how to reduce concorde and expell dissension Whether wee must buâ—y all diffidence Of false concord Examples Offurious concord Of tyranous concord Examples Insolent concord Of hereticall and scismatical concord The conclusioÌ„ of this discourse Why true coÌ„cord doth continue Of pretended zeale wherewith they couer hatred and mallice Definition of zeale Exod. 31. Rom. 9. 1. King 18 Num. 25. Abuse of the former examples and the meanes to amend them Rom. 10. Act. 7. Markes of false zeale The iniquitie of foreiudgements Of the moderatioÌ„ that is to be obserued in foreiudgemeÌ„ts Of the insolen cie of those that call others heretikes Isay 3 Of the insoleÌ„cie of some which forget the dutie of Charitie A restraint of the former speches An other dangerous foreiudgment of zeale without knowledge Who is our neighbour An ould error renewed in our dayes Aunswer to some mens obiections Correction of the former error Mat. 5. Confirmation of this correction Luke 23. Aunswer to those that will not be restrayned by the rulé of christian charitie Against whoÌ„ we should exercise our hatred How wee ought to loue our neighbors Of connersation with our neighbours A rule to followe in this case Exposition of the place of the Apostles touching conuersation with heretickes Against offence taken of the contrarieties of religion Rules to followe Mat. 5. Rom. 14. Sith all France calleth for restauration those men are not receiueable that oppose themselues there against Rom. 8. Diuerse opinions touching the remedies for this restauration Refutation of the opinions that counsell violence Answer to a replication made by two sortes of men against the former resutation Aunswer to an other obiectioÌ„ touching straungers especially Italians out of whose destruction some thinke the peace of FraÌ„ce would growe Aunswer to an other obiectioÌ„ of those that stomacke the Lawyer the Nobilitie and the Clergie Against those that counsaile ciuill warres Consideration of the second aduice contrary to the former How we must vse this aduice Aunswer to those that thinke it vnpossible to reforme the state Disorders that neede reformation 1. Superfluitiâ— in apparell Other superfluities namely excessiue expences Of the principall remedies for this disorder Of visitations 2. Of the Clergie 3. Of the Protestants Of the lawe Meanes to apply the remedies The thirde aduice consisting of the two former The confirmation hereof Conclusion The originall of the difference that appeâ—reth betweeâ—e the auntient Nobilitie and that of our daies Why the good Politickes did carefully commend the good bringing vp of children In his treatise of the bringing vp of children Of the faults that parents commit In the same treatise Of Childrens faultes Application of the aforesayd to the French Nobility and first to carelesse ignorance and couetous pareÌ„ts Of the
parents that are well affected to the institution of their children Of Pages Of Apprentizes in armes Of such as trauaile into sorraine couÌ„tries Of Students in Vniuersities Of those that bring vp their children at home and of others that are forced to put them forth Of the publick discipline of young Gentlemen Of maisters and Rectors Expences Confutation of a common obiection The execution and fruit of this order Conclusion Aduice vppon Machiauels writinges Of the bookes of Arnadis The originall Their fruit Thsir author The proofe of the former point in the consideratioÌ„ of the first fruites of these books named the poison of Impietie The inetnt of the author of these bookes of Amadis Why the reading of those bookes is pernitious The second fruit termed The Poison of pleasure Impudent and foule loues The infamous bauldry of a blotter of paper Pollution of holy Matrimonie Whereto such bookes are meete The thirde fruict named the poyson of reuendge The fourth fruict named forgetfulnesse of trew duetie and abolition of all good orders Defence of the censure aforesaide The last fruict named partinent sables How great cause the French Nobilitie haue to coÌ„tent them selues Faults herein committed Remedies for these faultes Continuation of the rehersall of the good of the French Nobilitie to the ende to induce them to a trew enioying thereof A recapitulation of some of these benefites The heauenly and spirituall Vertues Health Ritches The vse of this discourse The state of both auncient and new Nobilitie Originall of the pouertie of the Nobilitie Referred to the warres This pouertie hath other springes then the warres Superfluous and excessiue expenses in aparrel the only spring of pouertie Against suâ—â— as scorne forrein Nobilitie for that it imitateth not their inconstancie Expenses in building Expenses in moueables Expenses of mouth and ouer great retenue ExperieÌ„ce proueth the former discourse Of the trew and right vse of goods The remedies against the aboue said intemperance Frends Necessitie Of such as encline to the extremitie contrary to the former A certaine rule in the vse of riches Pro. 22. Deut. 8. A notable aduertisement to the rich Honorable and necessary expenses Prou 19. Armes the exalters of the French nation Their vse and abuse The error of such as make the bearing of armes a perpetual occupatioÌ„ Of those that for money doe runne into forren warres Of those who hauing once borne armes will neuer doe other worke Of French Gentlemen that goe to serue in forrein countries Of the fruites of these martiall voyages Armes ought especially in a forren contry to be accompanied with vertue Aunswere to certaine obiections An examination of the rule of certain politicks who are of opinion that a great kingdome should neuer be with out warre against some stranger The strange misiries of our ciuill Warres Whether Fraunce be well furnished of men of warre Of warres with our the realme A generall and meete preface to the whole discourse Examination of the first opinion That Gentlemen should be adorned with sundry vertues The error of such as suppose prowesse only to be sufficient to the prosessors of armes Prowesse destitude of other vertues deserueth of the name of vertue It becommeth a Gentleman to professe diuers vertues Against such as abuse their force and valeancie Wherein valeancie consisteth Of trewe and false valcancy Examination of the second opinion The spring thereof Of those that cannot keepe home The reproaches of these runnagates against the country and stayed lyfe Commodities of countrie life Whether the country life quaileth prowese The censure of the thirde opinion Romans 13. The examination of the principall question Osee 〈◊〉 Esay 13. Iob 34. Against the violence of some Clergy men Actes 3. Of duety 1. Sam. 〈◊〉 Of such as doe whatsoeuer they are commaunded A more expresse explication of the former discours 1. Sam. 24. How the inferior is to consider of his superiors commaundement What both the one and the other are to consider The fraude of flattering Courtiers A necessary consideration for France Reasons for this Of the restablishing of the musters That they may be put in vse Their originall Theyr order The difference of the members whereof they were com posed Of the alienation of fees Whether it be vnpossible to redresse the Arrierbans Of faultes commuted in the 〈◊〉 in question The meanes to restablishe the Arrierbanes Of the vse of well ordered A 〈…〉 bans the meanes to maintaine them Answere to those that wil haue no reformation Of exeÌ„ptions The originall of quarrels The obiection of such as thinck quarels to be necessarie Aunswer Of Combats Their originall The diuers causes of Combates Of what partes the monster named Quarel doth consist Of the auncieÌ„t Combats and those of our dayes Encrease of Combats in our dayes The strange confusions of the Combats How to remedy the confusion of Combates The mischief by quarrels The spring of the causes of such mischief Of true honor Of remedies for the aforenamed mischiefes Of perticuler remedies Order how to make the remedies to serue How necessary it is to haue footemen Why France alwaies standeth in neede of any army That footmen are necessary also how to forme them The Ordering of the companies of footmen and the benefite that will arise therof Aunswer to those who vnder pretence of husbandry doe hinder good orders To restore the vse of Corcelets Goodly custumes obserued among the Spaniards Aunswer to an other obiection of some that would haue no martiall discipline How necessary the armed pikes are and the sruict that may procede of the order propounded in this discourse The intent of King Frances by establishing the legionaris also how necessary their reformation is How many legions doe seeme necessary at this time also to wat ende this order tendeth Whether it be requisite some of the gentry shoul be enrowled among the Infantery Of the reestablishment of their elects and Pikes Of the composition of the bodies of the armies The meanes to order well the Captaines and chief meÌ„bers of the legions Aunswere to the common obiection of those that shoote at profit rather then honor Continuation of the ordering of Capteins chief members of legions Aunswer to an other obiection touching the whole body of the legions Aunswer to an other obiection Inconstancy of the FrenchmeÌ„ Example of armes Of the maner to arange horsemen Answer to those that would haue the horse stretched forth in file A proofe that the horsemen ought to be brought into squadrons The meanes to put this counsell in Practize What Camarades are and wherfore erected Why this discours is put in writing The first kinde of Spanish Camarades The second kinde of Camarades The Discipline and commodity of the second sorte of Camarades The meanes how to practise the like discipline in France Whether Princes owe any rewarde to the braue soldier Wherein these rewardes do consist Their originall and comoditie Aunswer to such as thinke the money to be euil bestowed in
such recompences Of the small order obserued by the Frenchmen in respect of rewardes A meane how to establish this disciplines The Reisters actiue with the Pistoll what aduantage they seem to haue of the Speares What aduantage the speare seemeth to haue ouer the pistoll especially head to head Which of the 2. Squadrons should haue the aduantage Answer to the obiection that the Reistres haue diuers times suffered the speares to beate them Ouersights of the Reisters Of the effect of two Squadrons when they come to charge Why moste men do reiect this Paradoxe Proofes hereof may be performed by the notable examples taken out of the stories of our time The first example The second example That such restraites may be made when the arte of warre and in struction of the Soldiers is ioyned with bould resolution Of the ordering of the battailes Answer to the obiection against the former aduice How the battailes should beare themselues either to fight or to retire Aunswer to another obiection founded vpon the impossibilitie Aunswer to two other obiections A meane to proue what assurance is in this paradox also a remedie to the difficultie propounded there against The generall ground of this paradoxe The perticuler ground hereof Example of Captaines that haue benefited by the ouerthrowes that they haue susteyned An other example in Cesar The vse of these examples The first cause of presumption The second cause The third cause The effectes of pride enflamed through our owne bad nature and the discourses of our frendes flatterers Remedies against these effectes In his treatise of profit to be taken of enemies An exhortation to Captaines with a description of the good which the vertuous do reape whiles the viti ous and ignorant doe empaire and confound them selues Where to costly fortifications doe serue To whom those of smale expense are profitable Forteresse which haue so much Against those that like of such expenses How to helpe our selues with the Ingeniors deuises and yet auoide excessiue expenses An aduise vpoÌ„ the meanes to fortifie with smale cost The way how to descend a place that is besieged Against such as thinck water to be hurtfull to rampiers of earth The Duke of Burgundy an Image of such as haue no delight but in troble and coÌ„fusion The meanes which doe seeme necessary to be houldeÌ„ in the consideration of the present estate of the Realme to restablish it The miseries of warres especially ciuill Examples of these miseries of Warre Other miseries of ciuil warres The straÌ„ge offence of the most of those that beare armes in such warres An exhortation to those Frenchmen that are banded one against an other To the Souldiers To whome the aforesaid calamities are to be imputed The state of warres in ould time coÌ„demne those of our dayes The ambition of Princes and common welths cause of great calamities Whar considerations ought to moderate the desires of princes Answer to the obiections of ambitions Counsailers Aunswere to an other obiection touching the mightinesse of Prinses Consideration of the greatnesse of a king of France The extent of the realme The fruictfulnesse The people The contry Aunswere to those that emblason and abase France because of her miseries Of godlinesse Of Iustice Of the tresury Of the Frenchmens concord Of Martiall discipline Of the chiefe martiall Capteyns What meanes the King hath to defende him selfe against any Prince his neyghbour that list to assaile him Of the restoring of order in France What the groundes of publike actioÌ„s ought to be The grouÌ„d of confederaties with Turkes The originall of the Turkes their increase behauiours gouernments as well in respect of the soules as of the bodies What Christian princes were the first that repented their confederaties with the Mahumetistes Ihon Paleoiâ—gue Answer to the obiection of such as vnder coulor of couenants euel kept among some Christian princes doe alowe of conâ—ederaraties of Infidels so as therin men be wise and circumspect What treaty may be made with Turkes also what difference is betweene such treaties and true alliance with the danger of stedfast consederaties with tirants Other latter examples of the danger that is in confederaties and trust to Turkes Other examples How many mishappes haue bene hatched out of the confederaties of Christians wihch the Turkes The originall and occasion of the alliance of the French Kinges with the Turkes What seruice the Turkes haue done to France How â—ore this league hath blemished the glory of the French nation How farre such confederaties doe preiudice christiaÌ„ religion Whether confederaties with the Turkes be lawfull Answer to an obiection grounded vpon the consideration of the Turkes prosperitie Aunswer to those that thinke it no time now for the Frenchmen to breake their league with the Turkes The conclusion of this discourse The excuse occasion of this discourse A brief Description of the Turkish dominion Of their hatred and conspiratie against ChristeÌ„dome why they suffer Christians among them The meanes to suppresse the Turkes insoleÌ„cie also the cause why it is propounded Against those that thinke the Turkish tirannie to be so farre of as it can neuer reach vnto them How terrible the Turkes power is at this day and why To whome it belongeth to suppresse the tirannie of the Turkes What letteth princes from thinking therof also the meane to set this matter in hand Who they are that ought to begin to sette the rest on worke The Pope The Emperor The King of Spayne How other princes may be induced to ioine with the three asorenamed Reasons for the leagne betweene France the Turkes Answer to the reasons and allegations aforesayed That it is requisite to vnite Christian princes before they meddle with the Turkes Of the vnion of princes with their subiectes and the ceasing from all acts of hostilitie and ciuill warres within their lands Of the necessitie of peace in the Low couÌ„tries and how the King of Spaine may and ought to graunt it Vpon what consideration the enterprize against the Turke ought to be of great commendation among all Christian princes Hauing treated of the fouÌ„dations of this warre it is here spoken of the proceeding thereof and first of the generall assembly for the entire resolution of the affaires Of the meanes to continew the warres diuers yeares Of treasure to maintaine this warre Of forces necessitie for the executioÌ„ herof Of Martiall discpline Of other preparatiues requisite to beginne withall Against those that thinke the Turkes easy to be subdued Of the great power and habilitie of the Turkes Of the manner how to assiuill the Turkes in what places and with what power How longe our auncestâ—rs were in their warre also whether it bee harder in these daies then in those What was the cause that our forefathers lost the aduantage they had of them were driuen out of the east The warres of those princes that succeded Godfrey and others against the Turkes Why the time is now conuenient to sett vpon
The causes of good discipline The notable perticularities of the same The begining of disorders The remedies applied Discontentment in the Princes armie Of the taking of Burges and the counsaile to besiedge Orleance The reasons of those that counsailed the fiedge of Roan rather then of Orleance The taking of Roan Of the ouerthrowe of the Lorde of Duras troupes The execution of the Prince of Condes purposes staied through the succour that the Lorde of Andelot brought in The Princes armie marched toward Paris A Camisado enterprised against the suburbes of Paris also the retreat of the Princes army A notable battayle 1 The countenaunce of both the armies 2 The Generositie of the Suitâ—ers 3 The Lorde of Guizes patience cause of his victorie 4 The long continuance of the battell 5 The taking of the two generalles of the armies 6 The retraite of both the armies How the Lord of Guyze intreated the Lord Prince of Conde The foundation of the Duke of Guizes hope The Lorde Admirals resolution the Siege of Orleance and the notablest perticularities of the same The wouÌ„ding and death of the Duke of Guize whereof ensued the pacification of the first trobles also what the Lord Admirall did in Normandie The causes of the taking of armes in the second troble The resolution to take armes also the difficulties in the beginning Of the successe of the Princes attempts The first A generall taking of armes vpon one selfe day The second Their courage in setting vpon 6000. Suitzers The third The taking of Saint Dennis The Prince of Condies first entent to force his aduersaries to harken to accorde The second and third cotent The Lord Constables purposes The meanes that were practised to ouerthrow the Prince and his armie The behauiors of the Princes armie in Loraine A notable historie A meane to attaine to peace The Lord Admirals care for the entertainement of the armie Of the lodging of the armie The march Into what Difficulties the Protestants were reduced during the ciuill warres The beginning of the siege of Chartres A counter enterprise of the Lord Admirales during the seege Of Chartres The second peace cause of more mischief then the warre it selfe Part of the Protestantes causers of their owne mischiefe The notable reuolution of these warres also of the Princes retrait The Lord of Martigues braue resolution to gette to Saumure What helpe the towne of Rochel was to the Prince and his who therby became maisters of a large country The arriuall of the Queene of Nauarre and her children in the armie also of the troupes of Daulphine The ouerthrow of the Colonels Mouuans and Pierre-gourd Of the power of both the armies which albeit they desired it could neuer haue opportunitie to ioyne The Duke of Aniâ—ous armie lost a braue opportunitie to ouerthrowe the Lord Admirall an d 〈…〉 Andelot Aduice vppon the aforesaid aduenture The Prince lost the occasion to ouerthrow the enemies Auantguard Of the iourney of Iasnueil A pleasant chance which troubled many The extreame could kept the 2. armies from executing their pretenses The Lord Admirals enterprise voide of his pretended effect The retract of both the armies through the extreamitie of the colde The Earle of Brissackes bould enterprise and what came of it What happened before the battaile of Bassac The euell keeping of the passage and their smale diligence to ioyne together cause of the ouerthrow shortly ensuing The battaile of Bassac with the taking and cause of the Prince of Condees death The praise of the Prince of Conde also what happened after his death The lets to keepe the Duke of Biponts army from ioining with the Princes Of the ioining of the Germaines with the Princes The occurrences betweene both the armies at Rochell The purpose of the Princes army before the siege of Poictiers also the taking of Lusignan The cause of the siege of Poictiers The notablesâ— perticularities of the siege of Poicters Vpon what occasions the siege was raised from before Poicters Diuers causes of the ouerthrow of the Princes armie at Montcontour The charge sâ—irmishes about Saint Cler. A notable aduertisement giuen before the battaile but not followed The Counsells and difficulties in the Princes armie whereof ensued the meanes to the aduersaries armie to assaile them The battaile fought and wonne by Monsiers army Ouer sight of MoÌ„sieurs army after their victorie A notable counsaile houlden by the chief Captaines of this armie and so their resolution What helpe Rochel hath ministred to the Princes and their warlick affaires CoÌ„modities of warres by sea also the abuses therein committed By what meanes the Princes armie was restored Of the forces that ioyned with the Princes The voiage of the Princes armie The meeting of both armies at Rhene le Duc. Of the third peace Of the behauiors of the Lord Admiral during the three first ciuil waries Sundry causes of this mention of him this third peace as well on the one side as on the other When they beginne to breake of peace also what is to be noted therein Consideration vpon these th 〈…〉 pacifications of the ciuill warres The diuers affections of those that long after warre and how they haue bene prouided for Against such as like of euerie peace and mislike euery warre
warre where also they keepe them partly in garrisons and partly vppon their conquered landes which they diuide among them with charge to bee alwayes readie to serue vppon anie the great Lords commandements so as out of the sayd Prouinces of Europe they are able to bring into the field neere 100000. horse which is a token y t the barbarousnesse that we take to be in them is not altogether deuoide of wisedome and pollicie They vse not to fortefie many holdes for no man dare enterprise to assault anie of their chiefest but he shall straight waies be assured of a mightie power at hand readie to make him giue ouer quicklie As their lande power is great so is not their strength by sea anie whit smaller which now they are more iealous to keepe well than euer heeretofore through the remembrance of their great losse receiued by the good hap and prowesse of Don Iohn of Austria They neuer empouerish themselues in warres as Christian Princes doe for their warfare and order of paie doth somewhat differ from ours and the coine that theyr Emperour taketh out of his treasurie at Constantinople in the time of warre hee supplieth againe in time of peace To bee briefe they be most mightie enimies against whom whosoeuer shall deale he had not neede to forget anie thing at home as wee vse to say but doe as they that enter the liftes who before they do come loke to increase their strength courage to see to see their defensiue armes sit and their offensiue sharp to the end either to ouercome or die valiantly Now are we to enter into the chiefe point of this matter which is of the meanes how to assaile these terrible enimies in what places with what power to the end within the time afore noted to atchiue a happie conclusion And although in y e assembly before mencioned wherat should appere suÌ„drie princes Captains they may argue of this point to y e end to grow to some resolution yet will I not let as briefly as I may to saie my minde according as I purposed at the first alwaies submitting the same to the censures of such as are more skilfull than my selfe to correct the imperfections therof My discourse teÌ„deth rather to kindle y e affections of valiant persons to enterprise than to giue anie counsayle in the proceeding in so haughtie a purpose whose euents may not easily bee forseene wherin the chiefest Captaines whose poore scholler I shal account it an honour for me to be shall not bee too sufficient to giue aduice The better neuerthelesse to behaue our selues in such a warre I thought good to set down some examples of but ancestors who sundrie times fought against the same nation to the end that what they wisely executed may be to vse a rule by fitting it to our time as also we may eschue and auoid their ouersights I will not enter into search of matters beyonde Godfrey of Bolleine albeit there were greate warres before betweene the Emperours of Constantinople and the Saracens in whose daies the Christian Princes beganne to confederate themselues agaynst them The first armie that was sent went vnder the leading of Peter the Hermite who passed euen into the lesser Asia and at the first acchieued a few valiant exploites but he and all his men were afterward ouerthrowen by the Souldan of Nicee Likewise two other armies as they marched were broken by the Hungarians a nation which at that time had scarcely attayned the rudimentes of Christianitie and as yet did holde of the auncient fiercenesse of the Hunnes so as these first expeditions yeelded small fruit and great hurt The cause of which disorders inconueniences proceeded as I thinke of the want of authoritie and experience of their leaders who vpon a zeale assembled al these troups gathered out of diuers nations in whom peraduenture they founde not conuenient obedience and wanting foundation both in purpose and prouision could not long holde out neither among their friendes neither agaynst their enimies The histories reporte that in the first expedition there were unlesse than 100000. able men And the Hungarians ouerthrew the others which were not so many because by the way they â—ell to spoyle which argueth that they vsed small discipline Wee can therefore make no account of the greacnesse of a multitude if there be no order among them which especially fayleth when their Captaines be either insufficient or want authoritie Shortly after did Godfrey of Bolein tooke vppon him his notable voiage about the yeere 1086. toward the end of the raigne of the Emperor Henrie the fourth This voyage was better looked to and ordered than the former and had many more excellent Captaines for besides himselfe who was alreadie a famous Captaine he had his two brethren Baulduine and Eustace Earle of Flanders Hugh Philippe the French kings brother Robert of Normandie the sonne of William King of England and many other Lords Gentlemen yea if we list to beleeue such as haue written the particularity therof we shall find there were in that armie aboue 40000. horse and 150000 〈◊〉 al fighting men a great part wherof which was me 〈…〉 about their owne expenses So soone as they were assembled they marched forward and so followed their businesse that they finished their conquest in 3 yeres ouer a great part of the lesser Asia Siria Mesopotamia In this warre they had many reencounters but the most notable were two great battailes which they woune and two principall sieges Nice Hierusalem where they were the conquerours Many Christians were also once besieged at Antioch but they sharply repulsed y t Sarazens and Turkes with great slaughter Finallie hauing expulsed them out of the farthest Prouinces they established the Realme of Hierusalem where Godfrey of Bolleine raigned and his successours after him who so list nowe to consider the time that was spent in so great a conquest shall find it but short for the winning of more land than all Germanie and Scotland doe containe Great was the defence assalt but 2. great battels 2. sieges yelded the whole victory wherby we may beleeue y t the hardest enterprises are ouercome with valor good order Neither wil I let slip the inconueniences of those long iourneyes for the tediousnesse of the way the distemperance of the aire the continual trauaile bred sundrie diseases among those great troopes which were holpen forward by the excesse of the mouth too much vsed in these north parts These brought the losse of many eueÌ„ of the better sort y t wanted no abilitie Now haue the Turkes taken order y t we shall not need to go so far to seeke them for they are come abroad eueÌ„ to some of our gates others haue them within fiftie leagues of them and the farthest within an hundred We shall not neede to feare the hearts of Asia for our batable grounds shall be in as good a temperature as France yea euen Constantinople