ISabel of Bauaria,Disinheri­ting of Charles the Dauphin. an ambitious Prin­cesse, and a cunning woman, but a cruell mother,Humane wisdome [...] de­ceiued in mat­ters which it thinkes i [...] hath foreseen [...], Charles the 5. had desired to seeke an alli­ance in Ger­many for his sonne to forti­fie h [...]m against the English H [...] married Isa­bell daughter to St [...]phen D [...]e or Baua­ria, [...] nature [...]anded against Charles her sonne to trans­port he C [...]owne to strangers. had so great power o­uer the will and weaknes of Charles the sixt, her husband, as he disinherited the Dauphin his sonne, and gaue the Crowne of France to Henry the fift, king of England his son in lawe, by a treaty made at Troie the xxi. of May 1420. This declaration, published at the Marble table, was followed by an­other of the Kings Councell, which promised to vse all the seueri­ties of Iustice against the Dauphin, to punish him for the murder of Duke Iohn, slaine at Monstereau.

A murther, which making an altar vnto Mars of all France, gaue him for offerings, not prodigious showes of vices, but an in­finite number of braue men, worthy of a more happy age, and a better end. He that knowes not the History cannot vnderstand that of the warres, which it hath caused betwixt the kings of Fraunce and the house of Burgundy; nor of those tragicall effects of ma­lice and hatred, which continued all the raigne of Lewis the xi. But behold a true Table.

Charles the vi.Charles the 6. going from Mans in Iuly in the extrea [...]most heat of the day his head being co­uered with a great hood of scarlet he me [...] with a man [...] [...]ea­ded and bare­legged, [...] in white rugge at the en [...]ry of the forest who staying his horse by the reyac [...] said vn­to him. King ride no far­ther for thou art betraid. These wordes to a spirit weakened with care, watching, distemperature and distrust turned his braine and made him mad. O what misery did this poore head bring to the whole body of France., for the infirmity and weaknes of his spirit,Distraction of Charles [...]he 6. suffered himselfe to be gouerned by Lewis Duke of Orleance, his brother, whom he loued dearely. Philip Duke of Burgundy, Vncle to the king by the father, grew first iealous, then an enemy to this great authority, and his hatred tooke such deepe roote, as it died not with him, for Iohn his sonne was his heire, and sware the ruine of the house of Orleance.

The two factions are framed,Faction of Orleanois and Burgo­nians. and the heads discouer their hearts by their deuises, the motto of that of the Duke of Orle­ance, was Ie l'enuie, hauing a knotted staffe: that of the duke of Burgundy was a Ioyners plan with this motto; Ie le tiens: th'one shewing how he would maintaine his authority, and the other how he would ouerthrow it. The Duke of Burgundies designes [Page 2] succeeded, both to the ruine of himselfe and his house: He groun­ded himselfe vpon the practice of the Townes, and especially of Paris, supplanting the Duke of Orleance of allThe credit and confidence which they haue in a man of commande­ment is the cheife support of his authori­ty, for from thence pro­ceeds the loue of the people which is a buckler vnto the [...], and a st [...]ong ram [...]i [...]e against [...] and wic­ked. credit and loue, and seeking to make him hatefull in the speeches, but worse in the affections of the people, who were otherwise incensed against him, for some new subsidies which he had raised.

The first effect of this cruell hatred was, that after many com­bustions, both within and without Paris,Death of Charles D. of Orleans. and euen then when as they thought their minds were least inflamed; the Duke of Orle­ance returning from the Queenes Palace, where she then lay in, and hauing past most part of the night by her, on the 20. of Nouem­ber 1407. fell into the hands of xviij. murtherers, which slew him.

It was a spectacle full of pitty, the next day, to see about this poore sicke King, the widowValentine of Milan wid­dow to the Duke of Orle­ance, Charles, Philip, and Iohn her sons. Isab [...]l of F [...]ance the Kings daugh­ter, married to Charles, el­d [...]st sonne to the Duke of Orleance, the Kings of Sici­le and Na­uarre, with the Dukes of Berry & Bourbon demaund iustice of the murther. and her three sonnes, assisted by the three Princes of the bloud, imploring iustice. They seek out the crime, but they finde not the offenders: The Duke of Burgundies hatred is a great presumption, that these were the fruites of his re­uenge;The Duke of Burgun­dy flies into Flanders. all mens eyes were cast vpon his, which his conscience made him to hould downe: He drawes the King of Sicile, and the Duke of Berry apart, and aduowes the fact, he leaues Paris with fiue more in his company, and recouers his country of Flanders, in great hast, so as the suspition was changed into apparant proofe.

Sone after heThe Duke of Bourgondy re­turning into France with a great army carried in a table two lan­ces in saltire, the one hauing a s [...]arpe head for the warre the other a burrhead for the tourney, giuing the choyce of war or peace. returnes with a mighty army; they that would haue condemned him,He returnes to Paris. are now forced to seek his friendship: Paris receiues him as the Demon Gardian of her wals; he maintaines puqlikely that he had caused the Duke of Orleans to be slaine, to free the estate from oppressions. A Doctor of the Sorbonne vn­dertooke to iustifie him before the Kings Counsell, with so great impudence and flatterie, as it seemed he would canonize him before hisFlattery giues honors to mortall men which belong not vnto them Tertullian reprocheth the Pagans of lying and flattery which made them declare men Gods, and Tacitus saith Deum honor Principi non ante habetur quam agere inter homines desierit. Tac. An. lib. 15. The honor of the Gods is not to bee giuen vnto the Prince, vntil hee hath left to liue among men. death, after this followed an accord; by the which the Duke of Burgundy should for a reparation aske pardon of the King vpon his knee. The Queene, the Dauphin, the Kinges of Sicile and Nauarre, & the Duke of Berry making the like request for him, in the presence of the Children of the Duke of Orleans, melting with teares, and weeping with sobs, to see the bloud of their Father put to compromise, and themselues forced to forget so sencible an Iniurie.

France was presently deuided into two factions of Orleanois and Burgundians.A league of Armagnacs Th'one taking his fauour and authority from the ruines & disgrace of the other. The Duke of Burgundy hath the soueraigne gouernment of affaires, and forceth them of the howse of Orleans to make an offensiue and defensiue league against that of Burgundy.League of Orleanois at G [...]en the tenth of March 1410. the heads were Charles Duke of Orleance and his bre­thren Iohn Duke of Berry, Lewis Duke of Bourbon, Iohn Earle of Alanson, Francis Earle of Clermont, Bernard Lord of Ar­magnac, and Charles of Albert Consta­ble of France The heads of the Bourgundy faction were Iohn Duke of Bourgundy & his brethren. Charles King of Nauarre son to Charles the bad, the Dukes of Lorraine, Brabant, Brit­taine, the Marques of Pont, the Earles of Neuers, Vau­demont, St. Paul & Pon­thure. The name was of Armanacks, the marke a white scarfe: [Page 3] the cause, the Kinges liberty who was in captiuity vnder the law and will of the Duke of Burgundy:Challenge sent to the Du. of Bur­gundy. and to the end the quarel might be ended with lesse danger, losse of men, and time, Charles Duke of Orleans sent a challenge to the Duke of Burgundy, to fight a combate with him, and to be reuenged of his fathers death. The Duke of Burgundy, who had drawn the Queene vnto his party, had noe great dificultie to perswade the King, that the designe of the howse of Orleans was nothing but ambition and rebellion; in de­nying him to demaund succors from Henry the fourth king of Eng­land.

The Dolphin being of yeares able to iudge of the intentions of the one and the other,The sonne in lawe a­gainst the father in lawe. found that the interest of the house of Orle­ans was that of the Crowne, and that the ambition of the Duke of Bourgondy his father in lawQueene Isa­bel being ban­ded against her nephewes of Orleans, adhe­red to the Duke of Bur­gundy & made the marriage of his daugh­ter Catherin [...] with the Dau­phin Lewis. was the cheefe motiue of those trou­bles, wherefore he vndertooke to crosse his designes and to make a peace: this soule was seasond with good thoughts at the siege of Bur­ges, for when they told him that in a salley, which the besieged had made, some of his seruants were slaine, and that the souldiers dyed of poisoned waters, he said vnto the King his Father, and the Duke of Burgundy. That this warre lasted too long, and that he would make an end of it. Iohn of France Duke of Berry, andEnguerand of Monstrelet notes, in what manner the Duke of Berry came to this treaty, in his armes, not­withstanding that hee was 70. yeares old: (for he llued a­boue 80) ha­uing vpon thē a Cassocke of purple with a band poudred with mari­golds, and so he is painted in the gallery of the [...]o [...]ure. Philebert of Lignac, great master of Rhodes, employed themselues vertuously to recon­cile the nephewes and the vnckle. The conditions of this peace were concluded at Burges,Peace of Burges. & sworn in a great assembly at Auxerre, the names of that fatall faction of Armagnac, and Burgundian were comprehended in the forgetfulnes of things past, and Philip Earle of Vertus was married to the Duke of Burgundies daughter.

But all the parts of France recouer not their former health: The warre renues againe, and the Dauphin is no more for the Burgun­dian, whose principall force consists in the sedition of Paris and the succours of the English, who making their profit of ciuill diuisions, win the battell of Azingcourt, which was called the vnfortunate day of the 25. of October, 1415.The battle of Azing-Court. The Duke of Orleans, armed to re­uenge his fathers death and the libertie of his country, was led pri­soner into England, and if religion had not comforted him, he had no lesse reason then Pompey, The Mitcle­niens came to salute Pompey after the bat­tel intreating him to land, which he refused and aduised them to obey the victor, and not to feare any thing, for that Caesar was a iust man, and of a mild nature: and then turning to the Philosopher Cratippus who was also come to see him, he complained and disputed a little with him touching the diuine prouidence, wherein Cratippus yeilded mildly vnto him, putting him still in better hope. to be amazed at the prouidence of God, which seemeth to fauour the most vniust party, tyranny a­gainst libertie, and couetousnes against freedome:Death of the Dol­phin and Duke of Turraine. This losse was followed by the death of Lewis the Dauphin, and of Iohn Duke of Touraine, the Kings second sonne.

By the death of these two, Charles Earle of Ponthieu saw him­selfe in the first degree of the Princes of the bloud, and presently made show that he had been bred vp to apprehend the iniury which the Duke of Burgundy had done vnto his vncle. All the Prin­ces and Noble men which had followed the house of Orleans [Page 4] came vnto him, and among others, the Constable of Armag­nac: but his greatest affliction was, for the vnnaturall hatred which the Queene his mother bare him, who declared her selfe a­gainst him Regent of the Realme, & was maintained in that quarrel by the Duke of Burgundy: vnder her was that cruell massacre com­mitted the 12. of Iune 1418: whereas theAmassacre at Paris vpon the Armagnacks from 4 of the clock in the morning the 12 of Iune vntil the next day 10. of the clock. To note the Constable by the scarse which he car­ried they flead a bend of his skin and tyed it crosse his body, his office was confirmed to the Duke of Lorraine, and the Chancellors to Eustace de Lastre. Constable of Armagnac and the Chancellor de Marle were slaine, and the Dauphin ranne a daungerous fortune, if Tanneguy du Chastel; Prouost of Paris, and his faithfull seruant had not saued him in the Bastille. Paris saw it selfe reduc'd to that miserable estate, as it seemed a retrait for Beares and Tigers.

During this fatall diuision, the English preuailed in Normandy and Guyenne,Peace trea­ted at Po­uilly. and then a peace was treated betweene the Dau­phin, and the Duke of Burgundy; vnder the assurance whereof the Duke came vnto the Dauphin, being at Montereau Faut YonneThe Dauphin sent Charles of Poitiers, Bi­shoppe of Va­lence, to the Duke of Bur­gundy, to draw him to Mon­ste [...]cau in Gas­teacis, for that he had refused to come by Tanneguy du Chastel: say­ing, that it were better for the Dauphin to com to Troye. The 10. of No­uember, 1419. he came & was slaine vpon the bridge, which was fortified with 3. barres. The Duke ha­uing past the first entred in­to some appre­hension of his fortune, and meeting Tan­reguy du Cha­stel, he laid his hand vpon his shoulder, say­ing: Behold h [...]m in whom I trust., and presenting himselfe vpon his knee, Robert de Loire, taking him by the arme, sayd vnto him: rise, you are but too honourable; who rising, laid his hand vpon his sword to drawe it forward, for that it hung too much back, then said de Loire vnto him; Doe you lay your hand vp­on your sword before my Lord the Dauphin? whereupon Tanneguy du Chastell stroke him so forceably vpon the face with a battell-axe, as he made him to fall vpon his knee and cut off his chin, another thrust his sword into his belly: The body being stript was drawne in­to a mill, and buryed the next day.

This death reuenged the house of Orleans, but it gaue so great a share of the Realme to strangers, as there remained very little for Charles, who presently after the death of the Duke of Burgundy was declared by the king his father (at the perswasion of his mother) vnworthy to succeede vnto the crowne of France.

Hee might iustly haue appealed from these declarations to the Kings good sence; but seeing him decay daily, and that hee was still vnder the gouernment of this Medea, he chose rather to appeale to God,Priuate persons haue many Iudges, kings haue none but God, saies M. Anthony, Dion Nice [...]s. the Iudge of Kings, and to his sword, lamenting with teares, drawne from the bottome of his heart, his owne miserie and that of France.

This disorder,Death of K. Henry the fifth & Charles the sixth, contrary to the reason of nature, & the lawes of the realme, was followed with strange changes. Henry the fifth dies, and 50. daies after Charles the sixth king of France. Henry the sixth king of England is crowned at Paris, Charles the seauenth at Poictiers, there were two kings in one Realm, two parties, two armies, but the English holde Paris, and the firstIn all factions the authority of the Senate is of great force. Otho, to shew the difference of his partie, & that of Vitellius, said: Nationes aliquas occupauit Vitellius, imaginem quandam exercitus habet, Senatus nobis cum est. Sic fit vt h [...]c Resp. inde hostes Reip. constiterint. Tacitus Hist. lib. 1. Senate, who thought that all authoritie and soueraigne command was in effect on their side; that the king had but the image, some calling him, for pitty sake, Dauphin of Viennois, and others, in mocking, King of Bourges, or Earle of Ponthieu, there remaining nothing to make him knowne to [Page 5] be the fourth sonne of Charles Charles the 6. had 5. sonnes, Charles, who died of a [...] ­sumption, at 9. yeeres, Lewis D. of Guyenne, who died at 19. Iohn Duke of Touraine, mar­ried to Iacquet of Bauaria in the yea [...]e 1404. Charles the se­uenth borne in the yeer. 1402. the fi [...]th was he of whom the Queene was brought to bed, when the Duke of Orleans was slaine. the sixth but a peece of the crowne.

He goes to field weake of all things, of armes, friends, men and mony, but strong in right and courage to maintaine the quality of his birth, which the enuy of fortune, and the conspiracie of his ene­mies could not take from him; for his mother had brought him into the world vnder purpleThe Empe­rors of Con­stantinople or­dained that their wiues should bee brought in bed vnder purple [...] Nicetas lib. 5. and the flower deluce. There is nothing so powerfull as a good cause maintained with a good sword, nothing doth so much comfort the soule in aduersity, nor moderate it in prosperitie, as the iudgement of conscience, when as she feares not to haue her intentions knowne to God and men.

But seeing himselfe forced to vanquish before he raigne, that vi­ctories depend of the force of Armes, and that the triumphant Chariot of Mars is not moued but by the force of gold and iron, Fower things do perpetually follow warre, men, iron, siluer and bread, but of these 4. the two first are the most neces­sary, for that m [...]n and iron cannot furnish siluer & bread but bread and siluer may find men and Iron [...] that the springs of his treasure are drawne dry, and the royall re­uenues held by his enemies, he procures his subiects to assist him with taxes.Taxes or­dained. The French, who haue alwaies excelled other nations in fidelitie and deuotion towards their Kings, not knowing what it is to haue good when they want, did contribute freely & cheere­fully to the necessities of Charles, who like a good Shepheard was content to fleece his [...] and not to flea them.

France which had beene besieged 70. yeares,Miseries of France last 70. yeares. with the miserie and calamitie of warre, might well haue beene without this cruell diuision, which was no other thing then a conspiracie of the Chil­drenCiuill warre is a mortall se­uer in an e­state. This ar­dent desire in the Graecians to make warre in Greece, is called by Plu­tarch, a con­spiracy against themselues, by the which they staid with their own armes the fortune which led them to the height of felicity, and turned their weapons against their owne bowels., to turne the points of their swords against their owne bo­wels; to inuite their Ancient enemies to the funerals of her liberty and to bring back those cruell and bloudy dayes for the which England hath giuen to the two Edwards the proud titles of Lighte­ning, Edward the third, and the Prince of Wales. and Eagle. There was nothing in generall but miseries, con­fusions, amasements, and desolation: The pesant being stript both of flesh and fat had nothing left but bones, and they were bruised. The Historie admires that euen the cattell hearing the bell, (a signe of the enemies approch) fledde of themselues to recouer their re­treates.

She had so lost her first excellence, as she seemed a building, of whose beauty no man could iudge, but by the peeces that remai­ned of her ruines. Vertue and FortuneFor the greatnes and continuance of an Empire, fortune, or to speak better, prouidence and destiny must a­gree with vertue, Roma vt ageretur sublimibus incrementis faedere pacis aeternae virtus conuenit atque for­ [...]una, quarum si altera defuisset, ad perfectam non venerat summitatem. Ammianus. which in the beginning, had agreed to settle and maitaine her Empire, held no more ac­compt of her, and conspired with her enemies to ruine her. And as too much greefe makes men to loose all feeling, the excesse of her miseries, which had no ease but custome,Custome is the onely case of ineuitable miseries, and those calamities which are growen into a custome giue some contents vnto miserable men. made the French so accustomed to the darknes of seruitude, as they grew ignorant of the light of libertie, and they which were borne vnder the yoke, [Page 6] did lay a foundation of this forraine domination by the length of their sufferance.

In this terrible ebbing and flowing of calamities, capable to make the strongest men faint and effeminate,Great cou­rages grow re­solwe against misfortunes, & take aduersi [...]s for exercises of their vertue, o­thers are pre­sently deiected. Tacit. Ann. l. 4 Charles continued still constant in his resolution, and God did comfort him by the birth of the Dauphin, at Bourges the sixt of Iuly, 1423. the twen­tieth 2 yeare of his age, the first of his raigne, the nineteenth of his marriage with Mary Daughter to Lewis Duke of Anjou, and King of Sicile. The ioy was great: the Historie sayes, they generally cryed Christmas, an ordinarie cry at publicke ioyes, in those daies. It is a great proofe of the peoples loue, when as they reioice at their Princes issue, and hold the want of it a misfortuneIt is a great testimonie of the bounty of a Prince, w [...]en as they reioyce at the birth of his children, or when as the want of them is accounted a­mongst the mi­series of the cō ­mon wealth..

They went not to seeke godfathers in the soueraigne houses of Europe,Iohn of A­lancon god­father to Lewis the eleuenth. the ioy past with lesse brute. Iohn Duke of Alençon, first Prince of the bloud, carried the new Prince to be baptised, and gaue him the name of Lewis. If they made some scruple to giue him his fathers or his godfathers name, as it was an old pagan error, that there was some fatallity in namesThe anci­ents had great respect to names. They had certaine dares for the impesition and profession of names & feasts which they cal­led Nomina­les, holding for a good signe the encounter and choise of a goodly name: as Valerius, Saluius, Sta­torius, and in the leuie of men of warre, the Consul had a care, vt pri­mus miles es­set bono no­mine. That the for most soul­diour should haue a good name., and was then in credit, it may bee they remembred the captiuitie of King Iohn in England, and the stormes wherewith his descendants called Charles had beene shaken.

Ignorance was so bould and generall in those dayes, as all they that haue dealt in the historie, beeing neither curious nor diligent, haue not left any mention of the education of the Princes of France, whereon notwithstanding is grounded the hopes of the rest of their liues. For such as they haue shewed themselues in their first inclinations, such are they knowne to bee afterwards. Seldome do they hate that in the end of their daies which they haue loued in the beginning. The care of such deere and Important per­sons hath alwaies beene very great in the house of France, they suf­fer nothing that is pestilent or infectious to approcheThe Egypti­ans did not suf­fer any about the Kings chil­dren but such as were well bred, and of a generous disposition, they were alwaies serued and followed by their Priests Children, attired in habites fit for their profession, of great modestie and aboue twentie yeares ould, to the end that beeing al­wayes guiled by the Ministers of their gods they might bee retained within the bounds of maiestie and vertue. HERODOT.. This spring must water the whole State, and it is hard for them to erre and faile among so many examples of vertue, valor, and courage, which are like whetstones to giue an edge to generous natures.

He gaue such timely proofes, as he made it knowne, that Iudge­ment & reason appeared sooner in Kings childrenGreat natures discouer themselues soone. So Plutarch said that Pompey did in the flower of his youth show a venerable greatnes of reall maiestie in his actions and manners. then in others, that lyllies put forth sooner then common flowers: at the breake of his morning they saw that which they should expect of him all the rest of the day.Marriage of Lewis the eleuenth. His Father married him at thirteene yeares to the Lady Margaret Steward, daughter to Iames the first, King of Scot­land, as King Charles the sixt had married him at eleuen yeares. The Ambassadors being sent into Scotland to bring this Princesse, were crossed by the English, being iealous and offended at this alli­ance, [Page 7] which renewed and confirmed those which since Charlemaine Charles the great, Emperor and King of France, ha­uing bene as­sisted by Acha­ius king of Scot­land in Spaine against the S [...] ­ras [...]ns, and in Germanie a­gainst the Sax­ons, made an offensiue & de­fensiue league with him, and gaue him his daughter to wife in the yeare 777. had been betwixt these two Crownes, and put them into a great apprehension, that whilest they should be busie in France, (wheras their affayres began to decline) the Scots might trouble them in England. They offered to yeeld him Barwick and Rosbourg, with all other places which were in question, if he would dissolue the promise of this marriage. The estates of Scotland assembled vpon this proposition.Parlement in Scot­land. The Clergie was diuided, most part saying, that it was iust and profitable, that the refusal would be pernicious, and that to attaine vnto a good peace with their neighbours, they must not so much regard things past as the future and the incertainty of euents. The Nobilitie did couragiously resist the designe of the English, cry­ing out that their enemies counsell was poison presented in a cup of gold, a goodly pretext to ruine them, a practise to diuide Scotland from their ancient friends, and then subiect them more easily to their enemies.We must not onely consider matter which are past, but those which are also to come. And in truth they to whom fortune hath neuer tur­ned her backe­d [...]e not with­out cause feare the doubtfulnes of variable e­uens, so as a certaine peace were alwaies to be preferred before a doubt­full victory), for that the first is in our will and disposition, and the last in the hand & power of the immor­tall god. The words of Han­nibal to Sci­pio. Tit. Li [...].

The English being refused of their request they fall to threates, and declare that they had shipps at sea to stop the Princesse passage.Mary Ste­ward sent into France This made the King resolue to send her soner then he had intended, the estates beseching him not to deferre to trust his Daughter to his Sonne, who trusted them with the guardSt. Lewis being at the ho­ly land escapt a conspiracy made against his person by the King of the Arsacides, it was discouered and preuented by the Scotchmen of whom afterward he made his guard. of his royall person. She past notwithstanding the ambushes of the English, more by the prouidence of God, then the foresight of men, for whiles the English, were busie in fighting with a ship which was lade with wine for Flaunders, the Scotts vessell past freely and landed the Princesse at Rochell.Reuenge runnes alwaies against the enemie that hath most offended, and in the contention of three Nations there is alwaies one that saues himselfe, and does his busines. She was conducted to Tours, whereas the marriage was solemnized the 24. of Iune.Murther of Iames King of Scotland But this ioy lasted not long in her fulnes, newes comming of the death of the king of Scotland, being miserably murthered with sixe and twenty wounds by his Vncle and Cousin, in the sight of the Queene his wife, who presen­ting herselfe vnto the murtherers, and making a buckler of her body to defend her husbands, receiued two wounds.

The thoughts of Lewis were in those dayes more inclined to Armes then to Ladyes. Nature did dispence them from their serui­tude, and his breeding had diuerted him from all intemperance which makes men inferior to beasts, and bound him to the exer­cise of vertue, which makes Princes superior to Men. He had learned by the infancie of King Charles the 6.Charles the fift, meaning to try the generous disposition of his sonne, did set a crowne of gold & a scepter vpon a veluet cushion, and on another an helmet and a sword, Charles made choice of the sword and the helmet. his Grand-father, to lay hould of a sworde as soone as of a Crowne. They did gird him with it sooner for necessity then to grace him, more to defend himselfe then to adorne him. So it is fit that a Prince should carry an honorable markeIn places whereas armes are in a degree of excellencie and necessitie, the Prince and they of his bloud should make great esteeme of them which make profession. of the most excellent and necessary profes­sion of his estate. He could no more draw it but against the Eng­lish, the French and the Burgundians were in the way of an ac­cord. [Page 8] The Dutchesse of Burgundy,Duches of Bourgundy drawes her husband to the treatie of Arras. Infanta of Portugall, a good Frenchwoman, was the cheef instrument. She tould the Duke that he should be generally blamed, if he refused a peace of­fered with honor and profit, that indiscretion would not excuse the repentance of so preiudiciall a refusall. She drew the heart of this Prince to her intention, making it knowne that burning iron is not soner quencht in water, then the heat of coller and reuenge is lost by the perswasion of a milde and moderate spirit, and that nothing is vnpossible to Princesses of courage, when as their vnder­standing hath power ouer their husbands.The effects are [...] they [...] good to good and bad to bad. Tamer­l [...]nes wife flaid him long f [...]m making warre against Buazet, but being incensed by an iniurious wish which hee had made, shee did animate her husband by an extreame fury against him. Chalcon­dylas.

By her perswasions the Duke yeelded vnto the Kings youth the blowe which he had caused to be giuen being Dauphin, and the excesse of his offence to the greatnes and maiesty of the King, considering that forgetfulnes is an Antidote against the deadly poyson of Iniuries, which may ruine the soule when it doth too egerly seeke reuenge, and that it is a great folly to continue im­mortall hatred amongst mortall men.Reuenge con­tinues iniuries & makes them hereditarie. A strange distem­perature of men. Quid iu­uat tanquam in aeternam genitos, it is in­dicere breuis­fimam aetatem dissipare? Sen. libr. 3. De ira. What doth it a­uaile to make hatred eternal, and to leade a short life.

The Counsell of Basil imployed it selfe, seeing that whiles France was not in peace, Christendome should be still in trouble; They sent two Cardinals to mediate this peace, & to exhort the Kings of France and England and the Duke of Burgundy to cause their dis­cords to cease & to accord their wils for the defence of the Church; To strayne their courages and tackle against the force of the winds that did shake that vessell; that they should haue pitty of themselues and of their subiects. The English growing obstinate not to leaue any thing had no part of this peace. There is nothing so difficult in a Prince as restitution; they left the Dutchies of Guienne and Nor­mandyKing Charles the seuenth of­fered to the K. of England the Dutchies of Normandy and Guienne, to hold them by homage of the Kings of Frāce as soueraignes, and vpon such conditions as the Kings of England his Aneectors had enioyed them in the begin­ning. to the King of England to quite the rest; but the prosperity of his affaires doth preiudice him of the possession, and the desire to continue a reueng trouble the soules of so many persons, as rea­son had no more commaund,Wilfulnes of the Eng­lish. opinion held the scepter. A Royalty endures no equall.

The great God of peace, who is all spirit, all light, all eye, all seeing, all hearing, allTreaties of peace are concluded when as men hold them broken and impossible: they bee the effects of the eternall prouidence of that great God whom Clement Alexandrious cals [...], totus mens, totus lu [...] totus oculus, all minde, all light, all eye. knowing, inspir'd the hearts of these two Princes with the holy resolution of Concord, and a ful forgetfulnes of iniuries, so as the Duke seeing the King of England too difficult made his treaty apart.

They contented in euery degree the interests both of dead and liuing. The Kinge transported to the Duke of Burgundy the Townes vpon the riuer of Somme, whereof mention shall be of­ten made, st. Quintin, Corbie, Amiens, Abbeuille, and others, vpon condition to redeeme them for the summe of foure hundreth thousand old Crownes of gould. The marriage of the Earle of Charolois and of Catharin the Kings Daughter, was the seale of this treaty.The marriage of the Earle of Charolois with the Kings Daugh­ter was the seale of this treaty, hee was then but two yeares old, and when he come to age he married isabel of Bourbon. The Lady Ca­therine who was promised dyed at eigh­teene yeares of age, the 28. of Iuly and was interred at Brusseis in S. Gould.

[Page 9] Charles Duke of Bourbon, and Arthur Duke of Brittany with the Earle of Richmond Constable of France craued pardon of the Duke of Burgundy for the death of his father, in the name of King Charles the vij. It is a cruel thing when he must take a Law from his inferior, but the good of a peace, and the necessity of the Kings affaires forced him from all these formalities: without this satis­faction a peace had not bene made, and it was reason that he which had done the harme should shew some repentance, and serue as a table in the history of France, that a Prince which wants piety towards God and Iustice towards men, falls alwayes into He that hath pietie, & iustice for the guide of his actions frees himselfe happi­ly from con­fusion in all sorts of affaires. These bee the glorious titles which Deme­trius purchased [...], reli­gious to the gods, and Iust to men. confusion. The Duke said that he pardoned him for the loue of God, promising him to be his friend, enemy to his enemies, and to renounce the aliance of England, and the deputies of the Coun­cell dispenst him of the oath which he had made, not to treat with­out the King of England.

This happie and memorable peace,Peace of Arras. sworne the 24. of Nouem­ber 1435. was followed with great blessings for the French, and great ruines for the English. This was the Comet which threatned their ruine in France, and which brought the Duke of Bedford vnto his graue.Death of the Duke of Bedford Regent in France for the English. With the like griefe six dayes after the treatyIsabel of Ba­uaria contem­ned of the Eng­lish and Bour­gundian, for whom shee had [...]anded her selfe against her sonne dyed at S. Paul house the last of Sep­tember 1435. she was carried by the Riuer of Seine to S. Den­nis, and buried without pomp. Her tombe was built in the same place where her husbands was, and her portrait is yet to bee s [...]ene in the window of that Chappell. dyed that old malicious woman the Queene mother, stepmother to the king and Realme. She wanted meanes to liue before her death, for be­ing no more assisted by the Duke of Bourgundy, the Duke of Bed­ford caused her to fast vpon dayes which were not commanded to be fasted, lying in Saint Paule house. She had alwaies liued full of honors and affayres, and now she dyes plunged in miseries and contempts.

The reduction of Paris was the fruit of the peace, she ope­ned her gates vnto the King,Reduction of Paris. which shee had shut against him, for the loue of the Duke of Bourgundy, for she hath dealt with friend­ships as with flowers, the new haue alwaies beene most pleasing vnto her.The King was at Montpelier when Pa­ris was reduc'd. TheThe English were chased out of Paris the 27. of February 1436. where they had en­tred in the yeere 1420. English depart, the Lillies flourish, and the Kings will, with the lawes of the Realme are honored there. The King made his entry, and was receiued as victorious of his enemies by his valor, and of himselfe by his clemencie, forgetting so many in­iuries whereby the people had incensed him.

Here I seeke the Dauphin and the Historie doth not showe me him,1437. although it be credible that the father did not forget to haue him seene in this great occasion in his capitall Citie, no more then at the assembly of the estates which he called at Orleans. But I finde him on horsebacke at the age of fourteene yeares, and com­manding the Kings armie before Monstreau Faut-Yonne. Hee tooke the towne by assault, and the Castle by composition, and made so good warre with the English that were within it, as they gaue him thankes in the Kings presence, confessing that hee had giuen them cause, in admiring his valor, to commend his bounty, to the which they were bound for their liuesA Prince which saues his life whom he may kil, cannot do any thing that brings him sooner to the height of glory and reputation, nec vlla re pro­pius homines ad deum acce­dunt quam sa­lute homini­bus danda. Cic. Neither is there any thing which makes mē liker vnto Gods, then by giuing life vnto men..

[Page 10] This first beginning applauded by some old Knights, flattering this yong Alexander, who beganne to bee discontented for that his father left him no worke to doe, made him to conceiue better of himselfe then hee ought. For such flattering opinionsFlattery doth so transport young Princes with a good o­pinion of what they are, or should be, as it is easily conuer­ted into pre­sumption, and admits no coun­sell nor con­duct. are fruit­lesse sproutes, and vnprofitable leaues which grow too fast in these yong plants and in the end kils them.

The Father who had made him Captaine so soon, repented as sud­dainely, for he beganne to make showe that hee was not borne to follow but to goe before. Martin Gouge Bishop of Cleremont, Christopher of Harcourt, and the Lord of Chaumont make him be­leeue that his valor and courage would not suffer him to stay there, that the more he should eleuate his trumpet of fame, the farther it should bee heard: that he could not beginne any exercise of glorie and reputation toAlexander at 16. yeares of age defeated the Megariens, and was at the battell of Che­ronea; where­fore Demost­henes called him child. Han­nibal was but eleuen yeares old when hee made open pro­fessiō of armes. Wee must ob­serue saith Phil. de Com­mines That all men which haue don gret matters haue begunne very yong. Warre is a science which is not learned by discourse. It is a troublesome practise for him that hath not accustomed it from his youth. Paul: Emil. soone: and that he should not attend vntill that fortune tooke him by the hand to lead him to the Empire of men, but he should goe and meete her.

These Councellers were spirits that were not capable to com­mand, nor to be commanded, and which could not liue vnder that great rigor of the Kings authoritie,Bad coun­sell giuen to Lewis. who knowing his humors al­lowed him not what he desired, and made him giue eare to such as found no other course for their greatnes; and who assured him that there was no other way for his rising then to absent himselfe from the presence of his father. An aduise which could not bee commended, but by such to whom all wickednes is commendable. For of badde counsels, such as was neuer giuen by men that were Integrity, or fidelitie, sufficiencie or wisedome, are the two principall qualities of good counsellors: they add a third which depends of the precedent, to haue his heart free from passion and priuate interest. wise, discreete, and without any priuate interest (three rare qua­lities, but necessarie for him that takes vpon him to counsel another) the worst and most pernicious is that which deuides the Sonne from the Father, and withdrawes him from the dutie wherewith hee is bound by the lawes of nature and religionThe commandement of the Childrens dutie was halfe written in the first table, which regards Gods right, and halfe in the second table, wherein are comm [...]ndements which concerne our Neighbours, as beeing partly diuine and partly humane., nothing beeing able to extinguish this bond, free this seruitude, nor dispence him from the obedience due to the fathers commandements, how se­uere and difficult so euer.

The Duke of Bourbon,1411. who would make his profit of this di­uision betwixt the father and the sonne,Charles Duke of Bourbon. and who was disconten­ted to see the King contemne and reiect the Princes, to fauour priuate men, practised this diuision. The Dauphin, who was bred vp in the Castle of Loches, vnder the charge of Iohn Earle of MarchThe Earle of March was gouernour to the Dauphin. He wrought meanes to get out of his hands and to bee at libertie. They said then that King Charles should not haue married him so soone to entreat him like a child., saw him carried away by the bastard of Bourbon, and was content to goe and to be ridde of his gouernor, who suffe­red him to enioy conuenient libertie, thinking it vnfit to treat the first sonne of France seuerely, being now great and married.

Hee was led to Moulins, whereas the Duke of Bourbon attended [Page 11] him. Thither came the Duke of Alençon and Chabannes Earle of Damartin, beeing incensed for that the King had called him Cap­taine of Bandilieres. These were men who after the peace of Ar­ras, like vnto some after the treaty of BretignyWhen as treaties of peace are con­cluded, they must prouide for the retreat of forraine troopes, el [...]e they wil ouer­run the Pro­uinces. After the treaty of Br [...]tigny in the yeare 1360. the English trooopes did o­uerr [...]n and spoile France, and defeated them that sought to stop their violenc [...]s at [...]regnay neere to Lyon., did ouercome and spoyle all the whole country, leauing the peasant nothing but his shirt. There imbarked in the same ship the Earle of Vandome, the Earle of Dunois, Bastard of Orleans, and the Lord of Chaumont, Tremouille, Boucicaut and Prye. There resoluti­on was not to yeelde him vntill that an order were setled in France, the Princes in Authoritie, and the malecontents in fa­uour.

If their intention had appeared in her true and naturall forme, her deformitie had displeased all the world, for it was nothing but a meere conspiracie of great men, who abusing the youth of this Prince, ingaged him in an vnnaturall ingratitude, and thought to make him greater then eyther nature or God himselfe had yet or­dained, that vnder his shadowHe that wil enioy the sha­dow of his Prince must reioyce at his greatnes, so as it be not raised vppon a foun­dation of In­iustice and in­gratitude., they might liue at their ease, and make their profit of the publicke ruines. To giue some forme to this illusion, they deuise supposed members, and giue it for a face theAll deformi­ties and im­perfections are so foule being seene bare, as like vnto them that haue both their armes and [...]egs cut off make other of Iron [...] or wood, euen so they that haue had de­seignes do co­uer them with some goodly pretext. maske of reformation of disorders, protesting that they had no other intention but to settle the Dauphin, to the end that all things might bee done by his authoritie, with the aduise of the Princes of bloud.

They had sought to imbarke the Duke of Bourgundy with them,Duke of Burgundy refuse to enter into the league. but he who would not reuiue a quarrell, if not altogether quencht, yet at the least smothered: And knowing the folly of this designe, sent them word that he would liue in peace, and that at the end of the course whereinto they were entred, there was an ineuitable downefallof rash de­signes we may easily foretell the [...] vnfortu­nate euents▪ and hopes whcih haue vniust founda­tions cannot long continue.: That they should doe wisely to returne into the way which they had left, for that they more they went into this, the more they should wander: that of all the miseries that would fall abundantly vpon them, they should not beHe that is the cause of his owne misery hath small reason to complaine and few men pitty him. lamented of any, for that they were knowne to bee the causers: That although there were some disorder in the state, yet could it not be so great as that which should grow by this diuision, and France should be little be­holding for her help to those which had made her so sicke to cure herIt is a desperatee cure when as healt [...] must be beholding to siicknes and peace to Ciuil warre.; for that neither the disordred gouernement of affayres, nor the vaiust commandement of the Prince would not cause so many ruines and inconueniences as disobedience and rebellionRuines and miseries grow not by them that command but by such as obey. Obedience hath made Estates to prosper and florish vnder vniust and ti [...]ranous comm [...]n [...]ement [...]. The common weale of Spa [...]ta was happy, not for that their Kings commanded wel, but for that this subiects obeyed well. Theopompus.: That for his part he could not seperate himselfe from the King his Lord, without forsaking himselfe: That his armes and forces were al­waies at the Dauphins commandement, so as his designes were not disauowed, and that he would more willingly employ himselfe to bring him to his fathers presence then to withdraw him.

[Page 10] The Princes of this league were very sorrie for this declaration: For they considered that if they could haue kindled a hatred be­twixt these two houses, they would haue beene more violent, and yet they made this yong Prince beleeue, by reasons, fuller of often­tations then truth,Letters of Lewis to the good Townes. that all would doe well. They dissembled the In enterpri­ses of [...] [...]on­si [...]er the ground and iustice of the cause, rather [...] the issu [...] and successe. The Romans had this glory neuer to enter into it wrong­fully. They did not so muc [...] glory saith Ti­tus Liuius in the prosperous successe as to hau [...] begu [...] it vppon a reaso­nab [...]e and law­full occasion. Iniustice of this warre, and flatter him with sweet hopes of the e­uent: They write letters in his name to the townes of Auuergne, and other prouinces whereas they thought these designes would be well liked of, and this Innouation pleasing.

But they were reeeiued of the wise with more amazement for this defection, then desired to adhere vnto them, and although there be no cause so bad but it findes some refuge, and some one to fauour it, and that which is held a crimeAll the acti­ons of men are taken by two ends, some com­mend them o­thers blame them, Coesar is commended for that he at­tempt [...]d against the liberty of Rome. Brutus i [...] blamed who opposed him­self to his de­seignes to re­uenge his con­tries libert [...]es. Some blame Cateline for that hee would haue done, and others com­mend Caesar for that hee did. in some is commen­ded by others, as a publique seruice, yet all the townes did abhor this rebellion. They held it impossible that such a diuision could prosper, and that France would bee made a Theatre of a new Tra­gedie: that the reasons, whereof they did ground it, were like vnto false stones which haue some transparant shining like vnto fire, but they haue neither the vertue nor the hardnes.

They found not any spirit well setled that would follow them, but euery man stopt his eares at the first brute, as if they had been in­chantments. All were amasedAn vniust & rash enterprise strikes horror into good men, who foresee the miserable e­uents at the ig­norant vulgar holds them fa­uorable they must stop their cares to their first pr [...]positions, for if they enter into the soule [...] it with confusion▪ Claudendae sunt aures ma­lis voelbus et quidem p. imis. Nam cum initium fecerunt admissaeque sunt p [...]us audent. Sen. at their boldnes, and euery man said that fury would draw these wilde Bores into the toyle, & that the Foxes craft would not free them from the snare.

The Nobility of Auuergne giue them to vnderstand, that if the Kinge came into the Country,The decla­ration of the nob [...]li­ty of Au­uerg [...]e. they could doe no lesse then to open their gates. This name of Kinge, and such a King against wh [...] they could not arme but the reliques of his victories who had made so great proofes of his valor and courage, made the most mutinous to tremble:A Prince whose great actions purchased the name of valiant and wise is alwaies feared and respected. This authority disperseth all kind of factions and conspiracies when as carelesnes and contempt giues them life, It was an Anuill which would weare all hammers. Euery man said vnto the Dauphin I am yours without exception, reseruing my duty to the Kings seruice.

The King could not yet dispatch his affaires with the English. 8 The Kinge of England had failed of the assignation made on the first day of May at S. Omer,The King armes a­gainst the Dauphin. to consider of a peace and made him­selfe be sought vnto. This trouble could not be but to the profit of the enemies of France. He resolued to goe himselfe against this conspiracy, before that time and the Innouation, the auncient IdolCaesar blamed the Gaules for a curious de [...]i [...]e of Inouations. They are said he, very inconstant in their opinions & most commonly desire change. of the French, had giuen it more force. Hauing fortified the frontiers against the English he aduertised his sonne of his duty, but good wordes serue but as oyle to feede the lampe of this yong Princes desires.

He must vse sharper tearmes to force obedience,Good wordes are of no force, to haue a difficult commandement [...]bserued. He that wil be obeyed in rigorous things must vse seue­ritie and autho­ritie. So saies Mach [...]auel in the third of his Discourses. an vnplea­sing [Page 11] commaund requires not milde speches. He came to Poietiers, he sent to the Duke of Bourbon to deliuer him his sonne, and to the Duke of Alençon to yeeld him his Townes of Niort and St. Maixant, and to both of them to yeeld an account of those com­bustions, to come vnto him, and to call their fidellity vnto them. They were farre of, this storme could not hurt them. They were no Children to be afraid of this thunder.

The Duke of Bourbon would not obey at the first summons without caution for his obedience. He had rather haue his absence To flie iudge­ment is to con­fesse the fault, but oftentimes the innoc [...]nt teach no defence against the per­secution of one more mightie, but absence. a witnesse against him, then repent him for his presence. He had a good pawne in his possession, he had Townes and Subiectes which had sworne to follow his fortune, thinking that the war being betwixt the Father and the Sonne, all that were actors in it should gaine by it, at the least they should be free from danger; for the Fathers bounty would refuse nothing to his Sons humility, and that oftentimes fidelity was worse rewarded thenThere haue beene ages seene so full of confu­sion, as they must haue done ill to reap good. If vertue [...]ere not of it selfe a great recōpence to good men, they mig [...]t haue some reason to repent them­selues of doing well, when as their cond [...]tion is infe [...]iour to that of the wic­ked. rebellion.

The Duke of Alençon thought he should alwaies haue Niort and St. Maixant to make his peace. He had sent la Roche to defend the Castell of St. Maixant,S. Maixan taken by the King. but the Towne intrencht it selfe and put it selfe in armes against him. It was presently assisted with the kinges forces, who sent the Admirall Coitiui and la Varenne Sene [...]hall of Poictou thither. The Castell being forced, la Roche escaped making a shewe to goe for succors, and the Captaines which he left within it were hanged.

The Kinges forces attempted not any Towne, but they took it.A Prince that hath to deale with his sub­iects, performes great matters in time, how diff [...]cult soeuer. Some endured the Cannon and were spoiled, Rion and Aigues perces opened their gates at the first summons. Clermont and Mont-Ferrand, who had neuer giuen eare to the perswasion of the Prin­ces of the league, receiued the King.

The Estates of the Country assemble at Clermont to order this diuision,Estates as­sembled at Clermont. which separating the sonne from the father, diuided one heart into two. The King thinking it fit that a busines of that im­portance, which concerned the safety of them all, should be con­sulted of by many,Although that a soueraigne Prince may re­solue of any thing of his own motion, yet it is fit hee should commun cate it. So Augustus made a pleasing sweet medl [...]y, as Dion sait [...], of a Monarchie and a popular state. hee appointed this assembly. There they re­presented freely the ruines which threatned the Realme, and that the English had occasion to mocke at the boldnes of the Princes of the bloud, which had attempted against the head of their house, and banded the Sonne against the Father. That it was fit euery man should returne to his dutie, the King by the way of his bounty, and clemencie, to them that had offended him; by that of iustice to his estate, to serueTo raign: is to serue. Tibe­rius compr­hend [...]d the du­tie of a Prince in three words, and three kinds of subiects. A good Prince who is ordained for the safety of his subiects, must serue the Senat, serue his subiects in generall, and serue euery priuate man. To serue the Senate is to follow their Councell: to serue all, is to procure the publike good: and to serue euery man, is to do him iustice that demands it. the which hee was ordained of God, as well as to command: and the Princes by that of obedience and repen­tance, with amendment for their faults, that, although the iustest cause to arme against the Prince were vniust, yet the King should consider that a great Prince should apprehend nothing more then to see his subiects ill satisfiedA priuate man is pleased in satisfying himselfe, but the condition of a Prince is bound to con­tent his sub­iects, and to sa [...]isfi [...] such as are malecon­t [...]nt. of his actions.

[Page 14] These reasons pierst the harts of the most distracted. The Princes fearing to be abandoned,Euery one desires grace of the King. their partie growing weake and decrea­sing dayly, they sued for grace vnto the King: Hee offered it them by the Earle of Eu, who did negotiate their accord, and did per­swade them to goe to Clermont to receiue his commandement: wherevnto they yeelded, so as they might bee assured. The King was so good as he gloried to be vndeseruedly offended, by men who reduced to their duties very profitable; hee gaue a pasport for the Duke of Bourbon and Alençon, but not for Tremouille, Chaumont, nor Prye, whom hee held to bee the Authors of this trouble, and of the assembly at Noion.An assembly at Noion of the Duke of Alen­con, Anthony of Chaban [...]s Earle of Damp­martin, Peter of Am [...]oise Lord of Chau­mont, Iohn de la Roche, Se­neshall of Poi­ctou, and of the Lord of Trem [...] ­uille. They complaine that they are abandoned, and inflame the bloud of this yong Prince, in such sort as seeing the Dukes of Bourbon and Alençon, returne to conduct him to Clermont, hee swore that hee would not goe, A Prince must haue care of them that haue followed him. Mon­strelet vppon this occasion writes those words. When the Daup [...]in vnderstood it, hee said vnto the Duke of Bourbon, My faire Gossip, you haue no thankes to tell how the mat­ter was con­cluded, & that the King had not pardoned them of my houshold. but would seeke to doe worse.

When the King saw that he came not, that the prefixed day was past, and that the English, who besieged Harfleu, called him into Normandie, hee would temporise no longer, but suffered his Ar­mie to spoile the Duke of Bourbons Countrie. His foreward did besiege and take Vichy. Cusset and Varennes yeelded. The whole countrie of Rouanna obayed: Clermont and Mont-Ferrant per­sisted in their fidelitie, from the which no Towne may in any sort separateHe cannot be held faithfull, that for any re­spect w [...]atso­soeue [...] hath cea­sed to bee so. Senec. it selfe, but it presently looseth the glorious title of faithfull.

The wilfulnes of this Prince ruined the countrey, euery man found his desseigne vniust, and the affection he bare vnto his ser­uants vniust, the consideration of whom should bee of more force then that of the publicke good, for the which they might some­times straine Iustice it selfe.To obserue Iustice in great ma [...]te [...]s, they must sometimes leau it in lesser. Wherefore the Duke of Bourbon and Alençcon perswaded him to submit this affection to the Kings will, and the interest of his seruants to his discretion, intreating the Earle of Eu to bee a meanes that the king would be pleased that might bee done at Cusset, which was not performed at Cler­mont.

The King grants it:The Da [...] ­phin resto­red to fa­uour. They come, and present themselues vnto him, bending their knees thrice vnto the ground before they ap­proch, beseeching him to pardon them. This humilitieHumilitie on­ly pleades for great pe [...]sons. Monstrelet speakes in this sort of this pardon. Being come into the chamber where the King was, they kneeled thrice before they came vnto him, and at the third they intreated him with great humilitie to pardon them his indignation. did wipe out of the kings heart the feeling of such sensible offences. Hee imbraced them, and said vnto the Dauphin, Lewis you are wel­come, you haue stayed long: goe and rest you, we will talke to morrow with you.

But hee protracted no time to reprehend the Duke of Bour­bon,Repreh [...]n­sion of the D. of Bour­bon. drawing him a partGreat men will be praised in publike and reprehended in secret. he put him in minde of his faults, hee notes him the place and the number, being fiue, hee reprocheth vnto him the iniustice and indiscretion of a designe which sought to put the father vnder the sonnes gouernment; adding that if that [Page 15] loue and respect of some did not withhold him, hee would make him feele his displeasure.

What could hee answere? The very feeling of his fault did presse him. The offender must yeeld to the iustice, and the Inno­cent to the force of the stronger. He renues all the vowes of his obedience, and affection, and submits his will vnto the kings, hee commends his bountie, so apparant by the number of his offen­ces, and so necessarie for them that had offended, whose preser­uation did serue as an increase to his glorie, and a trophee to his clemencieThey to whome the Prince giues life, liue not but to the glo­rie of his cle­mencie..

The next day the Dauphin presents himselfe vnto the king, who did not entreat him as nurses doe children which flatter them when they fall. Hee did let him vnderstand that his fall had carried him to the ineuitable ruine of his honour and fortune, if the bountie of a father had not as much will to retire him, as the iustice of a king had reason to punish him: In a word, he said he would cease to be a good father vnto him, if hee did not begin to be a better sonneHee that is good must striue to be bette [...], for when hee doth not begin to g [...]ow bet [...]er, the [...] he ends to be good.: and that he desired not to be held good, for not punishing the bad.

The Dauphin assuring himselfe of his fathers bountie and cle­mencie speakes no more but for his seruants,The Dau­phin will not leaue his seruants to whom safe con­ducts had beene refused. The king declared that they had made themselues vnworthy of his grace; that they had deserued to bee made an example to others, as the authors of this rebellion, which had made the wicked impudent, and brought good men to des­paire: Yet there must bee a distinctionA Citizen of Sparta [...] Ch [...]rilaus highly cōmen­ded for [...] bounty. And how, s [...]id hee, can hee bee good, seeing hee is not se­uere vnto the wicked. It is as great cruel­tie to pardon all the world, as not to par­don any. Se­nec. made betwixt the effects of clemencie and bountie, that for their punishment he was con­tented not to see them, and that they should retire themselues vn­to their houses.

The Dauphin held firme against these torrents of his fathers chol­ler, & lets him know that if there be no grace for his seruants, he de­sires not any for himselfe. From this opinionOpinion is the falling sick­nes of the minde: that is the Caue which cōtaines the wind [...] f [...]om whence the tempests of the minde come, that is to say, disordinate passions.which is they Caue from whence the windes issue which torment his soule: or rather from the impression which his seruants had giuen him, that in be­ing resolute he should haue whatsoeuer hee desired,Opinion causeth ter­rible moti­ons in the soule.he drew this yong and rash speech: I must then my Lord returne, for so I haue promised. To whom the King answered coldly. Lewis goe if you will, the gates are open for you, and if they were not wide enough I would cause sixteene or twenty fadome of the wall to be beaten downe, to make you a greater passage: I am your father, your will depends vppon mine. The fathers will i [...] soue­raigne ouer that of the Sonne. The power of the Father was in old time abso­solute among the Romans, Persians, and Gaules ouer the liues, deaths, goods, libertie, actions, and ho­nor of their children. I finde it very strange, that you haue ingaged your word without knowing mine, But it imports not: The house of France by the grace of God is not so vnfurnished of Princes, as it hath not some that will shew more affection then you haue done to maintaine her greatnes and honor.

This yong Prince desired rather to bee held a bad Sonne then a bad master.Wilfulnes of the Dau­phin. Wee must beleeue that these clouds did not breake without some raine, and that this fire of choller, and loue, was [Page 16] not quencht without teares. The Duke of Bourbon, who knew how to distinguishKings are of­fended when the subiects wil haue their chil­dren march e­qually with them. The high Priests in the beginning of the yeare made publike prayers for the health and prosp [...]ritie of the Emperor. Tiberius bla­med thē sharp­ly, for that they had added the names of Nero and Drusus his successors, hea­ring it impati­ently to see you [...]h march e­quall with his age. Aequam adolescentes Senectae suae impatienter indoluit. Tacit. betwixt the authoritie of the one, and the age of the other, and would not that there should remaine any conceit in the Kings minde, that this wilfulnes was supported by his Coun­cell, at the same time tooke the oath of Allegeance, promising to leaue the Dauphin, and all intelligences and leagues contrarie to his Maiesties seruice.

The Dauphin could doe no lesse then apply himselfe to the o­bedience and humilitie which God and Nature had ordained him.He humbles himselfe. The King kept him neere him, changed all his officers, except his Confessor and his Cooke, set good gards about him, that no bad thing might enter into his eares,Hearing is the entrie vnto the Soule, good or bad Counsells haue no other passage. When the gardes of these gates are wonne they tri­umph ouer the sort. Ad sum­mam sapiens eris fi clauseris [...]ures, quibus ceram parum oft obdere, Fir­miori spissa­mento opus est, quam v­sum in sociis Vlissem ferunt. Senec. and hee caused them to be obserued that came neere him, to the end hee might call them to an account for the bad Impressions they gaue him.

He gaue him men,The King reformes the Dau­phins house better knowne and recommended for their wisedome and Integritie, then for their cunning and subtiltie, Good men are alwaies necessa­rie about Prin­ces, they must chase away fa­ctious spirits, who are more fit to disorder then to settle affaires. It is also good to haue them that are cunning and politicke, to imploy them a­gainst deceiuers. commanding them to haue a care of this yong Prince, who was of a good disposition, but very tractable, and might easily bee di­uerted. Many vitious inclinations creepe into mens mindes, whereof wee must no more blame Nature, then the Vine, when as the Wine growes sower, or Iron when it rusts. How good soeuer the disposition be, it corrupts and is spoiled if it be not en­tertained, and education doth alwaies frame men after her owne fashion, notwithstanding any lets of Nature.

They that are about this Prince,Hee is watcht least he fall. by the Kings commandement, keepe him so short, as notwithstanding that Will be a prerogatiue of humane libertie,The will which is in her libertie, and depends onely on the power of reason, a [...]mes at things which are desirable and to be affected. The name of vertue among the Grecians came from that of desire, for that it is pro­perly and chiefly to be desired. hee durst not will any thing contrarie to his dutie; And for that the Dukes of Alençon and Bourbon had pro­mised by the treatie to yeelde vp vnto the King the places which they held, they hauing no other securitie but the Kings word, and clemencie, the Armie was not dismist before that all was execu­ted: Which beeing done a Peace was proclaimed, and this re­uolt (which they called the Praguerie) supprest in lesse then nine monthes.

The Dauphin remained still neere the King, he serued him, and followed him in diuers occasions. It was an incomparable happi­nes It is a great contentment for a King to come to that age to fashion his successor, and to make him partaker of his experience and authoritie. for him, to see his way made vnto the Crowne, and to learne how to liue vnder so good a father.Parts which frame a Prince. The practise of warre vnder the conduct and instruction of so valiant a Captaine, and so wise a King, the essentiall parts which frame a Prince, counsell, force, re­putation, The same things which support the frame of an Estate, as Councell, force, and reputation, are the essentiall parts which fashion a Prince. Councell teacheth him the true formes how to raigne well; force consists in the [...] of six conditions which make him mighty, the which are, to to haue his e­state louing great, armed, rich and setled. Reputation is the glorious brute & of that efficacie as opi­nion giues it credit and res­pect amōg other Potentates. and the instruments to raigne, which be, first knowledge, to looke into the nature of subiects; secondly, wisedome to giue [Page 17] them fit lawes; thirdly order of armes; fourthly the art to make warre; fiftly, industrie to maintaine peace; sixtly, diligence to foresee accidents; seuenthly, meanes to amplisie his Empire; eighthly, iudgement to know the iealousies and interests of States; ninthly, dexteritie to temporise inconuenients; tenthly, quicknes to resolue; eleuenthly, celeritie to execute; twelfthly, constancie in matters resolued; thirteenthly, force in aduersitie; foureenthly, moderation in prosperitie; fifteenthly, and so firme a knowledge of diuine things, that superstition make him not fearefull, nor libertie rash.

He led him to the siege of Pontoise, the Accademie of the most memorable exploits which had bin seen in those times.Siege of Pontoise. The English hauing indiscreetlyEue [...]y man commits errors, the Frēch haue, and the English also in the de­ciding of their affaires. King Iohn refused the offer which the Prince of Wales made him, to yeeld vp all which he had conquered, and the spoile. Hee would be­side al this haue the Prince and foure of the chiefe Noble­men of his Ar­mie yeeld at his discretion. This refusall was followed with the losse of a battell, and the taking of the King. King Charles offered the English in the conf [...]rence at Calais, to leaue them all that they held, in doing him h [...]mage, they refused it, and had neither the one nor the other. refused the kings offers, who left them the quiet possession of that which they held in France, reseruing onely the soueraigntie; were declared enemies to all parts. Paris beeing freed from their command, desired to see them out of Pontoise, and therefore they supplied the king with money to expell them. Behold an armie of twelue thousand men before Pontoise, good souldiars, and inured to dangers, who could both incounter, and passe them without feare, and knew better how to dye, then to kill, the best and onely part of valour.

The approches to Pontoise were not so well garded, but Talbot enters and relieuesTalbot re­leeues Pon­toise. it both with men and victuals. The Duke of Yorke, Lieutenant Generall to the King of England, presents him­selfe at Cenery and Hotonuille with 8000. men. He sent a Herald vnto the King to signifie vnto him, that either he should accept of a Battell, or raise his siege. In this first furie of the French, there was not any one but said that it were better to eate rootesPerseuerance forceth places, Caesars souldi­ours beeing be­fore Duras, they had no bread but a root called [...], they wi [...]hin the town [...] laught at the [...] of the be [...], being so ill furnished. But they told them, that as long as they found such rootes about Duras (whereof t [...]ere were [...]) they would not dislodge. and die, then to raise the siege. But the King would not hazard any thing.

The riuer was betwixt both Armies, the King caused the bridge at Beaumont to bee garded, the onely conuenient passage for the enemies Armie. The Duke of Yorke had small boates to passe ouer his souldiors beneath the bridge towards the Abbey, yet with such difficultie as ten men had beene able to hinder a hundred. But the order was so great, and the night so fauourable, as the Armie was in a manner all past before the Sentinels had giuen the alarum. A happie passage, and which strooke such an amazement into the Kings Armie, as the Captaines were more busied to wonder how the English had past, then to keepe the rest from pas­singA [...] and admiration are weake Armes to stay as enemie. Tit. Lin. obserues how the Romans passe a riuer whilest that the Spa [...]iards wonder and consult what they should doe. Qui tumultum iniicere [...] in ipso [...]. Tit. Li [...]. who might haue caused a disorder in the very passage of the riuer.. [Page 18] from constreining him,The King raiseth the siege. seeing there was a riuer betwixt both. He wanted not-courage, but iudgement to embrace the occasion and opportunity.Agisilaus be­ing demanded what parls made the com­mander of an Army excellent and brauc: hee answered, cou­rage against his enemies, and counsell▪ with iudge­ment in occasi­ons that a [...]e of­fered. He dislodged from Maubuisson, leauing Charles of An [...]on and the Admirall of Cottiuy with 2000. men in the fort of St. Martin, and so retires to Poisy. The Duke of York followes him, thinking to ingage him to fight, but the King wil not change his resolution, which was not to giue a battell but to take Pontoise. When as the Duke of York sent to offer battaile vnto the King, hee made no other answer but that seeing hee had such a de­sire to fight, he should haue [...] belly full and sooner then he looked for.

The Duke of Yorke passeth at Mante to victuall and refresh the besieged. The King remained, scorned by the English, and contem­ned by the Parisians, who repent themselues for the mony they had giuen him, vnprofitably, for the charges of this enterprise. The grea­test of his Court murmured, for that he had retired so vnseasona­bly. He sees his reputation so blemished as he resolues to take the place, or to dye there: he returnes thither within ten dayes after, causeth the Towne to be battered in three places, and a breach be­ing made goes himselfe to the assault, hazarding all for all. He was forced to play the soldier to be a King: vnles he would of a King become a soldier, and try how insupportable repentance is, not to haue done, in an opportunity, that which can no more bee done when it is past, and how shee scornes at those ouerweaning wits, which think in all places to ioyne authority to wisdome, imparting nothing to necessity. The KingesNecessity bindes a Prince to cast [...]imselfe int [...] dangers. In the wa [...]re which the Em­peror Albert of Austria had a­gainst the [...], they demanded of him to whom he would giue the charge of his army: he answered. If any other then my selfe were your Captaine you would no more call me Archduke of Austria AEne­as Silu. [...]ib. 3. de [...]. affaires were not in such termes as he should be ashamed to be whereas the Cannon might glance by his crowne,Charles bragd of the wou [...]ds that he had [...]receiued in the war and shewed them, Timoth [...]us an Athenian Captaine said, I was ashamed be­fore S [...]mon that an arrow came from the walls and fell neer vnto me, for that I had aduanced farther then was fit for a commander of an Army Plut: nor to trouble his thoughtes to consider how hee should escape out of danger, nor how much it did import that hee should escape.

The besieged cannot withstand the fury of the assault,Pontosse tak [...]n by as­sault. they enter, they kill the enemies and saue the Cittizen, they heare not those cruell wordes, let the friend perish with the enemy. Those whom the fury of armes could distinguish and know for French were saued, and the English slaine: But it is hard in these encounters, [...] with fury, and foming with reuenge, to obserue any Image of iustice in sparing his friend or his host. [...] that great Capta [...]ne who neuer slew any one vanquished, held him a wicked men, how good a Citizen soeuer that did not spare his friend or his hoste..

They speak of God when they go to a charge or an assault, they re­commend them selues vnto him, they pray vnto him, & they make vowes. At their returne they speake no more of him then if he had not beene present. But the first thing and the first action which the King did at his entry, was to giue God thanks, acknowledging him the sole author of this victory,The glory of [...] belongs to the God of Batte [...]s▪ The King of france haue alwaies bene carefull of this duty. Phillip Angust [...]: after the Battell of Bouines caused the Church of our [...]ady of victory to be built [...] vnto Senl [...]s. K. Lewis the twelfth built a Chappel wheras he won the Battel of Ghiaradadda, vnder the name of St. Marie of victory. King Francis the 1. did the like vpon the place of battel wheras he defeated the Suisses at s. Dona [...]. without whom he had beene as much troubled with his owne Subiects, as with the enemy: For the Duke of Bourgundy was not so well reconciled as he desired not to raise the greatnes of his house vpon the ruines of the Kings affaires [Page 19] and the greatest of the Realme had already made secret assemblies to reforme the disorders whereof euery one had complayned.

He assembled all the Princes,The King rewards his ser [...]ants. Noblemen and Captaines, he com­mended them that had done well,After a vic­tory a Prince must take knowledge of such as haue done him good seruice, honor & recompence valor & blame cowardize. Luce orta (saith Liui. in his 6. Booke) vocatis clafico ad concilium, mili tibus, Manlius pri­mam ob vir­tutem Jauda­tus donatus (que). and thanked thē for the fidelity and proofes which they had showne, he made many knightes, and gaue to the Lord of I [...]longe the place of marshall of France, and a pension to him that entred first into Pontoise by the breach. If the History knew his name she would giue him a murall Crowne, and would doe him the like honor as the Parthians did to him that mounted first vpon the walls of Seleucia. The names of such as go to apparant dangers for the publicke safe­ty, should not be forgotten in a history, and yet they re­maine vn­knowne, [...] they be not no­ted by some o­ther quality then a simple soldier. Plu­tarch remem­bers the name of Surena, who first sea­led the wall of the great Citty Seleucia, the reason is for that hee was the second a­mong the Par­thians next the King..

The King led the Dauphin to Tartas, being assieged by the En­glish, and then to Limoges, teaching him stil that wisdome and tem­porising surmount all difficulties,The Dau­phin besie­geth Tar­tas. and that it is a more excellent thing to settle his estate in peace then to spoile and wast his enemies contry. With the instructions and maximes of his father, who had giuen him in his infancy good gouernours, and in his youth good councellors.Great Prin­ces hauing had good maisters beeing little, & wise Coun­sellors being great haue ef­fected great matters.. he made him capable of the actions of a Prince, to command well, and to cary the commandements of the King his father into Languedoc, to frustrate the practise of the Earle of Armagnac. Bastard of Armagnac fauord by Lewis the eleuenth. The BastardThis Bastard was made Ad­mirall of France by Lewis the eleuenth who gaue him the Earledome of Comminge and the gouerment of Gui­enne: whereof bee disposest Iohn Duke of Bourbon his Brother in law. of this house aduertised him, that the Earle of Armagnack treated of some alliance with the English. Ie­lousie vpon such aduertisements are alwayes excusable, and there is nothing that doth so much bind the wisedome of Princes, as to foresee that great houses doe not ally themselues against their li­king, and transport vnto strangers the goods which should re­maine in their estates, which cannot be carried away without pre­iudice vnto them. Such practises are more easily preuented then broken when they are made.

The house of Armaignac is ancient, ritch, and mighty, in Guienne, and her beginning is found in that of the Crowne ofD. Sancho, surnamed the great King of Naturre, hauing conquered some land in Gascogne on this side the Pyrenees gaue it vnto Garsias his sonne, Earle of Armagn [...]c in the yeare 1013. he made his second sonne Arnold Garcias [...]arfe of Estarac, whose dissent is entred into the house of Foix and a branch of Candalle. Nauarre. Iohn 4. Earle of Amagnac Constable of France had bought of Iohn Duke of Bourbon the Earledome of Lisle Iourdain in the yeare. 1421. for 38000. crownes of gold, of 64. to the marke. He had married Isabell of Nauarre: The greatnes of his house, and that of his alliance, made him presume, during the troubles of France, (when as euery man cast his eyes vppon the peeces of her ship­wrack) to qualifie himselfe, Prince by the grace of God, and to seeke the allyance of the English by the marriage of his daughter. The King, who made no difference betwixt treason and such allyances, sent Commissioners to make the Earles processe as guilty of high treason; hauing offended against the Lawes of FranceMarriages treated with strangers without the Kings permissi­on, haue been dangerous for them that treates it. Valeran of Luxembourg Constable of France was disgract by King Charles the fifth, and King Charles the sixth dislik [...] the treaty of the Duke of Berries daughter with the Duke of Lancaster Phi­listus for this reason was ba­nished out of the estates of Denis King of Sicile which forbids any Nobleman to make any marriage with strangers without the Princes consent.

[Page 20] The King sent the Dauphin thither, who besieged Lisle Iordain and tooke the Earle of Armagnac. Earle of Armagnac a prisoner at Lisle Iourdain. His sonne fled into Spaine, Iohn de Meaux, second President of the Parlament of Toulouse, had heard the Earle of Armagnac vpon his practise, and had drawne from his owne mouth the truth of the principall points. He thought that he should be quit for this confession,Natures wel bred are [...]asily bound by fa­uors, they would haue cor [...]upted Lewis. King Charles his father giues him part of the gouernment of the estate and of his affaires, by which meanes he was drawne from thoughtes con­trary to his du­ty and the peace of the estate. and that the President (hauing no other force then that of Iustice) could do him no great harme, but when hee saw himselfe a prisoner in the Dauphins power, hee said that whatsoeuer hee had confest was against his owne consci­ence and the truth, hauing onely spoken it with a desire to recouer his goods which the King had seazed on. After hee had expiated this offence in prison, the King restored him his liberty giuing the Earledome of Foix for a caution. The Dauphin at his returne from this voiage was sent into Normandy with the title of Lieftenant Generall. But we must obserue that he was twenty yeares old be­fore he had any gouernment, and that the King gaue it him only to disappoint the deseignes of such as would haue drawne him elcewhere, and did busie themselues more then he himselfe did in the estate wherein he was.

He chased the English from Deepe,The Dau­phin take [...] Deepe. and this victory did present­ly carry the generosity of his courage and the happines of his con­duct throughout all the Prouinces of France, whereas nothing did diminish the greatnes of this growing reputation, but this reason, that being sonne to so braue a father it was not strange to see him so valiant. The French said that the father had need of such a sonne and the sonne had need of such a father. The King glories to haue made him with his owne hand and to see his instructions so well followed, he augments his authority, and praiseth his command, and sends him into LanguedocThe Dau­phin goes into Languedoc, with a thousand Lances whereas his sword made his way. He staid not his courage at smallA Prince must flye vani­ty and seeke the eff [...]ct [...]f a so [...]lid and true glory, nam vt [...]uitatis est in mem aucu­part rumorem omnes vm­bras etiam falsae gloriae consectari, sic ieiuni est ani­mi lucem splendorem­que sugientis, iustam glori­am qui est fructus verae virtutis ho­nestissimus re­pudiare. Cic. [...] Pis. For as it is a lightnes to hunt after vaine f [...]me & all the shad­dowes of falce glory, so it is a weaknes to re­fuse iust glory, which is the honeslest fruit of true vertue. mat­ters, his fall could not be but very high. As hee disdained glory of smal price, and reputation which cost little, so he did earnestly seek that which grew from great and goodly actions, and which were the iust fruites of true vertue.

The English,1443. grown weake, make a truce, during the which Lewis goes to seeke excercise without the Realme, and becomes head of the French and English to be reuenged on those who during the worst estate of his fathers affaires had troubled him, and to fauour the warre of Sigismond Duke of Austria against the Suisses.The Duke of Austria had married Radigonde of France, eldest daughter to King Charles the seauenth: in fau [...]ur of this alliance be intreats him to succours him against the suisses.

Hee remembred that the Earle of Montbelliard had entred the Frontiers of France toward Langres. Hee cries quittance with him, takes and spoiles Montbelliard and giues the gouernment to Iohn Thibergea [...] captaine of his Archers: He oueruns, the Bishop of Bassils country, for that he had maintained the party of Amide Duke of SauoyAmidee Duke of Sauoy in the yeare 1437. retired to Repaille into a monastery of Moncke; of S. [...]; and tooke their [...], A grey gowne, a long Cloake, a grey hood, a short corne [...], & a red cap vp­on his hood, but vpon his gowne he car­ [...]ed a great gir­dle of gould, and vpon his cloak a Crosse of gould, be­ing accompa­nied by tw [...]ty of his fauou­rits attired like the Monkes. He reserued vnto himselfe the title of the Duke of Sauoy and the soue­raigne authori­ty ouer his Es­tates. He was c [...]osen Pope at the Council. The election was sig­nified vnto him the 11. of De­cember 1439. He came to Ba­sill the 24. of Iune. was crow­ned the 24. of Iuly, said his first Masse and made Cardenal [...] the 27. of No­vember. He went to hold his sea at Lau­sa [...]a 1442. who by the sufferages of the Bishops prelates and Doctors of the Councill had beene made Pope and named [Page 21] Foelix the fift, against Pope Engenius, and who before his retreate into his Monasterie of Ripaille, had done all hee could to fauour the English.

The Suisses seeing so mighty an enemy at their gates, attend not vntill he did aduance, but looke which way he would turne the head of his forces. The Lord of Ramstein receiues him at Altkilch, a Towne which he held by engagement of the Bishop of Basill for 12000. florens. The Nobillity of the Country comes vnto him, and to be reuenged of the people, and to preserue their howses, they offer him the seruice of their swords. The Armies vsed incredible inhumanities vpon this poore people, who gaue the name of Flears vnto the men of WarreThe souldiers who spoiled the frontiers, and the Countryes of Basill and Ferrette at di­uers times were allwayes called by one name Schindern, Flears, and by mockery Ar­meniacken..

The Towne of Bassil knew well that the councill would draw this storme vpon them,Good order of them of Basill. and that King Charles the seuenth would reuenge the degradation of Eugenius the Pope: and therefore they omitted nothing that might serue for their defence & safety: they made a bulwarke at the Port of Spalen, and rased all that was about the Towne which might help the besiegers: they ap­pointed two Bels, one for warre, and the other for fire, by the first euery one knew whither hee should goe, by the second Church­men and Monkes onely were bound to runne to the fire. They caused a proclamation to be made in the country, that whosoeuer would bring his goods and prouision into the Towne, the Bourgue­masters would bee bound to restore it againe, or to pay the iust price, if necessitie forced them to vse itWheras there is concord be­twixt the townes and country, not onely of [...] in certaine things, but in all that [...] the common prfit, a for [...]aine enemie shall finde great difficultie to worke any great effects, for all conspire [...] him..

The house of Austria had cast the Apple of discord among the Suisses. ZurichSuisses be­siege was allyed to Sygismond Archduke of Austria, the Cantons of Berne, Lucerne, Vry, Suuitz, Vnderual, and Glaris, came to besiege Zurick, to force them to renounce this allyance. Beeing at this siege they are aduertised that Iohn of Rechberg in the begin­ning of August had surprised the Towne of Bruck, in the Country of Ergueu, belonging to the Canton of Berne, that hee had com­mitted great cruelties there, and had sent the spoile by water to Laustemberg: and the chiefe prisoners to Farnsberg. The com­mon feeling they had of the priuate offences of their Allies, suffers them not to dissemble this iniurie. Hee that attempts against the least Hamlet of this common-weale, giues an Alarum to all the Cantons: they ranne thither as if the fire had beene in their owne houses.The Lawe of alliance, which is that of friendship, requires that friends and allies should apprehend [...] imbrace one anothers good or larme. Their duties and interests shoul [...] be common, as [...] in the ship of one-common-weale, the which suffers not any one to saue himselfe apart, nor that they which are at the poope should not be moued with the water which enters i [...] at the prow. They sent foure thousand men to besiege Farnsberg, Reekberg, who was within it, let them know vpon their first approches that he was no man to yeeld. Hee knew well that the Armie of France was not farre off, and that the Swisses had worke enough elsewhere.

Burkard Monchen whom the French called Burgo the Monke, [Page 22] Lord by ingagement of Landsec, was as it were the guide and Mar­shall of the Armie. Hee prest the Dauphin to come before Basil, thinking that at the sight of so many men they would rather seeke to capitulate then resist:1441 Basill besie­ged by the Dauphin. for the Armie consisted of 20000. horse: the Histories of Germanie make mention of 30000. Basil Basill made the first alli­ance with Bern and Soleure, in the yeare 144 [...] The house of Austria was offended, say [...]ng that they did in [...]ringe the Articles of the golden Bull. sends speedily to demand succours of the Suissees which were before Farnsberg. They sent them one thousand and six hundred men, whom the Siegneur of Halwil cals peasants:Thuring de Halluuil in a letter which he did write vn [...]o the Marqu [...]s William, and to the Towne of Zurick the day after the Bat­tell, call [...] the Suisses Bauten Pesants. The which were twice incountred and charged by the Earle of Dammartin, first in the plaine of Brattelen, when as they thought to passe at the breake of the day, and the second time neere vnto the Village of Mutents halfe a league from Basill,Suisses re­pulse the Earle of Dammar­tin. but they marched so close, and in such good order, as it seemed to the Caualery which offered to charge them, that they went against a rocke, or an armed wallA Battalion of foote well ordered is cal­led a wall. An­tiqui [...]murum di [...]erunt pede­strem exerci­tum Veget. Dion spe [...]king of the fourth Legion called, Pytique, giues it the title of a warlike wall. [...]..

They of Basill gaue them notice that they should bee carefull how they did aduance, that it would bee a great rashnes for them to seeke to force through so mighty an Armie, which held all the passages. But the Suissees beleeue that the Lion is not so furious as he is painted: Being incouraged, and glorious of that which had so happily succeeded, in the morning they will not heare speake of staying, and much lesse of retyring. The brauest courages shew themselues in dangers:Not to yeeld, but to resist the sharpest and most dangerous accidents, is a signe of a great courage. Ro­manum est agere et pati fortia. It belongs onely vnto them to doe and en­dure difficult things. They are more inquisitiue of the place where the enemies are, then of their numbers, and holding all manner of stay for a kinde of cowardise, they marche directly towards the Towne, and finding the passage at the bridge stopt, they swimme ouer the riuer of BisreinThe Townes-men of Basill were in counsell how to draw in their succors without dan­ger. Munster saith that the Suisses beeing vpon a little [...]ill, seeing their enemies come vpon them, they repulst them vnto the Hospitall of S Iames..

The Romans would not haue commended this furie; they held it vnfitting for the greatnes and Maiestie of the Empire, and Em­perour of their armies, to passe riuers otherwise then vpon bridges, hauing gardes set at eyther endGermanicus said that to wade through riuers did wrong the reputation of a generall of an Armie. Cesar nisi pontibus pre [...]idiisque impositis dare in discrimen Legiones ha [...]d Imperatorium ratus.. For this onely reason, and with­out any other necessitie Cesar made a bridge vpon the Rhin, and was nothing amazed at the bredth, swiftnes, nor depth of this ri­uer· The Suisses were much troubled with the water and the enemy, before they could recouer the bankes,Battell of S. Ieams Hospitall. and then by the fauour of a little Hill they slip into S. Iames Hospitall. They of the Towne, for that they would not faile to releieue them who came so freely and generously to their succors, sent forth two troopes to meete them: but there was an Ambush of eight thousand horses layed for them, able to haue broken the Battalions of Suissees, if they had beene as equall in numberThe number of souldiours in a Legion, haue been diuers. In the time of Ro­mulus it was of six thousand foote and 600. horse, of 4000. during the Commonweale. That which Scipio led into Affrike was of 6000. And two Legions in Caesars Armie made not 7000. men. as they did imitate in order the Roman Le­gions. They that were in garde in the Towers of the Towne ad­uertised them of the danger, and made them returne.

[Page 23] The Suisses had barticadoed themselues in the Church and Hospitall of S. Iames;Suisses de­feated. But the French forced them out by fire. They fought long at the hedges and walles of the gardens, they indured three assaults, and repulst the two first valiantly, but they were charged with great resolution, and at the third they were for­ced and all cut in pieces: yet the most miserable sold his skin deare­ly. Aeneas Siluius Committi­tur atrox et miserable praelium, ex­dunturque ex vtraque parto quampluri­mi. Horren­dum auditu est. Euelle­bant sangui­nolentas ex corporibus suis sagittas Suitenses, ac truncatis ma­nibus in hos­tes irruebant nec prius am­m [...]m exhala­bant, quam occiso [...]em ipsi occidistent. Erat retro Suitenses mu­rus quidam het [...] sancti Ia [...]bi, quo illi se tutos ab vna p [...]te rebantur so­lumque in fr [...]nte pugna­bant. Sed Teutonic [...] qui cum Armeni­acis erant in­trantes hor­tum, murum perfodiunt, Suitenseque a tergo feri­unt, que res magna causa ruinae Suiten­sium fuit: pug­natur tum an­te tum retro, iam viro vir imminet nee iam eminus sed cominus ferrum strin­gitur. who was then Secretarie to the Councill, and afterwards Pope, saith they could not without horror and amazement behold that cruell butchery of men, in the which the Suisses drew the ar­rowes all bloody out of their bodies, and stabd them furiously into their enemies bowels and so died together. No man was slaine but hee slew. No man breathed forth his last gaspe without the content of being reuenged, comforting his death in that of his enemy. The Dau­phin said that he had neuer seene men more furious, more strong, nor more resolute: there were but sixtene saued, who comming in­to the Contry were taken for runawayes which had forsaken the Camp. And notwithstanding any thing they could alledge yet e­uery man said vnto them, they should haue dyed with the rest. They could not bee held honest men who had brought back their heads from the danger where their companions, had been slaine, as Philopemen could not thinke well of him who had fallen aliue into the enemies hand.Those that fled from a battell were alwayes odious to all nations. These [...] Suisses although they saued themselues with fighting were contemned as Cowards. The name of [...] tiger a forsaker of the campe is a great reproch among the Suisses. The Combat continued ten houres.

Burkard Munch of Landscron Conductor of the Army riding ouer the place of battell and ouer the heapes of deadmen,Insolence in the vic­tory puni­shed. the Bea­uer of his helmet being vp, full of insolence and pride, he said: Here we hath in Roses, The Annalls of the Bishoprick of Basil report the wo [...]aes of Burka [...]d [...] badden vvix in [...]osen, or Hie [...]che ich in dcu Ros [...]a [...]ten, velchon [...] bor [...]erten greeet. or as some write, beholding the Castle of Land­scorn and Munchenstien. I set the Rose bushes which my Prede­cessors haue planted. A Suisse, lying among the dead Carcases, and halfe dead, hearing these wordes of crue [...]l disdaine, striues to get vp on his knees, and with the remainder of his courage and life casts a stone, with such violence at his face, as hee ouerthrew him. He was carried to Landscron and there he died. Another seeing one of his Companions ill intreated by foure soldiers ran thither; freed him from the danger, and carrred him away dying vpon his sholdersErant qua [...]or Armeniaci qui Suitensem vnum insequebantu. Iamque illum telo [...] et supra corpus graffa [...]entor, [...] euis comes ar [...]ep [...]a bipenn [...] in quatuor illos fertur ex quibs duos obtruncauit, alios vero in fugam dedit, ac deinde [...]emianime corpus super humeros recipit et [...] hostibus [...] ad suos AEneas Sil. Munsterus.

It is not certaine how many were in the Suisses Army: Haluuil the Suisse, saith that they were 4000, the Chronicles of France speake of 5000. But whatsoeuer it were, neither France nor England had any great cause to triumph for this Battell: For they lost as many men as they must kill of the enemies to merit a triumph.A Triumph was not giuen for any victory except they had slaine 5000. enemies, Val [...]ius saith. Neither did they giue it vnto the Victors when as the victorie had nad cost much bloud, & ther­fore Titus Li­u [...]u [...] ia his 16. saith, that it was refused to Artillius. The Ar­my that was before Farnsperg, hearing of this defeat, raised the [...] and retired.

[Page 24] The Dauphin continued three daies vpon the place of Battell, and to couer the nomber of men which they had lost, caused them to be buried in diuers places, as at Arlesheim, Reinach, and Esch: Two Earles were interred at Montbelliard, two at Isenheim, The grand Pryor of France was slaine at this Battell, with many other Noble­men. They of Basill demand leaue to take a view of the dead men and to buryAmong the Grecians hee that demanded a dead body to bury it, lost the fruit of the vi­ctory, end renouned the tri­umph. Plut. de Niceas & Age­ [...]l [...]us. them, he would not refuse peace vnto the dead, seeing he was willing to grant it vnto the liuingAeneas said vnto the La [...]ius, who came to in­treat him to haue their dead bodies to bury them, Pacem me exa [...]mis & Martis sorte perempti ora­tis, equidem & [...] conce­dere velim. you pray to men slaine in the warres I peace should giue, yea wil­lingly I would grant it them that liue., and that there was no likelihood that he would grow obstinate at the siege of Basil nor a­gainst the Suisses. The begging Fryars were appointed for this act of pietie. They made three pits to bury them in. There were some that did breath three dayes after the battell. They found some halfe burnt in the ruines of the Hospitall, many in the hedges, and a great number in the Riuer of Birs.

The Dauphin went to refresh himselfe in Alsacea. His Court was at Ensisheim, and the Armie lodged so at large in the country, as it held from Montbelliard to Haguenaud.Coun [...]l of Basil seekes an accord with the Dauphin. The Emperor assembled the Princes of the Empire at Ments to consult of the meanes to expell the strangers out of Germany. The Councill of Basill sentThe Counci [...]l of Basill sent the Cardinall of Arles and Bishop of Basill vnto the Dau­phin, who did mediate a truce for twenty dai [...]s. Embassassours vnto him to perswade him not to trouble the assembly, to the which France was bound for the peace it had with the house of Bourgundy. His Deputies were at Basil to vnderstand the will of the Fathers vpon this accord. They of Berne and Soleure came thither, yet there was nothing con­cluded but a truce of some few daies.

The Emperor Frederick, gaue the Dauphin to vnderstand that if he did not retire himselfe, the Empire would proclaime warre against him. The Nobilitie of Germanie, who had drawne the French and English into the country, began to bee weary of their guests, who dranke their wine without paying, and made vergys of their Vines. MulhouseMulhouse was sometimes an imperiall [...]own, the Bish [...]p of Strausburge was gouernor, and it was cal­led [...]. It allied it selfe with the Suisses in the yeare 1464. and then in the yere 1506. it was made fellow­burgis with all the Cantons. Stump. lib. [...]. of the Suisses commonweale. freed it selfe from this storme, refusing to receiue the Dauphins troupes.

When as hee saw that all the Empire began to rise against him,The Dau­phin retires into Lor­raine. and that the Suisses were like to haue their reuenge for the battell of S. Iames of Basill, he went into Lorraine, to see King Charles his Father who was before Mets, being resolued to reuenge the King of Sicile, who was much incensed against this Towne, for that they had fauoured the Earle of Vaudemont against him.

The English who had refused a peace,1445 Truce be­twixt Frāce and Eng­land pro­longed. tooke such taste in a truceA truce is the bait [...] and charme of peace. It is in the li­bertie of Princes to make it, but when as the people [...] therof it is hard to [...]. as it was prolonged for fiue yeares. Such as tooke delight in the publike miseries, for that they were profitable vnto them, were not content, they would haue the tempest cease, but they still desired some winde to raise the storme. Wee doe not alwaies finde spirits of that integritie, but they preferre their priuate profit before the publike good. Men of this excellencie haue been euer ingaged in great tempests, the number of them which haue come [Page 25] to a safe port to make others haue been very small. They grow like the Phenix at the end of fiue hundred yearesA wise man such as the Stoicks discribe him, neuer was nor neuer will be. Quis sapi­piens sit aut fuerit, nec ipsi Stoici solent dicere. Cic. And as great things happen rarely, Seneca saith, that for­tasse tanquam Phaenix semel 500. annis nascitur. Sen..

Whiles that Rome was well gouerned, the profession of Armes was in time of peace for an exercise, and in the time of warre for necessitie and glorie, euery man returned to his affayres hauing yeelded an account of his Armes, witnessing still, that hee carried them not for his owne priuate good, but for the seruice of his country. The ciuill warres troubled this order, and therefore they said that Caesar and Pompey were held better Captaines then good Citizens, and greater in valour then in integritie. France was neuer fruitfull of such spirits as haue willingly made warre to haue peace, and haue not troubled the peace to make warreMarshall disciplin should be wel obserued if it did al­waies consist of men who after the war made no difficultie to return to their trades and la­bour, but the libertie and dis­order in warre is so great as it is hard to draw them to the rules of Duty, and therefore warre makes theeues, and peace hangs them..

During this Truce a marriage was made betwixt Henry the sixt King of England,Marriage of Henry the sixth and Margaret of Aniou. and Margaret of Aniow Daughter to Rene King of Sicile. The Earle of Suffolk came to fetch her at Nancy, the King was there present, and the ioy was great: but as any great ioy hath still some great sorrow attending it, and pleasures strangle when as they imbrace most straightly.Ioy is com­monly the be­ginning of sorow, at riuers of fresh water die in the salt sea; the sweet­nes of life ends with sorrowes that are bitter. King Charles receiued so great an affliction for the death of the Dauphins wife,Death of Margaret Stuard. and his heauines was so apparent, as the whole Court did participate thereof.

But there was more then teares to witnesse that hee loued this Princesse, and that the remembrance of her should not end with weepingAffection is not tryed by teares onely. To ceace to weepe is not to forget. the remem­brance is too short, which lasteth no lon­ger them teares., for he receiued the Princesses of Scotland her Sisters with all kindes of honor, whom she had greatly desired to see. They came at the time of her Funerals, and finding themselues, as it were vnknowne, in a country whereas that which should make them to be knowne and respected was wanting, they dyed for griefe. All consolations made their greefes comfortles,We must giue time and ayre to sorrow to euaporate it. In those which are extrem [...], it is a part of the griefe to heare of consolations. and made them de­sire that the Queene their sister, being in the bosome of the earth, had them vpon hers. But the King to witnes that the affection which he bare vnto their Sister was not dead, made them to feele the ef­fects. He married the one to Francis Duke of Brittaine, and the o­ther to Sigismond Archduke of Austria.Iohn Duke of Brittanie sent Ambassadors into Scotland to treat the marriage of his Sonne with Isabel daughter to the King of Scotland, at whose returne he enquired what the Princesse was? Who made report, That shee had beautie sufficient, a bodie well disposed to beare children, but shee had no ready speech. To whom he answered, That she was as he demanded, and that he held a woman learned enough, if she could make a difference betwixt her husbands doublet and shirt. Annal. of Aquitaine.

It is impossible to finde truth in an enemies tongue.The iudge­ment of two Historians of England. Hony how sweet soeuer it be, is sharpe and offensiue to a mouth vlcered with passion and slander. Edward Hall, and Grafton, two writers of Eng­land, seeing that their imposture would take no hold vpon the man­ners and actions of this Princesse, haue indiscreetly written, that she was vnpleasing to her husband.Buchanan in the tenth booke of the Historie of Scotland, saith that two Historians of England, hauing as little sufficiencie as modestie, haue beene so Impudent as not finding any thing where­with to slander this Princes haue said: Ob oris graueo­lentiam mari­to fuisse ingra­tam. But there are records yet to be seene both in France and Scotland of the griefe which Charles the seuenth, and the Dauphin his Sonne had for her death, and Monstrelet speakes as of a Princesse who excelled in beautie both [Page 26] of minde and bodie. She fauoured the good wits of her age, A­lain Charretier was held at that time one of the first of the Court, and this Princes did esteeme him so rare, as shee honoured him with a singular fauour, for passing by a Chamber whereas he slept vpon a forme she kist him, and to satisfie the amazement of the La­dyes of her traine she added, I kisse not the man, I kisse the mouth from whence haue come so many goodly Discourses. Yet it was one of those mouthes which haue learned to talke and not to bee si­lentThere is no such itching of the spirit as a desire to write. It is not cured but by silence. Eusenius de­manded of A­polonius Thia­neus, why hee did not settle himselfe to write, for that said hee I haue not yet lear­ned to hold my peace.. This warlike and Marshall season was debarred both of learning and learned men: For whereas warre speakes, learning is silent. The Prouinces, troubled by armes, neither teach nor are taught, and the money which should serue for the stipend of pub­licke Readers is imployed for the musters of souldiersThe Emperor Leon, made an answere to one that counselled him to imploy his treasure in the entertaine­ment of souldi­ers, vtinā me­is temporibus eueniat stipen­dia militum in doctores arti­um absumi. I would it might happen in my time that the stipends of soul­diers might bee imployed vpon Doctors of Arts..

The yeares of Truce being expired,The warre renues. the warre was renued with all violence against the English. The Historie speakes nothing of the actions of Lewis vntill his retreat into Dauphine, neither are the causes thereof well exprest. Shee hath well obserued his discon­tents. His Father held him somewhat short, and his actions were not so temperate,The wret­ched life of a great King. but they gaue him some cause of suspition, that he had a desire to be masterThe opinions of children should be limit­ted in that sort, as it is not law­full for them once to thinke to aduance the time, they must suffer heauen & the order of nature to work..

The King being come to an end of his affayres, would recom­pence the troublesome nights which hee had pastA troubled youth requires a quiet age, he that hath liued in the waues, desires to dye in the Port., when as me­lancholly had dryed vp his bones; that all his demeanes were en­gaged; the chiefe forts of the Realme in the power of the English, that his table often fayled, and that hee liued in such frugalitie, as hee had no need of excellent Cookes, such as those of the Ro­mans were,1446 for they found him not with three or foure Dishes like vnto Charlemaine, but with a messe of Pottage made with a rumpe of Mutton, and a couple of Chickens rosted for his whole ser­uiceThe sobrietie of Charlemaine hath beene commended, he had but foure dishes, hee dranke but thrice and neuer betwixt meales, he did eate some fruits after dinner. Eghinard..

The great toyles which hee had past deserued some good daies, but he sought them not in his family, nor in his childrenRest after their trauels is iust and lawfull, but it is most sweet in his owne house. And therefore Hercules was represented playing with a little Child. The familie hath cons [...]iations. Bella planè accinctis obeunda, sed reuertentibus post laborem, quid honestius quam vxorium leuamentum? TAC.. His spi­rit plunged it selfe in delights,He giues himselfe to delights. and to La­dies. for the which like vnto another Iu­piter, he transformed himselfe into diuers shapes, vnworthy of his Maiestie, and although he was impatient of seruitude, as all Kings be, yet he vowed himselfe to the seruice of Ladies which followed the Queeene: Aboue all their appeared the fayre Agnes, beauti­full in the flower of her age, and as louely as worthily to bee be­louedThe Obiect of Loue is Beauty, and Beautie is the marke of many desires. It is for blind men to demaund why Kings loue fayre things.. She stole the Kings heart, who made her Mistris of the Castle of beautie, as she was Queene of all the beauties, but beauty was in her a bad Hostes in a goodly lodging.

The Historie which should not be curious to lay open mat­ters [Page 27] which are distastfull,Modestie of the History [...] the Kings lo [...]es. hath beene so carefull of the Kings res­pect, and of the honor of this Ladie, as it hath spoken very lightly of that which in those daies was knowne to all, and published by few, It onely saith, that for that shee appeared alwaies richly at­tyred, was one of the Queenes maides, and that the King saw her oft, they thought she was wholly the Kings The fayre are easily suspected of incontiuency for that chasti­tie and beauty doe not alwaies agree.. That her eyes were the Altars whereon he made his vowes vnder the vales of Night and secret.

The Author of the Historie of S. Dennis saith, that by the duty of his charge (The Historie of France in those dayes was written by Monkes, as it was at Rome by the High Priests)By the policy of Rome, the charge of the History, and the Anualls did be­long vnto the High Priests. Res omnes singulorum aunorum man▪ dabat literis Pont. Max. Cic. 3. de O­rat. Penes Pon­tifices scriben­dae Historiae potestas suit. Fla. Vopis.. He informed himselfe most curiously of his most inward seruants, making some of them sweare whether the common brute were true, from whom hee had learned what hee had written. That Charles loued her onely for her gallant humor, Shee was excellent in many pleasant conceits, but especially in her speech and incounters, which is one of the gestures of Loue.

Strangers, whose testimonie in these Occasions is as free from flatterie as it is subiect to Hatred, haue spoken no more plainely. Oliuer de la Marche saith, that in the yeare 1444. the Duches of Bourgundy passing into Flanders saw the French Queene at Cha­lons. Where they had great and priuate conference together. There is some kinde of case in the conference of troubles and afflictions. For they had one griefe and one disease, and there were reasons for their i [...]alonsies, for that the King had giuen vnto Agnes de Soret, a traine comparable to that of great Princesses, and the Duke was very louing, and had many base children both sonnes and daughters But who sees not that flatterie hath falsified the Annales of those times? And that the little which they report is sufficient to assure that Charles and Agnes knew where to meete and to haue newes one of ano­ther; they were not troubled to write vppon the marbles of Chur­ches and on the Mercuries of the high waies. Pithius is on the right hand, and Pithias on the left: Princes who thinke they may say, if it please it is lawfull, haue sometime greater want of enterprises then of fortune.

The King, which held a peace miserable which gaue not some rest, stole some howers in his affayres to imploy them in his loues & gardeus. He went no farther to seek for palmes and bayes, he would not haue any but from the hands of this Lady. Shee had a daugh­ter: Mont strellet saith that she was not auowed,Charlote Base Daughter to Charles the seuenth, and Agnes Sorter, was married to the Earle of Mauleurier, sonne to Peter, or Iohn de Brese, Seneshall of Normandy. and the Author of Lewis the eleuenths Chronicle, writes that she was married to the Seneshall of Normandies sonne.

Yong Princes haue alwaies discoursers, which speake of euery thing, not to dispute thereof but to taxe it, who carrying their thoughts to the future, neuer speake of the present, but with distaste and disdainePleasures are enemies to li­bertie: Wee should bee our owne if they were not ours.. These droanes buz continually about the Dau­phins eares, and raise vp in his soule vnlawfull murmurings against the Kings delights. They made him beleeue that Charles could neither loue himself, nor any other, so long as he loued faire Agnes. [Page 28] The Dauphin could not dissemble his discontent,The Dau­phin enemy to fayre Agnes. A malicious spirit looscth no occasions to doe ill, they seeke them. and this cun­ning woman, for the safetie of her fortune, did all shee could to seaze vpon the fathers loue: And that hee should not receiue any grace but at her discretion, least that her disgrace should grow by their accord.

The King by the bad offices of this Lady, who incensed the Fa­thers wrath against the Sonne, and sought occasions to content his dislike, who by the iealousie which hee had conceiued, that a sonne of thirtie yeares of Age did tread vpon his heeles, saw him no more, but with an eye troubled with way wardnes and despight, Princes, who haue children growne to age should not vse towards them the austere grauitie of fatherly authoritie, whereby denying them the honour of their familiaritie they depriue themselues of the sweetest conuersation ofPrinces should breed vp their children in a liuely and not a falned and constrainted affection to­wards them, they may al­waies cause themselues to be feared, but they were bet­ter to purchase loue. There are saith Mi­chael de Mon­tagne so many defects in age, so great weak­nes and it is so subiect to con­tempt as the best purchase item make is the affection and loue of his owne: com­mand & feare are no more his armes. life: For whom doe they keep this loue and proofe of affection? Feare they that it will shorten their power? and that God and Nature and the Lawes haue not well prouided to maintaine it? If they haue loued them in their infan­cie, when as they could not distinguish of the force and respect ther­of, why doe they take from them the knowledge when as age giues them the feeling, and commands them to yeeld vnto this loue the tributes of the same loue, feare and obedience? Many young Princes, dying, haue left vnto their Fathers this troublesome griefe, nay rather this reproch, that they haue neuer let them know that they loued them amidst these austere courses. The Dauphin, by rea­son of his age and his disposition, being tractable and quick, was carried to sodaine alterations, during the which hee onely consi­dered the qualitie of the first Sonne of France, and not the au­thoritie of the King,Although the father stray in many things frō that which he ought, yet the sones ought rather to think of that which hee is bound to doe rather then of that the fa­ther hath not done. nor the reuerence of the Father. R. Gag­uin, He strikes her. writes, that during these impatiencies, he stroke fayre Agnes at Chinon.

They adde to these discontents an other occasion which made him leaue the Court. Anthony de Chabanes Earle of Dammartin, a man valiant, but not able to endure, was in the greatest fauour in Court, and these fauours had taken such deepe rootesThe fauour of Courtiers must take deepe roo­ting before it be setled. This seed of a Prin­ces fauour lies long before it springs. It seemes often to flourish when it hath no roof, so as the first paffe of choller or disgrace ouer throwes it. as they were able to resist the most violent stormes of Enuie: Vertue and good fortune had alwaies held the helme and sailes of his naui­gation. The troupes which he led had been well beaten vpon the fronter of Bourgundy. The Dauphin said vnto him by way of iest, yet without bitternes, (for he knew that this spirit would be easily moued)Euery iest that containes truth in it offends, although it he spoken by a superiour. The more mens cour ages are raised vp, the lesse they endure, and the longer they remember it. [...] facenis irridete follius quarum apud praepotentes in long [...] memoria est. Tac. An lib. 5. [...] wont to scoffe at Tiberius, [...] neither did he dwell vpon it, (for iests should end when as they begin to moue laughter) How now Earle of Dammartin, by the faith of my bodie the Marshall of Bourgundy hath vnshod you, he doth contrarie to other Smithes who shooe horses; and he vnshooes them. You say well answered the Earle, but I haue gotten ten thousand crownes to make new shooes for my horses.

[Page 29] He was very inward with him, and of that credit, as meaning to be reuenged of any one that had offended him,Reuenge a­gainst the Seneshall of Nor­mandy. he imparted his deseine vnto him and gaue him mony to execute it.The Chroni­cle Martini­enne speakes plainely of this proceeding. A rack which e­uery Prince should shun if hee will not make ship­wrack of his reputation. To cause an ene­my to be slaine is an act of feare and not of brauery. It is a proud abstinency to refuse his prince, but a great misery when it is for the recompence of a seruice which subiects the consience vnder the tyranie of repentance and remorse. Iames of Chabannes Lord Steward of France blamed his brother for this match mak­ing, by the which he gaue his friends cause to repent themselues for the esteeme they had made of him.He that doth an act to ruine his reputation, forceth many to repent them­selues of the admiration & esteeme they haue had of him.

The King was aduertised, and not able to dissemble an Act so vnworthy the generosity of the blood of France,Excuse of the Dau­phin to ac­cuse Cha­bannes. which knoweth not how to shed blood neither for delight nor reuenge, but onely for necessity,Tyrants saith Seneca shed blood for pleasure, and Kings for ne­cessity. reprehended him bitterly. The Dauphin to excuse himselfe accused the Earle of Dammartin saying, that it was by his counsell. The Earle, desuring rather to wrong his fortune then his honour, did not accord with the Dauphin, but tolde the King that therein he had but giuen eare and obayed. The Dauphin seeing himselfe discouered and contradicted, saide vnto the Earle, reseruing my duty to the King my Lord, you haue lyed. The reproch of a lye is the most sensible offence that may be done by words, but it is neither weaknes nor basenes to endure it of his prince, it were indiscretion to be moued therewith. Yet the Earle of Dammartin sought to reuēge those words with this speach. Reseruing the respect I owe vnto the King, if you were not the Kings sonne, I would make answer with my person against yours,The Dau­phin leaues the Court.but if there be any gentleman of your howse that will charge me with this matter, I will make him say the contrary. The King iudging by their countenances the truth of their intentions, commanded the Dauphin to absent himselfe for fower MonthesA Prince which hath many Chil­dren, great & capable to com­mand, should not keepe them about him: hee must giue them some ob­iect to consume their ambiti­on: The idlenes of Court giues them vitious inclinations & had deseignes. Wherefore Ti­berius absen­ted himselfe Vrbano [...]uxu laseiuientem, His spirit be­gan to grow disordered by the excesse of the City and idlenes which make men hu­merous. from Court and to go into Dauphine. The Dau­phin going out of the Kings Chamber bare headed, and his heart full of reuenge and collor, spake these words. By this head which hath no hood I will be reuenged on those that haue cast me out of my howse. And he kept his word, for he was too true in his threats and promises of reuenge. He did neuer loue that which he had hated, and his disposition was far from that generous precept, that wee must hate to loue more ardently.We must not [...] hate, but we w [...]st so dispose of hatred, as it may be conuerted into more ardent friendship.

Whether the Kinges iealousie, or the dislike of faire Agnes, the wordes of the Earle of Dammartin, or spies, or flatterers, had caused the absence of Lewis, the father bare it with much greefe and repented himselfe that he had no more regarded his owne age then the age of his sonne, and that he had neuer showed him his face but fraught with waiwardnes, not opened his heart but full of wrath and disdaine.The youth of Primers hath their lawes and priuiledges. The fathers seuerity should not seeke to breake them quite, but to bend them gently. He that had nothing refu­sed to his owne youth, should not deny all thinges to his sonnes.

Time which should haue cured this wound,The Kings griefe for the Dau­phins ab­sence. did but augment the griefe. He is victorious ouer forraine enemies, but he hath in his heart ciuill war, which is more cruell. He hath giuen peace vnto [Page 30] France and his soule is in trouble. It was a great griefe not to see himselfe assisted and serued by a sonne, so great and so valiant, in those goodly occasions which hee ended so happily, to make all France French,Battell of Firmigny. The siege of Rone, and the reduction of all Nor­mandy in one yeare and sixe dayes, hauing remained English the space of 30. yeares; the battell of FirmignyThe Battell of Firmigni the 15. of A­prill 1450. whereas there were slaine in the place and put into 14. pits 4574. en­glish except 12. or 13. that were prisoners Our Histories report this battel diuersly, we must giue credit to that geadly ould peece of tape­stry which is at Fountainble au whereas the whole is represented. A thousand fighting defea­ted 6000. English. which for the death of 8. or 10. Frenchmen gaue the victory against the English, of whom there were 4574. slaine vppon the place: The Conquest of all Guienne: The siege of Chastillion, whereas Talbot The English called Iohn Talbot their Achilles. Hee is interred at VVhitechurch to whom they haue giuen this Epi­taph. Orate pro anima praenobilis Domini D. Iohannis Talbot quon­dam Comitis Saloprae. D. Talbot. D. Furniual, D. verden, D. Strange, de Blaemere, at Marescalli Franciae qui [...]biit in bello apud Bourdeaur. the 7. of Iuly. 1453. the Achilles of the English was slaine: whose name doth yet terrifie the little children in Guienne: The taking of Bourdeaux, with other great and goodly occasions, which should haue beene as so many fields of Marathon to Lewis.

The king seeing that he made no hast to returne,Com­plaints a­gainst the Dauphin. grew easily into a conceit that he had some desseine: he is glad they should flatter his iudgements and allow of his apprehensions. Princes haue alwaies about their eares men-pleasers which haue wordes for all incoun­ters, and know how to make maskes for all faces, and buskins for all feete. They make complaints vnto him of the rigorous com­mands of his sonne, oppressing his people with all sorts of charges to haue wherewith to maintaine himselfe. They told him that hee sent aduertisements to the Dukes of Bourgundy,The Counrty of Dauphiny did long feele of the discommodities of the Dauphins abode there, for the King held him short and would not heare of the complaints he made of his necessities, so as for his entertainement he drew rigorous subsideis out of Dauphine. Alençon and Bourbon, and that he receiued from them; that the cloudes were gathered together for some great storme. The poore father be­leeues all, and feares all, making proofe that there is nothing more insupportable then the infidelity of his owne blood: and as the Ly­on is neuer mooued more furiously then at the sight of his owne blood, so when this yong Prince sees his bloudConspiracies which passe beyond the respects of nature are cruell. Of mans blood may be made a most violent poison against man. diuerted from the veines and spirits which nourish the hart, he enters into extreame passions of greife, the which he doth hold cruell, for that they do not cause him to dye soone enough. He is aduertised that the Dau­phin hath sent into Sauoy for men and money.The Earle of Dam­martin sent into Sauoy. He sent the Earle of Damartin to the Duke, to let him vnderstand that he would hold the succours which he should giue him for an iniury. The Duke answeredThe Annulles of Bour­gandy report that King Charles being at Feurs in Forest, Levvis Duke of Sauoy came to see him, where there were two marriages concluded, the one of the Dauphin and the Lady [...] of Sauoy, & the other of the Lady [...] of France the Kings daugh­ter with Ame Prince of Pie­mont., That he did not carry his affections against his duty, and knew how to order his desires to his power, and that he had no other, but to his maiesties contentment. The Dauphin had married his daugh­ter, and yet the Kings respect was greater with the Duke then the consideration of this alliance.

The King sends to the Dauphin to haue him come, and the Dau­phin promiseth at a certaine time, but the terme being come, the effects of his promise are excuses and delayes. The King sends the Earle of Damartin to seaze on his person, and the Lord Chastillon [Page 31] to comand in the Prouince. The dilligence in the execution of this comandement put the Dauphin in danger to be taken at Oranges, but hauing made shew to go a hunting he deceiued the ambush which the Earle had laid for him,The Dauphin did rely in two noble men who did counsell & conduct him. Lewis of Chalons; and Iohn de Le­store a bastard of the house of Armagnac. He was at Oran­ges when hee was aduerti­sed of the Earle of Dam­matius com­ming. and escaping their snares he tooke another way, and with sixe or seauen gentlemen recouered St. Claud. If he had fallen into his fathers collor, hee would haue vsed him with more rigour then he thought. But he went nor with­out making it knowne that hee would one day make the Earle of Dammartin repent it.The offence which Prin­ces receiue are deeply ingra­uen in their memories in brasse, gratia onori vltio in quaestu ha­betur. The Dauphin had a feeling of that which the Earle of Dam­martia did him, in execu­ting his fathers comandements and was re­uenged so soone as hee came to the Crowne. And that it was not the respect of his fa­ther made him flye from his fathers wrath, but the very weaknes of the Earle of Dammartin, saying, that if he had had halfe his forces hee would haue met him.

Being at S. Claude he [...] vnto the King that he desired, with his permission,The Dau­phin retires into Flan­ders. and the meanes that he should giue him to make a voyage against the Turke. It was at such time as all Christendome did mourne for the losse of that Citty which had beene sometimes the Metropolitane of the worldAfter the example of Rome, Constan­tinople was called the head of the world, and new Rome and was hono­red with the like dignities and preroga­tiues lib. 1. de priuil. Vrb. Sid. App. Sal­ue sceptrerum columen, Regins orientis, orbis Romatui, The Emperor Constans nephew to Heraclius, resol­uing to restore the seat of the Empire to old Rome, said that they must honor the mother more them the daughter. [...]. Zonarasin the life of Constans. and the common starre of the vniuerse: The Queene of all Realmes, the faire daughter of that faire mother Rome, the new Rome, Constantinople, which at the the time of her desolation was nothing but a great masse of stone made subiect to the Tirant of the East, who hauing filled it with all impieties and cruelties hath made it the vnexpugnable dongeon of his tirranny and cruelty. Charles sends word vnto his sonne that if the desire of glory & reputation carried him to this enterprise, he had lost great and goodly occasions against the enemies of France, the Dutchies of Guienne and Normandy hauing beene reduc'd du­ring his absence: as for the voyage of Turkey he might not vnder­take it vnlesse he were assisted by his Nobility, the which hee had cause to employ elsewhere.

And to speake the truth Lewis lost much time which hee should haue imployed to serue the King and the Realme, or to make new Empires tributary to France. Hee should not haue beene in any place but in armies, and the father should no more meddle but with the Counsell of affaires, and to command bonfires to be made for his sonnes victories: Nature gaue vnto the one wisdome and experience for his part, and to the other force and execu­tion.Age should resolue & youth exe­cute. The one hath sorce, the other wisdome. [...]. Arist. Polit. 6.

Lewis auoiding one danger fell into another, and as Caesar found himselfe among Pirats thinking to flye from Scilla,He trusts his enemy. so he saw him­selfe at the discretion of the Marshall of Bourgondy, after that he had escapedthe ambush of the Earle of Dammartin, who loued him not, and had charged his troupes when as they aduanced vpon the marches of Bourgundy, whereof the Duke was so iealous as hee could not endure that the French should approch them, knowing [Page 32] well that a Prince looseth much of his reputation within, which doth not stirre when hee is set vppon withoutA Prince which suffers himselfe to bee molested vppon his frontier may also pre­pare himselfe to endure the contempt of his reputation a­mong strangers, and of his com­mandements & designes amōgst his owne sub­iects. And Cae­sar commends the Germans, for that they would not suf­fer any one to approch neere their frontiers.. A power which is not feared by strangers is not well obeyed by subiects.

But he was in that estate as hee thought it safer to trust his ene­mies then his Fathers seruants:Who con­ducts him into Fladers He is found to plant his foote vpon the precepts which fortune presents vnto him, and to get out of this Libia, he trusts himselfe vnto RauensAlexanders armie being in Egipt had Ra­uens for their guide. Plutarch saith, that they followed the wandring soul­diers, and neuer ceast crying and flying about them vntil they had brought them into the right way., he was beaten and pur­sued by the Puttocke, the protection was sacred, and it is inhuma­nitie to deliuer a suppliant. Wherefore they assured him, and then they conduct him with safety vnto Brussels.

Duke Philip beeing aduertised of his comming,He is hono­red as the sonne of France. hee dislodged from Deuenter, hee sent the Earle of Estampes vnto Louuaine to meet him, and soone after the Earle of Charalois to accompanie him. The Duches of Bourgundy, the Countesse of Charolois and the Lady of Rauestain receiued him at Bruxelles. A day or two after the Duke arriues, and the Dauphin gets downe the stairesThe Princes of the bloud of France go equal with others how great and mighty so euer they be. Oliuer de la March saith, that the Duke of Bour­gundy went to meet the Empe­ror Frederick when as became to Bezancon & that seeing the Emperor come a farre of, bee vn­c [...]uered his bead, and ap­proching neere he bent himself downe vpon his saddle powell with all the reuerence that might be. Adding a reason for that he did not light, that he was the third Sonne of King Iohn of France to salute him, for the which the Duke was very sorry, and held this honour greater then hee should receiue of a Sonne of France, the presumptiue heyre of the first crowne of the world. And hee knew well that they that were issued from thence did not conceiue any thing greater then themselues, and did not humble themselues to other Princes but by eurtesie.

This Ariuall was in the beginning of the yeare 1456.He is lod­ged in Gue­neppe. The Duke lodged him at Gueneppe, neere to Bruxells, and sent his Am­bassador to the King to aduertise him thereof, and to beseech him to pardon Lewis, The King made no other answere, but that the Duke should haue a care not to feede the Foxe which would deuoure his hens. Many thought that the Father and Sonne had intelligence one with another, and that Charles was glad that Lewis should dis­couer the desseignes, and obserue the actions of the Duke of Bour­gundy and his sonnes. Whatsoeuer it were, they kept him care­fully, as an hostage of the quiet and prosperitie of their affayresA Prince assureth the treaties & affaires which hee hath with one that is more migh­ty, when hee can draw into his power some one of his children or his neerest kinsmen. They be gages and hostages which they alwaies respect, and feare to loose.. Time now teaching them that it was more profitable, and more safe to maintaine themselues in the estate wherein peace had setled them, then to seeke the increase thereof, which is not done without paine, nor preserued without danger.

The King beleeuing that if he were prest by necessitie in a for­raine country,He is dispo­sest of his reuenues in Dauphiny? hee would returne the sooner to his fathers house, went into Dauphiny to seaze vpon the Townes and meanes where­with he might be relieued. All men came vnto him, such as had promised to hold good, said, that they would not offend the Fa­ther, to content the SonneThe people consider but the present, whereunto they accomodate their thoughts and affections, at the sight of their first master they forget the new.. But fearing that the same necessitie would bring him backe in furie, as he had gone away in choller, and that he would fortifie himselfe in some place: He assured him­selfe [Page 33] vpon all the passages and frontiers: he did prohibite the go­uernors to receiue him with any strength, and did punish Iames Caeur, very seuerely, who had subiected his heart, purse, and for­tune to his wils, and had made himselfe too passionate a minister of his youthfull affectionsIohn de Seres saith that the Signi­ors of Loudun and S. Pon [...] Gentlemen of Viuarez dying very old, said that they had beard, the one of his Vnckle, the other of his Grandfather, both houshold seruants to the Dauphin, that the true cause for the which Iames Coeur was so intrea­ted, was, for that hee had beene too fa­miliar with Lewis, as one of the Mini­sters of his youthfull de­lights. Others haue told mee that faire Agnes [...]ad rui­ned him..

Charles Earle of Charolois,He agrees not wel with the Earle of Charolois. the Dukes Sonne, bred vp also as Lewis in the French libertie more then in a Laconicall disci­plineThe laconical discipline saith Plut. was hard and painefull, but it taught childrē to obey, and therefore Sparta is called the Tamer of men., had not alwaies his affections conformable to those of his Father, neither did he accord well with Lewis: He had been much gouerned by them of the house of Croüi, the which was one of the most apparant in the country, as drawing their extraction from the crowne of Hungarie. Lewis a great Prince to insinuate, did not cease till hee had wonne, and drawne them to his af­fections. The Earle of Charrolois found it, and aduertised the Duke his Father, who would not beleeue it, and if hee did, yet hee dissembled the beliefe, applying himselfe to the humors of this Prince, for we must not feede a Lyon, or we must please himIt is indiscre­tion to bandy against a power which we haue supported and raised: Aristo­phanes brings in Pericles ghost aduising the Athenians not to feed the Lyon or to please him..

The Earle of Charrolois from that time frowned at them of Croüi, and there grew so great an Antipathie of wils in the minds of these two Princes, as all the remainder of their liues they were but fained friends. They of Croüi made an altar of refuge of the Dauphins fauour, against the Earle of Charalois, and thought that, notwithstanding that they were great, both in Alliances and meanes, yet they had need of some greater support, as the hea­uens how excellent soeuer they be, haue need of the motion of the first mouer,Disposition of the Earle of Charo­lois. besides the Nature and assistance of their owne intelli­gences. Lewis could counterfet and dissemble his passions so cun­ningly, as the Duke (who had an excellent iudgement) could not discouer any thing. But the Earle of Charrolois, being of a harsh dis­position, suspitiousSuspition and facillistie is to beleeue all things, Suspi­tionum & cre­dendi temeri­tas. Ta [...]. ruins friendships and the most firmest affections. and boyling, made them of Croüi to feele the indignation which hee durst not euaporate against Lewis who fa­uoured them. It burst forth at such time as they setled the estate of the Earle of Charrolois house. The Duke would haue Philip de Croui, Sonne to Iohn de Croui, set downe for the third Chamber­laine, in the absence of the Lord of Auchy the first, and of the Lord of Formelles the second Chamberlaine. The Earle of Charrolois entred Anthony Raulyn, Lord of Eimeries. The house was diuided, some followed the Fathers will, and others the SonnesA controuer sie between two priuate Noblemen, is able to diujde the opini­one of a whole Court. That which was betwixt Chimay of Emeries, who should haue the first place in the absence of the L. of Auchy, first Chamberlaine to the Duke, was so affected as the father was for the one & the son for the other.. The Duke seeing the danger which might grow by this adoration of the sunne rising, made it knowne that he was both master and father, com­manding his Sonne to bring him the Rowle, and in his presence cast it into the fire, and then willed him to goe forth. Monstrelet saith, that the Duke commanded the Earle of Charolois to cause Croui to martch in his ranke. I will not, answered the Earle, they of [Page 34] Croui shall neuer gouerne as they haue done, and that the Father (being offended at an answer so bold and of so little respect) he would haue fallen vpon his Sonne, but not able to get him he commanded him to auoid the country.

The Sonne departs full of murmuring and despite, the Father comming to himselfe and seeing that his Sonne returned not,Displeasure of the Duke of Bour­gundy to his Sonne. goes to horseback all alone, sad and pensiue in a raynie night, rides through the country, to let the Dauphin know the griefe hee had, and his Son the choller wherin disobedience had drawen him.Whatsoeuer the Sonne doth yet must the Father alwaies show himselfe a Father, & mat­ters are very foule & strange when as hee is forced to forget the dutie of a Father.. He lost himselfe in a wood and lay all night in a Collyars cabbin, with hunger in his belly, and choller in his head. He came the next day to Seuenbergh, a little towne of Brabant, whereas he found one of his huntsmen, who conducted him to Guinneppe, where as the Dauphin (the cause of all this trouble) besought him to pardon the Earle of Charrolois. The Duke would haue held the refusall of so iust a request cruell, being made, by, and for a person so neere vnto him,As it is vn­pleasing to in­treat a stranger, so is it a very sensible disci­pleasure to bee refused of his owne., for he could not but loue his onely Sonne, in despight of his youthfull & wayward affections. He required no other satis­faction, but that hee should dismisse two seruants William Bithe and Guiot of Vsie, who retired themselues into France.

Soone after the Earle of Charrolois bred another subiect of chol­ler in his fathers hart,Wandring of the Dau­phin being a hunting. he was come from hunting without the Dau­phin, and had suffered him to wander in a wood, thinking that hee had been before. When the Duke saw him returne alone, he bla­med him sharpely, and commanded him to goe presently to horse­backe to seeke the Dauphin. They sought him long by torch­light, and found him on the way to Bruzells conducted by a Pesant.The Dau­phins wandring was in the night abeue eight leagues from Brussels. The Duke caused him to bee sought for with torches: the next day hee gaue a crowne to the Pesant which had con­ducted him..

The Duke was exceeding glad to see him returne, for he knew that he should be alwaies bound to yeeld an account of so pre­cious agage, and that he might be assured whilest he held him he might haue what he desired from the King.Birth of Mary of Bourgundy the 13. of Feb. 1457 God sent the Earle of Charolois a Daughter, for the first fruits of his marriage; the Duke intreated the Dauphin to christen her Mary. This birth did mode­rare the grief which the Lady Isabel of Bourbon her Mother had conceiued six monthes before, for the death of her Father Charles Duke of Bourbon.Charles the first Duke of Bourbon dyed in the end of the yeere 1455. he was Sonne to Iohn the first Duke of Bourbon and of Bo [...]na of Bour­gundy, daugh­ter to Philip the hardy. Hee married Agnes of Bourgundy Daughter to Iohn Duke of Bourgundy, and had fiue sonnes, and fiue daugh­ter. His sonnes were. Iohn the second Duke of Bourbon. Lewis, who died yong, Pe­ter Lord of Beauien, Charles Cardi­nall of Bourbon Archbishop of Lyon, and Lewis Bishop of Liege. The Daughters were [...] Princesse of O­range; Catherine Dutchesse of Gueldres, Margaret, Countesse of Bresse and Dutchesse of Sauoy. Isabel wife to Charles Duke of Bour­gondy and Ma­ry married first to the Duke of Cala­bria, and after­wards to Ga­ston de Foix.. The King was offended for that hee did not yeeld him his Sonne, and desired some occasion to let him know his discontent, the which hee did not dissemble, when as the Duke sought to punish the Gantois for a rebellion, comman­ding him to suffer them to liue in peace, as being vnder his pro­tection.

The Dauphin thought the time of his returne into France long, and had sworne that he would not make that voyage vntill his Fa­ther were past vnto another world.1459. The first yeare of his abode there, Charlotte of Sauoy, Daughter to the Duke of Sauoy was [Page 35] brought to Namur to consumate the marriage which had beene concluded fiue yeares before.One of the goodliest parts of ciuill society is marrage, the first gate to en­ter into it is loue, there is none to go out of it but that of death. And for that in the marriages of Princes they re­gard more the interest of sub­iect & estates, then their own content, It hap­pens that their loues are not so pure and free. A marriage which being made vn­willingly, was continued without loue. When the Duke of Bour­gundy gaue the Dauphin his pension of 12000.Birth of the Dauphins sonne at Gnenneppe in Iune 1459. Crownes, Oliuer de la March writes that it was vpon condition that he should marry her which shewes that he had no great desire. She was deliuered of a sonne who was named Ioachim, the Duke of Bourgondy was so glad of this newes as he gaue a thousand Lyons of gold to Ioselin du Bois which brought it. He was the Godfather and the Countesse of Charrolois the Godmother. The Insant dyed presently after, and left the father very sorrowfull, who being not then in those distrusts which age brings, desired to see him great, knowing well that the Children which were borne late are soone Orphlins. The losse of this infant, which first had giuen him the name of Father, was so sencible vnto him, as Phillip de Comines saith, that he made a vow neuer to loue any other woman but his owne wife, and yet in ma­ny parts of his Cronicle we see him among women, we find some lost, some married, and their husbands from base fortunes raised to great dignites, with many other actions which argue not a conti­nency equall to that of Alexander Alexander being perswa­ded to see Da­rius daughters who were faire and yong, made answer, I will haue a care not to be van­quished by woemen see­ing that I haue vanqui­shed men., who being a victor would not see those beauties which might vanquish him: nor to that of Cyrus They intrea­ted Cyrna to see Panthea, which he refu­sed to doe, and being told that shee was very faire, it is, for that reason (said he) I may not see her for if I doe visite her now that I haue ley­sure, she will bind me ano­ther time when I shall be full of af­faires. who would by no meanes see her, who he thought might bind him to see her more then once.

The King bare the absence of his sonne very impatiently, it was a thorne in his heart which time could not pull out.Death of Ladislaus King of Hungary. Hee grew sicke, and his sicknes was seconded by a great affliction, for the death of Ladislaus Sorrow creepes sodainly amidst ioy, whiles they treat of a marriage at Toure betwixt the L. Magdalen of France, and King Ladislans, his Embassadors receiue newes of his death, on Christmas [...]. 1457. King of Hungary, to whom he had promised the lady Magdalen his daughter. After his recouery he thought that all the cause of his ill grew from the Duke, whom he accused to haue drawne away his son, and corrupted his good nature, resoluing to seeke a remedy rather with deedes then wordes.

He leuied a great army, and no man knew how he would imploy it, the duke fearing that it was to make some enterprise vppon the townes of the riuer of Somme, which had beene giuen him by the treaty of Arras, staid not to demand the reasonIn occasions which presse, we must not loose time with wordes; men of courage should not haue their handes on their tongues but their tongues in their handes., he armes and goes into Picardy to prouide for the safety of his townes, and to hinder the Kinges entry with forces.

The King sendes word to the Duke of Bourgondy, that he was in armes to take into his protection the goods of the Lord of Rode­mart, Princes haue alwaies pretext [...] to make warre, and he that wil breake with his friend neuer failes to find occasions. The Duke answered that he was no subiect of France, that his lands lay in the Dutchy of Luxembourg, that the King should speak more plainely, and that he desired to know whether the king had a will to keepe the treaty of Arras or not. The King had a desire to haue his sonne o­therwise then by the hazard of Armes, or breach of a truce, which [Page 36] cost so much blood and drawn so many Princes into danger.In the assem­bly of Arras for a peace be­tweene King Charles the seuenth, and Philip Duke of Bourgundy were present the Embossa­dors of the Pope, of the Councell of Ba­sill, of the Em­peror, and of all Christian Prin­ces. They num­bred about four thousand horses He feared to ingage hmselfe in new miseries and to bring France to the hazard of shipwrack which she had escaped. He went to the west of his life, and knew that the greatest of the Realme had their eyes turned to the East: Age had coold his military heat, the vigour of his nature was without edge, the blood of his courage was no­thing but slegme:Princes are men, and borne men, wherfore their best qua­lities and dispo­stions are mu­table and in the and discouer their inconstan­cie. And although that this first force of his spirits was not altogether deiected, yet was it much altered, France did still produce some fantastick humors vnknowne to other Prouin­ces, as Egypt doth bring forth Beasts, and Nile Fishes, which are not found in other countries nor in other Riuers.

The house of Bourgundy had beene so beaten with the like storme as it desired to continue in this calme,Declar [...]tion of the house of Bour­gundy. the couetousnes of great men was glutted with the calamities of innocents,The people are for the most part innocent of the causes of warre, & they suffer al the ca­lamities. The couet [...]usnes of Souldiers is ne­uer satisfied, but with the miseries of in­nocents. Cala­mitatibus in­sontium exple­tur auari [...]a. Tac. lib. 2. the most greedy of troubles were forced to commend rest. It would haue seemed hard vnto the subiects to see themselues ouerwhelmed so suddenly with waues.It is alwaies dangerous to take from the people the ease and commodi­ties wherein they liue. The iudgement of Tiberius was long in suspence before he could resolue to draw the people from the sweetnes of peace to the discommodities of warre. Tac. saith, Populum per tot annos moliter habitum non audebit ad durio [...]avertere.. The Duke would not leaue a doubtfull peace with his subiects, he desired to be satisfied of the Kings in­tention, saying, that if they forced him to raise an armie, they should bury him in his armes, that he had no will vnto it vnlesse he were forced, that the Trumper should make no noise, if violence were not offered, and that this Eccho should remaine quiet in the ease of solitarines, but if they moued him hee would not be silent vntill that they who had caused him to speake did first hold their peace.

These practises past away, and the King was glad that they raised no stormes, not holding it reasonable to resolue to warre more by the occasion which hee had, then by the inconueniences which he did foreseeAll occasion to make warre should not be rashly nor ambitiously sought for, what shew of pro­fit soeuer they had. It is better to haue a care to keepe subiects in peace, is people townes, and to increase the com­merce, so discipline souldiers and together tre [...]s [...]re together least he be surprised in necessity.: besides being now opprest, not with yeeres, but with cares, which seemes to be inseparable accidents of the life of great men, and the excesse of those pleasures which Nature had made short, for that they are pernicious, hee suffered himselfe to be carried away with melancholly and waywardnes, two rockes against which the vessell suffered shipwracke, Hee grew wayward after the condemnation of Iohn Duke of Alençon to lose his head the tenth of October 1458. After which, melancholly and heauines had seazed on him, hee changed the troubles of his life into a perpetuall prison at Loches, and gaue his goods to his wife and childrenIohn D. of Alencon was condemned for that he would have brought the English into France. The cleere sighted said, that his misfortune grew rather from Iealausie, or from the loue which he [...]are vnto the Dauphin who gouerned him by his counsels..

The Dauphin being wel aduertised of al that passed at Court, grie­ued at the misfortunes of his godfather whom he loued. The desire to see a change did much disquiet him. Claude of Seyssel Bishop of Marceilles vnder the raigne of Lewis the twelfth saith, that the [Page 37] Dauphin and they that followed him, desired nothing more then his Fathers death: some enquired by Astrologie, some by Negro­mancie. He had many politique inuentions to augment his Fa­thers cares and caused his suspition to turne into fearesGreat cou­rage should not easily receiue suspitions, and Seneca saith that it is the act of a timerous soule to turne suspition into feare.. He knew that the Earle of Dammartin was as it were the Kings King, and he found meanes to bring him into iealousie with the King, whose braine beeing weake and very moist, did easily receiue such im­pressions In matters of state Princes enter easily into icalousies of their most tru­sty seruants, and suspition is a bone which age of it selfe doth willingly gnaw vpon., He wrote a letter vnto a Lady whom the King loued and sent it vnto her by a Franciscane Fryer which hee wittingly de­liuered to the Earle of Mayne, enemie to Dammartin, who shewed it to the KingThe chiefe points of this letter reported by the Chroni­cle Marti­ [...]ienna are, I haue receiued letters from the Earle of Dammartin, whom I make shew to hate. I pray you tell him that hee serue mee still wel, as he hath alwaies done, I will thinke of those mat­ters whereof hee did write vnto me, and hee shall very shortly receiue newes from me.: It was full of termes of so great trust in the Earle of Dammartin, as the King not considering from whom it came, nor by whom it was presented, commanded the Earle of Dam­martin to retire himselfe, then being informed by the Dauphins se­cretaries that this Prince had no greater enemie, & that he had not written vnto him, he did easily beleeue that it was an act of his bad Sonne who had so much troubled him, as it was the ordinary ar­gument of his complaints. Some few daies before his death hee recalled him: apprehension bred no lesse amazement in him, then his life gaue him affliction.

The aduise which a Captaine gaue him that hee could not liue long,K. Charles resolues to dye of hun­ger. and that there was a conspiracie plotted against his life, did so distemper and torment him, as he could not liue without feare and tremblingThere is no tormēt so much to bee feared as feare, & what auailes it to feare that which is ineui­table? to feare death is to call it, for the feare of death is a perpetuall death.. And imagining that they ment to poyson him, he depriued himselfe of eating, and brought himselfe to so great a weakenes, as when they would haue caused him to take any thing to restore him, the passages were so shrunke, as that which hee would haue done willingly happened vnto him by force and a­gainst his will, and it may be said that he died of hungerThe Earle of Dammartin who was retired to his house at S^t. Forgeau came to see the King the day before his death, perswading him to take something, who told him that he would take a Cullis from his hand, if he saw it made, the which hee presen­ted vnto him, but he could not swallow any thing, the conduits were so stopt., the 21. of Iuly. 1461.

Dying he recommended to the Earle of Dammartin his yonger Sonne, whom he called the little Lord, to whom hee desired to leaue the Crowne, knowing the spirit of Lewis to be terrible & an implacable enemie to his best seruants. God would not suffer him to trouble the Order of Nature, to reuenge his priuate affections, nor to runne the fortune of Alphonso Alphonso beleeuing by the rules of his Astrologie that the youger of his sonnes would be the more capable to raigne, named him his successor, whercat the elder was soineensed as be caused the Father to dye in prison, and slew his Brother. King of Castill, who hauing preferred the yonger before the elder, forced him to bee a parri­cide and a fratricide.

Charles the seuenth was the restorer of France,France hath giuen him the title of Victorious. of a Towne of Bourges he made a whole Realme, he expeld the English, who of the whole peece, which they held, kept nothing but Callice. He had the honor to haue pacified that great and deadly schisme, against the which were held the Counsels of Constance and Basill. A time of such strange and terrible confusion as no man could say that Rome [Page 38] was where the Pope remained, as they were wont to say that whereas the Emperor was, there was Rome,During the Schisme of three Antipopes they might say Imperiumque suis a sedibus errat. Claud. But they could not say that the authoritie of the church was whereas the Pope remained, for there was a Scisme: as they were wont to say that where the Emperor was there was Rome, [...]. Herod. lib. 1. for there was a Pope in Spaine, one in France, and two in Italy. He ordeined, by the aduise of the Prelates of France, and caused to bee confir­med and past at the councell of Basill, the pragmaticke sanctionThe orders which the coun­cell of Basill made for the gouernment & discipline of the Church were not generally receiued, Ger­many and Italy would none of them. King Charles cau­sed as assembly to be made at Burges, by the aduise whereof they were obserued and published in Parliament the seuenth of Iuly 1438 vnder the name of the Pragmatick Sanction..

With the like zeale as he laboured for the peace of the Church, he desired to reuenge the iniurie which it had receiued in Asia and Europe by the armes of Amurath & Mahomet. Pope Nicholas, and Pius the second, exhorted this Prince, as Elezeus did Ioas, to shoote his arrowes against the East, but he was so troubled for his iust defence against his neighbours, as he had no meanes to think theron.Among the obseruations which they giue for the leuies of Souldiers, they haue respect to the ayre and the place; hot countries produce men of more vnderstanding then courage, and could doe the contrary. A good rule for them that haue diuers prouinces to choose, but to make it generall they must take them where they finde them. They also giue vnto this Prince the honor to haue set an order for his troupes, for seeing that the number of his souldiers were so diminished, as his could not equall those of his enemies, hee made leuies throughout all his villages, taking one labouring man out of threescore, who were bound to arme and pay him, and he was freed from taxes. Necessitie, in whose schoole hee had lear­ned great experience, dispenst with him for the obseruations which are made in the choice of souldiers. These were called Franke Archers, who being well led did great seruices, being able to in­dure all paine, as beeing bred vp in discommodities and wants, without cunning or malice. They beganne their profession at the siege of Vernon. The defects which are obserued in the life of this Prince, as the griefes of KingsThe raignes of Princes doe not continue and end alwaies as they haue begdnne, The first fiue yeares of Neroes raigne were iust, Constant was good ten yeares, cruell twelue, and prodigall ten., doe not alwaies incounter ends like vnto their beginnings. His loues and his diuersions could not hinder it, but that France hath giuen him the well deserued title of Victorious.

A Death which brings Scepters & Crownes,1461 doth not alwaies meete with sorrow and teares. When there is a question of the succession of the Realme,An heyres teares are sone dried vppe. a desire to raigne doth presently dry vp the teares which the law of Nature drawes from the eyesThere is no water whose spring is sooner dryed vp, then that which flowes from a profitable mourning.. Le­wis longed too much to be at home, to be grieued when as they brought him newes that Charles the seuenth had quit him the lodging. Hee had already spent two third parts of his age in obeying, hee held the rest very short to command and to end at; in great enterprises worthy of his qualitieLife is very short for great entrriprises; and inconstancie makes it much shorter.. Hee entertained the Iuie of his hopes in the ruines of this old building: he did not hope for any light but by the ecclipse of this Sunne, and his vowes were no let, that his Father was not already among the GodThe Romans held their Fa­thers dead in the number of the Gods, and their Images were reueren­ced as persons deysied. Wher­fore among the predictions which Antonin had of his adop­tion and succes­sim to the Em­pire, they note that, In som­rio saepe monitus suit penati­bus suis Adria­ni simulacrum inserere. Capi­tol. Hee was often admoni­shed in his sleepe that hee should place A­drians Image a­mong his bou­should Gods..

And what can a Kings eldest Son desire but to raigne? euery obiect lesse thē a crown is vnworthy of his birth,Lewis comes into France. but the wishes are vnnatu­rall & monstrous vpon vniust effects. To desire for a crownes cause the death of him of whom he holds his life, is ingratitude & impiety. The same day that Charles dyed, Lewis was aduertised of his deathThey that haue written that these newes were sent by Charles Duke of Aniou, Father in lawe to Charles the se­uenth, are mistaken, both in the name and matter, for Lewis Duke of Anion liued since the yeare 1417.. He went presently to horse to goe into France, fearing least Charles his brother should make his profit of his absence. The Duke of Bourgundy and the Earle of Chartolis accompany him with foure thousand horse, chosen out of the flower of all the forces of their Estates and the Princes their friends.He makes his entry in­to Rheims. Hee entred into Rheims the fourteeene of August,The King arriued at Rheims the 14. August, and caused himself to be annointed the next day. A remarkable diligence. They cannot goe too speedily to so great a Feast. The Duke of Bourgundy being followed by the Earl of Charolois, the Earle of Neuers, the Earle of Estampes, the Duke of Cleues, the Earle of S^t. Pol, and many other Noblemen, went out of Rheimes to the Abbcy of Saint Thierry to meet the King. being attired in white and crim­sin damask, vpon a white courser caparonessed with the armes of France. The next day he was anoynted and crowned. The peeres of the Church were there in person. The Duke of Burgundy Deane of the peeres. The Duke of Burbon held the place of the Duke of [Page 42] Normandy. The Earle of Angolesme for the Duke of Guienne. The Earle of Eu for the Earle of Tholousa. The Earle of Neuers for the Earle of Flaunders, and the Earle of Vandosme for the Earle of Champagne.The King is anoin [...]ed and Crow­ned.

The ceremony of his coronation was beautified with an other which they found very new and strange.The King is anointed and Crowned. The King drawing his sword presented it to the Duke of Bourgundy and intreates him to make him Knight. He gaue this honour of Knight-hood to an hun­dred and seauenteene Gentlemen, the first were the Lord of Beau­ieu, Iames of Burbon, the Earle of Geneua, the Earle of Pontieu, the Earle of Witembergh, Iohn of Luxembergh, and to the Marques of Saluces Sonne. From the Coronation they went to the Royall feast, whereas the twelue peeres were set on either side the King. At the end the Duke of Bourgundy kneeled downe, intreating the King to forget the iniuries of such as had offended him during his Fathers raigne.This request is reported by Monstrelet in these termes. When the ta­bles were ta­ken away, the noble duke of Burgundy, v­sing his accus­tomed gentle­nes, in the no­billity of his courage, knee­led downe be­fore the King, and intreated him for the honor, pas­sion and death of our Sauior, that he would pardon all those which he held suspect to haue set dis­cord betwixt his father and him, which re­quest he gran­ted reseruing seauen persons He answered there are seauen which I cannot par­don. Reuenge had mounted with him to the Royall throne, he had not trod it vnder foote, he carryed it in his head, it was in his mind, like vnto those starres that were fixed about the pole. Hee findes it not so sweet to recompence the good as to reuenge the bad. The King cannot forget the iniuries which they had done vnto the Dauphin.A royalty should make mē forget forepas­sed iniuries. The Emperour Adri­an being come to the Empire said vnto his enemy which was before him. Euasisti, thou hast escaped. Quos in vita priuata [...]n [...]mi­cos habuit, Im­perator neg­lexit AE. Spart. And Lewis the twelfth said ge­nerously, it is not fit that a King of France shold reuenge the in­iuries done to a duke of Orleans.

Two daies after the ceremony of the Coronation the Duke did him homage for his countries which held of the crowne of France, and offered him others which he held in Souerainty.The Duke of Burgundy was receiued to fealty and homage by King Lewis the eleuenth and to be Peere and Deane of the Peeres of France, by reason of the D [...]ie of Burgundy the 17. of August. 1461. From Rhe­ims the King went to Meaux, then to Saint Dennys, and made his entry into Paris, where they did number twelue thousand horse which followed him.

All the pompe and magnifficence which was made at this entry did represent aswell the simplicity and ignorance of those times, as the greatnesse and State of Paris. Good witts in such occasions do not represent all things so plainely to the eye, as there doth not remaine some thing where-with to content curiosity, by the paine it hath to seeke, and the pleasure to finde and to deuine at the in­telligence of their inuentions. Brokers were then more necessary then paynters, for they did only set persons of diuers ages and sexes for all kinds of histories. A Virgin was sufficient to represent the Citty of Paris, as we finde not any more in bookes, nor in auncient medalls for Rome, nor Athens; and there were fiue to signifie Paris, euery one carrying a letter of it name. They were conducted on horsebacke by a Herald, towards Saint Ladros Church, and there presented vnto the King. The Cronicle saith, that they had all perso­nages fitted to the signification of fiue letters making Paris, and that all spake vnto the King as they were appointed.

The Frontispice of S. Denis gate was beautified with a great ship [Page 43] in the which were the three Estates in three Persons which made the Prosopopeia,Ridiculous representa­tions. and Iustce sate in the prow who spake vnto the King. On the toppe of the Mast there was a Lilly, out of the which came a King conducted by two Angells. At the fountaine du Pon­ceau, they gaue wine and Ippocras to them that past.The Chro­nicle vseth thee wordes in this place. A little with­in the Towne at Fo [...]taine du Ponceau were wild men and wo­men which did fight & made many counte­nances; and there were al­so three fair [...] maidens re­presenting mermaides naked: where they might see the faire white pap se­perated round and hard, which was a pleasant sight▪ and they had pretty spee­ch [...] and neer vnto them were certaine f [...]ll Instru­ments, which made great melody. And to refresh such as entred in­to the said Towne there were diuers pipes in the said Fountain casting mike, wine and lip­pocras, wher­of euery man dranke that would: And beneath the said Fountain right against the Trinity there was a passion by men without speech, Christ being hanged on the Crosse and the two theeues on the right and left hand. There were also three Virgins like Mermaides all naked, and at the Trinity was the passion of Iesus Christ represented by a liuing man, being tyed vnto a Crosse betwixt two theeues. At S. Innocents Fountaine there was a Hinde put forth, beeing followed by a great cry of Hounds and Huntsmen. At the Burchery was the Bastille of Diepe, as the most glorious trophee of this Princes youth. Passing ouer the Changers Bridge, which was couered ouer head, they let flye two hundred dozen of small Birdes.

The King went to pray in our Ladies Church, he supt and lod­ged in the Pallace, and the next day he went to the Tournelles in St. Anthonies street, where hee made a new world, changing his chiefe Officers, The Duke of Bourgondy and the Earle of Charo­lois made a great part of the pompe, they and their traines being so ritchly appointed, as there were not any more stately. The King made shew of great loue both to the father and sonne, but there was so great a diuersity of manners and humors betwixt Lewis and Charles, as this harmony lasted not long.En [...]y and Iealousie which trouble great men will not suffer the one to reioyce at ano­thers good. Themi [...]tocles not able to indure Cymons prosperity dyed through Impatiencie. Into their most since­rest affections, Iealousie, which is the poison of friendship, did al­waies creepe: There was nothing pure nor perfect, the prosperity of the one was a troublesome crosse vnto the other.

The King came vnto the Crowne like a new heire to his fathers possessions,Lewis seeks for the rights of the Crown. who doth not so much affect his kinsmen and tu­tors, as he desires to see his Registers, examine his accompts, and know if he doth enioy all the rights of his successions: from these first wordes they iudge what his designes and actions would be.Not onely by the first actions, but by the first wordes of a P [...]ince comming to the C [...]owne they iudge of the future: so the word which Se­uer [...]s spa [...]e, L [...]boremas, and that of Pertinax, militem [...]s, were taken for signes of warre or peace in the Empire. AElms Spart.

The Pompe and magnificence of this publike ioy being ended the Duke of Bourgondy and the Earle of Charolois tooke their leaues of the king to returne. The Duke went into Flanders and the Earle of Charolois to Diion,Death of Mary of Aniou Queene of France. and then to St. Claude, the King to Ambois to see the Queene his mother, whose dowry he assigned vppon the County to Xaintonge and the Towne of Rochell: shee did not long inioy this assignation, passing from this life vnto a better. Her death aflicted them, who knowing that this King did all of his owne head, and that he had no other Law then his will, desired her a longer life, for her presence had been a causey to stop these torrents.The great name of mother well bred and of vnderstanding is a great restraint vnto a Prince: Ta­citus saith that after that Nero had lost his mother he fell to all dissolutions and excesse. Qua [...] mal [...] co [...]rcit as qualis­cunque matris reuerentia tar­dauerat. Se [...]a­nus did a [...]so keep Tiberius in awe and the same author saith, that hee gaue himselfe to wicked and vnseemely things, post­quam remoto pudore, et me­tu suo tantum ingenio vte­batur, when as hauing bani­shed shame and feare, hee fol­lowed his own wit. It falls out ill with a Prince who sees nothing be­twixt God and himselfe whereof the respect should restraine him, and be a bridle vnto him. She had endured much before her death. [Page 44] The Chronicle of Lewis the eleuenth commends her patience vn­der her husbands raigne and humors, but she could not dissemble the discontent which she receiued at the pleasure of her Augustus They de­manded of Li­uia, Augustus wife, how shee had done to win and enioy Augustus. To whom she an­swered, in do­ing willingly whatsoeuer pleased him, & dissembling the plesures which he tooke in se­cret Dion. As a good constitution of the body doth easily endure both heat and cold, so the force and vigour of the mind doth without any great paine resist these crosses and discontents, which are thornes amidst the roses of marriage. This passion seazing vppon a weake spirit and without defence, transports it to dislikes and extreame hatred.

About the end of the yeare he went to Tours, the Earle of Cha­rolois after his returne from pilgrimage came thither to him; where after they had spent some daies in the pleasure of hunting, he had the Commission of Lieftenant Generall in Normandy with 36000. Crownes for his entertainement. This guift was without asking. The benefits of Princes are sweeter offred then granted. He had but one third part paid, which defect made him to faile in his affection, and transported him to other thoughts.Men are more discon­tented to see themselues frustrated of thinges promi­sed then of those which are but hoped for. In the one there is but mis [...]ap, and they complaine only of fortune: In the other contempt and they challenge him that hath broken his pro­mise. Hee went to Rouen to take possession of his gouernment, It was at Tours that he began to frame his intelligences with the Duke of Brittanny. These two Princes were yong, both discontented, and they which know one another, salute a farre off. The Earle of Charolois did conferre secretly with Romille Vicechancellor and Ambassador of Brittany, to whom he gaue the seale of alliance wherewith hee shall be soone reprocht.

Lewis entered into France a friend to all his neighbours. There was not any but Pope Pius 2 Pius 2. cal­led a Councile at Manto [...]a in the yeare 1459. to con­sult of the meanes to resist Mohomet 2. who had made great ruines in Hungary, Albania, & Constantinople. who let him know that he could not be so,Pius 2. pres­seth the a­bolition of the Prag­matike Sanction. if the pragmatike Sanction were obserued. To vnderstand how France hath lost that which she had preserued so deerely, we must take the discourse somwhat higher. The Pope had called an Eugenius the 4. in the yeare 1443. gaue the Inuestitiure of the Realme of Naples to Alphonso King of Aragon, with the two Sicities Bartho, Flaccius in the life of Alphonse the 5. Pins. 2. gaue the inuestiture of the Crowne of Naples to Ferdinand ba­stard to Alphonso King of Arragon, Alexander 6. confirmed it to Alphonso 2. who left it to Ferdinand of Aragon, and he held it when as Charles the eight conque­red the Realme. an assembly of Princes at Mantoua, to consult of the meanes to make warre against the Turke, land to preuent the great deseignes which hee had against Christendome. King Charles the seauenth sent his Ambassadors thither, Prelates, Knightes, and Doctors, to let them vnderstand his intentions for the generall good of the Church. They made a priuate request vnto the Pope, that if hee would be pleased to giue the inuestiture of the Realmes of Naples and Sicile to King Rene, who had beene wrongfully dispossest a­gainst the hereditary rightes of the house of Aniou, the which the King desired the more earnestly, for that besides the affection of blood which bound him to loue his kinsman and brother in Law, he saw that the generall cause of Christendome would bee much fortefied against the common enemy, for the Duke of Calabria (the sonne of Renne) entring into the inheritance of his predecessors propounded to aduance his armes, and to expell the Ottomans out of the Empire of Constantinople, when as they thought that [Page 45] the Christian Religion was at her period, and could go no farther. Albunasat said that the Christian Relli­gion should last vnto the yeare, 1460. Abra­ham the Iewe said that in the yeare, 1464. the Iewish reli­gion should bee in her glory & liberity, when as it was most af­flicted. An enterprise whereof they had great hope, as well for the ge­nerosity of this Princes courage, as for that he was in an age fit and capable of such actions whereby the holy Sea might reape great profit, the possessions depending of his patrimony being by this meanesrestored vnto him.

The Pope vpon this propositionThis Act was imparted vnto mee by Gaspar Dauvet Sieg­neur of Marets Stuard of the kings house. The chiefe clauses are reported here in the mar­gent Post quā plurimade lau­dibus Franco­rum. S. D. N. praeclare dixe­rat, adiecit eti­am loqui in fa­norem partis aduersae ante­dicti. D. Regis Rentai, de grā ­di exaltatione ille gitime na­torum aliqua in ijs interse­rendo quae po­tius tacenda fuisse videntur. hauing made a long discourse in commendation of the French,The Popes affection to the house of Arragon hee added many things touching bastards, fauoring couertly those which vsurped the rights of the house of Aniou, and then falling vpon the decrees of the councile of Basill and of the Pragimatike sanction, he said, that it was a spot which did blemish the beauty of the face of France, and vnder pretext whereof the Authority of the Apostolik Sea was disgrac'd, the forces of Christian Relligion were weakened, the vnity and li­berty of the Church violated and troden downe, and therefore hee was forced to speake,Popes threat a­gainst France. least his silence should bee reputed a conni­uence or carelesnesse, and that the wound which might bee cured grew not incurable, and hee should be forced to abstaine from all intelligence and communication with the French, alledging this passage of Scripture.Alledging, that it is writ­ten in the old law: Surper omnem animā quae mortua est non ingre­dietur Ponti­fex. The high Priest shall not see a dead soule, and shall not bee whereas there is sinne, or a perseuerance or obsti­nacy in sinne.

At the same time the Pope made a Bull by the which he decla­red all appellations to the Councile an execrable abuse, and neuer before heard of,His Bull a­gainst ap­pellations to a coun­cell. This constitu­tion begins thus Execrabilis & pristinis tem­poribus [...] tempes­ [...]ate nostra in­oleuit abusus, vt a Romano Pontifice Iesu Christi Vicario, cui dictum est in persona B. Petri. Pasee ones [...]eas, &c. & quodcun (que) nonnulli spiritu [...] rebellioni [...] imbuti non sanioris c [...]piditate iudic [...]i sed commissi enatione pece [...]t [...] ad futurum Concilium prouocare presum [...]. invented by spirits of rebellion, not for any de­sier of abetter iudgement, but to escape for sinnes committed, be­ing a ridiculous thingQuis il Iud ridiculum indicauerit quod [...]d concilium apell [...]tur quod [...] est neque seiture quae futurum fit? Pius II. Const. execrabilis. to frame an appellation to a Concile which was not yet assembled, neither knew they when it would bee, and that by this abuse the excesse remained vnpunished, rebellion a­gainst the first Sea was supported and all Ecclesiasticall discipline in confusion, wherefore by the aduice of the Cardinalls and Pre­lates, which were then at Mantoua, he did forbid such appellations, as erronius, detestable and pestilent, and charged them with cen­sures which receiued the Acts, or did fauour them.

The Kings Ambassadors tooke these words for cracks of thun­der and infalliable threats of excommunication, and hauing repor­ted them vnto King Charles the seauenth, his councell did beleeue that he had resolued to curse both the King and his realme, and all those that should cause the decrees of the Councile of Basill to bee obserued, wherefore it was concluded that Iohn Dauvet his Attor­ney generall in the Court of Parlament, should protest against his threats, to auoyde the scandales which the Church and Christen­dome might receiue, reseruing in all things a respect vnto the holy Sea, and the obedience which is due vnto the Pope, conformable to the holy decrees.

[Page 46] That the Pope should bee intreatedSummis de­siderus op [...]at regia Maiestas vt idem, S. D. N. cū [...]acris ge­neralibus con­cil [...] pacē fo­neat & suis tē ­poribus Eccle­siā Dei salubri [...]er regere & dirigere curet, sicuti sancti sui pre decestores facere studue­rūt, & pacē et v­niratē [...]nimo dā seruare querat. and exhorted to consider duly of the importance of this resolution, before hee did proceed to cut off such a member from the body of Christendome, and how much it did import him to keepe peace with the Councils, and not to suffer the vnity of the Church to be violated at such a time when as all the forces of the infidells were banded and vnited against her concord.Turkes make their profit of the diuisions of Christen­dome▪

That as the KingIpse enim D. N. Re [...] qui semper pa [...]is vniuersae Ec­clesiae deside­ratissmus est. sicut magnis laboribus et sumptibus pa­ [...]m et vnita­tem inter sacra Concilia & [...]el. rec. D. Pa­pam Eugeniū ac consequen­ [...]er D. Nicolaū successorē eius prosecutus est vt illi in sede Apostolica pa­cifici maner ēt sic nunc vehe­meter cupit vt sacti simus. D. N. modernus succedēs prae­fatis Pontifici­bus pacē ma­nu te [...]ere & conseru [...]re la­borer▪ had labored, more then all Christan Princes, with much paine and great expence, to mayntaine a peace, and vnity betwixt the councils and Popes, Eugenius and Nicholas, to the end they might remaine quiet in their seats. In like manner hee desired that the Pope should confirme this peace and good vnion, causing those lets to cease which were against the Cannons of the Pragmatike Sanction, made by a generall consent, and to consider that such lets came onely from those that affected more their owne priuat commodities, then the health of soules, and could not endure that the Popes should march with the Councils in the vnity of Spirit, as they had in former times done, when as their tem­porall care was not so great as it is now, and that they did zealously seeke the Kingdome of God before all things.To [...]lat differētias quae aduersus Cāo­nes vniuersali cōsensu editos per non nullo­rū affectus quae r [...]tiu [...] plus priuata commoda quam salutem animarum suscitantur, impediuntque ne summi Pontifices cum generalibus cōciliis in vnitate spiritus ambulent, eorumque decreta seruent, sequantur ac predicent sicut olim profite hātur ac promptissime facere solebant, dum non erat tanta commodorum temporal um sollici [...]do & ante omnia [...] Dei [...]ttentius quae rebatur.

That the King desyred the Pope would call a Council in a place of saf­ty and liberty, whereas the Pre [...]ats of the Church, and learned men fea­ring God,Mony leui­ed vnder the pretere of warre & ill imploy­ed▪ hauing charge to be there, might speake their opinions brother­ly and charitably in tranquility of mind, vpon the occasions which should be presented, such assemblies being necessary to prouide for meanes to resist the desseins of the enemies and persecutors of Christian Religion. For although that vnder this pretext they had leuied great summes of mony after diuers manners;Diuersae pecuniarum summae modis varus huins rei pretexta hacternus pe­titae et collatae suat yet Christendome had receyued no ease. Besides the tenne years in the which the Council of Constans had or dai­ned that they should hould a councell were expired.

That the King propounded to submit him-selfe to all that should bee determined and or dayned by the councell, to the end that so good an order might be setled in the Church, as God might bee better serued and chris­tian people more edified; And to the end the council might be in all liber­ty, it was necessary to chuse a place of easie accesse for all that would come. That it was not credible (as many haue pretended) that the Pope was re­solued to haue it held in the church of S^t. Iohn LateranVt aut em prefatum concilium rite celebrari possit necessarium est ipsum in tali loco con­stitui vt omibus pateat plena libertas. Nec creden [...]um est in veritate subsistere quod no [...]nulli ferunt S. D. N. velle in Laterano vniuersale concilium celebrare, cum locus ille fere omnibus nationibus Christianorum acces­su difficilis sit & frequenter pestibus subditus, Stante que contradictione quam summus Pontifex aduersus cano­nes conciliorum agere videtur, non il [...]ie esset plena deliberandi libertas, attenta etiam certa Liga quae aduersus Illustrissimum D. Re [...]atum Regnum Siciliae & suos here des & successor es facta [...] quam & ipse S. D. N. vt dici [...]ur aperte souer & suttine [...] & Ligaeinsdem caput & principalis hetorie asseritur. seeing that the citty of Rome was of hard accesse, in a manner, for all the nations of christendome,The Pope a party. and many times subiect to great plagues, besides that, the chiefe question being touching the contradiction which was made to the Cannons of councells, their opinions could not be free; and the King was well aduertised of the league which was made against Rene King of Siciie [Page 47] and his children, whreof they made the Pope the head.

That when as a place of liberty and safety should be chosen in some o­ther Prouince, the Pope, if hee thought good, might transport himselfe thither, with lesse pain then he should receiue if he continued his designe to go in person into the East for the good of Christendome, or elce hee might send his Legates as his predecessors had formerly done. That the last Counsells hauing been held in the townes of Italy and Germa­ny, Many gene­rall Councels haue beene held in France and we find in the History of the Church the Councell of Lyon 2. Or­leans 4. & 5. Tours, Paris, Auuergne. reason would that now it should be held in France, as Pope Ni­cholas the fift had promised, and therefore the King offered to prouide amply for all that should be necessary.

That his Maiesty could not imagine that the Pope by his new Bull against appellations to the Councill had any thought to interdict the vse in such sort, as in no case, no not when there was questi­on to maintaine the Orthodoxall faith, or for the extirpation of Schisme, or the reformation of the vniuersall Church, in the head and members, for the wrongs which Popes might doe vnto Princes and there estates, it might not bee lawfull to flie vnto this remedyNeque eti­am existiman­dum est [...]un­dem S N D. per littera [...] quas Mantuae publicasse fer­tur que incipi­unt Execrabi­lis et Inaudi­tus &c. volu­isse prohibete vt in nullo ca­su fiue tang at conseruatio­nem Ortho­doxae fidei fiue extirpati­onem Scisma­tis, fiue vniuer­salem reforma­tionem Eccle­siae in capite et in membris super graua­minibus quae per aliquem summorum Pontificum inferri con­tingeret Prin­cipibus liciat quouismodo habere recur­sum ad iudi­cium plenarii concilii; cum sub generali prohibitione non veneant ea quae speci­ali expressio­ne indigerent., seeing that vnder generall prohibitions they could not comprehend matters which required a more speciall and perticular expression, and principally those which did regard the offences of Religion and the vnity of the Church, and which fauoured Scismes and troubled the vniuersall estate of the Church.

Wherefore if the Pope attempted any thing against the obseruation of the holy decrees of the pragmatick Sanction, the King ment to flye to a Councill,Protestati­on of the King to fly vnto a Councel. vbi vero idem D.N.S. cui potestas data est in aedificationem non in destructionem eam conuertere vellet contra ipsum D.N. Regem aut viros ecclesiasticos vel etiam seculares ipsius dominii constitutos & sibi subditos & adhaerentes propter obseruationem Cannonum grauare et molestare. Protestor ego Iohannes Dauuet Procurator Regius generalis & in parte specialis nomine antedicto & per notarios subscriptis de ta­lium sententiarum ac censurarum nullitate iuxta canonicas Sanctiones. &c. and vntill it had determined thereof, he protested of the nul­ity of all censures, according to the forme of the Canonicall Sanctions, the which in many cases declared the sentences and censures of Iudges and Pastors void, yet submitting themselues to the iudgement of the v­niuersall Church.

That if the Pope should refuse, and would deferre the calling of the Councill, the King declared that he would exhort all Christian Princes, to labour iointly for this Conuocation, yet hoping that the Pope hauing duly considered of this iust and necessary instance, would not put him to that paine.

To make this protestation more sollemne, and to shew that the King did affect it,France the Sanctuary of Popes and that the Pope should haue a care not to in­cense a realme which had alwaies beene the sanctuary and refuge of Popes,Gregory 3. deman [...]ed succors of Charles Martel against Luytprand King of Lombards who was forced to yeeld the lands which hee had vsurped of the Church Carol. Sigonius lib. 3. de Regno Italie An. 739. Plat. Pepin his sonne forced Astol­pho King of Lombards to restore the sixe gouerments of Rauenna to Pope Stephen [...]. and hee made warre against Guai [...]ier Duke of Aquitanie who vsurped the goods of the Church. Regin. Sigebertus. Charlemaine defended Adrian against Didier King of the Lombards, and restored Pope Leon. C. Volumus 2. Q. i. Adrianus dist. 63. Lewis the gentill and Charles the bald ga [...]e great succors to Pope Iohn 8. Paul Emilius. Pope Gela [...]ius 2. went into France to demand succors of Lewis 8. against Henry the Emperor, Platina in Gelatio 2. Innocent 2. and Eugenius the third, being dri­uen out of Rome came into France, and the Kings of Frāce haue the honor to haue restored seuen Popes to their sea [...]es. And France hath lodged the 70. yeares in Auignon▪ Pa­loti de rubros Nauarra. who had neuer found more speedy and better succors [Page 48] against their enemies then the sword of France, and who haue with reason called this Realme the admirable quiuer bound to Gods side, out of the which he drawes his chosen arrowes to shoot them with the Bow of his mighty arme against Infidells: His maiesty would that Andrew de Laual, Lord of Loheac Mareschall of France, should be present with many other men of quality, Stephen Che [...]a­lier Treasurer generall of France, and Iohn Barbin Aduocate gene­rall in Parliament. It was made in the presence of Iohn, Abbot of the Monasterie of S^t. E [...]oy de braue, of the order of Premontre, and of Peter Quesnot, pryor of the priory of S^t. Sauiour, neere vnto Bray vpon Seyne.

Soone after the new raigne of Lewis the eleuenth made it knowne that things maintained so religiously by King Charles Charles the seuenth was made Lord of the obseruation of the Pragma­ticke Sanction, & if death had not preuented him, [...]ew [...]s re­solued to call an Nationall Councel to haue it better obser­ued.,Pope Pius the second, exhorts K. Lewis to a­bolish the pragmatick Sanction. were not religiously respected by him. The Pope hauing well obserued it, caused him to be exhorted to respect the holy Sea, & to apprehend the danger of excommunication. He sent his Nuncio vnto him to perswade him, and to put him in minde of the name of most Chri­stian, which his predecessors had carried, and which the Coun­cill of Mantua had newly confirmed to King Charles his Father.

They found the pursuite of this reuocation more vnfit for Pope Pius the second,Pius the se­cond d [...]a­ [...]owes his owne writings. then for his predecessors, for he himselfe had been the instrument of these Decrees, he had beene present at the reso­lutions, hee had written them, and vndertaken the defence of the Councell of Basill, against that of Eugenius. They did alwaies ob­iect vnto his Nuncios that it was a shame to gainesay himselfe, to ouerthrow the worke of his owne hands, and that Dignities had changed the Maximes of conscience. Wherefore in the end of Aprill 1463. he made a declaration containing a great repentance of that which hee had done in the Councell of Basill against the PopeThis Bull was directed to the vniuersitie of Collin, to the which he wrot many things a­gainst Engeni­us, ending with these wordes, Haec est nostra sententia filii: haec credimus, & profite [...]ur: haec iam se­nes, et in A­postolatus ae­que constituti, pro veritate asserimus si qua vel nobis, vel aliis con­scripsimus ali­quando, quae huic doctrinae repugnent, illa tanquam erro­nea, & [...]uue­neli animo pa­rum pensata iudicia reuocamus, atque omnino respu [...]mus▪, and directed it to the Vniuersitie of Collin. He excused himselfe by his youth, comming but newly from the Schooles, the force of the perswasions of so many great prelates whom hee saw banded against Eugenius, the example which had seduced him, and ignorance which should excuse him, thinking not to erre after so many great Doctors, and especially of the Schoole of Paris, whose reputation was then very famous, and of the vniuersities of Ger­many Nos homines, & vt homines errauimus, neque imus in­ficias, multa quae diximus, scripsimus, egimus damnari posse, verum non vt Arrius, [...]thyces, Macedonius, aut Nestorins, & alia blasphemorum turba, ex animo damnatum viam eligim [...]s, seducti peccauimus, vt Paulus, & ignoranter persecuti fuimus Ecclesiam Dei, & Romanam primamque sedem, propter quod prostrati ante oculos diuinae pietatis, supplices oran [...]us, Delicta inuentutis me [...], ignorantias ne me­mineris, & pudet erroris, paeniteut fecisse vt male dictorum scriptorumque vehe menter poenitet, plus scripto quam facto nocuim us. Who declared Eugenius vnworthy of Peters chayre, for that he had broken and hindered the course of the counsell which he himselfe had called, and refused to approue and effect their de­crees. But that now knowing this Error, he coniured all the world to note the distinction betwixt Aeneas Stluius, and Pius the second, betwixt a priuate man and the great Vicar of Iesus Christ, betwixt [Page 49] the errors of a youth without experience and the thoughts of an age touched with the Spirit of God: Then hauing made a great repentance of his opinions, he published his beliefe of the Popes, Authoritie,Words of S. Bernard. and said of the person of Eugenius the fourth, that which S. Bernard had said of Eugenius Tu es sacer dos magnus, summus pon­tifex, tu prin­ceps Episcorū, tu haeres Apo­stolorum, tu primatu Abel, gilbernatu Noe, Patriar­chatu Abrahā, erdine Melchi­sedech▪ digni­tate Aaron, au­ctoritate Moy­ [...]es, iudicata Samuel, pote­testate P [...]t [...]us, Vnctione Christus. Tu es cui claues traditae, cui oues creditae sunt. Sunt & alijquidē coeli ianitores, & gregum pasto­res, sed tu tan­to dignius quanto & dif­ferentius v­trumque prae illis nomē hae­reditasti▪ Ha­bentilli signa­tos sibi greges singuli singu­los, tibi vni­uersi crediti v­ni sumus. Nec modo [...]uium sed et pastorū, tu vnus omniū pastor. Haec Bernardus ad Eugenium 3. scribit, cui su­premā & om­nimodam in ecclesia pote­statem conce­dit, quod ille in tertio testa­tur Eugenio, hoc nos de quarto, & om­nibus aliis Ro­manis Pontifi­cibus profite­mur. the third, Thou art the great Priest, the Soueraigne pastor, the prince of Bishops, the Heyre of the A­postles, thou art Abel in primacie, Noah in gouernment, Abraham in the Patriarchat, Melchisedech in Order, Aaron in Dignitie, Moses in Authoritie, Samuel in Iustice, Peter in Power, and Christ in vnction.

Notwithstanding all these goodly words and the great reasons wherewith the Nucios were armed to let the King know the great wrongs he did vnto himselfe,The [...]tali­ans called the Council of Basill a conuenticle to breake with the Pope, in fauouring the Decrees of a Councell, which Rome held to be but a Conuenticle, a monopole, and Schisme: They found not any one in his Councell, which thought it fit to breake such holsome Decrees, and the King, who had been with King Charles his Father at the assembly at Bourges, remembred how carefully they had beene examined, solemnely published, and profitably obserued fiue and twenty whole yeeres. The Pragmatick Sanction was a law also for all the accidents of the policie of the Church, a soue­raigne balme for all the vlcers,The summe of the Prag­maticke Sanction. which auarice, dissolution and ig­norance might cause in her members.Frustra i [...]hiberetur inferioribus, [...]ipse qui alūs debet esse omnium bonerum & virtutum exemplar, non abstineret. Vt enim ille sanctissimus & doctissimus Leo Papa, inquit▪ totius familia domini status & or, do nutabit, si quod inquiritur in corpore non inuenitur in capite. Integritas enim praesidentium, salus dignos­citur esse inferiorum. Pragm. Sanct. tit. de collatib. ¶ frustr. And for that they labour in vaine to keepe the body in health if the head bee sicke, it did somewhat restraine the Popes authoritie, binding him to hold a Councell euery ten yeares, and to obserue the Decrees which should be made, yea that which the councell of Basill had made touching the Elections, Reseruations, and Collations of benefices. It did forbid expectatiue graces, and citations to the Court of Rome, but in certaine great causes, and as for Appellations they did no more passe the mountaines, the Pope did appoint Iudges vpon the places for Appellants which depended immedi­ately vpon the sea of Rome, and as for others they might appeale to the next superiour.

It tooke from the Pope a great part of the profits of his Chan­cerie; forbidding the payments of vacances and Anuates, and re­seruing onely the iust fees for expedition of Buls. Pope Eugenius considering the consequence of this Decree, sent his Nuncios to the Councell of Basill, to haue it suspended; but the fathers intrea­ted him not to suffer such an abuse any longer, then declaring such as should pay them Simoniacall: it added, that if the Pope did scan­dalize the Church, in contemning the obseruation, it should be re­ferred to a CouncellEtsi quod absit Romanus Pontifex, qui prae cae­teris vniuersalium conciliorum exequi & custodire debet canones, aduertus hanc sanctionem aliquid facien. do ecclesiam scandalizet, vt generali concilio deferatur. Caeteri vero pro modo culpa iuxta canonicas sancti. [...]nes per suas superiores digna vltione puniantur: Prag. Sanct. tit. de Annat. ¶ Non fiant.. It would not allow the Pope to make Car­dinals [Page 50] after his owne phantasie, but with aduise of the other Car­dinals, that there should not be aboue foure and twenty chosen out of all the churches of Christendome, to the end the number should not abase the esteeme of so great a dignitie, which made them which were aduanced companions to the Pope; and the hinges whereon the gates of the church were setStatult sanc­ta synodus vt deinceps Car­dinalium nu­merus adeo sit moderatus, vt ne sit grauis ecclesia nec su­perflua nume­rositate viles­cat, qui de om­nibus Christia­nitatis parti­bus, quantum fieri commodè poterit, astu­mantur, vt no­titia rerum in ecclesia emer­gentium facili­us haberi & su­per his matu­rius deliberari possit, sic ta­men quod nu­merum 24. in­ter eos qui nunc sunt, & ad assumēdos, non excedat. Ita quod de v­n [...] natione vl­tra tertiā par­tem respectu Cardinalium pro tempore existentium, ac de vna ciuitate et dioe cesi vl­tra vnum inde oriundum & de ea natione quae nunc vltra tertiā partem habet vsque ad ipsius tertiae pattis reducti­onem else ne [...]queant..The quality of Cardi­nals.

It would haue them also thirtie yeares of age, lawfull and not deformed in bodie nor defamed in manners, Doctors, or Licen­tiates, in the one or the other lawe, with a rigorous examination, and that the third, or at the least a fourth part should bee Diuines; not suffering them to receiue the Nephewes of Popes, or of Car­dinals that were liuing. The congregation of the French Church being assembled at Bourges found this Article too rigorous. It did also ordaine due recompences for learning and merit. And that there should be Prebends in Cathedrall and Metropolitane chur­ches for Diuines to read and preach, and that graduates should be preferred to prouisions of benefices. It did not allow that com­monalties or prouinces should bee interdicted for the offences of priuate men, or of Magistrates, nor that excommunications should be of force, before the sentence had beene pronounced and pub­lished. It disposed of that which was necessarie for the ornament, policie, and direction of Diuine seruice, it did punish (but gently) publike concubinaries, hauing been first aduertised to reform them­seluesPublici con­cubinarii, saith the Councell of Basill, intelli­gēdi sunt non solum hi quo­rum concubi­natus per sen­tentiam aut confessionem in iure factam seu per rei euidentiam quae nulla possit tergiuersatione celari notorius est, sed qui mulierem de incontinen­tia suspectam tenet & per super [...]orem admonitus eam non a dmittit. Prag. Sanct. ¶ Publici. tit. de con­cubinariis.. They were freed for the priuation of the fruits of their benefices during three monthes. Pope Pius the second was not to be blamed if he did so earnestly presse this reuocation, and his Ministers did often solicite the King, filling his conscience with feare of excommunication, and telling him continually that there was neither Iustice, necessitie, nor profit, that could giue the title of a lawe to that which was ordained without authoritie, and that it was a sinne to subiect his subiects thereunto. The Cardi­nall of Albie managed this pursuite: La Balue Hierom Garimbert Bishop of Galicia hath written these words of Balue, essendosi infignorito dell animo dele Re, simulamente loteneus in conti [...]o disparer con la sede Apestolica per vligar p [...]i il Papa a riconoscer la Reconciliatione dall opera, & dall autorita sua, per consequente a gratificar lo del capel rosso, come fece. who had great cre­dit with the King, interposed great difficulties, to make the Pope know that the effect of his intensions depended of him. But as soone as he had promised to make him a Cardinall, hee did fit his head to that hat.

La Balue being of a turbulent Spirit,The Bishop of Eureux vndertakes to satisfie the Pope. being desirous to trouble the affayres, and to excell rather in Authoritie then merit, went to the parliament to haue this reuocation passe, S. Roman the Kings Attourney Generall opposed himselfe, whom they threatned with the losse of his estate, and to make him repent it. He who desired that all things should faile him rather then to faile of his dutie and the dignitie of his charge, said vnto Balue, I had rather [Page 51] loose my estate, my goods and my life, then to doe a thing contrary to my dutie and the good of the Realme. What Pris [...]us Heluidius Priscus He­luidius was ad­uised not to come vnto the senate, hee an­swered, It is in the Emperors power not to make mee of the Senate, but whiles I am a Senator hee shal not let me from going to the Pallace, You shal be suf­fered, said the other, to goe, so as you speake not. Helu. I wil not speake a word if they demand no­thing of mee. But they will aske you. Helu. And I will an­swere what I shal thinke fit. If you speake, they will put you to death. Heluid. And whē did I brag that I was im­mortall? You shall doe your duty & I mine. It is in you to kill me, and in mee to die without feare, it is in you to banish me and in mee to goe vnto it cheere­fully. could haue answered more generously?

The Vniuersitie of Paris made her Remonstrances vnto the king not to suffer the decrees, conformable to the purest constitu­tions of the Church for discipline, pollicie, and libertie, to be bro­ken. In this great agitation of minde, the Popes Ministers pro­mised the king that the reuocation of the Pragmatick Sanction should bee made without preiudice of the ancient liberties of the French Church, and that the Pope would send a Legate into France, to conferre the prouisions of Benefices, so as the French should not be bound to send money to Rome.

The king vpon this assurance consented to the abbrogation.Pragmatick Sanction a­bolished & dragged through the streets of Rome. The Cardinall of Alby was sent to Rome with charge to tell the Pope, that the King submitted all the busines of the Church, and the goods thereof to the Holy Father, to vse in this Realme, prout vellet, as he pleased, without any regard of the liberties of the French Church. But being satisfied, he had no care to giue the king that contentment which hee promised and suffered the patents to bee shamefully drawne through the streetes of Rome: Behold how choller spares not euen insensible things. They shaddowed this choller with a reason that the Pragmatick Sanction was bred in a time of Schisme and Sedition. The courts of Parliament of France, which haue the rights of the church as it were in protection, did not allow of this reuocation, so as it was neuer obserued, and the Clergie did not obserue the Popes command vpon this subiectIn the begin­ning of Pope Leo his Bull, wee read this. Licet Pius. 2. Nunci [...]s ad clarae memo­riae Ludouicū 11. Franciae Regem Chri­stianissimum destinatis, t [...]ntis eisdem persua serit rationibus rationibus, vt Rex ipse Pragmaticam Sanctionem tanquam in seditione & Scismatis tempore natam suis patentibus literis abroga [...]erit, tamen hui [...]smodi abrogatio nec eti­am literae expeditae per Praelatos & personas Ecclesiasticas dictiregni receptae non fuerunt, nec ipsi Praelati & personae Ecclesiast [...]cae illis parere, nec monitis Sixti, Innocentii & Iulii aures praebere, sed eidem Prag­maticae constitutioni inhaerere voluerint.. The Buls of Sixtus, the third: Innocent, the eight: Alexander, the sixt: and Iulio the second were fruitlesse. The Decre of the Councell of Lateran serued to no purpose, and this Pragmatick Sanction ended not be­fore the Concordants were past at Bolonia, betwixt Pope Leo the tenth, and king Francis the first.

They did iudge by the kings first actions,1461. what the manner of his gouernment would be,The King discontents the Nobi­litie. and that he would beautifie the diuina­tions of his raigne with other trophies then of clemencieClemencie is the Ornament of the raigne of Kings, they should begin with it. Nouu [...] imperium occupantibus vtilis clementiae [...]ama. Tacit. lib. 4. Hist.. Hee disappointed in a manner all the officers and seruants of king Charles his Father, taking a great delight to vndoe that which hee had raised, and to raise that which hee had puld downe. He gaue Berry onely to his brother for his portion, vpon condition that it should returne vnto the Crowne if he dyed without issue male. There was a time when as the Kings of France left vnto the Princes of their bloud the proprieties of their portions, Philip of Valoi [...] left the Countie of Valois to Charles his younger brother. Philip the Faire was the first that ordained by his C [...]dicill that the County of Poictou, giuen by him with other lands to his yonger sonne Philip of France, who afterwards was K. Philip the Long should returne to the crowne for wāt of Heyres male, vpon condition the King which should then raigne should marrie his Daughter. Hee tooke the Seales from Iuuenall of Vrsins, and gaue them to Peter of Moruilliers. The Duke of Alençon was a prisoner in the [Page 52] Castle of Loches, whom he set at libertie. Hee caused the Earle of Dammartins processe to be made, and after that the Court of Par­liament had condemned him to dye, hee gaue him his life, vpon cōdition that he should imploy the remainder in the Ile of Rhodes for the seruice of Christendome, and should put in caution: but not able to find any, hee had the Bastil for his prison, from whence he escaped in the night by a hole which he had made in the wall, at the same time when as the Duke of Berry passed into Brittanny. Taneguy of ChastellTaneguy of Coastel Nephew te him that [...]l [...]w the Duke of Bourgunay was master of the horse to K. Charles the se­uenth, hee reti­red into Britta­ny where the Duke made him his high ste­ward & Cham­berlaine. being discontented for that he was not satis­fied the money which he had aduanced for the funerals of Charles the seuenth retired himselfe to Francis Duke of Brittany.

This Prince had succeeded to Arthur of Brittany Earle of Rich­mond his Vncle,Francis the second Du: of Brittany. and was well informed of the humor and designes of Lewis, and therefore in the beginning hee sent his seruants throughout the Realme disguised in the habites of Iacobins and Franciscans, to moue the people to looke vnto the beginning of this Raigne, and to coniure them to defend their libertie with tooth and nayleThe Embassa­dors of Sparta, beeing sent to Xerxes, said vnto Gidarne who commen­ded the felicity of such as ser­ued the King. If thou didst know Gidarne what libertie were thou wouldest coun­sell vs to de­fend it, not with the launce and target one­ly, but with our teeth and nayles., aduising them that this King entered into the Realme, as into a countrey of Conquest: that he held all that plea­sed him to be lawfull: That he forced great men not to obey but to serue: The people not to bee gouerned but tiranized, and to prepare themselues to liue in such sort as they might say they had not any thing.

Being aduertised of the Duke of Brittaines practises,The Kings voyage into Brittany. he went to see him, vnder coulour to visit the Church of S. Sauiour of Redon. Deuotion was the pretext, and a desire to know the Dukes coun­try and forces the cause of this PilgrimageIt is a great aduantage to know the for­ces of an estate which one meanes to as­saile, and to measure them with his. It was the aduise of Xenophon. Chabrias said that theron con­sists a part of the Generals dutie.. He was not resolued to leaue him in peace. He knew well that, three or foure yeares before, hee had sought to make himselfe a companion to King Charles the seuenth, hauing refused to doe him homage vpon his knee, and without his sword for the Dutchie of BrittanieIn the homage which Francis the second Duke of Brittany did vnto King Charles the seuenth at Mo [...]bason in Fe­bruary 1458. Iohn of Estoteuille said vnto him. My Lord of Brittanie you should put off your girdle, And Chauu [...]n Chancellor of Brittany answered, He ought not, It were an innouation, he is as he should be.: hee had also discouered that hee and the Earle of Charolois had gi­uen their faith, to runne the selfe same fortune, although that the remembrance of the Death of the Duke of Orleans his grandfa­ther by the mothers side, had beene able to disswade him from the house of Bourgundy, and that it had beene better for him to ioyne with his Cozens, the Dukes of Orleans, and Angolesme, and to continue his designe vpon the Duchie of Milan, to reco­uer his grandmothers inheritance, whereof Francis Sforce had cea­zed Fran­cis Duke of Brittanie, sonne to Richard of Brittanie, and Margaret of Orleans, Daughter to Lewis D. of Orleans, and Valantyn of Milan had vndertaken to make warre against Francis Sforce. An [...]al of Brittanie.. The Venetians and Borso of Este Duke of Ferrara gaue eare to the propositions which they made, giuing hope to assist the rights of the house of Orleans.

These first years of the Raigne of Lewis were very sharpe, and those which followed altogether insupportable. Great men were [Page 53] depriued of their Dignities,Rigor in the begin­ning of Le­wis raigne. and the meaner opprest with great charges. There was couetousnes for men of merite, and prodi­galitie for the rest.It is good a [...] ­ter a prodigall Prince to haue one that is co­u [...]tous, who may restraine those excessiue pr [...]fusion, he that findes not any thing to giue cannot be liberall. He said he would gather money together to redeeme the townes vpon the Riuer of Some. He had knowne what a crowne was worth, and how many peeces would make one: They that haue past by the indiscretions of necessitie, proceed very dis­creetely in their expences. If all the time that hee had beene bani­shed from the Court, he had no want of necessarie things, so had he no great abundance superfluous.

His sparing was the lights which swelled by the leannesse of all the other members. The complaints of the RigorWhen as the people are op­prest they dare not accuse the Princes rigor but cast their complaints vpō that of the time of the time, be­came murmurings against the seueritie of the Prince. Euery one lamented the Raigne of Charles, and desired rather the end then the continuance of that of Lewis: Great men beganne to make it knowne that they could not liue long in that seruitude, & shew­ing themselues more sencible of the contemptThe nature of man is more sensible of con­tempt then of losse. The Se­nators of Rome were more dis­contented for that Caesar en­tred into the Senate without saluting them, then for the en­terprise which hee made vpon their libertie. which was done them, then of the miseries which the meaner sort suffered, yet they found no better pretext of their priuate interest, then that of the publike.

The King did not attend the consent of the Realme to haue money, hee tooke it without asking. They were not tributes of Loue,Princes finde pleasing names for things which are bit­t [...]r and hard. Edward the fourth in posed vpō the Realme of England a tribute which hee called a B [...] ­ [...]euolen [...]. Eue­rie one did con­tribute as hee pleased, and ac­cording to his gifts they did iudge of his Loue to the King. He that gaue much lo­ued much. Ed­ward made vse of this tribute against the French & found great succors, Polid. lib. 24. & 26. but of Rigour and constraint, thinking that France was a meadow which he might mowe at all seasons. A great sedition troubled the citie of Rheimes, against those which had raised cu­stomes. The Commissaries were slaine and their Commissions cast into the fire. The King sent Souldiers, disguised like Marchants and labourers, who entring by diuers ports, ioined with the Lord of Mouy their commander, who caused a hundreth of the most seditious to bee hanged, suppressed the seditionThe most frequent and knowne causes of sedition and muten [...] gr [...]w from new charges and excessiue impositions., reuenged the Kings seruice, and setled his authoritie there, the which had not beene impugned but for the naturall impatiencie of the people, to endure that whereunto they were not accustomed.

All France was quiet,Combusti­ons in Eng­land. and beheld as from the shore the tem­pests which were in England and Arragon. The King was glad to entertaine the warre farre from him, and to assist the house of Lan­caster in England, and the house of Arragon in Spaine, whiles that the clouds and windes prepared to draw the storme vpon his owne head. England for the diuision of the houses of Yorke & Lancaster, saw at that time such terrible changes and accidents, as it is a won­der the Realme did not passe vnder some forraine command, and that they did not cry quittance with him, seeing there is no surer meanes to ruine an estate then ciuill discordCiuill Diuisions transport and change estates. Spaine vnder the raigne of fourescore and twelue Kings hath beene torne in as many peeces as it hath had Realmes. France hath changed thrice. England hath been commanded by the English, Danes, Saxons, and in the end by the Normans. The Empire hath been past from the East vnto the West▪ Naples hath been vnder the power of the French, Germans, Arrag [...]nois, and since of Castitians..

But France had yet so many bad humors in her body as her dis­position [Page 54] was more dying then liuing. When as the English ceast to afflict her, they began to quarrell and to ruine one another. The end of forraine warres was the spring and renewing of ciuil, Henry of Lancaster, sonne to Henry the fift, found himselfe without a crowne, notwithstanding that in his infancie he had been crowned with that of France and England. Richard Duke of Yorke, an Am­bitious Prince, and who had both credit, courage,Good things and which are commenda­ble of them­selues applied to il are per [...]itions Sepius indu­stria acvigilan­cia noxiae quo­ties parando Regno finga­tur. Tac. lib. An. lib. [...]. industrie and vigilancie, qualities to bee suspected in an Ambitious spirit, be­came head of a great faction, the intentions whereof he coulou­red with the onely zeale of the publicke good, to change the bad gouernement of the Realme, & to deliuer England from the inso­lencie of the Duke of Somerset, who alone gouerned the helme of the affaires, whilest that the King suffered his spirits to be transpor­ted, not to delights and voluptuousnes but to carelesnesAn idle Prince is a waies con­temned. Three things saith Ze­ [...]ophon make him excell ouer his subiects. [...].. His carelesse life incensed his subiects hearts, and his idlenes distasted all men of his raigne. The estate was like vnto a sicke body which is so prest with his infirmitie, as he is forced to trust him that comes to let him bloud, and cannot attend the Phisitions which are farre off,In violent dis­eases wee may not attend far fetcht remedies. although they answere him that they will come and cure him.

Such as were discontented with the present,Conspiracy against King Henry the sixt. and desired to see some change applyed them-selues to the Duke of Yorks desseigns and intentions, and among others Richard Neuell Earle of Salisbu­ry, and Richard Neuill Earle of Warwick his brother, who had wis­dome and courrage, rare parties for a great desseigne, and there­with such great credit among the people, as it was thought that not any one in England durst doe that which these would vnder­take. The Duke of Yorke hauing cast his bell made the sound thereof to be generally heard, hee strake such a terror into the Court, and made the wicked so audacious, as the King (who had neuer tasted of Domesticke troubles; his spirit beeing like vnto a shipCourages tri­ed in dangers are to bee com­mended. A ship is neuer estee­med which hath neuer felt of a storme. which had neuer sailed but in a calme) was amazed and confounded, and not holding himselfe safe in the Citie of Lon­don, by reason of the inconstancie of the people, and the great cre­dit which this faction had gotten, resolued to leaue it. The Duke of Yorke besieged S^t. AlbonsThe battell of S^t. Albons be­gan early in the morning and continued vntil 9. of the clock, in the yere 1556 Edmund D. of Sommerset, and Henry Earle of Northumberlād were slaine., the two armies meet,Henry the sixt defeated and the Kings is put to rout with the losse of their chiefe commanders. Hee lamented greatly for the Death of the Duke of Sommerset.

After this victorie the Duke of Yorke, who had made declara­tion th [...]t hee had no other intention then the publicke good of the Realme, and that his armes were not to offend the Prince, ac­companies King Henry to London as a Conqueror, and freed from the Rule of the Duke of Sommerset, which shewes that he had not taken armes but to free the King and the Realme, who was ready to submit himselfe to the mildest yoake, seeing that hee could not re­maine free.The miseries of ciuill diuision reduced Rome to that estate as hauing no hope euer to recouer her liberty, she sought for no­thing but for the mildest ser­ [...]itude.. Hee left vnto Henry the name of King onely, for all the authoritie was in his hands, he gaue to the Earle of Salisbury the Office of Lord Chancellor of England, and to Richard Neuell [Page 55] his Sonne the gouernment of Callis. He disposed of publike char­ges as he pleased, still giuing them vnto those of his faction. In the end the king discouers the Duke of Yorkes designe. Queene Margaret his wife, who had been aduertised thereof, lets him vn­derstand that he did temporise but vntill the partie were made to ceaze both of the king and Realme, and among his partisans the king was held but for a Tyrant: As if his Raigne had been by vsur­pation or constraintAmong many differences be­twixt a King and a Tyrant they put this, that a King raigns with the loue an [...] consent of the people, and a Tyrant rules by con­straint..

The king imparted this to his principall seruants,D. of Yorke retires from the Court of England. who were of aduise to restraine this great authoritie which the Duke of Yorke had within the Realme; The Duke beeing suddenly aduertised thereof retired secretly to Wigmore in Wales, Richard Neuell to his Castle of Midleham in the North Countie, and Richard Earle of Warwicke to Callis, so as the cruell seditions in England grew more violent then before, during the which the French spoiled the coasts of Kent, and Iames king of Scotland, inuited by the same oc­casion, entred by Roxborge. The same cause which made this warre ended itThe sha [...]pest Ciuill wars are pacified when as strangers meddle to gaine by them. The two parties a­gree against the third, and al­though the Prince be offen­ded, yet it is bet­ter to remit the punishment.. The king of England let the Duke of Yorke vnderstand that the ciuill discord and the bad intelligence which was betwixt them, had opened a gate to the enemies to inuade England; that the common danger did binde them to vnite their forces to de­fend it, and that hee was contented to forget all matters past, vpon hope of a better conduct hereafter,English cease their ciuill dis­cords to war against the French. excusing himselfe that matters had not alwaies gone directly, being impossible for a Prince to ob­serue all the kinds of Iustice and equitieMany things vniust of them­selues are made iust when they are countenan­ced by necessitie or profit, wher­fore Plutark obserues, That if there were question to ac­complish al the kindes of iu­stice, Iupiter himself might not in that case bee a Prince..

The Kings intention was allowed by all men; the Duke of Yorke being loth to be the author of the ruines of the Realme, declared that all his affections tended to his greatnes and quiet, and to take away all occasions of doubt, He came vnto the King to London with the chiefe of his faction. The feare of a forraine warre quen­ched the ciuillThere is no such indiscreti­on as to hazard ones own to get another mans, and to draw forth the bloud which is need­full for the life of the bodie. It is more glorie for a Prince to maintaine him­selfe them to grow great. Preseruation & safety is the es­sence of an e­state, profit it but an accessary. Mens mindes, altered with things past, grew milder, and all their wills were vnited in one accord for the de­fence of the Realme, detesting the discord which had drawne them into a warre which was not necessarie, nor could bee happie, and made them a prey and triumph to their auncient enemie.

But as the fire of sedition is neuer so well quenched, but there re­maines some sparks in the ashes,Troubles renewed in England. which kindle again if they be a lit­tle blowne, & that there be alwaies some which delights in trou­bles (for that it is their rest,Seditions commonly are fed & supported by three sorts of men; First, the heads of factions; Secondly, they that cannot liue in safety in the time of peace; Thirdly, they which are out of the presse & find themselues free from dangers.) and in danger for that they come not neere them, being like vnto those riuers which enter into the sea and doe not mingle their streames, the Duke of Yorke and the Earle of Salisburie being retired to their houses after this accord, were presently forced to leaue them, to reuenge an affront done to the Earle of Warwick at VVestminster, where he had been set vpon by the kings guard, and forced to saue himselfe by the Riuer of [Page 56] Thames with the hazard of his life. They said that Queene Mar­gret was the author thereof, being very desirous to ruine the Nobi­lity of England, and to ouerthrow the cheefe howsesA King should main­taine great fa­milies, neither can hee suffer thē to be w [...]on­ged, but hee shal weaken the greatnes of his maiesty, wher­of the Nobility is the cheese piller. In all estates the No­bles haue beene respected and distinguished from others e­uen amongst the Thracians; the genl [...]emen went only vp­pon horseback and at Rome Noblemens wiues went in Littors. who were the pillers of the Realme.

The warre began as soone as it was declared. The three Richards are in field, King Henry hauing leuied great forces comes to York. Andrew Trollop; who was come from Calleis with the Earle of Warwick, thinking to serue the King, when as he saw their armes turned against him, left the Earle of Warwick to follow the King, who in moment scattered his enemies and forced the Duke of York to passe into Holland, there to attend vntill his Partisans had raised the ruines of that party.Battaile be­fore Lon­don where­as K. Henry was defea­ted. Presently after the three heads of the facti­on returne into England, with an intent to vanquish or to dye, they present themselues at the gates of London, they giue and winne a great Battell whereas the Victors saw tenne thousand men slaine, and as many prisoners. King Henry, who seemed to haue beene rai­sed vp to show the inconstancy of Fortune and the misery and va­nity of man, remained at the Victors discretion. The English re­membring that his grandfather had caused King Richard to dye in prison, began to acknowledge the iudgements of Gods iustice, who punisheth the Children for the offences of their fathersHenry Earle of Har­ford and Duke of Lancastre tooke armes a­gainst Richard the 2. seazed on him, puts him into the Tower of Lon­don and caused himselfe to bee crowned King▪ and after that he had forced him to resigne the Crowne hee sent him to Langle [...], where hee was mur­thered..

In this great prosperity the make falls from the Dukes face. He speakes plainely,Duke of York decla­red Regent. that whatsoeuer he had done was grounded vp­pon the rightes of the house of Yorke, the which belonged vnto him: The Parlament did then consider the iustice not the fortune, and respected the Maiesty of the King though hee were a prisoner, intreating the King to rest satisfyed with the Regency of the Realm and to assure the succession to his house after the death of Henry. He accepted the declaration of the Parlament, but considering that Queene Margaret had a great Army on foot, to set her hus­band at liberty,Battell at Wakefield. he resolued to fight with her. He gaue her battell at Wakefield, against the aduise of his Councell, who intreated him to stay vntill the troupes, which his sonne Edward, Earle of March, brought him were arriued. Presumption troubleth his spi­rits, with a motion contrary to that of Reason, which should haue diswaded him from fightingThe violence of courage is dangerous vp­pon the point of a battell, for it darkens the clearenes of Iudgement, & doth easily change it to the trouble of reason and to that perturba­tion which the Philosoph▪ call [...] [...] Some haue written that the Queene caused the head of the Duke of York to bee cut off carrying a Crowne of pa­per: others say it was the Lord Cliffords deed.: for their forces were not equall al­though in the courage of the Commanders there was no other difference but that of sexe. No, no; it shall not be said that the Duke of York, who had so often fought in France without any other trench or defence then his owne armes, is shut vp, that he attends a woman and doth not go forth to fight with her. He spake this and went forth with 5000. men, and met her. The Combate in the beginning was ter­rible and furious.The Queen cuts off the Earle of Salisburies head. The Queene shewed her selfe among the troupes, exhorting the Souldiers to honour & glory. Richard Duke of York was slaine, & Richard Earle of Salisbury, whose head soon after the Commons, who hated him, cut off, the which with many others of [Page 57] the same faction was set vpon the walles of York, to bee a terror and an example to other Rebells.

After this victory, the Queene, whose courage was eleuated vp­pon the apprehension of all sorts of dangers,2. Battell at St. Albons. and who held them lesse then the captiuity of her husband, resolues to loose her life or to restore him to liberty. She goes directly to London, and comming to S. Albons she encounters the Earle of Warwick, who aduanced to succour his generall, with the same courage that she had defeated the Duke of Yorke, shee chargeth the Earle of Warwick, puts him to rout, and frees the King.The excellen­cy of courage shewes it selfe when as the soule is carried beyond all showes and ap­prehensions of dangers, forti­tudo con­temptrix est timendorum. Senec. Epi. 89.

Edward Earle of March being aduertised of the death of the Duke of York his father, refused not to tread in his steppes, and to im­brace the toile,Edward Earle of March suc­ceeds the Duke of York his father in his authority. from whence he expected his greatnes and glory. He staid in the Prouince of Wales and expelled Iasper Earle of Pembrooke. The Earle of Warwick ioyned with him, and with all their forces he came to London, where he was receiued with incre­dible ioy and acclamations. He was one of the goodliest Princes of his time, and in great reputation, his bounty, courage and libe­rality, were powerfull charmes to winne mens hearts, the English thinking that hauing him they had all, and that their felicity was tyed to the long continuance of his Raigne.A Prince can desire no grea­ter proofes of the affection of his people, then when hee be­leeues that no­thing can saile him, so as hee faile not them. From thence are come these goodly accla­mations, Au­gusto Con­stantine D [...] ­te nobis ser­uent, vestra sa­lus nostra sa­lus, [...]od. Theod lib. 7. tit. 20. In te omnia, per te omnia Anto­nine habemus A El. Lamprid Dion. reports an excellent one [...], we haue all in hauing you. He is proclaimed King, and for that hee would haue no companion in his royalty, hee resolues to fight with King Henry, and marched directly to York, lodging in a little village called Touton. Henry being prepa­red to receiue him would not shew himselfe for that it was Palme sunday, desiring to spend that day in the seruice of God, but the souldiers seeing themselues so neere would not referre the par­tie vntill the next day. They come to hands, the combat conti­nued tenne howers, and the victory, hauing beene long doubt­full and in ballance betwixt both Armies, sodainely inclined to Edward, The King and Queene seeing all their troopes put to flight they saued themselues in Scotland with their seruantsThe Regent of Scotland led K. Iames the third. to meet with King. Henry the 6. and Q. Mar­garet. The good reception with the succor which he recei­ued, caused him to restore Barwick to the Realm of Scot­land. and from thence Margaret passed into France to her father to demand suc­cors.Henry the 6. flies into Scotland.

Edward returned triumphing to London, and caused himselfe to be crowned King at Westminster the 28. of Iune 1461. he called a Parlement, where all that had bene decreed by King Henry the sixt was reuoked. After that Henry had gathered together some forces in Scotland, he returnes into England, being followed by a great number of his ould seruants. The Iustice of his cause gaue him good hopeHee that hath reason on his side is alwaies accompanied with good hope, hee pursues his quarrell with more courage and assurance, be exposeth himselfe to all dangers, and his subiects serue and succour him more willingly, and in all accidents the iustice of his cause doth comfort him. but he was repulsed with great dishonor by Iohn Marques of Mountague.

King Edward beeing aduertised of the practises of Margaret, both in France, Scotland and England, to restore her hus­band to his crowne, he sets guards vpon the Ports and passa­ges [Page 58] of Scotland to stop her entrie, but as there is no miserie more insupportable then the remembrance of what we haue been, King Henry bare this change of condition so impatiently, as not appre­hending the danger neither of his life nor of his first captiuitie, and not considering that fortune had neuer done him so much good but might doe him more harmeMiseries doe but begin when as they seeme to end. There is not any man but may haue more harme then hee hath had good. Neminem eo Fortuna pro­nexit vt non tantum illi mi­naretur quan­tum permise­rat. Sen. Epi. 4., he returned into England in a disguised habite, where hee was discouered, taken, and presented to Edward, Hen. the sixt put into the Tower of London. who lodged him in the Tower of London. If he had thought that he had gone forth as hee did to get the crowne, hee would haue giuen him one of copper made fast to his head with foure naylesThe Emperor Henry the sixt beeing in Sicile discouer [...]d some conspiracie a­gainst him and his estate. He caused the chief of them to bee apprehended & to punish his ambition, he set a crowne of cop­per vpon his head, & caused it to be fastened with foure nayles. Nic. li. 2..

Queene Margaret, to effect her designe, had drawne some suc­cours from Rene King of Cicile her Father. The King lent her sonne two thousand pound sterling at Chinon, vpon condition that as soone as King Henry should recouer Callice, hee should deliuer the gouernment thereof to Iasper Earle of Pembroke, or to Iohn of Foys Earle of Candalles, paying him moreouer fortie thousand crownes. But all this preuailed nothing, the King re­mained a prisoner, and the Queene had much adoe to saue her selfe with the Prince of Wales her SonneMonstrellet saith, that Queene Mar­garet, her Son, & La Varenne were met by theeues, that she said vnto a theefe that met her, bold my friend saue the son of thy King, that shee went to Scluce[?] and from thence to Bourges, and that the Duke of Bourgundy caused her to be cōducted to her Father. The Princes of the house of Lancaster retired themselues whether their feete and dis­paire carried them. Some were seene in the Duke of Burgundies Court in miserie,Misery of the house of Lancaster. begging their bread. Fortune how cruell soeuer can doe no worse vnto a Prince, then to reduce him to the appre­hensions of hunger,Ph. de Com­mines saith, hee had seene a Prince of this house of Lan­caster follow the D. of Bour­gundyes traine and without hose, begging his bread from house to house, and that being knowne they gaue him a small pention to liue on. The beasts are freed from it, The fishes pay no tribute to passe from Riuers into the sea. Swallowes flying through so many regions dyed not of Hunger. It is a pittifull thing that men, and the chiefe among men, haue difficultie to liue, and to finde what to eate and drinke, and wherewith to cloth them­seluesNature comprehends all the necessities of the world in these three words: Non esurire, Non sitire, Non al­gere, not to be hungry, thirstie, and cold, all the rest is superfluous..

Edward in this great prosperitie of affayres troubles not his iudgement, but considers that the house of Lancaster was ruined without hope of recouerie, and the Red Rose withered: That it was impossible euer to rise againe, if it were not assisted with the forces of France. Wherefore he desired to make his alliance with the king, and sent the Earle of Warwicke to demand Bonna of Sa­uoye the Queenes sister in marriage.Edward fals in loue with a Widdow. But during this negotiation, Loue, which may be held a kinde of furie,Loue is put in the ranke of Melancholly diseases and kindes of fury, it peruerts the iudgement, and confounds the good with the euill. for that it troubles the iudgement, carried the affections of this Prince to the seruice of a Ladie who would haue held her selfe much honoured to haue ser­ued the Queene of England, and yet she had the ambition to be so. Fortune agreed with her beauty. Being widdow to Sir Iohn Grey, her age bound her to follow rather the life of the Doue then of the Turtle,The Empresse Barba, wife to Sigismond the Emperor being told after the death of her husband, that she should imi­tate the Turtle If I must said shee initate beasts why rather the Turtle then the Doue or the sparrow. Aeneas Sil. de dict. Sigismon­di et Frederici Imper. for her first marriage had scarce touched the flowers of her beauty, nor of her youth. Edward did not liue but for her, his [Page 59] heart receiued no law but from her eyes, to whom he did submit the full disposition of his fortunes. She being powerfull in the charmes of loue let him presently vnderstand that she did not ac­cept of the sacrifice of the hearts of Kings, but of the Altar of ho­nour, that he might not hope to haue her for a Mistris, if he would not assure her to make her his Queene.

They that loue ardently are easie and tractable,Hee that loues refuseth not any thing. In loue there is force and pleasure, force constraines the will, and plea­sure deceiues the iudgement. they spare neither wordes nor oathes. Edward transported with this fury, for­gets the sute which he made in France, and changeth all his wills into the obedience of this Lady, who seeing her selfe to command ouer the Kinges heart, assures her selfe to raigne soone in his Realme. He is not capable to refuse her any thing. The wind of her disdaines, and the couldnes of so faire a mistris may well quence the fire in the beginning, but being once kindled it giues it nourishment and increase. In the end Edward promised to make her Queene, and his promise was presently followed with the con­sumation of the marriage, to the great amazement of the Nobility of England, who thought the King was bewitcht,Beauty and grace are the mighty charmes of loue said O­limpias the mother of A­lexander. Loue which growes from amorous drinckes conti­nues not. Plu­tarch gueth these Epithites [...]. short, touble­some, & chan­geable. And he saith it doth ea­sily change into hatred and dis­daine. and wisht him a more honorable alliance. Lewis tooke it ill, and the Earle of Warwick was so greeued, as from that time he was wholly the French Kings, who by his counsell plotted a reuenge which shall shew it selfe in the yeare one thousand foure hundred seauen­ty one.

Marriages and alliances, vnworthy of the greatnes of Princes, cause murmurings and discontentments in the people.The people which loue their Princes reioyce at their victories and prosperities, They are aflic­ted at their losses especially if they do any thing which may impaire their honor, as when they treat of alliances vnworthy the greatnes of their houses. Tot luctibus funesta ciuita­te p [...]rs maero [...]is fu [...]t: quod Iulia Drusi filia quondam Neronis vxor, dempsit in domum Rubelli [...] Blandi, cuius Auum Tiburtem equitem Romanum plerique meminerant. Rome did mourne generally when as Iulia, daughter to Drusus the sonne of Tiberius, and widdow to Nero son of Germanicus, married with Rubellius Blandus whose Grandfather had carried no other title then of a Knight.

The great Calme which was in France,King Lewis goes into Guienne. did notwithstanding pre­sage a great storme, and gaue the King meanes to visit some of the prouinces of his realme; he went to Burdeaux, whereas he treated of a marriage betweene the Lady Margret his sister and Gaston of Foix, who was sonne to Elenor of Aragon, daughter to Iohn King of Aragon and Blanch Queene of Nauarre. He accepted this Al­liance for that this yong Prince was valiant and coragious, and that the successions of the Crowne of Nauarre, Foyx, Berne, By­gorre, and other Lands lying in France did belong vnto him. The Earle of Foyx sent his Ambassadors and Deputies to the King be­ing at Bordeaux to conclude the treaty.The cheife condition of the Marriage was that the children which should be borne without distin­ction of mal [...] or female should succeed in the counties of Foix and Bygorre.

He past to Bayonne to end a controuersie betweene the 2. Kinges of Nauarre and Aragon,1462. and Henry King of Castile his Ne­phew. A controuersie begun with great spleene, and was continu­ed with the like, and had not ended without excesse if he had not dealt in it, for the parties flattered themselues in their pretentions, [Page 60] were blind in their interests, and found that the obscurenes pro­ceeded rather from the thing then their owne blindnes. But be­hold the causes and the effects. After the death of Charles the third Charles the third King of Nauarre taking delight to build at Olîta died suddenly in Sep­tember 1425. the threescore and foure yeare of his age, and the thirty nine of his raigne, he was buryed at Pampeluna. King of Nauarre, the Crowne past from the house of France and Eureaux into that of Castile and Aragon, not without trou­ble and discord. Iohn, second sonne to Ferdinand of Aragon, mar­ried Blanch, Infanta of Nauarre, presumptiue heire of the Realme of Nauarre, and widdow to Martin King of Sicilie, and it was a­greed by a treaty of marriage, that in case she should die before her husband, hee should raigne the rest of his life in Nauarre after king Charles the third his father in law.

Of this marriage was borne at Pegna,Charles Prince of Viana born. Charles Prince of Vian­na, a title belonging to the eldest Sonne of the King of NauarreCharles the the third King of Nauarre ere­ected Viana into a principalitie, and did affect it to the eldest son of Nauarre in the yeere 1421., as Dauphin to that of France, The Asturiez in Castille, and Wales in England. Charles the third, his grandfather, made him to bee sworne heyre of the Realme by the Estates after the death of Iohn his Father. Charles being dead, Iohn was declared King of Na­uarre by some, and Blanch his wife was acknowledged Queene by others, yet both were crowned at Pampeluna.

Iohn had great warres with his brother the King of Castille,Marriage betwi [...]t the Prince of the Asturies and Blanch of Nauarre. who did confiscate the lands which he held in Castille, Iohn Earle of Foyx reconciled them, by a marriage betwixt Henry Prince of the Asturies, sonne to Iohn King of Castille, and Blanch Daughter to Iohn king of NauarreBy the consti­tution of the marriage of this Princesse which was of 42112. Florens of gold, wee may iudge in what estate K. Charles the third had left the Realme of Nauarre.: The marriage was celebrated with great pompe and solemnitie, but the Prince was vnable to consummate it; The which the Princesse did long dissemble. Shee had great cause to complaine of this want, and to wish her selfe to be a wid­dow or her husband vnmarriedThe dissem­bling of couiu­ [...]all imperfecti­ons is very seem­ly & especially in a woman, Tullia a great Romane Lady is blamed for her ordinarie com­plaints & mur­mùring at her husbands disa­bilitie De viro ad fratrem de sorore ad virū, se rectius vidu­am & illū cae­libem futurum. Tit. Liu., but like an other Eusebia shee did long suffer for the disabilitie of Constans, desiring rather to wrong her youth and beautie, then her modestie.

A while after Blanch Queene of Nauarre died, and king Iohn mar­ried againe with Ione Henriques. Charles Prince of Viana, fearing that his alliance would keep him back from the hope of raigning, and from the inheritance of the Queene his Mother, did not dis­semble his discontentA desire to raigne makes the father iealous of the sonne, Plutarc saith in the life of De­metrius, that the greatest and most ancient of all Alexanders successors did glorie that he feared not his sonne, but suffered him to approch neere his person holding a Iauelin in his band., pretending that by the lawes of the Realme his Father by marrying againe had lost the fruit of the Crowne. Behold all naturall affection is altered betwixt the Fa­ther and the Sonne. The desire of rule makes them enemies, the Father growes iealous, and would not suffer his Sonne to come neere him armed. On the other side, this second wife, seeing her selfe mother to Ferdinand, did what she could to show that she was mother in law to Charles What will not an ambitious mother doe and vndoe for her children. D. Ioane lying in the bed of death by reason of a Cankar which did consume her, remem­bring what she had done to assure the Realme vnto her Sonne, spake often these words with sighes, which are reported in the 21. booke of the history of Spaine. O my Son thou hast cost me deare. For him she had caused Don Charles to bee poysoned., and neuer ceast vntill this young plant were qu [...]ht by the nipping cold of her bad intentions, seeking to haue a share in the regencie of the Realme in the absence of the [Page 61] king who had reuiued the warre in Castille. Hence sprung those two great factions,Factions of Beaumont and Grand­mont. that of Beaumont which followed the intent of of the Prince against the King, and that of Grandmont which was for the father against the sonne, so as presently the Realme was di­uided into two kings, & two constables, Lewis of Beaumont Earle of Lerin was Constable to the Prince, and Peter of Perault was Constable to the king.

The kings cause, as the better and more iust, remained victo­rious, the Prince beeing twice ouerthrowne is forced to flye to Alfonso king of Arragon, Valencia, Sardinia, Maiorca, Mi­norca, and Sicile, hee had recourse vnto his clemencie, and be­sought him to pardon him. The king, who could not forget the loue of a Father vnto him who shewed the dutie of a Sonne, re­ceiues him, but hee had new aduertisments that hee made secret practises to trouble him, wherefore he sent him prisoner vnto the Alferie of Saragossa, from whence hee was drawne by the Cat­tallans who tooke armes for his libertie,Charles of N [...]uarre poisoned by his mother in law. but he went out of the pri­son to enter into a graue.Charles Prince of Viana died being forty yeares old, a va­liant Prince, a great Historian, a subtill Philo­sopher, and a good Poet, hee translated Ari­stotles Ethicks into the Casti­lain tongue, and hee wrote the History of Na­uarre vnto the time of King Charles his Grandfather. For the very day of his deliuerie he was poisoned and dyed with much repentance for that hee had rebelled against the king his father.

The Infant Don Ferdinand was acknowledged heyre of the crowne of Arragon. They of Cattellonia tooke armes to reuenge the death of Prince Charles. The seditious, who blow the cole of this desection, said that his soule walked in the night through the streetes of Barcellona complaining that the Queene his mother in law had separated it from his bodie, by the violence of poison. The Queene who was come to Girona saw her selfe besieged with Prince Ferdinand her Sonne, and the Tower wherein she was rety­red furiously battered. The king seeing this great reuolt of his sub­iects, entreates Lewis the eleuenth to succour him with men and money, hee ingageth the Counties of Rousillion and Sardaigne vnto him for three hundred thousand crownes.King of Nauarre demaunds succors frō the French King. The king sent vnto him Gaston Earle of Foix, Prince of BerneGaston Earl of Fo [...]x married the second Daughter of Iohn King of Nauarre and of Queen Blanch his first wife., and sonne in law to the king of Nauarre, who freed the Queene and raised the siege of Gironna.

The Cattellanes, nothing tractable to endure the humors of their Prince, made a proclamation against the king, declaring him falne from all the authoritie which he might haue ouer them, and a murtherer of his owne sonne, and violating the lawes of the country,,They of Cattel­lonia▪ decla [...]ed the K. an enemy vnto the coun­trey by diuers informations & proceedings a­gainst his acti­ons, and the murther of his son, the which they sent to Pope Pius the second. They sent to Henry King of Castile to embrace their defence and protection, submitting themselues vnder his obedi­ence, and offering him the crowne of Arragon, beseeching him to adde vnto the iust title, which their election gaue him vnto the Realme, the right of Armes, they alone doe purchase Empires, There are fiue kindes of Titles to Realmes: the first by Armes so Cyrus, Alex­ander an [...] Cae­sar, made them­selues Monar­ches: secondly, by the grace of God, and in this manner raigned Moses & Da­uid: thirdly, by succession: fourthly, by ele­ction: and the fist by the no­mination of the Prince. Marc. Anthony na­med Lucius Verus for his successor: Dio­clesian Maxi­minian: and Gratian Theo­dosius. and being gotten defend and preserue them.

He gaue them for succors two thousand and fiue hundred horse vnder the command of Iohn of Beaumont Prior of S^t. Iohn of Nauarre,The K. of Castill aides the Cattel­lans. when the French and the Castillians met neere vnto Ixar, [Page 62] they would not fightNo man can dispose as hee pleaseth of Auxiliary troupes, they haue respects cō ­trary to the de­signe of such as imploy them., and the French intreated the king of Na­uarre to take it in good part if they sought rather to end then enter­taine their quarrels.

The Earle of Foix, who was brother in law to the king of Ca­still, and sonne in law to the king of Nauarre, disposed the two Princes to referre themselues to the iudgement of the French king. They yeelded, sending their embassadors to Baiona, where the French, king was, an honor pleasing to the humor of Lewis who would be interessed in all things and very deere to the reputation of France, which was in possession, not onely to iudge of the con­trouersies of forraine crownes, but also to giue kings vnto those which had not anyThe realmes of Christendome haue taken Princes out of the house of France to raign ouer them. Al­phonso son to the Earle of Tollousaraigned in Spaine, the house of Eureux in Nauarre, the Dukes of Nor­mandy in Eng­land, they of Aniou at Naples and Sicilie. The Empire of Con­stantinople was held three yeres by the French. They haue raig­ned a hundred yeares in Sor­a Cipres & Pale­stina. Charle­main & Lewis the gentle haue added vnto the Empire of the Gaules all Italy, Bohemia, Hun­garie and Ger­many. In a word the seat of Popes haue beene in France..

The king of Nauarre went not from Saragossa,Lewis the French K. made arbi­trator be­twixt the Kings of Castill and Arragon. nor king Henry from S^t. Sebastians in the prouince of Guipuscoa; relying vppon that which their Embassadors treated. The king hauing conferred of the controuersie betwixt them, and of the causes which had mo­ued the Cattellans to reuolt, did iudge in such sort as to reconcile the parties, it was necessarie they should meete and speake together vpon the frontier. The enterview was at Endaia, whereas the sen­tence giuen at Bayona was read by Aluaro Gomes. The Cattellans were not content with this Iudgement, saying, that as the king of Castille had abandoned them, so his Embassadors had betrayed them. The king of Nauarre being offended for that hee was con­demned to yeeld the towne of Estella to the king of Castille,Enteruiew of the Kings of France and Castill. to the preiudice of the reuenues of the crowne of Nauarre, made the e­states of Nauarre protest of nullity.

King Lewis reaped the greatest profit of this action: for he pra­ctised and drew vnto his seruice some Ministers of these two kings, and made them his pensionersThe King of Castille suffered himselfe to be gouerned by the great master of Castille and the Archbishop of Tolledo. King Lewis made much of them to be informed of the state of Castille, or at the least to drew them to his deuotion: It is the least a Prince can attend of one that comes to see him.. This assembly did not confirme the affections which the crownes of France & Castill had had toge­ther. The friendship and alliance betwixt the French and the Cast [...]llans haue continued long. Vpon which assurance K. Charles the sixt sent his Embassadors to Iohn King of Castill, in the yeare 1418. to [...] succors against the English▪ The Castillians, who could not lodge at Bayona with the French without quarrelling, did not forbe are to scoffe at them at this enteruiew vpon the Riuer of Vidasa.The riuer of Vid [...]so di [...]ides the two realmes, the Spaniards hold it is all theirs. The King of Castill past the Riuer and came vnto the king. The Castillians seeing him at­tired in cloth, and very short, with a hat differing from the rest and for a Iewell an image of lead, imputed it to miserablenes.Apparell doth often minister cause of laughter. The Siciliens did not esteeme of Gi­lippus their generall seeing him simply apparelled in a poore cloake, wearing long bayre, yet Sy [...]s saith, that the an­cient Kings were knowne and distinguished rather by the minde then the pompe and [...] [...] Syn Orat [...] regno There are Nations whereas they contemne the Prince, if hee bee not so gorgeously attired as if he should show himselfe vpon a theater. It is impossible to abstaine from laughter looking vpon the portraites of the Emperors of Greece, which are so couered with Pearle and precious stones, as they can not bee knowne but by their beards. The French finding also the habites of the Castillians vnpleasing, [Page 63] their king very hard fauoured, and their manners insolent and full of African pride. Of all this there could grow no great Alliance, for such enteruiewes are alwaies noted more by the alienation of mindes, then by alliances of estates. The two Princes are ob­serued by two Nations, that which pleaseth the one disliketh the other. [...] King, said that hee deserued to be Emperor, and called the Em­peror a little man & a [...] Prince. Sa [...]. lib. 15. They are contemned sometimes euen by them that fol­low them, when as they obserue in the other something that is more gallant.

Thus France fortified and inlarged her frontier with the County of Roussillion, notwithstanding that it was sufficiently assured on that side both by the great rampiors which serue for bounds, and by the weaknesse and barrenesse of those prouinces,An army can­not come out of Spain. on this side the Pyr [...]ne mountain [...]s out it will be halfe defa [...]ed, the Prouinces wher it shall be [...] and by w [...]tch it shall passe are so [...]arren as [...] can hardly feed t [...]e inhabitants. But she lay open towards the Low-countries, The duke of Burgundy holding in Picardy, by ingagement, fiue important townes, Amiens, Abbe­uille, S^t. Quentin, Corbie, and Pontheau, for the summe of 400000. ovld crownes of gold and of 64. to the marke.

Although the King found not that in his coffers which proui­dent and wise Princes should leaue vnto there successors to mayn­taine and assure their estate,Redempti­on of the Townes vpon the Riuer of Some. As a body can­not moue with­out si [...]ewes, so a Realme cann [...]t maintaine it self without tr [...]a­sure. Wise Prin­ces haue al­waies had care to leaue vnto their successor. Cyrus left fifty millions of gold. Tyberius 67. Occhus King of Persia 80. millions, and Dauid 120. yet hee disposeth himselfe to redeeme them. There was some difficulty on either side. For the king had no mony, and the Duke had no will to leaue these goodly places. The Earle of Charolois thinking that his father had beene perswa­ded therevnto by them of the house of Croii, held them for his ene­mies, and made an assembly against them at Cambrey. The father supports and countenanceth them, he murmures, and stormes, and quits them both court and credit, and so retires to Gaunt. The estates of the countrey depute men capable to restore him to his fathers fauour, for that this diuision could bring nothing but ruine to the state, and content to the enemie.A diuision which grows a­mong persons whom Nature hath vnited, giues subiect to [...] enemies to make their profit. [...]ratus being in had termes with his children▪ knew that his [...] he assembled his councell and [...] after this manner. I haue desi­red to reduce my children to reason and to their duties, but now seeing that they are wilfull and obstinate. I pardon & will doe what they will haue me. Plut.

The Earle of Charolois being accompanied by many Noble­men of the countrey came vnto the Duke being at Bruges & cra­ued pardon. His repentance and humilitie would not suffer him to be refused. They of Croi [...] felt the smart, which fals vppon those that sow diuision betwixt persons so neere allied. When the king had drawne out of many purses the money necessarie for this re­demption,Redeeming of the townes en­gaged. he sent it to Hedin, whereas the Duke was, and came thither presently after himselfe. The Duke intreated him to con­tinue and confirme the officers which had beene preferred during the ingagement. The King promised it, but his intention was not to keepe promise, but so farre forth as the good of his affayres did permit, nor to assure himselfe in the affection of those which depended of him of whom he could not assure himselfeMonst [...]let saith that the King gathered together a greatnesse of treasure [...] for there was [...] Chancerie, nor famous Marchant in France, but he did [...] that commanded for the D [...] in the townes redeemed, were put from their places, the Captaineship of [...] which [...] held, and that of Mortague which Hault [...]..

[Page 64] Many things past which the Duke of Bourgundy, beeing impa­tient, could not dissemble. He sent Chimay to complaine and to let the King vnderstand that hee was neither of age nor humor to be exercised by the continuance of iniuries in the schoole of Pati­ence. Chimay let the King know that the Duke his master was not insencible of his actions, and spake of his vertues and courage, as of a Prince that was inuincible and incomparable, borne of an­other fashion then other men, like vnto the Lunarie women of He­rodotus. Herodotus speakes of cer­taine Lunarie and extraordi­nary women who layd egges which brought forth men fif­teen times big­ger then those of the ordinary [...]ature. The which made the King to aske him if hee were of har­der steele then other men? Yea Sir, answered Chimay, for if he were not harder, hee neuer durst haue attempted to haue nourished you fiue whole yeares against the threates of a great King such as your father was.

The Earle of Charolois did not beare this restitution so pati­ently as his Father, hee cannot diuert his thoughts. Amiens is the obiect of his eyes; in his Feasts and Bankets his heart is still vppon Peleponesus.Cleomenes King of Lace­demonia being at a feast where there were two Orators, one demanded of him which of the two had discoursed best▪ for my part said bee my mind was vpon Peloponesus. After the King had redeemed the Townes▪ ingaged, and changed the officers and Gouernours, which the Duke had placed there, not being able to trust them, who had bene made by one, who had giuen so many crosses to France,There is no treaty of ac­cord or alli­ance that can free the hearts of Princes frō the distrust they haue one of another. he would see Arras, and lighted at the towne gate, going on foot to our La­dies Church: He remained eight dayes in the Citty, and had some cause of discontentment, for that they had refused lodging to his Harbingers, saying that they were not bound by their priuiledges before that all the Innes were full. Entering, there were many bani­shed men presented themselues to haue Pardon, but he told them, that it depended vpon the will of the Duke his Vncle, wherein hee would not attempt any thing.

He visited the Church and Abbey of St. Vaste: in those times Kings went to see religious men, for religious men went not out of their Cloisters to see Kings,The King goes to Ar­ras. Charles the 6. besieged Ar­ras in Iuly 1414. Lewis Dauphin of Vienna his first son was there with the Earles of Orle­ance, Bourbon, Barre, Baùaria and Charles of Albert Con­stable of France. The Towne was yeelded by a treaty of peace published on twesday the fourth. of Sept. following. without the Towne hee also saw the place whereas king Charles the fixth his Grandfather had incam­ped and lodged when as he besieged Arras in the yeare 1414.1463. They obserue that hee would not lodge in the Bishops Pallace, but in the Officialls house, taking more delight in small lodgings then in great.

From Arras he went to Tournay where he was met by 3000. men euery one carrying a Flowerdeluce embroydered,He is recei­ued with great pomp into Tour­nay. as a signe that their heartes were all French: This Towne bragging that they had neuer knowne any other command then French. There the Lord of Crouy came vnto the King, who made him Lord Steward of his howse and gaue him the County of Guisnes. In the beginning of Lent, and at the end of the yeare, whose beginning was then accompted from the resurrection, the King went to Lisle, whether the Duke of Bourgondy came to conferre with him of his voyage to the holy land.Cr [...]ysado published against the Turke. Pope Pius the second, continuing the designes of Calixtus the third, had published a Croysado to releiue the Chri­stians of the EastCalixtus the 3. perswaded all Christian Princes to make warre a­gainst the Turke, he sent Lewis of [...] a [...]rier to Vs [...]m Cas [...]an King of Persia and Armenia, and to the great Tartar [...] hee exhorteth them with such vehemency as they were re­solued Platin. Hee inuited all the Princes who imbraced his [Page 65] designe with such resolution as Mahomet was terrified with the great preparation.The deuise of this C [...]oysado car [...]ied these words Dieu la veut, God will haue it, Ma­homet was so amased as writing to Pius the se­cond he said. I am not guil­ty of the death of Ie­sus Christ, & do abhorre the Iewes who crucified him. The Pope declared that he would go thither in person.Croysado published against the Turke. But great Cosmo de Medicis said that it was the designe of a yong man in a great age. The Kinges of Naples and Hun­gary were resolued to accompany him. The Duke of Bourgondy promised also to be of that party, and demanded aduise and leaue of the King, who represented vnto him the discommodities both of his age and voyage, finding him much broken to beginne such a building.The age must be considered in great and l [...]ng enterpri­ses. Marcus Cras [...]us found King Deiota­rus in the Realme of Ga­lacia, who be­ing very old built a new Citty, who said vnto him in mockage, O King mee thinkes you build very late, begin­ning at the last hower of the day. To whom the K. answered so­dainely. And you O Cap­taine came not forth very early to make warre against the Par [...]hians. Fo [...] Crassus was aboue 60. yeare [...] old. But the Duke carried his courage beyond all these difficulties. The king propounded so many vnto him as hee diswa­ded him for a yeare, assuring him that after that yeare hee would giue him 10000. men entertained for foure monthes, to ac­company him. The Duke of Bourgondy, for that hee would not giue the Pope any subiect of discontent, sent Anthony his Bastard thither with 2000. men.

The king left the Duke of Bourgondy at Lisle and returned to Paris.Duke of Sauoy comes into France. He found Lewis Duke of Sauoy the Queenes father at S^t. Clou, who was come to see him, and to complaine of Phillip his yonger sonne, who for that he had a more generous and actiue spirit then the elder had wonne the heartes of the chiefe of the No­blemen of Sauoy and of his Subiects:The Duke of Sauoy was a simple and a mild Prince. Amy Prince of Piemont his eldest sonne, was of the same hum [...]r and had great inclinations to solitari [...]s. Phillip his yonger Brother giuing greater impressions of his generosity, and courage was followed, by all the great men of the Country. vppon this complaint the king commands Pr [...]ce Phillip to repaire vnto him,Lewis Duke of Sauoy dyed at Lyon the 24. of Ianuary 1466: his heart and bowels were interred in the Celestins Church which he had caused to be built. His body was carried to Geneua and laid by Ame of Lusignan his wife. and he comes with speed, beeing arriued hee was sent prisoner to Loches. The Duke being well satisfied to see his sonne lodged (whereas hee re­pented him of his ambitious and extrauagant humors) returned into Sauoy and two yeares after dyed at Lion, whereas hee at­tended the king who was at Molyns. Amy his sonne succeeded him.

The king being at Paris made it presently knowne that he was not to indure that which the necessity of time had caused his fore­fathers to suffer to the preiudice of the rights of the Crowne, and hauing prepared his designes, he made choyce of the occasion to execute them:To haue a will to doe, and disposition to know how to doe, and yet to attend the occasion of well doing it the act of a Prince of great patience and wisdome. he sent Moruillierre, his Chancellor, to the Duke of Brittaine, to let him vnderstand that if he called himselfe any more Duke of Brittaine, by the grace of God, if hee continued to coine any gold,The Duke of Brittaine as a sou [...]raigne Prince had right to coyne [...]uer, but that of gold was reserued by treaty to the Crowne of France, the great whereof should bee expres [...]. Charles the fift gaue it to the Duke of Berry who did coyne peeces of gold stamp [...] with a sheepe, which Bodin af­f [...]rmes to be the finest gold that euer was since within this Realme. or if he hindred him from leuying of taxes and from the collation of Benefices in his country, he proclaimed warre a­gainst him. The Duke being amazed at this demaund, answered that it was so great and of such importance, as hee could make no answer without the aduise of his estates, intreating the King to giue him three monthes respite to assemble them.

[Page 66] But this was to plead law to men that were armed.Pōpey being in Sicile pres­sing the Mam­martines to ac­knowledge his authoritie they sought to auoid it, pretending that they had priuiledges and ancient De­crees from the people of Rome, to whom Pom­pey answered in Choller, will you plead law vnto vs who haue our swords by our sides. Plut. The King had an Army vppon the frontier, The Duke was prest and surpri­sed, yet resolute rather to loose himselfe then to quit that which his fathers had purchased for him: wherefore he thought to make answer vnto the Kings intentions by armes rather then by wordes. He aduertised the Duke of Bourgondy of the estate of his affaires, and coniurd him to thinke of their common safety, seeing that the Kinges designe was to entreat them alike and to ruine them.

Romille Vice Chancellor of Brittanny made many voiages into Flanders vppon that subiect. The King, who had eyes and eares in euery place, being aduertised thereof, commanded the Bastard of Rubenpre The King sent a sea Captaine and the bastard Rubēpre with him into Hol­land, he landed at the Hage with three o­thers in his cō ­pany. Hee was examined what hee was and whēce he came, but hee made some difficultie to discouer his name and the cause of his cō ­ming. The Earl of Charolois be­ing their caused him to be ap­prehended as a Pirate. to passe with a ship along the Coast of Holland to sur­prise Rommille, and to bring him vnto him or to kill him.

The Earle of Charolois being at the Hage in Holland,Rubempre staid at the Hage. Ruben­pre lands with three other disguised like a Marchant. The Earle caused him to be stayed, and gaue it out that he had attempted by the Kinges commandement to take him or to kill him. At such time as the Duke was at Hedin with the King, it was generally bruted, and the king was blamed for this designe in open pulpit by the Preachers of the multitude, who intermixt their discourses with matters wherewith they should not meddle.It is an insup­portable abuse to make the word of God an instrument of seditiō, to moue mens mindes to follow the pas­sions and inte­rests of the world, beeing onely ordained to guide them in the waies of saluation: Of such Doctors or rather busie bodies, we may say with La [...]tantius. lib. 3. cap. 30. Facessant omnes isti qui vitam humanam n [...]n instruunt sed turbant. Let all these be silent which rather trouble then instruct mans life. Oliuer de la March the Dukes cheife steward, hauing made many voiages vpon this occasion, could not hold his peace, but spake what he thought to the preiudice of the Kings honor. The Duke vppon this aduer­tisement, fearing to be staid, parted secretly from Hedin without the kings leaue or priuity.

The King was offended at this iniury done vnto Rubenpre, and at the repors which were diuulged vpon his voyage into Holland.Complaints and discon­tents of the King. It had been a timiditie both dishonorable & dangerous to dissem­ble. In fearefull and induring hum [...]rs contempt is infallible. They feare not to wrong him who hath no care to reuenge it. He sent Moruillier his Chanceller, the Archbishop of Nar­bonne and the Earle of Eu to the Duke of Bourgundy, to com­plaine of the detention of the Bastard of Rubenpre, and for that he had suffered his Maiesties name and respect to bee wronged publikely and taxt: That Oliuer de la March and a religious man had spoken il of him, and that the Earle of Charolois had allied himselfe vnto the Duke of Brittany. These were the complaints whereon their embassy was grounded.

Moruillier represented the Kings intentions with much bitter­nes and passion, quallifying this intelligence of the Duke of Britta­nie and the Earle of Charrolois with no milder name then crime and conspiracy, adding that he could not conceiue why it had been made, but for that the Earle of Charolois was discontented for that his pension was not paid himThe Earle of Charolois was much moued at that word which imputed his discontent to a matter due, which the greatnes of his courage made him to contemne, thinking that Moruillier would inferre thereby that hee could not liue without his pension..

[Page 67] The Earle of Charrolois thinking that his silence would pre­iudice himselfe and wrong his friends defence,Impatience of the Earle of Charo­lois. did still interrupt Moruilliers discourse. The father, who had bred him vp more to heare then to speake ^h, staid his impatiencie to giue Moruillier leasure to discourse of the Kings complaints with the like heate as he had begunne them. The Duke hauing heard him with pati­ence, answered, coldly and wisely, that the bastard of Rubempre being charged with crimes, had giuen his sonne cause to doubt of his stay in Holland where hee had been taken, a countrey which did not acknowledge any other Soueraigne then himselfelaqueline Countesse of Henalt & Hol­land was wife to two [...]usbāds the Du. [...]o [...] Glo­cester brother to the D. of Bed­ford, and the D. of B [...]abant. Being d [...]famed for her adulte­ries shee decla­red Philip Du: [...]f Burgundy heyre to her countries, He­nalt, Holland, and Zeland in the yeere 1426. The first cause of the bad intel­ligence which was betwixt the Burgūdians and English and reconciled Phi­lip and Charles the seuenth.: That Oliuer de la March was borne in the Franche CountyOliuer de la March was son to Philip de la March, who serued the house of Bourgundy fifty yeares, and is author of the obs [...]ruations which are pub­lished in his name. and was not answerable before any Iudges of France: That if he had erred against the Kings respect hee would cause him to bee punished. And as for the preacher of Bruges he knew not what was become of him, and that he was a man of that condition as his conscience would not suffer him to lay hold of him.

The Earle of Charolois did still interrupt Moruillier in his dis­course, who told him that hee was come to speake to the Duke his Father and not to him. Whereupon the Earle entreated his fa­ther to suffer him to speake, I haue answered said the Duke for thee, as in mine opinon a father should answere for his sonne, yet if thou hast so great a desire, thinke of it to day, and to morrow speake what thou wilt. He would not haue his sonne carried away with those blind guides Choller andIa affaires of consequence, & especially when one that is more mighty is to bee satisfied, no­thing is to bee answered sud­denly nor with choller. They suffer troubled water to settle that it may bee cleare. Choller & precipita [...]ion are enemies to Counsell. Precipation.

Moruillier persisted in the bitternes of his discourse, forgetting nothing that might be said to blemish and disgrace a Prince. Hee shewed that the Bastard of Rubempre had been sent by the King to stay the Vice-chancellor of Brittanie returning out of England: That hauing landed at the Hage in Holland, the Earle of Char­ralois had been too suspitious. The Duke answered that the Ba­stard of Rubempree had been found faulty. As for his Sonne, the Earle of Charolois, if he were suspicious, hee had it not from him but from his mother, who was a very suspicious and distrustfull woman, and yet notwithstanding if hee had been at the Hage at the passage of Rubempre, he had done no lesse then his sonneD. Isabella, Infanta of Por­tugal, daugh­ter to the King Don Iohn was married to Philip Duke of Bourgundy in the yeare 1429. and was mother to Charles..

Moruillier cōplained also, that the D. went from Hedin without taking leaue of the King, and against that which he had promised. Ha, said the Duke, with some little perturbation and heate, finding himselfe toucht with the breath of his word.Nothing can be reproched more sensible to a Prince then the breach of his word, who should rather faile himselfe then his promises, wherein he should be [...] lesse i [...]dicious then constant. I neuer promised any thing but what I haue kept. And fearing that in speaking this they should finde that he was moued, he added smiling, that hee had neuer failed of his word but to Ladies, that hauing promised the King not to goe from Hedin, he had added this condition if there came no other newes. That the discouerie of the Bastard of Rubempre and other important matters had caused him to goe to horse.

[Page 68] Hereunto Moruillier,The D▪ cō ­plaines of the Kings breach of his word. seeing you haue alwaies shewed such affecti­on and goodwill vnto the King, let him not now beleeue the contrarie, in refusing so small a thing as hee demands. It is true said the Duke I haue neuer failed in my affection and loue vnto the King, but I may well say that he hath neuer granted me any thing that I haue demanded, and hath kept nothing of that which hee hath promised me,Whē a Prince hath an opinion not to hold any thing that hee promiseth hee may say that [...]e hath put him­selfe out of the commerce and negotiation of all sor [...]s of a [...] ­ [...]aires, for no man can treat with him that hath nothing valuable but words. There is nothing but di­strust and iea­lousie of his ac­tions, detracta opinione pro­bitatis witnes the townes engaged which he should haue suffered mee to enioy during my life.

And for that Moruillier did still infist to haue Rubempre, the which was a matter of consequence against the Dukes soueraigne command. Peter of Goux a knight and master of the lawes, said, that although the Duke was vassell vnto the King for some lands, yet he had others that did not acknowledge any other Soueraigne but himselfe, holding of the simple grace of God who had ho­nored him as well as the King with the Image of his eternall go­uernment A royalty is the figure of e­ternall g [...]uern­ment and the I­mage of the Diuine monar­chy, And ther­fore Kings haue been held as the fathers of the people. Aristo­tle in the third booke of his Po­l [...]ckes saith, that a realme is the power of one that doth gouerne the cō ­monweal [...], not seeking his own p [...]iuat [...] profit, but that of his subiects. That the Duchies of Brabant, Luxemburgh, and Lo­trech: the Earledomes of Bourgundy, Henalt, Holland, Zeland and Namure were soueraigne countries. Yet he is no King said the Kings Embassadors, to whom the Duke answered, I would haue the world know that it was mine owne fault if I be not, yet will I not tel how or by what meanes.

The next day the Earle of Charolois presented himselfe vnto his Father in the presence of the French Embassadors, kneeling vpon a Cushion of Veluet, an exemplary act of Reuerence and Humi­litie of a Prince of thirtie yeares old vnto his Father, and which assures this truth: That who so will be honored of those which be vnder him, should not faile to respect and honor those that bee aboue him. The scope of his discourse was to iustifie himselfe for the taking of the Bastard of Rubempre, and the confederacie be­twixt the Duke of Brittaine and him, wherein hee protested hee had no other designe then the Kings seruice, and shewing that his condition had wherwith to content himselfe with his owne, & con­tempt of an other mans; there beeing no lesse glorie in the con­tempt then in the possession,It is for great courages to con­temne Riches. The shortest way to riches is to contemne Riches. It is ea­sier to disdaine then to possesse all. hee added that it was not for any discontent he had for the taking of his pension from him, for that, with the fauour of his father, he could liue without the Kings bounty.

Whereupon,Departur [...] of the Frēch Embassa­dors. the Duke intreated the Embassadors to tell the king that hee besought him not to beleeue any thing lightly against him and his sonne, and to hold them alwaies in his fauour.An Embassa­dor must neuer suppr [...]sse words of brauery nor threates which be heares spok [...] by the Prince vnto whom he is sent. They presented a banket vnto the Embassadors, the History saith, wine and spices. When they tooke their leaues, the Earle of Charolois spake these words vnto the Archbishop of Narbonna,Phil. de Com. lib. 1. one of the three Embassadors, recommend me most humbly vnto the Kings good grace, and tell him that hee hath sought to disgrace me by his Chan­cellor, but before the yeere bee past he will repent it.

From these little sparkles grew that great fire of the warre of the commonweale. The Duke of BurbonneThe visits of great persons are suspitious. Iohn Duke of Bourbon ma­king shew to go see the Ladie Agnes his mo­ther at Bruxells treated the league of the publike weale with the Duke Periculosae sūt secretae coiti­ones. who was the in­tellectuall [Page 69] agent,The D. of Bourgundy comes to see his mother at Bruxells. faining to goe see his Mother at Bruxells, confer­red with the Duke, but did not discouer the secret, saying onely, that the Princes had no other intent but to present a petition vn­the king to reforme the disorders of the state and to haue forces readie, to the end hee might know how many were interressed in this reformation. Such as entered into this league knew one another by a silken point which they carried at their girdles.

Although the king had spies in all places yet knew he nothing of these coniunctions and assemblies. Princes are within and not aboue the world to see all that was done. They must bee a­boue the heauens to know the ecclipses by themselues and not descend low to see the effectsThe effects of great designes doe often break forth before the causes are discouered. A vigilant Prince doth alwaies vse peruensions and diuersions.. The league was borne before he knew the conception, hee did not apprehend that it should show it selfe on the Burgundians side, for he considered, that although the sonne were violent and ill affected towards him, yet the fa­ther wanted no iudgement to restraine him, and iudging that the ayre could not be troubled but towards Brittanie, he assem­bled both the Princes of his bloud, and the chiefe of his Noble­men at Tours about Christmas 1464. and propounded vnto them the great occasions he had to preuent the designes of the Duke of BrittanyThe King as Montstrelet saith, made this assembly to cō ­plaine that the D. of Brittaine had said, that he had a designe to make warre against the Princes and to dispossesse them of their lands..

It was at this assembly that Charles Duke of Orleans could not forbeare to speake for the Princes of the bloud,See Claud. Saysell in the life of Lewis the twelfth. beseeching the king not to doubt of their loyalties and affections. The king was offended at this remonstrance, and reiected it with words full of spleene, bitternes, and contempt. The Duke of Orleans being thus roughly handled, and grieued that in an age of three­score and ten yeares, he was not heard by him whose grandfather had vouchsafed to heare him in his youth, could not endure them, not considering that they came from the mouth of his king, who was not bound to fit them to his humor, and that he must swal­low them sweetly without murmuring, for the demonstration of the offence doth but augment it. He died for sorrow two daies after, the fourth of Ianuary 1465. Hee was interred at Bloys, his bones were carried to the toombe of his Father at the Celestins at Paris, the 21. of February, 1504. by the commandement of king Lewis the twelfth his sonne: After the battell of Azincourt he remained fiue and twenty yeares prisoner in England. The Eng­lish would not deliuer this Flower-deluce without ransome, and to redeeme him the D. of Bourgundy payed three hundred thou­thousand crownes. What a change▪ Iohn Duke of Bourgundy depriues Lewis of Orleans of his life, Philip Duke of Bourgundy his sonne giues libertie to Charles of Orleans, and to make the bond perfect, he giues him the golden fleece, and marries him to his Neece Mary of Cleues, shee was the third wife, hauing before his imprisonment married Is [...]bel of France, widdow to Richard King of England, and Bonna of ArmagnacThe afronts which are re­ceiued from great persons must not onely be disgested pa­tien [...]ly, but also after a constant manner, mur­muring auailes nothing. Many haue made of scratchings in­curable▪ wounds, & of­tentimes the iniury is dou­bled, and re­newes when as they make it knowne that it is receiued ac­cording to the designe of him that doth it. By Mary of Cleues hee had Lewis the twelfth, his onely sonne, and two Daughters. Mary was promised to Peter of Bourbon, and afterwards married to Iohn of Foix Vicount of Narbonne, fa­ther to that Achilles of France Gastō of Foix Duke of Nemours, & of Germaine, Queene of Ar­ragon. Anne of Orleans was Abbess of Fon­teue [...]aud.

[Page 70] The Duke of Bourbon hauing opened the passage to this de­signe of the warre of the common-weale,The Duke of Berry re­tires into Brittany. they attended no more but to see the head. Charles of France the Kings brother beeing at Poictiers, and making show to goe a hunting whiles the king was in his deuotions, steales away and goes vnto the Embassadors of Brittaine. Iohn of Rommille, vice chancellor of Brittaine, and Tane­quy of Chastell, who were come to haue a Prolongation for other three monthes to make answere to the kings demands, carried him away speedily by the meanes of the Lord of Lescon a Gascoine, and led him into Brittanie.The King be­ing gone in de­uotion to our Lady of Pont in Limosin, the Duke of Berry retires into Brittaine. He was but eighteene yeares old, hee held life so short, and that of Princes, which liue in subiection so troublesome, as if he did not speedily know what it was to bee a master the knowledge would euer come to late. He was welcome, for this was the firebrand which they must cast to set France on fire. The Duke of Brittanie promised him the seruice of his per­son, and all the succors of his forces.

Hee declared the cause of his departure by letters which hee wrote to the Duke of Bourgundy, and to the other Princes of their intelligence. The most apparent was drawne from the bad go­uernment of the affaires, whereof the Princes of the bloudIt concernes the Princes of the bloud to look into the disorders of the estate and to assist the King faithfully to rearesse thē: whiles there is heat in t [...]is bloud wee may hope for the life and conti­nuance of the body., which haue the chiefe interest and care of the whole bodie, should appre­hend the dangerous euents, and had subiect to complaine to see vnworthy men, without honor, or merit, to deale in that which should passe by their hands, and to leap ouer their heads to great offices: That his armes and his desires had no other obiect but to restore order vnto the Realme, and there withall to ease the people of their oppressions, the which he could not otherwise hope for, but in making the King know in the beginning of his raigneAt the C [...]m­ming of new P [...]aces they make demands and pursuits for that which they d [...]sire the rest of the Raigne, for when they are well settled they will no more beare speake. That [...] Pet­cennius ha­uing prepared his companions to mutine hee said Quando ausuros ex­poscere reme­dia, nisi no­ [...]m et nu­tantem adhuc Principem vel armis adirent. Tacitus lib. 1. Annal. the ex­treame necessity whereinto it was brought. His will was manifested more amply by his letters to the Duke of Bourgundy which Mon­strellet setts downe in these termes.

Most deere and welbeloued Vncle I recommend me vnto you. I let you vnderstand that of late I haue often heard the clamors of the Prin­ces of the blood my kinsmen and other Noblemen of this Realme in all estates; of the disorder and pittifull gouernment which now doth raigne by the councell of men, being about my Lord, full of all lewdnes and iniquity; who for their owne profit and priuate disordered affections haue drawne my Lord into iealousie and hatred against you, me, and all the Noblemen of the said Realme, yea against the Kinges of Castile and Scotland, so long allyed vnto the CrowneThe most ancient alliances of the French haue beene with the Scots and then with the Castilians. The Crowne of France hath had pretentions vpon Castille at the inheritance of the La­dy Blanch of Castile mother to St. Lewis. as euery man knowes. In re­gard how the authority of the Church hath beene kept, Iustice done and administred, the Noblemen maintained in their rights and priuiledges, and the poore people supported and freed from oppression, I write no more vnto you, for I know you are sufficiently informed, and I am greeued at the said thinges, as I ought to be, as he whom it doth so neere concerne as euery man doth know,The Children of one family are interessed in the [...] and the Princes of the bloud in the gouernment of the estate. and desire to prouide for it by the Counsell of [Page 71] you, of the said Princes and kinsmen and other Noblemen, who haue all promised to aid and serue me not sparing body or goods for the quiet of the Realme, and the publick weale thereof, and also to saue my person which I found to be in danger. For incessantly and openly my said Lord and they about him spake such wordes of me,The words of such as are nee­rest vnto a Prince make men iudge of his intentions. The Duke of Berry hearing that the ser­uants of the K. his brother spake freely a­gainst him, thought that their discourses were framed vpō his. Good words enter­taine friend­ship and bad dissolues thē. as I might with Reason haue cause to doubt: I therefore left my said Lord, and am come vnto my good Cosin of Brittaine, who hath giuen me so good and commendable re­ception as I cannot sufficiently commend it, and is resolued to serue me with body, goods and all his power to the good of the said Realme and pub­licke weale. And therefore my most deere and welbeloued vncle, my in­tention and desire is to imploy my selfe with you and the said noblemen my kinsmen, whose counsell I will vse, and not otherwise, to restore and redresse the said desolate Realme, knowing that you are one of the greatest of the Realme, whom the good or ill do easily concerne, and Deane of the Peeres of France,The Duke of Bourgondy is first Peere of France, in this quality hee made a prote­station to King Charles the sixth saying that hee might not asist at the iudgement of the K. of Na­uarre, vvhich did onely be­long vnto the Peeres. a Prince renowned for honor and iustice, as it ap­peareth by your great deedes, conduct and gouernment of your great signories, knowing that the disorders of the said Realme, haue and doe displease you as reason is: I would desire with all my heart to haue an assembly with you and other noblemen my kinsmen, that by your counsell we might prouide for all matters, which for want of order, Iustice and policy are at this day in all the estates of the said Realme,His designe of arming to reforme disorders. and for the ease of the poore people,The opression of the people was not great being only for matters which were not ac­customed. who can beare no more, and to set such an order in all places as it may be pleasing vnto God, to the honour, felici­ty and good to the said Realme, and to the retribution of honour and perpetuall commendation of all those that shall imploy themselues. I do intreat you, most deere and louing vncle, that in this matter, which is great for so good an end, it would please you to aid and assist me, and to cause my brother in law of Charolois your sonne to imploy himselfe in my ayd, as I haue alwayes assured my selfe he will doe: And to the end that you and I may meet (which is the thing I most desire) for that my inten­tion is shortly to enter into the Country, and to keepe the fields with the other Princes and noble-men,The Princes and Noblemen of this party were Charles the Kings bro­ther, Phillip Duke of Bour­gondy. Francis Duke of Brit­taine. Charles Earle of Cha­rolois. Iohn Duke of Bour­bon. Iohn Duke of Calabria. Peter of Bourbon Lord of Beauieu. Charles Cardinall of Bourbon. The Earle of [...], the Duke of Nemours, The Earle of Armagnac. The Earle of Albret [...]. The Earle of Dammartin. The Earle of St. Paul. The Prince of Orange. The Earle of Newchastell. The Bastard of Bourgondy. which haue promised to accompany and ayd me. I intreat you that you will be pleased to leuy and draw forces out of your Country towards France, and in case you cannot doe it, that you would cause my said brother in law of Charolois to come with a good power of men, and withall to send vnto me one of your Counsell which is faithfull to assist for you in all matters which other Princes of the bloud shall think fit to be done for the good of the said Realme [...] And by whom you may be stil informed of my good and iust intentions, the which I will gouerne by you and other Princes of the bloud and no otherwise: And that which my said brother in law in your absence shall doe or say for the publique good of the RealmeVnder the Considera­tion of the publique wea [...]e many which had beene put from their places made vse of their interests. N [...]w Princes doe commonly f [...]ile in these changes. If the Prince succeeds a good Prince, whose raigne hath beene iust and happy, then needs no chāge, if hee were not so, he must not imploy such as wee his Mini­sters, and ther­fore Galba was blamed to haue imployed the chiefe coun­cellors of Ne­roes cruelties & wickednes. and ease of the poore people, I will maintaine vnto the death, and thereof you may bee assured. Most deare & louing vncle let me alwaies vnderstand if there be any thing wherein [Page 72] I may pleasure you and I will do it willingly, praying God to giue you a good life and that which you desire. Written at Nants in Brittany the 15. day of March, the subscription was. Your Nephew Charles: and on the top. To mine Vncle the Duke of Bourgondy.

Such was the language which they that were about this yong Prince made him to hold,Death of Pope Piu [...] the second. who knew well how to commend the good, and to excuse and flatter the euill which he did, and who in­discreetly drew him to designes, whereas the danger was certaine and the profit doubtfull.

The Pope had made his profit of this diuision, if deathPius the se­cond died at Ancona, Plati­na saith that bee spake vnto the last gaspe, and dispu [...]ed long with Law­rence Roue­rella Bishop of Fe [...]ara a lear­ned Diuine, Li­cerit ne extre­mam vnctionē iterare qua se­mel invnctus fuerat. Dum Basileae pesti­lentia grauissi­me egrotaret. Whether hee might reiterate the extreme vnction, wher­with hee had being anointed, being sore sicke of the Plague at Basill. had not disappointed a desseine which he had to reduce Franc [...] wholly vnder the obedience of the Sea of Rome, and to depriue it of the rights and priuiledges which doth free it in temporall things, for in those which concerne the spirituall and orthodoxall Faith, she hath alwaies been a dutifull and obedient daughter. This Pope was lamented of all Christendome, for he had great conceptions for her glorie and libertie in those places where shee was opprest vnder the tyranny of the Ottomans. Beeing at Ancona to imbarke himselfe for the voyage of the Croisado, after that hee had giuen audience to the Embassadors of France and of the Duke of Bour­gundy, who excused themselues that they could not serue in person in this voiage, a slow continuall Feuer, which had long held him, de­priued him of life. He had no cause to grieue that hee had liued, for that his life had been honored with so great and worthy acti­ons as he might rightly say he had not been borne in vaine.

They onely blame him for that being Pope he had contradicted that which he had written being a priuat person,His birth and fortune with so great Passi­on, as hee discribed Pope Eugenius to bee the wickedst man in the worldAEneas Sil­uius in the be­ginning of the second booke of his Comentaries of the Councell of Basill saith that Mētita est iniquitas Ga­briell (Eugeni­us was called Gabriel Con­delmar) et per­didit cum Do­minus in mali­tia sua quosy­nodali senten­tia ex Aposto­lica s [...]de preci­pitato factus est Dominus in refugiū Ec­clesiae suae. And in the end of the first, Necessarium fuit illud decretum ad reprimendam Romanorum Pontifi­cum ambitionem & vt de [...]ceps animam a temporalium rerum sollicitudi [...]e retraherent: and his deposing a profitable and fit action for the church. He was issued from the Picolhomini, of Sienna, and seeing that his father had beene expelled the Citie with many others of certaine families reuolted by the mutiny of the people, he resolued to seek his fortune at Rome, where shee hath alwaies done great miracles. He was first of all Secretary to Dominike Grap, and followed him to Basill, when as he came to complaine that Pope Eugenius refused him a Cardinals hat, which Martin the fift had giuen him. The masters pouertie forced him to take another: He placed himselfe with the Bishop of Noara, but seeing that hee was in like manner persecuted by Pope Eugenius, hee left him and did serue Nicholas Cardinall of S^t. Croix: and followed him to Arras, when as he was sent by Pope Eugenius to reconcile the French King to the King of England, and the Duke of Bourgundy.

At his returne finding that he was in no grace with Pope Euge­nius, His digni­ties & com­missions. he came to Basill, where he was imployed in the goodliest actions of the Councell, he had the charge of Abreuiator, Se­cretarie, President in the chamber of the faith,In the Councell of Ba­sill there were foure chambers or foure assem­blies which they called four deputations, that of the faith, of Peace, of reformation, and of common affaires. Euery chamber had a president, which was changed euery three mo­nethes. and Orator in di­uers [Page 73] sessions. When there was Question of an embassage to any Prince or commonweale there was not any one but He fit for it. He was sent to Amedeus Duke of Sauoy, then to the Emperor Fre­derick, to Pope Eugenius, to Philip Vicecount Duke of Milan, and to Alfonso King of Arragon. It was he which perswaded the Em­peror Frederick to goe to Rome to be crowned there. Frederick sent him to Sienna to receiue Ellenor of Portugall his wife, and af­terwards into Bohemia to pacifie a controuersie which was growne, for that the Emperor Frederick did not restore them their King Ladislaus The Empe­ror Frederick seeing the trou­bles & schismes in the realme of Hungarie sea­zed vpon the yong King La­dislaus, & gaue him in charge to Eneas Sil­uius..

He was sent to the dyet of Ratisbona, whereas Philip Duke of Bourgundy assisted,His oration to arme a­gainst the Turke. he laid open the necessities of a warre against the Turke with such efficacie and eloquence, as many Princes re­solued to employ both their liues and goods: But these sud­daine resolutions went presently into smoke:Platina saith that all which heard him were wonderfull re­solute to this war, Verū hoe natura cōper. tum est, eorum animos cito residere quorū affectus facile mouentur. But it is found true by nature that their minds are soone changed, whose affections are easily mo­ued. Hee also paci­fied a great complaint which Germany made against the Pope, and the which hath been since continued, the Princes and com­minalties of the Empire being resolued not to acknowledge him in the policie and direction of spirituall things, if he did not first grant them the same rights which Italy and France had by the Pragmatick Sanctions. The Emperor found their first suite iust, and was soone drawne to yeeld vnto it. Aeneas Siluius changed his opinion, representing vnto him that there was more honor and safety for him to haue good correspondence with the Pope, then to fauour those who would diminish his authoritie whereof the Emperors were protectors.These com­plaints were pacified, & re­uiued in the be­ginning of the Emperor Charles the fifths raigne, when as they presented vnto the Popes Legate being at Nuremborg A. Re­monstrance vnder this title. Sacri Romani imperii Principum ac procerum grauamina aduersus sedem Roma­nam.

He was Archbishop of Sienna,His bad af­fection to Lewis the eleuenth. and after the death of Calix­tus was aduanced to the Popedome in a manner without thinking of it. Hee began with the assembly at Mantua, whither all the Princes of the Empire sent their Embassadors. Hee made open show that he loued not France, as hath beene said, and this af­fection continued after the death of Charles the seuenth: forLudouieo Gallorum regi aduersatus est, quod libertatem Ecclesiae minuere conaretur cum ab eo antea Pragmaticam Sanctionem Ecclesiae Romanae pernitiosissimam pestem extorsisset. Pla­tina saith, that although he had wrested the Pragmatick Sanction out of the hands of Lewis the eleuenth, yet he did not forbeare to crosse him, for that hee thought to diminish the libertie of the Church. Paul the second, called Peter Barbo, a Venetian, succee­ded him.

WHO so succeeds a good Prince hath a great aduantage ouer the affections of his owne subiects,The loue the children for the fa­thers sake. how rough and difficult soeuer his raigne be. They hold themselues so much bound to the fathers bounty,The bounty of a Prince doth so binde the hearts, as euen after his death they yeelde prootes of their affection to thier children, although wic­ked Cambi­ses was belo­ued for the loue of Cyrus his father & Cō ­ modus for the respect of Mar­cus Aurelius. as they doe patiently endure the sonnes rigor. France did owe her libertie to King Charles the se­uenth, he had freed her from the miseries of warre, shee did acknowledge no other restorer then him: This respect retained many in their obedience and dutie, who suffering themselues to be carried away with this torrent of the league,Sedition must be bee smothered in the be­ginning. had become fooles for company and by infection: For the people is a sea which moues with the winde, yet neuer followes if some one goes not before,This beast the people have so many beads, that although it hath great & terrible forces yet it is base & cowardly if it bee not stirred vp and led, vul­tus sine recto­re praeceps, pa­uidum socors, Tacit. but the number seemed but too great, and it had multiplied speedily if the Kings wisedome had not foreseene it. Conspiracie in the beginning is like vnto raine which enters into a small cranny on the top of the house, and beeing neglected in the end expels the master thereof. The King did consider here­of, for being aduertised of his brothers retreat, he knew well that the partie was made against him if hee did not oppose himselfe: That what appeared not, might be greater then what was in show, and that besides the Princes of his bloud, many Catylines had drunke in the same cup the wine and bloud of this con­spiracie. Euery con­spiracie hath crueltie, and bloud hath been taken for the seale & oath that bind the conspirators. Salust saith that Catyl [...]n mingled wine with bloud in a cup and presented it to his associates, I [...]de [...] post execrationem omnes degustauissent, sieuti in solemnibus sacris fieri consueuit aperuit consiliu [...] His first resolution was to diuide that which hee could not breake. Hee sent to the Duke of Bourbon to come vnto him; Who for that hee would vse no dissembling (a great and powerfull vertue in these corrupted ages) would not disguise his intentions, nor represent them otherwise in words then they were in his heart. He was the first mouer of all these spheares, he had first giuen his voice and vowes to this generall reuolt of [Page 77] France, he had offered to hang a bell at the Cats necke,In great reso­lutions there is danger to giue the first voice, and hazard to execute that w [...]ich is resol­ued. It is more safe to follow then to leade, Insiita morta­libus natura propere sequi, quae piget in­choare. Tacit. And if they bee reduced to the conduct of an other it must be w [...]th the re­straint of his owne wisdome. Ne consil [...]is alterius regi recuses, Est il­lius atque esto tuus, tuumque serua. In poste tuo velle, mo­dum in velle alieno. when as euery man expected who should dare to doe it, and had more desire to end then to begin. If hee had made any show of repen­tance or feare in this beginning, the rest which had martcht in his steps would soone haue turned their backes.

He answered that he had the same designe with the other Prin­ces for the good and profit of the publike weale, intreating the King to excuse him if hee came not to Court, and for a greater declaration of his will he ceazed vppon the reuenues of Bourbo­nois, and stayed Iuuenall des Vrsines Lord of Traynill, Peter of O­riola, and the Lord of Crussoll prisoners, making it knowne that Ambition hath no other Law then the fancie of the Ambitious, and takes away the maske from all respect. When the King saw that there was no meanes to reclaime these Princes, and that the Duke of Bourgundy was in armes, he aduertised all the chiefe no­ble men of his Realme, and wrote vnto the Clergie, to the go­uernours of Prouinces,Letters frō the K. to the gouernors of the Pro­uinces and townes. to the Magistrates and townes, who faint and lose their courage for a little,As a little feare makes the people to faint, so a weake hope makes them re­turne, by nature they are feare­full and do not think what they shall doe to in­dure but to flye the danger. that they should not suffer themselues to bee carried away with the false showes of the ene­mies of the estate, who had suborned his brother to ingage France in those desolations from the which it was but newly freed: That if they which had suffered themselues to bee abused in this re­uolt, did not bethinke themselues, there wilfulnes would make them vnworthy the clemencie which he offered them: That with the grace of God and the fidelitie of his good subiects, hee assu­red himselfe to abate and disperse these bad designes.

Then considering that this league did consist of those who had sometimes called the English into FranceHe that hath two enemies must agree with the one, the better to pre­uaile ouer the other. The Ro­māns did neuer fight against two; Hercules could not do it. After the Par­thian warre they began that of the Mar­comanians. They would not breake with Antlochus, who had wronged them before they had ended [...]ith Philip. to haue a share of the shipwracke,The King seeks to the King of England. that the old enemies fauouring the new, he might fall betwixt the Anuile and the hammer, hee sent to the King of Eng­land dissembling cunningly the wrong which hee had done him, when as in demanding Bonn [...] of SauoyRichard Earle of Warwick was sent into France in the yeere 1464. to demand Bonna of Sauoy in mariage of King Lewis the eleuenth, for K. Edward. The King granted it, but during this negotiati [...]n the King of England fell in loue with a meane gentlewoman, widdow to one Grey a Knight, Daughter to Richard Riuers, and [...]aqueline eldest Daughter to Peter of Luxemburgh, Earle of S^t. Paul. the Queenes sister for his wife he had married an other: He intreates and coniures him not to assist this new rebellion, the which like to a puffe of smoke would vanish as soone as it should begin to rise.

Edward beeing already engaged to the Duke of Bourgundy let the King vnderstand that he was a sharer with him.Edward the fourth de­clares him­selfe for the Burgundian Hee sent the same letters which the King had written vnto him to the Duke of Bourgundy, promising to assist him as constantly as his forefa­thers Edward the third King of England, w [...]nne the battell of Cressy the 26. of August, 1346. France lost 1500. Gentlemen, all were not slaine, but all were defeated. The Prince of Wales his Sonne wonne the battell at P [...]icters ten yeeres after, the 9. of September 1356. had done. This young Prince felt a boyling desire in his heart to performe that in France which other Kings of his name had done. He was glad to finde without the Iland an exercise for [Page 78] turbulent spirits to entertaine and quench that furious heate of fighting.He that com­mands a war­like Nation must finde ex­e [...]cise for his soldiers abroad, if hee will not suffer them to take it at home. There is not saith Tit. Liu. in [...]is thir­teenth booke a­n [...] great and mighty Poten­tate that ca [...] le [...]g continue in peace, for if [...]ee hath not s [...]me enemie a­broad hee shall finde at home.

He knew well that the Duke of Berry his brother should be the King of this Tragedie, that they would bring him still vppon the stage, and make him play all parts according to the humour and inuention of the Duke of Brittanie, of the Earle of Charolois and of the Duke of Bourbon: Wherefore hee sought to flatter him, and to draw him out of the Brittans hands, and to that end hee went to Angers: there wanted no letters, promises nor good words: Youth & in­constancie are si [...]ers of one m [...]tber, this young Prince had nothing cō ­stant in him. faire speeches hurt not the tongue. If the Duke of Berry had not been well garded and watcht, he had left his friend as suddenly as he had done his brother.

At Angers hee was aduertised that the Earle of Charolois le­uied men, that the Duke of Brittany armed his subiects, and that the Duke of Bourbon had declared warre against him in seazing vpon his seruants, his Townes and treasure. Hee gaue order for all three, and proceeded therein without precipitation, hee did marchIn affaires of Importance they must goe and not runne, descend leisure­ly▪ and not cast theselues down headlong. Pre­cipitation is a shelfe couered with the slup­wracks which shee hath cau­sed in great occasions. but not runne, and did remedie all without disorder: He commanded the Earle of Neuers, and the Marshall Ioachin to lye in Picardie: he left Rene King of Sicile, and the Earle of Maine vpon the fronters of Brittanie, and went himselfe directly to Bourges, where they would not suffer him to enter, and from thence vnto Bourbonois, with an intent to set vpon the Duke of Bourbon, who had first reuolted and was the weakest. In such re­uolts the first blowesTo disperse a fa [...]on speedi­ly, they must first set vppon t [...]ose that for­tifie it. Seianus said that there was not. Aliud gliscentis dis­cordiae reme­dium quam si vnus alterne maxime prōp­ti subuertiren­tur. Tacit. l. 4. which are giuen vpon the principall Actors, amaze and humble the rest.

Paris was still in his minde,The Kings care for the preseruati­on of Paris and that great Citie which gaue a Law and motion to all the rest was perpetually before his eyes. He repented him that he had gone so farre offTo preuent small inconue­en [...]es they must not neglect greater affaires. Tiberius said, that an Emperor must not for the Rebelliō of one town or two, abandon Rome the chiefe of the Empire, and running here and there where the mischiefe raignes, seeme amazed. hearing that the Armie of the league did march. Hee knew that it consisted of humors, that in former times shee had raised strange, mutinies, and that his brother had friends there, the Bourgundian Pentio­ners, and the Brittan Intelligences: That it was a bodie so full of bad humors, as a small matter might alter it.As diseased bodies cannot endure to be toucht, so vlcered mindes are troubled vpon light occasi­ons. Sen. He requests, ex­horts, and commands euery man to haue a care of her preserua­tion. And for a greater declaration of his loue to that Citie, he causeth the Chancellor to tell them that he is resolued to send the Queene his wife thither to be brought in bed, as the place which he loued aboue all others in his Realme. If the whole world were a ring, Paris should be the Diamond.

He went to S^t Porein to prepare himselfe for the siege of Ryon whether the Duke of Bourbon was retired.His voiag [...] into Bour­bonois. The Princes & Noble­men of the league did succour him with all their forces.If the Duke of Bourbon had been able to ingage the King in Bourbonois, he had giuen the Earle of Charo­lois meanes to ioine with the Duke of Brittanie, and to effect what they intended. The Duke of Bourgundy gaue leaue to the Duke of Beauieu, and to [Page 79] the Cardinall of Bourbon to leuie men in the French county. Hee was also assisted with the Duke of Nemours forces, & by the Earles of Armagnac and Albret.

The King beeing at S. Porcin, the Dutchesse of Bourbon, his Sister, came vnto him, beseeching him not to make triall vpon her husband what a great King may doe, and to giue him meanes to shew as great proofes of his resolution to his seruice, as he made shew to be come to make him feele the effects of his displeasure. She was so powerfull in her perswasions as the King (who desired rather to commit his affaires to wisedome then to fortune)A Prince what aduātage so euer he hath must [...]olow that aduise which represents the least danger. It is a great error to shut ones eies to wisedome, & to submit him­selfe to the In­discretion and inconstancie of fortune. was content not to pres [...]e the yeelding of the Towne of Ryon to eager­ly,Dutchesie of Bourbon obtaines a peace from the King. and did not seeme very difficult to yeeld to some kinde of trea­tie, the which was well sworne but ill performed by the Duke of Nemours, who hauing the truth of the oath in his mouth retained the impietie of treacherie in his soule. A defection which the King will neuer forget, neither shall it bee expiated without the losse of his head.

The King made this accord to goe speedily to Paris, and to stand surely vpon the middest of the hide,A Prince must not remaine vp­on the fronter of his Estate & abandon the center. Calanus the Gymnoso­phist, seeking to perswade A­lexander to this maxime, caused a dryed Oxe Hide to be layed abroad, setting his feete vppon any side hee remoued him with the other: but be­ing in the midst he stood firme. Inferring that when as Alex­ander was vpō one of the fron­ters of his Em­pire, the other mu [...]ined. Plut, beeing aduertised that the Earle of Charolois came on, hee sent Charles of Harley to assure the Parisiens of his comming, and of the accord which he had made with the Duke of Bourbon and Nemours, the Earles of Armagnac and Albret. Hee began by them the execution of the Councell which hee had taken to disvnite and disperse those heads, and to giue way to those torrents. Without doubt if he had beene patient to attend their first furies, all had disbanded more suddenly then they assembledMany which assaile are more mighty then one that is as­sailed. But if he hath meanes to tempo [...]ise & to endure their first furie, hee shall preuaile, and the other will be scattred and ruined..

The forces which were soonest ready came from them which held themselues most wronged. The Earle of Charolois had a thousand and foure hundred men at Armes,Armie of the Earle of Charolois. euery one of the which had fiue or six great horses, with eight or nine thousand Archers chosen out of a greater number; for euerie man would march, but the best were entertained. In this choise should appeare the loue they haue to the honor of Armes, and to the good of the State, for many Captaines haue souldiers to serue the King in his Armies, whom they would not imploy in their housesIf there bee not choise iudg­ment and di­stinction in the leuies of souldi­ [...]rs, the Princes seruice cannot prosper. Vegetius imputes the ruine of the Empire to this carelesnes, Huic (saith hee) [...] vbique ab hostibus illatae sunt clades dum longa pax militem incuriosus legit, dum possefloribus indicti tyr [...]nes, per gratiam aut dissimulationem probantur, talesque sociant Armi [...], quales Domini habere facti dicunt. Veget. Lib. 1. cap. 8..

The Duke of Bourgundy caused the Earle of Charolois his son to march, and at his departure he said vnto him. Goe my Sonne in a happie hower,Words of the Duke of Bourgundy.and resolue to die rather then to flie, if you fall into any danger, you shall not be abandoned for the want of a hundred thousand men. Words of power to giue courage to one that had been borne without it. Words of infallible assurance spoken from a father, whose loue admits no comparison, all other friendships are but winde. He did wisely looke vnto the future, which Princes doe not alwaies, they doe seldome looke vnto that which shall befall them, [Page 80] and doe not thinke that great assents haue great downefals. The E. of Charlois entred into France with an armie of fifteene thou­sand men, he besieged Nesle in Vermandois, and tooke it, and past by Noion and Mondidier. The Earle of Neuers his Cousin found himselfe to weake to stop his entrie into Picardie, whereas all the people seemed ready to set vp StatuesThe people follow a victo­ry: They of Sa­mos erected a statue to Alci­biades in Iu­nos Temple, but when hee was defeated they gaue another to Lysander his enemy. for the Victors, and to acknowledge him that should be most fortunate or most strong.

The Earle of Saint Pol hauing taken Pont Saint Maxence by composition, or rather by the trechery of the Captaines which were within it, the Armie past the riuer of Oyse, and entred into the Isle of France. The Earle of Charolois carried the title of Lieute­nant generall to the Duke of Berry. These first bruitesIn new oc­curents reputa­tion hath great effects. In nouis ceptis validissi­ma est fama Tacit. lib 13. gaue great reputation to his desseins; he made a generall proclamation of li­berty, and exemption from taxes. Hee caused the Rowles to bee burnt at Laigny, and made a declaration that all should bee free, causing the salt to be distributed at the Marchants price:He that will draw the people to his deuotion, and build a foundation vp­on their loues, must free them frō oppressions, for they hold e­euery one that hurts them for an enemy, and neuer iudge of the equity of the warre, but by the good which they re­ceiue. vpon these proclamations the people thought they should haue an ende of their miseries, but they were but cries a farre of, and vanished comming neere, like vnto those noyses which vpon certaine coasts of the straight of Saint George terrefie those that are a farre of, and when they come neere they heare not any thing. The Princes of the League entring into France cryed liberty for the Common­weale, and exemption for the people, but comming neere to treat they spake noe more of it.The pretexts of ciuil war are alwaies goodly and plausible, but when they are considered, they vanish and haue noe sub­stance.

Ioachin Rouvant Marshall of France,Marshall Ioachin en­ters into Paris. did alwaies coast the army, but a farre of, and hauing noe meanes to attempt any thing neerer, he cast him-selfe into Paris with a hundred and tenne lances. The Earle lodged at Saint Denis, whereas the other Princes had promi­sed to meete him, to consult of their affaiers, his army was lodged thereabouts. Hee presented him-selfe in battell before Paris, the amazement was great, and the skirmish terrible euen vnto the gates. Hauthourdin thought that the towne was to be taken in this amaze­ment for they began to shut vp their shops. A giddy headed fel­low ranne through the streets crying the enemy was entred, and withOne word of amazement or bad pr [...]sage is punishable, this man was whipt through the streets of Paris, the Chronicle saies that the King cried out to the hangman whip him soundly for hee hath wel deserued it. feare many fell into feuers. The King was well serued in this occasion by the Marshall Ioachin and Charles of Melun.Prrisiens a­mazed. Many, as it happens alwaies in ciuill diuisions, played the temporizers, saw the storme comming, and fitted them-selues for euery Element.

It was thought good not to attempt any thing vntill the Kings brother and the Duke of Brittaine were come. They march slowly, and the Earle complained of their stay,Stay of the army of Brittany. saying, that they had broke their word, for they had promised to be together in armes before Paris at the feast of S^t. Iohn. Romille Vice Chancellor of Brittaine excused his Maister, and filled vp blanks signed to keepe the Earle in breth, and to giue the Duke time to assemble forces at Chasteau­briant, where he mustred his armie, obseruing strictly the seuerity of disciplineIt is impossi­ble in ciuil war exactly to ob­serue military discipline, if ex­cesse bee puni­shed in one par­ty, the souldi [...]r who [...]ues no­thing but disor­der flies vnto the other. Ci [...]ili­bus bellis plus militibus quā docibus licer. T [...]cit. lib. 2. Histo. although it be in a manner impossible in ciuil wars, whereas the souldiers can doe more then the Captaines.

[Page 81] A resolution being taken to ioyne with the troupes of Brittaine, the Earle of Charolois seased vppon the bridge of Saint Clou to passe to Estampes, where a Lady aduertized him that the king had past Orleans,Battle of Montlehery and came withall speede to enter into Paris: Hee resolued to attend him, and lodged at Longiumeau, sending the Earle of Saint Pol to Montlehery where he made choise of a place of Battell betwixt both. On twesday the 16. of Iuly, the King ar­riued at Chastres, he desired to enter into Paris, or to goe out of the realme,King Lewis the eleuenth said that if hee had not entred into Paris hee had gone [...] seeke succors in Italy of the D. of Milan has great f [...]iend. It m [...]y be he w [...]ld not haue taken so desperate a resolution, but would haue cō ­sidered that he had to doe with men which would not liue long together without some dispute. if hee might not doe it: And for that he would not ha­zard any thing amidest so many discontentments and infidelities, he had commanded Breze great Seneshall of Normandy not to fight, who notwithstanding this prohibition, tould one of his friends that he would bring the two Princes so neere together, as he should be a very able man that could part them. He was slaine with the first, and he is produced for an example that seldome doth that succeed wel which is don against the order & commandement of the Prince.

On the seauenteenth of Iuly the Seneshall presented him-selfe earlely in the morning vpon the way to Montlehery. The Earle of Saint Pol, who led the Earle of Charolois foreward, found himselfe ingaged, and could not turne hed to come to the place of Battle, as the Earle had commanded him; it was so prest, as if he had made shew to refuse to ioyne; all had beene in disorder. He put his troups in battle in a plaine, which is on the side of Chastres, he caused the heads of wine vessells to be beaten outWine is a dan­gerous muniti­on, for a day of Battle: The Common-weale of Sparta for­bad the vse of it in warre where they must haue a good foote & a good eye, and wine troubles the one & weakens the other. Aristotle saith, either none at all or very little. to make his soldiars drink, he planted stakes in the front of his Battallions, and put his carria­ges behind, hauing the forest of the one side. His Archers left their horses, and so did their brauest Caualiers, holding this manner of fighting of the English, for the worthiest proofes of courrage & va­lour. The English did alwaies fight on foote. Be [...]rtrard of Gu [...]s [...]lin & the men at armes of his time did the like. The old French Cauala­ry, which hath beene so much esteemed, haue beene in a manner alwaies beaten when they haue incountered foote-men, vnlesse they left there horses, example at Courtraie against the Flemings, at Crecy and Poi [...]tiers against the English. If he had charged resolutly, the kings forward had bin put to rout, for when it appeered first, there were not aboue foure hundred comming downe scatteringly by the vallee of Tourson.Opportuni­ty of figh­ting neglec­ted. They might haue beene charged and defeated without all hope of suc­cors, the way being too narrow for the body of the army which fol­lowed, But the smale skil of the men at armes to mount and descend (the which horsemen should chiefely practise) made them to loose much time, for they that had left their horses tooke them againe, when they considered that they should need them either to poursue or to fly, and that their courages might be fortefied by that of their horses.Courage should come from the man and not otherwise; The horse helpes something. The Sarmatians fighting on foote could not finde roome enough to fly, but on horse backe there were none more valiant. In the meane time the Kings army grew great, and the Earle of S^t. Pol was sorry that he had so long forborne the charge, and neglected the aduantageHee that can take the aduantage which the scituation of the place giues him fights happely. Alexander at the Battle of Pyles in Caramania hauing vewed the sci­tuation of the place, said that the victory was infallibly his, and it was true Curt. lib. 3. which the place and time gaue him.

The Earle of Charolois being aduertised that the Kings army appeared, tooke the Alarum more whotly then the Signior of Con­tay, a wise and temperate Gentle-man, had giuen it him, bringing [Page 82] him this aduertisement.Order of the Battell changed. He forgat the order and changed it, and gaue not him-selfe time to make fast his caske, comming in all hast to the Earle of Saint Pol about seauen of the clock in the morning, where he found his troupes at worke, being sorry it should bee said his enemies should come sooner to him, then he to them.Some came & tould Philo­paemen, the e­nemies are with vs, to whome he answered. And why say you not that we are with them. Pl [...]

The skirmish continued aboue foure houres, and gaue meanes to them that were farre off to come time enough to the feast.Earle of Charolois chargeth the Kings for­ward. The Earle of Charolois fearing that the Marshall Ioachin, who was at Paris, would come and charge him behindA wise Cap­taine must look as well behind him as forward The words of Sertorius. They say also that a Captaine should haue eies at his backe. resolued to free him­selfe of that which was before him, and to repulse the forward which appeered beyond Montlehery. Hee charged and beat them into the village, and caused some houses to be fired, the flame and smoak whereof beeing carried by the wynde against the French, forced them to turne their backs, and to recouer a dich, whereas the hedge gaue them meanes to couer them-selues and to breath.

The Earle of Charolois charged both flanks resolutly, and the French withstood him and repulst him. The men at armes of Bour­gundy were newly raysed,His horse­men ill trai­ned. capable to see their sheelds a long time white and without charge,Among the Romans they knew the old men at armes by their shields which were fi­gured, the yong caried them plaine, we finde in the old fa­bles of France and Spaine that new Knights did, in like man­ner, carry white shields, vntill that some ex­ployt of va­lour and cour­rage gaue them meanes to put in some charge. of a thousand and two hundred there were not fifty that could charge their lances. They put themselues in disorder, and falling vpon their Archers brake their ranks,This error of the Ca [...]alerie hath bin after noted. Plutarke saith that Bru­tus men at armes which were Geules in the Battell a­gainst Pompey disordred their owne footmen. The carriages, where they were intangled among the baggage, and the stakes which the Earle of S^t. Pol had planted,Archelaus hauing planted stakes in his campe did so incumber the horses, chariots and Elephants of Sylla, as he defeated them easely. and compassed in by a troupe of Bourgundians, who beat them downe with battle axes.

The Earle of Charolois had charged with such fury, as his men were out of breath when they came to ioyne, forgetting the appoin­ted order to pause thrise.This order hath bin obserued among the ancients to march slowly, ma­king some staies, & not hastely when they go to a Battle. Marcus Crassus in blamed by Plutarke, for that he did other­wise. All that were on the right hand to­wards the Castell were put to route by him,French put to rout on the one side and Bour­gondians on the othe [...] and on the left hand all that were vnder the command of Rauestein, brother to the Duke of Cleues, were broken by the French. The Nobility of Dauphine and Sauoy did the King good seruice, and the Kings presence and good wordsThe words of a King on a day of battle are burning firebrands; cast into the most frozen harts, There is not faith On [...]sander, nether trumpet nor drum which doth more incourage them to fight. But they must not vse any great discourses which doe rather coole then comfort. wrought wonders, else all had gone to route.

The first peece of victory was so pleasing to the Earles tast, as to haue more hee ranne a myle beyond Montlehery after them that fled,A Generall of an army should not abandon his campe to fol­low them that fly. Alexander had like to haue miscarried in the last defeate of Darius for hauing followed the chase of his enemies too rashly, he was in great danger. Cyrus had alwaies men appointed to follow them that fled. contemning the aduice of an old Gentleman of Luxem­bourg called Anthony the Britton, who held him lost if hee past any farther.

The French rallied them-selues againe together, to renew the fight, and to vanquish or loose all. He prest still forward, desiring rather to repent him of his Fortune, then to haue shame for his victory.Q. Curtius giues vnto A­lexander [...] se brane and har­dy wo [...]ds. I had rather repent me of my for­tune, then bee ashamed of my victory.

The Lord of Contay spake more boldly vnto him, and caused [Page 83] him to returne. Repassing through the village he went to charge a troupe of footemen; who seeing him come fled. A soldiar let him know that hee would not giue his life for nothing, striking him on the brest with his Pert [...]isan, whereof hee shewed the marke at night. Then passing towards the Castell hee saw the archers of the Kings garde, where at he was much amazed, thinking that the victory had bin absolutly his, and that there was not any more resistance. Hee turned on the one side to come vnto the place of Battle, but there fell sodenly vpon himEuery man runnes where the generall is, euen ashippe wanting a Py­lot and hel [...]e dot [...] soone yeeld to the violence of the waues so he that can by pollicy and good aduice finde meanes, to beat the chiefe of his enemies, the rest will soone faint. Polib. lib. 3. twelue or fifteene men at armes,Earle of Charolois hurt and in danger to be slaine or taken. who at the first slew Philip of Org his Guidon, and hurt him in the throat. Yeeld my Lord, cryed Captaine. la Hire and Gilbert Grassar wee know you well enough. The beuer of his helmet being not made fast in the morning descouered all his face. Hee made noe answer but with his sword, and this summons to yeeld inflamed his courrage to de­fend and free him-selfe. Iohn Cade [...] sonne to a Phisition of Paris, big, heauy and strong (three goodly parts which the History giues him) being mounted vpon a puissant hors, passeth through them,Oliuer de la Ma [...]ch calls him Robert Cot [...]rea [...] [...]nne to the Earles Phi­ [...]tion. diuides them, and saues his maister. This Act of valour and fidelity was presently rewarded, for the E. of Charolois made him a Knight. He came to his campeThere is no [...] retreat in a day of Battle but to the camp, for [...]ee that leaues it hath lost the field. How many armies saith the Consull Paulus [...]emili­us, haue there bee [...], which hauing had noe good suc­cesse in the battle, but bin driuen into their sorts by their enemies, yet [...] sallying forth a [...]ter­wards [...] they haue put them to rout who held them­selues victors Tit. Liu. lib. 44. all bloudy, and his men repayred vnto him in small bands and tyred, the footmen complayning that the men at armes had in the morning dis [...]rdred them, and troden them vnder their horses feete,A wounde gotten in a good place is glori­ous. Baies, chaines no [...] grownes are not alwaies carried, but such markes are neuer left at home. Such as beheld Serto [...]ius who had lost his eye, few with his losse a testimony of his valour. and the Earle seemed much pleased to haue re­ceyued a hurt on the face for a perpetuall marke of his prowesse.

The French recouered the dich where they had so valiantly con­tended and as it were diuided the fortune of the combat. But they were amazed to see them-selues without a head,Brut of the Kings death and the bruit was that the King was dead: This brute was grounded, for that the Se­neshal of Normandy, who ware his apparell and armes to confirme his loyalty,The King grew into some iealousie that the Seneshale of Norman­dy was of the league, and spake of it, to whome he answered, Si [...] to shew what I am, giue me your coate of armes to saue your life, for your enemies seeke but after your person. had beene slaine in the beginning of the incounter, when as the Bourgondians knowing wel that if the king were ouer­throwne the rest could not stand, had charged furiously whereas he shewed him-selfe. This feare augmented the number of the runne­awaies; and made them to fly who should rather want life then courrage. The Earle of Maine, who was suspected to haue intelli­gence with the enemies, and Montauban a Britton led away the reereward. Their courages fell to their feete: not any one had the heart to strike stroake in sauing his life to saue his honour.To make a feightlesse dish [...]norable, it must bee done like vnto the Parthians or Scithians, who shoote in flying, and sauing them-selues speedely they alwaies fight, and so take away the infamy of their flight. Plut. in the life of Crass. The flight was of eight hundred men, which depriued the King of the honor of an absolute victory, and of the meanes wholy to ruine his enemies.

The rest wauered betwixt feare and duty. The King appeared in this amazement,The Princes presence cheers the soldiers harts. It is the Planet of Mars from whence great courages▪ bor­row the con­stancy & ass [...] ­rance of war­like Vertue. and by his presence gaue courage vnto his men, [Page 84] who from that time cared more how to vanquish then to liue, how to fight then to saue themselues. The enemies had more anoy­ed them that fled then the rest: as Fortune doth sooner suppresse them that yeeld vnto her then them that resist.

The Earle of St. Pol leaues the forrest whether hee was retired, and comes to the place of Battell, with an order befitting men, and not with violence which is proper to fooles and beasts,To go vnto military acti­ons r [...]shly and without iudge­ment is no va­lour; [...]easts & fooles goe [...]. That which nature makes proper to va­lour, turnes to rashaes, i [...] rea­son doth not gouerne. both par­ties were so tired as they stood at the gaze. They made some shot with their great Ordnance.Disorders common in both ar­mies. The Earle had more men in his Army then the King, but he alone was worth 10000. his presence assuring that which was much shaken,No good can be expected of an army that is scattered but the Princes presence. In this battel of Mont [...]berry without the King who animated his mē with good words all had fled. Phil. de Com. the amazement was great on either side, a desire to saue themselues from danger did presse the French as well as the Burgundians, and many did theirOne told Pompey that to come vnto him and to leaue Caesar hee had aban­doned horse to whom Ci­cero said. You haue done more ho [...]or to your horse then to your selfe to make him know the reproch of fly­ing & desertiō. horses the honor to remaine in the fight, when as they stale away.

The Earle had none but horsemen, he wanted footmen, slings For the inha­bitants of the Islands Balea­ [...]res called now Maiorca and Minorca had been held most cunning with slings Hee sola genti [...]rm [...] sunt, et vnum ab Infantia studi­um: cibum puer am tre non accipit, nisi quem ipsa monstrante percussit. Flo. lib. 3. cap. 8. or bowmen to dislodge the French from the hedge and ditch:The King retires to C [...]rbeil. A hundred men had beene able to force them. He had whole troupes remaining, neither were the Kinges all broken. If hee had Eagles remaining, so had hee not to doe with pies,We must alwaies consider in comparing of forces with whom we haue to deale, and not regard the number. Nonius after the Battell of Pharsalia, said vnto Pompey. We haue yet seuen Eagles, that were good said Pompey, If wee were to fight with Parrats or Popingaies. but the night made them take another resolution. The King was conducted by the Scottish men to Montlehery, there to refresh himselfe, for hee had past the day without meat or drinke, as hee had done some nights before without rest. Hee went to Corbeil to his bed, the Earle thought that hee would remaine vppon the field, and this beleefe was confirmed by the light of fiers which hee saw there long after, for the fire falling into a barrell of poulder had burnt some Cartes along the hedge.

The disorder was great of either side, as it happens alwaies in these incounters,Inequality of Recom­pences af­ter the Bat­tell. sooner seene then foreseene. What victories were gotten and what battells wonne in those dayes without disor­der? None but the Romans could brag that they neuer committed error is warre. Ab­sit in [...]dia verbo. et Ciuilia Bell a sileant, nunquam ab equite hoste numquā a pedite, nunquā aperta Acie nun­quam equis vri (que) locis labora [...]imus. Tit. Li [...]. lib. 9. The king Lost of his horsemen, and the Earle footmen, and the number of the dead were 3000. Goodmen were honored, co­wards blamed, and runawaies punished. But as Princes are men as well in the distribution of Cowards as in the distinction of punish­ments, In the recompence of merits as well as in punishing of faults Princes doe not alwaies obserue such Iustice and equalitie, but they make it knowne that they are men and no Angels. some lost their offices for flying, who saw others rewarded which fled twenty miles farther. There was a man of quality noted in the kings Army, who fled to Lusignan and neuer rested, and a Bourgundian as farre as Quesnon.

The field was couered with 3600. men slaine.Repast of the Earle of Charolois among the dead bo­dies. They were faine to remoue foure or fiue bodies to set the Earle downe vpon two bot­tells of straw, and to giue him meat. It was a Princely table, and a millitary feast, which he should desire, that will iustly and glori­ously [Page 85] carry the title of Generall of an Army.Sobriety is one of the parts necessa [...]y to the pe [...]fection of a great Captaine. The frugality of Iulian the Emperour is much commen­ded in the Hi­story. Mamer­tinus in his Pa­negyric saith that be tooke delight to eat of the prouisi­ons of the Ar­my, to bee s [...]r­uca by the fi [...]st that came, and to drinke of a­ny cup Gaude­bat Castrensi cibo ministro obuio et po­culo fortuito. Amian. Mar­celinus saith, that hee did sometimes eat such things as would haue dist. fled a Pio­ner. Et [...]mpe­ratori non e [...] pediae ciborsi ex [...]egio more sed sub colu­mellis taber­nacu [...]is cena­turo pultis pottio p [...]ra­bat ex [...]go [...] e­tiam munifi­ci fastidienda Gregatio Hee that is called victorious hath nothing about him but bodies dead or dying, a­mong which there are some that call for drink. What good cheere could he make in a place all couered with horror, in an vnseasona­ble time, and in so generall an amazement? To them that said hee had the field, and that he held it all night. He had reason (answered the King) to lye vppon the field seeing he had neither Towne nor Castell for retreat. A word spoken wittily and to purpose did shew wise­dome necessary in the Generall of an Army, to disguise the aduan­tages which the ennemy may haue ouer him, to make them lesse, and to turne them to another sence then they are commonly taken.It is an Ar­gum [...]nt of a settled iudge­ment to haue w [...]rds able to disguise acci­dents which happe, in such sort as the a­mazement which may grow may bee turned into resolution. The earth trembles, an armie is amazed. See you not said Sempronius Gracchus how our enemies are amazed the earth sha [...]es vnder their feet. At the battell of Cerignoles, fire fell among the munition. The great Captaine taking it for a good presage, said. Noi habbiam [...] vinto; Id [...]io e [...] annuncia manifestamente la victo­ria dandoci segno che non ci bisogna piu doperare la [...]tilleria Guic. lib. 5.

Many thinges obserued in this Incounter shew that executions are not answerable to Councells,Obseruati­ons of this Battell. and that there is a great diffe­rence to fight by discourse and to command in field. The order of the battell was changed.The Conduct of warre how discreet and indicio [...] soeuer it bee cannot command accidents. But they must haue a care neuer to change the order of the Armie. Philippe of Valois lost the battell of Cr [...]cy for that he changed the order; the Earle of Alencon tooke it ill that the footemen of Genoua were put in the formost rankes. It was said they should take breath on the way, and the Earle made them to march speedly through the Corne, which was high and strong, so as his men were so wearied as they had more need to lye downe then to stand. And although the Princes had disputed the victory vnto the last point of valour, yet knew they not to whom the trophee did belong, and they might say that the Earle of Charolois had lost the Battell, but the King had not wonne it.

Night increased the Bourgondians amazement, seeing them­selues to haue no defences nor trenches,Counsells in perplex­ity. but dead carcasses. They were in a great perplexity what they should doe, euery man found difficulties, andFeare is a Christall glasse which represents all things to be greater, more doubtful, and difficult, and holesome counsels are not well executed by men that are troubled and fearefull. Adde this reason of Guicc [...]ard. Nelle co [...]e auer [...]e diuenta ogni di maiore ill timore, et le di [...]ficulta di chi estato vn [...]o, In ad­uerse fortune the feare grows alwaies greater & the difficulties of him that is vanquished. feare made them greater then they were. They held a Councell along the hedge vppon a peece of timber. The Lords of Crequy and Hautbourdin, spake of Duke Phillips, the Earles father, first carying armes at S^t. Requier, who recouered the next day that which he had lost the day of Battell, It was to pre­pare this Prince to the glorious emulation of his fathers valour and to bind him not to dislodge. The Earle of St. Pol said that they must take the way to Bourgondy, and leaue some part of their car­riages to retire more speedily. His reason was grounded vppon the apparant danger they were in to remaine without victuals be­twixt Paris and the Kings forces: Many were of the same opinion, and yet they that were sent to take view of the Kings army were not yet returned, and that their opinions should begin whereas their reports ended.

It was dangerous to giue aduice in a matter where the issue [Page 86] might bring reproch to the sincerity of the Councell, for the wisest aduice doth not alwaies succeed happily,A fatall ac­cident makes a good Counsell to bee blamed and they that iudge by the euents will mock at wise­dome which hath bee [...]e vn­f [...]rtunate, and will commend rashnes which hath succeeded wel. Cauta potius conci­lia cum ratio­ne quam pros­pera ex casu placeant. Tac. Lib. 2. Wary Councels with Reason do more p [...]ease then prospe [...]ous by chance. and many times rash Councells fall out well. But it were better to stumble with reason, then to go firmely with hazard, their opinions were all doubtfull, and their minds much perplexed.Counsell [...] of the Lord of Contay.

The Lord of Contay said that this retreat could not be made without disorder, that as soone as it should be bruted through the Army, euery one would grow amazed and flye; that the most dili­gent should not goe twenty leagues before he were staid, or slaine. That the safest course was to passe the night with a good guard, and at the breake of day march directly to the place where the King should be, that they must vanquish or dye, and that to leaue the field were to quit and loose all.The victory belongs to him that keepes the field, although hee had b [...]ene beaten & bro­ken. Paulus Aemilius speaking to [...]is soldiers sai [...]h. Castris eru­tus etiams [...] pugnando a­ci [...]m vicisset pro victo ha­bebatur. Tit. Liu. lib. 9.

This Councell, seeming more generous, and hardy, was commen­ded and followed by the Earle of Charolois, who commanded e­uery man to rest two houres and to be ready at the sound of the trumpet: Oliuer de la March saith that when Contay had giuen his opinion, day began to breake. Such as had beene sent to discouer, bring word that the King was not farre off, and that they had seene the fiers in his army, they send others, and euery man seemes reso­lute to fight, but the greatest part had more desire to fly, and who so had left to their choise to fight or to fly, or had suffered thē that fain­ted Chabrias not willing to relye vppon his soldiers whom he new to bee n [...]w caused a proclama [...]ion to b [...]e made through the Army, that whosoeuer was ill at ease should lay aside his armes, all the cowards were sick; he vsed them to make a number, but the faction ended hee cassiered them. Poliaenus lib. 4. to lay aside their armes, the Battalions had growne very thin.

In the morning they were aduertised that there was not any one in the village of Montlhery,Montleher­ry abando­ned. and that all were gone.Agis seeing that they of Argos whom he had vanquished did rallie themselues to come againe to the fight, and that his soldiers were amazed. Cou­rage my friendes (said hee) seeing the Victors are amazed, thinke how the vanquished tremble. Pluarch. They that an hower before said that they must not presse the enemy, and seemed much amazed, were the first that cried, go let vs runne after them. They grew assured and hardy for company; boldnes returned vnto them after the danger. The day discouered the feares and heauines which night had concealed. The Earle of Charolois incouraged euery man. He thought that seeing there was amazement in his ar­my which he held to be victorious, there was dispaire in the Kings which he held to be scattered and lost. But such as had lost would not hazard any more, they murmured against the heat of this Prince, who was obstinate to fight, and could not retire vppon his losse, but made himselfe miserable vppon hope of good hap in the recouery of that which he had lost. AmbitionAmbi [...]ion is neuer so high [...] but she thinkes still to mount: That which seemes to be the top is but a step to her. Cui assecut [...] satis fuit quod optanti [...]i [...]ium videbatur. Sen. sees nothing too high, neither doth it find any thing too difficult, that which seemes great in desiring, seemes little when it is in her power.

That which confirmed the courages of the most resolute,Duke of Brittaine expected. was the assurance of succors from Brittaine, but many thought that this ill fortune would stay it. The Earle of Charolois entertained them with the assurances he had of the armies marchingWhen an army or Towne is in expectation of succours they must al­waies assure that it comes, and although they shold haue news to the con­trary, yet the commander in his wisdome must giue it out otherwise. Syp­hax sent word to Scipio that hee could not succor him and & that he was for Carthage. Scipio enter­tayned his Am­bassadors cour­teously & gaue them presents to make his mē beleeue that Siphax came, & that his Am­bassadors did returne to has­ten him. and when hee [Page 87] had not any, nor other newes, yet matters were reduced to those termes as he must tell them it was neere. He caused a Frier to make shew to come out of Brittaine, who said that hee had left the army so neere as they should see it the same day. But the feare and a­mazement was so great as they could not beleeue it. This pollicy A lie how lit­tle soeuer it bee beleeued doth profit much. And newes brought by a person least sus­pected of lying are soonest re­ceiued, at the least they do for a while suspend their iudge­ments. if it did not augment the courage, yet did it the patience of them that were most danted, and the lye did profit for the small time it was beleeued, the great desire they had to see the troupes of Brit­taine made it be receiued without confideration, as money which is receiued by esteeme and common approbation, although it bee not of waight.

The King went from Corbeil to Paris as soone as hee saw what course the Earle of Charolois tooke, He arriued there on thursday at night,The King comes to Paris and is feasted. and supt in the house of Charles of Melun his Lieftenant generall in the Isle of France, this was his triumphing feastThey vsed to prepare a tri­umphant feast for the victors, whereas the first place did belong vnto him for whom it was made, and the Coun­sulls were in­treated not to be present, for that in their presence this honour could not be giuen to any other. Plut. where they dranke to his health, as to Iupiter the Deliuerer. The Assembly of Noblemen and Ladies was great, he related his great dangers, his diligence and toyle. He drew teares of ioy and pitty from the hearers, euery man said all is well,The King reported his aduentures, and in so doing spake and declared many goodly words and pittifull, where at all wept aboundantly. Chro Martin. seeing the King is wel. The health of a good Prince is the health of his Estate, the people said of Alexander Seuerus. Salu [...] Roma quia saluns est Alexander. Lamprid. Hee assured all his seruants that he would neuer cease vntill he had chased all his enemies out of his realme.

Yet his designe was to doe what he could to end it other-wise then by Armes. He sent the Bishop of Paris to the Earle of Cha­rolois,Bishop of Paris sent to the Earle of Charo­lois. to let him vnderstand that he desired to know to what end he was entred into his Realme with so great a troupe, for that hee could remember that when as he went into Flanders, in the time of King Charles the seauenth, his Father, hee was not followed with so great a traine. He commanded him to let him know the iniustice of his desseine: That he vndertooke a warre vnder collour of the pub­lik-weale, to vndermine the whole estate, and to set fire of the house to driue them out that clensed it: That there was no such Phrensey as to make ones selfe sick to vse remedies,Peace is sweet after warre, but much more proffitable before. It is better neuer to haue beene an enemy, then to bee reconcyled. being naturall for a sick man to desire health. But for him that was found to make himself sicke vpon hope of cure, was folly and madnesse. The Bishop of Paris went, and hauing represented vnto the Earle of Charolois the Kings intentions and complaints. Say vnto the King, answered the Earle (fretting the bitternesse of his ambition with humanity and myldnesse)Princes desirous to raigne, haue made seruitude sweete with courtesie and mildnesse. By this poysoned myl [...]nesse Caesar ouer threw the common-wealth of Rome. that I am not come to doe any ill, but to procure the good of his Realme, hauing liued in such sort with mine army, as noe man hath occasion to complaine: that being as I am, able to serue and succor my friends, and to anoy myne enemies, I am not bound to yeeld any other rea­son of my desseignes. But not to conceale them from him, I am heere for two reasons, the one not to fayle of my word to the Princes, which haue [Page 88] taken armes for the publike good, the other to haue two men which the King hath fauored and supported against me:Priuat in­ter [...]st▪ are al­waies mingled with the sub­like causes of warre. The E. of Charolois was an impla­cable enemy to the Earle of Neuers and the Lord of Croy; be added this ha­tred to the causes of war. If I be come well accom­panied it is to defend my selfe in France from that harme which the king would haue done me in Flanders: That when he came hee was receiued honorably, richly and quietly, and then was not that done vnto him, which hee had a will to doe vnto mee: That in a word France had more need of a warlike and armed liberty, then of a quiet and miserable ser­uitude.

After the Battell the Earle of Charolois caused the whole army to bee lodged at Estampes and there abouts.Armes of the League loged at Es­tampes. The commodity of this lodging saued that which one more discomodious had lost, [...]f time and occasion giue leaue to chose a lodging to stay there, they must consider two things, which the ancient Ro­mans haue al­waies obserued in their lodg­ings. The helthfulnesse of the place for one, and water with commodi­ty of victualls for the other. They knew what places were not helth­full, obseruing their scituation & the cōplexion of the inhabi­tants. In this place as the Earle of Charolois spake vnto Mounsieur at a window, with great attention and affection, a Britton cast a squib which strooke against the barre where they leaned, and being ama­zed at this accident, they thought it done of purpose to hurt them. The lodging was presently enuironed with souldiers to gard them. There was a dilligent search made for him that had done it, who beeing only couered with his inocency, descouered him-selfe and said that it was but a squib which he had cast to shew them pastime, wherevpon this great amazement was turned to a iest.

All their forces being vnited they tooke councell how they shold imploy them. Their opinions were alwaies applyed to their pas­sions and desseines.Charles the Kings brother weary of the warre. An ordinary mischiefe in enterprises where there are many commanders.The plural [...]ty of heads is al­waies rumous and vnproffi­table, euery one seekes to pre­fe [...]re his owne reasons and counsells. They doe and vndoe indespight on of another. T [...]n­dendo ad sua quisque consi­lia cum aliud alii videtur. ad inuasionē lo [...]um hosti apperiunt. Tit. L [...]u. lib. 4. That of the duke of Brittain was not answerable to that of the Earle of Charolois. Monsieur seemed already weary of the warre, he lamented those that were slaine, hurt or maymed in the army, which shewed that matters were represen­ted to his imagination of another collour, in the vndertaking then in the executing.Matters whē they are conceiued and proiected haue an other f [...]ce then when they are executed. He wisht that they were to begin, greeuing that they made him the cause of so many miseries,A generous spirit is not sensible of the ruines and desolations which grow by warre and ciuill broyles. The Duke of Berry was heauy seeing so great a number slaine and hurt in the Battell of M [...]ntlehery. The first slaughters of warre sticke terror into them that haue not seene them. as of humain mise­ries the most lamentable is that which proceeds from his fault that complaines. He had kindled the fire, yet could not endure the flame, he had begun the tragedy, nay rather a cruell game, whereas men made but a sport to force, spoyle, burne and kill. He is not esteemed a soldiar that cannot doe al this in ciuill wars, the most wicked of all others, whereas by a fatall disorder they saw the fathers bury their children.When Craesus was prisoner to Cyrus, by this reason that in the time of peace the children buried the frather, and [...]n warre the fathers bury their children, be preferred peace before warre. And of all warres ciuill is the most vniust, i [...] ­humaine & fu­rious. Summū Brute naefas ciuilia bella fatemur. Luc.

These words were well obserued by the Earle of Charolois,King of England sends the garter to the Earle of Charolois. who from that time perswaded him-selfe, that there would be noe great difficulty to reconcyle the Duke of Berry to the King his brother, wherefore he sent vnto the King of England, although he were his enemy, for that he had fauoured the house of Lancaster, he accep­ted the Order of the Garter, which he ware all his life, and sought his sister in marriage, although hee had noe will to marry her, but [Page 89] being ingaged in this proposition he was taken at his word, that which in the beginning was but a meere will, became necessity. William of Cluny a Prothonotary was imployed in this treaty, as in many other great occasions, to recompence the which the Duke of Bourgundy demanded a Cardinalls hat for him, and sent Philibert Hugonet Bishop of Mascon to Pope Sixtus the fourth, who seeing the great oppositions which Cardinall Latin of Vrsins made, he fell into some hope to attayne vnto that dignity, the which he deman­ded and obtayned.

A resolution was taken to goe directly to Paris,He that will doe any great effect in an ene­mies estate, must go direct­ly to the hart, and not busie him-selfe vpon the fronter. the Army leaues Estampes, passeth by Saint Mathurin of Larchant, and Mo­ret in Gastionis. These two smale townes were appointed for the Dukes of Berry and Brittaine. The Earle of Charolois was lodged at Piguet in a large medow, fast vpon the riuer of Seine. The Mar­shall Ioachin and Sale [...]art could not stop theirIf there bee any thing that doth import in the conduct of an army and binds a generall to be carefull, it is the passage of riuers which may not be wa­ded through, in the which there are a thousand inc [...]nueniences. Among many meanes which Veg [...]tius sets downe, hee ad­uiseth to carry smale boates of one peece, and plankes to [...]ay vpon them. Ve­ge. lib. 3. cap. 7. passage, for they had much Ordinance to make their way, and there were none but some few horses on the other side to hinder them. In all this he was assis­ted by the wise councel and experience of the Earle of Dunois, who was an Vlisses in pollicy, and an Achilles in valour. Hee caused small boats and wine pipes to be carried in cartes.

In the midest of the riuer of Seine there was an Iland in the which he lodged through the fauor of his Canon, remayning there all night with fifty men at armes,Passage of the army in­to the Isle of France. and the next day he finished his bridge vnto the other banke. The building of this bridge brought repu­tation to the army, for that Prince seemes either very weake or very fearefull, which giues an army leysure to make a bridge. As there is shame not to hinder it, so there is glory to finish it. The Romans who were rightly borne for the conquest of the world, were so Iea­lous of their honor at the passage of riuers, as they neuer passed ouer their Legions but vpon bridges,To passe ri­uers without a bridge was held vnworthy the greatnesse and Maiesty of the Roman people. Caesar; Nisi pō ­tibus presidiis­que impofitis dare in discri­men legiones haud Impera­torium ratus [...] and after that they had planted gards vpon the approches. At this passage the army was fortified by nine hundred horses, led by Iohn Duke of Calabria, Sonne to Rene King of Sicile, foure hundred Crosbow-men Ger­mans, and fiue hundred Swisses.The first Swisses which carried armes came to serue the league of the common­weale. Phil. de Commines saith that they wan credit for them that came after, for they behaued themselues most valiantly in all places where they came. They hold that their were an hun­dred thousand horse in this army.

They tooke Pont Charanton, whereas the quarters were gi­uen vnto the troupes to besiege Paris. The Earle of Charolois and the Duke of Calabria held all the banke of Seine from Charan­ton to Conflans.Dispositi­on of the leagues Armie. The Campe was inclosed with a number of carts. The Dukes of Berry and Brittaine were lodged at S. Maur, and all the rest towards S. Denis. The Princes did presently let the Parisiens vnderstand why they were in Armes, for the which they gaue such plausible pretexts, and offered so many officesOffers made to a multitude must be of [...] things as please them. They offer offices to the inhabitants of Paris: Phil de Comines giues the reaso [...]. That offices are more desired in that Citty then in any other in the world, for such as haue them, make of them what they can, and not what they ought, and there are offices without wages which are sold for eight hundred crownes, and others which haue final vva­ges are sold for more then their wages can amount vnto in fifteen yeares. and preferments to them that fauoured their designes, as hauing let them know that they desired to conferre together to consult of the [Page 90] meanes to reforme the disorders of the Realme, the Citie sent her Deputies, whereof VVilliam Chartier, Bishop of Paris, was the chiefe.

There was some Ceremonie vsed in it. The Princes assembled at S^t. Maur.Assembly of the league and Depu­ties of Pa­ris. The Duke of Berry was set in a chaire, the Duke of Brittanie and Calabria on the one side, and the Earle of Charo­lois on the other, with his Cuirasse and a rich mantle ouer it, and these three stood.If this con­uersation had beene suffered, saith Phil. de Com. the Prin­ces might haue said the Towne had beene won, for the people would soone haue turned to their partie, for many rea­sons, & by cō ­sequence the whole realme.

Iohn, Bastard of Orleans, & Earle of Dunois, propounded in the behalfe of the Princes that the designe of their league tended onely to the publike good, and that it was necessarie to vnderstand one an other, and to haue free entrie into Paris to treat and conferre to­gether: that the fittest meanes depended of that Conuocation of the Estates, intreating them not to bee amazed if they presented themselues before their Citie in Armes, hauing no other intent but to cause the King to giue eareMarc An­thonie, saith, that although all sedicious, bee dangerous, yet that is iust and necessary, when the people being opprest demāss reliese from the whole con­gregation of ci­tizens lawfully assembled. to the good and wise counsell which they would giue him for the publike good of the Realme, the which they said was ill gouerned, laying many imputations vpon the King.

If the King,Conference broken by the Kings presence. who was gone into Normandie to raise his troupes, had not come as a Prince should come to fortifie a people ama­zed and wauering, this first conference had giuen the Princes of the league a great aduantage, for the Citie yeelded to receiue them and their men, paying and liuing without excesse, but being arriued, no man durst once speake of a conference or an accord, and such as delt in it repented themselues, beeing forced to depart the Realme. The Bishop of Paris liued in disgrace with the King, It was not a cloudWhen Atha­nasius was ba­nished by the Emperor Iuli­an, he said vn­to his friends that came to sorow with him in this disgrace Courage my children this is but a little cloud which wil vanish pre­sently. Nic. lib. 10. c. 19. to passe with the first Sunne-shine, for his dark­nesse continued his whole life, and the King shewed some fee­ling thereof after his death, hauing caused his Epitaph to bee al­tered.

He was content to haue kept Paris from fayling, and would not search out too curiously neither the names nor the number of those that had mannaged this designe.Neuer saith the Sig^r of Hail lā did the Par­risiens hold the better partie, neither did they euer any thing well but this time; for they were for the King whome they supported and relieued. He considered that in so great a Citie there must needs be some bad spirits,There is not any Citie saith Tit. Linius which hath not bad Citizens, but the multitude is alwaies ignorant and grosse. and that in publike offences the number takes away the punishment. Hee let the most capable vnderstand that he was King, and that he had no need to haue the Princes come in Armes to reforme his Estate, that none of them could loue his subiects so much as himselfe, that by the grace of God he was the father, and to let them know what they might hope for of the mildnes of his raigne, the Parisiens pri­uiledges did abolish the impositions raised since the raigne of king Charles his father.Normans will liue at discretion within Pa­ris. True it is the Parisiens could not well agree with the souldiers that were within the Citie,Townes besieged haue many times suffered more by them within it then by the enemie. Such was the estate of the Lu [...]ans de­ [...]ded by the Epir [...]ts. Tit. Liu. lib. 8. the chiefe garrison was of Normandie, who would liue in Paris as in a country of [Page 91] conquest, threatning to doe any thing, and they were not fearefull to any but to their hosts.There can be no great ex­pla [...]s expected against an ene­mie from a sol­dier that is in­solent and in­supportible to his host, as were they of Vitelli­us, whom Tac. cals Hospiti­bus tantu [...] me­tuendos. The Bourgesses were mooued and pre­pared for their defence, as well against them within, as their ene­mies abroad. The people hold all them for enemies that trouble them, and know not how to endure: they of Paris were not then so apt to suffer, as they haue been a hundred and fiftie yeares after, for the first daie that the Princes armie appeared before the citieA people shut vp is subiect to loose patience, and to reuolt a­gainsth▪ s [...]prince when bee sees the enemie to spoil [...] his posses­si [...]ns abroad, & that [...]e is torme [...] ted by thē with­in that gard him. Wherefore he must be kept in awe by two meanes, vigour and mildnes, by the scare of worse and hope of better.. The King telling certaine Bourgesses that were in guard at S^t. An­tonies gate, that the Bourgundians should not annoy them as they had done, a Proctor of the Chastelet hauing more feeling of the wine that was lost, then of the bloud that was spilt, answered, Yea Sir, but they gather ourThe vines a­bout Paris were gather [...]d the first daics of the siege, before September, al­though the gropes were not r [...]ps. The Chro­nicle saith that the wine was very small, and that they called it wi [...]e of the Bou [...]gondians yeare.Vines and eate our grapes, and we cannot help it. It were better replyed the King, that they eate your grapes, then to come and take the siluer which you haue hidden in your sellers. Paris hath alwaies loued her ease, and to take her gaine from herGreat townes are not kept in obedience and awe but by the mea [...]es which the people haue to gaine. Cleon could do much in Athens, for that hee flattered the common people, vsing them like an old man and giuing them stil some meanes to gaine Plur. in the life of Niceas. were to draw her out of her Element. They are prompt vppon the first terrors, and are sooner sicke of opinion then effect, more things amaze them then hurt them.

The Armie shewed it selfe euery day as it were in Battell in that great plaine towards S^t. Anthonies, and to make it seeme greater the horse-boyes tarried not at home, but some seemed gallant, whom hunger tormented, and many had winde in their bellies as well as in their heads. It was obserued then for a strange thing that the armie which thought to famish Paris,Paris fami­sheth the Ar [...]ie which would haue fami­ [...]hed it. had beene famished without Paris: so commodious is the situation of this Citie and was so well chosen by her first founders.The first care of them that build Citties, is for the Commodity of victualls: The Ingenor Democrates perswaded Alexander to build a towne vpon Mont Ath [...]s. Alexander commended this designe, but how said he shall the Inhabitants liue, wherewith Democrates was confounded, and Alexander mocking his Archi­tector, built Alexandria neere vnto the sea, and the Riuer of Nil. Phil. de Commin [...]s obseruing that the siege had caused no dearth of victuals in Paris and that the Citty did furnish them aboundantly admires the scituation. The King who in the guiding of this Ship hath his eyes alwaies lift vp to heauen and his hands at the helme, was more resolute to defend himselfe then to attempt any thing, yet hee made a trench from Charanton be­neath Constans with a little fort at the head of it, where hee lod­ged foure thousand Archers, with some Ordinance, which made the Princes to keepe their chambers, for it played in their quarter. The Dukes of Berry & Brittanie came in the morning to the Earles lodging to hold a Councell, where they dined and departed not but by the fauour of the night.

This was all that the King did, for hee held it not fit to hazard any thing, hee knew this great and gaping breach would exhale contagious vapors, that it would not be closed vp with the death of one man alone, but would swallow a million, that he had rather saue his subiects then vanquish his enemies.A Prince should alwayes haue in his mind, euen in the heat of Combats, that royall saing of Scipio which Antho­ny the Gentle did so much esteeme. Se malle vnum seruare Ciuem quam mille hostes occidere. Iul. Capitoll. So great a conspi­racie would that choller should straine the sinewes of his soule, and that hee should refuse peace to them who demanded nothing [Page 92] but warre, but he represented vnto himselfe the deadly bitings of incensed necessitie; that the bloud which should bee spilt in this warre flowed from his veines, that the blowes would fall vppon his members, and vpon part of his bowels: That it is a goodly thing to suffer himselfe to bee vanquished, when the victorie is dangerous to the victor.

Hee resolued to make their Camels drinke the water which them selues had troubled. They propounded a peace with good­ly conditions. The Princes make show that they desired not warre but for the publike quiet, and to liue without wrong. They made many truces to treat that, they which lasting but little was not much distinguished from warre,A short truce fauours more of war then peace. Ign [...]uum tem­pus, nec p [...]ce laetū, nec bel­lis exercitum; Cognatae in­duciis Insidie sunt. as the middest doth alwaies leane more to one of the extremes then to the other. The treatie was begun by diuers, but the King ended it, who one morning came by the riuer to Conflans.

Before he went out of the boat hee said vnto the Earle who at­tended him on the banke.Enteruie [...] of the King & Earle of Charolois. Brother doe you assure me that? to whom the Earle of Charrolois answered, I as a brother. The word of an enemie is a dangerous assu­rance, K Lewis the eleuenth had no other to goe into the Princes Army which were iust against him. If there cōfidence hath vndone some, it hath bin suc­cessefull to o­thers, and Sci­pio Africanus went vpon this assurance to Si­phax, who al­though he were abaroarian & a cruell enemie to the Romane name, yet the mildnes and ge­nerositie of Sci­pio made him a friend. Ladi­slaus King of Bohemia went freely to Ma­thias King of Hungary his ca­pitall enemy, to end controuer­sies which could not be determi­ned at Olmutz, & they became great friends. Dubrau. lib. 2 [...] He receiued the King with much respect, and the King spake vnto him with great mildnes, which made his heart apt for any impression, so great is the force of words, and so well hee could handle his tongue, the which he vsed as a pensill for all coulours.

He that will haue effects according to his owne heart, must not spare words to his liking that may giue them. Mens spirits are go­uerned by words, as a ship is gouerned by the helme, and a horse by the bit, and wee cannot say what power the sweetnes of words haue ouer the minde of man.Words are the Instrument by the which the minde of man is animated, thrust forward and held backe. A Prince that knowes how to vse them hath a great aduantage in all that he treates, and when it is acompanied with such sweetnes as grauity is not wronged, it workes what it lists in the hearts of men. The King, framing his speech to this tune, said vnto the Earle. Brother I know that you are a Gentle­man, and of the house of France: why my Lord, answered the Earle. For that, said the King, When the foole Moruillier spake so boldly vnto you, you sent me word that I would repent the words hee had spoken before the yeare were past, you haue not failed, and before the time. The King spake these words with a countenance so free and full of affection, although his heart were full of indignation and spleene, as the Earle tooke delight in it. He disauowed Moruillier, and tooke the seales from him. Princes play with their subiects, and disauow them when as their negotiations are not answerable to their hopes.

He did walke long by the riuers side, betwixt the Earle of Cha­rolois, and the Earle of S^t. Paul, and heard their Intentions.The King who thought nothing wel done if he were not an Actor, went to the Earle of Charolois, preferring the necessity of his affaires, before the considera­tion of his quali [...], for he held that the honor and glory of an action depended on profit. Yet they had deputed som [...] of either side to treat: For the King were imployed Charles of Aniou Earle of Maine. The Signeur of Pressig­ny President of the Acounts & 10. Dauuet President of the Parlament of Toul [...]s [...]. For the Princes the D. of Calabria, the Earle of Du­nois, and the E. of S^t. Paul. The Earle of Charolois demanded the Dutchie of Normandie for the Duke of Berry, and the riuer of Somme for himselfe, little for the publike, and much for priuate men. The King told him plaine­ly that he would neuer consent to dismember the Duchie of Nor­mandie, [Page 93] but he was content to restore him the Townes of Somme: and finding that the Earle of S^t. Paul was the Oracle of the Coun­sels and will of this Prince, he offered him the office of Constable. By these offers the strict bond of this league began to be dissolued, for there is nothing so fast bound but it is vndone when as one string begins to slip. The King did and spake all things so cunning­ly, mingly offers with threats, and curtesies with braueries, as the Earle applied himselfe to his intentions.

The day after this first conferenceThis confe­rence of the King and the Earle was the end of the war. It was not thought fit the King should seeke vnto the Barle, but to do his busines hee past all forma­lities, & would not comit that to hope which he might doe by discretiō. What doth it import to ascend to any place, to vse staires of wood, or ston, or whe­ther the key bee of gold or iron, so as it open., the Earle of Charolois mu­stred his Armie,Muster of the leagues Armie in view of the King. whether the King came with thirty or forty horse, commending those goodly forces. The Earle of Charolois spea­king vnto them vsed these words. My masters you and I are for the King our Soueraigne Lord, to serue him when soeuer hee shall haue need of vs.

The Kings offers bred a iealousie betwixt the Princes of the league, euery man cared for his owne affaires. The Earle of Cha­rolois saw one day vpon his conferences and propositions three Councels and three bands, whereat hee was discontented, saying, that there should not be any thing secret in his presence: During these conferences and enteruiewe. Isabell of Bourbon Countes [...]e of Charolois died, the Earle mourned, and the King did comfort him. This death gaue some more facilitie to the peace, for the marriage of the Earle with the Lady Anne of France, the Kings eldest Daughter, was propounded, with the transport of the Coun­ties of Bry and ChampagneIn marriages of the daugh­ters of France, Kings haue somtimes giuen money, & some­times lands of the Crowne vpon condition they should re­turne. Charles the fift gaue to his two el­dest daughters a 100000. franks of gold, and to the rest 60000. Charls the sixt gaue eight hundred thousand to I­sabell married to Richard the second King of England. King Iohn gaue the Contie of Somi­ers in Langue­doc to Isabel his daughter, married to the Duke of Milan. Lewis the yong gaue to Marga­ret his daughter married to Henry the third King of England the Contie of Vexin. for her dowrie and preferment, which the Kings Predecessors had neuer done in marrying their daughters. The Earle of Charrolois affected nothing more, but vpon the doubt which was made vnto him of the alienation of these two Prouinces, he sent William Hugonet, and Iohn Carandolet to Paris, to know if these two peeces might be seperated from the Crowne. The King gaue them all the assurances they could desire, but he shewed that his intent was not to lodge his daughter in a house which he could not loue.

The conditions of the accord being treated after this manner with the Earle Charolois, as hee who had all the power in his hands, euery man stood vpon his gard. The Earle was aduertised of the kings designes, and there was still some one which discouered the Earles vnto the King.In ciuill warres Councels are not secret, and the most hidden are diuulged, euery one hath some friend on the contrarie partie. A page came at midnight to the riuer side crying, that they should be set vpon by all the forces that were in Paris.Dukes of Berry and Brittanie armed once during this warre. This cry gaue so hot an Alarum, as no man doubted it. Monsieur and the Duke of Brittanie shewed themselues armed, which else they had neuer done, and so past through the armie, to finde the Earle of Charolois, and the Duke of Calabria, who had sent skouts to discouer, These men troubled with the darknes of the night, and the generall feareCaesar sent Con­sydius at the break of day to discouer the enemy, and going, feare surprised him, so as he returned, with all speed, and although hee had not seene any thing yet hee said that the enemy had already gotten the top of a mountaine wheras Caesar ment to lo [...]ge, and that hee knew that by their Armes & Ca [...]s, & with knowldege of the Gaul [...]s. Caesar [...]ib. 1. of the wars of Gaule. beeing neere vnto Paris tooke [Page 94] thistels for the pikes and lances of an Armie put in Battell, and so returned sweating, to tell them that all Paris came vppon them. Iohn Duke of Calabria came vnto the Dukes standard, who like a couragious Prince, beleeuing that which hee desired, spake after this manner. Now we are come to that which we haue alwaies de­sired, behold the King and all the people sallied out of the Cittie, and marching, as our skouts report, and to the end euery man may haue cou­rage, euen as they sallie out of Paris, wee will measure after the Cittie Ell, which is the greatest measure.

The Duke of Bourgundy vppon some aduertisement that the Duke of Berry and Brittanie might make their accord apart, as the Kings designe was onely to diuide them, he held it not fit to leaue his Sonne in that Estate as he should bee forced to doe any thing vpon necessitie,He that suf­fers himselfe to bee surpris [...]d by necessitie, d [...]th no more any thing freely, his councels & ac­tions sauor of a troubled iudge­ment. and that if he were fortified with men and Armes, he should keep his confederates in awe,Succors of men and money sent to the Earle of Charo­lois. and make his conditions more assured.To make a peace honorable and with ad­uantage, it must be done in arms and that hee whom they will wrong may say boldly, I will not doe it. He sent him a hundred and twen­ty men at Armes led by the Lord of Saueur, a thousand fiue hun­dred Archers, and sixscore thousand crownes, the which would haue made him more difficult in the Treatie, if they had come be­fore the conclusion.

It had been concluded that Monsieur should resigne Berry vnto the King,Dutchie of Normandie giuen to the Kings bro­ther. and haue the Duchie of Normandie, & that Iohn Duke of Bourbon should enter into the Castle of RouenThe Duke of Bourbon entr [...]d into Rouen by the Castle, the widdow to the signior of Bre­zay S [...]n [...]shal of Normandie fa­uoured this en­trie, contrary to the [...]ing [...] inten­tion. The Bishop of Bayeux, and Iohn Hebert Generall of the Finances of France aduan­ced the same designe. All of­fended the K. and repented the displeasure they had done him. during the trea­tie, but hee entred also into the Towne. When as the King saw that the Normans had allowed of this change without those diffi­culties and moderations which he expected, he sent word vnto the Earle of Charolois that he desired to meete with him neere vnto Con [...]ans. Hee came, and the King said vnto him, that the Peace was made seeing his Brother was in Rouen. This did so please the Earle of Charolois,Earle of Charolois in a danger not fore­seene. as vnwittingly hearing and speaking with af­fection of this accord, hee found himselfe at the entry of the Bul­warke, which was at the end of the trench which the King had cau­sed to be made, by the which they might enter into the Towne. The long black cloake which he carried for the losse of his wife, see­med in a manner to mourne for his libertie.

He was much amazed, but hee dissembled his feare and his a­mazement all hee could, fearing that if the King perceiued it, he would hold himselfe wronged, and it may bee proceed farther. The chiefe men that were in the Armie held their master lost, and represented vnto thēselues that which had hapened to his Grandfa­ther at Montrea [...] Faut Yonne.Ani [...]iury must bee dissembled when as he that receiues it is not in case to re­uenge it, and that he is in dā ­ger to receiue a greater if hee make show of it. So Agripina seemed not to perceiue that Nero would haue slaine her. Choller forced the signior of Neuf­chastell, Marshall of Bourgundy, to vse these words. If this foole and mad man hath vndone himselfe, we must not follow him, nor ruine his house nor his fathers affaires, let euery man thinke of his owne safety and of an honorable retreat: No man can hinder vs from recoue­ring of the frontier.

The ioy was exceeding great when they saw him returne. This Marshall seeing him, said vnto him, that he was not at his seruice [Page 95] but by loane, so long as his father liued.A young Prince must bee reprehended by such persons whose age, expe­rience, and au­thoritie giue power to speake freely, but the acknowledge­ment of the er­ror must cause the reprehensi­on cease, the which must not be done publike­ly, least it breed contempt, and that they which should bee con­firmed in an o­pinion that their comman­mander hath nothing imper­fect, grow doubtfull of his conduct. So all hold speeches & free aduertise­ments to a de­licate Prince, that cannot en­dure to be grie­ued by hearing, are dangerous. Chide mee not, answered the Earle.Heacknow­ledgeth his error and is ashamed. I confesse my great error but I found it so late as I was neere vnto the Bulwarke. The Marshall of Bourgundy added, you haue done it without me. The Earle of Charolois held downe his head and made no answere, for that which he had done exceeded the bounds of all iudgement. The King was commended to haue dealt so iustly, and the Earle of Charolois to haue committed himselfe so freely into a strongers hands.

The conditions of the peace beeing all concluded, the King gaue to the Earle of Charrolois the Castle of Bois de Vincennes for his assurance, promising to come thither the next day. Hee came, where also were the Dukes of Berry and Brittanie and the Earle of Charolois, the ports were well garded, and the appro­ches fortified, and the King was in the like feare in the Castle, as the Earle of Charolois had beene in the Bulwarke. Euery man thought that the Publike weale,Treatie of peace con­cluded at Bois de Vincennes. which had beene so much exalted in this league, should be preferred before all other conditions of the Treatie. But it is a folly to thinke that what is desired of ma­ny can succeed, when it depends of the affections of few men, Matters done hardly succeede but according to the intent of the first mouers. Priuat interests and designes bande against publike intenti­ons, and seldom is it seene what all desire is exe­cuted by few. which haue diuers designes. They talked thereof when as all was done. The Earle of Charolois had the Townes of either side the riuer of Somme, Amiens, St. Quentin, Corbie, Abbeuille, the countie of Ponthieu, Dourlans, St. Requier, Creuecaeur, Arleux, Monstreuil, Croton, and Mortaigne, to bee redeemed for two hundred thousand crownes, after the death of the Earle of Charo­lois. The King to retire these Townes had nine monethes before paied foure hundred thousand crownes. Monsieur did homage vn­to the King for the Duchie of Normandy.Election of thirty six D [...]u­ties to consult of the remedies of the common­weale, and the ease of the peo­ple, the King promising to cō ­firme all that should be done by them.

The Duke of Brittaine held some places in Normandy, which he kept still, for he said he had contributed more, for the charges of the warre, then all the rest.

The Conuocation of the estates was resolued, and in the meane time it was held fit to chuse 36. persons,Reformati­on of the disorders of the realme. of all the orders of France, to prouide with the Earle of Dunois for the disorder of Iustice and the reformation of the estate. The King made no difficulty to grant all they demanded reseruing vnto himselfe the liberty to hinder it. His intent was to diuide the forces of the league, and then to turne ouer his bookes of the sword and dagger,The Emperor Caligula had two secret bookes, the one was called the sword and the other the dagger, wherein they were noted that should be put to death with those kind of Armes Suet. cap. 49. where were written in red letters, their names which had offended him during his retreat in­to Flanders, and his fathers raigne, which had followed his brother and the Princes of the league, and especially they that had receiued him so easily into Normandy:King Lewis the eleuenth held Normandie the most important Prouince of his Realme, he gaue it to his Brother but to delay him, it was to faire a peece to giue for a portion. Philip de Commines saith, he had seene raised in Norman­die fourescore and fifteene thousand pound sterling. for he would not for any thing haue consented to giue him that Prouince, if he had not beene assured of their constancy that held the chiefe places.

[Page 96] But the Normans, who did alwaies thinke that their Country did well deserue a Duke, consented to this change for the desire they had to haue a Prince, which should remaine within the Prouince. There were but three which desired rather to leaue their houses then to change their maister. Iustice had greater power in their soules then wisedome. The Seneshall of Normandy, the Balyfe of Rouen, and one named Picard, who was afterwards Generall of Normandy. The History owes them this testimony of honor,To doe well among men of honor is easie and ordinary but not to suf­fer himselfe to be transported with the cor­uptions of the time nor to follow the vi­olent passions of a multitude but to desire the good, to dare vnder­take it and to effect it in a bad season, in the which vice is honored with the re­compence of vertue, it is an infallible argument of a spirit wonder­fully disposed by nature to all good and commendable thinges. the which is the more considerable, for that there is some difficulties to retire ones selfe out of a presse that runs headlong, and that the imitation and example of ill, presents it selfe alwaies with much heat.

At their departure from Bois de Vincennes,Departure of the Earle of Charo­lois. euery one to tooke his course, the Dukes of Normandy and Brittaine went to Rouen, the King did accompany the Earle of Charolois to Villiers the faire. They lodged together for a proofe of the confidence they had one of another. The King was the weaker hauing but a small troupe, but there was order that 200. men at armes should come to accompa­ny him to Paris. An act of wisedome, as commendable as those of precedent conferences, and trusts had beene dangerous: for in such occasions there is nothing more safe then not to giue any aduan­tage to his aduerse party to wrong him:All assuran­ces of friend­ship, faith and promises which may be drawne from an enemy are good and profitable, but by reason of the inconstancy of men and time there is none better, then so to fit himselfe as he may haue noe meanes to hurt him. The Earle of Charolois hearing thereof was troubled, and caused his men to arme and stand vpon their gardes,Vppon the suspitiō which the Earle of Charolois had of this' troupe Phil. de Com. speaketh thus. It is almost impossible that [...]. great Noblemen can agree to­gether, for the reports and iealousies which they haue continually: And two great Princes that will en­tertaine friendship should neuer see one another, but send honest and discreet men, who shall entertaine them, and repaire their errors. Morning being come, the King bad the Earle farewell, and returning with them that came to fetch him, he freed him from al subiect to distrust his intentions.

He entred gloriously into Paris,The Kings returne to Paris. to haue so happily calmed the storme which threatened him, and two daies after his arriuall hee caused them to feast him at supper in the Townehouse. The greatest personages were inuited with their wiues, hee thanked the Parisiens for their fidelity and constancy in so important an occasion: he com­mended them that had done him good seruice,It is a great content for good men to see how the Prince esteemes their courage and fidelity. and among others Robert of Estouteuille, to whom he restored the Prouostship of Pa­ris, which he had taken away, he hauing held it during the raigne of King Charles his father. He displaced the first President of NanterreWhen as Lewis II. came vnto the Crowne, he made Helias of Tourette first President, who dyed soone after, and this place was giuen to the President of Nanterre, at the suit of Iohn of Bureau a Knight, Seg­neur of M [...]nglat. and gaue that charge to Iohn Dauuet first President of Tholousa: he tooke the seales from Moruillier, and restored them to Iuuenall of Vrsins, from whom he had taken them.

The treatyTreaty of Conflans proclaimed at Paris the 28. of October 1465. signed and sworne was proclaimed, and thereby the warre for the publicke weale was ended,Content­ment of priuat men maks them forget the publike. contenting the interests of priuate men. The King desired to quench the fire of this deuision ra­ther with siluer then with blood, and teares of his subiects. To the Duke of Bourbon was assigned the like pension that he receiued of Charles the seauenth. Anthony of Chabannes Earle of Dammartin, [Page 97] was restored to his landes and soone after made Lord Steward of France, in the place of the lord of Crouy.Ther was neuer so great a marriage but some dined ill, some did what they listed, and others had no­thing. Phil de Com. lib. 1. Cap. 14.

Many others suffered themselues to bee vanquished by the King, thinking themselues more happy to fall vnder his power, then to es­cape, Those that were subdued by Alexa [...]der were more happy [...] they that escaped his power, for these had not any one to free thē from their misery, & the others were made happy by the Victor Plut. for they were freed from miseries, and such as remained with the Earle of Charolois could not hope for any great felicity, know­ing his Councells and designes to be vnfortunate, and it seemed his head was not made but to aflict & ruine his body.Earle of S^t. Paul made Constable of France. And for that the Earle of St. Paul was as it were Arbitrator of all the Earles Councels, the King wonne him, offring him the sword of France, which Valeran or LuxembourgValeran of Luxembourg Earle of St. Paul was made Consta­b [...]e of France. Anno, 1411. two yeares af­ter be y [...]elded vp the sword to Charles Earl of Albret & Suylly, from whom Ki [...]g Charles the sixth had ta­ken it. had sometimes carried.

It is the first dignity of all the orders of France,First digni­ty of the State. hee carries the sword not in a scabberd behind the King as they do before the Duke of Venice, to shew that the vse and authority depends of them that follow it, but naked before the King, who alone commands to draw it and to put it vp, when he pleaseth, as hauing the only power of the sword ouer his subiects. That of his Iustice remaines in the hands of his soueraigne Courts, for the punishment of Crimes wherewith he meddles not: Iupiter doth not strike, hurt, nor condemne any man. Not only the Princes eyes but his pictures and his statuesA Prince should abhorre all that is in­humane and cruel. The Em­peror Claudi­us caused Au­gustus Image to bee taken frō the place wher­as slaues were punished, which had slandered their Maisters vnder the Empire of Caius or Ti­berius, to the end it should not be violated nor behold those punishments. Dion. should be farre from executions. The Kings of France haue held this course to reserue vnto themselues pardons, benefits and rewards, leauing the distribution of punishments to their officers.

Lewis of Luxembourg was declared Constable at the marble table, he tooke his oath, and his authoritie was verified by the Court of Parliament. As Arthur Arthur of Brittaine was chosen Constable of France, by the suffrages of all the Princes and great Counsell, and although the King was then troubled in his iudgement and the seales of France stampt with the Queenes picture, yet by letters of pr [...]u [...]sion. But the kee­ping of the Kings sword is giuen for the Kings s [...]rvice, in fealty and homage and to be the chiefe in warre aboue all next vnto the King. of Brittanie Earle of Richmont was the first whose letters of Constable were there published, so Lewis of Luxembourg was the first that tooke his oath there. We must not iudge of a mans fortune by the glorie of such dignities, they bee peeces of Christall, which as they glister so they will breake. To hold a man happie that enters into great charges, is to giue the name of the image to the mettle which is not yet molten. Wee must see him come, liue and runne to the end of the course, to know what the issue will be.

With this charge Lewis of Luxembourg was wedded to his own ruine, and did himselfe adde much vnto it, for notwithstanding that he were bound vnto the King both by reason and oath,Affection of the Con­stable S^t. Paul. yet (as it is hard but the tree will retaine something of the soyle where it first tooke rooteStrangers [...] not at the first leaue their affection to their party although they quit it. Solon would not allow a stranger to be a Bourgesse in Athens, if he were not banished from his Country.) the affections of men beeing like vnto a streame which ouerflowes and waters a field and is nothing the cleerer: He still kept a naturall inclination to the seruice of his first Prince, grounding his affections vpon one maxime, in the which hee found his ruine in stead of greatnes, whereunto he aspired.Theramenes an Athe [...]an the sonne of Aignon, for that he was not firme in his opinions, holding sometimes one party, somtimes another, was called Cothu­reue which is a kind of buskin vsed in Trage­dies fit for ei­ther foot. Plu [...]. in the life of Niceas. He thought [Page 98] to playTheramenes an Athe [...]an the sonne of Aignon, for that he was not firme in his opinions, holding somtimes one party, somtimes another, was called Cothu­reue which is a kind of buskin vsed in Trage­dies fit for ei­ther foot. Plut. in the life of Niceas. Theramenes in this Tragedie, to remaine a neuter betwixt these two great Potentates, to make them quarrell when he plea­sed, to iudge of the blowes, and to keep himselfe from danger, thin­king to be alwaies supported by the one when the other should seek to ruine him, and to make both of them depend so vpon his will, as as hee should prescribe them a lawe of warre and peace when hee pleased, nt considering that newtrality, which may bee commended in a prince, when by reason of wisedome or weaknes he cannot doe otherwise, is meere trechery and treason in a subiect, who can haue but one maister.

It was a great miserie for him to be betwixt two Princes which could not agree. He that is in this estate is not like vnto the towne of Siria,Pliny saith that the towne of Palmira in Syria remained without touch amidst the pow­ers of the Ro­mane and Par­thian Empires. which was nothing anoyed being inuironed by the Armies of the Romans and Parthians. Hee finds his condition oftentimes like vnto the miserable marriner of Tire, whom one waue cast out of the ship, and another brought him in againe. His humor did fauor his bad fortune, wauering alwaies amidst the vncertainty of his resolutions, and a spirit of contradiction.

When he was freed from one businesse he intangled himselfe with another,His bad conduct & vnsortunate end. well in France, ill in Flanders, and as the cloudes turne al­wayes either into wind, or to raine, his enterprises ended alwayes in teares or sighes. In a word he made a trade of the profession of armes, and did not take them to haue peace, but to make the warre continue.Whilst that Rome was well gouerned (which was vntill the time of the Gracchi) there was ne­uer Captaine nor Souldier which made a trade of war, when it was ended euery man returned to his first ex­ercise. A [...]tilli [...]s Regulus being Generall of the Army in the last war against Carthage, de­manded leaue of the Senate to returne vnto his houses to manure his grounds which his farmors had left wast.

When as he saw that Councells are not esteemed by Princes but according to the euents,He kindles the fire­brands of warre. hee desired to make his to be allowed by some fauorable occasion. He sees the Duke of Bourgondy busie in war against them of Liege, he knowes how much the King is offen­ded at the practises and Intelligences which the Dukes of Normandy and Brittaine had with his enemie, hee therefore Counsells him to make warre against them, to make worke in their owne estates, and to kindle a fire in their owne houses, to the end they should not haue leisure to cast it against their Neighbours. These two Princes in the beginning were great friends,Of great friends are made the grea­test ennemies; hatred folowes and accompa­nies friendship. Chilon could him that van­ted he had no enemies. That he should al­so haue noe friends. Plut. but as great hatred growes from great friendship, they did so iarre in the diuision of the fruites of the peace, as they continued not long together. The Duke of Normandies seruants, who had serued King Charles the seauenth, could not indure the Brittons for companions. The Duke of Brit­taine would bee respected as the instrument of their good fortune. Seeing these two Princes could not remaine Neighbours, they would neuer haue beene associated in the Empire.An admira­ble and sole ex­ample of tru­friendship. Di­oclesian and Maxim. Em­perors entred the Empire to­gether, com­manded toge­ther, and lef [...]. it with one ac­cord.

The Duke of Normandy was aduertised that the Duke of Brit­tanie had a designe not to leaue him, and that the Earle of Dam­martin vndertooke to lead him into Brittaine. Hee was then at Mont St. Catherines attending vntill the preparation which they made for his entry were finished, but when hee had sent notice thereof to them of Rouen, they would not deferre his entry a mi­nute. They set him on horseback without a foot-cloth, and led him to [Page 99] the Cathedrall Church in a black veluet gowne, where they sware obedience vnto him, the Brittons were out of countenance to see their designes made frustrate. The King made his profit of this bad intelligence. He came into Normandy,Normandy yeelded to the King. and within few daies forced his brother to depart. The Earle of Charrolois was much greeued that this diuision had lost Normandy,Ruines caused by diuision are reparied by cō ­cord. The Dukes of Normandie and Brittanie c [...]sidering that they had lost Normandie by their had int [...]l­ligence, recon­cile themselues. It is imp [...]ssible saith Phil. de Com. by this di­uisi [...]n that ma­ny Noblemen can long liue to­gether, if the [...]e be not one head aboue them. A Prince hauing command ouer 10000. men, and meanes to entertaine th̄, is more to b [...]e feared then ten all [...]es & confe­dera [...]s hauing euery one six thousand, for that they haue so many things to accord be­twixt them, as halfe the time i [...] spent before they conclude any thing. for hee beleeued that that Prouince being out of the Kings handes hee was weakned a third part. Monsieur had no other refuge then Brittaine, being poore na­ked and dispossest, which mooued them to pitty, that were too weak to releeue him, and support him against a Brother who was so great and mighty.

The Earle of Charrolois was not long in suspence whether the King would hold all that he had promised: for hauing sent Imber­court and Carondolet vnto him to put him in minde of the promise of marriage of his daughter, they found that shee was promised to Peter of Bourbon Lord of Beaujeu. The King told them that hee would marrie her better cheape then the Earle of Charolois would take her, and that Champagne and Brie, were too good to bee dis­membred from the Crowne.

If men could iudge as truely as sodainly of all things, What should remaine for the prouidence of God to decide? Euery man thought that France would neuer escape this Apoplexie, which if it did not bring death, would at the least end with a Palsey, but her destinies were otherwise set downe in the eternall tables of the great God, the father of time, the true Saturne The Romans held Sat-rne to b [...]e the God and father of truth and did sacrifice bare-headed vnto him, to shew that there is not any thing hidden frō him. which must bee worshipped bare-headed, and knowes onely the periods and ends of Estates. After the glorie, which belongs wholly to his bounty, We must commend the Kings wisedome and iudgement, who re­mained so staied in occasions, where as the coldest spirits would haue been inflamed to runne vpon their enemies. He plaied Sertori­us against Metellus. Metellus sought onely to fight. Sertori­us refusing the Battel cut of his victuals, tooke his water frō him, & kept him from forrage. When he thought to march, he staied him, when he was lodged, he annoyed him in such sort as he forced him to dislodge, if he layed siege to any place, hee found himselfe besieged through want of victuals.

France neuer saw so many men assembled to ruine her, but she shewed that her foundations were good. The forces that were be­fore Paris were so great and so many as they might well be admired both of friends and enemies: for it was an apparent demonstrati­on what this Crowne can doe against the conspiracie of all others. Yet Paris did feele of this storme long after, and was so vnpeopled by this warre, and by a plague which happened in August 1467. as the king to repeople it drew strangers thither with great priuiledges, as such as had been condemned by iustice,Vnpeopling of Paris. by the assurance of im­punitie, and all, as the Chronicle saith, according to the priuiledge giuen to all banished men remaining in the Townes of S^t. Malo and Valenciennes.

The fidelitie of Paris saued the Estate, for if shee had refused en­trie vnto the king, he was resolued to retire into Suisser-land, or to the Duke of Milan. It is true that as it happens alwaies in Ciuill [Page 100] warresIn ciuill wars there are but to many occasions offred to be iea­lous of them of whose loyalty they sh [...]ld least doubt. Kinsmen grow faithlesse. Your seruant may be of that party which you feare. M. de M. whereas distrusts and iealousies grow without sowing, the religion of secrecie was not obserued, for the Princes were ad­uertised of all the resolutions that were taken against them, yea of the time and of the sally which should be made vpon their Armie in three seuerall places; the first and the greatest towards Paris, the second towards Pont Charanton, and the third by Bois de Vin­cennes. Wherefore all this siege the king was euer in Iealou­sieThey watch in vaine for the safety & de­fence of a Town besieged, if fide­litie sleepes at the gates, the gard must bee committed to them whose loi­altie is well as­sured. for that one night he found the Bastille gate open towards the field. The Chronicle saith it was on Thursday the 29. of Sep­tember. He was conceited it had beene done by Charles of Me­lun, but he made no shew of it. Wise Princes should not lightly call in doubt two such deere and precious things, as the reputati­on and loyaltie of their seruants.It is hard to repaire and re­compence the iniuries done to faith and repu­tation. Famae et fidei damna maiora sunt quā quae esti­mariqueant. Tit. Liu. Phil. de Commines saith notwith­standing that the king had not a better seruant that yeere then this Charles de Melun, and the Chronicle attributes to his care the ho­nor to haue saued Paris.

The best blowes which were giuen at this siege were drawne from his head, and from the wise resolution which he tooke, not to haue any thought but to diuide the company, he had forces suf­ficient to fight with all the Princes together without paine or pe­rill, they had not yet past their Apprentiship in warre. Onely the Duke of Calabria knew something, hauing learned it vnfortu­nately in the warre of Naples. The Earle of Charolois had in his youth followed his Father in his Armies and Battels, but a long peace had made him forget more then hee knew. As for the Duke of Berry and Brittanie, the amazement wherein they were when as the Canon played vppon their quarter, made it knowne that warre was not their Element. The Historie hath obserued that af­ter the Armie had past the riuer of Seine, the Earle of Charolois and the Duke of Calabria troubled themselues much to haue the souldiers march in order, and represents them so well armed as they seemed to haue a great desire to fight. But when it describes the equipage of the Duke of Berry and Brittaine, it makes a right Prosopopeia, seruing onely for the number and pompe. They did ride, saith Phil. de Commin: vpon little nags at their ease, carrying for the most part but little light Brigandins, yet some said they had nothing but little gilt nayles vpon Sattin, that they might not weigh, yet I know not the truth. He that goes to the warre without his Armes shewes that he hath no desire to come neere blowes.

PARIS was all in Feasts and Ioy for the happie successe of the Kings affaires, who had so wisely pacified the windes which threatened his ship with shipwracke, but much more for the dis­charge which he made of certaine souldiers and impositions which the people found insupporta­ble. On Saturday the third of August 1465. the King remit­ted the fourth peny of the wine to the eight, & tooke away all impositions ex­cept of Marchā ­dise of the six farmes in grosse These publike ioyes were doubled by the Queenes entrie into Paris.Queenes entry into Paris. She went by Bote to our Ladies church, past to the Celistins, and so to the Tournelles. She was accompa­nied by the Duke Amé her Brother, and the Lady Bonna of Sauoy her Sister, married to Iohn Galeas Duke of Milan. The Historie of these times, as curious to represent the order of Feasts that were made, as that of Battels,Paul Aemi­lius obserued a wonderfull or­der and disposi­tion in feasts, saying, that there was the like suff [...]ciencie of Iudgement to know how to order a Battell fearefull to the enemies, and a feast p [...]easing to friends, for the one and the o­ther d [...]pend of good iudgment, to know how to order things. Plut. as if the knowledge of the one gaue as great proofe of sufficiencie as the other, reports the magnificence, and addes that in the house of Iohn Dauuet the first President they had made foure bathes (they were alwaies acknowledged among the delights) for the Queene and for the Ladies. Her indisposition and that of the time would not suffer her to bathe. One of the bathes was for the Ladies of Bourbon and Sauoy, the other for the Daughter of the Lord of Monglat, married to the sonne of Nicho­las Balue, brother to the Bishop of Eureux, and Perrete of Chalon a Bourgesse of Paris. This woman is particularly named in diuers places of the Historie, and here shee hath her share in the delights and pleasures of the bathes.

The Duke of Sauoy procured libertie for his Brother Philip, whom the King married vnto Margarete the third Daughter of Charles Duke of Bourbon, and of Agnes of Bourgundie, but the content of his libertie was not of such force in his remembrance as the distast of his imprisonment, the apprehension whereof made him to follow the humors of Charles Duke of Bourgundy against [Page 103] the King. Amé dyed three or foure yeares after in the Towne of Orleans of a Flix.Ame the third dyed at Orleans about the end of Iune 1471. he left 2. sonnes Phi­lebert and Charles vn­der the gouer­ment of the Lady Yoland of France, Si­ster to Lewis the eleuenth.

But whilest that France enioyed this quiet, which the King had purchased in dispersing these terrible windes, her auncient friends felt the storme, and yet she had no meanes to relieue them, for that she would not open the wound which began now to close vp, nor fauour the examples of rebellion against a lawfull Prince.

They of Liege not thinking the warre should last so little be­twixt the King and the house of Bourgundy,Liege Re­uolts a­gainst the Duke of Bourgondy had done all acts of hostilitie against the Duke of Bourgundies subiects, preferring al­waies their owne interestHee that knowes well how much his owne interests concernes him, will neuer haue it march after another mans. before a strangers. The King had pro­mised them two hundred men at Armes, euery one hauing three horses at the least, to spoile the country of Henault, and not to treat any peace without comprehending them.

Vpon this assurance, and a presumption, that their towne was impregnableThe people do alwaies pre­sume of their forces with an ouer-weening and rashnesse. The Iuhabi­tants of Nouo­garde the chief Citty of Russia said bragging­ly, Men can do nothing a­gainst God nor vs, but Iohn Basileus K. of Muscouy made them to change that language. Crant lib. 13. Vand. cap. 15. and themselues inuincible, they sent a Herald to Bruxells, to proclaime warre against the Earle of Charolois, and threaten him with fire and bloud. In his absence the Duke receiued and read the letters, and then deliuered them againe vnto the He­rald, saying, that his Sonne was in France, and that he should car­rie them vnto him if he list. Hee returned to Liege, from whence he was presently dispatcht with the like letters against the Duke himselfe, and all his Allies.

These threats were sodainly followed by the effects, they entred into the Dukes Contry, with all kinds of outrages and inhumani­ties. To commend this Prince or to speak well of the house of Bour­gondy,Army of the Duke of Bour­gondy a­gainst the Liegeois. were crimes which could not be expiated but by death. The poore peasants were slaine like sheepe, for no other reason but for that they are his friends and cannot like of the rage of these wolues. The Duke armes, and by his commandement the Dukes of Cleues and Gueldres, The Earles of Nassau and Horne, with the Marquis of Roselin. They presse these snailes in such sort as they dare not put forth their hornes of Rebellion, and keepe themselues within their walles with repentance that they had so soone gone to field vppon hope that the King (who had then another taske in hand) would assist them, and that they should not want meanes nor cou­rage to defend their liberty.Liberty doth animate mens mindes, and fill their harts with courage & valour, that defend it. In the famous Battels of Mil­tiades, Leoni­des, and The▪ mistocles for the liberty of Greece, the nomber hath yeelded vnto Courage.

They of Dinan, subiecte vnto Liege were no lesse mad against the Duke vpon the newes which ranne, and which was as soone be­leeued as receiued, that the Earle of Charolois had beene defeated at Montleherry. They made an Image very like vnto the Earle, and carry it with great shoutes and cries neere vnto the walles of Bo­uinnes,Indignities and Inso­lencies of people r [...] ­nolted. where they set vp a Gibbet and hang it thereon, calling him whom it did represent, Traitor, Vi [...]laine, and Bastard. The veriest rascall made the greatest noise. They made also another image for the Duke the which they did set vppon a high peece of wood, cry­ng out See heere the seat of that great tond your Duke. An act which cannot bee too seuerely punished by iustice, nor remitted by re­pentance [Page 104] vppon hope of amendement.In these cō ­motions there is nothing b [...]t fury, no cou­rage nor va­lour. Certatim vt quisque a­nimi ignauus, procax est ore T [...]cit. Hist. lib. 2.

This furious mockery against the Prince, was followed by all kindes of cruelty against his subiects of Bouines, who thinking to aduize these madmen to returne vnto their duties, they first sent the Herald of their towne to perswade them, and then a little boy with letters signed. They cut off the head of the first, and [...]are the second in peices. O inconstant people! what is there cruell and barbarous but thou committest in thy fury?Men would not kill aspicks nor vipers if they might bee tamed & made harmelesse, when there is no hope of a­mendment Clemency is in­iurious, and Iustice alwaies necessary, whereas the publique is wrongd crimes whose Impuni­ty draw on o­thers are irre­missible.

The Duke (although hee were exceeding old) thought that he could not dye honorably vnlesse he were reuenged of the ingra­titude and rebellion of Dinan.The Duke bu [...]eegeth Dinā, takes it and ru­ines it. He caused himselfe to be carried thi­ther in a litter, leading an army of 28000. horse and a great number of foot, he takes the towne, ruines it and casts 800. of the Inhabi­tants into the riuer of MeuzeA Prince should neuer dissemble an o­pen rebellion, for hee that doth not punish a rebell in such sort as he may no more rebell, must be held to haue little witte and lesse courage. and they which did not end their mi­series now in dying remained to dye daily,The misera­ble man is be­holding vnto death, it frees him from mise­ries. Tamber­lan slew as many lepers as he found, that they might haue an end of their miseries, and infect no more by their cōtagion. Cal­condile. For the same reason Dracula Prince of Valachia shut a great troupe of Beggers into a [...]arne, and set it on fire, hauing made them all drunke. Bonsin. Lib. 3. beeing nothing beholding to them that meet [...]ng them suffered them to liue.

The Liegeois apprehending the like vsage yeelded vnto the Duke, hauing made shew that they would giue him battell,Liegeois giue 50. Hostages. they gaue him fifty hostages for assurance of the fealty which they promised, and sixe hundred thousand Florins of the Rhin, paiable in sixe yeares.

This warre ended, the Duke of Bourgondy ended that of his life, and changed it into an eternall peace,Death of Duke Phi­lippe. in the 72. yeare of his age, the 48. of his raigne, the 15. of Iuly in the yeare 1497.Phil. de Commines saith that the Liegeois gaue 300. Hostages, the number was but 50. whereof 32. were of Liege, sixe of Sainctron, or St. Trid, sixe of [...]ongres, and sixe of Hesselt. Hee left his house in the height of felicity, ritch in alliances, honour, friendes, and reputation, gold in his coffers, and iron to defend it.It is nothing to haue gold if they haue not Armes to keepe it. Craesus shewed his treasure to Solon, who seeing it to be of an infini [...]e valew, demanded where was the iron and steele to keepe that gold. It was not an estate gotten by hazard, and increased by iniustice:There are some estates which haue beene begun by hazard, and augmented by iniustice. It had the foundation of them in the Realme of France, the continuance seemed immortall.Greatnes of his house. But Architectors dye, and the buildings re­maine. This greatnes did not passe the fourth Male, it was disinem­bred into many peeces, the cheefe fell to the house of Austria. He had three wiues, Michelle of France, daughter to King Charles the sixth, Bonna of Arthois, daughter to Phillip Earle of Eu, and Isa­bella of Portugall, mother to Prince Charles, in marrying of whom he setled his thoughts for marriage, and tooke for his motto, Autre N'auray, but he did not forbeare the exercise of his loues, so as his iniust intemperance begat eight sonnes and foure daughters.

This Prince was valiant and hardy, wherof he made good proofe in that great and troublesome warre, which he vndertooke against France, the which continued 82. yeares without respite or truce. A warre which made mountaines of dead Carcasses, and riuers of bloud in France, into the which he said he had entred against his mind, desiring rather to imploy his armes against Infidels, as he did in the holy League,Iulian Caesarin Cordinall of St. Ange and Legat to the Pope with Ladiflans be­ing at Buda, made a new league among the Christians to ruine the Ot­toman name, in­to the which he had drowne Pope Eugemus the 4. The duke of Bourgundy, the Venetiant and the Gene­ [...]ois. to succour Hungary against Amurath.

[Page 105] He made it knowne by his deuice of many fufills or irons to strike fire, fastened to a flint which cast forth flames, whereby hee would say that his humor was addicted to mildnes and to peace, if they did not force him to warre, as the fufill retaines his flame if hee bee not toucht, But doth presently thrust it forth when it is strooke. He liued in such credit and authoritie among the soueraigne Powers of Europe, that although he carried not the title of a King, yet hee marcht equall with the greatest Kings, and if hee had would might haue had his estates erected to a Kingdome. When as Pope Eu­genius the fourth saw that most Christian Princes were banded a­gainst him, hee fled vnto the Duke of Bourgundies protection and presented vnto him the miraculous Host which is in the holy chap­pell at Dijon.

A good Prince beloued of his subiects,His bounty courage & moderatiō. whom hee did not in­treat according to the power which he had ouer themThe greater a Princes power is, the more his liberty should be restrained. The more mighty a Prince is ouer his subiects the more mighty his subiects make thēselues against him. respected of strangers with whom he could liue, but blamed to haue been the Instrument of the cruell Tragedies which had beene acted vppon the Theater of France. He iustified his Armes by the reuenge of his fathers death, slaine by Charles the seuenth, being Dauphin, vp­on the bridge of Monstreau Faut Yonne. But hee did not re­uenge it vpon the Ladie Michelle The iniury of kinsfolks to the wife is some­times reuenged by the husband vpon his wife. The D. of Bour­gundy loued not his lesse, not­withstanding that the sight of the Sister did for three yeares together reuiu [...] the iniury of the Brother. his wife, Sister to Charles, nei­ther did he loue her lesse, hauing no intent that innocencie should be mingled with the memory of the offence.

Charles succeeded him, if the children retaine the complexions of them that haue put them into the world,Humor and disposition of Charles his sonne. as the graine which is cast naked into the earth, doth notwithstanding bring forth the straw, stalke, and eare from whence it came. This Prince beeing borne of Philip and Isabell of Portugall must needs be of a fantastick temper. The Father was hardie, the Mother distrustfull, they wondred how shee could beare him nine monethes in her wombe, seeing the humor of this Prince could not rest one houre in a place.

Princes desire to beginPrinces which enter newly in­to a realm must think that their reputation de­pends of the be­ginning. They must giue them selues to such high and emi­nent Actions, as they may settle a beleefe in their neigh­bours that they are not onely capable of the fortune which they haue found, and which they hold, but they haue wisedome and courage to aug­ment it with anything that time and occasion shall offer. their raigne by some famous action wherein their is both hardines and good fortune, they will that all they doe in the beginning may be a president, for they iudge of the issue by the entrie.His entrie into Gand. Hee thought that of all the townes in Flan­ders there was not any one where hee was so beloued as in Gand, and therefore he would begin the entrie and visiting of his Townes there, assuring himselfe that hee should be receiued there with so great proofes of affection and obedience, as it would bee a les­son for all the rest to frame themselues to the like dutie. For the people doe wonderfully desire the first view of their Princes,The peoples hearts are filled with incredible ioy at the sight of their Prince. The law [...]s haue held it fit to moderate the expences which the excesse of ioy doth breed in such occasions. Si Sacros vultus inhiantibus forte popuilis inferimus, hoc sine immodico pretio nunciari exipique sancimus. L. 1. C. Publicae Letitiae. Lib. 12. and the Prince should desire that his subiects fly not from him like a wild [Page 106] beast which comes out of his den, but that they fly before him, as before some goodly light.

Hee knew not that to demand wisedome of a multitude, is to seeke it of a mad manTo demaund wisedome of a multitude, is to seek gouernmēt in a mad man▪ In the common weal of Athens wise men pro­pounded, and fooles determi­ned.: He had forgotten the prouerbe of the hu­mor of them of Gand, that they loue their Princes Sonne well, but not their Prince. Whilest that Philip liued, Charles was their Sunne rising, but the same day that the Sonne entred into the Fa­thers place, hee found the change of their affections. Their obedi­ence was but at discretionInconstancie which is com­mon to people, is more remark­able in them of Gand for the many mu [...]inies & reuolts they haue made a­gainst their Princes. and they thought that he could not hurt them vnlesse they would endure it.

Being deceiued in his conceit hee entred the Towne of Gand,Custome of the Gun­tois. he found the gates open, but their hearts shut to his commande­ments, neither did they stay long to let him know it. Duke Phil [...]p had made warre against them two yeares, and in the end they were forced to receiue conditions, which they held very hard, and withall an imposition vpon the Corne for the charges.Sedition cloaked by Religion. The receit was made in a little house called the Toll-house. The most seditious who would eate their bread with all libertie,A multitude neuer remaines long in an estate which seemes vniust & intol­lerable vnto them, W [...]ere there is no will there can be no bond. That which is done by force lasteth no longer then the present ne­cessitie Haud credi potest vllum populū in ea conditi­one cuius cum peniteat diu­tius quam ne­cesse sit mansu­rum. Tit. Liu. goe not to the Duke to demaund abolition of this impost, but vnder coulour of a pro­cession which they made the day after his entrie they take the case with the bones and relikes of a Saint of their deuotion, come to this house and strike the case against it, saying that the SaintPeople haue often couered the causes of their mutinies with some res­pect of religion., to cut off a great circuit of the Procession would passe through the house, wherewith in an instant they ruined it to the ground. The rest of the mutines were in Armes in the market place to fauour the passage of this Saint and to oppose against any one that would hinder it.

The Duke aduertised of this tumult comes to a house whose window did open vnto the place,The Duke comes to heare of the sedition. where he spake vnto these mu­tyns, and commanded them to carrie the relikes of their Saint vnto the Church. Some take it vp to carrie it away, and others hinder it. Hee desires to know what they would haue, and not any one dares speake alone,In the cōmo­tion of a people if there be not one head that leades them, there is not any one that dayes answere, when the people of Rome rety [...]ed to the holy mountaine, the Senate sent to know the cause of this retreat. Not any one had the courage to answere: and Tit. Liu. saith, That they wanted not matter of an­swere, but they wanted one to make the answers. but altogether. They were but confused complaints and insolent answeres, demanding Iustice a­gainst some priuate men, as in these Commotions there is alwaies some one charged to be the cause of the publike miseries. He pro­mised to doe them Iustice, commanding them to disarme and to retire. But they grow obstinate, and continue their eight dayes, at the end whereof they present themselues vnto the Duke demanding that all which the Duke his Father had taken from them might bee restored, which was the threescore and twelue banners of their trades, and the renewing of their priuiledges.

To refuse this was to hazard himselfe to their furie, and they let the Duke vnderstand that whether hee would or no, the Coun­cels were taken, beeing resolued to take that which they deman­ded, [Page 107] for hee had no sooner spoken the word to grant themThey must somtimes grant vnto the people that which [...]hey desire as they doe vnto chil­drē [...] cry, & to mad men which rage. But w [...]en a se­ditiō is pacified they take away iustly, which they had allo­wed vniustly. their banners,He is forced to grant them what he will take away. but at the same instant they saw them planted on the mar­ket place. Thus the Towne of Gand, from whence the Duke would draw examples of fidelitie and obedience, seemed to the rest for a mirrour of reuolt and sedition, for seeing that the Gantois had sped well with this boldnes, many other Townes did the like, and slew some of the Dukes Officers, who was forced for the time to seeme to be ignorantIt is a graci­ous kind of par­doning not to take knowledge of an offence. of that which these mutyns had done, who deserued to bee intreated with such rigour, as they should haue nothing remaining free, but the sights of their repentance.

With the like wisedome and dexteritie as the King had diuided the forces of the Princes that were in league against him,The King separates the heads of the league. It is an act of great prouidēce in a Prince to breake off the communication & intelligence which may bee betwixt tow personages which are mighty, & of turbu­lent spirits. he labors now to breake their intelligences. He sets such good gards vppon the passages, as the Duke of Brittanie is forced to cause such as he sends to the Duke of Bourgundy to passe first into England and then to Calice. In this great circuit, before their aduertisements be giuen, the Councels be vnited, the occasions lost, and the mischiefes without remedie. He hath his eyes open on euery side, as he is seuerThey must punish crimes when they are committed, and hinder conspi­racies in the breeding. to punish crimes when they are committed, so is he vigilant to breake conspiracies before they bee made. Hee re­solues to plague them one after an other, and to let them know that he repents soone or late that attempts against one that is more mighty.

The Duke of Normandie beeing retired into Brittanie bare and naked, was sufficiently punished with the Councels of his youth. The Duke of Brittanie held himselfe too weake to support him against so mightie a brother, the Deputies which he had sent vnto the King to intreat him & to moue him to pittie, had brought nothing back but that they saw much discontentment in the King for that his brother demanded a portion with his sword in his hand. The King who was then towards Mont S^t. Michael sent an Armie of fiftie thousand men into Brittanie.The King sends an Armie into Brittanie. As the Duke of Alençon had giuen passage vnto the Brittans so his Sonne the Earle of Perch yeelds the same towne of Alen [...]con vnto the French, whereat Mon­sieur was so offended, as hee called him the right Sonne of his Father.Infidelitie is so odious, as it makes the Actions of the children which are borne of them which haue beene at­tained to bee suspected, and suspi [...]ions in o­thers are crimes in them.

Brittanie was ouerrunne aboue thirty leagues compasse. The Duke of Brittanie coniured the Duke of Bourgundy to succour him, but he could not doe it, beeing ingaged with the Liegeois, who rather tired with warre then vanquished, had made a new re­uolt, and spoiled Liny, vpon the assurance the King had giuen them of his protection. He had sent them foure hundred lances vnder the command of the Earle of Dammartin, of Salezard, of Conyhen,Leigeois supported by the king. and Vignoles, and six thousand Archers. The Constable of S^t. Paul came and ioined with them with some troupes.

They played the madde men and did not consider the danger their hostages were in, whom they had giuen for the assurance of their obedience and fidelitie. The Duke held a Councell whether [Page 108] he should put them to death.Consultati­on to put the Hosta­ges of Liege to death. The question require good deli­beration, for if he had beene constant in his first resolution they were vndone. And therefore in such difficulties a Prince should neuer be present to make his opinionWhen as a Prince will do [...] any thing by Councell, hee should not bee here, for his pres [...]nce hin­ [...]ders the liberty of their opini­ons, especially when the que­stion is of the death of any one accused. Ti­berius would not that Dru­sus his Sonne should giue his opinion first in Lepidus cause a [...]cused of trea­son. So when Piso was com­māded to speak his opinion tou­ching Granius Marcellus, be­ing accused to haue set his Sta­tue higher then the Emperours. He said (direct­ing his speech vnto the Empe­ror, And you Sir in what [...] rank will you giue your opinion, for if you speak last I feare my opi­nion will be cō ­trarie to yours. Quo loco cen­sebis Caesar, si primus habe­bo quod se­quar si post omnes, vereor ne imprudens dissentiam. knowne, to the end it may not be followed as a Decree, and that such as will contradict it may doe it freely. The Marshall of Bourgundy and the Signior of Contay, concluded to haue them put to death, grounding their opinion vpon this reason, that so strange a reuolt should bee extraordinarily reuenged, that these Mutyns were vnworthy of the Princes Clemencie, and that the bonds whereby they contained such wilde spirits in their duties, must be taken in the terror of pu­nishments, [...]There are crimes as disea­eases which re­quire violent and extraordi­narie cures. It is not good al­waies to vse to great mildnes in the peoples folly and mad­nes. Dennis of Syracusa scorned at that sh [...]me, saying that the chaines of demands wherewith Estates were bound, are the terror of punishments & Armes. and Armes.

The Innocencie of the Hostages found fauour in the opinions of the Earle of S^t Paul, and the Sig^r of Imbercourt, who detested this crueltie against the poore Bourgesses which had willingly sa­crificed themselues for the publike, perswaded the Duke to take God of his side; this reason was sufficient, and words were super­fluous to oppose against it. But in these occasions, whereas all is disputable, it is good that the Prince haue more then one or two of his Councell, to the end that wandring opinions may bee set right by others, for men are no AngelsThere somtimes escape from the wisest absurd and i [...]considerate opinions, and therefore the Councell of one [...]lone is dangerous, the which must consist of diuers heads. For the spirits of men haue their seasons as wel as their bodies, and the wisest man liuing is not alwaies wise. without passion, they bring them with them in all their Actions, and sometimes ha­tred or enuie, feare or hope; the waywardnes and indisposition of the person are as it were the moulds and formes of Councels. Besides there are many which doe not speake but after others.

The mildest and most iust opinion was followed, and the Hostages sent back to Liege, being aduised not to meddle in the contagion of the infidelitie of others, and to tell them that if they abused their Princes clemencie, they should feele his rigour. One of the assistantsThe Sig^r of Co [...]tay was reputed a wise and discrect Knight, they had neuer noted cr [...]e [...]tie nor indiscretion in his [...]; and yet hee was [...] for this cruell Councell, and his death they imputed to a iust iudgement of heauen, according to Phil. of Commines. at this Councel foretold the death of the Sig^r of Co [...]tay within a yeare,Death of the Sig^r of Contay. for that hee had concluded the death of the Hostage, and it was true.

In the meane time the Duke of Brittanie cryed out for succors. The Duke of Bourgundy sent vnto the King to intreat him to cease that warre, and to consider that the Duke of Brittanies cause was his. The King to pay him with the same reason, sent him word that if hee would leaue the protection of his brother and the Duke of Brittanie, hee would abandon the Liegeois. The Constable of St. Paul, and la Balue carried this message, to whom the Duke an­swered, that he could not abandon his friends. Nor we ours, replied the Constable, you choose not, but take all, you will neither haue vs succour our friends, nor make warre against our enemies. Well, said the Duke going to horse, the Liegeois are in field, I haue proclaimed warre [Page 109]The Heraulds which proclai­med this war, carried in the right hand a na­ked sword, and in the other a flaming torch, a fearefull threat of fire & bloudagainst them with a naked sword and a flaming torch, I will fight with them before three daies passe, if I loose the battell you may doe as you please, but if I winne it, you shall leaue the Brittons in peace.

The Duke besieged Saintron,Siege of Saintron. the Leigois beeing 30000. came to succour the besieged, and lodge in a great Village enuironed with a marish a mile from the Dukes Armie, there they are charged and repulsed euen vnto their trenches with the shot of Arrowes and Canon, but when they that assailed had no more arrowes, the Lie­geois recouered courage, charged them with their pikes, and in an instant slew fiue hundred, and made the rest to wauer betwixt flight and amazement.

The Duke seeing his foreward turne their backes, caused the Archers of the battell to aduance, by whom the Leigeois were beaten and slaine to the number of nine thousand. A number ac­cording to the truth, not to flatterie and passion, which some­times makes Gyants of DwarfesThe true number of the dead in a battel is seldome set down, the vi­ctors make [...]t greater, & the vanquished les­ser, and many as Phil. de Cō ­mines saith, to flatter Princes, for one slaine number a hun­dred. The num­ber of the dead in the Battell of Marignan was neuer truely knowne. The Fr [...]ch said that they had cut halfe the Suis­ses Army in pie­ces which was of 25000. men. The Suisses say that being re­turned into their countrey they found but 5000. wanting and that the French had lost more. Grade­nic saith, that in al there were 22000. Iustin numbers aboue 15000. Suisses, and Guichar­din as many. A varietie which proceeds eyther from error or passion.. The rest retired to Liege, and if there had not been a Moore betwixt them and the Dukes horse-men,Saintron yeelds to discretion. yeelded to the Dukes discretion, deliuering ten men to his Iustice. Whose heads saued the rest, and serued for an exam­ple against their rebellion: He did the like to Tongres which yeelded vpon the same condition, and in this decimationDecimation was inuented to punish a mul­titude in such sort, as the fear might seeme generall to all the Offenders, and the punishment to a small number: all felt it not but euery man feared it. some of those hostages were found which he had sent home.

Hee presented himselfe before Liege,Leige yeelds & demands pardon. one of the mightiest and best peopled townes of the countrie. The Dukes presence made some resolue to trust vnto his clemencie, and others to feare his Iustice. Three hundred of the most apparent of the Citie are sent in their shirts, bare-footed and bare-headed to craue pardon for the rest, submitting the Towne vnto his discretion, without any other reseruation then from fire and spoile.

The Duke who knew that a multitude is sooner vanquished by mildnes then by crueltie,Nothing is [...] by force. [...] makes [...]em wilde, P [...]icles woon the people by the eyes and eares, and the belly by Playes, Comedies, and Feasts. granted what they desired, but when as he sent Imbercourt to enter into it, he found refusall and iniutious words at the gates, for the inhabitants were not yet well resolued, and feared that the Duke, whom they had so offended, would not keepe his word, and that the Towne should bee subiect to the mi­series of fire and spoile. He past the night in great perplexities, and had much adoe to haue his life and the patience of this peo­ple continue vntill day. Still these mad men came like violent waues vpon his lodging to cut all them in peeces that were with­in it, and did negotiate this accord. Imbercourt busied them with offers of new conditions, vpon which they entred into new confe­rences, In tumultuarie Commotions of a multitude, you must rather seeke to win time then to contradict and contest. Wise men haue fit occasions to diuert and breake these furi­ [...]us waues. and then suddenly they runne out of their Towne-house [Page 110] to the walles, euaporating in iniuries and villanies the heate of their phrensie against their Prince. Their rage being rather tired then past, about two of the clocke after midnight they were con­tent to yeeld, so as they might bee assured from fire and spoile.

Imbercourt assures them that the composition should bee obser­ued: vpon this assurance they receiue Imbercourt who seazed vpon the gates,Walles of Liege bea­ten downe. and set gards there. The Duke enters in triumph, they beate downe twenty fadomes of the wall to make a breach, the Towers beaten downe, the walles opened in diuers places, new lawes, new Impositions and a new world. ThatA speedy reso­lution to that which cannot be auoided mo­lifies the paine, and to obay vo­luntarily is to take away that which is rough & troublesome in seruitude. goodly statue set vp in the publike place as a marke of libertie was transported to Bruges for a fatall memory of this desolation, which happened on S. Martins day. 1467. vpon which were grauen these Verses.

They of Gand became wise at the cost of them of Liege,Gantois profit by them of Liege. and passing from a forced obedience to a voluntarieThe Earle of Flanders ha­uing besieged Gand, and re­fused to take them to mercie, if they came not all ioyntly toge­ther barefooted in their shirts to demand it, made thē resolu to sally out vpō him: fiue thou­sand beeing led by Philip of Artauelle de­ [...]eated 40000. men, and en­tred pel-mel with them into Bruges. The Earle was hid­den in a poore womans garret and led out of the Towne in a disguised habit. they found the yoake more easie. The Duke entred there with great pompe, and the Gantois acknowledging their fault, went as farre as Bruxelles to meete him, presenting vnto him the seuenty two Banners of the trades for the which they had made that famous mutinie after the death of Duke Philip, and which had beene formerly taken from them: they submitted their priuiledges to his discretion, payed 30000. Florins to the Duke, and 6000. to them that were about him, neither had they so good an issue of their reuolt as in the time of Arteuelle.s Yet their priuiledges were confirmed, ex­cept that which they call of the Law, by the which of six and twen­tie Aldermen they had the election of two and twentie, and the Duke of foure onely; which caused such ordinarie mutinies and reuolts in the Towne, calling none to publike charges but such as were of this furious and mutinous humor, who held the hearts of the Citizens so diuided, as one should sooner haue ioined toge­ther the peeces of a broken Christall, then the designes of their mindes. He sent the Banners to Bullen vpon the sea, to accompa­nie those which his father had caused to bee layed there in remem­brance of the like rebellion.

Hee made his entrie into Gand armed and victorious.Entry of the D. of Bu [...] ­gundy [...] Gand. The Kings Embassadors came thither vnto him, to intreat him not to meddle with the affaires of Brittanie nor Normandie: winter was spend in these conferences, but the King not able to temporize any longer, nor to giue time vnto his enemies to ioyne together, en­ters into Brittany, and takes Chantoce, with Ancenis. The Duke [Page 111] of Bourgundy aduanced to S. Quentin to succour his Allies.Treatie of the Duke of Berrie and Brittanie. The King held them so short as he made them resolue to treat with him, and laying aside their interest,It is certaine there is not any one of whome we may not ob­taine what wee desire, if he bee not thereby in­teressed howso­euer the publike be interessed. he drawes from them a renoncia­tion of all Alliance with the Duke of Bourgundy. Hee would not haue it said that he was armed to doe nothing, for one enemie hee makes three. He was wonderfully incensed against the King, who alwaies prepared him such bankets, and was discontented with the Dukes of Normandie and Brittanie, who had made an accord without him, terming them faint-hearted and without iudgement. The King made him cease his Armes for sixscore thousand crownes which he gaue him, the which he did accept the more willingly, for that hee desired to enioy in quiet the first contents of his marriage with the Lady Margaret Margaret Daughter to Rich: of York & Sister to the K. of England was married to Duke Charles in Iuly 1468. Shee made her entry into Bru­ges beeing con­ducted by six Knights, A­dolphe of Cleues, Iames of Luxemburg, Anthony Ba­stard of Bour­gundy, Peter of Baufremont Earle of Char­ny, Philip Pot and Philip of Creuecoeur. of Yorke Sister to King Edward, who was come to Bruges.

The King sent Cardinal Balue and Taneguy of Chastell vnto him, to haue his consent vnto an interuiew, thinking that if hee might speake with him, hee would wholly draw him from the Protection of the D. of Brittanie, with whom he was discontented, and would not regard that of the Duke of Normandie which was more hurt­full then profitable vnto him.

The Duke tooke no taste in this enteruiew, beeing (as he said) well aduertised that the King had sent his Embassadors to them of Liege to sollicite them to a new reuolt, Balue and du Chastell let the Duke vnderstand that the Liegeois had been so handled the last yeare, as it was incredible they would fall into the like miseries, and if they had any such desire, this enteruiew of the two Princes would make them desist. Which reason made the Duke consent to receiue the King at Peronne. As soone as Cardinall Balue and du Chastell had acquainted the King with the Dukes resolution, hee set forward to meete him, and parted from Noion vppon a letter which the Duke wrote vnto him with his owne hand, for the as­surance of his comming,Error which the K. could not repaire but with danger. stay and returne. An error which was seconded with many errors,In errors of importance the first step disor­ders all. It is more easie not to enter then to get forth. One error followes an other, and that of iudge­mēt brings that of the heart. and an error of an ill setled iudge­ment, and one of the most remarkable of the life and conduct of this Prince. He went to se a Prince whom he had newly offended, what could hee hope for but to see himselfe forced to repayre this wrong? He had sent men to Liege to make it reuolt, hee should haue giuen ouer this practise, and consider that if it did succeed, Peronne should bee an infallible prison to him, from whence hee should neuer be freed vntill he had done reason vnto the Duke, to the blemish of his courage and honor.It is a disho­nour to bee for­ced to disauow his own thoghts and intentions. The K. had sent men to trouble the D. at Liege, hee had done it through indis­cretion, now he is forced to pa­cifie it, and to stay the busines more then hee thought to ad­uance it.

If this consideration were not able to stay his voyage, yet it should haue bound him to seeke for other assurances then in words and paper;Two errors the K. com­mitted in the assu­rance of his person. and remember that he himselfe had not much regarded that which hee had promised at Constans, that they might yeeld him the like measure, and that there is nothing so light as an oath, when as the breach thereof presents some priuate commoditie. The desire of profit, of reuēge or pleasure, is the ram which ouerthrowes an oth. Neither of the three doth moderate the paine. The di­uine is vndoub­ted misery to periures, and that of the world is shame. Moreouer hee had no child, and committed his life vnto a Prince, [Page 112] whose Ambition would haue confounded heauen and earth to raigne, hee gaue it in guard to him who would ruine his estate, holding it more commendable to be rash then a coward.The rashnet of a priuat man may be excused when it hath no traine: The life of Sparta depends not vp­on that of Ca­licratidas, but that of a prince which is the spirit that giues life and motion to an estate, is alwaies blamed

It is the second error which he committed in the conduct of his owne safety for hee had trusted the Princes that were in league against him,He comes to Peronne to the Duke comming to parle with them at Bois de Vincennes, who desired to seaze vpon the royall authoritie, and to gouerne France at their owne pleasures. Hee went thither without any gards,It is dange­rous to trust the faith of a prince who hath been an enemy, hee beeing the wea­ker. Tosime blames Valeriā of indiscretion, who went to Sapor with a small troope. being accompanied by the Duke of Bourbon, the Car­dinall his Brother, the Cardinall of Balue, the Earle of S. Paul and the Gouernor of Roussillon. The Duke receiued him without the towne, and conducted him to the lodging which he had caused to bee prepared for him. Presently after arriued the Bishop of Geneua, the Earle of Bresse, the Earle of Romont, all three bre­thren to the Duke of Sauoy, the Marshall of Bourgundy, the Seig^r of Lau, Poncet of Riuiere, and the Sieg^r of Vrfe, all carrying S^t Andrewes Crosse, and in their hearts some apprehension of wrong.The King had kept the Earle of Bresse & the Signior of Lau in prison, and he had taken Pi­ [...]ll from the Marshall of Bourgundy. The King being aduertised hereof grew very distrustfull, and had his thoughts troubled and confounded with repentance, There is not any thing more vnworthy wherinto a Prince may fall then repentance, e­specially in er­rors which may not bee twice committed. for that he had not better considered of his voiage. He sent to in­treat the Duke to lodge him in the Castle, for that all these Noble men that were come did not conceale it that they were his ene­mies. The Duke was glad that the King had made choise of the lodging which he durst not haue giuen him,He is lod­ged in the Castle. and intreated him not to doubt any thing.

The two Princes gaue order to their CouncelsPrinces which haue any cōtro­uersies, should referre them to their Councels, to auoide the bitternes and [...]eat wherein to contention may draw them. to consi­der of the meanes to end their quarrels. They renewed the Treatie of Conflans, wherevnto some few things were added in regard of the Duke. But Monsieurs condition grew better, for in exchange of the Duchie of Normandie he had. Champagne and Bry with all the rights, and the Duke of Brittaine entred into the Treatie as an Allie.

Matters standing vppon these termes, newes came vnto the Duke that the Kings Embassadors had made them of Liege re­uolt, The Leigeois in this reuolt made more hast then the King expected, for his designes were not yet well digested, and he held them not so able. that they had seazed vpon the Towne of Tongres, impriso­soned their Bishop, Cousin germaine to the Duke, and slaine fif­teene or sixteene of his Chanons and seruants. The Duke cau­sed the gates of the Town and Castle to be shut, fayning that some one had taken a Casket of Iewels: he fortified his guards about the Castle, and told some of his trustie seruants that the King was come thither to deceiue and betray him.The K. in a manner a prisoner. Hee was so transpor­ted with Choller, as if the first to whom he reported these newes would haue cast oyle into the fire,The first motions of Princes in their choller, passe speedily to resolutions of reuenge whē they incounter men that com­fort and incou­rage them. and had not rather quencht then kindled the wood, he had resolued to doe what he had said against the King. But there were not any but Phil. de Com. and two groomes of his chamber, who did not aggrauate any thing.

[Page 113] If neuer King of France hath seene the image of feare but vpon the front of his enemie, it now presents it selfe in the eyes of Le­wis, who stood amazed in a sad mediation of his error, complai­ning his misfortune with that of Charles Hubert E. of Vermandoi [...] caused Charles the simple to dye in prison. King Lewis his sonne to re­uenge this in­iury called an assembly of the Princes and chiefe noble­men, and pro­pounded this question which he seemed to receiue from the K. of En­gland, to haue his aduice: What punish­ment that far­mer descrued who hauing in­uited his mai­ster to come vnto his house had put him to death. All con­cluded that the crime was pu­nishable, and Hubert said that hee ought to be hanged, You shall bee (said the King) you haue con­demned your selfe. And hee had noe sooner spokē the word but hee was hanged. the simple being lodged at the foot of the Tower where he had beene imprisoned. He made some offer to pacifie the Duke, and to giue hostage to procure such satisfaction from the Liegeois as was fit.

He had friends in the Dukes Councell,The aduice of that which was done in the D. coun­sell, came as it was said from Phil. de Commines. and casting twelue or fifteene thousand Crownes among them,And he himselfe writes after this manner. The King had some friend which aduertised him that he should haue no harme if he did yeeld vnto those two points, but if he did otherwise, hee thrust himselfe into very great danger. he was by that meanes aduertised of the Resolutions which were taken: wherof the mildest and most moderate were not pleasing vnto him. The first opinion was that they should keep promise with him, so as he would declare himselfe an enemy to them of Liege. The second that being offen­ded as he was, it was dangerous to giue him liberty, to reuenge himselfe, The third that they should send for the Duke his brother, and the other Princes to consult what was to be done. In the end they past by this straight, that he was constrained (and it is the greatest violence that may be done vnto a King) to consent vnto a a warre against them of Liege, who had relyed vppon his pro­tection.

The Duke continued three dayes in great alterations, and past the third night in such disquietnes as he did not vncloath himselfe, but lay downe vppon his bed, then rising sodainly he would walke and talke to Phillip de Commines, his Chamberlaine, whose integri­ty and moderation did serue to calme those violent stormes that troubled his soule. He was wholly French,Philip de Commines became a Partisan to the King, who drew him into France, gaue him the signory of Argenton in Poictou, and the Seneshalship of the same Country. and from that time some thought he resolued to retire himselfe into France. But it is not credible that there was any trechery in him. The vptightnes and sincerity of his writings frees him from suspition. If he had been ble­mished with infidelity & ingratitude, vices which dissolue al humane society,All the greatest re­proches are comprehended in these two wordes, Ingrate and trecherous. Nihil aeque Concordiam humani generis dissociat et distrahit quam hoc ingratitudinis vitium. Sen. the King had not trusted him with so many great and im­portant affaires.

The Duke went early in the morning vnto the Castell to the King who was already aduertised of what he would say vnto him, and had time to thinke of his answer, and to fit it not so much vnto reason as to necessity,Amazement should neuer bee seene on a Princes forehead. He should be maister of his wordes, but much more of his countenance, for his lookes do often contradict them, and betray the secrets of the heart. and aboue all to carry so euen a countenance, as the Duke should not discouer that he had any ill game, or that he had a­ny apprehension to loose, for if he had thought that hee had made him affraid, he would haue done him a mischeefeMany times a bad designe begun is not ended; when as he that doth it thinkes that he is not discouered. And it is a maxime grounded more vpon experience then Conscience in such occasi­ons, not to do so much, or to do more. all together.

The Duke was accompanied by the Lordes of Crequy, Charny, and la Roche. He could not by the humility of his wordes, so well [Page 114] dissemble his proud and threatning gesture,The Duke coniures the King to go to Liege but the trembling of his voice discouered the motion and storme which choller caused in his heart: [...] And then there is no great reason in humble wordes and respectiue countenances when as the effects are contrary, and that the inferior braues the superior,To what end s [...]rues respect and humility of wordes, if the action be proud? The day when K. Iohn w [...] taken at the battell of Poict [...]ers, the prince of Wales serued his ma­iesty at supper bareheaded. The King in­treated him to sit downe. It belongs not to the subiect answered the Prince and yet hee held him prisoner. He demanded of him if he would hold the treaty and come to Liege, to help to reuenge him and the Bishop of Liege his kinsman of the Liegeois who by reason of his comming were reuolted. The King granted it, the Peace was sworne vppon Charlemaignes crosse, and the whole towne was full of ioy for this accord: the 12. of October 1468.1468. Oliuer de la March reports this otherwise then Phillip de Commines. The King (saith he) was not well assured, but as soone as he saw the Duke enter into his Chamber, he could not conceale his feare, but said vnto the Duke Brother, I am not safe in your house, and in your Country; and the Duke answered, yes sir, and so safe, as if I should set an arrow come towards you, I would put my self [...] before you to preserue you. And the King said vnto him, I thank you, for your good will, and will goe where I haue promised you, but I pray you let the peace be presently sworne, betwixt vs. Then they brought the Arme of St. Leu, and the King of France sware the peace betwixt him and the Duke of Bourgondy and the Duke of Bourgondy sware the said peace, and promised to keepe and entertaine it with and against all men. The next day they parted and came to CambrayNotwith­standing their speeches vnto the Duke of Bourgōdy that hee should be blamed to break the assu­rance which he had promised the King, hee still answered. Hee hath pro­mised me, and hee shall hold it, I will make no Consci­ence to force him. Peter of Goux his Chā ­cellor, was one of those which counselled him not to off [...]nd the King. Oli. de la March. and entred in­to the Contry of Liege in the beginning of winter. The King had no forces but his scottish garde, and 300. men at armes. The Duke held a Counsell in the sight of Liege, what he should do. Some were of opinion that he should send back part of his Army, for his forces were too great against a demantled towne, which could not be relee­ued, seing the King was with him. He gaue no credit to this Counsell and it succeeded well, for he could not be too strong hauing a migh­ty King by himIt was ne­uer a w [...]se and aduised resolu­tion to hazard all his fortune and not all his forces. and being in danger to loose all if he had been too weake distrust was auailable.

The Duke commanded the Marshall of Bourgondy who led the foreward,Siege of Liege. to lodge with in the Citty, either with their wills or by force. The Pope had a Nuncio within the Citty, to end the Contro­uersies which were in a manner perpetuall betwixt the Bishop and the people, who changing his power and forgetting his duty, vp­pon a designe to haue this Bishoprick, exhorted the inhabitants to defend themselues, and caused them to make a sally with such fury, as they that were without had no hope to enter but victors.Clearchus made a sally & put all his [...] in battell, then he commanded the gates to be shut and the keyes to be cast ouer the wall, to take all hope of entry from the Soldiers, vntill they had lost or wenne. This Sally was so vnfortunate, as he repented him of his Councell, and apprehending the danger, gets out of the towne and flies away, but he was stayed by the Dukes men, who promised to them that had taken him to make their profit, vsing no speech to him. But whilst they contended for their shares in his ransome, they came vnto the Duke being at Table, who blamed that in publique which he had commended in secret,Popes Non cio set at li­berty. declaring the prize not good: and causing the Bishop to come vnto him, [...]he honored him and caused all his goods to be restored, leauing repentance vnto the rest, who had [Page 115] not done that without brute which they should haue doneThere are some things to be done before they aske if they shall doe them. It is the answer which Pompey, sup­ping with An­thony in a ship made vnto an officer, who told him that he had a good opportunity to be reuenged of them, and that if hee would ther should not one remaine. before they asked leaue.

The marshall of Bourgondy and I [...]bercourt winne the suburbs and march directly to the Towne-gate, which stayed not vntill that necessity should force the Inhabitants to demand a peace in mourning gownes,Although the Athenians had no reputation of great cou­rage, yet they neuer deman­ded any accord but in mour­ning robes prest with extreame necessity. vpon their first approch the Deputies present themselues to Parle,The besee­ged de­mand a Parle. but hope and desire of spoile would not giue them hearing. Night surprised the assailants before they were lod­ged, and doth so disorder them as they know not whether to goe, but calling one another in confusion, they gaue courage to the be­sieged to make a Salley.Hee that chargeth first by night hath the aduantage for it is al­waies [...] presu­med that he is the stronger [...] flight doth cō ­monly follow amazement. The night hath no shame. They arme some for feare, others with­out feare,Sallie made by them of Liege. and issue out vppon them by diuers places, for their walles being razed the yeare before, gaue them passage, where they slew seauen or eight hundred. Foure Can [...]ons discharged against the gate along the great street, crye quittance, and keep them from comming forth, who through fauour of this first Sally had a great desire.

Yet for all this they that were come forth would not retire into the Towne, but barricadoed themselues, or as Phillip de Commines saith, insconsed themselues with wagons which they had wonne, and remained there vntill day. Iohn de vilette In sallies the Commander should alwaies stand firme to maintaine the besieged in their duties by his presence, and to fauour their retreat, hauing a care that being re­pulst the enemy doth not enter pel mel with them. When as they of Liege had lost their head in the first sally, their defence was desperate. the sole Comman­der of the people was hurt and slaine. The suburb was kept by the Marshall of Bourgondy, who had committed a grosse error, hauing giuen no better order for his lodgingThe first duty of a good Captaine is to know how to lodge his men. For this only respect Hanibal in the iudgement of Phirrhus, was the first Captaine of Greece next to Alexander. a principall part of the du­ty of a good Captaine. The Prince of Orange was hurt there, and in this action the History giues him the glorious surname of a man of vertue, as it commends the valour of the Lordes of Lau and Vr­fe, and reprocheth the contempt of honor to aboue two thousand men, who vnder fauour of this night had sacrifized their safeties and honors to flight.

This first defeat aflicted the Duke, and hee would not that the King should haue knowne it, if he could haue concealed it amidst so many passions and diuers Interests.The Dukes troupes ill intreated in the sub­urbs. Beleeuing that the brute was greater then the losse, he went himselfe to tell it him. The King was very glad, but this ioy was more grounded vppon discretion then iustice, for if the Dukes designes had not prospered, the King had had cause to repent him, and therefore he did apply his spirit to the motions of the Dukes, approuing that it is a hard seruitude for a great man to force himselfe to the humors of his inferiour.

He was aduised to goe and refresh his foreward, plunged in the mire, besieged with hunger and benummed with cold. The Duke sent 300. horse with some victualls to refresh them that were ready to faint,A famished soldier hath neither courage nor force to fight. It was a great negligence in the Dukes Captaines to haue ingaged the soldiers so neere the enemy, and not prouide to make them eat. Asdruball lost his men against Scipio by this defect. Vliffes blames Achilles for that hee would lead his men to the warre before they had eaten. hauing not eaten of two dayes. Hee came also and lod­lodged [Page 116] in the midst of the suburbe, and the King in a farme halfe a mile off.

This first night about midnight there was a hot alarme although it were in the heart of a very sharp winter. The King shewed him­selfe vnto the Towne as soone as the Duke,Alarum gi­uen and the King goes to horse. and they were amazed at his diligence, the name of King and his presence put the Duke out of countenance.The Duke saith Phil. de Commines, held not soe good a counte­nance, as many men wisht, for that the King was present & tooke the word and authority of Command. The Adamant hath no vertue neer vnto the Diamond, the King would not seeme other then a King, he takes the word and commands what should be done.It is an act of a great Cap­taine in acci­dents not fore­scene to reduce things speedily into order. No other but he in so sodaine an accident could haue assured the amazed, and that with such iudgement, courage and maiesty, as they saw he knew well that hee was borne to that end, and that in such occasions the best blowes are drawn [...] from the head.In war they do not fight on­ly with the force of Soldi­ers, but with the Art and wisedome of the Generall. Some cryed they are heere, others said they come by such a port, the night made all doubtfull, and aug [...]ented the amazement. The King commanded the Constable to goe directly to such a place with such men as hee had, for (said he) if they come, that is their way. But they saw not any one, the King retired to his quarter, and the Duke to his.

The next day the King came and lodged in a house neere to that of the Dukes,The King and Duke lodged to­gether. who fell into such a distrust of this neighbourhood, as hee lodged 300.This change of lodging and these appro­ches do strang­ly disquiet the Duke. He fea­red that the King would cast himselfe into the towne, which had re­lyed vppon his protection, and that hee had some designe against him, at the least that he should in­tend to retire before the Li [...] ­geois were sub­dued and puni­shed. men at Armes, and the best of all his troupes in a barne betwixt them, hauing passages made in diuers places to issue forth.

The Liegeois fore-seeing that they could not auoid their ruine, resolue to incounter and meet with Death, to fell their liues as deere as they could, and to surprise the two Princes in their owne lodgings whither they might goe of an euen ground, for although they were both great Captaines, yet had they not cared to intrench themselues.A remarka­ble fault in 2. great Captains to haue no trē ­ches at the siege of Liege, being doubtful long and diffi­cult. The Liegeois had no head, they tooke hazard and dispaire for their guides, and therewith the maisters of the two lod­gings where the King and Duke were, their intent being to surprize them, and to kill them, or to lead them into the Towne before their men should be able to releeue them.

The night, which is alwaies contrary to these incounters,All Incoun­ters and Com­bats by night, should bee a­uoided. Caesar did not vndertake any thing to execute it by night, and Anthony said that if the Ports of Cremona were open, yet would be not enter but by day. was fauorable to them as assaylants. The order was, that sixe hundred of their best Soldiers should goe out by the walls,Sally of the Liegeois. and about mid­night march directly to the lodgings of these two Princes, without any stay, and kill the Sentinells. And that at the same instant the people should sally forth by the Port, with the most fearefull cryesCries are profitable in fighting, not in marching, by the cries they haue often iudged of the issue of Battells, as they were more or lesse [...]. An vnequall and faint crye hauing pauses, hath often discouered feare, saith Tit Liu. they could make, to giue courage to the execution of this designe.The King and Duke of Bour­gondy in danger to be taken or [...]laine.

They goe forth by the breaches of the walles about ten of the clocke, they take and kill most of the Sentinels, but in steed of go­ing directly where they were commanded, as they might haue done without any resistance, they stay at a pauillion whereas the [Page 117] Duke of Alençon was lodged, behinde the Dukes lodging, and at the barne which was betwixt the Kings and the Dukes.This error for the trenches put the two Princes in dan­ger to be slaine, they be necessa­ry to hinder the sally of them within, and the succours that come from a­broad. With­out all doubt, saith Phil. de Commines, if they had not stayed in these two places, but had followed those two posts which were their guides, they had slaine the King and the Duke of Bourgundy, and defeated the rest of the Armie.

The Duke who resolued to giue a generall assault the next day, had commanded all his men to disarme and refresh them­selues, and hee himselfe had put off his Cuirasse, which hee had not done since his arriuall, so sweet and easie great toilesThe heads of an army should be more harde­ned and labori­ous then others. Alexander marched often on foote in the head of his Ar­mie, but as Cy­rus Father saith, trauels must not bee measured a like in the bodies of them that com­mand, and of their souldiors, neither are they so grieuous to the one as to the other, for that honor maks them more easie vnto a cōman­der, for that he knows wel that what hee does shal come to the knowledge of of al the world. Zenop. in Cy­roped. are in great enterprises. The noise which they had made at the Duke of Alençons pauilion made many to arme,To execute a great designe which requires diligence, they must neuer stay vpon any occa­sion, vnlesse it be an inui [...]cible necessitie, by their turning to Alensons Pa­uillion, they gaue an Alarū & awake those whom they had surprised sleeping. yet notwithstanding the gate and windowes of the Dukes lodging were assailed with great violence.

In this attempt they vse great Art, some crying, God saue the King, others, God saue the Duke, and many, God saue the King and kill, to put the two Princes in distrust, their people into confusion and to kill one another. Cries which caused more feare in the Duke then the danger was great, and his seruants knew not to what partie the King stood affected. The two hostes which led them were slaine at the first,Valor & fi­delity of the Scotish­men. the King came not forth, the Scot­tishmen foughtThis was a new recommendation of the Scottishmens fidelitie. An Act which may be compared to that of the Romans which enuironed Crassus, saying, that neuer any Parthians Arrow should touch his person, vntill they had first slaine them one after an other. Plut. valiantly at his feete, and made bucklers of their bodies, against this inraged multitude, and not knowing any one, slew as many Bourgonians as Leigeois.Night will not suffer them to distinguish friends from enemies. The blows are for the most part vaine & without incounter, & the most valiant slain by the most fearfull. Tit. Liu. The people which should haue issued forth by the gate, were kept in, and the rest were cut in peeces, the King and the Duke talked together beeing amazed at their rashnes, and finding that if they had beene led their designe had proceeded farther, and that they had to deale with men that were more powerfull by despaire then by conduct.

They retired, the Duke hauing an intent to giue an assault, & the King to be present at it,The K will be at the assault. notwithstanding that the Duke per­swaded him to retire to Namur vntill that the Towne were taken. The King answered them that spake vnto him, that although hee doubted of the euent, for that the number of the people was great, beeing prest by two powerfull and violent motions, des­paire, and boldnes, and had alreadie made knowne how deerely they would sell their liues,When as a multitude begins to know that matters are reduced to these termes as nothing cā happen but misery, they assure thēselues in dangers, they change their boldnes into fury, & their hopes into despaire. yet he would be present with the rest, and had no reason to goe to Namur. He might haue safely reti­red, for he had a hundred Archers, a good number of Gentlemen, and three hundred men at Armes. Yet for more danger then hee apprehended hee would not haue made one dishonourable step. The respect of his honourThere is not any great courage but starts at this word Honor. A Prince must go into all places where his reputation is ingaged. The King saith Phil. de Com. where it cōcer­ned his honour would not bee blamed of co­w [...]dise. and that great desire of glo­rie [Page 118] (the onely Obiect of great spirits) was more deere vnto him then his life.

About eight of the clocke on Sunday morning being the 30. of October 1468. the signe for the assault was giuen the inhabi­tants hauing no thought that they would trouble their rest on Sun­day, The Earle of Montfort, who was caled Iohn the valiant, D. of Brittany, sent to intreate the Earle of Blois his enenmy, to re­ferre the Battel which hee ment to giue him, vn­til the next day, for that it was Sunday, & St. Michels feast, and it was one of those dayes, on the which the Countesse of Blois his wife had forbidden him to fight, but the Earle of Blois would not beleeue any of them, and was slain there. This hapened in the yeare 1364. (a day by the scrupulous of that time held vnfortunate to fight in) and moreouer much tired, for that euery day they had beene in gard, and now they were gone to dinner. They were surprised without any resistance, euery man sauing himselfe either in the Forrest of Ardennes, or in Churches, he that escaped the fury of the sword, fell into that of cold and hunger, and all tryed that in vaineKing Ferdi­nand going out of Naples with Don Frederic, the Queene his Grandmother, the Princesse Ioan his daugh­ter, and imbar­ked in the Gal­leys to recouer the Iland of Is­chia, which the Ancients called Enaria, thirty miles from Na­ples, had no o­ther words in his mouth but this Verse of Dauid saying, That Sentinels and gards a­uaile not, if God keep not the Citie. men keep the Citie if God take not the care.

The Duke being master of the Citie came and conducted the King vnto the Pallace. This prince fitting his words vnto the time and to the Dukes humors, commended his victorie, and spake to all that past of the Dukes valour and good conduct, who tooke a wonderfull delight to haue a King for a Panegyrist. The Towne was reduced to that estate as it might serue to posteritie for an ex­ample not of conseruation,Ruine and desolation of the Lie­geois but of extreame miserie. The gates and walles were ouerthrowne, the ditches filled vp, the priuiled­ges reuoked, the lawes changed, and all the Churches (except the Cathedrall) spoiled. The Duke caused it to bee kept by some of his houshold, against the souldiers, who sought to force the two doores. A strange thing to see churchesSeeing that God ought to be feared and worshipped in all places, that which belongs vnto his seruice should also hee religiously respected euen in the Armies. Zenophon saith, that Agesylaus would not allow them to touch any Temples in the enemies country. in daunger among Christians, whose impieties are such as euen the most Barbarous Nations doe abhorre them, for they haue alwaies respected holy places, but it was so peruerse and corrupted an age, as there were men without soules, and soules without religion.

The Duke not able to restraine this furie slew a souldiour to make the rest dislodge, all was reduced to a vast and fearefull wil­dernes. The Duke repented himselfe of the cruelties which had been committed in the furie of the Sacke, and offered for an expi­ation the S^t. George wherewith S^t. Lamberts church in Liege is at this day adorned. The King, fiue daies after the desolation of a countrey which relyed vpon the succors of his power, and which stumbled into seruitude, for it could not goe straight in libertie, Liberty is to be desired, when as they that will not be subiect to haue meanes to liue free, but as Plato saith Epist. 8. Many haue fallen into seruitude, for that they could not vse their libertie vvell. tooke leaue of the Duke, and told him, that if he had any more cause to vse him that he should not spare him, but if all were done, he desired to goe to Paris to haue their Treatie verified, yet hoping to meet againe the next Summer in Bourgundy. I will said he,The King desires to returne to Paris. that wee remaine a month together to make good cheere. Princes as all other men are by nature subiect to passions and alterations, and not able to endure the toyle of the body and minde long without tiring, and haue need of some rest and recreation. It is that which K. Lewis the eleuenth in this place cals good cheere. The forme and manner of his words did much help the matter, for he deliuered them with an open countenance, and a heart which seemed free, [Page 119] which did binde the Duke to please him. An Act of incompara­ble wisedome, to fit his words and actions for the necessitie of the time and place wherein he was, and humilitie in these actions doth no wrong vnto a great Prince,Humilitie a­bates nothing of a princes great­nes, for either hee that hum­bles himselfe is inferior, and then it becomes him well, or superior but brought to such a straight, as he is forced to bēd & if he escapes, he greeues not at his humility, although that doe him good who hath in­treated him with pride and arrogancy. which knoweth there is no other meanes to continue with spirits that are insolent of their fortunes, but dissembling.

The Duke also knowing the humor of this Prince, murmured still,Treatie made with­out liberty bindes not. & made his distrust knowne, he did consider that bonds of pro­mises made by men which cannot say they are in libertie are light, that force hath no power to prescribe a force sufficiently noted in the solemne words of the oath wherevnto they desired the King should consent, that in case of contrauention to the Treatie, all his subiects should retire from his obedience, and adhere to the Earle of Charolois. And therefore he would that before the kings departure, their Treatie should be read and read againe, and all the points expoundedIn Treaties of peace they must vnderstand one an other well. Al words must be made plaine, and those that are comprehen­ded or excluded expressed. and that vpon all hee declared his intention. Aduise my Lord if there bee any thing whereof you repent,A breach in the obseruation of forced pro­mises is not dis­honorable, and hee wants force that obserues them.it is at your choise to doe it or leaue it. I desire to adde one Article in fauour of the Lords of Lau, Vrfet, and Poncet of Riuiere, that they may bee resto­stored to their lands and offices, I am content, replyed the King, so as the Earle of Neuers and the Lord of Croui may bee also restored. The Duke, who bare a deadly hatred to these two, spake no more of the rest, and the King declared that he would obserue the Treatie.In Treaties which are made by equals im­pertinent de­mands are cho­ked with the like demands.

Hee had so great a desire to be farre off, as to make no stay of his departure, he made no show of discontent. Hee concealed his griefe so cunningly as it was impossible to iudge that hee felt any. The Duke vsed some complements to excuse himselfe for that hee had drawne him to the warre of Liege.Excuses of the Duke. He had need of very ar­tificiall pouldersWords of ex­cuse and com­plements in ac­tions which cā ­not be excused, are like spices and sauce of a delicat taste to meate which is tainted. to make this sauce pleasing, the gilding tooke not away the bitternes of these pilles. Hee did accompanie him a mile; at their farewell, and imbracings, the King to shew his affe­ction and trust,Words of the K. at his departure. said vnto him; Sir if my Brother which is in Britta­nie were not contented with the portion which I giue him for your sake, what would you haue me doe: The Duke answered, if hee will not accept it, I referre my selfe to you two, and care not so as he be satisfied. These words beeing spoken somewhat roughly were well conside­red by the King, who from that time resolued not to lodge his Brother in Normandie too neere to England, nor in Champagne too neere to Bourgundy.

The Duke continued the rigour of warre vpon the country of Franchemont,Warre in Franchi­m [...]nt. leauing the Towne of Liege on fire,The Duke ap­pointed three thousand foote to burne the Town of Liege, and to desend the Churches. It was fired thrice, in three seuerall quarters. They reserued three hundred houses for the Priests, with whom many inhabitants lodged. Phil. de Com. not ex­cepting any thing but Churches and the houses of such as atten­ded the diuine seruice.Impiety respects sacred things after that liberty hath profaned them. Fab. Maximus hauing spoyled Tarentum and made it desolate, with all kindes of cruelties. When his Secretary came to aske him. What shall we doe with our enemies Gods, he answered, let vs leaue the angry Gods vnto the Taren­tins Plut. in Fabio. They respected the Temples after they had offended him who was worshipped there, by all sorts of im­pieties. Whilest that the souldiers warmed themselues at this [Page 120] fire, the rest endured incredible cold in the Mountaines of Franche­mont, whereas the wine being frozen in the hogs-heads,Sharpe Winter▪ it was cut in peeces with Axes, and carried away in hats and baskets without decrease. Oliuer de la March writes that the Dukes ty­san was frozen in siluer flagons, and that the force was so great as they brake.

At the same time the death of the King of Albania was spred ouer all Europe.Death of the King of Albania. Lewis was much grieued, for that hee alone stayed the Turkes furie, who were cruell scourges to punish the disorders of that depraued Age. He was the yongest Sonne of nine children to Iohn Castriot Voysane daughter to the King of the Tri­b [...]le [...] a part of Macedonie, & Bulgaria, ha­uing conceiued George Ca­striote, drempt that shee was deliuered of a serpent, of such greatnes as he spred ouer all Epirus., who commanded at Croy the chiefe Towne of Albania: who gaue him with his Brethren to A­murath to assure the faith of his promises, beeing forced to yeeld vnder the yoke of that command.

Amurath, George Ca­striot cir­cumcised & caled Scan­berbeg. the Nabuchodonosor God hath v­sed the power of infidels to pu­nish his people, and by diuers meanes he hath giuen them po­wer to trouble them. He raised Nabuchodo­nosor to ruine the Israelits, & therefore lere­mie calls him his seruants, al­though he were most cruell. of the Israelites, made them all be circumcised and change their names, George was called Scan­derbeg, that is to say Alexander Lord: and as Alexander he began betimes to make such proofes of his valourScanderbeg was instructed in all the exer­cises of war be­fore the force of his body could shew what his courage was. He also learned the Turkish, Scla­monian, Arabiā, Greeke & Ita­lian tongues. as euery man thoght that his militarie toyles, would make him worthy of that name, that he would end more Battels in effect then the Princes of his time had seene painted,When Cice­ro spake of Pō ­pey, he said that he had brought more battels to a happy end, thē others had read in Histories, & conquered more Prouinces then any one before him had concei­ued in his wi­shes, that hee had triumphed almost as many times, as he had followed the warre yeares. that he would winne more victories then others had encountred dangers. He was Sangiac, the first dignitie next vnto a Basha, then was he sent into diuers expeditions, and knowne to be the sole authour of all the good successe which hap­pened in Greece, Asia, and Hungarie, there being nothing in the Art of warre, but in the end came to his knowledge.

But this great valour had almost vndone him. Amurath ap­prehended it to haue such a Prince neere him; and the enemies of his courage, but more of his hopes, said that he nourisht a do­mestick enemie, to weaken his intentions, and disappoint his intel­ligences. He put his Brethren to death, beeing resolued to make him runne the like fortune, if he had not made it knowne by his ca­riage that he had no other thought nor passion but that of his ser­uice, and that his FatherAfter the death of Iohn father to Scanderbeg, Amurath seazed vpon the Realme of Epirus, and put a garrison into Croy. Scanderbeg dissembled the griefe of his fathers death, the taking of his estate & the murther of his Brethren & so from that time he resolued to pull that Crowne from Amurath. and his Brethren did reuiue in the affe­ction which he bare vnto him.Amurath puts Scan­derbegs bre­thren to death. And when as Amurath, to sound him, had offered him the crowne of Albania, he said, that he prefer­red the honour of his seruice, before all the Scepters and Empires of the world, and that he felt his hand fitter for a sword, then his head for a Crowne.

This answere pleased Amurath, He grovves fearfull of his valour. but it freed him not from all his feares which the greatnes of his spirit imprinted in his soule, as often as he returned from any exploits of war, which were more admirable then imitable. Wherefore hauing resolued to make warre against George Lord of MisiaMi­sia is commonly called by the Turke Segoria, and comprehends Seruia, Bosnia, Russia, and the Prince is called Despote of Seruia. he made him Generall of his Armie, as well for that he had not any one more capable, as also to [Page 121] be rid of him, thinking that being forward and fierie by nature, hee would thrust himselfe into dangers, from which he should not free himselfe, for his braue and generous Captaine, like an other Cato Cato as Tit. Liu. saith wold be euery where and execute e­uery thing in person, sparing himselfe no more then the least of his sol­diors, hauing no other aduan­tage ouer them but the honour of his comman­dements. would see all himselfe, and had no other aduantage in militarie labours, then to haue the honor to command them, and to be the first to execute them. But as often as hee went, so often did An­drinopolis see him returne laden with honor and victories. A re­markeable worke of Gods prouidence, to preserue this braue cou­rage for his seruice.

At length Scanderbeg, Scanderbeg leaues the Turke. who had alwaies the heart of a Christian and an Albanois, being wearie to liue in the continuall disquiet­tings of so many distrusts and conspiracies to kill him, resolues to quit Amurath, Scāderbegs retreat was in the year 1444. hee conferred with Huniades of his enterprise that vnder a coulour of ma­king warre a­gainst him hee might retire on his side. whereupon hee ioined with Huniades Prince of Transiluania,He ioynes with Iohn Huniades. and with him defeates the Basha of Romania, who had fourescore thousand men: he caused his Secretarie to be ta­ken, and setting a dagger to his throat, forced him to write let­ters to the Gouernor of Croy, carrying a commandement in A­muraths name to consigne the place vnto him.

The Gouernor of Croy obayed and receiued Scanderbeg, Entrie of Scanderbeg into Croy. all the Infidels were put to the sword, and the Christians preserued, and such as would become Christians. He besieged the other pla­ces of Albania, and in few daies with much paine and no money, he recouered his forefathers estate, and made the black EagleThe house of Scanderbeg caried an Eagle sables in a field gules. When as the people of Albania, saw them in his Ex­signes, & Stan­dards, they pre­sently renewed the ancient af­fection they bare vnto their Princes. with two heads to be seene in all places.

Hitherto hee had fought for himselfe, now he fights for Chri­stendome. Ladislaus King of Hungary and Poland intreats him to assist him against Amurath, hee was hindred by Huniades Iohn Des­pote of Transil­uania, other­wise called Huniades, be­ing discōtented with the King of Hungary, for that certaine places in Seruiae which had bin granted him in reward of his vertue were de­tained from him, refused passage to Scā ­derbeg to ioin with the Chri­stian Army. Des­pote of Transiluania, neither did the cause of the warre seeme iust, for it brake a peace solemnely sworne with Amurath. Battell of Varna. It was decided in the valley of Varna on the limits of Misia, or Segoria, vppon the Euxin Sea within foure dayes iourney of Andrynopolis, to the di­shonour of the Christians, who were put to flight, but the triumph cost Amurath so many men as his ioy was turned to repentance.

If hee made some triumph, Scanderbeg reapt the pro­fit, for seeing that hee had retired his forces, hee went to field, These say that Amurath hauing escaped this danger grew more sad then he had been accustomed and being blamed by his followers he answered, I would not win after this manner. Amurath caused a pillar to be set whereas the Battell was giuen, with an inscription of the victory, and at this day the heapes of dead mens bones are to bee seene, which shew that the slaughter had been wonderfull. and made such sharpe warres as the Turke wrote vnto him, ra­ther to stay his exploites, then to threaten him with reuenge, and yet his Letters were full of reproches and pride,Letters frō Amurath to Scanderbeg. the or­dinarie Passion of an incensed spirit. Hee sweares that if hee will returne vnto him hee will forget all his offences past, for that hee is more mindfull of the seruices hee hath done him, then of his ingratitude: hee offers to leaue him the Towne of Croy, and the Lands which his Father held, vpon conditi­on that hee should yeeld vp all the other Townes of Albania and Misia.

[Page 122] These letters were receiued with that contempt they deserued. The letters beginne after this manner, Amurath and Ottoman So­ueraigne of the Turks and Emperour of the East, sends no salutations to Scander­beg his in­grateful nurs­child. He saith that he knowes not what wordes to vse to him for that hee doth not merit any good for his ingrati­tude, and a rough & sharp speech would make his arro­gant nature more insolent. Scanderbeg thinking that Amuraths feare who grew old, and bro­ken, had made him to write them, hauing a desire to leaue his Em­pire in some safety,Scanderbegs answer. yet he made him an answer, and after that hee had told him that he should remember the good which he had re­ceiued from him, if the numbring did not renew the remembrance of a greater number of ills he concluded with these wordes. Such fortune as it shall please God to giue vs we will beare: In the meane time we aske no councell of the ennemy of that we intend to doe, neither do we sue for peace of you, but hope with the helpe of GodA Christian Prince should not referre any thing to for­tune, but to the prouidence of God, who is the only cause of all causes & guids al things after his will, the moouable by their moti­ons, the immo­ueable by their firmenesse the voluntary by their liberty, and the reaso­nable by their will.to haue victory ouer you. Within a while after he was victorious, ouerthrew great armies which Amurath sent into Epirus, the first led by the Basha Ferise, and the other two by Mustapha.

He wonne the Battell of Drinon against the Venetians,Battall of Drinon in Dalmatia and vsed this victory so well, as the Venetians to make him raise the seege from before Dayne,Dayne is a little Towne planted vppon a high hill, as in a manner all those of Epirus bee, yet the soile of it is fat and the aire good and hol­some, they haue store of Venison and bees, and all kindes of trees and fruites. which was in their protection, yeelded that he should haue a part of the Country of Scutarii which was very commodious for him.

Amurath besieged Sfetigarde where as Scanderberg flew in sin­gle Combate,Seege of Sfetigarde. Ferise Basha Generall of the Army, yet it was taken and presently besieged againe by Scanderbeg, but he was forced to raise the siege,This dislodging was very dishonorable for Amurath, and very glorious for Scanderbeg, who was honored much for it by christian Princes, namely by Pope Nicholas the fift, and Ladislaus King of Hungary. being aduertised that Amurath came into Epirus with Mahomet his sonne to besiege Croy.

After that his Artillery was cast, the Towne battered, many as­saults giuen & maintained, and the ruines of the Assaylants blowne vp and laid open, Amurath, tired with the tediousnesse of the siege, offers to retire and to leaue Albania vnto Scanderbeg, with the title of a Realme, so as he would do him homage and pay tibute, Scan­derbeg, who held himselfe nothing inferiour to the Emperor, as long as hee was more powerfullCato reduced to that extremity in Vtica as his friendes aduised him to make an Accord with Caesar. It is for them, said he, to sue that are vanquished, as for me, I will hold my selfe inuinsible, as long as I am stronger in right then Caesar. then hee in the iustice of his armes, found these offers so contrary to the honour of his religion, as he re­iected them couragiously, saying that hee would neuer indure that the name of an Albanois should be defamed with such a blemish, no not if Amurath would giue him halfe his Empire.Death of Amurath before Croy. This answer with the little likelihood there was to vanquish the obstinacy of the besieged, did so aflict Amurath as he dyed, complaining of his hard fortuneAmong the precepts, which be left to Mahomet his sonne, he did often reitterate these wordes with aboundance of teares. That he should neuer contemne an enemy not knowing any thing in all his life whereof he did repent him, and should repent in the other world, but that he had contemned Scandebeg. that after he had giuen subiect to all the world to speake of his triumphes against the Grecians and Hungarians, hee saw himselfe now forced to yeeld vp his soule before the walles, halfe ruined, of a petty Castle,Croy the cheefe Towne of Albania is scituated vp­pon the top of a mountaine in a manner vn­accessible of e­uery side. in the view of an enemy which had been his slaue.

[Page 123] The memory of Amurath past away with his teares. Mahomet suc­ceeded him, and whilst he studies somthing worthy the beginning of his Empire, Scanderbeg labours to fortefie CroyCroy the cheefe Towne of Albania is scituated vp­pon the top of a mountaine in a manner vn­accessible of e­uery side. and to repaire her ruines, but Mahomet gaue him no long liberty to do it, for he presently sent Acmat his Basha to visite him with an Army of 12000 horse. If the number had beene greater it had not serued but to in­crease the number of the dead or prisoners, for Scanderbeg hauing taken the Generall prisoner,They say that Scanderbeg had it in parti­cular in all his incounters and military acti­ons, alwaies to begin his first stratagems of victory with the death of the head, saing, That the head should be first cut off, and the rest of the body will fall alone, and that he knew no kind of li­uing creature, that could suruiue the head beeing taken off. a maxime which hee held for the first of military stratagems,Mahomets Army in Hungary the defeat of the rest was not difficult.

He attempted the siege of Sfetigarde, and after that of Belgrad, the one and other expedition brought him no profit but repentance, and notwithstanding that he had the worst, yet he sold Mahomet his victory so deere as he was forced to say that his Army had nothing but the name of triumph.Constanti­nople taken He turned his forces towards Constan­tinople where he made the victory horrible, by all kindes of Brutish and barbarous inhumanities, which caused the most stayed and modest spirits to bee amazedIf the Infi­dels prosper, if they raise thē ­selues vpon the ruines of Chri­stians, yet may wee not mur­mure against the eternall prouidence, Stay humane rashnes, it is not lawfull to pierce into the secrets of Gods Iudgments, nor to define when, how, nor how long it is fit the wicked should florish. at so visible a testimony of the fa­uour of heauen against those whom the eternall Iustice had chosen to repaire the ruines. The long patience of the Almighty, and his sufferance of the wicked hath forced many to murmure against his prouidence, that he doth not cast those roddes into the fire where­with he hath scourged his children.The stay of the wickeds pu­nishment doth wrong vnto Gods Iustice. Deus sua sibi patientia de­trahit plures enim Dominum idcirco non credunt quia seeulo iratum tam diu nesciunt. Tertul. de pacientiae▪

The Conquest of Constantinople made him resolue to ruine E­pirus, but Mahomet sped so ill,Warre re­newed in Albania. & was so often beaten, as he sought a peace or truce of Scanderbeg, during the which, past the troubles of Naples betwixt the French and the Arragonois. The Venetians wronged by this Accord, presse them to breake with Mahomet, the warre is renewed, they fight to maintaine the Christian liberty,All war saith Polybius lib. 11. is made either to preserue liberty, or for feare of falling into seruitude. and to auoid the Turkish seruitude. Mahomet sent Baillaban, to whom he promised the Crowne of Epirus,A pittifull atte­ration of things, to see a Prince who had lately come into Europe with a mighty army, and had refused a short truce unto the Emperor of the Turkes to be now forced in his old yeares to abandon his Country, and to goe farre to see [...]e for succors, be­ing alwaies ac­companied by Langey Arch-Bishop of Du­rras. so as he could make a­way Scanderbeg.

He made foure voyages and was as often beaten, the number giuing place to valour.Scanderbeg demands succors of the Pope. But in the end Scanderbeg seeing that Croy could not hold any longer against so mighty an enemy, and that Albania was all couered with troupes of Infidels, he went away in a disguised habit to demand succors of the Pope.

Paul the second had no great pitty to see these sad and mourne­full relickes of so many Princes, and of so many heads of Macedon and of all Greece, nor of the common necessity, and eminent perill of Christendome. The Venetians apprehended it more sencibly, and gaue some succours to Scanderberg, with the which and that which he drew from his Allies of Epyrus, Macedonie, Sclauonia, and Dalmatia, which might make about 13000. and foure hundred good men, he returned into Albania and freed Croy, before which Baillaban was slaine.

[Page 124] Mahomet sent Allibey and Arabey thither with 20000. Turkes, he had profited little there if deathScanderbeg being ready to take from the Turkes the towne of Val­mes lately built by Mahomet, and being come to Lissa,, he fell into a violent feuer. iealous of Scanderbegs glory had not surprized him by a sicknes not daining to assaile him in armes. In this indisposition hee assembled his Captaines and recommen­ded his sonne vnto them,Sicknes & death of Scanderbeg. whom hee would haue conducted into Pouillia vntill he came to age, leauing him vnder the Venetians, gouernment: And for his last wordes he said vnto him. That if he were good he gaue him a Realme most firme and stable, if otherwise very weake and feeble. yeelding vp his last groanes the 17. of Ianuary, 1467. he gaue an amazement to his enemies.

This Prince with small forces defeated great Armies, who be­side the good qualities of the mind, for Iudgement, Conduct, and Councell,The Turkes came running about Croy, some horsemen went out of the towne by Scā ­derbegs com­mandemēt the enemy think­ing he had been there in person grew amazed and fledde through the mountaines al­though they were 15000. horse and left the booty they had taken frō the Scutariens. had an admirable strength, of body, comparable on­ly to that of the ancient Champions,Force and dexterity o [...] Scanderbeg. Biton,Biton car­ried a great Bull vppon his shoulders. Pau­ [...]anias. Fusius Saluius went lustily vp a ladder with 200. pounds waight in his hands, 200. at his feet, and as much vpon his shoulders. Plinie. Serui­lius did sight 23. times body to body, and was alwaies Victor. Plut.Fusius Saluius, Serui­lius. Talking with Ieams Picenin Generall of the Duke of Calabrias Army, he did lift him aboue his head, like a child of sixe yeares old. He had a Cimiterre with the which he had done miraculous deedes as cutting of the head of a Boare at a blow, and of a wild Bul, which was famous for the ruines it had done in the Country, hauing hurt and slaine many that assayled it. This dexterity, force, and agility of body continued all his life, and exerciseExercise doth continue the dexterity and disposition of the body long, Philopemen of whom Plutarch speakes, was nimble in his age by great exercise. made it in the begin­ning of his age in a manner equall to that it had beene in the prime of his youth.

After the siege of Croy they presented vnto him in chaines, Iouy­ma and Hedert the Brother and Nephew of Baillaban, this represen­ting vnto him the cruelties which they had committed vppon his subiects, put him into such choller, as hauing not the patience to attend any other hand, he cut them both asunder by the wast at one blow. He punished them with the like paine that their Prince did punish Christians.Mahomet made one man die as it were of two deathes, he made them to be cut off by the wast at a blow, of tentimes it happened that hee dyed of two deathes, for Chalcondile saith, you might see either part liue long after the blow.

During the Truce he had with Mahomet, he sent him this Cy­meterre for that he desired to see it, hauing heard say that with it he cut any armes asunder. The strongest armes of his Country would trye if it were true, and finding not the vertue which was as­cribed vnto it, he sent it back againe disdainefully, thanking him for a thing which he held to haue beene better. Scanderbeg answe­red. The vertue of my sword depends of mine owne arme, which I cannot send him, for that I reserue it against mine enemies.

It was an increase of glory and reputation to the common weale of Venice to see Kings and Realmes vnder their charge. But at that time they did an act of prouidenceProuidence is one of the most appa­rant effect, of wisdome. Pru­dents postu­mus dicere prouidentes. which shewes that wisedome hath long held the helme of that Estate. They did adopt for daugh­ter of the common-weale the heyre of Marc Cornare, and married her to the King of Cypres, after whose death and of the after-birth his sonne, she was acknowledged for Queene, and made present of [Page 125] her Crowne vnto the Venetians, her fathers by adoption.

From this action followed two diuers effects, the one of great ioy to the Venetians, the other of extreame afliction to Charlotte of Sa­uoy the French Queene, who by this act saw her Brother as it were exiled from Cipres, and seperated from the Queene his wife. The History is long and tragicall, but thus in breefe.

By the like accidents that other realmes haue beene made deso­late, the Crowne of Cipres fell from the house of Lusignan,Iames of Lu­signam King of Cypres put Pe­ter his brother to death, and being told him that the Geno­uois were en­tred into his Pallace with armes, & had some designe vpon his person hee put many innocent Mar­chants to death a cruelty which made the Sig­nory of Geno­ua to arme a­gainst him. Bo­lius writes the History at large. in the which it had long remained. A Fratricide was the cause, for Iames of Lusignan hauing put his brother to death to raigne alone, added other violences to this cruelty, which made him odious to the peo­ple, and forced the Genouois to arme against him,Cruelty makes the Princes of Lusignan o­dious. to reuenge an in­iury done vnto certaine Marchants of their Common-weale. Hee was dispossest of the Crowne, his brothers Children restored to the Realme, and he himselfe carried prisoner to Genoua, where he had one sonne who was King of Cipres,King Iames of Lusignan had one sonne named Iohn or Iames who was K. of Cy­pres, and Anne married to Le­wis Duke of Sauoy, sonne to Amidee, Iohn had one daugh­ter named Charlotte, who was first married to Iohn King of Portugall, and after his death to Lewis of Sauoy. and this sonne one daugh­ter, whom he left sole heire to the Crowne. She was married to Lewis of Sauoy, sonne to Lewis Duke of Sauoy, and to Anne of Cypres Sister to King Iohn.

Lewis imbarked at Venice to passe into Cipres, to take possession of his wife and Realme. Iames base sonne to King Iohn, Bishop of Nicosia, past into Egipt to haue succours from the Soldan of Egipt who made him to be proclaimed King of Cypres,Letters of the Souldā to the King of Cipres. prepared a great Fleet at Sea to goe into Cypres, and wrote in these termes to King Lewis. Thou art come out of the Westerne parts, to possesse another mans Realme in the East, and to spoile the heire of his iust inheritance, wh [...]ch is in thee a foolish enterprise. The Iland of Cypres is tributary vnto me, and it belongs to me to dispose, assure thy selfe if thou dost not dislodge presently thou shalt dye by the sword of Egipt. If thou hast a desire to car­ry away thy wife, I am content, vpon condition that thou dost not attend a second Summons. This barbarous letter deserued no other answer but by the sword,Perswasions are vnprofita­ble when as Iustice is infe­riour to force. but Iustice being forced to yeeld vnto tirrany, King Lewis by the meanes of the great maister of Rhodes, let him vnderstand that by the Christian lawes the Realme did be long vn­to the lawful daughter, that the Bastard was excluded, and that they pretended not to change any thing of the rights which he had ouer the Crowne of Cypres as Protector.After that the Christians affaires were ruined in Soria and the East, the Kings of Cypres of the house of Lusig­nan put them­selues vnder the protection of the Souldiers of Egypt. This reason had pacified him, being resolued to quit the Protection of the Bastard. But Ma­homet sent him word, that it was a thing worthy of his greatnes, and profitable to their common religion to restore this Prince to his Estates, exhorting him to remember the iniuries which they of that Nation, and those of Lewis his house had done vnto the Ma­hometans, protesting that if hee had a desire to haue peace with Christians, he should be sure to haue warre with him.

The assistance which the Souldan of Egypt gaue vnto the Ba­stard, was the cause that he was presently acknowledged by them who could not oppose against his power. He cōmanded ouer their bodies more then their hearts, which being full of feare, were al­so [Page 126] so of wishes and desires of his death who made them feare.Feare is a bad gard for them that com­mand. For they that feare stu­die still how they may be rid of him that keepes them in feare, Quem metuunt ode­runt, quē quis­que odiit pe­riisque expedit Lewis was forced to quit the field, and to retyre himselfe into the Ca­stle of Cerines, where he was besieged by the Bastard, who seeing it impossible to take this place, and that all the Princes of Chri­stendome were offended at this vsurpation, he sent his Embassadors [...]ope Pius the second to yeeld him obedience, and to beseech him to hold him in the ranke of Catholike Kings. The Pope would not see them, but sent them away with bitter words.

Hereupon Lewis saw himselfe forced to retire to the Duke his Father,King and Queene of Cypres dri­uen out of their owne Realme. and the Queene Charlotte to Rome to seeke succors, but the diuisions of Italy hindred that which they desired, and stayed her there during the time of Pius the second; of Paul the second, and of Sixtus the fourth, and Lewis remained at Ripaille. Pope Pius the secondIt was t [...]oght that Lewis D. of Saucy had some secret spleene against Pope Pius the second, for that he had been Se­cretarie to his father when he was but in base condition, and had abandoned him to follow Eugenius his enemie. said, that hee had beene chased out of Cypres, for that his father had failed of his promise at the as­sembly at Mantoua for the holy warre, and that the same Lewis his Sonne being then neere vnto Mantoua, and hauing not vouchsa­fed to see him, and demand his blessing; hee had saied by predi­ction vnto the Embassadors of Sauoy, that it would happen his Sonne would loose the Realme of Cypres, for a punishment of that the father did, and that one day hee would demand those suc­cors in vaine from others, which his father had denied vnto the Church. The Bastard seeing himselfe in quiet possession of the Crowne of Cypres, remembred that Marc Cornaro, a Gentleman of Venice, had assisted him in his necessitie, with ships,Good deedes neuer dye in great courages, others forget the good & re­member the ill. Quid autem est eo miseri­us, cui benefi­cia excidunt, herēt iniuriae. Sen. money, and Councell,Catherine Carnaro, a­dopted by the Vene­tians. and had giuen him meanes to goe vnto the Soul­dan of Egypt, hee resolued to marry his Daughter named Ca­therine, whom the Senate of Venice after the death of Marc Cornaro her Father, had adopted as their Daughter. The ma­riage was treated with the consent of the Siegneurie, who gaue her a great dowrie: this marriage was made in the yeare 1466.

Iames King of Cypres fell sicke of a bloudy Flix,, and seeing that his cure was desperate, hee had not the trouble which great Princes as well as priuate men haue when they die, to know to whom hee should recommend his realme, hauing the Senate of Venice wholly at his deuotion, but it troubled him what his suc­cessor should be, which was yet in the mothers wombe.Princes haue no lesse need then mean per­sons of strong consolations, to help them to de­part the world, & to leaue their affaires in some safety. Mocenigo assured him that neither the Venetians forces nor his priuate ser­uice should neuer faile him. After his death Charlotte demanded succors of the Venetians, the Duke answered that the Siegneu­rie was bound to defend her who was her adopted Daughter, and that King Iames had instituted her heyre with the fruit in her womb: That moreouer he wondred that she vnderstood not that rights of Realmes were debated rather by Armes then by Lawes, In former times whē they haue demanded of conquerors of Prouinces, the titles of their Cōquests, some haue she­wed them their Canons, and o­thers their swords. and that the Realme of Cypres had not been solely to her, but also to the Geneuois, who at that time held a great part.

The widdow of King Iames was presently troubled with new Combustions within the Realme. A Bishop of the house of the [Page 127] Gotholans,Tumults in Cypres. who had great authoritie and credit in the Iland, be­ing Embassador to Ferdinand King of Naples; when as King Iames dyed, propounded to marry the Bastard of the deceased King of Cypres. Many were of his partie, but the wiser sort were contented to passe these rockes with open eyes and deafeeares. There are some things which are good to be seene, but dangerous to be harkened vnto. They saw the ruines whereinto they did runne, and did not giue eare to the promises & inchantments that were made them. The designe of marriage tooke effect,The Cipriòts seazed vpon the Kings Palace, and made his base daughter, beeing but six yeares old, sure to King Ferdi­nands base son; and gaue him the title of Prince of Ga­lilee. but that of the royalty was preuented by the Venetians, who sent Mocenigo thither. The courage of the conspirators quailed, their iudgement failed them at his arriuall, their last refuge was flight. The soueraigne Autho­ritie remained peaceably in the Queene, who in acknowledge­ment of the succours she had receiued from Venice,Presents of the Queene of Cypres to Moce­nigo. presented Mocenigo with a Target richly wrought, and a standard of the same.

Shee was brought in bed of a Sonne who dyed at the end of the yeare. By this death shee remained Queene alone vnder the Protection and defence of the Siegneurie of Venice. Ferdinand King of Naples seeing that his first designe did not succeed for the marriage of the Bastard, hee sought the Queene widdow for his Sonne, imploying in this Treatie Riccius Marineus a Nea­politaine,Ferdinand K. of Naples seeke the al­liance of the Queene of Cypres. a very deere friend to the deceased King, and Tri­stan Cybellet a Cypriot who had a Sister attending on the Queene. The Generall of the Venetians Armie beeing aduertised of their practises, and what they intended, caused them to bee stayed, and sent them presently to Venice.Tristan fea­ring some more shameful death poisoned him­self with a Dia­mond which he swalowed drin­king salt water after it.

George Cornaro, Brother to the Queene was sent into Cypresi, to assist his Sister and to dispose her to free her selfe from trou­bles and the Realme from danger, in retiring her selfe to Venice, and leauing the Crowne to the Gouernment of the Siegneurie. She who had beene bred vp after a royall manner;Queene of Cypres ex­horted by her brother to goe to Venice. and who knew the great difference that was betwixt a Venetians life and that of a Soueraigne Princesse found this proposition very strange, and the Venetians ambition vniust to desire to haue Kings and Realmes vn­der their protectionThe highest degree of great­nes and glorie whereunto a po­pular or an Ari­strocraticall E­state may come vnto, is to haue Kings vnder their Dominá­tion. The Ro­mans did not disposses Kings of the Realmes they had con­quered, & Ta­citus giues the reason, v thabe­rent instru­menta Serui­tutis & Reges.. But when her Brother let her vnderstand that if the Siegneurie of Venice did abandon her protection, as it might doe if shee did not follow her Councels, shee was in dan­ger to become a prey vnto the Turke, and to serue as a triumph and spectacle to the people of Constantinople: That shee should not relye vpon Christian Princes, who would all loue the Iland and the Realme rather then her selfe, and she should beleeue that they, courting her Crowne rather then her fayre eyes, she were to blame if she did not preferre a quiet life and safe abode before an vncer­taine Royaltie, an assured rest before honor, which was but winde, and a title which was but a vapor.

To perswade her, the Historie saith, that to the reasons of feare and danger, he added those of vanitie, adorned with stuffes of im­mortall glorie. What greater honor, these are the wordes of G. Cor­naro, and what a nobler commendation can you leave of your selfe here­after. [Page 128] then to haue giuen so goodly a realme vnto yourThat spirit is weake which thinkes there are any reasons forcible enough to perswade it to quit acrown.country? and that they write in the Historie of Venice, that Catherine Cornaro hath honored and augmented the Venetians Estate with the Realme of Cypres. Then he represented vnto her the danger and infallible dis­grace of her house,Councels how pure soeuer they be doe still sauour of the passions & pri­uate interest of them that giue them. if shee did not grant it vnto the common­weale, for that euerie one would thinke shee had beene diuerted by her Brother in whom she had great confidence.

These words entred into the Queenes heart and framed a re­solution to goe to Venice and to make a present of her Crowne vnto the Siegneurie.Resolution of the Q. of Cypres. The Standard of S^t Marc was set vp in the Market of Famagosto, and the Realme of Cypres became a Pro­uince to Venice.Catherine Cornaro Q of Cypres receiued honorably into Venice by the Duke Augu­stin Barbari­co. Shee entred into the Bucen­taure, a honour which neuer had been done to any Veneti­an woman. The Queene made her entrie into Venice in the Bucentaure,Entry of the Queene of Cypres in­to Venice. being honored by the Senators and the great Dames of the Citie. The Councell of ten presented vnto her ten pounds waight of gold, and appointed fifty for her entertainment in the Castle of Azolle vpon the hils of Treuisan.

Thus the Common-weale of Venice purchased a rich Crowne without any paine, imploying nothing but her wisedome, with the which shee hath alwaies preferred easie conquests, before the most glorious, if they were without hazard. It is a curious ob­seruation that the Estates doe commonly retaine the humour of their first founders. The Citie of Rome hath been alwaies possest with an ambitious desire to raigne, for that her founder was full of it, who not content to haue recouered the Realme of Numitor his Grandfather, cast his eyes presently vpon Alba, and vppon the small Estates which hindred the extention of this first com­mand. The Estate of Rome increased sodainly as Po­libius obserues. The Romanes hauing once gotten the com­mand of all I­taly, in a short time they made all the world subiect. [...]. Polib. Lib. 7. So as the first profession was Armes, which hath not been discontinued by posteritie being desirous of glorie and command. It seemed that all other vertue except militarie had been defended. Contrariwise the founders of the Common-weale of Venice were men which had no such ambitious thoughts, but loued peace and quiet, who being afflicted with the long calamities of Italy and the inundation of the barbarians, had cast themselues into these Fens of the Adriatike sea, & seazed vpon many small Ilands which were caled Venetie, they liued there a time, contenting them with an assu­red rest in a place which nature made inexpugnable,The scituation of Venice is by nature inexpug­nable, she is gar­ded without walles or garri­son, and hath a­lone for so ma­ny ages remai­ned vnuiolated. & which hath alwaies braued the attempts of the mightiest Princes of the world.

This first inclination not to arme but for their owne defence, hath made them contemne Armes, and hath made them more carefull to maintaine themselues in peace, then to inlarge their Empire. Who so will consider of their first enterprises shall finde them limitted with a desire onely to maintaine and defend them­selues. The Art of war saith Car­dinal Cōtarin, hath been bani­shed out of the Cōmonweale of Venice, but it hath bin done insēsibly within these two hun­dred yeares, for before they haue been very war like especi­ally against the Genouois. By this contempt of the Art of warre, they are constrained to imploy forrain forces, & they choose not a Captaine amōg thē. The which they doe, least that priuate mē hauing for­ces vnder their cōmand, should attempt some­thing against the state. Their first warres against the French were onely for the de­fence of their liberty, when as Pepin K. of France past the mountains to subdue the Lombards, & when as the Huns came like a violent floud vpon Italy, only the commonweale of Venice opposed it selfe like a rampar against these furious inundations, and it is no won­der if beeing forced to resist such furious attempts shee had noe [Page 129] meanes to thinke of other Conquests. Iealousie for the command of the Sea, held it long in quarrell with the Genouois. And as in her first beginning she had no care but to fortifie herselfe at Sea against the iniuries of the firme land, so all her Conquests haue beene by Sea. An error and negligence which some that haue come after haue better consideredFrancis Foscarin Duke of Venice, was wont to say Che non po­tea la Repub­lica crescere molto di potenze, se non hauesse nell imprese di Terra im­piegate le sue forze: la qua­le cosa perche nō haue a pri­ma fatts, pero era stata mol­to ritardata, et impedita quella gran­dezza, alla quale, se tale consiglio ha­uesse preso piu per tempo, po teua cami­nare felice­mente. & haue thought that this Common­weale had begun too late to inlarge it selfe vpon the maine land, & to make profit of her neighbours ruynes. The two principall inten­tions which shee hath had for the greatnes of her estate, to main­taine her selfe free, and to become ritch, haue succeeded, for the one she hath alwayes maintained her selfe strong at Sea, there beeing no other meanes to anoy her, and she hath continued her traffick, without the which she could not continue, & this goodly flower of liberty had been withered by the idlenes of her subiects. The indu­stry of marchandize should bee no lesse honorable vnto them then tillages to the old Senators of Rome, & both the one and the other in their labours and trafficke haue produced famous examples of publike vertues. We must giue vnto Venice the glory of the best gouernment of all the Estates of the world, the forme and order of her politick gonernment is in all parts so well disposed, and obser­ued, as this Common weale (amidst so many diuers accidents of good fortune and bad) was neuer troubled with any discord or do­mestick diuision, which haue aflicted Aristocraticall Estates, and driuen gouernours of Common-weales into such feares and di­strusts, as the Pallace where they haue assembled to resolue of pub­lique affaires, hath beene often dishonored with the losse of their liues, or liberties.After that they of Mile­tum had expel­led their ty­rants, they set­led an Aristo­craticall Estate but the people did still muti [...]e against this kind of Gouernment, and the great men did still liue in such feare as they could not hold a Councell in safety but in shippes. The Lords of Samos were murthered by the people when they were in counsell. Inevitable stormes in estates, which depend not of the power of one alone, whereas the lesser are alwaies kept vnder by the greater, and the poore cannot long indure the felicity of the ritch, who so will keepe the poore people in such obedience must after the example of Rome allow them a share in the estate.The gouernment of Rome was diuided betwixt the Consulls, Senate and people, with such a conformity of their duties and common Offices, as neuer common weale was better instituted. The power of the one was bridled and restrayned by that of the other. Nulla efferre se pars supra caeteras valet, nequie impoten­ter superbire, omnia quippe in [...] statu manent, cum aliorum cehibiatur impetus, aliine in se quoque insur­gatur perpeuo metuunt. The Venetians haue made them subiect by meanes very pleasing vnto them, they haue in a manner the best part of the liberty, and their pleasures are not limited but by excesse, they do their affaires quietly, and the Senate hath all the care to maintaine them in liber­ty and rest. The greatest disdaine not them that are meaner, they contract Allyances together, and do not restraine them from cer­taine publique charges. There is a great temper betwixt Aristocra­tia and Democratia: For the Gouerment retayning little of the one and much of the other, is freed from disorders and corruptions which haue alwaies troubled ciuill tranquillity.

THE Duke of Normandy was no sooner ad­uertised that the King had promised by the Treaty of Peronne to giue him the Contries of Champaigne and Brie for his portion but hee presently besought him to giue him leaue to goe thither, and not to suf­fer him to languish any longer, for the enioy­ing of his rest and quiet, the cheefe part whereof consisted in not beeing troubled to seeke it.It is a part of rest not to be in paine to seek it.

The King who had promised nothing freely, thought to discharge himselfe of his promises at a better rate. Hee wonne the Sig^r. of Lescun,He that wil winne a Prin­ces heart, let him first win the cheefe mi­nisters which possesse him, who are as it were the eyes by the which hee seees, and the eares by the which he hears and vndr­stands. who was his Brothers whole Councell,The King winnes his Brother by the practise of Odet of Rye. to perswade him to be conformable to his intentions, and to rest satisfied not with that which he desired, but with what should be offered him. Yet this practise was not so secret but the Duke of Bourgondy was aduerti­sed by the Cardinall Bal [...]e, a double heart and a turbulent spirit full of passion, who wrate vnto him that the King treated with his Brother, that they made no mention of him, and that hee should looke to his busines. This letter being surprised, lodged him in a Cage of IronCardinall Balue was cō ­mitted to pri­son in Aprill, 1468. The Commission to examine him was giuen to Tanequy of Chastel, gouer­nour of Rouss­illon: William Cousinot, the maister of Tor­sy, and Peter of Oriolo Ge­nerall of the finances. for a prison from the which hee was not freed but by the Popes intercession, and towards the end of this raigne. These Cages were of his inuention,Wicked and bad inuentions, fall vppon the inuentors, the forger is fette­red is fette­red in his owne [...], Aranti­us Paterculus is rosted in his brazen horse. part wood, part iron, and couered with plates of Iron, so Perillus was rosted in the bull which he had inuented.

The King being returned into France, whereas they talked of his indiscretion and great credulity in trusting his enemie, set a good countenance of it, and made shew that what had beene done at Pe­ronne had been as beneficiall vnto him as if it had beene resolued, in Paris,To make shew to doe that willingly which was extorted by force is an act of wisedome, not to loose the credit and opinion which is bad of him, to be aduised a [...]d alwayes equall. but to put other fancies into the heads of the Parisiens and other discourses into their mouthes, hee caused a proclamati­on to be made by the trumpet, that all birds which are kept in Ca­ges, as Pyes, Iayes and such like, should bee brought vnto him to [Page 133] Amboise. They that had the Charge of this commission, should informe themselues what euery Bird could say, and where it had been taken and taught.It is good to diuert brues & the peoples dis­cou [...]ses, but of­tentimes if they be not allowed to speake that which is true, they inuent fa­bles which are more preiudici­all. Fractis a­pud Cremonā rebus prohi­buit per ciui­tatem sermo­nes, eoque plu­tes ac si liceret vera narraturi quia vetaban­tur, atrociora vulgauera [...]. Tac [...]t. Hist. l. 3. An act of iudgement which did preuent many inconfiderate speeches,A ridiculous Edict 19. Nouemb. which would haue been vsed against this Prince, for that he had thrust himselfe so rashly into his ene­mies power, and brought himselfe to that estate, as he was like vn­to the Elephant who paies his ransome with the Iuory of his teeth.

To repaire this error and to preuent his Brother, and the Duke of Bourgundy of their pretensions, he labours to breake the Trea­tie, but he will doe all with solemnitie, and if hee must cast forth the Thunderbolts of warre, it shall not be done without the Coun­cell of the Gods,A Prince should not a­lone▪ resloue to make war. Iu­piter did not cast forth his lightning with­out the Councel of twelue Gods. The Kings of France did not vndertake any war but with the aduice of the twelue Peeres. imitating the wisedome of his Predecessors, who did not vndertake any warre without the aduice of a Parlia­ment. So Pepin past the Alpes to succour the Pope, so he armed a­gainst the Saxons, so hee expelled Gaifre out of Aquitaine, so Charlemaine went against the King of the Lombards, and the Duke of Bauaria hauing first acquainted the Parliament with these de­signes.1468 Conuocati­on of the Estates at Tours.

To this end he assembled the Estates of the Realme at Tours, The Estates assemble for one of these three reasons, for the regencie of the Realme, in the Kings minori­tie, for the re­formatiō of the realme, and to prouide meanes to succour the necessities of the Crowne. It is a bodie of three Orders & hath been al­waies obserued among the Gaules. the pretext was to preuent the ruines of the Realme, but the es­sentiall cause was to resolue two things, a portion for Monsieur, and the restitution of the Townes vpon the riuer of Some, both depending vpon this Lawe which is one of the pillars of the E­state. That the Lands of the Crowne are inalienable, and portions are not giuen but with condition to returne againe for want of heires masle.A Monarchy suffers no diuision, nor estimation, for the yongers portions of the house of France are not diuided, but for want of Masles returne to the Crowne.

The tongue hath done great seruices to this Prince in diuers acti­ons,Eloquence naturall to K. Lewis the eleuenth. in this (yet without any Art or affection)It is necessarie for the Prince to speake well but without affectation, his eloquence should more appeare in the facillitie of his owne nature, then in any curious Art, for there are more parts required to make a man eloquent, then to make a Cuptaine; to know and discourse of particular things we must vnderstand the generall. he strikes fire to inflame the coldest spirits, to what he will, and speakes to all the Deputies, and lets euery man know the importance of the Duchie of Normandie, and the preiudice which other Prouinces receiued when it was in the power of the English, with the incredible to ile which King Charles his Father had past to wrest it out of their hands. That although he did not hold his brother to be of so bad a disposition as to haue intelligence with them,Importance of the Du­chy of Nor­mandie. yet he knew well that they of his intelligence bad great practises in England, that he might haue children which should not bee of his humor, beeing most certaine that the Princes of the same bloud extend their thoughts farther then they should,Ambition neuer takes root but in hearts that are vigorous, hardy and desirous of innovations. When as it in­counters with any preheminence of bloud, or fauour of the people, it is [...] to retaine it. or may goe, aspire to great matters, and are not content with their condition. That for these reasons he could not leaue the Duchie of Normandie. That his promises in that regard should be soundly vnderstood, and that af­faires [Page 134] of State were not managed with such scrupulous considerati­ons. That hee offered notwithstanding to giue him such a portion as the Estates should aduise, making them Iudges and Arbitrators therein, but aboue all he commanded that the lawes of the Realme should not be infringed.The Realme of France is sea­ted vpon a tri­angular basis, the Salique [...], the holding of the Estates, and the reue­newes inal [...]e­nable.

Hauing thus prepared their minds, he opens the Estates, & came thither with greater Maiesty then he did euer shew in any action du­ring his raigne. A Prince cannot adde too much in such great oc­casions, for besides that this light doth please, it dazels and trans­ports mens mindes, he must allwayes hold himselfe in admiration, it is a toile which is neuer set but some one is taken. His throne was vpon a stage three foot high, & railed in, containing all the bredth of the vpper end of the hall, his chaire was of blew veluet pouldred with flowers-de-luce vnder a cloth of estate of the same, and vpon three steps. He was attired in a long robe of white Damask imbro­dered thick with fine gold of Cypres, with buttons of gold, & furred with fables, a little black hat of his head, with a feather of gold. On either side of him were the Cardinall of St Susanne, Bishop of An­gers, and Rene Duke of Anjou and King of Sicile.At the foote of the Kings scaffold were set. The Vicont of Narbonne, George of Pem [...] the Lords of Tan­caruille, Chast­tillon, Buell, Longueuille, Lauall, Aigle, C [...]aon, Cru [...] ­ [...]ol, & la Forest

The Prince of Piedmont a yong Infant was vppon one of the steps,Princes which wer [...] about the King. and of either side stood the Earle of Foix, Prince of Nauarre and the Kings brother in law, with the Earles of Neuers and Eu, The Earle of Dunois, high Chamberlaine of France, was by rea­son of his gowt set vpon a little stoole behinde the King of Sicile, with many other Noblemen.

There were two other places rayled in, the one in the middest of the Hall neere vnto the Kings for the Princes of the bloud, the Constable, the Chancellor, the Patriarke of Ierusalem, the Arch-bishop of Ierusalem, the Arch-bishop of Tours and other Bishops, In the second place railed in, were the Mar­quis of Pont, the Earle of Perche, the Earl of Guise, the Earle of Vendosme, the Earle Dauphin, and the Earle of Montfort. The other being great and spacious which did inuiron the first of either side, was for the Deputies of the three Estates. Betwixt the Kings Theater and that of the Princes, were two formes directly against the King, on the one were the Peeres of France, and on the other were the Officers of the Crowne.

Euery man being setIt is obserued that the Earle of S^t Paul Cō ­stable of France was at the vp­per end, & next vnto him Mon­ [...]urde Tray­ [...]ell, Chancellor of France, in Crimson veluet co [...]es, and a lit­tle beneath thē on the same forme, the Archbishop of Tours, the Bi­shops of Paris, Char [...]res. Pe­rigueux, Valences, Limogis, Senlis, Sois­sons, Aire, An­ranches, An­goulesme, Lo­deue, Neuers, Agen, Comin­ges, Bayone and others. and all the greatest of the State humbled before the Prince, like vnto the rods and Maces of the ancient Ma­gistrates of Rome,In the assemblies of the people of Rome, the Magistrates did hold downe their rods and M [...]ces in signe of humilitie, and spake standing the people being set, shewing that they had no power to command, and all Magistrates dealt by Petition, vsing these words, velitis, Iubeatis. the Chancellor rose from his place and pre­sented himselfe vpon his kneee on the right side of the King, who told him in his eare what his intention was.Oration made by the Chancellor. Hee made the Estates acquainted therewith in a long Oration the Deputies beeing pre­pared vpon the Kings instructions finde that they neither could nor ought to grant vnto Charles of France the Duchie of Nor­mandie for his portion. It was said that it should remaine vnto the Crowne, and the King was intreated to maintaine the auncient lawes of the Realme, concerning his Patrimonie, holy, sacred and [Page 135] inalienable either by contracts, or by prescription of time, and against any whatsoeuer, and that the Princes of the bloud should not therein haue any more fauour nor priuiledge then priuate men,That which may make an alienation per­fect and giue [...] title of iust pos­session, doth not comprehend those demands which are ina­lienable & may be reunited, al­though the ali­enation were made for euer, & yet the pur­chaser shall not recouer the price of the thing alienated the King himselfe being bound by oath at his Coronation not to alienate any thing, and in doing so, to giue vnto his Brother a portion with the title of a Dutchy or an Earledome the which should be worth twelue hundred poundes starling a yeare, and a yearely pension of foure thousand and eight hundred pounds star­ling, without drawing it to consequence,This clause of cōsequence was superstuous & shewes from what respect it came. For the portion was so small, as no man would make it a Pre­sident. There are houses in France, where the yonger sons would not bee so satisfied. for the yonger brethren of the house of France.

The King gaue the Dutchy of Guienne, besides the riuer of Charante,Guienne giuen to the Kings Bro­ther the countrie of Agenois, Perigort, Quercy, Xanictonge, the Gouernment of Rochell and the Bailewike of Auins, hee chan­ged the Parliament of Guienne from Bourdeaux to Poitiers. This resolution was carried to Monsieur, and to the Dukes of Brittany and Bourgundy his confederates, Monsieur was so ill and so desi­rous to change the ayre, as notwithstanding that hee found small profit in the change of his condition, yet would he not refuse it. the Lord of Lescun perswaded him to reconcile himselfe vnto the King, and to accept of what he should giue him.

The Estates did also resolue that the Duke of Bourgundy should be adiourned to appeare in person before the Parliament at Paris,Adiourne­ment of the Duke to the Parliament of Paris. to doe right vnto the Earle of Eu,Charles of Artois Earle of Eu dyed with­out children in the yeare 147 [...] Hee was taken prisoner at the Battel of Azin­court and re­mained three & twenty years in England. for St. Valery and other lands which he detained. The King was well pleased with this resolution, for that he knew well that when the Duke should see himselfe char­ged in this manner he would make an answer according to his hu­morfull of contempt, and that some grose-headed fellow executing his commission indiscreetly for profit, would moue him, and pro­uoke him to do somthing whereat the Court should bee offended and vrged to seeke reparation.

The same Court of Parliament sent Iohn Loyselier, Complaints for the Pragmatike Sanction. The Deputies of the Court of Parliament let the K. vnder­stand that the abolitiō of this Pragmatick was shamefull and iniurious, for the Frāce had neuer had in like causes Ordinances which had ta­ken their au­thoritie from the vniuersall all Church. That as long as she had obserued this Pragmatick, she was full of all prosperitie, and feared of her enemies whom she had chased out of Normandie and Guienne, and had seene Prelates of such holines, as they had done miracles. and Iohn Henry Councellors of inquests, to represent vnto the King, & to the Estates the great preiudice which France had receiued by the abo­lition of the Pragmaticke Sanction, that it was depriued of a rule which comprehended all the liberties and freedomes of the French Church approued in the Conciles of Basill and Constance: That by the cessation of such decrees, France must needs looke for some great confusion of the Ecclesiasticall Order, and a generall im­pouerishment by the transport of gold and siluer beyond the Alpes. But the King hauing obtained what hee desired against his Brother and the Duke of Bourgundy, hee carried his thoughts to other things then to that which the Estates expected for the good of the publike,In these Estates they did not thinke of the publike good nor of the peoples ease, who complained, for Lewis leuied much more then King Charles. and dismist them giuing order for the intelligences which hee had vpon Amiens, Abbeuille and St. Quentin.

[Page 136] Then representing vnto himselfe how much the discontent­ments of the great men of this Realme, had ruined his affaires hee inuented a meanes to vnite their mindes to his will and to keep them firme by new bonds of honor and fidelitie,Institution of the order of S^t Mi­chell. the which hee found in the order of S^t Michael making it not onely a recom­pence for vertue, like to the Consulship of Rome, but a marke of the Nobilitie of bloud and extraction.The dignity of Consull at Rome, was as Valerius said vnto his soldi­ers. Premium virtutis non sanguinis, and went to seek out the vertuous in any house & at any age.

Princes should haue things in their meere disposition which should be out of the commerce of their subiects,1469 and wherevnto they may not aspire but by the degrees of Vertue. Honors which may bee recouered for money, are no more honors, for the sale may make them fall vpon vnworthy heads.The sale of honors makes them to be lesse esteemed, ver­tue to bee con­temned, & suf­ficiency lesse ne­cessarie, euery one thinking that he may at­taine vnto it for money. It is a great disorder when as such as are aduanced, cannot say that they are bound vnto their vertue, although they haue glorious shewes, and that is not held rare which may be recouered for money.Glory is the desire of great courages. Cae­sar would haue scorned him that should haue giuen him gold, but hee dyed with de­sire to haue a crown of bayes.

Fortune may impouerish the greatest houses of Christendome, but the honour which they hold from their Ancestors remaines for euer, and a branch of Laurell which remaines of their fathers Crownes, is more deere vnto them then any other thing. Wee see not any Prince reduced to that necessitie, as hee prefers siluer be­fore honor. And that King hath no great power in a Realme wher­as they obtaine all for coyne.

The King making himselfe Generall of this Order,The King great master of the order of S^t Mi­chel. would also haue them that were neerest vnto him honored.By these or­ders the Prince becomes a com­panion to the whole Colledge. Tiberius made an order of Knights which were caled Au­gustales, and made himselfe, grear master, & to the end it might haue more reputati­on, hee would haue Drusus his sonne, with T. Claudius and Germani­cus his nephews to be of it. Tac. An. Lib. 7. He gaue the first coller of the Order to Monsieur his Brother, the second to Charles Duke of Bourbon and Auuergne. Hee thought to draw in the Dukes of Bourgundy and Brittany, but they would not bee bound to appeare at the Chapter.

With this Order were also honored the chiefe Noblemen of the Realme.First knights of S^t Mi­chel. The ancient order of France was of the Knights of the starre, institu­tuted by King Iohn surnamed the good in the yeare 1351. the 6. of Ianuary, the Knights weare a starre of gold in their hats, and vpon their cloakes, and the deuice was Monstrant regibus Astra viam. A hundred and eight yeares after Lewis the eleuenth made the order of S^t Michel the 1. of August 1469. A hundred & ten yeares after that Henry the third instituted the Knights of the holy Ghost, and in the yeare 1579. After an Age all things grow old. Lewis of Luxenbourg Earle of S^t Paul and Constable of France, Andrew of Laual Lord of Loheac Marshall of France, Iohn Earle of Sancerre Lord of Bueil, Lewis of Beaumont Lord of Forest and Plessis, Lewis of Estouteuille Lord of Torcy, Lewis of Laual Lord of Chastillon, Lewis Bastard of Bourbon Earle of Rous­sillon, Admirall of France, Anthony of Chabannes Earle of Dam­martin, Lord Stuard of the Kings house, Iohn Bastard of Armag­nac Earle of Comminges, Marshall of France and Gouernor of Dauphiné George of Tremouille Lord of Craon, Gilbert of Cha­bannes Lord of Curton Seneshall of Guienne, Charles Lord of Crussol Seneshall of Poitou, Taneguy of Chastell Gouernor of the Country of Roussillon and Sardinia. The King reserued to make vp the number of six and thirty Knights to his Election at the first chapter.

The Duke of Bourgundy at the same time receiued the Order of England; and the Duke of Brittanie that of Bourgundie, the [Page 137] one instituted by Edward the third:Edward the third instituted the Order of the garter of fiue and twenty Knights, in the yeare 1348. Philip that of the goldēfleece, in the yeare 1428. of one and thirty Knights, Ame­dee of Sauoy caled the greene Earle, that of Anunciado, in the yeare 1409. of four­teene Knights. the other by Philip Duke of Bourgundy. As this Order had one head, so had it one certaine and determinate place, one habite, one marke or Ensigne, of Of­ficers, one forme of reception, one oath and one rule.

The place was the Church of Mont S^t Michel,The place for the as­sembly of the Order transferred since to Bois de Vincen­nes. as well for that the place was then noted to haue neuer yeelded vnto that yoake of the ancient enemies of the Crowne of France, as also for the King Charles the seuenth, said, that beeing vpon the bridge of Orleans when he entred with the Virgin Ioan, he saw (not by any fantastical visions of Southsayers like to Caesar Caesar going to the warre a­gainst Pópey, a South-sayer came vnto him transported & said. [...] Caesar, thou shalt o­uerecome. It was true, and Caesar soone after writing vnto his friends sent them this word. Veni, vidi, vici. but truely) that Arke-angell fighting on his right hand. Hee appointed seates for the cheefe of the Order and Knights in the Quier of the Church, with their Armes aboue their seates.

The habit was a long cloake of white Damaske downe to the ground,The habit of the order with a border imbrodered with cockle shells of gold inter­laced and furred with Ermines, all of one length and one fashion, with hoodes of Crimson vellet and long tippets, the hood of the chiefe of the order was of Murry Skarlet.The Knights a [...]ired in this habit, are bound on S^t Michels Eue to come vn­to the Pallace of the chiefe of the Order, to conduct him to the Euensong, and the next day to Masse, whereas euery one offers a pe [...]ce of gold for his deuotiō.

The marke or enseigne was a coller of Golde,Marke of the order. They are al­waies bound to carry the coller, but when they trauel, remaine in their houses, or goe a hun­ting, then they may weare the Image of the Order in a silke ryband. in the midest of which vpon a rocke was the Image of Saint Michael in gold, which hong downe vpon his brest, all amounting to the value of two hun­dred Crownes in gould, without any enamell or inriching with stones, which coller should be carried daily about their necks vn­couered, vpon paine to cause a masse to bee said and to giue seauen souz sixe deniers for Gods sake. In armies, voiages and in their priuat houses it was sufficient to weare the image of Saint Michel at a little chaine of gould or a silke ryband.

The officers were a chancellorNo man might be Chancellor of this Order if he were not an Ecclesiasticall Prelate, as an Archbishop, Bishop, or some notable dignitie in a Cathedrall or Collegiall Church, or a Doctor of Di­uinitie or Canon Law. to keep the seale of the order,Officers of the order. to carry messages, to make propositions in chapters and Assem­blies, to informe of the Actions of Knights, to admonish and cor­rect, to gather the voyces in elections, and the proofes of Nobility. A register to write and inrowle the acts of the Order, all the com­mendable prowesses & worthy deeds of the head and knights their faults, Iustifications, corrections and punishments. A Treasorer The Treasurer must keep a Register of the guifts and good deeds which the Knights shall doe vnto the Order. which shall haue in his custody the titles, Relicks, Iewells, Orna­ments, Tapistry, and Lybrary of the Order. A King at armes called Mont Saint Michel who shall haue sixe score pound starling a yeare pension, to carry the letters and commandements of the Order, to informe of the prowesses of Knights and to make his report.

The reception and the oth; After the decease of a Knight verifi­ed of his worthy deeds and merits. They proceed to the election of an other to supply his place, the voyces are giuen and receyued by writting in open chapter,The voices for the Election of a Knight are giuen in scroules, and put into a basen of siluer which the Chancellor holds. and the Chancellor declares who hath the greatest number, if the rigour of such informations had [Page 138] lasted alwaies, time which blemisheth the goodliest actions, and weakens the strongest lawes, had not altered any thing of the beauty and integrity of this Order. They had not called it in con­tempt a hood for all heads, for Nobility and vertue could not desier a quallity which brought them more honor and greatnesse, when as he that merits to be chosen is aduertised of his election, he pre­sents him-selfe vnto the Chapter, and addressing him-selfe vnto the King, speakes these words. Sir, or my Lord, if he bee of the bloud.

I haue seene your letters that by your fauour and of your most honored Bretheren and Champions of the worthy and honorable order of my Lord Saint Michel, Bond of a Knight re­ceiuing the Order. I haue beene chosenWhen the Knight chosen is absent, the King sends the Herald of the Order vnto him with let­ters which car­ry the common consent of the order for his Election, with a Coppy of the Statutes of the order, to ad­uise if he will enter and bind himselfe by oath to the so­ueraigne and members of that body. into the order and louing compa­ny, where-with I thinke my, selfe much honored, and doe reuerently and thankefully accept it, and doe thanke you as much as I may, offering my selfe ready to obay and to doe all that I ought and may touching the said order. Where-vnto shalbe answered by the said Soueraigne, being accompanied by the greatest number of Knights that may be. Wee and our Bretheren, Companions of the order, for the good renown we haue heard of your worthy deeds, vertues and merits, hoping you will perseuere and augment them to the honour of the order and commendation of your selfe,To defend the rights of the Crowne. haue chosen you to be perpetually, (if it pleaseth God) a brother and companion of the said order and louing company, wherefore you must take the othe which followeth. That withall your loyall power you shall helpe to keepe, sustaine and defendThe Knights owe [...] personall seruice vnto the King, in all his enterprises, but wher there is some vrgent [...]et. the dignity and rights of the crowne and royall Maiesty and the authority of the soueraigne of the order and of his successors Soueraignes so long as you shall liue and be of the order.

You shall imploy your selfe with all your power to maintain the said or­der in state and honour and shall labour to augment it,The affairs of the Or­der. and not suffer it to decaie, so long as you may preuent it. If it should happen which God forbid, that any fault should be found in you, for the which according to the customes of the orderA Knight conuicted of a­ny reprochfull act, is depriued of the order and the Choller taken frō him. The causes for which be may be degraded ar heresie, treason and flight on day of Battell. The Knight which is vn­iustly wronged by the King, & from whom he can obtaine no iustice, Hee must deliuer vp his coller, & leaue the order not offending it in any sort, but taking his leaue honorably. you were to bee depriued, sommoned and re­quired to yeeld vp the said coller, in that case you send it to the said Soue­raigne, or to the treasuror of the Order,Degradati­on in Case of offence. and shall neuer after the said Somation carry the said Coller, and all other paines and corrections which may bee inioyned you for other lesse offences, you shall beare and fulfill patiently, and not beare (by reason of the said things) any hatred against the Soueraigne, Companions and Officers of the Order.

You shall come and appeare in all Chapters,The day af­ter St. Micha­ells [...]east the Chapter of the order should be held, there the Knights are inioyned to keepe the Councellls and corrections secret. All the Knights are commanded to goe forth one after another, the last come going first, and the Soueraigne last. An the Chancellor informes himselfe in taking the other of all the Knightes, and of the Soueraigne himselfe, of the wordes and actions of the Knight that is gone forth, to know if he hath done any thing, Against the honor, renowne, estate and duty of Knighthood. Conuentions, and Assem­blies of the Orders,Assistance at Chapters and obser­uation of Orders. or shall send according to the Statutes and Ordi­nances of the said Order, and shall obey the Soueraigne and his Deputies in all reaso [...]able things concerning the duety and affaires of the same Order, and shall with your loyall power accomplish all the Statutes, Poynts, Articles, and Ordinances of the Order, which you haue seene in writting, and heard read, and doe promise and sweare in generall, as if you had taken an oath vppon euery poynt in particular.

[Page 139] Which things the said Knight shall promise and sweare in the hands of the said Soueraigne vpon his faith and honor,The Coller habit & cloke of him, that is to be reciued shall bee ma [...]e ready, and laid before the Kings s [...]at, vppon a Carpet of Crimson T [...]ffa­ta or Sa [...]ten hanging d [...]wne at either [...]nd, and the said coller & [...]obes shall bee perfu­med with in­cense, after that the Preest hath perfumed the Altar. Art. 82. of the am­plifying the Statutes of the Order in the yeaar 1476. hauing his hands vpon the Crosse and the holy Euangill, which done the said Knight newly chosen, shall come reuerently before the Soueraigne,The Kings words in giuing the Coller. who taking the Coller of the Order shall put it about his necke, saying or causing these words to bee said. The Order receaues you in­to this amiable company, & [...] token thereof giues you this present Coller God graunt you may carry it long to his glory and seruice, aduancement of the holy Church, and increase of the honor of the Order and of your merrits and good [...]ame: In the name of the Father, the Sonne and holy Ghost, whereunto the said Knight shall say Amen God giue mee the grace. After which the eldest Knight shall lead the said Knight new­ly receiued vnto the Soueraigne, who shall kisse him in signe of per­petuall loue, and in like maner all the Knights that are present shall doe the same in order.Bonds of Knights re­ciprocall.

Besides this the knights are bound to certaine respects one to­wards another: They did promise at their entrie into the Order to serue the King as their head in all occasions both within and with­out the Realme, and the King did promise to maintaine them in their goods,Lewis the e­l [...]uenth bound himselfe not to vndertake any warre, nor any other matter of importance without ma­king i [...] knowne to the Knights of the order. lands, and estates, as his Bretheren and companions, and not to attempt any warre without their aduise.

Hee thought to hold those hearts (which had been distracted) fast bound vnto him, but infidelity was so bold and so contagious, as all the respects of honor and conscience were too weake to re­straine her from drawing them from their dueties, who say the lawes of their birth were most bound vnto it. It was a difficult thing for good men to bridle themselues from running into ill, so licentious was the time,To doc well when as vertue raignes & good men are hono­red, is ordina­ry and easie, but not to suf­fer himselfe to bee infected with the cor­ruptians of the time, but to haue a good in­tent & to dare vndertake it and effect it in a bad season▪ is the true signe of a generous spirit. and so hard a matter it is to do well, when as euery man glories in doing ill, and that crimes become exam­ples and customes.

Iohn Duke of Bourbon continued his intelligence with the Duke of Bourgondy, and aduertised him of what the King practised vp­pon the Townes in Picardy. The Constable vsed all his practises betwixt the two Princes,Intelligen­ces conti­nued be­twixt Bour­gondy and Bour [...]on. fearing that if the Kings Choller found not some subiect to worke vppon abroad, it would fall vppon the neerest that were about him: That a long peace would cut off the entertainment of his soldiers, making him vnproffitable to the King and without reputation in the realme promising vnto himselfe that whilst the warre continued hee should gouerne all. The perpetuity of his charge which could haue no other end but with his life, held him not in those apprehensions, wherewith their mindes are trou­bled which hold them as a Wolfe by the eare,Charges which are a­boue others should be short least they should grow insupportable and insol [...]nt. Those which are but temporary hold them that enioy them in ther duties, and the perpetuall makes them forgetfull. Peace alone makes a ciuill warre in his soule, wherefore he assures the King, that when he pleased hee would recouer him St. Quentin, by the meanes of some places which he held about it▪ and would speedily execute the intelligences which he had in Flanders and Brabant.

[Page 140] Warre beeing concluded by the Estates at Tours,Wars pro­claimed. it was as soone begun as proclaimed. The Duke being at Gand receiued the Citation to appeare in person at the Court of Parliament who caused the Vsher of the Court to be imprisoned, hauing adiourned him as hee was going to Masse, and beeing madde to see himselfe made equall to the meanest of the Realme, he resolued to appeare with his sword in his hand, and to transport the warre as neere his Iudges as hee could.

The Kings practises began then to breake forth, many declared themselues French. Baldwine Bastard of Bourgundy retired himselfe vnto the Kings seruice.The Duke is surprised. The Duke of Brittanie had made an accord with him.Accord of the D. of Brittanie with the King at Ance [...]is the 18. of Septem­ber. 1468. The Duke of Guienne was satisfied, and if hee could not haue all that hee desired, hee was content with that which did suffice him.The ease of great Princes must be conside­red by their cō ­tent. They haue but too much so as they thinke they haue e­nough. One de­manded of Ze­leuchus what Reuenewes hee had, to whom hee answered. As much as I need. Plut. The Constable sent word to the Duke of Bourgundy that all was lost; that there was no reliefe for him in England, being fallen into the same convulsions which had in a manner smothered it in the yeare 1461.

Edward being bound to the Earle of Warwicks vertue for his for­tune made him a sharer,Troubles in England. and gaue him goodly peeces depending of the Crowne, and the continuation of the gouernment of Calice, with fourescore thousand Crownes rent to increase his reuenues. Yet the Earle of Warwick did not hold these recompences pro­portionable to his great seruices, beeing moreouer discontented for that the King hauing sent him into France to seeke the Kings Alliance by the marriage of Bonna of SauoyThe King of England sent the Earle of Warwicke into France, to de­mand Bonna of Sauoy daughter to Lewis Duke of Sauoy & the Queenes Sister in marriage. had mockt him in marrying with Grayes widdow, the which Lewis made sensible to the Earle of Warwicke to the end this complaint might bee as a thorne of discontent in his heart.

And as Princes take delight to pull them downe whom they haue raised and aduanced, and doe not willingly suffer such high heads of Poppie to grow in their gardens. Edward grew iealous and an enemie to this great authority which had cherished & made speed vnder the shadow of his. He brake quite with him, and some say that hauing attempted against the honour of a Kinswoman of his,Of wrongs which make the greatest impres­sion in the hart, those which re­gard [...]he honor of L [...]dies are most sensible. Polidore Vir­gil w [...]ites thus of this attempt. Nec abhorret a veritate Ed­uardū tentasse, vt aiunt, nescio quid in domo Comitis, quod ab honestat [...] omnino abes­set, cum homo esset qui facile puellas oculis adiiceret, eas­que deperiret. the Earle of Warwick being wounded in so sensible and ten­der a part began to distaste the seruice which he did him, and re­penting him of that which he had formerly done, hee retired from Court into his Earldome of Warwicke,The Earle of Warwick reuolts. whereas his hard fortune made him know the difference of his friends,In the dis­grace and cros­ses of fortune friends are knowne Na­mertes answe­red him that required a rule to know them by. [...] Plut. and where he shews that a great courage had rather die reuenged, then liue with the re­proch of a wrong or an affront.

The Duke of Clarence the Kings Brother, the Archbishop of Yorke, and the Marquis of Montague came vnto him. Euery one brought his complaint with him, and the vlcer he had in his heart against Edward. The Earle of Warwick represented vnto them the miserable estate they ranne into, if they did not labour to re­store King Henry to his Fathers throne, and themselues to libertie. To binde the Duke of Clarence to this designe, hee giues him his [Page 141] Daughter.He makes a league with the Du [...] of Clarence. Proximitie of bloud did sufficiently binde the other two, being his Brethren, whose friendship he might account among the sweet fruits of his felicitie.It is a part of the sweetnes & felicitie of life, to see Telema­chus recount­ing his miseries, amōg which he reports that he is [...]. without a bro­ [...]er. Plut. The partie was made and the reso­lution taken vpon the consideration of things present & to come, was that he should goe to Calice, and in his absence they should make some stirres in the Prouince of Yorke, to the end hee might haue a subiect to come thither and to arme. The pretext of rising was for the deniall of some Corne which they of the Earle of Warwicks faction refused to pay for the entertainment of St Leo­nards Hospitall in Yorke, and there were others which did mur­mure, giuing it out that what should serue the poore was spent by great men.Sedition can haue no iust causes, but the most apparant are whe [...] as pri­uate men make their profit of that which be­longs to the publike. In a word it is in­equalitie and Iniustice.

This refusall did so incense the people,Commoti­on in York­shire. as in a short time there were fifteene thousand men in armes which marched directly to Yorke, to haue reason of them which refused to pay what they ought vnto the Hospitall. But when as they found themselues too weake,An Armie at the ga [...]es of London. being a multitude of seditious and mutenous fellowes, who are naturally cowards, and hauing no Canon to force an entrie, they past to London to demand Iustice of the King, with torches of rebellion in their fists.Se [...]ition is al­waies saint and cowardly, and cowards are euer most sedi­tio [...]s. Quantū [...]abes ad [...]usti­nendum labo­rē miles, tanto ad discordias prōptior Tac. Hist. Lib. 2.

The Earle of Warwick was no sooner aduertised of these broiles, but he parted from Calice with the Duke of Clarence, and came and ioined with this multitude, who wanted not any thing but a head. King Henries presence and the Earles did countenance the faction, and increase it with a greater number, with the which he resolued to giue Battell, to recompence the errors, ruines and oc­casion past.Hee that knowes how to giue a Battell recouers [...]is re­putation, if it were blemished, it restores him if he be ruined, & excuseth all errors which he hath cōmitted in warre, for a Battell won de­faceth all mis­fortunes & re­proch of other precedent acti­ons. The Earle of Pembroke, whom the King of Eng­land had sent, not to fight but to punish those rebels was put to route and they had the victory. Richard Lord Riuers father to Queene Elizabeth, and his sonne Iohn Wooduille, with some other Gentlemen lost their heads.

The King sought to make some accord with the Earle of War­wicke, and vpon the assurance which he gaue him, neglected to keep good gard in his Campe, the which should not bee omitted euen among friends. Loue goes naked by day and armed by night, Crates said that loue went al day naked but at night hee ca­ried a Cuirasse, & that a prince which trusts in the loue of his subiects may by day goe in safe­ty and without feare, but by night he should haue his gard. The Earle of Warwicke hauing obserued this carelesse guard by his spies he vndertooke to charge him by night, [...]dward de­feated and taken priso­ner. with so great ad­uantage, as killing all he found in the trenches hee came without any resistance to the place where the King was, whom he tooke pri­soner and led away. But for that they could not make good vse of this fortune, they ruined themselues and vndid King Henry, for whom they had taken Armes: God, who hath a speciall care of Kings, depriued them of Iudgement, for although they knew well that it was impossible to settle King Henry peaceably in the Realme during Edwards life, yet could they not keep him so well but hee e­scaped, hauing corrupted his gards with hopes, and goodly pro­mises, whereof great men are no nigards when they haue need of their inferiors.

[Page 142] Edward being at libertie, recouers Yorke, where he was recei­ued with ioy, which was as great as it was vnexpected. From thence he went to London to confirme their wils whom his cap­tiuitie had made to wauer, and considering that victory doth al­waies fauour them which haue the aduantage both of Councell and force,A prince hath a great aduan­tage ouer his e­nemie when he exceeds him in Armes, and that hee hath the Coūcels & exe­cutions sooner readie then he. he raised a might Armie, and went to seeke out the Earle of Warwicke,Earle of Warwick defeated. whom he put to rout, and returned trium­phantly, the victorie was made famous by the death of ten thou­sand men.

Queene Margaret, Prince Edward her Sonne, the Duke of Cla­rence and his wife, the Earle of Warwick with their children and friends were forced to flye. They came to Calice, but the Earle of Warwicks Lieutenant would not receiue them, nor scarce suffer them to carrie two bottels of Wine for the Duchesse of Clarence, who was deliuered of a Sonne whilest the ship rode at an Anchor. This rudenes and indiscretion did so please King Edward and the Duke of Bourgundy, as the one sent him authoritie to com­mand as Gouernor of Calais, and the other a good pension to in­crease his entertainement.

The Earle of Warwicke, who was much esteemed in France, and in great credit with the King, for his worthy deeds which had made his reputation great and not easie to bee shaken,Reputatiō is a Colosse which is hardly raised by reason of its waight buy whē it is vp it stāds firme and sup­ports it selfe by his owne heaui­nes. It is hard to lay the foun­dation and to raise it, for it can [...]otlast vpō light actions. That of the E. of Warwi [...]k must needs be great, hauing twise chang [...]d the e­state of Englād, and as it were disposed of the Crowne. sent vnto the King to receiue him. The King seemed to haue a great desire to see him and succour him. He landed at Diepe, and was conduc­ted with all his troupe to Amboise. The people flockt vppon the high-wayes to see those mournefull relikes of Troy. Euery man had heard speake of the desolation of the house of Lancaster, they did regard them as Prodigies of fortune whom she had chosen to be pittifull examples of her inconstancie.

Within six monethes the King gaue them meanes to returne into England,The K. giue [...] succors to K. Henry. with such forces as Edward durst not affront them. Hee was forced to quit the partie, and seeing how dangerous it was to stay vntill the Earle of Warwick came vnto the gates of London, hee retired into Holland to the Duke of Bourgundie, carrying nothing with him but a hope to returne.It is a poore equipage for a Prince which goes out of his estate with hope to returne, but a retreat of this sort against a Prince that is stronger is ho­norable Valen­tinean the se­cond left Aqui­lea to Maximin and fled into Thessalonica with Iustina his mother where he obtai­ned succors of the Emperour. Theodosius, who restored him to the Con­trie. Sigon. Lib. 9. Imp. Occident.

Behold Henry the sixt drawne out of prison and set in the royall throne,Henry the sixt [...] it l [...] ­bertie and Edward ex­pelled. but he continued but six monethes, for Edward being re­lieued with ships and men from the Duke of Bourgundy, retur­ned into England, and presented himselfe before the gates of London, where he entred victorious. The Duke of Clarence left the Earle of VVarwickThe Duke of Clarence being in France was sollicited and wonne by a Gentlewoman which came out of England from the King his Brother and he [...] that belong in England he would turne to his side side. King Henry was murthered in the Tower, his sonne was detained prisoner,Death of King Henry the sixt. and soone after slaine. The Earle of VVarwicke was slaine vpon the place, and the Queen [...] was a prisoner. Thus the Realme which Edward had lost in eleuen dayes, was recouered in one, so true it is that Estates change in a moment,The euersions and conuersions of the estates are most comm [...]ty [...]. Breui bus momentis sūma verti pos­sunt. Tac. lib. 8. An. & that it is hard to make good vse of things ill [...].

[Page 143] During these Tragedies, the King who wisht they had con­tinued longer, the more to weaken the Dukes designes, and to humble his thoughts, continued the warre which he had begun in Picardie. The Constable who would needs be a necessarie euill Hibrea a wise Cittizen of Messala a Towne in Caria said smiling to Eutidianus a man very profi­table but diffi­cult and insup­portable, in the gouerment of publike affairs, that hee was a necessary euill to the Towne for that no [...] man [...] could in­dure him for his roughnes, nor [...]liue without him for his good gouermēt. to these two Princes was glad to let the Duke vnderstand what he could doe.Amiens & S^t. Quen­tin taken. He took S^t Quentin, Amiens opened her gates vnto him, Abbeuille (the Cittadell of Picardy) had entred into the same partie, if Philip of Creuecaeur, Lord of Cordes, had not entred. The Duke not holding himselfe safe in the middest of the Constables friends, retyred to Dourlans, and from thence to Arras.

Being there he receiued a letter from the Duke of Guienne con­taining these wordes. Labour to content your subiects and then care not for you shall find friendes. The Duke seeing himselfe thus surprised and dispossest of the Townes which he did so much esteeme, intrea­ted the Constable not to presse this warre so hotly, nor to doe the worst he could, and to consider that the King without any prece­dent offence had taken armes, and broken the treaty of Peronne, before that he had disclaimed his friendship.The Romans before they made war. Re­nunciabant a­micitiam. Germanicus being wronged by Piso Gouer­nour of Soria, sent him word that he was no more his friend.

The Constable beeing glad to see the pride of his first maister humbled,Pollicy of the Consta­ble of S^t. Paul. makes the danger greater then it was: hee threatens him with an ineuitable ruine, if he did not open his eyes to those expedi­ments which he propounded vnto him, letting him know that in the darknes of his infidelity he did alwaies reserue a good day for his seruice.I neuer knew (saith Phil. de Commines) that man haue a good end that sought to ter­rifie his Mai­ster, and keep him in Iea­lousie.

Yet will he not declare himselfe to be other then a good French­man, for to mannage his busines with honour, the leape was too dangerous from S^t. Quintin to Brussels. The passage from one con­trary to another is neuer made without violence,Mēs thoughts passe not sodain­ly from one ex­treame vnto an other, they goe by degrees. there must be a meane betwixt both to vnite the two extreames. He promiseth to serue the Duke in effect, in seruing the King in shew, and to make knowne the fruites of his seruice by the bad intelligence and diui­sion which hee would still entertaine and was already framed be­twixt the two brethren the King and Mounsire, the only means for him to be in safety and his estate in peace.The hatred and discord of brethren is the ruine of States all well as of priuate fami­lies. This mis­cheefe hath bin long in the world, the examples are borne with it. And if two brethren could not agree together in their mothers womb, it is no wonder if two brethren being armed quarrell▪

But to end this war which was begun, and would continue with such cruell effects,Hee coun­cells the Duke to giue his daughter to the Kings Brother. against him, there was no other help but to win Monsieur in giuing him his daughter in marriage: that all his de­sires should ayme at this marke as the true end of his contentment, from the which he might wander by many waies,They say we may come to one end by diuers meanes. But to hit one marke there is but one direction, the straightest lines are the shortest: we may misse by diuers meanes, ayming too high, or too low, on the right hand or on the left. It is euen so in the actions of men. and could not attaine vnto it but by this Allyance, that if he were so resolued hee would follow his party, and bring his head to his seruice, with the Towne of S^t Quentin and a good number of his seruants, In a word that he would doe any thing, yea set fire of the Temple of peace,There are seruants [...]ound sit for all assaies and without condition. C. Blosius said that he would do all that Tiberius Gracchus should cōmand him, yea hee would burne Iupiters Tem­ple if [...]e would Val. Max. lib. 45. 7. if he pleased.

[Page 144] He should not haue perswaded the Duke of Bourgondy to this marriage with reasons of feare and amazement. A great courage doth neuer any thing to shew that he feares. This course was odious vnto the Duke, but much more vnto the King, being offended that the Constable would make such an alliance, and not acquaint them with it, for the same fault a Nobleman, of the same quality & dig­nity, lost his head in Spaine.Amongst the causes for the which the Co [...] ­stable of A [...]a­los was behea­ded at Vaille­d [...]lit in the yeare. 1453. They marke for that he presu­med to make the marriage of the Sonne of D. Pedro of Portugal with­out the permis­sion of the K. of Castile his maister.

The Duke had other thoughtes then to marry his Daughter. Ma­ny beleeued that he would not do it whilst hee liued, contenting himselfe to leaue her pleased in this liberty,Desseins of the Duke vppon his Daughters marriage. to hold many hopes in seruitude, for he entertained them that might assist him or anoy him with goodly discourses of this allyance. The Daughters of Soue­raigne houses are not married to all them they are made sure vnto. When as they wondred why Hercules of Este Duke of F [...]rrara had married Lu­cretia daugh­ter to Pope A­lexander the sixth, hauing been made sure to three husbands, & was then widdow to Gismond Prince of Bis­selli whom the Duke of Va­lentinois had [...]aine, the only cōsideration of the safety of his estate and of his affaires, tooke away the amazement Guichard. Lib. 5. Princes in marrying do not regard their pleasure, but the necessi­ty and profit of their affaires.

But seeing the Constable propound no other remedy but this marriage of Monsieur and his daughter, and that yeelding vnto it hee should fill the world with a beleefe that hee had consented for feare of his enemies,A free spirit cannot indure [...]o bee forced. Vt in Principa [...] beatis [...]imum est non cogi ita miserrimum non suaderi. he beganne then to hate him deadly and to sweare his ruine.

The King who iudged of the future by the knowledge of things pastThings past carry a light before iudgment, which searcheth into the obscurity of future things. The world goes alwaies after his manner▪. There is not anything spoken or done, but hath some ancient example. Thinges goe and come vnder diuers names, and other coullers, [...]ut a wise man doth discern [...] them. trusted him no more, for he had discouered that in this war he regarded his own priuate interest more then the good of his ser­uice: that hee had made himselfe the instrument of an allyance, which was so much the more vnpleasing vnto him, for that hee ment to keepe him in Iealousie with his brother and to hold his greatnesse suspect.

Although the Duke of Brittany did still intertaine the Duke with feares and amazements, sending him word, that the King had desseins vpon Amiens, Bruges and Brussells, that hee was resolued to beseege him,These aduertisements were deliuered vnto the Duke of Bourgon­dy by mouth, by a footman of the Duke of Brittaines. To whom the Duke answered sodainely, that his maister was ill aduertised, and that the Townes whereof he spake were too great to bee beseeged. where hee should find himselfe deceaued, euen in Gand,The King discouers the Constable. yet hee went to field with his Armie, beeing resolute to passe the riuer of Somme vppon a bridge which hee had made at Piqueny, and to fight with the King if hee sought to hinder him.

Hee remained sixe weekes before Amiens saying that hee at­tended vntill the King (who was then at Beauuais) should come and force him to dislodge: But the King, by his temporizing, let him know that hee did not fight by the fortune of his enemies, but by his owne.A Prince should not suffer himselfe to be driuento that extremity as his e [...]nemy should prescribe him a Law, and bind him to fight. Biorix King of the Cimbrians seeing the Consull Marius to lye still offred him Battell: But Marius answered that the Romans were not accustomed to fight at their enemies pleasures. Romanorum reos est suo non hostrium Arbirrio dimicare.

The Towne was fortified with the presence of the chiefe men of [Page 145] the realme, the Constable, the Lord Steward, the Admirall and Marshall were within it with one thousand and foure hundred men at Armes, and foure thousand franke Archers: They had resolued to sally foorth vppon the Duke, and to ingage him betwixt the king and them,Se [...]ge of A­mens. but the King would not: his mind was so resolute to end or to continue the warre, as any wauering might cause his will tend to the one side or the other.When the­mind is in sus­pence betwixt doing and not doing, a small matter turnes the ballance. A l [...]ght reason­or any presi­dent makes the waight, but there is a great difference be­twixt the irre­solution and suspencion of the mind, which growes by the concur­rence & equa­lity of reasons.

When as a mighty Prince doth not all he can vnto his inferiours, it argues, that eyther hee hath some great desseine to circumuent him, or that warre is vnpleasing vnto him: Wherefore the Duke (beeing aduertised that the King had not allowed of this desseine) sent Simon of Quingey with a letter of six lines written with his owne hand, in tearmes of great humility and exceeding greefe to see that warre begun vnder coullor of his seruice to satisfie another mans passions, adding that he beleeued, if the King had beene well informed of all things hee would not haue done it. The King who would not doe all hee could (for oftentimes hee that would haue all looseth all)A Prince should not de­sire to haue the extremity of all things. The wise men of Italy say. Vo­lere ostinata­mente ill som­mo di turte cose. Somtimes in thinking to draw more frute from an occasion then it can in honesty yeeld, it ruines the affaires. tooke delight in this letter, hauing discouered the practises of his Brother, of the Duke of Brittany and the Con­stable; wherefore hee sent backe Simon of Quingey with good words and granted a truce to the Duke of Bourgondy which sent euery man home,A Truce granted dis­solues the Armies. the King into Touraine, Monsieur into Guienne the Duke into Flanders, and the Constable to Saint Quentin, where he still continued his practises, and not onely tormented himselfe with his owne discommodities, but with that which succeeded hap­pily to either of these two Princes.A miserable folly and a foo­lish misery of those which ar not content to torment them­selues with their owne mi­series, which are but▪ too great, but they afl [...]ct thēselues with the felici­ties of other men.

The King who knew well that the Duke of Bourgondy made his Brother the packhorse of his passions, sought to put him out of hope to marry his daughter,Marriage sought in Castille. and perswaded him to seeke the mar­riage of the King of Castiles daughter.The K. desi­red the Marri­age of Isabella Infanta of Ca­stile with his brother but she was married to D. Fernando Prince of Ar­rag [...]n, King Henry treated for his Daughter D. Ioane Monsieur submitted his will to the Kings, and Deputies were sent into Castille to King Hen­ry the fourth. The King had for his part the Cardinall of Alby and the Lord of Torcy: The Duke of Guienne gaue his procuration to the Earle of Bolloigne, and to the Lord of Malicorne, to consent vnto this marriage and had neuer beheld the Bride, Princes drinke these waters without seeing them.

This poursute was pleasing to the King of Castile, who was of­fended that his Sister D. Isabella had married to Ferdinand of Ar­ragon without his consent,The King sends Am­bassadors into Castile▪ and tooke it for a great honor that shee whom the Grandes of Spaine held, and who in effect was the sup­posed Daughter of Castile, should bee wife vnto the French Kings brother, hauing no meanes to lodge her in a better house.

Hee commanded the Archbishop of Seuill, the Bishop of Sig­uenç and the master of the order of S. Iames, to treat the marriage with the Embassadors of France. All being concluded, the King would haue the promises made in a great Plaine,The Princesse D. Ioane was brought into the field by the Marques of Santillana who had her in charge and to whom the King gaue in recompence of his seruice three Townes of the Infantasgo, Al [...]ocer, Val­dolinas and Salmeron. neere vnto the [Page 146] Monasterie of Paular enual de Locoia in the view of an incredible multitude which came thither.

The K. hauing renued his declarations against his sister D. Isabella, and confirmed to his Daughter D. Ioane the title of Princesse and heire of Castille, the Cardinall of Alby addressing himselfe to the Queene her mother, besought her to sweare whether D. Ioane were the Kings daughter or not. She sweare that she was. He made the like adiuration vnto the King, who affirmed the same. They had not any need to seeke for the Iewes waters of probationThe Iewes to proue adultery had probation waters as they caled them. The adulterous wo­man drinking therof did burst The Ge [...]mans tried if their Children were lawfull making them swim vp­on the riuer of Rhin. nor to make this Virgin swim vpon the Riuer to know the truth of her birth. And yet vpon this affirmation all the Grandes at that time kist her hands, and she was againe sworne Princesse of Castille. In this qualitie the Cardinall of Alby made her sure to the Duke of Guienne, the Earle of Boulongue promising and receiuing the pro­mises for him.

Whilest the King laboured to prouide a wife for his Brother,Birth of Charls the 8. God sent the King a Sonne,Charles Dau­phin of France was borne at Amboise the 14 of Iuly, or as the Annales of A­quitaine▪ report the last of Iune. 1470. Charles of Bourbon Archbishop of Lion was Godfather, and gaue him his name. This birth reuiued the King, who began to grow old, his Maiestie was more respected, factions were weakened, Monsieurs hopes recoyled, and France wholly preserued by these two great and speciall fauours of heauen, valor and prosperitie, or vertue and fortune, which haue made her reputation to passe through so many ages.Valour with­out the which a great enter­prise cannot bee ended, laied the foundation of the Monarchy of France and prosperity with [...]out the which the best setled estates are not assured, pre­serues it.

The Constable seeing that by Monsieurs marriage with the Daughter of Castille,Constables new pra­ctises. all his designes vanished into smoke, labors with all the capacitie of his iudgement to disswade him from this alliance, letting him know that it was dishonorable by reason of the vnlawfull birth of Bertraiamina, (for so they called her) and dangerous for the hatred which he should purchase of D. Ferdi­nand, and D. Isabella declared Kings of Castille, with the like Art he represented vnto him the greatnes he should expect by the mar­riage of the Princesse of Bourgundy.Death of Pope Paul▪ the second. Pope Paul the second died Paul the se­cond dyed of an Apoplexie, the 28. of Iuly 1471. hauing raigned 6. yeers & ten moneths during this poursuite, and after that he had yeelded vnto it, hee was sodainly surprised by death hauing held a Consistorie and ea­ten two melons at his dinner. His election was as vnexpected as his death. Cardinall Scarampi who was his enemie,Cardinall Lewis Sca­rampy Patri­arke of Aqui­lea was enemie to P. Paul the second being yet a Cardinal. Le­wis reproched to Peter the sumptuousnes of his buildings, and Peter said that he had ra­ther exceed in that then in dice, playing, wherein Lewis tooke great de­light. did in the beginning of the Conclaue breake off the proposition which was made, and yet contrarie to the ordinance of elections, the suffra­ges agreed vpon the same subiect which they had reiected, and the contention which had begunne, the Conclaue ended. This Pope shewed a great generosite, for beeing chosen, and seeing that the gowt, or rather shame and discontentment hindred this Cardi­nall from comming to the adoration, hee went to meete him, imbraced him, assured him of his loue, and to forget all mat­ters past.

This Pope augmented the pompe of the Court of Rome, hee gaue Scarlet foot-clothes to the Cardinals Mules. Platina saith that he loued not learned men, and called all them hereticks that made [Page 147] profession; and therefore he supprest the Colledge of Abreuiators which was full of great excellent spirits. The feeling which Platina seemed to haue of this iniury did wholly ruine his fortune, in the affliction whereof he wrote a letter vnto the Pope, [...]latinas let­ter had th [...]se words. Si tibi l [...]cuit indicta causa spoliare nos [...]mptione nostra iusta e [...] legi [...]ima, de­bet & nobis li­cere conqueri illatam in [...]uri­am in [...]stam­que ignomini­ [...]m eiecti a te ac tam insigni cō [...]umelia af­f [...]cti, dilabe­mur pa [...]sim ad reges ac Prin­cipes eosque adhortabimur vt tibi consili­um indican [...] in quo potissi­mū rationem reddere coga­tis cur nos le­gitima posses­sione spolia­ueris. full of bitter­nes and without respect.

This Pope was also taxed to be very greedy of money,Paul the se­cōd a great builder. and not to haue held the iustest meanes to get it, and yet his magnificence in the sumptuous building of the Pallace of St. Mark, and in the reparation of that of S. Peter freed him from blame with such as know that magnificence is the daughter of liberalitie.

The promises beeing broken in the Castille the poursuite of the marriage with the Duke of Bourgundies Daughter was followed by the Constable with great vehemencie, who could not endure that any other should deale in it. Hee represented vnto him the greatnes and commoditie of the Estates which this marriage would bring him after the death of his brother and father in law, & makes him to apprehend it in such sort, as this yong Prince, who filled not his fantasie with small imaginations, continued his first poursuite of an alliance with duke Charles, assuring him that it would produce great effects for their common fortunes and profit.An apparent and important profit is a great motiō to diuert the effect of a promise.

The Duke of Brittanie promised vnto himselfe the honour of the mediation for a matter which did profit few men and offended many. The King had no desire his brother should be so great.T [...]e Kings of France haue in former times repented them­selues for that they had made their brethre [...] so great. Charles the [...]ifu gaue to Philip the har­die the Duchie of Bourgundy, which K. Iohn had vnited vn­to the Crowne, & ma [...]ied [...]im to the heyre of [...]lande [...]s. The house of Bour­gundy grew so mighty as it would equall it selfe with that of France. The King of England sent often to the Duke of Bourgundy to di­swade him from this alliance, entreating him to consider that the Duke of Guienne,Designe of the King of England. succeeding the King who had no children, and holding the countries belonging to the house of Bourgundy, Eng­land did foresee her ruine and destruction.

The Duke of Bourgundy would haue no such sonne in Lawe, he gaue a desire and appetite to all men with one hand, and tooke all hope from them with the other, he promised her to all & gaue her not to any; he made vse of his daughter to entertaine the loue of Princes, and to passe ouer his affaires with more successe, to re­paire by pollicy the defects he found in his owne strength, thinking that his weaknes did dispence him of his word, and that fraud was glorious against his enemies.Deceit which makes an enemy receiue an affront is as commendable as it is to bee blamed when it deceiueth him that is not so declared, whereas they say that fraud is glorious in warre, it is not to be vnderstood in breaking words and promises, but of politick, fained, and artificiall stratagems.

But he had no desire to marry her, propounding vnto himselfe in this marriage more the aduancement of his owne designe, then the contentment of his daughter, hee promised her to Maximilian sonne to the Emperour Frederic, Princes pretending to marry the Daugh­ter of Bour­gundy. and inclined much to that party, to doe his busines in Germany, where he desired to purchase some credit, for at the same time Sigismond ArchDuke of Austria had in­gaged vnto him for fourescore thousand florins, the Country of Alsatia and Brisgaeu with the County of Ferette.The Country of Alsatia, Brisg [...], the black Forrest & the Contie of [...] or Forrest. Were ingaged by Sygismond Arch-duke of Austria for 80000. flo­ri [...] vpon condi [...]ion that the D. of Bourgundy should not alter any thing of the Lawes and Customes of the Country in the yeare 1496 Hee promised [Page 148] her in like manner to Nicholas sonne to the Duke of Calabria, to draw him from the Kings allyance, who had promised him his eldest daughter, To the Duke of Guienne to trouble the Kings of France, and England, and to Phillip Duke of Sauoy, for an other designe: Yet the practise was so followed by the Duke of Brittaine and the Constable, who promised in regard of that marriage to draw him into Amiens, and S. Quintin as he gaue his word to consent vnto it, and at the same instant hee assured the King of England that hee would not doe it, his words vppon this subiect were neuer of one tune,It was a witty comparison of him that said that mens acti­ons were like notes of musick sometimes in spaces & some­times in lines, sometimes a­boue and some­times beneath, and neuer or seldom straight for any long cō ­tinuance. and did not accord with his heart.

The Dukes of Guienne and Brittanie, being well aduertised that their hopes were crost by the King of England, gaue the Duke of Bourgundy to vnderstand by their Ministers that without the assis­tance of the English, they were strong inough, and had sufficient intelligence to force the King to doe him right, and that the prin­cipal end of their Armes, being for the publike good of the realme, they could not haue that successe which they expected imploying their ancient enemies, and that so long as they had forces and meanes in France, it was not needfull to seek them in England.W [...]ilest that wee may passe without succors we should not seek them. Pla­to in his Lawes forbids to dig for water in a neighbors house before that hee had sought it in his owne.

These words were deliuered vnto him by Vrfe in the behalfe of Monsieur, Wherevpon the Duke said, to Philip de Commines, Behold the Lord of Vrfe presseth me to make mine armies as great as I can, and tels me that we shall doe great good vnto the Realme, doe you thinke if I enter with the company that I shall lead that I shall doe any good? Philip de Commines answered smiling. In my opinion no: Then the Duke said, I loue the good of France better then my Lord of Vrfe thinkes, for whereas there is but one King I would there were six. He would glad­ly haue had the whole peece,Ambition striues to di­uide and teare in peeces that which shee can not breake nor carry wholly a­way. but knowing the impossibilitie, that the ascent was too steepe, and the top too slipperie hee had no care but to breake that which he could not wholly enioy.There is not any one of so great a cou­rage, but thin­king to make himselfe a King he trembles, the ascent vnto a royaltie is slip­perie, the top shaking, and the precipise & fall fearefull.

He prepared great forces, and the King sent his into Guienne, be­ing incensed that his Brother had restored the Earle of Armagnac to his lands, which had been confiscate, and hee spoyles both the one and the other. He wins his cheife seruants the more easely to chase him out of Guienne. The Duke of Guienne prest the Duke of Bourgondy to succor him, the Duke sent vnto the King to intreat him to suffer Monsieur to liue in peace, The King answered that hee had no intent to alter any thing of his brothers portion, but to keepe him from attempting beyond his bounds. And behold a remar­kable poynt of wisedome in this Prince, whilest the Duke prepared his army he sent Peter D'oriole Chancellor of France vnto him, and the Lord of Craon to make an ouerture of an accord.A Peace treated and a promise made to re­store Ami­ens. A peace was treated, and the King promised to restore Amiens and Saint Quen­tin, the duke was so much greeued for the losse of these two townes, and had so great a desire to recouer them, as in regard thereof hee granted whatsoeuer they would.

The hearts of men lie on the left side, they are full of deceit▪ Sincerity and freedom is ra [...]e in mens inten­tions. They haue reason to say that their wils goe not right. Their harts lye on the left side. Ari­stotle in his first book of the history of beasts saith that man onely hath his hart on the left side, and all beasts haue it in the middest of their brests. Truth, freedome and loyalty are rare, vnknowne and exiled qua­lities. [Page 149] It were basenesse not to dare to be lie his promises, nor to ac­commodate his words to profit rather then to Iustice, These two Princes sought to deceiue one another,It is simpli­city to speak all, but it is meere wickednesse not to speake what we thinke. It is a basnesse of the heart when a [...] the word belies the thought. the King had no will to res­tore any thing, promising vnto himselfe that an infallible accident would preserue him that which a peace tooke from him. The duke of Bourgondy wrote vnder-hand to the dukes of Guienne and Brit­tanie, that the abandoning of their protection, and friendship, which he had promised was but fayned, that his affection was alwaies pure and firme to maintaine them. Neither of them held himself bound to keepe his word but to effect his businesse, and in this bargaine they spake not all they thought.

Simon of Quingey, who had commandement to goe vnto the Duke of Brittaine to renew the hopes and protestations as soone as the peace should be effected prest the king much to sweare it.Tempori­sing of the King pro­fitable. The king, who had made profit of the time, deferred it from day to day, he lick't and fashon'd this little beare at leasure. Quingey who knew his Maisters mind durst not importune him. The king went slowly, hee tooke not halfe the winde hee might haue taken to arriue at a prefixed time at the port of his desseigns, thinking the winning of time very necessary for him that will effect his businesse, that it cannot be bought to deere nor too long attended.When as the Barbarians de­manded mony of Sertorius go­ing into Sp [...]ine for his passage through their country, such as were with him grew into chol­ler, saying that is was too great a shame and in­dignity that a Proconsull of the people of Rome sh [...]ld pay a tribute vnto those wicked Barbarians, but Sertorius re­garded not the shame which they pretended, but answered. That hee bought time, which whoso­euer aspired to great matters, should hold most deere, & so contented the Barbarians with mony, after which he made such speed as he seazed vpon Spaine. Plu. Hee temporized so cunningly as he at tayned to what he desired. And behold a post which brings newes that the Duke of Guienne is dead: a death which changed the face of affaires, and depriued the Duke of all that he promised vnto himselfe.

It happened the twelfe of May 1471. and the manner so violent as his members turning contrary to their propper motion by strange convulsions,Death of the duke of Guienne. wholy disfigured his body, his teeth, haire and nayles fell off before his death. It was thought to bee by poyson. Being on a sommers day at Saint Seuere with the Lady of Montso­reau, the Abbot of Saint Iohn d' Angely (who was one of the Dukes fauorites) at his after-noones drinking presented a goodly Peache vnto his Lady, she tooke the one halfe and steeped it in wine, and gaue the other to Monsieur. Shee dyed soone after, but the Duke contynued longer, yet so sicke, as his death was bruted the very day that he had taken this deadly morcell.

If the King were pleased with this death we may gather by the words which he spake a little before, when as newes was brought him of the King of Castilles brothers death. He is but too happy to haue lost his brother. It was Al [...]onso D. Alfonso second, sonne to Iohn second K. of Castille and brother to Hen­ry dyed of the plague at Car­degnosa a Bour­rough neere to A [...]ila the fift of Iuly 1468. he was sixteene yeares old, and had bin decla­red King three yeares before, his death was not without suspition of poyson. who had beene chosen King by the Castillans and by the League made against king Henry. This word of Brother was vnto him as a goodly name to signifie a bad thing, if he wept they were teares of ioy, and if they were not fayned they were presently dryed vp.

The little care hee seemed to haue to punish such as were accu­sed to haue poysoned him, confirmed an opinion that he was con­tent, and made many beleeue that this death came by his comman­dement, [Page 150] to assure the quiet of many by the death of one alone. It is a great misery for a Prince when he sees him-selfe forced to bee cruell vnto his owne bloud, to assure the quiet of his estate. Hee commanded the Bishop of Angers Secretary to bringe him the proceedings taken before his Maister and Lewis of Amboise vp­on this death, Claude of Seysel in that which hee hath written of the History of Lewis the twelfth saies vpon this occasion. Many there are which said, but yet I dare not affirme it, that he caused his said bro­ther to die of poison, but it is most certaine that he neuer had any confi­dence in him whilest he liued, and was not greeued at his death.

The course of his life was so short as fortune had not time to poursue him long:Obseruati­ons of the Duke of Guyennes life. shee followed him betimes and neuer ceased vn­till he was daunted and deiected finding that misery is the proper portion of a mans life, yea of the greatest.There is no­thing but mise­ry in man hee is borne vnto it. They write that the wives of M [...]xico when they are brought in bed assu [...]r their children of their misery in th [...]se three words. Infant thou art come into the world to endure, suf­fer, endure & hold thy peace They sing [...]his to [...] a sleep. Hee had noe constant spirit to defend him-selfe from these affronts, he was as tractable to all perswations, as the King his brother was cunning and stayed. The History of Brittaine saith that for a truth he had noe courrage, and that inconstancy did properly belong vnto him. He did dictate soudenly what he had receiued and allowed.Constancy is the s [...]ale of Ac­tions: It is of spirits as of bo­dies, neither the one in reiecting councell nor the other in casting vp meate c [...]n be nourish [...]d and entertained. He was not like to his Father in fortune, nor to his Grand-father in courrage, nor to his Brother in wisdome. It is a wonder to see how children degene­rate, & how nature delights in these contrary productions, making cowards, ignorant men, & wicked proceed from the bloud of Prin­ces which are valiant, wise & good. So vineger comes from wine.A good tree brings not forth bad fr [...]t [...], and ye [...] wee see that from [...]ood fa­thers come bad children. The Iewes prouerb is Homets ben iin, v [...]neger is the son of wine. Natum crebro tanquam ex industria ma­lis ebonis, a­grestes [...] do­ctioribus & ceteris. [...]u vic. torin Caliguls.

Impressions were very easie in this lightnesse. The rigor which King Lewis the eleuenth shewed vnto him, made him giue eare to such as sought to finde their owne contentments in his discontents. It is Iniustice in a Soueraigne brother not to prouide for the enter­tainment of his yonger, whom he should put in the number of his forces and felicities. They are of the same bloud and grounded vp­pon part and portion of the successiue rights, but they haue neuer prospered which haue troubled the house for this, and conspired with the members against the head.

Twenty yeares before this death France had seene a notable ex­ample in Brittaine.Tragicall end of Giles of Brittaine There is no danger to lay the History a little a­side. Giles Iohn the fift Duke of Brit­taine left three Sonnes, Fran­cis Peter and Giles. sonne to Iohn the fifth Duke of Brittaine, and Brother to Francis the first, being not well pleased with his portion retired himselfe to Guildo a Castle neere vnto the sea by Matignon.

The Duke his Brother makes King Charles the seuenth be­leeue that he was there to fauour the English with aduice and in­telligence. Vpon the first suspition of any ones fidelity, they presently ad the communicati [...]n of friends. They doe exactly re­uise actions past which deface or confirme the doubt of the present. A beliefe which might easily bee setled in the soule of a iealous King, for that this Prince had beene bred vp in Eng­land, and the king had giuen him the Order of the Garter, and the office of Constable.Proces made to the Prince of Brittany. Vppon this first impression the king sends to take him, and deliuers him into the Dukes hands, who sends him prisoner to Chasteau Briant, commanding his Attourney Ge­nerall The Duke demanded of the Atturney Generall what should be done in this pro­cesse. The good man answered that he did not see what might be done & that by the custome the elder had no criminall iu­stice ouer his yonger brother, and that the Duke could not call him to his Iustice. An an­swer which was more simple thē true. H [...]st. of Brit. lib. 11. to make his processe for treason, but there was no crime nor any accuser.

[Page 151] The hand which had hurt him sought to cure him. The king beeing informed of his innocencie, laboured for his deliuerance. The Duke durst not refuse him, but being ready to be set a liber­tie, his enemies suppose letters from the king of England, where­vpon the king changeth his aduice, and causeth him to bee kept more straightly in the Castle of Touffort. There he is made to lan­guish and endure greater extremities then those of the Quarries of Siracusa,The vsage of such as were shut vp in the Iayle of the Quarries of Si­racusa was ve­ry stra [...]ght, for they had but two dishfuls of barley, and one of water allo­wed them by day [...] lut. in the life [...] for they refused him water, and if he had bread, they were the scraps of a poore woman who hearing him cry for hun­ger put them in at a window, which was vpon the ditch side. His gardes who had vndertaken to starue him, seeing it continue to long,Gilles of Brittany adiournes his Brother before God strangled him. They gaue him leysure to thinke of his con­science, hee charged a Friar to adiourne his Brother to heauen, seeing there was no Iustice on earth for his innocencie.Gilles of [...] for [...] speech charged a Friar to goe vnto D. Fran­cis the first, and to tell him in what estate hee had left him, & the miseries he endured by in­iustice, that he could haue no right, but re­ferred all to the iudgement of God, before [...] he called him. The Duke appeared.

Death pulling this thorne out of the kings heart, gaue him meanes of more rest, if his spirit had been capable of rest. It car­ried him into many places,A spirit which is not re­strained to cer­taine designes, liues in conti­nuall disquiet­nes. Phil. de Commines▪ speaking of this Prince saies these words. The time that he rested his vnderstanding labore [...], for [...]e had to doe in many [...]aces, and did as willingly busie himselfe with his neighbours affaires as with his owne. and thrust him into sundry designes, medling with his neighbours affaires as with his owne. True it is he had great crosses by them that were neerest vnto him.Imprison­men [...] of the Duke of Alencon. Iohn the second Duke of Alençon, the first Prince of the bloud, was sent pri­soner to the Louure, for conspiring with the Kings enemies, and at the same time they saw other Princes afflicted with the like Do­mesticke diseases. Lewis was nothing sorrie to disquiet them, he did what he could to fill vp the measure of their cares, hauing no respect to make enemies, so as they came to his Mill.

Iohn the second King of Nauarre and Arragon had prosperities and aduersities,Troubles in Nauarre. both publike and priuate, so variable and diuers, as it could not be said whether he had more of the one then the o­ther, his youth was tost, and his age was not quiet, but still his courage remained inuincible in the greatest fury of the storme.They that make profession of wisedome & faint in aduersitie are like vnto Pilots which grow sick during a storme

Charles the onely Sonne and presumptiue heyre of the Crowne of Nauarre tooke Armes against him to bee King.Charles Prince of Nauarre makes war against his Father. Henry the fourth King of Castille who had married his eldest Daughter fa­uored his rebels of Barcelona, and Gaston Earle of Foix, husband to Elenor his second daughter, seeing him busied against the Castillans sought to dispossesse him of the Crowne of Nauarre. D. Pedro of Portugall was chosen King & dyed at the siege of Tortosa.After that the A [...]ragonis had declared K. Iohn, vnwort [...]y the crown, as the murtherer of his own son, they did choose D. Pedro the third Cōstable of Portugal son to D. Pedro D. of [...]imbra. Rene of Anjou Duke of Lorraine and Earle of Prouence, being desirous to recouer the Title of a king which he had lost at Naples, accep­ted the same election by the aduice of King Lewis the eleuenth, and sent the Duke of Calabria his Sonne into Spaine with French troupes, which ioyning with them of the countie of Roussillon be­sieged Girone.The French besiege Gi­ [...]onne.

The Arragonois were beaten and defeated, and the Prince D. [Page 152] Ferdinand sonne to the King of Nauarre in danger to be taken pri­soner. At the Battell of Denia the Prince D. Fer­dinand was prisone [...], Ro­deric of Reb [...] ­ledo caused himselfe to [...]ee taken in his place, to giue him meanes to escape, and the King redeeme [...] him for ten thousād florins. Winter came on, the Duke of Calabria retired his troupes to Perpignan, hee made a voyage into France to haue new forces, and returned with ten thousand men with the which he forced king Iohn to raise the siege from before Peralta, the which was wonder­fully prest with their Ordinance, and hauing made a great breach, the assaylants assured themselues to force it at the firt assault. The night before it should be giuen, the Duke of Calabria entred with such furie into their quarters without discouerie, the Sentinels be­ing a sleepe,It is easie to make a surprise when as Senti­nels be a sleepe. The Romans cō ­sidering that the safety of the Armie or Camp depending of their vigilancy, had cries and trumpets to keep them wa­king. There were some also that went the round with bels to the same end. Of all which we finde examples in Tacitus Hist. 5. Polibeus lib. 2. stratagem of Clearchus. Thucidid li. 4. as euery man sought how to saue themselues. In com­bats by night the amazement is so great as he that begins first wins. The King fled away bare headed towards Figueres. France made bonfires for this victorie the which was seconded by the taking of Girona,Death of Iohn D. of Calabia. but within few daies after they lamented the death of the Duke of Calabria, who dyed at Perpignan of a pestilent burning Feuer.

When as the King of Arragon had ended a Ciuill warre against his subiects, he found himselfe ingaged in warre against the French. King Lewis the eleuenth being often importuned with the ordinarie complaints which were made of the insolencies of the French, The inhabi­tants of Perpig­nan intreated Iohn King of Arragon, either to giue the K. other p [...]wnes for the assurāce of his money which hee had lent, or to suffer them to retire themselues. which were at Roussillon, and that the inhabitants of Perpignan being reuolted against the garrison, had forced them to retire into the Castle, he sent the King word that he should pay him his three hundred thousand crownes & retire his countrie, or that he should make him an absolute sale, or giue him caution for the paiment. The King of Arragon finding either of these conditions verie harsh, answered that he could not yet vngage the country, and that it would bee no honour to him to alienate it, being a part of the Crowne of Arragon, and that it was a matter neuer heard of to presse a King to gaue Caution, the pawne being sufficient.

The King taking this answere for a refusall, prepared to warre, and made his preparation slowly, to haue a more speedy victorieHe that will demand any thing of an ene­mie must not be disarmed, nei­ther must hee prepare hastily to war to van­quish more spee­dily. Diu appa­randum est bellum vt vineas celerius, quia longa belli preparatio celerem facit victoriam. Senec.. With the like care as he armed for an offensiue warre against the King of Arragon, he gaue order for a defensiue, and to furnish the Towne of Perpignan with victuals and necessary commodities to maintaine a siege, and gaue the command thereof to the Lord of Lude. The Letter which he wrote vnto him vpon that subiect de­serues well to be considered of, beeing drawne from the originall and full of passages which discouer the humor of this Prince, the order and conduct of his affaires, and the manner of writing of those times.

My Lord Gouernor,The Lord of Lude as may be seene by the subscription of this Letter was Gouernor of Dauphiné & Chamberlaine to K. Lewis [...]. the Earle of Cardonna and the Castellan of Emposta are arriued at Paris.Kings Let­ter to the Lord of Lude. I haue sent Monsieur Daire and the Sieg^r of Bouffille vnto them, to know and vnderstand of them if they came to make any good appointment, or whether they came to deceiue mee and to dissemble. The said Bouffille is returned vnto me, and as farre as they [Page 153] can finde they bring not any good newes, and their intention is onely to entertaine mee with words, vntill they haue gathered in their coine. And therefore I must play M^r Lewis, and you Mr Iohn, and whereas they seeke to deceiue vs let vs shew our selues more politick then they. In regard of my selfe I will entertaine them heere vntill the first weeke of May, and in the meane time you shall part with all the speed you can, and shall draw together a hundred Lances in Dauphine to lead with you, and cause them to be led by Monsieur de S. Priet, or by Pouillalier, or by them both together, that is to say, fourescore Lances by S. Priet, and twen­tie by Pouillalier, or all to him alone or to both together, as you shal think the matter may be best conducted for my profit, for I referre this Article to you.

I send you a Letter which I write vnto them by Beauuoisin, whom I charged to tell them and to doe what you shall thinke fit. And for the paiment of the said hundred Lances,A hundred pound star­ling. you must speedilie finde a thousand Liuers to giue them at their departure, for they shall make but a roade to spoile and burne the corne and then returne, which is ten francks a month for euerie Lance: And seeing they haue no Archers, and conti­nue but eight or ten daies, it must suffice them, it is fit to finde a meanes to recouer the said thousand Francks either by confiscation of Corne or otherwise. And if it should come to the extremitie that you could not finde it before you want, take it vppon the accounts of the Treasurer of Dauphin [...], to whom I write expressely: but vse such diligence as the said men at Armes may part the 25. day of this month, and if you take any money vp in Dauphin [...] I will repay it. My Lord Gouernor, the greatest seruice you can doe me is to vse such speed as you may burne all their Corne betimes, for thereby they shall be forced to speake plainely.

I haue spoken vnto Captaine Odet Daidre, who is well content to goe thither, I send him vnto you with his hundred Lances to assist you to make the spoile, in my opinion when you are all together you are i­nough.

I send Yuon Diliers vnto Monsieur de Charluz to raise an hundred Lances in Lanquedoc. I doe also write vnto de Charluz to gather toge­ther of his Franc Archers the neerest to those marches, to the num­ber of three thousand, and that he cause them to march into Roussillon with you, and that all be readie to part the 25. of this month of Aprill. And for the paiment of the hundred Lances of Lanquedoc, and of the said Franc Archers, I write vnto the Generall and Treasurer of Lan­quedoc that they cause foure thousand Francs to be deliuered vnto them, that is to say a thousand Francs to the hundred Lances; and to the said Franc Archers 3000. Francs.

I doe also send Destueille to Monsieur Dalby, who carries a com­mission directed to him, to Monsieur Charluz, and to the said Destue­ille, and to euery of them, to cause great store of victuals to be carried to Narbona and other places of the fronter, to the end the men at Armes may haue no want: but you must haue a care that vnder co [...]llor thereof none be carried to Perpignan.

I haue giuen charge to the said Beauuoisien to be gouerned by you, [Page 154] and in case that Mousieur de S. Priet lead the hundred Lances of Dau­phin [...], the said Beauuoisien shall bring vnto me Hardouin de la Iaille, whom I haue written to S. Priet to send me.

I haue sent vnto you Raoulet of Balparque, and Claux the Canonier to assist you, imploy them well, and spare nothing. The Seig^r of Bouffille shall part within two or three daies, and in my opinion with those hun­dred Lances, with yours, those of Dauphinè, Lanquedoc, and of Captaine Odet, with the three thousand Franc of Archers, you shall haue forces suf­ficient to spoile and burne their whole Country, and to take and beate downe their paltry places, or ruine and burne such as you cannot beat downe.

I doe also write vnto the Generall, Treasurer and Officers of Langue­doc, that they doe whatsoeuer Monsi^r Dalby and you shall commaund them. Beauuoisien shall tell you the rest. Farewell my Lord Gouernor, I pray you let mee vnderstand of your newes. Written at Senlis the 9. of Aprill V. Lewis, and vnderneath: N. Tilhart.

The Kings armie besieged ParpignanSiege of Parpignan. D. Iohn King of Arragon maintained the siege, the Prince D. Ferdinand came to succor him, and forced the French to retire; Lewis hearing of this shamefull re­treat, commanded his Captaines to returne speedily [...], and to take the place or to die there. The siege continued eight monthes, the besieged were wonderfully prest with famine, for when as they had eaten horses, dogs, Cats, and Rats, they deuoured their flesh that were slaine at assaults, chosing rather to dye after this manner, then to returne vnder the command of the French.Famine and yeelding of Parpignan. Yet their obstina­cy was no hinderance from letting the K. suffer them to feele the ef­fects of his Clemencie, receiuing them vpon composition, euen when as they could no more.The obstinacy and fury of a Town besieged, should not hin­der the bounty and clemencie of a Prince. Laurence Pa­latin of Hunga­rie, being ama­zed that the Emperor Sy­gismond left them their liues & goods, and held them for good sub­iects whom hee had vanquish­ed, answered in this manner. I kill my ene­mies in pardo­ning, and in doing them good I binde them. Aeneas Sit. lib. 3. Com. So the Cont [...]e of Roussillon remai­ned to France all the raigne of King Lewis. King Charles his Sonne restored it to King Ferdinand. Charles the eight yeelded the Countie of Rossi [...]lon to Fer­dinand King of Arragon, & did acquit him of the same for the which hee was engaged, this was in the yeare. 1494. It had cost the King his Father ma­ny men and much money. His Chronicle relates that it was said in those times, that the Contrie of Arragon was a Church-yard vnto the French. Philip de Commines saith that in the Contie of Roussillon there died many good men, for this warre continued long▪

A Peace was mas made betwixt Lewis and D. Iohn King of Arra­gon and Nauarre,Embassa­dors from the King of Arragon sent into France. whose Embassadors being come into France, were well receiued and graciously vsed by the King, who gaue them two cups of gold waying fortie markes,As a weake Prince should not make any show of his forces, so hee that is mighty glories to shew what hee can. The King out of one Citie of his realme musters a hūdred thou­sand men in Armes, the 20. of Aprill 1470. and esteemed worth three thousand two hundred crownes of gold, and to the end they might iudge of the whole peece by a patterne, he caused them to see the Inhabitants of Paris in Armes, they did muster a hundred & foure thousand men, the Originall saith they were all in one liuerie in red Casacks and white Crosses.

The fortune of the house of Armagnac was intangled in that of Arragon.Iohn Earle of Armag­nac expel­led his Country. Iohn Earle of Armagnac had married Ioane of Foix Daughter to Gaston Earle of Foix and D. Leonora of Arragon. This alliance could not defend him from the indignation of King Lewis [Page 155] the eleuenth in the furie whereof he found first the losse of his liber­tie, then of his goods, and lastly of his life.

The King could not forget with what vehemency he had follow­ed the Bourguignon party in the war of the Common weale, after that he had promised to retire himselfe from all Leagues and asso­ciations, contrary to the Kings intentions, nor with what affection he had followed the youthfull follies of the Duke of Guienne his brother, who had restored him to his lands, contrary to his com­mandement.

In the yeare 1469. one called Iohn Bon of Wales in England brought letters vnto the King, which King Edward had writen to the Earle of Armagnac,Accused by a welchmā. and the answer which the Earle made him. The King reading them with the passion where-with he was pos­sest, and easily beleeuing one man aloneTo draw ma­ny heades in question vppon the report of one tongue, is an act of ex­treame & odi­ous Iustice. Graue militi­bus visū quod in causa falco­nis multos mi­lites ad vnius serui testimo­nium occidi preceperat Pertinax Iul. Capitol. to ruine one who was worth many, and who would cost him much, thought that Infidel­lity was noe new thing in a spirit who had already shewed the proofes, and without further inquisition sends the Earle of Dam­marting with twelue or thirteene hundreth Lances, and with ten or twelue thousand Franc Archers to seaze vpon the Earles per­son, lands and estate.

Being come into the Towne of Rhodets, he put the whole Coun­try into the Kings hands,His lands put into the Kings hāds. changed the officers, and caused a Pro­clamation to be made by the sound of a Trumpet, that noe man of what estate or condition whatsoeuer should advowe himselfe ser­uant nor officer to the Earle of Armagnac, nor make any pour­sute for him, vpon paine of confiscation of body and goods.There is no­thing so power­full nor feare­full as a publik declaration of the Princes ha­tred against a­ny one, especi­ally among a people which esteem not their Gouernors but by the authori­ty and credit they haue with their Superior. In these extremities there is not any man that will willingly loose himselfe for another. Good men are loth to drawe their friends in­to danger. As it is an office of frendshippe to runne into danger for ones friends, and rashnes to goe into perils without occasion, so it is cruelty to bring others into danger.

The Earle of Dammartin made booty of all the places and Sieg­neuries which did belong vnto the Earle of Armagnac. If he tooke his part, as some taxed him he did contrary to the duty of a Gene­rall, who should content himselfe with the glory of the command and executionThe glory & honor of well executing the cōmandements of his Prince, serues for a booty, in the di­stributiō wher­of he that com­mands must consider that there is not a­ny thing for himselfe. The­mistocles see­ing a great nū ­ber of Collers & chains in the enemies Camp said vnto him that did accō ­pany him. Take off thē for you are not The­mistocles. and leaue vnto the soldier that which concernes profit.

The Earle of Armagnac seeing that hee must haue time to cleere these brutes,He retires to Fontera­by. and that oftentimes Innocency is forced to yeeld vnto a sodaine euent,We must giue time to broyles to make them vanish away when there is no meanes to resist. Innocency it selfe is troubled when she is surprized. Relinquenda rumoribus tempus, quo senescant in­nocentes recente inuidiae impares. Tac. An. Lib. 2. was aduised to goe out of the Realme and to re­tire to Fonteraby with his wife, being loth that his person should be at the Earle of Dammartins discretion, who beeing aduertised of his flight, past on, and seazed vppon the towne of Lestoré. The Court Parliament of Paris vppon the informations of the In­telligences which the Earle of Armaignac had with the enemies of the Realme decreed a personall adiournment against him. His [Page 156] processe was made by reason of his contumacy,The first de­fault was ob­tained the 24. of Nouember 1469. the se­cond the 19. of February▪ 1469 the third the 6. of Au­gust 1470. and before that the E. of Dāmartin had seazed vp­pon all the County of Ar­magnac. and by a sentence giuen the 7. of September 1470. he was condemned to loose his head. But he was in a place of safety, whereas the sentence could not be executed, hauing an intent to let them know, which had condem­ned him, that he was aliue.

After that he had for two yeares space indured the miseries and discommodities which they suffer which are expelled from their owne houses and liue in a strange country, hauing tryed that the wandring starres were as vnfortunate as the fixed,There is no such sweet a­bode as ones owne house. They which bold them hap­py that runne from Prouince to Prouince, are like vnto those (saith Plutarch) which iudge the wandring fl [...]rres more fortunate then the fixed. and sought by all meanes to returne into the Kings fauour:Returnes into Gui­enne vnder the Dukes protection. when as he saw that by the resolution of the Estates, held at Tours, the Kings brother left Normandy, and tooke Guyenne for his portion, and that hee was arriued at Bourdeaux, he thought that he could not find a better re­fuge nor portion then with him, he acquaints him with the misery of his life, which was such, as liuing, his life was nothing but a liuing death,It is not life to stand al­ [...]waies in feare [...] fall in to the handes of a mighty enemy, which hath long armes, Ita viuere vt non sit viuendum miserimū est. Cic. and the power which his enemies had against his inno­cency. The Duke of Guienne pittied his estate, and gaue him proui­sion to be restored to all his lands.

This displeased the King, who saw that the Duke of Guienne ioy­ning with them whom hee held enemies to the Crowne, aud conti­nuing his poursute of marriage with the Duke of Bourgondies daughter,Army of the King in Guienne. might reuiue the League which he had smothered. This feareA Prince can make no grea­ter shew that he feares his vassall then when [...]hee re­tires from him. Alexander by bis proclama­tion gaue leaue to all bannished men to returne into their Con­tries except the Thebanes, and therefore Eu­damidas said that Alexander feared none but the Thebans. Plut. caused him to send 500. Lances with Foot-men and Ca­non vnto the fronter of Guienne, deferring a more priuate reuenge against the Earle of Armagnac vntill another time.

He felt it cruelly after the death of the Duke of Guienne, when as the King sent the Lord of Beaujeu, Brother to to the Duke of Bourbon,Seege of Lestore. the Cardinal of Alby, Bishop of Aras, the Seneshals of Tholousa and Beaucaire, the Lord of Lude, with many other Cap­taines, and a great nomber of Soldiers with Artillery, who laid siege to Lestoré and conti [...]ed it sixe or seauen monthes.

The Earle of Armagnac sent them his Chancellor being Abbot of PessantThe Deputies for the Earle of Arma [...]gnac were the Abbot of St. Denis and Bishop of Lombes, with the Lords of Barbasan, Raulsac and Palmarieux. to tell them that it was not needfull to imploy such great forces against him,The Earle desires a safe Con­duct to iustifie him­selfe. that the Kings commandements should find no resistance in his contry, that all was vnder his obedience and disposition, yea his person, so as it would please the King to giue him good security, that he might go vnto him to iustifie his life and loyalty.

The offers were not accepted,It hath beene alwaies found strange that a subiect whose will should be conuerted into obedience and his reasons to humility, should capi­tulate with his Prince. The Duke of Nemours, the Earle of St. Paul, the Duke of Brittaine, and the Earle of Armagnac re­pented it to late the Capitulations of an Inferiour beeing then more odious then they haue been since with Kings. Al the Contry was ouerrunne, spoiled and ruined, and yet the Earle would not suffer his people to defend themselues, declaring al­waies that he was the Kings seruant, desiring nothing more then to iustifie himselfe, offering to deliuer vp the Towne of Lestoré, and [Page 157] for a greater declaration of his will, hee caused the white Crosse and the Armes of France, to be set vpon the Towers and Walles.

The Lord of Beaujeu and the Cardinall of Alby seing that with­out hazarding the Kinges forces they might enter the place,Accord made with the E. of [...]r­magnac. by an accord which the King was not bound to keepe,This Maxime That a Prince being forced to make a peace or treaty to his disaduantage may fall from it at his plea­sure, had alrea­dy taken footing in the councells of Princes. they entred in­to treaty with the Earle of Armagnac, and it was agreed: That the said Lord of Beaujeu, as Lieutenant to the King, hauing speciall power soe to doe, did pardon all crimes and delicts which he might haue committed against the King, as wel in adhering vnto the Duke of GuienneThe Earle of Armagnac had followed the D. of Guienne in the warre of the Common weale, and since had termed him selfe his Lieute­nant Generall. as otherwise. That noe trouble nor hinderance should be giuen to himnor his seruāts going nor comming. That he might goe safely vnto the King with a hundred or sixe-score Horses, with­out Armes to iustifie himselfe of those crimes wherewith he was charged, according to the offers made by him. That the Lord of Beaujeu and the Cardinall of Alby should obtaine all Letters and expeditions necessary for his better assurance. That in the meane time he might remaine in his Countrey of Gascoine in what place he should thinke good, except the Towne of Lestoré, the which should be deliuered into the hands of the Lord of Beaujeu.

It was also agreed that in case they gaue him not this assurance,A man of quality should desire nothing more then to make his inno­cency knowne, and to see him­selfe purged from all accu­sa [...]ion. For the consideration of their honor ma­ny haue desired to be araigned. or that the thinges promised were not effected, the Towne of Lestoré should be restored vnto him. The Lord of Beaujeu hauing receiued the Kings commaūdement vpon this accord, & the assurance demā ­ded,Lestore re­couered by the E. of Ar­magnac. he sent it vnto Barran, whereas he then was, by the which it was granted him to goe vnto the King with threescore horse. But in steed of going thither, he executed an enterprise, which he had vpon Lest­oré, by the meanes of Iohn D. Aymier. The younger brother of Albert surprised it,In the Earle of Armagnacs defence, it is said, that seeing that the Lorde of Beauieu com­maunded him to void the Coun­try, he required him to restore him the Towne of L [...]store seing that he had not any Town whe­ther to retyre himselfe, and that it was de­liuered. and tooke the Lord of Beaujeu with the Noble-men and Gentle-men that were with him prisoners. D' Aymier was quar­tred at Tours, and the younger brother of Albert, being Lord of St. Basile, lost his head at Poitiers.

Hereupon new forces ar sent to the Cardinall of Alby and to the Seneshals of Toulouza and Beaucaire to beesiege Lestoré. The siege continued three months, and the Cardinall seeing that force would not preuale,To make men subiect either force or fraude must be vsed, Sparta was forced by Alex­ander, Siracu­sa deceiued by Denis. he added policy, for Townes and Common-weales loose their liberties and are made subiect by the one or the other. They propounded againe the precedent condition of the ac­cord.A second accord made with the Earle of Armagnac The Abbot of Pessans, Bishop of Lombes & Chancelor to the Earle comes on his part to treat; they granted the assurāce which he desired to go vnto the King; a bolition of all thinges past, & of the seruices which he had done in the Duchie of Guienne against the King, pardon for the Noble-men & Gentle-men of his party, & of al that had bene done in the surprise of the Town of Lestoré.This treaty iustified the E. of Armagnac if it had bene represented, but it was not seene. They say that the Earles Se­cretary, who had it in his custody, was threatned to be [...]ast into a well, if he deliuered it not to the Cardinall of Alby. In con­sideration of this he deliuered vp Lestoré vnto the King. The articles were signed by the Cardinal Ranfort, Balsac, Gaston of Lyon, & Iohn Daillon Lord of Lude, on Thursday the fourth of March 1472.

[Page 158] In execution of the treaty the Earle of Armagnac deliuered vnto the Cardinall the Castell of Lestoré, caused his men to disarme, and retired his Cannon, making all the ports to be sett open to the Kings men.They that trust are easily deceiued. The wise prepare themselues for dangers in assu­rances. In ipsa securitate ani­mus ad diffici­lia se preparat. At this entry there was a great disorder, the treaty was broken,Earle of Armagnac slaine vn­der the as­surance of a treaty. the Earle of Armagnac was slaine in his house, and cast naked into the streets, the Townespoiled, the Countesse of Armag­nac carried prisoner into the Castell, and within fewe dayes after was deliuered of a Sonne before her time, the Castell and walles of the Towne were razed, and it was fiered in euery place, and in the end all were intreated with that liberty which the rigor of war per­mits against Townes and people that rebell.Razing, bur­ning, and sack­ing, are the or­dinary punish­ments of rebel­lious Townes. Alba was raz­ed, Carthage burnt, the V [...] ­iens were r [...]oted out. So we finde in the Roman History vpon the punishment of reuolts & se­ditions, Muri deiecti senatus abductus.

Charles of Armagnac the Earles Brother was caried prisoner to the Bastille.Charles of Armagnac a prisoner and mad. This Imprisonment which continued foureteen yeares bred him wonderfull sorrowes and griefe, and as the passage is not great from melancolly to madnes, his spirit grew weake, and made him incapable to rouse the enemies of his howse. They gaue him certaine Noble-men of the Countrey to be his gouernors.

Many haue written the Taking of Lestoré, and the death of the Earle of Armagnac after an other manner, and such, as if they which had vndertaken to iustifie his memory had held it true, it had not beene forgotten in their Apology.The Pagans did so much re­spect others as they held a Per­iur [...]d mā to de­ceiue the Gods. In sui ran [...]um perinde esti­mandum, quā si Iouem fesel­licet, Deorum Iniurias Diis curae. Tacit. The more pro­mises are colo­red with strāge [...]aths and mist­eries, the more they are to be suspected. The Accord made betwixt the K. of Nauarre, & Charles Re­gent of France, was sworne vp­on the Sacra­ment. They say therefore, that the Cardinall of Alby entred into some treaty with the Earle of Armagnac for the assurance whereof he vsed a damnable polli­cy,Trechery most dam­nable. for seeing that the Earle feared to fall into the Kings hands, he sware his promises by the most sollemne misteries of his Religion, giuing halfe a consecrated Hoste vnto the Earle and himself ta­king the other halfe. That in the meane time the soldiers slipt in­to the Towne, and that the Earle, meaning to charge them, fea­ring a surprise,Vntill the ca­pitulation be made, all polli­cies, all surpri­ses are alowed. They laugh at them who suffering themselues to be surprised in those bargaines, cry out of disloialty. In courses of hostility there is nothing more excellent then deceipte, nothing more safe then distrust. they cryed out for succors, the Kings Armie en­tred by the breaches which the cannon had made, the Towne was spoiled and ruined, all were put to the sword, and the Earle slaine. The Lord of Beaujeu with the other Gentle-men prisoners were deliuered.

Such was the Tragicall and fatall end of the Earle of Armagnac. Fortune, who desired to ouerthrow the greatnes of his house, blin­ded his eyes that hee could not apprehend the dangers which did threaten it. She had not a more powerfull instrument then the ha­tred which the King bare him. A hatred conceiued long before, nou­rished and augmented, by many free & hardy actions. He was ther­fore inuironed with so many perplexities and perturbations as hee needed no more to let him know her constancy, and to [...]make her not as straw which smoakesAffliction hurts some and [...]rofits others, as in the same fire. Auruin rutilat, et palea fumat, et sub eadem tribula stipulae [...]o [...]min [...] ­untur, frumenta purgantur. We must not consider that which is indured, but he that indures, and after what man­ner Tantum interest non qualia sed qualis quisque patiatur. Nam pari modo exagitatum exhalat horibiliter C [...]num et s [...]a [...]iter Fragrat vnguentum. Aug. but as a precious mettall which shines and is purified in the fire. They were so extreame as if in the begin­ning [Page 159] they had let him see the least part, or the choise of a cruell death, with what a resolution would hee haue imbraced this, to a­uoid the miseries of the other? The most violent torments which a body can suffer are but light scratchings in respect of the burning wounds of the hearts greefe. His Conscience gaue him deepe ones, for they write that he had offended not onely the Kings Maiestie by this third reuolt, but also that of the liuing God by a notable vil­lanie,Incest of the Earle of Armagnac. marrying with his owne Sister vnder a false dispensation.They say that Ambrose of Cā ­bray Feferen­darie to Pope Calixtus the fourth gaue this dispensation for money, for the which hee was accused and im­prisoned in the Monasterie of Mont Oliuet. A coniunction as abominable now by religion, as it was in former times to be desired by the reason of necessitie.Wee reade in the 17. Book of the City of God an excelent pas­sage vpon these incestuous mar­riages. Com­mixtio▪ soro­rū et fratrem quanto sit an­tiquior com­pellente neces­sitate, tant [...] postea facta est damnabi­lior religione prohibente.

Presently after the death of King Lewis the eleuenth Charles of Armagnac his brother besought King Charles the eight to restore him to the lands and estats of the house of Armagnac, and to bee admitted to answer the accusations layed against his brother shew­ing that by the seuerity of King Lewis the eleuenth and by the great credit which his enemi [...]s had,Memory of the Earle of Armagnac restored. hee could neuer obtaine a safe con­duct to come and iustifie himselfe. King Charles by the aduice of the Princes, Prelats and other Noblemen of the Realme graunted it, the third of Aprill 1483. and he was restored to the possessions of the house of Armagnac. After whose death many pretended the succession.The Preten­dants were Ca­therine of A­lencon Coun­tesse of Laual. Charles D. of Alencon, Char­lotte of Armag­nac, wife to Charles of Ro­han. Alain of Albret. The Cardinals of Luxembourg. Louise of Lyon wise to Charls bastard of Bour [...]on Seneshall of Thoulouza. Francis Phile­bert of Seissell. Afterwards the Court of Parlament by a decree of the seuenth of September 1510.The Court of Parliament de­clared the goods of Iohn of Ar­magnac forfei­ted to the King, and the seuenth of Sept. 1470. Fortie yeares after on the same day they receiue his heires to purge his crime, and to rasie his memory. receiued them to iustifie the Earles memory.

Charles Duke of Alençon, whose Grandfather had married the Earle of Armagnac's Sister, drew his iustificacion from the same reasons by which he was accused. They said he had receiued Let­ters from the King of England, and that Iohn Bon had brought them vnto the King, with the answere. His innocencie therein was very apparant, for if he had receiued his letters and would haue made a­ny answere he would not haue giuen them back vnto the bearer. They were cunning practises, said the Duke of Alençon, of such as haue gouerned Lewis the eleuenth to tempt the fidelity of the Earle of Armagnac and to haue a share in his spoile. That if Iohn Bon had been a true messenger to the King of England, as he made shew to be, he had not carried the Letters vnto the king.

That the Earle of Armagnac was naturally an enemy to the Eng­lish,Earle of Armagnac a great ene­mie to the English. and being at Font arabic, he carried himselfe in such sort to­wards them, as men wondred how he could be banished for fauo­ring them.He that will iustifie himselfe must liue in such sort among them where hee is exiled as his Innocencie may be apparent, and his returne more easie. There haue been banished men, who for the Inte­gritie of their liues haue been more happie among strangers then in their owne houses. He would not suffer his seruants to conferre or con­uerse with the English which did trafficke in that Contrie: and it hapened one day as the yong men of Bayonne were come to dance before the Countesse of Armagnac, his wife, an English man ha­uing a red crosse vpon his brest slipt into the hall, with the people who are accustomed to follow dances. The Earle who held the meeting of an English man with a red Crosse for as bad a presage, [Page 160] as the ancients did a Moore with a crowne of Cypres,The ancient Superstitiō held it a bad presage to meet with a M [...]ore, as Plu­tarque notes in Brutus. The Emperor Seue­rus meeting a Moore carrying a Crown of Cy­pres on his head. Iratus ab occu­lis remoueri precepit et co­loris eius tac­tus emine, et Corona. com­manded his Gentlemen, namely Carbon and pettie Santignem to driue him out, and as they ranne after him with their naked dag­gers, Mauleon his Stuard stept betwixt them, saying that they were in a strange countrie, and that the Townes-men might rise against such an act, which the Earle of Armagnac seeing, he tooke his Stu­ards staffe and chased the English man out of his lodging, making him to leape downe the stayres.

That being parted from Fontarabie, to goe vnto the Duke of Guienne, by chance he found an English man at the Sea side, whom he caused to be taken and carried him prisoner to Lestoré, onely for that he was an Englishman.

King Francis the first,King Francis quit his pre­tensions to the Contie of Armag­nac. Marguerite of Orleans or of valois the onely sister to King Francis 1. was first married to Charles D. of Alencon, and next to Henry the second of that name, the 26. King of Na­uarre. the first yeare of his raigne, by his letters pattents giuen at Compeigne in February 1514. resigned vnto the Duke of Alençon and to the Lady Margaret his wife and their children, all his interest, vpon certaine conditions, the which hap­pening, it fell to the house of Albret.

Iohn Duke of Alençon was so wonderfully grieued at the misera­ble fortune of the Earle of Armagnac, as all his affections grew cold to the Kings seruice, and carrying alwaies from that time this vlcer in his brest he sought the Duke of Bourgondies pro­tection. All which did but hasten his miserie and the losse of his libertie.

We must end this discourse with these words, that the reputati­on of the seruices of the Lords of the house of Armagnac done to France against the English, freed him from all suspition of intel­ligence with them, being most certaine that they were neuer no good English men, they haue alwaies resisted them, they haue spent their liues and goods to expell them out of the realme, and had detested them, hauing slaine their Predecessors cruelly and inhu­mainly. Bernard E. of Armagnac Con­stable of France for maintay­ning the quarel of the Crowne, was slaine at Paris, and flead. Hee serued the King so courra­giously as all good French­men were called Armagnacs. But such was the misery of the Age as they must aduow that which was beleeued more by coniecture then by assistance. He that is held of all men to be wicked, is forced to doe wickedly.

All waters returne into the sea from whence they flow. This goodly Prouince of Armagnac consisting in the lands which are called the Counties of Armagnac and Falensac, base Armagnac, Perdiac, Biran and Baran in the Viconties of Lomagne, Auuillar, Fesensaguet and Brouliois. In the Siegneuries of Lectoure, Au­zan, the base riuer whereas Castellnau stands, and Malbourquet, Aure, Magnoac, Barrouce & Nestes is wholly come to the crowne of Nauarre, vnder the raigne of Henry of Albret King of Nauarre, Earle of Foix and Armagnac.

IF the death of the Duke of Guienne had not put this exception into the Kings mouth, Matters are changed, his word which wasThe simple word of a Prince bindes him as much as othes doe pri­ua [...] persons. Al­fōso Panormi in his life. as much as all the othes of his religion, bound him to restore Amiens and S^t Quentin to the Duke of Bourgundy. The Duke, who was then in Ar [...]ues to recouer them, seeing that the King had changed his minde, resolued to loose all, or to haue all.

Hee wrote vnto the Townes to rise against him, and speakes more vnworthily of him,Death of the Duke of Guien [...]e breakes the Treatie. then Artaban K▪ of Persia did of Tiberius, Suetonius writes that Ar­taban railed of Tyberius by his letters reproach­ing him with his mu [...]thers, Parricides co­wardise & ve­luptuous [...]esse, Parricidia, cae­des ignauiam & Luxuriam. he exclaimes of him as a Tyrant ouer his subiects, a Murtherer of his brother, and periured of his promises, and in this fury he begins to make war by fire, which he had neuer done. A kinde of hostilitie vnknowne to Christians, and to those generous Nations which car­ry not their sword to kill, but in fighting,To spoile the vanqu [...]shed, to put th [...]m torā ­some▪ and to wast their countries is the iu­stice of warre, but this was ne­uer allow [...]d [...]f­ter a victorie, w [...]en as an e­nemie yeelds. It is a wicked thing saith Plato in his commonweale, to burne, spoile and make one an others coun­trie wholly de­solate, it suffi­ceth to carrie away their an­nuall frui [...]s. and who hold that the fewer they kill the more there remaine to honour their triumph.

He besieged Nesle in Vermandois,Cruelties committed at the taking of Nesle. into the which the King had put a Captaine called Pettie Picard with three hundred Archers of the Isle of France, who defended the Bourguignons assaults valiant­ly, but being prest by necessitie, hee accepted of a composition for himselfe and his men, to depart with their liues and Armes. But the trecherie was strange beeing followed by an excesse of brutish cruelty. As soone as the besieged were disarmed, the Bourgun­dians [...]lue them. Euery man thought that the Church should haue been a Sanctuarie vnto him, euery man ranne thither, and the souldiers made such a slaughter, as the bloud ranne in all pla­ces. The Captaine and his companions were hanged.

[Page 154] The Duke was no lesse pleased with the bloud then the sacke of the Towne. Entring into the Church he spake these words more fitting for a Busiris, then for a Christian Prince, and of the bloud of the most Christian Kings.In the Chro­nicle of Lewis the eleuenth these words are read vppon the desolation of Nesle. On Fri­day the 12. of Iune 1472. the Duke of Bour­gundy entred the church on horseback, the which was halfe a foote deep with the bloud of poore Creatures which lay na­ked and dead there: And when as the said Bourguig­non saw them in this maner, hee began to smile and said that he saw a goodly sight, & that he had with him ma­ny good but­chers. Behold this is goodly, I haue good But­chers. Inhumane words of the D. of Bourgundy. The griefe for the death of Monsieur, and for the losse of S. Quentin, transported him to these outrages, which then were noted by the Cassandras of those times, to bee the chiefe cause which prouoked Gods Iustice to cut off the course of his daies in re­uenge of innocent bloud.A cruel prince continues not long. The Em­peror Anasta­sius the fourth, was so, and had no religion. In the end an old man with a sower counte­nance appeared vnto him in his d [...]eame, & said vnto him, for thy impieties I cut off fourteen yeares of thy [...], & he dyed instantly. Paul Diacre. Lib. 15

As this Princes hart was inflamed with choller, so his cruelties cōtinued, for hauing caused Nesle to be razed, he presented himself before Roy, which yeelded without defence. Louiset of Balagny, Mouy and Rubemprè, who had about two hundred Lances, went forth with the losse of all that was within it. The victors gained by this bootie aboue an hundred thousand crownes. From thence hee thought to surprise Beauuais; the measure of the ladders were as ill taken as his designes. Choller carrying him to rashnes,when as the iud [...]e [...]ent is darkened with Ch [...]ller, Crue [...] ­ty makes it to take strange re­solutions. Valentinean was cruell because he was cholerick, As soone as any word was spoken crosly vnto him, Choller transported [...]im beyond the bounds of reason & was the cause of his death, all his inward parts were found dryed vp & burnt. and that vnto indiscretion hauing failed in his first designe, he desired, saith Phil. de Commines, to take it by assault and burne it. He caused them to discharge two peeces of Ordinance, which made a great hole in the gate, whereas the besieged defended themselues couragiously, and in the end set fire of it,Siege of Beaunais. which troubled the assailants, so as they could not stop the approches towards Paris. An error which rui­ned their designe. An error which a Generall of an armie should foresee, and which had vndone Caesar before Alexia,Caesar wonne great reputation at the siege of Alexia, where he did besiege and was besieged. There were a hundred and seuentie thousand men within the Towne, and three hundred thousand without, yet he kept them from ioyning, and forced the Towne to yeeld. Plut. if he had not preuented it. An error which was the preseruation of Beauuais, and did shew the iniustice of the enterprise, and that there is in heauen an all-seeing eye, which blinds malice. Innocencie were in a hard case, if wickednes were alwaies accompanied with wisedome, shee hath more furie and rage, then conduct and resolution to hurt.

These approches remaining free,Succors sent by the K. to Beau­uais. the besieged were releeued with victuals & munition from Paris and Orleans,Orleans relea [...]ed Bea [...]ais with a hundred pipes of wine. Pa­ris with Pioners, Canons, Poulder, Bowes and Arrowes. and with good numbers of foote and horse. The chiefe honor of these succors is due vnto the memory of the Earle of Dammartin, and to the Mar­shals Ioachim and Laheac, who being followed by many other Cap­taines were no sooner entred, but hearing the assault, left their horses with women which kept them, and went directly to the wals to repulse the enemies and their assault, the which continued from seuen of the clocke vntill eleuen before noone, on Thursday the 9. of Iuly 1472. in the which the Duke of Bourgundy lost fifteene or sixteene hundred men.

The next dayThe History names them that were at this succors, the Earle of Dammartin, the Marshals Ioachim, and Loheac, William of Vallee, Crusol, Rubempre, Estout [...]uille, T [...]r­ey, Bueill, Salezard, Vignoles and Croy. Captaine Salezard performed a generous Act: [Page 155] Occasion,Braue ex­ploits of Captaine Salezard. Wee must al­waies watch for occasions and embrace them, Vespasian did often vse the words w [...]ich Pittacus had taught him, [...] Know the time, they said at Rome, I came in time. As we must not vnder take any thing before an occa­sion, so we may not let it passe. without the which it is folly to vndertake, and also fol­lie to let it slip gaue him the meanes. The losse of so many men in this assault, the expectation and feare of worse had strooke a great amazement into the assaylants armie. He made a sally at the breake of day, surpriseth the enemie in his Campe, fires it, kils all hee in­counters, wins two Bombards wherewith the Towne had beene battered, two Serpentines, one great Canon of Brasse, which they called one of the twelue Peeres, which the King had lost at the Bat­tell of Montlehery.

Although that in these occasions many haue no more share in the paine and perill,An vnprofi­table presence ought to haue no share in the glory of a pain­full action. then the flye hath in the labour of the Oxe, or the running of the horse, yet all say we haue pursued, wee haue vanquished, and euery man ascribes vnto himselfe the best part of the glory. The men which were at the siege of Beauuais could not deny it vnto women,Courage of the women at Beau [...]ais. for they presented themselues valiantly, and more then manlike vpon the walles, casting wild-fire stones and scalding oyle and water vpon the enemies. There was to be seene in the Iacobins Church of Beauuais an ensigne which a woman called Ioane Foucquet wrested out of an Ensigne-bearers hands who had gotten to the top of the wall. This did shew that vertue makes no distinctionIn Platoes Commonweale, women are cal­led to politick and militarie charges. Anti­stenes did not distinguish mas­culine from se­minine vertues of sexe, and that there are women to bee found, which may teach men to liue and die.

The Duke of Brittanie had promised the Duke to come before RouenIf the Duke of Guienne had not dyed, saith Phil. de Com. I beleeue the K. would haue bin much troubled, for the Brittons were ready, and had greater in­telligence with­in the Realme then euer, all which failed by reason of this death. to help him to besiege it.Spoile done to the Duke of Burgun­dies Armie. The Duke of Bourgundy went, but hee appeared not, for Monsieurs death had made all his de­sires subiect to the yoke of feare and reason, so as he was con­tented to burne all that quarter of Normandie, euen vnto the gates of Diepe.

The same furies of warre which the Duke had caused to be seene in Normandie were heard vpon the frontier of Champagne, wher­as the Earle of Roussy, the Constables sonne, led them. The Earle Dauphin of Auuergne did the like in Bourgundy, and in all places the victory was not famous but by the lamentable estate wherin the vanquished were left.

The King had affairesThat victory is famous which doth subdue an enemy, and not make him per­petually misera­ble. The Consull Popelius stript the Ligurians of their goods, and sold them as slaues, hauing vanquished them. The [...] found this Act to be cruell and reuoked all that had been done, concluding Cla­ram victoriam vincendo non saeuiendo in afflictos fieri. Tit. Liu. in diuers places: when as he turned head against the Duke of Bourgundy, he was sure to haue the Duke of Brittanie at his heeles, and hauing seperated them with a designe to pacifie the one and content the other, he sees them vnited againe to make warre against him. The Duke of Brittanies Embassadors came vnto the King being at Pont de See, and brought words and offers of affection and seruice on the Dukes behalfe, who feared that the King would make some sodaine inuasion,The D. of Brittaine demands a peace. hauing an armie of fifty thousand men ready to fall vpon his country.

The King with all his forcesA Prince should neuer doe all that be may against his enemies. would not doe what he might doe against these gyant-like enterprises, reseruing his thunder-bolts to [Page 166] an other season. The more slowly Princes take Armes, the more difficult it is to draw them out of armies; hee resolued to vanquish without fighting, and considering that the Lord of Lescun was the first linke of the chaine of the Duke of Brittanies Councell, that all the iudgement, conduct and experience in Brittanie did lye in the person of this Nobleman,Phil. de Com. speaking of the Lord of Lescun saith, that there was neither iudgement nor vertue in Brit­tanie, but what proceeded from him. who after the death of the Duke of Guienne his master had retired himselfe to the Duke of Brittanie; a good and a loyall French man, who neuer would consent that the places of Normandie should bee giuen vnto the English, hee thought that if he could draw him to his seruice, the accord which he should make with the Duke of Brittanie would be more firme, and withdrawing him from the Duke of Bourgundies alliance hee should make him so weake as all his forces would not suffice for his defence.The King drawes the D. of Brit­tanie from the Duke of Bourgun­dies alliance ThereWhen as the Prince hath won him that is in most credit and authoritie with him with whom he treats hee doth worke his affaires safe­ly and with aduantage. is nothing so easie as to bring one whether necessitie driues him. The Lord of Lescun being won giues the Duke his master to vnderstand that there is no other safety for his affaires but the Kings protection. The accord was made so as the Duke might haue eight thousand pounds starling. The Lord of Lescun had a pension of six hundred pounds starling, foure thou­sand crownes in readie money, the Order of S. Michel, the Earle­dome of Cominges, halfe the gouernement of Guienne, the Se­neshallships of Vennes and Bourdelois. The Captainship of one of the Castells of BourdeauxK. Charles the seuenth ha­uing taken Bourdeaux a­gaine, he caused two Castles to be built. Castell Trumpet to­wards the Sea, and that of Du Han towards the firme land. which King Charles the seuenth had caused to be built, and those of Bayonne and St. Seuert. Essars and Souppleinuille, instruments of this negotiation, were also rewar­ded, Phil. des Es­sars a Gentle­mā of the house of Brittany had 4000. Crownes giuen and six score pounds star [...]ing for yearely pension, with the Baille­wike of Meaux, and was made Master of the Riuers & For­rests of France. Souppleinuil­le who did be­long to the Lord of Lescun, had six thousand crownes in gift, a pension, and offices fit for his qualitie. the Kings bounty could not suffer any seruice to passe with­out recompence.Truce an­nuall be­twixt the King and the Duke of Bourgundy.

The affaires of Brittany being compounded, the King went into Picardie. It was his and the Duke of Bourgundies custome euery yeare to make a truce for six monthes, in the beginning of Win­ter: during the which there were many voiages and conferences to quench the causes of warre, which they held to be shut in the Con­stables thoughts, who began to stand in feare of the Duke and to keep aloofe from the King. Philip de Commines saith that the Chan­cellor of Bourgundy came to make it, but as it was the first yeare of his comming to Court, he was not very curious to vnderstand the truth, the which is drawne out of the Articles that were publi­shed and signed by the Earle of S. Paul Constable of France, and by Philip of Croy deputed for the King, and Guy of Brunen Lord of Imbercourt, and Anthony Rollin Lord of Emery for the Duke of Bourgundy. The Deputies promised to cause this Truce to be ra­tified by the first of December, it ended the first of Aprill fol­lowing, betwixt which they should meete at AmiensThis assem­bly was appoin­ted in Amiens the first of De­cember 1472. to treat a peace and the restitu­tion of S^t Vale­ry which the D. of Bourgun­dy demanded. to treat a Peace.

The Constable following the intention of the King his Master, and that which had been treated with the Lord of Lescun, would not haue the Duke of Brittany comprehended in the Truce among the Allies of Bourgundy. The Deputies shewed that the Duke of [Page 167] Brittany their Ally did relye vpon themTo forget Al­lies in Treati [...]s and Accords is an iniury a­gainst the lawe of friendship. Vnde maiores cum qui soci­um fe [...]ellisles in virorum bo­norum nume­ro non puta­ [...]erunt haberi oportere. Cic. our Elders did not hold him worthy to bee put in the num­ber of good men that deceiued his companion. that they could not for­get them in the number of their frends; that he had not disclaimed their friendship; that they held him yet for their Allie, and that he had often abandoned them by Letters and words, and yet had beene firme to them in effect. That youth did inflame his bloud, but reason did still reclaime him. That the Duke did then name him among his Allies, leauing it to his choise by the first of Fe­bruary whether he would be comprehended among the Kings Al­lies or the Dukes. There was no remedy. The King would haue fifteene daies to name his Allies, and eight dayes after to adde such as he should forget.

The Duke of Bourgundy,Ambitions designes of the Duke of Bourgundy. who would spend the time of Truce in great imaginations, which filled his head with fumes, and his heart with perpetuall flames, propounded to allye himselfe vnto the Emperor. He desired to extend the bounds of his Empire from one Sea vnto the other, his spirit went still on and neuer lookt backe.It is an error in Princes that they seldome or neuer look be­hind thē. They consult vpon the passage, but neuer vpon the returne. Leo­pold Archduke of Austria tal­king how hee should passe an Army of twen­tie thousand men into the Can [...]on of Su­ [...]its. Kune of Stocke his i [...]ster said vnto him: I will not fol­low thee thou talkest how thou shalt en­ter, but thou neuer drea­mest how thou shalt come forth. Leopold was defeated a [...] Morgarten. Munster. The like was said vnto K. Fran­cis the first by Amaril, vppon his proposition to passe th [...] Alpes. He held himself King alreadie of one part of Gaule, hee deuoured all Germany in Imagination: God had giuen him great Prouinces which he thought deserued a more stately Title then of Duke of Earle: for the obtaining whereof hee made a voyage to Treues to the Emperor Frederi [...], hauing made a very sumptuous preparation for the solemnitie of that publike declaration of King of Gaule-Belgicke.

He came thither about S^t Michell in the yeare 1473. the Empe­ror went to meet him,D. of Bour­gundy goes to the Em­perour to [...]. conducted him into the Towne, and offred him his lodging. The Duke was contented to returne and lodge in a Monasterie without the Towne. To haue that which he pretended he offred vnto the Emperor the marriage of his Daughter with the Arch-duke Maximilian his sonne, who succeeded him in the Empire. It was an Act of wisedome in the DukeA Prince should alwaies prouide that his successor be not vncertaine Ne successor in [...]erto [...]it. This certaintie preuents, practises and partialities., to prouide for the succession of his Estates, seeing that he had but one daughter, but it was vanitie to buy the Title of a King so deerely. The crowne, the Scepter and other royall ornaments were made, there was no let but in the Emperor why the Duke did not vse them, but hauing demanded vnpleasing conditions, their enteruiew brake off, and neither Royaltie nor marriage succeeded.

The Emperor not to delay him and abuse him, refused him the Crowne sodainely,Although▪ they hold sodaine refusals to be the best, and that he which denies speedily abuseth least, yet when he that is refused mightie and may be reuenged, they must win time wherewith all things are accommodated. departed secretly from Treues, and imbarked vpon the Rhin without giuing him any answere,The Empe­ror mockes at the dukes demand. not thinking him­selfe bound to bid him farewell that was come without his priuitie. The Duke was left alone with his mouth open to the ayre of his hopes, swearing by S. George that Frederic should repent it, and that he would haue by force that which he refused him vpon his intrea­tie and merit. They continued a month together, the publike dis­courses were of the meanes to make warre against the Turke, the [Page 168] priuate past about this Royaltie. Thus they parted both as much discontented, as they seemed pleased at their meeting.Cranzius who writes this enterview hath these wordes. Tandem mi­nori alacritate digresti quam congressi sunt visi, In the end they parted with lesser ioy then they came to gether.

The Duke of Bourgondy visited the Lands that were ingaged vn­to him,The Duke passeth by the County of Ferette. where his soldiers intreated the poore Peasants so cruelly, as from that time euery man studied how to returne to his first mai­ster: The Duke was no sooner gone out of Bri­sac, but the sol­diers spoiled the towne, cō ­mitting a thou­sand insolen­cies and bu [...]nt the Augustins Monastery. Colmar refused to open her gates. He past his Christmas at Brisac and there ended the yeare 1473. In the beginning of the next he returned to Montbelliard, from thence to Besançon and then to Dijon.

The ministers of both Princes foreseeing that whilst the Consta­ble liued Peace would be vncertaine,1474. and that one and the selfe same Sunne would see it spring vp and dye, they make religious re­monstrances and full of Conscience vnto their maisters, and dis­pose them to a good reconciliation, for the which by their consents there was a conference appointed at Bouuines,Assembly at Bouines. This Conse­rence of Depu­ties for the K. and Duke of Bourgondy at Bouines, in the yeare 1474. was sought by Imbercourt to reuenge the in­iury which the Constable had done him at Roy. neere vnto Na­mur. The King sent the Lord of Curton, Gouernour of Limosin, and Iohn Heberge Bishop of Eureux. For the Duke of Bourgondy came William Hugonet his Chancellour and the Lord of Imber­court.

The first proposition was to make away the Constable who was much aflicted for the Duke of Guiennes death, it was the swarme which gaue him both hony and waxe.A great authority cānot maintaine it selfe in a season when it is not respect­ed: that of the Constable could not continue but in warre: warre was his element, it en­tertained his Estats, & made him to bee re­spected both of the King and the D. of Bour­gondy. They held him to be a spirit of discord from whence came all Inuentions to make peace of no continuance and warre euerlasting,Resolution taken to do iustice of the Consta­ble. and to maintaine his authority in Confusion. They said that he was like vnto the bay tree in the ha­uen of Amicus which they called mad, for that one branch of it being put into a ship, all that were in it fell to iarres and deuision. wherevppon they resolued that who so could first seaze on him, should put him to death within eight dayes after his taking, or deliuer him to the other party, to dispose of him at his pleasure.

The best resolutions vanish away as soone as they are discouered: The Constable had an inkling of this proposition,Great affairs should be ma­naged with se­crecy & iudge­ment. The resolution taken at [...] against the Constable was not secret, he was aduertised, and by this meanes anoi­ded the storme which threat [...]ed him, but this was but to deferre an ineuitable mischefe. and assembled all the trickes and deuises of his braine to breake off this assembly: he aduertised the King how the Duke had sought him,The Con­ble creepes into the Kings fauor to draw him to his party, and of his great attempts to shake his loyalty, and with what constancy and generosity hee had reiected his offers, hauing no desire to affect any greatnes more assured nor any assurance more happy then the seruice of his King, without the which there is not a­ny thing in the world, that deserued his loue or remembrance; be­seeching him. Not to beleeue the passionsIt is necessa­ry to haue a sound and perfect Iudgment to discerne with what intention aduertisments are giuen, which concerne the loyalty of a man of credit, for oftentimes they are the practises of Enemies to make them frustrate. When a Prince is iealous of his good seruants, he remaines at the discretion of others Zenon vsed this policy against Phalaris.of the Deputies of Bounines, who set his head to sale to make a cruell sacrifice thereof to the Duke of Bo [...]rgondies re [...]enge, and to satisfie his discontent for that he could not [Page 169] draw him aliue vnto his seruice, nor perswade him to so base a treason against his Prince.

The King beleeued him the more easily, for that he knew well that the Deputies of Bouines were the Constables enemies in particular, and desired to find their reuenge in his disgrace, with the two Princes.

The priuateA man that hath power & authority, and aspirces to more cannot indure to bee [...]rost or contradicted. Crastus being in an assembly which was held [...]or the diuiding of the gouernmēts of Prouinces, see­ing himselfe gainsayed by another, bee flrooke him on the face with his first, & sent him away all bloudy. Plut. hatred grew for that the Constable in an assembly held at Roy had giuen the lye vnto the Lord of Himbercourt.A lye giuen [...] the Lord [...] Himber­court. A man of authority and great dignity will not be contradicted, all the reynes of patience breake, but truth is so precious an ornament vnto thersoule, as when it is disroabed thereof it is no more knowne. A lyar is like vnto a counterfeit peece, no man will take it: and when as the tongue hath once learned to lye and to gainsay her Conscience, it is hard to reclaime her. Euery lye, especially in a gentleman, de­serues degradation of Armes for a Month, or bannishment from Court and algood company for certaine daies.Alfonso K. of Castile sonne to King Ferdi­nand being at Burgos in the yeare 1368. made an order of Knighthood which he called the order of the hand, wher among other statutes there were three re­markable. That the knight shold bee alwaies true, and that he that should tel a lye, should goe a month without a sword. That a Knight should alwaies haue good armes in his [...] Chamber good horses in his stable, a good la [...]ce at his gate, and a good sword at his girdle, vp­pō pain to loose th [...]e name of a Knight: That who so had ea­tē any stinking things, as Garlick and Onyons should absent himselfe a month from the Court, and not sit at the Knight tables.

Wherevppon the King who considered what force this iniury might haue with Himbercourt, dispatcht a Gentleman presently with commandement not to probeed in any resolutions which con­cerned the Constable,The Con­stable gets a sa [...]e con­duct to come vnto the King. whom he commanded to come vnto him and gaue him all assurances which hee demanded, hee so much desi­ed to draw him from the Precipice whether his Ambition led him.

The King came neere vnto S^t. Quentin, spending the time in hun­ting about Noion, Compeigne and la Fere, to busie himselfe during his expectation of the Constable, who knowing the humor of this Prince to be full of reuenge and disdaine, and that contrary to the nature of Caesar hee neuer forgat iniurie, hee did capitulate for his safety of going and returning with conditions too hardy for a sub­iect. His health was in humility, and he sought it in pride,It is a great error in a Prince to intreat a subiect like vnto a Soueraigne Prince. By enteruiewes of such inequa­litie, there cannot grow any thing but contempt of the greater and vndoubted danger for the inferior which made his precedent faults to be more apparant, and the least to bee reputed great.

They were forced to make a barre vppon a Causey three leagues from Noyon,He comes vnto the K. vpon a Cauley. toward la Fere vppon a riuer where the Constable had caused the Foards to be rais [...]d. This barre did assure that which was on his side, for the King had twise as many men as hee, not daring to limit the number of those that should follow his maiesty.

He came first vnto the Causey, & the King sent Phillip de Commi­ [...]es to make his excuse for that he made him attend. The King came presently after and found the Constable armed with his Cuirasse vn­der a loose Cassock, and followed by 300. Gentlemen. An act of a distrustfull spirit and a guilty Conscience.Bo­dies which are easie to purge are also to cure, but when the humor resists the Phisicke, the cure is very difficult. The Constable was sicke of a burning Feuer of Ambition, the humor which entertained it was pride, insteed of purging it, hee nourished it withall that might augment it, presenting himselfe before his Prince, as before his companion. A vassall should neuer [Page 170] In certaine Nations barba­rously wise, no man how great soeuer presents himselfe before the King but in a tat [...]ered roabe which couers his good garments, to the end that al the pōpe should remain in the King. shew himselfe with too much pomp or too great a traine before his Prince. They are well aduised who do therin rather follow the way of the ancient simplicity, then the new pollicy & vain ostentation which the flattery of the late-come hath so much commended. But in the most perfect iudgements we see great imperfections. To stand al­waies firme and neuer trippe, is an admirable and diuine thing.

The King obserued the Constables brauery, yet made no shew of it,The King dissembles the Consta­bles pride & insolencie. and for that hee held dissimulation the cheefe of all royall ver­tues, he did not forbeare to commend his wisedom and gouernment, desiring that he should beleeue the contrary to that which his heart thought.It is a means to reclaime a spirit which hath strayed from his loyal­ty & du [...]y, not to seeme to doubt of either of them, a ser­uant hath been of [...]times made faithfull in thinking him to bee so. Fiue or sixe Noblemen & Gentlemen which were at this Parle, grew amazed at his arrogancy, which in the end would ruine him that did relye vpon it, would ouerthrow this Colosse, and break it in as many peeces as it had designes.

It was a very sensible discontent vnto the KingIt is a Coro­s [...]ue to a great Prince to see a trecherous sub­iect treat and capitulate with him, like vnto enemies. Tibe­rius could not indure it in Tacfarinates although hee had great ad­uantages in Affrike deman­ding certaine Townes of safe­ty and retreat: he held himself contemned and the Senate of Rome wronged (saith [...]acitus) to see that a trecher and a theefe treated with him like a iust enemy. Quod deser­to et Predo hostium more ageret. to see that a sub­iect who had left him, treated with him like vnto a iust enemy. As he aduanced on his side of the barre, the Constable did the like to meet him, and doing his duty to his maiesty he began to make his excuse, for that the iust apprehension of his enemies bad designes,The Consta­ble excused himselfe for that hee came ar­med. who were about his maiesty, and not able to charge him with any crime, char­ged him with enuy, had forced him to come in that equipage, and to seeke a place of safety and an assured traine, least their bad intents should be more powerfull then his maiesties wisedom and bounty: That he knew many built their hopes vpon his graue, and the succession of the office of ConstableMany times great men haue no greater enemies then their great offices and dignities. Those that effect them handie to their ruine My house of Albe (said a condemned Citizen) is the cause of my miseries.A quality which he desired not to hold but for his maiesties seruice, and to make it knowne that it could not bee confer­red vppon an honester man: That in all thinges which did concerne the seruice of so great a Prince, and of so good a King, his affections should be without bounds

The King receiued him graciously, intreated him as his equall, and seemed not to come with the maiesty of a King.The King receiued him graci­ously. Hee pastMaiestie must alwaies accompany a Prince, and if he will abate any thing it must not be in publike. The Emperor Adrian was grieued when they tooke from him the content to lay aside Maiestie and be familiar with his seruants. Dyon. the barre for a greater proofe of his confidence, and said vnto him: That he was welcome, that he would not haue him returne without all the assu­rances that he could desire of his loue: That he would forget all that was past, and respect him as the man whom hee did esteeme most, and held most profitable for his Realme, that whatsoeuer hee should do for him would be lesse then his merit and desire. These words which seemed to come from the heart and from the purest of the Kings thoughtes, be­witcht the Constables sences, soe as hee could not consider that Princes doe couer their disdaine with false and deceitfull imbra­cings.

The Constable seeing that he had past so many sandes and shelfes without shipwrack, was nothing the more humble, not caring to oppose his modestyCurtesie appeaseth hatred, mode­stie Enuie, Vertue Contempt, and wisedome teacheth to march straight betwixt ennie and contempt. to the enuy of some, nor his discretion to the [Page 171] contempt of others. He past the barre on the Kings side, followed him to Noion, & renewes the promises of fidelity which he had made to abandon all Intelligences and practises which he had with his enemies, and gaue a promise in writing vnto the King. They were the seals whereof they spake in those times, and are so often seene in the History of Alliances and Treaties of Peace. This being done he re­turned to St. Quentin▪ being amazed in himselfe how the King had so cunningly dissembledThe dissem­bling of appa­rant faults and which cannot be disguised is dangerous for a Prince, for he whose fault bee d [...]ssebles growes more distrustful and feares that it is to take re­uenge at a more conueniēt time which feare makes him re­solue to preuent it, Valens ha­uing discouered some soldiers faults did not punish thē, yet he accused them least that dissembling should make them resolue to do worse. Et ne dissimulans suspect [...]or fo­ret. so bold an affront.

The King sad that with patience and letting him alone hee would effect his will. When as resolution and custome incounter with power and authority, there is nothing impossible. Moreouer a great courage maisters all, things goe from one extreame vnto another, that which is raised vp falls, the hard is mollified, the obseure, pro­found and secret is discouered, wee must onely win time which doth dayly produce changes contrary to mens immaginations, yet the Kings seruants murmured that hee had indured the contempt of a Vassall. That a subiect, said they, should bee so rash, as to demand assurance to come vnto his Prince. The SuissesCaesar would not rest satisfi­ed with the Suisses promi­ses without be­stages. Diuico one of their Cōmanders answe­red for them that they had learned of their elders alwaies to receiue hosta­ges and not to giue, and that the people of Rome would know what to say. Caes. lib. 1. were greeued (al­though ruined and in disorder) to giue it vnto Caesar, saying, that they had beene accustomed to receiue and not to giue. What Insolency and pre­sumption after that he had obtained assurance to choose out a place of ad­uantage vppon a Causey, garded with soldiars, presented himselfe armed vnto his maister, and at need three hundred Gentlemen against him, who had no meanes but by the feesIn France the fees are notable signes of the Princes soue­raigne power: they were in former times but for life. Hugh Capet made them hereditary, vpon condition that they should serue in the warre. which they held, and are not enter­tained among his men at Armes, but with his money? That a King should indure a barre betwixt him and his Vassall to talke together, you will not beleeue it, you that shall liue after vs, and indure the paine of such an indiscretion. A great Prince, who dares not refuse his subiect any thing, is faint hearted.To giue all that is demanded is the act of a man that is not of himselfe but depends of another. Mucho pide el loco, mas loco es elque lo da. A feale de­mands much, but he is more foole that giues it. It is an act of a free courage to refuse somthing of a great Prince, to know what should be demanded or denyed, and aboue all not to grant that lightly which being once giuen cannot be recalled, nor taken away. O Constable, thou hast done, thou hast done so bold an act, as thou shouldst bee carefull it should not bee knowne that thou hadst once presumed to think it.

The King dessembled all, and although he would willingly haue forgotten it, yet he tried how difficult a thing it is not to remem­ber an offence. He could not loose that which he could not keepe, and alwaies his memory was full of the portraits of the Causey and Barre,The King still remembers the Causey and barre. but he would giue the sinner time to repent.As soone as a subiect of quality stra [...]es from his loue and duty, they must seeke to reclaime him but first by mildnes before rigor. It is good to take time to be aduised. The second thoughts correct the first. They [...] Cecinna for too great heat in the punishing of offences giuing them no time to repent. Proximam quamque culpam antequam penteret vltum ibat. Tacit. Lib. 17. The first offence was punish [...]d be­fore they could repent. The euent doth iudge of his Counsell, for by the mildnes of his words, and his good vsage of the Constable, he kept him from a leape which he was ready to make vnto the Duke of Burgundies discretion.

[Page 172] Yet the King did study of this insolency. The Constable desi­ring rather to erre in aduancing himselfe too much, then too little,We may faite equally in e­steeming a thing too much or not enough. shewed his contentment.Modesty re­quires that the great content­mens which ar r [...]ceiued by the [...] good countenance, should not be sh [...]wed by the excesse of ioy and insolency: the pleasure of the m [...]d whic [...] is inuisi­ble, should par­ticipate of her nature and not be seene. The King kept his discontent secret, and bridled his choller, vpon this consideration; that a reuenge defer­red may be executed: and being once executed it cannot be recal­led. He keept his designe to be reuenged very secret vnder shewes of great loue; yet resolued not to dye before he had troden the Con­stables pride vnder his feete, and that he had made him stoope, and eate the ground, and his fingers to remember himselfe of his duty, and that he must not play with his prince, no not with his picture.Any thing that concernes the Prince, is sacred, it is a crime to touch it without re­spect. It was a Capitall off [...]nce to sit neere vn­to Augustus statue, and to haue carried his im [...]ge into any place that was n [...]t hon [...] ­rable. [...] saith. Haec quoque Capi­talia eran; cir­ca Augusti si­mulachrum seruum sedisse vestem mu­tasse, nummo vel anulo effi­giem impressā latrinae a [...]lu­panari intulisse

The Constable on the other side grewe more insolent and glo­rious, his seruants said that their master was safe, that in this action the King had shewed that he feared him, that the storme from which side soeuer it came, would stil passe ouer his head & neuer hurt him; that his merits would shield him from al the practises of his enemies that no man durst attempt against his person, & in a word, that they could not bee without him. They did not consider that they neuer sped which striued to go before all men and would not follow any.The torment of an ambiti [...]i­ous man is dou­ble, he fea [...]es to come after others and de­sirs to go before all. Seneca speaks eloquent­ly. Ambitus tumida res est vana, ventosa, nu [...]lum ha bet termimum: Tam solicita est ne quem ante se videat, quam ne se post alium. Sen. Epist. 4. Ambition is a swelling thing, vaine and windy, it hath no hounds. It is as carefull not to see any o [...]e before it, as not to see it selfe after any.

At that time there was a truce betwixt the King and the Duke of Burgundy,New de­signes of the Duke of Bourgondy the King had no thoughts but to vnite the wills and affection of his subiects to his seruice, and to punish the obstinate. The Duke of Burgundy, who had set noe other limits to his ambi­tion, but the point of his sword, was in Guelderland, a Prouince which Arnold Duke of Guelders, to punish the vanaturall ingrati­tue of Adolph his Sonne, a prisoner at Gand, with a iust exhereda­tion, had giuen to the Duke at his death.

These designes did rise one vpon another, like mountaines of billowes which breake of themselues, they were infinit, and the execution of one was the begining of another, his spiritA spirit which is euery where is no where. To end one designe [...] must not begi [...] many. There is a diff [...]rence betwixt doing many enterprises and many things. wander­ing euery where, was neuer setled in any place, he desired that which he had not so vehemently, and did hope for it so impatient­ly, as he did not care for that which he had gotten, he played al­wayes and did not knowe the fortune of the game, yet could he not retire himselfe.

He had a goodly Armie at that time, of his owne subiects and strangers English, and Italians: Presumption, which doth alwaies corrupt the Iudgment, darken reason, blind the vnderstanding, and stirre vp will against iudgment, made himWhen as Ambition hath placed the seat of his Empire in the [...]antasie of a Prince who hath youth, forces and courage, it makes him resolue vpon all sort; of designes, and will not suffer him to haue any bounds [...] measured hopes. imagin that there was not any greatnes in the worlde that could be comparable to his. He resolued not to see any thing betwixt Bourgundy and Hol­land but vnder his power, he promised all this vnto himselfe in ta­king the Countries of Colleyn and Lorraine. He held the County of Ferrete by morgage from Sigismond Arch Duke of Austria. The [Page 173] Princes of Germany, who had not said any thing, whilest that this Prince was busie with his forces along the Riuer of Meuze, could not now be silent to see him in this designe to passe the Rhin. When as the forces of a great Prince stirre extraordinarily, then lesse e­states unite themselues closely together.The increase of a warlike Princes estates makes other Princes iealous. To exceed the bounds of his Empire is an a­larum to his neighbours. Au­gustus aduised Tiberius to re­st [...]aine the Ro­maine Empire within certaine limits: whilst that the Duke of Bourgondy made warre in France the o­ther Princes stood at a gaze, but when b [...]e discouered his designe to ex­tend farth [...]r, they sought to hinder him.

The Duke besieged Nuz, and colored his designe with the pretentions of the Arch-Bishop of Colleyn against the Landgraue of Hesses Sonne, but there was noe other title but that which ambition carried on the point of his sword, he had noe other de­signe but to block vp Colleyn and to mount vp the Rhin as farre as Basill.

Many aduised the King to hinder the increase of this Princes greatnes:1474. the Counsels [...]auored of their humors that gaue them,Counsels [...]a­uour of the pas­sions of Coun­cellors. It is discerned in the dis [...]ases of an Estate as well as in th [...]se of the body. Tul­lius Marcelli­nus being sick of an ineu [...] able disease, called his friendes to­gether to de­termine of his death. Vnus­quisque aut q [...]ia timidus erat id illi sua­debat vt [...]ibi suasisset, aut qui [...] adulator et blandus id confilium da­bat, quod deli­beranti grati­us fore su [...]pi­cabatur, Sen. Epi. 77. Euery man eyther for that he feared perswaded him that which he himself would haue imbraced or being a flatterer be gaue that Councell which he thought would be most pleasing vnto the party. the fearefull tould what they would haue done in the like occasions, flatterers did fit their opinions to his tast. They which marcht more sincerely; and whose wisdome and experience had refined their Iudgements, tould the King that he should wish there were more ambitionAn ambitious enemy must haue more work made him then he can compasse. [...] Max me whereof Lewis the eleuenth made good vse, against Charles D. of Bour­gundy. in the Duke then he had, hauing no better meanes to be reuenged of him then to suffer him to proceed in the tryall of his designe against Germany, for it was a Rock on the which his designes would break; that he should finde opposition there, that hauing taken one place he would attempt an other, and would neuer be satisfied with one enterprise, that the more he should be ingaged the further he would ingage himselfe. In a word he would see himselfe reduced to these tearmas. To imbrace too much and to hold little.

The King, who knowing well that the Dukes profoundest eares and cogitations were to drawe the English into France,The Duke of Bourgon dy drawes [...] english into France sought vnto him for a prolongation of the Truce. Either of them sought to circumuent his companion,To deceiue an enemy with hopes, and propositions of an accord and Truce is hold wisedome, but the Romans could not allow of any profit which it brought them. Veteres, saith Tit Li [...]. nouam istam sapientiam improbaba [...]r, nec astu magis, quam vera virtute bella gessisse ma [...]res &c. The ancient did not allow of this new wisedome, nei­ther did our elders make warre more by craft then by vertue. their talke was of Truce, but their thoughts tended to warre. The Duke prest by the English to come into France to ioyne his forces with theirs, said, that he could not yeeld vnto it, excusing himselfe vpon his word giuen vnto the English.

Vpon this refusall the King prouides him worke of all sides; He puts Rhene Duke of Lorraine in mind of the iniury the Duke haddone him in holding him prisoner.The King stirs vp ene­mies a­gainst the Duke of Bourgondy Rene incensed with this re­membrance, sent a Herald presently to defie him. In like manner the King perswaded the Arch-Duke Sigismond to redeme Ferrete and the Townes of Basill, Strausborug, Colmar and others inte­ressed in the Duks designes, to furnish the money, to free the Coun­try from so troublesome a Prince,The King was well serued [...] this negotiation by one called Iulius of Silligny a Suisse borne, he was Bishop of Lyon and afterwards of Grenoble. and themselues from so terri­ble [Page 174] a neighbour. By this meanes the Duke was stript of the Prouin­ces ingaged, and disappointed of the conqest of Germany, wher­of his people had already made a Mappe.When as Prin­ces make a de­signe to conquer a Conquer a Contry, they which desire the execution talke of it con­tinually, and re­present it in pourtrait. The Atheniens did nothing but talke of the Conquest of Si­cile, when as the voyage of Niceas being resolued he did draw out vpon the ground the forme of the I­land, numbred the ports & the meanes it gaue to attempt vp­pon affrike. Plu. in the life of Niceas. At the same time that this remboursment was appointed and the money consigned, the Arch-Duke Sigismond caused Peter Hagembach the Duks Lieutenant Generall in all the Countries ingaged to be taken prisoner. His Processe was made by seauen and twenty Iudges, two of ech Town Strausbourg, Basill, Schletstart, Colmar, Kentzingem, Freibourg, Neuuembourg, Soleurre, Berne, eight of Brissac, and the Presi­dent of Ensisheim. Their proceedings in Iustice was speedy, the fourth of May they committed him to prison, and put him to the rack, on the ninth, they brought him before his Iudges, and gaue him an Aduocate.Death of Peter of Hagembach Gouernour of Ferette. Thy accused him of many violences, insolences, and concussions, and hauing noe meanes to iustifie himselfe, they condemned him to lose his head. There was noe help, he must vn­dergoe it. He caried for his deuice three Dice, with this Motto Iepasse. Peter of Ha­gembach lost his head at Bri­sach the 9. of May 1474. by torch-light. His Laqueis & ser­uants carried his deuice of three dice, with this motto Ie­passe. At that time this di­stique was pub­lished. Omnis spes fallax, sed fallacissima lu­di Hagembach Ich passe, spes stulta fuit,

He past indeede the most cruell in excesse and cruelty,His crimes & iniustice. his cru­elty to men, and his impiety to God, brought him to this scafold to be a mornfull president of the wretched end of an vnrestrayned, vniust, and vnsupportable power, and that to commaund people long and safely it is better to desire to be loued then feared,After that Philip King of Macedonie had vanquished the Citties of Greece, they councelled him to put in good Garisons to assure his Con­quest. I had rather, said he, be called gentle for a long time, then Lord for a short. to be good then mighty.

Lewis made all the instruments of these counsels to worke, he was the master-whele of these great motions, and thought so to di­stract the Duke of Bourgundies mind into diuers parts, as he would forget the designes which he had in France, and that he should be at rest whilest his enemie was in troble. The deathThe greatest pollicy of State is that which the most pollitick Romaine Emperour did practise. Pacem in Vrbe, bellum pocull habere. to haue peace in the Citty and warre a farre off. of Hagembach did much offend the Duke, he commaunded his seruants which were in Bourgundy to ouer runne the Countrey of Ferrete.

Vpon this commaundement the Marshall of Bourgundy of the house of Neufchastel,Army of the Duke of Bourgondy in the County of Ferette. one of the foure Ancients of Bourgundy,They haue giuen the honor of antiquity, nobility, valour and greatnes to foure houses of Bourgundy, Vicune, Chal [...]n, Neufchastel and V [...]rgy. came about Montbeliard to haue the place yeelded vnto him, and towld the Gouernor that if he did not yeeld it, he would bring the life of the Prince of Wirtemberg into danger, whom the Duke had caused to be taken neere vnto Luxembourg.Henry of Wirtemberg taken prisoner in the warre in his youth by Charles Duke of Bourgondy in the yeare 1474. Eberhard his vncle held his prisoner in the yeare 1499. Munster saies it was for madnes. He dyed in the yeare 1519. and was father to George Earle of Wirtemberg. He answered that this Prince was not iustly taken prisoner in any good warre, that he had Brethren interessed in the guard of the place, and to whom he was bound to keep it. A braue answere. He that commands a place should not leaue it, but like an honest man. The bloud of his children spilt before his face should not moue him.In the yeare 1292. Schane Castille brother to Sancho King of Castille, beseeging Tariffe, sent word to Alfonso, father to G [...] man, Gouernour of the place, that if he yeelded i [...] not he would put his onely sonne whom he held prisoner to death: Alfonso answered. I will not faile of my duty for a hundred Children, and if thouthen beest so greedy of the bloud of mine, heere take my sword & vse it. Soone after being at diner with his wife hee heard a great noyse, and supposing it to bee the ene­my, he went di­rectly to the wall: where they tould him that they had seene his sonne slaine: I had thought said he that the enemy had bin entred the town, & so returned with­out any signe of trouble in amase­ment. An admi­rable constancy.

[Page 175] They of Basill being aduertised that the Duke of Bourgundy practised Montheliard to be assured of the passage, sent men thi­ther. The Marshall of Bourgundie gaue the Contie of Ferrete in prey to his armie.Laague made a­gainst the the Duke of Bourgundy. The Suisses being assembled at Lucerne, could not suffer their neighbours to be so ill intreated. They declare war against the Duke of Bourgundy and send him the Pattents which they call friends briefe, Letters of enemies. The Marshall of Bour­gundy made answere thereunto, and felt the blowes as soon as the threats.

The first of Nouember the troupes of the Cantons and other Townes their confederates against the Duke of Bourgundy, came to Basill which furnished them with Canon and Munition,Hericourt taken by the League. and then they marched directly to besiege Hericourt, a Towne belonging to the Marshall of Bourgundy, who presented himselfe with 10000. men to raise the siege, but hee was repulst with the losse of aboue two thousand, Stephen of Hagembach, brother to him that was be­headed, yeelded the place vpon composition to haue his life saued. Many were carried prisoners to Basill, and burnt aliue, by iudge­ment of the Magistrate for crimes which cannot bee too seuerely punished.There is noe wickednes that is new, but hath some president. In former times wee haue heard speake of all the the disorders & villanies which are now com­mitted by soldi­ars. The Chro­nicle of Basill saies, that these men were burnt for Sodomy, forcing of wo­men, and for that they had profancd Chur­ches, and troden the holy Sacra­ment vnder foot burnt, murthe­red and sowed vp womens pri­uy parts.

In those times they made noe warre in winter, the souldiers rety­red to their garrisons, It beganne againe in Aprill the next yeare very furiously, and the King was forced to enter into it. The Ger­maines and Swisses complayned that hee stood gazing on them that fought:Kings army in the Duke of Bourgun­dies contry. euery one laboured to ruine the house of Bourgundy, whose greatnesse made all men enuy, and whose dissipation promi­sed proffit to many.A mightie Prince that is enuied of many maintaines him selfe hardly, & that state which is least enuied is most durable. The Emperor Frederick put men and victualls into Nuz, and presents him-selfe with all the forces of Germany to make the Duke dislodge. The King makes warre against him in Picardy, Bourgoundy and Artois. The Duke of Lorraine sends him a defie. The Swisses beseege Pontarlier vpon the riuer of Doux, they take Blammont, Orbe brings them the Keys, and in two monthes they become Maisters of nine townes or Castells. The Bourgoundians burnt, 40. villages about Pourrentru and Montbe­liard and spoyled all the Mountaine.

All this amazed him not, the more enemies the more Triumph. The greatnesse of his desseignes made all difficulties smale. They could not represent vnto him so many inconueniences, but hee did hope for more profit by this Germaine warre.Places takē by the kings troupes in Picardy. The King tooke the Castell of Tronquoy by assault: Mondider and Roye yeelded by composition. Corbie endured 3. daies batterie. Those two townes were burnt, contrary to that which Phillip de Commines had pro­promised them in the Kings name, making the capitulation. It was not his entent to haue this warre contynue long, but to force the Duke of Bourgundy to prolong the truce, and to content him­selfe with two or three enemies which hee had without the Realme. It was not that which the Kings friends desired, for they were dis­contented to see him a newter, whilest that he incouraged them to [Page 176] fight, and this newtrality did not diminish the number of enemies, nor of friends.Although that neutrality doth not bind friends nor ruine ene­mies, neque amicos parat, neque inimi­cos tollit, yet when a Prince hath meanes to be as he may bee [...] he exceeds either in great­nesse & dignity, [...]r in force and power thē that contēd, he hath alwaies the ho­nour to be arbi­trator & iudge. But for petty Princes neutra­lity is dange­rous. They must either bee the strongest or with the strongest. On the other side the Duke of Bourgondy feeling the secret blowes which the King gaue him, desired rather to haue him an open enemy. He was also so full of reuenge and indignati­on against the King, who had gathered together all the clouds, and wyndes to raise this storme against him, as hee would rather haue troubled Hell, then not to let him knowe the fury of his passion. His resolutions were so strange as they did not promise him other safty then danger. Danger in the continuance of the seege of Nuz: danger in a new warre against the Swisses, and danger to serue him­selfe with the succors of England, which he attended impatiently.

The King commanded the Bastard of Bourbon,Bastard of Bourbon makes w [...] in Artois. Admirall of France, to carry a burning besome into the countries of Artois and Ponthieu, vpon the aduice which a Lady gaue him,Philip de Comines saith that they gaue credit to this woe man, for she was wo­mā of state, but hee commends not her deed, for that, saith he, she was not bound vnto it. Shee receyued great losses in this war, which the King repai­red, the which she repented: for shee was singed in the flames of that fier which shee her selfe had kindled. At the taking of Arras Iames of Luxembourg, the Counstables brother, with the Lords of Contay and Caroucy were taken prisoners.

The King sent Iohn Tiercelin, Ambassage sent by the King to the Emperer Frederick. Lord of la Brosse vnto the Empe­ror Frederick, to aduise of the progresse of his forces against the Duke, and to inuite him to doe the like for his part, that they might diuide his spoyles betwixt them; the Emperor taking for his part the Prouinces which depended of the Empire, and the King those which did hold of his Crowne.

This Ambassador, more faithfull to him that sent him, then plea­sing to him to whome hee was sent, reapt noe great fruits of his Legation.An apology for an an­swere. The Emperors answere was by this Apology. Three huntsmen going to take a Beare which did anoy the country, had drunke freely vpon credit in a Tauerne vpon an opinion of profit which they should make in selling the skinne, and their Host increa­sed their reckning,Example is a very good means to perswade, & may bee framed not onely of things done, but of those that are sayned, as fables bee which de­light & instruct Stesiarus vsed thē in discour­sing to the Ime­riens, Esope to the Samiens, & Menenius A­grippa to the Romaines. comming neere the caue where they thought to surpize him, the Beare came out vnto them, and so terrefied them, as one got into a tree, another fled towards the towne, and the third not so good a footeman, fell flat on the ground as if he had beene dead, for he had heard say that this beast pardons dead folks, as the Lyon doth them that humble themselues. The Beare put his mus­sell to his nose and eare, to iudge if he were dead, and thinking him to be so, for that he held his breth, he left him. Hee that was in the tree and had obserued all, asked his companion what the Beare had said in his eare, he tould me said he, that we must neuer make bar­gin for the Beares skinne vntill he be dead. Whereby hee would let this Doctor vnderstand that they must first take the Duke, and then talke of diuiding his spoile, and that there is noe wisedome which holds firme when they must resolue vpon that which is to come.It is folly to deliberate vpon things not yet hapened; he that aimes so far off neuer hits the white, we may well foresee diuers accidents, but the variety is so great, as two or three may happen so little foreseene, as they may change all other resolutions.

The Duke contynued the seege before Nuz, meditating furious reuenges against them that had so ill intreated his subiects. That [Page 177] great exployt of Arras where hee had lost his cheefe commanders, did much afflict him, and the mischiefe had bin greater if the Con­stable had not moderated it with an apparant falling from his duty and loyalty to his King, who had commanded him that when as the Bastard of Bourbon should enter into Artois, hee should beseege Auennes in Hainault. He spent two or three daies in that seege very carelesly without watch or gard. If there were courage and resolution in his troupes,Caesar said that he desired modesty and o­bedience as much in a soldi­ar, as prowesse and courrage. Caesar. lib. there was little order and obedience. He retyred to Saint Quintin,Intelligēce of the Con­stable with the Duke of Bour­gondy. fearing to loose that retreat, he excu­sed him-selfe vpon an enterprise which he said he had discouered, I heard his man my selfe by the Kings com­mandement, who tould so many apparant signes as he was in a manner beleeued and that one of thē was suspec­ted to haue said som thing vnto the Constable which he should haue concealed. Phil. de Com. lib. 4. cap. 4. of two soldiers who brag'd that they had beene commanded and seed to kill him.

Hee remayned at Saint Quentin contynuing the traffick of his faith with the two Princes. Hee sent the Duke word that he was very sorry the King made his profit of his absence, and he did aduer­tise the King that the Dukes affaires were in good estate, thinking hee should finde noe other safety then in the feares and alarumes which he gaue them. But when as he saw that this LyonAduersitie humbles great men and makes them mild, as a quarte [...] ague, breaks the fury of a Lion. not­withstanding any feuer or shaking that he had, grew nothing more myld, he thought that there was noe meanes for his safety, but to keepe a loose, and that his last refuge was to relie vpon his first mai­ster, to whome he had offered entry into S. Quintin, thinking that his Brother Iames of Luxembourg would goe thether with some troupes, and not carry Saint Andrewes crosse.

Hee made these bargaines when as feare prest him, and that hee knew not whome to trust to diuert the Kings desseignes, but when as the Danger was past he would noe more heare speake of his pro­mises, and keept both ware and siluer. He abused the Duke of Bour­gundy thrice with such fictions, his brother being taken prisoner at Arras descouered it so freely vnto the King, as it was a meanes to moderate the rigorous vsageA gratious & kind vsage maks the misery of a prison more ea­sie and suppor­table. Plut. in the life of Ni­ceas which a prisoner of that condition might haue. He was willing to shroud himselfe vnder the Duke of Bourgondies protection, but he did foresee the storme would be so great as the leaues of the tree would drowne him that should creep vnder it. Hee did apprehend nothing so much as the Kings quiet, and peace of the realme. He gaue aduise vnto the Duke to drawe in the English to his succor and to reuenge his Iniuries, and vpon this aduise the English were sollicited very earnestly to passe the sea.

Edward King of England who was in his soundest yeares,Edward K. of England passeth into France. 1475 actiue and vigorous for a great designe, layes hold of this occasion, in the which he did hope to recouer the rights which his Predecessors had purchased for him vpon the crowne of France. He was soone perswaded to passe the sea, thinking he should haue no more paine to conquer a part of France, then hee had to reduce all England vnder his obedience. The remembrance of the succours which King Lewis the eleuenth had giuen vnto his enemie, added to the old quarrels which haue made deluges of bloud in this Realme, would not suffer him to pause and consider of the Iustice or iniu­stice [Page 178] Traian said they should ne­uer enter into an vniust war. He alone of all the Romane Emperors neuer lost Battell. of his enterprise.False Assu­rances gi­uen by the Duke a Constable. The Duke of Bourgundy assured him to ioyne with his forces, the Constable did represent vnto him the Kings weaknes and wants, offring him. S. Quentin to refresh him. Behold a great Armie at Douer readie to passe. It did consist of fiueteene hundred men at Armes, fifteene thousand Archers on horseback and a great number of foote, all good and resolute soul­diours hauing once continued any time on this side the sea.English ve­ry ready to passe into France. It was in his owne will to make it greater,There are none more sim­ple nor vnhand­some then the English when they passe first, but in a short time they are very good soldi­ers, wise and hardy. Phil. de Com. l. 4. c. 5. for there is not any enterprise in England that is seconded with more vowes and voices, then that which is made against France. All the world runnes vnto it, their purses are not tyed but with leaues of Leekes, for the King cannot exact any thing of his subiects but with the common consent of his Parliament, vnlesse it be when he makes warre in France. True it is that hauing imployed some part of the money, leuied for this warre, about the affaires of his house, and finding himselfe scanted, he inuented a milde course to haue money, calling together the richest of the Realme, and representing vnto them the greatnes of his designe, with the glorie and profit which the realme might hope for, coniuring them to assist him with their meanes, and that in this occasion he should know them that loued him, although that hee should be but a dispenser or StuardA Prince is but a receiuer & distributer of the publike mo­ney, and they that giue it re­gard more the publike necessi­tie then the Princes pri­uate commodi­ties Aristo­tle calles, him [...]. Custo­dem dispensa­torem vt com­munium non vt propriorum Polit. lib. 1. cap. 11. A keeper or distributor of that which is common not proper. of that which they should giue, and he called this Tribute a Beneuolence: some for shame, o­thers for vanitie, and some through zeale filled his Coffers.

The Duke of Bourgundy sent ships out of Holland and Zeland to passe the Armie. It made a number of fortie or fiftie thousand men, and threatned to doe double effects. The Constable gaue the King to vnderstand that this Armie of strangers should land in Normandie, and his aduertisement seemed the more credible, for that the King knew that the Duke of Brittanie had conspired with the King of Englands designes.

Herevpon there arriued a Herald who brought Letters of defi­ance from the King of England,Letters of defiance frō the King of England. Letters full of brauerie and bold­nes, and puft vp with the Duke of Bourgundies passion, and the stileHee brought vnto the King a Letter of defi­ance from the K. of England in a gallat stile which I thinke was not done by any English man. He requi­red the King to restore him the realme of Frāce which did be­long vnto him, to the end hee might restore the Church, the Nobilitie & the people to their ancient liberty, and ease them of their troubles and charges, and in case of refusall he protested of the miseries which should follow after the manner and forme accustomed is like cases. CHRONIC. of some bad Frenchman. He demanded the Realme of France as his ancient inheritance, he declared his Armes to be iust to re­couer it, and to set the French at libertie, and to deliuer them from the oppressions which they endured.

The Letter being read the King drew the Messenger apart, and spake vnto him alone with words of such Emphesie as hee left an opinion in him that the King of Englands enterprise, hauing no support but the weaknesse of the Duke of Bourgundy, the dissem­bling Constable, and the passion of some English, would not finde any great credit in France, and so he sent him back with a present of three hundred Crownes and thirty elles of Crimson Veluet, so full of good will as hee promised not to returne but to offer him a peace. The Chronicle saies that the King sent vnto King Edward [Page 179] the goodliest Courser he had in his stable, And after that an Asse, a Woolfe and a wilde Beare, all signes of affection and of other thoughts then warre and hatred, for it is as great a testimonie of friendship to receiue a present as to giue.He that giues, offers friend­ship, & he that receiues it ac­cepts and binds himself to loue. Wherefore a­mong all the pride of the Ro­mans they haue noted this; to disdaine▪ the presents which came not from friends. Phar­nax sent a Crowne of gold to Caesar, who sent him word that hee should first doe that which hee was commanded, & then send him presents which Roman Empe­rors after the happy successe of their enter­prises were ac­customed to re­ceiue frō their friends.

This great Prince, desiring rather to saue a Cittizen then to kill an hundred enemies, was resolued not to hazard any thing but mo­ney, preferring the price of an assured Peace before a doubtfull victorie, and notwithstanding that his Armie was great and migh­tie, being in number aboue an hundred thousand men, yet would he shew himselfe a Hercules The Priests of Hercules Temples in Si­cile told the Sy­racusans that they should bee victors if they did not affai [...]e first, but did onely defend themselues, for that Hercules had preuailed in all his En­terprises defen­ding himselfe when they c [...]me to assaile him. Plut. rather in defending then assailing. Hee knew the body was not well purged from those vicious humours:Considera­tions of the K. to haue a Peace. that there were yet great windes to raise tempests & Earthquakes, that France was not without it, like vnto Egypt.

This descent of the English had three great passions to moue it: Ambition; Reuenge and feare. The King of England commanded in his Armie, and Ambition commanded the King of Englands heart, who promised vnto himselfe the conquest of the whole Realme. The Duke of Bourgundy reioyced to see the English re­uenge his quarrel, as they had before a wrong done vnto his Grand­father. The Constable thought that he could not otherwise ap­pease the growing feare, which presented vnto him an infallible losse both of life and fortune, but in kindling these troubles.

The King found himselfe much troubled to auoide this storme,Wisedome of the King to auoid the storme. he must needs content these three passions. He had many seruants of whose fidelitie he did not doubt,It is a great aduantage for a Prince against the discontent­ment of great men, to haue the hearts and affections of his subiects firme. He may well assure himselfe against few enemies, but against a generall what safety. Quello che ha per nemici pochi facilmente senza & [...]olti scandali si as [...]icura: ma chi ha per nemico vniuersale, non si assicu­ra mai. Guicciard. lib. 11. Cap. 16. He that hath few for enemies, may ea [...]sly and without any great scandall recouer himselfe, but he that hath a generality for [...] can never be secnred. there was no rebellion disco­uered within any townes, yet there were many great men which promised vnto themselues that the English would take reuenge of their discontents. He feared that S. Quentin would be a prey to his enemies. He was no lesse troubled to keepe the Constable from failing, then to seeke meanes to punish his fault. He sent to haue him come vnto him,The King sends for the Con­stable. to ioyne their Councels together; and to prepare for a iust defence against his enemies, promising to giue him the recompence which hee demanded from the Countie of Guise.

The Constable let the King vnderstand that he desired nothing more then to be neere his Maiestie, to yeeld him the dutie of his seruice, and to make new vowes of fidelity and obedience vnto him, so as it would please him to sweare vppon the crosse of S^t Laud that he would not doe,Hee will haue the K. sweare for his safety. not suffer any harme to be done vnto him.Constantine would not go to the Court of Michel Paphlagon Emperor of Constantinople before he had made him sweare his safety vpon the wood of the true Crosse, vppon the Image of our Sauiour, and vppon the letter which hee had written. Angarus. Cedren. Ann. Pa. 607.

It is in the Cittie of Angiers where the people hold this old be­leefe, that whosoeuer sweare vpon this crosse and forsweare them­selues, die miserably before the end of the yeare. The King sent the Constable word that he had sworne neuer to take that oath to [Page 180] any man liuing, and that there was not any other but hee would willingly take, although he should relye vpon his word.Princes will be trusted of their word. It is a great rash­nes in a subiect to make his Prince sweare, & euery oth as Plutarke saith, is like a torture giuen to a free man.

This refusall did sufficiently discouer the Kings intent, and the Constable, knowing that hee had once made no difficultie to take the same oath for the Lord of Lescun, thought that there was no o­ther safety for him then not to come neere the King, and not to see him but by his picture.

In the meane time the English armie past the sea, and landed with so great difficulties as they spent three weekes there, and if it had incountred any let, with that speed and diligence that the af­faires Caesar being ariued in Eng­land, hauing cast another ad­monished his Lieutenants and Colonels to d [...]ligence, for sea causes, being very sodaine & mutable, they must be execu­ted in an in­stant and in the turning of an eye. of the sea, which is sodaine and mutable, requires, it had been disperst of it selfe. One ship alone of Eu tooke two or three English.

But the King vnderstood not sea-matters, and they that had charge of his armies lesse then himselfe. The French haue neuer done any great exploits by sea, although that their coast be greater then that of their neighbors, and that it is hard for a Prince that is not strong at Sea,To bee strong at sea is much more auaileable the [...]t land for the getting and keeping of a great estate. The realme of Portugall is growne mighty by Nauigation. The Common-weale of Geno­u [...] had exten­ded her limits farre, is ciuill diss [...]ntions had not stayed their designes by Sea. euer to ecrease or maintaine his Empire. If France had tooke delight at sea she had made the Flower-de-Luce to flourish farre off,The French haue con­temned Na­uigation. but this contempt of nauall expeditions hath clipt her wings with the which she should haue flowne so high as all the world had been amazed. They did beleeue in those daies that who so was valiant at Land could not be so at Sea. A verie preiudiciall errour, for a Captaine that hath been accustomed to fight with the windes, sea and men, will sooner become a Captaine at Land, where they fight onely with men, then a land souldior will become a good Sea-man.

When as the King of England was landed at Calice,The D. of Bourgundy is prest by the Eng­lish. and found not the Duke of Bourgundy, he held it for a scorne, and euen then he discouered his weaknes, and sent him word that if he did not aduance he would force him to thinke of that which hee did not desire.

Behold this Prince reduced betwixt two extremes, all the wise­dome of man could not shew him a meane. He found it disho­norable to dislodge from before Nuz, and hee found it dange­rous not to ioyne with the English. God had stroken him with an amazement for the good of France, for if hee had attended the English at their passage, and not vndertaken the voyage of Germa­nie, those two Armies ioyned together had been able to doe that which diuided was impossible. When as the King of England prest him to come with speede, the Emperor offered him battell to make him raise his seege from before Nuz. At the same time when as both Armies were in view, and that Albert Duke of Saxonie, who car­ried the Standard of the Empire, and Albert Marquis of Brande­bourg prest the Emperor to command a chargr, the Trumpets whom they attended to giue the signe sounded the publication of a peace,He is for­ced to raise the siege of Nuz. the last day of May. The secret Article carried this con­dition, that the Duke should giue his Daughter to Maximilian [Page 181] and declare her heyre of al his Estates, if he dyed without any sonne. Munster saith that the Emperor for the desire he had of this mariage did not all the harme he could unto the Duke, and that hee gaue him ten thousand florins. The Duke said that he did not retire but to obay the admonition which the Pope gaue him by his Legate, to whom the place was deliuered, to coulour his dislodging with some shew, the which was the more troublesome vnto the Duke, It is a dis­grace to dislodg after a long cō ­tinuance, which alone should force Townes. But he gaue the Duke this con­tentment that his enemies were not com­prehended in this Treatie. A conditionibus Pacis exclusi sunt Lud. Franc. Rex, Sigismundus Exarch. Au­striae. Out of the conditions of peace were excluded Le­wis the French King. Sigis­mond Arch­duke of Austria, Rene Duke of Lorraine and the Suisses. for that he knew the towne was reduced to extremities, hauing neither patience, not bread, for aboue ten dayes, hauing endured a whole yeare all the attempts of the assailant, and all necessities which doe afflict and make desperate Townes which are sharply besieged.

He came posting with a small traine to Calice,He comes to Calice to the King of England being loth to let the King of England see into what estate his wilfulnes at this siege had brought his Armie.The Duke of Burgundies ar­mie had beene weakned at the siege of Nuz with the losse of foure thou­sand men, the remainders did ouerrunne the countries of Lorraine and Bar whilest with a small traine he went to K. Edward to Calice. The Constable, who had presented a planke to passe the English into France, now drawes it back. He had promised that as soone as the Armies were ioyned hee would open the gates of S. Quentin, and hee shootes at them that ap­proch by the Dukes commandement. And yet to giue a goodly name to a deformed thingIt is a great pittie said Ca­to ( [...] his opinion against Catelyue) that wee are come vnto those times where they doe attri­bute the name of wicked things to good. Salust. in Catel. he seekes to make him beleeue by Le­wis of Creuille whom he sent vnto him expressely, that he had she­wed reason and discretion in the fayling of his word, that if he had receiued his men without some kinde of resistance he should make himselfe vnprofitable for his seruice, loose the credit which he had with the French, and the opinion & esteeme which the King made of his fidelitie:The Con­stable as­sures the Duke of his seruice. That nothing could change his affection, whereof he would giue him such infallible proofes against all men, and with­out any exception, beseeching the Duke that the Letter which he sent him might serue for an assurance of the same intention to the King of England. These words vowed and sworne with vehemen­cie, held the spirits of these two Princes in ballance notwithstand­ing that they doubted the contrarie.There is nothing difficult to beleeue when it is affirmed constantly and boldly sworne by any one, although he were held a deceiuer. The efficacy of an oath if it do not beget credit in the mind, at the least it breedes a suspension and doubt of the contrary. Guiceiardin saies in his first booke. [...]o non credo pu [...] quasi [...]ssere qu [...]llo che multo e [...]icacimentes afferma non faccia [...] negli animi de terminati a credere ill contrarie. I do scarce beleeue it can be, but that which is [...] with great efficacy will breed some doubt and ambiguity even in those mindes that were resolued to bele [...]ue the contrary.

Charles assured Edward that if they did aduance S^t. Quentin was theirs. They that presented themselues first with an opinion to en­ter,The Con­stable failes of his pro­mise to the K. of Eng­land and Duke of Bourgundy were forced to returne their backs with speed and retire to the Armie which followed. The King of England cryed out of trea­son, and euen then resolued to be mindfull of reuenge.A failing in [...] and faith is [...] forgotten, and the remembrance hath alwaies for assessors Choller, and Reuenge. Darius for that he would not forget the wrong which the [...] done him, had alwaies a Page [...] [...]uld him in his care when he sale downe to meat. Sir remember the Athenians.

The Duke of Bourgundy gaue excuses and said, that the Con­stable had a good intent, and that the place deserued some cere­monies, that he would not purchase that reproch to haue yeelded at the first sight of the enemy, and that he knew his humor not to [Page 182] attempt any thing, but when he may doe it safely, profitably, and honorably.

He thought otherwise in his heart, and Edward knowing well that the Constable deceiued them,The K of England re­pents that he beleeued did not conceale it that the duke had done him wrong to imbarke him vpon his assurances. The Duke take his leaue, vnder a pretext to goe fetch his forces, and retired into Brabant to passe at Mezieres into the Dutchie of Bar. The King of England did not like of the reason of his sodaine de­parture, knowing well that the Dukes affaires were in no good e­state, and might impaire. The English were amazed and discoura­ged, as they are commonly which ground their enterprises vpon the promises and passions of strangers.They that haue needs of forraine succors promise won­ders to ingage them, and doe not commonly performe halfe their promises. Their wils wauered be­twixt hope and repentance. For all the Townes whereof they promised themselues the conquest, and which they had sometimes held, they had onely Perronne, and that was but by way of pas­sage to refresh them. The season was incommodious. The Duke of Brittanie remained quiet to see the game, and who should win. He had incensed the King too much, who had new drawne, from a Secretarie of England, two Letters written by Vrse, The Duke of Brittanie pro­mised to loyne his forces with those of Eng­land, and to re­ceiue 3000. English. This designe was dis­couered by two letters written by Vrse, who then serued the D. of Brittany. the one vnto the King of England, and the other to Hastings his Lord Cham­berlaine, which discouer his practises, and the promise which he had made to ioyne with the English.

All these reasons make Edward incline to a peace, he hath some about him would gladly haue re-past the sea: His chiefe seruants were not very eager of warre, and remembring the entertainment at S. Quentin, they found that the English were too blame to trust in the French against the French, and to beleeue that Rauens will pick out one anothers eyes. The Ceremonie was, who should speake first, there was not any one betwixt these two Princes that would attempt this mediation, they thought that hee which should first demand a Peace had confest himselfe vanquished. There is a great disparitie betwixt the affaire of Princes and priuate men, their rules and Maximes are very different, like to the Kings of Thrace, whose Gods which they serue are not the Gods of the common people.The dissem­blance of the affaires of great men sh [...]wes it selfe in many respects and ce­remonies which are not conside­red among pri­uate persons. The King of Thrace is distin­guished from his su [...]iects by the difference of the s [...]ruice of his Gods, he hath his a­part which his subiects are not suffred to wor­ship.

Haward and Stanley, Occasion which cau­sed an ouer­ture of a Peace. who were neerest about the King of England, offred an occasion to breake this Ice: They had taken a Groome of the Kings Armie, who was sent back without ransome, as the first prisoner of the English. Being at libertie and readie to depart, Ha­ward and Stanley said vnto him. Recommend vs to the good grace of the King your Master, if you may speake vnto him. He failed not, and the King remembring what Garter had said vnto him, found that his veluet had wrought. These salutations draue him into a great per­plexitie. Whatsoeuer comes from an enemie is to be suspect. He caused the messenger to be put in Irons, fearing that he was a spie; he is sounded into, and curiously examined by his most confident seruants: hee himselfe speakes vnto him, and findes him constant without varying. This perturbation of minde held him vntill the [Page 183] next day with the which he sate downe pensiue to his meate.Posture of Lewis the eleuenth, when hee was pen­siue. When as he was in his deepest cogitations, the minde did so neglect the actions of the bodie and left them in such disorder, as no man would haue taken him for a wise man.Phil. de Cō. represents in these worlds the grace of K. Le­wis, when hee had any fanta­sie in his head, As soon as he was set at the table and had studied a little as you know he did in such sort as it was very strange to them that did not know him, for without knowledge of him they would haue held him vnwise, but his deeds witnes the contrary.

After that he had been a while pensiue, hee told Philip de Com­mines that hee should take away the table, and went to dine in his chamber, causing the seruant of the Siegneur of Halles to come vnto him, of whom he demanded if hee would goe into the King of Englands Armie in the habite of a Herauld. He had be­thought himselfe of this man to whom hee had neuer spoke but once, and notwithstanding that Phil. de Commines told him that in his opinion hee had neither stature nor grace, yet would hee not any other.Iudgement of the King to distin­guish spirits He had made choise of him as of a man of good vn­derstanding, and who had, as the Historie saith, a sweet and plea­sing voice. He considered that if the charge hee gaue him did not succeed, he should quit in disauowing him, and make it knowne that he was but in a disguised habite like vnto Comediens. They demanded of Polistra­tidas Embassa­dor of Sparta if he came in the behalfe of the commonweale, or of himselfe, hee answered eloquently. [...]. If you grant me that which I demand, said Polistratidas, I will cause my selfe to be aduowed, if not, I let you vnderstand, that I haue no charge.

He would not accept this charge for any thing that Philip de Co­mines could say or promise him, he fell vpon his Knees as if hee had beene condemned to die.When as the King thought this man was in a good humour, he sent the ma­ster of his horse for the banner of a trumpet, to make him a coate of Armes, for the K. was not curious, nor accompanied with Heralds and Trumpets as many princes be. Phil.: de Com. l. 4. c. 7. The King came and spake with him, and wonne him at the first word,A Herald sent to the King of England. promising him mony, and the office of an Esleu in the Ile of Rez. Hee must be attired, and there was some trouble to make him a coate of armes, and more to send him away secretly and not to seene, but most of all to instruct him in that which he should say. His coate of armes was in a bouget be­hind his saddle, hauing commandement not to put it on vntill hee did enter into the English army. Philip de Comines obserues in this place the little care and curiosity the King had of the markes of the greatnesse of the Maiesty of Kings, when he saith that there was not a coate of armes to be found in all his campe, and that they were forced to make one of the banner of a trompet to attyer this Herald. Souueraigne powers were neuer without them.Princes haue alwaies had marks of great­nes & maiesty. The Senate or­dained foure & twenty Sar­gents to march before Augustus. Before that the Roman Emperors had fire and a diademe for marks of maiesty, they had maces and rods enuironed with boyes. Excubiae arms cetera Anlae, saith Tacit, watching Armes and the rest of the Court.

Being come into the army, he was conducted to the king of Eng­lands tent: they demanded of him what he was, whence he came, and what he would. His coate of armes made answer to the first demand, and for the rest he said, that he had commandement to speake vnto the King, and to addresse himselfe to Haward and Stanley. The King of England was then at diner, in the meane time they made the Herald good cheere, and then presented him vnto the King to deliuer his charge.Instructed by the Sig­neur of Ar­genton. Wee must stand to that which hee hath written that did instruct him, and who hath reported it after this manner.

That the K. had long desired to be in friendship with him; and that the two realmes might liue in peace: and that neuer since hee was King of [Page 184] France,The He­ralds speech to the King of England he had not made warre, nor attempted any thing against the King nor the Realme of England, excusing him-selfeThese Prepo­sitions seeme nothing gene­rous, they ar­gue feare and ere vnworthy of a great Prince, who should let his enemies know that he did not demand nor ac­cord any thing by force. But Phil. de Com. excuseth the K. and saith, that: If God had not disposed the King to choose so wise a party, the Realme had been in great danger. Then he addes. Wee had then ma­ny secret mat­ters among vs vvhence had sprung great inconuenien­ces vnto the Realme and that sodainly if the accord had not been soon made, as wel from Brit­taine as other places. And I verily be­leeue by mat­ters which I haue seene in my time that God had and hath a speciall care of this Realme. for that he had formerly entertayned the Earle of Warwicke, and said that it was onely against the Duke of Bourgundy and not against him. Hee also let him vnderstand that the said Duke of Bourgundy had not called him, but to make a better accord with the King, vppon the occasion of his comming, and if there were any other that had a hand in it, it was but to repaire their errors, tending to their priuate ends: and touching the King of Englands interest they cared not what became thereof, so as they might make their owne good. Hee also layed before him the time and winter which approached, and that he knew well he was at great charge, and that there were many in England both of the Nobility and Marchants which desired to haue warre in France. And if the King of England should doe his endeauour to harken to a treaty, that the said king would doe the like, so as he and his realme should remaine content: And to the end he might be better informed of these things,Hee de­mands a pasport for a Confe­rence. if he would giue a pasport for an hun­dred horse, that the king would send Ambassadors vnto him well infor­med of his will, or if the king of England desired it should rather be in some Village midway, betwixt both Armies, and that the Deputies of either side should meet there, he would be well content, and would send a safe conduct,

Many thought that King Edward would haue said vnto the He­rald. We will talke in Paris. Arsaces K. of the Parthi­ans sent to tell Crassus that if he were sent by the Romans to make warre a­gainst him, hee would haue no peace: but if he came of his owne free will to possesse his Contry, that then hee would suffer them to depart with their liues and goods, wherevnto Crassus said brauely. I will make you an ansvver in the Towne of Seleucia: the Parthian Ambassador began to smile, and shewing him the palme of his hand, hee said. Crassus thou shalt sooner see haire grow in this hollow of mine hand, then the Citty of Seleucia in thine. but this first ouerture was so pleasing,Ouerture of a peace betwixt the two Kings. as he granted pasports for the Deputies of the conference. England had rather forced then perswaded him to the Chimeras of this war. He had leuied great summes of money for his passage, the warre drew them out of his cofers, peace kept them there and added more. Ciuill warre had so weakened and impouerished England, as at need they could neither hope for men nor money. Hee had caused some of the Deputies of the Commons of England to passe with him,Reasons which per­swaded the English to peace. they were already weary of the warre and to lodge after the manner of Soldiers. These men did allow of this proposition of Peace, and said that it was iust and reasonable,It is a weakenes in a Prince to make it apparantly knowne, that hee desires a peace. It is indiscretion to refuse it when it is iust. If a Peace bee iust and honest, saith Polibius 4. it is in truth good and goodly: yet must they not doe any thing that is vniust and vnreasonable, nor suffer any shamefull thing to bee done to enioy it. that it were indis­cretion to refuse it, and that they should be contented to haue redu­ced the French King to seeke a peace with the King of England, for that a great King cannot humble himselfe more, nor descend lower, then to seeke his enemy for a peace.

Pasports were dispatcht of either part, and the Deputies entred into conference in a Village neere vnto Amiens, in view of both ar­mies, which were but fower leagues asunder. The Bastard of Bour­bon, Admirall St. Pierre: and Heberge Bishop of Ereux for Lewis; Haward, one Challenger, and Morton who was afterwards Chance­lor [Page 185] of England for Edward. The Ouerture of the assembly was by a demand of the Realme of France, which the English said did belong vnto them, grounding their pretensions vppon those of Edward the thirdEdward the third King of England sonne to Edward the second, and to Marguerite or Elizabeth of France, dispu­ted the Regen­cy and Royalty in the yeare 1328. who as sonne to Elizabeth daughter to Phillip the faire, had first disputed the Regency, and then the succession of the Crowne, against Philip of Valois, thinking to ouerthrow the ancient order of the Salike Law.The Salike law excludes woemen from the succession of the Crowne, it carries these wordes. Nulla portio heredi­tatis mulieri veniat, sed ad virilem sexu [...] tota terrae he­reditas perue­niat. Let noe portion of the inheritance come vnto the woman, but let all the inheri­tance of the land descend vnto the Male. The English from a Generall demand come vnto a particular, and restraine it to the Dutchies of Normandy and Gui­enne. It was answered that as Edward had no interest to the whole, so his felony had depriued him of the parts.Edward the third did ho­mage to Philip of Valois for the Dutchies of Guienne and Normandy cal­ling him his deere Lord and Cousin, in the Cathedrall Church of A­miens the 6. of Iune 1333.

As the King was resolued not to giue them any land, so would he not refuse whatsoeuer they reasonably demanded in money, when there is no question but of money, a Prince should not bee sparing nor difficult. The safety and felicity of an estate is not mea­sured by a certaine price.A Prince should not re­spect money to send away an enemy; and ra­ther then to giue him any part of his e­state with the which hee may liue in feare to loose all he should hazard any thing. Hee winkt at all that, as well as at sundry other formalities which the maiesty of the Crown of France would not haue suffered to passe in another season, for in all this negoti­ation Edward gaue him noe other stile but his Cousin Lewis of France.

Hee offers them threescore and fifteene thousand Crownes for the charges of the Army,Articles of a peace be­twixt Frāce and Eng­land. the Crowne being 33. solz a peece; the marriage of his Sonne the Dauphin with the Princesse of England, and a Pension of fifty thousand Crownes yearely vntill the marri­age be consummated. These offers were accepted, a Truce was con­cluded for nine yeares, and Hostages giuen by the King of England for the retreat of his army. There was also a Compromise vppon a penalty of three millions of Crownes to determine and compound their Controuersies within three yeares by the iudgement of foure Arbitrators. Charles the seauenth had expelled the English out of France by the sword, and Lewis hath sent them away with his penne.Wee come to one end by contrary meanes. Charles the seuenth expelled the English by force, and Lewis with store of crownes. Hanniball by crueltie ruled Italy, and Scipio by mildnes Spaine.

The Constable thought that these mists,The Con­stable sends vnto the King. entertained by the vapors of his pollicies would haue lasted longer, and he was much greeued that the Sun-shine of peace had disperst them. Hee sent Lewis Cre­ [...]ille a Gentleman of his traine, and Iohn Richer his Secretary vnto the King, to let him vnderstand that he neuer had any designe but to serue him faithfully, that the proofe or his seruice was the refusall he had made vnto his enemies of the entry into S^t. Quentin,The King descouers the Consta­bles double dealing to the duke of Bourgondy but he was of opinion that they should find some meanes to send back this storme beyond the Seas.

The King who desired to haue the deceiuer deceiued,Deceiuers are alwaies deceiued. They whom they deceiue watch to requite it, and their owne deceit ruines them. Hanniball after the death of Marcellus wrote to the Salapiens vnder Macellus name (whose seale he had gotten) that he would come vnto their Towne. The next night Crispin Lieutenant to Marcellus, who knew the deceits of Hanniball, gaue notice of his death. Hanniball came to the gates of Salapia, the first ranks who could speake the Roman tongue, demand entrance. The gard being aduertised and making a good shew, suffered six hundred to enter, then letting downe the Port-cullis, they cut them in peeces. Plut. and that the Duke of Bourgondy should vnderstand how this man cosoned [Page 186] him with his double dealing, he caused the Siegneur of Contay to be set behind a portall,The Kin discouers the Con­stables dou­ble dealing to the Duke of Bourgondy he was an affectionate seruant to the Duke, and then the Kings prisoner. And with him stood Phillip de Commi­nes to heare Creuilles charge which was nothing else but to yeeld him an accompt of the voyage which he had made vnto the Duke to withdraw him from the amity of the English, and that he had so disposed him therevnto as hee was in a manner ready to charge them.

Creuille supposing by the Kings countenance and attention that he tooke delight in this discourse, counterfeited the speech and ge­sture and reported the Dukes oath, he stampt with his foot against the ground and sware by St. George, calling Edward one-eyed white-liuer, and the Sonne of an Archer, who cairied that name. If Con­tay had not seene and heard Creuille, he would not haue beleeued, that a man of any sence would haue spoke so vnworthily of his mai­ster & the King faining to be thick of hearing, took delight in the re­petition of the cheefe wordes of this tale, and his heart seeming full of ioy, gaue courage to Creuille to amplifie this discourse, to the end that Contay might vnderstand it better,Constables opinion to buy a truce. and know that the Constable mockt his maister.Florence hath seene the like pollicy. Pe­ter de Medicis to make it knowne that Lewis Sforza Duke of Milan in counselling King Charles to passe the Alpes did not wish him any good successe. He caused the Ambassador of France to stand behind a ha [...] ­ging, and saig­ning himself ill he sent for the Ambassador of Milan, who entring into discourse of the designes of Le­wis Sforza his Maister he told all [...]e could to make it kn [...]w [...] that the inten­tions of the French did not concurre with his maisters. Guicciardin To conclude the Constable as Cre­uille said, thought it fit they should purchase a truce of the English and that they should giue them some towne, as Eu and St. Valery.

The King being content with that which hee had heard, tould Creuille that the Constable should heare from him. He set Contay at liberty to go and report vnto the Duke of Bourgondy what hee had heard behind the Portall of the Constables dissimulations, who sent his Confessor vnto the King of England to aduise him not to trust vnto the Kings words, nor to attend vntil he did willingly giue him Eu and St. Valery,The Constable per­swades K. Edward not to trust K. Lewis. but to seaze thereon by force, to winter his troopes, in hope to lodge them better and more at large, and hee offered fifty thousand Crownes to aid him to make warre. Tell your Maister, answered the King of England, that he is a deceiuer, that I repent me not of a peace, seeing he hath repented him of that which he had promised me. The King notwithstanding to let the Constable vn­derstand that he did esteeme his CouncellsThere are some thinges wherein it is better to bee deceiued then to distrust. The King was well informed of the Constables infi­delities, & yet to entertaine him in good hu­mor, and not to giue him occasi­on to doe worse hee commends his Councells. gaue Eu and Saint Valery to the King of England onely to lodge in during the treaty, of Peace. But hee had giuen such order as the English in these townes were rather in prison then in Garrison.

The Constable by Edwards answer saw himselfe almost in dispair with more subiect to be amazed how hee liued then to reioyce that he was liuing, apprehending on the one side seruitude, and on the other punishment, and seeing no other port in this torment of mind but death.

The Dukes of Bourgundy and Brittanie were comprehended in this truce if they would. The Duke of Bourgundy being aduerti­sed of this Treatie, came from Luxembourg with sixteene horse to finde King Edward, who discouered in his Cousins face theIt is an ex­treame misery to stand be­twixt 2. great powers & haue no meanes to maintaine him­selfe. A little nag betwixt 2. great horses, is alwaies subiect to some stripe. spleene he carried in his heart, and seeming amazed at this sodaine arriuall [Page 187] he demanded of him what brought him. I came, said the Duke, to speake with you: will you, said Edward, that it be in priuate or publike, wherevpon the Duke, who could not containe his choller, and who came to speake what he would, not considering that he might he are what he would not, ^t demanded of the King of England if hee had made a Peace. No said Edward, but a Truce for nine yeares, in the which you are comprehended with the Duke of Brittanie, I pray you ac­commodate your selfe vnto it. The Duke replyed in English, which hee vnderstood and spake. That his Armie should not haue past the sea for that this Treatie ruined the reputation of the Kings of Eng­land, and that he had need of that Lyons heart interred at Rouen. Richard the first King of England was called Coeur de Lion he dyed at Osney [...], and his heart was interred at Ro­uen, a reasona­ble good Poet for these times made him this Epitaph.* Then he addes, I had procured you a good occasion to doe your busines, which you shall neuer recouer, to get that which belongs vnto you. It was not for mine owne interest, for I could well passe without it, and to let you know how little I regard your Truce:Words be­twixt the K. of England and the Duke of BourgondyBy S^t George I will not treat with the King before that you are returned into England and haue stayed there three monethes. Edward taking no delight in these words, full of choller left him there: He went to horseback, and so returned as he came being well content to haue said that which hee would say to him, who had not done that which he would doe, and carrying in his heart a wonderfull discontent that this Treatie tooke from him the meanes to purchase glorieTo loose the occasion of any great matter by the meane of Armes is a very sensible griefe to a great cou­rage. Epami­nondas did shew it in cau­sing his sonnes head to be cut off who had won a Battell, cōplaining that he had depri­ued him of part of his glory. at the Kings charge, and once againe to giue him a Battell.

The King fearing that the Duke of Bourgundies choller and the Constables practises would cause Edward repent, or make him distrust the expectation of that which had been promised, would make his proceedings free from all suspition. Confidence is the true cyment of friendship.Good cheer made to the English at Amiens. The English entred continually in what troupes they would into Amiens. There were long Tables at the gates furnished with good meate and delicate wines, and good companions attended to entertaine all that came. All the Tauerns and Innes were full. The Marshall of Gié hauing charge to ob­serue how the English liued, came one morning into a Tauerne where they told him they had alreadie made a hundred and eleuen reckonings,Gran favores comery no escotar. and it was not yet nine of the clock. Among other commodities the souldiour found it sweet to dine well and not to pay any thing. It was in the Kings power to cut the throats of nine or ten thousand, who could neither goe on their legges, nor finde the gates to returne vnto their quarters, they were so full. They [Page 188] were content to see them drunke with wine, who would haue been drunke with bloud. But when they came and told him that it was dangerous to suffer so many men to enter, he left his howers which he was saying, and the ceremony of Innocents.The Romans did obserue good daies to assaile but all were good to defend. Ma­crob. l. Satur. cap. 16. All daies are good and fit to care for defence and safety.

We must beleeue that which he saies that saw it and hath writ­ten it. The King being vp and saying his howers, one came and told him that there were at the least nine thousand English in the Towne. I resolued to aduenture to tell him, and entring into his re­tiring place I said vnto him. Sir, although it be S. Innocents day yet is it necessarie that I tell you that which hath been deliuered vnto mee, and so acquainted him at large with the numbers that were entred, and still came, all armed, and that no man durst refuse them the gates, least they should be discontented. The King was not obstinate, but soone left his deuotion, and told me that they must not keep the ceremonie of Inno­cents: The Christian religion holdes the obseruation of daies super­stitious. Eas culpat, saith S^t Aug. qui di­cunt non pro­ficiscat hodie quia praeposte­rus dies est. It blames them that say I will not goe forth this day because it is ominious. whereby wee may gather that the day whereon the Feast of Innocents fell was for all the rest of the yeare following superstiti­ously ceremonious to this Prince, on which hee would not haue them speake vnto him of any affaires, Phil. de Commines hauing been in danger of a disgrace vpon that occasion.

Yet he receiued this aduice in such an humor as he beleeued that he might referre his deuotion to another time and dispence with it, to the end that he might prouide that this troupe should retire qui­etly.The King dines at the gate of A­miens. He caused his dinner to bee carried to the Porters house, not to shew his distrust, but to make much of the English which came in and out. He stayed some to eate at his table, and made others drinke, and withall prouided for the safety of the Towne, hauing caused three hundred men to be armed in their Captaines houses, and appointed some vpon the Portall to obserue the entrie of the souldiers. The King of England being aduertised of this disorder sent to intreat the King not to suffer them to enter. That shall not be, answered the King, but if it please him to send some Archers of his gard to the Port, they shall let in whom they will. This was done, the King hauing by his dissembling obtained that which some greater brute had made difficult.

But Lewis had no money in his Coffers to pay the summes that were agreed vpon. He found how difficult it is to draw money from a multitude in an vrgent necessitie.Although they say that a Prince should haue no other treasure then in subiects purses, yet there may fall out such vrgent occasi­ons as if behaue it not in his owne Coffers he is in dangerous estate. His Treasurers refused him, Paris furnisht this summe vpon assurance to bee repayed within three monethes. There remained nothing but to choose a place for the enteruiew of the two Kings.Piquigny no­ted by the Predictions of England. This was at Piquigny a towne which the Sibilles of England had long before noted for so great and happie an action. They made a barre vppon the bridge of the riuer of Somme, in such sort as they might passe their Armes freely, yet without any wicket for their bodies, the King remembring that he had heard say,That which is past teacheth the present. In the like occasi­on Duke Iohn was slaine at Monter eaufaut Yonne, whether he was come vnto the Dau­phin, who since was Charles the seuenth, to treat an accord. that the doore which was left at the Barre at Montereau Faut-Yonne did serue to aduance the execution which caused so many calamities in France. For Duke Iohn being [Page 189] inuited to passe with three more not two paces off receiued the mortall blow from Taneguy of Chastell.

The 29. of August 1478. the King came first vnto the Barre, for that he was in his owne house,Enteruiew of the two Kings at Piquigny. and receiued a strange Prince.Many take this ceremonie otherwise, and that it is for the greater Prince not to come first vnto the place, but to be stayed for. He was accompanied by the Duke of Bourbon, and the Cardinall of Bourbon his Brother. In these actions of shew hee tooke delight to haue some one attired like himselfe. Phil. de Commines was so that day. He had eight hundred men. Edward came thither after, being aduertised by a Gentleman of the Kings arriuall.

The Duke of Clarence his Brother did accompanie him thi­ther. The Duke of Glocester would not bee there, for this Truce discontented him, he had behinde him all his Armie in Bat­tell, either of them had twelue NoblemenPrinces shold neuer meet at a Parle but with equall assuran­ces of either side. Philip K. of Macedon would not goe to land, but did parle from the prow of his gal­ley with I. F. who was vpon the shore, and beeing deman­ded by him of whom he stood in feare, I feare not any man answered Phi­lip, but the im­mortall Gods, but I trust not them I see with you. Tit. Liu. lib. 32. to accompanie him. There were foure English Lords on Lewis side, and as many French of Edwards, to see if there were any practise to the preiudice of their master.

Edward ware a Cap of blacke Veluet,Edward a goodly Prince. with a great Iewell of stones made like a Flower-de-Luce, a goodly Prince and of a gal­lant stature, but began to grow grosse.Phil. de Cō. saith, that Ed­ward was one of the goodliest Princes of that age, but at this enteruiew hee began to grow grosse. Beauty is a qualitie which doth a­dorne the rest which are ne­cessarie in a Prince. But this is vaine with­out the rest, it is more fitting for a woman, and serues but to please. Maxi­min son to the Emperor Maxi­min was so fair as the women desired to be be­loued of him and that hee would make them mothers. Iul. Cap. Comming within two or three paces of the Barre, he put off his Cap and made two or three low reuerences before hee came vnto the King who attended him leaning vpon the barre, after very kinde imbracings, to make the heart speake by these demonstrations of loue and affection, the Peace was sworne vpon the Masse-booke and the Crosse.

The King, who knew Edwards humor, fitted his Discourse to en­tertaine him with a content which cost him nothing, entermixing still some merry speech among their most serious affaires. And for that Edward had youth, beauty and loue in him, hee intreated him not to returne into England before he had seene the Ladies of Paris, and that the Cardinall of Bourbon who was their present should giue him absolution. Edward shewed by his eyes and his silence that this Sumons was pleasing vnto him. The King prest him no farther,The King offers that which hee would not haue ac­cepted. remembring that his Predecessors had beene too fami­liar there. These two Princes were so cunning as it was hard for the one to haue any aduantage of the other: the policy of the one ap­peared outward and the other kept his close within.Some shew their Art at the first incounter, others hold it secret and there the deceit is not discouered, before one is deceiued. Heerevnto is applyed the controuersie which was betwixt the Foxe and the Leopard for the variety of their skinnes. The Leopard bragd that his was fairest without, being marked with diuers spots, that is nothing (said the Foxe) my variety is within.

They conferred long together to open their hearts one vnto an other, or rather for Lewis to discouer Edwards thoughts, who for that he was not like vnto him in iudgement and experience, was not so warie. The King found that hee had an extreme desire to as­sist and defend the Duke of Brittany, and that hee held himselfe bound vnto it, saying that hee had neuer found a better friend at need. As for the Duke of Bourgundy hee did not seeme to bee so carefull of his fortune, for when as the King said vnto him, What shall wee doe if my Brother of Bourgundy will not enter into the Truce. [Page 190] The King of England answered.Lewis soūds K. Edwards thoughts. I will summon him againe, and if he will not hearken to it, I referre my selfe to you two.

The Constables fortune remained. In the first conference of the Treatie, the King of England being highly offended that hee had fayled of his word, had said that hee could let the King know his bad seruants, and how to conuict them of treason towards his Maiestie. The Deputies had not much regarded it, holding it to be a pollicie to terrifie the King with such practises and Intelligen­ces, and although there had been some thing, yet the estate of the Kings affaires did not allow of too curious a search of the fidelity of his subiects,There are seasons when as it is not good to discouer all diseases to moue humours not to purge the bodie. It was told Pompey that there were amōg Stertori­us papers many Senators Let­ters, who exhor­ted him to come into Italy and to attempt a­gainst Rome, but Pompey did an Act not of a yong man, but of a graue & setled in [...]ge­ment, causing all his Letters to be burnt, and not suffring one to be read. Plut. but the King, who contemned not any thing, thought that it was an Arrow shot against the Constable, & there­fore he desired to be satisfied from Edward, who dissembling not his great discontentment against the Constable, related vnto him the whole History of his preuatications, and for proofe thereof deli­uered two Letters into his hands.

After a long discourse, accompanied with infinite shews of loue, honor, and respect, the two Kings parted. Edward past by the Sea, leauing Hostages in the delights and feasts of Paris, and the chiefe Noble men of his Court talked of nothing but the Kings bountie. The Heralds and trumpets of England at their parting cryed out. A largesse a largesseLiberalitie is like the Sunne amōg the other lights of a roy­altie. It is the my [...]rhe which preserues the reputation of Kings incor­ruptible.for the most noble and mightie King of France. A largesse a largesse.

The King went to lie at Amiens, by the way he entertained him­selfe with that which he had obserued in this Action, speaking these words to Phil. de Commines confidently. A wise ob­seruation of the king. I found the King of England so willing to come to Paris as it did not please me. Hee is a goodly King, and loues women much, hee might finde some Mignion at Paris, who would tell him so many goodly tales as he might haue a desire to returne. His Predecessors haue beene too much in Paris and Normandie. His company auailes me nothing on this side the Sea, but on the other side he is my good brother and friend.

Being come to Amiens, and ready to set downe to meate, Ha­ward, one of the Hostages, thinking to doe him a great pleasure, came and told him in his eare that if he pleased he would draw the King of England vno Amiens, and it might bee to Patis to make good cheere there with his Maiestie. The King (who hauing saued the CapitollIt is good to see an enemies back. The Gauls demanded boats to passe the Ri­uer of Tyber, and the Senate commanded to giue them some, beeing put to rout they assu­red them the way to saue them. Poli [...]nus Lib. 2. had no care but to make a large way for the Gaules to passe) receiued this speech with a good countenance, although it did not please him; and as if he had thought of other matters, he began to wash and to speake of other things. Haward re­membred him after supper, hauing not obserued the Kings inten­tion by the first euasion. The King being prest by his importunity, said that he was then ready to goe to horse, to see what the Duke of Bourgundy would doe, and to make him runne the hazard of Armes, seeing he had contemned the opportunitie of an accord.

They that past the Sea vnwillingly would haue beene glad to haue found some occasion to haue stayed longer in France, they [Page 191] had some reason for the good of their estate, and that Paris might be to London, as Carthage had been to Rome.Estates main­taine thēselues by the common feares and iea­lousies they haue one of an other. And therfore Scip [...]o Nasi [...]a did ad­uise thē to pre­serue Carthage, notwithstand­ing that she had put the [...] of Rome to com­primise. Ne me­tu ablato ae­mula vrbis, luxuriar [...] feli­citas vrbis in­ciper [...]t. Least being freed frō the feare of a Citie that was enemy, the Citie in her prosperi­tie should fall to [...]yot. Flor. Lib 2. de Bello Punice. They had such hot spirits among them, as if they had not some imploiment with­out the Iland, they were capable to beginne the Earle of War­wicks game.

During the Kings abode at Amiens, he was visited by the English, especially by those that would not returne without some present.The King giues pre­ [...]m [...]s to the English. The Duke of Glocester who seemed much discontented with this Truce, found it good after that the King had giuen him plate and horses. This Prince did sow euen in barren groundes, the feare of ingratitude did not stay his handes from giuing vnto them who be­ing gone neuer gaue him thankes.They doe not forbeare to sow after an [...]n fer­till haruest, hee must not leaue to binde one af­ter ingratitude, although the ben [...]fit perish with the other, he must not suf­fer it to perish with himselfe. He was very well pleased with that day, but he was greeued that the King of England had shewed so much passion for the Duke of Brittaine, for his desire was not to suffer him in peace.Edward de­clares the Duke of Brittan [...] to be his friend. Hee caused him to bee sounded againe by the Lords of Bouchage and St. Pierre, but they brought nothing back but rough wordes, sweating that he would repasse the sea againe, if they quarreled with the Britton.Besides the bond which K. Edward had to the D. of Brit­tany, for that hee had assisted him in his grea­test necessi [...]y, he feared to dis­cōtent him least he should set Henry whom he held priso­ner at libertie.

The King seeing that he could not diuide them, thought to make him a good friend whom he could not declare a iust enemy,Peace be­twixt the King and the Du: of Brittany. seing that he was comprehended in the Truce. Wherefore there was a Treaty of peace betwixt them, signed and concluded in the Ab­bey of Senlis the 16. of October, 1475. published in the Parlia­ment of Paris, and at the estates of Brittaine.

The King of England was not more content to see his realme a­gaine, then the King seemed ioyfull to haue sent him out of his Princes somtimes let slip free speeches in their Cabinets, which are obserued and reported againe. The King being some dayes after King Edwards departure with his seruants, reioyced at the happy successe of his affaires, saying that there was nothing to be com­pared to vanquish without fightingThe victorie which costs least bloud is m [...]st glorious said Alphonso K. of [...]. Pa­norm in his life. and that they which re­turned from the place whether they came to make warre with­out doing any thing were vanquished.Words e­scaped the K. vpon the Treatie of Peace. He iested that with wine and money he had sent away the English. This flowing of words with more truth then wisedome, came to the hearing of a Gascon Marchant remaining in England, who was come into the Cabinet to craue leaue to transport a certaine number of pipes of wine Impost free.Heard by a Gascon Marchant. The King would haue been glad that this man ha­uing seene the Palace of his Councels bare and vncouered, had been blind & deafe, but he made no shew of it acknowledging not­withstanding that discretion had not beene arbitrator betwixt his tongue and heart, that the Marchant had seene and heard too much,There haue beene Princes which haue put their seruants to death hauing heard wordes the report whereof was dangerous. Alexander dealt therein more discrectly, for finding that Ephestion had seen in his letter an aduice of importance, he only toucht his lippes with his seale without any word speaking, and Lewis de [...]lt more royally, who bought them at a deer rate which might haue carried words that had escaped him inconsiderately. and that Edward might cause this first flower of Peace, (which was but in the bud) to wither,Cause not foreseene of a good fortune. if these words were reported vnto him. He therefore resolued to buy this Marchant vpon some [Page 192] pretext of seruice. He imployed Philip de Commines who wonne him, offering him an office in the towne where hee was borne, the transport of the wines which he demanded, and a hundred pounds starling to send for his family, but vpon condition that he should not goe into England, the King condemning himselfe willingly in the penaltie, for that he had spoken too freely.

The most couragious, but especially the French which were retired into England blamed this peace. Many held it for a worke of heauen, saying that it had accomplished the Prophesies which the holy Ghost had made,Men draw great Predicti­ons from small matters. In the Concla [...]e held for the election of a Pope, after the death of Paul the fourth a Doue flying rested vpon the Cell of Cardinal Iohn Ange Mediguin who was named Pi­us the fourth, and it was ta­ken for an assu­rance of his ele­ction. that a white Doue the day of the en­teruiew of the two Kings had sat vpon King Edwards tent, and that all the noise of the Armie could not driue her away.

A Gentleman Gascon called Bretailles, who serued the King of England, was discontented at the Peace, and mockt at his iest. He said that this Doue being beaten with the raine had fallen vp­on this tent as the highest to dry her selfe in the Sunne. He talked with Phillip de Commines, who knew him and said, You had reason to laugh at vs. To whom Commines (but not touching that) said. How many Battels hath your King woon?Wisedome of Phil. de Com. to a­uoid a needlesse dis­course.Nine answered Bretailles, K. Edward the fourth was in nine Battels fighting on feet to assure the Crown of Eng­lād on his head and to ruine the house of Lancaster. And how many hath he lost? one onely, which is that vvhich hee might haue woon in France, so great a losse as it hath blemished the ho­nour of nine which hee hath wonne, for this tenth vvas the crowning of all the rest.

They came and told the King that this Gascon was a free spoken man, and that in the libertie of his speech he might make his ma­sters thoughts knowne, and alter the mindes of many. The King sent for him, caused him to dine at his table, and by his purse stopt his mouth and made him say as the rest, that the holy Ghost had made the Peace. In one houre Bretailles setled an assured reuenue for euer vpon the timiditie of this Prince.We may say of King Lewis as Plutark did of Nicias, he gaue not lesse to thē that might doe ill, then to those that de­serued well, & who were wor­thy to taste of his bounty, so as his feare was a reuenue & rent vnto the wic­ked, as well as his bounty was vnto good men.

The Duke of Bourgundy seeing that the King of England was farre off, began to bethinke himselfe. He had seene the inconstan­cie of the English. Contay had represented vnto him that of the Constable, and the discourse which hee had heard behind the Por­tall. All this would not suffer him to grow obstinate against rea­son, and moreouer the King is armed against the frontier of Hai­nault, who demands it, and offers to doe it, and he hath a liuely impression of the great perplexitie which an irresolute soule doth suffer that liues in suspence betwixt hope and feare.Whilst our soules are in suspence be­twixt hope and feare, wee doe not enioy the present, and the future tor­ments vs.

Hugonet the Dukes Chancellor sent the King word that if it pleased him to send his Deputies vnto the bridge,Treatie of Peace be­twixt the King & the D. of Bour­gundie. mid-way betwixt Auennes and Veruins, the Dukes should be there to resolue vpon that which was presented. The King would be present notwith­standing that his Councell disswaded him, and hee led with him Haward and Cheney, Hostages which the King of England had left. One of them being sorrie for the Peace, seeing the Deputies for the Duke of Bourgundy accompanied with a great number of sol­diers well mounted and armed, said, that if the Duke of Bour­gundy [Page 193] had shewed many such to the King of England, hee had not so suddenly repast the Sea. Philip de Commines, to whom these words were spoken, answered not any thing, he had so great pa­tience in hearing, and such stay in his speech, as it was no paine for him to hold his peace in occasions where the tongue some­times escapes:He that is not patient to hold his peace, can not be discreet in speaking.

The Vicont of Narbonne who had heard them, said, that with­out doubt the Duke of Bourgundy had a good number, but the English had so great a desire to returne into England, as they were contented with six hundred pipes of wine, and a pension which the King gaue them. This English man who was much al­tered with this Peace, found his griefe doubled with this flout, and all fuming with choller, hee said, It is true that was told vs, that you would iest at vs, call you the money which the King giues vs a Pensi­on?,Euery man giues what names hee plea­seth to things. That which in effect was a pension, the Eng­lish call tribute. An insupporta­ble word to a free Nation. Saluian lamē ­ting the condi­tion of the Em­pire of Rome which payed Tribute vnto the Frēch, who had newly sea­zed vpon G [...]ul, saith, Aur [...]m quod pēdimus munera voca­mus, dicimus donum esse quod pretium, et quidam cō ­di [...]onis mise­rimae. The gold we bestow we cal reward, we terme that a gift which is a price, and of a most wre [...]ched condition.It is a Tribute, and by S^t George you may speake so much as we shall returne. Philip de Commines (O the wise man) brake off this Dis­course, and from serious and biting as it was, and might haue been worse (for the French would neuer haue endured that they should haue termed France tributarie to England) turned it to a Iest. But the Englishman was discontented, and complained to the King, who was much offended with the Vicont of Narbonne, who had not considered that to bad demands good answeres cost little and profit much, and that a small matter cals back an enemie who de­parts discontented.Words of con­tempt or moc­kery inflame mens hearts to other resoluti­ons thē are ex­pected. Caba­des a Captaine of Persia besieg­ing Amida, and finding [...] that the si [...]ge would be long & diffi­cult, resolu [...]a to leaue it. The in­habitāts grown proud thereat, came running to the wa [...]s, cal­ling him co­ward, and moc­king at his re­treat. Where­with Cabade [...] was so incensed as [...]e returned, prest, forced, and spoiled the Towne.

The Deputies of either side met, but could not agree, euerie one seeking to maintaine his owne. The King told his that he would not haue so many words, and causing the Dukes deputies to come, he shut himselfe in with them, and before they parted concluded a Truce for nine yeares, beginning the 13. of September, 1475. and ending the same day in the yeare 1484. The Duke would haue Baldwin Bastard of Bourgundy, the Lord of Renty, Iohn de Chata, and Philip de Commines excluded and to loose the benefit of this Truce, the which notwithstanding was not so soone published to saue the Dukes oth, who had sworne not to hearken vnto it so soone.

As they were vpon the Treatie the King of England, being dis­contented that the Duke of Bourgundy treated apart, sent Thomas of Montgomerie vnto the King, to assure him that be would return in the Spring with a mighty Armie, to finish the Duke of Bourgun­dies ruine, but the King, who loued him well where he was, answe­red, that the Truce which was then in question, was no other then what had been made with him without any alteration, but that the Duke desired to haue his Letters Patents apart.

Thus a peace was made both with the English and Bourgundi­ans. These mists which were so thick as there was no hope to see the Sunne all the day, were disperced in a moment, leauing France in the same cleerenes that it was before.

The wisemen of those times saw and did acknowledge the parti­cular [Page 194] care of Gods prouidence ouer this Monarchy hauing by his singular grace escaped so terrible a storme. It was not the first brunt, nor the greatest fit which tryed the firmenes of her forces. The foundations of this Estate are so well layed,Al the estates in the world haue tried her Inconstancie, what are be­come of the Empires of Assiria, of Persia, of Media, of E­gypt, of Iudea, & of Macedon. Quicquid in altum [...]ortuna tulit ruitura leuat. Whatso­euer fortune hath raised on high, is to fall againe. And Plato saies that euery thing is in this world as vpon Euri­pus, sometimes aboue, some­times beneath. [...]. her lawes haue so wisely preuented all kindes of accidents, that although there bee nothing constant in the world, and that nature turnes euery thing sometimes aboue, sometimes beneath, yet it stands amidst the greatest shakings, and supports it selfe like a Colosse with his owne waight. The composition of this body is so strong and vigorous, as it entertaines it selfe euen with his excesse and disorders: other Estates with all their good order are not in better case, and the least disorder they commit brings their life in danger.Plutark said, that the repu­tation of Spar­ta was like vn­to a body which alwaies tooke a dyet, & which was distempe­red with the least disorder.

The Kings wisedome was the Instrument of Gods prouidence to free this Realme from the danger which did threaten it. It is true that if necessitie, which hath no law, did not excuse the procee­dings of this Prince, and if the honour of the action did not re­maine to him that hath the profit, there might be exceptions taken to that which the King did to haue this Peace. A wise Prince and lesse fearefull would haue aduentured a Battell, rather then be sub­iect to his enemies pride, but these high and generous formes of treating are buried in the ruines of proud and triumphant Rome, and there is nothing remaining but admiration which the History represents. The Romans neuer receiued condition nor capitula­tion As the Ro­mans did neuer receiue offers nor conditions from an enemy, so long as he was armed, so did they neuer goe whether they called them. If thou beest mighty, thou maist force me, if thou canst not, I must goe whether my commoditie leades me. from an armed enemie they neuer made retreat in disorder. Neuer did Generall of a Roman Armie giue place to any one, were he a King: Neuer did they in strange Prouinces quit the markes of their authoritie. Neuer did they allow a stranger, how great so euer, to enter into their lodging on horseback.When as Tigranes came to Pompey, to yeeld himselfe into his hands, the Sargeants told him that he must light, for that no man was euer seene to enter on horseback into the Romans lodgings. Pl [...]t. And in a word, neuer had Prince his minde and resolutions raised to more ge­nerositie.

AT the Treaty of Piquigny the Constable of Saint Paul resembled a Tree beaten with three contrary winds, which not­withstanding conspyre all together to teare it vp by the roote.The Con­stable in ill terms with all men. Great wits doe often-times commit great errors, and you shall seldome see a great spirit without some medley of f [...]lly wherof the purest com [...]s frō the finest wis­dom, and there­fore Thucidi­des will not haue the choose high aspiring spiriits into the Counceller of Princes nor to the ma [...]naging of aff [...]ires, but those that are meane who are lesse obstinate. Hee thought to make a perpetuall warre betwixt the King of France, the King of England, and the duke of Bourgundy, behold he is ama­zed to see them reconcyled and against him. He hath made him-selfe vnworthy of grace with the first, of succors, and defence with the second, and of all hope with the third, and in opinion with all three that hee would play the companionAs it is dan­gerous to con­tend with ones equall, so is it mada [...]sto quar­rell with his su­perior, and to seeke to go hand in hand with him. with them, raise his reputation and merits vpon the ruine of their affaires, mingle his ashes with those of their Estates, and eternize his memory not in burning one Temple alone,Ill with the King. but the Estates of them all three.

The King had done him good, not in respect of his person, but of the seruices which he might doe him, and when as he saw his affec­tions altered, his will also grew could, making it knowne that great hatred proceeded from great friendship.The fauors & benefits of Princes are not for the respect of the persons, but in consideration of seruices and merits which they find in their seruants: when these qualities change, it is not strange if in like manner their fauors and affections alter. Hee could not forget the practises which hee had made to keepe France in trouble and combustion; nor the arrogant and insolent shew of armes vpon the Causey of Compiegne [...], nor the letters written to the King, at the sight whereof he sware his great oath, which hee did neuer violate; that he should die: Nor so many acts of a spirit which made it selfe miserable for that he could not beare his felicity.

The Duke had neuer pardoned him the taking againe of Ami­ens and Abbeuille.Ill with the Duke. the desire of his reuenge was a riuerReuenge runnes on still although it appeares not, Plutarque compares it to riuers which runne vnder the earth, and afterwards hurst forth with more violence. which had his course through the rockes of the difficulties of his affaires. [Page 197] He could not forget his cunning practise, to marry his daughter to the Duke of Guienne, nor his refusall to receiue his men into Saint Quentin after that he had caused them to come. Moreouer he was incensed,Offences of­ten renewed end with im­mortall paynes. for that he had first made warre in his country by fire the rest being contented to vse the sword, for whilest he lay incam­ped before Amiens, the Constable had made a roade into the coun­try of Haynault, and burnt the Castell of Seurre, belonging vnto Baldwin of Lannoy whome the Duke loued.Ill with the King of En­gland. The King of Englād was offended with him, for that hauing councelled and perswaded him to come into France to tryumph there, hee had returned without tryumph. All three would rather haue made an other hell then haue suffered such trecheries vnpunished.

All things seemed to bandie and conspire his ruine, hee could not keepe himselfe vp firme seeing so many persons about him ouer­throwne.The Con­stables per­plexity af­ter the peace. It is no won­der not to bee mooued in trā ­quillity but we may be amazed to see a man rise when as all others shrinke and to stand firme amongst them that stū ­ble Sen. Epist. 73. The disgraces which fortune hath done him in the pub­like ruines are augmented by many other priuate crosses: His wife, the only support of his greatnes, is dead, Iames of S. Paul his brother prisoner, la Scala his nephewe returning out of England was taken by the Kings men and found seazed of daungerous Instructions; the Earle of Roucey his Sonne in the duke of Burbons hands. The Earle of Dammartin his enemy with the Kings forces neere vnto S. Quentin: And the Prince of Orange at liberty, carrying the title of Prince by the grace of God. Ielousie and enuy worke strange di [...]em­peratures in their mindes which martch hand in hand. The Constable of S^•. Paul. could not in­dure the pros­perity of some greate men in court. He is grieued that the prince of Orange is set at liberty for thir­ty thousand Crownes, and that the king hath suffered him to carry the title of Prince by the grace of God to coyne money and to pardon all offences ex­cept heresie and treason. All these things were so many thornes in his bed to keepe him from sleepe, he doth not dreame, wake nor thinke but how to stand firme against all these violent stormes of fortunes, but he seekes to cure his harmesA pernitious remedy to cure one mischiefe with another, and to think to be cured by dis­orders which caused diseases, the intempe­rance of the Patien [...] causeth the cruelty of the Phisition. by other mischefes. He is like vnto an earthen vessell which must needes breake if it fall vppon a stone or a stone fall vppon it.

The nedle of his Compas turnes toward the Kings Clemencie as to his north. He sends Rapin, his secretary, vnto him with silken words humble and milde, beseeching him to beleeue that the King of Eng­land and the Duke of Bourgundy desired nothing more then to draw him to the extremitie of dispayre,The Con­stable seeks the Kings fauor. and to seeke his safty of them bee­ing that he could not finde it with the King. That a desire to bee re­uenged of him who had not offended thē, but in that he had not of­fended his maiestie, had giuen way vnto the slanders which had bin published against him, and fauoured by the il will of his enemies which were about his maiestie, namely by the Lord of Dammartin and Lude who did not loue him, and that his heart could not bend vnto that diuine rule to loue his enemies.To loue ones enemies is a di­uine Action, to loue his friendes humane, but to hate his friendes is bruitish. But men are of that disposition, especial­ly great men, they cannot indure the prosperity of their enemies.

Good workemasters know one anothers worke, one line makes them iudge by whome the picture was made. The King, his craftsma­ster in dissembling, did iudg that whatsoeuer the Constable pretended to doe was but coūterfeit,Aristotle speakes of a rock which burnes ha­uing oyle cast vppon it. that an ambitious spirit dissembles as he list, It is dangerous to giue credit to the wordes and actions of those that haue any designe, [...] a desire to attaine vnto it makes them to faigne any thing. that a wicked man is neuer worse then when hee will counterfeit to [Page 198] be good, wherfore all the oyle of his goodlywords doe not allwayes serue to open but to couer the intē ­tions. Archi­damus sonne to Agesilaus said that sheepe kn [...]w but one note but Kings had many to vse as they pleased. words did but inflame the flint of his reuenge the more, and from the concurrence of these two contraries rose the last tempest which ruined the Constable. Yet he made shew to approue his Intentions, he said they were good, and called a secretary vnto him to write a letter,The King sends for the Con­stable. by the which he gaue him aduice of all that had past with the English, and that for the tro­ble of minde wherein he was to dispatch many great affayres he had greate neede of his head. If he had promised to saue him he would haue accepted the neck of his promises, he was so constrained to make an example of the trechery of a bad subiect. Rapin was not cunning enough to obserue two things which past at this instant.Paul Erizze gouernor of Negrepont ha­uing yeelded in the yeare 1470. vppon condiciō that they should saue his head, Mahomet caused him to be sawne in two and when he reproched him with the breach of his word, he said vnto him that the flanks were not com­prehended in the promise to saue his hed: Iustinian. the one was that the king turning to the Lord Haward, deputie for the King of England, and the Siegneour of Contay, expounding vn­to them the counterfence of this letter saied, I doe not meane that we should haue his body but his head only. The other was that the Lord of Lude demanded of Rapine if he knew where his masters ready money was, a word which should haue condemned the mouth from whence it came to perpetuall silenceBy the law of the Gymnoso­phists they that haue once accu­sed the vse of the tongue are condemned to perpetuall sy­lence. It was sooner deliuered then considered, there are witts which betraie wisdome and discretion, their suddainesse stayes vppon the first obiects, they are not allwayes ready. This speech should haue serued as a Trumpet to giue the Constable an Alarum, who vnderstanding what Rapine had done and heard, chose rather to commit his safty to a good place then to the Kings good words.

He had caused the Castell of Han to be built, and within it a Tower six and thirtie foote thick,Castell of Han built by the Constable. vppon the porte whereof there was seene a corde wouen with two tassells hanging on the one side and the o­ther, and this motto of his humor. Mon Mieux. He assured himselfe to finde his best alwayes in that place in the worst estate of his for­tune, and from thence hee should see, as from a safe shoare, the waues and winds play vppon France. But there is no rock nor Acro­corinthe that can hould at the presence of a Prince which meanes to punnish the infidelity of his subiect. Against a iust enemie they must make it knowne that a greate courage hath not lesse Clemencie bee­ing discouered, then valour in Armes.Mithrida­tus king of Bosphorus be­ing defeated & vanquish [...]d, he intreated the Emperor to make him fire warre, his an­swere was short and generous. That at Rome there was as much clemen­cy against the vanquished as courage a­gainst an ar­med enemie. But against disloyalltie and ingratitude all pitty is crueltie. Hee had propounded to retire him­selfe thether, but considering that hee should bee beseeged by the Kings forces and the Duke of Bourgundies, hee resolues to goe into Germany to imploy his mony in the pourchase of some place vppon the Rhine or else to passe into Spayne.Perplexi­ties of the Constable. There was not any Sainct in paradice in whom hee durst trust. By Sainct Quentin hee had al­waies shrowded himselfe from the thunderclaps of these two Princes. By Saint Quentin he did hope to passe without touch amidst so ma­ny arrowes that were shot at him. He would haue kept these Princes in feare & doubt, and they now driue him into an amazementA dangerous course to keepe his maister in feare and iealousie. Although that euery man (saith Phil. de Com) seekes to free himselfe from suspition and feare, and that euery man hates him that keepes him in it, yet there is not any one that in this point comes neere to Princes, for I neuer knew any but did mortally hate them that would keepe them in feare. and to [Page 199] the sad thoughtes of his ruine. This Castle of Saint-Quentin was but a prison vnto him,Great men in the gouernemēt of publike af­faires must make themselus famous and not enuyed by their pride and inso­lencie. hee neuer heares it named but his soule is tor­mented.

Hee added to these meditations publike hatred, raysed against him by the Insolency of his carriage, hauing vsed his great offices to pur­chase enuy of the great, and to oppresse the meaner sort, besides the libells & scandalous songs which had been heard publickly through­out Paris, the which had had more credit and course beeing prohibi­ted, then if the reading had beene allowed, for such drogues do presently loose their sent when they are vented, the trouble to re­couer them augments the currosity. Beeing prest and opprest with these difficulties, all resolution abandons him, as he had abandoned himselfe. There was danger in going forth, and danger in staying. France threatned him with death, England with captiuity, and Flan­ders with scorne.

In these trances and amazements which are not so great without as those which his Conscience giues him inwardly, to see that he is held of all men asIt were much better not to be in the number of men then to be held among those that are borne for the ruine of the cōmon-weale. borne to the ruine of the Common-weale; he cast his eyes to that part whereas nature had first opened them,The Con­stable re­ [...]ires to to Mons in Hainault. & desiring rather to giue himselfe vnto the Duke then to suffer himselfe to bee taken by the King, hee goes to Mons in Henault, vppon a pasport which they gaue him, with fifteene or twentie horse; not considering that the firmest frendship doth not passe the Altars nor the respects of dutie which we owe vnto superiors, and that in Accidents of iniustice the proofe isIt is dangerus to trie frends against Princes and lawes. Al­cibiades to make this triall one a time cal­led them whom he held to bee his friends and led them one after another into a darke place shewing them the Image of a dead body and saying that it was a man whome hee had slayne, intrea­ting them to helpe to bury him, but hee found but one among them all that would yeeld vnto it and that was Callias. Hap­py is hee that hath manie friends but vnhappy that hath neede of them. daungerous. He trusted in the Lord of Emery Balife of Henault his surest frend who commanded there for the Duke

It is hard to take an old fox,Mucho sabe la Raposa pero mas el que la toma A she Fox knowes much but he more that takes her. but in the end he is taken, and he that takes him is craftier then the fox. The King knowing that he was out of his burrow and in the Duke of Bourgundies Cuntrie, caused 800. horse to aduance with speede towards S. Quentine, to the end hee might take that place from him and with that all hope to recouer the Duke of Bourgondies frendship, so as beeing aduertised that the King was in it, and that he could not haue it from any other hand then from his,The King seazeth on S. Quentin. he did not remember the Constable, but to remember the re­uenge of the wrongs hee had done him.

The King who would not vse that power vnto the Constable which heauen hath not giuen to any but to Kings, had no care but to be ridd of the Constable,The power to saue men from death is so ex­cellent a guist (saith Seneca) as the Gods haue imparted it to none but Princes. he caused the Duke to be summoned to mainetayne & effect that which had bene concluded betwixt them vppon that subiect, seeing that he was retired into the Cuntries of his obedience. This promise bound the Duke to doe Iustice of the Con­stable within eight dayes, or to deliuer him vnto the King, who desi­red to haue him rather aliue then dead, to vse him at his discretion, and to make him loose his life as hee pleased, or to leaue it him for his glory.Euery man that owes his life, liues to his glory that hath giuen it him.

The Duke, who desyred to haue S^t. Quentin, Han, and Bohain, and could not haue them but by the performance of this promise, com­manded [Page 200] the figneour of Emery to giue the Constable a gard, and to command him to keepe his lodging. This was not enough; the King who would not loose the Constable, to haue the Duke to win him,It is not the meanes to bee rid of a bad ser­uant to chase him away and to disgrace him giuing him means to re­maine with his enemie, but he must be assured of him. If Iu­gurth had done so, he had esca­ped the treason of Bom [...]lcar. Salust sent the Lord of Bouchages to presse him eyther no dispatch him or to deliuer him vnto him. Hee had an Army ready in Champagne ready to suecor the Duke of Louraine if he discontented him by the breach of promise.

Although the Duke were wholie bent to ruine the Constable, yet did hee not thinke it reasonable to deliuer him into the Kings hands who had put himselfe vnder his protection, and therfore he delayed long the accomplishment of this promise. And on the other side the Constable, who saw nothing before his eyes but fearfull appari­tions, so as his imagination was continnually troubled with the imagination of the Kings reuenge and his Conscience finding no sa­tisfaction When the Conscience is not satisfied, all that seemeth good is bad. It is the priui­ledge of a good man to liue in tranq [...]ility of Conscience. in his fact, he besought the Duke to remember the faith which he had giuen him, to the which he had cast himselfe as into a hauen of safety against the long storme of his fortune.

But the Duke, who measured his religion by the ell of his profit, desiring infinitly to recouer S^t. Quentin, The Con­stable de­liuered to the King. after some delayes, he com­manded Hugones his Chancellor, and Imbercourt to deliuer him. These men on the other side being wronged by the Constable, ex­ecuted this commandement dilligently. It was a very sensible griefe In mis [...]ries the afliction is doubled when [...] he represents vnto himselfe the contentmēt which his [...] shall re­ceiue. Caesar b [...]ing surprised by Pyrats in Asia, & detai­ned prisoner by them be cryed out aloud. O what pleasure wilt thou haue C [...]assus when thou shalt heare of mine imprisonment Plut. in the li [...]e of Crassu [...]. to see his life & fortune at the discretion and scorne of his ene­mies, who led him to Peronne and consigned him to the bastard of Bourbon Admiral of France and to the Signeour of S^t. Pierre who conducted him to Paris. They did not long enioy the content of this reuenge of their enemy, for the Gantois shall soone after kill them in view of the Dutchesse of Bourgundy, who shall haue noe power to saue them.

The vnfortunate Constable,Prisoner in the Ba [...]le. clad in a black chamlet cloake lyned with veluet, mounted vppon a little nag, goes complayning of the breach of publike faith; as he accused his owne indiscretionA man of courage should do anything to free himselfe frō being made an example & the Infamy of publike Iustice. For this re­spect Eumenes coniured his soldiers to kill him, and spake these braue wordes vnto them. You haue no reason to feare that Antigonus will bee discontented, for he demands Eu [...]enes dead and not aliue. Or if you will not vse your hands to do this office, vnbind but one of [...] it shall suffice for that effect, and if happily you feare to put a sword into my hand, cast me bound hand & foot vnto wild beasts. and condemned himselfe alreadie by the feeling of his Conscience, so his seruants accused him of want of courage for that he had not at­tempted some other way rather then that of the Greue. Thereuppon they made him passe by S. Anthonies gate to enter into the Bastile, with his hat pulled downe in his eyes to hide his face, being full of palenesse and shame of so tragicall a condition. Three ho­wers after that the Dukes men had deliuered him they receiued let­ters of countermand, forbidding them to deliuer him, but this de­fence came too late.

The eyes of man cannot behold the Sunne firmely, yet they see it in a bason. It is impossible to comprehend the iudgments of the Sunne of Iustice, we must consider them in the life and variety of the Con­stable, [Page 201] which past like an arrow in the water, as soone as euer he was prisoner it was sayed that he would neuer come forth, and he him­selfe thought that in losing his liberty he could not saue his life, that he was a dead man, and that it was a folly to desire lifeHe that will not do any thing wherby it may be knowne dy­ing that hee hath liued, should not de­sire life. The Troglodytes said, that such a desire of life for one that had done no­thing worthy to liue, was an extreame mi­sery. Dio. lib. 3. c. 3. seeing that in liuing he could not doe any thing to reuiue his reputation.

When he was come into the Bastile he found the Chancellor there with the first President, and some councellors of the court, prepared to reuenge the publike iniurie, and to make knowne what the body feeles when the head is hurtAreius capi­to said, that it did much im­port the Com­mon weale to punish them rigorously who had in any sort attempted a­gainst the Prince, vnlesse they will say that the Body hath no cause to grieue when the head is wounded. Suet. The Admirall tould them that by the Kings commandement hee did deliuer the Constable ouer vnto them, to make his processe with all speede, vppon the letters written and sealed which the King of England and the Duke of Bourgundie and Bourbon had sent the which he presented vnto them.The want of rewarding the good is not so preiudiciall to an estate, as the impunity of the wicked.

The Empires of the world martcht vppon two feete, vppon the recompence of good and the punnishment of ill, and they must goe streight on the one, and not halt on the other, and yet it is better to faile on the right foote which is the reward of good, then on the left which is the punnishment of whomesoeuer. On this foote they went against the Constable, but somewhat to swiftly. Hee saw him selfe reduced vnto those termes as they did not regard his seruices past, but his present offences. He beares this affliction as impatient­ly, They carry prosperities in­solently and ad­uersities impa­tiently which thinke that neither the one nor the other can euer chāge. as hee past his prosperities insolently.

They began his processe by his answers. Hee must eyther speake or beee silent,His pro­cesse is made. his words discouer the treason, his silence the Tray­tor. There is nothing but pitty to speake for him, and there is not any to be foūd for crimes of this sort: His own writings were against him. He cōfest that to maintaine his office of Constable and trouble the Kings estate he had alwayes entertayned war betwixt the king, & the Duke of Bourgundy,His Con­ [...]ssions. & to this effect had giuen him his seale and promise that when as the souldiers which martcht vnder his com­maundement should be ready to strik hee would cause them retyre. That seing a marriageHe that de­sires to continue warre in an E­state, let him follow the Maxime of the Constable of S^t. Paul, alwaies to keepe the King in bad termes with the neerest of his bloud. As the Princes of the bloud beeing well vnited vnto the Prince make him to bee more assured and redoubted, so when as they are drawne away the state must needs suffer. Hereof we reade two goodly examples, one of Hipparcus in Thucid: the other of Sext Tarquinius in Tit Li [...]ius. treated and concluded betwixt the Duke of Guyenne the kings brother & the princesse of Castill he wrote vnto M^sr. aduising him to haue a care▪ how he proceeded, & as soon as he should be gone into Spayne to fetch his wife, the King was resolued to send an Army into the Dutchie of Guienne to dispossesse him, & to make him miserable, and that if he would giue eare to marry with the Duke of Bourgundies daughter, he assured himselfe to make him haue her, so as hee would send his seale to the Duke of Bourgundie, & that he would passe a procuration to obtaine a dispensation of the oth for his promse of marriage with the Princesse of Castill.

That the Duke of Bourgundie hauing sent a man expressely to him to haue his seale, the which he would send to the Duke of Sauoy, he would that they should paffe to the Duke of Bourbon, to draw him vnto their league and intelligence against the King, who an­swered [Page 202] them that he had rather be as poore as Iob There is no misery compa­rable to that which treason and infidel [...]ty causeth: and therefore the Duke of Bour­ben did rather choose the con­dition of Iob, then to reuolt against his K. then consent to their conspiracie, and that the end would be miserable.

That the king hauing commanded him to write to the king of England, to the Queen, to the Earle of Somerset and to M^sr. de Can­dalles touching the E. of Warwick, that he had writen quite contrary to the kings intentions. They desired to heare him touching the barre and Causey of Compeigne. At that word he found his owne mistaking, and that the perfection of mans actions depends of well knowing himselfeThe first pre­cept or rather the sum­mary of the Instructions of the conduct of mans life, is to know him­selfe wel. Ther­on depends the good or bad is­sues of actions. Heraclitus speaking of a great and high cogitation of his spirit, said that he sought himselfe.. He could not denie but that he had there play­ed the companion with his master. He confest that when he spake with the king neere vnto Compiegne, he had caused a barre to be made betwixt the King and him to the end he might talke in safe­ty, and yet the king notwithstanding past the barre to imbrace him and to intreat him to holde his partie, the which he promised and sware, & notwithstanding two dayes after the Duke of Bourgundy sent one vnto him to know if he would performe that which he pro­mised him, & to offer him a pension of a thousand pounds sterling.

That he had writen vnto the Duke of Bourgundie that he could finde meanes to seaze vppon the king and then kill him or carry him to any place, and that he would lodg the Quene and the Dauphin where as they should be allwaies found.

They shewed him the letters which he had written to the king of England,He acknowledgeth his letters writ­ten. and he doth acknowledg them, and if there had bene no other cryme,Phil. de Commines saith that the hast of this pro­ceeding was sound strange and that the King did much presse the Com­missioners. The Historiens haue not well obserued the time but wee may coniectur [...] it, in that the Earle of M [...]rle the Constables sonne sent on the 4. of De­cember a he­rald called Montioy, who did reside com­monly with the Constable to Iohn Ladre­che President of the accounts borne in Bra­bant to intreat him to succour and to stay the Constable if this were the beginning of his [...]mprisonment as it is credible, his processe was made in fifteene or sixteene dayes. it had bene sufficient to conuict him. The king did presse the Commissioners very earnestly, and they proceeded but slowly in a matter of that weight. The treason being apparent, their opinions tended to death by the courses of extremitie and of the highest point of Iustice, and the sentence was pronounced in Par­liament by the President of Popincourt.

It was necessary that the prisoner should heare it in Parliament,Hee is sent for to the Court of Parliament. and therefore the Siegneur of S^t. Pierre went early in the morning to the Bastile to fetch him, comming into his Chamber he deman­ded of him what he did, and if he slept? he answered that he had been long awake but he kept his bed, hauing his head full of fancies. The Siegneur of S^t. Pierre told him that the Court of Parliament had viewed his processe for the expedition whereof it was necessary hee should be heard. He rose and prepared himselfe to goe vnto the Pal­lace, not thinking that from thence he should be led vnto his death. And for that the Court had ordained that the Seignieur of Estoute­uille, Knight and Prouost of Paris, should accompany him, he grew into some iealousie that it was to draw him out of the hands of Philip Hu [...]llier Captaine of the Bastile, who was his friend, and intreated him mildly, to deliuer him vnto the Prouost of Paris his enemy, who he thought by an inhumane voluptuousnesTo laugh at another mans miserie is an inhumaine voluptuousnesse and to weepe at another mans harme is an eternall miserie, receiued great content at his misery.Hated and detested of the Parisiēs He feared also that the people, who hated him as much [Page 203] in the end, as they had admired him in the beginning,It is in our selues to be e­steemed, or scorned, Neuer mā was more con­temned in the beginning nor lesse in the en­ding then Bru­tus. and had conceiued an implacable hatred against him, and defamed his repu­tation both by writingsIn Iune 1471. the K. by a publike proclamation promised 300. Crownes to him that should dis­couer the au­thor of Libels that were made against the Constables ho­nor. Henry Mariette who had bin Liefie­nāt criminal of Paris, and Pe­ter Mercier a Scholler were committed to prison for that fact, but they were absolued. and wordes publikely, would do him some outrage as he past through the streetes. The Siegneur of S^t. Pierre assured him, and freed him from either feare, telling him that he went not out of one prison to go into another, and that he would neuer suffer him to be wronged in his company. Thus he went to the Pallace on horseback betwixt S^t Pierre and Estouteuille. Being come to the staires foot of the Pallace, the Lord of Gaucourt, Gouer­nour of Paris, and Denis Hesselin came to meet him, to lead him to the Tournelle, where he found the Chancellor, who hauing exhor­ted him to patience, demanded of him the order of S^t. Michel. The Constable took it from his neck, kist it, and gaue it him. He had re­ceiued it from the Kings owne hand, beeing the third of fourteene which first receiued it.

The Chancellor did also demand the Constables sword of him, VVhen men in high degrees are condemned to lose their liues, the death of honor by de­gradation goes before that of the body by pu­nishment.hee answered that it had beene taken from him when he was com­mitted to prison. This done the Chancellor retired himselfe and left the Constable in some hope that iustice would bee satisfied with this degradation of honor, and leaue him the remainder of his life as a guift, the which notwithstanding he should neither desire nor accept being offred, hauing lost that which was dearer then it.There re­maines nothing to loose for him that hath lost his reputa­tion. Hee dies too late that suruiues his honor.But be­hold the President of Popincourt which pronounceth his sentence and speakes to him after this manner. His sen­tence pro­nounced. The Court hath and doth declare you guilty of high treason, for the which it doth depriue you of the office of Constable of France and of all your offices, honors, estates and dig­nities, and for punishment it doth condemne you to suffer death, and to loose your head at the greue, in Paris, it declares all your goods moueable and immoueable forfeited to the King. And although, considering the foulenes of the great and execrable crimes of treason which you haue com­mitted, you should be quartered,By the great­nes of punish­ments they iudge of the foulnes of offē ­ce. Treason & felony haue al­waies beene se­uerely punished your foure quarters to bee hanged on the high waies, and your body on a Gibbet, yet for some considerations mouing the Court, namely for your last marriage, of which were issued Children, and other causes, it hath ordained that after publike execution done of your person, your body shal be laid in holy buriall if you require it.

The Constable with an amazement ordinarie in such strange and sodaine accidents, and excusable in the most constant men who suf­fer death resolutely,Foure Di­uines ex­hort the Constable to dye. and yet abhorre to see it,Nature ab­hors death. A valiant man goes freely vnto daungers, and yet is moued at them that miscarrie. There are some which receiue the stroake more Constantly the [...] they apprehend it. Sene. Epist. 58. answered. Ha God be praised, behold a hard sentence, I beseech him to giue me the grace to ac­knoledge him well this day. They gaue him foure Diuines to comfort him, but in these extremities consolation is a part of the misery. They dispose him to vnite all his thoughts to the last and most im­portant act of his life, to end it to his health,Iustice in destroying the bodie, giues allwayes time to thinke of the health of the soule. At the point of death man sets vp his rest that being lost their is noe more to loose. for it concernes the losse both of body and soule, Death being a game, which if it be well played they hazard little to gaine much.

[Page 204] He demanded of the Chancellor if he might not be allowed to re­ceiue the Sacrament, but it was denyed him,If the Sacra­ment be denied to them that are condemned by Iustice, the resolutions are drawne from the Coap. Super eo de heret, in 6 and c. que­stion 13. 9. 2. They thought it fit that a Masse should be said before him, and that at the end they should giue him holy bread, and so [...] continued with the Diuines, about the examination of his conscience, till betwixt two and three of the clocke in the afeernoone, and then hee was carried on horse­backe to the Towne-house, where hee disposed of that which the King suffered him to giue by his last will. Hee deuided among the foure companies of begging Friers threescore halfe Crownes, which were all the iewells he had sowed in his doublet, whereof the Hangman thought to make booty.Iohn King of Hāgary, whom Sultan Soli­man made K. of Buda, paying a tribut caused the head of Gritti, sonne to a Duke of Ve­nice, to be cut off. When the executioner had stript him, he found in his breeches a little purseful of pre­cious stones which were va­lued at 4000. crownes. Paul Iou. lib. 32. Many Princes & noblemen held it then, and do yet hold it an act of wisedome and foresight not to be without some peeces of gold, for that they may be driuen to that distresse, and so ill asisted by their followers as for want of an hundred Crownes, or much lesse, to stay the bad designe of some desperate fellow they may sodainely runne into some dangerous for­tune.

He had vppon his finger a ring with a small diamond; he intreated the Bishop of Paris his confessor to put it on the finger of the I­mage of our Lady of Paris, and to offer it on his behalfe. He charged another to giue vnto his Grandchild a stone, which he ware about his neck, and which resisted poyson, but the Chancellor kept it to present it vnto the King.

This disposition beeing made they led him to a great seaffold, from the which they did ascend to an other which was lesse, but higher, where he should receiue an end of his life,Death is sweet when it is the end & not the punishment of life. And they say it is a troublesome thing to die be­fore one be sick. for a punish­ment. Vpon the greater were the Chancellor, the Siegneur of Gau­court, and some other of the Kings Officers, all the place, and all windowes were full euen to the tops of houses. He went vp vnto the Scaffold with his hands vnbound,He is exe­cuted at the Greue. the executioner bound them with a little cord. They presented him a Cushion of other stuffe then those be wheron the ConstablesThe Chancel­lors & Consta­bles of France take their oth vnto the King, kneeling vpon a cushion of vel­uet, here they offer the Con­stable one of wooll, with the Armes of the City of Paris. of France take their oth vn­to the King. He remoued it with his foote and set it right, and then he kneeled downe with his face towards our Ladies Church. There in the sight of heauen and of two hundred thousand people, the fire-brand of warre was quencht the 29. day of December 1475 He dyed much amazed but full of deuotion and repentance:He dyed trembling. To dye trembling after that manner, was not to dye like a man who had carried the sword of France. The executioner should not haue been more hardy to strike,In what place soeuer death assailes a gene­rous man hee should die gene­rously. The ge­nerosity of cou­rage doth some­thing abate the infamie of the punishment. Rubrius Flauius being condemne thy Ne [...]o to loose his head, when as the execu­tioner said vnto him that he should stretch forth his neck boldy, he answered. Thou shalt not strike more boldly then I will present my head. then he to offer his neck to re­ceiue the blow. Thus he, who had no care, nor thought but of di­uision, had his head diuided from his sholders, the which as full of winde goes into the Ayre, and the bodie fals to the earth: the life which remained caused some little motion, which makes the head to moue apart, and the bodie apart, but it is without soule, [Page 205] for that is not diuided. The Franciscane Friars carried the bodie to their Church, and they said then vpon the dispute which they had with the Curate of S. Iohn, at the Greue, that two hundred Fria [...]s had had their heads cut off. Wee must conclude this dis­course with so certaine a Maxime as whosoeuer shall affirme it cannot lye. Neuer any one that dealt craftily with his Prince, but in the end he was deceiued, and there is nothing more certaine by con­siderations of presidents, experience and reason, that who so keepes his Master in feare forceth him to free himselfe.

This place remained vnsupplyed aboue fortie yeares,Importāce of the of­fice of Con­stable. for the command is so great ouer all the forces of the Realme, and the name of such lustre, as if it fals into the hands of an ambitious man, that is able to make his authoritie march equall with the Kings, if of a Prince of the bloud, he is the Kings King, if of an other the Princes and great men of the Realme will not obay him, and his commandement, as Bertrand of Gueschin said,Ber [...]rand of Gueschin refu­sed to accept the Office of Constable, for that he was but a simple Knight and dur [...]t [...] presume to com­mand the kings b [...]others, C [...]zins [...] not your selfe by this meanes, for I haue neither Brother, Cozin, nor Nephewes, Earle n [...]r Ba­ron within my realme, but shal obay you wil­lingly, if any one should doe otherwise, hee should displease me. Froislard. doth con­cerne the great rather then the lesse.

The Constables goods beeing forfeited were restored to Fran­cis of Bourbon Earle of Vendosme marrying Mary of Luxem­bourg. Her slender and small stature brought into this house the smalnes of bodies of those great Princes, who before were of that goodly and rich stature. The first beauty of men, admired, and desired in Kings.

As the King had shewed an example of his Iustice in the Consta­bles death,Duke of Alencon set at liber­tie. so did hee one of his bounty to the Duke of Alençcon, The D. of A­lencon was cō ­ducted from the Louure, to the house of Michel Luillier on Thursday the 28. of Decem­ber 1475 at six of the clock at night by Iohn Harlay Knight of the watch with foure tor­ches, as the Au­thor of the Chronicle doth ob­serue. whom he suffred to go out of the Louure where he was a prisoner and to be lodged in a Burgesses house of Paris. The fortune of this Prince was to be pittied, and the consideration of his birth bound the Princes to commiseration. Hee was of the bloud of France, and the house of Alençon was a branch of that of Valois. Charles of France Earle of Valois had two sonnes. Philip of Valois King of France, and Charles of ValoisCharles of Valois, Brother to Philip of Valeis King of Frāce had four sonnes by Mary of Spaine his se­cond [...] wife. Charles who was a Iacobin, and then Arch­bishop of Lyon, Peter Earle of Alencon, Philip Archbishop of [...], and Robert Earle of Perch. Earle of Chartres, and then of Alençon who dyed at the Battell of Crecy. He was father to Iohn first Duke Duke of Alençon, who married Marry of Britta­nie, and by her had this Iohn the second of that name Duke of A­lençon, his sonne Rene Duke of Alençon married Margaret of Lor­raine by whom he had Charles the last Duke of Alençon married to Margaret of Orleans, the onely Sister of King Francis the first, and died without children.

By the Constables death the Duke of Bourgundy receiued from the King St. Quentin,Profit and blame of the Duke for the Constables death. Han, and Bohain, and the spoiles of the dead which might amount to fourescore thousand crownes. He was sorie that he had lost him who had made him haue so good a share in France. He was blamed to haue giuen him a safe conduit and thenBehold the iudg­ment, which the Lord of Argen­ton makes vpon this deliuerie. There was no need for the D. of Bourgundie who was so great a Prince & of so famous and honorable a house to giue an assurance to the Constable to take him which was a great crueltie, the Battel where he was certain of deth, and for couet­ousnes. deliuer him,1476. and to deliuer him to him that pursued him after the assurances of Protection and defence. This breach was noted for an infallible presage of the ruine of his house.

[Page 206] The Annales of the Franche Contie of Bourgundy adde an other cause, which was, that the Duke had seazed of a great sum of money at Aussone, which was leuied by the publication of the Croisadoe, and appointed for the warre against Infidels. From that time he approched still neere vnto this precipice, making his graue in his owne designes, as Silke-wormes die in their owne workes. Hee began to distrust his owne subiects and to take stran­gers. When aA Prince is much weakned that it forced to distrust his sub­iects, & to im­ploy strangers, whose obedi­ence, affection, and fidelitie is not tyed to any other respect but their pay. They think they are freed from their saith whē as mony failes. Prince is brought to that miserie, all goes to ruine. He reuiues in his soule all the thoughts which he former­ly had to be reuenged of them that had offended him. He will dis­patch them first whom he holds the weaker, and remembring that being before Nuz, Rene Duke of Lorraine had defied him, spoiled the Duchie of Luxembourg, and razed Pierrefort, in reuenge, for that after the death of Iohn Duke of Calabria and Lorraine,The Duke of Bour­gundy de­clares war against the Duke of Lorraine. hee had taken him prisoner, he resolued to make him repent it, where­vpon he armed for the conquest of Lorraine, by the which, besides the hereditarie Titles of King of Ierusalem and Sicile, which are in this house, he promised to make himselfe so mighty against the Germans, as he would make the Emperor repent that hee had de­nied him the title of King.

Ambition troubles his imaginations; it represents vnto him all that in possession which he hath but in hope; he beleeues that all the ships that goe vppon the sea are his;Ambitions great de­signes. Ambition re­presents things as the ambiti­ous man de­sires or pro­pounds them. It troubles the imagination. Trasillus thinks that a [...] the ships which are in Pyrce haue se [...] sayle for him, he keepes a Re­gister of them, and is sory that his brother Ca­ton seekes to disswade him, for hee is neuer better content then with these imaginations. but as the moone is ecclipsed when she is full, so fortune, which had so much fauoured him, grew darke when as he thought it had bene compleat. He thought to haue his triumphant chariot drawn not by Lions like to Marc Anthony, nor by Elephants as Pompey, nor by stags like Aurelian, but by Princes like Sesostris. The insolency of Sesostris King of Egipt in prosperity [...] so great and disordred, as he caused foure Kings to dra [...] his Chariot in stead of horse, the one of them fixing his eyes still vppon the turning of the wheele burst out in laughter, and being demanded bg S [...]sostris why he laught: This wheele (said this poore Prince) turning that vp which was below, makes me remember my Condition, and to thinke that yours may be the like. He is as neere as Sesostris to try the instability of this wheele, and that the fauours of fortune are no presents but baites.

The Earle of Campobach passing by Lion to goe into Italy had made offer vnto the king to deliuer vnto him the Duke his master,Attemp [...] a­gainst the Dukes life discouered by the King eyther a prisoner or dead, assuring that hee could doe it easily, the one by poyson, and the other when as the Duke should be riding vp­pon a nag to view his Army, as he was accustomed. He discouered this ingratefull & damnable Intention to Simon of Pauia a Phisition of Lion, & to S^t. Pry the Kings Ambassadour in Piedmont. The king did abhorre and detest such a wickednesse, to the which the generosi­ty of the bloud of France would neuer haue suffered him to consent to gaine the monarchie of the world.The answer was noble of Alphonso the first King of Naplês to Roger Earle of Pallanza, who offred to kill▪ the King of Castile. If it were (said he) to be King of all the world I would neuer consent [...]o such a wickednes. A prince that seekes to ryd himselfe of an enemy otherwise then by the course of Armes is wic­ked. All treason is cursed and execrable. Hee aduertised the Duke It is an act of a free and generous spirit to reiect those that offer to betray their maisters. Fabricius sent him to Pyr [...]us who had offered to poi­son him. by the Siegneur of Contay, but he contemned this aduice, being vnable to iudge of the intention of him that gaue it, and thinking [Page 207] that it was to draw the affection of a profitable & necessary seruant into iealousie, he seemed to make more esteeme of this Traitor then he had done euer. The [...]ame yeare 1476. in October Iohn Bon a Welch-man borne, and a houshold seruant to the King, was puni­shed at Paris, for that he had conspired to poison the Dauphin. He was condemned by the Prouost of the Kings house to loose his head: being ready to be executed the King sent vnto him to know whether he had rather loose his eyes then his head, hee answered yea: then the executioner put out his eyes and deliuered him to his wife.

The Duke was then very busie at the siege of Nancy, Campobache, who was very confident to Rene, disswaded this enterprise. The Duke not able to taste the reasons which he represented vnto him, suffred himselfe to be so transported with Choller, as he strooke him, and yet against all reason and the rules of wisedome, which doe not allow any trustA man of cou­rage which hath receiued an indignitie or outrage de­sires to bee re­uenged, & doth long harbour this desire in his heart, after which they must discharge him, and n [...]uer trust him more. It is the precept of Thucidides, whosoeuer finds himselfe vniust­ly wro [...]ged by him, that had no occasion, if he can once get from him, he will seeke to haue a more sharpe reuenge then an open e­nemie. to bee giuen to seruants that haue been so intreated, he kept him still about him.

He preuailed ouer Nancy, and Lorraine yeelded to the yoke. This was not sufficient;The Duke of Bour­gundy sea­zeth vpon Lorraine. Ambition prescribed him new designes. He remembred that whilst he was incamped before Nuz, the Suisses entring into Bourgundie had taken Blasmont, besieged Hericourt, and defeated two thousand Bourgundians in Battell. He remembred the complaints which Iames of Sauoy Earle of Ro­mont, brother to the Duke of Sauoy, had made vnto him, he de­sires to reuenge it in his reuenging humor,Duke armes against the Suisses. and with it the Soue­raigne Maiestie of Princes, which was wronged by the rising of this people, who being in league to become masters of them­selues, said that the troupe was better kept by many then by one alone,They that pre­fer the gouern­ment of many before that of one, say that a flock is better kept by many dogs then by one alone. They are answered, that a ship which hath ma­ny Pilots or Masters is in m [...]re danger thē that which hath but one good one. and in lesse then an hundred yeares had extinguished in their countrie the memory of those which had commaunded ouer them.

The King coniured him not to trouble himselfe with the con­quest of a countrie where he could not enter the stronger,He seekes to reuenge the Earle of Romon [...]s wrong. but with hazard to die of hunger, nor weake but to be beaten, that the enemies whom he tormented had paine inough to liue in peace, and that he should seeke some better.Against an enemie that it poore and mise­rable, there is no great hope of war nor pro­fit. They did councell Iulian the Emperor to make warre against the Gothes. I will said he, haue better enemies, we must leaue them to the Marchants who sell them as they please. Sigonius Lib. 6. Imp. Occid.

The King parted from Tours in the beginning of February,The Kings voyage to Lyon. in the yeare 1476. he past into Bourbonois and Auuergne, stayed at our Lady of Puis, from thence to Lyon, and so into Dauphine. It was to assure his frontier,On that side where a neighbour is armed, they must alwaies prouide for the frontier. the Duke of Bourgundy and the Suis­ses being in Armes, and to be neere at hand to see what would bee the issue of their quarrell. A desire to haue often aduice made him to erect posts.Posts ere­cted. Hee did much apprehend the Duke of Bour­gundies progresse against the Suisses, the which would haue ad­ded much vnto his power, for he had all the house of Sauoy at his dispose, and the Duchesse, although she were the Kings Sister, was [Page 208] most passionate for the red Crosse.The Duke of Bourgōdy gap't af [...]er the Duchy of Milan, Rene King of Sicile and Duke of Aniou held the conquest infal­lible, and there­fore hee desired to adopt him for his sonne, & to giue him the County of Pro­uence. The D. vpon this [...]ope had sent Chas­teau Guien in­to Pi [...]dmont to leuy men, and to make them passe into Prouence. The King of Sicile Earle of Prouence offred him Prouence. Galeas Duke of Milan was his Ally. The Princes of Italy were of his intelligence, it was a won­derfull content vnto him to see so many seeke his friendship,The off [...]rs of succors of alli­ance & friend­ship are pleasing when they may bee forborne. Magnificum. saith Tacitus, Laetumque [...], tis sociorum auxiliis ambiri ne (que) indigere. It is stately to bee offered so great succors from Allies & not to need thē. and to be able to passe without theirs. The Germans told the King that if hee did not declare himselfe against the Duke, they would make an accord with him to make warre against the King.

The King who saw farre of and behind him, thought that his affaiers could not long prosper, if the Dukes enterprise did succeed against the Swisses. The Swisses being aduertised of his resolution to assaile them, they prepared to let him know, that as a desire of comand was naturall in him,The Swisses craue peace of the duke of Bour­gundy. so a resolution to defend them-selues was also natural vnto them.There are no such people to be found. There were neuer any so simple as to submit them­selues volonta­rily to seruitude without defēce or resistance. As it is natural for the Siciliens, saith Hermo. crates, to seeke to domineere ouer those that doe willingly submit them­selues, so it is proper for a mā to defend himselfe from the iniuries that any one would doe him. Thucid. But to lay al the blame vpon him, they sent him their deputies to beseech him to leaue them in peace, they offer to forsake all Alliances which should bee offensiue vnto him, euen that of France, that their countries deserued not the paines he should take, for all the spoyle and ransomes his soldiars could hope for was not worth his horsemens spurres and bits. The deputies of the Cantons, which were then but eight commonaltiesThe liberty of the Swisses began in the yeare, 1315. by the Allyance of Vry, Schuits and Vnderuald▪ Lucerne did ascociate it selfe to these Cantons in the yeare, 1332. Zurich. 1350. Zug and Glaris. 1352. Firbourg, and B [...]rne, 1401. S [...]leure. 1481. Basill and Schaffosue in the yeare, 1501. App [...]zel. 1514. returned with nothing but words of choller from this Prince who was offen­ded, both for the succor they had giuen to the Duke of Lorraine, and for the iniury they had done to the Earle of Romont, hauing taken from him a cart loden with sheepes skins, so small an iniury was the ruin of his house, whose most illustrious mark was the Gol­den Fleece of a sheepe.

This warre being begun for lesse then figs or raysyns, or the head of a wild boareSmale matters haue drawne great armies to field. A Swisse named Elico brought figs and raynsis out of Italy to the Gaules, to make them know the abondance and delights of the Contry: vpon which motion the Gaules past the Alpes. The Lombards were inuited by the like allurements. The war betwixt the Etoliens and Arcadiens was long and bloudy for the head of a wild b [...]are. discharged his first furies vppon Yuerdun,Light occa­sion of the war against the Svvisses. the which was taken and recouered againe in few daies, Granson, a town neere vnto the Lake of Neuf Chastell, was beseeged and defended onely by foure huundred Swisses of the Canton of Berne, who not finding themselues strong enough,Army strōg in men and artillery a­gainst the Svvisses. nor the towne to be held against so great forces (for the Duke had fifty thousand men, and a great number of ordynance, of diuers sorts)I. de Serres writes that the Duke of Bourgondy had fiue hundred peeces of ordinance of all sorts. The History of the Swisses reports that they tooke in the spoyles, 400. peece [...] [...]ey. 400 allerlye buchsē If wee consider the equipage ne­cessary for all this, wee will h [...]ld it a fable. they abandone it and fire it, and then retire into the Castell, where they compounded to haue their liues saued. The Capitulation was not obserued, for the Duke being incensed that the beseeged had endured many daies seege,Seege of Granson. caused foure score to be hanged, two hundred to be drowned, and the rest to be put to ransome: an Act which thrust the other townes into despaire, and gaue them so much courage, as they resolued neuer to trust this Princes faith any more, and rather to see them­selues ruined then to yeeld.

Being victor ouer this first resistance, he promised vnto himselfe [Page 209] the like issue,The Duke shewes all his riches at the seege of Granson. and as he was in the Mountaines, not to fight but to triumph, he discoursed rather what he should doe after the victory, then what was to bee done.It is a ridi­culous presump­tion to assure himselfe of that which depends of the inconstā ­cy of fortune, Caesar mockt at Pompeys cap­taines, who tal­ked more how they should vse the victory, thē [...]ow they shold fight. Nec qui­bus rationibus superare pos­sent, sed quem­admedum vti victoria debe­berent, [...]ogita­bant▪ Caes. lib. 3. de Bel. Ciuil. His Campe was a generall shew of the riches and state of his house, the content whereof depended more of other mens eyes then of his owne. He neuer shewes him­selfe but in rich and stately armes, the pure gould was not more pre­cious. Hee shewes not himselfe to forraine Ambassadors but glis­tering with stoanes, his tents and pauillions were of cloth of gold, and his mouables inestimable, for there was more in that house then in three of the greatest of Europe, his equipage was also as rare in proffitable peeces, as that of Darius was in vnproffitable mouthes: more fitting for an army of women or of Eunukes.Parmenio writing to A­lexāder of that which hee had found in Dari­us b [...]g [...]age, nū ­bers, 300 Cur­tesā [...] for musick, 46 mē to make Crownes and garlands of flowers, 270. makers of sau­ [...]es, 29. Potters, 40. Perfumers and about, 80. Officers of the Goblet, Athen. lib. 13. ca 30.

The Swisses gather together to succor Granson, thinking that the beseeged would giue them time. The Canton of Berne sent eight thousand men,Swisses co [...] to succor Granson af­ter the losse. and the rest made tenne thousand, they came to Neuf Chastell the day of the Composition, which was the last day of February, 1476. On Saterday the third of March they went to field with an order seemlie in all things, but very profitable and goodly for the warre,There is no­thing so com­mendable in warre as order bee it in mar­ching or figh­ting. Xene­phon saith that it is the goodli­est & most pro­fitable thing in men. Among the precepts of Vegetius this is singular, Vt omnes milites in acic vel in itinere incedendi ordinem seruent. v [...]g [...]t. C. [...]. That all the soldiars should kepe order, either standing in Battell, or marching. beeing come to Basts, a village aboue Neuf Chastell, they would haue seazed vpon the Castell of Famer­ku which is shut vp betwixt the Mountaine and the Lake, whereof the Duke had seazed the Day before; the Army hauing recouered the top of the hill, they descouered that of the duke of Bourgoundy standing in three great Bartaylons, and their ordinance before them: The Swisses did not thinke to haue seene them so soone in that order, and found that it was in good earnest, and that they must of necessity ioyne.

Wherfore they caused their forward to march in the which were the troupes of the Cantons of Bierne,Incounter of both ar­mies at Granson. Schuitz and Biene, the Bat­tle followed afterwhere were the Banners and standards of the Can­tons, which are neuer displaied but vpon great occasions when as the Common-weale is in danger.

They keepe them alwaies in the middest of the bodie of the armie, as the most sacred and in violable peeces of the ar­my; they hold it infamous and vnfortunate to loose them. The reproches which are at this day most sharpe and shamefull among them, renew the memory of such losses.They reproch them of Zurich, who for that they had lost their enseigne a [...] a Battell giuen at Vuinterberg, had sence added a band of purple, but the markes of this quality were blacke. And this hath beene giuen to Zurich by the Emperor Raoule of Ha [...]spourg, for an honor. Simlerus. A towne cannot giue a greater testimony of want of vallor then to haue lost her enseigne, as a soldiar cannot doe an Act more vnworthy of his profession then to abandon his collours.The Romaine soldiar tooke an oth to follow his Generall in all places, not to attempt any thing against the people and not to abandon his Enseigne.

They had some few horse led by Erman of Eptingen. Those of St [...]ausbourg beeing about one thousand and two hundred horse, lost the opportunitie to be there, hauing charged their quarter the [Page 210] day before for the discommoditie of forrages, not thinking that the Duke of Bourgundy would appeare so soone. The footmen of Basill were appointed for the reere-ward, least the enemie should come and charge them behinde.

In the meane time the Duke moues,The Dukes Armie put into [...] Battels. he drawes his three Bat­tailons together, and causeth some lances to aduance to begin the charge, they giue with great cryes (signes of courageCries in the beginning of a Battel were held by the Ro­mans for a de­sire to fight and an abundance of courage. A Captaine in the second booke of Tit. Liu. speaks after this man­ner to his soldi­ors, Si iam satis animi est, de­cerni (que) placet a gite dum, cla­morem, qualē in acie sublatu­ [...] estis, his tol­lite, Iudicem voluntatis, vir­tutis (que) vestrae. If you haue yet corage inough, and desire to be noted, goe on & raise vp such a cry, as you are accustomed to doe in Battell, which is a signe of your w [...]ls and vertues.) and fury vpon the Suisses Battell, which withstood them valiantly. At the same time the Suisses horsemen charged the Dukes armie in flanke, and the footemen followed with such violence as the Bour­gundians were forced to retire; those that were in the last rankes tooke this recoyling for a flight, and put themselues in disorder.

Those few horse which had done this effect,Victorie of the Suis­ses and re­couerie of Granson. would haue pur­sued them that fled, thinking that they might with reason doubt of their courage against them that held good, if they shewed not some proofes against them that ranne away.He that doth not charge th [...] that wauer, wil be very staied against thē that stand firme. One said vnto Agis, that hee should let his enemies passe. And how then shall we charge them that resist if we doe not fight with them that fly? Plut. But the Colonel Eptingen stayed them, shewing them how dangerous it was, for so small a number to follow so great and mighty an Armie,The Romane Army did com­monly consist of 24000. men, & for the most of fifty thou­sand. With this number they did incounter the Gaules and Affricans. They made war with order and Art, and these with numbers & fury. which was yet whole, and had endured no other harme, but what had happened by their amazement; That they might rallie themselues againe together, turne head, and take from them the aduantage which they had, and that very easily, being farre from their foote, who could not follow the chase.

The Duke had but too many men. Multitudes haue not alwaies gotten the greatest victories. Pyrrhus demanded but fifteen thou­sand men to assaile the world. There was a little Hill neere vn­to it, on the which the Duke gathered together what troupes he could, and presented himselfe to fight, but the Suisses incoura­ged and puft vp with the good fortune of this first incounter re­turned furiously to the charge. The Dukes horsemen found their owne weakenes against these great Battailons of Pikes; if they had left their horses the charge had been greaterPhilip Viscomte D. of Milan being assailed by 1 [...]000. S [...]sses, sent the Earle of Carmagnoles with 6000 horse, and some few foot to [...]ght with them, he was repulst with losse, but finding the great aduantage of the Suisses armes against horsemen, he resol [...]ed to returne, and being neere [...]e caused his men at Armes to light, who br [...]ke the Suisses, slue 15000, and the rest laying down their Armes yeelded▪ but the amaze­ment was such as the Dukes Armie resolued as soone to a Gene­rall abandon of Campe, baggage and Artillerie, as to fight.

The Suisses recouering Granson, they tooke them of their Na­tion downe whom the Duke had caused to bee hanged, and in their place hung vp as many Bourgundians with the same halters. The spoile was aboue three millions in gold, moueables & iewels, whereof the victors made so little esteeme, through the ignorance of price of things, as they gaue gold for copper, and siluer for tynne; They tare tents and pauillions of cloth of gold in peeces to apparell their wiues and children. They liued yet in the com­mendable ignorance of money which made Sparta for fine hun­dred yeares the Queene of Greece.Soarta flourished by the lawes of Lycurgus, but when as vnder the raigne of Agis it began to know gold & siluer, and to loue and admire riches, then werethey vio­lated and came to nothing. Plut. in the life of Li [...]urgus.

[Page 211] The Dukes great Diamond which was held a master peece of the sun, was sold for a Florin to a Priest, who was so religious as he sent it to the Magistrates of his Canton, who gaue him six shillings starling. They say that this peece past through many hands for a small price, at last it came vnto a Geneua Marchant remaining at Lyon, who sold it for eleuen thousand Florins, and then Pope Iulio the second had it for twenty thousand. They found also three Rubies alike, which were called the three Brethren, with other inestimable Iewels, which were little esteemed by the Suisses. Their Generall made many Knights after this victorie, three of Zurick, foure of Berne, two of Basill, and some of Strausbourg. Valour is no lesse respected in Common-weales then in Monarchies, in the first they loue valiant men, in the other they feare them, and al­though that in the common-wealesThere pro­ceed more ex­cellent men [...] of Common­weales then out of Realms for that men gr [...]w excellent & make proofe of their vertue as they are im­ployed & re­warded by the Prince or com­monweale, so as where there are many Prin­cipalities and diuers Est [...]tes so they also find greater [...]obers of valiant men. Asia had sew for that it was all vnder the Empire of one alone. Affricke in like manner, Carthage hath raised many. Emrope hauing been diuided into many Em­pires, hath had more then all the rest, and the feare they haue had one of another hath made the profession of Armes to flo­rish and that they which haue excelled haue been par­takers of ho­nors and pub­like recompen­ces. they apprehend alwaies least some one which excels the rest in merit, should attempt to exceed them in authoritie: yet it is certaine that Europe for that it hath had more common-weales then Affricke or Asia, beeing sub­iect to the power of one alone, hath had more excellent Captaines then those, and after that Rome had made but one state of all the world, and that vertue had no other Theater but Rome the Estates of Europe began to neglect the excellencie of Armes, vertue giuing her fauours and recompences no where but at Rome.

This was a great Corosiue vnto him, to see himselfe vanquished by them whom hee contemned and held vnworthy of his courage, but much more to see that his reputation which hee had so high­ly preserued was blemished for that it was well knowne that he had come from Granson to Ioigne without any staye, and that it was a dishonorable thing that footmen had caused such mighty troopes of horse to flie fifteene leagues.Courage of the D. of Bourgondy after the Battell lost.

But he hath courage enough remaining not to faint vnder the ri­gour of this misfortune. He doth not blame his own rashnes but the blindnes of fortune, and the daily hazard of armes. He hath lost nothing but what may be recouered for money, the losse concerned himselfe alone and if it deserued greefe no heart should bee toucht therewith but his. He thought that the greatnes of his houseIndiscretion doth [...]alwaies take fortune to warrant her from reproch for her bad gouernment. Fortune alone is commended ir, all mens Actions soly esteemed and soly outraged, and soly blamed for bad euents. and of his fortune stood yet firme as long as hee had an army on foot. He coniured the chiefe noblemen which suffered in this losse to for­get it, and to change their greefe into wrath against enemies vnwor­thy of such a booty, & to make them buy the little profit which they had gotten at a deere rate.The words which proceede from the mouth of a Prince after any lo [...]se should bee generous. M. Crassus seeing that the Parthians carried the head of Pub: Crassus his sonne vppon a lance and that this sight did daunt the courage of his souldiers, he went through the band crying out the griefe of this losse doth concerne mee alone, but the greatnes of the Fortune and glory of Rome remaynes inuincible so long as you stand firme: Yet if you haue compassion on mee who haue seene mee loose so vertu­ous and so valiant a sonne, I beseech you to conuert it into wrath against your enemies, and make them bu [...]e the ioy which they haue receiued deerely.

Thus he resolued to haue his reuenge, but nothing troubled him but the King. He feares that he will make his profit of this losse, [Page 212] and that he will anoy him, wherefore he sends the Siegneur of Con­tay vnto him,The Duke seeks for a continu­ance of the Truce with the King. to aduertise him of this accident, and the opinion hee hath to repaire it to his aduantage beseeching him with words of hu­mility, befitting the condition of his affaires more then the greatnes of his courage to entertaine the Truce, and to excuse him if he came not to Auxerre as they had concluded together.

Although the Duke were in bad estate, yet the King considering that he had lost nothing but his reputation, and that he had his estates and forces entire, would not breake with him, but assured him all that he desired for the Truce. He could not beleeue that this Prince was ruined, so long as he had a sword remaining in his hand.The loss [...] of reputation is great, i [...] should neuer be hazarded, but it may be recouered if the estate re­maine, it be­ing lost they la­bour in vaine to returne a­gaine; a van­qu [...]shed prince is m [...]s [...]rable that is expelled his estates. hee knew that his subiects carried so great a [...]ection and loialty that they would not suffer him long in that necessity, that armes were change­able and that all the nations in the world had many examples, and France some, how that the vanquished had subdued the victors and that a Prince is not ruined so long as hee hath a spirit, hope and a sword remaining.As long as a Prince keepes himselfe vp how ruinous soeuer his af­faires hee, wee must not [...]ould him for lost. Masanissa bee­ing put to rout by Siphar, sa­ued himselfe by swimming▪ hid himse [...]fe in a Caue being bru­ted that he was dead. He went to field beeing cured of a wound recei­ued, and re­couered his Realme. Leo­nidas sonne to Syph [...]x expel­l [...]d him another time, hee fled with 70. horse and by Scipios meanes was re­stored.

The King informed himselfe particularly of this defeat, Contay told him that there were but seauen men at armes slaine,Number of them that were slaine in the bat­tell. but the losse of the baggage was inestimable. The King being among his most confi­dent seruants made it appeare that nothing displeased him so much as the little number. Hee commanded them to make Contay good cheere, who made no shew to heare the people of Lions singing through the streetes the shame and ruine of this battel, the courage of the Suisses and the rashnes of the Bourgondians, for at that time there was not a Battell but there was presently a Song made of it.The custome is very antient to make hymms and Songs of Battells and victories. There are ex­amples in Ari­stophanes and in Plutark in the life of Fla­minius. Charle maigne caused a collection to be made of all the rimes of the like subiect.

This hard incounter bred a great alteration in mens mindes and affections. Those which feared the courage and admired the prospe­rity of this Prince, began presently to contemne him after the newes of this rout. There was not any friend, no loue. Galeas Duke of Mi­lan renouncing the alliance the had made with him, besought the King to renew those which he formerly had with France, and offers him a hundred thousand Ducats. The King made this braue & proud answer to his Ambassador. Tell your maister that I will none of his money, and that once in a yeare I leuie three times more then hee, as for peace and warre I will dispose as I please, but if he repent himselfe to haue left my alliance to imbrace that of the Duke of Bourgondy, I am content to returne as we was: vpon which wordes the Truces were pub­lished againe.

This good newes augmented the content which the King tooke at Lion, whether Rene Duke of Aniou came to see him. This good Prince who had seene the death of his three sonnes,Rene Duke of Aniou comes to the King. and had but one daughterRene Duke of Aniou had by Isabel daughter to Charles Duke of Lorayne three sonnes who died in the flower of their yeares. Iohn Duke of Calabria. Nicholas Duke of Bar. Lewis marquis of Pont, and yoland. put the Duke of Bourgondy in some hope that hee would adopt him for his sonne: and transferre the rightes of his house to the Crowne of Sicile, with the Earledome of Prouence [Page 213] and this Prince had already sent Chasteau Guion into Piedmont with 20. thousand crownes to leuie soldiers and to passe them into Pro­uence, to take possession thereof. The King being aduertised heere­of sent to Phillip Earle of Sauoy to seaze vppon Chasteau Guion with his money and men. Hee had great difficulty to saue his owne person but lost his money, adding this losse to others which his maister had receiued.

The King intreated him to come to Lion, and not to deale with the Duke of Bourgondy who sought to ruine him. The good old man being discontented with the Duke of Lorraine, who had for­ced him to giue his daughterAfter the death of Charls the first of that name▪ Duke of Lorraine, Rene Duke of Aniou pretended the Duchie, as hus­band to Isabell daughter to Charles. Hee lost a Battell against the Earl of Vaudemont, and was taken prisoner & for­ced to giue his Daughter Yo­land to Ferry of Lorraine son to Anthony Earl of Vaude­mont. Yoland of Aniou to Ferry his sonne, resolued to this voyage.Complaint of the Du: of Aniou made by the Seneshall. Hee led with him Iohn Cosse Seneshall of prouence, who with a freedome worthy of the age wherin he liued and little knowne to them of his nation, (for he was a Sicilien) let the King vnderstand that all whichRene of Si­cile sold to Le­wis of Chalon the homage & soueraigntie of the Principali­tie of Oranges, his Son submit­ted it to the Parliament of Dauphiné, and afterward K. Lewis restored it vnto him. Duke Rene had treated with the Duke of Bourgondy touching Prouence & Sicily, and that which he had dismembred to the benefit of the Prince of Orange, was only to make his maiesty know the wrong which hee had done him in de­taining the Castles of Bar and Angers, and crossing him in all his affaires, that this dispight had forced him to these resolutions, the which notwithstanding he had no desire to effect if he might other­wise haue reason from his maiesty.

The King taking the libertie of this Discourse in good part, as free from flatterie, and seasoned with discretion,To fit a dis­course to flatte­ry for to please, is impudencie, but it is a great indiscretion to be to free and hardy, to auoid pleasing & flat­terie. They must obserue a mean. Seemelinesse comes from me­diocritie. [...] Plut. he found truth in it which he could not gainesay, the which did binde him by all courtesie and good vsage to deface the discontents which the good old man his Vnckle King of Sicile had against him. The Chronicle saith, that he made him great cheere at Lyon, he made him see the faire of S^t Iohn, and the faire Dames of Lyon, but hee did well requite this good cheere, for before hee parted hee contented the King with such assurances as he desired to adde Prouence to the Crowne.

The Duke of Bourgundy had besieged Morat,Morat besie­ged by the Duke of Bourgundy a small Towne two leagues from Berne with an armie of fourescore thousand men. The Suisses had twelue thousand Pikes, ten thousand Hal­bards, and ten thousand shot. The Duke of Lorraine came also with such troupes as the King had giuen him, and although the number were not great, yet hee was commended by the Suis­ses. They were weary saith Phil. de Com. in our Court of the D. of Lor­raine. When a great man hath lost al his owne, most cōmonly he tires them that support him. There might be in all some thirty two thousand foote, and three or foure thousand horse.

The Duke of Bourgundy held it impossible for the Suisses or the Duke of Lorraine to succour Morat,Battell of Morat won by the Suisses. and yet they did attempt it and execute it very happily. As they approched the Duke salu­ted them with his Canon which did play so furiously vppon their troupes as presently there were many horses seene without ri­ders. The Suisses notwithstanding march on, for the way was such as they must either aduance forward or retire back: they char­ged the Dukes troupes, beat them back, and force many to seeke [Page 214] their safeties in the Lake, into which they waded vp to the chins: but they were noe more assured in the water then on the land, the fury of the victorious souldiour slue them like Duckes. It was pre­sently made red with the bloud of this slaughter, many fled to the next Forrest, and were slaine there. The Duke returned from Suis­serland, asHe that will see in what e­quipage Xerxes returned out of Greece, w [...]e­ther he had led a hūdred thou­sand men, let him read the tenth Satire of Iuuenall.* Xerxes did out of Greece.

The Suisses hauing continued three dayes vpon the place of Bat­tell, they dismist halfe their troupes, and with the rest recouered the places which the Duke had taken, Petterlingen, Romon and Mil­den: they enter at Losanna without resistance and find that all were fled.Suisses en­ter the contrie of Vaux. They become masters of all the countrey of Vaux, and think to doe as much vnto Sauoy, to make it knowne that they that would not be their friends, were their enemies,Aristenus saith in the 9. Book of Titus Liu. speaking of the E [...]oliens. Romanos aut socios habere oportet, aut hostes, media via nulla est. The Romans must either haue fellowes and friends, or enemies there is no middle way. that there was no meane betwixt both. The Lady Yoland, Mother and Gouernesse to the Duke had broken the Treaties of Alliance, hauing fauoured the Earle of Romonts quarrell against them, and giuen passage to the Duke of Milans troupes, and to the Bourgonians to make warre in Suisserland.Geneua compounds with the Suisses. The Towne of Geneua paying foure and twenty thou­sand Florins was presented from the storme which their Bishop of of the house of Sauoy had drawne vpon them.

The Duke retired into the Franch Contie,Affliction of the Du: after the Battell. opprest with so many griefes and discontents as no man durst come neere him. If this great Battell did not draw water from the ayre, as they say that af­ter great and bloudy Battels there shall fall great showers,After great Battels follow great showers, for that there is som God which doth wash and pu [...]ifie the earth polluted with humane bloud, or for that the dead bodies and the bloud which is spilt cast vp grosse vapors which thicken in the ayre. Plut. it did from the eyes of many widdow women and Orphanes, for the number of the dead was eighteene thousand of both sides: the Historie of Germany speakes of two and twenty thousand.

The Duke vexed at this vnfortunate successe, the which hee had attempted more to reuenge the iniuries of the house of Sauoy then for his owne, and fearing least the Duchesse of Sauoy should reconcile her selfe vnto the King her Brother,The Du­chesse of Sauoy sea­zed on by the Bour­gundians. and that the Sauoy­ards should follow the fortune of the victory, he commanded Oli­uer of la March to seaze vpon the Duchesse and her two sonnes. He stayed her neere vnto the ports of Geneua, set her on horsebacke behinde him, and gaue order to them of his troupe to doe the like vnto her two sonnes and two Daughters. The Duke of Sauoy was saued and carried to Geneua. Oliuer de la March hee went on his way all night, past the mountaine, came vnto a place called My­iou, and from thence to S. Claud, and from thence to Rochfort, and in the end to Rouure neere vnto Dijon. The King drew her from thence by the Lord of Chaumont, and caused her come to Tours, The Duchesse of Sauoy being prisoner at Rouure sent vn­to the King to beseech him to set her at liber­tie. If she had not bin in these extremities, she would not haue done it, the ha­tred had been so great betwixt the King and her. whether he went after his departure from Lyon. Being arriued there, he saluted her with these words. Madame of Bourgundy you [Page 215] are very welcome. To whom she answered, that she was a good French woman and ready to obay his commandements. He took her at her word and this first answere was the best.The first an­sweres of wo­men are com­monly the best. It is that which Vlisses cōsidered in Homer pres­sing the soule of a woman to an­swere speedily. Their humors and their passions were very contrarie to extract the essence of true and perfect loue.She leaues the D. of Burgundies partie. Many things had past in their liues which had as it were losened the Cyment of this brotherly affection. Philip de Commines saith, that he conducted her to her chamber, and caused her to be well intreated. True it is that he had [...] great desire to be rid of her, and she as great to be farre from him.

The King would willingly that shee had married the Princes her children to his humor, but she excused her selfe, and wrought so as by his meanes and the mediation of the Duke of Lorraine and the Arch-duke of Austria, she retired from the Suisses some of those lands which they had seazed on, paying fifty thousand Flo­rins for the charges of warre, but it was not possible for the Earle of Romont to recouer his. Eight daies after the King caused her to be conducted into her Contrie with her children, but before they parted one from an other, they would be assured of the promises of loue which they had made, and not trusting to bare words they added writings and others. They depriued themselues of that con­tent which their wils might haue receiued in producing freely the effects of a reciprocall affection and confidence. But they had ra­ther be bound to religion then to Nature.

From this Flower-de-Luce are issued two Princes which haue gouerned in Sauoy.A [...]e the 3. Duke of Sauoy husband to Yo­land of France succeeded Le­wis the second his father in the yeare 1468. Philip the se­uenth D. mar­ried to Mary of Bourbon. Phili­bert the eight to Margaret of Austria▪ the ninth, Charles to Beatrix of Portugall: the tenth. Emanu­el Philibert, to Margaret of Valo [...]s: the ele­uenth Charles Emanuell to Catherine of Austria. She was mother to Philibert and to Charles, Philibert raigned ten yeares vnder her charge, euery one desired to haue this Prince in his power. King Lewis, as his Vnkle by the Mo­thers side. Charles Duke of Bourgundy, as his kinsman and neigh­bour. The Earles of Bresse, Romont and Geneua, his Vnkles by the fathers side, who would exclude Galeas Duke of Milan, who had gi­uen him his Daughter, tooke also the gouernment. He dyed and left no [...] children.

Charles his brother succeeded him and married Blanch of Mont­ferrat: of them was borne Charles the sixt, whose barren raigne was but nine monethes shorter then his life. Hee liued six yeares eleuen monthes. Philip Earle of Bresse, sonne to Lewis, and great Grandfather to Charles Emanuel, who had been prisoner at Loches succeeded him, a great Prince, as all they haue been whose fortunes haue been tost and crost.They whom a variable & vn­constāt fortune hath exercised and tryed go­uerne thēselues better then o­thers Tacitus speaks it of Ca­ractatus. Quē multa ambi­gua, multa prospeta ext [...] ­lerant, vt c [...]te­ros Britanno­rum Impera­to respr [...]mine­ret. Whom ma­ny crosses and many good for­tunes had rai­sed vp, that he might exceed the rest of the Brittish com­manders. After that Iustus Lipsius to confirme this truth hath spoken of Charles the fi [...]t, and Lewis the eleuenth: he addes Emanuel Philibert Duke of Sauoy, and concludes that the Greeke word, is true [...]. I haue learned of them that haue hurt me, Miseria brudentiae bona mater. Misery i [...] a good mother of wisedome.

At the Kings returne from Lyon,Alfonso K. of Portugal comes to demand succors in France. Alfonso King of Portugall came to salute him, being at Tours, hee came vnto him as to his last refuge, being no longer able to resist the power of King Fer­dinand and Isabelta. The cause of their contention is well worthy the knowing, and to vnderstand it wee must remember that it was formerly said that by the peace made betwixt Iohn King of Castille [Page 216] and Iohn of Nauarre, Blanche the eldest Daughter of Nauarre was married to Henry of Castille Prince of the Asturies, and that the marriage was not consummated by reason of the disabilitie and coldnes of the husband.Pope Euge­nius the third, gaue a dispensa­tion for the de­gree of proximi­tie that was betwixt the married couple, and the marri­age was celebrated at Madrid in the yeare 1440.

The bashfulnes and modestie of this Princesse made her dissem­ble her misfortune,Disabilitie of Henry K. of Castill [...] ▪ whereof no man might inconsiderately grow in doubt, for the Prince was of a manlike and braue aspect, but his actions were faint and languishing. They were but fiue and twen­tie yeares old when they were married. At one and thirty he suc­ceeded to his father, who died in the yeare 1454 of a quartaine Ague, after that he had put Aluaro de Luna Dom Alua­to de Luna abusing the greatnes of his charge and the great loue the King bare him, was hated of the Princes & Noblemen of Castille, they forced the King to banish him six yeares from the Court. His faction won the Prince D. Hen­ry, who armed against his fa­ther, & wroght so as he was re­stored to fauor, and made Ma­ster of the Or­der of S. Iames, but seeking to be reuenged of his enemies; and making many enterprises a­gainst them, Queene Isabel fauoring them, made the King resclue to put him in prison: & to haue him ex [...]cuted at Vaile dos [...]t. The King did for­feit al his goods, they did set a siluer Basin whereas his head was to re­ceiu that which passers by would giue for his en­tertainment. A remarkable example of the inconstancy of Kings and fortunes fauours, Al sin [...] vita, a la tarde loa el dia. The life is commended by the end, and the day by the Euening. his Constable to death, and had raigned nine and forty yeares and six monethes. Henry succeeded him, and Alfonso his second sonne was great Master of the Order of St. Iames, hee would willingly haue giuen him his Crowne, for the griefe he had conceiued for Henries disobedience. His Daughter Isabella was but three yeares old, to whom he gaue the Towne of Cuellar, and a great summe of money for her ma­riage. All things succeeded otherwise then he had proiected. The eternall prouidence, which hath written in his tables of Diamond the aduentures of things, which are, haue been and shall be, had disposed after another manner.

But as the most constant patience is tired at length this Prin­cesse,The Pope dissolues the mariage for steri­litie. hauing for a long time endured her husbands disabilitie, be­gan to murmure, and he preuented her complaints, presenting a request vnto the Pope to bee seperated from her, and shewed that she was barren and could not be a mother, and that the affaires of Castille required an heire. The Pope dissolued the first marriage and suffered him to marry againe with Ione Infanta of Portugall, Sister to King▪ Alfonso, and Daughter to King Edward, a Princesse exceeding faire, who more desirous to bee a Queene then a wife, consented to this marriage, notwithstanding that shee was fully aduertised of the disabilitie of the husband which she tooke, who although he were a great Prince could not haue found a woman, where as euery one may haue for his money. But shee made it knowne that a politick woman neuer dyes without an heyre.

On the other side the King held the blemish of disabilitie to be so dishonourable, as to make the contrarie knowne▪ and to haue children to succeed vnto his Crowne, he consented that Bernard de la Cueua, one of his fauouritesSome write that D. Ioane consented therevnto by force, but when she had once made this leape, she had more need of a bridle then a spurre. A wonderfull incontinen­cy and impudency. Being at it were confined to the Castell of Alacaes, vnder the custody of the Archbishop of Seuelle she had by D. Pedro the Archbishops Nephew two children, D. Ferdinand and D. Apostol. should lye with the Queene, who presently conceiued with child, and to the end it should not bee thought to be done by supposition, he would haue her deliuered in the presence of Henry Earle of Alba de Lista, the Archbishop of Toledo, and the Marquis of Vellena. It was a Daughter, which had for her Godfather the Earle of Armagna [...], who was at that time [Page 217] Embassador in Castille to King Lewis the eleuenth.

Wisedome and discretion might haue made this deceit more fortunate then it was,Henry the king of Cas­tille degra­ded. for all Spaine made demonstration, of incredible Ioy for the birth of this Daughter, but there was fol­lie and indiscretion of all sides. The King, who would confirme this opinion that he was a gallant man, sought the loue of other women, who soone discouered the deceit. The Queene made shew to be iealous, entertained her loue securely with D. Bernard, so as the great familiaritie he had with her made the world doubt of her chastitie, and when as they saw that the King honored him with the chiefe charges of the Realme, making him master of the order of St Iames, and then Duke of Albuquergue, they did ima­gine that he made him play his part in this Comedie, which ended with cruel & tragicall effects, for the Great men of the realme made a league to seaze vpon D. Alfonso and D. Isabella, brother & Sister, to the end that this Bastard should not depriue them of their rights. Alfonso being about twelue yeeres old was proclaimed K. of Castille by them, and then did D. Henry shew the imbecillitie and weaknes of his Nature, for whereas hee should haue opposed himselfe against those mutinies, he suffred them to get such credit and authoritie, as the Archbishop of Toledo, being sent for to come vnto him, to the end hee might pacifie those troubles, he said vnto him that brought him this charge. Tell your King that I am weary of him & his affaires, and that he shall shortly see who is the true King of Castille.

The Grandos of the Realme assembled in a great plaine neere vnto Auila to degrade the King from the royall dignity. That which they could not doe vnto his person,Alfonso pro­clained K. of Castille. they did vnto his statueWhen as King Henry vnder­stood of this degradation, which was in Iune 1 [...]65. he said, I haue bred vp chil­dren and they haue con­temned me. I came naked from my mo­thers wombe, and the earth at [...]ends me na­ked: No man can liue so poorely as hee is borne, and it God expels mee now for my fins he wil comfort and preserue mee afterwards, for his infinite power is that which kils and restores to life, which woūds and cures: that which giues Siegneuries & takes them a­way, which raiseth vp Kings, & puls them downe when he plea­seth. which they presented vpon a scaffold: when as the Herad said that D. Hen­ry was degraded from the royall dignity, the Archbishop of Toledo tooke the Crowne from his image, the Earle of Plaisance the sword, and the Earle of Beneuent the Scepter, this done Diego Lopes cast it out of the royall seat. Alfonsos standard was aduanced, and poore Henry shouted at and contemned. They would end the quarrell by a battell before Olivedo.The Battell of Oluiedo was in the yeare 1467. They doe not agree who had the victo­ry. D. Alfonso was seen armed a [...] all peeces in­couraging his men. D. Henry appeared not in the fight, but entered trium­phing towards night into Me­dina del Campo The two Armies fought by order, one squadron against another. The Archbishop of Toledo led his army hauing a white stole vpon his armes. The combat continew­ed three houres, and ended with so great disorder of either side, as both parties made bonfiers for the victory.

The Pope sent his LegatAnthony de Veneris Bishop of Lyon, the Popes Legate, being in Spain, cōmanded them to lay downe Armes vpon paine of excommunication, the great men of Spaine opposed themselues & said that they appealed to a Councill. The Licentiat Iohn D. Alcacer and Doctor Alphonso of Madrigall were committed for this appeale. to pacefie these troubles, during the which King D. Alfonso hauing raigned three yeares died of the plague at Cardegnosa:Death of Alfonso King of Castille. The League would haue declared Isabella heire of the Realme, the which she would not accept the King her brother lyuing, wherevpon a peace was made, by which she was de­clared Princesse of Castille the nineteenth of September, 1468. vp­on condition that she should not marry without the consent of the King hir brother. They would haue married her to Alfonso of Por­tugall, [Page 218] who was a widower, and D. Ioane to Iohn the eldest Sonne of Portugall, vpon condition that if there came no children of the mar­riage of the Pincesse Isabell, D. Isabella was sought for in marriage by the brother of King Lewis, & by the King of Englands bro­ther. She made choise of D. Fer­dinand Prince of Arragon. He came to see her vnknown, D. Guttiere of Cardona who cōdu­cted him shew­ed him her, sai­ing in Spanish, Esse es. It is he. To whome the Princesse an­swerered soden­ly, and S. Shalbe thine armes, vp­on this cause the family of this knight doth at this day car­ry an S in t [...]eir armes and de­uice. those which issued from the marriage of D. Ioane should succeed to the realme Castille. But D. Isabella had other thoughts, she loued Ferdinand sonne to Iohn King of Na­varre and Arragon, whome shee caused to come to Vaillidolet in a disguized habit and marryed him the eighteenth of October. 1469.Isabella of Castille marries Ferdinand of Arragon

King Henry was so incensed at this marriage, as hee declared his Sister fallen from all the rights which shee might pretend to the crowne of Castille, and caused Ioane his daughter to be proclaymed his true heire, who was married to Charles Duke of Guienne, as hath beene formerly said. This treaty of marriage was broken by the death of the Dukd of Guienne. King Henry died also.The death of Henry the 4. King of Castille was in the yere 1474. the one and forty yeare of his age and the on & twen­teth of his raign Hee was inter­red in the great Chappell of the Monastery of Guadalupe. He appointed 52. lampes of siluer to burne day & night vpon his tombe. And not­withstanding that the Crowne were assured to Ferdinand and Isabel, yet Ioane continued the title of Queene of Castille,Troupes sent out of France into Castille. and in this quali­ty she married with Alfonso King of Portugall, which was an occasi­on of great warres. The French King being discontented with the house of Arragon, and the warre of Pergignan, sent troupes to the King of Portugal vnder the command of Aman of Albret. Ambassadors haue oste inga­ged their Mai­sters in very ru­in ous voiages. Philip de Cō ­mines who had treated with them of the K. of Portugall, saith that if they had beene well aduised, they would haue informed themselues better of matters here, before they had councelled their Maister to this voiage w [...]ich was very preiudiciall vnto him.

But the King of Portugal hauing lost his enterprises and his Partisans, was forced to retyer himselfe into Portugall carring away no other triumph of the warre of Castille, but the Princesse D. Ioane his wife, whome notwithstanding hee would not mary before hee were assured of the Realme of Castille, and therefore he went into France to implore ayde from King Lewis, with whome he had trea­ted an alliance by his Ambassadors, who vnder the good chere which was made them, and the good words which were giuen them during the treaty, without any other intent, perswaded their Maister to come into France, assuring him that he should doe more by his presence for the succors which he demanded, then by the mediation of his ser­vants, and that there might bee a marriage made betwixt the Dau­phin and D. Ioane his Neece.

He landed at Marseille,Alfons [...] K of Portugall comes to Tours. came to Lyons, and so went downe the riuer of Loire to Tours, where he acquainted the King with the cause of his voyage.Necessity [...]orceth Princes euen to things vnworthy of their qua­lity. They write that this Prince besought the King to succor him with such vehemency and humanity as hee fell on his knees at his heete. It had not beene secret though he had beene silent. Kings come neuer to the gates of other Kings to offer or to giue, but to demand and entreat. He carried a Lampe in his hand which des­couered his heart.The discommodities of great Princes cannot be hi [...]den. Ariston saith that pouerty is a lampe, which doth lighten and make all the miseries of the world be seene.