An historical collection, of the most memorable accidents, and tragicall massacres of France, vnder the raignes of Henry. 2. Francis. 2. Charles. 9. Henry. 3. Henry. 4. now liuing Conteining all the troubles therein happened, during the said kings times, vntill this present yeare, 1598. Wherein we may behold the wonderfull and straunge alterations of our age. Translated out of French into English.

Henry the ſeconde. M. D. XLVII.

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name of God: which action made ſhewe of a notable and commendable beginning: yet, that ſo laudable a worke continued no longer in force, then many others had done before it.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 & 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. 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 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 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 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.

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 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 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 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. 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 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 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.

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 ye 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.

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 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 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 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 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 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 ye 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, 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.

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 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 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.

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. 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.

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 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 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 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 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 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.

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, 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.

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 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 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 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 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 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.

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 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, 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. 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 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, 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.

Heere endeth the troubles, that happened in the raigne of Henry the ſecond.

Francis the ſecond. M.D.LIX.

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 ye 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 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 ye 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 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 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: 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 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 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, 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 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 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, 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 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, 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 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 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 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 ye 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 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 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 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, 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 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, 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 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, 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 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, 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 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 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, 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 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 ye 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 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.

Heere endeth the troubles, that happened in the raigne of Francis the ſecond.

Charles the ninth. M.D.LX.

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 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 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 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 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. 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, 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: 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: 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 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 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 (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 • 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 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 (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 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 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 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.

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 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 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, 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 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, 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 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. 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: 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 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: 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 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 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 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 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 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 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, 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 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 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 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 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, 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 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, 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 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, 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 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 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, 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 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 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 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 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 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 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, 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 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 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 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. 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, 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 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 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 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 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 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.

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, 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 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.

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 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 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 ye 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: 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, 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 ye 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, ye 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 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 ye 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 ye 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 ye 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, 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.

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 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 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, 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 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 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 ye knee, yt while he liued he went lame. In Guy. Meſſs. de Monluc with diuers others, followed with 4000. foot. & 700. horſe, enterpriſed vpō ye 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 ye 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 ye boldeſt were ſlain, the reſt ſauing thēſelues with their heels: but in their retrait they found thēſelues in a new miſchief: for ye 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 ye troupes led by the Viſcountes & others, ariued at Orleans, & cōſtrained 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, 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 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 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 ye 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 ye prince & the Admiral, by diuers of thoſe yt 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 ye troupes which the Marſhal de Vieleuille thoght to put therin, the Inhabitāts being aduertiſed yt they ſhuld be ſpoiled becauſe of the religiō which they defēded, togither with their ancient 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 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 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 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, 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, 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 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 ye 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 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 ye 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 ye 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 ye D. armie that held ye 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 ye ſat prating by their fiers. About midnight, ye Prince was certified yt al his carriages were entangled, 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, 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 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) 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, 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 their armie ſo much ye 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 ye 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 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 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, 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, 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, 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 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 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 ye 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. 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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. 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 ye 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 ye eſcaped this firſt ſpoyle, go ſcot free, for paſsing by S. Iulians, 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 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 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, 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 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 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 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, 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, 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 ye 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 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 ye borough, but finding no bodie, ſome fell to ſleeping, ſome to feeding, & ſome ran to tell Puigaillard yt 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 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 ye affairs of ye wars with much cōſtancie, fidelitie, & facilitie, 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, and la Proutiere, with the Admirall, and other Deputies for the Queen 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 ye 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, beeing after taken at Rochel was executed.

Articles of marriage betweene the Prince of N. and the kings ſiſter.This is the yeare wherein is ſet downe the arriuing of the Queen of Nauarre, the Princes and the Admirall in the Court: the articles of the marriage of the prince of Nauarre and the kings ſiſter, were made at Blois the eleuenth of Aprill. The Countie Lodowicke at the ſame time trauelled with the king, touching warres to bee made in Flaunders, to the which ende preparations were made at ſea, by Stroſſy and the Barron de la Garde: but at the end of three moneths Flaunders was found to be Rochel. Long before the king had cauſed the Admirall to bee ſolicited to come vnto the Court: and to drawe him thither, hee cauſed thoſe of Guiſe to retire, who thereat counterfetted to bee diſcontent.

The Marſhall de Montmorency by letters aſſured his Couſin the Admirall, that the king was fully determined to make them friends, and to reconcile him with the Duke of Guiſe, the better to be ſerued by him and his Councell, touching the affaires of his Realme, and beganne to fauour thoſe of the religion, and to put the Admirall out of all diſtruſt, the king ſent him letters that he might bring fiftie Gentlemen armed with him vnto the Court, whither in fine, the Marſhall de Coſſe conducted him with diuers Gentlemen. At his comming hee was honourably receiued and welcommed by the king, that called him his father.

Welcomes to the Admirall and others of the religion in the Cout.And when the Admirall kneeled downe to do his dutie, the king proteſted, that in all his life hee had not ſeene any day more agreeable vnto his minde, then that wherein hee aſſured himſelfe to ſee the end of all the troubles, and the beginning of a firme reſt and quietneſſe in his Realme. And among other ſpeeches vſed, ſmiling hee ſaid vnto him: Wee haue you now heere with vs, you ſhall not go from hence when you would. The Queen-mother, the Dukes of Anion and Alancon, and almoſt all the chiefe Courtiers receiued him with greater fauour then hee expected. All theſe courteſies were ſuddainely ſeconded by a great liberallitie from the king, that cauſed a hondreth thouſand franks to bee giuen him out of his coffers, in recompence of the loſſes he had receiued by the forepaſſed wars, gaue him like wiſe a yeares reuenues of all the benefices holden by the Cardinall of Chastillon his brother deceaſed, made him a note of his hand, to haue full power and authoritie to ſeeke for the mooueables, that had been taken from him at Chaſtilon ſur Loing, and to cauſe them by expreſſe commaundement to bee deliuered vnto him againe.

Teligny his ſonne in lawe, was likewiſe honoured with certaine fauors, Cauagnes Councellour of Toulouſe, Agent for the Princes, touching the obſeruation of the Edict of peace, was prouided of an office of Maiſter of Requeſts. Diuers other Lords and Gentlemen of the religion, at that time felt the liberallitie of the king, wherewith their aduerſaries were much diſpleaſed, ſpecially that the Admirall was reſtored to bee one of the priuie Councell, and that the king priuately asked his counſell in his affaires of importance, touching the warres in the lowe Countries, which the Admirall affected very much, as beeing one of the moſt aſſured meanes to holde France in quietneſſe, alleaging, that by iuſt reaſon hee might doo that to the Spaniard, which vniuſtly he had done, and would doo vnto France: War againſt Spaine conſulted vpon. which was, to trouble him at home, to impeach him from ſpoyling other men, hee ſhewed likewiſe to the king, (that fained to like well of that aduice) that it would bee good for him to agree with the Qu. of England, and the Princes of Almaine, the eaſiler to make the K. of Spaine beleeue by an ample diſcourſe prooued vnto him, that the foundations of the warre in the lowe Countries is iuſt and profitable.

Pope Pius Quintus beeing dead, who in his life time ſeemed a ſtay and hinderance to the marriage of the Prince of Nauarre, and the kings ſiſter: the Cardinall of Lorraine faining to bee in great feare, tooke his voyage to Rome, about the election of a new Pope, although before his ſetting forward it was done, and being in his voyage, letters that were ſent him by Cardinal Pelue, (who of a Sculliō in the Colledge of Montague in Parris, afterward following his ſtudie, varlet to the Cardinall of Lorraine, had in few yeares attained the red hat) directed to his Maiſter, the contents whereof imported: that in regard of the good courſe that hee ſee the king, the Queen-mother, and the Duke of Aniou take, hee could not but hope well of all the affaires. That at the Admirals returne to Court, the king ſhewed himſelf ſo warie, as his moſt inward friends did wonder at it, for thereby hee had brought the Admirall out of all ſuſpect, ſo that now the matter that the Cardinal wiſt of, might the better be put in execution. That there was much ſpeech of warre againſt the King of Spaine, whereto the king ſeemed to incline, the rather thereby to ſtay the Admirall: that ſuch pollicies were to be practiſed, vntill they might find opportunitie to put in execution the ſecret counſell. That the king of Spaine was ſufficiently informed of the whole, leaſt he ſhould finde himſelfe agreeued at this preſent prouiſion for warres, which was neuer ment againſt him.

Wherevppon hee beſought his Maiſter, notwihſtanding whatſoeuer packets hee might receiue, to aſſure himſelfe that the king would neuer vary from the reſolution. That the Queene-mother and the Duke of Aniou bent their whole indeuours to that matter.

Touching the marriage of the Prince of Nauarre, that hee hoped the ſame would ſhortly be effected: that the ſame was the entrie to the execution, and in the meane time, the day drew on for deliuerie of the Townes of hoſtage. And although the Admirall had the copies heereof ſent him, hee made no great account thereof, no more then of other aduertiſements, expreſly giuen him both before and after. His minde beeing altered by the countenances and words of the king,The Admirall truſteth vpō the kings words. who in all things ſeemed to contrarie his brother the Duke of Aniou, for whom hee practiſed the voyage of Polonia, that hee might ſend him to play the Great-maiſter ſomewhat farre from France.

In the Admirall, who alwaies ſhewed to bee wiſe and diligent in his affaires, appeared that wiſedome faileth in wiſe men, when it pleaſeth the only wiſe Gouernour of the word, to dul the moſt ſharp and excellent wittes, and make paſſage vnto his terrible iudgements: as not long after they ſhewed throughout all France, the which euer ſince that time, vntill this preſent, hath felt the waightineſſe of his mightie blowes, whoſe hand as yet is ſtretched foorth readie to ſtrike againe.

A nationall Synode at Niſmes.Some men of each faction of a good meaning to the ſtate of France, eſpecially ſome proteſtants alreadie apprehending the terror of that terrible ſtorme that followed, trembled, and bending their neckes, lay looking for the fatall blowe. At Niſmes they held a nationall Sinode in the moneth of May. Others of a more ſtirring ſpirit (after the manner of Frenchmen, who doo performe much in proſperitie, and neuer feare any aduerſitie vntil it commeth) would needes bee buſie about diſcipline, but they were ſoone put to ſilence. Many mens conſciences beganne alreadie to bee wauering, and fewe there were, that ſhewed themſelues zealouſly bent to religion: but all both great and ſmall, thinking deeply vpon worldly matters, built them goodly caſtles in the ayre.

The Princes truſting to an aſſured peace, three moneths before the time, reſtored the townes of aſſurance, wherein the king placed his Garriſons, ſatiſfying the Princes with letters, which hee had ſent to all his Courts of Parliaments, wherein he declared his great good liking of the good meaning of the Princes, in that they did him ſo much honour, as faithfully to relye vppon his Edict, which he wiſhed to bee inuiolably obſerued. The Rochelers, whom Stroſſy, Landereau, and the Barron de la Garde watched vppon, would not accept of any Garriſon, but ſtood vpon their priuiledges, ſo that at length for feare of ſcarring of others, they were let alone. The Marſhall of Montmorency was ſent into England to practiſe a league, who returned ſooner then hee was looked for: but toward the marriage gat him home to his owne houſe, and might hee haue beene beloued, the affaires had beene otherwiſe mannaged then they were.

At the ſame time was Captaine Minguetiere, ſent away with a ſhippe well fraught, and a Portingall an excellent Seaman,Sundrie practiſes. to diſcouer the landing places about Perou, and to eſpie ſome meanes to moleſt the Spaniard. But withall, giuing notice of his voyage, hee was followed and ſet vpon neare the Iſle of Hiſpaniola, where his men were ſlaine, and himſelfe put to the Gallies. The Admirall himſelfe was ſet on worke with the practiſing of a league with the Germaine Princes: and the Duke of Florence was ſolicited to lend money to proſecute the warres in Flaunders, for the which, Saucourt, Ienlis, and la Noue, leuied ſouldiers.

In the beginning of May, the king deſired the Queene of Nauarre to go to Parris, there to prouide for all things neceſſarie for the marriage. Where ſhee arriued the fifteenth day of the ſame moonth: and the fourth of Iune fell ſicke of a feuer, proceeding as ſome ſayde from her lights, where of long time certaine impoſtumes had bredde, which beeing mooued and ſtirred by great heates, and by an extraordinarie trauell, which ſhee alwaies tooke while ſhee was in health, inflamed and bredde that feuer:Death of the Queene of Nauarre. whereof ſhe died within fiue daies after, to the great ſorrow and extreame griefe of all her ſeruants. Three daies after ſhe fell ſicke, beeing in perfect memorie, ſhee made a moſt chriſtian teſtament and laſt will, dying with the witneſſe and teſtimonie of ſingular pietie and ioy in God.

She was a Princeſſe of great experience, both by many aduerſities, wherein ſhe ſhewed an inuincible conſtancie, and heroicall greatneſſe of courage: moſt affectionate to her religion, very careful of the bringing vp of her children in the feare of God, charitable towards them whom ſhee often aduertiſed of their duties: in words moſt graue, and full of motherly affection: ſhe had a readie wit and well aduiſed, but indowed with great zeale and integritie, pittifull and eaſie to bee perſwaded: no offender could auoyde her cenſure: ſhee oppoſed her ſelfe againſt vices, and liberally maintained that which ſhee iudged to bee good, and conformable to the will and pleaſure of God. Proſperitie hindered her, her mind much giuen to pleaſant conceits, being of a leane complexion, and very agreeable with her ingenioſitie, hauing great viuacite to comprehend all things, and grace liuely to repreſent them by writing or word of mouth: with a ieſture of all the bodie, and a countenance well liked of all men: ſhee died in the foure and fortieth yeare of her age, vppon the ninth of Iune.

Some ſay ſhee was poyſoned by the ſmell of certaine perfumes, and to bereaue men of that opinion, ſhee was opened and curiouſly viſited by learned Doctors and Surgions, that found all her nobleſts parts to bee very faire and whole, onely the lights periſhed on the right ſide, wherein had ingendered an extraordinary hardneſſe, and a great impoſtume, a diſeaſe which they all, ſo farre as lay in man, iudged to bee the cauſe of her death. They were not commaunded to open her braine, where the miſchiefe lay, by which means they could not giue aduiſe, but vppon the outward apparance.

Certaine daies after, the king deſired his brother in law the king of Nauarre, to go to Parris, there to ſolemnize his marriage, as it had beene agreed betweene them. While that at Blandie in Brie preparation was made for the marriage of the Prince of Conde, that married his wife in the beginning of the moneth of Auguſt.

The Admirall at that time lay in his houſe of Chaſtillon ſur Loing, where hee receiued many letters and meſſages from the king,The Admirall commeth to Parris. and becauſe he ſtirred not, the king ſent Cauagnes and Briquemaud to fetch him, to determine vppon the wars of Flaunders: and ſpecial commandement was giuen to the Prouoſt of Merchants in Parris, & other the chief mē, to take order that not any noiſe nor rumor ſhould be vſed or raiſed at the Admirals ariuall in the town, who beeing prouoked by ſo many men, and deſirous to banniſh warres out of France, meaſuring the kings thoughts by his owne, reſolued to ride to Parris without ſtaying, at the many and diuers aduertiſments of his ſeruants, and other honourable perſons moſt affected to his preſeruation, that both within and without the Realme deſired him, that ſeeing he could not conceiue any ſiniſter opinion of the king,Confidence of the Admirall. his mother, and the reſt, that at the leaſt he would conſider into what place he went about to thruſt himſelfe, and among ſo many enemies, but hee reſting vppon the teſtimonie of a good conſcience, and the prouidence of God, remitting thoſe aduiſes, as if they proceeded from men couetous and deſirous of new troubles, which hee abhorred woorſe then death, went with a ſmall company, and beeing in Parris, to the great aſtoniſhing of all the towne, was honourably receiued by the king, his bretheren, the Queene-mother and others.

A little before, la Noue, Saucourt, and Ienlis, accompanying Countie Lodowic into Flaunders, had from the king receiued commiſsion, to finde means to ſurpriſe ſome frontier towne: on the other ſide, the Duke of Alue had intelligence of euery ſteppe that Countie Lodowic ſet, which notwithſtanding ſuch was his diligence, that hee ſeized vpon Monts in Hainaut. Wherewith the Duke was ſo nettled, that hee ſaid that the Queene-mother had ſent him the flowers of Florence: but hee would returne her Spaniſh Thiſtles: with many other threats, which vppon particular aduice of the courſe of their affaires, namely of Ienlis returne, of his licence to leuie men for the ſuccour of Monts: of the time of their departure, and of the courſe of their iourney, were ſoone quenched.

The ſeuenth of Iuly, the King publiſhed a proclamation, tending to the impeachment of all quarrels, as well in Parris as in his Court, and commanded all ſtraungers and men that had nothing to do within the Towne,The Princes come to Parris. to depart from thence. After the arriuall of the Admirall at Parris, ſo many letters and meſſengers were ſent vnto the Princes, that in fine, they came thither almoſt at the ſame time that the king arriued, who had before lingered thereabout.

Many Lords and Gentlemen of the religion, accompanied the king of Nauarre, and the Prince of Conde, whom in manner all the Court went to meete.

Further, vnder pretence of the warres in Flaunders, the king at the ſame time ſent for other Lords and Gentlemen of the religion, who otherwiſe would haue ſtayed in their houſes. Ienlis marched not into Flaunders, notwithſtanding hee were ſolicited thereto: beſides the ſolemnization of this marriage royall, was for a time deferred, by reaſon of the ſcruples & doubts made by the Cardinall of Bourbon to celebrate the ſame, without a diſpence from the Hope, that would bee prayed and intreated therevnto, and in the end graunt a diſpence: but becauſe it was not ample ynough to the Cardinalles minde, counſelled by men ſubtiller then himſelfe, they were forced to ſend to Rome againe.

Great was the expectation of Ienlis aduentures, who had gathered foure thouſand footemen, and fiue hundreth horſe,Ienlis and his troupes defeated. for the ſuccor of Countie Lodowicke and la Noue, whom the Duke of Alue had beſieged in Monts. In the meane time commeth the new diſpenſation toward the ende of Iuly, wherewith the Cardinal ſeemeth ſatiſfied: and the eighteenth day of Auguſt is nominated for the marriage. In the meane time commeth the news of Ienlis ſurpriſe and aduenture, whereat the king ſeemeth to bee much agreeued, who writeth to his Ambaſſadour in the lowe Countries, to procure by all poſsible meanes the deliuerie of the priſoners taken in that ſurpriſe: as alſo he ſuffereth the Admirall to ſend all the ſuccour hee may, to ioyne with the Rutters, whom the Prince of Orenge had buried at the ſame time, cauſing him to haue mony deliuered for the footemens paye, who were thought to amount to foure Regiments, beſides ſome thirtie companies of men at armes.

The Ambaſſadour of Spaine ſeemed to be malecontent, becauſe the king went about to make war in Flaunders, and for the ſame cauſe withdrew himſelfe out of France: the Queene-mother alſo played many parts in this tragedie, faining not to haue knowne the kings proceedings, and knowing them, made as though ſhe would haue left the Court: in ſuch manner, that the Admiral, Teligny his ſonne in law, and other Lords, confirmed themſelues more and more, that the kings actions were correſpondant to the Admirals aduice: which was to make warre in the king of Spaines countries that had kindled it, and pretended to make warre in France, thereby in time to ceaſe vppon it.

Rochel inueſted, prouideth for it ſelfe.The laſt of Iuly, the Rochelers wrote vnto the Admirall, that the armie at ſea approached neare them, and that it ſpoyled the plaine Countri-men, comming euery day from Xantongue and Gaſcon, vſing terrible threatnings againſt their towne, openly ſpeaking of the ſpoyle thereof, ſending to aske his counſell therein, ſpecially touching the receiuing of eight hundreth men for Garriſon, which they ſought to put into the Towne. Hee made them an honourable aunſwere, dated the ſeuenth of Auguſt, aſſuring them of the care hee had ouer them: and added, that hee ſawe the king ſo well diſpoſed to the entertainment of peace, that all men had cauſe to commend him. The Rochelers notwithſtanding neglected not to looke vnto themſelues, and to fortifie their Towne.

In other Townes their ranne diuers mutterings, and many were the threats of the Romiſh Catholicques againſt the Proteſtants, which daunted ſome of them. Others relied vppon the Admiralles preſence in the Court, and truſted to his anſwere: deliuered as well by word of mouth, as by writing, vnto thoſe that asked his aduice vppon all accurrences, whoſe ſpeeches were in effect as followeth.

That as concerning the Guiſians, whom they ſo vrged, the King had taken order by ſetting them at vnitie, and cauſing both parties to ſwear friendſhip: that the marriage of the Ladie Margaret, whom the King gaue (ſaith hee) not to the King of Nauarre onely, but as it were to the whole Church of the Proteſtants, to ioyne with them in an indiſſoluble vnion, was the type of their peace and ſafetie.

Heerevpon hee often beſought ſuch as ſent him any packets, gaue him any aduice of the hatred of the King, the Queene-mother, the Duke of Anion, or the houſe of Cuiſe, againſt either himſelfe or the Proteſtants, no more to trouble him with any the paſſed calamities, but rather to be content with their daily prayers to God, to whom they were to giue thankes, that hee had vouchſafed to bring all matters to ſo quiet an end. In brief, the Admiral, euer like himſelfe, ſtood faſt in all theſe motions: not that hee knew not of the malice of infinite his aduerſaries that inuironed him: neither that beeing at Parris, hee laye in the very goulf and deepeſt pit of death: but becauſe through conſtancie and long continuance, he had framed himſelfe to rely vpon Gods prouidence: as alſo for the hauing ſecretly layed open vnto the King the very ſprings of the ciuill warres in France, and moſt liuely painted foorth the practiſes of his ſecret enemies and treacherous ſeruants, that aymed at the ſoueraigntie (ſince it hath manifeſtly appeared) hee ſuppoſed that he had left him in a faire path to preuent them.

For ſure it is, that the King, albeit as then but yong, had a very good wit, and could reaſonable wel perceiue the courſe of his affaires: ſo that had not ſuch bloodie and furious Councelles preuented and croſſed his capacitie, France had not incurred thoſe calamities, that ſince haue almoſt ſubuerted the whole eſtate thereof. For in the end he found, albeit ouer-late for his perſon and crown, that they that termed themſelues his ſeruants, ment nothing leſſe: but were his moſt cruell enemies, and ſuch as had exiled and murthered his beſt ſubiects, to the end afterward with more facilitie to ridde their hands of himſelfe, and ſo to ſeize vppon the Realme.

There happened yet an other matter, (as the waies of God are maruellous and vncomprehenſible) that more and more ſtopped the eares of the Admirall,Negotiation of Polonia. not to way ſo many aduertiſements as daily were giuen him, to depart out of Parris, & to take with him out of Parris, ſuch Lords, Gentlemen, and Captaines, as the Queene-mother, the Duke of Anion, the Guiſians, and the Parriſians, moſt vehemently hated. For certaine weekes before, it had been determined in the Councell, to ſend Ambaſſadours into Polonia, king Sigiſmond beeing dead, to deſire the Eſtates to chuſe for their king the Duke of Anion, whom the Admirall accounted an irreconcileable enemie to the Proteſtants.

The Admirall therefore perceiuing that the king was earneſt to further that matter of Polonia for his brother, that had great credite throughout the Realme of France, iudged that the king had a good inſight, and deſired to reduce all things to a ſure and firme peace, that the Duke of Anion confined in Poland, his adherents would be conſtrained to become milder: that the houſe of Guiſe deſtitute of ſuch a ſtaye, and doubting the king, that many times looked with a fierce countenance, would bee carefull not to bee too buſie: that in time and not long, the Queene-mother would bee conſtrained to leaue the conductions of the affaires of the Realme vnto her ſonne, wherevnto hee beganne to frame himſelfe, and perceiuing that the King and the Queene appoynted Iohn de Monluc Biſhoppe of Valence, a man of great iudgement, and one that had effected many ſerious enterpriſes, and at other times, had trauelled into Polonia for the ſame purpoſe, which voyage hee beganne the ſeuenteenth of Auguſt, it put him in better hope.

Monluc to the contrarie perceiuing the tempeſt at hand, deſired nothing more then to get him out of France, that hee might not bee a witneſſe nor forced Councellour to the miſchiefes which hee perceiued readie to fall vppon thoſe of the religion. A little before, hee had wiſhed the Countie of Rochefoucaut & other Lords, neuer to meddle in this imaginarie flemiſh war, but rather with ſpeed to return to their houſes: telling them, that they had no great cauſe to relie too much vpon the faire ſhewes of the Court, neither to ſoiourne long there, conſidering the enuie and mallice that moſt of the greateſt, and generally the whole cittie of Parris did beare them: but God would not ſuffer them as then to hearken to this good counſell. In the meane time, the Barron de la Garde poſting from Brouage to the Court,The Rochelers ſtand vpon their guarde. & returning in great haft, wrote the 14. of Auguſt to the Rochelers, exhorting them to giue credite to the king, to his mother, and to the D. of of Anion, & not to miſtruſt the ſoldiers that lay round about: withal, promiſing them for his part al fauor, & intreating them to intreat his men well that came to their Towne for their neceſſaries. Heerevpon they grew the more warie, and with like quoine and as good ſpeeches payd this ſpie, who writ himſelfe their moſt aſſured friend. The 17. of Auguſt, Henry king of Nauarre, and Ladie Margaret of France, ſiſter to the king, in the euening were conducted to the Louure, The eſpoufals and mariage of the king of Nauarre and Lady Margaret. and the next day married by the Cardinall of Bourbon in the ſight of all the people, vpon a great ſcaffold made before the gate of the great Church of Parris. That day paſſed ouer in banquets, daunces, and maskes, with ſtrange mixſture of thoſe of the religion with the Catholicques, wherat diuers were no leſſe mooued, then at the bloodie butcherie which alreadie they began to doubt, and that happened not long after. While euery man imployed himſelfe to bee merrie and make good cheare, diuers that were ſent for by the King, the Queene-mother, and the Duke of Guiſe, that they might bee the ſtronger part, arriued in the town. The concluſion hauing beene made not long before, and then fully performed as well in Parris as at S. Cloud, wherin the Dukes of Anion and Guiſe, were the principall actors, not to ſuffer the Admirall to depart, but rather to diſpatch him in Parris, with al ſuch as wold defend him. The Queen-mother with two or three of her moſt faithful and ſecret ſeruants had a counſell a part, the end whereof, tended not onely to kill the Admirall,Counſell againſt the Admiral and his adherēts. but alſo to ſet other at ſtrife, that they might rule with more eaſe. Thoſe of Guiſe pretended to extirminate the Admirall, and cauſing thoſe of the religion to be maſſacred by the people in the kings name, & to ſaue ſuch as they might, to make the king, his mother, & his brother, ſo much more odious, & ſo by little and little to aduance their deſires.

The Marſhall de Montmorencie beeing come to the wedding, perceiuing ſuch confuſion, and doubting the Ambuſcadoes of the houſe of Guiſe, mortal enemies both to him and his, vnder pretence of riding out to hunt, went home to his houſe, which fell out well for him, his abſence beeing cauſe that his bretheren were not ſlaine.

The 22. of Auguſt, as the Admirall came out of the Louure, where all that morning hee had beene with the Marſhall de Coſſe, Vpon fryday the Admirall was hurt. and Tauanes, to end a quarrell between two Gentlemē, going to dine in his lodging, accompanied with twelue or fifteene Gentlemen, being on foote about one hundreth paces from the Louure, and reading a petition, one ſhot at him with a harguebuze, the bullet whereof, tooke away the forefinger of his right hand, and hurt him in the left arme. He that ſhot it had a horſe readie at the back-doore of his lodging, whereon being mounted, he eſcaped at Saint Aut • omes gate, where finding a Ienet of Spaine held readie for him, he tooke poſte and got him to a place before appointed for his retrait. The doore of the houſe being burſt open, the harguebuze was found therein, with a Lacquey & an other ſeruant, it was knowne that one Chally a Steward of the kings houſe, and a dealer in the Duke of Guiſes affaires, the day before had brought that harguebuſier into that houſe, belonging to Villemeur Tutor to the Duke, recommē ding him moſt earneſtly vnto the Hoſtes, that the ſame Fryday in the morning the Harguebuſier naming himſelfe Bolland one of the kings guard, (but it was Maureuel) ſent his Lacquey to deſire Chally to prouide that the Duke of Guiſes Groome of the ſtable, ſhould prouide the horſe that hee had promiſed. The Admirall brought to his lodging, ſhewed moſt ſingular pietie, conſtancie, & patience, vnder his Surgeans hands, & was viſited by diuers Lords and Gentlemen of the religion, the king of Nauarre and the Prince of Coude, asking licence of the king to depart, as beeing but hardly aſſured within Parris.

The king complained to them of the miſchiefe happened, ſwearing and promiſing to vſe and execute ſuch iuſtice vppon the offender, that the Admirall and his friends ſhould thinke themſelues ſatiſfied. In the meane time, he ſtayed them with promiſe ſhortly to take order therein: and preſently commaunded purſuite to bee made after the offendor: on the other ſide, willing the Prouoſt of Merchants in Parris, to appoynt certaine men to bee readie prepared to execute what ſhould bee giuen them in charge by the Duke of Aniou, cauſed all the gates to bee ſhut, ſwearing and blaſpheming (as his manner was) that hee would not that they which had done that fact ſhould ſo eſcape: ſuffering two gates to ſtand open for ſuch as paſſed out and in, where a great watch was holden, that no man might paſſe through without licence: and faining to take order for all things touching that ſearch, cauſed all the towne to riſe in armes. As alſo hee appoynted ſundrie Lords and Gentlemen Proteſtants to bee lodged in the Admirals quarter, and round about him, for feare (ſaid hee) leaſt lying ſcattered abroad in the Towne, they migh encur ſome danger: but there ſhould be defended by the ſoldiers of his guard. Maureuel was but eaſily purſued, and Chally went to the Duke of Guiſes chamber, where no man ſought for him.

Two houres after noone, the king went to viſite the Admirall, to whom in preſence of the Queene-mother, the Admirall made a long declaration, wherein hee forgot not to maintaine his fidilitie to the ſeruice of the countrie of France, & of others miſeries of the ſame, by reaſon the peace could not bee well obſerued, ſpecially touching thoſe of the religion, whereof he ſpecified ſome particularities, deſiring the K. to do iuſtice vpon the offendors: to haue regard vnto his faith and promiſe, and to the quietneſſe of the realm. The king made aunſwere, that he accounted him an honeſt man, a good Frenchman, and one that loued the increaſe of the Crowne: that he eſteemed of him as of a moſt diſcreet & excellent Captain, and that vpon that opinion he had ſo farre entered into his former reſolutions, that his whole deſire was to haue his Edicts of peace fully executed, and yet deſired the maintenance thereof: and to that end ſundrie commiſsioners did paſſe through al the Prouinces of the Realme, as the Queene his mother could well witneſſe. And ſhee affirming it, ſaying: that the Admirall himſelfe knew it full well. It is true, Madame (quoth hee) Commiſsioners were ſent, among the which, there were ſome that had condemned mee to be hanged, and promiſed fiftiethouſand crownes to him that would bring you my head. The king promiſed to ſend others, with more oaths & ſwearings, that hee would doo iuſtice vpon thoſe that hurt the Admirall. Many other ſpeeches hee vſed to aſſure the Admirall, who in the end forgot not to put the king in minde to remember ſuch aduertiſements as hee had many times giuen him, concerning the miſcheeuous practiſes of ſome againſt his eſtate and Crowne, withall, exhorting him to thinke vppon himſelfe, ſo farre foorth as he loued his own life.

Soone after that, the king departed from him, Iohn de Ferriers, Vidame de Chartres entered into the chamber, that beganne to comfort him, and in an aſſembly not long after holden in a chamber of the ſame lodging, hee ſhewed the king of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde, with others the chiefeſt Lords of the religion there aſſembled, that their ſureſt way was, preſently to depart out of Parris, and to make their account, that that blow was the beginning of the tragedie, which would ſoone after bee performed, but the aduice to ſtaye and truſt to the kings promiſe, was determined vppon, and the other reiected. The ſame day the king by letters wrote to all the gouernours of Prouinces, to the principall townes of France, alſo to his Ambaſſadors with forraine Princes, aduertiſing them of all that had happened: withall, promiſing to take ſuch order, that the authors and all that were guiltie of ſuch a fault, ſhould bee known & puniſhed according to their deſerts: cōmanding them to make known to all the world, how much he was offended there with the Queen-mother wrote the like. And whileſt the Secretaries were thus occupied, the Dukes of Aniou and Guiſe, late in the night conſulted togither, what they ſhould do the next night following. Saturday in the morning,What happened vpon Saturday before the maſſacre, a report was ſpred abroad about the towne, wherein might bee a million of Komiſh Catholicques, that thoſe of the religion (beeing but a handfull of men in reſpect of thē, & craued nothing but iuſtice, in almodeſtie without outragious word or deed) did mightily threaten thoſe of ye houſe of Guiſe, whervpon the Duke of Guiſe and Aumale, in a great rage as they made ſhew, went to finde the king, ſaying: that they had well perceiued that the king bare but ſmall fauour vnto them, and that if they thought that departing home to their owne houſes would pleaſe him, they were readie to performe it.

The King ſeemed to ſhewe an angrie countenance, and with ſharpe words ſaid vnto them, that they might go whither they would, and that hee would fetch them well ynough, if hee found them culpable of the iniurie offered vnto the Admirall. They departing from the kings preſence, well accompanied, about noone mounted on horſebacke, but not to go out of Parris, where the Parliament ſpake as much as dumbe men. Certaine were appointed to go from houſe to houſe, and by writing to take the names of all ſuch as made profeſsiō of the religion, deliuering the regiſter vnto thoſe that had ſet them on worke. Not long after, thoſe of the religion beganne to diſcouer, that ſome bloodie counſels were intended againſt the Admiral & his friends. For firſt the king cauſed a gard of 50. harquebuſiers to be ſet at the Admirals gate, vnder the charge of Coſſeins, diſlodged all the Romiſh Catholique Gentlemen out of that ſtreet: which done, he commaunded the Admiralles familiar friends to lodge in that quarter, that they might be neare about him: cauſed great ſtore of armes to be brought into the Louure, and about euening all the people in the towne beganne to be in armes. The Councell aſſembled for the laſt time in the Admirals lodging: Vidame de Chartres held his firſt aduice, and ſought very earneſtly, that they ſhould preſently aſſay to beare the Admirall out of Parris, and that his familiars and friends ſhould preſently diſlodge: hee ſhewed ſufficient reaſon for the ſame, which notwithſtanding were not followed they ſtood to the firſt, which importeth to craue iuſtice at the king hand, vppon whoſe promiſe they were to relie. Vidames de Chartres counſel was moſt aſſured, but (in mans iudgement) as then impoſsible to be effected. And yet after that, men durſt report and that openly, that at that Councell where the king of Nauarre, the Prince of Conde, and diuers great Lords were aſſembled, they had determined to kill the King, the Queenemother, and all the principall of the Court: a ſlaunder as falſe as falſehood it ſelfe.

About euening, certaine Proteſtant Gentlement offered themſelues the ſame night to watch with the Admirall: which Teligny his ſon in law would not ſuffér them to do, ſaying it was vnneceſſary, and ſo diſmiſſed them with very good words for their good will, ſo that there ſtayed no more with the Admirall, but Cornaton (from whoſe mouth I gathered the greateſt part of this diſcourſe) La-bonne, Yolet, Marlin a Miniſter of Gods word, Ambroiſe Pare a Surgean, and certaine of his men. In the Court there were fiue Switzers of the king of Nauarres guard. Night being come, the D. of Guiſes Lieftenāt in this action, which at this preſent is to be declared vnto the Duke of Aniou, ſent for all the Captaines of the Switzers,Deſcription of the maſſacre of the Admirall. and companies of ſtrangers ſtill entering into the Towne, ſhewing him his commiſsions to kill the Admiral & all his partakers: exhorting thē to be couragious in ſhedding of blood and ſpoyle: and appoynted their troupes to be placed where he thought meete. About midnight an other aſſembly was made in the Towne-houſe, where the Prouoſt of Merchants, the Sheriffes, & Captaines of euery quarter, were aduertiſed in like ſort, that throghout the realme the like ſhuld be done to all thoſe of the religion: & that the watch-word of the general maſſacre ſhould be the bell of the Pallace, which ſhould be rung at the breake of day, and the badge of the executioners, ſhould be a white handkerchef tied vppon their ſleeues, & a white croſſe in their hats. If the great perſonages were mooued, the meaner ſort were no leſſe readie to exececute that cruel commandement, preſently watches were ſet in euery ſtreet, the Duke of Guiſe beeing come to the Louure had charge, with the knight of Angouleſme, baſtard to Henry the 2. the D. d'Aumale, accompanied with Coſſeins, Goas, Attin, Beſmes, with ſome of the kings Harquebuſiers, and all the Duke of Anious guard, to begin at the Admiralles lodging. The noyſe of armour and running vp and downe with ſo many torches, ſoone after midnight, made diuers of thoſe of the religion that were lodged neare the Admirall, to come out of their lodgings into the ſtreets, to aske the firſt of their acquaintance what that extraordinary noyſe and arming ment at ſuch an vndue houre, but beeing anſwered with doubtfull ſpeeches, they went forward towards the Louure, where firſt they were quarrelled withall, and ſet vppon by the guard. The noyſe begunne, they rung S. Germaines bell. Coſſeines perceiuing the Duke of Guiſe and his troupes to come, knocked at the Admiralles Gate, betweene two and three of the clocke in the morning, vpō Sunday being the foure & twentieth day of Auguſt. La-bonne came to the gate, and hauing opened it, was ſtabbed by Coſſeins: the ſecond doore going vppe the ſtaires beeing ſoone burſt open, and one of the Switzers of the guard ſlaine with a harquebuſh. While Coſſeins ſtood iumbling at that doore, Cornaton ranne vp, and being asked by the Admirall (who had cauſed thē to lift him out of his bed, and in his night gowne had aſsiſted his Miniſters feruēt prayer, and humbly commended his ſoule to his Sauiour Ieſus Chriſt) what that great tumult ment, he ſaid: My Lord, it is God that calleth for vs, the houſe is entered by force, and there is no meanes of reſiſtance. The Admirall beganne to ſay: It is long ſince I diſpoſed my ſelfe to die: ſaue you your ſelues if it bee poſsible, for you cannot ſaue my life: I commit my ſoule into the hands and mercie of God. Preſently al of them, except his Interpreter for the Almaine tongue, got vp into the top of the houſe, and hauing found a window to iſſue out vppon the roofe, and into the gutters, beganne to ſaue themſelues, but moſt of them were ſlaine in the next houſe: Cornaton, Merlin, and one or two more eſcaped, and were miraculouſly preſerued. There ſtood foure Switzers vpon the ſtaires, wherof one being ſlaine, the reſt fled as well as they might. The Admirals chāber opened, ſeuen or eight men all armed, and with their targets entered into it, and one named Beſmes ſeruant to the Duke of Guiſe, with a naked ſwoord in hand went to the Admirall, offering him the poynt, wherewith he began to ſay: Young man, thou oughteſt to reſpect my age and infirmitie, yet ſhalt thou not ſhorten my life: with that Beſmes thruſt him into the bodie, and redoubling the blowe vpon his head, euery one of the reſt gaue him a blow, in ſuch ſort, that he fel vpon the ground, and ſo lay gaſping. The Duke of Guiſe and others ſtaying below in the Court, hearing the blows, asked if they had done: commanding the bodie to be thrown out of the window, which was preſently done by Beſmes & Sarlaboux, who tooke him vp & caſt him out: the blow he had vpon the head, and the blood couering his face, made the Duke of Guiſe not wel to know him, ſo yt ſtouping down, & wiping his face with a handkerchef he ſaid: Now I know him, it is he: and therwith giuing a blow with his foote vppon his face beeing dead (whom all the murtherers of France feared ſo much beeing aliue) hee went out of the houſe, followed by his company, and beganne to crie about the ſtreetes: Courage fellow ſouldiers, wee haue made a good beginning, let vs now to the reſt. The king commaundeth it, repeating that with great Maieſtie the king commaundeth it, it is his pleaſure, it is his expreſſe commaundement.

Preſently therevppon the Pallace clocke ſtrooke, and then a noyſe was heard about the ſtreets of Parris, ſaying that the Huguenots (for ſo the Romiſh Catholicques termed the Proteſtants) were in armes, (they beeing in their beddes) and ment to kil the king) to whom the Admiralles head was carried and preſented, and to the Queene-mother alſo: and then imbalmed and ſent to Rome to the Pope & the Cardinall of Lorraine. The common people ranne to the Admirals lodging, where they cut off his hands and his priuie members, and drew his bodie for the ſpace of three daies about the Towne: which done, it was borne to the Gibbet of Montfaucon, and there hanged by thee feete.

Beginning of maſſacres in Parris.The Gentlemen, officers of the Chamber, Gouernours, Tutors, and houſhold-ſeruants of the king of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde, were driuen out of their chambers where they ſlept in the Louure, and beeing in the Court, maſſacred in the kings preſence. The like was done to the Lords and Gentlement that lay round about the Admiralles lodging: and then throughout the Towne, in ſuch ſort, that the number ſlaine that Sunday at night, and the two next daies enſuing, within the town of Parris, and the ſubburbs, was eſteemed to bee aboue tenne thouſand perſons, Lords, Gentlemen, Pages, ſeruants, Iuſtices of all ſorts, Schollers, Lawyers, Phiſitians, Merchants, Artificers, women, maides, and boyes, not ſparing little children in the cradle, nor in their mothers bellies.

The Courtiers of the kings guard, and ſtraungers that maſſacred the Gentlemen, ſaid: that in one day, by weapon and diſorder, they had ended thoſe proceſſes, which pen, paper, ſentences of Iuſtice, nor open war could not finde the meanes to execute in twelue yeares ſpace.

Thus theſe honorable Lords and Gentlemen proteſtants, ſlaunderouſly accuſed of conſpiracie and practiſe againſt the king, being ſtarke naked, thinking onely vppon their reſt, ſcarce awake, vnarmed, in the hands of infinite, cruel, craftie, & trecherous enemies, not hauing ſo much leiſure as to breath, were ſlaine, ſome in their beddes, others vppon the roofes of houſes, and in whatſoeuer other places where they might bee found.

It would bee ouer long to recite at large the names and ſurnames of all the honourable perſonages of diuers quallities, that as then were ſlaine and maſſacred. It ſufficeth that their names are regiſtred in heauen: and that ſince that time, in that which happened to king Charles the ninth, his brother and ſucceſſor, his mother, his baſtard brother, the houſe of Guiſe, the Towne of Parris, and to all the Realm of France, in the ſpace of twentie yeares after this maſſacre, hath ſufficiently appeared, that God reuengeth the blood of innocents, and that their death (although ſhamefull in the ſight and preſence of the children of this world) is precious in the ſight of his moſt holy Maieſtie.Some eſcaped The Vidame de Chartres, the Countie Montgommery, and diuers other Lords and Gentlemen of the religion, lodged in the ſubburbes of S. Germain des Prez, right ouer againſt the Louure, vpon Sunday in the morning about fiue of the clocke, beeing aduertiſed as it were by miracle, what had paſt within the Towne, minding to know if it were true, vppon the riuer diſcouered certaine people that came to murther them, wherevpon ſome on foot, other on horſe backe, and moſt of them without either bootes or ſpurres, leauing all their ſtuffe, ſaued themſelues as well as they could, beeing purſued for the ſpace of halfe a day by the Duke of Guiſe and others. Now let the reader heere in conſider, how ſtraunge and horrible a thing it might bee, in a great Town, to ſee at the leaſt 60. thouſand men, with Piſtolles, pikes, courtelaſſes, ponyards, kniues, and other ſuch bloodie inſtruments, ranne ſwearing and blaſpheming the ſacred Maieſtie of God, throughout the ſtreets and into the houſes, where moſt cruelly they maſſacred all whoſoeuer they met, without regard of eſtate, condition, ſexe, or age: the ſtreets paued with bodies out and hewed in peeces, the gates and enteries of houſes, Pallaces, and publicque places died with blood. A horrible plague of ſhoutings and hollowings of the murtherers, mixed with continuall blowes of Piſtolles and caliuers, the pittifull cries of thoſe that were murthered, the bodies caſt out at windowes vppon the ſtones, drawne through the durt, with ſtraunge noyſe and whiſtlings, the breaking of doores and windowes, with billes, ſtones, and other furies: the ſpoyling and ſacking of houſes, Carts carrying away the ſpoyles, and others the dead bodies, which were throwne into the riuer of Seine, all redde with blood, which likewiſe ranne out of the towne, and from the kings owne Pallace.

The king of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde being called to ſpeake with the King, and by his owne mouth were certified what had paſt, adding,The entertainment of the king of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde. that hee ſaued their liues vppon condition, that they ſhould renounce their religion, and follow his: otherwiſe, that they ſhould looke for the like puniſhment that their adherents had and ſhould receiue. The King of Nauarre beſought the king to remember his promiſe of the alliance newly contracted, and not to conſtraine him in his religion: the Prince of Conde more feruent, aunſwered, that the King had giuen his faith to him, and to all thoſe of the religion, with ſo ſolemne proteſtation, that hee could not be perſwaded, that he would falſifie ſo authenticque an oath: In reſpect of the obedience which the King required of him, hee had faithfully yeelded vnto him, not minding in time to come to depart from it in any ſort whatſoeuer. But touching the religion, wherof the king had granted him the exerciſe: and God the knowledge to whom hee was to yeeld account, for his bodie and goods, hee left them to the Kings diſpoſition, to do with them as pleaſed him: but for his religion, hee ſaid hee was fully determined to remaine conſtant therein, which hee would alwaies maintaine to bee true, although it were with the loſſe of his life.

This aunſwere of the Prince ſet the King in ſuch a chollor, that hee beganne to call him rebell, ſeditious, and ſonne of a ſeditious perſon, with horrible threatnings to cauſe him to looſe his head, if within three daies he took not better counſell, which was done in preſence of the Queene-mother, the Duke of Aniou, Birague, and others of his ſecret Councell, whoſe other proceedings muſt bee ſet downe.

They perceiuing that the maſſacre of Parris would not quench the fire, but rather kindle it more, becauſe thoſe of the religion might aſſemble and vnite themſelues togither, (as it happeneth in ſuch miſerable chances) giue them new worke: theſe Councellours made two meſſengers, the one from the ſame Sunday, to the Gouernours and ſeditious Catholicques of Towns, wherein were diuers of the religion, with expreſſe commaundement to maſſacre them. The other meſſage contained certaine letters to the Gouernours of Prouence, by the which hee charged thoſe of Guiſe with the murther committed vppon the perſon of the Admirall, becauſe of their particular quarrell, and of the ſedition happened in Parris, ceaſed the ſame day it began, (as thoſe letters of the foure and twentieth of Auguſt ſpecified) by the authoritie and vigilancie of the King, whoſe meaning and commaundement was, that his Edict of pacification ſhould be holden as much as euer it was,Strange deuiſes to roote out thoſe of the religion, and to couer the action of the maſſacre. through all his Realme. Wherevnto he added theſe words. And becauſe it is greatly to bee feared, that ſuch execution (which by other letters was publiſhed to bee made vpon a very ſmall number) ſhould cauſe my ſubiects to riſe one againſt the other, and that great maſſacres ſhould bee committed within the townes of my Realme, which would bee great griefe vnto me: I pray you to publiſh and make it knowne in all the places of your Gouernment, that euery man ſhould liue in peace, without raiſing armes, nor offending each other vpon paine of death: cauſing our edict of pacification to be carefully obſerued and kept, and to puniſh the contradictors, and ouerrunne thoſe that would ſeem to riſe and bee diſobedient to our will: you ſhall preſently aſſemble all the forces you can make, as well of friends as of your ordinarie companies, aduertiſing the Captaines of the Townes and Caſtles of your gouernment, to looke well to the ſafetie and preſeruation of the ſaid places, that no fault may bee eſcaped, aduertiſing mee aſſoone as poſsible you may, what order you haue taken therein, and how all things paſſe within your gouernment.

Other notable practiſes, but all to the eternall confuſion and reproach of the authors.The ſame day were likewiſe diſpatched other pattents, prohibiting the carrying of all forbidden weapons, all fraudulent aſſemblies, orrepugnant to the Edict of pacification: vnder the benefit whereof, the king commaunded all his ſubiects to liue in quiet and peace each with other. The Queene-mother likewiſe wrote her letters to the Gouernours and Ambaſſadours in like ſubſtance as the king.

It was agreed betweene the King, the Queen-mother, his brother, Birague, the Duke of Neuers, and the Countie of Retz, and other the Guiſians, ſhould auoyde Parris, and immediately after the deaths of the Admirall and his partakers, withdrew thēſelues in ſome of their houſes, that ſo the French and their neighbours might the rather think it to be ſome particular reuenge, that bred alſo the tumult in Parris.

Vppon this counſell the King had in his Sunday letters, layd the whole rage vppon the Guiſians, who conſidering more deeply the inormitie of the act, wherein they had not ſpared an infinite number of learned men, honorable olde age, honeſt Ladies, chaſte matrones, women with childe, young ſchollers, virgins, ſucking babes, but moſt cruelly cut their throates: perceiuing that ſo they ſhould bring vpon themſelues & their poſteritie, the indignation of all men indued with any ſparke of vertue, or that had any regard of humane ſocietie: and conſequently, make themſelues the marke for euery man to ayme at, as the ſole authors thereof, and men guiltie of the moſt wicked action that could bee deuiſed: refuſed to forſake Parris. But contrariwiſe, inſiſted and moſt earneſtly laboured, that the king ſhould aduow all that had beene done.

This did they and their Councell ſo cunningly mannage, beſides that they were very ſtrong and greatly in the peoples fauour, who had been followers of the Duke of Guiſe in this execution, that the king with the aduice of his Councell, ſoone after writ other letters to his Ambaſſadours, Gouernours of Prouin ces and chiefe Townes of France: wherein hee gaue them to vnderſtand, that whatſoeuer had fallen out at Parris, was nothing concerning religion, but was done onely to preuent the execution of a curſed conſpiracie, practiſed by the Admirall and his confederates againſt him, his mother, and bretheren: and therefore commaunded that his Edict of pacification ſhould bee moſt firmly obſerued: But if it ſhould fall out that any Huguenors, incenſed with the newes of Parris, ſhould gather in armes in any place whatſoeuer, hee commaunded his ſaid Gouernours to aſsiſt the ſcattering and diſpearſing of them.

Alſo to the end the ſtudious of nouelties ſhould not commit any ſiniſter practiſe, his meaning was to haue the gates of all his Towns wel & diligently kept, referring thereſt of his minde to the credite of the bearers. According to the purport heereof, at Meaux in Brie, Trois in Champagne, Orleans, Bourges, la Charite, Lyons, Thoulouſe, and Bourdeaux, thoſe of the religion were handled as they were in Parris: not ſpeaking of thoſe that were ſacked in other Townes and Villages of the Realme, as alſo in the fields, when they thought to ſaue themſelues by going out of the Realme, ſo that in fewe weeks, aboue thirtie thouſand perſons were maſſacred in France, becauſe of the religion.

The king aduoweth the maſſacre to be done by his commandement, but ſpecifieth no cauſe why: & the next day writeth contrarie letters.Vpon Tueſday the ſix and twentieth day of Auguſt, the king accompanied with his bretheren, and the chiefeſt of his Court, went to his Court of Parliament, where ſitting vpon his bed of iuſtice, all the chambers aſſembled, hee declared in expreſſe termes, that whatſoeuer had happened in Parris, had been done not onely by his conſent, but alſo by his commandement, and of his owne motion: and therefore that his meaning was, that all ſhould bee attributed to himſelfe.

All which his ſpeech was approoued and allowed by Chriſtopher de Thou, chiefe Preſident, in the name of the whole companie. The next day letters were ſent to the Sheriffes and other the kings officers in the Townes, giuing them to vnderſtand, that to his great greefe, his Couſin the Admirall, and others his partakers, beſides ſundrie particular parties in ſundrie parts of Parris had beene ſlaine: whereof hee thought good to giue them notice, to the end they might repreſſe all commotion and murther, which might breed his incredible greefe and ſorrow: enioyning them in his name to make proclamation, commanding euery man to remaine at home, not to take armes, nor any to offend other vnder paine of death: alſo to take order that his Edict of peace were well and diligently obſerued. Thurſday the twentieth, in Parris was celebrated an extraordinary Iubile with generall proceſsion, wherein the king was aſsiſtant, and whereto hee had (but in vaine) ſolicited the king of Nauarre with ſweet words and flattering ſpeeches, and the Prince of Conde with threats.

The kings new declaration.The ſame day hee made an other declaration, importing that by his own expreſſe commandement, the Admirall with his adherents and confederates had beene ſlaine: not vpon any cauſe of religion, or breach of his Edicts of pacification, which hee alwaies had, and ſtill ment to haue obſerued, kept, and continued: but thereby to preuent the execution of a damnable conſpiracie contriued by the Admirall, the chiefe deuiſer thereof, and his adherents and confederates againſt the ſaid king, his eſtate, the Queene his mother, his bretheren, the king of Nauarre, and other Lords and Princes his attendants.

Withall, that hee tooke into his protection all other the proteſtants: but forbad them all aſſemblies or preachings, vpon whatſoeuer occaſions. To this declaration were there ſoone after added ſundrie reſtrictions, qualifications, and amplifications. Such of the proteſtants as in ſundrie places relyed vpon them, had but bad ſucceſſe. The wiſer ſort ffed out of the realm, which notwithſtanding their goods were ſeized: their mooueables partly ſolde to the moſt giuer, and partly ſtolen, and their immooueables put to the crie.

There was a long Commentarie made and added to the ſame declaration, by one Gui de Fuur, Lord of Pibrac: as it was auouched before that of religion, who durſt affirme that witneſſes had been examined before the kings Councell,Commentaries vpon this matter. that affirmed a conſpiracie made by the Admirall, not naming who, neither yet ſpecifying any circumſtance of apparance of trueth, for the which cauſe, certaine ſharpe aunſweres were made therevnto, wherein all the cauillations of the ſaid Commentarie, were amply and particularly reſuted.

Within Parris it ſelfe, all men that had any wit or vnderſtanding in their common and ordinarie talke, touching this horrible & cruell iniuſtice, ſaid, that there was neither ſhaddowe nor any apparance of trueth in this accuſation, and to thinke to make men of any iudgement to beleeue, that the Admirall had wrought any thing againſt the king and his adherents being within Parris, Defence made in the Admirals behalfe. were vaine, it beeing a thing which all men knowes, that in the Court there is an ordinarie guard of Gaſcons, Switzers, and Scots, both for day and night, beſides the other companies, ſpecially then, when the moſt part of the Princes, Lords, and Gentlemen of France, were there to honour the marriage, that in leſſe then three houres within Parris, they may aſſemble and gather at the leaſt ſixtie thouſand men well armed, who at the firſt word had deuoured the Admirall and all his friends, and if they had been ſixe times as many more: that the Lords and Gentlemen that had accompanied the king of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde, bringing thither their wiues, ſeruaunts, and kinſmen, brought but their ſwords, and thought but to run at the ring, and to ſhew their braue apparrell. That the declaration did neither ſpecifie the time, place, adherents, nor meanes of this coniuration. Before the Admirall was hurt, as he receiued all fauour of the king, ſo he held and accounted him for one of his moſt faithfull ſeruants, whereof the Admirall made proofes with all ſinceritie. Being come to Parris vppon the word, and iterated commandements of the king, where no man liuing euer vnderſtood other thing from his mouth (what aduiſe ſoeuer was giuen him to iſſue out of Parris) becauſe he was hated, euill willed, and inuironed with enemies, but onely that hee truſted in the faith and promiſe of his Prince, that heedemaunded nothing but peace, wherevnto he perceiued the king to bee inclined, and to lay the war vpon the ſhoulders of the hereditarie enemie of France, which is the Spaniard: if this conſpiracie had been made after hee was hurt, how durſt a mā being cruelly wounded with two dangerous wounds, about Fryday at tenne of the clocke, and flaine vppon Sunday at two of the clocke in the morning, of great yeares, troubled in both his armes, whereof one, the Surgeans were in counſell to cut off, accompanied with three hundreth Gentlemen vnarmed, all naturall Frenchmen, moſt affected ſeruants to the King, hauing neither goods, parentage, alliance, pleaſure, nor contentment with their families, but in France, bee ſo bolde, or could ſet vppon ſixtie thouſand men, prepared to fight. Nay, were it onely againſt the Prieſts and Fryers of Parris ayded by their ſeruants, onely with fagget-ſticks in their hands? or how could hee haue leiſure in ſo ſhort a time, or would haue bin ſo mad with his adherents (vnwiſe onely in this, that they truſted the kings word, and beleeued not the aduice of thoſe that counſelled them not to put themſelues into the Lyons clawes, that watched for them vnder that great hedge) to conſult vpon an action ſo important, execrable, and of the greateſt conſequence that poſsible may bee? Beſides this, after he was wounded, the Phiſitians and Surgeans had inioyned him ſilence, and all the Councels holden in his chamber, tended reſolutely to expect iuſtice to be done vppon thoſe that had hurt him, as the King and the Queen-mother had ſworne and promiſed. The King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde were alwaies at thoſe Councels, and to conſpire againſt the King, was as much as if they had ſoght to ſtab thēſelues, & to ſtain their houſe with the moſt deteſtable ignomie that could bee deuiſed. And to be ſhort, it is as much as if they ſhould transforme the Admirall and his friends into brute beaſts, as to attribute ſuch conſultations vnto them in ſuch a time and place, and againſt ſo many good Frenchmen: and againe, if he were ſuſpected of ſuch a crime, was it not in the kings power (ſeeing ſo many armed men about his lodging held him incloſed, and at the firſt word could haue ſeized vpon him) to cauſe him to bee poyſoned preſently vppon the ſuſpition, without daunger of tumult by thoſe of the religion, whoſe weakneſſe was well knowne at the time of the maſſacre?

The number of thoſe that were termed adherents to the Admirall, beeing nothing in compariſon of the murtherers, and of women, maides, and yong children cruelly maſſacred, that neither knew where the Admirall lay, nor yet what hee ſaid • , holding him priſoner, they might without reſiſtance or daunger haue made information, and ſo haue proceeded againſt him according to the lawes of all Nations... If there were witneſſes, they might haue maintained and affirmed their depoſitions before the Admirall and his adherents, which by Pitrac is written to haue beene reported to the king: further, if it ſhould bee ſo, that the Admirall and his adherents, after his hurt, did vtter any angrie ſpeeches, hauing knowne the cauſe, he might haue contented himſelfe with his owne houſe and familie, and not in a tumult and barbarous furie, by ſound of bell to mooue the people to aſſemble all the Towne, hee ought to haue hindred the maſſacre of ſo many Ladies and yong Gentlewomen, and of ſo many Gentlemen, wiſe, learned, and reuerent olde men, of ſo many little children, that conſpired not but againſt their mothers breaſts, or elſe to get out of the wombes. It may bee asked of the Councellours of this inhumane iuſtice, why ſo many women great with childe and halfe dead were thrown into the riuer? wherin ſo many thouſands of honorable & innocent perſons were maſſacred, without inquiſitiō, cōdemnation, forme, or figure of proceſſe? & which is more, if the Adm. had neuer ſo litle attempted againſt the perſon or life of the K. and his two bretheren, who is he that knoweth not, that al ye Prouinces, towns: & to be ſhort, al ſorts of people & of all eſtates would ſpeedily haue taken weapon in hand, in a moment without difficultie had put the culpable and all his adherents to the ſwoord, with all ſtrange motiōs, wold both approoue & allow, as moſt expedient and neceſſarie? And touching the king of Nauarre, euery man deteſted the impoſture of the declaration: Was he not in the Admirals hands for the ſpace of foure yeares? did hee not profeſſe the like religion? who is ignorant of the humble and ſincere reſpect which the Admirall bare vnto this Prince, and the great affection hee ſhewed vnto the Admirall? could thoſe of the religion get any thing by the death of the king of Nauarre? was hee not loued as well of the Catholicques, as thoſe of the religion? Could the Admiral hope for a Prince more fauourable then hee, or that could better reuenge the outrage that had been done vnto him?

Other circumſtances touhing the maſſacre.Now let vs returne to other circumſtances and the courſe of our Hiſtorie. By an other declaration of the 30. day of Auguſt, the king gaue to vnderſtand to the Gouernours of his Prouinces, that the Admirall and Gentlemen of the religion that were with him in Parris, without expecting the iuſtice that he had promiſed to execute vpon the wonder of the Admirall, had conſpired againſt his Maieſtie, his mother, his bretheren, the king of Nauarre, and other the Lords and Princes about them, and againſt the eſtate: yea, that ſome of the chiefeſt and adherents to the conſpiracie, acknowledging their fault, had confeſſed it.

Theſe principall adherent confeſſors hee nameth not: as indeed there were none, vnleſſe he meanes Bouchauanes of Picardie, who vppon Saturday had been preſent at one of the conſultations, wherein the Vidame of Chartres the ſecond time with vehement ſpeeches in the peſence of the K. of Nauarre, the Prince of Conde, and many others, had vrged the remooue of the Admiral out of Parris, wiſhing his friends and familiars to follow after: as hourely diſcouering many things that put him in more doubt. Hee was in manner the onely man that was of that opinion: for the reſt, they ſtood vppon it, that ſo they ſhould doo the king wrong, in that they ſhould call into queſtion his faith and ſincere meaning: that it might ſuffice quietly and modeſtly to craue iuſtice at his hands: that the matter was yet freſh, and therefore it might bee feared, leaſt the king ſhould bee offended if they proceeded ſo hotly. Other report could not Bouchananes make in honour or with a ſafe conſcience. Concerning Briquemant and Cauagues whom they ment to vſe, wee will ſpeake heereafter. Onely I will heere adde one note taken out of the ſeuenth booke of the remembrances of Monluc one of the Marſhals of France, and a ſworne enemie to the Proteſtants.

He ſpeaking of the murthers, ſaith: Albeit I was then Maiſter onely of my owne houſe,Monlucs teſtimonie. yet the Queene did me that honour to write vnto me, and to ſend me word that they had diſcouered a great cōſpiracie againſt the king and his eſtate. I wot what I beleeued: but it is not good to anger a mans Maiſter. The king neuer forget the chaſe that the Admirall gaue him from Meaux to Parris ſwifter then ordinarie. Wee forget our ſelues when wee come to the pinch: and neuer thinke that kings haue greater ſtomacks then wee, and withall, that they can ſooner forget a good peece of ſeruice, then any offence.

Theſe bee Moulucs words, who a little before had ſaid, that the Admiral was vnwiſe to thruſt himſelfe into Parris, to the end, to make the world to thinke that he ruled all. I wonder how a man ſo wiſe & polliticke in worldly matters, could commit ſuch a groſſe ouerſight. But hee payde well for it: for it coſt him his life and many more.

Why the defence of the maſſacre is here ſet downI haue drawne the declaration or defence afore ſaide out of diuers treatiſes, at that time imprinted, without ouermuch thruſting mine own iudgemēt into ſuch diſcourſes. And alſo the innocencie of the maſſacred, might wel maintaine it ſelfe, and enioy an aſſured reward, much better then the iudgement of humane ſence can comprehend. I thought it no preiudice to theſe recuiels, to inſert this extract of their defence.

Touching the particularities of the maſſacres in other Townes of the Realme, they hauing beene ſet down and particularly noted in other books as yet extant, I mean not herein to preſent this ſea of innocent blood, which beeing hidden in the ground and mixed with the waters, hath cried vnto heauen, and procured ſo many blowes from thence, vppon the authors and adherents of ſo many murthers.

Diuers coū cels to ſurpriſe Roche.Now there reſted no more but one ſmall moate within the eies of the king and his Councell, which was Rochel, to the Inhabitants whereof, Stroſſy and Poulin, ſurnamed Barron de la Garde, wrote certaine friendly letters, dated the laſt of Auguſt, offering them men to keepe their Towne, and asking them great ſtore of victuals to furniſh the kings Nauy by ſea: but the Rochelers hauing good cauſe to furniſh themſelues by a letter dated the ſecond of September, aunſwered with all modeſtie, that they had no neede of men to defend them, deſiring to liue peaceably in their auncient priuiledges, and that they wanted victualles, whereby it was impoſsible for them to helpe others.

Montpeſac Seneſchall of Poictou ſent them a long letter, wherein he mocked the Admiral, and ſought by long preaching to perſwade them, but by ſilence they abated his babling: by letters dated three daies after they ſought to pacifie Stroſſy, perceiuing that the enterpriſe of Flaunders was found to bee but a ſmoke. After the newes of the maſſacre, they withdrew themſelues into Rochel, with their armes and furniture, wherin after that, they did good ſeruice. Fiftie Gentlemen, one thouſand fiue hundreth ſouldiers, fiue and fiftie Miniſters, as well of Poictou & Xaintongne, as of other Prouinces, ſaued themſelues therein, and a publicke faſt was ſolemnized among them vppon the ninth and eleuenth of the ſame moneth.

The Councellours of the maſſacre perceiuing that Stroſſy did nothing, appoynted Biron Great-maiſter of the artillerie, to bee their Gouernour, by commaundement from the King, vſing many faire ſpeeches, and promiſing much vnto the Rochelers, to whom Biron, that during the maſſacre had been in daunger, wrote very fauourably. The Rochelers ſpared neither paper nor Inke, holding them cloſe and in couert.

And againſt Sancerre.An other Towne namnd Sancerre vppon Loire, not farre from Parris, ſerued alſo for retrait to diuers of the religion, eſcaped from the ſword of the maſſacres of Bourges, Orleans, and other places.

The Inhabitants behaued themſelues with all good wil towards ſuch poore fugitiues, notwithſtanding letters of the 3. of Septemb. were ſent vnto them, by the which it was inioyned them to receiue of their Captaine, him that ſhould bee ſent them by la Chaſtre Gouernour of Berry, and into the Caſtle ſuch troupes as hee ſhould thinke conuenient. In the meane while, the Romiſh Catholickes triumphed in Parris, thinking to haue gotten al the world, in the middle of their triumphs and feaſts, about the firſt of September, certaine good perſons by night went to the Gibbet of Montfalcon, and tooke downe the Admirals bodie, which they buried in ſo ſecret a place, that what inquiſition ſoeuer his enemies could make, it could not bee found.

They neuertheleſſe loth to looſe ſuch a Relicque, which they daily viſited very deuoutly (whom the king himſelfe went to looke vpon, ſaying to a certaine Lord that wiſhed him not to go neare, that the ſauoring carrion of a dead enemie was moſt ſweet) had rather hang vppe a bottell of haye in forme of a man, then haue nothing at all.

A Miniſter named du Roſier, a man of a readie wit, but turbulent and inſolute, beeing cought as hee was flying from Parris, began to halt, and ſoone after reuolted from the religion which hee himſelfe had maintained in his ſermons and writings, and ſeduced other priſoners: for being brought to Parris, he ioyned with ſundrie Sorbonniſts, and beganne to oppugne the profeſſion of faith of the king of Nauarre, of the Prince of Conde, and of diuers Ladies and Gentlewomen.

In the meane time, in the priſons they murthered ſuch as continued conſtant in their religion, whoſe bodies they caſt into the riuers by night. I told you before, that the king had ſent a precept or large declaratiō to the Rochelers, alſo that Biron their appoynted Gouernor,The proceedings in the expeditions, to catch the Rochelers. had written to them very fauourable letters.

Audeuars the king of Nauarres Steward, charged with ſuch packets and very ample inſtructions, ariued at Rochel the ſeuen and twentieth day of September, where hee forgat no part of his charge, as well to the Maior and other Magiſtrates, as to ſundrie particular perſons, for the moſt part of the religion, and incouraged by a number of their bretheren commen to them for refuge. A few daies after Audeuars comming, hauing deliberately & at large, communicated of their affaires in ful aſſembly, they made an ample anſwere to the commandement vnto them inioyned in the kings name, concerning the admiſsion of Garriſons: ſaying that they could not aduow that commandement to proceed from the king, to the teſtimonie of whoſe letters dated the 22. & the 24. day of Aug. they appealed, wherin he layeth the whole burthen of the ſedition & maſſacre vpō the houſe of Guiſe, proteſting that he had much ado to keep himſelfe ſafe in the caſtle of the Louure with his guard.Their defenſes. Further, that they could not poſsibly beleeue that ye K. ſhuld be ſo far deuoid of counſell, as to cut off his own armes: to pollute the ſacred marriage of his ſiſter with the effuſion of ſo much noble & innocent blood: defame yt French nation, & his royal name with ſo cruel an actiō: either Miniſter an argumēt to al hiſtorio graphers: to write ſo tragical a Hiſtorie, as neither antiquitie of time hath ſeen yt like, or poſteritie can hear of without horror. That this cōſpiracie was cōtinued in Rome, & hatred in Parris, by the rage of ye Guiſians, who pretēded to ſeize vpō the kingdome. Withal, they defended the Adm. innocencie, & craued to be permitted to liue in their priuiledges. Other remonſtrances they made to Audeuars, cōcerning ſome poynts of his cōmiſsion: as yt exerciſe of religiō, &c. and as he clawed thē with infinite flatterings, ſo they returned him more Court holy-water then he was ware of, & in this neceſsitie wanted no polliticke wiſedome. Biron in the mean time gathered towards them, and the Barron de la Garde beganne openly to threaten them, which cauſed them to looke better to their buſineſſe.

The kings excuſes to his friends.The king ſent his excuſes to the Pope, and to the Duke of Alue, touching the rumor of warres in the low countries, he called the Spaniſh Ambaſſadour and ſhewed him, that all the former counſels tended onely to the rooting out of the Huguenots, and that hee ment to continue in peace and good correſpondence with the king of Spaine, to whom he ſent a Gentleman purpoſely with letters of his owne hand, to aſſure him of his intent. On the other ſide, vpon the foureteenth of Septemb. there was a precept ſent to the Gouernours of the Prouinces to inquire of al ſuch proteſtants, as during the troubles had borne any office in the armies or townes of warre. In Prouence, Precepts againſt the Proteſtants. through the diſcretion of the Countie of Tende there was no murther committed: neither in Bourgondy through the ſubtiltie of the Guiſians, who purpoſed to lay all the hatred vpon the king, notwithſtanding themſelues were the executioners in Parris, and that their ſeruants, Troyes in Champagne had ſhed the blood of ſundrie innocents, as alſo in ſundrie other Townes. Some murthers, but indeed but few, were committed in Auuergne and Dauphine: Picardie and Brittaine were reaſonably quiet.

The two and twentieth day of September, there was a new precept ſent to the Gouernors and Lieftenants of Prouinces, for the diſgrading of all proteſtants from their eſtates and publike offices which they exerciſed, notwithſtanding they were content to renounce their religion, except ſuch as had inferiour offices, whom the king permitted to enioy them, in caſe they would abiure according to a forme deuiſed by the facultie of Sorbon, and adioyned to the ſame precept..

Excuſers of the maſſacre.Beſides all this, they hired certaine writers to excuſe the maſſacre, and thereof to publiſh their bookes both in Latine and French. Some Lawyers were dealers that way: but they met with thoſe that ſo tooke them vp, that afterwards, a hundreth times and a hundreth, they condemned ſuch purpoſes. The Rochelers ſpent the whole moneth of September in conſultations vppon new letters from the king, the Quesne-mother, the king of Nauarre, the Duke of Aniou, and Biron: alſo vpon ſundrie negotiations for the receiuing of the ſaid Biron for their Gouernour, who to that end was come within halfe a daies iourney of their Towne. Their finall reſolution was this: not to accept of Biron before the whole armie at hand were caſſuered and quite ſcattered, retaining the free exerciſe of religion, and that Biron ſhould not bring them any other troupes.

In the beginning of October, thoſe of Sancerre were inueſted by certaine Garriſons that beganne to moleſt them: but they made ſo braue a ſallie, that hauing forced the barricadoes of their enemies, ſlaine 45. of them in the ſtreets and houſes, ſcattered the reſt, and taken ſome priſoners,What entertainment the King of Na. & the Prince of Conde had after the maſſacre. they were releaſed of thē for a fewe daies. The Rochelers at the ſame time were ſūmoned either to accept of Biron, who wold haue entered with certain troups, without cauſing the armie to retire, or elſe to accept the war, while they conſulted therevpon. Let vs ſee what entertainment the king of N. and the Prince of Conde had within Parris, their enemies not cōtent to haue led thē to ye Maſſe, after abiuration of ye religion, made thē be aſsiſtant at the ceremonies of S. Michael, publiſhed in their preſence ſo many precepts and libels, made and deuiſed againſt the innocencie of the maſſacred, conſtrained them to heare the means deuiſed for the extirping of thereſt. Beſides, their ſaid enemies ayded themſelues by the Cardinall of Bourbon, vncle to thoſe two Princes, to induce them to acknowledge and do homage to the Pope: in ſuch ſort, that meſſages dated the third of October, were ſent in their names, whereby they deſired to bee receiued into the boſome of the Romiſh Church. The Pope ſent them his pardons vpon the firſt of Nouember.

To returne to the Rochelers, that perſiſted in their determination. About the beginning of October, the enemie beganne by ſundrie means to cut off their victualles and prouiſion, vnder pretence of relieuing the Nauy that might depart farre ynough from them: but they ſoone blew vp that myne. Then was there an other aduiſe, which was this: Diuers Gentlemen and good ſouldiers were withdrawne thither for ſuccour, who purpoſed to ſet a large price vpon their skinnes to any that ſhould aſſayle them: and many others likewiſe were departed the Realme. Heervppon the king by his letters pattents of the eight of October, ſaith: that as a good houſholder he pittieth his ſubiects that liue in penurie out of their own houſes: and ſo emoyneth his Gouernors of Prouinces throughout their iuriſdictions, by publike proclamation to call home ſuch as were abſent, whoſe goods hee decreeth to be confiſcate, in caſe they returne not within a certaine time limitted them. The ſame day the Barron de la Garde, intruding himſelf by letters to threaten the Rochelers, had his aunſwere: That they were the kings faithful ſeruants, though hee were none, who wrongfully moleſted them with his Gallies, and would not retire: That they prayed God to mollifie the Barrons heart, that hee might not trouble them, but ſet them at libertie: That they were reſolued to maintaine themſelues in their priuiledges: to keep their towne ſafe from like murther as were committed in other Towns, which they accounted innocent from the crime of rebellion, wherewith the Barron charged them.

That ſo long as they heard and beheld ſuch and ſo horrible nouelties, and were by the Barron ſo boldly intreated as they had beene, they might and would, iuſtly poure foorth their complaints to God and the King. Whileſt Biron and others did thus, but in vaine, ſolicit the Rochelers, there was at Parris contriued an Edict of the tenth of October, in the name of the king of Nauarre, wherein he prohibited all publike exerciſe of any but the Romiſh religion throughout his countries.

But his ſubiects of Bearne, euen at the firſt diſcouering manifeſt falſhoods in that writing: withall, knowing that their ſoueraigne was in his enemies hands, neither had about him any ſeruants, but ſuch as were foiſted in by the Queene-mother, or the houſe of Guiſe, made no account of that paper: but vſing all lawfull meanes to auoyde ſurpriſes, did with many difficulties beare themſelues in that eſtate wherein the Queene had left them: hoping if their king might once eſcape priſon, he would tell them another tale. The one and twentieth day of October,Troubles befallen the Rochelers, and how they remedied the ſame. Biron writ by du Vigean to the Rochelers, who would not graunt this Deputie entrie, albeit hee came vppon ſafe conduct to Tadon, a village neare vnto the towne, when he had his anſwere in like terme as the former.

He going the next day to lye at Sigongnes, which was three leagues thence, certaine ſouldiers of the companie of Saint Stephen forced his lodging, ſlewe three of his houſhold ſeruants, gaue him fiue woundes with their ſwoords in his bedde, carried away his horſes and beſt ſtuffe, which the next day they ſold to the moſt giuer, in a village where Captaine Saint Stephen was lodged. This ſcandall troubled the Rochelers, who ended it thus. That Stephen and Guymeniere ſhould depart from Rochel: Beſides the aunſwere expreſly giuen to Biron, the Rochelers by ſeueral letters did greatly excuſe thēſelues of this miſhap, which fell out without their notice, and to the great griefe of their Deputie, beſeeching him, as alſo they did du Vigean, not to impute vnto them ſuch an action, whereto they had giuen neither counſell nor conſent: but were wonderfully ſorrie, that Vigean ſhould bee ſo wronged at his returne from his Ambaſſage.

Many miſliked that Vigean a Gentleman of the religion, and a man of calling, ſhould take vpon him ſuch a commiſsion: but his reward cauſed him to bee afterward better aduiſed. Now the Rochelers beeing diuerſly aduertiſed, that ſhortly they ſhould ſee an armie before their walles: alſo that their Towne was the marke whereat their enemies aymed, gaue a new onſet vppon the Countrie of Montgommery, the Vidame of Chartres, and other Noble men fledde into England, to craue ſome ſuccour at their hands. Their Deputies ſet ſaile in the euening, the fiue and twentieth day of October. Thus was it open warre: for ſo many as were known to be Rochelers, were euery where taken priſoners and put to their ranſome: all veſſels ſayling towards their hauen ſtayed: all marchandize found to belong to any Rocheler, ſeized and confiſcate: to bee ſhort, all actions of hoſtilitie put in practiſe againſt them.

Neither were the Sancerreans at that time much quieter: for Cadaillet one of the Groomes of the chamber, and the kings Hunter, ſometimes ſeruant to the Earle of Sancerre, a man well knowne in the Towne, was ſent to confer with them.

Hee played the cunning Courtier, ſetting debate among them that before were good friends, wherof enſued a tumult, whileſt one would grant, and an other would denie the comming in of the Lord of Fontaines, who was ſent to roote out the proteſtants. Hereof grew murther and confuſion, wherof wee will ſpeake heereafter.

For the aduancement of the Biſhop of Valence, Negotiation in Poland, where the French name was miſerably rent in peeces, and to cut off the deuiſes of the proteſtants, both within and without the Realme.

Diuers deuiſes to extirpe thoſe of the religion, and to roote out their memorie.The king was perſwaded that it would bee good to take ſome of them that were found to haue eſcaped the maſſacre, and as then kept in priſon, and to make proceſſe againſt them in forme of iuſtice, and to put to the torture ſome of thoſe that had eſcaped the maſſacre, and beeing fetched out of their corners, had beene committed to priſon, that they might be condemned by ſentence of certaine Iudges appoynted for the purpoſe, and ſo executed in the preſence of the people: and to the ſame, to adde a ſentence againſt the Admirall, of whoſe bodie (taken away as I ſaid before) they ſhould make a ſimilitude or image, which the executioner ſhould drawe along the ſtreetes, and then hang it on the Gibbet.

Then that there might bee publiſhed the kings letters pattents, wherein it ſhould bee decreed, that the proteſtants ſhould bee preſerued both in body and goods, and ſuffered to liue in all libertie of conſcience, ſo to allure them peaceably by this declaration, that afterward they might ſpeede as the reſt: beſides, to publiſh many bookes in excuſe of all that was paſt, and the ſame to diſpearſe in all places, eſpecially in Poland and Almaine: and withall, to charge the Ambaſſadours in England, Suizerland, and other forraine countries, to iuſtifie the king and the Romiſh Catholicques. All this was diligently put in execution.

Notable perſons executed vnder colour of iuſticeTouching the firſt poynt, Briquemant the father, a Gentleman of the age of ſeuentie yeares, one that had valiantly imployed himſelfe in the ſeruice of the kings of France, hauing beene found in the houſe of the Ambaſſadour of England, wherein hee had ſaued himſelfe while the greateſt furies of the maſſacre were executed: was put in cloſe priſon, with Cauagnes, Maiſter of the Requeſts.

Theſe two bare great affection both vnto the religion and the Admirall, and otherwiſe were of great reputation in France, they were threatned to be torne in peeces vppon the racke, if they would not write and ſigne with their hands, that they had conſpired with the Admirall to kill the king, his bretheren, the Queene, and the king of Nauarre: but they hauing conſtantly refuſed to auouch ſo horrible a lye, againſt their innocencies and themſelues, they were racked and cruelly tormented, & by ſentence of the Court of Parliament in Parris, dated the ſeuen and twentieth of October, were declared guiltie of treaſon, and condemned to be hanged vpon a Gibbot: which was executed. The Queen-mother leading the king, her two other ſonnes, and the king of Nauarre her ſonne in lawe to ſee the execution. Her Councellours thinking that at that laſt exployt it would bee wrought, if Briquemaut in preſence of all the people would aske pardon of the king, ſending ſome vnto him to certifie him, that ſo hee might eaſily ſaue his life: that the king was mercifull, and that hee ſhould haue pardon if hee asked it, confeſsing this fact wherewith hee was charged. Briquemaut aunſwered boldly and with a good courage, that it belonged not vnto him, but to the king to aske pardon of God for ſuch an offence: that he wold neuer aske pardon for a fault wherin hee had not offended, but knew himſelfe to bee innocent, whereof hee called God to witneſſe, deſiring him to pardon the kings ſo great diſloyaltie. Cauagnes did the like vntill hee died: in ſuch ſort, that this execution ſerued to no other ende, but more to publiſh theiniquitie of ſo many pernicious councels.

Aſnare diſcouered and anoyded.With theſe two notable perſons, they hung a man of haye made like the Admirall, againſt whom alſo was pronounced a ſmal ſentence of death. Touching the declarations in fauour of thoſe of the religion, the Duke of Guiſe diſcouered the ſnare, ſo that fewe of them were taken. For that by letters ſent by his mother, the ſame day that Briquemaut was executed, ſhee wrote vnto him, that the king had the ſaid day, determined with his Councell, wholly to roote out thoſe of the religion, whom hee termed ſeditious vermine, not ſparing the children, nor ſtraungers, that had giuen them ayde, therein diſcouering enterpriſes againſt the Prince of Orenge and others: which vaniſhed like ſmoke. Among the Ambaſſadours that excuſed the king, Monluc was one, the eaſiler to aduance his affaires of Polonia, whereof we meane not to recite any particularities, as not pertaining properly to our intent.The beginning of open war againſt the Sancerrans. Yee heard before how Cadaillet had ſowen diuiſion among the Sancerreans, now ſhall you ſee the harueſt of that graine.

The ninth of Nouember, the Lord of Fontaines brother, ſurpriſed the Caſtle by intelligence, with ſome of the Inhabitants that incloſed themſelues therein with him: albeit through the valour and reſolution of the reſt, namely of the proteſtants, he was forced to auoyde againe within foure and twentie houres after, euen as Fontaines was comming with a ſtrong ſuccour. After this, the Sancerrcans beganne to ſtand better vpon their guard, hauing about 650. ſouldiers vnder diuers Captaines and Lieftenants, and Martignon, Pilard, Martinat, la Fleur, Chaillon, Montauban, Buiſſon, Paquelon, la Minee, Doriual, whoſe Generall was Andrew Ioanneau, Bayliffe of the Towne. They had moreouer one hundreth and fiftie labourours in their Vinyeards, who vppon neceſsitie bare themſelues very well, either vppon the walles at the aſſaults and ſcalings, or in the ſallies, with their ſlings, which were termed Sancerrean Piſtolles. Neither were their women ſlacke during this ſiege, which beganne about the twentieth day of Nouember: but now for Rochel.

The ſeuenth of Nouember, the Barron de la Garde ſent two Gallies to take a view of the Towne, vnder pretence of ſending his letters. But the Lord of Eſſars, whom the Rochelers had made their Generall,Alſo againſt the Rochelers. ſent the next night after, the Barrons two Gallies, whereof the one was taken, an Inginer ſlaine, and an other taken, and the other hardly eſcaped. Heerevpon enſued the publication of the Kings letters pattents, dated the ſixt of that moneth, but not yet publiſhed, wherein hee denounced open war to the Rochelers. Howbeit before any defie, there reſted yet the laſt ſtratageme to bee put in practiſe, becauſe the king was loth to enter into armes, as doubting leaſt ſo hee might fall into new troubles, which he hoped to bee now quite quenched.

The King, the Queen-mother, and others, had earneſtly ſāluted la None, (whom the Duke of Alue after the taking of Montz in Henaut, had ſent backe into France) to labor that the Rochelers (who in regard of his vertues both loued and honoured him) would grow to compoſition: hee after many excuſes, as well in regard of the impoſsibilitie, as alſo becauſe in conſcience hee could not counſell the Rochelers to yeelde their throates to their enemies, vppon commandement accepted the meſſage, rather in purpoſe to ſerue the Rochelers as hee did, and ſo to get from the Court, then to hurt the profeſſors of the religion, which himſelf moſt conſtantly profeſſed euen to the death.

For after he had performed his commiſsion in the companie of the Abbot of Gadagne, and giuen account of his Ambaſſage to the Lord of Biron, who lay at Saint Iohn d'Angely, hee returned ſtraight to Rochel, where hee ſo bare himſelfe, that he was one of the chief inſtruments that God vſed for the preſeruation of the Towne during the ſiege. Wheras contrariwiſe, Captain Saint Stephen, withdrew himſelfe to his owne houſe, and his Lieftenant Guymeniere, who had a long time made profeſsion of religion, went to Landereau and others, to helpe to warre vpon the Rochelers.

Sundry places of refuge for the Proteſtants.Beſides Sancerre and Rochel, the Inhabitants of Montauban, Niſmes, Milliaud, Aubenas, Priuas, Mirebel, Anduze, with other hamlets as well in Viuaretz, as in Seuenes, began to helpe themſelues, yet not without many impeachments, euen from thoſe that ought moſt to haue encouraged them. For at that time throughout all thoſe parts, it was a queſtion whether it were lawfull for the ſubiects to ſtand vpon ſo iuſt and neceſſarie a defenſiue. Some wiſhed patience, others fight, and the rather for that they could not poſsibly reſiſt: that euery thing ſeemed to bee paſt hope: that there were not left either great Lord or famous leader to gather in the proteſtants: alſo that there was not any forraine Prince, that made any offer to ſtand in their defence. Neuertheleſſe, the reſolution of the two firſt named Townes, drew diuers to breath vppon the matter, namely thoſe of Montauban, who ſhutte their gates againſt the murtherers.

Niſmes ſtood in a mummering, but through the wiſedome of Clauſonne, (a man of great credite in thoſe parts) vppon ſummons to accept of a Garriſon, the Inhabitants with common aduice made anſwere, that they would not open their gates vntill a more quiet ſeaſon: they were threatned and intimidated, but that made them in the end but the more valiant. Other Villages at the beginning diuerſly eſpied, were in great daunger: but the carriage of ſome Captaines, men of ſmall account, and many particular perſons, the king and his officers were brought into other conceipts. Mombrun alſo, a wiſe and valiant Gentleman of Dauphine, was ridden vp and downe in diuers wiſe: but he defended himſelfe, and afterward ſtood the proteſtants in good ſtead.

The ninth of Nouember there was a blazing ſtarre ſeene in the ayre, as great as the day ſtarre, hard by Caſsiopee, hauing a forme of ſoure corners like a lozenge.A new and wonderfull ſtarre in the ayre. Cornelius Gemme & other learned Doctors in Aſtronomie, that imprinted bookes thereof, ſaid that it ſtirred not from the place for the ſpace of three weekes, eſteeming it to be like the ſtarre that appeared to the wiſe men, that came to worſhip Ieſus Chriſt in Bethlehem preſently after his birth. It continued in the ayre for the ſpace of nine monethes togither or thereabout.

The ninteenth of the ſame moneth, the king publiſhed an Edict, repeating the former to reuoke his ſubiects to their owne houſes, vnder paine of loſſe of goods, yet to ſmall purpoſe: for all men were before ſo ſcarred, beſides that, they now ſaw ſuch prouiſions for warre, that this reuocation was in vaine.

Such Cantons of the Switzers as made profeſsion of the religion, were ſolicited to banniſh out of their Territories ſuch as hadde there ſaued themſelues, but they would neuer conſent to the Ambaſſadours petitions in that behalfe.

Sommieres beſieged and yeelded.Toward the end of the moneth, Marſhall d'Anuille Gouernour of Languedoc, beſieged Sommieres, holden by the proteſtants, and at foure moneths ende tooke it by compoſition, hauing diſpearſed an armie, whereof men ſpake diuerſly. In the beginning of December, Gordes the kings Lieftenant in Dauphine, by friendly letters ſolicited Mombrun, Mirebel, Diguieres, and other Gentlemen, to forſake their religion, and to turne to the Romiſh, withall adding, that the king was reſolued to ſuffer no other within his dominions.

The fourth of December, by the kings commandement, Monſieur de Biron, with ſeuen Cornets of horſe, and eighteen Enſignes of foote, entered into the countrie of Onis to incloſe the Rochelers: and as then beganne open war. All the reſt of the month was imployed in skirmiſhes, with ſome loſſe to thoſe of Rochell, onely in one, wherein they loſt Florac, a Gentleman of Xaintongne, much lamented for his valour.

1573. The ſiege of Sancerre.Moſt part of the yeare 1573. was imployed in the ſieges of Sancerre, Rochel, and other places, in moleſting thoſe of Languedoc, and more and more to trouble the poore countrie of France.

The principall circumſtances wee will ſet downe, beginning with Santerre, that wee may end in order, and then conſider of the Rochelers and others.

In the beginning of the yeare, thoſe of Saint Sancerre beganne their courſes, to furniſh themſelues with corne, but not ſo well as they ſhould haue done, vpon the opinion that ſome of their principall Towneſ-men had, that the Catholicques would go to ſome other plaae. This vaine imagination procured great miſerie to thoſe of Sancerre, who beſide the famine, looked not vnto their fortifications as need required.

The ninth of Ianuarie there appeared ſome troupes of horſe, to the number of ſome foure hundreth Maiſters, and the next day fiue Enſignes of the old bands of the Regiment of Goas, with ſundrie other troupes gathered thereabout.

The ſame within fifteen daies after, were refreſhed with eight Enſignes of the olde bands of the Regiment of Sarrieu, and fiue other new companies, ſome bands of the countries therabout, vnder the leading of certain Gentlemen enemies to the Sancerreans: beſides alſo diuers Peſants that gaped after the ruine of that ſmall receptacle of the Proteſtants. There came alſo ſixteene Enſignes of Pioners, ſo as the whole armie amounted to ſome foure or fiue hundreth horſe, and ſome fiue thouſand foote, beſides the Pioners and Peſants.

The Lord of Chaſtre Generall of the armie, ſent a drumme with letters to ſummon the beſiegers to yeelde vppon compoſition, which hee promiſed ſhould bee reaſonable. His drumme they ſtayed and made no other anſwere: which afterward prooued very preiudiciall vnto them, albeit in the beginning they made many gallant and profitable ſallies. In the beginning of Februarie, the beſiegers erected a Fort within foure hundreth paces of the Towne towards Fontenay, and bringing their artillerie by boates vpon Loire, namely twelue cannons and foure coluerins, they made a bulwarke of earth vppon the highway to Saint Thibaut, alſo a Palliſade in Saint Ladres field, and cut off the highwaies and pathes round about the Towne, planting ten peeces in the ſaid field of Saint Ladre, and ſixe more vpon VVolphes elme, which is a high mountaine on the South ſide of Sancerre, and commandeth the town, as afterward they found by experience. In foure or fiue daies ſpace they diſcharged aboue three hundreth cannot ſhot, wherein fell out ſundrie things woorthie memorie.

All this thunder hurt not any of the Inhabitants, but one maid, who was ſlaine with the breath of a bullet, at one of the foure firſt ſhotte: ſo fierce was the ſtorme, that the ſtones of the towne-wall, the pauing ſtones, and ſhiuers of the timber of ſuch houſes as the cannon came vnto, flew whiſtling in the ayre, broke the ſtockes of the harguebuziers in their hands, and vppon the ſhoulders of the beſieged ſouldiers, rent and pierced their mandillians, hoſe and hattes, yet neuer touched their bodies. Namely, one bullet carried from a ſouldier, named Pauilloy, the creſt of his murrian, but otherwiſe hurt him not.

An other cannon ſhot piercing cleane through the wal, came with ſuch violence, that lighting vppon a barne, it bare away a great quarter of ſtone, which fell vppon a woorthie mans backe named Petit Boys, yet hurt him not. An other ſhot lighting vppon the Courtin and Parapet of the Towne, caſt down aboue a Cart-load of ſtones & brickbats, hard by the Miniſter of la Charite, named Iohn de Lery, (from whom we haue the whole diſcourſe of this ſiege, whereat hee was from the beginning to the end) ſo as ſome flew betweene his legges with ſuch violence as any man may imagine, yet hit him not. As an other Miniſter named Molet, was in the Pulpit vpon Sunday the eight of March, both he and his whole auditorie were in manner ouerwhelmed with the ſtones of a houſe, which a cannon ſhot had beaten downe, yet not any man ſlaine or wounded, onely ſome fewe as it were a little ſcratched.

Now albeit the like batterie was ſtill continued ſo ſuriouſly againſt the wals, that were but weak before, wherin the beſiegers diſcharged aboue ſix thouſand cannon ſhot againſt the Town, yet of the beſieged there were not fiue and twentie ſlaine by that meanes.

About the end of Februarie, the beſiegers laboured to ſurpriſe a rauelin, where they were fierſly repulſed, and loſt Captaine Diuory, with fiue and twentie ſouldiers of the olde bands that mere ſlaine in the place, beſides a number of woūded that they caried away. Of the beſieged, Buiſſiere la Flews Enſigne was hurt with a Harguebuze ſhot, and died ſcone after. In March a ſouldier comming from the campe into the Cittie as aſpie, could not counterfeit ſo well, but the Gouernour tooke him in many contrarieties, wherevppon putting him to the torture, he died in priſon. The continuall raine and ſnow did wonderfully annoy both parties, eſpecially the beſiegers, to whom the beſieged with artificial fiers burned a wooden bridge couered with hardies, wher vnder they vſed to come ſafe to the foot of rauelin without diſturbance, and it was thought that they ſhould haue either ſtopped or myned that rauelin and therefore the beſieged did immediately dig Wels to countermyne that ſide.

Alſo becauſe the beſiegers had immediately made a ſtronger bridge then the former: withal, that they hallowed the Rauelin, in the euening the beſieged cauſed Captaine Montauban to go foorth with fiftie ſhot, who brake through a Corps de guard, and ſlew thirteene or foureteene ſouldiers, and brought in two priſoners, who aſſured him that they myned vnder the ranelin, and in an other place, wherevpon in the morning they began 7. wels in ſundrie partes of the Town ditches to blowe vp the ſaid mynes, as alſo they looked to other their fortifications according as neceſsitie commanded and appoynted.

Three dayes after, towards nine of the clocke at night,The firſt aſſault comming vndeſired through their trenches, entered the ditch, not farre from the breach of Londis, which they found ſo welkept, that with the loſſe of ſundrie of their men ſlaine, and a number of wounded, they were forced to retire. During the whole conflict, which was both long and ſharpe, the beſieged continually ſung Pſalmes, wherevppon the beſiegers diſcharged ſome ſhot, from the artillerie that lay vpon the hill called the VVolphes elme, which ſel into the rampier, euen vnder the feete of the beſieged ſouldiers, which was therewith ſhaken, yet had no farther hurt or harme. Hauing likewiſe learned by certaine Pioners taken in a ſallie, that the beſiegers went about to ſappe the Ranelin of the olde gate, in one night they cut intwo, and thereof made as it were a ſecond and new one, which by the next morning was made defenceable.

Vppon the ſeuenteenth of March, there ſallied ſome fortie ſouldiers, who ſurpriſed a corps de guard, ſlew ſome eighteene or twentie ſouldiers, and brought in a priſoner, who aſſured thē of that beſell the next day, namely that they ſhould bee beaten with ſixteene great peeces, which indeede made a great breach.

The next day, the beſiegers hauing with all their peeces planted in three places, namely in Saint Ladres field, the VVolphes elme, and the Smithes Carroy, battered and beaten downe all the towers and walles of the towne, and continued and made plaine the breach, which was aboue three hundreth paces wyde, their white Enſigne Colonel, followed by the reſt, ſhewed it ſelfe in order of battell, all their men comming vnder couert,A generall aſſault in ſun drie places. through their trenches euen to the edge of the Towne ditch, where they gaue the aſſault as followeth.

Sarrieu his Regiment ſtrooke in at the ende of the breach towardes the Gooſe-gate, in a place called Londis Grange, where the fight was greateſt, and to ſecond him, came in the Lord of Chaſtre Generall of the armie, with his men at armes, who with other Maiſters alighted, and that day fought on foote.

This firſt aſſault was famous, for the aſſaylants came in good order and verie reſolutely to the breach: wherevpon they cambered, & ſeuen or eight of the beſt armed and couered came to handie blowes: namely, Captaine Ri • Sarrieu his Enſigne, who carried his Enſigne & brought it backe againe. After their repulſe, the Lord of Bonniuet, the Gentlemen of the countrie, and Captaine Cartier, gaue the ſecond charge, whereto they came with ſuch reſolution, that ſome of them twiſe entered the breach: among others, Fontain Carters Enſigne, one that was reuolted frō the religion, who was there hurt, & ſo returned lame & halting. In this ſecond onſet, four Enſignes accōpanied with four or fiue hundreth ſouldiers valiantly entered the ditch, but in liew of marching ſtraight to the breach, they ioyned cloſe with the corner of the wall, which they did ſtill beare with the ordinance, where they ſtayed with their Enſignes, and could not bee indammaged by the Townſmen, who were not able to ſtand vpon the wall that parted them, by reaſon of the volies of cannon ſhot.

Eaſily might they haue beene beaten away with muskets and harguebuze-ſhot, out of ſome flanquers that yet remained toward the Gooſe-gate, but at that time there was neither muskettier nor harguebuzier there about. Yet ſel there out one aduenture to the preſeruation of the beſieged, and that was this. As the cannoniers did without intermiſsion, continue the batterie from a place called the Smithes Carroy, thinking to lay the wall flat, and ſo to diſcouer the patforme, wherevppon the beſieged did fight, they followed their purpoſe ſo obſtinatly, that with the diſchrarge of two or three vallies of cannons, they beate down ſo many ſtones vpon the foure Enſignes and their ſouldiers, that they were forced to retire: as alſo it fell out well with the beſieged, that the cannoniers in this batterie wanted powder: for had they beaten downe ſixe or ſeuen foote more of the wall, the platforme from whence the beſieged fought in flancke, and was their chiefe defence, had been layd open and made a bridge for the aſſailants, without let to haue entered the Towne: for this platforme beeing made on the ſuddaine, was not behinde cut off from the ſide of the Towne, and in other places they could not haue reſiſted.

The ſixe Enſignes of Goas Regiment, aſſaulted the Rauelin of the olde gate, and Boudins platforme, ſupportee by the Lord of Montigny, Lieſtenant to the Countie of Brienne, and ſome other Gentlemen: there was Cabaſſoles, a Captaine of one of the companies of the olde bandes, a valiant man and greatly bewailed among the beſiegers.

The new companies, except Teſſiers ſet vppon the great breach, and gaue the aſſault from the platforme of the olde gate, euen to the other ende of the breach toward Saint Andrewes gate. Captaine Teſſier preſented the eſcalade to Caezars gate, which was at the other end of the Towne, that ſo the aſſault might bee generall, and the beſieged buſied in euerie corner. Of the Sancerreans, Captaine Flur, his Lieftenant Chaillou, and Montauban, his Cornet defended the breach of Londis, but before they could come to it, or ſet their ſoldiers in array, two of their men were carried away with a cannon ſhot. The reſt of the Captains, had euery man his quarter appoynted, where they all bare themſelues moſt valiantly: and the walles were euery where furniſhed, beſides a number left in the principall places, to ſerue for accurrences. During the aſſault, the fifteene hundreth labourours in the vines before mentioned with their ſlings, furniſhed with ſtones by the women and maides, wrought wonders, and wounded many of the enemies: Euen in the chiefed of the fight a woman caught hold of a ſouldiers pike, and ſtroue to wreſt it out of his fiſt.

A young man of the Towne named Ialot, being in fight taken by a target-man, and ledde away, as hee deſcended into the ditch, called to his companions rather to ſhoote at him, then to ſuffer him to be carried away: wherevppon one of them lying on his face, aymed ſo right, that hee killed the target-man, and then Ialot with his dagger ſlew an other that had hold on him, and ſo eſcaping returned through the breach to his fellowes. The defendants had no other fence but their ſmall ſhot, ſwoords, and ſlings: neither could they make vſe of their other Engines, in regard that this general aſſault was giuen ſooner then they expected, by reaſon of the batterie that had continued all the morning.

The Sancerreans in this aſſault had ſeuenteene ſouldiers either ſlaine or wounded to death, beſide a wench that was carried away with a cannon The aſſailants left in the ditch ſome threeſcore of the valianteſt: beſides ſome two hundreth that hauing their deadly woundes, died in their tents and lodgings, and as many more wounded, who albeit they did in time recouer, yet carried the markes to their graues.The aſſailāts determinatiō to famiſh the Towne. Thence foorth the aſſaylants vnderſtanding the ſtate of the Towne, reſolued to ſhut vp and ſtarue the Sancerreans, through the multitude of forts that they erected hard by their wals: which being made fenceable, notwithſtanding whatſoeuer the defendants skirmiſhes, they planted two coluerins in the greateſt, and ſo returned the reſt of their peeces to the towns where they tooke them, alwaies leauing ſufficient ſtrength round about to ſtop the beſieged from comming forth, or receiuing any reliefe out of the countrie. In the beginning of Aprill, one of the towne ſouldiers ſlipping downe the Towne-wall, came to the greater fort, and aſſured them that the defendants began to famiſh. Within two daies after, the beſieged in a ſallie ſlewe ſome of their enemies, who the ſurer to girt in the Towne, erected fiue new ſmall forts, and nightly ſtood very carefully vpon their guard, ſo that the defendants perceiued that they ment to take them rather by the throats then by the fifts. Heerevpon they ſent abroad for ſuccour: but ſome of their meſſengers wer takē priſoners, others put to death, one Cap. Fleur, others came no more again, or could not reenter, neither could they wherſoeuer they became, get any ſuch ſuccor as they pretended, neither in deed was there any meanes by mans helpe to relieue them. Beeing thus euery way ſhut vppe by their irreconcileable enemies, from the beginning of Aprill the want of fleſh had in one moneth diſpatched all their aſſes and moyles.A note of the famin in Sancerre.

In the end they were conſtrained to eate Horſes, Cattes, Rattes, Moles, Mice, and dogges: hides of oxen, calues and ſheepes skinnes, parchment, horſehoues, hornes of lanterns, halters, and furnitures for horſes, girdles of leather, hearbs, and wilde rootes: and in the end of Iune, the third part of the beſieged eate no more bread, ſuch as could get linſeede and other ſeedes, which they neuer thought on, cauſed them to bee ground or beate them in morters, and made bread thereof, as alſo of all ſorts of hearbs mixed with a litle bran, if they could get it. They eat bread of ſtraw-meale, of powder of nutſhels, and of ſlate: ſuet, olde oyntment, and other olde greace, ſerued to make pottage, and to frie the excrements of horſes and of men, and the filth in the ſtreetes were not ſpared. And the twentieth of Iuly, a poore labourer and his wife were taken and executed, for eating the head, the entrailes, and the braines of their daughter of three yeares of age, that died by famine and miſerie: hauing dreſſed all the reſt of the bodie to eate it at other times: an other olde woman lodged in their houſe, and that had eaten part of that coſtly banquet, died in priſon not long after her apprehenſion. There were that were found guiltie of other faults, but that which agrauated the latter fault, was, that the ſame day when they did the fact, they had bin comforted with certaine pottage made of hearbs and wine, which might well haue ſatisfied them in that time of neceſsitie. Such as went and were put foorth of the Towne to ſeeke reliefe, ſeeking to paſſe, were either ſlaine by the enemie, or conſtrained by blowes with ſtaues to turne backe againe. And ſtaying without, as not being able, or elſe wold not enter into the towne, they liued of the ſprigs of vines, blackberries in hedges, of red ſnailes, & of hearbs. And moſt of them died betweene the trenches and the ditches. Among other pittifull ſpectacles, the bodie of a laborour & his wife, were found dead one hard by the other, among the vines, and two of their children weeping by them, the leſſer being but ſixe weekes olde, which a reuerent and charitable widow in the Towne tooke home to her houſe. If many died among the vines hard by the trenches and in the ditches, there died many more in the houſes and ſtreetes, where they fell downe in euerie place, and ſome daies they buried fiue and twentie or thirtie that died for hunger: almoſt all the young childrē vnder the age of twelue yeares died: great pittie it was to heare the poore fathers & mothers lament and mourne: the greateſt part of them neuertheleſſe ſtrengthening themſelues with the aſſurance of the grace of God, of the which I will recite two notable accidents. A young boy of the age of fiue yeares, hauing languiſhed certaine weekes, running along the ſtreets, in the end nature failing, fell down before his father and mother, who at that inſtant perceiued the ſinues of their infant to ſhrinke in, as if they had been cut, and preſently the body died. An other young boy of tenne yeares of age, lying at the poynt of death, hearing and ſeeing his father and mother weeping and lamenting about him, whom hee felt vppon the armes and legges, that were as drie as wood, ſaid vnto them. Why do you weepe in this ſort to ſee me die for hunger? I aske you no breade mother, for I know you haue it not: but ſeeing it is the will of God, that I ſhould die in this ſort, I muſt take it thankfully. The holy man Lazarus had hee not hunger? haue I not red that in the Bible? and ſaying ſo hee yeelded his ſpirit vnto God. Vpon the thirtieth day of Iuly, the meanes that ſtayed the death of all this people, in the end of Iuly was certaine horſes of ſeruice reſerued for the extremitie, and ſix kine kept, to giue milke for certaine young children, which beaſtes were killed, and the fleſh ſold to comfort thoſe that liued, with a little corne, which ſome by ſtealth brought into the Towne, cut and gathered by night, wheres pound of corne was ſold for halfe a crowne, but this meanes continued not long by reaſon of the watch, which the enemie kept ſtraight. The warre killed but eightie foure perſons within Sancerre, but famine killed both within and without the Town, aboue fiue hundreth, beſides thoſe that languiſhed: who hauing eſcaped, had much paine and labour to recouer themſelues. During theſe miſeries, diuers ſouldiers and fugitiues in Sancerre, got out by ſeuerall meanes, ſhunning the famine, deſiring rather to die by ſword: ſome of them being ſlaine, the reſt kept priſoners, and ſome executed. So all hope in mans iudgement failing to thoſe of Sancerre, the king hauing ſworne that hee would make them to deuour each other, the prouidence of the king of all kings holpe them by a ſtraunge meanes. Through the endeuours of the Biſhop of Valence, By what meanes they were deliuered. Henry Duke of Aniou brother to the king, and his Lieftenant generall in France, had been accepted for king of Poland, by the states of the realm, as hereafter we will more at large declare in the ſiege of Rochel. It fel out well for thoſe of Sancerre, that the Ambaſſadours of Poland came into France during their extremitie of famine, to fetch the Duke of Anion: for they vnderſtanding that Sancerre was yet beſieged, ſolicited the Biſhop of Valence and Lanſac his aſſociate, to keepe the promiſe they had made & ſworne vnto them, in the name of the king their maiſter, to ſet at libertie all the towns and people of France, that were moleſted for the religion, which not being wholly to be denied, the poore Sancerreans half dead for hunger (as yet al reſolute to end their daies in that ſort, one after the other, before they would yeelde vnto the enemie, that had ſo oftentimes threatned them with a generall maſſacre) were deliuered by means of thoſe good mē y• came out of ſo far a countrie, and as it were frō the end of the world, their neighbours & thoſe of the countries next adioyning, not hauing the meanes, neither once ſeeking to aide them. So that in the end,Compoſition with Sancerre. after certaine conferences meeting and iournying too & fro, hoſtages beeing giuen on each ſide, it was agreed that they ſhould iſſue with their armes and goods, and ſuch as would ſtay, not to bee called in queſtion for any thing paſt: permitting thē to diſpoſe of their goods as they thought good, with promiſe to preſerue the honour of women and maides: vppon condition, that the Inhabitants and other fugitiues, ſhould pay the ſumme of fortie thouſand frankes, to Monſieur de Chaſtre, who by that agreement entered vppon the laſt of Auguſt. The Miniſters, diuers Inhabitants, Captaines, ſouldiers, and refuged perſons retired with paſports, with ſafe conduct, ſome to one place, ſome to an other. Not long after, Sancerre was wholly vnwalled, ſome houſes throwne downe, the clocke, the belles, and other furnitures of the Towne taken away, the Bailiffe Ioannean maſſacred by night, within one hundreth paces of Monſieur de Chaſtres lodging. The twefth day of Septemb. la Chastre being retired to Bourges, the Bailiffe of Berry was left gouernor of that deſolate place: with two cōpanies of foote, and ſome other troupes, there were made diuers ſtraunge ſackings and pillages, in ſuch ſort, that it is wonder that Sancerre ſhould ſtand vpright, and bee inhabited as at this day it is, and beſides the reſtoration of the walles, buildings, and repeopling, it hath the free exerciſe of the religion in this year 1595. when we finiſhed this collection or recueil. Now conſequently according to our purpoſe, let vs conſider of the ſiege of Rochel, togither with the end thereof, in the yeare 1573. At the beginning,A diſcourſe of the ſiege of Rochel, euen from the beginning vntill the peace graunted to the beſieged. the Lord of Biron tried againe to finde ſome meanes of agreement, but could not compaſſe any: for the Rochelers could not perceiue anything but danger in all their negotiations, as deeming their beſt ſafetie at ye time to reſt in miſtruſt. In the mean time, it chanced that two ſoldiers verie forward to the field, not regarding that the Councell vpon good conſiderations, would not at all times ſuffer ſuch to go foorth as would, gat downe by a long lather into the ditch, in a place ſince that time very famous, and named the Bastion of the Goſpell. Theſe hauing paſſed the Counterſcarp, found playynough, for one of them was ſlaine, the other eſcaped, but gaue ſo hotte an alarume at the gate, that they could not poſsibly retaine the ſouldiers or their Captaines.

La Noue vnderſtanding that many were in danger, did ſuddainly gather his forces both on foote and horeſbacke, and made haſte to the ſuccour: the skirmiſh begunne in ſundrie places, continued aboue fiue houres. Of the towne, three or foure were ſlaine, and twentie wounded: but of the campe, they loſt one hundreth, and fiftie wounded, beſides two Captaines carried priſoners into the town. Among others, to the skirmiſh came a certain yong Gentleman, Nephew to Puigaillard Gouernor of Angiers, who with horrible blaſphemie, boaſted that he was one of the Ad. murtherers, & ſhewing anaked curtelaſſe, which ſaid he, he broght frō ſo famous a cōflict, he threatened to make a butcherie of ye Rochelers fleſh: now being in place of triall, his heart failing him, and ſeeking for his feete hee was taken priſoner. Herevpon all the ſence of his tongue failing, hee could neuertheleſſe vſe any wit, but ſeeking to eſcape loſt his life: for finding ſome that could outrunne him, hee was ouertaken, ſlaine, and ſtripped, and ſo left naked in the fields, where in the night the dogges had torne his face: how be it in the morning at the intreatie of the L. of Floyacs widow, a Gentlewoman well bent to the religion, his wretched carkaſſe was brought and buried in the Towne, which in his life time hee had ſo threatned. After this skirmiſh, Biron beganne to renue the negotiation committed to the Abbot of Gadaigne, who was deputed to bring the Rochelers to ſome compoſition: but it tooke no effect, becauſe that daily they detected ſome newe conſpiracie. And in deede at the ſame time, a Gentleman in Rochel reuealed to the Maior and chiefe of the Councell, ſuch intelligence as Biron and others had continued with him for the ſurprize of the towne.

Hee wiſhed to allure into Rochel the ſtouteſt Captains of the campe, with ſome good number of ſouldiers, where they might bee eaſilie put to the ſwoord, whereby the aſſaylants might bee ſo much weakened. Beſides that, hee was at the poynt to haue receiued ſome good ſome of money. Heerevppon the ſeuenteenth and eighteenth day of Ianuarie, there came in diuers of the companies of Puigaillard and of Martin, ſurnamed the Lutherian: but the Maior conferring with foure or fiue of the principall, in their reſolution found it better to performe ſome ſmall aſſured execution, then to aduenture vpon any dangerous enterpriſe, & therefore without further delay, thought it good to ridde thoſe that were alreadie entered, and not to ſtay vntill either they had gathered more ſtrength, or corrupted others. Of theſe traitors alreadie inrolled into one of the companies, fiue were ſlain the ſame night, and their bodies caſt ouer the wals beneath the new gate, and three were committed to priſon, who after they had diſcloſed the particularities, paſſed the Hangmans hands.

Thencefoorth the Rochelers ſpent ſome daies in burning ſuch farmes, houſes, and milles without their towne, as to their annoyance might haue ſtood the aſſaylants in great ſtead. A pleaſant aduenture The Towne had beſtowed vpon Captaine Normand a certaine mill ſtanding very neare, whereof hee tooke ſome ſmall rent, for the preſeruing all that might bee woorth the taking in the ſaid Mill. There did Normand in the night leaue one ſouldier. Thither came the aſſaylants with the choiſe of their footemen, the three and twentieth daie of Ianuarie, and brought two coluerings to force the ſame, which by moone-light they planted verie neare, and diſcharged ſixteene ſhot. The ſouldier likewiſe diſcharhed ſome ſmall ſhot, whervpon his Captain hearing the alarme came to the rampier on that ſide, and called to his ſouldier, as if there had bin ſome number in the Mill: Courage good fellowes, courage, yeeld not, yee ſhall haue helpe by and by.

But at the laſt this ſouldier craued parley, and compounded for all that were in the Mill: howbeit when the enemies perceiued that hee was alone, and ſpiting at his reſoluteneſſe, they kept him priſoner, and afterward ſeeing him vnable to pay the ranſome that they deſired, they cōcluded to ſend him to the Gallies: but being powled and in his ſlauiſh attire, hee found meanes to eſcape, and ſo returned ſafe into the Towne.

La Noue they choſe for their Captain in armes, without preiudice to the Maiors liberties and authoritie in all other matters.La Noue made Generall of the warres in Rochel. They alſo ſent new Deputies into England for ſuccour, which the king hindered in all that he could. And among all other deuiſes, hee cauſed the Queene of England, with the Empreſſe, and the Duke of Sauoy, to chriſten his daughter, who being borne the ſeuen and twentieth day of October, was baptized the ſecond of Februarie, and died young.

The Earle of VVorceſter addicted to the Romiſh religion, comming into France about this ceremonie, had like to haue been robbed by certaine rouers, who ſlaying ſome of his men, rifeled one of his ſhippes, but there vppon ſuch French and Wallons as could be caught in any Engliſh Hauen, ſped but euill fauoredly. The daily skirmiſhes continued between the Rochelers and their enemies, wherein as wel the ſufficiencie of the leaders,Continuall ſkirmiſhes. as the courage of the Souldiers did euidently appeare, yet not to the hurt of the Romiſh Catholicques, againſt whom their enemies made many proſperous ſallies, beeing alwaies prouided of a neare and ſure retrait. In the beginning of Februarie, the Duke of Aniou, Generall of the armie royall, beeing come to Saint Maixant, ſent his letters to la Noue, to ſummon him to deliuer vppe Rochel, with promiſe of life and goods: withall importing, that if within three daies after his appoynted arriuall in his campe, this were not performed, he was reſolued with his whole forces as well in camped, as to come after him, not to linger any minute, but to beſiege the Towne, to force it, and ſo to puniſh thoſe that ſhould be taken, that their execution might bee an example to all others. Now did the Rochelers beginne better to conſider of the defenſiue, and to labour about their fortifications: but becauſe the campe vſually hindered their men from cutting and bringing in of faggots and other conuenient ſtuffe, La Noue informed of their ro • des, vpon the ſixt of Februarie layd an ambuſh both of horſe and foote ſo fitly, that ſuffering their skirmiſhers to come well forward, hee incloſed them between his troupes and the towne, and then cut in peeces all that were ſo inſnared. Beſides, not ſo content, hee ſet vppon the lodging of Captaine Portes companie, where he ſlew ſixtie ſouldiers, & without loſſe of any more then one, that day he returned with fortie priſoners, who the next day were ſent backe without ranſome, in regard that al the mony that wold be made of thē, would neuer counteruaile their expēces for a few daies: yet ſuch as were found to be murtherers, were woorſe entreated. In the towne there were at that time a good number of Gentlemen & horſemen: eight companies of the Inhabitants, nine of ſtrangers, beſides the Maiors companie, and one of Voluntaries, formed by la Noue, and conſiſting of twentie Muskettiers, fiftie fiue Pike-men, each in his corcelot at proofe, and 30. harguebuziers: of this companie two parts were Gentlemen, and ſuch as had born office in the wars. The D. of Aniou arriued within 7. leagues of Rochel, wrote vnto the Nobilitie & Inhabitants two letters, dated the 10. of Feb. wherin he exhorted thē to yeeld,A notable ſkirmiſh. The Duke of Aniou his letters with their anſwers & threatned thē in caſe they refuſed. Herevnto did ye Rochelers anſwer in al humilitie, declaring the neceſsitie of their defenſiue, & intreating the D. to prouide for the tranquilitie of ye realm, & to take ſuch order, that they might ſerue God in ye exerciſe of their religiō. As for ye gentlemē, their anſwer imported, that albeit they were affected to the kings ſeruice, yet that through the malice of flatteres & as could brooke no peace, they were brought into his diſgrace: withall, they ſhewed a reaſon for their taking of armes, which was not voluntarie, but neceſsitie that inforced them thereto, as finding no better meanes to preſerue both ſpirituall and temporall, but to retire into the Forts & places of defence, their liues, vntil it might pleaſe the king to take ſome order by a lawful aſſembly of the Eſtates and generall Councels.

They alſo beſought the Duke of Aniou to conſider of their iuſt complaints, and not to impute vnto them that which proceeded of other mens faults, and ſo offered to the king and him all obedience and ſeruice. The next day the Duke arriued in the campe, accompanied with his brother the Duke of Alencon, the king of Nauarre, the Prince of Conde and Dauphine, the Dukes of Longueuille, Bouillon, Neuers, Aumale, and Guiſe, the young Countie of Rochefaucaut, the great Prior, and other great Lords, who tooke their lodgings at Nieul, a long league from Rochel, where they remained vntill the peace. This one thing ſtood the Rochelers in good ſtead, that in the enemies Councell they had many heads, that ſhewed as many and diuers imagations and purpoſes.

Monlucs iudgement of the ſiege of Rochel.Heereto will I adde the ſame that Monluc toward the end of his remembrances, hath written to this purpoſe, and of this whole enterpriſe, in theſe words: See, all the world is come to Rochel, my ſelfe among the reſt am bidden to the banquet: but when I reſolued to go, I made account to die, and there to take my graue. Beeing come, I wondred to finde there ſo many people of ſo diuers humours, that would haue been loth it ſhould haue been taken.

The ſiege was great, long, and gallant, well aſſaulted, and better defended. I will not ſtand to write all that was there done: for I was but one, neither will I ſpeake hardly of any. Monſieur, who after was king, and was General in that ſiege, ſo far honouring me, as to vſe ſome conference, wherby to gather my aduiſe, knoweth well ynough I told him frankly what I thought. This ſiege may teach all that were then preſent, or that ſhal come heereafter, that in thoſe daies, Towns of ſuch importance muſt betaken by famine and incloſing: by little & little. One great ouerſight was there committed, and that was the aduenturing of ſo many men in the aſſaults: and a greater in keeping ſo bad watch to keepe the towne from ſuccour of powder, which came in by ſea.

For to ſay my minde as others, whatſoeuer ſhift the Rochelers could haue made, wee had had them, they cannot denie it: I ſay with the halters about their neckes: for the ſuccours that the Countie Montgommery brought, was retired, and wee readie to buckle with them: for all things failed them: but at the ſame time my brother the B. of Valence was in Poland, to procure the election of Monſieur for their King, which hee archieued, and the glorie thereof I thinke due to him alone: but that cauſed all men to thinke vpon capitulation, which at the laſt was compaſſed. The Polonians Deputies came thither to ſalute him for their king. All the troupes retired, and leauing many dead, and the Rochelers Lords of their Towne, prepared to come to the feaſt of this new Crowne.

By Monſieurs ſpeeches, at his departure it ſeemed he had no great liking of this kingdome, yet do I thinke it was a great honour to him and vs, that ſo remote a kingdome ſhould ſeeke a king from vs. This is Monlucs iudgement. Now let vs cōſider ſome particularities of this ſiege,Continuatiō of the ſiege of Rochel. ſo far as the purpoſe of theſe collections may bear. The town beſieged both by ſea & land about the middeſt of Februarie, continued her skirmiſhes vntill all was readie for the batterie: • he aſſailants from the Carraque diſcharged many cannon ſhot into the Towne and ſtraight, in caſe any veſſell offered to paſſe in the night or miſtes: but of many hundreths, none took, either to kil or hurt, except ſome two or three perſons. The 23. day of February, after many conſultations and meſſages, the Lords of Byron, Stroſſy, Villequier, and the Abbot of Gadaigne, held a parley at Coignes gate, with la Noue the Lieftenant generall, Mortiers and Moriſſon Deputies for Rochel.

The Abbot diſcourſed of the kings intent and clemencie: alleaging that heereafter there would bee no hope to mooue him by any intreatie or praier: that hee had done more then beſeemed his greatneſſe: that all other his ſubiects of the religion would thinke themſelues happie, if they might obtaine but halfe of that hee offered to the Rochelers: and ſo exhorted the Deputies well to conſider of it, and not to let ſlip ſuch an occaſion. La Noue and the other three, giuing their aduiſe as particular perſons, anſwered: that as concerning their commiſsion, it extended onely to receiue ſuch articles as the king ſhould ſend: to take notice of Gadaignes authoritie, and to referre the whole to the Councell of the Town, which was compoſed of one hundreth men, Sheriffes, and Peeres, whereof the Maior was chiefe. The ſame time the Duke of Aniou cauſed Captaine Cadet, a Turke by nation, to be executed at at Nieul, for the manifold robberies and ſpoyles whereof hee was conuict, albeit many great Lords and Captaines laboured mightily for his life, whom the D. denied, and therefore of all good men was well thought of, and feared of the wicked.

The articles which Gadaigne deliuered, in number ſeuen and twentie, conuined a proteſtation of the kings ſinceritie, both in the olde and new profeſſion againſt the Admirall, whoſe remembrance written with his owne hand (neuer before ſpoken of) were then alleaged. Next, he ſummonned the Rochelers to open their gates to Biron, or any other that ſhould haue commiſſion to enter their Towne as they ought: (that is to ſay, with ſuch troupes as hee ſhould thinke ſufficient) to maintain the authoritie royall, and to take order that it might come no more in the hands of ſeditious perſons. In ſo doing, they ſhould enioy the exerciſe of their religion, in like libertie as was graunted by the Edict of pacification, without alteration or diminution: and to that end ſhould haue whatſoeuer letters they ſhould thinke good. Withall, hee cut them off from all hope of ſuccour out of England. The Rochelers declaring the equitie and neceſsitie of their defenſiue: the iniquitie of the Barron de la Garde & others, do like of the kings declaration concerning his Edict of pacification, and deſire that the ſame may bee maintained not onely to them, but for the eaſe and quiet of all other proteſtants throughout the Realme.

Three daies after this parley, the Rochelers vnderſtanding of two and thirtie battering peeces within halfe a league of them, withall, that their enemies ment to skirmiſh after dinner, and to emptie their forces, reſolued alſo to do ſomewhat, and ſo ſallied about noone. This conflict continued aboue ſixe houres, and la Noue had two horſes killed vnder him, beſides ſome ſmall ſhot that light vppon his cuirace, but hurt not his bodie: hee loſt one chiefe Captaine, two Captaine Enſignes, and fiue ſouldiers, and brought home twentie wounded. The dead hee alſo carried away and buried in the towne. In the campe were ſlaine and wounded ſome hundreth and fiftie, among them diuers Captaines. The women that day bare themſelues wonderfully, in carrying wyne and comfits to the ſouldiers, relieuing the wounded, and putting themſelues very forward in the fight. Among the reſt, one aduentured to ſtrip one of the dead enemies, whoſe harguebuze and ſwoord ſhe carried away, and made thereof a trophee. The ba •• ell begunne the laſt of Februarie, with eight cannons and two coluerins, ſeemed to haue heate and incouraged the beſieged, who moſt chearfully followed their fortifications. About three of the clocke after noone the batterie ceaſed, and they made a ſallie, wherein Captaine Normand ſlew a great number of aſſaylants, with the loſſe of one ſouldier, and two that he brought home wounded. In the beginning of march, for three or foure daies togither, they had many parleyes, to the end to get the Towne without fight.

They offered the exerciſe of religion in the Towne, which was aboliſhed in all other Townes of France: and the Duke of Aniou conceiuing the ſuccour out of England to be but a vaine imagination, ſpake more ſharpely then euer before. The day before, Claud of Lorraine, D. de Aumale, and the Duke of Guiſes vncle, beeing behind a Gabion, was ſlaine with a ſhot from a peece planted vpon the Goſpell Bulwarke, which pierced the Gabion & the Duke: who looked for nothing leſſe then what befell him. Hee was greatly bewailed in the campe: but the beſieged praiſed God, who weakened their enemies, and in him puniſhed the other murtherers that expected their courſe.

The fift of March, the whole Councell of the Towne was aſſembled, wherin after ſundrie opinions, it was reſolued that they ſhuld abide al extremities, rather thē to yeeld to any vnreaſonable demand: alſo that they ſhuld ſend no more Deputies, but returne their anſwere by a drumme. The whole beeing imparted to the people,The reſolution of the beſieged. aſſembled to that end, they wholy anſwered, that a iuſt warre was to be preferred before a ſhameful and ſuſpected peace: that yet they had meanes ynough to hold out: and that one day of parley did them more hame, then tenne yeares of warre. Sixe or ſeuen daies after, the batterie beeing againe begunne and continued, la Noue finding his preſence to be vnprofitable to the Rochelers, vppon diuers occaſions withdrew from them, and departed to the Dukes campe with Champagny, la Roche Eſnard, la Salle, The retrait of the Lo. de la Noue. and diuers ſouldiers. As his preſence had hitherto ſtood the Rochelers in great ſtead, ſo beeing without, did hee continue with great pollicie, and did them better ſeruice farre off, then nearer at hand, as the beſieged afterward verie well perceiued.

In this months ſpace, the enemie diſcharged aboue thirteene thouſand cannon ſhotte, beſides ſundries skirmiſhes and ſurpriſes, wherein the aſſaylants ſtill had the woorſt, who in a few weekes loſt aboue twentie Captains. The 16. day of March towards euening, Captain Fond ſtanding at watch at a Caſemate without the gate, choſe aboue a dozen of his ſouldiers, and marched ſtraight to the Spittle-houſe, where hee ſurpriſed nine or tenne Gentlemen and Captaines at the table, that were all ſlaine. Foure daies after, about tenne of the clocke at night the Townſmen made a ſallie: paſſed euen to the enemies Gabions, ouerthrew all, wonne the firſt trenches, ſlew ſome ſixtie men, wounded twiſe ſo many: put the reſt in diſorder, & had done more, had not ſuccour come in of all ſides.

The batterie hauing continued the ſixe firſt daies of Aprill, the ſeuenth day about ſix of the clocke in the morning, beganne more fierce then before, and with ſuch violence, that along wall from the olde fountaine to the Goſpel bulwarcke was layd flat: the bulwarcke diſmanteled, & the Cognee tower the aſſaylants came to the aſſault, caſt a bridge ouer the ditch, which they ſtretched euen beaten downe.The firſt aſſault. Towards fiue of the clocke at night againſt the bulwarcke, and tooke two Caſemates, which they held but a ſmall while: for with one cannon ſhot into the Caſemates, ſome were ſlaine, others being ſpeedily charged by reſolute ſouldiers, were in part cut in peeces, and the reſt ſaued themſelues by flight.

During this conflict in the Caſemates, the enemie came forward couragiouſly ouer their wooden bridge, with two hundreth targets and corcelets, who were as valiantly withſtood by the beſieged, notwithſtanding the cannon plaied continually, which ſlew fifteen of their men, and hurt diuers. This notwithſtanding the women and Maidens deuoide of al feare, as if they had neither ſeene nor heard any thing, ranne reſolutely vp and down caſting out their ſcalding water, circles, ſtones, and ſuch like, which ſlewe diuers aſſaylants, who were forced to forſake the ditch with the loſſe of diuers Captaines, Gentlemen and ſouldiers. Of the Towne there were ſlaine in this aſſault about ſixtie: among others, Captain Fronſac, the Enſigne of Riuiere Lis, and Captaine Normands Lieftenaunt, and the enemie diſcharged aboue two thouſand fiue hundreth cannon ſhot.

The ſecond aſſault.The next day about nine of the clocke in the morning, they came to the ſecond aſſault, which was valiantly ſuſtained by the Rochelers: and the enemies forced to retire into their trenches. Towardes the euening they ſet a face if they would haue returned:The third. but ſeeing the reſolution of the defendants, they did no more. The tenth of Aprill by ſixe of the clocke in the morning, the enemie returned with great furie to aſſault the aforenamed bulwarke, as alſo at the gate of the two mils, there appeared a great number wel ſtored with lathers: likewiſe towards Tadon, the Countie de Lude came with his regiment to the windmil tower, but no further for feare of the ſmall ſhot that rained ſhrewdly in thoſe quarters.

As for thoſe that brought the lathers, they had leiſure ynough to reare them, and to climbe vp: but ſo ſoone as they were vp, the Townſmen ouerthrew them with ſuch force and actiuitie with pikes and hallebardes, and in ſuch number, that breaking armes, legs, and heads in the ditch, their fellows were forced to giue ouer and flie in ſuch ſort, that ſome caſt themſelues into the fennes, which the women had taken to keepe, who with fire-forkes and ſpits made an end of the wounded & ſtripped them. Thoſe of the bulwarcks and Caſemates, who neuer loſt ſhoote, with the women, maides, and ſeruants, with their cauldrons and artificiall fire, ſo beſtirred them, that the aſſaylants were forced to retire with the loſſe of three hundreth men and more. poure daies after, about foure of the clocke at night,The fourth▪ the companies of the aſſailants ſtanding readie in array to come to the aſſault, diſcharged almoſt all their peeces, & immediately in great reſolutiō came to the breath, wher they foght valiantly on both ſides, vntil the night parted thē. The beſieged were ſhrewdly annoyed with the cannon, which ouerthrew the fore-part of the bulwarke, that ſlew many of their ſouldiers, and hurt others, to the number of fiftie, yet the aſſaylants loſt more, namely one of their Captaines. But the next day they began againe to beate moſt fiercely, and about fiue of the clock at night, they blew vp their firſt myne at the baſtion or bulwarke of the Goſpell: and withall, gaue a moſt fierce aſſault, which they ſtil renued fiue times on a row,The fift aſſault fiue times renued where they had as friendly entertainment as in the reſt with great loſſe, beſides three hundreth men caught in their mine, which played cleane contrary to their expectation, and fell eſpecially vppon themſelues. Two daies after, about eleuen of the clocke at night, the beſieged made a ſallie, ſlew a great number of men, and carried into the Towne great ſtore of murrians, cuiraces, partuiſans, halbards, and courtelaſſes: and burned a wodden bridge: in reuenge whereof, the enemie diſcharged certaine cannon ſhorte, which with the breaking of the ſtones hurt fiue or ſixe: beſides Captaine Muſſe, who had don great ſeruice in that ſiege, was that day ſo woūded with three ſmall ſhot, that hee died ſoone after.

The ſixt.The fiue and twentieh and ſeuen and twentieth daies of the ſame month, they parleyed againe: but all was but delaies, vntill the next day, when very early in the morning the aſſaylants approached to Saint Nicolas gate, where ſome of their Captaines did very well: for paſsing the Counterſcarpe, they entered the ditch, but were repulſed with the loſſe of many ſouldiers. The next day before ſunne riſing, their ordinance played vppon the Bulwarke, and toward eleuen of the clocke they redoubled their batterie: beſides, their troupes came in on all ſides:The ſeuenth. yea euen out of their Carriques and Gallies they ſhot luſtily, which cauſed euery man to runne to armes: namely, the women with mens hartes on their heads, marched in haſte with pikes, halbards, and Iauelins in their hands, fully reſolued rather to die in the place, then to ſuffer the enemie to enter.

The aſſault continued fiue houres, wherein the defendants loſt ſome twelue or fifteene men, beſides fiue and twentie or thirtie wounded: but the aſſaylants a great number in the firſt charge, ſo as they durſt no more come in ſmall troupes: and the moſt reſolute retired, becauſe the companie of Captaine Bobineau a Rocheler, garding the Caſemates neare the bulwarke that flangued iuſt vpon the enemies bridge did mightily annoy them, as beeing within two pikes length each of other.

The nine and twentieth of the moneth, the beſieged made a ſallie, where in a Caſemat that they forced, and in part diſcouered, they ſlew a great number.

The ſame day the Maior ſent to the Duke of Aniou, the articles which the Rochelers, with the Gentlemen and ſouldiers ſtraungers deſired to be granted them, whereof they had aunſwere ſix daies after, beſides ſundrie vnprofitable parleyes. All this was done about the beginning of May, of what time the Polonians elected the Duke of Aniou to bee their king: for the eſtates accepted of him the ninth of May, vppon which day the Rochelers, who from the 7. aſſault had neuer miſſed either night or day to giue ye enemie ſome foyle, made aſallie through the countermine of the Goſpell bulwarke where they ſurpriſed thoſe that were next at hand, ſlew ſome pioners, and about thirtie ſouldiers, and carried away foure priſoners, without any loſſe on their ſide.

The next day at tenne of the clocke at night, about foure hundreth ſmal ſhot, and fiftie horſe, ſallied foorth at Maubec gate, and neare to Cognee gate ſurpriſed a corps degard, and with the loſſe of one horſeman ſlew fortie or fiftie of the ſloweſt. In the morning they vnderſtood that the looſers pretended to haue their reuenge: And indeede the next morning an houre before day, ſundrie Targetiers gat vp by their bridge vnto the toppe of the Goſpell bulwarke, where they tooke away the Enſigne of Captaine Riuieres Lis, & ſo returned without more adoo: albeit they might very well, for the moſt part of the corps degard were a ſleepe. The next day thinking to haue gotten the like occaſion at the breach of the old fountaine, finding thoſe that waited for them, they returned faſter then they came.

The ſame day toward fiue of the clocke at night, the Sarreant Maior of the Towne made a ſallie, and fired part of their wodden bridge, and foure and twentie houres after, returned to burne the corps degard that was hard by the ſald bridge. About this time at three ſeuerall courſes, certaine of the enemies horſemen ſought to keepe the poore people of the towne after the tide, from gathering of Muſcles, Shrimps, & ſuch like: but ſome of them loſt their horſes and Petronels, and ſome were taken & carried away priſoners, as vnable ſoone ynough to get forth out of the bogges, where their horſes ſunck vpto the ſhoulders.

The eight aſſault.The ſixteenth of May, a little before day the enemie gaue the eight aſſault to the afore named bulwarke, which was very ſharpe, yet had the repulſe on both ſides. The ſame day and the two next follwing, the Cannon playing vppon the Towne, made no ſpare of powder or bullet. The twentieth day came in a ſmall veſſell loden with powder and corne, ſent by the Countie Montgommery, vnder the conduct of Captaine Arnaud, who paſſed in ſpire of the enemies fleet and forces, who diſcharged many a ſhot at him, but hurt him not.

A notable ſallie.Three daies after, ſome foure or fiue hundreth men after noone ſallied foorth of the towne, and ſurpriſed and mightily amazed the enemie that lay toward the Cognee gate, whom they killed without reſiſtance, to the number of two hundreth both Captains & ſoldiers, beſides a great number of wounded. The whole campe taking the alarm, many came in, ſo that the Rochelers loſt 20. of their men, but carried into their towne eight Enſignes with many cuiraces, Halbards, Targets, Harguebuzes & guilt ſwords. They did greatly bewaile Maronniere, a braue Gentleman, who died of his wounds within two daies after, as a little before they had done the death of Vergerbeanlieu, a Poeteuine Gentleman, highly eſteemed for his valour, whereof be had made proofe, eſpecially in the eight aſſault, where hee tooke his deadly wound. The fiue and twentieth day of May, the batterie beganne very furious, and laſted till nine: the reaſon was, that fiue mynes which the enemie had digged, were ſhut and readie to play.

The next morning by breake of day, the batterie beganne againe as wel againe the bulwarke, as againſt the defences, and ſo continued vntill night. The next morning about ſeuen of the clocke, all the companies of the campe were muſtered. The Switzers being new come, to the number of 16. Enſignes in a great battaillon, were by the Rochelers welcommed with cannon ſhort, which fell ſo iuſt among them, that they made a great lane, and forced the reſt to go further from the Towne.

About eleuen of the clocke, the regiments of the campe beeing readie to the aſſault, diſcharging their artillerie blew vp their mynes, wherein reſted their whole hope,The ninth aſſault. but all this ſtood them in no ſtead: for ſome of their mines did greatly helpe to fortifie the beſieged, and to flancke the breach from the olde fountaine to the Goſpel-bulwarke: a fatall and vnhappie name for the enemie, who were expected and repulſed by the women, maides, and ſeruants, who that day did incredible things. The aſſault was fiue times renued, and laſted vntill ſixe of the clocke at night, alwaies more fierce and greater then any of the former. And indeed the enemie loſt foure hundreth men that ſtayed in the ditches, and carried away ſixe hundreth wounded. The Rochelers loſt thirtie or fortie ſouldiers and women, and three or foure Captaines: among the reſt, one very valiant, named Blays, who was ſlaine with a peece of a ſtone.

The Countie Montgommery did his endeuour to ſuccour the Rochelers by ſea, but in vaine, in that he was ouerweake both in ſhipping and men, to fight with the fleet royall,Murmurings in Rochell. which was verie ſtrong. Towards the beginning of Iune, victualles beganne to grow ſhort with the beſieged: wherevppon ſome conſidering that the enemies cannon plaied continually, alſo that ſome ſouldiers fledde the Towne, began to doubt and haue ſome ſpeech of compoſition, ſo that ſome of the moſt apparant were impriſoned, for that togither with ſome three hundreth, they had ſigned a bill that imported the making of peace vpon whatſoeuer conditions: for their parts, they were weary of the warres, and the great want of corne would ſhortly breede a famine. Others had in open ſtreet conſulted vppon taking of the gates, whereby to go foorth at their pleaſures. Of theſe murmures enſued new parleyes, which the Duke of Aniou ſolicited, that ſo hee might depart thence: for the newes was come that he was choſen king of Poland, and that the Ambaſſadors were comming to him.

In the meane time, vpon Fryday the twelfth of Iune, the enemie gaue a ſuddaine eſcalado at the little breach neare to the old fountaine, ſome hundreth, or ſixſcore Gentlemen gat vppe, and ſome vnto the Caualier, where they ſtayed long ynough to take a view of the inward trenches and counterſcarpe, that was fortified within the retrenchment, and ſo beganne to retire neither eſcaped they al the greeting of the ſmal ſhot, which diminiſhed their number, and ſlew ſome fifteene or twentie in the place. The next day they returned to their parleyes, and becauſe the Rochelers had counſell to ſend their Deputies to the Duke of Aniou, at whoſe hands (as they were told) they might obtaine more then they demaunded, they ſtayed for a paſport, which they found ſo badly penned, that they might well perceiue that it ſtood them vppon to beware, and therefore they cauſed their Deputies to retire, which ſo netled the D. that he reſolued before the cōming of the Polonian Ambaſſadors to trie all meanes: and to the ſame end, came in perſon to take a view of the mine by the old fountaine,The Duke of Anious aduentures. where one of the Towne ſouldiers diſcerning him, ſhot off a harguebuze charged with a bullet and ſome haile ſhot: but his great Eſquier named Deuin, perceiuing the match, ſtepped before him and was ſlaine: the Duke reſerued to an other end, was ſlightly touched with ſome of the haile ſhot, but not hurt. After this, notwithſtanding their ſhooting and ſallying on both ſides, yet was it nothing in regard of that which was paſt. But vpon the 17. of Iune, the Poliſh Ambaſſadors being arriued in France, truce was made, and laſtly the articles of peace agreed vpon and ſent vnto the king, which hee approoued, and framed them in manner of an Edict, graunting to thoſe of the religion, Rochel, Montauban, Niſmes, and other Townes, wherein the free exerciſe of religion was permitted: and to others, permiſsion to liue without trouble in their houſes,An Edict of pacification, for Rochell and all thoſe of the religion. therein to ſolemnize baptiſme and marriage after their manner, without greater aſſembly beſides the Parents, then the number of tenne: except in the Court at Parris, and within tenne leagues round about it, hee reſtored thoſe of Rochel to their rights and auncient priuiledges, diſanulling all Edicts made againſt them, approouing their defenſiue war, and conſenting that the keeping of their towns, towres, and fortreſſes, ſhould remaine vnto themſelues, according to their auncient priuiledges, receiuing ſuch gouernours as were not by them to bee ſuſpected.

And by vertue of this Edict, vpon the tenth of Iuly, about tenne of the clocke in the morning, Monſieur de Biron entered into the Towne at Coigne gate, with a Herauld at armes, and four of the kings trumpets: at which time hee cauſed the peace to bee publiſhed in the principall places, accompanied by the Lieftenant of the Towne, and of Monſieur de Villiers, and then dined at the Maiors houſe: which done, preſently after hee returned conducted out of the Towne.

End of the ſiege of Rochell.The ſame day, diuers barkes and other veſſels laden with biſquet, corne, meale, fiſh, and other ammunitions, entered into the Towne, as they did before the ſiege: which we haue briefly diſcribed in the principal circumſtā ces thereof. The enemie had both by ſea and land, between fortie and fiftie thouſand men, whereof more then the halfe of them died before Rochel, as well in skirmiſhes, encounters, ſurpriſes, and aſſaults, as of wounds, miſeries, and diſeaſes: ſixtie peeces of artillerie, great, middle, and ſmall, ſhot into the Towne, and againſt the defences, rampiers, and wals thereof, at the leaſt two and thirtie thouſand times. The bulwarke of the Goſpel, becauſe of the ſurname, was leaſt ſpared. The enemie loſt therewith the Duke d'Aumale, Coſſeins, Maiſter of the field, that entered by force into the Admirals lodging in Parris, and began the maſſacre. Ligardes his brother, Goas and Poilac, Maiſters of the campe, diuers great Lords and Gentlemen, aboue 60. Captaines and cōmanders, as many Lieftenāts & Enſigne-bearers: moſt part of the maſſacres of Parris & other places, being come thither to receiue their reward, either preſent death, or woūds which ſpeedily cut off their daies. The cōming of ye Poliſh Ambaſſadors, was the means ye defended Rochel, which began to want both victuals & ammunitiō of war, & that had loſt many hundreths of ſoldiers in ye skirmiſhes & breaches. Another means ſerued: which was the diuiſion in the Duke of Anious campe, & the friends which the Rochelers found therin, from whom they receiued many good aduertiſements, which greatly relieued them during the ſiege: the end wherof, made the king to call to minde many great faults by him committed, which hee had beene aduiſed and counſelled vnto, and to inuent the meanes to preuent them: 〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉 but too late, for beeing imbarked and in the middle of the ſea, then when he diſcouered a deſire to ſee the port of his arriuall, not long after hee found himſelfe to bee fallen into the deepe gulfes of death, & with moſt great grief vnto his heart, was conſtrained to behold the fire in his Realme, which ſome perſwaded him to be quenched, and to haue recouered an euerlaſting peace vppon Saint Bartholomewes day. But in his miſchiefe hee ſound this comfort, that many others that thoght themſelues very nimble, in their turnes, found themſelues no leſſe deceiued, then they wickedly abuſed the youth & boyling paſsions of this poore Prince. I muſt not forget to ſet downe the prouiſion of victuals that God ſent vnto the beſieged in Rochel, which was an infinite number of ſmall fiſhes, neuer before that time ſeene within that Hauen, and that euerie day came in, and as it were yeelding themſelues to the mercie of the poore people of the Towne. And preſently after the publiſhing of the Edict and libertie graunted to Rochel, at the comming of the Polonians retired againe.

Now let vs ſee how ſundrie others of the religion in other parts of the Realme,The eſtate of the churches in Quercy, Langucdoc, and other places. bare themſelues this yeare 1573. The Barron of Serignac with other Lords and Gentlemen both of Quercy, Foix, and other Prouinces adioyning, beeing aduertiſed of the intent of the Romiſh Catholickes, repaired to Montauban, where they held a common Councell, and after ſundrie conferences reſolued, as well the Inhabitants as ſtrangers refugied, to take armes: which they did in warre like manner, and thereof aduertiſed thoſe towns where the religious were any thing ſtrong. The Inhabitāts of Chaſtres in Albigeois, ſlacking and refuſing the ſuccours of Vicountie Paulin and the Barron of Panas, were ſurpriſed, and ſome ſlaine, and the Towne brought into the ſubiection of the Romiſh Catholicques. They of Montauban ſent foorth their troupes into the field, vnder the leading of the Lord of Serignac, a man zealous in religion, diſcreet and vertuous, and a wel-willer to millitarie diſcipline. They placed a Garriſon in Terride, whereof Serignac chalenged the Barronage, and by eſcalade tooke Buzet vpon Tar, within three leagues of Toulouſe. They alſo ſtrengthened Villemur, ſurpriſed diuers other places, fortified ſuch as they held in the former troubles, placed garriſons at the paſſages, and appoynted a day of meeting at Realmont in Albigeois, to conſider of their common affaires. There made they a diuiſion of their gouernmēts. Vicountie Gourdon had one part of Quercy toward Cadenac: Terride or Serignac had the other part towards Montauban and Gaſcon. To Vicountie Paulin fell Lauragais, and in Rouergue they eſtabliſhed the Vicountie of Panas, with his brother the Barron. The Counte of Foix, with the hilly countrie, was alotted to the Vicountie of Canmont.

There they decreed, that if one ſtood in neceſsitie, the other Generalles ſhould repaire to him with all their forces and be vnder his obedience, ſo to auoyde all iealouzie that might otherwiſe take hold of ſuch as were of like authoritie,Sundry warlike exploits. euery man returned into his gouernment. Serignac by compoſiton tooke Villedieu, Chaſteau Vaſin, and the Towre of Orgueil, places neare to Montauban, encamped with two thouſand ſmall ſhot, and ſome horſe, before Mōricou, maketh a breach, giueth the aſſaults & one eſcalade, but taketh the repulſe, as alſo from before Real-ville and Vioule, at which places many of his men were hurt and ſlaine.

In his return from an other aſſembly holden at Realmont, for aduiſe vpon the Rochelers affaires, who craued ſuccour, but could haue none in regard of ſuch difficulties as befell them. Serignac paſsing by Puylaurence, vnderſtood that Captaine Angely with eightie ſouldiers, was beſieged in a village three leagues of, and therefore with all ſpeed marched thither with one hundreth and ſixtie men: and thus hee on the one ſide, and the beſieged on the other, ſo charged the enemie, that they ſlew two hundreth of their men, and ſcattered the reſt. About this time the Inhabitants of Bearne ſent to Niſmes and Montauban, a coppie of the letters ſent to them from the Court in the name of their Prince, to recall them to the Romiſh Church: togither with their excuſes and aunſweres to the ſame, proteſting to perſeuere and abide in the religion. In Aprill, the Countie of Villards newly made Admirall of France, Admirall Villards warreth vpon the Proteſtants with ſmall ſucceſſ • and Generall of an armie againſt the proteſtants in Quercy and the countries round about, gathered his troupes diſpearſed in Garriſons, beſieged & tooke Saint Gemmes in high Quercy. The Lord of the Towne, notwithſtanding his compoſition for life and goods, was carried priſoner to Cahors, and there executed at the inſtance of many his enemies whom hee had hardly intreated. His men ſaued themſelues in a rocke, where they could not poſsibly bee indammaged, and after ioyned with ſuccours that came from Montauban.

A fewe weekes after, the Admirall beſieged Brifenel, a ſmall Towne in high Rouergue, wher Montilliere gallantly withſtood him, and ſlew ſome hundreth of his men, but at the laſt departed with life and goods. Albeit in exchange the Adm. in May loſt Soreze, ſurpriſed by eſcalade, & Monteſquiou within two leagues of Thoulouſe. Alſo toward the end of Iuly, the Barrō of Fougeres took L • deſue a Biſhops ſea, and a rich Towne ſcituate in the mountaines of Languedoc, at the ſame time that Captain Graue ſeized vpon Mas Sainctes Puelles, within one league of Caſtelnau Darry. The Duke of Aniou had before ſolicited thoſe of Montauban, to ſend him their Deputies with articles for peace, intreating them in the meane time, to deſiſt from all hoſtilitie. This was one meanes to diſvnite the Prouinces, and ſo to get them one after an other. At the firſt this ſeemed to grow to ſome courſe: but it was eaſily remedied, and the ſiege of Rochel togither with the election of Poland, made voyde many of their deuiſes. Marſhall d'Anuille Gouernour of Languedoc, tooke armes alſo againſt the proteſtants, aſſembled ſix Cornets of horſe,Marſhall d'Anuille beſiegeth Sommieres, wher he looſeth his Armie. fiue thouſand harguebuziers, beſides the companies of Lyonnois and Volunatries: his footemen amounting to ten thouſand, that led foureteen battering peeces, wherewith hee pretended to beſiege Niſmes. But Sommiere a ſmall Towne neare to Bezieres and Montpeſlier, wonne from the Barron of Ioyeuſe by Captaine Gremian, brake this purpoſe, and an other enterpriſe of the Marſhals againſt Vzes: ſo that ſeeing himſelfe fruſtrate before hee came to Niſmes, hee beſieged Sommieres: both the Towne and Caſtle, made a reaſonable breach and gaue an aſſault, repulſed by the beſieged, who ſlew aboue one hundreth of his men, and wounded many more. But in his ſecond aſſault hee had yet woorſe ſucceſſe. Herevpon came to him his brother in law the Countie of Candale, with his company of one hundreth horſe, and twelue companies of Gaſcons, who gaue the third aſſault, wherein three hundreth of the hotteſt left their liues.

The beſieged ſtood in want of many things, but their neighbours ſent one hundreth and twentie ſouldiers, who with much ado got in, & brought all that they could to ſuccour and ſtrengthen them. One of the hundreth and twentie beeing lag, was taken and brought before the Marſhall, to informe him of all that he knew. Albeit they racked and tormented him, that he grew as bigge as a tunne and ſo died vppon the torture, yet could not his tormentors wreſt out of this ſouldiers mouth, any word preiudiciall either to the beſieged or to the proteſtants. The beſieged hauing holden out foure months, ſuffered fiue thouſand cannon ſhot, that had beaten downe all their defenſes, and layde their wals in the duſt, craued compoſition: but the Marſhall would haue them by force, and to that end gaue foorth a general aſſault, committing the leading to Candale, whom hee exhorted to reuenge the death of his Captaines and ſouldiers.

This young Lord, who before had ſeemed deſirous that matters ſhould haue been otherwiſe ordered, marched reſolutely to the breach, where hee performed the dutie both of a valiant Captaine and couragious ſouldier: but after a little fight, wherein hee ſaw a number of his ſouldiers ouerthrowne, himſelfe was ſlaine in the place.

The beſieged hauing performed all that was to be deſired in valiant men, in Aprill did accept of compoſition for life and goods, and ſo the Marſhall ſending hoſtages to Niſmes for their ſafetie, they came foorth with the drum ſounding, the Enſignes diſplayed, their matches lighted and in the cock, hauing ſeuen daies reſpite to carrie away their goods, and to retire where they liſt. The Marſhall vnderſtanding that Miſmes in great reſolution expected his comming, and withall, conſidering that hee had loſt two thouſand fiue hundreth of his beſt men, caſhiered the reſt of his troupes, who ſcattred euery way. The Admirall warring in Gaſcon, had other ſucceſſe: for he took Terride, Flaugnac, and all that the proteſtants had gotten in Gaſcon beyond Garonne. Then did hee beſiege Cauſſade, a ſmall towne kept with ſixe hundreth ſmall ſhot,Cauſſade ſubuertech al Admirall Villars purpoſes. vnder the cōduct of Puiols, who forced the Admirall after great loſſes to forſake the place: after which repulſe, he did nothing woorthie memorie. The Vicountie Gourdon vnderſtanding that part of the Adm. troups after this ſiege, marched towards Rochel, watched them at the paſſage ouer Dordogue, cut in peeces one company, and made the reſt to runne. On the other ſide, the Barron of Grandmont, whom the king of Nauarre had ſent into Bearne to replant the Maſſe, was taken, and moſt of his men defeated by the countrie people.The eſtate of Viuaretz and Dauphine. In the meane time, the eſtates of Languedoc met at Anduge, where they formed an order and rule for the warre and adminiſtration of iuſtice. In May the proteſtants chuſing the Lord of Saint Romain for their Generall, ſurpriſed Villeneufue in Viuaretz. Marſhall d'Anuille vnder colour of iuſtice, ſeizeth and ſelleth all the proteſtants goods that he may. In Dauphine the proteſtants took Orpierre, Serres, and other places in the Biſhoppricke of Die: alſo Meuſe and other villages in the mountaines, vnder the leading of Mombrun, who with his courſes & exploi • s driue his enemies to feare him. The K. hoping by the peace granted to Rochel, Montauban, & Niſmes, to take ſome reſt, hauing reuoked the edict of 1570. & ſent his brother into Poland, found al new to begin: for thoſe of Quercy, Lanquedoc, & their neighbours, did immediately proteſt againſt this edict,Complaints againſt the pacification granted before Rochel. which they termed captious, & a preamble into new maſſacres: conſidering that their capitall enemies & authors of all diſorders, remained ſole Councellours and Gouernors of the K. and his eſtate: that all the French Churches were debarred the publike exerciſe of religion, to them ſo ſolemnely graunted by the Edict of 1570. that al the contents of this pacification of Rochel, and whatſoeuer was otherwiſe promiſed, was but a collection of words without effect: that there was no ſpeech of iuſtice againſt the maſſacres, but an abolition of all that was paſt, which was the abſoluing of ye threatned: that all Eccleſiaſtical diſcipline was taken frō the proteſtants, whom thereby they ment to plunge in all Atheiſme: that this treatie was formed with ſome particulars without their commiſsion, whoſe aduice could not preiudice the generall cauſe of al the Churches, to whom they had promiſed not to do or graunt any thing without the common conſent of all. After theſe proteſtatiōs, with the conſent of the new king of Poland, (whom his brother and the Ambaſſadours haſtened into that farre countrie) they aſſembled at Millaud in Rouergue, after at Montauban, where they diuided Languedoc into two gouernments, the one at Montauban, the other at Niſmes, to ſerue for the bordering countries of Seuenes and Viuarais. For the gouernment of the quarters of Montauban, they choſe Vicount Paulin, and Saint Romain at Niſmes, who had the charge of all mattters of warre, yet were accountable to the eſtates of the countrie that furniſhed thē with counſell & quoyne. Theſe eſtates in euery gouernment were cōpoſed of the chiefeſt of the prouinces, yet ſo as in matters of importāce ther were particulare ſtates in euery Dioces, that ment to confer by one or more of ye Deputies, with ye eſtates of ye gouernment, by whoſe aduiſe ye gouernor was to take his directiōs, & at their hāds to receiue his pay. For the countenance of this order, they decreed ye the ſouldiers contenting thēſelues with their pay, ſhuld not forrage nor waſte ye plain countries: & to that end they taxed the aduerſaries Townes and villages, forcing thē to contribute toward the maintenance of the garriſons. Such as voluntarily payed, were eaſed as in time of peace, & in many places the Peſants followed their labours without daunger: which cauſed many townes and boroughs, otherwiſe enemies to the proteſtants, to paye the contributions for feare of woorſe. Beſides this order, to furniſh the maine charge, and at all times to haue a ſtocke readie for all accurrences,The want of diſcretion in the kings Councell. they ſeized vpon the Church reuenues, eſtabliſhing their commiſſaries to that effect, and all this had they leiſure ynogh to do, whileſt the kings & their Courtiers were buſie in their bankets, dances, & other vaine paſtimes for the K. of Polonds farewel. Thus in Languedoc in a ſhort time they furniſhed many places, from whence they might bring to the field vnder the conduct of their Gouernors, very neare 20000. perſons, ſtill weakning their aduerſaries with the collection of the reuenues of the benefices & contributions that they gathered in euery quarter. Likewiſe following their example, ſundrie of the Romiſh Church, otherwiſe diſcontented, grew to be more affable to the proteſtants, and to take their parts, ſo to procure ſome quiet in the ſtate of France. The proteſtants in the gouernment of Niſmes, twiſe aſſembled togither, reſolued to craue at the kings hands a more ſure peace, and vpon better conditions then the edict of Rochel, which they found very faultie, and not to be admitted in many the articles. They ſent therefore their Deputies to giue him thanks for the good affection that he proteſted to the reſtoring of peace, adding, that the ſame is the moſt neceſſarie remedie for the reforming of the eſtate alreadie decayed & loſt, without ſpeedie prouiſiō.The magnanimitie of thoſe of Languedoc. That in hartie good wil they are moſt affectionate to yeeld him al obedience: but that the maſſacres do euidently declare the daunger, where the Prince is gouerned by the pernitious aduice of his wic • ed Councellours.

They beſought the king not to miſlike that they hauing an intereſt in this action, had aſſembled themſelues to the end with deliberation to conſider of the ſureſt meanes to eſtabliſh a ſound and good peace. That through the pollicies of wicked Councellours, the king was induced both by word and publicke letters pa • rents, to declare himſelfe to be the author of the maſſacre at Parris, which ſome fewe daies before hee had diſaduowed, wherin his reputation was greatly impaired with forraine nations. That they could not thinke his will to concurre with ſuch bloodie effects as lately appeared, yet they feared leaſt his wicked Councellours were ſtill like affected, and therefore they could do no leſſe but take order for the ſafetie of Languedoc and themſelues, and by the example of their fellowes, ſo hardly intreated, looke to themſelues.

They did therefore for the eſtabliſhment of peace, deſire that the proteſtants might in their townes haue their Garriſons maintained at the Kings charge:Their petitions. that beſides thoſe Towns, the king in euerie Prouince of his Realm, ſhould deliuer two ſuch as by ſoure Deputies ſhould be choſen, which alſo ſhould bee kept by the Proteſtants at the kings coſt. That the free and publicke exerciſe of religion ſhould be permitted in all parts of the Realme, and to all that would require it.

That for the admiſtration of iuſtice to the Proteſtants, there might be in euery Prouince erected a new Court of Parliament, compoſed of proteſtant iudges. That the proteſtants for the maintenance of their Miniſters might be diſcharged of ſuch tenths as the Prieſts did demand. That the authors, Councellours, and executioners of the maſſacres, might bee puniſhed as theeues and diſturbers of the common quiet.

Thoſe of the gouernment of Montauban, ſent likewiſe their Deputies to demaund beſides the premiſſes, that the Admirall and all the Proteſtants murthered the foure and twentieth of Auguſt, 1572. as alſo they that yet liued, might be deemed to haue been and to bee, moſt faithfull ſubjects to the king and his eſtate, and innocent and cleare of all ſpotte of rebellion. That all arreſts, edicts, and deedes to the contrarie ſince publiſhed, might be reuoked and declared to bee of no force, as ſlaunderouſly graunted, defaſed, and raſed out of the records: the goods, honours, and offices, reſtored to the heires of the murthered: all defamatorie monuments taken away, and all proceſsions inſtituted in honor of ſuch cruelties, aboliſhed. They farther alſo demaunded free exerciſe of their religion and Eccleſiaſtical diſcipline in all poynts: Buriall without limitation of time or Church-yard: exemption from all contribution to the ceremonies of the Romiſh Church: admiſsion of their children vnto Colledges vnder proteſtant Regents, and legitimatiō of Prieſts marriages to ſuch as ſhould frame themſelues to their religion. Many other articles they propounded concerning gouernment, and ſent their committies toward the end of Auguſt, with whom neare vnto Lyons ioined the Deputies of Prouence, Dauphine, and Niſmes, who all by the mouth of one, propounded great declarations vnto the king: who returned them to conferre with certaine his commiſsioners, promiſing after he had broght his brother the king of Poland out of the Realme, to take aduiſe for all that ſhould bee requiſite for the ſatiſfying of his ſubiects. Vppon the Deputies report in the beginning of Nouember, the proteſtants renued their aſſociation throghout the Prouinces aforeſaid, where they held many places, as alſo a very exact courſe for their conſeruation.

The Ambaſladours of Polonia beeing entered into France about the end of Iuly to fetch their king, they bare him companie from Rochel to Parris, What paſſed ſince the comming of the Ambaſſaders of Polonia, vntil their departure. where vpon the foureteenth of September he made a roy all enterie, nothing wanted to make him happie, but the proſperitie of the Rochelers that had ſlaine part of his ſeruants.

In the Court there were ſome that reioyced at the diſhonour hee had receiued before it: others took his departure vnpatiently, ſpecially the Queen-mother, and her moſt ſecret Councellours, thoſe of Guiſe, and the ſpiritualtie. All of them feared the king, that began to change both countenance and ſpeech, ſpecially hauing fully vnderſtood the trueth of the reſolution and meanes of thoſe of the religion in Languedoc, and the countries thereabout. The ſpiritualtie had made a preſent of three hundreth thouſand crownes to the king of Polonia, for the good ſeruices hee had done for them againſt thoſe of the religion, and would haue done twiſe as much more, if hee had ouercome the Rochelers. The Biſhop of Valence & Lanſac being in Polonia, to obtaine that which they pretended, graunted diuers articles touching thoſe of the religion in France, vnto the Nobilitie of that countrie, wherevppon the Ambaſſadours made inſtant meanes and requeſts vnto the king touching the ſame, which in effect were almoſt agreeable to the concluſion of thoſe of Languedoc: they ſpake likewiſe for diuers particulars: many ſubtilties were vſed to diuert the Ambaſſadours from that purſuite, buſying them with bankets and ſhewes of no ſmall charge and expenſes. Their new king was not greatly deſirous to make that long perigrination, and would gladly haue ſtaed till the next Sommer: and ſome of his moſt truſtie friends aſſayed to cauſe ſome hard anſwere to bee giuen vnto the Ambaſſadors, to the end that either they ſhould returne diſcontented, or that the time might by that means paſſe away. But the kings ſeruants cauſed him to make faire promiſes to thoſe Ambaſſadors that were remitted vnto the Towne of Metz, there to vnderſtand what or how much ſhould bee done for them.

Among theſe ſerious matters, the King could not content himſelfe, but twiſe or thriſe caſt out certaine threatning words againſt thoſe that had abuſed him, making him beleeue that after the foure and twentieth day of Auguſt, hee ſhould bee abſolute king. But to the contrarie, hee perceiued his ſubiects openly to reproch him, with the vnrecouerable wrongs that he had don both to himſelf & thē. To accuſe him, that in ſtead of being father of his people, he had bin both the butcher & the executioner, or at the leaſt had reſumed the title, by the induction of the principal authors of ſuch confuſions, but his complaints and threatnings were but of hard diſgeſtion for himſelfe, and in thoſe troubles hee found not one faithfull ſeruant that taught him to bee patient and to content himſelfe, in time to find the meanes to execute iuſtice vpon ſuch as had committed ſo many iniuſtices and furious executions, vnder the title and pretence of his name,The kings ſickneſſe. whereby a ſtrong feuer ſeized vpon him in Champagne, in ſuch manner, that it was thought hee would haue died beeing at Vitry, whither hee trauelled to bring his brother on his way to Polonia, that could not diſſemble the greefe hee had to depart out of France, to go among ſuch people as would preuent him from making any maſſacres, and by the long delaies of his affaires, made men to iudge that more then two expected the iſſue of the kings ſickneſſe, whoſe ſeruants as then ſpake much againſt the Queen-mother & that new king, as alſo of their practiſes, for the which ſome abſented themſelues from the Court and went into Brittaine. But the kings ſickneſſe hauing taken other effect then was expected, hauing by liuely force of his ardent youth, repulſed and driuen out the diſeaſe at his head, necke, and face, the report went, that it was the ſmall Poxe, whereat moſt of the Courtiers ſmiled, not daring to ſpeake one word, but ſhrinking in their ſhoulders.

And being ſomewhat amended and recouered of his ſtrength, he ceaſed not to procure and haſten his brothers departure, that iſſued out of France about the end of October, leauing all the charge vnto his mother, who openly ſhewed to beare him greater affection then to her other two ſonnes. The King beeing doubted of by her, becauſe of his threatnings and alterations, and the Duke of Alencon loued not the houſe of Guiſe.

The eſtate of France after the departure of the king of Polonia.Preſently after the departure of the king of Polonia, new practiſes were inuented, whereof I will make a briefe diſcourſe, becauſe thoſe of Languedoc daily ſtrengthed themſelues more and more: to appeaſe them, an aſſembly of the eſtates generall was appoynted to be holden at Champagne, and truce was made for two monethes with thoſe of Languedoc, with permiſsion to aſſemble themſelues to conſider what could bee neceſſarie to bee propounded and agreed vppon in the eſtates, for the good and profite of the Common-wealth and Realme of France. Meane time, an enterpriſe is practiſed to ſurpriſe Rochel, and men were ſent through all the Prouinces of the Realme, ſecretly to diſcouer what friends and enemies they had, to cal the particular eſtates to frame the bookes, and to put their enterpriſe in practiſe with as litle rumour as poſsible might bee.

On the other ſide, the Queene-mother fained to bee verie carefull touching the election of the Lieftenant generall of the Realme. And beeing at Soiſſons, deſired the king not to graunt that charge to the Duke of Alencon his brother, alleaging that that young Prince that would not approoue the maſſacres, being followed by diuers diſcontented perſons, might mooue ſome troubleſome matters, if he once perceiued the forces of the Realme to bee at his commandement. Therevppon newes came, that the Deputies of diuers Prouinces came from many places to aſſemble the eſtates, with notes and commiſsions to ſpeake boldly, namely againſt the Authors and Councellours of the maſſacres. For which cauſe the eſtates beeing aſsigned to bee at Champagne, was reiourned, and yet diuers Deputies beeing come to Parris, asked and obtained audience, wherein after many and diuers earneſt complaints and declarations made touching the publicque confuſions of the Realme of France, and particularly in the Prouinces, they beſought the king, that in conſideration of the miſchiefes ſupported by his ſubiects for the ſpace of many yeares, by the euill gouernment of his principall Councellours, it would pleaſe him to giue ſome comfort to his ſubiects, and in the meane time to call an aſſembly of al the eſtates of his realm, to foreſee and prouide for thoſe diſorders, otherwiſe it was to be feared the people would riſe and breed ſome mutinie. The Queene-mother and her adherents hardly puſhed at by ſuch complaints, where with the king ſeemed to bee mooued, ſought by faire ſpeeches to appeaſe the Deputies: and preſently after changed countenance, vſing threatnings in ſuch ſort, that the Deputies returned without any reliefe, but onely that the king would ſhortly take ſome order for them, wherewith they were exhorted to maintaine the prouinces in peace, permitting thoſe of Languedoc, whom they doubted to make new aſſemblies, thereby to frame large articles, which not long after they did in the aſſembly holden at Milliand in Rouergne, where they forgot not any any thing requiſite for them and their aſſociates.

The miſchiefe by the which an entrie was made for the ruine and ouerthrow of thoſe of the religion, was, that diuers Catholickes that termed thē ſelues polliticques and diſcontented, thruſt themſelues among them. And comming in credite, made themſelues companions with them: in ſuch manner, that if thoſe of the religion had kept themſelues a part, the king had bin conſtrained to graunt them peace, and by that meanes their affaires had fallen out happily, which they did not by reaſon of this mixture, whereof inuited by the courſe of yeares wee will now ſpeake ſomewhat. Certaine polliticque Courtiers to bring the matter to a better poynt, eſteemed it neceſſarie to haue a Lieftenant generall, nominating the D. of Alencon as moſt fit for that place: they ſet before him the little eſtimation made of him: his ſmall meanes: the inquiſitions made of his ſeruants: the diſtruſts that were had touching his fidelitie: the refuſall of graunting him the Lieftenancie generall: the kings ſickneſſe, and the meanes that offered it ſelfe vnto him to reſtore the eſtate of the Realme, counſelling him to withdraw himſelfe from the Court, and ſo beginne to mooue the matter.

While this was doing, where the Queene-mother was preſently certified, and could ſerue her turne, thereby as you ſhall ſee the practiſes to ſurpriſe Rochel, wherein Puigaillard, Landereau, the Barron de la Garde and others, were dealers,Enterpriſe vpon Rochel. beganne to worke, but in ſuch ſort, that by little and and little the Rochelers diſcouered the deuiſe, whereby they intrapped certaine principalles of the enterpriſe, who about the end of the yeare they cauſed to be executed. Preſently after, the king wrote letters vnto them, ſaying: that the execution pleaſed him well, and willed them to looke vnto themſelues: which was the occaſion that after many diſputations, to cauſe thē to enter into conſideracie with thoſe of Languedoc and others, to defend themſelues, ſtaying till ſome leaders were raiſed vpon vnto them, as hope was giuen them. That which made them ſtay, was that they perceiued diuers men of good quallitie enemies to the religion to ioyne with them, to aske reformation of thee-ſtate, which made many good men to preſume, that ſome peece of cunning was in hand to bee wrought, and that the Queene-mother and her Councellours cauſed this tragedie to bee playde, to entertaine a mutinie during the Kings ſickneſſe, that they might crie hola when it pleaſed them, and in time to ouerthrow the one by the other.

Thoſe of the religion vnderſtanding the deuiſe againſt the Rochelers, and the practiſes inuented to ſurpriſe them in Languedoc, and all the while the truce indured,Beginning of the fift troubles in Frāce and the raiſing of men to runne vppon them ſuddainly, determined (truce beeing expired) to prouide for themſelues: and firſt publiſhed an ample diſcourſe, of the cauſes and reaſons that mooued them to defend themſelues, wherein they ſhewed an infinite number of wrongs done vnto them within the ſpace of ſixe moneths, without any hope of iuſtice: perceiuing a manifeſt apparance of their totall ruine and deſtruction, if they oppoſed not themſelues againſt it. Further, they ſet forth certaine aduiſes & humble declarations vnto the Princes, Nobilitie, Parliaments, and third eſtate, thereby to ſtirre them vp.

The Duke of Alencon, that had been ſolicited by his moſt faithfull Councellours to looke vnto himſelfe, was put in minde to ſeeke for the place of Lieftenant generall, and if hee obtained it to keepe himſelfe aloofe: or if they ſought to imploy him againſt thoſe of Languedoc, to thinke vpon the meanes to reſtore the affaires of the Realme to ſome better eſtate. His mother was perſwaded that the Marſhals de Montmorency and de Coſſe were dealers therin, at the inſtance of the king of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde: wherevppon with her Councell ſhee determined to aſſure her ſelfe, and to ridde her ſelfe of thoſe that ſeemed to take other part then hers, which was the entrie into diuers ſtrange alterations, wherin thoſe of Guiſe holpe with both their hands: wherevppon it happened, that the Court beeing at Saint Germain in Laye, the Duke Alencon made requeſt vnto the king, to graunt him the eſtate of Lieftenant generall, to repreſent the kings perſon throughout the Realme. Whervppon the Marſhall de Montmorencie entering into ſpeech thereof, with the king and the Queen-mother, ſhewed them, that if they graunted not that requeſt vnto the Duke, they ſhould do him wrong, for that it would be an occaſion for euery man to iudge of his vnſufficiencie, for that the ſame eſtate had been giuen vnto the Duke of Aniou without his requeſt: alleaging other reaſons as the deſert of ſuch a place might mooue him for the quietneſſe of the Realme.

How the Lieftenants place was graunted to the Duke of Alencon.This requeſt was in maner graunted, but in ſtead of letters pattents, certaine priuate letters were made and ſent vnto the Gouernrs, beſides a declaration made by the K. by word of mouth vnto the Deputies of the Prouinces. The Duke of Alencon not content therwith, purſued his requeſt, which made his aduerſaries thinke, that hee vnderſtood ſomewhat of his mothers meaning, which was to put the eſtate of Lieftenant into the hands of the Duke of Lorraine, who not long after came into the Court, whither hee had been ſent for by expreſſe meſſengers.

They proceeded further, for that at the ſame time a report beeing ſowen abroad, that the Duke of Alencon ſecretly held certaine men about him, therby to effect ſome bad exployt, the Queene his mother went perſonally to ſearch within his chamber: & not long after, putting I know not what feare and diſtruſts into the kings minde, counſelled him to approach nearer to Parris, that hee might lodge in more ſafetie at Bois de Vincennes, a ſtrong and pleaſant place.

Before hee diſlodged happened an other matter: the Duke of Guiſe making a quarrell in the Court yeard of the Caſtle of Saint Germain, againſt one named Ventabran, (in time paſt one of his ſeruants) layd hād vpon his ſword, Ventabran fledde and got to the ſtaires, running to the chamber of the Marſhall de Montmorencic, which beeing ſhutte, hee ranne higher to the chamber of the Ladie, widdow to the Conſtable: and finding Monſicur de Thore, the Marſha • s brother, ſtayed there, where hee got certaine blows, but yet without hurt, the Duke affirming that Ventabran had conſpired to kil him: and that hee would plague him for it.

This deuile thus wrought: the Marſhall being a wiſe Gentleman, fought to finde out the trueth, and cauſed Ventabran to be committed to priſon, who within two daies after, was ſet at libertie, which was the occaſion that the Marſhall by licence from the king departed from the Court. This was done in the moneth of Februarie, at the end whereof, newes came to the Court, that on Normandie ſide, about a daies iourney from thence, there lay two or three hundreth horſemen, that were ſaid to been aſſembled by the Duke of Alencon, to fauor his retire from the Court, Others bearing him no great affection, ſpred foorth a rumour that they were in armes prepared to kill the king, the Queene, and his Councell. The firſt aduiſe tooke place, neuertheleſſe to make the latter ſeeme likely (yet vntrue) euery man (except it were the king,Pracliſes of the Court, whereinto ſundrie not able to penetrate at the firſt, the gentry of Normandy found themſelues deceined, whereof enſued the deſtruction of the Countie of Montgommery. perſwaded to ſtay with his traine) in great haſte diſlodging from Saint Germains, where they ſtayed till the lodgings of the Caſtle of Blois Saint Vincennes were prepared, and rid to Parris, from nine of the clock till midnight, with moſt great noyſe and tumult.

I muſt tell you that the Duke of Alencon was in minde to haue departed from the Court, and to take the king of Nauarre with him, and that this troupe compoſed of the Gentlemen their ſeruants, came to bring them to the places appointed by them: but imagining many difficulties in the executiō, hee tooke aduiſe of la Mole a Gentleman of Prouence that gouerned him, who gaue him counſell with al ſpeed to adueriſe the king his brother, and his mother, what his meaning was: which was the cauſe that the king remooued not: neuerthelèſſe the mother that had ſom greater matter in her head, made that voyage by night, and went to the houſe of the Marſhall de Retz, in the ſubburbs of S. Honore. The Pariſians beleeuing whatſoeuer was told them touching thoſe horſes, in ſhort time made a great and puiſſant armie, as they ſaid.

The next day the king went vnto his mother, and within eight daies after, they went to Blois Saint Vincennes, hauing holden diuers councels to deuiſe the means to intrap the Marſhal d'Anuille, that gaue them worke to do in Languedoc. Meane time, the Duke of Alencon and the king of Mauarre, vppon the foure and twentieth of March, publiſhed a declaration touching the matter of Saint Germains, proteſting their good wils towards the king, and that they were reſolued to oppoſe themſelues with all their meanes, againſt ſuch as would rebell againſt him, which was an occaſion to bring the Marſhall de Montmorencic vnto the Court: who being come was areſted, as alſo the Marſhall de Coſſe, and both moſt ſhamefully led priſoners to the Bastille. On the other ſide la Mole Coconnas, & Tourtay, ſeruants to the Duke of Alencon, were committed within Parris, and not long after executed, hauing onely confeſſed to haue been of their Maiſters counſell to depart out of the Court. Diuers Lords and Gentlemen intangled in this proceſſe, ſaued themſelues as well as they could: the Duke of Alencon and the king of Nauarre were kept more ſtraight, and twiſe examined touching that action.

The eſtate of Dauphine, Languedoc and poictou.Theſe troubles in the Court, hindered not thoſe of the religion & their aſſociates to looke vnto themſelues. In Dauphine, Mombrun tooke Loriol, Linron, Alet, Graue, and Roinac, and ouerthrew fiue companies of footmen that ſought to impeach them. Thoſe of Villeneufue in Viuarais, not long before had put certaine troupes to the ſwood, that came againſt thoſe of the religion, without loſſe of one man, and tooke Aubenas, a Towne of great importance, hauing cut the throates of all the Garriſon, for the moſt part compoſed of the maſſacres of Lyons. The gouernment of Languedoc and Dauphine hauing bin committed to the Prince d'Auphine, & Monſieur d'Acier ioyned with him, the Marſhall d'Anuille by letters intercepted, diſcouered what was pretended againſt him, by which meanes hee beganne to draw to thoſe of the religion, conſulting with Saint Romaine Gouernour of Niſmes, ſeized vppon Montpeſlier, Beaucaire, Lunel, and Pezenas.

In Poistou the Polititians ioyned with la Noue, tooke Saint Maixaut, Melle, Fontenay, Luſignan, and other places. In Normandie about the beginning of March,What happened in Normandie to the Countie de Montgommery taken priſoner, and after executed. the Countie Montgommery accompanied with Lorges and Galardon his children, departed from the Iſle of Gerze, and arriued at Rades, where Colombieres & de Fey, with fiſtie Gentlemen came to meete him: from whence hee went to Saint Lo, and then with in three daies after, aſsieged and took Carentan by compoſitiō. Within a month after, a ſtrong armie of the enemie, commaunded by Matignon and Feruaques, ſet vppon him and incloſed him with a little weake towne and ill furniſhed, called Danfrone, accompanied with ſixtie horſe, and eight harguebuziers, conducted by Captaine la Touche the younger, reſoluing vppon a valiant defence, euen in the beginning of the ſiege ſent foorth ſiue and twentie horſe, and ſome ſmall ſhot, who giuing a ſharpe onſet, ſlew ſeuen Gentlemen aſſaylants, and nine horſe, and ſoretired with the loſſe of the Lord of Friaize, who was ſlaine, and two priſoners that they left behinde. This was the eleuenth of May.

The next day the beſieged cut in peeces one Corps de garde: but ſoone after, ſome either for feare, or won with faire woords, forſooke the Countie and yeelded to the aſſaylants, who in reward, ſtripped and put them to their ranſome. The Queen-mother vnderſtanding that the Countie whom ſhee hated to the death, was in her nettes, ſent forces day and night to ſtrengthen Matignon, as alſo the armie that lay before Saint Lo, was commanded with all ſpeed to march to Danfrone, where they had in the beginning of the ſiege ſix thouſand ſmall ſhot, and fifteen hundreth horſe. The king being very ſicke, vpon the 23. of May the Caſtle was battered with ſix peeces of cannon, that in fiue houres ſhot aboue fiue hundreth times, and made a breach of fiue and fortie foote broad.

Then did moſt of the Counties men forſake him, and in liew of entring the Caſtle with him, fled out of the Towne into the campe, where they receiued their deſerued entailment as their former companions. About two of the clock at after noone, the aſſay lants came fiercely to the breach, where they found the Countie on the right ſide, with the lords of Broſſay, Chauuiny, Cornieres, Tere, yong Touche, Mahiliere, Croſſe, Oulfe and others, to the number of twentie.

On the left ſide were the Lords of Sey, Hayes, Vaudore, Sanſſaye, Villenenfue and others, in like number of twentie. All togither fell vpon their knees to hear the prayer which one of the three Miniſters there preſent made in the preſence of the aſſay lants, who when it was done, came to handie blows in the order following. Out of tenne companies of men at armes preſent at that ſiege, Matignon & the other Captains choſe one hundreth Gentlemen, even ten out of euerie companie, well armed: followed with 600. ſmall ſhot, with murrians, & 100. pikemen with their corſelers. Theſe 800. men, with ſome 200. voluntaries mixed among thē, were led by the LL. of Fernaques, Villermois, S. Golombe, Raberprey, Lauerdin and others. The fight laſted ſiue hours, neither did the cannon ceaſe, which indomaged the defer dants with ſtones, wherewith alſo the Countie was wounded in two places on his ſace, but ſlightly. He was alſo ſtrucke with a harquebuze vpon the right arme near the ſhoulder, which throgh the goodneſſe of his vambras prooded but a bruſe. Thus hauing obſtinately cōtinued the fight on both ſides, the aſſailants were putto retire, with the loſſe of Doily, S. Colombe, and ſundrie other Captaines, Gentlemen, & ſouldiers, ſlaine in the breach, to the number of 60. & about 100. led away hurt & maimed. On the Counties ſide were alſo ſlaine, Broſſay, Tere, Meſnil a Miniſter, Vandore, Sauſſey, Nohe, & 6. ſoldiers, & 12. wounded: namely the Countie, Villeneuſue, Riutere, Ouſſe, Gros a Miniſter, Maimberte and Courton, captains, & 5. ſoldiers. Two daies after, ſeuē or 8. of the beſieged got forth & fled to the camp. The 26. of ye month, Vaſſey thriſe ſpake to the Countie, inducing him to enter into compoſitiō, as alſo they had done the day before. Loth he was to conſent, as knowing the hatred of his enemies, accounting it an honor to die vpon the breach with weapon in hand: but ſeeing his men thus caſt away themſelues, leauing him in maner alone, with the wounded & a few others ye likewiſe fainted: withal, that al munition of war & water failed, he was inforced to hearken to compoſition, rather to ſaue ye remainder, thē of any regard to himſelf: yet making of neceſsity a vertue, he held off, & obtained ye himſelf with his aſsiſtants ſhuld depart with their liues & ſome garments, but no weapōs but ſword & dagger. That himſelf ſhuld remain in the hāds of Matig. & Vaſſey, but with good entertainment & ſafetie of his life. This cōpoſitiō they ſware to keep inuiolably: & Vaſſey who was his kinſmā, made great proteſtatiōs therof. Some hours after towards midnight, theſe 2. Cap. went for the C. who came forth in the cōpany of Chauuiny. And about 7 of ye clock in ye morning, Mat. returned to bring forth ye reſt. With him entred the ſoldiers lodged in the town, & the camp by the breach. The cōmpoſition was ſo holdē, yt in the preſence of Ma. they ſlew part of the beſieged, ſtripped the reſt, & offring them great indignities, forced them to fine & pay ranſome. Three or 4. yt fel into the hāds of a Lord, yt made accoūt of ye law of arms, eſcaped ſafe. A Mini. named Bute, they put to death, & hāged Cap. Touche ye yonger. The Co. was ſoone after, cōtrarie to faith & promiſe, broght priſoner to Paris, & laſtly put to death, as we wil more at latge note in due time & order. The D. of Montp. very affectionate to the Ro. church, with anarmie took the field in April, to war againſt the proteſtāts in Poictou, Warres in Poictou, againſt Proteſtants. frō whō the L. of Biron had practiſed to take Tōnay Charante, but could not archieue it. In May, the D. beſieged the caſtie of Talmōt, which yelded: but in the mean time his cōpany was ſurpriſed in a village near to S. Hermine, many ſlain, 12. or 15. Gentlemen caried away priſoners, & ſom 60. horſe, much baggage, & the D. cupboord of ſiluer plate, by Cap. S. Stephen, who lay in garriſon in Fontenay, which the D. immediately beſieged, & gaue two aſſaults, wher he gained nothing, but loſt the moſt reſolute of his troups. Wherevpon hearing of the kings mortal ſickneſſe, he retired, attending new ſupplies & commiſsions.

At the ſame time the Prince of Conde beeing gotten from the Court, and retired into Picardie, receiued aduiſe of diuers practiſes wroght to ſeize vpon his perſon:Retrait of the Prince of Conde into Almaine. but notwithſtanding the the ſnares that were layde for him, hee got into Almaine, followed by Thore, whom they likewiſe ſought to intrappe, becauſe of the Marſhals of Montgommery and d'Anuille his bretheren, and for his counſels giuen to the Duke of Alencon. This retrait was diuerſly ſpoken of: ſome eſteeming that the Prince was let go to keepe the water in trouble, and to finde other practiſes: others accounting it a great deliuerance of thoſe of the religion. Time made knowne what fell out thereby: but whatſoeuer it was, the Prince arriued at Strasbourg, and hauing acknowledged his fault in the French Church, there aſſembled touching his conuerſion after the maſſacre to the Popiſh Church, hee deteſted it, reſoluing to imploy himſelfe to maintaine the eſtate of France, as his father had done, and there finding the Deputies of Languedoc practiſing a leuie of Rutters, wrote vnto the churches, exhorting thoſe of the religion to bee couragious, and to make account of his good will for their comforts.

By the ſame meſſenger Thore writ to his brother the Marſhall d'Anuille, perſwading him to looke about him, and to take the offered occaſion. This Marſhall was the ſame time at great ſtrife in himſelfe, ſeeking to aſſure himſelfe on both ſides: on the one ſide hee doubted the king and Queene-mother: on the other the proteſtants meanes to ouerthrow him, if hee ſhould intreat them hardly.

Heerevppon hee reſolued ſometimes to haue an eye to the Court, ſometimes to the contrarie, and according to the Prouerb, to watch how the market went. On the one ſide writing to the chiefe Captaines of the proteſtants: on the other, ſending the Lord of Rieux to Boisde Vincennes to the king, with ample inſtructions dated the eighteenth of May, therein proteſting of his affection: declaring his former ſeruices, intreating after account yeelded of his adminiſtration to bee diſcharged of his office, and to withdraw to any place that the king ſhould appoynt. The ſame day hee wrote to the Parliament of Thoulouſe, to excuſe himſelfe of that he was accuſe of a deſire to rebel againſt the king, and to ſurpriſe Narbonne. Theſe proceedings ſtayed the Queene-mother and her Councellours, who did well perceiue that d'Anuille would ſet them worke ynough, if they ſhould deale otherwiſe then well, or touch his brother Montmorencies life, whom in the meane time they cauſed to bee kept, ſo to bridle d'Anuille, and to take ſome courſe in their affaires, as heereafter wee ſhall well perceiue.

The kings ſickneſſe.The ſickneſſe wherewith the king was troubled, not long before the departure of his brother to go into Poland, had a little reſt for the winter time, but the hidden diſeaſe about ſpring time beganne againe to reuiue, in ſuch ſort, that hauing bin ſicke in the months of February, March, and Aprill, hee was counſelled by his Phiſitians, that hee ſhould bee purged and let blood, which were meanes altogither vnprofitable, becauſe it was openly ſeene, that hee began to fade euen in the flower of his age, to the great aſtoniſhing of the ignorant.

Thoſe of leaſt iudgement, eſteemed that hee had eaten or drunke ſomewhat that diſieſted not. Some ſuperſtitious perſons imagined ſome witchcrafe or coniuratiō, & becauſe la Mole had bin found ſeized with a litle image of wax about him, (which he affirmed to be the picture of a Gentlewoman) pricked in two places by a witch, they made certaine reports to be ſpredde abroad, that it was a certain charme vſed againſt the life of the king. Althogh la Mole ſuſtained the cōtrarie, vntil the laſt point of his death, affirmed it to be made only to continue him in the loue of that Gentlewoman whom he ment to marrie.

The king vſed all the meanes hee could to ſurmount and ouercome his ſickneſſe, and as his yeares gaue him, aſſayed diuers times to ſhewe his courage, but all in vaine. After the departure of the king of Polonia, they perceiued him to bee more changed in minde then in bodie. If he had liued longer, it is without all doubt, that the Councellours of the maſſacre had receiued their reward from him, his heart was ſo much mooued againſt them, ſo that he could not chuſe but vtter his mind therin to ſome about him in the Court, whom hee knew to bee vtter enemies to ſuch iniuſtice: and thereof wrote letters out of the Realme. So that to conclude, hee was determined to haue made ſome ſtirring among them, vntill that finding himſelfe to bee ſeized vppon, and that hee had not the meanes as then to execute any thing, beeing inuironed by men that helde him as it were bound both hand and foote, his ſeruants ſlaine, diſgraced, or baniſhed from him: wherein in time he thought to take order, that might procure an ouerture to his haughtie deſires, not once thinking vntill hee was ſo weake, that hee had beene ſo neare his death.

His letters to the Gouernors of Prouinces.In the end of March, hee wrote vnto the Gouernours of the Prouinces, ſaying, that ſeeing the diſcontentment of his ſubiects, and the common cauſe of the religion, produced ſo many troubles within his Realme, hee deſired them to vſe peaceable meanes with thoſe of the religion, declaring that hee would not that any wrong ſhould be done vnto them, nor other dealing vſed towards them in their affaires, then the other Catholicque ſubiects of his Realme: hee commaunded that thoſe of the religion ſhould bee ſafegarded by thoſe of the Romiſh Church, to aſſure & defend them from the violence that was to be done againſt them: where any ſuch ſhould bee enterpriſed, hee commaunded all his Officers, to vſe the ſpeedieſt and readieſt iuſtice that might bee, willing them to looke vnto it, calling God to witneſſe, that his onely intent was, to ſee all his ſubiects liue in peace. Hee likewiſe deſired the ſame Gouernours to prouide, that their companies ſhould not in any ſort bee chargeable to their ſubiects, but ſhould paye according to the order therein taken: by the ſame letter alſo ſhewing, that hee had been ſicke of a quarterne ague, hee was as then ſomewhat recouered, ſo that the reports ſpred abroad of his death, were wholy vntrueths.

The fourth of May, hee aduertiſed the ſaid Gouernors of the impriſonment of the two Marſhals, that were accuſed of conſpiracie againſt his perſon and the eſtate, inioyning them to ouerrunne all thoſe that were vppe in armes, to put them to the ſword, but the poore Prince as then was neither reſpected of friends nor enemies. Euery day he receiued packets of new commotions, that bredde nothing but diſcommodities, wherein a firme peace, and faithfull maintenance of thoſe of the religion in the exerciſe thereof, and in that which they had deſired for the conſeruations of their perſons, goods, dignities, rights, and priuiledges, had beene the onely remedie which his mother and her Councellours abhorred.

Hee perceiued the beginnings of new troubles, in the captiuitie of his brother, and his brother in law, and the two Marſhals: as alſo in the exile of the Prince of Conde, and of diuers great Lords: his ſubiects armed one againſt the other: and to bee ſhort, the fire of diuiſion kindled more then euer it was.

Wherevpon ouercome with the euill that raigned in his bodie, and with ſo many horrible tempeſts in his brains, he was forced to keepe his bed and yeelde to his diſeaſe. For the ſpace of certaine daies hee ſtroue and ſtruggeled againſt nature, not yeelding therevnto by extreame force. The nine and twentieth of May, letters were written in his name to the Gouernours of Prouinces, to whom hee ſent word, that during his ſickneſſe if he chanced to die, vntil the comming of the king of Polonia his brother & ſucceſſor, they ſhould obey the Queene his mother,Letters in fauour of his mother. whatſoeuer ſhee would commaund: ſhewing that his bretheren the Duke of Alencon and the king of Nauarre, had promiſed him to do the like in her behalfe: in the two laſt weekes of his ſickneſſe hee loſt much of his blood, that iſſued out of many places of his bodie, and once rowlde himſelfe therein, falling downe by weakneſſe, many times naming diuers Lords, whom he particular hated, and that till then had kept themſelues out of his hands.

The thirtieth of May, which was the day of his death, the Queene-mother perceiuing that the ſimple letters made the day before,The day of his death, & what paſſed as then ſpecially touching the regency. touching the charge to her committed, ſufficed not to ſtrengthen her authoritie during the abſence of the king of Polonia, whom ſhee feared could not ſo ſoone returne againe into France, determined for his ſure eſtabliſhment, to cauſe her ſelfe to bee declared Regent in the abſence of the king to come, and to cauſe letters pattents thereof to bee ſealed by the Chancellour Birague, who with the ſeales was wholly at her commaundement: which was as much as to ouerthrow & ſubuert the fundamentall lawes of the Realme, to aboliſh the right of the firſt Prince of the blood, to leſſen the authoritie of the eſtates generall, to rule the Parliaments, and to raigne in ſtraunge manner ouer France.

Neuertheleſſe, the better to binde the hands of the two firſt Princes of the blood, and the two Marſhals whom ſhee held priſoners, to beate her enemies, to extirminate the Countie de Montgommerie, kept priſoner againſt faith and promiſe made, to ſowe new diuiſions in the eſtate, and ſo to maintaine her ſelfe in thoſe confuſions, without foreſeeing the great diſorders whereof ſhee ſhould bee cauſe, by that meanes giuing libertie to thoſe that in the ende would bee her ouerthrowe, as heereafter you ſhall heare: her ambition blinded her eyes, ſhee entered into the kings chamber with Birague, by whom ſhee cauſed to bee ſhewed vnto him, that ſeeing his ſickeneſſe hindered him from dealing in the affaires that required his preſence, it ſhould be good to giue the regencie of the Realme vnto the Queen his mother, and commaunded that letters pattents to the ſame end ſhould be giuen vnto her.

The king that was at his laſt houre, by their aduiſe cauſed the Secretaries and Captaines of his guards to bee called in, to whom hee ſaide: Doo all that which the Queene my mother ſhall commaund you, and obey her as my ſelfe. The Duke of Alencon and the King of Nauarre were likewiſe called, that they might knowe that the Regencie was committed to the Queene-mother, and were expreſly named in the letters that were preſently diſpatched for the ſame purpoſe. One that publiſhed a diſcourſe of his laſt ſpeechs, ſaith, that not long before hee died, hee deſired his mother to purſue his enemies to the vttermoſt, and that with great vehemencie he reiterated his ſpeeches, ſaying: Madame, I pray you heartily do it. And in thoſe combats of minde, hee died at Blois Saint Vincennes, vpon the 30. of May, 1574. in the preſence of his mother, ſet vpon a cheſt, accompanied with the Cardinals of Bourbon & Ferrare, the Chancellor Birague, Lanſac, & other Lords that beheld ye end of the tragical life of this Prince, that was born the 27. of Iune 1550. & began to raigne the 5. of Decemb. 1560, and had a raigne which all poſteritie will admire and abhorre. So this Prince liued not till hee attained to the full age of foure and twentie yeares, of nature beeing very actiue, vnconſtant in his cogitations, raſh in his enterpriſes, impatient to attend, diligent to looke into other mens natures, prompt of conceit, of good memorie, extreame colloricke, ſecret, a great diſſembler, and one that eaſily framed his countenance,Deſcription of Charles the ninth. which his Tutors many times put him in minde of, for in the beginning hee was courteous, and eaſie to bee ruled.

They likewiſe made him become one of the greateſt blaſphemers in France, wherein he became ſo expert, that that euill quallitie in him, conuerted to bee his ordinarie ſpeech. Martigues, Loſſes and others, taught him that corruption by his mothers conſent: ſpecially after the firſt troubles. They contented not themſelues with thoſe corruptions, but inticed him likewiſe to Courtizans, to whom of himſelf he was not much adicted: and to conclude, to make him the capitall enemie of the religion, both ſhee and they which ought to haue had more care of conſeruing the honour of this Prince, left nothing omitted, wherby to puſh him forward to all vice, & to cauſe him to wallow in the filthineſſe that couered him on all ſides: hee vttered his words in good termes, with a readie and pleaſant ſpeech: loued Muſicke and Poetrie: wee haue ſeene reaſonable good verſes of his compoſing. But his principall exerciſe was in hunting, the pleaſure whereof, made him forget all other pleaſures, and in the end hee gaue himſelfe ſo much vnto it, that the blood of wilde beaſts, which to ſhed hee tooke a ſingular pleaſure, hauing ript vp their bellies, & pulling out their intrailes with his owne hands, made him in a manner to become furious, ſo that many times at his returne from hunting, hee entered into ſuch furie, that none of his ſeruants durſt once appeare in his ſight, vnleſſe would receiue ſome blows. In his Anagranome, which was deuiſed by certaine perſons after the maſſacre, was found out theſe two words: Chaſſeur, Deſloyal, wherein are as many letters, and the ſame that are in Charles de Valois.

Hee had compoſed a booke of all the parts of bunting, which till this time neuer was extant: hee was ſober, drinking no wine, ſlept little: his viſage long, pale, and ſwart: a long noſe: ſharpe and quicke ſight, ſpecially after the ſecond troubles: of bodie well proportioned, but beginning to ſtoupe. Hee tooke pleaſure to taunt great men, not ſparing either mother or bretheren, ſpecially the Duke of Aniou, whom hee railed at, and diuers times vſed him moſt vnwoorthily: but aboue all, hee had a great quarrell to the Parliament of Parris: to the officers whereof, in one of his Orations made touching the complaints of the neglecting of his commaundements, hee ſaid: I will that from hencefoorth you ſhall obey my commaundement, without any more diſputation touching their merites, for I know what is to bee done for the honour and profite of my realme, better then you do. And I will that from hencefoorth you ſhall not looſe any time to write, or frame your declaration vnto mee, neither yet to moderate, correct, nor interpret my commaundements. For my meaning is, that all whatſoeuer I ſay and do, ſhal preſently bee executed. Three daies before hee died, his mother hauing ſhewed him of the taking of the Countie de Montgommery, hee made her no aunſwere: and when ſhee told him that hee ought to reioyce at the taking of him that had killed his father, I care neither for that (ſaid hee) nor for any thing elſe in this world.

Hee likewiſe reioyced that hee left no ſmall children behinde him, becauſe (ſaid he) that leauing them in their minorities, they ſhould haue ouer much to ſuffer: adding, that France as then had neede of a man. Now wee muſt ſpeake of his ſucceſſour, and ſee what maner of man hee was.

Heere endeth the Historie of the laſt troubles that happened in the raigne of Charles the ninth.

A BRIEFE DISCOVRSE OF THE GREAT AND WONDERFVL EFFECTS THAT HAVE ENSVED THE KINGS CONVERSION: Collected out of a certaine Oration made touching the reduction of the Cittie of Lyons vnder the kings obedience, and ſent to Monſieur de Reuol, Councellour and Secretarie to the King.

THere was neuer any ſtraunge or new accident, how acceptable and pleaſing ſoeuer it might bee, that in all places or with all men was eſteemed and holden in admiration, for that euery man therein will giue cenſure according to his owne affection. I ſpeake this in reſpect of the mournfull ſilence which the reduction of the Cittie of Lyons hath inſerted into the mindes of many men; and the ioye it hath infuſed into the hearts and very entrailes of others: for that therein I neuer ſpake with any man, that would once conceiue the true cauſe and reaſon thereof, which forceth mee at this preſent to enter into this diſcourſe, wherein ſo fit occaſion beeing offered, if it pleaſe you to giue me audience, and permit me licence to ſpeake, I will in briefe moſt plainly ſhew, that it is onely the miraculous and mightie worke of Gods hand which hath wrought the ſame: although per aduenture this kinde of argument pleaſeth not ſuch men, as are onely pleaſed with our diſpleaſures, and in a manner faint and are ouercome with the meere ayre and ſweete ſauour of the flower de luce.

It is long ſince agreed and conſented vnto, that Henry de Bourbon, chiefe Prince of the blood royall, and principall Peere of France, by true diſcent, by order of ſucceſsion, by right of blood, and by custome and law of the Realme, is called to the Crowne and gouernment of France: which firſt quallitie is in him ſo true and perfect, that none or fewe of his famous predeceſſors euer had more euident titles therevnto. He is a Frenchman, from his Grandfathers in both families, and not onely a meere Frenchman, but on his fathers ſide, of the firſt branch of the blood royall: the like on his mothers ſide; by his father, not onely deſcended from Saint Lewis, or Hugh Capet, but from Charles and Dagobert, of whom the Capets deſcended, contrarie to the wilfull ignorance of ſuch as would prooue his familie to bee meere ſtraungers: and by his mother, from the Alberts kings of Nauarre, who ſucceſsiuely were of the houſe of France, and by the marriages of daughters, capable by ſucceſsion to the kingdome of Nauarre. And for ſuch hee was eſteemed and accounted, vntil the death of the Duke of Alencon the kings brother. VVhen preſently the good olde Cardinall of Bourbon was titled in the head, and made beleeue, that in the age of ſixtie yeares hee ſhould liue and ſucceede a king (who beſide his yong yeares and ſtrength of bodie, liued not in any ſuch diſordered maner, whereby hee ſhould once haue occaſion to thinke vpon his ſucceſſor) for it was ſhewed him, that hee was the firſt Prince of the blood, and that the right of inheritance and ſucceſsion conſiſted in his perſon. But when this deuiſe was found too weake, and the abſurditie too much diſcouered, thereby ſeeking to impugne or deny the king of Nauarre to be the chief and eldeſt branch of his houſe, in the right and title of his father, who in a manner liued in him, (beſides the reuocation by his vncle made vnto him, of all rights, names, voyces, and actions whatſoeuer, both preſent and to come, that might appertaine or belong vnto him, as beeing iſſued from the houſe of Bourbon, expreſly acknowledging the ſaid king of Nauarre his Nephew, for the true ſonne, heire, ſucceſſor, and repreſentation of the chiefe branch of the ſaid houſe) they inuented other obiections and ſubtile pollicies, that vnder thoſe pretences they might bleare the eyes of the common and ſimple people: affirming the Crowne of France to bee vacant, and ſo belonged to the firſt Conqueror: a • leaging for reaſon, that as in the populer ſucceſsions of common people, ſuch as are of the kindred and familie of any houſes, beeing in the tenth degree of conſanguinitie, cannot bee heires of their kinſmans lands, ſo farre in diſcent from them, and therby the inheritance falleth into the Lords hands, and that ſo the houſe of Bourbon had no title or any right to the Crowne of France, as beeing in the tenth degree of conſanguinitie from it, wherof they cauſed diuers diſcourſes and whole volumes to bee written.

But that not beeing able to bee beaten into the heads of true Frenchmen, nor once ſet footing or enter into the opinions of the commun people, altogither incapable of ſuch Sophiſteries, they beganne to enter into an other courſe of iniuries, accuſations, and inuections: wherein they contented not themſelues, onely to crie out and make war againſt the ſaid king, and to produce and cauſe to bee publiſhed a perpetuall incapacitie in his perſon, and that without the Popes conſent, but they accuſed him of treaſon, they condemned him, they named him vnwoorthie and incapable to rule in France: they aſſembled all the eſtates of France at Blois, wherein a manner they vtterly reiected him: euery man ſhewed to bee his enemie, if not in his right and title, yet touching the religion which hee then held, and finally went about to frame his proces. But to the contrarie, thoſe that purſued him, were themſelues executed, before they heard their condemnation or iudgement.

In this maner the fire beganne to bee kindled in all the foure quarters of the realme, and the blow was of ſuch force, that all neighbour Princes were mooued there at, ſuch as were offended arming themſelues to bee reuenged, and the people in a manner led by a furie, helping them, and with them turned their faces againſt the king: whereof the Towne of Parris was the firſt, and by example therof, all the Towns in leſſe then 6. weeks, made that great & ſtrange cōmotion, that continued for the ſpace of fiue whole yeares enſuing. Shee mooued them to this diſſention, by the ſmooth and ſpeciall reaſons by her alleaged againſt hereſie, periurie, and tiranny: coniuring them by dutie to their countrie, and by the loue they ought to beare to the preſeruation thereof, to ioyne with her in ſo iuſt a cauſe, and to paſſe one of theſe two waies, (hauing no other meanes) either to bee vanquiſhers, or die in the quarrell, rather then to ſubmit themſelues to the king. And among the reſt, the Cittie of Lyons, (neuer inferiour to any Cittie in the world, touching fidelitie and obedience to their kings, that had no other obiect then onely zeale of religion, in the defence whereof, it eſpied many euident and mortall ſignes) ſuffered it ſelfe to bee borne away among this troupe, not once conſidering or apprehending the multitude of miſeries by her after that indured.

And in this manner the warres beganne with ſo ſtraunge an alteration and motion of all eſtates, yea euen of the very pillers of the land: and the reuolt was ſuch, that in fine, the royaltie of the king was reduced to a ſmall corner of the countrie about Tours and Blois, where without doubt the league had buried it, if ſuddainly the king of Nauarre had not ayded him: who therevpon tooke courage againe, hauing on his ſide the Hercules of France, & ſcourge of rebels to their Prince: but when this diſordered and great mutinie beganne ſomewhat to decline, and that the preſence and authoritie of the Soueraigne Prince, held the moſt aſſured within the bounds of their duties, and that Parris perceiued it ſelf in way and courſe of extreame deſolation, ſuddainly the king was ſlaine. And then (O the great and deepe iudgements of God) hee that about three moneths before, had paſſed ther riuer of Loire onely with foure hundreth horſe, a thouſand ſhot, and certaine pikes, was preſently made chiefe ſoueraigne and commaunder of a moſt faire and great armie, to whom the Magiſtrates and Officers of the Crowne, and all the Nobilitie, yeelded their obedience, thereby ſeeking to impeach the deſolation and ouerthrow of the whole eſtate, and to preferre the dutie of naturall fidelitie, before the vaine hope of ſtraungers, and the laſt hazard of the reſt and ſuretie of their liues and goods. And ſo behold him king, that not ſeuen moneths before had been depriued of the title of the firſt Prince of the blood, and of the hope of the name, Sacrying, and Crowne of the Princes his aunceſtors, that had ſo many times beene driuen from the Court: that in foure yeares had ſeene tenne armies, and tenne Generals to a king, marching (before the heads of the forces of the greateſt Prince, of the moſt warrelike nation in all the world) againſt him: that after the ouerthrow of a great forraine power, had withdrawne himſelfe into a corner of the Realme, without land, men, or mony: and a Prince altogither poore, vnleſſe it were in hope. He that had been declared vnable for the Crowne, that had beene made one of the Cardinall of Bourbons retinue: that was no more acknowledged to be of the race or progenie of S. Lewis, as beeing ten degrees in conſanguinitie from it: he that the countrie of Spaine eſteemed the ſubiect of all our miſeries, who in the life of • ur kings was the only argument of all the tragedies that had been acted in the countrie of France: he that thought not to haue ſucceded a king, being in the flower of his liuely and gallant youth: that had bin an occaſion to the contrarie, if age, and not a moſt cruell and poyſoned knife, had not borne him to S. Dennis: he I ſay was king, in the middle of all his troupes, in open field, and by ſound of trumpet proclaimed king of France. And the Catholicque Nobilitie, who by reaſon of their diuerſitie of religion, it was thought wold haue ſeparated themſelues from him, were ſo much mooued at the deteſtable murther ſo diſloyally committed againſt the ſacred perſon of their moſt Chriſtian, Catholicque, and religious king, abhorring that part from whence ſo miſerable a monster had his iſſue, that they choſe rather to preſerue themſelues by keeping togither, then to destroy themſelues by diſvnion: that it remained constant and faithfull to the ſucceſſor of their king, not once diſputing of the lawful vocatiō of his Maiestie, & ſo much the rather that he imbraced the preſeruation of the Cal • olicque, Apoſtolicke, and Romaine religion, and promiſed to reciue inſtruction, and make profeſsion thereof. No other meanes reſting, whereby to knit and ioyne that which by diſvnion had been ſeparated, and nothing but the newe opinion of religion, was the cauſe to place a barrier between them, and the meanes that the poore people did not moſt willingly caſt themſelues into his armes. And to the contrarie, the feare of the alteration of religion, putteth thē out of their bounds, & as the waues that breake into a breach, hauing gotten through, do runne with more noyſe and force then before. So he was eſteemed for an hereticke, his goods confiſcate, and his bodie puniſhed, that had not halfe a dozen of maximes or princples readie, thereby with tooth and nayle openly to maintaine, that Henry de Bourbon might not be king, although he were a Catholicke: and that the power of the Pope ſtretched not ſo farre as once to vndertake the hearing of his excuſes, much leſſe to abſolue him. In this general licenciouſneſſe of all things, whereby euery man is permitted both to ſpeake and thinke euil, which filleth France with barbariſme and monſters, which maketh the Citties and Townes the gulfes of ciuill furies, wherein it is eaſie to fall, and impoſsible to get out againe: it ſeemed that a whole world, neither yet the raignes of foure kings, would euer haue ended ſo great adeſolation. For thereby is ſeene the deluge of all afflictions fallen vppon the people: confuſion and diſorder rampeth and entereth into all places: councels are weake: iuſtice deſpiſed: the foote commanding the head: the treaſurescconſumed: the eſtate becommeth ſicker then ſickeneſſe it ſelfe: and which is more, religion, for the which they take weapon in hand, looſeth more in one moneth, then it getteth intenne, hauing nothing more contrarie to the increaſing, reſtoring, and beautifying therof, then the inſolencie, crueltie, diſobedience, and impietie of ciuil wars. And ſhould wee ſuppoſe, that during theſe monſtrous & mad rebellions, the obedience we owe to God can long continue? VVhat is he that knoweth not how many iniuries religion hath ſuſtained, as well by the defendors, as enemies thereof? both of them eſteeming it a glorie, to violate, blaſpheme, and in a moment to deſtroy the forepaſſed labours of ſo many yeares, and in two houres to ſaw downe the tree that hath growen vp and proſpered for 1500. yeares. The people by long draughts ſwallow downe the ſweete breath of libertie, they terme diſorder reaſon, they admitte no lawe, but what they like beſt, and will by no meanes heare ſpeaking of ſuperior. Of the deſpiſing of the Prince, proceedeth diſobedience to God: and from that impietie ſpringeth the diſobedience we ſhew vnto each other. For that long ſufferancealtereth cuſtome, and formeth immitation, and the example of one that eſcapeth vnpuniſhed, mooueth others to commit the like offence. So that among ſo many crimes, diſorders, and confuſions, it is not ſtraunge vnto vs, to ſee our actions haue ſo hard ſucceſſe. For as the horſe that hath newly caſt his Maiſter to the ground & broken his bridle, ceaſeth not to runne till he commeth to ſome place, where with great furie he killeth himſelfe: ſo the people abandoning all dutie & reſpect of gouernment, ouerthrow themſelues at the end of their moſt furious courſe: and are like a ſhip in the middle of the wanes, which beeing neuer ſo well rigged and furniſhed with warlike ammunition, hauing neither ſaile nor rurther, is readie to ſincke, and ſtirreth not but at the pleaſure of a feeble blaſt of wind, which vſeth it as it liſt. To the contrary, the kings armie (that as a rocke reſisteth the proude and raging waters) like agreat riuer paſsing her boundes to ouerflow the medows, aſsiegeth Townes, winneth diuers battels, beareth all before it, and triumpheth in all places. And Spaine, which ought either to vnburthen it ſelfe, or at the leaſt be content with the great number of roabes which it daily weareth, and with ſo many Scepters, that impeach it, and reſt it ſelfe: riſeth vp to put vs in feare. She that feareth leaſt our proſperitie would bee her ruine: our peace, her wars: and that our nayles ſhould grow ſo long, therewith to pull that from her, which ſhe and hers hath forcibly taken from vs, ſhe bendeth her cannon ſhot againſt the battered wals of our estate: and ſhe that ſeeing vs tranſported with furie and collor, ought to hide the knife, and quench the fire, putteth it into our hands, therewith to mooue vs to destroy our ſelues. And addeth oyle and wood more to increaſe the fire of our diuiſions, yet all in vaine, for that againſt good Frenchmen, ſhee ſendeth Spaniſh ſhadowes. But after the loſſe of a great battell, and the long and extreame induring of miſeries by the aſsieged townes, euery man beginneth to deteſt wars and to ſeeke peace. And the ordinarie meat wherewith the people were vſually ſerued, beginneth to faile and be diſliked: the goodly and beautifull pretence of religion, that had giuen ſo great an appetite to the common people, to diſieſt arms, looſeth credite: and it is euidently ſeene, that the war hath more reſpect to the altering of estate, then preſeruatiō of religion. And in fine, when at the aſſembly of the league in Parris, the D. of Ferrare vnder pretence and couer of religion, had propounded the means to ſhake & vtterly ouerthrow the ſalique law, not any good Frenchman but deteſted the deuiſe, as athing more cruel then death it ſelfe. And the Court of Parliament did moſt vertuouſly reſiſt the lamentable ſubuerſion of that law, which hath maintained this monarchie, & continued ſo many yeares: and in defence wherof, our forefathers died the plaines of Poctiers and Creſſy, with their liuely and maſculine blood. And in the mean time, when euery man cried out, and openly ſaid: the king was no king, that they were earneſtly buſied to find an other, that euery man would be, and yet durſt not: his Maieſtie by reuelation of the holy Ghoſt, and for his owne ſaluation, turned to the ſacred and holy boſome of the Church, leauing the error and new opinion, that from his cradle he had alwaies holden, feeling in his ſoule a ſtrong and firme reſolution, to abiure his former impoſtures. He did it not at randon, neither as conſtrained by neceſsitie, by feare of forraine vſurpation, for the onely inioying of a temporall peace or Crowne of Charles, but of a holy and moſt diuine inſpiration which entered into his ſoule, from the day and time that the death of the K. left the Scepter of France, and yeelded it vnto him: from that time he made knowne to our holy father Pope Sixtus the fift, by M. de Luxenbourg, to Pope Gregorie the 13. by the Marqueſſe of Piſani, and ſince that, to him who at this day ſitteth in S. Peters Chaire, called Clement the eight, by the Cardinall de Gondy, that as he was lawful ſucceſſor to the Crowne, he deſired alſo that the ſucceſsion of the Catholicke, Apoſtolicke, and Romane religion, be obſerued in his realme, ſubmitting himſelf to his authoritie and inſtruction touching the ſaluation of his ſoule. And perſeuering in his ſo holy reſolution, he baniſhed from the Court, thoſe that had made him beleeue that the world had continued in darkneſſe from the death of the Apoſtle S. Paul, to the time of Caluin, and that the ſplendant ſunne of the truth, had been eclipſed touching the preaching of the Goſpell, and ſhut vp within the territories of Bohemia and Saxony, vntil the ſeditious preachings of Iohn Hus and Martin Luther, cauſed it to ſhine with greater cleareneſſe: & being inſtructed in the truth of our religion, by the moſt learned Prelates in all the realme of France, he preſented himſelf in the temple of the chiefe Apoſtle of France, euen in the middle of the ſhadows of his predeceſſors, & ther, & vpō their Tombs deteſted his hereſies, the only cauſes of his troubles, & originall of our miſchiefes. There is no reaſon what ſoeuer to be obiected, that can deny this action to be moſt holie, moſt admirable, and moſt miraculous, whether you conſider the happie diſpoſition and aboundance of the yeare, the victorie againſt the Turkes, or the ſuddain conuerſion of our rebels. For firſt you haue ſeen how God guided this Prince through the middle of ſo many laborinths & dangers of fire and flame, to the throne of royall Maiestie: how this Ioſeph perſecuted by his own kindred and familie, triumpheth in Aegipt: and how this Moyſes, expoſed and abandoned to the mercie of ciuill tempeſtes, becommeth not onely Coronel of an armie of 600000. men, but king of a great Realme, and of ſo many millions of people. And the king, to giue a taſte and feeling vnto his ſubiects, of the contentment & quietneſſe that his ſoule inioyed by his new cōuerſion, & therof to giue euident teſtimonie to all the world, graunteth a truce euen at the verie inſtant when his enemies were readie to yeeld: and ſendeth the Duke de Neuers to his holineſſe, ſubmitting himſelf to his commandements, and offering his conſcience (the ſubiect of a goodly conqueſt) giueth him to vnderſtand, thot hee deſireth but one religion in his Realme: that he knoweth well that the Church is one, that faith is not diuided, and that as the bodie can indure but one head, the heauens but one ſun, and religion but one God: ſo the Realme of France ought to haue but one Church, which cannot bee one, where God is diuerſly ſerued. So if our miſeries are not incenſible vnto him, if it pleaſeth him not ſpeedily to imbrace the occaſions offered, and mittigate the rigor of formes, not onely our religion, but alſo the eſtate, will bee a pray to long and cruell diuiſions, which continually afflist the countrie of France. It is ſaid, hee is one of the moſt woorthieſt ſucceſſors of Saint Peter, that for the ſpace of one hundreth yeares hath ſit in his chaire, which increaſeth our hopes, and lightneth our mindes, in a maner cleane abated: for that one of the beſt comforts that man can haue in the middle of the waues and ſurges of the ſea, is, when he is aſſured that his Pilot is an expert man, and knoweth what to do. And ſo we hope, that to preſerue this French veſſel from ſhip wracke, he will riſe vp againſt the tempeſt which daily threatneth the ſame: & we know what winds and waues do blow & puſh it forward: and that he will imbrace the conuerſion of ſo importunate a ſoule: for the preſeruation whereof, all Europe ought continually to wade in teares, vowes, and prayers. But when the delaies of the Popes Conſistorie were perceiued, togither with the oppoſitions and trauerſes made touching the Ambaſſage of the D. de Neuers, when it was well wayed and conſidered, that it were very hard and impoſsible for thoſe in Rome to iudge of that which is done in France: that their opinions and wils were forced and conſtrained, and that it was knowne, that in the extreame neceſsitie of taking order for the Cōmon-wealth, in ſo vrgent a cauſe they muſt ſtay and attend vppon proceſſe, peace beeing broken, and the people longing after the firſt morſels of the truce, they ceaſed not till they were wholly franchiſed from the tirannie of wars, ſpecially the townes that at the beginning were the firſt that tooke weapon in hand, and from thence proceeded the reduction of the Citie of Lyons vnder the kings obedience, being not able any longer to continue in her vnconſtant eſtate, nor to ſubiect her ſelfe any more vnder her ruines, fenſes, & diſtrusts, as things moſt doubtfull, and miſchiefes moſt vncertaine, ſo that ſhe opened and vncouered her eyes, to know what ſhee ſhould do, and vnder whoſe protection ſhe might beſt be preſerued. Shee knew that the ſoueraigne and laſt remedie of her calamities, was to bee vnder one, and no more to ſlote vncertainly in the waues of diuers protections which haue been cauſes of theſe ciuil warres.

Shee found that ſhee ought to haue a king of France, and in the familie of Saint Lewis, from whence deſcendeth Henry de Bourbon, king of France and Nauarre, whom ſhe had ſooner acknowledged, if it had pleaſed him ſooner to make profeſsion of the Catholick, Apoſtolicke, and Romaine religion, as at this day he doth. Lyons reſiſted againſt her king, and ramped againſt the gate, and will you haue it ſtill remaine couered in the brakes, that ſhe ſhould alwaies be at the poynt of death, in the middle of the waues of her rebellions? it was at the poynt to become a deſart, and the fable & common marke to be laughed at by al her neighbours, and in the end their conqueſt, alreadie her trafficke (which is her Indes or Perou) her rents, her penſions, & her principall reuenues were cut off and taken away. And no other occupation bare ſway, or was in requeſt with her, but the art of ſouldiers: her Citizens were ſlaine before the gates, and her naturall forces began to faile, wherein ſhe ſeeketh for redreſſe, and knowing no better Phiſitian, then hee that loueth his Patient: ſhe caſt her ſelfe into the armes of her king, and drowning the remembrance of her follies paſt, in the ſeas of his great clemencie: ſhe deſired him, from thence forward to accept and receiue her Cittizens, for his true, faithfull, and naturall ſubiects, and not to put any difference between them and others, vnleſſe it were in this poynt, to haue in remembrance that they were the firſt, who without conſtraint acknowledged him for their king, and by their example haue gotten vnto him the beſt part of his flowriſhing Scepter. Behold the iuſt reaſons and cauſes of this ſo ſuddaine change, if the obedience which the ſubiect draweth from the yoake of ſtrangers, to yeeld it vnto his owne ſuperior, may be called a change. And the more commendable it wil be, in ſo much as that the ſeruice of the king is not contrarie to the commandement of God: that religion remaineth firme within her franchiſes, ſhining in her glorie, & inuiolable & vnexpugnable in her forces. As long as the wars were wholly for religion, they contributed whatſoeuer they had, but when they once perceiued that the holy conuerſion of the king made this war, no more war againſt religion, but onely againſt the eſtate, they could not longer delay, nor withdraw out of their mindes, the feare and reuerence they owe to the true image of God, which is the king, beleeuing certainly that thoſe beare armes and fight againſt God, that rebel againſt a moſt Catholicke and Chriſtian Prince. In this ſo great diſorder, great wiſedome & good order hath bin ſeene, for that the moſt aduiſed and beſt experienced, concerning matters of eſtate, iudged this quotidian feuer, could by no meanes bee healed, but by ſome ſtrong and violent remedie. But by the prouidence of God, the diſeaſe that in mans iudgement ſeemed incurable, hath been healed without ſhedding one drop of blood, by the conſtant and firm reſolution of thoſe that rather deſire to die, then not to ſee themſelues franchiſed from this gouernment, which is contrarie to the royall eſtate, and loſed from the middle of ſo many protections, which how holy or iuſt ſoeuer they be, are altogither dangerous, and the beſt title they can bear is of no value. To be ſhort, this towne which hath alwaies made ſhew of pure religion towards God, and fidelitie to her Prince, hath well ſhewed that the flower de luce, which for the ſpace of ſo many hundreth yeares had been grauen in her heart, could not be pulled away but by cleauing and renting in peeces the hearts of all her Cittizens: that ſhe could not brooke nor once indure, ſuch Frenchmen as are tranſubſtantiated into Spaniſh minds, that gape onely to ſee this Scepter broken, this crowne in peeces, that they might gather the remnants, and plucke off the flowers. Thus much I thought good to ſpeake, before I enter into the Historie.

THE FIRST BOOKE OF THE HISTORIE OF the laſt troubles of France, vnder the raignes of Henry the third, and Henry the fourth now liuing. M.D.LXXIIII.

I Am not abaſhed, if ſuch as at randon diſcourſe & ſpeake of our great miſeries, do ſo oftentimes run into fond opinions,A Hiſtorie ought to be without paſſion. becauſe that to get out of ſo great a laborinth, they followe not the right way of the trueth, but rather taking the croſſe-path of their own paſsions, they leaue the high-way, and approache the ditches. Their writings are of blacke and thicke cloudes, which neuer appeare without ſome thunder of euill reports, iniuries, and ſlaunders: Tables repreſenting nothing but infamous pictures of Monſters, and Arches of imperfections. And when they enter into the deepe conſideration of the Authors of our euilles, they throwe the fault and miſchiefes of theſe deuiſions, ſometimes vppon one, and ſome times vppon an other, their opinions beeing furred onely with the drugges of hated, or of zeale which tranſporteth their mindes. Such people, that like ſerpents nouriſh themſelues by poyſon,The cauſes of the troubles of France, imputed to diuers things. and that are better pleaſed with the darke Eclipſes, then with the bright ſhining beams of the Sun, and do more reioyce to ſhewe ſome execrable action, then to ſpeake of any memorable and woorthiething, haue in this ſeaſon raiſed moſt ſtraunge mutinies, mooued the people, armed the greateſt cowards with their ſeditious writings: troden the Maieſtie and reuerence of Princes vnder foote: banniſhed modeſtie: in her place, eſtabliſhed inſolencie, deſpigh, and confuſion. Therefore to make knowne Againſt ſuch as ſay, that the King of France and Nauarre are the cauſes of the troubles.through all the parts of the world, the beautie, excellency, and woonders of the royall actions of their liues, to drawe ſo many Princes and great and valiant Captaines out of the circle, wherein by theſe diuiſions they are compaſſed, to ſhewe the Maieſtie of our King to bee farre diſtant from the many vnworthy ſlaunders, of thoſe that affirme and accuſe him to bee the onely motion of our countries troubles, to declare in this diſcourſe, the royall vertues that ſhine through the thickneſſe and obſcurities of impietie and rebellion: and to diſſwade mens mindes from ſo many falſe perſwations, I haue drawne out of the moſt ſtaied and certaine opinions, the truth concerning the beginning, and proceedings of the laſt troubles, that haue vexed this Realme, by the renewing of ſeuen moſt cruel & bloodie warres: Frāce hath indured ſeuē warres, and hath ſeene 6. Edicts of pacification. God grant that the 7. peace may be the laſt, and the end of ciuil miſeries. The peace for forraigne warres was made in Ann. 1559. There is no opinion that is deeper with in the hearts of men, then the opinion of religion. by the hazard of ſo many battailes: the ruin of ſo many people: the taking and ſpoyling of ſo many townes: and the death of ſo many Princes: that the only remembrance, taketh away my ſences, ſtoppeth my ſpeeche, and maketh my pen to ſtay • therefore to begin this matter, and to voyde the ſpindle, we muſt firſt finde the ende of the third: and by the ende of forraigne warres, weaue this cloath of ciuill Commotions.

All war is cruell, and endeth with more difficultie then it is taken in hand: but thoſe diuiſions that happen in any eſtate touching the point that ought to knit and vnite the ſpirits of men, are more bloodie, their beginnings more terrible, and their endes more dangerous: and the more the pretences are large and faire, the more men enter into the ſuſtaining and defending of them: for there is nothing that doth mooue them more, then the defence of their religion: nor any thing that doth more animate, nor ſooner put them in obliuion of the conſideration of reſpect, dutie, and obedience, then the quarrell concerning the ſaluation of their ſoules: and the manner of the ſeruice they ought to miniſter vnto God: euery man eſteeming that religion he followeth, to bee the true, and pureſt manner of woorſhipping: condemning and reiecting all that which is not conformable vnto it.n="b" The Oracle of Apollo, gaue anſwer to the Troiāt that their towne ſhould neuer be takē as lōg as they kept that image of Pallars. This is the Paladium of Troy, our reſt and welfare conſiſteth therein, and her aſſurance is our ſecuritie: hee that ſtraineth this corde, breaketh the hermonie of the Common-wealth, and induceth the diſſimilitude of religions: which preſently openeth the gate to murthers, enmities, and ſeditions, and from thence to perſecutions, both publike and priuate: for that neither the old can be reformed, nor the new eſtabliſhed, without contradiction & violence. From thence it proceedeth, that when in one Nation, there are ſome that remaine conſtant and firme in the faith and tradition of their forefathers, and that others do reprooue it, and inuent certaine doctrine which they preach, and affirme to be the pure, true, and onely rule for men to learne: it cannot be remedied, and of force it muſt be ſo, that this diuerſitie of religion, bringeth with it a diuiſion of minds, and of enmities, which are not appeaſed, but by the ruine of the one, or the other part: the triumph of Iſrael, is the loſſe and hinderance of the Aegyptians.

The firſt motion of religiō in Bohemia, by Iohn Hus and Hierome of Prague. France that had ſeene the ſtrange furies, which this apple of diſcord by the Huſſites had ſowne in Bohemia, at Munſter by the Anabaptiſts, and in Allenmaigne and Suiſſe, and that ought to beware by other mens harmes, and looke that the fire of their partialities, take no hold in her towe, hath moſt miſerably abandoned it ſelfe vnto this ſchiſme: and more overrun, ſacked and troden vnderfoote, by the great faction of Catholiques and Huguenots, in thirtie yerres, then it indured The death of King Francis, at Rombouillet.in the ſpace of 6. yeares, vnder the long, variable, and cruell wars of the two houſes of Orleans & Burgonge: factions more fatal & miſerable in France, thē that in Italie of the Guelphes and Gibelins: or in England, of the long wars between the houſes of Lancaſtre and Yorke. It had the beginning from the death of King Francis the firſt, which graine of diuiſion (wherewithall the Prouinces of this Realme is ſowen) was bought in Geneue, of ſuch as brought it from Saxony, where they had great ſtore, out of Luthers Warehouſes. Luther began to preachAnd the moſt curious, who at the firſt thought to enter into thoſe veſſelles of new ſects, The aſſembly of Lutheriās dicouered in Parris in S. Iames ſtreet, before the colledge du Pleſſis.but onely to ſhake them, were carried away by impetuoſitie of wind, and the goodly apparance of her opinions, which were ſaid to tend onely to the reformation of the abuſes of pride and luxurie in the Cleargie, thereby to reduce it into the eſtate of the Leuites, without lands or poſſeſsions.

France, that at all times hath beene the nource of fine wittes, both ſubtill and curious, was the moſt fit and apt Prouince, wherein to make this Noueltie ſpring: and therein became ſo fruitefull, that in leſſe then two or three yeares, there was found more Lutherians within the Capitall Cittie of Parris, then Prelates or Doctors to oppoſe themſelues againſt them.

The Duke of Saxon, the Counte Palatin, the Marques of Brandebourg, the Duke of Witenbourg. The marriage of the Dauphine with the Queene of Scots.But the king that ſought to quench this fire by the rigor of lawes, at the firſt entrance of thoſe Nouelties, ſpared neither authoritie of Edicts, ſeueritie of puniſhments, nor executioners to extirpe them. Whereat certaine forraine Princes beeing mooued, beſought him to moderate his publike perſecutions: and the great Potentates of the Realme roſe vp, and put themſelues in armes: and among the reſt, Monſieur d'Andelot, a man whom the king loued, both for the honour of his houſe, and valour of his perſon, and many Councellours of the Court of Parliament, found to bee inveloped with this cloude, wee caſt in priſon.

The Cardinall of Lorraine, and the Duke of Guiſe his brother, that practiſed the marriage of the Queene of Scots their Couſin, with the kings eldeſt ſonne, and were the greateſt next the king, who for counſell put his whole confidence in the Cardinal, and his forces into the Duke of Guiſes hands, making him Lieftenant generall of his Realme, that had all authoritie ouer the people, that eſteemed them no leſſe faithfull to the Crowne, then zealous and religious towards the Church: that honoured them as the moſt affectioned to the Common-wealth, & that were his Druſes, Marcels, Dions, and Phocions, mooued the king to the extirpation of thoſe Hereſies: and without doubt, hee had ſurely done it, if the ſplinter of Mongommeries launce had not beene, which although it brake not, yet it ſtayed the furie of thoſe publike executions. The death of King Henry the ſecond.This great king that promiſed his people a long and continuall peace, beeing dead, his Scepter remained to Francis, but the royall authoritie with them, that as then had the poſſeſsion, and that vaunted themſelues to deſerue it, in reſpect of their ſeruices done to the king, their countrie and religion, in ſuch manner,The ſacring of Francis the ſecond. The Constable withdraweth frō the Court. that before Anthony de Burbon king of Nauarre, & firſt prince of the blood, arriued at the Court, his place was taken vp, and the royaltie diuided and put into the handes of a king of fifteene yeares of age, an Italian woman, a Cardinall, and a Prince of Lorraine. The kings auncient ſeruants beeing ſeparated from the Court, namely the Conſtable. Like as the ſunne is in heauen, the ſame ſhould the king be on earth, and what effect the ſunne worketh with the Planets, the ſame ſhould the K. vnto the Princes of his blood: the ſun neuer withdraweth his brightnes That was ordamed at Tours, Ann. 1484. and at the ſame time obſerued by Charles 8. ſon to Lewis the 11. that raigned 14. yeares. Malecontent: in An. 1560. from them, no more ſhould the king deny this fauour to the Princes of his-blood, that are about him. Which not being don, it cānot be but there muſt be diſorder, Eclipſes, & obſcure confuſions. The Princes of the blood, perceiuing themſelues debarred from their guard, that the king was in the cuſtodie of ſtrāgers, contrarie to the ancient priuiledges of France, wich ordaineth that the minoritie of the K. ſhall be aſsiſted by a councell choſen by al the Eſtates of the Realme: wherein the Princes of the blood ought to beare the principall place, and ſtraungers excluded, vnited themſelues togither, in the middle of a thouſand deaths, to preſerue their degrees and dignities. This diſcontentment opened the caracters of diuiſions, that after cauſed a deluge of miſeries in the realme of France. And the Malecontents, eyther becauſe they were excluded from publike charges, or beeing tormented in the libertie of their conſciences, agreed togither to vnhorſe the houſe of Guiſe, that aſpired ſo neare the king: minding neuer to leaue armes, before his Maieſtie ſhould be deliuered out of their hands, and the eſtate reduced vnder a lawfull gouernment: promiſing neuertheleſſe not to attempt any thing againſt the perſon of the king, his authoritie, nor the Princes of his blood. But God ſhewed that he loueth not diſturbers of the eſtate, nor ſuch as bath their handes in their owne blood: that take courage by the indiſcreet opinions of certaine pretences,The enterpriſe of Amboiſe ciſcouered in Ann. 1560. & the enterpriſors purſued by the Duke de Nemours. The gate of Hugon in Tours, by the which they aſſembled: or of the firſt accords of the declaration of proteſtants made in Latin: which are, Huc nos venimus. and that vſe remedies crueller then the diſeaſe it ſelfe. For that he ouerthrew this firſt enterpriſe, and the actors thereof beeing taken vppon the ſuddaine, obtained paine and puniſhment for reward: and ſo were hanged in their bootes and ſpurs at the caſtle of Amboiſe. But the ſparks that iſſued out of this flint, after that ſet fire to the ciuill warres of France, and becauſe the greateſt part of thoſe alterers of eſtates, were of the new religion, that as then were called Huguenots, of the place where they firſt aſſembled themſelues in Tours, the Cardinall of Lorraine beganne to crie out againſt Hereticques: and to make them more odious, he cauſed it to be reported throughout the Realme, that their enterpriſe was againſt the king: wherein they induced the Prince of Conde: who to iuſtifie his innocencie, and to ſhewe the integritie of his heart to the ſeruice of the king, in his preſence, and others the Princes, Lords, and Officers of the Crowne, ſpake openly and ſaid. That his Maiestie excepted, and with reuerence to the Princes his bretheren, the Queene his mother, and the Queene then raigning, thoſe that had reported him to bee of the enterpriſe of Amboiſe, lyed falſely: and if they would ſeeme to iuſtifie it, hee offered to fight with them: and that if they were not comparable vnto him for degree, hee would imbaſe himſelfe for that time, and make them either by ſword or launce, confeſſe themſelues to bee vilaines and traitors. And thervpon this Prince not induring to liue among ſo many ſuſpitions and diſtruſts, as beeing the But and marke of his enemies, left the Court, and went vnto his brother the king of Nauarre, whither ſuch as profeſſed reformation withdrewe themſelues. This diſeaſe increaſing more & more, and the corrupted humors therof breeding to a dangerous and mortall palſie, the Queen-mother that knewe better the diſeaſe, then the cauſe thereof,The aſſembly of Fontainbleau, Anno. 1560. the 21 of Auguſt, where the King, the Queene and diuers Princes ſat, there the Admirall preſented a Petition, and ſaid that he would cauſe it to be ſigned by 50000. men, and the Cardinall of Lorrain ſaid, the King ſhould oppoſe 100000. againſt it. They were not permitted to alight (as the manner is) at the kings Pallace. She ſaid that no man euer bandieth againſt the blood of France, with out repētāce. Iuſtification of the Prince of Conde. Agreement made betweene the Prince of Conde and the houſe of Guiſe, the 14. of Auguſt, 1561. La Popelimere ſaith, that the king of Na. promiſed the am baſſador of the K. of Dē mark to cauſe the religiō to be preached throughout France, within one yeare after. perceiuing that by ſharp and bitter remedies it was nothing healed, beganne to vſe gentlier and more eaſie: and to the ſame end, ſhe cauſed the moſt learned and wiſeſt men in al France, to be aſſembled at Fontainbleau, there to debate the cauſes of religion. Where the Admiral preſented the requeſt of thoſe whō he ſupported, which was, to haue libertie of churches, and freedome of conſcience: wherevnto the Cardinall oppoſed himſelfe. And the Lords of Monluc & Marillac, were of opiniō, that the moſt aſſured means to ſtop thoſe new ſprung ſects, was to ſubmit themſelues to a generall Councell: and in fine, the concluſion of this aſſembly was, that a Parliament of the generall States ſhould be holden at Meaux, in the moneth of December after: and a nationall Councell the tenth of Ianuary then next after enſuing.

The Parliament was holden at Orleans, and the king ſent for the king of Nauarre to come thither, and to bring the Prince of Conde his brother with him, that there hee might cleare himſelfe of the hard report that ranne againſt him: to the which end, they ſet forward, and arriued at Orleans, preſenting themſelues vnto the king, that intertained them not as their qualities and neareneſſe of blood required. For the Prince of Conde was committed priſoner, whoſe deliuerance was ſued by the Ladie Renee, duches of Ferrare, neuertheleſſe his proceſſe was framed: wherevnto hee pleaded not guiltie: yet in fine, hee was condemned to haue his head ſtriken off before the kings Pallace, and at the entrie of the States: vpon the which iudgement, he continually expected the houre of death. But by Gods prouidence, the death of the king procured both his life and libertie: for king Charles iudged him to be innocent. At the ſame time, the Court of Parliament in Parris made an Edict, the Parliament of Eſtate continued, and the difference of religion was appeaſed, by ſtaying for a generall Councell. Meanetime, Meſsieurs de Guiſe, being in hope that their greatneſſe would ſtill increaſe and ſpread abroad, were much abaſhed to ſee it ſhortened by the death of the king their Nephewe: and thereby to be conſtrained and put in minde, to thinke that they were no more as they had been. So that they yeelded their place to the King of Nauarre, but not the opinion, nor the hope to recouer it once againe. By that means their great affaires left off, but they forſooke them not, ſeeking by all meanes to be reconciled to the Prince of Conde, alwaies keeping their owne, (like the Maiſter of a ſhippe that hoyſeth and pulleth downe his ſayles as time ſerueth) and alwaies ſtopped the holes wherein they foreſawe the round world enter: ceaſing not to ſpeake moſt aſſuredly and openly againſt hereſie, which they ſo much the more deteſted, as that they perceiued the Princes of the blood, to lend their helping hand towards the aduancement and eſtabliſhing thereof: and that the king of Nauarre that made account thereof, began to like it, hauing more deſire to the Realm of Nauarre, that was promiſed to be reſtored vnto him, and to that of Sardaigne offered him, if he would ſeparate himſelfe from the Princes reformed, and the protection of the proteſtants Churches, then to the conſideration of the quarrell of his houſe. The greatneſſe of thoſe Princes could not continue equall, by reaſon of the vnequallitie of their houſes. Yet they ſought to go all in one ranke, whereby the kings fauor could no ſooner giue countenance to the one, but it mooued the other. His fauour is like a faire Ladie, euery man ſeeketh and courteth her, and if ſhe ſmile more vpon one then vppon the other, it breedeth but iealouſie, deſpight, & quarrell: & ſhe cannot diuide her heart in two, without a a mortall diuiſion. Euery man hath his turne, and both Catholicque and Huguenot, vnder pretence and zeale of religion, ſeeketh to get the good wil of the king, his mother, and his bretheren. But the freedome of the Miniſters, being impatient to ſtaye the reſolution of a Councell, made them to preach openly, whereby they ſo much tempted and altered mens conſciences, that ſuddainly the ceremonies & traditions of the Church, were abated, and the temples ſeaſed vpon & deſtroyed. And the Conſtable beeing deſcended of the firſt Barron and firſt Chriſtian in France, oppoſed himſelfe againſt this diuerſitie of religion in one realm,The Edict of Iuly made at S. Germains in Laye, 1561. The aſſembly at Poiſſy. The murther of Vaſſy the 1. of Mars. 1562. The battaile of Dreux the 19. of Decē ber, 1561. The Conſtable was firſt taken then the Prince of Conde. The king of Nauarre was ſlaine at the ſiege of Rouē. 1562. The Duke of Guiſe ſlaine before Orleans, the 24. of Febru. 1563. 1. Edict of peace. Anno. 1563. Reconciliatiō betweene the D. of Guiſe and the Admirall 1566. Counſell of the Duke of Alue. The enterpriſe at Meaux, at the feaſt of S. Michael▪ 1567. The battaile of S. Denis, on S. Martins euen, 1567. VVhere the Conſtable was ſlaine. The ſecond Edict of peace at Lōiumeau which from the time of king Clouis had bin holden & maintained in paritie and integritie, vnder the ancient faith of their forefathers. The Cardinal of Lorraine on the other ſide, tooke the matter in hand, and counſelled the king to make an Edict againſt thoſe of the religion, & the preſumption of certain men was ſuch, that they cōſented to the diſputation at Poiſſy, wher in place of remedie, we found but an increaſing of our miſeries. After that, the Edict of Ianuarie ſo much renoumed in all the troubles, and ſolemnized by the Huguenots, folowed: the breach whereof, by the means of Vaſſy, cauſed both parts to fall to armes vpon the plaines of Dreux, which gaue the name to that me morable battell: not onely for the number of men there aſſembled, being 1900. foot, & 2000. horſe for the kings part, & 4000. horſe called White-coates, & 6000. foot of the contrarie: as for diuers other accidents that therin were marked, beſides the taking of two of their chiefe leaders. For the Prince of Conde that imputed the firſt motions of his impriſonmēt, & of his ſeparatiō frō the fauor and preſence of K. Francis the 2. to the practiſes of the Duke de Guiſe, that euening of the battell, was his priſoner, & accepted the halfe of his auncient enemies bed, that was offered vnto him: a right diſcription of this variable world, wher you ſee one triumphing, & the other captiue. Among ſo many proſperities, that inuironed the Duke of Guiſe, (by the death of the king of N. Generall of the kings armie, followed by all the Catholicque Nobilitie, & Tutor & cōductor of the king & Queen-mothers whole affaires) death being iealous, that the Capitall citie of the realme, at his arriuall had cried: Viue Guiſe, Viue Guiſe: with as great ioy & gladnes, as euer they cried, Viue le Roy, diſpatched him out of the way by Poltrots means, that ſlew him at Orleans, & therby finiſhed the firſt ciuill war: at which time, the Prince of Conde was deliuered out of priſon, & the Conſtable brought the firſt Edict of peace. By this peace France had means to breath, and her ſubiects to liue in ſome aſſurance, but the corrupted humours, that cauſed the diſeaſe of the eſtate, were not ſo wel diſieſted, but that ther reſted ſome remnants, whereby it might be feared, it would fall into a much more dangerous ſickneſſe: which happened 3. years after, whē the moſt troubleſome alterers of eſtate, renued the fire, which although it were not vtterly quenched, yet it was half cōſumed. The Queen hauing performed that generall viſitation of all the kings Prouinces, & at Moulins taken vp the quarrel between the houſes of Guiſe & Chaſtillon, and made thē friends, cauſed 6000. Switzers to be ſent for, vndera fained ſear of the D. of Albes paſſage throgh France, with whom ſhe had conferred at Bayonne: wher they concluded, that to liue in peace, it was beſt for her to fiſh after great Samons, & to leaue the frogs. The Admiral perceiuing it, determined rather to ſaue himſelfe by his armes, then with his legs, and went ſo near vnto the king, that he had almoſt taken him at Meaux, and ſo cauſed him to retire to Parris, being conducted by Pfiffers regiment, And the Prince of Conde tooke the town of S. Dennis, aſsieged Parris, & burned the milles. And in fine, the two armies met, & fought before S. Dennis, wher the Proteſtants retired, & the K. had the victorie: but it coſt him the life of the Conſtable, beeing one of the valianteſt Captains in al Europe: who hauing commanded in 7. battels, died in the ſight of the citie of Parris, and of his king, at the head of an armie, victorious by his cōduction, & hauing cut his enemies in the cheeks, that had wounded him in the face, he was by a Scot ſhot into the raines with a Piſtolle, & ſo died of the ſeuenth wound he had receiued in that ſeuenth battel: being of the age of 60. and 7. yeares. This death procured an other little peace, cōmonly called the lined peace, which continued but 6. months, and made a war that The Prince of Conde ſlaine at Baſſac the 21, of March, 1569. The battaile of Montcontour the 3. of October, 1569. The 3. Edict of peace, An. 1570. indured for the ſpace of 2. whole years, wherein the Prince of Conde died: and where the Princes of Nauarre and Conde, & the Dukes de Guiſe and Maine were Captains: the one of the proteſtants armie, vnder the conduct of the Admiral: the other for the defence of Poictiers, vnder Monſieur the kings brother, General of his Maieſties armie, whereby the battell of Moncontour happened, where all the proteſtants footemen were ſlaine, and the Rutters ſpurs were not ſharp ynough, to make their horſes flie: but Monſieur not purſuing his victorie, ſuffered his enemies to range & meet togither again, who in ſhort time were foūd ſtrong ynough to conſtrain him to the wars, or elſe to make another Edict of peace, with more aduantage then the two firſt. This peace being ſworned by al thoſe that had any publike authorite therin, cauſed the Frenchmen to feele the ſweetneſſe of tranquillitie, to be much different from the ſharpneſſe and bitterneſſe of ciuill diuiſions. Therein the king, the Queen-mother, his bretheren, and the Princes, did nothing but breath, and aſpire vnto contentment: nothing was ſpoken of in France, but only aſſurance, and of remoouing their wars vnto the frontiers, or within the bowelles of forrain countries, and euery place was filled with marriages, bankets, &c. But this goodly ſhew was put only a preſaging of the torment that enſued: and Saylers iudged that thoſe great calmes, would in the end cauſe ſome great tempeſt. For preſently after, enſued the great and terrible day ſo full of blood, teares, and ſorrow, where without reſpect,The maſſacre vppon Bartholomewe day, Ann. 1573. ſo many French men had their throats cut, & wher the king of N. doubting himſelfe not to be ſecured in the chaſt imbraſings of his firſt nights eſpouſals, was conſtrained to alter the forme of his religion. And becauſe he had eſcaped that danger, (and finding himſelf healed of his continuall fears and diſtruſts, he ſaid, that in changing of religion, he had done it by conſtraint) hee was oftentimes accuſed of Apoſtacie. At that time, Rochel ye begā to refuſe the Garriſons which the K. would haue placed therin, was the refuge of the Huguenots:Rechel beſieged, Anno. 1573. whervpō Monſieur beſieged it: and in 6. months brought it to ſuch extremitie, as that if the planting of the flowerdeluce in the furtheſt parts of Septentrion, had not diuerted him, he had been Maiſter therof, at ſuch cōpoſition as had pleaſed him.The King of Polonia Sigiſmod, when he died, left 5000. horſes in his ſtable. For the Polonians ſent Ambaſſadors vnto him, to offer him the Crowne of Polonia, and to inuite him to the poſſeſsion of a great, rich, and puiſſant Realme: great, becauſe it is in compaſſe twiſe as much as France: rich, by reaſon of the abundance of all things neceſſarie for mans life: renowmed, for armes and horſes: and puiſſant, for the honour of the Nobilitie, being moſt valiant and braue warriours: hauing more Gentlemen therein, then are in France, England, and Spaine. Thither he went, being accompanied by the king himſelf, as far as Lorraine, from whence for his better aſſurance,Coronation of the K. of Polonia. Letters of regent granted the Queene-mother, till the K. comming out of Polonia. In Parliamēt the 3. of Iune 1574. he paſſed through the territories of the Princes of Almaine, (that were much greeued & offended at the murther cōmitted vpon S. Bartholomewes day) & from thence he arriued at Cracouia, and there vpon the firſt day of Penthecoſt he receiued the Crown, & the next year after vppon the ſame day, hee was crowned king. Meane time, king Charles his brother, that died in the flower of his age, declared him to be his ſucceſſor, and his mother regent till his returne: commaunding the Duke of Alencon his brother, and the king of Nauarre, not to alter any thing in the ſtate: and to perſwade themſelues, that kingdomes are onely gotten eyther by vertue or ſucceſsion, and not by reuolting or tyrannie. As this great king of two great realms, as earneſtly looked for of the Frenchmen, as lamented of the Polonians, was deſired of the Catholciques, for the effects The returne of the king of Polonia into France. His nature. The warres for the common-wealth, vndertaken by Monſieur & the malcōtēts. An increaſe of Monſieurs reuenewes the 28. of May, 1576. An agreemēt with Monſieur, made at Ioinuille. The K. made this peace to ſeperate his brother from the Princes. The 4. Edict of peace in May. 1576. Aiguemortes. Beaucaire. Perigueux. Le Mas de Verdun. Nions. Serres. Yſſoire. Seine la grād Tour. The king called this peace his peace. D. Caſimire wold not diſlodge, without aſſurance of paiment, and the obſeruation of peace. The league of Peronne.they had perceiued to be in him touching the religion, ſo was he alſo loued of the proteſtants, that knewe him of nature to bee a true Frenchman, eſtranged not only frō cruell actions, but alſo from moſt ſeuere intents: and hoped vnder his raigne, to finde a more moderate and peaceable ſeaſon. But God to puniſh our ſinnes, had otherwiſe ordained: for at the kings returne, the wars likewiſe returned, which began to flame & burſt our vpō the frontiers, againſt the Marſhall of Amuille, who perceiuing himſelfe altogither fruſtrate of any hope of euer being reconciled to the king, practiſed with the towns of Longuedoc: ſeduced Monſieur, that made himſelfe Generall of this new confuſion, vnder pretence of a quarrell for the Common-wealth, and vſed the forces of both the religions. The king of Nauarre, that could not forget the bloodie day that had conſumed ſo many of his ſeruants, and perceiued not himſelfe ſo much imployed as his inferiours, in matters of eſtate, abandoned the honorable captiuitie of the Court, and thoſe that had followed him, with all the Princes of his houſe, ioyned themſelues togither for his protection. Whereat Monſieur was greeued, and perceiuing himſelf to be left alone with his Catholicques, he had recourſe to the kings fauour, by the increaſe of a new degree of honour and reuenue, giuen him by the king. The king of N. & the Prince of Conde, procured ſtrāgers ayde, not as they proteſted, therby to ſhake off the yoke of the Monarchie, or to deuide thēſelues into as many Cōmon-wealths, as ther are Prouinces in France: but to liue in obedience vnder the king, & freedom of conſcience, and thereby to obtain a peace: which was made between the king & Monſieur his brother, the K. of Nauarre, and the Prince of Conde, whereby the free, publike, and generall exerciſe of the religion, was permitted vnto the Proteſtants, in all the places and Towns, which as then they held, they being declared capable, to haue their places in Parliaments and chambers of iuſtice ſeuerally: all iudgements being made againſt them for any enterpriſe whatſoeuer, declared voyde: the memorie of the heads of their part taken away, and the cruell day of S. Bartholomew diſauowed. And for the better aſſurance and performance of the conditions, they had eight Townes deliuered vnto them, with the conditions of their gouernments. This peace which was thought would haue long continued, beeing made with ſo greate ſolemnitie, not with diſſemblers, but with a king, that as yet had giuen no occaſion of diſtruſt, was ſoone weakened and ſhaken, for that the ſame conditions that had made it, were the means to vnlooſe it. For the Prince of Conde perceiuing that he reaped not the fruit of his deſert, and that the gouernment of Picardie was denied him, was the firſt that found himſelfe offended, and that ſhewed himſelf diſcontent: deſiring the Duke Cazimir, not to abandon the frontiers of Lorraine, vntill hee perceiued that peace to be wel confirmed and obſerued. The Catholicques to the contrary, being greeued at the libertie which the Huguenots had obtained, thereby to make their religion increaſe & fructifie, and that the Rutter had not as yet put vp his Piſtolle into the caſe, beſought his Maieſtie to reſtraine that pernitious licence of the Edict of peace: but perceiuing him not to be ſufficiently moued to cut off that which as thē begā but to ſpring vp, nor to take knife in hand, therewith to ſhed his owne blood, they began to aſſemble at Peronne, & to moue all the reſt of the towns, vnder pretence of diuers occaſions, not litle wondred at of the people: which were for the honor & increaſe of the Catholike religion: for the ſuretie of the eſtate and Crowne of his Maieſtie: the vtter extirpation of Hereſies: and for the reuocation of the Edict of peace, wherein they ſwore obedience and ſeruice to the Generall that ſhould bee appoynted ouer this fellow ſhippe: ingaging their liues and honours, neuer to ſeparate themſelues for any commaundement, pretence, excuſe,The originall of the league in An. 1576 or occaſion whatſoeuer. Behold the conception of the league, which will bring foorth moſt prodigious effects. The Huguenots had wonne their ſure, for till then, they were often accuſed of rebellion, as hauing ſhaken off the yoake of Soueraigntie, beeing ſeparated from that faire and vnexpugnable maxime, that the power of the Prince proceedeth from God, and that it is not lawfull to reſiſt againſt it, for any excuſe, cauſe, pretence, or reaſon whatſoeuer. Pardon mee I beſeech you, mightie Princes, Prelates, Lords, and Gentlemen, that are Catholicques, if I tell you, that this fortreſſe which you builde, will bee your ouerthrowe: this fire you kindle, will burne you: theſe kniues you forge, will bee tempered in your entralles: and that thereby, you will leaue neither of your ſelues, nor your league, but a moſt pittifull and ſhamefull memorie. What thinke you to do? O you leaguer for God, for the faith, and for the king?The league is not for God. You vndertake armes for God, who deſireth nothing but peace: you publiſh rebellion, hee commaundeth obedience: you trouble the reſt and quietneſſe of a Chriſtian king, hee willeth vs to indure at the hands of a Prince, although he bee a Pagan. You do it for God, whoſe name you call vppon, and deny his power: you doo it for God, that deteſteth your actions, and knoweth your thoughts: and you do it for that God, who will confound all thoſe that breed confuſion among his people. You vndertake warres for religion, and nothing hindereth it more then warres: you fight for holineſſe,Nor for religion. and your weapons deſtroy the Churches: authoriſe blaſphemers, and plant Atheiſme, impietie, and deſpiſing of deuotion in all places. You march vnder pretence of the Churches cauſe, and you ranſome and ſpoyle the Cleargie by tithes and impoſitions. If it bee for the ſpiritualtie, wherefore do you bring in the Rutters, that haue ouerrunne the Prieſts, burned the Churches, robbed the relicques,Nor for the Church. and polluted the Altars. You ſaid it is for the king, ſo ſaid the Huguenots at the enterpriſes of Ammboiſe, of Meaux, and of S. Germaine in Laye, and you will not beleeue him, for the king had diſauouched them. If it bee for the king, where are his commiſsions? If it bee for his ſeruice, where is his commaundement? If it be for him, wherefore do dou it without him? If it bee for his obedience,Nor for the King. wherefore ſweare you to obey the Head of your league? Can you bee bound by one oath, to two cōtrarieties? This new faith & promiſe which you giue, is it not to obey a new Lord, ſeeing you cannot ſerue two Maiſters? If it be to maintain his kingdome in the Catholicque religion, cannot hee doo it without you? What ſhame will you procure vnto him, to atribute the honour of the glorie of ſo happie a conqueſt vnto your ſelues, and not refer the triumph vnto him? What blaſphemie & reproach do you induce into his honour and reputation, both among his owne people, and with ſtraungers? Will they not ſay,The ſubiect ought not to bind himſelfe by oath of fidelitie, to any but to his ſoueraigne. that a great king, & a wiſe king, with the aduantages of his Maieſtie, & his powers, durſt not enterpriſe that which the ſubiects vndertake to doo. Know you not, that all leuying of armes is treaſon, without the kings authoritie? that the ſubiects cannot make any league, without the Prince? that leagues are not made betweeene Subiects, or equall perſons: and that the Courts of Parliament, are the foundations of the ſeueritie of lawes, both humane and diuine? But let vs heare what your pattents of the league containe.

The firſt league made at Peronne without naming the Head. For religion. For the ſeruice of the king. IN the name of the holy Trinitie, Father, Sonne, and holy Ghoſt, the onely true God, bee honour and glorie for euer. The aſſociation of Princes, Lords, and Catholicke Gentlemen, ought to bee, and ſhall bee made, to reeſtabliſh the lawe of God in her priſtinate estates, to retaine and holde the holy ſeruice thereof, according to the forme and manner of the holy, Catholicque, Apostolicque, and Romaine Church, abiuring and renouncing all errors to the contrarie. Secondly, to preſerue king HENRY, the third of that name, by the grace of God, and his Predeceſſors, moſt Chriſtian kings, in the eſtates, glorie, authoritie, dutie, ſeruice, and obedience, that is due vnto him by his ſubiects: as it is contained in the Articles which ſhall be preſented vnto him in the Councell of eſtate: which at his ſacring and coronation, he promiſed and ſwore to obſerue: with proteſtation not to do anything, to the preiudice of that which ſhall bee ordained by the States of his Realme. Thirdly, to reſtore vnto the Prouinces of this Realme, For the people. and Eſtates thereof, the auncient rights, preheminences, franchiſes, and liberties, ſuch as they were in the time of King CLOVIS, firſt Chriſtian King, and better and more profitable, if they may be any wayes inuented, vnder the protection afore ſaid: and if in caſe there happeneth any impeachment, oppoſition, or rebellion, to the contrary of that which is aforeſaid, by any man, or from what part ſoeuer it may bee, the ſaide aſſociates ſhall bee bound and holden therein, to imploye all their goods and meanes whatſoeuer: yea, and their owne perſons euen to the death, to puniſh, chaſtice, and ouerrunne, thoſe that ſeeke to contradict, hinder and reſiſt: that all the things aforeſaid, ſhall not bee really and effectually put in execution. And if in caſe that any of the aſſociates, their ſubiects, friends, and confederates, ſhall bee moleſted, oppreſſed, or purſued, for the cauſe aforeſaid, by whomſoeuer it may bee, the ſaid aſſociates ſhall bee bound to imploy their bodies, goods, and meanes, to bee reuenged on them that ſhall haue done, or cauſed the ſaid oppreſsions and moleſtations, bee it by way of iuſtice, or by armes, without exception of any man. If it happen, Againſt ſuch as appoſe thē ſelues againſt the deuiſes of the league. Againſt ſuch as ſhall leaue or abandon the league. that any of the aſſociates, after that they haue taken their oathes vnto the ſaid aſſociates, would withdrawe themſelues, or depart out of the ſame, vnder what pretence ſoeuer it ſhall bee, (which God forbidde) ſuch breakers of their conſents, ſhall bee hurt and offended both in their bodies and goods, by all meanes poſsible, as enemies to God, and rebels and perturbers of publike tranquilities, without reuenge to bee taken againſt the ſaid aſſociates, either publikely or priuately. The ſaid aſſociates ſhal ſweare all readie and willing obedience and ſeruice, vnto the Head and Geuerall that ſhall bee appoynted: followe and giue counſell, comfort and ayde, as well to the entertaining and conſeruation of the ſaide aſſociation, as to the ruines and ouerthrowe of the contradictors thereof, without acception or exception of perſons: and the failers and delayers therein, ſhall bee puniſhed by authoritie of the General, and as hee ſhall appoynt: wherevnto his ſaid aſſociates ſhal ſubmit themſelues.

Practiſing with townes. All Catholicques of Townes and Villages ſhall bee aduertiſed, and ſecretly ſummoned by the particular Gouernours, to enter into the ſaid aſſociation and dutie, to furniſh men and munition for the execution thereof, according to the power and facultie of euerie man. That ſuch as will not enter into the ſaid aſſociation, ſhal be reputed as enemie thereof, & be purſued by all means & ſorts of troubles & moleſtations: Contribution of men and mony. and it ſhal be forbidden vnto the ſaid aſſociates, to enter into debates & quarrels one with the other, without permiſsion of the Generall, at whoſe arbitrement the contradistors ſhall bee puniſhed, as wel touching reparation of honour, as for all other cauſes.

If for fortification or greater aſſurance of the ſaid aſſociates, there is any appoyntment made with the Prouinces of this Realm, it ſhalbe made in forme aforeſaid, & vpō the ſame conditions, whether the ſaid aſſociations be ſought for by the ſaid Townes or Prouinces, or that it bee offered vnto them: if it bee not otherwiſe ordained by the Generall. I ſweare by God the Father, touching this Ghoſpel, and vppon paine of curſing and eternall damnation, that I haue entered into this holy and Catholicque aſſociation, The forme of the leaguers oath. according to the forme and manner of the extract that hath been preſently read vnto mee, faithfully and ſincerely, whether it bee therein to commaund, or to ſerue and obey, and promiſe both vppon mine honor and life, to continue therein, as long as one drop of blood laſt within my body, without reſisting or withdrawing my ſelfe from the ſame, vnder pretence of any commaundement, excuſe, cauſe, or occaſion whatſoeuer.

The inſtructions of the Aduocate Dauid.About that time the Aduocate Dauid was taken, with certaine aduertiſements and notes about him, concerning the meanes whereby to authoriſe this league, and to breake the ordinary courſe of the ſucceſsion of France, by impoſſible meanes, which ought neither to be known, nor be beleeued, and wherewith I meane not to diſhonour this diſcourſe.

Packets of the league of Peronne caſt about the ſtreetes. Nature of the people.Meane time Poſtes were ſent into all places, to ſpread the newes and firſt aduiſe of thoſe pretences, masked with faire and ſhining vizardes of holineſſe, thereby to bleare the eyes of the people: and libels were caſt about the ſtreets: diuers men of good account trauelling about the countrie, to ſerue for bellows to this new forge, made to kindle a great warre.

And the people that ranne from one extremitie to another, which loue changes: a troupe that followeth ſuch as lead it: a ſea that neuer riſeth without winde: and a Monſter with many heads, ſuffered themſelues to be borne away with the firſt waues of this tempeſt.

The Parliament at Blois, 1576 Meane time, the king minding to put cold water into the boyling pot, and to cut off the meane to this new motion, cauſed the Parliament to be holden, which by the laſt peace he had promiſed, thinking, and certainly perſwading himſelf, that not any one in his Realme, but loued rather to entertain a ſworne and ſolemne peace, then to ſeeke the continuance of warres: the ouerthrowe of Townes, and the deſolation of the people: or that the Rutter ſhould once againe return to ſucke the blood, gnawe the bones, and eate the marrowe of their childrē. At the firſt aſſembly of the Parliament,An Oration of Henry the third, at the Parliament in Blois. and after he had ſaluted & welcommed all the Eſtates, with a moſt heroyicall and Princely grace, he made an Oration vnto them concerning the miſeries and afflictions of his Realme, and the hope he had, that ſo great an aſſembly, beeing the very quinteſſence of the fineſt wits in al France, wold prouide ſome remedie therin: ſhewing that the minoritie of himſelfe & his brother, at the beginning of thoſe ciuill wars, was reaſon ſufficient why they ſhould not be eſteemed, or once thought to bee the cauſes therof: commending the wiſdome of his mother touching the gouernment of the Realme: proteſting, that for his own part, he had no other care, deſire, nor intent, then only to procure the reſt & welfare of his ſubiects, whoſe miſeries he wold be alwaies readie to relieu with the price of his deareſt blood:The Crowne of France layde to pawne for 100. millions of gold. charging al the aſſembly to ayde & aſsiſt him therein, & to deuiſe the means to releaſe his Crowne, at that time pawned for aboue the ſum of 100. millions of golde, to vnite themſelues togither, thereby to puck vp the ſeeds of partialities, to reforme abuſes, and to reſtore iuſtice to herintegritie, and to reduce it into the priſtinate holineſſe & ſplendure. That don, Pierre d'Epinac Archbiſhop of Lyons, roſe vp, and before them al, declared his reaſons touching the Clargie. The Lord of Senſcey, with a militarie, franke, & true French tongue, ſpake for the Nobilitie: and Verſoris for the common. The two firſt, by a multitude of reaſons and wonderfull ſpeeches, concluded that it was moſt fit and conuenient, that there ſhould bee but one religion in the Realme. The third, ſhewed that the people wholly deſired the revnion thereof, ſo it might bee done by peaceable and quiet meanes without warres. But the Cleargie and Nobilitie, after many difficulties, cauſed the Parliament to breake vp, ſo that vnder the aſhes of the laſt warres, which as yet were hotte, there might be found the ſparkes of a great fire. For after many meſſages (although in vaine) ſent by the king to the Proteſtant Princes,Proteſtation of the Prince of Conde, in Ann. 1577. vnder which was placed, Deo & victricibus armis. the warre beganne againe. For the Prince of Conde roſe vppe in armes, and ſwore not to leaue them, vntill he had brought the realme into her priſtinate ſplendure and dignitie: reſtored libertie to the Eſtates: eaſed the poore people of inſupportable tributes, inuēted by the Italians: deliuered the Frenchmen from the ſeruitude & tyrannicall infamie whervnto they were ſubiected, not onely by their owne careleſſeneſſe and diſvnion, but by artificiall practiſes of ſuch as would rayſe the foundations of their greatneſſe, with the blood of the true Princes of France, and of the Nobilitie, to the great diſaduantage and ouerthrow of the auncient lawes and cuſtomes of the realme. Wherevppon the king hauing enterpriſed thoſe warres, the rather becauſe his Eſtates ſhewed him the reaſons,VVarre beganne about Eaſter, 1577 neceſsities and commodities, (although of his owne nature he rather deſired not to haue broken the peace, but onely to abridge it of certaine particular articles, by the Huguenots eſteemed moſt aduantage for them) cauſed two great armies to be leuied: wherof Monſieur was Generall of the one, that marched towards la Charite and Iſſoire, and the Duke Demain, commaunding that which went for Poitou, where hee aſsieged Bar, Taking of la Charite and Iſſoire, Anno. 1577. and tooke diuers Townes. His Maieſties armie incamped at Brouage, and coſtrained it to yeelde. And Lanſac Gouernour thereof, would haue gone into the Iſle of Re, but hee could not. And to conclude, the warres were ſo long and tedious, that the Generalles wel perceiued themſelues to bee too olde, to liue to ſee the end thereof. And the king that neuer had taſted the ſweeteneſſe of peace, beganne to dſire it, hauing firſt prooued ſo many troubles and vexations of warre, therevppon hee determined to eſtabliſh a good and holy peace,Reaſon to induce peace, and againſt warre, in An. 1577. Great numbers, are not the cauſe of victories. God is the God of battelles. A diſcourſe polliticke and military. The chance of warre vncertaine. which ſhould bee well obſerued: to the which end, hee heard debated, examined, and conſidered, diuers and all the reaſons that could bee alleadged, both for the eſtabliſhing and diſſoluing thereof. Thoſe that deſired no peace, deuiſed many arguments which they framed for the purpoſe: as firſt they ſayde: That the king ought not to make peace, hauing meanes to make warre, with more men and aduantage then his enemies. But they were aunſwered, that the multitude of men, is not the cauſe of victorie: and that a ſmal handful of deſperate ſouldiers, had ouerthrowne a great armie. The kings cauſe is more iuſt. The Princes ſhrowd themſelues vnder a iuſt enterpriſe when God is offended: and that the war is not made for the defence of his quarrell, but for particular reuenge. The Huguenots haue neither mony nor credite, for the ſouldier himſelfe among them, is conſtrained to contribute mony to pay forraine ayde, inſtead of receiuing his own wages. With a little, they do much: neceſsitie is their vertue: and the ground of their cauſe is ſo deare vnto them, that they will rather fight without mony or meat, then liue without their libertie, or preaching of the Goſpell. There needs but one battell to ouerthrow and deſtroye them. Victorie reſteth in the hands of God: it is a both doubtfull and vncertaine, & battels in theſe daies are prolonged, and neuer giuen without aduantage of the one ſide, or the other. And again, it is impoſsible with an armie of 10000. men, to roote out a 100000. Huguenots. The K. wil neuer hazard battel, but he is aſſured to haue the victorie, & to triumph ouer his enemies. This is as much to ſay, as he reckoneth without his Hoſt: for it cōſiſteth in God: there needeth but a ſmall matter to put all your forces in diſorder, and make them a praye to their enemies. For if in times paſt, 500. Actolians, Iuſtin. lib. 24. X • nop. hist. lib. 7. Bap. Egnat. The battell of Poictiers. Lois the laſt Earle of Flaunders. Froiſart li. 2. cap. 95.96.97.98. better ſhepheards then ſouldiers, put 900. Lacedemonians to flight? If Epaminondas with 4000. men, ouerthrew the Spartans armie, beeing ſixe times as many? If among the Chriſtians, Baudonin brother to Godfrey of Bullon, with 300. horſe and 900. foot, all Frenchmen, cauſed the Caliphe to yeeld and leaue the field, being inuironed with 9000. horſe, and 20000. foot? If a litle troupe of Engliſh ſouldiers halfe in diſpaire before Poictiers, triumphed ouer a great armie of the moſt puiſſant & warlike Nation in the world? Is it not a moſt fooliſh temerite, to put confidence in the doubtfull chance of a battell? It is neuer good to aſſayle thoſe that hope for nothing but diſpaire. The laſt Earle of Flaunders hauing brought the Towne of Gaunt to an extremitie of victuals, would haue them to preſent themſelues before him bare-headed & footed, with halters about their necks: and ſo to aske pardon for their liues, without any aſſurance thereof. But 5000. of thoſe miſerable people, that had nothing left but their armes, and in diſpaire,He was conſtrained to hide himſelfe in the ſtrawe of a poore womans bedde, where he ſaued himſelfe, and the next day went out diſguiſed. The peace of the low countries. iſſued out vpon him, & like hungrie wolues fought ſo deſperately, that in fine, they ouerthrew his whole armie, cōpoſed of more then fortie thouſand men. There is no peace to be granted to heretickes. It is done continually, for it is not yet a yeare, ſince the king of Spaine granted peace to the Iſlands of Holand & Zeland, not only giuing them the libertie of their religion, but withdrawing the exerciſe of his owne. Peace giueth that to the Huguenots, which warre taketh from them. And what? the libertie of conſcience. Many polliticke and wiſe men, haue acknowledged and confeſſed, that force conſtraineth not mens conſciences: that ſword and fire, haue not power to extirpe the opinions of religion, that are once entered into the mindes of men: that ſuch victorie ouer mens conſciences, belongeth onely to God, the father of light and trueth: and that force may well make Hippocrites and Atheiſts, but not religious or chriſtian people. If the king ſuffreth this libertie of conſcience, 1576. Libertie of conſcience. Catholicque religion will bee cleane conſumed vnder theſe nouelties: and all his Realme wil be poyſoned with ſects, Schiſmes, & errors. The free exerciſe of this new religion, will be leſſe aduantage to the perticipants thereof, then it would be if it were but ſecretly vſed.Religion increaſeth more being perſecuted and forbidden, then whē it is permitted. Read a booke touching this point, imprinted at Antwarpe. An. 1579. Dialogus do Pace. For the people are light & impatient, with long reſt and quietneſſe: and to the contrary, things leaſt permitted, and vneaſie, are moſt pleaſant and agreeable. And therefore deſire nothing but change, and diſlike nouelties, with more diſdaine then euer they had affectiō or vehmēt deſire to ſee thē aduāced. They alwaies fal headlong into that which is forbidden thē. The more they preſented, tormēted, & troubled the hereticques at Prague, and in Ausbourg, and the more they were forbidden to aſſemble and meet togither, ſo much the more they in creaſed and had aſſemblles, and with fiers, whippings, hanging, and priſons, became innumerable. And when they haue the free libertie of that they deſire, when rigor is layde aſide, the thing becommeth ſo common and diſcouered, that many refuſe it, entering againe into the great and broad way which they had left. And therfore diuers men haue thought, that there is no better means to ſhake, Apollitike maxime. Ʋnitie of the ſectaries, in matters of pollicie.and in the end to ouerthrow a new religion, then to permit the free exerciſe thereof. For as a man of great iudgement in our time, ſaith: As much as man loueth his libertie, and yet abuſeth it, ſo much the more hee hateth ſeruitude and conſtraint, wherin notwithſtanding he behaueth himſelfe better, then in the enioying of his freedome. There ought to be but one religion in one Realme. It is well ſaid: but when a king findeth more, it is very hard for him to roote them out. Would you haue one eye thruſt out the other? the greateſt Princes in the world are much troubled thereby, and yet conſtrained to indure it. The Princes of Almaine haue this diuerſitie in one Towne: yea, in one Hoſt, and in one familie, without either trouble or diuiſion.

The interim of the Emperour Charles the fiſt, 1530. Confirmed 1555. The Emperour Charles the fift, was conſtrainsd to paſſe that path, and his brother Ferdinand, a man moſt affected to the Catholicque religion, conſented to the ſame libertie in his kingdomes of Bohemia, Hungaria, and Austria. Pietie is the foundation of all estates, which cannot be in all places where God is diuerſly ſerued. It is ſo, and you finde many that complaine thereof, but fewe that ſeeke the remedie: we knowe but two, that is, rigor, and peaceableneſſe, either by a generall Councell, or by armes. For the firſt it needeth not, becauſe the trueth once knowne and determined, ought not to be brought in queſtion or diſputed of againe. The latter is altogither ſtraunge, and it was neuer heard, that men were put to death, to force them to beleeue. To kill, burne, and maſſacre, are words neuer vſed but in ſeditious enterpriſes: thoſe of the new opinion, that liue among the Catholicques without preaching or open exerciſes, are content to ſeeke no further freedome then the libertie of their conſcience without being troubled. A King cannot refuſe his ſubiects the libertie of not ſpeaking, for that mens tongues and conſciences, are not vnder the Soueraigntie of his Scepter.Tacere liceat, Nulla libertas minor a rege Petitur Senec. O ed. Lictance li. 5. cap. 14. God is the God of mens ſoules: Kings may conſtraine mens bodies, and force them to ſay that outwardly, which inwardly they deny. For as he (that is called the Cicero of Chriſtians) ſaith: Who can conſtraine me not to beleeue that which I will beleeue? or to thinke that credible, which ſeemeth incredible: there is nothing ſo voluntarie as religion: but if the minde be ſeparated from it, it is no more religion, but hypocriſie and diſsimulation: force will do that,Purpure cultores efficies non Dei. which ſhould be done onely by loue, for by it men reſpect more the penalties of the lawe, then the lawe it ſelfe: they will reuerence the Iudges ſcarlet gowne, not for the loue of the Iudge, but for feare of the executioner, that attendeth on him: • ides ſuadenda non imperanda. Bernard. and when they are gone, their courages are found to be ſtrongerthen their torments, & their conſtancie greater then their cruelties: peaceableneſſe is more conuenient, and hath more force. Faith commandeth not, but is taught: the ſtrongeſt or rougheſt bits, are not fit for good horſes. Our cōſciences are the like, for force breaketh ſooner, thē bendeth thē. If the Lute bee not well tuned, or if the Meane do not agree with the Baſe, we muſt not therefore breake it,About the end of Iune, 1574. the king called him his father. but winde it ſoftly vp, and you ſhall make them accord. The Emperour Maxemilion, that ſaid, that no ſinne could be greater, then to violate mens conſciences, anſwered the king of France returning out of Polonia, (propoſing the ruine of the Huguenots, & the reſtabliſhing of the only religiō of his forefathers in his realm) that thoſe wich ſeek to rule ouer mēs conſciences, ſuppoſing to win heauen, do oftentimes looſe their poſſeſsions on earth.To obey God and ſerue the king. Two religions cannot command in one Realme. It is true, but that is no conſequent why there ſhould not be two: for the ſubiect is not bound to follow the religion of his Prince, as long as he permitteth him the libertie of his own: he muſt obey and ſerue: hee giueth to God, that which is Gods, and to Caezar, In the time of Clouis a Pagan, there was Chriſtians in Frāce that which is Caezars, and confoundeth not the difference between thoſe two ſeruices and duties. He that hath one religion, cannot haue two, and hateth and deteſteth that which is the contrarie. Clouis our firſt chriſtian King, being a Pagan, tollerated chriſtians in his Realme: and ſo did our King being in Polonia, permit Latin and Greeke Churches, with the confeſsion of Ausbourg, Lutherans, and Calueniſts, to liue togither in Muſcouia, and other countries belonging vnto the Emperor: the prince of Greece & a great part of his ſubiects, are different frō him touching religion. And although the Turke receiueth not the Crowne, yet he conſtraineth them not to leaue their chriſtianitie. The Frenchmen could not indure Iewes in France. They banniſhed them not becauſe of their religion, but for their Barbarous cruelties, wherewith they crucified young children in diſpight of the ſonne of God: and for their extreame vſuries, wherewith they conſumed the common people. The king ſuffering Heretickes, doth wrong to the Catholicques. The king is Common-father to them, as well as to the others:Iewes baniſhed out of France, and for what cauſe. as there is no reaſon to prooue the ingratitude of the ſonne towards the father, ſo all lawes deteſt the inhumanitie and impietie of the father againſt the ſon. Thoſe whom the king ſo oftentimes proclaimeth rebelles, and his enemies, are his children, his ſubiects, and his ſeruants. God neuer proſpereth the enterpriſes of the ſubiect againſt his Prince, & very ſildome haue kings had great triumphs by wars ouer their ſubiects. It belongeth to a Vittellius, and not to a king of France, to walke along the fieldes, his garments all died with the blood of his ſubiects,Vitellius ſaid, that the body of the enemie ſlaine, ſauoureth well, but that of the citizen beeing dead, is better. Tacit. lib. 17. Suet in the life of Vitellius. Cap. 10. The people neuer die. The 5. Edict of peace, An. 1577. made at Poictiers in the moneth of Septemb. Conference at Nerac, the laſt of Februarie. 1579. The 6. Edict of peace in An. 1581. and to delight in the ſauour of their dead bodies lying ſlaine vppon the ground. VVhen the Huguenots ſhall be ouerthrowne and conſumed, the king ſhall liue in peace. Suppoſe he putteth them to death, and that at one time, hee cutteth off a hundreth thouſand heads. The General ſeed is immortall by the ſucceſsion of euery particular familie, kindred, and ſeuerall man, which ſtill increaſeth one after the other, although euery particular man of himſelfe is mortall, the bodie of the people in general neuer dieth. The K. may wel deſtroy al the particulars of this new opinion, but they will leaue as many children, whoſe innocencie God and nature will not permit to touch, that will ſucceed not onely in their goods, but in the humors, quarrels, and paſsions of their fathers. In fine, thoſe that perſwaded peace by their reaſon alleadged, got the vpper hand of thoſe that deſired warre: and there vpon it was concluded, with great concontentment on both both parts, that the Prince of Conde the ſame night he receiued it, cauſed it to be publiſhed by torch-light, although with leſſe aduantage on his ſide then the firſt. For it reſtored the exerciſe of the Catholicque religion, in the places where it had been prohibited, continuing and commending it to bee vſed in all places: it ſuffered mens conſciences to bee free, yet without publicke exerciſe, but onely in the Townes and places, where as then it was openly preached, and to Gentlemen of quallitie & degree, in their own houſes: yet there was ſome difficultie in the execution and obſeruation of this peace, which the conference at Nerac betweene the Queene-mother and the King of Nauarre, ſoone auoyded: but the wound not well healed, did ſtill bleed, by meanes of the furious diſorders of thoſe that were his chiefe doers: but in the yeare one thouſand fiue hundreth eightie and one, it was wholly ioyned and drawne vnto a ſcarre. Peace being made, what became of thoſe that deſired nothing but warre?

Monſieurs voyage into Flaunders.The King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde, withdrew themſelues. And the Queene-mother cauſed her title which ſhe pretended to the Crowne of Portugall, as onely heire of the houſe of Boulongne, to be diſcided. And Monſieur the kings brother, after the example of the Arch-duke Matthias, went into Flaunders, there to make worke for the king of Spaine, where he made a goodly entrie, but an euill retrait. Mean time, what did the king? he to ouerthrow impietie by godlineſſe, and hereſie by trueth: and to ſhew by all his actions, that he deſired nothing more, then the ending of all diuiſions in his Realme: and knowing that the Prince is as it were a ſpring, from whence there iſſueth either vice or vertue, that the people follow his ſteps, & that they do more by example then by commaundement: hee ſhewed himſelfe the mirrour of deuotion and chriſtian reformation:Inſtitution of the order of the holy ghoſt 1579. hee ordained many holy Congregations, true Schooles and Gardens of pietie: he built Monaſteries: he frequented religious perſons: he ware the order: and by the example of Lois the eleuenth, to vnite great perſons in concord and inuiolable amitie, both for the benefite of the eſtate and Countrie: he inſtituted the order of the holy Ghoſt, as an authentike declaration, that he neither could loue nor do good to hereticques, binding al the knights of the Order by a ſolemne oath, vnto ſuch conditions as only pleaſed Catholicque mindes: hee eſteemed that by ſpirituall remedies, hee might heale the diſeaſe of the ſpirit, and frenzie of new opinions: that force or mans pollicie, could not conſtraine mens conſciences: that we muſt not kill, to make men beleeue, that the conuerſion of ſuch as are ſtrayed out of the way, is the onely worke of the hand of God: and that the wiſeſt Princes had bin conſtrained to giue ouer violence and terrour of warres, and haue recourſe to catechiſings, for the reducing of the conſciences of their ſubiects: hee beſtowed Biſhoppricks, and ſpirituall promotions, vpon ſuch as hee knewe to bee no leſſe learned then religious: hee cauſed all ſorts of bookes of pietie and deuotion to be printed: forbidding and defending the impreſsion of heretickes writings. And to conclude, he liued more like a Capuc in thē a King: he deſired no more war: his Diana, was the ſinging of the Foueilantins: his Campe-royal a Cloyſter: his armour,Maners & faſhions of Henry the third. An Anagramme made of the king. Henticus ter • ius: inte vere Chriſtus. a Penitentiaries ſack: he liued continually with a Crucifix in his hand: and if he liued, it was no more he, but Ieſus Chriſt that liued in him. Such witneſſe of his actions was giuen by the Capucins of Parris, ſuch was the commendation he had by Father Bernard Fueillantin, and Father Edmund Anger, that had well ſearched, tried, ſounded and taſted the conſcience of this Prince, both publikely and priuately, aſſured and perſwade euery man, that France in long time before, had not any Prince more religious, nor more humble, as hauing no other care, then onely to keepe and maintaine his ſubiects: firſt, in their obedience to God, and next vnto himſelfe. Neuertheleſſe, he that in a litle booke, intituled Francophile, ſheweth the greatnes of his ſpirit: & as the common Prouerb is, maketh the Lyon known by his feet, writeth cleane contrarie of the actions of this king, while he led that ſollitarie life. Whoſe proper words I will rehearſe, and ioyne them to this treatiſe: either in trueth they are of greater eloquence & copiouſnes of matter then mine own, which areas followeth. He was ſoon wearie of wars, & as of nature he was ſoſt & delicate, his ſpirit weak,Francophile imprinted at Chartres. Anno. 1591. F • l. 31. and 32. lowe, & impatient to indure trauel or paine: & all his complexions vnequal differing, & too baſe for a ſouldier: he ſought a peaceable & quiet life. And ſo hee ſoone turned to delight in weddings, dauncings, and all ordinary paſtimes, which procured long peace. But the Queene, and thoſe of the houſe of Guiſe, perceiuing him to take that courſe, thoght to vſe him as a ſipher, and while hee buſied himſelfe with deuiſing of meaſures, and concordes of dauncings, to hold the rule of the Common-wealth, and to diſpoſe the gouernment thereof: but they found themſelues ſoone fruſtrate of their intent: for as a fore eye deſireth ſhad dowe, and cannot indure the light; ſo the ſpirit of this Prince alreadie molten, and in a manner mollified in this profound reſt and quietneſſe, could not indure the preſence of great perſons: whether it were becauſe in his delights hee feared their checkes, or that hee more deſired the priuitie of meaner men, in ſuch maner, that finding themſelues farre out of their accounts, they had recourſe to wicked practiſes and inuentions, wherewith in time they filled all the countrie of France.

Meane time, certaine yeares paſt ouer, wherein to furniſh the ſuperfluities of the Court, the Commons of France were ſo ſtraungely oppreſſed, that they knewe not what courſe to holde, wherein thoſe of Guiſe were not ydle. And as the hunter watcheth in narrowe places for the Quailes, which the rigor of winter ſeaſon driueth into more temperate and pleaſant countries: ſo among ſo many publike diſorders, they were alwaies watching in the Court, to take vp and entertaine male contents, where no houre in the day paſſed ouer their heads, but they cought a new Pigeon. And this hunting was not only holden in that place, but in all the Townes of France, where the people were ſo hardly preſſed and beaten down with the waight of thoſe burthens, that all the hopes and comforts of better intertainment by the Guiſes offered, they preſently imbraſed without iudgement or diſcretion. And among all theſe diſcontents, of the ſubiects, oppreſſed with great taxes, of the Clargies impatiēce at the increaſing of their enemies, and of the Princes of Lorraine, The faith & obedience of the people, began to decline 1582. reſtrained from the kings fauour, it was an eaſie matter to renue the league of Peronne, and to animate their hearts, that were diſpoſed to reuolt, in diſobedience, to maintaine religion, & the eaſing of the people. Nor better nor fairer pretence to open the eies, hearts, and purſes of ſuch men to enterpriſe warre, could not be found. At the ſame time, the king had ſent vnto the Princes for the reſtitution of the Towns, which they held for the obſeruation of the laſt edict of peace, which they were to yeelde vp at the end of 6. yeares. But becauſe the king of Nauarre ſent word vnto his Maieſtie,Prolongation of the time, of the townes of aſſurance. 1582. that the peace hauing ſo often been broken by ſurpriſes and open warres, the termed of 6. yeares was too ſhort a time for the execution of the Edict, and abolliſhing of wars: he agreed to the prolongation thereof. Wherevpon all the Princes of the league, tooke occaſion to ſay, that the king fauoured Hereticques, and that he would indure hereſie, and conſidered not that thoſe Townes were inhabited by Huguenots, ſtrong of ſcituation, & hard to be won by force. When the king of Nauarre perceiued thoſe motions, and that ſome matter was breeding, he foreſawe the tempeſt wold light vpon him, what pretence ſoeuer was made: therevpon he beſought the king, to call to minde the intelligences hee had giuen him, in Anno. 1576. ſent expreſly by a Gentleman, concerning the treatie and handling of the league in Spaine and Italie, & that he ſhuld looke to the profite of the myne, ſeeing it was diſcouered. And perceiuing the enterpriſe euery day more and more to proceed, he began to take care of himſelfe, & ſent the Lord of Pardillan to the Queen of England, the king of Denmarke, and the Princes and Electors of Almaine, to renue amitie with them: deſiring their aydes touching the preuenting of new troubles, that began to riſe in France againſt the edict of peace: & to appoynt a good ſum of mony to bee ſent vnto ſome Towne in Allemaine, to bee imployed for the leuying of certaine forces againſt the enemie. In the mean time, for the aduantage of the league, but to the great trouble and miſchiefe of all the Realme of France: The death of the Duke of Alencon in Iune, 1584. Monſieur the kings brother (eyther by his riotouſneſſe in the lowe countries, for greefe of the hard ſucceſſe of his affaires, by hazard, or by Salcedas means, that was executed) died at Chasteau Thierry. His death awakened the moſt drouſie heads, it brake all the bandes that ſtayed the proceedings of the league, and cauſed it preſently to roare, at Chaalons, Rheims, Troye, Dyon, and Mezieres. It had alreadie found credite ynough in all the other Towns, ſpecially at Parris, wherein they were diſwaded from the yoake of the Huguenots, and the hope of the king of Nauarre to rule ouer them. The firſt point of the loue to the king, was alreadie foundred in her hart: ſhe ſpake not of him but with al kinde of diſdaine, & euery day preſented him with the opinions and cenſures of Paſquils indiſcreet ieaſts, and libels without names, wherein corrupt minds alreadie ſtuffed with the diſorders of the Court, ſwallowed vp the poyſon of their mutinies, vnder what pretence I knowe not, ſpeaking of the king as of a Sardanapalus, or one that did nothing: The kings deuiſe. Manet vltime Coelo. Qui dedit ante Duas vnam abſtulit, alcera nutat, Tertia tonſoris nunc facienda manu. of a Prince, drowned in his pleaſures and delights, whom alreadie they placed like a Chilperic in a Monaſtrie: and in ſtead of the third Crown, which by his deuiſe was reſerued for him in heauen, they promiſed him one, made with a raiſor in a Cloyſter. But hee that would knowe the firſt conception, birth and infancie of the league within Parris, hee muſt beleeue that which Manant ſaith to Maheustre, that ſpeaketh like a wiſe man, and by the propoſitions and anſweres, repreſenteth all thoſe that deale therein: and for the firſt, hee nameth him that was the ſecret Miniſter of the leaguers intent, to make it known to three Preachers, that tooke ſeuen or eight Coaintors with them, thereby to make a ſmall Councell: which was oftentimes holtors within the Colledge of Forteret, where they beganne to chuſe ſixe others of the moſt faithfull,The Colledge of Forteret, was the cradle of the league. The ſixe firſt confederates of the league. to watch at all the ſixe quarters, to report what was done in thoſe places: to ſowe this new graine within their heads, to ſound the affections of the moſt feruent Catholicques, and to diſpoſe them to a reſolution againſt the king, the world and death. Thoſe ſixe Arch-leaguers, in the beginning made a faire and great Harueſt, and as with the number, courage increaſed. The principall leaguers were aſſured, that thoſe new confederates would ingender others, preſently therevppon the two pillers that ſuſtaine and vphold the Prince, (which are the moſt faithfull Archers of his Court of guard, that is, good will and authoritie) were thrown downe, hatred and deſpight entering into their places. Of thoſe two plagues, as of a monſterous blood, was conceiued and brought foorth moſt diſloyall rebellion, and the deſpiſing of the lawe and the authoritie of the Prince, mixed with the euill minde which the people bare to their king, his Councell, and his fauourers: hatched this great Erynnis and furious miſchiefe in France, that hath entered into all the vaines of our bodie. But alaſſe poore people, what will you do, what example, what commandement, what iuſt reaſon, mooueth or aſſureth you to arme your ſelues againſt your king? What lawe approoueth the rebellion of the ſubiect againſt him whom God hath appoynted your king? If there be any imperfection or diſorder, are you to correct it? or can the foote ordaine a lawe for the head? It is no more lawfull for you to reſiſt againſt the faults or imperfections of your Gouernours, then to deſpight God, and aske him the cauſe of the froſts and hailes, that beat & ſpoyled your vines. Stay you little ſnayles within your ſhels, come not foorth you torteaux out of the caſes, vnder them you are aſſured: for you ſhall no ſooner put forth your heads, nor ſtretche out a foote, but preſently be aſſayled, & lie opē to your enemies: readie to receiue the firſt blowe that ſhal be giuen. Aſſoone as the league perceiued that diuers townes had made great fires for ioy of her birth, it was preſented to the Pope, that he might giue it his bleſsing, auouch it for his, and declare it to bee for the Catholicke, Apoſtolike, and Romiſh Church. But Gregory the 13. deſiring to ſhewe himſelfe to bee the common father of all Chriſtians, and Paſtor & not diſpearſer of his flocke,Pope Gregory would nener conſent to this raiſing of men. The anſwere of the Pope vnto the league. conſidering that the raiſing of armes againſt a moſt Chriſtian and Catholicque king, was wholly contrarie to the doctrine of the Goſpell, the examples of Chriſt and his Apoſtles, and the lawes of pollicie and ſtate: certified the leaguers Deputies that he could not approoue their inuentions: and to conclude, ſent them backe againe without an anſwere. And not long before he died, ſayd to the Cardinall of Eſt, that the league ſhuld neither haue bull, letter, nor commiſsion from him, for he knewe not what they ment: and that hee would not ſerue for a firebrand to kindle a warre, which he could by no meanes quench. The impatience of the league, that would by no means ſtay the reſolution of the Court of Rome, publikely manifeſted her intent, making it ſelfe ſo much more plauſible, as the pretences thereof made it ſeeme admirable and faire, in that the name of one of the firſt Princes of the blood, ſtood written in the forehead thereof. A Prince in all other reſpects olde and decayed, wholly without hope euer to marry, to haue iſſue, or to ſuruiue a king both young and luſtie. The people on the other ſide, were all diſpoſed to rebellion, ſo that there wanted nothing but the watch-word. Mean time,The Cardinall of Burbon. The Aſtronomers aſſured the duke of Guiſe of the ſhort life of the king. euery man looked into the royaltie, they reckoned the kings age, they would make him a king like to the King of our Stageplaies, who while he is apparelled, is called moſt noble king. It was openly ſayd & ſpoken in euery mans mouth, that the King dying without iſſue, he had no other ſucceſſor, then the Cardinall of Bourbon, and yet in the meane time, the people were couertly put into the heads, of the vaire vſurpation of the Capets, vpon the heires of Charlemaine, whereof there was diuers bookes printed: and then the Paſquils ran about the Court: and I haue noted ſome of the beſt, which will not be amiſſe to be ſet downe herein:

The King.

I deſire peace, and for ſweare warre.

The Duke of Guiſe.

Peace beeing made, my hope is cleane gone.

The Duke de Maine.

By warres we obtaine both credite and riches.

The Cardinall of Guiſe.

Time offereth it ſelfe couertly vnto vs.

The King of Nauarre.

He that reckoneth without me, thinking I will indure it, let him aſſure himſelfe to reckon twiſe.

The Cardinall of Bourbon.

Euery man may reckon that which he thinketh to be his owne.

The Queen-mother.

This diſputatiō is of no force as long as my ſon liueth.

The Duke of Lorraine.

Let vs neuertheleſſe follow the league & her pretences.

The Duke of Sauoy.

Then the king will looſe both France and all his ſubiects.

The King of Spaine.

If France be loſt, I will ſoone finde it.

France.

Soft and faire, there needeth not ſo many dogges for one bone, ſuch as by ambition ſeeme to trouble me, did neuer prooue my force.

AN ARGVMENT BOTH WITH and againſt the league. The King he hath no children to ſucceed, His ſucceſſor, a Catholicque muſt bee: The Realme is taxt with imposts euerie day, And people mooued do ſeeke for vengeance ſtill. Two, three, or foure minions poſſeſſe the wealth: The Parliament was holden all in vaine, The holy league will now redreſſe theſe wrongs, Thereby for to reduce our hope againe. The King hee hath no childe, but hee may haue, Rebellion ought not to redreſſe our right: The King can eaſe our caſe without conſtraint: His mignons two or three are not ſo great, And Parliament will end all difference, VVhich may cut off the way vnto the league. I must, I will, it pleaſeth mee to thinke, So many reaſons cannot bee but good: But ſuch confuſed mindes haue no reſtraint, For thou preferſt degree and honour high. Its true, they Princes are most fortunate, Compariſons with them may not bee made, But they ſet fire in their dwelling houſe, VVhich is an act both pittifull and ſtraunge, They are diſdainde, but knoweſt thou wherefore? I dare not ſpeake, I leaue that to the King: If hee ſay nought, God knoweth what hee thinks, I will not vtter word for feare of blame, Onely it greaueth me, ſo many wiſe And learned men in France, do hold their peace. The victorie is for them, each man doth ſay, Such as haue intereſt will them reſiſt: All is now free with horror and with death, And our afflictions mortall are. Behold the fooliſh toyes of ydle braine, To thinke our wrongs proceed from wicked men, And he that ſaith our king is faſt a ſleepe, If he a ſubiect be, then let him ſhowt: For mee I dare not ſpeake, in thes ſtraunge time, Least that our Courtiers ketch me by the backe: I am too weake my countrie for to helpe, But to deſtroy the ſubiects of our King, Orit deſire, ſheweth a want of faith: For hee that honoureth not his lawfull Prince May well bee ſaid, hee feareth not the Lord. I am not borne a King, my fate moſt hard Permitteth not ſuch glory to my race: But if I were a King, ſuch dignitie VVould cauſe me make my name for to bee fearde: I would march foorth in armes moſt terrible, VVith Maiestie moſt like for to commannd, And dumpting pride of ſubiects • utime, Immort allize my name for euer more: God ſhould mee guide, faith ſhould be my ſhield, The people my ſupport, the lawe my ſtrength, To die the earth with blood of traitor vile, Oppoſing ſtrength and force, them to reſiſt. But I am not a King, my heart doth faile, I loue to reſt, and hate moſt bloody warre. Perceiuing in our time the inconstant ſtate, VVhich giueth cauſe ſtill to expect a change: VVe may compare France to a Table ſquare, VVhereas foure ſit, primero for to playe: The King, on whom the loſſe muſt wholly fall, Saith paſſe if I can, and yet he hath gard game: Bourbon he ſaith, this game is tedious, It werieth mee, and throweth off his hat. Not thinking what his l •• ter card might bee. Nauarre holds play, and likeſt for to winne: But Guiſe in hope to haue ſome little fluſh, Ve •• eth at all, Nauarre he doubleth it. The Spaniards ſtanding to behold their play, And bearing part with Guiſert couertly. Supplyes his want with mony, that he may In th'end haue all the gaine vnto himſelfe. To flatter, lye, diſſemble, and betraye, By ſubtill meanes the trueth for to diſguiſe, To playe the foxe, pretending holineſſe, To ſeeme denout, and yet an Hipocrite: To pleaſe great • e • , and follow at their heele, Of earthly •• ul • to faine a deitie, To reſpect ſtate and now religion: To forge a God of mans in ••• tion: To aske for peace, where peace cannot be had: Readie to runne at euery little call, Still to bee armed, and ſaue the hereticque. In ſtead of Catholicque, Machiauel, Not to regard the world that is to come, Are ſignes of ſuch as liue by pollicie. To ſpeake of God, and yet a diuelliſh minde, To make great ſhewe of rede, and yet no faith, To playe the polliticque, deſpiſing lawe: To promiſe reſt, and ſeeke to tyranniſe: To ſeeme an innocent, and yet vniuſts To ſhewe pittie, yet filling all with blood: To ſeeme ſubiect, yet ſeeke the King to ſpoyle: Do you call this a ſeruant Catholicque? If to bee holy, we muſt ſeeke to range, In euery place to maſſacre and ſpoyle, And put both liues and goods in ſtra • ngers hand, And to our countrie furious Tigers ſeeme. If leaguers lawe hath ſo ordained it, To drowne my ſelfe I rather would deſire, Then for to liue an Vtheiſt in my heart, And outwardly ſhewe a chriſtian.

Although this age hath much abridged the libertie and freedome of writing, which appeareth in our ancient Hyſtoriographers, Proſſart, Monstielet, & Phillip de Comines, yet wil I neither for feare nor flatterie, (two Hiſtoricall plagues) ſeeme to couer the trueth of this diſcourſe. I confeſſe that in ſuch places, as of themſelues are diſcommendable, I haue added of mine owne, to make them more notorious: and in ſuch actions as are woorthie praiſe, wherein vertue, cōſcience, & valor conſiſteth, Iſpare no cōmendation but in things indifferent: I am conſtrained to ſuſpend my iudgement: rather then to enter into many vntrueths: wherin if I ſhould vſe partiallitie, I could not chuſe but varrie from the matter. My ſquadron is the trueth: Plato and Socrates are my friends, but I eſteeme trueth before all things.

This Hiſtorie is a plea, neither with not againſt the league: I will not ſet roſes among thornes, there is neuer any vniuerſall plague, but ſome eſcape it: and among ſo many and diuers actions, it is impoſsible but there muſt be ſeuerall colours.

I will report the problemes debated on both ſides: I will ſhewe you their propoſitions, which are neither ſo cleare nor apparant, but there is alwaies ſome contrarietie: I will ſet foorth in open ſhewe, the occaſions of the league, the kings reaſons, and the king of Mauarres defences, which I will declare without choiſe or difference; and you ſhall conſider of them without partiallitie, hatred, fauour, or ſelfe will, and eſteeme them as a meate rather prepared for your health, then for your taſte.

Two things gaue a hotte alarme to the league: one, the aſſembly at M ••• auban: the other, the voyage of the Duke d'Eſpernon to the king of Nauarre: which it tooke as brands to kindle her fier, and beganne to ſend out commiſsions in all places in the kings name, who diſauouched them, and prohibited the raiſing of ſouldiers. The firſt poynt of their diſlike,The kings Edict of the 28. of march 1585. againſt the raiſing of men. ſhewed the reaſon which mooued the Cardinall of Bourbon, the Princes, Lords, Townes, and common people, beeing Catholicques, to oppoſe themſelues againſt the Hereticques. Secondly, becauſe they were offended, that the Parliament which they would haue had to bee holden concerning warres, to be made againſt the Huguenots had been reuoked. Thirdly, to breake the Edict of pacification. Fourthly, becauſe they ſtood in feare, that if the king ſhould die without children, there would riſe great trouble for the ſucceſsion of the Crownes:Reuocation of the edict of peace. whereof the king of Nauarre had great hope ſince the death of Monſieur the kings brother, by the practiſe of his friends and fauourers about the king. Fiftly, becauſe of the great preparations for warre, made both within and without the Realme, that ſhould bee readie by the fifteene of Aprill then next enſuing;Nominating of aſſociates to the crowne beeing in Anno. one thouſand fiue hundreth eightie fiue, to execute that, which they ſaid had beene concluded in an aſſembly at Magdebourg, the fifteenth of December, one thouſand fiue hundreth eightie foure, agaiſt religion, the king, and his ſubiects: by the which it was agreed, that the Queene of England ſhould furniſh fiftie thouſand Rutters, foure thouſand Switzers, and twelue thouſand Engliſhmen. The Counte Palatin, Prince Caſimir, and the Duke of Pomeranie, each of them foure thouſand Rutters. The Langraue of Heſſe, two thouſand and fiue hundreth. The Duke of VVitemberg two thouſand. The Lords of their league, beſides the Queen of Englāds forces, fiue thouſand Switzers. The kings Protector and Councell of Scotland, two thouſand Scots. The king of Nauare, the Prince of Conde and their aſſociates, fiue and twentie thouſand Harquebuſiers, and foure thouſand horſe, that had ſworne neuer to make peace with the king of France, but with all their conſents, to maintaine the Prince of Orange in the lowe Countries, againſt the king of Spaine: to helpe the Emperour by all the meanes they could, to get the Demaines of the Empire, witholdē by the Pope, and to ſend their deputies from all places in the month of March to Baſill, and Switzerland, thereto determine the differences concerning the Lords Supper. Sixtly, becauſe thoſe of the religion wold not yeeld vp the townes by them holden, for ye aſſurance of yt execution of the edict of peace. Seuenthly, becauſe of 〈◊〉 vniuerſal abuſe ſuffered in placing of officers, in leuying of monies, & by inuention of exceſsiue oppreſsiōs laid vpō the cōmon people. And laſtly, againſt ſuch as abuſing the K. fauor & authoritie, had in a maner ceaſed vpō his perſon, impeached the ordinary acceſſe of honeſt mē vnto him, by that means, to keepe from him the knowledge of diſorders that are in them: diſpoſed gouernments to their fauorers: conſumed the kings treaſures: moleſted the commō people: braued the Nobilitie: cut off the libertie of Iuſtice: ſpoyled the Clargie of their tithes & extraordinary benefits: & perſwaded the king, that it was neceſſarie for his ſeruice, to weaken & dimininiſh the authoritie of the Catholicke Princes & Lords. Vpon thoſe iuſt occaſions, they ſayd they were forced to meet in armes, not hauing meanes (by reaſon of the ſuddaineneſſe of the thing, togither with the little credite they had with his Maieſtie) to ſtay for his Commiſsion, neither yet to proceede by any other waye, to make him knowe their greefes: aſſuring him, that the ende and purpoſe of their pretence of rayſing of armes, was onely for to reeſtabliſh the Church of God in her true and ancient dignitie: vnder the exerciſe of one religion throughout all his realme: to reſtore the Nobilitie to their honor and franchiſes:Pretence of the League. to eaſe the common people of the impoſitions inuented and deuiſed ſince the raigne of Charles the ninth: & not to imploy the treaſures that ſhall be leuied, but for the kings ſeruice: to procure that from thencefoorth, the Parliament ſhould bee holden euery three yeares: to deſire the king to take order touching the differences of the ſucceſsion of the Crowne, to the end his realme ſhuld not be diuided into as many factions, as their are titles pretended. For the ſuretie & preſeruatiō of their own perſons, among ſo many publike and priuate calamities: to banniſh from the Court, ſuch as abuſed the fauour and authoriof the King: proteſting not to do any thing againſt the ſeruice of the king, neither yet to leaue armes, before their intents were fully executed: and that his Maieſtie had procured meanes to ſhunne the daunger: which to auoyde, they had taken armes: with promiſe likewiſe, that their ſouldiers ſhould bee payde.

The king thinking by faire meanes to retaine them in their duties, and to exhort them to an vnion,The Kings letters to the king of Nauarre. wrote to the King of Mauarre, that hee ſhould not mooue at thoſe actions, but content himſelfe with patience: the people might perceiue and iudge the pretences of the league, and knowe on whom to laye the blame: praying him to aſſure himſelfe of his good affection, with promiſe that he would not forget his intereſt, more then his owne, and that he would not be vnmindfull of him, as being his good brother: withall, diſcouering vnto him the iudgement hee had conceiued touching thoſe new troubles, which was in theſe words. That hee knewe, that thoſe of the league, what ſhewe ſoeuer they made, pretended onely againſt his perſon and his Crowne: minding to riſe and become great at his coſts, ſeeking nothing elſe but the vtter ruine and dſsipation of his eſtate.

While the flame iſſued out of this fornace, the league made warre againſt the Huguenots, ceaſing vppon the beſt Townes of the Catholicques in all the realme. Religion was preached in Guyenne, and they went to driue it out of Picardie: Marceille taken the 9. of Aprill, 1585. by the league but preſently againe, reduced to the K. obedience. the Hugnenots were in Rochel, and the leaguers armie marched ſtraight to Parris: they are at Montpellier, and the league ſet vppon Marſeille: which by means of the ſecond Conſull of the Towne they tooke, who afterward was hanged.

The taking of it againe out of their hands, liked the king ſo well, that as the meſſenger brought him news thereof, into the Hall whereas then he was, leauing his companie, hee went vnto them, and commending their reſolution, eſteemed them for his faithfull and good ſubiects, in that they had hanged the leaguerer Daries, ſaying vnto them: My good friends, I am cōtent to grant to your requeſt, and more if need require, aſſuring you that my liberallitie ſhal neuer bee wanting, to acknowledge your great fidelitie.

But in the mean time, he tooke no order for his affaires: he was on foot, and the leaguer ſpake on horſebacke: he ware the Penetentiaries ſack, and they armour on their backes: and leauing armes, which nature and neceſsitie preſented vnto him,The K. zeale to religion, cauſe of the peace, in An. 1577. hee had recourſe to penne and Inke, and made his declaration, but in ſuch cold manner, that you would ſay he durſt not name his enemies: and ſeemed like a man, that complained hee had been beaten, but ſhewed not by whom. hee ſaid, that both before and ſince his aduancement to the Crowne, hee had ſufficiently ſhewed his zeale and affection towardes the Catholicque religion, whereof the onely conſeruation was dearer vnto him, then his own life or royall Crowne. That he had been conſtrained to make peace, when he perceiued that hee wanted meanes to continue the warres:Fruits of peace to all eſtates. ſpecially when he knewe and well perceiued, that all his Realme was wearied with their continual calamities. That peace was the readie remedie to bring his ſubiects to one religion: to eſtabliſh iuſtice: to correct abuſes: reforme manners: comfort the Cleargie and the people: reuiue the qualities and horrors of his Nobilitie, in a manner imbaſed by thoſe diuiſions. That the peace being well holden and obſerued, it would procure an entire and ful contentment to al eſtates: And thereby iuſtice would bee in force by authoritie of the lawes. The Cleargie reformed, and that in all places there was no other but learned and godly Prelates. The Nobilitie reconciled, leauing hatred, diſtruſt, and the people deliuered from the inſatiable troubles of warres. That diuers neuertheleſſe, both impudent and bolde, more hypocrites then religious, had taken pleaſure to interpret that peace to a ſecret fauour and loue hee ſhould beare vnto the Huguenots, thereby to aduance them, a thing which neuer once entered into his mind. That the feare of troubles ye might ariſe after his death,The diſputation of the Princes ſucceſſion, is odious while the Prince liueth. was not a ſufficient cauſe to torment & trouble him in his life, and as it were to condemne him, not to bee any more the perſon that God and nature had ordained him. That he neuer fauoured the ſucceſsion of a king, that ſhould be to the diſaduantage of the Catholicque religion: that it was in a manner to conſtraine nature & time, ſo much to diſtruſt the goodneſſe of God, as to vndertake a quarrell touching the ſucceſsion of the Crowne, during his life, beeing healthfull and ſtrong of bodie, his Queen the flower of her age,This is ſpokē for Monſieur de Guiſe, that was Great-maiſter of France. & euery man in hope that God would ſend them iſſue: that the Princes which complained to bee out of his fauour, had receiued as great fauour and rather more, then euer they deſerued, hauing honoured them with the greateſt and moſt honourable offices of his Crowne, which in times paſt were not giuē but to the Princes of the blood. And in fine, hauing promiſed to reſtore the Church to her ſplendure, the Nobilitie to their contentment, iuſtice to her authoritie, and comfort to the people, hee prayed, coniured, exhorted, and commaunded, all Eccleſiaſticall perſons, Gentlemen, Parliaments, and Townes, to ſeparate themſelues from all ſuch meanes, as might impeach the effect of ſo holy an intent: and to leaue all leagues and aſſoſiations, vniting themſelues vnder his obedience, as by nature, dutie, and their owne welfare they were bound. The king of Nauarre, who to obey the king, had not as yet taken armes, & let paſſe all the occaſions that might excuſe him, thought that of all inſenſible creatures, he ſhould bee moſt inſenſible,The king of Nauarres declaration, made at Bergerac the 10. of Iune, 1585. & preſented to the king, by Monſieur de Cleremont. if hee ſhould bee ſo ſimple as not to perceiue the many ſlaunders raiſed againſt him: and that if ſeeing an arme lifted vp readie to ſtrike the king, hee would not ſtay it, and ſhewe the generoſitie of the houſe of Bourbon: vnder the promiſe of his Maieſtie, made a declaration, which he preſented and ſent to all chriſtian Princes, and chiefe companies of France, to make them capable of his actions.

Wherein hee fully diſcouered his religion and manner of faith, ſhewing that hee had been borne during the Schiſme and permiſsion of two religions in France, that he neither could nor would leaue that, wherin he had bin brought vp and inſtructed, if by a lawfull Councell hee were not otherwiſe conuerted: and that ſtill then they could not hold him for an hereticque, much leſſe as one that had fallē from the church: affirming that he had neuer bin hereticque, nor contrary to his firſt opinion: and that they thought rather to deſtroy, then inſtruct him: and to ouerthrow, then vnite him. That euery man knoweth whē he yeelded to heare Maſſe, after Saint Bartholomewes day. That both age, force, and feare, made him conſent to that, which in minde he neuer thought: and that aſſoone as hee was at libertie, hee returned to the exerciſe of his firſt religion. That in all the warres which hee made, hee neuer had any other reſpect, then only to God, and ſeruice to the king. And that aſſoone as his Maieſtie by his Edicts, had conſented to the libertie of mens conſciences, he preſently left armes, and countermanded his troupes, togither with the forrain aydes of his friends and confederates. That for that cauſe, hee is not enemie to the Catholicques as the report goeth. That hee maintaineth thoſe of Bearn, in the ſmall libertie they had when the Queen his mother died, and ſo in all places of the kingdome of Nauarre then reſting vnto him, where hee found the exerciſe of Catholicque religion, he neuer permitted any change. That the conſultation in Magdebourg, which the league ſo much ſpake of, that they cauſed it to bee preached openly in the Churches, was an imagination and woorthie ſuch reports, for that it would be found, that neither there, nor in any other place, it was euer holden. And that in the extract of forces, by them therein ſet downe, they induce the Ambaſſadors of the Elector Palatin, & of the Prince of Orange, the one beeing dead aboue a yeare before, and had left a ſonne within yeares, vnder the wardſhip of the Duke Caſimir: the other, about foure moneths before that, was ſlaine at Delft, by Balthazard Girad. That the declaration by them made of his incapacitie to the ſucceſsion of the Crowne, was the thing that touched him moſt: yet vntill then, hee had leaſt minde of it, contenting himſelfe with the hope, that God would long time preſerue his Maieſtie, for the good of his Realme and Common-wealth, and would in time giue him iſſue, to the great greefe of his enemies: not ſeeking to iudge the king or Queene to bee barren in the flower of their ages. That thoſe which in their declaration and proteſtation, named him to bee deſirous of the kings death, a perturber of the State, and ſworne enemie to all Catholicques, had falſely & wickedly lyed, and therevppon beſought the king, that the quarrell might bee deſcided betweene him and the Duke of Guiſe, one to one, two to two, or tenne to tenne, without troubling himſelfe, or ſuffer the people to indure any longer vexation.

The Queen-mother, that held with the Duke of Guiſe, more to croſſe and trouble him, & to make an entrie into the diſorder and confuſion of all affaires, then to aduance him,Princes fauourers of the league. gaue the king to vnderſtand, what power the league was of, ſhewing him, that therein hee had to do with the Pope, the Emperor, the king of Spaine, the Duke of Sauoy, certaine Princes of Germanie, the Catholicque Cantons of Switzers, all the houſe of Lorraine, and all the chiefe Towns in France that had entered therin, al reſolued to expoſe their perſons in ye middle of all perils, as the laſt anker to preſerue religion frō ſhipwracke. And ſhee gaue him ſo hotte an alarme with thoſe firſt aſſaults,The ſurpriſing of the Citadel of Lyons, the 2. of May, 1585. and knew ſo well how to vſe the occurrence of the taking of the Citadell of Lyons, (wherof the Captain had bin driuen out) vnto her purpoſe, that the more the king thought vpon it, the more hee perceiued himſelfe to bee weakned, and the leaguers aduanced. Hee thought that the ramparts & defences of his Eſtate, were alreadie abated: hee beleeued that alreadie, the Duke of Guiſe held him by the collor: it ſeemed vnto him, that his Pallace of Louure was beſieged, with great paine they could hardly make him come foorth of the Capucins ſell: it was no more he that wan the battelles of Iarnac and Moncontour, generoſitie wanted, and his heart began to faile. Herein diuers Polititians noted a great fault in the Eſtate, which after produced great accidents.Many imbarked them ſelues with the league, being made beleeue it was for the kings perſon, but perceiuing the contrary, left it. Caezar onely oppoſed but the authoritie of his face againſt his mutinous legions, but it was with a liuely and bolde aſſurance, not doubtfull nor trembling. If the king had ſhewed himſelf to the league, not couered with a Penitents garment, or habit of an Hermit: not by faire and plauſible meanes, but with conſtancie, courage, and reſolution woorthie a Maieſtie royall, hee had well made them knowe him to bee king, the true and onely Image of God, that had thunder readie in his hand to conſume and confound ſuch as roſe vp againſt him: the warre would bee ended. The armie of the Duke de Guiſe, which at his firſt riſing and in the flower thereof, was but a thouſand horſe, and foure thouſand foote, had been diſpearſed in leſſe then a month: and the Cardinall de Bourbon had confeſſed to the Queene-mother, that if the king had banded his authorithie againſt him, all his attempts had been cleane ouerthrowne. Feare is a plague to valiant mindes, but when the heart of the chiefe commander is poſſeſt therewith, his authoritie is abated, it dimiſheth, falleth, and vndermineth it ſelfe: for feare in flameth the courage, and cauſeth men ſo much more boldly to enterpriſe their wicked actions, as that they are aſſured they ſhal not be puniſhed. Alſo the king letting ſlip this reuolt, rather ſpeaking faire, then commaunding: and yeelding, rather then oppoſing: thereby drew all the miſchief of thoſe toubles vppon his owne head. He deſired the Queenmother to beare ſome of his blowes,This is the opinion of the Author that made the tiberal and excellent diſcourſe. fol. 22. The laſt requeſt of the Princes of the league. The Edict publiſhed in Parliament, the king being preſent, the 18. of Iuly, 1585. The K. fearfull, diſarmeth himſelfe, to cauſe the league to diſarm them ſelues. and to procure the Duke of Guiſe to leaue off his armes, and to aſſure him of his fauor, and that he would giue him what part of his Realme ſoeuer hee would aske, to let him liue in peace. This Prince of great hope, wiſe, and valerous, and one of the greateſt Captains that France in long time had bred, perceiuing that ſo hardy an enterpriſe had alreadie taken ſo good effect, and made ſo great a change, purſued it, and perceiuing the king to yeeld vnto him, hoped more then he either thought or ought to do. And there vppon preſented the king with another requeſt, wherein very wiſely hee motioned his owne intereſt, togither with the common cauſe, ſigned by himſelfe and the Cardinall of Bourbon, tending to this end. To deſire him to make and ſweare an vnreuocable edict for the extirpation of hereſies. To take by force the Townes holden by thoſe of the new religion. To reuowne the protection of Geneue: to authoriſe their warres: to reconcile them vnto him: to be of their league: and of a king to become a participant.

Therevppon with all ſpeede the peace was made, and caſt into a mould, the king ſuffering himſelfe by that feare to bee ſo much carried away. And by the edict, hee prohibited the exerciſe of the new religion, reuoked all other edicts that fauoured it: commaunded the Miniſters out of the land: and all his ſubiects within ſixe months after, to make profeſsion of the Catholicque religion, or to depart out of the Realme: diſpearſed the tripartite chambers of Parliaments: ordained that the Towns giuen in hoſtage to thoſe of the religion, ſhould bee yeelded vppe: and not onely commended, but approoued the warre by the Princes begunne, acknowledging it to bee done for his ſeruice.

This edict authoriſed them,Articles drawne at Nemours, the 7. of Iuly, 1581. but the articles that were ſecretly drawne at Nemours, were not altogither for their aduantage, and yet there was nothing in them, that diſpleaſed them, but onely the condition, that bound them preſently to leaue the league. And although they demaunded no other ſureties then his Maieſties word, yet they asked the Townes of Chaalon, Thoul, Verdun, Saint Diſier, Reims, Soiſſons, the Caſtle of Dyon, the Towne and Caſtle of Beaune, Rue in Picardie, Townes giuen in aſſurance to the League. Dinan and Conq in Brittaine, to bee deliuered vnto them. And the king payde 2001006. Crownes, and two thirds, for the ſtrannge forces leuied by thē, diſcharged thē of one million, ſixe thouſand three hundreth & fortie eight Crowns, three deniers, which they had taken vp of the kings receiuers, and 100000. Crowns to build a Citadel in Verdun, beſides the wages of their guards of Harquebuſiers on horſebacke, which he gaue to al the princes of the league. Conſider now I beſeech you, if theſe great comfortors of the people, theſe Timoleons, and theſe Arates, that cauſed their defence of the Common-wealth, to bee publiſhed in all places, that deteſted the great increaſe of tallages and inuentions of impoſts, in theſe affaires did once thinke vpon the people. See how in three moneths they made the people ſo leane, that they left them neyther fleſh, blood, nor bone, and oppreſſed them more in that time, then euer they were in three whole yeares before, by ordinary charges, beſides the violences, pillings, burnings, and many other inſolences incident to warres. For the poore Peſant, that knewe not what the league ment, that neuer came at Peronne, nor at Nancy, where it was firſt deuiſed, was forced to pay the millions of golde, which that three months warre had prodigiouſly ſpent, and to ſupport the ſeuen and twentie Edicts, that by that meanes ſprung vppe, to the great diſturbance of polliticque gouernment and iuſtice, and to confirmation of the kings treaſures. And yet in the meane time, all their Orations, and their great and long diſcourſes made vnto the king, tended to no other end, but to renue the wars. But I would to God, that moſt chriſtian kings had anſwered them, with the ſame words that Cleomenes vſed to the Ambaſſadors of Samos, who by along and vehement Oration, exhorted him to make warre againſt Policrates.

After they had made him wearie to heare them, and their owne tongues to ſpeake, hee anſwered them in fewe words, which made them much abaſhed, ſaying: I remember not what you ſaid at the beginning of your Oration, much leſſe in the middle: and as for your concluſion, I will not graunt vnto it: there needeth not ſo many words: I can do nothing touching your demaund: I will haue peace, and neuer make warre, but againſt thoſe that refuſe peace. Thus ſhould a king of France haue ſaid vnto his French ſubiects, and not ſuffer himſelfe to be conſumed by them, in ſuch ſort as you ſhall heereafter heare.

Heere endeth the firſt Booke.

THE SECOND BOOKE OF THE laſt troubles of Fraunce, containing that which paſſed from the beginning of the wars, after the Edict made in Iuly, 1585. vntill the Barricadoes of Parris, and the Kings retrait to Chartres, in the Month of May. 1588.

There are degrees to aſcend vnto the royaltie, and not to deſcend without falling. NO man can mount and deſcend both at one time. There are ſome high places wher you cannot deſcend, without falling. The kings authoritie neuer faileth without his ruine and decay. Aſſoone as the king bended himſelfe and the honour of his Maieſtie to the leaguers deſires, hee perceiued his authoritie, ingaged to the pleaſure and will of another, by the edict of Iulie: which of a king as hee was, made him a participant: and in eſtate like a ſcipher, which of it ſelfe is nothing, without it bee ioyned to other figures. And to the contrarie, cauſed the league to bee of more account then before: ſo that the light hee gaue vnto it, was the loſſe of his owne.

From that time, his reſpect, power, and feare, vaniſhed, he ſpake no more to the league, but as equall to equall, and receiued the lawe of thoſe that ought to receiue it of him.

The league did not any thing without the King.This peace made a great & vnreparable breach in his honor, by the which, all the impunities of the league paſſed with great aſſurance: and her bold enterpriſes, (which of theſelues wold haue bin ouerthrown, became more aſſured. For aſſoone as the fauourites thereof, perceiued themſelues to bee feared, that their firſt ſailie had gotten credite in the hearts of good Townes, put feare into the kings minde, procured fauour with his Councell, that the zeale of religion kindled the moſt colde mindes, and that the thing which deſerued puniſhment, had obtained recompence. They determined from thence to vndertake their firſt enterpriſe: but knowing well, that in a manner hauing pulled it forcibly out of the kings hands, it hatched but a rotten egge, who by that leuie of men at armes being much offended, wold neuer ceaſe vntill he were reuenged, that ſo great a wound would neuer be ſo well healed,It was impoſſible that the king ſhould forget the leaguers enterpriſe. but there wold be a ſcar: ſpecially becauſe it was in a maner but three or foure daies ſince, that by ſo many Edicts hee had declared them rebelles, and manifeſt traitors, they determined not to aſſure themſelues, but in and by their armes. But armes are nothing without mony, and mony cannot bee had but by leuying it vppon the common people, to whom there reſted nothing but their tongues and voyces to complaine: to conſtraine them, was the meanes to bring vppon the league the ſame furies & imprecations, wherewith the Husband man, the Marchant, and the Artiſicer, deteſted the enterpriſe and pretence of the firſt troubles, and make their quarrelles moſt fearefull and odious, for no other reaſon then onely becauſe of the greefes & oppreſsions which they receiued, to ſend into Spaine, the ſpring was not ſtopt: but that liked them not ſo well, ſo that there reſted no other means, then onely to ſerue their turnes with the kings commiſsions, and to make him chiefe author of the warres, & the means of entertaining thereof.

Therefore preſently they cauſed him to determine warres in all places of the Realme againſt the Huguenots: hee was not onely aduiſed of the importance, but of the facilitie thereof, affirming it to bee but three daies workes, and that the ſtrongeſt places would parley for a peace, aſſoone as hee ſounded vppe the drumbe, and the king of Nauarre would yeeld at the onely report of their enterpriſe.

They brought this poore king a ſleepe with many chimers, foreſaying he ſhould haue forraine ayde: which was as true as the ſea burneth. It was tolde him, that all Chriſtian Princes would helpe him: that the Queene of England ſhould haue ſo many Chaſtillian forces againſt her,Many chimeres. that ſhe ſhould find ynough to do, to defend her ſelfe: that the Princes of Germanie would neuer ſtirre for the king of N. being a Prince poore, both without mony and credite: and that all would in a manner melt at the apparance of thoſe new ſonnes.An army by ſea prepared in Portugall of 30000. men, againſt England. An. 1587. So that the warre was ſworne to bee made in all places of the Realme: and as then there wanted nothing but mony. To the which end, the king in his Pallace of Louiene, cauſed the principall of the Cleargie, the Parliament and the Cittizens of Parris, to bee aſſembled, ſhewing them, that as by their aduiſe hee had broken the peace, ſo hee deſired to bee holpen by their meanes to the maintenance of his warres: the charges whereof (hee ſaid) amounted to the ſumme of foure hundreth thouſand Crownes a month,The Kings Oration to thoſe of Parris, the eleueth of Auguſt, 1585. for the entertaining of three armies, one in Guyenne: the ſecond, about his owne perſon: and the third, to impeach the enterie of ſtraungers.

And ſpeaking to the principall Preſident: he ſaide: that hauing perceiued ſo much zeale and affection in him, to haue the laſt edict of peace reuoked, he doubted not but hee would bee able by ſufficient arguments, to perſwade his equalles, that as long as the warres indured, they ſhould not looke for any ſtipendes.

To the Prouoſt of Marchants in Parris, hee ſaid: that ſeeing the Towne He commanded him preſently to call the Towne togither, to leme vpon them, the ſum of 200000. Crownes.was ſo much affected to the breach of peace, it ought to bee as well diſpoſed to contribute to the warres. And then turning to the Cardinall of Guiſe, he ſaid: that as the heads of the Clargie were thoſe that had moſt ſtirred and prouoked him to warres, which could not bee made without great expenſes, they ought not to ſpare their armes to helpe him, conſidering it was not reaſonable, that his Maieſtie ſhould onely beare the charge of that which would redownd to the benefite of the Common-wealth.

But when they made certaine difficulties, and that alreadie euery one confeſſed, that there is no peace how little aduantage ſoeuer it bringeth, but is much better then any warre, how triumphant and victorious ſoeuer it be:Pax vel iniuſta vuhor iuſ •• ſſimo bello. Cic ad Artic. that the apprehenſions of publike calamities, opened the eyes, and mooued the ſences of the moſt inſencible: that euery man would gladly haue warre without feeling the diſcommodities it bringeth with it.

With an angrie countenance hee ſaid vnto them: Then I thinke it had beene better to beleeue mee. I am in doubt, that in ſeeking to be ridde of preaching,Speeches of K. Henry the third. wee doo not greatly hazard the warre. But the Cleargie, whoſe hearts more then their purſes, were opened to that war, and conſidering that all the aydes which the kings of France at other times had from the Spiritualtie,Read the oration made by the Cardinall of Lorraine to Charles the 6. at Fontainebleau the 28. of May. 1573. The Clergie in leſſe then 15. yeares furniſhed 60. milions of Frankes. The Clergies declaration made vnto the King the 19. of Nouember, 1585. in their greateſt and moſt vrgent affaires, was out of the tithes of their reuenues, that ſince it had ingaged in the Towne-houſe of Parris, the one hundreth thouſand Frankes of yearely rent, and thereby conſented to the alienation of the free farme thereof. That at the kings returne frō Pologne, it had alreadie cōtributed 60000000. Frankes, that ſince that, it was bound for the ſpace of ſixe yeares, to paye yearly the ſumme of one million and three hundreth thouſand Frankes, for his ſeruice, with condition not to bee charged with other tithes.

That now the king hauing declared that this warre, mooued by the ſolicitation of the Cleargie, ought to be followed and ſupplyed at the charges of the Church, the ruine thereof was moſt euident: they thought good to ſhew the king their impoſsibilitie to ſatiffie the ſame: the iuſt complaint of the great charges it had borne in the laſt leuying of armes, beſides the looſing of their rights and franchiſes.

To the which end, the Biſhoppe of Brien ſpake for all them vnto the king, ſhewing that vntill that time, the Cleargie had not ſpared the riches of the Alter, to maintaine the honour of the ſacrifice: but now that their meanes were ſo drawne out, their rents ingaged, and their free farmes alienated, that they could doo no more: That it would bee a moſt erreligious thing, that religion ſhould bee defended by people without religion: and that the Church nouriſheth and entertaineth ſuch as committed ſo many rapines, ſacriledges, blaſphemies, pollutions, and vnreuerent dealings towards it.

They beſought his Maieſtie, by the memorie of his father, by the honourable name of moſt chriſtian king, the goodneſſe of his nature, and the liuely comiſeration of his ſpirit, to be protector of her priuiledges, and for a time permit her to breath. Meane time, hee animateth him to the execration of the Edict of Iuly, which could not bee done without warre: the warre not without mony: and the mony could not bee leuied but by ſuppreſsion of the Church, or of the common people.

But that ſerued not, the league would haue warres, and of force the foure elements, whereof the Monarchie conſiſteth: that is, the king and the 3. Eſtates, muſt bee reduced into the auncient confuſion of a Chaos, and that they whoſe fathers vſed to haue warres in Affrica, Aſia, and in the furtheſt parts of all the world, muſt entertaine and hatch it among themſelues. Meane time, the King of Nauarre beeing aduertiſed that preparation was made,Letters of the King of Nauarre to the King. to war againſt thoſe of the religion, complaineth vnto the king, touching the peace hee had made with the league: ſhewing him, that vppon commaundement receiued from his Maieſtie, to bee patient, and not to ſtirre againſt thoſe that had riſen againſt him: hee to ſhewe dutie, had ſo much bridled his nature, that in a manner it ſtained his reputation: and according to his Maieſties pleaſure, reiected the occaſions, which from day to day preſented themſelues vnto him, whereby hee might reuenge the leaguers attempts: and that notwithſtanding his Maieſtie forgetting the conſideration of the particular intereſt which hee had in his laſt rayſing of armes, had made peace with his enemies, and armed them with his forces and authoritie, againſt the Eſtate, his blood, and his own perſon.

And hauing repeated his offer in all his declarations, for the ceaſing of troubles (touching the difference of religion, if there were no other paſsion that touched his enemies at the heart) he added, that if the king would not accept his fidelitie, hee can do no more, but content himſelfe with his owne innocencie and affection towards his Maieſtie and the State.

Declaration & proteſtatiō of the King of Nauarre, & the Prince of Conde.In his declaration, hauing diſciphered the cauſe of leaguers taking armes, the vanitie of their pretences, and the fruites that all the Eſtates of France may reape by the concluſion of the treatie of Nemours, by breaking the peace, and beginning warre. Hee proteſteth, and with him the Prince of Conde his Couſin, the Duke de Mommorency, the Lords, Gentlemen, Prouinces, Townes, and common people, as well of the one, as of the other religion, to oppoſe themſelues againſt the Authors of thoſe troubles, in a lawfull and neceſſary defence, therby to conſerue the lawes, which are the foundations of all families, and to maintaine the eſtate and libertie of the King, and of the Queene his mother.

Sixtus 5. excommunicateth the king of Nauarre & the prince of Conde, in September, 1585. This Prince had need to bee a ſtrong Bulwarke, thereby to defend himſelfe againſt ſo many aſſaults, on all ſides made vppon him. For hauing both the king and the league, as enemies on the one ſide: on the other ſide commeth the Pope, with his thunderboults of excommunication, declaring him incapable to the ſucceſsion of the Crowne of France: abandoning his perſon and his countries for a praye, to ſuch as could obtaine it.

Touching this Bull, many whole bookes both with it and againſt it, were written and ſet foorth: to the which I referre the curioſitie of ſuch as deſire to knowe whether the Pope hath any authoritie ouer the eſtate of France: for which conſideration,The King of Nauarres letters to the States. the Court of Parliament would not allowe it. Therevppon the king of Nauarre complained to all the Eſtates of France, in that they had cauſed the ſucceſsion of a king beeing yet aliue, to bee decided in the Court of Rome: made the title of a Prince of the blood, to be iudged by the Pope: and ſuffered the Conſiſtorie to giue that which belonged not vnto them. And hauing particularly repreſented vnto them the miſchiefes which thereby might ariſe, togither with the ſhame and perpetuall reproach vnto this Nation, in hauing To the Clergie.produced monſters into the world, and rebelles among a moſt obedient people: hee endeth his letters, with reiecting the miſchiefes of thoſe miſeries, vppon thoſe that are the authors. In his letter to the Cleargie, hee ſaid: If war bee ſo acceptable vnto you, if a battell liketh you better then a diſputation, a bloodie conſpiracie, more then a Councell: I will waſh my handes, and the blood that thereby ſhall bee ſpilt, be vppon your owne heades. I am aſſured that the maledictions of ſuch as ſhall thereby indure great miſerie, will not fall vppon mee, ſo that my patience, my reaſons, and obedience, are ſufficiently knowne. Meane time, I hope God will bleſſe my iuſt quarrell, to whom I commend you.

To the Nobilitie.To the Nobilitie hee writeth, and ſaith: The Princes of France are the keyes of the Nobilitie: I loue you all: I feele my ſelfe periſhed and become weake in your blood. The ſtraunger hath no intereſt in this loſſe: I haue good cauſe to complaine of ſome, but I rather bewaile them: I am readie to imbrace them all. That which moſt diſpleaſeth me, is, that thoſe which I moſt eſteem of, whom I knowe haue been circumuented: I cannot diſtinguiſh them being in armes: but God knoweth my thought: their blood be vpon the authors of theſe miſeries, to whom we praye, &c. To the Commons, after he had deplored their woundes, and ſcarres, and aſſured them of his readineſſe to ſhed his blood, if his enemies would by a combat of two and two, end the warre,To the Commons. which would be the death of ſo many thouſands of men. He ſaith: I am a Frenchman borne, I will bee partner of your miſeries: I haue aſſayed all meanes to exempt you from ciuill diſcordes: and will neuer ſpare my life, that they may be abridged: I will not impute the fault vpon you: you are Frenchmen, but rather eſteem of your good willes: I demaund nothing elſe of all you (that according to your vocations are moſt ſubiect to indure miſchiefe, then to doo it) but onely your vowes, prayers and good-wils. But becauſe hee feared the ſword of Saint Paul, more then the keyes of Saint Peter: and that the Gold of Spaine is more daungerous, then the Lead of Rome, he ſent his Ambaſſadors to the proteſtant Princes of Germanie, to craue their aydes. Which the king perceiuing, ſent the Cardinall of Lenoncourt, and the Preſident Brulart, vnto him, to aſſure him of his Maieſties good-will, of the great deſire he had to ſee him vnited to the Catholicke Church, not onely for the ſafetie of his conſcience, but alſo for the eaſier eſtabliſhing of his ſucceſsion to the Crown, to declare the cauſes that had moued him to breake the peace, and to deſire him to yeeld vp the Townes which he held for his ſecuritie. The king of N. hauing yeelded moſt humble thankes vnto them, for his Maieſties good will in his behalfe, aunſwered, that without inſtruction he could not change his religion, for the which ſo much time and blood had been ſhed. And that thoſe of his ſide, were ſo farre from yeelding vp the Towns, giuen to them for their ſecuritie, that following the example of the leaguers, they had cauſe rather to aske for more. The Ambaſſadours perceiuing that neither the one, nor the other poynt of their Ambaſſage tooke effect, ended their commiſsion by deſiring the king of Nauarre to enter into a treatie, wherein the Queene-mother would labour to his contentment,Conference agreed vpon. and trauell as farre as to Champigny, if in the meane time it pleaſed him to ſtaye the forraine armie. Hee willingly accepted of the conference: but to the other poynt he ſaid, that he neither could nor ought in any ſort, to ſtay or withdraw the good willes of thoſe who in ſo much important an occaſion, yea and in ſo extreame neceſsitie had entered into the field, that by reſtoring the authoritie of the king, troden vnderfoote by the breach of his edicts, they might defend him from the forraine inuation of the league.

The Electors, Palatin, the Duke of Saxe, the M. of Brandenburg, the D. of Brunſwick the Lantgraue of Heſſen, ſent Ambaſſadors to the king in Parris. The Kings anſwere to the Proteſtant Ambaſſadors.The Princes of Germainie, that ſought to ayde ſuch as were of their religion, perceiuing France to bee a bodie in a manner wounded to death, thought good to procure the remedie thereof, rather then to helpe to giue the mortall blowe, and to prooue if by intreatie and faire meanes, they might ceaſe the cauſes of their diuiſion, and procure the tranquillitie of the common-wealth, by the obſeruation of the edict of peace. To the which, end they ſent their Ambaſſadors to the king, to deſire him to open his eyes to the teares, and his eares to the complaints of his poore ſubiects, and to vouchſafe the hearing of the humble requeſts of his neighbours, for his owne good, and the quietnes and honour of his faith, his Crowne, and reputation. But the king thinking it ſtraunge that forraine Princes ſhould deale with his affaires, anſwered them, that hee knew what was neceſſarie for his ſubiects, and that according to the cauſe, for their good and tranquillitie, he had made and changed his ordinances, as all ſoueraigne Princes in Chriſtendome vſe to do, to whom he referred the care and charge to gouerne their ſubiects, as they thinke good: and that for his part, hauing the feare of God, and the loue of his ſubiects liuely ingrauen in his heart, hee would do nothing againſt the honour of his conſcience, nor the fatherly care he had vnto his people. With which anſwere, the Ambaſſadors returned not well pleaſed: and the king that had giuen ſixe moneths reſpite to thoſe of the new religion, eyther to leaue it or depart out of the realm, perceiuing that by delayes they had meanes to arme and put themſelues in defence, thereby at the end of the ſaid terme, to riſe vp againſt him, vnder the aſſurance of forraine ayde, ſent to the Gouernours of his Prouinces, and the Miniſters of iuſtice to execute the edict. The king of N. for his part, declareth thē enemies, in whoſe townes the ſaid Edict was publiſhed, cauſing the goods, rents, reuenues, and debts, to bee ceaſed vppon and ſolde. He loſt no time, all his friends were readie, and the Sieur de S. Meſmes with ſtandeth the Marſhall de Matignon. The Sieur de Laual had the charge of Xaintonge, & raiſed the ſiege of Taillebourg, where the Ladies de la Trimouille, both mother and daughter were asſieged. The Viſcount of Thurenes, with three or foure thouſand Harquebuſiers marched in Limoſin, and there had taken the Biſhoppe of Tulles.

The D. of Guiſe being aduertiſed of the diſlike the Ambaſſadors of the princes of Germanie had, touching their anſwer, counſelled the king to ſet vpō the Huguenots, before the Rutters entered into France. So that in leſſe then eighteen moneths, the king of Nauarre ſawe himſelfe aſſayled by fiue campes royall, vnder fiue ſeuerall Generals:The Duke de Mercure in Poictou. where the Duke de Mercure thinking that the conqueſt of the Huguenots in Poitou, would bee as eaſily executed as enterpriſed, left Brittaine, not conſidering the common maxime: that hee that will breake, muſt bee ſtronger then the thing which hee mindeth to breake, and that there muſt bee a proportion betweene him that inforceth, and him that is inforced: for if the weaker part bee his that will force, his owne violence ouerthroweth him, and ſpoyleth it ſelfe.

Hee thought with two thouſande men to doo a great acte. But the Prince of Conde meeting with him, cauſed him to remooue, not onely from Fontenay, but cleane out of Poitou. And from thence, the Prince beſieged Brouage, and hauing reduced it to ſuch neceſsitie, that hee weakened the moſt hardie, he receiued newes of the taking of the Caſtle of Angers, The taking of the Caſtle of Angers. vpon the Sieur de Briſſac, by three Captaines: one named du Halot, Parriſan to the king: the ſecond, Freſne, enemie to the Counte de Briſſac: and Rochemorte, affectioned to the king of Nauarre, that agreed togither to take the Caſtle of Angers, one of the ſtrongeſt places in France. Briſſac therein had a Lieftenant called Captaine Grec, with twelue ſouldiers, whither Freſne went to viſite him, and beeing inuited by him to dinner, in company of Rochemort & others, went thither, who wrought ſo brauely, that as they entered, they ſlewe all the ſouldiers that were not of their faction: at which noyſe Grec comming foorth, was met by Freſne, that ſtabbed him with a Poinyard. Du Halot beginning to enter into the Caſtle, and perceiuing the execution, ſtepped backe into the Towne, and proteſted that hee had cauſed the place to be taken for the king, notwithſtanding he was kept priſoner.

Rochemort preſently aduertiſed the Sieur de Clermont, who by poſt ſent word to the Prince of Conde, to certifie him thereof. Thoſe of the Towne beſieged the Caſtle, and all the countrie ranne thither: in the euening they deſired to ſpeake with Freſne, who minding to iſſue, and being vpon the Drawe-bridge among diuers harquebuſiers, one beganne to diſcharge his peece, and ſeeking to reenter, Rochemort and his fellowes perceiuing the daunger, drewe vp the bridge, and Freſne being ſhut out, hung vpon the chaines, where the Townſmen cut of his hands: in ſuch manner, that hee fell into the ditches: where a Hart that was bredde vp in the Towne, with his hornes made an end of his life, by tearing his bodie in peeces. Du Halot was preſently executed in the Towne: and Rochemort being demaunded for whom he held, anſwered that he held for the king of Nauarre: at which anſwere there was no need to bid them make trenches, and to keepe watch, attending the comming of the Duke de Ioyeuſe, that not long after arriued in the Towne. Certaine daies paſsing in that order, one day after dinner, Rochemort leaning in a windowe of the Caſtle, and falling a ſleepe, was ſhotte with a harquebuze, wherein there was two bullets, the one cut his throate, and the other his tongue, and ſo was ſlaine. Whervpon 16. ſouldiers that were therein, being deuided, becauſe there were but ſeuen Huguenots, began to parley, which indured certain weekes. The Prince that lay before Brouage, hauing about the beginning of October, Anno. 1585. receiued newes of the ſurpriſing of the Caſtle, and of Rochemorts anſwere, not knowing what had happened ſince that time, determined with all ſpeede to drawe thither, becauſe that ſeruice would be a ſtay to the leaguers forces: and a great meanes of aduantage for them againſt the league. And hauing conſidered how it might bee poſsible for him to make that voyage, being in thoſe earneſt affaires, which as then held him, in the end he ventured with 700. or 800. foote, and 1000. or 1200. harquebuſiers on horſebacke, wherewith (not without great diſcommodities) he paſſed by boates ouer the riuer of Loire to Roſiers, between Saumur & Angers, being as bold an enterpriſe as euer was in our time. For the voyage in truth, was enterpriſed with too much courage, & litle cōſideration, to paſſe ouer a great riuer betweene two armies, and to runne into a ſtraight, not knowing on which ſide to iſſue, without any boates that ſtayed for him, for that thoſe wherewith hee paſſed, lay readie by chance: neuertheleſſe, hee entered into the Subburbes of Angers, and within the Barricadoes, where he ſpent a whole day in skirmiſhing, and hauing prooued if hee could haue any newes from the Caſtle, he vnderſtood it was no place for him, for they made him no ſignes, although his trumpets ſounded for the purpoſe: for the compoſition was agreed, wherevppon there was no neede to bidde him ſtirre, and as then it was a great victorie to ſaue himſelfe, and a great praye to bring the reſt of his troupe to Rochell, and not to Parris.

The ouerthrowe of his armie, and the doubt of the ſafetie of the Prince of Conde, bredde great feare to the Huguenots, and eleuated the leaguers buildings, at the leaſt two or three braſes higher. For preſently therevpon, the king cauſed his ſecond edict to be publiſhed, full of confiſcations of goods, baniſhments, and corporall puniſhments of ſuch as abiured not their errors, declared them traitors: and the terme of ſixe months, which the firſt edict graunted vnto them, to withdrawe themſelues out of the Realm, alreadie reduced to three months, was limited to fifteene daies, after the publication of the ſecond edict. A great cauſe of extreame deſolation vnto diuers families, and of ſtrange murmuring and mutinie in the Townes, wherein thoſe poore people remained in couert after ſo many broyles.

The edict of the ſeuenth of October, 1585. The Prince hauing paſt the riuer of Loire at Lude, not without great difficultie, three daies after, he vnderſtood that the Duke de Maine had paſt towards Orleans, with fifteene hundreth horſe, both Frenchmen and Rutters, to ſtoppe his way, if he repaſſed by the riuer of Loire. The Duke d'Eſpernon, and the Marſhall Biron, with diuers Cornets of horſe, and certain Regiments of foot, were about Bonneual in Beauſſe, to meet him: and the Sieur de la Chastre, had the charge to let him of hauing bridge, mill, boate, or paſſage ouer Loire.

The Duke Ioyeuſe was at his backe, and all the Peſants held watch, readie to riſe at the firſt call: and the Princes troupes were ſo wearied, as they could not poſsible bee more. The meanes whereby he thought to paſſe the Loire, in two or three places betweene Blois and Amborſe beeing cut off, his feare increaſed, and his troupes being but ſmall beganne to diminiſh. And yet there happened two difficulties more in his campe: the one, that ſuch as had friends in Beauſſe, Perche, Vendoſme, and Maine, ſtale away from him, in ſuch maner, that in ſome of his Cornets hee had not twentie ſtrong: the other was, that the Sieur de Rohan, and diuers Lords of his troupes, beeing of aduiſe not to paſſe any further forward, & that if they did, it would be a means to run head long into euident danger, tooke leaue of him, & turned towards Brittaigne, where they eſcaped many dangers: neuertheleſſe, in time they paſſed couragiouſly ouer Loire, and entered ſafely into Rochel. This ſeparation was the cauſe that the Prince had no more but his own Cornet, the company of the Sieurs de la Trimouille, & d'Auantigny, certaine light-horſe, and harquebuſiers on horſebacke, belonging to the Sieurs de Clermont, and fiue and twentie or thirtie Gentlemen of Poicton, that marched before, with the Sieur de S. Gelais.

About the end of October, 1585. the Prince being aduertiſed that he ſhould preſently haue ſo many ſeuerall forces of his enemies vpon him, that he could not eſcape if ſpeedily hee prouided not for himſelfe, beeing alwaies of a good courage, at his departure hee prouided for the retraict of his companies, as alſo for his ſeruants and houſholde, leauing the principall charge to Monſieurs de Clermont, and de S. Gelais, and ſo about eleuen of the clocke at night he departed, accompanied of the Steurs de Trimouille, d'Auantigny, certaine Gentlemen, and ſome of his principall officers, but very fewe, and paſſed many and ſtrange waies, which hee was conſtrained to make, to recouer the I ſle of Greneze: and from thence hee was got into England, where the Queene receiued him with great honour, and with certaine Noble men: and veſſelles well furniſhed for the warres, conuayed him to Rochel. The Sieurs de Saint Gelais, de Bois Dulie, d'Aubigny, de Tifardiere, & other Gentlemen, ſaued the reſt of the troupes, hardby the Forreſt of Marchenoir, where they receiued diuers ſeuerall aduiſes of the daungers like to enſue. For they were of aduiſe to ſeparate themſelues into ſmall troupes, of twelue or fifteene in a companie, the eaſilier to ſaue themſelues, for it was not poſsible for them beeing all togither, to indure aboue an houre, perceiuing their enemies to make towardes them ſo faſt: therefore hauing left their carriage, diſcharged their booties, and for the moſt part became better Chriſtians, then they were at their departure from the ſiege of Bronage, they ſaued themſelues, and although the Townes of Orleans, Blois, Ambuſe, and Tours, were ſtraightly guarded: neuertheleſſe, diuers of them being armed, paſſed the bridges of the ſame Townes, each man ſauing himſelfe as well as hee could.

Saint Gelais beeing ſo eſcaped, made towards Orleans, and trauerſing by Ianuille, by the great waye to Parris, hee paſſed through many companies diſpearſed in Beauſſe, and then entered into the Foreeſt of Orleans, where hauing trauerſed the Forreſt, in the end with great paine hee got to Loire hard by Gien: and hauing ſtayed ſome time in Berry, repaſsing Creuſe, Vienne, and le Clain, hee got to Rochel, where hee found the Prince and all the heads and principall Captains of the armie.

As touching the ſiege of Brouages, the Sieur de Saint Meſmes, hauing ſtayed there about a month after the Princes departure, was conſtrained to retire, and to ſeparate his troupes.

The Prince of Conde beganne the warre ſo freſh againe, by the Sieurs de La • al and Saint Gelais, that the newe conqueſtes made them forget the griefe of their laſt miſfortunes, he tooke the Caſtle of Dompierrie, hard by Saint Iohns, belonging to the Marſhall de Rez, where the ſouldiers refreſhed and payde themſelues for their former loſſes: therein finding a moſt rich bootie. Plaſſac Gouernour of Ponts for the king of Nauarre, in the night-time by ſcaling lathers, vpon the three and twentieth of Februarie, 1586. tooke Royan, a very ſtrong place hard by Brouage: and the ſixteenth day of March following, the Prince of Conde beeing in Taillebourg, married the ſiſter of the Sieur de Trimouille, by whom hee had a ſonne: but hee liued not long after his ſecond marriage, as heereafter you ſhall reade.

Meane time, the Sieur de Laual tooke Soubize, and draue out the leaguers: and after that, Mornax, and Alleuart. S. Gelais for the Princes part, tooke Mondeuis, and Chizay, vppon Boutonne. Ranques draue the Albanois out of the Caſtle of Saſay, which afterward was taken againe, by compoſition made with the Sieur de: Malicorne Gouernour of Nirot.

About the beginning of Aprill, the Sieur de Saint Luc, Gouernour of Brouage, hauing a certaine enterpriſe to make vppon the Iſle of Oleron, ſent for ayde: and among the reſt, Tiercelin with his Regiment, compoſed of foure hundreth Harquebuſiers, fiftie Muskettiers, and about two hundreth pikes, all reſolute ſouldiers, hauing but one colours, which was the Collonels Enſigne. Which the Prince vnderſtanding, determined to viſite them, but finding them not where he thought they had beene, he withdrew himſelfe to Taillebourg, with the Sieurs de Laual, Boulaye and others: who preſently after, hauing receiued intelligence that Tiercelin was come from Oleron, to go to Marennes, and ſo to returne to Sainctes, he went to watch him on the way, very neare to the plain, where certaine horſemen would haue iſſued out of Sainctes, but they were ſet vppon and diſpearſed by Cargrois, that ledde the Argolitiers of Monſieur de Laual. After this skirmiſh, the Prince returned to Taillebourg.

As for Tiercelin, although he knew that his enemies watched his returne, hee made no account thereof, truſting in the ſtrength of his Regiment, and ſo reſolued to fight with them whereſoeuer they ſhould aſſayle him: and vppon the ſeuenteenth of Aprill, he marched towards Sainctes in very good order. Which the Prince vnderſtanding, mounted on horſe bocke, with his brother in lawe the Sieur de Trimouille, la Boulaye, Auantigny and others, to the number of thirtie perſons, with as many Harquebuſiers, & ſo made towards Tiercelin, whom he found about a thouſand paces from the ſubburbs of Sainctes, where hee ſet vppon his reareward, and ſlewe about thirtie or fortie of them: the reſt of the Regiment, ranged themſelues in order of battel vnder the hedges, and in the high-way. In that firſt charge, the Sieur de Trimouille had his horſe flain betweene his legges, and without ſpeedie ſuccour had, been in great daunger.

La Batarderaye, Enſigne-bearer to Boulaye, was there ſlaine: Chanterelles and Captiane Nauarre wounded to death: Auantigny hurt both in the hand & the knee: and notwithſtanding the Prince perceiuing the Sieur de Lanal to bee gone to fetch his company not farre from thence, and that in great haſte came golloping with about fiue and thirtie horſe, commaunded him to ſet vpon the enemie, where that yong Lord readier to execute the charge, then the Prince to commaund, leaping ouer hedges and ditches, made right vppon the Colnelles Enſigne, being as then guarded with a battell of pikes, which he braſte, fighting with him that bare the Enſigne, and put him with all the pikes to flight: whereof there were flaine to the number of ſixtie men, and tooke the Enſigne with him.

Tiercelin beeing hurt in the arme, ſaued himſelfe, with a great number of hurt men. There the Sieur de Laual loſt Sailli called Tanlay, (becauſe the other died not long before at Saint Iohns) and Rieux his two bretheren greeuouſly wounded, one in the head, the other in his groyne, whereof they dyed within two daies after. Cargrois was ſhot into the knee, and the Prince himſelf gaue two braue charges to the horſemen of Sainctes, that thought to ayde Tiercelin, and put them twiſe in diſorder, bearing with him their armes, and other furnitures, togither with the Collonels Enſigne, but it greeued him much for the mortall wounds of thoſe two young Lords, that were followed by the Sieur de Lanal their brother, that died within eight daies after.

The armie of the Duke de Maine in Poitou.The Duke de Maine minding to make his profit at other mens coſtes, and thought by the ouerthrow of the Prince of Condes armie, to ſpoyle the reſt of the forces that were in Guyen, departed from Poictiers with a faire and goodly company of men.

This Prince valiant and wiſe, that hath alwaies holden his reputation, by keeping promiſes both with his enemies and friends, neuer knewe what is ment by ioyning a peece of a Fox skinne, to the skinne of a Lyon, not being large ynough.

But as there are many, who not withſtanding they haue contrary windes, yet doo arriue in ſafetie at their deſired port: ſo diuers men receiue ſo many croſſes in their enterpriſes, that fortune neuer fauoureth neither their valour, nor their vertues. In times paſt, hee had done many valiant acts in Dauphine, and now hee imployed time, mony, and great labour, to do no great matter in Guyen.

His armie was of fiue hundreth French horſemen, eight hundreth Rutters, foure hundreth Lanciers Albanois, and about fiue thouſand foote, with diuers peeces of artillery. Hee made his account, to force Townes not ſo much by fight, as by famine, wherevnto the ſeaſon of it ſelfe was ſufficiently diſpoſed, which ſhould ſooner bee ouerthrowne, then fought withall, and ſooner fought withall, then aſſayled.

At his arriuall, Xaintonge and Poitou trembled, being as then afflicted with three poynts of Gods horrible puniſhments, plague, famine, & war: where the ſouldiers found no other booties, but famiſhed rattes. Hee imployed them firſt in the taking of Montignac, Beaulieu, and Gaignac, ſmall Towns, and thē to the impeaching of the paſſage of the riuer of Garonne, wher he thought to ſurpriſe the king of Nauarre, and alreadie had written vnto him, that hee could not ſhunne his nettes.

Saint Bazeille lying vppon the ſame ruier, was taken by force and ſpoyled: and Mont-ſegur taken by compoſition. The Duke de Maines fickneſſe at that time bredde great diſorder in his campe, and want of mony weakened the courages of the reſolute: neuertheleſſe hee tooke Chaſtillon, a place fortified, by the valour of the Barron de Sauignac Gouernour thereof, and after that, Normand in Perigueux.

But their want was ſo great in the armie, and the extremitie ſo much, that it fluttered but with one whing.

And the chiefe Generall, that looked for nothing but a reuolt, and perceiuing that where he thought to winne in Guyen, hee had loſt Auſſonne in Bourgongne, gaue the king to vnderſtand, that it was more then a yeare ſince his ſouldiers were forced to march on foote, alwaies fighting in the enemies countrie, with men and with the ayre, the difficultie of the paſſages, the ouerflowings of riuers, the coldneſſe of the weather, and the long raines, without being once ſuccoured, neither with new forces, mony, nor amunition for the warres: and ſayde that of ſeuenteene hundreth and three ſcore thouſand crownes, wherevnto the wages of the armie amounted vnto,Read the declaration of the Duke de Maine, touching his exployts in Guyenne. hee had receiued but three hundreth and foure thouſand Crownes. From that voyage hee brought with him the daughter of Madame de Chaumont, beeing of the age of twelue yeares, to marry her to one of his children.

Behold the triumphs of the league in Guyenne: in an other place I haue ſaid ſomething touching the king of N. voyage out of Gaſcongne into Poitou: which requireth a larger diſcourſe: which is, that in the moneth of Febr. 1000. fiue hundreth eightie ſixe, the Marſhall de Matignon hauing beſieged Chaſtelles, the king of Mauarre accompanied with two or three hundreth Gentlemen, & about eighteene hundreth Harquebuſiers raiſed the ſiege,What the K. of Nauarre did to impeach 4. armies of the league. and determined to diue within the Caſtle. Then he made a voyage into Bearn, there to take order for his affaires: which done, he returned towards Nerac, and paſsing at Lanſe, a Towne belonging to himſelfe, hee had intelligence that the Duke de Maine marched forward to impeach his paſſage ouer Garonne. Notwithſtanding hee went to Nerac to fortifie the place: and iſſuing out, he marched to Barbaſte, and held on his way towards Chaſtel-Ialoux, and being about two myles neare the middle of the landes, hee ſhewed his company what hee purpoſed to do, and with twentie Gentlemen well mounted, and tenne ſouldiers for his guard, he rode towards Chaumont, leauing the conduction of the reſt of his troupes, being about foure hundreth Argo litiers badly mounted and diſarmed, and about fifteen Harquebuſiers of his guard to the Suur de la Raque, to paſſe at S. Bazeille, which hee did without reſiſtance, although the armie of Matignon lay not aboue three myles from thence.

The king of Nauarre beeing at Chaumont, dined there at his eaſe, and yet the Duke de Maine was not aboue two myles from the place where he paſted: and after dinner hee went ouer, without impeachment or loſſe of any of his men.

Arriued at Poictou, vnder marſhall Biron.The next day going to Saint Foy, with all his company, where he continued for the ſpace of three weekes, hunting at his pleaſure: and from thence hee retired into Poitou, where the Marſhall Biron with a thouſand or twelue hundreth horſe, and three or foure thouſand foot, beſieged Marans: but the agreement made betweene the king of Nauarre and him, made him raiſe his ſiege, and Marans continued quiet, vſing both the one and the other religion: the Duke Ioyeuſe brother in lawe to the king, brought a new armie, and with it beſieged Mexeut, which hee conſtrained to compound. And from thence went to Niort, Exployts of the Duke Ioyeuſe in Poictou. battered Tonnay-Charente, and ſet vpon the Rocheliers heeles, but as then his armie was ſo afflicted with the plague, that hauing made a little troupe, vnder the conduction of Lauerdin, he retired in great poſte vnto Parris, • o prouide a new armie: at the ouerthrow whereof, he was deſpatched at Coutras, as heereafter I will ſhewe you.

The Marſhall Ioyeuſe tooke Monteſquiou in Lauragois, and loſt thirtie two Captaines, and fiue hundreth Harquebuſiers at the ſiege of Mas Saint Puelles. The Marſhall de Mommorancy cauſed the league to flie in many incounters in Languedoc: as at Lodeue, and Saint Pons: the Sieur de la Valette aduanced the kings affaires in Prouince.

The Duke de Eſpernon Generall of the armie, by the king ſent thither, arriued at Lyons, with about eight hundreth horſe, to cauſe his foote to paſſe through the Towne: but the Lord of Mandelot, who from the firſt moouings of the league, had alwaies bin vpon his guard, to ſhew himſelfe rather newter then participant, fearing leaſt with theſe troupes, the D. of Pernon ſhould take occaſion to remember the throwing down of the Citadel: was counſelled by the Biſhoppe of Lyons to looke vnto himſelfe, hauing both ſecuritie and aduantage. The Towne of Lyons being ſurpriſed in the firſt troubles, by the Earle of Saux then Gouernour, and yeelded vppe againe by the Edict of peace.The laſt of April. 1562 Peace, in an. 1593. K. Charles the 9. at Lyōs 1564. A Citadell in Lyons. After that, the Duke de Nemours had vſed all the meanes hee could, both by practiſe and armes to get it againe.

The king went thither, and by his Enguiniers, drewe out a goodly and ſtrong Citadell, by that bridle to reſtraine the ouer prompt and readie affections of the Cittie, to thoſe new alterations, and would not depart from thence, before hee had ſeene a great part thereof finiſhed. It being accompliſhed with all conuenient things belonging to ſuch a Fortreſſe, both for forme, greatneſſe, Bulwarkes, trenches, munitions, and commodities.

Hee made it the terror of the Huguenots, while thoſe that commaunded it, affected the defence and protection of the Catholicques: but after that, in the ſaid kings time, the fauour of the Duke d'Eſpernon withdrew la Mante, The taking of the Cuadell in Lyons. therin to place le Paſſage. Mandelot not beeing able to diſſemble the diſliking he had to the great aduancement hee had of that Duke, deuiſed the means to ceaſe vppon it, and ſo thruſt out the Gaſcons, by him placed therein.

The newes of this ſurpriſing in ſo daungerous and ſuſpicious a time, abaſhed the king, thinking it to bee one of the firſt effects of the league, but beeing aſſured of the inuiolable affections and fidelitie of the Cittizens of Lyons, that would neuer yeeld as long as his Maieſtie liued,Fortreſſe, generally, are more hurtful then neceſſary. hee agreed to the throwing downe of the Citadell, for the ſumme of fiftie thouſand Crownes to him offered for the ſame.

But his Councell found that throwing downe of the Fort to bee very daungerous, ſaying: that a Towne compoſed of ſo many humours and ſeuerall motions, inhabited by people of both religions, ſtirring and deſirous of change, the keye and rampart of the Realme, ought not to be without a Citadell.

Wherevnto the wiſeſt Polititian aunſwered, that ſuch fortifications ſerued onely, eyther for the defence of the ſubiects, or offending of enemies, and that in the one they were daungerous, and in the other not neceſſarie.

Meane time, the king deſired his mother to bee a meanes and inſtrument, of a good and continuall peace in his Realme: and ſhee beeing greeued that ſhee could not warme her ſelfe but with embers, and ſorrie that the miſerie thereof, ſurmounted the meanes that ſhe could vſe therein, vndertooke a voyage into Poitou, there to parley with the king of Nauarre, who of his owne nature, and by the aduiſe of his friends, was more diſpoſed to a good peace, then to a ſimpletruce.

Meeting of the K. of Nauarre, with the Queene-mother, the 13. of December, at S. Bris.And after they had both freely paſſed all the doubtfull ſcruples that could bee alleadged vnto them, thereby to reuerſe their good intents, the place of meeting was appoynted at Saint Bris, and truce agreed for fifteen daies, whereat the Switzers and Almaines were much offended.

The firſt and ſecond enterviewes, were paſſed ouer onely in complaints, excuſes and goodly reaſons. The Queene-mother bathing them with her teares, reproached the diſobedience of the ſubiect to his Prince, deteſted the ſtubburnneſſe of newe opinions, repreſented the neceſsitie that conſtrained the king to make peace, and vndertake warres, ſweetly excuſing the burning affection of the houſe of Guiſe, that had raiſed the ſame, thereby to preuent the miſchiefe, which the ſucceſsion of an hereticke Prince wold bring into the eſtate: beſought & charged the king, to yeeld to the Catholicque Church and faith of his Maieſtie, to leaue his errors, and not bee condemned.

Cauſe of the troubles.Wherevnto hee aunſwered, that in his ſoule hee felt a moſt great torment of impatience, in that the league made him the onely argument of thoſe tragedies: that his Maieſtie eſteemed him the ſubiect of his diuiſions: that all the miſchiefe, by the Realme of France indured, and which in the end would ouerthrow it, proceeded only from the breach of the Edicts of peace, wherein depended all the welfare and felicitie of this eſtate. Hee complained of the wrong, that he himſelf in particular, his houſe & al France in generall, receiued by that baſtard peace made at Nemours, with the heads of the league, & of the good entertainment they receiued, after they had been proclaimed rebels and traitors to his Maieſtie. Hee ſaid, that to ſtrengthen the league, the king had commaunded him not to ſtirre, nor prepare himſelfe to warre, that the people might euidently ſee who were the firſt perturbers of the peace. That the permiſsion by him giuen to them, to in croch ſo much vppon his authoritie, was the onely continuall feuer of this eſtate. That hee ſawe no more but by the leaguers eyes, nor vnderſtood any thing, but onely by the eares of his enemies.

Exhortation to the king of N. to become Catholicque.And as the Queene ſought to aſſure him of the kings and her fauour, and that both of them had more deſire to ſee him conuerted, and protected vnder ſo faire and aſſured hope, of the chiefe Crowne of all Chriſtian Princes, rather then any longer to ſhrowd himſelfe vnder protections of warres, diſpiſed of the greateſt part of France, & to be the principall occaſion of his friends, griefe. He ſaid againe, that by the kings commandement, not to arme himſelfe againſt thoſe ye ſoght to fight with him, he had hazarded his life to keep his promiſe, to ſatiffie thoſe that ſoght to reduce himto extremities, & neglected the care of his owne preſeruation, ſaying: Madame, you cannot accuſe mee but of too much fidelitie, I complaine not of your faith, but of your age, that (doing wrong to your memorie) hath made you forget what you promiſed me. The ſharpeneſſe of wordes, was ſomewhat aſſwaged at the third meeting, wherein the Queene-mother ſtrained the corde, that brake both the accord and harmonie of their conference: for ſhe tolde him, that the laſt and onely reſolution of the king, was, neuer to make peace, nor take truce with him, if hee became not a Catholicque. Wherevnto hee anſwered, that he would neuer haue thought, that a Princeſſe of ſo good iudgement, wold haue taken ſo much paine, to come vnto him onely to propound that, wherewith his eares were continually filled, beeing meanes of more honourable troubles, if it were not ended in manner by him required, which was by a generall Councell, to whoſe iudgement hee ſubmitted himſelfe: promiſing alſo to cauſe all the reſt of his friends to doo the like.

As they continued in this propoſition, euery man giuing his cenſure, there paſſed many words, whereby to perſwade him happily to returne to the Church of God. The Queene-mother ſhewed him how much that change would make his eſtate more free, more aſſured, and more conuenient for his It is ſaid that the Duke de Nemours ſaid vnto him, that there hee could not raiſe any impoſt, It is true ſaid hee, and ſo there are no Italians among vs.degree, that his conuerſion would drawe him into his Maieſties ſauour, without longer ſeeking to court the Maiors of Rochel, where hee could not doo as hee would. Wherevnto hee anſwered, that the conſideration of his particular contentment, yea and the winning of thirtie Crowns, ſhould neuer cauſe him ſhamefully to leaue the religion, which for the ſpace of thirtie yeares hee had profeſſed: and that hee did what pleaſed him in Rochel, becauſe that therein he did nothing but what hee ought to doo.

In the end, their diſcourſe changed to the propounding of a truce, that ſtayed vnreſolued for diuers difficulties therein found, as alſo becauſe of the aduiſe the Queene had receiued, that her preſence was neceſſary in Parris, to quench the fires, which the Archleaguers (wherof we ſpake in the firſt booke) beganne to kindle, grounding the alarme vppon conference had with the king of Nauarre. Both of them agreed to a peace, confeſsing that both the Catholicques, and Huguenots, were wette with the ſhip wracke they had indured: that it was not conuenient to drawe them into it again: that their wounds were not as yet healed: that they ought not to bee ſet togither by the eares: and that it was requiſite to haue a peace.

The Queen-mother wold haue a truce, the King of N. a peace.The Queene-mother would haue no truce that ſhould promiſe a peace, vnleſſe the king of Nauarre would aſſure them of his conuerſion. The king of Nauarre would haue no truce, that produced not the effects of a peace, and the ruling of his conſcience by a nationall Councell. She would no truce, if the king of Nauarre did not countermaund his forraine armie. Hee would not agree to the ſecond poynt of a truce, if hee were not aſſured of a good peace. In reſpect whereof, hee offered that great aſſembly and raiſing of Rutters and Switzers vnto the king, to helpe him to recouer the obedience and authoritie due vnto him.

In this maner their interview ended, without any reſolution: and the Queene-mother in all haſte tooke her waye to Parris, vppon the aduiſe giuen vnto her concerning the laſt poynt of diſpaire, that was to be executed therein. For the Duke de Maine, being aduertiſed that ſhe went to the king of Nauarre to make peace, made haſte to Parris, to ſhewethe king that her trauell to that end was againſt his edict: that ſuch peace could not bee good: ingendring in religion the effects that are contrary to the tranquillitie of Catholicque conſciences. He found the Parriſians more mooued then euer they were, to riſe vp in armes: he ſawe the ſecret articles of the ſixe Archleaguers, to fight againſt hereſie,Theſe ſecret articles were ſworne in the houſe of Reims neare the Auguſtins. to reforme the Court & the inſolencie of the kings minions. They enterpriſe, they ſappe, they myne, they beate downe, but all in words: their counſels are euill grounded: their daungerous attempts are more difficult to execute, then to reſolue.

The Rattes found it expedient, that to preſerue themſelues from the Cat, they muſt hang a bel at her eare, but none of them durſt vndertake to do it: they muſt ceaſe vppon the king, but who would bee ſo bolde?Read the Dialogue of Manant & Maheutre. Fol. 104. They ſent vnto the Townes ſome of their conſort, who vnder certaine ſecret pretences, went from Towne to Towne, to ſee the leaders of the league, and to diſcipher the ſecret meanings of his intents.

Manant ſaith, that at that time among them, they ſpake not of that enterpriſe, but onely tending to their defence, if in caſe they were aſſayled: and that the inuention of Barricadoes was reſolued vppon, aboue a yeare before they The firſt reſolution of Barticadoes, about Eaſter. 1587. tooke effect. But hee that wrote the treatie of the cauſes of the troubles of the moneth of Ianuarie, 1589. ſaith, that the league perceiuing, that if the Huguenots were driuen out of France, and the onely Catholicque religion maintained therein, it ſhould haue no more cloaks to couer her ſhame: they thought it good to let the Huguenots remaine on the one ſide, and on the other, to torment the king. For (ſaid they) if our ground bee the royaltie, wee muſt haue the place voyded, and ſuch as would place themſelues therein before vs, muſt bee remooued.

If warres bee continued againſt the Huguenots, the end cannot bee but to our ruine, it will in the end produce a peace, which will ſend vs naked without armes vnto our gouernments: liuing betweene feare and diſpaire, that the oppreſſed oppoſe not themſelues againſt the oppreſſours, that the offence returne not vppon the authors, and that the king call not to minde the treaties of Peronne, Nancy, and Chalon. If they be vanquiſhers, their victorie is our loſſe: their life, our death: their greatneſſe, our imbaſing: and their reſt, our torment.

The ſtrongeſt ſupport of their enterpriſe is vppon a piller of Caſtille, olde and rotten: that is, not ſuſtained but by hope of our ruine: that feareth no other ſhaking, but the ceaſing of our ciuil warres, which will not bee ended but by ſtraungers, from whence they are deriued.

This Prince knoweth well, that as long as the diuerſitie of religions parteth our mindes, there will neuer bee peace among vs, although the zeale of religion doth much trouble him, that hee is the ſonne of the great ſcourge of the Almaine Proteſtants: and that he hath drowned hereſie in his own blood, yet hee deſireth to inuade vs, eyther by one means or other. The Ramme deſireth to eate the Bat, whether it be becauſe it is a bird, or becauſe it is a mouſe. If the Edict of Iuly bee put in execution, if hereſie be purſued in ſo many places, it will bee very hard for it to reſiſt: the king will alwaies bee Maiſter, hee will alwaies ſtand vpright, hee will reſume the authoritie and power that hee ſeemeth to haue left, to retaine vs: and perceiuing himſelf (like Lewis the eleuenth) vntangled from ſo many leagues and parties, he would liue like a commander, deſtroying both Huguenots and Leaguers, take the raiſor in hand to both their beardes, and driue all partakings out of the Realme, onely his owne.

The fiers made for ioy of his victories, would bee the obſecquies and funerals of our partakers. The king of Nauarre ſhall die, or elſe hee muſt conuert, or bee cleane ſpoyled and ouerthrowne. His death will ſtrengthen the firſt article of our league, and the feare of altering of religion ſhall vaniſh away. His conuerſion, will pull the weapons out of our hands, and the wordes of faction and diſorder, (Huguenots and Nauarrois) will no more bee heard among vs. His ouerthrow ſhall not bee ſo much aduantage vnto vs, as to the king, he will haue the flowers and the fruites of this victorie, and wee nothing but the leaues.

A great army •• dermineth it ſelfe, and there is too gr ••• ••• ger to fight.But to ouerthrow him will bee no ſmall labour, armes are not continuall. We thinke to conſtraine them to fight, & they wil not but defend themſelues: they will ſhut themſelues within their Townes, that braue all our forces, and make vs madde, as if wee ſtood barking at the moone, and fighting with the cloudes. Many times men hazard all they haue in the ſtrength of a battell, and when it is loſt, to get a thing of no moment, there is no meanes to raiſe it again. To looke for it out of Spaine, is to reckon mens charges of another mans purſe. Promiſes are feminine, and effects are maſculine, this nation is vſed not to ſay what it will do, nor to do, that it ſaith it will do.

And further, wee haue to do with a Prince, that is alwaies firſt at giuing blowes, and laſt in retiring: it is not a hart that leadeth Lyons. Hee ſayeth not go thither, but hee goeth himſelfe, like vnto Caezar: hee heareth aſſoone of our diſcipation, as of our comming: hee hath learned to bee a Captaine at our coſtes: hee holdeth thirtie Townes in France, which to ouercome, wee had need to haue the forces of thirtie leagues ſuch as ours is: and when he ſhould haue nothing left but his ſword, it is very much with the lawful right he hath to the ſucceſsion of this Realme.

Aut Caeſar aut nihil.Therefore ſeeing the die is caſt, that wee haue imbarked our ſelues in this rough ſea, that the end of our league is either to make vs a king, or elſe nothing, let vs take the ſhorteſt courſe. There is no apparance to attaine to the royall ſeat, before ſo many Princes of the houſe of Bourbon, wee ſhould neuer haue done: he that wold rule ouer them all, muſt firſt pull the king out of his chaire: when it is emptie, there will be meanes to ſit downe: if he raigne longer, our winter is come, the ſeruants of our hopes will withdraw themſelues, beeing deceiued. The king is luſtie and gallant of bodie, if hee haue any children, our ſute is ended, and not hauing any, we are likelier to die before him: wee muſt play open play, let vs deale with him, as his father dealt with our Grand-fathers: and let vs do the like to the Capets, as they did to the heires of Charle-Maine. Of this enſued the conſpiracie made at Parris about Eaſter, in Anno. 1587. which was not executed by the vncertaine reſolution of the heads, that left the Parriſsians in the middle of ſo daungerous an enterpriſe, wherof the K. was aduertiſed, and from that time determined to puniſh them. But his authoritie was alreadie ſo much weakened, and his Maieſtie ſo much deſpiſed, that but for feare to be reproued, the hooker had taken & drawn him through the myre of his infamous ſlaunders and mockeries. The Preachers tongues ſerued for rules to theſe ſeditions, they deteſted the life, pleaſure, and diſſolution of the Court, and ſpake not of the King but in diriſion, publikely condemning his actions, hee cauſed them to be counſelled and diuerted from thoſe paſsions, and of a chaire of trueth, not to make a place of babling: but the more he ſought to turne that chollor into fleame, the more it increaſed and roſe vp: in the end hee was conſtrained to threaten them with impriſonment. Whereof grew the meeting of Saint Seuerin, where certaine excommunications were pronounced in S. Benets Church, againſt the Commiſſaries and Sergeants, that would haue layde handes vppon certaine Preachers.Wedenſday the ſecond of September. 1587. The bookes that were publiſhed at the beginning of theſe diſorders, were the wood, ſtrawe, and brimſtone, that long time maintained the embers of thoſe rebellions: there was not any meane Fidlers boye, but that like a crowe vpon a ſteeple, pronounced the tempeſts and calamities of thoſe furious mutenies.Infamous libels. There was nothing ſeene in the Hall of the Pallace, but onely diſcourſes, aunſweres, aduertiſements, and Apologies.

He fayled to ſurpriſe Mets the 26 of May.And in the meane time, that warre was made with pen and inke within the Townes, the Duke of Guiſe made it with Iron and ſteele in open field, he held his armie in the frontiers of Lorraine, and made warre vppon thoſe of Iamets, which hee had begun againſt the Duke de Bouillon, from the firſt day of the birth of the league. And perceiuing himſelfe to bee Maiſter of Douzy and Rocroy, and by that meanes of the paſſage of the riuer of Meuze, hee cauſed his troupes to enter vppon the lands of the ſoueraigntie of Sedan, vexing the poore countrimen that dwelt in the villages, with al kinds of warlike cruelties. Mean time, that famine plagued them within the towns, the D. de Bouillon, to diuert him from thence, ſent the Lord de Schelandre Gouernor of Iamets, to make an attempt againſt Verdun, which is the firſt towne lying in the frontiers of Champaigne, and moſt tumulteouſly entered into the coniulation of the leaguers pretences.

The Duke of Guiſe followed him, with the moſt part of his forces, which his departure gaue time and leiſure to the Duke de Bouillon to victuall Sedan: and the Queene-mother in the meane time, diſpoſed the two Dukes to make a truce, firſt for fifteene daies: in the which time, the Duke of Guiſe practiſed certaine ſouldiers, (more for gaine then for conſcience) to ſurpriſe the Caſtle of Iamets, but the enterpriſe failed, and the inſtruments therof were puniſhed: and from that time, they began againe to renue their courſes and ſpoylings, more then they did before.

The Queene layde an other plaiſter vppon this ſore, by a ſecond truce of a month, which the Duke de Bouillon imployed in Alſace, with foure hundreth horſe, and eight hundreth Harquebuſiers, therby to aduance the armie of Germains, that were to meete in the plaines of Strausbourg, there to bee muſtred. And the Duke of Guiſe had leiſure to go vnto the King, to receiue his inſtructions and commaundements, vppon ſo great and vrgent an occaſion. Hee found him at Meaux, where hee ſhewed him, that ſince the Edict of Iuly, and the reſolution taken by his Maieſtie, to make warre againſt the Huguenots, it had been ſo coldly begunne, and purſued with ſo many wants, that it was not to bee found ſtraunge, if the iſſue had been as vnfortunate, as the cauſe iuſt and woorthie to bee done by a king of France: that contrary to the edict, they had let their hereticques continue in their houſes, enioye as in a publike peace their lands and goods, that ought to be imployed for their deſtruction, and to the taking away of the means that continued their crimes towards god, and their rebellion againſt the eſtate. That in ſtead of ſelling and confiſcating thereof,Borne in France, and ſpaniolized in Rome. the reuenues of the Cardinall of Pelleue were ceaſed vppon, becauſe in open conſiſtorie hee had moſt vertuouſly ſuſtained the iuſt occaſion of the leuying of armes, by the Catholicke Princes againſt Hereticques. That in thoſe warres the Cleargie had indured moſt, and receiued leaſt profit or aduantage, hauing continued more for the aduancement of Mignons, then for the ruine of Hereticques, and that ſo great ſummes of money cut off from the poſſeſsions of the Cleargie, from the nouriſhing of the poore, from the reliefe of Pilgrims, from the ranſome of captiues, and other neceſsities of the Church, had ſerued to no other end, then onely for the entertaining of the enemies of the Cleargie.

Hee complained of the contradictions of the edict, and among other things, in that the kings Councell, the Court of Parliament in Parris, the Iuſtices, nor the Prouoſt in Parris, had not ſworne to the edict.

Of the hard meaſure ſhewed to the Townes that had deſired the exterpation of hereſies, and the reuocation of the laſt edict of peace. Of the ouerthrowing of the citadel of Maſcon, of ſurpriſing ye of Valēce, of ye diſgrace of the Sieurs de Briſſac, Cruſilles, Geſſan, and Antragues, and of the countermaunding of the aſsignations giuen vnto him, for the reſtoring of the charges by him made in that laſt raiſing of ſouldiers.

The king to the contrary, had well conſidered how the inſolent paſsion of the league, could not finde a firmer footing within all the articles contained in the treatie of Nemours, and that it aſpired to ſome greater matter. Hee knew well it had demaunded Townes for aſſurance againſt the Huguenots, in the Prouinces where they had no cauſe to feare them, neither in ſoule nor bodie. That ye ſurpriſe made by the D. d'Aumalle of the towns of Dourlan & Pontdormy, and the intelligence diſcouered at Bollogne, were ſom of the operations of the medicine which they had takē to auoyde this monarchie of vigor & ſtrength. That for to fortifie themſelues with numbers of Townes and participants, it had cauſed a Citadell to bee erected at Vitry le Francois, therein to place an Italian, in whoſe countrie a Frenchman cannot ſo much as obtaine the baſe office of a Sergeant. That the Duke of Guiſe would not receiue the gouernment of Raucroy, vntill his Maieſtie had promiſed him they ſhould hold it in his owne name. That it had prodigally ſpent the 100000. crownes, raiſed for the building of the Citadell in Verdun, not deſiring other fortreſſe thererein but the hearts of the people, abuſed with pretences and goodly apparances of the intents of this conſpiracie.

The contrarieties of the edict being well wayed and debated on both partes, the Duke of Guiſe turned his purſuites vppon the meanes to aſſayle the Huguenots, in the ſame places where they had receiued the foyle, in Poitou, Dauphine, and in the countries of the Duke de Bouillon, deſired the king to caſt his eyes vppon decaying religion, if the armie of ſtraungers ſhould beare the triumph into Allemaigne, both of France and of the Catholicke Church, and to imbrace the conſeruation thereof, without eſteeming any thing to bee difficult or daungerous for ſo memorable a victorie, calling to minde, that he was a king of a people, that neuer feared any thing but the falling of heauen, and aſſured thēſelues to ouercome all whatſoeuer that durſt aſſayle or ſet vpon them heere on earth.

The King, whoſe intent was onely to liue and raigne, could not conſent to warre,The Kings oath the 10. of Ianuary. 1587. notwithſtanding the oath hee made when hee inſtituted the order of the holy Ghoſt, nor the laſt reſolution ſent to the king of Nauarre, by Monſieur de Rambouillet, that hee would not permit or ſuffer other religion in his Realme, then the auncient Catholieque faith, and aboliſh that which they called reformed: yet he deſired moſt earneſtly to haue had a good peace, therby to diuert the miſeries which the armie of ſtrangers would bring with it, but when hee perceiued himſelfe not ſtrong ynough,The kings reſolution. to make the King of Nanarre and the Duke of Guiſe to conſent, by reaſon of their differences, and that hee could not ſuſtaine the one, without oppreſsing the other, that hee had not the courage to bee indifferent between both, without leaning to the one or to the other, and to bee ſhort, that hee durſt not vſe the authoritie of a King, hee was conſtrained to ſuffer all the heads of the league to counterfeit with him.

If hee conſented to the libertie of reformed religion, and reſtored them the Edict of peace, hee thought hee heard all the mutenous leaguers continually about his eares, if hee made warre againſt the King of Mauarre, he had fiftie thouſand ſtraungers vpon his backe, that would conſtraine him to ouerthrowe the league.

Wherevppon hee deſired the Duke of Guiſe to yeelde to a peace, not to abandon the Eſtate of the Realme for a praye vnto ſtraungers, to procure the eaſe and contentment of his king, the comfort of the people, the freedome of the Cleargie, and the dignitie of the Nobilitie, by other meanes then by ſuch as would ouerthrow the honour of his ſoueraigntie, bring his ſubiects in diſpaire, robbe Churches, and ſucke the blood of thoſe fewe Gentlemen, which forraine warres had left within the Realme, to deſend it from ciuill warres. To the which peace, hee mooued him by honourable promiſes and aduantages both to his houſe and partakers, but hee found his heart altogether reſolued vnto warres, rather deſiring a battell, then a diſputation, and neyther minded to indure miſerie, nor yet to procure the remedies thereof. So that to conclude, the Duke of Guiſe would haue warres, and aunſwered the king reſolutely, that hee was not in the minde to haue any peace: adding further,The Duke of Guiſe would haue warre. that if hee were conſtrained therevnto, it ſhould alwaies bee done with exception of the religion, and the aſſurance of him and his. Whereby peace for that time was vtterly banniſhed, yet Priam for all that, iſſued not out of Ilion, before hee ſawe the Grecians vnder his walles, and then hee beganne to ſtirre himſelfe, and to reſume the generous courage which hee had loſt among the pleaſures of Vincennes, The ſtate of the Court in An. 1586. and 1587. at the marriage of Monſieur de Ioyeuſe: ſince which time, the Courtier had not ſtriken one blowe with his ſword, but onely in quarrell of Arioſte, and had rather ſpend one hundreth Crownes in dauncings and in Maskes, then one one hundreth ſolz in powder and in flaskes.

The long reſt, had made the moſt valiant like vnto a horſe, whoſe warlike courage abateth by lying long vppon the litter, but neceſsitie founded them an alarme, and made them perceiue the blacke cloud that began to fall vppon the ſtate.

For the King, that ſhould haue beene very incenſible, if hee had not had ſome feeling, marched in proper perſon, & diuided his warre into three parts: that is, to Chaumont in Baſsigny, to Saint Florentins hard by Troye, and to Guyen.

Foure hundreth launciers, & two hundreth foote, all Italians.The firſt armie beeing compoſed of fiue and twentie companies of men at armes, twelue Enſignes of footemen of the Regiment of Eſcluzeaux, ſixe of Ioannes, and ſixe of Gie, with diuers blankes for commiſsions at the Duke of Guiſes pleaſure: troupes of ſtrangers ſent vnto him by the Duke of Parma. The ſecond was ledde by the Duke de Montpenſier: and in the third that went for Guyen, the king himſelfe was in perſon, which three armies in all, might comprehend the number of ſixtie eight companies of men at armes, tenne thouſand foote, twelue thouſand Switzers, and foure thouſand Rutters. The Duke de Ioyeuſe ledde an other armie into Guyenne, againſt the King of Nauarre: and the Duke of Lorraine had braue and goodly forces vppon the frontiers. The Duke de Bouillon was Lieftenant for the King of Nauarre, in the armie of Rutters and Almaines,Duke Cazemire excuſeth himſelfe. that were conducted by the Barron of Othna, and compoſed of nine and twentie Cornets of Rutters, three and twentie Enſignes of Switzers, and fiue thouſand Lanſquenets, armed with corſlet and pike: beſides eleuen Cornets of French lanciers, and tenne companies of Harquebuſiers on horſebacke, ſo that the armie might be in all, about thirtie thouſand men, not accounting the fifteen hundreth harquebuſiers, & foure hundreth horſe brought by the Lord of Chaſtillon. Beholde poore and miſerable France, couered with the haire of afflictions, and charged with a heauie burthen,Miſeries of France. vnder the which it muſt eyther languiſhor die. Beholde it readie to bee a pray to a people different both in manners and ſpeech: all the furies of hell raunged in her fields. and horrour, confuſion, and impunitie, thundered and battered in all places, which euery man iudged to bee a ſcourge, for the great and horrible crimes committed therein. Hee that ſeeth France troubled and vexed in that ſort, may well ſay, that the iuſt iudgement of God, hath brought it to ſo great deſolation, through the aboundance of ſinnes that fill vp the meaſure of her iniquities, for which cauſes the ſcourge of God hath diſcipated and ſeduced into aſhes, many more flouriſhing eſtates then euer it was. Luſt and deſolateneſſe ouerthrew the firſt Monarchy of the world: prodigallitie tooke away the life and force of the ſecond: ambition and diſcord diſmembred the third:The ruine of the 4. Monarches, Aſſiria, Aſia, Perſia, & Rome. impietie and iniuſtice vnfeathered the fourth: and impietie, iniuſtice, and deſolation, will reduce France into a fatall and certaine deſtruction. The Miniſters of pietie are no more choſen as they ought to bee, and it is no maruell why there are no more Athanaſians and Hillarians therein, ſeeing that the ſpirituall liuings, which are the Schooles and fountaines from whence godlineſſe ſhould ſpring, and examples of the true ſeruice of God, are holden by men of armes or Courtiers, and which is woorſe, by women & childrē. This impietie which hath ſlidden into religion, hath formed many Atheiſts, that ſpeake diſdainfully of godly prouidence, that flatly deny it, that by beleeuing ouermuch, beleeue nothing at all, whereby the ſoulereſteth in their bodies without any apprehenſion, either of the ſecond life, or of the latter death. Others ſerue God but for a faſhion, and by maner of acquittance, and curiouſly forge diuers ſorts of errors, and vnder I knowe not what kinde of hypocriſie and diſsimulation, ſuffer themſelues to be borne away by ſuperſtitions, which traungely abuſe and offend the moſt holy Maieſtie of God: it is the monſter with ſixe hornes, that hath gotten ſo much credite among the common people, and that thruſteth it ſelfe into the Pallaces of Kings: it is the means to trafficque and deale with the diuell, to giue vs the deteſtable fruit of the Cupidits: which torment thoſe miſerable Sorcerers, who moſt eaſilie deface the diuine caracke out of their ſoules, & proſtrate the ſame at ye pleaſure of the ſtinking gate of hell. This vermine that remaineth free without looking into, in the time of Charles the 9. had attained to ye number of 30000. as their chief leader cōſeſſed, but ſince that time it hath had ſo great aſcope, that ſuch as deal with it in great houſes, are called Philoſophers and Aſtrologiers: and now Almanackes ſerue as rules and cannons for mens actions. To this impietie we muſt adde the moſt execrable blaſphemies, which proceed frō the mouths of great men, yea and from the pooreſt Peſants in France, that haue euery day new words to ſpit out againſt the heauens, and to deſpight the iuſtice and prouidence of God. The Pagan ſweareth very ſildome, the Sarazin knoweth not what it meaneth, the Turke abſtaineth from it, and the Huguenot deteſteth it: but our Catholicques are Maiſters of the Art, and make account to ride vppō diuinitie. The ſecond branch of our miſchiefs is iniuſtice. The firſt foundation of an eſtate and authoritie of a Realm: yea, that which giueth it forme and being, is iuſtice.

Vertue which maketh kings, and without it they would change their royalties, Iniuſtice is the roote of miſeries in France.into tyrannies. It is the feare of the wicked, and the encouragement of the good, & becauſe it is the principall office of aking, when the Hebrieux deſired Samuel to giue them a king, among other points of their requeſt, they added theſe words, to Iudgevs, and to doo iuſtice as among other people. All the world complayneth of the peruerting thereof: eſtates are no more giuen by Geometrical proportion: France maketh lawes of waxe, to be tempered with mens hands, and ſubiect to melt at the warme fauors of great perſons. There are lawes ynough to gouernall Europe, yea and all the pluralitie of epicures, but they haue their vertue onely in paper, and ſome ſeeth them both publiſhed and violated. Now there is no conſcience made to ſell that which is bought of the king, and moſt commonly iuſtice is diuided to ſuch as haue no mony, but this iniuſtice is much more to bee deplored, for the heauie and inſupportable burthens it layeth vpon the poore people, and maketh them not onely a medowe which is cut thrice a yeare, but a bodie that is fleane, or rather an anaotomie.

Theking which hath tenne millions of golde for his reuenue, liueth by impoſitions and new dances, wherewith hee deuoureth his people, he bloweth their noſes ſo often that hee maketh them bleed, pulleth vp both hearb and roote, cuttes the feathers ſo neare, that they can growe no more, putteth his ſubiects out of breath, and conſtraineth them to hate and deteſt the Authors of theſe miſeries.

Iniuſtice is yet more ſeene in the diſorder and crueltie of ſouldiers, that are without diſcipline, rule, feare of God, reſpect of the good, compaſsion to the miſerable, and that afflict & torment the friend as much as the enemie: perſecute both maſſe and religion, kill Prieſts aſſoone as Miniſters, robbe Churches, burne Temples, ſpoyle Merchants, torment olde men, violate virgins, cauſe women with childe to bring foorth vntimely fruite, ranſome Peſants by cruelties, which in times paſt were neuer known but of Scithians, Leſtrigons, and Turkes, but none vnwoorthily practiſed among vs, to the great diſhonour of the courteſie and fauour that hath ſo much beautified our nation. But the deſolation which entereth into al the members of France, maketh it another Babylon, a puddle of filthineſſe, and a ſinke of all ſorts of corruptions, whereof the wounds are ſo old, that they are in a manner become naturall, deſperate, and incurable. The Court of our kings, which in times paſt were wont to bee the ſeed of the vertues of French Nobilitie, did neuer abound in more diſorders, luſts, & exceſſe, then vnder the raigne of Henry the third, ſpecially in the yeares 1586. and 1587. So that it may bee ſayd of ſome Townes, as it is reported by ſtraungers, that all things are printed therein, only not to be vertuous. The kings Court is like a Theator, which the people ſtād to behold, it is a fire which tranſformeth ſuch as approach it into her nature: the moſt modeſt come foorth inſolent: the moſt chaſte Lucreſſe, becommeth Fauſtina. From the diſorder of great perſons, proceedeth the misbehauiour of the meaner ſort, and there hath bin carters, that haue beene ſo ſuperfluous in their vanities, that there wanted nothing in their houſes but a chappel of muſicke, and to ſerue them by quarters, to counterfeit little kings. I muſt confeſſe the truth, & not make you beleeue that a mā with a crooke ſhoulder is of goodly proportion. The K. gaue a great furtherance to theſe deſolations, his exāple was a directiō to all his ſubiects: as the influctiō of ye head runneth into al ye mēbers. Men do not only imitate, but approoue ye actiōs of great mē, and according to their humours, voluptuouſneſſe, diſorder, ſuperſtition, moleſtation and crueltie, enter into credite. The people ſuffer their mindes to bee cut and cautheriſed at Princes pleaſures, as the greater the authoritie is, the more affectionate is their immutation: euery man taketh that colour, men perfume themſelues with thoſe drugues, and the example of the Prince is ſo contagious to the ſubiects, that they receiue it, entereth ſooner into their eyes then their eares.

Alexander caſt his head a ſide, and all the Court held their neckes awry: Denis was purblind, and his Courtiers ſtumbled at euery ſteppe, and iuſteled each other, as if they had beene euill ſighted. Plutarke telleth, that Courtiers put away their wiues, following the kings example that loued not his wife. Lewis the eleuenth, would haue Charles his ſonne to learne but one word of Latine, and all the Court deſpiſed learning. King Francis eſtabliſhed learning, and all the Nobilitie cauſed their children to bee inſtructed. Henry she third loued ryots and pleaſures, and al the Court abounded in deſolation. He conſidered not, that the vices which ranged in his Realme, are the ſame that cauſed the whole world to bee drowned, ouerthrew fiue Townes, cauſed the tribe of Beniamin to bee ſlaine, deſtroyed Sparta, Carthage, and Athens, ſpoyled Troye, and procured the Cicilian euening prayer. He conſidered not, that this voluptuouſnes which maketh him ſwallow poyſon in his milke and Ippocras, maketh him fitter to bee a woman then a man, that to maintaine it, all France is rent in peeces.

The treaſures that Caligula found after the death of Tibera, being 1800. horſe load, nor the nineteene millions of Crownes that the Vitellius ſpent in one yeare in making of banquets, will not ſuffice, that from thence ſpring the new impoſitions, wherereof the monies proceeding, are died and tempered in the blood and teares of the poore people, that aske vengeance of God, and that in the end, deal to eaſe their oppreſsions, and ouerthrow the oppreſſors.

Prodigious ſights ſeene in the raigne of Henry the third.If the complaints of the people, cannot pearſe the eares of the king, yet let him looke vnto the effects of Gods iudgement: as ſtrange ſignes, monſters, comers, and earthquakes, which are the meſſengers thereof, let him conſider, that theſe leagues and partiallities, are the windes that riſe before a tempeſt, and the ſhipwracke of this eſtate. And that with a little puſh this edifice which hath been built ſo many hundreth yeares, will in a moment be ouerthrowne.

But not to prolong our Hiſtorie with many tedious words, let vs return to the armie of Proteſtants which were left in Lorraine. And there we ſhal ſee great wants, which ſoone produce many infalliable faults, without remedie and reparations that are preſently made, to the ruine and confuſion of ſuch as commit them. It was deſtitute of a Generall, capable of ſo dangerous a iourney. The Duke de Bouillon was therein but a learner, and thoſe that aſsiſted him, were more fit to go of an Ambaſſage, then to giue a charge vpon the enemie. The Barron of Othna had leſſe experience then courage, all his ſufficiencie conſiſted onely in the report and commendation, giuen of him by the D. Caſimir. For about the beginning of the month of Auguſt,Neither the Rutters nor Switzers would fight with ſo faire an occaſion. conſuſion & neceſsitie (two dangerous plagues to a great multitude) entered among them. There was diuision in their intents, ſome of them would ſpoyle the country of Lorraine, others would ſtay their vengeance and furie, vntill they were in the heart of France.

The Duke de Bouillon by meanes of that armie would refreſh his Towns, that as then were vnfurniſhed: the Generall of the Almaines would not doo any thing before hee had a Prince of the blood to direct him. The Frenchmen ſaid, they muſt go ſtraight forward to paſſe the riuer of Loire: the Almaines wold march along by the riuer of Seine, & from thence into Picardie. But the paſſage of the riuer of Loire was reſolued vpon, after they had let ſlip a goodly encounter at Pont Saint Vincent, where all the troupes of the league made ſhewe to ſet vppon them, but the neceſsitie of victualles procured by the Duke of Lorraine, by throwing downe milles, and ouens, made them leaue that bone, and paſſe further forward in this manner. The Duke de Bouillon, Lieſtenant Generall, the Counte de la Marche his brother, led the Vant-guard: Cleruant the Switzers: the Barron of Othna the Rutters: Guitry Marſhall of the campe, and Mouy ledde the French footemen. And as they paſſed le Barrois and leinuillois, newes came of the arriuall of Monſieur de Chastillon, at Greſille, neare to la Mottes in Lorraine, both the armies made thither: that of the Duke of Guiſe to intrappe him: and that of the Duke de Bouillon to defend him: in which effort, they trauelled ſo much, that both the one and the other, wearied and weakened themſelues.

The Earle of Marche fell ſicke and died, leauing his charge to Nonſieur de Chaſtillon, whom hee had ingaged. That done, long raines, want of victualles and ſickneſſes, beganne to torment the armie: which notwithſtanding all diſcommodities, made right to Chaumont in Baſsigny: paſſed the riuer of Marne: placed their artilllerie, (but to no purpoſe) againſt the Abbey of Clernaux: burnt the corne vppon the ground about the countrie: croſſed l'Aube a • Montigny, and Seine aboue Chaſtillon, where Monſieur de la Chaſtre laye, paſſed hard by the Duke de Maine, and the troupes of Bourgongne lodged at Leignes, and Anſile Franc, paſſed Cure aboue Vermenton, and Yonne hard by Creuant, and ſo made a halt towards the riuer of Loire.

The cauſe of the overthrow of the Switzers.There beganne the complaints of the Switzers, and the mutinies of the Rutters, becauſe the King of Nauarre came not to them, and that the King was at the ſide of the riuer of Loire, either to fight with them, or to ſtaye their paſſage. A ſtratageme woorthie of a King and Councell, no leſſe commendable then admirable, beeing the true and onely cauſe of the victorie. For hee conſidered that the onely meanes to breake this armie, was to impeach their ioyning with the king of Nauarre, and ſo to let them conſume of themſelues, as not hauing victualles to ſuffice their wants, nor retrait for their aduantage. That the neceſsitie of their bellie would cauſe the head to rebell. That famine would cauſe diſſeaſes among them, and leſſen their troupes. From this Councell proceeded two great effects, but different in execution: hee commaunded the Duke Ioyeuſe, The battel of Coutras. to keepe the King of Nauarre in Poitou, and rather to hazard battell, then ſuffer him to paſſe the riuer of Loire, as hee determined to do at the head thereof: aſſuring him, that the ruine of the forraine armie depended there vppon: to the which end, the Duke de Ioyeuſe that had anarmie fortified both with men, munition, artillerie, and meanes, marched towards Coutras, to paſſe la Drongne at Gue: and vpon Tueſday the twentieth of October, ſtayed with all his forces, between la Roche, Chalais, and Coutras, the king of Nauarre made towards him, fully reſolued to fight. And his troupes, not mercinarie but choſen ſouldiers, not conſtrained but free, that deſired rather to ſweate in a skirmiſh, then heate themſelues in a Tennis-court: rather to purſue a flying enemie, then ſtaye to drinke ſweet and pleaſant malueſie at a bankette, that feared nothing but the loſſe of their reputation, ſtayed onely but till they had the word to giue the onſet. And after they had bin long encouraged to fight, and greeued with outrages and threatnings, they ſell to blowes. And about eight of the clocke in the morning, the king of Nauarres artillery began to play, and that of the Duke de Ioyeuſe to aunſwere them, but not very luckely, for that eyther the ignorance or the mallice of the Cannonier had placed it ſo low, that the mouth of the cannon ſhot right vpon a litle hill of earth, wherein the bullet ſtayed without pearcing further.

The battell was ſo ſoone deſcided, that in tenne houres this great armie of the king (that had the aduantage, both for place and number, beganne to retire) was ſooner broken then fought withall. The king of Nauarre, the Prince of Conde, and the Earle of Sotſſons, behaued themſelues moſt valiantly, executing the offices both of Captaines and ſouldiers, and gaue thankes to God in open field, all died with blood, and hilled and couered with dead bodies: and among the reſt, with the bodies of Duke de Ioyeuſe, Monſieur de Saint Sauueur his brother, and fiue and twentieth other Gentlemen of name. All their Cornets were taken, with the artillerie and baggage, and foureteene Gentlemen of account taken and put to raunſome. That done, the king of Nauarre beeing eaſed of ſo many nettes that were ſet vp to catch him, marched forward to ioyne with the forraine armie, and to paſſe the riuer of Loire: but the king lay incamped at a little Village called Lere, between Coſne and Neuſuy, impeached him by the aduiſe of Monſieur de Neuers, cauſing the guets betweene Pouilly and Dony to bee broken downe, filling them with thouſands of trees, ſtones, and chaines, to entangle the feete of the Rutters horſes that ſhould paſſe. And intrueth, the letting of that paſſage, next to the helpe of God, was the ſecond cauſe of the aduantage the king had of the victorie. For the Duke of Guiſe that followed the armie, durſt not ſet vpon it, nor hinder it from ſpoyling villages, therewith to refreſh it ſelfe. But aſſoone as it perceiued it ſelfe to be in that incloſure, and that they muſt of force recule, to take the left hand, and enter into a countrie wherein the Rutter had neuer hunted the Hart, and conſidring the ſcituation, it beganne to be abaſhed and fall into a mutenie, and looſe courage: and hauing failed of their enterpriſe at la Charite, it entered into the way of Beauce, drawing towards Montargis, and ſo ſtayed at Vimori, or thereabouts. Where the Duke of Guiſe that followed, determined to diſlodge them, and tooke them ſo ſuddainly, about ſeuen of the clocke in the euening, that they ſooner heard the cries of the dying & hurt men, then the Qui va la of the Sentinels.The 27. of Octobr. The Rutters were readier to place themſelues in order of battell, then to ſaue their baggages, or impeach the ſpoyle made by the ſouldiers. There the Barron of Othna ſhot two Piſtolle bullets into the Caſtle of the Duke de Maine: and for exchange, he got a great blow with a courtlaſſe in the forehead. The Rutters in that skirmiſh loſt 50. good ſouldiers, 100. Pages, 300. horſes for waggons, 2. Chaumeaux, & the two Attabales, which are drumbes of leather for the Generalles Cornet, being a Turkiſh inuention: and the Duke of Guiſe, 40. Gentlemen and 200. Souldiers. I call not that a victorie which coſteth the blood of ſo many braue Gentlemen, but rather an vnrecouerable loſſe. And the Duke of Guiſe might ſay as the K. ſayeth▪ of thoſe whom at this day we call Albaniſts, (after he diſperſed the armie of the Romains) were vtterly ſpoiled if we obtain ſuch another victories againſt the Romanes.

From thence the Duke de Bouillon marched to Chaſteau-landon, which he battereth and taketh by force, and by the Rutters pilled and ſpoyled, beeing moued with impatience, to haue neither mony, nor the ſight of the King of Nauarre, which mutinie had beene much more greater, if the aſſurance of the arriuall of the Prince of Conde had not ceaſed it, that met them about Chartres, where the Duke de Bouillon yeelded him his charge, togither with the white Ancient.

The king beeing at Bonneual, had intelligence of the diuiſion and mutenie, that hatched and beganne to breed in the ſtraungers armie, and therevppon vſed all the meanes he could, by wiſe and polliticque practiſes, to ſound the hearts of the Switzers, to ſee if he could procure their ſeparation from the armie, and ſo to perſwade them (by the remembrance of the fidelitie and allyance of their nation vnto the Crowne of France) to leaue their armes and retire.

Thoſe that confeſſed themſelues not to bee borne but with the marke of a flower deluce, and not to bee entered into France, but to reſtore it to the priſtinate ſplendure, obeyed the king, and vpon agreement of foure hundreth thouſand Crownes, payde them in readie mony, hee ſent them backe againe into their countrie.

Surpriſing of the Rittersat Auneau.The Duke de Guiſe perceiuing the armie of Rutters to bee as a bodie diſpearſed, hauing nothing left but the legges and the armes, executed vppon them, that which he had determined from the firſt day of their entrie, which was vpon 'the Generalles lodging, and ſo by ſtriking the Shepheard, diuided the flocke: as Caezar did at the battel of Pharſale. He ſhewed therin, that there is nothing more neceſſary for a great Captaine,Fortioribus Superatis aliis concidit • nimus. then ſpeedily to take occaſion when it is offered: I ſay ſpeedilie, for that in ſeleritie and vigilent care, the art of warre conſiſteth. And hauing eſpied the enemies campe at Auneau, hee entered into it with all his forces, and choſe his field neare to the Towne, to ſuſtaine ſuch as iſſued foorth, or thoſe that ſhould come to ayde them within: his footemen entered the ſtreetes about the time that the Cartes and baggage were readie in the morning to iſſue out. And ſo ſurpriſed the Rutters at their breakefaſt, when the trumpetres beganne to ſound a chiual, and ſet ſo brauely vppon them, that hauing not the meanes to iſſue foorth, they were conſtrained to retire into their lodgings at the pleaſure of the aſſaylants. The bootie was great, beeing eight hundreth Chariots, Iewels, and Chaines of Golde, and two thouſand horſe, both for the field and waggons, ſo that in one night, all the footemen of the Duke of Guiſes armie were on horſebacke, and rich of ſpoyles and priſoners. For the Gates being ceaſed vpon, and the ſtreetes chained, there was no meanes to ſaue themſelues, but by the walles: which the Generall leaped ouer, paſsing by night through a marriſh ground. Thoſe that knowe the manner of the Rutters forme and order vſed in the warres, may wel ſuppoſe how eaſilie the Duke of Guiſe obtained his purpoſe, for horſemen are of no force, beeing in a ſtreete that is chained: but of force they muſt light off their horſes to come to hand-blowes,This is contrarie to the opinion of Monſieur de la Noue. but in that caſe the Rutter hath put a Piſtol againſt the hayles of the bullet, of musket and caliuer ſhotte, and whenſoeuer they ſhould meete in open field, one Cornet of French horſemen would bee ſtrong ynough for two Cornets of Rutters.

The Frenchman is very expert in his launce, and the Almaine in his Piſtolle: the force of the launce is furious and ſtriketh farre off: the piſtolle hurteth not but beeing neare, and yet there is no aſſurance to hit right, when men drawne ſuddainely and without foreſight, it is compoſed of many peeces, and often times either the ſtone, powder, wheele, or bullet, maketh them looſe their ſhotte.

The ſword is the beſt weapon of a ſouldier.The force and ſtrength of the great horſe, maketh a maruellous encounter, but the weakeneſſe of the Almaines horſe is nothing like. The Frenchman ſetteth furiouſly vppon the head of his enemies ſquadrons, and when his launce is broken, hee taketh his ſword, which is the moſt aſſured weapon a ſouldier can beare. The Rutter neuer fighteth with his face forward, not knowing whether his blowe tooke effect or not. And when he ſhotte, and that one ranke thruſteth forward vpon the other, he goeth no further, but turneth to the right or the left hand, as the place ſerueth, vntill he hath charged againe, and ſo commeth to ſhoote. The launcier paſſeth forward, followeth on his courſe, breaketh & ſcattereth al whatſoeuer he meeteth, with certaine petrinelles, that are mixed among the launces, the feare and ſcattering abroad aſſureth not the Rutters hand to charge readilie againe, & while he doth it, halfe dead and trembling, there needeth no great labor to breake and enter the rankes that are diſordered. Wherby it happeneth, that the Rutters did neuer obtaine any great victories againſt the Frenchmen, although they bragge and ſay they will ſoone vnſaddle a launcier, that commeth to aſſayle them, and take his horſe.

Such as are expert in the effects of nature, affirme, that there is not any paſsion which ſooner maketh the liueleneſſe of our ſences to faile, then feare and diſorder, which ſo much troubled the armie of Rutters, that it nayled their feete form paſsing forward, and gaue them whings in their heeles, to make the more ſpeed. Neuertheleſſe it was in ſuch eſtate, that by reaſon of ſome ſmall aſſurance they had of the King of N. arriuall, that it was likely to haue ouerunne the Duke of Guiſes forces: and as it was at the poynt to retire backe againe, the Prince of Conde, the Duke de Bouillon, and the Lords of Chaſtillon, and Cleruant, promiſed to pay them all their wages, ſo they would paſſe forward.

The hope of their paye, made them to march in a time not much conuenient, towards the forreſt of Orleans. The King perceiued that the longer their armie kept the field, the greater would bee the ruine of his countrie, and that being ioyned to the King of Nauarre, it would doo much hurt, cauſed the Sieurs of the Iſle of Cormont, to certifie the Coronels, that if they would yeeld vppe their colours, and ſweare to beare no armes in France, without the expreſſe commaundement of his Maieſtie, hee would giue them aſſurance to retire in ſafetie: they perceiuing themſelues farre from the king of Nauarre, hardly handled by the Frenchmē, beaten by the league, purſued by the king,Capitul ati • the 20. of December. 1587▪ and forſaken of the Switzers, aſſembled themſelues togither at Marſigni, and accepted his Maiſties offers, ſent by Monſieur d'Eſpernon, that feaſted them, and made them drinke new muſcat their bellies full.

Monſieur de Chaſtillon laying holde vppon the occaſion of a ſafe retrait, and for his purpoſe, proteſted not to yeelde vppe his colours but to the King of Nauarre, & ſo tooke his way towards Roane, to retire with a hundreth good horſe, and certaine Harquebuſiers.

The Gouernour of Lyons, entered into the field to impeach his paſſage, but the little children of Coindrieu, eaſilie iudged of his fortune, & the effect of that expedition, which they called not the iourney of ſpurres, but the battell ſhewing the backe, and bring newes thereof before it was fully done. For there they fought like the Scithians, & they that had their heeles beſt armed, were moſt valiant.The Scitheans fight flying. The conſideration of this encounter, and the inequallitie of the forces and leaders, maketh me beleeue, that which many haue perſwaded themſelues to bee true: which is, that wiſedome in warre is of little force. For fooles commonly beate vviſe men. Beholde an olde Captaine armed with ſo many examples,Olde Captaines commit young faults. Paradoxe. and glorious exploytes of war, that had ſharpened his iudgement by ſo many practiſes, findeth himſelf contrained to yeeld the place to a ſmall handfull of men, halfe wearied.

It is ſaid, that good wines are beſt in the latter part of the yeare, when time hath purged them of their fire and made them mylder, but regard muſt bee had that they become not ſowre. Age cauſeth ſtrange Metamorphoſes in vs, it breedeth euill fauored wrinckles in our hearts, and alwaies there is ſomewhat that taſteth ſharpe and muſtie, and beginneth to be faint or ranke. Old men ſhould ſit in Councell, and young march in the fielde: olde men feare blowes. The boyling and couragious heate of youth (mother of braue exploytes) is extinguiſhed in them, there it is too hotte for them. They neuer ſleepe without curtins and fire: I make more account of a young Captaine, whoſe vertue and valour groweth vp with his age, and ſuch (as without diſſimulation) France hath found in Monſieur de Chaſtillon, who in leſſe then 4▪ moneths, compaſſed a great part of France, trauerſed a hundreth daungers, paſſed many places, where hee found any thing either before, behinde, or on his ſides, but that oppoſed it ſelfe againſt him. And like a braue Gentleman, hauing ſeparated himſelfe from the mutinie of the Rutters and the leaguers forces, although the Counte de Tournon, and the Lord of Mandelot, bereaued him of all means to paſſe away, but onely by armes, yet he paſſed through them, like thunder that teareth and ſcattereth all whatſoeuer lyeth before it, and made them know, that the valour of a couragious heart, is not ſubiect to long and tedious reſolutions, which are not executed but in words. This place hath ſomewhat ſepararated me from the banket made by Monſieur d'Eſpernon to the Rutters, and of the treatie that followed, which gaue them libertie and aſſurance to retire. They went vnto Geneua, where diuers of the heads (whether it were for griefe, with languiſhing, or by blows of musket) yeelded vp the ghoſt. There the Duke de Bouillon being in the fiue & twentie yeare of his age, died vppon the eleuenth of Ianuary, hauing made his heire the Ladie Charlotte de la Marke his ſiſter, charging her to alter nothing in the ſtate, nor the religion of the ſoueranties of Sedan & Iamets: nor to marry without the aduiſes of the king of N. the Prince of Conde, and Monſieur de Monpenſier, whom he appoynted his heire with his ſonne, the heire dying without children: with the ſame charge not to alter any thing in his lands, in the which caſe he ſubſtituted the king of Nauarre, and after him the Prince of Conde. Aſſoone as the Duke of Lorraine vnderſtood of this Princes death, hee ſent his armies into his countries, in defence wherof, la Noue his executor entered into armes, with proteſtation, that the promiſe he had made (for his deliuery) vnto the king of Spaine, not to beare armes againſt him, bound him not to refuſe his ayde in defence of a young childe, againſt the vſurpation of the Lorraines.

The Marqueſſe du Pont, eldeſt ſon to the Duke of Lorraine, and the Duke of Guiſe, againſt their faith giuen, they followed not the armie, but the miſerable troupe of Rutters, to the Mountaine of Saint Claude, where they gaue thankes for the good ſucceſſe of their company: and from thence to pleaſe their hungrie troupes, they trauerſed the Counte of Bourgongne, entering into the Countes of Mombeliard, & Hericourt, where his men vſed diuers great cruelties, and ſpared not the lands of the Biſhoppe of Baſle, the example and ornament of the good Prelates of Germanie.

After the bloodie ceaſing of ſo lamentable vengeance, vppon a poore innocent people, which as yet do feele the loſſes and deſtructions of two hundreth Villages, the violence vſed to a number of women and maides, the maſſacre of ſo many olde men, the furious and beaſtly inhumanities of the league, they bare the ſignes of their ſpoyles into Lorraine, where they erected the great confuſion that diſpearſed it ſelfe, through all the vaines of the eſtate, neuertheleſſe it was the glorie of the league, & the laſt poynt that ambition hath learned.

Time and humours are meruellouſly diſpoſed therevnto. All France ſhewed it ſelfe much bound vnto it, that had deliuered them from the furies of ſtraungers, and aſſured all Catholicque minds. The victorie of Auneau, Maruaile that a king ſhould be tealous of his vaſſall. is an ordinary ſong among the people, the reioycing of the Cleargie, the brauerie of the Gentlemen. Of the league, the iealouſie of the king, that knew wel that this Lawrell was not giuen to the league, but to diſgrace his Maieſtie, although it was commō in the mouth of honeſt men, that his Maieſtie had cō ſtrained his enemies to yeelde.

There was no Preacher but ſpoke openly in the pulpet, and ſaid: that Saul had killed two thouſand, but Dauid ſixe thouſand: the frends of Marcus Craſſus could not indure that Caezar ſhould bee beloued of the people: this iealouſie ſought to eterniſe the Dictators office, with his reputation in the opinions of the commons, made it to be proclaimed in all places, that the Rutter had beene raiſed, payde, and ſent away by the King, and that without the proweſſe and conſtancie of the Duke of Guiſe, the Arke had fallen into the hands of the Philiſtines, that hereſie had triumphed ouer Catholicque religion.

The Pope, the King of Spaine, and the Duke of Sauoye, made fires of ioy, and pronounced the praiſes of the Duke of Guiſe: It is ſaid that the Pope ſent the Duke of Guiſe a ſword, ingrauen with burning flames. All eſtates ſhooke and wauered. the Prince of Parma had ſent him his armes, ſaying: that among all the Princes of Europe, it belonged only to Henry of Lorraine, to beare armes, and to bee a commaunder in the wars. The league by this meanes beeing in ſo great appparance and likelyhood of aduancement, puſhed forward rather by inſolencie of good fortune, then of iudgement, ſailed in the maine ſea of her pertences, and imbraced the occaſion for the which long ſince it had alwaies had the noſtrelles open, the eyes watchfull, the eares hearkning, and the foote ſtirring. And to conclude, it became very faire. The Cleargie with full ſayle puſht forward the intent of the Duke of Guiſe, to bande againſt the Huguenots, diuers Gentlemen wondring at his fortune, vnder vaine hopes that hee would once bee king, ranged themſelues to his will, beleeuing that moſt daungerous attempts and eaſieſt to be achiued, is vnder a Prince full of valour and courage. The people that are not nouriſhed but with the praiſes of the houſe of Guiſe, and the diſorders of the king: held on that ſide which they eſteemed moſt ſure and ſtrong.

The Towne of Parris, that perceiued the king to haue forgotten the Edict of Iuly, that he had returned to his firſt humours of pennance, that he is iudged by Ioubert and Miron, neuer to be a father: that his fauour, his libertie, her heart, and his ſoule, depended but vppon two of his creatures, and that the charges and impoſitions renued and redoubled, began to diſlike of things preſent, and to imbrace all whatſoeuer offered it ſelfe vnto them, how little apparance ſoeuer it had, not to chaunge or decay.

Some of the buſieſt, which after that time were named the ſixteen, beganne to vtter their deuiſes, and ſecretly to vent their falſe monies, filling the hearts and eares of the common people with feares, by conſideration of the vnrecouerable fall of the Church: of ſecret fauours and intelligences with the King of Nauarre: of deſpiſing the Catholicque Princes: of aduancement of Migrons: Murmurati on againſt diſorders. of deſolation of luſts & pleaſures: of hypocriſie in the Court: and of the reſolution of the Parriſsians, to reuenge the conſpiracie of the yeare paſt.

This moued the moſt aſſured, dimmed the eies of the moſt cleare ſighted, and heated the courages of the moſt lukewarme. Theſe conſciences trembling more for feare to looſe the bell, then the ſteeple, ſuffered themſelues to bee ledde away without conduction or thread into his laberinth, and moſt fooliſhly ranne one after the other, into the preace of this furie. The Duke of Guiſe, that thought not of any tempeſt, the ſhippe beeing yet in the hauen, and feared not when hee perceiued it to bee in the middle of the raging ſeas, imbarked himſelfe therein, in hope of thoſe populer windes, and built vpon the quickſands of Parris. And if you would knowe what parts were in him, to vndertake ſo hautie an enterpriſe, hearken what a great perſonage of our time writeth thereof. Hee onely is all the league, the reſt of his houſe are not like him, and all of them togither cannot furniſh the leaſt part of that which by him is taken in hand:The Duke of Guiſes nature in the liberall diſcourſe. a great diſſembler well aduiſed: very wiſe, and wiſer then all his faction, which all the world well perceiueth by his actions. I haue ſeene by writings vnder his owne hand, in an enterpriſe of great importance, where the greateſt perſon of his houſe, next after him, without his aduiſe went about to commit a great and notorious fault. Hee is indued with much vertue, certain effects take good ſucceſſe, and with the name and memorie of his father: by ciuill warre, he preſently became the chiefe commanmaunder of the Catholicque faction, ſpecially ſeeking to get the fauour of thoſe townes, that feared a Prince of the religion, whom he flattered by many priuate meanes, chiefe and cettaine ſignes of a minde aſpiring vnto tyrannie. Hee is diuers, and corrupted without meaſure, ſecret, cloſe, craftie, patient, (euen to the poynt of being blaſoned) diſſembling, proceeding in his intents, with long detraction. Seeing farre off, and not enterpriſing any thing, but hee is well aſſured to effect it. His father and his Grand-father withſtood the King of Spaine in Italie, and hee will do it in France. He ſaith it is the zeale of religion that prouoked him.

And God knoweth, there are yet ſo many Turkes and Sarraſins in the world, that withhold his inheritance of the kingdome of Ieruſalem, why doth hee not rather turne his pretences vppon them, then againſt France? When he perceiue the greatneſſe of the ſoueraigne Maieſtie decreaſed and imbaced: that his enemies were retired vnto Rochel: that England had a proude Spaniard vppon her backe, (meaning the great Spaniſh armie by ſea) hee aſſured himſelfe to take the king without daunger: hee leaned his eare to the aduiſe of the ſixteenth Archleaguer of Parris: he aduertiſed the Cardinall of Bourbon, (that went not but as hee was ledde) not to refuſe ſo good an occaſion, and paſſe ſo faire a time without ſome exerciſe, gathered an aſſembly of his principall friends at Nancy, there to aduiſe the meanes to paſſe forward: conſtraine the king to make his will: banniſh his Mignions, and to be content to bee ruled by his houſe. And ſo that aſſembly concluded, that hee ſhould bee ſummoned to ioyne his forces vnto the enterpriſes of the league: his authoritie, to her pretences: his fauour, to their will: leaue and refuſe the counſell and amitie, of ſuch as ſhould be named vnto him: driue and bereaue them of their offices: eſtabliſh the Inquiſition in euery Towne, to publiſh the Councell of Trent, The effect of the articles made in the aſſembly of of Nancy, in Febr. 1588. touching the ordering of things that derogated the priuiledges of the French Church. To conſent to the reſtitution of the rents and goods, that it had been alienated and ſold for the charges of his warres. To giue them Townes wherein they might place men of war, and to make ſuch fortifications, as the neceſsitie of time and affaires would permit. Ordaine the ſale and confiſcation of Huguenots goods, alſo the diſabling of their perſons, and entertaine an armie vppon the frontiers of Lorraine, againſt the returne of the Germaines, that would come to haue ſome recompence, for the cruelties by the league committed in the Counte of Mombeliard. Theſe articles were ſent vnto the king, mean time,This warre continued till May 158 • . the forces of Lorraine continued warres againſt the Princes of Sedan, a warre that raiſed a thouſand curſes againſt the league, the thing not beeing ſo well iuſtified, as the conſideration of an innocents caſe, made it ſeeme execrable, and deteſted ſuch as enterpriſed the ſame, for entering vpon other mens boūds. The king ſtayed for a time, to reſolue himſelfe vppon the intentions of the Princes of the league, and made ſhewe to conſent vnto them. And to ſay the trueth, he was not in eſtate to oppoſe himſelfe againſt them, for that in the beginning of the league, hauing permitted them to ſtrike their hatchet into the floriſhing tree of Saint Lois, the blow entered, and made ſo great an ouerture, that all fell in peeces. Hee acknowledged the perilous conſequence of his firſt fault. And that hee agreed to the treatie of Nemours, and to the breach of peace, ſo to approoue the league.Prognoſtications of de Meſnil Aubri, 1560. He verified that which the Caſſandrian Huguenots had ſo often ſung: hee ſawe that the great credit which the Duke of Guiſe had goten among his ſubiects, to the great diminiſhing of his owne, did more increaſe, that ſince he had left diſobedience vnpuniſhed, rebellion was auouched, and that from it would proceed ſome ſtraunge change, to ſhake the eſtate. As many ſillables as hee pronounced in reading thoſe articles, ſo many times his heart beat, and moued in his bodie with an extraordinary feare, ſaying in himſelfe:Conſiderations by the King had, touching the articles of Nancy. The league will haue me to banniſh my ſeruants, that are moſt affected vnto mee. So the wolues deſired the ſheep to driue away the dogges, that they might worke their willes.

That I ſhould binde my ſelfe to their deuiſes: and why? to ſerue them for a bridge to enter vppon the royaltie: that I ſhould hatch the vipers within my boſome, that ſhould knawe my enteralles, and vnder the flower deluce, I ſhould couer the croſſes of Lorraine: that of a king, I become Generall of an armie: that the people may know, that ſeeing I haue not the courage to bee a Maiſter, it is reaſon I ſhould bee a ſeruant: that if I haue not the ſtomacke to puniſh ſuch as enterpriſe vpon mee, they neyther haue ſhame nor feare to proceed therein: it will haue mee ouerthrow and deſtroy thoſe great perſons that I loue, and that belong vnto mee: which beeing done, what aduauncement would it bee either to mee or to the Common-wealth? what is a forreſt when the faireſt trees bee cut downe, but onely a place full of fuſhes? what is a Realme when the greateſt houſes are ouerthrowne and impoueriſhed? onely a deſart.

That I ſhould agree and conſent with them to make warre againſt ſuch as are not of their league. Who euer heard that any eſtate could long endure when it is diuided in two parts, that haue weapon in hand? and what will become of mine, induring three or foure? and that theſe two words of leaguers and Pollititians, ſhall be as contagious therein, as thoſe of Guelphe and Gibelin, that firſt ſprang out a little Towne betweene two bretheren, and ſpredde all ouer Italie, among all the Princes? Who ſhall defend mee vnder his partialities, from the ſame ſlaunders that our neighbours of England and Germanie haue receiued? I will haue no other part but mine owne, and finde there is no better nor fairer, then to bee a king, I meane a king of France. That I ſhould cauſe the Councell of Trent to bee publiſhed, I am content: but this publication muſt not bee made by ſound of trumpet, or noyſe of Cannon-ſhotte. Hitherto my ſoueraigne Courts of Parliament neuer counſelled mee vnto it, for the preiudice I might induce into, the liberties of my Crowne, and franchiſes of the Cleargie of this Realme: and fortaine Princes haue not receiued it, but as farre as it was conformable to their willes, and haue taken out of it the thornes that pricked them. That I ſhould eſtabliſh the Inquiſition at the leaſt in all my Townes: this word breedeth a feare in euery man. The Inquiſition was not inuented but againſt Infidelles, for that after my aunceſtors had reduced Spaine to the Chriſtian faith, and that Pelages King of Caſtille, perceiued himſelfe not ſtrong ynough to conſtraine Infidelles in their conſciences, hee permitted them the libertie thereof, for certaine yearely tribute. Long after, Ferdinand of Arragon, perceiuing that by the patching of ſo many ſuperſtitions, both of the Sinagogue, and the Alcaron of Chriſtian religion beganne to be corrupted, he determined to conſtraine thē to be Baptized, or to leaue the country, ſuch as to ſtay & that made more account of their liuings then their conſciences, purged not themſelues ſo well of their errors, but that there reſted ſome dregges of their firſt opinions, which they held by ſucceſsion from their aunceſtors, and deſired rather like the Duke of Friezland, to go to hell with their ſects, then to Paradice without them. For men do hardly forgo the religion by them learned from their cradles, & the more they are afflicted to make them leaue it, ſo much the more they harden their mindes againſt torments: the more the exerciſe is forbidden them, the more they ſeeke it: and the more they are mooued, the more they ſtirre: they began to informe againſt them, whereof the Iacobins as then newly produced into the Church by Saint Domenicke (ful of doctrine and religion) had the charge, who imployed prayers and exhortations, and would not vſe violent purgations, thereby not to ſtirre vppe an aboundance of humours, that might ſtop the heart or the liuer, this peaceableneſſe and toleration being daungerous in the Church, they beganne to vſe rigor againſt thoſe miſerable Marians, vnder the name of Inquiſition: and ſince that, it hath been exerciſed againſt ſuch as are not ſound in Catholicque religion.

The formes ſince that time added therevnto are very ſtraunge, as the length of proceeding to aunſweres, the voluntary confeſsions of thoſe that are accuſed: the ſlaunders and boldneſſe of their officers called Flyes: the priſon vnder ground, ſoule, obſcure, and fearefull: the puniſhment with trochelles and wheeles, the ſinewes, the water, and the fron, the yealow Caſocke without ſleeues painted full of diuels, which they call Saubenite, the myter, gagge, and the cord, and that which is the laſt part of this pittifull tragedie, the fire haue made this inquiſition (which I thinke neceſſary in Spaine) ſo ſtrange vnto the Flemmings, and ſo deteſtable to the Frenchmen, that the Frenchmen will rather a thouſand times indure that which the Flemmings haue ſuffered, then ſubiect themſelues vnto it, to eſtabliſh this inquiſition, among the light toyes of the Frenchmen, the liberties we poſſeſſe within theſe thirtie yeares, and the curioſities that are naturally in vs, there would not be wood ynough to burne my ſubiects.

I will not doo it, I had rather haue a ſicke then a dead bodie, I will not make religion a Butcherie, or the alter of a ſacrifice which is not bloodie, a pillorie or place of execution: no, the king of France will no more cauſe his ſubiects to bee ſlaine, to make them beleeue hee will neuer vndertake to conſtraine mens ſoules, as long as their bodies are obedient vnto him. It belongeth vnto God to accord theſe falſe notes, that are heard in the harmonie of his Church.

They would likewiſe that I ſhould conſent vnto the Cleargie, that they may purchaſe in fee farme ſuch goods as heeretofore haue beene aliened from their Churches, and conſtraine the poſſeſſors thereof to ſell them againe: that is as much to ſay, that I ſhould fight for the Church, & the Cleargie ſhall keepe their temporall goods, while the people playe the Alkamiſts with their teeth. They will giue the alarme, and neuer come to battell. All the reſt of their articles touching the ſale of Huguenots goods, and of their diſabling, are alreadie ordained, men are imployed therein, all my parliaments are troubled therewith. What do they demaund of me, which I haue not agreed vnto not beeing able to refuſe it? and how many things haue I graun-vnto thē, which I could refuſe, becauſe I ought not ſo to do it? There is no ſinewe in his polliticke bodie, but it is wreſted, nor any member which doth not languiſh. They haue conſtrained mee to playe and hazard my eſtate by chaunce of warres: I haue alreadie loſt the halfe, let them ſuffer me to withdrawe my ſelfe into the other halfe and liue in peace.

Such were the obiections of this Prince, at the motions of the leaguers articles, but becauſe of nature hee was fearefull, feeble, and light, hee neuer had firme reſolution within his minde. Princes moſt commonly do faile by not beleeuing counſell, but hee deceiued himſelfe by too much crediting.

The firſt poynt of this miſchiefe was, that trueth was kept from him, and that men followed his humors.

Hee was perſwaded the ſtrongeſt part to bee that of the Duke of Guiſe, that all the Townes and Prouinces had their mindes ſet on him, that if hee entered not into it, he would bee left alone, at the mercie both of the League and the Huguenot.

Yet he firmly reſolued to bee Maiſter, and to range both the one and the other vnder his obedience: but it was by a weake meanes, imbracing the Duke of Guiſes part, and made himſelfe principall of the one ſide, with all ſeueritie to make warre againſt the Herereticque, ſpeaking of nothing but of a voyage into Poitou, to beſiege Rochel, and to take the Iſle of Rhie. And that which moſt fauoured this enterpriſe, was, that the Huguenots had loſt the Prince of Conde, vnder whoſe valour and generoſitie, they conceiued great hopes, and without doubt, as being indowed with all the quallities conuenient for a valiant Captaine, and otherwiſe an vnrecouerable enemie of their enemies. His diſeaſe was violent, procured by a noſegaye giuen him by ſome of his houſholde ſeruants, for that vppon Thurſday beeing the third day of March, halfe an houre after he had ſupt, a great paine in the ſtomacke, ſhortneſſe of breath, hardneſſe of the bellie, and continuall vometing, with extreame paine and thirſt, tooke him.

And the Saterday after, when his Phiſitians and Surgeons had imployed all Art, experience, and fidelitie to heale him, growing ſicker, a generall ſufforation of all the powers of his bodie ceaſed vppon him, whereof within an houre after hee died. His bodie was opened, wherein they found all the nether part of his bellie blacke, and burnt, the guttes full of reddiſh water, the ſtomacke aboue the orifice,The death of the Prince of Conde, ſaterday the 5. of March. pearced cleane through and round about, and the vitall powers (that of themſelues were very helpeful and well compoſed) by reaſon of the great quantitie of poyſon were all vlcered.

The king of Nauarre at his returne out of Gaſcongne, commanded expreſly, that all thoſe that were ſuſpected to bee neceſſarie to the poyſoning of the Prince, ſhould bee puniſhed, for the which ſome were executed. Meane time, the King that had the enterpriſe of the League rather then that of the Huguenots, more imprinted in his minde, knowing that all their demaunds tended onely to this end, to make a perpetuall warre, prepared himſelfe to preuent it, and cauſed certaine forces to bee aſſembled vnder the conduct of the Duke d'Eſpernon, againſt whome all the league diſcharged their chollor, making him the onely argument of the confuſion and diſorder of all his affaires, their iealouſie more increaſing by the ſucceſsion of the place of the Admirall, and of the gouernment of Normandie, which hee had newly receiued after the death of the Duke de Ioyeuſe. This poynt deſerueth to paſſe two ſteps out of my matter, the Admirall in France is the name of one of the chiefe Magiſtrates in the Realme, Generall and Prince of the ſeas belonging to the countrie: as Eghinard called Ruthland, that was Admiral in the time of Charles the great. The like authoritie the Marſhall of France beareth in an armie by land: the ſame doth the Admirall in a Nauie of ſhips on the ſea: but theſe offices are diſtinguiſhed, for that the ſubiect is different and diuers. There is paine and diligence to bee vſed to place an armie by land in order of battell. The like muſt be vſed to conduct a Nauie of ſhippes vpon the ſea. At al times the moſt warlike countrie of France, (both by ſea & land) hath had her Admiralles, and the Frenchmen of Brittaine, Narbonne, and Prouence, are much commended for their practiſes and greate dexterities in warres Voyages to the holy land, vnder Lewis the 7. and Philip Auguſtus, and Philip le Bel.vppon the ſea: neuer theleſſe this office was neuer in ſo great glorie and eſtimation, as it hath been ſince the third line of our kings, beeing that which brought pollicie and gouernment into this Monarchie (as the firſt had eſtabliſhed, and the ſecond increaſed it, by victorious conqueſts) then it was, that the names of Conſtable, Great-maiſter, Marſhall, Admirall, and other ſuch like dignities were ordained, but that of the Admiral remained vnprofitable, while our kings trauelled into the Leuant ſeas, to fight againſt the Infidelles, for in thoſe expeditions they ſupplyed their wants with veſſels which they found neareſt to the countrie of Iudea, and many times with their Admiralles, which they had from Genes, Piſe, Venice, and Luques. But the Frenchman that neuer continueth long vnder the yoake of any ſtranger, would no more bee gouerned by ſtraunge Admiralles, if they bare not the name of Admirall of France, although for the moſt part they were no Frenchmen. As in the time of Francis the firſt, Andrew, and Philip Dorie Geneuois, were made Admirals of the Leuant ſeas, and after left him to ſerue the Emperour Charles the fift. There hath bin diuers braue and expert Admiralles iſſued out of France, as Enguerrand de Coucy, and Hugues Quieret, Lewis of Spaine, vnder Philip le Bel, A • ory Vicount de Narbonne, and Iohn de Vienne vnder King Iohn: & Charles the ſixt, in whoſe time the Admiral of France furniſhed the great armie of twelue hundreth ſayle of ſhippes againſt the Engliſhmen, Cliret of Brabant, Lewis de Coulant vnder Charles the ſeuenth, and Lewis Baſtard of Bourbon, Iohn of Vienne Admirall, and ſince Constable. 1586. Anne de Ioyeuſe, Admirall, 1582. The Duke d'Eſpernon, made Admirall of Frāce, by Parliament, the 11. of Ianuarie, 1588. The Duke d'Eſpernon Gouernor of Normandie, entred Roan • the fourth of May. Earle of Roſsillon, vnder Lewis the eleuenth, and vnder king Frances the Lord of Brion, d'Anebaut and la Trimouille, for whom the Admiralles of Brittaine and Guyenne, were ioyned and made one.

Gaſpart de Coligny was Admirall vnder the ſame king, and confirmed by Henry the ſecond and his children. Honorat de Sauoye, Marqueſſe de Villars ſucceeded him, and cauſed it to bee giuen to Charles de Lorraine Duke of Mayenne, that reſigned it to Anne de Ioyeuſe, and after his death, the king gaue it to the Duke d'Eſpernon.

And to eſtabliſh him therein, preſented him in the Court of Parliament, and putting off his ſword, bare-headed, and kneeling on his knee, hee tooke his oath before the chiefe Preſident, where the eloquence of Monſicur d'Eſpeſſes the kings Atturney much commended and ſet foorth the prayſes of the Duke. Hee ſucceeded likewiſe in the gouernment of Normandie, and made his entrie into Roane, nine daies before the Barricadoes at Parrs. Not long before that, hee had ſent the Regiment of Picardie to lye about Bullen, and cauſed certaine ſmall Engliſh boates to deſcend before the Towne, ſo to impeach the enterpriſe of the Duke d'Aumale, and to preuent that which the ſaid Duke intended againſt the Towne.

When the Duke of Guiſe vnderſtood of thoſe troubles in Picardie, hee thought the time as then to bee fitte for him, to conſtraine the king eyther to bow or breake, to confirme the articles drawne & deuiſed at Nancy and Dyon, and to helpe the weakeneſſe of the Parriſsians, that without him would haue loſt courage.

And for the ſame cauſe hee arriued at Soiſſons, where his Maieſtie by Monſieur de Bellieure gaue him to vnderſtand, that he ſhould do him apleaſure if he wold abſtaine frō cōming to Parris, in ſo troubleſome a time, wherin ſo many factiōs raigned, & that if he came thither againſt his wil, he wold lay ye cauſe The arriuall of the Duke of Guiſe, at Soiſſons: The king prayeth him not to come to Parris vntill the diſtruſts were laid.of the troubles (that might ariſe by his preſence) vpon him.

Monſieur de Bellieure, who by reaſon of greatneſſe and ſoundneſſe of his iudgement, concerning matters of eſtate, and the execution of wiſe and notable charges to him committed, held one of the chiefe places of Councellor about the king, vſed many and great reaſons to reſtraine the impetuoſitie of that prince: and to conclude, departed from him, aſſuring himſelfe that hee had fully diſſwaded him.

But his heart attainted with a burning Feuer, could finde neither appetite nor pleaſure, but in that which liked his ſtomacke: beleeued that nothing could hinder him: that the heauēs oght to giue him place: that ſtriking with his foote vpon the ground, he would make a 100. legions of men to riſe: & that without fear of Iupiters thunderbolts, he could rule ye chariot of the ſun.

The Pariſſians had ſent for him.Left no meanes between the two extremities of his firme reſolution, but whatſoeuer fell out, hee would ſee the Louure, or die in the way. And therevppon mounted on horſebacke, with eight Gentlemen, about nine of the clocke at night, leauing his brother, the Cardinall of Guiſe, and the Prince de Iuinuille his ſonne at Soiſſons, deſiring the Archbiſhop of Lyons to follow him in the morning. And ſo within three houres after the arriuall of Monſieur de Bellieure, and about Monday at noone, beeing the 9. of May, he entered into Parris, Sunday the 8. of May 1588. and lighted at the Queen-mothers lodging, the Filles Repenties, where in great feare half trembling ſhe receiued him, & led him to the Louure. If the ſtreets of Parris had bin as broad, as the way of Appiē. they wold hardly haue contained halfe the quantitie of the people that followed this Prince: euery man thought himſelf happy, that might put off his hat, and kneel on his knee for to ſalute him,The Duke of Guiſe arriued the Kings not knowing onit. all being full of ioyfull cries, clapping of hands, pleaſures, and wiſhes, to welcome him. He for his part, holding his hat in hand, anſwering by his countenāce to thoſe populer reioycings, marked the moſt prompt affections to his deſire, they ſtriuing among themſelues, who ſhould begin to crie: Viue Guiſe, Viue le Pillier del'Egliſe. Which being heard into the ſtreet called S. Honnore, where a Gentlewoman ſat in a ſhop, ſhe pulled down her maske, and ſpake aloude vnto him, vtterring theſe words: Good Prince, now you are here we are al ſafe. That done, he entered into the kings chamber, where he did his dutie to the king, but with leſſe aſſurance then ordinary, knowing the King would not like well of his comming: and in trueth, he ſhewed him no great countenance, anſwering him (vnto the reaſons hee made touching his iourney to Parris) that by M. de Bellieure he had deſired him not to come. But dinner time approaching, they left off, & the D. of Guiſe departed to his lodging. After dinner he went to viſit the Q. in her garden: where the king finding him, as well as he could diſſembled the exterier apparance of y• ſuſpition he had conceiued in his heart: & the D. of Guiſe iuſtified his actions with a braue and bolde courage,He went to viſit the Queen-mother. by ſo much the more as he perceiued theſecret fear of the Kings trembling mind, his ſeruant & followers, one after the other ſtill entered into Parris: for the Archbiſhop of Lyons being the principal Agent of his Councell, arriued vppon Tueſday about dinner time, and came not out of the houſe of Guiſe, vntill the next day, that he went to ſee the Queen-mother being at Maſſe, & from thence went with her to her garden, where the K. found them: he ſtepped forward to kiſſe the Kings hand, who receiued him with pleaſant and chearefull countenance, hauing alwayes diſcouered a certaine inclination that hee had to loue him, as knowing him to bee one of the woorthieſt Prelates of his order, of a prompt and readie witte, and wonderfull eloquent, and withall, remembring that at all times when the ſtormes of words and reaſons were vſed in any matter of eſtate, hee ſurpriſed all his Councell. Wherevppon hee willingly deſired, hee had been as much affected to his ſeruice, as to the league wherein hee had entered, as alalſo in an aſſured enmitie towards the Duke de Eſpernon. While the king, the Queene-mother, and the Duke of Guiſe, were ſpeaking togither, the people ſpake among themſelues, euery man gaue him his iudgement, what would grow thereof, whiſpering each other ſecretly in the care. But ſecrets, loue, and wine, are nothing woorth when they are opened and perceiued.

The king cauſed foure thouſand Switzers to enter at foure of the clock in the morning, the eleueuth of May, 1588. The Duke of Guiſe feared to bee preuented, and the Kings eares were filled with nothing but with the pretences of the Parriſsians againſt him, hee knewe the practiſes that would trouble the braines of the ambitious head of the Duke of Guiſe, the manner of his arriuall, and the fauour of the people increaſed his diſtruſt, ſo that hee reſolued to preuent the time of his enterpriſe, and commaunded the Marſhall Biran, to cauſe the Switzers and Frenchmen to enter into the Towne, and to lodge them in diuers quarters thereof, thereby to reſtraine the people, that prepared themſelues to the execution of that whereof a yeare before they had fayled.

The feare of the Perſian.Captaine Gaſt with his company, ceaſed vppon the little bridge hard by Noſtre Dame: Captaine Grillon lodged at Pont Saint Michael: the Marſhall d'Aumont placed a ranke of Harquebuſiers on each ſide of Pont Noſtre Dame.

Whereat the people beeing abaſhed, ſhutte vppe their ſhoppes, which they had begun to open, expecting a furie, wherin Monſieur de Villequier vſed all the meanes hee could to diſwade them, praying them not to ſtirre, or feare any thing.

But all in vaine, they had no eares, they would not heare, the artificer left his tooles, the Merchant his traficque, the vniuerſitie their bookes, the Councellors their pleas, and the Preſidents themſelues take halberts in hand, whereby nothing was heard but fearefull cries, ſtraunge complaints, mournings, and diſpight.

The fearefull day of Barricadoes in Parris.And God knoweth if in that publicque riſing, ſuch as would take vpon them to exhort & ſet the reſt togither by the eares, might not eaſily do what they liſt. Among the which, one of thoſe audacious, mutinous fellows, ſpake vnto them and ſaid: How now companions, ſhall not wee this day ſhrowd our ſelues from the ſhoures of raine, and pull our heads from vnder the axe, which the kings arme lifteth vp againſt vs, thereby to preſerue vs from thunderclaps and furies of euill counſell, that ſeeketh the meanes to make pray of vs, our wiues & children? Perceiue you not that the King ſeeth onely outwardly, vnderſtandeth but with his outward eares, and ſtirreth not but by the means of ſuch as ſupport hereſies,Seditious words to mooue the people. & that fill their cheſts with the treaſures that are exacted from the Cleargie, and the common people? Shall wee ſtaye till they come to binde our hands and feete, & draw vs to the Greue, there to ſerue for tapiſtrie to the gibbets, that are prepared in the Town-houſe?

What further aduiſe needeth to bee had, to put our ſelues in a iuſt and naturall defence? Haue wee not alreadie heard Curtiſans in the ſtreete making partitions of our goods?

Did they not ſay, that frō henceforth the K. ſhal no more be a Page, yt he ſhuld commaund like a Maiſter, and that hee would be reuenged for the attempts made againſt him by the league.

Shall wee abuſe our ſelues? ſhall wee not thinke vpon neighbours, our wiues, our children, and our ſelues? Theſe words were preſently carried and approoued with common conſent. And although the Duke of Guiſe, knewe by the report of the Archbiſhop of Lyons, (whom hee had ſent vnto the king) that the placing of men of warre in the quarters of the Towne of Parris, was not againſt him, yet hee would not truſt in any thing but his ſword. And with that, the Barricadoes (a fatall and ſeditious inuention of the league; and the onely inſtrument to ouerthrow her tyranny, in ſuch Townes where the people are of courage) were made diſtant each from other thirtie foote, and reached almoſt to the Sentinels of the Louure.

The Switzers were ſet vppon, and they yeelded, crying: Viue Guiſe, and Monſieur de Briſſac cauſed them to bee diſarmed, and lodged in the Butcherie or new market. The Sieur de Saint Paul, cauſed the kings guard to retire, holding downe their armes, with their hats in hand. The Queene-mother got into her Coach in great feare, and went to ſeeke the Duke of Guiſe: and after her, Monſieur de Bellieure, thereby to appeaſe the commotion. But this burning Feuer being but in his prime, and like to bee much more violent, the Duke of Guiſe ſaid hee could not hold thoſe Bulles that had burſt foorth. Meantime, the King was aduertiſed that the enterpriſe would proceed further. That the Duke of Guiſe had not pretended ſo hautie an enterpriſe, to faint in the middle thereof. That to make his victorie full and accompliſhed, hee muſt of neceſsitie ceaſe vppon the perſon of him, that might either impeach it, or make it infamous to the victors.

Aduiſe giuen to the King, concerning the Duke of Guiſes intēt.Vppon theſe conſiderations, there arriued a Gentleman, a familiar and domeſticall attendant vppon the Duke of Guiſe, that aſſured him of the reſolution that was taken to enter into the Louure, and to ceaſe vppon his Maieſtie, which was confirmed by three other, and very true. For that ſeeing the Duke of Guiſe had proceeded ſo far, the time ſerued not as then to diſſemble, as likewiſe his Councel found no better, more aſſured, nor expedienter means. And to conclude, hee bragged ſeeing hee had him there, to holde him faſt: where vppon a certaine Author hath written, and ſaith: How now! what ſayeſt thou ſtraunger?In the liberal diſcourſe. to ſlaye a King of France, it is more then all Europe can doo: it is an enterpriſe (and yet very daungerous) for an Emperour, if thy Grand-father had thought, thou wouldeſt euer haue vttered ſuch proude ſpeeches, hee would ſurely haue ſtrangeled thy father, thereby to impeach thy enterance into the world. In a peaceable eſtate, in a quiet Realme, this onely would haue coſt thee thy head, but becauſe it is in ſuch eſtate, therefore thou troubleſt it.

The King, that could hardly beleeue it would proceed to that poynt, aſſured himſelfe, and made no account of that aduiſe, thinking the people would alwaies range themſelues vnder the clemencie of their king. But thoſe of his Councell that deſired to bee farre from Parris, and that knew the mutinies of the people, ſhewed his Maieſtie, that there was nothing more vnconſtant then that multitude, which in times paſt had conſtrained Philip le Bel, in great haſte to ſaue himſelfe in the houſe of the Templiers, and the Duke of Normandie, ſonne to King Iohn, priſoner in England, to weare a hood halfe redde, halfe ruſſet, thereby to defend himſelfe from their inſolencie. And deſired him to remember the reuolt of the Maillotins, Caboches, and of thoſe of Saint Andrewes croſſe, of the diſpoſition of Salcede, the letters of the King of Nauarre, the conſpiracies made the laſt yeare about Eaſter, and the many aduiſes and prognoſtications he had receiued, by the ſinges hee had ſeene. The Queene-mother was not of that mind,The 13. of May. 1588. and promiſed to perſwade the Duke of Guiſe, and for the ſame cauſe went to find him out, deſiring him to quench ſo many fiers alreadie kindled, & to come & ſpeake with the King, of whom hee ſhould haue contentment at his pleaſure: and thereby let him ſee, that in ſo vrgent an occaſion, hee had greater deſire to ſerue, then to ouerthrow his Crowne: to repaire, rather then throw downe the edifice of the eſtate, which that commotion had moſt miſchieuouſly ſhaken.

The Duke of Guiſe betweene hope and feare, that neuer eſteemed man to bee greater then himſelfe, as long as hee held his ſword in hand, making ſhewe of innocencie, and laying the fault vppon the people: ſaid, that he ſuffered himſelfe to bee borne in that ſort by them, rather by force and neceſsitie, then that he had any deſire ſo to do. That touching the Louure, it was but athing falſely deuiſed againſt him, that it ſhould be a great folly for him to go thither, things being in ſuch hatefull eſtate, and ſo to caſt himſelfe weake and in his dublet, into the mercie of his enemies.

The Queenmother aduertiſed the King by Secretarie Pin • rt.The Queene marking the ſtubburnneſſe and reſolution of the Duke of Guiſe, concerning her requeſts, cauſed the King to bee aduertiſed, who deſiring not to ſtay any longer in that trance, iſſued out of Parris by the new gate, and that night lodged at Trappes. It is ſaid, that being at Mon-martre, he turned towards the Towne, and curſing it for the infidelitie, ingratitude, and diſloyaltie thereof, in reſpect of all the benefits it had receiued at his hands, hee ſware hee would neuer enter into it againe but by a breach: his ſeruants, the companies of his guard, and men of warre, with the Switzers, followed him, and left their lodgings to thoſe new Kings of Parris. The Duke of Guiſe that had written to the Gouernour of Orleans, The Duke of Guiſes letters to the Gouernor of Orleās. that he held the Louure ſo cloſe ſhut vppe, that hee would giue good account of that which was within it, knew well the victorie was not performed, and that his reputation would be ſtained, if the newes of the Kings retrait were carried out of the Realme, by other meanes then by him ſelfe, hee conſidered that whatſoeuer is attempted againſt the Kings perſon, toucheth and concerneth all his equalles, that as the Prelates, the Officers, the Senators, and Knights, and all Kings are bretheren: that one blood royall calleth the other: that all ſoueraigne Rulers, do blaſon rebelles and diſturbers of eſtate, although they helpe themſelues by the ſame meanes.

He thought it good, to ſend Monſieur de Briſſac, to the Ambaſſadour of England, to ſhewe him the cauſe of the erecting the Barricadoes. I make no difficultie to write whole leaues of a diſcourſe, when it is not out of purpoſe, neyther any diſgrace to the matter propounded: therefore I haue ſet downe the ſame words, that paſſed betweene the Ambaſſadour of England, and the Counte de Briſſac, which were faithfully reported vnto me.

The Counte de Briſſac accompanied with certaine Gentlemen, went to viſit the Ambaſſadour of England at his lodging (in thoſe commotions and populer inſolencies) to offer him a ſafeguard or protection, and to deſire him not to bee abaſhed, nor to ſtirre, as beeing aſſured of the protection of Menſieur de Guiſe.

The Ambaſſadour made him aunſwere, that if hee had beene in Parris, as a particular perſon, he would fall downe at the feete of Monſieur de Guiſe, and giue him humble thankes for his great and courteous offers, but beeing there hard by the King, and for the Queene his Miſtreſſe (that had peace and amitie with the King) he neither would nor could receiue any protection but from the king himſelfe. Monſieur de Briſſac ſhewed him, that the Duke of Guiſe was not come to Parris, to enterpriſe any thing againſt the king or his ſeruice, but that hee had onely put himſelfe in defence, that there was a great conſpiracie made againſt him, and the Cittie of Parris, that the Town-houſe, and other places, were full of gibbets, whereon the king had determined to hang diuers of the Town and others: and that the Duke of Guiſe deſired him, to aduertiſe the Queen his Miſtreſſe thereof, to the end it might bee known. The Ambaſſadour aunſwered, that he beleeued the Duke had willed him to ſay ſo, that the higheſt and hardieſt enterpriſes often times lye hidden and ſecret in the minds of thoſe that vndertake them, and that (when they thinke good) they make them knowne with ſuch colour and ſhewe, as they thinke beſt for their purpoſe, that he could not chuſe but tell him plainely, that that which paſſed in Parris, would bee found very ſtraunge, and euill thought of by all chriſtian Princes hauing intereſt therein.

That no cloake or couer, how faire ſoeuer it might bee, could cauſe it to bee liked of, it beeing the dutie of a ſubiect to continue in the iuſt obedience of his Prince. That if there were ſo many gibbets prepared, it would be the eaſilier beleeued, if the Duke of Guiſe would cauſe them openly to bee ſhewed. And againe, if it were ſo, it is a moſt odious and intollerable thing, that a ſubiect by force ſhould ſeek to impeach the iuſtice that his Soueraigne would execute againſt offendors. That hee would promiſe him, that moſt willingly and with all ſpeed, hee would aduertiſe the Queene his Miſtreſſe of that had paſſed, but to bee his Interpteter vnto her, of Monſieur de Guiſes intents, and thoſe of his confederacie, it was no part of his charge, the Queen his Miſtreſſe beeing wiſer then himſelfe, both to beleeue and iudge what ſhe thought good.

Heere endeth the ſecond Booke.

THE THIRDE BOOKE OF THE LAST troubles of France, containing that which paſſed after the Barricadoes in Parris, and there trait of the king to Chartres, vntill the Edict of pacification, and aſſembly of the generall estates at Blois, in the moneth of September.

Barricadoes the 12. of May. 1588. O Accurſed and fatall day, that haſte defaced the beautie and pleaſure of the twelfth day of May, which euery yeare vſed to put vs in minde of the ſolemne and triumphant enterie of Charles the eight, into the Realme of Naples, what coale can bee blacke ynough, to note thee in our Ephemerides, and ſo leaue to our poſteritie the rememberance of the ſhame and reproach of the rebelliō which thou breedeſt vp, by driuing the king out of Parris, and making knowne the hideous ſpectacles of the tyrannie of the League.

There is no memorie that forgetteth the remembrance of thy ingratitude: no abolition, that defaceth thy felony: nor any defence to bee ſought, that might hide thy ſhame: and there is not ſufficient water in the riuer of Seine, to waſh away the filthineſſe of thy vilany: nor wood ynough to burne the Regiſters and memories of this ſedition.

But can we ſpeake of the Barricadoes, without remembring this incomprehenſible motions of Gods prouidence, which doth equally ſhine and appeare as wel in ye eſtabliſhing, as pulling down of Empires, & dealetha swel with their fall, as with their continuance? And who will not ſay,Read a notable diſcourſe vppon this matter, in the 2. Booke, intituled the conſtancy and conſolation of publicque calamities. Henry the third, a moſt religious Prince. He led rather the life of a Monke, then of a K. He hated the Huguenots. that this great motion (the ſpring of all the miſeries enſuing) was not a blowe of the hand of the inſcrutable wiſedome of God, to puniſh the king and his Realm?

Hee that would debate this propoſition by the circumſtances of the kings perſon, needeth not to ſeeke the cauſes thereof, neither in the Eaſt nor in the Weſt, but onely to ground them vppon the eternall wheele of Gods iudgements.

What apparance was there, for ſubiects to arme themſelues and reuolt againſt a king? what pretence could bee ſo cloſe, but in the end it would open and bee diſcouered? The cauſe of religion, which is one of the moſt violent paſsions of the people, and the moſt aſſured meanes to alter an eſtate, was ſo cleare and pure in him, that many iudged his life to bee religious, blamed his actions, which was fitter for an Hermite then a Prince. He kept more in a Monaſterie then with his Councell, he ſpake oftner with Ieſuites, Capucins, and Fueillantins, then to his Secretaries.

He deteſted nothing more then Huguenots, and there was not any Huguenot in France, that had receiued any commaundement at his hands, he was more ſpoken and diſliked of among them, then any of the houſe of Lorraine: they beheld him not, but as the commet of their miſeries, and neuer remembred him, but when they ſpake of S. Bartholomewes day: that which they had indured at the hands of the duke of Guiſe, was but roſes, in reſpect of that they had ſuffered at Iarnac, And the Huguenots declared his life. Moncontour, Rochel, and Parris, in ſuch manner, that it were an extream abſurditie, to beleeue that he fauoured Hereticques, and that hee would ouerthrow that religion, whereof hee made ſo open profeſſion.

He was aſſiſted by the Princes of his houſe.Therefore hee had no cauſe to feare any thing to bee done againſt him by the Catholicques: and yet thoſe are they that in the Capital Towne of his Realms, Barricadoed themſelues againſt him. He had all the Princes of the blood for the defence of his Crowne: for when the King of Nauarre, for the libertie of his conſcience had taken armes, it was no longer but while they would conſtraine him, and breake the decrees of peace, that permitted him to bee free of conſcience, not to oppoſe himſelfe againſt the Monarchie, nor to an Anarchicall confuſion of this eſtate.

The reſt of the Princes, that knew well that the reaſons of the league, were not ſo much to reforme the Realme, as to ouerthrow it, and therewith to bring them within the compaſſe of thoſe ruines, held themſelues near vnto his Maieſtie, all the Nobilitie of France, at the leaſt nine of ten partes, more particularly bound vnto his ſeruice, for their honours, dignities, offices, and benefi • s, as alſo the iuſtices of the Realme, not beeing of the minde to accomodate themſelues to the humors of the Princes of the league, and eſteemed the eſſentiall forme thereof to be oppoſite, and an ouerthrowing to the eſtate. The Gentlemē of France foreſeeing that the royaltie cannot be ouerthrown, but that the Nobilitie muſt likewiſe beare the ſame burthen: and that the ſubiect that refuſe the obedience and faieltie of his Prince, will not bee long before hee ſeeketh to free himſelfe of the rents and reuenues hee oweth vnto the Lord of the ſoyle.

The greateſt perſons of the Cleargie, conſented not to thoſe new mutinies, acknowledging that their profeſſion is more honoured and beautified vnder a King,The chiefe of the Cleargie. then by the confuſions of a democration eſtate. The king likewiſe had named and choſen them at his pleaſure, ſo that the obligation of his fauour, retained them in his ſeruice.

Learned men publiſhed his prayſes, and in his raigne there were more bookes printed and dedicated to his Maieſtie,Learned mē. then in the raigne of the great King Francis and his ſucceſſors, although moſt iuſtly hee was named the father and reſtorer of learning.

Some Preacher onely flattered ſedition, thereby to winne eſtimation among the commō people deſirous of a change. In all the towns & throughout euery Prouince there were officers, who beſides their naturall ſubiection, were more bound to him by oath that he had taken of them, giuing them charge of his treaſures, the power of his lawes, and adminiſtration of his iuſtice, with the order of pollicie, & they deſired nothing more then the greatneſſe of their King, his reſt and quietneſſe beeing their onely preferment, for that without libertie and peaceableneſſe, with his long life and proſperitie, their offices were of little force, as hauing expoſed their fortunes to the hazard of the terme of his life.

IAnd yet he was not well aſſured in Parris.n ſuch manner, that his Maieſtie had not any thing more at his commaundement, then men of that quallitie, that only feared the perill of his holy and ſacred perſon, and the changing of this Monarchie. Who would then beleeue, that a king, yea and a king of France, in the middle of ſo many aſſurances, in the braueſt time of his raigne, in the Capitall Cittie of his Kingdome, among ſo many Princes, Knights of the Order, in the face of a Parliament, (the thunder againſt ſedition) and colonie of iuſtice and royaltie, hauing in his power the Baſtille and the Arſenal: at his deuotion, the Prouoſt of Merchants, the Sheriffes, and the Colonnelles, and ſixe thouſand men of warre, placed in the ſtreetes and quarters of the Towne, where hee deſired ſhould bee beſieged in his Pallace of Louure, by a people whom hee had ſo much cheriſhed and inriched with the ſpoyles of his other ſubiects, and by himſelfe ſtirred vp, vnder the falſe alarme of a Garriſon, ſacking and ſpoyling, conſtrained to ſaue himſelfe by flight from the furie of his mutinous ſubiects.

Incluctabilis fatorum vis cuius fortunā mutare conſtituit, conſilia corrumpit. Velleius lib. 2. de Caeſar es varo.And can wee that haue ſeene and beheld it, remember it, without conſidering that the eternall power of him that ruleth all the world, made the Spirits, iudgements, counſelles, and conductions of thoſe that might diuert the miſchiefes, proper and fit to aduance them, and ſuffered them to take effect, to ſhewe his wrath, ſtriking the head, to make members languiſh. O fatall, and once againe accurſed day of Barricadoes, the birth day of our miſeries, and funeralles of our ioys, that vnlooſed the windes to thoſe ſtormes of blood, that haue drowned our companions, that made libertie captiue, trueth criminall, rapin, iuſt: and tyrannie and inuaſion lawfull:See heere the firſt beginning of the troubles of France, 47. ſlaine by Briſſon, the Preſident. that pulled the Crowne from the head of the King, and the lawes from the heart of the Realme: that put the weapon in the hand of a Preſident, to raiſe the people in his quarter: that kindled the courage of the moſt coward, to fall vppon the kings guard: that lifted vppe the chin of moſt vile perſons, and cauſed the League to triumph in the ſtrees of Parris, as an Image accompliſhed with all wickedneſſe: that put pen in hand of the ſixteenth, therewith to publiſh this wicked commotion, and to qualifie that with a iuſt defence againſt the kings aduertiſing all the Townes of their conſpiracie: that God had preſerued that holy and religious Cittie from a great maſſacre and fearefull ſpoyle: that the Duke of Guiſe had turned the counſell of Polliticians, ſpecially the Duke d'Eſpernon, that had wonne ſo much fauour in the kings heart, that it cauſed him to determine the ruine and ouerthrow of the principal and moſt Catholicque Sedition called the image of all euill.families in Parris, to reſtraine their libertie, and diſpoyle them of their religion, eſteeming no better nor readier meanes to make his people to obey him, then to weaken, beate downe, and ſpoyle them of that corpulent fatneſſe, which made them inſolent, mutinous, and rebelles, and that they ſhould not beleeue the Hiſtorie of their tragedie, from any but their owne lying mouthes. Aſſoone as the Kings ſeruants knewe that his Maieſtie was gone,The Court diſlodgeth from Parris. The Duke of Guiſe is ſory for the kings retrait. the Huguenots neuer diſlodged with more haſte out of the ſubburbs of Saint Germaine de Prez, at the dolourous day of S. Bartholomewe, then they did to ſaue themſelues, ſome on foote, ſome on horſeback, out of Parris, flying in great haſte: many had no leiſure to put on their bootes, the furie of the people beeing ſuch, and ſo ſtraight, mooued againſt them, that it was a great eſcape made, to returne from the houſe of Guiſe to the Louure, and no man might paſſe if hee held not for the Duke of Guiſe.

Illia cos intra muros peccatut & extra. Horatius.His Lacqueys ſerued for Pilots and conductors of the Kings chiefe Councellours, to bring them ſafe to their lodgings. That this accident procured not moſt ſtraunge coroſiues to the kings heart, it is not to be doubted. His Maieſtie hauing aſſembled his men at Saint Glaude, hee went to Chartres, where the league had alreadie ſounded ſo many mens hearts, that there they ſpake not of the king but in diſdain, that his Maieſtie was greeued at the hart, to ſee himſelfe in a manner banniſhed in the middle of his eſtate, and ſpoyled of his authoritie. The Duke of Guiſe was much more greeued, when hee knew the king was gone, that ſuddane blowe ſo much abaſhed him, that hee would willingly haue taken poſte to followe after him, imputing it a great imperfection of nature:The Duke of Guiſe repenteth his hardineſſe, but faults are neuer knowne vntill they bee done, and then wee may looke into the cauſe, and attribute it eyther to our owne opinion that oppoſeth vs againſt the rules of reaſon, or to our weakneſſe, which abateth both our courage and reſolution. Both of them (although too late) giuing vs wiſdome and meanes to repent.

It is very hard in theſe commotions that are ſooner ſeene then conceiued, and where we muſt take counſell and armes both at one time, to retaine conſideration, reſpect, and neceſſary wiſedome, or that a mans minde can continue firme in one reſolution.

This commotion of Parris was followed with great imperfections, both within and without, as well on the kings, as on the Duke of Guiſes part: hee fayled by letting the king eſcape, for that holding him, the tragedie of Chilperic had bin acted, and the inſtructions of the Aduocate Dauid accompliſhed: he failed likewiſe herein, that hauing paſſed the bounds of dutie and fidelitie, and vſed his Maiſter in that ſort, he beleeued that playing the part of a diligent ſeruant, he ſhould win fauor againe: that his boldneſſe wold be forgotten: that a Lyon rouſed in that ſort, & ſo cruelly, wold become tame or meek at the firſt morſell of reſpect, ſeruice, and obedience, that ſhould bee offered vnto him: that hee ſhould haue his will of the king ſooner by flattery and ſeruice, then by purſuing and forcing him: for that not knowing how to vſe his aduantage, nor in what ſort to behaue himſelfe in the higheſt ſtep of the lather of his enterpriſes, wherevnto hee had mounted with ſo long and ſecret pretences, hee fell downe all the ſteppes at one time.

When he ſaw all France diſliked the kings departure in that forcecible maner out of Parris, hee beganne to proteſt his innocency, and the dutie hee had ſhewed to reſtraine the furie of the people, trauelling in the kings behalfe to ſaue his honour, ſo ſtraungely blemiſhed.

Fault in the King.The king for his part failed, and his fault was ſo much the greater, then that of the Duke of Guiſe, as there was inequalitie between them. The forme, order, & means he found to rebate the credite of his enemie, and the reputation hee had gotten among his ſubiects, was as vnaduiſedly purſued as begun. He ſought to purge the bodie, before he had well diſpoſed the humors: ſome of his Councell ſaid, it was beſt for him to let the Duke of Guiſe reſt, as being alreadie mounted ſo high, that he could not bee brought downe, but that it would be good to breake downe the ſteps whereby he mounted, and withdrawe thoſe that ſerued him for footeſtooles.Counſell to abate the greatneſſe of the Duke of Guiſe. The magnanimious reſolution which the King ſhould hold. Wholeſome Councell to reduce the people ſtrayed, into the right path of obedience, loue, and feare, which they owe vnto their king, and win ſo many hearts againe by the ſame meanes, that the League had vſed to ſeduce them: that is, by peaceableneſſe, by a vniuerſall reformation, and by reliefe of miſeries. The king ſhould haue ſaid: I will do as the League deſireth, I wil performe that which it promiſeth you, I will performe deedes and not wordes: wherewith ſhee abuſeth you: ſhe taketh the diſorders of times, for the ſubiect of her mutinies: I will eſtabliſh order in pollicie, in my treaſures, and in my Court, the ſhorteſt way had been ſo to preuent him, by little and littled iminiſhing the vniuerſall fauour of the Parriſsians towards him, but to do it vppon the ſuddaine, at one blow, and in one houre to repaire the deſtruction and ruines, ſo long bred and inuented, it was a great folly, and ſeeing by ſo many ſignes and diſtruſts, he feared the comming of the Duke of Guiſe to Parris, and that hee had diſcouered his pretence. Why did he not cauſe him to go out again aſſoo •• as he came? he ought to haue ſpoken vnto him like a king. Francis the ſecond his brother,Francis the ſecond caſt the Prince of Conde into priſon. beeing younger then hee, vſed the like ſpeech to the Princes of his blood: if he had commanded him to depart, without doubt he had gone, becauſe as thē he would not haue begunne his tragedie, and thereby haue borne the report of ſo manifeſt diſobedience.

And in truth aſſoone as the king ſpake vnto him and ſaid: Couſin, wherefore do you come? his aunſwere was giuen in faintneſſe and trembling, his viſage pale, and the Maieſtie that God imprinteth in his Samoris, his Lieftenants, and his liuely Images, ceaſed and changed, as if from that time he had feared that the king would diſlike the breach that hee had made of his commaundement, and ſay: And it liketh your grace, I am heere preſent, to aunſwere to the ſlaunders that are raiſed againſt mee, thereby to bring me in hatred to your Maieſtie. But (ſaid the king) I ſent you expreſſe word, not to come hither in this time ſo full of troubles and diſtruſts, and that you ſhould ſtay for a time. My Lord (ſaid the Duke) I was not ſo aduertiſed,The Indians call their kings Samories: that is to ſay, god on earth. Speeches betweene the King and the Duke of Guiſe at Louure. that thereby I did in any ſort beleeue, that my comming hither would bee offenſiue to your Grace. Wherevpon the king turning to Monſieur de Bellieure, asked him and ſaid: Did not I commaund you to tell him, that he ſhould not come hither at this time? But as Monſieur de Bellieure began to certifie the king of his meſſage, the Duke of Guiſe entered between them, wherewith the Queene-mother drewe the king aſide, and ſo mittigated that firſt quarrell. They ought not to haue mooued this contention, and leaue diſpight and diſdaine in Monſieur de Guiſes minde: nor leaue the knife in the vaine which hee had opened, hee ought to haue giuen feare and puniſhment both at one time, or to haue done neither the one nor the other, but it is a moſt ſtrange thing, that men do alwaies faile in doing their authorities, and in the principall poynt which is the cauſe thereof.

It was vainly done of the king, to cauſe himſelfe to be eſteemed a good penitent, a good Hermit, a good verſefier, a good diſcourſer, and a good Orator, if hee remembred not himſelfe to bee as hee was, and to bee knowne for king, and ſpeake like a king: I ſay like a king, for this word of King, containeth all whatſoeuer belongeth to his charge.

Senec. Epiſt. 77. Id in quoque optimum eſt cui caſcitur cui con ſetur. Maximoimperio maxima cura in eſt. Sallu.Hee ought to haue ſpoken to the Duke of Guiſe like a king, and haue made him depart out of Parris, with his adherents, and hee ought to haue ſtayed therein like a king, for if his actions bee not performed like a king, they are of no account. Euery thing (ſaith Seneca) is commended for that which is proper vnto it, and for the principall part that giueth it the forme & being. A Vine is praiſed for ye fertilitie: the wine for the liquor, & the Hart for his ſwiftneſſe. In a dogge wee commend a good noſe, to ſmell, finde out, and follow the beaſt, his lighneſſe for running, both to approach and aſſayle, and his heart and courage. And to conclude, the ſpeciall vtilitie & proper vſe of euery thing belongeth to it ſelfe.

The Kings of the Sabans publikely durſt not come abroad becauſe of an oracle that forbad them.The ſhippe is called good, not becauſe ſhee is painted with diuers faire and coſtly colours, his ſtearne all gilt, her boords inlaide with Iuorie, or that it is laden with treaſures and Princely riches: but becauſe the ſeames of the plankes are well cloſed and calked, that it leaketh not, that it is ſtrong and firme againſt the force of the waues, eaſie to ſtirre, and ſwift of ſayle. Likewiſe you will not ſaye, that a ſword is good, becauſe the hilts and handle are gilt, and the ſheath of veluet, ſet with precious ſtones: but you ſay it is good if it hath a good edge, and the poynt ſharpe to enter well. So the king ſhould not make himſelfe knowne by the Crowne and Scepter which hee beareth, but by the actions that depend vppon his royaltie, and that make him to bee eſteemed for a king, alwaies remembring, that great offices require great wiſdome. Among the carters and waggoners hee is eſteemed moſt vnfit for the charge, that knoweth not how to behaue himſelfe therein.

If your grace will take away the pendants that trouble your eares, you are a king, and not king of Denmarke, or of Arragon, to be both Maiſter and ſeruant all at one time: nor king of Saba, not daring to be ſeene publickely, but king of France and of Frenchmen, a people gentle, tractable, and obedient, that did not diſobey nor retire from you, but when they knew you wold not bee King: and that there was one of your ſubiects that preſcribed you a lawe: in this caſe, the ſun riſing, is alwaies fairer then deſcending. And as a wiſe polititian once ſaid vnto you, when a king maketh it knowne, that he feareth ſome one man within his Realme, that there is one that may be greater then hee, there is no more Maieſtie, hee is no more that hee was, but all the world runneth to the other.

The nature of Henry the third.If wee cannot bee free, yet will wee haue but one Maiſter: if that Maiſter haue an other Maiſter aboue him, wee preſently leaue the firſt to runne to the laſt: it is the nature of man.

There is this fault in you, that if you finde no reſiſtance, if you bee in peace, you commaund abſolutely, and you ſpeake like a king, but if you finde neuer ſo ſmall difficultie, you alwaies preferre a gentle and fearefull, before a bolde and ſeuere remedie: God graunt that in the end you ſeeke earneſtly and effectually to be that which you are, that is, Maiſter and the greateſt Lord in your Realme, which cannot bee, if you bee not king.

Beholde the opinion that the wiſeſt Pollititians had of the king, ſee how they lamented the fal of his authoritie, the ſpawn of his forces, & the dazeling or rather aſtoniſhing of his ſences: I ſhall neuer bee no more a king to counſell nor diſſwade him, my ambition clymeth not to that degree, yet I will neuer counſell them vnto mildneſſe, and to ſimplicitie without wiſedome, that pardoneth and ſuffereth all.

There is nothing ſo royal as Clemencie, and nothing that more winneth the hearts of men, or that maketh a Prince more reuerenced and beloued, then affable and courteous nature.Antonius, ſurnamed the curteous It is that (ſaid the Emperour Antonius to Fauſtina his wife) that placed Iulius Caezar among the number of the Gods, that conſecrated Auguſtus, and that gaue the title of Pius to thy father. But when this Clemencie is ſuperfluous, that it changeth into a ſoft and peaceable nature: that this ſoftneſſe is not mixed with vigor, nor this peaceableneſſe with auſteritie: I eſteeme it a poynt of meere careleſſeneſſe, which althouh it bee not to bee blamed, yet it is not found to bee good in a Prince.

For it prouoketh men to enterpriſe againſt a Prince, that is ſo readie to pardon, and the ſuffering of one fault that is miſerable, draweth on another, (ſaith the Conſul Fronto) to liue vnder a Prince that will remit no part of the tigor of his lawes.

But it is much more miſerable to liue vnder a Prince, where all things are lawfull, and that by a kinde of faintneſſe or careleſſeneſſe, without diſcretion, pardoneth all whatſoeuer is done, both againſt lawe and reaſon. Clemencie is commendable to an enemie that is ouercome and ſubmitteth himſelfe, but while hee ſhaketh and feareth in our preſence, this weakneſſe, this diſquietneſſe, and this feare, is a ſigne of doubting, and he will reuenge himſelfe. But ſome will ſay, this ſeueritie is odious in a king, intollerable to the people, and cauſe of rebellions: and in trueth it is to bee vſed with moderation, and then when wee ſee that mildneſſe and mercifulneſſe is not preiudiciall vnto vs. If it bee called furie or rage, what need wee care, ſo that furie maketh fooles and rebelles to become wiſe. Wee muſt do as Sabaque king of Egypt, and Antigonus king of Macedonia did, the firſt cauſed the gowne and not the ſhoulders of the criminal to bee beaten and puniſhed: the hatte for the head: the other hearing the ſouldiers ſpeake hardly of him, hard by his tent, he contented himſelfe with ſaying vnto them: What? can you go no further but vnder my noſe to ſpeake euill of me?

The kings letters at Chartres 17. of May, 1588. The king ſawe the prankes the leaguers had played with him, he heard them rent both his name and his authoritie: he ſawe that the Louure was not ſafe ynough for him againſt their violences: in ſteed of ſaying to theſe vngratefull wretches: get you from hence, or to ſtrike ſuch as ſerued them for gownes or couertures: hee excuſed the authors of the miſchiefe, deſireth their reconſiliation, and dareth not ſay, that he had bin conſtrained to go out of Parris, remitteth the pacification of his troubles to the Queen his mother, becauſe hee knewe his owne weakneſſe, and diſtruſted the affection and fidelitie of his ſubiects.

Hee aduertiſed the Lieftenants and Gouernours of his Prouinces, of the occaſions that had mooued him to depart out of Parris, and writeth vnto the Capitall Townes, not to forme their hearts in the moulds of thoſe of Parris, and to beleeue that hee deſired no other Garriſon, nor fortreſſe among them, but publicque good will and confidence from them.

He cauſed his letters to bee made and framed not like a Prince or Captaine, but like a man that fled and trembled, that defended himſelfe more with his holds then his armes, that durſt no more commaund, but intreated his ſubiects, and a Prince that had forgotten himſelfe to bee a Prince, that hee was Gods Lieftenant, arbitrator of the life and death of his ſubiects, iuſt diſtributer of the greatneſſe of eſtates, that of ſome can make veſſelles of no valour nor ſubſtance: and of others, veſſels to honour, and ſerue in a rich and goodly Pallace: that hee is not onely the ſinewe that giueth moouing to the common-wealth, but the heart and the head, that maketh it liue, and the vitall ſpirit, that quickneth ſo many ſpirits. I muſt confeſſe a trueth, the King committed a great fault: but becauſe mine eyes haue too many lets to marke it, and that it belongeth not to meane perſons to mount vpon the Theators whereon great perſons play their tragicall actions, I will ſet downe the Kings letter to the iudgement of the Reader, yet will I adde ſomething of mine owne vppon the backſide, and in the margent, leauing place neuertheleſſe for ſuch as will write after mee, and beleeue that ſuch men of iudgement as will vndertake this moſt ſharpe and bitter Theame to write vpon, ſhall yet finde ſomething therein, whereof they may make hony.

By the King.

TRuſtie and well beloued, being in our Towne of Parris, where we thought an intent was, to ceaſe al kinds of iealouſies The firſt fault, and one of the oldeſt, partiallities are fatal to eſtates, and a Prince neuer indureth them, but they make him indure the diſipation of his Prouinces, and deſpiſing of his authoritie. The King not deſiring to ſtop them when they began, but to peep out of the earth, could not abate them being grown great and high branches. The ſimple iealouſie of two Noblemen, is the ſparke that finding the diſpoſition of the matter, maketh a great fire, the factions of Princes drawe the people vnto them. and impeachments, as well in Picardie as elſe where, which made vs reiourne our trauell into our countrie of Poiton, there to purſue the warres begunne againſt the Huguenots, according to our determination. Our Couſin the Duke of Guiſe arriued vnlooked for, vpon the ninth of this month, whoſe comming in that ſort, did in ſuch maner increaſe the ſaid diſtruſts, that we found our perſon in great perplexitie, The Duke of Guiſes comming to Parris deceiued the King, and with ſo ſmall a company it made the Kings mind to bee diuerſly. His ſuddaine arriuall cauſed him to remember the effects of the aduiſes giuen him, and the ſmall number of his company withdrewe him from it, and made him iudge wel of that Princes meaning and intent. But he deceiued him, for that ought to haue made his comming more ſuſpitious, for if it had been ſimple without deceit, the participants would not haue ſtirred ſo ſoone, Publica expectatio magni ſecreti impatients. becauſe not long before, we had been aduertiſed from diuers places, that hee would arriue in that ſort, and that certaine of the Inhabitants of the ſaid towne, ſuch as were ſuſpected to be the cauſes of the ſaid diſtruſts, ſtayed and daylie attended his comming, and for the ſame cauſe hauing him to bee certified Oftentimes a man thinketh to withdrawe and ſtay a conſpiracie, that ad • anceth it, it is daungerous to diſſemble it, and more to diſcouer it, we muſt neuer make ſhewe of any diſtruſt that we haue in our enemie, but then when we are vppon the poynt to bee reuenged. There are ſome bodies ſo weake, that if you giue thē any Phiſicke, they will bee ſicke, and if you tell them they are ſicke, they wil preſently fall into a feuer. Herein you muſt vſe the prudence of diſsimulation: that ſerued for aduiſe to King Lewis the eleuenth: for counſel to Sigiſmōd: for a lawe to Frederic the Emperour: for a vertue to the vertues of Tiberius. Alſo it is no daunger to diſſemble, ſo farre foorth (as Plato ſaith) that this ſubtiltie do redownd to the profit of the ſubiects. that wee would not haue him to come thither, before we had taken order for the affaires in Picardie, and reuoked all occaſions of diſtruſts: neuertheleſſe knowing him to bee come onely with 14. or 16. horſe, wee refuſed not to admit him to our preſence, to prooue if with him wee could end and ceaſe thoſe cauſes of diſtruſts and troubles in Picardie. Wherein perceiuing that wee could not preuaile, and that our ſaid Towne euery day more and more increaſed and was filled with ſtrangers, that followed and attended on The king had giuen too much libertie to ſecret aſſemblies, wherein vnder pretence of reeſtabliſhing good order, reſt and quietneſſe to the people, and of greeuing at publike calamities, that notable deuiſe of Barricadoes, was determined in their heads and hearts, capable of all liquors wherein they diſtilled the deſpiſing and diſdaining of the Prince, contrary to the reſpect and dutie to a Magiſtrate. Periculum eſt ſi coetus & conſilia & ſecretas conſultationes eſſe ſinas. Tit. Liuius. the ſaid Duke, that the ſearches wee had commaunded to bee made through our ſaid Towne by the Magiſtrates & Officers of the ſame, were in a maner but half done, for the fear they were in, as alſo that the hearts and mindes of ſome of them, were more altered and hardened, The king did all by halues, he commaundeth the D. of Guiſe not to come, and yet hee commeth: hee is offended at his comming, and yet he letteth him ſtay: and the Duke of Guiſe perceiuing that the king commaundeth him no more like a king, obeyeth him no more like a ſubiect: hee enterpriſeth his pretences, becauſe ſufferance giueth courage vnto his enterpriſes. Quis eum metuat, qui per ſegnitiem patitur hebeſcere aciem ſuae authoritatis. and the ordinary aduertiſements day lie brought vs, that there would bee ſome great matter effected in that Towne. We determined to cauſe the ſaid ſearches Thoſe ſearches were neceſſary, but they were not made in time, ſeeing things had proceeded ſo farre, that a king of France had his hart free of iealouſie & distruſt in his Capitall towne, againſt a Duke of Guiſe, he ought to haue diſſembled or diſcouered the miſchiefe. This ſearch diſcouered the fire couered vnder the aſhes of deſire of peace, and whē thoſe wounded hearts knewe the myne to bee diſcouered, that the kings diſtruſt ſuſpected their pretences, they iudged that hee which firſt began the mutinie ſhould be maiſter, and therefore it had bin better for the king to haue diſſembled and withholdē his ſeueritie. Res enim monebat cauere magis quā quod in illos ſtatueret conſultare. Saluſtius. to bee more exactly done in all the quarters of the ſame, thē before they had bin, to the end we might bee truely certified of the true eſtate thereof, & cauſe the ſaid ſtraungers to auoyde, that were not auouched as they ought to bee: which to effect, wee were determined to make certaine Courts of guard of the Citizens and Inhabitants thereof, which we appoynted to bee erected in foure or fiue places of the Towne, with certaine companies of Switzers, and thoſe of the Regiment of our guard, that were lodged in the ſubburbes of the Cittie.

And alſo to command certaine Lords of our Councell, and knights of the order of the holy ghoſt, The King being aduertiſed that at the noyſe of the Duke of Guiſes arriuall at Parris, that diuers ſouldiers and men of factions came thither to bee readie at the ſound of the baſen, that the name of that Prince was the Load-ſtone that drewe the Iron hearts of the league vnto it, cauſed his guards to be ſtrengthened, and ſearches to bee made. But as if he had not bin aſſured without the aduiſe of the Duke of Guiſe, he aduertiſed him therof, who fearing to bee preuented, tooke that ſearch as a pricke to hasten his pretence, hee ſpake but the word, and preſently Parris bended it ſelfe againſt the Louure, as if it had beene againſt the fort of an enemie, and they went with their heads bended againſt the kings forces, as in times they did againſt the Engliſhmen and Bourguinions. Quô quô ſceleſti ruitis? Furôrne caecus, an rapit, vis acrior? An culpa? Horat. to go into each quarter, with the Quarter-maiſters and other Officers of the ſaide Towne, by whom the common cuſtome is, to make ſuch ſearches, the better to ayde, authoriſe, and aſsiſt them therein, as it hath been done diuers times heeretofore, whereof wee aduertiſed the ſaid Duke, and all the Inhabitants of the Cittie, to the end they ſhould not ſound alarme, and ſo doubt of our meaning therin: which in the beginning the Inhabitants and Towneſ-men made ſhew not to diſlike. Neuertheleſſe not long after, things fel out in ſuch ſort, by the prouocation of certaine perſons The king eſteemed not of the conſpiratie, pretended the yeare before within Parris and thoſe that perceiued their boldneſſe as then vſed to be without cenſure, and their crime without puniſhment, began to kindle the fire that hatched vnder the aſhes of their rebellion, and firſt cried in the ſtreetes, Laye hold on the Tyrant, the Huguenot and the Pollititian, words ſufficient to moue the moſt modeſt, and ſtirre the ſloweſt vnto fury in ſuch attempts: wher the reſpect of the Prince or the vncertaintie of the euent, retaine the generall, there muſt alwaies bee ſome ſeditious fellow, that crieth & beginneth the play: for the people are like a ſea, that neuer ſtirreth without winde, and therefore in their commotions there muſt bee men purpoſely appoined, Qui imperitos animos impellāt, libertatē ac ſpecioſa nomina praetexantur. Tacitus. that ſowed & put into the harts & mindes of the ſaid Inhabitants, that wee had cauſed the ſaid forces to enter into the Towne, there to eſtabliſh a Garriſon of ſtraungers, and to do them further wrong, in ſuch manner, that in ſhort ſpace they had ſo animated and mooued them againſt our ſaid Souldiers, that if we had not expreſly commanded their Leaders, not to attempt any thing againſt the ſaide Inhabitants, and rather to indure and ſuffer all the extremities of the world, thē to commit any treſpaſſe in that behalfe: wee are certainly perſwaded, that it had been vnpoſsible to haue ſhunned a generall ſpoyle of the ſaide Towne, with a moſt great effuſion of blood. The kings meaning was to distribute his forces in the towne, not to hurt it, but to holde it in obedience, and to hinder the pretences that beganne to bee practiſed vnder the conduction and fauour of the Duke of Guiſe. But the distribution was not well ordered, and the places of moſt importance were not ſpeedily ceaſed vpō by the kings forces. Maubert one of the moſt important places in the Towne, able to commaund the reſt, and that ought to haue beene firſt entered into, ſtood voyde, and ſerued the Townſ-men as a campe, therin to raiſe the moſt beaſtly troupes of their mutinie, both to defend & aſſayle, in ſuch manner, that aſſoone as certaine of the rebelles had entered into it, they were preſently followed by thoſe that reſpected nothing but the preſent time, not cōſidering the miſerable end of their ſedition, ſo that Vnde plures erant omnes ſuere. Tacitus. Which we perceiuing, determined not to proceed any further with thoſe common ſearches, and preſently to with draw our ſaid forces, which we had cauſed to enter only for that purpoſe, it beeing very likely, that if wee had had any other intent, wee had attempted, and it may bee fully executed the ſame at our pleaſures, before the rayſing of the ſaid Inhabitants, & that they had drawne chaines or ſet vpon their Barricadoes in the ſtreets, which they beganne preſently after noone: at the which time, there beeing in all the ſtreetes of the ſaid towns certaine Gentelemen, Captaines or other ſtraungers, ſent by the ſaid Duke of Guiſe, & appointed for the purpoſe, that in ſhort time had diſpearſed thē ſelues in euery quarter, The Switzers were charged, they not once ſeeming to reſiſt, to auoyde danger, for that finding themſelues ſtrangely compaſſed, by that multitude of furious people, without head, conduct, or aſſurance of the Kings intent, they turned their backs, perſwading themſelues, that to be ouer valiant, it may be thought they were too raſh, ſo that they rather choſe to leaue their pikes, then once to vſe them in ſo violent an occaſion. A litle more vrgent courage & reſiſtance, had ſent the Parriſsians back to the deepeſt places of their houſes, euery man would haue remembred his wife, his children, and his ſhoppe, for that armes vſed by Cittizens in Townes, commonly beginneth with more boldneſſe then it is performed, & cauſeth more noyſe then miſchiefe. Ferocior ad rebellandum quam ad bellandum. Tit. Liu. and forcing the ſaid companies of Switzers and French mē to retire: to our great greef there was certaine caliuers ſhot, and ſome blowes giuen by the ſaid Inhabitants, that hurt ſome of the ſaide Switzers, whom we cauſed to retire, and yt euening to be lodged about our Pallace of Louure, to attend the end of the commotion made by the ſaid Inhabitants, doing all we might to pacithe ſame; the next day cauſing them to iſſue out of the Towne, reſeruing thoſe that before their comming wee had placed for a gard about our caſtle m of Louure, it beeing ſhewed vs, that it would bee the means to pacifie the ſaid Inhabitants.

Wee cauſed likewiſe to bee ſtayed certaine foote companies of the Regiment of Picardie, that were at the leaſt ſeuen or eight myles frō thence, as alſo certaine Lords and Gentlemen our ſeruants that came vnto vs, perceiuing their comming to be put into the peoples heads, & made a ſhadow of the ſaid Inhabitants, riſing neuertheleſſe, At all times kings haue greate guards, not ſo much for the aſſurance of their perſons, for that in an eſtate well gouerned, and obedient, they are not neceſſary, but to ſhew the dignitie of that excellent Maieſtie which ſeparateth thē from the company of other people: Salomon had thirtie thouſand ſouldiers for his guard: Romulus three hundreth Celeres: the kings of Perſia 365. Gētlemē of one liuerie: the Princes of Greece were ſerued by the Scytes and Danes: Iulius Caezar had Spaniards: Caracalle, Almains: the kings of France, in the beginning had their ſubiects, that watched at the gates of their Pallace, & the Captaines were called Magiſtri Oſtiariorum: after that, Scots & Switzers, and ſince, they haue added one hundreth Gentlemen, and to them the fortie fiue. But all they could not aſſure the king in his towne, his Pallace of Louure, nor in his houſe, but hee was conſtrained to double his forces, againſt the mutinie of his ſubiects. Three things make a Prince paſſe through the middle of al mutinies and conſpiracies. Vertues and the constant reſolution of friends: The gouernment of ſubiects: And the prouidence and foreſight of the Prince. in ſteed of ſeeing it take effect as need required, for their good & our contentment, they ceaſed not to make more Barricadoes, and to ſtrengthen their watches both day & night, approaching them nearer our ſaid Caſtle of Louure, ſo farre foorth as that they ſeemed to ſet vpon our ordinary Sentinelles, & likewiſe to ceaſe vpon the keyes of the Town houſe, and of It is a folly to looke for reſpect, reaſon, and obedience, in ſeditious perſons, and to beleeue that the people will be appeaſed by flattery: ſuch burning feuers are not healed by plaiſters, but they muſt haue purgations and letting of blood: the credit of the Queen-mother, the valour of the Marſhals of France, the prudence and long experience of Monſieur de Bellieure, the faire ſpeeches of M. de Villequier, nor all the kings Councell could do nothing therein. The mad man reiecteth his medecines, & driueth his Phiſitians from him, Superfluum ſuadere quid fieri oporteat cum audientium aſſenſus in deteriora rapitur. Egeſippus. Saint Anthonies, and other Gates of the Cittie, in ſuch manner, The people followeth the firſt, that aſſureth them it is a veſſel that ſuffereth it ſelfe to bee ſtirred by him that firſt layeth hand vpon the rurther. VVithout a head, it was Princeps, pauidus ſocors. Tacitus. that vpō the thirteenth of this month proceeded ſo farre, that it ſeemed not in the power of man, to impeach their great and violent commotion, which beganne to proceed euen to the walles of our Caſtle, which wee perceiuing, The king counſelled by certaine fearfull mindes, not to fall violently vpon that mutinous company, commaunded his ſouldiers not to ſtir. A councell moſt ſit for the debonaritie and goodneſſe of his nature, but contrary to the neceſsitie & importance of thoſe affairs, for that as we muſt firſt threaten, and then arme: ſo there is daunger in wholly withdrawing our armes. He himſelf ought to haue mounted on horſebacke, with all the Noble men of his traine, and entered into the Town-houſe, a refuge for the moſt ſeditious, & when the people had ſeen that the cloude had burſt out on that ſide, and that the king would not deale but with the firſt authors of the faction, their chollor would haue conſumed into ſmoake, & they would haue withdrawne themſelues peaceably without ſtroke ſtriken, and the boldeſt of them wold haue bin well content to bear the news of their diſperſion vnto their own houſes, Ex ferocibus vniuerſis ſinguli metu ſuo obediētes fuiſſent. It was neceſſary in that great tēpeſt to vnlade the ſhips to keepe thē from ſinking, and prefer a generall before a particular, for that all is of greater moment then a part, & the Citie more then the Cittizens. deſiring not to imploye our ſaid forces againſt the ſaid Inhabitants, the conſeruation of the ſaide Towne and good Cittizens thereof, hauing alwaies bin as deare vnto vs, as our owne liues, as they in many ſorts haue well tryed, we determined the ſame day to depart, and rather to abſent our perſon from the thing we ſo much haue & as yet do effect, then ſee it runne into greater hazard, and thereby receiue further diſpleaſure, hauing deſired the Queene our deare Ladie and mother to ſtay there, to ſee if by her wiſedome and authoritie in our abſence, ſhee could pacifie the ſame tumult, which wee beeing preſent ſhē could not do, what meanes ſoeuer ſhe vſed. The king ſhould not haue gone out of Parris: a great light dimmeth the leſſe, thoſe little facts had neuer ſhined in the darkneſſe of Parris, if the ſunne of the royall Maieſtie had not bin eclipſed. He ought to haue ſhewed himſelfe among thoſe madde people, like ablazing ſtarre, like thundring Mars, like him that obtained the victories at 16. yeares of age, before Iarnac, Moncontour, & at Rochel, at the only word of king: thoſe ſtrayed ſoules hadde yeelded themſelues to the poynt of obedience, the apprehenſion of the paine that followeth thoſe mutenies, the conſideration of the Maieſtie of the king, the confidence of his mildneſſe, and the proofe of his pietie, had diſpearſed thoſe diſorders. And the good Frenchmen that were in no ſmall number, that in their mindes lamented the iniurie done vnto the king, the Realme of France, and their poſteritie, would haue riſen vp to maintaine his authoritie. Thoſe great blowes are not giuen without hazard, and where neceſsitie preſſeth a great courage, death is more acceptable then a ſhamefull flight. And wee arriued in this towne of Chartres, from whence wee thought it meet preſently to certifie you by theſe our letters, to deſire you to conſider of this action, & to iudge how much it preiudiſeth & diſaduantageth the Commonwealth, ſpecially our holy Catholicque, Apoſtolicque, and Romaine religion, if it ſhould paſſe further, ſeeing that thoſe which roſe to fight for the aduancement thereof by this accident, if it bee not repaired, will bee ſeparated to vſe their armes, one againſt the other, wherein we deſire you to be perſwaded, that for our part, wee will vſe all meanes we can, not to fal into that inconuenience, ſo much power hath the zeale wee beare (to our religion) ouer vs, which vntill this time wee haue alwaies ſhewed, The many words that end this letter, iſſue from a trembling voyce, vppon the which, a great Pollititian in his diſcourſe, maketh this Apoſtrophe vnto the king: Great Prince, what haſte thou done with thy wiſedome? who hath perſwaded thee that thoſe people that onely deſire thy death, or rather thy Crowne, will laye downe their armes, coniured and raiſed againſt thee, onely to make thee more ſharpe, and to deale the hardlyer againſt thoſe of the religion? They haue driuen thee out of Parris, which the Engliſhmen, Spaniards, nor Almaines, neuer did vnto thy aunceſtors: and by thy letters pattents thou ſheweſt to thy people, that in ſteed of being reuenged, thou ſeemeſt to thinke the time long vntill they pardon thee: thou commaundeſt that they ſhould pray vnto God for that reconciliation: thē there is no danger to lift vp the hand againſt the Prince. Beleeue therefore, that ſeeing it is ſo, hee which hath this day made thee flye, will to morrowe boldely vndertake to make thee die. And is not this great king, a hazarding of thy ſelfe, to ſhewe vnto thy ſubiects, that it is eaſie to attempt againſt thy perſon, when in ſteed of reuenging thy ſelfe, thou prayeſt that thy ſubiects would appeaſe thoſe, whom thou oughteſt to puniſh? Who perſwaded thee that the remedie of thy miſchiefe is ciuill warres, that by that meanes thou ſhalt recouer thy authoritie ouer thy ſubiects? Alaſſe, how thou art deceiued? There is nothing woorſe for a houſe, then fire: for a mans bodie, then a continuall feuer: nor for an eſtate, then ciuill warres. If thou wilt remedie theſe miſchiefes, quench the fire that burneth thy houſe: driue away the continuall feuer from the bodie of thy eſtate, and giue it peace: for it is is the onely meanes to preſerue thy Realme. praying and exhorting you, as much as poſsible wee may, to pray in your Churches for this vnion, and that the obedience due vnto vs, may bee obſerued as it ought to bee: and ſuffer not that the Inhabitants of our town, &c. to ſtray out of the right way of the ſame, but admoniſh & confirme thē to remaine conſtant and firme in their loyalties towards their king, and in vnion and concord to maintaine & preſerue themſelues vnder our obedience, and not to fall into the incōueniences prepared for them, if they hold on their courſe. And further, if you do any other thing, therin ſhewing your wiſdomes, fidelities & duties, for examples to all our ſubiects, we will not be vnthankfull for it, but haue it in remembrance. Giuen at Chartres, the day of May, 1587.

The phraſe of the letters the Duke of of Guiſe wrote vnto the King, is much brauer, haughtier, and bolder, ſhewing the affection of a man, that hath not faintly thruſt his bodie into a preaſe to ſaue his life: but that wil ſtand in the view and face of al the world: he likewiſe ſent his declaratiōs throughout all the Realme of France, to iuſtifie himſelfe concerning the commotion in Parris, which I will orderly ſet downe, and in the end ſhew you the common aduiſe, leauing the Readers iudgement to himſelfe.

The Coppie of a Letter vvritten vnto the King, by the Duke of Guiſe, the ſeuenteenth of May, 1588.

SIr, I am very vnfortunate, that thoſe who of long time, by many deuiſes haue ſought to ſeparate mee from your preſence and great fauour, haue had ſufficient meanes wholly to fruſtrate all my good indeuours, vſed to win your liking, and by my ſeruices make my ſelf agreeable to your Maieſtie: which not long ſince, I haue well prooued, to my no little greefe.

For that being wearie of ſo many falſe reports vſed, thereby to make your Maieſtie continually to diſtruſt mee, I determined with the hazard, wherewith I was threatned, to iuſtifie my life, hauing reſolued to come vnto you with ſo ſmall a troupe, and with free truſt and confidence, as I hoped by that meanes to let all the world ſee, that I was farre from that, whereof my euill willers ſought by ſo many deuiſes to yeeld mee culpable. But the enemies of publike quietneſſe, not beeing able to indure my admiſsion to your preſence, eſteeming that in ſhort time it would ſoone diſcouer the impoſtures vſed to make mee odious, and by little and little giue me place in your good fauour, rather wiſhed by their pernicious counſels, to bring al things into confuſion, & your eſtate and town of Parris in hazard, thē to indure me near vnto your perſon. Their euill wils is manifeſtly knowne in the reſolution, (that without the Queen your mothers knowledge, & againſt the aduiſe of your wiſeſt Councellors) they cauſedyour Maieſtie to take by an vnaccuſtomed means, and in a time full of ſuſpition and partiallities, to place forces in your Towne of Parris, to keepe the publicque places thereof, and the commō ſpeech giuen foorth, that they hoped being Maiſters thereof, they ſhould bring you to many other things, whollycontrary to your good nature, and ſuch as at this time I had rather keepe ſilent, then once to vtter. The feare therof, conſtrained your good and loyall ſubiects to arme themſelues, by reaſon of the iuſt fear they had that by ſuch means the thing was intēded to be executed, wherwith long before they had bin threatned. God by his grace hath holdē things in better ſtaye then wee could wiſh, and hath as it were miraculouſly preſerued your Towne from a moſt perilous hazard. And the beginning, purſute, and effect of thoſe affaires hath in ſuch manner iuſtified my intents, that I eſteeme your Maieſtie and all the world, doth thereby cleerely perceiue how farre my actions are ſeparated from ſlanders, the pretences wherof my ſlanderous enemies would accuſe me.

The manet how is thus: Firſt, I came voluntary vnto your Maieſtie, and put my ſelfe into your power, I ſhewed the confidence and truſt I had in your good nature, and the ſinceritie of my ſeruice. The eſtate wherin I was found when I receiued the firſt newes of that enterpriſe, which diuers of your ſeruants can witneſſe, ſheweth that I doubted not any iniurie, nor haue any deſire of enterpriſe, being with leſſe company, more diſarmed, and in my houſe, then one of my quallitie either may or ought to bee.

The reſpect then that I haue vſed, containing my ſelfe within the ſimple bounds of a iuſt defence, are witneſſes ſufficient vnto you, that no occaſion can make mee fall from the dutie of a moſt humble ſubiect. The paine I take to reſtraine the people, and hinder them that they might not proceed to the effects, which oftentimes ſuch accidents do breed, diſchargeth me from the ſlaunders heretofore impoſed vpon me, that I would trouble your towne of Parris: the care I ſhould haue taken to preſerue them, whom I knewe by the craftie meanes of my enemies, had giuen me bad report vnto your Maieſtie, maketh it euident vnto all men, that I neuer intended to attempt any thing againſt your ſeruants and officers, as I am falſely accuſed. The manner of my behauior to your Switzers, and the Captains and ſouldiers of your guard, are ſufficient aſſurance that I feared nothing more, then to diſpleaſe you: if your Maieſtie knew all the particularities, as I think the greateſt part of your good ſeruitors louing publike peace, that are witneſſes, haue not hidden them from you: I am perſwaded it remaineth cleared by that means. That I neuer had the leaſt of the miſcheeuous intents, for the which my enemies by falſe reports would make me odious.

I hope the end will yet giue more aſſured teſtimonie, hauing receiued one of the greateſt diſpleaſures that could happen vnto mee, when I vnderſtood your Maieſtie had determined to depart, becauſe your ſuddain departure bereaued mee of the meanes, as I pretended, to pacifie and effect all things to your liking, and ſawe them well diſpoſed therevnto, at ſuch time as the Queene your mother, vouchſafed me the honour to come vnto mee: whereof I gaue her ſo good liking, that I thinke ſhe might be aſſured thereof. And although I could not as then ſhew it, I will not ceaſe to continue the ſame good will, and doubt not but to behaue my ſelfe in ſuch ſort, that your Maieſtie ſhall thinke me a moſt faithfull ſubiect and ſeruant, and one that deſireth nothing ſo much, then that in doing ſeruice, and purchaſing the benefit of your Realme, I may obtaine the good fortune of your fauour, which I will neuer ceaſe to purchaſe, vntill it pleaſeth God to graunt meethe meanes: whom I beſeech to giue your Maieſtie, &c. from Parris this 17. of May, 1588.

An extract of other letters written by the ſayde Duke of Guiſe.

VVE haue ſufficient labour to withſtand the deuiſes that are day lie inuented againſt vs, to find means to let vs from going into Guyenne againſt the Huguenots: we ſought to pleaſe the King touching his Garriſons in Picardie, & although that Regiment had not marched, but onely to renue olde quarrels, and ſeeke new contradictions, yet we conſtrained our friends for the ſpace of a month, to endure Eſpernons forces againſt them. As touching new matter of impeachment, the ſaid Eſpernon ſought to make ſome controuerfie in Normandie, which hee had found hard ynough, if for the deſire we had, to ſee wars begun againſt the hereticques, wee had not dealt in his affaires, and procured our friends to content themſelues, and not once to trouble or moleſt him, but the more to entangle vs, both by thoſe ſuperfluous Garriſons, and loſt voyage, wholly to breake the courſe of warre, and to turne it againſt vs, they deuiſed a means to impeach our honour, cauſing certaine leuies to be raiſed, thereby to cauſe vs to bee more feared then the hereticques, which are, that wee deſire a maſſacre in Parris, that we would take the king, and ſacke the towne, thereby to procure mony, wherewith to make warres againſt whom wee thinke good: with other ſuch like things put into his Maieſties head, with the greateſt ſhewes of ſinceritie in his behalfe that may be deuiſed, therby to procure them more credite, which hath been the deuiſe that hath moſt put vs in diſpaire, thereby perceiuing the king more bent to prouide for his owne defence, then to continue warres againſt the hereticques: and that we are ſo vnfortunate, as to be ſo hardly eſteemed of by ſome, and ſo farre, that his holyneſſe himſelfe hath by his letter ſeemed to perſwade vs vnto fidelitie to the king our Soueraigne. This diſpaire laſtly procured (I ſay) did ceaſe ſo much the more vppon me, whē as I vnderſtood that the king would ſtrengthen his guard with ſource companies of French men, and three of Switzers, in ſuch manner, that not deſiring to ſtay longer in ſuſpition of ſo vile actions, within 12. houres after, I arriued in Parris, accompanied with 8. Gentlemen, and in the middle of al the guards aforeſaid, I went to kiſſe the kings hands, hauing no other ſafe conduct but my ſeruices, and the confidence that a good ſubiect ought to put in his king. This free acceſſe, ſinceritie, & open heart, me thinketh ought to be a cleare iuſtification of me touching al falſe reports. And in truth, there was no horeſt man but reioyced in his heart, as euery man well perceiued. The next day, beeing alwaies aſſured in my conſcience, I ſtayed all day with the king, ſomtimes in one place, ſometimes in an other, deuiſing of the voyage into Guyenne, and touching that war which I ſo much affect. Mean time, (as I preſume) the king made inquirie in all places, if I were not followed by greater troupes, then that where with I entered. And hauing known (as true it was) that I came with ſo fewe, and not one ſouldier neare me by 40. myles, the next day being the 12. of May, very early in the morning, there entered into the Tovvn at S. Honores gate, 12. companies of Switzers, & 8. companies of Frenchmen, beſides the companies of the guard, the king & all his Court being on horſebacke to receiue them. The Maiſter of the field, and regiment of the guard, and the collonels of the Switzers, hauing commaundement to ceaſe vpon all the places of the Cittie, but the Inhabitants of one part of the Towne fearing ſome matter, were appoynted to keepe their quarters, minding to withſtand them, for the care they had of their wiues and children in ſuch an accident: while that was done, I beeing a ſleepe in my chamber with ſo ſmall a company, for that my houſhold was not as then come from Sciſſons, as God would, when the ſaid forces were diuiding in that manner about the cittie, I was aduertiſed by certaine Gentlemen my friends, that as then werein Parris about their affaires: and which is more, God moſt miraculouſly ſtirred vppe the people, with one conſent to enter into armes, and without any conference, beeing aſſured of my preſence, and of certaine order that I preſently tooke among them, of themſelues they began to make Barricadoes in all places within ten paces of thoſe fortaine forces, & that with ſuch dexteritie and vehemencie, that in leſſe then 2. houres they certified the ſaide troupes, that they wold preſently haue them depart out of the Cittie and ſubburbes, at the which time, ſome one of the Switzers hurt an Inhabitant of the towne, wherevpon they charged the Switzers, and ſlew 12. or 15, hurt 20. or 25, and diſarmed thereſt. On the other ſide, certaine companies of the kings guard were likewiſe diſarmed & ſent into houſes, where with their Captains they were forced to ſaue thēſelues: which cauſed me to enter into the ſtreets of the Cittie, and preſentlv deliuered 900. Switzers, that were holden priſoners, & many of the guard, which I ſent ſafely into the Louure, this day ſhining with yt infallible protectiō of god, being ended, I went throgh al the ſtreets, vntill 2. of the clocke after midnight, praying, deſiring, and threatning the people in ſuch ſort, that by the grace of God, thereſollowed not any murther, maſſacre, ſpoyle, nor loſſe of any penny or drop of blood, more then I ſpake of before, although the people were moſt extreamly animated, becauſe (as they ſaid) they vnderſtood that there were 20. gibbets, with certain ſcaffolds prepared, and the executioners readie to execute and put to death 100. perſons nominated by them, whoſe names I had rather let geſſe then ſet them downe. You will not beleeue, what great contentment this gracious goodneſſe of God procured in my minde: firſt, in that I ſaw mine honour ſo clearly diſcharged of the ſuſpitions of ſpoyle and maſſacre, that had been put into the heads of many honeſt men againſt me, for that hauing ſeene all the proceedings, and ſo happily impeached the ſame, I made all mine enemies mute. Secondly, hauing giuen proofe of my zeale to the ſeruice and honour of my king, ſo far, as to reſtore the armes that had been borne againſt me, with the drumbs and fyfes conducting the priſoners ſending them their colours, deliuering the beſieged, and not omitting any reſpect, which the moſt conſtant would haue done.

But they did ſo much, that they perſwaded the king to depart out of Parris, 24. houers after, that I would he ſhould haue ſtayed: But Cod defend that ever I ſhould thinke it. Since his departure, his Maieſtie hath had ſome other ſharper counſell, I haue receiued the Arſenal, the Baſtille, and other ſtrong places, into my cuſtodie, I haue cauſed the coffers of his treaſures to bee ſealed, to deliuer them ſafely and peaceably into his Maieſties hands, as wee hope likewiſe to procure him vnto peace, by prayers to God, interceſsion to his holineſſe, and all other Chriſtian Princes, for the ſpeciall & not commō proofe of fidelitie, he hath alwaies had of me, but if the miſchief cōtinue, I hope by the ſame meanes to preſerue religion and the Catholicques, and defend them from perſecution: which the confederates, with hereticques about the king, had prepared for them.

Another letter of the ſaide Duke of Guiſe, to the Lord of Baſſompierre.

I Writ a lettervnto his highneſſe, which I pray you look vpō, although the Baily of S. Michaels (an eye witneſſe) wil iuſtifie all my actions, whoſe preſence, vntill this time, hath hindered mee from oftner ſending, beeing aſſured hee will not forget any thing: the termes whereon we ſtand, are, that this morning we preſent our requeſt: which is directly againſt Eſpernon, wherein all his perfections are well ſet down, not omitting any thing. Yeſterday I was in the Towne-houſe, to admit la Chapelle, that hath bin choſen Prouoſt of Merchants, and the Generall Rolland, Compan, and other perſons and good Catholicques for Sheriſfes, the Prouoſt of Merchants, Perreuze being in the Baſtille, and the traiterous Sheriffes fledde, there was neuer ſeene ſo great an obedience of the people in ſuch a commotion: for it cannot bee ſaid that there happened any diſorder or wrong, euen to the ſwords, morions, pikes, caliuers, of 1200. Switzers or Frenchmen taken away, which I cauſed to bereſtored. You neuer ſawe ſtranger accident, we were moſt wrongfully aſſayled, and that by pernicious counſell couertly deuiſed by hereticques. God of his grace hath preſerued vs, by the reſolution, obedience, and courage of thoſe of Parris, which they continue more then euer they did, with moſt braue reſolution, to ſhewe all dutie and obedience to the King: but aboue all, to preſerue their zeale to religion, and the ſuretie of their Towne. The king raiſeth forces, and we alſo, hee his at Chartres, and we at Parris, thus ſtand our affaires: the Gouernour of Haure C'eſt brauely withſtood Eſpernon, and would not allow him: the Gouernour of Caen would not receiue him, ſpecially into his Caſtle. This is that which he hath done in Normandie, from whence he is come without eſtabliſhment of himſelfe, or any of his, beeing yeſterſtay come to the king, although hee had ſent foure Poſts to will him to ſtay, as beeing abhorred of all the Princes and officers. Thoſe of Orleans, Amiens, Abbeuille, Bourges, and manygreat townes, haue driuen the Pollititans out, and taken diuers priſoners. All the little Townes ſend hither to craue the ayde of vs and the Towne. Iuſtice is peaceable, and no mā can ſpeak hardly of all theſe things. You muſt make a voyage hitherto ſee your friends, whō God be thanked you ſhall not finde vnprouided of meanes nor reſolution: wee muſt bee well aduertiſed out of Almaine, leaſt we be preuented: we want neyther force, courage, friends, nor means, nor leſſe honour, reſpect, and fidelitie to the king, wherein we will inuiolably continue, ſhewing the duties of men of honor, and good Catholicques. Theſe are the termes wherein your friends remaine, that commend themſelues vnto you, this 12. of May.

L'Amy de Coeur.

Monſieur the Counte, ſhall finde his moſt affectionate commendations. His Highneſſeſhall ſee this word. L'Amy de Coeur.

Come with ſpeed.

If trueth bee alwaies found in faire words, we need not ſeeke it in any other place then in theſe three letters, but if wee take a ſpunge to wipe them cleane, that wee may ſee the bottome, we ſhall finde that the expoſition followeth not the text: hee beginneth the letter to the king with an vnfortunate clauſe, ſaying: (Sir, I am very vnfortunate) and truely if the felicitie of this life conſiſteth in contentment, contentment in quietneſſe, and quietneſſe in a good conſcience, how can wee call a Prince fortunate or happy, that is not content with his eſtate,The miſerie of great men. that findeth no peace but in troubles? aſſayled with the violence of paſsions, like a tree blowne with two contrary windes, tormented by ſo many ſtrange accidents, that abounoeth in the exceſſe of greatneſſe of courage, that hath no other life, thē the miſerable death of his quietneſſe, that nouriſheth the brimſtone, which will conſume him in his vaines, that penetrateth his bones, & ſucketh out the moyſt humor that giueth him life.

Vnfortunate, and thriſe vnfortunate, to liue in this ſort betweene feare and diſtruſt, and then to haue an account to make to that great God, that reuengeth the iniurie of Kings, and of the people, and that throweth downe ſuch attempts as paſſe beyond reaſon. Miſfortune alwaies hayleth vpon ſuch proude heads, as deſire to clime vp to the Moone, and with their feete to touch the very intralles and bottome of the earth: that ſeeke to adminiſter lawes to heauen, earth, and hell. It is moſt infallible truth, that ſuch as ſeeke their owne glorie and profit, by the hurt and dammage of their countrie, and the ſubuerſion of publike peace,The miſerable end of diſturbers of an eſtate. This doth ſhew, that it was printed without the Authors name, in the yeare, 1562. will be miſchieued by the miſchiefes that they themſelues procure, and ouerthrow themſelues in the ſtorme of their outragious paſsions. All our Hiſtories are full of the violent deaths of thoſe that ſought to thruſt their nayles into the woundes of the Common-wealth, to make themſelues great, for that God, which imbraceth the quarrelles of an innocent people, that deteſteth rebelliōs, that hath particular care of kings and their eſtates, diſpearſeth the ſcourges, and caſteth away the rods wherewith he whipped the ſhoulders of thoſe that ſhake off the yoake of his commandements. It is holden, that the trouble of Vaſſy kindled the fiers of the firſt ciuill warres. And therefore Ronſard in his Demonſtration directed to the people of France, deſireth that the authors of thoſe new troubles, may periſh with the ſpring time of the yeare next enſuing after hee wrote: and in trueth the Duke of Guiſe died not long after, in the ſame ſeaſon: his verſes are theſe.

O God moſt high, that dwelleſt in the cloudes, And knoweſt well the authors of our warres, God that all ſceſt, behold and vnderstand, Graunt I thee pray, that with the next ſweete ſpring, VVhich ſhall bring foorth the pleaſant blooming flower, The author of our troubles manifold, May die in combat, and his life yeeld vp, By force of pike, or bullet fatally.

Alſo there is no ſin, which God doth leſſe diſſemble with, nor wherein his wiſdome doth vſe ſhorter tolleration, or his fury greater and ſharper to puniſh it, then the ſin of great men, which diſpearſe, ouerthrow, and trouble the lawes of a Realme: he addeth, that to quench the falſe reports that ranne of him, that with the perill wherewith hee was threatned, hee would iuſtifie his life, comming vnto his Maieſtie with ſo ſmall a company,A great perſon o •• ht to purge himſelfe. it is a poynt of generoſitie to put innocencie out of hazard. A great man is blamed for diſſembling the ſlaunders made againſt him, and the haughtier the heart is, the greater is the feeling. Nicyas was deſpiſed, as beeing ſo timerous, that hee gaue mony to ſuch as accuſed him falſely, to leaue off their accuſations. Lucius Posthumius fled by reaſon of an Ambaſſage, and for that hee would not bee at an aſsignation made by Marcus Cantius Tribun vnto him, to appeare before the people. To the contrary, they are commended,He diſpoſeth of their offices. that offered to purge themſelues before their enemies, as Caius Menenius Dictator, and Marcus Follius his Conſtable. The Duke of Guiſe perceiuing himſelfe ſo neare the King, and beeing aduertiſed of the accuſations made againſt him, touching his pretences, had reaſon to go to Parris in that manner, and with ſo ſmall a company,The life of an honeſt man, ought to be ſeene of all men. for that the ſubiect ought not to approach the preſence of his Prince with any forces, nor in that ſort to preſent himſelfe vnto his Maieſtie, for the intereſt he had to be once iuſtified, for that a man of honor, and careful of his credite, that reſpecteth not the common brute, but the integritie of his cōſcience, that maketh his houſe (like y• of Iulius Druſus) in ſuch ſort, that his neighbors on al fides may ſee into it, neuer ſuffreth himſelf to be ſo wholy born away, for the conſeruatiō of his proper life, that he neglecteth his reputation. And ſo he aſſureth the king, that nothing but that, made him come to Parris: deſiring rather to diſobey, then languiſh in ſuch diſtruſt. His goodly reaſons are not without replie: gardiners are of opinion, that they make roſes and violets of a ſweeter ſauor, if they ſowe or plant them hard by onyons or garlick. Let vs ſee, if whether that, whereof the Duke of Guiſe is reproached, or his allegations be moſt ſauerie. I wil herein ſet downe a peece of the Apoſtrophe of the moſt excellent and liberall diſcourſe, and the intent of the author was, that ſuch as would write the Hiſtories of our time, ſhould ſerue themſelues therewith. Gold is good in all places, this gilding will beautifie our workmanſhippe: Thou complaineſt ſayth hee, that euill reports were made againſt thee, and thy honour, which God be thanked thou haſt defaced by this laſt act: thou art a maruellous Rethorician, certainly it is true: thou art well purged: thou art accuſed to haue cauſed the people of certain towns in this Realm, to haue riſen againſt the Gouernors that the K. wold haue placed therin: & thou haſt defaced that blot, by cauſing Parris to riſe againſt the K. himſelf: thou art accuſed, that at Chaalons, Reims, Soiſſons, and other places where thou cameſt, thou didſt ceaſe vpon the kings treaſures: and thou haſt purged thy ſelf by taking thoſe he had ſpared & kept in his capital cittie: thou wert ſuſpected to enterpriſe againſt the eſtate, & to aſpire vnto the crown, & yt for the ſame purpoſe, thou haddeſt alreadie ceaſed vpō certain good townes holdē by thee & thy partners, wherein the K. is not obeyed: thou haſt made this falſe report to vaniſh, cōming in perſon to make thy ſelf Maiſter of Parris, & in driuing the K. out, after thou haddeſt forced, ſlain, & diſarmed his gard, & made the common people of the town to riſe vp againſt him, in which ſort thou doeſt moſt wiſely couer a theft with a ſacrilidge: a murther, with an homedice: and a ſin with a crime: thy ſimplicitie is too groſſe: thou triumpheſt that thou waſt ſo hardy to enter into Parris, with no more thē 8. Gentlemen, a ſigne of thy ſimple innocēcie. A great matter ſurely, but go thou into Rochel with al thy new Courtiers, thy followers & thy guard: the king of N. wil enter therin but with 4. men only: & if at thy going out, thou runneſt not away-he will make thee be ſhrew thy ſelfe.

It is eaſie to bee ſaid in baſe Brittaine, but thoſe that know that all the kings Councell are on thy ſide: that his mother fauoureth thee: that all the mutiners and crocheters of Parris, and all the common inhabitants thereof, are at thy deuotion. We ſay that thy ſimplicitie was verie ſubtill, and thy innocencie much to bee ſuſpected. How wilt thou haue vs beleeue, that thou did-deſt put ſo much truſt & confidence in the king, ſeeing that after the league, and the capitulation of Saint Maur, thou wouldeſt neuer come thither, vnleſſe thon wert as ſtrong as hee: yet during his beeing in his armie againſt the Rutters, thou neuer ſetteſt foote within it, onely once by ſurpriſing it, and that for the ſpace of a quarter of an houre: No, beleeue me, it is thy exerciſe to play theſe feates, and not to excuſe them, thou art better acquainted with the one, then the other. Hee ſaith that the diſtruſt which ceaſed vppon the people of Parris, when the kings forces entered into the publicque places of the Towne, conſtrained his good and faithfull ſubiects to arme themſelues, and without conference, togither, aſſured of his preſence, and of certaine order by him ſuddainly taken among them, they Barricadoed themſelues on all ſides.

Barricadoes, the inuention of the Duke of Guiſe.Then the Barricadoes are the inuention of the Duke of Guiſe, and without his preſence the people had not ſtirred, taken armes, not banded againſt the thunder that deſcended from heauen. This is confirmed by the declaration made by the Parriſians, the words whereof are theſe: Aduice was giuen, that the Regiment of Picardie was ſent for in great haſte, as alſo the Sieurs de Mer • and de Thore, bringing more then three hundreth horſe, which could not be prepared, vnleſſe that matter had beene purpoſed long before.

The occaſions of the Barricadoes.The newes of thoſe troupes made the Parriſsians to ſuſpect, and the inſolencies of thoſe alreadie eſtabliſhed, made vs as then to inquire of the preparation made by the Duke de Guiſe, and vnderſtanding that neither hee nor his were armed, euery man thought to ayde himſelfe, ſo that as it were by one generall conſent, euery one in leſſe then an houre, vnited & placed them in the ſtreets for their defence, which is a thing natural to al liuing creatures: ſo the Parriſsians mooued not, but for feare of a Garriſon, this foundation is not well laid, for that all ſedition and rebellion is euill and pernicious in kingdomes, although the cauſe bee good and commendable.

As the Prince ſhould cut off the meanes to the firſt motions of thoſe troubles, and quench the fiers, that beeing hatched in a particular houſe, would enter into the Churches, Pallaces, and publike houſes: ſo the people ought to ſuffer and indure al extremities, rather then to riſe againſt their ſoueraigne, although hee were a Tyrant, cruell, inhumaine: for like as all that pleaſeth a Prince, is not permitted to be done by him, ſo al ye is permitted vnto ye people, is not profitable: and oftentimes it happeneth, that the remedie is more cruel then the diſeaſe it ſelfe, and that ſeeking to ſhunne one calamitie, we intangle our ſelues in an infinite of miſeries. Experience ſetteth before our eyes, the enterpriſes and ſucceſſe of coniurations:Defence is not permitted to ſubiects againſt their King. the beginnings haue beene impiteous, and the ends miſerable.

The tyrannie of one man is euill, that of many is woorſe, but the worſt of all is an vnbridled power, and an abſolute libertie that hath caſt off the yoake of lawes. When a people arme themſelues againſt a Tyrant, it muſt take heed, that of one, it maketh not fifteene, or that in ſeeking to ſhun tyrannie, The words of K. Francis.it indureth not confuſion and diſorder, which from the royaltie proceedeth to the populer eſtate. You my Maiſters of Parris, alleadge, that the armes you beare, are not to offend any man, but onely to defend themſelues that is good againſt a ſtraunge Prince, but againſt the king and your Soueraigne, it is moſt execrable: God deteſteth and forbiddeth it, and whatſoeuer he doth, bee it right or wrong, it is no more lawfull for you to ſtirre againſt him, then for a childe to mooue againſt his Parents.

Cauſes of ſedition.The life of man is the vnion of the bodie and the ſoule: the life of a Realme, is commaundement and obedience, if the one bee ſeparated from the other, that the ſoule tyrannizeth the bodie, and that the bodie will not receiue the lawe of the ſoule, that is of reaſon, it is a death. When the Prince commaundeth vniuſtly, and when the ſubiects will not obey, the Realme falleth to ruine, her temperature altereth & reſolueth into the firſt matter, looſing her forme.

It was to that end, that wiſe King Francis the firſt ſaid, that euery eſtate of Common-wealth, or Monarchie, conſiſteth but in two poynts, in the iuſt commaundement of a Prince, and the loyall obedience of the ſubiects. Let vs now ſee why ſo many euilles and diſobediences haue iſſued from this pandore: all commotions ſuch as that of Paris, do commonly growe vpon one of theſe poynts.

When the people are charged with ſupportable exactions, by the auarice of the Princes that raiſeth them vpon the people by inhumaine and infamous waies and impoſitions: as Calig • le raiſed impoſitions vppon common Stewes, Heliogabalus vpon mens vrin, and Alexander Seuerus vpon Hot-houſes, there is alwaies mutenie. And therefore the Parriſsians vnder Charles the ſixt, tooke occaſion to mutin, becauſe the Gabelliers asked a halfe-penny of a poore woman that ſolde Creſſon.

When the King giueth eſtates and dignities to vicious, rather then vertuous, and vnwoorthie, rather then woorthie men. For as in a conſort of muſick, the different voyces are ruled by one tune, from the which they cannot once ſo litle varrie, but they make a diſcord in the ears of the Muſitians: Likewiſe the Common-wealth compoſed of men of high, meane, and baſe quallities, that are vnited by Harmonicall proportion, according to the which proportion, in the diſtinction of perſons, and their merits, publicque charges ought to bee ſupplyed. And when honours (which is the moſt daintie morſell of vertue) is conferred to colde and rawe ſtomackes, it becommeth contemptible. The eſtate of Barron was renowmed in France, but it was afterward imbaſed, when Charles the ſixt, at the ſiege of Bourdeaux, created 500. at on time.

The order of S. Michael. inſtituted by King Lewis the 11. The order of Saint Michael continued in his glory, vntill ſuch time as our Kings gaue it indifferently to all degrees, without exception of perſons, or quallities, & that they beſtowed it vpon ſuch as were rather Knights then Noblemen. The Queene-mother ſhewed her ſelfe therein to bee a woman, when ſhee called all ſorts of people to that degree, without diſcretion, making one collor for euery mans head, receiuing into that order (of the greateſt Monarches in the world) ſuch as meane Princes, would not haue beſtowed better places in their houſes, then to make them Groomes of their ſtables, what order ſoeuer they weare about their neckes.

The firſt article of the inſtitution, cōtaineth, that the number of knights ſhal be of ſixe and thirtie Gentlemen, both of name & armes, without reproach, whereof the King ſhall bee one, that ſhould be called bretheren and companions of the Order. In the 48. article it is ordained, that at the diſeaſe of any of the bretheren of the ſaid Order, there ſhall be an election made of another knight, of the ſame conditions as aforeſaid, and that by the greateſt numbers of the voyces, of the Soueraigne and bretheren of the Order, and that the Soueraignes voyce ſhould bee counted for two. When Princes are too much addicted to ſuch as they fauor, that they thruſt their meanes ouer liberally into their owne pleaſures, thoſe that perceiue themſelues eleuated into ſuch authorities not to deſcend, but therein to maintaine themſelues, do willingly conſpire againſt the Prince himſelf, raiſing the ſubiects, & ſeeking to get al that,Ambition & Iealouſie, two plagues among great men. wherof alreadie they haue obtained great part, thinking they can haue no better nor ſufficienter lodging, then the place of thoſe by whō they were preferred. The aduancemēt of the Maiors of the Pallace, cauſed great mutations in the eſtate of France, about the end of the firſt geneologie of our Kings. Seian perceiuing himſelfe ſo ſtrong, enterpriſed againſt Tiberius, Perennius againſt Commodus, Eutropus againſt Theodoſius, Beliſſairius againſt Iuſtinien, and Artaban againſt Xerxes: deſire to commaund is an ouer daintie morſell, which to taſte, wee tread vnderfoote and ſuppreſſe, both reſpect, dutie, honour, and conſcience, ſuch diſorders arme mens hearts to reſolution, their weapons to mutinies, and their armes with Iron. Laſtly, when a king without reaſon, putteth great Princes and Noblemen of his Realm to death, banniſheth the honeſt and wiſe men of his Councel, nouriſheth partiallities and diuiſions, fauoreth warres, to impoueriſh his people, loueth none but ſtrangers, and diſtruſteth his ſubiects, ſuffereth the peruerſion of his lawes, the corruption of iuſtice, the inuention of new ſubſidies againſt the ancient form & equallitie, without doubt he giueth the firſt ſhaking & ouerthrow to his eſtate, & prouoketh his ſubiects to conſpire, riſe, and mutin, but whatſoeuer may bee ſaid, the principall motiue to ſedition, is iniuſtice, which is a great crime. Whē kings or their Lieftenants conuert their Soueraignes authorities into iniuries, inſolences, & iniuſtices, and reward the good wils of their ſubiects with outrage & violences. The Switzers roſe vp & ſlew Griſler, & Landberg their Gouernours,The ſure guard of Princes. in the houſe of Auſtria, for their violent behauiour, wherin they were eſteemed the firſt ſcourges of Tyrants. When the K. deſpiſeth great perſonages, to fauor men of baſe condition, or when he oppreſſeth & altogither ouerthroweth the meaner ſort, to eleuate the greater, it is a fault both in the one & the other, the remedie is equallitie, the mother of peace & nurſe of cōcord, not that which maketh a platonical cōmunion of al things, but that which iuſtly conſidereth & ballanceth the merits & qualities of euery man. The K. ſhould cauſe himſelf to be beloued of al, without deſpiſing or hatred of any man, if it be poſsible. Such as perceiue kings to be like figtrees, that grow vpō the top of an vnacceſſable hill, and that the fruits thereof ſerue onely for food vnto crowes, kites, and other foules of the ayre, and that they are put from publike charges, by ſuch as are not capable thereof, doo willingly riſe, and ſuch as haue great authorities to commaund, deſpiſe the meaner ſort, in ſuch manner, that the deſpight of the firſt, and the inſolencie of the laſt, ſtirreth vp ſeditions. But tell me, if it pleaſeth you, my Maiſters of Parris, vppon which of theſe cauſes do you begin your rebellion, or whether it bee of pride, that you raiſed your reuolt?

Tarquin. Neron. Demetrius. Ptolomee. Lucullus. Muleaſſes. Phocas. Heliogabal. Vitellius. Gallus. Gallien. Roboan. Cofroas. Iul. Apoſtat. Chilperic. Thomas. Lewis. 11. Poptelking of Polonia. Maximin. Caracalla. Perſeus. Lewis de Bauiere. Pertinax. Iſaac. Frotho. Ferdinand King of Naples. Berot a Span yard, Maior of the Pallace. Iean. Conſtance. Ladiſlaus. Lewis. Plaints of the Parriſians. Diſorder in iuſtice and promiſes.Hath the king rauiſhed your wiues, like Tarquinus? hath he burnt your houſes, like Nero? haue you ſeene in his apparrell, the ſuperſluities of Demetrius king of Macedonia: in his recreations, the pleaſures of Ptolomee: at his table, the diſorders of Lucullus: & in his paſtimes the luxuriouſneſſe of Muleaſſes king of Tunnes? haue you marked in him the miſerableneſſe of Maurice and Phocas, the confuſion and monſtrous prodigallitie of Heliogabalus and Vitellius, or the toyes of your Emperors, Gallus and Gallien.

Hath hee ranſomed his ſubiects, like Roboam? deſpiſed the ſeruice of God, like Cofroas? renounced Chriſtianitie, like Iulien the Apoſtate? pilled Churches, like Chilperic? aboliſhed holy ceremonies of diuince ſeruice, like Thomas Emperour of Constantinople?

Hath hee driuen away and diſplaced his fathers ſeruants, like Lewis the eleuenth? hath hee tormented his ſubiects and the Suffregans, like Popiel, that was eaten with rats?

Hath he put any of his ſubiects to death without iuſticie, like Maximin? hath hee falſified his faith, like Baſsianus Caracala? hath hee broken the treaties of peace, like Perſeus?

Hath hee deſpiſed learning, like Lewis de Bauiere? or men of warre, like Pertinax?

Hath hee raiſed Subſidies and impoſitions vpon the fruites of gardens, like Iſaac Emperour of Constantinople? vpon beaſts and members of men, like Frotho King of Denmarke? or vppon vrines, like Ferdinand, King of Naples?

Hath hee giuen great offices vnto ſtraungers, like Ochozias King of Iuda, who to pleaſe Athalie his mother, being a Samaritane, filled his Court with Samaritans? or like Lewis le Debonnaire, that made a Spaniard Maior of his Pallace?

And among ſo many examples of a iuſt diſtruſt, to mooue your commotions, hath hee built a Tower for his dwelling place, inuironed with profound ditches, full of water, not to enter therein but by a Draw-bridge, like Denis the Tyrant of Sicile?

Hath hee done nothing woorthie memorie, no more then the two laſt kings of Conſtantinople and Hungarie?

And if hee hath done nothing proportionable to ſo ſtrange defections, tell mee you Parriſsians, wherein hath hee ſo much diſpleaſed and mooued you?

I vnderſtand you well, he hath made intollerable leuies of monies, and ſtraunge ſubſidies: hee hath placed men of ignorance and anarice in the ſeat of Iuſtice: hee hath oppreſſed his ſubiects by a thouſand means, to inrich his mignions: hee hath ſubuerted the order of his treaſures, and inuented the practiſe of preſent receipt, thereby freelier to exerciſe his prodigallities: hee hath giuen the honorable offices of the Realme vnto the mignions, and hath deſired nothing more, then to throw downe and loppe the foundation of the holy League.

Is there no other thing? tell all: ſhewe foorth your publication: let reaſon rather then words bee wanting with you: for that in populer commotions, fained things ſet out with faire words, are holden for trueth. Now I will plainely let you ſee, that your complaints are without reaſon, and your Ciuil wars breedeth neceſſitie and redoubleth it. More fooles then ſtates men. A ſmall greefe.reaſons without ſence: and yet to pleaſe you, ſay that your dreams were true, that the king in his new leuying of monies, his new Edicts, and his new creations of officers, doth oppreſſe his people. Neceſsitie conſtraineth him, but from whence proceedeth that neceſsitie? from ciuill warres: who maketh this warre? the League.

The cauſe then of theſe diſorders, proceedeth from the graft of our miſeries, and from ſuch as vppon the firme land, expect the ſhipwracke of our French veſſels. I aduouch the great leuyings, the exceſſe of impoſitions, the Edicts, the offices, the ſpendings of treaſures, and the rapine of receiuers, and am aſſured, that there commeth not one crowne out of the peſants hands, that is woorth a Teſton, when it is payde into the kings cofers, it is ſo much ſhortned by paſsing through ſo many hands.

The people haue been ſtrangely oppreſſed by new inuentions, there was ſomewhat to ſay to the Edict of Courtiers, the tenne Sellers of fiſh, the 12. ſellers of beaſtes within Parris, the receiuers appoynted for ſpices, the commiſsions ſent to all Courts royall, to collect great treaſures in euery place of the Realme, the making of ſo many Gentlemen, the allienation of demands, with many other corruptions to get mony, the numbring whereof would be more odious, then the charge hath bin exceſsiue: but vpon whom may the fault bee layde, whether vppon the king that graunted, or thoſe that firſt inuented them, therby to finde means to fill their purſes, whoſe auarice reſembleth the dog, that ſwalloweth a morſell of meat caſt into his mouth without chawing, hoping preſently to haue another: for that all whatſoeuer proceedeth of a new impoſition, was deuoured, the ſooner to ſwallow another. But if a great part thereof hath paſſed into the great and gaping throate of the inſaciable auarice of the league it ſelfe: if many, to haue a part therein, haue giuen their conſents: if the relieuing of the poore people hath not beene ſo much conſidered, as religiouſly it ought to bee: if the importunitie of thoſe that ſay, there is alwaies more fooles then eſtates, haue had it, wherefore do they charge the king, that onely receiueth the griefe at his heart, the ruine vppon his ſhoulders, and haire vppon his raines, that ſince theſe diſorders, neuer hath had good day, ſweet ſlumber, nor ioyfull repaſt? The diſpleaſure hee receiued at the continuance of ſuch new charges, cauſed him to deſire Monſieur de Birague his Chancellour, to deliuer vp his ſeales, which he beſtowed ouer liberally vppon the approbation of his Edicts, and cauſed a roule of the moſt pernicious to bee ſhewed him, which he toare, deteſted the authors, and lamented the oppreſsion that his people indured: and as yet wee may ſee the edict that was made for the ſuppreſsion of the wicked deuiſes of new Edicts.

The ſame incrochers put into his head, the inuention of Petite Eſpargne, of commaunding his treaſures vnder an acquittance of his hand, to deliuer as much mony as they would haue, without knowledge to the Secretaries or Receiuers, what he gaue, to the end, that being ignorant of the diſorder, and the inſtruments of that deuiſe, no man ſhould bee blaſoned but the king: and that their impudencies in asking ſuch exceſsiue ſummes of mony, ſhuld not bee diſcouered. VVhatſoeuer it be, content your ſelues you Parriſsians, that all the profit of their exactions and ſubſides, hath entered into your coffers, that your own is inriched, that it was neuerricher, then vnder the raigne Alienation of admonitiō. Meanes to maintaine the greatneſſe of the Prince. Tributes. Traffiques. Forraine treatiſes. Sale of offices. Duke d'Alua. King Lewis the 12. of him whom you haue driuen out, that all the great ponds of royall fauours are fallen into your milles, his liberalities are returned into your purſes, and the mignions haue beene but the conducts, whereby thoſe great prouiſions were tranſported into your fountaines, as touching the doubling of the charges, much more then euer they were heeretofore, in the raignes of Lewis the eleuenth, Charles the eight, and Lewis the 12. and the multitude of offices: it is well knowne that the demaines which onely maintained the honour and royall eſtate of his Realme, is nothing like as it was in their times.

The continuance of warres hath ingaged it into many hands, the increaſe of our diuiſions hath ſcattered, alienated, and diſpearſed it in ſuch ſort, that there muſt bee had at the leaſt fifteene or ſixteene millions of Frankes, to redeeme that which is woorth aboue fiftie millions. The kings of Europe haue ſixe waies and meanes to maintaine the greatneſſe of their eſtates. The king of France hath nothing thereof: he hath no more demaines, the ſacred Patrimony of his aunceſtors is gone, hee maketh no more conqueſts nor ſpoyles vppon ſtraungers, all the bootie hee hath is of his owne, and all the loſſe of his ſubiects falleth vppon him: hee hath none that payeth him tribute, as the Prince of Aſia doth to the King of Perſia, the Indies to the King of Calicut, and he of Calicut Malach, Cambarre and Canor, to the King of Portugal. There is no trafficque, negotiation, vnder the name of his Maieſtie by factors, as Alphonſus K. of Naples, the King of Portugal, all the Common-wealth, and moſt part of the Italian Princes: as the Duke of Florence for ſilkes: and the Duke of Sa • oy for bookes, ordinarily vſe. The two laſt which are the refuges and forraine paſſages and the aydes of his ſubiects, haue of long time bin conuerted by his aunceſtors, into charges, impoſitions, & ordinary tallages. Theſe ſixe means fayling, and not beeing proportioned to the charges of the crowne, the King hath been conſtrained to finde a ſeuenth extraordinary in deed, of great conſequence, and moſt dangerous, but couered with neceſsitie: which is the creation of new offices, and the practiſe to drawe mony, a means fit and to the purpoſe, to ſupply the kings wants, to fill the pipes of the ſprings of treaſures almoſt dried, to eaſe the people oppreſſed with wars, and with the ſterilitie of times and ſeaſons, for that ſuch as had to deale with receipts of the monies proceeding therof, make account that in twentie yeares, the king hath receiued 139. millions, a certaine meanes whereby mony from all places is brought into the kings Coffers, without conſtraint, violence, & as it were by degrees, a hundreth times more tollerable thē impoſitions & other inuentions, to charge the poore Peſants, and wherein there is much more conſcience, then in that which Phillip le Long demanded of all his ſubiects, of what eſtate ſoeuer, beeing the fift part of their reuenue, and more reaſon then that tyrannicall extortion of the tenth part of all the expenſes of ſeuenteene great Prouinces, whereof the Author boaſted to haue found a fountaine, that wold yeeld golde in peeces as big as a mans arme.

This ſale of offices is not ſo new, but that it hath been vſed long ſince, in thoſe eſtates that are thought to bee moſt polliticque, the Venetians hauing ſo great & enemie as the king of France, made a great breach in their treaſures to reſiſt him, his entrance into Italy, coſt him aboue fifte millions of duckets, which to recouer againe, they inuented the meanes of ſelling the offices of their Common-wealth, whereby they purſed one hundreth millions.

Offices for the imployment of the youth of France.And the French king perceiuing it to be a continual ſpring into their coffers, brought it into his Realme, to ſupport the neceſsitie of the moſt oppreſſed, and the ſame neceſsitie hath conſtrained his ſucceſſors to continue the means to reſiſt the ſame, and to honour the beſt families among his ſubiects: who without this ſplendure would bee hidden among the reſt, and youth without imployment, would fall into thoſe vices that are incident to that age: but let vs now returne againe to your complaints.

When you are forced to confeſſe, that other cauſes made you to enter into the courſe and ſauor of theſe rebellions, you ſay, that the king did neuer approoue nor aduance your league. Hee hath loued it too much. If hee had choaked this Monſter of diuiſion, if hee had not by his authoritie ſtrengthened the furious temeritie of the Leaguers pretences, hee would liue like a king, command like a king, and be in the Louure like a king, and had not gone out of Parris like a Gouernor of a countrie, that iſſueth out at one gate, when his enemies entereth at the other. Did you neuer heare, that a king that had two factions in his Realme, bending more to the one then to the other, hath in the end beene a pray to one of them? What ouerthrew Carthage? two factions, Barchinienne, Ruine of eſtates by ciuil warres. and Hannonienne. What nouriſhed wars in France of ſixtie yeares long, and made it a praie to the Engliſhmen? the quarrell of the houſe of Bourgongne and Orleans. What troubled England with ſo many miſchiefes of ſeuen great battelles, wherein aboue ſixtie or eightie Princes of the blood royall of England were ſlaine? the factions of the houſe of Lancaſter and Yorke. What impeached the Empire of Constantinople, but the great faction of Pruſins and Venitiens, which at one blowe ſpoyled fortie thouſand men? What ouerthrew the pollicie and tranquillitie of Florence, but the faction of white and blacke? To the contrary, what maintaineth the Empire of the Turkes? their concord enemie of ciuill deſcention: they make their profit of our loſſes, they aduance themſelues vnder the couerture of our warres, grounded for the moſt part vpon the foote of a flie, and there is nothing that hath ſo much increaſed, nor as yet doth more increaſe their alcaron, then our diuiſiō, which euery day giueth them ſufficient chriſtians heads to triumph vpon, in ſtead of ſtones or other ſpoyles: as Thuracan did with the heades of the Albanois.

League a continuall feauer to an eſtate.To be ſhort, that hurt which a continuall feuer is to a mans bodie, the ſame are Leaguers vnto a Realm: the Prince that nouriſheth and entertaineth them, is no leſſe odious then the Phiſitian, that hatcheth and couereth a diſeaſe.

The Common-wealth is a ſhip, the Leagues and factions are the holes and leakes, by the which, while thoſe that are in the ſhip are at ſtrife, the water entereth in ſuch aboundance, that it cauſeth the ſhip to finke, and all that are within her. A wiſe Pilot ſhuld calke & ſtop thoſe leakes and diuiſions, reſeruing the rurther for himſelfe, without truſting to any other, neuer being factious, nor head of any parties, but all king, and alwaies Maiſter of the ſhip: and doubt not but theſe drone Bees, that eate vppe the honie of all the reſt, and theſe compoſers of the league, which make ſo great a ruine for two or three months of ſpring-time, had ouerthrowne themſelues, if the king had not nouriſhed them,Machiauille chap. 20. of the Princes. with the faireſt flowers of his authoritie.

And who euer counſelled a Prince, common father of his ſubiects (vnleſſe Machiauel chap. 20. of the Prince.it were Machiauel) to entertaine partiallities among them? You are ſorrie that the king doth not as willingly imbrace the pretences of your League, as you do, and that hee hath not ſuffered you to make a table of his backe, whereon to playe at dice for his Crowne. You haue ſomewhat to ſay to thoſe whom the king hath aduaunced: ſo the heeles murmured becauſe they had not the place of the head: the Aſſe would clime vpon a cuſhen of veluet, to faune vppon his Maiſter like a Spaniell: puppits would play vppon kings cabbins. Know you not, that they are like counters in the kings hand, whereof hee maketh one to bee a hundreth, ſome a thouſand, and others tenne thouſand? Do you not ſhew more fauour and credite in your bankes towne of your ſeruants, then to an other? and vſe you not to ſay, that you may doo with your owne as pleaſeth you? is the king countable to your humours? If he holdeth the Crowne of God and the auncient lawes of this Realme, wherefore ſeeke you to bee his Tutors, and to hinder him from diſtributing the honours and recompences thereof, at his pleaſure? It is no reaſon to preſcribe or limit him, whom or what hee ſhall cheriſh, loue, and aduance: if you conferre things preſent, with thoſe that are paſt, you ſhall finde no Prince but hath had ſome whom hee ſpecially fauoured, and that the iealouſie nor enuie of others farther from his fauour, hath not beene ſtrong ynough to erect Barricadoes againſt them, as you haue done.

The League hath no iuſt cauſe to take armes.But ſeeing all your complaints are ridiculous, your reaſons without foundation, and your diſcourſes without aſſurance: what inchantment hath made you to rebell? Say that this great diſorder knowne to bee in the Court of your king, hath put that wilde fire into your heads, which hath mooued and tolde you, therefore to remedie it, you muſt driue him our, you muſt aſſayle the Louure, or torment his ſeruaunts to reuenge your ſelues againſt the Duke of Eſpernon, being at Roane. I will not ſo much excuſe the king, or think that hee hath not committed ſome faults, nor ſay as the Paraſite Anaxarchus, that Alexander had reaſon to kill Clytus, or that the two Goddeſſes Dice and Themis, are alwaies at their ſides, to keepe them from committing iniuſtice: certainly there were many faire and ſhining vertues in this Prince,Optimum eſt pati quod emendare non poſſis. and many humaine imbiſilities, yet tollerable. And ſeeing we muſt indure that miſchief which is not to beeremedied, the people ought neuer to haue recourſe to armes, but to petitions and humble requeſts: as during the exceſsiue exactions in the time of Paillip de Valois, they ſued to the eſtates. If dutie, reaſon, and loue, mooue not your brazen hearts, the apprehenſion of the paines and puniſhments which god prepareth to diſcharge againſt your rebellions,Puniſhments of rebellion. Bodin. lib. 3. of his Common-wealth. ought to reſtraine you. God will neuer leaue thoſe iniuries vnpuniſhed, that are done to his annoynted: your fathers haue repented it in the other world: and you, before you die, ſhall pay the vſeries, beſides the principall of your commotions. Turne ouer your olde regiſters, and you ſhall knowe what profite rebellion will procure you: enquire of thoſe of Milan, Gand, Bourdeaux, 4. Of kings, chap. 25. Qu. Curt. lib. 9. Poli. lib. 10. Liu. dec. li. 3. Poictiers, and Rochell, if they remember it. And to the ende you ſhall not thinke that the paines are new, Sedechia becauſe hee ſeduced the people to reuolt againſt Nabuchodonoſor, had his eyes put out, and caſt into perpetuall priſon: after that, for his laſt ſpectacle, he had ſeene his children ſlaine and murthered at his feete, and ſo loſt the vſe of their light.

Looke vppon the great multitude of the Iewes, that were made ſlaues by that meanes. Behold what rigor Alexander vſed againſt the Muſicans, a people of India. And the Romanes againſt thoſe of Rheggio, and of Capoue: how the Authors of thoſe mutinies were tyed to a Croſſe: how the Senators were publikely whipped, the Gentlemen ſolde like flaues. Our Kings, that let your firſt rebellion to paſſe by ſufferance, haue preſently after, ſeene a ſecond. And yet would not vſe thoſe vengeances that appertaine onely to Barbarians.

Zonar. in the third tomb of his Annals. Baſil Emperour of Conſtantinople, cauſed the eyes of fifteene thouſand Bulgariens to be put out, and left one eie to each of their Captaines, that they might leade them. Amurat taking the Towne of Dymothicon, that had rebelled againſt him by force, cauſed the Inhabitants to bee bound two and two togither, and ſo threwe them ouer the wall into the riuer that ranne at the foote thereof, commaunding the fathers, or for default of them, the neareſt kinſmen of thoſe that had rebelled againſt him, to maſſacre them in his preſence. Our Princes cōtented themſelues with milder puniſhments, by drowning the paines of a multitude, in the blood of the Authours of the euill.

Sometimes they haue appoynted the defacing of Townes that haue rebelled, taken away their belles, and reuoked their priuiledges: but alwayes the puniſhment hath beene much leſſe then the miſchife: thoſe great crimes, haue alwaies found great clemencie. So likewiſe in that day of your Barricadoes, there was nothing that preſerued you from the paine due to ſo terrible rebellion, but the bountie and mercie of your king: and when I remember your ſtraunge dealing, you put mee in doubt whether you be the ſonnes of thoſe, that ſo brauely and valiantly expoſed themſelues for the ſeruice of their kings, and that deliuered Lewis the eight, father to Saint Lewis, out of the danger wherin the diſloyaltie of his enemies had brought him, between Parris and Monmartre.

But let vs ſeeke for the end of our ſpindle, when thoſe great Phiſitians that ſought to remedie the ſickneſſes of this eſtate, perceiued that they had not vſed ſuch medicines as were conuenient for the diſeaſes, that their plaiſters were too little for the greatneſſe of that wound, that to bring thoſe humors down, they had rather haue applyed Iron & fire, then any oyntments, that to ſaue the members they had beaten the head, they were much abaſhed to ſee that bodie without a head: that royall authoritie was turned into the diſtaffe: the royaltie into an eſtate democrature: that none but the Qneen mother was preſent in their aſſemblies, and that the Duke of Guiſe held the ſoueraigntie of all affaires. The king for remedie of the diſorder, imployed the Queen his mother, a ſpirit louing trouble & ſeeking diſquietneſſe, vnreconcileable, as touching the hatred ſhe bare to the Princes of the blood, and carried away with the loue ſhe had to the children of her daughter, Duches of Lorraine: It ſuffiſeth, the king ſent a woman with teares and complaints againſt the armes and brauadoes of a Prince of courage, reſolute, couragious in his reſolutions. And it was not likely ſhe would vndo that which ſhe had don, nor hauing counſelled the K. to indure the boldneſſe of ye league, and end thoſe differences by peaceable means, that ſhe wold more defire the aduantage and quietneſſe of her ſon, then the increaſing of the hopes of the Nulla diu faemina pontus hab • t. Proper. Marqueſſe du Pont.

I perceiue to what end it will come, they will make ſuch an other treatie as was made at Nemours, the Elixir of the Queen-mother: womē ſhould neuer meddle with any thing, but onely to knowe their husbands ſhirt from his dubblet. Francis Duke of Brittaine vſed to ſay, following (the aduiſe of an Emperour) that it is daungerous to referre the deciding of great affaires vnto the iudgement of a woman, & that how great experience ſoeuer they haue, they neuer attaine to the ſoundneſſe of a firme wit.

That fantaſticall appetite, which maketh them haue more pleaſure in coales and ſand, then in Grayhounds and Partriges, that ſicke and vnbridled taſte which they haue at ſuch time as they are great with childe, remaineth continually in their minds: their breſts are ſtuffed with ſubtilties and craft, but ſtrength and courage wanteth: they haue neither conſtancie nor ſteadfaſtneſſe, and their counſell is alwaies woorſe.

Plerumque muliebre conſilium deterius Tacit. The next day after the kings departure, the firſt Senate of this new commonwealth, was holden by the Queene, wherein ſhee that with her eyes could doo what ſhe liſt, lamented the miſchiefe of the day of the Barricadoes, coniured the moſt buſied heades to ſhewe their duties, promiſing all the effects of a more peaceable and aſſured life in the fruites of the religion, diſtribution of offices, moderation of taxes & tallages, ſuppreſsion of offices, and to the contentment of thoſe that dealth therein, a vniuerſall reformation. She exhorted them to leaue their animoſitie, and not mingle their particular reuenges with publike offences: for it is a vaine thing to be angrie with the ſea and the waues, after a man hath paſt the ſtormes and ſhipwrackes thereof: ſhee beſought them to preſerue that faire and laudable reputation,The Queen mother trauelleth to appeaſe the Parriſians. which their long and conſtant fidelitie had gotten them, to reconcile themſelues to the king, that could not be without ſome boyling motion or feeling, to haue ſeene ſo ſuddaine a riſing in the Towne that hee moſt loued, and where hee thought to haue moſt aſſurance, and that his moſt affectioned ſubiects, (the rule and example to others) are proceeded within two fingers neare to an infamous and woorthie rebellion.

The Duke of Guiſe proteſting his innocencie, and imputing all thoſe miſchiefes not to the will of the king, but to the force and violence of his euill Councell, ſaith that hee was extreamly ſorrie, that the king by his departure out of Parris, had made him looſe ſo good and happie an occaſion,The Duke of Guiſe his proteſtation. thereby to let him ſee, what his zeale and will was for the ſeruice of his Maieſtie, that hee was readie to make proofe thereof in his abſence, reſolued with his life to redeeme the authoritie which his Councell had taken from him, with the quietneſſe and comfort of the Towne, for the ſuretie whereof, hee beſought the Queene-mother to bee a meane.

The election of the prouoſt, for the marchants.That done, they proceeded to the election of a Prouoſt of Merchants, and Sheriffes, in places of thoſe that are leſſe affected to the intents of the League, then to the aduancement of the kings affaires: and their oathes were taken by the Queene-mother, againſt whoſe will they diſcharged diuers Collonelles, Captaines and Quarter-maiſters, the litle troupe of zealous Catholicques, called the ſixteene, buſied themſelues much in thoſe publike actions, eyther to ſhew the exceſſe of their ouer boyling loue, or violent hatred.

They tooke order for the aſsiſtance of the places adioyning to Parris, and among others, Meux and Melun, they aduertiſed forraine Princes, and the good Townes of all that had paſſed, ſtill iuſtifying themſelues: they made ſearches in Parris againſt all thoſe that were not of their conſpiracie, the Pollititians & good Frenchmen, ſuch as foreſawe the inconueniences that threatned this Monarchie, by the impetuoſitie of her mutenies, were ſifted and caſt into the aſhes of their hatred. This monſter with ſixteene heads, that ſhould teare the authoritie of lawes, began to cauſe it ſelfe to bee feared, neuertheleſſe, the leaſt aduiſed, that knew that Parris without the king, is a bodie without ſtrength, lamented his departure.

The Capueins finde the King in their proceſſions.They ſent the Capucins in proceſsion to Chartres, thereby to defend the blows of the kings chollor, to put water into the fire that others had kindled, & to reclaim the tempeſts of his iuſt indignatiō. And therwith they ſent ſome of the moſt account of all the Orders in the Cittie, to deſire him with all humilitie, not to remit the innocencie of the Citizens of Parris, to the iudgement of their enemies: to conſider the iuſt cauſes that had conſtrained the people to defend themſelues: to banniſh from his eares all contrary reports and aduiſes: not to deferre his returne to Parris, wherein hee ſhould bee receiued with as many applaudings and reioycings, as his ſubiects had greefes when they vnderſtood of his departure, and where he ſhould finde better ſeruants, then thoſe that had counſelled him to deſtroy them and ſo to depart.The Queen-mother preſent deputies to the King. The Queene-mother was the head of this meſſage, and when the Deputies arriued at Chartres, ſhee preſented them to the king, that heard their Oration, wherein they acknowledged their fault.

And falling downe at his Maieſties feete, ſpake as followeth.

An Oration of the Deputies of Parris made to the King at Chartres.SIr, the dutie, honour, reſpect, feare, and obedience, that wee owe vnto your Maieſtie, maketh vs deſire not to come before your preſence, but onely in all humilitie & ſubmiſsion, to craue the happy continuance of your Graces good fauour, without beeing ſo bolde as once to open our mouthes to vtter any complaint, or daring (although in a iuſt cauſe) to hazard the vſing of free ſpeeches, that might neuer ſo litle be offenſiue vnto your Maieſtie: and for this cauſe, thoſe that ſent vs, had determined, that wee interceſsion for vs, and for more dignitie and reuerence, to interpoſe her ſelfe between vs and your Grace.

But it hath pleaſed you, to will her to ſend vs vnto you, promiſing to giue vs peaceable audience: which hath cauſed vs not onely to continue the ſubmiſsions due vnto your Maieſtie, but to ſatiſfie your commaundement, to appeare before your preſence.

Then one ſpeaking for all, ſaide: Sir, I will not rehearſe the proteſtations by the Princes made vnto you, as well of the honour, which they do beare you, as of their greefe for your Graces abſence: neither will I preuent thoſe which the Deputies of Parris heere preſent will ſhewe you, but onely certifie your Maieſtie, that wee are the bearers of the memoriall which it hath pleaſed you to ſend for, choſen to that end, not that wee eſteeme of our own ſufficiencies (ſpecially my ſelfe) or for other conſiderations, but onely as being men notoriouſly exempted from any ſuſpitions of particular paſsions, in that which concerneth the principall poynts of this requeſt. Where, if in the generall & common greefe, your Maieſtie findeth any propoſition ſomewhat freer and bolder then ordinary, wee beſeech you moſt humbly to remember your commaundement, the proper intereſt of your ſeruice, and the ſorrowes of your poore ſubiects: your clemencie permitteth vs to ſhew our greefe, and that which moſt oppreſſeth vs, is the dammage and preiudice that theſe laſt accidents (among others) haue procured to the ſeruice of your Maieſtie: in ſuch ſort, that if wee ſpeake otherwiſe then becommeth vs, wee ſhall reſemble him that hauing beene dumbe all his life, beginneth not to ſpeake, but when hee ſeeth the ſword drawne to his father, and his king.

For then nature breaketh the obſtacles, and cryeth out, ſaying: Hurt not the king. The paſsion and deſire wee haue to your ſeruice, as our father, our King, our Maiſter, and our Lord, cauſeth vs for that purpoſe to breake our long ſilence, and to vſe the like crie, ſaying: Hurt not the king: ſeparate him not from his good ſubiects, his Nobilitie, the Officers of his Crowne, his Princes, his Courts ſoueraigne, his treaſures, not his greatneſſe.

Take not from him the honour of his zeale, his pietie, his iuſtice, his Clemencie, his mildeneſſe, his goodneſſe, and his humanitie, ſo much renowmed, experimented, and commmeded.

For if at any time heeretofore it hath been done, ſurely by this laſt accident of Parris, it was in more daunger then euer it was, which cauſeth vs to ſpeake with much ſuch affection, in that it threatned vs with the like daunger: And in ſuch manner, that if your Maieſtie had knowne the ſequell thereof, you might haue ſeene ſufficient, whereby to diſcerne what cauſe wee haue to mourne: but for that you knowe it not, wee are in greater hope your Maieſtie wil the better accept the humble petitions of your poore innocent ſubiects, which appeale and inuoke your ayde, in this world, onely next after God, againſt thoſe who abuſing your authoritie, wold ſo ſhamefully deſtroy and maſſacre vs. The thing I haue in charge to preſent vnto your Maiſtie, in the behalfe of the Princes, is ſo true, that they offer to iuſtifie the ſame, when it pleaſeth you to commaund.

In this concurrence of ſo many iuſt complaints, wee moſt humbly beſeech your Maieſtie, to accept our declarations in good part, and beleeue, ſo that wee may liue aſſuredly vnder your protection, in the religion whereof you giue vs ſo good examples, that there is nothing heeretofore happened, that can take away the deuotion which is in vs, for the executing of all your pleaſures, and the intire obedience of your Graces commaundements: and that there is not any kinde of humilitie, ſubmiſsion, or ſatiſfaction, that wee are not readie to yeeld vnto you, not onely in word, but indeed, proteſting in trueth, both before God and man, that in that which is paſt, wee haue not ſought to offend your Maieſtie, or any of your ſubiects, and that our onely deſire is, to ſeeke all the meanes we can, to liue in your gracious fauour, and to pleaſe you.

A requeſt preſented to the king at Chartres.Wherein when you ſhall haue ſatiſfied the expectation of all the world, yet we ſhall not ſatiſfie our ſelues, by reaſon of the inſatiable deſire that burneth in our harts, to continue ſtill more and more agreeable vnto you. The Oration ended, they preſented their petition to the king, containing fiue ſpecipall poynts: that is, the extirpation of hereſie, by leuying of armes both by the king and the League, giuing it the name of the holy vnion, the banniſhment and proſcription of the Duke d'Eſpernon, and Monſieur de la Valette, the performance of the kings voyage to Guyenne, and a voyage to be made by the Duke de Maine into Dauphine: the forgetting of the commotions of Parris: the confirmatiō of officers choſen for the mānaging of the affaires of the ſaid Towne ſince the Barricadoes: the reeſtabliſhing of the good and auncient ordinances of the Realme, leauing the verification of the new edicts, and the declarations made vppon the ſame to the Court of Parliament, aboliſhing the pernicious vſe of parties, defending the acquitting of gifts, but onely in the end of the yeare, wholy aboliſhing and that vpon greeuous puniſhment, the ſuppoſitiō of names, that had bin practiſed the eaſlier to ratifie gifts, made contrarie to the ancient lawes of the Realm, altogither forbidding the practiſe of Receiuers, and all the abuſes indured by meanes of the Duke d'Eſpernon, and Monſieur de la Valette. The longeſt articles of their requeſt, tending onely to that end.

Now let vs ſee how the allegations made by the League againſt them, are confuted by their aunſweres: and firſt you ſhall heare what it ſaith to the King againſt them, and what they aunſwere againſt it. Sir, (faith the League) the Duke of Eſpernon, & Monſieur de Vallette his brother, whom your Maieſtie hath eleuated and inueſted with the greateſt offices and dignities of this Realme, are known not onely throughout France, but in all Chriſtendome, to be the principall fauourers and ſupporters of hereticques in this Realme.

The aunſwere of the Duke de Eſpernon. Your Maieſtie may now wel perceiue,Apologie of the Duke d'Eſpernon to his enemies. that at this preſent the league (pretending their quarrell againſt vs) doth beginne their proceſſe againſt you, and hauing failed in their laſt enterpriſe at Paris, to bereaue your grace both of your authority & liberty, (which God graunt may neuer be effected) they would now ſpoyle your moſt faithfull and bounden ſeruants, and make them the excuſe and whole pretence of their ſo late commotion, but the thing is ſo euident, that this their deuiſe deſerueth not any aunſwere, ſeeing your Maieſtie and all the world haue manifeſtly ſeene it.

What parance ſhould they haue to beginne an enterpriſe in Parris, to take the Duke d'Eſpernon, who as then was reſident in Normandie? And what cauſe mooued them to erect Barricadoes, euen to the Gates of the Lounre, to arme and raiſe the people in a mutinie, and to ceaſe vppon all the keyes of the Cittie, thereby to driue Monſieur de Valette out of Valence and Dauphine, where as then hee continued?

Theſe are the effects of the confeſsion of Salcede, which onely are pretended againſt your Maieſtie, and not againſt the Duke d'Eſpernon, nor Monſieur de la Valette his brother, who ſince it pleaſed your Maieſtie to giue them any charge within this Realme,Confeſſion of Salcede. haue moſt faithfully and worthily acquitted themſelues, therein immitating the ſteps of their deceaſed father,The houſe of the Nogarets hath well deſerued in the Realme. Monſieur de la Valette, one of the greateſt Captains in our time, whoſe ſeruices done for the aduantage of this crowne and dignitie, are yet ſo freſh, and imprinted in the hearts of all Frenchmen, that their enemies cannot chuſe but confeſſe, that hee hath deſerued a recompence therein towards his children, whom it hath pleaſed your Maieſtie to chuſe (as children worthie of ſuch a father) and in them to acknowledge the deſerts of his ſeruice & victories againſt the heriticques of this Realme.

An example whereof, the Duke of Eſpernon in leſſe then ſixe months,An explort done by the Duke d'Eſpernon in Prouence. hath clenſed all Prouence (which it pleaſed your Maieſtie to commit vnto their charge) of all whatſoeuer the Hereticques for the ſpace of twentie yeares hath holden therein, and from whence they had not been driuen, by all their predeceſſors Gouernours of the ſame: and hauing banniſhed the Miniſters and principall Leaders from Seine, they haue ſo well pacified and gouerned that Prouence, that euer ſince it hath remained in the entire obedience to your Maieſtie.

The taking of Sorgues. The Duke d'Eſpernons voyage to Guyenne. His fanour to the enemies of the league. His enterpriſe vpon Cambray. His deeds in Dauphine. The reaſon for which the league doth band themſelues againſt the Duke d'Eſpernon.The taking of Sorgues in Dauphine in winter reaſon, by thoſe two bretheren, witneſſeth what mindes they beare. And ſince the ouerthrow of Huguenot Switzers, ſpoyled by Monſieur de la Valette, ſheweth the intelligence and conference they are likely to haue with hereticques. The League ſpecifieth the places where they ſhewed thoſe fauors, as the Duke of Eſpernons voyage into Guyenne, the treaties there by him made, the counſels that hee gaue, the fauour hee ſhewed to ſuch as hee knewe to beare them affection, the hatred hee ſhewed towards all good Catholicques, (ſpecially ſuch as hee eſteemed to hold with the League) the intelligence hee had with the affaires that Cleruant followed for the Huguenots in Metz. The enterpriſes he made vppon Cambray, a towne belonging to the Queene. The ſuſpition hee hath giuen to all honeſt men. The ayde hee gaue to the Rutters (beeing ouerthrowne) concerning their returne ſeruing them for a guard. The counſell by him giuen touching the laſt troubles happened in Parris. The ſecret conferences hee hath had with Chaſtillon, the actions of his brother, as the taking of Valence, Tallard, Guillestre, and other places which he hath taken from the Catholicques of Dauphine, the meanes hee hath vſed therein, to aduance the power of the hereticques, by the deſtruction of that Prouence, and the ſubtilties hee vſed, to impeach the reducing of Auſonne, do ſufficiently diſcouer their pretences.

And when it pleaſeth your Maieſtie to haue further declaration hereof, with the generall conſent of all your ſubiects, wee will bring diuers ſufficient proofes, which at this preſent would bee ouer long to ſet downe, and which for diuers good cauſes wee will now omit.

This common opinion of the intelligence that the ſaid Duke de Eſpernon and Mouſieur de la Valette, haue with the Hugunots, and the high eſtate whervnto it hath pleaſed your Maieſtie to aduance them, maketh your good ſubiects to feare (ſpecially the Catholicques) that if your fauor ſhould once bee withdrawne from them, (as it is impoſsible that their inſolent behauiors can long time be indured by ſo great and wiſe a King) not finding any entertainment among the Catholicques, they will take part with Hereticques, and thereby deliuer all the Prouences and ſtrong places that are in their poſſeſsions, into their hands, whith whom alreadie they haue ſo great intelligence, in ſuch manner, that France (that may ſhortly be deliuered of hereſie) ſhould become more ſubiect to their tyrannicall dominion then euer it was.

The Dukes anſwere Ʋpon the taking of Dauphine.The Duke de Eſpernon replyeth by his Councell, and ſaith, that hee tooke Valence and other places in Dauphine, and put out thoſe of the league, (that had no authoritie therein) to place his Maieſties ſouldiers: if that deſerue not an excuſe, I referre it to the iudgement of all honeſt men. I would to God he had alſo taken Chaalons, Dyon, Montreuil, and all that acknowledgeth not your Maieſtie, within the heart of the Realme: and yet hee hath not done it without cauſe and lawfull excuſe, which hath beene often debated before your Maieſtie and your Councell.

The fauour which he bare to hereticques.As touching the other poynts of their accuſation, touching the fauour which the League ſaith the Duke d'Eſpernon beareth vnto Hereticques, your Maieſtie knoweth, and can diſprooue their vntrueths: if they bee ſo in this, that as touching the ouerthrow of the Rutiters, there was not any man that trauelled ſo much therein, as the ſaide Duke d'Eſpernon, who onely by your Maieſties good pleaſure and authoritie, hauing effected the diſvnion of the Switzers,The King of Nauarres complaint againſt the Duke de Eſpernon. cauſed their confuſion, and by that meanes gaue the Duke of Guiſe occaſion to ſet vppon them at Auneau, for the which hee is ſo much commended, to the diſgracing of your Maieſtie, and the honour of that victorie that is due vnto you. By this your Maieſtie may iudge the truth of all their accuſations, that knoweth the particularities of the voiage to Guyenne, what was done by the Duke d'Eſpernon, and what followed, all contrary to their declarations. Whereby I dare ſay, the King of N. was ſo much diſpleaſed at the ſaid D. of Eſpernon, that there is not any man in France, with whom he is more offended. The League addeth, that the D. of Eſpernon & his brother, are the authors of the diſorders in all the good gouernments and pollicie of France: that they haue gotten into their Coffers, all the treaſures of the Realme: that they haue aſpired to the principall offices of the Crowne, ſeparated from it, diuers of thoſe that would ſerue it both well and wiſely: and beſought the King, ſeeing he knew them to be the cauſe and original of the miſchiefe, that it would pleaſe him to banniſh them both of his Court and fauour, and diſcharge them of all the gouernments and offices that they hold within this Realme, without any deſert. The Duke d'Eſpernon ſaith, that all whatſoeuer they ſay, are but chimeres and inuentions, maliciouſly deuiſed: for the iuſtification whereof,The Dukes offer, to teſtifie the truth of his innocencis. hee will gage his head to bee layde at the kings ſeere, if it bee found that hee once ſo much as dreamed thereof. And to the contrary, hee reputeth all the cauſes of miſeries vppon the heads of the houſe of Guiſe. Who hath brought diſorder (ſaith hee) in the treaſures (whereof you make ſo great a matter) but your predeceſſors, & you that follow their ſteps? Who conſtrained the king to exact vppon his people, but onely the warres, which the vnmeaſurable ambition hath renued, & put them vpon the Kings charges? let the chamber of accounts be examined, & there it ſhall be ſeen: who without contradiction hath handled and gouerned the treaſures of the late kings, Henry and Francis the ſecond: let the moſt auncient Hiſtories be pervſed, to ſee what houſe in France hath riſen from a moſt meane beginning, to a high and great eſtate.

I will name no man, euery man knoweth ſufficiently what houſe it is, that would thruſt his head into the cloudes,Gifts of the king, without importunitie, and with his foote ſpurne off the kings Crowne: wee moſt humbly call his Maieſtie to witneſſe, as our king, the author of our beeing, our Protector, and our good Maiſter, if wee euer were importunate with him, for any benefit we haue receiued at his Graces hands, and whether all whatſoeuer wee haue both riches and honour, haue not proceeded from him of his free and voluntarie libertie.

Wee praiſe God, that wee cannot bee accuſed to bee Penſionaries to the king of Spaine, or to haue receiued mony from him, to make war againſt our king, and impeached him from taking into his protection, the gouernment of the lowe Countries, nor by force to haue taken the monies of his generall receipts, robbed the waggon of Bourges, and in time of open peace, conſtrained the mony of Normandie, to bee conducted by a hundreth men of armes, euen to the Gates of Parris.

It ſhall not bee long of vs, that this reformation ſhould not bee performed in France, wee will abſent our ſelues from the Court, and from the preſence of the king. Now my Maiſters the reformers, let vs ſee ſome goodly beginning of your policie: Is your ambition, deuiſes, practiſes, or inuentions,The Duke d'Eſpernon is forbidden the Court. to attain to the higheſt dignitie, therby any thing ceaſed? Haue you left Paris, & reſtored it into the hands of her naturall king and Princes? No: but to the contrary, you haue made Melun and Corbeil, to reuolt in the very ſight of his Maieſtie, and all the beſt townes in this Realme, which by falſe perſwaſions you haue ledde out of the right way.

And to conclude, wee will refuſe no condition, that may reſtore and eſtabliſh this Realme to peace and tranquillitie, and as wee do moſt willingly craue your Maieſties preſence (in a time wherein wee ought not to doo it) thereby to giue no cauſe of diſſiking to our enemies: ſo will wee bee alwaies readie to yeelde vnto your Maieſties hands, both liues: and goods,The Kings anſwere to the requeſt of the league. with all eſtates, charges, gouernments, places, and Caſtles, that it hath pleaſed you to commit vnto vs, vppon condition that our accuſers will doo the like. And if any man finde this propoſition and reciprocall ſubmiſsion between perſons, which they may terme vnequall to bee ſtraunge, let them remember, and receiue this for ſatiſfaction, that all whatſoeuer the one and the other hath, is by your Grace, and which they cannot iuſtly hold, longer then it pleaſeth you.

The king that ſat as vmpeir in this contention, by their anſweres and replies ſtill receiued ſome blowes, yet hee knewe that their declarations were not ſo ſmooth, but that the accuſations in his behalfe, would eaſilie bee aunſered: and beeing preſſed by the League to yeeld to their requeſt, he giueth the Cardinall of Bourbon, and all the reſt of the Princes (in whoſe name it was preſented) to vnderſtand, that both in peace and warre, hee had ſufficiently ſhewed the proofe of his good will, to the preſeruation of the onely Catholicque religion in his Realme, and to the extirpation of contrary ſects, without ſparing his own perſon, euen at the laſt ouerthrow of the Proteſtant Rutters entered into this Realm,The victorie of the Rutters. which had not happened without the preſence and good conduction of his ſaid Maieſtie, that ſtayed them vppon the ſide of the riuer of Louure, which they had gotten with little loſſe and weaking, as euery man knoweth.

That iealouſies & diſtruſt had hindered him from reaping the profite of the aduantage which hee had againſt the Hereticques, hauing ſought all meanes hee could, to impeach the motions of thoſe diuiſions, as namely to forget that which had happened at Parris, as long as the Cittizens behaued themſelues like good and faithfull ſubiects, truſting in the bountie and clemencie of their Prince, whereof they haue ſo many times had ſufficient proofe, that they neede not doubt thereof.

That hee lamented the diſorders that haue crept into the affaires of this eſtate, as alſo the contentions that brake the laſt peace: that he deſired nothing ſo much, as ſpeedily to ſee a preſent reformation, and that to the ſame effect, hee would aſſemble the third eſtates of France, as the moſt aſſured remedie, which his predeceſſors in ſuch occaſions haue alwaies vſed. That hee was reſolued preſently to reuoke diuers edicts and impoſitions wherewith his people were charged. That in the aſſembly of the eſtates, his Maieſtie would take order for the doubt the Catholieques haue to fall into the gouernment of hereticques: and that touching the particular complaint made by the ſaide Princes againſt the Duke d'Eſpernon & his brother, he would make it known, that both in that, and all other things, hee is a Prince both equall and iuſt, hauing ſpeciall regard not to doo iniurie or wrong to any man. And withall, that hee preferred the publike vtilitie of his Realme, before all other things. The Court of Parliament, who by their wiſedome that knewe that the abſence of the ſunne which giueth it light, would from thence forward make it become obſcure and without light, by reaſon of the thicke cloudes of diuiſions, would not withdrawe their helpes from that trouble and diſquietneſſe of the eſtate, nor turne their backe to the king, neither bring vpon themſelues the infamous markes or rebellion, or permit that his Councellours ſhould be termed ouerthrowers of their Princes:The Court of Parliament ſent the Deputies to the King. but ſent their Deputies to his Maieſtie, to ſhewe him of the greefe they had conceiued at that accident, and at the miſchiefe that had conſtrained him to go out of Parris, to reclaime his bountie and clemencie, to diuert his iuſt vengeance from the heades of his ſubiects, excuſe his officers, if in ſo great a commotion, imbiſilitie and feare, had made them bend their necks, to deſire him to come thither againe, to reſtore quietneſſe and contentment to his Maieſtie, order in his affaires, credite to their purple robes, authoritie to their eſtate, & by his preſence to diſpearſe mutenies, which by diuiſion had beene raiſed.

The Kings anſwere to the Court of Parliament.The king anſwered therevnto, that he neuer doubted but that they would continue in the ſidelitie and affection, which they had alwaies ſhewed to his aunceſtors, that if it had beene in their powers, to haue taken order touching the diſorders in Parris, hee was fully perſwaded they would haue done it: that he had conceiued a moſt extreame greefe thereat, although hee ſaid hee had not beene the firſt that had fallen into ſuch miſfortunes: that notwithſtanding all that, he would alwaies be a good father, to ſuch as ſhewed themſelues good children: that in the quallitie of a father, hee would vſe the Parriſians as his ſonnes, that had fayled in their duties: and not as ſeruants, that conſpired againſt their Maiſter: hee commaunded them to continue in their charges, according to their duties, and from the mouth of the Queene-mother, to receiue the commaundements and executions of his will and pleaſure.

The King ſends for the Deputies of the Court.Wherewith the Deputies of the Parliament withdrew themſelues, & when after dinner they were readie to depart, the king ſent for them, and ſaid vnto them: I haue once againe ſent for you, that before you go, I might let you vnderſtand, (beſides that I ſayd vnto you in the morning) that I haue beene aduertiſed of the allegation vſed in my behalfe, that I would place a Garriſon in my town of Parris: I am much abaſhed how that entered into their heads. I knowe what Garriſons meane, they are eyther placed to deſtroy a Towne, or elſe becauſe of ſome diſtruſt that is had in the Inhabitants: they ought not to thinke that I would ouerthrowe or deſtroy a Towne, to the which, I haue ſhewed ſo many ſignes of great good will, and which I haue inriched by my long continuance therein, as hauing ſtayed there more then tenne others of my predeceſſors euer did, which hath procured, yea euen to the meaneſt Artificers therein, that great trafficque which at this day they haue: and ſo much, that it might haue benefited tenne or twelue other Townes, which would haue been glad thereof: and where my officers haue had cauſe to vſe my helpe, as likewiſe Merchants and others: I haue not denied it vnto them, ſo that they may iuſtly ſay, I haue alwaies ſhewed my ſelf a good king in their behalfes: leſſe cauſe ſhould I likewiſe haue, to enter into diſtruſt of thoſe whom I loued, and of whom I might haue aſſured my ſelfe, as I verily thought. So that the amitie I bare vnto them, ought to haue bereaued them of this fond opinion, that I would place a Garriſon among them: and it is wel knowne, that not one ſouldier ſet foote or entered into any houſe, to looke eyther bread or prouiſion whatſoeuer: but to the contrary, I ſent them mony and other neceſſaries, and they had not ſtayed there aboue foure and twentie houres at the furtheſt, which had been till the next day, but they ſhould haue lodge elſe where. I determined to haue made an exact ſearch, for diuers ſtraungers that as then were in my Towne of Parris, and not deſiring to offend any man. I ſent to the Lords of my Court, namely to the D. of Guiſe, to the end they ſhould giue me a roll of their domeſticall ſeruaunts, and to ſend the reſt away, whom I vnderſtood to be in great numbers, at the leaſt fifteen thouſand, which I did for the preſeruation of my good Town of Parris, with ſureties of my ſubiects. And therefore I will haue them to acknowledge their faults with greefe and true contrition: I knowe well that they are put in minde, and made beleeue, that hauing offended mee in that ſort, my indignation is vnreconcileable: but I would haue you to let them know, that I am not ſo diſpoſed to looſe them, and as God (whoſe Image although vnwoorthie I beare heere vppon earth) will not the death of a ſinner: ſo I deſire not their ouerthrow. I will trie the gentilleſt meanes, and when they ſhall confeſſe their fault, and ſhew by effect what ſorrow they haue, I will receiue and imbrace them as my ſubiects, ſhewing my ſelfe like a father to his children: yea a friend to his friend: I will haue them to acknowledge mee for their good King and Maiſter, which if they doo not, but rather feede me with delayes, withdrawing my hands, as I can well do, I will make them know their offences, whereof the memorie ſhall remaine to all poſterities: for it beeing the chiefe and principall Towne, honoured with the Supreme Court of my Realme, and other Courts, Priuiledges, honours, and Vniuerſities, I can as you know, reuoke my Court of Parliament, Chambers of accounts, aydes and other Courts and vniuerſities, which would turne to their great decay.

For that ceaſing, their trafficques and other commodities would decreaſe: yea, and wholly decay, as it happened in the yeare 1579. during the great plague, by reaſon of my abſence, and the diſcontinuance of the Parliament, a great number of my Councellours beeing retired, ſo that the ſame yeare, many of the ſhippes ſtood ſhut vp, and the people liued idle, ſpending their time in playing and walking in the ſtreetes.

I knowe there are many honeſt men within my Towne of Parris, and that of foure, three parts are of that number, which are greeued for the miſchiefe that is happened: then let them with ſpeede procure my iuſt contentment, that I be not conſtrained to vſe rigor, which to my great greefe I would bee loth to doo. You know, that patience once mooued, turneth into fury, and what a king that is diſpleaſed may doo. For ſurely I will imploye all my power, not leauing any meanes vnſought, to reuenge my ſelfe on them, although my minde bee not reuengetiue, but I would that they would know, that both my hart and courage, is as great as any of my predeceſſors euer was: I haue not as yet, ſince my aduancement to the Crowne, after my brothers death, nor my returne out of Polonia, vſed rigor to any man, which you both knowe, and can well witneſſe: neither I will that any man ſhould abuſe my clemencie and long ſuffering.

I am no vſurper, I am lawfull king by ſucceſsion, as you all can teſtifie, and of a race that hath alwaies commanded with benignitie. It is in vaine to ſpeake of religion: I muſt take another courſe, there is no Prince liuing in the world, more Catholicque and deſirous of the extirpation of hereſies, then I am, which both mine actions and life hath ſhewed vnto my people. I would it had coſt mee an arme, that the picture of the laſt Hereticque, were painted here vpon my chamber wall. Now you may returne to execute your charges, and alwaies be of good courage, for you need to feare nothing, if I ſtand by you, and I commaund you to let them vnderſtand what I haue ſaid. Not long after, the K. determined to go to Roane, where the Inhabitants receiued him with great ioy, ſhewing ſo many ſignes of their great deſires to liue in his obedience, that their fidelitie and loue, mittigated the griefe of the reuolt and murenie of others:The king goeth to Roane and not long before, the Town of Lyons had expreſly ſent vnto the king, to deſire his Maieſtie to come thither, & to acknowledge that their long and continuall fidelitie, ſhould appeare ſo much the firmer, as by how much the more it was continually ſought to be detected.

When the Duke of Guiſe perceiued that Parris in great haſte returned vnder the kings obedience, from the which it had ſo ſuddainely reuolted, that the ſhame to bee without him, made the boldeſt of them holde downe their heads, that the violence of rebellion beganne to leſſen, by meanes of naturall reaſon, that the ſonne of the kings authoritie beganne to waxe hotte, and that there was not any deſperate leaguer, but acknowledged that the abſence of the Court would bee a hinderance to his purſe, his ſhop, and his affaires: hee determined to winne the kings fauour,The Nobles of the league findes the day of the Barricadoes very greeuous. thereby not to looſe the ayde of thoſe that found the action within Parris to bee ouer hardie. All his ſeruants (himſelf beginning) returned to the wearing of their old cloaks of the K. authoritie, which by their Barricadoes they had wholly troden vnder foote: the third word that iſſued out of their fained and diſſembling mouthes, was, the ſeruice of the king, the obedience of his Maieſtie, the preſeruation of the The Nobles of the league finds the day of the Barricadoes very greeuous.eſtate, there formations of diſorders, and the reliefe of the people, beleeuing that this ſecond enterpriſe would ſucceede with as much contentment and impunitie as the firſt, and in ſteed of maintaining himſelf in the degree whervnto by ſo many paines, daungers, and troubles hee had as then attained, he deſcended of a ſuddaine, and went to finde the Queen-mother, and with her to make ſome euill ſhapen coate, the king reapeth more profit by his enemies then hee looked for. Plutarche ſaith, there was one, that giuing a thruſt with his ſword into his enemies bodie, by chance pearced an impoſtume therein, which without doubt had killed him ſhortly after, if that new Surgeon had not brokē it. And ſo if the great mutinie of Parris had not ſuppreſſed the great aboundance of colde and heauie humours, that long reſt and pleaſure hadde bredde, and conſtrained the king to riſe and beſtirre himſelfe, hee had returned to his ſolitarie life, and ſo moſt certanly had loſt his Crowne, before he could perceiue it. The boldneſſe of this enterpriſe filled his courage, and from that time forward, hee determined either to liue like a victorious king,The profit which he hath of his enemies. ordie vanquiſhed. But hee perceiued himſelfe to bee reduced into two extremities, both very daungerous, in the middle whereof, there ſtood a deep and profound pit, the anker of his ſafetie is peace, he could not make it both with the league and Huguenots togither: if hee turned to the one ſide, hee was aſſayled by the other: if hee ſtayed in the middle, hee was charged by them both, that of force he was conſtrained to take part with the one,The king reſolueth to be reuenged of the Duke of Guiſe. becauſe hee had been ſo imprudent to ſuffer them both: and that of a King hee muſt become the Generall of a faction. And in this manner, beeing driuen heere and there, by the incertitude of his conceptions, feeble, vnreſolued, and inuironed with ſo many diſtruſts, by the apprehenſion of the miſchiefe, he ſuffered his minde to bee ledde away from the boundes of his nature: And beganne to be very chollericke againſt the Huguenots, to haue the League on his ſide, ſo to ayde himſelf with their forces againſt them. But thoſe in whom hee ought to put moſt credit, that lamented the diminiſhing of his authoritie, and the weakning of his forces, and that perceiued him bent to procure his owne deſtruction, counſelled him to make peace with the king of Nauarre, Councels of peace. An edict of peace, 1576. and not to breake the edict of pacification, which he had (worne, not in the field by force or imbecilitie of infancie (as king Charles his bother did) but after ſo many victories, in the flower of his years, in the ſtrenth of his wit, & in preſence of all the Realme of France, putting his faith into the handes of God, who is a iuſt reuenger of ſuch as breake it, although it be giuē vnto their enemies. They propounded the ſame reaſons wherewith in the yeare 1577. they defended the libertie of conſciences, inforcing them with diuers examples & moſt certain arguments. Others, that for ye moſt part are creatures of ye league, cōdemned ye counſell, at euery word they ſpake, crying: Set vpō the Huguenot: religiō, the church, & the truth, wil alwaies remain:The league will haue warre. they braued in their diſcourſes, they perſwaded the K. to continue wars, & to acknowledge that God had ſent him thoſe Machabes of Lorraine, to reſiſt Infidels: thoſe Herculeſes, againſt monſters: that race of Monfort, againſt the relicques of Albigios. Sir, (ſaid they) you ſhall looſe the name of moſt chriſtian king, if you yeeld vnto theſe hereſies, that draw the ſap out of religion. You ſhall be the only king among 60. of your predeceſſors, that hath ſo faintly permitted & ſuffred ſo pernicious & deteſtable a mixſtur of truth & lies: & it wil be ſaid, that vnder your raigne, Temples were without Altars: Altars without ſacrifices: Churches without Miniſters, and God without ſeruice.

The gainſaying of thoſe of the league. Godlineſſe deſireth not warres.The others knowing well, that thoſe faire and goodly couertures, hide and keepe cloſe moſt infamours rebellions: and to put both fire and ſword into the deepe woundes of the League, ſaid: That as then it was no more requiſite to decide religion by armes: pietie is not ioyned to weapous, men ſpeake not of God but in blaſphemie and curſing, they worſhipped him not but in vanities, entered not into Churches but to prophane them, laye hand aſſoone vpon the Prieſt and religious perſons, as vppon the Miniſter or Deacon, and the fury and blindneſſe of the ſouldier, doth not diſtinguiſh that in his eye, which in heart hee well diſcerneth. And to bee ſhort, warre vndermineth religion, as woormes conſume trees, ruſt eateth Iron, and a feuer weakeneth mans body, it ingendreth Atheiſts, Libertines, and Epicurians, it maketh Cittizens of one Towne, ſuch as drinke of one fountaine, and that liue vnder one ayre, to become ſo wilde and vncourteous each to other, that of men they become wolues & Tigers, ſuch as deſired that the leaguers ſword ſhould driue away the Huguenots, as the Engliſhmen were driuen out of France: Zozomen lib. 3. Hiſt. tripart. chap. 11. ſay to the contrarie, that there is no warre more iuſt, holy, nor neceſſary, then that which is vndertaken onely to procure the ſeruice of God by one religion, ſaying: that Conſtantine with weapon in hand ouerthrew the Paganiſme of his Empire, extirped the aſſemblies of hereticques, Nouaciens, Valentiens, Marchioniſts, and Paulianiſts, not leauing them any means whereby they might offend the libertie of the religion that hee held.

Theodozius the elder, made warre againſt the Arrians: Theodozius his ſon, againſt the Neſtorians, Marcians, and Manicheens. And that our kings had not attained the name of chriſtrian Princes, but by moſt vertuouſly ſacrifiſing their liues for the defence of religion. You take not the Hiſtorie (ſaid the defendants) as it is to be vnderſtood:Warre was not made againſt heretiques, til after they were condemned of hereſie. you read not, that wars were made againſt the Arrians, Nouatians, Manicheens, and other hereticques, vntill the Councels of Nice, Epheſe, and Calcedonia, had confuted their errors, and condemned their opinions. Wee haue not to doo with ſuch people, they are called members of one church like vs: they confeſſe one redemption with vs, hoping for their ſaluation therein, as we do: there is neither Infidelitie, nor Idolatrie in their maner of ſeruing God: they blaſpheme his name leſſe then we do: puniſhing ſuch as offend his lawes, more then we: and there is nothing in their doctrine, that ſhaketh the foundations of our faith. You call them heretiques, it is long ſince they affirme this word not to be agreeable to their doctrine: ther is no ſentence nor iudgemēt pronoūced againſt thē: ſuch as er, are not therfore to be accounted heriticques: hereſie is the folly of an opinious minde, ſo that falſe opinion and obſtinacie, are the two poynts that make an hereticque: the one depēdeth of the vnderſtāding carried away with errors and falſehoods: the other of the obſtinate minde, perſeuering in thoſe errors. If the Huguenots knew they erred, or if they were wilfull in their ignorance, why would they haue ſuffered themſelues to bee ſlaine and maſſacred in that hotte caniculer month of Auguſt, in the yeare 1572. If they were obſtinate, would they ſo often aske Councels, eyther generall, or nationall, to inſtruct them? as for vs that haue this bleſsing of God, to be chriſtians, inſtructed in the Catholicque Church, which wee beleeue to be Romaine, we know that Huguenots haue more need of pietie, thē paine: of doctrine, then deſtruction: and of Catechiſing, then impriſonment.

Wee take compaſsion vppon ſuch as wee perceiue to bee out of their wits, and that runne headlong into miſchiefe: and why ſhould not wee haue the like feeling towards thoſe that are mortally wounded with thoſe errors, that in a whole and liuely bodie, beare a weake and paſte ſoule, lanquiſhing and ſpoyled by the poiſon that hath ſo long conſumed it. The Catholicque calleth the Huguenot an hereticque, becauſe hee beleeueth not ynough: the Huguenot calleth the Catholicque hereticque, becauſe he beleeueth too much. The Hoguenot beleeueth not euill, in that wherein hee agreeth with vs, but he beleeueth not ynough, and wanteth in that which he beleeueth not: hee hath nothing but it commeth from vs, but there is a fault committed in the alteration, and not in the eſſence: and I ſay following our inſtructors, that hereſie is rather a want of good, then poſſeſsion of euill.

The difference in religion, ſhould mildly be agreed vpon.Hee is not euill inſtructed in the principals of faith, but hee is not ſufficiently informed touching the Ceremonies: he beleeueth conſtantly in the onely word of God, contained in the booke called cannonicall: the Catholicque taketh the interpretations of the word of God made by the Church, for an infallible rule of his ſaluation, and not like the Huguenot, by the particular ſence, but by the vniuerſall conſent of the Church aſſembled togither, vnder a legitimate head, which is the Pope: accord theſe two tunes, & make them beleeue in the traditions that ſince the time of the Apoſtles haue beene brought into the Church, our Ceremonies in the adminiſtration of our Sacrament, and in the election of Miniſters, and they are pleaſed, and wee ſhall haue no more neede of warres. If they ſay they will haue no other Iudges to determine their differences but the holy Scriptures, which of it ſelfe is eaſie ynough without interpretations or Commentaries, and that if it bee darke in one place, it is opened in another, tell them, that it is not ſo eaſie, plaine, nor open, but that diuers men do ſtumble in the vnderſtanding thereof: that it is not ſo cleare, as that without interpretation it can diſcide all the controuerſies of our faith: that as God in the old lawes would haue a Moyſes to iudge the law, ſo he wold haue Miniſters his ſucceſſors, yt they ſhal determine difficulties of the doctrine of the Goſpell. Make them to agree with vs therein, your difference will ſoone be ended: and you ſhall banniſh wars & ſchiſmes in France. To thoſe reaſons the league oppoſed theirs, and ſaid: Your arguments are of no conſequent: you ſay, that the Huguenot is not to bee purſued by armes, becauſe hee is not declared hereticque by cannonicall proceedings: that hee is no hereticque becauſe hee is not ſtubborne: that hee is not ſtubborne, becauſe hee deſireth inſtruction: turne ouer the leaſe, and you ſhall finde that the Huguenot ought to bee purſued by armes, in that he hath beene condemned for an heretique by all the Councells, ſpecially of that of Trent: that all nouelties are odious to the Church: that he is an heretique, for that knowing, & as it wer with his finger touching his error, he ſtādeth ſtubbornly in defence. Obſtinacy & ſence reprooued, is the puniſhmēt of his infidelitie: it is then to no end that he ſhould aske inſtruction, when there is no hope of amendment: it is a tree without fruite, and good for nothing but to bee caſt into the fire. To this poynt, thoſe that loued peace,The warres for religion, conſ • ſteth of a great number of Catholiques. how deare ſoeuer it were, cried out and ſaid: Will you then haue a new recourſe to fiers, puniſhments, and remedies, which wee haue alreadie tried to bee more proper to kindle and ſpread abroad, then to quench and ſtop the euill?

Do you not as yet perceiue, that God deteſteth the terrible perſecutions vſed againſt them in all the Courts of Parris, that the Princes, Gouernours of Townes, Magiſtrates, and officers of iuſtice, haue with their owne bloods payed vſerie for the vnmeaſurable ſhedding of Chriſtians blood, that ſince the Magiſtrate left puniſhing, and that the Prince hath purſued them by armes, there hath died at the leaſt a thouſand Catholicques, to kill a hundreth Huguenots.

The king is become a Captaine at his owne coſts in the battels of Iarnac and Moncontour, hee hath continued for the ſpace of tenne or twelue yeares togither, to make warres againſt them, and in the ende, after hee had vſed all meanes, and attempted all extremities, hee perceiued it was in vaine for him to kil, to make men beleeue, that the Goſpel is not planted with other tooles, then the word and peaceableneſſe, that it increaſeth by ſuffering, and not by perſecution.

Ieſus Chriſt planted his Church by miracles. Mahomet by force and violence. Religion is not the cauſe but the pretext of the warre.The Talmud with her toyes, and the Alcaron with her impoſtures, deteſt the Chriſtians furie, that kill each other: the firſt ſaith, that Ieſus Chriſt increaſed the Church by vertue of miracles: and Machomet, by force of armes. Wee know well, and if wee confeſſe it not, wee are traitors to our countrie, and of all others, the moſt incencible: that religion is not to be preached by drumb and fyfe: and that of a hundreth that beare armes, there is not tenne but haue an other intent then onely religion. We know that this warre is a meere war againſt the eſtate, that nothing was ſaid touching the king of Nauarres conſcience, vntill it was euidently ſeene, that by the death of Monſieur the kings brother, hee was the next in ſucceſsion to the Crowne: and that it is moſt certaine, that the League buildeth the aſſurance of things preſent, by thoſe that are to come: that vpon the imaginatiue feare and of the ſucceſsion of a Prince of an other religion, (the king beeing in the flower and ſtrength of his age) they diſpute of the right poſſeſsion, and eſtabliſh their vſurpation. The Monarchie paſſeth to an other branch of the blood royall,The Cardinall of Bourbon. becauſe the king hath no children, & becauſe we ſhould haue ſome, they preſent vs an olde Prince, an olde tree without fruit, a hollow oake, which ſerueth but for a ſupport to the iuyce of the League, and to the hopes of the Duke of Guiſe, that climeth vnto the royaltie by his meanes. Duke of Guiſe, who vnder colour to powre water vppon thoſe flames, to place order in diſorder, and reformation inabuſe, ſuffereth men to burne in flame, and ouerthrow all things. Wherefore from hencefoorth, the king muſt looke vnto that which as yet reſteth whole and intire within his Realme: that hee ſhould make peace with the Huguenots: that he ſhould help himſelf with their forces which are Frenchmen, againſt thoſe Hiſpaniolized mindes, that will eyther vſurpe the Soueraigntie of this eſtate, or elſe conuert it into cantons like the Switzers. To giue peace to the Huguenots, to ayde himſelfe with their forces, to ouerthrow the Catholiques, to ſtirre vp the Pope, the king of Spaine, and all Italy, and in a word, to conſtraine France to reuolt. The king ought not to doo it, and it is too much perill for himſelfe,Obiections againſt the League. too much miſerie for his people, & too much iniurie to the Church, whereof hee is the eldeſt ſonne: hee ſhould call wolues to helpe, which in the end would deuoure the ſheepe: hee ſhould ſerue himſelfe with foxes, that in fine, would kil thee geeſe: the king ſhould bee Lent, and the king of Nauarre the enterance into Lent: or as we ſay, Careſme prenant: and then Huguenots would be ledde in triumphs through the Realme. If the king ſhould do it, it would bee openly ſaid, that hee ſupporteth and aduanceth hereticques, that ſeeking to do for himſelfe, hee doth for them: hee will put Catholicques in diſpaire, and his crowne in hazard. Venceſlaus King of Bohemia and Emperour, was expoſed only becauſe he ſuffered the Huſsites to haue the free exerciſe of their religion.Defence for the Edicts of peace. The league was deuiſed only to breake the Edict of pacification: which don, it left armes: when it ſaw it ſhould haue bin ſubdued, it roſe vp againe, and made that commotion in Parris. The Kings Edicts of pacification concerning the libertie of conſcience, are not made but with prouiſo, this age is ſo full of all corruptions, that whoſoeuer ſeeketh to purge them, the healing would be more daungerous by the remedies that ſhould be miniſtred,Medici plus interdu quiete, quàm moriendo atque agendo proſiciunt. Tit. Liu. then the paines and langures of the diſeaſe it ſelfe. God will raiſe ſome great Monarch, that will vſe remedies altogither different from thoſe, which paſsion, vengeance, and chollor, putteth into our hands. We muſt let this fiſtula remaine for a time within the bodie, if you ſtop it, the vicious humors that abound therein, will ſufferate & choake it vp. The diſeaſe muſt haue her courſe, and in the end it will ceaſe: this hereſie will vanniſh away as all the reſt haue done, whereof by the grace of God, there reſteth nothing but the memorie: the queſtion is, to thinke vppon thoſe that ſeeke to ſucke the ſap of this eſtate, and vnder the ruines therof, to ouerthrow the pietie and the Monarchie.The leagues anſwere. In the affaires of the K. & of religion, all delay is daungerous. To feare the miſchiefes and chances that may fall out on both ſides, or to ſtand with armes croſſed, attending till God lendeth ayde from heauen, is temerite, fooliſhneſſe, and crime.In rebus fide periculoſa cunctatio. Catholicque religion is ſicke, it is in great extremitie, and the Phiſitian ſtayeth to conſult of her diſeaſe, and to apply the remedies, while ſhe is readie to die: it is great fooliſhneſſe not to cut off inconueniences at the beginning, but much more folly to neglect the miſchief, vnder pretence of hauing taken too deep roote: it is better late then neuer: it is a kinde of deſperation not to know the diſeaſe, and a franzie, knowing it, not to ſeeke a remedie.

You haue been ſo oftentimes tolde, that two religions cannot be ſuffered in one Realme, that this diuerſitie cauſeth quarrels in particulars, & then ſeditions, mutinies, and ciuill warres, which neuer end but with the ſubuerſion of the eſtate. This diuerſitie neuer ſuffereth the eſtate to liue in peace, and alwaies furniſheth ſufficient courage, to the moſt buſie and troubleſome, vnder that large pretence to mooue their ambitions.

Religio & timor dei ſolus eſt, qui cuſtodit hominum inter ſe ſocie, tatem, Lactant. Alcibiade ſerued his turne there within Grecia, Sertorius in Rome, Ennus in Siria, and Selurus in Italie. The tranquillitie of the Common-wealth, conſiſteth in the vnion and accord of the Cittizens, take away this concord, and it is but a piracie, and a retraict of robbers and theeues: the ſtrongeſt band that vniteth mens minds, is religion: it is an adament that draweth a ring, and that ring draweth an other, vntill at laſt your chaine is fully accompliſhed: it is the wood that entertaineth the fier of our amities: it is the ciment that ioyneth the peeces of the building of our eſtate: it is the heart of the Common-wealth: take the brandes out of the fire, and it will bee quenched: the morter and ſtones from a houſe, and it will fall: vnlooſe the boordes of a ſhip, and it will ſinke into the water: take the heart out of this bodie, and it dieth. And God who is trueth it ſelfe, ſaith: that kingdomes diuided, ſhall be deſolate, diſpearſed and ouerthrowne. This ciuill life will ſooner leaue the moſt neceſſarie elements, fire and ayre: and liue rather without life, then voyde of religion.Thr firſt foū dation of the eſtate and ciuil ſocietis, hath bene religion inuiolably obſerued.

We finde people that neuer had kings, and can well liue without them: there are ſome that haue liued without lawes, without warres, and without learning, but there is not any people that can maintaine or continue their eſtate, without a certaine rule of the ſeruice of the God whom they adore: the firſt foundations of Townes were placad vppon this rocke of religion, and the Pagans with it had not had one foote of land therein to eſtabliſh their lawes, if religion had not firſt beene harboured among them. In vaine Deucalion had planted his ordinances among the Grecians, Licurgus among the Lacedemonians, Yon and Solon among the Athenians, and Romulus and Numa, among the Romanes, if they had not made the people beleeue, that they came from heauen, and that the Gods had written them: and Moyſes had neuer retained the people in their duties, among ſo many trauerſes and changes, if he had not ſpoken of Ego Dominus: and therefore Princes that deſire to liue in peace, and cauſe their eſtates to flouriſh, neuer feared any thing ſo much, as that their people ſhould leaue their opinion once conceiued of the ſeruice of God. He that remooueth this ſtone, ſhaketh all the building.

An anſwere to the reaſons of the league.This is good before the people haue entered into a doubt of the religion which they followed, but after they haue taken more liking in the new then in the olde, what will you do? There are certaine things that neuer go without ſhame and diſorder, that is naturally in them: there are others, which neuertheleſſe are tollerable and reputed for iuſt, becauſe of the miſerable vtiliue they breed to the Commōwealth, adulteries, periuries, thefts, and oppreſsions, are things that are alwaies euill. Theſe euils cauſeth common bordels to be permitted within Townes, to obey tyrants, to contribute to the enemie, to receiue ſuch lawe as pleaſeth them, to ſuffer iniuries, and conſent to robbings & ranſomings, and yet either not to falcifie our oathes & promiſes, vnder the which thoſe things are permitted, or to ſhun and auoyde greater dangers and inconueniences, men allowe, commend, and authoriſe them. It is well knowne why the Curtizans vnder the Popes noſe, are ſo great profit to the Cittie of Rome, ſinne or the nature and fragilitie of our ſences, doth puſh vs forward, and that it is not ſo execrable as their brutiſh horror that filled the hoſpitall of Saint Iaques with incurable people, at ſuch time as the Pope Pius Quintus ſought to put downe the bordell in Rome.

To ſhun the renuing of maſſacres, whererin peſle-meſle, the fury killeth & deſtroyeth both Prieſt & Miniſter, and to reſtore quietneſſe to France, which after two or three droppes of colde ſweate, which ſhee is readie to yeeld with her laſt effects for a peace for a Common-wealth: a Prince may permit the diuerſitie of religiō, which without theſe conſiderations, would not bee tollerable.

Iuſtin draue the Arians out of Constantinople, and all the Eaſt parts, but Theodoric king of Italie, ſent Ambaſſadors vnto him, to ſhewe him, that if he reſtored them not vnto their libertie, hee would deſtroy and ouerthrow all the Catholicque Churches in Italie. The feare of this miſchiefe cauſed him to tollerate an euill, otherwiſe vntollerable & pernicious: neceſsitie to haue peace, is the moſt ſtraight band of humane commodities, thereby to ſhunne warres, that maketh fathers without childen: children Orphans; women widdowes, Churches without exerciſe of religion or godlineſſe, and the world without God, without lawe, or without faith: to banniſh warres, that change a moſt chriſtian Realm into a Commōwealth of Atheiſts: Frēchmen that are peaceable and tractable, into Scithians and Canibals, liuing only by blood: this bloodie ciuill warre, that maketh the earth a hell, and men the diuelles: it is moſt iuſt and reaſonable to appeaſe the differences of religion by peace, ſeeing warre cannot effect it. That ancient world of the church, which in reſpect of ours beeing of Iron and braſſe, might iuſtly be called golden, permitteth this libertie. Peace accorded ſuch falſe concords, and made good muſicke: diuers Princes and Eſtates which at this day flouriſh in great honour, ſuffer euery man to liue according to his conſcience and manner of religion, without any alteration of their eſtates by ſuch diſcipline.

Deteſtation of maſſacres.They conſider that the ſchiſme is begunne, that the greateſt part of Europe is diuided, that diuers good Towns in France, make profeſsion of this religion, there is no more remedie, that wee muſt leaue this conuerſion to the prouidence of God.

They content themſelues, that their ſubiects obey them, and that they vſe their religion according to their mindes: they doo not therefore make a barbarous galemawfre of the members of their ſubiects, they maſſacre them not, they kill them not, and beleeue that whatſoeuer wee haue done heretofore, is not leſſe horrible to the minde, then cruell to the will: the League replyeth and ſaid.

Trouble not your ſelfe ſo much with tying theſe examples togither, they ſerue for nothing, there is no proportion of one Realme with the other in this poynt: that which is good for the Frenchmen, is not good for others. We muſt not ſo much ſtand vpon the conſideration of things that are alreadie done, as of thoſe wee ſhould doo. France neuer had two religions, ſhee could neuer indure them: Arians could not dwell therein: the Alligers were not tollerated with them: and the Lutherians and Caluiniſts would not long continue among them, if the League bee in force. Let your Grace remember what a Chriſoſtome of France ſaid vnto you at the laſt Parliament holden in Blois, and now giue the like authoritie to his arguments that they then had, when they made you take armes, to purge the heart of Europe of the poyſon of hereſie.

France (ſaid hee) hath beene ſuch, that after it had publicquely receiued the Chriſtian faith vnder Clouis, it hath alwaies maintained it in one courſe immutable & iuuiolable: France neuer indured the peruerſe opinions of faith within her breſt: France while all Chriſtendome was moued by the pernicious diuiſions of ſo diuers opinions, and with ſo many and different ſorts of hereſies, that vntill this time haue raigned, hath alwaies continued conſtant and vpright, not once bending it ſelfe to any falſe doctrine: France hath been the ſuccor and defence of chriſtian faith, and the terror of the enemies thereof. And to conclude, France hath beene like a rocke, or vnexprignable ſort of chriſtianitie. And how much ſhould it now bee fallen from his auncient honour, how much reputation ſhould it looſe? how much ſhould it want of her firſt fidelitie towards God, if changing her firmitie & conſtancie touching faith, it ſhould liue long in ſuch diuiſion, and indure before her eyes, (in times paſt) ſo iealous of the vnion of chriſtian beleeſe and libertie, but rather an intollerable libertie, to liue vnder diuers religions.

Your Maieſtie looking into the memorie of things paſt, may ſufficiently perceiue, that as long as France hath been vnited vnder one chriſtian religion, ſhee hath made her glorie and renowne ſpred through all countries: ſhee hath cauſed her valor in armes to be prooued & felt in all places of the world: ſhee hath alwaies beene victorious ouer all the enemies of Catholicque religion, and hath done ſo many honourable actions, & achieued ſo great and happy conqueſts againſt Inſidels, that it wanne ſuch glorie among the Aſians, Africans, Indians, Perſians, Tartarians, Moores, Sarrazins, and others, that all the chriſtians in Europe, are by them called Frenchmen: for that becauſe thoſe ſtrange nations haue onely felt the armes of Frenchmen, they haue alſo comprehended all the Latine churches, vnder the name of France & Frenchmen. But ſince France hath been diuided & rent with two religions, let vs ſee how much it hath loft of her auncient renowne: ſhee that commaunded a great part of Europe, that conquered countries farre diſtant from her: that at her onely name, made diuers warrelike nations to tremble, is found ſince this vnhappy and vnfortunate diuiſion, to bee reduced into ſuch extremitie, that in the middle of her breſt, ſhe hath receiued forraine powers: ſhee hath in a manner receiued the lawe of her neighbours, and of her enemies, and that cruell, turning her ſword againſt her owne intrailes: and although ſhee was inuincible in reſpect of all other nations, ſhe is now her ſelf ſo imbaſed, vanquiſhed, and ouerthrowne: which is the fruit that this venemous plant of new opinion hath induced, which ſeemeth to be at the poynt readie to giue more daungerous thruſts, if according to the expectation which your obedient people haue conceiued of your wiſdome & pietie, it pleaſeth not your Maieſtie ſpeedily to take order therein.

Remember that your Grace beareth the Scepter of the great king Clouis, that firſt ruled this Monarchie vnder the publike profeſsion of this religion, which at this preſent is put in queſtion within this Realme. Remember that you are ſucceſſor to that great Childeberg, that being able to indure ſuch perſons about him, that had any wrong opinion of chriſtian religion, made wars vppon the Viſigots, that were infected with the hereſie of the Arrians, and in the end, conſtrained them to ioyne and vnite themſelues to the holy and Catholicque Church. Remember that you beare vpon your head, the crowne of that Charles, who for the greatneſſe and valor of his actions, deſerued the name of great, and by the vertue of his armes aduanced chriſtian religion, and defended the authoritie of the Apoſtolicque ſea, againſt ſuch as perſecuted the ſame. Remember that you hold the place of that moſt woorthieking Philip Auguſte, who with ſo much zeale & affection, imployed his armes againſt Albigeois hereticques, that had ſequeſtred themſelues from the Catholicque vnion. Remember that you ſit in the ſeate of that renowmed Prince Saint Lewis, that ſpared not his treaſures, his forces, nor his own perſon, for his deſence and aduancement of the faith of Chriſt, and by his chriſtian actions, deſerued the crowne and ſurname of Saint, and without prolonging time, to rehearſe them all. Remember that you are Nephew to that great king Francis, the light of the pietie of France, ſon of that victorious Henry, whoſe memorie ſhall liue for for euer: and brother to thoſe two Catholicque Princes, Francis the ſecond, and Charles the ninth, whom God hath taken to his mercie. (But But yet againe, that which toucheth you neareſt, remember that you are that renowmed Henry, that being but Duke of Aniou, and brother to the king, did ſo valiant an act in the defence of the Church: wonne ſo many great battels, and ſo many times daunted the enemies of the Catholicque faith, that you haue filled al Chriſtendome with the wonders of your victorious name. And we think (if that like your Grace) that your M. hath not ſo ſoone forggotten, that great and ſolemne oath, that you made at your coronation, not onely to maintaine chriſtian and Catholicque religion, but to aduance it as much as poſsible you might, without tollerating any other. And if euer any oath lid binde a Prince to maintain & keep his faith, this hath ſo ſtraightly bound you, to the defence of this religion, that you cannot permit any other, without breach of conſcience: and paraduenture make a doubt of the right you haue vnto the Crowne. For you know well, that you haue agreed and contracted with Ieſus Chriſt, that you accepted the Scepter vppon this condition, to be defendor of his Catholicque religion, and in that ſolemne oath as a gage and earneſt-penny, you receiued his holy bodie, and dranke his precious blood. And now fayling in this religious oath, thinke you he hath not good cauſe to be offended againſt you? knowe you not, that all the euils wee haue ſuffered, proceeded onely from his iuſt wrath? and ſee you not, that hauing giuen you this Scepter vppon ſuch conditions, hee threatneth to take it from you, if you keepe not the holy promiſe you made ſo ſolemnely vnto him? And euen as God ſummoneth you to the obſeruation of the faith that you haue giuen him, your ſubiects by the ſame meanes, ſolicite and inuite you to obſerue the conditions wherevppon you were made king, and which you cannot infringe, (breaking your oath) but if you muſt alſo looſe the title of moſt chriſtian King: and wee doubt not, that ſetting theſe things before your eyes, that reuiuing the memorie of your predeceſſors, & continuing the firſt prudence and vertue, but you ſhall haue that great good fortune in your time, to ſee your people reduced to the ſheepfold of the holy and Catholicque Church, whereof you are as a father and protector.

By this meanes, thoſe great Kings of Ieruſalem, Dauid, Salomon, Abis, loſaphat, Ezechias, and Ioſias, obtained the bleſsings of God, and a happy ſucceſſe in all their affaires: hauing with ſo great care & dilligence, reſtored the puritie of religion, and reeftabliſhed diuine ſeruice that was neglected. And wee alſo hope, that following their ſteppes, you will reduce all France to the Catholicque religion: and for the recompence of your holy intent, you ſhall haue that bleſsing of God in your time, to behold your Realm as flouriſhing as euer it was. And as it ſhall bee moſt acceptable vnto God, ſo will it be moſt honourable to you and to your Crowne: and you ſhall ſufficiently perceiue, that at this day there is no King, Prince, Potentate, or Common-wealth, I except certaine Barbarians and the Turke, (whoſe deteſtable manners and cuſtomes ought to bee ſo odious, that the onely name ſhould bee a horrour vnto vs) that ſuffereth their ſubiects to liue in any other religion, then that which the Magiſtrate by the diſvnion of the Church, holdeth for onely good and holy. And ſurely ſuch are not woorthie to bee heard, that will ſo much reſtraine the power of the Prince or Magiſtrate, to ſay that hee cannot conſtraine his ſubiects to the faith, but that hee ought to ſuffer them to liue in libertie of conſcience (as they ſay) for this opinion hath alwaies generally been condemned and reprooued by all Chriſtians, but only by the Manickiens and Donatiſts, that were of opinion that wee muſt not conſtraine any man for his religion, but ſuffer euery man to liue in libertie, and after his owne ſantaſie: and thoſe which at this day, in a manner by force, pull from you this libertie of their religion, permit it not to others. For in the places of Chriſtendome, where God permitteth that they ſhould bee Maiſters, and hauing the authoritie in their hands, they are ſo farre from permitting Catholicques, freely to liue in the libertie of their conſciences, that to the contrary, the diuers ſects that are among them (for that alreadie they are banded and diuided among themſelues, an euident ſigne of their ruine at hand) cannot indure each other. And there where the Calueniſt is Maiſter, the Lutheriau dareth not liue freely: yea, and when they change Magiſtrates of diuers opinions, religion changeth according to his pleaſure: as we haue ſeene ſufficient of ſuch changes in England, and in many places in Germanie. And what? ſhould not this bee a ſhame and too great a ſlaunder to a good chriſtian and faithfull Catholicque, to bee found leſſe affected in his religion, that is approued by ſo long and continuall ſucceſsion, then theſe new chriſtians in their opinions, that are as it were but one night olde? It is then a generall and certaine maxime, and approoued by the Church, and by all Common-wealths, that the Magiſtrate ought and may continue his people vnder one faith, as it is ſufficiently ſeene by ſo many godly lawes and conſtitutions of Chriſtian and Catholicque Empires: and by the kings your predeceſſors: whoſe examples ought to bee holy and inuiolate, vnto your Maieſtie. Such were the reaſons of the League, by the vehemencie whereof, the king diſpoſed himſelfe to warre, reſeruing alwaies a continuall thought, to rid himſelfe thereof. But the Queene, that ſawe ſo many accidents to hang like leade ouer his head, that thought the great and proude Spaniſh armie would land in Brittaine, and that all the territories of Italie would fall vppon him, to defend the Catholicqueleague, did ſo much, that the king diſſembled the wound in his heart, and ſaid: that hee had no more remembrance of the hard dealings that had paſt: that he had no other intent but that of the League, which was to extirpe hereſie.

Vppon this aſſurance, the Duke of Guiſe cauſed his merchandiſes to bee liked, and to bee more eſteemed then they were woorth, or then hee hoped. Wherevppon hee entered into a treatie with the Queen-mother, and with her reſolued vppon certaine articles, vppon the fifteenth of Iuly, which the king approoued, receiued, and ſigned, within three daies after, which were as followeth.

THe Articles agreed vppon and ſigned at Nemours, the ſeuenteenth of Iuly, 1585: the kings edicts made touching them, and the declarations his Maieſtie hath ſince made vppon the edict, ſhall inuiolably be kept and obſerued according to their forme and tenour.

And to ceaſe, and for euer to take away the diſtruſts, partiallities, and deuiſions, betweene the Catholicques and the Realme, there ſhall bee a perpetuall and vnreuocable Edict made, whereby the king ſhall ordaine an intire and generall revnion of the ſame with his Maieſtie, where hee ſhall bee and remaine the head, for the defence & conſeruation of the Catholicque, Apoſtolicque, and Romaine religion, by his ſaid Maieſties authoritie.

To the which end, by the ſaid Edict it ſhall bee promiſed and ſworne, as well by his ſaid Maieſtie, as by his ſaid vnited ſubiects, to imploy their treaſures and perſons: yea, and their proper liues, wholly to extirpe the hereſies of this Realme, and of the countries vnder the obedience of his ſaid Maieſtie.

Not to receiue nor ſhew obedience after his Maieſties deſceaſe without children, to any Prince whatſoeuer, that is an hereticque or fauourer of hereſies, what right or pretence ſoeuer hee may haue.

To defend and conſerue the perſon of his Maieſtie, his eſtate, crown, and authoritie, and of the children which it ſhal pleaſe God to ſend him, with and againſt all men, none excepted.

To protect, defend, and conſerue, all thoſe that ſhall enter into the ſaid vnion, and namely the Princes, Lords, and other Catholicques, heeretofore aſſociated from all violence and oppreſsion, which the hereticques with their fateurs and adherents would vſe againſt them.

To leaue all other vnions, practiſes, and intelligences, leagues, and aſſociations, as well within as without the Realme, contrary and preindiciall to this preſent vnion, and to the perſon and authoritie of his Maieſtie, his eſtate and crowne, and the children that it ſhall pleaſe God to ſend him.

His Maieſtie ſhall promiſe and ſweare the obſeruations of the ſaid Edict, and cauſe it to bee ſworne and obſerued by the Princes, Cardinals, Prelates, and others of the Cleargie, Peeres of France, Officers of the Crowne, Knights of the holy Ghoſt, Councellours of his Maieſtie, Gouernours, Lieftenants, Generall of Prouinces, Preſidents, Councellours of Soueraigne Courts, Bailiffes, Stewards, and other his Officers, Maiors, Sheriffes, and bodies and communalties of Towns, of whom oathes, acts, and verball proceſſes, ſhall be taken, made, and regiſtred by the Clarkes of the ſaid Courts, Baliages, and bodies of Townes, that when need requireth, they may bee ſeene.

And to execute the ſaid Edict, and proceede to the extirpation of the ſaid hereſies, his Maieſtie with all conuenient ſpeed, ſhall raiſe two great and ſtrong armies, to ſend againſt the ſaid hereticques, one into Poitou and Xainctonge, that ſhall be ledde and commaunded by whom ſoeuer it ſhall pleaſe his ſaid Maieſtie: the other into Dauphine, which hee ſhall commit to the charge of Monſieur de Maine.

The Councell of Trent ſhall bee publiſhed with all ſpeed, without preiudice neuertheleſſe, to rights and authoritie of the king, and the liberties of the French Churches, which within three moneths ſhall bee more amply ſpecified and layde open, by certaine Prelates and Officers of his Court of Parliament, and others whom his Maieſtie ſhall appoynt therevnto. It ſhall bee agreed (for the ſuretie of theſe preſent articles) that the keeping of the Townes graunted by the Edict of Nemours, vnto the ſaid League, ſhall yet continue for the ſpace of foure yeares longer, and more then the two yeares that reſt to bee expired of the time agreed vppon before, and likewiſe of the Towne of Dourlans.

The ſaid Lords, Princes, and others, that ſhall haue the cuſtodie of the ſaid Townes, ſhall promiſe vppon their faiths, honours, and loſſe of all their goods altogither, and euery one in particular, to deliuer into the hands of his ſaid Maieſtie, or to whom hee ſhall appoynt, within ſixe yeares, without delay or excuſe, ſtaying ordifficultie whatſoeuer, for what cauſe or pretence ſoeuer it may bee, the ſaid townes and places that are giuen in keeping for the ſuretie aforeſaid.

Further his ſaid Maieſtie (for the ſaide ſecuritie of theſe preſent articles, and the ſaid time of ſixe yeares) that if the Captaines and Gouernours of the Townes of Orleans, Bourges, and Monſtreuil, die during the ſaid time, his Maieſtie during the ſaid time of ſixe yeares, ſhall commit the gouernment of the ſaid townes, to thoſe that the ſaid Princes ſhall appoynt.

But the ſaid time beeing expired, the ſaid townes ſhall no more remaine ingaged for the ſaid ſecuritie, but ſhall bee left off and maintained in the ſame ſort and manner as they were before.

The Towne and Citadell of Valence, ſhall bee deliuered into the hands of the Sieurs de Geſſans, therein to commaund for the ſeruice of his Maieſtie, as it did before.

The Sieur de Belloy ſhall alſo bereſtored to his charge and Captains place of Crottoy, to enioy it as hee did at other times.

His Maieſtie ſhall cauſe le Bernet to iſſue out of Bullen, & giue the charge to a Gentlemen of Picardie, ſuch as hee thinketh good: which being done, the ſaid Princes will cauſe their forces to withdrawe themſelues from about the Towne, and wholly diſpearſe their ſouldiers that are there: and as touching the Townes that are declared, and ſhall declare themſelues before this preſent concluſion, to bee vnited with the ſaid Princes, they ſhall continue in the protection and ſauegard of the king, as other townes, and left in that eſtate wherein they are, without any innouation nor putting of Garriſons or ſurcharges, in conſiderations of things forepaſſed.

The Captaines and Gouernours of the places that haue beene diſpoſſeſſed of their places ſince the twelfth of May, ſhall bee reftored to the ſame on all parts, and the Townes ſhall bee diſcharged of men of warre, that haue bin placed in Garriſon therein ſince the ſaid day.

Proceſſe ſhall bee made and executed touching the ſale of hereticques goods, and of thoſe that beare armes with them againſt his Maieſtie, by the beſt, readieſt, and certaine meanes that may bee deuiſed: to the ende, that his Maieſties meaning and intent, may in that poynt bee executed, according to the edicts and declarations aforeſaid: and that hee may bee better ayded with the monies that ſhall proceede thereof, to make war againſt the hereticques, then it hath beene heeretofore.

The Regiment of footemen of Saint Paul, and of Sacremore late deceaſed beeing in armes, ſhall be payde like others that ſhall ſerue, and when they are in Garriſon within the Prouinces, aſsignation ſhall be giuen to the Treaſurer of the warres, from the beginning of the yeare, to paye them for foure months at the leaſt, which may not bee denied.

The Garriſons of Thoul, Verdun, and Marſal, when they are imployed for the kings ſeruice, ſhall bee vſed as well for muſters, as for leadings, in the ſame ſort, and like to thoſe of Metz.

When the king ſhall imploy his companies of horſemen, hee ſhall imploy thoſe whom the ſaid Princes haue required, to bee vſed and payde as others are.

Thoſe who at this preſent execute the charges of Prouoſt of Merchants and Sheriffes of the Towne of Parris, ſhall preſently remit their ſaid charges into the hands of the king: who hauing regard to the declaration made vnto him, touching the neceſsitie the ſaid Town hath of their continuance in the ſeruice of the ſame, ſhall ordaine, that they ſhall bee reeſtabliſhed and placed therein, not onely till our Lady day in Harueſt next enſuing, but for the ſpace of two yeares after.

And as touching Brigard, that hath been choſen to the office of the kings Atturney, they ſhall likewiſe put it into the kings hands, who ſhal ordain, that hee ſhall vſe it till the middle of Auguſt next, beeing in Anno. 1590. Meane time, Perrot ſhall receiue the ordinary ſtipend giuen by the Towne, and the penſions it hath pleaſed the king to graunt vnto the ſaid office. And then there ſhall bee payde vnto him, by him that ſhall bee choſen to execute the ſaid office, after the ſaide middle of Auguſt, 1590. the ſum of 4000. crowns: if it bee the kings pleaſure to continue the ſaid office and penſion, vnto the ſaid new elected officer, and if his Maieſtie will continuie the ſaide penſions, the ſaid Perrot ſhall haue but three thouſand crownes.

The Caſtle of the Baſtille ſhall bee remiſſed in to his Maieſties hands, to diſpoſe thereof as pleaſeth him.

His Maieſtie ſhall make election of ſome man whom it ſhall pleaſe him, within the ſaid Towne, to haue the office of knight of the watch.

The Magiſtrates, Councellours, Captaines, and other officers of the bodies of townes, that haue charges in the Townes within this Realme, that haue followed the part of the ſaid Princes, ſhall likewiſe put them into the kings hands, which ſhall preſently bee reſtored to them againe, for the good and tranquillitie of the ſame.

All priſoners that haue been taken ſince the twelfth of May, by reaſon of the preſent troubles, ſhall be ſet at libertie on both ſides, without paying ranſome.

The artillery taken in the Arcenac, ſhall be reſtored into the ſame place againe, and remaine as it was: if after the concluſion of this preſent agreement any man of what eſtate or condition ſoeuer hee bee, do enterpriſe any thing againſt the Townes and places of his ſaid Maieſtie, they ſhall bee holden for infringers of the peace, and for ſuch taken and puniſhed, without fauour or aſsiſtance by the ſaide Princes, or any other vnder any pretence whatſoeuer.

Likewiſe, if any of the townes or places, that are giuen for ſecuritie, ſhall bee taken by any man, thoſe that ſhall haue taken them, ſhall be puniſhed as aforeſaid: and the ſaid townes being recouered againe, ſhall be redeliuered into the ſaid Princes hands, for the time graunted vnto them.

The taking of Marrans.Vpon theſe articles the kings Edict was publiſhed, not ſo much againſt the king of Nauarres religion, as againſt his intereſt, and to debarre him from all that, which none but God could take from him: who while they were agreeing vppon theſe articles, and that in leſſe then foure daies, the declaration and execution were both proclaimed, touching him, he made himſelfe Maiſter of the Iſles of Charron and Marrans.

The Edict was ratified in the Parliament at Parris, vppon the 21. of Iuly, the ſubſtance thereof beeing, that his Maieſtie would renue the oath made at his ſacrying and annoynting,The ſecond edict in Iuly for the league. to liue and die in the Catholicque religion: to imploy his life & forces for the conſeruation therof: to extirpe hereſie: neuer to make peace nor truce with the hereticque, nor to fauour or aduance the ſucceſsion of any Prince that is an hereticque or fauorer of them: to imbrace and receiue all thoſe that are ioyned in league againſt them: not to place in any office of iuſtice or eſtate, any other then men that are of the Catolicque, Apoſtlicque, and Romane religion: that his ſubiects ſo vnited, ſhould ſweare to leaue all ſorts of aſsociation and intelligences, as wel without as within the Realme, and to defend each other againſt the oppreſsion and violence of hereticques: freely to expoſe both their bodies and goods,The ſubiects oath to their King. for the conſeruation of his authoritie, and of the children which it ſhould pleaſe God to ſend him: hee aboliſhed, and as it were wholly buryed in ſilence, the furie and ingratitude of his ſubects, declaring them guiltie of treaſon, that ſhould refuſe to ſigne to that vnion, or that hauing ſigned, ſhould leaue it: in reſpect and fauour whereof, he remitted the diſorders of the league ſince the Barricadoes, which he declared in the end of the edict in theſe words:The kings declaration againſt the diſorders of the league ſince the 12. of May. We declare that no inquirie or ſearch ſhall be made, of any the intelligences, aſſociations, and other things, which our ſaid Catholicque ſubiects may haue done togither, as well without as within our realm, for that they haue informed vs, that whatſoeuer they haue done, was onely but by reaſon of the zeale that they haue borne to the conſeruation & maintenance of Catholicque religion. All which things ſhal remain extinguiſhed & quenched, & by theſe preſēts we declare them, and all whatſoeuer is happened & paſt ſince the 12. and 13. of May laſt: and ſince that time by reaſon thereof, vntill the publication of theſe preſents, in our Court of Parliament of Parris, extinguiſhed and voyde, as well in our ſaid Towne of Parris, as in other Townes and places of our Realme, as alſo all acts of hoſtilitie, that may haue beene committed, as taking of our treaſures, in our receites generall, particulars, or elſewhere, victuals, amunition, and artilleries, bearing of armes, or muſtering of men, and generally all other things done & executed during the ſaid time, and that ſince the ſaid time haue enſued by the occaſion, & for the affecting of the troubles, without purſuite, inquirie, or ſearch, directly, or indirectly, in any ſort whatſoeuer, againſt our ſaid ſubiects. All the which, we do once againe ceaſe and delay, as things that neuer happened, without any exception: aſſoone as the edict was publiſhed, and the kings lightneſſe therin once perceiued, thoſe that looked into it, preſently iudged, that ſuch peace couered a dangerous war. The leaguers to the contrary, tooke that as a miraculous effect of their Barricadoes, yet they feared much the laſt act of the tragedie, & although the aduancement of their enterpriſe trāſported their ſences, yet the moſt couragious amōg thē, trēbled with feare, whē they remēbred the violēt breach of their fidelitie vnto the K.

The onely remembrance of the twelfth day of May, cauſed their faireſt daies to become cloudie, they put in obliuion the forgetfulneſſe of their duties, and eſteemed not the Prince ſo inſenſible, but that in the end he would be reuenged.

Two things abaſhed them, the one the fatall deſteny and ouerthrow of the great armie of Spaniards, conſiſting of one hundreth and fiftie ſhips, that were deſtroyed in a manner without fighting vppon the coaſt of Ireland, which ſhould haue ledde all Engliſh ſlaues into the mountaines of Granado, and the mynes of Peru: the other the kings reſolution not to returne to Parris, The ouerthrow of the Spaniards armie. although hee had been deſired and importunately ſought vnto for the ſame: excuſing himſelfe by the preparations of his armie for Poitou, and the aſſembling of the 3. eſtates. In the firſt, they ſaw that their great hopes on the Weſt ſide, were well weakned: in the ſecond, they knew that there reſted ſome ſparkes of chollor in the Kings heart touching the Barricadoes, but they armed themſelues with courage and reſolution againſt all things whatſoeuer: eſteeming it not time as then, to keep the oath which they had takē,The king will not go to Parris. to leaue all forraine leagues and intelligences, and that they muſt not ſo ſoone pull downe the ſcaffold, but rather let it ſtay till the building were fully finiſhed. And therevppon they held new councelles in Parris, from the which was drawne the reſolutions which the author of the treatie made (touching the cauſes of taking armes by the league) rehearſeth: which are, to preſerue and hold their authoritie and credite, gotten by ſo many trauerſes,The diſcourſe of the troubles of France, to the yeare 1589. and to further the decreaſing of the kings and of the auncient order of France: to hold the king in ſuch ſort beſieged, and to make his will ſo euen & vnited with theirs, that hee ſhould not ſee any more but by the leaguers eyes, nor ſpeake, nor ſtir, but by the tongue and ſinewes of their intents.

To take order that thoſe that ſhould bee ſent vnto the eſtates, ſhould be ſome of the paſte which they had moulded, and their inſtruments furniſhed with the inſtructions of their Agents, or rather extracted out of the fine flower of the Articles of Nancy & Peronne, to moue things vnto the king, that neither time nor neceſsitie of affairs did once permit, as wars againſt the Huquenots, and the eaſe of their people, by vnburthening them of tallages, to the end they might make his Maieſtie odious if he refuſed that firſt fruite promiſed to the creatures of their league, and hee could not conſent to warres, and releaſe the meanes to maintaine the ſame. To bee the ſtronger partie duting the aſſembly of the eſtates at Bloys, & to the ſame end, they ſhould ſend into all places, for the Gentlemen of their faction, to meet them there in armes. Not to leaue their good intelligence with the duke of Parma, to confirme the treatie of Ginuille, & to aduertiſe the king of Spaine, that the agreement made with the king, ſtretched onely to the meanes of the execution of ſecret purpoſes. To ſend to the Colonel Phiffer into Suiſſe, and to Monſieur de Balagny in Cambray, to retaine them in the particular aſſemblies among them.

To hinder Monſieur de Neuers from going into Picardie, to pacifie the mutinies of the League, not to ſeeke after more confident mindes then they haue. To cauſe the Cittizens of Parris to become bounde, yearely to pay thirtie thouſand Crownes to Monſieur de Villars, Gouernour of Haure, thereby to hold him in confederacie with the League.

The king was well informed of thoſe enterpriſes, and had made that laſt The King wept when he ſealed the Edict in IulyEdict as much againſt his heart, as he did the firſt, for he was ſeene to weepe when he ſigned them, lamenting his miſfortune, that to aſſure his owne perſon, it conſtrained him to hazard his eſtate, he knew that the Edict would not bee obſerued but by himſelfe, and yet his mildeneſſe ſo much impeached him, & the apprehenſion of a good war, ſo much retained him, that he would not take order therein, reiecting the aduiſe of thoſe that counſelled him to make peace with the Huguenots, and let them ſtir againſt the mutinie of the League. Hee ſaid there was leſſe danger to dwell with thoſe that continue in the vnitie of his religion, then with them that had ſeparated themſelues, and become heads of new opinions, although he well knew the cauſes and pretences of the raiſing of the League.The Duke of Guiſe, made Lieftenant generall of the kings armies. After that, eyther in good faith, or purpoſely, he beſtowed his liberalities and fauours vpon all the principal heads of the League. To Monſieur de Guiſe hee gaue the office of Lieftenant generall, ouer all the forces throughout the Realm of France: if not of the execution therof, yet he had the name and title of Conſtable: he gaue him a beam of his brightneſſe, an arme of his power, and a liuely image of his Maieſtie: his letters pattents being ſealed at Chartres vpon the fourth of Auguſt:The Cardinall of Guiſe, Legate of Auignon. The Duke de Maine in Dauphine. The Duke de Nemours Gouernour of Lyons. he promiſed the Cardinall of Guiſe his brother, to procure the Pope to giue him the office of Legat of Auignon: he ſent Monſieur de Maine with a faire and great armie into Dauphine, wherwith he paſſed at Lyons, and there his voyage ended: he gaue the Duke of Nemours the gouernment of Lyons, which his father had inioyed: his letters pattents were read, publiſhed, and regiſtred in the Court of Parliament, vpon Thurſday the 22. of December, in the ſame yeare, vpon charge that hee ſhould not meddle with any ſort, which the execution of Iuſtice, ordinary, nor for matters proceeding in triall of lawe, but onely to ayde and aſsiſt it: he forgot not the Archbiſhoppe of Lyons, whom he deſired to withdrawe from the League, and to keepe him for his Councell, for ſome ſpeciall cauſe that mooued him to bee adicted vnto him: he was iealous that the League ſhould haue a primate of France in it, of ſo good credit, reputation, and deſert in the Church.I except Peter of Sauoy, which reuolted againſt Lewis Hutin. And ſurely his iealouſie was not without reaſon, for neuer before that time, any Archbiſhop of Lyons, did euer conſpire with thoſe that in times paſt troubled the quiet eſtate of France: they continued conſtant to the Colonel of the royaltie, vnited themſelues to the Scepter of France, to maintaine the franchiſes of the French Church: they haue been arbitrators of great controuerſies, in: he affaires that maintaine the order of the Monachie, which is called the eſtate: they neuer leaned but on the kings ſide. It is true, that Paul Emille reporteth, that Agabardus Archbiſhop of Lyons, was Preſident in the Councell that was holden for the depoſing of Lewis Debonnaire, & the raiſing of his children, and whether the diſcent is inſerted in the perſon, or that there is ſome other heauie deſtinie inſident to the ſeate, the Biſhoppricke of Lyons hath at al times had Pretates, that were moſt worthie inſtruments both for eſtate and religion, moſt affected and faithfull ſeruants to the King, and chiefe Preſidents of their Councell: Eucherius vnder Clodion le Cheuelu: Patient vnder Clouis: Sacerdos vnder King Childebert, Niſier and Priſeus: Gontran vnder Etherius: & Anemond vnder Clotaire: Asterius vnder Lewis & Carloman. And in the 2. & 3. familie of our kings, there were Archbiſhops of Lyons choſen out of the greateſt houſes and pureſt blood in France: or of the neighbour Princes, as Philippe and Pierce de Sauoye, Countes of Sauoy, and Innocent the fift. Iames Archbiſhop of Lyons.of Bourgongne, Reinold Earle of Foreſt. Peter of Tarentaiſe, that after was Pope of Rome: Henry and Lewis, Eales of Villars & Montluel, Charles d'Alencon, Ame, Iohn and Hugh de Talaru: two Charles de Bourbon Cardinals: Andre Cardinal of Eſpinac: Francis de Rouen, ſonne of a Marſhall of France: Anthony of the auncient houſe of the Earles of Albon, that were Dauphins de Viennois, and Earles of Auuergne.

Peeces of money quoyned by the Archbiſhop of Lions, with this deuiſe on the one ſide, Prima ſedes, And on the other, Galiarum. And in trueth it is the principall ſea of France, the moſt famous and moſt auncient, and in times paſt, the Archbiſhop had a priuiledge to quoyne mony: there are yet certaine peeces of mony to bee ſeene with their ſtampe, and in the time that the kings of Bourgongne had that authoritie ouer the ſea, which the kings of France now haue, the Archbiſhoppes were the firſt, and moſt worthie inſtruments of their kings Councell. Frideric Barbarouſſe in the time of Lewis le Ieune, amplified their priuiledges, by his letters writing to the Exarches or Lieftenants, or chiefe Councellours of his Pallace of Bourgongne, becauſe that part of the Realm of Bourgongne, that lyeth on this ſide the Mont Iura, was as then Emperour of Rome.

The king ſeeking to withdrawe the Archbiſhoppe of Lyons out of the league, promiſed him the cuſtodie of the ſeale of France, made him one of his priuie Councell, before beeing onely of the Councell of eſtate, recommended him vnto Pope Sixtus the fift, and made him beleeue that the Lord of Gondy was ſent expreſly to fetch him the Cardinals Hat.

The Kings fauours ſhewed to the chiefe of the League.Hee continued his fauours, hee renued and amplified them to all thoſe that had any credit in the League, thinking that by the ſignes of his good fauour, thoſe Salmonees that would counterfeit Iupiters thunderboults, would acknowledge and withdrawe themſelues out of the confuſion of their pretences. Hee did nothing without them, hee diſcloſed his ſecrets vnto them, thruſt his ſoule into the deepeſt part of their paſsions: yea, and ſeemed to bee as much mooued as they, to the aduancement of treaties, moſt liberally thruſting all his fauours and authorities vpon them and their participants, ſo that there was none of them, how farre ſoeuer in degree among them,The Cardinall of Bourbon declared to be chiefe Prince of the blood. See the treatiſe of Ianuary. 1589. but felt ſome part of his benignitie: He proclaimed the Cardinall of Bourbon to be the firſt Prince of the blood royall: that is, hee ratified the firſt Article of Ginuille, made in Anno. 1585. which was wholly to exclude the king of Nauarre from the Crowne: and auoyded that great diſputation and argument of the Vncle and the Nephew, ſo much written and diſputed of both with tooth & nayle, thereby to trouble the auncient order of the ſucceſsion, and make the good Cardinal of Bourbon to ſerue the League on both ſides. This poynt deſerueth ſome ſmall view of their proceſſe. Thoſe that ſuſtaine the right and title of the Cardinall, alleadged all theſe reaſons, firſt, that the lawe of the Realme, or the Salicque law, that referreth the ſucceſsion to the heires Maſles, referreth alſo the prerogatiue to raine & to enjoy the Crowne, to the next of the blood to the king, that dieth without children. Francis de Valois Duke of Alencon, died with this prerogatiue of firſt Prince of the blood, and firſt of the ſucceſsion, & at his deceaſe, had no nearer kinſman thē the Cardinal of Bourbon, that was in the tenth degree of conſanguinitie from him, & by conſequent, ſucceeded in the prerogatiue of the Duke of Aniou: & as one cannot be heire to a man, if he be not his heire by law, ſo hee ought to haue that quallitie at his death, at the which time, the hope of ſucceſsion was ioyned therevnto. And as the ſucceſsion & inheritance of the Realm, permitteth but one onely heire, ſo this prerogatiue permitteth but one lawfull heire.

Quoniam ſororem, c. De iure de lib. This right of prerogatiue neuer reſted but in the perſon of one of the Princes of Valois, by the priuiledge of firſt begotten: & thoſe of the houſe of Bourbon neuer had it, becauſe they could not repreſent the chiefe branch of a houſe, from whence it did not iſſue, the colaterall ingendring, not the colaterall. In ſuch manner, that Anthony de Bourbon, although he had all the right of the houſe of Bourbon, hauing not, nor by any means would haue the right of elder: the auncienter houſe beeing Valios yet liuing, could not obtaine the prerogatiue of the firſt Prince, or any hope to attaine vnto it, nor yet to tranſferre it to Henry his ſonne.

To ſay it commeth to the houſe of Bourban, there beeing no other familie of the Maſſes but that houſe liuing, and by conſequent, to him that hath all the preheminence of the right therein by vertue of ſucceſsion, and ſo to Henry ſonne of Anthony, as beeing the head of that houſe, and repreſenting his father, eldeſt and firſt Prince of all that familie: it is moſt certaine, that this prerogatiue did not fall from the perſon of Francis Duke of Aniou, Jus ſuitatis. Eghinar din • ita caroli. to the familie of Bourbon, for if it were ſo, it would follow, that all the Princes of that houſe, ſhould ſucceed in the ſame prerogatiue, and that he which dieth, ſhould ceaſe the whole reuenue of that familie, and not the neareſt. So you cannot ſay, that Anthony king of Nauarre, being deſcended of the eldeſt houſe, the right falleth to him, ſeeing it is a thing cleare and without difficultie, that the familie of the eldeſt is preferred before the familie of the youngeſt, for in colaterall ſucceſſors, they conſider the nearneſſe of the Parents, to the laſt that died ceaſed, and the neareſt in degree alwaies excludeth him that is further diſtant in Conſanguinitie: ſo Charlemaine comforming himſelfe to the lawe of the Realme, after the death of Charles his eldeſt ſonne, and Pepin the youngeſt, iudged the Crown to Lewis his middle ſonne (that after was called le Debonnaire) as brother and next heire to Charles his eldeſt ſonne, and not to Bernard ſonne to Pepin the youngeſt ſonne, that was but in the ſecond degree vnto him, although in paternall inheritance, he repreſented the perſon of his father.

Like caſe, the prerogatiue that Francis Duke of Aniou had, fell and proceeded to the Cardinall of Bourbon, not becauſe hee is of the houſe of Bourbon, but next kin to the Duke of Aniou, becauſe hee deſcendeth of the Capets, and of the blood royall of Hugh Capet. And as the houſe of Bourbon at this day is reputed to haue this right, becauſe the ſaid Cardinall of Bourbon, that is iſſued from the ſame, obtained it, ſo if the ſaid Cardinall were iſſued out of an other houſe, ſo it were royall, the familie of Bourbon ſhould not be admitted to this prerogatiue, but that from whence the ſaid Cardinall of Bourbon were ſo iſſued, becauſe of the nearneſſe of his perſon.

The Genealogie of Heary of Bourbon, King of Nauarre. S. Lewis. Robert. Lewis. Iames. Iohn. Lewis. Iohn. The king of Nauarre alleadged for his reaſons, the genealogie and diſcent of the houſe of Bourbon, ſaying: Saint Lewis king of France had two ſonnes, the eldeſt Phillip the third, ſurnamed the Hardy, and Robert the youngeſt, Earle of Cleremont: of this Robert & of Beatrix daughter of Archambaut of Bourbon, was borne Lewis Earle of Clermont, and firſt Duke of Bourbon, created by king Philip de Vallois, which Lewis eſpouſed Marie Counteſſe of Hainaut, and had two ſonnes, Peter and Iames, the Maſculin kinde of Peter, is wholly extinct, & there reſteth none of his ſide but the houſes of Lorraine & of Sauoy by the females. Of Iames de Bourbon younger ſonne to Lewis, and of Iane de S. Paul his wife, iſſued Francis. Charles. Anthony. Henry. The Duchie of Bourbon. 1327. Iohn de Bourbon Earle of Marche: of Iohn de Burbon & Catherine Count eſſe of Vendoſme, iſſued Lewis de Bourbon Earle of Vendoſme: of Lewis de Bourbon and Ieane de Laual his Wife, iſſued Iohn de Bourbon: of Iohn de Bourbon and Iſabeau his wife, iſſued Francis Earle of Vendoſme: of Francis Earle of Vendoſme, and Marie of Luxembourg Counteſſe of Saint Paul, iſſued Charles de Bourbon: of Charles de Bourbon and Francis d'Alencon his wife, iſſued Anthony de Bourbon, king of Nauarre the eldeſt ſon, Francis Duke of Anguien, Charles Cardinal of Bourbon, Iohn Durke of Anguin: Margaret married to the Duke de Neuers, and Lewis de Bourbon Prince of Conde. Of Anthony de Bourbon the eldeſt, iſſued Henry de Bourbon now king of Nauarre, and Catherine Princeſſe of Nauarre his ſiſter.

Wherefore it is euidently ſeene, that the king of Nauarre is a degree behinde the Cardinall of Bourbon, for hee is in the tenth, and the king in the eleuenth degree, but it is ſeene that hee is ſonne of the eldeſt houſe of Bourbon, and therefore by conſequent, preferred to all the rights, of the houſe royall.

Paul Aemil. in pud Craſſo. Anno. 11110. • olidin. Hiſt. Angl. By a ſtatute in the Court, in the yeare 1341. By a ſtatute in the yeare 1517. Filius Fratris Fratri aequiparatur & ita ſuccedit atque parter ſi viuerer.All the Doctors concluded in fauour of the Nephew againſt the Vncle, that ſaith hee is the eldeſt by the diſeaſe of his father, whether it bee in the direct or colaterall line, in ſucceſsions vndeuided, as Realmes, Empires, Duches, & Earledomes, and that is obſerued in France, England, Spaine, Portugal, Almaine, and Sicile. So Archambaut had the Duche of Bourbon from his vncle Hannon: Artus Duchie of Normandie, frō king Iohn his Vncle, third ſon to Henry the ſecond, king of England. Lewis Earle of Neuers, the Earledome of Flaun • ers from his Vncle, the daughter of Guy Vicount of Limoges, the Duchie of Brittaine, from Iohn Earle of Montfort his brother, Henry d'Albert ſonne of Catherin: the Earledome of Foix, from Iohn Viſcount of Narbonne and his heires: Richard ſonne of Edward Prince of VVales, was crowned without contradiction, and Yorke. Henry de Bourbon ſucceeded in the right that Anthony de Bourbon his father had in the houſe of Bourbon, by the ſucceſsion of his aunceſtors, the title of eldeſt ſonne not beeing loſt nor extinct in the father, but continueth and is tranſported to the ſonne.

The right of eldeſt, is perfectly ingrafted in the eldeſt, aſſoone as he entereth into the world, & is made a man, which right being in him, hath continued in his poſterie by the cuſtome and common obſeruation of the Realme.

The reaſon that ſome alleadge, to prooue that this right was neuer gotten in the father, is not to bee reſpected: for although there were but onely (and ſometimes) hope, his ſonne is permitted to claime it, and to ſeeke the poſſeſsion as it falleth out, & although the ſon of the eldeſt, is a degree further then the Vncle, neuertheleſſe being entered into the place of his father, hee ought to bee preferred: further, the right of preferment is not gotten by our ſelues onely, but by the right and perſon of others, ſo that as long as there teſteth any thing of this elder houſe, an other cannot take place in any ſort whatſoeuer.

The king of Nauarre hath another reaſon, againſt the which, there can bee no argument that may preuaile: which is, that the Cardinall of Bourbon his Vncle, at the contract of marriage betweene the ſaid king of Nauarre, and the Ladie Margaret of France, acquitted, remiſſed, yeelded and tranſported vnto to the ſaid king, all and euery right, name, voyce, and action, preſent or to come, that in any caſe might appertaine vnto him, as beeing iſſued out of the houſe of Bourbon, expreſly acknowleging the king of Nauarre his Nephewe for the true ſon, heir, ſucceſſor, and repreſentation in all reſpects, of the eldeſt houſe. And ſo to thinke by denying his own deed, to attain to the vaine hope of the ſucceſsion of the Realm, comprehended vnder the generall declaration of the elder houſe of the ſaide deceaſed king of Nauarre, there is no likelyhood.

So the king not to diſpleaſe the League, that occupied the principall places of his thoughts, declared the Cardinall of Bourbon the firſt Prince of the blood, although hee knewe that by iuſtice, and the lawes, not onely of this Realme, but of all the beſt gouerned eſtates that euer was, the king of Nauarre was onely capable of that prerogatiue: and the good Prelate perceiued not, that vnder that quallitie of firſt Prince, & ſucceſsiue heire to the crown, which the league procured vnto him, it puſhed forward her tyrannie with al the force ſhee might, thereby to vſurpe the royaltie, giuing to a king of ſixe and thirtie years of age, a ſucceſsion that hath paſt the climaticall yeare of ſixtie three. To be brief, it may be ſaid of the League, as Cicero ſaid of Caezar and Pompey, it preſenteth vnto vs the picture of the Cardinall of Bourbon, but will erect the Image of a ſtraunger.

The League tooke away the Kings Councell.The affaires of the League hauing had in her poope, the winde, the authoritie of the king, and fauour of all the people, floating moſt proudely in the maine ſeas, without feare of winds or waues: fearing that the kings great goodneſſe would not long continue, & that the wiſe Councellors that were about the king, would giue him aduiſe, and withdrawe him from the ſhipwracke, wherein they would reduce his authoritie, ceaſed not to blow in his eares, that his Councell ſet a darke cloud before his eyes, thereby to impeach him from ſeeing what is the dutie of a good king, hyding the truth frō him, and ſtaying at nothing, but that which might content either paſsion or auarice.

The king to pleaſe them, is conſtrained to pull his eyes out of his head, to depriue himſelfe of the light that he receiued by the wiſdome of his Councellours, M. de Chiuerny. M. de Beliure. M. de Villeroy. Ad conſilium de rep. dandume capite eſt noſſe rem public. in that cloudeneſſe of his affaires, and whereof hee had moſt need. In the middle of thoſe treaſons of the league, hee diſmiſsed thoſe that neuer gaue peace to any paſsiō againſt ye courſe of publike vtillitie: that had nothing in their minds which age had not made rich, graue, conſtant, and quiet, that could yeeld firme and infallible reſolutions, that knew the preſent eſtate, that foreſawe what would happen, that followed not opinions, but reaſon, and that haue ſtayed long in the ſterne of the French ſhip, had fought againſt the waues, windes, and firſt troubles of the torment of the League. Then the ſeales were left in the hands of Monſieur de Monthelon, Aduocate of the Court of Parliament, an honeſt man, and one that had no other paſsion, that draue him forward, but onely religion.

The Duke d'Eſpernon although hee ſtayed ſo long from the Court, that it could not be ſaid,The Duke d'Eſpernon, Gouernour of Aniou and Poitou. that he rule the voluptuous minde of the king his Maiſter, could not ſo much abſent himſelf, but that the cōſpiracies of the league made him apprehend the greater miſchiefes they would breed in a contented eſtate, and hauing receiued the power from his Maieſtie, to command in the Prouinces of Aniou, Thouraine, Poitou, Angoumois, and Xaintonge, road from Loches to Angouleſme, vppon aduiſe giuen him, that the League had conferated with certain of the Inhabitants thereof, to deliuer the towne vnto them: there hee was receiued with all the honor that the people might giue to the Lieftenant of a King, and with as much ioy, as if the King himſelfe had been there: but thoſe faire daies continued not long without cloudes, this goodneſſe was ſoone followed with a terrible torment, & this publike reioycing, with a ſtraunge trouble: for although hee ſhewed ſufficiently both in words and effects, that he had nothing ſo deare, as the conſeruation of Catholicque religion, and the excution of the Edict of vnion, which hee had cauſed to be publiſhed, the people neuertheleſſe were perſwaded by the impoſtures of certain leaguers, that his intent was, to cauſe certaine troupes of Huguenots to enter into the Caſtle, and to ſurpriſe the Towne.

A tumult in the preſence Chamber of the Duke d'Eſpernon.The Maior of the Towne beeing altogether a Leaguer, conſpired vpon Saint Lawrence day, to take the Duke of Eſpernon and to kill him, and for that purpoſe, vpon the ſame day they entered into the Caſtle, vnder pretence to preſent certaine Poſts vnto him that came from the Court, and therewith entered into the high chamber, where diſcharging two Piſtolles, they cried, kill, kill: but the Gentlemen of his traine put themſelues in defence, and preſently draue the traitors backe: their leader beeing hurt with a Piſtolle, that gaue him but ſeuen houres reſpite to take order for his affaires: with that an alarme was giuen in the Towne, and preſently the people made Barricadoes, roſe in a mutinie, raged and ſtormed, but they were like priſoners kept in a ſtrong Tower, for the Duke d'Eſpernon held the Caſtle, and had the Citadell at his commaundement, whereby both through the one and the other, hee could let as many forces enter to relieue him as hee ſhould need.

A vainte mutenie made by the people. Captaines for the league, ſummons the Duke d'Eſpernon.The people perceiuing that he held the Caſtle, and that the Lord of Tagens came in all haſte to help him, that the Lord of Bordes their priſoner, Captain of the Citadell, would not redeeme his libertie at the price of his place, that the Sieurs de Mere, dela Meſſeliere, de Marquerolle, Desbouchaux, ſommoning them, had found them reſolute rather to diethen yeeld, they determined to fall to an agreement.

Which Nonſieur de Tagens, Couſin to the duke d'Eſpernon agreed vpon, which appeaſed their ſtrife, and therewith they layde down their armes: the dead bodies were honourably buried, and the priſoners on both parts releaſed.

The Duches of Eſpernon, who before the commotion was gone out of the Caſtleto heare Maſſe in the Iacobins Church, had beene ſtayed in the Fryers Couent, and threatned to ſerue for a Gabion, if ſhee cauſed not her husband to yeeld vppe the Caſtle: was by the Lieftenant generall of the Towne,Tumults appeaſed. ledde to the ſaid Caſtle, & becauſe the gate was as yet rampierd with ſtones, ſhee was conſtrained to go vppe by a lather, and to creepe in at the window.

The ſecond day after this reuolt, beeing the twelſth of Auguſt, one thouſande fiue hundreth eightie and eight, they proceeded to the election of a new Maior, who with the Sheriffes preſented himſelfe vnto the Duke d'Eſpernon, to excuſe the folly of the people, and hee as if hee had not been offended thereat, receiued them with the beſt countenance he could, and ſent them away well pleaſed, onely that hee would not ſuffer the body of the Maior (principall of the rebellion) to be buried with the ſtate that belonged to his office.

The Hiſtorie of Gauerſton printed at Parris, in the yeare 1588. About the time that the Maior made the firſt tumult in his vtter chamber, he was in his own chamber, ſtaying the time to go to Maſſe, & ſhewing the Abbot of Elbene, and Monſieur de Marimon, a moſt infamous libell printed, not ſo much againſt him, as againſt the honor of the Ma. of the king. Which was the Hiſtorie of Pierce Gauerſton, whoſe life and fortune was therein, compared to the life of the Duke of Eſpernon: and the concluſion thereof was, that as the Gaſcon Pierce Gauerston, loued and onely fauoured by Edward the ſecond, king of England, preferred to all offices in the Court, inriched with the treaſures both of the king, and of his ſubiects, at the peoples requeſt was banniſhed and exiled out of England, and after that beheaded: ſo the Duke of Eſpernon would play the like tragedie in France, vnder Henry the third, king of France. This libel was anſwered by a diſcourſe imprinted at Parris, which the Lord of Mandelot would not ſuffer to bee ſolde in Lyons, becauſe it did liuely deſcribe the tragicall actions of eſtates, & made a moſt odious compariſon of a good and religious Prince, with a bloody hypocrite, and tyrannicall Prince, ſaying: that Edward and Henry were all one. Hee ſaid, that Edward, a man of no gouernment,Hiſt. Angl. ſubiect to his pleaſures, of a vilde mind, litle caring for the affaires of his Realm, ſpent and prophaned the treaſures of his country, appoynted for the preſeruation of religion, and gaue them to Gauerſtone his Mignion: oppreſſed his ſubiects with great and exceſsiue exactions: ſolde and ingaged part of his lands and demaines: vſed his Nobles vnwoorthily, not caring for men of good reputation, beeing a great hypocrite, thinking to couer a great number of inormities, by building and erecting a Couent of Iacobius: his Barrons conſtrained him diuers times to hold a Parliament to reforme the abuſes of his Court, which hee cauſed to bee aſſembled, making ſhewe to redreſſe the maladie of his Realme, but it was to intrap his Princes and Lords, and put them to death, which he did, apprehending the number of two and twentie, whoſe heads hee cauſed to bee ſtriken off. Hee was degraded and depoſed of his royall dignitie, and the Lords of his Realm cauſed him to die, by thruſting a redde hotte ſpit into his fondament.

The Duke d'Eſpernon complained of the wretchedneſſe of that time, and of the infamous libertie of Erenchmen, in diſhonouring their Prince, and abhorred that manner of writing, wiſhing a ſeuere puniſhment might bee executed both vpon the compoſers and readers thereof, for example to others.

The League hauing diſpatched the kings Councellours from his preſence, and eſtabliſhed their tyranny in his affections, deſired nothing more but the ouerthrow of the Huguenots, for that thorne ſticking ſtill in their foote, they could not march with good aſſurance, ſo that they ceaſed not, till they ſawe them aſſayled in two places,The Duke de Neuers Generall of the armie at Poiton. that is, Poitou and Dauphine. His Maieſtie gaue the conduction of the armie into Poitou to the D. de Neuers, a Prince full of zeale in religion, and fidelitie to the king, and valerous in armes, who The Duke de Neuers Generall of the armie at Poiton.perceiuing that the warre ſtayed but onely for want of money, lent the king fortie thouſand Crowns, proceeding frō his part of the partage of the goods of his fathers houſe.

The Duke of Guiſe knowing that the armie would not bee ſo ſoone prepared, and that while it was prouiding, the king of Nauarre might take the field, and get the aduantage, ſent the Regiment of Saint Paul, to Monſieur de Mercurie, and deſired him to begin to prepare the way for the armie of Monſieur de Neuers, which marched forward, and to giue the enemie as much as hee could, thereby not to giue him libertie to march vppon them.

The comming of the Duke de Mercury in Poitou.The Duke de Mercury with his troupes, marched along by the riuer of Loire, to enter into baſe Poitou, and becauſe the towne of Montagu, (although not long before ſpoyled and vnwalled) had been repaired and fortified, by Monſieur de Colombiers, that held it for the king of Nauarre) and that the Garriſon thereof, continually moleſted and hindered thoſe of Nantes, hee determined to beſiege it, and ſo take that retrait from the Huguenots, and to the ſame end, cauſed three cannons to bee layde at Pontrouſſeau to batter it, but beeing aduertiſed that the king of Nauarre had iſſued out of Rochell vppon the ninth of Auguſt, minding to ayde Montagu, he left it and retired to Nantes, leauing the Regiment of Gerſey, to make his retrait, which was ſurpriſed and ouerthrowne within two myles of Pillemil, beeing the ſubburbes of Nantes. This Prince of ſo generous nature, that he gloried not in vanquiſhing thoſe he had ouercome, perceiuing that Regiment to yeelde vnto his mercie,Victorie without bloodſhed. contented himſelfe with eight Enſignes, and foure hundreth and fiftie priſoners, and giuing thankes to God in open field, dined vnder a tree: and there forgetting the great way hee had marched the night before, not to leeſe occaſion of intrapping that Regiment, the ſame day hee hunted the Partrige, and in the euening entered into Montagu, to take order for the fortification and Garriſon thereof.

It is ſaid that Caezars tongue did him great ſeruice in many enterpriſes, his eloquence did in ſuch ſort ſtirre vppe the courages of his ſouldiers, that bending their heads forward, they paſſed on whether fortune and his commandement would puſh them. Promptneſſe and celeritie crowned all the enterpriſes of the king of Nauarre with laurell & triumphs, eſteeming that long diſcourſes are to no effect, where it is more neceſſarie to doo then to ſpeake. The action which is not done with ſpeed, can neuer take any notable effect. Pompey was blaſoned, and Hanniball likewiſe, as being too ſlacke in taking occaſions offered. And moſt part of our armies are broken & ouerthrown, more by delaies, then ſpeedineſſe, wee muſt haue ſo long preparation for our men before they bee readie, while they are preparing, the aduantage is loſt:An army from Spaine. while the king prepared and appoynted the two armies for Poitou and Dauphine, that the king of Nauarre returned victorious vnto Rochel, and that the Duke d'Eſpernon tolde how he had eſcaped the furie of the people of Augouleſme, The eſtate of the army. and remained eight and twentie houres beſieged without meate or drinke: newes was ſpred in all places of France, Their Commaunders & Captaines. of the approaching of the great and horrible Spaniſh armie, that had caſt anker before Calais, on Dunkerke ſide, ſtaying the ayde of the Prince of Parma, that was to ioyn with the Fleet, with great forces and numbers of horſes, to make their diſcent in England more eaſie to bee performed.

The armie was called inuincible, and of a moſt admirable preparation▪ which might bee ſeene by the deſcription thereof, printed at Lisbon, and after that, tranſlated into French, Dutch, and Italian.

It contained one hundreth and thirtie ſhippes, one hundreth nine and twentie men of quallitie, that went voluntary at their owne charges, and with them foure hundreth fiftie & ſixe ſeruants to attend on them,The number of the Regiments. two hundreth ſixe and twentie Lords, Gentlemen, Captaines, Enſign-bearers, Lieftenants, and other principall officers of companies, with one hundreth ſixtie and three ſeruants: one hundreth and thirtie regiments, hauing one hundreth ſeuentie two Enſignes, and twentie thouſand fighting men: among the which many were appoynted to be horſemen, according to the preparations made in the Prince of Parmaes ſhips, that prepared diuers furnitures for horſes, which they expected to be readie for them in England.

Euery Veſſel and Regiment had his viſitor, farrier, treaſurer, Commiſſarie for prouiſsions,Their Officers & Commiſſaries. and his Surgeon.

The Officers of Iuſtice were an Auditor generall, his Lieftenant an Alquazil for the king, and his Lieftenant, foure other Alquazils, foure Secretaries, ſixe Vſhers, and one Geolier.

The Marſhall of the field. The great Maiſter of the ArtillerieThe Maiſter of the field, Alphonſe de Cepede, aſsiſted with twentie Gentlemen, to prouide both by land and ſea, for all difficulties that might happen, with two Ingenieurs.

The chiefe Maiſter of the ordinances and artillery, had his Lieftenants, beeing fiftie nine Maiſter Gunners, with a Generall of the carriages and cartes prepared for the land: and a Generall for al the inſtruments of Iron, that were to bee vſed about them: and for the entertaining and conduction thereof, a Commiſſarie of the Mulets, and twentie two Groomes to lead them.

In the Hoſpitall of the ſicke, there was a General ouerſeer and his Lieftenant, fiue Phiſitians,The Hoſpitall. fiue Surgeons, fiue Aſsiſtants to them: foure binders vp of wounds, one Ouerſeer of them: a Great-maiſter or Steward of the Hoſpitall, and ſixtie two ſeruants.

There were religious perſons proportionall to that great number, firſt, eight Obſeruants of Caſtille: 20. Obſeruants of Portugall: nine and twentie Friers of Caſtille: Their Cleargie men. ten Friers of Portugal: 9. Auguſtins of Caſtille: 14. Auguſtins of Portugall: ſixe Friers of Portugall of the Order called del Pagna: twelue Carmes of Caſtille: nine Carmes of Portugall: eight Fryers of the third order of S. Francis in Portugall: two and twentie Iacobins: fifteene Ieſuites of Castille: and eight Ieſuites of Portugall: ſo that beſides the number of fighting men, there was almoſt tenne thouſand that had nothing to do with armes.

An armie, how great ſoeuer it bee, and well conducted, if it hath not prouiſions and amunitions accordingly, it receiueth but blaſone, ſhame, and diſhonor: but the king of Spaine tooke not that great enterpriſe in hand, without prouiding as great furniture as ſhould bee requiſite, whereby the Generall had no cauſe to feare any want, to put the armie out of courage.

Munitions and prouiſions.For they had eleuen thouſand Quintals of Biſcat: foureteen thouſand one hundreth and ſeuentie Pipes of Wine: ſixe thouſand fiue hundreth Quintals of Bacon: three thouſand foure hundreth thirtie three Quintalles of cheeſe: eight thouſand Quintals of dried fiſhes of all ſorts: Rice to furniſh euery veſſell with three Quintals for ſixe moneths: ſix thouſand three hundreth and twentie veſſelles of beanes and peaſe, eleuen thouſand three hundreth ninetie eight roues or meaſures of oyle, twentie three thouſand, eight hundreth and ſeuentie roues of vinegre, and eleuen thouſand eight hundreth and fiftie Pipes of freſh water: beſides the victuals and the neceſſaries of houſhold, that were in great number, and of all ſorts: as platters, goblets, pots, funnels, and veſſels of wood, candleſtickes, lanterns, lampes, falots, candles of waxe and tallowe, plates of lead and Oxe hides, to ſtoppe holes made with great ſhotte, bags of leather, canuaffe, and buckeram, hoopes for pipes and barrels, eight thouſand ſadles of leather, fiue thouſand paire of common ſhooes, eleuen thouſand paire of ſhooes with ſtrings, cords, nayles, horſes, waggons, wheeles, milles, apple trees, and all whatſoeuer belongeth eyther by water or by land, twelue great peeces for batterie, and twelue field peeces, with bagges of calues skins for powder and bullets.

The armes reſerued for ſtore, were ſeuen thouſand caliuers, and their furnitures, one thouſand muskets, tenne thouſand launces, one thouſand partiſans and halbardes, ſixe thouſand pikes, more pickaxes, payles,Their armes and other inſtruments, then would ſerue for ſeuen hundreth pioners. With this number, and in this manner being prepared, the armie departed out of Lisbon, vnder the conduct of the Duke de Medina Sidonia, aſsiſted with two and twentie Lords of Eſtate, Councell, and experience: eightie pages, and tenne young Gentlemen or knights, and ſeruants in great number. But it had ſcarſe entered into the ſea, ſayling towards the Grongnes in Gallicia, but there roſe a ſtorme with ſo great force, that it was conſtrained to put to land, and there ſtaye, till winde and weather ſerued: hauing loſt in that ſtorme, three Gallies of Portugals, and many of them ſo ſcattered and bruſed, that they were not ſeruiceable for that voyage.

The ſtorme beeing ceaſed, and the winde bettering, about the two and twentieth day of the moneth of Iuly, the Generall cauſed them to ſet ſayle, ſo fortunately, that in leſſe then fiue daies after, they diſcouered the point or end of Cornwall, and at the ſame time, they were ſeene from Plimmouth, by the Admiral of England, and Sir Francis Drake Viceadmiral, that made them turne their faces, and gaue them ſuch a skirmiſh, and that ſo neare, that the ſhippes were in diſorder, and a great gallion loſt, wherein was found a part of the treaſures that the armie brought with it, & all the inſtructions that the Duke of Medina had what hee ſhould do, hauing conquered England.

At the laſt, it got as farre as Calais, where it ſhould haue ioyned with the Duke of Parma, but the armie of England, that ſought to impeach it, followed it, and that ſo neare, that it was forced to leaue her anker-hold and confuſedly to flie away.

Their principal Galleaſſe among other veſſelles, was by the ſtreame caſt vpon the ſands hard by the Hauen of Calais, and there with her ordinances was left for the Gouernours of Calais, the reſt of the ſhippes were ſtrongly beaten with cannon ſhot, and by the Engliſh ſhippes ſcattered abroad, in ſuch ſort, that in thoſe skirmiſhes, the armie was leſſened of twelue ſhippes, and aboue fiue thouſand men.

Which done, it made towards the North ſeas, paſsing betweene Norway The ſcattering of the Spaniſh armie.& Scotland, & ſo towards Ireland, where thoſe Northen ſeas (being as the riſen, according to the time of the year, were very tempeſtious) vſed the reſt of the army very hardly, for it drowned and ſunke ſeuenteene great veſſelles vpon the coaſt of Ireland, and ſpoyled, brake, and ouerthrew diuers others, in ſuch manner, that of one hundreth and thirtie ſhippes, there were ſcarce thirtie that returned into Spaine.

The coppie of a Letter ſent to Deepe, touching the encoumer of the Engliſh and Spaniſh armie, and howe the Spaniards had wonne the victorie.The report of the ſucceſſe of this Fleet, was giuen out cleane contrary to that which happened vnto it, or then was trueth, and the innocency of diuers men was ſo great, that they aſſured and affirmed for certaine, that the Spaniards had the victorie, for the which, they made fiers of ioy, and printed whole diſcourſes, thereby to couer the ſhamefull flight of the Duke de Medina, that could make no other excuſe vnto the king his Maiſter, of that ouerthrow, but the infidelitie and ignorance of the Sailors, and the little experience they had of thoſe Northen Seas: the want of ayde from the Prince of Parma: and the great ſtormes and tempeſts vpon the ſeas.

This great ouerthrow abaſhed not the league, that more vnpatiently then euer it did, purſued the execution of the Edict of vnion, it ſawe that the king by words and oaths, not common but ſolemne, had ſworne in the Cathedrall Church of Roane, in preſence of the Cleargie, Princes, and Lords of the Court, that hee had ſent vnto the Biſhoppes touching thoſe affaires: that their Prieſtes in euery Dioceſſe ſhould cauſe their pariſioners to make profeſsion of their faith, that the Huguenots ſhould abiure their errors in open Courts of Parliaments, Courts royall, and publike places, to make them obſerue it, but not contenting themſelues therewith, they would haue the Edict chriſtened with the ſpeciall name of a fondamentall lawe: and becauſe it could not bee done but by the third eſtates of France, they beſought the king to hold Parliament, as by the ſaid articles of peace hee had promiſed.

De Commines lib. 5. cap. 4. The authoritie which the Senate had among the Romanes, the ſame authoritie hath the Parliament deuiſed by the firſt familie of the kings of France, which is of the third eſtates of the land, which repreſent the whole Realme. Although ſince that time, the name of Parliament is applyed to the companies of Soueraigne Courts, that haue the ordering of cauſes both criminall and ciuill.

That firſt age of our Monarchie, although rude and ſimple, that held our kings like puples vnder the Maiors of the Pallace, aſſembled the Parliament as often as the publike affaires of the Realme required:The kings of France were not ſeene but once a yeare. Aymon lib. 4. cap. 30. and the kings that as then retained the groſſe vapors of the Da • ubian ayre, and of the Orientall France, were neuer ſeene but once euery yeare, vppon the firſt day of May in their Parliaments: that is, in the aſſembly of the third orders or eſtates of their Realme, in a place called the field of Mars, where the king was borne in a Chariot of flowers, Aymon li. 4. cap 30. drawne by foure oxen after the ruſticall manner, and there placed in a royall throne, aſsiſted with his Nobilitie: hee heard the complaints of his ſubiects: gaue order for all things that were to bee done that yeare, and diſpatched the Ambaſſadors of forrain Princes. Vnder the ſecond lyne of the kings of France, The eſtate of France in the ſecond line of the kings of France. the Empire inlarging it by force, and the kings leauing that ſeuere greatneſſe, to haue conuerſation with their ſubiects, the eſtates aſſembled more commonly, not at a certaine and fixed day, but according to the opportunitie and neceſsitie of their affaires: & therefore Pepin that had cauſed Childeric to bee ſhorne & put into a Cloyſter, deſiring to eſtabliſh his vſurpation by the vniuerſall conſent of the people, cauſed the States to bee aſſembled at Soiſſons, that confirmed it, and another time at Compiegne: ſince that time, the diuiſions and iealouſies of the Princes, made thoſe aſſembles to bee more difficult: the kings contented themſelues with the Parliament, as an abridgement of the three eſtates, wherein there was Prelates, Noblemen, and Deputies, of all townes, with the Councell of Parris, to determine all things that belonged to iuſtice: the Bailiffes and Stewards, euery man in his iuriſdiction, adminiſtring the cauſes of the Common-wealth, but when ignorance, auarice, and cupiditie, entered into that firſt order, that an euerlaſting and continuall obſcuritie, had infolded the beautie of lawes, men waxing more malicious, and thereby fell into diuers deceits and frauds, brablings and quarrellings tooke place, Bailiffes and Stewards not adminiſtring iuſtice with ſuch integretie and ſeueritie, as was conuenient, and our kings hauing not meanes in their Parliaments, that alwaies held about them, to bee ſtill imployed in hearing particular mens ſuites, & the affaires of eſtate that daily increaſed, as the Monarchie augmented, King Philiple Bel cauſed the Pallace to bee made, where ſoueraigne iudgements ſhould bee giuen. Since that, Philip ſurnamed the Long, ordained that it ſhould bee compoſed of a certaine number of perſons,Controuerſies vnder the raign of Philip le Bel. Vpon this Preſident, he tooke the order of knighthood. one or two Preſidents, the firſt Preſident beeing the Counte of Bourgongne, a Prince of the blood, eight Clarkes, and twelue Lay-men, foure Maiſters of Requeſt, & two chambers of Requeſts, wherin were eight Lay-men, eight Clarkes as Iudges, and foure and twentie Atturneyes: he called Clarkes men with long gownes, married and vnmarried, and the reſt Laye-men, Noblemen, or Gentlemē. The Parliament that ſerued only for iuſtice, hindered not the aſſembly of the eſtates, for the benefit of the Common-wealth, not at a certaine or ordinary time, as in England, euery three yeares,This is a falſe ſurmiſe of the Author. Reaſons and neceſſittes, vrging the aſſembly of the Eſtates. but as often as it pleaſed the king, and no other to ſummon them, for one of theſe three occaſions. The firſt, when the ſucceſsion or right of the Crowne, was doubtfull and in controuerſie, or that it was neceſſarie to prouide for the ruling and gouerning of the Realme, during the captiuitie or minoritie of the kings, or when they were troubled and wanted the right vſe of their memories and ſences. The ſecond, when it was neceſſarie to reforme the Realm, to correct the abuſe of Officers & Magiſtrates, by troubles and ſeditions, and to reduce things to their firſt order and integretie. The third, for the neceſsities of the kings and their Realmes, in thoſe aſſemblies of the Deputies of all the parts of the Realme, they ſhewed the people in what eſtate the kings affaires were, and they were courteouſly mooued, intreated, and exhorted, to graunt ſubſidies, aydes, and aſsiſtances vnto their kings, which otherwiſe would haue contented themſelues with their rents and reuenues, to maintaine the glorie of royall dignitie, they neuer vſed to impoſe any ſubſidies or tallages without the conſent thereof: and ſaid not as Lewis the eleuenth ſaid, that Frunce was a medowe that vſed to bee mowed thriſe a yeare: ſo for one of theſe three cauſes, the eſtates haue been ſeene to aſſemble in diuers places and times.

The yeare 1327.1380. Froſard. li. 2. chap. 58.60. In the yeare 1484. In the yeare 1356. In the yeare 1412. Philip Earle of Vertus.They aſſembled in Parris to chuſe a Regent during the minoritie of S. Lewis, an other time in the ſame place, to prouide for the gouernment of king Charles the ſixt in his minoritie, and at Tours for Charles the eight, that Lewis the eleuenth had left in infancie.

They aſſembled in Parris for the libertie of king Iohn priſoner in England, and for the phrenſie of Charles the ſixt, whoſe gouernment was referred to his two Vncles, the Dukes of Berry and Bourgongne.

They aſſembled at Auxerre, to ſweare a peace betweene the children of the houſes of Orleans, and Bourgongne, and by their aduice, the marriage of the Counte of Vertus, brother to the Duke of Orleans, with the daughter of the Duke of Bourgongne, was made among the ioyes of this peace: the Dukes of Orleans and Bourgongne, were ſeene booth vppon a horſe, ſporting themſelues with the other Princes, to witneſſe their amitie and reconciliation: yet it was but a fained peace.

Monſtrelet, lib. 1. chap. 59. They were againe aſſembled in the raigne of Charles the ſixt at Parris, vnder Francis the ſecond at Orleans, and vnder Henry the third at Bloys, to appeaſe the difference of the new religion, abuſes, deſolations, & exceſſe, to take order for the adminiſtring of iuſtice, to rate the monies, and to inſtitute the offices for the gouernment of the treaſures: in the two laſt, the Deputies required two things, one the extirpation of hereſies, but without wars, by a free & legitimate Councell: the ſecond, the eaſing of the poore people, by taking accounts of ſuch as abuſing the fauour and libertie of the king, had inriched themſelues by the oppreſsion of his ſubiects, to the end, that the blood being drawne into an other part, might be brought into the emptie vaines, to quicken the head, and animate the moſt noble partes of the bodie.

In the firſt, the wicked Councellours and adminiſtrators of the publike treaſures, were examined and openly named, with a moſt ſhamefull defamation.

King Henry the third, perceiuing this remedie to bee neceſſary, that ouer much practiſing and deuiſes, was ſeene to bee in all eſtates of the Realm, and that hee could not defer the purgation thereof, he conſented to the convocation of all the eſtates of the Realme, and declareth what had alwaies bin his fatherly care towards his ſubiects, how he had reſpected their good, reſt, and tranquillitie, with all affection that might be found in a Prince, that hath nothing dearer nor in more ſpeciall recommendation: that hee knew well, to to his great griefe, that the effects had not been correſpondent to his deſire, by the renuing of troubles happened in the middle of a peace well eſtabliſhed, vnder the which, he had begunne to prouide for reformation and re-eſtabliſhment of many things, which the miſeries of warres had brought out of order.

This, if for the ſmall time that the peace did indure, the people had alreadie begunne to taſte ſome acceptable fruite, it was eaſie to iudge, that i • would haue been much more felt, without ſo ſuddaine an alteration.

That wee muſt muſt impute it to the iuſt puniſhment of God, that ceaſed not to laye his ſcourges vppon this Realme, that it might bee knowne to bee vnwoorthie of the benefit of a peace, wherewith hee vſeth to indue and bleſſe thoſe to whom hee will ſhewe any ſpeciall fauour.

That the more men proceed forward, the more they perceiue all things to fall into ſuch diſorder and confuſion, that in ſhort time if order be not taken therein, there will not be any more ſteppes of the auncient force and greatneſſe of this Realme, ſeene or perceiued, which in times paſt were ſo admired by forraine nations.

That for the ſame cauſe, his Maieſtie thought it conuenient, for the loue and fatherly affection that hee beareth to his ſubiects, to thinke vppon the meanes that might bee deuiſed, to finde a remedie for the ſame.

That after hee had ripely conſidered therevpon, hee eſteemed no better meanes could bee vſed, then the ſame that had beene practiſed by his predeceſſors, who among the great diſorders happened during their raignes, they were not comparable to thoſe of his time, becauſe they ſurpaſſe them. They had recourſe to an aſſembly of the eſtates general of the Realm, which at this day would bee more neceſſary and requiſite then euer it was. For that cauſe therefore hee commaunded, that the principall perſonages of euery Prouince, Baliage, and Stewardſhip, ſhould by the fifteenth day of September, aſſemble the Towne of Bloys, there in open aſſembly to make their petitions, and to ſhewe their griefes: to ſpeake freely, without medling with any practiſes, thereby to fauour the particular paſsions of any man whatſoeuer, which will bee moſt fit and conuenient meanes, to quench and aboliſh ſuch diuiſions as are among his ſubiects, ſpecially among the Catholicques, and to attaine to a good and an aſſured quietneſſe, whereby Catholicque religion ſhall bee ſo well eſtabliſhed, and all hereſies purged and extirped out of his Realme: that his ſubiects ſhould haue no more cauſe to feare a change, neyther while hee liued, nor afer his diſeaſe.

The kings commiſsions beeing ſent and publiſhed in euery Prouince, the third orders, that is the cleargie, the Nobilitie, and the deputies of the people, aſſembled in the principall Towne of euery Prouince and Corporation, to conferre of their declarations, complaints, greefes, and of the meanes they ſhould vſe to propound them in the aſſembly, & to chuſe their Deputies that might ſpeake for all the Prouince. When the king ſent his commiſsions, the league likewiſe, and it may bee by the ſame meanes, cauſed their memorials and articles to bee giuen to euery Baliage and Stewardſhip, moſt affected to their factions, that they might ſet them down with the reſt of their requeſts. Wherevpon the author of the treatie made, touching the cauſes and reaſons of bearing armes, by the league made in Ianuary 1589. ſaith, that thoſe memorials were ſent to the moſt paſsionate leaguers.

The names of the Deputies is to be ſeene in a diſcourſe imprinted vpon this matter following, by Iamet Mettayer.That they might procure to be appoynted Deputies by the Bailiffes, ſo that in a manner, all the Deputies of the third orders, were altogither participants with the league, and their remembrances formed to require that which they had beene certified of before, and that the credite of the league was ſuch, that the Marſhals & Harbengers for the king, durſt not refuſe lodging to ſuch as were marked with their Pater noſters. I would ſet downe the names of the Deputies, to giue the Reader free choiſe & deſtinction, of ſuch as were found to be ſent by ſpecial procurement, & others that had no other intent but onely the zeale of the augmentation of the Catholicque and Romane religion, the honour & ſeruice of the king: the reformation of diſorder: and the comfort of the poore people: but that is to bee ſeene in a particular diſcourſe printed to the ſame end: wherevnto I referre the Reader. Meane time, wee will go before to marke out the lodgings for this aſſembly, for all the Deputies are on horſebacke to meete at Lewis, where the king would bee.

Heere endeth the third Booke.

THE FOVRTH BOOKE OF THE HISTOrie of the laſt troubles of France, from the aſſembly of the eſtates, and the peace of Chartres, till the breaking vp thereof, beeing the ſixteenth of Ianuary, 1589. And the troubles that beganne in the ſame moneth at Parris and in other Townes.

WHen folly rauiſheth and vſurpeth the ordering & cōduction of a great & ſerious matter, it is a hazard if euer it fall out to the contentment of him that taketh it in hand. It is a poynt of folly in the Duke of Guiſe, to ſeeke the kings good will, ſeeing that of a proude minde hee had ſeparated himſelfe from it by an vnreconcileable offence: Folly to ſuppoſe that the peace of Chartres had healed the continuall bleeding woundes of the Barricadoes: folly likewiſe to come to Blois, ſeeing the king would not go to Parris: therfore it was the aſſembly at Bloys that muſt make the bridge betweene the extremities of their deſires.

There they played ſubtiltie one with the other, he that ſhould be deceiued, thought vpon nothing elſe, but to deceiue the partie that deceiued him. The Duke of Guiſe was glad of the meeting of the eſtates, becauſe he was aſſured, that among ſo many Deputies, hee ſhould finde a ſufficient number to authoriſe his cauſe, and giue a hard plunge, or rather ouerthrowe to the Kings power. And the king thoght that with his royall authoritie, he ſhould haue credite ſufficient with the three Eſtates of his Realme, and courage ynough in his heart, there to puniſh the Duke of Guiſe for all his vaine and glorious enterpriſes: each of them trauelled for the aduancement of their deſires: the Duke of Guiſe for his part, wrought the hearts and mindes of his Adherents by faire promiſes, and moſt artificiall ſubtilties, to procure the more ſtrength on his ſide, and to cauſe all the Deputies to haue no other deſire and memoriall in their remembrances, then the aduancement and triumph of the league. The king that would not returne to Parris, excuſing himſelfe by the preparation for the eſtates, went firſt to Bloys, to take order for their place of aſſembly, partition of chambers, and lodgings for the Deputies. He gaue the charge of the preparation to the Lord of Marle, one of the ordinary controwlers of his houſe, in the abſence of the Lord of Roddez, Great-Maiſter of the ceremonies of France, to take order for the commodious placings of ſo great a company, & cōmanded him to bring the deputies one after the other as they arriued into his chamber, that he might ſee, heare, & know them. And becauſe the number of thoſe that made moſt haſte, were not ſufficient in the the kings minde, to debate ſuch waightie affaires, hee prolonged their meeting till the laſt day of the ſame moneth, and in the meanetime, all the Deputies arriued out of euery place. So that in leſſe then tenne daies, Bloys was as it were the receptacle of all the Realme of France.

This moſt religious Prince deſiring to begin this aſſembly, with a publike inuocation vppon the name of God, commaunded a ſolemne proceſsion from the Church of Saint Saueor, in the great Court of the Caſtle at Blois, vnto the Church of our Ladie des Aydes, in the ſubburbes of Vienne. It was a generall ſhewe of the French pompe and magnificence, and ſpecially of the beautie of the Court of ſo great a king. Their order was in this manner, firſt there went the communalties of the Churches: after them, the Deputies of the people foure in a ranke: then followed the Nobilitie, ſeconded by Eccleſiaſticall perſons: after them came Albon Biſhops, Archbiſhops, and Cardinals: foure knights of the Order of the holy Ghoſt carried the Canape. the Archbiſhop of Aix bearing the holy Sacrament. Then followed his Maieftic on foote with the Queenes, Princes, and Princeſſes. Monſieur de Saintes Biſhop of Eureux made the Sermon, and the Archbiſhop of Bourges ſaide the Maſſe in our Lady Church, all hanged with the kings richeſt hangings: his Maieſtie ſat in the Quier vpon a ſeat couered with veluet. This proceſsion was made vpon Sunday the ſecond of October, and the next day they were to buy their meeting, but as then all the Deputies were not come, therefore that day there was nothing done, but appoynting of places and chambers for conference. The ſpiritualtie met in the Iacobins, the Nobilitie in the Pallace, the Deputies for the people in the Towne-houſe, the Preſidents and officers of euery Order were choſen the Cardinals of Bourbon & Guiſe for the clargie, & in their abſence the Archbiſhop of Bourges: for the Nobilitie, the Earles of Briſſac, & the Lord of Marrignac. For the third eſtate or people, Michael Marteau Prouoſt of Merchants of the towne of Parris: the Secretaries of the Cleargie, were Maſter Iues le Tartier, Dean of S. Stenens church in Troy, & Iohn Martin Cannon of Perigueux, Deputies for the Cleargie of the ſame places: For the Nobilitie, Florimond de Dorne, Lord of that place, & Bailiffe of S. Prerrele Monſtier, Claude de Moniournal, Sieur de Sindre, Deputies de Bourbonnois, & Francis d'Alonuille, Sieur d'Oiſonuille, Deputie of the Baliage and Duchy of Estampes. The Secretary of the chamber of the third eſtate, was Iohn Courtin, Sieur de Nanteuil, Deputie for the 3. eſtate of the Baliage of Boys. The firſt ſitting was put off till the 17. day of the ſame month, for two cauſes: the firſt, becauſe they ſtayed the comming of the Princes of the blood, that as then were not arriued in the Towne, and the reſt of the Deputies.

The other, to haue time to auoyde the differences and iealouſies that happened, becauſe of the preuentations and delaies made, touching the elections and procurations of Deputies.

The king at that ſame time cauſed a faſt to bee publiſhed, and an abſtinence from fleſh for the ſpace of three whole daies, that men might prepare themſelues to the holy communion, which was receiued by the king in the Church of Saint Saueor, within the Caſtle, the Princes and Lords of the Court in diuers Churches, all the other Deputies of the third Eſtate, in the Couent of Iacobins, where the Cardinall of Bourbon celebrated the Maſſe, and communicated vnto them.

The ſixteenth of October, the Hall where the States ſhould ſit, was opened, which was in this maner: It is in length fiue & twentie paces, and nine in bredth, with ſixe great ſtone Pillers in the middle, hanged with rich cloth of Arras, wrought with golde, the Pillers couered with hangings of purple veluet, imbrodered with flower deluces of gold: the toppe of the Hall, couered with Tapiſtrie: betweene the third and fourth piller, was placed a great ſeate in manner of a ſcaffold, riſing with three ſteppes, about eleuen or twelue inches high: fiue paces long, and foure broad: in the middle whereof, ſtood a great footſtoole about foure or fiue inches high, foure foot long, and eight foote broad: and vppon that, an other litle footeſtoole of ſixe foote ſquare, whereon ſtood the kings chaire: on the right ſide vppon the great footeſtoole, was the Queene-mothers chaire: on the other ſide, the Queen the kings wife: behinde their chaires, ſtood the Captaines of the guard: and all along the ſcaffold, the two hundreth Gentlemen with their hatchets or poleaxes: on the right hand of the king vppon the great ſcaffold, there were two bankes togither, couered with purple veluet, imbrodred with flower deluces of gold: vpon one of thērneareſt & towads the king, ſat the princes of the blood, the Cardinal of Vendoſme, the Earle of Soiſſons, and the D. de Monpeſlier: on the other banke ſomewhat further, ſat the Dukes of Nemours, de Neuers, and de Retz: right againſt thoſe bankes on the left hand, the Cardinalles de Guiſe, de Lenoncourt, and de Gondy: and behinde them, two Priors of the Church, the Archbiſhoppe of Langres, and the Biſhoppe of Chaalons.

Before the footeftoole vppon the ſcaffold, there ſtood a chaire without abacke, right before the king, couered with purple veluet, and imbrodered with flower deluces of gold, for the Duke of Guiſe as great Maiſter of France, his backe towards the king, and his face to the people: on the left hand, and vppon the ſame ſcaffold, ſtood a chaire for Monſieur de Monthelon, keeper of the great ſeales of France, his face towards the Princes of the blood, and his backe to the Cardinalles of Guiſe and Lenoncourt: the place at the kings foote, that belonged to the Duke de Maine as Chamberlaine of France, and that of the Marſhall of France, that ſhould bee vppon the laſt ſteppe of the ſcaffold were emptie: at the foote of the ſcaffold right before the kings chaire, ſtood atable for the kings Secretaries, beeing Monſieur Ruze, Lord of Beaulieu, and Monſieur de Reuol, their backs towards the king, and their faces to the people: and before them, the Heralts on their knees and bare-headed: on each ſide of this table, ſtood the ſeates of the kings auditors of all affaires: on the left hand Monſieur de Bellegarde, chieſe Gentleman of the kings chamber, the Archbiſhoppe of Lyons, Monſieur Miron the kings chiefe Phiſitian: on the left hand, vpon an other banke, Monſieur de Longenac, an other of the Gentlemen of the kings chamber, Monſieur des Eſcars, Monſieur de Souuray, Monſieur d'O, three Commanders of the Order of the holy Ghoſt: at the end of the bankes aforeſaid, there ſtood two banks, one at the end of the other, along on both ſides, that made an Allie, about two or three foote broad: vppon thoſe of the right hand, ſat Meſsieurs of the Councel of eſtate of the long gowne, Monſieur d'Eſpeſſe the kings Aduocate, in the Parliament at Parris, Monſieur de Chaſtelliers, Monſieur Falcon, Sieur de Riz, Monſieur Marcel, Receiuer of the Treaſurie, Monſieur de la Gueſle, Atturney generall for the king: Monſieur Campigny, Monſieur de Pont-carre, Monſieur de Ville-roy, Monſieur de Viart, Preſident of Metz: Monſieur Petremol: Sieur de Roſiers, Receiuer of the finances: Monſieur de Thou, Sieur de Emery.

And vpon the other two bankes on the left hand, ſat the Councell of Eſtate of the ſhort gowne, Monſieur de Schomberg, Earle of Nantueil, Monſieur de Cleremont d'Antragues, Monſieur de la Chaſtegneraye, Monſieur de Rochefort, Monſieur de Pongny, Monſieur de Richelieu, Monſieur de Liancourt, Monſieur de Menneuille. And vpon the other banke, Monſieur de Chaſtre, Monſieur de Grillon, Monſieur de Birague, Monſieur de Chemerault, Monſieur de Manou, all Commaunders of the Order of the holy Ghoſt, except the Sieurs de Schomberg & de Menneuille. And theſe Lords were they that had the handling of cōmon cauſes for the ordinary of the Realme, or other particular Gouernments of Townes, Prouinces, and affaires, wherein the king onely might take order.

Behinde the bankes of the Councell of eſtate of the long gowne, on the right hand of the king, there ſtood eight great bankes before the ſcaffold, for the Deputies of the Clargie: on the other ſide vpon the left hand, behind the Councellours of eſtate of the ſhort gowne, there ſtood nine great bankes for Deputies of the Nobilitie: croſſe hard by on the ſides of thoſe bankes, was that of the Maiſters of Requeſts: and after them, the Clarkes of the houſe and Crowne of France.

All theſe were inuironed and cloſed with great and ſtrong railes of three foore high, hauing but one entery that was right before the kings face. Betweene the aforeſaid third and fourth Pillers, whereat the Deputies entered, and within the incloſure of thoſe Barricadoes, round about were the bankes for them to ſit vppon. The ſpace about the Railes without, was in bredth betweene ſixe or ſeuen foote, for the better acceſſe and eaſe of the people, to leane vppon them.

The Legate, the Ambaſſadours, the Lords, and the Ladies of the Court, were in the Galleries cloſed with latiſes, vnder the which, were erected diuiers ſcaffoldes, eight or nine ſteppes higher one then the other, thereon to place great numbers of people.

The Deputies according to the order were called a Huſsier, ſtanding in a windowe that looked into the Caſtle-yeard, ſuch as hee called were receiued by the Heraults, (named Normandy, d'Alencon, and Valois, apparrelled in their Coate-armours of purple veluet) into the railes, that ſtood at the foot of the ſteppes, which they ſtill ſhutte as the Deputies entered, and from thence ledde them to the enterie of the railes of the Hall, where the Herault, Brittaine & Dauphine receiued them, and brought them to the Lords of Roddez and Marle, Maiſters of the ceremonies, telling them of what Prouince, they were Deputies, and ſetting them in their places, they beeing in that order ledde forward, the Herault at the windowe called others, which were receiued, led and placed as the reſt: the order vſed in calling them was thus.

Firſt the Towne-Prouoſt and Vicounte of Parris, the Duchie of Bourgongne, and Baliage of Dyon, the Duchie of Normandie, and by order the Baliages of Roane, Caen, Caux, Conſtantin, Eureux, Giſors, Alencon, and Mortaing.

The Duchie of Guyenne, and by order the Stewardſhip of Bourdeaux, Bazas, Perigort, Rouergue, Xaintongue, Agenois: the Countrie and Countie of Comminges: the Stewardſhip of Launes, S. Seuer, Condounas. High Limoſin and the Towne of Limoges: Lowe Limoſin, the Stewardſhip of Quercy.

The Duchie of Brittaine, and her dependances: the Earledome of Champagne and Baliages of Troye, Chaumont in Baſsigny, Vitry, Meaux, Prouince, Seſanne, Sens, and the Caſtle of Tyerrie.

The Earledome of Thoulouſe, and gouernment of Languedoc: the Stewardſhip of Thoulouſe, Puy: the Baliages of Velay: Mompelier, the Stewardſhip of Carcaſſonne, Narbonne, Beziers: the Stewardſhip of Lauragais, Vermandois, Poictou, Chaſtelleraut, Fantenay: and Niort: the Stewardſhip of Aniou and of Maine: the Baliages of Thouraine and Amboiſe: the Stewardſhip of Loudunois: the Baliages of Berry and S. Pierre le Monſtier: the Stewardſhip of Bourbonnois: the Baliages of Foreſt and Beauioulois: the Stewardſhip & lowe countrie of Auuergne: the Baliages of the Mountaines of Auuergne: the Stewardſhip of Lyon: the Baliages of Chartres, Orleans, Montargis, Blois, Dreux, Mantes, and Meulan: the Baliages of Gien, Percht, Chaſteauneuf, & Amiens: the Stewardſhip of Ponthieu Boulonnois, Peronne, Montdidier, and Roye: the Baliages of Senlis, Vallois, Clermont and Beauuoiſis, Melun, Nemours, Nyuernois and Douziais. The countrie of Dauphine, and that which dependeth thereon: the towne and gouernment of Rochel: the Stewardſhip of Angoulmois: the Baliages of Montfort, Houdan, Eſtampes, Dourdan: the Counte of Prouence, Graſſe, Draguignan & Marſeille: the Counte de la Marche, both low & high: the Marquiſat of Saluce, and the Baliage of Beauuois in Beaunoiſis. So that to conclude, the Clargie had 134. Deputies, among the which were 4. Archbiſhops, 21. Biſhops, & two principals of orders: the Nobilitie 180. Gentlemen: and the third eſtate, 191. Deputies,The number of the Deputies. all Miniſters of iuſtice, or of the ſhort gowne. The Deputies being entered, and the Gate ſhut, Monſieur de Guiſe ſitting in his chaire, apparelled in a roabe of white Satin, the cape hanging backward about his ſhoulders, (with his eyes pearcing through all the aſſembly, therein to know and diſtinguiſh his ſeruitors, & with one onely glance of his eye, to ſtrengthen them in the hope and aſſurance of his pretences, greatneſſe, and fortunes, and thereby without word, to tell them that he ſaw them) roſe vp, and hauing made a great reuerence to all the companie, beeing followed by the 200. Gentlemen, and the Captains of the guard, he went to fetch the king, that entered in great Maieſtie with his principall order hanging about his necke. When the company perceiued him to come downe the ſtaires, that went ſtraight to the great ſcaffold, euery man roſe vp and ſtood bare-headed: which done, the king tooke his place, the Princes ſtanding ſtill, vntill hee commaunded them and his Councell to ſit downe.

There was neuer any aſſembly made, wherin was found more excellent French wittes, concerning the reſolutions of great affaires, the propounding of excellent and rare conceipts, and for the reformation of the eſtate. Nor yet for the pronunciation of Orations, with more grace & eloquence, then in this God that is the iuſt diſtributer of his fauours to whom it pleaſeth him, hath ordained, that nature ſhould helpe and adorne certaine nations, more then others with eloquence of ſpeech, but it is a ſpeciall fauour of God, to ſpeake well and to the purpoſe, before great aſſemblies, not of a Commonwealth of Veniſe, nor a Councel of three hundreth in the cantons of Swiſſes, but before the eſtates of a great king: yea of the greateſt Realme in all Chriſtendome, and in the preſence of the geateſt king of all Europe.

This eloquence is a gift of God, ſuch and ſo great, that Moyſes found no other excuſe, to refuſe that notable Ambaſſage, but the rudeneſſe of his ſpeech, as if the firſt peece of the furniture of him that vndertaketh ſuch things, were the grace of ſpeaking well.

There hath beene diuers great perſonages, that haue buryed and obſcured the beſt and braueſt quallities in them, for the onely want thereof, & ſome haue beene ſeene in a publike place, at a barre, and in a Councell, that comming in preſence of a Prince, and of a great aſſembly, became ridiculous to the company, with bluſhing and ſhamefaſtneſſe, and in the aſſembly, ſome were aſhamed to ſee their baſhfulneſſe. Heraclites the great Sophiſter was abaſhed before Seuerus, Talthybius and Eurybate, before Agamemnon, Theophrastes in the Araopage: Herod the Athenian, before Marcus Anthonius. Some ſtumbled in the beginning of their diſcourſe, others omitting the principall matter, in the middle of their orations, and many making a woorſe end, then a beginning. And whatſoeuer is the cauſe, thoſe that are in ſuch extacies, haue no man to ſupply their places, and perceiuing themſelues brought into that poynt, either ſhamefully to ſtand ſtill and ſay nothing, or take a new matter in hand beſides the text, and ſo rather doo wrong to their reaſon and arguments,Great perſonages faile in deliuering their orations. then to their ſpeech, as Bartholomew Soncin, before Pope Alexander the ſixt: and Francis Barbare Venetian, before the Duke of Milan.

I commend ſuch as take time to prepare themſelues, and wonder at thoſe, who without preparation, can ſo readily acquit their charge. Our countrie of France hath ſeene and heard, both of the one and other. It heard in this ſolemne aſſembly, of all the eſtates of the Monarchie, that the Romane eloquence is retired, and had withdrawn it ſelfe into the head of her great king: and that France likewiſe as wel as Rome, hath Seuerus Caſsiens, that ſpeake both well and wiſely, without premeditation, and that cannot indure a troubleſome ſtudie: that it hath Demoſthenes and Pericles, that neuer ſpeake without good aduiſe: that it hath a rare and almoſt vnknowne thing vnto all Monarches: which is,The ſigne of the weakening of an eſtate. This is vnderſtood of the eloquence of Sophiſters. that her kings ſpeake without Interpreters: but in this poynt I muſt let you knowe, that it is a moſt aſſured ſigne of the weakning of the forces of our eſtate, when euery man taketh more delight in eloquent words, then in great effects, and is better pleaſed in ſaying then dooing well. For that eloquence is like a medicine, which is onely prepared for ſicke perſons, and eloquence is imployed but in ſuch eſtates, that are like to fall and decay, and to mooue and perſwade a people that are ſtayed.

The multitude of Phiſitians in a Towne, maketh mee iudge the intemperance of the Inhabitants: the great troupes of Councellors and Atturnies that are in all places, do ſufficiently ſhew, that the corruption of our manners entertaineth quarrelles, and there was neuer ſeene ſo many Orators in Athens, Rhodes, and Rome, but when they were troubled with ciuill diſſentions.

The League brought with her, diuers eloquent fellowes, by their babling and deuiſes to make the people beleeue, that white is blacke, and trueth falſehood, and to conſtraine them vnder the ſweetneſſe of their arguments, to ſwallow downe rebellion, faithleſſeneſſe and diſobedience.

And who knoweth not, that the ſame day of her birth, had been the obſequie of her funeral, if in the places where truth ought to triumph, vntruth had not beene introduced, their ſences filled with ſmokes, and ſed the ignorant people with deuiſes and laughters?

Plutarch.Such as ſought to winne the people, proceeded not all in one kinde of manner: in Athens there were ſome that would drawe them by the eies, preſenting them with falſe and deuiſed things: others, by the belly, in ſeaſts and banquettings: diuers by the purſe, and ſhining beautie of that mettal,The people are taken by the eares. which bendeth the moſt ſtiffeſt: but the beſt aduiſed haue begunne with the eares, the beaſtlineſſe and eaſie introducing of the people, not beeing handled but by them, all other holdes are vnaſſured, other rules and obſeruations can neuer make them tame.

By it, Pompey, Caezar, Craſſus, Lucullus, Lentulus, and Metollus, began their tyrannies, and ayded themſelues better with their tongues, then by their lances: the French tongue was neuer more adorned, inriched, nor fairer, then at this time, and I would to God it ſerued onely to confound rebellions, deteſt Leagues, conuince ſchiſmes, eleuate the authoritie of the lawe, eſtabliſh and ſtrengthen iuſtice, euaporate the cloudes of errors, that trouble our vnderſtandings, and that the fire of thoſe hotte and liuely ſpeeches, that make vs to attempt ſo high actions, and mortifieth colde and moyſt humours, that make our affections glance againſt our ſoueraigne good, and that it would in flame the courage of good men, againſt the iniuſtice of the wicked.

Corruption of eloquence in holy matters.But to the contrary, it is imployed to the great diſliking of ſtraungers, to the infamie of Frenchmen, and againſt a king of France, to rent and diſſeuer his authoritie, blame his holy intents, to accuſe his Councell, and to pierce the eares of his ſubiects, therein infuſing the dangerous poyſon of deſpiſing his Maieſtie.

They vſe a phraſe, adorned with rich and magnificall words, (without choiſe or conſideration) to condemne the law, to degrade the Magiſtrate: and to praiſe thoſe that neuer did good, but when they minded to doo euill: they haue borrowed great words of Architecture, Pilaſtres, Corniches, Architraues, Amphiteatres, and Theatres, and all for the deſcription of that miſchieuous hole or caue of the League, and of that miſerable populer ſtate, built vppon foure gibbets or ſtakes.

Againſt a ſort of writers during theſe troublesBut the holy and true eloquence, is that which alwaies continued with the iuſtice of the kings cauſe, all that is induced therein, is firmer and more ſolide, the reaſons liuelyer and ſtronger, the words more chriſtian & Frenchlike, and the formes more ingenious and ſweete: not pompious with arrogancie, nor furred with artificialneſſe: not boulſtered with blaſphemies, not fantaſticated with nouelties: nor falſe nor ridiculous as thoſe of the eloquent Orators of the league: and if you take away but two or three bookes, iſſuing out of the ſhops of theſe Apothicaries, wherein neuertheleſſe, there is nothing to bee redde but olde fables, well compoſed vnder a goodly and a faire couerture, you ſhall finde, that as they deſire not to doo well, ſo they connot ſpeake well: and all the harmony of their writings, is but a rude diſcord of the ſtrings of ſome olde viole, and a building of diuers peeces weake and very feeble.

The Orations pronounced in this aſſembly, are not in ſuch manner, and although there are ſome that ſauour of the kennell from whence they iſſue, yet I eſteeme this Hiſtorie would thereby be much bewtified, but we will reſerue them for a larger volume, for that the breuitie wee haue promiſed in the beginning, permitteth mee not at large to induce them heerein.

That onely of the king, full of liuely affection, of true magnanimitie, of reaſons, pertinent and very likely, is like liuely portratures of the beauties of France, and the euill fauouredneſſe which the League hath borrowed vppon her face, ought to be placed herein, in her proper & originall ſplendure: as not being a long preambulation or diſcourſe, ſuch as Theopompus, Ephorus, and Anaximenes, vſed to the Captains, when they receiued their charge, and that it is time rather to doo, then ſay: but a diſcourſe woorthie the Maieſtie of a King of France, and of Henry the third, that had that great aduantage aboue all the Princes of his time, to aunſwere promptly, wiſely, and aptly, to all important occaſions that were preſented, that like an ignorant Pilot, committed not the guiding of his ſhippe to his mates, and neuer ſpake by an other mans mouth, had within himſelfe the knowledge of mannaging the rurther, and the wordes that gaue the vnderſtanding of his will.

The places then beeing appoynted and filled, according to the greatneſſe, order and degrees of euery man, all the Deputies ſtanding vppe, bareheaded, the King beganne in this manner to make his Oration, by a graue choiſe of goodly wordes, and with a tongue truely ledde by his paſsions, and that yeelded no other ſound, then the naturall harmonie.

The kings Oration to the eſtates. MY Lords and friends, I will beginne with an humble ſupplication vnto God, from whom proceedeth all good gifts and holy operations, that it will pleaſe him to ayde me with his holy Spirit, conducting me as it were by the hand in this ſerious action, therein to acquit that which I take in hand, as woorthily, as the worke is holy, deſired, attended, and neceſſary for the vniuerſall good of my ſubiects, which is the reſtoring of my eſtate, by the generall reformation of all the parts of the ſame, which I haue ſought as much or rather more, then the preſeruation of my own proper life.

Ioyne with mee therefore I pray you, in this moſt inſtant requeſt, which I now make vnto him, beſeeching him that he wil more and more ſtrenthen that conſtant deſire, by him alreadie for that cauſe rooted within my heart: and that likewiſe hee will take from you, all particular paſsions, if there bee any, that reiecting all other parts, but that of your king, you haue no regard, but imbrace the honour of God, the dignitie and authoritie of ſoueraigne Prince, and to reſtore the countrie in ſuch manner, that there may enſue ſo laudable and fruitfull a reſolution, accompanied with ſo good effects, that my eſtate may receiue his ancient ſplendure. And this will be a worke woorthy of the place wherevnto I am called, and witneſſe both your capacities and loyalties.

He whom I haue now inuoked, to ayde both me and my eſtate, that is the ſearcher of all our hearts, if it pleaſeth can bee a witneſſe, that aſſoone as hee appoynted me to be commaunder ouer you, an incredible greefe entered into me, touching your publike and particular miſeries, together with a care, that euer ſince hath much increaſed in mee, to procure ſome wholeſome remedies, with as happy an end, as therein it is much more then neceſſary.

What greefe thinke you, hath penitrated in my entrals, within theſe fewe yeares, ſince age and experience haue made more capable to apprehend the deſolation, oppreſsion, and ouerthrow of my poore people, withall ſeeming vnto me, that my raigne ſhould bee reſerued for a light of the iuſt wrath of God, which I acknowledge iuſtly to hang ouer our heades, both for mine, and the ſinnes of my ſubiects in generall.

For this cauſe, I ſtroue as much as I could, to fluffe vp the corruptions and diſorders that had made ſo violent an habitation there, and to reſiſt the euilles, which had not all been done by mee, and which by my onely means, if remedie might be had, I will appeaſe. For I would ſay (without boaſting of my ſelfe) that there hath been no meanes to reforme the depriuation of my eſtate, but that I haue called it to minde, thereby to eſtabliſh the ſame, if I had been as well aſsiſted, as I was by you good Madame, and as neceſsitie and my good will deſerued: but I cannot ſufficiently ſhewe how much I haue been ayded by my good mother the Queene, which cannot in any ſort bee declared: and I muſt ſay, that among ſo many aſsiſtances and ſtrickt obligations, whereby ſhee holdeth all my ſubiects tyed vnto her, that therein they haue aſpeciall, and my ſelfe a particular cauſe, that with you in this notable aſſembly, you ſhould yeeld her moſt humble and hartie thankes.

Which is, that ſhee is not onely the cauſe, that by the grace of God I am now in this world to bee your king, but by her continuall and holy inſtigations, laudable actions, and vertuous examples, ſhee hath in ſuch ſort ingraued in my ſoule, a right and true intent to the aduancement of the honour of GOD, the preferment of his holy, Catholicque, and Romiſh Church, and the reformation of my eſtate, that the intentions which I haue heeretofore declared, wholly tending vnto all good things, (wherevnto more then euer I was, I am reſolued) proceedeth onely from her, not once complaining of the labours, indiſpoſitions, or diſcommodities of her age, in any thing wherein ſhe hath perceiued or found the meanes to aduance this eſtate, hauing ſo oftentimes preſerued the ſame, that ſhee not onely deſerueth the name of the Mother of your King, but alſo of your eſtate and kingdome.

Now my principall care and pleaſure beeing wholly ſet to reſtore this goodly Monarchie, and iudging particular remedies not to bee conuenient for the time, I determined to aſſemble my generall eſtates, wherein as in all other things, for the good of this Realme, it pleaſed her much to incourage mee, knowing, that by aſſembling them, I ſhould not leeſe one houres time, what generall oppoſitions ſoeuer entered into my my minde, and with the which, many men peraduenture thought I ſhould bee ſo croſſed, that either I would bee conſtrained to deferre or wholly to remit it.

You ſee neuertheleſſe, whether I haue had that conſtant reſolution, which belongeth to a good king, for the generall good of all his ſubiects, which is ſo ſurely ankered in my heart, that I deſire nothing more, then the conſeruation of the honour of God and you.

This aſſembly of the eſtates is a remedie (with the good counſell of the ſubiects, and the holy reſolution of the Prince) to heale thoſe diſeaſes, which tract of time, and the negligent obſeruation of the lawes and ſtatutes of this Realme, haue ſuffered to enter, and to aſſure the lawfull authoritie of the ſoueraigntie, rather then to ſhake or diminiſh it, as ſome euill aduiſed men and full of enuie, diſguiſing truth, haue made the world beleeue.

For that good lawes well eſtabliſhed and obſerued, wholly fortifie and vphold the Scepter of a king, aſſuring his Crowne vpon his head, againſt all ſuch practiſes whatſoeuer.

You may then well perceiue, by this my reſolution (that hath reſiſted and withſtood an infinite of impeachments, which certain men would haue oppoſed againſt it) the ſinceritie of my intent, ſpecially for that this aſſembly of the eſtates, is that which as much breaketh the euill pretences and purpoſes of Princes, that haue their hearts trauerſed with deuiſes, and deſirous of no good, as mine is and alwaies ſhall bee moſt readie, prompt, and altogither diſpoſed not to deſire or ſeeke for any other thinges, then your good: which if I doo, I beſeech God confound mee eternally.

Seeing then that you ſee mee ſo fully bent to procure this peace and common tranquilitie of my eſtate, and that you cannot alleadge any thing to the contrary, ingraue it likewiſe in your mindes, and iudge well of mee, in regard of thoſe that would haue proceeded in other ſort, Withall noting, that whatſoeuer lintend, cannot in any ſort bee eſteemed or attributed, as any wales pretending, to authoriſe my ſelfe either againſt lawe or reaſon: for I am your king ordained by God, and bee onely that may truly and lawfully challenge that right. And therfore I deſire not to be accounted other in this Monarchie then as I am, not beeing able to wiſh or deſire more honour or authoritie, then that I haue alreadie obtained. Fauour then I pray you (my good ſubiects) this true intent, which tendeth onely to the furtherance and aduancement of the honour of God, and our wholly Catholicque, Apoſtolike, and Romiſh religion, to extirpe hereſies in all the Prouinces of this Realm, and therin to reeſtabliſh all good order & gouernment: to comfort my poore people ſo much oppreſſed, and to erect my authoritie vniuſtly imbaſed: which I deſire not ſo much for mine owne proper intereſt, as for the good that thereby may redound vnto you all. Among all kindes of gouernments and commaundements ouer men, the Monarchie excelleth all the reſt: and the profit which you and yours haue reaped, vnder the lawfull gouernments of my predeceſſors, forceth you continually to render thankes to God, that it hath pleaſed him to giue you life in ſuch a time, and vnder ſuch a Prince, who beeing of the ſame race, hath not onely enioyed their royall ſeate, but the ſame and greater zeale, (if poſsible it may be) to the augmentation of the glorie of our God, and the conſeruation of you all, as I haue alwaies promiſed, that mine actions ſhould wholly tend therevnto. That miſchiefe which malice & tract of time hath induced into my Prouinces, ought not ſo much to bee atributed vnto mee, (not that I ſeeke wholly to excuſe my ſelfe) as to the negligence, and peraduenture ſome other faults of thoſe that heeretofore haue been aſsiſtant vnto mee, wherein I haue already begunne to take order, as you may well perceiue, but I aſſure you, that from hencefoorth, I will bee ſo circumſpect, in making choiſe of thoſe that ſerue me, that my conſcience ſhall bee diſcharged, mine honour inceaſed, and my eſtate reeſtabliſhed, to the contentment of all good people, and thereby conſtraine thoſe (who againſt all reaſon haue placed their affections on others, and not on mee) to acknowledge their errors.

The teſtimonies are yet ſufficient and manifeſt, and namely by the witneſſe of many of you, (as reaping honour by aſsiſting mee therein) both before and ſince I haue beene your king, to ſhew with what zeale and forwardneſſe I haue alwaies proceeded for the extirpation of hereticques and hereſies, wherein I will more then euer, expoſe my bodie, yea euen to a certaine death, if neede requireth, for the defence and protection of our Catholicque, Apoſtolike, and Romane faith: the ouerthrow of hereſies beeing the moſt ſumptuous tombe wherein my body may be laid, not the battels only which I haue wonne, but that great ouerthrow and abating of the pride of the armie of Rutters: wherevnto Cod, for the honour of his holy name and of his Church, had choſen mee for an inſtrument, are ſufficient proofes, the triumphs and ſpoyles whereof are yet extant to be ſeene.

Is there any one then ſo vncapable of the trueth, that will ſuppoſe more zeale and ardent deſire to bee in man, for the totall extirpation of ſuch hereſies, when more certaine ſignes then mine of ſuch intents cannot bee found?

And if it ſhould be, that the honor of God (which to me is dearer thē my life) not ſo much eſteemed of by me, whoſe patrimony do the hereticques occupy and diſſeuer, whoſe reuenues doo they take vp and receiue, from whom do they alienate the ſubiects, whoſe obedience do they deſpiſe, whoſe reſpect, authoritie, and dignitie, doo they violate? And ſhould not I then as much or more then any man, ſeeke their deſtruction: open your eyes, and iudge particularly, what apparance may bee therein.

The revnion of all my Catholicque ſubiects, by the holy Edict, not long ſince made, hath ſufficiently teſtified, that nothing hath had more force within me, then to ſee God onely honoured, reuerenced, and ſerued, within my Realm, which I had more proceeded in, (as god willing I purpoſe to do, euen with the hazard of my life) if I had not beene hindered by this diuiſion moued by the Catholicques, (to the great aduantage of hereticques) ſtaying my voyage into Poitou, where I am of opinion, that good fortune would no more haue abandoned mine actions, then it had done in other places, whereby (God bee thanked) mine eſtate hath reaped both the neceſſarie and deſired benefit.

And although I am perſwaded, you will not omit any one poynt, tending to the reſtoring and reformation of this Realme, yet will I make known vnto you, by ſome ſpeciall things, how much I am moſt earneſtly bent (not onely by this which I will now vtter, but by the effects that ſhall enſue) to imbrace all good meanes, as I am bound, eſteeming them moſt requiſite, for the neceſsitie and vrgent vſes thereof, both for our ſoules, our honours, and our eſtate.

The extream offence which daily is committed againſt God, by ſwearing and blaſpheming, to him ſo much iniurious, and wholly againſt my deſire, cauſeth mee to put you all in minde, not to forget the iuſt puniſhments that ſuch blaſphemies deſerueth: which my deſire is, ſhould bee reformed without fauour or exception either of perſon or quallitie. The inquirie and puniſhment of ſimony, ſhall not (as it becommeth all good Chriſtians) bee forgotten, neither yet the order which is requiſite, touching the ſale and multiplicitie of iudicial offices, as being pernicious and inſupportable to my poore ſubiects, wherein had it not been for the troubles begunne in Anno. 1585, I had of my ſelfe taken ſome order: but now I expect from you the holy and good meanes therein to bee vſed: as in the diſtribution and prouiſion of benefices, iudiciall and other officices, of honour, charge, eſtate, and dignitie: in this Realme, there conſiſteth that (which is dearer vnto me then life it ſelfe) mine honour, the preſeruation and ſplendure of this eſtate, and the good will of all my ſubiects towards me: to the end, that ſuch things may be done with more deliberation, I meane from hence forward, to appoynt ſome certaine times, which ſhall bee made knowne vnto you, and therein ſo to diſtribute them with iuſt conſideration of each mans deſert, as in dutie I am bound, as reaſon requireth, my reputation reſtraineth mee, and as the good I wiſh to this eſtate, forceth me vnto: minding that from this time forward, euery man ſhall hold that good and honour hee hath, only from me: and for their better meanes to obtaine them at my hands, I will take order for their more eaſie acceſſe vnto my perſon, according to the times and houres I will imploy to that end.

I likewiſe will all my ſubiects, to determine and reſolue with themſelues, to liue as vprightly, affectionately, and faithfully, in ſuch offices as ſhall bee committed to their charges, as ſhall be requiſite for the diſcharge of my conſcience, and their owne: wherein from hencefoorth I am not determined to indure any defects, reſtraining my ſelfe by oath, neuer to graunt reſeruation of any thing whatſoeuer, reuoking ſuch as heeretofore haue been graunted, and from this time foorth, declaring them of no force, intending not to obſerue them, as things that may bee preiudiciall, and meanes to mooue men eyther to deſire or purchaſe the deaths of other men, and vngodly both in my ſelfe, and in ſuch as ſeeke to obtaine them.

I will likewiſe giue no more ſuruiuings, determining, that concerning thoſe alreadie graunted, I am minded to referre my ſelfe therein to your opinions. It is moſt neceſſary to reſtraine euocations, graunts, remiſsions, and abolitions, that iuſtice ſhould bee more prompt, and leſſe chargeable to the people, and that crimes may bee exactly puniſhed. You muſt not likewiſe forget the inriching of Arts and Sciences: the beautifying and repairing of the Townes within my Realme: the gouernments and ordering of trade and trafficque of Merchandiſes, as well by land as by ſea, and the reſtraining of vſurie, with ſuperfluities and exceſſe of things that are riſen to moſt high priſes. The reſtoring and renuing of ancient ordinances touching the authoritie and dignitie of the ſoueraigne Prince, with the reuerence due vnto him and his Magiſtrates, which you ſhall determine as reaſon requireth. The iuſt feare that you might haue after my death, to fall into the gouernment of an hereticque king, if it chance that God ſhould not grant me any heires males, is not more conſidered of by you, then by me.

And I proteſt before God, that I haue not more care of mine owne ſaluaion, then deſire to bereaue you of that feare, which is one of the principall cauſes that mooued mee to make my holy Edict of vnion, and to aboliſh that damnable hereſie, which although I haue moſt holily and ſolemnely ſworne, before him that giueth man conſtancie, inuiolable to holde and obſerue all good and holy oathes. I am determined the more to eſtabliſh it, that it ſhould bee made one of the fondamentall lawes of our Realme, and that vppon the next Tueſday, in this place, and before the notable aſſembly of all my eſtates, I will that euery man ſhall ſweare vnto it, to the end that none may heereafter pretend any cauſe of ignorance.

And our holy deſires may not vainly be fruſtrate for want of meanes: I determine to take ſuch order therein, by the counſell which you ſhall giue mee, that as the deſert ſhall not conſiſt in mee, it may not likewiſe proceede from the ſmall aſsiſtance by you giuen therevnto, whereby the effects of our deſires may bee in force.

By my holy Edict of vnion, all leagues, but ſuch as are made by authoritie from mee, ought not to bee ſuffered, and although it did not ſufficiently forbidde the ſame, yet neither Cod nor dutie doth permit it, as beeing wholly againſt it, for that all leagues, aſſociations, practiſes, deuiſes, intelligences, leuyings of men and mony, and receits of the ſame, as well within as without this Realme, are actions of a king, and in all well gouerned Monarches, eſteemed high treaſon if they bee done without the Princes authoritie. And although by word of mouth (thereby witneſsing my accuſtomed clemencie in that reſpect) to omit all forepaſſed faultes, yet as dutie bindeth mee and you all, (to conſerue the royall eſtate) hauing taken order for the eſtabliſhing of certaine lawes, to bee made by my eſtates, I will by theſe preſents declare, and from hencefoorth pronounce as guiltie of high treaſon, all ſuch my ſubiects as deſiſt not from them, or that in any ſort dealeth therein, without my authoritie and conſent, graunted vnder the great Seale of France. Wherein I am aſſured that you will not faile, to ſhewe your faiths and fidelities, counſelling and requiring at my handes, to renue and fortifie this faire and auncient law, ingrafted within the hearts of all true French men that defend the ſame: which I will ſhall bee ſet downe in expreſſe words: I am bound thereby both vnto my ſelfe, and to my Realme: and you to mee: and to the ſtate of the land, which you now repreſent: wherevnto in preſence of the Almightie God, I ſummon you all.

In times paſt, the goodly order and exact pollicie obſerued among our ſouldiers, bredde and procured an admiration and terror of my nation, togither with a particular and honourable glory to all our French Nobilitie.

Now therefore weed eſire, that the ſame honour wherewith wee haue beene admired aboue all nations, may ſtill bee maintained: wherein I will ſpare no paines whatſoeuer: and the like I craue of you, whereby the wrath of God beeing appeaſed, and that our forces may bee vſed to the preſeruation, and not to the deſtruction of our eſtate, thereby procuring ſo much contentment and comfort to my ſubiects, as that hereafter they may as willingly deſire our ſouldiers both horſe and footemen for their gifts, as they now feare and abhorre them, and that with great reaſon.

Laſtly, I am much greeued that I cannot maintaine my eſtate and royall dignitie, with the neceſſary charges of this Realme without mony: for mine owne particular, it is the thing that leaſt greeueth mee, but it is a neceſſary euill: warres likewiſe cannot bee well followed without mony, and ſeeing at this preſent wee are in a good courſe, to extirpe accurſed hereſies, it is neceſſary we ſhould prouide great ſummes of mony to furniſh our expenſes: for want whereof (to ſay the trueth) our leuyings of men will bee more to our hinderances then our profits, and yet there can be no exployt done without them.

For my part therefore I promiſe, not to ſpare any meanes whatſoeuer: wherein likewiſe I craue that zeale of you, which you haue alwaies aſſured mee to beare vnto the ſeruice of God, and the commoditie of this Common-wealth.

And therefore you muſt (ſhewing you the full reuenues of my whole eſtate) haue that conſideration, that the Senate of Rome had of an Emperour, who deſiring (as I doo) to ſuppreſſe all ſubſidies, ſhewed him, that ſuch leuyings of treaſure, were the ſinues and vaines of the body of the Commonwealth, which beeing taken away, it would preſently deſolue and be vnloſed.

And yet I ſay, that I would to God, that the neceſsitie of my eſtate conſtrained mee not to vſe them: and that at one inſtant, I might gratifie my people with ſo goodly a preſent, as alſo that my daies might be abridged, not deſiring to liue any longer, then that my life might be profitable and aduantage to the ſeruice of God, and all your preſeruations.

Touching the order required for the diſpoſing of my treaſures, ſo much for the comfort and eaſe of my people, whether it bee concerning the ouer great numbers of officers, or other particularities, I am perſwaded you will take as good order by your wiſedomes, as ſhall bee requiſite, as beeing one of the principall pillers, whereby wee and all our eſtate in generall, for the moſt part are ſupported.

It is likewiſe a matter of conſcience (that toucheth our ſoules healths) to take order for our debts, which I haue not altogither made, but beeing debts of our Realme, you ought to haue a care thereof, wherevnto both publicque faith and wiſedome, bindeth you all, and you ſhall bee certified what they are.

The King beeing the patron, whereby all his ſubiects learne to frame their actions, it is therefore, that of my naturall inclination, I will ſo gouerne mine owne perſon and my houſe, that from hencefoorth they ſhall ſerue for a rule and example to all the reſt of my Realme and Kingdome.

And to the end I may witneſſe by effect, that which you deſire of mee, and which is moſt deepely ingraued within my heart, touching this great aſſembly (hauing fully determined vpon your memorialles and billes) which I deſire you, may bee done with all the ſpeede you can, and with your good counſelles and aduiſe (as I will ſhew vnto you,) the next day after in open audience in the Church, that it may bee knowne to all my ſubiects, and ſo holde it for an inuiolable and firme lawe, whereby no man may withſtand it but with ſhame and infamie, and vppon paine to bee acceſſary of high treaſon, as an enemie to this countrie, I meane by oath vppon the Euangeliſtes, to binde all the Princes, Lordes, and Gentlemen, that are aſsiſtant at this Parliament, togither with you the Deputies of my eſtates, and therevppon you ſhall receiue the Sacrament, to obſerue all the thinges that therein are contained, as ſacred lawes, not reſeruing vnto my ſelfe the libertie of exemption from the ſame, for any cauſe, pretence, or occaſion whatſoeuer may heereafter happen.

Which done, I will preſently cauſe it to bee ſent into all the Courts of Parliament throughout my Realme, to ſweare all Eccleſiaſticall, Noble, and common perſons therevnto, with this clauſe, that whoſoeuer oppoſeth himſelfe againſt it, ſhall alwaies bee holden as a notorious traitor.

And if heerein I ſeeme to ſubmit my ſelfe more then becommeth mee, vnto the lawes whereof I am the Authour, and which of themſelues diſpence with mee therein, and that by this meanes, I reduce my rovall eſtate to more certaine termes and poynts, then that of my predeceſſors: It is the principall cauſe that maketh the generous minde of the Prince beſt knowne and diſcerned, to addreſſe and frame his thoughts and actions vnto his good lawes, and wholly to oppoſe himſelfe againſt the corruptions thereof: and it will ſuffice mee to make anſwere therevnto, as that King did (to whom it was tolde, that hee ſought to leaue his royaltie in woorſe eſtate to his ſucceſſors, then hee enioyed it from his predeceſſors) that he would make it much more durable and aſſured then euer it was.

But to end my long diſcourſe, hauing vſed authoritie and commaundement, I will now proceede to exhortations and prayers: and firſt I charge you all, by the dutie you owe to God, by whom I am appoynted and ſubſtituted ouer you, to repreſent his perſon, by the name of true Frenchmen, (that is of paſsionate louers of their naturall and lawefull Prince,) by the aſhes of the memories of ſo many Kings my Predeceſſours, that haue ſo louingly and happily ruled and gouerned ouer you: by the charitie that you beare vnto your Countrie, by the boundes and hoſtages it hath of your fidelities, your wiues, your children, and your domeſticall fortunes, that with all your hearts you imbrace this occaſion: that you bee wholly and altogither carefull for the Common-wealth: that you vnite and ioyne your ſelues with mee, to ſtriue againſt the diſorders and corruptions of this eſtate, by your ſufficiencie, by your integritie, and by your greate care and diligence, abandoning and forſaking all contrary thoughts, (and following onely my example,) not hauing any other deſire, then the onely good of the Common-wealth, and as my ſelfe beeing eſtraunged from all other ambition, then that onely which concerneth and toucheth a ſubiect, as I my ſelfe beare no other minde, then that which belongeth vnto a good, faithfull, and Chriſtian King.

If you doo otherwiſe, you ſhall bee filled with all accurſedneſſe, you will imprint a perpetuall ſpot of infamie in your poſteritie and names, and alſo bereaue your poſteritie of that ſucceſsiue name and title of ſidelitie towardes your King, which by your aunceſtors hath been ſo carefully left vnto you.

And for mine owne parte, I will take heauen and earth to witneſſe, and I will bee iudged both by God and man, that it is not my fault, nor any want of diligence in mee, that the diſorders of this Realme, haue not beene long ſince reformed, but that you are the onely cauſe, by forſaking your lawefull Prince, in ſo woorthie, ſo holy, and ſo commendable an action.

Laſtly, I ſummon you all to appeare at the latterday, before the Iudge of all Iudges, where all mens thoughts and ſecret meanings ſhall bee opened, where the maskes and viſards of craftes and diſsimulations ſhall bee pulled off, there to receiue reward, by you deſired, for your diſobedience towards your King, togither with your great negligence and ſmall loyaltie in regard of this eſtate.

But God forbidde, that I ſhould euer thinke it, but rather conceiue that you will rule your ſelues therein, (as I perſwade my ſelfe) with wiſedome, affection, loue, and fidelitie, wherein you ſhall do good ſeruice vnto God, and alſo to your King, you ſhall bee bleffed in this world, and thereby obtaine the name of couſeruators of your lande and countries.

The Chancellours Oration.This oration finiſhed, with an extraordinary applauding of all the aſſemblie, the Chauncellour named Monſieur de Montelon, hauing made two greatreuerences, beganne to ſpeake, and confirming the Kings ſpeeches, hee commended the zeale and integritie of his minde, declared the honour and Maieſtie of Kings, with the inuiolable bond of obedience due vnto them: aſſuring them, that vnder his happie and proſperous conduction, they ſhould by that aſſembly of all the eſtates of France, reape the ſame effects, which in times paſt had beene found and experiented vnder the raignes of Philippe le Bell, Iohn the firſt, and Charles the eight: charging them all, euery one in his eſtate and degree, to ioyne and vnite their wiſe and learned aduiſes vnto the kings good pleaſure, therewith to ayde and aſsiſt him.

And directing the thunders of his eloquence, againſt the diſorders of the eſtate, hee exhorted the Cleargie to reerect the beautie and dignitie of the Church, vſing therein the meanes and originall diſciplines of auncient and holy Councels, as when riuers or kennelles are ſtopped, men ſeeke to finde out their Springs, and ſo to cleare them: ſhewing, that if the doctrine and preaching of the word, had been carefully adminiſtred vnto the people, ſo many hereſies and notorious vices, hadde neuer ſprung vppe nor taken roote in this Realme, nor yet ſo much breach of lawes, and diſobedience towards the Kings, Nobles, Iudges, and Magiſtrates, had euer beene practiſed and performed.

Obedience preached by Miniſters.That obedience then is moſt commonly knowne and obſerued, when by the preachings, inſtructions, and examples, of Miniſters and Paſtors, it is ingraued into the hearts of the common people, alleadging this place of the Scripture: The word of God is liuely and effectuall, and ſharper then any two edged ſword.

Againſt admiſſion into benefices.That the King had oftentimes by Edicts and Ordinances, incited and mooued them vnto their duties, but neuer could reape the fruite which hee deſired: and therewith complained of their weake prouiſions, their incapable admiſsions, into Eccleſiaſticall functions: of their ambition and auarice: of their multiplicitie of benefices, againſt the cannons and decrees of their non reſidences: to the deſpiſing of holy lawe: of the corruption and deprauations of Monaſteries, and of their rules and diſciplines, almoſt left off, and in ſuch ſort weakened, that hee ſaid there was but very fewe orders, wherein great numbers of Monkes and Fryers, had not wholly forgotten their promiſes and vowes.

The integritie of religious perſons.Excepting ſome, that might iuſtly be termed like holy men, the pearles of religion, who by the perfection of their liues, good workes, prayers, and Orations, had ſurmounted the obſcurities and myſtes of this world, pearced the cloudes, and attained ſo neare to heauen, that they are (as Saint Barnard ſaith:) In ſuſurio cum Deo, and with their extacies and rauiſhings of Spirits, they did diuert and turne the wrath of God from vs.

The praiſe of the French Nobilitie.From them, hee turned his ſpeech vnto the Nobilitie, whoſe vertues are ſet downe in all our auncient Hiſtories, recommending vnto them, pietie, bountie, and iuſtice, wherein they ought to bee examples to their ſubiects.

Obedience to the king, and to the principal ſupporters of equitie & iuſtice: The auncient oath of Gentlemen.and hauing long dilated vppon that poynt, by many examples taken both out of Pagans and French Hiſtories, hee ſet before them the vices that at this day raigneth among them, ſpecially ſwearing and blaſpheming of the name of God: where in times paſt, the ancient oath of the Nobilitie, was vſually to ſay: Foy de Gentil-homme: that is, by the faith of a Gentleman, which they did with reuerence and requiſite circumſtances, as time and place required.

Shewing them likewiſe, what miſchiefes proceeded of priuate quarrels, the onely name whereof is horrible in the eares of all chriſtians, and haue alwaies been ſeuerely puniſhed and forbidden by auncient and holy lawes,The miſchiefe of priuate quarrels that in their daily praters they promiſed to forgiue ſuch as offended them, and that they were bound vnto it: which if they did, they ſhould not onely preſerue their owne perſons, but their friends and kinſmen, and withall, participating with that great glory which they ſhould onely deſire: which is, to knowe how to rule their paſsions and themſelues in their behalfes. And that reuenge would bee ſo well wrought by the king and his iuſtice, with ſo great opportunitie, that thereby they ſhould not onely preſerue themſelues, but bee fully ſatiſfied to their contentments.

Benefices held commē dably.To the ſaid vices hee added their holding of Benefices, Hoſpitalles, and Spittle-houſes, founded by their predeceſſors: ſhewing them, that it was not onely an abuſe, but impietie committed towards God and his holy Church.

Laſtly, hee recommended vnto them the bearing and vſing of armes, according to the examples of their aunceſtors. To the third eſtate he ſhewed, that their chiefe ſupport and maintenance, is iuſtice and ciuill pollicie: that the iudges in that poynt held the firſt place, iuſtice beeing the foundation and eſtabliſhment of all Monarchies, ſoueraignties and powers whatſoeuer: alleadging the ſaying of Traian, who beeing required by the king of Partheans, that the riuer of Euphrates might ſerue as a border betweene their Empires,Iuſtice limiteth the borders of the Empire. aunſwered, that not the riuer but iuſtice ſhould limit the borders of the Romane Empire, and that kingdomes without iuſtice, are but dennes of theeues.

Dealing much vppon the ouerthrowing of particular iuſtices, the great abuſes therein committed, with the prolongations, ſubtilties, and deuiſes (to hide the trueth) therein vſed, comparing it vnto a ſhippe, toſſed and tormented in the waues of the ſea, ſeeking for a ſafe port, and cannot finde it, beeing hindered by the croſſe-waues and rockes that meete therewith: ſhewing, that ſuch at this day is the miſerie of thoſe that ſeeke to end their ſuites in lawes,Prolonging and deceit in ſuites. by the ſubtiltie of men, and negligences of the Iudges, by ſo many delaies, incidences, and prolongations, wherein iuſtice is not to bee vſed, but to the contrary, it is rather vexed, troubled, and oftentimes wholly ouerthrowne.

That the particular faults of ſome men, were the principall cauſes thereof, who by that meanes thinking to aduance themſelues and their poſterities, would in the end, hauing attained to the full ripeneſſe of their wickedneſſe, felt the miſchiefe thereof.

An intollerable number of Officers.That among thoſe abuſes, was to bee numbred the multiplicitie of offices that oppreſſed the Realme. The euill gouernments, the ignorances of diuers officers which the king had left vnto his Iudges to reforme, but that his commaundement had beene as good vndone, as done, altogither proouing wholly vnfruitfull, ioyning therevnto all ſorts of pollicie, in Citties and Townes, in which caſes they are vnited, by well gouerned lawes and ordinances, euery one according to his charge and neceſſary function, but that the miſchiefe was, that in theſe daies, lawes are nothing elſe but written papers: hee ſet downe the vnexcuſable faults committed in obſeruation of lawes, pollices and ordinances, made for the puniſhment of ſwearers, blaſphemers, players, idle perſons, vſurers, vnlawfull exacters, couſoners, wicked liuers, men vſing prohibited and vnlawfull places, with all ſuch kinde of vices: Idle Schollers, the libertie of liuing idlely and deſolutely, without pollicie or gouernment, but only by bad and diſordered meanes (cauſes and originalles of troubles and ſeditions) which ouerthrow and ſubuert all kingdomes and good Common-wealths, adding therevnto, a moſt earneſt exhortation: to ſeeke remedies to all thoſe michiefes.

The kings debts.Laſtly, hee ſhewed the great debts the king hadde fallen into, his great diligences and hazards, by making warres againſt the hereticques, his pietie, religion, and deuotion to the Romiſh Church: with the rare behauiour, actions, and counſell of the Queene his mother.

Ending his Oration with the vnitie and concord that ought to bee (as a moſt neceſſary thing) in that aſſembly, thereby to holde the Catholicque, Apoſtolicque, and Romane Church, with general and particular eſtate of all that are comprehended therin, in true obedience to the king, in all vnion and concord: which doing, this Monarchie would bee found to be inuironed with all happineſſe, vnder the authoritie of the moſt chriſtian king: and to the contrary, dooing otherwiſe, they ſhould feele a continuall greefe and remorſe of conſcience within their mindes, for diſobeying God, their King, and countrie.

The Archbiſhop of Bourges Oration.The Archbiſhop of Bourges, Patriarch, and Primate of Aquitaine, thanked the king, in that it pleaſed him to ſhewe his great good will towards his ſubiects, ſaying: that thereby the poore and miſerable countrie of France, which for the ſpace of eight and twentie yeares, hadde beene ſo much tormented, beganne to receiue ſome ſtrength, and to take courage, hearing the ſweete and pleaſing voyce of her king, witneſsing his more then fatherly affection towards his ſubiects, which would cauſe him to bee honoured and belooued within his Realme, as much as in auncient time, the world worſhipped Herculus, Theſeus, and other valiant men, that eaſed and relieued them from the burthen of oppreſsions and violences vſed in thoſe daies by Tyrants and monſtrous Gyants.

Saying, that as God when his people were afflicted, raiſed Moyſes, Ioſue, Dauid, Manaſſes, Ioſaphat, Ezechias, and other good kings, ſo by his prouidence, hee hadde ſent into this deſolate kingdome, a King who from his young yeares hadde beene guided by the Spirite of the Kings beloued of God.wiſedome of God to gouerne his people, and as the young Eagle (a celeſtiall bird) comming out of her neſt, his Maieſtie pricked and prouoked by the vengeance and generoſitie of his Predeceſſors, hath throwne the thunder of the eternall GOD, vppon the faces and heades of the enemies of his diuine Maieſtie, not once ſparing his owne life for the honour of God, and tranquillitie of his Realme, who in his voyage to Polonia, His voyage to Polonia. paſsing and repaſsing through ſo many and diuers Nations, hath hadde and gotten ſo much experience in all actions, that by the onely wiſedome and eye of his vertues, hee hath diſpearſed a great and puiſſant armie of ſtraungers, Rutters, and Switzers.

A happie houre of his raigne.Concluding therewith by ſo certaine a hope, that vnder ſo good and ſo mightie a king, they ſhould ſee hereſie ſuppreſſed and repulſed, peace aſſured, the ſeruice of God eſtabliſhed, all the Churches reſtored and reedified, Townes franchiſed and freed from caliuers and drummes: the Temple of warres cloſed and ſhutte vppe, and that of peace opened vnto all men: iuſtice and peace imbraſing each other: lawes flouriſhing, charitie abounding among men, and by one conſent and vnion of religion, vnder the obedience of God and the King, who repreſenting the perſon of GOD, beareth the ſword of Gods iuſtice heere on earth, the kingdome of Chriſt would thereby beginne to flouriſh, as an example of all goodneſſe in the world to come, wherevnto wee all aſpire.

Great ioy made by the eſtates.And therewith in the name of them all, adding this exclamation: Viue Rex in ſempiternum: Liue King, liue, and liue eternally: and for the gracious vertues and notable inſpirations, wherewith God hath touched your Princely heart, all your Realme of France ſingeth Benedictus Deus qui miſit talem voluntatem in cor regis: Bleſſed and praiſed bee God, that hath inſpired ſo good and notable a deſire into the heart of our King, which wee beſeech his diuine Maieſtie to aſsiſt, fortifie and conduct, to a moſt happie and proſperous end, for his honour and glorie.

The Earle of Brſſac, his Oratiō made in • ame of the whole Nobilitie.After the Archbiſhop of Bourges ſat downe, the Earle of Briſſac ſtood vppe, and for a congratulation of thoſe of his order, hee ſhewed the King, that the Nobilitie in generall, hadde giuen him in charge to thanke his Grace, for the good and honour they receiued, beeing by his commaundements called and conuoked togither by an aſſembly of the generall eſtates, and in his royall preſence, there to heare and vnderſtand his holy and good reſolutions, aſſuring themſelues, that the effects would bee as prompt and certaine, as it was a naturall and iuſt thing in him to be a true king: acknowledging, that by that meanes onely, it would make them ſuch as they ought to be,The affectiō of the French Nobilitie in the ſeruice of the king and ſtate. touching the reeſtabliſhing of the honour of God, the Catholicque, Apoſtolicque, and Romane religion, and of other things profitable to his eſtate, and neceſſarie for his poore people. Promiſing for their partes, to vſe the fidelitie, zeale, affection, and generoſitie, that hath allwaies beene naturall in the Gentlemen of France, towardes their Kings and ſoueraigne Princes. Offering vnto his Maieſtie, the moſt humble ſeruice of their armes, perſons, and liues, to cauſe him to bee obeyed, honoured, feared, reſpected, and acknowledged of all men, as both diuine and humane lawes haue conſtituted and appoynted. And withall, to reſtore his Realme purged of hereſies (the ſpring and cauſe of all diuiſions) to her firſt and ancient dignitie, wherevnto they would expoſe themſelues freely, generouſly, and liberally vnder his authoritie, euen to the laſt drop of their blood.

The Crati. of the third eſtate.The Prouoſt of Merchants within Parris, Preſident for the thirde eſtate, fell on his knees, and for thoſe of his degree, ſpake and ſayde: That ſeeing it had pleaſed his Maieſtie ſo to open his minde, and to declare his holy intents vnto his people, thereby aſſuring them of his great charitie (truely named moſt fatherly) in their behalfes, his moſt humble, moſt obedient, and moſt faithfull ſubiects of the third eſtate, firſt praiſed God, that it had pleaſed him to caſt the eyes of his mercie vppon them in the extremitie of their afflictions, and then yeelded moſt hartie thankes vnto his Maieſtie, who ſhewing his power, ordained from aboue, to rule and gouerne this Chriſtian Monarchie, with all courteſie and princely inclination, hath not refuſed to bend his royall eares to their moſt humble petitions, to heare their greefes and complaints, and withall, to ſhewe a moſt ſingular and ſpeciall deſire, to reſtore his people to their auncient force, to whom as then there reſted but the onely libertie of ſpeech, and that very weake and feeble, to reeſtabliſh holy religion in her priſtinate eſtate, by the extirpation of all errors and hereſies, to rule and remit all auncient orders (altered by the iniurie and alteration of times) vnto their firſt forme and manner of beeing, and to comfort his poore people, proteſting that therein their moſt humble and moſt faithfull ſeruices, ſhould neuer bee wanting euen to the laſt gaſpe: which Oration beeing ended, the aſſemblie with a maruellous contentment ended the firſt day of their meeting.

The ſecond day of meeting vpon Tueſday the 18. of Octob. 1588. The ſecond day of their meeting beganne vppon the Tueſday after, in the ſame manner as it did vppon the firſt day, and becauſe the King had been mooued by the Archbiſhop of Ambrun, the Counte de Briſſac, and the Aduocate Bernard, Deputies for the three eſtates, to renue his oathes of vnion, and perceiuing their purſuite to proceede from the diſtruſt they had in him, ſeeing that hee hauing once ſworne it within the Cittie of Roane, it was as then needeleſſe to renue his oath againe, hee went neuertheleſſe to ſatiſfie the importunitie of the League, and ſo beganne that ſeconde meeting with the ſame action.

The Kings propoſition made to the Senate at their meetings.Silence beeing commaunded by a Herault, his Maieſtie ſaide, that at their firſt meeting, hee hadde ſhewed what great deſire and care hee hadde, that in his raigne hee might ſee and beholde, his ſubiects revnited in the true Catholicque, Apoſtolicque, and Romane religion, vnder the obedience which it hadde pleaſed GOD for their partes to giue vnto him, and for that cauſe, hauing made his Edict in the moneth of Iuly laſt, ordaining it to bee confirmed and holden for a The Edict of vnion, made a lawefondamentall law of his Realm, therby to binde both himſelf and them, with all their poſterities, his meaning was as then to haue it redde openly before them all: which done, euery man ſhould ſweare to obſerue it accordingly. And with that, hee commaunded Monſieur de Beaulieu his principal Secretarie to read it, togither with the declaration made vpon the ſame, ſo to giue it the force and authoritie of a law of his Realme, and yet without derogating the liberties and priuiledges of his Nobilite.

The reading thereof, with the declaration beeing ended, the king deſiring that the woorthineſſe of the cauſe ſhould bee preferred, with as much Maieſtie as it deſerued, thereby to mooue the whole aſſembly better to conſider the importance of the contract, which as then they were to make with God, crauing his horrible and moſt fearefull vengeance, might fall vppon all thoſe that diſloyally ſhould falſifie their faiths therevnto giuen, as aſſurances of the obſeruation of his ſaid Edict of vnion, he commanded the Archbiſhop of Bourges, to make an Oration vnto the ſtates concerning the ſame.

The oration of the Archbiſhop of Bourges, touching the Edict of the vnion.This learned Prelate ſaide, that ſeeing it pleaſed his Maieſtie, that the inſtruction of ſo ſolemne an oath, ſhould bee giuen vnto the people by the mouth of the Prelates, hee exhorted all the aſſembly (appoynted for that great and ſolemne actions) to humble themſelues vnder the mightie hand of God, and to acknowledge his Maieſtie, togither with the effect and quallitie of the oath, which they were as then to receiue, conſidering that God is trueth it ſelfe, and all oathes whatſoeuer, which are not grounded vppon that trueth, are falſe and vniuſt.

That the cauſe of the oath as then preſented, was for the Church, the onely ſpouſe of God,The Church is viſible. Vniuerſall. Catholicque. viſible heere on earth, becauſe it comprehendeth all the faithfull that are the chriſtian communaltie. Inuiſible in heauen, where it is ſaid triumphant, vniuerſall, for that it maketh no diſtinction of perſons, nations, quallities, conditions, or ſects.

One, without diuiſion or ſchiſme.One, for that of Alexandria, Epheſe, Ieruſalem, Affrica, and Aegipt, are but one Church, and her doctrine is one Romane doctrine, not in regard of the walles of the Cittie of Rome, but by reaſon of a ſpeciall nomination and demonſtration that is ſaide of it, that therein Saint Peter, and after him Saint Clement, and others their ſucceſſors, haue preached and announced the word of God, witneſsing the true chriſtian doctrine, and many other Martyrs with the price of their blood, which they haue freely ſhed for the name and honour of God.

The vnion of the Church.That the vnion of this Church is ſo ſtrong, that it cannot bee broken nor ſeparated in it ſelfe, beeing placed vppon the firme rocke which is Ieſus Chriſt, ſo that the gates of hell cannot preuaile againſt it: it is called the Lords vinyard, and the Gods ſheepfolde, vnder one head, and ſhepheard of our ſoules.

That to preſerue the vnitie of his Church, it is conuenenient, that all the children thereof, ſhould be vnited vnder Chriſt their Sauiour, and vnder the king, whoſe faith hath continued from poſteritie to poſteritie, euen vnto his perſon, and neuer ſeparated it ſelfe from the vnitie of this holy and chriſtian religion.

Let vs vnite our ſelues then (ſaid this Prelate), let vs vnite our ſelues togither as true faithfull Catholicques, let vs renue this great and ſolemne oath due vnto God: let vs ioyne our vowes and hearts togither, and ſo yeeld them and confirme them vnto God.

Obedience due to the king.Let vs ſweare vnto our Prince, the obedience & ſubmiſsion due vnto him by all lawes diuine and humane: let vs imbrace chriſtian charitie: let vs abandon hatreds & rancors, both open and ſecret, with all ſuſpitions and diſtruſts which hitherto haue troubled and diuided vs, and which haue hindered, yea and broken ſo good intents, and had it not beene for them, France had long ſince enioyed a happie peace.

Let vs lift vp our hands to heauen, to yeelde vnto that great God the oath wee owe vnto him, that it may bee a memorie for euer vnto the world, that our poſterities may beholde our faiths and conſtancie in our oathes, and not our periurie, by the good and holy effects that ſhall inſue.

And ſeeing it hath pleaſed your Maieſtie (moſt noble Prince) to bee the firſt that heere in preſence of vs all, ſhall performe this oath, for an example to all your ſubiects, all wee with one accord will lift vp our hands to heauen, and ſweare by the liuing God, to ſerue and honour him for euer, to maintaine his Catholicque, Apoſtolicque, and Romane Church, to defend your Maieſtie and your eſtate againſt all men, to obſerue and inuiolably to holde that which is contained in your Edict of vnion, at this preſent redde and publiſhed to the glory of God, exaltation of his holy name, and to the conſeruation of his Church, and this Realme of France.

The kings oath for the obſeruation of his edict.This Oration made, the king ſpake and ſaid: My Lords, you heard the tenor of mine Edict, and vnderſtood the quallitie thereof, togither with the greatneſſe and woorthineſſe of the oath, which at this preſent you are generally to make.

The oath of the Spiritualtie, Ex conſilio Triburienfi. And for that I perceiue all your iuſt deſires conformeable vnto mine, I wil ſweare before God, with a good and ſafe conſcience, the obſeruation of this my edict, as long as God ſhall lend me life in earth: and I will and command, that it ſhall bee obſerued in this my Realme, for a ſure and ſtedfaſt lawe, and in perpetuall memorie and witneſſe of the vniuerſall correſpondence & conſent of all the eſtates of my Realme, you ſhall preſently ſweare the obſeruation of this my Edict of vnion, all with one voyce, each Eccleſiaſticall perſon laying his hand vpon his breaſt, and the reſt lifting their hands vp to heauen.

An act of the proteſtation of the oath.And to the end that a memorie of ſo ſolemne an oath may bee more pithily ſet downe to all poſterities, hee commaunded Monſieur de Beaulieu to make an act thereof: which done, the ioy was ſo great, that nothing could bee heard among them, but crying: Viue le Roy, all the aſſemby followed his Maieſtie into the Church of Saint Saueor, wherein thankſgiuing they ſung, Te Deum Laudamus.

The kings clemencie in taking away the Barricadoes at Parris. Mortales recidinae. There the Prouoſt of Merchants in Parris, vnderſtood from the King, that the Parriſsians offence had beene very great, but that hee hadde forgotten it: that hee made his Edict for the common good of all French Catholicques, and alſo the comfort of his poore people: the miſeries whereof, cauſed him to remit the memorie thereof, withall, willing him to bee aſſured thereof, as beeing ſpoken from the mouth of his king, with commaundement to bee very carefull, leaſt the Cittie of Parris ſhould fall into the like fault, which vnto them would prooue both mortall and vnreparable.

A report running in the Parliament houſe.And becauſe the Deputies that came laſt thither, brought newes that all the Countrie of France were of opinion, that vnder pretence of that aſſembly, there would be ſome publike and notorious vengeance wrought againſt the principall eſtates, and that this report ranne from chamber to chamber, it was determined among them, to enquire thereof, and to knowe the kings intent, the Archbiſhop of Ambrun ſpake vnto him, and gaue to vnderſtand the great feare that diuers of the eſtates were in, by reaſon of the report that ranne among them, touching a tragedie (as they thought) to bee prepared, confirmed by the aduiſe of ſtrangers, ſpecially ſuch as litle cared for the peace and tranquilitie of this eſtate.

Salus populi ſuprema lex eſt.The king made anſwere, that the ſafetie of his ſubiects, would be his owne defence: that hee cheriſhed them as a father doth his children: that he knew the ſuretie and libertie of the eſtates, that they ought to bee aſſured of his word, that the occaſion of troubling them, ſhould neuer proceed from him: that it was an open offence, once to enter into diſtruſt of their king: and that reports were deuiſed by thoſe that could not loue their King, but onely ſeeke the meanes to cauſe him to bee hated of his people.

The Archbiſhop of Lyons of the counſell from the peace of Chartres.Likewiſe the familiarities, entertainments, and ſhewes of amitie and good will, by the King continued to the Duke of Guiſe and the Cardinall his brother, and for the loue of them both to the Archbiſhop of Lyons, that had beene of the Councell from the time of the peace concluded at Chartres, cauſed thoſe reports to ceaſe, and made the prognoſtications (in that behalfe ſent from all places) wholly fabulous: which were, that the iſſue of the Parliament holden in Bloys, would bee horrible and bloody. And I beleeue, if that the league for her part, had vſed no means to kindle the aſhes that as yet laye hotte within the furnace, that the fire of the kings chollor had neuer been kindled.

The intent of the league.The League therefore aſſured on that ſide, ſet thoſe on worke that were of her ſect, in that ſo ſolemne aſſembly, to effect their ſecret pretences, which was ſo to incroch vppon the king, that they would leaue him but onely a vaine ſhadowe of royall authoritie, vnder the conduction and direction of her tyrannie, and withall, to exclude the king of Nauarre from his royall ſucceſsion.

The league declareth and blameth the kings actions.The bridge to paſſe vnto the firſt poynt, was to make his actions odious and intollerable, to reproach him for his liberallitie, his mignions, his edicts, his diſsimulations, and the long oppreſsions and troubles of the people, to the end, that conſenting to the ſuppreſsion of eſtates and offices, hee might thereby procure the hatred of all ſuch as had any intereſt therein, that is the moſt apparant families of the third eſtate, and not ſeeking to redreſſe it, hee ſhould bee dedeclared not a father, but an enemie to his people: not a King, but a Tyrant in his Realme: and that the people would preſently confine him in a Cloyſter.

The King was continually ſolicited with many petitions, thereby not ſo much to make him ſee the euill, but rather to threaten him, that he ſhuld yet find it much greater, if ſpeedie order were not takē. They ſet before his eies the extreame coldneſſe of the greateſt part of all the Catholicques, in loue Petitions made to the king at the beginning of his raigne. The king ought to reuenge the diſhonours done againſt God.and obedience towards him, by reaſon they were moſt ſtraughely oppreſſed with exceſsiue impoſitions and ſubſidies, conſtrained to liue in company with ſuch as had burned Churches, prophaned the Altars, maſſacred the Prieſts, and robbed and taken away their goods.

They brought him to defend the Church, not to eſteeme ſo much of the wrongs committed againſt the ſtate, as of the iniuries done vnto religion: not to ſuffer any feare to enter into his minde, concerning the enemies of GOD, which more and more increaſed, by a certaine kinde of diſtruſt, which conſtrained him to ſhewe contumelious paſsions, not breeding peace, but rather ſeruitude, and ſo to diſſemble the iniuries committed againſt God: which to preuent, hee ſhould reuenge himſelfe like a King, banniſh thoſe that counſelled him onely for the aduantage of hereſies, and imbrace ſuch as had ſtrayed out of the right way, and deſired to enter into it againe, to vſe his ſword of authoritie againſt the obſtinate, and to remember this moſt true and certaine maxime, that were the fault of treaſon againſt the diuinitie of God, left vnpuniſhed, there the fault of treaſon againſt man, will proceed ſo farre, that in the end it will bee eſteemed no offence.

Straungers authors of new impoſitions to oppreſſe the people.They aſſured him, that the greateſt ſcourge of this Realme, is the ſtraunger, from whoſe extreame auarice proceedeth all the inuentions of new impoſts, which moſt cruelly impoueriſh all the Realme of France, that laugh at her ruine, & make them of great authoritie, who alreadie haue made a great part of his people to become male contents, and in the end will cauſe the reſt to reuolt, if they bee not ſpeedily diſpatched out of the Realme, like the diuell, that cauſeth perpetuall diuiſion, ſtill hindering the reſt and quietneſſe of the common people.

Diſorders in pollicie.Among diuers diſorders crept into the common pollicie of the Realme, they mooued him of two moſt great abuſes, which by continuance produced all the reſt. The firſt, touching the giuing of benefices vnto all perſons, without choiſe or exception either of men or ſouldiers: that all the Biſhoppes of thoſe daies, ſome fewe onely excepted, that as yet haue ſome remembrance of their eſtates, and ſome ſparke of the feare of God imprinted in their minds,The pride and couetonſneſſe of Prelates. are daily ſeene, not to ſhed teares before the Lord of heauen, and by praiers to mittigate his wrath and furie bent againſt vs, but proudly to walke within the Court, and in all places, with great troupes of men, the moſt deſperate and vaine perſons that are within this Realme.

Their houſes are not filled with the noyſe of Himnes and Pſalmes, ſung to the honour of God, but with barking of dogges, breeding of hawkes, and all kindes of vaine and diſſembling ſpeeches. And to bee ſhort, there is nothing ſeene but ignorance, ſlaunders, adulteries, and ſhame among them, the onely beholding of their countenances, mooueth men more to go out of the Church, then all the Miniſters and Preachers of hereſie are able to inforce them.

The ſecond is the ſale of offices and places of iuſtice, which cauſeth the moſt wicked to bee moſt eſteemed, that the ſtrongeſt without reproach oppreſſethe weak, that without ſcruple of conſcience they ſell iuſtice by retaile, which they themſelues haue bought by groſſe: that Townes and Prouinces abound in murthers, and diuers vnpuniſhed crimes: that there is no more order in pollicic, nor faith in bargening: no reſpect to the lawe, nor loue to vertue, The pollicie of the eſtate of the churchand that a moſt vnbrideled libertie to all euill, runneth throughout the whole Realme. Which two abuſes to extirpe, they ſaid vnto him: Your Maieſtie is not to deale in any ſort with the ſpiritualtie, but if you will vndertake ſo great a charge, when you haue firſt taken order for your cruill pollicie, you muſt imploy your time therein with all holineſſe, ſuch as belongeth to the handling of diuine cauſes: you are carefull to ſeeke and finde out men that are excellent and of good conſcience to ſerue about your perſon: but what excuſe will you alleadge, in beeing leſſe carefull to prouide ſufficient men for the ſeruice of God? your Grace conceiueth not the importance of this fault, you are the cauſe that a million of ſoules are loſt, and it is a moſt great fault in thoſe that ſhould aduertiſe your Maieſtie thereof, if they do it not: If you repent not great and forepaſſed abuſes, and heereafter ſuffer it not to proceed any further, it is moſt certaine, you can neuer auoyde eternall damnation.

Miniſters diſturbers of the church, of iuſtice and pollicie.And let your Maieſtie bee aſſured, that if you diuert not theſe ruines, that are likely to fall vpon vs, if preſently you do degrade a great number as well of Eccleſiaſticall Prelates, as ciuill Magiſtrates, who at this day are officers in al your ſoueraigne Courts and iuriſdictions, you cannot preſerue your eſtate: you muſt degrade and puniſh with death a great number of the moſt manifeſt offenders therein: for that hath already been done within your Realme, and bred a great contentment.

Then you muſt inquire and ſearch out for men of good and honeſt behauiour, wherewith you muſt repleniſh your Councell, and then God will bee aſsiſtant vnto them (for Gods ſpirit is alwaies with the iuſt man) and thereby your enterpriſes will ſurely take effect, ſooner by the hands of thoſe whom he doth bleſſe, then by ſuch as are prophane perſons, whoſe works are accurſed. It is very true, that we finde not ſo great numbers of honeſt men walking abroad,Rari quippe boni. yet how corrupt ſoeuer the world may be, it was neuer known or found to be voyde of ſome moſt excellent & vertuous men: what numbers of excellent wits & zealous perſons, are yet at this day in al the Prouinces of this Realme? how many hereticall courages, repleniſhed with holy magnanimitie and incredible boldneſſe, as among the Nobilitie of this land (not blaſphemous Gentlemen, but ſuch as loue and feare God) that neuer were in your Court, but rather dwell and remaine in their owne houſes without any imployment? How many great, rich, and commendable wittes, are diſtributed and lye hidde within the heads and mindes of men of all ſorts, and yet wholly deſpiſed of diuers perſons? who if they were imployed in diuers charges, would within ſhort time, wholly redreſſe all the diſorders and ruines of our eſtate: but ſuch men are onely knowne of GOD, and of ſome honeſt men: if in your Maieſties Court, there were a zeale and a deſire of ſaluation and amendment, their places and habitations would be continually ſought and found out,Reformatiof the exceſſe and diſorders in the court. and men vppon their knees would intreate them, deſiring them to helpe to redreſſe this fauage and barbarous time wherein wee liue: and that in ſteade of ciuill warres of pouertie, of miſerable ſeruitude, and infinite other miſchiefes, they would bring vs a holy peace, togither with the aboundance of all good things.

But the blinde prouidence of your Court, is onely to finde out new meanes of recouering mony: it onely regardeth that, as an Angel of deſence: it placeth all her confidence in gold & ſiluer, wherein are ſeen nothing but Italian banquers, and inuentions of new impoſts: it is much deceiued, it is not the great and maſſy Scepter of golde (as an auncient wiſe man ſaith) that is, not the great treaſures that maketh Princes to flouriſh, but rather the dutifull amitie of their ſubiects, which proceedeth only from the good order of iuſtice, and the election of capable perſons, fit for the gouernment of all eſtates.

Touching the propoſition made to the king, to cut off the ſuperfluous number of officers, and to aboliſh the corruption of the ſale of offices, from whence hee receiueth not one penny profit, which is not tempered in the blood of the common people: ſuch as found themſelues intereſted thereby, (fearing to looſe the profit and commoditie of their places, and thoſe ſpecially that concerned the receit of treaſures) made a great and goodly declaration to the king, to mooue him to the contrary, & to hold thē in their places which they poſſeſſed vnder the title of officers for his Maieſtie: ſhewing him, that the good and comfort of the people (which was thought would bee procured by the ſuppreſsion of their offices) is the greatneſſe, glorie, and riches of his Crowne, and of his people, which is alwaies oppreſſed and troden vnder foote by ſuch as are mightie, if there bee not ſome that like a barre interpoſe themſelues betweene the power of the one, and the weakneſſe of the other, which is ſpecially done by the offices, as well of iuſtice, as of his Maieſties treaſures: that the erection of offices, rather wanteth ayde and profit, then oppreſsion and wrong vnto the people, for that without them, the people muſt of force haue beene conſtrained to helpe the King in his warres with their owne goods.

The decree of Charles the fift, dated the 28. of May. 1359. That it is a vaine thing, to ſeeke to make thoſe offices that ought to bee perpetuall, to become annuall, and ſo to be exerciſed by Commiſſaries, for that is not to bee indured in any eſtate or Monarchie: and Charles the fiſt ſeeking to erect that order, during the priſonment of king Iohn, perceiued ſo many diſcommodities, diſcontentments, and ſeditions therein, that hee reuoked the ſuſpencing and depriuation of ſuch offices, and himſelfe in perſon pronounced the decree thereof in open Parliament.

That it is eaſie to iudge by the paſsions and inſtant purſuites, of the greateſt of thoſe that demaund commiſsions, that they haue a moſt extreame enuie, to confound the order & principal ſupports of the royal eſtate, ſo to tranſferre it to the occupation and mannaging of a ſmall company of men, or elſe to put the rurther of this Monarchicall ſhippe into the hands of the common people, and ſuch as haue leaſt skill & knowledge to rule it, and by that means to bring the head vnder the foot: that diuers of thoſe earneſt petitioners, had not ſolde their offices (which they had likewiſe obtained by the ſame means) for the moſt aduantage, they would thinke themſelues moſt happy at this day to ioyne with 80. or a 100. thouſand officers, whereof that body is compoſed which at this preſent, imploreth iuſtice due and woorthie the deſert of their cauſe.

That the ſuppreſsion of ſo many eſtates and offices (which at this day are the chiefe & moſt orient brightneſſe of the honourableſt families among his ſubiects) would vnfainedly drawe on the deſolation, decay, and totall ruine of the beſt Townes in all this Realme: wherein the youth for want of good exerciſe, ſhould eaſily throw themſelues headlong into vanities and follies, whereof idleneſſe onely is the cauſe, and therefore they moſt humbly beſought his Maieſtie, to maintaine them in his ſeruice, ſuffering them to continue therein, and to enioy their offices as they had vſually done.

The billes of the three eſtates.Which allegation beeing ended, the complaints and petitions of the three eſtates, were read in ſuch large & ample diſcourſes, that the leaſt towne in France, had matter ſufficient to make a long and tedious declaration. All of them in generall complaining, (beſides the exceſſe of tallages,) of other ſubſidies, impoſitions, cuſtomes, furniſhings of fiftie thouſand ſouldiers, tallies, augmentations, and increaſings of new forces, impoſtes vpon wines, lendings of mony, both generall and particular, ſubſidies of one hundreth ſoules for euery proceſſe, redeeming of their commons, new inuentions touching the pauing of walled Towns, the raiſing and calling downe of monies, the ſurcharge of two, three, and foure ſoules vpon euery franke, the vniuerſall number of tallages,The common peoples complaints. the fourth and eight part of wines that are ſolde by retaile, with other ſuperfluous impoſitions: and to conclude, the people complained of the publicque calamities and oppreſsions, which made them as bare and naked of eaſe and fatneſſe, as the body of a man that is appoynted for an anatomie.

The Nobilitie complained of their ſeruices done without recompence, and of the indiſcrcet diſtribution of the kings liberallities and rewards. The Cleargie made a greater noyſe, and found themſelues greeued, that neither the ſummes of mony, nor yet the great charges leuyed vpon them, had not in any thing aduanced the ſeruice of religion.

Wherevppon the King ſuppoſing to ſuſtaine the golden world, and thereby to reſtore and procure great reſt and quietneſſe to his people, almoſt ſpoyled and vtterly ouerthrowne, hee commaunded the Deputies to inuent all the meanes they could for their comfort. And from thence ſprang the Edict of the ſuppreſsion of offices newly erected, and the ouerture of the diſcharges of talliages, but with a moſt induſtrious ſtratageme of the League.

They mooued the king to reduce the talliages of the yeare 1576. which they did to this end, that if the king agreed therevnto, hee ſhould perceiue himſelfe bereaued of the meanes to pay his ſouldiers, to content his ſeruants, and to maintaine the greatneſſe of his royall eſtate: and if hee refuſed it, it would bee an euident occaſion to make the eſtates fall in a mutenie, and ſo to effect their ſecret determination, which was to appoynt a Protector ouer the King, and to driue his faithfull ſubiects from him.

Read the kings declation vpon this poynt.The Duke of Guiſe perſwaded the King not to graunt it, to the ende, that thereby hee ſhould not imbaſe his authoritie at the ſtates pleaſures: on the other ſide, hee prouoked and incited the Deputies (which daily repaired to his lodging, there to conclude their propoſitions and aunſweres) to continue their purſuite. But the king to ſhunne their fury, conſented to the reduction of tallages, hoping neuertheleſſe by that meanes continuing the Parliament, he would ſhewe them, that with ſo ſmall ſummes of mony, hee could not maintaine his royall eſtate, nor yet proceed in warres againſt the Huguenots, which all of them had ſo ſolemnely and faithfully ſworne vnto.

Meane time, they beganne to enter into the depth of their pretences, A propoſition made before at Mallet and Bobier.and ſought to haue purſuits made againſt ſuch as had beene appoynted the kings receiuers, and thereby abuſed his liberallitie, that they ſhould be conſtrained to yeelde account, they ſhewed the king what loſſe hee had ſuſtained, by his careleſſe contract made touching the farming of ſalt, for the term of ſixe yeares, then ended in the month of September, 1588. to the great deminution of his treaſure, and oppreſsion of his ſubiects, for that the loſſe thereby ſuſtained, did yearely amount vnto the ſumme of a hundreth thirtie ſixe thouſand Crownes, and for the other ſixe yeares, foure millions and eight thouſand crownes, by not rating the farme of the impoſts of ſalt at as high a price as they ſhould bee.

This aduiſe beeing great and very important, for the increaſing of the Kings treaſures, was giuen by the Preſidents Mallet and Bobier, (that had laboured for the ſpace of ſixe yeares to diſcouer the ſame) couered and diſguiſed with the Sophiſteries and ſubtilties of their participants.

Meane time, that the eſtates were buſied in the Parliament, let vs ſee what the kings forces did againſt the enemie. The Duke de Neuers led one armie into Poitou, and the Duke de Maine conducted the other into Dauphine.

The armie of the Duke of Neuers in Poictou.The Duke de Neuers with a great and ſtrong armie paſſed into Poitou, promiſing not onely to reduce the whole Prouince vnder the kings obedience, but to reſtore the loſſe hee had ſuſtained by the battell of Coutrus, by ſome profitable and woorthie exployt: hee beeing aſsiſted by Monſieur de la Chaſtigneraye, Maiſter of the Campe, of a Regiment of footemen, Monſieur de Sagone, Marſhall of the light-horſe, Monſieur de Lauerdin, and Monſieur de la Chaſtre, Great-maiſter of the field: the armie being compoſed of Frenchmen, Switzers, Italians, and diuers voluntary Gentlemen.

The ſiege of Manleon.The Towne of Manleon was the firſt place which they pretended to beſiege: and to the ſame end, it was preſently inuironed with great numbers of horſe and footemen: It is the lawe of armes to puniſh ſuch as ſeeking to ſtriue againſt the ſtreame, ſome to oppoſe themſelues by raſh and vaine reſolution, to hold a fort, which of it ſelfe is wholly weak & vndefenſable. And for that kinde of fooliſh hardineſſe, Anne de Monmorancy Conſtable of France, hanged ſuch as hee found in the Caſtle of Villane, and all thoſe that were in a Tower, ſtanding in the ſubburbes of Saint Anthony of Pauie. Yet the Garriſon of Manleon, although they well perceiued both want of amunitions and weakneſſe of their walles, would neyther parley, nor yet yeeld, vntill they ſawe the laſt extremitie, but when they ſought by articles to compound the aſſaylants, vſing all inhumanitie againſt them, beeing diſarmed, bathed their victorie in the blood of naturall Frenchmen.

Montague taken.From thence they marched towards Montagu, where Monſieur de Colombiere Gouernour of the Towne, iſſued and skirmiſhed with the Duke de Neuers forces, with equall loſſe on both ſides: which done, after ſome reſiſtance made, and certaine Cannons ſhotte againſt the Towne, the ſouldier fearing the euent of cruel aſſault, not long after, drew to an honourable compoſition, and ſo yeelded the Towne.

When Montagu had yeelded, the armie went to batter la Ganache, a Towne with a Caſtle, lying betweene Poitou and Brittaine, as I will ſhewe you heereafter.

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The Duke de Maine at Lyons.The Duke de Maine beeing at Lyons, and from thence, minding to paſſe into Dauphine, found his affection as much cooled, as at the firſt it had beene greatly inflamed, and knowing ſuch pretences to bee daungerous, and ouer lightly grounded vppon the mutenie of the people, hee ſtayed his proceedings, expecting the iſſue of the Parliament: and while hee continued at Lyons, Monſieur de Mandelot died, beeing in great feare to bee diſplaced from his gouernment, by the Duke de Nemours, that had the graunt thereof, and for the ſame cauſe, hee doubted the comming of the Duke de Maine, to bee to that end.

Hee fell ſicke about the end of the moneth of October, troubled with a windie colicque,The ſickneſſe & death of the Lord de Mandelot. and certaine fittes of an ague, the goute likewiſe ceaſing vppon him, and all at once: Yet hee ſeemed not to bee in any great daunger, till Sunday the thirteenth of Nouember, when hee changed in ſuch ſort, that on wedneſday after, in the morning, feeling his forces to decay, hee began to thinke vppon his end, and comforting his Ladie, hee beſought father Edmond Auger, to ſhewe the king that hee died poore and indebted, by reaſon of his Maieſties ſeruices. Hee recommended his wife and children to the Sheriffes and Magiſtrates of Lyons, deſiring them not to ſhewe themſelues friends to mutable fortune, that they would not ſuffer him to die like a • ancrout, and that his goods and mooueables might be openly ſolde: he made the like declaration to the Straungers in the Towne. And vppon Saturday at night hee receiued the extreame vnction: which done, hee beſought God, that it would pleaſe him yet to giue him life for the ſpace of two yeares longer, if hee thought it good for the profit of the Church, the ſeruice of the king, and the commoditie of the Cittie of Lyons.

Preſages of the leaguers affaires.The next day the Duke de Maine went to viſit him, where for a certain time hee had ſome conference with him. And this Gentleman, that had alwaies had a great inſight into the affaires of the League, by a ſpirit although not propheticall, yet prognoſticating ſaid vnto him, that the end of the Parliament at Blois, would not bee ſo agreeable as the beginning, that the wound of the Barricadoes of Parris, was yet bleeding, and that the taking of the Marquiſat of Saluces, had much increaſed it, that the Duke of Guiſe ſhould neuer finde the meanes to pacifie the ſea, by him ſo much troubled and tormented, and that the ſuppoſed ayde of ſtraungers, which hee expected would fayle him, hee died the foure and twentieth of Nouember, and was buryed vpon Saint Andrewes day, at whoſe funerall the Ladie his wife ſhewed, both by her apparrell, honour, and order, that amitie continueth as well after as before mans death: Father Edmond Auger made the funerall Sermon in preſence of the Duke de Maine, and among other things, commending his perſon, ſaide: that hee had neuer ſubſcribed to the League, and that hee died conſtant in religion, and the ſeruice of the King.

But now let vs returne againe vnto the Parliament, where the king laboured with great paine, to procure the remedies which hee expected from the wholeſome counſell that ſhould bee giuen vnto him, and like a wiſe Pilot, that ſcoureth and maketh clean the plankes of his ſhippe, thereby to clenſe it of all filth that might hang vppon it, and ſo to hinder the like fiſh from catching holde thereon, which in the middle of the ſtreame vſeth to ſtaye the courſe of the greateſt ſhippe: that is, hee ſought to cutte off all the difficulties that hindered his Realm from paſsing out of the troubleſome waues of long and continuall warres,Remore, a fiſh, ſtayeth a ſhippe. and thereby could not arriue at the hauen of happie peace: but as hee continued in his great labour and holy deſire, that goodly harmony of the aſſembly of the eſtates, beganne to iarre vppon the newes of the taking of the Marquiſat of Saluce, Newes of the taking of Carmagnoles by the Duke of Sauoye, and of Carmagnoles, the Frontier-Towne of France and Italie.

The eſtate of the Duke of Sauoye.I muſt heerevnto adde this diſcourſe, which of force I muſt declare at large, the better to make it knowne, firſt ſhewing the eſtate of the Duke of Sauoy: then, what were the principall cauſes of this enterpriſe, the right and reaſons, wherewith hee defended himſelfe, and the meanes hee vſed to attaine vnto the ſame: I will put this propoſition, that this Prince is bound and a neighbour vnto France, and in that caſe, neither ought nor may bee an enemie vnto it. Hee is the ſonne of that great and polliticque Prince Charles Philebert duke of Sauoy, who ſo wiſely found the means to recouer that which his father had loſt.

The praiſe of Charles Philebert Duke of Sauoy.The principall glory, and truely as I thinke, the moſt neceſſary for a Prince of his quallitie, was, that among ſo many troubles, and betweene two great Monarchies ſtriuing togither, hee could behaue himſelfe ſo well, that neither the one nor the other once touched him, maintaining his countrie in peace, affectioned to the ſeruice of our kings, as hee that had receiued that honor, to marrie the ſiſter of king Henry the ſecond, a friend to the King of Spaine, in whoſe Court hee had paſſed ouer the moſt part of his greefes for his forepaſſed loſſes, a good neighbour to the Switzers, and other Princes of Italie: to liue in peace, hee permitted the free acceſſe of Huguenots into his Townes of Thurin, and aſſured them a retrait into the vallies of Angrongne, Lucerne, Saint Martin, Pragela, and la Perouze, without conſtraining them (as hee might well haue done) to vſe the Catholicque religion, and looking into the depth of diuers things, hee made meanes vnto the king of Nauarre, for a match to bee made betweene the Lady Margaret the Kings ſiſter, and his ſonne: and what hee practiſed for his owne benefite, the ſame he counſelled vnto others: for when hee perceiued that Henry king of Polonia threatned to renue the warres, aſſoone as hee ſhould ſet foote within his realme, hee diſſwaded him from that reſolution, ſetting before him, the incertitude of warres, which moſt commonly are ſweete in the beginning, but difficult to bee purſued, and moſt bitter and hurtfull in the ende:See the order of Montagu Hee deſired rather to leaue ſome parte of his Landes vnto the Switzers, then to ſeeke to winne them by armes.

Hee behaued himſelfe ſo well in his counſelles, (which our kings reiected) and imprinted ſuch an opinion of his wiſedome, greatneſſe, and felicitie, within his ſubiects mindes, that the Sauoyen not knowing, nor beeing able to imagine any greatneſſe more eleuated or happyer, then that of their Duke, that they ſaid, that if the king of France could haue guided his affaires in as good ſorte, hee hadde beene man ſufficient, and fitte to haue beene Great-Maiſter of the Duke of Sauoyes houſe.

Charles Emanuel Duke of Sanoy. Charles Emanuel his ſonne, perceiuing that the wiſedome and pollicie of his father, had left his eſtate in good ſecuritie with a reaſonable great quantitie of treaſures, and yet not ſo much as would ſuffice to make any forraine warres, determined to imploy that generoſitie, naturally ingraffed in him, in ſome goodly enterpriſe: hee threatned Ceneua, and made ſhewe of doing ſome great exployt againſt it, but acknowledging the inſufficiencie of his forces for his ſo high an enterpriſe, they determined vppon a marriage, and married the King of Spaines youngeſt daughter, and with her, the paſsions of his father in lawe.

The Duke of Sauoy cannot liue in peace if the king of Frāce be his enemie.At the beginning it was thought hee would haue contented himſelfe to haue beene friend with France, allyed vnto Spaine, that vppon the apprehenſion of the fall of our eſtate, he would neuer pretend any thing againſt vs, that hee would ſtaye himſelfe more vppon thinges certaine, then vppon vncertaine and variable: that knowing, that vppon the one ſide hee hadde the Almaines: on the other, the Switzers: on the third, the Venecians: and on the fourth, the Princes of Italie: hee would become friend to the Frenchmen their friends: It was thought, that if hee had ambition in his minde, it would vaniſh vnder a more iuſt title, that feeling himſelfe weake, hee would enterpriſe any thing againſt a mightie King, nor would not breake the bond of amitie, for his part due vnto him: holding his eſtates from this Crowne, which of late of meere courteſie hadde reſtored Sauignan and Pigneroles, vnto him, yet without apparant neceſsitie, and without any reaſon whatſoeuer, hee vndertooke the vſurpation of the territories of France, bordering vppon Piedemont.

And yet it was not done without pretence, declaration, and excuſe, for firſt hee wrote vnto the Pope, that the feare hee had leaſt Monſieur de Deſdiguieres, ſhould ceaſe vppon certaine of his Townes, and ſo in the middle of his countrie make a retraict and refuge for the Huguenots, had conſtrained him to diuert that miſchiefe generally from the Church, and particularly from his owne eſtate, which hee deſired to continue in the puritie of the auncient religion: vnder the obedience of the holy ſea of Rome.

The duke of Sauoyes pretence why he inuaded the Marquiſat of Saluce.Hee excuſed himſelfe vnto the King, touching this breach of peace, ſaying: that the onely zeale of religion, togither with the feare of the contagious neighbourhood of hereticques, had conſtrained him ther vnto, ſending an Ambaſſador to giue him notice thereof, and ſo to diſguiſe that iniurie with the faireſt and moſt counterfeit hee could deuiſe.

At the firſt, he made ſhewe as if he would not hold thoſe places but vnder the kings authoritie, and by little and little, he vſurped all ſoueragne power, degrading the kings officers, erected the Sauoyan croſſe, and threwe downe the flower deluces of France.

Ann. 1481.His officers couered this vſurpation with an other title, and maintained that the Marquiſat of Saluces is holden infeſt of the Duchie of Sauoy, and that one of the Marquiſes thereof, beeing a braue and valiant Gentleman, diſdaining in perſon to doo homage to Charles the ſixt, Duke of Sauoy, being very young, was for his miſpriſion declared a traitor, driuen out of his Countries, and his Marquiſat confiſcated.

The Marqueſſe of Saluce infeſted into the countrie of Dauphine.But the truth is, that this countrie hath alwaies been infeſt to the principalitie of Dauphine, contained in the gift that Prince Humbert made vnto the Crown of France, & namely, that the Marqueſſe of Saluce had recourſe vnto the king of France, who receiued homage and fidelitie of him, and euer ſince, his ſucceſſours did continue the dutie of vaſſalles vnto the Kings, Charles the eight, Lewis the twelfth, and Francis the firſt.

From thence it proceedeth, that hee which enquired and gathered into a great volume, the cauſes and reaſons of the raiſing of armes in the moneth of Ianuary, reporteth this ſurpriſing of the Marquiſate of Saluces, to bee deriued from principalles of the League, that diſmembreth thier Crowne and Common-wealth, perceiuing that neither of them could preſerue it whole and intire, and theſe are his words.

ABout that time, the Duke of Sauoy ſuppoſing the king by reaſon of his departure from Parris, to bee wholly ouerthrowne, ſent to ſpeake with Monſieur de Guiſe, minding to enter into League with him, vppon condition, that for his part, hee might haue the Marquiſat of Saluce, Prouence, and Dauphine, which the Duke of Guiſe would by no means conſent vnto, deſiring rather to keepe the kingdome wholly for himſelfe, which was the cauſe that the Duke of Sauoy mooued at his aunſwere, ſent Monſieur to the King at Chartres, in the moneth of Auguſt, to offer him all loue and friendſhippe: whereat the Duke of Guiſe beeing offended, practiſed the ſaide intelligence and league, graunted the Duke of Sauoyes requeſt, and the ſaide Duke of Sauoy was aduertiſed of of the reſolution taken againſt the king in the Parliament at Blois: to the end, that for his part, he might finde the meanes to diſpatch his buſineſſe at the ſame time: wherein hee ſlept not, forgetting neuertheleſſe the promiſe made vnto his Maieſtie, and that of his owne free will, for hee preuented the time of the execution thereof, by the ſurpriſing of the Marquiſate of Saluces, which ſerued as a preparation to the conſpiracie made againſt the perſon of the King, as euery man iudged, as beeing moſt eaſie to bee perceiued, that the Duke of Sauoye, who in regard of the puiſſance of this great Realme, is but a meane Prince, and hath la Breſſe, Sauoye, and Piedemont, ſo neare vnto the limittes of France, that it laye in the kings power to bereaue him of the greateſt parte thereof: and that in very ſhort time, if hee were not ayded, or that his Maieſtie hadde not hinderances otherwiſe, which made it apparant vnto all the worlde, that hee enterpriſed not the taking of Carmagnolle, Rauel, and Saluce, without aſsiſtance: and that on the other ſide, the king ſhould bee retained and hindered from making warre againſt him, although that after ſuch hinderance, hee might bee well aſſured, that the Parliament beeing ended, his Maieſtie would recouer both his ſaide Marquiſate of Saluce, and wholly ouerrunne him, if hee left not off in time.

For my part, I haue heard it reported, that this young Prince foreſeeing Cadenti arbori, ſecurim in iecit. A politicque maxime of Spaine. Multa fieri prohibentur, quae tamen facta tenent.ſeeing the diſsipation of our eſtate, aſſured himſelfe that it would bee beſt for him to bee the firſt at the diniſion, as ſonne and husbande of two daughters, iſſued from the blood royall of France, and ſo goodly a peece of land, lying in the middle of his countrie, would bee ſufficient cauſe to awake a man that were moſt ſound a ſleepe, to mooue and heate the moſt colde and greateſt Pollititian, and that although there appeared iniuſtice in the action, yet there would bee reaſon found to the poſſeſsion thereof. Concluding his determination by this maxime holden in Councell of Spaine: That diuers thinges are forbidden, which are good and hold ſteadfast, beeing once done.

And to execute his pretence, for the ſpace of a whole yeare hee had ſolicited the Gouernour of the Citadell of Carmagnole, who playing on both ſide, on the one ſide tooke money of the Duke: and on the other ſide, hee aduertiſed the King thereof, and wrought ſo well by that meanes, that hauing gotten aboue fiue and twentie thouſand Crownes, hee withdrewe himſelfe vnto the Court, without deliuering the place which the Duke of Sauoye hadde bargained for, who perceiuing himſelfe deceiued, and that the Barricadoes at Parris gaue the King worke in hand, and more then hee could doo, hee determined to ſurpriſe the Citadell of Carmagnole, by the meanes of a Corporall called la Chambre, whoſe treaſon beeing diſcouered, and his fact once knowne, hee was hanged by the feete in the Market-place of Carmagnole, and then with all his confederates put to death as hee deſerued: but that notwithſtanding, the duke perceiuing the kings minde to bee otherwiſe occupied, then to thinke vppon the Marquiſat, of Saluces, hee leuyed great numbers of men,Marqueſſe of S. Sorbin. cauſing the Marqueſſe of Saint Sorlin to mount on horſebacke, and vnder the pretence of a falſe report giuen out touching the beſieging of Montferrat, hee approached in ſo good time, that vppon Al-ſaints day at night, hee ſurpriſed the Towne of Carmagnole, that for the moſt part was kept by ſouldiers of Piedemont.

And the Caſtle that hadde alwaies beene victualled for aboue the ſpace of two yeares, at that time was found wholly vnprouided, becauſe that Montſeur de Saint Siluie, that hadde ſucceeded in the place of la Coſte, hadde cauſed the victualles to bee carried foorth, to haue ſome freſh in their place, in ſuch ſort that the Captains fearing to indure great miſerie and famine, with ſmall honour yeelded vppe that impregnable Fort, wherein there was found aboue foure hundreth cannons,Ordinance founde at Carmagnole. great and little, with great quantitie of powder and ſhotte, and by that means the double Piſtollets that flew about on all ſides, bare away the double cannons of this Frontier-Towne of France, ſo that in leſſe then threce weekes, the Duke wanne all the Marquiſats of Saluce, and alſo the Captaines and Frenchmen ſouldiers retiring, with liues and goodes ſaued, drummes ſounding and playing, Enſignes diſplayed, weapons in their handes, but no matches lighted, and without their paye of three moneths, which the Duke had promiſed them by his agreement.

This victorie and conqueſt made the Duke holde vp his head, and his ſeruants made him beleeue, that although hee were forced to yeelde it vp again, in the mean time he ſhould enioy it, and that it is good to bring things to paſſe when time and opportunitie ſerueth. And for the ſame cauſe, he made certaine peeces of mony of the value of a Duket to be minted, ſtamped with the picture of a Centaure, treading a Crowne of golde vnder his feete, with this deuiſe, Opportune.

The taking of the Marqueſſe of Saluce, troubles the ſtate.Not long after, the king receiued the newes thereof, and conſidering the troubles, diſtruſts, and commotions, practiſed by the League, he imputed this ſurpriſing to a brauado, togither with an euill will againſt the good and quietneſſe of his eſtate: and knew full well, that the Duke of Sanoy, beleeuing that the deuiſion of France would impart a peece thereof to euery man, he went to take his part, & that rather for the ſcituation, then any other right or title hee had vnto the Marquiſate of Saluces, thereby to ioyne it vnto Piedemont, and that he had forſeene, that his Maieſtie beeing hindered by quenching the fire that flamed within the heart of his Realme, hee would not haue the meanes to ayde himſelfe in his extreamities.

The full relution of the French Nobalitie, to make warre in Sauoy.Such as at all times had the flower deluce, and the reſpect of the glory of France liuely imprinted in their hearts, not beeing able to ſupport the iniurie wrought (in the preſence of all the eſtates of France, as then aſſembled in Blois) touching the taking of a place, which was the onely treaſurie of the ſpoyles of ſuch conqueſts as the Kings of France brought out of the countrie of Italie, ſhewed the King, that it would bee neceſſary for him, to make peace within his Realme, and to reuenge that iniurie, to driue away the Goate that eateth the colewoorths, while the Good-man is fighting with his wife: to chaſe the wolfe, that aſſayleth the ſheepfolde, while the Sheepheards are quarrelling togither: For ſo the Romanes agreed togither, when they perceiued the enemie before their Capitoll: ſo the Spaniards left of their mutenie, when they beheld the white croſſe before Fontarabie: ſo the Frenchmen appeaſed their debates, to ioyne togither for the driuing of the Engliſhmen out of Normandie.

They tolde the King, it would bee accounted a poynt of great cowardiſe in them, if they ſhould ſeeme to bee offended thereat: if they ſhould indure the pride and ambition of their ſo weake an enemie: if they ſhould ſuffer the Crowne of France to bee diſmembred, ſpecially the places which are particularly allotted vnto the eldeſt ſonne of the King.

The king is reſolued to folow ſtrange wars and to pacifie ciuil broyles.To ſuffer that a meane Prince ſhould in a brauado take away from a King of France, that little plot that reſted vnto him of the territories of Italie, togither with foure hundreth peeces of Cannon-ſhotte, the Frontiertowne of France lying beyond the Mountaines, that place that was able to withſtand the moſt proude forces of the Spaniards: which onely reſted vnto vs as an aſſured pawne, therewith in ſhort ſpace to recouer againe the countries of Naples and Milan.

The King beeing in flamed with iuſt greefe, was fully mooued at this tyranny, and iudged this branch of miſchiefe to ſpring out from the bodie of the coniurations of the League, for the which cauſe he ſaid hee would make peace with the Huguenot, to ſerue himſelfe by their means, againſt ſuch as ſought to pull off his cloathes, before he ment to go to bedde, minding to quit himſelfe from the rule of ſuch as like maiors of the Pallace, ſougt nothing but his ſubiection vnto their paſsions.

The Duke of Guiſe excuſeth himſelfe.The Duke of Guiſe perceiuing that all the aſſembly, the whole Parliament, & all the kings ſeruants, iudged this inuation to be done by his means, and to bee the onely effect of the League, and that it bred hatred and repentance in the hearts of thoſe that eſteemed his proceedings to bee moſt iuſt, he beſought the king not to bee mooued thereat, aſſuring him, that aſſoone as his Maieſtie ſhould haue quenched the fire which the Huguenots had begun to kindle within his realm, he would be one of the firſt that ſhould paſſe the Mountaines, to make his forraine enemies yeeld their praye, deſiring his Maieſtie to giue him that commiſsion, but firſt he ſaid, hee ought to aſſure his people of that hee had promiſed them by oath touching the holy vnion, and the good reſolution of the Parliament.

The king that could not well diſieſt this aduiſe, receiuing it as from the heart of him that had giuen the ſpirit & motion to the miſchiefe, by his continuall practiſes with ſtraungers, perceiuing that neither his Edict of vnion, nor yet the obligation of the oath which he had taken (concerning religion) of all the Princes of the League, to make them depart and leaue their ſecret aſſociations, as well within as without the Realme, had not wrought that effect which hee expected, hee determined from that time forward, to bee reuenged of all forepaſſed offences, perſwading himſelfe not to bee bound to obſerue the Edict of vnion, ſeeing the League had firſt begunne to breake it, conſenting to the pernicious intents of ſtrangers,Reade the wars of Geneua in the booke following. & not withdrawing themſelues from the mutuall intelligences it had with him: but in the meane time, while hee diſſembled his diſpleaſure againſt the Duke of Cuiſe, hee vſed another meanes againſt the Duke of Sauoy, which I will ſhewe heereafter.

That the king of Nauarre was not much greeued at the iniurie which a meane Duke had done vnto a mightie king, it is not to bee doubted: yet he reioyced thereat, being in hope of ſome good fortune that might thereby enſue, and that it would be occaſions to end the diuiſions & partiallities within the Realme of France. At ſuch time as this new trouble ſprang vp among the aſſembly at Blois, hee was in Rochel, where hee called an other aſſembly of the Churches of his religion, ſeeing the artificiall deuiſes of the League, had ſhut the gate againſt him, where hee ought to holde the principall place, as the firſt Prince and chiefe Magiſtrate of France.

An aſſembly at Rochel.This aſſembly began the fourteenth day of Nouember, in the Townhouſe of Rochel, the King of Nauarre beeing preſent, aſsiſted by Moniſeur de Turenne, Monſieur de Trimouille, and other Gentlemen of his houſe and Councell, as in a manner there is not any Prouince in France, wherein this religion hath not purchaſed ſome acres of land, and by that meanes there were Deputies from all places.

By whoſe aduiſe and reſolution, ſprang the requeſt preſented vnto the States at Blois, The Proteſtants demaundeth a Councell. vnder the name and title of the Frenchmen exiled for the religion, beſeeching the king to reſtore them vnto the libertie of the firſt Edict, which from the name of the moneth wherein it was publiſhed, was called the edict of Ianuary, to ordaine that a national Councell might be aſſembled, where the Doctors on both parts with good ſecuritie, in preſence of his Maieſtie and all the aſſembly, might peaceably debatetheir differences and holily decide and reſolue vpon the ſame, to graunt them the free libertie of poſſeſsing their goods, for ſupplying their neceſsities, & to permit the regiſtring of their ſupplication, together with the conſenting therevnto, by his Maieſties pleaſure, to the end that nothing might bee done in that aſſembly to preiudice them.

This petition was badly framed at that time, as beeing wholly contrary to the principall intent of that aſſembly, which beeing for the moſt part compoſed of men, choſen and purpoſely taken out from among the moſt paſsionate aduancers of the League, deſire rather to deſtroy then inſtruct, ſuch as had ſtrayed aſide, and ſooner to drowne, then to waſh the infected. And therefore not beeing ſatiſfied with the Edict of vnion (the right deſtruction of the Proteſtants) they ceaſed not, vntill both from the king himſelfe, and all the aſſembly, they had procured a declaratiō of the perpetual diſabilitie of the king of Nauarre, to the ſucceſsion of the Crowne. Yet their artificiall poyſons do not ſo fully infect all the body of that aſſembly, and their mindes were not in ſuch manner tyed vnto the opinions of the League, but that there were ſome perſons, both of dignitie & reputation, that would not permit that the means ſhould bee taken from the king, to revnite his ſubiects in one religion, ſeeing that the intent of the Parliament ought onely to tend vnto a publike peace, and therefore they counſelled him to procure a lawfull Councell againſt this ſchiſme of conſcience, which ſhould be eyther vniuerſall, or nationall, a moſt ſoueraigne and aſſured remedie, prooued heretofore againſt more pernicious herefies, then theſe of our time, whereby the bodies of Common-wealths haue bin purged of their infected blood, and filled againe with good and viguerous humours.

Chiections againſt the inſtruction aſked by the king of Nauarre.Others, that commaunded both the minde of the king and all the eſtates, ſaid: that trueth once debated and determined, ought not to bee brought in queſtion againe: that it was no reaſon, that the apperite of ſome newters, that had withdrawn themſelues from the common ſocietie of the Church, to play their parts alone, and to induce the madneſſe of their euill timbered braines, ſhould ſeeke to trouble all Chriſtendome by aſſembling of a Councell: the reſolutions whereof, can bee no other then thoſe at other times aſſembled, trueth hauing but one face. And therefore counſelled his Maieſtie to prouide that his ſucceſſour might bee of no other religion then his owne, and to aſſure all his Catholicques therein, that feared nothing ſo much, as the eſtabliſhing of the King of Nauarre, in the ſucceſsion of the Crowne of France.

The king had promiſed by his Eſtict, to take an order touching his ſucceſſor, but at that age wherein hee liued, and in the young and luſtie yeares of the Queen his wife, he hoped that God would bleſſe him with ſome maſculine line, that might auoyde the difference of thoſe ambitious perſons. And therefore hee tooke no pleaſure to heare any ſpeech of that which in his minde ſeduced to imbaſe his authoritie, and to make his graue before he was dead. For that aſſoone as a Prince hath declared who ſhall bee his ſucceſſor, his teſtament is made, and then in his Realme, he is accounted but as the ſun that goeth downe, euery man caſting his eyes vpon him that ſhall ſucceede. It was a capitall offence in Rome, to ſeeke to knowe what ſhould bee done after the death of the Emperour: and the Emperours of Turkie cannot indure the ſight of the children their ſucceſſors, but ſend them farre from the Court, and neuer ſee them but when they are firſt borne, or elſe when they are circumciſed. There are diuers well gouerned & peaceable Monarches, wherein ſuch are puniſhed as are ouer ſerious to inquire what may happen after their Kings death.

The Parliament holden in England, 156 • . The Parliament of England, that ſolicited the Queene to nominate her ſucceſſor, among thoſe houſes that aſpired therevnto, receiued no other aunſwere from her, but onely that ſhee was of opinion, that they ſought to make her graue before ſhee was dead. And to cut off ſuch ſeditious curioſities, ſhe cauſed an Act to bee made, that no man ſhould preſume to ſpeake or diſpute of the ſucceſsion of her kingdome.Ne quis aſſirmet vel exiſtimet vel coniectet cui nam regnandi ius debeatur.

The death of king Francis the firſt. 1547. The iealouſie of him that is to ſucceed is incredible, and ſo much diſtruſtfull, that the father cannot indure the hope of his ſonne: the gold of this Hiſtorie is too weake, therein to place the Orientall pearles, which I finde in ſo many notable diſcourſes, that are made concerning this laſt motion, hee that wrote the free and excellent diſcourſe (ſo called) rehearſeth this domeſticall example of our kings, that the great king Francis beeing weake and ſicke, in his Caſtle of Fontainbleau, about the begining of the moneth of May, in the ſame yeare that hee died, his diſeaſe increaſed ſo much, that they eſteemed him eyther dead, or that hee would not long continue aliue. Wherevppon all the Court in great haſte ranne to ſeeke the Dauphine, prince Henry, who for the ſame iealouſie of ſucceſsion, durſt not come in his fathers preſence for the ſpace of ſixe or ſeuen yeares before, in ſuch manner, that moſt of all the chiefe Courtiers had left the king, euery man going to worſhip that new ſon. Meane time, the king recouered his health, and his diſeaſe beeing ſomewhat cured, there was a Proceſsion to bee made, which is yearely obſerued with great ſolemnitie through out the Realme of France, againſt which time, the olde King roſe vp, and came out of his chamber, his face and haires dreſſed and combed, not as if hee had neither beene ſicke nor aged, withall, putting on certaine youthfull garments, and in that ſort was preſent at the proceſsions: and beeing returned, he vſed this ſpeech: I will once againe put them in feare before I die. And it was true, for ſuddainly the chance turned, for that aſſoone as the news was ſpred abroad, that the king had recouered his health, all the Courtiers by degrees repaired vnto him, much abaſhed and in great feare: and then the Dauphine for his part was left as naked without company, as his father had beene before. There the king ſhewed himſelfe like a king, and ſo hee ought to behaue himſelfe like a king.

Non legiones, non claſſes perinde ſunt firma imperii munimina vt numerus liberorum. Tacit. But to the contrary, the king not onely permitted a conference touching the ſucceſsion, but ſuffered his ſubiects to riſe vp in armes for the triall thereof, and that before all the aſſembly, there ſhould bee a propoſition put forth, touching the excluding of the lawful ſucceſſor. Is not this as much as if they ſhould compel him to make his teſtament, and to ſtriue as though hee were at the poynt of death?

Wherein you may beholde the extremities of the League, that ſeeking to ouerthrow the eſtate, would beate down the ſupporters, with al the Princes of the blood, who being aliue, it is vaine for them to ſeem to lay hold on the tree, or once to digge the myne of their pretences, for neither armes nor fortreſſes do ſo well defend and maintaine an eſtate, as the number of children of the Princes familie, which is the meanes to breake a perpetuall order of ſucceſsion, as long as they liue, choaking the ambitious hopes of ſuch as would ouer throw and ſubuert it. Then the League can neuer attaine vnto the end of their courſe, nor their forces remooue the Crowne of the branches of Valois and Bourbon, to the houſe of Vaudemont, if firſt they procure not the degrading of all Saint Lewis race.

Propoſitions made the fourth of Nouember. 1588. The king to pleaſe the inraging appetites and deſires of the League, conſented they ſhuld determine of that which the greateſt part of the league had alrea die reſolued: which was the condemnation of the king of Nauarre: it was firſt debated among the Cleargie, where by them, without great reſiſtance, it was determined, that this Prince ſhould be holde for an hereticque, and their leader a Relaps, excommunicated, depriued of the gouernment of Guyenne, and of all his honors, vnwoorthie of all ſucceſsions of Crownes and royalties: which they appoynted to be ſignified to the reſt of the eſtates: the Archbiſhop of Ambrun, the Biſhop of Bazas, the Abbot of Citeaux, and other Eccleſiaſticall perſons, opened their intent vnto the Nobilitie, and the reſt of the eſtates: who altogither entered into conference, touching the waightineſſe of that action: and conforming themſelues vnto the firſt aduiſe of the Cleargie, they appoynted twelue of each degree, to giue the King intelligence of their determination, and the Archbiſhoppe of Ambrun in the name of all the eſtates, opened it to the King. But his M. remēbring that the king of N. had often ſhew'd him, that he had bin born & bred vp in that form of religion, that in conſcience he could not leaue it without inſtruction: that if he did it in hope or diſpaire of enioying a kingdome, hee ſhould thereby reape the blaſone of inconſtancie, infidelitie, and hypocriſie, thereby not to make himſelfe capable to be a king, but rather vnworthie for the place: that hee was readie, and alwaies will be, to bee inſtructed by a free and lawfull Councell, and to leaue his error, truth being made known vnto him, found this propoſition very ſtrange and paſsionate, wherwith he reſted wholly vnreſolued. Such as preferre the hopes and right of ſucceſsion in this Prince, ſhewed him, that the ſubmiſsion he had made,The king of Nauarre, in hope of a Crowne wilt not be inſtructed. A diſcourſe taken out of an anſwere made by the king of Nauarre. The Edict of the libertie of conſcience, in an. 15 • 1. & which he ſtill continued to make during theſe troubles, are full of iuſtice & all good conſideration, becauſe he doth not willingly defend any thing, but that only which honor & zeale of conſcience forceth him vnto: that the law of this Realm depriueth not a child of a direct or collaterall ſucceſsion, becauſe of religion: why then ſhould it depriue a Prince? The law admitteth all perſons indifferently into any office, & why ſhuld it not do ye like in an eſtate? The law permitteth euery man the exerciſe of his religion, & excludeth no man, why then ſhuld the Prince be debarred from this priuiledge? and the Prince that maketh it, why ſhuld he be burt hened in his conſcience, in the thing ſpecially that toucheth him moſt neare? it being he that giueth libertie vnto others: I ſay the law of this eſtate, for it is the law whereby we liue in peace: that is, to reſtore this eſtate vnto her firſt being, & thereby to withdraw it from continuall miſerie. A law made & determined at the Parliament holden in Orleans, not a forced Parliament, not ſuſpicious, not leagued by the deuiſes and ſubtill practiſes of ſuch as at this day trouble the Realme of France: and which is more, a Parliament ſummoned by themſelues, in the time of their greateſt credite, and namely at their inſtance, which from that time hitherto, wee neuer deſired to infringe, vntill we were conſtrained to enter into ciuill warres, and when I ſpeake of ciuill warres, vnder that word I thinke may well comprehend all ſorts of calamities and confuſions: a lawe that is very iuſt, as beeing moſt neceſſary: a lawe, which at this Parliament is not allowed, for that the reuocation thereof, is our deſtruction: a law iudged: a lawe ſworne vnto by all the Princes, Gouernours, Lieftenants, Councellours, Courts of Parliament, Preſidents, Townes, and communalties of this Realme, and by thoſe namely, who at this day would proteſt againſt it. And yet hee remitteth mitteth the deciding of the cauſe of religion to a free Councell, and til then, no man in this eſtate can bee eſteemed or holden an hereticque, and whoſoeuer ſubmitteth himſelfe vnto it, by all right cannot bee ſaid or reputed for an obſtinate or ſchiſmatic que perſon.

The king wold they ſhould ſummon the King of Nauarre.The King prouoked by theſe reaſons, thought it vnreaſonable to condemne the king of Nauarre, before hee aunſwered for himſelfe, and therefore made aunſwere vnto the Lords and other Deputies, that it ſhould by to ſee if that were good and expedient, to ſummon him once againe to ſweare vnto the Edict of vnion, and ſo to declare himſelfe a Catholicque.

The League would not heare of that aduiſe.This aunſwere made by the King, was ſhewed vnto the eſtates, and by them a collection was made, of all the means that had the king of Nauarre vnto the Church, the abſolution which the Cardinall of Bourbon his vncle had obtained for him, his Relaps into his errors: that he had abiured the voyages made by the Queene-mother, to ſeeke to win him: the Doctors whom the king himſelfe (deſirous of his conuerſion and his good) had ſent vnto him, and the excommunication pronounced againſt him in the Conſiſtorie of Rome.

They ſet downe the paines due vnto hereticques, as alſo to ſuch as are relapſed: they accuſed this Prince to bee both the one and the other, nouriſhed and brought vp from his infancie in that new and erronious opinion, and that beeing ſuch a perſon, hee was not woorthie eytherof reſpect or obedience, no not of ſo much honour, as once to bee ſaluted: that they might not communicate with him by any meanes: that there is an eminent daunger of the loſſe of religion, and that it would bee put in great hazard, if once they ſhould acknowledge him for their king, who both by his power and example, might eaſily compel his ſubiects to yeelde to his religion, finding nothing more aſſured nor certaine, in all auncient Hiſtories, then the decay and ruine of religion, when the chiefe Magiſtrate ſought not to preſerue it in all puritie.

Hereticum ho minem deuita. Nee aue dixeritis illi. 1. Tim. 3. Iohn 2.They ſaid the King of Nauarre held the ſame opinon, that had alreadie beene condemned in the Councell of Trent, and by other Councelles, that hee perſeuered therein, and that hauing oncereiected it, hee receiued it againe, and thereby conſtrained the holy Sea of of Rome to declare him a Relaps, excommunicated, and vncapable of the ſucceſsion of this Realme: concluding thereby, that hee ought by that aſſembly to bee declared ſuch a perſon, and to leaue this lawe for a perpetuall memorie vnto the Realme of France: that an hereticque may not enioy the Crowne of France, and that it is a thing wholly againſt his ſacrying, and the oath which at his coronation hee ſhould make, but much more preiudiciall vnto the honour of God, and the good and quietneſſe of this eſtate.

The lawe to heare ſuch as are accurſed, is not ciuill and particular, nor obſerued in one or two Common-wealths, it is a lawe drawne from nature it ſelfe, and the common conſent of all nations, practiſed by thoſe who for their guide haue had a true and perpetuall reaſon in all their actions, and it ſeemeth that God himſelfe, to whom all the ſecrets of mens conſciences are open, that knoweth all things, that hath no need of humane witneſſes, nor yet to follow the order or manner of a Parliament, would not pronounce his definitiue ſentence againſt the ingratitude, felony, diſloyaltie, pride, and preſumption, of the firſt man Adam, before hee had called him to iudgement, examined, confirmed, and vnderſtood his reaſons,The law to heare the accuſed. leauing this infallible doctrine vnto vs, that wee muſt not condemne any man, how greeuous an offender ſoeuer hee bee, before wee haue heard him, and well examined his cauſe: it was the naturall equitie of this lawe, that cauſed Sicynius to oppoſe himſelfe againſt the decree of the Tribunes, pronounced vppon Cariolanus, condemned without beeing heard: this reaſon mooued the Ambaſſadours of Etrurie, to perſwade themſelues that the Romanes would graunt them the repeating of Tarquinius Superbus, becauſe hee hadde beene baniſhed, and neuer heard ſpeake in his owne defence, and that great author of Romane eloquence, complaineth that hee had beene baniſhed, without offence, without accuſer, without witneſſe, and without permitting him that libertie, which is neuer refuſed to enemie nor ſlaue. And hee it was that cried out againſt Verres, ſaying:Crimen ſine accuſatore ſententia ſiue conſiliio damnatio siue defensione. that in condemning his hoſte Sthemius Termitanus without hearing him, hee had forced and violated nature. And this miſgouernment of condemning men beeing abſent, was neuer induced but by the outragious enuie of Tyrants, againſt the common tranquilitie of their countries, it was neuer practiſed but by thoſe furious Donatiſts, that depoſed Cicilia from his Biſhoppricke of Carthage, hee beeing abſent: and the holy fathers of Rome haue alwaies deteſted this practiſe. Liberius ſaith plainely and boldly vnto Conſtant, that he would neuer ſigne to the banniſhment of Athanaſius, as being extreame iniuſtice to condemne a man, that hath neither been ſummoned, nor once heard to ſpeake for himſelfe. Innocent the firſt, excommunicated Arcadius and Eudoxia his wife, becauſe that without inquiring of the matter hee had condemned Chryſoſtome. Pope Clement blaſoned and reprooued the Emperour Henry, becauſe hee had bereaued Robert of his Kingdome of Sicile, and proclaimed him traitor, without hearing his excuſe.

The King of Nauarres anſwer.It may bee, that if the King of Nauarre might haue beene heard to ſpeake, hee would haue giuen them to vnderſtand, that the Pope had beene deceiued, or ſeemed in declaring him to bee an hereticque, obſtinate, and relapſed into hereſie, hee would haue ſaid, that hee neuer knew nor vnderſtood, that there ſhould bee any other trueth, then that wherein the Queene his mother had brought him vp: it is true, that after the maſſacre committed vppon Saint Bartholomews day, he was conſtrained to vſe time as occaſion then fell out, and to ſubmit himſelfe vnto their tyrannies: The king of Nauarres minde was not free in Anno. 1572. but ſo much againſt his minde, that aſſoone as without daunger hee might once make it knowne that his conſcience was at libertie, he ſhewed thedeſire hee had to bee inſtructed, and to ſubmit himſelfe to the free and lawfull iudgement of a nationall Councell within the Realme of France, hee wrote to all the degrees of France, both Cleargie, Nobilitie, Parliaments, & common people, that hee had nothing more liuely imprinted within his mind, then a deſire to ſee the revnion & reduction of the ſeruice of God vnder one kinde of religion: and therefore that hee could not bee called a Relaps, for that to bee ſuch a perſon, hee muſt firſt haue beene condemned and iudged as an hereticque: that hee had publicquely abiured his error, and then receiued into the Church, and that hee had returned againe vnto his firſt hereſie. But now hee is the man that neuer had beene accuſed of hereſie, nor neuer abiured the opinion which at this day hee holdeth, for that aſſoone as he found conuenient means to depart out of the Court, wherein he had bin ſtayed by the accuſations that his enemies made againſt him, vnto king Charles the ninth, he retired into his countrie of Bearne, where he made it known, that hee had no other beliefe, then that which hee had alwaies holden: neuertheleſſe, as often as the king deſired to haue him vnited to the Catholicque, Apoſtolicque, and Romane Church, he alwaies deſired to be inſtructed, and to the ſame end, that it would pleaſe his Maieſtie, to bee a means to aſſemble a free and lawfull Councell of the vniuerſall Church, or elſe to call a nationall Councell of the Church of France: ſubmitting himſelfe to all diſcipline, and to the free and lawfull iudgement of that holy aſſembly: which his Maieſtie acknowledging to be moſt requiſite,The king of Nauarre, firſt king of all Europe, next to the king of France. granted both to him & his partakers by the Edict of pacification, made in Anno. 1577. Theſe reaſons being neither preſented, nor cōſidered of by thec largie, the moſt affected to the aduancemēt of ye league, executed their pleaſures vpō one of ye greateſt Princes in Chriſtendome vpō the firſt prince of ye blood: yea, & the firſt child of ye moſt & ancient famous familie, bearing Crown within this world, which ye heauēs borne and brought foorth capable to command ouer France, when God ſhall ſee his time, and to depriue him of the right, that nature had affoorded him, without ſummoning or once hearing what hee could alleage vnto the contrary: So that in the end, the kings aduiſe to cauſe him to bee ſummoned to ſweare vnto the Edict of vnion, was found to bee without reaſon, and the Cleargie reſolued that hee neyther can nor ought any more to reſiſt. This concluſion was borne vnto the Nobilitie by the Biſhops of Chaalons and Champaigne: and to the third Eſtates by the Biſhop of Comminges: the Archbiſhop of Ambrun, companion of the 12. of each order that were appoynted therevnto, declared the States mindes vnto the king, which was not to vſe other means to ſummon the king of Nauarre, and that his hereſie and incapacitie to the Crowne were ſufficiently knowne.

But if the king knoweth not three things, hee knoweth nothing: hee raigneth without raigning: hee cannot defend himſelfe, his familie, nor the peace. Hee ſuffereth himſelfe to be bereaued of the vnſeparable quallities belonging vnto his perſon: that is, power and authoritie: hee ſuffereth them to declare thoſe of his familie to bee vnwoorthie of ſucceſsion: hee permitteth them to take away the peace and tranquillitie of his Realme, to giue it vnto his enemies: ſo that to this propoſition of the League, hee anſwereth, that he would ſatiſfie the Deputies reaſons, and reſolue vpon them.

But while they were buſied to band themſelues againſt a Prince capable of the Crowne of France, and iſſued from the royall branch of Bourbon, vpon the which familie, God hath beſtowed more particular bleſsings, then vpon all others of the ſame tree and linage: as Aniou, Alencon, Eureux, Berry, Bourgongne, Angouleſme, Orleans, and Valois, that are all gone and extinct. God ſuddainly entered vpon the Theater, and ſhewed that his iudgements are wholly contrary vnto the iudgements of men, and that his ſpirit mouing eternally, worketh continually to his glory, and that hee can change the mindes of men, (when they thinke leaſt therof) cleane contrary to their deſires.

For the king was aduertiſed by all his ſeruants, and ſuch as made no account of him, the Duke of Eſpernon by letters aſſured him, that a great conſpiracie was intented againſt his perſon. The Duke de Maine commaunded a Gentleman to ſhewe the king, that the Duke of Guiſe ſought moſt ambitiouſly to climbe aboue the degree of a ſubiect, that hee practiſed ſome ſecret matter contrary to his Maieſties ſeruice,Al this agreeth with the Kings authoritie. and that the execution thereof, would ſhortly bee performed. The Duke of Aumale ſent Madame d'Aumale his wife, to ſhew the king of a ſecret Councell holden vnder a prodigious attempt againſt his perſon

The King determined to put the Duke of Guiſe to death.The kings heart by theſe aduiſes beeing ſtirred vp with a newe force and liuelier courage, and minding to preuent the Duke of Guiſe, diſcouered his intent to foure of his friends, whom hee knewe to bee as much affected to the ſuretie and welfare of his Maieſtie, as wholly eſtranged from the pernicious Councell of the League, and ſhewed them, that he was fully reſolued to quit himſelfe of the Duke of Guiſe, who as a new world, was alreadie worſhipped of all the people.

Introductiō • againſt the duke of GuiſeThey ſet before his eyes the regiſter of this Princes actions, thoſe ſpecially that offended the king and his eſtate, namely the edict of vnion, wherwith hee armed himſelfe as with a target made of Diamonds.

That the Duke of Guiſe holding no other quallitie in France, then onely of a meere ſubiect, had erected a League, raiſed men of war, practiſed with ſtraungers, without authoritie, aduiſe, or permiſsion from the king, enterpriſed vpon townes, and troubled and broken publike peace.

That by the Edict of vnion, hauing ſworne to leaue all leagues and aſſociations, as well within as without the Realm, he ceaſed not to continue his practiſes and deuiſes with the Cardinall Moroſin, and the Ambaſſadour of Spaine, aſſuring them, that hee ment not to leaue off the good intelligence hee had with their Maiſters.

That hee had not broken, but rather confirmed and continued the particular confederacies, ſworne with the Gouernours of the townes of France and others, therby ſtill to maintaine the ſouldiers on his ſide, againſt the ſeruice of the king.

That by his billes hee had declared, that he had not taken armes but for the ſeruice of God, and of the King, and yet by the ſurpriſing of townes in Picardie, hee had impeached the aduancement of the armie that ſhould haue paſſed into Guyenne againſt the Huguenots, and in all places exclaimed againſt the Kings actions, eſteeming him fitter to were a ſacke, then a Scepter.

That hee had declared, that hee bare no armes but for the aſſurance of the Catholicques in France, and of their religion, and to impeach the ſucceſon of the king of Nauarre to the Crowne: and yet the King had beene aduertiſed by the ſaide King of Nauarre, that the Duke of Guiſe had ſought his fauour ſo farre, as that hee offered him his ſonne in hoſtage, and that he, with ſeuenteen Princes of his houſe, would come to viſit him as farre as the riuer of Loire, to doo him ſeruice, and to make him the greateſt and peaceableſt king of France that euer was: the Bailiffe of the Mountaines of Dauphine, and Monſieur de Bethune, beeing imployed in thoſe affaires: and a great perſon of eſtate, that neuer could indure ſuch Petti-Maiſters, after the king of Nauarre hauing diſcouered that this practiſe could not bee for the good and quietneſſe of this Realme, aduertiſed the Queen-mother.

That after the pardon of his treaſons (for aſſociating and practiſing with the enemies of this Realme) graunted vnto him by his Maieſtie, many letters had beene intercepted tending to great purpoſes, to trouble both the King and his eſtate.

That the taking of the Marquiſat of Saluces was done by his aduiſe, and that then when his Maieſtie complained of that iniurie, and that it was requiſite to continue peace in France, and to make warre againſt ſtraungers, who in a brauado ſought to diſmember the eſtate, hee ſtood againſt it, and ſaide they ought rather firſt to heale the interior vlcer, then to enter into warres that any waye touched the ſuperficiall euill.

That his participants publiſhing his praiſes, aboue thoſe of the King, cauſed it to bee ſung about the ſtreetes, and in the Townes that helde with the League: that the Duke of Guiſe had conſtrained the King againſt his will, to make waarre againſt the Huguenots, and that hee had ſolde the Marquiſat of Saluces, to the Duke of Sauoy, to the end, that vnder pretence of recouering it againe, hee might diuert the warres from Guyenne.

That in ſtead of ayding his Maieſtie, and to imploy their liues and meanes, in reducing the Townes holden by the Huguenots, his Captaines and men of warre ſtayed at Blois, vppon aſſurance giuen them of a commodious change.

That hee had cauſed bookes to bee imprinted, thereby to breake the lawfull ſucceſsion of the Crowne, in fauour of the houſe of Lorraine.

That his ſeruaunts vppon the day of the Barricadoes in Parris, perſwading themſelues, that as then hee hadde mounted to the higheſt degree of his greatneſſe, ſaide openly throughout his lodging, that it was no time to make any more delaies, (for ſuch were their proper termes) and that there reſted nothing to doo, but to conduct their Maiſter to Reims.

That hee cauſed triumph to bee made in Parris, as if it had beene in a Towne new conquered: that his Lacqueys had more credit with the people, then his Maieſties principall ſeruants: that hee boaſted both by word of mouth and writing, that it was in his power to hold the king, that is, to ſtay him priſoner, or elſe to vſe him woorſe.

That he boaſted to haue ſtayed the ſacking of Parris: and that he could areſt the king, beeing in the middle of fiue or ſixe thouſand men, and all of them the kings friends, and yet hee entered into Parris but with eight horſe: hee was ſo well aſſured of the good wils and mindes of the Inhabitants, that receiued him with the cries and open reioycings, which onely belong vnto a ſoueraigne Prince.

That the king had no meanes to appoynt a Knight of the watch within Parris, nor to diſpoſe of the Bastille at his pleaſure.

That hee had ſo intiſed the ſtates to fauour his ambition, that the Deputies ſpake nothing but what pleaſed him, and had no other billes nor petitions to preſent, but ſuch as had been firſt examined and peruſed by his Councell: and that it ſeemed that this aſſembly at Blois, was wholly made to ſeale a contract of ſome new royaltie: and that alreadie diuers ſaid, that he made too long delay to execute his intent.

That hee ſpake not but with authoritie like a king, vſing words full of brauadoes, diſdaine, and threatnings, againſt his Maieſties ſubiects.

That hee ſpake in all affaires, as if hee were chiefe ſoueraigne: that hee had conſtrained the king to prouide a ſucceſcor, as if hee lay at the poynt of death.

That hee had ſent his letters pattents (ſealed with the great ſeale) vnto the Inhabitants of Romorantin, forbidding them not to adminiſter victualles nor amunition, to the company of Monſieur de Souuray, and they had expreſſe commaundement to ſend vnto him.

That in preſence of the Queene-mother, hee had refuſed his Maieſtie to ſubſcribe to the ordinance which hee ment to publiſh, concerning certaine treaſons as then practiſed and pretended.

That his only intent was, in his perſon (as a ſuppoſed branch of the houſe of Charlemaine) to reeſtabliſh the greatneſſe and vſurped authoritie of the ancient Maiors of the Pallace, to the ende, the king ſhould onely beare the name, and that hee might deale with him, as Charles Martel did with Chilperic.

Some that were preſent at this Councel, the more to ſtirre vp the kings minde, by the auncient perill of an vnrecouerable fall from his authoritie, to ſhewe him, that his Maieſtie was to remember the dreame he had before the League beganne: which was, that the Lyons and wilde beaſts, by him nouriſhed in his Caſtle of the Louure, deuoured him,The kings dreame or viſion, and that beeing mooued with this viſion, hee had cauſed them to bee killed: and among the reſt, one Lyon being the moſt furious beaſt of them all.

Laſtly, they put the King in minde of Salcedoes proceſſe, which had diſcouered all the pretence of the Councell holden at Nancy, the firſt article whereof, was, to ceaſe vpon the Kings perſon, of the Councell of fiue perſons, holden at Parris in the time of Lent, in An. one thouſand fiue hundreth eightie ſeuē, wherin the Duke de Maine couertly inuayed againſt his Maieſtie: Of the memorials taken about the Aduocate Dauid, of the letters ſent by the Queene of Denmarke, to her ſonne the Duke of Lorraine, which were found about the Abbot of Billy comming from Rome, and withall, the attempt of the Barricadoes was not forgotten, therewith to end their Councell.

Conſiderations that ſtayed the kings minde.But three things cauſed the kings minde to wauer, and to ſtaye long before hee reſolued vpon it: one, the reſpect of the Pope: the ſecond, his oath made touching the protection of the ſtates: and the third, the troubles that this execution would breed, by their meanes that fauoureth the Duke of Guiſe.

Touching the firſt, it was ſhewed him, that his holineſſe beeing aduertiſed of the Duke of Guiſe, at the erecting of the Barricadoes had ceaſed vpon the Baſtille, and Bois de Vincennes, hee ſaid vnto the Biſhop of Parris, that the enterpriſe was ouer bolde, that it touched the eſtate, and that the offence would prooue vnrecouerable. That his holineſſe had often written vnto his Maieſtie, that hee ſhould aſſure himſelfe of the eſtates, what meanes ſoeuer hee made, and that in theſe ſo apparant daungers, there is no remedie whatſoeuer, but it may bee vſed: that hee needed not to inquire if it were lawfull to be done, and that it was for the ſame cauſe, that his Maieſtie had obtained a Confeſſor, by him to bee reſolued of all things touching or concerning the holy Sea of Rome.

That the heads and authors of factions, are ſo odious vnto Princes, (iealous of the quietneſſe of the eſtate) that therein they pardon not their owne blood: as king Philip, that pardoned not Charles his owne ſonne, that ſought to ſurpriſe the low Countries. And the Duke of Guiſe, when ſpeeches were vſed touching the diſobediences of the Duke of Aniou deceaſed, had alwaies this example (of extreame iuſtice) readie to produce: It is knowne why the Cardinall of Caraffe was ſtrangeled. Pope Sixtus at this day liuing in the firſt yeare of his pontificates, put to death the Counte de Pepoly, one of the moſt famous families in all Italie, becauſe hee kept certaine baniſhed perſons his kinſmen, ſecretly in his houſe. In this Realme of France, Iohn Earle of Harcourt, of the blood royal of Scotland, Lewis de Luxembourg, Conſtable of France, Iaques Counte de la Marche, iſſued from the houſe of Caſtille, & diuers others of as great quallitie and eſtate, as the Duke of Guiſe, haue indured ſhamefull ends, becauſe they practiſed and made ſecret leagues with forraine Princes and kings.

The Pope thoght that the Duke of Guiſe had borne armes for the religiō, but after the Barricadoes once erected, hee beleeued it not, and although religion were the cauſe of the warres, yet ſhould it not bee lawfull without the kings authoritie. The example is both good and memorable in the Hiſtorie of the king of Spaine, called Leoncilde, both an hereticque, and an Arrian. This Barbarian purſued the Chriſtians, and pardoned not his owneſon, that had bin inſtructed and conuerted vnto Chriſtian religion, by Leander Biſhop of Tolede, hee baniſhed him out of kingdome. This young Prince being mooued at the miſeries and perſecutions of the Chriſtians in his countrie,Qui contra genitorem quamuis hereticum talia cogitarer. didtwiſe raiſe armes againſt his father: at the firſt he was ouerthrowne and ſent into exile: at the ſecond time, he was put to death, and ſlaine vpon Eaſterday. S. Gregory Archbiſhop of Tours, in this example noteth the effects of the iudgements of God, & condemneth the boldneſſe of this Prince, that The king is not bound by oath nor obligation vnto his ſubiects.rebelled againſt his father, and his king, although both an hereticque & an Arrian. Touching the oath which is the ſecond conſideration that ſtayed his Maieſtie, and which is neuer broken nor neglected, but repentance followeth, it was tolde the King, that euen as betweene the bond-man and the Lord, there is no obligation to bee made, that there can bee no ſtrickt promiſe betweene the ſubiect and the Prince: that the promiſes made, are not to bee obſerued: that if faith bee not to bee holden with him, that cannot iuſtly bee called an enemie, and that hath no authoritie to make warres, (who by the lawe is termed a theefe or a rouer:) the Prince is not bound to keepe his promiſe with a meane ſubiect, who by his rebellion hath firſt violated his owne faith vnto his Prince. Neceſsitie hath no lawe, wee muſt vſe time as occaſion ſerueth: that is, when neceſsitie compelleth, and when men break their faith and promiſe. In great aſſemblies, great examples of puniſhing rebelles are done and executed: as at the marriage of the Emperour Zeno, with the daughter of Ardaburis, where the Bridegome was ſlaine, Baliſene and the Emperours father in lawe, committed priſoners. The kings of England and Polonia, haue often ſummoned Parliaments, therein to take and ſurpriſe the Lords that had rebelled againſt them. Our kings haue areſted them beeing at their bankets. Theſe great motions haue alwaies ſome extraordiry event, but neceſsitie and publike vtilitie doth authoriſe them.

A league grounded vpon the good will of the people.The third obiectiō of this vnreſolued reſolutiō, was the great credit which the Duke of Guiſe had gotten among the people: wherevpon it was ſhewed the king, that as the ſaid Princes part, had no other credit but among the multitude of the cōmon people, ſo there is no foundation more ruinous & vnſtable. That the principall families in Townes, his Maieſties officers, the gouernours and men of commandement will not ſtirre, but onely to cauſe the people to ariſe, which will be altogither abaſhed, ſeeing him thrown down, that was the principall of their rebellion, that the Courts of Parliaments in Parris and Roane, the Towne of Orleans beeing the Citadell of France, and Lyons the Bulwarke of his Realme, would neuer change partie, nor yet eſtraunge themſelues from the fidelitie of good and true ſubiects. That the Duke of Guiſe is like a great tree, that ſtanding vpright, and hauing a large roote, cauſeth the branches to ſpring out, and the leaues to flouriſh,A compariſon made vpon the death of the Duke of Guiſe. but when it is lopped downe to the bare bodie, as long as any ſappe is within it, it will bring foorth ſome ſmall twigges, and a fewe paſle leaues, but if the heate of the ſunne doth once pearce it, that litle ſap that reſteth, conſumeth, the tree dieth, her leaues hang readie to fall off, becauſe the ridicall humour is wanting, and ſuch as hidde themſelues vnder the ſhadowe of her branches are all diſcouerd. And becauſe they perceiued the K. ballancing his reſolutiō, towards ye rigor of his vengeāce, ſuch as feared leaſt he ſhuld alter his mind, that the opinion they had holdē in this Councel would be diſcouered, aſſured him that the D. of Guiſe wold firſt begin to vnwind his M. ſpindle: that he wold ſurpriſe him: that it was alreadie publiſhed within Parris, that this year 1588. is the climaticall and laſt yeare of his raigne: that alreadie it was determined how long he ſhuld be holdē in a Cloiſter:The pollitike and unlitary diſcourſe of Monſieur de la Noue. that the cizors had bin ſhewed wherwith he ſhuld be ſhauē & put into a Monaſtarie, like Childeric: that is was ſaid, that a raiſor ſhould make the laſt crowne of the three, which the king expected. The king beleeued that the life of the Duke of Guiſe would be his death, and therfore he was fully reſolued to rid him of his life.

Aduiſe giuē the king to keepe the D. of Guiſe in priſon.A Knight of both orders, thought it more expedient to keepe him in priſon, to the end, that hee might bee iudged and condemned like a traitor, but the reſt of the Councell ſaide: who will accuſe, who will labour againſt him, who will execute the iudgement, among ſo many participants and friends, that will mooue both heauen and earth to ſaue his life? In matters of treaſon the puniſhment muſt firſt proceed before iudgement, as lightning cōmeth before thunder: and as this crime is altogither extraordinary in the head, the like is the forme of the puniſhment. Wee muſt leaue the formes and manners of iuſtice,Andronadorus and Themiſtius ſlaine. to preuent and puniſh the culpable, and then at leiſure to frame their proceſſe.

The Senate of Siracuſe, cauſed Andronadorus and Themiſtius, that ſought to renue the tyrannie of Nero, to bee preſently ſlaine by the hands of the Magiſtrate himſelfe. The Romanes, beeing a Common-wealth ſo humane, ſo polliticque, and ſo great an enemie to contrary actions, held it for a maxime, that where the eſtate is in daunger, men may beginne to remedie by execution. And therefore Cato in his Oration againſt Catilina, ſaith: that we muſt rather quit our countrie of a traitor, then conſult what death hee ſhall die, hauing taken him. To put the Duke of Guiſe in priſon, would bee as much, as if wee ſhould take a Bore in a net, that beeing ouer ſtrong, would breake the cordes, and which is to bee feared, would ſpoyle both the hunter and his hounds, all at one time. When the ſerpent is ſlaine, the poyſon hath no more force.Incide ſemel quicquid iucidendum eſt. Lips. A dead man maketh no more warre, it is dangerous both to delay and to diſcloſe this counſell, and therefore puniſhment is more neceſſarie, then the force of iuſtice.

The Duke of Guiſe was aduertiſed from all places, that it would be dangerous for him, to ſtay longer at the Parliament, but the more hee entered into diſtruſt, the more the fauours and vnaccuſtomed kindneſſe on the kings behalfe vſed towards him, ſtayed his intent: one of his principall Councellours tolde him, that withdrawing himſelfe from the Parliament, he ſhould beare the blaſone to haue abandoned the countrie of France in ſo important an occaſion, that hee would eaſily looſe his countrie, ſeeing hee forſooke it: that his enemies would make their profit of his withdrawing from thence, and that they would ouerthrow al that which with ſo much paine and purſuite had been procured for the aſſurance of religion.

Want of prouidence in men.It is ſtraunge, that men beeing at the poynt of their miſfortunes, do oftentimes looſe al prouidence, wiſedome, & iudgement, to auoyde the miſchiefe that is readie to fall vppon them. There are certaine birds which foreſee tempeſts, and knowe on what ſide the winde and ſtormes will happen. Rats forſake a houſe, that for want of reparation is readie to fall: but men not only cloſe their eyes againſt the miſchiefe, but run headlong into the middle thereof. The Duke of Guiſe was aduertiſed from all parts both within and without the Realme, that the Parliament would ende with a bloodie tragedie.

The day before his death, as hee ſat downe at the table to dinner, hee found a litle ſcroule of paper vnder his napkin, wherein was written, that he ſhould looke vnto himſelf, and that there would be ſome miſchief wrought againſt him, & in the ſame paper with his own hand hee wrote two words, ſaying: (they dare not) and ſo threw it vnder the table.

There was no other ſpeech among the ſtates, but that the execution ſhould bee done vppon Saint Thomas day, the aduiſes came both from Rome and Spaine, the Aſtrologians filled their Almanakes with threatnings: and the euening before his miſchiefe, the Duke of Guiſe was aſſured by the Duke d'Elboeof, that the next day hee ſhould bee ſlaine.

But all this notwithſtanding, he was ſo careleſſe of his ſafetie, that in a manner hee was wholly blinded, and forgot himſelfe. Hee kept the keyes of the Caſtle, as beeing Great-maiſter, but the euening before his death, they fell into his enemies hands, who thereby had the meanes to bring in thoſe that ought both to aduance and execute the kings pleaſure vppon him.

The king in the meane time, that feared to bee preuented, not minding any longer to delay his purpoſe, thought to execute it at a ſupper, which the Archbiſhop of Lyons ſhould make both him and the Cardinall his brother vppon the Sunday before Saint Thomas day, but hee referred the execution vntill the Tueſday following, the Duke of Guiſe hauing but ſmall company with him in his chamber, yet hee let that day paſſe, and went to walke in his Garden, followed by the Duke of Guiſe, who approaching his death, had certaine ſpeeches with the king that much offended him, whereby hee changed his collor into furie. And after many words, both ouer hardy and bold, wherein hee had been inſtructed and counſelled by Cardinall Moroſin, hee perceiued, that all things proceeded from euill to woorſe, and that the things which ſeemed curable, were become incurable.

The king ſuſpected the Duke of Guiſe, to vſe theſe ſpeeches either to induce him to bereaue himſelf of his authoritie, and to giue him all ſoueraigne power, or elſe to find ſome means of diſcontentment, that thereby he might breake vp the Parliament, and ſo make his Maieſtie odious to his ſubiects: wherewith hee could not ſo much diſſemble his diſpleaſure, but that ſuch as were preſent, perceiued well, that it would bee the meanes to open the woundes that were thought to bee healed, he determined to ſtop the hopes and enterpriſes of this Duke, with the price of his life, and no more to indure ſo many inſolencies and braueries of the league, that eſteemed it a title of honour to beare the name of Guiſart, and of infamie and diſhonor to haue the name of a ſeruant to the king.

The death of the Duke of Guiſe vpon the 23. of December. 1588. Vppon Fryday the three and twentieth of December, hee ſent for his Councell, and willed them to aſſemble ſomewhat ſooner then ordinarily they vſed to do, becauſe hee determined after dinner to go to Noſtredame de Clery, which is betweene Blois and Orleans, there to keepe his Chriſtmas. The euening before, hee had ſent into diuers places, to aſſure ſuch townes as hee iudged to bee moſt wauering, and prouided for all things neceſſary, beeing in the middle of ſo many ſeruitors of the League: and ſent for certaine of the fiue and fortie, to the number of ſeuen, ſhewing them, that hee had indured too much at the hands of the principall Ruler of the League, that hee would no longer haue a Maiſter, and that hee had determined to put the Duke of Guiſe to death. The order of the execution beeing deuiſed, the Cardinalles de Vandoſme, de Guiſe, and de Gondy, the Archbiſhop of Lyons, the Duke of Guiſe, the Marſhalles of d'Aumont and de Rets, Monſieur d'O, Monſieur de Rambouillet, Princes, Prelates, and Lords of the Councell. Monſieu de Maintenon, Monſieur Marcel, and Monſieur de Petremolle, came to ſit in Councell: and the king had giuen order to ſhut the Caſtle Gates, aſſoone as they were entered.

There is nothing that ſo much iniureth the trueth of a Hiſtorie, as paſſion, which maketh mans iudgement to yeelde which way it will, and cauſeth him to erre, and to ſeeke to diſguiſe the trueth.

Diuerſitie and contrarietie in Hiſtorians.There is a maruellous vncertaintie in the circumſtances of this Hiſtorie, wherevnto euery man giueth what ſhewe and colour it pleaſeth him, and turneth the faireſt ſide vnto his paſsion, ſo that among ſo many varieties of iudgement, a man can hardly finde a certaine trueth.

Some write, that as the Duke of Guiſes eye on that ſide his face where he had the ſcarre, began to water, not finding a hand-cherchef in his pocket, hee deſired Monſieur Otoman Treaſurer of the houſe, that ſtood by him, to take the paines to go to the chamber-doore, to ſee if hee could finde any of his Pages or Lacqueys, and to commaund them to fetch him one, and that Monſieur de l'Archan Captaine of the guard, cauſed one to bee fetched by Saint Prix, chiefe Groome of the kings chamber.

Others ſay, that as the Duke of Guiſe ſtayed till all the Councell were come,The Duke of Guiſe was in a new ſute of ruſſ •• . hee talked with the Archbiſhop of Lyons, who perceiuing him to be in a new ſuite, and that ſomewhat thinne, ſayd vnto him, that the indiſpoſition of the time being colde and moyſt, required a warmer kinde of garment, and that vppon thoſe ſpeeches his noſe bled, he was a colde, hee commaunded one of the officers of the Councel-chamber to make a fire, and one called Fontaine to fetch him a hand-cherchef.

He that wrote the recuell of the third volume concerning the league, ſaith: that the Duke of Guiſe before hee went out of the Councel-chamber, ſent a Page into his owne chamber, to fetch him a cleane hand cherchef, and that his Secretary in one the corners thereof, tyed a ſmall note in writing, for an aduertiſement vnto the Duke his Maiſter, withall ſpeede to leaue the Councell, otherwiſe it would coſt him his life. And that the handcherchef was brought, but not deliuered, beeing taken from the Page, togither with the note, as he went vp the ſtaires.

The Councell beeing ſet, about eight of the clocke in the morning, and reaſoning of that which Monſieur Petremolle had propoſed:The Lord of Pretremolle vnderſtandeth their agreements. the Duke of Guiſe felt certaine ſtraunge motions at his heart, with diuers extraordinary paſsions, his ſpirit beeing the Prophet of his euill fortune that enſued, and in that diſtruſt hee felt a weakneſſe at his heart, wherewith hee willed the Vſher of the Councel-chamber, to go to Saint Prix to fetch him ſome preſerued Lemons, and hee ſent him ſome prunes of Brignoles, and reiſons of the ſunne, whereof hee eate, and put the reſt into a cup, wherein they were brought. With that, the King ſent for him by Monſieur de Reuol, one of his Secretaries, and as hee went out of the Councel-chamber, to enter into the kings lodging, and that hee lifted vppe the Tapiſtrie to go in, hee perceiued himſelfe to bee charged both with Rapiers and Poinyards, by fiue or ſixe of the fiue and fortie, but they could not enter ſo faſte vpon him, but that he defended himſelfe till he made them driue him once about the chamber, minding not to leaue his life like a coward, thereby to ſhew the laſt ſigne of his inuincible courage, that made him ſo much eſteemed and as yet giueth an honourable memorie of him, to all thoſe that commend the valour of a valiant courage. The ſame Collector of the proceedings of the league, turneth the bias an other way, with an ouer thorny and ſharpe iudgement, and a ballance too much vnequall, ſetting down this action contrary to the trueth: for hee reporteth it in theſe words, ſaying: The Duke of Guiſe thinking to go into the kings chamber, and iſſuing out of the Councel chamber, into the entrie that leadeth to the kings lodging, redoubled his diſtruſts, and would haue returned backe againe, which neuertheleſſe he did not.

And it had oftentimes beene tolde him, that Monſieur de Longnac had enterpriſed to kill him, in ſuch maner, that he hated him, and had him in great ſuſpition, and as hee went towards the kings chamber, hee perceiued Monſieur de Longnac ſit vppon a trunke, with his legges croſſed, thinking verely hee had beene there of purpoſe to aſſayle him, (as ſhewing to bee mooued with moſt violent diſtruſt and deepe ſuſpition) and although the ſaid Monſieur de Longnac mooued not, the Duke of Guiſe notwithſtanding thought to runne at him, and layde hand on his rapier, being halfe drawne, as then hauing his cloake caſt about him like a ſcarfe, which hee vſed ordinarily to do, and his rapier vnder his cloake, which by that meanes hee could not ſo haſtily pull out, but that ſom of thoſe that were in preſence (perceiuing him to bee ſo bold at the kings chamber dore) preuented him. This is the aduiſe of the Collector, the noyſe and buſtling among them was preſently heard within the Councell-chamber, which made the Archbiſhoppe of Lyons to come foorth, and went to knock at the chamber doore, where as then they had newly ſlaine the Duke of Guiſe, and yet hee came time ynough thither, to heare his laſt words.

The aſtoniſhment of the Cardinall of Guiſe.The Cardinall of Guiſe was in a maruellous maze, his ſences troubled, and his courage abated, and as hee ſought the doore to go out, he with the Archbiſhop of Lyons was areſted by Monſieur de Larchan and his guard, that made conſcience to lay hands vppon them, becauſe of their order. They deſired Monſieur de Larchan to bring them into ſome chamber, that they might not be a wonder to ſuch as paſſed by: wherewith they were Iedde into a litle chamber ouer the kings lodging, made not long before, therein to lodge the Feuillans and Capucins, where for a time they remained without either ſeate or fire.

The Cardinall of Guiſe could not ceaſe by his words, to poure out the heate of his paſsions and his greefes, and in that chollor ſpake certain words, which in a quiet and more ſencible minde hee would not haue vttered, ſo that hee renued the Kings furie, who therewith commaunded la Baſtier and Monſieur de Valence, two of the fiue and fortie, to kill him. The one refuſed the commiſsion, ſaying: that his hands ſhould neuer bee defiled with the blood of a man of the Church. The other determined to execute the Kings pleaſure, and beeing accompanied with fixe of his companions, hee mounted vp the ſtaires cloſe to the chamber doore, where hee was, there they ſtood diſputing which of them ſhould beginne, and as hee thought to enter, hee felt a certaine motion that ſtopped the heate of his furie,The impriſonment of the Cardinal of Bourbon. and made him to godowne: preſently after, the Duke of Guiſe was ſlaine, the king appoynted a guard to attend vppon the Cardinall of Bourbon, who as yet was in his bed, and to ſtay Madame de Nemours, the Duke de Nemours, and the Duke d'Al-boeuf.

The Prince of Iuinuille.The memories of the League write, that the great Prior roſe vp, and went very early to call the Prince de Iuinuille, to play a ſet at tennis, whereon they had agreed the night before, and finding him in his bed, deſired him to riſe, who being ſoone vp, and ſpeedily made readie, whether it were becauſe the great Prior was preſently followed by certaine of the guard, or otherwiſe, it is not certainely knowne: he entered in diſtruſt, and preſently after, would haue forced a doore that iſſued out of his chamber, and ſo haue ſaued himſelfe, wherewith the guard tooke him.

And the great Prior perceiuing by that meanes, that their ſet would not go forward, hee tooke his leaue and departed: but the trueth is, that when the Duke of Guiſe was ſlaine, the Prince Iuinuille his ſonne was hearing Maſſe in the Chappell of the Caſtle, and comming out from thence, as he thought to go vp the ſtaires to find the great Prior, with whom he had made a match to play at tennis, hee was ſtayed by the Archers, and ſeeking to defend himſelfe, they held him, and led him into the chamber of the great Prior. Meane time, the Switzers were ſet to keepe the Duke of Guiſes lodging, that no man might come foorth. Monſieur de Hautefort, Monſieur de Pericard chiefe Secretary, and Monſieur de Barnardin, chiefe Gentleman of the chamber to the Duke of Guiſe, were taken.

It is ſaid that Pericard beeing brought to this extremitie, either to ſpeake for life, or elſe confeſſe for death, diſcloſed all the ſecrets of the League, and wholly inſtructed the king of his Maiſters intent. Monſieur de Richelieu, Marſhall of the houſe, accompanied with his Archers, and certaine ſouldiers of the companie of Mōſieur de Gaſt, went into the Town-houſe, where the third eſtate were aſſembled, and there laide hands vpon the Preſident de Neuilly, the Prouoſt of Merchants in Parris, Compan and Corteblance, Sheriffes of the ſaid Towne: Monſieur le Roy, Gouernour of the Towne of Amiens: the Counte de Briſſac, Monſieur de Bois Dauphine, and other Gentlemen affectioned to the Duke of Guiſe, that were all areſted, the reſt ſtayed neither for bootes nor ſpurres, to get them thence, this accident being ſo fearefull vnto them.

Monſieur de la Chaſtre iuſtifieth himſelfe.The Duke of Guiſe had two principall ſeruants, that were as diſpoſers of all his ſecret intents: the one, the Archbiſhop of Lyons: the other, Monſieur de la Chaſtre. The firſt was ſafe ynough from any more troubling the king, but touching the ſecond, hee had him in great diſtruſt, by reaſon of the perfect amitie that hee bare vnto the Duke of Guiſe: but aſſoone as he had receiued the newes, hee went preſently to the Duke de Neuers in the armie, vnder whom hee was Marſhall, and ſaide vnto him: that although he had alwaies beene a ſeruant to the Duke of Guiſe, yet hee ſtill held and continued his faith conſtant vnto the King, and becauſe the great amitie hee bare vnto the Duke of Guiſe, might cauſe him to be ſuſpected by the King, hee willingly yeelded himſelfe into the Duke de Nemours hands, to iuſtifie his actions, and not long after, he went in perſon to preſent himſelfe vnto the king, aſſuring him, that from that time forward, to become his faithfull ſeruant.

Monſieur d'Antragues in all haſte mounted on horſebacke, to aſſure the King of the Towne of Orleans: but there he found Monſieur de Roiſsieu, who Orleans holden for the League.the ſame morning had been the with D. of Guiſe, and perceiuing the Guard to bee ſtricktlier diſpoſed, then ordinarily they were, and knowing the kings commaundement, to ſhut the gates while the Councell ſat, hee entered into a maruellous apprehenſion of the cauſe, & preſently departed out of Blois, to take order for the Town of Orleans, ſending expreſſe meſſengers in all haſt to aduertiſe the Duke de Maine his Maiſter beeing at Lyons.

The Queen-mother aduertiſed of the Duke of Guiſes death.The firſt thing that the king did, after hee came out of his chamber, was to beare the newes vnto the Queene his mother, to whom hee ſaid, that as then he was abſolute king, and that he had no more companions. She at the firſt was ſtrangely abaſhed, and ſaid vnto the king, that it would haue fallen out hardly for him, if he had not taken order for the aſſurance of the towns, where the name and memorie of the duke of Guiſe had credit and authoritie. Councelling him by the Cardinall de Gondy, to aduertiſe the Popes Legate: which done, ſhee went to viſit the Cardinall of Bourbon that lay ſicke, and was kept priſoner. And aſſoon as he eſpied her, with tears in his eies he ſpake vnto her and ſaid: Ah Madame, you haue brought vs hither vnto the ſlaughter. She that ſeemed to be much abaſhed at ſo violent & vnexpected change that then had happened, aſſured him, that ſhee neither had giuen conſent nor aduiſe to any ſuch thing, and that it was a moſt incredible greefe vnto her ſoule.

The death of the Queene-mother, vpon the fift of Ianuary, 1589. But the Cardinal redoubling his complaints, ſhee left him ſtriken at the heart with ſo great greefe, that preſently ſhee went to bed, and died therevppon, the fift of Ianuary after, much lamented by the king her ſonne, who as yet had need of her counſell. The king going out of his mothers chamber, went to heare maſſe, where at large hee informed the Legate of the cauſes that had conſtrained him to put the Duke of Guiſe to death, as hauing attempted againſt his perſon.

About euening, the Cardinall and the Archbiſhop of Lyons, were taken out of the chamber, wherein they had been ſhut, to leade them into an other, ſtronger and darker then the firſt, in the higheſt part of the Caſtle. But ſorrow and greefe had ſo much ſeized vppon the Cardinall, that what apprehenſion of death ſo euer he muſt haue, he could not chuſe but ſleepe, aſſoone as hee was layde vppon the mattreſſe prepared for him. After his firſt ſleepe his ſpirits reuiued, and conſidering the extream imbaſing of his greatneſſe, and the fall of his houſe, he complained to himſelfe of his miſfortunes. The Archbiſhop of Lyons vſed al the meanes he could, to diſſwade him from the thinking of any other thing, then onely of death, which he ſuſpected to bee the ende of both their perſons. They imployed all their Philoſophie to make it ſeeme eaſie and leſſe fearefull, thereby to diſpoyle it of the horrible and ſtraunge ſhape wherewith it is figured vnto vs. They confeſſed themſelues each to other, reconciling themſelues to God, committing their cauſes vnto him, and in that conceit of death, they only attended the commandement when and where they ſhould receiue.

With that, the Cardinall had deſire to ſleepe, vntill morning, that the Archbiſhop of Lyons roſe vp & left him ſleeping, & not long after, he waked him to riſe to Martins. The king in the mean time was counſelled, yea & ſolicited by moſt violent reaſons, to put ye Cardinal to death: which counſel at the firſt Iuſtice regardeth not the qualities of men.ſeemed perilous vnto him, conſidering the quallitie of that Prelate beeing a Peer of France, Archbiſhop of Reims, Cardinall of Rome, and Preſident of his Order in the Parliament: but after he had been ſhewed, that iuſtice hath her eyes cloſed, not to behold the quallities of men, and that the greater authoritie a man is in, the greater is his fault: that treaſon is more apparant, and a worſe example in a Cardinall, then in a ſimple Prieſt. That the Cardinall of Guiſe would ſucceed in the credit of his brother, and that hee had alreadie vſed threatning ſpeeches, hee determined to make him follow after his brother the Duke of Guiſe, and therevppon commaunded Monſieur de Gaſt, to kill him, who excuſed himſelf of that commiſsion, ſaying it was not a thing conuenient for a Gentleman of his calling. But in fine, for foure hundreth Crownes, they found foure inſtruments to execute that commiſsion. One of them went into the chamber where the Cardinal ſat, and making low reuerence, told him the king ſent for him.

The Cardinall before hee went, asked if hee ſent not likewiſe for the Archbiſhop of Lyons, but aunſwere was made, that he onely muſt come vnto him, wherevpon with an aſſured countenance, that not ſeeming to thinke vpon the miſchiefe that attended on him: about three ſteps within the dore, hee bad the Archbiſhop of Lyons farewell, who perceiuing the Cardinall to go without any apprehention of death, ſaid vnto him: Monſieur, I pray you thinke vppon God: at the which word, the Cardinall ceiſed with feare, was abaſhed, and turned his head towards the Archbiſhop, who at that inſtant fell downe vppon his knees before the Crucifix, recommending his ſoule vnto God, beleeuing ſtedfaſtly that they would do the like to him that he ſuppoſed they ment to execute vpon the Cardinall, who beeing about three or foure paſes without the chamber, was incloſed by foure men, that with blowes of rapiers, poinyards, and partiſans, diſpatched him of his life, and beeing ſlaine, they ſtripped him.

The King going to Maſſe, accompanied by the Cardinall of Vandoſme and others, met the Barron de Lux, who falling downe on his feete, offered his head to ſaue the Archbiſhop of Lyons his vncle. The king that loued the Gentleman, and that deſired not to looſe ſuch a Prelate, thinking by his meanes to attaine vnto the Quinteſſence of the Leaguers deuiſes, aſſured him of his life, but not of his libertie.

Not long after, the king ſent Monſieur Guiotard and Monſieur Languetot, two of his priuie Councell, with a Clarke, to examine the Archbiſhop touching the cauſes and accuſations layde againſt the Duke of Guiſe. He ſaid vnto them, that they being Lay-men, had not any iuriſdiction ouer an Archbiſhop, and that hee beeing ſuch, might not aunſwere vnto them, deſiring them not to trouble him any more therein.

The anſwer of the Archbiſhop of Lyons vpon the Duke of Guiſes accuſatiō.They returned this anſwere vnto the King, who preſently ſent the Cardinall de Gondy, to perſwade him to ſatiſfie his commaundement, and to aunſwere to the propoſitions that ſhould bee made vnto him: the Archbiſhop aunſwered him and ſaide: that hee could ſay nothing againſt the Cardinall, nor the Duke of Guiſe his brother, with whom hee had imbarked himſelfe: that for his owne perſon, hee neither could nor ought to aunſwere before any man but the Pope, or to thoſe whom it ſhould pleaſe him to appoynt: and that as Primate of France, he had no other Iudge. And that that the Cardinall de Gondy himſelfe beeing Biſhop of Parris, was vnder his primatie: that if the Cadinall Moroſin, Legate for his holineſſe (by the aduiſe of other Prelates aſſembled in the parliament) thought it conuenient for him to anſwere, he wold follow their reſolutiō: and that ſo doing, it ſhuld be they & not the Arch. of Lyons, that ſhuld break the Priuileges & immunities of the church.

The king to the contrary eſteemed, that conſidering the quallitie and importance of the cauſe, he was not bound to haue recourſe vnto the Pope, to examine the trueth of the Duke of Guiſes actions. It was ſhewed him,The king hath power ouer Biſhops. that the priuiledge which the Archbiſhop demaunded, much derogated the ſoueraigntie and power of his Maieſtie, who at all times had iuriſdiction ouer the Biſhops of his Realme, ſpecially in things touching the Crowne: and when proceſſe was to be made againſt Giles Biſhop of Reims, & Didier Archbiſhop of Vienne, the king vſed the helpe of the Biſhops of France, and had no recourſe vnto the Pope: Chilperic ſent Pretextatus Archbiſhop of Roane, to the Councell holden in Parris, to bee iudged by them, but with this clauſe: (Although that of our owne authoritie wee could deale therein, it beeing treaſon for the which he is accuſed, neuertheleſſe,Gregorie de Tours, Atmon Ado, Vincent. becauſe it concerneth our own perſon, to the end it ſhall not bee thought, that wee will do otherwiſe, then by iuſtice and reaſon, wee giue you leaue to deale therein. The Emperours themſelues, neuer remitted the examinatiō of cauſes that touched the eſtate of their Empire, vnto the long & ſolemne daies of the Popes Councel. The Emperour Zenon condemned and banniſhed two Biſhops, the one of Alexandria, named Iohn, the other of Antioche, named Calendion: Euagriu • s lib. 4. whereat Pope Simplicius was offended, and for the ſame cauſe wrote vnto the Emperour, who made him anſwere, that the execution was not done for any Eccleſiaſticall crime, neyther yet touching religion, but that one of them had lyed in his owne preſence: and the other fauored Baſiliſcus his enemie. And good Popes neuer ſought into that iuriſdiction, whereby to peruert the order of polliticque lawes. Saint Gregory admoniſhed Victor and Iohn, C. experientiae ca. ſequ. 11. q. 1. Biſhop of Taureſe, (which as thē was the Metropolitane Church of Dalmatia, founded by Iuſtinian, in the Towne by him called Iuſtinian, after his own name) to cauſe two Biſhops that had troubled the ſtate of Aquilee and Millan, with a good guard and all ſpeede to bee ledde vnto the Emperour: and ſuch was the inſtitution of the fathers, aſſembled in the firſt general Councels of Conſtantinople vnder Theodoſe, and in that of Carthage, to remit Eccleſiaſticall cauſes to the iudgement of the Cleargie,Pauliuus Biſhop of Aquilee. but the perſons to the temporall Magiſtrate, when it is a crime, the puniſhment whereof, dependeth not vpon the authoritie of the Eccleſiaſticall Iudge, & is to be otherwiſe ordered, then by Eccleſiaſtical & Canonical cenſures: It is true, that the ordinances of France, ful of reſpect & reuerence towards the church, haue induced ye Concordāce of the ſpirituall & the tēporal Iudge, when the cauſe dependeth vpon priuiledge, & ordaine that the proceſſe ſhould be ioyntly made, to the end,Cōcurrance of the ſpirituall & temporal Iuriſdiction. that if the offender be found guiltie, he ſhould be degraded, according to the preſcript order & ordinance of the cannons, & then ſent to the ſecular power to be cōdēned to death, or other puniſhmēt according to his offence, but wher it cōcerneth the Cōmon-wealth, ſuretie & preſeruation of an eſtate, it is not the maner to follow the ordinarie courſe, therby to auoyde a great diſorder, and the extreame neceſsitie to prouide things preſent, ought not to bee reſtrained vnto the long detractions of the Romiſh Courts.

The king prouoked by theſe reaſons, after he had let the Archbiſhop reſt in priſon for the ſpace of fifteene daies, with reſolution to refuſe all the Iudges that ſhould bee ſent vnto him, but ſuch as were appoynted him from Rome, ſent the Biſhop of Beauuais, and Mouſieur Ruze his Secretarie, to certifie his pleaſure vnto him: which was, that hee ſhould aunſwere to the Articles by them to bee propounded vnto him, wherein they perſwaded him, not to deny the King, that had not refuſed to graunt him pardon of his life.

The Archbiſhop of Beauuais.The Archbiſhop asked the Biſhop of Beauuais, in what quallitie he had taken that charge vpon him, framing an argument conſiſting in two points. Asking him if he came thither as a Biſhop, or as a Peere of France: It as Biſhop, he ſaide hee could not examine him, hee in that poynt beeing his ſuperiour: If as a Peere of France, it was a temporall office, and therefore hee could not aunſwere, nor the Biſhop examine, ſaying: You haue beene in the Courts of Parliament, where you neuer ſawe proceſſe framed againſt a ſimple Prieſt, without the conſent of his ſuperior: I thanke God, I haue red what authoritie and priuiledge belongeth vnto the Church, and cannot beleeue, that the King in any wiſe is minded to infringe it, nor yet to beginne with mee, and ſeeing hee hath graunted me my life, hee meaneth likewiſe, that my conſcience ſhould bee at libertie, the honour and reſpect whereof, is dearer vnto mee then a thouſand liues. The Biſhop of Beauuais perceiuing that hee could not effect his charge, withdrew himſelfe: the Archbiſhop deſiring him to acquaint the king with his reaſons, and to beſeech his Maieſtie, that hee might bee comforted by ſome religious perſons, and to haue Maſſe within his chamber. Which the Biſhop of Beauuais certified vnto the King, who made aunſwere, that hee would put the Archbiſhop in ſuch a place, where hee ſhould haue both religious perſons, and Maſſes as many as hee would deſire. In the meane time, vpon aduiſe giuen vnto him, that the great blow which hee had giuen the league, had not in ſuch manner aſtoniſhed it,The riſing of Parris. but that alreadie diuers of them began to riſe and to leuie armes, he had recourſe vnto his firſt remedies, and to that dangerous maxime, by him vſually obſerued, as neuer doing any thing but by halues. And while he ſent tongues, and not armes, therwith to retaine the people ſo well prepared vnto ſedition, hee found the towne of Orleans to reuolt, both againſt him, and Monſieur d'Antragues, Orleans is declared againſt the Citadel and the Gouernour. Gouernour of the Citadell, that the Towne of Parris had alreadie ſhewed the beginning of their mutenie againſt his Caſtle of Louure, his armes, and his ſeruants. But the contentment hee had receiued, to ſee his enemie dead, made him ſo careleſſe, touching the reſt of his affairs, that in ſtead of mounting on horſebacke, to ſhewe himſelfe to thoſe of Parris and Orleans, and to ſend for the armie in Poitou, therwith to ſtoppe the paſſages and forces of the Duke de Maine, hee contented himſelfe to publiſh a forgetting and remitting of things paſt, and renued the Edict of vnion, thinking that the Catholicques of the League,The Kings declaration touching the things paſt, vpon the 23. and 24. of December. would lay downe their armes raiſed againſt their king, to imploy the ſame againſt the King of Nauarre.

In his declaration hee ſaith, that at all times (and eſpecially ſince his Edict made in the month of Iuly laſt) he had aſſayed by all means poſsible, to vnite all his good Catholicque ſubiects, in peace & concord vnder his authoritie, by the ſame vnion and the effects thereof, to reape the fruite by him alwaies expected, and ſought to purge his Realme of hereſies, therein wholly to eſtabliſh the faith & Catholicque religion, foreſeeing that by the diuiſiō of his ſaid ſubiects, there could riſe nothing but a total deſolatiō of religion & ruine of his eſtate: that althogh for ye ſpace of certain time, ther had bin ſome about him that moſt manifeſtly practiſed in his preſence, & elſewher by their adherents, to renue & raiſe deuiſion, to cauſe his actions to be diſliked, & wholly to ſuppreſſe his authoritie, neuertheleſſe, with great patience and calamitie, hee had tollerated the effects of the euill will in thoſe reſpects appeared to bee in them, aſſaying by all the fauours and courteſies hee could deuiſe, to mollifie their hearts, and to drawe them vnto thoſe things that concerned reaſon, with the good & profit of his eſtate, and the conſeruation of religion.

That this notwithſtanding, they not beeing diſſwaded from their pernicious deuiſes, by the aforeſaide effects of his good and holy intents, neither yet by any other conſiderations, his Maieſtie had diſcouered that they had proceeded ſo farre, as by new inuentions to enterpriſe againſt both him and his eſtate.

That to withſtand the ſame, to his great greefe hee had bin conſtrained to preuent their ſiniſter dealings: but that for the ſingular loue and good wil naturall in him, and which hee hath alwaies continued, and will continue vnto his ſaid Catholicque ſubiects, with like care of the quietneſſe, ſafetie, and conſeruation of their liues, as much as any father towards his children. Hee had therein vſed ſo much clemencie and moderation, that hee had reſtrained and layde the paine and puniſhment onely vppon the heads and authors of the euill, ſparing their adherents and ſeruants, and fauourably receiued & admitted them among the reſt of his good ſubiects, vpon promiſe by them made, from thenceforth to become his true and faithfull ſubiects.

That although, not only by his actions paſt, as by this laſt proceeding, hee hath giuen and declared by euident teſtimonies, of his holy intent and clemencie, that no man ought to doubt: neuertheleſſe to make it more manifeſt to all his ſubiects, his Maieſtie declareth and proteſteth, that this which hath happened, hath beene effected by reaſon of the preuentions vſed againſt his Edict of Iuly, and ſince that time.

And in the execution of that which is contained therein, his will and meaning is, to keep and cauſe it to bee kept, and to obſerue and maintaine it from poynt to poynt for a lawe, as it hath been eſtabliſhed and ſworne in the Parliament, according to the forme and tenor thereof.

Forgetting and wholly remitting, all whatſoeuer is or hath bin done againſt dutie and fidelitie, by thoſe that haue participated in the ſaid practiſes, vppon condition, that heereafter they ſhall depart and wholly forſake all leagues, aſſociations, practiſes, deuiſes, and intelligences, with all perſons whatſoeuer, both without and within the Realme.

The practiſes againſt the Edict of vnion, wherevnto the King referreth the cauſe and motion of the death of the Cardinall and the Duke of Guiſe, are ſpecified in the treatie written, concerning the troubles that enſued this execution.

Cauſes of putting the D. of Guiſe to death.The firſt, that aſſoone as the edict of vnion agreed vpon within the Cittie of Roane, was publiſhed in the Parliament-houſe, the principall heades of the League, in ſtead of cauſing their partakers to leaue their armes, had entertained them with further hopes and meanes, contrary to the Edict ſworne, ſummoning them to bee in a readineſſe to effect a great exployt. The ſecond, that they had determined to ſeize vpon the Kings perſon, and to cōſtrain him to diſmiſſe his Councel, whom they thought to be moſt faithfull vnto him, and leaſt affected to the aduancement of their intents, and to bereaue him of his authoritie, yea and of the name of a king.

The third, their practiſes, leagues, and deuiſes, to breake the libertie of the Parliament, and to hinder them from conſulting with the king, touching the good of his eſtate, and the quietneſſe of his people, hauing a great number of the Deputies ſo much affected to their pretences, that they neuer aſſembled, before they had firſt conſulted with the Councell of the Duke of Guiſe, touching their aunſweres, propoſitions, and reſolutions.

The fourth, the fained perſwaſions deuiſed againſt the good intents of the king, to diſſwade him from the eaſing of the long oppreſsiōs of his people: the Duke of Guiſe on the one ſide, counſelling him not to imbaſe his authoritie ſo much, as to depriue himſelfe of the meanes to maintaine the glory of his Maieſtie royall, by reducing the tallages to a lower rate then was conuenient: and on the other ſide, hee perſwaded and pricked forward his participants to craue it, by that meanes to make his Maieſtie odious among them, by refuſing the eaſing of his peoples oppreſsions, or elſe to force him therevnto.

The ſift, the confirmation of the treaties and confederacies made with forraine Princes, as the king of Spaine, the Duke of Sauoy and Lorraine, and the fiue ſmall Cantons, the leagues and intelligences with diuers Lords and Gouernours of Townes and Prouinces within the Realme, all contrary to the Edict of vnion, which they had ſworne and promiſed ſo religiouſly to obſerue. A great perſon in our time, in the ſecond part of the Hiſtorie of the League, Vulgus audacia turbidum niſi vim metuat. The ſecond diſcourſe of the ſtate of France. noteth the vnrecouerable fault of the king after that action, that buſied himſelfe to iuſtifie his pretence, and to flatter the people, who by lenitie become obſtinate, & by ſeueritie are conſtrained. This great tree ouerthrown (ſaith he) ſuch as ſhadowed themſelues thereby, were for a time diſcouered: and without doubt the Duke of Guiſe himſelfe was all the League, hee onely had more parts and valour, then all his participants togither. And if the king had beene reſolute to go forward with his actions, and not to doo them by halues, as his maner was, and if within two houres after the act performed, hee had mounted on horſebacke, and ſo had added his preſence & his forces vnto the feares of the townes that helde with the League, abaſhed at that great accident, it is very likely hee had auoyded the miſchiefe which after fell vpon him. But God that derided the vaine enterpriſes of the one, mocked the remedies by the other prouided. This Prince, who neuertheleſſe wanted neither iudgement nor courage, had no ſooner perceiued his enemie dead, put preſently perſwaded himſelfe to haue no more in all the world, and certainly being among his familiars, he vſed this ſpeech, ſaying: This day I am king, and yet to the contrary, from that day forward his royall eſtate begane to decline.Incauta ſemper nim •• preſumptio & ſui negligents. Egeſippus. This preſumptiō cauſed him to be ſo careleſſe in his affaires, that he loſt Orleans, which he might haue ſaued by ſhewing himſelfe vnto it: & that he ſuffred the D. de Maine to come & fortifie himſelf with men & munitiō: he laughed at thoſe ye moued him with al diligēce to ſend for his armie that laye in Poitou: hee was offended againſt ſuch as counſelled him at the ſame time to vſe the ayde of the king that now is, and of the Huguenots: and to conclude, ſo much deſpiſed all things, (which neuertheleſſe within one moneth after, hee was conſtrained to do) that within ſixe weekes, hee perceiued himſelfe to bee reduced, onely to the Realme of Tours, Blois, and Baugency.

The fourth of January, 1589. And ſo after the death of thoſe two Princes of Lorraine, and the impriſonment of the reſt that were moſt ſuſpected, deſpiſing all the aduiſe giuen him to enter firſt into the field, and that doing ſo, hee ſhould haue a great aduantage vppon his enemies, hee commaunded the eſtates to proceede with the Parliament. They preſented him the billes of the three eſtates, and againe the third time, the Edict of vnion was publiſhed by Monſieur Ruze, and ſworne by his Maieſtie, with moſt ſolemne proteſtation to obſerue and cauſe it to bee holden for a lawe of the Realme.

The king of Nauar vnderſtandeth of the death of the Duke of Guiſe, the 26. of December. Lachrymas non ſponte cadentes effudit genitúſque expreſſit pectore lato. His Councell beſought him to reiourne the Parliament vntill an other time, but hee was ſo much affected to heare and determine vpon their billes, that hee forgot both the care of his perſon and eſtate, and would not leaue off the aſſembly, vntill hee heard that the Duke de Maine was alreadie before the ſubburbes of Parris, and that hee went to ayde Orleans, with all thoſe with whom hee had practiſed to reuenge the deathes of his two bretheren. The king of Nauarre receiued the newes of this execution, beeing at Saint Iohn d'Angely, by two Poſtes expreſly ſent from Blois on horſebacke, to certifie him thereof.

And he that was neuer found to be voyde of great modeſtie, in his moſt haughtie enterpriſes, nor yet without conſtancie in all the greateſt croſſes which both time and men had wrought againſt him, bewailed not ſo much the death, as the euill fortune of the houſe of Guiſe, it is the nature of thoſe that are moſt couerteous, not to behold the head of their enemie, but with a ſad and ſorrowfull eye. Antigonus bewailed Pyrrus: Caezar Pompey: Rene duke of Lorraine: Charles Duke of Brurgongne: and the Earle of Montfort, Charles Earle of Blois. It is true, that hee knewe this accident would bee a great helpe touching his iuſtification, that thereby hee was diſcharged from beeing cauſe of the miſchiefe of ciuill warres, and that the king hauing iudged and found the Duke of Guiſe to bee moſt culpable touching the troubles of the eſtate, had puniſhed him according to his deſert. He ſaid that al the world (he onely excepted) imagined miſchief of the houſe of Lorraine, and would bee glad to ſee the indignation, declarations, and forces of the king his Lord, bent againſt them. But for his part, hee could not doo it, neither yet doth it, but only that of two euils, he is conſtrained to chuſe the leaſt. Yet did he not refraine to purſue his enterpriſe againſt the Towne of Niort, which was in this maner: The troupes that were to execute the ſame, vnder the conduct of Mouſieur de S. Gelais, giuing foorth that they went for Congnac, by night marched within halfe a myle of the towne, the lathers and other warrelike amunitions, paſsing about a bowe-ſhot from the walles: and becauſe the moone ſhined very bright, they were forced to ſtay till it was downe, leaſt the aſſaylants ſhould be diſcouered, who in the meane time ſlept vppon the Ice, wearied with long trauell and troubleſome way.The taking of Niort. The execution being followed in conuenient time, Meſsieurs de Ranques, Valiers, & Gentil, hauing founded the ditches, cauſed their lathers to be broght, & other inſtruments, Wherein valour conſiſteth.neare vnto the gate which they ment to aſſayle, I would deſire ſuch as ſhall read this poynt, to conſider and note, that notable enterpriſes are not executed without good order and diſcretion, and that the honour of armes conſiſteth not in ſtrength, wherein many beaſts haue great aduantage ouer vs, nor in that kinde of furious aſſault, which is more naturall to beaſtes then men: neither yet in the hearts of the Actors, which go where blinde conductions leadeth them, but in the good order and pollicie eſtabliſhed by the Leaders. The approaching of thoſe that bare the lathers, was not ſo ſecretly done, but that the Sentinel heard ſome noyſe, and preſently cried: Quivala. Whereat if the aſſaylant had either beene fearefull or troubled, the enterpriſe had bin diſcouered, and ſo haue loſt their labours. But they ſtayed, and ſtood ſo quietly, that the Sentinell himſelfe anſwered to the Corporall and ſaide: I heard a noyſe, but I perceiue it is nothing, and vppon that, the lathers beeing artificially made to ioyne togither, were raiſed againſt the walles, about ſixe and thirtie or fortie foote high.Scaling Lathers ſet vp. Galeati lepores. Liuius 28. By this eſcalado the Sentinell was ſurpriſed and throwne ouer the wall, and then the Court of guard, wherein they found but ſeuen or eight poore artificers (for that commonly within Townes, the rich do watch by the eyes of the poore) that ſaued themſelues becauſe they ſhould make no noyſe.

And although it had been determined to let as many of their men mount vp by lathers, as poſsibly they might, it chanced neuertheleſſe, that one of the ſmall number that had entered, perceiuing himſelfe in ſome perill, cried vnto the engenier, and thought to ſpoyle all their enterpriſe: for that crie made an alarme among all the Inhabitants, and ſerued to the engeniers for a watch-word, to play with their Enſignes: being before the Rauelin, which made an ouerture of the gate, and at that inſtant, the Engin wrought againſt the bridge of the Towne, which brake but two plankes of the bridge, and ſo the gate opened in two parts, the entrie of the bridge was very ſtraight, where one man alone could hardly get in, and yet hee muſt deſcend by one of the lathers into the ditch, and then with the ſame lather go vp to the entrie of the bridge, two men well armed had beene ſufficient to haue kept it againſt them all.

In the end, by meanes of that entrie, and by their eſcalado, the firſt that entered were Meſsieures de S. Gelais, de Rambures, and de Parabieries, who with their companies, met hard by the Towne-houſe, where they beganne to crie, Viue Nauarre: and there among the people, being in feare, ſurpriſed, and abaſhed, they found ſo ſmall reſiſtance, that in leſſe then three or foure houres the aſſaylants entered, vanquiſhed, & became Maiſters of the towne, being put to the ſpoyle, and yet without murther, violence, or iniurie done vnto the Cleargie, that were not once touched: the king of Mauarres intent beeing not to conſtraine them in their religion. Hee receiued the newes of this ſurpriſe at S. Iohn d'Angely, whereas then he remained: the gouernment whereof, he committed vnto Monſieur de S. Gelais. Monſieur de Parabieres, commaunded in the Caſtle, wherein hee found fiue peeces for batterie, and two long coluerins, which hee that was Captaine thereof, had cauſed to bee made, therewith (as hee ſaid) to ſalute the king of Nauarre, when hee ſhould approach the walles of Niort.

The ſiege of Ganache.In the meane time, Monſieur de Neuers beſieged la Ganache, a very ſtrong Towne, lying in the marches of Poitou and Brittaine, with ſixe battering peeces, foure double, and two demy coluerins: after hee had ſummoned Monſieur du Pleſsis by a Herault, to yeelde the Towne vnto him. The batterie beganne vppon New-yeares day, and within foure dayes after, the breach was reaſonable great to giue the aſſault, which was done with great fury, and aunſwered with the like courage, whereby the aſſaylants left at the leaſt fiftie of their mē dead within the ditches, the aſsieged looſing at the ſame time two good Captaines, and certaine ſouldiers.

The next day Monſieur de Paluau ſent a drumme to Monſieur de Pleſsis, to aduiſe him to growe to ſome good compoſition, ſaying that hee had obtained ſufficient honour, by defending ſo weake a place, that his wilfulneſſe hindered the king of Nauarres affaires, and that the Duke de Neuers had fully reſolued not to leaue the ſiege, before hee brought the Towne vnder ſubiection, wherevpon hee ingaged his honour.

Monſieur de Pleſsis reſolued vppon a conference, hoping by that means to certifie the king of Nauarre of his affaires, the effect of the cōference, was to yeelde the Towne, and to iſſue armed, their goods ſaued.

Meane time, the king of Nauarre iſſued out of Niort, minding to relieue the Towne, but a ſickneſſe (proceeding from a great chaffing of his body, which hee did, lighting of his horſe to heate himſelfe beeing extreame colde) ſeized vppon him: which ſtayed him in a little village called Saint Pere, where he was troubled with ſo fearce and cruell fittes of a feuer, that hauing been let blood, and all remedies vſed that poſsible might bee found, it was thought hee would haue died, and the report of his death was brought vnto the Court.

But God who in ſo troubleſome and confuſed a time, ment to vſe the ſeruice of ſo great a Prince, whom hee had ſaued from ſo many perilles, to make him the woonder vnto kings, and the king of woonders,The king fell ſicke the 9. of Ianuary. ſtayed the areſt of death, which the Phiſitions had pronounced againſt him, reſtoring him vnto a liuely and good health, and of a beholder, made him enter vpon the Theator, not as one that vpon a ſuddaine, by accident, feare, foreſights, nor hopes, ſhould repreſent a king in a commodie, but to fulfill the true and lawfull office of a king.

After hee was recouered, perceiuing that Meſsieurs de Chaſtillon, de la Roche Foucaut, de la Trimouille, and Plaſſac, could do nothing touching the relieuing of Ganache, and that the Duke de Neuers with his armie, made towards Blois, hee tooke the places bordering vpon Niort.

The iudgement of the Huguenot▪ touching the death of the Duke of Guiſe.The Huguenots in their writings publiſhed at that time, acknowledged not that action of the 13. of December, as a clap of thunder that maketh more noyſe then it doth hurt, nor as a diſgrace of fortune, wherevnto the greateſt perſonages are moſt ſubiect: but as a worke of God, and as one of the moſt notable workes that he had wrought for them, thereby beginning to worke their reuenge, for the maſſacre of Saint Bartholomewes day, and to relieue them out of the miſerable eſtate wherein they liued.

The Catholicques that neuer ſeparated themſelues from the auncient fidelitie of France, nor from the ſeruice of the king, cōſidered not ſo much vppon that which had paſſed at Blois, as vppon the cauſe thereof, they admired the kings long patience, that rather ſuffered thoſe Princes to doo what pleaſed 〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉 them for the ſpace of certaine yeares, then once to puniſh them for a firſt, ſecond, and third fault, and that in the end, this long patience changed into a iuſt furie.

Theſe Princes made leagues both within and without the Realme: without his Maieſties conſent or knowledge, they ſeized vpon townes and ſtrong places in the land, euery man forſooke the king to follow them, they would haue the king to yeeld them account of all that hee had ſpent and done ſince his aduancement to the Crowne, they had diſpearſed iniurious and ſlaunderous bookes throughout the Realme, and by them, made the name of the king to become odious: beſides the diſputation by them made touching the right and title vnto the king of France: as if the king and all his Predeceſſors had enioyned and holden the kingdome wrongfully from the houſe of Lorraine, at this day liuing. And to conclude, they were at the poynt to kill the King, if they had not been preuented.

As then one reioyced at the death of the Duke of Guiſe, eſteeming it for a worke of God, all the League to the contrary, made great ſorrow.

Two daies after the execution, the ſixteenth diſplayed their olde colours, and cried out: murther, fire, and vengeance: they preſently made a collection of monies to maintaine warres, the pooreſt artificer among them, was content to impart at leaſt ſixe Crownes, & ſome hauing no mony, (that they might not bee found without affection to that commotion) ſolde and pawnde their goods, to bee contributaries vnto it: golde ranne like a riuer along the ſtreetes: they found hidden treaſures, and it ſeemed that France had nouriſhed theeues, to make an almaſſe of treaſures, for thoſe inraged people. Parris became the infamous Theater of rebellion, wherein the ſixteenth like furies iſſuing out of hell, ſhewed the fier and flame wherewith they incloſed and murthered the poore countrie of France. Vnder thoſe mad dogges, and ſtinking impoſtumes of the Cōmon-wealth, was practiſed the moſt filthie and ſtraungeſt riſing that euer troubled the eſtate of any Towne. To pleaſe the ſixteenth, they muſt diſpleaſe God, their king, & their own cōſcience. He was but hardly thought on, that had not halfe a dozen of great outrages, wherewith to deteſt that execution, and an elegie for the memorie of the Duke of Guiſe, and all with the moſt ſad & ſorrowfull countenance that might be deuiſed: withall, powring out ſome notorious and blaſphemous oathes, the better to counterfet a diſliking. Hee that could not recite the memorable actions of the Duke of Guiſe, eleuate him to heauen, with open mouth ſpeake euill of the King, deteſt his actions, abhorre his life, and account the execution done at Blois, as moſt cruell, barbarous, and in humane, was neither accounted an honeſt man, good Catholicque, well affected, nor yet zealous.

There was no fooliſh Poet nor Ballet-ſinger within Parris, that deuiſed not one couple of ſongs touching this action, nor any Preacher, that found not one place in his ſermon, wherein to vtter a multitude of iniuries againſt the king. There was no Printer, that ſet not his Preſſe on work with diſcourſes made touching his death: but aboue all, there was great diſorder & libertie permitted in Preachers, that who not onely caſt foorth a million of iniuries and vilanies againſt the king, but in ſtead of preaching the Goſpell, they kindled a reuolt & ſedition within the hearts of the people, that neuer came from hearing them, but their heades were ſet on fire, and their handes prepared to ſeize vppon thoſe poore Pollititians that were ſet before their eyes.

All this is drawne out of the diſcourſes that were publiſhed at that time in Parris, or from the report made of ſuch ſermons.One reproached the forgetting of the ſeruices done by Claude Duke of Guiſe, vnto King Francis, that was found almoſt ſlaine among the dead at the battell of Marignan, againſt the Switzers: of Francis de Lorraine to the Kings, Henry & Francis the ſecond: who after ſo many notable exployts was ſlaine, during the ſiege of Orleans: of Henry de Lorraine, to Charles the ninth: and Henry the third at Iarnac, Sens, Poitiers, Moncontour, Auneau, and Vimory, and ſlaine at Blois.

An other made his Auditorie weepe, by ſhewing the manner of this execution.

The third blaſphemed againſt heauen, ſpeaking againſt the prouidence of God, and the maner he vſed in his iudgements, touching the death of thoſe two Princes.

The fourth ſaid, that the Duke of Guiſe for a terreſtriall and mortall, had obtained a celeſtiall and perpetuall Crowne in heauen: and by his death had opened the paſſage vnto his ſucceſſors, by that meanes to poſſeſſe the thing which hee with ſo great reaſon and iuſtice had purſued.

The fift, taking the ſimple people to witneſſe for the remembrance of things paſt, cried out in open Pulpit: Who knoweth not, and that moſt euidently, as it were at his fingers endes, that the Prince of France, and the braueſt knight that euer ſet foote in ſtirrope, lyeth now vpon the ground? Was it not hee that by his onely preſence defended Parris, the moſt puiſſant Cittie in the world, from an vniuerſall ſpoyle and deſtruſtion? Was it not this Prince, that tooke the naked ſworde out of the ſouldiers hands, that helde it readie at the breaſts of the poore Cittizens of this towne? Was it not that valiant Leader and Generall of armies, who ſo many times and ſo happily beate downe and cut in peeces the enemies of our God, who for reward and recompence of all his good and valiant ſeruices, is now ſtabbed to death.

They added, that France was ſicke, and that it could not be healed of her ſickneſſe, if it had not a drinke of French blood adminiſtred vnto it.The ſixt, the better to kindle and increaſe the fires of commotions, openly cried out: to armes: and made the word of God a trumpet of ſedition, ſaying: Bee of good courage my maiſters, you muſt ſlumber no more, the God of battels is on your ſide, hee ſtretceth forth his armes vnto you, you know not your owne forces: Parris knoweth not what it is woorth, it hath ſufficient treaſure to warre againſt foure Kings. Take courage, turne backe the weapon that is readie to ſtrike you: a good warre will procure a peace: without this warre, peace will be your ouerthrow and deſtruction. For what hath Chriſt to do with Belial? this warre will bee your libertie and freedome, which if you neglect, God that reuengeth the iniurie done vnto his ſeruaunts, will make you pay the intereſts of your ſo cowardly ſlackneſſe.

So that ſufficient perſwaſions were vſed, to ſtirre vppe and mooue the moſt colde and fearefull minde, and to cauſe the verieſt coward to arme himſelfe.

Such was the end of the Duke of Guiſe, a Prince (without all doubt) of valour and courage, the League called him her Caezar, and made goodly compariſons betweene them. For my part, take away the name of Chriſtian, and I cannot finde ſo good a compariſon betweene Camille and The miſtocles: Read a booke imprinted at Zurich, vnder this title. Carolus Magnus rediuinus. Numa & Licurgus: Scipio and Epaminondas: Marcellus and Pelopidas: Pompey and Ageſilaus: Silla and Lyſander: Charles the great, Henry the fourth at this preſent raigning, (the wonder of kings, and the king of woonders) as there is betweene the liues of Iulius Caezar, and Henry de Lorraine, the one being cauſe of the ouerthrow and ruine of his Common-wealth: the other, of all the miſeries in France. A compariſō between Caſar and the duke of Guiſe Abanco Martio ſunt Martii reges quo nomine fuit mater à Venere Iulis cuius gentis familia eſt noſtrae. Caezar alleadged himſelfe to be iſſued on his mother ſide, from the Kings of Alba, and that his father had his originall from the Gods, the race of Iules beeing deſcended from Venus, and therefore hee cauſed a Temple to bee erected, Veneri, Genetrici.

The Duke of Guiſe (and all his familie) affirmed themſelues to bee iſſued from the king of Ieruſalem: and the Dukes of Lorraine, by their father, and from the king of France, by Anne d'Eſt, daughter to Renee of France, daughter vnto King Lewis the twelfth. Caezar was of a goodly and tall ſtature, well limbed, full faced, and quicke attractiue eyes.

The Duke of Guiſe was one of the faireſt Princes of the Court, big & high of proportion, an amiable face, ſo quicke of eye, that therby he pearced into all places,Plut, in the notable ſaying of auncient Kings, Princes and Captains. to know and chuſe out his ſeruants fartheſt diſtant from him, and in the greateſt preaſe. Caezar increaſed in ambition, as wel as in yeares, in greatneſſe of courage, as well as in bodie. And as willingly a generous nature, in good time diſcouereth it ſelfe, beeing but young fell into the hands of Pyrates, that asked him 20. tallents for his ranſome: but hee ſmiled at them, becauſe they knew not how much their prize was woorth, and gaue them fiftie, and beeing kept and watched carefully by them, he ſent commandement vnto them to be quiet, and not to make any noyſe, that he might take his reſt.

The Duke of Guiſe, as young and Eagle as hee was, aſſayed by all means to take his flight, farther then any of his time, very haughtie, diſſembling and aduiſed, hee could not ſubmitte himſelfe to thoſe from whom hee ought to haue expected his aduācement, he differed in nothing from a kings childe of France, with whom he had bin nouriſhed & brought vp, ſhewing moſt euidently, that his nature was to command, & not to obey: to go before, and not to follow after: in his firſt action hee ſo much diſpoſed the thoughts of the Frenchmen, that they beleeued ſuch parts to bee in him, as were moſt fit and proper to cauſe a great change and alteraion in the Realme where hee ſhould liue.

His firſt exployts in Nauarre. Caezar began very young to beare armes, and yet not ſo ſoone as Alexander, and reading his actions, beganne to weep, when he perceiued that at his age, Alexander had alreadie conquered Darius, & that as then he had done nothing. The Duke of Guiſe, in the ſpring time of his yeares, was in the wars of Hungary againſt the Turke, defended Sens and Poctiers, fought valiantly at Moncontour, and brought honourable markes of his courage from the battel fought againſt the Rutters. Caezar vſed ſo great diligence in trauelling, that hee departed from Rome, Hic diligēce. and within three daies after, he arriued at Rhoſne. The Duke of Guiſe made ſuch ſpeedie iourneyes, that when ſome thought him to be fiftie leagues off, hee was found to bee in a manner at their heeles.

The promptneſſe of his exploits. Caezar had no ſooner begun an enterpriſe, but he finiſhed it with ſpeede. The duke of Guiſe was ſo vehement and haſtie to execute his enterpriſes, that many eſteemed his celeritie to bee a kinde of raſhneſſe.

Veni, vidi, vici. His diſsimulation. Caezar vſed diſsimulation, wiſely and happily to ſerue him for aduantage.

The Duke of Guiſe was ſo expert therein, that hee dealt in his exteriour affaires as hee thought good, to hide the ſecrets of his heart, and although hee deſired nothing ſo much as the raiſing of armes by the league, yet hee made his bretheren beleeue, (when they prouoked him to take occaſions offered) that it was not his deſire, wiſely diſſembling it, to the end, that if the effect had not fallen out as they deſired, hee might impute the fault vnto their Councelles, or at the leaſt, obiect againſt their purſuites, or elſe he did it to the end hee might holde them ſtricktly bound and ingaged vnto the enterpriſes, which of themſelues they counſelled him to take in hand.

His foreſight. His cunning and ſlights, Com. de Caezar, Lib. 1. of ciuill wars. Caezar was maruellous expert in the ſcience of taking occaſions when time ſerued, and to vſe them to his aduantage, whatſoeuer it coſt him, oftentimes hee made ſhewe to agree to that, which he ſought to impeach, as the meanes which the Switzers deſired of him to paſſe through France, wherein hee made a good ſhew and countenance vnto their Ambaſſadors that made ſuite vnto him for the ſame, vntill hee had meanes and force to withſtand them.

The Duke of Guiſe was an excellent cunning Prince, to vſe both time and occaſion, and his ſubtilties were notable ſtratagems, againſt the moſt violent effects of his enemies. The Reiſters bare with them into Saxen and Pomerland, the effects of his ſo ſubtil practiſes by their incounters at Auueau and Vimory.

Caezar with a ſmall force, and wholly contrary to militarie reaſon, enterpriſed all things, and durſt ſet vppon the forces of Scipio and Iuba, beeing ten times greater then his owne.

His armie were of more courage then number.The Duke of Guiſe ſaide with Caezar, that high enterpriſes ought ſpeedily to bee done, and not long conſulted vppon: and with a ſmall handfull of men, determined to oppoſe himſelf againſt the furious armie of the Almains, he diſcommended and diſliked the monſtrous multitudes full of diſorders and confuſions, that forme and frame a moſt daungerous confidence, in the hearts of the greateſt cowards, that truſting to their great numbers, deſpiſed the power of their enemie, he had a ſmall number of ſouldiers ruled and gouerned within certaine limittes, that need no great quantitie of ammunitions, nor retrait.

His courteſie towards his ſouldiers. Dux plerumque in opere, in agmine, gregatio militi mixtus, in corrupto ducis honore. Tacitus. His credit with his ſouldiers. Caezar flattered and fauoured his ſouldiers, terming them companions, and calling them by his owne name. The Duke of Guiſe knowing the humour of his ſouldiers, and that there is nothing which ſo much inflameth the heart of the ſouldier, to a deſire of honour and glory, then when he is noted and marked by his Generall, hee fauoured his ſouldiers, and honoured his Captaines, promiſing them more then hee could do, and neuer denied them any thing that lay in his power.

Caezar had ſuch credite among his ſouldiers, that they offered him in the beginning of the ciuill warres, to follow him at their owne expences, and many of his ſouldiers that were taken priſoners, offered rather to die, thē to bee conſtrained to change parties, and ſooner to indure moſt extream famine, then to yeeld vppe the Townes they held for him: witneſſe the honorable ſiege of Salone, wherein beeing vexed with famine, and conſtrained to cut off the haires of their wiues heades, thereof to make ſtringes for their bowes, hauing placed their women and childrē vpō the wals to make ſhew, they made ſo furious an iſſue, that therewith they put their enemies to flight. The Duke of Guiſe ordinarily termed the father of men of war, ſo much reſpected and beloued of his ſouldiers, that neither for want of pay, nor diſcommodities, there was euer any mutinie ſeene among his troupes, and fewe or none were euer found, that during his life forſooke him, to ſerue vnder any other Generall. And yet the Captaines that were brought vp vnder him, are ſtill imployed.

The execution of his commaunds. Facta non dicta mea, vos milities ſequi volo • nee diſciplinam modo, ſed exemplum etiam à me petere. Liuius. His ſtrange ambition. Caezar neuer ſent to any place where hee might go himſelfe, nor commaunded that to bee done by other, which by himſelfe might bee effected. The Duke of Guiſe alwaies beeing firſt at any exployt, neuer truſting to any thing, but his owne watchfulneſſe and diligence: the enemie found him alwaies before them, with a magnanimitie and reſolution, rather to die, then to bee vanquiſhed.

Caezar ſuffered himſelfe to bee wholly led by the furious paſsion of ambition, to make himſelfe great by the ruine of the Common-wealth of Rome. The ſame vice was the cauſe that the Duke of Guiſe loſt the greateſt part of his praiſe.

Caezar enterpriſed to ouerthrow the lawes and orders of the Commonwealth, paſſed the Rubicon, entered Italie with armes, tooke the treaſures of the Common-wealth, vſurped the office of perpetuall Dictator, wan towns by force. The Duke of Guiſe enterpriſed to trouble the order of ſucceſsion, cauſed the drumbe to ſtrike vp in the midle of peace, tooke the kings towns, placed Garriſon therein, and fortified himſelfe.

He could not indure acompanion. Caezar could not indure a companion in his gouernment. The Duke of Guiſe for the ſame cauſe, mooued the great trouble of Barricadoes, and conſtrained the king to quit him the place.

His debts. Caezar when hee paſſed Rubicon, hazarded either to winne or looſe all. The Duke of Guiſe by a popular fury, hazarded both his life, his honour, and his place. Caezar was indebted a million of gold more thē he was worth. The Duke of Guiſe to accompliſh his enterpriſes, died poore, and almoſt as much indebted.

Caezar vſed the fauour of the people and the tribunes, for the whing of his ambition.

His purpoſes grounded vpon the common people. His popularitie.The Duke of Guiſe found the principall ſupport of the League, to conſiſt in the good wil of the people, and in the multitude, being deſirous of nouelties.

Caezar marched alwaies bare-headed to make himſelfe more common, gentle, and amiable. The Duke of Guiſe to commaund great men, humbled himſelfe vnto the meaner ſort, as hee paſſed through the ſtreetes, with his hat in hand, ſaluting euery man, eyther with head, hand, or ſpeech.

The greatneſſe of his thoughts. Caezar durſt conceiue in his minde, and then execute his thought, to make himſelfe perpetuall Dictator, and to vſurpe the ſoueraigntie of the Common-wealth. The Duke of Guiſe with as much courage, leſſe reaſon, and more danger then Caezar, enterpriſed to be king, or wholly to be ouerthrowne.

His boaſts. Caezar vaunted to haue made Rome the Queene of the world, a name without forme or bodie. The Duke of Guiſe by the league, taking away both order and royaltie, beeing the forme of this Realme, and that which made it flouriſh, might well ſay, that hee had made France without life.

His exerciſe Caezar loued Aſtrologie: the Duke of Guiſe beleeued the Aſtrologians that aſſured him of his greatneſſe, of the kings death, of the death of the houſe of Bourbon, promiſing him that the Crowne ſhould change families, and from the Capets, ſhould fall into the houſe of Auſtria.

His minde could not indure much apprchenſion. Caezar could not indure the apprehenſion of conſpiracies deuiſed againſt him, and ſaid: that hee had rather die, then to liue long in diſtruſt, eſteeming that death which is leaſt doubted, to bee beſt: the Duke of Guiſe deſired rather a fall, that might be the end of his miſeries, then a continuall daunger.

He deſpiſed the aduiſe of death. Caezar deſpiſed the aduiſe giuen him, touching the conſpiracie of Brutus: the Duke of Guiſe eſteemed it fables, that was told him touching the miſchiefe that fell vppon him, and could not bee perſwaded, that hee ſhould ſo ſoone end his triumphs.

Haruſpices praemonuerant vt d •• gentiſſime Iduum Martiarum caucret di • m. Velleius Pater. L • belli coniurationè nunciantes •• ats, abconeque protinus lectierant. Velleius Pater. His death. His Sepulchre. Guiſius & Cezar, medio perite ſedio perite ſenatu. The years of his death. Sydus Iul. Hob. Sar. lib. 8. Ennead. 6. Caezar would not read his friends letters, that aduertiſed him of the enterpriſe practiſed againſt his perſon. The Duke of Cuiſe ieſted at the letters written vnto him from all parts, and ſaide that it was done at the leaft thirtie times euery day.

Caezar was ſlaine with blowes of rapiers: the Duke of Guiſe with poinyards. Caezar fell dead at the feete of the Image of Pompey, whom hee had ſo cruelly purſued. The Duke of Guiſe died at the kings chamber doore, where hee had made ſo many brauadoes, and ſo much deſpiſing of the kings authoritie.

Caezar had the fire for his ſepulchre: the bodie of the Duke of Guiſe was burnt.

Caezar was ſlaine in the Senat: the Duke of Guiſe at the Parliament, when hee came out of the Councell chamber.

Caezar died in the 56. yeare of his age, in his climaticke yeare, and vpon his birth day. The Duke of Guiſe, in the 42. yeare, which was likewiſe his climaticall yeare.

Caezar was accounted among the Gods, and ſo eſteemed of by the common people: the league cannonized and honoured the Duke of Guiſe with the name of Marter, and were long time in doubt, if praying for him, they ſhould do wrong to the holineſſe of his condition, beeing freed from the paines in the other world.

Caezar debaucha Cleopatra.Heere I will end the compariſon of the hearts and humors of thoſe two Princes, and touching nothing of the ſobrietie, courteſie, affabilitie, and familiaritie, that was equally both in the one and the other, nor yet of that amorous complection that ſo much reſembled Caezar, and auanced the miſchiefe and troubles of France. And touching the end of the Duke of Guiſe, I ſay, that as themnrther of the Dictator Caezar, ſerued for a protext vnto Anthony & Auguſtines, to ouerthrow the Commonwealth of Rome: ſo this death of the Duke of Guiſe, put weapon into the hands of the Duke de Maine, like Anthony, to deſtroy both himſelfe and his countrie.

Beeing at Lyons, hee receiued the newes of the death of the Duke of Guiſe, and the impriſonment of the Cardinall his bretheren, vpon Chriſtmas day at night, & ſaid nothing vntil the next day in the morning, that he went frō the Archbiſhops Pallace, (where he was lodged) to Saint Niſier, and there finding the Officiall of the Archbiſhop pricke of Lyons, tolde him hee was deſirous to walke a turne or two along the painted Gallerie. Thither he ſent for Monſieur Bothcon, the Marqueſſe of Vrfe, and certaine of the principall officers of the Towne, ſhewing them what had been done in Blois, againſt the perſons of his bretheren, and of the impriſonment of the Cardinall of Bourbon, the Archbiſhop of Lyons, and others.

This accident made the aſsiſtants ſo much abaſhed, that they all ſtood in a maze, ſome of them thinking more vppon the manner, then the matter, and more vppon the authoritie of the eſtates, then vppon the kings collor.

Others, what aſſurance ſoeuer they had of ayde to bee readie to be imployed at all aſſayes, yet were they conſtrained to ſhrinke in the ſhouldier. They iudged the wound to bee great, and that it would bee hard vppon the ſuddain to finde a fit playſter: ſuch as without inſpiration had foreſhewed, that the king would bee reuenged of the Duke of Guiſe, for his ouer great boldneſſe, and the day of the Barricadoes, had alreadie diſiſted the aſtoniſhment of that blowe.

The Duke de Maine thinking vpon the death of his brother, forgot not his own ſafetie, asking them, if that ſtaying in the towne of Lyons, he might beaſſured of his life: they beſought him to moue his ſeruants, in that which ſhould bee againſt the kings will and pleaſure, to whom they were bound, and priuately to all others, & could acknowledge no other ſoueraigne then hee. The Officiall of Lyons, that had knowne his nature to bee more ſtayed, and leſſe ambitious, deſired him not to arme himſelfe againſt his king, who without all doubt would receiue him into fauour,The Duke de Maine counſelled not to arme himſelfe. when hee ſhould once perceiue him to referre the deſire of his reuenge, to reaſon & good diſcretion, and not preferre the intereſt of his houſe, before the benefit of the whole Realme of France, which trembled at the apprehenſion of the calamities that this warre will draw on.

That he ſhould aduiſe himſelfe, before he paſſed the Rubicon, into what daunger hee would fall, the good and quiet eſtate that hee ſhould leaue behinde him: that to ſet the people at libertie, hee would abandon it to the ſpoyle: that to defend the Monarchie againſt the king, hee ſhould make him the head of a confuſed and monſtrous Monarchie, againſt the lawes of the Realme: that God will neuer abandon the protections of Kings, how vnagreeable ſo euer they be vnto him, againſt the rebellion of the people: for kings are the image of God, the children of heauen, Gods among men, and whoſoeuer armeth himſelfe againſt them, ſtriueth againſt God. Then hee foreſhewed him, that if in that imbarking, he thought not vppon the ſtormes and tempeſts, how hee might ſhunne them, hee would thinke vppon them but too late, when they might not bee auoyded, when all the owers would bee broken, and the waues ſtrike againſt his veſſell: when danger ſhuld vanquiſh his art, and neceſsity force his wiſdome: that of the wind of the peoples fauour, which of long time hath bin diſpoſed vnto rebellion and troubles, maketh his ſayles blow full: & that furiouſly he would thruſt his pretences into the maine ſea: that neuertheleſſe he oght to conſider the vncōſtancie & lightneſſe of the people, who hauing ſhakē off the yoak of the Vulgus infidum bonis. Horat. Vnum imperij corpus, vnius animo regendum videtur.Tacitus. kings obedience, would do as much vnto a Prince, to whom it ſhall not be bound, but as to Proctor of their mutenie. That there is nothing more vnconſtant, nor more diſloyall, then the common people, traiterous to the good, and dutifull to the wicked, and that rewardeth thoſe that do it good, with ropes, exiles, and publike execration: that in the ende, after many attempts & prooues, of all ſorts of principallities, it wil alwaies return againe vnto the royaltie, France not beeing able to indure the gouernment of two kings, no more then the body two heads, nor a ſhip two Pilots: that France no more then the whole world, without a generall conſuming, cannot indure two ſunnes: that the people continueth not long in their furie, it loſeth breath in the firſt ſetting forward,Si duo ſoles, velis eſſe pericu • um • e in cendio omnia perdantur. Serenus. like a reed that beginneth with a long and ſtraight pipe, and ſuddainly it windeth and is crooked, looſing the vigor that it ſhewed in the firſt part thereof.

The Duke de Maine, beeing as then Maiſter either of his good fortune, or ouerthrow, held the conduction of the Leaguers affaires at his diſpoſition, and by a good reſolution, could revnite the Catholicques by his brother led aſtray: but his paſsion leading him at her pleaſure, and that it repreſented vnto him the aduantage hee had to ſucceed in the fauours, credite, and authoritie of his brother, and by conſequent vnto his hopes, hee reiected the aduiſe of good counſell, and thinking that they ſought his life, determined the ſame day in all haſte to depart from Lyons, and went to Maſcon, and from thence to Chalons, where hee aſſured himſelfe of the citadell: from thence he got to Dyon, where he receiued letters from the king, by the which, the king aſſured him, that hee deſired to continue him in his fauour, ſtaying the puniſhment of things paſt vppon the death of his bretheren, whom hee had put to death, to ſaue his life, whereof hee had aduertiſed him.

The Duke de Maine attributing the clemencie and fauour of the king, to an affection, languiſhing, feeble, and faint, and to a feare he had to haue him for enemie, or to looſe his friendſhip, not beeing able to moderate his chollor, nor to incline himſelfe vnto a generall and good ende, hardened himſelfe in his reſolution, receiued the peſtilent breath of thoſe mindes that bad framed themſelues to tyrannie, feared not the king, and made leſſe account of him, then of the chaine of Tartaria.

While hee continued at Dyon, he gaue out commiſsions to aſſure himſelfe, and to ſeize vpon diuers places, and among the reſt, one of the Meſſieur de Roſne and de Saint Paul, to commaund in Champaigne and Brye. He had no great trouble to conſtraine them of Dyon to reuolt againſt the king, bridling them by the Caſtle: there was none but the Court of Parliament (who perceiuing that they could not ſhine without the light of the authoritie royal) that would not conſent to that rebellion, & therfore the principal officers were driuen from thence, the reſt impriſoned, ſome poore people fearefull for the diſcommodities they might reape, remained in miſerable ſlauerie, vnder the confuſed and diſordered democratie.

The kings Letters to the Duke de Maine.From thence the Duke de Maine went to Troye, a Towne long time before ſpoyled and corrupted by the participants of the Duke of Guiſe, where hee was receiued with honours due vnto a king.

The king perceiuing that the league cauſed al the townes beyond the riuer of Loire, Chalon, ſur Saone, Dyon, Troye, Parris, and Orleans, to riſe againſt him, and that if hee ſat with armes croſſed, it would not eaſe him, was conſtrained to leaue the affaires of the Parliament vnperfect, to prouide for the ſafetie of his perſon: and to remedie the violent intents of his enemies, and before the Parliament brake vp, vppon the fifteenth and ſixteenth daies of Ianuarie, he heard the declarations of the Deputies of the third eſtates, wherein may bee found the examples of the diſorders, which at this time trouble the Realme of France.

The Oration of the Archbiſhop of Bourges.The Archbiſhop of Bourges, Preſident for the ſpiritualtie in the Parliament, after the death of the Cardinall of Guiſe, made a long diſcourſe of the miſeries and calamities, that had continued for the ſpace of eight and twentie yeares within the Realm of France, touching the cauſes thereof, aſſuring them, that the deſpiſing of the name of God, is the cauſe of our euil, hauing broken the band that tyeth and vniteth vs vnto God, that is, religion, which is the ſigner, the band, and foundation of all Monarches and Common-wealths.

Difference in religion.That the diuiſion happened in the vnitie of this religion, ſeparating the hearts and minds of families, and then of communalties, hath produced this diſorder, that thereby they ſhould haue ſeen nothing but fire and weapons throughout France, nouriſheth this long ciuill warre, which to entertaine, hath beene the meanes to ſeeke out ſo many prodigious inuentions, to ouerthrow and ſpoyle the people, by ſo many ſubſidies, ſale of offices belonging to iuſtice, and treaſures, with the alienation of the ſacred patrimonie of the Church.

The kings zeale to his religion.That the king in his youth being adorned with ſo many victories, obtained againſt ſchiſme and hereſie, had giuen to vnderſtand, that the honour and glory of God and his religion, was dearer vnto him then his own life, ought not to permit, that hereſie ſhould oppoſe it ſelfe againſt the true religion of him and his forefathers, a new, againſt the true alter, and a king againſt his authoritie royall. That hauing reeſtabliſhed the aſſurance of the franchiſes of religion, he ought with a care woorthieof a royall name, to purge the diſorders and the abuſes which the corruption of this world hath induced into all eſtates,Abuſe in the Church. in the houſe of God: in the church, in the Nobilitie, in armes, in Magiſtrates, in iuſtice, and in the people: and on the one ſide, ſhewing the diſorders: on the other, hee applyeth the remedies: and becauſe the libertie of theſe laſt troubles hath increaſed them, wee will preſent them like euill vlcers, which ſpoyle this polliticque bodie, and that will become incurable, if the remedies that follow bee not applyed.

The vnworthie promotion of Prelats.1. Diſorder. In the Church, ſimonie, ignorance, corruption: into the Lords ſheepfold, are entered falſe Paſtors, not by the dore, but ouer the wals like theeues, by vnfit promotions, by mony, by treaſure, by fauour, and not by learning or good example: ſo that among the learned, they introduce ignorant men: in ſtead of fathers and tutors of the Church, deſtroyers: in ſteed of Paſtors, rauening wolues. An abuſe which hath drawne with it, a chaine and band of all ſorts of euilles, for the aduancement of ignorant and ſlaunderous perſons, vnto Eccleſiaſticall dignities, hath brought foorth hereſie, hereſie diuiſion, and diuiſion, ruine and deſtruction.

Remedie. To reſtore the ancient forme of the Church, the election of God, wiſe and learned Prelates, that loue God and his Church, and faithfull Miniſters of Gods word.

The nomination.2. Diſorder. The introducing of nominations of Abbeys, as alſo vppon the chiefe Prelates of the ſame, the Monaſteries which in times paſt, were the Congregations and colledges of al doctrine & pietie, renowmed among the Chriſtians, as among the auncients, the Schooles of Nazariens, Leuites, Egyptians, Medes, Perſians, and Athenians, that had nouriſhed and brought vp holy Saints, Baſiles, Chryſoſtomes, Saint Benets and Auguſtines, haue now in them all ſorts of people indifferently, not only Lawyers, but Cittizens, ſouldiers, men without learning and crudition, and without either name or marke of ſpiritualtie, with women and children: from whence proceedeth the foule diſorder of the Monaſticall life:Monaſteries of the holy fathers. the ruine of the houſes and goods of the Church: the ſacred Temple without prayers, prophaned, and occupied for ye moſt part by mē of war, who in ſtead of ſuſtaining and nouriſhing religious mē, do therin feed their horſes, dogs, & hauks, fruſtrating the ſeruice of God, appropriating the inheritance of the Church vnto themſelues, giuing for dowries to marriages, and diuided the Vinyard of the Lord.

Remedie. To chuſe and nominate good and holy perſonages, that ſhall bee of requiſite eſtate and quallitie, to ſerue God in thoſe places, that ſhall commit good Priors to giue good example, and helpe to reforme, therevnto imploying the ayde of the arme, and force of iuſtice, that from this time forward, all Harpies & wilde Boores, which ſpoyle Dauids Vinyard, auoyde and depart from all ſuch holy, conſecrated, and appoynted places. And to this ende, let informations and decrees bee made againſt them: thoſe that detaine Abbeyes, and are not of that quallitie, and thoſe that vſurpe and detaine the goods, tithes, and other reuenues, and according to the informations, let proces bee made, as againſt ſacriledges and rauiſhers of the riches that belong vnto God and to the poore.

The Commanders.3. Diſorder. Thoſe that were called by our Sauiour vnto the Miniſtrie, for the eaſe of the Apoſtles, which are Prieſts and Vicars, whoſe ſeruice is ſo neceſſary in the Church of God, is at this day the moſt miſerable, and moſt afflicted order. They are driuen and caſt out of their houſes by the Catholicques, and where they are ſuffered to continue, their goods are robbed and taken away, they are ſpoyled and ſacked, or elſe conſtrained to giue part to him that is ſtrongeſt: the ſouldiers conſume them, the Lords of the places apropriate their tithes, and the people will not pay the duties belonging vnto them, both by humane and diuine lawes. Remedie. Faults of the Cleargie.That it will pleaſe the king, adding vnto the ordinances, concerning this poynt made in the laſt Parliament, that it may againe bee inioyned vnto all Gouernours of places, and Atturneyes for his Maieſtie, euery man in his iuriſdiction, yearly to ſend proceſſe verball vnto the Parliament, containing the names of the Vicars, with a teſtation from euery of them, touching the poſſeſsion and inioying of their goods, and what is kept or withholden from them. And becauſe diuers poore Vicars dare not openly complaine, let it be inioyned vnto the Gouernors & Atturneyes for the king ſecretly to inquire and informe of the vſurpation that is made vpon the ſaid Eccleſiaſticall perſons.

The alienatiō of Church-liuings.4. Diſ. The riches conſecrated to God, and giuen to him, his Alters and his Prieſtes, the goods that belongeth not to thoſe that fell it, is ſold, withdrawn, & alienated, thereby to conſume and bring to nought the Eccleſiaſticalleſtate: the goods of the Church is not to bee alienated, for any cauſe or occaſion whatſoeuer, or with what authoritie ſo euer it is done, it belongeth vnto God, it is ſacriledge to lay hands vpon it, if it belong to the ſpiritualtie, whether it be in propertie or vſe, it is no point of iuſtice to incroch vpon it, ſpecially without their conſent, but it belongeth to them both.

Saint Auguſtin and diuers other good fathers, permitted the ſelling and alienating of the goods of the Church, for the redeeming of Captaines, and to releeue the poore, but that was the holy veſſels, mooueables, and the mony of the treaſurie: but touching the immooueables, that was neuer known, one onely Charles Martell, ſpotted and defaced his memorie by a horrible ſerpent found within his tombe, becauſe he attempted to ſell the goods and immunities of the Church. So great warres againſt the Albigeois, ſo great neceſsities and warres againſt the Engliſhmen, could neuer breake open this Paladion, which the ſuggeſtion of ſecret and couert Huguenots hath inuented.

Remedie. That it would pleaſe the king, to graunt vnto the Cleargie, the perpetuall reſtoring of the goods of the Church that are ſolde, repaying the iuſt value, with all coſts and charges, and that ſuch as heereafter ſhall venture to ſell or buy the goods of God and the Church, ſhall now & at altimes bee declared and accounted, both vniuſt ſellers, buyers, detainers, and occupiers, with this clauſe, to bee bound to the reſtitution both of the principall and the profits.

The great number of Benefices. The vſurping of Hoſpitall rene •• es.5. Diſorder. The pluralitie of Benefices, for that as no man can ſit vppon two ſeates, ſo all Eccleſiaſticall perſons, well and truely to diſcharge his dutie, cannot holde two benefices, which require two Miniſters, hee cannot pronounce the word of God in two places at one time, which is principally vnderſtood by two Biſhoppricks, or two Curates, that haue charge of mens ſoules, and conſequently require a continuall reſidence.

Remedie. To cauſe the Councell of Trent to bee obſerued, which hath ſo amply prouided for reformation of the Eccleſiaſticall eſtate, togither with the maintenance of faith and Catholicque religion.

6. Diſorder. The manifeſt ſacriledge of ſuch as detaine and vſurpe the reuenues of Hoſpitalles, Spittle-houſes, and others goods deſtinated and appoynted for the vſe of the poore, founded for the eaſe of Townes, Villages, and Burrows, and of all the people. The goods of the poore in diuers places, are applyed to the vſe of Lay-men, to the communalties of Townes, to the common charges thereof: to voyages, and proceſſes: yea apropriated to the priuate vſe of diuers men, a great hinderance to the poore, and vnwoorthy the name of Chriſtians in this Realme. Hoſpitalles haue beene made and erected vnder Cathedrall Churches and Biſhoppricks, to the end that Prelates and Paſtors ſhould haue the care thereof: but ſince charitie is conuerted into auarice, the charge and adminiſtration hath beene tranſformed to the Layetie.

Remedie, if it pleaſe the Layetie to continue this charge, and that the later ordinances ſeeme fitter then the ancient conſtitutions, at the leaſt, let the ſpiritualtie bee preſent at the diſtribution and yeelding of account, to ſee and vnderſtand the fidelitie and dutie that ſhall bee vſed towards the poore, and to reforme the abuſes, ſacriledges, and vſurpations, that therein are vſed.

7. Diſorder. In times paſt, no man might bee admitted to the place of commander Knights of the order of Ieruſalem.ouer the order of the knights of S. Iohns in Ieruſalem, not being noble borne, and that in the third degree, & by order of antiquitie, now that goodly order of degrees of antiquitie, which procured a hope vnto young men, (as new fruite vnto the ſpring) to attaine vnto that honor in their Automie, hath been broken by the entrie made by certaine Princes, by fauour and greatneſſe of their houſe. If this diſorder had onely reſted, it had been a thing ſomewhat tollerable, and that might haue couered it ſelfe by greatneſſe and authoritie. But now, that by this conſequent, this diſorder is induced (like the linkes of a chaine following one the other) to all perſons indifferently without conſideration of antiquitie, nor any other reſpect but of fauour, or rather (as I may ſay) of importunitie, the ſuddaine ouerthrow of this goodly order is like to enſue.

Knights of S. Iohns of Ieruſalem. Remedie. The king knowing the honour of this order, that hath coſt ſo many mens liues, to defend the name of Ieſus Chriſt againſt the Turkes, Moores, and Barbarians, that hath aduanced the croſſe, throughout all the Mediteranean ſeas, euen into Affrica, ought to ſuffer or permit that it ſhould bee leſſened or imbaſed by theſe diſorders, but rather preſerued to the glory of God, and the honour of this Realme.

Deceiuing of the Ʋniuerſities.8. Diſorder. The Schooles and Vniuerſities, depending vppon the care and adminiſtration of the Church, which yeelde the Miniſters of doctrine and word of God, now are full of diſorders and licentious perſons, by the meanes and miſchiefes of warres and rebellions.

Of iuſtice & faithfulneſſe. Remedie. His Maieſtie, according to the wiſedome and loue that is ingrafted in his minde towards learning and vertue, ought to chuſe and name capable perſons for this reformation, long time deſired, ſo many times promiſed, and ſtill vnperformed.

Diſorders i •• the eſtate among the Nobilitie.1. From thence hee turned to the capitulation of the diſorders knowne to bee in the Nobilitie, the valiant and generous French Nobilitie (ſaith hee) hath continually beene the terror of all nations, and the nations adioyning, that haue addicted themſelues to the profeſsion & exerciſe of knightly proweſſe, confeſſe & acknowledge to haue learned it of the Frenchmen: theſe valiant French knights haue preſerued the honour and vertue of France, as long as it was reſpected and had in honor, but ſince, that in ſtead of Nobles, there hath beene new introductions taken out of the Common people, and that they haue been raiſed to the honour due vnto the Nobilitie, and of ſuch men which commaund ouer companies of men at armes, it hath wholly altered and changed the glory of this French Chiualrie, and many haue degenerated from the vertue of the aunceſtors, & obſcured their renowne, ſome vſing trades and trafficques of Marchandiſes, keeping in their houſes, & not going into the field, other giuing themſelues to ſpoyling of the poore, to almaſſe corne, to take and apropriate benefices, and other goods belonging to the ſimple people, and to deſtroy their neighbours and tenants, in ſuch ſort,Aduertiſement to the Nobilitis. that diuers others, more valerous and vertuous, beholding the manner and behauiour of many of theſe Gentlemen, beeing greeued to haunt the company of ſuch men, had rather imploy their times in the warres, with the king and his Lieftenants, vertuouſly to oppoſe themſelues, and ſhew the effects of their valor, then to be in the company of thoſe in whom there remaineth but onely the name and ſhadow of Nobilitie.

Remedie. The King, which is the head and father of Nobilitie, ought to reerect that goodly order of knighthood, ordained by his predeceſſors, to reſtore decayed trees, and to refreſh and renue it, pruning the vnprofitable branches, and ſo to reduce into ſuch order and forme, and with ſuch Diſcipline, that the people may not bee oppreſſed, and to that end, cauſe certaine ſtipendes to bee yearely payde for the maintenance thereof.

Exceſſe in wen of warre2. Diſorder. The crueltie, violence, and rapin of ſouldiers is ſo great, that there is no difference in them from the fury of Barbarians, beeing Conquerers of their enemies, there is nothing elſe but fire and blood, that haue entered into diuers places of this Realme, but to beate, binde, ranſome, impriſon, ſacke, violated women and maides, to pull yong children from their mothers breaſts, ſpoyle, breake, rent, and throw the goods of poore people vnder the horſe feete, and to beare away the reſt, to leaue the wife and children in great miſery without bread,Nonfacile in officio poteſt miles cōtineri abco qui neceſſaria nō ſub miniſtra. Xenophon. following after their husbands and fathers: and horſes led away by them, is an ordinary thing among ſouldiers: theſe euills happen partly for want of pollicie and commandement, and partly for want of paye and good order, and diſtribution of the treaſures of this land. To leade ſouldiers into the warres without mony, is properly to make them become theeues, and whoſoeuer beareth armes, and hath no maintenance, hee muſt needes haue ſome by what meanes ſoeuer it bee.

Euill gouerning of treaſures.3. Diſorder. Treaſures euill gouerned, are like water powred into a ſiue or baſket, which preſently runneth out, and neuer is filled: as to the contrary, the better and more certaine reuenue conſiſteth in landes. The immoderate leuyings of monies, which are drawne from the people, are compared to the Milt with in a mans bodie, which the more it filleth and ſwelleth, the more it deſtroyeth and drieth the reſt of the bodie, and in the end killeth it.

Remedie. The cauſe or pretence of ſuch leuyings of mony, hath beene the warres ingendred by hereſie and diuiſion: and ſeeing that warre is the cauſe of the ouerthrow of the people, it muſt be brought vnto an end, and by the ayde and helpe of all this Realme, ſeeke a finall remedie to this miſerable diuiſion, without deferring it ſo long to the vtter vndooing of the people.

Corruption in gouernmēt4. Diſorder. Among other miſchiefes, which war indureth, it hath corrupted both lawes, manners, and pollicie, it hath bred a maruellous diſorder in iuſtice: Iudges are bound to giue iudgement according vnto the lawes, as they haue ſworne and promiſed at their admitting.

Neuertheleſſe, part of the Iudges at this day, haue ſo great a pride in themſelues, that they affirme themſelues not to bee bound to iudge according to the laws written by the Iuriſconſules, that they are not bound to the imperiall lawes, but onely in thoſe poynts which they find not decided by the ordinances royall (which haue handled but fewe cauſes touching lawe: but onely containe certaine generall conſtitutions) they will iudge according to their owne equities, and therein, as euery mans wit and ſence ſerueth him, ſo many heades, ſo many opinions, ſo many ſoueraigne Courts, ſo many ſentences and iudgements.

Frō thēce proceedeth the cōtrarietie of ſentēces, & diuerſitie of iudgemēts, in one cauſe, and in one matter, whereby the poore ſuters fall into an infinit of charges, and continuall ſutes.

This miſchiefe happeneth many times by the ignorance of youth, which runne to ruine by preſumption and philautie: for that ſuch as are learned in the lawes, and that haue a good conſcience, take paines to ſatiſfie their offices, and to limit their zeale of iuſtice according to conſcience, and the doctrine they haue attained vnto. Otherwiſe there ſhould bee no difference betweene the Iudge and the Artificer, but onely in the gowne and the cappe, togither with their pattents receiued from the king.

Remedie. This ſore cannot bee healed, but by good and faithfull examiners in ſoueraigne Courts, for they do lightly prooue and ſound the depth of the learning of ſuch as preſent themſelues to bee admitted, they throwe iuſtice and the ſubiects of this Realme, into the waters and puddles of errors and ignorances, from whence they cannot get out. But if it were permitted vnto young men (by their Parents) to ſtudie the time in that caſe appoynted, without taking them from the Vniuerſities, as fruite from a tree before it is ripe, to place them in the ſeate of Iuſtice, this would bee a great meanes to make them capable, but the ambition of fathers at this day is ſo great, and they are in ſuch feare to leaue their children without offices, that they had rather therein, ſee them vnwoorthie and deridid, then wiſe and honoured: which partly to remedie, all reuerſions muſt bee cut off, and no more graunted.

The ſale of Offices.5. Diſorder. The corruption that is vſed in iuſtice, by the ſale and infamous building of offices belonging to the ſame, a great ſhame to this eſtate, and in our time time, wherein this Realme onely among all Monarchies and Potentates, yea the moſt barbarous, iuſtice and the Iuſtices office is ſolde by publike authoritie, and giuen to him that offereth moſt, although he be the moſt vnwoorthie. The excuſe is made vppon the publike neceſsitie of this Realme, as if the ſale of offices, the mony whereof, for the moſt part, is diſpoſed and goeth to the receiuers, that inrich them, that ſmal ſumme which is clearely left, can be ſo great maintenance to the Realme from this firſt ſale of offices, which is done by publike authoritie, enſueth a conſequence which ſeemeth to bee naturall, yet very euill, that whoſoeuer hath bought an office by great, may ſell iuſtice by retale, to make vp his mony. From thence proceedeth the corruption of Iudges, that euen as at the entery into their offices they are forſworne, affirming that they neither gaue nor payde any mony to attaine the ſame, they become much more periured in their conſciences, betraying and ſelling iuſtice, drawing vppon them the curſe of Iudas, the perpetuall trembling of Cain, and the Leproſie of Cieſi, with other ſuch like executions and maledictions. It is the corruption and damnation of the wicked Iudges, which maketh honeſt men abſtaine from the places, and yet ſome of them how honeſt ſoeuer they ſhewe, they haue ſome ſparke of couetous deſire, to handle ſpices and ſweete ſugar, yet much more bitter then the hony of Sarde. And as this ſale of offices, hath increaſed a great number of Iudges, Councellors, Atturneyes, Clarkes, and Soliciters, whereof there are ſo many, that make their aduantage by ſucking the treaſure & blood of the people, that it is well knowne, that lawe coſteth the people of this Realme, twiſe as much more as all the tallages: and not onely the common people, but alſo the Nobilitie and great perſonages, whereby many good houſes are ouerthrowne.

Remedie. Is the reducing and ſurpriſing of this great number of Iudges, to the ancient, iuſt, and firſt number, and the interdiction of the ſale of offices, by publike and perpetuall lawe.

The Archbiſhop of Bourges hauing ſet downe the other diſorders that ſpring, and haue their iſſues out of the firſt, he beſought the king to take order therein, by a good and perfect reformation, which ſhall cauſe the people to increaſe, iuſtice to flouriſh, and aſſure the tranquilitie of this Realme, to make it continue as long as the moone continueth in the Elements: and ſo hee ended his Oration.

The Oration for the Nobilitie.The ſame day Charles de Coſſe, Counte de Briſſac, Lord of Eſtland, Great-Panetier and Falconer of France, who after the death of the Duke of Guiſe, had reobtained the kings fauour, and continued in the honour which before hee had to bee Preſident of the Nobilitie of France, beganne his Oration, and hauing excuſed his inſufficiencie, he aſſured himſelfe, that the king conſidering, that the profeſsion of a Gentleman conſiſteth more in deede, then in word, hee would with his Graces fauour, couer the imperfection of his diſcourſe, and that as in the diſputation betweene two Muſitions, Piton and Cephiſeus, Pirrus gaue iudgement, that Pelibercon was the better Captaine: ſo his Maieſtie hearing the thundering eloquence of Monſieur de Bourges, and Monſieur Bernard, would iudge him but to be a ſouldier: which done, hee ſaide: That the long raigne of the king, had ſufficiently ſhewen, that it is not the hand of fortune, that haue inuironed the forehead of his Maieſtie with a double Diademe, but God, that hath eſtabliſhed him for our King, and that before, choſe him for Monarch of a people further diſtant, not for the greatneſſe of his royall linage, nor for the vniuerſall ſignes and tokens of the valour of Frenchmen, but for the pietie, faith, clemencie, and magnanimitie, wherewith it hath pleaſed his gracious goodneſſe, to haue adorned his Maieſtie in his moſt tender yeares.

That it is ſufficiently knowne, that in his raigne onely, the heauens haue not permitted the birth of ſo many miſchiefes, but that during the times of great kings his predeceſſors, hereſie, ſchiſme, diſorder, and diuiſion, hath entered into the peoples hearts: and that we muſt beleeue, that God hath cauſed him to bee borne in the middle of the troubles of France, reſeruing vnto him that hath ſupported the paines and trauels, the honor and glory vnto ſo iuſt a labour: to the end, that by the hands of ſo famous a Prince, France hauing proſtrated it ſelfe vnto the furies of hereticques, may not onely be ſuccoured, but reuenged: not ſaued, but increaſed: not flouriſhing, but eleuated aboue all nations: and that from this triumph ſo much deſired, his Maieſtie ſhall reape the honour: his eſtate the principall good, and all the people of Europe bee participants to this happie chance, it beeing an aſſurance vnto his Crowne, the moſt aſſured ſtay of all Chriſtendome.

The memorable victory of the • ing againſt the Rutters.That the victories which France deſireth to ſee his Maieſtie obtaine, ſhal be but a continuation of the ouerthrow by him giuen to that great and ſearefull armie of Rutters, Switzers, Lanſquenets, and French Huguenots, which by the good conduction & vigilacie of his Maieſtie, receiued more ſhame and loſſe, then it hoped to reape in riches & honour: and the Switzers found more fauour and mercie, then before they had ſhewed boldneſſe and deſire to doo him iniurie: thoſe that were ſaued, returning like trumpets of his renowne, publiſhing the honours, praiſes, and victories of his Maieſtie.

That now the prayers, teares, and trauels of auncient Frenchmen, ſeemed to aske vengeance againſt thoſe, that after ſo many religious times, haue violated the Sepulchers of their fathers and ours, who by fire, furie, and rage, would pull from among vs, this onely religion which thoſe holy fathers had planted throughout the world.

That of all reprobates, there can bee no ſect found, that is ſo dangerous nor abhominable, as that of the Hugunots, and as their impietie is extreame, ſo ought their puniſhment to bee the like.

That it is knowne, whether the furie of the enemie be greater, then the diſorders are deplorable, which are found to bee in the Church, by negligence, ignorance, confidence, and abuſe.

And proceeding to ſhewe the affection and zeale which the Nobilitie continueth in the aſsiſtance of the King, to remit religion and the ſtate in their firſt ſplendure, and with the price of their liues, following the example of their elders, and the hereditary generoſitie of ſuch as haue driuen out and vanquiſhed the Gothes, Vandales, Arrians, Albigeois, Lombardes, Sarazins, and Pagans, that haue purſued the defence of the faith, and victories of the kings of France, from the furtheſt parts of the Ocean Seas, farre beyond the Weſterne, and that haue not left any place for the reputation of their honours, within the compaſſe of the circle of the ſunne: hee beſought his Maieſtie, to fauour the antiquitie of the priuiledge & right belonging to the Nobilitie, in them to acknowledge the ſeruices done vnto his predeceſſors:The proweſſe of auncient Frenchmen, to reforme the rules and militarie ordinances of the Kings his aunceſtors: not to permit, that any by mony or fauour, may attribute vnto himſelfe the name of a Gentleman, to maintaine the priuiledges of the order of the knights of Saint Iohns of Ieruſalem, to cut off the ſuperfluities: in iuſtice to moderate his ſubſidies: order his treaſures: reeſtabliſh the Magiſtrate: ordaine an order and pollicie among ſouldiers: cauſe the Church to bee reformed: and to puniſh the enemies of our holy religion. And ſo wiſhing a thouſand proſperities to the king, and peace vnto his ſubiects, hee ended his Oration.

The compl ••• ts of the third eſtate. The agreement of ſubiects to the kings obedience. Hereſie and ſchiſme. Monſieur Bernard Councellour of the Parliament in Dyon, preſented the complaints of the third eſtate, beginning his Oration with a ſolemn thankſgiuing, for the promiſe made by his Maieſtie, fully to execute the holy Edict of vnion, written, marked, & pointed vnto by the finger of god, by the which hereſies ſhall bee driuen away, as cloudes that are diſpearſed by the ſunne: exhorting all the townes and ſubiects of this Realme, beſides this vnion in one onely religion, to enter into an other vnion & good intelligence for the ſeruice of the King, continuance of his dignitie, and in defence of the good of the eſtate: euery man remembring, that the Prince is giuen of God to commaund, and the ſubiects to obey. Hee diſcouereth all the infirmities of this polliticque bodie, which beſide the vlcer of hereſie and partiallities, haue moſt ſtraungely corrupted this Realme.

Blaſphemies are naturall and ordinarie ſpeeches among diuers Frenchmen: adulterie is a ſport: coniuration is a ſubtiltie of ſpirit: curioſitie, honeſtie, and ſimonie, a common trade of marchandiſe.

Simony.Simony is not onely a ſpirituall Leproſie of the Church, but a poyſon which inniſibly is taſted by the Nobilitie, and a contagion which intecteth the third eſtate. The Gouernments of townes, places and Caſtles, are committed to meane Gentlemen: the ſuretie of the Inhabitants of a place of importance, is expoſed to the hazard of the meanes and riches of a Captaine euill affected. The moſt ignorant beeing rich, obtained the chiefeſt places within this Realm, mē are rather known by the goldenneſſe of their eſtates, then by their vertues, knowledge, and wiſedome, and haue nothing but an officers gowne to hide and couer their ignorance. So the beautie of Iuſtice is darkened, the elections of benefices and offices violated, good cuſtomes peruerted, vertue baniſhed & exiled, vice in authoritie, and rapin marcheth throughout the Realme with Enſignes diſplayed.

The diſorder in warres.The inſolencie of horſemen, the violence of ſouldiers, who like mad men and patrticides, haue pilled, torne, murthered, violated, and ſacked this countrie of France: our Common-wealth haue ſpoyled the villages with ſo barbarous hoſtilitie, that moſt part of the lands are vntilled, firtile places become deſarts, houſes voyde, and the flat countrie vnpeopled, and all things reduced into a moſt fearefull diſorder.

The Partiſans.Warre is not onely made among the people, by ſouldiers inrolled and preſt by the kings cōmiſsiō, but alſo by another ſort of enemies, that haue no leſſe troubled his ſubiects, then an armie of Rutters, which are the partakers, ſuch as by importunitie, gifts, and inuentions of new tallages, haue drawne the treaſures of this Realme into their coffers, and made the people readie to begge, thoſe are the deuiſers of ſibſidies and new Edicts, the executors of extraordinary commiſsions, buyers and fellers of offices, vermine of men, hatched by harpies, bred vp in one night, who by their deuiſes haue fretted this Realme, euen to the very aſhes of houſes.

They march proudly incredite, with the Seargent at their heeles, at their word to execute the kings ſubiects, with ſummons in their hands, to conſtraine the conſciences of the good, and to violate the authoritie and religion of ſoueraigne Courts, by croſsſing of payes, and interdictions of entries. Many Edicts haue been verified, and regiſtred with theſe words, by commaundements diuers times reiterated in good and iuſt Edicts, the commandements of the ſoueraigne Prince is not neceſſarie.

Treaſures euil imployed.That if ſuch and ſo great nouelties and oppreſsions, neuer ſeen nor heard of in France, had been deuiſed for the profit and commoditie of his Maieſtie, the complaints againſt them were neither iuſt nor reaſonable, but the ſouldiers haue bene without maiſters, and not payd: the wages of officers leſſened, and the treaſures ſpent and conſumed. And yet they go about to deuiſe new ſubſidies and receipts of mony, but vpon whom? vpon a poore countrieman, robbed, and naked, and turned into his ſhirt, for ſo wee may terme the people of France.

And after this Orator had ſhewed, that there reſted no ſurer nor better remedie againſt thoſe diſorders, then to require an account of thoſe who by the oppreſsion and impoueriſhing of the ſubiectse haue heaped vp ſo much riches, then to free himſelfe from the practiſes and falſe perſwations of certaine euill Councellours, religiouſly to execute, and violably to obſerue his ordinances, and not to content himſelfe only to ſee them publiſhed and imprinted, without cauſing them to bee practiſed, by a prompt and continuall exerciſe, hee concludeth his learned and long Oration, by demaunding the concluſion of the eſtates, ſaying.

Sorrow for the death of the Queene mother.ANd therefore moſt noble Prince, we humbly beſeech you, that the eie of your prudencie may alwaies be open, for the defence of your poore people, and the vnburthening and comfort thereof, and that your good reſolutions, may in no ſort be altered nor changed. Wee hoped that by a long life, the Queene your moſt wiſe and moſt honourable Ladie and mother, ſhould therein haue been a great furtherance vnto vs, by the proofe and experience that France hath had of her ſo good and profitable Councels, but ſeeing her daies are finiſhed, and that her dignitie of a Queene and Princeſſe, graunted her not the priuiledge to prolong her yeares, neither yet to promiſe her further reſpite, the will and pleaſure of God, with the neceſsitie of a tombe muſt ſerue you for a conſolation and patience, and hope that her happie ſoule will make prayers in heauen, that ſhall be more certaine and profitable vnto your Maieſtie and the eſtate, then all the counſels in the world.

In the meane time, we will haue our recourſe vnto the fauour and good will of the Queen your moſt deare ſpouſe, in whom your ſubiects haue beholden ſo much ſhining light of deuotion, pietie, and chriſtian vertues, that they expect by her meanes, the comfort by them hoped for, with a confirmation of your good and iuſt intents, ayded and aſsiſted by thoſe of the Catholicque Princes of your blood.

The reſt dependeth partly vppon your chiefe Iuſtice, and the Keeper of your Seales, who beeing choſen for his deſerts, and by the certaine report of his integritie, wee hope will not permit that ſuch ordinances which are made within his time, ſhould bee violated and broken, as it were at the ſame inſtant.

Which dooing, wee will no more lament the holy raignes of auncient kings, wee ſhall not neede to ſpeake of the iuſtice of Charles the great, Saint Lewis, nor Philip Auguſtus, much leſſe will wee make account of the fatherly affection of king Lewis the twelfth.

Our bookes ſhall onely bee filled with your wiſedome, iuſtice, clemencie, and loue: the heauens ſhall open, to place vppon your heade a Crowne of great proſperite: God will giue you the grace to ſee your poſteritie, which in valour ſhall cauſe the name of Valois to increaſe a name, the onely continuation whereof, will procure the welfare and honour of France.

Further, the ſweeteneſſe of ſo happie a ſeaſon, and the enioying of the fruits by vs hoped for and expected to proceed from the concluſion of this Parliament, will confirme vs in the ſeruice that wee owe vnto your Maieſtie, the which by vs is newly aſſured, by a ſolemne oath made in open aſſembly of all the eſtates, and regiſtred for a perpetuall lawe, in all fidelitie, to loue, honour, and obey your Maieſtie.

And becauſe that time repreſenteth it ſelfe, wherein wee may make proofe of the effects of our good wils, and that otherwiſe the want of means, commandeth diuers of vs with ſpeede to depart from hence. I am expreſly charged to beſeech your Maieſtie to graunt vs leaue, to the ende, that beeing in our Prouinces, ſome of vs will bee meſſengers of your moſt holy and laudable inſpirations: others by the authoritie of Magiſtracie which they beare, may there cauſe you to bee obeyed: and that all of vs togither with mutuall minds and certain concord, may withdraw ourſelues out of a common perill, and yeeld you certaine teſtimonie that we are and will continue, moſt faithfull, moſt humble, and moſt obedient ſubiects, vntill the laſt gaſpe of our liues.

The king, who for the ſpace of fifteene daies, had been ſolitarie, without reſoluing vpon the billes by the three eſtates preſented vnto him, perceiuing that the eſtates could not attend nor ſtay the full concluſion thereof, without great diſcōmoditie touching their own affairs, & that they beſoght him to haue licence to depart, hee vſed certaine perſwaſions rather then commaundements, to ſtay them for a time, vntill their billes ſhould be fully aunſwered, or at the leaſt, a certaine number of each Order to bee there, at the publication of his aunſweres and ordinances.

All the Deputies that were aduertiſed of the riſings that beganne to bee made within their Prouinces, and that vpon a ſuddaine all the Townes diſpoſed themſelues to dance after Paris, beſought him to depart. The king not deſiring to hold thē againſt their wils, cauſed a publication to be made of certaine articles touching ſome of the principall poynts of the billes put vp in partliament, which were the rebating of the fourth part of the balages, foreſeeing very well, that in ſo great a raiſing of armes, his poore people would bee ſo extreamely oppreſſed, that they could not paye all.

A diſſolution of the eſtates the 16. of Ianuary, 1589. Attempts of the League againſt the king.And thus the eſtates being diſſolued, a declaration was ſent vnto all the Prouinces, to aſſure them of his Maieſties good intention. The nineteenth of Ianuarie, there was publiſhed at Paris and in other places, a declaration from the Princes Catholicque Townes and Communalties, vnited togither with the three eſtates of the Realme, for preſeruation of religion and the peoples libertie, to whom they promiſed a diſcharge from a fourth part of the taxes, and of their fruites and increaſe: although hee one night well ynough ſaid, that the people of France had ſuffered greater extortion vnder the league in three yeares, then before they had done during the ſpace of three ciuill warres, and vnder the raigne of the three laſt Kings.

Further, the thirtieth of the ſame moneth, the Preſidents, Princes, Peeres of France, Prelates, Maiſters of requeſts, Councellours, Aduocates, and Procurors generall, Regiſters, Porters, Notaries, Solicitors, and Procurours of the Court of Parliament, to the number of three hundreth and ſixe and twentie, made a newe oath of vnion, ſigned by each of them in particular, ſome of them hauing thereto ſet their blood inſtead of Inke, the purpoſe and end whereof was, to perſecute the king by all meanes poſsible (without reſpect had to his dignitie, or any other conſideration) for the execution of Blois. The decree of Sorbonne before made, was alſo publiſhed, importing, that the people of France were freed and abſolued, from the oath of fidelitie and obedience made to Henry the third.

That the ſame people might lawfully and with good conſcience, arme and vnite themſelues, raiſe money, and make contributions, for preſeruation and defence of the Romain Church, againſt councels repleniſhed with all flagition, and the force of the king or his adherents, whatſoeuer. In that (affirmed they) hee had violated publike faith, to the preiudice of Catholicque religion, the Edict of ſacred vnion, and the naturall and proper libertie of the three eſtates of the Realme.The king firſt imployeth his pen before he draweth his ſword. The king perceiuing that the greater mildeneſſe he vſed in reducing theſe errants into the right way, the more they took bridle in mouth, to run whither ſoeuer their violent paſsions would tranſport them, ſcoffing at him, and attributing that affection which he bore to revnite them to himſelf, rather to a feare he had, of either retaining them as his enemies, or looſing them as ſubiects, vſed his authoritie, publiſhing throghout all the Prouinces, diuers declarations of his intention, as well againſt the Duke de Maine, the Duke, and Cheualier d'Aumale, heads of the rebellion, as likewiſe againſt the townes of Parris, Amiens, Orleans, Abeuille, and other their adherents. He therefore accuſed them of attempt againſt his perſon, of fellonie and rebellion: hee denounced thoſe heads and members all diſloyall, rebellious, attainted and conuicted of the crimes of fellonie, rebellion, & high treaſon, to their chiefeſt head: and diſgraded them, togither with their poſteritie, of all honours, if within the ſpace of one month they rendred not thē ſelues vnder his obedience. The terme ſet downe, was the beginning of March: but ſeeing that inſtead of repenting themſelues, they committed ſo many the more outrages, taking vp armes on all ſides, and that they practiſed out of the land, ſeized on his treaſure, vnder colour of Lieftenants general of the eſtate, cōfirmed pattents & commiſsions vnder a new ſeale, oppreſſed by incredible violatiōs, diuers prouinces ſtript into their ſhirts, many of his moſt faithfull ſubiects which would not adheare vnto them, without intreating much more graciouſly others, who had ſo greatly deſired and laboured the league. In briefe, that they had vſurped all poynts and prerogatiues of his royall Maieſtie, except the name and title of king, which they reſerued to an other opportunitie. He then reſolued alſo for his part, to put in readineſſe an armie to ſuppreſſe theſe inſupportable attempters. And for performance of this, he diſpatched letters pattents for conuocation and aſſembly of his Nobilitie and martiall power. Not long after, enſued an other Edict of the kings, by which he tranſlated to the towne of Tours, ſuch exerciſe of iuſtice as was wont to be performed in his Court of Parliament of Parris, inioyning them of that Court, to repaire incontinently to Tours, there to execute their offices. He made the like tranſportatiō of his chamber of accounts to the ſame place, and depriued Parris, with the other townes, of all offices, charges, dignities, and priuiledges, whom he would willingly haue made afeard, and won vnto himſelfe, before comming to armes. But all this was but a caſting of oyle into the fire. Exployts of the king of Nauar, who came afterwards to be king.The king of N. recouered of a daungerous diſeaſe hee had, a little after the death of the Queen-mother, determined for teſtimonie of his fidelitie towards the king, to croſſe (as far as in him lay) the diſeignments of the leaguers, hindring them from defacing any thing in thoſe places, which hee had meanes to aſſure, as well for ſeruice of the king, as for the reliefe of thoſe of the religion. Thus therfore he receiued into his protection, thoſe of S. Maixent & Millezay, he ſafegarded againſt ye league, Chaſtelleraut, Loudū, Ile Mirebeau, Viuonne, & other places adioyning. Afterwards he ſet forward euen into Berry, and tooke ouer the leaguers head the Towne and Caſtle of Argenton. And beeing returned to Chaſtelleraut, hee writ in the beginning of March, ample letters to the three eſtates of France, full of ſerious admonitions, that they ſhould giue ouer the League, and aduertiſing them, that if they proceeded in their euill counſels and determinations, he was minded, if the king ſo commaunded him, to take the field, with his friendes and followers, hoping that God would giue him the grace to breake many of their deſeignments, and to cut them off from their affaires & inuentions. He took into his protection and ſafegard, all ſuch towns & perſonages as would ioyne with him againſt the league, promiſing that in the townes he would ſuffer nothing to be innouated, neither in pollicie or church-affairs, except on ſuch conſiderations as ſhuld touch the libertie of euery one: hauing learned (ſaid he) for concluſion, that the true and onely meane of revniting people to the ſeruice of God, and eſtabliſhing pietie in an eſtate, is mildneſſe, peace, good example, not warre, nor diſorders, through which wickedneſſe and vices ſpring vp in the world. At the ſame time, the Towne and Caſtle of Angiers were aſſured to the king: but the Duke de Mercoeur brought almoſt all Brittaine in ſubiection to the partie of the league, with which Roane, Thoulouſe, & Lyons, were now ioyned, and Bourdeaux wanted not much of doing the like: but Marſhal de Matignon was faithful to the king, ſo that the leaguers and Ieſuites, were conſtrained to remooue from thence. During theſe commotions, debatement was made of a truce between the king & Nauar, to the ende they might more commodiouſly make head againſt the league,Debatement of truce betweene the two kings. which augmented euery weeke more & more. The K. minding to vſe Na. forces, without which hee could not doo much of himſelfe, offered and yeelded into his hand, Saumur for ſecuritie of his paſſage ouer Loire: by means whereof, in attending ratification of the truces, the king of N. cauſed all his troupes to paſſe ouer on this ſide of Loire, to ioine with the forces of Normandie, Maine, and other places which attended him, with intention to approach the Leaguers, and thus to eaſe them of the labour of comming any more to find him out in Gaſcon and Xaintongne, as before they had don. Afterwards the 18. of April, he proclamed wars againſt them, if they deferred any longer to lay aſide armes. But they ſhewed themſelues as little moued with this, as before by the kings letters patternts, by which he tranſlated the iuſtice & iuriſdictiō of the Great-maiſters, Inquiſitors, and Reformers generall, which was wont to be held in the Pallas at Parris, at the bench of the table of marble, to his Court of Parliament not long ſince eſtabliſhed at Tours. An enterpriſe on the kings perſon by the league, fruſtrated by the king of Nauars preſence.About the end of the ſame month, he publiſhed an Edict, declaring that al the mooueable & immoouerable goods of the Duke de Maine, of the Duke and Cheualier d'Aumale, and of thoſe which voluntarily dwelt and remained in the Townes of Parris, Thoulouſe, Orleans, Chartres, Amiens, Abeuille, Lyons, Mans, and of all other maintaining their partie, forfaited & cōfiſcated, minding that the mony riſing of the ſale therof, ſhould bee imployed in the charges of the war. Notwithſtanding all this aboue declared, the D. de Maine and his confederates, hauing their armie in readineſſe, made a ſelection of their reſoluteſt men, and marched into Vendoſmois, with an intentiō to ſurpriſe the K. in Tours, were he was weakly ynough garded: & beſides this, they had ſecret intelligēce both in the court & town.

The king of Nauarre beeing aduertiſed that this armie was in Vendoſme, and in the confines thereabout, determined to go to ſee them: and for this purpoſe, departed the eight and twentieth day of Aprill, with 400. Maiſtres, and a thouſand Harguebuziers on horſebacke, going ten long myles at one march. But beeing in the way to haue gone further forward, hee receiued newes that the king called him backe to his owne ſuccour, wherefore with all ſpeed hee turned head, and came to lodge at Maille vpon Loire, two miles from Tours, after hee had remained by the ſpace of 24. houres on horſeback.A peculiar order of Cauallere. The king preſently hearing of this arriual, was much eaſed at heart: for it was mightily ſeared, leaſt the Duke de Maine hauing taken S. Ouyn near Amboiſe, which he battered with two coluerins, wold haue come to ledge in the ſubburbs of Tours: the which ſo falling out, the K. had bin in euident danger of his perſon. On Sunday, being the laſt day of the month, the two kings viewed each other, in the paſſage from Pleſſy Parke to Tours, with mutuall demonſtration of all contentment. Free reſolution of the K. of Nauarre.The K. of Nauarre this day ſhewed a free and abſolute reſolution, which was wont with him to bee ordinarie. For Marſhall Hautmont being come to finde him out, and exhort him in the behalfe of the king, that he would come to him, incontinently he determined to go, laying aſide all ſuſpition, and reiecting diuers adnertiſements which had been giuen him, for ſlacking of this enterview thriſe pleaſing to the people, & profitable to the king. Truce between the two Xings.After that the two kings had for the ſpace of ſome daies cōmunicated togither, Vauar returned ouer to Loire, & lodged himſelf in ye ſubburbs of Saint Saphorin, afterwards the truce accorded betwixt them, was publiſhed throughout the town of Tours, after it had bin promulgated in the Court of Parliament, as was alſo the ſecond Edict or proclamation of war againſt the heads of the league and their adherents: who in the beginning retired themſelues towards Vendoſme: afterwards iudging ye the K. of N. was far off, about the 8. of May they ſet euen vpon the ſubburbs of Tours, drawne therevnto by their intelligence & faſtned skirmiſh: their ſuddain arriuall made an alarme in ye twon, wherin there was great trouble at the firſt, and with all ſpeed they ſent toward; the king of Nauarre, who was ſomewhat remote, willing him to make haſte. Cheualier, d'Aumale, arriuing there after the skirmiſh, lodged himſelfe neare the Prouoſt, hard by S. Simphorian, where in ſearching throgh the houſe, three or foure houres after, they found certaine ſouldiers which they broght vnto him, al whom before his own eyes he cauſed to be ſtabbed.Acts and Catholicke carriage of the leaguers. At the ſame inſtant wer 40. or 50. womē & maids foūd hiddē in a caue, who were all forced: as like wiſe they were in the reſt of the ſubburbs, yea, & euen within the Church of S. Simphorian, ſom womē & yong maids fled thither, as to a place of ſecuritie, were violated in the preſence of their husbāds, fathers, & mothers, whō theſe Catholicke leaguers cauſed to be aſsiſtāt to ſo horrible ſpectacles, the more to outrage & oppreſſe them. The day following, vpon the pauement of the Church were ſeen the beds, wheron the Vicar proteſted to haue ſeen thē hale womē and virgins. They broke opē the cheſts & defaced the windows of the temple, & ſtole away whatſoeuer there was, & after they had beaten flatling with their ſwords, the Vicar & chaplain whom they kept bound all night, they cut the cord that ſuſtained the pixe, to ſee whither it were ſiluer and gilt or no, but finding that it was but braſſe, they threw it in deſpite againſt the ground. In pilling & ſtealing they light vpō two chalices, whereof ye one was of ſiluer, the other of copper: ye of copper they left, ſaying in mockerie, that it belonged to the league or vnion, & made a conſcience ſo much as to touch it, but that of ſiluer, was denounced royall, or appertaining to the king: hereticall, and therefore conſequently of good price. The Church-boxe, wherein there was ſome ſiluer, the Copes and or naments of the Altar, with the Vicars robes and veſtments, were alſo found hereticall, and in this nature were carried away.

This Knight tooke for his ſpoyle, a verie young virgine of an honeſt ſ ••• lie, which was ſcarcely eleuen yeares old, being found within a barne, whom hee forced, holding continually his poniard at her throat, by reaſon of her reſiſtance, ſending her afterwards to his officers, to bee abuſed in the like manner. The day following in the morning, theſe leaders perceiuing that ſome bodie would quickly come to vnneſtle them, & that the kings ſuccors approached, made themſelues readie to diſlodge, and euery man to pay his Hoſte, ſet fire on his lodging, ſo that all the whole ſubburbe had been brought to duſt and aſhes, without the preſent ſuccour that thereto was giuen.

Other ſtimulations of the leagues exploits, againſt Romain Catholicke religion, where of they termed themſelues to be protectors.Now ſeeing I am entered into this diſcourſe, I will yet make a ſtep or two out of the way, and returne afterwards to the proſecuſion of this my collection. It is therefore to bee obſerued, that after the taking vp of armes, the league ſhewed no violence, but againſt the townes and boroughs of their owne partie, wherein perſons Eccleſiaſticall, noble, and vpright men ſuſpected to fauour the king neuer ſo little, were in all ſorts offered violence: that is to ſay, at Thoulouſe they cruelly killed the Preſident Duranti, and Dafis the kings Aduocate, both of them well affected to the Romaine Church.

Thoſe of the religion in Guyen and other places, had neuer more peace then during theſe outrages of the League. And it was then a common prouerbe: that the ſheepe then fed moſt ſecurely, when the wolues were at warres amongſt themrelues. It is impoſsible to ſet downe the ſacriledges, violations, blaſphemies againſt God, mockerie of all religion, but namely of the Catholicque Romaine, perpetrated in the leaguer Townes and in the countrie, by their troupes: their ſouldiers, wherof a part were Prieſts and Monks, all the time of Lent, in contempt of the Popes ordinances, whom they call the holy father, eate fleſh, yea euen in thoſe places where they had aboundance of fiſh. Diuers of them conſtrained Curates and Vicars of Pariſhes, by putting a dagger to their throates, to baptize (pardon mee, if I vſe this ſacred word in an act ſo execrable) calues, ſheepe, lambes, pigges, goates, chickens, and capons, and to giue them the names of pikes, carpes, barnobles, ſoles, turbots, and herrings. It was in diuers places and ſundrie Innes, that thus much was performed, while Sorbonne and the Preachers, thundred out againſt their ſouer • igne and lawful Prince, to rauiſh women and virgins within the Temples: to murther the poore priſoners hard at the Altar: to run away with the Challice, and to ſtrip the Eccleſiaſticall Officials, was the eſſentiall forme of a good and zealous Leaguer: if any alleadged that they were of the royall partie, among a number of examples, one ſhall ſuffiſe to diſcouer the Lyon (as wee vſually ſay) by his pawes. One of the moſt inſolent of the league, named Commeronde, had vnder him a Regiment of ſeuen or eight hundreth men, and hauing ouerrun, pilled, and forraged the whole countries of Aniou and Countie Laual, in the end of Aprill he lodged himſelfe in the Borough of Arquenay, appertaining to the Lord of Rambouillet, and diſtant three myles from Laual. There was in the ſame place a Temple (which they call a Church) as well furniſhed and ſet foorth as any in all the countrie, hauing been of long time inriched and indowed with many donatories, by the Lords of that place. The Inhabitants had not laid apart nor ſhut vp any one thing of their or naments, ſeeing they could not bee perſwaded, that vnder theſe goodly titles of zealous and vnited Catholickes, ſo many erronious offences might bee hatched: withall, diuers of the religion had paſſed by that way before, which did not ſo much as touch this Temple, nor athing that was therein.

But Commeronde, for his firſt warrelike exployt, burned the Gates of the Church: afterwards hee entered thereinto with his people, which wholly pilled and ſpoyled it, killed a poore man at the crucifix foot, becauſe he complained, that in the ſelf ſame place they had rauiſhed his wife in his own preſence: they eaſed their bellies within the holy water ſtocke, and in euery corner of the Church: and of robes, wherein were wrought certaine Aue Maries, they made garments for change, and ſetting foorth of their queanes. For the top and height of this exployt, they tooke the pixe of ſiluer, wherein there was foure and twentie hoſtes: one amongſt the reſt apparelled him-himſelfe in Prieſtlike habite, cauſed eighteene or twentie ſouldiers to fall downe vppon their knees, and hauing his hands yet full of blood and ſacriledge, diſtributed theſe hoſtes, throwing downe vppon the ground three or foure others that remained, which were troden vnder foote. At their departure they ſolde the Copes, banner, and relicques, to the Moonkes of Eurons: the Challices, lampes, boxes, and croſſe of ſiluer, to them of Vague: and not many daies after, they did as much at Thorigni. But expecting a particular Hiſtorie of the league, wherein ſhall bee found renued, all kindes of cruell and infamous Tragedies, let vs returne to the armie of the league, and to the Pariſians.

The revnion of the two Kings, made them ſee how it was time for the league to runne: for this cauſe the Councell generall of the vnion, addreſſed memorials, letters, and aduertiſements, both within and without the realm, of whatſoeuer they thought expedient, to aſſure and protect this building of confuſion. They ſent men and large inſtructions vnto Rome, to iuſtifie their actions, to demaund a legate from the Pope, to promiſe publication of the Councell of Trent, to obtaine and fauour on all ſides, through the interceſsion of the Pope and his Cardinals.

One of their packets was ſurpriſed by the way, ſo that their mynes by this meanes were blowen vp: neuertheleſſe their Deputies, who were the Commaunders of Diou, Councell our Coqueley, the Abbot of Orbais, and the Deane of Rheimes, went forward about the end of May. Other diſpatches were ſent to the leaguer Townes, for raiſing contribution: for whole Cartlodes of ſiluer was behoofull for the disburſments of ſuch young kings, to fill the coffers of others moſt greedie, for payments of ſome mens debts, and for the purchaſe of other ſummes, lands, and Lordſhips.

Exployts by the king againſt the league.In the meane while, both within and round about the townes, were infinit pillages, incourſions, thefts, and depredations performed: diuers of the royall partie were murthered heere and there. In euerie place there was extreame libertie giuen, and the furie ſeemed deſperate, that was vndertaken againſt the kings name. There was no longer any queſtion of a commotion in ſome ſmall circuite of a countrie, but a man might perceiue the fire of this reuolt, to haue taken hold in the foure corners, and even in the middeſt and heart of France: ſo furiouſly, as it is an horror to call it to mind. The king had from the beginning of Aprill, ſent forces hither and thither, and ſome towns not farre from Parris, remained yet at his commandement. Genlis, which had done homage to the leagne, was happily reduced to his obedience by the ſolicitation of ſome noble Burgeſſes, and this (becauſe it was but a little daies iourny frō Parris towards Picardie) was afterwards a thorn that mightily pricked the leaguers. Duke Mōtpenſieur being in Normādie with forces for the K. aſsiſted by the Lords of Halot, Creuecoeur, Baqueuille & Larchan, diſcomfited firſt the Garriſon of Fallaize, tooke three Captaines, hewed in peeces the greater part of the men, and diſpearſed the reſt. There he beſieged Falaize, and receiuing newes that Countie Briſſac, accompanied with two or three hundreth Gentlemen leaguers, ſome Prieſts: and fiue or ſixe thouſand men were comming to ſuccor, hee left the ſiege to go and meete them. Counte Briſſac diſconfited in Normandie by the Duke Montpenſier.They were lodged in three villages, two of which hee entered by force, killing all thoſe that ſtood out valiantly: the others neuer made offer of combat afterward: Briſſac himſelfe fled away with al the Caualleriers. The number of the leaguers then ſlaine, were 3000. and more: amongſt whom were many Gentlemen: the Conquerours had about one thouſand or 1200. priſoners, amongſt whom there were ſome thirtie Gentlemen, and of the principalleſt. This was a bad preſagement for the League. In Beauſſy by the Lord of Chaſtillon.A month after, or thereabouts, that is to ſay, the 18. of May, the Lord of Chaſtillon hauing paſſed Bagency with 200. horſe, & as many harguebuziers, vnderſtanding that ſome troupes of the Duke d'Aumale marched along to charge on the L. of Lorges, who ſcoured the high-waies, made forward towardes Bonneual with twentie Gentlemen, conducted by Fonquerolles, who encountred Arclenuille, commander within Chaſtres for the league. Hee would haue acknowledged them, but they charged him, and ſlew fiue of ſixe of his men euen hard at his elbow: ſo that galloping he retired, and gaue the alarme to the troupes of Picardie, ledde by the Lords of Sauenze and Broſſes, who had in their companie about 500. Gentlemen, beeing likewiſe followed by other Caualleries, to the number of 300. and a company of harguebuziers both on horſebacke and a foote, Sauenze caſt before his harguebuziers, placed his troupes of lanciers in wings, and without ſhrinking one whit came forward. Chaſtillon hauing made a ſtand, placed his infanterie, and made two ſtrengths of his horſe, returning on his left hand, Charbonniere and Haranbure, with their companies of light horſe: afterwards hee receiued the charge, wherevnto Sauenze ran brauely with a gallop of 30. paces long: his harquebuziers on horſebacke, hauing giuen their volley neare ynough. Chaſtillions foote receiued them, and (after the firſt diſcharge of their ſhotte) coupled with the horſe ye came to charge, killing diuers horſes with wounds they made in their flancks with ſwords, without any loſſes on their own part, more then of three ſouldiers. Sauenze, who skirtwiſe was oppoſed againſt the light horſe, made ſtraight forward, charging Chaſtillon with ſuch furie, as his firſt ranckes were broken, he ſhocked & born down to the earth, with 8. or ten Gentlemen, where there were but two or 3. lightly hurt, and 20. or 25. of their horſe ſlaine: Chaſtillon & his men recouered thēſelues, and fought couragiouſly on foote. Surce Harambure, and Fonquerolles, charged ſo fiercely Sauenze and his men, that they ouerthrew them, and broke their array in ſuch a ſort, as they were not able to revnite themſelues togither again, but were put to plaine flight and purſued: more then 26. Gentlemen hauing beene borne downe dead to the earth in the field. In the purſuite there was more then 60. ſlain, al their harguebuziers yt were left behind ouerthrown, two Cornets won, and fortie Gentlemen taken, part of them beeing wounded, and amongſt others, Sauenze, who being conueyed to Baugency, when his friends and familiars ſeeing him in danger of death, admoniſhed him to aske pardon at Gods hands, to confeſſe and communicate himſelfe, as alſo to craue mercie of the king, he could neuer be brought the revnto, by any reaſon could be laid before him, but died as a deſperate man. He bore in his Cornet the Croſſe of Lorraine, with a Spaniſh deuiſe in letters of gold: Morir omas contento. Oh rather content to die. There was in this skirmiſh ſome 25. or 30. ſouldiers, which in the ende of the fight were fallen into Chaſtillions hands, who deſired to ſaue them, and yet they choſe rather to be diſpatched in the field, then to ſweare that they ſhuld neuer beare armes againſt the king: all whoſe enemies at that inſtant come foorth of Picardie, were then ouerthrown. In the Ile of France by the Duke of Longueuille, at the ſiege of Sentys.At the ſame time, the town of Senlis beſieged by the Pariſians armie, vnder the conduct of the D. d'Aumale, hauing been furiouſly battered, ſuſtained and repelled a greeuous aſſault. And as the defendants were minded to capitulate, ſuccour was brought vnto them by the Duke of Longueuille, hee being followed by the L. of Boniuet, Humieres, la Noue, and others. Wherevppon battell enſued, in which the aſſaylants were defeated, about 1500. of them being ſlaine vppon the field in their flight and purſuite, as well by the Conquerors as by the Peſants. The league loſt alſo therin, their artillerie and all the baggage of their armie. Afterwards the D. de Maine attempted to win this place by practiſe, becauſe it ſo highly imported him, and by certaine treacherous Cannōs, Prieſts, & Monks within the towne, they entred in with 20. or thirtie Captaines, at an inſtant ſet downe, to cut off in the night a Corps de guard: and to further on their owne behalfe and eſcalado, his troupes approached verieneare, and ſome there were that came euen to the ditch, but the Corps de guard hauing then been lately relieued, and keeping good watch, they within durſt not ſhew themſelues, and one without aduenturing to approach, had his thigh brokē with a musket ſhot: when the alarme being giuen, the aſſaylants retired. This wounded man beeing taken, diſcouered the whole practiſes. The entred Captaines with the traitors, paſſed through the hands of the executioner: and Senlis hath euer ſince perſeuered in the obedience of the king.The king approacheth neare Paris with an armed power. The king incouraged by ſo many proſperous beginnings, determined to go forward: ſo that from the beginning of Iune, to the middeſt of Iuly, the war began to grow hot, and the principall intention of the king, was, to kill thoſe of Parris, aſſuring himſelfe, that after hee ſhould once haue tamed the great head of the league, all the others would incontinently yeeld to the yoake, and that he ſhould recouer again, which was maruellous ſtraunge and difficult for him, to wit, the loue and obedience of his ſubiects: who on the other part, fearing him as much as they hated them, practiſed alſo on euery ſide to maintaine their league, and to remaine in their inſurrections. This implacable war againſt him, was an occaſion that in the chiefeſt towns, but eſpecially in Parris, they ſpake not of this Prince, but as of the moſt execrable tyrant that had euer beene in the world. I and the Preachers ſolicited by certaine heades of the league, and for this effect, by them well payed with extraordinarie penſions, animated all in generall, & each one in particular, to run vpon him & kill him, in what maner ſoeuer it were: promiſing vnto the tirannicides, a place in Paradiſe aboue the Angels. Furthermore, they hotly and with diuers pollicies inſtigated a Moonke, of whō wee will preſently ſpeake, to performe a noble ſeruice to the league. Thus therefore the King being approached Parris, he planted himſelfe near Parris, wheras the Duke de Maine returned in haſt from about Tours, to oppoſe himſelfe to the Duke of Longueuille, was mightily hindered, perceiuing himſelfe to bee cut off in ſo many reſpects, and by enemies ſo puiſſant. His ſoldiers beganne to liue at pleaſure within the towne, the which the Pariſians felt impatiently ynough, but the meaner ſort durſt not complaine, and for the great ones, they put in practiſe the common prouerbe: vpon an euill game a good countenance muſt bee ſet. The king tooke incontinently Eſtampes. Exployts to the diſaduantage of the League.In the meane while, the Duke of Longueuille ioyning togither the troupes of Champaigne, & gathering to head in the confines of Chaſtillon vpon Seine, the Switzers and Lanſquenets which the Lord of Sancy conducted (who had raiſed war againſt the Duke of Sauoy, in the territories of Geneue, and hauing there ſtayed him) was marched into France. He made of all this power, a bodie of an armie of twentie thouſand men, or thereabouts. Afterwardes hee went to paſſe the riuer of Seine at Poiſſy, & ſhewed himſelfe before the king, who laied batterie to Pontoiſe, wherevppon the defendants yeelded themſelues the day following, being the 25. of Iuly, to a compoſition of 200000 Crownes, & a deliuerie of the moſt ſeditious, to the end they might receiue exemplare chaſtiſement. The K. afterwards followed by Nauar, went to welcome the Switzers armie, ranged in battell, and would needs paſſe through all the ſquadrons, with ſo great demonſtration of contentment, ioy, and entertainment to the heads, as that all of them likewiſe made manifeſt vnto him, the great affection they had to do him ſeruice. Hauing all his forces togither, which made a bodie of 45000. men, he marched preſently towards Parris, and with ſhot of cannon made himſelfe Maiſter of S. Clouis bridge. Attempts by the heads of the League, againſt the kings life.The Duke de Maine & other heads of the league, with their moſt confident friends, to the number of 46. within Parris beganne to renue their concels, and ſeeing the king ſo neare them, either to vrge them to battell, or elſe ſtraightly to incloſe them, and conſtrained the people to acknowledge him, iudged by that, in this progreſsion of the kings affaires, their own went to ruine, and that there was no other means left to ſtād out, being proclaimed guiltie of high treaſon againſt their chiefeſt head, then by executing ſome notable villanie in procuring the death of the King, their Maiſter, Benefactor, their Prince and ſoueraigne Lord. Some certaine weekes before, a young Iacobine Monke, called Fryer Iaques Clement, borne (as men report) in a village called Sorbonne neare Seins, a man drowned in all wickedneſſe, hauing paſſed through the handes of certaine confeſſors, and conferred with ſome Ieſuites & others, was for a kind of dexteritie obſerued in him, found meete to ſtrike ſo great a ſtroke. The murther entended of long time.He was vrged and put forward therein, and in the end the Duke de Mayene, the ſiſter of Montpenſieur and others, had conference with him in diuers places, they requeſted him to perſeuer in this good determinatiō, which they knew to riſe in him, by extraordinarie inſpiratiōs, to performe ſo renowmed a feruice to the holy vnion, the Catholicque Church, and his countrie. They promiſed him Abbotſhips, Biſhoppricks, & whatſoeuer he would deſire. He remained for certain daies, one whiles with the Duches Montp. Who amōgſt the Pariſiās was termed the holy widow: other whiles with his Prior, & ſometimes with the Ieſuites. This Monke drunk in his own furie, & with ſo many aluremēts, entertainmēts, promiſes, & proteſtations, of felicitie tēporal & eternal, reſolued with himſelfe, and promiſed to kill the king. The people, who thought nothing, nor knew not of their cruel practiſes, talked of yeelding themſelues, & had greatly rebated their ſpleene and collor. Surce, Duke de Maine, and thoſe of this complot, cauſed the moſt zealous Sorbonniſts & Ieſuites to preach, that they ſhould yet haue patience for ſeuen or eight daies, & they ſhould perceiue ſome wonderfull matter come to paſſe, that ſhould make well with the vnion. The Preachers of Roan, Orleans, and Amiens, preached the like at the ſame time, and in ſemblable termes. The Moonke hauing taken order for his complot, departed from Paris, & went towards S. Clou. So ſoone as hee was departed, the Duke de Maine cauſed more then two hundreth of the principalleſt Cittizens, and other rich men whom he knew to haue friends and credite with the kings partie, to be taken priſoners for a gage, to the end to ſaue his Moonke, if after hee had attempted or executed the fact, he were ſtayed or arreſted. The Monke being preſented to ſpeak to the king, the firſt day of Auguſt, ſaying yt he had letters from ye Preſident of Harlay, and credence on his part: the king cauſed him to be called into his chamber, where there was no other but the L. of Bellegarde, chiefe Gentleman of the ſame, and the Procuror general, whom he procured to retire apart, more priuately to giue eare vnto him, which addreſſed himſelf as it ſeemed, with a countenance very ſimple & demure. It is affirmed, that in the ſelfe ſame chamber, the Councels of the maſſacres in the month of Auguſt, the year 1572. were ſurpriſed, wherin the king, that then was D. of Aniou, was one of the chiefeſt. The Moonk perceiuing himſelf alone, & opportunitie put into his hād, cōfirming his countenāce more & more, drew out of one of ſleeues a paper which he preſented to the K. & out of ye other a knife, with which violētly he ſheathed a thruſt within ye kings ſmal ribs, he being attentiue to read, & who perceiuing himſelf woūded, plucked ye knife out of the wound, wherwith he ſtrooke ye Monke aboue the eie, & thervpō ſome Gentlemē came rūning in, who moued with the indignitie of ſo execrable a fact, could not contain, but killed the murtherer with their ſwords, who went to the place appointed for him, & was cannonized & adored by the league: but on the contrarie, deteſted of thoſe ye cleaued to the dignitie royal & partie of the religion. In the annagratiſme of his name, Frier Iaques Clemēt, were found theſe words in ſo many letters: C'eſt l'enfer qui m'acreè, which importeth: It is hel ye created or brought me forth. For ſo it ſeemed, that after this fact the furies themſelues were come out of hel, to ouerwhelme topſie turuie al France. The King being caried to his bed▪ the Phiſitians and Surgions applied vnto him his firſt dreſsing, and iudged that the wound was not mortal: by means wherof, the ſame day he procured writing and aduiſe to bee giuen of this attempt, as alſo of the hope of his healing and recouerie, as well to the Gouernours of Prouinces, as to Princes ſtraungers, his friends, and allies. But the ſoueraigne King hauing otherwiſe diſpoſed of the life of this Prince, took him out of the world about 3. of the clock in the morning the day following. A litle before his departure, hee ſpoke with a moderate and confirmed mind, named the King of Nauarre his good brother, lawful ſucceſſor to the Crowne, exhorted his good ſubiects to obey him, to remaine vnited, and to referre the difference of religion, to the conuocation of the Eſtates Obſeruations vpon the life of king Hienry the third.generall of the Realme, who would thinke vpon conuenient remedies for the ſame, to haue a care of religion and pietie, and to pray to God for him: vpon theſe words he gaue vp his ghoſt. Touching the inſolencies of the league within Parris and elſewhere after the kings death, an other Hiſtorie ſhal declare the ſame: for our intention is not to proceed any further in theſe collections. In this Prince failed the Kings of the race of Valois, which had raigned in France from the yeare 1515. to the yeare 1589. vnder their dominions, almoſt all the wonders of former ages had been renued. This laſt king was little bewailed of his ſubiects, by reaſon of many faults he committed in his gouernment and adminiſtration. The occaſion of them (without touching in any ſort, either his conſcience, or affaires of inſtice and pollicie) was, that in his polliticke gouernment hee could neuer well diſcerne, except too late, his friends from his enemies: and the deſire he had to lead his life in pleaſure, made him let ſlippe infinite exellent opportunities of prouiding for the good of France and other countries. His ſecuritie imboldened his enemies, both neare and farre of, within and without the Realme, to innouate much, and in that he would not lay to his hand when he ought to haue done, he at laſt found the gate ſhut againſt him, perceiued himſelfe driuen out of his own houſe, and thoſe whom many waies he had too much ſupported, eſtabliſhed in his place, who gaue him right downe blowes vpon his head, whereof he ſhould haue bin warie in time. Men talke diuerſly touching his departure, ſome iudging that he left the world too ſoone, in reſpect of France her good: others deeming the contrarie. Howſoeuer it was, his deceaſe was to the whole Realme a beginning of particular calamities aboue all the reſt, as the Hiſtorie of king Henry the fourth, of the race of Bourbon, will giue teſtimonie.

Heere endeth the troubles that happened in the raigne of Henry the third.

This is to giue the Reader to vnderſtand, that there is certaine Titles gone Henry the fourth, that ſhould haue bin Henry the third.

A BRIEFE RECITALL OF THE MOST MEMORABLE THINGS which came to paſſe in Fraunce, vnder the Raigne of Henry the fourth, ſince his firſt comming to the Crowne, vntill the middle of the yeare, 1598.

The Frenchmens diſpoſition after the death of Henry the 3. ALthough there were great ſorrow, greefe, and lamentation made in the royall armie, for the death of king Henry the third: as much ſigne of ioy and gladneſſe was there ſeene on the other ſide, among the leaguers throughout al the Citie of Paris for the ſame, in ſinging of ſongs, and making mocking times therevpon. The Duke de Maine with his Court, and many others, which ſince the execution of Blois, wore black ſcarfes in ſigne of ſorrow, did heerevpon caſt them aſide, and wore in ſtead of them, ſcarfes of hopeful greene. Then was there great feaſting, masking, and other ſportfull games made among them, wherein and whereby, the murthered king was curſed and banned in moſt horrible ſort.

At that time the image and portrature of the traiterous Moonke which kild the king, was by the commaundement of the chiefe of the league, artificially framed in Braſſe, and other paintings, wherewith they garniſhed both their houſes & Churches. Then was he cannonized, and among the ſuperſticious prayed vnto, as a new made Martyr, whom they called by the name of Saint Iaques Clement. All ſuch as were knowne to bee of any kin vnto him, were greatly inriched with almes gifts and publicke contributions. Councels of the league.The Duke de Maine, which as yet durſt not name himſelfe king, cauſed that title by proclamation to bee giuen throughout all Paris, to the Cardinall of Bourbon, beeing then priſoner, ſtamping mony and gold, as the coyne of king Charles the tenth. The Duke diſguiſing his vſurpation by his new and rediculous title of Lieftenant generall to the Eſtate and Crowne of France, and perceiuing that the declarations made by the lawfull king, did ſhake in the beginning of his proceedings, a great part of the league, publiſhed and ſent abroad an Edict dated the firſt day of Auguſt in his owne name, and the generall Councell of the holy vnion of Catholicques, eſtabliſhed at Parris, who ſtayed there for the aſſembling of the eſtates of the kingdome, to revnite (as he ſaid) all Chriſtian Frenchmen in the defence and conſeruation of the Apoſtolicque, Romane, and Catholicque Church, for the holding vp of the royall eſtate, expecting the libertie and preſence of king Charles the tenth.

Orders giuen to the king for the affairs of the armieKing Henry the fourth, which ſoone after the death of his predeceſſor, had ſignified to the Princes and Lords in the armie his full intent, vnderſtāding that many of the Nobles made diuers bad attempts, cauſed the principall of them to bee aſſembled, before whom hee called vnto mind, the recommendations of the oathes which the deceaſed king had cauſed him to make before them all, for the tranquillitie of the Realme after his hurt, perceiuing himſelfe to drawe toward his end. The firſt and chiefeſt poynt whereof, was to maintaine the Frenchmen in the libertie & exerciſe of the two religions: that is to ſay, the Romaine and the reformed Churches: vntill ſuch time as by a good and generall Councell it were otherwiſe determined. Theſe promiſes by oath he renued vnto them againe, which appeaſed the controuerſies. And becauſe hee might not ſecurely ſtay at Paris, by reaſon of this ſuddaine change, and the ſickneſſes which afflicted the royall armie, the king by aduiſe went into Normandie, as well to receiue the ſuccours which came from England, as alſo for the fortifying of certaine places and paſſages which was fit for his purpoſe. The league remooued on the other ſide, and then the Earle of Randan, one of the chiefeſt of them, had ſurpriſed in Auuergne the Cittie d'Iſſoire, about the tenth of Auguſt. The Parliament of Bourdeaux publiſhed a decree the 19. of the ſame moneth, whereby all thoſe of their ſide, were inioyned to keepe inuiolably the Edicts made by the holy vnion, concerning the Apoſtolicque, Catholicque, and Romaine Church, and all the declarations by them made. Three daies after that at Thoulouſe, tearing the picture of the deceaſed K. bodie in peeces, they ordained by an act, made by the generall conſent of the leaguers, that euery yeare vpon the firſt day of Auguſt, they ſhould in making proceſsions and publicke prayers, acknowledge vnto God the great benefits which as vppon that day they receiued by the fearefull death of Henry the third: whereby the happie deliuerance of Parris enſued, with many other diſtreſſed Cities in the Realme: forbidding al perſons to acknowledge Henry of Bourbon king of Nauarre to be king of France, whom that Court thoght a moſt vnfit man to ſucceed in the ſame kingdome, becauſe (ſaid the edict) of the notorious and manifeſt crimes expreſſed againſt him, in that bull of excommunication, which was giuen out by Pope Sixtus the fift.

His genealogie.The enuie of which partiall Parliament hath conſtrained mee once againe to ſet vnto your ſight in briefe ſort, the true genealogie of King Henry the fourth.

Lewis the ninth, ſurnamed the Saint, beeing the 44. king of France, came to the Crowne in the yeare 1227. and raigned till the yeare 1270. he had foure ſonnes, two of the which, namely Peter and Robert, died without iſſue, and before their father. The other twaine that ſuruiued, was Philip, and Robert the ſecond of that name. Philip ſurnamed the Hardie, & third of that name, ſucceſsiuely left theſe following: from the father to the ſonne: from brother to brother: and the neareſt of blood, to the neareſt of blood: Philip the fourth, called the Faire. Lewis the tenth, ſurnamed Hutin. Philip the fift, ſurnamed the Longe. Charles the fourth, termed the faire. Philip de Valois, Iohn, Charles the fift, ſurnamed the wiſe. Charles the ſixth, called the welbeloued. Charles the ſeuenth: Lewis the eleuenth: Charles the eight: all deſcending from Saint Lewis in the right line. Charles the fift, which makes the ſecond branch from the end of the firſt line, had two ſonnes: Charles Duke of Orleans, and Iohn Earle of Angouleſme. Charles the eight, dying then without children: Charles Duke of Orleans, ſucceſsiuely came into the right line, ſo that Lewis his ſonne was found the firſt heir, who alſo raigned after Charles the eight, who was ſurnamed father of the people, Lewis their dying without iſſue male, the right of inheritance came into the branch of Iohn Earle of Angouleſme, ſo that the lawe ſet the Crowne on the head of Francis the firſt, the Earles onely ſonne. And from Francis, it came to his ſonne Henry the ſecond, from whom ſucceeded orderly, Francis the ſecond, Charles the ninth, and Henry the third his childrē, one after the other, frō brother to brother. In this right line ended the laſt King of the race of Valois, who died without children. The law then tooke hold on the ſecond ſonne of Saint Lewis, named Robert, who was Earle of Clermont, and married with Beatrix, daughter to d'Archambaut of Bourbon: by her hee had one ſonne named Lewis, from whom the lands were made errigible, in Counte, the yeare one thouſand three hundreth twentie ſeuen. After this Lewis, ſucceeded Peter and Iames his ſonnes. Peter had one ſonne named Charles, Duke of Bourbon, and Conſtable of France, who was ſlaine at the taking of Rome, in the yeare one thouſand fiue hundreth twentie ſeuen. And in him, dying without iſſue male, ended the line maſculine of this branch. Iames his vncle, the ſonne of Lewis, had then a ſonne named Iohn, who eſpouſed Catherine Counteſſe of Vendoſme of Castres, and Ladie of Conde. This Iohn ſonne of Iames, had three ſonnes: Iames, Lewis and Iohn. The firſt & laſt, to wit, Iames and Iohn, left no poſteritie. Lewis ſonne of Iohn had two ſonnes, Francis and Lewis, the younger hath iſſue, the Duke de Montpenſier, who liueth at this preſent. The Prince de la Rocheſur-yon, the eldeſt of this branch died without children. The eldeſt named Francis the ſonne of Lewis, which eſpouſed Marie of Luxembourg, had three ſonnes: Charles, Francis, and Lewis. Charles the eldeſt, had by the Ladie Frances of Alencon fiue ſonnes: Anthony, Francis, Charles, Lewis, and Iohn. Anthony of Bourbon eldeſt ſonne of Charles, married Iane d'Albert Queene of Nauarre, the yeare one thouſand fiue hundreth fortie nine. The twelfth of December 1553. was borne of this marriage in the ninth degree of the heires male, after Saint Lewis, Henry of Bour •• n, the onely ſonne of Anthony.

Now by the deceaſe of Henry the third, the laſt king of the race of Valois, deſcending by the maſculine line, from Philip the eldeſt ſon of king Lewis the Saint, the right of the Crowne came vnto Robert his youngeſt ſonne, and from him, conſequently to Henry of Bourbon, the fourth of that name, king of France and Nauarre, who at this day raigneth, and of whom we are ſpecially to ſpeake in this Breuiarie.

That which the king did in his beginning.This king hauing accompanied the corps of the deceaſed king to his tombe, and put it in ſafe keeping to the Maiſter of Meulan, Giſors, and Clermont, diuided his forces into three armies: the firſt for himſelfe, with the which he marched vnto Touraine: the other twaine hee committed to the Duke de Longueuille, and to the Marſhall d'Aumont, for Picardie and Champagne. Before hee had taken the way to Touraine with his troupes, which were compoſed of twelue hundreth horſe, three thouſand footemen, and two Regiments of Switzers, hee purpoſed to take his iourney into Normandie, where the Pont de l'Arche was yeelded vnto him. Then he came to Deepe, won Caen vnto his ſide, and conſtrained Neufchaſtel to bee rendered vnto his hands, hauing diſappoynted by his Lieftenants, the ſuccours which they had ſent vnto them.

And hauing made a ſhew to beſiege Roane, it cauſed the Duke de Maine beeing called to the ſuccor by Aumalle and Briſſac, to ſet himſelfe in the field, with more then three thouſand horſe, and fiue thouſande footemen, who promiſed to the Pariſians at that time, to make an ende of all warre: and to bring the king their enemie vnto them, bound both hand and foote.

The king vnderſtāding that this mightie armie of his enemies increaſed euery day more and more, by the aſsiſtance of the low countries, of Picardie and Lorruine, asked of the Duke de Longueuille, and of the Marſhall d'Aumont, if they ſhould go and meete them.

A notable exployt at Arques againſt the League.And then marching toward his enemies, they incamped at a certaine Village called Arques, about two leagues from the Towne of Deepe.

And within three daies, he made ſuch entrenchments for his troups, that the bancke in the loweſt place, was ſeuen or eight foote high on the one ſide, aboue the towne where the artillerie were placed, vnder the keeping of foure companies of Switzers.

The approach of the campe was eſpied by the Caſtle, wherevppon was placed certaine peeces, that ſhot off with great aduantage. Meane ſpace, the Duke de Maine was greatly buſied, to thinke how hee might take againe, the Townes of Gourney, Neufchaſtel, and Euiſon, at what time both hee and his whole armie, was perſwaded that they might take Arques at the firſt.

But the Duke found it at his comming farre more troubleſome then he imagined, by reaſon of the newe Trenches which the king hadde made on euery ſide thereof, for his commoditie, by the which meanes hee might the better and the more eaſier ouer-runne his enemies at all times.

A ſore skirmige.The two armies continued there, from the end of Auguſt, to the midſt of September. And vpon the ſixteenth of that moneth, two fierce and cruell skirmiges was made, in the which the Leaguers loſt a great number of their approoued ſouldiers, and nine or tenne of their Captaines.

This did truely preſage and ſhew vnto them, what ſucceſſe they were like to haue in their attempts to come, whereof followed nothing elſe but ſhame and ſorrow to the leaguers.

VVhoſe fooliſh hope was alſo made fruſtrate, which they hadde to chaſe the king himſelfe into England, or to kill him with all his followers, or elſe to bring them in triumph priſoners to the Cittie of Parris.

The furie of theſe ſkirmiges was at laſt conuerted to the playing of the cannons, both on the one ſide and the other, which indured three or foure dayes togither.

On the Thurſday the three and twentieth of September, the Leaguers Armie, or a part thereof, containing a thouſand horſe, and about ſix, or eight thouſand foote, came to a place named la Maladerie: which was ſtrengthened with eight hundred ſmal ſhot, foure cōpanies of Rutters & Lanceknights: ſuſtained moreouer with three companies of light horſmen, three companies of great ordenance, and with the forces of the Princes of Conde and Counte. Furthermore at the top of the Trench, ſtood the companies belonging to the Lords of Chaſtillon, and Maligni: with a good number of the Nobilitie who were vnder the Marſhall of Birons charge. The Leaguers beginning then a bloodie skirmage, it was moſt valiantly held out by the kings troupes, at what time in the firſt aſſault Monſieur Sagonne, a principall man of the Leaugue, was ſlaine, with diuers of his horſmen, the reſt were put to flight. But they comming with a freſh ſupply, the kings wearied ſouldiers were forced to retire. There the Switzers who was of the Regiment of Monſieur de Soleurre, vnder the Collonell Galati, did ſtay and withſtand the furie of the Leaguers, being ayded by certaine harguebuziers which were lodged in places of aduantage, and by the Cannon which played vpon the Leaguers. And while this ſecond charge was preparing, the Leaguers Lance-knights drew near vnto the trenches, declaring that they would yeeld themſelues to the king. And after ſome ſpeech on both ſides, though many French Gentlemen were of an other opinion, they were at laſt receiued. But while the kings Maieſtie, with Monſieur de Biron, and their troupes of horſemen, fought here and there, theſe Lance-knights perceiuing clearely the great power of the Leaguers,The falſhood of the Leaguers Lance-knights. togither with the Switzers, iudged in themſelues that the king was alreadie halfe vanquiſhed: and vpon this imagination, they began to turne their weapons againſt him. Then receiuing the words, they lighted vppon the Marſhall de Birons troupe, and beating away the moſt part of the ſouldiers there, they tooke the Enſignes of the Switzers and Lance-knights belonging to the king: then deliuering this Trench to the Leaguers, it was ſuddainly repaired by them: but they held it not very long. For the Duke de Montpenſier beeing come thither with his Cornet of Horſe, and an other company of the vantgard of his men of warre: being alſo aſsiſted by Monſieur de Chaſtillon, with a freſh ſupply of fiue hundreth harguebuziers.

The Leaguers were conſtrained to depart both from Maladere and the Trench: where the king ſpeedily brought two great peeces of Ordenance, which he cauſed to be ſhot off among the thickeſt of the Switzers his enemies: who with certaine of the horfmen made a retrait, in the which they were mightily damnified by the great ſhot: neuertheleſſe they neuer turned their faces to looke backe, whereby they might ſee from whence their hurt came. This day the Leaguers loſt a great number of ſouldiers and men of warre, among whom were diuers of their chiefe Gentlemen, and many were taken priſoners.

The King loſt alſo ſixe or ſeuen Gentlemen, with the Earle of Rouſsie, and a fewe footemen. There were many hurt by the traiterous practiſe of the Leaguers Lance-knights.

On Sunday the foure and twentieth, the Leaguers armie raiſed themſelues about midnight: and vpon the Tueſday following, they came vpon the other ſide of the Towne of Arques, and ſet ſemſelues right againſt the place from whence they were parted, aſſaying to batter it with cannon ſhot. But the king found the leaguers ſo much worke, by continuall skirmiges, and hampered them in ſuch ſort, that vppon the eleuenth day after their comming thither, they were faine ſhamefully to withdraw themſelues from the Towne of Arques: vpō the news which they receiued, that the Earle de Soiſſon, the D. de Longueuille, and the Marſhal d'Aumont, were comming within twentie leagues of Arques with their troupes, to ſtrengthen the king in his forces. While theſe affairs were in hand, the leaguers to make the Pariſians beleeue great things, and dreame of wonders, ſent the Enſignes thither, which they had taken from the kings Switzers and Lance-knights, as a token of the good ſucceſſe which they had againſt his Maieſtie. Wherevppon there was a certaine pamphlet imprinted at Parris, wherein it was publiſhed, that betweene Arques and Deepe, where the king of Nauarre was beſieged, the Duke de Maine had wonne from them, foureteene Enſignes of the footemen, and eight Cornets of their horſemen were by him ſlaine.

Theſe groſe fables were ſet out, to feed the people with vaine fancies, and to pinch the purſes of thoſe that were readie to beleeue it, and that bare a good deſire to haue it ſo. The king thought at the firſt, that this retrait was but a pollicie wrought by the Duke de Maine, that bending himſelfe to entercept his ſuccours before they came vnto him, hee might the eaſier ſubuert them, and afterward returne with more ſtrength and furie then before. For this cauſe the king reſolued with himſelfe to ioyne the Earle of Soiſſon and the others togither. After the which, leauing the Marſhall of Biron at Deepe, his Maieſtie with foure hundreth horſe met and ioyned with his ſuccours, within fiue myles of the leaguers armie: who with them incontinent paſſed ouer the riuer of Somme.

The Duke de Maine was faine for his credits ſake, to couer this his ſhamefull retrait with a quaint excuſe. He therefore publiſhed abroad, that he was conſtrained ſpeedily to go down into Picardte to poſſeſſe himſelfe of thoſe Citties which hee was bound (by the agreement made at Arras) to deliuer to the Spaniards. Vpon this newes the king determined to ſtay the returne of the leaguers, beeing perſwaded that the Cities of Picardie would not be drawne to conſent in any wiſe to ſubmit themſelues vnder the Spaniſh troupes. Hauing then prouided for his affaires in Normandie, and gathered togither thoſe ſuccours which the Queen of England had ſent vnto him: he departed out of thoſe parts the one and twentieth of October, with full purpoſe to awaken the Leaguers in Picardie, and to conſtraine their chiefe commaunders to auoyde that countrie, where by treaſon they had taken the Towne of Fere, and after deliuered it to the Spaniards. This done, his Maieſtie by caſie iourneyes drew neare vnto Parris, and incamped himſelfe within a league thereof, vpon the laſt day of the ſame moneth.

The ſame day, hauing knowne what trenches the enemies had made round about the Subburbes, on that ſide where hee was, by the aduiſe of his warrelike Councell, they concluded to aſſayle them on the morrow by breake of day by three ſeuerall companies, and in three ſundrie places. The firſt companie conſiſted of foure thouſand Engliſhmen, two French Regiments, and one regiment of Switzers: who were led by the Marſhall de Biron, to aſſaile that ſide of the ſubburbes called Saint Victor and Marceau. The ſecond companie hauing two Regiments of Switzers, foure of Frenchmen, and foure of ſtrangers, were all vnder the conduct of the Marſhall d'Aumont: for that part of the Subburbes called Saint Iaques and Saint Michael. The third companie conſiſted of tenne Regiments of Frenchmen, one Regiment of Launce-knights, and one Regiment of Switzers, who were commanded by the two Lords, Chaſtillon and la Noue. Each one of theſe troupes were winged with a good number of hardie Gentlemen on foote, well armed and appoynted to aſsiſt the reſt of the footemen, if any cauſe of reſiſtance were: and theſe ſet vppon that part of the ſubburbes called Saint Germaine, Buſſi, and Neſle.

Theſe had at their taile, two cannons and two coluerins: the king commaunded ouer one of the troupes, the Earle of Soiſſon, and the Duke de Longueuille ouer the other twaine. The firſt day of Nouember, all theſe ſubburbes were aſſaulted and taken in leſſe then one houre, with the loſſe of ſeuen or eight hundreth men on the defendants ſide.

They loſt beſide foureteene of their Enſignes, and thirteene peeces of artillerie, ſmall and great. The aſſaylants loſt almoſt nothing at all, and if the ordenance hadde beene well mounted, the gates of Parris hadde beene battered downe, eare the Cittizens hadde knowne of any ſuch exployt.

The king entered within the ſubburbes of Saint Iaques, about 8. of the clocke in the morning: and beeing aduertiſed that the Duke de Maine was come foorth of Picardie, and with all his forces hadde entered into Parris, made a proofe to winne the other part of the ſubburbes, which hee onely did to drawe his foes to the fight. Hauing then ſtayed foure long houres in battell, and that none of the leaguers would iſſue foorth: hee contented himſelfe that he had giuen knowledge to the Pariſians, that at the leaſt, meanes failed him not to chaſtiſe them, but his deſire was, to winne them by gentleneſſe to the acknowledgement of their faults.

Therefore without more adoo, the king departed thence, and lodged about ſixe or ſeuen myles off, at a place called Linats, which is a Town aboue Montleheri, where his grace ſtayed one whole day, to ſee if his enemies had any deſire to cometo fight. But in ſtead thereof, the leaguers did the woorſt they could to the poore Pariſians, robbing and murthering many Houſholders, whom they accuſed to take part with the king, which they did without pittying either ſexe or age.

They maſſacred and drowned at that time, a great number of men and women, whom (as I ſaid) they accuſed to fauour the kings forces, hauing no colour at all of any ſuch thing.

The king tooke within eight daies after, both the Cittie and Caſtle of Eſtampes, where hee receiued a ſupplication in writing from the Queene Dowager, wherin ſhee deſired iuſtice for the cruell murther committed on the perſon of the deceaſed king.

The which petition his Maieſtie ſent to the Parliament at Tours, enioyning them to cauſe proceſſe to be drawne againſt the offenders, to the end, that in his owne preſence, they might ſoone after receiue iudgement. Moreouer, the King added, that for his part, notwithſtanding the iuſt ſute proſecuted by the ſaid Queene, he would not faile to do the beſt that lay in him: whereupon, he vowed again in the preſence of all the Princes, Lords, and Gentlemen, which were about his royall perſon, to imploy his whole power and ſtrength, vntill he had inflicted that iuſt vengeance which God had ordained him to take.

The Nobilitie alſo renewed their promiſe and proteſtations, neuer to leaue off armes, till they had reuenged the vilde death of the deceaſed King. After this, on the tenth of Nouember, the King tooke his way to Beauſſe: and on the morrow, hee came to Ianuille: from thence arriuing at Chaſteaudun, he cauſed Vendoſme to bee ſummoned, and to open the gates vnto him: which is a Citie of his owne patrimony. There was in that Towne one Benchard, which held it againſt the king, hauing therein the command of twelue hundred men, Citizens and ſtrangers: and when they had choſen the fitteſt places for battery, in the morning by breake of day, the artillerie began to play vpon them. The impatient ſouldiers did no ſooner ſpie a breache in the wall of foure foote wide, but preſentlie they ran and entred it, ſo that in leſſe then halfe an houre, they were maiſters of the Caſtle (into the which they made their firſt entrie) and of the Cittie, which was greatlie ſpoyled. Then was Benchard and a ſeditious Fryer take and put to death, who had beene the cheefe of this rebellion.

Sedictous perſons put to death.The morrow after the taking in of this Towne, the King cauſed all the ſouldiers and men of warre to be ſent from thence, appointing that the inhabitaunts ſhould there againe poſſeſſe theyr owne houſes, without any further raunſome. Moreouer hee permitted that all their Cleargie men ſhould bee placed in their former charges and benefices, wherein afterward they liued more peaceablie (without compariſon) then they did before vnder the League.

This example of iuſtice and mercie, ſaued the liues of more then a thouſand men: For the people of foure or fiue ſmall Villages which ſtood there round about, who hadde proteſted to looſe their liues in defence of the holy Vnion, hereuppon became more wiſe, and humblie ſubmitted themſelues (in leſſe then foure or fiue dayes) to the Kings good and mercifull hands.

The Towne and Caſtle of Lauardin did firſt begin in thoſe parts to ſhewe themſelues obedient: whereupon it followed, that the Townes of Montoir, Montrichard, and the Caſtle of Loyer did the like: who willinglie opened their gates to the Marſhall de Biron.

The Kings entrance into Tours.The King approached neare vnto Tours, entered it the 21. of the ſame moneth: and on the morrow, he was ioyfully receiued by the Citizens and the whole Court of Parliament, with all the honour and royaltie that could be imagined. The ſame day the Ambaſſador of Venice had Audience, who hauing preſented his letters, he made in the name of the whole eſtate of Venice, an Oration of ioy and gladneſſe, for the happie comming of this King to the Crowne of France: with offer of their ſeruice and friendſhip to the King and Crowne of France.

The King departed from Tours the fiue and twentieth of the ſame moneth,The ſiege and yeelding vp of Mans and on the ſeuen and twentieth he came to a certain place neare to the towne of Mans, which was beſieged and battered the ſecond day of December.

The Earle of Briſſac, which was come as farre as Bernard, with two Regiments, for to ſuccour the beſieged Towne of Mans, beeing aſtoniſhed at the noyſe of the great Ordenance which played vppon the Towne, retired with his troupes twelue myles backward. And hauing taken fortie horſe, and certaine baggage belonging to the kings Kutters, whom they met vnawares, hee went to publiſh at Parris what a great victorie hee had obtained. Meane while, a great man of the league called Boiſ-daufin, who had in Mans vnder his commaund, an hundreth Gentlemen, and twentie Enſignes of footemen: requeſted parley, inſtead of battell, and ſo made himſelfe readie to the aſſault: but in fewe houres hee yeelded the place. Albeit that within fewe daies before, both hee and his, made as though they would rather die in fight at once, then they would giue enterance to the king. This being done, it was a ſtraunge thing to conſider what expences they had put the poore people vnto, of whom they hadde receiued aboue fiftie thouſand Crownes, for the fortifying of the Towne and Subburbes, in which Subburbes they had burned more houſes, then came to an hundreth thouſand thouſand crownes, hauing alſo ſpoyled the countrie ſix times more: to recō pence all which wrongs, they indured three vollies of cannon ſhot, and ſo yeelded the Towne.

The ſpoyle whereof was hoped for by the kings ſouldiers, which by the wiſedome and prudence of his Maieſtie was ſpared and pardoned to the Inhabitants. The reſt of this moneth was ſpent in taking and compounding with many Citties, Townes, and Caſtles: namely, Sable, Laual, Chaſteau-gontier, Beaumont, Toutesvoyes, and Alencon, chaſing the leaguers out of the Prouinces of Vendoſmots, Touraine, Aniou, and of Maine: where the Inhabitants perceiued (after they had ſubmitted themſelues to the king) namely thoſe which had confederated with the leaguers, that thoſe whome they had before eſteemed their beſt friends, were indeed their woorſt enemies. For after they had them once vnder their power, and if there were but ſpeech of the comming of an armie, preſently the beſt ſhift they could make for the poore people, was to cauſe their Townes, Villages, and poſſeſsions, to bee burned and ſpoyled, from that place round about: cauſing the Cittizens to worke and labour night and day, to make rampiers and intrenchments to defend them from their foes. Moreouer at the ſight of the cannon, or the firſt ſhotte comming from it, they fell to agreement for themſelues, that they might depart with their liues and goods, leauing no other markes of their protection, then the Towne halfe burnt to aſhes, the moſt part of their wiues and daughters deflowred, and the neckes of the poore Inhabitants to the halter. The Duke de Maine toward the later end of the yeare, ſound meanes to make himſelfe Maiſter of Pontoiſe, onely through the friendſhip of many of the Inhabitants that held vpon it ſide. About which time the king met with the Earle of Briſſac, beeing within the Cittie of Falaiſe, which be inforced to yeeld, where he tooke the Earle priſoner, at what time the leaguers being then neare ynough, would not once come to his ſuccour.

A fewe weekes before the leaguers Parliament beeing begun at Roane, they continued their enuie againſt the king their ſoueraigne Lord, beeing not aſhamed to publiſh a moſt vile Edict, wherin they declared guiltie of treaſon, enemies to God, to the Eſtate and Crown of France, thoſe that oppoſed thē ſelues againſt the league, ſurnamed the holy vnion: pronouncing them and their ſucceſſors diſgraded, of all priuiledges of Nobilitie: their eſtates voyde for euer, and vnwoorthie to poſſeſſe any office, benefit or dignitie, within the kingdome: confiſcating alſo, all their lands and goods, notwithſtanding this Edict did not any whit impaire the good affection of the kings ſeruants, not much aduanced the affaires of the league.

The chiefe of the league beeing aſtoniſhed in their hearts, to ſee the kings proſperitie, ſet neuertheleſſe a very good face full of ſpite againſt him, truſting very much on their intelligences, both within and without the Realme.

Through euery Cittie which they held, they ſet ſeditious Preachers to ſeduce the people, during the whole feaſt of Chriſtmaſſe, thereby to inflame their hearts againſt the king. On the other ſide, they cauſed an infinit number of libels to bee imprinted and throwne about, whereby they entertained thoſe that had leaſt iudgement, with a certaine hope that they might bee able long to vpholde themſelues in this bottomleſſe pitte of confuſion.

The Leaguers deuices to maintaine themſelues.The people of Parris, and of other Citties pertaining to the leaguers, were ſo bewitched with theſe deuices, that they thoght no maner of taxes or impoſts too much, induring patiently the outrages of ſoldiers, & a thouſand other calamities, to maintaine them in their vniuſt warres againſt their ſoueraigne: yet notwithſtanding their powers waxed euery day more weaker then other, beeing nothing able to hinder the kings exployts. Therefore the Duke de Maine, verie earneſtly ſolicited the King of Spaine to ſend ſome ſpeedie ſuccours, otherwiſe the league ſhould bee conſtrained perforce to make compoſition with their enemies. In the meane ſpace, the king chaſed the leaguers by ſieges and aſſaults (in the month of Ianuary) quite out of baſe Normandie.

The parliament at Roane cried for warre, to whom the Duke de Maine ſoone after ſent an anſwere, that hee would giue order for their affaires, vſing great threatnings againſt his ſoueraigne Lord and Maiſter. The king contrariwiſe hauing recouered the Cittie of Honleur, which is a port of the ſea, came to raiſe the Duker ſiege, which fifteen daies before, he held before the Cittie and ſort of Meulan, diſtant from the ſaide Towne of Honfleu more then thirtie myles.

The king preſenting himſelfe, offered occaſion of ſight, which the Duke ſeemed to accept, hauing at that time twiſe as many forces as the king. Notwithſtanding, ſuppoſing hee had not aduantage ynough, he thought it beſt to take vp firſt the ſuccour of fifteene hundreth lances, and about fiue hundreth hurguebuziers, which the Duke of Parma had ſent vnto him.

Meane ſpace, the king beſieged Dreux, where hee was aduertiſed that the Duke had ioyned with the forces of the lowe Countries, conducted by the Earle d'Egmont, wherevpon hee offered battell. Thoſe things were done in Ianuarie and Februarie.

Preparation to battell.In the beginning of March, the Duke with all his troupes came toward the riuer of Seine, thereby to paſſe ouer the bridge of Mante, which is about eight or nine myles from Dreux. Whereof the king beeing aduertiſed, prouided for his affaires, and the twelfth of the ſame moneth, hee ſet himſelfe in the way to go againſt his enemies.

And on the morrow hauing ſet his battell in order, he made in the preſence of all his armie, a moſt earneſt prayer vnto God, wher each one according to his conſcience, framed his thoughts to the like purpoſe, according to the ceremonies both of the one and the other religion.The Kings Armie. On the thirteenth day, the king muſtered all his troupes, vppon a very faire and large plaine neare vnto the Towne of Yury, where hee had about two thouſand and fiue hundreth horſe, among whom were two thouſand Gentlemen brauely armed, & very wel appointed for the battel: he had there foure Regiments of French footemen, the regiments of the Gardes, of Brigneux, of Vignolles, and S. Iran: moreouer, foure or fiue regiments of Switzers, with certaine Enſignes of Griſons.

The Leaguers armie.The armie of the leaguers conſiſted of foure thouſand horſe, and twelue thouſand footemen, Yury is a great village, hauing a bridge on the riuer of Vrte, ouer the which the leaguers paſſed very ſpeedily, ſuppoſing that the royall armie had beene farre from that place, but in ſhort ſpace the one lighted on the other, by which meanes there was that day certaine skirmiges, where the leaguers had euer the worſt. Many of the leaguers were there taken priſoners, who confeſſed and gaue vs to vnderſtand, that their comming was rather to follow on their way alreadie begunne, then to make triall of battell.

Now, for ſo much as the day was ſpent, both the armies repaired to their lodgings. By the breake of day following, which was the fourteenth of March, the king by aduiſe of his Councell, determined how to order his battell. The battell of Yurie, and the kings notable exploicts.And after they had cōmended all their ſucceſſe vnto God, he broke his faſt: and ſo about nine of the clocke in the foorenoone, they were in the field readie to giue battell: and the king beeing at the head of his ſquadron, (of which the firſt ranckes were compoſed of Princes, Earles, Knights, and principall Gentlemen of the nobleſt families of France) beganne to make his prayers vnto God, with an exhortation, that all the other ſquadrons ſhould do the like.

Then paſsing along from the head of his armie, hee encouraged his people to the fight. And returning to his place, without further delay he cauſed the great artillerie to bee ſhot off, which gaue nine daungerous vollies, to the great hurt of the leaguers. Who after three or foure other vollies giuen on both ſides, aduanced forward fiue or ſix hundreth light horſemen, to giue charge againſt the Marſhal d'Aumont, but he without ſtay, ran vpon them, and pearced thē in ſuch ſort, that he might ſoone ſee their heeles. In the mean ſpace, while they were thus buſie, the ſquadron of the Rutters which were on their right hand, in comming toward the artillerie, lighted vpon the Kings light horſmen, aduancing thēſelues againſt thē very manfully, and being as valiantly receiued, at laſt they were conſtrained to retire, without performing any thing woorthie of memorie. The whileſt, another ſquadron of launciers of the low Countries, would haue giuen a freſh charge to theſe light horſemen.

But the Barron of Biron aduancing himſelfe forward, hauing no meane to meete the Vantgard, ſet preſently vpon the reareward: and in breaking their array, was hurt in two places. The Duke de Montpenſier ranne before the reſt, and gaue them a moſt braue charge, in the which, hee himſelfe was once vnhorſt, but beeing againe mounted, hee behaued himſelfe in ſuch valourous ſort, that he became Maiſter of the place. The ſelfe-ſame the Duke de Maines great ſquadron conſiſting of eighteene hundreth horſe, among whom were the Duke of Nemours, and the knight of Aumale, with others of the Captains of the league: aduanced themſelues to the battel, cauſing foure hundreth Carbines to march vpon their left wing, who made a ſallie of ſmall ſhot, ſome fiue and twentie paces from the kings ſquadron. This ſallie beeing ended, the great ſquadron of the leaguers, came on the forefront of the kings, where they ſawe his Highneſſe before his company, fiue long paces off, who furiouſly ruſhed among the leaguers, which could not by any meanes with all their huge forreſt of launciers, keepe backe the kings ſquadron. But his Maieſtie did in ſuch warre like ſorts aſſayle them, that this great ſquadron was at laſt ſcattered, hauing beene fighting among the thickeſt of them, a good quarter of an houre. In the end, this huge heape of enemies, who had thus the foundation of their ſtrength abated, were at laſt brought to hand-ſtrokes, who beginning to ſhrinke, in the turning of a hand men might ſee their backes, which before ſhewed ſuch furious faces, who tooke their flight by ſtraunge paſſges.

This ioyfull victorie was at firſt intermixt with much ſorrow in the royall armie, when they ſaw not the king returne: but within a while after, they ſpied him comming, all ſtained with the blood of his enemies, not hauing ſhed one drop of his owne, whom they deſcribed onely by the great plume of white feathers which hee bore in his creaſt, and that which his Palfraye had on his head. There was not ſo much ſorrow among the leaguers for their loſſe, but there was as much ioy recouered on the kings partie: hauing been ſo happily returned from ſuch an intermixture of blood and death.

But as hee came from the chaſe of his enemies, with twelue or fifteen of his followers, hee chancſt to meete betwixt two companies of the enemies Switzers, three cornets of Wallons, accompanied with other that had ioyned with them, whom his Maieſtie charged with ſuch high courager that hee wonne their colours, they which carried them lying dead in the place, with many other of their companions. The king then beeing arriued at the place from whence he parted, all the armie gaue humble thanks to the Lord for his ſafetie, crying with one voyce: God ſaue the king.

His Maieſtie hauing ſet in order certaine of his troupes, and ſeeing his enemies flying before him, hee left the field ſurcharged with their dead: ſo that there remained none aliue, ſauing the Switzers, who beeing forſaken by their horſemen, did notwithſtanding ſtay without mouing: and althogh the king might well haue ouerrun them, yet hee receiued them to mercie: who hauing caſt down their weapons, were diſcharged and ſent into their own countries. The Frenchmen alſo which were mingled among them, had their liues ſaued.

This beeing done, the king accompanied with his horſemen and the troups of Picardie, followed the league, which tooke their flight two waies. In the one was the Duke of Nemours, Baſſompierre, the Vicount of Tauannes, Roſne and others, which tooke their way to Chartres. In the other, the Duke de Maine with his moſt truſtieſt Captaines drew toward Yury, to paſſe ouer the riuer. The Leaguers artillerie and all their baggage were left in the campe, and in the high-waies neare adioyning. The time which the king ſpent in receiuing and ſending away of the Switzers, gaue leiſure vnto them that fledde, to put themſelues vnder couert: in ſuch ſort, that comming vnto Yuri, they perceiued that the Duke de Maine was alreadie entered, who neuer thinking on any new charge, broke vp the bridge before his owne people were all come, which was the cauſe of the death of a great number of his armie, eſpecially of the Rutters, of whom a great ſort were drowned. The others, to hinder thoſe that followed them, ſtopt vp the ſtreetes of Yuri with dead and wounded horſes, which ſtood in ſtead of chaines or incloſers, whereof followed a new loſſe: for all thoſe that ſought to paſſe the deepe ſtreame, periſhed for the moſt part. The king was counſelled to paſſe the riuer at the ſord of Anet, and although it were an houre and an halfe loſſe of his way, yet hee ouertooke a great number of thoſe that fledde, which for their liues reſted at his diſcretion Thoſe that thought to eſcape, putting themſelues into the woods, fell into the Peſants hands, which handled them in cruell ſort. This purſuit continued euen to the Towne of Mant, where neither the Duke de Maine, nor any of his, turned once their face to ſee who purſued them. But if the Mantois had continued in their firſt opinion, to keepe the gates ſhut, all thoſe that fled had beene vtterly ouerthrowne. But beeing in the end ouercome by the D. de Maines earneſt intreaties, they gaue them leaue to enter the Towne, vpon condition that thoſe of his ſide, ſhould paſſe by tenne and tenne in the night beyond the bridge, which indeed wrought their ſafetie. The king ſeeing his enemies ouercome both with ſhame and loſſe, reſted himſelf neare vnto Mant, the which ſoone after the Leaguers were departed thence, yeelded themſelues to the king, as alſo the Towne of Vernon and other Cittie. To bee brief, in this battel of Yuri, al the footmen of the leaguers were ouerthrown.

Of the horſemen there were about fifteen hundreth ſlaine and drowned: and about foure hundreth taken priſoners. Among the dead there was knowne to be ſlaine, the Earle of Egmont, who was Colonell of the troupes ſent by the Duke of Parma: one of the Dukes of Brunſwic, Chaſtegneray, beſide thoſe whoſe names could not bee found. VVee will make no mention heere of thoſe priſoners which afterward abuſed the kings benignitie and gracious fauours, who might iuſtly haue put them all to death. Who after their releaſment tooke part againſt him.

More then twentie Cornets of horſemen was at that time wonne by the King: among the which, was the white Cornet, the chiefe ſtandard belonging to the Spaniſh Generall, and to the Flemmings, the Cornets of the Rutters, and more then threeſcore enſignes of footemen, beſide the foure and twentie Enſignes of the Switzers, which were yeelded preſently after the ſlaughter. The king loſt the Lords of Clermont, d'Antragues, Captaine of his Guards, the Lord Schomberg, de Bongaulnay, de Crenay, Feſquieres, and 15. or 20. other Gentlemen, a fewe ſouldiers, and fewe hurt.

The Duke de Maine and other Captaines of the League, beeing fruſtrate of their hope, and ſeeing their armie thus ſpoyled, betooke themſelues to their ordinarie ſhifts, which was, to feede the Pariſians with lies and fables, publiſhing many bookes, wherein it was ſhewen, that at the firſt aſſault giuen at Dreux, the Inhabitants had ſlaine more then fiue hundreth men of the kings armie, & greeuouſly hurt a great number more, at what time alſo the Marſhal of Biron was ſlaine: & how in an other incounter near vnto Poiſſy, the league had gotten a great victorie. In which battell they had a long fight, and almoſt equall loſſe. And that if the king were not alreadie dead, hee was very neare vnto it.

The people beeing not ſatified with ſuch falſe quoyne, and hearing euery day more then other, contrarie reports, by certaine men that had eſcaped from the ſaid bloodie fight on the leaguers ſide, murmured greatly thereat, as people that deſired peace. The ſeditious preachers ſtopt the report of the Leaguers loſſe, by all the meanes they might. And whileſt the Duke de Maine and others, (after certaine meetings at Saint Dennis, becauſe that the pauement of Paris was too hot for them) tooke his way toward the Duke of Parma, to obtaine ſuccour from him.

The Parliament of Roane, that according to their olde cuſtome, did bend themſelues againſt their king and gracious ſoueraigne, did execute and put to death the ſeuenth of Aprill, certaine priſoners which were ſeruants to the king. And three daies after, declared by an Edict, all thoſe to bee traitors which were of the king of Nauarres campe (as they called him) & that would not linke themſelues to king Charles the tenth (vnderſtanding by that name the Cardinall of Bourbon) to ioyne themſelues to the league, and beare weapons in the Duke de Maines armie, vſing many threatnings in written papers, which they ſet vp at the corners of euerie lane, and afterward put them in print. And whileſt the leaguers applyed theſe buſineſſes, the king hoping by gentleneſſe to win the Pariſians to obedience, continued ſtil at Mant, without any further hot following his victorie. But the trumpets of ſedition imputing this mildneſſe to the kings want of courage, perſwaded with ye people, that he whom they called their ſworn and irreconcileably enemie, ſhuld be ſhortly brought to ſuch a hard exegent, that he would bee glad either to graunt them their owne requeſt, or elſe that they ſhould ſee him vtterly ouerthrowne. Breefly, their great bragges and inſolencies, conſtrained the King to draw toward Paris in this month of Aprill. In fewe daies after, Corbeil vpon Seine was yeelded vnto him, the towne of Lagni vpon Marne, and Melun. Then hee aſſailed Sens in Bourgongne, where hee did nothing, onely through their fault, of whom he thought to haue had better ſeruice. The Pariſians had ſuch confidence in the promiſes of the leaguers, that they aſſured themſelves, the king was not able to hold out many weekes againſt their forces, inſomuch that they reſpected not the ſtrengthening of their Cittie, to repell the batterie of any foe, or the ſtrength of any ſiege. In time of peace, that great and goodly Cittie was daily maintained and ſerued with freſh prouiſion, as well one weeke as an other, by the infinite commodities that was brought thervnto both far and neare, by the help of the riuers of Seine, Marne, and Oiſe. Diuers particular perſons, wiſely foreſeeing a ſtorme, made prouiſion before hand for their families.

But the number of the Inhabitants in that little world was ſo mightie great, that for one prudent houſekeeper, there was found an hundreth that neuer thought to prouide againſt the time to come, or ſought to ſhun a miſchiefe before it fell vppon their pates: whereof followed the ſtrange and wofull deſolations, which I will briefly preſent heere vnto you.

The fiue and twentieth day of Aprill, the king returning toward Paris, tooke and ſeized vpon the bridge Charenton, and diuers other places thereabout, for the commoditie of this armie, which conſiſted of twelue thouſand foote, or thereabout, & three thouſand horſes. The Pariſians were ſix times as many, in reſpect of the number of thoſe that carried armes, who were vnder the commaund of the Duke of Nemours, in the abſence of the Lieftenant generall his brother, beeing aſsiſted by the Cheualier d'Aumale, and certaine other Captaines of the league. In the beginning of this ſiege, the affaires were horribly toſſed. They had in the Cittie certaine Preachers,The ſiege of Parris. and among many more, were theſe following: Boucher, Pilletier, Guinceſtre, Feuerdant, Guarin, Chriſtin, little Fueillant, and others in diuers Churches, which mooued the people to indure all the miſeries that might bee imagined, rather then to ſubmit themſelues to an hereticall Prince (as they called him.) Theſe Preachers beeing poyſoned with Spaniſh golde, and maintained by the chiefe Ladies of the league, did ſo inuenome the people with ſubtill perſwaſions againſt their lawfull king and ſoueraigne Lord, that they reſolued to periſh miſerably in the ſiege: propounding on the other ſide, queſtions to the facultie of Sorbonne: that is to ſay, if it come ſo to paſſe, that the Cardinall of Bourbon ſhould die being priſoner, whom they called king Charles the tenth: whether then they might receiue Henry of Bourbon for their king, or no: though hee would reconcile himſelfe to the Pope.

Alſo whether they that ſhould ſeeke to make peace with the ſaid Henry, or that permitted the ſame, might not giue cauſe to bee held and ſuſpected, or counted a fauourer of hereſies, if it were according to the law of God, if they might faile therein, without mortall ſinne and paine of damnation. Contrariwiſe, if it were a thing meritorious, to oppoſe themſelues by all means againſt the ſaid Henry: and in caſe they ſhould reſiſt him vnto death, if it might be called martyrdome. The ſeuenth of May, in the third generall Congregation, made for the deciſsion of theſe articles in the great hal of the Colledge of Sorbonne, all the Doctors of that facultie in generall, and each one in particular, which were by oath called to this Councell, concluded and reſolued with one accord, vpon this that followeth.

It is by the right of Eccleſiaſticall lawes, forbidden and prohibited, that Catholicques ſhould receiue an hereticque for their king, or a fauourer of hereſie, and a notorious enemie of the Church: and more ſtraightly forbidden to receiue one that was fallen away, and excommunicated from the holy mother Church. That if it came to paſſe, that any one defamed with theſe faults, had obtained by exterior iudgement, abſolution of theſe crimes, that hee reſted notwithſtanding, in an euident daunger of diſsimulation and perfidiouſneſſe, and the vtter ruine and ſubuerſion of the Catholicque religion: and the ſame partie ought neuertheleſſe to be excluded and baniſhed the realme, by right of the ſame law.

And whoſoeuer ſhould bring againe ſuch a perſon into the realme, and either ayde or fauour, or otherwiſe permit that hee ſhould come againe, If he might hinder it, and beeing bound to do it according to his charge, that perſon ſhould doo open iniurie to the ſacred cannon of the lawes, and therevpon hee might bee iuſtly ſuſpected of hereſie, and reputed a pernicious perſon both to the religion and Romaine Church: and for this cauſe they might and ought to proceed againſt him, without reſpect either of degree or preheminence. And for as much as Henry of Bourbon is an hereticque, and a fauorour of hereſie, a notorious enemie to the Church, fallen away from the Romaine faith, namely excōmunicate by our holy father, and that there would be euident danger of deſsimulation and parfidiouſneſſe, and ruine of the Catholicque religion. If hee ſhould obtaine outwardly his abſolution, the Frenchmen are in conſcience bound to hinder him to the vttermoſt of their power, from comming to the gouernment of that moſt chriſtian Realm, and not to make any condition of peace with him, notwithſtanding his foreſaide abſolution. Although euery other lawfull ſucceſſour of the Crowne, ſhould ſurrender vp his right, and all thoſe that fauour him, doo offer iniurie to the holy cannons, are ſuſpected of hereſie, pernicious to the Church, and as ſuch, ought to bee diligently reprehended and puniſhed. And like as they which giue ayde, or ſhew fauour in any manner whatſoeuer to the ſaid Henry, pretending title to the Realme, are diſturbers of religion, and dwell continually in deadly ſinne, ſo likewiſe thoſe that with all their might doo oppoſe themſelues againſt him, mooued therevnto by a religious zeale, doth vndoubtedly merite great praiſe both of God and men. And as wee may rightly iudge of thoſe, which by their falſe opinions eſtabliſhed the kingdome of Sathan, to haue eternall paine prepared for them in hell: ſo may it bee ſaide with reaſon, that thoſe here mentioned, ſhall bee rewarded in heauen, with eternall glorie, that perſiſt euen vnto death againſt him: and as defendors of the faith, ſhal they beare in their hands palmes of martyrdome.

The Sorboniſts caſt oyle into the fire of ſedition, the chiefe of the leaguers being aiders thereunto.Now, although before this diuiſion, the Pariſians were of full opinion to keepe the gates ſhut againſt the King, yet afterward they became far more obſtinate: and at the beginning aſſayed by often iſſuing foorth, to indomage the kings troupes, who contented themſelues, onely to repulſe them, hoping that the extream want of victuals, which they perceiued to grow euery day greater then other, would at length conſtraine them to repent their follie.

But oner and aboue the deceits before mentioned, they were helde in hand with other ſubtilties, for the chiefe of the leaguers hauing purpoſely ſet ſpies in euerie place, to marke the countenance & ſpeeches of ſuch as they held in ſuſpition: that is to ſay, ſuch perſons as longed after peace, ſhewing by their words that the flower deluce, and the true Princes of France, were not expelled out of their hearts.

So ſoone then as any one durſt but ſpeake of peace, accord, or communication of agreement, without forme or figure of law, they were preſently killed in the place, or drawne foorth, and then throwne into the riuer: there were aboue twentie ſeuerall perſons thus vſed, onely for ſaying, that it were good and neceſſarie to make peace with the enemie.

On the other ſide, the Duke de Maine, being in the Duke of Parmas Court, writ diuers letters to the borderers of Picardie, that ſhortly they ſhould ſee a puiſſant armie ſent for the deliuerance of Paris. Afterward the Duke de Nemours beeing the Popes Legat, the Ambaſſadour of Spaine, the Biſhoppe of Vaine remedies ſought by the Popiſh C ••• rgie. Paris, the Archbiſhop of Lyons, the Biſhop of Plaiſance, thoſe of Renes, Senlis, and others, Panigarole, the Biſhop d'Aoſt, Bellermin, and Tycens, leſuites, with many more of the Romaine Clargie, cauſed ſolemne proceſsions to be made, double faſtings, brotherhoods, viſi • ations of Temples, vowes and ſupplications, and all to entertaine and hold the people in a vaine hope of deliuerance.

Likewiſe many Doctors, Prieſts, Curates, and Friers, girt weapons to their ſides, and made ſhews abroad with many fond ceremonies, which cauſed the people both to laugh and weepe. They trauelled without ceaſing, to the walles, trenches and rampiers of the Towne. The Ieſuites and other Monkes, being well ſtored with munition of victuals in their Colledges and Couents, kept watch according to their turne. The Ladies of Nemours, of Maine, of Guiſe, of Montpenſier, and others, ſolicited the people on their ſide, with ſtrong perſwaſions, rather to periſh by the famine, then to ſpeake or ſeek for agreement with the king. But the famine grewe great: for the Leaguers Captains hauing imbarqued their people and paſſengers without bisket, they had no meanes for the ſpace of three or foure months, but to ſtay for the Spaniſh ſuccours, to bee aſsiſtant to the Pariſians. All their prouiſion of wheat and other graine, which was broght in for publicke reliefe, was ſpent & conſumed in the firſt three weekes of the ſiege.Famin made war againſt the Pariſians. Thoſe which had any reuertion left in their houſes, did moſt cloſely lay it vp in ſecret places from being found.

The others, which put their confidence in the ſpeeches of the chiefe Leaguers and ſeditious Preachers, ſoone periſhed, or indured infinite ſorrowes.

The king kept them cloſed in on euery ſide, beeing Maiſter of Mant, Poiſſy, Corbeil, Melun, and Montereau, holding the riuer of Sein by that meanes ſhut vp both aboue and below. Laigni and the fort of Gournay, kept alſo the riuer of Marn ſtop from them. Cempiegne, Creil, Beaumont, & other of the kings holds, ſtopt the paſſage of ye riuer of Oiſe. So that al prouiſion yt ſhuld come by water to ye Pariſians, was hereby preuented: being alſo depriued of the plain of the Iſle of France, by the taking in of S. Dennis. Now vpon intelligence giuen to the Duke de Maine, that the extreame want of victualles would conſtraine Parris verie ſhortly to yeelde vnto the king, anſwered, that the taking thereof ſhould bee very preiudiciall vnto him, who would ſcatter his armie by that conqueſt, in ſuch ſort, that ſoone after, the league ſhould make a good match thereof.

But the kings minde or intent was not to poſſeſſe Parris in ſuch ſort as his enemies imagined. For although the ſame were in a manner vnpoſsible, by reaſon of the ſmal number of his people, yet would he not ſee and behold, much leſſe procure the ruine of his chiefe and capitall Cittie: although that many therein, eſpecially the chiefeſt, deſerued for their offences moſt greeuous puniſhment. Hee tooke much pittie on the great number of people miſled by euill counſell, and hoped that their afflictions would giue them warning, that if the Dukes of Maine & of Parma comming to their ſuccors, would hazard themſelues to a battell, their diſcomfiture would conſtraine the beſieged to acknowledge it.

But the miſerie of the Pariſians was ſo great, that ſome of them were inforeſt to yeelde, the other would rather indure an hundreth deathes by famine. So that within twelue or fifteene weekes, there was an extreame deſolation among them. They eate vp both their mooueables and their mony. The ſouldiers had licenſe to bee ſo bold, that they broke vp their walles, and defiled the chaſtitie of many families. The principal men of the League roſe vp, and tooke to themſelues the relicques of their Churches. The anucient Iuels and the Crownes of the kings of France, were put in the font. Thoſe houſeholders which were rich, were ſubtilly ſpoyled, the ſubburbes ruined, the Cittie become full of ſorrow and need: the rents of the chamber of the Cittie lay dead: the lands all about vntilled and deſolate. An hundreth thouſand perſons died with hunger, with nakedneſſe, with pouertie, in the ſtreetes, and in the Hoſpitals, without all mercie or reliefe, in the ſpace of three moneths.

The Vniuerſitie was conuerted to a deſart place, wherevnto all the Peſants reſorted for lodging, and the Cloiſters of the Colledges were conuerted into ſtables for beaſts. VVithin the great hall of the Pallace, there was none found but Leaguers and forgers of newes. In the ſtreetes graſſe did growe plenteouſly, and the ſhoppes for the moſt part were ſhut in continually. In ſtead of Chariots and Coches, appeared on the one ſide certaine troupes of men of warre, who were more imployed to fight with hunger, then with any other enemie: on the other ſide, an horrible deſolation. The beſieged could by no meanes come by victuall, but through the mercie of the Kings Garriſons, which hee had ſet within Saint Dennis, in the Fort of Gourney, at Cheureuſe, and at Corbel.

The moſt part of the furie of this famine, fell vpon the third eſtate: as for the Cleargie, who for the moſt part were well prouided, they preached nothing but patience. And the Prelates before mentioned, vttered ſtill vilde things againſt the king and his followers, and in all their ſermons aſſured the poore famiſhed people, that the Spaniſh ſuccours would come very ſpeedily. On the one ſide, thoſe whom they called the ſixteene: on the other, the, fortie, with the factious ſort that wore long gownes, wrought in the wheel.

The Parliament, which continued as it were ſlaues, both to the Spaniard & to the Guiſe, publiſhed an Edict the fifteenth day of Iune, wherin it was prohibited vnto all, of what eſtate, quallitie, dignitie, and condition ſo euer they were, not to ſpeake of any compoſition with Henry of Bourbon, on paine of death, but thereby were inioyned to oppoſe themſelues againſt him, by all the meanes they might, and not to ſpare any practiſe whatſoeuer: ye • ; though it were to the very ſpilling of their heart bloods. Moreouer this court ordained, that all the Inhabitants of the Towne ſhould bee obedient to the Duke of Nemours, Gouernour of the Ile of France, in all things which they ſhould bee commaunded to do on his behalfe, and that this Edict ſhould bee read and publiſhed throughout all the ſtreets and lanes of Parris, to the end, that more ſhould pretend cauſe of ignorance.

But the people, who could not liue by paper, nor the windie promiſes of the Duke de Maine and his Preachers, after they had eaten dogges and cats, horſes, aſſes, mules, hearbes, rootes, and all that they could imagine to get in their neceſsitie, came in a ſhole to the Pallace, requiring peace of the councell there aſſembled, where they made among them a certaine tumult: but the Captaines who were before aduertiſed of their comming, at laſt appeaſed The Parifiās deſire peace and cannot obtaine it.them, the people beeing content, by the meanes of certaine ſmall comforts, for the ſpace of nine or tenne daies: but in the end there aſſembled to the ſame place, a greater troupe of people then before, euery one prouided with weapons, boldly demaunding that they might either haue peace or bread. Then a certaine Captaine of Parris named le Glois, ranne foorth vnto them, to ſend them away with faire words: but it is to bee remembred, that famiſhed bellies haue no eares. VVherevpon they required him in the field with his own Oration, where hee was ſo beaten, that within a ſmall time after, hee departed the world.

The Cheualier d'Aumalle beeing followed by his adherents, went among the multitude, cauſing all the gates of the Pallace to bee ſhut, and impriſoned a great number of them, of whome there were ſome afterward hanged. The chiefe of the leaguers perceiuing that in the end, the diſcontented multitude would worke their confuſion, if in time they did not preuent them:The chiefe of the league ſeeketh to de ceiue both the king and the people. aſſembled themſelues togither with the principall of their Towne, and after many writings, notwithſtanding the diuiſion of the Sorbonniſts, and the act made in the Leaguers Parliament, were reſolued that the Biſhoppe of Parris, and the Archbiſhop of Lyon, ſhould go to ſeeke out the king, to conferre vpon means of pacification. This was done in the beginning of Auguſt: but before they departed, they would haue leaue of the Legate, to the end they might not be excommunicated by the Pope. Before they had obtained it, the Legat made a conſultation with Panigarde, Bellermin, and Terius, Rector to the Ieſuites, compriſed in theſe articles: that is to ſay: If the Pariſians did runne into excommunication, being conſtrained by famine to yeelde themſelues to an hereticall Prince. If the Deputies going to ſuch a Prince to ſeeke his conuerſion, or to better the condition of the Catholicque Church, were compriſed in the excommunication of the bull of Pope Sixtus the fift. The Doctors anſwered to theſe articles, no.

Deputies of the leaguers ſent to the King, and his aunſwere.Then went the Deputies to ſeeke the king at Saint Anthonies in the field, who hauing heard the Biſhops Oration, tending to a generall peace, or perticular to Parris, if the Duke de Maine would not ſeeke for a general, made this anſwere (after he had ſhewen how their Councel had infolded them in contraduction, asking peace for him which would not acknowledge him, ſaue onely for King of Nauarre) that it was his will and deſire, to haue peace, for the comfort of his people, but not according to that which the Deputies held for expedient: declaring that he loued the Cittie of Paris, as his eldeſt daughter: and that hee would doo more good for her, then ſhee required at his hands, prouided that ſhe would ſeeke his fauor, and not the Duke de Maines, or the King of Spaines. That the Deputies proceeded very ill, and contrarie to the dutie of their Eccleſiaſticall charges, in ſuffering the Pariſians to die ſo miſerably, while they ſought vnto the Duke de Maine for a generall peace: ſith vppon that voyage, though perhaps it would not bee long, it might the while coſt the liues of twentie thouſand perſons, dying with meere hunger. Then did hee dechipher with a maruellous good grace, the ambitious practiſes of the king of Spaine and his people. The moſt wicked and horrible diſloyaltie of the chiefe of the league, diſcouering the vanitities of their badde purpoſe: hee drew his diſcourſe into diuers articles to the Biſhoppe of Parris, the Archbiſhop of Lyons, who in their excuſes, accuſed themſelues more and more, before a moſt noble companie of Princes, Lords, and Gentlemen of France, who were attending round about the King. Moreouer hee ſhewed that the report of the Spaniſh ſuccoors for Parris, made him nothing diſmaid: and cauſed them clearely to ſee wherevnto the Spaniſh forces tended: and that it was not for nothing that the Prince of Parma tooke his way into France: ſtaying but till hee might bring his purpoſes about, Parris and the kingdome beeing morſels too big for king Philips mouth, the which hee told vnto them in a ſhort and pithie ſpeech, diſcouering in diuers ſorts, the blindneſſe of the Spaniards in their attempt for France. He allowed them eight daies to thinke vppon the yeelding vp of Paris, and the articles of peace for the whole kingdome: adding, that his dutie conſtrained him in the end, to do iuſtice vppon thoſe that were chiefe of the mutinies: exhorting the Deputies to make a faithfull report of that which hee had aunſwered. The Biſhop of Parris had before alleaged in his Oration, the conſtancie of the people of Sancerre, diſpraiſing therein the victorie gotten by thoſe of Gaunt, to extoll the Pariſians. But the king auſwered that ſuch allegations were impertinent: for thoſe of Sancerre were reſolued to indure the extremities of their ſiege, becauſe their enemies would haue depriued them without mercie, both of their goods, liberties, religion, and their liues. But contrariwiſe (ſaid hee) I will ſurrender to the Pariſians, the life which Mendoza the Spaniſh Ambaſſador doth at this preſent take from them, by their ſore famine. As for the religion, all theſe Princes and Catholicque Lords ſhall witneſſe vnto you, how I vſe it: nor wil I conſtraine them againſt their conſcience, were it neuer ſo litle, either in the exerciſe of religion, or otherwiſe. Concerning goods and liberties, I giue them to my ſubiects. So that the compariſon with thoſe of Gaunt is not good. The Pariſians haue well ſhewen what hearts they haue, hauing ſuffered me to poſſeſſe their ſubburbs. I haue fiue thouſand Gentlemen, that neuer feared thoſe of Gaunt, The duke de Maines wicked proceedings. beſide, I haue God for mee, and the iuſtice of my cauſe.

After certaine other diſcourſes, witneſsing the kings good conſcience, and the litle feare he had of the leaguers forces, the Deputies tooke their way toward the Duke de Maine, who ſent them backe againe to his Maieſtie, with declaration, that he deſired nothing more then peace. At the ſame time hee ſent letters to thoſe of Parris, by one of his owne Secretaries, euen at the ſaid Deputies heeles, aduertiſing his partakers, not to bee diſcouraged for all the anſwere which he ſent to the king: and that hee would ſooner die then make peace with him. Theſe letters beeing intercepted, they were a great reproach to the Duke, by reaſon of his vnconſtancie: but he made no other excuſe, but onely that they were ſurpriſed.

As for the king, hee indured both before and after that which the Pariſians vttered out of their rebellious mouthes, that they had brought victuals for the Duke of Nemours and others, which made them render him euill for good, nor made hee any ſtrong warre againſt his chiefe Cittie, hauing an intent to preſerue it if he could.

But hauing vnderſtood that the Duke de Maine at his returne from Bruxelles, accompanied with Balagni and Sainpol, drewe toward Parris with certaine troupes. The king departed from his armie with a ſmall troupe of horſemen, without any carriages, ſeuenteene leagues outright, to incounter with his foes, and came but one houre too late to haue met with them: The king goeth to meete his enemies.who hearing of his comming, were ſpeedily conſtrained to caſt themſelues into the towne of Laon. Then the D. with his troupes made ſuch haſte, that at laſt they came as farre as Meaux, where hee reported that hee would fight with the king: which occaſioned him to repaire to his armie with a ſmall troupe of horſemen onely, whom hee purſued as farre as Meaux. But hee found the Duke incloſed betwixt two riuers, where hee ſtayed for the Prince of Parma, at whoſe arriuall the battell was the ſecond time publiſhed, aduancing themſelues to the Towne of Claye, and the Caſtle of Freſnes, about ſixe leagues from Parris, where they lodged about the ende of the moneth of Auguſt.

The king ſuppoſing hee ſhould then haue battell with them, after hee had recommended himſelfe vnto God, according to his cuſtome in ſuch affaires, departed from Parris on the VVedneſday, the nine and twentieth of that moneth, aſsigning the Rende-vous to all his armie, for the next morrow in the plaine of Bondi, which is at the end of the forreſt of Liu • i, the right way toward his enemies.

On the Friday following, hee chaſed their forriers from the Towne of Chelles, who beganne to marke out their lodgings, and gaue a charge to a certaine troupe of eight hundreth horſemen, whom he conſtrained to retire, euen till they came within their armie. On the morrowe beeing Saturday, by eleuen of the clocke, the firſt of September, the Kings armie were all in battell array. The Duke of Parma got vp vppon an hill to behold them, and after he had throughly noted them, hee ſaid to the Duke de Maine: that this was not the armie of tenne thouſand, which he tolde him might bee ouerthrown ſo eaſilie: for hee ſawe by eſtimation, more then fiue and twentie thouſand, in the beſt manner prouided that euer hee beheld. And indeed they conſiſted of eighteene thouſand men on foote, as well Frenchmen as ſtraungers, and of fiue or ſix thouſand horſe, among the which, he had foure thouſand Gentlemen of the chiefe houſes in the Realme. Hee had alſo ſixe Princes, two Marſhals of France, and many gallant Captaines.The leaguers being not diſpoſed to fight, intrench thē ſelues in a ſtrong place. The Duke of Parma tooke then a reſolution, the which ſaued himſelfe and all his armie: which was, not to fight at al. And following this opinions, his people changed their ſwords and launces into pickaxes, doing no other thing all the euening long, and that Saturday night, but to intrench and fortifie themſelues within a great Marſh, into the which they were all withdrawne. The daies following, they had diuers skirmiges made vppon them, but they kept ſtill within their trenches.

And ſoone after, they beſieged and battered with nine peeces, the Towne of Lagne vppon Marne, which was a little weake towne, and kept with two or three hundreth men, which for a ſpace valiantly defended themſelues, but in the end, they were ouerthrown by great multitude of the beſiegers. This place was not paſsing halfe a little myle from the Marſh, and hard at the back of the Spaniſh armie, by meanes whereof, the chiefe of the leaguers cauſed a bridge of boats ſpeedily to be made, wherewith they did as it were ioyne the place. And the eight of the ſame moneth by breake of day, the moſt of their footemen paſſed away by the ſame, cauſing nine peeces of Ordenance to bee ſhot off: the riuer beeing betweene them, the breach was made before the king could haue knowledge thereof, by reaſon that the winde was turned contrarie, and the bluſtering ſo great, that the ſound of the cannons could not bee heard in the royall armie.

After the taking of this, the Dukes of Parma and of Maine, ſeeing the weakneſſe of the place, did diſmantle it. And although the king to draw them vnto fight, fained as though hee would aſſaile Parris, and publiſhed a purpoſe to ſcale it, beeing departed from them in the euening the tenth of this moneth, with a good troupe: notwithſtanding they would not ſtirre out of the Marſh. VVherfore the king by aduiſe of his Councell diſmiſſed his armie, and fortified the Townes which hee held about Paris, chiefly thoſe on the riuer of Seine, ſending a part of his troups into Touraine, Normandie, Champagne, and Bourgongne, and kept notwithſtanding a ſufficient armie to amaze his enemies.

Some haue boldly written, that the king was then very ill counſelled, and in fauour of the Prince of Parma, who in fewe daies had beene inforeſt to fight, or to haue fled: that it was not poſsible for ſo great an armie as hee had, to continue long in a Marſh, where they ſhould indure much harme. That Parris and the league were now in ſafetie. That the fault came through part of the Nobilitie, induced therevnto by certaine enemies to the religion and the kings proſperities, who was forſaken at his need. Other ſome alſo being accuſtomed to fiſh in troubled waters, would not it ſhould bee yet cleared: and others pretended to ſerue the king as it ſeemed beſt vnto them, & alwaies to ſee one confuſion riſe of another. The Duke of Parma commeth to Paris and taketh Corbeil.By meanes of which proceedings, the Dukes were incouraged to go out of the Marſhes, to enter triumphantly into Paris, whereof the Duke of Parma named himſelfe the deliuerer. And to make his valour appeare the greater, hee departed incontinent to beſiege Corbeil, about halfe a daies iourney from thence, vpon the riuer of Seine. Captain Rigaud, commaunding ouer certaine companies of footemen, behaued himſelfe ſo valiantly, that he ſlew a great number of the leaguers. As for the Duke of Parma, after the heating of his troupes, of whom many were ſlaine: he loſt much of his reputation. For it was there wher his armie was ſo weakned, and during the time hee reſted in that place, the king got togither his troupes, addreſsing them to new purpoſes, which brought the league into greater incumbrances then before.

The king of Spaines Agents thought to fill his good Cittie of Paris (ſo the Spaniard called it in his letters) with Spaniſh companies and VVallons. But on the one ſide, they had nothing to eate: and on the other, ſo ſoone as thoſe of Guiſe and other Captaines of the league (moreouer the ſixteen and the fortie of Paris) ſawe themſelues ſomewhat at large, they began to giue the Duke of Parma thankes for his good will, and intreated him to go with his people to Bruxelles againe. This requeſt or ſecret commaundement fell out verie well for the Duke: for on the one part, his armie in all mens ſight was ſeene daily to waſte, and himſelfe did plainely behold, that hee ſtood in the midſt of an vnconſtant multitude, and that it was not good for him to put confidence in faithleſſe peple. The leauing of his forces there, to glut Paris euen as Antwerp had bin, was to turne all vpſide downe, and build a new and perilous matter for the Spaniards: that the king watcht to giue them a ſhameful ouerthrow, if they ſhould ſeparate themſelues neuer ſo little.

Therefore hee determined to get him gone with all ſpeed poſsible, hauing conſumed a world of money, leauing the Leaguers Captaines more altered with the gold of Peru, then euer they were before.The Duke of Parma returned to Bruxels, hauing done nothing, but growne unto ſhame and euill report with the Leaguers. Of all his forces hee had great neede: for the king ceaſed not to runne vpon him, purſuing him to the verie frontiers of Arroys, and diminiſhing his armie euery day more and more, to ſignifie vnto the Spaniards, that France could not bee ruinated or taken but through their owne follie.

Now, aſſoone as they were thus departed, Corbeil and other ſmall townes which they had taken, were againe recouered by the kings troupes: the which brought the Pariſians into new confuſions. The D. of Parmas comming, ſerued to no other end but to fil their purſes, and to intangle and bring all their affaires, to a remedileſſe end.

In diuers parts of the kingdome, as in Brittaine, Prouence, and Languedoc, the League ſtirred and did many outragious and wicked acts, working deſolation to the great preiudice of the kings ſubiects: but it little aduantaged the Leaguers, whoſe armies conſiſted of ſuch people, that ſought no other thing but diſorders. Alſo they could neither grow nor continue, but by the confuſion of others, which they raiſed by their forces & bad purpoſes, for whereas they fained that they wold haue the Spaniard to ioyne with them, it was for no other thing, but to draw into their hands his double Piſtollets: in lieu whereof, they would preſent him a new nothing betwixt two diſhes. And if hee ſhewed himſelfe diſcontent, they would helpe to throwe him out of thoſe places which hee had vſurped, as it came to paſſe ſoone after.

In the beginning of this year, the king continued his incloſing of the Pariſians, which were fallen into their wonted diſtreſſes as before. The Queen of England with certaine Lords and wealthie Merchants of her kingdome, lent the king mony for the comforting of his forces. Dauphine gotten againe for the King. Francis de Bonne Lord of Diguireres, chaſed the leaguers out of the Countie of Dauphine, and became Maiſter of Grenoble, which is the ſeate of the Parliament of the Prouince, conſtraining the Lord d'Arbigni, who commanded there, to depart, before the Duke of Sauoy or any other of the League could come time ynough to ſuccour them.

In Normandie the Duke de Montpenſier wonne Honfleur, and inforced the Leaguers to forſake the field. The Vicounte of Turenne came into Almaine to leuie a band of Rutters, and hauing gathered an armie, Chriſtian Prince of Anhalt, was made chiefe commaunder thereof. On the other ſide, the new Pope beeing a partaker with Spaine, The Pope an ayder of the Leaguers. promiſed to the league eight thouſand footemen, and fiue hundreth horſe, vnder the conduct of his couſin Francis Sfondrate, and during theſe enterpriſes, the Cheualier d'Aumale ſet vpon the Towne of Saint Dennis neare Paris, ſuppoſing hee ſhould winne it. Hee was followed with many approoued warriours.

The Lord of Vic which commaunded in that place, ſhewed good proofe of his skill and courage: for although the knight and his followers were entered without loſſe, hee ranne vpon them, and charged them ſo roughly, that the knight and the moſt of his people lay dead vpon the ground. The Cheualier d'Aumale ſlaine with all his companie.This knight was one of the principall Captaines of the league, but in his deedes ſo ſtrange and deſolute, that hee could no longer ſupport himſelfe: otherwiſe hee was very hardie and valiant.

This was cauſe of great greefe among the ſeditious, who had fewe men left, that had more miſchiefe in their heads then hee. Many hath reported, that his bodie hauing beene wrapped in a ſearcloth, and laide in a Chappell within the great Church, reſted their til they migh know what the kings pleaſure was to bee done therewithall. Rattes and Mice found about a dead man.On the morrow after, as they would haue drawne foorth the corps to imbalme it, the ſearecloth was found full of rattes and mice, in ſuch number, that they had much ado to driue them away, till ſuch time they were faine to lay vpon them with hand-ſtrokes, and teare them out from the woundes.

The king that on his part would not bee ydle, addreſſed himſelfe to certaine enterpriſes, to giue an alarme to the Pariſians, that by this occaſion bee might awake and cauſe them to remember themſelues. They tooke ſuch an alarme, that they came to the gate of S. Honore, where they had knowledge giuen them, that the kings troupes would come and giue them battell the 20. of Ianuarie. The Spaniards ſhifts to corrupt Paris.All this vaniſhed away, without any incounter or loſſe of the one ſide or on the other. The Spaniſh Agents tooke this occaſion to put the Pariſians in feare, for the aduancement of their affaires: for they thruſt certaine Regiments of Spaniards and Neopolitans into Parris and Meaux, ſtaying till they might conuey thither, a farre greater number, which the Duke of Parma was gathering togither with great diligence, vnder pretence to come with them to the ſuccour of Parris.

The packets and letters of the ſuccours comming from Spaine and Italy, ſerued for a very good remedie to the leaguers, thereby to content the Pariſians. And to comfort and incourage them the more, the new Pope aſsiſted by many Cardinals, did againe excommunicate the king and his adherents. And ſending a monitorie bill, put it in the handes of his Nuncio, called Marcellin Landriano, to bee carried to the Cardinall of Plaiſance his Legat at Parris. The ſuccours by him promiſed beganne to aſſemble.The Popes forces againſt France. As for the king of Spaine, following the particular intelligences which he had with the Duke of Mercoeur, his armie by ſea came into the Caſtle of Brittaine, and ſeized on the part of Blauet, greatly fortified ſince that time.

Monſieur de la Noue was ſent to make heade againſt the Spaniards. And while they ſtayed for the ſuccours of the lowe Countries, the Earle of Briſſac made a voyage toward the Duke of Parma, who brought mony from them to pay the Pentioners, thereby to entertaine them in hope of continuation.

The ſiege and yeelding vp of Chartres to the king.The King retired to Senlis, tooke his way to Brie, & ſtayed about foure myles ſtom Prouence, accompanied with the Duke of Neuers, each one thinking that hee would haue beſieged that Towne, which is not ſtrongly ſituated, hee made ſuch a ſhew, and in ſuch ſort, that the League ſent thither ſpeedily fiue or ſixe hundreth foote, and two hundreth horſe. But becauſe hee came no nearer therevnto, they verily thought hee would haue ſet either vppon the Towne of Troys, or on Seni, ſtaying onely for the Marſhal of Birons comming, who had receiued at Deepe certaine barrels of powder and bullets which was ſent from England.

They continued firme in this opinion, till ſuch time the King marched towards Montereau. Heerevppon roſe an other report, that the King went to Tours, for the redreſsing of certaine diſorders: ſuch as the leaguers blazed abroad, euen to the very ſlaundering of the Princes of the blood. But ſuch thoughts did greatly hurt the league. For the King holding himſelfe cloſe, tenne or twelue daies with the Duke of Neuers, ſent word to the Marſhall de Biron (who was come toward Mant, in his returne from Normandie, after he had taken Caudebec, Harfleur, Feſchamp, and other Townes: in briefe, when hee brought all Prouence vnder the kings obeyſance, Horſmas le Haure, Roane, Pontoiſe, and two or three other places) that hee ſhould croſſe to Beauſſe, as though hee ment to ioyne with him. But that on a ſuddaine hee ſhould turne toward Chartres, to recouer it before any ſuccour ſhould enter into it, for as much as the town had no other garriſon but the own Inhabitants, who were alſo diuided, many bearing good affection to the King, eſpecially the Biſhop: which thing the Marſhall performed ſo ſuddainly, that Chartres was inuironed round about, and beſieged the tenth of Februarie.

A Captaine of Orleans named la Croix, attempted to come to the ſuccour of the Towne, with his Regiment of threeſcore Curates, and two hundreth harguebuziers. But hee was incontinent incloſed and ouerthrowne in ſuch ſort, that of all his followers there eſcaped but four, and himſelfe which made the fift, who with the reſt beeing very well mounted, had all their mindes bent vppon flight, while their fellowes throates were a cutting. The Lord de la Chaſtre, chiefe Captaine of the ſiege in Berry, was conſtrained the ſame time to raiſe his ſiege from before Aubigni, and ſoone after his troupes were ouerthrown by the Lord of Chaſtillon, who came to the king at the ſiege of Chartres, who by his valour and notable inuention of a bridge, to go right vpon the breach, was the principall cauſe vnder God, that the place was won for the King.

In Poictou, the Barron de la Rochepoſé, the Lords of Preaux, of Parabere and others, for the King fought oftentimes with the Leaguers. The Duke of Nemours after certaine ſallies in and about Langres, put himſelfe within Lyons. As for thoſe of Chartres, they defended themſelues moſt couragiouſly, for the ſpace of two moneths and a halfe, without beeing ſuccoured by any: in the end whereof, perceiuing that the bridge which was made by the pollicie of the Lord de Chaſtillon, to come vnto blows with them, would be their ruine, they entered into conditions of accord, the Fryday before Eaſter, the which contained, that if within eighteene daies they were not aſsiſted by the Duke de Maine (who was then at Soiſſons, three ſmal daies iourney from Chrartres) they would yeelde themſelues to the king.

Then they ſent Deputies in poſt toward the Duke, who for prouiſion, diſpatched a Maiſter of his houſholde, and two Maiſters of the campe, with tenne or twelue horſe, to trie if they could enter into the Cittie, with charge to confime the Towneſmen in their obſtinacie. But all the ſuccours being taken on Fryday the ninteenth of Aprill, about foure of the clocke in the after noone, the king with his armie entered into Chartres, where hee ſtayed Saturday and Sunday following. The morrow after his enterance, the Leaguers of the Cittie, to the number of ſixe or ſeuen hundreth, went foorth of the Towne with their armies: and ſuddainly the Marſhall de Biron entered, being followed with 1200. harguebuziers, and about 300. horſe, the garriſon aſſigned to him, and the gouernment giuen againe to the Lord de Sourdis, who before commanded ouer them. They diſlodged from thence, certain Ladies and Gentlewomen of the leaguers in Coches and Chariots, which they cauſed to be ſafely conducted to Orleans. The K. being Maiſter of ſo faire & ſtrong a place, leuied certain monies of the Inhabitants, which had ſubmitted themſelues to his mercie.

Then hauing brought Aulneau and Dourdan to his obeyſance, hee returned to Senlis.

Leaguers ouerthrowne at Esperron.At this time when Chartres was yeelded vp, the Leaguers armie in Prouence, conſiſting of a thouſand Chieftaines, and of ſixteene or eighteen hundreth harguebuziers, as well Prouencieux, Spaniards, as Sauoyans, were othrowne at Eſperrond de Pallieres, by the Lords de la Valette and Diguieres, who did the king excellent ſeruice. For the league loſt at that time near hand foure hundreth Chieftaines, and fifteene hundreth ſhot, leauing a great number of priſoners, fifteen tents, & an infinit companie of horſes & baggage, which were equally diuided among the victors: they loſt among the reſt, young Buous, a braue and gallant Gentleman, twentie ſouldiers, and there were an hundreth hurt.

At Poictou. alſo.In Poictou certaine weekes after, the Vicount de la Guierche, commanding ouer certaine Regiments of footemen and horſemen, and where hee found neare a thouſand natural borne Spaniards newly come from Brittaine, hauing an intent to do ſome great exployt, they were charged to ſo good a purpoſe, and with ſuch high reſolution, by the Barron de la Roche poſé, and other of the kings chiefe ſeruitors, that after they had giuen them a certaine fight, la Guierche ſeeing on the cold earth more then three hundreth Gentlemen, and his moſt aſſured fauourites, tooke his flight toward the next riuer, where finding the ferrie, and thinking to go ouer eaſilie, the throng was ſo great, that the ferrie-boate and all the paſſengers ſuncke to the bottome. La Guierche was there drowned, with a great number of others. There periſhed in the water and in the fight, more then ſeuen hundreth Spaniards. Some ſuppoſed this loſſe of the Leaguers to bee little leſſe then that of Coutras, by reaſon of the great number of the Nobilitie, which died therein. As for Guierche, hee was but little lamented, in reſpect of his vngodly life and diſordered behauiour.

Chaſteauthierri yeelded to the League.The Duke de Maine hauing thus loſt Chartres, followed his intelligence vppon the Towne of Chaſteauthierri, the which was yeelded vnto him with the Caſtle, by the Pinarts, the father and the ſonne, who were commaunders of the ſame place. The Spaniards ſackt both the Towne and Caſtle, ſpoyling in like ſort diuers Gentlemens houſes round about, neuer caring of whole part or religion they were of. After this exployt, thoſe of Guiſe beeing at Reims, made there a new Archbiſhop, diſpatching Ianin, ſometime Preſident of Diion, to go into Spaine, to the intent hee might there looke vnto their affaires.

The kings Edict for upholding the two religions in his kingdome.On the other ſide, the Princes and Romaine Catholicque Lords, which were the kings partakers, perſwaded with him to frame himſelfe to the exteriour profeſsion of their religion, and by the Duke of Luxenburg, who had before made a voyage vnto Rome in their name, they practiſed with the Pope to that end. On the contrarie ſide, the Proteſtant Lords beſeeched the king to haue them in remembrance, who were ſo faithfully & conſtantly imployed for him. Other of his Councel preſſed vpon him, to prouide for his peaceable ſubiects, as well of the one as the other religion. Alſo that hee would preuent the new attempts of the Pope and his adherents againſt France. And theſe ſolicitations begat two Edicts, which were brought foorth at Ma • te in the beginning of Iulie.

The one eſtabliſhed the decrees of pacification made by Henry the third deceaſed, vpon the troubles of the Realme, repealing & aboliſhing that which had been made in Iuly 1585. and 1588. in fauour of the league. The other contained in forme of letters pattents, an ample declaration of the kings intent, to maintaine in France the Romaine Church and religion, which was ſurnamed, Catholicque, Apoſtolicque, togither with the rights and auncient liberties of the Gallican Church.

An act made by the high court of Parliament at Chaalons, & at Tours, againſt the Popes bulles, his Nuntio, and his legat in France.It hath beene ſaid before, that the new Pope called Gregorie, had ſent Marcellin Landriano his Nuntio into France with monitarie bulles againſt the king. The Court of Parliament of Paris ſitting then at Chaalons in Champaigne, hauing receiued and verified the two Edicts aboue mentioned, added at the laſt making mention of the conſeruation of the liberties of the Gallican Church, that ſhe admitted the Atturney generall to appeal touching the abuſe of thoſe bulles publiſhed by the Popes pretended Nuntio, the thundring and execution of the ſame, held him to bee wel relieued, giuing him audience for the firſt day that commiſsion ſhould bee deliuered vnto him, to informe againſt this pretended Nuntio and his adherents: which information beeing made and brought throughout the Court and viewed, then they wold decree that which ſhould bee reaſon: moreouer, that the ſame Atturney ſhould haue an act of proteſtation by him made, to prooue himſelf for the counſell to come. This Edict was giuen the firſt day of Iuly.

In the montth following, there was a ſecond decree made, containing theſe words: The Court hath repealed, reuoked, and diſanuled, and by theſe preſents doth repeale, reuoke, and diſanul, all thoſe bulles of the legation of Cardinall Caietan, and thoſe other buls brought from Rome the firſt of March, proceedings, publications, excommunications, and thundrings, made by Marcillius Landriano, the Popes aforeſaid Nuutio, as falſe, ſcandalous, ſeditious, full of corruption, and madde againſt the holy decrees, cannonicall conſtitutions, approoued councels, and againſt all the rights and liberties of the Gallican Church. Haue ordained, and by theſe preſents do ordaine, that if any haue been excommunicated by vertue of the aforeſaid proceedings, they are abſolued thereof: and that the ſaid bulles, and all the proceedings made by vertue of them, ſhall bee burned in the Market-place of this Cittie, by the hands of the executioner.

Againe it is ordained, that the ſaid Landriano the Popes pretended Nuntio, entering priuily into this Realme without the kings leaue or licence, ſhal bee perſonally taken and conueyed to the kings priſon in this Cittie of Chaalons, there to aunſwere to all ſuch things as ſhall bee alleadged againſt him. And if his taking and apprehention cannot preſently bee, there ſhall be three daies libertie giuen for the ſame, according to the accuſtomed manner. And to him that ſhall deliuer him vp to the lawe, ſhall bee giuen tenne thouſand pound.

Straightly charging and forbidding all perſon & perſons, of what eſtate, qualitie, or condition ſoeuer they bee, to keepe, receiue, ſuccour, or harbour the ſaide pretended Nuntio on paine of death: And all Archbiſhoppes, Biſhoppes, and all other Eccleſiaſticall perſons, to receiue, nor publiſh, nor ſuffer to be publiſhed, any ſentences or proceedings, comming in the behalfe of the foreſaid Nuntio, vppon paine to bee puniſhed as in caſe of high treaſon.

Alſo it is declared, and we do declare, the Cardinals beeing at Rome, Archbiſhops, and all all other Eccleſiaſticall perſons, that haue counſelled and ſigned the ſaid bull and excommunication, and that haue allowed that moſt inhumane, moſt abhominable, & moſt deteſtable parriſide, traiterouſly committed on the perſon of the foreſaid deceaſed Lord Henry the third, the moſt Chriſtian and the moſt Catholicque king of France, worthily caſt off from the poceſsion of thoſe benefices held by them within this Realme: Inioyning the Atturney generall to ſeize them into the kings hands, and there to eſtabliſh good and ſufficient Commiſsioners, forbidding all other his ſubiects to carrie or ſend gold or ſiluer to Rome, or to ſue to the Pope for the obtaining of benifices, vntill it ſhall bee otherwiſe ordered by the king.

And the act of appeale ſhall be by the Atturney generall, deferred vntil the next Councell, lawfully aſſembled by Pope Gregorie the fourteenth, &c. The Parliament at Tours proclaimed the ſame decree, adding moreouer in theirs, theſe words: VVee haue proclaimed and do proclaime, Pope Gregorrie the 14. of that name, an enemie to the common peace, to the vnion of the Romain Catholicke Church, to the King and to his royall eſtate, adherent to the conſpiracie of Spaine, a fauourer of rebels, guiltie of the moſt cruell, moſt inhumane, and moſt deteſtable Parriſide, traiterouſly committed on the perſon of Henry the third, of moſt famous, moſt Chriſtian, and moſt Catholicque memorie.

Certaine months after, and about the end of the yeare the parliament of the League at Paris, condemned and cauſed all thoſe decrees to be burned, which were giuen out againſt the Popes bulles, and the Miniſters of that ſea. As for Landriano and the Legat, they were kept cloſe and ſecret. Finally after they had beene well feed, they got ſafely out of France, through the kings mercifull fauour, carrying away great booties, whereof they had ſmall ioy, becauſe that ſoone after their returne they died.

The moſt part of the priſoners of Blois, who then with the Duke and Cardinall of Guiſe, ſhould haue beene done to death, eſcaped away, ſome after one ſort and ſome after another. But one of their principalll men remained ſtil vnder ſure gard in the Caſtle of Tours: that is to ſay, the Duke of Guiſe, whom the multitude of the Leaguers, and diuers Pariſians did greatly deſire, ſaying many times, that if after the death of his father, and before the comming of his vncle de Maine, hee had beene within Paris, that of a certaine they had carried him to Reimes, ſacred and crowned king of France.

But his keepers held him ſure ynough from them, for the kings Councellours would not, that the ſeditious ſhould haue ſo fit a ſubiect to worke vppon, nor ſuch ſtore of wood and oyle to increaſe the flames of their ſedition.

On the other ſide, the Duke de Maine hauing obtained his new title, to bee Lieftenant generall of the eſtate and Crown of France, deſired not that his Nephewe ſhould bee at more libertie. Neither was the royall throne and ſeat bigge ynough for two to ſit in, and hee which was alreadie ſetled, would not come downe, to ſuffer a younger then himſelfe to aſcend thereinto.

Diuers other of the principall men of the League, willing to counterchecke the Duke de Maine, did all that poſsibly they could, to preferre his young Nephew: but all in vaine. When the Kings Councell ſaw fit time to thwart the Dukes of Maine and Nemours, which by diuers ſlights did daily robbe the Crowne, as alſo diuers other ſtraungers did, would notwithſtanding ſet on them againe, and ſeeke to deſtroy the one by the other: they cauſed their affaiers to bee ſo diſpoſed for the keeping of this perſon, that the Duke of Guiſe, eſcaped the fifteenth day of Auguſt, by a cord which was giuen him,The Duke of Guiſe eſcapeth out of priſon. wherewith ſliding down out of one of the windowes, hee went quite away. There was but ſmall running after him, who hauing found all things readie for his conueyance, tooke his way to the Lord de la Chaſtre, who kept him in a ſure place.

Thoſe which iudged not but ſuperficially of theſe things, namely the Leaguers, made bonfires for ioye of this eſcape, ſuppoſing that this young Prince ſhould be ſo well prouided for, that he ſhould bee made king for the holy vnion. But the Lieftenant generall his vncle, and certaine others, pretending to beare away the beſt part in that peece, were of an other minde. Noyon beſieged and taken by the king.The King all this while ſlept not, hauing the ſelfe ſame moneth beſieged Noyon, a towne in Picardie held by the league, and hauing ouerthrown by foure aſſaults, the ſuccours which the League had ſent them, ſlaine the moſt reſolute men of war on their ſide, taken a great number of priſoners, put the reſt to flight, and conſtrained the beſieged to yeelde.

The Duke de Maine with the Lords of Belin, Vitri, d'Alincourt and others, had a great minde to ſet vppon Mante, thinking to withdraw the king, and afterward aſſayed to force the Switzers of Soleurre lodged at Houdan, but all in vaine, as alſo was their comming to Noyon. For the king beeing neuer mooued with their bragges, followed to the poynt of his purpoſe, euen to the verie noſes of his enemies, who daring not to come vnder his hands, hee became Maiſter of the Towne. And hauing brought vppon the Leaguers and Spaniards great ſhame and diſhonour, hee chaſed them euen vnto Han, prouoking and inforcing them to fight, but they could not heare on that ſide. Noyon was yeelded and giuen vp to the King the ſeuenteenth of Auguſt. About a month after,The Duke of Sauois armie ouerthrowne at Pontcharra. the Lord of Diquieres was ouerthrowne in the plaine of Pontcharra, neare vnto the Caſtle of Bayars, ſtanding in the valleye of Graiſiuodan, with the Duke of Sauois armie, commaunded by Amedio the Dukes baſtard brother, accompanied with Dom Oleuares a Spaniſh Captaine, the Marques of Treuic, and others.

There were ſlaine vppon that plaine, more then two thouſand and fiue hundreth of the Dukes armie, a great number were taken priſoners, beeing for the moſt part Gentlemen of commaund. They wonne alſo aboue three hundreth horſe, eighteene colours bearing the redde croſſe, a Cornet was there taken, and all their baggage left behinde.

The bootie which was gotten, amounted to the ſumme of two hundreth thouſand Crownes, the moſt part thereof beeing in chaines, rings, ſiluer cuppes, and coyne both of golde and ſiluer, the reſt in horſes and armour.

The next day, two thouſand Romaines and ſouldiers of Milaine, who with their commander the Earle Galeotte of Belioyeuſe, were ſaued within the Caſtle d'Aualon, at length yeelded thēſelues to the kings mercie. But the furie of the ſoldiers could not be quieted, til they had ſlain ſix or ſeuē hundreth of them, the reſt hauing white wands giuen in ſtead of Paſports, were ſent into Italie, there to make report of their vnhappie fortune, hauing promiſed neuer to beare armes againſt France any more.

This victorie was the more excellent, for that on the kings ſide, after they had ſearched their companies, there was found but one horſeman, and two footemen dead, and three or foure hurt. The reſt of this yeare was ſpent by the Lord of Diguieres, in the fortifying of Grenoble, and in the refreſhing of his garriſons. After the taking of Noyon, the king cauſed a part of his troupes to go into Normandie, as well to ſame thoſe of Roane, who ſhewed themſelues no leſſe obſtinate then the Pariſians, as alſo to prouoke the Spaniards vnto battell, for he knew that incontinuent the leaguers would crie for ayde: and that if the Duke of Parma deferred their ſuccour, that he ſhould either ſoon ouerthrow them, or quickly bring them to ſome reaſon. On the contrarie, if the Duke ſhould come there, it would be a meanes to diſpatch their affaires, hoping that God would fauour his iuſt cauſe, againſt the vngodly and infamous rebellion of his enemies. In the meane ſpace, hee gaue order that Paris ſhould be incloſed on euery ſide, keeping ſtill his garriſons in the fort of Gournay vpon Marne, at Saint Dennis, Melun, Corbeil, and other places, as well by water as by land, the great tributes and taxes which was gathered for the bringing of victuall to the Pariſians, and the maintenance of their troupes, did ſo glean their mony from them, peece by peece, that it brought the people to great pouertie.

The Leaguers then did that which was loooked for: for after the kingThe ſecond and the laſt comming of the Duke of Parma into France. had ſet forward to Normandie, the king of Spaine beeing ſolicited from diuers parts, and of his owne accord alſo, for the recouering of his money, ſent the Duke of Parma, who was diligently prouiding for the affaires of the lowe countries, into Normandie, to relieue thoſe of Roane, and to helpe them, vpon ſuch occaſions as ſhould bee preſented. Thoſe of Guiſe and other commanders of the league, made continuall ſute to the ſaide Duke to that effect. By this meanes toward the end of the yeare, the Duke of Parma hauing committed the gouernment of the low Countries to the Earle of Mansfield, departed from Bruxelles, and with foure thouſand foote, and three thouſand horſe, ſet forward on his way, making ſmall iournies, becauſe hee thought it the moſt neceſſarie for him, and that vnder the appearance of armes, hee might attaine to an higher purpoſe: which was, to procure the ſtates of the league to giue the Crowne of France to the king of Spaines daughter, whom they had promiſed to wife vnto one of the chief of that partie. The Dukes armie was ſtrengthened by the Italian ſuccours, conducted by Sfondrate Earle of Montemarcian, and three thouſand Switzers.

While all this preparation was made, the ſixteene of Parris, the firſt authors of the league among the people, who could not indure to ſee the Duke de Maine deſpiſe them, and take ſtate vpon him, as he had done within a fewe moneths, reſolued to depriue him of his ſtate, pretending to walke more watily in their affaires, according to the king of Spaines intent, to whom they had Briſſon thē Preſident, l'Archir and Tardif councellors, hanged.ſolde the Cittie, therby to cut off as it were with one blow, al the hope which the king had in their ſubiection. They diſcouered among other, that Briſſon the Preſident, Tardif, and Larcher, Councellours, were ſorrie that they had ſuch great part in the furious actions of the league, thinking how they might finde remedie for the ſame: vppon this, ſuppoſing they had found that which they looked for, and after certaine counſell had on the matter, they went by their authoritie, and apprehended the Preſident and both the Councellours, committing them to priſon the fifteenth day of Nouember, and on the morrow they cauſed them to bee hanged in Greue ſtreete. In this ſort periſhed theſe learned men, eſpecially Briſſon, which plunged himſelfe againſt his conſcience, into this pit of execrable felonie, againſt his ſoueraigne Lord, and the lawes of the Realme. Thus hee receiued of thoſe wicked men, which he had ſo vniuſtly and ſo long ſupported in their heinous crimes, a fit reward for his inexecrable faults.

Foure of the 16. hanged by the Duke of Parma.The Duke de Maine, which practiſed with the Duke of Parma, beeing aduertiſed of this tumult, went to ioyne with his truſtieſt friends, made ſpeed vnto Parris, and cauſed Louchart, Anroux, Hameline, and Emonnot, foure of the ſixteene to bee hanged, and cauſed the other twelue to bee thruſt out of office, and made his Lieftenantſhip as ſure as poſsibly hee could: and to appeaſe the people, who were guiltie of this mutinie, proclaimed the tenth of December, an Edict of baniſhment vnto all thoſe which had bene medlers in this new ryot.

Straunge felony committed by the Parliament, at Roane.As the Duke of Parma tooke eaſie iourneies into Normandie, the Parliament of Roane publiſhed the ſeuenth of Ianuarie, a cruell decree againſt their ſoueraigne Lord the King, containing theſe words: The Court doth moſt expreſly forbid all perſons, of what eſtate, dignitie, or condition ſoeuer they bee, without all exceptions, to fauour in any ſort whatſoeuer, Henry of Bourbon or any of his, but to withſtand him incontinent, vppon paine to bee preſently hanged vp. Alſo the ſame Court ordaineth, that abſolution ſhall bee obtained for the ſaid Atturney generall, Nemine dempto, to informe againſt all thoſe that ſhall fauour the ſaid Henry of Bourbon and his adherents. That the oath made by the holy Vnion the two and twentieth day of Ianuarie, 1589. ſhall bee renued from mouth to month, in the generall aſſembly, which for that purpoſe ſhall bee held in the Abbey of Saint Ouen within the ſame Cittie. Further, it inioyneth all the Inhabitants to keepe, and inuiolably to obſerue the ſaid Edict, from poynt to poynt, according to the tenure and true meaning of the ſame, vpon paine of death, without any hope of grace or fauor to be had therein. Ʋillars a notable Leaguer.Moreuer, the ſame Court doth expreſly inioyne, all the Inhabitants to bee obedient to the Lord of Villars, Lieftenant generall to our ſoueraigne Lord Henry of Lorraine (eldeſt ſon to the Duke de Maine) in this gouernment, in all things which ſhall bee by him commanded, for the conſeruation of this Cittie.

The Biſhop d'Euereux, hanged.A little before the ſiege of Roane, the King hauing in the month of September, 1591. taken Louuiers, chaſtiſed certaine ſeditious perſons, and ſent the Biſhoppe d'Euereux, ſurnamed the holy, priſoner vnto Tours (who was one of the Arches and Pillers of the league) to the end he ſhould there haue the law, and after be hanged: the which was done without the Cardinal of Bourbons knowledge: leaſt hee ſhould repriue him from the Gallowes, hee prouided for all things neceſſarie to the ſiege, cauſing diuers engines to be made at Caen, at Pont de l'Arche, at Ponteau de Mer, and in other places. The D. de Maines ſonne hauing encouraged the Cittizens to perſeuere in their actions, for their reliefe, Baquemare at that time their chiefe Preſident, procured that all the Inhabitants ſhould ſweare before the Maior, named Londe, that they ſhould reueale all thoſe, whom they knewe either in word or deede, to fauour the King of Nauarre, that they might bee puniſhed for example to others.

Villars was there entered, to ſtrengthen them with ſixe hundreth horſe, and twelue hundreth muskets, and gaue ſuch order for his affaires, that they yeelded him ſoone after, the Roiteler of Roane, without any reſpect to the Lieftenant generals ſonne: in ſo much, that when they commaunded him any thing which hee thought not good to bee done, his aunſwere to the Duke de Maine was, that being both of them companions & ſpoylers of the eſtate, hee would not obey him, whom hee knewe not for his Lord and Maiſter. And the better to apply himſelfe, he cauſed all thoſe to be chaſed out of Roane, that were by him ſuſpected, writing letters full of outrage to the King, who ſummoned his ſubiects to an acknowledgement of their rebellion, placing artillerie, and vſing all acts of hoſtillitie againſt his ſoueraigne Lord and King. Moreouer he cauſed a new ſearch for victuals, hee ſubborned Friers, Prieſts, and Preachers, to poyſon the multitude by their ſeditious perſwaſions, broght his troupes into the fielde, indomaging the armie as much as poſsibly hee might, the which, beſide ye obſtinate dealings of the beſieged, had a ſhrewd fight, with the extreame rigour of the ſharpe winter, with ſickeneſſe and the want of food. Notwithſtanding all which, at the laſt the beſieged were conſtrained to come to compoſition. But vnderſtanding that the Dukes de Maine and of Parma were comming with ſuccours, and were withall, become Maiſters of Neufchastel, giuen ouer by the Kings garriſon, they held it till the 20. of March, the which armie of the Dukes came to Franqueuille, which is about halfe a daies iourney from Roane.

The Leaguers armie.The Duke of Guiſe, la Chaſtre, and Vitri, ledde the vantgard: the Dukes of Maine, of Parma, and Sfondrate, Nephew to Pope Gregorie the fourteenth deceaſed, cōducted the maine battel: the rearward had for their leaders, the D, of Aumale, the Earle of Chaligni, Boiſdaufin, Balagni, and Sainpol. Baſſompierre, and Monſieurle Motte, were Captains ouer the Switzers and the artillerie. The Kings troupes being ouer weake to match with this great armie of leaguers, left them to worke their woorſt, ſeeking opportunitie to meete with them at aduantage, ſtaying for the Kings comming, who with all ſpeed iournied toward Deepe on neceſſarie cauſes, the which broke the great intended purpoſes of his enemies.

And the whileſt the Marſhall of Biron, cauſed ſeuen peeces of artillerie to be conueyed to Bans, which is a towne about one mile from Darnetal, where hee ſet himſelfe in battell array, planting his cannons in their ſeuerall places, therewith to entertaine the Duke of Parma, who came to lie in the valley on the ſide thereof. The King ſtayed all that night within a Mill hard by Bans, who continued in fight well near thirtie houres, making continuall skirmiges vppon the forwardeſt of his enemies.

The Duke of Parma, which made as though he would giue battell, after ſome excuſes and delaies drewe this armie on the ſide of Barnetal. But the more to drawe and intangle him, ſtraight after his comming, the king hadde diſmiſſed his Nobilitie, in ſuch ſort, that they were all neare ynough to bee heard, with intent to bring an euill bargaine both vpon the Spaniards and Italians. The reſt of the moneth of March, and the moſt part of Aprill, was ſpent in continuing ſmall skirmiges. In the end, on Tueſday the one and twentieth day of Aprill, about tenne of the clocke in the morning, the Dukes de Maine, of Guiſe, and of Parma, put themſelues into Roane, where they ſtayed but certaine houres. Villars would not haue any partners, much leſſe ſuch Maiſters.

The Leaguers armie had vpon the ſame day of the Dukes enterance, taken Caudebec neare adioyning, from whence the garriſon diſlodged in the night following, and left the towne for the Duke of Parma, which was yeelded vnto him: but he kept it not long.The king ouerrunneth his enemies and breakes their Campe, chaſing the reſt out of Normandis. For the king ſeeing his enemies had not victualled Roane, paſſed to Pont de l'Arche le Mercredi, on the Wedneſday, & aduanced his armie toward Fontain le Bourg, & ſent to all the neighbour owns, as Louiers, Mante, Mulean, Vernon, and otherswhere the Garriſons were, that they ſhould march toward him: the which was ſpeedily performed. Then grew his armie to more then three thouſand horſe of Frenchmen, and ſixe thouſand foote, in leſſe then ſixe daies.

Then turned he his forces toward the Towne d'Yuetot, where the Dukes of Maine and of Guiſe were then lodged, who had no leiſure to go to dinner, hauing news brought that their vantgard was ſuddainly ſet vpon, and wholly ouerthrowne. This conſtrained them by flight to ſaue themſelues two myles off, in the Duke of Parmas quarter, leauing behinde them all their baggage and ſiluer veſſels, a good bootie for the Lord de la Guich.

The firſt of May they were raiſed to an other lodging, and aboue ſixe hundreth of the leaguers ſlaine, without any loſſe, except fiue ſouldiers, and about eighteene or nineteene hurt. And hauing knowledge that the Leaguers intent was not to fight, but to retire, they followed thē the more cloſe, ſhutting vp all their paſſages, as well to preuent the bringing of victuals, as their eſcape: for which there was good reaſon. Vppon the riuer their ſhips and veſſelles were beaten, part whereof was taken, and part ſuncke by the Holanders. By land they were incloſed, in their campe intrenched and fortified, yet would they not iſſue foorth, although the neceſsitie of victuals was extreame great among them, and that all warrelike order ſhewed their inſufficiencie.

They were moreouer intrenched within a wood, where alſo two thouſand Spaniards and VVallons were lodged, to intercept the kings paſſage, who neuertheleſſe in the ſight of their enemie, broke throgh their trenches, where all this great troupe was ouerthrowne, except ſome fewe which by their ſwiftneſſe tooke the groues, beeing more amazed, then deſirous to reuenge. The daies following they continued their chaſing by skirmiges till the tenth of March, at what time the king, after hee knew where they pitcht their campe, choſe out ſuch forces as hee thought neceſſarie, and ſet vppon them by fiue of the clocke in the morning, within a quarter which the leaguers ſuppoſed moſt ſtrongeſt.

There was ouerthrowne without any great reſiſtance, twentie two Cornets of horſemen. It is thought that it was there where the Duke of Parma had his arme hurt with a musket ſhot, other ſay it was done in the former charge.

Howſoeuer it were, the Leaguers loſt at the ſame time two thouſand horſe, which by the victors were carried away with all their baggage: leauing ſlaine vpon that place, more then two thouſand and fiue hundreth men, and many taken priſoners.

They retired towards Feſcamp, where hauing within fewe dayes ſelt the force, both of hunger and thirſt, at laſt they fledde ſhamefully toward Parris, and from thence to Brie, at laſt they came to Artoys, wherwithin few months the Duke of Parma with his troupes melted like waxe in the ſunne. Sfondrate ſawe his people alſo confounded, Roane beeing brought to great extremitie, bought of Villars his Rotelier, the corne hourded vp in his Garners, whereof hee made a maruellous maſſe of treaſure, which hee imployed for a ſmall ſpace, till ſuch time as hee was ſlaine by the Spaniardes neare vnto D • rlans. Thus was France the thirde time deliuered out of the handes of herenemies.

Thoſe of the houſe of Guiſe, and other chiefe Captaines of the League, that ſought new troubles, being nothing ſorrie for the Duke of Parmas ill ſucceſſe, ſet themſelues with the Spaniſh Agents (to get into their handes newe bags of Spaniſh golde) in conſultation touching the aſſembly of their eſtates, to the end to elect a King or a Queene: to wit, the king of Spaines daughter, who was to marrie with one of the principall Leaguers.

And although the Duke de Maine wrought with the others in the ſame wheele, yet had hee a contrarie intent. As for the moſt part of the Parliament of the leaguers of Parris, and the third eſtate, they all deſired peace and ſome end of theſe troubles.

The Leaguers forces in diuers parts.In many other parts of the Realme, and namely in Languedoc and Brittaine, the Dukes of Ioyeuſe and Mercoeur, two principall Leaguers, continued their warre, doing great domage to the Kings ſubiects. In Iuly the Duke de Maine tooke Ponteau de Mer, while the king practiſed his enterance into Paris, which as then found no good ſucceſſe, beeing broken off by the Marſhall de B • rons death, who was ſlaine by a cannon ſhotte at the ſiege of Eſpernon. On the other ſide, the Duke of Nemours purpoſed the building of a little Monarchie at Lyons, being poſſeſſed by intelligence of the Citie and Caſtle of Vieru • , which were ſolde vnto him.

Hee attempted to do much more, by helpe of the forces comming from Sauoy, but in vaine at that time. The King was very watchfull to preuent the enterance of forraine forces, giuing order within his Realme, for all his moſt vrgent affaires, diſtributing his troupes heere and there in places moſt conuenient.

And for as much as his Nobilitie had been greatly hazarded at the ſiege of Roane, and in the ſeruices following, hee diſmiſſed a great many, and retained a certaine number of the moſt deliberez. Others, which went farre off, to aſſayle the League in diuers places, periſhed for the moſt part.

The Spaniards, which were very curious to recouer their great loſſes, with ſome memorable act, ſome certaine monthes after the The ſpoyle of Bayonne attempted in vaine by the Spaniards.Duke of Parmas diſcomfiture, they attempted the taking of Bayonne, by the helpe of a puiſſant armie, which came vnto them as well by water as by land. Long time before this, the Gouernour of Fontaraby, had from his Maiſters intelligence, that a Doctor of Phiſicke called Blancpignon, had often receiued letters in couert termes, to further the Spaniards affaires, conſiſting in the ſurpriſing of the Cittie, and the expulſing of all the kings officers and ſeruants in the ſame.

This Doctor conferred with a Spaniard, which had long time dwelt in that Towne: and thoſe two brought their treaſon to ſuch a poynt, that a fleet of certaine ſhips, and an armie by land, were made readie for the executing of their purpoſe. But God would that the Lacquey which was ſent to Fontaraby, with letters ſpeaking of Phiſicke and curing of the ſicke, was taken by the Lord de la Hilliere, Gouernour of the towne, who hauing with all ſpeede apprehended the Doctor and the Spaniard, in fewe houres preuented all their miſchiefe.

But that which hee had deliberated heerevppon, which was to giue a ſtrappado to the enterpriſers, could not bee performed becauſe of the obſtinate reſolution of the Spaniſh priſoner, who would not write ſuch letters as was of him required, but rather choſe to die, then to ſet pen to paper for the intrapping of his countri-men: and heerevpon with the Doctor hee was beheaded, whereof followed the diſcipation of the Spaniſh armie.

Amblize and the Leaguers of Lorraine, ouerthrowne by the Duke of Bouillon.In the month of October, the Duke of Bouillon Marſhall of France, ouerthrew before Beaumont, the Lord of d'Amblize high Marſhall of Lorraine, and the Dukes Lieftenant generall, accompanied with two thouſand foote, and eight hundreth horſe. Amblize was himſelfe ſlaine in the field, with more then ſeuen hundreth others, his artillerie won, all his Cornets and Enſignes taken, and foure hundreth Launce-knights ſent away vnarmed. The Duke of Bouillon did this valerous exployt, with foure hundreth horſe, and two harquebuziers. But this was much to bee noted, hee loſt not in all that fight any one man of account, and beeing himſelfe ſomething hurt, hee left the purſuite of his foes to his Lieftenants, who beeing ayded by a ſallie of ſhot comming out of Beaumont, they made a happie ende of their proſperous beginning.

That alſo which came to paſſe in this moneth at the ſiege of Villemur, doth woorthily deſerue to bee written in this place, wherein I will onely follow the notes of Monſieur de la Grange, an excellent Hiſtorian, and moſt eloquent among the exquiſite wittes of our time. The Duke of Ioyeuſe (his brother which was ſlaine at Coutras) hauing about the ende of the moneth of lune, done many outragious acts about Montauban, became Maiſter of Monbequin, M •• bartier, and Monbeton, from whence he aſſayled Bart, which was yeelded vppon compoſition, after hee had loſt foure ſcore gallant ſouldiers. And againſt the faithfull promiſe which hee made, hee cauſed the moſt part of the poore yeelding people to bee ſlaine.

Then hee battered and aſſayled the Caſtle of Mauzac, and hauing giuen them three hundreth cannon ſhot, it was yeelded vpon compoſition. Saint Maurice fort, beeing alſo yeelded vnto him, hee beſieged Villemer, with the Lord of that place named Remiers, commaunding ouer an hundreth and fiftie ſouldiers, as well Inhabitants as ſtraungers, to whoſe ayde the Lord of Themines, Seneſhall of Querci, a wiſe and valiant Gentleman, ſpeedily brought ſixe and fortie men, as well Curats as Harguebuziers, vnder the conduct of the Lord de Pedone. The Duke d'Eſpernon and Themenes conſtrained Ioycuſe to raiſe his ſiege, and to forſake one of his great cannons. Thomenes his forces recouered againe the Caſtle of Maurac and other ſmall holds.

The nineteenth of luly, thoſe troupes which Eſper ••• hadde left with Themenes, were ſurpriſed in the night by Duke Ioyeuſe, who ſlew foure hundreth of them, hurt a great number, and had it not beene for the great diſcretion of Themines, he had diſcomfited all the reſt, and carriediwo of their coluerins to Montaubon. While the Duke d'Eſpernon tooke his iourney into Prenence, Ioyeuſe came againe to the ſiege of Villemur the tenth of September. Reniers committed the keeping of that place to the Barron of Mauzac, to Cha • bert, and to Chaize, who were wiſe and warrelike Captaines, while he gathered new ſuccours at Montauban, where at the ſame inſtant hee found Mo •• f •• r de Deſme with certaine forces, who without more ado put himſelfe with his troupes into Villemur.

Ioyeuſe beeing counſelled by two craftie Captaines: to witte, Onoux and Montherand, did batter them with eight cannons and two coluerins. The ••• nes accompanied with ſixe ſcore Gentlemen, and two hundreth harguebuziers, marched couragiouſly to their ſuccour, but in the midway, hee cauſed his horſemen to alight, giuing order for the ſafe conueying of the horſes into Montauban, and then ſpeedily hee got within Villemur, vneſpied of Ioyeuſe or any of his companie, who on the next day, beeing the 20. of September, gaue them a furious aſſault, the which was manfully withſtood, to the loſſe of a great number of the aſſaylants. Then on a ſuddaine, Themenes commanded an alarme to be ſounded, by foure trumpers which he had brough with him, and therewithall furiouſly aſſayled Ioyeuſe, and ouerthrew a Regiment of his footemen, newly come thither, whom they of Thoulouſe had ſent with a ſupply of powder, bullets, pickaxes, and a great number of Iron forkes.

The quallitie of theſe footmen that would haue made ſo bloodie an attempt, did diſpatch the execution, for theſe were all but boyes and rawe ſouldiers, as vnskilfull in warre, as they were accuſtomed to play the warriours in the ſtreetes, and to kill all the world with table talke. In reuenge whereof, the leaguers garriſon at S. Leophaïre, tooke a bootie of two hundreth and fortie oxen feeding in the fields.

Heerevpon the Marſhall of Montmorencie Gouernor of Languedoc, ſent a good ſupply to the beſieged, vnder the conduct of Lecques, & Chambaut. Hauing then chaſed all the robbers and ſpoylers from Saint Leophaire, which had beene there harbored, vppon the report which was made of the new forces that was come to Duke Ioyeuſe, they kept aloofe for certaine daies, about what time Miſſalac Gouernour of Aùuergne, tooke his way toward them, which beeing by Ioyeuſe vnderſtood, hee ſuppoſed it better to bee packing, then to ſtay any longer. And comming to aſſaile the kings troupes at Bellegard, he had a pleaſant beginning, but a heauie and ſorrowfull end of his attempt. For flying the field, heere tired with great loſſe. Neuertheleſſe, beeing minded by a tricke of auncient warre to aſtoniſh his enemies, he cauſed many great bo • fires to bee kindled in his Campe, as tokens of victorie and gladneſſe: wher •• Themines and his followers could not forbeare laughing: for whileſt they were doing thereof, Charnbant at one inſtant ouerthrew a company of lance-knights, of whom there was threeſcore ſlaine in the ſame place. Miſſac came to Montauban, followed with an hundreth Gentlemen, and a good number of harguebuziers, which by the Counſell of the Barron of Mauzac and others, was fully reſolued to giue Duke Ioyeuſe battel: who repoſing too much confidence in his forces, and the ordinarie reports made vnto him by certaine faire Gentlewomen which were his fauourits, and near neighbours to thoſe of Montaubon, loſt both himſelfe and his followers: for his forces were found ſcattered at his moſt neede. And the Ladies did too late aduertiſe him of Miſs ſilacs departure, who led the vantguard, Chambant the maine battell, and Lecques the reareward. The nineteenth of October, theſe warriours beeing reſolutely aduanced forward to the Towne of Villemur, ioyned directly with the Regiments of Clouzel and Montoiſon, the outermoſt of Duke Ioyeuſe trenches, which was guarded with two hundreth ſoldiers, & preſently ſuccored with foure hundreth others: neuertheleſſe, they were beaten and driuen to the next trench, and there were they fought withall a good halfe houre, being conducted by the Duke himſelfe, who ſeeing the reſt of the kings armie come before him, and Themines iſſuing out of the town at his backe, was conſtrained to flie the field, and to retire further off, to a place called Condommes, where his campe and artillerie lay: but this retrait fell out ſo ill for him, that his people ſeeing thēſelues purſued by the victorious armie, fled in great diſorder, & tumbled thēſelues headlong into the riuer of Tar. I he bridge which Ioyeuſe had builded being cut vp, was almoſt ye cauſe of all their deaths, which forſooke the land to paſſe the water: Ioyeuſe being ouercome with diſpaire in this diſtreſſe, was heard to vomit forth theſe words: Farewel my great cannōs. Ha. I renounce God. I run this day a high fortune. And therwithal deſperately be plunged himſelfe horſe and all into the riuer Tar. There were two Gentlemen, the one called Courtete, the other Bidon, that ſought by all means to ſaue him, but the riuer ſwallowed him, as it were betwixt their hands. And thus did God, who is the true executioner of diuine iuſtice, worke the ende of this cruell, proude, and blaſphemous yong Duke, who was much lamented of the leaguers, for whom he had done many great exployts. The kings horſemen hauing paſſed the forde, charged thoſe that were in the water: and purſuing the fugiriues, cut in peeces all thoſe that withſtood them. At that time, for the ſpace of a good harguebuze ſhot in length, the heads of the fugitiues was ſeen floting vpon the riuer. This vanquiſhed armie conſiſted of 600. horſemen, and 4000. foote, togither with 1400. lance-knights, which was a part of a greater number, that was raiſed in Almanie by the Emperors commandement, as it appeared by the original of the commiſsions, which were found after the diſcomfiture. By the confeſsion of the vanquiſhed, they loſt at that time about 3000. men, three cannons, & two coluerins. They alſo had from them 22. Enſignes, & carried from thence 43. priſoners. They on the kings ſide, loſt only ten men, foure of the which being not very well known, were for want of heed ſlain by their own fellows. The town of Villemur hauing indured 2000. cannon ſhot, ſaw themſelues finally deliuered, hauing in all loſt but 17. common ſouldiers. The body of Duke Ioyeuſe was the next day drawne out of the water, and carried into Villemur, there to bee interred.

The royall armie conſiſting of fiue hundreth horſemen, and two thouſand fiue hundreth hargue buziers, beſide thoſe that were within the Towne of Villemur, withdrew themſelues in good order into their Garriſons, after they had giuen thankes vnto God in all the Churches neare adioyning, for ſo miraculous and proſperous a victorie.

Now, although the leaguers affaires were in great diſorder, yet did not their principall Captaines ceaſe, to make many reports before the people, wherewith they beſotted the moſt ſubtilleſt, aſſuring them, that ſhortly they would ſo prouide by the aſſembly of the eſtates at Parris, that they would proceede for the election of a newe king: adding, that as for him (whom in diſdain they called the Bearnois) that raigned partly by thoſe named Catholicks, was not to bee receiued or ſuffered any longer, and to this effect was their counſell publiſhed, according to the affection of the new made Pope & the King of Spaine. The peoples complaint in open Parliament.And whileſt the Spaniſh king made payment of their pentions by a day aſsigned, many of the Moonkes being of one opinion, left the Duke de Maines affaires, perceiuing that in the end, his pretended Lieftenantſhip would intangle and bring them from the greateſt to the leaſt, into a pitte of vtter ſubuertion and confuſion, beganne to lift vp their heads, and to ſeeke after conditions of peace. At length in the open Parliament of the Leaguers at Parris, they caſt in many billes of complaints: and the principall of the Cittie cried out in ſuch ſort, that an aſſembly of the Citizens was held in the beginning of Nouember, where they ſpake ſo openly for the ending of their troubles, that the Duke de Maine beganne to ſhake. But in the end, to ſtrengthen his affaires, hee came into the lower houſe, deſiring the aſſembly to commit the deciding of that poynt to the eſtates conuocated for that month? And hee added in the end of his Oration theſe words, ſtaying for the Eſtates: I pray them that haue ſet things ſo forward, that they would ſend to the king of Nauarre, to intreate with him, that hee would depart vpon this propoſition: if hee will not do it, I ſhall haue occaſion to beleeue, that hee is euill affectioned to our ſide, and well pleaſed with thoſe that are enemies to our religion.

Notwithſtanding theſe threatnings, it was agreed vpon in the ſaid aſſembly, that they ſhould ſend toward the king, ſtaying for the renuing of the Eſtates, to the ende agreement might be made, that traficque and marchandize might be free, as well for Parris, as other Cities of the kingdome. The Duke that could not reſiſt their wils in this matter, fained to giue his conſent therevnto. In middeſt of theſe matters, the Popes Legat ſtrengthened by the principall leaguers, and according to his intelligences with the Spaniards, whoſe Pentioner hee was, continued the troubles of France by his bulles: ſo that it prouoked the Parliament of Paris ſitting at Chaalons, to proclaime an edict the 18. day of Nouember, which was publiſhed euery where among them, the which for a remembrance to all poſterities, I haue here in this place ſet down at large.An act of Parliament made at Cha alons againſt the Popes Bulls, and the aſſembly of the Leaguers Eſtates. Vppon this which the kings Atturney generall hath declared to the Court, that the rebellious and ſeditious, to execute their euill and wicked purpoſes, which they haue of a long time attempted, to depriue the lawfull ſucceſſors of this kingdome from the Crowne, not beeing content to fill this Realme with murthers, maſſacres, robberies, and ſpoyles, but haue aboundantly brought in the moſt cruell and pernicious Spaniardes, enemies to this Realme, perceiuing the Inhabitants of the rebellious Townes to beginne, as from a long lethergie and trance, to come againe vnto to themſelues, and to enter againe into the way of obedience, wherein God and nature both binde them towards their lawfull King, thereby to kill and mortifie all poynts of loue and charitie that ſhould bee working in them, and to bring this Realme into greater trouble and diuiſion then before, by proceeding to the election of a new king. And to giue ſome colour to the ſame, they haue publiſhed a certain writing in forme of a bull, giuing power and authoritie to the Cardinall of Plaiſance, to aſsiſt and authorize the ſaid pretended election, wherein the rebellious and ſeditious ſort diſcouered openly, that which till then they had kept cloſe. All which they did vnder pretence of religion, to couer their wicked and damnable enterpriſe. This is a thing that all good Catholicque Frenchmen ought to deteſt and abhorre, as a matter directly contrary to the word of God, holy decrees, Councels, and liberties of the Gallican or French Church: the which openeth a gappe to all ruine and ſubuerſion of all humane ſocieties and pollicies, inſtituted of God, namely in this renowmed and flouriſhing Monarchie, the ouerthrow of the ground of the law, wherein principally conſiſteth the true order of the lawfull ſucceſsion of our kings. For the preſeruation whereof, all good and true borne Frenchmen, ought to ſpende their liues, rather then to ſuffer the ſame to bee altered or violated, as the foundation on the which the certaintie and quiet of the eſtate is builded. The Court in allowing this requeſt, made by the kings Atturney generall, hath and doth receiue him, complaining of the abuſe committed in the obtaining of the ſaid bull, the contents, publication, and execution thereof, and all the reſt that ſhould follow the ſame: and hath and doth holde him well relieued, and doth order, that Philip by the title of S. Onuphrius Cardinall of Plaiſance, ſhall bee aſsigned in the ſame, to aunſwere to the ſaid appeale, and the decree made in the Cittie of Chaalons, by publicke proclamation ſhall haue as full ſtrength and effect, as if it were done on his owne perſon, or in his owne houſe. And in the meane while, the ſaid Court doth exhort all Prelates, Biſhoppes, Princes, Lords, Gentlemen, Officers, and all the kings ſubjects, of what eſtate, condition, or quallitie ſoeuer they bee, not to hearken to the poyſoning inchantments of ſuch rebellious and ſeditious perſons, but to continue the dutie of good and naturall Frenchmen, and alwaies keepe and hold the loue and affection due to their king and countrie: and not to holde with the deceits of ſuch, which vnder pretence of religion, would ſpoyle the eſtate, & bring in barbarous Spaniards and other vſurpers. Giuing moſt ſtraight charge and commaundemen, vnto all perſons whatſoeuer, neither to receiue nor keep in their houſes, or about them, the ſaid bull, or to publiſh the ſame, neither to aſsiſt or fauour the ſaide rebelles, nor yet to aſſemble themſelues to any Townes or places, which might be appoynted or choſen for the foreſaid pretended election, vpon pain to the Nobilitie, to bee diſgraded of their honours, and to bee proclaimed infamous, both they and their poſteritie for euer. And to the Clargie, to bee depriued, thruſt out of their poſſeſsions and benifices, and to be puniſhed togither for this their offence, as traitors and diſturbers of the publicke quiet and royall prerogatiue of their countrie, without all hope to obtaine in ſuch a caſe, any fauour or pardon whatſoeuer. And the like paine we pronounce to all townes that ſhall receiue the ſaid rebels and ſeditious perſons, for the making of the ſaid aſſembly, or that doth lodge, retaine, or ſuccour them.

And the ſaid Court doth further ordaine▪ that the place where the ſaid deliberation ſhall bee kept, togither with the Towne where the ſaid aſſembly ſhall bee made, ſhall bee raced and deſtroyed from the toppe to the bottome, without all hope to haue it reedified or builded any more, for a perpetuall remembrance to all poſterities, of their treaſon, diſloyaltie, and vnfaithfulneſſe joyning all perſons to aſſault all thoſe which ſhall repaire to the ſaide Cittie, to bee preſent in that aſſembly. And there ſhall be commiſsion deliuered to the ſaid Atturney generall, to informe againſt all ſuch as haue been the authors and procurers of ſuch monopolies and conſpiracies made againſt the eſtate, and that haue fauoured or aſsiſted them. And this preſent Edict ſhall bee publiſhed by ſound of trumpet, and publickly proclaimed in all places of this Towne, and ſent to all places of this precinct, there to bee red, publiſhed and regiſtred, by the diligence of the ſubſtitudes belonging to the Atturney generall, whereof they ſhall certifie the Court within one moneth, on paine to looſe their Offices for the contrarie.

The leaguers deſpiſing the kings authoritie, flowted at the Edict of this Parliament: and called the Deputies from all parts of the Prouinces and confederate Townes, to bee preſent with the eſtates at Paris. As for the chiefe and principall, each one had a ſeuerall purpoſe, beeing deſirous to bee ſeated in their Soueraignes chaire, without hauing any minde to bee ſeruants or fellows in this Anarchie maintained by them, with the helpe of the double Piſtolles of Spaine. It came to paſſe in the moneth of Nouember, that the Lord of Vaugrenan commanding for the king within the Towne of S. Iohn Delaune, in Bourgondie, ouerthrew ſeuenteene companies of footemen hard by the Towne of Diion, wonne their colours, weapons, and other furniture. Amongſt the packets and coffers of the Barron de Teniſſé, who was a great leaguer and chiefe commaunder of theſe troupes, were found certaine inſtructions and commiſsions, which were ſent from the Duke de Nemours to the ſaid Barron, to conferre with the Duke de Maine, to this ende, that Nemours might bee elected king by the eſtates of Parris.

This young Prince aymed at no other thing but ſoueraigntie: and beeing miſled by certaine euill Councellours which hee kept, planted at Lyon and thereabout, the foundations of his loftie purpoſes, for the accompliſhing whereof, an hundreth yeares would bee farre too little: but hauing builded vpon ſand, in fewe moneths his edefices fell downe, wherewith he was confounded.

Now as the leaguers were promiſed great thinges by their eſtates of Parris, and the partakers of Spaine, held it for a moſt certaine troth, that the Duke of Parma would returne yet the third time, with puiſſant forces to doo ſome notable exployt, thereby to couer the ſhame of his two former voyages, and ſo to aſſure the Crowne of France to king Philip, or to the Princeſſe his daughter. The death of the Duke of Parma.But death cut off the thrid of his life, togither with his enterpriſes, the ſecond of December, 1592. Many men thought that this blowe would rent thoſe patches wherewith the league was attired.

But the Duke de Maine beeing deliuered of him of whom hee ſtood in doubt, ſuppoſed that now the time preſented it ſelfe, wherein hee might bring his long deſired purpoſe to effect, heerevpon hee raiſed his Cornets of horſe, and did more miſchiefe to Paris then before.

A little before theſe newes came, hee gaue ſome eare to the conditions of peace, which had beene happie for him, if ſome euill counſell had not turned his mind from the ſame. But the deceaſe of him by whom he was ouer awed, cauſed his humour to bee changed, imagining that hee ſhould ſhortly haue the title, to bee Lieftenant generall to the King of Spaine in the conqueſt of France. Therefore one of his attempts was to create the Lord de Roſne one of is chiefe familiars, Marſhall of France, and Gouernor of the Iſle of France, conſtraining the Preſidents and Councellors incloſed in Paris, to receiue this Roſne into two offices, which appertained to a Lord of a higher blood and eſtate.

The Pariſians, which before ſpake openly of peace and agreement, durſt now ſpeake no more thereof, except in ſecret. In the feaſt of Chriſtmas, the Duke de Maine cauſed thoſe decrees which were lately made at Chaalons againſt the bull of the Popes Legat, to bee openly burned vpon the ſteps of his Pallace, the Citie beeing all in armes. Alſo the Dukes of Guiſe, of Maine, of Nemours, of Sauoye, the Marques of Pont, wrought diuers ſlights to bee aduanced in the election.

The King of Spaine by his Agents did as much on the other ſide, aſuring himſelfe, that as hee had made many of the Leaguers his Pentioners, ſo alſo knewe hee well, that in time hee ſhould finde opportunitie to ouerthrow and bring them all to deſtruction, one after another, and to make himſelfe the abſolute and ſupreme Lord. During theſe practiſes, the king was fully reſolued to aſſemble the principall Peeres of his Realme at Chartres, to prouide and thinke vpon remedies againſt thoſe euils, which now beganne to preſent it ſelfe. The warres continued in diuers Prouinces but ſlowly, except in Lorraine, where the Marſhal de Bouillon tooke by plaine force, and by a maruellous incounter, the ſtrong Towne of Dun vppon Meuſe, a little aboue Stenay, and droue thence thoſe of Lorraine.

The Duke de Maine publiſheth a proclamation againſt the king.Now for the cloſing vp of this yeare, in the ſame moneth of December, the Duke de Maine publiſhed a great writing, intituled: A declaration for the vniting againe of all the Catholicques of the Realme. This was an invectiue againſt the King, couered vnder colour of religion, and a ſummoning of all thoſe which profeſt the Romaine religion, to withdraw themſelues from the obedience of their lawfull and ſoueraigne Prince, and a conuocating of his partakers into the Cittie of Paris, on the ſeuenteenth day of Ianuarie next inſuing, that they might determine togither without paſsion (ſaide hee) and without reſpect of any mans intereſt, ſuch remedie as they ſhould in their conſciences thinke requiſite, for the preſeruation of the religion and the royall eſtate.

But while the Cardinall of Bourbon, (named by the League Charles the tenth) was priſoner, they vſed other ſpeeches: but after his death, they not daring to deny, but that the Crown appertained to king Henry the fourth, vſed the colour of religion to blinde the ſimple. And ſoone after by this meanes there aroſe other changes, notwithſtanding the king of Spaine gaue not ouer the proſecuting of his enterpriſes in France. As for the warre of Sauoy and Piedemont, wee will ſpeake briefly about the ende of the yeare following.

Againſt this declaration made by the Duke de Maine, The kings anſwere to the Duke de Maines declaration.the king publiſhed an other, wherein he diſcouered the deceits of his rebellious ſubiects, namely of the chiefeſt ſort, alſo the f • lonie committed by the Duke de Maine, in aſſembling the eſtates of his kingdome, wherin he manifeſtly vſurped his royal authoritie, confuting his excuſes and vaine coulour to the ſame: maintaining his right in claiming the Crowne. And for the ſtate of religion, hee declared that if without the conuocating of a Councell, there might bee found far better and eaſier meanes to come vnto that inſtruction or admonition which they pretended to giue him, to withdraw him from the exerciſe of his religion, to that of the Romaines: hee was ſo farre from reiecting ſuch a meanes, that to the contrarie, hee did deſire and imbrace it with all his heart. As wee ſuppoſe (ſaid hee) that wee haue ſufficiently witneſſed by the permiſsion which wee haue graunted to the Princes Officers of the Crowne, and other Catholicque Lords which do follow vs, to ſend their Deputies to the Pope, for the more eaſie and ſpeedie performance of the ſaid inſtruction or admonition. Beſide, the K. doth accuſe the leaguers that they had hindered the ſaid inſtruction or admonition; Hee doth largely diſcourſe of the dutie of true Frenchmen, promiſeth to receiue the ſaid inſtruction: and for anſwere to the chiefe poynt of his aduerſaries declaration, he doth on the other ſide declare, that this pretended aſſemblie of Parris, is enterpriſed againſt the lawes, the good and publicke quiet of the Realme: and that all which ſhall bee therein concluded, is meere abuſe and of no effect or force. Hee likewiſe pronounceth the Duke de Maine, and all that ſhould therein aſsiſt him, guiltie of treaſon in the higheſt degree. Hee doth furthermore offer pardon to the Citties, Communalties, and perſons, which haue beene ſeduced by the Captaines of the League. And hee doth exhort them to acknowledge their dutie.

A declaratimade by the kings Councel to the eſtates of the League.The Princes and Catholicque Lords who were of the Kings Councell, publiſhed the ſame time a declaration, and ſent it about the end of Ianuarie to the eſtates of the League. By the ſame they required that Deputies might be aſsigned on both ſides, to determine togither of the moſt readieſt means for the aſſwaging of the troubles, and the preſeruation of the Romaine Catholicque religion and the ſtate. The Duke de Maine and his adherents anſwered, that they were readie to ſend their Deputies, ſo that they on the Kings ſide would with a good conſcience ioyne themſelues to the Catholicke Romaine Church, vnder which cloke of reconciliation, they did carefully hide their furious actions and former rebellion. The Popes Legat made on his part an exhortation to the Catholiques, fraught with reproach againſt the King, who was on euery ſide defamed and euill ſpoken off by his enemies.

All his diſcourſe beeing imprinted, tended all to this poynt, to perſwade all Frenchmen, that the king beeing of long time cut off from the bodie of the Church, had bin moſt iuſtly pronounced vncapable of the Crown. Soone after, they did diſanull thoſe acts of Parliament that were made at Tours and at Chaalons, againſt the monitaries of Landriano, and the aſſembly at Chartres, which they called a conuenticle, they ſung their Maiſters praiſes, damned the Parliament of Chaalons which had condemned their bulles, magnified the eſtates of the League, which wholy reiected ſo obſtinate an hereticque, with full purpoſe neuer to bee ſubiect vnto him, declaring that in deed the Pope had ſo commaunded it to be.

In this aſſembly of Parris, appeared the Duke of Feria for the King of Spaine, who alſo made an Oration exhortarie to elect a new King: then preſented he his Maiſters letters tending to the ſame effect, with promiſe to aide and ſuccour the Leaguers by all meanes poſsible. For this had hee great thankes giuen him in the name of all the reſt, by Cardinall Pelué Archbiſhop of Reimes, who was a ſlaue to the houſe of Guiſe. While the Spaniards and their Pentioners, indeuoured with all their power to continue France in her miſeries, hoping by meanes of theſe eſtates of the League, more and more to intangle the affaires of the Realme: yea, to throwe them headlong into ſuch confuſion, that in the mean ſpace they might haue leiſure to ſet forward their purpoſes againſt the Lowe Countries, England, and France it ſelfe, the king was ſolicited from diuers places, by Councellors both neare about him, and farre off, openly to forſake the profeſsion of the reformed religion, and to imbrace from that time forward, the Romaine ceremonies. The ſumme of their ſolicitations was, that to expulſe the Spaniards, to recouer Parris and the other of the leaguers townes, he muſt be inforcſt to take away from the chiefe of that ſide, the onely colour of Papiſme, by meanes whereof, they would continue their rebellions.

And while the king openly imbraced his accuſtomed religion, thoſe of the contrarie ſide (an hundreth times in greater number) might follow the houſe of Guiſe, and other chiefe Leaguers, who by meanes of the Spaniardes and the Pope, might well finde means to maintaine and augment the diſcentions, through all the corners and in the middeſt of his kingdome, the which was well woorth a Maſſe: and that it were not good to let it bee loſt for a few ceremonies, nor to bee ſubiect to ſo many cenſures, and to bee couerted by euery bace perſon that would controll the kings pleaſures, and hinder his recreations after ſo many troubles.

And for as much that ſuch a voyce was ſpredde abroad, by the notable aduertiſements of other Councellours, Ciuill and Eccleſiaſticall, it ſeemed to them, that the king would incline therevnto, and the Deputies of the Princes and Lords of his Councell, communicating with thoſe of the League, to preuent the election of a new king, gaue ſome hope thereof. On this report the Frenchmen in diuers ſorts ſuſpended their iudgements, according to their ſeuerall affections.

Thoſe that deſired to ſee a change, which came ſoone after, did carefully keepe the Proteſtants from comming neare the king, to ſhewe him by word of mouth or writing, reaſons of diuinitie & pollicie, for which it was not lawfull or conuenient to change his religion: on the other ſide, they did daily driue this counſell into his eares, that hee muſt needes eſpouſe the Crowne of France to the Maſſe, and not otherwiſe.

Theſe men followed this matter ſo much, that at laſt they procured diuers learned Prelates to bee aſſembled, which were the Popes ſubiects, in whoſe preſence the ſtate of the reformed religion ſhould bee ouerthrowne: heerevpon diuers Archbiſhoppes, Biſhoppes, and Doctors of Sorbonne, were appoynted to meete at Mant the fifteenth of Iuly, without any mention made of the proteſtant Miniſters which were before clapt vp.

The Leaguers deuices againſt theſe ſolicitations.The Deputies of the leaguers fearing this blowe, deuiſed a new ſhift to thwart the kings affaires, and to ſet forward the Spaniards, they firſt complained of theſe ſuddaine changes, declaring that they could not put any truſt therein: alſo that it appertained to the Popes holineſſe, both firſt and laſt to haue his hand therein. That the king ought to ſhew all ſubmiſsion to the ſea of Rome, and to attend for a declaration from thence, if he would be found meete to gouerne the Realme of France. That vnderſtanding the Popes pleaſure, they would determine on all things that were reaſon. Moreouer, they condemned the voyage made by the Marques of Piſani, whom the kings Catholicque Councell had ſent toward the Pope, thinking it very ill that the king ſhould giue vnto him any charge at all, who would beleeue (theſe were their words) that they would proceed in an other ſort afterward, and with more reſpect to the Popes dignitie, and their dutie toward his ſea. They added moreouer, that it was impoſsible to determine any further with the kings Deputies, before that the change of religion which the king was to make, was receiued and approoued by the Pope: of which matter they pretended to take further counſell as it was requiſite, for the onely conſeruation of the Romaine religion in France. They left alſo in ſuſpence, the ſurceaſe of armes, becauſe of their other troubles.

Now while the Romaine Cleargie which were appoynted to diſpute of their religion in the Kings preſence, aſſembled togither, and that the ſtates of Parris followed to conferre of their affaires, where the principall leaguers, eſpecially the Duke de Maine, the Popes Legate, the Duke of Feria, a Spaniard and others, ſtill practiſed for the bringing in of a new king, continually ſtanding vpon this poynt, to maintaine the warres in France vpon expence of the Indian golde: the Parliament of Paris aſſayed to hinder part of theſe practiſes, and to driue the Spaniardes home againe.

Means made by the Parlament of Paris againſt the League & the Spanyard.By an act made the twentieth eight of Iune, they ordained that declarations ſhould bee made the ſame day after dinner, by the Preſident, the Maiſter, aſsiſted with diuers Councellours, to the Duke of Maine in preſence of other Lords, to this effect: that no act might bee made to ſet the Crowne on the heads of any forraine Prince or Princeſſe: ordaining moreouer, that the auncient lawes of the Realme, ſhould be ſtill kept inuiolate. That the decrees giuen by the Court, for the declaration of a Cathoclique King, a Frenchman borne, ſhould bee executed. That the Duke de Maine ſhould bee exhorted to imploy his authoritie of Lieftenanſhippe, to prouide that vnder colour of religion, the Crowne ſhould not fall into the handes of ſtraungers, contrarie to the lawes and ſtatutes of the Realme. And to prouide ſpeedily for the peoples quiet: declaring ouer and aboue, all manner of acts made or pretended to bee made, for the eſtabliſhing of a forraine Prince or Princeſſe, to bee of no ſtrength, force, or effect, but to bee as deeds preiudiciall to the Salicque lawes, and other ancient lawes and prerogatiues of the Realme of France.

The Duke de Maine beeing extreame wrath at this Edict, grew to very hard words with the Preſident, who confuted all theſe houe ſpeeches vſed by him, and certaine other of the leaguers which held with him.

At laſt, after much conference, commings, and goings, letters, and anſweres, The K. changeth his religion.from the Deputie on each ſide, the ſupplications of thoſe which deſired that the king would make profeſsion of the Romaine religion preuailed, in ſuch ſort, that the king who ſince he withdrew himſelfe from the Court of France, for fifteene yeares before, had made open profeſsion of the reformed religion, contrarie to the aduice of his Miniſters, went to ſee and heare Maſſe ſung in the Cathedrall Church of Saint Dennis, the fiue and twentieth Sunday of Iuly, where hee was receiued by the Archbiſhop of Bourges, and other Prelates, lates, with certaine peculiar ceremonies, peculier to this receiuing, which was incontinent publiſhed throughout the Realme, with diuers cenſures as well of the Catholicque Nobilitie, as alſo of thoſe of the religion, whereof not one followed this example.

As for Courtiers, there were a very ſmall number, or other particulars in ſeuerall parts of the Realme, which ſhooke at this change, but men made not thereof any account, for they were all ſpeedily ſuſpected. And as for ſuch as went about to gratulate the kings conuerſion (as they called it) their recompence was only to bee mockt, and ſoone after, the moſt part of them periſhed in miſerable ſort. A generall truce practiſed.The Duke de Maine and his greateſt fauourites, ſeeing their intended enterpriſes preuented, by that which was now come to paſſe: and on the other ſide, that the practiſes of the Spaniardes was ſtill to maintaine the fire of diſcention, by meanes of the election of a newe King, which ſhould bee married to the Spaniſh kings daughter: to the ende they might giue ſome hope to haue at length a day for their turne, and to fruſtrate the Spaniards practiſes, began in Iuly to treat a general truce, and after much adoo made therein, the articles were agreed vpon the laſt of Iuly. Notwithſtanding this truce, the chiefe of the league with their eſtates of Parris, gaue not ouer the following of their purpoſes. New deuices made by the Leaguers to hinder the king.And as they had before oppoſed themſelues at Rome by the meanes of the Spaniſh Ambaſſadour, againſt the ſuite of the Marques of Piſani, and the Cardinall of Gondy, Deputies to the Kings Cathonique Councell toward the Pope, before the foreſaid ceremonie the fiue and twentieth of Iuly: alſo they reſolued to hinder the king, of whom they ſpake moſt odiouſly, from being receiued, and to withſtand him as much or more then before, by the Sermons of ſeditious Preachers, by declarations to the contentment of their adherents, by ſecret indeuours, and by practiſes at Rome, to ouerthrow, indomage, and make the D. of Neuers voyage for the king vnprofitable, whom hee had ſent to acknowledge his dutie to the Pope.

As for the Preachers belonging to the League, publicke and priuately, before and after the truce, their diſcourſes at Paris and other places were, that the Maſſe which they ſung before the king, was but a deceit: that it was impoſsible the King ſhould bee conuerted; that the Pope could not recatholize him: that it was lawfull for the people to riſe againſt him and his officers: that it appertained to the Sorbonniſts, to iudge whether the Pope oght to receiue him as king. And if peraduenture hee ſhould do it, neuertheleſſe hee might bee held for an hereticque, and one excommunicate: that it was lawfull for any particular man to kill him that ſhould ſay, hee was revnited to the Catholicque Romaine Church. Theſe and ſuch other propoſitions, were made and ſpredde both within Paris and other places.

In regard of the declarations made by theſe eſtates of the League, to keepe the fauour of their partakers, to giue a ſecret touch to the kings Councellors, as if they were not right Catholickes, and to bring the Realme into far greater trouble then before, they in their aſſembly the eighteenth day of Auguſt, made a declaration containing theſe words, among many others: With one conſent and aduiſe wee haue decreed, eſtabliſhed, and or dained, and by this preſent doo decree, eſtabliſh, and ordaine, that the holy and ſacred generall Councell of Trent, ſhall bee receiued, publiſhed, and obſerued, purely and ſimply in all places and iuriſdictions of this Realme: as at this preſent in the generall bodie of the eſtates, wee do receiue and publiſh it. Their oath.Moreouer, the ſame eſtates deuiſed the forme of an oath in theſe termes: Wee promiſe and ſweare, to continue vnited togither for the defence and preſeruation of the Catholicque, Apoſtolicque, and Romaine religion, and to bring (if it be poſſible) this kingdome ſo long time afflicted, to his auncient dignitie and renowme: and neuer to conſent, for any perill or cauſe whatſoeuer ſhall come, that any thing ſhall bee done for the aduancement of hereſie, or to the preiudice of our religion: for defence whereof, wee promiſe to hee obedient to the ſacred decrees & ordinances of our holy father and the ſacred ſea of Rome, without euer falling away from the ſame.

Their diuiſion vpon the principall point.But they were not vnited togither in reſpect of the principall poynt, which was, to acknowledge one king. The Pariſians, and other townes that held for the League, deſired that the king of Spaines daughter might bee married to the Duke of Guiſe, and ſo beeing ioyned by matrimonie, they might be crowned King and Queene of France. The Duke de Maine, who was ſolicited to aduance the houſe of the Popes Legate, made ſhewe to agree to ſo great an honour done to his Nephew, but hauing accorded vpon the generall, for his particular profit, hee demaunded things impoſsible, or at leaſt ſo difficult, that it might bee well perceiued, that not eſteeming the Popes or King Philips will, nor the conſent of the eſtates and chiefe of the League, hee ſaid as the Cardinall did in the Conclaue: I choſe myſelfe. Impoſsible it was, that euer hee ſhould come to aduance his Nephewe to the Crowne. Peter Barriere attēpted to kill the king, and is executed for the ſame.Theſe contentions produced the truce aboue mentioned, which the Duke of Maine and his Councellours forged, to breake a blowe with the partakers of Spaine, and to draw new treaſures into their purſes. This wrought the confuſion of France on the one ſide: on the other, the Prelates and Sorbonniſts, which with the watch-word receiued from Rome, had drawn the king to the Maſſe, imagined in this ſort, to fiſh for a golden world. But the leaguers thought to bring in new troubles and pernicious practiſes: for in middeſt of theſe buſineſſes, the ſixe and twentieth day of Auguſt, Peter Barriere, Alias Bar, borne at Orleans, was committed priſoner at Meleun, where hee finally confeſſed, that hee was ſeduced by a Capucin Fryer at Lyons, by the Curat and Vicar of a certaine Pariſh in Paris, and alſo by a Ieſuite, cloſely to follow the king, and to murther him with a two edged knife, the which was found about him. He had beene intiſed to this parriſide, and was reſolued to doo it, chiefly about two months before: and further, confeſſed that two Prieſts by him nominated, were alſo come from Lyons for the verie ſame intent: and that he ſet himſelfe the forwardeſt for the execution thereof, to the ende hee might get the greateſt honour thereby. Hee was drawne through the ſtreetes of Meleun, where then the king was, they cut off his right hand, holding the murthering knife therein, and after burned the ſame. After this was done, they broke his armes, legges, and thigh bones, and in that ſort laide him vppon a wheele, where hee languiſhed certaine houres till hee died, then was his bodie conſumed to aſhes and throwne into the riuer, his compleces or confederates ſo diſguiſed themſelues, that they could not bee found or taken.

The Duke of Nemours Tragedie.At this time was the Duke of Nemours within Lyon, from whence hee would not ſtirre, to go to the eſtates of the league, although the Pope had giuen him commaundement: the other chiefe Captaines thought it meete, and his friend and ſeruants deſired him to go, hee vouchſafed not ſo much as to ſend vnto them, knowing that the leaguers caſt their eies altogither vpō the Duke of Guiſe, and that the Duke de Maine his brother by the mothers ſide, croſt all his purpoſes, and would worke all meanes for his death. A certaine bolde Eryer of Lyon, perceiuing well that this yong Prince pretented to bring ſome new matter to paſſe within the league, whereby at leaſt hee might haue ſome great hand in the gouernment, by the aduice of two or three Councellours who were of his complecies, hee compaſſed Lyon with many fortreſſes which held on his ſide at Toiſſai, Vienne, Montbriſon, Chaſtillon, de Dombes, Belleuille, Tiſi, Charlieu, and other places. Quirieu forſaking him, hee bought it with a great ſum of mony, at the hands of the Lord of Saint Iulian, which was Gouernour thereof. This done, Lyon was incloſed as well by water as by land.

The Lyonnois did not withſtand neither his prodigallities nor his Councellours, nor his men of warre, which forraged the plaine countrie, receiuing the guerdon of their reuolt from the kings obedience. In the end, acknowledging themſelues, they roſe vp againſt the Duke of Nemours, aſsiſted by the counſell and preſence of their Archbiſhop, ſent by the Duke de Maine, and the eighteenth of September they tooke holde of Nemours, who was ſeene three times at deaths doore, committing him to cloſe priſon, where hee continued certaine moneths, and at laſt eſcaping by cunning meanes, ſpoyled of his ſuccours, chaſed from his Fortreſſes, hee went and died farre from France, in a litle Towne of his owne name Aneci, ſcituat in Sauoy, in the Countie of Geneuois.

During this generall truce, many matters were intended for the eſtabliſhment of the affaires of the kingdome. The king, which deſired the agreement of his ſubiects, and the aboliſhment of the pernicious league, aſſayed by faire meanes to winne the Duke de Maine, in making him offer of charge, and honourable aſſurances of preferment. The Duke, which ſeemed yet to haue two ſtrings to his bowe, bargained, promiſed, refuſed, aduanced, gathered, and ſtretched theſe matters to the length: procuring vnder hand, that the deciſion of the Sorbonniſts in the yeare 1590. might take place: that is to ſay, that Henry of Bourbon was declared vnworthie of all right or pretence to the Crowne, although hee made profeſsion of the Romaine religion. The Spaniſh Agents in France ſet this matter forward, working with all their power, for the preferment of the Duke of Neuers. On the other ſide, they induced both great and ſmall to continue their accuſtomed requeſt, for the aboliſhing of one of the religions in France: many other were of this opinion, that the king could not be receiued, except hee firſt promiſed expreſly to driue away all thoſe of the reformed religion, or at leaſt to aboliſh and put downe their publicque exerciſes. This counſell did hatch or breed infinit vniuſt matters in the reſt of the yeare, through diuers parts of France, where they of the religion could obtaine no true reſt, but in promiſe and papers, being moleſted in effect with all reproaches that might bee imagined: wherevnto they oppoſed themſelues in nothing but in peaceable complaints, and humble ſupplications. Notwithſtanding they obtained nothing, the deuices of their enemies beeing ſuch, that all their forepaſſed and faithfull ſeruices were diſdained, and contrariwiſe, the moſt part of the chiefe Captaines and leaguers Townes receiued into fauour, cheriſhed, and raiſed vnto honour. Briefly, all the kings good and faithfull ſeruants were caſt into the lake of forgetfulneſſe, and the enemies and conſpirators of the eſtates ſet as it were in a chaire of triumph, before whom iuſtice was ſo ſhamefully abuſed, that the wronged cried vengeance from heauen, to fall vppon their deteſtable dealings.

There were alſo at this time other deuices againſt the king.There was alſo at this time, an other ſort of Courtiers that greatly fauored the League, and yet notwithſtanding fained to bee fauourers of the Commonweale and quiet of the Realme: who daily ſpredde rude reports of the kings inſufficiencie, ſaying that all meanes failed him, to make him be obeyed, that his enemies were of two great a number, and too mightie for him, yea inuincible: that they would ouerthrow him in ſhort time. That France vnder his raigne beeing ſcourged with ſo many warres, then falling into a new ſickneſſe of deſolations and ſhamefull deceits, it could not but languiſh, and that it would come to paſſe, after once it hung the wing, that ſhe ſhould remaine a pray for a greater Maiſter. This was (by their account) the king of Spaine, of whom they made great bragges of his honour, reputation, and greatneſſe. His double Piſtolles had ſo bewitched their thoughts, that they alſo ſuppoſed to make the Frenchmen afraid with the very name of this Prince: remembring not at all, that an hundreth yeares before, Philip Artch-Duke of Auſtrige, great Grandfather to the king of Spaine, made homage within the towne of Arras, to king Lewis the twelfth, in the perſon of his Chancellor, the Earles of Flanders, Artois, and Charrolois, where on his bended knees, hee called him his ſoueraigne Lord, ſwearing to become true ſeruant vnto the ſaid king Lewis, promiſing to bee faithfull all daies of his life, and in his behalfe to ſtand againſt al other, to procure his welfare, to preuent his harmes, and in all things to behaue himſelf toward him, as to his ſoueraigne Lord and Maiſter, of which the Hiſtories of theſe times do make true mention.

While yet this truce indured, the king deliberated to aſſemble at Mante, certaine of the chiefe Nobles of the Realme, to take counſell on diuers matters at that time needfull. The Deputies of the reformed Churches were there preſent about the end of Nouember, whom the king cauſed to be called togither, the twelfth day of the moneth following, and hauing giuen them audience, and heard the great ſorrow which they made vpon the infinit contradictions of his decrees, and their complaints of the greeuous wrongs done vnto them through all his Prouinces: hee aunſwered, that the change of religion, had not any whit changed his affection from thē, that hee would redreſſe their greefes, and make peace and concord among his ſubiects. He receiued their billes of complaints to haue them peruſed. But theſe affaires were drawn to ſuch length, that the diſtance of many yeares hath buried all. And the Captaines of the league hauing plunged the Realme into new miſeries, thoſe of the religion almoſt in all parts of the kingdom, continued as greeuous vnder the croſſe as before.

The war of Piedmont.As for the warres on the other ſide of the mountaines, their affaires fell out in this ſort: About the ende of the yeare one thouſand fiue hundreth nintietwo, the Lord of Diguieres, beeing entered into Piedmont, had taken there for the king, Briqueras, Cauours, and three or foure other little townes, hauing ouerthrowne the Duke of Sauoy in diuers incounters, as hee did alſo in Prouence, and on the frontiers of Dauphine: hee chaſed them out of all theſe Prouinces, and droue him to his owne houſe, in ſuch ſort, that if hee had beene ſtrengthened in the yeare following, with men, money, and munition, hee had inforced the Duke to giue ouer all that which hee vſurped from the Crowne of France.

But the Duke, who was not ignorant of the eſtate and affaires of France, aſſayed to couer and hide the ſhame he had gotten in ſo many iournies, as in the plaine of Pontcharra, at Eſpernon de Pallieres, and otherwiſe in ſo many incounters in Piedmont, where hee had loſt in two yeares, as alſo about Geneue, many of his beſt approoued good ſouldiers, and a great number of Captaines, hauing alſo conſumed a maruellous heape of treaſure and munition in theſe continuall warres. Hee did then through his father in lawes fauor, who furniſhed him with a new maſſe of money, beſiege, batter, aſſault, and take by compoſition, the Townes of Briqueras and Cauours, beeing content to keepe them to himſelfe, without ſeeking any further in Prouence, where his Garriſons could not long remaine without chaſe of the enemie, the Towne of Berry onely accepted.

Thus did the Frenchmen looſe in ſmall time, that which they had gotten in Piedmont: whereof men do write in diuers ſorts. In theſe ſieges, the aſſayled did their duties maruellous well, but being ouerwatcht by the multitude of the aſſailants, and depriued of the principall commodities to withſtand a ſiege, deſtitute of ſuccour, and the paſſages ſtopt, they were of neceſſitie conſtrained to yeeld: while the ſaid L. of Diguieres was as it were bound hand and foote in the countrie of Dauphine: and that many which ſhould not haue forgotten his braue exployts, but ſtretch out their hands for the relieuing of that diſtreſſed countrie, and to make head againſt the Spaniardes, euen at their very gates, forſooke him in his neede, thinking by their enuious deuiſes, to eclips the glorie of this great Captain and commander, croſsing all his purpoſes, that he could not recouer himſelf long time after, hauing been depriued of all neceſſarie means to begin in which he did accōpliſh about four yeares after, with no leſſe courage and magnanimitie then before. Thus haue wee briefly runne ouer that, which the whole Hiſtorie doth more at large mention, our intent beeing onely in this breuiarie, to touch and paſſe ouer things as it were in a word.

The king conſidering that his enemies, which required a prolonging of this truce, ſought no other thing, then meanes to continue the Realme in miſerie, reſolued no longer to beare the ſame, wherefore hee cauſed in the beginning of this yeare, a declaration to be publiſhed and imprinted, containing an Oration of the miſchiefes and vnfaithfull practiſes of the Leaguers, which vnder a continuing of truce, ſoght to eſtabliſh their tyrannie. He preſcribed a moneths libertie, as wel to the chiefe of the leaguers, as to the Clargie, cities, towns, & Communalties, yea to al men generally within ye ſame, to acknowledge him their king, & ſubmit thēſelues to his gouernmēt, as it was requiſite, and in ſo doing, he would place them again each one in his charge, benefices, lands, and priuiledges. The time once paſt, he would reuoke his grace and fauour, accounting them to be rebelles and guiltie of high treaſon for contempt of this kingly offer.

The report of this declaration, and the preparations which the king made to chaſtiſe their ſtubborn opinions, amazed the very principall of the league, & the moſt part of the rebellious townes and commons. The Duke de Maine, did now beat his braines to auoyde this danger, but hauing no forces, neither of his owne, nor from others, ſufficient to remedie the ſame, theſe matters fell out otherwiſe then he thought. The Lord of Villeroy ſent his opinion plainely to the Duke, in letters which were intercepted, and ſince that, imprinted, deſcribing in moſt fit termes, his owne inſufficiencie and miſerie. Certaine Townes partaking with the Duke, ſent to the king, crauing truce for two moneths more, but he refuſed to graunt it.

The Leaguers townes forſake their rebellion.This vnion then intangled by ſo many oathes, deceits, conſpiracies, and fellonies, were ſeene to faile and part aſunder the moſt obſtinate, beginning now to conceiue & foreſee their finall ruine, if they perſeuered in their former rebellion. The preuentials taking example by the rigorous gouernment of the Duke d'Eſpernon, againſt whom they had obſtinately reſiſted, beganne to abace their Pecockes plumes. Thoſe of Meaux in Brie, a ſmall iourney from Parris, yeelded themſelues to the king the eleuenth day of Ianuarie, by the meanes of the Lord of Vitri their Gouernour, who hauing drawne great ſummes of mony out of the treaſures of Spaine, wherewith hee builded a gorgious houſe, forſooke the league, and deliuered the Towne to the king, with al the artillerie which the Duke of Parma brought thither from the low Countries.

Moreouer, the Inhabitants of Meaux, exhorted the Pariſians by a pithie letter to follow their example. They obtained of the king (as alſo Vitri did) euen whatſoeuer they would requeſt. The Pariſians beganne to looke one vppon another, and the kings Atturney generall in the Parliament, made a long Oration in the open audience, whereof the whole ſum was, that they ſhould no longer ſtay from acknowledging their king, except they would prepare themſelues to indure greater miſeries then before, which wold produce a generall ſubuertion. The Lord of Bellin, Gouernour of the Cittie for the leaguers, was of the ſame minde. To preuent this eminent deſtruction of the league, the Duke de Maine through enuie wrought ſuch meanes, that Bellin was put out of office, and driuen out of Paris, what time himſelfe drew into the Cittie an armie of Spaniardes, Italians and Wallons, vnder the commaund of the Duke of Feria, thinking to keep for the king of Spaine his good Cittie of Paris. But the parliament more carefull for that which was to come, ordained that the Duke de Maine ſhould be required by one of the Preſidents, and ſixe Councellours, to prouide for the quiet of the Cittie within a month, in ſuch ſort, that a happie peace might make an end of all theſe diſorders, and that the king might bee by them acknowledged.

An act made by the Parliament of Paris againſt the Spanyards.And during the time that they ſought vaine excuſes, and ſtrengthened the garriſons, the Parliament made an act, the fourteenth day of this month, containing theſe words. The Court with ful conſent hath vowed and proteſted, to oppoſe themſelues againſt the euill and wicked purpoſes of the Spaniards, and againſt ſuch as would ſeeke to bring ayde, or protect them within the Realme of France: ordaining that all garriſons ſtraungers ſhall depart the Cittie of Parsis, and declaring their intent to hinder with all their might, that the Lord of Billin ſhould abandon or forſake the ſaid cittie, nor any Bourgeous of the ſame, but either hee to ſtay with them, or hee and they to depart altogither. And wee inioyne the prouoſt of the Merchants, to warne all the Citizēs togither, to take counſel on things neceſſarie, & to ioyne with the ſame court, for the better executiō of the ſaid act. And that the ſaid Court ſhall forbear all other matters, till ſuch time as the ſaid act is put in execution & receiued. Thoſe of that bodie which had been before the greateſt ſuſtainers of the league, were now the firſt that humbled themſelues herevnto. The Ambaſſadour of the Spaniſh part, wrought at Rome an other occaſion to hinder the accord twixt the Pope and the king of France, who alleadged that the Kings penitence at S. Dennis, was not ſufficient to obtain abſolution of the papall ſeat, ſent the Duke of Neuers with great preſents to bee giuen to him and his ſon. He parted from Rome the 15. of Ianuarie, who met vpon the way, the Cardinall of Ioyeuſe, and the Barron of Seneſcay, who were ſpeedily trauelling toward the Pope in the Duke de Maines name.The ſhifts of the leaguers of Rome. Their courtlike ſalutations was then forgotten, both on the one ſide and other. The Cardinall had audience the 24. of this month, who demaunded ſuccors for the league, and 200000. Crownes, otherwiſe all would bee vtterly loſt. But the Pope anſwered, that vntill then, the K. of Spaine had furniſhed the league both with men, mony, and promiſed ſo to continue. As for the mony which they demanded, he excuſed himſelfe by means of warres with the Turkes. Six daies after, the Cardinal hauing by an other Oration ſhewen the meanes how to ſuſtaine the league, the Pope made anſwere, he could reſolue on nothing, till firſt he had taken aduice with the king of Spaine, for the moſt expedient meanes to maintaine the Catholicque religion in France.

Leaguers receiued into grace thorow the mercie of their gracious ſoueraigne.The Duke of Neuers was moſt royally receiued at Florence, at Venice, and at Mantoue, from whence hee came into France. Many memorable things came to paſſe in the month of Februarie. On the one ſide, the King cōſtrained thoſe of Milon and the Caſtle of Thierri, to acknowledge him for their ſoueraigne Lord: on the other, he receiued into fauour the Cittie of Orleans, Lyon, Roane, Poictiers, Bourges, Haure de Grace, Ponteau de Mer, Vernueil at Perche, Pontoiſe, Riom in Auuergne, Peronne, and Mondidier in Picardie, agreed that they of Amiens and Abbeuille, ſhould remaine newters, (which ſhortly after acknowledged him) becauſe they would not open their gates to the Duke of Aumale, one of the Captaines of the league, nor to his troupes.

The Biſhop of Orleans for his better obtaining of the kings pardon for al the Cittie, procured that certaine mutinous perſons of the league ſhould bee whipt, and the reſt baniſhed. As for the Duke de Maine, they tooke a packet of his letters, that was ſent to the king of Spaine, containing a complaint of his miſeries.

Hee ſent Zamet his Agent to the king, to vndertake his affaires: but the kings aunſwere was, that hee would not deale with the Duke of Maine, as with the chiefe of a faction. That if he wold craue pardon of his ſoueraigne Lord, he wold receiue him as his kinſman and allie. The leaguers townes made their ſeueral intreats, & each one vpon their declaration, obtained of the K. much more fauour then they looked for: as much may be ſaid of all the reſt in particular, which in great numbers ſubmitted themſelues to the king, whom he receiued in gracious ſort, giuing them for the moſt part, authoritie & charge, and was himſelfe moſt liberall vnto many: while his faithfull ſubiects and ſeruants of the religion, were moſt hardly vſed and ſpightfully intreated, in diuers Prouinces of the Realme.

Now reſteth the Principall Cittie to bee ſpoken of, that is, the faire Cittie of Parris, which was brought to the kings obeyſance by meanes of the intelligences which they had within, with the Lord of Billin their Gouernour, the Earle of Briſſac and others, the two and twentieth of March: The Duke de Maine had truſt vp his baggage certaine daies before, to be packing to Soiſſons. There was once reſiſtance made at the New gate, by certaine Lance-knights, who were torne in peeces: and a Court of guard of the Leaguers toward the Pallace, whom the Cittizens ſoone put to flight. The Neapolitans made ſhewe as if they would proffer fight, refuſing to agree, except it were by the conſent of the Duke of Feria, and Don Diego d'Euera their Generall.

They accepted ſoone after without reſiſtance, whatſoeuer it pleaſed the king to offer them, as vnto their Captaines: to witte, that all of them ſhould enioy their armes, and ſo depart with bagge and baggage out of the Cittie, from thence to haue ſafe conduct out of the Realme, toward the borders of Picardie, after they had promiſed the king neuer to beare armes in France againſt his ſeruice.

Heere was a thing woorthie to bee noted, that foure thouſand men on horſe and foote, entering armed into this little world of Parris, ſhould put the league to ſilence, keepe ſo well the order preſcribed vnto them, and be ſo obedient, that no ſouldier left his rancke, to commit any outrage or violence.

That no Burgeous or Inhabitant was indomaged, nor ſo much as wronged in his reputation, perſon, or goods: that all the people mingled themſelues preſently with the men of war, and other that entered with the king, in ſuch familiaritie, as if they had alwaies dwelt togither, filling the ſtreetes with ioyful applaudes and maruellous reioycings, euen as if they had eſcaped the hands of the hangman, to beholde the face of their deare father, or beſt beloued friend.

The Kings troupes entered the Cittie, about foure of the clocke in the morning, and within two houres the ſhoppes were all ſet open, the Citie appearing ſo peaceable, as if there had neuer been any change. The moſt paine which the kings ſeruants had, was to keepe the people with faire intreaties, who required no other thing, then to bee medling againſt the Spaniardes, Neapolitans, and VVallons, who were in number nine hundreth men, or thereabout, to bee reuenged on them, calling to minde the great iniuries which they had receiued by their meanes in times paſt.

All their Churches and Temples were filled ſoone after, with praiers and ſongs of thanſgiuing to God, according to the order and cuſtome of the ſame Cittie, which was newes moſt pleaſing and agreeable to the Inhabitants. As much was done in all other places of the kings obeyſance, and namely in diuers parts out of France. In ſhort time after, Baſtille was yeelded, and hee which commanded there for the league, ſent away with his ſouldiers. The Cardinal of Plaiſance the Popes Legat being ſick at Paris, had his ſafe conduct to bee gone, who died ſoone after, and ſo likewiſe did the Cardinall of Pelue. This was the cauſe that other diſpearſed Leaguers and ſeditious Preachers fled away, ſome heere, ſome there, vnder the wings of the king of Spaine, or toward the Duke de Maine, who was gone to Soiſſons. The moſt part were confounded with deſpight and ſorrow. The other do as yet bite on the bridle in Spaine and the lowe Countries, and from one moneth to another followe their companies. There were ſome found that hazarded themſelues to enter into Parris, but it was to be drawne to the gallowes, where they receiued the guerdon due to their villainie.

The Parliament of Paris beeing eſtabliſhed ſoone after this yeelding publiſhed a decree the thirtieth of March in theſe termes: The Court hauing the twelfth day of Ianuarie laſt, required the Duke de Maine to acknowledge the king, whom God and the lawes hath giuen to this Realme, for the eſtabliſhing of peace and vnitie, whereto hee would giue no eare, through the deuiſes of the Spaniards and their adherents: and God hauing ſince of his infinit goodneſſe, deliuered this Cittie of Parris from the hands of ſtraungers, and brought the ſame to obedience of her true, naturall, and lawfull king: after ſolemne thanſgiuing to God for this bleſſed ſucceſſe, would imploy the ſoueraigne authoritie and iuſtice of this Realme, for the preſeruation of the Catholicque, Apoſtolicque, and Romaine religion, to ſee that vnder the falſe colour and pretext of the ſame, ſtraungers do not poſſeſſe the eſtate: Calling all Princes, Prelates, Lords, Gentlemen, and other ſubiects, to the grace, fauour, and clemencie of the king, and to a generall reconciliation, and to repaire that which the libertie of the warres hath altered or taken from the authoritie of the lawes foundation, of the royall eſtate, rights and honours of the Crowne.

Theſe things hauing beene in deliberation, all the chambers aſſembled hath declared, and doth declare, all acts, decrees, ordinances, and oathes, giuen, made, or readie to bee made, ſince the 29. of December, 1588. to the preiudice of the authoritie giuen to our kings and lawes of the Realme, to be ſet and extorted by force and violence: and as ſuch, we reuoke, repeale, and diſanull them: ordaining, that they ſhall remaine aboliſhed and of no force: and eſpecially that, which hath beene made againſt the honour of the deceaſed king, Henry the third: as well thoſe in his life time, as ſince his death, to be nothing: forbidding al perſons to ſpeake of his memorie, otherwiſe then wel or honourably. And further, wee ordaine▪ that the deteſtable murther committed vpon his royall perſon, ſhall bee informed and proceeded againſt extraordinarily, againſt all ſuch as ſhall be found guiltie therein. And the ſaide Court hath reuoked, and doth reuoke, the power heretofore graunted to the Duke de Maine, vnder the title of the Lieftenant generall of the eſtate and Crowne of France.

Forbidding al perſons of what eſtate or condition ſoeuer they be, to acknowledge him by that title, or to ſhewe him any obeyſance, fauour, comfort, or ayde, on paine to bee puniſhed as guiltie of treaſon in the higheſt degree. And on the ſame paine, inioyneth the ſaid Duke de Maine, and other Princes of the houſe of Lorraine, to acknowledge king Henry the fourth of that name, King of France and Nauarre, for their king and ſoueraigne Lorde, and to giue vnto him ſuch ſeruice and obedience, as to him is due. And that all other Princes, Lords, Townes, Communalties, and particularities, ſhall giue ouer the pretended part of the League, whereof the Duke de Maine was made chiefe: and to render vnto the King all obedience and fidelitie, on paine to haue the ſaid Princes, Lords, and Gentlemen, to bee diſgraded of their Nobilitie, and to bee declared outlawes, both them and their poſteritie, with the confiſcation of bodie and goodes, racing and deſtroying of their Townes, caſtles, and manners, which ſhall bee diſobedient to the commandement and pleaſure of the king.

And this Court hath broken and repealed, and by this preſent do breake and repeale, all that which hath beene done, inacted, and ordained, by the pretended Deputies of the aſſembly held in this Citie of Paris, vnder the name of the generall eſtates of this kingdome, as of no effect or force, beeing made by priuate perſons, who were for the moſt part, practiſers with the factious ſort of the Realm, and partakers with the Spaniards, hauing no lawful power or authoritie. Forbidding alſo the ſaid pretended Deputies, from henceforth neuer to take the like vpon them againe, and no more to make aſſemblies, either in this Citie or any other, on paine to bee puniſhed as diſturbers of the publicke peace, and guiltie of treaſon toward his Maieſtie. And wee enioyne all theſe pretended Deputies, which are at this preſent within the Citie of Paris, to depart each one to his owne houſe, there to liue as ſubiects vnder the kings lawes, and to bee ſworne to their fidelitie, before the iudges and Magiſtrates of thoſe parts. It is alſo ordained, and by theſe preſents were doo ordaine, that all proceſsions and ſolemnities tollerared during theſe troubles, all occaſions of them ſhall ceaſe, and in ſteade of them, the two and twentieth day of March ſhall bee for euer ſolemnized, on the which day, generall proceſsions ſhall bee made after the accuſtomed manner, aſsiſted by the ſaid Court of Parliament in their ſcarlet robes, in remembrance of the moſt happy deliuerance of this Cittie on that day, from all her miſeries, and the bringing thereof vnder the kings obedience, with thankſgiuing vnto God for the ſame.

At the ſame time the king publiſhed a declaration, wherein all the ſhifts and deceits of the Captaines of the league were diſcouered, and his loue and great good will toward the Pariſians, to whom hee forgaue all matters paſt, reſtored all their cuſtomes and priuiledges, obtained new fauors, and ſhewed a moſt fatherly affection towarde them, which was moſt pleaſing to the people, which drew many other townes from the league, to humble themſelues to his highneſſe.

Three weekes after, the Rector of the Vniuerſitie, the Deane, and the Doctors of Sorbonne, the Deanes and Doctors of other faculties, in briefe, all the members, officers, and ſubſtitudes of the Vniuerſities, of their owne minde aſſembled, went all to humble themſelues to the king, which was then in the Chappell of Bourbon, where they all fell proſtrate on the ground before him, acknowledging him their onely true and naturall Prince, ſhewing with a moſt heartie affection, well witneſsing their loue, that they were readie to take what oath it pleaſed him, to confirme them to his ſubiection: hee receiued them, and with great benignitie ſent them away. The moneths of April and May, were ſpent in receiuing and anſwering ſupplications, from the Townes and Commons in diuers Prouinces, and in drawing Lordes, Gentlemen, Captains, and other principall members of the league vnder the kings ſubiection, who pardoned all, in ſuch ſort, that the League reſembled Iſopes Choffe.

Warre in Picardy againſt the league.There remained ſome Townes in Picardie, which were ſolde through the meanes of the moſt factious of that part. The king beſieged Laon and certaine other Townes, which the Spaniards aſſayed to warrant and keepe. But their ſuccours hauing been ouerthrowne in diuers incounters, where they loſt more then fiue hundreth men, at laſt Laon yeelded to the king, and ſo likewiſe the others, Soiſſons and Fere excepted, which were poſſeſt by the Duke of Maine and the Spaniardes, who alſo at the ſame time became Maiſters of Chapelle, a little Towne in the Duchie of Thieraſche. The Duke of Maine ranne to Bruxelles for freſh ſupplies. He receiued a good ſumme of mony, but not ſufficient to withſtand the kings proſperous proceeding, who then receiued into grace and fauour, the Duke of Guiſe and his brother, giuing ſince to the ſaid Duke the gouernment of Prouence. The Duke de Maine, who could do nothing in Picardie, hauing left good garriſons within Soiſſons, hee cloſely trauelled into the Duchie of Bourgondy, that hee might aſſure thoſe places to himſelfe, which hee knew yet to hold for the league. Now let vs turne againe to Paris, where they beganne a new warre. The Ieſuites hauing in former times ſtood againſt ſundrie purpoſes of the Vniuerſitie (whom they had ſet out in their colours, ſhewing that this ſect is the moſt execreable of al others) by the helpe of ſuch which had to do with thoſe people, for the executing of their great and moſt vnfortunate enterpriſes. And in the end, ſince the day of the Barricadoes had imperiouſly commaunded within Parris, vſed infinit practiſes to aduance the Spaniards in France, kindled the fire of ſedition in all the principall towns in the kingdome, defaming in their ſermons and confeſsions, the memorie of the deceaſed king, and the Maieſtie of him now raigning, whoſe fame was by them ſpotted in the vildeſt manner they could deuiſe: and finally had indeuoured to kill the king by the meanes of Barriere, who was executed at Meleun, as hee depoſed a little before his death.

Theſe conſiderations were cauſe that the firſt reſolution taken by the Vniuerſitie of Paris, ſince the Citties reduction, was to require the baniſhing of the Ieſuites. To this effect a ſupplication was preſented to the Court of Parliament, who hauing a certaine time deſpiſed the authoritie thereof, in the end conſtrained by an act made the ſeuenth of Iuly, containing that the indightment which was to be giuen againſt them, ſhould be heard the Monday following, in a publicque audience to be iudged in open field, they did that day entertaine their Aduocates and men of law in the great chamber before the audience were readie, who did declare, that to defend the cauſe on their behalfe, he was conſtrained to ſay many hard things againſt diuers that were knowne to bee the kings true ſeruaunts, and for this occaſion, they requeſted that the cauſe might bee pleaded within doores.

This deuice was made, to hinder the people from the cleare knowledge of the corrupt and pernicious purpoſes of the Ieſuites, pretending to make all Europe ſubiect to the Spaniards: but for as much as they had obtained their requeſt, this inuention had no ſuch ſucceſſe as they looked for. For all their pleadings which were done cloſe within doores, was afterward openly publiſhed in print, where the Aduocates of the vniuerſitie, men learned and deepely affectioned to the Romaine Church, did particularly repreſent and diſcouer to the full, the horrible, wicked, and inſupportable malice of that ſect. But the deciding of the matter was ſuſpended: Gods prouidence reſeruing the ſame to an othertime, which came ſooner then many looked for.

The Spaniards being deſirous to continue the fire of diſcention in France, inſtantly ſolicited the Duke de Mercoeur, Warres in Britaine. one of the chiefe of the league, and an vſurper of a part of the Duchie of Brittaine, alwaies to continue warre. His ſiſter Loyſe of Vaudemont, king Henry the thirds widdow, did all ſhee might to make his peace. Certaine troubles hapning in the meane time, broke all that was done. The Spaniards, which were Maiſters of Blauet, a Fortreſſe almoſt inuincible, had builded during the Sommer of the yeare 1594. a ſtrong Fort neare vnto Croyſil, to ſtoppe • he enterance to the port of Breſt: which would haue beene better for them, if they had made another right againſt it, and on the other ſide of the hauen.

Sir Iohn Norris. Captaine Forbiſher.To hinder them, came the Marſhall d'Aumont, and S. Iohn Norris, Generall of the Engliſhmen, to whom was ſent a ſupply by ſea, vnder the conduct of Captaine Forbiſher, they ſoone became Maiſters of Quimpercorencin, and of the Towne and Caſtle of Morlay. Soone after, they aſſailed the Spaniards new fort, and ſlew foure hundreth ſouldiers that kept it, not without loſſe of their own men, among other the ſaid Forbiſher. The king on the other ſide, deliberating to make war out of his own realm againſt the Spaniards, agreed with the States of Holland and their confederates, to beginne in the Duchie of Luxembourg, where the Marſhall of Bouillon, who married one of the daughters of the deceaſed Prince of Orange, and Earle Philip of Naſſau, aſſayed to enter in the moneth of October, where they found all the paſſages ſhut vp, and Earle Charles of Mansfield making head againſt them, eſpecially on the troupes of Holland. The king on the other ſide, ſought to ouerrunne the frontiers of Picardie, and gaue the eſtates of Artois and Hainaut to vnderſtand, that if they fauoured him ſo little, to ſuffer the Spaniſh forces to moleſt Cambray and the countries adioyning, that hee would then make warre vppon them incontinent.

This meſſage beeing ſent in writing from Amiens, by a Trumpetter, about the midſt of December, the eſtates knew not what to ſay vnto it, and before they would make anſwere, they opened the matter vnto the Arch-duke Erneſt, the king of Spaines Lieftenant in the lowe Countries, whom they intreated that the warre might not continue, perceiuing the deſolations that were like to follow therevppon, and that which had alreadie afflicted them: but this Prince, who deceaſed ſhortly after, could neither doo any thing for himſelfe, nor in their behalfe.

The ſeuen and twentieth of December, as the king was returning from Picardie to Parris, readie booted and ſpurd within a chamber at Louure, hauing about him his couſins, the Prince of Countie, the Earle of Soiſſons, the Earle of Saint Paul, and thirtie or fortie other Lords & Gentlemen of his Court: there came alſo in, the Lords of Ragne and Montigni, who had not as yet taken their leaue of his Maieſtie. And euen as hee was receiuing them, Iohn Chaſtill attempteth to kil the king, hurts him in the mouth, and is for the ſame put to death. and in Princely manner kiſsing them for his farewell, a young ſtripling named Iohn Chaſtill, of a ſmall ſtature, and about eighteene or nineteene yeares of age, a Drapers ſonne of Parris, who was ſlid into the chamber among the preace, drew neare vnto the king, before hee was almoſt perceiued of any bodie, and ſuddainly would haue ſmote him in the bodie with a knife which hee had in his hand, but by reaſon that his Ma. was verie readie to take vp the Lords which were on their knees before him, in his ſtooping hee ſtrooke him in the face, on the vpper iaw on the right ſide, therewithall cutting out one of his teeth. Preſently this miſerable catiue was taken, and after hee would haue excuſed the deed, incontinent vppon examination, hee confeſſed the whole trueth voluntarily and without compulcion. The king commaunded the Captaine of his guard, that had taken him, after that hee had throwne his knife to the ground, to let him go: ſaying that hee freely forgaue him. But afterward vnderſtanding that he was a ſcholler to the Ieſuites, he ſaid: And muſt it needs be, that the Ieſuites ſhould bee confounded by my mouth?

This Parriſide beeing brought vnto the Biſhops priſon, freely declared the circumſtance of his euill intent, diſcouering many of the Ieſuites ſecret practiſes. Among many other things, hee remembred that he heard the fathers of that holy ſocietie ſay, that it was lawfull to kill the king, that hee was excommunicate out of the Church, that hee was not to bee obeyed, nor to be taken for their king, vntill ſuch time as he was allowed by the Pope. The Court of Parliament cōdemning this Chaſtil of treaſon in the higheſt degree, cauſed him honourably to be brought naked in his ſhirt, before the principal gate of the Cathedrall Church in Parris, holding in his hand a taper of waxe lighted, of two pound waight, and there on his knees to confeſſe and declare, that moſt wickedly and traiterouſly hee had attempted this moſt inhumane, and moſt traiterous parriſide, hauing hurt the king with a knife in the face. That by falſe and damnable inſtructions, hee had maintained by argument, that it was lawfull to kill theſe kings, and that king Henry the fourth at that preſent raigning, was not of the Church, till ſuch time he was allowed by the Pope, of all which hee repented himſelfe, asking forgiueneſſe of God, of the King, and of the lawes: which done, hee was conueyed vnto the place of execution, carrying in his hand the murthering knife, wherewith hee intended to murther the king, the which was there firſt cut off, his fleſh puld off with hotte burning pincers, hoth from his armes and thighes: after that, his bodie was drawne and halde in peeces with foure horſes, and his quarters caſt into the fire, and conſumed to aſhes, and the aſhes ſcattered in the winde. Moreouer, by the ſame act of Parliament, it was forbidden to all perſons, of what eſtate, condition, or quallitie ſoeuer they were, on paine to be puniſhed as traitors, to ſay or publiſh in any place whatſoeuer, the aforeſaid ſlaunder, to witte, that the king was not of the Church, till hee had the Popes allowance or approbation, or that it was lawfull to kill the kings. By which they Henry 3. Henry 4.vnderſtood, kings that were not authoriſed by the Pope. In what reputatiō were the Ieſuites before the firſt Parliamēt in Frāce.The Court hauing declared the ſaid reports to be ſcandelous, ſeditious, contrarie to the word of God, and condemned as falſe and hereticall, by all holy decrees. Ordaining alſo, that all the Prieſts and Schollers of Clermont Colledge, and all other of the ſame ſocietie of Ieſus, to bee held and reputed as corrupters of youth, diſturbers of the publicke peace, enemies to the king and the eſtate, to auoyde within three daies after the proclamation of the ſaid Edict, out of Parris, and all other places and Townes where their Colledges are, and within fifteene daies after, out of the kingdome, on paine that being found or taken after the ſaid time prefixed, to be puniſhed as guiltie of the ſaid crime of treaſon. That their goodes, mooueable and immooueable, ſhall be forfeited and imployed as the ſaid Court ſhall giue order. Forbidding moreouer, from thencefoorth, all the kings ſubiects to ſend their children to any Colledges of that ſocietie, out of the kingdome to bee their inſtructed or trained vppe, on the ſame paine to bee puniſhed as guiltie of high treaſon. This Edict was pronounced to Iohn Chastel, executed on thurſday the 29. of December.

During the impriſonment of Chaſtel, ſome of the Deputies of the Court which were ſent to ſearch the Ieſuites Colledges, hauing ſeized vppon many papers, found among them certaine written bookes, made by a Ieſuite Prieſt, named Iohn Guignard, ſince the generall pardon giuen by the King to the people of Parris: there was written in theſe bookes, many vilde matters, both againſt Henry the third deceaſed, as againſt Henry the fourth now liuing, containing nothing but traiterous practiſes: among the reſt theſe words were found.The king was born at Bern for which cauſe they cal him Bernois. That the Bernois being now conuerted to the Catholicke faith, was more gently vſed then he deſerued, that if they would inueſt him with the royall Crown, they ſhuld do it in ſome wel reformed couent, wher hee might doo penance for all the euils which hee hath done in France: that thankes might be alſo giuen to God, for that hee had giuen him grace to acknowledge his wickedneſſe before his death. That if he might not be depoſed without war, they ought to war againſt him, and to kill him, if he did not otherwiſe. That the Crowne of France ought to be tranſferred to an other familie then that of Bourbon. That Iames Clement did an heroicall act, in murthering Henry the third. The Court hauing ſeene ſuch writings, ſent for Guignard before them, who auouched all he had written, by meanes whereof he was found guiltie, and condemned to be hanged to death, which thing was executed the ſeuenth of Ianuarie. Peter Chaſtel father to Iohn, and Iohn Gueret, Schoolemaiſter or Tutor to the young traitor, were the ſame time baniſhed: the father for a certaine time out of Parris, the tutor for euer out of the realm: & not to returne on paine of death. Moreouer, the father was condemned to pay for a fine 2000. Crowns, and commadement giuen, that his houſe ſhuld he puld downe to the ground, and a ſtone piller ſet in the place where it did ſtand, with an inſcription of the cauſe wherfore it was thus raced. The court at that time did again looke ouer Peter Barrieres iudgements, wherin the wicked counſel of Varade, a notable Ieſuite, was more throughly marked, who had principally and more then any other, induced Barriere to kil the K. whom he called tyrant. It was alſo teſtified, that two Switzers paſsing by Beſancon, a fewe daies before Chastelles deede was attempted, did meet two men attired like Ieſuites, who ſaid one to the other, for ſhortly the king of Nauarre ſhall bee either ſlaine or hurt: which deede they eſteemed moſt meritorious in the kingdome of heauen.

It was alſo noted, that a Iubelie had bin publiſhed at Rome, which the kings enemies called a peece of ordenance to confound the Bernois, as if it had been a good worke: the ſame was alſo vnderſtood by the Spaniards, lately arriued in Brittain to ſuccor the rebels. This was alſo hoped for by the Ieſuits, namely by thoſe that were at Paris, ſome of whom, as their Colledges were inuironed about with watchmen, incontinent after the king was hurt, cried at their gates to their companions in theſe words: Surge, frater: agitur de religione. There were alſo found among theſe Ieſuites, many Anagrames againſt the king, and certain rimes made in their Chaſes: wherof the argument was, to ſuffer death conſtantly, and to aſſaile the tyrants. Againe, there was it found, that the Maiſters of the Colledges of Clermont, depriued and forbad the Schollers, at any time to pray for the king, ſince the yeelding of Parris to his Maieſtie: ſaying, that all ſuch as went to heare his Maſſe, were excommunicate. Moreouer, it was prooued and iuſtified againſt an other Ieſuite, a Scotchman, named Alexander Haius, that hee taught the people publickly, that they might diſſemble and obey the King for a time, & oftentimes faintly ſpeaking theſe words: Ieſuita eſt omnis homo. This Ieſuite was alſo charged that he had oftentimes vſed theſe ſpeeches, that if the king did at any time paſſe before their Colledge, that hee would fall out of the window vpon him, to the end he might breake his necke. On theſe accuſations his inditements being drawne, and that his words were found to bee ſpoken before the yeelding of Parris, the Court did onely baniſh him out of the Realme of France for euer. It appeared alſo by other informations ſent from Bourges, made the ſeuenth of Ianuarie, that one named Francis Iacobe, a Scholler of the Ieſuites at Bourges, vanted that he wold kill the King, but that he thought he was dead alreadie, thinking that an other had done the deed. In conſideration of theſe matters aforeſaid, and other prooues teſtified by the Hiſtorie of theſe times, the Ieſuites were baniſhed out of Paris and other townes of the Realme, but not out of all. They ſought to excuſe themſelues by diuers writings, wherein they accuſed themſelues in greater meaſure, well expreſsing the enuie and poyſoned minds which they carried to the realme of France, which ſhall bee well preſerued from all their attempts, if any iuſtice do raigne there.

Open warre proclaimed againſt the King of Spaine.The ſeuenteenth of Ianuary, the King publiſhed his declaratiō of the making of open wars againſt the Spaniards, by reaſon of his attempts made againſt his countrie of France, the Camberniſces, and againſt his royall perſon. Two months after, the King of Spaine anſwered the king of France, whom in his letlers he called the Prince of Bearn, againſt whom alſo he demanded open war. A little before, the Arch-duke of Erneſt wrote to the Eſtates of Artois and of Hainaut, to incourage them to armes: the like he did to the Cōmons, that they might wrathfully bend their force againſt the Frenchmen. The D. of Lorraine hauing taken truce with the K. permitted his troupes to do him ſeruice, vnder the conduct of the Barron of Auſonuill, the L. of Tremblecourt, & of S. George, who had leuied about 8000. foot, and 1200. horſe.The leaguers of Soiſſons ouerthrown. Mean ſpace, the garriſon of Soiſſons, conducted by the Barron of Conan, Lieftenant of Ponſenac, Gouernor of the Cittie, and by Belfont chiefe & principal Captain to the D. de Maine, being aduanced as far as Criſpe in Valoyes, they were repulſed, purſued, charged, and ouerthrown in the plaine of Villiers Cote-rets, by the Lords of Cadancourt, Beine, Mouſsie, and Edonuiel, who ſlew in the field 50. of the principall of the leaguers troupes, the moſt valianteſt that were in France.

And hurt threeſcore ſo greeuouſly, that in ſhort time after, the moſt of them died, they tooke away aboue foureſcore good horſes, much of their munition and other booties, with a great number of priſoners. Among thoſe that were ſlaine, were found two principall Captaines, their Ancient, and the Marſhall of the field: there were taken the Cornet of Belfont, and thirteene Captaines, ſo that there eſcaped but twentie perſons of all the troup that went into the Towne of Soiſſons: this was a new blood ſhed among the leaguers.

At the ſame time, the Marſhall of Bouillon tooke near vnto Vuirtun, in the Duchie of Luxembourg, The Spaniſh armie ouerthrowne by the Marſhall of Bouillon, in the Duchy of Luxembourg. eleuen Cornets of horſemen of the Earle of Mansfields armie, whom he charged vpon their diſlodgement with ſuch reſolution, that they were all ouercome in little ſpace: two hundreth and fiftie were there ſlaine, the reſt forſaking their armour, horſes, & other furniture, ſaued themſelues within a forreſt neare vnto Vuirton. Warres in Franche-Countie.On the other ſide, Tremblecourt and Saint George, inuaded Franch-Countie, in Bourgongne, tooke Vezou, Ionuille and other places, ſpoyled diuers parts: & in theſe beginnings of troubles the countrie was greatly ſpoyled, and many Bourgongnians ſlaine. The Conſtable of Chaſtille Gouernor of Mylan, ranne ouer them with diuers Spaniſh companies, and Neapolitans, recouered againe the places loſt, conſtraining the Lorraines to ſcatter themſelues: in requitall whereof, the Inhabitants of Beaune hauing about the beginning of February, valerouſly ſacked the leaguers garriſons, which had made themſelues readie to cut al their throats, opened their gates to the Marſhall of Biron, which being done, hee laid ſiege before the Caſtle, which in ſix weekes indured three thouſand cannon ſhot, and finally it was yeelded by compoſition. The taking of Beaune diſmayed the Duke of Maine, who euer ſince, did nothing (as it were) but fight with one hand, ſawe himſelfe at the end of his laſt hopes, diſmayed of the one, and deteſted by the other. Autun, Nuis, and laſtly Dyon, followed the example of Beaune, and yeelded themſelues to the king: which comming to paſſe in Bourgongne at the beginning of Iune, they charged neare S. Sein, certaine troupes of horſemen belonging to the Conſtable of Chaſtille, whom he inforeſt to flie. Diuers memorable exployts, done here & thereA litle before this, Vienne in Dauphine, ſold to the Duke of Nemours by Maugrion, ſhooke of the yoke of this great leaguer, and was brought vnder the kings authoritie, who whileſt he ſtayed for the leuying of mony from diuers places of Franch-Countie, and iourneyes of ſmall importance, he loſt in Picardie, Chaſtelet, Dourlans, and Cambray, Townes of great ſtrength, which were taken in the monethes of Iune, Iuly, and Auguſt, to the great griefe of theſe good Lords, & by the fault of ſome that might haue remedied it, if they had wold: but they were not willing to ſee their countrey in peace. The loſſe of men and munition was great in theſe ouerthrowes. The Spaniſh ſouldiers bore away great booties. The Earle of Fuentes and his Captaines, won as great honour, as Balagne and others did diſhonour. The Marſhall of Bouillon, the Marſhall of Villars, ſought to ſuccour Dourlans, but beeing charged with a farre greater number of enemies, Villars was ſlaine with certaine of his Captaines, and many of his ſouldiers, diuers carried priſoners into Arras, from whence they were ranſomed. Beſide theſe loſſes, a little before, the Lord of Humieres of Picardie, and a faithfull ſeruaunt to the king, was ſlaine in recouering the Towne of Han, with twentie Gentlemen, and an hundreth ſouldiers. In reuenge whereof, the Spaniſh garriſon which was within the Towne, to the number of ſeuen or eight hundreth men, were cruelly ſlaine each mothers ſon. The Marſhall of Bouillon behaued himſelfe moſt valiantly in this exployt. A fewe weeks before, to wit, about the end of May, this ſaid Lord parted from Stenai, to ſuccour thoſe of Ferte vpon Cher, in the Duchie of Luxembourg, which was beſieged by Verdugo and Burlot, Captains to the King of Spaine, of whom hee ſlew fiue hundreth of the very beſt of their troupes, conſtraining them to raiſe their ſiege, and to retire to Vuirton. Such were the chances of warre during this ſeaſon in Picardie, in the Duchie and Countie of Bourgondy, and the countrie of Luxembourg, all which were greeuouſſy afflicted in diuers ſorts. Brittain was alſo vpon the point to become wholy for the Spaniard. But ambition ſtriuing with couetouſneſſe in Duke Mercoeur, the affaires there, went alwaies doubtfully. In the end, the king of Spaine was made fruſtrate of all his hopes in thoſe parts.

The Duke of Maine obtaines pardon of the king.The Duke of Maine ſeeing the Spaniards take other courſe then was accuſtomed, his forces ſlaine, his credit crackt, and his deſtruction at the doore, though late, at laſt he ſought by Mediators the kings fauor, which he obtained in the month of October. But he could not ſo eaſily haue it, till he had renounced the vaine title of Lieftenant generall of the eſtate and Crowne of France, and except ſuch liberallities as it pleaſed his Maieſtie to beſtowe vppon him. Each one ſaid, that hee hauing committed ſo many hainous acts againſt the Crowne and his ſoueraigne Lord, that hee was vnwoorthie too bee eſteemed the kings ſubiect, but to receiue puniſhment according to his deſerts, blaming the kings too much gentleneſſe therein: to whom might bee applyed, that which was of olde time ſpoken of by Charillans, who being greatly praiſed for his courteſie equally ſhewed to all, was thus anſwered by Archidamidas the Spartane, that ſuch a Prince deſerued ſmall praiſe, that ſhewed himſelfe fauourable to wicked perſons. But ſuch matters pertaines to other diſcourſes, and not to bee intreated of, in ſo briefe a collection as this is. Vpon this receiued grace, the Duke de Maine wrought the yeelding vp of Soiſſon, Pierfont, and other places to the King. Now among all the chiefe leaguers, there onely remained the Duke of Aumale, who had not time ynough to make his peace with the King.The Duke of Aumale executed in his picture. Things fell out ſo contrarie on his ſide, that lawe was proſecuted againſt him in the Parliament of Parris, which found him guiltie of treaſon in the higheſt degree, ſo that his image or likeneſſe being made, it was drawne in peeces with foure horſes, and his goods and lands confiſcate to the King. It hath been ſaid that his faire houſe at Annet, was iudged to be raced to the ground, and the woods all about the ſame cut downe, in deteſtation of the ſaid Dukes treaſons. But this article was not executed. This Duke of Aumale went ſince that, toward Albert. Cardinall of Auſtridge, came into the low Countries to ſucceed in his brothers charge, who was Arch-duke of Erneſt, of whō he was honourably receiued, and royall entertained, ſo that he might ſay with the renowmed Greeke: I was loſt, if I had not been loſt: and ſince, he hath made ſore warres againſt the Frenchmen. Certaine members of the league, as ſome of the ſixteene of Parris, diuers principall Councellours and Agents of that ſide, togither with ſome Preachers and ſeditious writers, durſt not ſhewe themſelues, knowing lawe to bee proceeded againſt them. Th. Towne of Fere beſieged.While the Cardinal of Auſtrige made his voyage from Spaine into Italie, to become Gouernour to the low Countries, taking with him Philip of Naſſau, Prince of Orange, who had a long time beene kept priſoner among the Spaniards, the King beſieged Fere, the onely place poſſeſſed by his enemies in Picardie, before the taking of Capelle, Chaſtelot, Cambray, and Dourlans: hee ſet there all the ſuccours that could enter in, where a great number of Spaniardes were ſlaine: then gaue he leaue to the moſt part of his horſemen to refreſh themſelues, becauſe the Earle of Fuentes, hauing ſet garriſons in the Towns for a new conqueſt, was retired into Hainaut.

The king being willing more and more to plant quietneſſe in his realme, made an edict the ſame time, whereby all perſons that were fled, might returne againe to their lands and houſes, where their paſſed faults ſhould neuer bee ſought after, but wholly forgiuen, thoſe onely excepted, that were confederates in the murther of the deceaſed king. In middeſt of theſe matters, Oſſat and Perron the Kings Agents towards the Pope, demanded and obtained a bull of abſolution, hauing aforehand made all the ſubmiſsions, obeyſances, and accuſtomed reuerences, promiſing that the King had performed the penance, and accompliſhed the conditions to him preſcribed. This bull was committed to Alexander d'Elbene, to bee carried into France, to bring thereby in the kings behalfe, confirmation and approbation of all that which had been done by his Agents: one of the which, namely Oſſat, for recompence of his ſeruices, wonne a Cardinals Hat: Perron (being but a Miniſters ſonne, in the Lord of Bearns land, became by his worthy ſeruices Biſhoppe of Eureux, a Courtly Poet, and a new Diuine) was ſent with good hope, to ſee that hee ſhould continue as hee had begunne: that is to ſay, to oppoſe himſelfe againſt thoſe of the religion, and to drawe by his example, all other that hee might, by their praaching and writing, to maintaine the vocation and doctrine of their Miniſters, and the publicke articles of the inreprehencible perfection of the Romaine Church. Hee was carefull to keepe promiſe, vnderſtanding that the Pope had an eye ouer him.

The eſtates of Picardie.In the moneth of Nouember, the King aſſembled within Amiens, all the eſtates of Picardie, of Boulongne, Vermandois, and Thierafche, to take counſell for the affaires of Prouence. Certaine Captaines were there beheaded, hauing been by their couetouſneſſe, cauſe of all the loſſes afore mentioned. The ſiege of Fere continued, thoſe within it being more reſtrained, yet neuertheleſſe reſolued to hold the ſame, to the vttermoſt poynts of extremitie.

The garriſons of Peronne, Amiens, and other places that held for the King, beganne againe in Ianuarie their former courſes againſt the enemies countrie, ſtill killing and ſleying certaine Spaniards and Wallons. The king was at this time in great care, touching the countrie of Prouence: by reaſon that a man of great authoritie, named Caſaux, commanded within Marſeille, who made means to the Spaniſh king, that this goodly Towne might bee ſolde vnto him. Charles Dore of Geneua, was now approaching with certaine gallies for the Spaniardes. The Duke of Guiſe drew alſo neare with certaine troupes, but knowing well Caſaux euill will toward him, retired to the port of Thoulon, where a farre off he thought on ſuch affaires, whereof proceeded the death of the ſaid Caſaux, who was ſuddainly ſtabbed as he was going forth of his owne lodging, to runne toward one of the gates, which they were readie to open to the Frenchmen, the ſixteenth of Februarie. The Duke of Guiſe his troupes beeing mingled among the reſt in the Cittie, was cauſe that all the Spaniardes with their adherents ranne their waies. Marſeille brought to the kings ſubiection.Thus was Marſeille deliuered out of their hands, and brought to the kings ſubiection, togither with all other villages thereabout, that might any way annoy them.

The arriuall of the Cardinal of Auſtriche in Flanders, cauſed the King to ſummon the Nobilitie of Picardie and Normandie, to be preſent in the Towne of Guiſe, there to be readie according as need required. There he forbad by an expreſſe proclamation, the tranſporting of gold or ſiluer, coyned or otherwiſe, out of his realme. In the beginning of March, the Cardinall gaue ſuch order, that the beſieged within the Towne of Fere, were ſuccored with ſome munition. And for his firſt exployt againſt The Cardinall of Auſtriche releeueth Fere, winneth Carl • and Ardres, with maine force. France in the beginning of Aprill, did ſo diſpoſe of his armie, (at that time moſt mightie) ſo dexteriouſly & ſecretly, that in few daies he beſieged, aſſailed, and with plain force won the town and Caſtle of Calais: in ſpight of al the kings forces, and the reſiſtance of the beſieged, there died in the taking thereof, a great number of the Nobilitie of France, eſpecially in the Caſtle, whereinto they had ſent a good ſupply. Fere yeelded to the king by compoſition.The Cardinall following this new won victorie, beſieged the ſtrong Towne of Ardres in the beginning of May: who for all that euer they could doo within the Towne, hee became Maiſter thereof, the 23. of the ſame moneth: ſeuen daies before, Fere wes yeelded to the K. vpō compoſition. The Sene ſhal of Montenemart leaguer, and Aluaris Oſoro a Spaniard, indured with their ſouldiers, all the extremitie that could be thought or imagined, euen till they ſaw the water two or three foote high within the Towne, before they would yeeld or giue ouer, after they had ſuſtained a thouſand greefes, the ſpace of fiue months. The compoſition was honorable, and for the profit of the beſieged, who went foorth with their colours ſpredde, their drummes ſounding, their weapons and baggage: drawing forth with them a double cannon, markt with the armes of France. They went forth the 22. of this month, and retired to Cambriſes. The reſt of this Summer was ſpent in ſmall exployts in the countrie. About the end of the month of Auguſt, the Marſhall of Biron, followed with certaine troupes on foote and on horſebacke, paſſed the riuer of Sone, and the firſt day of September hee entered within Artois, repaired the Caſtle of Ambercourt, conſtrained diuers villages to redeeme themſelues with a great ſumme of money. And beeing accompanied with fiue Cornets, charged the Marqueſſe of Vuarambon Gouernour of Artois (who by reaſon of his forces: to wit, fiue to ſixe hundreth horſe in battell, thought to haue got the glorie) ſlew thoſe which durſt ſtay, put the reſt to flight, tooke the Marqueſſe priſoner, of whom he had fortie thouſand Crownes for his ranſome, gaue a great alarme to all the countrie, after ward chaſed the Earle of S. Paul, ſeized and ſpoyled the Towne, and diuers other places. The Peſants which would haue ſpoyled the Towers and Steeples of the Churches, were rudely handled, in reſpect of thoſe that ſtayed in their houſes, who felt onely the ſmart of this tempeſteous warre, by contributions for the prouiſion of victuals. All this was done in eight daies. The Cardinal intending to take the Marqueſſe, ſent the D. of Arſchot in his place, who while he entered into Arras, had the Frenchmen on the other ſide, who by a harguebuze ſhot from the Town, ſet fire on a litle village. And for that it was full of good booties, the Marſhall would not they ſhould looſe their praie, and therefore conducted them to the frontiers of Picardie. Thus beeing diſcharged the 21. of the ſame moneth, they entered the borders of Banpaulme, ſpoyling Hebutere, Benuiller, Courcelles, and other places, robbing the Peſants of their goods, that durſt not ſtriue againſt them. The Duke of Arſchot incampped neare to Arras, within a cannon ſhot, and beeing carefully intrenched, hee deliberated to hazard nothing, knowing that he was to deale with a hardy Knight, and one of the moſt reſolute warriors in Europe. The Frenchmen ſet fire on all places round about, and getting more booties then before, returned with eaſie iourneyes toward Bethune and Theroenne, from whence they brought many priſoners and cattell, then they retired and camped in the plaine of Azincourt, without any reſiſtance at all, in this ſecond voyage, which continued ten daies. The Duke of Arſchot ſupplied with eight hundreth footemen, ioyning with the Colonell of Burlots Regiment, departed from Arras the fift day of October, and incamped at S. Paul, where the Marſhall of Biron leauing them, entered ſeuen daies after with his horſemen into Artois: who with his footemen ſtayed at Moucy S. Eſoy. The thirteenth day he remooued to Cōfirmation of aliance betweene the King, the Queene of England, and the lowe countries. Donay, then hauing ſpoyled the countrey, hee retired into Picardie, within foure or fiue dayes after. The Duke of Arſchot, hauing taken againe the Caſtle of Ambercourt, diſcharged his Army, ſetting his companies into Garriſons. Certaine weekes before, the Marſhall of Bouillon, had bene ſent for into Holland, to confirme (as he did at Haye) the aliance ſworne betweene the King, the Queene of England, and the vnited Prouinces. The like was done in England, about the end of September. The Spaniards in Brittaine, defied Duke Mercoeur, ſeeing him to continue truce with the Prouences of Poictou, Aniou, and Maine, began to fortifie themſelues at Blauit, more then before, and in other ſmal Townes which they helde. Whileſt the Kings Troupes were in Picardie, he made his entry into Roane, the 20. day of October, where he was receiued with ſuch pompe, that the expence thereof, was eſteemed to amount aboue the value of foure hundred thouſand Crownes, at the Townſmens charges. Throughout all France, nothing was ſpoken of ſo much, as how meanes might bee found to defend themſelues againſt the Spaniards, and to be reuenged of the manifold iniuries, which the Realme had indured vnder the League. But the Duke of Auſtrich, on his ſide, was not al this while idle, but ſuffering the rigor of winter to paſſe (which was wonderfull wette, hauing had many great floods of waters, wherof followed much hurt, eſpecially at the bridge at Paris, which one night fell downe, at the latter ende of the yeare: at which time it was the death of three huundred perſons, drowned in the water, and by the fall of the buildings) made himſelfe ready for the ſpring. The King being ſtil deſirous of the peace of his Kingdome, about the end of Sūme • , gaue order to haue all the Nobilitie of the Realme, aſſembled togither in a generall Councell, which he determined to hold at Roane, at the beginning of Nouember, at that time there to be preſent, to prouide for the publike benefite of the countrey of France. In opening this matter, he firſt made them an Oration, the which, to cut off briefly, we will incert within this Page following. If I would (ſaid he) claime the tytle of an Orater, I ſhould haue learned ſome eloquent and long Oration, and haue ſtudied how to pronounce it, with all pleaſing grauitie. But my Lords, my deſire aymeth at two more glorious titles, which is, that I might bee called the Reſtorer, and Deliuerer of this decayed eſtate: for which cauſe, I haue aſſembled all you this day. You know what belongs to your owne care, ſo do I of mine: for ſince it pleaſed God to call me to the Crowne, I found France, not onely neare hand ruined, but almoſt vtterly loſt from the Frenchmen: I vowe, by Gods grace, by the prayers, by the good counſaile of my faithfull Subiects, that make profeſſion of Armes, by the ſword of my true Nobilitie (from which I do not diſtinguiſh my Princes) becauſe the faith of a Gentleman, is our fayreſt tytles: by my paines and labour I haue kept it from loſſe. Let vs ſaue our ſelues therefore from ruine. Participate my deare ſubiects with me in this ſecond glory, as you haue done in the firſt. I haue not called you, as my predeceſſors were wont to do, to confirme my owne will. I haue cauſed you to be aſſembled, to receiue your counſailes, to beleeue them, to follow them: briefely, to put my ſelf wholely into your hands. Enuy can win litle from kings, from gray beardes, from conquerors. But the loue and good will which I beare to my ſubiects, and the extream deſire that I haue to obtaine theſe two goodly titles, makes all things ſeeme to me eaſie and honourable. My Lord Chancellor ſhall make hereafter, my minde further knowne. I cannot cloſe vp this collection, with a more worthy ſpeeche then this: my intent being thereto ioyned, hauing come to the ende of this yeare, 1596. which was the marke I onely ſhot at. That which hath come to paſſe ſince that time, in the yeares following, ſhalbe ſhewed in other bookes, if God permit.

FINIS.

A TRVE DISCOVRSE CONCERNING THE deliuerie of Brittaine, in the yeare 1598.

VVHat? Shall this Duke of Mercoeur for euer retaine the mouth of the Riuer of Loire, with one part of Britain againſt a king of France, a victorious king, acknowledged to be the greateſt Captaine in the world? Shall wee continually beholde this chanel, this ſincke, this puddle and heape of all the theeues and murtherers, firmly vnited with this inſolent, cruel, and infected nation of Chaſtille, occupie one of the Prouinces of the eſtate, one of the flowers of this mightie and proude Crowne, and make their neighbours, togither with all the higheſt part of this long riuer that diuideth the Gaules, tributaries? All the reſt of France hath been almoſt theſe two yeares quiet, vnited and conioyned for her owne preſeruation, againſt al forraine vſurpation: yea, it is longer ſince our holy father powred foorth his bleſsings vpon this moſt Chriſtian kingdome. This Summer hath God ſent vs the moſt notable victorie and gallant triumph that hath beene ſeene this fiue hundreth yeares, where the King forced one of the ſtrongeſt peeces in the world, in the full view of the Spaniſh armie. All Chriſtendome is brought in admiration with ſuch a conqueſt, and the glorie of the French armies is now more glorious then euer it was: which notwithſtanding this Spartacus, relying vppon the imaginarie ſuccours of Spaine, dare tarie vs. Let vs therefore with all ſpeede make head againſt him: let vs abate this preſumption, this raſhneſſe, this inſolencie. Let vs go and ſet at libertie the poore Inhabitants of Nantes, who ſtretch foorth their hands to their king, and long onely for his comming: from whom this Viceroy of Brittaine ſhall hardly defend himſelfe within, whileſt we do couragiouſly aſſault him without. Let vs giue him to vnderſtand, that nothing is able to withstand the thunder of the French Arſenall, and that the braueſt Rauelines do ſtoupe to our cannons. Let vs roote out the Spaniard out of Brittaine, which our ancesters neuer vnited to the Crowne, for vs to diſmember it againe.

Let vs conſider, that in all Martiall diſcourſes, Amiens was not to bee wonne: yet the incomparable vertue of our king: his great courage, & the incredible trauels of the French, haue forced nature: exceeded all hope: and ſurmounted all poſsibilitie: and contrariwiſe, that in all millitarie reaſon, Nantes might be beaten flat in ſix weekes. The countrie forces, the ſtrength of the neighbour Prouinces, togither with all Guyenne, which beginne alreadie too march: the army royall that is on the way: the cannons and munition that commeth euery way: the benefit of the ſea and riuers able to furniſh all neceſſaries: the Nauall armies which repleniſhing all Loire, ſhall cut off all hope of ſuccour: the valour of our ſouldiers: the experience of our Captaines: and the aduantage of our laſt years happy conqueſt, may put vs in full aſſurance, that this Cateline, ſhall bee made an example of his Maiesties: who hath hitherto ſhewed ſuch testimonie of his clemencie. And in deede, in this man we may beholde ſuch ſtraunge ingratitude, that God cannot ſuffer it to paſſe vnpuniſhed.

For the late king (whom God pardon) hauing ſo highly honoured his familie, as thereat to chooſe his wife, and heaped vp goods, honours, great titles, and extreame expenſes vpon his bretheren in lawe, and ſiſters in lawe: eſpecially vpon this modell of ingratitude, to whom hee procured one of the richeſt marriages in the Realme: for whoſe ſake hee wreſted the gouernment of Brittaine from a Prince of the blood, to giue him: yet hath hee become ſuch a notable traitor to his Benefactor, that in lieu of ſpending his life at his feete, he hath procured a mightie and moſt important Prouince to reuolt from him: and ſtopped vp the mouth of the riuer of Loire, wherevppon the late king was forced to tranſport the ſeate of his enemies.

Hee was the author of the rebellion of Poictiers, and immediately hath called the Caſtillians to ſhare in his conqueſts, whom hee hath ſetled in Blauet as a Spaniſh Colonie, to hold vs in continuall checke, vntill we may haue rooted them out, togither with all thoſe that brought them in and cheriſhed them, and haue put themſelues in our protection & ſafegard, which notwithſtanding they ſhall finde to be but weake againſt the ſtrength of France, euen of the warlike France, which now we will make more terrible then euer it was.

Our owne emulation to do wel, who in ſixtie three, in ſo fewe daies recouered New-hauen, ſhal no doubt very ſhortly driue thē out of Nantes & Blauet. Euery man wil be willing to declare his zeale to his countrie: his valour in the preſence of his Prince, and his indignation againſt the traitors of France: who deſtitute of all pretence, excommunicate by the Pope, by the Archbiſhop of Tours, and the facultie of Sorbonne, as rebels to their king, condemned by God and man, are yet ſo ſhameleſſe, as to denounce vs heretickes for driuing the redde ſcarfes out of Brittaine. Alas poore wretches, your pollicies are too wel knowne: which whileſt they were yet in force, could not hinder vs, but that we made the Flower de Luce in euery place victorious: and now that theſe ſleights are growen into contempt euen with litle children, can you repoſe any hope in them againſt vs, who both by Gods word and the exhortation of our holy father, are commanded to obey our ſoueraigne, to ſerue our countrie, and to roote out all ſtrangers, as alſo your ſelues, ye wretches, who haue called them in, and do perſwade your ſelues to be able to maintaine them, vnder a vaine hope, that if his Maieſtie goeth into Brittaine, the Spaniards ſhall in the meane time ſwallow vp all our frontiers of Picardie, and ſo force vs to retire? But ſo farre as I can perceiue, you haue but ſmall knowledge of the miſerable eſtate, whereinto your Protectors affaires in the lowe Countries are brought. This Summer hee hath loſt 8. good peeces: an vndoubted argument of his weakneſſe. Artois is in a wonderfull amaze at this great exployt at Amiens. His garriſons are in ſuch neceſsitie, that either they muſt vtterly ranſome his ſubiects, or liue vpon rootes. The Cardinall hath not to defray the expences of his owne houſe. King Philips banckroutſhip hath made him looſe his ſettings ouer from Genes to Antwerp, who was ſeeing his countries that coſt him ſo deare, loſt without remiſsion, offereth them as a dowry with his daughter, that ſo in all Hiſtories the loſſe of them may bee recorded in the name of an other then himſelfe.

VVell, this Summer we will make a iourney to viſit them: In the meane time, leauing our frontiers, able not onely to defend, but alſo to offend, let vs go ſtraight into Brittaine to puniſh the rebellion, ingratitude, and malice of him, who ſeeing Amiens ſurpriſed by the Spaniards, and all France in alarme, in lieu of concluding the truce which before hee demaunded, tooke the field, in purpoſe to detaine in the Prouinces a great number of ſouldiers, who before were taking horſe to come to his Maieſtie.

O Spaniſh ſoule! couldeſt thou more euidently declare, thy treaſon and diſloyaltie againſt the countrie that hath warmed thee, inriched, and increaſed thee in honour and dignitie: but by ſeeking all meanes to diuert and impeach this great and ſo neceſſarie a conqueſt? Haddeſt thou had any remainder of good will toward France, thou wouldeſt as then haue made demonſtration therof: neither diddeſt thou want moſt gallant examples.

Now would euery man haue imbraced thee, and vnto thee attributed a ſhare in the glorie of this triumph: but in liew thereof, thou haſte laboured to keepe downe ſuch as ſought to ſhunne this ſhipwracke: thou diddeſt inſult vpon the afflictions of France: and yet, blind as thou art, after this great proſperitie which thou couldeſt not hinder: thou dareſt obſtinately ſtand in thy vſurpation, expecting ſome curſed aduenture, to publiſh thy inueſtiture of Brittaine. For, what elſe couldeſt thou hope for any time theſe two yeares? VVhat? canſt thou thinke, that ſo great a Prince finiſhing the courſe of his yeares, and ſhunning the Ieſuites knife, would ſtill leaue Nantes and part of Brittaine in the hands of ſuch a man as thou art? Thou art not ſo deuoyde of ſence: and therfore of neceſsite thou muſt yet hope vpon one Barriere, or one Chaſtel. No other reaſon hath vpholden thy obſtinacie theſe two yeares, but the winning of time.

But in theſe imaginations thou ſhalt find thy ouerthrow, doubt it not: for God who hath vſed this ſon of S. Lewis to reeſtabliſh the ſcattered eſtate, will in his power preſerue him, and daily increaſing his victory, both ſpeedily & ſeuerely chaſtice thy pernitious effects & curſed hope. Thy K. Philip plunged in the pleaſures of his Eſcurial, ſhal not defend thee frō the furious batteries, which within this mōth his Ma. wil lay to thee on euery ſide. Beleeue me, thou wilt curſe this great monarcke of Chaſtille, of whom thou dooſt yet make ſuch account, & vpon whom thou buildeſt the felicitie of thy whole life: being ſo doultiſh, as to thinke that he that was not able to keep his conqueſt of Amiens (a towne in a maner ineſpugnable) can hinder the taking of Nantes. Thou dooſt not conſider, th •• thy treaſures will ſerue our ſouldiers for lathers, or rather wings to ſcale the wals of that faire town, wherin we ſhal find the keyes of all the reſt, which wil follow their capitall, who without whoſe wealth, togither with the great impoſts there leuyed, would neuertheleſſe fall without any aſſault. In taking of Nantes, we do vndoubtedly take all the reſt of Brittaine, and withall, cure our Gangreua, which neglected, might in time ſubuert the whole realm. To what purpoſe ſhould we quench the moſt part of the fire that burneth the houſe, if wee ſtill leaue ynough to kindle and take hold of the reſt. By little & litle, tyrants are eſtabliſhed by killing or murthering the moſt couragious, & ſetting foot vpō the throat of the reſt. Nine years ago, did Nantes reiect the flower de luce. Now let vs accord preſcription, & quite clenſe this ſo great & important a Prouence, which king Charles the 8. preferred before al the low countries & the Countie of Bourgondy: to the end the Ocean might bound our Empire, and the heauens our valor. I do therfore abiure you, ye braue Frenchmen, euen by the glorie of your anceſtors, who haue croſſed the ſeas & pierced the mountains, to ſeek after wars in the middeſt of Aſia & Affrica. I abiure you by your own vertue, by your honorable woūds, & by your garlāds of baies yet greene, with the cōqueſt of Amiens, Yea, I abiure you by the incomparable valor of your Prince, who hath ouercome al that reſolued to attēd him, to com to this laſt enterpriſe, which ſhal finiſh our intestine wars, with ſuch feruent zeal, paſsiō & courage, that we may exalt the name of France, aboue all that is moſt haughtie, or of greateſt eminencie in this world. Hitherto our ſlackneſſe hath had ſom reaſons: euery yeare hath had her neceſſarie imployments: but this yeare, a fatall yeare to Brittaine: hauing alreadie ſet hand to the enterpriſe, what a ſhame wil it be, not to finiſh it, or to ſuffer our ſelues to be ouercome with the only apprehenſion of the labor? VVhat glory & credit ſhal we ſo purchaſe to this Viceroy of Brittain? and what Spaniſh Rodomontades wil he make therof? Into what diſpaire ſhal we bring this Prouince, & all her borderers, who for theſe two years, ſeeing others in peace, haue taſted the diſcommodities of wars? VVhat will our confederates ſay? VVhat may Italie & Germanie think, whē they ſee the palme trees of our victories wither ſo ſoone? VVhat a dangerous example ſhall we ſet to thoſe that ſeeke to trouble the realme: if he that was neuer acounted a ſoldier: a man nurſed vp in the ſhadow & in all riot: a man neuer aſſaulted by any Monarke: that neuer ſtood out a ſiege: & that loſt Rhenes within 8. daies after he had taken it: ſtop, I wot not by what miſhap, the courſe & enterpriſe of ſo great a king, togither with the reſolution of all France. Sir, you haue ouer long borne with the inſolencie, raſhneſſe, and outrages of this preſumptious Salmonee, who within your realme playeth the ſoueraigne, holding a Parliament and the eſtates, and threatneth you with the Caſtillian armies: as if you had not at all times chaſed them before you, cauſing them, for the ſhunning of the fight, to croſſe the deepe riuers, and taking Amiens euen before their faces. Now Sir, ye want but this one trauell, for the perfecting of your conqueſt, of the whole inheritance of S. Lewis. All other enterpriſes you ſhall find a thouſand times more eaſie, when you haue the ſtrength of al theſe great Prouinces peaceable at your backe. And cōtrariwiſe, ſo long Sir, as any one place in France may claime it ſelfe your enemie, and foſter rebellion, your eſtate cannot be aſſured. VVhom by diſobeying you, men ſhall bee driuen to depart the realme, and to begge ſome miſerable pention among the treaſurers of Caſtille, fewe will delight in ſuch extreame reſolutions: but if they haue a ſhelter at hand, euen in the bowels of France, where ſiluer & all other commodities do abound, it wil yeeld great incouragemēt to ſuch as beleeue, that in caſe their enterpriſe ſhuld faile, yet they ſhould eſcape by getting into Brittaine, and at the laſt, be compriſed in an edict. Sir, you are entered the ninth yeare of your raigne: the whole courſe of your life, haue beene no other but triumphs, garlands, and trophees, brought frō your enemies. It is now time for you to finiſh your great worke, about the reeſtabliſhment of the ſoueraigne power, and the reſtoration of the French Monarchie. Time requireth that we ſhould now beholde your iuſtice flouriſhing throughout the realme, and the greateſt fortreſſes open their gates to the ſmalleſt of your commaundements. This done Sir, all things ſhall bee poſsible for you. Caſt your eye on euery ſide: conſider the Chaſtillons Prouinces: euery thing is readie for your conqueſt: they do groue vnder the intollerable burthen of his tyrannie, which worketh them into all maner of deſperatio •• but your onely name with their aſſurance, that one day by the felicitie of your victorious ſword, you ſhal deliuer them, incourageth them to liue. Yet knowing Sir, that the good of your ſubiects muſt be preferred before theirs: their eye is ſtill vpon Brittaine, as hoping that that buſineſſe once finiſhed, your Maieſtie ſhall fauourably looke vpon them: alſo that after thoſe great heroes of antiquitie, you will deliuer the afflicted from the yoke of this cruell Philip, the common enemie of all Christ endo ••• : vnto whom your valiant mind (if euer there were any) contrarie to the opinion of many, wiſheth a long life of eightie yeares: to the end, that contrarie to his conceipts, he may ſee you Sir, after the pacifying of your owne kingdome, and the conqueſt of Artois and Flanders, the domaines of your Crowne, bring the firebrands of warre into the middeſt of Spaine: and with the profit of three great battels, deliuer Portugall, Aragon, and your Nauarre, from the inſolencie and barbarous cruelty of this Caſtillian nation, from whom al wiſe men may well perceiue that you haue wreſted the Monarchie of Europe, which the conqueſt of France, that you onely haue hindered, did vndoubtedly yeeld them.

FINIS.