Henry the seconde.

HENRY the second of that name, and the 59. King of France, Pharamond, the only sonne of Francis the first, that died vppon the 30. day of the moneth of March, in the year of our Lord 1547. succeeded in the Crowne by order of succession, according to the auncient salic­que lawe of the land. Hee while the Nobilitie were busied to prouide for the obsequie and funerals of his deceased father, and staying for his sacrying & anoyn­ting, in the moneth of Aprill following, made and or­dained an edict,An edict a­gainst blas­phemers. to be published against blasphemers of the name of God: which action made shewe of a notable and commendable beginning: yet, that so laudable a worke continued no longer in force, then ma­ny others had done before it. Neuerthelesse, it wrought this effect, that thereby it euidently appeareth, that succession, and not the sacrying and annoynting of a Prince, is the chiefe originall of royall authoritie.

The 16. of Iulie, the Court was much troubled by a contention, and memo­rable action that happened betweene Messieurs de Iarnac, and Chastegneraye, gentle­men of great account, that had defied each other, by reason of certaine words vsed by one of them, which had procured the other to giue the lie. The King in steade of ending their cause, by aduise of his Councell, and to constraine the offender, to satisfie the offended, graunted them the combat: wherevpon, according to the Kings appoyntment, they appeared vpon the day aforesaid, at S. Germaines in Laye: where, in the presence of the King, Princes, Lords, and others, they entred into the lists. There Monsieur Iarnac, who by all the company was esteemed the weaker, by reason he was newly recouered of a certaine sicknesse, withall despised and litle fauored, ouercame the other (to whom before they entered into the combat, euery man adiudged the victorie:) and wounded him in such sort, that not long after he died, to the Kings great griefe: who vppon that occasion, expresly forbadde all combats whatsoeuer: in this manner hee beganne with a bloodie tragedie, and ended with the like, as heereafter you shall heare.The King sacred at Reims.

The 27. of Iulie, after hee was sacried and annoynted at Reims, with all the aun­cient [Page 2]& accustomed ceremonies therevnto belonging, in the presence of twelue Peeres, spirituall and temporall. The spiritual, were the Arch-bishop of Reims, the Bishop of Langres, Beauuais, Noyon, Laon, and Challons: the temporall, the Duke of Bourgongne, Normandie, and Guyenne, the Earles of Champagne, Flaunders, and Thoulouse. Most part of the Princes & Nobilitie of the Realme being likewise pre­sent, with diuers Ambassadours of straunge nations. But the Ambassadours of Florence, Mantoue, and Ferrare, came not, by reason of a controuersie that fell out between them, concerning their preheminence of places, and for that they could not agree therevppon, they absented themselues, till the cause was further deba­ted.

The Con­stable exal­ted. Anne de Montmorency, Constable of France, who certaine yeares before had been bannished the Court, and secretly held at Chantilly: as soone as Francis the first di­ed, was repealed againe, and the new king committed the principall charge of the affaires of the Realme vnto him, which at that time were executed by the Cardi­nall de Tournon, & the Admirall Annebaut, who as then had good leisure to repose themselues, yeelding their place to him, whom the king termed his Gossep, one that in times past had done him many seruices, as afterward hee did. Mesieurs de Longueual, d'Espars, de Boncour, de Framezelle, de Antipe, the Barron de la Garde, the Generall Bayard, and others, were narrowly sought and pursued, for diuers secret causes, in such sort, that some of them were forced to saue themselues by the gilded Gate, others by meanes of their friends.

Warres in in Scotland.The king hauing made a Progresse into Picardie, went further into the Realme, and caused an Armie to bee leuied vnder the conduct of Monsieur D'esse, to ayde the Queene Dowager of Scotland, against the Englishmen, causing her to be safely conducted into Scotland, to the end, to impeach the vnion of both those Realmes, which might bee to the preiudice of France, and thereby to maintaine the ancient amitie, that had long continued betweene the countries of France and Scotland. Monsieur Pierre Strossie, Coronell of certaine Italian companies, Monsieur D'andelot, Coronell of the French Infanterie, & the Rhingraue, General of the Lansquenets, accompanied Monsieur D'esse. And while they with their Troupes kept the Eng­lishmen from inuading Scotland by land, Leon Strossi, Prior of Capoue, with his Gal­lies, and certain French ships, came close vnder the Castle of S. Andrew, which he entred by force: and taking all that hee found therein, returned into France. D'esse presently after draue the Englishmen out of a Fort, by them erected, hard by that Castle: but before the fire waxed greater, by meeting of Ambassadours on both sides, the peace before spoken of, and propounded at Ardies, betweene the kings of England and France, was made and concluded, whereby that warre ceased.

The rest of this yeare, passed ouer without any matter of importance done in France. The king hauing taken such order in Guyenne, touching the Impost of Salt, and other customes, that in fine, it prooued the spring and beginning of those insupportable exactions, that bred and produced the seditions of the yeare ensu­ing.

Ordinances for custome of Salt, and other things. 1548 Autome & all the rest of the year, was much troubled with showers of raigne, whereof ensued great ouerflowings and invndations of waters, foreshewings and prescriptions of the troubles, that after ensued both within and without the Realme.

The house of Guise being insinuated into the kings good fauor, by means of Di­ane de Poictiers, Duches of Valentinois, that wholly ruled him, hee gaue the Arch-Bishoppricke [Page 3]Bishoppricke of Reims to Charles, yonger brother to the Duke of Guise, to whom not long before, Pope Paul Farnese, had sent the Cardinals Hat: this was,The Cardi­nal of Lor­raine solici­ted the Pope to take part with the king of France. that great and so much renowmed Cardinall of Lorraine, that liued in such fame in the times of the Kings successors to Henry the second. Charles of Burbon, brother to Henry Duke of Vandosine, and after King of Nauarre, was also made Cardinall at the same time. But the difference was great betweene these two Cardinals. The Lorraine, a man of great iudgement, and one that seemed to be borne onely to stirre vp strife within the Realme, was as then sent and imployed in Ambassage vnto the Pope, to drawe and perswade him to fauour the King of Francis part, and wholly to dis­swade him from the Emperour, against whom as then he was much incensed, be­cause his Lieftenant in Italie had ceased vppon the towne of Plaisance, after the murther of Pierre Louis the Popes sonne, slaine by the conspiracie of his owne sub­iects, the 10. of September 1547.

The Empe­rour and the King sent vnto the Councell.The Emperour sent his Ambassadours to the Councell, as then holden in Bologne, to protest against such as were assembled in that place, thereby to induce them to returne againe vnto Trent. The King likewise sent his Ambassadors thither, to ex­hort thē to looke vnto thēselues, and to prouide for their affaires. These practises and deuises, in time prooued the sparkles of the fire of vengeance, and desire of reenterie into warres, inclosed within the hearts and breasts of those two Princes, specially of the King, who partly prouoked by the opinion of his meanes, and part­ly solicited by such as knowing his nature much inclined to the delights and plea­sures of the Court, and of a soft spirit, little practised or brokē with matters of estate, thought to fish in a troubled water, as the common saying is: not beeing able to di­stresse the peace made with the Emperor at Cresoy, in the year of our Lord 1544. complayning against the animositie of the Emperour, vsed towards France: and a­mong other examples to pricke him, alleadging the death of Coronel Vogelsberg, beheaded at Ausbourge, at his returne from the warres of Scotland, where he had serued the King.

While the King made preparation to ride on progresse throughout his Realme, Gasper de Colligny sieur de Chastillon, sent into Picardie, The Fort of Chastillon. caused a fort to be erected near vnto Bullen, that as then was holden by the Englishmen, which after annoyed them much. The King beeing in Bourgongne, made his entrie into most part of the Townes, and hauing visited La Bresse, Sauoye and Piedemont, returned vnto Lyons, where hee held a feast for the Knights of the order of S. Michaell.

Commotions in Guyenne by reason of exactions.During his voyage into Sauoye and Piedemont, the commons of Guyenne, Sain­tonge, and Angoulmois, rose vp in armes, because of the extortions vsed by those that had farmed the impost of salt, and in short space assembled to the number of 40000. men wel armed, besides those of the ylands, and by common consent, set vppon the farmers of Salt: and although in the beginning, the king of Nauarre had sought by all meanes to disswade them, neuerthelesse, they held firme, and ear­nestly pursued their enterprise against those of the farmers, vppon whom they might lay hands. The commons of Gascoigne likewise rose vppe and followed the pernicious examples of the rest, whereof ensued the massacring of many of the Kings officers in diuers places of the countrie, who abusing their offices, had beene the causes of that mutinie.

Fault of the Gouernour & the Iurats of Bour­deaux.The Maior and Iurates, hauing charge within the Cittie of Bourdeaux, the parli­ment of Guyenne, and Monsieur de Monneins, that therein commaunded as Lief­tenant for the King, in stead of remedying and taking order for those tumults, defended it too long: specially Monsieur de Monneins, who not reproouing the [Page 4]insolencie of one of the principal leaders of those troupes, named La Vergne, made him become so bold and impudent, that not long after, he presumed to rayse and call the people togither by sound of bell: besides this, he committed an other fault, which is, that beeing fearefull, and hauing withdrawne himselfe into the Castle of du Ha, thereby, as hee supposed, to put the people in some doubt. He sent out di­uers Caliuers, at seuerall times, to represse their insolencie, but it fell out contrary to his intent. For that this issuing of the Souldiours, set the people in such a rage, that hauing found mutinous companions for the purpose: as La Vergne, l'Eston­nac, Maquanan, and others, presently they fought, where the farmers and their parta­kers, were put to flight, and many gentlemens houses (vnder pretence of searching for the exactors of Imposts, whom they affirmed to bee hidden therein) were rob­bed and spoyled.Disorder in the capitall Towne of Guyenne. The commons entred into the Towne, where they rung a bell to assemble the people, no man daring to passe through the streets, vnlesse hee were armed, and in company of the Nobles, otherwise they were cruelly massa­cred and murthered, by such as met them. The Councellers of the Court of parli­ment, were constrained to put off their gownes, and in their dubblets and hose, with Saylers cappes, to beare pikes, and so to march with this mutinous compa­nie, that constrained two brethren, called Messieurs de Saulx, one a Captaine of the Towne, the other of the Castle called Trompette, to bee their Leaders, and to assist them at the spoyling and robbing of diuers houses of the Cittizens their friendes, whom they massacred before their eyes. Tho sacking of the towne-house, and massacring of the Gouer­nour.The Towne-house, wherein there laye great quantitie of armour was sacked, and Monsieur de Monneins, beeing so ill adui­sed to leaue the Castle of Du Ha, (where he was in safetie) to go out to intreat & per­swade the people, was cruelly murthered with diuers wounds, both before and after his death: a Locke-smith giuing him the first blowe, and the Fryers, that within 3. houres after in the night-time, sought to take vp his bodie, all filthie and moyled with durt, and lying in the streets with a gentlemen called Monteluen, were in danger of massacring, because they buried them within that Temple. But the principall Leaders of this mutinie, longing to put water into their wine, and such as had made their pray by spoyling houses,Execution of iustice a­gainst the mutinous. hauing withdrawne themselues, some in one place, some into another, the parliament beeing strengthened and assisted, by honest and peaceable Cittizens, beganne to shewe his authoritie, and caused some of the notablest companions amongst them, to bee taken, whom they executed: namely, La Vergne, that was drawne in peeces by foure horses.

The Con­stable with all rigor pu­nished those of BurdeauxThe king beeing certified thereof, wrote vnto the commons, assuring them with all speed to take order therein, commanding them to laye downe their armes, which was the cause that euery man withdrew himselfe. But in the meane time, an armie was prepared, to enter into Saintonge, and Quiennie, Monsieur de la Deuese, ceased vppon the Castle Trompette, and put out l'Estonnac and his adherents. The Constable had commissiō to punnish those of Guyenne, followed by Francis de Lor­raine Counte d'Anmalle, after Duke of Guise, much renowmed in the raignes of Fran­cis the second, and Charles the ninth. This Earle conducting 4000. Lansquenets, and great numbers of French Horsemen, entred into Saintonge, which hee pacified without resistance, not punishing them for their offences past, minding to ob­taine the name of a milde and gentle Prince, and leauing the report of crueltie and seueritie vnto the Constable, who being accompanied with all the forces, and both the armes ioyned in one, entred into Bourdeaux all armed, giuing most hard speeches vnto the Captaine of the towne, that at his entrie, presented him with the keyes [Page 5]of the towne, that at his entry presented him with the keyes of the Citie, besee­ching him to be fauourable vnto the citizens: but he being master of the town, without blow giuen, bereaued the citizens of al their titles, registers, priuiled­ges, and franchises, depriued them of all honours, burnt all their priuiledges, caused the Court of Parliament to cease, wholly disarmed the citizens, pulled downe their belles, and constrained the principallest of the citie, to the num­ber of seuen score, to goe to the Fryers, there to fetch the body of Monsieur de Monneins, and to conuey it to the Church of S. Andrewes, where it should be bu­ried: each of them with a waxe candle lited in his hands, hauing first before the Constables lodging, asked mercy both of God and the king, and Iustice, Eston­noc, the two brethren du Saul, and others had their heads striken off. He forgot not likewise those that had bene assistant at the murthering of the Gouernor, and the sacking of the houses, a Prouost Marshall with a great number of soul­diers went through Bourdeaux, Baradois, and Agenois, executing such as had rung the belles, and in the ende, he tooke the two chiefe Leaders of the Com­mons, named Talemagne and Galaffie, who were broken vpon a wheele, hauing first bene crowned with a Crowne of Iron burning hot, for their punishment in vsurping the soueraigne Maiestie.

Pastime in the Court.This Tragedie, ended in Comedies at the court, for Anthony de Burbon, Duke de Vandosine, espoused Ieane d'Albert Princesse of Nauarre, and Francis de Lorraine, Duke d'Aumalle, the daughter of the Duke of Ferrare. But among those sweete and pleasant conceits, they mixed a most rigorous & bitter ordinance, establi­shing within Parris an extraordinary chamber,Persecutions against those of the religi­on. therein to proceed against those of the religion, as then called Lutherans, whom they burnt to death, if they re­mained constant in their profession.

1549 The corona­tion of the Queene.The pleasures of the Court increased more by the deliuery of the Queene of a young sonne, and great part of this yere was passed ouer in playes & sump­tuous sports. The Q. being crowned at S. Dennis, vpō the 10. of Iune, & the 16. of the same month, the king made his magnificall entry into Parris, & there ran at tilt, to showe some pleasure to the Ladies and Gentlewomen, which being ended, he sat openly in the Court of Parliment, where in presence of the Prin­ces and Peeres of his Realme, he gaue iudgement in diuers causes, according to the auncient custome of his predecessors.Difference betweene the kings in times past, & those of our time. For the auncient kings of France, were carefull, and vsed ordinarily to hear the complaints of their subiects, but of late yeares they referred that maner of exercise vnto the consciences of their Officers, seeing by other mens eyes almost concerning all their affaires, which is neither good nor comfortable for the people, nor yet any meanes to further Iustice. And since this carelesnesse hath entred into the maiesty of our kings, the estate of the realme hath bin weakned, and the maiestie royall imbased: so that in the end, the peple haue not refused to rise against the person of the king, and sometimes to murther him. But remedy herein wil be had, when our kings ab­stain from shameful actions, and only do that whervnto God hath called them.

A generall procession.After many sports and deuises, the king caused a generall & solemne proces­sion to be made in the moneth of Iuly, wherein hee was present, assisted by the Queene, the Princes of the bloud, Lords, Cardinals, Orders, Estates and digni­ties of Parris, and at his returne from the Bishops Pallace, where hee had dyned, hee would see and beholde the burning of certaine Christians, de­testing the errours and abuses mainteined and holden by the Papists and their Doctors. Among the which was a Taylor, where not long before,A notable Taylor. by the force and vertue of the spirite of God, had made answere and giuen notice [Page 6]of his saith and religion, in presence of the king and diuers Courtiers, where hee sung a wonderfull lesson vnto the Duches de Valentimois, of whom I spake before: saying vnto her, that she ought to content her selfe, to haue so much infected France, without mixing her venome and filthiniesse, with so holy and sacred a thing as is the religion, and the truth of the sonne of God: and that it was to be feared, that for the same occasion God wold send a greeuous plague and punishment both vpon the King and his Realme. But the King being mo­ued and sore greeued with such exhortations, which touched her to the quick to whom they were spoken,Punishmēts of those of the religion. hauing commaunded that his iudgement should speedily be giuen, said he would in person behold the execution of his Tay­lor, and the better to do it, he went vnto the house of Monsieur de la Rochpot, in Saint Anthonies streete, before Saint Catherins Church, right against the scaffold where the Taylor shewed most singuler and constant patience: and hauing e­spied the king, he beheld him with so stedfast a countenance, that by no means he would looke of, and the sire being put vnto him, he had his eyes so stedfastly fixed vppon him, that the king was constrained to leaue the windowe and to withdraw himselfe, being so moued thereat, that he confessed that he thought the shadowe of the Taylor followed him, and with the apprehension of that spectacle, for the space of certaine nights after, it still represented it selfe before his eyes, in such maner, that he made an oath and protested, that he would ne­uer see nor heare any more of those Lutherians.The Kings protestation. But not remembring the same, about ten yeares after, he heard that which he ought to haue giuen better re­spect vnto, and pretending to see the person of a man of great estimation burnt, he lost both his sight and his life, as when time serueth you shall reade.

Orders for apparrell, made in pa­per.At that time excesse of apparrell was so great in euery man, by reason of the pompe and magnificence of the Court, that it bred a dearth and scarcitie of all things, so that cloth of gold, silkes, lace, and imbroydery, were forbidden to be worne by diuers persons, euery estate being appointed what he should weare. But this was but an ordinance made in paper, and of litle cōtinuance, and the greatest example showne by the king himself, who ordinarily went plain in his apparrell, the rest of the Court vsing what apparrell they would.

Estate of Scotland. Monsieur de Termes, knight of the order, was sent into Scotland, to supply the place of Monsieur de Esse, there to continue the warres, Mary Queen of Scots being of the age of sixe or seuen yeares, hauing the yeare before bene conuey­ed into France, Monsieur d'Esse before his departure, hauing giuen the Eng­lish men an ouerthrow before Hedungton, and taken the Isle of Horses, left the rest of his affaires vnto his successor, that behaued himselfe most brauely, and with great honour.

Hard dea­ling vsed a­gainst Mon­sier du Biez, because of Bullen.For the recouering of Bullen holden by the Englishmen, the king comman­ded his Nobilitie and Captains to assemble themselues, by the first of Septem­ber next after ensuing, before Bullen. In the month of Iune, Iaques de Couci Lord of Veruin, had beene beheaded in Parris, and Edward du Biez, Marishall of France, his father in lawe, after a long imprisonment, degraded of his e­state.

The Marishall was accused to haue vnaduisedly placed his sonne in lawe within Bullen, and the other for hauing yeelded vp a place so impregnable and well furnished, vnto the enemie, to the which ende, diuers witnes­ses and Commissaries were appointed and procured, by suche as had cre­dite about the king, so that not verie long after, it was plainly and mani­festly [Page 7]seene, and openly knowne, that the innocencie of those gentlemen, had beene falsely accused and condemned, by the enuie of certaine Courtiers, that ruled the king. who acknowledged the fault by him therein committed, but remedied it not, the condemnation against Monsieur de Veruin, continuing still in force, vntill the yeare of our Lord 1575. that his sonne and heire, by petiti­on made to king Henry the third, besought the king to restore the name and ho­nour of his Father, and Grand-father by the mothers side, and commaunde­ment was giuen vnto one of the Heraults, to be assistant at the funerals of those two Lords, which were solemnely holdē at Bullē, in the month of Iune. 1577.

VVarre at Bullen.But to returne to the warres of Bullen, the king being arriued at Monstrueil, vpon the sea, the 17. of August, caused his armie to march towards Bonlam­berg, and hauing taken the Fort of Selaque, where Monsieur de Chastillon ente­red by force, and that of Blaconnet by composition. The Englishmen left Bon­lamberg, which was presently repaired, after that, they besieged the Tower of Ordre: but by reason of the winter time, the Forts beeing garnished with men and victuals, the king dismissed his armie, and withdrew himselfe till spring time. This yeare the proces of Merindol, was pleaded in the Court of Parlia­ment at Parris, beeing the 50. time that it had beene heard, which was thus.The notable proces of Merindol & Cabrieres In the moneth of September 1540. the parliament of Prouence, had by default condemned 17. persons of Merindol, to bee burned for religion, and that the Village of Merindol should be rased, and all the trees cut downe within 200. paces round about it: this iudgement for a time cōtinued in suspence, although both the Bishops, and Spiritualtie of the countrie, were very earnest to haue it executed, but many Gentlemen and others of good account, stayed the ri­gor thereof: and about fiue moneths after, king Francis, first Earle of Pro­uence, sent a pardon to those of Merindol and others surnamed Vandois, vppon condition, that within three yeares after, they should abiure and renounce their errours. They accordingly made their apparance in the Court of Par­liament, requiring to let them see the Coppie of their accusations, (which was denied them) touching the poynts that accused them to haue maintained and published certaine errours, and that they should by the word of God, be better instructed: which done, they said they would bee readie and most wil­ling, to follow al good counsell whatsoeuer. And because their error was ntot shewed vnto them, and that they only sought their blood, they in open Parlia­ment presented the confession of their faith, with a most ample and large decla­ration and answere, vnto the false reports and vntruthes, imposed and deuised against them, desiring therein, eyther to be maintained and vpholden, or o­therwise to be heard and permitted to speake in their owne defences. From that time, till the yeare of our Lord 1544. there was diuers practises vsed to oppresse and ouerthrowe those poore people, but while their enemies con­tented themselues to assault them by words and threatnings, they solicited and besought the king, that it would please his Maiestie, to call the hearing of that arrest of contumacie before himselfe. The President Chassane, a man of indiffe­rent iudgement, being dead, one Iohn Menier succeeding in his place, who ha­uing forcibly taken the goods of certaine husbandmen of the village of Oppe­de, whereof he was Lord, vnder pretence of religion, was become a mortall enemy vnto those of Cabrieres and Merindol, where those husbandmen dwelt, who in haruest time, in despight of Menier, reaped the corne which as then they found vpon their ground, which hee held from them by force: so that as then [Page 8]the execution was pursued. And thervpon the Parliament at the instant request of M nier, sent an huissier, to the Cardinall de Tournon, at whose request king Francis the first, sent letters pattents to the parliament, for the execution of that first sentence, and by that meanes in the moneth of Aprill 1545. Menier naming himselfe Lieftenant to Monsieur de Grignan, Gouernour of Prouence, hauing as­sembled an armie of theeues, and beeing accompanied by Monsieur de la Garde, set fier in diuers villages about Merindol, sent great numbers of poore Coun­trie-men into the Gallies, and caused a young man to bee openly harquebu­shed, and finding no man within Merindol, pilled, sacked, burnt, and rased all the houses, and hauing besieged, battered, and by composition taken the litle Towne of Cabrieres, in stead of holding his promise made vnto them, he chose out 25. or 30. men, such as pleased him, that were cut and massaced to peeces, in a Medowe that lay vnder the Towne, & about 40. women, wherof most of them were great with childe, were burnt within a barne, and many beeing found hidden in their Cellors, were tyed two and two togither, and so ledde into the Hall of the Castle of Cabrieres, where they were most cruelly murthe­red. Within the Church, many olde women, young maides, and children, that had saued themselues, were all put to the sword. The number of the slaine and massacred, amounting vnto 800. persons and more. The Barron de la Gar­de ledde aboue 800. persons away, and put them into the Gallies, where the most part of them died in great miserie. Many women and maides were de­flowred, and great numbers ledde prisoners to Marseille, Aix, and Auignon. Diuers villages beeing wholly burnt and consumed by fire, whereby the de­solation and misery of that countrie was exceeding great. But king Francis be­ing sicke, for the space of certaine years after that cruell massacre, and vrged in conscience with a remorse of that mischiefe, whereof hee had partly beene the cause, and sorrie before his death hee could not execute open punishment vp­pon those that abusing his name and authoritie, had committed so horrible a mischiefe among his subiects of Prouence, expresly charged his sonne Henry, not to deferre that punishment, saying: that if he put it in obliuion, God wold bee reuenged thereof against him, and that their memorie would remaine in horrour and execration vnto all straungers, if the persons that had commit­ted so notable a crime, should bee suffered to escape vnpunished. This clause expresly set downe within the Kings testament, aduanced the discredit on the Cardinall of Tournon, and put Grignan and la Garde in great paine: but to con­clude, they had more feare then hurt, for the king by his letters patents of the 17. of March, 5549. caused the matter to bee heard by the Court of Parlia­ment in Parris, where Menier and three others his companions, appeared in person, the rest of the Councellors by their Atturneyes. And there, after long proces, in stead of punishment, one man onely, called Guerin, a Councel­lor, lesse culpable then the rest, was hanged in Parris: Menier, principal of that massacre escaped, and falling out of his wits died, beeing ceased with a secret fire within his bodie, in the open sight & knowledge of all the countrie of Pro­uence. The rest of the matter vanished (as it were in a smoke) before the sight of men: but God made both the king, his Councell, & all his Realme, to know and well perceiue, that the blood of so many innocent persons, and others that were put to death, both before and after that time, for the confessiō of the Gos­pell, is most precious in his sight: as the things that happened and fell out in the yeares ensuing haue well declared, which we must in order set downe, as time and place shall serue.

The death of Margaret Queene of Nauarre. 1550 The same year in the month of December, did Margaret de Orleans, Queen of Na­uarre, sister to king Francis the first, a most noble and famous Princesse, and of as notable a spirit, as any that liued in her time.

In the beginning of this year, the king suppressed and abolished the imposition of salt, in the countrie of Guyenne, with all the officers that had the execution thereof, for the summe of 450000. frankes, with the countries of of Poicton, Saintonge, Angoulmois, Perigort, high and lowe Limosin, and high & lowe Mar­the, should pay vnto him, with 25000. frankes to the officers for their charges. Touching those of Bourdeaux, in the month of October before, they had procured and obtained a general pardon, vpō condition, that they and their successors, shuld alwaies keep two ships furnished for the wars, readie to put to sea, & to serue vn­der whomsoeuer it should please the king to commaund, and to receiue into the Castles of Trompette and du Ha, such garrison, as the king should send into them, and to victuall them with all sorts of victualls, which they should yearely furnish and renue, taking away the olde. And therevpon, in the moneth of Ianuarie af­ter, the king reestablished the parlement, and their Towne was reduced into the former estate, they that had beene beaten making the amends.

Three Pre­sidents in Parris displa­ced, and after reestablished, onely Liset.At that time, three Presidents of Parris, not well thought of, by the house of Guise, as then beeing in great credit, were displaced out of their offices: but not long after, S. Andre, & Minard, hauing promised to become good seruitors, were restored againe. Liset was made Abbot of S. Victor, that an other of lesse iudge­ment then himselfe, might haue his place. And so hee tooke vppon him to deale in matters of diuinitie, wherein hee sped so hardly, and of a good practition, hee became so ignoranta sophister, that falling in a great laughter, hee was suddainly taken with a disease and so died. Hee shewed himselfe a sworne and perpetual ene­mie to those of the religion, thinking to aduance himselfe by cruell inuentions: but hee was cut off by the way: thereby seruing for an example, to many better men then himselfe, not to bandie against him vho is able to surprise and intrappe the subtillest in their fond inuentions, and against whom the wisedome and force of man, is nothing but meere beastlinesse and vanitie.

Remedies for false & clipt mony.This yeare because that most of the mony in France was found to be clipped, by the kings edict, al such mony was commaunded to bee cut in peeces and mol­ten, and many of that occupation, among the which were diuers quoyners exe­cuted.

Bullen resto­red to the King.In the monthes of Februarie and March, a peace was agreed vppon, betweene the kings of England & France, wherevpon the 25. of Aprill insuing, Bullen was de­liuered into the hands of the king of France, who made his entrie into it vpon the 25. of May after.

About that time died Claude de Lorraine, first Duke of Guise, and Iohn Cardinall of Lorraine, both beeing poysoned, with Humieres, the Cardinall of Amboise, and Iohn of Caracciol, Prince of Melphe, Lieftenant generall for the King in Piedemont, and Marshall of France, after whom succeeded Charles de Cosse, Barron de Brissac, in his time a most valiant Captaine. Now wee enter into warres,Occasion of warres begun betweene France and Spaine. as hotly begunne, as euer they were, betweene the Frenchmen and the Spaniards. The king from time to time casting his eyes vppon the Duchie of Millan, and withall, remembring the titles therevnto pretended, by the house of Orleans, wherevnto they neuer renounced, beeing no lesse sorrie for that which had [Page 10]happened in Plaisance, in regard of Pierre Louis, sonne to Pope Paul Fernese, who therin had been slaine by his houshold-seruants. For besides that, the report went, that it had been done and practised by the subtill meanes of Ferdinand de Gonzague, Lieftenant for the Emperour in Lombardie, thereby to aduance his maisters af­faires, he had ceased vppon Plaisance. The Pope desirous to reuenge himselfe, and hauing not an arme as strong as his heart, had sent Camille Vrsin to keepe and defend Parma, and accepted the offer by the king, in ayde vnto him: which was to receiue the familie of Farneses, and al their lands and goods into his protection. The Pope had giuen Parma vnto his Nephew Octauian, who not long after was inuested therewith by Iulius, the third successour vnto Paul: but the Emperour pretending, that the Title of protector, belonged better to him, then to the King, that had nothing to doo in Italie: and perceiuing that accord between the king and the Pope, to be as a thorne within his foote, determined to assure himselfe of Par­ma, & wrought in such maner, that Pope Iulius abandoned his vassall Octauian, that had espoused the Emperours Bastard-daughter. Octauian repaired to the king, that named himselfe Protector of the lands of the Church, and of the Ferneses: and Pope Iulius being solicited to take order therein, made no account thereof, where­vppon the king determined to ayde Octauian: and not long after Gonzague besie­ged Parma, which caused the king to commaund the Marishall of Brissac, his Lief­tenant in Peidemont, to fortifie and strengthen Mirandole, but Gonzague hauing dis­couered the enterprise, surprised the Soldiours that Marshiall Brissac sent thither, and caused them to stay. On the other side, the Pope began to threaten the king, because hee had receiued Octauian into his protection, and said he would excom­municate him, and all the Realme of France. To coole the Popes chollor, the king expresly forbadde all his subiects, not to carrie any mony to Rome, neyther yet to go thither for any cause whatsoeuer: ordaining the Metropolitans of his Realme, to supply their default therein, vntill further order should bee taken. This was no small blowe vnto the Court of Rome: and surely if the king had still continued in that mind, the Popes had neuer pilled France in such maner, as after­ward they did, but thereby they had beene taught to become wise. Which had surely beene a beginning of reformation throughout Christendome: but it being grounded onely vppon temporall considerations and commodities, it proceeded to no good end. Octauian was declared a rebell vnto the Sea of Rome, and presently war was proclaimed against him: Gonzague entering by armes into the territories of Parma.

Beginning of warres be­yond the Mountaines.On the other side, the king dispatched newe forces into Piedemont, com­maunding the Marshall of Brissac to ayde those of Parma, and Mirandole. From whence proceeded the taking of Quiers, S. Damian, with certaine Forts & Castles in the Marquisall of Montferrat. Whereby Gonzague was constrained to leaue Par­ma, to defend the Millannois. At that time the Emperour found himselfe much bu­sied with many important affaires, hauing to doo both with the king of Fance, the Turkes, and Affrica, besides the troubles which as then were not fully ended in Almaine.

The Histories are very diuers, touching the breach of this peace, betweene the Emperour and the king: but it must bee vnderstood by this newe com­motion, happened betweene two so puissant Princes, for asmall matter, as it out­wardly appeared, that they sought some former quarrell, whereinto both of them most willingly entred, vnder pretence of their new warre, for Parma: but aboue [Page 11]all things, the iust iudgement of God minding to scourge Christendome, as then filled with all disorders, and culpable of greeuous crimes, was the onely cause thereof.

1551 Preparation for warres in Picardie.In the beginning of the yeare 1551. Marie, Queene of Hungaria, sister to the Emperour, and Gouernour in the lowe Countries, made great preparations for warres, both by sea and land. And vnderstanding that the Marshall de S. Andre, was readie to sayle into England, to beare the order of France, vnto Edward king of England, sent certaine shippes to lye betweene Douer and Calis, to take the Marshal, who taking shippe at Deepe, held an other course, and so performed his voyage. And for his securitie, hee caused certaine Flemish shippes to bee stayed at Deepe, which were presently released assoone as they vnderstood of his arriuall in England.

On the other side, Queene Marie caused an arest to be made of all French Mar­chants shippes, that as then were in any Port within the lowe Countries, where­with diuers Marchants were not very well pleased, by reason of the disorders and losses, that commonly happen by such arrests. Monsieur de Villebon, minding to refresh Turouenne, wherein hee commaunded, with new victuals. Monsieur du Reux, a great aduersarie to France, sent certaine Souldiours to lye in Ambuscado, and to impeach that enterprise, but in the end hee was constrained to retire, without effecting that they went for. Irons in this sort beeing heated, commaundement was giuen to the Ambassadors on both parts to depart. The Queene of Hungaria stayed the Ambassadour of France prisoner in a certaine Castle, with a great guard, where hee stayed for a time.

The kings proceedings towards the Pope, the Emperour, and the Councell of Trent.But before further proceeding vnto warres, the king sent Monsieur de Termes to Pope Iulius, to excuse himselfe, in respect of that which he had done in the behalf of Octauian Fernese: hee likewise shewed vnto the Emperour, what reason moo­ued him to take armes, and sent the Abbot of Bellosanne, to signifie vnto the councel of Trent, that hee could not send the Bishops of his Realme vnto such a Councell, neyther yet esteeme that assembly to bee a generall Councell, that they should re­spect the animositie of the Pope, against the Realme of France, and the eldest sonne of the Church: and therefore that they should not finde it straunge, if hee see­med not to shewe obedience to that assembly, not made for the common benefite of Christendome, but onely for the particular profit and commo­ditie of some speciall men: not that thereby hee pretended to leaue or forsake papisticall religion, but protesting onely to doo it, that hee might not bee surprised, by such as vnder pretence of religion, and reformation of abuses, sought to imbase his kingly estate and dignitie, which hee hoped to impeach by all iust and reasonable meanes that possible he might.An edict a­gainst small dates, and o­ther abuses in the Court of Rome.

After this protestation, hee published an edict made the yeare be­fore, touching the obtaining of Benefices: against the deceites of pettie dates, and other abuses vsed the Court of Rome, and also touching the auncient arrests and edicts, made against Annates, and abuses of reseruations and exactions inuented by the Popes: forbidding his subiects not to go to Rome for Annates, nor any other occasions touching or concerning Benefi­ces, appoynting them to bee disposed and ordered by the ordinaries: cer­tifying into all places, what wrong Pope Iulius did, both to him, and to Octauian Fernese, Duke of Parma, whom hee depriued of the place wherein hee had beene solemnly inuested.

The Cardinals and others of the Popes creatures in France, fearing least this edict (whervpon Charles de Moulin a Councel of great vnderstanding, wrote a most lear­ned Cōmentary, in the which he discouered many terrible practises in Rome) wold giue a hard push vnto the Papasie, with earnest sute, procured the King to publish and ordaine, farre straighter and seuerer edicts, then euer he did against the religi­on: to the end that Iules & the Cardinals on y^e other side of the mountaines, might assure themselues of him to bee their friend, as long as they seemed to agree with him. Those ordinances were followed by diuers cruell and terrible executions in many places of the Realme, against great numbers of the religion that were bur­ned for most boldly confessing the truth of the Gospell, reiecting mans traditions induced and brought into the Church and seruice of God. Those that were assem­bled at Trent, wrote vnto the king, to induce him to accept and allow the decrees of their councell, and to send the Bishops of his Realme vnto them, as also to intreate him to be a meanes vnto the Switzers, to send thither likewise: but warre beeing open in all places, and the Emperour hauing sent for the Spaniards that were in Al­maine, to make warre in Italie against Parma, the pursuit of the Councell of Trent, hung still vpon the field.

Preparation for warre in Lorraine.Warres in this sort beeing kindled, the King determined to assure himselfe of Lorraine, beeing in some suspition of the Dutches, that as then was Dowagar, and hauing sent certaine companies into the frontiers, the Emperour also strengthened all his fortes and places, the one beholding the other with seuerall intents, where­of in time the effects appeared.

1552 The Princes of Almaine take counsel, to deliuer themselues from serui­tude.Because the Emperor proceeced with the Almaine Prince, in such sort as seemed inconuenient, they not being acquainted with any such kinde of seruitude, much lesse to bee in subiection of the Spaniards, perceiuing that the King made prepara­tion to set vpon the Emperour, esteemed it a most fit & good occasion, for them to serue their turnes, which King Henry of France, thereby to abash the Emperour Charles, and so to procure the meanes of better and more friendly vsage towardes them on his behalfe, or else wholly to leaue them. And therevppon entred into se­cret conference with the King, to beseech him, that it would please his Maiestie to imploy his meanes to procure the auncient libertie of the Germaines. He thin­king to haue found an entrie and means to attaine vnto most high and hautie en­terprises, thereby to abase the greatnesse and pride of his most glorious enemie, and by that meanes to erect the honour of France, willingly gaue eare vnto the Al­maines, and to the same end, about the beginning of the yeare, he sent the Bishop of Bayonne, Tho Kings letters to the Protestant Prince. vnto the Princes Electors, with letters importing many protestations, and offers of amitie, as also shewing and declaring the many and great wrongs by the Emperour done vnto the Princes and towne of Almaine, protesting that hee was fully resolued for their cause to imploy both his forces, and his person, to de­fend their rights and priuiledges, not exspecting any recompence, but onely ho­nour, to haue thereby deserued the good will and liking of so puissant a countrie as that of Germaine. And therewith assuring them by the faith of a Prince, that his on­ly intent and meaning was, to deliuer all the estates of Germaine from the oppressi­ons of the Emperour and his Spaniards, which hee likewise meant to do, particu­larly in the behalf of his louing Cousin, Iohn Duke of Saxon, & Philip, Lant-graue of Hessen, as then detained & kept in miserable seruitude by the Emperor, contrary to his oath & promise. And in the end of the letter he added these words: We wil promise you likewise by the liuing God, and before all the Kings, Princes, and Po­tentates of Christendome, that our intent is not in any sort whatsoeuer, to permit [Page 13]that either you in generall, or any of you in particular, of what estate or condition soeuer he bee, shall suffer or endure any wrong or iniurie, and much lesse will wee (that beare the name of most Christian king) permit that any damage or hurt shall be offered or committed, either to the persons or goods of your most reuerend Prelates, Abbots, and other Ecclesiasticall persons, as our aduersries haue most wrongfully giuen foorth, but rather meane to take and receiue you into our protection and sauegarde, so you will acknowledge it both vnto vs, and to our allies, and therein certifie vs of your whole and full intents: hoping for the good and revnion of the Churche, whiche is to bee expected by the recouerie of publique and auncient libertie, wherein GOD willing wee will imploye all our force and meanes whatsoeuer. Which most reuerend Prelates, most noble Princes, and other estates of the holie Empire, we thought good to certifie vnto you, to the ende you should not be ignoraunt of the cause of this our warres, whereby we meane to pursue the Emperor, both with fire and sword, and (although to our great disliking) to cut him off (as a putrified member) from the bodie of the Common-wealth, or at the least, constraine him from henceforth, from further molesting or troubling of your estate.

Effects con­trary to words.While the king in this sort termed himselfe the Protector of Almaine, and defendor of the Countrey and nation of the holy Empire, giuing a great hope of the revnion of the Church, his Officers in many places of the realme, burnt such as they called Lutherians, and that agreed and consented to the doctrine holden and beleeued by most of the Princes & Townes of Almaine, open ene­mies to the traditions and ceremonies of the Pope. On the other side, he made great preparations for a voyage into Almaine, whereby hee shewed as if hee woulde haue driuen the Emperour and all his adherents out of those Coun­tries: And minding to goe thither in person, in the moneth of March, he be­ing in the Court of Parliament in Parris, named and ordained Catherin de Me­dicis his wife, Regent of the Realme,The first Regency of Catherin de Medicis. making many Edicts concerning pollitique Gouernment, the ordering of Souldiers, and the obseruation of military discipline, thereby reforming both the abuse of the Leaders, and the insolency of the souldiers: so that as then you might haue seene both good and commendable orders among all the souldiers, as well on this side as be­yond the Mountaines. France likewise abounded with Princes, Lords, Gen­tlemen, and souldiers, well ordred and gouerned, in respect of that which after was seene in the time of Henry his sonne. The Constable Genenall of the army,A good or­der and polli­cie among souldiers, but not long ob­serued. assisted by the Princes of the bloud, and other Noblemen of France, marched towards Victry, where the Army was to assemble, and besides the newe and olde companies of French souldiers, there came twentie of the olde compa­nies of Piedemont, such as might compare both with the Phalangees of the Macedonians, and the auncient Romanes, those of Gascoigne seconded them, the companies of Monsieur de Duras, for the most part beeing com­posed of Gentlemen and olde Souldiers, euerie man able to commaunde. Of all this Infantery, next to the Admirall, Monsieur Chastillon was Coro­nell, besides 10000. Lansquenets in twentie Companies, and diuided into two Regiments, conducted by Recrod and Rhingraue their Coronels: with a great number of horsemen sent vnto the king, by the Protestant Princes, vn­der the conduct of Coronell Chartel.

The French horsemen (whereof Claude de Lorraine, Duke of d'Aumalle yon­gest sonne of the house of Guise, was Leader) were 1500. men of armes, euery man hauing two Archers with him, all made 4500. horses, 2000. light-horse, and as many caliuers on horse-backe. Of voluntarie souldiers, both Gentle­men and others, there were so great numbers, that all the countrie was coue­red with horses: but now wee must see what all these troupes effected.

The Duke and the coun­trie of Lor­raine, put in­to the kings hands.The Constable beeing neere to Thoul, Chrestienne, Duches Dowager of Lor­raine, came vnto the king, byding at Ginuille, there to excuse her selfe of the suspitions imposed vpon her, because the Emperour was her near kinsman, and considering the tempest that as then threatned Lorraine, shee committed her selfe, and Charles her sonne, into the protection of the king, who sent the young Prince vnto the Dauphin his sonne, where hee was brought vppe, and after married a daughter of France.

Meane time, Thoul yeelded vnto the Constable: which done, he parlied with the Towne of Metz, an imperiall and faire Cittie: they offered to serue the ar­mie with victuals for their mony: and to permitte the king with all his Prin­ces, free passage through the Towne, as at other times they had done vnto the Emperour: but the Constable hauing partly perswaded them by promises, and then vsing some threatnings,Metz an imperiall Towne, sur­prised and brought vn­der the French king. in great chollor, said vnto thē: that the king wold haue a passage, and repassage through their Towne, without any conditions, and that it were best for them, not to hazard the contrary, if they minded to obtaine the kings good will and fauour, without the hurt and discommoditie of his armie.

Those of Metz would gladly haue resisted, both by word and deed, but not hauing in time prouided for themselues, they were constrained to bid their libertie farewell, and to open their gates to two companies of foote, which drewe so long a tayle after them, that in fine, all meanes of resistance was wholly taken from them, for that all the valiantest sousdiers in France were there in person: and vppon the 10. of Aprill, the Constable accompanied with diuers Princes and great Lords, stayed the comming of the king, who within eight daies after, made his entrie into the Towne, with all his armie, where he stayed three daies to take order for their affaires, receiued oath & fi­delitie of the Cittizens: he likewise swearing both to them, and those of Thoul, to defend them against all men, and to preserue their rights and priuiledges, and franchises in al things whatsoeuer: also to prouide for the strength and fortification of [...] place, which as then hee fully pretended to make one of the principall bullwarkes and Frontier-townes of France, wherein hee left as Gouernour, Monsieur de Gonnort, brother to the Marshal de Brissac, giuing him in charge to looke vnto the citadell, and other fortifications of the Towne.

The French armie goeth towards Strasbourg. Metz yeelded to the king, the armie beeing composed of 30000. men, marched into Almaine, and in the beginning of May, stayed two daies vppon the plaine of Sauerne: the horsemen going within a myle of the towne of Stras­bourg, the Cittizens whereof, being taught by the misfortune of Metz, wroght with more pollicie for themselues: sending certaine victuals vnto the armie, wherewith the Constable seemed not well content, thinking to put them in some feare, and assoone as Pierre Sturne, Goteshem, and Sleidam, their Deputies, were departed, hee sent two Gentlemen to the Councell of the Towne, to knowe their aunswere, where, in a long time and eloquent discourse, they she­wed [Page 15] The Consta­bles procee­dings with those of Stras­bourg.the kings good will and meaning vnto the countrie of Almaine, the cau­ses why hee had raised an armie, and beene at so great charges, requiring that the souldiers might enter into the Towne, to buy such necessaries as they wanted: but the Councell of the Towne vsing delayes, the next day the Con­stable vsed many speeches vnto the Deputies, threatning them very hard­ly.

But whatsoeuer hee said, it little auayled, for those of Strasbourg put a strong Garrison into their Towne, preparing themselues vnto resistance, if any pretence were offered: meane time, not refusing to furnish the campe with victuals, and all other necessaries whatsoeuer: but the armie dooing no­thing, marched towards Hagenaw, and VVisbourg, where the Deputies of three of the Electors next adioyning, as also of other Princes,The request of the Al­maine Prin­ces to the king. came to beseech the King, to pitie the poore pesants, to impeach the spoyle of the countrie, and not to passe any further, but rather to hearken vnto a peace, without pressing them to a perpetuall alliance, considering their bounden duties vnto the Emperour, withal, making a specially request for the sauegard of the territo­ries of Strasbourg.

Letters of Duke Maurice.At the same time beeing the eleuenth of May, Duke Maurice, Elector of Saxon, sent letters vnto the King, conteining the effect of the treatie made at Lints, wherein a peace had beene propounded, which the Emperour seemed to hearken vnto, concerning Almaine, desiring the King (if his meaning were to bee comprehended heerein,) to declare and shewe vp­pon what conditions hee intended to compound, and make agreement with the Emperour.The kings answere to the Princes

The King perceiuing, that by meanes of his great armie, the Protestant Princes had brought the Emperour to some reason: and on the other side, vnderstanding that the Queene of Hungary with her forces, was entered into the field, left the Almaines, and at his departure, made aunswere vnto the Princes, that he contented himselfe, to be esteemed the cause whereby the Princes that were prisoners, should shortly bee deliuered, and the countrie of Almaine, enioy a happy peace: and that, if thereafter it should haue cause to vse his helpe, hee would not spare what meanes soeuer hee had, to doo them good.

Meane time, the armie fedde vppon the poore pesants, and the country belonging to those of Strasbourg (that stood vpon their guard) was nothing spared. The Leaders notwithstanding repressing the insolencie of the Soul­diers, as much as possibly they might, but in so great a multitude it is im­possible, that some disorder should not bee committed.The meeting at Passau, where the French Ambassadour was present.

Duke Maurice hauing driuen the Emperor out of Almaine, and thereby procured an assembly and meeting to bee holden at Passau, there to take order touching the reducing of the Countrie of Almaine into her an­ [...]er [...], Ambassadours for the Emperour, the Electors, and diuers [...]aces of Germanie met togither.

Where the Bishop of Bayonne, Ambassadour for the King, fayled not to come & vpon the 3. of Iune, in a learned Oration, he shewed the ancient & long coniunction of the countries of Almaine & France: the affectiō that the [Page 16] His Orati­on.king bare vnto the Empire, as then hardly and euill gouerned by the Span­iards and their adherents, finding it good for the Protestant-Princes, to agree and make an accord with the Emperour, so the prisoners might be deliuered, the ancient alliance of France, with the Empire, and the last capitilation made with the Princes, ratified and confirmed, that the Emperour should do him reason, and that his whole desire was, to consent and agree with them all, and particularly with Duke Mauris: the answere thervnto, was composed with ma­ny thankes and declarations, couched in such sort, that neither the Emperour nor the king,Their an­swere. could in any sort bee discontent therewith. Touching the re­nuing of auncient alliances, they said, that a matter of so great waight & impor­tance, required great and more ample assembly: meane time, they desired that the amitie alwaies holden & continued between the two nations, might stil re­maine in force, and that the controuersies betweene the Emperour and the king, might bee appeased: promising therein to imploy all meanes possible: meane time, they desired the king to shew what wrong he could pretend had beene in any sort offered vnto him by the Emperour, to whom they would not faile to write, that thereby some end and finall agreement might be made.

VVarres in the Duchy of Luxen­bourg, with diuers ex­ployts, spotles, and pil­ling of places.During this assembly, the Queene of Hungary hauing commaunded the Marshall of Cleueland, to enter into the Duchy of Luxenberg, with an armie of 3000. foote, and 600. horse, caused them to ioyne with the companies of the lowe countries, in such sort, that their armie being compassed of 12000. foote, and 3000. horse, beganne to worke many exployts, and hauing taken Stenay vppon Meuse, a small Towne belonging to the Duchie of Lorraine, they en­terprised against other places, but not to any effect, onely that they burnt cer­taine villages and small hamblets, but the kings armie approaching, they be­ganne to retire, which made the Councell to determine vpon the conquest of the Duchie of Luxenbourg, wherewith they first set vppon a strong Castle cal­led Roc de Mars, which was presently taken and spoyled. The like was done to Mont S. Iohn, Solieure, and other places. The Emperours, and the kings forces, skirmishing before Thionuille, & the armie passing by it, made towards d'Auuille, which beeing battered, and yeelded vnto the king, the Captaines were kept prisoners, and the Souldiers suffered to depart without armes, one­ly a white sticke in their hands. Iuoy was likewise battered, and after yeelded vpon the like condition. The Gouernour beeing sent prisoner vnto Parris, all the spoyle was giuen vnto the Constable, who distributed the greatest part thereof among his troupes, and particularly to that of his eldest sonne: where­at the Souldiours of the olde companies began to mutinie: next Iuoy, they tooke Monmedy, and while they were imployed therein, the Marshall Sedan, heire vnto the house la Marshe, obtained certaine companies of the King, wherewith hee recouered the Towne and Castle of Bouillon, with all the pla­ces depending & belonging to the Duchie:VVinning of the Duchy of Bouillon. which done, the Castles of Lumes, Treton, Glaion, and others, were taken and ouerthrowne, and to please the olde Souldiers, they had the spoyle of Cimay, a Towne and Castle belonging vnto the Duke d'Arscot, giuen vnto them. Where the assieged hauing withdrawne themselues into the Castle, and desiring to make some composition, were myned vnder the gate, and other places of the Castle, by the great fury of the assailantes, (wholly famished and thirsting after spoyle,) where­vnto they ranne with so great haste, that some of their Matches fell [Page 17]into a certaine quantitie of powder,The Castle and Towne of Cimay burnt. whereby about sixe score of the most for­wardest of them were burnt and blowne vp into the aire, and to conclude, the fury of warre burnt both the Towne and Castle, but because the Army began to diminish, and to weaken, some being laden with spoyle, and the greatest part sicke and not well at ease, about the ende of Iuly, such as were left, were placed in Garrisons, there to attend the Emperors resolution, who hauing to do both with the Protestant Princes and the King, determined to agree and compound with the Princes, by their meanes to aide himselfe against the King: and vpon the last of Iuly, he made and concluded a peace with Almaine, Peace in Al­maine. to beginne his warres with France. The King was much moued at that agreement: yet he dis­charged the Hostages of Duke Maurice, who likewise released his, beeing the Earles of Nantueil and Iametz.

The Empe­rours enter­prises for the recouery of Metz, Thoul, and Verdun.After this appointment with the Almaines, the Emperor vsed such means that the Princes and Townes of Almaine, by litle and litle agreed to furnish him with men, money, and Artillery, therewith to driue the King out of Metz, Thoul, and Verdum, imperiall Townes: to the which ende, he gathered an Ar­mie of 50000. foote, and 20000. horse, with a great number of Artillery, and while he was preparing this armie, Albert Marquesse of Brandenburge, who in the Kings name had made most cruell warre vpon many Townes and Bishop­prickes in Almaine, being secretly reconciled vnto the Emperour, hauing to the number of 2000. horse, and 8000. foote, with certaine artillery, approched the Frontiers of Luxembourge, and of Lorraine, where for a long time he helde the King in hope, to follow the warres for him, and all that time his troupes o­uerranne the plaine country, and there forraged themselues after most strange maner: but in the ende, he found the meanes to withdraw himselfe from the Kings armie, and hauing impeached those of Metz from victualls, he departed with all his troupes.

Difficultie of the siege of Mets.Winter approaching, many were of opinion that the Emperour would not hazard so puissant an armie, as he then had, vnprofitably to fight and striue against the colde and the Ice, and by that meanes, constraine it of it selfe to be dispearsed, and miserably ouerthrowne. But the hope he had to recouer the Towne of Metz, wherein were many Princes, Lords, and Gentlemen, cau­sed him to reiect all other apprehensions whatsoeuer, in such sort, that his For­ces began to marche and set forward towards the countrey of Lorraine: meane time, the Duke de Neuers fortified Stenay, and constrained the Burgonian Garri­son of Vireton, to yeeld themselues to him. A company of the old bandes being in Roc de Mars, were drawne from thence: Those that commaunded in Ver­dun, Iuoy, Danuille, and Monmedy, strengthened themselues, and made proui­sion for their owne defence: not long after, the Emperour came to Sarbruch, The Empe­rors approach a Towne lying within seuen myles of the Citie of Metz, from whence hee sent the Duke of Alue, his Lieftenant General, and the Marquesse of Marignan, with 4000. foote, 4000. horse, and sixe field peeces, vnto the Towne to view it, and to chuse the most commodious places wherein to lodge his men about it. The Duke of Guise being Lieftenant Generall for the King within the Towne, cau­sed certaine troupes to issue forth, that skirmished with the Emperours For­ces,A skirmish. wherein the Duke of Alue lost aboue 150. men: on the French part, there was fiue souldiers slaine, and one Gentleman of Picardie, named Marigni, and two Captaines hurt, that died not long after.

The King being at Rheims, was aduertised by the Duke d'Aumalle, touching [Page 18] The Mar­quesse of Brandebourg ouerthroweth the Duke d'Aumalle, and taketh him prisoner.the practises of the Marques of Brandebourg, with the Emperour, & required to send some forces of 200. men of armes, with whose helpe, and the rest of his troupes, he said he doubted not, but easilie to ouerthrow the Marques: to the which end, Monsisur de Bourdillon was sent thither, but the Duke for that time sent him backe again: esteeming that y^e Marques as then hauing past the Meuse, ment to ioyne with the Emperours armie: but about the end of October, the Duke beeing aduertised that the Marques beganne to dislodge, placed himselfe in order of battell, with al his horsemen, vpon a plaine called la Croix du Monstier, to see what way the Marques held, who hauing intelligence that the countrie people, and certaine Frenchmen, skirmished and spoyled some of his footemen: would himselfe in person go to see what they were, and went so neare, that his Interpreter was slaine with a caliuer, standing close by him, who therewith re [...]urning in great chollor, appoynted his horsemē to aduance themselues, & to set vpon the enemie: and so in great furie charged the Dukes companies, who as then thought to retire. At the first onset, the Marques set vpon a great troup of Pages, and others that were placed there to make a shewe, who were presently dispearsed. The second charge was made vpon a squadron of Light-horse and Argolets, who in a manner made no resistance, and so all the strength fell vppon the Lanciers, who presently by the Rutters Pistols, were forced to retire, beeing ill prouided of Lances to make resistance. The Duke perceiuing his horsemen to bee disranked, and flying to saue them­selues, and the Marques at hand-blowes with diuers of his Leaders, rancked himselfe in order againe, with some fewe of his men, and entered into the skir­mish, where his principall Gentlemen hauing beene slaine before his eyes, the rest hurt, beaten downe, and taken prisoners, and all his men put to flight and chased, himselfe beeing hurt in two places, and his horse slaine vnder him, in the end was taken prisoner, and all his company in a maner ouerthrowne. The Vicount of Rohan, slaine by them that tooke him, and many Cornets, Captaines, and Gentlemen, to the number of two hundreth and more, slaine in the field: the number of the prisoners beeing many more, this Josse of so many Gentle­men, was a mends for the happie successe, which the king had about a month after, against the Emperour.

The Marques beeing victorious, sent the Duke d'Aumalle his prisoner, into Almaine, for whom afterward hee got 50000. Crownes for a ransome, which the king payed, at the instant request of the Duches de Valentinois, mo­ther in lawe vnto the prisoner: which done, he went vnto the Emperour, as then beeing before Metz with all his campe, at the same time. The Counte de Reux, Lieftenant generall for the Emperour in the lowe Countries, entred into Picardie with a great armie,Taking of the towne & Castle of Hesdin from the King, and the spoyling of Picardie by the Em­perours armie. where hee burnt Noyon, Nesse, Chauni, Roye, and the pleasant Castle of Foulenbray, with more then 800. Villages: which done, he besieged Hesdin, the Towne beeing taken, they inclosed the Castle, hauing beaten downe a great Tower that stood on the Parke side, and caused a great peece of a wall to bee vndermined, filling the ditches with the rubbish therof, which serued the assaulters for a bridge to passe ouer, to make the assault, wherewith the defendants were striken in such feare, that without further re­sistance, they yeelded the Castle, vpon condition to depart, their liues & goods saued.

A gentleman named Monsieur de Rasse, who as then commanded in the Castle, [Page 19]in fauour of the Constable, made that composition: but if his maister had not intreated for him, it had cost him his life, because hee neuer defended him­selfe, and not long before had sent word vnto the King, that hee doubted not the Castle. But for the same cause hee was sent home vnto his owne house, and neuer after imployed in the warres.

Resolution of the assieged within the Towne of Metz.The king hauing receiued that second losse, wrote vnto the Duke de Guise, to knowe in what disposition he found himselfe to bee within the Towne of Metz. The Duke sent him aunswere, whereof the effects prooued corre­spondent with his words, and with all certified him, of the order holden by the Emperour in his campe. When the king perceiued himselfe to bee secu­red on that side, hee left the Duke de Neuers, for Generall of his armie in Lor­raine, made Monsieur de Chastillon, Admirall of France, and his Lieftenant in Pi­cardie, in place of Monsieur d'Annebaut, not long before dead within la Fere.

The Admiral de Chastillon presently went to Hesdin, & the companies of the Duke de Neuers, beganne to trouble the Emperors armie, by surprising their victuals: great pittie it was to beholde, what miserie the souldiers at that time endured, by reason of the winter. The Italians left the Emperours campe, constrained to do it by force of colde and famine, and went vnto the Duke, to bee imployed vnder the king,The state of the Empe­rours armie before Metz. and while the Duke d'Alue vsed all the meanes hee could to place his batterie, those within Metz made many assaults, some­time on horse-backe, sometimes on foote, to the great discommoditie and losse of the Emperours campe, much abashed at the boldnesse and valour of the Frenchmen, who at that time did many straunge and vnaccustomed actions: as entering so farre into the campe, that they set vpon the Artillerie: ranne into the enemies Tents, and in small troupes neuer ceased to giue alarmes vnto the Emperours campe. About the 20. of Nouember,Ʋalour of the assieged. Batterie. the batterie beganne to playe vpon the Towne in three seueral places: and the 26. of the same moneth, the walles of the Towne were battered with 40. great Peeces, that shot both night and day without ceasing, but onely to refresh them: beeing one of the most furious batteries, that euer was seene at any time. The assieged, not on­ly Princes and Lords, but euery man whatsoeuer, carried earth to make ram­piers, by which their diligence, they no lesse abashed the Emperours campe, then by their valour.

Hesdin takē by the Frenchmen from the Emperour.The French armie conducted by the Admirall de Chastillon, entering into Picardie, where the Duke de Vandosme commanded as Lieftenant for the king, caused the Emperours armie conducted by the Counte de Reux, to withdrawe themselues from thence, who left his sonne with a strong Garrison within the Castle of Hesdin, which beeing assieged vpon the 17. of December, and furi­ously battered with 4066. cannon shots, without any reasonable breach: feare so much ceased vpon the assieged, that the next day after they yeelded themselues, with liues and goods saued. On the other side, the Duke de Neuers continued his course, molesting the Emperours armie, and by the conduct of Monsieur de Mouy, cut off a great Conuoy of victuals and munitions from them, without the losse of any man: wherein Mouy obtained great honour, by hauing aduanced himselfe so farre, and brauely returned from among a great company of the enemies, without leauing one man behinde him, and yet be­reauing them of a great reliefe.

1553 The Empe­rour retrait and raysing of his campe from Metz, to the great honour of the assieged.Touching the Emperour, his batteries beeing spent in vaine, and his Mines, countermyned by the diligence and industrie of the assieged, that neuer ceased by sallies, and continuall charge, to molest, and dispearse his armie, wholly afflicted with cold and necessitie, about the 18. of December, hee caused the greatest cannons of his batterie to bee dismounted, with resolution to retire with honour and commoditie, wherevnto the Counte d'Aigremont, was im­ployed, to discouer, and to assure his passage. The Duke de Neuers prouided with great diligence for Thoul, thereby to shunne a surprise, and by diuers courties made the Emperour to make haste away, who being aduertised of the condition of Hesdin, perceiuing the dispotition of his armie, and his forces vsed against Metz, to take no effect, hauing lost a great number of men, and much treasure, and part of the reputation which before hee had obtey­ned. Vpon the fift of Ianuarie he beganne to retire, leauing all the charge vn­to the Duke d'Alue, to seperate and retire his armie. Great pittie it was, to see and beholde the number of poore Souldiours, that as then were discharged and sent away, without any meanes to helpe themselues. The Duke d'Alue, and the Counte de Brabancon, The dislod­ging of the campe. with the most part of the armie, dislodged in great disorder, departing by night onely with two fiers for their guide, ma­king no noyse, & without sounding of trumpet, drum, or fife, leauing their Tents standing, with some quantities of armour, barrells full of pouder, and great store of necessarie prouisions, part of the artillerie vnder ground, & ma­ny poore sicke men: whom the Duke of Guise and others, caused to bee friendly vsed and comforted: Vidasme de Chartres, set vpon the rereward of the Duke of d'Alues campe, where he ouerthrew a company of light horse, burnt great quantitie of pouder, and brought more persons then he desired, with­out any losse of his owne men. The rereward was left vnto the Marques of Brandebourge, The retrait of Albert Marques of Brande­bourge. vppon whose campe many issues were made, but hee kept him­selfe so close, and wrought in such manner, that he escaped safely away with all his troupes. Solemne prayers and thanksgiuings were yeelded vnto God, through all the Realme of France, for the happie successe of that great siege: specially the Duke of Guise caused a general procession to bee made within the Towne of Metz, where hee was accompanied by all the Princes and Lords, that had assisted at that siege:Deliuerie of Metz. as the Princes of Anguien, the Counte Montpen­sier, and the Counte de la Rochesuryon, the Duke de Neuers, Horace Fernese, who not long after espoused Diane, Bastard-daughter to the king, Pierre Strossie, le Vidame de Chartres, Monsieurs de Montmorency, d'Anuille, de Gonnor, la Brosse, Lieftenant of the companie of the Duke of Lorraine: la Rochefoucant, the Vi­comtes de Turaine, and de Martigues, Delangues, Entragues, de Biron, S. Remi, and others in great number: which done, hee went vnto the Court, leauing the gouernment of the Towne vnto la Gonnor, that commaunded in it before the siege.

Siege, batte­ries, assault, taking, and vtter de­struction of the towne of Terouenne.About the end of the spring, the Emperour sent Monsieur de Binecourt, with a puissant armie to besiege the Towne of Terouenne, a very strong place, wherunto in great diligence, was sent Monsieur d'Esse: and with him Francis de Montmorency, eldest sonne vnto the Constable, with their companies, followed by diuers Lords, Gentlemen, and Souldiers. The Towne was most furiously battered, and the assieged sustained three assaults, such as neuer had been seene the like: where on both sides many men were slaine. On the French part were [Page 21]slaine, Messieurs de Esse, de Vienne, de Beaudisne, de la Roche, Pose, de Blandi, and cap­taine Ferrteres, with many Gentlemen and souldiers: after that, the Assaylants vsed great meanes to mine the walles, so that in the ende, by a mine very pro­perly and promptly made, they filled the diche: which Monsieur de Montmo­rency perceiuing, by aduise of all the Captaines, demanded a composition, but while they were in parley, the Almaines and Burgonians entred in diuers pla­ces, and began to kill all that they met: the Spaniards couetous of money, war­ranted many Gentlemen, and French souldiers: Monsieur de Ouerti, to saue the life of Monsieur de Montmorency his Generall, was sore wounded, whereof not long after he died: which newes much pleased the Emperour, who therevp­pon caused the Towne to be rased to the ground.

And because the report went that Hesdin should be besieged, the Duke de Bouillon Marshall of France, vndertooke to defend the Castle, the Duke Horatio Fernese, the Counte de Villards, with diuers other Lords and Gentlemen, being assistants, with about 2000. souldiers, where they were presently inclosed by the Emperours army, whereof Emanuel Philebert Duke of Sauoy, and Prince of Piedemont his Nephewe was Generall, which place hee battered more freely then at any other time it had bene, and mined in so many places, that it seemed readie to fall, by which meanes the Frenchmen were constrained to parle, and while they were vpon the point to make a composition, nothing rested but the signe: on the one side a Priest by misfortune hauing put fire vnto the artificiall works made within the Castle, therwith to defend the assalt, on the other side, the Burgonions that desired nothing but the spoile, hauing caused their mines to worke, part of the souldiers were burnt with those artificiall fires, and part blowne vp with the mynes, the rest remained at the mercy of the Emperours souldiers, that entred into the Castle. The Duke de Bouillon, Hesdin ta­ken from the Frenchmen, and rased. charged the Prince of Piedemont with his promise, but he answered him and said, that there needed no Hostages to be giuen, seeing he found himselfe to be maister of the place: and by that means, the Duke with diuers others were taken prisoners, by whom the Prince gained a most great raunsome. The Castle was taken vpon the 18. day of Iuly, Duke Horatio, the Vicount de Martigues, the Seneschal de Castres, and diuers Captaines and Gentlemen were slaine therein, which is the fortune of warre: but the Emperour caused it to be rased to the ground.

The ouer­throw of some of the Em­perours for­ces, and the taking of the Duke of Arscot.After that, the French Armie being assembled by Amiens and Piquigny, a­bout the 15. of August, there happened an encounter, wherein the Prince of Conde had the leading of the light Horse, and with the same he brake into the Emperours troupes, beating and driuing them before him aboue a myle, slay­ing of them to the number of seuen or eight hundreth men: and tooke priso­ners about fiue hundred, and among the rest the Duke of Arscot, bearing away their Ensignes: which done, the Emperours Army retiring towards Arras, the kings Armie about the ende of August laie about Corbie: Wherein there was almost 7000. horse, 25. thousand foote, and aboue an hundreth peeces of Artillery both great and small. The Emperour determined to cause this great Armie either to consume of it selfe, or else at the siege of some Towne or Castle. But to the contrary, the king desired nothing but battell, and to effect his will, he approached neare to Cambray, and making towardes Valenciennes, caused a certaine charge to be giuen, where the Frenche horse men had the better, and perceiuing that the Emperors Forces wold not hazard themselues, the king withdrew his Campe, sending the Marshall de S. Andre to ouerrunne [Page 22]the plaine countrie, belonging to the Counte of S. Paul, and about the ende of October, hee discharged a part of his armie, the rest were placed in Garri­sons to passe the winter time.

1554 In the Spring, there the king made three armies: the first vnder the cōduct of the Prince de la Roche Suryon, in Vermandois, composed of tenne thousand foote, three hundreth launces,Three ar­mies in France. and fiue or sixe hundreth Argoletiers in the second, marching towards Crecy, conducted by the Constable: there was 25. Ensignes of Frenchmen, as many Suissers, two Regiments of Lansquenets, and two thousand horse, part light-horses, and part Argoletiers, with the rereward of France, and some English and Scottish horsemen. The third, conducted by the Duke de Neuers, Exployts of th [...]se three armies. was composed of twentie companies of Englishmen and Scots: two Regiments of Lansquenets, three hundreth launces, eight hun­dreth light-horse and Argoletiers, and two hundreth Almaine Pistoletiers: the first entered into Artois, where it made great spoyle, and burnt many places, that of the Duke de Neuers ouerranne Ardennes, tooke the Castle of Orcimont by composition, destroyed and burnt great numbers of villages, and constrained the Garrison of the Castle of Beaurin, to yeeld by composition: and then en­tered into the countrie of Liege, hauing assured and opened the nauigation of the Meuse, by the taking of certaine little Castles, and strong Forts, that lye a­long by the riuer side: the Constables armie tooke Mariembourg, and fortifi­ed Rocroy. Issuing out of Ardennes, those of Dinam were sounded, to know if they would remaine as newter: but they made a most bolde and voluntary an­swere, accompanied with some Harquebush shot. Wherevpon the Herault, and Trompet of the Duke de Neuers, somoned them, and the Duke by force tooke the Castle of Agimont, in the beginning of Iulie, finding the Castles of Castelthierri, and Valuin, wholly abandoned and forsaken: which done, hee wanne Bouines by assault, wherein most of the Inhabitants were slaine, or exe­cuted to death, because they seemed to resist the kings armie. Dinam after some small resistance, yeelded it selfe, the Inhabitants hauing their liues saued, and the Towne not burnt, as that of Bouines, but wholly sacked. Therein happe­ned a cruell skirmish betweene the Frenchmen and the Almaines, that would haue violated and forced certaine women & maides, taken within the church, which quarrell was ended by the king: the Castle not long after was taken by composition.An ouer­throwe of the Emperours forces. While these things were in this sort executed in the countrie of Liege, the Prince de la Roche Suryon being in Artois, ouerthrew two Cornets of the Emperours horsemen, whereof 200. of them were slaine, and the Cornets sent vnto the king: who vnderstāding that the Prince of Piedemont assembled an armie, determining to fight, if the Spaniards would aduance themselues, pur­pased to passe the Sambre, which he effected: and being followed by the Duke de Neuers, he entered into the countrie of Hainaut, about the 20. of Iuly, where he made a horrible spoyle: some of his troupes running to the subburbes of Neuelle, the frontier Towne of Brabant, wherein, with all the villages round about it, they set on fire, winning great spoyle: then the armie drew towards Baius, one of the principall Townes in Hainaut, leauing nothing about it, but fire,The kings reuenge for the spoiles done in Pi­cardie. smokes, ashes, and miserie, throughout all the plain countrie: a most lamē ­table tragedie between two so great Princes. The Frenchmē being incāped a­bout Baius, made greater fiers then euer they had done, burning all the castles & Gentlemēs places throghout the countrie. The goodly house of Mariemōt, belōging to the Q. of Hungarie was not forgottē, neither yet the castle of Trag­ny. [Page 23]Baius beeing assayled vppon the 22. day of the same moneth, yeelded it selfe to the kings mercie, that caused it to be burnt in reuenge of the spoyle of Foulem­bray, as also of the Townes and villages of Picardie, that had beene burnt du­ring his beeing in Almaine. They set fire likewise in an other goodly Castle belonging vnto the Queene of Hungarie, then in Reux, after that in Ba­uets.

The armie being past beyond Monts, Hainaut, Landreei, Auanes, le Ques­noy, Vallenciennes, and Cambray, the Prince of Piedemont vsed all the meanes hee could, to bee reuenged for those extreame losses, but could not effect it: the Frenchmen beeing strong, and well conducted, in the end, about the tenth of August, both the armies met neere vnto Renty, where there chanced an in­different hard incounter on both their partes.Encounters of both the armies by Renty. The Emperour lost about 800. or 900. men, and the King two hundreth, after the which skirmish, winter opproaching, the king dismissed his armie, and that of the Emperour making towards Hesdin, burnt and spoyled all the plaine countie, and therein had done much hurt, if the Duke de Vandosme, that laye not farre from thence, had not resisted him.

1555 Continuance of warre.In spring time, the warre beganne againe betweene the two Princes, and the report of the courses made by the Emperours armie, gaue occasion to the Frenchmen, to enterprise vppon the Castle of Cambresis, which was presently taken by assault, and good warre holden with the Spaniards. Maruembourg, was victualled by Bourdillon, Lieftenant to the Duke de Neuers. The king and the Queene of England, intreated the Emperour, and the King of France, to make a peace, wherein Cardinall Pole, an Englishman,Ʋaine trea­tie of peace. trauelled much as then all flaming with fire, against those of the religion, who at that time were most sharply handled within the Realme of England.

This treatie of peace beganne with great bruit, but in fine, it vanished like smoke, and warre beganne againe stronger then euer it was. The Duke de Ne­uers, and the Admirall de Chastillon, beeing made Gouernours of Picardie, (be­cause the Duke de Vandosme, as then king of Nauarre, and Soueraigne of Bearc, by meanes of his wife, was gone to take possession of his new estates,) tooke good order both for the victualling and keeping of the places and frontiers of the countrie: notwithstanding, not long after, as some of the Garrisons of Picardie, marching with 1500. horses of the French rereward, called the com­panies of Nobilitie, and foure hundreth footemen, had in such sort ouerrunne the countrie, that in fine, they returned al laden with spoyles,The rere­ward of France o­uer throwne. being ledde by la Iaille, their Generall. Haulsmont Gouernour of Bapaulme, finding them inclo­sed betweene a Wood, a Village, and a Riuer, whereof hee caused the passa­ges to bee broken downe and surely kept, without espials, order, feare of the enemie, or hurt: charged them so couragiously with a small company of men, that in short space, he made them loose both courage, bootie and liues, at his discretion: where la Iaille was hurt, aboue fiue hundreth taken prisoners, some escaped, and the rest slaine. Those of Hannuyers and Arcesiers men, much giuen to derision, made it a cōmoniest, saying: that they had taken Nobles of France without waight: but to say the truth, there was as then but fewe Nobles in those troupes, onely certaine Wagoners and Pages that were imployed in the muster, and to make a shew, sent by Widdowes, and Orphanes of Gentlemen deceased: or by the Lords of certaine fief, rated at certaine values. To as­sure Picardie, the king went into Villiers Costerez, sending the Duke of Guise fur­ther [Page 24]vppon the frontiers, and the Admirall into the middle of the Pro­uince.

The estate of Prede­mōt touching the warres betweene the Emperor & the king of France.Now I must shew you what was done in the warres of Piedemont, and other places beyond the Mountaines. The Marshall de Brissac, who the winter be­fore had taken Iuree, and Bielle, in the spring time fortified S. Iaco, tooke Crepa­cuore, & by means of Monsieur Saluaison, by a surprise most brauely executed, got Casal de Montferrat, a towne & Castle, & a place of great importāce, spoy­led Poman, S. Saluadour, and other small places, not to bee holden, and hardly to bee strengthened and fortied in any conuenient time. The Duke of Alue ha­uing succeded Gonzague, in the Gouernment of Lombardie, about the end of Iulie entered into the field, with 20000. foote, 4000. horse, and 40. cannons, and besieged S. Iaco, wherein were Captaines, Birague, and Vimercat, who constrained the Duke to retire from Pont de Sture, where he fortified himselfe, hoping by famine to constraine such places to yeeld, as hee durst not besiege. The king sent foure thousand foote, and foure thousand horse, to strengthen Marshall de Brissacs forces,Taking and spoyling of Vulpian. who perceiuing himselfe so strong, besieged Vulpi­an, and by Kochepose ouerthrew the Dukes forces, sent to ayde them: by force tooke the basse Towne, and soone after, the Castle by composition was yeel­ded: Vulpian had the walles rased and beaten downe, and not long after, Mont-Coluo, a Towne and Castle yeelded vnto the Frenchmen.

These things were done in the moneths of September and October: not long afer, the Dukes troupes, by meanes of an Ambascado placed hard by Iu­cise, slewe and tooke certaine French souldiers, whereby they wrought some small reuenge, for their great losses at Vulpian and Mont-Caluo.

A particular discourse of the warre of Siene, from the beginning to the end.Before I leaue the affaires beyond the Mountaines, it is necessarie I should say something touching the warres of Siene, that fell out and kindled in this yeare, beginning at the originall thereof. During the siege of Metz, the Emperour beeing ceased of Siene, an auncient and famous Towne in the ter­ritories of Tuscane, placed Don Diego de Mendosse Gouernour therein, with a Garrison of Spaniards: Don Diego vsing rigor more therein then was conueni­ent, the Sienois not content therewith, beganne to conspire against him: hee vnder colour of fauouring the people, caused the Gentlemen to leaue their ar­mes: which done, he beganne to molest both the one and the other, who con­sulting togither, sent vnto the king, to desire him to receiue them into his pro­tection, which hee consented vnto.

The Fugitiues of of Sienie, in the kings name beganne to raise men through­out Italie, vnder the conduct of the counte Petillane, Hieronyme de Pise, & Mai­re de Sainctefior. The Duke of Florence sent eight hundreth men to ayde Men­dosse. But the Sienois mooued at the newe extortions raised vppon them, let foure thousand men cōducted by the Counte de Petillone enter into the towne, that draue out the Spaniards, but not without great losse on both parts, part of the Spaniards hauing saued themselues (without cannon) within the Iacopius, and in the Citadell, were entred vppon by force, and put to the sword. Their Generall, and others of the Florentine Captaines, issued by composition, and ceased vpon Orbitelle, a place not farre from thence, which they fortified. The Emperour beeing returned into Almaine, after the siege raised before Metz, commaunded Don Garsie de Tolede, Viceroye of Naples, to ouerrunne the plaine countrie of Sienois, which he did with 12000. foote, and one thousand fiue hundreth horse: on the other side, the king sent Monsieur de Termes, that set [Page 35]good and strong Garrisons within all the places of the Segnerie of Siene, ha­uing as then vnder the kings pay, aboue twelue thousand foote, not accoun­ting the naturall countrimen, sworne enemies vnto the Spaniards, but very fewe horsemen. And because the Emperours campe, conducted by the Viceroy and Ascagne de la Corne, seemed to threaten Siene, they fortified the Towne with al diligence. The Viceroy assailed Monselice, Montelle, & Montalein, where Monsieur de Termes tooke order, and maintained himselfe in good sort, vntill the king sent Pierre Strossi, with a great companie of men, and made him his Lieftenant Generall in Toscane. Strossi came to Siene, raised more Souldiers in Italie, whereof Duke Cosme beeing aduertised, solicited Pope Iulius and the Emperour, in such sort, that they ioyned with him to driue out the French­men. To this end Iaques de Medicis, surnamed le Mediquin, Marquis de Marig­nan, hauing charge of the consederates armie: about the beginning of the yeare 1554. besieged Siene, and approaching it by night, had almost surprised it, by reason that as then the fortifications were not all finished, but the Sienois withstood him, and repulsed the Marques, who at that time lost many of his men, notwithstanding, hee left not off to incampe himselfe before the towne, and forraging the plaine countrie, directed a furious batterie, whereby in the end, hee reduced the Inhabitants to great extremitie, without the com­ming of Strossi, who entering therein, presently tooke order for the rampars, and the reparation of the breaches, not hauing forgotten to furnish all the pla­ces about Siene, and because Rodolphus Baillon, Generall of the Emperours hor­ses, and Ascagne de la Corne, had made an enterprise vppon Chiusi, Strossi by night went to meete them, with sixe hundreth men, and hauing taken them at an aduantage, put their troupes in disorder, slewe Baillon, and sent la Corne prisoner into France.

The king with all speede sent new forces into Toscane, and the Ile of Corse, wherein Monsieur de Termes had taken the Townes of S. Florent, and S. Boniface, a Port of the sea, leauing good Garrison therin, vnder the charge of Iourdan Vrsin, with certaine Captaines, Frenchmen, and Gascous, for the de­fence of the Yland, part whereof as yet obeyed the Geneuois, vppon whom be­ing participants with the Emperour, Monsieur de Termes had taken those Townes.

But to returne to Siene, the last secorers that the king sent thither, beeing of fiue thousand Switzers & Gascons, with some light-horse: Strossi suddainly made a sallie with sixe thousand chosen footemen, and fiue hundreth good horse, and therewith tooke Montcatin, and Montcarlo, from the Duke of Flo­rence, which hee fortified. The Marques of Marignan, constrained to leaue the siege of Siene, to ayde the Duke, was in danger to bee wholly ouerthrowne, if Storssi had taken occasion when it was offered. But the Marques fortified with new ayde, Strosci was constrained to bring his wearied forces to breath themselues within Siene: meane time, Leon, Prior of Capoue, and brother to Strossi, hauing not the meanes to staye for the French Nauie, ceased vpon cer­taine Geneuois shippes laden with corne, and hauing filled them with Soul­diers, warred vppon the coast of Toscane, and to spoyle the Ports of the sea, be­longing to the Duke of Florence. After that, hee went to lye before Scarlin, where approaching to viewe the place, he was stricken with a Harquebus­shot, whereof hee died.

Strossi much greeued thereat, went to continue the siege, staying for [Page 36]the French ayde, which not long after being arriued, conducted by Monsieur de Monluc: Strossi made his armie, wherein he had sixe thousand Italians, two thousand Gascons, as many Switzers, two thousand fiue hundreth Lansque­nets, and about a thousand horse: wherewith he determined to set vppon his enemies, if they would come foorth: and perceiuing that they withdrewe themselues from Siene, he committed the custodie thereof, vnto Monsieur de Monluc, and went to batter Ciuitelle, lying in the territories of Florence: to the ayde whereof, the Marques of Marignan made so great hast, that he had almost surprised the assaylants, where there was much blood spilt on both sides. Stressi constrained to discampe, besieged Foyan, a strong and very rich place, which the first day of his arriuall was taken by force: and Charlot Vrsin, with all the souldiers that kept it, put to the sword, and the Towne spoyled and burnt. The Marques hauing recouered certaine cannons, approached the armie of Strossi, that marched towards Montpulcian, where the Italians began to forsake him, and by that means his forces were lesse then those of the Marques, which con­strained him to retire:The battell and ouer­throw of Strossi, and the French armie in Toscan. but in stead of dooing it couertly, and by night, for the safetie of his troupes, he determined to march openly in the day time, and to saue his Artillerie, he sent it before him. Whereof the Marques being aduerti­sed, with all speed pursued after him, and hauing ouertaken him in the field, betweene Martian, Lucignan, and Foyan, gaue him battell: where the fight was dangerous and bloodie, but Strossi hauing the lesse and weaker companie, the Frenchmen fled after Bighet, an Italian Ensigne, Coronel of the armie, that first saued himself, after that the horsemē were dispersed. The Gascons & Switzers, that fought valiantly, were ouerthrowne by aduancing thēselues too farre a­mong their enemies, and almost all their Leaders slaine in the field: the num­ber of the slaine is diuersly reported, some said two thousand fiue hundreth, others foure thousand, besides many hurt, that liued not long after, and fiue or sixe hundreth prisoners. The Marques wrote vnto the Emperour, that all Strossies footemen were slaine at that bartaile, but as then he forgot to pursue his victorie: which if hee had done, Strossi and all the Kings armie at that time had beene wholly ouerthrowne. Strossi that had shewed maruellous prooses of his valour and noblenesse, saued himselfe in Montalcin, leauing Foyan, that was presently taken by the Marques, as also Martian, Lucignan, and other pla­ces, wherewith the Sienois meruellously abashed, were in mind to haue yeel­ded, had it not been for Monluc, that assured them, and after did great seruice vnto the king, as also to the Towne. Bighet partly cause of the ouerthrowe of the armie, and the Counte d'Alte, that had cowardly yeelded vp Lucignan, a most impregnable place, were beheaded. Presently after, the Duke solicited those of Siene to yeeld vnto the Emperour, and they about the end of Ianuary, in the yeare of our Lord 1554. answered him most brauely: but yet to vse so great & loftie words, they had need of better means of resistance: while these things were effected, Monsieur de Lanssac beeing gone on ambassage to Rome, diuers articles were there drawne and set down, to end the troubles of Siene.

The Pope gaue charge to his Legats, that laye residents by the Emperour and the king, to bring them to an agreement, but nothing tooke effect, each of thē seeming to haue right on his side, meane time, the differences touching religion began to increase: such as would not receiue and acknowledge the traditions of the Pope, were cruelly burnt. They suffered the Turke to win di­uers places in Europe, and his Gallies as then came before Corse, to ayde the [Page 37]Frenchmen, were at the siege of Calui and Boniface among the Christians, and holpe to conquer the Island, and then returning homeward, spoyled the coast of Toscane, besieged Plombin, and the Ile of Elbe, belonging to the Duke of Florence, & passing further, executed an infinit of mischieses vpon the realmes of Naples, Sicile, and Calabre, and so laden with great spoyles, and numbers of Christians their prisoners, they arriued in Constantinople & other places, with­out any impeachment: so much, & so great, was the hatred between the Em­perour and the King, that they had rather see the Turke inriched with Christi­ans teasure, then once to consent & agree in one, to inuade so common an ene­mie. But returning to Siene, Siene besic­ged and ta­ken. the Marques of Marignan came to besiege it with all his forces, onely vpon the hope he had, that Strossi beeing wounded, and Monluc lying at the poynt of death, being dead, (for it was thought they could not liue long) Lanssac and Fourqueuau taken, the Sienois being wholly destitute of counsell, and French secorers, would yeeld vnto him. Strossi beeing some­what recouered, and hauing been certified of the death of Monluc, hazarded himselfe with sixe companies of foote, and two of launciers, to come to Siene. Where, by the prudence and resolution of Serillac Nephew to Monluc, (he en­tered) who by a stratageme of trompets, caused an alarme in the Marquesse campe, that thought verily some new armie had been come to set vppon them: but hauing found Monluc liuing, and in some better estate then he had been, he returned againe, yet not without great daunger: Monluc hauing made many skirmishes vppon the enemie, perceiued that in fine, they would take the Towne, whervpon hauing shewed the Souldiers and the Townes-men, what he thought the Marques would do, hee gaue order that euery man should be stinted in his victuals: and that they should liue by prescript rules of war. The Sienois very willing to followe his counsell and aduise, did as he commanded. The Marques hauing assayed, by scaling the walles in the night-time, to enter into the Citadell, and the Fort of Camollia, was valiantly repulsed, with the losse of sixe hundreth of his men, and by many skirmishes, batteries, intelligences, and combats, seeking to become maister of the towne: being not able to effect his will, determined to proceed with the first and surest resolution, which was to constraine them by famin: by which meanes his campe indured much mi­serie, and euery moneth diminished more and more: neuerthelesse, in fine, his perseuerance ouercame them, so that vpon the 20. day of Aprill 1555. an ho­nourable composition hauing been made and agreed vpon, with Monsieur de Monluc, his troupes, and those of Siene, the towne was yeelded vnto the Mar­ques, and after, into the hands of the Duke of Florence. Touching that which after happened to the territories of Siene, I meane not at this present to intreate further thereof, leauing that to the description of the warres of Italie, from whence I must returne vnto Picardie.

Warres in Picardie. Mariembourg being revictualled, the Leaders that cōmanded in those quarters for the Emperour, hauing erected an armie of twentie thousand foote, fiue or sixe thousand Rutters, and some Enfignes of olde bands of Spaniards, caused a place called Giuets, to bee fortified, from whence they forraged the Country lying nearest vnto it, and famished Mariembourg. The king assembled his for­ces at Maubert Fontaine, whereof Francis de Cleues, Duke de Veuers was Liefte­nant Generall: hauing eight hundreth launciers, as many light-horse, & about eight thousand footemen, who once againe revictualled Mariembourg. The 26. of Iulie, the Rutters and the French light-horsemen met togither, but the [Page 38]Rutters were presently constrained to reenter into their fort, and the Count de Barlaimont, General of the Emperors Armie, refusing battaile, the French men retired: presently after, the prince of Orange entred in to the kings country, and spoiled the Castle of Faignolles. After that, in winter time, Messieurs de Sanssac and Bourdillon, the third time reuictualled Mariembourg. The raigne and trouble­some season, togither with the want of victualls on both sides, impeached the armies from meeting togither: During this last voiage, the king hauing gotten the writings and euidences, whereby Iohn de Brosse Duke d'Estampes, claymed a right and title vnto the Duchie of Bretaigne, into his hands, gaue the Count of Ponthieure, in exchange thereof vnto the said Duke.

The Empe­ror resigneth all his estates vnto his son and his bro­ther.At the same time, the Emperor a prince of great valour and courage, as all Histories do witnesse, hauing so long time borne a world of affaires & troubles within his braines, determined to discharge himselfe thereof, and hauing sent for the Prince Don Philip his sonne, vnto Brissels (then king of England) resigned vnto him his kingdomes of Spaine, Naples, Cicile, and others, whereof hee gaue him letters pattents, commanding all his subiects to obey him: Those letters being deliuered vpon the 25. of october, 1555. were read in open counsel by the Chancelor. And among many notable instructions & aduises, by the father gi­uen vnto the Prince his son, he exhorted him to make peace with the King of France, and to haue pittie vpon Christendome miserably tormented, by so long and cruell warres. He likewise left off the Empire, and by letters vnto the Elec­tors, desired them to giue that dignitie vnto Ferdinand his brother, to whom by right it ought to appertaine, hauing by them bin chosen and elected for king of the Romanes.

Wars in the Isle of Corse.About the same time, the Geneuois assaied to win the Isle of Corse, not long before taken from them by Monsieur de Termes, and sent thither the Prince d'Au­rie, that assailed the port of S. Florent, which yeelded by composition, the soul­diers issuing armed, and their goods saued, returning to Boniface to Iourdā Vrsin: d'Aurie following after them, thinking to win it, but he was soone repulsed to his great losse. About the moneth of the same yeare died the Marquesse of Marignā, The death of the Marques of Marignā. being out of fauor with the Emperor. For hauing too long prolōged the taking of Siene, & consuming a whole armie about it, he was solemnly bu­ried at Millan, the Duke d'Alue being assistant at his funerall.

1556 King Philip following his fathers counsaile, and solicited therunto by Mary Queene of England, his wife, inclined to peace, which to effect, after many meetings and conferences, a truce for 5. yeares was agreed vpon between thē. The Count de Lalain, Truce for 5. yeares be­tween the 2. Kings. came to Blois to sweare the truce vnto the king, and the Admirall de Chastillon went to Bruxelles to the Emperor and king Philip to do the like. For certaine moneths that this peace endured, one called Villegagnon a knight of Malthe, rigged and prepared certaine vessels, and made a voiage vnto Amerique, Villegagnon saileth for Amerique. promising to do woonders for the king in that new world, but his minde not well setled, and his vniust behauiours wrought him discredit, whereby he did nothing to any effect. But if this enterprise had beene taken in hand by a wise leader, it had surely beene an ouerturne to the execution of great matters. But the ruler and disposer of all mens actions, had otherwise ordained.

Beginning of the breach of peace.Pope Paul the fourth, of the familie of Caraffes in Naples, enemie to the Spa­niard, being aduertised, that within Rome, certaine assemblies were made and holden in the houses of Marke Anthonie Colonne, & the Cardinall of Saint Fior, [Page 39]enemies to the King of France, tooke that for an occasion to reuenge himselfe, and without much examination, caused the Cardinal Camille, Colonne, Iulian Ce­sarin, and the Abbot of Bresegue to be committed prisoners in the castle of S. An­ge, summoned Marke Anthonie, watched carefully to take & intercept all letters and pacquets, disarmed all strangers, and placed straight and hard watches and sentinelles throughout all the Citie of Rome. Some write, that the Colonels suspecting the Pope to be a French man, and fearing some surprise, thought in time to prouide for their affaires. And the Pope taking the matter to bee other then it was, vsed the meanes aforesaid. The oppressed beeing seruants vnto the king of Spaine, gaue him to vnderstand, howe they were vsed, hee com­maunded the Duke of Alue to ayde the Colomnes and others their participants. Whereuppon the Duke presently went to Naples, and did what hee could to reestablish the Colomnes and Vrsins in their Segneries. They on the other side, fortifying themselues about Rome, and holding the Pope inclosed, he determi­ned to demaund ayde of the king of France. For the which cause hee sent his Nephewe Cardinall Caraffe, that bare a triumphant hat and a sword vnto the king, beeing at Fontainebelleau, about the ende of the moneth of Iune. The king granted his request, adding that he would aduertise the king of Spaine thereof, which hee likewise did, but the answere hee receiued, litle pleased Caraffe. Whereof ensued the beginning of a fyer, that after produced great flames. The Annalistes and Hystories of France, Italie and Spaine, make different dis­courses of the breach and rupture of this peace, which would desire a big­ger volume. It suffiseth mee to passe it ouer in breefe. The Pope was the first that put the Irons into the fyer, and the Kings did not greatlye withdrawe theyr eares, to lende theyr helping handes, as not wishing great good vnto each other: Theyr principall officers prouoked by many and diuers passions, and those that gouerned them, hauing desire to mount aloft, and to rise higher, and perceiuing that truce imbased them, were very well pleased, that within Rome they had begun to erect the Scaf­fold whereon to act some newe tragidie in Christendome, and specially in France.

Warres be­tweene the kings, begun about Rome.So the French men would oppose himselfe against the Spaniard for the Popes cause: Strossi Marshall of France, in place of Monsieur de Sedan, decea­sed at his returne from prison out of the lowe countries, was sent to Rome, there to resist the Spaniards, vntill the ayde of France came thither: on the otherside, Don Iohn de Lume gouernour of Millan, came into France, and Duke Octauian Farnese restored to the possession of Plaisance by the Spaniards, for­sooke the King of France. In the meane time, the Duke d'Alue, forraged the country about Rome, tooke Anagne, Pilastrine, Segne, Tiuoli, and besieged Ostie: cutting off their victualles, holding Strossi, with Monluc and theyr troupes, inclosed within Rome: about the end of December, the king sent the Duke of Guise, to be his Lieftenant General, in the armie that marched to help the Pope.

1557 The Duke of Guise being in Piedemōt, giueth alarū to Italie.In the month of Ianuary 1557. the Duke of Guise well accompanied, being arriued at Turin, the Capitall towne of Piedemont, the Spaniards forti­fied Millan, and refreshed the Garrisons of the places of importaunce in Italy. The Duke of Ferrare armed and lodged souldiers, vpon the frontiers of Ferrare, garrishing Florence and other townes vnder his obedience, specially those that bordered vppon Bologne. The Duke of Alue prouided for the townes [Page 40]within the Realme of Naples, and vppon the sea coast of Calabria: as then all Italie was in armes, euery one standing vpon his guard, diuersly discoursing vpō the Duke of Guises arriual & intents, hauing a strōg armie of 14. or 15000. foote, 8000. launces, and 1200. light-horses: some say more, the report being giuen forth, of an other supply readie to march forward, assoone as war shuld bee opened in those parts: but it was as necessary to imploy them elsewhere.

Ostie taken from the Pope by the Spaniards.In the meane time, the siege of Ostie continued, those that kept the Fort, hauing sustained many assaults, their powder fayling, and the Souldiers and Cittizens, for the most part, beeing hurt, a composition was graunted, and the place yeelded vnto the Spaniards, that agreed with Cardinall Caraffe, for fortie daies truce, to the end, the Pope might haue some time and leisure, to thinke vppon some good agreement. The Cardinall to the contrary, stayed for the Frenchmen, and solicited the Venetians to take part with them, which they refused,Agreement betweene the Pope, the King of France, and the Duke of Ferrare. desiring not to obtaine the King of Spaines ill will: but the Duke of Ferrare tooke the French Kings part, and receiued the title of Defendor of the Church, and betweene the Pope, the King, and the Duke, it was agreed, that hee should prouide 20000. foote, and 1000. horse, and pay al the charges of the armie. The King should furnish as many foote, and twise as many horse: and the Duke sixe thousand foote, two hundreth launciers, foure hundreth light-horses, and twentie Peeces for batterie: which had beene sufficient for­ces, to haue made and wrought great conquests, if the Popes Cofers had not beene stirred: but that Article made all the rest of no effect.

And how would hee haue furnished mony for so great and puissant an armie, whē in effect he suffered the like armie of the Duke of Guise to maintain it selfe, or rather to bee dispearsed: in such sort, that the returne therof, seemed rather a company of men ouerthrown and spoyled, then a braue retrait of Soul­diers comming victorious.

The nature of the Popes.The Popes in these latter times, haue alwaies vsed to hold on the stron­ger side, to aduance their affaires, at the cost and charges of those that hearken vnto them: and when they haue obtained their desires, to leaue & forsake such as assist them in their greatest need, as it happened in this warre, trauersed by wonderfull deuises on all sides: but to conclude, the enterprises and pretences, of great & mightie men of this world, are wholly like smoke, if the fauor and helpe of the most great and puissant God of heauen doth not assist them.

The taking of Valence beyond the mountainesThe Duke of Guise hauing ioyned his forces in Piedemont, with those of the Marshall de Brissac, marched towards Valence, & giuing out that Pauie had been taken by the Frenchmen, summoned Captaine Spoluerin, that had two thou­sand souldiers with him to keepe it, to put all to fire and sword, if hee entered therein by force. Spoluerin that feared his skinne, and the losse of his booties, wrought so well with the Souldiers, that they consented to the yeelding vp of the towne, so they might issue with liues and goods saued: which was agreed vnto, and the 18 of Ianuarie, Spoluerin, and others of the principall Comman­ders being entered into Pauie, were beheaded, because of their cowardise. The Cardinall of Trent, Gouernour of Millan, sent to summon the Duke of Guise, to restore Valence vnto him againe, as taken contrary vnto the articles of truce: his answer was, that the Duke of Alue hauing first brokē the truce, the French­men could not chuse but follow, & that he intended nought but warre, vntill such time, as that the Pope should be satisfied, and touching Valence, that they had iustly set vppon them, because their Garrison had shotte their ordinance [Page 41]against the French souldiers, that marched by the Towne to ayde the Pope.Ostie taken againe with the fort and other places. On the other side, Strossi, Monluc, and others that were in Rome, perceiuing the Duke of Alue to be gon from thence, marched with 5000 foote, and 600. horse to besiege Ostie, which they presently took, the fort yeelded by compositiō, the spaniards issuing with their liues, armes, and goods saued, taking with thē cer­taine peeces of artillery, they likewise tooke Velitres, Tuscule, Marin, Grottefer­rate, Palesan, S. Ange. S. Paul, Vico Valerio, and diuers smal places in the territories of Rome, from whence they draue the Spaniards.

The French armie in Italy.Departing out of Piedimont: the Duke of Guise hauing consulted what was best for him to do, resolued within himself, to martch straight forward to Rome, and being at Bologne, he complained vnto the Popes officers, because hee sawe no preparation made for the wars, saying, that the king had bin otherwise pro­mised. They made him answere, that there were 10000 souldiers ready prepa­red in the Marquisat of Ancore, wherewith for that time he seemed to bee con­tent, and being arriued at Rome, he mustered his troupes, where he found fiue thousand Switzers, their General being the marques de' Elboeuf: 4000 Grisons, 7000. French men, and Gascons, some Italian, 750. lanciers, and 1500. light hor­ses. The Duke de Nemours commanding the footemen.

Warres and taking of townes in Piedemont.According to the counsell holden in Piedimont, the Marshall de Brissac being in the field, by composition tooke Valfeniere, lying between Ast & Carmagnolle, which he vtterly spoyled, assailed and tooke Chiauasse, a Castle standing vpon a mount, wherein he placed a garrison. The report being spread abroad, that the French men would enter into the realm of Naples, the Spaniards took good or­der for the keeping of the places neer vnto the Marques de Ancoue, but the Duke de Guise not desiring to go so farre into the country, tooke Campilio, & besieged Ciuitelle, from whence, he was constrained to raise his siege, hauing lost a great number of his best souldiers. In Piedemont, Marshal de Brissac was constrained to retire from Coni, the Duke of Guise beeing ayded by the Marquesse of Pescaire, Estate of Italie. Strossi, and the Duke de Palliane, took Montfort, by assault, a little towne hard by Cintelle, which was spoyled & burnt. But the Duke of Guise perceiuing his for­ces to diminish, & the Spaniards daily to increase, & that the Popes promises tooke no effect, aduertised the king of his estate, and on the otherside, offered battell vnto the Duke d'Alue, lying betweene Ferme & Ascoli, but the spaniards perceiuing, that with a litle patience,The spani­ards refuse battaile. the Pope would soone be brought to rea­son, & the French men disperse themselues, or else easily be spoyled, knowing likewise, that some thing was to be effected in the countrey of Picardie, they thought it but a point of foolish hardinesse, without conuenient meanes so to hazard the estate of the king of Spaine. And because that neither the Pope, nor the Duke of Ferrare, furnished that which had bin promised, and to the contra­ry, that the French army receiued not one penny pay of the Pope, and that the Ferrarois borrowed forces of his sonne in law the Duke of Guise, therewith to defend himselfe, they began to consult vpon their returne into France, The subtilty of the Pope. but the Pope who as yet had not that he sought, fearing if he should be left alone, the Spaniard wold not faile to pare his nailes, sware vnto the Duke of Guise, that he wold neuer make agreement, nor once accord with the Spaniard without the kings of Frances consent: for assurance whereof, hee would send the Duke de Palliane his son for hostage into France. By which deuises, he staied the French men, to see what successe the affaires begun in Picardy would haue, where the French men hauing bin ouerthrowne in battell vpon S. Lawrence day, S. Quin­tius [Page 42]taken,He maketh peace with the King of Spaine. & France in great distrust: the Pope perceiuing his hopes to vanish like smoke, and that the Duke of Alue approached neare to Rome, hee sent Car­dinall Caraffe vnto him, with full power and authoritie to agree vppon a peace with the King of Spaine: which was concluded about the moneth of Septem­ber, the Pope hauing renounced the league made with the French King, who sitting between two stooles, fell on the ground, and all the intents of the house of Guise and others, tooke no effect, whereby the armie all wearied and dis­pearsed, returned into France, cursing both the Pope, and all his traine.

Truce bro­ken in the frontier of Picardie, whereof en­sued the bat­tell on S. Laurence day, where the French­men with great losse were ouer­thrown. The taking of S. Quintins and other places.The King hauing resolued to send the Duke of Guise to ayde the Pope, con­trarie to the aduise and counsel of the Constable, and diuers Princes and Lords, that disswaded & besought him to the contrary, and that he should rather seeke to maintaine the truce, gaue expresse charge vnto the Admirall, to take order for the safetie of his Townes and Forts in Picardie, and to make some enterpri­ses vpon certaine places in the lowe Countries. Wherevnto the Admirall that had been of the Constables opinion, although he wel perceiued from whence such resolutions proceeded, not daring to refuse the commission giuen, with great diligence tooke order accordingly, and therevpon made an enterprise vpon Douay, which hauing not taken effect, he tooke Lens, a small Towne in Artois, which he pilled, whereby the Gates of warre were fully opened, Picar­die and Champagne exposed to continuall courses, and the frontier places on both sides fortified. The Queene of England sent a Herault of Armes into France, to defie the King, and to proclaime warre against him: and about the middle of the month of Iulie, the prince of Piedemōt accōpanied with the duke d'Arscot, the Earles of Mansfeld, d'Aiguemāt, Meigue, & Barlaimōt, begā to erect a puissant armie at Guiets, staying for further ayde of Rutters and Bourguignons. The Duke de Neuers prouided for Rocroy, Mesieres, and Mariembourg, which he doubted would be assayled, from whence the Prince retired, perceiuing it to bee too dangerous an enterprise for him, marching towards the Towne of Guise, with 40000. foote, and 15000. horse, not accounting 10000. En­glishmen, which he daylie expected, the French armie beeing 18000. foote, and 6000. horse. The Admirall, with the Sieurs de Villebon, de Senarpont, and others, were of aduise, that the townes of Picardie should be fortified, special­ly such as lay in greatest danger: but they were not beleeued, in such manner, that the Prince of Piedemont hauing stayed a time before Guise, presently sent his horsemen to inclose S. Quintins, and marched thither with all his armie: so that vpon the suddaine, the Towne was besieged on all sides. Monsieur de Te­ligny being within it,S. Quintins besieged. with a broken companie of launciers, and one Bruiel a Gentleman of Breton, was Gouernour of the Towne, with very fewe foote­men: and the Inhabitants themselues wholly ignorant in Marshall affaires, made great difficultie to receiue a greater Garrison being mooued thereunto. The Admirall determined to enter therein, and to the same end, vppon the 2. of August he departed from Pierrepont, with foure companies of launciers, and three of light-horses: and being at Han, hee was constrained by reason of the danger of the voyage, to take no more but 2. companies of foote: wherof one­ly the third part entered with him into S. Quintins, The Admi­rall entereth into Saint Quintins. the rest stayed behinde, and were constrained to retire, because the towne was almost besieged round a­bout: touching the order therin taken by the Admiral, concerning the fortifi­cations, & other things, it is most certaine, that nothing was by him forgotten. The towne being wel ayded by those fewe men that entered with him, there was found disorder touching their victuals, their powder beeing burnt and [Page 43]blowne vp by the Cittizens default, that knew not how to behaue themselues in Marshall affaires, which much troubled the Souldiers. Aduise being giuen vnto the Constable Generall of the French armie, what state S. Quintins was in, he sent the Prince of Conde, Generall of the light-horse, the Marshall Saint Andre with foure hundreth launciers, and Monsieur d'Andelot with tenne Ensignes of footemen, from la Fere, to enter into Han, as well to bridle the campe, as to seeke by all meanes to refresh and strengthen those of Saint Quin­tins, d'Andelot offered to enter therein, with two thousand men, while the ar­mie on all sides, should giue an alarme vnto the enemie, who by means of cer­taine prisoners, hauing discouered the enterprise, tooke such order therein, that their pretence tooke not effect.

The Consta­ble bringeth his armie vn­to S. Quin­tins, to cause certaine men to enter.Meane time, the Spanish armie increased, by ayde of the Englishmen, be­ing to the number of tenne thousand foote, and about one thousand fiue hun­dreth horse. The Constable desirous to helpe those of S. Quintins, hauing de­termined vpon all the meanes that might be vsed, to helpe the Towne, and be­ing fully bent to execute the same, the 9. of August, he caused the French and Almaine footmē to passe ouer the bridge, that lieth aboue la Fere, with certain Peeces of artillerie: and the tenth of August, being S. Lawrence day, the horse­men ioyned with the foote, and so marched towards S. Quintins: where, about nine of the clocke in the morning they arriued, and there rancked themselues in order of battell, right before the subburbes of Isle, as then taken by the Span­iards, that were driuen out againe euen to the Chaussee: meane time, the artille­rie played vpon the Prince of Piedemonts campe, wherein it mooued great dis­order: and while that was done, the Constable caused as many troupes to enter into the Towne, as possible hee might: which done, the King of Spaines armie resolued with themselues by a prompt and generall resolution, to set vppon the Constables forces, and so constraine him to fight: to the which end, the Prince of Piedemont, and the Counte d'Aiguemont ioyned togither, at such time as the Duke de Neuers was gone to relieue Monsieur d'Eschenets, that held play with the enemie, while the rest that went to ayde the Towne, should enter: the Con­stable being vpon retrait, not minding to giue battell, the Duke ioyned with the Prince of Conde, & so made assault near vnto a wind-mill, withall his light-horse, and they two togither without any losse, ioyned themselues with the maine battell, but their enemies followed them, and approaching with 8. great Squadrons of horsemen, the Counte d'Aiguemont, was the first that with two thousand horse, charged the Frenchmen on the one side: the Dukes Ernest, & Henry de Brunswic, seconded by the Counte de Horme, with two thousand Rut­ters, and ten thousand lanciers, fell on the other side, the Counte de Mansfeld, and other leaders, entred vpon the middle part with three thousand horse, with so great force, that the Frenchmen were ouertrowne. The Duke of Neuers be­ing one of the first, notwithstanding after many daungers, hee got out of the preace: and although the parties were vnequall, yet the Frenchmen failed not to fight, where the Constable was both hurt & taken, & with him the Dukes of Montpensier & de Longueuille, the Prince of Mantoue, the Marshal S. Andre, and many others, as wel knights of the Order, as Lords and Gentlemen: the chiefe of name that were slaine, were Iohn de Burbon, Duke de Anguien, the Viscount of Turaine, & others, & most part of the Captains of the footemen, who percei­uing the horsemē cōming, placed themselues in a square battell, but they were presently broken, and part slaine, the rest taken prisoners. This bloodie fight indured for the space of 4. or 5. houres, the Spaniards pursued the Frenchmen within a myle of the towne of la Fere. And surely al mē were much abashed [Page 44]how so many escaped, considering the great fear & disorder they thē were in. The Prince of Conde, the Duke de Neuers, the Counte de Sancerre, Messieurs de Bourdillon, Grammont, Cruecueur, Piennes, Descars, and others escaped, Montmo­rency the Constables eldest sonne, tooke another way. This ouerthrow caused great feare in Parris, for in it the Frenchmen lost great numbers of men, wher­in the Histories seeme not to agree: some say 5000. others 8000. slaine in the field. The King came presently from Compiegne to Parris, to assure his capitall towne, and at the same time raised a subsidie of 300000. Frankes, to satisfie his most vrgent affaires: while king Phillip receiuing the Ensignes taken from the Frenchmen, and beholding the prisoners, who in a maner were led before him, as in a triumph, contented himselfe with that victorie, without enterprising at that time to enter further into France, whereof neuerthelesse many Townes were in great feare. King Henry by his Lieftenants, prouided for his Frontier-townes, and gathered his campe at Laon, causing 14000. Switzers to be sent for. Touching those that were besieged within Saint Quintins, at the comming of d'Andelot, The Towne of S. Quin­tins taken by assault. they were relieued with foure hundreth souldiers, and about 50. men of commandement, with some Gentlemen of name, and certaine Cano­niers: but king Phillip being arriued in his campe, the batterie began most fu­rious▪ & the assieged by no means could be ayded, but onely with three hun­dreth men, whereof a third part were slaine in entring. The Towers and for­tifications from S. Iohns Gate, to the Tower standing vpon the water, hauing been battered with the Cannon shotte, the Spaniards became maisters of the Duches, and vpon the 20. of August, the Erenchmen diuided and placed in eleuen seuerall breaches, sustained a generall assault, and could not bee forced: yet the Towne was taken, by entring at a tower which no man guarded, the French souldiers therein were most slaine: the Admirall his brother (that not long after saued himselfe) Iarnac, S. Remi, de Humes, and other Captaines and Gentlemen of name taken prisoners, and the son of Monsseur de la Fayette, the Captaines Saleuert, Ogier, Vicques, la Barre, l'Estang, and Gourdes slaine. During these stormes,The King threatned to be slaine. the king being in Parris, as he went to masse, a yong man named Caboche, borne in Meaux, who ordinarilie, and of long time, had followed the Court, and because of his faire writing, serued the kings Secretaries, whether being out of his wits, or stirred by some other motion, presentented himselfe before him, with a naked sword in hand, and crying out, said: Stay King, God hath commanded me to kill thee, but presently the Switzers of the guard fell vpon him, wherewith he was committed, and by the Court of Parliament condemned to be hanged for that attempt. After the taking of S. Quintins, the Counte de Aremberg, with 1200. horse, and 3. Regiments of Lansquenets, be­sieged Castellet, The taking of Castellet. where he made a furious batterie. The Barron de Solignac, that commanded therein, peceiuing himselfe destitute of the ayde that had beene promised him: and that the place was not strong ynough to defend an assault, not hauing aboue three hundreth men therein, and they not greatly bent to make resistance, yeelded the place: for which cause he was sent prisoner vnto Parris, and if by chance he had not saued himselfe, by an escape out of prison, he had surely lost his life: because (as it was said) he had made promise neuer to yeeld the place, before hee had sustained an assault. While the King of France assembled a great armie, as well without, as within his Realme, and by his Lieftenants prouided for his townes in Picardie, and that the Parrisians made generall Musters of their companies, where were found between thirtie fiue, and fortie thousand men.

The assem­bly in Same Iaques street disco­uered.Those of the religion multiplied and began to increase in diuers parts of the Realme, specially within the Cittie of Parris, where hauing bin discouered in an assembly made by night in S. Iaques streete, many were cast in prison, some burnt, and the rest escaped by diuers meanes: in other places also many were taken and executed, the people verilie imputing the causes of the troubles in France wholly to them. But the king of Spaine imploying his armie,Han taken by the Span­iards. vppon the 12. of September tooke Han, the Castle being yeelded, and the Towne burnt by the Frenchmen themselues. Besides that, hee tooke all such places, as might in any sort impeach or trouble, (that Castle and S. Quentin) which hee ouer­threw and spoyled: further, his troupes surprised certaine companies of Scots within Noyon, and tooke Chauni, wherein he placed a great Garrison, there to make prouision of wines, wherewith to furnish the places which he had ta­ken.

Ayde comming out of Almaine, and Switzer-land, into France, the king for a time caused the troupes that came out of Italie, Polleuille driuen out of Bresse. vnder the conduct of the Duke de Guise, and Aumalle, to stay in Bresse, and Lyonnois, thereby to impeach the pre­tences of the Barron de Polleuille, who with twelue thousand foote, and one thousand two hundreth horse: for the Prince of Piedemont, came to besiege Bourg in Bresse: from whence he was constrained in all haste to retire, otherwise both he and all his troupes, had wholly been spoyled, who in dislodging, dis­pearsed and separated themselues, in such sort, that in fewe daies after, it could hardly be perceiued what had become of that great number of men.

The kings enterprise a­gainst Cal­laisThe Duke of Guise beeing arriued at the Court, lying in S. Germaine in Laye, because of the Constables imprisonment, was appoynted Lieftenant Generall for the king in all his countries. Wherevpon the secret practises long preten­ded, were then pursued and fully executed in this sort. Edward the third of that name, King of England, had taken Callais, in the yeare of our Lord 1347. a Port of the sea, and a place of great consequence for the Frenchmen: since which time, the said Towne had still continued in the Englishmens hands, and by them much fortified. The Constable long time before the battell of S. Law­rence. by means of Monsieur de Senarpont, Gouernour of Bullen, had vsed such meanes and practises touching that Towne, which is a parte of the an­cient Domaine of the Crowne of France, that without his ouerthrow and im­prisonment, it was most apparant he would haue executed his pretence. In his absence it was concluded, while king Phillips forces by reason of the winter season were dispearsed, to execute that enterprise so much for the aduantage of the Realme of France. And therevpon the king of France raised two armies, one conducted by the Duke de Neuers, making shewe to enter into the Duchie of Luxembourg: the other ledde by the Duke of Guise, vnder pretence there­with to hinder the victualling of S. Quentins. The Duke de Neuers marching towards Luxenbourg, the Spaniards and Wallons, ranne thither to defend it: but suddainely hee sent his forces to ioyne with the Duke of Guise, that made shewe of victualling Amiens, Ardres, and Bullen, and in great haste vppon the suddaine, turned all his forces against the Towne of Callais, wherein as then there was no Garrison. The Princes of Conde, and la Roche Suryon, the Duke d'Aumalle, and the Marques d'Elboeuf bretheren; Strossi Marshall of France, Montmorency, the Constables eldest son, Monsieurs de Termes, d'Andelot, de San­sac, d'Estree great Maister of the Artillerie, de Tauanes, Senarpont, Grandmōt, Ran­dan, Allegre, Creuecueur, Piennes, Gourdan, and other Lords, Knights and Cap­taines, beeing in the armie.

1558 The first of Ianuary, the armie appeared before it, and the same day tooke Nieulay bridge,The taking of Callais. and after that, Risban: which done, they entered the Ca­stle, and then the Towne, all yeelded by composition, within the space of eight daies, the Englishmen and Spaniards, not hauing meanes in time to ayde the Towne. The Englishmen greeued at the losse of such a place, there­vpon conceiued a mortall hatred against king Phillip. Presently after the yeel­ding of Callais, they besieged the Towne of Guines, in the counte d'Oye, which was taken, but the Englishmen that were in the Castle, draue the Frenchmen out, and burnt the Towne: who were presently besieged vpon the 13. day of Ianuary, and hauing indured the batterie, and sustained an assault, the second beeing prepared, they asked and receiued a composition. Guines was wholly spoyled and defaced, as beeing noysome to Calais, as also not beeing needefull to bee kept so neare vnto it: so that in fine, the whole Counte of Oye, was reduced vnder the kings obedience: for the which, great ioy was made through all the countrie of France, in exchange of many a teare not long be­fore shedde for their losse, vpon S. Laurence day.

Parliament in Parris.The same moneth the king held a Parliament in Parris, wherein they gran­ted him a subsidie of three Millions of gold, for the maintenance of his warres: that done, hee went to visit Callais, the Gouernment whereof, was giuen vnto Monsieur de Termes. The Duke de Neuers accompanied by the Gouernours of Iuoy, Mesieres, Bouillō, & Maubert Fontaine, tooke the castle of Herbemont, hard by Iuoy, Exployts done by the Duke de Neuers. also the Fortes of Iamoigne, Chigny, Rossignon, and Villeneufue: but by rea­son of the colde, which as that yeare had not begunne till about the month of Februarie, hee was forced to leaue the field, and to enter into Garrison: while the king in diuers places of the Realme, made many secret leuies of soul­diers, commaunding his Captaines not to march with any of their troupes, be­fore they should receiue expresse commaundement from him. In the moneth of Aprill,A marriage between the Dauphin & Marie, Queene of Scots. the marriage betweene Francis, eldest sonne to the King Prince Dauphin de Viennois, and Marie Stuard, daughter to Iames the fift, king of Scots, & of Marie de Lorraine, before widdowe to the Duke de Longueuille, & sister to the Duke de Guise, was concluded, and after vppon the 28. of the same month, accomplished with great solemnitie.

During this marriage, there was a certaine motion of peace to bee made betweene the two kings, at Peronne, by the Duches Dowager of Lorraine, and the Cardinall, brother to the Duke of Guise, but all in vaine: for on the one side, king Phillip tooke Nesle, & the Englishmē spoyled the coast of Normandie: on the other side,Taking of Theonuille. the king of France determined to besiege Theonuille, to the which end, he sent Monsieur de Bourdillon, to see what might be done, he be­ing accōpanied by Vieille Ville, Gouernour of Metz, with the olde troupes of the Garrisons of Metz, Thoul, Verdun, & Danuilliers, in the beginning of May, incamped himselfe before Theonuille: fifteene daies after, the Duke de Neuers came thither, and then Monsieur de Guise, Generall of the armie, followed by the most valiant Captaines and Gentlemen of France.

The batterie beganne the fift of Iune, with 30. great Peeces: the Counte de Horme assayed to enter into it, followed by certaine troupes, but the passages were in such sort closed vppe, that with losse hee was forced to retire. The Duke of Guise going to viewe a breach, seconded by certaine valiant Leaders, caused a false assault to bee giuen, whereby at that time, the Towne hardly e­scaped from taking: but the assaylants beeing in very small number, were for­ced [Page 47]to retire, with losse of diuers good and valiant souldiers: presently after, by the onely meanes and aduise of Monsieur de Monluc, they tooke around Tower, that much ayded the besieged, and as they were about to myne a plat­forme adioyning therevnto, the Marshall Strossi was striken with a Harque­bu-shot, whereof hee died, his place beeing giuen to Monsieur de Termes. The 21. of Iune, the mynes beeing prepared to worke,Taking and spoyling of o­ther places. the assieged demaunded a composition, which was honourably graunted vnto them, and two or three daies after, they issued foorth, to the number of one thousand fiue hundreth souldiers, but most part sicke, which were well and courteously vsed, not one eyther troubled, or spoyled at their issuing.

The Towne of Luxenbourg wherein were the Countes of Mansfeld and Horne, was viewed: but not long before, Arlon was assayled, forced, spoyled, and burnt, and Chigni, Villemont, and Rossignill, taken againe from the Wallons: wherein they set fier onely in Chigni, which they fortified. Vieille-ville was left within Theonuille, with tenne Ensignes of footemen, and some companies of Launciers.

Enterprises in Flanders, by the Mar­shall de Ter­mes, who in fine, was ouerthrowne by the Count de AiguemōtBecause the Englishmen made diuers warres, as well by Sea, as by land, into the countrie of France, the king caused two small armies to be made and con­ducted by the Duke d'Aumalle, at la Fere, the other, vnder the Marshal de Ter­mes at Callais. Termes knowing that the townes lying on the Sea-coast, & sub­iect to the Spaniards, were but meanely manned, because they feared not the Frenchmen on that side, hee made an enterprise vppon Dunkerke, a Towne lying vpon the Sea, betweene Newport, and Graueling, in the which enterprise, hee besieged Berges, that was presently taken and sacked: which done, he went before Dunkerke, which held out but foure daies, and in the end was taken and pilled: where they found so rich a bootie, that the very boyes of the armie were thereby made rich: but as Messieurs de Villebon, and de Senarpont, staying for Marshal de Termes, that as then was sicke, laye incamped hard by Graueling, the Earle of Aiguemont, Lieftenant Generall for the king of Spaine in the lowe Countries, with all speede assembled the Garrisons and other forces, to the number of sixteene thousand footemen, a thousand or twelue hundreth Rut­ters, and two thousand lanciers, determining to impeach the passage of the French armie, from entring any further into Flaunders, and to make them leaue the siege of Graueling: and the Marshall was scarse healed and entered into the armie, but the Counte de Aiguemont was vppon him, not once making shew to fight.

The Marshall perceiuing him too strong, would not likewise hazard him­selfe, but rather began to retire towards Callais: which the Earle doubting, de­termined to stop his passage, and so constraine him to fight, or to make him yeeld by famine, before the towne of Graueling: which the Marshal perceiuing, assayed to passe the riuer (that runneth from S. Omers) called l'A. And hee had no sooner begun, but the Flemmings onely staying therevpon, got before him, which constrained the French Vangard to range themselues in order, thereby to sustaine the rest of the armie, where it made a braue resistance, driuing cer­taine squadrons of horses out of ranke, but the Counte hauing made a furious charge, procured the ouerthrow and spoyle of the Marshall, who beeing sore hurt, was taken, with Messieurs de Villebon, Senarpont, Moruilliers, and Chaune, and many Captains and souldiers slaine in the field. The Marshals armie being composed of certaine companies of launciers, three cornets of light-horses, [Page 48]Scottish-men, 14. Ensignes of French footemen, and 18. Companies of Lans­quenets: all beeing eyther slaine or taken. The number that escaped, were not many: that great wound, renewed the former of S. Lawrence day, and brake the enterprise vppon the Duche of Luxenbourg, where the Duke of Guise preten­ded to be doing, who in the moneth of Iuly, tooke his course to Thierashe, and so lodged at Pierrepont: which he strengthened with 7. Cornets of Rutters, & a new Regiment of Lansquenets.An army by sea of English men & Fle­mings, ouer­throwne in Brittaigne. At the same time, the armie at sea compo­sed of Englishmen and Flemmings, to the number of 6000. men, or therea­bouts, hauing sayled along the coast of Britaigne, in the end tooke land at Con­quet, which they spoyled: and entering further into the countrie, were ouer­throwne by Monsieur de Kersimon, whereof some he slewe, other he tooke pri­soners, and caused the rest to saue themselues by fight within their shippes, where they presently hoysed sayles and put to sea.

Both the kings armies hard by A­miens.Both the kings hauing prepared their armies, no lesse puissant then at o­ther times, incamped themselues, and stayed not farre from Amiens, along by the Riuer of Somme: where they had great numbers of strangers, so that their owne subiects, in comparison of them, were very fewe. There they made certaine courses and skirmishes, but no battell of any consequence. and as it see­med, those two great Princes, were as then come thither to make an agree­ment: the treatie whereof was mooued, and to proceed therein, they chose the Abbey of Cercamp, vpon the frontiers of Artois and Picardie: wherefore the King of France appeased the Constable, the Marshall S. Andre, the Cardinall of Lorraine, Moruilliers, Bishop of Orleans, one of the kings priuie Councell, and Secretarie Aubespine. The king of Spaine sent thither the Duke d'Alue, the Prince of Aurange, Deputies for peace. Rigome de Silues, Granuelle Bishop of Arras, and Vigle de Zuichem, President of the Councell of Estate in the lowe Countries. They as­sembled in the moneth of October, hauing sor vmpier, of the differences that might fall out betweene them, the Duches Dowager, and the Duke of Lorraine her sonne. Meane time, the Constable hauing agreed for his ransome, came to do his dutie vnto the King, who gaue him all the entertainment that possible he might, and made him lye with him, as some certainly report. During this meeting, both the armies were dismissed, & the strangers sent into their coun­tries. While this treatie of peace continued, Charles the Emperour, and his si­ster Ellenor, Death of the Emperour Charles the fift, and El­lenor his si­ster, of Mary Queene of England, and of Cardinall Poole. wife vnto King Francis, died in Spaine: the peace was grounded vp­pon the marriage of Charles Prince of Spaine, with Elizabeth, eldest daughter of K. Henry, & of Philebert Emanuel, Prince of Piedemont, with Margaret, daughter to king Francis deceased. That which prolonged the treatie, was, that the Q. of England demanded the restitution of Callais: but about the end of Nouember she died. After whom likewise died Cardinall Poole, her great Councellor, her death, that changed the state of England: wherein after that, neither the Span­iards, nor the Pope, had more to do, caused the assembly to be referred vnto the peace ensuing. 1559 King Phillip hauing with great pompe celebrated the funerals of his father, within the Towne of Brussels, The Duke of Lorraine married with the yonger daughter of the French King. stayed in Flaunders, to heare what should be done by his Deputies, before he passed into Spaine. The K. of France, to ioyne the Duke of Lorraine in alliance with him, gaue him Claude his second daughter in mariage, reseruing the elder for the cōclusion of peace. The espou­sals, were holden in Parris, vpon the 5. of Februarie, and about the 15. of the same month, the Deputies changing place, & being furnished with large and ample instructions, met at the castle of Cambresse: king Phillip lying at Monts in Hanaut where the Cardinall of Lorraine went to visit him, and after that, the Duches Dowager.

Peace a­greed vppon, betweene two kings.At this second meeting, both of them seemed very vnwilling, specially the Spaniards, moued therevnto by newes out of Piedemont, where the French­men had lately receiued an ouerthrow. But in the end, after many arguments and conclusions, they drewe vnto an agreement. In the Tretie at Cercamp, a marriage had beene spoken of, betweene Charles Prince of Spaine, and Elizabeth of France.

Now, the Deputies perceiuing king Phillip to bee a Widdower, and estee­ming the alliance to bee stronger if hee espoused the Princesse, which before should haue been giuen vnto his sonne, they propounded that Article, which to the good contentment of both the Kings, was concluded and agreed vpon, togither with the marriage of the Prince of Piedemont, to the Ladie Margaret. The King of France yeelded to the King of Spaine, all that hee had taken from him, both on this side, and beyond the Mountaines: also to the Prince of Pie­demont la Bresse, Sauoy and Piedemont, except foure Townes: to the Geneuois, the Isle of Corse: and Siene to the Duke of Florence: retaining nothing but Callais, without gaining a foote of any other land, in all that long and daungerous war, which had desolated so many Prouinces, sacked, burnt, & ouerthrowne so many Townes, Bourges, Villages, and Castles, been the death of so great a number of Princes, Lords, Gentlemen, Captaines, Souldiers, Cittizens, and Paisants: caused so many rauishings and violatings of women and maids: and in a word, which had in a manner, tormented all Europe: so that in effect, the king yeelded aboue two hundreth, (others write almost as many more) pla­ces, for the conquest whereof, a sea of blood of his naturall subiects had been spent and shedde: the treasures of the Realme consumed: his lands ingaged, and he indebted on all sides: and which is woorse, the fire beeing quenched vppon the borders, not long after, began within the middle of all his Realme, and in euery place thereof, as well is seene during the raignes of his three suc­cessors. But these things are the vnsearchable and deepe iudgements of God: which are not lawfull for vs to enter into, but onely to worship and adore him that worketh all things with great wisedome, with mercie towards his chil­dren, and with most iust and fearefull vengeance against his enemies.

Counsell gi­uen the king against the peace and quietnesse of his Realme.The king hauing agreed with his forraine enemies, with whom all men hoped a most sure and perpetuall alliance to be made, was againe put in minde and counselled to redouble the hard and cruell punishments, by him deuised a­gainst those of the religion, who in the middle of those troubles, had much in­creased thoughout all the Realme. And so in steed of spirituall meanes to be v­sed in things concerning the soule, diuers euil Councellors to this Prince, cau­sed him to conceiue an extream hatred to those of the religion, filling his eares with many vnworthie & terrible reports against them. Monsieur d'Andelot first felt it, being for religion committed prisoner in Melun: wherevpon many dis­contentments and suspitions grewe among the most noble houses, whereof ensued diuers and many mischiefes: which after the death of king Henry began to increase, who hauing vnderstood, that in the Parliament of Parris, many and diuers iudgements were made, touching the condemnation of such as were accused for religiō, was counselled to sit in person at a Mercurialist iudgement,Mercuriales and imprison­ment of cer­taine Coun­cellors in Parris. within the Augustines (because as then the Pallace was preparing and making readie for the marriages) that there hee might heare and vnderstand, the aduise of all his Presidents and Councellours.

Others of the same Councel, esteemed that the presence of the king, wold but abash such as seemed to oppose therin, and that so those of the religion remai­ning [Page 50]without support, and condemned, they would in fine, procure the exe­cution of their desires. But it fell out cleane contrary: for that some Councel­lours said, and flatly affirmed, that it would be more conuenient, to deale with lesse rigour against those of the religion, vntill such time, as by a free and gene­rall counsell, they had beene shewed their errour.

Hee that spake boldest, and plainest, was Anne de Bourg, a man of great learning and pietie. The king that neuer had heard any speech of such impor­tance, commaunded the Constable to leade du Bourg, and other Councellours prisoners, to aunswere their obiections: swearing in great chollour, that hee would see the end. Wherevpon, Monsieur Montgommery, Captaine of the guard, ledde du Bourg into the Bastille, the rest into other places. Meane time, those of the religion were hardly pursued in euery place, who during those troubles, in the moneth of May, caused a Sinode to be holden, by all their Pa­stors,A Sinode of the religion in Parris. Deacons, and ancients within the Towne of Parris, wherein the Articles of the Doctrine and Discipline of the reformed Churches throughout all the Realme, were written and set downe.

Meane time, the Courtiers sought and deuised, all the meanes of ioyes and pleasures they could inuent, thereby to solemnise the royall marriages, both of the Kings daughter, and of his sister. I speake not of the murther committed vppon the person of a renowmed Player of Comodies, who at that time had made most magnificall preparations, therewith to reioyce the Court, that was slaine in the house of Reims by his owne seruants, so that all his preparations were layd aside:Preparation for the mar­riages. neither yet of the Queenes Dreame, nor of the apprehensions and discourses of diuers Politicians, who were of opinion, that this great Wheele of earthly prosperities, would shortly turne about: onely I will shew you, that the sighes of prisoners for religion, the horrible torments vsed to some of them, and the earnest prayers of infinit numbers of families, threatned, and that wel perceiued, that the peace had beene agreed vppon, betweene the Frenchmen and the Spaniards, thereby to make a warre with them, that neuer should haue an end: were the winds that hoysed vp the wonderful and strange alterations, which the wise and prouident counsell of God, in short time after made to appeare.

Marriage of the King of France his daughter with king Phillip. Elizabeth of France, hauing been solemnely ledde and conducted by the King her father,> vnto the Cathedrall church of Parris, and there most magnifi­cally, and in great triumph, espoused by the Duke d'Alue, Deputie for the king of Spaine his Maister. The espousals done by the Cardinall de Bourbon, and after fiers of ioy made for the peace, the reioycings of the people, glad of that rest & quietnesse, the Banquets, Proclaimations, and Ceremonies accustomed, with all maiestie performed, assisted by so many Noble Princes, Lords, Gentlemen, Cardinals, Officers, and Domesticall seruants, both of the King and Queenes houshould: there likewise beeing present, the Dukes of Sauoy, and Alue, the Prince of Aurange, the Counte d'Aiguemont, and other Lords of the lowe Countries, in great numbers: and after the sumptuous banquets, playes, maskes, and daunces, followed the last act which changed all those ioyfull and pleasant Comodies, into bloodie and mornfull Tragedies, wherein the king played the lamentable Prologue: for that hauing published a running at Tilt, to bee performed within S. Anthonies streete,Atourney in S. A [...]tho­niesstreete. where (against the aduise of those that besought him to leaue that exercise, to such as should shewe him pleasure therein) he would in person be a principall actor, seconded by the Dukes of Guise and Ferrare.

But the second day of his running, hauing runne verie often, the Queene de­sired him to leaue off, saying, that the Duke of Sauoy might supply his place. He sent her word by the Marshall de Montmorency, that hee would runne but once more, and that for the loue of her. Wherevppon hauing sent a Launce to the Counte de Montgommory, commanding him to runne against him, and the Counte earnestly excusing himselfe, eyther for the respect hee bare vn­to his Prince, or fearing to faile, as the first day hee had many times done, not once touching any against whome hee ranne. The King sent him ex­presse commaundement not to refuse him. With that the Earle ranne, and breaking his Launce vppon the Kinges Cuirasse,The king sore hurt with a splin­ter of a lance a splinter thereof entered into the Kinges Vizarde, not beeing well closed, and by chaunce ranne into his eye, so farre in, that his head festered. Wherewith the King pre­sently beganne to fall by reason of the blowe, but the Princes and Lordes ranne to him and ledde him into his Pallace of Touernelles, where in great dolor and paine he died, vpon the tenth day of Iuly,He died in the flower of his age. in the thirteenth yeare of his raigne, and the fortie and two yeare of his age: the day before his death, he desired that the marriage of the Duke of Sauoy and Lady Mar­garet his sister, should be celebrated in his Chamber: and that whatsoeuer had beene accorded vnto (by the treatie of peace) touching the Duke, should wholly bee performed. His heart was buried in the Temple of Celestins, in the Chappell of the Dukes of Orleans, his royall Obsequies were celebra­ted vppon the thirteene day of August, and his bodie buried at Saint Den­nis, in the Common Tombe for the Kinges of France. Of person hee was a goodly Prince, courteous, milde,The descrip­tion of king Henry the second. louing his seruaunts and men of va­lour. Much addicted to his pleasures, and to beleeue such as knewe how to please his humour, who many times caused him to vse muche rigour, which hee could not so soone discouer: the ambition and auarice of cer­taine men that prouoked him forwarde, were the principall causes of the continuance of warres, which heretofore we haue noted: specially after the breache of truce, set lawes, Iustice, Offices and benefices to sale, di­ued into, and emptied the purses of French men, by infinit exactions, where­of ensued most great mischiefs.The estate of France, vnder this Prince. Two great sinnes raigned in France during the time of this Prince: that is, Atheisme, and Magicque. Whereunto may be ad­ded, the corruption of learning: For that the knowledge thereof, induced by King Francis the first, chaunged into diuers wicked and curious mindes, cause of all mischiefe, specially in the forme and phrase of French Poets, who in the raigne of Henry, by their impure rimes, filled with all maner of blasphemies, conuerted an infinit number of soules. These sinnes and others, in great abun­dance still increased, drawing vpon both litle and great within the Realme of France, the straunge punishments which in the raignes of the successors to this Henry, full well appeared.

Fiue sonnes, and fiue daughters.By Catherin de Medicis his wife, married in Anno. 1533, he had fiue sonnes and fiue daughters. The eldest, Francis the second, borne the 20. of Ianuary, 1543. The second Lois, the Duke of Orleans, that died at the ende of certaine months. The third, Charles Maxemilian, borne the 20. of Iune, 1550. King after the death of his brother. The 4. Edward Alexandre, after King, and called Henry the third, born the 19. of September, 1551. The fift, Hercules: after called Francis, Duke of Alencon, Aniou, and Berri, and Counte du Maine, borne the 18. of March, 1554. The eldest daughter was Elizabeth, promised to Edward the sixt, [Page 52]King of England, but marryed to Phillip king of Spaine, borne the 11. of Aprill, 1545. The second, Claude, maried to Charles Duke of Lorraine, bonre the 12. of Nouember, 1547. The third, Margaret, married to Henry de Bourbon, King of Nauarre, borne the 14. of May, 1552. The fourth and fift, named Iane, and Victoire, borne at one burthen, vpon the 24. of Iune, 1556, and died presently after. In this Historie you may behold, the successe and estate of the successors to this Henry, beeing his sonnes, with the first whereof I meane to begin.

Francis the second.

The intent of King Hen­rie. KING Henry (by the counsell giuen him touching the rupture of the truce, and by that which after ensued) hauing somewhat discouered, who and which they were, that gaue him euill aduise con­cerning his estate, was minded and fully resolued, after the solemnization of the marriages, to looke more particularly into such men, therby to retaine some, and send the rest vnto the places frō whence they came. But the wrath of God lay vppon the Realme, hauing striken the head, pursued the members, as heereafter it appeareth. Francis the second, yong in aduise,The state of France vn­der Francis the second. The Nobili­tie. The Cour­tiers. much more in yeares, was wholly left to the gouernment of his mother, and the vncles of his wife, that ruled y^e land as you shal heare. Part of the Nobilitie wea­ried with the troubles of so long warres, desired nought but peace, leauing all care of publike charges, and casting their eyes vppon the surest side, thereon to lay hold. The Courtiers went which way the winde would blowe: as tou­ching the officers of Iustice, most of them were friends or subiects vnto diuers Lords: some good and vpright men yet resting in the Court of Parliament, durst not almost proceed in any thing, as beeing abashed at the suddaine blowe, gi­uen vnto the chiefe and principall Court of Parliament, the last Mercurialist. The Ecclesiasticall persons,The Ecclesi­asticall per­sons. held and accounted them for principall Pillers of the Church, that were the greatest burners. As touching the third estate, the great charges and troubles of warres forepast, had wholly bereaued them of al liuely feeling, and moouing.

Two parties.In the Court were two parts, the one, those that held with the Constable: the other the Guisians. The Princes of the blood, had almost no care of the Common-wealth, nor yet of their owne affaires. The Queene-mother an Ita­lian, Florentine, of the familie of Medicis, and one that in 22. yeares, wherin she had continued in France, had some good time to knowe the humours both of the one, and the other, and behaued her selfe in such sort, that shee onely ruled.

Those of Guise.Which to attaine, and desiring wholly to driue away the Constable, whom shee did most suspect, shee held on the other side, and placed seruants about the King of Nauarre, by them to know and vnderstand his minde. Assoone as king Henry was deceased, the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall of Lorraine, led the King and his brethren, with the Queenes vnto the Louure, leauing the Prince of the Blood, the Constable, the Marshall, the Admirall, with diuers o­ther knights of the Order, and Lords, that held with the Constable, to attend vppon the dead body. The beginning of the raigne of this young Prince, pro­mised much, when suddainly they beheld Francis Oliuier, a man of great repu­tation,Francis Oli­uier, restored to be Chan­cellor. restored againe vnto his place of Chauncellor, & that had been put out of the place, by meanes of the Duches of Valentinois, that wholly ruled the de­ceased king: they were in further hope, whē they perceiued this Duches to be wholly out of credit: for that assoone as he was dead, they caused her to yeeld vp the keyes of the kings closet, with all his precious Iewels, that then were giuen vnto the Queene Regent.

But this was onely a particular quarrell betweene women, for in truth, the Duches during king Henries life, had been in all mens sight as Queen of France. The Queen-mother that hated her extreamly, was very glad to see her whol­ly dispoyled and driuen out of the Court, contenting her selfe therewith, not to leese the fauour of those of Guise, who although they onely had their ad­uancement by the Duches meanes, perceiuing her to bee as a rotten plancke, left her, to pleasure themselues another way. They sent Bertrand (from whom the seales were taken) vnto Rome, and tooke from d'Auancon the ruling of the Treasures:Bertrand keeper of the Seales, dis­charged of his office. neuerthelesse, hee continued still in the Court, as beeing too well acquainted with their affaires, and as yet it was not necessary to compell him to accept of any new partie. The Marshall of S. Andre, aduanced by the fauours of King Henry, to whom he was a secret seruant, and wholly fatned by the con­fiscations of the goods of those of the religion, and by borrowings, neuer to be repayed, hauing made offer of all that hee had, to the house of Guise, was re­ceiued into their band.

The Consta­ble sent homeThe Constable perceiuing, that the king in open Parliament, had decla­red, that his meaning was, that from thence foorth al men should haue recourse touching matters of estate, the crowne, and of his house, vnto his two Vncles, the Duke of Guise, and the Cardinall of Lorraine: and that by consequent, his mortall enemie entered into his place, and doing that, which wholly apper­teined to his offices, of Constable, and Great-Maister of France: yea, and in the presence of the Spaniards, and other straungers, who before had made so much account of him: about eight daies after the kings death, went to present himselfe vnto the king, deliuering vppe the seales, to him committed by King Henry: and hauing been certified from the king, that the charge of the treasures, and other affaires concerning the estate, were as then committed to the Cardi­nall: and to the Duke of Guise, the commandement of all things that belonged vnto the warres, and that for his part, the king permitted him leaue to depart, and go vnto his house: saying, hee still retained him of his Councell, and that whensoeuer hee would come vnto the Court, hee should bee welcome: he thāked the king for suffring him so to retire, beseeching him, that as touching his comming vnto the Councell, his Maiestie would excuse him, for two cau­ses: the one, because hee could not serue vnder such men, ouer whom he had alwaies commaunded: the other, for that beeing holden and accounted for an olde and simple man, his counsell would not bee necessarie: otherwise, he of­fered [Page 55]both life and goods to serue the King. Which done, he went to see the Queene mother, that handled him very rudely: reproching him, that he in pre­sence of the king, with smiling countenance should say, that he had neuer a childe that in any thing resembled him, but onely his bastard-daughter, that married with the Marshall de Montmorency. Yet for the loue of her deceased king and husband, she said she was content to remit her owne particular quar­rell: for which, if it pleased her, she could haue caused him to loose his head: yet she exhorted him, not altogither to leaue the Court, but to come thither sometimes. He denied the accusation which she alledged touching her chil­dren, affirming it to be false: desiring her to haue in remembrance the many seruices by him done to her, and to the Realme, and not to regard the euill re­port of such as were his enemies, that shuld not do him all the mischief which they pretended. And so hauing taken his leaue, and brought his maister vnto his Tombe, he withdrew himselfe vnto his house.

The Prin­ces of the blood scatte­red.Touching the Princes of the blood, the Prince of Conde was sent into Flan­ders, there to confirme the peace: to whom was deliuered a thousand Crownes to beare his charges. The Prince of la Roche Suryon, was sent thither likewise to beare the order of France vnto the king of Spaine, and at his returne, appointed with the Cardinal of Burbon, to cōduct the Princesse Elizabeth into Spain. The Parlimēts, were appointed at the good pleasure of those of Guise. The Cardinal de Turnō, an old enimy to the Cōstable, & to al those of the religiō, was repealed from Rome, reestablished of y^e priuy councel:The Kings Officers of his house chaunged. part of the old officers of the kings house were discharged: part sent home vnto their houses, with half their pen­sions, to giue place to others. And to cōclude, there staied not one in the Court that fauoured the Constable. The Prouinces of the Realme, and the frontier Townes were filled with Guisians: and all Gouernours and men of warre com­maunded to obey the Duke of Guise, as the king himselfe. All the Parliaments were aduertised,Those of Guise haue charge of all. that the Cardinall had the whole ordering and disposing of the treasures, and of the estate. The Queene Mother, aduanced aboue all, ob­tained the monies proceeding of the confirmation of Offices, and the priui­ledges of Townes and corporations: whereof shee gaue a part to whome it pleased her: although such summes ought not of right to be exacted, vnlesse the Crowne fall into an other braunch.

First Edicts.The first Edicts, were made against such as bare Armes: namely, Pistols, and Bastinadoes: then against long Cloakes, and great Hose. It was a common say­ing in euery mans mouth, that the Cardinall was a fearefull man, if there were euer any in all the world: hauing vnderstood by a certaine Magician in Rome, that by enuie, and then when he should be most in credit, his enemies would cause him to be slaine with a Bastianado: for that cause hee had procured that Edict, being alwaies in great distrust, euen at the time when all men were in most subiection to him. Among so many affaires, the 14. of Iuly, Letters Pat­tents from the king, confirmed the Commission vnto the Iudges, appointed to proceed in iudgement against Anne du Bourg, Proces a­gainst Anne de Bourg, and other prisoners. and foure other Councellours that were committed to prison. Du Bourg, stedfast in religion, was hotly pursu­ed. Bertrand, Cardinall and Archbishop of Siens, beeing one of the principall wheeles of this criminall Chariot: and the Cardinall of Lorraine the leader ther­of. Those of the religion, perceiuing themselues to be at the point of a more violent persecution, by expresse Letters vnto the Queene, besought her, by her authoritie, to commaund the leauing off to persecute them, in such great [Page 56]rigor. Shee promised the Prince of Conde, Madame de Roy his mother in lawe, and to the Admirall, to cause the persecutions for to cease, so they would leaue their assembling togither,The Queen-mother pro­miseth to doo for those of the religion. and that euery man wold liue according to his own conscience, secretly, and not to the hurt of others. Shee had been most earnest­ly mooued by the letters of one named Villemadon, that knew great part of his secrets, putting her in minde of her great affection vnto pittie, at such time as shee was barren, exhorting her, not to withdrawe the Princes of the blood from the mannaging of the affaires of the estate, thereby to aduance and make Kings the house of Guise. Those letters were written the 26. day of August, and wrought with so great effect, that from thenceforward for a certaine time, the Queene seemed to hearken vnto the comfort and ease of those of the religion: meane time, those of Guise, to make their gouernment seeme agreeable to al the people, and to leese nothing, in the kings name published letters of the reuo­cation of all alienations made,Alienations made by king Henry, reuo­ked. as well for life, as yeares, beeing for recompen­ces of any seruices past, except those sales, whereof the monies had beene im­ployed for the kings great & vrgent affaires, the Dowries of the kings daugh­ters, and that of the late Queene Ellenor, which as then the Princesse of Portin­gall enioyed: the rest to be revnited vnto the Kings domaines, & ordinary re­ceipts. This reuocation was a Bowe to certaine Princes, great Lords, and no­table personages: who by such pollicie were defeated of their seruices, and all rewards made vnto them, by the late deceased King. On the other side, such as were in fauour with the house of Guise, obtained other letters of exemption, and by that meanes, some were put out, and others kept possession, or else ob­tained some other new place.

The king of Nauarre so­licited to come to the Court, rideth thither.The Constable perceiuing the King would die, had sent vnto the King of Nauarre, to counsell him with all speede to repaire vnto the Court, and to ceise vppon the gouernment of the young King, before any other. This Prince not greatly desirous to deale with such affaires, and as then somewhat distrusting the Constable, stirred not, giuing those of Guise the meanes & leisure to thrust themselues into his place, but certaine Princes & Lords, moouing him againe, hee beganne to hearken vnto it, communicating the same to foure of his prin­cipall Councellours, being Iarnac, the Bishop of Mande, President of his Coun­cell, Descars his Chamberlin, and Bouchart his Chancellour, who were of ad­uise, that without longer delay, he should ride vnto the Court: whereof those of Guise beeing aduertised, promised hilles and mountaines to Mande, and De­scars, if they could finde the meanes to staye him: they mooued therewith, staying till their maister was on horsebacke, and onward of his iourney, began to diswade him, shewing him of certaine imminent daungers that were not to bee shunned, by seeking to stand too much vppon his degree, and that hee ought to proceede therein by indifferent meanes, without seeking to hazard himselfe, and to winne the good report and fauour of all men: vpon this coun­sell beeing come to Poictiers, where diuers Princes & Noblemen went to meet him, hee shewed many resolutions, and gaue good hope and comfort vnto the Ministers of the Churches, specially those in Parris, Orleans, and Tours, de­siring him, that they might as yet bee ayded and assisted, touching that which concerned the open profession of religion.What enter­tainment hee had. The first disliking shewed vnto him, when hee approached neare the Court, beeing at S. Germain in Laye, was, that his furriers found no place for him within the Castle: and that the Duke of Guise said vnto his Marshall, that it should cost him his life, and tenne [Page 57]thousand more with him, before any man should take the place and lodging which the king had giuen him, to be neare vnto his person. The second, that not any of the Court, went to meet and receiue him, as the manner is, special­ly to the Princes of the blood. The third, that being gone to do his dutie to the Queene-mother, and after, to the king: those of Guise, in stead of going to im­brace and bid him welcome, stayed til he went vnto them: and was constrained to accept the lodging of the Marshall of S. Andre, who after the courtly man­ner, had offered it vnto him, not thinking to be so soone taken at his word. The fourth, that the next day, in stead of being warned to sit in counsell, no man was sent vnto him, eyther to salute him, or once to see what he did. The fift, that at the end of three or foure daies, the king called him aside, shewing him, that his Vncles the Duke of Guise, and the Cardinall of Lorraine, had the whole charge of all affaires committed vnto them: and that whosoeuer would seeke to please him, must obey them in all things whatsoeuer. But touching his pensi­ons and estates, hee confirmed them vnto him, assuring him, that whensoeuer he would come vnto the Court, hee should be heartily welcome. Diuers of the king of Nauarres traine, perceiuing that he had quietly swallowed all those pilles, withdrewe themselues, or else claue to the surest side: as Iarnac, that ioyned with those of Guise. Within fewe daies after, this Prince went vnto Saint Dennis, there to accomplish certaine ceremonies accustomed after the death of king Henry: which done, he went to Parris, accompanied with his brother the Prince of Conde, and some others, but not many: and beeing there, hee soun­ded the aduise and minds of some, whom he esteemed to be well affected vn­to the Realme, but he could not perceiue any thing by them.

Sacrying of the King as Reims.Those of Guise following on their course, vpon the 18. of September, cau­sed the king to be sacred at Reims: and presently after, the Queene-mother sent the Admirall, and the Cardinall of Chastillon, to the Constable, to intreat him to resigne his place of Great-maister, vnto the Duke of Guise: to whom the yeare before, king Henry had flatly denied it, in exchange whereof, she promised him one of the offices of Marshals of France, for his eldest son.The Consta­ble resigneth his estate of great mai­ster, and the Admirall his gouernment, which was gi­uen to Brissae The Constable resig­ned that office wholly into the kings hāds, & got the other with al speed to be giuen vnto his son: & the Duke of Guise was presently inuested therwith. The Admirall being Gouernour of Picardie, perceiuing that they sought to put him out, and that for the same cause, they had assayed to set diuision betweene him and the Prince of Conde, and that they beganne to cut off some part of the mo­ny that should bee imployed about the charges of the necessary fortifications of the Frontier-townes, thereby to bring him in disgrace, and so to thrust him out with shame: preuented them, and shewed the king, that the same gouern­ment for many reasons, belonged to the Prince of Gonde, whose ancestors had long time held it. He had no sooner spoken the word, but they presently tooke him thereat, as touching the resignation, but not concerning the prouision: for that in stead of giuing it to the Prince, those of Guise got thē a new participant, bestowing it vpon the Marshall de Brissac. While in this sort,Writings a­gainst the rule of stran­gers. they vsed both the Princes, and great Lords, the meaner sort could not be content, for that by di­uers printed pamphlets, whereof some were directed to the Queen-mother, some in taunting verse, and some in prose, both by the behauiors past and pre­sent, they fully discouered the intent of those of Guise, A Target against those deuises. whom they printed forth in all their colours: they by those dealings, perceiuing some secret matter working, & that their authoritie was but weakly built, begā to think better vp­pō it: which was the cause that at one time, they made 18. knights of the order: [Page 58]whereof sprang the common saying, that the order of France is a collor for e­uery beast. And because in those writings it was noted, that to preuent such disorders, it would bee necessarie to assemble and call a Parliament of all the estates of the land: they perswaded the king, to hold him whatsoeuer he were, for a mortall enemie to his authoritie, and guiltie of treason, that should once speake, or mooue the question to bridle it, or to appoynt a Protector ouer him: that they were but practises and deuises, of such as liued discontent, solicited therevnto by Hereticques, that onely sought to ouerthrowe and spoyle the religion of his fathers.

Meanes to interrupt the Parliament.The Queene-mother likewise, no lesse then they, doubted the assembly of this Parliament, and at that time, things were so gouerned, that the King of Spaine wrote letters to the King his brother in lawe, which were openly read in the Councel-chamber, the king of Nauarre being present: wherin (he said) hee vnderstood, that certaine mutunous, and rebellious persons, inforced thē ­selues to mooue and stirre vp troubles, thereby to change the gouernment of the Realme, as if the king as then raigning, were not sufficient and capable thereof, and to giue the charge to whom it pleaseth him, without the consent and will of others, or of any his subiects, that for his part, hee would imploye his whole forces, to maintaine the authoritie of the King, and of his officers whatsoeuer: yea, & that it shuld cost both his, and fortie thousand mens liues, alreadie prepared, if any man were so bolde to attempt the contrary: for that hee bare him such affection,The King of Spaines de­claration. (as hee said) that from thencefoorth, hee decla­red himselfe both Tutor, and Protector of him and of his Realme, as also of his affaires, which hee no lesse regarded then his owne. Not long after, the king of Nauarre returned vnto Bearg.

Petitions to the Queene, and what en­sued.The pursuites against the Councellor du Bourg, proceeding, moued those of the religion in Parris, to present a petition to the Queen-mother, exhorting her vnto her dutie, withall, setting downe and threatning the vengeance of God, and the daunger that might ensue, by meanes of those so hard and rigo­rous dealings: which in the end, might turne vnto great troubles. At the first, she aunswered them with an angrie countenance, but in the end, she became somewhat milder, making shew to desire to see one of the Ministers of Parris, to conferre with him. Madame de Roy prouided one, and this Minister went as farre as Reims, where hee stayed a certaine time, but neuer could speake with her, but shee still found some excuse, when any man tolde her of him. Besides du Bourg, about the end of this yeare, diuers were imprisoned within Parris for the religion, and their houses pilled and robbed, as if it had beene in a Towne taken by assault: witnesses beeing seduced,Slaunders and false wit­nesse against those of the religion. to protest and verifie, that in a cer­taine assembly made vppon the Thursday before Easter, in the place of Man­bert, at a Councellours house, great numbers of Lutherians, men, women, and maides, after the sermon and solemnisation of their Sabbaoth, had eaten a Pig in stead of the Pascal-lambe, and that the candles being put out, euery man tooke his woman, and had his pleasure with her.

The Cardinall by these informations, mooued all the Court: but the Queene-mother for that cause, hauing spoken against certaine of her Gentle­women, that were of the religion, they found the meanes that in her presence, the two principall witnesses were examined, beeing two young boyes, who said and affirmed, both then and many times before, they had had their plea­sures [Page 59]of that Councellours daughters: but in fine, they began to stagger, and couertly to deny in neuerthelesse, the accusation and proces went forward, and because that at the taking of the prisoners, there had beene some resistance in the subburbes of S. Germaine, they sent from house to house, to search for all their weapons, and tooke them away, not leauing them so much as a knise, which were carried into the house of Guise.

The Councellour so shamefully slandered, went with his wife and daugh­ters, and yeelded himselfe prisoner,Innocency found, but in no sort main­tained, as it appeareth. where the daughters were sound to bee Virgins: but without doing iustice vppon the false witnesses, and such as had procured them, by vertue of a certaine edict that set prisoners at libertie, which were accused for religion, and notwithstanding their complaints and declara­tions, they were in a manner forcibly thrust out of the place: and while they were holden prisoners, diuers were burnt wiihin Parris, and other Townes, onely for the religion, which among all those troubles did much increase.

A declarati­on against the authori­tie vsurped by strangers.On the other side, hatred increased both from great and small, against the house of Guise. About the end of October, a Proclamation was made touching the assembly of a Parliament: wherein was prooued, that it appertained vnto the Parliament, to prouide for the gouernment of their kings that were in mi­noritie: that the king spake nothing, but by the mouthes of the Vncles of his wife: that the Cardinall of Lorraine, and the Duke of Guise, were vncapable of the Gouernment, the one beeing a Priest, and a creature of the Pope, the o­ther and all his familie, euen in the life of the late deceased king, hauing beene so bolde, to say that the Realme belonged to the house of Lorraine, as issued from the race of Charlemaigne, vpon the which Hugh Capet had vsurped: that they had manisestly striuen for certain members thereof: as the Counte of Pro­nince, and the Duchie of Aniou: they set downe the lamentable effects of their ambition, in the breach of peace: and in the last voyage into Italie, cause of the ouerthrowe of the battell of S. Lawrence, and danger of all the Realme: which to auoyde, they were constrained to yeeld vppe all the conquests of Francis the first, and Henry the second: they forgot not likewise their exactions, their dea­ling with the treasures, and the great debts of the king.

Meanes to vphold that authoritie.They perceiuing that the king which beganne to growe vppe, gaue no great hope, eyther of long life, or issue, beganne likewise with more care to prouide for their affaires. They sought to obtaine and procure vnto them­selues, diuers seruants and friends in the Parliamant, inticed the Courtiers, and all the captaines and men of warre to fauour them, shewing a great zeale to the Romish religion, thereby to winne the hearts both of the spiritualtie, and the Cannons. And in the month of Nouember, to please them, a rigorous edict was published against the assemblies of those of the religion, who being found with the maner, were presently condemned to die, their houses rased, and great recompence promised vnto such as should disclose their assemblies. These edicts published, the persecution followed, but the spies beeing abashed of themselues, there were other edicts published against all those that fauoured any of the religion, and that once seemed to abash eyther the Iudges, or the witnesses in any such proces.

The Presi­dent Minard and Iulian Forme stain.The eighteenth of December, Anthony de Minard, President in the Par­liament of Parris, was slaine with a Pistole, as in the euening he returned from the place, to go to his house, but it could neuer bee knowne from whence it [Page 60]came, no more then of the death of Iulian Ferme, Agent for the house of Guise, slaine hard by Chambourg where the king laye, and sound with certaine notes and memorials, cocerning the liues of certaine notable personages, some were imprisoned, and in great danger for the death of Minard: and among the rest, one Stuard a Scot, who (although he was of the linage of the Queen as then raigning) was cruelly tortured: yet could they not drawe any thing from him, that once might preiudice himselfe, or any other.

About this time, the Elector Palatin, hauing sent his Ambassadour vnto the king, to craue that the Councellour du Bourg might bee giuen to him, to serue him in the towne of Heidelberg: the Cardinal being greatly moued at the death of Minard, wrote vnto the Court of Parliament, that they should presently proceed with their proces against du Bourg: but before it proceeded so farre, ex­presse Proclamations were once againe made and published against bearing of armes.

Anne de Bourg exe­cuted for re­ligion.The 20. of December, Anne de Bourg hauing constantly perseuered in the consession of the faith, concerning those poynts, which at this day are in con­trouersie and debate touching religion, was degraded: and the next day, the Iudges caused to the number of sixe or seuen hundreth men, as well horse as footemen, and all armed, to set vppe Gibbets, and to carry wood into all the places of Parris there vnto appoynted. And in this sort, vpon the 23. of the same moneth, du Bourg was led to S. Iohn in Greue, and there hanged: which done, his bodie was burnt and consumed to ashes. Presently after, other were burnt in Parris, and many other places, for the religion, and many meanes inuented to massacre such as passed along the streets, not doing reuerence vnto the Ima­ges, as then newly set vppe at all the corners of the streets, and euery passenger was constrained to contribute their money to the boxes presented vnto them, therewith to beare the charge of the waxe-candies,Extraordi­nary rigors. that were set vppe to burne before them, otherwise it cost thē their liues. They went likewise from house to house, to gather mony for the maintenance of the officers, and suings of proces, against such as were found faultie therein: and whosoeuer refused or delayed to put his hand into his purse, sped but hardly for it.

The vsurpa­tion of the in­supportable dealings of the house of Guise, awa­ked the French men.These proceedings altogither vnsupportable, the threatnings against the greatest personages in the Realme, the putting backe of the Princes and princi­pall Lords of the Realme, the despising of the Estates of the land, the corrup­tions of the Courts of Parliament, adicted to the part of the newe and straunge Gouernours, that ruled both the king and Queene, the common treasors, the offices, and the benefices diuided and giuen at their commaundement, and to whom it pleased them, their violent, and of it selfe vnlawsull gouernment a­gainst the lawes of the land, and the order of the Realme, mooued most great and maruellous hatreds against the Duke of Guise, and the Cardinal of Lorraine, and caused that diuers not being able longer to indure so great oppression, be­ganne to vnite themselues to gither, thereby to determine vppon some iust de­fence, that so they might erect the auncient and law full gouernment of the land. Whervpon counsell was asked (both touching lawe and conscience) of diuers Lawyers and Diuines: wherof the greatest part concluded, that men might lawfully oppose and resist against the gouernment vsurped by those of Guise, and if need were, take armes, thereby to repulse and withstand their violences, so that the Princes who in that case are borne as lawful Magistrates, [Page 61]or ony one of them would take the matter vppon him, beeing therevnto re­quired by all the Estates of the land, or else by the greatest part thereof. The first, that with earnest zeale determined vppon this matter of so great conse­quence, were not all of one opinion: for some of them mooued with a true zeale of seruing God, the king, and the Realme, beleeued verily, that they could not do a more iust and vpright worke, then to procure the abolition of Ferrany, and the reestablishment of the Estate, and withall, to open the way to some meanes of comfort and reliese to those of the religion. There were some that were desirous of change, and the rest prouoked by euill will and hatred conceiued against those of the house of Guise, for hauing done some wrong and outrage, eyther against themselues, their friends, or allies. But in effect, their onely and finall intent, was, to inforce themselues wholly to worke the meanes to cease that vnlawfull gouernment, and that the Estate of the realme might bee established as it ought to bee. But for that in this intent, both gene­rall, lawfull, and commendable, there chanced diuers particular and defectiue discourses, it is not to bee wondred at, if that there happened a confusion in the pursuit, and that if the euent fell out but badly, for those that tooke it in hand, specially such as mixed their particular passions, with the consideration of the common profit of the land. For as touching those that onely determined to release and free the Realme of France from the yoake of strangers, although the greatest part of them are dead in the pursuite thereof, as well then, as since that time, in the raignes of the two kings ensuing, and that as yet, that debate not being determined, yet are they gon out of this world, with that most singu­lar contentment in their mindes, to haue most couragiously sacrificed and yeel­ded vppe their liues, to reduce their countrie into a true, spiritual, and corpo­rall libertie.

Difficultie, in a great enterprise.In these first enterprises, there appeared an other great and doubtfull diffi­cultie, which was, how they should beginne to addresse themselues vnto the king, for that besides his minoritie, hee had no great vnderstanding, and it was impossible to speake vnto himselfe about such affaires, considering his whole affection & desire was, to bend himselfe vnto the counsel of those two whom they sought to withdrawe and separate from him. To present the matter vnto his priuie Councell, would be as much, as to allowe their aduersaries to bee their Iudges, and so euidently to worke their own confusion: to haue recourse vnto the Parliaments, it would lesse auaile, and yet more daungerous: so that in fine, the surest way was found to bee, by ceising vppon the persons of the Duke of Guise, and the Cardinall of Lorraine, by some deuise, and vnder the name of some one, or some number of the principall members of the Estate, to demaund an assembly of a Parliament, to the end, that they two might there yeeld an account of the administration of the affaires of the land. Where­vppon Lois de Bourbon, Prince of Conde, was most instantly desired to hearken therevnto, and by that meanes to hinder and impeach the to tall ruine, both of the king and Queene.

The Prince of Conde much affec­ted to the good of the king, and of his Realme.And as some haue lightly thought and written, that all this whole pro­ceeding, after named the tumult of Amboise, had been an enterprise of men, wholly rash, seditious, enemies to God and the Estate, prouoked by dispaire, and induced by fury: so is it found & esteemed by others, euil affected vnto the house & memorie of this Prince, that durst presume to charge him to haue bin [Page 62]mooued and pushed forward, with some particular affection that entered into his minde, and that it was but a meere quarrell against the house of Guise, which by that meanes hee sought to end, and after that, to mooued some greater change: but not to turne this smal Cronicle, into a large Apologie: it shall suf­fice, simply to rehearse those things, which for the most part, are fresh and in the memorie, of many a Frenchman as then liuing, and such as were borne since, and hauing beene faithfully informed thereof: for, as for men that are partiall, who to gratifie such as held the sword ouer their heades, while they caused the bookes (wherein most impertinently they handle this matter) to bee imprinted, without saying woorse by them, both the world present, and to come, will wholly reiect their witnesse, as full of euident and meere passion, and cleane repugnant to the truth: and will auouch, that the Prince therein shewed himselfe to be a true Frenchman, and most affectionate friend vnto the good and seruice both of the king and Realme.

The Prince then, with his most secret Councell, hauing long and delibe­rately thought and consulted vppon this poynt, wherein hee was desired to be assistant: as in truth the sequell therof required: first gaue expresse charge and commission, to certaine wise, expert, and well approoued friends, secretly, carefully, and exactly, to inquire, what were the principall thinges that might bee imposed against those of Guise, which beeing knowne, with a good and safe conscience hee might looke into that which should redownd, vnto the good both of the king, and of his Realme. The informations made, it was found and well known, by men, both of person and quallitie, and such as were indifferent, that they might well and lawfully bee charged with diuers poynts of treason, as also with an infinit number of pillings and interceptions, as well of the treasures of the Common-wealth, as of particular persons. And among other notable crimes, he was assured and offered to haue it iustified, by such as in a maner had beene their houshold seruants, that they ment to cease vppon the Realme,Abreefe col­lection of the informations made against those of Guise. and put all the Princes of the blood to death, assoone as they once had fully exterped those of the religion: determining in short space to rid themselues of all their enemies, hauing alreadie vnderstood by the Phisi­tians, that the king could not liue long, neither yet haue issue: which in mans iudgement might easilie be effected, considering that those of Guise, had both iustice, mony, strong Townes, men of warre, and the people at their comman­dement.

Monsieur Renaudie vndertaketh the charge to cease vpon the bodies of the Guisians.The question was, these informations beeing made, how the persons of those parties so charged, might bee taken and ceased vpon. This was the diffi­cultie which Godfrey de la Remaudie, surnamed la Forest, Barron de Perigot, and a Gentleman of an ancient house, vndertooke to resolue, accepting the manna­ging thereof vnder the authoritie of the Prince, who in person promised to bee at the day, and in in the place, where, and when, those of Guise should so bee taken: vppon condition, that nothing should bee sayd, enterprised, nor done, in any sort whatsoeuer, eyther against God, the king, his bretheren, the Princes, nor the Estate: that in doing otherwise, hee would himselfe bee he, that first should seeke for to oppose against al those that vndertooke the contra­ry: which conclusion was made about the end of the yeare 1559.

1560.The Lady Elizabeth of France, married vnto the King of Spaine, departed from the Court of Blois, about the beginning of December, beeing conducted [Page 63]by the king her brother, and the Queene her mother, as farre as Chastellerault and Poictiers, and keeping on her way with the Cardinall of Bourbon, the Prince de la Roche Suryon, and other great Lords, into Gascon: at Bourdeax the King of Nauarre met her, and so ledde her with great honour through his countries, keeping her companie vntill hee entered vppon the borders of Spaine, The Ladie Elizabeth le [...]de into Spaine. where she was receiued by the Noblemen and Lords, appointed by king Philip, who with great pompe and magnificence, they led vnto their Maister, about the be­ginning of this yeare.

An order for prouision of Offices.The first of Ianuarie, a Proclamation was made in the kings name, for the prouision of Iudiciall offices, the nomination of the offices beeing committed vnto the Iudges, and the Kings officers: who nominating three persons for each office, they should giue their names vnto the king, that out of them hee might chuse him, whom hee iudged to bee fit and capable for the place. But this was but an ordinance in paper, and wholly without effect, as many others had been: the same moneth, and the next, the proces against the Councellors,Coucellors holden priso­ners, released. la Porte, de Foix, du Faut, and Fumee, that had beene comitted prisoners, with Anna du Bourg, were ended, and all they for a small fine, were set at libertie. They vsed all the meanes they could, to condemne the Councellour Fumee, but hee behaued himselfe so well and wifely, against all the Iudges, and other his aduersaries, that in the end, hee wound himselfe out of their hands.

Assembly at Nautes.But to returne to that which is more important: The first of February, la Renaudie with a great number of the Nobilitie, and others of all the Prouinces of the Realme, met at Nautes, where vnder colour of soliciting certaine pro­ces in the Parliament of Britaigne, which as then was holden therein, they as­sembled, where after certaine inuocations vpon the name of God, al before re­cited, was there by Renaudie exposed and declared. And after diuers of thē had giuen their iudgements, and esteemed the enterprise to be both iust & neces­sary: one among therest required, that before they gaue their promise, each of them should sweare, and solemnely vowe to God, not to enterprise or do a­ny thing against the authoritie of the king, or the Estate of France, protesting for his part, that if he might perceiue it, that euen when the execution should bee brought to effect, hee would aduertise the king, and sooner suffer himselfe to bee slaine before his face, then to indure that any thing should bee done, to preiudice his person, that being iudged by thē al, to be most reasonable & iust, euery man swore, not to attempt any thing, but onely for the good, profit, and moditie of their king and naturall Lord: as also the beginning of the Articles of their accord, was framed in these words: Protestation made by the head,The solemne protestation of the confe­derates. and al his Councell, not to attempt any thing against the Maiestie of the King, Prin­ces of the blood, nor the lawfull State of France.

After all their consents giuen, they determined vppon that which was most requisit for the execution: where Renaudie hauing shewed them his minde, sware and made all the company to sweare. And among them it was agreed, that vpō the tenth of March, the apprehension of those of Guise should bee performed, within the Towne of Blois, where they presumed the King would still remaine.

Fiue of these Gentlemen of each Prouince, with other forces, were to ac­company Renaudie, vnder the conduct of the Barron of Chastelnau and others, for the troupes of all the Prouinces.

They likewise prouided for many other things, that might impeach this great and hautie enterprise. The company beeing withdrawne, euery man with his commission,Order giuen for the exe­cution. and the place of meeting agreed vppon, vppon the last of Febru­arie, Renaudie hauing aduertised the Prince what had beene done at Nantes, hee tooke exact order, and that in great diligence, and almost incredible, for all that was to bee required therein, on his behalfe: and not long after, beeing come to Parris, there with more commoditie to effect his promise, he laye in the subburbes of S. Germaine, with a certain Councellor of the Court of Parlia­ment, named Des Auenelles, that had a house furnished after the manner of Par­ris. This Auenelles that made profession of religion, perceiuing much resort of many seueral persons into his house,Des Aue­nelles disco­uered the enterprise against those of Guise. & vnderstāding somwhat by their words, in the end, hee fully perceiued their intent: so that he likewise promised them to imployed himselfe therein: but hauing with himselfe apprehended the dan­ger, hee beeing poore, couetous, and desirous of aduancement, thought to haue found the meanes to helpe himselfe, and with another of the same hu­mour, went to one of the Maisters of Requests, called l'Alemant, Agent for the Cardinall, and Milet, Secretarie to the Duke of Guise, to whom he shewed the whole pretence.

How the Guisians pro­uided for themselues.The matter proceeding in this sort, those of Guise, the Chancellor, and the Queene, were made acquainted therewith: and Des Auenelles hauing had some reward, was sent frō Blois to Parris, there to giue out false reports against those of the religion. Besides that, those of Guise sent letters in the name of the king, and of his mother, vnto the Admirall and his brethren, to will them to come vnto the Court.

They likewise gathered people on all sides, and wrote vnto all Bailiffes and Seneschales, to stay all men, both horse and foote, that should bee found bea­ring of armes, and trauelling to Amboise. Touching the Admirall, hee beeing arriued, made great protestation vnto the Queen-mother, in presence of the Chancellor, touching the great and extreame rigors, vsed against those of the religion, desiring her to cause those persecutions to bee ended, till they might haue a holy and free councell. Where vppon the Chauncellor did so liuely set down the Admirals aduise before the Councell, the Guisians beeing present,Edist of abo­lition, tou­ching religi­on. that presently there ensued an edict of abolition of all forepassed ordinanced concerning the religion, excluding out of that pardon, the Ministers, and such as should be found to haue conspired against the king, his mother, his wife, the Princes, his principall officers, and the Estate, also such as by force had rescued prisoners out of the Officers handes, and taken the kings packets, and slaine his messengers. This edict was made in the beginning of March, which notwithstanding la Renaudie left not off to pursue his enterprise, although hee knewe it well to bee disclosed.

The Prince ryding vnto the Court, to shewe the King and his Councell, the information giuen against those of Guise, assoone as they should be taken, and to require a Parliament of all the estates, being betweene Orleans and Blois, hee vnderstood that all had beene discouered, which notwithstanding he pas­sed forward, thereby to encourage his men. And beeing arriued at Amboises those of Guise braued him, as much as possible they might: but hee making a shewe, as if hee knewe not what they ment, put them in no little feare.

The chaunging of place, caused la Renaudie to stay in a place called la Carre­liere, [Page 65] The maruel­lous resolutiō of la Renau­die & others. Lignieres discouereth the enterpriseabout 6. myles from Amboise, with the principall of his Councell, & the day of executiō was appoynted to be vpō the 6. of that month, in such sort, that those of Guise, although they knewe thereof, had found themselues in no small daunger, with all their adberents, had it not been for Captaine Lignieres: who approaching neare Amboise, to bee assistant at the enterprise, instead of ayding them, went vnto the Court, and there particularly described the names of the Leaders, their meeting-place, with all the circumstances.

The Queen-mother alledging for his excuse, that hee did it to saue the honour of the Prince, whom hee perceiued to be wrongfully accused of trea­son, and thereby in daunger of his life: by which meanes, the company was no sooner arriued at the place appoynted, but that they were taken and ledde prisoners, one after the other, not once being able to ioyne themselues togi­ther: those of Guise in the meane time, assembled men on all sides, (which fell out well for them) discouered diuers Pistoles and other weapons brought in Trunkes, which were presently ceased vpon: and by that means, they brought the prisoners by dozens and scores, into Amboise: wherevppon the twentieth of March, all the kings guard were changed, and the Gate where the com­panies of Renaudie and his troupes should haue entered, was closed vp. The Barron de Chastelnau, and Captaine Mazieres, beeing arriued in the subburbes of la Riche in Tours, and there discoued,What happe­ned to the Baron de Chastelnau and his com­pany. were set vpon by the Counte de Sancer­re, but hauing resisted him, as hee thought to cease vppon them, hee was con­strained in all haste to retire, and yet without any hurt, eyther to him or his: from thence, the Barron and his companie went to the Castle of Noisay, where hee found the principall dealers in that enterprise.

Those of Guise hauing made the king beleeue, that certaine rebells were assembled to murther him, hee sent the Duke de Nemours with a troupe of men, who hauing surprised Raunay and Mazieres, walking without the Castle, tooke them prisoners: many of their men saued themselues, some one way, some an another. Nemours hauing inuironed the Castle with a strong guard, & brought them two vnto Amboise, after dinner returned againe, with a troupe of fiue or sixe hundreth horses.

The Barron had sent Renaudie, to make haste to come to relieue him, not minding to abandon the place, wherein hee found both armes, powder, and munition. But perceiuing himselfe inclosed, and the Duke returned againe, hee beganne to parley, being required therevnto, and hauing at large declared the causes of that their enterprise, the Duke oftentimes desired him to leaue his armes, and to come and speake with the king, binding himselfe vnto him by the faith of a Prince, that neyther hee, nor any of his, should once be hurt, but all freely set at libertie. The Barron assuring himselfe vppon the word of a Prince, was content to doo as hee desired, the like did all the rest. But beeing in Amboise, they spake not vnto any man, but onely to such as the Duke of Guise would send vnto them.

La Renaudie, the same day being aduertised what had past at Noisay, com­maunded the troupes that were beyond the riuer, to march straight vnto Am­boise, which they did within the wood, but beeing stayed and intrapped,The troupes sent by Re­naudie taken and surprised. by the horsemen sent thither by those of Guise, most of them were taken: who be­ing ledde prisoners, were presently hanged, and then cast into the water: those that were best apparrelled, and likeliest men, were slaine within the woods, to [Page 66]spoyle them of that they had. Therest of the troupes stayed for in the place appoynted were taken, and the Souldiers were tyed by 15. in a companie at horses tailes, and so cast into prison.

The Duke of Guise king in effect.Therevppon, the 17. of March letter were sent out, by the which, af­ter a long discourse made against the prisoners of Amboise, the Duke of Guise was by the king, declared his Lieftenant Genenerall, with all power to raise in, both foote & horse, therewith to punish the rebelles, without any other forme or manner of Iustice. Other letters were sent out the same day, with commmaundement vnto al those that were in armes, readie to come vnto Am­boise, beeing aduertised by their leaders,Meanes to dispearse the troupes. and vppon their faiths giuen, should within 24. houres after the sight of those letters, depart and get them home in­to their countries, vpon paine to bee hanged, if they once presumed to do the contrary.

The death of Renaudie.The next day, as Renaudie sought to assemble his troupes, hee was met in the Forrest of the Castle Regnaut, by one named Pardillan, that shot a Pistole at him, but hauing fayled, Renaudie slewe him: but one of Pardillans seruaunts with a shot of a Caliuer, flewe Renaudie: his bodie was carried vnto Amboise, & hanged vppon the Bridge, with a writing made fast to his necke, containing these words: La Renaudie, called la Forest, chiefe of the rebels. The death of la Renaudie, was the cause that diuers of those which ment to assemble, separated themselues, and so retired. But no man made any great pursuite after them: Renaudie had with him fiue hundreth horse, followed by 1000. more, not ac­counting the footemen.

Among the rest of the prisoners, there was one la Bigne, that had beene Se­cretarie vnto la Renaudie, about whom was found a paper written in Ciphers: and to saue his lise, he disciphered the paper, which contained nothing but one­ly that which had been concluded by al the Associates, with their expresse pro­testation, not to attempt any thing against the kings Maiestie, the Princes of his blood, nor against the State of the Realme, the articles tending onely to this poynt: to take the Gouernment from those of Guise, and to cause the auncient custome of France to be obserued, by a lawfull Parliament. Hee was likewise found ceased with an humble petition vnto the king, in the behalfe of those of the religion: wherein the vniust proceedings of the Cardinall, against the Par­liament of Parris, & Anna du Bourg, with others, were fully discouered. Those of Guise at the first,The souldt-diers that were pri­soners re­leased. wold not haue saued any of the prisoners: but thinking that the ouer great number that should bee executed, would make them to be ha­ted of all men, caused the souldiers to bee set at libertie, and to each man they gaue a teston, to bring them on their way. The Captaines la Motte, Cocque­uille, and others, had not lost courage, but gaue a whot alarme vnto the Cour­tiers of Amboise, and had it not beene by meanes of some wrong intelligence, that constrained them to retire, without losse of their horsemen, the enterprise had surely been executed, but it was nothing but a meanes to kindle the chol­lor of those of Guise, who that last time caused all the footemen that might bee taken, presently to bee hanged, and as then it was a most daungerous time for all sorts of men, eyther souldiers, Marshants, or others, to bee found abroad without Amboise: for that the least hurt they could receiue, was presently to bee spoyled, and stripped of all they had, and then the theeues, who vnder co­lour to ayde the king (to whom a new guard was giuen, composed onely of such kinde of men, both horse and foote) committed most straunge and cruell extortions.

The first ex­ecution of the prisoners.Those of Guise, perceiuing the troupes that ment to cease vpon them to bee gone, and the rest in prison, and being ayded by those that from all places came to helpe them, beganne to make pursuit after such as were retiring, whereof some they tooke: they commaunded the Prince of Conde in the Kings name, not to depart from the Court without expresse licence, and beganne to hang, drowne, and behead their prisoners, which continued for the space of one whole moneth. All the riuer of Loire being couered with dead bodies, tyed by sixe, eight, tenne, twelue, and fifteene, at long Poles: the streetes of Amboise lay full of dead mens blood, and euery place was hanged with dead bodies: many were hanged at the windowes of the Castle, and to make men beleeue that all this proceeded onely from those of the religion, that sought to establish themselues by armes: they questioned with the greatest part of them, touching the Articles of their faith,The kings complaints against the Guisians. and disputed with them of the poynts of the religion now in controuersie, therby to blinde matters: and not once touching that which wholly concerned the Estate, and for which cause the enterprise was taken inhand.

Some that returned according to the kings permission, being intrapped, and brought prisoners to Blois: found frends, that sent vnto the king, & the Queen his mother, to procure their deliuerance, but by no meanes they could be spo­ken withall, the soliciters beeing threatned to bee cut and hewed in peeces, if they happened to present themselues before the king: he would oftentimes in weeping say vnto them: What haue I done vnto my people? what mean they to deale thus with mee? I will heare their complaints, and doo them iustice. Sometimes hee said to those of Guise: I knowe not what the matter is, but I vn­derstand they haue nothing to say but vnto you: I would that for a time you should absent your selues from hence, to the end, that men might see, if it bee against mee, or you, that they complaine.

They very cunningly, and presently, bandied such blowes, and to diuert the people from giuing credite vnto the demonstrations made touching the cause and iustification of their enterprise, they sent letters in the kings name, vnto all the Parliaments and Iudges of seuerall prouinces, wherein those of the religion were accused to haue conspired against the King,A combat of pennes a­gainst swords the Princes of the blood, and the Estate of the Realme, wherevnto was made a most large and ample aunswere, wherein all the dealings of those of Guise, were fully discoue­red, with plaine and most euident proofes against them, to bee guiltie of high treason, and not those that had assembled, to reduce the King and all his realme, into true and perfect libertie. There was likewise published an other pam­phlet, shewing by the example of Phillip de Commines, in the last chap. of his first booke, that such are open enemies vnto the Estate, that say it is treason to speake o [...] the assembly of a generall Parliament. And that it is the meanes to les­sen and diminish the kings authoritie. There was likewise aduertisements vn­to the people, and complaints vnto the Parliament: and so some ayded them­selues with pen, against the swords of their enemies.

Reuocation of the aboli­tion giuen by the king.The 22. of march, other letters were sent foorth, whereby the king decla­red, that his meaning was not, that the abolitiō of the 17. of March, shuld ex­tend further but vnto those, that simply & of ignorance had assembled and tra­uelled for the keeping of their promise, and that therein were not comprehen­ded such as had guided the conspiracie made against his person, the Queens, [Page 68]Princes, and Noble personages that were about him: in the which number are contained those that came in armes, into the subburbes of the Towne, and such as had beene taken about, and within the Castle of Noisay: which serued for a dispensation of the faith, giuen by the Duke de Neuers, vnto the Barron of Chastelnau, and others.

Presently after these letters, they returned to executions, wherin neither day nor night passed, but that a great number of prisoners were put to death, and all men of quallitie, some hanged, some drowned, the rest beheaded, without any publike sentence giuen, without declaring the causes of their deaths, or without telling their names. They constrained the king and his young bretheren, to bee assistant at those spectacles. Besides that, the Duke of Guise many times for a pastime, after his dinner, caused some of those whom hee most hated of the prisoners, to bee brought foorth, and hanged out at his chamber windowes.

The Barron de Chastelnau, made a maruellous proces against those of Guise, and the Duke de Nemours, they beeing present, thereby made the Chauncel­lor stand still, and all amazed, that dealt in those affaires against his conscience, and appealed from the sentence giuē against him before God: the like did most of all the rest, to the great astonishing of all the assistants, perceiuing a most in­uincible constancie in all those men: but neither the stout courages of the pri­soners, nor yet the cries of both great and small, that as then were present at those executions, could not in any sort, once mollifie the harts of those of Guise, nor yet diuert the rigor of their cruelties.

A Gentleman named Villemongis, beeing vppon the scaffold readie to bee be­headed, hauing wet his hands in the blood of his companions, & lifting them vppe to heauen, cryed out saying: Lord behold the blood of thy children: thou shalt reuenge our cause.

The death of the Chan­cellour Oli­uier.Among the prisoners, that after the Barron spake most boldly vnto the Chancellor, there were two, the one named Picard, the other Campagnac, that shewed him his petegree, from one poynt to the other: but the last of them touched him so neare vnto the heart, that with griefe thereof, the poore Chan­cellour fell sicke, wherein hee continually sighed and murmured to himselfe, tormenting his bodie in most straunge manner: for that all crooked & aged as he was, yet he stirred his bodie with such force, that he made the bed to shake, with greater force then a young man of Iustie yeares could doo. The Cardinall going to visit him, his paines beganne to increase, and perceiuing him a farre of, hee cried out and said: Ha, ha, Cardinall, thou haste made vs all to be dam­ned. But when the Cardinal went neare him, saying vnto him, that the wicked Spirit sought to seduce him, and that hee should remaine constant in the faith. That is well done now (said hee) and so turning his backe, presently lost his speech: in his great torments many times, lamenting the death of the Coun­cellour du Bourg. Behold how the chiefe and principall condemners of the pri­soners in Amboise was taken, and first executed vppon the scaffold, of the terri­ble and manifest iudgements of God. The rest in time likewise were brought thither, each of them in his turne, Monsieur Michell, de l'Hospitall, an excel­lent man, as then Chancellor of the Duchie of Sauoy, was repealed from Nice, where he remained, to succeed in Oliuiers place: and till he came, Moruilliers, Bishop of Orleans kept the Seales, and vsed all the meanes hee could, to please the house of Guise.

The Prince behaueth himselfe boldly in his innocencie, a­gainst all men.The Prince of Conde was in Amboise during those horrible tempests, where hee behaued himselfe like a man wholly without feare, as knowing himselfe to bee vnculpable. Those of Guise animated the king against him, setting and appoynting men to watch and looke into his behauiour, whereof the Cardi­nall kept a Register, specially of one word spoken by the Prince in chollor, per­ceiuing certaine of the prisoners to bee executed at the Castle windowes, say­ing: that the king was counselled otherwise then hee ought to bee, to cause such Lords and honest Gentlemen to bee put to death, not considering the great seruices by them done, vnto the late deceased king, and all the Realme: of whom beeing so depriued, it was to bee feared, that during those great trou­bles, straungers would enterprise against the Realme, and that if they should bee ayded by any of the Princes, they would easilie ouercome it.

Presently after, they caused du Vaux his Sewer, to bee committed prisoner, and caused the king to send for him into his chamber, to shewe him, that by the information giuen, hee had vnderstood him to beee the chiefe of the conspi­racie: wherevpon the king added many & sharpe threatnings. The Prince for answere, besought his Maiestie, to assemble all the Princes and knights of the Order, that as then were within Amboise, togither with his priuie Councell, to the end, that in so great a presence, they all might heare what aunswere hee would make. Presently therevppon, the companie was assembled in the great Hall of the Castle, and in the kings owne presence, where the Prince hauing recited the speeches, by the king vsed vnto him, and what therevpon had fol­lowed, said, that the person of the king excepted, with those of the Princes his bretheren, and the Queenes, and with reuerence vnto them all, those that had said, and reported vnto the king, that hee should bee the head and conductor of certaine seditous persons, that were reported to haue conspired against the person of the king, and his estate, had fallely and wickedly lyed. And that to prooue his innocency therin, he would leaue his place & dignitie of a Prince of the blood, to fight with them, and cause them with his sword or launce, to confesse themselues to bee right villaines: and that they themselues onely sought the ruine of the Estate, name, and blood royall: for the conseruati­on whereof, hee said, hee would imploy both life and goods, as hee had al­waies made good proofe, as also for his interest to the Crowne and house of France, the title whereof hee ought to procure with much more right, then those that were his accusers: summoning all the company, that if among them there were any that had made the report, or that once would seeme to main­taine it, presently to shewe themselues: wherevppon no man presenting him­selfe, he besought the king to esteeme him for an honest man, and from thence­foorth not to bend his his eares vnto the secret tales of such flaunderous and bad persons: but rather to reiect and bannish them from his presence, as ene­mies both to him, and publike peace: which done, he went out of the Coun­cell, to giue them leaue to consult. But at a certaine signe made by the Car­dinall, the king brake vppe the assembly, without asking their aduise, where as then hee might haue made some alteration, or disaduantage to those of Guise. The Admi­rall sheweth himselfe a faithfull ser­uant to the king and the Realme,

The Queene-mother much troubled in these tempests, yet according to the maner and custome of all the world, seeking to holde on the strongest side, sent the Admirall into Normandie, to know the cause of their commissions, de­siring him most earnestly, without dissembling, to certifie her the truth there­of, with promise not onely to acknowledge his trauels in that behalfe, but to keepe it secret.

Hee executed his commission with all diligence, and without feare of any man, nor long after sent a Gentleman to the Queene, with large and ample let­ters, therein containing, that those of Guise were the onely cause, and true ori­ginall of all the troubles that happened in France, because of their violent and vnlawfull government; shewing the proofes thereof: adding, that the faithful subiects of the Crowne, held for certaine, that the calamities would neuer be ended, as long as straungers gouerned the King and his Estate: hee exhorted her therevppon, to take the cause in hand, and to giue ease and quietnesse to those of the religion, causing the edicts that tended therevnto, to be well and truly obserued.

Comfort to the prisoners for religion.These aduertisements, bred letters, that were directed to al the Parliaments and other Iudges, freely to release all such prisoners as were detained in their Prisons for the cause of religion: the execution of which letters, neuerthelesse, were long performing, an other thing likewise draue forward this wheele: which was, that cerraine prisoners at Blois and Tours, for the enterprise of Am­boise, hauing found the meanes for to escape out of prison, wrote a letter vnto the Cardinall, partly in iest, and partly full of threatnings, that it should not be long before they would come to see him, with all the rest that were not in his keeping, and that had wholly determined to spoyle his person. Hee beeing a man very fearefull, for that time, put water in his wine, which caused the ge­nerall inlargement of diuers prisoners throughout all the Realme: and it was spoken by diuers men, that the Cardinal verified the ancient Prouerbe: which is, If you touch pitch, you shall bee defiled therewith.

Letters in fauour of those of GuiseFurther, those of Guise perceiuing themselues to bee assayled on all sides, by diuers writings, beeing as it were the forerunners of some new onset: the last of March, they caused certaine letters to bee dispatched to all the Parlia­ments, Bailiffes, and Stewards, as also to straunge Princes, wherein such as had beene present at the enterprise of Amboise, namely, the heads, were accused of high treason, both against God and man: specially those of the religion, and their Ministers, were therin abused in diuers sorts, to the which was added, a number of great and large promises of reformation, both in the Politicque and Ecclesiasticall Estate.

Answere to their letters.To these letters, a most ample and large answer was framed, directed vn­to the Parliament, which painted out the house of Guise in all their colours, re­quiring that they in open Parliament of all the Estates, might yeeld account of their behauiour, in the gouernment of the Estate. The Parliament of Parris sent this answere by one of their Vshers vnto the Cardinal: But that of Rouen seeking to doo more, their deputies beeing sent vnto the king, were constrai­ned presently ro retire, and could do nothing

Letters vnto the king of Nauarre.The ninth of Aprill, letters were written and sent in the kings name, vnto the K. of Nauarre, to the same effect as those that were sent vnto the parliamēts, being desired to cease vpō certaine persons, that attended about his person, ac­cused to be of the enterprise of Amboise: therin likewise was set downe, the ac­culatiō imposed against the prince of Conde, who for the same cause had iustifi­ed himselfe: mean time, a consultation was holden, to cease vpon the person of the Prince of Conde, which the Duke of Guise, wholly seemed to dislike. Hee on the other side, sent his Secretarie vnto his brother, to aduertise him what had past, to aske his counsell, and to write him answere thereof. This beeing [Page 71]discouered to those of Guise, they wrote a letter vnto the Prince, full of excu­ses, to the end hee should content himselfe: which hee likewise sent vnto his brother, that made him a plaine answere, fearing to bee discouered.

Warres in Scotland mooued by those of GuiseAt that time those of Guise thought to trouble and ouerthrowe the Estate of Scotland, which their sister the Queen Dowager, and monsieur d'Oisel gouerned peaceably, they hauing made the marriage betweene their Cousin, and King Francis, caused their Cousin to take vpon her the title of Queene of England, and of Scotland, onely vpon some vaine imaginations: and not content there­with, they sent certaine intelligencers into England, there to mooue the peo­ple to fauour their Cousin, and to bring the Q. of England in hatred with her subiects, specially because of thereligion. Their intent was presently found out, notwithstanding they lost not courage, but to maintaine their credit with the Catholiques, they caused certaine rigorous edicts to bee made in Scotland against the religion, whereof ensued a tumult, appeased by the Q. Dowager, and the Noblemen of the countrie. Therevpon king Henry being dead, and the go­uernment of France in their hands, they sent the Bishop of Amiens and la Brosse, their faithfull seruants into Scotland, who at their arriuall, would constrame e­uery man to go to Masse, telling the Q. Dowager, and Monsieur d'Oisel, that their sufferance had spoyled all: saying, that from thencefoorth, they wold vse force, not sparing any man. And therevpon sound diuers means to alter the Esate of Scotland, and although the Queene Dowager propounded diuers peaceable and sure means, they two would deale as they thought good: but in the end, the Lords & Gentlemen of the countrie, threatned & troubled by such newcome fellowes, rose vp in armes, & desired ayde of the Englishmen their neighbors, in such sort, that in short time they draue out the Priests, reduced la Brosse into a small corner, & compelled the Bishop to saue himself in France. The Queen of England before she entered into armes, had desired those of Guise not to pro­ceed in so hard and violent maner, wherevnto they not being desirous to hear­ken, vpon the 24. of March, she made a long discourse, wherein she shewed, that she litle esteemed of all whatsoeuer those of Guise & their adherents shuld enterprise or vndertake, against her person or Estate, and withall made it eui­dently knowne, that her only desire was, & euer should be, to liue in peace & amitie with all Christendome. They sought both by Ambassadors and messen­gers, to ease the mischiefe by them deuised, but by no meanes could effect i [...] so that in fine, things of themselues grewe to such an end, that in the meane time it may be said, that the violence vsed by those of Guise, gaue such a blowe vnto the Papacie with in the realme of Scotland, that euer after it did nothing but lan­guish and consume, and in the end was wholly extirped, and so remai­neth.

Touching France, during those executions of Amboise, as also before that, those of the religion still increased, both in zeale and number,Aduance­ment of the religion in France. in all the places of the Realme: and yet not without great hinderance by diuers persecutions, and by the meanes of some men, that could no more content themselues to vse it secretly, whereof ensued their open assemblies, and that within some Churches. Those of Valence, Montelimart, and Romans in Dauphin, beeing the first. The Duke de Guise beeing Gouernour, extreamely offended, that those of whom he thought to be most feared, began to take that course which most displeased him, to stoppe their intents and purposes, first, hee sent [Page 72] Iohn de Monluc Bishop of Valence, who before by meanes of his Sermons, had done more hurt then good vnto the Pope, and because Monluc did not pro­ceed with any effect, and that Monsieur de Cleremont, Lieftenant for the Duke of Guise, was esteemed to be too fauorable. Mangiron a cruel man, & an extream enemie to those of the religion, had the charge giuen to him, wholly to roote thē out: at the beginning he proceeded therin with great subtiltie, with diuers of his Agents, playing many seuerall parts: and in the end, hauing found the meanes to driue certaine Gentlemen out of Valence, that maintained those of the religion, he beganne to play his part, sacking their houses, as if the towne had beene taken by assault.Proceedings of Maugi­ron against those of the religion in the Parlia­ment of Gre­noble in Dauphine. to strengthen him, they sent him sixteene En­signes of the olde troupes of Piedemont, and some Companies of launciers. On the other side, Truchon chiefe President of Grenoble, ayded by diuers Coun­cellours, went to Valence, and passing through Romans, caused 60. of the prin­cipallest to bee cast in prison, while Maugiron pilled those of Montelimart, to whome hee had both sworne and promised not to do any wrong, neither in publike, nor in priuate, that had good means to impeach and hinder him from his pretence, if by faire words hee had not wonne them. To returne vnto the Presidents and Councellors of Grenoble, they caused two Ministers in Valence, to bee beheaded, and hanged three of the principall Cittizens of the Towne. The rest of the prisoners went out by the Goldē gate, with abiurations, whip­pings, bannishments, and great fines, wherewith the Iudges and kings Attur­neyes, made themselues rich. At Romans they hanged two men, and whipped one, whom they after sent vnto the Galleyes.

The estate of the religi­on in Pro­uence.In Prouence, two Gentlemen beeing bretheren, Sieurs de Mouuans, named Anthony, and Paulon de Richiend, hauing made open profession of religion, in the time of King Henry, Anthony was traiterously massacred by those of Draguig­nan, in Anno. 1559, whereof Paulon could neuer haue iustice. Not long after, Captaine Chasteauneuf, beeing sent from Nantes to Prouence, by Renaudie and his companions, to assemble those whom they thought meete to assisist them in the enterprise of Amboise: the Deputies of 60. Churches in that Prouince, be­ing assembled at Merindol, Paulon was chosen Leader of the troupes of Pro­uence: which hauing accepted, hee made a diligent inquiry through all the countrie, and found two thousand men, that had good means to horse, arme, and entertain themselues, besides a great number of Gentlemen, and other vo­luntarie Souldiers. And as when the time of marching approached, his Coun­cell were of aduise that the troupes should seeke to enter into Aix, there to e­rect the religion, and so to giue occasion to those of Guise and others, to mollifie their persecutions, when once they should perceiue men rising in all places of the Realme, to withstand their rigors.

This enterprise discouered, Mouuans determined to make a way through the plaine countrie, where hee made warre against the Images, which were bea­ten downe in euery Church, causing all the relicques of gold and siluer to bee molten, and to sell the vessels and other to yes belonging vnto the Masse, the mony whereof, euen to a halfe-penny, was left in the hands of the Consuls and others, of euery place. A most admirable militarie Discipline, but yet truly and seuerely executed at that time: wherevppon Mouuans pursued by the Counte de Tande, with a great power, retyred in good order into the high countrie, where hee expected newes from Renaudie: meane time, the Counte (beeing [Page 73]a wise Gentleman, as any of his time) dealt so wisely therin, that by agreement made between them, it was ordained, that Mouuans might surely and freely re­tire, without any hurt or displeasure (neither great nor small hauing beene hurt either in word or deed in all Prouence: the Mages likewise not once com­plaining of any thing done vnto them) for whatsoeuer had past: with pro­mise to cause iustice to bee done touching the mother of his deceased brother. Captaine Paulon, surnamed the Barron de la Garde, venturing against the faith and promise made to set vppon Paulon, beeing within a straight thing,Periury of Captaine Paulon. to put both him and his troupes vnto the sword, not beeing aboue 50. Souldiers, was himselfe inclosed by Paulon, that offered him battell: but the Barron forgetting his fence, although he had tenne times more men then his enemie, and a good intent do do great seruice to those of Guise, that had dispoyled him of estate of Generall of the Galleyes, to giue it vnto the great Prior of France their brother, bledde at the nose, and by means of a new Capitulation, renounced the Coun­cell of Constance, and retired with great shame: after that, for a long time hol­ding himselfe secretly, his name seruing for a mockery and ieast to all the world.

Mouuans flattered by his enemies to be intrap­ped, answe­reth them in plain French Paulon perceiuing himselfe to bee but hardly bestead in his owne coun­trie, because of the successe of the enterprise of Amboise, and of the particular threatnings against him, made by y^e Duke of Guise, because of the troubles he had raised in Prouence, for a time withdrewee himselfe vnto Geneua, whither the Duke sent men, expressely to practise with him, by infinit promises, both by word of mouth, and writing in commendations of his vertues, and admiring of his valour aboue al the Captains in Prouence, to mooue him to return into his countrie. But Paulons aunswere to the Duke of Guise, was, that as long as hee knewe him to bee an enemie both to the religion and the State, and that he v­surped the places of the Princes of the blood, hee might well assure himselfe to haue Mouuans his mortall enemie, and although a poore Gentleman, yet one that hath so good credit with the true seruants & subiects to the king, that they at least fistie thousand (where of hee was the least) would imploye both liues and goods, to cause him to make amends for al the wrongs by him committed, against the good subiects and seruants to the king: and that hee might be ful­ly assured, that as long as one of them both liued, hee should neuer bee quiet, nor liue in any assurance of his life, nor any of his race, seeing hee had so much incensed and prouoked the Nobilitie and people of France. Not long before his departure out of France, hee said Mouuans receiued letters from the king him­selfe, and from the Queene-mother, wherein they gratified him very much, as one of the most faithfull and affectioned seruants to his Maiestie, promising him great fauour, and withall, ratifying the accord made by the Counte, Go­uernour of Prouence. But at the same instant, Mouuans was aduertised, that the Queene-mother had expressely sent vnto the Parliament in Aix, that they should finde the means, to cause him, to cause Mouuans, Chasteauneuf, and other Captaines that were of the enterprise of Amboise, to bee slaine.Aduance­ment of the religion in diuers Pro­uinces.

At the same time, those of the religion multiplyed in Normandie, and Preaching was publikely vsed in diuers places. Those of Rouan were troubled by an Anabaptist, that was taken and burnt.

The Church of Tours was much troubled by the seditious dealings of the [Page 74]runnagate Monke, named Richelieu, Captaine of the Kings new guard, but by silence and patience, is kept togither, the Towne hauing failed twise or thrise to be lacked and spoyled in all the other Prouinces of the Realme, those of the religion perceiuing themselues to be wholly destitute of humain ayde, tooke a notable resolution, not to addresse themselues any more to seeke the helpe of man, but what daunger so euer might happen, determined to assemble to pray to God, to heare his word, and to continue in true obedience thereof, liuing in great loue and concord one with the other, and with much edification to the Catholicques, who in great troupes lest the Masse, to make profession both of contrary life and doctrine.

The Queene-mother, perceiuing that those of the religion, addressed them­selues no more, to her, willed one of her Maisters of Requests, called Chastel­leus, to vse the meane that la Roche, one of the Ministers of Parris, should come vnto her, or some other in his place, to conferre with him about somes meanes whereby to procure the quietnesse of those the religion. La Roche not being found, and they of Tours beeing desired in his place, to send Duplessi their Mi­nister, they excused themselues, beseeching the Queen to content her selfe with letters that should bee written vnto her, which shee seemed not to dis­like. Wherevppon a large discourse was written, vnder a deuised name of Theophile, for those of the religion, wherein after certaine protestations of their sinceritie, the depths and grounds of their great griefes against the house of Guise, was fully showne: then diuers remedies wisely propounded, where­by to preuent a ciuell warre, which were, that prouision should bee made for the good gouernment of the Realme, and a Councel to be giuen vnto the king, according to the auncient customes of the Realme, that to staye and remedie the differences of religion, a holy and free councel should be holden, and that in the meane time, those of the religion should be permitted to liue in peace of conscience, and according to the profession of their faith.

Declarati­on [...] of the re­ligion a­gainst the house of Guise.This declaration, beeing by Camus deliuered to the Queen-mother, fell into the hands of those of Guise, which construed it in many sorts, to know who that Theophil [...] might bee. The messenger was oftentimes in danger of his life, and in the end, he beeing troubled and tormented in diuers kindes, and know­ing that such as had giuen it vnto him, would not bee knowne, but kept them­selues secret, hee shewed their names in presence of the Queene-mother, and those of the house of Guise, who likewise charged him to bee of the conspira­cie of Ambotse, but in stead of beeing secret, he tolde them much more truth then they desired to heare, and yet hee got out of their hands, by vertue of the generall abolution made in the beginning of the raigne of Charles the ninth.

The Guises proceedings too.The Guises perceiuing themselues to bee so much noted and daylie hated in euery place of the Realme, specially by those of the religion, determined wholly to roote them out, and to the same end wrote vnto the King of Spaine, and other Catholicque Princes, laying the fault vppon those of the religion, touching all the troubles that happened in France, as also the conspiracie of Am­boise. To the Princes protestants they wrote, that the many and great executi­ons made in France, was onely vppon certaine Sacrementaries, open enemies vnto the confession of Ausbourg. Besides that, their intent was to establish the Inquisition in France, wherein they thought the Chancellor de l'Hospitall would bee assistant, which he did not, but like a wise Polititian as he was, hee with­stood their blowes in such manner, that when in the moneth of May the edict [Page 75]of Spaine should haue been published, hee knowing that the priuie Councell and the Parliament haue giuen consent, hee moderated it by another edict, wherin he exposed his reasons with such vehemencie & great eloquence, that those of Guise themselues, that onely were the purchasers thereof,The Duke of Romoran­tin breaketh the pretence of establi­shing the In­quisition of Spaine. agreed to his aduise, and certified it vnto King Philip, that liked well thereof, although his whole desire was, to see the Realme of France disguised in a Spanish sute.

Wherevpon the edict of Romorantin was published and set foorth, where­by the King committed the knowledge and inquirie of Heresies, vnto the Pre­lates of his Reaime, forbad all publike assemblies & vnlawfull forces, declared all the Ministers of the religion, makers, composers, and printers of infamous libelles, tending vnto the moouing and stirring vppe of the people, guiltie of high treason: this edict appeased not the murmurations and troubles, but to the contrary, rather doubled and increased them on all sides.

A Combat of Princes.Against all the bookes published and set foorth, against the vnlawful gouern­ment of those of Guise, Iohn du Tillet, Clarke to the Court of Parliament in Parris, composed a booke intituled, The Kings Maiorit, wherein hee defended, that in France, the Kings beeing of the age of fifteene yeares, might then command: after that, hee inueyed against those of the religion, saying: that with a false & wrong title, they termed their new opinions to be the Gospel of Christ: na­ming their Ministers seditious & mutinous, and concluded, that God would fa­uor and prosper the armes that should bee taken in hand and vsed against them. Many strong and earnest aunsweres were made vnto it, wherevnto, neither he, nor yet his brother the Bishoppe of S. Brieu durst once reply, although by the Cardinall they were most instantly required therevnto: for whose content­ment, at the request and solitation of a certaine Councellour named du Lyon, a Printer of Parris, named Martin l'Hommet, was hanged, for printing a booke,The Tyger put two men to death. in­tituled, The Tiger, made against those of Guise: the like intertainment was made vnto a rich Marchant of Roane, who beeing present at the execution, and per­ceiuing the people most strangely mooued against l'Hommet, desired some of them to vse themselues with greater modestie. His proces was made without any further delay, onely to please the Cardinall, as du Lyon not long after, in a great audiance openly confessed.

The Queen-mothers dea­ling, and re­solution of those of Guise in those diffi­culties.The Queen-mother much troubled among so many waues, hearing a speech of calling a Parliament, and of establishing the Princes and the Con­stable, whom shee deadly hated, vnto their places and authorities, which if it happened, she should no longer haue the mannaging of the affaires, resolued to hold and maintaine all things in the same estate, wherein as then they were: and vnder her authoritie to couer the imperfections of those of Guise, who still continued in their grosse and high speeches, protesting that they wold imploy the meanes, both of themselues, and of their friends, that possible they could make, to beate downe and represse the insolencie of those that sought to pur­chase the alteration of religion: which from that time forward was their pre­tence, thereby to abolish the other quarrell, that onely concerned the State, which was affirmed to haue beene wholly vsurped, and now to bee most law­fully ruled and gouerned by them. They thought likewise, that hauing ex­terped those of the religion, as their meaning was to beginne with it, it would be a meanes to cut the sinewes of the Princes of the blood, of whom thereby they should easilie bring to reason, as also the Constable.

Counsell of some of the Nobilitie.Touching those of the religion, the first and principall in the rolle, were cer­taine Gentlemen, that made free and open profession thereof, and although they had not in any sort, beene priuie, or once consenting vnto the enterprise of Amboise: yet were they accused and summoned, to come and iustifie them­selues before the king But they perceiuing that nothing but their destruction was pretended, concluded, some to go vnto the Prince of Conde, to incourage him, the rest vnto all the Churches of the religion, to giue them notice and in­telligence of their destructions, then readie to fall vppon them, if each of them sought not to desend themselues.

The Prince of Conde e­scaped while his enemies consulted his death.The proposition mooued in the priuie Councell, touching the ceasing vp­pon the person of the Prince of Conde, and to make his proces, to the end, that hauing begunne with him, they might proceed against the rest, made them to looke vnto themselues.

It chanced, that vppon this proposition, touching the taking of the Prince, the Cardinall was resolutely of that aduise: but the contrary, the Duke of Guise had made a long discourse, to shewe that they should not proceed therein, and that it should bee wholly against his consent and desire. Some at the first were much abashed, that those two heads in one hood, were of so different mindes, but when they well perceiued that nothing was by them neglected, where to find the meanes to laye holde vppon the Prince, euery man then did knowe, that this contrarietie was onely done of purpose, thereby to drawe the Coun­cell to giue their whole consents, to the end, that by those meanes they might fortifie and couer themselues, against all chaunces whatsoeuer. In the meane time, the Prince looking on his owne securitie, with good aduise deliuered himselfe out of their snares, and got vnto Bearn, where as then the king of Na­uarre his brother was Resident: they (as the common saying is) vsed to make bread of stones, and to turne all things for their aduantage, beganne to assure the king and his mother, that without all doubt, the Prince was culpable, and that his flying made him to appeare as guiltie: wherevpon commissions were presently made, and sent for to leuie men, to warre against Gascon, whither the Mashall de S. Andre, vnder pretence of going to see his bretheren, was sent to discouer: which serued to no other end, but onely to cause the two Princes to stand more warity vppon their guard.

La Planche discouereth those of Guise.There rested yet another threed to vntwine, which was to know, if that the Constable were not of the Princes Councell, whom (as they thoght) they held alreadie within their fingers, to this end, they appoynted the Queene-mother to worke the matter, who secretly sent for Lois Regnier, Sieur de la Plan­che, one of the Councell ours of the Marshal de Montmorency, who beeing en­tered into her chamber, (the Cardinall standing behinde the tapistrie) and de­sired very earnestly to say his minde, touching causes and remedies of those troubles, made a large and ample discourse, the effect whereof was, that those of Guise beeing straungers, ought not to haue the gouernment of the Estate, vnlesse some naturall Frenchmen were ioyned in commission with them. Hee likewise made a long answere touching the accusation made against the Prince of Conde, shewing it to bee a meere falschood, once to thinke or suppose, that the enterprise of Amboise, was thought or ment against the person of the king, or for to trouble the Estate.

After that, he desciphered the originall of those of Guise, behauing himselfe [Page 77]in such sort in all his aunsweres, like a good Politian, and that with so good reasons, that thereby hee escaped from the Court, and nothing was done either touching him, or against the Constable, nor any of his.

Those of the religion, next to God, com­mit them­selues vnto the protection of the Prin­ces of the blood.Those of the religion hauing vnderstood by aduises giuē thē, by many Gentle­men in diuers Prouinces, that their ouerthrow beganne to approach, if with all speed and readinesse, they prouided not for themselues. Hauing recommen­ded themselues by heartie prayers vnto God, determined to cast themselues in­to the armes of the Princes of the blood, as Fathers, Tutors, and Conseruers of the innocencies of the poore afflicted people, and that by the natural lawes of the countrie, were called vnto that charge, during the minoritie of the kings. And for the same cause, certaine notable personages, were appoynted among them, to go vnto the king of Nauarre, and the Prince of Conde, at Nerac, to whom with all their meanes, he offered a large declaration, containing a re­hearsall of all the wrongs by those of Guise committed against the king and the Realme: with a most humble supplication, that it would please the said Princes to deuise the meanes, to deliuer the king and his Estate out of their hands.

The explort of Monsieur de Mom­brun.About this time, Monsieur de Mombrun, a Gentleman well affected to thereligion, beeing narrowly sifted by the Parliament of Grenoble, and brauely escaped out of his enemies hands, was desired by diuers of the Venitian Mar­chants, to ayde and assist them, against the violences and extortions vsed in their behalfes, by the Popes Vicelegat, contrary vnto their priuiledges, and auncient franchises.

La Motte Goudrin, Lieftenant for the Duke of Guise in Dauphine, was like­wise entertained by the Vicelegat, to helpe him with all his forces. And al­though Mombrun had very fewe men, yet hee constrained his enemies to seeke for an accord: which hauing but violated and broken in all the articles, by the Vicelegat, and la Motte Goudrin, Mombrun raised armes againe, and handled the Priests hardly, that had slaine some of his men after the accord was made and sworne: which done, hee put a great number of la Motte Goudrins souldiers vnto the sword, and vsed him in such sort, that hee made him leaue his fence: but hauing beene constrained to dispearse his little troupe, and soone after be­trayed by one of his domesticall seruants, hee saued himselfe by flying out of the Realme, hauing trauersed through many daungers, and saued himselfe in the territories of Geneua, and about the countrie of Berne.

The Princes counsels dis­couered by la Sagne, wher­of ensued the imprisonment of Vidame de ChartresTo returne vnto the Princes, they beeing much confirmed in the resoluti­on by thē taken to discharge their duties, touching the relieuing of the realme of France, by the declarations and offers of those of the religion: they began to deale therein, and among other agents imployed in those affaires, the Prince of Conde sent one named la Sagne, vnto diuers great Lords, to desire them not to saile him of their aydes. La Sagne hauing receiued an answere from the Con­stable, and Vidame de Chartres, came vnto the Court, where hee deliuered cer­taine letters, and as hee stayed fro an aunswere, hee was so vndiscreet, that hee suffered himselfe to bee vndermined by one Captaine Bonual, who hauing dis­couered it vnto those of Guise, ranne after him, and brought him prisoner to Fountainebleau, where the letters of Vidame de Chartres beeing read, wherein he promised the Prince to maintaine his iust quarrell against all men, except the king, his bretheren, and the Queenes: those of Guise sent to apprehend him within Parris, and to keepe him prisoner in the Bastille, where they vsed him with most great rigor, vntill hee died.

They found not so good a baite in the Constables letters, or at the least, would make no shewe thereof, because they would not trouble themselues with so many things at once. La Sagne was well payed for his prating, for that his no­strils were stretched in such sort, that hee tolde all whatsoeuer hee knew, and more then truth, to prolong his miserable life. Mean time, his cōfessions made vppon the racke, caused those of Guise in all haste to dispatch their affaires: for first to their great dishonour, and disaduantage of their kinswoman, they agreed with the Queene of England, prouided for the frontiers of Lorraine, caused the olde troupes that came out of Dauphine and Piedemont, to lye along by the riuer of Loire, writing on both sides to their partakers.

A proposition in the Coun­cell, for cal­ling a Parlia­ment at Fon­tainebleau.On the other side, the Queene-mother, that feared least shee should bee disgraced, whatsoeuer might happen by the aduise of the Chancellor and the Admirall, to whom as then she made shewe willingly to hearken, she resol­ued to cause a motion to bee made in open councell, that it were requisit, that the king should assemble, all the Princes, Lords, knights of the Order, and men of authoritie in his Realme, to take order for the pacifying of the troubles, which they esteemed specially to proceed because of the persecutions against those of the religion.

Those of Guise found this resolution to bee good, thinking thereby to finde a meanes to intrap both the king of Nauarre and his brother, trusting likewise, for that most part of those that should assemble, were of their retinue, that nothing should passe therein, but for their aduantage: and that this mee­ting would wholly breake off the calling of the generall States, and by that meanes make a sure ground for their affaires. Wherevppon they began to write into all places, in the Kings name, who desired euery man to bee at Fontainebleau, vppon the 15. day of August, for the causes aforesaid. Those of Guise sent letters likewise from themselues, full of all good promises and re­wards. The King likewise wrote vnto the King of Nauarre, desiring him to bee there, with his brother, and all such Lords, who as then were with him. But couertly by the meanes of secret practises, those of Guise dealt in such sort, that the King of Nauarre resolued not to come, and that against the aduise of the Constable and diuers great Lords, who said and affirmed, that as then the meanes presented it selfe, whereby to put downe those of Guise, and to reesta­blish the lawfull gouernment of the Realme. And to conclude, the Constable verilie supposing that the Princes would bee theee, sayled not to come thither with aboue 800. horse, which constrained those of Guise, as then weake, to flie softly, and to shew a good countenance vnto the Constable and his Ne­phewes.

The Admi­rall presented a petition to the King, in the behalfe of the religion.The 21. of August they were assembled, wherein there was not one of the Princes of the blood, and before they began to debate of any matter, the Admi­rall presented a request vnto the King, for those of the religion in France, whose desire was, that it would please his Maiestie to graunt them libertie of Chur­ches, and free exercises of their religion in all places. The King hauing han­ked the Admirall for his vigilancie, fidelitie and sincere affection, caused the petition to be openly read, and then hauing declared from poynt to poynt, the cause of that assembly, desired the assistance, euery man in particular, freely and without feare or passion, to giue him counsell, as occasion and necessitie there­in should require: that done, the Queen-mother and the Chauncellour spake, [Page 79]and the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall, offered (but in generall) to render vp an account of their administration: which finished that daies meeting, the as­sembly beeing remitted vntill the 23. of August, wherevnto Monluc, Moruil­liers, du Mortier, and d'Auanson, al foure of the priuie Councel, opposed them­selues. But hee that spake most to effect, and that deserued most praise to bee a faithfull Councellour, was Charles de Marillac, Archbishop of Vienne: Oration and aduise of Marillac. who by notable reasons, liuely desciphered, shewed that it was requisite to assem­ble a nactionall Councell, thereby to remedie the differences in religion, and the third Estate, to direct the gouernment of the Realme. But hee liued not long after this Oration made, and many spake diuersly of his death.

The Admi­rals Oration censured by those of Guise.The next day beeing the 23. of the moneth of August, the Admiralles turne fell out to speake, whose Oration tended to the ordering of religion and the Estate, before mentioned by Marillac, but with farre more eloquent phraise, wherevnto hee added a most graue and wise censure, against those that by inuironing the king with double guardes, learned him to feare his subiects, and his subiects to hate their Prince, desiring the king most certainly to be per­swaded, that all his subiects reuerenced him, and bare most earnest and hartie affection vnto him.

The Duke of Guise much greeued and offended at that which the Admi­rall had spoken, specially touching the new guards, made a large discourse vn­to the contrary, in such sort, that he shewed himselfe in great perplexitie, with all the wit hee had, to defend his broken cause. His brother the Cardinal, wal­ked with some more deliberation vppon those pricking thornes, assaying to refute the humble protestations contained in the request presented by the Ad­mirall, in the name of all those of the religion, who from that time foorth, was most extreamly hated by those of Cuise, who neuerthelesse at that time made shewe not to dislike in any sort, that a generall assembly of the Estates should bee assigned, and that as touching religion, they propounded an other aduise, which likewise was allowed, as in the articles following you may reade.

A Parlia-assigned the 10. of De­cember.And according to the resolution vpon the last of August, letters were dis­patched vnto all Bailiffes and Stewards, signifying vnto them, that the Estates generall, were assigned to meete vppon the tenth of December next ensuing, within the Towne of Meaux, to the end they should take order, to cause De­puties to bee chosen against that time. But in this Commission there ranne a clause: which was, that during such elections, the Gouernours and Liefte­nants of Prouinces, should seuerally visit the Townes: to inquire and vnder­stand the peoples griefes, and to bring them vnto the King, that prouision and good order might bee taken for the good of euery Prouince.

A Sinode of the Clargie the 20. of Ianuary.By the same letters, he assigned the Bishops, Prelates, and other Ecclesi­asticall persons, to bee at Parris vppon the 20. of Ianuary next after ensuing, to aduise and take counsell, what shall be fit and conuenient to be shewed vnto the generall Councell, exhorting them in the meane time, to reforme that which belongeth to bee reformed and amended by the Church: further, com­maunding them to be watchfull ouer their aduersaries, termed wicked spirits, composed of the remnants of the rebellion and tumult of Amboise.

Gathering of troupes of Souldiers.Those of Guise hauing by this means assured themselues against the Prin­ces, the next day sent letters in the kings name, vnto all Bailiffes and Stewards, for the assembly of men at armes, or lanciers, to be readie by the 20. day of the [Page 80]month of September, the distribution whereof, was done in such manner, that the companies were all mingled, & the suspected inuironed, with others that might set vpon them both before & behinde, the commanders hauing charge to take & put to the sword, al such as they once esteemed or suspected to march to ayde the Princes. On the other side, because the declaration which those of the religion had directed vnto the Princes, in many points concerned those or Guise. At the deniall of Iohn du Tillet, a certain yong Councellour named Des Autels of Charrolois, presented himselfe, that (vnder the title of an Oration vn­to the people of France) made an answere vnto it, and with priuiledge from the King, caused it to be imprinted. But this Orarout was so well schooled by a replye made therevnto, that neuer after hee durst hold vppe his nose, and was disauouched by the Cardinall, that onely had set him on worke, saying, that both time, and his actions, would soone procure him reason at the hands of his enemies. And those of Guise hauing ioyned the forces,Letters from the king, to the king of Nauarre, & the prince of Conde, with their answeres. returned out of Scotland, with the olde troupes of Piedemont, Metz, and Picardie, they caused them to approach near vnto them, with 1200. launciers, reserued, be­sides the deuisions made within the Prouinces, & sent a message in the Kings name vnto the King of Nauarre, whereby the Prince of Conde was charged to haue enterprised against the Estate of France, and to haue sought to cease vpon the least Townes, to haue them in his possession, for which cause hee desired the King of Nauarre, to send his brother vnto him, vnder strong and safe con­duction, which if hee refused, hee said hee should in person be constrai­ned to go thither, with such a traine, that it would not be for his commoditie.

The King of Nauarre and his brother, made a graue and bolde answere, which was, that if their accusers would make themselues knowne, and seeme to defend the accusation against them, and beeing bereaued of that authoritie which they vsurped, they with a small company would present themselues before the King: where in his presence, they would euidently shew him, that such accusers, were the parties guiltie, to whose most false reports they be­sought his Maiestie in any sort not to giue credit.The kings word giuen to the prin­ces to intrap them.

This aunswere made those of Guise to seeke another course, and there­vppon dispatched an other message, whereby the King sent word vnto the Princes, that they might without all feare come vnto him, and returne again when they thought good, assuring them by the word of a King, that nothing should be done or attempted against their persons in any sort whatsoeuer, that he would peaceably heare both their causes, and instifications, without com­mitting them to prison, or once making proces against them, that his desire was onely to haue an answereby word of mouth, touching the poynts wherewith the Prince was charged, which the King could not in any sort beleeue: and to conclude, that they should bee receiued and vsed according to their estates and dignities: yea, and that they should haue their places re­stored, that of order and custome belonged vnto them, touching the mannaging of the affaires of the land, to the end, to haue their coun­selles and aduise, thereby to reduce all thinges into a good and polli­ticke order,They were betraied by Amaury Bouchart, Chancellor of Nauarre. without any troubling or molesting the Prince, concer­ning the religion which hee professed. The like letters were written vnto them by the Queene-mother.

At the first, the King of Nauarre had a good courage, but hauing heard that the affaires in Lyonnois & Dauphin, had succeeded otherwise then he esteemed, [Page 81]begunne to drawe backe, although the Deputies of the Prouinces, offered to assemble their troupes for his securitie, before the French launciers had stop­ped the passages: or if he found that not to be expedient, they promised to as­semble themselues in all places, to strengthen him when hee should go vnto the Parliament. He had a Chancellour named Amaury Bouchart, Maister of Requests vnto the king, who from the beginning, had beene very earnest to mooue him to hearken vnto the declarations and requests, daylie made vnto him from all the parts of the Realme: but this Bouchart hauing heard that the enterprise made against Lyons by Maligny, had taken an other effect then he ex­pected, wrote secretly vnto the king, desiring him to separate the Prince of Conde, from the king of Nauarre his brother, because that without ceasing hee neuer left off to solicite him, to doo diuers things against his Maiesties officers, as also to trouble the Realme, at the onely instance of certaine Lutherians and Preachers, that came from Geneua, wherevnto hee said, his maister would by no meanes hearken, but that it was to bee feared, that in the end, by long and importunate sute, he would diuert him: whereof hee said, hee could not chuse but aduertise his Maiestie, whose most humble, natural, and faithful sub­iect hee was, and alwaies would bee, as also one of the Ministers of his iu­stice.

Hee wrote other letters of the same effect vnto the Cardinall, promising him by word of mouth, to certifie him of certaine things of great importance, which as then hee durst not write: and to conclude, hee promised him the meanes, to giue him intelligence, how and in what sort hee should deuise and frame proces against the greatest Lords of the Realme. Speaking of Geneua, hee ment Theodore de Beza, whom the King had expressely sent for, by the counsell of the said Bouchart himselfe, to meete with diuers other nota­ble personages, from all the parts of France, whose aduise, specially of Beza, was, in any sort to procure that the conclusion of Fontainbleau, touching the assembly of the Estates should bee obserued, and fully executed. But that ad­uise was not followed, and that touching Beza, hee returned with great daun­ger of his person, hauing begun to preach publikely in Nerac, where the king of Nauarre in person was assistant. Some were of opinion, that Iarnac, who had wholly withdrawn himselfe from the Princes, with S. Foy his brother, be­fore that Lieftenant of the company of launciers, belonging to the Prince of Conde, had practised with Bouchart to write those letters.

They deter­mine to go to the king.The Princes giuing credite vnto the kings word, and vpon the protestations and promises made vnto them by his Agents, and among others, the Cardinal of Bourbon his brother, sent expressely vnto them, accepted the Kings offer, and hauing writtē vnto the king, that they would ride to Orleans with a small traine, before the assembly of the Estates should bee prepared. And beeing at Limoges, they were presently visited by diuers Lords and Gentlemen, to the number of seuen or eight hundreth, well mounted and armed at all poyntes: they made them offer of sixe thousand, footemen out of Gascon, & Poicton, mustered and reaeie to march, 4000. both on horse and foote, out of Languedoc, and as many or more out of Normandie: with ful assurance of the good willes of most part of the men at armes or launciers, and presents of mony, so it would please the king of Nauarre, to declare himselfe Protector of the King and of the Realme, against the house of Guise. But the euill seruants, which as then at­tended [Page 82]on him, as Descars and his companions, (for Bouchart had withdrawn himselfe) gaue him so many alarmes, & deuised such inconueniences, vnder pretence, that they did not deliuer vnto thē a summe of mony of three or foure hundreth thousand crownes, to looke better into those affaires, that beeing at Vertueil, where another good Agent (being the Cardinall of Armaignac) came vnto him, hee dismissed all his company, and countermanded those that were comming, with many thankes and promises, most earnestly to imploy himselfe in the Parliament, for the good and benefit of all the Estates of France. They hauing shewed him many reasons for the same, and desired that at the least, the Prince of Conde might stay behinde, thereby to hold their enemies insuspence: he answered, that their innocencie should suffice, that it was no easie matter to put the Princes of the blood to death, that if their liues were taken away, they would receiue their deaths with patience: that God had meanes sufficient to deliuer the Realme of France, which that they should bee the cause of the losse and ruine of so many honest men, that desired to ioyne with them. The Prin­cesse of Conde, a Lady for her time, as wise & vertuous as any could be found, vsed all the meanes shee could, to diswade her husband from that voyage: but all in vaine, the Lords and Gentlemen that had accompanied the Princes, be­ing vppon the poynt of their retract, after many humble congratulati­ons, protested that by those meanes, being so vnfortunately destituted of their heads, yet they doubted not but that God would raise them others, thereby to saue and deliuer them from the oppression of Lyrants. Those words vsed in the presence of their secret seruants, being rehearsed to those of Guise, were cau­ses to hang newe belles at their eares, and in the meane time, vnderstanding that the Princes were alreadie entered into their iourney, they caused Monsieur de Mompesat, one of their confederates, in the kings name, expressely to forbid the Princes comming vnto the court, vppon paine of death not to enter into any of the kings walled Townes: as then they were alreadie inclosed among the forces of their enemies, vnder the conduct of Marshall de Termes. The Cardinall d'Armaignac, Descars, and others, vntrustie seruants, made the king of Nauarre beleeue, that this verball commaundement of Montpesat, was one­ly but a meere brauado of those of Guise, which both the king and his mother would disauouch.

The Princes refusing all aduertise­ments, went vnto OrleansThe Princes hauing past Chastelleraut, were more certainly aduertised of their michiefe to come, and counselled to keepe the high waies, because of di­uers Ambassadours that were appoynted and set to kill them, if they once went out of the way, vnder pretence that they sought to saue themselues, and at the same time, means was offered vnto them, to bring them vnto Angers, and so in­to Normandie, where they shuld want nothing: but they continued in their first resolution, trauelling by easie iourneyes, and it seemed that one of the brethe­ren was as a Prouost Marshall, that ledde the other to prison. Therevpon those of Guise led the king to Orleans, thither calling al the Nobilitie & men of armes: which made both young and olde to thinke, that some pretence was ment a­gainst the Sates: but by a rumour spred abroad, it was said, that all those forces beeing assembled and brought togither, was to assiege and chastice Orleans: whereof the principal Citizens were registred in the Criminal bookes, to passe the daunger, and by their confiscations, to grease the hands of diuers hungrie Courtiers, vnder pretence, that they had beene of the enterprise of Amboise.

Rigorous dealing to­wards those of Orleans.For this cause Mansieur de Sipierre, a slaue to those of Guise, appoynted for Lieftenant to the Prince de la Roche Suryon, Gouernour of Orleans, being arri­ued in the Towne, about the beginning of October, disarmed the Inhabi­tants, filled such houses (as were suspected) with Souldiers, and committed the custodie of the Gates vnto the Sheriffes.

The Prince their Gouernour, beeing entered therein about the twelfth of the same month, and receiued with honour by the principall Cittizens, aduertised them, that the king would make his entrie therein, vppon the se­uenteenth day ensuing, which terme beeing prolonged for the space of one day, vppon the eighteenth hee made his enterie. The troupes of the Towne being in number about foure thousand men, to whom they had restored their armes, onely their Bastianadoes: the principall Cittizens following in good or­der, and all the streets hanged with Tapistrie and other hangings.

The king beheld all those troupes passing along through the Subburbes, which beeing reentered into the Towne, hee mounted on horsebacke, riding vnder a Canapie of cloth of Gold, and so went straight vnto the Church: and being on the way, his horse stumbled in such maner, that he had surely fallen, if he had not presently bin relieued. After dinner, al the troupes went to meet the Queene, who likewise made an honourable and braue entrie: but those of Guise were at neither of both, fearing (as some say) to meete with some despe­rate fellow that might hurt them: because a Magician in Rome had shewed the Cardinall, that both hee and his brother should die a violent death.

The arriuall of the Prin­ces in Orle­ans, and bow they were re­ceiued.The Euen before all Saints day, beeing the last of October, the Princes trusting to their innocencies, and reposing themselues vpon the grace of God, to whom they recommended themselues, as also caused al those of the religion by praiers to doo the like, arriued at Orleans, and past from the beginning of the gate, vntil they came to the kings lodging, in the Estappe, through diuers soul­diers, all footemen, ranged along in rankes so close togither, all armed, that all that long way, not any man could passe betweene them. Not one Courtier nor Townes-man stepped foorth to meete them, onely the Cardinall de Bour­bon, and the Prince de la Roche Suryon, who by expresse licence, had obtained that fauour, receiued them.

The king of Nauarre according to the custome, desiring to enter on horse­backe within the Court Gate, was put backe with a rude aunswere, that the great Gates might not bee opened: they being then constrained to light, went into the king, that stayed for them in the great Hall, accompanied with his vn­cles of Guise, and other Courtiers, whereof not one of them once stepped forward to meete them.

Their entertainment was but meane, and after due and solemne re­uerence, night grewe on, which caused the king to go into his mothers Chamber, followed onely by the Princes, those of Guise not once seeking to enter. The Queen mother hauing receiued them with the water stan­ding in her eyes, the king speaking vnto the Prince of Conde, said, hee had beene aduertised from diuers places,The Kings speech to the Prince of Conde. The Princes answere. that hee sought to make diuers enter­prises against him and the State of his Realme, for the which cause he had sent for him, to heare what hee could say by word of mouth.

The Prince, that neither wanted courage, nor audacitie, aunswered boldly in his owne defence, and in such sort discouered those of Guise his ene­mies, [Page 84] His impri­sonment.that the king could not otherwise iudge, but that great wrong and iniu­rie was offered vnto his blood: neuerthelesse, according to the conclusion made before his arriuall, the king commaunded Chauigny Captaine of the guard, expressely sent thither by those of Guise, to take the Prince: which hee did, and ledde him prisoner vnto a house not farre from thence, before the which there was erected a Fort of Bricke, fluncard, and filled with field-pee­ces, and diuers cannoniers to keepe them, which peeces beate along three streetes, whereby it was able to defend all men from comming neare vnto the prison. The windowes of his chamber were closed vppe, and he was kept so straightly that no man spake vnto him, but onely his Chamberlaine. The king of Nauarre desired that his brother might bee committed vnto his charge,The enter­tainment of the King of Nauarre, and others. and hee would gage his life for his foorth comming, but it was refused him: and touching himselfe, his guard was taken from him, and still hauing watch about him both by night and day.

At the same time, certaine were sent to cease vpon Madame du Roye, mo­ther in lawe to the Prince, being in her house of Anicy in Picardie, from whence with great rigor she was brought vnto Saint Germains, by Monsieur de Renouart, and de Caronges: executers of that commission. They likewise sorgot not the Councellour la Haye at Parris, as one that dealt for the Prince: such as were his faithfull friends within Orleans, withdrew themselues out of the daunger. Bonchart, Chauncellour to the king of Nauarre, at the same time was taken in his owne house, by Iarnac, who in shewe made great apparance of disliking: Bouchart threatning him in presence of those that tooke him, to cause him as a Traitor to loose his head: but all this was but words, and nothing else. The papers were not forgotten,Bouchart taken and ledde to pri­so [...]. Imprison­ment of the Bailiffe of Orleans. and Bouchart was ledde to Orleans, and then to Me­lun, with other prisoners that came from Lyons, by that meanes to make readie the proofes against the Prince, whose proces was followed with all diligence. Hierome Groslot, Bailiffe of Orleans, a man both learned, vertuous, and full of pie­tie: a louer of the good and quietnesse of the Common-wealth, and an enemie to all Tyrants and factious persons, abhorring auarice & ambition: within two daies after the Princes arriuall, was likewise committed prisoner: hauing three daungerous witnesses against him, which were his office, a goodly house within the the Cittie, and another in the countrie. The cause pretended, was, that his father had beene Chancellour to the deceased king of Nauarre: and he in Orleans, the Protectour of those of the religion, and an affected friend vnto the Princes.

Further, when time came that hee should make an Oration vnto the king, at his entrie into the Towne, the Bailiffe mooued at some wrong offered vnto him, as it appeared, as he went towards the king, togither with the kings coun­tenance, that looked frowningly vppon him, hee could not vtter his minde as hee had first determined: and therevpon those of Guise tooke some occasion to accuse him vnto the King: saying, that hee felt his owne conscience to be guil­tie of his treason.

Being in prison, false witnesses, whereof the Curate of Saint Paterne, and the Vicar of Saint Catherine, were the principall, with Iaques Aleaume, Iaques L'huillier, le Borgne, le Alemant, and Iaques Masnet, accused him to haue deter­mined to deliuer Orleans vnto the King of Nauarre: to be of the intelligence of Amboise, and to haue beene in a certaine assembly holden by night within the [Page 85]great Church-yard, as also to haue manifestly supported those of the religi­on.

Dauanson maker of the proces.The maker of the proces was Dananson, a slaue to those of Guise, that sent such witnesses, as hee perceiued not to bee sufficiently instructed, vn­to the Curate of Saint Paterne: that by him they might vnderstand their lesson. Marshall de Brissac had alreadie laid hold vppon the house in the countrie, na­med l'Isle, and in fantasie made diuision of the goods in Sipierre: and Boyuin, his Secretarie, was so bold to say vnto the wife of Groslot, that if she would speake boldly, shewing her, that shee must come off with mony vnto his Maister, the Bailiffes affaires might speede the better.

The Guises practises open the mouthes of the estates of the Pro­uinces.Out of the Kealme, those of Guise had made the Pope, the king of Spaine, and others, to thinke that at that time, they would roote out all those that bare the name of Lutherians within France, whom they held bound both hand and foote, hoping that winter, to cleare them all out of the countrie: in the spring­time to send them into Almaine and Switzerland, to visit their friends: but their deuises could not impeach diuers and seuerall assemblies in many Prouinces, (to determine and deuise what were best for them to present at the Par­liament) to giue them some new worke: whereof the Orations made at Blois, Angers, Parris, Bazin, Plessis, Grimaudet, Capel, and others, are proofes suffici­ent: as also in most part of the other Prouinces, when the oppressours were discouered, and the people disposed to prouide by lawfull meanes against so many disorders, introduced and maintained by straungers: many of them ha­uing openly said, that they would not indure, that those of Guise should so op­presse the Princes of the blood: whereof most part that vsed that speech,Conspiracie to extirpe those of the religion. were men of the religion: and those of Guise beeing aduertised, could well shewe and propound this article of religion vnto the Duke de Montpensier, and other great Lords, in diuers places of the Realme, to make them the readier and more prompt to leane vnto them.

The hope of confiscations being mixed therewith, which made many ra­uening fellowes to looke about them: there was nothing offered, but Estates, Offices, Benefices, Mountaines of Gold, to such as would ayde and assist the King, to extirpe and roote out the enemies of the Church of Rome.

Passages kept that no aide should come.Besides that, the kings forces were diuided by those of Guise, into the Townes next about Orleans, as farre as Bourges, Moulins, Blois, Tours, Saumur, Angers, Chinon, Loudun, and Poicton, and in all the passages from whence they esteemed that any ayde might bee procured to helpe the Princes that were pri­soners. Those of the religion were narrowly looked vnto in diuers Townes, specially in Parris: meane time they proceeded vnto the framing of the proces against the Prince. But because of the obseruation of the formes of iustice,The maner of proceeding against the Prince. nei­ther the informations made at Lyons, against the Marshall of Saint Andre, nor the prisoners of Melun, were sufficient: they produced the Princes words v­sed at Amboise, lamenting the death of so many Gentlemen that were executed, with that which hee had vttered riding to Bearn, vnto Monsieur de Genlis, that had renounced the Cerimonies of the Romish Church, to the end, that not be­ing able to accuse him of high treason, they would condemne him of He­resie.

To strengthen this second proofe, those of Guise sent a Priest vnto him, [Page 86]apparelled after the Romish manner, which certified him, that he had ex­presse commaundement from the King, to sing Masse before him in his chamber. But the Priest with a rude aunswere was sent backe againe by the Prince, with commission, to shewe the King from him, that hee was not come thither in any sort to bee perticipant or communicate with the impi­eties and pollutions of the Romaine Antichrist,His magna­nimitie in Religion. wherevnto, long before hee had renounced: but onely to yeelde him an aunswere vnto the false and for­ged accusations imposed against him. Which answer was not forgotten, but thereof a large article was framed, both by the deposition of the Priest, and of the guarde.

As also his accusations against those of Guise.This magnanimitie much mooued those of Guise, but much more in that the Prince spake openly against them, to their discredits: oftentimes shewing a bag which hee helde in his hand, affirming it to be the processe of those Brigands and Guisian theeues: by the which, many points of high trea­on, whereof they were culpable, were well prooued and verified: which hee kept and reserued to present vnto the estates, thereby to giue them know­ledge of their subtill and vnlawfull gouernments, that imputed their owne treasons vnto the Princes of the bloud, that sought to oppose themselues a­gainst theyr tyrannies: and that if euer any man euer sought or ment to en­terprise any thing against the King and his Realme, it would bee those Har­piers and vpsprung house of Lorraine. A Gentleman one of their Participants, and in time past, very familier with the Prince, was appointed by them to conferre with him,He pronoun­ceth warre a­gainst the Guisians. as also to sound his full meaning and intent, and there­with to seeke to abate his courage: which hee pretending, the Prince desi­red him to shewe those of Guise, that for his part hee hadde receiued so many and great wrongs and iniuries at theyr hands, that their quarrell could neuer bee fully ended, eyther at the swordes poynt, or else by Lanuce: which if hee coulde not effect, yet hee hoped before his death, to make them manifestly to bee knowne and founde culpable of those faultes, by them imposed vppon him. This most haughtie resolution, caused them to sende for the President de Thou, Barthollomewe Faye, and Iaques Violle, Counecllours of Parris, certayne Maisters of the requests, Bour­din, Attourney Generall,They seeke to make his processe. and du Tillet the Clarke, to examine the Prince vppon high Treason: and that if they coulde not finde him guiltie thereof, they shoulde then examine him vppon the Artickles of his fayth.

The Prince aunswered them, that it belonged not vnto them to put any such questions vnto him, not specifying diuers causes of refusing them therein, which hee might well haue shewed: specially against de Thou, whome hee most sharpelye reprooued, and when they enter­prised to proceede further in lawe, the Prince appealed vnto the King. But the next day being the 15. of Nouember, the peale was declared by the priuie Counsell to bee of no force: from which the Prince hauing once againe appealed, hee was commaunded vpon paine of high treason to aun­swere before those Commissioners,He purgeth himself of treason, and openly profes­seth religion. which he did: hauing two Councellers to helpe him. And before them, he clearely acquited himselfe of treason: and boldly confessed and auouched the religion. Not long after, the Secretary [Page 87] Robertet, brought him a certaine paper containing diuers speeches, pre­tended to haue beene spoken by him at Amboise, beholding the executi­on of certaine prisoners. Hee therewith at large expounded his meaning vpon those speeches, yet was there no witnesses produced against him for the same, no nor Bouchart himselfe, that had faithfully promised vnto the Car­dinall by word of mouth, to shewe him many wonderfull things touching the Prince, but they proceeded so farre, that vppon his aunsweres, hee had iudgement of death pronounced vppon him, and his head to bee striken off, vppon a Scaffold before the Kings Pallace, vppon the tenth of December then next ensuing, at the entering of the Estates into the Par­liament.

He is con­demned by the priuie Councell and participants of Guise.It is affirmed and published by writing, that this iudgement was vnder­written and sealed by all the priuie Councell, (onely the Chauncellour and Monsieur de Mortier, that delayed it off) as also by diuers great Lords and Barrons, by the eighteene knights of the Order newly chosen, and by di­uers others, participants of the house of Guise, and by more Maisters of Requests, and Councellours of the Parliament, which the king sent for, and caused to come thither, that not once dealt in the cause.

The Counte de Sancerre refused to signe it, desiring the King with wee­ping eyes, rather to cut off his head, then once to mooue him therevnto, whereat the King much abashed, dismissed the Counte, not pressing him any further therein. They likewise vsed many rude and hard dealings towards the Princesse of Conde, who very stoutly and with a meruellous courage, sued for her husband.

Meanes and subtilties v­sed, that no speech should be had in the Parliament touching re­ligion.At the sametime, the Pope published a Bull, bearing date the twentieth of Nouember, wherin hee promised a generall Councell for the ordering and determining of matters of religion, assigning it to be holden within the towne of Trent, vppon Easter day, then next ensuing. On the other side, the Car­dinall of Lorraine, had giuen order, to write and Register, the names of all the principail of the religion, in euery Prouince throughout France: which rolles were made and diliuered vnto him.

All those that held on the Princes parts, and with religion, were as then iudged to die, thereby to cease all quarrelles, and that no more speech might once bee mooued touching the reformation of religion, seeing as then the af­faires concerning the same, were in that estate which those of Guise desired: and for the execution of so high and haughtie enterprises, as the assembly of the Estates, whereby the libertie of France should wholly haue beene o­uerthrown: the forces of the Realme diuided into foure parts, vnder the conducts of the Duke d'Aumale, the Marshals of Saint Andre, de Brissac, and de Termes, marched to clear the Prouinces of all suspected persons touching religion: to furnish the charges thereof, they tooke the third part of all Ecclesiasticall reuenues, the Gold and Siluer of Relicques, and the Trea­sures of the Temple: with promise that the confiscations should restore it all againe.

For supply of Souldiers, the Pope dispensed with all the Cleargie, and pro­mised to furnish them with a great number of men of that calling. As tou­ching the extermination of the Princes and Lords, they proceeded therein with time and leisure.

The King of Nauarre was to bee confined vnto the Castle of Leches, the Admi­rall into the great Tower of Bourges, with all his children, his Nephewes in another Tower within Orleans, which after that, was called the Admi­rall, hard by that of Saint Aignan, prepared for the chiefe Cittizens of the Towne.

Determina­tion to kil the king of Na­narre, mar­nellously pre­serued.The Marshals of Saint Andre and Brissac, beeing arriued at the Court▪ were of aduise, that the King of Nauarre should bee slaine, without troubling themselues to set a guard to keepe him: wherevppon they determined to poy­son him at a banquet, and then vppon an euening, to kill him as hee went from the kings chamber: which taking no effect, the king was desired to do it, and to stabbe him with his Ponyard, and so to shedde his owne blood, which Gods mercifull prouidence would not permit, although it seemed to bee almost vppon the poynt of execution, the King hauing the Ponyard readie vnder his Gowne, beeing alreadie entered into certaine rough spee­ches against the King of Nauarre, who in presence of those of Guise, made him so sufficient and good an aunswere, that hee escaped. An other pre­tence was sought to get him to ride abroade to hunt, and in hunting to kill him.

The Constable had not as yet entered into the Lackes, but they were minded to constraine him therevnto, hauing alreadie sent out commission to laye hands vppon Monsieur d'Anuille, his second sonne. As touching the Ad­mirall and his two bretheren, the declaration by them made, (specially the Admiral & d'Andelot) to bee of the religion, was cause sufficient to condemne them.Meanes v­sed to intrap and extirpe all those of the religion. Which to effect, the king sent commission to all the knights of the Or­der, to certifie them, that he would holde a generall feast of the Order, vppon Christinas day then next after ensuing: minding (all excuses set apart) that e­uery man should as then come thither: which beeing expected, the Doctors of the Sorbonists, framed such a confession of the faith, that not any man, how little feeling soeuer hee had of the religion, would for a thousand liues haue once signed or consented therevnto.

The day beeing come, this confession was to haue been presented by the King himselfe, vnto the knights, hee beeing the first that should set hand vnto it, requiring the like of euery one of them, with oath and promise to holde and obserue the same vnuiolably in euery poynt, and to set vppon and ouerrunne all such as should deny it, without exception either of friends or Parents what­soeuer: and whosoeuer should make the least deniall, or any delay, presently without further inquisition, forme, or manner of proceeding, the king should degrade him of the Order, and as also of estates, dignities, and honours, and the next day after, hee should bee burnt. The like should also bee done vpon the same day, by an assembly of Cardinals, thereby to intrappe the Cardinall of Chastillon: that done, all the Princes and Lords of the Realme, should come to signe to that confession: then all the Gentlemen and Domesticall Officers to the king. The Chancellour had commaundement to do the like among the Mai­sters of Requests, Iudges, Secretaries, and other Officers of the Courts of Par­liaments.

The Queene-mother tooke the charge vppon her, to cause all the Ladies and Gentlewomen of the Court to do the like: it being inioyned vnto al those that had any retinue or houshold to cause them to followe the same rule, vpon [Page 89]paine to aunswere to the contrary at their perils. After that, it was to be sent vnto all the Parliaments, Baliages, Stewardships, and other Iurisdictions of the Realme, to exact the like confession of faith vppon euery man, and whoso­euer delayed or fayled therein, to be presently burnt, without any other forme or manner of proces. If any belonging vnto the Princes or Lords of the Guises part, were exempted from death, for hauing refused to signe, and after repen­ted their fault, for his pennance, all his life after, hee should weare a Sanueni­to or coloured robe, after the manner of Spaine, for a perpetuall shame and ig­nominie.

The Curates and Vicars, were charged to go vnto all the houses of their Parishes, accompanied with the Clarkes, Notaries, and other such persons therevnto appoynted, to take the Signatures, and to keepe a iust record of the number of euery particular Iurisdiction. New Commissions likewise beeing sent out vnto the Captains and Gentlemen, perticipants with those of Guise, to raise men of the same confession, that they might iustly execute that which should bee giuen them in charge.

The Depu­ties for the Estates, put in feare and hardly hand­led.As the Deputies for the Estates arriued, and the tenth of December ap­proaching for the beginning of the Parliament, expresse commaundement was giuen them from the king, vppon paine of death, that not any of them should once be so bolde, as to vtter one word in open Parliament touching re­ligion, because his Maiestie had otherwise disposed thereof. But some of them not refraining to say, that the letters of commission to assemble, specified the same. Those they sought by faire meanes to appease, or else to blinde their eyes with the Popes new made Bull, with the assembly of a Councel: others they put in feare: and to some they made faires promises, but to such as were not of the religion, they partly made them priuie to their intents aforesaid. At that instant, there arriued a packet from the Counte de Villards, Lieftenant for the Constable in Longuedoc: who wrote, that the Deputies for that Prouince, that were appoynted to sit in Parliament, were such, as were most affected vn­to religion, and such as would not fayle to aske the libertie thereof, as ha­uing speciall charge to doo it: wherevppon men were presently sent foorth for to arrest them, but they taking an other way to Orleans, without giuing leaue to enter into their lodgings, they were ceased vpon, with all their notes, con­taining most ample instructions, both for the good and benefit of the Estate, and religion.

Constancie of the king of Nauarre.On the other side, certaine Captaines and souldiers solicited the king of Nauarre, to saue himselfe, presenting him with the meanes: diuers of his friendes aduertising him of many daungers that might happen vnto him by staying there. But hee committing his life into the hands of God, and doub­ting least his retrait would rather be cause to bereaue him of his life, refrained that counsell, so that whatsoeuer eyther friends or enemies could say vnto him, yea, although hee might easilie perceiue himselfe to bee openly disday­ned and mocked by the Courtiers, hee would not forsake the Towne, ney­ther yet leaue his brother, before hee had seene what would bee the effect thereof.

The Admi­rall goeth to Orleans.The Admirall sent for by the king to come to Orleans, without making any account of his friends, and other his familiars disswations, shewing him into what daunger hee would thereby bring himselfe, presently tooke his voyage, [Page 90]and beeing arriued at the Court, hee vnderstood by the Queene-mother, that the Cardinall had fully determined to aske him a reason of his faith in the pre­sence of the King, praying him not wilfully to put himselfe in daunger. His constant aunswere was reported vnto the Cardinall, who therevppon made his full account, that eyther the Admirall should as then renounce the religi­on, or else loose his life.

The day be­fore the Prince should be executed, the King fell sicke.Vppon Sunday, beeing the ninth of December, as a part of the Kings hous­hold were alreadie departed from Orleans, to go to Chambourg and Chenoncean, the king of Nauarre in the morning going to salute the King, hee was warned to come foorth, and to ride on hunting, vntil the States were come: but he excused himselfe, considering his brothers captiuitie, yet had hee expresse commaundement, the next morning to prepare himselfe to ride: vppon the which day, his brother should haue lost his head: but that day the common Prouerbe was truly verified: which is, that God can alter all mens actions: for that the same day, about foure of the clocke in the Euening, the King bee­ing at Euening prayer, at the Iacobins, hee fell in a sound, wherewith hee was presently carryed into his Chamber, where beeing reuiued, hee beganne to complaine of his head, on that side of his left eare, wherein hee had a conti­nuall Phisola, in such sort, that with the paine, a Feuer ceased vppon him. Which notwithstanding,Those of Guise seeke to withstand the blow. those of Guise caused diuers commissions to be sent abroad vnto the Captaines of their part, to raise men in diuers Prouinces: and not long before, commission had been giuen vnto the Marshall de Termes, to march to meete the Spaniards, as then comming vnto Rayonne, and with them to enter into Bearn. The Viscounte d'Orthe, Gouernour of Bayonne, had com­maundement from the King, to put the Towne (if neede were) into the king of Spaines hands, thereby to serue him for a passage for his armie to enter into the countie of Nauarre, where hee was, to wast and destroy all the land, and then to proceede with the ouerthrow and vtter extirpation of all the Gentle­men and Lords, who in those countries had fauoured the King of Nauarre, or the enterprise of Amboise. But a great part of those Lords and Gentlemen, not minding to sell their skinnes so good cheape, raised armes, to the number of seuen or eight hundreth horse well mounted, with fiue or sixe thousand foot­men, who were all appoynted, so soone as Marshall de Termes should haue past Limoges, to inclose him betweene two riuers: whereof hee beeing aduer­tised, and remembring Graueling, hee retired in all haste vnto Poictiers, giuing aduise vnto the Court what had happened vnto him: whereat those of Guise beeing abashed, and perceiuing the king to waxe weaker, and euery day sicker then other, determined with desperate minds to kill the king of Nauarre, who not long before being aduertised thereof, made his complaint vnto the Queen-mother: which notwithstanding his enemies would not leaue off, but by all means sought to effect it, if it had not been for the Cardinall of Tournon, that gaue them counsell to stay their enterprise, vntill the Constable, with his sonnes and Nephewes, were come vnto the Court, least that by killing the one, they should chance to mooue a greater daunger, and to stirre those vp, that might procure farre greater trouble then the Princes could effect. Meane time, the king of Nauarre tooke great care to looke vnto himself, yet all that he could do, would not haue preuailed, if his enemies had set vppon him.

The kings disease increasing more and more, th [...] [...]uke of Guise beganne to [Page 91]vtter his chollor against the Phisitians, the Cardinall sent on Pilgrimages,But no man can striue against God. and vsed Friers & Priests at Parris & other places, to make processions: & the king made a solemne promise vnto all the Saints in Picardie, specially to our Ladie of Glery, (as they terme her) that if it pleased them to helpe him, he would wholly purge his Realme of all those Hereticques. But as then began his more ruine, and his Feuer still to increase: wherat those of Guise being abashed, what coun­tenance soeuer they shewed, assayed to perswade the Queene-mother, that the kings bodie should be kept from buriall after his death, vntill such time as they had taken order for their affaires, and caused their vniust actions to be al­lowed by open Parliament: to the end, that no man might call them to account heereafter. But that was vnpossible, for that too many people daylie attending when the time would bee, at the same time the Vidame de Chartres, prisoner in the Bastille, hauing beene carried from thence, to remaine within his house in Saint Anthonies streete: presently vppon his arriuall thither, hee fell sicke and died. The Bailiffe of Orleans was committed vnto the custodie of his mother in lawe. And those of the religion as then were drowned in most ardent prayers, teares, and fastes, thereby to obtaine some ayde and succour at the handes of God, against so many imminent daungers, that as then hung ouer their heads.

The Queen-mother esta­blisheth her authoritie to sustaine those of GuiseThe Queene-mother perceuing her eldest sonne at such extremitie, taking counsell with her selfe, as also of those of Guise, sent for the king of Nauarre, wil­ling him to come vnto her Chamber, where beeing come, and thinking to en­ter, a Gentleman spake vnto him in his eare, that at any hand hee should bee carefull not to refuse the Queen, whatsoeuer she should demaund, otherwise it would cost him his life. Beeing entered, hee found the Queene to bee ac­companied with the Duke of Guise, the Cardinall of Lorraine, and a Secretarie, who with a countenance framed vnto her passion, made great complaints and declarations vnto the King of of Nauarre, as touching things past, discouering her minde likewise, concerning things present, and to come: concluding that her meaning was, and so she would haue it, that the said king of Nauarre shuld release vnto her all the right and title that he might in any sort pretend or claime vnto the Regencie, and gouernment of the king and of the Realme: and ne­uer seeke to enioy, require, or once desire it: and that if the States would giue it him, hee should remitte it wholly vnto her: and because it should be firmely holden by them, shee said hee should confirme it vnto her by writing vnder his hand: then her meaning was, hee should recon­cile himselfe vnto her Cousins of Guise, and so deface the opinion by him conceiued against them: saying, that they ought to leaue all quar­relles, and from thencefoorth liue in peace: seeing the greatest and woorthiest Lords, and Princes of the Land, beganne to shew them the way.

After some excuses, and effectuall aunsweres made by the King of Na­uarre, in the end he yeelded the Regencie vnto the Queene,The Regen­cie of the Realme yeel­ded to the Queen-mo­ther. that he should be Lieftenant for the K. in France, to take order for al the Marshal af­faires, and to receiue the packets: which hauing opened and read, hee should send thē vnto her againe, and that nothing should be done without the aduise of him, and the other Princes of the blood: who from thencefoorth should o­therwise be respected: that done, shee caused him to imbrase her Cousins of Guise, and mutually on both parts, to forget all quarrelles past.

From which time forwards they all beganne to salute and imbrace each other, as if they neuer had beene at mortall strife.Reconcilia­tion of those of Guise, with the king of Nauarre. All this was done before the ar­riuall of the Constable and his Nephewes. Further, they caused the sicke king to say vnto the King of Nauarre, that of his owne minde, and wholly against the willes or consents of those of Guise, hee had caused the Prince of Conde to bee committed prisoner, asking his counsell, and desiring him to beleeue him: and for the loue of him, and of the Queene his mother, to deface and whol­ly remit all the euill will and opinions, that in any sort he might conceiue of them: which after serued them to some good end. Those of Guise not well as­sured,The feare of those of Guise. notwithstanding all that had beene past, obtained of the Queen-mo­ther, that the guardes of the Gates of Orleans might bee made stronger, im­peaching the entrie of many persons, and commaundements made in paine of death, that not any man (whatsoeuer) should speake vnto the Prince of Con­de, without expresse licence and commaundement from the Queen-mother, or else that hee brought her signer.

The death of King Fran­cis the secondThe 14. of December about noone, they esteemed the king to be dead, although hee departed not his life, till about fiue of the clocke at night: not long before his death, those of Guise went to shut themselues within their lod­gings, from whence in 36. houres after, they neuer came foorth, before such time as that they had a full assurance, both from the Queene-mother, and also from the king of Nauarre: and before that, they carried vnto their houses the summe of three or foure score thousand Frankes, that rested in the treasor: wherevnto no man resisted, which made all men suppose, that the Queene-mother suffered them to do it, the better to maintaine her selfe in time to come.

A chaunge in the court.Assoone as the king was dead, the Queene-mother sent for the Consta­ble vnto Estampes, in all speed to repaire vnto the Court: at his arriuall hee dis­charged the guard, that were placed by those of Guise to keepe the Gates of Orleans: the Prince of Conde continued prisoner in Orleans, tenne ortwelue daies after the kings death, he neuer hauing had the credit once to see him during his imprisonment: after that, he was sent with a guard vnto Han, from whence hee went to Roye, there to attend the issue of his proces, in other sort, then ey­ther his friendes or enemies once conceiued.Deliuery of those of the Religion. Those of the religion, that had still remained in long & continuall prayers in their most secret assemblies for certaine daies, beganne to lift vp their heades, being all prepared and readie to die, if the king had liued but certaine weekes longer.

The king of Spaines troupes marching towards Bearn, were counterman­ded, and so retired without any exploit. Monluc that was promised by those of Guise, to be made Counte de Armignac, and stayed for them in that countrie, re­tired vnto his house, as others adherents vnto them, which did the like: the most secret seruants that those of Guise could haue within the Court, presented thēselues with al humilitie vnto the K. of Nauarre, The incon­stancie of the Court. discouering vnto him y^e cer­taintie of those affaires, that should haue bin executed against his person. But the Queen-mother would not permit, that neither then, nor at any time after, such things should once be spoken of, thereby fearing (as she said) some great trouble that might arise. But it fell out cleane contrary, for that for want of ta­king order therin, whē time serued, it grew to such an issue, that both she and her sonnes, hauing neuer seen any other thē mischiefs, were deep sunck into [Page 93]them, that before they died, they neuer could find any certaine issue how to a­uoyde them. The Admirall among the rest, wheresoeuer hee came, glorified the wonderfull workes of God,Constancie of the Ad­marall. who at that time had deliuered him out of the hands of his most mortall enemies, euen at such time as they thought most to triumph ouer him. Those of Guise besought the Queene to make him to bee silent, yet he ceased not to offer, and also to iustifie thē to be culpable of diuers poynts of treason, if it pleased her to permit that iustice might bee giuen accor­dingly. Shee not seeming to hearken therevnto, desired him to thinke well of them, and from that time to liue in peace, assuring him to set good order among them. His aunswere was, that to shewe a good countenance vnto those that had purchased his death, charged his honour, procured the confiscation of his goods, with the totall ruine and ouerthrow of his house, his kinred, and friends, he could not do it, without shewing a double hart, which was a thing cleane contrary to his religion, and not fitte for any honest man to do: yet he re­mitted the vengeance vnto God, that could well do it when hee should see his time, seeing men would not permit him to haue iustice.

Those of Guise, desiring not to bee farre from the assembly of the Estates, wherein they feared some earnest matter would be propounded against them,King Fran­cis that had been so much mooued a­gainst those of the religi­on, is buried after their manner. caused the bodie of the dead king, to bee conuaied by Sansac and la Brosse, vnto Saint Denis, where without any solemnitie, or royall pompe, it was buried. The Duke of Guise as then great maister, and hauing ceased vppon the last re­ceipts of mony, not long before the king died, with whom hee kept companie in his life: was much dispraised and euill thought of, by reason of that great fault: wherevnto his seruants aunswered, that as then hee had no more neede of the kings helpe, by whom he had serued his turne so wel, but that thence­foorth hee was to looke vnto himselfe, and to seeke to eleuate his house.

Such was the raigne of Francis the second, that died at the age of 17. years lacking one month: in the 17. month of his raigne: the 17. day of his sicknesse: and the 17. houre after midnight: and because that during the short time of his raigne, the seedes of ciuill dissention were sowen and scattered in France, which hitherto haue endured for the space of twise seuenteene yeares. I thought at large herein to declare all that had passed in this kings time, the better to please the Readers mindes.

Charles the ninth.

The Regen­cie confirmed to the Queen mother. FRANCIS the second being dead without issue, Charles his third brother succeeded in his place, Son to Henry the second, (the second called Louys, dying an infant) borne the 27. of Ianuarie, 1550. vppon the 20. of December, in open Councell, where the yong king was brought, accompanied with the king of Nauarre, and other Princes of the blood, with diuers Lords and principall Coun­cellours, an order was established for the man­naging of affaires, and the Regencie confirmed vnto the Queene.

The Parlia­ment.Two daies after, the Estates assembled in a great Hall within Orleans, where the Chancellor made an Oration, wherin he shewed, to what end an assembly in that sort was to be holdē: why they had assembled: what good would hap­pen therby, & wholly confuting those that were in doubt to haue them meet, painting them out in all their colours. After that, hee propounded the means to appease all troubles,The Chan­cellors Ora­tion. shewing wherein they might relieue both the Estate and religion, inclining to a Councell, exhorting them on all parts, to a perfect vnion and quietnesse of mind: lastly, he spake of the kings debts, which done, hee ended his Oration, and so for that time, the assembly came foorth.

The next day after, certain disputations were holden, to know if the Deputies might as then enter into a Councell after the kings death,De Roche­fort, for the Nobilitie. whereby it seemed, all their Commissions not to bee of any force: which beeing decided, they be­ganne with Orations. Monsieur de Rochefort speaking for the Nobilitie, ap­prooued the Regencie of the Queen-mother, complained of the iurisdictions vsurped by the Clargie: of the disorders happened among the Nobilitie, and of the wrongs done vnto them: set downe the meanes to gouerne the Spiritual­tie, and to maintaine them within their bounds: spake for the comfort of the people, specially concerning iustice, shewing that the Offices for iustice, oght [Page 95]to bee freely giuen, iustice reduced to a certaine necessary number of Officers, and that the Nobilitie ought not to be secluded from the administration there­of. After that, he spake touching the disorders vsed in confiscations, & against seditions, besought the King to receiue and maintaine the Nobilitie in their priuiledges, and withall, presented a request, wherein was required the vse of certaine Churches for the Nobilitie,de l'Ange for the third Estate. that as then made profession of the reli­gion. One named l'Ange, speaking for the third Estate, intreated principally a­gainst the ignorance, auarice, and carelessenesse of the Cleargie: thereof infer­ring, that such faults ceasing in them, all troubles would soone be ended. Iohn Quintin Autunois, professor of the ciuill lawe in Parris, appoynted to make an Oration for the Cleargie, (whom the Cardinal of Lorraine had preferred,De Quintin for the Clear­gie. as al­so for the Nobilitie and third Estate: but all in vaine) spake much, but with much dirision: pronouncing nothing but by writing, and that with smal grace, hauing for his cōtrowlers diuers of the principall Prelates & Cardinals of the Realme. The summe of his Oration, after many and great commendations, vt­tered in the behalfe of the Queene-mother, was to shewe the principall cau­ses of the assembly of the Estates, not to deale in any thing touching the refor­mation of religion, which cannot erre: but rather to solicite and commaund the Ministers of the same, duly and truly to execute their charges, and not to permitany other religion then that of Rome: wherevppon hee made a long in­uection against those of the religion, & such as had desired Churches: saying, that hee which had beene the messenger and presenter of their request, (in a manner openly charging the Admiral, set right against, and face to face with that Orator) oght to be holdē & declaredan Hereticque, & against him, as be-being one, they oght to proceed, according to the rigor both of cannō & ciuil lawes: thereby to roote the mischiefe out of the heart of France. Hee compa­red those of the religion vnto the Arians: & the Lords that fauored thē, to the Traitor Gainas in the time of Arcadius, vsed all his eloquence to prooue the an­tiquitie of the Romish religion, and that those of the religion in France, were dispersed people, and such as sought to induce an Anarchie, wholly vnworthie of any support or good intertainment, requiring the prohibition of all bookes not allowed by the Doctors of the Sorbonistes: concluding therewith, to de­sire that all those of the religion might bee wholly rooted out and extingui­shed: which done, hee directed his speech vnto the king and his mother, ma­king request for the maintaining of the persons and goods of the Cleargie, for their elections, for the obseruations of the ancient Cannons, for the exempti­on of Tithes, contributions, and cotisations, wherevppon hee made almost a whole houres worke. Lastly, hee pleaded without request, for the Nobilitie, for the third Estate, for the gouernment of iustice: and to conclude, made a long discourse of the institution of a king.

The next day, the Admirall complained vnto the king & to the Queen mo­ther, of the presumptious ignorance of de Quintin, A payment for de Quintin, O­rator for the Cleargie. that had so openly charged him, touching the presenting of a request in the behalfe of the religion, at Fon­tainbleau. Quiutin excused himselfe vpon the lesson that had been giuen in wri­ting, and in his second Orarion, denied his first, to please the Admirall: and not long after, died of sorrowe and greefe, perceiuing himselfe so well discoue­red, by diuers answeres made vnto his Oration, wherein his Apostacie, his slaunders, and his falsehoodes were fully set downe.

In the beginning of this yeare, the Spiritualtie had commandement from the king, to bee at the Councell of Trent, and commission likewise was giuen vnto all Iudges and other Officers,Order tou­ching religiō. that they should presently release both bo­dies and goods of all such prisoners, that then were kept or holden in prison for religion: defence beeing made to all men whatsoeuer, not to iniurie them nor their religion, vppon paine of death.

The States continued their conference at Orleans, where the Cittizens of Orleans were much greened, that in the last kings time those of Guise had filled their houses with souldiers, that had fedde vpon them at their owne pleasures, complaining that the Duke de Nemours held a great number secretly in diuers places, to do some suddaine exploit. The king of Nauarre and the Constable, beeing appeased, the Queen-mother caused all that complaint to cease, con­tenting themselues, that the Duke disauouched them all. There rested yet ano­ther stoppe, which caused the Parliament to bee reiourned vntill the month of May next after ensuing, to be holden at Pontoise.

The King of Nauarre and the Channcellor, desiring the estates to take or­der that the Kings debts might be paide:The brea­king vp of the Parlia­ment. offering to shewe them a particular rolle thereof. The King of Nauarre saying further, that if by accounts, they founde that he hadde receiued any extraordinary giftes, hee woulde freely restore them againe. But those of Guise and others, that coulde not saye the like, did so much, that those matters proceeded not any further in question, hoping that time would cause them to speake of other things then restitutions.

Not long after, the Prince of Conde recalled vnto the Court, came from la Fere, The King iustifieth the Prince of Conde. to Fontainbleau, and the next day after his arriuall, entred into counsell, vpon the thirteenth of March, where in presence of them all, the king declared that hee had beene sufficiently certified of his innocency, permitting him to make a second declaration thereof at the Court of Parliament in Parris: whither, not long after, the Prince went. On the other side, the King of Nauarre, complained to the Queene-mother, touching the Duke of Guise, that was preferred both before himselfe and the Constable, and proceeded so farre therein, that both he, and the rest of the Princes of the blood, with the Constable and diuers Noblemen,The Queen-mother assu­reth her re­gency. began to prepare themselues to depart out of the Court: but she perceiued that to be a blowe wherewith to abate her go­uernment, by the Cardinall of Tournons meanes, shee sent for the Constable, commanding him expresly from the King, that he should not depart from the Court. Which done, she stayed the rest, and so brake off that matter, to her no small contentment.

The report of this discontentment, beeing spread into diuers places, the Deputies for the assembly of the particular states of Parris, began to speake ther­of, and earnestly to agree of some order to be taken,The particu­lar states of Parris, see clearer then others. touching the gouernment of the Realme, displacing of some, and placing of others in principall offices: to constraine those of Guise to yeeld an account, touching the treasures by them receiued in the last Kings time, as also of other their misbehauiours: to recall the gifts made vnto the Duchesse of Valentinois, thēselues and others: & that be­fore their iustification they shuld not sit in coūsell. The Queene-mother much troubled therat, found no better nor no surer meanes, then to make a new con­tract with the king of Mauarre, and therein to imploy the Constable, that by the [Page 97]accord between them, the King of Nauarre was expresly declared Liestenant Generall for the King,To breake their intent, the Queene-mother agre­eth with the King of Na­uarre. and order set downe that the Queene-mother should do nothing but by his aduise and consent. This was written and signed by them both, as also by the Councell, and namely by the Duke of Guise, who by the Queenes Counsell shewed himselfe much more tractable then euer hee did. Diuers of the King of Nauarres Councell, were of the contrary opinion, al­though hee alleadged diuers great promises made vnto him from the Queene by word of mouth, alledging that shee would wholly deny whatsoeuer shee had said: that his Lieftenants place should be but in paper, and that if the mat­ter were ruled and ordered by the Estates, both the Queene and those of Guise, with all their adherents, would bee so dealt withall, that the realme would be restored vnto her pristinate gouernment: and that to the contrary, leauing things in that order, France as then beeing at peace and quietnesse with forraine enemies, would presently bee troubled in most straunge and extraordinary maner within it selfe: for partiallities being great on both sides, the one would seeke to ouerrunne the other: and that it was to bee hoped, that if the affaires of the estate were ruled & ordered according to the lawes of the Realme, men might easilie impeach and hinder wicked men, from effecting that which by them is secretly pretended: that then at the beginning it behoued them to looke vnto it, and to bee well aduised, thereby to establish peace and good gouern­ment in the affaires of the Realme. But whatsoeuer they said, it was to no ef­fect, whereby both the King of Nauarre himselfe, the Princes of the blood, and all the Realme in generall, did after indure much woe, the wound wher­of as yet remaineth fresh.

The increase of the religi­on not suppor­ted.Forth us it fell out, those of the religion openly increasing within France, and in the Court the King of Nauarre did seem to support them: Sermons were made both in the prince of Condes & the Admirals chambers, as also both with­in and without the Court, and the Queene-mother caused the Bishoppe of Valence, to preach within the great Hall, which Bishoppe followed not the Sorbonists doctrine, such as desired nothing but new troubles, thereby not to bee constrained to giue account for things past, and that knewe full well, that the sweete ayre of a firme and steadfast peace, would soone melt and con­sume them, or else reduce them into so miserable an estate, that they should bee forced to hide their heades, taking that occasion as it fell out. They first inflamed the Constable by the daylie speeches and exclamations of his wife, ordinarily accompanied and plyed by Priests and Friers, and then by his kins­men. And lastly,The pertur­bers solicite the Consta­ble to begin their Trage­die. by certaine persons purposely appoynted to that end by those of Guise, as also by the Queene-mother against those of the religion, saying that they went about wholly to abollish the Masse, and all his Reliques, and that vnder pretence of yeelding vppe of accounts and extraordinary giftes, they sought to vnhorse him, that for the space of fortie yeares, had dealt in the grea­test and most vrgent affaires of the Realme.

The Marshal of Saint Andre, and Montpesat draue forward this wheele, and therewith perswaded the Constable, alreadie mooued, in that hee sawe and openly perceiued, the auncient traditions of the Romish Church to bee wholly despised, both by great and small within the Court.

His eldest sonne, who beeing a Lord of great iudgement, and per­ceiuing his Father vppon the poynt to bee separated and disioyned [Page 98]from the Prince of Conde, and his Nephews de Chastillon, & other great Lords, thereby to become the executioner of the Guisians passions, vsed all the means he could to driue backe the blowe: but he did no more therein, then the Ad­mirall and his brother the Cardinall de Chastillon. The Constable remaining firme in that opinion, that changing of religion would breed an alteration of the estate, which he would not endure: and to conclude, not long after, he and the Duke of Guise hauing made diuers banquets, togither with the Duke de Montpensieur at Fontainbleau, the Constable made a Supper to the Duke of Guise: the Prince de Iainuille, and the Marshall of Saint Andre, the next day riding to Chantilly, to the marriage of Thore his fift sonne: the Duke of Guise not long af­ter following him to Nantueil, about fiue myles from thence, where by let­ters they had many and seuerall conferences.

The common people in di­uision, follow­ing the ex­ample of the Nobilitie.The people of France beeing vsed to cast their eyes vppon the Court, per­ceiuing that there the great personages beganne to looke with strange coun­tenances vpon each other, they began to do the like. There wāted no prouo­kers nor perswaders in the temples, who without suppression spake of nothing else but fire and sword, whereby in many places ensued great mutinies, as in Beauuais, Amiens, Pontoise, and other Townes, wherein most great excesse and rigor was shewen to those of the religion, who beeing as it were but a hand­full, in comparison to those of the Romish Church, demaunded nought but peace, sometimes certaine of them (lesse patient then the rest) not beeing able to indure the iniuries of those that termed them Huguenots, and no Christi­ans, beganne to replye in like manner, calling such as abused them, Papistes, and from such stinging words, they fell to quarrelles: which differences pro­duced an edict made at Fontainbleau, forbidding those reproaches and names of Huguenots and Papists: also not to search any mans house, nor to keepe any man prisoner for the religion, vnder colour and pretence of certaine formes not well obserued.An edict made at Fontain­bleau as are­medy against the order ta­ken by the Parliament, which, as then was al­most broken. The Parliament of Parris, that likewise beganne to take a part, in stead of opposing it selfe against commotions that might alter and change the quietnesse of the estate, made great declarations vnto the King, affirming most plainely, that the diuersitie of religion, is not to be indured in one estate, condemning that, by them termed to be a li­bertie of conscience, and requiring the king to make and ordaine an open profession of the Romish religion, and therevnto to inioyne all his sub­iects whatsoeuer, to obserue and keepe it, vppon such paines and pe­nalties, as hee and his learned Councell should thinke most conuenient.

There were other declarations made touching the wordes of Pa­pistes and to liue Catholickely, contained within the edict, wherevp­pon those of the Parliament propounded many difficulties, to the great hurt and detriment of those of the religion, that were wholly and openly condemned: and the Pope expresly named the head, and Gods Vicar vppon earth. This winde serued but onely with more speede to assem­ble and bring togither the tempests of ciuill warres, which at this day as yet continueth.

Sacrying of the king. The Cardi­nals com­plaints.In the moneth of Iune, the king was sacred in Reims, where were present thirteene Peeres of France, the kings eldest brother beeing the first, and all the other Princes of the blood sitting in their degrees, there the Cardinall of Lorraine made great complaintes against those of the religion, where­vpon [Page 99]it was determined, that a new assembly of the Princes, Lords, and others of the priuie Councell, should bee made in the Court of Parliament in Parrris, to take order therein. Not long after, letters pattents were sent vnto the Presidents de Thou, and Seguier, to assemble the particular Estates of Parris: but vpon the opposition framed by the Councellour Ruze, in the name of the No­bilitie, those assemblies of Estates were broken vppe, without any resolution: onely in one poynt, which was, that the payment of the Kings debts should bee imposed vppon the Cleargie. About the same time, the act for the clea­ring the Prince of Conde of treason, was newly published, & proclaimed open­ly in the Court, by President Baillet: the doores being open, and all the Iudges and Councellors being present in their Scarlet gownes, within the great cham­ber, where were present diuers Princes and Noblemen,A decree in the Court of Parliament, to iustifie the Prince of Conde and others. the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall of Lorraine beeing of the traine. There the Prince was decla­red innocent in that which had bin imposed against him, and free libertie reserued vnto him, to haue lawe against all such, as hee therein suspected to bee his enemies and false accusers: and such recompence in that case to bee allowed him, as to a man of his estate might appertaine. The like Actes were read and pronounced at the same time for Madame de Roye, Vidame de Chartres deceased, Monsieur de Cany, and the Councellour de la Haye.

Not long after, the king, the Queene his mother, and the priuie Councell, came into the Parliament, and there, after many and diuers opinions giuen foorth concerning religion, in the moneth of Iuly,The edict of Iulie. an edict was published vp­pon paine of death, forbidding al iniurious speeches & words whatsoeuer, on both sides to bee vsed: all leagues and things tending vnto sedition: all slaunde­rous words against Preachers and assemblies, forbidden to those of the religi­on: who neuerthelesse could not haue beene condemned to indure a greater paine, vnlesse it had beene bannishment out of the Realme: all which proui­sion, vntill a full and ample declaration should bee made by a generall Coun­cell, or by the next assembly of the Prelates, all faults past, in respect of those of the religion, to bee remitted, with commaundement to punnish all such as should seem to delay them: Bastionadoes forbidden, but onely to men of qua­litie. In like sort the Prelates were sent for, to bee at the conference and safe conduct giuen vnto all Ministers, freely to come and dispute of their religi­on.

Practises a­gainst the King of Na­uarre.The place beeing assigned at Poissy, while those of the religion were in good hope, because the Cardinall of Lorraine and others, protested to reason quietly touching the articles debated by the parcelles of the holy scripture: means was practised wholly to diuert the king of Nauarre, from the affectiō by him shew­ed to those of the religion, and by the means of the assembly at Poissy, to breake off the Parliament, as then reiourned vntil the month of August next after en­suing: because the Queene-mother knewe full well, that the Gentlemen and the Commons, would aske to haue Churches allowed vnto them: which being agreed vnto, would make the Princes part too strong, which she doub­ted.

Such order therefore was taken in that poynt, that Descars before that, Chamberlin to the king of Nauarre, and put from his Maister,Descars en­tertained. hauing discoue­red him to bee a Pensioner to those of Guise, was restored to his place, and became in more fauour then euer hee had beene.

Also the Duke of Guise, being returned from Callais, where hee had been with Monsieur d'Anuille, second sonne to the Constable, and a great number of other Courtiers, to conduct the Queene of Scots widdowe, to Francis the second: solicited the Prince of Conde, An agree­mēt between the Prince of Conde and the Duke of Guise. to bee reconciled vnto him: at the which agree­ment made at Saint Germaines in Laye, vppon the 24. of August, with the king and the Queene-mother, there were present all the Princes, Noblemen, Cardinals, Councellours, and Knights of the Order. The king hauing spoken of the cause of the assembly, commannded the Duke of Guise to speake, who turning vnto the Prince, spake and said: Sir, I neither haue, nor euer ment to do, or execute any thing, that should bee against your Honour: neither was I eyther author, meanes, or moouer of your imprisonment. The Prince of Con­de answered him and said, I esteeme them both for wicked and mischieuous persons, that were the cause thereof. The Duke replyed and said, I beleeue it well, but that toucheth not mee: which done, at the kings request, they im­braced each other, with promise from thenceforth to continue good friends: and the Queene-mother to witnesse the ioy shee then conceiued, that day held a solemne Feast.

The Queen-mother prac­tise a both with great and small, to maintaine her Regency.As touching the Estates reiourned vnto Pontoire, in the month of August as then it was no longer time to deferre them: but the Queene playing secret­ly on both parts, to ratifie the agreement made between her and the king of Nauarre touching the Regencie, and to the end it should no more bee spoken of, first sent thither the Councellour du Mortier, that was sent backe againe, fin­ding so many that spake against him. Wherewith the Queene calling her wits togither, she remembred that he had alwaies borne a good countenance vnto the Admirall, pretending in some earnest matter to imploye his ayde: and occa­sion as then falling out, this Lord was sought vnto by all meanes, and thou­sands promises were made vnto him, for the ease and reliefe of those of the re­ligion: hee perceiuing that the King of Nauarre had no desire to deale there­in, and (after the manner of simple men) trusting to many and great pro­testations, made and vttered vnto him concerning his future good, vsed Clark­like meanes, imploying himselfe vnto the Estates, for the confirmation of the accord aforesaid:The States forced to a­gree to a thing that ouerthrew a lawe of the Realme. and to finish vp the matter, the King of Nauarre himself went thither in person to certifie them, that he had resigned his right & title vnto the Queene: which notwithstanding the matter was much debated, many great personages partly perceiuing the great mischiefs, which by that disorder would in fine, growe vp in such sort, that the Estates agreed not therevnto, but with protestation to the contrary, in their billes which they presented vnto the king at Saint Germaines in Laye, where the general assembly was holden, the Chan­cellour commaunded by the king, by a long Oration perswaded the company to determine with themselues, whether it would be necessary and conuenient, that the assembly of the religion should bee holden or forbidden. And after him, Lieftenant Autun, surnamed Britaigne, speaking for the communaltie, in a large discourse, shewed the abuse both in the goods and iurisdictions of Ec­clesiasticall persons: their duties, the great charges that spoyled and ouerthrew the people, required that the persecutions should be ceased against those of the religion: that promise should bee made vnto them of an assembly, and that to the same end, Churches might bee permitted vnto them: also that their princi­pall Ministers should bee called to conferre with them of the differences of re­ligion. [Page 101]Touching the acquitting of the kings debts, and ordering of other af­faires, the third Estate made a large couerture, proposing diuers means to cease diuision, and to reduce the Realme into as rich estate as euer it was. But be­cause diuers matters propounded, touched and concerned many of the grea­test personages, specially the Spiritualtie, it was all but words, which likewise were the cause to hasten the principals of such Sects, to inuent their conspira­cies. The Cleargie desiring to get out of the myre, made offer, that to acquit the king of his debts, for the space of sixe months, they would euery yeare paye foure tithes: at the same time likewise, the Imposts of fiue sols, vpon eue­ry Alme of Wine entering into euery walled Towne, was raised for the terme of sixe yeares and no more: besides the eighth and tenth part beeing ordinary custome.

While the Estates were busied to dispute and determine of matters concer­ning the Estate,The Popes deuise to hin­der the as­sembly of Poissy. Pope Pius hauing beene aduertised what had beene determi­ned touching the assembly at Poissy, sent the Cardinall of Ferrare his Legat in France, with charge to remit all things touching religion, vnto his Councell, because that among other articles agreed vppon by the States, it had beene de­creed, that the benefices of the Realme should bee conferred by the Ordina­ries, euery man in his iurisdiction, and not by the Pope. Also that dispenses should more be allowed. There was likewise a question among thē, touching the reception of the Legat: who in fine made such meanes, that the Chancel­lour was commaunded to seale his letters of authoritie, which the Chauncel­lour did not, but after many commissions, adding therevnto, that it was done without his consent: the Court of Parliament would not approoue them: and touching the Courtiers, at the first the Legat was but hardly vsed by them, but he vsed such meanes by his friends, that in the end hee got the vpper hand, ha­uing with his assistants in France, frustrated the assembly of Poissy.

Assembly of the Cleargie for the confe­rence at Poissy.At the same time the Prelates assembled, for the conference at Poissy, and because some of them were wholly without learning, and the rest little studied in the holy Scriptures, they brought with thē a great number of Sorbon Doc­tors and others, whom they appoynted to dispute in their presence, thereby to learne what were best for them to say. Touching those among them, that had any learning, they were suspected, so that in their particular conferences, ma­ny times there happened great strife among them, and many times blowes: whereat the Courtiers made great sport.

While they were in this debate among themselues, diuers Ministers of the Churches in France, to the number of twelue, with 22. Deputies,The Mini­sters came to Poissy, and present a re­quest vnto the king, with the confession of the faith. by the kings safe conduct and commaundement, arriued at Poissy: not long after, followed by Pierre Martir, & Theodore Beza, whom the king of Nauarre, and the Prince of Conde, had caused to come from Zurche and Geneua. Those that first arriued, presented a petition vnto the king, vpon the tenth of August, wherein they desired that commaundement might bee made vnto the Prelates, to peruse the declaration of the faith of the reformed Churches, presented vnto the king since the ninth of Iune then last past: to the end, that at the first assembly, they might shewe what cause they had to deny it: and vppon their obiections, to heare the defences of the said Churches, by the mouths of their Ministers and Deputies. They further desired, that the Prelates and other Ecclesiastical per­sons, might not bee iudges ouer them, seeing they were parties against them, [Page 102]that the king and his Councell would bee present at that assembly, that all the differences might bee decreed by the onely word of God: that two Secretaries might bee chosen on each part, that euery day might conferre the notes of their disputations togither: and that those notes should not bee holden nor ac­counted for lawfull, before the parties had subscribed vnto them. The king re­ceiued the confession and petition,The Kings answere. by the hands of Augustin Marlorat, and Francis de S. Paul, in the presence of his Mother, the king of Nauarre, and other Princes of the blood, with diuers Lords of the Councell: and with a good countenance, said vnto them: I will referre your petition vnto my Councell, and you shall receiue an aunswere from my Chancellour.

The 24. of August, 1565 Th. de Beza preached at the Court. And the 24. of August 1574. the Massacre was commit­ted against those of the religion. Conference betweene Th. de Beza, and the Cardi­nall. Theodore de Beza beeing arriued at Saint Germaines in Laye, vppon the 24. of August he preached publikely, & the next day at the Castle, within the Prince of Condes Hall, where hee had a great and notable assembly without any noyse or trouble. The same day about euening, beeing sent for into the king of Na­uarres Chamber, there he found the Queene, the king of Nauarre, the Prince, the Cardinals of Burbon and Lorraine, the Duke de Estampes, & Madame de Crussol, where hauing made a lowe reuerence vnto the Queene, in fewe words hee shewed her the cause of his comming thither, togither with the desire he had, as also all his company, to serue God and his Maiestie, in so holy, com­mendable, and necessary an enterprise. Thervpon the Cardinall of Lorraine be­ganne to speake, charging Beza to haue been authour of the troubles, to haue dispearsed infamous libelles about the Realme of France: and to haue spoken with vnreuerēt speeches touching the presence of our Lord in his holy supper. But he hauing in fewe words shewed the vanitie of the two first articles, hee entered into a reasonable large discourse of the third: wherein hee so well satis­fied all the common questions of the Cardinall, that hee said expresly vnto the Queene, that hee was very well pleased to heare him speake, and greatly in hope that the conference of Poissy wold proceed to a hat pie end, with so cour­teous and reasonable disputation: and with that, speaking to Beza, he said: I am glad, that I haue both seen and heard you speake: I protest in the name of God, that you shall conferre with me, to the end, that I may vnderstand your rea­sons, and your minds: and you shal finde that I am not so blacke as I am desci­phered. Beza thanked him, and besought God to continue him in that good minde, promising for his part, to imploy himselfe for the aduancement of the good of Gods flocke, as much as in him lay.

Madam de Crussul there vppon said, (as shee was alwaies bolde to speake) that it would be necessarie to haue Inke and paper,A pleasant and notable speeche of Madame de Crussull. to cause the Cardinall to signe & avow his saying. For (said shee) in the morning hee will speake cleane contrary: and she diuined right: for in the morning, a report was spread about the Court, that at the first meeting, the Cardinall had confounded and redu­ced Theodore de Beza. In such manner, that the Queene was costrained to tel the Constable, (who much reioyced thereat, as thinking it to be certaine) that hee was wrong informed. Not long after, the queen of Nauarre arriued at the court, which made the assemblies to increase.

The second request of the Ministers.The eight of September, the ministers presented a second request, wherein they shewed a reason of the articles propounded, in their first requiring an­swere. The Queene mother receiued this petition in the presence of the King of Nauarre, the Prince, the Admirall, the Chancelor, and one of his Secretaries: [Page 103]which done, she dismissed Beza, and three others, that accompanied him, with good speeches and assurances, that the Cleargie should not be their iudges.

The begin­ning of the conference at PoissyThe next day about noone, the king (accompanied as his estate requi­red) entered into the great Refectorie of the noones in Poissy, where the Prin­ces and Princesses beeing set on each side, and behinde him, somewhat lower, fat sixe Cardinals, 36. Bishoppes, and Archbishoppes: and behinde them, di­uers Doctors, and men of the Cleargie. Right before him, at the end of the hal, stood his guard, and behinde them a great number of men of all estates, there hee made a short and small declaration touching the cause of that assembly, commaunding the Chauncellour in larger manner to make it knowne vnto them. The Cardinall de Tournon, in the name of all the Prelates, humbly than­ked the king: which done, hee desired that the Chancellor might deliuer his proposition in writing, and that leisure might be giuen them to consider there­of: which was refused them.

Therevppon the Ministers, to the number of twelue, with 22. Deputies of the Churches in the Prouinces that assisted them,The Mini­sters and de­puties for the religion, ap­peared before one of the greatest as­semblies that euer was in our time, and there confes­sed their faith being called and brought in by the Duke of Guise that had the charge, with Monsieur de la Ferte, Captaine of the guard, were ledde vnto the barres, where all bare-headed they stayed: and Theodore de Beza being chosen by them all, beganne to speake, and first ha­uing made a briefe Preface vnto the king, hee began his Oration with an hum­ble and ardent prayer vnto God, deuised and imployed to the time and occasi­on of that assembly: which done, standing vppe, hee shewed the most singu­lar contentment, which al those of the relgion receiued at that time, by hauing such recourse vnto their Soueraigne and lawfull Prince, the Queene, the Prin­ces of the blood, with all the Lords and notable persons at that time, and in that place assembled: that done, hee shewed the sinceritie and good desire of all those of the religion: which being ended, he entered into the principal poynt, making a most ample & large collection of the articles of Christian doctrine: not forgetting any poynt that is in controuersie, but hee expounded it suffici­ently: withall, saying somewhat touching the Discipline of the Church: con­cluding, that both hee, and his companions, with all those that were of the religion, desired nothing but the reformation of the Church, which onely de­sires to liue and die vnder the obedience and protection of the king: detesting all those that soght the contrary: praying to God for the prosperitie of the king, his mother, his Councell, and the Estate, and therevppon hauing made a great reuerence, he pursued with his matter, presenting to the king,The confes­sion deliuered to the king, and receiued by him. the confession of the faith of the Churches of France, requiring that the conference might bee made vppon the same.

His long Oration was pronounced with a most acceptable voice to al the assi­stants, and heard with a most singular contentment euen to the end, where hee spake very openly to the Prelates likings, against the opinion of the presences of the Lords bodie in the bread. For this article put them in a great murmu­ration, (although before hee had spoken many other things, that expresly con­demned the Doctrine of the Church of Rome) neuerthelesse, hee proceeded and ended: the king nor any of the Prelates not once offering to rise. His Ora­tion ended, the king receiued the confession of the Churches, by the hands of the aforesaid Monsieur de Ferte Captaine of the guard, which hee deliuered vnto the Prelates.

The Prelates behauior af­ter the Ora­tion, in the name of the Churches.Among other Prelates that were in a hotte case, the Cardinall de Tourno [...] boyling in hotte chollour, hauing desired the King to perseuer in the religion of his auncestor, asked time to aunswere to that Oration, saying, that it should bee well aunswered, and that hee hoped that the King hauing heard the an­swere, would be reduced, and remembring that word (hee said) not reduced, but holden and kept in the good and perfect way: the Queene sought to qua­lifie his chollor. The next day, Theodore de Beza wrote and sent the Queene an ample exposition, of that which he had spoken touching the Lords Supper, to the great misliking of the Prelates: who beeing assembled to consult tou­ching their affaires, the Cardinall of Lorraine beganne with these words: In my opinion, I would that hee (meaning Theodore de Beza) had either beene dumbe, or we deafe. And after many opinions giuen, it was determined, that the Cardinall assisted by diuers Doctors,The mean to be Iudges in their owne cause. specially of Claude Despense, that fra­med the answere and serued for a prompter vnto his Disciple, should answere onely to two poynts: that is, touching the Church and the Lords Supper: not to dispute thereof, but that it should not bee thought they were without reply. For the rest, that they should frame a confession of the faith, opposite to that of the Ministers, which if they refused to approoue, sentence of con­demnation should bee solemnely pronounced against them: and by that meanes, the conference would bee ended without any more disputation.

The Ministers aduertised of this resolution, contrary vnto all Ecclesiasti­call conference, by request made their complaint vnto the King, which being presented to the Chancellor,A new in­uention of the Cardinall to disgrace the Ministers. hee according to his wisedome prouided for it in such sort, that the Prelates proceeded in another manner. Touching the Car­dinall, hee bethought himselfe of a new expedition, in his aduise very fitte, thereby to confound the Ministers, and with mockerie to send them from the Court: for the which cause hee wrote vnto Monsieur de Vieilleuille, Gouer­nour of Metz, that with all speede he should procure certaine Theologians, to bee sent out of Germaine, who touching the Lords Supper did not agree in opiniō with those of the Churches of France: pretending to cause those Theo­logians, to striue and dispute against the Ministers, and hauing had some pa­stime to heare them at variance, to send them both away without any further conference. Vieilleuille vsed such diligence, that three or foure Doctors of Vir­temberg, and two Theologians of Heidelberg, went presently into France: but one of those of Virtemberg dying of the plague within the Citie of Parris, and the two Theologians of Heidelberg beeing of the opinion of the Churches of France, the Cardinals expectation therin was frustrate, & yet they offered him faire, for that they determined to aske him and the rest of the Prelates, if they ment to hold with the confession of Ausbourg, hauing called some of those Doctors, and asked them, when the Cardinall would giue an answere, who in fine, was constrained to seeke some other places of refuge.

The Cardi­nals Oration.The 6. of September, the Cardinall in presence of the King, the Princes, and the Councell, made his Oration, containing a long deduction of two poynts agreed vpon by the Prelates, which were touching the Church and the Lords Supper: that done, they most instantly besought the King, to continue in the religion of his ancestors, & to summō the Ministers to vnderwrite that which the Cardinal had propounded: which done, they wold confer vpon the rest of their articles: & that if they denied it, they shuld wholly be refused to be heard: [Page 105]and presently sent out of the Realme, wherein there ought to be but one faith, one lawe, and one king.

The Mini­sters requestsThe Ministers as then required to bee heard what they could an­swere vnto the Cardinall, but it was referred vntill an other time: and al­though that from that time foorth they vsed many meanes to be heard in open audience, they could neuer obtaine it, onely vppon the 24. day of the same moneth, Theodore de Beza, in presence of the king and his Councell, aun­swered vnto the Oration made by the Cardinall: where were present fiue Car­dinals, and fifteene or sixteene Doctors. Despense and Desanctes made certaine disputations, where vnto Beza made answere. The Cardinall of Lorraine had summoned the Ministers, to knowe if they would allowe of the confession of Ausbourg: and they desired him first to signe it, which done, they would fol­lowe: but there hee was at a nonplus: which was done vppon the 26. of March, where once againe Despense discoursed of the Lords Supper:Diuers con­ferences be­tweene the Ministers and Doctors that spake for the Prelates. The resolu­tion of Sor­bonne. and after him, Doctor Martir in a large and ample manner: but because he spake Italian, the Cardinall said hee would not deale with any, but such as spake the French tongue. A Spaniard general of the Iesuites, wold likewise haue spokē, whom de Beza haue refuted, he entered into disputation with Despense. The rest of the Ministers also answered vnto certaine obiections propounded by other Doc­tors of Sorbonne, touching the interpretation of the words in the institution of the Lords supper. After that, all was changed into a particular conference, wherein it was impossible for the Ministers to induce the Deputies for the Prelates vnto any orderly disputation, neither yet to the conclusion of any ar­ticles. That of the holy Supper was oftentimes intreated of, and sometimes it seemed that the parties were almost at an agreement: but the Sorbonne Inter­preted that very hardly, which by the Doctors of the Deputies for the Pre­lates had beene allowed of, and made an inuection in writing against the Mini­sters, desiring that they might be driuen out of the Realme, if they would not approoue and allowe of the doctrine of Sorbonne, touching the Eucharistie. The Ministers to the contrary, humbly required, that the confessions and arti­cles of the doctrine on both parts might bee examined, by the order vsually obserued at all times in any Ecclesiasticall conferences: but their aduersaries who in most bold and euident manner shewed themselues to be their Iudges, would neuer consent thereto.

The 13. of October, the Prelates hauing thanked and discharged their Doctors, sent them away, and in the end withdrewe themselues, hauing first taken order touching their cannons, which concerned not any Christian doc­trine, onely discouering certaine disorders in their Cleargie: the reformation whereof, they referred vnto the Pope, and the Councell of Trent, that did no­thing therein, because their Church cannot erre. At the same time certaine let­ters were discouered, written in the Kings name vnto his Ambassador in Rome, named Monsieurde l'Isle, & others from the Queen-mother, which shewed that al their conference was but a deuise, and meere inuention, thereby to intrappe the Cleargie, which agreed vnto some Tithes, to saue the rest of their stakes:The intent of the assem­bly at Poissy. Aduance­ment of those of the religion and that was it whereof they sought to bee resolued, and not of the religion, nor yet of any thing that concerneth the conscience, wherein diuers of them had in a maner playd Banckerrupt.

After the departure of the assembly, those of the religion by little and little [Page 106]beganne to preach openly, and in some places without resistance, ceased vpon certaine Churches, whereof ensued an edict, made by the King, bearing date the 3. of Nouember, which commanded them to leaue them, which they pre­sently performed in the same moneth. Those of Parris beeing assembled to preach in a Garden without the Church-gate, called la Cerisaye, at their return there was some blowes giuē, but the hurt was lesse thē it was thoght to be, be­cause the conference of Poissy had reduced no remedie, that the parties were still at difference: and that the religion openly aduanced it selfe throughout all the Realme.Counsell gi­uen to assem­ble the chiefe persons of the realm to take order tou­ching those affaires. The Queen was counselled to assemble the most notable persons of all the Parliaments in France, with the Princes of the blood, Lords, Coun­cellours, and maisters of Requests, therby to aduise and make some new edict, touching the gouernment and order of those of the religion, as also to answere vnto the demand of the States, that had most instantly desired to haue allowan­ces of Temples. The chiefe of the Romish Church, and among the rest, those of Guise, found this counsell not to bee expedient, alleadging that they ought to bee content with the edict of Iuly: and withall, they complained of the Queenes leuite, openly accusing the king of Nauarre, the Prince, the Admiral and his bretheren. The Queen that sought to assure her Regencie, would not hearken therevnto, wherby those of Guise tooke occasion to withdrawe them­selues from the Court, leauing certaine seruitors and solicitors to supply their places. The Queene willingly gaue them leaue to depart, assuring them of her good will, both to them and their religion, and desired them to returne assoone as possibly they might.

They went from thence about the end of Nouember, and at the time of their departure, there rose a most horrible & extraordinary wind: aforeshew­ing (as some affirmed) of the tēpest that not long after ensued. At the same time likewise were brought and sold in the Court, three great Pictures, most excel­lently wrought, (whereof one was bought by the Prince of Conde) wherein was represented the bloodie and horrible massacres of the auncient Triumuiras of Rome, true Pictures & shewes of the cruelties exercised the yeare ensuing, by the support, and in the presence of French Triumuirat, vpon those of the re­ligion. Not long before their departure, the Queene of Nauarre discouered an enterprise,An enter­prise of the Duke de Nemours. made to take away the Duke of Orleans, the Kings brother, and to carry him into Lorraine: for which cause the Duke de Nemours, in all haste saued himselfe, and returned not againe, vntill the ciuill warres beganne to arise. The report also was spread abroad, that the King of Spaine, and other Princes adhe­rents to the Pope, made preparations to ayde their participants in France, and to dispearse the assembles of those of the religion.

The Queen inquireth what forces the religion could make.All these things, mooued the Queene to make inquirie of the forces and means of those of the religion, whereof were found 2150. Churches and more, for the which the Deputies had required Churches, offering all seruice and o­bedience vnto the King, both with bodies and goods at their owne charges: but shee desired to knowe it more at large, which by many of the Churches was thought to bee superstitious, and thereby they made no such certificates, because of the diuersitie of opinions, although some of them thought it both good and necessarie, to shewe the Queene the number of the forces, as well horse as foote, which by those of the religion might easilie bee raised, iudging that such a power, as it after appeared to bee, had beene the meanes to drawe [Page 107]the Queene, and by consequent, the Kings and all the Princes of his part, vn­to them, which would easilie haue stayed those of Guise and their partakers, & in apparance haue wholly hindered the discipation of the Churches, stop­ping the passage vnto all strangers, other suspecting the Queens intent, and fearing least so open a discouerie should bee the cause, the easlier to expose for a pray vnto their enemies, would not proceede so farre.

The commo­tion of Me­dard.These things beeing thus imbroyled, about the end of the yeare, there happened a great mutinie in Parris, raised by certaine Priests of Saint Medards Church, in the Subburbes of S. Marceau, which rang a bell, while those of the religion were assembled at a Sermon: from whence proceeded wounds, murthers, and imprisonments, where those of the religion not beeing the be­ginners, payed a fine, and foure of them, one beeing Gabaston knight of the watch, were executed, to appease the people of Parris, and yet not presently done.

1562. The Edict of Ianuary.In the beginning of the moneth of Ianuary, and the absence of those of Cuise, that thought vppon other matters: as also of the Constable that would not be present, a great assembly (such as the like had not beene seene in France) was made, there by to take order touching the Estate, and to ordaine an edict: wherein, after each man had said and propounded his minde, touching the which was esteemed by them to bee most conuenient and necessary for the good and quietnesse of the Common-wealth, in the end it was agreed to make that solemne edict, which vntill this time, beareth the name of the edict of Ia­nuary: which being a true meanes to preuent and stoppe the mischiefes which as then threatned the Realme of France, was neuerthelesse in the end, turned vnto an occasion of the greatest calamities that euer happened therein. By it, the edict of Iuly was abollished, permission graunted to those of the religion, to assemble without the Townes, and sufficient order taken, that eyther part might liue in peace and quietnesse with each other, which was agreed vpon, and signed at Saint Germaines in Laye, the seuenteenth day of Ianuary.

Difficulties in the same.The execution of this edict mooued great difficulties, specially on the part of those of the Romish Church. Touching those of the religion, their Ministers and Deputies, hauing resolued vppon certaine doubts that might be made, they ranged themseluelues wholly vnto the Kings pleasure. The Par­liaments, onely two or three, made much difficultie to publish it: that of Diyon would neuer do it, and that of Parris, made great question vpon it. The chiefe President, Bourdin the Kings Atturney, held firme for the Church of Rome, assisted by Merle, Prouost of Marchants, Marcell Sheriffe, and diuers others. The King of Nauarre se­duced by his enemies.The winds that made them turne, blew from the Constable and those of Guise: yet they had done little or nothing at all, if at that time the King of Nauarre had not suffered himselfe to be seduced by his most deadly enemies, that had for in­struments of his ouerthrow, the Ambassadour of Spaine, the Popes Legat, and the Cardinall de Tournon, ayded by two of his principall seruants, Descars and the Bishoppe of Mande.

Hee not being ambitious, suffered himselfe to bee perswaded, that if bee would but shewe him as newter, and cause the Prince his sonne but once to heare Masse, the king of Spaine would peaceably yeeld vp the Realme Sardagne vnto him: which they affirmed to bee an Iland, no lesse in valewe then that of Sicile, and foure times as much as his Realm of Nauarre: which was as much [Page 118](as a man may say) to present him with nothing betweene two dishes, and thereby to bereaue him of the certaine and honourable meanes to recouer his Realme of Nauarre, if hee would haue hearkened therevnto, and continu­ed to haue fauoured and supported those of the religion, as he had done vntill the edict of Ienuary: neuerthelesse, the pernitious counsell of those men, was of such force, that hee fully determined to beleeue it.

By litle and litle he with­drew himself from those whom he had sauoured.Wherevppon hee sent Monsieur d'Anduze into Spaine, and Descars to Rome, from whence hauing receiued newes, hee beganne by little and little to with­drawe himselfe from those of the religion, to vse the Queen his wife somewhat hardly: and among others, to court a Gentlewoman attending vppon the Queene-mother, in such sort, that from day to day, the mischiefe increased, to the great greefe and sorrow of all such as before that time honoured him, spe­cially of his wife, a Princesse most wise and vertuous, that sought all means to reduce him, but by no meanes could effect it: yet was shee solicited by the Queene-mother, to seeme to agree and hearken vnto the King her husbandes minde. Wherevnto shee aunswered, that before she would go to Masse, if she were able to hold her Realme of Nauarre, and her sonne within her, hands, she would cast them both into the Sea, thereby not to impeach her, which was the meanes in that behalfe, not to mooue her any more.

The Queen mother shew­eth her selfe a newter.The Queene-mother perceiuing the king of Nauarre to yeeld to the other side, determined for a time to seeme to be indifferent, that of the religion being very strong, & full of resolution, and for that cause she entertained the Prince of Conde and the Admirall with faire speeches, giuing order in Parris and other places, that those of the religion should bee maintained and vpholden peace­ably, in the exercise of their religion. On the other side, couertly making cer­taine small breaches in the edict, by certaine modifications, termed declarati­ons, made by the King. Those of Guise slept not, but deuised a new matter in Germanie, The Guisi­ans faine to be desirons to be of the con­fession of Ausbourg. therewith to blinde the eyes of the Protestant Princes: the Cardinall hauing desired a meeting to bee made by the Duke de Virtemberg at Sauerne, there to conferre with the Ministers touching the confession of Ausbourg. Iohn Brence, and Iaques Andre the Dukes Preachers, and two principall Doctors of Germanie came thither, and there conferred with the Cardinall, who presented them with certaine vesselles of siluer, and vsed the matter in such sort, that the Duke departed with opiniō to haue done some great matter: & by that means, those Almaine Doctors verily thought within short space to plant their error in France. In the meane time, those of Guise, that laughted at the simplicitie of the Almaine Prince, hauing receiued newes that the king of Nauarre held with them, determined in all haste to repaire vnto the Court. On the other side, the Queene aduertised by many and diuers receipts, and solicited by those of the religion,Publication of the Edict of Ianuary in Parris, A vaine dis­putation, vp­on vanitie. came to S. Germains to Parris, and did so much, that vppon the 6. of March, the edict of Ianuary was both allowed and published in the Court of Parliament: with protestation, that neuerthelesse, it was done to obey the vrgent necessitie of time, and the kings pleasure. At the same time, shee caused conference to bee holden betweene the Ministers and the Sorbonistes, tou­ching the adoration of Images, whereof ensued no other thing, then onely that each of thē remained stil in their own opinions. She likewise sent Monsieur de Cursol into Dauphin and Languedoc, to giue order touching the troubles in those places: and Monluc into Guyenne, for assistant to Monsieur de Burie [...] [Page 109]she thought to haue sent the Prince of Conde, Miseries of France. but that intent brake off: where­by those of Guyenne found themselues but in hard case, for that therein Monluc vsed great and cruell oppressions, which hee himselfe hath set downe within his Comentaries: wherein after his death hee hath spit foorth the rest of that his furie, which during his life, hee could not fully execute vpon them.

It was thought good likewise, (thereby to preuent that which not long after fell out) that each Gouernour should withdrawe himselfe into his Pro­uince: wherevnto the Marshall de S. Andre, well backed, aunswered, that his office bound him at that time to remaine at the Court, neare vnto the King. On the other side, the King of Nauarre shewed so straunge a countenance vn­to the Admirall and his bretheren, that they withdrewe themselues into their houses.

The pre­sumption of the Marshall de S. Andre.The Prince of Conde stayed, and to take Phisicke, went to Parris: while the King was ledde by the Queene his mother, vnto Mouceaux in Brie. Those of Guise beeing aduertised of all that passed, determined with a good troupe to ride to Parris, where the Constable was to meet them: as hee did. It is sayd that the Queen desired them to come thither without armes, which the Duke of Guise did not, as by effect appeareth.

The first of March, hee hauing vpon the day before departed from his house of Ianuille in Champagne, A briefe dis­course of the massacre of Vassy. accompanied with his wife and the Cardinall of Guise his brother, hee rode vnto Vassy, a Village not farre from thence: hauing with him, about two hundreth men armed with caliuers, pistolles, and courtelasses. And 8. daies before, his company of Lanciers stayed there for him, and as they came neare the Village, hauing vnderstood the bell to ring vnto a Sermon, to be preached by those of the religion, within a barne of the said Village of Vassy, wherein might bee assembled to the number of one thousand or twelue hun­dreth persons, both men, women, and children, all peaceable and without armes: as he lighted from his horse, and hauing secretly spoken with the Pro­uost, and the Prior of the Monastery, hee went with all his troupe, both horse and foote, vnto the barne: young la Brosse Cornet of his Launciers, mar­ched first, and entered into the barne: seconded by foure or fiue hundreth o­thers, where he beganne to blaspheme and sweare, that hee would kill them all. His men beganne without, hauing slaine three, and the Gate beeing for­ced, themassacre beganne: the Duke beeing there in presence with his naked sword in hand, followed by the elder la Brosse, Lieftenant of his company. On their part of the religion, there was no maner of resistance, but onely prayers to God, & running away, euery man to saue himselfe, as it pleased god: where, besides a great number of wounded people, there was 42. men slaine, and ma­ny that died in short space after: they killed likewise certaine women. The poores box was taken and emptied: the Pulpit broken downe: the Minister hurt in many places, was ledde prisoner: the dead bodies beeing dispoy­led and stripped of coates, hoase, shooes, and all that was about them, and many men beeing stripped, saued themselues, all bloodie and sore woun­ded.

New matter against those of Vassy.After this valiant combatte, which beeing executed with the sound of the Dukes Trumpet, as if hee had fought against the enemies of the Crowne, hee departed with his bloodie troupes, and laden with spoyles, tooke the way that led to Reims, where the Cardinall of Lorraine stayed for him.

but not content to haue delt so cruelly with those of Vassy, he becaused certaine in­formations to bee made against them: wherein the principall murtherers were witnesses. And eight daies after, the Duches Dowager of Guise, sent Monsieur de Thou thither, that made search for their weapons, and would constraine them all to go to Masse: which notwithstanding those of the religion tooke courage, comforting themselues, and assembling euery Sunday and Festiuall day, to praise the Lord, vntill such time as ciuill warres dispearsed and separated them.

The prince of Conde beeing at Parris, and receiuing newes of that massa­cre, hauing consulted with diuers Lords and Gentlemen that kept him com­pany, with all speed certified the Queene and others in the Court,Iustice de­maunded, but in vaine: for the mas­sacre of Vassy: all was past ouer in words or notable pre­ductions of troubles. what had happened and fallen out, who thereby tooke it for an alarme, and counselled him to seeke the meanes of preseruation for the Realme: and those of the reli­gion, whom he presently aduertised, looked vnto themselues. The greatest part (as Frenchmen are alway full of hopes) imagined nothing but quietnesse, and troubled themselues to build Churches, not much thinking vppon war­like prouision, therwith to defend themselues. But by the Princes aduise, they were indifferently awaked. Much more the Lords and Gentlemen of the reli­gion, dispearced throughout the Prouinces, which beganne to make prouisi­on of armes and horses, staying for news both from the Court and Parris, from whence in the name of the Nobilitie & Churches of France, Monsieur de Fran­court, and Theodore de Beza beeing sent to Monceaux, to aske iustice of the king against the Duke of Guise, because of the massacre at Vassy. The Queene made gentle aunswere: but to the contrary, the King of Nauarre beganne to be offen­ded: saying, that whosoeuer presumed to touch but the fingers end of his bro­ther the Duke of Guise, should haue to doo with all his bodie. Theodore de Be­za, thervpon hauing most humbly shewed him, that the Iustice which kings ought to shewe vnto their subiects, is the worke and rule of God: and that to demaund iustice, was no hurt or iniurie vnto any man. Hee replyed, that they had throwne stones at the Duke of Guise, and that hee could not staye the furie of his troupe, and that Princes are not to indure the dishonour to be cast at with stones. Wherevppon Beza very grauely, and with all due reue­rence, aunswered, that if it were so, the Duke of Cuise might haue had iustice against all those, that in such vile maner had despised his estate and dignitie: and therewith, speaking vnto the King of Nauarre, hee said: My Lord, it is most true, that it belongeth to the Church of God, (in whose name I speake) rather to take, then giue blowes: but may it please your Grace, to re­member, that it is an anuile which hath indured many and seuerall ham­mers.

The Tri­umuirat coa­seth vpon the King and Parris.From that time, the estate of France might well bee resembled vn­to a Sea that beginneth to rise and rage in euery place, for that in euery Prouince, great and wonderfull troubles beganne to rise: whereof in the end of the Historie, of the first troubles, wee meane to speake: for now wee must returne vnto the principall instruments of the most bloodiest Tragedie that euer was seene in France. Presently after the returne of Francourt and Beza, those of Guise, the Constable, the Marshall de Saint An­dre, and after the King of Nauarre, openly holding with them, arriued in Parris: from whence they constrained the Prince of Conde beeing very weake, with a Towne beeing his enemie, and such as in short space might [Page 111]swallow vppe both him and his,The Prince went to Meaux, thē to Orleans, if they had beene tenne times as many more) to withdrawe himselfe vnto the Towne of Meaux, with a good troupe of Gentlemen. It was straunge that as then his enemies fell not vppon him, but the haste they had to assure themselues of Parris and the king: and the feare that at that entrance she should bee constrained to fight, and to hazard them ouer­much, caused them to worke by great.

The Prince beeing at Meaux, wrote vnto the Admirall and other Lords, sending them word, that want of courage had not constrained him to leaue Parris, but rather want of ayde, and that with all speed they should meete him: which they did, all armed, which those of the contrary part had alreadie opē ­ly discouered, and beeing in minde to withdrawe themselues and to retire, men came vnto them from all places: and the Prince determining to ride vnto the Court, to the end, that beeing strong about the king, who as then laye at Fontainbleau, hee might constraine his enemies to seeke to agree: hee vnder­stood that they had gotten both the king and the Court into their power: in such sort, that the Prince rode towards Orleans, whereon hee ceased, and there beganne to take order in his affaires, while those of Guise ledde the King and Queene to the Castle of Melun: and that in the most part of the Prouinces of the Realme, they vsed those of the religion, withall the insolencies and cruel­ties, that possibly may bee deuised.

From Melun the King and Queene were brought to Parris, where the Constable had ouerthrowne and defaced ihe places,Beginning of the first and horrible trou­bles in France where those of the reli­gion vsed to assemble. The people beginning to mutin, & to assemble in great troupes, in such manner, that both there and in other places, where those of the Romish Church were strongest, those of the religion receiued such enter­tainment, as the most cruell Barbarians would haue beene ashamed to vse it: which likewise in some places mooued those of the religion, whereby the Churches, Images, some Priests, and others, bare away the blowes.

But this was little or nothing, in respect of all the mischiefe, that those of the Romish Churches indured throughout France, in those first troubles, in comparison of the miseries which those of the religion indured, in one of the seuenteene Prouinces, as the Histories published by Iohn le Frere de Laual, Belle­forest, Monluc, and others of the Guises part do witnesse, and thereat reioyce and make great triumph.

If the massacre of Vassy had not chanced, the Prince and the Admirall had bin constrained eyther to loose all, or to haue forsaken the Realme, because that before that time, they neuer thought vppon defence,The euill committed at Vassy, cause of some good. nor of any thing that after happened and fell out: much lesse to bee offensiue. The edict of Ianuary, and the Queenes promises staying their hands: but when the Lords and great Gentlemen of the religion, dispearsed throughout the Realme, had once heard of that bloodie exploit, committed by the Duke of Guise, by little and little they assembled themselues about the Prince: who beeing at Orleans, first beganne to write into all places, which caused diuers Townes to bee cea­sed vppon for those of the religion, the onely cause to breake diuers intents of their most cruell aduersaries.

Likewise on both sides they beganne to rayse Souldiers out of the Realme: meane time,Declarations and protesta­tions of the Prince. meane time, the Prince published diuers declarations and protestations, for the iustification of his defensiue armes, referring his enemies [Page 112](from that time named the Triumuirat) to the edict of Ianuary, and to leaue off armes, thereby to set the King at libertie, and his Realme in peace. The Tri­umuirat (that is,The Tri­umuirats an­swere. the Duke of Guise, the Constable, and the Marshal de S. Andre) made diuers answeres, onely tending vnto the suppression of that edict. The Emperour and the protestant Princes, were by the Prince fully certified of the whole Estate of France, who in an open assembly of the Estates, shewed the letters of the Queene Regent, expresly written vnto him, after the ceasing vp­pon the King and Parris, recommending vnto him, the mother and her chil­dren. besides that, hee made an agreement at Orleans, with the Lords and Gentlemen there assembled, to vse their forces and meanes for the deliuery of the king and Queene, and for the maintenance of the edicts and state of the Realme: this agreement sent vnto the Court, the same day beeing the ninth of Aprill,A greement made at Or­leans. a letter was published and registred in the Parliament, whereby they certified the King, his bretheren, and the Queene, that as then they were at li­bertie: also by an other, the King declared his intent to bee, that the edict of Ianuary should bee executed in all places, but onely in Parris. The Prince for his part, solicited those of the religion, to send him men and mony. The 25. of Aprill, the Counte de Rochefoucaut, with great troupes went out of Poicton and Xaintonge, and arriued in Orleans. The next day the Prince receiued a large aun­swere,Many pro­ceedings on both partes before they proceed to armes. vnto a certaine declaration by him made and sent thither: but hauing vnderstood that the day before, in all the places of the Cittie of Parris, both hee and his partakers had publikely beene declared and termed seditious and euill Christians: hee made a second declaration, wherein hee openly declared and described, the horrible cruelties alreadie committed against those of the religi­on, imploring the edicts, yeeldeth a reason of his actions: and by letters writ­ten the 27. to the Parliament of Parris, desired that his enemies hauing first raysed armes, should laye them downe: and that for his part, he would do the like, thereby to cease the calamities of the Realme. And to the end to shewe all forraine Princes his intent, two Gentlemen were by him deputed to stay in Almaine, to the end, that if the Triumuirat should there enterprise to leuie men, they should procure that the Prince might there bee ayded, and not o­thers: which done, order was taken for the securitie of Orleans, and there they coyned mony in the kings name.

The Queene therevppon beganne to solicite a peace, writing letters vnto the Prince, who vppon the first of May made her aunswere: withall, sending her a memoriall signed with his hand,Meanes v­sed by the Queene. containing the meanes of pacification, as hee had declared vnto the Parliament. The fourth day after, the Trium­uirat made a declaration to the contrary, requiring the abolution of the edict of Ianuary, and of all exercise of religion, onely that of Rome: and that such as bare armes, without the expresse commission and commaundement of the King of Nauarre, the kings Lieftenant generall, should leaue them off, vp­pon paine to bee declared rebelles, and enemies to the king and his Realme: desiring likewise the Queene-mother, to obtaine, that all the forces on both partes, might bee vnited and ioyned togither, vnder the commaundement of the king of Nauarre: and that so doing, they were readie to retire vnto their houses:The declara­tion of the Triumuirat. but the king made a new declaration, wherein the edict of Ianuary was still continued.

After many speeches, in the end they grewe to blowes: whereof I will [Page 113]speake as time serueth: and first beginne with the Prince and his troupes:Iu the begin­ning of the warre the Queene see­keth to ac­cord. and thē with a summary deductiō, of that which happened in the Prouinces. The companies of Lanciers beeing for the most part arriued at Parris, with some of the olde companies of foote: the king of Nauarre, and the Triumuirat, marched towards Chasteau Dun. The Prince at that time beeing as strong as they, deter­mined to enter into the field: which mooued the Queene to seeke the procu­ration of a peace, while the Triumuirat might haue meanes to gather a greater force.

One of the principall dealers therein, was the Bishoppe of Valence, The practi­ses of the Bi­shop of Va­lence, and what follow­ed. who in some sort perswaded the Prince (extreamely greeued to see himselfe con­strained to enter into a ciuill warre) to offer the Queene to goe out of the Realme, with all his friends, to procure a peace. Within two daies after, he went to speake with the Queene, and shewed her his minde, which hee had no sooner vttered, but hee was presently taken at his word, the Queene ma­king him great promises: saying, that the next day shee would send vnto him, to knowe the conditions by him to bee propounded. Wherevpon at his re­turne, the Prince hauing communicated his intent vnto his companie, not on­ly the ordinary Councell, but all the Coronelles and Captaines, were summo­ned to giue their aduise, which was wholly and directly against that declara­tion, and the opinion of Monluc, and the Queene-mother. Among the rest, Missieurs d'Andeloc, and Boucard, maruellously incouraged all the companie, by their bolde and braue resolutions: and if they had beleeued Monsieur d'Ande­lit, presently they had set vppon the Triumuirats troupes. After the Truce, an enterprise of no small importance was begunne: but your guides hauing not well conducted the Princes troupes, and withall, much raigne falling, a great aduantage was lost.

Good disci­pline for a time in the Princes Ar­mie.At that time military discipline among the Princes souldiers, was much to bee commended: for the Gentlemen neuer molested their Hostes: and such as had meanes, payd honestly for that they tooke. The Pesantes stirred not out of their houses: such as offended, were punished. One named the Barron de Dampmartin, that had violated a maide, by great fauour escaped death: but after, continuing his follies, hee had his head striken off within Parris: this ex­emption in the beginning of the warres, was taken for an euill signe. No blas­phemie was heard in al the Princes campe. Among thē you sawe neither cards nor Dice: & for women, they were from thē: no man strayed out of his troup, to forrage, much lesse to boote-halling: morning and euening, at rising and sitting of the watches, they had publike prayers, and the ayre sounded with their voyces, singing Psalmes. Diners Ministers were distributed among the troupes, that had charge to continue and procure that good order, and at one time were better heard then at an other.

This Discipline was continued almost two moneths, at the end whereof, Bau­gency being taken by assault, caused a beginning of disorder: from whence pro­ceeded la Picoree, or boot-halling: which since that time became so common, that at this day it seemeth to bee chiefe Prince. The Admirall, a great enemie to boot-hallers, with stood it, and punished some of them with great rigor: but in sine, a great number got the vpper hand. The armie of the Triumuirat, com­mitted most terrible outrages without any reproofe, and all vnder pretence to extirpe the Huguenots.

How the Prince hin­dred the di­spearsing of his armie.After the taking of Baugency, the occasion of fighting beeing let slippe, the heate of those of the religion beganne to quench, the meanes to maintaine Souldiers, lessened, and some of the Nobilitie beganne to doubt of their iust quarrell: wherefore to preuent a total dissipation, the Prince tooke counsell to imploye part of the Nobilitie that were with him, in the Prouinces where the affaires hung as it were in a ballance, so that the Counte de la Rochefoucaut, with ceraine troupes, marched towards Poicton, Xantonge, and Angoulmois. Monsieur de Soubize, was sent to Lyons: Iuoy with his Regiment to Bourges: d'Andelot, for the sucours out of Almaine: and Briquemaut, into England. On the other side, the king of Nauarre & the Triumuirat, led the king with them in their armie, & being assembled at Chartoes, determined to besiege Bourges, (holdē by those of the religion) before it should be fortified, and by so great a Towne, not aboue two daies iournie from Orleans, in their iudgement was a great helpe and fur­therance to the Princes affaires: they marched towards it, and hauing besieged it,Bourges yeelded to the Triumuirat. it made no such resistance as they expected, but was yeelded vnto them by composition: for the which cause, Iuoy, Gouernour therein, was neuer after esteemed, or once accounted of, by reason of an euill opinion conceiued a­gainst him. They beeing puffed vppe with this suddaine and vnexpected vic­torie, which (as they said) was as it were an arme cut off, from those of the re­ligion, they (with their armie of twelue thousand foote, and three thousand horse) were readie to march to besiege Orleans, wherein the Prince & the Ad­mirall continued: but the daunger thereby feared to receiue more great losse, besides the shame, put them in the heads to besiege Roaue, gouerned by Mon­sieur the Counte de Montgommery, Roane taken by the Guise. with seuen or eight hundreth olde Souldiers: and two companies of Englishmen, vnder the conduct of Monsieur Kilgre. And vpon that resolution, about the end of September, they besieged Roane, where after diuers assaults, they tooke it by force. The Towne beeing sacked for the space of three daies, there they executed many of the best of the Cittizens. And on the other side,Death of the King of Na­uarre. the King of Nauarre was wounded at the siege, and died vpon the seuenteenth day of Nouember, the towne hauing been taken 3. weeks be­fore. The hard vsage of the prisoners of Roane, was the cause that in Orleans they proceeded in iustice with Baptiste Sapin, Councellour of Parris: and the Abbot de Bastines, taken going into Spaine, that were hanged in Orleans about the beginning of Nouember.

The ouer­throw of the Armie of Duras.Not long after, the Prince had news of the ouerthrow of the troupes of Gas­con, led by Mousieur de Duras, so that in mans iudgement, there rested no more hope vnto the Prince, but onely the Almaine forces of Rutters, conducted by Monsieur d'Andelot, so that he tooke counsell with the Admirall, that if they were intercepted, hee would himselfe in person trauell into Almaine, with all speede to obtaine new ayde, while the Admirall should keepe Orleans. But about foure daies after, they had newes that their Rutters were within foure daies iournie of Orleans, where the Counte de Rochefoucaut arriued, with three hundreth Gentlemen,The Prince marcheth towards Par­ris. and some of the rest of the troupes of Duras. The Prince hauing his forraine ayde, was counselled with all speed to march to Parris, for to impeach them, and thereby to force them to seeke for peace, and to send in­to Normandie for 150000. crownes to giue the Rutters: wherevpon he set for­ward, with 8. Peeces both great and small, wherwith he met the Rutters, hard by Pluuiers, which was taken by force: from thence he went to Estampes, some [Page 115]being of aduise that he should march to Parris with all speed, while the alarme was in the Towne. But they determined to besiege Corbeil, which was so well defended by Causseins, Maister of the campe, and certaine forces put into it by the Marshall de S. Andre, that the Prince left to go towards Parris, and at his arriuall there, hee had a hotte skirmish giuen him: whereof the end was,A furious sirmish. that the forces that had issued out of the trenches of Parris, after some fight, were constrained in all haste to saue themselues in their said trenches, with some losse, to the great astonishing of the Parrisians.

For the space of seuen or eight daies, that the Prince remained incamped at Gentilly, Arcueil, and Montronge, Villages not farre from Parris, What was done about Parris. many confe­rences, or rather delayes, were holden and vsed: and the Prince perceiuing that his enemies still increased, thought to giue them a canuisado, which tooke not effect, hauing beene discouered by one of the principall of his armie, that left him to go to the Duke de Guise: whereof within three daies after hee repented, being his brother that had yeeled Bourges: & the Prince saued himself by a most straunge meanes: for that fearing that hee would make them acquainted with the defaults of his armie, the next day he dislodged.The falt of Monsieur de Genlis. The Duke de Guise beeing strengthened by certaine companies out of Gascon, and some Spaniards, had determined vppon the next day in the morning to giue him battell, before hee had leisure to assemble his dispearsed companies. So the Prince departed vpon the tenth of December, and the thirteenth beeing in the way to Chartres, after diuers opinions of his Councell, hee resolued to march straight towards Nor­mandie, to recouer mony, and to meete his forces comming out of England: there to diuert the siege of Orleans. The sixteenth, Galardon a small Towne, was forcibly taken by the Prince: and the next day he marched towards Dreux: and as hee passed ouer a small riuer, hard by the Castle of Maintenon, an olde woman stepping a good way into the water, tooke him by the boote, staying him, and looking vppon him, said: Go Prince, thou must suffer,What happe­ned to the Prince not long before the battell of Dreux. but God is with thee. Hee made her aunswere, and said: Good wife, pray to God for me. The night before the battell, beeing in his bedde, and talking with certaine Gentlemen that were in his Chamber, he said to Theodore de Beza, that had said prayer before him: I knowe wee are not to account of dreames, yet I must tell you what I drempt the last night. Me thought I had giuen three battelles, one after the other, and in the end. I obtained victorie: and sawe my three enemies dead before me, my selfe being wounded to death: and that causing them three beeing dead, to bee layde vppon each other, I layd my selfe vppon them, and so yeelded vp my soule to God. And being aunswered, that the things which troubled his mind, caused him to haue that dreame, and that whether he liued or died, hee could not chuse but bee victorious. Hee sayd, I pray God it may bee so. But sure it is, that time verified his vision, for that his three enemies were all slaine one after the other: as the Marshall de S. Andre the next day, the Duke of Guise before Orleans, and the Constable at the battell of S. Denis, and he himselfe after all them, slaine at the battell of Bassac.

A briefe de­scription of the battell of Dreux.The ninteenth of December, the two armies approaching neare each other, in that of the Triumuirat were nineteene thousand foote, and two thousand horse. And that of the Prince, about foure thousand horse, and lesse then fiue thousand foote: the battell beeing very furious on both sides, continued for the space of sixe houres. Among other particularities thereof, diuers things [Page 116]are to bee considered on: that there was no skirmish giuen, while the two ar­mies stayed within a cannon shot one from the other, for the space of two long houres, as wel to range themselues, as to determine vpon their fight. Another, the valiant courages of the Switzers, that sustained foure charges, before they could be broken, hauing lost seuenteene Captaines, and the third part of their troupes, beeing aboue three thousand men. As also the patience of the Duke of Guise, who notwithstanding that the Constable had been taken, the Marshal de S. Andre slaine, and part of his armie ouerthrown: yet he stayed to seethe end of his fortune: and delt in such sort, that before hee left, the Prince was ta­ken prisoner: and in that fight were lost on both sides, at the leaft seuen thou­sand men besides diuers prisoners and hurt, whereof most part died. The Princes armie lost aboue 2200. foote,Notable cir­cumstances of the battell. and fifteene hundreth horse, as wel Rut­ters as Frenchmen. The Gentlemen of account that were slaine, were Arpaion, Chandiu, Liencourt, Ligneri, la Fredonniere, la Charliere, Rongnac, Mazelles, Saint Germier, and in a manner all the Cornet of Mouy, who was taken prisoner at the last charge. The Triumuirat, besides his Switzers, lost the most part of his horsemen: the Switzers, and a great number of other foote men. The Gentle­men and men of name, were the Duke de Neuers, slaine a little before the first charge, by one of his Domesticall seruants, that had diswaded him from the re­ligion: Misieurs d'Ann [...]baut, & de Giury, with his Cornet and Harbinger: La Bros­se, principall of the massacre of Vassy, and one of his sonnes. And Aussun, a Noble man of Gascon, hauing through feare fledde vnto Parris, died of griefe. There was likewise another notable thing to bee marked, which was the ta­king of both the Generalles of the armies, the one at the beginning, the other before the battell ended: whereby the field was left by both partes, but in the end, reentered by the Duke of Guise after his retrait: and the next day, reente­red by the Admirall, that againe offered battell. Besides that, the retrait of the Princes armie, was done safely & in good order, being two Regiments of Rut­ters, and one of Frenchmen, all about twelue hundreth horse. The armie Tri­umuirat weake of horse, not desiring to leaue their foote, hauing marched a­bout sixe hundreth paces after them, contentented themselues therewith. The Duke of Cuise was esteemed to haue gotten the victorie, because he stayed and lodged in the field where the battell was fought, and the Admirall about a myle from thence. The Duke likewise sent the Ensignes (takē vp in field) vnto Parris, and got the Princes Artillerie, who the same night supped and laye with the Duke of Guise. A maruellous thing to consider the estate of two such persons, so neare vnto each other, and eating and resting togither.

The Duke de Guise beeing declared Lieftenant of the armie, because of the Constables imprisonment,What was done by the heads of the armies. caused seuenteene newe companies of Lanciers to bee raised, besides the increasing of tenne others, each wanting twentie horse, and created twelue knights of the Order: which done hee threatned the Rut­ters and Marshall de Hesse, to slaye them all, if they would not ioyne with him: but the Marshall made him the like aunswere, laughing at his boldnesse. The Admirall keeping on his way, marched towards Beausse, taking certaine small places, and so that yeare past ouer.

1563 But to the end not to breake the thread of our discourse, I meane to pro­ceede with that which was done by both the armies, vntill the pacification of the first troubles: and then with a summarie discription of the estate of the Pro­uinces [Page 117]during those troubles. The second of Ianuary,The Admi­rals exploits after the bat­tell of Dreux the Admirall besieged Selles, in Berri, & within fiue daies after, tooke it by composition. The Counte dela Rochefoucaut, entered into the Towne of Saint Aignan, lying in the same countrie: & the prince of Portion with his troupes, into Montrichard. The Duke de Cuise marching towards Beausse, Duras was constrained to leaue Estampes: as also de Pluuiers: so that there rested nothing else in that countrie for the Prince, but the Towne of Orleans: the custodie whereof, was committed to Monsieur d'A'ndelot, with foureteen Ensignes of Lansquenets and Frenchmen, and foure of the Inhabitants of the Towne, with a great number of Gentlemen. The Duke of Guises campe beeing at Baugency, his light horses ranne before Orleans: And also of the Duke de Guise. but Auaret issuing out vppon them, slewe some, tooke others prisoners, and put the rest to flight. Meane time, the King and his mother, were conducted to Chartres, with all the priuie Councell, and some of the Parliament of Parris, to frame (as they sayd) the Princes processe, kept by a company of Lanciers, and three companies of foote.

D'Anuille the Constables sonne, perceiuing the Duke of Guises meaning was, to strike two blowes vpon one stone, by causing the Prince to be execu­ted, and so those of Orleans in exchange to cut off his fathers head, being their prisoner, tooke so good order therein, that that assembly was dispearsed. The King going to Blois, where the Prince was brought, and from thence con­ueyed to the Castle of Auzin hard by Amboise.

The Admi­rall resolueth to goe into Normandy.The Admirall on the other side, receiued new promises and assuran­ces of the Rutters, and withful determination to fight, marched vnto Iarqueau, which as then was in his power, and the tenth day after, tooke Sully and the Castle, by composition. Touching the Duke de Guise, beeing hard by Orleans, it was resolued, that the Admirall with the Rutters and some French Gentle­men, should march towards Normandie, thereby to constraine the enemie to separate his forces, and to giue the Rutters mony, that should be brought out of England, leauing all the footemen, with the rest of French horses, ledde by Duras, Bouchauanes, Bussy, Saint Cyre, Auaret and others, for the defence of the Towne, vnder the gouernment of d'Andelot. The good will of the Rutters to­wards those of the religi­on. The Rutters at that time she­wed themselues so voluntarie, that they left their waggons at Orleans, and cau­sed their boyes to carry their necessaries vpon the waggon-horses, whereof they made a Cornet of foure hundreth indifferent men.

The Duke de Guise on the other side, tooke order for the defence of the Townes of Normandie, and at the same time, a thousand extortions were cōmitted against those of thereligion, specially in Parris, where diuers strange murthers were cōmitted. There was likewise a declaration sent vnto the Rut­ters, in the name of the King, and all the Princes of the blood, to cause them to leaue the Admirall. But that serued to as much effect, as the Queens letters to the Admirall, that answered her in other sort thē they expected. On the other side, the Prince hauing sayled to escape out of prison, and one that sought to helpe him beeing executed, yet hee lost not courage, but to the contrary, spake with bolder courage then euer hee did: his nature beeing such, that in aduersitie he seemed most inuincible.

The Admi­rals voyage into Nor­mandie.The first of February, the Admirall departed from Orleans with foure thou­sand horses, better furnished then when he fought the battell: but not any car­riage, only thirtie waggons, lightly ladē. The fourth of February he came be­fore [Page 118] Eureux: where the Inhabitants were cōtent to suffer him to march peace­ably before the Towne, the which passing through a straight hard by Bernay a smal Towne, certaine Pesants conducted by a Gentleman of the countrie, vnder colour of their great number, sought to resist him. But to theirs, and o­thers their likes costes and ouerthrowes, who after the taking of Roanc, had committed many outrages: and at the Admiralles arriuall, assembled them­selues togither, who hauing stayed certaine daies at Dines, was desired by the Inhabitants of the Towne of Caen, to ayde them against the Marquesse d'El­boeuf, and a new knight of the Order named Renouart, who with their troupes molested the Towns-men continually, taking some of them prisoners. The Admirall busied with other matters, sent them Monsieur de Mouy, not long be­fore deliuered out of prison, with his company, and some Argolitiers, and ha­uing receiued mony out of England, Artillerie, powder, fiue companies of English, and two of Frenchmen, he battered the Castle of Caen, vppon the first of March, and the next day tooke that strong place by composi­tion.

The Duke of Guise ap­proached to Orleans.But in the meane time, let vs returne to the Duke de Guise, that approached Orleans about the fift of February, & the next day with most resolution, and by the faintnesse of the Lansquenets, that forsooke the place, hee wanne the Per­tereau, wherein they of the Towne left foure hundreth good French soul­diers, some taken, the rest slaine: and without the valiant resolution of the Go­uernour and the Gentlemen that were in it, they had receiued more hurt. The ninth, hee tooke the Tourelles by surprise, and caused great quantitie of Artille­rie to bee brought from Parris and Nantes, to batter the Isle and the Towne: they within shewing maruellous resolutions, to rampier and fortifie them­selues.

The Duke of Guise slain by Poltrot bofore Orle­ans.Thursday, the eighteenth of February, hauing appoynted what order should bee taken touching the assayling the Isles, about nine of the clocke at night, hee wrote vnto the Queene, that within foure and twentie houres af­ter, hee would send her word of the taking of Orleans, wherein hee would not spare any, man, woman, or childe whatsoeuer: and that after hee had kept his Shrouetide therein, beeing as then vppon the three and twentieth of Februa­ry, hee would in such sort spoyle and destroy the Towne, that the memorie therof, should be extinct for euer. But man purposeth & god disposeth, for that the same day, as the Duke of Guise about euening returned from the campe to the Castle of Coruey, where hee lodged, minding to execute that which hee had written vnto the Queene, a young Gentleman of Angoulmois, named Ich [...] Poltrot, Sieur de Merey, hauing long time before determined to giue the blowe, and made his friends of Lyons and other places, priuie thereof, stayed for him in the way as hee returned to his lodging (accompanied with two Gentlemen, one going before him, the other speaking with him) mounted vppon a mule, Poltrot, that rode vpon a Genet of Spaine, went so neare the Duke, that beeing about fiue or sixe paces from him, hee discharged his Pistolle, laden with three bullets, seeking to strike him on the shoulder, where his armour could not de­fend him, (as hee did) doubting hee wore a priuie coate: which done, he fled away: and the next day hauing ridden all night, hee was taken and commit­ted prisoner,Poltrot exe­cuted. and not long after, tormented with hotte tonges, to make him confesse, and then torne in peeces by foure horses.

Diuers confessions were published to bee made by him touching this deede, thereby to accuse the Admirall and others, as if they had mooued him to do it: but besides the constant and resolute answeres of the Admirall, it was euident­ly knowne, specially at the execution, that Poltrot did it of his owne motion and particular intent, thereby to deliuer France, and specially Orleans, from the violence of the Duke of Guise, that died the foure and twentieth of February, not hauing holden his Shrouetide as hee thought within Orleans, but ra­ther in his turne, receiued another reward, then eyther hee or his expec­ted.

The motion of peace mooued before his death, was presently renued, and after many meetings and assemblies,Motions of peace renued after the death of the Duke of Guise. the Queen-mother exceeding glad of the death of the Duke of Guise, whom shee doubted more then all the rest, hauing giuen a thousand courteous entertainments vnto the Princesse of Conde, the seuenth of March an assembly was holden in the Isle of Boeufs, hard by the Towne, whither the Prince and the Constable (as yet prisoners) were brought to make some agreemēt. The Constable at their first enterance, said, that if they spake touching the edict of Ianuary, hee could not indure it: and in trueth it was as much to condemne him and all his partie of treason, to haue violently broken so solemne an edict.

The Prince hauing demaunded permission of conference with his Coun­cell in Orleans, desired to haue the aduise of the Ministers, who by three of their Deputiès, gaue him at large & expresly to vnderstand, that neither the Queene nor hee, by the lawe of God, nor reason, could in any thing whatsoeuer, once derogate so solemne an edict, made at the request and desire of the States, and so notable an assembly of all the Parliaments of France, and by them all sworne and pronounced. The next day at his request, all the ministers beeing to the number of seuentie two, being assembled, they made an humble request & ex­hortation in writing vnto him, touching the cause aforesaid: & withall,The Mini­sters aduise. added diuers good and necessary articles, to make an assured peace, as that those of the religion, acknowledged by the King to bee his faithfull and obedient sub­iects, might bee peaceably maintainted in the exercise of the religion the king declaring himself protector of their doctrine & discipline, against al Atheistes, Libertines, Anabaptistes, Seruitistes, and other Heretickes, or Scismatikes, that the Baptisme administred in their Churches, might not bee reitterated: and that the marriages therein celebrated, might bee holden for good and lawfull: that without other leaue, it might be permitted by those of the religion, to haue free exercise thereof in all places: that the religion might no more bee called new, seeing their Churches are founded vpon the ancient doctrine of the Pro­phetes and Apostles: that euery man might peaceably enioy his estates, offi­ces, and goods, with perusing & recalling of processes, touching such as are interessed by suspect Iudges: that all murtherers, the eues, spoylers, exacters, and others, that without warre (their massacries and other inormities, beeing acts of hostilitie) should bee taken and punished according to their deserts.

Notwithstanding so many declarations, both by word of mouth and wri­ting, the Prince was in such sort perswaded by promises, that after that,Peace agreed vppon. they would make another and better agreement for him, making him beleeue that the conditions as then set downe, were done only to please those of the church of Rome, and by little and little to attaine vnto a full and perfect libertie: with­all, [Page 120]that many of them desired nothing else, but whatsoeuer it cost them, to re­turne vnto their houses. That he consented to the altering of the Edict of Ia­nuary, suffering certaine exceptions to be added therevnto, which hee caused to be read vnto the Gentlemen, desiring that none but they bearing Armes should giue their aduise: which hee spake openly before all the assembly, in such manner, that after that time the Ministers were neither sent for, re­ceiued, nor heard speake, or giue their aduise in any sort: nor likewise the Ad­mirall and his company knewe nothing more thereof, then only the conclu­sion.

The Queene mother that was in great doubt to be reduced vnto the Edict of Ianuary, and the Constable as much or more then she, imployed all speedie meanes to conclude and set downe the Articles in manner of an Edict, agreed vpon the 12. of March, and fully resolued by the Kings Councell at Anboise, vpon the 27. of the same month, and the same day published in the Towne by sound of Trumpet. The exercise of religion was thereby restrained to the houses of certaine Gentlemen, and in some Townes, besides those wherein it had bene vsed at the beginning of that moneth: with a certaine confused re­mission and pardon for all forepassed matters.

Exploits of the Admi­rall.To returne to the Admirall after the taking of the Castle of Caen, he sent Monsieur de Colombieres, to set vppon Bayeux, who at the second assault wanne it, vsing the inhabitants somewhat hardly, because they had abused them­selues. The Captaine called Iulio, a wicked villaine (if euer there were a­any) was hanged in Caen, by reason of diuers crimes imputed and laide a­gainst him. The next day after, being the fift of March, the Garrison of Saint Lo, being in feare, yeelded the place vnto the Admirall, that sent thither the Counte Montgomimery: who from thence marched straight to Auranches, wherein he was receiued without resistance.

The thirteenth of the same moneth, he tooke Vire by assault, and puni­shed the principall offendors. And minding to proceed further, the packet of the peace was deliuered vnto him. About the same time that Bayeux was ta­ken,The Admi­rals forces march to Orleans. Monsieur Mouy receiued Hondefleur by composition. And as he minded to reduce Ponteau de Mer, the Admirall sent for to returne to Orleans, repealed to Caen, from whence the Horsemen departed vpon the 14. of March, diuided in­to two battells. The Prince of Portien conducted the auantgard, composed of foure Cornets of Rutters, that marched towards Lisieux, and the 18. [...]ntred for­cibly into Bernay, where certain Priests were slain & hanged, that fought, & yet knew not how to make war. The town of Aigle in the borders of Normādie, was forced by the Vicont de Drux, vpon the 20. of the same moneth, & al such as w [...] found in armes slain in the streets. The same day the Admiral departed with the greater part of his forces, marching by Falaise & Argentan, that yeelded, hauing agreed for a ransome of a 10000. frankes: from thence he went to Mortague, a great borough Towne in Perche, where certaine Priests moued the people to do him iniury: whereby diuers of Mouies company were both hurt and slaine, that marched in winges: wherevpon the Borough was entered by force, and the chiefe offendors, specially the Priests, rewarded for their paines. Mon­sieur de Coignee, likewise punished the Monkes of S. Calais, who with their Garrison had cruelly handled his houshold seruants. On the other side, Mou­sieur de Coruoy, tooke the Castle of Mezieres, harde by Drux, and slewe [Page 121]the souldiers that were in it. The 23. of March, the Admirall arriued at Orle­ans, and vsed all the meanes hee could to remedie the Princes accord, hauing agreed to the breach and abolution of the edict of Ianuary,The Queene mothers pra [...]ses. vnder the shadowe and pretence of the Queenes promises, who on the other side, about foure daies before, had caused Poltrot to bee executed, with all extremitie that might bee inuented: caused a funerall pompe to bee celebrated for the Duke of Guise in Parris, and gaue his estate of high Chamberlin, and Great-maister, to his sonne Henry, as then an infant both of yeares and vnderstanding: but aster shewed openly vnto the third king, in what schoole hee had been taught, as heereafter you shall read.

The estate of the prounues and Townes.Now I must shewe you a summarie recitall, of the estate of the Prouinces and principall Townes in France during the first troubles, from the moneth of Aprill 1562, vntill the peace.

Parris the principall Towne of the Realme, during that time committed many great and terrible spoyles vpon those of the religion,Parris. diuers therein were executed, not onely of the Towne, but such as had beene brought prisoners from other places. The people on the one side, desired nothing but blood and spoyle, and the Parliament not to spare eyther great or small that sell into their hands, taken at the returne of the Princes armie, or in any of the Townes of his resort, brought thither eyther by appeale or summons. Diuers Councel­lors were sent into certaine Townes, to proceed against those of the religion, among the which this Towne aforesaid vsed great means and meruellous in­uentions, to extirp the memorie thereof.

At Senlis, those of the religion had therein but hard entertainment, by meanes of Claude Stocq, and Guillaume Berthaut Gouernours thereof,Senlis. who not long af­ter, ended their liues in great misery, sustained by Terouenne and Fauier, Coun­cellours of Parris: among others that were put to death by sedition and iniu­stice, one was the wife of Iaques Reuerant, the rest Adrian le Clerce, Iohn Gouion burnt, Louys Chaunin, Iohn des Iardins, Iohn Greffin Lieftenant particular, Mes­sieurs de Moncy, S. Eloy, de Houdencourt, d'Ardres, de la Maison Blanche, yong Gentle­men. Anthony Trappier Maister of a Schoole, was be headed at Parris, & their heads brought to Senlis, and set vppon the Gates and other places: some were condemned to paye fines, to be bodily punished, to bee kept in prison, and put into the Galles: not sparing the simple women.

In Picardie, the first exremitie vsed against those of the religion in Amiens, was, that the thirteenth of May 1562. their Bibles,Amiens. new Testaments and Psalmes were sought for and openly burnt: then the Ministers Pulpit. And from wood and paper, the Guisians, proceeded to deale with their bodies, killing and casting into the water, Iaques Berne and Francois Greuin, Harquebused Dauid Preuost, and N. Marquant, slewe two Artificers, the one named Robert, the o­ther Rondelet: and a poore impotent person, named Mauguyet: and to knit vppe the matter, hanged Christ opher Riche a Draper, because hee had borne armes.

Those of Abeuille, slewe Robert de S. Delis their Gouernour, his brother and Lieftenant with nine Souldiers, two Gentlemen, and a Page,Abeuille. as well in the Towne-house, as in the Castle, in despight of the religion: where­of that Gouernour Lord of Haucourt, made open profession vppon the 38. of March, one thousand fiue hundreth sixtie three, named Louys Beliart, [Page 122]beeing condemned to paye a fine, (in the presence of the Iustice and Par­liament) was drawne along the streets by the feete, with his face downe ward, and then cast and drowned in the riuer.

Meaux in Brie.At Meaux in Brie, those of the religion that therein were strongest, conti­nued their exercise vntill the end of the month of Iune, when the Images were thrown, their Priests peaceably withdrawing themselues, for the which cause they and others, by order and iudgement giuen in Parris the last of Iune, were exposed and giuen to the spoyle of such as could, or would vndertake it with­out further processe. Another order giuen by the said Parliament, dated the 3. of Iuly, against all the Ministers, Deacons, and other officers, could not stay those of Meaux: but to the contrary, they appeased the edict of Ianuary, not permit­ting that such an order condemning them to death, should once be published: wherevppon at the instance of those of Parris, Lihoux brother to Monlue, was sent to Meaux: wherein hee entered with a small company, and by the consent of those of the religion, vppon the 25. of Iuly, the next day Masse beganne to bee vsed. The sixt of August, commaundement was giuen vnto the Inhabi­tants, to bring all their weapons into the Towne-house: wherevnto many o­beyed, others, to the number of foure hundreth that were gone vnder the conduct of Captaine Bethune, to ioyne with the Prince of Portun, (but could not,) and so beeing constrained to separate themselues, for the most part were slaine, the rest beeing hard by Meaux, were handled in the same sort: and of all that number, there escaped but 4. mē that went to Orleans: Monsieur de la Cha­pelle Aux Vrsins, successor to Lihoux, vsed those of the religion with more fa­uour: but that continued not long, for that Monsieur de Boisy, Great-maister of the horse, arriuing there vppon the 21. of September, caused the walles of the great Market to be throwne downe, and the Gates thereof to be broken, bee­ing as then one of the fairest places for the bignesse thereof, that was in France. And not long after, there entered two companies of souldiers, led by Captains of Parris, named Gantier and Forgeron, that committed a thousand iniuries. Ma­ny women in Christmas time, were beaten and drawne to heare Masse: many children new christened, and diners marriages reconfirmed: and because such as had fledde, sought to haue gotten the Towne, vppon the thirteenth of Fe­bruary, 1563: those of the Romish religion beeing mooued thereat, that with great crueltie they murthered Gilles Cabeche the kings Atturney, Fracre Lam­bert, that had beene Deacon, Pierre Champenois, called Lorraine. Those of the market fled, their houses beeing so sacked and spoyled, that they tooke away the lockes, grates, boults, windowes, and gutters, and the place made vnha­bitable: those that fledde, some of them died with hunger and colde. The Kings officers, and the presidents of the place, as Frolo the chiefe President, an infamous man, and Cosset the kings Atturney, were the principall moouers thereof, and had their part of the praye. Many men, women, and children, were massacred and drowned: and among the rest, a childe of one Iohn Oliuiers, of foure daies olde, had the head striken against the walles. Denis Piero, Iohn Augrant, Claude Baillet, Mathieu Cantier, Pierre Thibaut, Guillin Rose, Nicolas Ber­geron, N. Floquet: la Biselle, a woman of the age of 88. the wiues of Iohn Augrant and Pierre l'Archer: and diuers women and maides violated, both in the market and about the Towne. After that, they hanged two men of the re­ligion, among the which, one was Iohn de la Haye, a rich Farmer: another Fre­min Cauiller, one of the Gouernours of the Towne.

The executioners running into diuers places, where they committed an innu­merable number of mischiefes. In their troupes were diuers Priests, & among the rest, the Curate of Mareuil, who with his owne hands slewe certaine men of the religion.

In Champagne, at Chaalons, two men of the religion were hanged. At Troys they liued friendly and peaceably with each other, vntill the beginning of August,Chaallons & Troys in Champaigne that the Duke de Neuers, Nephew to the Prince, hauing by Desbordes and Vige­nare his seruants, beene diswaded from the religion, and the Princes part. In the month of August the exercise of religion ceased, and presently therevpon, Desbordes that commaunded in the name of his Maister (whom hee killed at Dreux, and after he himselfe was slaine in the battell) caused diuers Artificers to be cōmitted to prison: billes & other bookes of diuinitie, to be rent & torne in peeces, and the houses of those of the religion, to bee spoyled and robbed with great furie, the owners beeing murthered: many children were taken from their mothers, and new christened: & mariages resolemnised: the goods, moneable and immooueable, of 62. of the principall of the Towne ceased vppon, and whatsoeuer thereof might be sold, the mony was confiscated: and sixteen or eighteen men, were massacred and hanged by the sentences of the Iudges and at the peoples pleasures, among the which, were two or three that had denied the religion: women likewise were not spared, whereof three or foure were drawne through the streetes, and cast into the water. Besides that, the souldiers went out and slewe all that they met without companie: the Maior and Sheriffes beeing the principall ayders in those cruelties, and in a manner no massacre was done, but by the commaundement of the Maior.

Those of the religion at Bar Sur Seine, about seuen myles from Troys, ha­uing [...]ound the meanes to be stronger then their aduersaries,Bar Sur Sei­nie. for a time main­tained themselues in that sort: but because it is a place easie to be surprised, those that were in the Towne perceiuing the cannon placed against the Castle, saued themselues as they could. The enemies entering into the Towne, therin com­mitted such rare cruelties as neuer were seen, specially against women and litle children, cleauing some of their breasts, and plucking foorth their hearts, bit them between their teeth, reioycing to haue tasted of a Huguenots heart. A young Councellor, sonne to Ralet the Kings Atturney, was hanged at his own fathers request. Those that were within the Castle were taken & cruelly hand­led, specially their Captaine, partly cause of all the disorder, whom they con­demned to die, & being vpon the ladder, renounced the religiō: but his Apo­stacie saued him not from hanging. The Towne remaining in their hands that had taken it, and with most horrible blasphemies defiled diuers women and children. In the month of Ianuary, fortie or fiftie horses of the Garrison of An­train, a place beeing but a myle from thence, about the breake of day surprised the Towne: and at their arriual, hauing layde hands vpon Ralet, they tyed him vpon the toppe of a house, where hee was slaine with Pistolle shotte: the rest of the massacres were likewise murthered, & their goods giuen to others. Claude Cousni d'Ay, was sore wounded within Espernay, Espernay. & cast into the riuer of Marne, where the murtheres finished his misery: hurting diuers of the people that wept to behold the crueltie committed against him.

Monsieur de Saint Estiene, beeing returned from Orleans, to recreate him­selfe in his house hard by Reims, with two of his brethreren and others,S. Estiene. was [Page 124]inclosed & besieged by a company of fiue or sixe hundreth men: and although the houses were not strong, neither of walles, towers, nor diches, yet those Gentlemen, with their wiues and seruants, beeing but 25. persons, hauing got­ten into a Tower, made long resistance, and therein sustained two assaults: but in the end, a part of the tower hauing been beaten downe with a cannon shot, and the besieged constrained to hide themselues within a hollow place of the wall, the women were gotten out, vppon promise to bee set at libertie, as (in regard of their honour) they were but spoyled of all they had, and ledde priso­ners to Retel: which done, they sent certain Pages to cal to Monsieur de S. Estiene, and to certifie him that the Duke de Neuers sent for him, and that hee should not doubt to come foorth: which hee had no sooner performed, but his owne Cousin German, named the Barron of Serny, killed him, his two bretheren, and sixteene others were stabbed. The assaylants lost before this place, about one hundreth and fiftie men, all well knowne. This happened in the moneth of September, 1562.

Commosion of Pesants.The Pesants of Coulours, Gerisiers, and the Villages bordering vpon them, for the most part, Tenants to the great Prior, brother to the Duke of Guise, committed infinit murthers and mischiefes about Troys, murthering Monsieur de Vigny, his wife, and their seruants: robbing and spoyling his Castle. But Mon­sieur de Cormononcle, a Gentleman of the religion, accompanied with eight men onely, finding those companions in disorder, ouerthrewe them: and slaying a great number of them, put the rest to flight: taking all from them, which they had taken and brought away from the house of Landry the Controwler, about fiue myles from Troys. But the Pesants assembling againe, & assisted by others called, bare feete, raysed at Sens, and thereabouts besieged Villeneufue, a Castle belonging to the Monsieur de Esternay: but they were speedily repulsed from thence with great losse: but to reuenge themselues, they burned the base Court, wherin stood the barne & the fairest stalles in all France, with the Mill, and a peece of a house: which was done about the end of December. Within two moneths after, seuen score caliuers returned againe to besiege the Castle, but Monsieur de Bethincourt, a Gentleman of the religion, accompanied with nine horse, and foure footemen, set so resolutely vpon them, that some of them beeing slaine, and 25. taken prisoners, the rest saued themselues by flight.

The nineteenth of Nouember, one of the Dukes of Lunebourg, who in Anno. 1559. had had a quarrel against the Duke of Guise in the campe of Amiens, The Duke of Lunebourg slaine in France. being at Rameru, between Troys & Vitry le Francois, accompanied only with 18. men, minding (as it was said) to goe to Orleans, by the commaundement of Bussy d'Amboise, Gouernour of Chaallons, was assayled in his lodging, beeing in his chamber, where sixe of his men were slaine, and himselfe wounded with thirteene Pistolle shottes: which done, they layde him in a Horse-litter, and bare him vnto Chaallons, where hee died. Bussyes executioner, named Malfon­taine, an Apostate of the religion, in triumph of that worthie exployt, carried before him as in triumph, eighteene horses, eighteene cloakes, eighteen paire of bootes, and 36. Pistolles.

Ceant in Othe.In the Towne of Ceant in Othe, seuen myles from Troys, the commons ha­uing found the meanes to enter therein, vpon the 24. day of August, murthe­red diuers of the Towne, and continued therein, till the end of Ianuary ensu­ing. [Page 125]The number of those that were specially noted, besides those that were murthered in other places, were twentie persons: and a young childe of fiue yeares, burnt with his father. Many houses were burnt by them, for the space of a myle from the Towne, and about sixe score horsemen, and three hundreth foote of the religion, ledde by Monsier de Semide and other Captaines, being not able to followe the Prince of Portien, that with other troupes had gotten to Strasbourg, about the sixteenth of September: for their retrait ceased vppon the Borough Towne Cermoise, where they maintained themselues valiantly, and ouerthrewe an armie of three thousand men that came to assayle them: and slaying one hundreth and fiftie of their brauest Souldiers: the rest fledde with the losse of three of their men onely: and not long after, they ioyned with the Prince of Portien their Generall, at his returne with the Rutters.

One of the greatest massacres committed vppon those of the religion, was done in Sens, a Towne lying vpon the riuer of d'Yonne, whereof the Cardinall de Guise was Archbishoppe, where one hundreth prisoners of all sortes were cruelly murthered, and their naked bodies throwne into the riuer.Sens. As many houses were robbed and spoyled, and the Church for the religion defaced: the Vines growing about it being all cut vppe. This was done vppon Sunday the 12. of August, and other daies ensuing: in the which time, those of Guise hauing giuen the charge of that murther vnto Hemard Lieftenant of Sens, published in the Kings name at Parris, and sent word to the Prince in Orleans, that they wold haue the edict of Ianuary fully obserued in all places, onely in Parris.

Those of the Romish Church in Auxerre, cruelly massacred one named Cosson, stabbed and cast the keepers wife of the Castle (called Aualon) into the water, beeing a faire and comely young Gentlewoman:Auxerre. beate the Kings Atturney so cruelly, that they left him for dead: killed the Iudge de Corbelin, and cōmitted diuers strange robberies & pillings both within & without the Towne, by the conduct of Geolier, and a brabling Rascall called Borgant. In the moneth of October, they were procured to issue out of the Towne, by Monsieur d'Auignau, a Gentleman of the religion, accompanied with twentie horse, who hauing slaine fourteene of them, and hurt many others, stayed their furie.

The fifteenth of the same moneth, this Gentleman accompanying one of his companions that trauelled vnto Orleans, with a packet of some importance, slewe sixteene more of those murtherers, and scattered the rest that sought to stoppe his passage. The Inhabitants of the Towne of Saint Cyre, S. Cyre. about the end of the month, hauing denied passage vnto the Rutters and Lansquenets, conducted by Monsieur d'Andelot, were set vppon by night, whereof fortie beeing slaine, the richest of the Towne were taken prisoners. The Inhabitants of the Towne and Bourg of Issy (prouoked by a Iacopin) not beeing content to haue vsed diuers outragious words against Monsieur d'Andelot, discharged cer­taine muskets at the Rutters: but they for their paines, had their towne spoy­led and burnt by the Rutters and Lansquenets. On the other side, the compa­ny of the Marshal of Saint Andre, ouerthrew and spoyled the houses of those of the religion, within and about Auxerre.

Vppon Munday, beeing the eleuenth of May,Neuers. 1562. those of the Romish Church in Neuers, hauing taken armes, brought in certaine Gentlemen of the countrie, and among others, Cheuenon and Chastillon, that ceased vpon the Gates: [Page 126]and within three daies after, beganne to fall vppon those of the religion: and one named la Fayette, comming thither vppon the 23. of the same month, beganne to forrage, his Souldiers openly selling their Hostes goods. Hee cast the Ministers in prison, rebaptised the children, reitzerated marriages, draue out such as pleased him, and cleansed their houses of all that could bee found therein. Besides that, hee and Cheuenon committed infinit pillages vppon the boates passing by it, and vnder pretence of a certaine commission or iudge­ment giuen in Parris, la Fayette ceased vppon diuers immooueable goods, and being wel laden with a praye, to the valewe of fortie or 50. Crowns, he retired vnto his house in Auuergne. At the same time, three or foure of the religion were executed within Neuers, and one of the Ministers died miserably, (but yet cōstātly) in prison,Corbigni or S. Leonard. the other miraculously escaped away. The like entertainmēt was giuen to those of the religiō in Corbigni, called S. Leonard, a towne in Niuernois, most strangely forraged by Noysat, Marshall of de la Fayettes cōpany: Anthony Doyuet, Lieftenant of Saint Pierre le Monstier, Liefenant du Boys, and the Knight of Chastillon in Bazois. They slewe Monsieur de Mex, a Gentlemā not farre from thence, much affected to the religion, as hee well shewed it, dying most constantly, beeing wounded with many Pistolle shottes. Not long after, those murtherers were surprised, and the Towne taken of a scalade, made by Captaine Blanay, whose souldiers vsed the people very courteously: but brake downe the Images, and the Popish Altars: reestablishing publike exercise of the religion, which continued therein after the edict of pacification. Those of the Romish Church in Antrain, Antrain. by the solicitation of a Priest, named Estiene Blondelet, had determined to doo woorse then their companions of Auxerre, but vppon the twelfe of December they were preuented by Captaine Blosset, who valiantly surprised the Towne, and gaue such an alarme to those conspi­rators, that the chiefe of them leaped ouer the walles, some hidde themselues, and the rest hauing discouered the enterprise, which was to massacre all those of the religion: Blondelet and another mutinous fellowe, named le Dangereux, were hanged. A Bourguignon, named Monsieur de Trouan, that came into France to fish in troubled waters as others did, thought to playe the warriour, and to assayle Antraine, but hauing lost part of his men, hee retired with shame: and not content therewith, seeking to reuenge himselfe, was slaine by Blanay in a certaine encounter.

Monsieur d'Issertieux, called by those of la Charite, professing the religion, in the moneth of Aprill 1562. by common consent of all the Towne was esta­blished Gouernour thereof,La Charite. Cheuenon, Achon, and others, did what they could to enter therein, but they were alwaies driuen away: but in the end, la Fayette besieged it, hauing the great Prior of Auuergne for his Lieftenant, & by means of a diuision that happened among the Inhabitants, the Towne was yeelded by composition, with sufficient aduantage for those of the religion: but the first thing that the great Prior did, was to take Issertieux by the bosome, from whom was pulled the counterpaine of the agreement: his armour, and one of his horses. Which was done vpon the 10. of Iune. Certain daies & months ensuing, those of the religion were pilled and ransacked, in so many and diuers kindes, by la Fayette, that they were notable to paye any more: to whom no­thing was either too hotte, or too heauie, as also by his company, the Liefte­nant and certaine Councellours of Saint Pierre le Monstier, tooke their partes [Page 127]likewise. In the moneth of February, 1563. the Duke of Guise sent three com­panies of Lanciers thither to refresh them: but those of the Towne, and the theeues themselues, doubting to be pilled, shutte the Gates, which put the Lanciers in great furie: who to reuenge themselues, vsed great cruelties about the Towne, on that side that bordereth vppon Berry, against those of the reli­gion, drawing some of them at their horses tailes.

The third of March, Captaine Boys, Blosset, and Blanay, scaled and tooke la Charite, which the three companions aforesaid soght to relieue, but they were constrained to retire. Within three daies after, Captaine Boys staying therein, onely with sixtie seuen souidiers, kept the Towne against an armie of three or four thousand men, both horse and foote, and fixe field peeces, where he su­stained the siege eight daies togither, without losse of any man, hauing slaine aboue fourescore of the assaylants, constrained the rest to leaue the siege, to their no smal confusion: in such sort, that by the edict of pacification, the exer­cise of the religion remained within la Charite.

Many small Townes in those quarters were much molested, specially in respect: of the religion: as Bony, Cosne, Neufui, and others:Chastillon Sur Loire. but most of all Cha­stillon Sur Loire, which hauing withstood many difficulties, and spoyled of all her commodities by theeues and rouers, (beeing but poore keepers of vines) to defend themselues against the violences of such as desired the losse and ex­termination of their liues. And hauing fortified their little Towne (not ha­uing any ditches) as well as they might, vppon the fift of Ianuary they sustai­ned an assault slew seuen or eight hundreth men of the Regiment of Monsieur de Prie, Gouernour of Guyen, that sought to put him to the sword, hurting di­uers others, the men defending themselues by throwing stones, and the wo­men with hotte water, which they cast vppon the assaylants,

In the month of February, Monterud Gouernour of Berry, besieged them, and with cannon shotte beate downe their feeble walles, yet could he not en­ter, but by warlike means, that vnder pretence of parley, he withdrew his bat­tery, which lay in such sort, that hee could doo little good therewith, and ha­uing placed them in better order, he commanded a new bridge to be made, and thereat entered by force: where no kinde of cruelties was spared, neyther vp­pon women, nor children, olde nor young, no not so much as against women great with childe and readie to bee deliuered. The Towne beeing pilled and spoyled of all whatsoeuer it had, euen to the boltes, lockes, barres and glasse-windowes of the houses, which notwithstanding, assoone as Manteruds armie was departed, those of the religion that had escaped, returned thither againe, and reestablished the exercise of religion.

Guyen sur Loire.The Towne of Guyen Sur Loire, maintained it selfe long time in peace du­ring the troubles, onely by the meanes of those of the religion, being the stron­gest part within the Towne, but the disorder committed by diuers Captaines and souldiers, sent thither from Orleans by the Prince to refresh themselues, and the taking of Bourges, reduced things to such a stay, that most of those of the reli­giō, forsooke both their houses & their goods to go to Orleans, where as thē the plague was very rife. The campe of Triumuirat, not long after arriued before Guyen, and all the places bordering on the same, vsing all the cruelties that pos­sible might bee inuented: among the which, certaine Italians (in hatred of the religion) hauing cut the bodie of a yong Infant in two peeces, cate his lieuer: [Page 128]which was verified to bee most true, yet iustice for the same could not be had. Lastly: those of the religion being returned from Orleans, with Lanbert Daneau, one of their Ministers, they met another troupe of their friends, that two daies before came from Chastillon sur Loin, with the other Ministers called La Vallee, and beeing entered into the Towne, by vertue of the edict beganne the exer­cise of the religion, Guyen beeing named for the balliage towne in those quar­ters. The Monkes of Fontaine Iohn, an Abbey neare adioyning vnto Chastil­lon sur Loin, hauing abandoned their gownes, to beare armes, & to robbe and spoyle the countrie, with other souldiers, vpon the seuenth of October, were all set vppon, by Monsieur de Dampierre: and seeking to resist, were all slaine: onely some fewe that were burnt within the Cloyster, from whence it was im­possible otherwise to get them foorth.

Montargis, belonging to the Ladie Renee, daughter to Lois the twelfe, Du­ches Dowager of Ferrare, Montargis. was the retrait of diuers families of the religion: not­withstanding the threatnings of the Duke of Guise, sonne in lawe to the sayde Ladie, who sent thither one Malicorne a new Knight of the Order, to cease vp­pon the Towne and Castle, with foure companies of horse, who being entered into the Towne, mooued the people against those of the religion, in such ma­ner, that at that time a poore man was slaine and cast into the water, as before that time likewise they had killed a woman, and committed certaine outrages: and Malicorne continuing in his boldnesse, proceeded so farre, as to threaten the Ladie with cannon shotte to batter her Castle, wherein were diuers of the religion, whom hee pretended to ransome: but the Princesse made him an an­swere, saying: I charge you looke what enterprise you take in hand, for that there is not any man whatsoeuer, within this Realme, that can commaund me, but onely the King: and if you proceed so farre, I will be the first that shal stand within the breach, to trie if you once dare bee so bold to kill the daughter of a King: and on the other side, not so meanely allyed, nor yet beloued, but that I haue both the meanes and power to reuenge your boldnesse, euen to the ve­ry infants of your presumptious race. Which wordes caused Malicorne like a snaile to pull in his hornes, and presently after departed: the Duke of Guise bee­ing slaine, as you redde before.

Those of the Romish Church, within the Towne of S. Iohns de Nemours, in the mouth of Iune,S. Iohn de Nemours. did so much, that they draue those of the religion out of their Towne, not permitting any of them to enter, vntill the peace concluded, raysing of extreame impositions vppon their goods, that were openly solde for small prices. Not long before they had vsed all the meanes they could (by counsell of some Traitors) to bring certain troupes of souldiers into the towne to massacre the people,Monlius in Bourbonois. but their enterprise tooke no effect. Monsieur de Mon­tare being come to Moulius in Bourbonnois, with commission, therein to vse all hard and extreame dealing towards those of the religion: first, without any forme of lawe or processe, hee caused two Artificers to be hanged, and percei­uing himselfe to be strong of men, draue all such as hee any thing doubted out of the Towne: which done, hee gaue his troupes leaue to issue foorth, and to slay all those that by any means were found in the fields, vsing al kind of strange dealings and extremities, vnto the houses and farmes lying about it. Captaine Saint Auban, that led certaine troupes out of Languedos to Orleans, failed not much to take both Montare, and the Towne of Moulius, and as he determined [Page 129]to besiege it, hee receiued letters, that caused him to make haste way. At his departure from thence, the Townes-men issued vpon his rereward, and tooke Monsieur de Foulet, a Gentleman dwelling not farre from thence, and his Lac­quey, with a Councellour named Claude Brisson, that were all three slaine. Not long after, foure others were hanged in Moulius. And in the month of Iuly af­ter, fiue others returning from Orleans were drowned: with three Marchants of Dauphine. Besides that, diuers were put to death, the hangmā or executioner (by Montare, called Gossop) seruing the peoples humour, and executing either without lawe or processe, such as they deliuered vnto him to be put to death.

The leuen and twentieth of May, 1562. the Counte de Montgommery, ac­companied with fixe score horses, entered into Bourges, wherein many secret conspiracies were vsed and executed against those of the religion, and kept it for the Prince, bringing from thence great summes of mony, for the payment of the Souldiers vnder the Princes conduct: taking the great Tower likewise into his custodie. In the month of Iune after, Monsieur de Iuoy was sent thither by the Prince, with two thousand foote, to prouide for all things necessarie a­gainst the Towne shuld be besieged, as the enemie determined to do it. Three Corners of Argolitiers came thither likewise, who beeing arriued therein, they vsed to make certaine sallies: by which meanes, the Towne of Meun sur Loire was taken, to the great periudice of the Priestes, the Monkes and Images. As likewise they forced the Castles of Saint Florent and Coudrai, the Gentleman of the place dying with feare. Iuoy hauing made an enterprise vpō Issoudun, preuai­led not, wherevppon his troupes beganne to mutin against him: which being appeased, the fifteenth of August, the armie of Triumuirat approaching to Bour­ges, Iuoy and the Sheriffes were summoned to yeeld the Towne vnto the King. The Sheriffes referring the matter vnto Iuoy, hee made refusall, wherevppon ensued diuers issues and skirmishes, cōmonly to the great disaduantage of the enemies: and there was an open combatte fought betweene Captaine S. Mar­tin the Huguenot, and the Monke Lichelieu, Maister of the Triumuirats campe:Bourges in Berry. the Monke was thrust into the bodie with a sword, and lost his coate armour, which Saint Martin bare away.

The twentieth day of the Month, a strong batterie was made, and in one day they shot at the least a thousand cannon shot, but because it preuailed not much, the Duke de Nemours was imployed, to perswade the besieged, and bee­ing at the wall to speake with them, making many goodly promises, which hee assured vppon his faith: one of the Souldiers within the Towne said openly vnto him, that the faith hee then offered, was the same which he had holden to the Barron of Chastelnau, & had it not been for certaine Gentlemen, he had as then been slaine. That which constrained the Triumuirat to parley with the Towne, was, because the Admirall issuing out of Orleans about Chasteaudun had surprised & burnt, & the powder & munition that was sent thē from Par­ris, and for that cause vsed such means with Iuoy, by the Counte Rhingraue, and the Queen-mother, that vpon the last of August, and the next day, he graunted to their request, and yeelded vp the Towne, to the great disliking of his soul­diers: whereof part with the Captaines la Porte, S. Martin (that hurt Riche­lieu) S. Remi, and Brion, Maister of the campe, went to the Duke of Guise, and from thence to the siege of Roane, where they were slaine: the rest had part of the bootie. The rest of the Souldiers and Captaines got to Orleans, with many difficulties, and losse of 30. or 40. men.

Iuoy had great displeasure at the Princes bands, both for his faintnesse and the loosing of the place, beeing of so great importance. Wherevppon, hee with­drewe himselfe vnto his house, much greeued for his misfortune, specially be­cause hee had left great store of Houshold-stuffe and other necessaries within Bourges: and among the rest, a Chalice set with diuers rich and precious stones, which hee was constrained to giue vnto the Queene-mother, who with great deuotion receiued it of him, and kept it as a most rich Iewell: as likewise many other precious lewelles of the holy Chappel, which were kept from the hands of little theeues, to bee the better and safelier kept by her.

Monterud Lieftenant to the Prince de la Rochesuryon in Berry, hauing ar­med himselfe with letters from the Triumuirat, contrary to the capitulation made with Iuoy, draue those of the religion out of the Towne, their houses beeing ransacked: and at their issuing, some of them were robbed, some bea­ten, and some slaine within the Gates. An edict beeing made, that forbidding those of the religion that stayed in the Towne, not to speake or assemble togi­ther aboue two in a company: and so Bourges remained in that sort vntill the edict of pacification.

The third of Aprill, 5562. those of the religion in Mans, ceased peaceably vppon the Towne:Le Mans. Charles d'Agennes Bishoppe of the place, retiring vnto a Castle, where hauing fortified himselfe, he cōmitted many murthers & spoyles vppon the people. Their affaires within the Towne holding in a meane, vn­till the moneth of May, that for want of a man of authoritie and well affected to the religion, and to the estate of the common and particular commoditie of the people, the souldiers beganne to fall to extremities, and in fleed of assay­ling their enemies in the field, they busied themselues in the Towne, to breake downe Images, and Priests Altars, to the great disliking of the Ministers, and other peaceable persons, shewing them that it was against the edict of Ianua­ry, the treatie of association holden in Orleans, & the declaration which those of Mans not long before had made, & sent vnto the king by Monsieur de Mortier. From the [...]hurches in the Towne, they ranne vnto the Villages bordering a­bout it: and adding euill to euill, committed certaine spoyles, which caused the Pesants to fall vppon them, and to slaye some of them as they retired laden with their praye. Those that remained within the Towne were diuided, some commaunding in the Castle, others within the Towne. Those of the religion beeing abashed at the insolences of the Captaines and souldiers, newes was brought, that the Triumuirats armie was as then at Blois, and that the Duke de Montpensieur made preparation to assayle them! They likewise had intelli­gence, that of three Captaines that commanded within the Cittie, two of them had secret conference with the enemie, which considered, as also that the Towne was weake and slenderly furnished of men, the twelfe of Iuly, it was confusedly and in great haste forsaken, about eight of the clocke at night: at which their issuing, were found to the number of eight hundreth men, all armed, that by Captaine la Mothe Tibergeau, with great difficulties were con­ducted vnto Alancon. The other two Captains presently yeelded vnto the ene­mie: those that saued themselues at Alancon, tooke diuers parties: some not accustomed to beare armes stayed there: others went to finde the Counte de Montgommery, or the Duke de Bouillon. For the Ladies and Gentlewomen, some withdrew themselues to Deep, or to New-hauen, or else into England. The next [Page 132]day after, the Towne so forsaken, such of the Romish religion as had absented themselues from thence, entered againe, and then beganne a terrible trouble: verie fewe of the houses of those of the religion eyther within the Towne, or in the fields, for 8. myles compasse round about, but were all pilled, and that by the neare kinsmen of such as had absented themselues. Fiue hundreth Harque­busiers beeing appoynted for the guard of the Towne, and other places bor­dering on the same, exercised all kindes of cruelties vpon such as stayed be­hind, as some poore people, maides and men-seruants, and certaine Gentlewo­men of account in the Towne, and other persons withdrawing themselues in­to their farmes, countrie-houses, and with their friends. Presently the prisons were filled, and by decree, a iudiciall place was appoynted, & that neither kins­men nor friends, should solicite for the prisoners, whom they termed rebelles and seditious. The Steward saying it was sufficient, hauing seene a man to en­ter into the Temple while the Images were throwing downe, or bearing a sword at that time when they held the Towne, to condemne him for sediti­ous, and a rebell. Three witnesses beeing hired and appoynted for the pur­pose, to performe the tragedie, one called Chouan a bookeseller, the second a Priest, called les Anges, and Bandoun an Apothecarie, so impudent in their occu­pation, that when their wages fayled to bee payd, they said openly, that they would meddle no more therein.

Further, the accused were not allowed or permitted to refuse any witnesse, in such manner, that thereby they put two hundreth persons to death, both men, women, and seruants: as also foure young children, whereof the eldest was not aboue seuenteene yeares of age: and two men that were madde. Such as were absent, had processe made against them, and their pictures executed: confiscated the goods of those whom they knewe to bee dead in the warres, disabled their children of all offices and estates: depriuiuing them of all posses­sions or inhereritances, that might by any meanes fall vnto them. Not long before the peace, they beheaded one called Rolandiere: hung a Ioyner, and mas­sacred foure others by moone-light, and beeing halfe dead, threw them into the riuer. In the Villages both farre and neare vnto it, many murthers both of men, women, and children, were committed, to the number of sixe score and vpwards, with particular cruelties, and such horrible traiterous meanes, that I am abashed to remember, and ashamed to recite them. One named Captaine Champagne, hauing a fish-pond behinde his house, cast aboue fiftie persons into it, and with their bodies nourished Pikes. His Lieftenant, called Boi-Iourdan, seconded him therein, for that in two ditches neare vnto his house, were found to the number of fiftie or sixtie dead bodies.

Those of the religion in Angers, Angers. beeing become strong within the Towne, with the hurt or iniurie of any of their aduersaries, about the fift of Aprill, and within sixe daies after, made an agreement to liue peaceably one with the other, vnder the obedience of the King, obseruing the edict of Ianu­arie. But about the 22. of the same moneth, a Gentleman comming thither to demaund ayde of men, and money for the Prince, certaine souldiers that bare him company, in the night time brake down the Images in Saint Sansons Church: which moued the Priests, although the Gentleman, much condem­ned their action, and had not any part of the spoyle. Wherevppon diuers Gentleman and souldiers of the religion beeing gone to Orleans, those of the [Page 132]Romish religion, perceiuing themselues to bee strong, first blinded their ene­mies, causing the edict of Ianuarie to bee newly published, and then beeing well assured of Monsieur de la Fancille, that commaunded in the Castle Puygal­lard, a Gascon Captaine sent by the Duke de Montpensier, vppon the fift of May at night entered into the Castle, followed by diuers souldiers, and the next day his watch-word being Sathan, did so much that hee ceased vppon part of the Towne: and the more to blinde those of the religion, and wholly to get them into his possession, he graunted them free exercise of the religion, and the next day caused the Gates to bee opened, that they might go to heare the Sermon, made within a house that stood vpon the ditch: and to take vp the bodie of one of their Ministers, named Charles d'Albiac, called du Plesus, who the day before had been slaine, as he went to saue himselfe by leaping ouer the wall. The next day their began a horrible tumult, for that vnder pretence of disarming those of the religion, they entered into their houses, and because two of them among the rest, whereof one was the receiuer of the talages, had shune their Gates, their enemies tooke occasion to ring a bell, wherevppon presently those two houses were robbed and spoyled, some of the seruants slaine, the rest prisoners: the kings mony taken and made prise, partly by Puygallard and his companions. Which done, they cast both men and women of the religion, and of all sons in­to prison. In a Marchants house they found diuers bookes of the holy Scrip­tures, which were burnt openly in the middle of the Towne: and the soul­diers of the Monke Richelieu hauing found a guilded Bible, stickt it vpon a hol­bord, and issuing from thence, went in procession through all the greatest streetes, and singing like Priestes, said: Behold trueth hanged, the trueth of the Huguenots, the trueth of all the diuelles: behold the mightie God, be­holde the euerlasting God will speake. And beeing come to the bridge, they cast it into the riuer of Loire, and with higher voyce beganne to crie, and saie: Behold the trueth of all the diuelles drowned.

Within diuers daies after, and till the end of that yeare, to the number of eightie persons were executed and put to death. A Gentlewoman of the age of seuentie yeares, was beaten dead with the stockes of their Pistolles, then drawne in a sacke through the dirt, and her bodie cast into the water, with great ioy and laughter of all the people, terming her the mother of the greene diuell that preached to the Huguenots.

The wife of a Councellour named Sigongue, although shee lay bedthred, was murthered, children rebaptised, and women to heare Masse by sound of drumbe, some were abused in their bodies, many maides violated: and among the rest, two yong maides rauished in their fathers presence, whom those cruel villaines had [...]yed at the foote of a bed, that he might behold the fact commit­ted. About Angers, diuers Gentlemen and others, were massacred.

The Duke de Monpensier, hauing licence to ring a bell, and to kill all such as were suspected to bee of the religion, which done, they fell to pillage: vpon whom the Duke de Montpensier most discharged his chollor, was vpon Mon­sier de Marests, a valiant Captaine, who with twentie or fiue and twentie soul­diers hauing taken and kept the Castle of Richefort, against the Dukes forces, and slaine aboue two hundreth men in the defence thereof: in the end beeing betrayed by two of his owne men, defending himselfe till hee remained without company, and not hauing any more powder, yeelded himselfe to [Page 133] Puygaillard, who vppon his faith, promised him to saue his life: but presently deliuered him to the prouost Marshall, who hauing brought him to Angers, caused him by the Dukes commaundement to be broken vppon a Crosse, and there left aliue vpon it, liuing in that miserie vntill the next morning at foure of the Clocke, without releefe or ease of any man, by ending his paine: still temp­ted by two Fryers, to conuert from the truth of the religion, but hee remai­ned constant. The two Traytours that betrayed him to his enemies, were like­wise hanged, and an other that hadde opened the Gate, whereby they entred into Rochefort, was slaine: of whome they thought to bee rewar­ded.

Tours and the country about it.Eight daies before Easter, in Anno 1562. the Duke de Montpensier, beeing come to Tours with a small troupe, in diuers sorts discouered his euill will a­gainst those of the religion, who hauing had aduice from the Prince, how their affaires proceeded, seized vppon the Towne, without any disorder, onely inregard of the Images, that by no meanes could be releeued, what counsell or aduice soeuer the stayder sort could giue or procure. At the same time the cru­ell sentence giuen in the Parliament of Parris, was published in the gouern­ment of Touraine, Maine, and Aniou, committed to the charge of the Duke de Montpensier and of Chauigni his Lieftenant. Which sentence, was expressely to commaund, all men of what estate soeuer, presently to rise in Armes, with permission to sounde belles in euery place, to spoyle and destroy all those of the religion, that could or might bee founde, without respect of qualitie, sexe or age, and to assaile their houses, to kill, spoyle, and vtterly subuert them. This sentence was published euery sunday in al the Parishes: and in the termes vsed by the Triumuirat. Which is, to let the greatest Gray hound loose, and presently therevppon all kinde of bad persons assembled, both pesants and Ar­tificers, and leauing their ordinary labors, beganne in great fury to march with the rest against those of the religion. Part of them entring into Ligueul, where they hanged certaine men, put out the ministers eyes, and then burnt him with a small fier. Others entred into Cormery, l'Islebouchart, Loches, and other places bordering vpon it, where they committed an infinit number of villanies. A­mong diuers other murthers, fleaing a young man named Mathurin Chaiseau of the age of 17. or 18. years. An other troupe of 6. or 700. men fel vpon the village of Aze, foure miles from Chinon, and burnt it: massacring to the number of 25. or 30. persons, in presēce of the stuard Agenois, who in stead of opening his gates to aide the poore distressed people, vnderstanding of their comming, stood at his windowes, to Iudge what blowes they had. In the beginning of Iuly, they of Tours being sommoned to yeelde the Towne, and hauing no meanes to bee releeued by the Prince, departed from thence with their armes, making three companies of foote, & two cornets of horse, & wēt to march to Poictiers: Ioy­ning with those of Chinon and Chastelleraut. Wherby they were about the num­ber of 1000. men or there abouts. And being followed by 7. or 8. cōmpanies of Lanciers, & some Cornets of light horse, belonging to the Count de Villards, their leaders fainted: Wherevpon they were charched by the horsemen, and ouerthrowne: some beeing slaine, the rest robbed and spoyled of all they hadde, were ledde prisoners to Chastelleraut, from whence they escaped by diuers meanes, and some got to Poictiers. Their Minister called Ihon de la [Page 134]Tour that had bin at the conference in Poissy, aged 75. years, was drowned in the riuer of Clain: the first that yeelded themselues in that ouerthrow, were sent to Tours, and about three hundreth of the nimblest of them, thought by running to get Tours, but at their arriuall the Towns-men beganne to ring a bell, at the sound whereof, diuers of them saued themselues, the rest, to the number of two hundreth, were taken and committed to prison: and the next day sixe or seuen score of them, were murthered & cast into the riuer of Loire. Others beeing found about the Towne, were likewise throwne into the wa­ter, not sparing man, woman, nor childe. After that, came Chauigny, with his band of Priestes, Monkes, Friers, Cannons, and their companions, and then the murthers and pillages beganne to bee renued. The President of Tours, na­med Bourgeau, an ancient man of great credit and authoritie, who although he neuer had made profession of the religion, yet hee was esteemed to bee one, hauing presented Clerueaux Lieftenant to Chauigny, with 300. Crownes, and a Bason of siluer, was ledde foorth of the Gates, but beeing perceiued and disco­uered, by such as watched for such things, hee was murthered with swords and staues, and then stripped into his shirt, and hanged by the foote, his head in the water vp to the breast: and beeing still liuing, they cut open his bellie, and casting his guttes into the riuer, sticking his heart vppon the poynt of a Lance, bare it about the Towne, saying it was the heart of the President of the Hugue­nots.

Not long after, the Duke de Montpensier arriued in the Towne, causing diuers Gibbets, wheeles, and flakes, to bee set vp, and then vnder pretence of iustice, the murthers beganne again, so that the number of those that were exe­cuted, before, then, and since, amounted to aboue three hundreth persons, most part beeing rich men, and many of good account. Assoone as the Com­mons, or the Iustice, had put any man or woman to death, they enrered into their houses, and killing their children, tooke all they found therein, in such manner, that Richelieu the Monke, boasted to haue as much Veluet, Satin, and Taffata, (which hee had gotten in Tours) as would reach a league in length: his companions likewise had their parts, in such maner, that such as sixe weeks before, were not woorth a groate, presently after, offered to buy lands, and to paye thirtie or fortie thousand Frankes readie mony.

Let vs now see what past, during these first troubles in high and base Nor­mandie, and first beginne with Roane, Rome. the principall Towne in that Prouince. The fifteenth of Aprill 1562. those of the religion foreseeing some danger, cea­sed vpon the Towne, and fiue daies after, yeelded reason of their action vnto the Duke de Bouillon Gouernor thereof. Their declaration beeing sent to the Court, letters pattents were presently giuen vnto the Duke d'Aumale, brother to the Duke de Guise, to bee the kings Lieftenant in Normandie. The third of May, the Artificers with their wiues and children, entered into the Churches, and in lesse then foure and twentie houres, had broken downe and defaced all the Images, Altars, and other superstitious Reliques, in more then 50. Chur­ches, as wel of Parishes, as of Abbayes and Couents: not once taking any thing for themselues, in such sort, that from that time, vntill the taking of the Towne, the occupation of Priests and Friers wholly discontinued.

Seuen daies after, the Cittizens mustered themselues, and the Court of Parliament withdrew it selfe, yet without any cause. Meane time, Villebon [Page 135]Bailiffe of Roan, ceased vpon Pont de l'Arche, & the Baron de Clere took Caudebec, the one aboue, the other belowe the riuer of Siene. Whereby it prooued great discommoditie for the Towne of Roan, that by those meanes could get no vic­tualls by water, besides the ceasing of the Courts of iustice, the staye of trade of merchandise and all sorts of handy workes: these discommodities made the Ci­tizens to looke vnto themselues.

In the beginning of Iune, Villebon came with great troupes to besiege Saint Catherins fort: where in a fierce skirmish he lost his cornet and fourteene men, and they of the fort 8. mē. Presētly after him, came the Duke de Aumale, Saint Ca­therins Fort besieged. & gaue an alarme vnto the Towne, where presently he lost 25. of his horsemen: But for renenge, he assayd all means he could to impeach the Towne of Roan from necessary prouisions. But not long after, it was relieued by Monsieur de Mor­uilliers, sent thither by the Prince from Orleans, assisted by Monsieur de Languetot, a gentleman of great wisdome. The Duke d'Aumale, dispersed the Churches of those of the religiō in Hafleur, Montuilier and l'Islebonne, where he hanged three auncients, and three Gentlemen of the Religion. And not long after besieged Saint Catherins fort, with thirteene Cannons, and two coluerins: where Mon­sieur de Languetot had his legge shotte off with a great peece, whereof hee di­ed. Many skirmishes beeing daylie performed between them, till in the end, the Duke left the Fort and fledde from thence: and within fiue daies after, beeing before Ponteau de Mer, faining to parley with them within the Towne, he sur­prised them vppon a suddaine, and so entered by force, where hee vsed all kind of hostilitie, specially vppon the Minister named Brionne: and the third day af­ter, hee besieged and tooke Honfleur.

The sixe and twentieth of August, the Parliament of Roane being at Lou­niers, made a declaration, whereby those of the religion in Normandie were de­clared Traitors, permitting all men,Declaration of the Parli­ament of Roane a­gainst those of the religi­on. that eyther would or had the meanes to spoyle and ouerrunne them, wholly disallowing the edict of Ianuary, establi­shed the Inquisition of Spaine, and appoynted the Duke d'Aumale, Lieftenant for the King. And by that declaration and sentence, this Court of Parliament executed many of the religion, commanding all such as would not make pro­fession of the Romish religion, to depart out of the Towne of Louuiers, within foure and twentie houres after, vpon paine of confiscation, both of body and goods. On the other side, they draue all the Friers out of Roane, and hauing dis­couered treason pretended by some of their companions, they tooke order therein from thence forward,The siege of Roane. giuing good eye to those of the Romish religi­on: whereof they thrust out great numbers. In August, Monsieur de Moruilliers withdrew himselfe from Roane, and kept himselfe peaceably within his house, and so continued during the warres, neuer forsaking the open profession of the religion.

In the meane time, Monsieur de Montgommery was by those of Roane desi­red to assist them: which hee presently did, and arriued at Roane vppon the 18. of September: within rennedaies after, the Towne was summoned to yeelde it selfe vnto the armie of the Triumuirat, whose campe (wherein were the king, the Queen, and the king of Nauarre) being composed of sixteen thousand foot, and two thousand horse, besides Rutters and Lansquenets, came before the Towne, where at their arriuall, they had a hotte and fierce skirmish, which continued all that day, and three daies after successiuely.

The fixt of October, the king, armie hauing intelligence from Captaine Louis out of Saint Catherins, Saint Ca­therins fort taken. for they surprised it by force, wherein they slewe al they found. And Louis himselfe ayding the enemie to mount vp, was slaine by one of his Souldiers: another fort called Montgommery, was taken by the like means, where the Queene-mother ledde the king, beeing but twelue yeares of age, to see the dead bodies of the women, and made him behold them bathing in their blood. The thirteenth of October, an assault was giuen vnto the Towne, but they within repulsed the enemie: where some couragious women (bringing meate vnto the souldiers) were slaine. The next day they gaue another assault at the Rampart of Saint Hilary, but were repulsed, and for the space of 6. houres that the skirmish indured, they lost to the number of eight hundreth of their best souldiers, and they within, foure or fiue hundreth, accounting women and children that were slaine with the Artillerie.

The same day, the king of Nauarre beeing visited by a certaine Lord, told him,Hurt and death of the King of Na­uarre. that if hee escaped safely from that siege, hee would neuer beare armes a­gaine for that quarrell: but the next day he would go see the trenches, where by fortune as hee made water, he was striken with a Harquebushotte into the shoulder: which done, hee was borne by certaine Gentlemen to his lodging at Dartenal, where the Surgians vsed all the meanes they could, to get out the bullet, but hauing deferred it ouerlong, they could not: one of the Phisitians named Vincentius, a voluptious man, entertained him with sports and compa­nies of Gentlewomē: & among therest, a Gentlewoman named Rouet, came to see him, which was some meanes to inflame his wound, and hauing intelli­gence that Roane was taken, he was borne thither, where gouerning not him­selfe, as his wound and time required, it began to growe to further paine, and in the end a feuer tooke him, wherwith he began to be faint, and thē perceiued they had deceiued him. Notwithstanding his seruāts had so great credit with him, that they caused him to be cōfessed & to receiue the Sacrament after the Romish maner. The other of his Phisitians called Raphuel, being of the religiō, vttered many reasons vnto him, so farre that he seemed to charge him with sin against the holy Ghost: wherevnto hee answered nothing, but lay still. Not long after, the Queen (aduertised by his Phisitians, that he could not liue) be­ing come to see him, willed some of his men to read vnto him. Shee being de­parted, hee commaunded Raphael to take the Bible, and to read the Historie of Iob: which beeing done, adding therevnto certaine wordes of the iustice and mercie of God, the king beeing mooued in spirit, lifting vp his hands vnto hea­uen, and with teares in his eyes, hee asked mercie of God, making a large and ample declaration of his faith, protesting, that if it pleased God to graunt him life, hee would cause the Gospell to bee preached throughout the Realme of France. His disease waxing more vehement, and Raphael continually atten­ding vppon him, hauing made his will, hee caused himselfe to bee borne into a boate, to go to Saint Maur des Fosses, hard by Parris. But not long after his entrie into the boate, a great cold ceased vppon him, and therevppon insued a sweate, wherewith hee beganne to talke idly: and among other words, hee said, he would send Raphael to Geneue to bee a Minister. And vppon a suddaine commaunded him to praye: which Raphael did: all that were in the boate, namely, the Prince de la Roche suryon kneeling downe, the Cardinall de Bourbon, the Prince of Mantoue, and Monsieur de Losses, withdrewe themselues apart, [Page 137]standing vppon their feete and their heads couered. The prayer being done, wherewith the Cardinall could not finde fault, Raphael added a certaine exhor­tation, and with him was ioyned another, that went like a seculer person, but some say hee was a Iacopin: who notwithstanding, vsed no other wordes but such as any minister would haue done. The last words the King spake, were vn­to a seruant of his chamber, to whom he said, serue my sonne well, and bid him serue the King faithfully: and so vpon the 17. of Nouember, 1562. he yeelded vp his soule.

The 15. of October, many parlies were made, touching a composition, wher­in the Queen-mother vsed many hotte and vehement speeches vnto the citizēs that issued foorth, saying: that shee knewe howe to liue,Parley of yeelding. that they were come too late to teach her, that they ought to content themselues to liue as the King did, and that if they would not yeelld by faire meanes, they should be compelled by force. Shee desired two articles: one, that they shoulde bee wholely bereaued of the exercise of religion: the other, that they should re­ceiue the King, the Triumuirat and their troupes, into their towne. But they offered to receiue the King, the Queene, the Princes of the blood, and theyr traine: but for the rest, they craued to bee remitted. Desiring that the edict of Ianuarie might bee continued in force. Which was flatlye denyed vnto them.

The 26. of October, an assault was giuen vnto the Towne, and in the end, by meanes of a mine that wrought at the breach of S. Hilaries gate, the towne was taken by force,Roan taken by assault where the Kings souldiers beganne to kill and massacre all they met, vsing all kinde of monsterous cruelties. Montgommerie perceiuing no remedie, entered into a Galley, and with such as coulde saue themselues therein, went to New-Hauen: others that sought to do the like without boates, were drowned: such as fledde out at the gates were spoyled and robbed of all they had, and some taken prisoners. Diuers Ministers beeing within a strong Tower, yeelded themselues vpon promise of safetie: but contrary to promise, they were kept prisoners, yet escaped onely Marolart, and president Maudreuil­le an excellent man, that were betrayed by one S. Estene, that had promised to saue them, and for his paines, he should haue had 2000. Crownes. The Con­stable threatned Marolart, but he indured it patiently: many English and Scot­tish souldiers were hanged, the rest being sicke, taken and cast into the riuer of Siene. Maudreuille, Monsieur de Soquence, and Berthonuille, Councellors of the Towne, with Marolart, were condemned to die: Maudreuille, to loose his head,Diuers nota­ble persons executed. the rest to be hanged, which was presently executed with many opprobrious speeches, against Marolart, both by the Constable and his sonne. They all dyed constantly in the profession of the Gospell. The next day, 5. Captaines and two others were likewise executed. The spoyle and sacking of the Towne, con­tinued aboue 4. moneths togither, and it is almost incredible to speake, what great riches was taken and borne out of the Towne: such as came from Parris, Amiens, Beauuais, and other, places to buy the spoiles, in theyr returnes home­warde, were eyther robbed of all they hadde, or else neuer prospered in theyr affaires.

Touching Deepe, Deepe. those of the religion therein maintained themselues ve­ry well, exercising many notable exployts against those that sought to molest them. So that from the beginning of May, vntill October, their enemies lost [Page 138]to the number of one thousand or twelue hundreth men. This Towne serued for a retrait to great numbers of the religion, from diuers places, nourished an infinit number of poore people, ayded those of Roane with all the meanes they could, but the succors they sent to help the town, being cut off & ouerthrown, the Towne of Deep perceiuing it selfe not able to resist, in fine, by many threat­nings, promises and other meanes, they yeelded the Towne vppon certaine conditions: the woorst whereof was, that the exercise of religion was taken from them: the Marshall de Montmorancy establishing Ricaruille and de Baque­uille, with foure hundreth men to commaund therein: yet those of the religion lost not courage, but made such sute vnto the Queen-mother, (that feared the Admirall and the siege of Orleans) that they obtained licence to assemble in smal companies, which they did, hauing certain Ministers that escaped from Roane: yet there was not one Priest in all the countrie, that durst once venture to saye Masse within Deep, & although the two Captains aforesaid, kept good watch, yet they were surprised: for the twentieth of December, Monsieur Ricaruille beeing gone out of the Castle with one of his seruants, to see his horses, in a stable not farre from it, was slaine by Monsieur de Chastiuille, and Captaine Gas­con, who presently ceased vpon the Castle,Deep taken from those of the Romish Church. and hauing intelligence with those that were in it, armed themselues and entered into the Towne, where with­out hurting any man, they tooke Baqueuille, whom all men had forsaken: that done, the exercise of the religion was againe publikely permitted, and the Gouernment of the Towne, giuen to Monsieur de la Curee, a Gentleman well affected to the religion.

There happened diuers exploytes of warre in many places of Normandy, because of the Townes, but because the most part of them were but surprises, and ordinarie stratagems, we will not speake of them, but onely of that which seemeth woorthiest memorie.

The seuenth of Iune 1562. Messieurs de Houesuille, and de Cequeuille, Gilles Michant Phisitian,Valongnes. Iohn Guifart, and Robert de Verdun Counnellours, were mas­sacred in Valongues for religion, and the houses of such as made profession, were filled with souldiers, that did what they list therein, for the space of eight daies.

In the Moneth of May,Vire. before Viere hauing been taken by Montgommery, the Images beaten downe, and the Reliques borne away, the religion reesta­blished, vpon the last of Iuly, those of the Romish Church assayled those of the religion, as they came out from the sermon, whereof they slewe three men, whereof one was stoned by the women, beeing in the riuer, and hurt diuers. But about the end of August, they were reuenged thereof by meanes of Mon­sieur de Montgommery, that sent them ayde, which did much mischiefe to all the countrie round about: but not long after, againe the Duke d'Estampes tooke the Towne by force, and many of them put vnto the sword.

The Duke d'Estampes hauing gotten Vire, Saint Lo. went to Saint Lo, where hauing continued siege for the space of fiue or sixe daies, in the end hee tooke it, the Towne beeing sacked and put to the spoyle.Nowhauen. New-Hauen, a Towne of great importance, hauing beene brauely deliuered vnto the Prince, by Vi­dame de Chartres, Monsieur de Beauuoir, and la Nocle his brother in lawe: Vidame going into England, meaning not to leaue the place vnprouided, let the kee­ping thereof to one named Roquebrune, to whom hee gaue commission to [Page 139]raise three hundreth men for the guard therof. He presently went vnto the Car­dinall of Lorraine, and after to the King of Nauarre, promising to deliuer New-Hauen vnto them, and proceeded therewith, vntill such time as he should haue executed his charge. But the enterprise being discouered to Monsieur de Beau­noir, he tooke speedie order for the reliefe thereof, causing Roquebrune to loose his head. Meane time, Vidame dealt with the Queene of England, to aide those of the religion, vpon condition, that for the securitie and safegard of her men, she should haue the Towne of New-Hauen deliuered vnto her, without any preiudice vnto the King or to the Realme: whervpon 6000. English men were sent into Normandie: whereof part were in Roane, where they fought valiantly till the last man: and if they had bene seconded, the issue thereof would haue fallen out otherwise. Some were put into Deepe, the greatest part staying in New-Hauen, vnder the conduct of the Earle of VVarwicke. Roan being taken, the Ringraue came before New-Hauen: where the English men and Scots gaue him many a skirmish. Many meanes were sought to corrupt Monsier de Beauuoir, with promises of fiftie thousand crownes, a coller of the order, and a company of Lanciers: But by no meanes he would consent to yeeld the Towne, nor yet in any sort blemish his honour.

Touching Britaigne, the Duke de Estampes, Britaine. a Gentleman of good and mo­derate nature, behaued himselfe very indifferently with those of the religion, as long as the Queene-mother seemed to hang in suspence. But warres once kindled, and his Nephew Sebastian de Luxembourg, a cruell man, if euer there were any in France, being ioyned with him for assistant, mutenous companiōs began to stirre, in such sort, that those of the Army of Triumuirat, seemed to sette one vpon the other. But yet those of the religion made good meanes to helpe themselues.

Nowe lette vs see what happened vnto the country of Guyene, Guyenne during these first troubles. The first of Aprill, 1562. Monluc caused the towne of Fumel to bee vnwalled: Threw downe certaine houses, and sette them at a fine of three hundreth thousand frankes: to bee payde vnto the wi­dowe and Orphanes, of Monsieur de Fumel, not long before murthered by those of the Towne.

Those of the religion foreseeing the mischiefes that Monluc wold worke, if he were not preuented, desired Monsieur de Duras to stay in the Prouince, where hee fonud great forces, but hee excused himselfe by the commandement giuē him from the Prince, to lead certaine forces to Orleans, which was the means of most great miseries, and cruell massacres that happened in that countrie. Those of the religiō in Bourdeaux, hauing let slip the means to get the Towne peace­ably into their hāds, while Burie & Mōluc were absent, that went about to erect their snares, and to assure themselues, they could no more attaine vnto it, for that minding to assaye it once againe, they found so many faint hearted peo­ple emong them, that they were constrained to saue thēselues in Duras: where­of the Parliament being informed, caused their houses to be spoiled & thrown downe: threatning all such as they could lay hands vpon: and among the rest, two Ministers named Neufchastle and Grene.

Monluc had his greatest quarrell against those of Agen, Agen. who among diuers other enterprises of that Towne, had surely been taken and spoyled by them, had it not beene for the improuidence of Monsieur de Memy, Generall for the [Page 140]warres for those of the religion, in Guyenne and all the countrie adioyning, wherein hee behaued himselfe with no great honour, as beeing a man rather addicted to his studie, then vnto armes, which in the end made him loose his head vppon a Scaffold. Burie and Monluc, knowing with whom they had to deale, sought diuers meanes to intrappe those of Argen: and to the same end, caused Captaine Charry to lye about the Towne: but an Ambascado, being set for him, hee was put to flight, leauing 45. of his men dead vpon the ground, and fifteene prisoners. Memy brought great forces into Agen, but knowing not how to imploye them, hee was forsaken by Arpaion and Marchastel: who as then (if hee would haue credited them) could haue ouerthrowne Monluc: who knowing his aduersaries weake conduction, neuer ceased to giue him diuers alarmes. About the end of three weekes, Memies troupes hauing done no good in Agen, departed and left their companies. To the contrary, Monluc ceased not to make diuers courses into the countrie, constraining them to supply his want of victuals and munition, his souldiers running to the gates of Agen: and mee­ting with any of the religion, they put a halter about his necke, and if hee con­tinued constant, they put him to cruell death, or else ransomed, and then killed him. And such as were but weake of faith, after they had made them trot with them, they constrained them to make the signe of the crosse, to say an Aue Ma­ria, and to consesse and acknowledge the Masse to bee good: yet they were not content there with, but forced them to sweare and blaspheme God, at the least fiue or sixe times togither: which done, they were accounted and holden for good and sufficient Catholikes in Monluc and Peyrot his sonnes opinions. The seuenth of August, those of Agen repulsed Captaine Bourg, that kept a passage from them full of good prouision: but hauing gotten the place, their souldiers busied themselues about harkening after the sweet wines: so that the next day againe, du Rourg surprised and slewe sixtie of them, dispearsing the rest: where­of diuers passing the riuer, dranke more water, then the day before they had swallowed wine. But the next day insuing, they had their reuenge at Lerac, where by certaine intelligence, they slew eightie of Monlucs souldiers: which notwithstanding within 4. daies after, those of Agen perceiuing their towne to be weake, issued out of the Towne all armed, to the number of sixe hundreth men: deliuering the keyes vnto the Consulles, desiring them not to forget the great courtesie shewed vnto them by those of the religion, when they were Maisters of the Towne. Women of good account bare their children in their armes, in a cradle vppon their heads, or else carried them on their shoulders. And in that sort hauing trauelled all night, they found themselues to bee about seuen great leagues from Agen: where they stayed for Duras, that prouided for their securitie.

The next day, those of Agen sought to kill and massacre such as they could intrappe. Burie and Monluc presently came thither, and after all the mooue­ables had been ceased vpon, and borne away, they ceased vpon the immcoue­ables, executing diuers prisoners: punishing those that were absent by their pi­clieres, cōfiscating their goods, as it pleased thē to appoint. Without the town nothing was heard, but onely of horrible and cruell murthers, and that in the Bourg of the passage, there were two young children rosted. Duras hearing of those great mischiefes, marched towards Lauserte, a Towne in Quercy: which vppon the fifteenth of August, he tooke by force: beeing constrained there vn­to [Page 141]by the braueries of those that were within it: in the Town he slew 567. mē, among which, were 9. score and 14. Priests. Part of those of Agen were within the castle of Roime, that Duras had committed vnto the charge of Captain Lyou­ran, where Monluc besieged them, battering the place 3. daies togither. They within, sustaining a furious assault: but in the ende, the number of souldiers that were therein being but small, and Lyouran being slaine, the Castle was for­ced. Monluc hauing lost about seauen hundreth men, the crueltie he vsed was extreame, not sparing old nor young, killing young children in their mo­thers armes, and then the mothers. They reserued certaine women, whereof Burie would haue 2. for his part. Monluc behauing himselfe in such fort, that I abhorre to write it.

This happened to those of Agen, but that was not all: For after the ouerthrowe of the Army of Duras, diuers of those that escaped, hauing bene taken, were brought to Agen, a place appointed for the butchery, where they had erected a gybbit, called the consistory: in such sort, that from the time that those of the religion left the Towne, vntill the Edict of peace, there were abone fiue hundreth men executed to death: and the Participants of Monluc, to fil vp their iniquities, banished the women and children out of the Towne: af­ter whom, they sent the souldiers: hanged a Counsellor in his long gowne and square Cap. Not long before this ouerthrowe of Duras, Memy forsaken of all men, thinking to withdraw himselfe into Bearn, was taken prisoner, and led to Bourdeaux. Where by sentence in Court of Parliament, he had his head stri­ken off.

Exployts of Monsieur de Duras, tell his ouerthrowWe must now speake a word of the exployts done by Monsieur de Duras in Guyenne, vntill his ourthrowe. Hee hauing receiued charge to raise all the forces he could to ayde the Prince, and to march towards Orleans, his intents were often times crossed by diuers meanes: and hauing begunne to rayse certaine forces, hee was put in minde, that he might bee a good meanes with them to assure Bourdeaux: Which taking no effect, hee determined to seise vppon the Countrey betweene the two Seas, situate betvveene Gerome, and Dordongne, there to gather his forces. But approching neere Saint Machaire, in stead of victualls, they shot diuers Muskettes at him, whereby some of his men were slaine: which caused him to assayle and force the Towne: yet much supported by the greate humanitie of Duras, whome Burie and Monluc then determined to inuade: assuring themselues, that hauing dispersed his forces, they shoulde easilye accomplishe theyr owne desires through out all Guy­enne.

Which being concluded, they ouertooke him hard by Rozan: where Mon­luc hauing the aduantage, gaue Duras a charge, who recouering a litle wood full of Diches, behaued himselfe so well with three hundreth pikes, the rest of his troupes hauing forsaken him, that hee constrained Monluc to retire with the losse of three hundreth men, and Duras about thirtie or more. After that, hee determined to leaue off his enterprise, hauing the conduction of many meane souldiers, and men wholely enemies to discipline: yet hauing pittie of the Country, and hoping that his Souldiers woulde doo better, hee reassembled them. Procuring others, [Page 142]marched towards Agenois and Quercy, ayding them of Agen as much as possi­bly he might. But hauing heard what happened therein, after the departure of those of the religion, hee punished those of Lauserte, and from thence com­ming to Saint Authony, hee was strengthened by two companies of footemen, led by Marchastel. And as he determined to go to Monsieur de Cursol in Langue­doc, the Counte de la Rorchefoucaut desired him to ioyne with him, and with all speed to march towards Orleans.

To the same end du Bordet, a valiant Gentleman, with 60. light-horse, 200. Argolitiers, & 2. companies of footmē, was sent frō Xaintonge, to cōduct Mon­sieur Duras in the way. Du Bordet entered Pons, forced S. Satier, wherin were slain twelue Priests, then entered into la Linde, a Towne in Perigort, wherein he pu­nished certaine seditious persons, that had massacred and cut a poore man of the religion in diuers places of his bodie, filling all his wounds with salt: and hauing ioyned with Duras and Marchastel, hee determined to punnish those of Sarlat, that had slaine two Gentlemen, and passing by Caussade, to go to Montau­ban to fetch Artillerie, and to raise more souldiers, certaine Priests that did much mischiefe, were set vpon and forced within a steeple, and cast headlong out of it vppon the ground: and some others of the principall of the Towne, authors of the massacre committed in that place vpon those of the religion, being com­mitted vnto the Marshall of Guyenne, were executed to death: they placed good Garrison in Realuille, and marching to Montauban, leauing the conduction of their troupes to Chaumont, Saint Hermine, and Pere Longue. This was but an vnaduised enterprise of those three Leaders, to leaue their forces in that sort, seeing Burie and Monluc were not farre of, with sixe thousand foote, and diuers horse. But the wise and happie conduction of Chaumont, mended that negli­gence, deliuering a fierce skirmish vnto Monluc, who for that day would not fight, although Bury was of the contrarie opinion, considering their great ad­uantage.

The troupes of Duras beeing safely arriued at Montauban, vpon the ninth of September, foure daies after, Bury and Monluc incamped themselues, but being dislodged within three times foure and twentie houres after, Duras mar­ched towards Xaintongue, Ouerthrow of Duras. and in the way forced the Castle of Marcues, where­in heetooke the Bishoppe of Cahors, that had certaine bookes of Magick-art about him, and many receipts to winne the loue of women, but no bookes of Diuinitie. Hee escaped well from beeing hanged, as author of the massacre in Cahors: in his stead they executed fiue or sixe souldiers. From thence all the troupes came before Sarlat, vpon the first of October. The resistance of the Towne, and the enemies armie, composed of eight thousand foote, & diuers horse approching, made Duras to dislodge. And vpon the eight of October, be­ing a rainie day, hee entered into a Village named Hedreux, his Artillerie and footemenlying at Ver, halfe a league further. Bury and Monluc hauing by one of their prisoners vnderstood the whole estate of Duras campe, beeing about foure or fiue thousand horse and foote, went forward. But Duras in flead of ioy­ning his forces togither, and to view his enemies, supposed them to bee but certaine Curriers, and neglecting them, still separated his forces. But hauing soone perceiued his fault, hee determined to retire with a soft pace, and to set his men in safetie. Puch a valiant Knight, was of the contrarie opinion, saying, that when two armies are neare vnto each other, the first that retireth, giueth aduantage to the other, proouing it by that which happened vnto the French [Page 143]army vppon S. Lawrence day. Burie and Monluc perceiuing that Duras began to retire, made haste to ouertake him, and gaue him a charge, where in a maner no resistance was made, whereby they entred so farre into Duras Campe, that they seized vpon the artillery and their carriages, and there the soldiers staying, greedier of praye then of honour, gaue such as had first fled to reassemble, and so to passe the water, throwing downe their arms to flye the easitier: the ouer­throw was of about fiue or sixe hundreth soldiers, and 2500. boyes and pages, with all the artilerie, some of those that were taken prisoners being hanged, spe­cially the Ministers: who by the aduise of the Church, had followed those cō ­panies. I will recite one particularly. Among the prisoners, there was a Captain called la Mothe, that fell to Captaine Bazourdans lot. Who not long after mee­ting with Monluc, hee gaue him diuers stabbes with a dagger, and thrust him through with his rapier, saying these words. Villain thou shalt dye in despight of God. Neuerthelesse to prooue Monluc a lyer, this poore man, being in that sort borne away and healed, although he had many deadly wounds, woonder­fully recouered his health and liued.

Laumos­niere ouer­thrown by Duras. Duras hauing assembled those that past the riuer, and made two retraits, be­ing aduertised that Captaine Laumosniere, sent by Monsierde Sansac, stayed for him at Embornet with fiue hundreth men, to make an end of an ouerthrow, not being once abashed, marched right vnto the place, where hearriued about the breake of day: and behaued himselfe so well, that Laumosniere and all his men, onely three that bare the newes to Sansac, were slaine in the fielde. After this conflict, Duras men beganne to leaue him: so that hee arriued at Orleans with a very small companie, where the peace being once concluded, he dy­ed.

The 10. of March 1562. Mont de Marsan was taken by certaine of Monlucs forces: those of the religion after many outrages,Mont de Marsan. being constrained to flie in­to some other place, and to leaue both wines and children. Not long after, sixe of the principall of them, being kept prisoners, had their heads striken off, and three or foure others executed in diuers manners. And a Lancier bee­ing taken after the peace of Villeneufue de Marsan, was buried quicke: and at Caseras in the moneth of August, a young woman named Ieanne de la Go­ra, pursued to bee violated, threw her selfe out of a Windowe, and dyed thereof.

The Hystorie of Thoulouse and other places belonging to the Parliament of Languedoc, is very long: but I wil assay to make a breefe rehearsall thereof,Thoulouse. as of the rest. The Edict of Ianuarie hauing beene published therein, things were peaceablye handled vntill the second of Aprill, when by an oc­casion of a Buriall, those of the Romishe Church, in the Subburbes of Sainct Michael, Sainct Steuen, and Sainct Saluador in Thoulouse, assayled those of the Religion, and hurt greate numbers of them: Killing foure outright, besides diuers more of them that were throwne downe into a well.

The Parliament fauoured this action: but to the contrary, the Ca­pitalles sought by all meanes to represse the sedition, and layde holde vp­pon some of the chiefe dealers therein: but the tumult still increased, and so continued vntill night, both within and without the Towne. The next day nothing was done, but faire words to appease so great an iniurie: neuerthelesse, [Page 144]the Capitalles pursued the matter so well, that foure of the seditious persons were hanged, and two whipt. But the fyer of deuision began to bee so houe, that those of the religion alreadie threatned with that which after ensued, sei­zed vpon the Town-house, and certain corners of the streetes: which mooued the Parliament in such maner, that presently they sent for al the gentlemē ther­abouts to be their aydes, calling the commons to gither, causing it to bee publi­shed throughout the Towne, that all men should take weapon in hands to in­uade those of the religion, who by the intermission of the Capitalles, assayed to appease that Tumult. Monluc gaue the wheele good passage, by writing to the Parliament, that the Capital de Lanta, new come from the Court lying without the Towne, had promised the Prince, to cause the Towne to hold for him.

The thirteenth of May, the Presidents and Coūcellors comming forth in their Scarlet gownes, caused it to be cryed throughout the Towne, and in their pre­sence, that all good Catholicques, and faithfull seruants to the King, should take armes and vse them against those of the religion: to take them eyther dead or liuing, and to kill and spoyle them of all they haue without all mercie. Besides that, fiue or six Councellors went crying throughout the Towne, that they should not spare to kill and spoyle: being lisenced thereunto by the Court, with permission both from Pope and the King. The coppie of this proclamation, was presently sent to all the Borrowes and Villages round about: wherewith belles began to be rung in all the steeples of the Towne, and presently after in all the Countrey round about, for foure or fiue Leagues compasse. Thoulonse is one of the greatest and most populos Townes in all France. At which time, there was within it, at the least 25. or thirtie thousand persons of the religion, and of diuers qualities & ages:Horrible Massacre in Thoulouse. and then began one of the most horrible massa­cries that can be remembred. The prisons were presently filled, and many were knocked on the head, at the entry into it, because it would hold no more. The riuer in short space was couered with dead bodies, & many were throwne out of windowes into the riuer, from whence if they seemed to escape, they were presently slaine with swordes and stones.

Those of the religion that had strengthned them within the Town-house, and in certain other places, defended themselues with great courage, and made diuers sallies, and if treason hadde not beene wrought against them by Captaine Saulx, they had gotten the Pallace, and driuen their enemies out of the Towne, but he put them from that: whereof presently ensued a totall ruine. For the next day beeing the fourteenth, those of the religion perceiuing that of force they must die, resolued to defend themselues, and besides the peeces that they hadde within the Towne-house, wherewith they abashed their enemies, they issued diuers times out of their fortes, to skirmish with the enemie, where betweene them much blood was spilt.The Citi­zens fight. The same day Bellegarde Lief­tenant to the Marshall de Termes, entred into the Towne with his companie of Lanciers. Those of Terrides and Monluc stayed without to hinder such ayde as might arriue to helpe those of the religion, that held but one gate, to whom about Euening, was sent a letter into the Towne-house to make an accord, where vnto they appeared, onely demaunding assurance of their liues, and the rest of their goodes: with the obseruation of the Edict of Ianuarie, which was refused them. Whervpon each prepared themselues vpon the next day after, to enter into a hotter fight then euer they did. And because the cannon in the [Page 145]Towne-house, did much hurt vnto the Towne, the Councellours and the Court caused more then two hundreth houses to be burnt, and in diuers other places many houses were robbed and spoyled: and among others, the houses of President Bernoy, and Councellour Chauuet, where two yong maides were rauished in their mothers presence.

Saturday the sixteenth, they had a cruell skirmish, and then those of the Romish Church asked a parley, and had a truce, which truce continuing, it was agreed vpon, that those of the religion leauing their armor and weapons in the Town house, shuld withdraw thēselues with all securitie. And according to that agreemēt made with the Captains & the Parliament, those of the religion hauing receiued the Communion with teares & solemne prayers, about eue­ning came foorth, where against the faith and promise made vnto them, they tooke all they could lay hold vppon, and committed them prisoners, and those that got out at the gate, called Villeneufue, many of thē escaped & were receiued into Montaubon, & other Towns that held for the religion. The souldiers scat­tered about the fields, and the Pesants killed and spoyled many of them. The common opinion is, that in this mutinie, there died within the Towne aboue three thousand fiue hundreth persons, as well on the one side as on the o­ther.

The foure and twentieth of May, Burie and Monluc determining to de­stroy Montauban, marched thither with an armie of a thousand horse,The first be­sieging of Montauban and fiue thousād foote, wherwith they besieged it, haning two fierce skirmishes with­in the Towne, in one of them Captaine Saint Michell slewe three launciers, and tooke a goodly horse. The next day the artillerie came thither, many skir­mishes being made, wherein Monluc had the woorst, and hardly escaped with his life, his horse hauing been slaine vnder him: the next day, the campe dislod­ged and made away in great haste, but for what cause it was not known, Mon­luc hauing lost about sixtie men, but hee spoyled all the houses round about it, and burnt the corne beeing halfe ripe. Not long after, Captaine Saint Mi­chael and his brother beeing attainted of treason and robberie, were slaine in the house of Marchastell within Montauban.

The enemies laye in the Garrisons round about it, which caused those of the twone to erect certaine companies, and a kinde of millitarie Discipline, and then to make issues and courses in the countrie, which fell out with good suc­cesse: but not to those of Castres, who in one recountre, lost betweene foure score and a hundreth Souldiers, in a manner all young men borne within the towne.

The three and twentieth of August, Captaine Bazourdan sent by the Parlia­ment of Thoulouse, Other acci­dents in Montauban vsed all the meanes hee could to induce Montauban to fall to some composition, and if they would not do it, yet that at the least those that said they were their friends and could bring forces, would exhort them to make peace.

The last words vsed by Bazourdon, contained a certaine kinde of mocke­rie touching the confidence that those of Montauban put in the Lord, but Con­stant their Minister tooke him vppe for halting. The fift of September, those of Negropelisse, hauing beene surprised and hardly handled by Captaine Coulumbier, and the Bishoppe of Montauban, they sought to remedie it, but all too late.

The Bishoppe causing sixe of his best prisoners to bee stoned and beaten to death with staues, and their bodies cast into the riuer. In a sallie made vppon the eight of the same moneth, those of Montauban beeing discouered by a trai­tor, were put to flight, hauing lost one of the Ensigne-bearers, two Corpo­ralles, two Gentlemen, and tenne souldiers. The same day Marchastel and Du­ras beeing entered into Montauban, desired that they might take the companies and the Artillerie with them, hauing lodged their armie within the Towne. which constrained the Consuls to graunt to their desires. But their arriuall fell out well for the Towne,The second siege of Montauban. for that within three daies after, Burie and Monluc with nine companies of Lanciers, great numbers of Gentlemen, fiue and twen­tie companies of footemen, foure companies of Argolitiers, and three compa­nies of Spaniards, each cōpanie of foure hundreth men, with fiue cānons, three Coluerins, and fiue demy Coluerins, came to besiege Montauban the second time. At their arriuall, there happened a fierce and hard skirmish, the issue thereof being such, that the assaylants left the place which they had taken, and withdrew themselues somewhat further with great losse. Those of the towne left the Maister of the campe to Monsieur Duras, a Sergeant of a band, a Corpo­rall, sixe souldiers, and certaine straungers, with diuers hurt. The next day, beeing the fifteenth of September, the skirmish began againe, to the dammage of the assaylantes, and foure score Spaniards that had set fire in a Mill vpon the riuer of Tar, making good cheere in a farmers house, were surprised and all put to the sword, not one escaping. The execution beeing done by fiue and twen­tie souldiers of the Towne, that returned laden with armors and other spoyles in the face of the enemie, wherevppon some made foorth to go on the other side of the water to ayde their companions, but their boate ouerwhelmed, and they were almost all drowned. The next day, Duras presented battell vnto Monluc, which he refused, and the next day raised his siege, hauing lost about sixe hundreth men, and the Towne thirtie.

The third siege of Montauban with diuers skirmishes, sallies, escalades, and other warlike practises, to the losse of both parts, continued vntill the fifteenth of Aprill,A third siege of Montau­ban. that peace was proclaimed within Montauban: and in that third siege the enemie lost (as they themselues confessed) two thousand souldiers, foure­teen or fifteen Captaines, Lieftenants and Ensigne-bearers: and diuers Gentle­men of companies, besides a great number of hurt and maimed men, that died in diuers places as they retired.

The Towne lost two Captaines, two Ensigne-bearers, some Gentle­men of companies, and sixtie Souldiers at the most. The pollicie in the watches hauing beene notably well obserued, vntill the end of the Siege.

The fifteenth of March,Carcassone. one thousand fiue hundreth sixtie two, those of the religion at Carcassone being gone out of the Towne to a Sermon, at their returne found the Gate shut against them, and the Cittizens armed, that salu­ted them with Caliners: and in that estate they continued vntill the nine­teenth of the same moneth, that those within the Towne hauing gotten a Leader, and hauing mustered their men, which they found to bee be­tweene foure or fiue thousand, they beganne to shoote off their ordi­nance, and to sound vp drumbes in all parts of the Towne, wherewith those of the religiō being in smal number, were much abashed, & leauing the subburbs, [Page 147]saued themselues as well as they might, which those of the towne perceiuing, made after them, slaying some, and hurting others. On the other side, with­in the base Towne, were slaine Iaques Sabatter his sonne, and three or foure o­thers. The 91. of May, three of the richest houses therein, were sacked and spoyled: and vpon Whitsunday, one of the religion beaten downe in the Sub­burbes, beeing sore wounded, they cut off his nose, and eares, and pulled out his eyes. After that, fiue prisoners were hanged, many put to great ransomes, and a Gentleman beheaded. Those of Reuel, liuing peaceably,Reuel. vntill the one and twentieth of May, hauing receiued newes of the discipation of Thoulouse, left their goods and houses to go to Castres and other places. The Parliament of Thoulouse, seeing that, gaue out commission, that if they appeared not in Court within three daies after, their bodies should bee apprehended and com­mitted to prison, and for want of their bodies, their goods of the Iudge and of one hundreth and twelue others of the religion, to bee ceased vpon. One of the number named Martin du Puits, a man that was rich, peaceable, and with­out reproach or infamie, was taken in a farme without the Towne, and shortly after hanged, his bodie cast vnto the dogs, hauing first blacked his face, hands, and feete, causing it to bee reported, that he had the diuell within him. Others beeing taken and ledde vnto Thoulouse, were condemned to the Gallies, or else put to great fines, or banished.

Touching those that were absent, the Consuls and others, tooke their mooueables, tooke notes of their immooueables, tooke all they could find from the women, and yet constrained them to lodge and finde certaine soul­diers, constrained with blowes to go to heare Masse, and their children re­baptised.

Those of the religion beeing the strongest within Limoux, vppon a Sun­day beeing the first of March, 1562. about euening, there happened a sedition,Limoux. wherein two of the Romish Church were slaine, and three more vppon the seuen and twentieth of Aprill after, the tumult at that time being raised againe. Wherevppon there fell open warre betweene both parts, those of the religion beeing strengthed with fiftie souldiers that came from Foix, withstood Pomas that came to ayde their aduersaries with tenne companies, and eight hundreth Bandoliers, most part Spaniards, conducted by a notable murtherer called Pey­rot Ioupian. Presently after the desolation of Thoulouse, the Parliament sent thi­ther the Marshall de Mirepoix, that besieged and battered the great Towne, (which was holden by those of the religion) with seuenteen peeces of Artille­rie, but all in vaine. Wherevppon hee deuised another meanes, and vppon the sixteenth of Iune he entered therein: by reason whereof, he executed all kind of monsterous cruelties, violating women and children most detestably without any description of religion. The Minister was slaine, two Gentlemen and 60. souldiers taken prisoners, were hanged. A widdowe of great account hauing redeemed her onely daughters virginitie with a great summe of mony, the villaine that had sworne to defend her, violated her in presence of her mo­ther, and then killed them both.

Those of the Romish Church were nothing spared, for that some of them were likewise slaine. The praye that Marshall de Mirepoix had for his share, was esteemed to bee at the least aboue a hundreth thousand Crownes. And the furie continued in such sort within that poore Towne, that after [Page 148]the publication of the peace, at one time fourteene of the religion comming thither, were all slaine: and one of Monsieur de Ioyeuses seruants hauing beene found to followe one of the iudges that was not well thought on, was stab­bed and rifled in the open streetes.

The fifteenth of March 1592. both the parties within Beziers, were rea­die to come to handie-blowes,Beziers. and not long after, the newes of the massacre of Vassy being published, those of the religion prouided for their safeties: and hauing brought certaine souldiers into their houses, in the beginning of May, the Images were throwne downe in all their Churches. Monsieur de Ioyeuse al­lied to the Constable, vsed all the meanes hee could to suppresse those of the religion: but Monsieur de Baudine, appoynted commaunder ouer the troupes of the religion in Languedoc, while the warres continued, interrupted him: and withall, ceased vppon Magalas a very strong place, which much annoyed the Towne, forced Espignan, and there put most part of two companies of Ban­doliers to the sword.

Ioyeuse followed by fiue thousand men, foure Cannons, two Coluerins, two demy coluerins, and foure field peeces, went to besiege the Castle of Lig­nan, neare to Reziers, wherein were but twelue souldiers, with munition one­ly for two daies. Baudine gaue Ioyeuse so much to doo, that they in the meane time saued themselues: which done, he went to Lezignan, that held against the cannon shotte, but at the second assault it was taken: and hauing by composi­tion taken two companies of souldiers that kept Montagnac, with promise to saue their liues, falsifying his promise, hee put foure of the principall of them to the sword. From thence he marched to Pezenas, where Baudine met him, and had ouerthrowne him, if it had not beene for the treason of the Maister of his campe, who set things in such bad order, that Baudines troupes were thēselues in daunger to bee put to the sword: and there hee lost one hundreth, or an hundreth and twentie souldiers. This Marshall not long after dying in Mont­peslier, confessed to haue receiued fiue hundreth Crownes of Monsieur de Ioyeuse before the encounter, with promise of twise as much more. This losse, and the separation of the troupes being much more, produced a parley, wherin Ioyeuse made so many goodly offers, that they suffered him to enter into Pezenas: but beeing entered, hee shewed them what hee ment, killing certaine hurt soul­diers and Inhabitants, that could not serue in the warres. His crueltie caused him to loose Beziers, where when he thought to enter, he found a face of wood, and those of Beziers readie in field, that forced and burnt Lignan, hauing ouer­throwne two companies that kept it. The warre beeing wholly turned against Montpeslier, those of Beziers fayled to be surprised by night, vppon the sixteenth of October, their enemies hauing secretly gotten close vnder the walles. But it chanced that a Drummer of the Town being drunke, about two of the clock at night suddainly rose vp, and thinking it had beene day, beganne to sound the Diana or morning watch, which caused the enemie to flie, whose lathers in the morning were found in the ditches. Wherevppon seuen or eight traitors were apprehended, and being found guiltie, were executed for the fact. And within eight daies after, the enemie came by day, close to the Barriers: but to their losse, the principall of their troupe beeing hurt, where of he died. The second of Nouember, those of Beziers sent two companies to ayde Montpeslier: and at the end of ten daies, those of Beziers ouerthrew Captaine Lauragues, with [Page 149]his companie neare to Cessenon. Not long after, there happened a thing wor­thie memorie, thereby to note the couetous desire of some men, and by the iudgement of God to shewe the mischiefe of ciuill warres. Anthony Sauin, seruant to a Cittizen of Beziers, beeing taken in a skirmish, the enemie offered to exchange him for a horse, that one of their Captaines had lost in the same skirmish. But they had rather suffer Sauin to bee hanged, then part from the horse: yet not long after, at another sallie, this horse being strong in the mouth, running with great force, bare a Gentleman (to whom it had been giuen) into the middle of his enemies, who presently killed the man, and got the horse a­gaine.

The same month, those of Beziers beeing much troubled for mony to pay their souldiers, digging a ditch in the place where the Chapitre of Saint Nazaire v­sed to melt their belles, they found a great table of siluer, which was presently broken and coyned into mony at Montpeslier, wherewith they payed their soul­diers: that done, they heard newes of the battell of Dreux, so that as then it was necessarie for them to looke better to the safetie of the place, so that hauing brought victualles out of all places into their Towne, they tooke Seruian by as­sault, forced the Garrison of Casouls: by meanes of Monsieur Crussol, they tooke order within it to end certaine controuersies that rose betweene those of the Towne, and certaine strangers, wherevppon it happened, that one within the Towne, moued that they had driuen his companions out of the place, meeting Anthony Duchemin, a Doctor of Phisicke, a man of great learning and iudge­ment, (vppon the Rampiers) threwe him ouer the wall, whereof hee died, to the great griefe of all the Towne: the murtherer sauing himself in the enemies campe. These things happened in the monthes of Ianuary and February, and in the beginning of March vpon the seuenteenth day of the same month Cap­taine la Coste, commaunding within Beziers, tooke Villeneufue les Beziers by as­sault. Presently after peace being made, the Garrisons that laye about Beziers retired, and the Powne remained in quiet, inioying the exercise of the religi­on, which not long after, Marshall de Danuille tooke from them.

Those of the religion in Montpeslier vnderstanding what had past in Thou­louse and else where, made themselues the strongest: to them came Baudine, Montpeslier Gril­le, Bouillargues, Thouras, and Montuaillant, that enterprised to besiege Frontignan: but there hee found a hard partie: Ioyeuse going thither to ayde them, was re­pulsed by Bouillargues and Grille: but in the meane time, two fregates of Prouin­ciers entered into the towne: which constrained Baudine to return vnto Mont­peslier, where hee found warre, causing the Subburbes to bee raised, that in a manner were as great as the Towne: by which meanes there were 30. Chur­ches throwne downe. This beating downe of the Subburbes was a great dis­commoditie to the enemie, that were constrained to incampe a French league from the Towne, where they assayled an olde Tower without flancards, and constrained certaine Harquebusiers that were within it to saue thēselues, with promise of their liues: but at their comming foorth they slewe them all. They did as much to the Captaine and twentie souldiers, that solde them the Castle of Maguelonne: for as they issued, they were all put to the sword.

At the same time, the Barron des Adrets, vpon the thirteenth of September arriued in Baudines campe: & the same day at night, assayled the enemies campe with so great courage, that if they had pursued their enterprise vntill morning, [Page 150]they had ouerthrowne the whole armie: but about midnight they sounded a retrait, and three daies after, both he and his, went backe againe with as much haste as they made thither, yet he left three companies of Argolitiers hard by Montpeslier, that made sharp warre vpon the Bandoliers. The enemies hauing taken and presently hanged two Ministers: some of their prisoners within Mont­peslier were serued in the like sort.

The memo­rable tourney of S. Gilles. Baudine vnderstanding that Messieurs de Suze and Sommeriue principalles of the Army Triumuirat, in a part of Languedoc, had passed the riuer of Rhosne, with about three thousand foote, and foure hundreth horse, two Canons and a Cul­uerin, brought his Campe into Montpeslier, and sent Grille to put certaine shot within S. Gilles, a little Towne lying vpon the Rhosne: hee hauing the conduct of three companies of prouinciall Argolitiers, with six hundreth foote, vnder the charge of Captaine Rapin. Bouillargues and Albenas, with their horse went to Nismes. All these troupes ioyned togither, minded to ayde S. Gilles, and made in all, six hundreth horse, and eight hundreth foote, & departing from Nismes vpon the 27. of September, about halfe a mile from S. Gilles, they surprised three horsemen of Prouence, whereof they slew two, and sauing the third, by him they vnderstood the disorder of the enemies Camp, by which meanes, they set for­ward, and beeing discouered, the army of Suze and Sommeriue, both Captaines and soldiers began to flie, with the greatest feare that euer was heard. Bouuillar­gues in stead of going straight to S. Gilles, began to set vpon those that fled, where hee founde no resistance, but had worke inough to kill them at his pseasure: not one of them once turning his face: Grille on the other side, charged them likewise: in such sort, that there were slain and drowned to the number of two thousand men. The boates being stayed by some of the horsemen, the rest flying as fast as they coulde towards Fourques an Aiguesmortes: where they could not safely arriue, but some of them were met withall, all the carriage and prouision of the Camp was taken, and in Suze and Sommeriues chests, were foūd diuers strange commissions. The bootie was great, because they were furni­shed in all sorts as if they had gone to a wedding: and among others of theyr Ar­mours, they found great numbers of violes, and bookes of loue, that were all broken and cut in peeces. The two cannons were taken with twentie two ensignes, and the guydon of the Coronel, and laid vp in Nismes: The Culuerin being sunke in the riuer of Rhosne where it could not bee halled vp againe. Not one man of the religion dyed at that time by the hands of the enemie, that vsed nothing but their feete, as their best instruments for that time. Onely two of their men, slaine by their own companie, hauing forgotten the watch-word which at that time was Salomon: and to the contrary, certaine Spaniards and Italians remembring it, entred among them, but their tōgues bewraying them, they sped as wel as the rest.

An Ambus­cado of im­portance.Not long before, those of the religion had receiued great greefe by the death of one of the Gremians, braue Captaines, and of young Maillane, hauing beene surprised and ouerthrowne in an ambuscado, by them set for the enemie: but before thy dyed, they sold their skins at a deare prise, hauing slaine a great number of those that assailed them: among the which, was Peyrot Loupian, commaunder of the Bandoliers. The first of October, they receiued an other cooling,Ouerthrow of Captaine Grille. for that Captaine Grille proude of his victorie, and despising diuers good aduises, being ouerthrowne at Arenasses, with the losse of one hundreth [Page 151]or one hundreth and twentie souldiers. Baudine ranne thither to relieue him, and slaying a great number of the enemies, brought Grille to Montpeslier, yet the ouerthrowe was so great, that some flying to Lunel, other to Maugueul, the rest to Sommiers, hardly the third part got into the Towne, so that presently they could not assembly togither. Ioyeuse on the other side, perceiuing his ar­mie daily to decrease, by sicknesse and other necessities, began to parley, wher­by he obtained passage to retire. Yet his Garrisons in the valley of Montferrant, made diuers courses euen to the Gates of Montpeslier, yet to his losse, in hope by certaine intelligences, that hee had to get the Towne, discouered by two of the principall actors, who beeing condemned for other crimes, vppon the scaffold confessed their treasons.

The Captaines, Grille and Bouillargues, vpon the ninth of October wanne a Tower called la Carbonniere, cituate by d'Aguismortes, and brought Barkes thither, wherewith they bare away the assalt of Requais, A good thing for the commoditie of those of the religion. wherof those of the re­ligion made great profit towards the charges of their warres. To returne to Ioyeuse, beeing at Perzenas, by meanes of a certaine traitor hee made a new en­terprise vpon Montpeslier: but his treason beeing discouered, and Baudine ha­uing taken a little towne vppon the riuer of Rhosne, called le Bourg, he besieged Agde: where Captaine Sanglas commaunded.Agde.

The first of Nouember the assault was giuen, which continued 4. houres, where they fought at hand blowes, those that were besieged making braue resistance, pursuing their enemies a great way without the breach: among the which, a woman behaued her selfe most valiantly with a sword. And at the same time, they repulsed the enemie that assayled them in another place of the towne. The next day they were assisted and strengthened, by the ayde that a souldier of the towne named Trencaire, brought them from Beziers, being sixe score Harquebusiers led at a certaine houre, through water that ran as high as their horse saddles, bearing their flaskes and a bagge of powder (to srue them at their need) at the end of their caliuers.

The 3. day of the moneth, Ioyeuse commaunded to giue a second assault, but it tooke no great effect, so that such as serued therein, spedde but hardly: whereby the next day about midnight, hee trussed vp his courage, his campe beeing diuided into three parts, one of them marching towards Gignac, Ouerthrowe of one of the part of Ioyeuse. was so brauely encountred by Bouillargues, that he slewe two hundreth seuentie foure of their men in the place: among the which, were three of the principall Lea­ders. But for his part hee lost not a man, onely the poore Pesant that was his guide, slaine by a souldier, because hee knewe not the watchword. Bouillar­gues went to Nismes, and beeing aduertised that three hundreth men lying in Aramon, made diuers courses to the gates of Bagnols, found meanes to intrappe them by an Ambascado, where most of them were slaine, drowing a Frigat which they brought with them. Not long after, hee tooke Saint Laurent des Arbres, in Contat, driuing thence fiue and thirtie Italian Lanciers, sixtie Argo­litiers, and a companie of footemen, hauing lost seuen men at the myne, and slaine certaine Italians.

After that time, Montpeslier continued in peace, vntill the end of the warres, that Monsieur de Caylus sent by the King and Queene to proclaime the peace in Languedoc, shewing Monsieur de Crussol Gouernour of Prouence, and all those of the religion, that the King and his mother were well pleased to pardon [Page 152]all whatsoeuer they had done for their iust defence, houlding them for good and loyall subiects, with thankes for their good seruices done, for the good of the Common-wealth: which done,The king ac­knowledgeth those of the religion, for his faithfull subiects, ap­prouing their tust defence, and giuing them thanks. by vertue of certaine letters pattents, deli­uered vnto him in Amboise, vpon the 6. of Aprill, hauing heard the declara­tions made vnto him by those of the religion, that besought him, that from thencefoorth their enemies might vse no more acts of hostillitie against them, and that Ioyeuse that had brought the Spaniards into the Realme, might not be their Gouernour, hee caused the edict to bee proclaimed within Montpe­slier.

Touching the declaration of those of Toulouse and other places, committed in­finite mischiefes after the edict of peace: Ioyeuse was made Lieftenant of Lan­guedoc, the principall Gouernment beeing giuen to Monsieur de Danuille, a Ca­pitall enemie to those of the religion, and Crussol put out.

Let vs speake somewhat of that which happened in those miserable times, in Viuarets, Rouergue, Giuaudan, and the Counte de Foix: which done, wee will speake of Lyonnois, Vutarets. Nonnay. Dauphine, and Prouence. Those of the religion in Nonnay, in the moneth of Aprill, one thousand fiue hundreth sixtie two, beeing become Maisters of the Towne, presently after, the Images were pulled downe, and a famous Chase named les Sainctes Vertus, being opened, was publikely burnt. Yet after that, they liued peaceably vntill the end of Angust, that their Gouer­nour named Sarras, threatned with a siege, and perceiuing the Towne to bee vnfurnished of armes, vppon the seuen and twentieth of October about eue­ning, issued foorth, and the next morning about the breake of the day, they were at Saint Estienne in Forest, a small Towne, much renowmed for the great quantitie of armes that are made therin: and suddainly setting fier on the gates, hee entered: which done, hee tooke and packed vppe all the armes that hee found therein, without committing other excesse. But hauing a long retrait to make, his troupes were ouerthrowne, himselfe taken prisoner, his brother fore wounded, and about sixe score slaine and hurt, and hardly handled. The poore Inhabitants destitute of armes, men, and a Gouernour, beganne to flie one after the other: but had not time to do it, for that the last of the moneth, Monsieur de S. Chaumont their mortall enemie, sent by the Duke de Nemours, who as then made warre vppon those of Lyonnois, surprised two gates, and entered into the Towne,First taking that was sacked and pilled, not leauing so much as the barres, lockes and hinges of the doores and windowes, much humaine blood bee­ing shedde vppon the earth, with infinite and most horrible blasphemies, spit out against the heauens.

A Locke-smith beeing willed to despight and blaspheme God, refusing to do it, was hewen in peeces with Courtlelasses: for the same cause likewise, a Pesant was striken dead with the great end of a caliuer. A poore Nayle-maker of the age of eightie yeares, because hee would not giue himselfe vn­to the Diuell, was drawne about his shoppe by the eares, and after bee­ing layde vppon his anuile, they beate his head in peeces with his Ham­mer. And fire beeing set in one of the Gates, burnt two and twentie hou­ses.

Monsieur d'Achon made also the like spoyle among the Villages, and about the latter end of December, Monsieur de Saint Martin, Lieftenant to [Page 153] Crussol in Viuarets, beeing come to Nonnay repaired the walles, and made it de­fenceable, leauing certaine Garrisons therein, vnder the Captains Prost, le Mas, and Montgros, that were besieged vppon the tenth of Ianuary, 1563. by 4000. men commaunded by Saint Chaumont, who not beeing very nimble at forcing of places, tooke another course, presenting composition for the assurance both of the strangers and the Towne. This composition accepted, Achon would be­ginne with the straungers (that withdrewe themselues) and put them to the sword: but beeing valiantly repulsed by Montgros, hee went to discharge his chollor about the Towne, robbing and killing all that hee met, not sparing sects nor age. And notwithstanding the promises giuen and sworne,The second taking. about euening Saint Chaumont let the footemen enter into the Towne, to whom for their watch-word was giuen, the double word of Gods death: wherewith all crueltie whatsoeuer could bee deuised, was then vsed. Three of the chiefe of the Towne, were cast downe headlong out of a Tower, in the presence & by the commaundement of Saint Chaumont, diuers others were throwne downe to make sport: among the which were two young laborours, who not beeing able to furnish two Testons which the Souldiers asked of them, made that deadly leape. Some were burnt within their houses, throwne out of the win­dowes, others killed vppon the ground, stabbed in the streetes. The prisoners set to sale, and if they found not any to buy them, they murthered them in the place: the houses burnt to ashes, if none were found that would paye mony for them: whereof they burnt sixe score: women & maids were must shame­fully handled:Extreame desolation. a poore young woman being found hidden with her husband within a house, was rauished in his presence: and then compelled to holde the Rapier in her hand, wherewith one of them thrusting her arme, she killed her husband.

Whatsoeuer the souldiers could not beare away, was broken and spoyled, in such sort, that many sellers ran full of wine let out of the vesselles, the pipes being pearsed with Pistoll shotte. Saint Chaumont caused the greatest part of the walles to be broken, beating downe the Towers, and tooke away the Gates: which done, went to the like to Bonlieu, a small Towne, about halfe a myle from Nonnay. But in despight of all these furies, the rest of the Inhabitants of Nonnay assembled togither, and had their Minister, and in Anno. 1564. the ex­ercise of the religion, which continued therein vntill the yeare of our Lord, one thousand fiue hundreth ninetie foure, when wee beganne to write this Histo­rie, the Towne being restored, and people increased by the most singular and speciall fauour of God.

In the Counte de Foix, Mousieur de Pailles commanded as Seneschall for the King of Nauarre, who ruled his actions as the winde blew:The Counts de Foix. and fedde those of the religion with faire words, vntill such time as hauing receiued newes of the desolation of Thoulouse, hee vsed subtill meanes to cause those of the religion to issue out of Foix, whom hee feared: his pretence was, that they beeing known to haue broken downe the Images, hee should bee constrained to cast them in prison, which hee desired not to doo: and as the wolfe hauing sent away the dogges, entereth into the folde and deuoureth the sheepe, so Pailles hauing made such as had both eyes and hands, to go out of Foix, entered presently in­to the Towne, committed (such as pleased him) to prison, and gaue such ana­larme to the rest, that hee made them glad to inuent the meanes to flie. Of [Page 154]those whom hee held prisoners, two had their armes and legges cut off, and then beheaded: two others burnt, and sixe hanged: presently after, two and twentie others were likewise executed, and tenne condemned to the Gallies. The goods of such as went out of the Towne, were exposed and giuen for a pray vnto the souldiers: these extreame rigors put all the other Townes with­in the Countie in such feare, that they did whatsoeuer Pailles would command, except Pamiers, Pamiers. a Towne wherein were great numbers of the religion, who perceiuing themselues to bee exposed to the furie of the Pesants that were in armes, determined not to depart from thence. And while they expected some outcries and violences, the plague happened in the Towne, which freed them from their enimies, the crueltie of death hauing surmounted the auarice of the most mutinous.

Touching those of the Romish Church within the Towne, the richest and such as had most meanes and greatest forces to hurt them, fledde out of it, and the meaner sort was so much diminished by the plague, that in short space there died three thousand: in which number, there was not aboue fistie of the religion: and which is more, other that had beene persecuted in diuers places, came thither, in such sort, that they became Maisters of the Towne, hauing death for a rampart to their liues: for that the Queen of Nauarre to whom Pa­miers belonged, was much troubled to looke vnto her selfe in her chiefe countrie of Bearn. But they did so well, that after the ouerthrow of Duras, they sent sixtie souldiers vnder the conduct of Captaine Honorat, to ayde those of Castres, about 2. daies iourney from thence. Honorat marched in safetie, vntil he came within three leagues of Castres, and beeing pursued and hardly charged, hauing lost tenne or twelue of his men in fight, hee tooke a house standing in the fields, where hee held himselfe from eight of the clocke in the morning, till three in the afternoone, that ayde came vnto them from Castres: whither one of the companie ranne in all haste to certifie them. Hauing behaued them­selues valiantly within Castres, about sixe weeks after they returned to Pamiers, which Pailles beganne to threaten, and brought a companie with them from Castres to strengthen the Towne, which was about the eight of December: and hauing trauersed many daungers, in the end they got into the Towne. All the moneth of Ianuarie passed ouer, in deuising of meanes to surprise and intrappe them: where the end bredde mortall warre. Wherein Honorat accompanied by two valiant Gentlemen surnamed les Lombats, and eight and thirtie others, made an enterprise vppon Tarascon in Foix. Tarascon in Foix. The Viscount de Seres and his bro­ther, with three hundreth men set vppon them, constraining them to take the Mountaines, wherein they that followed them, where themselues intrapped, in such manner, that not onely the Vicount and his brother were slaine, but the most part of their men, the rest beeing scattered in such sort, that Honorat re­turned quietly to Pamiers, leauing the Lombats in their ordinarie place, called les Cabanes: where not long after, (because they had forsaken the traine & com­panie of Bandoliers, yeelding themselues vnto the religion, by the means and instruction of two maides, rauished by them at the sacking of Montsegur, and after married vnto them) they were cruelly pursued by those of the Romish Church, and in the end saued themselues in Castres. The Priestes of Pamiers for their parts, vsed all the meanes they could to ouerthrowe and spoyle those of the religion: diuers enterprises beeing made, whereof the principall being dis­couered [Page 155]by interception of letters, the mischiefe sell vppon the inuentors: for the souldiers entring into the Cellers of foure Fryers that shoulde haue lette in Pailles and others, dispatched (as it is very likely) whatsoeuer they founde therein: for after that time, they were neuer seene nor heard of any more.

This report put the Priests and Chanons in such feare, that they fledde to the Towne of Foix, their houses, as also the Bishops Pallace, beeing sacked and spoyled: whatsoeuer the Ministers and the Gouernour could saye or doo. Wherevppon the newes of peace ensued: and in the beginning of Maye, there fell so cruell a hayle, that came three times euery eight dayes, and beare the Countrey in such sort, specially about Foix, that there could neyther fruite nor green hearb be seen in all the Countrey, no more then in the middle of winter. The Chanons of Pamiers, to whome the common people impu­ted the cause of that hayle, were constrained (to shun the Commons) to goe out of Foix, and to remaine at Maugansy, where we will leaue them, to come to Lyonois.

About the thirtieth of April, Monsieur de Tauanes came out of Burgongne, Lyonnis. and stayed within three miles of Lyons: making account to assayle the towne, but it fell out otherwise: although as then hee hadde aboue fiue thousand men, besides three thousand Italians, conducted by the Counte de Angue­sole, and paide by the Pope. Those Italians beeing the greatest Brigands then liuing, brought with them diuers Goates, and vsed the carnall companie of brute Beasts, which was the cause, that in euery place where they came, men detested their abhomination.

All the Goates being killed and cast vnto the dogges,Lyons be­sieged. by the Country Pe­sants, for the space of a moneth, while Monsieur de Tauanes had that great company togither, he had many braue skirmishes about Lyons: whereby the inhabitants durst not sette their vines but in Gardens bordering vppon the Towne. But because Tauanes pleased not the Triumuirat, they sent the Duke de Nemours for Generall of the Armie, with a great number of horses, and the Rutters of the Counte Rockendolfe.

Tauanes not knowing how to discharge himselfe of the displeasure he had procured, by his affaires about Lyons, was exceeding glad of the arriuall of the Duke de Nemours: and therevppon, vnder a fained discontentment, pre­sently withdrewe himselfe into his gouernment of Burgongne.

Nemours with all his forces, went into Vienne, which hee hadde by intelligence, and while hee soiournied there, victualles beganne to bee scarce with them of Lyons. Wherevppon Soubize called Des Adrets, and the Prouinceaux, that thereby hee might bee strong inough to keepe the fielde. But because the hope hee expected else-where failed him, hee sent Des Adrets to fetch more ayde out of Dauphine. Which hauing done, and bringing his troupe, beeing of foure or fiue thousand foote, and foure hundreth horse, was sette vppon by the Army of Nemours, hard by Be­aurepaire, and put to flight: but yet with small losse, which was done vppon thee nineteenth daye of October, whereby his troupes reas­sembling thither, mette altogither, and not yet beeing pursued by the Duke de Nemours, hee at that time slipt an occasion of some greate impor­tance.

Des Adrets incamped himselfe within two myles of Vienne, and for the space of three weekes that hee lay there, hee entertained the Duke de Nemours with skirmishes: meane time, Soubize got victualles from diuers places.

About that time, it chaunced that a souldier bringing a packet from Orle­ans vnto Soubize, deliuered it into the handes of the Marshall de Brissac, who therein hauing found a letter from the Admirall, where among other thinges hee said, that touching Adrets, as much as hee might, he must indure the light toyes of his braine, and entertaine him, least of an insolent person, they should make him to become madde and without sence: wherevppon in all haste hee sent Saint Sernin, a Gentleman of Dauphine, vnto the Duke de Nemours and des A­drets, to practise somewhat between them,By what meanes A­drets left the partie of the religion. which at the first was secretly hand­led, but Soubize going to the campe, the next day after that S. Seruin had spoken to Adrets, presently perceiued some alteration, which in time he prouided for: and from that time setting some to watch Adrets, they presently discouered his intent, who by messengers hauing cōmunicated with the duke de Nemours, and then speaking with him personally, brake vp his armie. Nemours, who al­readie made account to possesse Lyons & Dauphinois, went nearer vnto the town, and by skirmishes sought to impeach the Towne of victuals: vpon the moun­taine of Tarare hee ouerthrewe 80. horse, that came from Orleans to Lyons: and on the other side, stretched foorth his armes to gripe Romans and Valence. But because it was requisite to beare all his bodie thither, thinking to come time ynough to intrappe Lyons, seeking to gripe ouermuch in one hand, he lost that hold hee had. For marching straight to Vienne with all his armie, Soubize that slept not, presently made so many men to issue out to fetch corne from Dombes, that hee recouered great store.

Those that Nemours had left for guard, forsooke keyes, places, and barnes, except fortie that kept the Castle of Treuoux, who thinking to saue the honour of their companions by keeping a tower, nor being able to defend themselues, neither yet yeeld it vppe, their obstinacie was punished by a traine of powder, that made them all leape higher then ordinarily they vsed to do, and to burie their carkasses within the olde ruines of that broken Tower. On the other side, Soubize caused Adrets to bee taken, and by that meanes the af­faires and pretences of Nemoures touching Dauphine, conuerted into smoke.

But thinking to bee more fortunate by Atturneys, then in person, he sent to the Bishoppe du Puy, Escaladoes presented (but in vaine) to take Lyons. and to Saint Chaumont, saying, that seeing Lyons wanted souldiers, their men of warre beeing turned to bee marchants of corne, they should assay to enter by scalado into the towne. But Soubize that spared not mony to entertaine spies in euery place, beeing well aduertised thereof, tooke such order therein, that Saint Chaumont in steed of approaching, was forced to retire. Nemours determined to supply their default, and at two seuerall times with all his forces, vppon hope that his participants within Lyons would assist him, hee presented the Escalado in diuers places, but hee was but badly serued by his men, both within and without the Towne, and hard­ly repulsed by Soubize, that gaue him occasion to seeke other meanes to get Lyons.

He holpe himselfe with the newes of the battel of Dreux, and about the end [Page 151]of December, caused the King and Queene to write vnto Soubize, to desire him to yeelde the Towne of Lyons to the Duke de Nemours.

While Soubize made answere therevnto: one named Marc Herlin, one of the Kings receiuers within Lyons, hauing for a time entertained certaine soul­diers, in the ende vsed to ride out well armed and horsed, and to skirmish with the enemie. In the moneth of Februarie 1563. hauing beene taken in a skir­mish, thought vppon a deuise both to saue his life, as also to deceiue the Duke de Nemours: desiring Lignerolles whom hee knewe, to get him licence to speake with the Duke,A deuice wrought a­gainst the Duke de Ne­mours. to whome hee was to vtter some matters of great importance. Men that are desirous of newes, doo in a manner beleeue whatsoeuer is told vnto them: which in any sort, may bee any shewe of the effecting of theyr purpose: and so it chaunced vnto Nemours, who by the discourse that Herlin made, beleeued that Lyons should bee taken and surprised at Sainct Iusts Gate, which Herlin promised to keepe open for him.

Wherevpon Herlin was sette at libertie, as if he had escaped away: and beeing in Lyons, hauing discouered all that had past betweene him and the Duke de Nemours vnto Soubize, hee hadde more recourse vnto Nemours, with whom the day of execution was appointed to bee, vpon the 7. of March, 1563. about eight of the Clocke in the morning. Three thousand footemen, ac­cording to the signe giuen vnto them, entered without impeachment into the Subburbes of Saint Iust: which they found not strange, because they were well aduertised, that no watch was holden in those Subburbes: beeing entered, and marching towardes the Gate, Herlin that ranne before them, and was their guide, hauing entred at the wicket, presently shut it against them: and presently therevppon all the great Ordinance was discharged vppon them: besides two or three hundreth Muskettes, which in the night time hadde beene brought into the Bulwarkes, and placed along vpon the walles, with three or foure thousand Harquebusiers, discharging all to­gither vppon that fearefull troupe: and the more to spoyle them, they sent sixe hundreth Caliuers of the best shotte out of the Towne, ledde by Blacons, Poyet, Andefroy, and Entrages, that made an ende of dispersing of all them.

There you might haue seene a meruailous spoile, and all kindes of death, some being slain, others smothered and beaten down: the rest throwing them­selues off from the walles, or else intrapped in the snares: so that if the horsemen conducted by Poncenat, had made haste to issue at the Gate assigned vnto them, and had marched thither, not one of all those three thousand had hardly esca­ped. But howsoeuer it fell out, there lay foure hundreth of them dead within the Subburbes, besides those that dyed without: the hurt men beeing in grea­ter number: which dyed as they stedde away, eyther to the Campe, or to Vienne, or else were borne away in Waggons. Nemours was not onely auditor, but an eye witnesse of this Tragedie: whereby he conceiued such displeasure, that he thought he should haue dyed with greefe: whereby he stirred not out of his bed in two moneths after. Meane time, peace was concluded: by the which, those of the religion had the exercise of the religion within the towne, wherein they made two Churches: the armie being within and about it, reti­ring.

Now let vs consider the estate of Dauphine, about the beginning of the moneth of March 1562. the Parliament of Grenoble began to weakē the Edict of Ianuarie as much as it might.Dauphine. And not long after, Des Adrets, before being Colonel of the troupes of Dauphine, Prouence, and Languedoc, beeing by the gentlemen and no­tablest Personages assembled in Valence, established chiefe commander in Dau­phine, with prouision till they shoulde receiue some further and more certaine commaundement from the Prince.Des Adrets made head commander in Dauphine. Presently newes came, that the Images were brokē down in many prouinces of France, which was the cause that they could not be warrented within Dauphine. Des Adrets aduertised those of the re­ligion in Grenoble, and by letters full of authoritie, cōmanded the Parliament to driue certaine seditious persons out of the Town, which he named vnto them, and among other, the second President: the Attourney Generall: the Aduo­cate of the Towne: and the fourth Consull, whome he threatned with death they neither stayed commandement, nor executioner, but presently retired on­ly to execute an enterprise which they had vndertaken, thereby to make them­selues maisters of the town, vpō the next night ensuing: neuerthelesse, their in­tent beeing discouered, they saued themselues in good earnest: Which knowne, vpon the first of Maye, those of the religion seized vpon the Gates of Grenoble, and by consent of the Deputies of the Parliament, of the Chamber of accounts, and of the Councell for the towne, entred into the Fryers Church, which they cleansed of all her Images, and Alters: therein to vse the exercise of religion, not dooing any other hurt vnto the Fryers.

After that, by common consent, they prouided for the safetie of the towne, wherein Des Adrets sent a company of footemen led by Captaine Commung: and after came thither with other troupes, both horse and foote, thereby to resist Monsier de Maugiron, that termed himselfe Lief-tenant Generall in Dauphine: Against whom he published a decree to seize vpon his body, terming him a se­ditious person, and one that violated the Kings Edicts. All those Souldiers assembled within Grenoble: first made warre against the Images, and then en­tred into the fielde, and tooke the Castles of la Bussiere, and de Mirebel. Des A­drets, hauing made a course to Lyons, vpon the fourth of Iune, returned to Gre­noble, where he seized vpon the reliques, causing an inuentory thereof to be made, al being waied and valued, amounted to 260. Marks of Siluer, which was sent to Valence: and the next day, the great Charterhouse lying three miles distant within the Mountaines, in a huge and very strong place, was taken and burnt.

Massacre at Auranges.Meane time, those of Aurange were Massacred in this manner, after the Massacrie at Vassie. Those of the religion perceiuing Fabrice Serbellonne, the Popes kinsman, to lye with his forces within Auignon, beeing but a small halfe dayes iourney from thence, seized vppon the Towne. On the other side, in the ende of May, the troupes of Prouence ioyned themselues with those of Fabrice at Cauaillon, staying the commoditie to enter into Auranges, where they had intelligence: which those of Aurange sought to preuent, strengthe­ning themselues with sixe hundreth souldiers. Thervpon it chaunced, that the President Parpaille comming by Boate with prouision of Armes, which hee hadde brought to Lyons, was betrayed into the handes of his enemies, in a place about fiue miles from Auranges: which mooued those of the religion, with all speed to send thither their greatest forces, conducted by Captain Saint Andre, [Page 159]to relieue their prisoner: whereof Fabrice being aduertised, the next day in the morning came before Auranges with his armie, and some cannons, where­with hee beganne the batterie.

Those that were gone to the relieuing of their prisoner, hearing the noyse of the cannon, stayed their course, beeing accompanied with diuers of their neighbours, by meanes of Fabrices horsemen, and beeing surprised in the day time, they were constrained to staye at Serignan, about a myle from Au­range. Part of those of the religion remaining in a small number, percei­uing the breach, and their Cittizens of the Romish Church readie to set vp on them in the Towne, while Fabrice should assayle them without, forsooke the Towne, and saued themselues, with their wiues and children, within Serignan.

Some stayed within Aurange, that determined to defend the breach, but vppon the sixt of Iune in the morning, they heard the noyse of the assaylers,They betrai [...] each other in Aurange, whereof en­sued a horri­ble murther. who by diuers waies made open vnto them by those of the Romish Church, entered into the Towne. The watch-word of those that entered, was terrible blasphemie of God, they contented not themselues to kill without distinction of sects, age, nor quallitie, but made some die by diuers stabbes with poiniards and rapiers, cast others vppon the poynts of halbards: hanged & burnt others within Churches, & cut off some of their priuie mem­bers: olde men of eightie yeares of age, bedthred persons, diseased people in the Hospitalles.

The poore men inhabiting in the Mountaines, came thither to reape, and hauing no other weapons but their sithes and hookes, were likewise massacred. Many women and maides were killed, others hanged at win­dowes and Galleries, were harquebused: young children sucking at their mo­thers breasts massacred: diuers young wenches of fiue or sixe yeares, rauished and spoyled. The woundes of the dead, were filled with the leaues torne out of the Bible.

The Towne was wholly sacked, wherein happened a maruellous iudge­ment of God: which was, that the authors of the mischiefe, that had caused the enemie to enter, thinking to bee safe and preserued from daunger, with­drewe themselues, with their armes and wiues into the Market-place,The traitors receiue their reward. where the enemie thinking they would haue made resistance, fell vppon them, and put them all to the sword. Those of the Castle, hauing yeelded vppon oath and promise made to haue their liues saued, were part stabbed, and part thrown headlong from the walles, to the number of one hundreth and nine men. A­bout euening, Suze caused the Castle, the Pallace, and the Bishoppes-place, to bee set on fire, and three hundreth houses burnt, with diuers persons that had hidde themselues therein: and without an extraordinarie raine that hap­pened in the night time, all the Towne had wholly been consumed to ashes.

The next day, the walles were beaten downe, and part of them cleane rased to the grownde. Those that were in Serignan, withdrewe themselues into Montelimart, not being able to remedie so great mischiefes: as for Parpaille, the Vicelegat of Auignon caused his head to bee striken off, sixe weekes after the massacre.

Des Adrets mooued at those murthers, three or foure daies after, the mas­sacre of Auranges, Des Adrets reuengeth the wrongs [...] in Au­range. ruuning about like thunder, in fewe houres battred and for­ced the Towne of Pierrelatte, where hee put all those to the sword that bare armes: presently therevppon hee besieged the Castle, wherein were three hundreth souldiers belonging to Suze: and while they were in parley, those of Serignan hauing ioyned with des Adrets, entered by force, killing some, and ca­sting others ouer the walles, not suffering one to escape. Des Adrets with the like dexteritie hauing taken Bourg, and le Pont S. Esprit, that presented him with the keyes, went to force Boulene, a frontier Towne of Contat, where the soul­diers of the companie of Captaine Bartelasse were slaine. And as hee prepared himselfe to set vpon Auignon, Maugiron sacketh Gre­noble. newes was brought him that Maugiron had en­tered by treason into Grenoble, wherein diuers of the religion had been sacked and slaine, others cast off from the bridge into the riuer of Iseire: vpō the foure­teenth of Iune, and some daies after, hee stayed his course, and with an incre­dible dexteritie entered into Romans, which hee held for himselfe: forced Saint Marcellin, and there cut the throates of three hundreth of Maugirons soul­diers, who withdrewe himselfe into Bourgongne, where hee remained with Ta­uanes. All such within Grenoble as knew themselues to bee guiltie, saued them­selues vpon the fiue and twentieth of Iune, cursing the cowardlynesse of Mau­giron.

The next day des Adrets arriued therein, and vsed both great and small with great courtesie, reestablishing all things in their estate, and holding his armie in good discipline. About the end of Iune hee marched towards Forests, where hee vsed those of Montbrison, in such manner as I shewed before.

Des Adrets perswaded by the Marshall de Brissac, that promised him maruels, beganne to write to the Duke de Nemours, Des Adrets wonne by the Duke de Ne­mours, in the end is taken prisoner. and in the end they spake togither hard by Vienne: meane ttme, certaine Gentlemen talking togither, among the which, one was merrie, surnamed Poltrot, who (because they spake of the death of the King of Nauarre) said: This death will not make an end of these warres, but wee must haue the death of the dogge with the great collor. And beeing asked whom hee ment? of the great Guisard (said hee) and lifting vp his right arme, spake in open audience: Here is the arme that shall do the deed. Aboue three moneths before, hee had many times vsed those speeches among his companions: and intrueth hee kept his promise, as wee haue alreadie she­wed. Of this conference made by Adrets, ensued a truce of twelue daies, from the fiue and twentieth of Nouember, to the sixt of December: which day in the assemblie of the Estates of Dauphin, des Arets did what he could to perswade the people, to accept the Duke de Nemours for their Gouernour: but besides the particular reasons not long before by the Nobilitie of the countrie made vnto Adrets, they sayde it could not bee done, but to the vtter ruine and ouerthrowe of all the Prouince: and the letters of the Lieftenant to Nemours beeing open­ly red, discouered the deuise, because they contained, that the Duke de Nemours was expresly sent to punish the seditious and rebelles. Wherevpon the Estates concluded (des Adrets himselfe not being able to deny it) that before they could proceed further, it was necessarie for the Duke de Nemours to obtaine other letters and graunts by the Kings lawfull Councell, whereof the Prince of Con­de was one, as supplying the place of the King of Nauarre his brother. This deuise ouerthrowne, des Adrets made a voyage into Languedoc, and returning [Page 161]into Dauphine, Nemours to coole his courage, shewed him the Princes commis­sions, giuen to Monsieur de S. Auban, (ouerthrowne with his troupes at Tara­re) to commaund in Dauphine, and his commission to Adrets to goe to Orleans: which seene, des Arets vsed many practises to establish the Duke de Nemours: and about the end of December, sought the meanes to make him Maister of Valence and Romans.

The tenth of Ianuarie, by aduise of the Nobilitie, hee was taken prisoner, and kept in Nismes vntill the peace: when hee was set at libertie without abso­lution or condemnation,, and beeing at his owne house, hee left the religion: and after that, openly bare armes against all such as maintained the same: but in that alteration finding no good successe, but rather shame and dishonour, hee was constrained to with drawe himself vnto his house, despised both of friends and enemies.

The second si [...]ge of Grenoble.In base Dauphine, Monsieur de Crossol recouered Serignan and Aurange. On the other side, vpon the seuenth of Ianuarie, la Coche surprised the Tower of Lemps, and discouered a great practise of Maugiron, to enter into Grenoble, for the which hee caused certaine traitors to bee executed. Whereat Maugiron beeing offended, ouerranne the countrie of triefues, contrarie to his faith and promise. At the same time, those of Grenoble receiued certaine losses, yet they victualled their Towne with corne and other munitions, expecting a newe siege, which happened vnto them about the end of February, the enemies campe beeing eight thousand foote and horse, with two great battering pee­ces, whereof the bullet beeing of Brasse, wayed about fiftie pound, and three faire field peeces. La Coche had nine Captains, some Gentlemen, with sixe hun­dreth good souldiers, besides the Cittizens. The batterie beganne the first of March, and continued three daies and three nights: after that they offered a scalado, where they lost many of their souldiers. They within the Towne but fiue onely, with Monsieur de S. Muris, a Gentleman much lamented. Not long after, the siege was raised and the Towne freed. At the same time, a smal troupe belonging to Captaine Furmeier, surprised Romette, a small place walled,A notable exploit of Captaine Furmeier. lying two myles from Gap, punishing certaine boot-hallers that lay in it. As Furmeier sent his footemen to enter into Romette, at the sound of the belles, which the boote-hallers for certaine houres before had rung in a steeple wherein they saued themselues, and from whence they were thrown headlong downe, the Garrison of Gap, both horse and foote issued to ayde them. But Furmeier, accom­panied with foureteene others on horsebacke, was so bolde to stand against all that troupe, marching in order of battel, which was presently separated and put to flight. The first that beganne to runne, was Captaine Andre a Piedemontois, in such sort, that Furmeier and his companions, had worke ynough to strike and laye vppon them, killing them euen to the gates of Gap, which continued with a short bridle vntill the peace proclaimed, which made those of the reli­gion to reenter. And thus the affaires of Dauphine passed in those times.

Prouence. Sommeriue maketh war against his father and all his adherentsThe Counte de Tande perceiuing the horrible discipation of all Prouence, and that Sommeriue his sonne gaue such libertie vnto the bloodie and desolate companies of souldiers, thereby to commit the most cruell murthers and vil­lanies that euer was heard of, whereby infinit numbers of houses and families, were destroyed and wholly ouerthrowne, came to Manosque, where hee as­sembled all the men hee could, vnder the conduction of Cipierre his sonne, Co­lonel [Page 162]of the horse, and of Cardet his sonne in lawe, leader of the foote, who dealt in such manner, that all the Townes beyond the riuer of Durance, conti­nued vnder his gouernment, onely Petuis, which they besieged: but all in vaine. Meane time, Sommeriue hauing gathered his forces, and hauing been at Aurange, by intreatie of Fabrice and de Suze, hee came to Manosque, which by Captaine Coloux was yeelded vnto him, and hauing made a muster of fiftie En­signes of foote, and certaine Cornets of horse, the sixteenth of Iulie 1562. hee besieged Cisteron, wherein were the greatest part of all the families of the reli­gion, that had fledde out of other places of Prouence, with eleuen companies of foote, vnder Monsieur de Beanieu, Nephew to the Counte de Tande. Furmeier came thither likewise with three hundreth men.Cisteron be­sieged. Sommeriue caused the passages to be kept by one of his Captains named Bouquenegre, a valiant souldier, but ve­rie cruell and dissolute, if euer there were any in Prouence: but hee was surpri­sed in a village by twelue souldiers: and one of his seruants, whose wise he en­tertained, and not long after, found guiltie of diuers murthers and violences committed, was hanged in the publike place of Iustice, by his said seruants hands,Bonquenegre hanged. dying as hee liued.

The eleuenth of Iuly, Sommeriue caused three assaults one after the other to bee giuen vnto the Towne, which continued from three of the clocke after noone, vntil euening: but he had a most braue repulse. The next day, the town made certaine skirmishes, and about eight daies after, offered battell to Som­meriue, which he refused. And at that time, they vsed such rigor vnto each o­ther, that no man was put to ransome.

About the end of the month, Sommeriue fearing des Adrets, that had got­ten the battell of Vaureas, went to incampe himselfe within three myles of Cisteron. On the other side, Cardet with all his forces approached, vsing all the meanes hee could to reassemble the troupes, but it was impossible: wherevp­pon the Counte de Tande wanting victualles, caused the campe to rise, where­of part were placed in Cisteron, vnder the gouernment of Senas, the rest sent to des Adrets, that promised in short time to come and visit him with great forces, but hee did not.

The second siege of Ci­steron.The 27 of August, Sommeriue with one hundreth and two Ensignes of foot, and great store of horse, besieged Cisteron round about, and vnderstanding that Mombrun came to ayde the Towne, sent Suze to meete him, who vppon the second of September, surprised and ouerthrewe Mombrun, and 500. men, the Towne inclosed on all sides, but onely in one place, which lyeth vppon high and desart Mountaines, the way whereof is so straight, that two ho [...] semen can hardly ride in ranke. Vpon the foureteenth of September, Sommeriue made a cruell batterie, so that about tenne of the clocke in the morning, the breach was of one hundreth and foureteen paces, without flancard or raueling to de­fend it. Besides that, two demy Coluerins that shotte from the Friers, strake the souldiers in the Towne when they came to the breach, which notwithstan­ding, although the besieged seeking to rampier the breach, were striken and hurt, and some borne into the ayre with cannon shot, both men and women, the liuing treading vppon the dead, they vsed great deligence to bring earth, fetherbeddes, dung, and other things, whatsoeuer might serue. At the same time, that assault was giuen by thirtie Ensignes of foote, and a Cornet of horse that followed them, where the fight was great, and fiue times refreshed, till se­uen [Page 163]of the clocke at night, with such furie, that powder fayling on both sides, they fell to stones, rapiers, and other hand-blowes: in the end the assaylants were constrained to leaue the breach, and to retire with great losse.An assault fiue times re­freshed. Notwith­standing Sommeriue beganne another batterie, by which means about euening, Senas, Mounans, and other Captaines within the Towne, that had lost many souldiers, perceluing themselues destitute of munition, had no hope of ayde, charged with a great number of poore people, little experienced in Marshall affaires, and considering the forces, mindes, and insolencies of the assaylants, determined to leaue that feeble place, and with al speed to saue that remnant of men that were within it: wherevppon they got the straight of the Mountaine whereof I spake, beeing the onely place whereby they might escape. This conclusion was presently disclosed to Sommeriue, A meruel­lous resoluti­on of the Towne to leaue it. by one (that comming out of the chamber where they determined vppon it) went vnto him: but the matter beeing debated by Sommeriues Councell, that ment to close that passage, one named Cental brake off that determination, alleadging so many reasons to the contrarie, that it was concluded among them, that no man should stirre that night out of the campe, although that some of the besieged made shew to saue themselues that way, but that in the morning they would determine vppon their affaires.

About eleuen of the clocke at night, the besieged beganne to issue forth, in the sight of al their enemies, that might easilie discry them from two places, which commanded the Towne, and by the lights that stood in the windowes of the houses, marching in order, (you may well iudge what noyse was made at that departure among the children, sicke, hurt, and olde people, and women great with childe) and so with all their carriages followed on the way vppon the Mountain: al that night, not one of Sōmeriues campe once stirring, as if those poore people had beene safely guarded, vntill morning that Sommeriue caused certaine horse and foote to passe the riuer, and to set vppon the backes of them, where they found some poore women that stayed behinde, whereof some were slaine, others brought prisoners: but they followed not long after them, as well for the difficultie of the way, as the couetous desire they had, not to leese the spoyle of the Towne, wherein Sommeriue durst not enter, (fearing some treason) before tenne of the clocke in the morning.

They beeing entered into that desolate Towne, slewe three or fource hundreth women and children, without any respect of age or religion, taking that small bootie which they could finde.Sommeriue entereth into Cisteron. If the issuing of those of Cisteron was meruellous, so was their voyage vppon the Mountaines, which continued for the space of three weekes: in the which time, they escaped an infinit number of dangers, vntil the seuē a & twentieth of September, that they ariued in good safetie at Grenoble, singing Psalmes and thansgiuings vnto God, for their miracu­lous deliuerie: knowing nothing of what had passed the same day in other places: as at Saint Gilles, The battell of S. Gilles, Scafold of the Pro­uenceal mur­thers. where there enemies were wholly ouerthowne, and almost all slaine, as wee shewed in the discourse of Languedoc. From Grenoble they were safely conducted vnto Lyons, and charitably ayded in their necessi­ties, vntill the edict of pacification.

After the taking of Cisteron, and the ouerthrow of the Prouenceals at Saint Gilles, Sommeriue continued Maister of the Prouence, continuing the battell, massacres, and great insolencies begunne before, and yet without impunitie. [Page 164]The principall heads of the horrible confusion that raigned therein, vntill and after the edict of peace, beeing Carces, Mentin, and Flassans, prouoked by cer­taine of the Parliament of Aix, as Bagarris, Chesne, Saint Margaret, and others, that ruled all the rest: and that in steede of obeying the edict of pacification, durst conclude & say, that those of the religion should not haue any exercise: that such as during the troubles had beene their Leaders, or hauing had any office,Straunge in­iustice. absented thēselues, should not be receiued nor entertained: and that the wars still be followed: & that there should a stay be made of the punishments of offenders, that had committed so great insolencies during the troubles: al­though the womē with childe had bin ript open, the yong childrē murthered, many buried quicke, others hewed in peeces, burnt, throwne downe head­long, their throates cut like sheep, drawne through the streetes, and then har­quebused, beaten downe with clubbes, and wounded in diuers places. In this sort those good iudges executed so manie insolencies, that the kings Councell after the edict of pacification, was forced to send the President de Morsan, with certaine numbers of Councellors from Parris to Prouence: which did such exe­cution vppon some boot-hallers, and other insolent persons, that from thence forward,Sound in­stice done vppon the of­fenders. although their weapons were many times in hand, Prouence neuer mutined in such sort, as it did during those first troubles. Morsan and his com­panions, were determined to haue done iustice without exception: but the multitude of offenders, the qualities of some of them, the credite of others, and the maruelous practises of Carces and the Parliament of Aix, hindered those Iu­stices to doo as they pretended. In the end, by the solicitation of Carces, the king released diuers of them, whereof their processe was alreadie made, and that had well deserued to bee put to cruell death.

Now must we say something of the Duchie of Bourgongne. Bourgongne. The Parliament of Dyon did so much, that by letters of the first of March, 1562. commandement was sent by the king, to Monsieur de Tauanes his Lieftenant, in the absence of the Duke d'Aumale of the house of Guise, not to permit any preaching at Dyon, not in the Frontier-townes, so that whatsoeuer letters and commissions, those of the religion obtained after that, would serue to no effect, as long as the Court of Parliament resited.

The eight of May,Beaune. those of Beaune were wholly bereaued of the exercise of the religion, and within foure daies after, their three Ministers imprisoned: which done, the Artificers and others, were driuen out of the Towne, to the number of seuen or eight hundreth, with women and children. Ventoux Cap­taine of the Towne, filled their emptie houses with souldiers, wherein they v­sed great disorders, such as were found therin being vilely abused, and so much detested, that they durst not shewe themselues in the streetes: which reduced them to extreame necessities, their kinsmen and friendes not daring to relieue them. The fines imposed vppon those of the religion, (whose goods were ta­ken from them) was maruellous, as well in that Towne, as others in Bour­gongne, as also in other Townes and Prouinces of the Realme. The one and twentieth of Iune, the house of one of the principall of the Citie was forced and sacked. In the moneth ensuing, diuers meanes were vsed, to cause such as were lest to abiure the religion: some remained firme. In the beginning of October, the Parliament of Dyon assayed to commit some of them prisoners, and summoned the rest to appeare: and such as appeared at Dyon, although in­nocent, [Page 165]were hardly handled: others had diuers aduentures, and some (yet ve­ry fewe) wounded and slaine. So that in Beaune there were not aboue two men, and some women of great reputation, that made open profession of the religi­on, by the support of their assistance.

Those of the religion in Mascon, vppon the thirteenth of May made them­selues the strongest, yet without effusion of blood: and three daies after,Mascon. the Images were beaten downe, as they had beene at Lyons, although the Ministers and auncients were of the contrary aduise. Mombrun hauing left Chalon, and come downe to Mascon, put the Inhabitants in such feare, that many of them were of opinion to leaue the Towne. Wherevpon Tauanes, First siege. who not long be­fore had made them many gracious offers, came before the Towne, minding to enter, which the people denyed: which caused him to assemble all his for­ces, and vppon the third of Iune besieged the Towne: his armie being Bour­guignons of the Counte, euery man wearing a red scarse, which was an occasion that the Towns-men shewed the Kings Councell, that it was no reason that they beeing his naturall subiectes, desiring to liue peaceably according to his edicts, should bee constrained to open their Gates vnto Tauanes, beeing accompanied with straungers, enemies to the Crowne, and for many causes suspected vnto them. Wherevppon letters were sent vnto Tauanes, who with­drewe himselfe in such sort, that not long after, hauing receiued an other pac­ket, hee sought to cease vppon the Gates vnder the Towne, whereof hee say­led, hauing receiued a hard repulse.

And as hee made preparation for a second siege, those of Lyons sent Mon­sieur d'Entrages to ayde the Towne, who by his conduction made many sallies and braue skirmishes:Second siege which notwithstanding Tauanes caused his trenches vp­pon the one side of the Towne, and the third of Iuly wanne the Subburbes of S. Lawrenre, the next day making such a batterie, that in lesse then two houres, all their defences lay vppon the ground. And the same day, one Mussy, seruant to Tauanes, was hanged within the Towne, for enterprising to cause the towne to bee surprised. Not long after, Entrages beeing summoned to yeeld, made aunswere, that if hee had the Maister in his handes, hee would cause him to passe the same way his seruant Mussy had done: which set Tauanes in such a rage, that besides fifteen or sixteene hundreth shotte made against a Tower, they shot diuers hundreth times against the breach, whereby diuers men were slaine and maimed. But the resolution of the assieged, hindred Tauanes from approaching, and contenting himselfe to send twelue souldiers to viewe the breach, sixe of them were slaine: and about eleuen of the clocke at night, thir­tie souldiers issuing out of the Towne, cut the throates of certaine Sentinelles, and entered so farre as to the Artillerie, to trie if they could stop it: which they had done, if Tauanes in person had not come thither. The next day, although the Tower so much beaten and defaced, had opened a new breach vnto Ta­uanes, yet hee stirred not, but to the contrary, making shewe in great haste to returne into Bourgongne, suddainly raysed his campe, leauing certaine thinges of powder behinde him, with an ambuscado, if those of the Town had offered to come forth: but Entrages beeing a polliticke souldier, and one that had not many men to loose, suffered not his souldiers to issue. Tauanes thereby beeing deceiued, lodged his troupes not farre from thence, and went vppe againe to Chalon, where certaine troupes of Dauphine came to meete him.

At that time, it chanced that two Sheriffes of Mascon, hauing by their au­thoritie in the night time laden certaine boates, with the reliques of gold and siluer, and other ornaments of the Temple of S. Vincents in Mascon, minding to carrie and sell them in Lyons, Reliques ta­ken for booty. beeing two or three leagues off, were discoue­red by one named Saint Poinct, who being ayded by certaine Gentlemen of Dauphine, and a good troupe of footemen, passed the riuer aboue Belleuille, and setting vppon the boates, tooke them, and became Maisters of all that was within them, valewed at the least to the summe of thirtie or fortie thousand frankes. The Challices and Images of golde and siluer, were broken and parted between S. Poinct and his companions, although they termed themselues Ro­mish Catholicques. Wherevppon a young Lacquey came to Gascon, who ha­uing falsely charged two Captaines, was hanged, but the souldiers of those two Captaines beganne to mutin, because their leaders had been committed to pri­son, vsing many threatning speeches. This beeing appeased, Entrages saying he would make a generall muster in a plaine hard by the Towne, caused those two companies of mutinous fellowes first to issue forth:Belleuille defended by astraunge accident. which done, he shut the Gates vppon them, by which meanes beeing constrained to take the other part, they went to Belleuille, that held for the religion, and arriued therein in good time, vppon the 28. of Iuly, for that the next morning before the breake of the day, S. Poinct with sixe or seuen hundreth foote, and two hun­dreth horse, and the Pesants of the countrie besieged the Towne, thinking to enter therein without resistance. But approaching neare the walles, and by chance discouered by the one that rose somewhat early, they were so hardly recei­ued by the souldieis of Mascon, that they were cōstrained to retire with shame and great losse: to reuenge themselues, they draue away the beastes of diuers Farmes, and sacked the house of a rich Pesant, whom they massacred, and cast his bodie into the Soane, but his bodie was taken vppe and buried in Belle­uille.

How the Queene mo­ther her Re­gency.Hitherto I haue shewed the estate of the particular Prouinces of France, during these first troubles: now let vs returne againe vnto the Court. The Queene beeing deliuered out of the hands of the Triumuirat, to assure her au­thoritie, and to hold the greatest personages in some stay, thereby to serue her turne by some of them, to checke the rest: first shee iuested the young Duke of Guise, with the estates and offices of his father, and to appease the Parisians much greeued for his death, shee deliuered Poltrot vnto them, that was exe­cuted with as greeuous punishment, as if hee had slaine the king himselfe: which done, something was to bee done for the appeasing of those of the reli­gion, that had been spoyled & massacred as you haue heard. The Prince of Con­de being prisoner, demaunded nought but libertie, and his minde being peace­able and courteous, to such as knewe how to vse him, would not much stand (as the Queene thought) vppon certaine articles. Wherefore fearing least the Admirall, as then busied in Normandie, beeing at Orleans, should seeke the ratifying of the edict of Ianuary, that might breake the accord and renue the warre, whereby would ensue her disgrace: shee vsed all the meanes she could to preuent him, in such sort, that vppon the seuenth of March, there was a conference holden between the Queene, the Prince, and the Constable, as yet prisoners, referring their further deliberation to the next day, because the [Page 167]Constable hadde said openly,Subtiltie of the Consta­ble. that hee could not consent to the re-establishing of the Edict of Ianuary, wherein hee vsed a fine shift, for that if hee should haue auouched it, hee hadde prooued both himselfe and all his partners, guiltie of treason, in hauing violated and broken the Kings Edict.

The Prince euill counselled, permitted certaine articles to be drawn, where in trueth hee should haue holden onely vnto the saide Edict: but nothing beeing resolued at that time, hee obtained libertie to enter into Orleans, there to conferre with his Councell, where hee asked the aduise of the Ministers as then assembled therein from diuers places, beeing to the number of seuentie twoo persons,What was done by the Ministers, for preserua­tion of reli­gion. who by their Deputies vsed all the meanes they could to perswade him to stand to the Edict of Ianuary, not derogating any thing thereof, shewing the daungers that might thereof ensue: that done, they presented him with certaine articles, requiring that hee would demaund the obseruation of the Edict, without any restrictions: that iustice should bee done for the massacre at Vassy, Sens and other places, wherein there was not found the least poynt of hostilitie to bee committed by those of the religion, as also of diuers others most manifest ruptures of the said Edict, besides the ex­ploits of warre.

The rest of the articles concerned the conseruation of the discipline of the Churches, and the reestablishing thereof, which notwithstanding the Prince was so much perswaded by the Queenes and others promises, af­ter that, to make an other and a better agreement, shewing him, that the re­strictions and moderations, which as then were set downe, were done at that time, only to content & appease those of the Romish religion, & by rea­sonable means to obtain a greater libertie, withal, that there were many that sought for peace, what price soeuer it cost, that hee consented vnto the ex­ceptions contained in the new contract, causing them to bee redde before the Nobilitie, willing no man to giue his aduise therein, but onely Gentle­men bearing armes, as hee saide it openly before the assembly:The impro­uidence of the Prince that belee­ued the pro­mises of his enemies. in such manner, that the Ministers from that time forward, were neuer called to deale therein: by which meanes the Edict of pacification was con­cluded vppon the twelfth of March, drawing the exercise of the religi­on from the subburbes of all the Townes in the Realme, and referring it to the houses and Castles of Gentlemen, and in some small number of Baliages, not comprehending the Townes which as then held for the re­ligion, wherein the exercise was left free, and all whatsoeuer the Prince and his adherents had done in those warres, acknowledged and auouched to bee for the seruice of the King.

The Admi­rals wisdom, but to no ef­fect.Two daies after, the Admirall wrote letters from Caen vnto the Queen, touching the accusation made against him, concerning the death of the duke of Guise committed by Poltrot. He besought her to command that the prisoner might bee safely kept, that the trueth of the action might bee knowne. Meane time, hee sent her a breefe aunswere touching the intergatories [Page 162]of Poltrot, shewing by many and great reasons, that hee was neuer made priuie to the pretence or conceit of Poltrot touching that action, whose death notwithstanding hee acknowledged to bee the meanes to reduce France vnto a quiet estate. The Queene esteeming it not conuenient for her affaires, to suffer the Admirall to liue in peace, but by this meanes seeking to entertaine hatred among the Nobilitie, to raigne and gouerne in the middle of their de­uisions, made no account of those letters.

Those that with her had the processes of Poltrot to examine, perceiuing that the dispositions of the prisoner had no apparant ground, within three daies after sent to Parris, that they should dispatch him out of the way, that it would bee daungerous to keepe him, and that hee would deny what hee had said.

Wherevppon his proces was made, hee was diuers times examined, and according to the torments giuen him, they found diuersitie in his spee­ches. And beeing condemned vpon the eighteenth of March, to be pinched with hotte tongues, hee openly declared, that the Admirall knew nothing of his intent to kill the Duke of Guise.

Neuerthelesse, certaine Captaines of Parris deposed, that hee had con­fessed the contrary vnto them, after the first drawing of the horses. But vpon his variable depositions,Proces and execution of Poltrot. the quarrell betweene the houses of Guise and Cha­stillon, whereof ensued the infinite mischiefes of the yeares ensu­ing.

The Admirall hauing ranged his enemies in Normandie, to a good poynt, as then had a stronger armie then hee had before,The Admi­rals meanes made fru­strate by the substiltie of the Queene. wherewith hee constrai­ned the members of the Triumuirat to fall to reason, whereof ensued the quietnesse of France: but the articles of the peace being almost all agreed vp­pon on both parts, at the Princes request hee issued out of Caen vpon the 14. of March, onely with his horsemen, the Vantgard whereof being ledde by the Prince of Portien, that tooke the way towards Lisieux: the rest passing by Falaise and Argentan into Perche. In the way, such as would resist his ar­my were set vppon and punished. And the three and twentieth of the same moneth, the Admirall beeing arriued at Orleans with all his forces, found that the Edict of pacification had beene agreed vppon, signed, and sealed in his absence, fiue daies before hee arriued.

The next day hee gaue his aduise in open Councell before the Prince, and among other things, shewed, that they were to remēber, that from the beginning of the warres made by the Triumuirat, they had alwaies offered the obseruation of the Edict of Ianuary, Parris only excepted: and that con­sidering the estate of their affaires, those of the religion had more means then they had before, to defend themselues from the violences of their enemies: of three authors of those warres, two of them beeing dead, the third priso­ner, and a good pledge for the Princes assurance, that the Churches were restrained to one Towne in a Baliage, and other such exceptions, was as much, as if they should striue against God, and ouerthrowe more Chur­ches by the dash of a penne, then all the enemies forces could beate downe intenne yeares space.

That the Gentlemen that would shewe their good wils, should soone see and feele by good experience, how much more expedient and commo­dious it will bee vnto them, to go to a sermon within a Towne or Village neare vnto them, then to receiue a church into their house: besides this, that such Gentlemen dying, would not alwaies leaue heires of their opini­ons.

These reasons were so firme, that besides the disliking of those that were not called to counsell, the most part of those that had agreed vnto it, could gladly haue wished it to beginne againe. But the Prince to all that opposed the promises made vnto him, that in short time hee should enioy the estate of the deceased king of Nauarre his brother, and that then, those of the reli­gion should obtaine whatsoeuer they could desire. Yet although many al­leadged to the contrary, that all his promises were but words, and that when those of the religion should bee disarmed, and retired vnto their hou­ses, their enemies would still deuise the meanes to vexe and trouble them, and that they should bee disgraced and nought esteemed. Yet would hee neuer apprehended it, and what paines soeuer the Admirall tooke, accom­panying the Prince in diuers priuate conferences with the Queene, the Edict continued in force, as it hadde beene decreed, and nothing else could bee obtained, but onely that certaine Gentlemen procu­red this poynt, that some of the best Townes in certaine Prouinces, should bee nominated for the exercise of the religion in the Baliages, but this was but an accord in paper, that tooke small effect.

The Queene of England had assisted the Prince of Conde and his adherents, with men and mony during those warres, who for assurance of her mony disboursed, and for the retrait of her men, gaue her the posses­sion of the towne of New-hauen, wherein there laye an English Garri­son.

The Prince by his Edict hauing not made any conclusion, that the Eng­lishmen should bee payde, and peaceably sent home againe, they stayed in New-hauen, to keepe it, till they had satisfaction on the other side. The Councell of France, by letters dated the sixt of Iuly, proclaimed warre a­gainst the Englishmen: and fifteene daies after New-hauen was besieged,The English­men driuen out of New-hauen. the Constable beeing Generall of the armie, wherein they drew the Prince, with diuers Lords, Gentlemen, Captaines, and Souldiers of the religi­on, some of their aduersaries vaunting after the siege, to haue driuen out the Englishmen by those that brought them thither.

And that the Huguenots might bee well assured, not to haue any more ayde out of England, the Earle of VVarwicke laye in New-hauen with sixe thousand Englishmen, hauing well prouided all things ne­cessarie for the defence of a place of such importance. But the fresh water beeing taken from the Englishmen, the plague was very rife among them, and the batterie most furious, vppon the eight and twentieth of Iuly they grew to a parley, and the next day yeelded the place, wherein aboue three thousande of them were deade of the plague. Eight monethes after [Page 170]this reudition, a peace was concluded and proclaimed, betweene France and England.

The king of the age of 13 yeares and a month, decla­red of lawfull yeares.The Prince of Conde in the conclusion of peace, was made beleeue, that he should haue the place of Lieftenant generall, by the decease of the king, of his brother the king of Nauarre: but after the deliuery of New-hauen, the Queen hauing no more need of him, to take all hope from him on that side, and to breed new conceits in the heads of those of the religion, published a declaration, to shew the maioritie of the king, as then entered into the 14. yeare of his age. And to make shewe the better vnto this declaration, wher­vnto was added a most seuere Edict against bearing of armes, his subiects leagues, and the pensions of forraine Princes, shee caused her sonne in great solemnitie to sit in the Parliament of Roane, where to shewe her child to bee sufficient and capable to adminster the affaires of the Realme, she caused him to bee taught and learned by hart, to vtter a lesson artificially deuised, there­by to bridle the Prince assistance thereat, which by many was termed his degrading. The substance thereof was, that his comming into the Parlia­ment, was to giue his officers to vnderstand, that hauing attained to the yeares of maioritie, he would no longer indure that any such disobedience should bee vsed against him, as had beene shewed since the beginning of the troubles: commaunded that his Edict of pacification should bee ob­serued, threatned the breakers thereof, and such as made associations and leagues: which was done vppon the sixteenth and seuenteenth of Au­gust.

Within short time after, the Parliament of Parris sent a declaration vnto the king, touching that Edict of maioritie, which confirmed that of pacifica­tion. But the Queene caused him to speake with authoritie as hee had done before,The Queens proceedings against the Court of Par­liament in Parris. declaring his mother superintendant of his affaires, and said vnto the Deputies of the Parliament, that his meaning was, that they should deale with nothing else, but onely to administer good and speedie iustice vnto his subiects: giuing them to vnderstand, that hee would haue them to knowe, that they were not appoynted by him in their offices to bee his tutors, nor protectors of his Realme, neither yet conseruers of his towne of Parris. For you are (said he, according to his instructions giuen) made beleeue, that you are such: but I mean not to suffer you any more to continue in that error, but commaund you, that as in the times of the kings my predecessors, you ne­uer vsed to deale with any thing but with iustice, that from henceforth, you deale with nothing else. And when I shall commaund you any thing, if you finde any difficultie therein, I will bee well content to heare your aduise, as you haue vsed to do vnto the kings mine auncestors, and not as my Gouer­nours, and hauing giuen your aduises, hauing heard my minde, to be obe­dient therevnto without reply.

In dooing so, you shall finde mee as good and milde a King as euer you had: but dooing as you haue done, since the time you were giuen to vnderstand that you are my tutors, I will make you knowe, that you are none such, but my seruants and subiects: willing and charging you, to obey my commaundements.

The Bishop of Valence checqueth the Parlia­ment of Parris.Here you may see howe they draue the dogges before the Lyon, and the subtill practises of the Queen, to establish her Regencie, vnder the warrant of her sonne: wholely debarring the Prince of Conde from all his hopes: and to change the Parliament of Parris somwhat more vnto her will, she caused the the Bishop of Valence in a large discourse, to confute that which the President de Thou had propounded, touching the Kings Court: and that his mawrite ought first to haue been signified to the Court of Parliament in Parris: that the King ought not to permit the exercise of two religions within his Realme: that the inhabitants of Parris ought not to be constrained to leaue their armes. The Bishop in open tearmes seemed to charge de Thou and all his companions, to shew but small vnderstanding in those affaires, and much lesse conscience. The twentie foure of September following, by Decree of the priuie Councell, the mawrite of the King (or as some are of aduice) the regencie and Soueraign­tie authoritie of the Queene was confirmed.

The Pope abandoneth the Realm of Nauarre to him that could take is by force, wherevnto the King opposeth.At the same time, an other deuise was wrought against those of the religi­on. The Pope faining that he could no longer beare with the reformation of religion and doctrine vsed in the Realme of Nauarre, and the Soueraigntie: of Bearn, in the moneth of September, caused a declaration to bee published in Rome against Ieane d'Albert, Queene of Nauarre: who as then made publicque profession of the religion, and had driuen the Masse out of her Countries. This declaration was made in forme of an excommunication, & for a disposses­sion of all that land, which as then remained vnto this Princesse, by whom so­euer would take it in hand, to enioy it as by conquest, and his owne proper inheritance. Shee was likewise cited to appeare before the Consistorie of Cardinalles, within sixe moneths after: for default whereof, the Pope decla­red her hereticke, her goods confiscate, and abandoned as aforesaid. The King formed an opposition against this papall thunder, which as then was shewed but in Rome. The King of Spaine hauing neither the desire nor the meanes to fall vppon that Princesse, and the Councell of France, esteemed it in­conuenient, to giue so manifest a shadowe vnto those that were of the re­ligion.

The death of Charles de Cosse Marshal de Brissac, that had done great seruice for the Realm of France, in the warres of Piedemont, made an ende of this yeare, 1563. that dyed vpon the last of December.

Ann. 1564In the beginning of this yeare, it was permitted vnto the Clergie by an E­dict, to redeeme their landes that had bin alienated, to the value of a hundreth thousand crownes, yearely rent. An Edict in fauour of the Clergie.All this was but a point of cunning, vsed to diue into the purses of those who during the warres, and that France drowned in teares had sung, and for the most part liued at their ease.

About the beginning of Februarie, the Ambassadors of the Pope, the Em­perour, the King of Spaine, and the Duke of Sauoy, came to Fountainebleau, de­siring that the King would cause the Decrees of the Councell of Trent, to bee wholely obserued within the Realme of France: for the which cause,The King so­licited by the Spaniard to breake the Edict of pacification. the Deputies were to be at Nancy vppon the the twentie fiue of March, then next ensuing: to reade the same in presence of the Ambassadors of all the Papisti­call and Catholicque Romish Princes, assembled togither, there to make and frame a generall league, against the Realmes, principalities, and estates, that had withdrawne themselues from the obedience of the Pope. They likewise [Page 172]desired the king wholly to cease the alienating of the goods of the Cleargie, alleadging it to bee preiudiciall both against him and his Realme, and contra­rie to the word of God, that the king of Spaine and the Duke of Sauoy, could not bee payed the monies due vnto them by reason of their mariages, with the Cleargies mony: desired that those of the religion might bee openly puni­shed, whom they disciphered according to their accustomed manner. That the pardon and the edict of peace should bee made voyde: that the king should doo iustice, specially of those that were consenting vnto the death of the Duke of Guise. And to effect these requests, they added most faire and great offers, thereby to cast the realme into the burning flame of a second ciuill warre. Answere to the Ambas­sadors.But the Queene and her Councell perceiuing it to bee a ticklish matter, and distru­sting in the promises of such men, caused the young king to aunswere them, that hee thanked their Maisters, whom hee ment not to trouble, hoping to maintaine his subiects in peace, according to the institution of the Romish Church. That hee had made the edict of pacification to put straunges out of his Realme: that as then he could reenter into a new warre within his realme, for certaine reasons, which in writing he sent vnto them: and that in those af­faires hee would aske the Counsell and aduise of the Prince of his blood, and the chiefe Lords of his Councell, and of the Crowne.

The king of Spaine with that Ambassage, deuising how hee might see his kinsmans house in new troubles, tooke no order for his own in the lowe coun­tries, where as then warres beganne to bee hatched, which not long after came foorth, and as yet continue therein, to his great shame and confu­sion.

In the beginning of March, the Queene beganne the voyage of Bayonne, to speake with the king of Spaine, the pretence was, that the king beeing Ma­ior, and about foureteene yeares of age,Beginning of the voyage to Bayonne. would ride about his Realme to vi­sit his Prouinces, and that his presence would bee a means to remedie many complaints and discontentments, and withall, strengthen and establish the e­dict of pacification. But the effect that both approached and ensued, did partly shewe the intents and secret practises of that woman and her Councell.

The king beganne that voyage in Champagne and Bourgongne, from whence hee went to Lyons, What a scita dell was built at Lyons. and to the ende those of the religion should not haue the meanes to fortifie themselues therein, as they had done at other times, a scita­dell was then begunne to bee erected: and although at that time the plague raigned within the Towne, yet the Queen and her Councell would not stirre from thence, and kept the king there, vntill that scitadell was almost fini­shed.

But in the end the plague being entered into the Queens Chamber, where­of one of her Gentlewomen fell sicke, the king was ledde from thence. While they built at Lyons, to bridle those of the religion, by that means to weaken their forces,Defacing of Townes. the Townes of Orleans and Montauban, were vnwalled: in other townes scitadels were made, which by some were called Chastre-villaines: by others, the Nests of Tyrants.

Those of the religion indured all, contenting themselues with simple de­clarations in paper, and receiuing paper for payment. For that about the be­ginning of this voyage, the Romish Catholikes of Greuan in Bourgongne, mas­sacred [Page 173]diuers of the religion, being assembled therein to exercise their religion:Massacre of those of the religion. complaints thereof beeing made vnto the Queene, shee gaue faire words, pro­mising to send Commissioners to Creuan, such as were honestly minded, and not passionate, to inquire of the fact.

But in stead of keeping promise, at the same time an edict was made, for­bidding the exercise of the religion in the kings Court,An edict de­rogating that of pacification. and that in the Townes wherein by the edict it was permitted, the Ministers should not preach, as long as the kings should remaine therein: all eadging for reason, that his presence might not indure the exercise of any other religion, then that which he vsed: who as then was taught to rule and Court Ladies, hauing Maisters appoynted for the purpose, the Court as then beginning to bee an example of all disso­lution.

They likewise draue al ministers out of the realm, that were not natural Frēch­men. The king being gone from Lyons, went to Roussillon, wher he staying for a time, was visited by the duke d'Sauoy. Ther they erected another dismēbring of the edict of peace,Another de­rogatiue edict. forbidding all iustices to vse the exercise of religion in their houses, freses, or Castles, other then in those that are appoynted in the edict: That the Ministers which should haue exercised their charges, in places not comprehended in the edict, for the first time should bee banished out of the realme, and beeing found therein againe, to bee corporally punished. That Priestes, Monkes, Friers, and Nunnes, that are married, should bee constrai­ned to leaue their wiues and husbands, and to returne againe into their Mo­nasteries and Couents, or else to go out of the realme.

That it should not bee lawfull for those of the religion to hold Sinodes, accusing them vnder that pretence to haue made conspiracies, and raised the greatest part of the realme. This edict abated somewhat of the edict of pacifi­cation. From Dauphine, the king went into Prouence, and Marcèllis, and in the beginning of winter hee entered into Languedoc: and being in Montpeslier, about the end of December, prolonged the redeeming of the spirituall goods, for the space of sixe moneths more. This winter was extreame colde through all the realme of France.

1565 The Cardi­nall of Lor­raine preten­ding to enter armed into Parries, is re­pulsed by the Marshall de Mont mo­rency.At that time, the Cardinall of Lorraine newly returned from the Councell of Trent, hauing stayed a certain time in Champagne, rid to Parris with his guard, openly bearing armes, contrary to the expresse commaundement of the king, beeing accompanied by Henry Duke of Guise his Nephewe, as then but a child, but yet inuested with the estate of Great-maister of France.

His brother the Duke d'Aumale, lay not farre from Parris with a troupe of men. The Marshall de Montmorency Gouernour of the Isle of France, beeing a wise Gentleman, and a friend to peace, hauing discouered that diuers mu­tinous companions attended the Cardinalles arriuall in that manner, to com­mit violence against those of the religion, that daily increased: and foreseeing that so bolde an attempt openly to ride in armes, would breed some hor­rible tempest, if it were not preuented, sent word to the Cardinall, that hee should not presume to enter into Parris with such a traine, nor in that man­ner.

And because he made no account of the kings Lieftenants commandement, [Page 174]the Marshall sent him word, that hee forbadde him to enter into his gouern­ment with armed troupes, which if hee did, hee would vse his authoritie. But the Cardinall not letting for that, about the beginning of Ianuarie assayed to enter armed into Parris, but hee found the Gouernour and Soueraigne Magi­strate, with thirtie or fortie men readie to resist him, all men of account: as Lords and Gentlemen, and the Prince of Portian. But in stead of beating down the Cardinall and his men, hee contented himselfe to put them in feare. The Cardinall, his Nephewe, and diuers of their followers, saued themselues in the first shoppes and houses they could get into. Their men of war shunning the danger with all the speede they could, but not once pursued. This chance made the Cardinal wholly confused, and hauing stayed for a time within the Towne, hee returned into Champagne, staying the Kings returne from Bayon­ne. The Duke d'Aumale his brother made more shewe, and for the space of cer­taine weekes, no other report ranne abroad within Parris, and all the Isle of France, but onely of leagues and associations, made to bee reuenged vppon the Marshall de Montmorency, who being assisted by the Admirall and other Lords, held the Parisians in peace, and caused his action to bee approoued, both in the Parliament, and by the kings Councell. But this blowe renued the despight of the house of Guise, against those of Montmorency and Chastillon, and because the assemblies made by the Duke d'Aumale, and the league hee made with the Duke d'Estampes, Martignes, Chauigny, and the Bishoppe of Mans, had con­strained the Marshall & the Admirall, to assemble certain Gentlemen to with­stand those pretended leaguers. The Queen fearing, least that beginning wold breed some mischiefe, that might breake the voyage of Bayonne, and other ex­pedients which shee esteemed to bee most fit and necessarie for the effecting of this Councell, presently dispatched letters pattrents, whereby the king com­mauned those that as yet were not entered into Parris to approach no nearer: and such as were therein, to depart from thence, referring the ending of this quarrell, vntill his returne out of Gascoigne.

The Cardinall offended that no better remedie was taken in his behalfe touching that disgrace, beganne another enterprise, making warre against Sal­cede, Bailiffe de Vic, The Cardi­walles warre. and Gouernour for the king in Marsault, that had ceased cer­taine places appertaining to the Cardinall, alleadging hee had reason to doo it, because the Cardinall had put himselfe into the safegard and protection of the Emperour, and had caused it to bee published, without the commandement and licence of the king his Soueraigne. But Salcede beeing ouerweake for so puissant an enemie fauoured by the Queene, in the end was constrained to leaue both Vic and Marsault.

The ninth of Iune, Henry duke of Orleans, brother to the king, departed from Bayonne, The com­ming of the Queen of Spaine to Bayonne. where not long before the Court arriued, and went to lodge at Saint Iohn de Lus, from whence the next day after he road to Iron, the first place in the frontiers of Spaine, scituate vpon the riuer of Marquery, which diuided the lands of the Kings of France and Spaine. And hauing past that riuer, he went to meete with his sister the Queene of Spaine, beyond Aruany, where, after the ceremonies and salutations ordinatily vsed at such meetings, they tooke their way to S. Sebastians, wher the Duke of Alue stayed. Not long after, the king went forth to meet his sister, accompanied by diuers Princes & Noblemen, conduc­ting her vnto Bayonne, where she stayed along time. The Duke d'Alua with ma­ny [Page 175]of the Couucell of Spaine, had diuers secret conferences with the Coun­cell of France. There resolution beeing (as Monsieur de Noue saith in his dis­course,Councels holden in Bayonne, be­tweene the Spantards & the French­men, origi­nals of the mischiefes of France and the lowe Countries. The conti­nuance of the K. progresse to the pre [...]u­dice of those of the teligi­on. of the cause of raising armes in the second troubles) to root out those of the religion, as well in France, as in the lowe Countries: and that it was necessary to beginne with the leaders, according to the rule of that Spanish Duke, (that shortly after, put it in practise by cutting off the heades of the Countes de Horne and Egmont, with other noble men in Brusselis) that they must not stand to looke for frogges, but first fish for the great salmons. The Prince of Conde, the Admirall, and others in France, beeing in time ad­uertised by some, that were not farre from their so bloody Councels, from that time, beganne to looke vnto themselues, and to thinke vppon their af­faires, aduertising those of the religion not to bee negligent.

Frō Bayonne the K. tooke his iourney to Nerac, wher he restored the Romish Catholicques to their goods: repaired their temples: brought in againe the Priests and Monkes that had beene thrust out: and commaunded Monluc by his letters pattents in firme of an Edict, to see all things performed: as also to take order that the officers of the Towne might bee equally chosen out of both religions, halfe of the one, and halfe of the other, and this course he prescribed as a lawe to all those Townes, where those of the religion had gotten the vpper hand.

Hee did besides ordaine, that such Monkes, Fryers, and Nunnes, as had cast off their coules, in purpose to reenter into the successions of their Pa­rents, should not bee admitted orherwise, then according to the ancient con­stitutions. Hee also gaue audience vnto the Catholicque and Romish Lea­guers of Guyenne, whom he likewise iustified. Moreouer, in all places where the King made his iourney, there was in manner no other speech, but of the complaints of those of the religion, whom the peace did as much molest (and in some places more) as the warre.

The Councell stopped the plaintiues mouthes with sweet words, pro­mising redresse in all possible loue and equitie: but their speeches vanished like smoke: for of an infinite number of murthers, from the publication of the Edict, vntill that day committed, there were scarce sixe offenders puni­shed, and those but of the rascall sort, that else where and before time, had tenne times deserued the wheele or fire.

The rest of the yeare was spent, in the kings entries into the towns vp­on the riuer of Loire, in banquets, triumphs, superfluous expenses, and ri­diculous pastimes, wherin the K. and his two yonger bretheren were altogi­ther buried, whilest the Queen with her Councellors mannaging the whole state of France, guided it in such crooked courses, as still doo remaine of the stormes, no lesse daungerous then the former.

1566 A fained re­consiliation betweene the houses of Guise and Chastillons.Wee said before, that presently after the Edict of pacification, the Queen had giuen accesse to those of the house of Guise, to aske some new iustice of the king, touching the murther of their kinsman slaine by Poltrot, that had beene tormented and executed by foure wilde horses in Parris. And because those of Guise had sufficiently declared, that their malice tended onely to the Admirall, and that the dissimulation of the Queene-mother, entertained the fire of that quarrell. The Prince of Conde, that went not the voyage of Bayon­ne, had from that time assayed wholly to quench it, and on the one side to stay [Page 176] Magnani­mitie of the Prince.the violence of the plaintiues, on the other side the subtiltie of the Queen, that desired nothing but the continuance of quarrels among the Nobilitie, that shee might raigne by their diuision, and crie, staye there, when it plea­sed her, following the aduise of her wise Councellours: braue Pollititians (if they might bee beleeued) and great friends to France. To that end the Prince had presented a declaration vnto the Councell, bearing date the fifteene of May, 1563. against those of Gusse, saying therein: that if there were any man, that would once vndertake to oppose himselfe in word or deede against the Admirall, otherwise then by order of iustice, which the Admirall himselfe desired: I will (saith hee) make him well knowne, that it shall touch mee, as much as if it were done vnto my selfe, beeing his friend, and he vncle vn­to my wife, by whom I haue diuers children: besides that, hee is a braue knight, and one that is able to do the king great seruice. The Queen remem­bring that, and seeking to shadow her Councell of Bayonne, in the beginning of Ianuary 1566. caused those of Guise and Chastillon, to be summoned to ap­peare before the king at Moulius in Bourbonnois, where likewise appeared the Marshall de Montmorency, because of the quarrell of Parris. Shee likewise sent for du Thou and Seguier, first and second Presidents of Parris, Dafis, chiefe Pre­sident of Thoulouse, Lagebaston of Bourdeaux, Truchon of Grenoble, le Feure of Dyon, and Fourneau second President of Prouence. The king beeing in his chamber, with diuers Princes and Lords, the Chancellour made a long O­ration touching the miseries of the Realme,The Oration of the Chan­cellour. and the disorder of iustice and pollicie, whereof ensued certaine orders taken, which continued no longer then many other commendable ordinances, that had been made within this Realme: that done, hee beganne to touch the quarrell betweene the houses of Guise and Chastillon, where diuers things on both sides being debated, and the Admirall by oath clearing himselfe, not to be the Author of the murther in question.

Agreement in the Court.A certaine agreement was made betweene the two houses, and there­vppon they imbraced like friends, with many protestations of words and pro­mises, neuer to renue them more. The widowes of the Duke and the Cardi­nall of Lorraine, were the interlocutors in this tragedie: the young Duke of Guise not speaking a word, as thē lending his countenance to signes of threat­nings and frowning lookes: wherof those of Chastillon made small account, because as then hee was but a childe.

That which made them most to consider vpon the matter, was, that they perceiued the Queene-mother to leane to the house of Guise, and the Cardi­nall and shee to bee as two heades within one hood, they likewise tooke vp the matter betweene the saide Cardinall, and the Marshall de Montmorencie, touching that which had passed between them at Parris, during the voyage of Bayonne.

The rest of this yeare, was for the most part spent among Courtezans, in ma­riages, banquets, & other pastimes, whiles all parts of the realm were plun­ged in great disorders.The misera­ble estate of France. The insolencies of the Romish Catholicques against those of the religion continued: the qualifications of the Edict, did by little and little fret it quire a way: the threats of speedie raigne to those of the reli­gion, (whose Captaines and leaders are heere and there slaine, without iu­stice or any execution of the mutherers) did weakely increase: and the reso­lution [Page 177]concluded at Bayonne, grewe manifest both within and without the Realme.

The Prince neuerthelesse and the Admirall, lay still and rested quiet, be­ing content plainly to looke vppon the accurrences, and readie to advertise their friends of all that was practised, least they should bee surprised. From diuers parts they were aduertised of the Spaniards preparatiues, who purpo­sed a terrible destruction to the lowe Countries, and withall, they foresawe, that his enterprise would breed new troubles in France, wherby after so ma­ny stormes at Bayonne, there must needs ensue some great rage and straunge euents.

The Prince of la Roch Suryon, also a little before his decease, had reuealed vnto them many particularities. Let them complaine of any breach of coue­nants, they should not want eyther sweet words, or courteous letters, to lull them on sleepe: In the meane time, in Faix and Bearne the troubles continu­ed, wherein the better sort were most vniustly dealt withall. There began a disputation at Parris, betweene two Ministers and two Sorbonists, at the Duke of Neuers lodging, which grewe into very large writings without any resolution, as indeede such parlying, do for the most part bring foorth small fruite.

The executrō of Simon May, a thiese and notable slaunderer.About the same time, there was likewise a certaine offender, named Si­mon May, broken vppon a scaffolde: this man was of meane birth, and dwelt in a countrie house not farre from Chastillon vppon Loyn, where vnder pretence of an Hostrie or Inne, hee practised his robberies. Him did Anmalle the late Duke of Guises brother, hire to watch the Admirall as hee went on hunting, and gaue him in hand a hundreth Crownes and a Spanish Genet. The Admirall before vnderstanding his wicked course of life, had sharply threatned him: and now by witnesses finding him to bee a notable theefe, he sent the informations to Parris, wherevpon hee was soone apprehended and brought into the Conciergery, where hee beganne to accuse the Admirall and some others, that they should haue conspired togither, and so promised him great reward to kill the Queene-mother: but the Councellours that were deputed to perfect his processe, presently smelling out the infection of this slaunder, and perceiuing that in the boulting out of this matter (which notwithstanding they ought to haue done) they should haue found some of the house of Guise in more fault then the Chastillons: letting fall this false ac­cusation, and hauing auerred May his robberies and thefts, they committed him to the wheele.

During the kings voyage to Bayonne, wherein hee was accompanied only with Princes and Lords of the Romish religion,Anotable proces in Pa­ris, betweene the Iesuites and the Vni­uersitie. The begin­ning of the Iesuites. there happened a notable processe within Parris touching the Iesuites, whereof I will set downe cer­taine notes collected, verbatim out of the fourth booke of the Epistles and pleas made by me Stephen Pasquier a Councellour, that pleaded for the Vni­uersitie against the saide Iesuites: his words are these. A Nauarrois named Ig­nace, who had beene a souldier all the daies of his life time, hauing been hurt in the Towne of Pampelune, while hee laye to bee healed, vsed to reade the liues of holy fathers: by whose examples hee determined from that time forward to frame his life. Wherevppon hee entered into conference with diuers men, and among the rest, with one named Maister Pasquier Brouet.

They sware and aduowed a societie, and Ignace being beheaded, they made certaine voyages to Parris, Rome, and Ierusalem, and in the end went to Venice, where they continued certaine yeares. And perceiuing themselues to haue many followers,Their pro­fession. went to Rome, where they beganne to make open professi­on of their order, among other articles, chiefely promising two things: the one, that their principall intent was, to preach the word of God vnto the Pa­gans: to conuert them to the faith: the other, freely to teach all christians the studie of learning: and to accommodate their name vnto their deuotionss they called themselues religious persons of the societie of Iesus: presenting themselues vnto Pope Paul the third,Their name. of the house of Fernese, about the yeare of our Lord, 1540. at the same time that the Almaines began to arme them­selues against the alteration of religion, and because one of the principall dis­putations of the Almaines, was touching the authoritie of the Pope, whom Martin Luther sought to deface, they with a contrary profession shewed, that their first vow was to acknowledge the Pope to be aboue al earthly po­wers,At what time they began. and aboue the generall Councelles, and the vniuersall Church. The Pope, who at the first made doubt to allow them, and after, had permitted them to name themselues religious, but with charge that they should not exceed the number of sixtie persons, began to hearken to this promise, and to open the gate to their deuotion: and after him, Pope Iulius the third, vntill Pope Paul the fourth named Theatin, the first Promoter of that order, autho­rised them fully and wholly, with many and great priuiledges.

By whom they were re­ceiued into France.Now their affaires proceeding in this sort, it chanced that the Bishop of Cleremont, Bastard to the Chancellour du Prat, began to beare them some affection, and sought to plant that order in Parris, whither hee brought Pasquier Brouet, with three or foure others. They at their comming, lodged themselues quietly in a chamber in the Colledge of Lombards, and after that, established their habitation in the house of Cleremont in Harp-street, by the permission of him that first brought them into France, celebrating their Mas­ses and prayers vppon the Sundaies and other Festiuall daies, in a Chappell that standeth at the entrie into the Chartreux. How they intruded themselues. And perceiuing that their af­faires beganne to take effect, they presented themselues diuers times be­fore the Court of Parliament, that there order might be authorised by them. But the Atturney generall named Brulart, Their bold­nesse. opposed himselfe against their re­quests: not that hee fauoured not the Catholicque religion, but for that a­boue all things, hee doubted and feared such nouelties, as mother of many errors, specially in religion. Wherevppon hee shewed them, that if their hearts were wholly estraunged from worldly care, they might without in­during any new order,Who with­stood them. content themselues with the auncient professions of Saint Benet, Clugny, Cisteaux, Grandmont, Premonstre and others, approcued by diuers Councels, or with the foure orders of begging Fryers. The Court not content with those oppositions, wold not seem to be opinious of them­selues, but for the same cause had recourse vnto the facultie of Diuines, who by their decree censured against them, partly because that some of their pro­position derogated from the priuiledges of the French Churches, partly be­cause that terming themselues religious, they weare not the habit, neyther yet confined themselues (like vnto others) within Cloysters: which censure put them by their whole intent.

Not long after, the Bishop of Cleremont died, who by his will bequeathed them great gifts, those legacies by them recouered, happened the first trou­bles, at the beginning whereof, the conference of the French Church was holden in Possy. From that time they began to breake their long silence, and againe presented a request to the Court of Parltament, to be receiued and ap­prooued, if not in sorme of religion, yet as a simple Colledge.Their ad­uancement. The Parlia­ment made account, that this request touched the superiors of the Church, wherevpnon they referred it to the assembly at Possy, where the Cardinall of Turnon was President, as the eldest Prelate, who had founded a company of their name within the town of Turnon, by his means they obtained licence to be receiued in forme of a societie & a Colledge:What they obtained at the first. with charge to vse some o­ther name and title, then that of Iesuites, and to conforme thēselues wholly to the canonicall order, without enterprising any thing, either spirituall or temporal against their Ordinaries: and that likewise they shuld expresly re­nounce those priuiledges that had bin granted them by their buls, otherwise for not performance therof, or that thereafter they obtain any others, this ap­probation should be voyde and of none effect. This decree was set downe word for word in the registers of the Court. Not long after, they bought a house within Parris in S. Ieames street, called the house of Langres, which they diuided in two habitations, the one for the religious, the other for Schollers. In this cōpany were diuers learned persons, & among the rest, Fryer Edmond Anger, & Maldonnat: the first, a great Preacher: the second, one that had bin instructed in all kinds of learning and languages:Their sup­ports. a great Diuine and Philoso­pher. They being sent to anounce their doctrine, were wel accepted, and by that means drew great numbers of Schollers vnto them, and perceiuing the wind to blow with them, they presented a request to the Rector of Parris, to be vnited and incorporated into the vniuersitie, whervpon a Congregation was assembled at the Mathurins, where it was concluded,Who stroue against them that they should certifie before they passed forward, whether they bare the name & qualitie of regulers or seculers: which reduced them to great perplexitie. For that to denie themselues to be regulers, was as much as to falcifie their vow: and to affirme it,Their deni­all. would be a contradiction to that which had bin inioyned them at Possy: whervpon for that they tooke no precise quallitie vpon them, the Vni­uersitie denied them their request: yet for all that, they yeelded not, but had recourse vnto the Parliament, to the end, that by force they might constraine the Vniuersitie to grant that which otherwise they would not once consent vnto. And it was agreed, that the parties shuld plead vpon the first day of the opening of the Court. These are the words of M. Stephen Pasquier, adding thervnto. The vniuersitie vouchsafed me y^e honor,The Vniuer­sitie pleaded against them. to chuse me for their Ad­uocate. The cause was pleaded two forenoones, with such contentiō, as the greatnesse of the cause required. M. Peter Versoris, pleading for the Iesuites, and I for the Vniuersitie. Lowing the plea made by M. Pasquier: I will set downe some chiefe and notable poynts. The Iesuites cause (saith he) is ful of dissimulatiō & hypocrisie: their sect is hereafter to be but a semenarie of par­tiallities, between the christian & the Iesuite: the purpose and intent tendeth only to desolation, and surprising of the estate both polliticque and Ecclesia­sticall. They bear the name of Iesus, but with a false title. I am of opinion, that there is not any faithful christian, or good and loyal Frenchman, but that wil find the reasons and conclusions of the vniuersitie to be both iust and good: [Page 180]which is,Certain alle­gations to be noted in the declaration of the vni­uersitie. that not only this new world, which by a title, partiall, arrogant, and ambitious, affirmeth it selfe onely, to bee of the societie of Iesus, ought not to bee adopted nor incorporated into the body of our Vniuersitie, but that it ought wholly to bee bannished, tooted out, and exterminated out of France.

These new bretheren, vnder a beautifull title, & exterior shew, wold enter & make a breach into our peace & quiet estate. Ignace a maimed souldier, not for the zeale and deuotion that hee bare to any new austeritie of life, but per­ceiuing himselfe to be impotent and vnable anylonger to beare armes, ente­red into familiaritie with certaine persons, and among others, with one M. Pasquier Brouet, borne in Dreux, a man (certain exterior quallities excepted) that had no learning, either in humane or diuine laws. These two with some others, for a time kept themselues in Venice, a town by certain Italian authors well knowne, and acknowledged to be the receptacle of diuers and peruerse things.

There for a time they vsed a certain hypocriticall austeritie of life, & percei­uing that their superstitiō begā to be followed, they were so bold as to trans­port themselues to Rome, wher they began to publish their sect. And althogh the greatest part of them were neither seen in tongues nor diuinitie, yet they began openly to promise two things. The one to preach the gospel to the In­fidels, so to cōuert them to the faith: the other, to teach doctrine vnto al chri­stians without any reward. For that cause taking vpō them the name of reli­gious people, as if al those that cleaued not to their sect, were separated from their societie.

Epithetes of the Iesuites.In the same plea they are quallified with the titles of Subtile: Authors of a superstitious sect: vnhappy weed: A sect condemned by the facultie of diuinitie, as being replenished with all superstition and damnable ambition, inuented and admitted for the desolation of all estates, either seculer or reguler: men in state to grow great by o­ther mens falles, aduanced by the ambitious & vnwoorthie practises of the Cardinall of Turnon their supporter: impudent: irreguler: disobedient: hypocrites: ignorant Tea­chers and wanderers: deceiuers: pardoners: new men patched togither of many peeces: full of ambitious superstitio. Then doth he proceed to lay opē their stratagems, whereby they haue deuised in short time to incroach infinite wealth, yea e­uen whole kingdomes & countries:Their prac­tises to grow great. that their pretended societie consisteth of two manner of people: whereof, the first terme themselues to be of the greater obseruance: the other of the lesse. The first, besides the three ordi­narie vowes of the Monkes, doo also make a fourth: and that is, that they doo acknowledge him to bee Soueraigne in earth ouer all thinges, without exception or reseruation, in whatsoeuer it shall please him to com­maund.

The others of lesser obseruance, are bound onely to two vowes: the one, respecting their fidelitie that they promise to the Pope: the other, their obe­dience to their superior.

These latter sorts, do not vow pouertie, but may lawfully enioy benefices without dispensation: succeed their Parents: and purchase lands and posses­sions, as if they were seculer persons.

This is the course whereby they haue at chieued such wealth & riches in this new order: for al that falleth to these lesser obseruantiues, by succession, pur­chase, [Page 181]chace, or any other practise, is incorporate into the whole bodie of Iesuites, without repetition or reuocation: for euen they to whom it falleth haue vowed obedience. We are moreouer to note another especiall vow of these men, which importeth, that they shall in all cases & in all places, obey their Generall & superior, who alwaies is a Spaniard & chosen by the K. of Spaine, as hitherto it hath alwaies fallen out: for among other the wordes of this vow, they haue these: that setting their eie vpō their Geneneral, they are to acknowledge in him, the person of Iesus Christ as present. From these vows & distinctions haue proceeded terrible enterprises: year euen most heynous attempts against the liues and persons of Princes, kings, and Queens, as the Histories of the low Countries, England, and Rome, do plainly testifie: wher­of also we wil speak somewhat toward the end of the raigne of Hemy y^e third. As touching the disorders happened in the two orders by thē deuised, which are termed, the one the great obseruants, the other the Iesse:Two decrees in the Iesuits sext, in fauor whereof, they may subdue all the world to the king of Spaine their Soueraigne. Maister Pasquier discoueret it at large, and time hath veresied it, adding these words: Seeing it is so (said he) that in their lesse obseruance, there is neither vowe of virgi­nitie, nor prouerbe, and therinto they receiue all kinds of people indifferent­ly, both Priests and Lay-men, married & vnmaired, & are not bound to be re­sident with the great obseruants, but permitted to dwell among the commō people, only that at certain fixed daies, they assembled at their cōmon-house, to be participants with their outward cerimonies, so that according to this lawe and rule, it is not impertinent to see a whole towne to be Iesuites. The communication which they haue togither by means of confessions, serueth to find out their booties, & to discouer the secrets both of great and small, and because they are particularly affected to the king of Spaine, their chiefe foun­der, for whom also they make particular, expresse, and ordinary prayers, it is not to be wondred at, if since that time, these new brethren both in France and elsewhere, haue sought and trauelled so much, to make him Monarch of all the world. Besides this, Maister Pasquier addeth, that the Iesuites alluring vs with faire promises, are ordained to gripe & lay hold vpō our goods, and to fil thēselues with our spoiles: that they are Sophisters, y^e are entred like fear­full foxes in the middle of vs, therin by proces of time, to raigne like Lyons: that as the auncient Orators and teachers of the people, by a kind of pleasing speech, by litle & litle got credite in Rome: so by litle & litle they ouerthrew the estate, as all Pollititians iudged: we must attend & expect no lesse of the Iesuites, if in the beginning both their race and roote be not extirped.

The aduise and decree of the Sorbon­nists against the Iesuites.In the same plea, he doth also insert the aduice and decree of the facultie of diuinitie of Parris, in the Colledge of Sorbonne, of the yeare 1554. importing as followeth. This new societie after a new waner attributing to it self only, an vnaccustomed title of the name of Iesus, so licentiously admitting all peo­ple, howsoeuer criminall, illegitimate, or infamous: vsing likewise no diffe­rence from secular Priests in their outward habit, in their tousure: in saying their canonical hours, either priuately, or singing the same publikely in the temples: in Cloyster, or in silence: in choise of meat & daies, in fasts, or in o­ther the seuerall laws & ceremonies that do distinguish & preserue the estates of religions, hauing attained so many & diuers priuiledges, intelligences & liberties, especially in regard of Masses & confessions, without distinction of place or persons, likewise in the question of preaching, reading, or teaching, to the great preiudice of ordinaries, Curats, & all other orders of Monks and [Page 182]Fryers, yea euen of Princes & temporal Lords: contrary to the priuiledges of the Vniuersities, and to the great oppression of the people, do seem to pol­lute the honestie of monasticall religion, to weaken the studious, deuoute, and necessary exercise of vertue, abstinence, cerimonies, and austeritie: yea euen to minister occasion freely to shrink from al other religions: to substract and draw away all obediēce & subiection due to ordinaries: doth wrongful­ly depriue both temporal & Ecclesiasticall Lords of their rights, & breedeth troubles in al estates, eyther pollicke or religious, and many quarrels among the commons: as suites, strife, discention, enuie, rebelliō, & sundrie schismes. Al these considerations, with many others, diligently wayed and examined, this societie seemeth dangerous to the estate of religion: a disturbance to the peace and vnitie of the Church: and subuerter of all mockerie, and an inuention tending rather to destruction then edification. Now let vs see what follo­weth.A bitter censure a­gainst the Ie­juiticall sect. There neuer was (faith M. Pasquier, who protesteth himselfe to be of the Romish church, in the faith wherof, he voweth to liue & die) inuented so partial & ambitious a sect: neither any whose propositions imported more pernicious consequence, then the Iesuites. In her principles she is a schisma­tick, & cōsequently an hereticke. Then doth he compare Ignace with Luther, & so cōcludeth, that Ignace is more to be feared them the other: for (saith he) mens consciences may easily be surprised & made drunken with the poyson of the Ignatians, and Iesuites, in that they account them to be the principall protectors of y^e Romish religion against all hereticques, whereof neuerthe­lesse they are the chiefe subuerters. Vnder pretence of supporting the church of God, they do subuert it, & wil at length vtterly ouerthrow it. Soone after, proceeding in his speech to the whole Court, he saith: I hope plainly to let you vnderstād, that this sect in all their propositions, worketh nothing but diuision between the christian and the Iesuit: between the Pope & the Ordi­naries, & between all other Monks & thēselues: that so long as they be tolle­rated, no Prince or Potentate can assure his estate against their attempts. This sect was founded vpon the ignorance of Ignace, & euer since, maintained and vpholden by the pride & arrogancie of his secretaries. After that, he reproa­cheth thē, terming thēselues Iesuits, do degrade the ancient christians, and blaspheme against God. Further, that in Portingal & the Indes, they term thē ­selues Apostles, saith: that as certain sectuaries in An. 1562. surnamed Iesuits, & others such proud persons, were ouerwhelmed by the iust iudgement of God: so we are to expect no other thing at the hāds of this mean sext of Iesu­its, what shew soeuer it maketh: that these Ignaciās, for attributing to them­selues y^e name of Iesuits, deserue a shameful death. And thē answering to the Iesuits vow, touching the Pope: Our faith saith he is otherwise. We in France acknowledge the Pope for supreme head of our church, with all due honor & deuotion: but in such sort, that he is subiect to the decrees of general coū ­cels: that he can enterprise no authoritie ouer our realm, nor against the M. of our kings, neither yet against y^e authoritie of the decrees of our Court of Par­liament, or to the preiudice of our diuosians in their confines and limits. And thervpō he saith:Iesuites chiefe crea­tures and right slaues to the Pope. that Iohn Gerson teacheth vs in one of his books, that we may well bee without a Pope in the church: that it is in the power of a generall Councel, to displace a Pope out of his seat, & therin to place an other, for the ordering of the affairs of the church, as in effect it was practised in the coun­cels of Constance & Basle. Thus hauing learnedly pleaded for the rights & pri­uiledges of the French church, he discouereth their subtilties, thefts, dissi­mulatiōs, [Page 183]impostures, & rauenings, shewing by diuers examples, that they are mutenous, sowers of troubles, Atheists, and mockers of God. And en­ding his plea, said to all the Court: You my Maisters that tollerate the Iesuits,Vertues of the Iesuites. True predi­tion. shall one day be the first Iudges of your owne condemnations, when by the meanes of your permissions, you shall perceiue the mischiefes that will en­sue, not onely in France, but throughout Christendome.

Aduocate Mesnil, who in this care pleaded for the kings Atturney, pro­pounded many matters against these sectaries, who hee sufficiently prooued to bee a plague to the Realme, but because of the kings voyage into Bayonne, and that the Queenes councels, and those of the house of Guise that ruled all, tender onely but to the ruine and ouerthrow of the Prince of Conde, the Ad­mirall, & those of the religion: the Iesuites proces was for that time ordered by the Councel, that is, layd vp by the walles. Afterward the second and third troubles, togither with the massacre ensuing, the Isuites set vp their crests in earnest, and compassed the straunge practises, whereof ensued the horrible tragedies that were played about the end of the raigne of Henry the third, as more at large shall appeare: wherewith this yeare ended. Now let vs consi­der what happened in the yeare 1567, when the troubles and miseries of France began againe.

1567 The king of Spaines in­tent against the low coun­tries.The king of Spaine not being able to indure the increase of those of the re­ligion in the lowe Countries, & much offended with them, for the breaking and throwing down of Images in Flaunders, Brabant, and other Prouinces, determined to proceed against them with fire and sword, not once regarding the priuiledges of the countrie, nor yet the cruel extortions and iniustices of his officers, against those of the religion, whose Ministers & principal rulers opposed thēselues by all the means the could, against the breaking of Ima­ges, thrown down by a small number of men, & such as were of no great ac­count, & in so short a time, that it seemed they had fallen of themselues. For the execution of this bloodie councel, which had bin decreed in the League made at Bayonne, Fernando Aluares de Tolede Duke of Alua, that had been his Agent in Bayonne, was established Liefetenant General, with most ample and expresse cōmission: who in the beginning of the spring, in An. 1567. accom­panied with his two sonnes, and great troupes of men, imbarking themselues at Barcelonne, in the month of May arriued at Genes: & with an armie of 9000.The Duke de Alue com­meth to tor­ment the low countries. Spaniards, 1000. light-horse, marched towards Millan. What followed therof, is at large set down in the Histories of the low Countries. The Q. and the Councel of France, vnder this pretence of the D. of Alues passage, made a certaine report to be giuen abroad, that it was to be feared, that the Spaniard would attempt somewhat against France, vnder pretence of going into Flan­ders: & thervpon began to leuy 6000. Switzers to keep the frontiers: but not long after, they were broght further into the realme, for the Duches of Par­ma was alreadie gone out of the lowe Countries into Italie, assoone as she re­ceiued intelligence of the D. of Alues imbarking. The Prince of Conde & the Admiral, with other Lords of the religiō,Sundrie councels hol­den by the Prince of Conde, before he entred in­to armes. calling to mind what had past since the edict of pacification, & perceiuing the Switzers to enter into the realme, and that the D. of Alue was alreadie arriued in the lowe Countries, assembled togither in small number, there they produced certaine letters intercepted from Rome and Spaine, wherein the practises how to roote out the professors of the reformed religion at one instant, were at large set downe.

In a short space they had three consultations of Vallery and Chastillon, where met some ten or twelue of the chiefest Gentlemen of the religion, to debate vppon the present accurrences, and to seeke all lawfull and honest meanes of safterie in so many terrors, without proceeding to the last refuge. In the first two, the opinions rested very diuers, neuerthelesse, rather by the Admirals counsell then otherwise, euery man was intreated a while to haue patience, and the rather for that in matters of such consequence, as wherevppon de­pended so many miseries and calamities, it was more necessary to be drawne in by necessitie, then to make too much haste, or vppon a greedie desire to runne on headlong: besides that, shortly matters would bee made more ap­parant: but in the last consultation they grewe into a greater heate.

For besides all passed calamities or imminent daungers, also that they of the religion were openly threatned, throughout most townes and Prouinces, that they should not long beare themselues so high, and that their time drew night to an end, they receiued more aduise out of sundrie places: and both the Prince and Admirall did plainely affirme, that they had expresse aduertise­ment from a certaine Courtier very well affected to those of the religiō, that there had been holden a most secret Councel: wherein it was concluded, that they should bee seized vpon: that the one should bee executed, and the o­ther detained prisoner: that at the same instant, two thousand Switzers, shuld enter into Parris: two thousand into Orleans: and the remainder into Pointiers: that the Edict of pacification should bee vtterly repealed, and an other made quite contrary to the same.

Heerevppon they grewe to earnest disputation: for whereas some vr­ged a speedie relolution of necessary defence, the rather because the forraine forces marched alreadie openly, for the vtter ruine of those of the religion throughout the realme: others that were not altogither so hotte, shewed, that albeit they perceiued the fire alreadie kindled, yet they could not see any water to quench it.

For if wee should, said they (as many times heeretofore) haue recourse to complaints, wee doo plainly finde, that so we shall sooner stirre vppe our aduersaries to more rage, then procure our selues any remedie. Againe, if we take armes, albeit it bee for our most iust, necessary, and vrgent defence, yet what obloquie, slaunder, and curses, shal we incurre at their hands, who al­thogh wrongfully do impute vnto vs the whole blame of whatsoeuer mise­ries may ensue, and will turne their rage, which they cannot inflict vpon vs, against our poore families scattered in sundrie places? And therefore sith of many ineuitable mischiefes, we are alwaies to chuse the least: it were better to beare the violence of the enemie, then by beginning with them to make our selues guiltie of a publicque and generall commotion.

Herevpon the la d'Andelot vrging the necessitie of the defensiue, amongst to­ther speeches, said: If ye linger and driue off, vntill ye bee banished into for­raine countries: cast bound into prisons: ouerrunne with multitude of peo­ple: contemned by the men of warre, or condemned by the authoritie of the greatest, all which is not now farre from vs: what good shall wee reape of our patience and former humilitie? what profit shall wee reape by our in­nocencie? to whom shall we complaine? nay, who will affoord vs the hea­ring? It is now time for vs to bee better aduised, and to haue recourse to the [Page]defensiue, which is no lesse iust thē necessary, neither are we to care thogh we be accounted the Authors of the warre: which is leuyed onely by tho [...]e, who in so many sorts haue broken all publicque couenants and agreements, and brought euen into our bowels, six thousand forraine souldiers, that haue alreadie in effect proclaimed it against vs. Now let vs likewise giue them so much aduantage, as to smite the first blowes, and so shall our mischiefes bee past all care.

And after many meetings and determinations had among them, heere­vppon they resolued vppon a prompt and readie defensiue resolution, wher­in there were diuers meanes disputed vpon, touching the execution there­of. In the end it was concluded, to rise in armes, and in that beginning of war to obserue foure things: the first, to hold but fewe townes but such as shuld bee of importance: the second, to raise a great armie: the third, to ouerthrow the Switzers, by whose meanes the Catholicques would alwaies bee Mai­sters of the field: the fourth, to assay if they could driue the Cardinall of Lor­raine from the Court, because many imagined that hee onely was the man, that still solicited the king to destroye all those of the religion. But touching the two last poynts, many and great difficulties were propounded, some al­leadging, that the Cardinall and the Switzers marched continually with the king, and that setting vpon the one, and seeking to feare the other, it would bee saide, that the enterprise had been made against the Maiestie of the king, and not against them. Yet in fine, they were confuted by this reply, that the effects would plainly shew, what the intent of the Prince and his associates was: as the euent manifestly shewed in the actions of Charles the seuenth, as then beeing but Dauphine, when he raised armes, yet neyther against his fa­ther nor the Realme.

Further, that it was well knowne, that the Frenchmen themselues neuer attempted any thing against their Prince. Lastly, that if this first successe fell out fauorably, that it would be the means to cut off the course of a long and troublesom war, because therby they shuld haue means to let the king know the truth of those things which were diguised vnto him: wherevpon might ensue the confirmation of the Edicts, specially when those that arme them­selues to preuent, shall finde themselues preuented.

The successe of the Prin­ces resolutionThis (as saith the Lord de la Noue in his discourses) was the resolution of the Lords and Gentlemen, that at that time were about the Prince, who (as hee addeth) albeit they were men of great experience, skill, valor, and wis­dome, yet al that they had so diligently pondered, and so well forecast, when it came to the effect, fell out wonderfull short of their expectation: whilest other things whereof they had so farre drempt, as thinking them ouer sure, or difficult, redounded to their good, and stood them in stead. A while be­fore, they resolued vpon this necessitie, as the Switzers marched on, first the Prince, and then the Admirall, made a iourney to the Court, where they de­clared each after other, to the king, to his mother, and to the Councell, that there was no reason, neither any iust occasion, to make this leuie of six thou­sand Switzers, & to bring them into the Realme, vnlesse paradu enture they had some pretence to imploy them vpon the ruine of those of the religion, of whom there were yet remaining a greater multitude then they imagined, whereof the late warres might beare witnesse: withall, that if their ene­mies [Page 186]practised ought but good, they would stand vpon their guard, and not haue their throates cut by theeues and perturbers of the publike peace: and heerevppon also they besought the king to take compassion of so many ho­nest families throughout his Realme: but they were denied and hardly in­treated: yea, the Prince at one time was in great hazard of his life: against whom the Courtiers had incensed the Duke of Aniou the kings bro­ther, who suddainly entered into a sharpe braule against him, seeking all oc­casions to do him a shrewd turne: but the Prince both wise and eloquent, aunswered him so pertinently to whatsoeuer the questions and violent com­plaints of him whom hee was to reuerence, who also was at that time inui­roned with those that would not sticke to strike, that the snare was broken, whereby hee escaped, and from that time came no more to the Court.

To returne to the successe of the enterprise of the Prince and his parta­kers, they were forced of necessitie eyther to oppose themselues against the cruell resolution of their enemirs in France, The Princes preceedings. or else to flie out of the Realme, and so to leaue so many thousands of hou sholds & families, to the mercie of their massacring enemies. For touching the first poynt, they determined to surprise three townes onely: that is, Lyons, Thoulouse, and Troys, all very com­modious for the warres. But the meanes vsed by those that tooke the charge vppon them, were not well effected, in regard they were ouer many peo­ple, and of small experience and sucfficiencie in such affaires, who held their consultations of that which should bee done while they lay in their beddes, or sat in their counting-houses. Touching their strength in field, those of the religion had more in the beginning then the Catholicques, but sixe weekes after the raising of armes, about the end of Septemb. they found themselues the strongest, whereby they constrained the Prince and the Admirall to seek refuge in Almaine from Duke Casimeire.

The execution against the Switzers succeeded but crosly, because it was discouered, and that the forces that should haue met in time and place say­led. The Cardinall of Lorraine saued himselfe in great haste, and fledde from the Court, and yet he kept his credite in the Court, being able to do as much absent, as present. To the contrary, the Prince and his partaker fell into great difficulties, by prouoking the hatred and collor of the king against them, be­cause through their meanes hee was constrained to go from Meaux to Par­ris, with great feare, although hee had sixe thousand Switzers about him; besides horsemen the Prince at his approaching hauing betweene foure and fiue hundreth horse at the most, neuerthelesse, it was put into the kings head, that he sought to attempt against his person, so that from thenceforward, he alwaies had a secret grudge against them. This entrie into the warre hauing had but a hard beginning for the Prince, other effects recompenced the de­faults of his former fortunes: but more by the particular motions and dispo­sitions of certaine Gentlemen and Inhabitants of Townes, then any Prece­dent deliberation: whereby it fell out, that those of the religion seized vpon Orleans, Auxerre, Soissons, and other places. The generall leuying of armes in one day by the Prince and his participants, did no little abash those of the contrary part: as also that with so small a number of horse, he durst approach so neare sixe thousand Switzers, whom he had charged betweene Me [...]x and Parris, yea and ouerthrowne them, if the Harquebusiers on horsebacke, [Page 186]whom hee attended, had kept their appoynted time, or if he had bin streng­thened with 150. horse out of Picardie, that came certaine houres too late. But the Prince not daring to venture vpon so great a troupe of Switzers,The Prince retireth to S. Dennis. that seemed a forrest, therein perceiuing too much hazard, and too small aduan­tage for him and his troupes, went vnto Saint Dennis with his troupes, where not long after, hee had more company, so that in fewe daies hee found him­selfe to be 2000. horse, and 4000. Harquebusiers strong, which not long af­ter were dispearsed: Monsieur d'Andelot sent with 500. horse towards Poissy, and Pontoise, to hinder those of Parris, that haue their victuals brought them by water. Many companies of foot marched toward Argentueil, Pont Charen­ton, and other places bordering on the same. The rest of the troupes were sent part to meete the troupes of Guyenne, that should enter into Orleans, sur­prised by Monsieur de la Noue, and part into other places where need required. So that the Prince and the Admiral staying at S. Dennis, with certaine Gentle­men, could not haue aboue 800. horse, and 1200. Harquesiers. The Con­stable had within Parris aboue 3000. horse, 12000. foot, and the sixe thou­sand Switzers, with artillerie and warlike ammunition, as much as he would desire, yet stirred not, fearing the hard resolution of the Prince his traine, who by their troupes dispearsed, seized vpon the passages both by water and land, wherevppon the Parrisians not vsed to fasting, beganne to complaine. The Prince hoped to constraine them to fight, and that his forces being vni­ted, if hee might bee victor, to bring his enemies vnto a more assured peace, then that hee made before: and if hee were ouerthrowne, the places which hee held vppon the riuer of Marne and Seyne, would serue him for his re­trait, staying for the Rutters that beganne to stirre, with his forces of Guyenne.

The Constable to the contrary, hauing taken the view of the Princes lodging and forces, determined to giue them battell, assuring himselfe to o­uerthrow thē without resistance: for that besides his number of men, being tenne for one, he had great store of Ordinance, and pikes, and a faire fielde well fitting for his troupes and cannons. All these disaduantages notwith­standing, disswaded not the Prince, but that hee, the Admirall Ienlis, and o­ther leaders of the religion, issued to assayle them. The battell beeing giuen vppon the tenth of Nouember, 1567.The battell of S. Dennis continued almost three quarters of an houre, night separating them: the issue beeing such, that those of the religi­on (that had aduanced themselues aboue a quarter of a League, entering with most strauge furie vppon their enemies, wearied with striking, their horses being breathlesse or hurt, namely that of the Prince slaine vnder him, and the Admiralles horse hauing borne him twise through the thickest of his enemies forces, beeing a very strong horse in the mouth, and in the beginning of the fight had broken his curbe, and yet neither of those two leaders hurt) were constrained to recuile, but retiring in good order, most of the Constables foote did little seruice, but the Princes playde their parts, the horsemen on both sides fighting with great courage.

The Constable himselfe was wounded to death, and died within short time after: and before hee died,Death of the Constable. connielled and desired the Queene to pacifie those troubles with all the speed she might; but shee followed other coun­sell, whereof shee and her sonnes haue had leisure to repent them, and died before shee had reeled vp her spindle.

The Prince thinking his enemies would haue set vppon him againe, to bee reuenged vppon a handfull of men, that had held them play vnder their no­ses, speedily sent for Monsieur d'Andelot, who about midnight returned to S. Dennis: and it was well for those of Parris (as their leaders affirmed) that hee came no sooner: for if hee had, it would haue fallen out hardly with them. After a little breathing, the leaders determined, that it would bee necessary for them to abate some of the Romish Catholicques pride and opinion of their aduantage, by shewing them, that those of the religion had sufficient courage, and called them to performe the battell.

Wherevppon the next day in the morning, they entered into the field with their small armie, marching towards the subburbes of Parris, and there stood certaine owers in order of battell, burning a village and some Wind­milles, in the open face of the Parrisians, that neuer once issued foorth, be­ing busied to burie their dead, to heal their wounded, & to suruey their cor­ners and companies: and to bee short, thought it no wisedome, to hazard themselues against those whom they perceiued to bee strengthened and so resolute to fight. But the Prince perceiuing, that the losse of one man would bee more to him, then one hundreth to his enemies, that daily increased, & that to stay longer so neare Parris, wold be the ouerthrow of his smal campe, the next day marched forward, towards Montereau, where the forces assem­bling at Orleans and Estampes, ioyned with him. To the contrary, the kings armie,Both the ar­mies in the field, & their exployts till the end of the yeare. whereof was Generall, Henry Duke of A niou, brother to the king, a young Prince, beeing as then about the age of sixteene yeares, assisted with a great number of Lords, Gentlemen, and Captaines, followed after the Prince, seeking occasion to giue him battell. The Protestants troupes of Guyenne and Poictou, composed of eighteen Cornets of horse, and three Re­giments of foote, vnder seuen and twentie Ensignes, as they marched tooke le Dorat in Limosin and Lusignan, and then tooke three peeces of artillerie out of Orleans, wherewith they battered and forced Pont sur Yon, taking it by assault: which done, they ioyned with the Princes armie, while the Duke d'Aumalle went into Lorraine, to meet the forces of Iohn VVilliam duke of Saxon, the Marquesse of Baden and others, that brought an armie of Rut­ters to ayde the Romish Catholicques: and that young Lansac marched into Almaine, to diuert the ayde which Duke Iohn Casimeire brought to those of the religion: on the other side, the Duke of Alue sent twelue hundreth horse and two thousand foote, vnder the conduct of the Counte de Aremberg, that ioyned with the D. of Aniou, notwithstanding the Prince marched towards Lorraine, constraining those of Bray, and Nogent vpon Sey [...], to giue him pas­sage, and tooke Espernay lying vpon Mar [...]: where for a time he stayed to as­semble all his forces. There young Lansac in his second voyage to Almaine was taken, and beeing brought prisoner to the Prince, all his businesse turned into smoke. In the moneth of December vppon some moti­ons of peace, there were two truces agreed vpon, each for two or three daies, to the end (as the voyce went) to conferre vpon the poynts propoun­ded. The first was neare to Montereau, and the other by Chaalons: but the last was like to haue bredde much mischiefe: for the Prince relying vppon the promises of his sworne enemies, rested in a very bad lodging out of the way, whiles their armie approached: And had it not beene for an enterprise, that [Page 189]the young Countie Brissac (a young Lord, by nature violent, and the Duke of Anious especiall fauoritie) had vndertaken against certaine companies of Argolets, vnder the Captaines Bois, Blossel, and Clery, who were then ouer­throwne: the Prince, who yet hoping vppon two daies respite, stirred not from that lodging, had surely beene intrapped and in manifest daunger: but Brissacks rashnesse saued him: and according to the prouerbe, mischiefe was good for somewhat.

The Prince waying the wrong that his enemies had wrought to their owne reputation, in weening to indomage him, determined no longer to trust their promises, (in which conceit notwithstanding hee did not long perseuer) vppon his conclusion in three daies space, hee made his armie to march aboue twentie long leagues, through the raine and such hard passa­ges, that it was wonderfull that the artillerie & baggage could euer follow: and yet lost neyther the one nor the other, so good was his order, and so great their diligence.

The Duke of Aniou followed not: for some of his Councell making great haste, perswaded him that his very name had driuen the Huguenots out of France: whereas such as were indeed warriors, did contrariwise accuse the cowardlinesse of those that had so suffered the Prince & his followers to es­cape, as not daring to fight with them, eyther weake or halfe strong. The Prince arriuing in Lorraine, stayed some fewe daies for his Rutters, not with­out some repugnancie and perplexitie of diuers.

VVarres re­uiued in di­uers places.This Negotiation, which was but a string to stay the Prince, that af­terward they might with greater aduantage ouerrunne him, beeing vani­shed on the one side, they beganne to take armes in Poictou and about Ro­chel, which euer since hath been a refuge to sundrie families of the religion, and so hath happily continued, as a barre to blocke vppe the purposes of the Romish Catholicques, and the instrument that God hath put in vse to con­found the infinite conspiracies of the enemies to the Crowne and state of France. On the other side, the Duke of Aniou (but ouerlate) sought all op­portunitie (which before hee had let slippe) to fight with the Prince and Admirall before they should ioyne with the Germaines, whom they went to meet in Lorraine, and of whom they receiued certaine aduertisement near to Pont a Mousson, from whence Duke Iohn Casimeire their Generall writ to the king, to desire him to thinke,The Prince ioyneth with his Germains that hee neuer determined to enter into France, for any his owne priuate good, or particular interest, but onely for the support of such as were afflicted for the same religion which himselfe professed, who had intreated him to ayde: protesting, that if it might please the king, to assure to them the libertie of conscience, and generall exercise of their religion, himselfe and all his troupes would presently retire.

Then fell there out great adoo about the satisfying of the Rutters, who looked to receiue a hundreth thousand Crownes at the least: heere were they put to their shifts, and forced of necessitie, to make a vertue: and when the Prince and Admirall had made vse of whatsoeuer their eloquence, both to great and small, vpon this extremitie they set all men a notable example, in that they parted with their owne siluer vessell. The Preachers in their ser­mons perswaded many, and the Captaines also prepared the mindes of their men.

Many Lords and Gentlemē likewise did most readily put their hands to their purses: the rest, some for loue, and some for feare, execeeded all expectation. So generall was this liberall contribution, that the meanest Page and veriest varlet gaue somewhat: yea, in the end it was thought a dishonour to haue beene sparing, and many offered more then was demaunded. In summe, the whole beeing gathered togither, both quoyne, plate, and chaines of golde,The Rut­ters in some sort conten­ted. it amounted to aboue foure score thousand Frankes, wherewith the Rutters were well quietted, and so ioyned with the Princes forces. Then was there a generall voyce, that it was best to drawe towards Parris, which was the apparant meanes to obtaine peace: as also their Leaders were not ig­norant, that for their better maintenance, it was requisite to prouide artille­rie, powder, mony, and other such commodities as are to bee wrested for the Marchant & Artificer: likewise, that vnlesse they drew towards Orleans, their true nurse, they should want those aduantages. Heerevppon they set forward,They drewe towardes Beausse. and passed ouer Marne, neare to the head thereof, not farre from Langres, and marching through Burgondie, at their passage ouer Seyne, were set vppon by certaine Italian and French, whom Schonberg with a Regiment of Rutters and French of the religion, charged & defeated, leauing the most of the assaylants dead in the place.

Hence the Prince drewe towards Creuant and Irancie, a small village ta­ken by assault, and so passed ouer the riuer of Yone, Loyne, and la Cure, and so set himselfe at large, maugre the many hinderances of the aduerse armie, which laboured as well to restraine him from any purchase, out of the villa­ges and small burroughs, and to finde opportunitie to cut off part of his ar­mie.

How they prouided for the victual­ling of the armie.In those daies did France abound in all sorts of victualles, which not­withstanding it stood the Prince and Admirall vppon, to search their wittes, and haue an eye, to the prouision & victualling of their armie, which con­sisted of twentie thousand men, vnpayed, and vnprouided of any succour or retrait into Townes: meanly furnished and marching through the middest of an infinite number of irreconciliable enemies. They tooke order there­fore to lodge their horsemen scattering in the good villages: also to cause the commissaries for victualles, besides their carriages, to keep in euery cornet, one Baker, and two horses of burthen, who presently vpon their comming to their quarter, should fal to baking, and send their bread to the body of foote­men.

These pettie commodities proceeding from fortie Cornets, being laide togither, was no small reliefe: besides that, they sent both flesh and Wine: yea the Gentlemen were so willing, that from their lodgings they would send them priuate carriages, to helpe to bring in the ammunition. As for the hamlets that were taken, they were reserued for the munitioners, and the rest that had no Garrisons, were threatned to bee burned one league round about, vnlesse they sent in some amunition. Thus the footemen, who lod­ged close, were vsually prouided for, besides the booties and other commo­dities, that the most aduenterous could catch frō the Romish Catholicques, that incroached too neare vpon them.

Their forme of lodging.Vpon two principall reasons, was the Prince forced to scatter his armie in diuers places: First for the benefite of victualling: next, to lodge them vn­der [Page 191]couert from the raine, snow, and other discommodities,Their form of lodging. wherewith they had beene spoyled, if they had lodged in the field. The footemen were lodged in two bodies, namely a battell and an Auantgard: and the horsemen in the nearest villages: vppon any alarme the horsemen drew to the Prince and Admirall, so that if any stragling lodging chanced to bee assaulted, it had present succour: among the cornets they had some store of Harquebusiers on horse, and presently after, the troupes were come into their quarters, the waies were sufficiently fortified, and many times they vsed both Churches and Castles, whereby to be able to hold out some two houres, that their suc­cour might come in. The Lord de la Noue, who in this discourse of the dis­cipline of the Princes armie, we do follow, saith: that sometimes he saw the Prince or the Admiral march with fiue or six thousand mē, to the rescue of a lodging assaulted by a contrary partie: but in such roads stil there fel out some losse on either side. Besides, for the preuenting of any notable surprise, the Prince had framed the head of his troupes towards the enemie, of fiue or six hundreth good horse, and as many Harquebusiers on horsebacke, with small store of baggage, except some horses of burthen, to the end stil to hold the e­nemie occupied, to hinder his enterprise, and to finde opportunitie still to giue warning to the whole campe, which bare it self vnder the discreet con­duct of their leaders. While the Princes armie in Beausse ioyned with the Rutters, making head against the puissant armie of the Duke d'Aniou, Troupes ga­thered in di­uers places for the prince who for his part had almost all the aduantages, onely not resolued to fight, Mes­sieurs de Acier, Sipierre, and other Gentlemen of Languedoc, Prouence and Dau­phine, gathered forces in diuers places, seizing vpon Nismes and Montpeslier: the Gascons rose vp in armes vnder the conduct of their Vicountes, and for­ced certaine places vpon the Romish Catholicques, and ioyning themselues with Monsieur d'Acier for the religion, for whom likewise Poncenat and Ver­belay, assembled certain troupes in Bourbonnois & Auuergne, which were bro­ken by the troupes of Guyenne, marching to the Duke d'Aniou. The Duke de Neuers likewise brought out of Italie, foure companies of lanciers, 2. compa­nies of light horse, & 6. companies of fantasins, & being arriued at Lyons, and strēgthened with new cōpanies, with 6000. Switzers new raised, he made an armie of 14000. men, with the which he besieged & took Mascon: The Duke of Nemours for the Duke Aniou. and certaine weeks after, being desirous to go see the Duches his wife, he was set vpō by 80. horse, & certain foot that issued out of Autrā, cōducted by Beau­nais, & Burgony. Between thē ther was som losse on both sides, the D. himself was hurt with a Harquebus-shot in y^e knee, y^t while he liued he went lame. In Guy. Messs. de Monluc with diuers others, followed with 4000. foot. & 700. horse, enterprised vpō y^e Iles of Sain. surprised & killed between 3. or 400. mē: which don, they determined to besiege Rochel, but their intēt being deferred took no effect. Mean time, the troupes of Dauphine & others, that held with y^e Prince, aduanced thēselues, being vnder the cōduct of the Vicounte Mouans & others, at Ganap in Auergne, ouerthrew al the horsmen of the countrie, as­sembled by S. Heram Gouernor, accompanied with S. Chaumont, Gordes, & o­thers: wherof y^e boldest were slain, the rest sauing thēselues with their heels: but in their retrait they found thēselues in a new mischief: for y^e hauing giuen charge & expresse notice to al strong towns, & other places therabouts, not to receiue any that fled, whatsoeuer liuerie he bare, vppon the vaine hope they had to haue the victorie. The Pesants made hauocke of thē, in such sort, that y^e troupes led by the Viscountes & others, ariued at Orleans, & cōstrained [Page 192] Martinenghe, Richelieu the Monke, & other leaders participants with the duke of Aniou, who before that, vsed to runne euen to the gates of the Towne, to seeke some lodging further off, and to keepe themselues in couert, and not contenting themselues to haue driuen them away, followed them: which done, they marched towards Blois, where Richelieu with eight hundreth men hath made his retrait,Blois taken. who at the first made some resistance: but perceiuing a breach to be made, they bled at the nose, and yeelded by composition, liues, armes, and goods saued: neuerthelesse, the Gascons not contenting them­selues to vse blowes, made such meanes, that Richelieus souldiers were for the most part spoyled of all they had, what meanes soeuer the horsemen made to impeach them. The Prince vnderstanding the arriuall of those troupes from Gascon and Dauphine, sent them word to bee in a readinesse: and to those of Orleans, that they should prouide powder, bullets, and three or foure batte­ring peeces.The siege of Chartres. After that, he sent three thousand horse, aboue 20. leagues from thence, to besiege Chartres, a towne of great importance, and one of the barnes of the prouision of corne to serue Parris, which being taken, serued the Prince in some sort, to preserue the places that laye behinde him. Mon­sieur de Lignieres commaunded therein with 22. companies, that were streng­thened by a regiment of foot, that lay about 4. myles frō thence, that got in­to it before the Prince had executed his pretence. The manner of this siege was diuers, because the Prince had but 5. peeces of batterie, & 4. small col­uerins, which did no great matter, specially against so many soldiers as were in it. Also in two daies & two nights they made such trauerses and trenches, that no man durst force them: but it was concluded, that a batterie should be made against a place that seemed very weake. The Duke of Anious armie lay on the other side of the riuer of Seine, but would not hazard it selfe, nor once approch the Princes campe, assaying neuerthelesse to aide the besieged, who in fine would haue been taken. Therfore to refresh them, he sent M. de la Valette, a valiant Captaine, with 8. cornets of horse, with charge to surprise some of the enemies lodgings, to indomage their forrages, to cut their vic­tuals frō them, & to molest & wearie the Princes forces by continual alarms. He to execute his commission,The Duke of Anious Cor­nets ouer­throwne. approached within 4. leagues of the campe, lodging very close, from whence he began to make his courses. The Admi­rall being aduertised therof, tooke vpon him to preuent it, and as he alwaies vsed to march with a good companie, fearing (as he said) to loose the praye, he chose 3500. horse, & departed in so good time, that at sun rising he found himselfe in the middle of the quarters of those 16. cornets of horse, that were charged with such force, by M. de Nouy, that marched before the Admirals troupes, that diuers of them being laid vpon the ground, & 4. cornets taken, the rest were put to flight. La Valette lodged in the town of Houdan, reassem­bled 4. or 500. horse, & made a reasonable good retrait: but after that, neither he, nor any of the rest of his troupes, would once approach so neare, fearing a new charge.A new moti­on of peace. The Q. foreseeing of what importance the taking of the town of Chartres would be, begā to parley of a peace, saying: that in time of neede she would do more with three sheets of paper, then all her souldiers could do with their armes. The Prince sent the Cardinall de Chastillon, with certain Gentlemen, to meet with the Q. Deputies at Loniumeau hard by Parris, where in few daies a second edict of peace was framed, whereof the first article im­ported, that those of the religion shuld enioy the first edict purely & simply, [Page 193]and that it should bee executed in euery poynt and article, according to the forme and tenor, taking away and abolishing all restrictions, modifications, declarations, and interpretations, made since the day and daie therof, vntill the publication of this second edict, made the three and twentieth of March, 1568. there were diuers other articles in this edict full of many faire words and promises. As a good peace was much desired, beeing most necessary, so in the meane time, few men considered well what this might bee:Discourse vppon this matter. but as if the name had been like to the effect, most part of those of the religion stayed vppon it, saying that it would be necessary to accept it, not considering the euill will hatched in the king against them: the subtilties of the reuenging spirit of the Queen-mother, the hopes and triumphs proposed to the Duke of Aniou, capital enemie to the Prince: the intents and deuises of the house of Guise against that of Chastillon: the furies of the Cleargie and the Frenchmen, against those of the religion: who without waying these things, with an in­finite number of others, thought their sworne enemies would leaue armes assoone as themselues. [...]his inclination euil desiested, constrained the Prince and the Admirall to consent to the receiuing of paper, perceiuing so great a disposition (specially in the Nobilitie) to accept it: which was as a tempest that bare them away, not beeing able to resist it. It is true, that the Prince be­ing a friend to peace, had likewise some inclination thervnto: but the Admi­rall perceiued the infruction thereof, and that this edict was but a snare to intrap both great and small. For that as then certaine babling Romish Catho­licques could not refrain to say, that the day of their reuenge approached. A Gentleman that accompanied the Cardinall of Chastillon, sent word that hee had oftentimes heard such speeches, & perceiued a great indignatiō hidden in the hearts of some of the Deputies for the Queen, & that they shuld looke vnto it: as being a signe and foreshewing of some sinister chance. Likewise there were some of the Court, as wel men as women, who sometimes gathe­red words cast out vpon the suddain, that sent vnto their kinsmen & friends in the Princes campe, to certifie them, that without all doubt they shuld be deceiued, if they wrought not wisely, which in a maner was to waken those that desired nothing but to sleep vpon the soft pillow of peace. But what ad­uise soeuer was giuē, it was impossible to stay that tempest of minds, ensuing in Masse of mischiefes, shadowed with the vaile of a royall pacification.

If any man thinke it straunge, how these two commaunders that had so much credit with their participants, could not as then perswade thē for their benefits, let them consider what voluntarie souldiers are, and the great de­sire man hath to returne vnto his house, and then hee shall well perceiue, that it is wholly beyond mans power, to staye such as were borne away with so impituous a storme of humane passions. Before the siege was raised from Chartres, many whole cornets, and diuers particular persons,The Prince is constrained to accept the peace. departed without leaue of their superiors, marching towardes Saintonge and Poitou. This humour entered among the footemen, specially those that dwelt farre off, and many of them said: seeing the king offered the last edict of pacificati­on, they could not refuse it.

Some of the Nobilitie desired to returne into their Prouince, for the preser­natiō of their families sacked by the enemy. The footmē also cōplained that they were not payd, & that they wanted victuals: so that the commanders of [Page 194]those of the religion, could not sticke vnto the aduises giuen vnto them, nei­ther yet refuse the peace: because their forces beganne to diminish. Their reason was, that the body of their French forces forsaking them, they should bee constrained to put themselues to defensiue warre, which they esteemed not to be good for them, seeing as then it was in the month of March, a time when commonly all armies vse to enter into the field, to separate the Rut­ters, and so to distribute them in their townes, was as much as to deuoure themselues: and to incampe in a strong place, would bee a remedie but for a time. So that to conclude, they resolued, that of force they must hazard that posted and most daungerous peace, which would constraine those that as then left their campe, to acknowledge (but too late) their fault commit­ted. Then they could well haue desired to haue had some townes of the as­surance: but when they asked other assurances then the Edicts, promises, and oathes, the Queene, her sonnes, and their Councellors, cast fire out of their mouthes, crying out and saying: that those of the religion sought to despise, and not account of the kings authoritie. To be short, and euill shame caused them to receiue a peace in paper, couerture of a bloodie war, which stayed not long to shew it selfe. The peace beeing published in the Princes campe, Duke Iohn Casimeir speedily made haste to returne into Almaine with all his forces.VVhat en­sued of this peace. The Prince, the Admirall, and all the Lords and Gentlemen of their side, with their horse and foote in small troupes, returned to their houses, laying downe their armes, leauing the places by them holden for the space of sixe months: those of least consideration, thinking their enemies wold do the like. They cōtented thēselues only to promise it, alleading according to the doctrine of their church, that they are not to hold faith giuē to hereticks: for so they esteemed those of the religion. Presently therfore assoone as they had Orleans, and other towns into their possession, presently order was taken, that those of the religion should not bee able to set soot in them againe, their weapons neuer went out of their hands, but beganne to keepe the townes, to make war, place Courts of guard, and Sentinels, as in time of open war, to set Captains & souldiers at the entries of bridges & passages of riuers, not suffering any man either on horse or foot to passe, without examining him: sacked and murthered in the fields and townes, more men in the space of six weekes, then they would do during the space of sixe monthes. To be short, before the end of the month of May,Preparation for the third ciuill warre. those of the religion for the most part, found themselues inclosed within townes, or betweene riuers, expecting nothing else but when they should be murthered: and some of them that had been so instant for the peace, were then constrained to acknowledge, (but somewhat too late) that they must of force drinke the cup of their owne fol­lies. The Prince had withdrawne himselfe to his Castle of Noyers, a small Town weak and vnfurnished of men: where from day to day, he had intelli­gence from all places, that the passages of all riuers were stopped, that almost all the D. of Anious horsemen remained about Parris, with fiue or six thou­sand foote, vnder pretence of new guards for the persons of the king, his mo­ther, his bretheren, and their Capitall towne: that Monsieur de Tauannes was sent with great forces to take him in Noyers, which made him to knowe, that his affaires went not well, and that there was no remedie, but of force to seek to saue himselfe in some place of better assurance. The Admirall not daring [Page 195]to remaine in his house of Chastillon sur Loing, being but three daies iourney from Parris, went to lye at Tanlay, a small Castle belonging to Monsieur d'An­del [...]t his brother, from whence hee went to lye nearer to the Prince, that they might cousult together what was expedient for them to do, and as hee went, there happened [...] straunge and memorable thing vnto him: which was, that in the way to Auxerre, hard by a village called Moulin, there is a pond, which the [...]dmirall approaching, a certaine olde man, one of his ancient and faith­full seruants, called Grippier, a man that had made many great and long voy­ages at sea, discouering a darke cloude, driuen by the winde, and that came towards tha [...] pond, perswaded his Maister to make haste,Anotable accident. and with all speed to get into the next village, otherwise, he said a storme was comming, that would ouerthrow both him and his companie: which done, and thinking hee would haue beleeued and followed him, in great haste hee went on before. And being scarse out of sight, the Admirall hauing hardly past the end of the Causies that past ouer the pond, he was taken with a tempest and force of winde, that many horsemen were ouerthrowe, and diuers horses stricken to the ground, wherewith their fell a hayle so thicke and great, that the force thereof, hurt many of them. The winde blew away the Admirals hat, which they could not finde againe, but one of his Gentlemen was con­strained to send him his hat, & he himselfe was hurt, but (very lightly) vpon the ancle of his foote, with a haile-stone. So that both hee and his compa­ny confessed, that if the tempest had taken them in the middle of the Causie, they had surely bin vtterly cast away. The tempest past, the Admirall incou­raged his men, giuing hartie thanks to God for his deliuerance, adding these words: Before long time be past, we shall be inuiroued with many dangers, but I trust God will defend vs. Being arriued at Noyers, although both the Prince and be well perceiued that their continuance in y^e place, was a means to sharpen the euill wils of their enemies,What means the Prince vsed to staie the third ci­uil warre. notwithstanding to omit nothing of their duties, they sent diuers messengers to the king, wherby they shewed themselues to be assured & certified, that his M. sought to apprehend them, humbly besoght him to haue pittie vpon his countrie of France, sacked & de­solated by the two former ciuill wars, without seeking by the ruine & ouer­throw of his realme, to quench the fire which those of Guise kindled therein, as also that it wold please him wisely to preuent the danger then approching. The Admiral likewise wrote to the Ladie Margaret of France, Duches of Sa­uoye, whom he knew to be beloued of the Queen-mother, desiring her most instantly, to oppose her selfe against the desolatiō of the realm of France. The answeres from the Court were shadowed with excuses, protestations,The Admi­rals Letters to the Du­ches of Sa­uoy. and promises: mean time, Tauanes an old seruant to the house of Guise, & not long after, made Marshal of France, ariued in his armie, therwith at one instant to inclose both the Prince & the Admiral within Noyers, the Councels resolu­tion being to besiege & force them, before they could procure ayde frō any place, the passages being shut vp. These vnfaithful deuises being discouered vnto y^e prince & the Admiral, by diuers of those y^t were of the same enterprise, they determined with all speed to dislodge from that place, & in great hast to get to Rochel, that wold not opē their gates vnto y^e troupes which the Marshal de Vieleuille thoght to put therin, the Inhabitāts being aduertised y^t they shuld be spoiled because of the religiō which they defēded, togither with their an­cient [Page 196]rights and priuiledges,The Prince and the Ad­mirall readie to be taken, saue them­selues. which wholly exempted them from all Garrisons, and other warrelike forces, wherewith kings helpe themselues to vse other townes at their pleasures: which to doo, they were to passe the riuer of Loyre, beeing very high, and about the beginning of Sommer, the Prince was likewise constrained to take the Princesse his wife, and sixe small chil­dren with him, among the which, one was of the age of eleuen months and certaine daies.

Their dis­commodities because of their passage ouer the LoirThe next day they were followed by the children of the Admirall, and Monsieur d'Andelot, who hatting trauersed the riuer of Loire in Berry, met with the horsemen, that conducted them. At which time happened a straunge thing, for the Prince making his account suddainly to passe ouer in an vnac­customed place, with two or three small boates hired for the purpose, being come to the riuer not farre from Sancerre, his men found a shallowe foord, which he past ouer, followed by fiftie horse, the Princesse, her women, chil­dren, and seruants, passed ouer in the boates, but they were scarce gotten out, when suddainly the day beeing cleare and faire, the riuer rose in such sort, that they of Sancerie, & other Inhabitants of those countries, were con­strained to acknowledge a particular fauour of God shewed to that small troupe, which had beene preuented, if the Prince had deferred his passage but two houres longer. Beeing ouer, he dispatched messengers Monsieur d'Andelot into Brittaine, desiring him to raise all the men hee could, and to march towards Poitou.

The Queene, those of Guise, and their Councellours, vnderstanding that the Prince and the Admiral were escaped, greeued that they had no soo­ner sent Tauannes their Deputie in that action, beganne to send commissions into all parts, appoynting their troupes to meete in Poitou and Cuyenne, while the Duke d'Aniou Generall of the armie, tooke his leaue of the Ladies in the Court, and that preparation was made for his departure. It fell out well for the Prince and the Admirall, that they were not speedily pursued, and that they had such aduersaries, who for the first weeke of their retrait, con­tented themselues to laugh and iest, saying: that the Prince had no neede to make such haste to bee gone, for that their meaning was, not to hurt him. But his aunswere to such as tolde him of it, beeing vppon the way, was, that hee had rather leaue them the emptienests, then they should take the birds: and if that hee had well thought vppon the promise made by them, to be re­uenged for their flight from Meaux, and to make those of the religion runne their towne, he had departed in a better time, that he might haue trauelled with ease. The collor of the Queen, her children, their adherents, & Catho­licques, at the beginning of these wars, discharged it selfe vpon diuers par­ticular persons of the religion,Hard vsage of those of the religion. who in Orleans and other places, were pilled, sacked, and cruelly put to death. The Prince arriued in Rochel vpon the 19. of September, hauing in his way certified those that commaunded in the Townes and Prouinces where hee past, that hee ment not to vndertake any warre, but onely to stay for an answere to the petitions by him sent vnto the king: the Gentlemen of high & base Poitou, not long after, assembled them­selues to ioyne with him: at the same time, the Cardinall de Chastillon was con­strained to leaue Beauuaisin, & yet so swiftly followed to the sea side, that being constrained to leaue his company, he entred into a ship, that bare him safely [Page 197]into England. The Queene of Nanarre, Retrait of the Cardinal de Chast [...]lion, and of the Queene of Nauarre and her children. taking with her the Prince her sonne, and the Princesse her daughter, went likewise to Rochel, so to auoyde the pretences and intents of her enemies, against her and hers: Descars and Monluc, that commanded at Perigord, Limosin, and Guyenne, vsed all the means they could to hinder her: but the troupes that conducted her, hauing three Regements of foote, and eight Corners of light-horse, assured her way, wherevppon shee certified the king, the Queene, the Duke of Aniou, and the Cardinall of Bourbon, of the causes of her voyage.

The deporte­ments of the Prince at Rochel.Immediately vpon the Princes arriuall at Rochel, where his brother the Counte of Roche foucaud was come a little before, he assembled the Citizens, and vnto them represented the miserable estate of the realm, requiring their succours in defence of religion, the Common-wealth, and the Crowne of France. Withall, promising particularly to assist them against al such as sought the oppression of their liues and liberties.

The Maior in the behalfe of all the Cittizens, whose affaires hee com­mended vnto him, offered him their liues and goods, as also the eight and twentieth of September following, hee did to the Prince of Nauarre, as well inregard of his Lieftenancie in Guyen, as also in hope that hee should inherite his Parents, not onely in lands and liuings, but also in the loue and fauour that they alwaies had borne to the Rochelers, whereof hee assured them. The Lord d'Andelot the foure and twentieth of September,The aduen­tures of the Lord d'An­delot in com­ming to ioyne with the Prince. entered the confines of Brittaine and Maue, with foure Cornets, one company of Argoletiers, and foure Ensignes of footemen, where hee found many other leaders, so that his whole companie amounted vnto a thousand good horse, and two thou­sand harquebusiers.

With these troupes, Andelot coasted towards Loyre, to finde some com­modious passage, whereby to ioyne with the Prince. The same day that he gat to the riuers side, and within two houres after that his men had taken vp their lodgings in the scattered villages, the Duke Martiques Gouernour of Brittaine, going towards Saumur to the Duke of Montpensier, had intelli­gence that sundrie troupes of enemies (not naming who) had taken vp their lodging in his way. Hee had but three hundreth launces, and fiue hundreth braue Harquebusiers, with whom he passed couragiously through all d'An­delots troupes, who in regard they lay scattered, were not able either to de­feat him, or to force him to retire, so that hauing marched eight leagues, and had sundrie skirmishes, by the shutting of the night, hee gat to Saumur, hee and his men, with the losse of some twentie men, among others of his Lieftenants: but by the way slewe fouretimes as many, and carried away an Ensigne.

This was the fruite of his close & orderly march, togither with his reso­lution worthie a graue & wary leader: neither could this surprise or abridge d'Andelot of his hope to passe ouer the riuer of Loire: for hauing reassembled his forces into two troupes, hee caused the riuer to bee gauged all ouer, so that at the last hee found a foord, where neuer any man in our memorie had passed: there did hee and his, with great joy for this vnexspected good hap, passe the riuer the next day.

Before this foord was found, as the Lord de la Noue demaunded, in case the passage were stopped, what they were best to resolue vpon: What shuld [Page 198]we do (said he) but follow an extreame resolution, either to die as souldiers, or to saue our selues as souldiers?A braue re­solution in necessitie. adding moreouer: I thinke it best for vs to ioyne togither, and so to retire some seuen or eight leagues into the open countrie, thence to scatter some rumours, whereby the Duke de Montpensier and Martigues, may bee aduertised of our departure in manner of a flight, euery man seeking to saue one, for this will easilie bee beleeued. In the mean time. let vs prepare and encourage our men to the field: so that if they drawe after vs (as vndoubtedly they will, in hope rather of spoyle then of battell) we may valiantly encounter them: so shal we giue them such an ouerthrow, that wee shall not need to feare any troupe, that may dare to meete vs for one months space, but that we may at ease either passe the riuers, or get into Ger­manie.

Martiques by this passage purchased great honour: but d'Andelot more commoditie by his, by bringing himself & all his troupes into safetie, wher­by within eight daies hee ioyned with the Prince. Then was there sundrie consultations about their affaires, how to imploye both men and the time, whilest they leuyed a mightie armie for the duke of Aniou, and that the duke of Montpersier assembled diuers troupes in Anion, and the countries therea­bout, to go to it in earnest. The Prince bringing some cannons out of Rochel, set vpon such townes of Poitou and Xaintongue, The Princes first exployts. as were but weake and mean­ly furnished with Garrisons: seizing vpon Nyort, Fontenay, S. Maixaut, Sain­tes, S. Iohn d'Angely, Ponts and Coignac, Depuys, Blay, and Angoulesme, whereof some were gotten easily, and others by force and assault. To be short, with­in two months space, the Prince and his partakers, of poore vacabondes as they were at the first, became so wealthie, that they were able to continue a long war. In al these places they lodged some thirtie companies of footmen, and seuen or eight cornets of horse, which was a great sauing for the fielde, and they formed a most pollitieque & militarie order as wel for the French, as for the conduct of their armie. Thus throgh necessitie, togither with oc­casion, they of the religion found meanes to make vse of both: and the Ad­miral was wont to their aduenture, to attribute the ancient prouerbe of The mislocles, saying to his familiers: Had we not been lost, we had been lost: Meaning, that had they not committed an ouersight, they had not had so great a reco­uerie, as that which did farre surpasse their former condition. The delaies of the Romish Catholieques stood the Prince in great stead. But if in time they had foreseen, that those whō he had caused to dislodge in so great hast, went to settle themselues farther off,The delay of the one, ser­ued for the others good. and made speede to impeach them, by all ap­parance the Prince had remained inclosed within Rochell, and the wars had not cōtinued. But god by those obscure beginnings, made an entrie into the notable iudgements which after that appeared. It may be, that the ioy they had at Parris, to see the Townes and Prouinces left, which had made so long and hard war against the Parrisians, during the first & second troubles, made diuers of their harts so much in flamed, that they disdaind their enemies that were so far off, esteeming that Rochel alone could not resist them, but y^• with­in 3. month, after, they shuld be inclosed therin: which discourses are com­monly made when our prosperitie is geater then we expect. The Q. and her Councelors presently caused an edict to be published at Parris, Edicts a­gainst those of the religi­on. by y^• which, after a long declaration made, touching things happened to the realme, by [Page 199]of the religion, the king among other things, declared, that the Edict of ia­nuary, by the which he promised the exercise of religion, was but prouisio­nall, vntill his Maioritie, and that hee was not determined to haue the E­dict made, before that touching the religion should be any more obserued.

For which causes beeing atiained to the said age of Maioritie, hee fore bad all exercise thereof, in the countries of his obedience: commaunding with­out reuocation, that there should be no other exercise of religion, but one­ly that of the Romish Church, vpon paine of losse of bodie and goods. And vppon the same paine, commaunded all the Ministers of the religion, to de­part out of the Realme, within fifteene daies after the publication thereof: commaunding neuerthelesse, that those of the religion should not in any sort be troubled for their consciences, so they would liue peaceably in their houses.

At the same instant an other edict was published, certifying, that from thencefoorth, the king intended not to bee serued with any offices, beeing of that profession, from that time forward discharging them of all their offi­ces, commaunding them to yeelde them vpto him within fifteene daies af­ter, otherwise hee would take some stricter order therein.

These Edicts had been long hatching: but their hope was to intrappe the Prince and the Admirall:The effects of such edicts wherein hauing failed to get mony of the Clear­gie and the third estate, the Queene and those of Guise serued themselues with this deuise, which was to no great end. For that besides the great charges of the Duke of Anious armie, wherewith the most dearest Catholicques were twise greeued and offended, before the warre was halfe ended, diuers of the religion entered into the field, who otherwise would haue stayed the rest and quietnesse promised them by the king, and not haue left their houses. But at this alarme they assayed to ioyne with the troupes: further, the com­maunders sent certaine declarations into England and Almaine, to shewe, that they were not pursued as seditious persons, or such as desired a Crown, (as their aduersaries reported) but onely because of the religion, which the Romish Catholicques sought to extirminate France: which serued thē well, for the furtherance of the leuie of Rutters, which the next yeare came into France, vnder the conduct of the Duke de Deux Ponts. Also there were many about the king, the Queen, and the Duke of Aniou, that desired nothing else but to see all the countrie flaming with fire: some to robbe and spoyle with­out punishment: others to execute their vengeances and reuenges: the Pen­sionaries of Spaine, to cause the Frenchmen to cut each others throat, those of Guise by litle and litle to attaine to the aduancement of their deseignments, which discouered themselues in the end of the raigne of Henry the thrid, as you shall read.

After these Edicts, the Duke of Aniou made preparation for all things necessarie for his voyage, and so puissant an armie, whereof by the king hee was made Lieftenant generall. That which increased the Princes troupes, was the Regiment of foot, which Monsieur d'Acier brought out of Dauphine, Prouence, and Languedoc, not long before the Prince had written vnto him, as also to diuers Captaines in those Prouinces, that they should vse all the means they could, to prouide him a certaine number of men, therewith to withstand the armie royall, that came to assayle him: that the Princes, Lords, [Page 200]and other commaunders, might not indure so great disaduantage, to bee as­sieged within a towne: and it fell out so, that Acier, Mouuans and others, not neglecting this commaundement, made so great a troupe of men,Forces out of Dauphin, Prouence, and Langue­doc, for the Prince. as it see­med that they had wholly vnpeopled those three Prouinces, hauing at the least sixteene or seuenteene thousand Harquebusiers marching along. Gour­des, Gouernour of Dauphine, vsed all the meanes hee could to impeach their passage ouer the riuer of Rhosne: but they hauing seized vppon diuers places that might bee commodious for them, and with ease crossing that great ri­uer, went to Allais, and so marched towards Millaud to enter into Perigueux. Now as on the one side, this troupe of footemen was the strength of the Princes armie, so was it the cause of the losse of diuers places, which the Ca­tholicques seized vppon after the departure of Acier and other commanders, whereof diuers repented themselues to haue leuyed so many men, whereof the halfe would haue sufficed, marching close and in good order: but the iealousie among the principall leaders, the staying of some, and the aduaun­cing of others, was the meanes that they could not ioyne with the Prince, before they had receiued a hard checke: two of their regiments beeing de­feated by the Duke de Montpensieur, because that Mouuans and Pierre Gourdes Collonels, perceiuing themselues hindered by lodging so close as they had done, till they were not farre from Perigort, sought to separate themselues and lie in a village called Mensignac, beeing of opinion, that with two thou­sany Harquebusiers they might withstand a whole armie. Mouuans had both valour and pollicie, as much as any Captain of footmen euer had in his time. But his courage caused him at that time to take vpon him too great a charge: for beeing set vpon on all sides,The ouer­throwe of Mouans & Gourde. and by sixe times as many men, yet he refu­sed not to fight valiantly: but in fine, both hee and his companions were slaine in the field, with the number of a thousand of their men, and to im­peach Acier, lodging about two small leagues from thence, with sixe thou­sand foote, from comming to ayde them, at the same time that Mouuans was charged by the Dukes footemen, they sent eight or nine launciers and diuers Harquebusiers on horsebacke towards Acier, that cried battell, and made a great noyse with trumpets.A stratagem to hinder aide Whereat Acier was so much busied to looke vn­to himselfe, that in the mean time Mouuans and his troupes sustained the force of their enemies, selling their liues as well as they might, in such sort, that the Catholicques lost aboue a hundreth men, and were so moyled with the fight and the trauell their horse had made at that same day, that they could not pursue nor charge Aciers troupes, abashed at the report of those that had escaped, that made the Duke of Montpensiers forces to bee farre greater then they were.

What the two armies did lying so neare togi­ther.After this ouerthrow of Mouuans, the Duke of Montpensieurs armie retur­ned to Chastelleraut, as fearing least the Prince beeing growne so strong, by the arriuall of the Dauphinois of their companions, should haue set vpon him in some place of disaduantage. There he found the Duke of Anion, accom­panied with very resolutetroupes, and a great number of Noble men and Captaines greatly affectionate to this poore Prince. There had not been ma­ny daies seene two such armies of French men. The Prince of Conde, his pla­ces furnished, had eighteene thousand Harquebusiers, and three thousand good horse. In the Dukes armie they had no lesse then tenne thousand foot­men, [Page 201]besides the Switzers, and foure thousand lances: so that on both sides there were fiue and thirtie thousand Frenchmen, all trained men, and perad­uenture as good souldiers as any in Europe.

They of the religion considering their strength, endeuored to haue come to handie blowes, and came within two leagues of Chastelleraud, but the Prince beeing giuen to vnderstand, that the other campe was lodged in a very conuenient place, and almost inuironed with a small marish, holpen with some sleight intrenchment in diuers places, would not make any rash attempt, but soght all other meanes to drawe his enemie to the field.The Prince seeketh bat­tell, and way. Heere­vnto was he especially inuited, in regard as well of his number, as their for­wardnesse, withall, fearing that such armies wanting scope sufficient, could not continue or hold any long time: besides that, the winter, which this yeare was most extreame, would soone duminish the same. The Romish Catholiques were not altogither so outragious, but expected a supply, withall, thinking themselues able in time to wearie their enemie, and by litle and little to breake them.

The two leaders were very desirous to ioyne, namely the Duke of Aniou, who fretted mightily to see so many men at the Princes commaund: besides that, he heard that the Germaines were bustling and preparing in the spring to come into France for him.

Moreouer, they both had one intent, namely, each to liue vppon the enemies countrie, and so to spare their owne from the extreame waste com­mitted by the man of warre. But the prouidence of the almightie,The purposes of both the leaders. would not permit the French to put in execution the mallice of their harts: for had they then buckeled, the sinues of the kingdome had been cut in peeces, and by all likelyhood it had been past recouery, and beene made a pray to any mightie forraine enemie, that lists suddainly to haue seized thervpon. Now let vs be­holde how his wise prouidence ordered all matters at that time. Both the armies breaking vp, drewe towards Lusignan, neare wherevnto there lyeth a smal quarter most fruitfull, where each pretended to lodge:The Admi­rall and his brother in danger of an ouerthrow. and albeit they were so neare togither, yet did not the one know of the other, whereby it fell out, that the generall Rendez-vous of both armies, was appoynted in a great Burrow called Pampron, some fiue leagues from Poictiers, a town plen­tifully prouided of victuals, where the Marshals of both the campes met in maner at one instant with their troupes, so that twise or thrise they driue and were driuē, each side coueting that lodging which at length was abandoned. But knowing that they should be relieued, neither side would flie, but took their stands, some quarter of a league off, where they put themselues in ar­ray: for the support of the one side, came the Admiral and his brother with fiue cornets of horse: and for the Duke of Anious part, some seuen or eight hundreth launces.

Now are wee not said the Admirall, to stand vppon lodgings, but to fight, and so suddainly aduised the Prince heereof, who was a long league behinde, willing him to come forward, whilest hee kept the enemie playe. Then did he set his men in order vppon a little rising, the rather to take from the Romish Catholicques the sight of a small valley, whereby they might haue had a perfect view of him, as also to make them thinke that the said val­ley [Page 202]had been full both of horsemen and footmen. Standing thus within can­non shot each of other, the Admirall commanded a Captaine of Argoletiers, to march some fiue hundreth paces, and there to stay near vnto a hedge: but as such men are not alwaies of like wisedome, courage, and readinesse, the one halfe immediately made to the skirmish, whom their Cornet followed to relieue them. The Duke of Martigues, leader of the other side, weening that they would haue fought, stood close, and sent forth three or foure squa­drons of lanciers. The Admirall and his brother greeuing that they had not foreseene the folly of this Captaine of the Argoletiers, wist not wherevpon to resolue, because they saw the enemie much stronger then themselues: but comming to giue their opinions, they both concluded contrary to their cu­stome and nature. Andelot a knight without feare, and one that neuer found any thing too hotte,A notable example of the infirmitie of mans iudgement in matters of importance. though it best to retire a soft pace, and so giue a foyle to the enemie, that was much stronger then they, which was to bee preserred before the danger, which being once auoyded, besides the profit, they shuld also reape honour. The Admirall thought it better to staye, and with a good face to hide their weaknesse, and thervpon immediately called back his skir­mishers, wherevpon the enemies lanciers made at. This counsell had best successe, notwithstanding the other seemed the better, and of more safetie. For Martiques afterward gaue out, that had hee knowne the Admirall and his bretheren to haue been so weake, it should haue cost him the liues of all his lanciers, but he wold haue had those two Lords either quicke or dead: that he tooke their fiue cornets to haue been the troupes of the Marshals of the field, whom they had charged, and so doubted they had been supported by some store of Harquebusiers, which he seemed to discerne in a village be­hinde them, who indeed were no other but their varlets: besides that, for want of footemen, whom he expected, hee had lost the opportunitie of a field.The Prince looseth oppor­tunitie to de­feate the D. of Anious a­nuantgard. Thus do the hazards of warre depend vpon very suddaine moments. Within one houre after this aduenture, they all looked for a field, for on all sides ye might discerne the footemens Ensignes and troupes of horsemen come marching on: but it was late before they were all come togither, so as they had onely a hotte skirmish, which the night brake off. There was no more but the D. of Anious auantgard, whose leaders perceiuing the Princes campe to be too strong, deuised a pollicie to make them thinke it to be their whole armie: for they caused part of the French drummes to strike vppe the Switzers march, forbidding their souldiers not to disband, but only to de­fend themselues, least by the taking of any prisoner, the enemies should haue knowne the truth: for had the Prince knowne of it, this auantgard had been ouerthrown and defeated. Besides they doubled their guards, made great fires, and caused their souldiers to hang burning matches vpon the bushes. and so hauing taken their repast, they departed with small noyse, and drewe some to Iasenueil, where the D. of Aniou lodged with his battell, and some to the borought of Sanssay, which is within one league of it. The Prince at three of the clocke after midnight, had notice of their going, and at fiue followed with his whole armie, as doubting that theirs came not then. Thus in one day we may see two notable opportunities lost, the first by the Duke, the se­cond by the prince: yet may we not greatly blame either y^e one or the other, for such occasions are hardly found at the first, and in two or three houres they are passed. Then it is, that some small aduertisement might plainly haue [Page 203]reuealed them: but that is a benefit of felicitie, which dependeth not vppon the Captains sufficiencie. All that we haue spoken of the former daies work, is nothing in regard of that which happened the next day at Iasenueil, where it seemeth that God verified the saying of his Prophet: that he would subuert the counsels of men: also that al the waies of the mightie are in his hands, as well as of the meaner. For many things fell out rather by hazard, & at all ad­uenture, then by any counsell or aduise. The Princes determination was, to follow his enemies campe, that as then dislodged,The battelt of Iasenueil. and wheresoeuer hee found it, to fight with them: wherevpon the Admirall and the Prince pur­sued after them. Now comming to two waies, the one leading to the vil­lage called Sanssay, the other to Iasenueil: the Prince left the first and tooke the last, which hee did because of a mist that rose before the breake of day. The forefront which the Admirall had set before him, and was very strong, about eight of the clocke in the morning entered into Sanssay, wherein fiue or six hundreth horses were lodged, that were presently constrained in haste to dislodge, hauing lost all their carriage, and were pursued very farre. Mean time the Prince keeping on the way which he had chosen, hauing marched aboue two leagues, found himselfe in the face of the armie of the Duke of Anion, not knowing what was become of his vantgard. He perceiuing him­selfe to bee so neare, determined not to retire: and because the countrie was strong, he caused his Harquebusiers to bee placed in the head, beeing aboue 12000, beginning to skirmish, sending to the Admirall, whom he knew not where to finde, to certifie him that he was constrained to make shew to fight, finding himselfe so neare to the D. of Anious campe, and that he should make all the haste hee could to come vnto him. Before the messenger was halfe way, the Admiral aduertised by the cānon shot, doubted the woorst, & in all haste made towards the noyse, with those troupes he could assemble. But at his arriual the sun began to go down, which kept them from determining, viewing, or enterprising vpon the great armies. Al doing nothing, but skir­mished in such sort, as of long time the like had not been seene: and which put the D. armie in some feare, as being in a place of great disaduantage: al­thogh it made a good shew, not one seeing the other: beeing hidden within the hedges & valleis, none but the Harquebusiers being scattered, could bee perceiued. The Princes side was very couragious,A pleasant conceit. but their cōduction not answerable, shooting as in a shew of pleasure very close, a whole Regiment discharging togither. To the contrary, the Dukes were separated, shooting at leisure & in small troupes, in such sort, that 200. Harq. stayed a whole re­giment of y^e Princes. The losse fel on both sides, & many hurt, as it happeneth in such conflicts. At the same time there chanced a merrie conceit, that put many in great feare, while they made alte, al the Princes cariage stayed along by y^e wood, not far frō the reaward of the horsemē, wher the Pages & other Ieruants placed themselues, thinking they shuld haue camped in that place, making at the least aboue 4000. fiers: & perceiued not the armie to retire, be­cause it was night, in such maner, that diuers of their maisters supped but slē ­derly that euening. Some of y^e D. armie that held y^e watch, perceiuing so many fiers & great noyse, they thought verily it had bin the Princes armie, wherby they looked for battel the next day in the morning, which made them vse more diligence to fortifie their passages. Cap. Garies offered to view thē, but they wold not hazard thēselues against those braue warriors y^e sat prating by their fiers. About midnight, y^e Prince was certified y^t al his carriages were en­tangled, [Page 204]and made account they were lost, neuerthelesse he deferred not to send four or fiue cornets of horse to fetch them, commaunding that an houre after, a thousand horse, and two thousand Harquebusiers should march thither to ayde them, if the enemie should follow. The first that arriued among them, found them in goodly ordinance, warming themselues, singing, and making good cheare, and being farre from them, you would verily haue thought they had beene aboue ten thousand men, they thinking no more vppon the matter, then if they had beene within a walled towne. They began to laugh at the behauiour of those braue fellowes, who ordinarily are as fearefull as hares, although they are in safetie, and there beeing readie to be slaine, they did nothing but hoope and hollow, because they supped well with their Maisters victuals. The first of the Princes horsemen being come to the head of this goodly campe, were not ouer courteously receiued, for that the most assured among them, had placed their guards and Sentinels, and as farre as they could discerne a man, althogh they cried at the least a hundreth times, friends: yet they aunswered not but with caliuer shot, withall, crying out like mad men, but in the end they knew each other, and perceiuing where they were, their resistance turned into feare, and dislodged themselues without any trumpet.

These two armies hauing somewhat breathed themselues, for the space of a the Prince marched towards Mirebeau, which he tooke, and the duke retired to Poictiers: The enter­prise of the Admirall a­gainst Coun­tie Brissacks Regiment. each of them lodging somewhat more at large to rest their wearied troupes. Withing 8. or 10. daies the Admirall deuised an enter­prise, wherby to cut off Countie Brissacks Regiment, which was wel lodged and blocked vp at Ances, a village within one league of Poictiers. Now hee imagined that all the Dukes auantgard had stil lodged in that subburb of the towne that led to the said village: but indeed more then the one halfe was passed ouer the water the day before, onely the Switzers and some few horse stayed behind: and therefore he brought with him 6000. Harquebusiers, and 1500. horse, that by break of day came to the village, and after some smal resistance forced it. The Regiment, with the losse of fiftie or sixtie men, sa­ued it selfe, by the fauour of a small valley in the campe, where they found but small support: how be it they set so good a face of the matter vpon a banke with their varlets, that the Admirall, who could not take any certaine view of them, and was loath to hazard any thing, left them, and carried away the most part of their carriages. The two armies after so me small rest, fell to their former resolution of fighting. The Duke taking the field, recouered Mirc [...]e­au, where couenants were but slenderly kept, for after the yeelding of it, ma­ny of the souldiers, cōtrary to promise were slaine: whervpon Andelot soone after, taking the Abbey of S. Florent neare Saumur, put the whole Garrison to the sword. The Duke meaning to come nearer to the Prince, tooke vp his lodgings about Monstrueil-Bellay and Thouers, for the better commoditie of victuals. Here he was aduised, that it was not amisse to seize vpon the towne of Loudun, which lay in his way, & was kept by one of the Princes regimēts, to the end there to lodge his armie, & thē to bear himself according as things might fall out: for by keeping of that, he should cut off his enemies from a plentifull countrie, able to feed his armie for one month. The Prince confi­dering this deuise, rather then to take such a scorne, as to see one of his regi­ments cut off before his face, and so by loosing a Towne able to hold out, [Page 205]to prooue himself either faint-harted, or too feeble, resolued to march night and day towards Lodun, and so at his comming quartered all his footemen in the subburbes, fiue or sixe hundreth horse in the towne, and the rest in the next villages. The Dukes armie the night before, had incamped within a small French league of the place, in part, weening that the Prince would not obstinately aduenture his forces for the obseruation of so meane a place: but the next day the D. vnderstood that the Princes armie fell into battell array along the subburbes, wherevpon he caused his men to do the like: and the artillerie on both sides began to play euen into the squadrons, and sometimes not in vaine. There might a man haue seene aboue 4000. men, almost all French, in battell array, not far asunder, as fierce in courage, as gallant in countenance, who for the most part did all expect onely the watch word to fight. There was between both the armies onely a plaine field, without any aduantage, which might cause mē to maruel, that for foure daies space, both the armies lying in sight, and within cannon shot each of other, they neuer came to handy blowes, neither to any skirmish of importance, and that but seldome in respect of other times. But thē we are to remember, that ther was not so sharpe a winter in 20. yeares before,The colde kept the Frenchmen from killing one another. because that as it was a most hard frost, so the sleete that fell continually made it so slipperie, hat the footemen were not able to stand on their legs: yet much more dangerous was it for the horses, neither could a horse get ouer a bancke three foote high, so slippery was the grownd. Many such bancks there were between the two armies, which had bin cast as partitions of mens lands, which were euen so many trenches, wherby he that would haue giuen the first onset, must needs haue been disordered: and that was the cause that each stood fast, looking vppon other, to see which side would so vnaduisedly aduenture the hazerd. Thus they stood straining of courtesie and this first day there fell out onely some small skirmishes, whervpon all the troupes an houre before night retired in­to their quarters. The next day the armies set themselues again in battell, and saluted each other with cannon shot: some there were that as the day before went out to skirmish, but they either brake or vnioynted their armes or legges, so as there were more hurt so, then by the small shot. The third day they did the like, but could neuer find any means to ioyne without incurring great inconueniences. The fourth day the D. whose men for the most part lay in the open fields, retired a league off, to warm his troupes that were star­ued with colde, & in his retrait lost three companies, one of Switzers, and two of Frenchmen, that were surprised in a village: within a while after, the souldiers fell into such vehement and greeuous diseases, that in one moneth there perished on both sides some 8000. men, notwithstanding through the presence of their Generals, and their owne earnest desire to fight, they were content to beare all: but the Dukes men had the woorst, as they that were not so wel prouided either in lodgings or victuals, as their aduersaties. Some cornets of horsemen of both sides, were lodged some halfe league or three quarters asunder, but in the euening returning to their lodgings, they were so benummed with colde, that they made no great haste to molest their ene­mie, no not so much as with one alarme, as if they had been at truce.The gallant enterprise of the Admirall against the Dukes army

The next day after this departure, the Admirall imagining that the Dukes men, who not long before were lodged halfe vnder the hedge, after they were gottē a little way off, wold scatter into the good towns (as indeed [Page 206]they did, leauing in the bodie of their armie three or foure hundreth horse, and about twelue hundreth shot, the rest beeing gone a league or two off) about nine of clocke in the morning, when the Princes horse were come in, brought foorth twelue or fourteen thousand shot, & 4. field peeces, in full purpose to make to the dukes maine armie, which was not past a league and a halfe off. The Captaines knew of a brooke that was betweene, with cer­taine foords, as their guides reported, not very daungerous. The night be­fore hauing taken the view, and tryed the guards, they found them force­able: but the Princes shot cōming to the foord, which was within a quarter of a league of the Dukes armie, found it furnished with footemen, whom they did couragiously assault, but could not force. Herevpon the campe ha­uing takē a hot alarme, shot off their cānons to call in their scattered troups, and as they came, sent supplies to keepe the passage: but within a quarter of an houre after, the Admirall set vpon another place, which was stoutly de­fended, and had they not stood fast there, the Duke had beene quite ouer­thrown. For before a thousand men could come in, the Admiral had broght 1500. horse, and 6000. shot, that would haue shaken them shrewdly. Some two hours after, by that the D. had gathered almost all his troupes, and sent some pecees on vnto a little banke, after some volees on either side, thy could driue euery man away. On both sides, as well the gentrie as the com­mon souldiers, murmured mightily against their leaders, for that to no pur­pose they brought them foorth into most extreame frosts and colde, com­plaining also, that they were in maner besieged with hunger and famine, ad­ding withal, that vnlesse they might bee better prouided and fenced in place of safetie, themselues would go and lodge as they thought good, as beeing vnable any longer to indure such extremities. In this suite they found no cō ­traction: for their leaders were soon inclined to yeeld to their desire. The Duke went to winter beyond Loire, about Saumur: & the Prince at Thouers, Monstrueil-Bellay, and thereabout. Thus did the colde scatter those that it­ched to be doing, and sought all opportunitie to fight.

Timoleon de Cosse, Countie de Brissac, a young Lord, couragious, and for his yeares very wise,The gallant enterprise of the Countie Brissac, a­gainst the Admiral and his brother d'Andelot. but carried away with an excessiue desire to shewe his valour: and withall, hardened on by the Duke of Anious fauour, who among all other made most of him: vndertooke a gallant enterprise, which albeit it had no great successe, doth notwithstanding deserue to be knowne. The Admirall and his brother, with their cornets, were lodged in the towne of Monstrueil-Bellay. Hard at hand in a little subburbe, laye two companies of footmen, as simple guards both to their lodgings & the goods. The Gentle­men did no more but walke their rounds at the ordinary houres about the walles, which they thought to bee sufficient, for by reason that vppon the high-way from Saumur, in a great subburbe beyond the riuer, their lay sixe or seuen Regiments of footemen, Monstrueil was on that side sufficiently safe: On the other side, for the space of one whole league, there were great fens, not passeable but in some few places: also 9. or 10. cornets of horse lod­ged in the villages round about, that night and day lay bearing of the waies. Al these helpes made it so strong, as there was small apparance that it should incur any perill. Now, as in all ciuill wars each partie had alwaies good ad­uertisements (for cōmonly the secret enemie looketh within some mens bo­wels) [Page 207]the Countie was informed of the small guard at Monstrueil. Next, that by go­ing two leagues about from the bare high way, hee might get thither with­out danger of the Admirals strength or guard of the horse: which notwith­standing he would not aduenture, vntill for his more assurance; he had sent a French Captaine and an Italian, in the euening to take a view: these men went vnto the wall, & with a long pike, a cord, and an Iron hooke, they got vp, (for the walles were not high) & so came to the Admirals lodging about nine of the clocke at night, and then returned againe vnespied: as one of them since reported to the Lord de la Noue, who was thē at Monstrueil with the Admiral. The Countie glad of this report, laid his plot therevpon, as fol­loweth. He purposed with a thousand shot, choise men & very actiue sup­ported with 500. horse, to march at such time that he might come to Mon­strueil about 3. of the clocke in the morning, that so he might haue full two houres of the night to fauor his retrait, in case his enterprise shuld not speed: but if he got his purpose, then to raise great fires vpō the towers of the castle, wherby to giue notice to the dukes armie lying at Saumur, to march with all speed to his succor: as resoluing to stand sure vntill he were beaten out with artillerie, and his succor might arriue within sixe houres. Thus shuld he take two notable Captaines in the middest of their assurance, and at the least 100. Gentlemen of name: besides, he shuld vtterly breake the whole auantgard, lodged therabout, which would neuer haue stood the comming of the ene­mie, so great would the confusion haue beene, besides sundrie other incon­ueniences that might haue ensued. I haue heard the Lord de la Noue, from whom I haue heard this report, which himselfe hath put into his discourses, who was then as I said, with the Admiral, say that Brissac might haue atchie­ued this enterprise: but as we are to pray to god to watch ouer such as sleep, and the conseruation of their fates: so as the Countie was vppon the way a­bout the performance of his purpose, a small chance crossed, yea vtterly sub­uerted all his deuises. For comming with a dozen of lathers, and his men ve­ry reolute, being within two leagues of the place, hee met with 200. of the enemies horse: who seeing this small armie at that time of night in the field, retired in hast, and raised an alarme at Monstrueil and other places thereabout, where their horsemen were lodged, whervpon the Countie was driuen to retire: afterward the Admirall strengthened his night watches better, & beat the fields more often, yet neuer could finde any newes of the enterprise, or know how it was vntill the next peace. After this, the Prince & other com­maunders withdrew themselues towards Rochel, Other ex­ployts to the aduantage of those of the religion. determining vpon means to prouide mony for the furnishing of those warres, and beganne to sell the goods of the Romish Cleargie, finding such as would hazard to buy them, who therin vsed the matter to their aduantage, the Rochelers lent fourescore thousand frankes. The Q. of England sent 50000. pound, six cannons, cer­taine thousand waight of powder, & great store of bullets, for the which she was paide in salt, woolls, and bel mettal. All base Poitou being in the hands of those of the religion, except the Abbay of S. Michael in Loire, where laye a good Garrison of Friers and souldiers, which serued for a restraint to many courses into the countrie, but some souldiers of Poitou obtained licence of the Prince to besiege the Abbey, which sustained two light assaults. At the third assault it was battered and taken by force, and 4. or 500. men that were in it put to the sword, because of their wilfulnesse.

On the other side, Martineugue, Entragues, and la Chastre, Gouernors of Gy­on, Orleans, & Bourges, accompanied with other leaders, and certain troupes of souldiers,The siege of Sancerre. besieged Sancerre, a small towne, being the refuge of diuers fa­milies of the religion, and gaue diuers assaults, which the besieged sustained and repulsed, wearying the enemie in diuers sorts, who hauing lost sixe or seuen hundreth of their best men, left that small town in peace: but after that, the Sancerrois seeking to enterprise to build a sort vpon the riuer of Loire, they were surprised, and hauing lost fiftie of their men and the fort, were content to keepe good watch within their towne.

In the beginning of the yeare 1569. the warre beganne to renue, the Vis­counts of Bourniquet, 1569 Montclar, Paulin, and Gourdon, with seuen thousand Harquebusiers, and some horsemen, made warre for the Prince against those of Thoulouse and others, the towne of Montauban beeing their chiefe retrait. And beeing summoned by the Prince to ioyne with him,Piles puni­sheth the pe­sants in Peri­gord. made aunswere, that they had rather keepe that Prouince, and defend their owne Countri­men from Monluc and other enemies, then leaue them as a pray, while they bare armes in an other Prouince. Captaine Piles, that had charge to conduct them, gathered certaine troupes in Quercy, Agenois, and other places, and ha­uing taken Bergerac and Saint Foy, hee made a road into Perigord, where hee burnt all the villages, and slewe all those that hee suspected to bee at the o­uerthrow of Mouuans and Gourde. And not long after, hee marched with twelue hundreth Harquebusiers, and about two hundreth horse, to ioyne with the Prince.

Diuers war­like exployts.About the beginning of February, fiue hundreth horse comming forth of Saumur, surprised & defeated the Court of Bressant of Anigeuin neare vnto Thours, and within eight daies after, Countie Brissac had like to haue defea­ted the troupes of Montgommery, whose brother he tooke prisoner with some others, and slew some eighteene or twentie men.

The seuenteenth of the same moneth, the Castle of Lusignon holden in the name of the Duke of Aniou, was surprised by intelligence, the Garrison thereof beeing for the most part gone into the towne to banquet and make good cheere. But for want of speedie ayde, the surprisers, to the number of nine or ten, were slaine: there was likewise many other enterprises in diuers places: as against New-hauen and Deepe, but they tooke no effect.

The Protestants that bare armes with the Prince, tired with the winter toyle, and so many skirmishes, found some sweetnesse in resting in Poitou, whither they were retired.

But about the end of February, the Prince began to gather his armie, report beeing giuen out, that the Duke was alreadie in field, and marched with all his forces to Angoulesme.

To armies enter the field.To whom the Counte of Tende had brought three thousand foote, and some horse: besides two thousand Rutters, vnder the leading of the Rhin­graue & Bassompierre, that were come to supply him. Whervpon he purposed to end the war, either by forcing the Prince to fight, or else constraining him to shut his men within the townes. The Prince and Admirall therevpon ha­uing assembled their forces, determined to march along by the Charante, a riuer in Poictou, to behold the dukes countenance, but yet not to hazard him­selfe. As also to ayde their townes, which they strengthened with men, ma­king [Page 209]their armie so much y^e weaker. But nothing worth memorie was done, vntill the Duke came to Chasteauneuf, a town cituate vppon Charante, where at his arriuall hee tooke the Castle kept by a Scot, and some Harquebusiers, that yeelded themselues with their liues saued, but with small honour.The taking of Chasteau­neuf, occasi­on and begin­ning of the battel of Bas­sac. And because the bridge of Chasteauneuf had been broken in two places, the Admi­rall desirous to know the countenance and passage of the enemie, went thi­ther, followed by seuen or eight hundreth horse, and as many Harquebu­fiers. There hee had a light skirmish with certaine troupes, that had passed in certaine barkes, or ouer certaine plankes speedily cast ouer. The Admirall thinking that the Duke would passe ouer, and thinking to haue time to ad­uertise the Prince to prouide for him, minded to stop that passage, vntill the next day. And appoynted two Regiments of foote to lodge within a quarter of a myle from the bridge, and eight hundreth horse somewhat further off, wherof the third part should keepe watch hard by it, as well to aduertise, as to offer fight: which done, hee withdrew himselfe to Bassac, about a league frō the bridge: with y^e rest of the vantgard, the Prince came to Iarnac, which lyeth a league further: but this commandement was not executed. For both the horse and foote, knowing that in the places appoynted them to staye, there was but fewe houses, with lesse victuals and fourage, hauing wholly forgotten how to incampe themselues, & to be without commoditie in their lodgings, went to finde some other quarter. Whereby the most part of this troupe left that place, to lodge themselues with more ease, & left but a small number of men in place, that laye about halfe a league from it. This great fault produced another: which was, that the watch was too weake,A notable fault. which could not come time ynough to hear, nor giue alarme to the enemies troups, as they had beene instructed, thereby to make them thinke, that all the Prin­ces Auantgard lay there. The Dukes armie beeing very strong, resolued to seize vpon the passage, although all the Princes power had opposed them­selues against him, and by the diligence of Monsieur de Biron, not onely repai­red the bridge, but made a new bridge of barkes, which are carried with ar­mies royall, and before midnight had finished it: which done, without great noyse they began to passe ouer, both horse and foote. The Princes men, that stood in gard with fiftie horse, about a small quarter of a league from the pas­sage, in a manner could scarce perceiue them to passe, vntill about the breake of day, wherewith they presently aduertised the Admirall, who knowing that most part of his men had lodged in other places, namely, on that side where the enemies came, sent them word that they passed, and with all speed to march towards him, that they might retire altogither, & that in the meane time, hee would stay for them at Bassac.

At the same time also, hee commaunded, that all the carriage and footmen should retire: which was presently done. If then within one houre after, all his forces had beene assembled, hee had easily retired without much labor,Slacking of things, daun­gerous in warre. but the time (being about three houres) that passed in staying for them, was the principal cause of their ouerthrow. The Admirall would not loose those troupes, being nine Cornets of horse, and certaine companies of foot, wher­of the Coronels were the Counte Montgommery, Acier, and Puuiaut. Beeing all come, onely Acier, that tooke the way towards Angoulesme, all the Dukes armie beeing past, and hard by the Admirall, the skirmish began so hot, that [Page 210]each man perceiued that day would bee a battell, beeing the thirteenth of March: which made the Prince turne backe, being half a league from them, passing forward, for hauing vnderstood that hee should bee constrained to fall to blowes, hee hauing a Lyons heart, would bee one among the rest. Whē the Admiral for his retrait came to forsake a small chanel, which might bee passed ouer but in two or three places: the Duke was counselled to ad­uance the flower of his horsemen, composed of seuen or eight hundreth horse, which ouerthrew foure cornets that made the retrait, where la Noue and la Loue were taken prisoners,The Princes magnanimi­tie ended not but with his life. Ʋaliant charges. hauing couragiosly sustained the fight, as also Coronel Puuiant, who not long after, reassembled his dispearsed troupe the same horsemen of the Dukes campe not long after, charged d'Andelot in a village, but he valiantly resisted them, and slew Monsalez, and diuers o­thers of good account, to the number of fifteene or sixteene, the Prince and the Admirall ranged in two great squadrons of horse, perceiuing that the e­nemie went about to inclose them betweene all the Dukes forces & Charan­te, prepared themselues to giue the charge. The Admirall began: the Prince seconding, which was with greater force then the first, and at the beginning made al those that flood against him to turne their backs: after that, sustaining a new charge, where for a time the battell was hot and fierce, but in the end he and the Admirall hauing all the enemies armie vpon them, & the Prince being fallē vnder his dead horse, therby ensued the ouerthrow of the horse­men, hauing lost about one hundreth Gentlemen, and among the rest, the Prince himselfe, who lying vnder his horse, could not bee relieued by his troupes, and yeelding himselfe to Monsieur d'Argences, at the report of his ta­king,The death of the Prince of Conde and others. a Gentleman of Gascon called Montesqueon, Captain of the Dukes guard ran thither, and discharging a Pistoll at him, shot him in the head, where­with hee presently died. His death bredde great sorrow among those of the religion, and much ioy to diuers that loued him not, namely to the king, the Queen, the Duke of Aniou, and all the house of of Guise, specially the Cardi­nall of Lorraine, who the next day after the news was brought vnto the king, (as then beeing at Metz) touching the battell (wherin the Catholicques had lost two hundreth Gentlemen, among the which were diuers Lords and men of name) comming to salute the king, after the maner of Courtiers, smi­ling said vnto him: your Grace as I suppose, is now better disposed then you were the other day, beeing eased of much corrupt blood. In that man­ner iested hee, who vpon the bodies of the Princes of the blood, and the No­bilitie of France, placed the foundation of the rule and gouernment, which his familie would after haue vsurped, as you shall wel perceiue. From Metz they sent certaine cornets that had bin taken from the Prince, vnto the Pope, whereat that good Pastor so much reioyced, that he went a foote on proces­sion from his Castle of Saint Ange, to the temple of the holy ghost, withall the Cardinals, to thanke his Imagess with out flatterie this praise may wel be giuen vnto the Prince, of whom we will now speake, that not any man li­uing in his time, did euer surpasse him in courage nor courtesie. He spake very wisely, more by nature then art, liberall and readie to all men, an execel­lent leader in warre, yet a louer of peace: most firme in his religion: inuinci­ble in aduersitie: but milde in prosperitie: a great iester, subiect to vanitie, lo­uer of women, and collor, but one that gaue place to reprehensions and ad­uises [Page 211]of such as hee loued and respected, but by this ouerthrow wee may gather, that when a matter of importance and hazard is to bee effected, it ought not to bee done by halues, for that either we must leaue it, and not be ashamed to retire, or else do it withall our forces.

If the Admirall and the Prince had had all their forces, the Duke would not haue set vpon them, also when armies lye scattered, they fall into incon­ueniences, which the sufficiencie of the best leaders cannot remedie.

After this battell the Duke sent to besiege Cognac, and began to imbrace diuers other enterprises, as if nothing had bin impossible vnto him,Exployts af­ter the battell of Br [...]ssac. for that not long before, certaine places in Poictou had been taken from those of the religion: but Cognac stayed the course of this victorie, in such sort, as that af­ter the Duke had lost the boldest of his footemen in that siege, hee thought to get as much by intelligence against Saint Iohn d'Angely, where dooing no­thing, hee summoned Angoulesme, that made him no other aunswere, but with threatnings to send him away with losse and shame, if his armie came thither: while the Dukes Councell were consulting of the means to imploy his forces in other places, those of the religion had time and leisure to ioyne themselues togither.

The Admirall brought the Princes of Nauarre and Conde from Saint Iohn to Tone Charante, where hee met the Queene of Nauarre, to incourage such as were in doubt, and to take Councell what was to bee done. Their horse­men were mustered, whereof the Prince of Nauarre was appoynted Gene­rall, to whom all of them, being the number of foure thousand Gentlemen, made oathes of fidelitie.

The young Prince of Conde was ioyned with him, d'Andelot went to the Garrisons to take a view of the footemen: which done, hee made a voyage into Poitou to assemble the dispearsed troupes, to prouide for mony, and to bridle the courses of the enemies: but comming from thence,The death of Monsieur d'Andelot, beeing taken with a burning feuer, hee went to Sainctes, where hee died vppon the seuenteenth of May: to the great greefe and sorrow of all his friends and seruants. His bodie beeing opened, was found to bee poysoned: which not long after, was practised against diuers Lords & Gentlemen of the religion, by the aduise of Rene de Birague an Italian, as then Keeper of the seales, and after Chancellor of France, who vsed openly to say, that it was not necessary to make warre with so much labour and charges, but to imploy the Cookes, meaning prisoners.

The estate of Colonell of the French Infanterie was giuen to Acier, and his company to Beauuais la Nocle his Lieftenant: but the charge of all the ar­mie, and the care of the principall affaires fell vppon the Admirall, much re­spected by the Queene of Nauarre, Princes, Lords, Gentlemen, Captaines: and to bee short, of both great and small, that as then made profession of the religion.

The siege of Mucidan where Pom­padon & the Countie Bris­sac are slaine.As concerning the Dukes army, it ouerranne Xaintoigne, Angoulesme, and Limosin, taking in some places, namely Aubeterre. The Countie de Brissac Co­lonel of the French footemen in that armie, and Captaine of a Regiment of fortie Ensignes, with the most part of their forces, tooke vpon him the siege of Mucidan. They that were within, after they had a while defended the Towne, set it on fire and retired into the Castle, which they held valiantly, [Page 212]and abide some assaults, slew the notable men of the regements of Brissac, Monluc, and Cars, among the rest, the Vicount of Pompadou: lastly, Brissac himselfe, who comming neare to view the breach and defences, had no soo­ner put foorth his nose, but a Harquebuse pearced his head, and layde him starke dead vpon the Counterstarp: hee was betweene fiue and six and twen­tie yeares of age, and was much bewayled of many that hoped to haue seene him in time, one of the greatest leaders of our daies.

A while after, the besieged yeelding vpon composition, to haue both liues and goods saued, were scarce out of sight of the walles, but that con­trarie to faith and promise, the most part were cut in peeces by the besiegers, vpon a desperate reuenge of the death of their two Coronels, and their best souldiers that they had there lost.

The taking of the Ile of Medoc.On the other side, Captaine Piles tooke the Isle of Medoc, lying betweene Rochel and Bourdeaux, where all the souldiers inriched themselues. And the Duke abandoned Guyen, and tooke his way towards Berry, there to ioyne with the forces of the D. d'Aumale, that togither they might stop the Dutch armie, brought in by the Duke of Deaxponts from ioyning with the Princes. The Lords of Nouy, Ienly, Moruilliers, Fequieres, Esternay and others, soone af­ter the beginning of this third ciuill warre,A small French ar­my commeth in fit time to the Rutters throgh Frāce maugre all the enemies armies. had gathered togither some fif­teene or six hundreth horse, and two thousand Harquebusiers, whom when in regard of the difficultie of the passages, they could not bring into Guyen, they led into Brabant to the prince of Orenge and Countie Lodowick his bro­ther, who after they had a while with variable successe continued warre a­gainst the Spaniards, passed ouer the riuer of Meuse, maugre the duke of Al­ue, to whom they offered battell, which the Spaniard refused, as hoping to waste them with want of victuals, which grew so short, that they were dri­uen to passe into France, where comming to Vitry, they consulted vpon their affaires, whether it were best to passe further into the Realm, alreadie daun­ted with so many armies: and to returne toward Germanie, and so to ioyne with the armie that VVolfgang, Counte Palatine of Rhyne, & D. of Deux Ponts, leuyed for the Princes: but the second aduise tooke place. Now more nar­rowly to consider what a long walke this Dutch armie made, from the Rhine euen vnto Limosin, togither with their great and continuall impeachment, it cannot but breed much maruell, that a forraine armie watched so narrowly, and hauing so many backe-friends, could thus compasse their drifts. True it is, that ciuill warres haue at al times made a plaine path to forraine nations, who otherwise durst scarce looke towards the Gates, without the support of the one partie.

But where the fauour is but small on the one side, and the resistance great on the other, we are the more to admire the exployts of those that do so ad­uenture themselues. It was a great comfort to the Germaine Duke, to haue the assistance of the Prince of Orenge, the Countie Lodowick, and the Countie VVolrad of Mansfield, The descrip­tion of the Dutch army. with the French afore mentioned. His troupes contai­ned fiue thousand Lansquenets, and sixe thousand Rutters. With this small armie hee marched, publishing by writing the causes of his iourney to the Princes.

The kings Councell finding themselues to seeke, did speedily conclude of a small armie, vnder the leading of the Duke of Aumale, to stop this suc­cour, [Page 213]yet doubting of the weakenesse of such a Leader, vnskilfull and vn­fortunate in matter of warre, leuied yet an other, vnder the conduct of the Duke of Nemours, a man in manner like vnto the other. These two bodies assembled in footemen, farre surmounted the Dutch Dukes, but in horsemen hee was the stronger.

They were resoluted not to linger vntill hee entered France, and so make hauocke, but marched euen to the borders of Germanie, and neare to Sau­mur, where they defeated the regiment of Captain la Coche of Dauphine, com­posed of sundrie parcels patched togither, which purposed to haue ioyned with the Lansquenets. Notwithstanding this defeate, the Germaine Duke proceeded into France through Bourgongne, where the enemie coasted him, vntill hee had gotten to the riuer of Lotre (hauing marched full fourescore leagues) they neuer left him, but were still in his flancke, or vppon the taile: yea, many times the armies were each in sight of other, and had many great skirmishes.

The Prince of Orenge hath since sundrie times reported, that he maruelled that in so long and difficult a passage, the Romish Catholiques could neuer finde fit opportunitie, considering that many occasions befell them, and the rather by reason of the impeachments of their maine carriages. For besides these great forces of the Dukes of Aumale and Nemours, the townes, coun­trie, and riuers, were at their commaund: they also knewe the purposes of their aduerse armie, which consisted in making haste, and either by force or surprise winning passage ouer Loyre, whither it came maugre all their polli­cies and deuises. It was said, that through some contention between them, they lost sundrie good exployts which they ought haue performed, had they beene at vnion: besides, they doubted the vigilancie of Moruilliers: the industrie of Feuguieres: and the readinesse and valiancie of Nouy, Esternay, and other Captaines, who held them in continuall alarme: and had not the news of the battell at Bassac comforted them, Aumale and Nemours had been either defeated or forced to licence their troupes, and so to retire into the townes.

If fell out well for the Germaines that they made such haste: for this great blocke, this riuer of Loire, would haue been a second and most gree­uous difficultie to stay these riuers, as well for that it was not so shallow, as to yeeld any foord: as also for that all the townes standing therevppon were enemies, yet was the passage so necessary, that it made thē to vse great speed, courage, and inuention: for contrary to all expectation of their enemies on each side the riuer, they assaulted a towne called la Charitee, where they had a good bridge.

Among al the ouersights of the Rom. Catholicques, who were reenforced with a supply of Italians from the Pope, of twelue hundreth horse, and four thousand foote, this was not the least, that they left la Charitee destitute of men: wherevppon the Protestants lay so hard to that place, and terrified it with so many mines and threats, that before it could haue any reliefe, they had wonne it to their incredible ioy: which neuerthelesse was abated by the decease of Feuquieres and other Captaines poysoned by the way, according vnto Biragues precepts.

Had it not been for this prize, the Germaine armie had bin hard bestead, [Page 214]and their leaders forced to haue returned backe to the head of Loire, which was sixtie leagues off: yea, which was woorse, taking that course, they should haue intangled themselues in a hilly & wood countrie, where their horse would haue been but a hinderance.

The Admirall accounted this passage impossible, and still harkened af­ter their ouerthrow,The Admi­rals opinion touching the passage of the Rutters. many times telling his familiars that he could not helpe this succor, in regard that the Duke of Auious armie still lay before him, and the Rutters and French had two armies more watching vpon them, besides a most difficult passage ouer the riuer: withall, that albeit they had passed o­uer, yet their enemies ioyning their forces, must needs defeate them before they could come neare them by twentie leagues to helpe them. But hearing of the successe of the siege of la Charitee, he grew againe into some hope, say­ing: This is a good prognostication, let vs perfect it with diligence and reso­lution.

The Princes with their troupes marched immediately towards Limo­sin, that so they might come nearer to the Duke of Anious power to keepe it in awe, albeit in continuall feare, still looking to heare that al the enemies ar­mies beeing so strong, should haue swallowed vp their Rutters: which fell out contrary: for they tooke so good opportunitie, and vsed such speed, that they out went them, vnder the cōduct of the French troupes, where among the rest, Nouy bare himselfe more valiantly in sundrie roades of the enemies, whom diuers times he sent backe, & gathered to the place where the Admi­rall had appoynted to meet them with one thousand shot, and two thousand and fiue hundreth horse.

Thus towards the end of Iune the two armies ioyned in great ioy, albe­it somewhat abated by the death of the Duke of Deuxponts, who died of a fe­uer a little before, into whose place the Countie Mansfield succeeded. This iourney and fauourable passage, may put all Captaines in minde, that not­withstanding whatsoeuer great difficulties, they may bee inuironed, yet are they not to distinct: for they shall not need past one sole fauourable accident to free them, and such do commonly fauor those, that shunning sloth, doo take a good heart.

Discourse of the encoun­ter at the Rochebelle, where Stros­sy was ouer­thrown, with two regimēss of foote.The two armies as then very strong (that of the Duke of Aniou beeing aboue thirtie thousand men, and that of the Princes fiue and twentie thou­sand) were constrained to depart one from the other, to finde commoditie of victuals, because the countrie of Limosin is vnfertile, but they reapproched towards S. Yrier la Perche. The Admirall perceiuing that the sterilitie of the countrie made his troupes to lye scattered, and because of the hilles and woods, the places of battel were oftē with disaduantage, determined rather to preuent, then bee preuented. Not long before, the Princes had sent an humble request vnto the king to haue peace, but the Duke d'Anion would neuer graunt Passeport to their Deputies: whereof the Admirall made great complaints to the Marshall de Montmorencie. And perceiuing that his ene­mies sought nothing but warre, hee counselled the Princes to surprise the Dukes armie, not far from thence in a place named Rochebelle. To the which end, they departed before the breake of day, resolute to giue battell, and ar­riued in so good time, that they were within a quarter of a league from the head of their enemies, before they gaue the alarme. The strong lodging ser­ued [Page 215]those that were there in guard, and stood them in great stead: and Colo­nel Strossy at the noyse, hasted in with 500. harquebusiers, for the strengthe­ning of 300. of his mē that kept the principall passage, where hee found the skirmish begun. His valor serued wel for his partakers, for that for the space of one houre, he held 4000. of the Princes shot good play, whereby the D. armie had opportunitie to assemble and set themselues in array. The Admiral wondring that they could not force that passage, sent Brucil a wise and skilful Captaine, who immediately espied the fault. Herevpon hauing ordered cer­taine troups, and disbanded 4. cornets of horse to scar them, he began a sharp onset, wherin vpon the breaking of certain Pallissades that couered Strossy his regiment, his men were so disordered, that the suruiuers fled, leauing dead behind them 22. of their leaders, and fiue or 600. foot, besides their Colonel prisoner, without whose resistance, the Princes auantgard had gotten to the D. ordinance with all impeachment. But withall, it beganne to ioyne and so continued, that the victors were forced to retire. The next day they were imployed vpon alarmes and skirmishes, in one of the which, 200. Italians, with some sallies of the company of the D. of Nemours, being somewhat too far aduanced, were charged by the Lord of Mouy, who slew some, tooke some prisoners, and sent away the rest faster then they came, as in deede they were mounted to the aduantage vpō Spanish horses fit for such retraits. Im­mediately after this incounter,While the Duke tooke his ease, the Princes sei­zed vppon sundry places the D. licensed his armie to refresh themselues vntill the beginning of Octob. putting his footemen in Garrison, in such pla­ces as bordered nearest vpon Guyenne. The Princes in the meane time kept the field, tooke Tiuiers, S. Sulpice, Brantonne, Chasteau, l'Euesque, la Chapelle, Con­folant, Chabanez, and S. Genais: some by force, others by composition. The Countie du Lude Gouernour in Poictou, had promised the Duke to do won­ders, and while the Princes armie lay in Limosin, followed by fiue thousand foot, and some cornets of horse, he besieged Nyort, a town of consequence, wherein Puuiaut valiantly entred with certaine horse and foote, in despight of the assailants, that were repulsed in three assaults, and certaine scaladoes: and after in the beginning of Iuly, constrained to raise their siege, hauing lost aboue fiue hundreth men before the towne, not accounting foure Cornets of horse belonging to the Countie, which la Noue not long before had ouer­throwne at Fontenay, halfe a league from Nyort.

Terigny beeing sent to ayde the besieged, was the cause that the Countie hasted his retrait, lodging the rest of his armie at Saint Maixant, Lusignon, and Mirebean: meane time the Princes approached Poictou, and the 12. of Iuly tooke Chastelleraud by composition, and three daies after, battered the strong Castle of Lusignon, that vpon the 21. of the same moneth was yeelded vnto them by composition, establishing the Barron de Mirebeau for Gouernour therin, with two Ensignes of footmen, great store of cannons, and sufficient amunition to resist a puissant armie. Two daies after they marched towards Poictiers, tooke Couhe (where the Garrison of Catholicques chose rather to burne themselues in dispaire with & in the Castle, then to yeeld thēselues to Verac Lord of the place that held them besiesieged) Sanssay, Viuonne, and o­ther little places neare thereabouts, therby to inclose those of Poictiers, and to impeach them of victuals. Before we depart from the siege of Poictiers, Diuers ex­ployts of war. let vs adde some notable accidents that happened in diuers places.

In the month of Iuly, Castillon sur Loing & Chasteau-Regnard, places belōging to the Admirall, were surprised, and the Admirals mooueables carried to [Page 216] Parris, where part were solde in the open outcrie, the best stoien and con­ueyed away, by those that finde nothing either too heauie or too hotte. Cer­taine horsemen to the number of fortie, departing from the Princes campe after the taking of Strossy, lodged themselues within Regeane, a Castle belon­ging to the Bishop of Auxerre, but they were presently besieged, battered, and slain within it, onely captain Blosset, and some other that escaped. Amōg those on whom they exerciled most horrible vengeance, was one of Auxerre surnamed Coeur de Roy, who beeing taken prisoner, was ledde to Auxerre, and there presently stripped, slaine, and hewed in peeces. The murtherers pulled the hart out of his bodie, and cutting it in peeces, was layde on the coales, and eaten by certaine of his desperate enemies, that during his life, had threat­ned him with that canniball entertainment:Horrible crueltie. behold how zeale transporteth these Romish Catholicques.

The Lord of Terride Gouernor of Quercy, was sent into Bearne, Foix, and the lād of Nauarrois, there to bring al into the kings obedience, in case the Q. of Nauarre and her sonne the Prince,The Countie of Montgom­meries ex­ployts in Bearne a­gainst Terri­de. would not forsake the religious side. Terride accompanied with Negropelisse, S. Colombe, and diuers others, had ea­sily seized vpon all, and had laid siege to Nauarron in the only place that held for the Q. The Princes hauing notice thereof, dispatched away the Countie of Montgommery to withstand him, who with 200. horse went and receiued the forces of the vicounties in Gascon, so that in the month of Iuly with a smal armie of foure thousand shot, and fiue hundreth horse, with great diligence and vnwoonted speed (which was the safetie of his voyage, as deceiuing the Garrisons of the enemie, namely the troupes of the Marchal d'Anuil [...], Mon­luc, Gohaz and others, that with 1000. horse, and 4000. shot, marched but a daies iourney from the campe) he came safe with one daies iourney of Na­uarrin, forced Terride, who had lyen incamped from the beginning of Iune, to raise the siege & saue himself in Orthez, by reason his troupes for their more commodious victualling lay disbanded. The Countie followed Terride, and to abridge him of all means to reassemble or muster his men, besieged, assaul­ted, and forced the town with great slaughter: then did he as suddainly plant the cannon found in the Towne against the Castle, Terrides refuge: who ter­rified with such terrible charges yeelded, with the safetie of his life, togither with six knights of the Order, and many Captaines, who all enioyed the be­nefit of the compositiō, except 5, Colombe, the Barron of Pordiac, Gohas, Fauas, and some others that were executed, because they were found to be the Qu. subiects, & consequently guiltie of treason, for seizing vpon her places, cau­sing the most part of her subiects to reuolt, & seeking to deliuer the land into the dominion of a new Prince. This mishap of Ter. being bruted abroad, so terrified other the towns & strong holds, that y^e vsurpers making their packs in time, Na. Foix, & Bearn were suddainly subdued to their princesse, al fauing the town of Peu, the principall wherin cōmanded, one named Pere, who had promised Monluc to defend it, & had executed some officers, & slaine the mi­nisters: yet vpon the sūmons of a trumpet sent by Montgom. he departed with speed, leauing the town to the right owner. In the mean time, Monluc practi­sed some trecherie with Captain Bassillon, who had born out the siege of Na­uarrin against Terride. This practise discouerd, Bassillon was slaine, & Monluc cōming to seize vpō Nauarin, was forced to retire, whervpon ioyning with la Vallete, he forced the town of Mont-Marsan, where he discharged his rage vpon the besieged, who were in maner all put to the sword.

Montgommery furnishing the places of his conquest came to Nerac. and for a fewe daies warred vppon the next Garrisons, and there with all speed retur­ned to the Princes armie, with some plentie of quoine gathered in his con­quests, and fiue hundreth horse that followed him.

The Duke d'Aniou considering how much the passage imported, which the Princes had gotten vpon the riuer of Loire at la Charitee, not much fortifi­ed since the taking, resolued to take that place from them,The siege of la Charitee by Lansac, and the issue. which was well aduised, for that winning it, hee should bereaue them of all meanes to mo­lest the Prouinces on this side the riuer of Loire, and reserue vnto himselfe the sinues of the warres, with infinite commodities for the refreshing of his ar­mie. But in stead of marching thither, in all diligence after the passage of the Rutters, he contented himselfe to command M. de Lansac to take order ther­in. Hee neuer hauing had any commission of such importance, thought that by strength of men and cannon shot, he would do something. And vpon the sixt of Iuly accompanied with 7000. footemen, assembled out of the Garri­sons of Orleans, Bourges, Chartres, Neuers, Gyan, and other Townes. With fiue or sixe hundreth horse he besieged la Charitee, charged and recharged his batterie three or foure times, sparing neither powder nor bullet: and ha­uing made a breach to enter both with horse and waggons, he commanded his souldiers to giue an assault, who beeing men vsed to braue it in the streets of a Towne, and to discharge their peeces in the presence of Ladies: when they perceiued that the besieged resolued themselues to a stout and bold de­fence, their hearts were turned to lyuers, so that their Captaines, Ensignes, Sergeants, and other officers, were forced to supply their places, of 100. of them: there returned fiue againe, but all ouerthrowne at the entrie of the breach. An other thing was, that a false report ranne in the campe of Lansac, that the Princes armie came to ayde la Charitee, and that Captaine Blosset was alreadie in Berry with 200. horse, to marke out their lodgings, & to giue the first charge: wherewith the assailants made such an alarme, that without fur­ther inquirie, they spied their Ensignes marching day & night, to nestle them­selues in their Garrisons. The siege continued almost a month, where, & in the retrait, the assailants lost almost 1000. men: the town about 100. & being deliuered from this siege, and not long after strengthened by the companies of Blosset, Boys, and others, that had left the campe to visit their houses, and to refresh themselues: the leaders made account to fourage the countrie, and to seeke aduentures farre and neare. With this resolution they tooke Douzi, Pouilli, Antrain, S. Leonard, and other small townes about the water, running into Berry Niuernois, & the countries bordering vpon them, to the great hurt and displeasure of the Romish Catholikes. The Princes beeing in posses­sion of Lusignan and Chastelleraud, A breefe discourse of the siege of Poictiers. diuers of their Councell were bent to the siege of Poictiers. Twise they debated the matter in Councel, where sundrie were of a contrary opinion, as nothing liking of the siege of so greata town among the rest, the Admirall, who wished them rather to follow their first purpose, namely to get S. Maixaut, where they should find Onoux, Colonell of one of the late Countie Brissacks Regiments (who soone after entered into Poictiers) then to seize vpon Saumur, a towne at that time of small strength, standing vpon the riuer of Loire, and with all diligence to fortifie the same, to the end afterward to haue a readie and safe passage in Antomne, to transport the war to Parris, the fountain of all the stormes that thus molested all France. [Page 218]Hee alleaged, that togither with the Dude of Guise and Maine, there were come diuers Captains and companies, both on horse and on foot to Poictiers, which at that instant was as well prouided of souldiers as any town in France: likewise that such great townes well guarded, are ordinarily the graues of great armies: and with all concluded, that the best course was, to march to S. Maixaut which could not long holde out: but the chiefe Lords and Gentle­men of Poictou, as well in Councell as else where, vrged them not to omit so good opportunitie, withall, alleaging that the towne was of no estimation: that the more people were therein, the greater was the bodie: that getting this place they should haue all Poictou, a rich Prouince, and so defeate the Dukes armie of a verie conuenient retrait: but the authors of their Councell, had forgotten to speake the resolution of those that kept Poictiers, the great helps that they had for their defence: their own smal store of artillery, muniti­tion & powers to giue their assault, with many other their discommodities. For albeit the town in regard of the scituation, were wholly inuironed with mountaines, commanding in it so neare, that they might greatly annoy the defendants, yet had the Princes at that time such want, that hauing begunne in one place, they were not able couragiously to go through with their bat­terie and other workes, but must needes giue the enemie two or three daies respite, which was ynough to refortifie it againe, whereby they should bee forced to beginne their batteries againe in an other place, where they should incurre the like discommoditie.

The siege hauing continued some few weekes, sundrie breaches being made with some assaults, skirmishes, and sallies: lastly, necesitie set vppon the besieged, and sicknesse, togither with want of munition, the besiegers, whereby their troupes were driuen by little and little to breake: the besieged had lost diuers of their best Captaines, and a number of souldiers, and their necessitie grew to such a famine, that asses and horses grew to be good meat. The D. of Anion aduertised thereof,The siege of Chastelle­rand. as also of some discipation of the Prin­ces armie, tooke counsell to besiege Chastellerand, beeing a good means to make the Princes leaue Poistiers, if the Princes were not negligent to loose a place wherein their men were inclosed. But this resolution of the Duke ser­ued well for the Princes, as beeing a good occasion for them to leaue the siege, which notwithstanding they had done, not hauing means to stay any longer before it. And to conclude, both defendants and assaylants were not in long time more troubled. Then those of Poictiers, and the Princes, the va­liant leaders following their haughtie desires, for that hauing high mindes, they applied them to such obiects as best fitted them, but the common saying is most true: that he which gripeth too much, can neuer hold fast any thing. The Dukes of Guise and Maine got the honour in their youths, to haue bin of the number of commanders, that kept so bad a place against their puisan [...] enemies. Touching the dukes armie, it being before Chastellerand, & hauing made a breach, the Italians sent by the Pope, made request to giue the first as­sault, which sel vnto thē by chance of dice, wherevnto they went with bold courage, the besieged vsing subtiltie with them, suffered thē to mount vp, & being vpon the breach, fought hand to hand with them, and hauing slaine the leaders, and some hundreths of the most resolute souldiers, constrained the rest to put themselues in disorder,Italians bea­ten at Cha­stollerand. leauing in the breach fiue Ensignes, and aboue 250. men dead. The hurt men in great number died soone after: this happened the 7. of September.

The Frenchmē appoynted to second the Italians, disdained to follow them, and hauing beene beholders of this spectacle, which well rebated the pre­sumption of the remainder, determined to proceede to a second assault, but they found the besieged so well assured because of their victorie, that they durst not beginne.

The Duke of Anious re­trait from be­fore Chastel­lerand.The Duke not hauing all his armie togither, and perceiuing that the siege was raised before Poictiers, presently after the assault giuē to Castellerand by the Italians, fearing to bee surprised, in all hast caused his artillerie to bee drawne away, and by mans strength besides horses to passe the riuer, there­by to set it in safetie.

The eight of September toward euening, it was resolued that the whole armie should retire into a strong place called la Celle, beyond the riuer that passeth by Haye in Touraine, six leagues from Chastelleraud. At this passage they left two thousand shot, and some cornets of horse, to stay the Princes forces from assayling the Princes armie, at that time too weake to hold out against them. The Duke with the rest of his troupes was lodged in a place of great aduantage. In this retraict the Maisters of his campe vsed such diligence and good conduct, as deserued to bee noted among the most notable feates in all this war, and was the principall meanes of the Dukes victorie, which soone after hee obtained at Chastellerand, where he had at leisure reassembled all his forces, before dispearsed and scattered abroad. The Princes aduertised of this suddaine retraict of the Duke, followed him, and marched all the night, so that beeing first passed the riuer, they drew straight to the port of Pilles, there to passe the riuer of Creuse, and so to set vpon the maine battell. But the guard which the Duke had before placed in the same place, forced them to skirmish almost all the day: the Admirall perceiuing the place too hot, seeking other passages, found one somewhat higher vppon the right hand, where all the armie did the next day passe ouer the Creuse, betweene the port of Pilles and Haye in Touraine, in full resolution to force the Duke either to fight, or else to retire into the Cittie of Tours, where the king then was. The Corps de Garde at the port of Pilles fearing to bee inclosed, retired in great haste to the Dukes armie, where still there arriued men from all places: both the armies set thē ­selues in battell array, but betweene them there ranne a brooke, inuironed with marishes and bogges, very discommodious for any generall fight: be­cause no man could passe but by one and one, as also the artillerie could not bee brought without daunger of losse.

The Duke lodging in a village called la Celle, wel trenched, flangued, and fortified, hauing on the one side a riuer, and on the other a wood, feeling himselfe yet too weake, would not come downe into the plaine: the Princes not able to force him in so strong a hold, hauing for the space of two daies with continuall skirmish sought to bring him to the field, for want of victu­alles returend ouer the Creuse, and so ouer the other riuer named Vienne, the thirteenth day of September, and were lodged at Fay la Vineuse, and within two daies after, the Duke came also within foure leagues of the same place.

A traitor executed.The 21. was Dominique d'Albe, the Admirals Groome of his chamber, put to execution, as beeing conuicted to haue promised la Riuere the [Page 220]Captaine of the Duke of Anious guard, for the summe of one hundreth Crownes which hee had receiued in hand, with assurance of the place of a Groome of the Dukes chamber, and some other large rewards, to kil his mai­ster the said Admirall with poyson, which the said la Riujere deliuered him. The Prince of Orenge departing from this place, vppon a necessarie iourney into Germanie, passed with a small traine by la Charitee and Vegelay: and so fol­lowing on his way, arriued without disturbance at his iourneyes ende, lea­uing his two bretheren Lewis and Henry with the Princes.

Eight daies before the execution of Dominique, the Parliament of Parris had published a decree against the Admirals life, accusing him of rebellion and treason, with promise of reward of fiftie thousand crownes, of the summe to bee leuyed vpon the Towne-house of Parris, to any that could bring him in aliue or dead: the same they also executed him in picture, as they did like­wise the Vidame of Chartres and the Countie Montgommery.

The battell of Moncon­tour won by the Duke of Aniou.The Duke of Aniou hauing gathered all his forces, and passed Vienne vpon the six and twentieth of September, came to Loudun, within three myles of the Princes campe, which beeing in a countrie much fouraged, and of bad cituation, were counselled to go to Moncontour, wher they might haue good lodging and great store of victualles. The carriage marched on the one side, and the Admirall and his armie on the other side, not thinking that the Duke would so soone approach, but beeing neare a village named Saint Cler, the one not knowing of the other, the Dukes vantgard conducted by Monsieur Biron, met sidewaies vppon the Princes armie. Hee perceiuing occasion gi­uen, gaue a charge with a thousand launces vppon Nouy, that made the re­trait for the Princes, with three hundreth horse, and two hundreth Harque­busiers, this small troupe was presently ouerthrowne and put in disorder, with losse of about thirtie or fortie horse, and almost all the foote. This furi­ous charge being done with great force and vppon the suddaine, with the noyse of foure cannon shots, bredde such feare in the Princes troupes, that euery man beganne to bee abashed, and without a certaine passage, whereon aboue twentie men at a time could not passe, that stayed Birons launciers, all the Princes armie had in a manner been wholly ouerthrowne at that first charge.

The Admirall running to that disorder, shewed himselfe vnto his men, and reassembled them in such sort, that at his comming were giuen two or three great charges and recharges, of fifteene hundreth or two thousand horses at once, and such as passed, were soone driuen backe againe by the o­thers. There the Counties Lodowic de Nassau, and VVolrad of Mansfield, beha­ued themselues valiantly. The two armies placed themselues in battell, one heere, the other there, about a long musket shot distant from each other, that of the Princes, beeing soone vnder couert: to passe that place, no man durst be so bold, for the danger that might ensue, because diuers squadrons would soone haue spoyled such as had ventured. But the Dukes artillerie beeing there, and the Princes alreadie at Moncontour, his cannoniers tooke the ad­uantage and hurt some squadrons of the enemie, which notwithstanding brake not ranke, but held firme vntill night, by which meanes each man re­tired.

The next day in the morning, the Duke would visit Moncontour, to put [Page 221]the Princes in feare. But hee found them in the subburbes well fortified, ha­uing no meanes to come at them, but by one way, where hee gaue a skirmish both of horse and footemen. The Dukes armie was composed of eight or nine thousand horse, and seuenteene or eighteen thousand foote, compre­hending fixe thousand Switzers, and fifteene peeces of artillerie. The Prin­ces had sixe thousand horse, Frenchmen and Almaines, sixe thousand Har­quebusiers, foure thousand Lansquenets, sixe cannons, two coluerins, and three other peeces, hauing left therest at Lusignan.

Before the battell, two Gentlemen bearing armes in the Dukes campe, beeing strayed, came to some of those of thereligion,Notable ad­uertisement neglected. hauing certaine ditches betweene them, and hauing protested vnto them, that they bare no malice vnto the Princes, willed them to aduertise the Admirall to keepe his armie from fighting, because the Dukes armie was very strong, by reason of new strength, but that hee should driue off the time for the space of a moneth be­cause all the Nobilitie had protested, not to stay any longer, but that if they were imployed within that time, they would doo their best to aduance his seruice. That it was daungerous to striue against the French furie, which in short time would be abated, and by that meanes the Duke with his Councell should bee constrained to seeke for peace, and to graunt it with aduantage to those of the religion: which aduertisment giuen, those two Gentlemen reti­red.

Those of the religion went presently to the Admirall, to certifie him ther­of, which counsell liked him well. They shewed it likewise to others of the principall commaunders, whereof some reiected it not, and desired it might bee followed: but the greatest part esteemed it to be but an artificial deuise to put them in feare, adding, that although this aduise seemed to bee good, yet it was not to be accounted of, because it proceeded from suspect persons, and such as vsually exercise deceits: commonly such as are neare to any mis­chiefe, despise the good counsell wherewith men seeke to relieue them. The Princes Councell assembling to resolue vpon their proceedings, some sayd it was best for them to get to Ernaux, and to set the riuer which runneth by it,Euill coun­sell followed. between both the armies, and to depart about nine of the clocke in the eue­ning, and to march all night, that they might get thither in safetie, because the Duke was at hand. Others replyed, that those nightly retraits, put feare into such as make them, imbasing their reputations, giuing courage to the e­nemies, and that it were best to depart about the breake of day. This second aduise, (beeing the woorst) was followed.

The Admirall as then was in great distrust, fearing that the Rutters would mutin for want of pay, and that three or foure of his Regiments of far coun­tries would leaue him: because they had alreadie asked him licence to de­part.

He knew likewise that diuers Gentlemen were retired vnto their hou­ses, wherefore to hold the armie in vnitie, hee besought the Princes (that were at Partenay) to come thither: which they did, bringing with them one hundreth and fiftie good horse. The next day in the morning, the horsemen were readie mounted to ryde to Ernaux, all in white cassockes, the better to know them, if they should bee forced to fight. But then the Lansquenets refused to march, except they might haue mony. And within a quarter of an [Page 222]houre after,Blind aua­rice cause of a great mis­chiefe. fiue cornets of Rutters said as much, by which meanes, aboue an houre and a hafe past ouer, before they could bee appeased, whereby the troupes could not haue the meanes to get a place, wherein they could hard­ly haue been fought withall.

And hauing marched a quarter of a league, they discouered the Dukes armie, aduancing it selfe in such manner, that all the leisure they had, was to range themselues in order, and to place themselues in a valley, in couert from the cannon shot. After this ensued an other mischiefe in the Princes armie, which was, that the Admirall perceiuing the Dukes vantgard to set forward, (wherein was nineteene cornets of Rutters in two squadrons) and to come right vpon him, hee sent to the Countie Lodowicke that commaunded the bat­tell, that he should send him three cornets of horse: which the Countie did, but hee himselfe led them, and at that instant beganne the battell, hee remai­ning in fight: whereby the bodie of the battell remained without a head, not knowing how to gouerne it selfe: & it is thought, that if the Countie (a wise and valiant Gentleman) had beene there, the body of the battell had mades good resistance,The body of the battell without a head. seeing that being so discouered, it had almost put the dukes battell to fight.

The fight hauing continued almost three quarters of an houre, the Prin­ces as yet very young, beeing not long before retired, and with them diuers others, vnder colour of safer conduction of their persons: the Admirall likewise beeing hurt in the face at the first conflict, in the ende the Princes horsemen were constrained to leaue the field, part of the foote beeing slaine, the rest flying to saue themselues.

The artillerie and Ensignes of the footemen were taken: Countie Lodo­wicke was pursued a whole league,Notable re­trait. but made a gallant retraict with three thousand horse in one maine. The rest of the troupes hauing gotten away before, the leaguerors made shew many times to set vpon the Countie: but hee alwaies turned so brauely vpon them that they durst not ioyne. In this manner hee marched towards Eruaux, and from thence to Partenay, where they arriued about tenne of the clocke at night, fiue houres after the ouer­throw, where the rest likewise came.

The Princes in this battell of Moncontour, lost four thousand Launsquenets' fifteen hundreth French souldiers, and great numbers of pages and other boyes: of the horsemen about three hundreth, and many horses dead or hurt: of men of name there were slaine Puigreffier, Autricourt, Biron, brother to him that ledde the Dukes vantgard, and Saint Bonet Cornet of the Admirals laun­ciers. La Noue and Acier taken prisoners: the Rutters carriage was sacked, on­ly the horses which the boyes saued: but the French carriage being further aduanced towards Partenay and Nyort was saued: of the Dukes troupes there was not many footemen slaine, but of horse about fiue or sixe hundreth, and twise as many more wounded, most part of them dying not long after: and of men of name, the elder Rhingraue, the Marquesse of Bade, and Cleremont of Dauphine.

The number of slaine on both parts.The Duke caused the dead to bee buried, and commanded the villages and townes neare there abouts, to burie such as lay nearest vnto them. Such was this daies chance, whereof diuers discourses haue bin published, whose vanities I haue not vndertaken to tet downe, contenting my selfe to haue ap­proached [Page 223]nearest vnto the trueth, which of it selfe will sufficiently be desen­ded.

The Marshall de Rez was presently willed by the Duke to ride to Tours, to certifie the king and the Queene of his victorie, wherewith all Europe was presently filled, and as the report is made greater by passing through many mens mouthes, nothing was then spoken of in Italie and else where, but of the vtter ouerthrow of all the Princes armie.

Consultation in the Dukes councel, what was to be don after the bat­tel of Mont­contour.Immediately after this victorie, the chiefe Leaders of the Dukes armie were assembled to debate what was best to bee done: the opinions were di­uers, and the woorst followed. Some alleadged, that since the Princes foot­men were quite ouerthrowne, and that they had fewe horsemen but Rut­ters, who were alreadie wonderful discontent for the losse of their baggage, the best course would be with all speed to follow them, so should they com­passe one of these two effects, either vtterly ouerthrow them, or force them to compound for their retraict into Germanie, which might easily be perfor­med, by giuing them some two moneths pay.

Heereto adding, that the Admirall a wary Captaine, and one that knewe how to shift out of the bryers, had hee but euen very small leisure, would repaire his forces, adding some replies out of Gascon and Languedoc: so that in the spring, they should be assured to haue him in the field with a new armie, wherewith hee would waste sundrie Prouinces, and transport the wars euen to the Gates of Parris. Besides, the presence of the Princes among their daun­ted troupes, would by little and little harten them againe, and stirre vppe the stomacks of many others that were now quailed in other places, vnlesse with diligence they were abridged from making profit of the time. In summe, they concluded that the Duke with the two thirds of his armie, shuld follow the Princes, whereby vndoubtedly he should driue their leaders for refuge to shut vp themselues in some weake place, whereby the warres might bee ended.

Others thought it better to reape the assured fruite of the victorie, by ta­king in the townes that were holden in the Princes names, which in this a­stonishment might easily bee done, but would heereafter bee harder, and in maner impossible, in case they had respite to suruay their own estates, where­by there would be new stirres: for the Protestants would neuer be subdued, so long as they had any places of retrait: but once shutte out of their starting holes, they would haue no great stomacke to bee busie. That their townes that were to be taken in Poictou, Xaintongue, and Angoulmois, were not to hold out any long time against a victorious armie, so mightie, and euery day in­creasing: also that so Rochel seeing her selfe left post alone and open to them, would soone quake: as for the remainders of the defeated armie, or that the Admirall and Princes were gotten into safetie, all that would waste of it selfe: and for the hasting of the execution therof, they might send after them some one thousand horse, and two thousand shot: and withall, raise the whole po­wer of the Prouinces where they should stay. In the meane time with all ex­pedition to send for artillerie and munititon to performe this purpose, which beeing atchieued, would inflict a mortall wound vppon those of the religi­on, who alreadie halted of the one legge.

This latter aduise tooke place, yet but in part neither, namely, so farre as [Page 224]concerned the taking of townes, yet not of all: but as for pursuing of the Princes, the Duke and his Councell neuer thought more of it, but imployed their time in that which seemed most easie. The Admirall did since report to the Lord de la Noue, that had they chearefully pursued the Princes and him, when they transported the remainders of their armie into Gascon, they had vtterly indaungered them, considering that passing through the countrie of Perigort, and other straights, the Pesants and pettie Garrisons wrought them much trouble, by reason they had none but horsemen, and those in part tired, and in part astonished: but there sort that they had to refresh themselues, to strengthen their power with footemen, and to gather in the booties of the good countrie as they went, restored their courages, and put them in newe hopes.

The Princes hauing reassembled their forces after the battell of Mon­contour, and taken speedie aduise in Partenay what they should do,What the Prince did after the ouerthrow. presently issued foorth, and at three of the clocke after midnight departed to go to Ny­ort, hoping that that place would for a time stay the Dukes armie, therein lea­uing Nouy with his Cornet, and two Regiments of Harquebusiers, besides pikes, and the Townes-men: from thence they went to Saint Iohn d'Angely to prouide for it: wherein lay Captaine Pilles, to whom they committed the guard, giuing him more strength of fiue hundreth harquebusiers, with the cornet of la Motte Puiols, and the harquebusiers of la Mure, and then gaue order for Rochel and Angoulesme. The Duke following the resolution of his Councell, caused his armie to march towards Partenay, where it found no re­sistance, but the gates open and the Towne voyde.

The reprise of sundrie townes, for the Prince of Anion.In the meane time, the Barron of Mirambeau beeing in Lusignon, a place accounted impregnable, well furnished with artillerie, souldiers, and suffici­ent prouision, did notwithstanding vppon some summons and parley, yeeld vp the place to his Cousin the young Lansac, thereby incurring great mislike with both parties, and of his cowardize, reaping onely reproach, scorne, and shame.

Soone after, the Duke sent to summon Nyort, and finding part of the gar­rison wauering, caused his skouts and forerunners to shew themselues euen at the gates, so to terrifie them the more: Mony who wanted neither courage nor strength, therevppon tooke the field with his cornet, and when hee had scarred away these aduenturers, sounded the retrait, wherein as hee was one of the hindermost, and called Maureuell of the Countrie of Brye, who a litle before departing from the Dukes armie, vnder colour of beeing of the religi­on, had yeelded himselfe to Mouy, Mouy vn­worthily in­treated, and his aduersary rewarded by the Catho­licques. and so was admitted into his cornet, besto­wed vppon his Captaine and benefactor a Pistol-shot in his backe, whereby hee was greeuously wounded, and beeing well horsed, saued himselfe in haste with the Duke, who sent him to the Queene, where he was rewarded with a summe of mony out of the Town-house of Parris, and afterward well aduanced and welcome to the Court, afterward also imployed against the Admirall, as heereafter you shall vnderstand: and lastly slaine in the middest of his safetie at Parris, by the Lord of Mouies son, who came not behind him, but came to his face and did it with his sword through the default of his cui­rats which hee vsually ware euen in time of peace.

Mouy beeing thus wounded retired into Niort, where hee thought to [Page 225]haue held out: but afterwise beeing otherwise aduised, hee came to S. Iohns to conferre with the Princes, and so went to Rochel, where hee yeelded vp the ghost.

Hee was a wise, valiant, and very godly Gentleman, a terror to the Ro­mish Catholicques, and as vpright in his conuersation as any of our time. Vp­pon his retrait from Niort, the place was immediately abandoned, and so consequently without difficultie, was possessed by the Duke. Thither came the king, the Queene-mother, and the Cardinall of Lorraine soone after, and ther reloiued to besiege Saint Iohn d'Angely. In the mean time Puuiaut forsook Fontenay, as not able to stand against such an armie, and so came to Rochel, where hee craued and obtained succours to defend Marans the keye of that countrie.

The Prote­stants troupes retire to la Charite.The Princes Garrisons of Chastelleraud, Chauuigny, Roche-pose, castle d'An­gle, Prully, Cleruant, and other small places, departed to passe through Ber­ry, and so with Briguemaut to draw to Sancerre & Charite. They tooke breath at Bourg Dieu, lately surprised to their vse by Captaine Gournay, from young Monluc, for by the way, the Commons of Berry and Chastre, the Gouernor of the Countrie had greatly molested them: but Guerchy Gouernor of Charite came to free them, and maugre all the indeuors of Chastre, and the resistance or a fewe Priests of Chasteauneaf, a town standing vpon the riuer of Cher (who foolishly and with the losse of their liues, had changed their portuises into swords, and their copes into corslets) brought them into couert. Ascon­cerning those of Dauphine and Languedoc, Viuarets and Auuergne. some of them to the number of sixe or seuen hundreth horse, with the princes leaue tooke their way homeward, purposing by leisure to prouide for some places in Viuaretz and Auuergne, where after many difficulties they did arriue, loosing by the way some hun­dreth men, besides such as were stripped: for no sooner could any man scatter ortarrie behind, but he was presently taken vp by the Pesants, who studied onely how to robbe and spoyle.

The chiefe of these troupes that retired thus, were Monbrun, Mirabel, and Verbelay, who afterward commaunded in Orillac in Auuergne: from whence Saint Heran the Gouernour did his vtter indeuor to debarre the Princes en­trie: for indeed there was aspeech, that they purposed to come and winter in the plaine countrie called la Limagne: but they went an other way: for ha­uing prouided for Rochel, Saint Iohn d'Angely, and some other places, they passed ouer Dordogne, drew towards Quercy, and below Cadenat passed ouer the riuer of Lot, from whence they followed that course which heereafter we will set downe.

Among other Townes that serued the Princes in these warres, we must not for get Rochel, a port of the sea, well knowne to all men,Rochel a great refuge for the Prin­ces. for that among other commodities which it did for those of the religion, it rigged and pre­pared great numbers of shippes, that tooke many rich prizes, whereby great profit ensued for the common cause. Although at that time they tooke but the tenth part for the Admiraltie, yet the profit amounted vnto aboue three hundreth thousand frankes: & diuers courses were made by many Captains, among the which, Sore bare a great name, wherewith the Spaniards were not well content.

Nismes in Languedoc serued likewise greatly for the Prince, after they had [Page 226]taken it from one named Saint Andre, As also Nis­mos in Lan­guedoc got­ten by a no­table denice. by meanes of their participants in those quarters, that got it by a notable deuice, entering by a grate of Iron, filed di­uers nights with a soft file, by a souldier liuing at hazard.

This grate stood at the foote of the Town wall, shutting in a sinke, throgh the which there ranne in a fountaine out of a little spring, for the commodi­tie of the Inhabitants. The enterprises whereof, one named Captaine Saint Cosme was the leader, beeing entred by this conduct, were presently disco­uered by the Sintinell that stood vpon it: In such sort, that the fluee of a mill not farre from thence, was presently left open vpon them, and some peeces out of the Castle shot against them. Neuerthelesse they shunned it, & being entered and dispearsed in troupes, Saint Cosme went to the grate called Car­mes, where hee put a court of guard to the swoord, consisting onely of Priests: and going to the Crowne gate, hee met a Corporall, whom hee con­strained to giue him the word, forced an other court of guard, and slew them all.

The gate beeing opened, certaine souldiers that stayed withour, ente­red with their boyes, and running with three trumpets through the streetes of the Towne, made a great noyse: Chaissi, Mingelle, and other Captaines, companions of Saint Cosme, went round about the Towne. Saint Andre and his Liefetenant, not hauing the meanes to get into the Castle, and beeing hardly pursued, (for they went to bee reuenged vpon them, because of their wicked liues, and as then also they had those of the religion, that had fledde from Nismes against them, to whom they had done a thousand mischieses) threw themselues off from the wall into the ditches, where the one brake his necke, the other his thigh, and the next day being taken was slaine. Captaine Astoul, that commanded in the Castle, held out almost three months against the Towne, but hauing lost part of his souldiers by a mine, others dead of sicknesse, and the rest poore and miserable, hee agreed to yeelde, liues and goods saued, and so this towne restored to the commandement of the Prin­ces, did after serue them to great end in many of their affaires.

The fiege of Vizelay by Sansac, with the successe thereof.After the battell of Moncontour, the Duke of Aniou commaunded Sanssacto take from those of the religionall that they held beyond Loire. According to this commission, Sanssac with two and twentie Ensignes of foote, and eight cornets of horse, foure cannons, and two coluerins, entered into Donzi, which beeing very weake, had beene abandoned: tooke Noyers vpon com­position, that the besieged should enioy both liues and goods, which not­withstanding the most part of the souliers were transported to Troy in Cham­pagne, and threescore of them slaine by the people in the streets: Irom thence Sanssac mached toward Vezelay, a towne standing vpon the top of a high hil, hauing but one way to come at it, whereby the Inhabitants came in and out. All other waies are so steepe; that without many breathings, it is vnpossible to climbe to the foote of the walles, which are reasonable thicke and strong. Therein were inclosed these Captaines: Blosset, Sarasin, Besansen, and Ribourpierre, with three companies of footemen, and two Cornets of horse. Most of these souldiers were such as had come thither as to a place of resuge. The 8. of Octob. Sanssac caused three companies to make the first approach, but the besieged came foorth very resolutely, defeated two companies; & slew their Captaines, and about fortie souldiers: the third saued themselues in a valley among [Page 227]Then did Sansac with greater forces make his approaches, and within two daies after beganne the batterie, which continued eight and fortie houres, then gaue the assault at two breaches and an escalado, neare the Franciscan Fryers. But hee had as sharpe a repulse with losse of three hundreth men and aboue, as also the defendants lost some thirtie men, with their Captain named Sarazin. Then did Sansac remooue his batterie into diuers places, and gaue an assault, which the besieged did valiantly defend, and slew euen without the breaches, and in the retrait, many of his men. Then finding bis bullets and powder in manner quite spent, and his cannons broken and spoyled, rai­sed his siege and went to setch a new supply, and so with all diligence retur­ned with twelue peeces more: the rather for that hee was by some traitors of the Towne (of whom two were found out and executed) giuen to vn­derstand of the departure of the most part of the Gentlemen that were at the first siege, who now had taken the field.

At his first comming hee beganne a long and furious battell, wherein hee inlarged the first breaches, beate down the defences, and made the ram­piers plaine, then gaue he a general assault, wherin his men at length had the repulse, with the losse of his brauest souldiers, slaine vpon the breaches and in the ditch. Here vpon, considering, that three thousand cannon shotte, the death of fifteen hundreth souldiers, and among others of Foyssy, the Colonell of his foot men, could no whit abate the courage of the besieged, heretired and thought it ynough to shut them vp towards the ende of the yeare: but Briquemaut and Guerchy found meanes to relieue Vezelay, and to send Sansac to seek his fortune elsewhere.A notable defence of a woman besie­ged in her owne house. As small honor did Montare the Gouernour of Bourbonnois, Moncequie, and other Captaines obtaine, who with three thou­sand men, some foote, some horse, and certaine Cannons, besieged and for fifteene daies space, did beate the Castle of Bonegon, holden and couragiously defended by Mary of Brabancou, widdow to the Lord of Neaui, with some fiftie souldiers for the guard of that her house.

The besiegers lay before it neare two moneths: so that in the end, this vertuous Ladie hauing lost the most part of her souldiers, who were slaine in the assaults and ordinarie skirmishes, was forced to yeeld to the enemie, who sent her prisoner to Moullins, from whence shee was afterward deliuered at the entreatie of such as respected her godlinesse and vertue. Her Castle they sacked and threw downe, for spite that they had lost so many souldiers, and reaped as great dishonour as might bee. This siege began about the begin­ning of Nouember.

The siege of Poictiers had been the beginning of misfortune of the Prin­ces,The siege of S. d'Angely, ruine of the D. of Anious forces. but in exchange, the siege of Saint Iohn d'Angely was the stay or period of the Duke of Anious victories. For if he and his troupes had not flayed there, but rather pursued the Princes and the Admirall, the war had soone ended, as all men were of opinion, considering the feare which those of the religion at that time had, togither with the difficulties which as then presented them­selues. The Duke proude of the taking of Partenay, Nyort, S. Maixant, Fonte­nay, Chastelleraud, & Lufignan, sent according to their determination, to summō the town of S. Iohn d'Angely to yeeld vnto him. Piles that cōmanded therin, as­sisted by la Motte Puiols, la Ramiere, Paluel called Serido, les Essars, la Garde, and Montant, to whom Monsieur de la Personne was sent with certaine horse, made [Page 228]answere, that hee kept the place for the Prince of Nauarre, Gouernour of Guyenne. The Towne was presently besieged, beginning vpon the sixteenth of October, where those within, made many sallies and skirmishes to im­peach the enemie from approaching: fiue daies after, the besieged with for­tie horse charged the enemie, where they slew diuers of their souldies, who being surprised, were taught to runne faster. But the losse they had the next day after was greater, for then the besieged slew a great number of their mē, bare away two Ensignes and a halfe, and a good quantitie of armes, Captain Parisol slaine, and his brother taken prisoner, without losse of one man of those in the Towne.

Fiue daies after, the Queene brought the king her sonne, as then of the age of nineteene yeares, with a great traine vnto the siege, to the ende, that he might likewise haue part of the honor of so many conquests in his realm, and against his owne subiects. But not long after, hee could well complaine that his mother had brought him thither to drinke of the shame, and to fa­uour the Duke of Aniou her other sonne, whom she sought to aduance. It was thought as then, the besieged would haue yeelded themselues within two daies after: but those two daies continued aboue sixe weekes. Captaine la Ramiere was so sore hurt at the beginning of the batterie, that hee died not long after, much lamented by those of the towne, for his valour and resolu­tion. At the first assault giuen about the beginning of Nouember, the kings armie loft diuers of their Captaines and best souldiers. Montesquiou, that slew the Prince, was there cruelly wounded, whereof he languished certaine weekes, and then died. Biron Generall of the artillerie, perceiuing that this resolution of the besieged would spoile the assailants, began to mollifie them by Artificiall practises, and to vse a treatie of peace, Personne hauing Pasport graunted him to go vnto the Princes. Wherevpon a truce was graunted for certaine daies, which beeing expired, although Personne was not returned, Piles was often summoned by Biron to yeeld vp the Towne, because he had conditioned to capitulate, if within the time of the truce, he had no ayde not answere frō the Princes. In the end it was agreed, that if the next day by ten of the clocke in the morning, beeing the tenth of Nouember, the besieged were not relieued, they should yeeld vp the place: as all the Towne was in a maze, and many weeping for greese, about the breake of day they beganne to crie out, saying: that the aide (which a Gentleman named Fombedoucre, had gone to fetch with the great daunger of his life, and continued after that with great fortune, to hazard himselfe for the good of the towne, by dooing such speciall seruices, and in the end was taken by his enemie) was at the gate of Mattas, whither Piles presently went to receiue them. It beeing Captaine Saint Seurin, who with fortie horse was come from Angoulesme to S. Iohn, passing by the enemies campe, that lay about the towne, hauing vnder the name and pretence of a friend, finely circumuented the watch: at the time appoynted Biron appeared, that receiued an other answere then hee expec­ted. The hostages deliuered on both sides, the Romish Catholicke cannons beganne to play, daily continuing, wherevnto the besieged opposed great diligence, by making rampiers of earth. There Schastian de Luxemberg Duke of Martigues, Gouernour of Brittaine, was slaine with a harquebu shot, a great enemie to those of the religion, and much lamented by the contrary part. [Page 229]Not long before as in an interview, hee stood talking with la Motte Puiols, perswading him to yeeld, he said: trust not you vnto the Princes nor the Ad­mirall, but remember the battell, wherein your strong God forsooke you, and that at this time you haue occasion to sing: Helpe vs now O Lord, for it is time. La Motte answered, that for the losse of such a battell, their hope in the strong God, (of whose aide they were assured) was not diminished. And the next day after this parley, was made the sallie aforesaid, wherein Partso [...] was slaine, and at their returne into the towne, they sung the 50. Psalme, be­ginning: The mightie God, &c. And not long after, Martigues felt that the strong God is liuing, to ayde the weake, and to abate those that thinke them­selues to be stronger then he.

During this batterie, la Motte Puiols, and S. Seurin, with eightie horse, and two hundreth foot, made a braue sallie vpon the besiegers court of guard, which consisted of foure Ensignes: slew fiftie or sixtie of the principall, wounded a great number, cloyed sixe coluerins, and burned fifteen barrels of powder belonging to the munition: also la Motte charged the Switzers that kept the store house, wherein were some hundreth barrels and more: slew part of the Switzers, and scarred the rest, so that had they not made speede to the rescue, all the powder of the armie had vanished in smoke. The besieged retired with two Ensignes, many drūmes & weapons, & great bootie, without losse of any one man. Afterward the furie of the cannon was redoubled, and the besiegers resolued to abide, but not to fight but with cannon shot.

Finally the siege hauing continued for the space of two monethes, there was a capitulation signed with the kings owne hand, importing, that the be­sieged should issue out, with their goods, armes, and horses, their Ensignes wound vp, and that for the space of foure monethes after, they should not beare armes for the generall cause of the religion, that as well straungers as others, might retire whither they would, with all securitie: and that they should be conducted by Biron & Cosseins. Now it remained that they should prouide to depart the next day, being the third of Decemb. which they did euery man as well as hee might. In the meane time, the sicke and wounded, the aged, impotent, and women, tooke on mightily, neither was there a­nything heard, but weeping and lamentation, especially at the departure, which was about noone. The Duke of Aumale was at the gate of Mattas, where the footemen were the first that came forth,The vn wor­thee dealing with those that came foorth of Saint Iohn d'Angelie vpon compe­sition. vnder the leading of Cap­taine Serido and other Captaines, to whom Marshal Vieillenille, said: Follow me, and let your men come after you. Beeing come to the midst of the sub­burbs, the Romish Catholicquesouldiers began to discharge vppon therest, and with force draue them into their lodgings, where they stripped them of their armes, apparrel, and mony: the marshal being hereof aduertised, com­manded his mēto follow him with their weapons readie, but as he ran one way, there was much iniurie offered an other. Whervpon Serido went twise to complain to the D. d'Aumale, and to summon him to see the kings promise performed: but Aumale in liew of going himselfe, commanded certaine Cap­taines to take order for it. About 50. paces without the subburbs stood the D. of Aniou, whose countenance did somwhat represse the insolencie of y^e Rut­ters, but so soone as they were passed him, his foot mē spoiled their cariages, seized vpō their spare horses, set the horsemē besides their saddles, & robbed them. Neither did they y^e escaped this first spoyle, go scot free, for passing by S. Iulians, [Page 230]which was halfe a league of, they incurred greater iniuries then before. The regiment of Sarrieu that stood there at guard, suffered not any to escape, but tooke from them all that they could finde, euen to their hose and shooes, yea sometimes to the very shirt. Many were beaten, murthered, and slaine, and some cast into the riuer. Thus were the footemen intreated, that vppon the kings faith royall, came foorth of S. Iohn d'Angely. The horsemen at their departure did Biron and Cosseyns bring foorth, which notwithstanding they were stripped by their carriages, armour, and horses: and being passed Saint Iulians, three cornets appoynted for their conduct, began to strip and iniurie any that scattered neuer so little: yea euen at Siech, whither they were that day to march, diuers were robbed, stripped, and slaine. And the next day vp­pon the way to Saint Cibardean, this disorder continued to the contempt and infamie of the authoritie royall, notwithstanding the kings safe conduct, his Herault and Trumpet, whom Biron had commanded to bring them to An­goulesme, where both foote and horse thus hardly intreated, arriued vppon Sunday the fourth of December, about tenne of the clocke in the morning, where they were honeftly receiued by the Lord of Mesines, the Gonernour, and diuers other Lords and Gentlemen, that wondred at the former treacherie, and aduised to complaine to the king and other principall men, and to craue amends. Aumale and the rest made much ado, but in wordes onely: so that thus the solemne promise was broken, and the dignitie royall exposed to infamie, neither could the Captains notwithstanding their complaints, pro­cure any satisfaction. Indeede some fewe of the veriest rascals and treachers were bannished the campe, and recompence promised for the loft baggage: besides that, the king seemed to be mightily discontent, that his name shuld be so villainously prophaned: but this second promise was as well obserued as the first.

Piles and some others, accounting themselues in regard of this treache­rie, freed from their promise contained in one of the articles of the capitulati­on, departed from Angoulesme and went to the Princes, notwithstanding the disturbance by Vauguyon, and eight Cornets of horse, offered at the passage ouer Dordogne. In this siege the assaylants loft aboue 10000. men of war, and discharged 35000. cannon shot: 25. or 30. commissaries of the artillerie were slaine by the besieged, who for want of munition, let 12. or 15. peeces moun­ted vpon wheeles stand vnoccupied: many left the campe, which found it selfe diminished of 18. or 20000. men, yet litle esteemed in respect of the D. de Martigues, and other cōmanders. Whilest the Romish Catholicques ar­mie lay spending thēselues before S. Iohn d'Angely, la Chastre and others, war­red vpon the religious in Berry, & the borders with variable successe on both sides. The protestants in two or three places, trusting to their enemies pro­mises, were hardly intreated: but they had their reuenge by weapons and va­liant resistance in sundrie places where they bare out sundrie assaults, & for­ced their enemies to retire. The kings armie by want of victuals and other discommodities, presently after, went from Saint Iohn de Angely, leauing the Princes and the Admirall to thinke vpon their voyage. And the king about the end of the yeare went to Angers, assigning the Princes Deputies to bee there in the beginning of Ianuary to intreat of peace.

The King,1570. the Queene, the Duke of Aniou, and their Councell, thin­king [Page 231]that the Princes had lost courage, and after the battell of Montcontour, Why a parley of peace was made about the begin­ning of the yeare. to be wholly destitute of all means to ayde themselues, determined to sound them, to see if they would enter into request and acceptation of peace: hoping that hauing brought them to the poynt, there could bee no condition, how hard soeuer it were, but they would gladly accept it, so they might bee assured of their liues, and the possession of their goods in their houses. And according to this aduise in the moneth of Nouember, 1569. a meeting was practised betweene the Marshall de Cosse, and the Deputies of the Queene of Nauarre, the Deputies hauing presented their articles, although the matter ought rather to bee handled by conference then by writings, which haue no replies, the meanes therein vsed, and the delaies practised for aunswering therevnto, made the Princes know and perceiue, that their enemiesment to helpe themselues by that deuice to hinder their affaires.

After the first audience giuen vnto their Deputies, they were giuen to vnderstand, that the king could not indure the exercise of their religion, and that they ought to content thēselues with the libertie of their conscien­ces. An other deuice was wrought, which was, that messengers were sent into England and Almaine, to certifie them that the peace was made: by that meanes to stay the ayde that they might procure from thence. And on the o­ther side, Postes went in all haste to procure money and forraine souldiers. They discouered diuers practises against them, both within & without the Realme, the effect beeing, that first they would disarme them, and then vse them and all those of the religion, as the iudgement giuen against the Admi­ral sufficiently shewed. Notwithstanding they determined to send Messieurs de Beauuais, la Nocle, & Theligny, to Angers, to enter into conference with the kings commissioners: and on the other side, to pursue their warlike affaires, and so make peace with weapon in hand.

After the battel of Moncontour, we see how the forces of the Protestants were scattered in diuers Prouinces. Such as were dispearsed in Berry, deter­mined through intelligence with a certaine souldier that betrayed them,The Pro­gresse of the warlike ex­ployts in Poi­ctou, against the Proste­stants. to surprize Bourges: but missing of their purpose, by a counter intelligence, lost in that exployt some 30. men, besides as many more taken prisoners, hauing but homely entertainment, with the cannon were forced to retire from the town, wherto they had brought 1000. horse, & 2000. foot. The Countie of Lude, Puigaillard, & Sanzay, Colonel of the Arrierebands of France, after the recouerie of Poictou, got possessions of Marans, wherby the whole Prouince round about was won for the Princes, except Angoulesme and Rochel, where the Protestants were shut vp, after that Sanzay had gotten the Castle of Beau­ [...]oir on the sea, from yong Rohan. Lusignon was lost through the cowardize of the Barron of Mirambean, whom the souldiers made their scoffing stock, wit­nesse the scoffe of the L. of Losses, who comming to speake with the Queen of Nauarre at Rochel, saide openly, that Mirambeau came to composition, not for want of victual or munition, but be cause he could get no more mu­stard to eate with his poudered beese. The Councel weening to terrifie the L. of Pardaillan, Gouernour of Blay, caused the King to write his letter vnto him importing both threats and promises, to cause him to yeelde vp the place (which gotten, they hoped to haue Rochel cheape ynogh) which he held for the Princes, into the hāds of Lansac, who in his letters threatened [Page 232] Pardaillon, in case he denied to obey. But Pardaillan answered the K. discreet­ly, and Lansac as couragiously, to whom hee wrote thus. You can conceiue no greater greefe in enterprising to force mee in this place, then I should by yeelding, reape shame, losse, hinderance, and confusion, whereto I doubt not to put you, or any other that shall put mee to it. Neither am I or any vn­der my charge, so base minded to graunt you any greater aduantage, then the like force as you pretend against vs.

Lansac finding nothing to bee had there but stripes, turned an other way and tried Romegou, the Gouernour of Tayllebourg, whose aunswere was not vnlike to Pardaillans. Then because the Isles of Xaintongne, Marennes, and Brouage, had much molested the armie that besieged Saint Iohn d'Angely, by letting their Garrisons rode vp and downe, and cut off their victuallers, they now sent the Countie of Lude, Puigaillard, and Riuiere Puitaille, with eight cornets of horse, and twentie Ensignes of foote, who tooke all by force, and there slew the remainder of the Lansquenets that escaped at the battell of Moncontour, so as there were left aliue, not aboue three hundreth fighting men, or thereabout. Whilest the wars continued in those quarters, in a rode they caught a souldier, whom Riutere Puitaille sought to practise for the sur­prising of Rochel: Sundrie war­like exployts on either part in Poictou & Guyenne. but the souldier laboured a double intelligence, whereby Riuiere and others in hope to take, had almost been taken, but hauing war­ning thereof by the way, they returned to their Garrisons. On the other side, la Noue the Princes Lieftenant in Guyen, sought to recouer Brouage, a place that greatly annoyed the Rochellers: but as hee went about it, hee discouered an other enterprise practised by the Barron de la Garde, against Thonne Charen­te, so as the purposes of the one countermaunded the other. At that time, which was the beginning of the yeare, Rochel was as it were blocked vp on euery side. For towards Poictou the Countie of Lude and Puigaillard had a great armie: Riuiere Puitaille the elder held Marans and other places therea­bout, and the younger commaunded in Brouage.

Landereau the Viceadmirall, a sworne enemie to the religion, which be­fore himselfe had professed, lay in Olone: then the Brittons and Bourdelois by sea, did what they could to cut off all victuall from Rochel, wherein also the Barron de la Gard, then Generall of the galleyes, did greatly annoy them, running many times euen to their hauen. He now to the end on all sides to blocke vp the towne, with the helpe of the yonger Puitaille, broached a prac­tise against Thonne Charente: to the effecting whereof, he sent Captaine Beau­lieus Lieftenant to make the first descent. La Noue vnderstanding his deuice, vndertooke to keepe the place, and so ordered his Harquebusiers, that had they forborne vntill the souldiers of this Galley had landed, they had caught either dead or aliue, not onely these, but also their followers, who came on [...] row into Charente, and so purposing to land, had cast away themselues in Sparte. But they forgetting their Captaines direction, so soone as Beaulieus Lieftenant was comming on shore, receiued him with such a storme of shot, that they slew him and l'Argoussin: withall, they proclaimed libertie to the Galley-slaues, who therevppon let go their owers, and so la Noue tooke the Galley and all that was in it.

The prisoners were carried to Rochel, and the Galleye to Taillebourg, wherewith, as also with an other Romegouse, did afterward make sundrie voy­ages, [Page 233]and tooke diuers prizes from the Romish Catholicques. The Barron retired with his losse, & broght his Gallies back to Brouage, where he prac­tised by pollicie, that which he could not compasse by force: but he lost both time, men, and money: to bee briefe, hee did iust nothing.

First parley of peace.The Princes Deputies arriued in Angers, in the moneth of February to parley of a peace, the king hauing vnderstood their declarations & demands, made aunswere, that for their exercise of religion, they should be permitted to dwell and liue peaceably within his Realme, in libertie of conscience, without beeing troubled in their houses. And for securitie he graunted them two Townes, which Biron should nominate, wherin they might do as they thought good, without interruption, with condition that there should bee some sufficient Gentleman appoynted, to be superintendant ouer those pla­ces, to see that nothing should bee done by them contrarie to the authoritie of the king and his Realme. Minding that in France there should bee no Mi­nisters, nor any other exercise of religion then his owne, they should bee re­stored vnto their offices, except to such as by iniustice they hadde bin put from: And by the kings commaundement, who had sold them to get mony for the affaires of warre, hee demaunded to haue them disarmed, that they should speedily discharge their forraine souldiers, and yeeld vp all the towns holden by them.

The Deputies hauing other commission, hauing conferred with the Queene and the Kings Councell, at Chasteaubruiant in Brittaine, returned to the Princes, without any conclusion for that time. During these affaires,VVar about Rochel. Pui­gallard with other the Captaines thereabout, determined to inclose Rochel, and to that end beganne at Marsilli, Enandes, Noaille, and other hamlets within a league or two. But Scipion an Italian Enginer, to whom the Princes in consideration of his seruice, had giuen the reuenues of Noaille, vnderstan­ding what was done, with the helpe of la Noue and Puuiauts shot, surprised the enemie in the village, and slew a good number. The others that were shut vp in the Castle with condition of life and goods, yeelded to Noue, who was come with some forces out of Rochel.

The same time died Riuiere Puitaille, the Elder and Gouernor of Marans, wherevppon la Noue, Puuiaut, and other Captaines, determined to seize vpon the Burrough, Castle, and Bastille of Marans, where the new Gouernour na­med Chaperon, found as small obedience as might bee. Their enterprise they happily atchieued: stripped Chaperon, whom they sent emptie away: turned a companie of Italians that held the Bastille, and were loth to fight too long, into their hose and dubblets, and their weapons, purses, garments, and hor­ses, furnished Captaine la Gardes souldiers.

A notable ouer throw in fauour of the Rochelers.This conquest gotten toward the ende of February, awaked the enemies Garrisons round about, whom la Noue pursued so hotly, that he draue them out of tenne or twelue fortes about Rochel. Then tooke he in hand an enter­prise against the sonnes of Olone, which failing the first time, by reason of the roughtnesse of the sea, which kept away fiue hundreth shot that should haue come in Barques, Chaluppes, and other small boates, vnder the leading of Captaine Sore, was set on foote againe the fifteenth of March, and so resolute­ly prosecuted, that the defendants were forced, and for the most part slaine. Landereau, who commanded in that place, carried to Rochel, where in regard [Page 234]of his intollerable demeanours hee had been executed, had it not beene for such protestant Gentlemens sakes, as beeing in many places prisoners, might therevpon haue beene the more hardly intreated: the burrough was giuen in pillage, where the souldiers found a wonderful bootie, much goods and plentie of siluer readie quoined: there were taken sortie good vesselles, and many prisoners that remained of foure hundreth, slaine in fight. The Con­querers tooke also aboue thirtie small peeces of artillerie, besides what was in the shippes.

A gallant fight of an English ship against fiue gallies.About the same time the Barron de la Garde weening to recouer his losses, sought in a calme with his fiue Gallies, to inuest an English shippe of 25. or thirtie tunne, that ridde neare to Rochel, laden with marchandize. But the Englishmen bare themselues so couragiously, that the Barron with the losse of fiftie men whom the English slew with their muskets and cannons, was glad to returne emptie, with his gallies shrewdly brused. The Englishmen lost tenne men, and all his tackles which was torne: but the Queene of Na­uarre gaue him in recompence, one of the shippes that was taken from Lan­dereau.

These fresh springs of the Rochelers procured the sending of Puigaillard, with fourteen companies of the ordenances, & ninteen Ensignes of footmē to warre vvpon them. Fernaques, who lay in Fontenay with seuen score sal­lets, made an enterprise against Langon, and the foord of Velugre, which hee wonne, taking at the foord thirtie prisoners, & killing eight souldiers which cost him fifteene of his. The taking of this place, with the losse of Lucon, did greatly annoy Marans and Rochel, and therefore the same day that the Itali­ans came to lye at Saint Gemme, namely the seuen and twentieth of March la Noue departed,Exployts of both parties in Giuenne, Xantoigne, & Angul­mois. and entering into Lucon, put the keepers to flight and ledde a­way their horse: but in his returne, the Italians of Saint Gemme followed him with a pretence to charge vppon him: yet seeing their leader, a man of valor named Sforce, beaten downe and slaine, they retired. Puigaillard taking the fields, surprised the Tower of Maric, the Castle of Greue, Talmond, and the Castle of Chise: otherwise not greatly regarding whatsoeuer his capitulations with such as hee besieged.

On the other side, Puuiaut Gouernour of Marans, went forth the foure­teenth of Aprill, against Captaine Dante, who with his cornet ouerranne all the countrie of Poic̄tou. Him he surprised at Tire, flew in the place and ouer­threw his companie, which neuer after did any thing, as being for the most part all wounded or slaine. Young Riuiere, Puitaille, and Guitiuiere Gouer­nour of Saint Iohn d'Angely, that came to the siege of Chise, in their returne were charged by Chaumont and Goulene, with two Cornets out of Angoulesme: where Guitiuiere being slaine, Riuiere saued himselfe, their men defeated, left two auncients behinde them, which were carried to Rochel. The Garrison of Angoulesme, that held for the Princes, hearing that Captaine Herbelet, with his company, and two companies of Italians fouraged those parts, sent foorth the Lord de Coignees with two hundreth horse, who finding himselfe inclosed betweene Herbelet & the Italians, resolued to charge the foremost, which he so valiantly performed, that Herbelet was slaine, his corner taken, and his men either killed or taken prisoners. Then prosecuting his victorie, hee set vpon [Page 235]the Italians, entered their troupes, put some to the sword, led away the rest, and wonne some hundreth or sixe score horse, about the fiue and twentieth of May.

Second par­ley of peace.I said before, that the first aunswere made by the king to Messieur de Te­ligny & de Beauuais, and la Nocle, Deputies for the Princes, to parley of a peace at Angers, was such, that after it, the warre was rather increased then dimi­nished. For those of the religion, perceiuing that they sought onely to ouer­throw and destroy them, determined to proceed, and to make of necessitie a vertue. And as time breedeth changes, those that happened were to their ad­uantages, in such sort, that their courages were increased, and their hopes fortified.

The king, the Queen, and their Councell, perceiuing that since the losse receiued before Saint Iohn d'Angely, they found themselues new to beginne, determined to beginne a parley of peace: wherein for their part, Biron was im­ployed, with charge (as like wise Teligny, Deputie for the Princes) to say vn­to the Admirall, that the king and the Queen his mother, desired more then euer they did, to receiue him into their fauours, with many such like words: whereof the effects may well bee seen in the discourse of the yeare 1572. The king was greeued that the continuance of warre bereaued him of his plea­sures, ouerthrew the loue and obedience due vnto him, fouraged his coun­trie, diminished his treasures, and consumed his forces. His wicked Coun­cellours ceased not to kindle in his heart the fier of rancor, and desire of re­uenge against the Admirall, his associates, and all those of the religion, be­cause of the iourney of Meaux, in the beginning of the second troubles, and of so many resistances as they had made. The Queen his mother was much offended, because that from the beginning of the first troubles, it was disco­uered that her intents were to rule, and to cause the one part to spoyle the o­ther: Her chiefe obiect beeing wholly against those of the religion, specially against the Admirall and other commaunders. There was too much paine and daunger to bring them to her bow by dint of sword: murtherers and im­poysoners durst hardly approach, the Princes applyed themselues to the time, and from their youths beganne to know the friends and enemies of rest and quietnesse of France.

On the other side, the Queen of Nauarre and the Admirall, as also diuers great Lords of their part, affected to the good of the Common-wealth, and foreseeing that the ingrafted enemies thereof, desired nothing but the weak­ning of the same, by the meanes of ciuill warres, there to erect their practi­ses, and to open the way to their ambitious deuises, desired by an assured peace to see some end of the miseries of France: hoping that mens mindes be­ing somewhat cooled, good counsell would bee taken for the benefit of the Common-wealth, to the vtter confusion of the secret and open enemies thereof: the diuine prouidence of the almightie God and ruler of the world, directeth our affaires partly according to our desires, but for the most part, it guideth all things in such manner, that calling to mind that which past after, vntill the death of the Duke of Aniou, which was Henry the third, wee cannot marke nor say otherwise, but that the iudgements of God are vnsearchable, and that his waies are impossible to bee found out.

To returne vnto the Princes, they were constrained after the battell of [Page 236] Of the great voyage made by the Prin­ces after th [...]ir tourney of Moncontour vntill the peace. Moncontour, to keepe themselues farre from the Dukes armie, to assure their troupes, to stay their enemies about townes, and so to consume them, while they strengthened themselues and became busier then before, thereby to constraine those that tooke so much pleasure in war, to seeke for peace. This counsel was good, because of the improuidence of the Romish Catholicks, who without resistance, suffering this smal snowball to retire, in time it be­came as great as a house, for that the authoritie of the Princes drew and mo­ued many people.

The Admiral by his prouidence, surmounted the occurrent difficulties, and the Rutters to the number of three thousand horse for the field, gaue re­putation to the armie. They indured much, vntill they entered into Gascon, where they strengthened themselues with Harquebusiers, beeing most ne­cessarie for them, specially to defend the horsemen, nightly surprises much vsed in that countrie, because of the nearenesse of Townes and Castles. They were mingled among the Cornets of Rutters, and other French troupes: in such sort, that both plaine countries and couert, they were alwaies ready to defend thē.Staying of the Princes Armie. The longest way that this demy armie made, was towards Age­nois and Quercy, where it stayed almost all the winter, and by the good en­tertainment it receiued there, both great and little spedde wel. In this voyage the Princes abandoned the enemies countrie, for a pray vnto their souldiers, and whosoeuer would hazard, wanted no meanes, those Prouinces were so abundant.

Monluc went about to hinder their passage ouer Garonne, but the diligence of la Loue, that ledde the Princes light-horse, hauing taken those places that serued for resistance, forced him in all haste to retire to Agen: so that in the moneth of December 1599. all the armie passed ouer Garonne at Saint Maries port, without impeachmēt at the second time, for at the first, Monluc had bro­ken their bridge. The twentieth of the same moneth, Captaine Piles ioyned with the Princes armie, and hauing obtained three Cornets, made them flye that followed him so neare. La Loue and his Argolitiers, made diuers courses and picorees into Agenois and the countries thereabout. The first forces that ioyned with the Princes, were those of the Countie Montgommery, com­ming from Bearn, and it is not to bee doubted, if he were welcommed at his returne.

The two and twentieth of December, Bole a strong Towne was taken: that done,Exployts of this armie in their voy­age. that armie went to lye at the Bastille Saint Surin, two leagues from Thoulouse. The next day, and others ensuing, beganne a manner of war most violent, by reason of the burnings that were permitted to be made about that great Towne, onely vpon the houses of Presidents and Councellours of the parliament, it beeing alleaged that they had been most earnest, and as it were inraged to burne and massacre those of the religion, beheaded Captaine Ra­pin, that brought them the Edict of peace from the king, and committed di­uers insolencies & oppressions, for the which as then it was requisite to pu­nish them: for that omitting that occasion, it would possible not be found a­gaine.

The Marshall d'Anuille Gouernour of Languedoc, la Valette, and diuers others of account, were within Thoulouse, accompanied with fiue hundreth Gentlemen, and 9000. harquebusiers, as well straungers, as of the countrie, [Page 237]wherewith they made many sallies with diuers effects: yet neuer went farre from their walles, for fear of some surprise: after Thoulouse had receiued those small checkes, the armie went towards Carmaine, Thoulouse checked. a small towne which was forced, and such as resisted put to the sword. The like was done to those of Oriac, la Faye, Lesbos, Montestruc, and other places: and no place at that time was besieged in vaine, but that of Saint Felix, where the Gascons were repul­sed from the assault with the losse of fitie men, and the Vicount of Montclar wounded, who not long after died at Castres.

The armie soiourning in those quarters of Albigeois, was strengthened with fiue or sixe hundreth horses, brought from Rochel through many daungers, by Beaudine and Renti, who by diligence made voyde the intents and enter­prises of Vanguiou, Descars, Pompadon, and others, who beeing followed by three thousand men, ment to surprise and hew them in peeces. The Princes commaunded Piles to enter into the Countie de Ronsillon, where they sacked the countrie although it belonged to the Spaniards: while the Princes were at Monreal, three myles from Carcassoue, the kings Deputies ariued, with The­ligny and Beauuais, to parley of some pacification. The Princes, the Admiral,Deputies to intreat of peace. and the Rutters, from that place wrote most large letters vnto the king, to testifie their sinceritie in all things that had past. All the Nobilitie likewise made aunswere by word of mouth by one of them vnto the kings Deputies, most humbly thanking him for his inclination vnto peace. The ligny, Beauuais, and la Chassetiere, the foure and twentieth of the same moneth departed with the other Deputies, to ride to the king, and to make some good resolution. Mean time the Princes armie marched along by Languedoc, & hard by Mont­peslier, lost la Loue Marshall of the campe, a wise and valiant commander, but then for want of good aduise was surprised and slaine, with two companies almost all spoyled, part put to flight, and some slaine and hurt: the armie ap­proching to Rhosne, the Countie Lodowicke with part of the forces passed o­uer it, and in short time the armie had her reuenge for the losse of her Mar­shall, vppon diuers commaunders, and Romish Catholicque souldiers,The Princes armie still marching. o­uerthrowne and slaine diuers places and encounters. The principall intent of the Princes was, to haue some Infanterie out of Dauphine, therewith to strengthen the body of their armie, as also they thought to haue done in Gas­con & Languedoc, which there they could not well effect. For when the soul­diers vnderstood that they should march towards Parris, they set before thē the miseries which they and their companions had indured the last winter, each man shunning it as a mortall poyson, and desired rather to stay and make warre in their owne countrie. Yet they assembled aboue three thousand har­quebusiers, determining to trauell in all places, which disposed themselues by Regiments: but all on horsebacke. Necessitie constrained them therevn­to, because of the long way, and the rigor of winter. And although that such manner of riding many times prooued troublesome, yet it procured profite herein, that occasions happening, the footmen found themselues busie and fresh, and not many sicke men among them, because they were alwaies well lodged and entertained.

Aduice of the Admirall.The Admirall beaten in those affaires, seeing well, that although a par­ley of peace was then in hand, that it would bee very hard to obtaine a good one, if the armie approached not to Parris, knowing also that beyond Loire, [Page 238]hee should finde more strength, made him to hasten the voyage: but the dif­ficultie to passe the mountaines Seuenes and du Viuarets, made some stay, and much more a feuer that seized vpon him at Saint Estienne in Forests, that was thoght wold haue killed him: his Phisitiās being cōstrained to let him blood three times in one day. If then he had died, it may be other Councell would haue ensued, for that hauing lost y^e foot, which turned the gate of so many af­faires, they could hardly haue found the like. Countie Lodowicke was a braue Commaunder, and well accounted of among the Frenchmen, but yet hee had not obtained the authoritie of the other, nor his experience, but in the end hee recouered, to the great contentment of all the armie, which after that marched with such speed, that in short time it entered into Bourgongne, and went to Renele Duc, Encounter of both ar­mies at Rene le 'Duc. strengthened by new forces that came from la Cha­ritee and the Garrisons thereabout.

There it was thought a terrible sentence for the peace would haue bin giuen, which neuerthelesse serued but for the aduancement thereof. Mar­shall de Cosse, that commanded in the Romish Cotholicque armie, in the ab­sence of the Duke of Aniou, had expresse charge from the king, not to suffer the Princes armie to approach neare Parris, and to fight with it if hee found conuenient time and place. And hauing found it in a place of aduan­tage, hee would haue put them from it with his artillerie, whereof the Prin­ces were vnprouided, and by certaine Harquebushot, make them leaue cer­taine places which they held, one only was left, at the beginning there were made great charges and recharges of horsemen, each pursued in their towns. The Commanders that charged first for the Marshall de Cosse, were Valette, Strossy, and la Chastre, that behaued themselues valiantly: those that sustained them on the Princes side, were Briquemaur Marshall of the campe, Mont­gommery, and Genlis: in this encounter the Princes, although very young, by their countenances shewed the desire they had to fight, whereby many iud­ged, that in time they would bee two excellent Captaines. In the end, the Romish Catholicques that lost many men, slaine, hurt, and taken prisoners, perceiuing the difficultie to force their enemies, sounded the retrait. The Princes likewise considering, that staying there would be hurtfull vnto thē, not hauing any artillerie nor powder for their souldiers, marched in hast to­wards la Charite, and other townes that held for them, where their armie re­freshed themselues, and was furnished with necessaire commodittes. This was don about the end of Iuly, the Princes hauing strengthened their troups with some new companies taken out of la Charite, Sancerre, Antrain, Vezelay, and other townes of their partie,The Princes armie mar­cheth to la Charite. prepared three long coluerins, certain mor­tiers, and passe volants, determining to march to Parris, but beeing readie to mount on horsebacke, the king sent them certaine articles of truce betweene them and Marshall de Cosse, which they accepted for tenne daies, beginning vpon the fourth of Iuly.

In the meane time weapons were walking slowly in Dauphine, where Gor­des indeuoured (but in vaine) to bereaue the Protestants of a small Towne called Loriol: Warlike ex­ployts in Poi­cton. hotly in Guyenne and thereabout. The Rochelers had for their enemies, their neare neighbours, the Barron de la Garde, Puigallard, & la Riuiere Puitaille, who had resolued by new indenors to get the vpper hand in all those quarters.

Wherevpon Puitaille laide siege to the Castle of Rochefort in Xaintongne, which stood vppon the high-way to the Isles and to Rochel: but la Noue dis­patched him quickly away, killing a number of his men, and putting the rest to flight.

Shortly after, Puitaille and Puigaillard charged certaine Argolitiers be­longing to la Noue, who were so scarred, that they so scarred also all the rest of the troupes, both horse and foote ledde by Noue, Soubize, and Puuiaut, that without regard of their leaders & cōmanders, all the companies retired into Rochel without any losse: for at that time they shewed their heels to Puigaillard and his company, who beeing refreshed with diuers Regiments both of horse and foote, seized vpon all the strong holds that they had lost in Poictou, since the surprise of Marans: Besides, the nearer to coope vp the Rochelers, they erected a Fort at Lucon vpon the high-way into the fennes, where they lodged foure Ensignes of footemen, vnder the charge of Captaine Masca­ron.

Then did Puigaillard with draw his forces into high Poicton, there did hee spredde a rumour that the Princes had obtained a great victorie, also that the king had sent for him to come with his forces in all diligence. By this stratageme hee looked to haue brought la Noue, Puuiaut, and others,Puigaillards enterprise to get the vpper hand. and others, out of Marans and Rochel, to besiege the Fort, which hee pretended presenly with all diligence to relieue with his whole armie, so to ouerthrow them, and withall, to atchiue a cōquest royal. Vpon this practise as it fel out in Roussiere, a Gentleman of Poictou, did not thinke it much amisse, to shewe Puigaillard some sport in a hunting: and on the other side, Puuiaut hearing of the sport, would needes make one without intreatie. By the way Mascaron layde an ambush for him, but freeing himself therefro, he strooke vp to Roussiers lod­ging, whom he found not at home: In the returne Roussiere was met withal, and carried away prisoner with others, by whom Puuiaut learned, that the Fort of Lucon was but meanly manned, and so might be easily had, whereof withall speed he aduertised la Noue, who with greater speed marched foorth of Rochel with foure cornets, eleuen French Ensignes, and the rest of the Lansquenets, to the humber of three hundreth.The Fort of Lucon befie­ged. The Fort besieged Puigail­lard with nine companies of light-horse of the ordenances: twentie Ensignes of light-horsemen, all olde souldiers, and the kings guard, leauing the rest of his troupes (such was his haste for feare hee should not come time ynough to shut vp la Noue betweene Marans and Lucon) hee marched so fast, that he made his men march two daies and one night without any repast, except that they rested a while at Fontenay, almost so long as while they might leaue and lay vp their carriage to go the lighter.

Comming to Saint Gemme within halfe a league of Lucon, the foure­teenth day heetooke his bedde, giuing out that hee was sicke of a burning feuer, and vnder pretence of redeeming Roussiere and other prisoners, hee sent a trumpet with charge to aduow his sickenesse, and withall, to take a viewe of the whole manner and estate of the besiegers. His troupes were [Page 240]euen tired with the way, and many compelled to rest some houres at Fonte­nay.

Puuiaut beeing at Saint Gemme, suspecting the matter, finding that the trum­petter could not wel keep his countenance,Puigallards dissimulation discouered. layd hold of him, and so forced him to confesse the trueth. Wherevpon immediately the scourers were sent out to keep the waies, who toward night surprised fome of Puigaillards soul­diers, whom they brought to Puuiaut, by whom hee vnderstood of the ap­proach of such a great power: la Noue beeing also aduertised heereof, euery man prouided for the field, by the aduise of their captains, namely of Puuiaut, who perswaded them that they were to deale with tired people, and such as came to offer themselues to the slaughter: thus humbly commending them­selues vnto God, they prepared to the onset.

Soone after that, Puuiaut and all his men, were departed out of S. Gemme to ioyne with la Noue: Puigaillards footmen approached, assaulted the barriers, & without resistance entered into y^e borough, but finding no bodie, some fell to sleeping, some to feeding, & some ran to tell Puigaillard y^t the enemies fled: he thinking neuer to come time ynogh, entered Saint Gemme before day, cry­ing out in euery corner to call foorth the souldiers, and to bring them into ar­ray to pursue the runawaies, who were said to retire confusedly to Marans. Hee sent fiftie Argolets before, who tolde him an other tale, namely that the enemies were at hand, and in battell array.

The territorie betweene Saint Gemme and Lucon is a vine ground, well fen­ced with hedge and ditch, with some fields diuided with a high-way of rea­sonable bredth,The batiell of Lucon, where Puigaillard lost his foote­men. on each side beset with bushes. La Noue came first, and proui­ded well for his troupes: Puigaillard could not haue any such aduantage, espe­cially in regard of his horsemen, which by reason of ditches were forced to come on a row: this beeing considered by Captaine Stephen, a leader of thir­tie sallets and some shot, backed with twentie horse, vnder the conduct of Bruneliere, he beganne the charge by la Noues appoyntment, and valiantly set vpon the first troupes of Puigaillards horsemen.

Puuiaut perceiuing them on euery side to stagger, who were some hun­dreth and fiftie Maisters, hee brake into them, killed some, feared the rest, who fell vpon their owne footemen, and fledde with Puigallard as fast as the horse might driue to Fontenay, which was foure leagues of: & such as were but badly horsed, were beaten downe and presently slaine.

Then were their footemen on euery side beset, and beeing in the plaine field, drawing toward the bushes, they were beaten downe with shot, nei­ther would the horsemen let them runne farre, but cut them in peeces: but of all other, the Launsquenets shewed most crueltie, obiecting to the Kings guard the battell of Moncontour.

Had it not beene for la Noue and Soubize, all Puigaillards footemen hadde beene quite rooted out, so sore were the Launsquenets bent against them. They tooke sixteene Ensignes and two Cornets: fiue hundreth olde soul­diers slaine in the place, with many Captaines and Lieftenants of the Regi­ments and companies: and seuen or eight hundreth prisoners sent away with a white staffe in their hands.

Puigaillard lost but thirtie horse, the rest escaped with him. This armie thus ouerthrown, after thanks giuing to God, la Noue, Soubize, and Puuiaut, mar­ched [Page 241]to the Fort, which vppon safetie of his life, and his troupe, Masca­ran yeelded vp, whose foure Ensignes with the other eighteen, were carried to Rochel. The Cōquerors following this good beginning, besieged, beat,The Fort of Lucon yeel­den to the conquerers, who tooke many other places. & tooke Fontenay le Comte vppon composition, that the besieged should saue their liues and goods, and so they retired to Nyort, but la Noue lost an arme at the siege: Puuiaut, Soubize, and other the protestant Leaders continuing their conquest, chased the Romish Catholicques out of Obiron, Marens, Soubize, and Brouage, where Riuiere Puitaille, one of their chiefe Captaines, was so wounded, that hee died immediately. To be briefe, the Protestants tooke from them all that they held about Rochel, excrept Saint Iohn d'Angely, where they nestled themselues.

The Barron de la Garde had for a while kept the sea with his Gallies, but hearing of the taking of Bronage, hee retired toward Bourdeaux, whilest Sore for the Princes scoured the Ocean, where hee daily light vppon some bootie. Among other his exployts, about the beginning of Iuly hee tooke a Portu­gall shippe, laden among other marchandize with some fortie Iesuites, that were trauelling toward India, but they were stayed, and the most part leaped ouer-boord.

This victorious successe of the Protestants in Poictou and Xaintongne, were the occasion that to preuent any greater conquests, the Prince d'Au­phin was appoynted to come down into Poictou, there to reassemble Puigail­lards forces, which now hopped but vpon one legge,Succourd de­puted for Puigaillard. and those of the Coun­tie of Lude, to the end to come to some new practise.

The eleuenth of August after, the two great armies lying about the ri­uer of Loire, newes was brought vnto them of a peace agreed vpon between the king and the Princes, all precedent modifications and restrictions aboli­lished: the second Edict of peace confirmed and allowed,The 3. Edict of peace. this peace was re­ceiued of all men, with hope of revnion betweene the two parties, through all the Realme. The peace published in the Campes and Townes, the ar­mies were discharged, assoone as they had conducted their straungers into Lorraine, and the Princes accompanied with Countie Lodowicke, in the be­ginning of October returned to Rochel: the king by the Edict granted foure Townes, Rochel, Montauban, Cognac, and la Charite, Townes for assurance. to bee kept in the Prin­ces names, for the space of two whole yeares: for assurance of this third E­dict of pacification, in the pursuite whereof, Teligny, after sonne in lawe to the Admiral, and Beauuais la Nocle imployed themselues most faithfully, with great credite and reputation of all men.

Touching the Admirall, if there were any Commaunder on both sides that desired peace, it was hee, as by letters dated the second of March at Mon­treal hard by Carcassonne, written to the king, the Queen, and the Duke of A­nion appeared. For being friend to militarie discipline (abolished in those mi­serable ciuill warres) and enemie of vices, oftentimes beholding such disor­der, hee said: that if it pleased God to send peace in France, hee would desire to die a thousand deaths, rather then to fall againe into those confusions,The Admi­rall desireth peace. and once againe to see such mischiefes, leauing to all the rest of the commanders the praise which they obtained, if in ciuil wars praise may be giuen, it may be said, that the Admiral trauelled much both in bodie & mind, hauing sustained the heauiest part of y^e affairs of y^e wars with much cōstancie, fidelitie, & facili­tie, [Page 242]and behauing himselfe with as great reuerence towards the Princes his su­periours, as modestie to his inferiors, he neuer spake of the king, the Queen, the Duke of Aniou, and those whom hee knew to bee his capitall enemies, but with honour, without subtiltie or counterfeit speeches, beeing the man among all those of the religion, specially among the Commaunders in the warre, who in a speciall manner reposed himselfe vppon the prouidence of God.

The prisoners that fell into his hands, were fauourably vsed by him, as courteous when hee had put vp his swoord, as fierce when he held it naked in hand. Pittie by him was alwaies had in singular cōmendation: as also loue to iustice, wherein hee continued both priuate and publike, in time of peace and warre, vntill hee died: which made him both esteemed and honored by those whose part hee held. Hee sought not ambitiously to haue commaun­dements and honours, but shunning them, hee was constrained to accept them, by reason of his wisedome & good gouernment in mannaging armes: it might well be seene, that hee had as good knowledge therein, as any Cap­taine of his time, and alwaies exposed himself couragiously in any dangers: wise in counsell, and valiant in fight: in aduersities magnanimious, and ador­ned with wisedome to auoydethem.

And to conclude, hee was a man most woorthie and fitte to restore and re-establish a feeble and corrupt estate: but it appeared in an vnfit time, and that which after happened vnto him, she weth an exterior apparance, that vertue is but hardly assured heere on earth. Peace concluded and published, as it hath beene said, the Admirall Teligny, la Noue, and diuers others, withdrew themselues neare vnto the Princes in Rochel, there with more securitie to at­tend the aduancement and execution of the Edict.

They put Garrison for the Princes in the Townes of assurance, except in Rochell, which was maintained in her auncient priuiledges. The Empe­rour Maximilian the second, not long after, married his eldest daughter to Phillip king of Spaine his brother in lawe: So that the vncle married the Neece.The king married to Elizabeth of Austria. Elizabeth his youngest daughter was after giuen in marriage to king Charles the ninth, whom hee espoused in the Towne of Mezieres, about the end of Nouember: and the foure and twentieth of December going to Parris, at Villiers coste Rez, hee gaue audience to the Ambassadors of Almaine, that desired vnto he made an answere that contented them, wherewith they were honourably discharged. About the same time the Princes exhibited sundrie complaints concerning the Edict, by the hands of Briquemaut, Teligny, Beau­uais, la Nocle, and Cauagnes. Teligny was the chiefe Agent, and seemed to bee highly in the kings fauour, to whom he propounded the complaints of the Protestants, wherevpon the king sent forth sundrie Commissioners throgh­out al the Prouinces of his kindome, among other, the Marshal de Cosse, to­gither with Proutiere, Maister of Requests, who made a voyage to Rochel, as well to conferre with the Queene and Admirall, concerning some conueni­ent means to maintaine the realme in peace, as for other matters, that we will shortly speake of.

The first of Ianuary there beganne a conference betweene the Marshall de Cosse, 1571 and la Proutiere, with the Admirall, and other Deputies for the Queen [Page 243]of Nauarre, and the Princes at Rochel, Proceeding with the Q. of Nauarre, the Princes, the Admiral, and those of the religion, in the second yeres of peace that the third edict of paci­fication con­tinued. touching the difficulties and interpre­tations of diuers articles of the Edict. On both sides complaints were made, touching the infraction thereof, with long replies, whereof ensued certaine resolutions, that were to bee sent vnto the king. I his assembly serued for a couerture, to a parley of a marriage betweene Henry de Bourbon Prince of Na­uarre, and Ladie Margaret sister to the king: as also to a conference with the Admirall touching the warre, which the king said hee would beginne against the king of Spaine in the lowe Countries. And all this propounded and deui­sed to drawe the Queene of Nauarre, the Princes, and the Admirall, to the Court of France, with all their principall seruants: and there to giue them that entertainment which after fell out. In March the Romish Catholicques at Roane, murthered diuers protestants as they returned from a Sermon, and beate others shrewdly, meaning to haue proceeded further, had not Marshal Montmorencie, whom the king sent, made the more haste to suppresse the vio­lence of the seditious, who after many pursuites hanged vp three or foure: the rest escaped, albeit 400. were guiltie of innocent blood. Sixe weekes before, the protestants had been most cruelly murthered at Aurange by their enemies, whom Berchon (soone after made Gouernour by Countie Lodowic, found means to intrap and punish accordingly.) Not long after, by the kings consent, those of the religion were taxed to paye the 5. part of their reuenue, towards the payment of the Rutters, which produced much discontentmēt. About the same time the king and the Queene made their enterie vpon seue­rall daies into the capitall towne of the Realme with great pompe. The pro­testants also held a Sinode nationall at Rochel, wherein they confirmed the ar­ticles of the confession of their faith, and discipline of their Churches, in the presence of the Queene of Nauarre, the Princes, and many other of the Prin­cipall among them. The king hauing made his entrie the eleuenth of March (the Queene beeing crowned the 25. of the same moneth at Saint Deunis, and the 29. receiued with great magnificence into Parris) hee went to sit in his place of iustice in the Parliament, where hee made a long Oration to his of­ficers of the Court, for the obseruation of his Edicts: In witnesse whereof, in the moneth ensuing, the people of Parris beganne to mutine against those of the religion, sacked certaine houses, and began to proceed further, prouo­ked by their Preachers, because of a certaine Crosse placed in S. Dennis street, (in a place where in times past stood the house of Phillip de Gastines, rased to the ground, because that certaine sermons and the Lords Supper had beene made and celebrated therein, Gastines for that cause hauing been executed to death, during the troubles) that had beene carried into S. Innocents Church-yeard. This mutinie appeased, the king that shewed great fauor to Teligny & his companions, sent them to the Q. of Nauarre & the Princes in Rochel, to as­sure them that all his desire was to maintaine the peace, & that for his owne part, he bare them great affection, procuring that the Q. his mother, & the Duke of Aniou his brother, should from day to day leaue off their rigors.

And at their departure gaue them diuers presents, giuing them likewise to vnderstand, that his minde was to proceede with war against the Spaniard in the low Countries, and to marrie his sister to the Prince of Nauarre. Biron was sent after to certifie the like, and men began to speake of that marriage in di­uers sorts, their opinions being diuided, some esteeming it to bee a snare to intrap those of the religion, others deeming the contrarie.

The king caused certaine consultations to be made in Rome, because of the alliance between both the parties. Pope Pius the fist seemed to bee much troubled about the same, for that effect sending Cardinal Salutati into France, who (hauing had certaine conference by word of mouth with the king) re­turned satisfied.

The effect of that the king said vnto him, was, that the king would al­waies shewe himselfe to deserue the name of the eldest sonne of the Romish Church, and that all his intents tended to no other end, but only to the sure­tie, honour, and aduancement of the Catholicque religion, whereof the Pope should receiue great testimonies before long time should passe. But notwithstanding that diuers maruelled much at this suddaine alteration of the king, the Queene of Nauarre much sought vnto by diuers great persons of both partes, went to the king, followed by the Countie Lodowicke, & great numbers of Nobilitie. The king and the Queene his mother were at Blois, where they receiued and welcommed her with great ioy and good counte­nance, and after many disputations touching diuers particular poynts, speci­ally the cerimonies, the agreement vpon the marriage of her sonne with the kings sister was concluded, and the place of the espousals assigned at Parris. Not long after the Prince her son, accompanied with fiue hundreth Gentle­men came to Blois, where the marriage of Nenry de Bourbon Prince of Conde, with the yongest daughter of the house of Neuers was agreed vpon. During these parleyes of mariages with the Princes, the Admirall that had buried Ladie Charlotte de Laual his wife, a woman of excellent pietie, that died at Orleans in the second troubles, beeing in Rochel, married the Counties of An­cremont in Sauoy, and gaue Louyse his daughter in marriage to Monsieur de Te­ligny.

At the Court one named Lignerolles, a simple Gentleman, made knight of the Order, Captaine of a company of launciers, Gouernor of Bourbonnois, and one of the Duke of Anious mignions, was slaine openly in the Court, for discouering certain of his Maisters secrets,Lignerolles slaine. by the D. cōmitted vnto him, tou­ching y^e enterprise that was ment against those of the religion. On the other side,Death of the Cardinall of Chastillon. the Cardinal of Chast, being readie to depart out of England, to go to his brother the Admiral, was poysoned by one of his Chamberlains, and died to the great great griefe of all his friends and seruants. The prisoner that did the fact, 1572 beeing after taken at Rochel was executed.