IT is not vnknowne to all men, and they may ſoone call to minde in what eſtate the affaires of this Realme ſtoode, and of what minde the King was, when the houſe of Lorrayn vnder the title of a Holy league began to raiſe Wars againſt his Maieſtie & to trouble the quiet eſtate of this Realme. For through Gods grace Peace began to take roote in the depth of mens hearts, and thence to expell all hartburning and miſtruſt: Iuſtice vnder the wings thereof gathered ſtrength by the exerci • e of lawes: Religion on both parts crept into credite in mens conſciences, whence the licencious libertie of warres had almoſt expelled it: Nobilitie grewe into familiaritie & gaue ouer partialities and factiōs: The Cōmons after ſo many miſchiefes and calamities, began to enioye the fruites of their labours, and through ſuch good order as the King had taken, were in poſsibilitie ſpeedely to bee freed from the pillage and inſolencie of the Souldier. To be brief, the miſeries and calamities incident to warres grewe into obliuion, and were almoſt buried vnder the commodities of peace, which was mightily proſecuted and daylie cheriſhed through the Kings wiſedome, to whom nothing was in ſuch recommendation as the continuaunce and eſtabliſhing of the ſame. For if on either ſide there remained any ſcarre of the auncient miſeries, which the peace (that yet had not beene of ſo long continuaunce or force as the warre) could not cleerely deface, the King, who had both noted the miſchiefe and founde out the remedie, through that dayly care that he tooke for the affayres of his Realme, was ſurely entred ſuch a path as would not onely haue ended the calamities of this Realme, but alſo in ſhort tyme haue reſtored her to her auncient dignitie, proſperitie, and brightneſſe. But this neceſſarie path that ſhould haue led al things to wealth, quiet, and eaſe, is now broken vp and diſturbed by the houſe of Lorrayn, who are vtterly vnpatient and not able to abide the tranquilitie and peace of this Realme, as finding the ſame repugnant to their purpoſes, which they knowe them ſelues vtterly vnable to compaſſe by the proſperitie, but rather through the confuſion, ruine and ſubertion of this eſtate.

It is needleſſe here to rehearſe ſuch their purpoſes as by the effects are ſufficiently diſcouered: For it may be euidently knowen to all men what the pretences and practiſes of thoſe of that houſe haue bene as alſo what meanes they haue from time to time vſed, eſpecially ſince the raigne of Francis the ſecond, for the contriuing of their deuiſes: which, to be brief, do tēd to the extinguiſhing of the houſe of Fraunce, and intruding of thē ſelues into the place thereof. And for the eaſier atteyning to ſuch their drifts and enterpriſes, how they haue ſought to ſet deuiſion in the Realm, to nouriſh troubles, to weaken the power of the Nobilitie by the loſſe and ſhedding of their bloud, to abaſe vnder ſundry pretēces the credite & auctoritie of the Princes. In the meane time themſelues to take weapon in hand, to gayne partakers, to ouerthrowe all that ſtand in their way, and finally ſo farre as in them lieth, to encroch the ſtrength and power of this Realm into their own hands. This courſe haue they euer ſince the raigne of Frances the ſecōd taken, ſtill gathering ground by little and litle and employing euery occaſion. They layd to the Princes of the bloud that they had practized againſt the perſon of the young Prince, and vnder pretence thereof procured the apprehēding and detaining of the chiefe Princes of the bloud, ſequeſtring the reſt from about his Maieſtie, & bringing into miſlike the moſt auncient and faithfull officers of the Crowne, yea euen then, had not God preuented them, they had ſet foote vpon the very throte of this eſtate. This being moſt manifeſt, can not be attributed other then to their ambicious practizes: For at that time no Prince in Fraunce openly did profeſſe any other then the Catholicke Romiſh Religion, neither was there any ſuch queſtion of controuerſie in Religion, which as yet was not much ſpoken of in this Realme▪ No, the quarrell which the houſe of Lorrayne then had and yet hath againſt the houſe of Fraunce, tended vnder ſhadow of the King to raigne, vntill fitter oportunitie, the whiles, vnder his auctoritie and by his power to rid their hands of the chiefe Princes of the bloud, who were any ſtumbling blockes in their way, and of the officers of the Crowne, as thoſe that could not brooke their vſurped auctoritie.

Vpon theſe and ſuch like beginnings we are to iudge of their actions enſuing: according to theſe originalles muſt we conſider of the effectes, that ſince they haue endeuoured to diſguize to the ende diuerſly to procure them fauour, as ſoone after they did, & ſtil they endeuour to do: but the nature of water is neuer better knowne then at the Spring while it is yet pure and vnmingled, as likewiſe all humaine actions are naturally diſcerned at their firſt beginnings, before the inconueniences that wee finde haue gathered any ſleights, and learned to vſe any cloked diſſimulation. This alſo was the reaſon that moued thē, immediatly vpon the deceaſe of King Francis, vnder whoſe name they ruled, becauſe he had married the Scottiſh Queene their niece, finding themſelues thereby excluded from all meanes of gouernement, to alter their former pretēce: For when they perceyued that the generall eſtates lawfully ſummoned and aſſembled did call them to accoumpt for their adminiſtrations and dealings, they began to cloke their ambition with the vayle of earneſt zeale to the Catholick Romiſh religion. They, who but fower daies before had put the Germain Princes in ſuch hope of ioyning with them in the confeſsion of Auſbourg, beginning with the murder of many perſons of all ſortes, ages and kinds at Vaſſy, did violate the lawes and infringe the peace and publicke tranquilitie of the Realme, for the continuaunce whereof, the ſaid general eſtates had found it expedient to graunt the exercize of both Religions, and to the ſame end had publiſhed a ſolemne edict verefied in all the Courtes of Parliament: which could not bee attributed to force, feare, or other vnlawfull purſuite, but onely to the ſole conſideration of the benefite & tranquilitie of this eſtate: With armes during the Kings minoritie they ſeazed vpon his perſon together with the Queene his mother, who in wiſedome had conſented to the ſayed edict, and through iuſt feare of their forces, was compelled (not without manifold reclayming the aide of the Princes of the bloud againſt their tyrannie) to yeeld and in the ende to auctorize them for her patrons. All this they did to the ende to entangle the Princes youth in mallice, hatred and warres againſt his owne bloud, therby to weaken the Realme, and to lay it open to their inuaſions, & to drawe to themſelues both the auctoritie and force, (which indeede they brought to paſſe) ſo liuing and raigning in and among armes, which, as opportunitie ſhould ſerue, they might abuſe to their owne pretences. This foundation did they lay ſo firme, that for the ſpace of theſe 25. yeres this Realme hath flowed with ciuill warres, vnder the ſupport whereof they haue exercized their mallice, ſatiſfied their reuenging affectiōs, and laboured their ambition with the price of the King and his eſtate, yea, euen with the price (through their accurſed & execrable counſayles) of the honour of the French nation, vnto whom are imputed al the miſchiefes and calamities that thorowe the counſayle of this fatall houſe of Lorrayne hath beene contriued, vntill the King now raigning by his wiſedome foūd out that the zeale of Religion by thē publiſhed as a ſhield, was but a pretence: that the true ſpirite of Religion, whereof him ſelfe hath more apprehenſion and feeling then they, doth not perſwade or counſaile the violation of publick lawes, the breach of oath, or the tainting of a whole eſtate with bloud and murder: ſo that he perceiued that vndoubtedly it was but a practiſe to climbe higher: for the preuenting whereof it was requiſite to ende the troubles of his Realme by an equal and indifferent peace conuenient for the preſent time, referring to God (who only raigneth in the conſciences) all operation in the hearts of his ſubiects, for the reuniting & bringing them all to one Religion.

Howbeit this peace being made, not by force, but of the Kings meere motion and free conſent, which alſo in reſpect thereof he would haue called his peace: this famely could not brooke it, as men that could neuer finde any peace in peace, and therfore did continually croſſe it by al meanes and ſubtilties poſsible, yea, they procured their partakers by all kinde of iniuries, violences and wrōgfull attempts to driue the profeſſors of the Religiō into diſpaire and impatiencie, & to force them to take armes, whereby the King might iuſtly leauie warre againſt them. Againe, on the other ſide they ſollicited the ſayd profeſſors of Religion to ioyne with them, alleadging the benefite of the Commonwealth, and promiſing them libertie of religion vnder whatſoeuer cautions or aſſurances that they could deſire, leauing no deuice or pollicie vnpractiſed, that might returne this eſtate into trouble, as knowing that the quiet and peace of the land fighteth againſt & ouerthroweth all their deuiſes and purpoſes. Finally, finding the King more and more reſolued to maintaine peace, and the profeſſors of the Religion crauing nothing more hartely thē quietnes vnder the benefite of the edicts. Eſpecially my Lord the Duke of Anieowe deceaſed, and the King without iſſue, whō by an imagination, which cannot ſpring but out of deſire, they aſſure themſelues to out li • e, and vnto whome, as all men knowe, they haue preſcribed and limited but a ſhort time, they reſolued to riſe in armes and to ſeaze vpon their Maieſties perſons (had they not beene diſcouered) togither with the moſt part of the Realm, ſo to bee the better prouided againſt the time of their imagined alteration: Alſo for the drawing of the greater number of partakers to this conſpiracie, they haue publiſhed ſundrie titles and pretences, as true the one as the other, therby to accomodate them ſelues to the diuers mindes and ſeuerall affections of men, ſtil cloking their poyſon and venome vnder a gorgeous title of a counter poyſon, the rather to abuſe and confirme their adherents. The pretences and titles publiſhed are theſe. The Common wealth: The diſcharge of the third estate: The reintegration of the Nobilitie in their pristinate dignitie: The reeſtabliſhing of the Church in her liberties and priuiledges: The ſuppreſſion of certaine perſons Whom the King hath exalied: The restitution of ſuch as they pretend to haue beene euill en 〈…〉 and hardly dealt with: The nominatiō of a Catholick Romiſh ſucceſſor to the Crowne, for the defence of the Romiſh Church: The extirpation of hereſie and rooting out of thoſe whō they pretend to be heretickes.

All theſe things haue they promiſed to bring to paſſe before they ceaſe, and yet how they haue accompliſhed it, I leaue to all mens conſideration. The true cauſe yet remaineth vnſpoken of, & is the ſame that only hath already produced ſome effects. Viz. To be armed to the end to preſcribe lawes to the King vnder colour of rooting out of Heretikes: and to make away the chiefe Princes of the blood, and ſuch as are their principall ſtumblingblockes: that is, thoſe that profeſſe the religion wherein they were borne and bread vp, ſo the eaſelier to attaine to the reſt, and this hath the King very well marked, euen from the beginning of their broyles hetherto: For in ſundry his Letters to the King of Nauarre he hath confeſſed, that he knoweth well enough that this their zeale of Religion is but a pretence: & that their drifts do tend againſt his own perſon, his houſe, and eſtate.

And in the meane time, becauſe vnder this pretence they had abuſed many of his ſubiects, he requireth the ſaid king of Nauarre to haue pacience, vntil he might euidently diſcipher the colors from the cauſes, and the pretences from the purpoſes, aſſuring him that hee findeth the enterpriſe directly againſt him ſelfe, and ſo the offence to appertaine properly vnto him. Moreouer, vpon the ſame iudgement and foreſight his Maieſtie hath by his expreſſe Letters, commaunded al gouernours and Lieutenants generall, in their Prouinces and perticuler chardges, to aſſaile their troopes, and hath proclaimed and declared them Rebels, Traytors, perturbers of cōmon peace, and enemies to the Eſtate: Vpon the verfication of theſe his Maieſties commaundements in all the Courts of Parliament, there haue enſued many decrees, yea ſome haue bene executed, beſides that the like meſſages haue bin ſent to all Princes allied and confederat to the Crowne, with expreſſe commaundement to his Maieſties Embaſſadours, to direct their ſpeeches conformably thereunto, Viz. That his Maieſtie findeth by the effectes as well paſt as preſent, and vnderſtandeth by the demeanurs and teſtimonies aforeſayde, that the inſurrection of thoſe of this houſe, notwithſtāding whatſoeuer their pretences, is one of the fruits of their firſt attempts, that is, of their conſpiracie to roote out the houſe of France, whereof none neede to plead ignoraunce that liſt but to looke backe vnto, and call to minde their behauiours theſe 25. yeres and more, and at once to conſider well of the ſame.

At the ſame time alſo that his Maieſtie proclaymed them Rebels, he reuiued the publication of his Edict of pacification throughout all partes of his Realme, as a teſtimony to al, but chiefly to thoſe of the Religion, that hee in no wiſe ment to encline to the demaunds of theſe men, but did rather condemne them, for that they ſought to aboliſh the ſayde Religion by force of armes, his Maieſtie knowing that to be no meet or lawfull meane, as alſo by ſundry letters he aſſured the King of Nauarre that he would do nothing preiudiciall either to the ſayed Edict or him, whoſe cauſe he acknowledged to be his owne.

All the premiſſes notwithſtanding, it ſo fell out, that vpon a ſudden a peace was concluded with thoſe of this famely and league, wherof proceeded an Edict, wherby the former Edict of pacification, ſo deliberatly confirmed, & ſo ſolemnly ſworne vnto by their Maieſties: the Princes of his blood: all the Courtes of Parliament: and the chiefe Lords & officers of the crowne, which alſo had bene ſo freſhly reiterated and again confirmed, was now vtterly reuoked, all exerciſe of religion vnder paine of death prohibited: all profeſſors thereof condemned within the tearme of ſixe months to depart the realme: the townes for aſſurance, which likewiſe of his owne accord, and for diuers conſiderations concerning the welth and quiet of his eſtate, he had proroged to thoſe of the ſaid religion, they ſhould now ſpeedely habādon, to the ende to buy peace at the hands of the ſayed Rebels & traitors, ſo proclaymed and acknowledged by his Maieſtie, with the hinderance of his neereſt kinſemen: and, which is worſe, the weapons committed to the hands of thoſe men, to the end to put the ſame in execution, a matter vtterly repugnant to all lawes, which doe meerly forbid the execution of any decree to be committed to the aduerſe partie, nay more, that he ſhal not aſsiſt thereat, notwithſtanding it were to maintaine the execution of Iuſtice.

Hereupon therefore doth the King of Nauarre deſire all good Frenche men in France to conſider what cauſe he hath, to to lament. In their publike proteſtations, the conſpirators oppoſed themſelues directly againſt him, and yet he▪ to the ende to ſatiſfie the Kings minde, and to auoyde all occaſion of the peoples oppreſsion, remained peaceable, and neuer would arme himſelfe, although he ſee them in armes round about him. He ſee the Kings mind enclined to peace, and that euil and ruine which they openly procured him, might haue mooued him by all meanes to croſſe them▪ & yet for the benefite of the realme he offered to the king ſome entrie to quietneſſe by the declaration which expreſſely he publiſhed, yea ſuch as he truſteth all Chriſtiandome will allowe of, and the verieſt barbarous nation would haue aceapted of.

They ſpake of the rooting out of hereſie, and the Chriſtian authors fought againſt it with generall Counſels: he ſubmitted himſelfe to a counſayle, and declared himſelfe to be ready to be enſtructed therby and to yeeld thereto. They craued reformation and alteration in ſome matters of eſtate: ſuch controuerſies and differents are by the auncient ſtatutes of the land to bee determined by the generall eſtates, to the aſſembly whereof, whenſoeuer it ſhould pleaſe the King to ſummon them, hee offered to referre, and ſubmit himſelfe. They requeſted that the King of Nauarre and the profeſſors of the Religion ſhould immediatly habandon and depart the Townes of aſſurance, notwithſtanding the Kings prorogation of the tenour of the ſame to them graunted: for the eſchuing of al miſtruſt he offered without delay to yeeld thē, yea, which is more, to diſpoſſeſſe himſelfe and to render into the Kings handes, both he and the Lorde Prince of Conde, al gouernments that they holde within this Realme, conditionally, that the others might doe the like, notwithſtanding ſuch inequalitie as all men may eaſely perceiue: for it is not meete to make ſtraungers equall with the houſhold children. Moreouer, if there were any further controuerſie, the deciſion whereof might touch or any way concerne him, for the exempting of the King (whoſe perſon would be too deare a price to this Realm) from all daunger and care therof, the ſayd King of Nauarre beſought his Maieſtie not to miſlike the determining of any ſuch quarrell, either by his power againſt theirs, either els, for the preuenting of publicke calamitie, by his perſon againſt the Duke of Guyze, or by more to more, as he ſhould think good, within the realm or without, in whatſoeuer place of free acceſſe: adding moreouer that if his Maieſtie could conceiue any more conueniēt remedie for the pacifying of the eſtate of the Realme, the ſayed King of Nauarre woulde gladly yeelde thereto and not to ſpare his life therein, moſt humbly withal beſeeching his Maieſtie ſo farre to honor him as to let him vnderſtande the ſame. Howbeit, nothing reſpecting all theſe his ſo reaſonable offers, thei haue in the mean time proceeded to a treaty of peace, to the great preiudice of the eſtate and houſe of Fraunce, yea, of the King himſelfe. A peace, to ſpeake indifferently, vnwoorthy any ſuch title, as beeing to bee rather accompted a ſummons of warre, yea, & vnleſſe God of his great mercie doe preuent it, ſuch a warre as will be an entry into the ruine and ſubuertion of the whole eſtate. A peace made with ſtraūgers for the rooting out of the home borne childrē: with Traytors for the ſpoyle of the obedient Subiects: with conſpirators, to the end to commit to their hands the ſworde againſt himſelfe, to abuſe at their pleaſures. A peace that hath not ſo much as the taſt of any thing appertayning to peace; A black peace▪ A wofull and funerall peace, and of an vnfortunate aſpect: A peace which the King ſigned not but with a quaking and ſhiuering hand: A peace whereto the Princes of his bloud and Peers of this Realm, yea, the moſt Catholicke, haue refuſed to ſweare, as being the decree of their deaths and the ſmall ouerthrowe of the eſtate, which moreouer procureth no comforte either to the Countrey or Townes, but hath filled all the good Frenchmen of this Realme with horror, and reioyced onely thoſe that nouriſh them ſelues and feede vpō their deaths. A peace to ſay the troth, which the ſayd Lord King of Nauarre acknowledgeth not to be imputed vnto the King, a courteous and iuſt Prince, from whoſe nature the ſame is too odious, neither to the Queene his mother, who in al her indeuours haue ſought no other but the tranquilitie of the Realme: but partly to the daſtardlineſſe of ſome of the Kings Counſayle, and partly to the trecherie of other ſome, who are either ſeruants or of kindred and alliaunce with thoſe of this league, who alſo, as it is ſufficiently knowen, in the beginning leſſened and deminiſhed the miſchiefe, propounding it vnto him to be eaſely appeaſed, leaſt he ſhould haue prouided remedies neceſſary there againſt. But afterward euen at once when they ſee the power of the league waxe great, did ſo enlarge it to his view that he was eaſely perſwaded that himſelfe might ſoone be by them oppreſſed if ſpeedily he ſatiſfied not their mindes: and for ſuch perſons it is well knowne that a number of them which vnder colour of her ſeruice accompanied the Queene, did aduertiſe thoſe of the league of her chiefe ſecretes: ſome h • ld their conuenticles ſo ſoone as they came foorth of his Chamber, what counſayle they ſhoulde giue him: other ſome to the end to aſtoniſh him, diſciphered vnto him ſuch armies to the ſuccours of the league, as neuer appeared, nor had any other ſubſtance then ayre. Theſe were the counſailes whereby the King was turned from vſing his neereſt kindred, who would not haue ſpared the ſhedding of their bloud for his quiet, and who had both will and oportunitie, and now for recompence are ſold to the ſtraunger, and ſo farre as may be, payment is made with their bloud and liues. Vpon theſe counſayles hath hee refuſed the offers of his princely Neighbours, the loyall confederates of the Crowne, while by meanes of the league the Spaniſh coyne trotted thorowe out Fraunce, and found entrie into the Townes, into the Counſayle, yea, into the priuieſt parte thereof. Finally, and all men knowe it, the King was deluded by thoſe to whom be had as great occaſion to commit himſelfe, if benefites receiued might amend mens mindes. And the ſayd Lorde King of Nauarre fully aſſureth him ſelfe that though by their 〈◊〉 and violence they haue bene able to arme his armes againſt him, yet at the leaſt his ſobbes, ſighes, deſires and vowes ſhal fight in his quarrell, which he hath well founde & cannot poſsibly forget to be his owne.

The ſaid Lord King of Nauarre hopeth that the moſt parte of men of iudgement in this Realm, eſpecially ſuch as haue had neereſt familiaritie with their actions or beene intangled therein, haue beene able to enter into conſideration of the depth of the entents of thoſe of the league, and therefore he wil ſo farre aſſure himſelfe of thē, that they will not ſo blemiſh their honors as to beare armes againſt the houſe of Fraunce, vnder the ſhadow of this edict, as alſo they ſhould proceede too farre againſt their own knowledge if they ſhould but thinke to haue taken them vnder the ſaid pretences, yea, were it for the aſſurāce of their Religion.

Thoſe of this league alleadged diuers pretences, as they dealt in one ſo it is like they doe and will doe in the reſt.

Of this Common wealth whereof they made ſo great boaſt and which had prouoked ſundry, euen of the Nobilitie, ſuch as were fartheſt from ambition, and leaſt partakers of the corruptiō of theſe times, in this edict there is no worde of it, euen the firſt day thereof they gaue it ouer.

Concerning the diſcharge of the third eſtate which they promiſed, in this treatie there is no mention thereof, but contrariwiſe by this peace it hath begun to bee ſurcharged and more and more brought into ruyne. For, where in their declarations they promiſed that their Souldiers ſhould liue in order and pay all men, it is well knowne that during all the troubles of this Realme there haue beene none more vnruly or diſordered in all ſortes, as likewiſe that which they proteſted that they would not attempt againſt the kings Townes, or therein place any Garriſon without the conſent or liking of the Inhabitants, hath beene no whit better obſerued by ſuch as haue ſeazed vpon the ſame. For in ſome by force, in others that voluntarily receiued them, vnder colour of good meaning they haue built Citadelles and brought in Garriſons.

The Nobilitie haue had no better amends: for in this treaty whom haue they prouided for but themſelues, or thoſe of their houſe? either whom haue they reſtored to the dignities wherof they pretended them to be vnworthely depriued? To bee briefe, all their doings haue ſtretched only to the parting & deuiding of France to thoſe of their famely according to their platforme layd for the atchieuing thereof in time to come, cauſing by this peace the gouernement of ſundry Townes of importaunce and Prouinces both vpon the frontiers and in the hart of the Realme to bee committed to them, wherevpon the Nobilitie of this Realme is to conſider what aduauncement they maye expect at their hands when 24. Princes of Lorrayne muſt be contented and ſatiſfied before any of them may by their meanes attaine to any dignitie.

As for the due promotions vnto Eccleſiaſtical functions and dignities, they haue in this Edict had no more reſpect (witneſſe the Biſhoprick of Authum, wherunto the D. of Mayne hath by force promoted his Sonne in Law) then to the prerogatiues, franchizes and liberties therof, notwithſtanding, that ſeeking to take a pretence for Religion, the ſame ſhoulde haue bene a principall article and of greateſt recommendation. But contrariwiſe, entring into information of their liues, it will bee found that they haue ranſomed the Prieſts & clergie, prophaned the Monaſteries, embeſeled the Chalices & Croſſes, with all other the Churche goods, all haue bene to them Wars, euen in making their peace. To the ende to be paide their expences, folowing the ſteppes of the late Cardinal of Lorrayn their vnkle, they haue propounded and extorted a promeſſe to alienate Rentes to the value of 100000. Crownes, and to procure the Popes conſent thereto. Prouided alwayes, that the ſaid coyne may be employed in the reemburſing of them: Beſides it is euidēt to all mē that in any matter touching the three Eſtates, without inſtance or purſuit they diſcharged themſelues at the beginning of the Parley of this peace.

Touching the great fauour about the King, whereof they complaine of ſome gentlemen whome they tearme in their Declaration (The bloodſuckers of the people) whom alſo they ſay they wil abaſe and reduce into order, it is moſt manifeſt that they haue moſt vildly in all ſortes ſought their amitie, that they haue gone about to buy the ſame by remitting into their hands the townes of their gouernments, which by Warres they had ſeaſed vpon & takē away: but to their great ſhame thoſe men haue taught them the path to Generoſitie and courage, by giuing them to vnderſtand that they regarded not their amitie further then the commodity of this Realme did require.

With the Cardinall of Bourbon, whome they had brought into the field vpon promeſſe of procuring him that right which they perſwaded him he might pretend to the Crowne, they haue played the ſame partes according to their vſuall maner, which is to drawe euery mans intereſt into their owne particular profite: For hauyng hym once entangled among them, they made ſo ſmale accompt of his imagined right, that comming to parley with the Queene, they were euen aſhamed to open their mouthes therein: But in cace there were any greeuous queſtion, or any difficult or thorny point, they vſed him as an inſtrument. It was my Lord the Cordinall that motioned it, and ſo reſerued them ſelues ſtil to mollefie matters, to appeaſe parties, and to wreſt all the thanks and profit of the treatie vnto themſelues.

In the meane time one principal point, whereupon they layde the foundation of the Catholique Romiſh Religion, was to prouide that the King ſhould name a ſucceſſor that profeſſed the ſame, and vnder that pretence (as alſo vnder the former cōcerning the comon wealth) they drew to their faction many of the Nobilitie, which thought they had bene in earneſt, but their pretence was onely to atchieue that point which by this peace they haue obtayned, which was the ſame onely that they were ſo earneſt for, viz. to ſeaſe vpon the Frontiers and Kayes of the Realme, which had bene kept, euen from the late Monſier, alſo vnder ſhadowe of Religion to haue weapon in hand, ſo to become arbitrators of the counſayles▪ to preſcribe Lawes to the king during his life: to make away the Princes of his blood, and loyall ſeruants of the houſe of France, and after his deceaſe, which they imagine to bee at hand, violētly to vſurpe this poore eſtate.

To thinke they either can, or doe ſuppoſe them ſelues able to compaſſe the rooting out of Religion, the proofe that for theſe 25. yeeres or more they haue made is quite repugnaunt thereto. Our Kings haue not ſpared them ſelues either by pollicies of peace or rigors of Warres. The authors of this league haue employed both force and craft. The name League hath nothing encreaſed their meanes: hath not bred vp any new ſouldiers in the Realme, neither hath made them greater Captaines then afore they were, ſtill it is Fraunce part whereof, yea the beſt part wil not helpe to ſpoyle and deſtroy Fraunce. It is euen the houſe of Fraunce which the houſe of Lorrayn doth aſſayle, for their pretences are ſufficiently reuealed to all men. This it is that will ſtrengthē the K. of Nauarre with the auncient officers of the Crowne, with the Princes of the blood. with the wiſhes of the King, with ye ſighes and ſobbes of all good Frenchmen without reſpect of Religion, and ſo much diminiſh & weaken the enemy. Beſides that it is no longer to any purpoſe herein, as againſt the ould Albigeois, to imagine the publication of a croyſade, for there is not one Towne of France that conſenteth to this partie. There is no member, no part of the body, no there is not ſcarce any one ſynew but complaineth hereof. Neither is it Fraunce onely that hath proſecuted this reformation in Religion, but it hath bene a cōmon motion in all Eſtates and nations of our Europe: Hole kingdomes haue ſequeſtred them ſelues from the Pope. Empires haue bene more then halfe touched, ſcarce is there any eſtate, but haue ſtirred herein (as all men know and doe graunt) and feeling it can plainly find out and eſchue their owne ruine by that of their neighbours.

On the other ſide, there is no Prince in Europe of whatſoeuer Religion, but thinketh it ſtraunge to pretend the excluding of a Prince without audience or teaching, no other treſpaſſe againſt the lawes of the Countrey committed, from an eſtate or ſucceſsion vnto him due. But in Hiſtories it is euident, what the effects of an ambicious or enuious paſsion can compaſſe, euen vpon the leaſt occaſion to the vrging of an hereſie, as for example. Philipp the fayre was denounced an heretick for that he would not hold this Realm in homage of the Pope, and ſo was cut off from the Church: but ſuch Popes both before and ſince as haue pretended more modeſtie, and were not led by the like paſsion haue held an other opinion and otherwiſe decided it. A counſayle muſt order all, and who ſo eſchueth a counſaile, eſchueth the light, and refuſeth reaſon, as ſhewing himſelfe to ſeeke darkneſſe, and to vſe the title of Religion in vaine.

In the meane time, ſuch is the miſchief, the King our Soueraigne, partly through the violence and conſpiracie of his enemies, and partly by the mallice and colluſion of ſome of his Counſailors hath bene forced and brought to conclude a peace, whereof vndoubtedly, without ſpeedy remedie, will enſue his owne ouerthrowe, the deſtruction of the houſe of Fraunce and the ſubuertion of this eſtate. Wherefore the King of Nauarre, as firſt Prince of the bloud & chiefe Peere of this Realme, the Lorde Prince of Conde his Couſine a Prince and Peere of Fraunce, and the Lord Duke of Montmorency a Peere of Fraunce and the chiefe Officer of the Crowne, together with the Lordes, Knights, Gentlemen, Prouinces, Townes and Communalties as well of the one as of the other Religion, vnited for the preſeruation of this eſtate, doe proteſt and declare as enſueth.

Firſt that their entent neither is, neither euer was other then to ſee the King well ſerued and duetifully obeyed of all men, euery one in his place according to his calling and eſtate, and themſelues to become an example to all, which was to bee ſeene in theſe late dealings. Namely, that their deſire tēdeth only to ſee the Realme peaceable and quiet, as it was in a good forwardneſſe at the beginning of theſe broyles, and to the ſame end haue withall their heartes endeuoured them ſelues againſt ſuch as ſought to moleſt the proſperitie of the King and Eſtate, and to the like entent will willingly employ whatſoeuer they are able in life or goods.

Alſo becauſe heretofore there haue bin ſundry meanes propounded vnto the King, whether for deciding the controuerſies in Religion, or of the Eſtate, which his enemies vſed for a pretence, either 〈◊〉 for ending ſuch quarrelles as particulerly they pretended againſt the Princes of Fraunce, among whome the King of Nauarre hath the peeminence: the ſayd King of Nauarre, doth moſt humbly deſire his Maieſtie to call to minde the aforeſaid offers conteyned in his declaration, bearing date the 10. of Iune 1585. which he ſent to his Maieſtie, writtē and ſigned with his owne hand. Alſo if himſelfe haue conceiued, or there be to him any other motion made for the contentation of his Maieſtie and the wealth of the Realme, the ſayde Lord King of Nauarre would craue to vnderſtand thereof and accompteth himſelf happy, in cace it bee ſuch as before God and man hee may accommodate himſelfe vnto.

But perticulerly, becauſe theſe of the league, to the ende to finde opportunitie preſently to aſſault him, haue for their argument thought good to require the deliuerie of the Townes of aſſuraunce, and vpon refuſall thereof, with open force to ſet vpon him, hee doth moſt humbly beſeech his Maieſtie to remember that in December laſt, Anno 1584. it peaſed him during the full peace voluntarily to graūt the prorogation therūof at the humble petitions to him made in the behalfe of his ſubiects: that then he ſo thought it moſt conuenient for the peace of the Realme▪ that ſince by meere force of armes and vpon leſſe occaſiō he hath graūted greater and more Townes to thoſe of the league, who riſe againſt his perſon, againſt his houſe and againſt his eſtate, as being content not onely to leaue to them ſuch as they haue ſeazed vpō, but alſo hath giuen them others, yea more then in two yeeres Wars with proſperous ſucceſſe they could haue gotten: wherevpon the ſayde Lorde King of Nauarre, as alſo al other the good ſubiects and ſeruaunts of this eſtate haue occaſion to deſire the King to graunt thē new aſſurāces againſt thoſe of the league, and that the rather becauſe thoſe men haue in their hands the chiefe frontiers as well on the Sea coaſts as on the lād, wherby to draw the ſtraunger into the Realm. All which notwithſtanding, the ſayd Lord King of Nauarre once againe offereth to diſpoſſeſſe himſelfe of the ſayd Townes of aſſuraunce vnto him by his Maieſties free conſent proroged, conditionally that the ſayd houſe of Lorrayne and other their adherents of the league doe likewiſe effectually departe from thoſe that they holde: That all weapons may be layd aſide: That the ſtraungers bee returned, and themſelues withdrawne into their owne houſes.

That if notwithſtanding ſo reaſonable offers any forces do march againſt the K. of Nauarre, the Lord Prince of Conde, and the Lord Duke of Montmorency, or any of them or their adherents, they do moſt hūbly require his Maieſtie not to miſlike that they follow the counſaile both of nature and neceſsitie, which do teach to repell force by force, either that they employ whatſoeuer their frends or meanes therein, and the rather becauſe now they are not to fight in Guyen for Guyen, in Languedock for Languedock, in Daulphine, Prouince and other places for the eſtate of the ſayd Lo. K. of Nauarre, the Lo▪ Prince, or the Lord Duke of Montmorency, but vndoubtedly for the Eſtate and libertie of the King hymſelfe, with the Queene his Mother: for the preſeruatiō of the lawes, and for the defence of the Eſtate, as alſo they are aſſured (which encreaſeth their courage) that though the enemy hath proceeded ſo farre as to ſeaze vppon his Maieſties Weapons, yet he hath kept and reſerued his harte for them.

They pray the Queene the Kings Mother, to call againe to mynd how thoſe of that famely entreated her, when vnder K. Frances the ſecond her Sonne, they ruled all, as alſo what from time to time ſhe noted in them, touching the driftes of their ambition. Euen ſhe, who was the firſt that to the Kings her children diſplayed them for ſuch as they are. But chiefly that ſhee, who hath wonne to her ſelfe the name of Mother of the Realme, would not now leaue an opinion in the hearts of the poſteritie of the leading of the ſame to ruine, by deliuering it into the handes of ſtraungers, by enfringing the publicke peace for the contēting of the particuler deſires of the publicke enemie, and forcing her neareſt and moſt obediēt ſubiects to encurre the paine due to the Rebelles and perturbers of the eſtate: Whereas at the leaſt there might be ſome generall peace concluded vpon, if in her wiſedome ſhe iudgeth it expedient for the peace of this eſtate to aboliſh and pardon their offences.

The ſaid Lo. K. of Nauarre, Lord Prince of Conde, and Lord Duke of Montmorency, do adiure the Lords Princes of the blood, earneſtly to cōſider that the ſame importeth their houſe and blood: The Peeres & principall officers of this Realme, that it cōcerneth the oth and duetie which they haue taken and owe to the Crowne: All Parliaments, that it toucheth the foundamental lawes of this eſtate whereof them ſelues are the preſeruers and guardians. Generally, all eſtates and degrees of this Realme that it tendeth to the ſubuertion and confuſion of their famelies: For who can euer aſſure himſelfe of a particuler quiet in a publicke vprore, of a calme in a tempeſtious Sea, of a certaine eſtate in an alteration of all eſtates, or of a priuate aſſuraunce in an vniuerſall ſpoyle. Alſo all Princes and eſtates our neighbours being likewiſe in league and alliaunce with this eſtate to aſsiſt them in their vndertaken defence, and not to ſuffer ſuch a conſpiracie to take effect, in reſpect of the conſequence wherinto it might draw all eſtates Chriſtian.

They do declare before God who ſeeth their hearts and before men whom they choſe Iudges of their actions, that they doe bewaile the Kings eſtate, who abroad is beſieged and at home entangled by and in the practiſes of his enemies: that their weapons are vowed onely to his libertie and ſeruice, and would to GOD he had, vouchſafed to haue employed their affections, for ſo could they ſoone haue deliuered him out of all theſe perplexities.

Concerning Religion, the ſayd Lordes King of Nauarre and Prince of Conde, doe from their hearts and on their faith and honor declare that they entende not any way to moleſt the Catholicks or preiudice their Religion which they doe profeſſe, as being alwaies of opinion that the conſcience ought to be free, and as concerning their owne that they are readie to ſubmit themſelues to a Counſayle. That they doe accept of all good and true Frenchmen, both temporall and ſpirituall, and of al 〈◊〉 without acception or exeption of Religion: equally taking into their protection and ſafegarde, them, their conſciences, honors and dignities, their goods, liues and famelies, to the ende, ſo farre as in them ſhall lye, to warrant and defende them againſt all oppreſsion and violence.

They doe exhort each one particulerly according to his habilitie and calling, in token what they are, to draw to them, to ſuccour and aſsiſt thē againſt thoſe of this league, whom the King hath opēly declared attēpters againſt his perſon, Crowne and eſtate. To the ende alſo to take from them all doubt and miſtruſt, the Lorde Duke of Montmorency, whoſe Religion was neuer miſtruſted, & whoſe wiſedome as ſufficiently knowne to bee ſuch as can well finde the entents of the ſayd Lordes King of Nauarre and Prince of Conde, ſhall bee their loadeſman and ſerue them as a guyde. Hee being a Peere of Fraunce and chief officer of the Crowne, to whom belongeth the firſt place in leading of the armies. Beſides, that through Gods grace they haue already the aſsiſtance and companie of a good number of Catholicke Lordes, Knights, Captaines and Gentlemen, ſuch as haue found out and perceiued their good right, together with the neceſsitie of their defence.

As for the Captaines of the league and thoſe who to the ſame entent ſhall ſticke vnto them, the ſayd Lordes King of Nauarre, Prince of Conde, and Duke of Montmorency, do declare & acknowledge them to bee enemies to the King, the houſe of Fraunce, and the weale of this eſtate, euen ſuch as the King hath alreadie declared them, and as his Courtes of Parliament in the verification of his letters haue aduouched them. Alſo according to the tenour and contents of the ſayd letters, together with the Kings commaundements therein conteyned, they will with their whole power proſecute warre againſt thē and by all meanes procure the rooting of them out.

Howbeit, for aſmuch as diuers there are that by the pretences of the league maye haue been deceiued and abuſed, ſo many of them as ſhall within the ſpace of this preſent yere departe therefro and withdrawe them ſelues to them, or into their owne, they will admit & receiue into their protection and ſafegarde as before, meaning that conformably to his Maieſties former ordenances they ſhal in no wiſe be moleſted or called into queſtion for hauing beene ſeduced by the perſwaſions of thoſe of the league aforeſayd.

The ſayd Lords King of Nauarre, Prince of Conde, and Duke of Montmorency, doe deſire al thoſe that ſhoote not at the ſame mark with the leaguers which thei ſhould ſufficiently know, and yet doe remaine in their holdes, armies or troopes, to withdrawe and get thence ſo ſoone as conueniently they may, leaſt to their great grief they ſhould not be able to diſcerne them from the reſt, for that they intend not to make ſuch partakers of the like payne as are not comprehended in the ſame crime.

Further, in aſmuch as the ſayde Lorde King of Nauarre, Lord Prince of Conde, & Lord Duke of Montmorency, do ſufficiently acknowledge all Warre to bee one of Gods ſcourges, but eſpecially domeſticall Warre, wherein the poore innocent people are in greateſt daunger, whoſe calamities and miſeries they doe euen alreadie bewayle, they doe withall their hearts beſeech the almightie to open his mercifull prouidence ouer the miſerable eſtate of this Realme and people, to the ende the miſchiefes may by ſome meanes bee turned awaye, either els preuented through ſome good peace: that it may alſo pleaſe him to touch the harts and open the eyes of the King and of the Queene his mother, that they may conceiue the neceſſarie 〈…〉 meanes for the ſame: alſo to mollefie the hardneſſe & obſtinatie & to ſuppreſſe the ambition of thoſe of this league, making them capable of better counſayle, & ſuch as may bee more conuenient to the quiet of this eſtate. If otherwiſe, and that their prayers can not auayle or obtaine this ſucceſſe▪ yet doe they hartely deſire euery oue to iudge whether there were euer defence more naturall, more neceſſarie, or more iuſt. Alſo to lay the blame and caſt the curſe vpon ſuch as haue brought them into this extremitie, and left them no other choyce but either the rooting out of the houſe of Fraunce together with the ſubuertion of the eſtate, or els a lawfull and neceſſary defence. Conſequently, they aſſure themſelues that God wil bleſſe the right, and bring vpon the authors of this league, the very ringleaders of our calamities, that deſtruction which they purpoſe againſt the King, his famelie and eſtate.