The history of the civil wars of France written in Italian, by H.C. Davila ; translated out of the original.

* 1.1THE HISTORY OF THE Civil Wars of France. By HENRICO CATERINO DAVILA. The FOURTEENTH BOOK. (Book 14)

The ARGUMENT.

THis Book contains the means used by the King to make his Conversion more fruitful: the continuation of the Truce for the two other months, No∣vember and December, at the end of which Meaux first of all submits to his obedience: The Sieur de la Chastre follows with the City of Bourges, and the Admiral Villars with Havre de Grace and Rouen: the Count de Brissac Governour of Paris makes a composition, and the King being received into the City without tumult, drives out the Spanish Ambassadors and Garison; the Cardinal-Legat departed also, and goes out of the Kingdom. Many other Ci∣ties follow the Kings fortune; and finally the Duke of Nemours is imprison∣ed, and the City of Lyons surrenders it self: The Duke of Mayenne renews other conditions with the Spaniard to prosecute the War; he comes to parley with Ernest Archduke of Austria Governour of the Low-Countries, and at last goes into Picardy with Count Charles of Mansfelt and the Army. The King besieges Laon; the Duke of Mayenne and the Spaniards attempt to re∣lieve it, there follow many encounters, at last they retire, and the place is yielded: The Sieur de Balagny goes over to the Kings obedience with the City of Cambray; he is likewise received into Amiens and other Towns in Piccardy. The Duke of Montpensier takes Honfleur. There happen divers encounters in Bretagne, Languedoc, Provence and Dauphine. The King being returned to Paris, is in his own Lodgings wounded in the Mouth by a young Merchant; he is taken, confesses the fact, and is executed for••it, and the Jesuites are banished out of the Kingdom. The King publickly proclaims War against the King of Spain, and renews the Negotiation at Rome, to ob∣tain Absol••tion from the Pope. The Mareschal de Byron is declared Gover∣nour of Bourgogne. He begins the War prosperously in that Province, takes Autun, Auxerre, and at last Dijon, and besieges the Castles of it. The Sieur de Tremblecourt and d' Ossonville enter to infest the County of Bour∣gogne, (which is subject to the Crown of Spain) and takes some places there.

The Constable of Castille Governour of Milan, goes to relieve that Province; the King goes likewise to re-inforce those t••at were besieging the Castle of Di∣jon. They meet, and fight with wonderful various fortune at Fountain Fran∣coise. The Constable retires beyond the River Soane; the King follows him, passes the River, and they fight again, without any great effect. The King returns to the siege of the Castles, which surrender themselves; he concludes a Truce with the Duke of Mayenne that they might treat of an accommoda∣tion; and makes his entry into Lyons. The Pope resolves to give the King his Benediction; the Ceremony is solemnized with great joy at Rome; the news of it is brought to the Court, whither there likewise come good tidings from Dauphine and Languedoc.

THE Kings Conve••sion was certainl•• the most proper, and most powerful remedy that could be applied to the dangerous disease of the Kingdom; but the Truce so opportunely concluded, did also dispose the Matter, and gave d••e time for the working of so wholsom a Medicine; for the people on both sides, having be∣gun to taste the liberty and benefits that resulted from concord, in a season, when Harvest and Vintage made them more sensible of the happiness, fell so in love with it, that it was afterward much more easie to draw them, without many scruples, or cautions, to a desire of peace, and a willing obedience of their lawful Prince. As soon as the Truce was begun, men presently fell to converse freely one with another, being not only of the same Nation, and same Blood, but many of them straitly conjoyned, either by friendship or kinred; in such sort, that discords and ha••reds being driven away, or indeed those factions and interests that had kept them so long divided, every one rejoyced to reunite himself with his friends, and again to take up their former love, and interrupted familiarity; and with mutual helps and assistances to redress those necessities and calamities, which the length of War had produced. And there being frequent kind meetings among all per∣sons, every one related his past sufferings, detested the occasions of such wicked dis∣cords, inveighed against the Authors of such pernicious evils, praising and magnifying the benefits that followed Peace and Concord; in which meetings and discourses, the Kings Cause being much more favourable, (by reason of the manifest rights he had to the succession of the Crown, and because scruple of Conscience was in great part taken away by his Conversion) those things that were spoken in his favour, began already to be popularly embraced, and mens minds enclined to yield themselves to his obedience, rather than continue so ruinous a Civil War, to satisfie the pretensions of the Duke of Mayenne, or the already manifest intentions of the Spaniards. They of the Kings party, talking and discoursing with those of the League, alledged the clemency and goodness of the Prince they served, the sincerity wherewith he had turned to the Catholick Faith, his familiarity, and affability to all his followers, his valour and courage in Arms, his prudence and sagacity in Government, his prosperous success in enterprises: And on the other side, asked those that were for the League, if they did not yet perceive the Ambition of the House of Lorain, and the subtilties of the Spaniards? Upbraided them, that they made War against the good true. Frenchmen, in favour of the ancient Enemies of the Nation, and that with their own bloods they sought to establish the Spanish Monarchy upon the ruines and desolations of France; they deplored so great a blindness, and prayed them, that recovering their wonted charity towards their Coun∣try, and taking compassion of themselves, they would take shelter under the benig∣nity of that Prince, who stood with his Arms open, ready to receive and content them.

These things made wonderful impressions in mens minds, quite tired with the War, and beaten down with the calamities they had continually endured; and the King be∣having himself with his utmost industry, gratiously received, and filled with very large hopes, all those that came to speak with him; and under pretence of going to see their Houses, and their Friends, cunningly made his most trusty Counsellors dis∣perse themselves into several places, labouring with great art to draw men in all places to his devotion. And because the Duke of Mayenne still kept practices on foot, either

to conclude the Peace, or prolong the Cessation; under this excuse the Sieur de Saucy, the Count of Schombergh, and President de Thou went to Paris, and staying there ma∣ny days, endeavoured both by wary managing the business, and by force of eloquence, to gain the King the most adherents they could possibly. The Archbishop of Bourges went to that City, under colour of visiting his Diocess, to treat with the Sieur de la Chastre, whom they had already discovered to be much scandalized with the Spaniards manner of proceeding. The High Chancellor went into the Territories of Orleans under pretence of over-seeing his own affairs. The first President of the Parliament of Rouen went thither, to introduce some Treaty with the Admiral Villars; for which effect the King himself also hovered about those quarters. The Sieur de Fleury went to Pontoyse to treat with his Brother-in-law, the Sieur de Villeroy, and the Prelates that had had to do in the Kings Conversion, dispersed themselves into several places, to testifie the sincerity of his repentance, and to imprint those reasons by which they ar∣gued in justification of that authority whereby they had given him absolution. In this manner the Kings businesses went on within the kingdom,* 1.2 whils•• Lodvieo Gonzaga Duke of Nevers, chosen Ambassador to Rome, set himself in order to go with a gallant Train, to yield obedience in the Kings Name unto the Pop••, and at his feet to desire the confirmation of matters already done. The King resol••ed to send along with him Claude d' Angone•• Bishop of Mans, a man for his learning and experience known in the Court of Rom••, Jaques Davys Sieur du Perron elected Bishop of Eureux, Loüis Seguiere Dean of Paris, and Claude Goüin Dean of B••••••vi••, both famous Canonists: but because the Duke of Nevers, both by reason of the quality of his person, and in respect of his indispositions, could not make the journey with so much haste, the King dispatched the Sieur de la Clielle poste before, with Letters to the Pope full of humility and submission, wherein he gave him account of his Conversion, and of the Embassie he had appointed to ask his Benediction, and render him due obedience. The King thought the Duke of Nevers very fit for that imployment, not only as being a Prince exceedingly famed for wisdom, and a person full of honour and reputation; but also because, being an Italian, besides his readiness of language to be able to negotiate without Interpreters, he had many dependencies among the Princes of Italy, and much interest with many of the Cardinals: and he added those four Prelats, that with Cano∣nical and Theological reasons they might be able to represent and maintain what they themselves had done in his Absolution: But he also thought good to send la Clielle before, as well to demonstrate his impatient desire to gain the Popes favour, as be∣cause, being a crafty man, and of a deep reach, he hoped he might opportunely dis∣pose the business before the Dukes arrival. Thus did the King set forward the course of Affairs.

But the ends were neither so certain, nor the means of handling them so resolute on the other side; for the interests of the Confederates being various, and often repug∣nant to one another, matters proceeded not in one and the same way. The Duke of Mayenne had given notice to the Kings party, that he had embra••ed the Truce, to ex∣pect what should be resolved on at Rome, interposing no other difficulty but the Popes assent about the conclusion of the Peace: And therefore he continued to treat by the means of Villeroy, and President Joannin, to whom he afterward added the Sieur de Bassompier, to shew, That in all things the Duke of Lorain was united with him, and by means of these, who eagerly negotiated the conditions of agreement, he promised he would send the Cardinal of Joyeuse, and the Baron de Sonecey to Rome to intercede to the Pope, that approving the Kings Conversion, he would be contented that by ac∣knowledging him, an end might be put to the Civil War; and setting this as prime foundation, he treated nevertheless of securing the Catholick Religion,* 1.3 and of establish∣ing the affairs of his own Family: But inwardly his thought was very different; for his hopes of attaining the Crown not being yet quite extinct, and attributing all sini∣ster events to the malignity of the Spanish Ministers, and not to the intention of the Catholick King, he speedily dispatched his Wives Son the Sieur de Montpezat, with Bellisaire, one of his confiding Ministers, unto the Court of Spain to sound the mind of the King, and of his Council, and to labour to remove the jealousies which the false relations of the Duke of Feria, and Diego d' Ivarra had begot, and to desire that the Infanta being chosen Queen, might marry his eldest Son, and if the King con∣sented to it, they should settle the conditions, and require such supplies as were ne∣cessary to ••ring the enterprise to a conclusion. For this end he had embraced the

Truce, and desired it should continue to give time for the negotiating of this affair, and for those preparations that should be made in Spain.

On the other side, the Spanish Ministers were more than ever fixt in their resolution, not to assent to his advancement; being certain, that when he should have attained his intention, he would be most ungrateful for the benefit received, and a most bitter Ene∣my to their Monarchy: Whereupon they not only continued to honour and favour the Duke of Guise, and to promise him the marriage of the Infanta; but the Duke of Feria, and Diego d' Ivarra, plotted how to transfer the Duke of Mayenne's power upon him, and to suppress his Uncle by his means; and they went on so far, (being drawn by hatred and disdain) that sometimes they thought of taking away his life; but that was contradicted not only by Juan Baptista Tassis, and Inigo de Mendozza, men of more moderate minds, and who measured things more by reason than passion: but even the Duke of Guise himself was not inclined unto it, being a youth of a solid nature, and right intention; who on the one side abhorred to plot against his U••cle; and on the other, knew himself too weak both in reputation and forces to overcome the mature prudence of the Duke of Mayenne▪ and the well-grounded authority he had setled in his party. They that helped to keep the Duke of Guise's youthful thoughts in the right way, were the Mareschals de la Chastre▪ Rosne, and St. Paul, who had been long ago bred up by his Father; and both because they had been exalted by the Duke of Mayenne, and because they knew the arts of the Spaniards, disswaded him from setting himself upon that precipice, offering to his consideration, that he had neither Men, Moneys, Cities, nor Commanders that depended upon him; that the Spaniards were reduced▪ to extream necessity for want of Money, Count Charles his Army destroyed, the affairs of Flanders in an ill condition, and without a Head that was able to order matters of so great weight; that on the other side, the Duke of Mayenne held all the Cities and Fortresses of the party in his own hands, that he had a long setled Autho∣rity among the people, was highly esteemed for valour and prudence, that all the French Forces depended upon him, that the Duke of Lorain was joined with him, that the Dukes of Aumale and Elboeuf depended on his will, and the Parliament was united with him; so that to let himself be ingaged by the perswasions of Strangers, was nothing else but to expose his own fortune to a most certain ruine, to please two malignant Ministers, who sowed fire and flames, to satiate that hatred which without much reason they had conceived; which considerations added to the weakness and ill carriage of the Spaniards, made such an impression in the Duke of Guise, that he began to be disgusted with them, accounting himself mocked in the marriage of the Infanta, and being incensed that they should go about to use his youth as an instru∣ment to ruine his Family.

Among these, the Cardinal-Legat, as he did not totally assent to what the Spanish Ministers plotted against the Duke of Mayenne; so was be displeased with him for ha∣ving crossed the election of the Infanta, and of the Duke of Guise; in the invention whereof, he thought he had (to the exceeding great glory of his wisdom) found means absolutely to gain unto himself the good will of the Catholick King, with the securing of Religion, and the exclusion and suppression of the King of Navarre; which were the three principal points of his designs, and that he had also found a person of the Nation who was liked of by the people, which was the point whereupon he pressed the Popes Commissions; and now seeing that thought frustrated, and the Truce pur∣posely concluded with the contrary party, he was extreamly vexed at it; wherefore still persisting and continuing to perswade the Confederates not to make any reflection upon the imaginary Conversion of the Navarrois, (so did he yet call him in contempt) he laboured to make an agreement amongst them, to the end that the States coming to meet again, they might perfect the establishment of the Royalty; for so they call∣ed the joint election of the Infanta and Duke of Guise to be King and Queen of France.

* 1.4He strove likewise to imprint these opinions, at Rome by frequent Letters, penn'd according to his desire; but the Pope, a man of mature prudence, suffered not himself to be absolutely perswaded by the Legats intelligence; but being▪ advertised of every particular by the Venetian and Florentine Ambassadors, neither approv••d the Infanta's election, nor her marriage with the Duke of Guise: but seeing the business of it self very difficult, and crossed by so many impediments, he judged it vain, and no way feisable, and therefore cared not to declare himself, seeming only to giv•• his consent,

that he might not alienate the King of Spain from him, with whom he saw it neces∣sary to hold a good correspondence, lest he should precipitate the affairs of Religion ••nd the Church into some dangerous troubles. He could have been contented from the beginning, that one of the Princes of the House of Bourbon, that was truly a Ca∣tholick, should have been thought fit to be mar••ied to the Infanta, because by the ele∣c••ion of a Prince of the Blood, all the Catholicks of France would have been elected, ••nd had by many ways given his Ministers notice of his intentions; and to such a Prince he could have been reunited in one body, and by the alliance with the Catholick King, ••is assistance would have been assured; so that neither the temporal state of the King∣dom would have been in danger of falling into the hands of Strangers, nor the spiritual of being oppressed by the Hugonots. For these very reasons he approved not the Duke of Guise's election, believing the Catholicks of the Kings party would never be brought to acknowledge and obey him, whereby the War would become perpetual; and he was likewise of opinion, that King Philip would never give his Daughter to a weak, poor, and ill-grounded Prince, with almos•• a certain danger, that she should never be Queen▪* 1.5 more than in name▪ besides, he perceived, this hated election would gain the King of Navarre many ad••erents, and by this means tur•• more Cities to favour him in one day, ••han he would be able to take by force in his whole life time. One thing only kept him doubtful in t••is thought, which was the unfitness of those Princes that were near∣est in Blood; for the Cardinal of Bourbon was but a weak man, and very unhealthful; the P••ince of Conty, by reason of his natural defects, unable to govern, and also (as it was said) to get children; the Count de Soiss••ns, though of a good wit, and noble courage, was so drowned in the love of the Princess Catherine, (the Kings Sister, an obstinate Hugonot) that the Catholicks du••st not confide in him; and the Duke of Mo••tponsier, a youth of exceeding great worth, was more remote in the degrees of Royal Consanguinity; wherefore assoon as he knew that the King was disposed to re∣••urn to the obedience of the Catholick Church, he began to incline towards him, thinking it the shortest way to settle the commotions, and remove the dangers of the Kingdom. But it was a business not to be resolved on without great deliberation, as well to be assured that his Conversion was sincere, and that the heart of a Lyon lay not hid under the s••in of a Lamb, as because it was not known which way the French would receive tha•• alteration; wherefore there was much to be thought on, both to be by all means possible made certain, that the King was a true sincere Catholick, and that the people would willingly submit themselves to his devotion; for if the King should but feign that Conversion for Interest of State, Religion would be thereby left in manifest danger; and if the people should not accept him, the Popes own reputation would be in no less danger, for having run to approve the Conversion of a relapsed Heretick, more hastily than the common people; besides, the respect which by all means was to be born to the King of Spain, (already possessed of the Title of Defender of the Catholick Faith, and Protector of the See of Rome;) who very clearly shewed he h••d spent so much Gold, and poured out so much Blood of his Armies to preserve Religion in the Kingdom of France, counselled that in a matter of high importance he should proce••d with great dexterity, length of time, and with well weighed, and perfect maturity▪ being certain that King Philip's supplies had hindred the King from getting the total Victory, whilst he was obstinately an Hugonot, and therefore to them was the reward and gratitude due for the Confirmation of the Gallique Church, and great heed was to be taken not to establish a fierce and powerful Enemy, who might afterward disturb him very much in the possession of his Kingdom.

By these reasons the Pope was pers••aded not to yield, nor assent at the very first, but to let himself be counselled by the event of things;* 1.6 and yet to begin his principal ••ntention, he thought good to give some glimpse of hope to those who negotiated se∣cre••ly at Rome for the King, whom they called King of Navarre. The Pope favoured a principal servant of the Family of Cardinal Pietro Aldobrandino, named Giacopo San∣••esio, a man obscurely born in a Castle of the Marches of Ancona, who had long served the Cardinals Father (as they said) for a Companion of his Studies, whilst he was employed in cause•• in the ••••ta Romana, and because he was exceeding faithful, and not of too searching a natu••e, and ••herefore a man of very few words,* 1.7 the care of all his Domestick affairs lay upon him▪ This man was acquainted and sometimes held dis∣course with Arn••ud d' Oss••t, a man born at A••c••e in Gascogne, of mean parentage, but of a most excellent wit, and most regular course of life, who having been brought to

Rome by Monsieur de Faux Ambassador from France, staid afterward behind in the Fa∣mily of Cardinal d' Este, and besides his singular learning and eloquence, was by many years experience, exceeding well versed in the Court of Rome. He being a private man, and long time accustomed to be seen in the Court, was not observed by any body, and managing Spiritual businesses for the Queen Dowager of Henry the Third,* 1.8 as the erecting of Monasteries, granting of Indulgences, and other such like things, might without shew of any business of importance, negotiate with Sannesio in a corner of the Antichamber, seeming only to talk of ordinary things; wherefore, the Pope who avoided open proceedings, and desired to draw the thread of the business secretly, gave order to Sannesio, that as a Friend to this French-man, (who was well known to him to be a man of worth) he should begin as of himself, to treat of the Kings affairs, which Treaty being begun thus under-hand, proceeded so far, that when Monsieur de la Clielle arrived, there had already past many overtures on both sides.

* 1.9The Sieur de la Clielle was come to Rome, with Letters from the King to Monsignore Serafino Olivario, Auditor of the Rota Romana, a Prelat, who because he was descended of French Ancestors, had ever been faithful to the Crown, and desired to serve the Kings cause, but saw the passage very difficult, not only to introduce the Sieur de la Clielle to have audience of the Pope, as he required, but also to treat in any kind of way, concerning that business: yet being a man of a sweet pleasing nature, both very dextrous, and affable in his discourse, and therefore acceptable to the whole Court, and even to the Pope himself; coming to have audience, under pretence of other bu∣sinesses, he at last brought in that; and in the end would needs shew the Pope the Let∣ter which the King had written to him. The Pope, either taken at unaware by Sera∣fino, or intending to persevere constantly in his dissimulation, or being troubled to be in a manner constrained to impart his designs to other than those he had determined, shewed himself highly displeased, and would have broke off the discourse of that bu∣siness, if the Auditor talking sometimes seriously, sometimes in jest, had not appeased him, concluding finally, That one ought to lend an ear even to the Devil himself, if one could believe it possible for him to be converted. The Pope likewise turning the business into mirth, jested a great while with Serafino, who pressing him still for an answer, and urging him to hear la Clielle not as the Kings Agent, but as a private Gentleman, from whom perchance to his satisfaction he might learn many secret par∣ticulars; the Pope told him he would think upon it. The same evening by the means of Sannesio he gave d' Ossat directions to go talk with the Gentleman that was come from France, and to give him good hopes of his negotiation, and advertising him (but as from himself) that he should not be dismaid for any difficulty whatsoever he should meet withal.

* 1.10The next night Silvio Antoniani the Popes Chamberlain went to Serafino's House, and taking only the Sieur de la Clielle into his Coach, brought him by a private way into the Popes Chamber, where he having told him that the King of France had sent him to his Holiness Feet to present those Letters to him, (which he had in his hand) the Pope without staying till he had made an end, brake forth into angry words, com∣plaining that he had been deceived, and that he had thought he should have received a private Gentleman, and not an Agent of a relapsed, excommunicated Heretick, and commanded him to depart out of his presence. La Clielle not at all dismayed, (accor∣ding to the advertisment that had been given him) added many words of humility and submission,* 1.11 and said that being able to do no more, he would leave the King his Masters Letters, and the Copy of his Commission, which he had brought in Writing; and though the Pope angerly bade him carry them away, yet he left them upon the Table, and having kiss'd his Foot, was carried back to the place where he had been taken up.

The day following he had order to confer with Cardinal Toledo, with whom having had very long discourses three several times, still it was concluded that the Pope could not admit the Kings desires, because he had formerly sent to the Apostolick See, and yet had returned to the vomit of Heresie, and the Cardinal having taken particular in∣formation of the Kings businesses,* 1.12 and of the condition of the affairs of France, left the matter so undecided. But the night before la Clielle departed from Rome, his an∣swer was with great secrecy given him by the means of d' Ossat, that the King should go forward in shewing himself truly converted, and should give signs of being sincerely a Catholick; for the Pope was resolved to reject the Duke of Nevers to satisfie his

own Conscience, and to try the Kings constancy, yet with the opportunities of times, he should at last obtain his intent.

With this conclusion la Clielle went toward France,* 1.13 without having so much as conferred with Monsignore Serafino, (which had been given him in charge) the Pope desiring that every one should believe him most averse from approving the Kings Con∣version, which the greater part of the Court of Rome thought to have passed with some dis-reputation to the Pope, and that a few Prelats had licentiously arrogated that power to themselves which belonged only to the Apostolick See; whereupon there wanted not those who wrote, and printed divers Treatises, wherein they argued that a relapsed Heretick, and one declared to be excommunicate, could not be admitted to a Catholick Kingdom, and that the determination of the French Prelats to give him Absolution was Schismatical, and to be censured by the Tribunal of the Holy Office, for so they call the judgment of the Inquisition.* 1.14 Arnaud d' Ossat wrote against these Treatises, maintaining with many reasons taken out of the Sacred Canons, and from the Doctors of the Holy Church, and with many pious Christian Considerations, that the Pope not only might, but also that he absolutely ought to approve the Kings Conver∣sion, and admit him to the obedience of the Catholick Church; but though in that dis∣course there was never any thing found, that was not manifestly Catholick, and though he wrote with exquisite modesty, yet could he not get leave to print it; and all he could do, was to shew some Copies of it to discreet persons, which was not only not reproved, but secretly approved even by the Pope, who was not displeased that mens ears should by little and little be made acquainted with this Doctrine.

But the Legat being wholly of another opinion, and more than over-desirous of the proposed Spanish Election, was busie in managing all the Engins that were pro∣per to bring that design to perfection; and therefore besides many exceeding long Letters, and many distinct informations sent to the Pope and to some Cardinals, he at last also dispatched Pier Francesco Montorio, to give more exact advertisements, and to cross the Kings Embassy; but a politick device which he subtilly made use of, redounded to the exceeding disadvantage of his design; for Montorio falling sick at Lyons, took a resolution to dispatch his instructions poste to Rome, to the end they might arrive there before the Duke of Nevers: in which the Legat having written that he thought it convenient, by some means which should seem fit, to hold the Duke of Nevers in hand, and prolong the business, till it could be known whether, when the Truce was ended, the Spaniards were like to attain to the Ele∣ction, and to have sufficient Forces in readiness to establish it, keeping the King of Navarre also doubtful in the mean time, to the end he might not apply his wonted spirit to make preparations for War. This Item served the Pope afterwards for a pretence to admit the Duke of Nevers, who having in this interim passed Langres, was gone toward Italy, through Switzerland, and the Country of the Griso••s; but being arrived at Poschiavo a Town in the Valtoline,* 1.15 he was met by Father Antonio Possevino a Jesuite, who was sent to him by the Pope, to let him know, that as he rejoyced in the report of the King of Navarre's Conversion, so could he not admit an Embassy, in the name of a King, whom he acknowledged not for such as he stil'd himself, and that therefore he might spare the pains of coming. The Duke not losing heart, though much troubled, went forward, but not the straight way to Rome, and being come to Mantua, he sent Possevino back unto the Pope, endeavouring by many reasons written to him, and the Cardinals his Nephews, to obtain permission to execute his Embassy, and the Marquiss de Pisani, Cardinal Gondi, and the Monsieur de Metz Leiger Ambassador for the King at Venice being come unto him, they with a common consent wrote, and treated many things, which were promoted at Rome by the Vene∣tian and Florentine Ambassadors: Cardinal Toledo also carrying himself very favour∣ably in the business.

The Pope making use of the advertisement the Legat had given him, to colour his secret intention, shewed that Article of Montorio's instructions to the Duke of Sessa Am∣bassador for the King of Spain, and to many Cardinals depending upon that party, and feigned to let himself be drawn by that respect, and that to that end he would not totally exclude the Duke of Nevers; and though both the Duke of Sessa, and the Spanish Cardinals stifly opposed it, affirming, that at the end of the Truce, the Catholick King would certainly have such forces in a readiness, as should, to the general satis∣faction

of the Confederates, be able to establish the proposed election; yet the Pope took a middle way, which was to admit and hearken to the Duke, not as an Ambas∣sador from the King of Franc••,* 1.16 but as a Ca••holick Prince, and as an Italian, and therefore he sent back Possevin•• to him again to Man••••a, to let him know that his in∣tention, and last determination, and to advertise him tha•• he should come without state, and with but a small retinue, to the end he might not be held, and acknow∣ledged in the degree of an Ambassador, but of a priva••e person; which though the Duke thought very hard, and from so difficult a beginning▪ guessed he should compass no prosperous end of his Embassy, yet he resolved to go forward, as well because he would not digress from the Council of the Venetian Senate, and the other Princes who were the Kings Friends, as also to make the uttermost royal in a business of so mighty importance.

* 1.17But in France, there happened at this time (besides the ordinary discords) a new misfo••tune to the League: for the City of Lyons unexpectedly ••ook Arms against the Duke of Nemours, who was Governor th••••••of, and proceeded so far that they made him p••isoner in the Cas••le of Pierre Ansise. The Duke of N••mours, a Prince of great courage▪ but of a haughty imperious nature, being departed full of pride by reason of his prospe••ous defence of Pa••••, and come unto his Government of Lyons, had begun 〈◊〉〈◊〉 no••rish a design within himself, to reduce it into a free Signiory, together with Bea••ioloi•• and Po••ests, (which were three Precincts jointly under his command) and to add 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them as many other places and towns as he could; and his Brother the Marquiss of St. So••l•••• having the Government of Dauphine, he designed to unite that Province also unto himself, and by that means joining his State to that of the Duke of Sav••y, (f••om whose House his Family descended) to be assisted, and fomented by him; but because he knew that neither the Nobility, nor people would ever consent willingly to separate themselves from the Crown of France, and submit themselves unto his ty∣ranny, he had by long contrivance been raising all those means, which might serve to obtain his intent by force: For this purpose he had under several pretences, driven many of the chief Citizens out of the City; and exposing the Nobility to manifest dangers, was glad to see many of them perish, who were able to oppose his design; nor that sufficing him, he had upon several occasions caus'd a great many Forts, and Citadels to be built, which incompassed the City of Lyons with a Circle, having begun at Toissay, Belleville, and Tisy, and then continued at Charlieu, St. Bonnet, Mombrison, Nirie••, C••i••drieu, Vienne, Pipe••, and lastly to perfect that circumference, he treated with the Sieur de St. Jullen, that for Fifty thousand Crowns he should let him have Quirieu to raise another Fo••t there likewise, and passing from the Circumference unto the Center, he meant to rebuild the ruined Citadel of Lyons, and designs and plat∣forms were already draw•• for that purpose. In these strong places he kept Garisons of Horse and Foot▪ that depended upon his pleasure, and not having enough to maintain them of his own, fed them wi••h extorting from the people, and with a pernicious licence of plundering and spoiling the Country. To these actions were added out∣ward shews not unlike them; for he kept about him a great retinue of Strangers, under∣valued and abused the Nobility of the Country, and in his publick writings no longer ••sed the Title of Governour, but barely of Duke of N••mours, as an absolute Lord. In this inte••im the time of holding the States at Paris being come, he▪ though invited, would neither go, not send thither, still speaking dishonourably of the authority and actions of the Duke of Mayenne, his Bro••her by the Mothers side, and when the Truce was concluded, though he declared that he accepted it for as much as concerned the Kings party; yet nevertheless would he not dismiss the least part of his Souldiery, but rather entertaining and raising new every day, kept the Country more oppressed in the time of the Cessation than it was before in the heat of War. The principal men and the people of Lyons moved by all these things, resolved to complain of it to the Duke of Mayenne, who for the safety of the City, and the maintaining of his own reputation, thought it good to withstand his Brothers ambitious designs, and therefore under colour of desiring that the Archbi••hop of Lyons should go to R••me with Cardinal Joye••se, he caused him to go unto that City, giving him Commission to maintain the peoples liberty, and to give him ••o••ice of every par••icula••, to the end he might seasonably provide against danger. This Remedy hastened the breaking out of the mischief; for the Duke of Nemours having no good corresponden••e with the Archbishop, and seeing the Citizens ran popularly a••ter him, thought to dra•• some Comp••nies of Souldiers into the Town, either for his

own security or to bridle the people, who were already half in an uproar: But this news being come amongst the Citizens, increased by the won••••d additions of the re∣port, they no longer delayed to rise▪ and having taken Arms, barricadoed up the Ci∣ty, and shut the Duke into a corner of the Town, who having in this necessity desired to speak with the Archbishop, whom before he had not cared to see, the event proved different from his design; for the Archbishop making then no account either of his words or complements, (which he knew proceeded but from necessity) continued to exhort the people to defend their own liberty; and told them which way they should manage their business; so that, finally the barricadoes being made up close, and a greater number of men being in Arms, they of the Council went armed unto him, and told him that for the security of his person, the people being in a mutiny, and for the safety of the City that was in danger to be sacked,* 1.18 they intended he should retire into the Castle of Pierre Ausise, which not being able to contradict, he was at last brought thi∣ther, and with more severe Guards diligently looked to; and the chief men having assembled the Council, made a Decree whereby they deprived him of the Govern∣ment, and likewise the Marquis his Brother, (though from him they confessed they had never received any injury at all) and gave the Authority of Governing the Ci∣ty unto the Archbishop, which was afterward confirmed upon him by the Duke of Mayenne.

But this news being come to Paris, many were exceedingly troubled at it, the Spa∣nish Ministers grieving that they had lost one of the chief Instruments of their power; but Madam de Nemours being afflicted much more for the danger and ruine of her Son; and many there were who perswaded themselves that all the mischief proceeded from the Duke of Mayenne, who not only had desired to abate the arrogance of his Brother, but had also done it to get Lyons into his power, and join it ••o his Govern∣ment of Bourgogne, that he might remain Master thereof, whatsoever the event of things should be; it being known to every one, that in the Treaties he held with the King, and also with the Spanish Ministers, he had demanded that Lyons and Bour∣gogne should jointly be granted to him; wherefore though he laboured to seem discon∣••ented and angry at the accident that had happened unto his Brother, there was not any body that believed him, seeing he not only omitted to treat of freeing him indeed, though he talked much of it; but also that he had confirmed the authority of Gover∣nour upon the Archbishop, which those Citizens had conferred upon him.

This new dissention opened a passage to new troubles,* 1.19 which at that time were like to have steered a more prosperous course; for the Duke of Mayenne had at last reunited himself, and composed matters with the Duke of Guise, their common Friends having made them perceive that their discord would in the end be the ruine of them both; whereupon the Duke of Mayenne, to free himself f••om the aspersions of crossing his Nephews advancement; and the Duke of Guise, not to shew himself regardless of his Uncle's labour in upholding the party, w••re mutually agreed that if the Duke of Mayenne found means to attain the Crown for himself, the Duke of Guise should be obliged to keep united with him, and assist him with all his Forces; and in case the Duke of Mayenne could not obtain the Kingdom for himself, or for one of his Sons, he should likewise be obliged to help the Duke of Guise to attain it either by the mar∣riage of the Infanta, or some other way.

This accommodation did infinitely displease the Duke of Feria, and Diego d' Ivarra▪* 1.20 who saw themselves deprived of the proper instrument to keep the Duke of Mayenne in jealousie, and to be able when occasion should require by that means to keep down and suppress his greatness; and yet Juan Bap••ista Tassis being returned from Flanders▪ who had been there to confer with Don Pedro Enriquez of Toledo, Conde de Fuen••es, who held the Government of the Low-Countries till the arrival of the Archduke Ernest, began to treat of piecing up again with the Duke of Mayenne, such being the opinion and desire of that principal Minister, who perceiving well that without his help and consent, all other attempts would prove frui••less; and though the Spanish Ministers at Paris thought themselves deceived, and ill dealt withal by him, yet the Conde did not judge it a fit time to take revenge, but to manage things with patience and dissi∣mulation, since they had seen by experience, that the principal Deputies of the States; depended upon the will and authority of the Duke of Mayenne. At Tassis his a••rival they began to trea••, the Legat also interposing, though he was much more in••lined to the Duke of Guis••, but not being willing to digr••ss from the King of Spain's re••olutions,

not only by reason of his ancient inclination, but also because in that State of affairs there was no breaking friendship and good correspondence with him, without indan∣gering Religion.

Tassis began with letting him know the good will the Conde de Fuentes bore him; then he went on himself condemning the perverse carriage of his Collegues; and in the end intimated and implied; but did not affirmatively declare, That the Catholick King would be content to give the Infanta to one of his Sons provided they could but agree in other matters. After this conference the other Spanish Ministers began to change their manner of proceeding, and to bear more respect to the Dukes person and authority, and the Cardinal-Legat himself to do the same; so that it was easie for him to believe there were new orders come from Spain in favour of him;* 1.21 as it was true, King Philip being finally resolved to procure the Infanta's election with any Husband whatsoever, and having conceived an opinion, that the Duke of Mayenne standing fixt in his design of attaining the Crown for his posterity, would consent to most pro∣fitable conditions for his Kingdom.

But that which made the business difficult was the present weakness of the Kings condition; for his Treasures being wonderfully exhausted, he could not make those great preparations that were necessary to uphold so great an enterprise, and he was brought so low that the Merchants could no longer accept his Bills of Exchange; and the Genoueses, to whom he was indebted many Millions, refused to make new pay∣ments: this weakness was with all possible care concealed by his Ministers, and they continued to affirm that against the end of the Truce, twelve thousand Foot, and three thousand Horse should be in a readiness to enter into Picardy, and one hundred thousand Crowns should be paid to the Duke of Mayenne every month to maintain as many French Forces; and, to gain the greater belief, they strained themselves to pay him twenty thousand in present, and give him Bills for sixty thousand more upon their credits, striving in all things to win, and still to increase new hopes in him every day more and more.

This piecing up with the Spaniards, besides the accommodation with the Duke of Guise, was the cause of interrupting the Treaty of Peace which had been continued many days with the Kings Deputies, in which though not only Monsiuer de Villeroy, but also President Jannin had laboured very much, yet was there not any conclusion agreed upon; for the King was grown jealous, that the Duke of Mayenne treated but feignedly, without any desire to conclude; and this suspition grew from some of the Legat's Letters to the Pope, which were intercepted, wherein though he spoke very ill of the Duke of Mayenne, and imputed it to his ambition, and malignity that the Infanta and the Duke of Guise were not elected; yet he affirmed he had tyed him up in such a manner, that he should never conclude an agreement with the King of Na∣varre, and that he had taken a secret Oath to that purpose in a Writing signed by him, the Dukes of Aumale and Elboeuf, the Count of Brissac, the Mareshals of Rosne, and St. Paul, and many others of the principal men, a Copy of which Writing was inclo∣sed in the same Letters, wherefore Villeroy going to the King to treat on still about the Peace, he would do nothing else but shew him the Letters, and the Writings, whereof he also gave him a Copy to shew the Duke of Mayenne, who not being able to deny, but that the Oath was true, excused himself yet for it with saying, that he had always intended to conclude the Peace with a reservation of the Popes consent; and if he should approve it, he was then immediately loosened from the obligation of that Oath; nor did the sight of the evil which the Legat wrote concerning him, at all withdraw him from his resolution; for he interpreted those to be old opinions, and that the new or∣ders from Spain, had varied all things; wherefore applying himself to join close with the Spanish Ministers, from the Treaty of Peace, he came to negotiate the prolonging of the Truce,* 1.22 to give things time to ripen; nor was it hard to obtain the lengthening of it, for the other two months, November and December, because the King also desired, before he moved any farther, to know the event of the Duke of Nevers Embassy, and the Popes resolution.

But this accommodation made up betwixt the Duke of Mayenne and the Spaniards, made the Pope more wayward to the Kings entreaties, not being willing to admit his reconciliation, whilst he doubted the French of the League would not follow his judg∣ment, but continue the War, being united with Spain; it being fit for the reputation of the Apostolick See, for the security of Religion, and for the satisfaction of the World,

that he should be the most wary, the most constant, and the last man that should ap∣prove the King's conversion; lest those mischiefs which might proceed from the esta∣blishment of a K. not yet well setled in his Religion should be imputed to his lightness and cred••lity▪ wherefore the Duke of Nevers being come ••ear to Rome,* 1.23 he sent Posse∣vi••o to him again, to let him know, he intended not he should s••ay above ten dayes in the City, and that he had forbidde•• all the Cardinals, either ••o see him, or treat with him; which things, though they seemed wonderful hard to the Duke, yet being re∣solved to prosecute the business to the utmost, and believing all these were but shews to set a higher price upon his favour, he went on and ent••red privately into Rome, at Por∣ta del Borgo upon the twentieth day of November.

He went the same evening privately to kiss the Pope's feet,* 1.24 and at the first audience desired only that his time migh•• be prolonged, the term of ten dayes being too short to treat of a matter of so great moment, and that he might have leave to visit the Car∣dinals, and to deliver the Letters he had to them from the King, offering to treat of that business in the presence of the King of Spain's Ambassadors▪ and of the Duke of May∣••nne's. Agents, and to shew them that a King of France could not but be received, who humbly suing, and being converted, desired to return unto the obedience of the Church. He had no other answer from the Pope, but that he would consult with ••he Cardinals▪ and with ••heir Council would resolve; but in his following audiences the Duke endeavoured, with many reasons, and great eloquence, to perswade the Pope, first of all, that as being Pope, and the Vicar of Christ, he could not reject one who being conver••ed return••d into the bosome of the Church; and then, that as a pru∣dent experienced Prince, he ought not to refuse the obedience of the stronger, and more powerful party; and finally, that as a Protector of the Common liberty, he ought not to permit, that the Kingdom of France, by the continuance of a rui•••••••• desperate War, should run the hazard of being divided and dismembred, with manifest danger of the libe••ty of all Christian Princes, and particularly of the See of Rome. He enlarged himself upon the first ••oint with proofs of Scripture; and with many exam∣ples, and authorities of the Primitive Church, and the Fathers; but knowing the dif∣ficulty did not consist in that, he enlarged hi••self much more in the other two; and thinking the Pope persisted to be so obd••rate, particularly because he doubted of the King's Forces, and that the Catholicks of the League, united with the King of Spain, were strong enough to suppress him, he took much pains to shew, that the major part of th•• Parliaments of France, all the Princes (except those of the House of Lorain,) the flower of the Nobility, and two thirds of the Kingdom followed his party, that his adversaries were few and of mean quality, disagreeing among themselves, and full of desperation▪ so that to the King's perfect establishment, and the total quiet of the Kingdom, there wanted nothing but the consent of the Apostolick See, and the bene∣diction of his Holiness. He reckoned up all the King's Victories, which did indeed proceed from his valour, but also from the power and strength of the Nobility and peo∣ple that followed him; he exaggerated the weakness of the Spaniards, who might well keep the Civil dissentions alive by art and industry, but could not sustain them by force of Arms. He strove to shew the articles and artifices they used, and that their aim was to usurp the Kingdom, as they had lately discovered their secret in the propo∣sition of the Infanta: he excited the piety and justice of the Pope, not to make himself author of violating the Salique-Lam and the other fundamental ones of the Kingdom; not to assist those who laboured to dispoile the lawful blood of the Crown; and finally not to permit, that discords should be sowed under his name to the utter ruine of the foundations of a most Christian Kingdom, and first▪ born of the Holy Church. Last of all he concluded, that he brought along with him some of those Prelates who had gi∣ven the King absolution, and who desired to present themselves at his feet, to give him an account of what had been done, their mindes giving them, that they should make him clearly see, they had not swerved from the obedience of the Apostolick See, nor from the rites and customes of it, and that what they had done was conformable to the Sacred Canons, and the mind of the Holy Church.

The Pope was constant in his determination, and though the Dukes reasons moved him, yet being resolved howsoever not to be too hasty; and so much the rather be∣cause the Duke seemed to urge, that the Absolution given to the King in France, might be confirmed and approved, but not to propose the submitting of the King to the cen∣sure and judgment of the Apostolick See, he said, he would think upon a•• a••swer, and

two dayes after, not having the heart to talk any more with the Duke, and to answer his reasons, he let him know by Silvio Antoniani▪ that he could not prorogue the term of ten dayes,* 1.25 lest he should discontent those Catholicks, who, being obedient to the Church, had ever, and did yet uphold Religion, and that that time was sufficient, having nothing else to treat of; that it was not fit he should speak unto the Car∣dinals, having been admitted as a private man, not as an Ambassador; and that as concerning the Prelats that came along with him, he could not admit them to his pre∣sence, unless first they submitted themselves to Cardinal Santa Severin•• the chief pe∣nitentiary, to be examined by him.

This was the Popes last resolution: for, though the Duke obtained another audi∣ence, yet could he not alter his determination, but he sent Cardinal Toledo to let him know the same things, with whom, having had many long discourses, the substance of the business varied not; and though the Duke, very much troubled with a Ca∣tarrhe, was of necessity fain to stay beyond the time of ten dayes, yet could he not pre∣vail any thing at all; and finally, being brought to his last audience in the Popes pre∣sence, after having at large repeated all his reasons, he fell upon his knees, and be∣seech'd him, that at least he would give the King absolution in Foro Conscienti••: but neither could he obtain this, and departed exceeding ill satisfied, having finally, with more liberty and spirit than he was wont, aggravated the wrongs that were done un∣to the King, and the injuries that were put upon his own person, who, forgetting his want of health, his age, and quality, had taken the pains to come that journey, for the safety and quiet of Christians.

After he was gone from his audience, Cardinal Toledo came to him again, and told him, that if the Prelats did so much abhor the face of Cardinal Santa Severina, they should be heard by the Cardinal of Aragon, Chief of the Congregation of the Holy Office; but the Duke answered, that they being come as Ambassadors in company with him, he did not mean they should be used as Criminals, but that the Pope should admit them to his presence; for, to him, as Head of the Church; they would give a good ac∣count of their actions: but the Cardinal replied, that it was not decent for them to contend and dispute with the Pope; the Duke added, that he would be content, if the Pope would but admit them to kiss his feet, and that then they should render an account to Cardinal Aldobrandino his Nephew.

But neither would the Pope accept of this condition; whereupon the Duke of Ne∣vers having distinctly set down in writing all that he had done, departed from Rome, taking the Prelates with him, and went to the City of Venice, where the Bishop of Mans published a little book in Print, wherein he set forth the reasons that had mo∣ved the Prelates to absolve the King;* 1.26 one of which was, that the Canons permit the Ordinary, whom it concerns, to absolve from excommunication, and every other case when the penitent is hindred by a lawful cause from going to the Popes feet hi••self▪ and another, that in the point and danger of death the penitent might be absolved by any one; in which danger the King manifestly was, being every day exposed in the encounters of War, to the peril of his enemies; and besides that, conspired against a thousand wayes by their wicked treacheries, to which reasons, adding many others, he concluded, they had power to absolve him ad futuram Cautelam, reserving his obe∣dience and acknowledgment to the Pope, which he at that time fully rendred him.

When the Duke was gone, the Pope having assembled the Cardinals in the Consisto∣ry, declared, That he had not been willing to receive the King of Navar's excuses and obedience; because his conscience would not suffer him to lend his faith so easily to one that had formerly violated it; that to admit one to so potent a Kingdom, with∣out great regard, and due caution, would have been a very great lightness; and being certain, that others would have believ'd, and follow'd his judgment, it was not fit, proceeding blindly, to make himself a guide to the blind, and to lead the good French Catholicks to the ruinous precipice of damnation; and that therefore they should be assured he would continue constant, and would not accept of false dissimulations, and politick tricks in a matter of so great consequence. Thus the Spaniards remained sa∣tisfied, and the Catholicks of the League contented; yet was not the King moved with all this, or turned aside from his first intention, the Sieur de la Chelle's relation having applyed an antidote to that so bitter potion.

The King at this time was at Melun, in which Town one Pierre Barriere was

taken and put in Prison, who had conspired to kill him; but by whom he was insti∣gated is not well known; he was born obscurely in the City of Orleans, and followed the profession of a Waterman in those Boats that are wont to go upon the Loyre;* 1.27 but being known for a man of a brutish cruel nature, he had been made use of in the acting of many villanies: from which, and the dissoluteness of his carriage, being grown to a vagabond kind of life, he was as last fallen upon a thought of this fact, which having impar••ed to two Fryers, the one a Capuchin, the other a Carmelite, he was (as he ••aid) earnestly persuaded to it by them; but being yet doubtful and uncertain in his mind, he would needs reveal his Secret also to Seraphin•• Banchi, a Dominican Frier, born in Florence, but living in Lyons. This man struck with horror, to hear the boldness, and wicked intent of this Fellow, dissembled nevertheless, and told him, It was a thing to be well considered, and not to be so soon resolved on, and bad him come again the next day for his answer, which he would think upon, and study to know how he should determine the question; in the mean time, thinking how the King might be warily advertised of it, he intreated the Sieur de Brancaleon, a servant of the Queen Dowagers, who was then in the City, to come to him the same day and hour he had appointed, and they being both of them come at the same time, he made them stay, and talk a great while together, to the end that Brancaleon might know Ba••ri••re perfectly; then having told him he could not yet resolve what counsel he should give him, because the question was very full of difficult doubts, he dismissed him, and discovered the whole business to Brancaleon, to the end, that giving the King notice of it, the mischief might be prevented. Barriere going from Lyons, and coming not many dayes after to Paris, conferred about it, first with the Curate of St. A••dre, and then with his father Vadare Rector of the Jesuits, who (as he affirmed) persuaded him to do the deed; where∣fore he departed resolved to attempt the execution of it, and being come to St. Denis, lingered after the King, to find an opport••nity to effect his design. But being come with the King to Melu••, Brancaleon also came thither, by whom being known and pointed out, he was put in prison by the Archers of the Grand Prevost, and being exa∣mined and brought face to face with Brancaleon, he confessed that he was once mind∣ed to have Killed the King, and that he had conferred about it with the Dominican Fryer at Lyons; but that afterward having heard of his conversion, he was resolved not to do it; and that he was going towards Orleans, in which City he was born, being determined to put himself into a Monastery of Capuchins; but these things he spoke with so much insolency, and contempt, as plainly shewed him to be guilty, having also a great two-edged knife about him, which gave proof of his intention to commit the fact; whereupon, having been many times examined, and tortured, he was by the ap∣pointed Judges condemned to die; which sentence being told him, with persausions to a sincere confession of his crime, he confessed the whole business, and related all the particulars distinctly; thence being brought to the place of execution, and having rati∣fied all he had said before, he suffered the usual punishments, as a reward for his auda∣cious rashness.

In the mean time the term of the Cessation was almost expired; and the Duke of Mayenne, intent to gain the most time he could possibly, had again dispatch'd the Sieur de Villeroy▪ the King, to get it prolonged; but he not having been able to obtain any thing, ••e after him dispatched the Count de Beli••, who was persuaded he should compass it; but the King was utterly averse▪ from that intention, knowing certainly that they desired to gain time, not to expect the resolutions from Rome, but indeed the supplies and preparations from Spain; and therefore he was determined to lose no more time, but since his adherents had held many practices through the whole King∣dom, he made haste to let the War break out, that he might see whether those Mines that were prepared, would take effect. Wherefore, though the Duke of Mayenne, be∣sides others, used also Sebastian Z••m••rti (who▪ of a Merchant of Piedmont, was become a man of great business in Court) and though the President de Thou, and the Count de Schom••erg•• met with him at Paris, yet was it not possible by any conditions, how large soever, to persuade the King to prolong the Cessation, no not for a few dayes.

But, no sooner was the term of the Cessation expired, when the effects of the Kings conversion, and of the practices his Ministers had opportunely set on foot, began to shew themselves; for Monsieur de Vitry Governor of Meau••, who being deep in ar∣rears, had, in the time of the Truce, been with the Conde de 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to get them paid,

and having not onely failed of that which he thought it most reasonable to demand, but also waited many dayes before he could be admitted to tell his business, a thing absolutely intolerable to the French impatiency; he came back full of spite and discon∣tent, often repeating those words, which are almost grown a Proverbe, * 1.28 Point d' argent, point de Vitry; wherefore, taking occasion from his inability to pay the Soldiers him∣self,* 1.29 he called the people of the Town to a Parly, and told them, he had constantly fol∣lowed the party of the League as long as the business was matter of Religion; but now the King was turned Catholick he would not deny him due obedience, nor follow them, who, for ambition and interest, would prosecute the War, and therefore deliver∣ed up the keys of the Town into their hands, and leaving them at liberty to dispose of themselves, went straight to put himself on that side which he manifestly saw was in the right; and putting on a white Scarfe, and making all his Soldiers wear the same co∣lour, was going to march out of the Town; but the people, excited by those few words, and the example of their Governor, cryed out unanimously, For the King, for the King, and presently chose four Deputies to go and deliver the Town into his power.

This place was exceeding opportune, as well by reason of its nearness to Paris, as because it shut up the passage of the River Marne; but, the example of it to all the other Towns of the League, was of much greater consequence; for being the first that submitted it self to the King's obedience, it was likely to open a way to a novelty of such importance, that the sum of affairs consisted in it; wherefore, the King delibera∣ting (as his custom was) in his Council what course was to be held, and what con∣ditions should be granted to it, was in a little suspence, because the opinions of his Counsellors were different among themselves; some of a more fiery nature (who could not so easily forget the past insolencies of the Common people, and the invete∣rate enmity of the factions) with the adherents of the Hugonots, (for yet some of them came to Council) would have had them that returned unto their obedience, bri∣dled with severe conditions, and that they should redeem their former faults, and of∣fences by sharp repentance, being desirous to wreak their long setled hatred, and proudly to triumph upon the enemies which they already accounted conquered. But the more wise and moderate men considered, that these return'd unto their obedience, neither through the necessity of a Siege, nor for fear of force, but out of the instinct of their own will, and that it was therefore fit, the example should be such as might invite and allure other places of greater importance to follow it, that this beginning was to serve for a rule to other Compositions, and Agreements; wherefore, since the King used all possible endeavours to win the People to acknowledge him, it would have been a cross Counsel,* 1.30 now to reject, and fright them with sharpness, and severity; that it was necessary to help this first motion to bring forth a happy obedience; to accom∣modate ones self to the imperfections of the subjects, and with the baite of good usage to promote those wavering thoughts: they called to mind how pernicious the par∣don granted to the Flemmings by the Duke of Alva had been by reason of his strict∣ness, exceptions, ambiguities, and want of sincerity in the conditions, whence it came to pass, that that strictness and doubtfulness of pardon alienated more Cities and more People from the Catholick King, than so many punishments, so much blood, and so many violences had done before; therefore, they exhorted the King to grow wary at his Neighbours cost, and not to run into those errors which they heard the Spaniards reproached with every day.

This opinion being without doubt the best and most fruitful,* 1.31 suited wonderfully with the King's nature inclined to gentleness and clemency, and with the necessity of his affairs▪ and the knowing that his enemies, though weak and divided, were not yet suppressed, and utterly ruined, induced him to consent unto it, and to resolve to open that so large gate, that all others might run willingly to pass in at it; wherefore, having received the Deputies with kind demonstrations, he graciously granted the Ci∣tizens of Meaux all conditions they knew how to ask, among which, that the exercise of the Catholick Religion alone should be allowed in their Town; he granted them al∣so exemption from many impositions, the confirmation of the offices and benefices grant∣ed by the Duke of Mayenne, and the continuation of the immunities and ancient Privi∣ledges of the Place; he confirmed the Govenment upon Monsieur de Vitry, and after him upon his eldest Son; and gave him a certain sum of money to pay his debts, and also paid the Soldiery that followed him, and entertained them in his service.

This blaze of liberality, and clemency, spread a wonderful lustre through all parts of France, so that upon the same thereof, many others resolved to follow the example, and to try if they could find more quiet in the King's goodness, than in the troubles of the War, and so much the rather when they saw the King's Edict published upon the fourth of January, 1594. Wherein, with a great and specious flourish of words, he confirmed the foresaid Conditions;* 1.32 which Edict was also received without any kind of delay, and approved of in the Parliament.

About the same time the Sieur d' Estrumel, Brother in law to Monsieur de S. Luc,* 1.33 and Governor of Peronne, Mondidier & Roye made agreement for himself, and those three principal Towns of Piccardy, to put themselves under the King's obedience; but to make his revolt more specious, he would first make a Truce for many months, whereby those aforesaid Towns remained neutral. The same did the Sieur d' Ali••∣court and Monsieur de Villeroy with Pontoyse; for the King was content they should re∣main neutral by a particular Truce, that he might make use of Villeroy in drawing on the treaty of Peace, which was yet kept alive with the Duke of Mayenne.

But Monsieur de la Chastre, one of the principal men of the League, declared him∣self for the King freely, and without any pretence in the beginning of February; for having in vain demanded supplys of men and money from the Spanish Ministers, be∣ing incensed at the repulse, and weary of the discords, which he saw in his party, he agreed with the King, by means of the Archbishop of Bourges, for himself and the Ci∣ties of Orleans and Bourges, obtained for them the same conditions that had been granted to Meaux, and for himself the confirmation of the degree of Marshal of France, conferred upon him by the Duke of Mayenne, and of the Governments he had in pos∣session, which after him were to come to his Son the Baron de la Maison.

In the same month happened the composition with the City of Lyons;* 1.34 for the peo∣ple of that place having expected that the Duke of Mayenne should either come thither in Person, or send a man of great authority to accommodate the business with the D. of Nemours, and to remove him from that government, by giving him a convenient re∣compence, he not being able to leave Paris in the condition it was in, and not having an equivalent recompence to offer, (for the Government of Guienne which the Duke of Nemours would have accepted, was already promised to the Duke of Guise, and the Marquiss of Villars who commanded there, would not hear of submitting himself to any other body,) he could neither remedy the popular Commotion, nor oppose the force of the Marquiss de S. Sorlin, who, to recover his Brother, molested the whole Coun∣try of Lyons with exceeding great plunderings, and also straitned the City; wherefore, after the people had in vain expected many months, not knowing what resolution to take, they at last called Collonel Alfonso Corso, who was near that place with a good num∣ber of men, and having brought him into the City, publickly set up the Royal Stand∣ard, having thrown and beaten down all the Arms and Monuments of the League eve∣ry where.

A while before the City of Aix in Provence being straitly besieged by the Duke of Espernon, and seeing they could receive no relief, neither from the Duke of Savoy,* 1.35 nor from any other part, the Count de Carsy being in it, who had married a daughter in law of the Duke of Mayenn's, and was Commander in Chief of the forces of that Pro∣vince, took a resolution, since the King was turn'd Catholick, to submit himself to his obedience; but upon condition that the Duke of Espernon should not come into the Town, to whom both the Citizens, and the Count himself professed a particular enmi∣ty, in which point they were satisfied by means of Monsieur Les-diguieres, and of Col∣lonel Alfonso Corso.

In this so violent a motion of the principal Heads and Cities of the Vnion, part whereof had already agreed to obey the King, and part talked of agreeing, the Cardinal's Legat was in great fear and trouble, for he having promised at Rome that there should follow no alteration upon the King's conversion, was now in great perplexity, for fear the Pope should account him, either a light, or a negligent man, and having per∣suaded and urged, that the King's Embassy might not be received by the A∣postolick See, he doubted not that all sinister events would be imputed to his evil Counsel, and was extremely vexed that so much labour, and so great en∣deavours used by him to bring the affairs of the League to the end he pretended, should now prove vain and unprofitable, and that all the engins of his contrivance should be overturn'd in a moment; wherefore, being fallen into a profund consideration,

he after long consultation, resolved to set forth a Writing, wherein he informed and assured the people of France, that the Pope, judging the King of Navar's con∣version to be feign'd,* 1.36 and counterfeit, had neither approved it, nor admitted the Duke of Nevers as his Ambassador, but as an Italian Prince, and a private person. He protested moreover, that the Pope would never approve of that conversion, nor admit the King into the bosome of the Church: upon which ground he exhorted all Catholicks not to swerve from the judgment and union of the Apostolick See, nor from the obedience of the Pope. With this Writing he thought he might stop the motion of mens minds, that inclined to submit themselves to the King, and judged, that the scruple of Conscience would be stronger to withhold them, than the conside∣ration of temporal Laws to spur them on; but this Counsel produced a contrary ef∣fect; for most men were incensed, that so great a Prince should be refused to be re∣ceived to repentance, whereas the Church is wont, with so much pains, to endevour, and with so much tenderness to embrace the conversion of every meanest sinner; and the people being persuaded, by a desire of Peace, and rest, and abhorring civil dis∣cords, which had produced so many mischiefs, both in publick and in private, were much the more ready to take a resolution, and shelter themselves under the Kings obedience; and yet the Legate, either persevering in his old opinions, or his heart not suffering him to unsay what he had writ and advised at Rome, continued firmly to uphold the League, as well with the Pope, as among the French Lords themselves, with whom he was every day at close consultations.

Equal to his was the trouble and terror of the King of Spains Ministers, who see∣ing some of them were fallen off, whom they accounted the most confiding men; and though pieced up, yet not totally trusting to the intelligence they held with the Duke of Mayenne, not seeing that the Duke of Guise himself was very well satisfied, they knew that all their hopes would vanish, if the present need were not speedily succoured, which was very difficult, as well by reason of the want of money, as the ill conditions of the affairs of Flanders; and though they bestirred themselves with all their power, they could neither find any that would pay their bills of exchange, nor that would have to do with them; and to be fain to stay for those provisions that came slowly out of Spain, was a remedy too late, and too far off; they resolved there∣fore to make use of the nearest assistance, which was that of Flanders, and dispatched many messengers to hasten the advance of the Army, and at last Juan Baptista Tassis went thither himself: but besides that, there was no way to pay their Forces; for want whereof, some Spanish Tertia's, and a great many Italian Horse had mutined. Count Charles of Mansfield also, who was to command the Army (desiring, for his own interests, not to stir from Flanders, either because he inclined not to obey the Duke of Mayenne, or else not thinking, that with so few men, and no money, he could come off with honour,) interposed many delays, and many hinderances, so that the Spanish Camp, small in number, ill provided, and disagreeing, durst not advance from their own confines.

* 1.37But the Duke of Mayenne was more afflicted and troubled than all the rest. He saw the Count de Carsy, and the Mareschal de la Chastre lost, in whom he was formerly wont to confide more than in any others; the City of Lyons gon, to which place he had resolved, what ever happened, to ••educe the reliques of his fortune; his Brother the Duke of Nemours no longer Prisoner to the City, but to the King himself; Meaux and Pontoyse in the Kings hands, which Town so nearly bridled the City of Paris, the people whereof, allured on the one side by the benefits of Peace and Plenty, and on the other spurred on by their ancient inclination, and respect of Conscience, wavered in their resolutions, and it was uncertain to which Party they would at last incline. For all these c••uses he was many times thinking to make his peace with the King, be∣fore he was forsaken of all, to which the Sieur de Villeroy persuaded him with fre∣quent Letters, proposing to him honourable and advantageous Conditions; which he shewed him, that when he was brought lower, he could not be able to obtain; but would be forced to capitulate, not as the Head of the Vnion, nor as Lieutenant-Gene∣ral of the Crown, but as a particular Prince▪ and private person; but on the other side, he knew not how to quit his old hopes, in which the Spaniards did all they possibly could to confirm him; besides that, to make his Peace without the Popes consent, to whose judgement he had refe••red himself, seemed to him so undecent a thing, and so contr••ry to his reputation, that he could not accommodate his mind unto it, and what∣soever the event of businesses should be, he was resolved rather to perish, than

shew that the past War had been imbraced by him, out of an ambitious end, and not for the maintenance of Religion; and he made less reckoning of his own ruine, and the destruction of his Family, than of the loss of his honour and reputation, which he thought he should lose, if he digressed it never so small a matter from the will and determination of the Pope, and the Apostolick See; for which reasons he de∣pended wholly upon those informations that were expected from Rome, and from the Court of Spain, and in the mean time had sent Monsieur de Rosne into Flanders, not onely to hasten that Army, but also that by him he might be sincerely advertised of the quality of those Supplies which he might certainly hope for from thence.

In this interim, Cardinal Joyeuse, and the Baron de Senecey, sent last of all by him to the Pope, and the Abbot of Orbais sent by the Duke of Guise, were come to Rome up∣on the Two and twentieth of January, and being brought to have audience of the Pope, after the narration of all things that had past (the sinister course of which they imputed to the evil Counsel, and the too evident covetousness of the Spaniards,) they beseeched him that he would be Mediator, to know King Philip's last resolution, and firm determination; and that he himself would be pleased with men and money to succor the danger of Religion, and the urgent necessity of the League, as his Prede∣cessors had done; to which Propositions, the Pope, after having related what had past with the Duke of Nevers, answered,* 1.38 That as concerning the Catholick King's deter∣mination, he would endeavour to know what it was, and to confirm him in the good intention of defending the Faith, and upholding the League; but as for his assisting with men and money, he began to excuse himself from that, by the emergent occasion of the War with the Turk in Hungary, in which he was necessitated for the universal safety of Christians, to imploy the sinews of his strength; and yet he said, That in as much as he was able he would not fail to lend his assistance also to the affairs of France. It was not very difficult for the Ambassadors, and particularly for the Baron de Sene∣cey, a man of a quick understanding to apprehend the Popes meaning, he being very backward to spend money, and not well satisfied in the affairs of the Vnion; where∣fore they wrote unto the Duke of Mayenne, that he must think to furnish himself by other means; for from the Pope there was nothing to be hoped for, nor was he to de∣pend upon him for the obtaining of any considerable Supplies▪

In the like course also went the negotiation in Spain; for the Sieur de M••••tpezat having, after many delayes, treated with the King himself, and besought him, that without referring himself to his Ministers that were in France,* 1.39 he would declare his pleasure, as well in matter of the election and marriage of the Infanta, as of the sup∣plies of men and monies, for the establishment of the Princes that should be elected, and also of the Conditions he would grant the Duke of Mayenne, he could never draw any other conclusion from him, save that he would write to Rome, and to the Arch-Duke Ernest, to settle what should be resolved on, and done, and that it was necessary to ex∣pect the informations and answers from both places, which coldness and irresoluteness openly shewed, that the King, either through weariness, or weakness, was little incli∣ned to go on with the War; but, on the other side, Don Bernardino Mendozza, by his long abode there, well versed in the affairs of France, having before this written to the Sieur de Rombouillett, that if any body were sent to the Court of Spain, to treat in the name of the House of Bourbon, it was very probable that the Catholick King would a∣gree to Peace, the King not passing by that occasion had caused the Sieur de la Varenne (a Gentleman of great understanding, and deep reach, and one whom he trusted) un∣der pretence of going to see that Court, and travelling through several parts of the World (as the French use to do) to joyn himself even with the company of Mont∣pezat, and to go to the Court of Spain along with him, where, having conferred often∣times with Mendozza, and others of the Council of State, he brought back word at his return, that the Spaniards would certainly conclude a Peace, if means could be found that it might be propounded and negotiated with their reputation; which, though it was attributed to the arts of that Counsel, to make use of the same engines against the Duke of Mayenne that he used against them, yet being come to his knowledge, either purposely, or by chance, it confirmed him in the suspition he was fallen into, by reason of the doubtful answers which his Ambassador had received from the Kings own mouth.

But whilst at Rome they refer the resolution of Affairs unto the Court of Spain, and in Spain they are referred to the Advertisements from Rome and Flanders, the humour of the French which was not capable of so much patience, wrought so effectually

in favour of the King, that all things were in great commotions, and the Vnion of the Confederates dissolved of it self in all places. The people of Paris murmured, and kept a noise,* 1.40 being reduced to exceeding sca••••ity, and the benefit they had felt a while before, during the Truce, made their present sufferings more troublesome, more intollerable, the dearth grew every day more necessitous, and the interruption of commerce, and the decay of trading had brought the common people to extreme misery for want of victual, insomuch, as that powerful incentive failing, wherewith the Chief among them were wont to keep them to the League, which was the dan∣ger of Religion, since that by many signes the King's conversion was seen to be real and unfeigned; every one inclined to free himself from trouble, and by peace to make an end of the continued sufferings of so many years. They saw, that in those places that submitted themselves to the King's obedience, the Catholick Religion was main∣tained, the Clergy-mens goods restored to them, Garrisons taken away from those pla∣ces that belonged to Churches, the exercise of the Hugonot Religion excluded, the Corporations maintained in their priviledges, the Catholicks had their Offices con∣firmed upon them, the Governments put again into the hands of the same Comman∣ders, and that there appeared no innovation nor danger of any kind whatsoever▪ The ••ame of the King's devotion flew abroad, and his inclination to the benefit of the Ca∣tholick Religion, that his Council was composed of all Prelats, and persons bred up in the same Faith; his clemency and benignity were exalted; his mind far from re∣venge commended, and besides all this, the plenty and quiet they of his party enjoyed, were envied by those of the League in the extremity of their sufferings. The cove∣tousness of the Spaniards, and the ways they had gone in, had filled every one with discontent, the discords that raigned among the heads of the Faction, put every un∣derstanding man in despair of expecting any prosperous end after so long toyls, and labours; wherefore the people began to make many Conventicles and Meetings, and the Politicks failed not to represent fitting considerations to all degrees and qualities of Persons; nor did the Count de Belin, who, as Governor, had the charge to hinder the progress of this inclination, seem to take any care of it: either because he was indeed unsatisfied with the Duke of Mayenne, and the Spaniards; or because he thought it impossible longer to withhold the City from revolting, and therefore agreed to get the King's favour, that he might by him be confirmed in that Government.

But the Duke being present, it was not hard for him to find out what way the Governor went,* 1.41 and being instigated by the importunities of the Legate, and Spa∣nish Ambassadors, he resolved to remove him from the Government, which when i•• was known, the Parliament opposed it stifly, but in vain, because the Duke of Mayenne, after having severely reprehended the Counsellors of Parliament, would by all means have the Count de Brissac accepted, whom he desired to satisfie by that means, he wonted Government of Po••ctiers having been violently taken from him a while before by the Duke of Elboeuf, in which change the Duke was very much deceived; for Bris∣••ac (though he depended upon, and had been antiently bred up in his family, yes) h••∣ving spent all his own, to follow the Duke's fortunes, he had also lately been deprived of that Government which he onely loved▪ whereupon he was full of secret discon∣tent and was not likely to omit those occasions that should represent themselves to set his fortune right again▪ nor was the Government of Paris proposed to make him a∣mends; for besides the expence which the splendor of that charge carried along with it, which was very unproportionable to his present ability, he was also certain that he should not continue in it▪ for there was a Treaty already of giving the Government of the Isle of France to the Marquiss of S. S••rlin, and though they talk'd that it should be given him excluding the City of Paris, yet was it very probable, that by the impor∣tunities of his Mother he at last would obtain it.

But the Duke after he had settled Brissac in the Government, confiding absolutely in him,* 1.42 resolved to go from Paris to S••issons, and from thence to the Army, believing (〈◊〉〈◊〉 it was true) that his lying idle lessen'd his reputation, and gave the people greater conveniency to revolt; and yet at his departure many things crossed him, and he was put in a suspition of the new Governors fidelity, and of the intelligence which the Pr••vost des Merchands held with many Politicks that were affected to the Kings par∣ty. The Legate, and the Spanish Ambassadors exhorted him likewise not to go, but their words were ••ot taken in good part, he thinking they desired his abode in the City, that they might confer the charge of the Army and of managing the w••r

upon the Duke of Guise; indeed he was something moved by the perswasions of his Mother Madam de Nemours, she telling him that the sum of all things consisted now in the conservation of Paris, and that she had discovered some practises that past be∣tween the Politicks of the City and the new Governor; but neither was that able to disswade him from his departure; for it diminished his reputation, and prejudiced the course of affairs too much to stand with his hands at his girdle, and let himself be straightned to the last necessities without seeking any remedy; and he considered, that if the King being Master of Pontoyse and Meaux, and by consequence also Master of the Rivers, and having Dreux, Orleans and Chartres in his power, should have a mind to besiege Paris, he should be locked up in the City, and not be able to do any thing to relieve it; and having notice that the King had made a Levy of Six thousand Switzers which were ready to enter into the Kingdom, and knowing that the Queen of Eng∣land was sending new supplies of Men and Ammunition, he thought it necessary to draw the Forces of the Confederates together, to make opposition in the Spring-time, if the King should take the Field with a great Army, which could not be done unless he himself in person were active in the business, not judging the Duke of Guise, or the Duke of Aumale either for authority or experience sufficient to raise, or command the Army, in which charge the secret intentions of men, now more suspected by him than ever, would not suffer him to trust any other person. Moved by these reasons, and not being able to perswade himself that the Count de Brissac would forsake him, and change that Faith which he, his Father, and his Grandfather had ever constantly kept, he at last departed and took his Lady, and his Son with him, leaving his Mo∣ther, his Sister, the Cardinal-Legat, and the Spanish Ambassadors at Paris.

But he was no sooner gone, when the Governour finding himself alone, and little valuing all the rest that were in the City, thought that occasion for the raising of his fortune again, was not to be lost; wherefore having drawn Jehan Viller,* 1.43 the Prevost des Marchands, and the two chief Eschevins, which were Guilliaume du Ver, Sieur de Ne∣ret, and Martin l' Anglois, Sieur de Beauripaire unto his party, he went on to deal with the first President, and the other Counsellors of the Parliament. These were displeased with the Duke of Mayenne, because in many occasions, and particularly in the last of changing the Governour, he had (as they said) used them sharply and ingratefully, and openly derided and abused them, and much more were they disgusted at the Spa∣niards, by reason of the Proposition of the Infanta, against whose election they had shewed themselves openly; but that which imported most of all, was, That the Pre∣sidents and Counsellors of the Parliament, (as men distrusted and disaffected) were ill used by the Catholick Kings Ambassadors, and by the Garison of Italians, Walloons, and Spaniards, which depended on them so, that they not only heard proud threats, and opprobrious speeches against themselves to their very faces, with often mentioning the name of Brisson, but their Servants and Caterers were abused in the Markets by the Souldiers, even to the violent taking away from them whatsoever they bought; for which they having often complained to the Duke of Mayenne, had not gotten any remedy, but only perswasions to be patient; but at last from this long sufferance, they turned to fury, which wakening mens minds, (as it was wont) had made them see how near they were to the hated servitude of strangers, and how much better it was to secure their own fortune with the stronger party, and free themselves at last from anguish and trouble; wherefore it was not hard to draw them to the opinion of the rest, and bring them to consent to submit the City to the Kings obedience.

Things being thus setled within, and the Governour thinking himself to be in such a condition as to dispose of the people his own way, began to treat with the King by means of the Count de la Rochep••t, with whom he had an exceeding near affinity and friendship, and being come from the beginnings of a Treaty, to agree upon the con∣ditions, the Count de Schomberg, Monsieur de Bellieure, and the President de Thou, were employed in the business, who within a few days concluded what was to be done as well to satisfie the Count de Brissac, as to gain the City without tumult, or blood∣shed, and finally the Count himself having conferred in the Field with the Sieur de St. Luc, who had married one of his Sisters, under pretence of treating about her Por∣tion, about which they had been long in suit, it was jointly agreed upon,* 1.44 That in the City of Paris, the Fauxbourgs thereof, and ten mile round about, there should be no publick exercise permitted, save of the Roman Catholick Religion, according to all the Edicts of former Kings: That the King should give a general pardon to all of what state

or condition soever, that had in word or deed upheld and fomented the League, stirr'd up the people to sedition, spoken evil of his person, written or printed against him, thrown down or despised his Royal Arms, or the Arms of the Kings his Predecessors, or that were guilty in any kind whatsoever of the past seditions, excepting those that had traiterously conspired against his Person, or that were accessary to the murther of the late King: That the goods and persons of the Citizens, should be free from violence and plunder, all the Priviledges, Prerogatives, and Immunities confirmed, and kept in the same degree they were wont to be in the times of former Kings: That all Places, Offices, and Benefices into which the Duke of Mayenne had put men when they were vacant by death, as well within the Parliament as without, should be con∣firmed unto the same persons, but with an obligation to take new Patents from the King: That all the present Magistrates of the City should be confirmed if they would submit themselves to the Kings obedience: That every Citizen that would not stay in the City, might have free liberty to depart, and without further leave carry away his goods: That the Cardinal-Legat, Cardinal Pellevé, and all the Prelats with their Ser∣vants, might with their goods and furniture freely stay, or go, how, and when they thought it seasonable: That the Princesses and Ladies that were in the City, might stay, or go in like manner with full liberty and security: That the Spanish Ambassa∣dors with their attendants, goods, and families, might also have Pass-ports and Safe∣conducts, from the King, to go securely whither they pleased: That the Souldiers of the Garison, French and strangers of any Nation soever, might march out of the City armed in rank and file, their Drums beating, Colours flying, and light Match, to go whither they thought good: That two hundred thousand Crowns should be paid to the Count de Brissac in recompence of his expences,* 1.45 and losses, and that he should have twenty thousand Franks of an annual pension, the Charge of Marshal of Fr••nce conferred upon him by the Duke of Mayenne should be confirmed, and the perpetual Government of Corbie and Mante granted to him; which things with many other of less moment being agreed upon, both sides applyed themselves to the execution of them.

* 1.46The King at this time was at Chartres, where he had caused himself to be Crown∣ed, and Anointed, or (as they call it) Sacré; about which there had been many dif∣ficulties, which nevertheless by the authority of the Council were seasonably removed; for he, that he might take away the doubts of scrupulous minds, desiring to his Con∣version to add this Ceremony, which is wont to be used to all Kings, some objected that the Consecration by an ancient custom could not be but at the City of Reimes, nor by the hands of any other than the Archbishop of that Church; but having dili∣gently over-looked the History of former times, the learned found that many Kings had been Consecrated in other places; and since that City was not in the Kings power, reason consented not that he should therefore remain without that due Ceremony which they thought necessary for his perfect Establishment. This difficulty being re∣moved, there succeeded another, how the King could be Anointed without the Oyl of St. Ampoule, which was kept in the Cathedral of that City, and which (as fame re∣ports) was brought down by an Angel from Heaven, purposely for the Consecration of King Cloüis, and the other Kings of France his Successors; but neither of this was there any other necessity save bare tradition: whereupon it was determined that nei∣ther the City, nor the Oyl being in the Kings power, the Oyl should be brought that is kept in the City of Tours, in the Monastery of the Friers of St. Martin, of which there is a report (confirmed by the authority of many Writers) that it was likewise brought from Heaven to anoint that Saint, when, falling from the top of a Ladder, all his bones were broken, and shattered in pieces; wherefore Monsieur de Souvray Governour of Tours, having caused that Vial to be brought out in Procession, by those Monks that had it in keeping, and having placed it under a rich Canopy of State, set round pompously with lights, in the top of a Chariot made expresly for that pur∣pose, and guarded by four Troops of Horse, he himself going before it all the journey, brought it along with him to the City of Chartres, and with that Oyl they Anointed the King at his Consecration, causing it afterward to be carried back to its place, with the same Ceremony and Veneration.

There arose also a Competition among the Prelates, Which of them should per∣form the Act of Consecration; for the Archbishop of Bourges pretended, that Fun∣ction belonged unto him, as Primate; and on the other side, Nicholas de Thou, Bishop of Chartres, alledged, That the Ceremony being to be Celebrated in his

Church, it could not be taken away from him. The Council sentenced in favour of the Bishop of the Diocess; and so upon the Twenty seventh of February the King was consecrated with great Solemnity and Pomp, both Ecclesiastical and Military, the twelve Peers of France being present at the Ceremony; six Ecclesiastical, and six Se∣cular, which were, the Bishop of Chartres, Nantes, * 1.47 Mans, Maillezays, Orleans, and Angiers, representing those of Reimes, Langues, Laon, Beauvais, Noyon, and Chalons: and for the Secular Peers, the Prince of Conty for the Duke of Bourgogne, the Duke of Soissons for the Duke of Guienne, the Duke of Montpensier for the Duke of Nor∣mandy, the Duke of Luxemburgh in stead of the Earl of Flanders, the Duke of Retz in stead of the Count de Toulouse, and the Duke of Vantadour in stead of the Count de Champagne; the Archbishop of Bourges did the Office of Grand Aumosnier, the Mareshal de Matignon of High Constable, the Duke of Longueville that of High Chamberlain, the Count de St. Paul that of Grand Maistre, and the High Chancel∣lor Chiverny holding the Seals in his Right Hand, sate on one side of the Cloth of State.

The King, according to the custom of the Kings of France,* 1.48 upon the day of this Solemnity, received the Communion in both kinds, took the Oath which all the Kings of France are wont to take, to maintain the Catholick Faith, and the authority of the Holy Church, and at his coming out of the Church, touched those that had the Kings Evil, to the number of three hundred; from the Church he went unto the Feast, where, according to the custom, sate the twelve Peers that had been present at the Ceremony, the Princess Katharine, Sister to the King, with the other great Ladies that were at Court, and the Ambassadors of the Queen of England, and the Republick of Venice. After Dinner the King went to Vespers, where he received the Order of the St. Esprit, renewing his Oath for the conservation of the Faith, and the persecution of Heresie; which Ceremonies as they filled the hearts of his own party with great joy and gladness; so did they the more move the inclination of the others to acknow∣ledge and obey him.

In the mean time the Treaties in Paris were ripening for the reducing of that City, being managed with great dexterity and secresie by the Governour, the Prevost des Mar∣chands, and President le Maistre; but thwarted more than ever by the violent perswa∣sions of the Preachers, who ceased not to cry from their Pulpits, that the Kings Con∣version was feigned and dissembled, and no body could acknowledge him with a good Conscience. The business was likewise crossed by the practices and boldness of the Sixteen, who since the accident of President Brisson, having remained with small cre∣dit, and less power, being now fomented by the Legat and the Spaniards, and no less by the Dutchesses of Nemours and Montpensier, (who had turned their Sails according to the Wind) they began to rise again, meeting frequently, often stirring up commo∣tions, and proceeding audaciously against those that were suspected to be of the Kings party; but the Governour making use of his authority, and also of the Duke of May∣enne's Name, laboured to dissipate and suppress them, under colour that he would have no Conventicles, nor armed insurrections in a time of so great suspition: and finally, having accorded with the Parliament, they caused publick Proclamation to be made,* 1.49 That upon pain of death, and confiscation of goods, none should go to any Meeting, except in the Town-House, and in the presence of above five Magistrates. Upon the foundation of this Decree, the Governour sharply using force, did within a few days destroy and take away the opposition of the Sixteen, insomuch, that being at last in such a condition, that he was able to dispose of the City, he resolved that he would receive the King upon the Twenty second of March in the Morning; and to this end, having spread a report that the Duke of Mayenne was sending Men and Am∣munition from Soissons to re-inforce the City, and that it was necessary to send to meet them,* 1.50 he caused Colonel Giacopo Argenti to go forth the day before with his French Regiment, in which he confided not, sending them toward Beauvais, by which way he said those Supplies were coming; Martin l' Anglois had already dealt with, and by the promise of a great sum of money, drawn St. Quintin over to his party, who commanded the Tertia of Walloons that was in the Town: But the suspicion of it being come to the Duke of Feria, he caused him to be laid hold on upon the One and twentieth day, and removed that whole Tertia, as likewise that other of Spaniards into the quarters near his own house, which being about the Rue St. Antoine, in the remotest place from that part where it was intended the King should be brought in, it proved

very much to the purpose, that the strongest Forces were quartered at so great a di∣stance. The Neapolitan Tertia commanded by Alessandro de Monti was sent by the Governour into that part of the City which lies beyond the River, saying, He would keep them there in a readiness to receive a great quantity of Victual which was to be brought in on that side the next day. Only the Germans were retained toward the quarters of St. Honore and St. Denis as being more easie, either to be perswaded, or defeated; the Governour not being willing by emptying that quarter utterly, to in∣crease the suspicion that already began to spread hotly in all places.

The Evening being come, the Governour having at his house assembled the Prevost des Marchands, and those Heads and Magistrates of the People, which he hoped would consent, laid open to them his intention, the Articles of Agreement made with the King, and the necessity they were reduced to of freeing themselves by peace from those sufferings and dangers which had no other remedy; and having found them all una∣nimously disposed to follow his advice, he exhorted them to do it freely, and with a good heart, and to provide, that the alteration of things, and the introducing the King might be effected without stir or tumult; to which every one there present be∣ing ready, they, about Nine of the Clock at night, dispatched Tickets subscribed by the Prevost des Marchands, to the greater part of the Masters of the several Wards, whom they had changed and chosen their own way, advertising them that the Peace was made, and that the Accommodation being to insue the next morning, they should take care there were no uproar, but that every one imbracing Peace, which was so necessary, and so long desired, should raise no tumult, the safety and goods of the Ci∣tizens being certainly secure.

This order being given, (which past with infinite secresie, and was willingly exe∣cuted by all) the Governour went to Porte Neufue about midnight, and having brought the Germans thither, set them in order with their Arms, and in a short time caused the Earth to be taken away wherewith that Gate had been dammed up long before. The like did the Prevost des Marchands at the Porte St. Denis, where having left Mar∣tin l' Anglois to guard it, he went to meet with the Governour at Porte Neufue. The night had been exceeding rainy,* 1.51 and with thunder and lightning very stormy and dark; wherefore the King having marched with his Army from Se••lis to St. Denis the night before, was two hours after the time appointed before he appeared; and in the interim the whole City being in a commotion, the noise was heard by the Spanish Am∣bassadors, of which the Duke of Feria presently drew the Infantry that lay about him into arms, and Diego d' Ivarra riding hastily on horseback to Porte Neufue, asked in his wonted haughty manner▪ What was doing there? But the Count de Brissac no less haughtily answered him, That he was not obliged to give him an account what was done: But in courtesie he would tell him, that the Men and Ammunition which were coming from the Duke of Mayenne were to be received there; for that to avoid falling into the Kings hands, they were come a by-way on that side, and therefore he might be quiet, and go take his rest. Diego either believing this, or knowing there could not be any opposition, went also to the quarter of the Spaniards.

* 1.52It was already Four of the Clock in the morning, when Monsieur de St. Luc arrived with the first Troops of the Army at the Tuilleryes without the Gate, and having given the sign by three Rockets that were fired in the Air, as they had agreed, the Count de Brissac advanced to see if it were he, and to speak with him; and being come back to the place where the Prevost des Merchands staid, they presently caused the Gate to be set wide open, at which Monsieur de St. Luc entred first of all, marching on foot with his Pistol in his hand, and placed Captain Favas with an hundred armed men in two rows to guard the same Port, and he himself with the Sieur de Vic, and Four hundred Souldiers of the Garison of St. Denis possessed the Rue St. Thomas; then followed Monsieur d' Humieres and the Count de Belin,* 1.53 (who was already gone over to serve the King out of anger for being put out of his Government) and Captain Raullet all on Foot with their Arms ready, and advancing with Eight hundred men, made them∣selves Masters of the Pont St. Michel. Thirdly, entred Monsieur d' O, Governour of the Isle of France, and destined to be Governour of Paris, who with the Baron de Sa∣lignac, and Four hundred Souldiers marching along the Wall, went to possess the Porte St. Honore; the Mareschal de Matignon who led the Switzers, having at his entrance seen the German Foot in Arms, cried out to them aloud to throw down their Arms, which they refusing to do, he having commanded those that followed him to charge

their Pikes, caused about twenty of them to be slain, and as many cast into the River; whereupon the rest throwing down their Arms, were taken and brought by him to St. Thomas Church; from whence he spread himself with his Switzers as far as the Croix de Tiroir in the midst of the Rue St. Honore. After him entred the Sieur de Belle∣garde, and then the Count de St. Paul with two other Squadrons, who made a stand before the Louvre, spreading themselves as far as St. Germains Church. After these marched the King himself on foot likewise, compleatly armed at the head of Four hun∣dred Gentlemen, and inclosed between two rows of the Archers of his Guard; and having found the Count de Brissac at the entry of the Bridge, he presently took off his own white ••carf he wore, and having put it over the Counts shoulder, embraced him closely; and at the same time the Governour crying out aloud, Vive le Roy; the word was taken up first by the Prevost des Merchands who stood behind him,* 1.54 and then from one to another was doubled thorow all the Wards of the City; and even they them∣selves that were not privy to the business, joyfully reiterated the same cry. The King passing on in the midst of a Lane made by his own men, commanded that none upon pain of death should do injury to any body, and with the same attendance went strait to the Church of Nostre-Dame, where he was received by the Priests with no less ap∣plause than he had been in other places. The last that came in, was the Mareschal de Retz, who advancing in excellent order to the utmost parts of the City, to secure those quarters, met Diego d' Ivarra, who with two Companies of Spaniards was coming towards the tumult; but the Kings Forces coming in so much a greater number,* 1.55 they retired where the rest of them were, and the Mareschal possessed the Rue St. Martin; that of St. Denis being already possessed by Monsieur Vitry, and the Sieur de la Noüe, who entred at that Gate. At the Kings coming out of the Church, the people al∣ready certain of what was come to pass, and assured of their own safety, took up the cry of Vive le Roy again, more joyfully than before, and began with very great emu∣lation of one another to put on White Ribbands▪ and Crosses of the same colour in their Hats, striving with joy and gladness who should be the first to open their Shops; so that within two hours the City was as quiet, as if there had been no innovation at all.

Before the King went to the Louvre, he sent Monsieur du Perron (a while before re∣turned from Rome) unto the Cardinal-Legat: Letting him know, that it was in his own liberty either to go or stay; but that he prayed him to find out some means that they might confer together, since the Pope had refused to admit Ambassadors; to which he answered, that since he was at liberty, he would not only go out of the City, but quite out of the Kingdom, which though the King endeavoured to disswade, yet was it not possible to hinder him, as well because he would not be constrained to treat any thing with a Prince that was not acknowledged by the Pope, as because of his old inclination; which even when all things were in desperation (perhaps to shew himself constant) he could not dissemble;* 1.56 and yet being used with great re∣spect, he staid six days in the City, and thence being accompanied by the same du Perron as far as Montargis, he continued in his way to go straight out of the King∣dom.

At the same time the King entred, Cardinal Pellevé was drawing his last breath, who having heard the resolution of businesses, said angerly, that he hoped yet the Arms of the Spaniards and good Catholicks, would drive that Hugonot out of Paris; and as soon as he said those words, he departed out of this life.

The Count de Brissac went to the Spanish Ambassadors, and gave them charge from the King to set St. Quintin at liberty, which they refused not to obey; and having recalled Alessandro de Monti to join with the Spanish Forces, they resolved to be gone the same day; wherefore in the afternoon being accompanied by Monsieur de St. Luc, and the Baron de Salignac, they came in the midst of their Forces, which marched in order toward the Porte St. Martin, at the entrance whereof the King stayed on horse-back to see them depart. They bowed down exceeding low, and were cour∣teously saluted by him again; so without more words they went forth of the City, and being convoyed by the Kings Forces as far as Bourget, they took the way toward Soissons, and so travelled to the Frontiers.

The King with the same affability sent the High Chancellor, and Monsieur de Bel∣lieure to visit the Dutchesses, and to make his excuse if that day he had not time to visit them in person, who having accommodated their affairs, departed, being very

civilly used, and honourably accompanied; the King with his courtesie exceeding the obligation of his promises.

* 1.57The Bishop of Senlis, one Orleans an Advocate, Boucher a Curate, Nicholas Varade a Jesuite, Christophle Aubre Curate of St. Andre, Pelletier the Curate of St. Jaques, Jaques Culli Curate of St. Germaynes, John Hamilton Curate of St. Cosme, Father Gue∣rin a Franciscan, and divers others of the Preachers, and Eschevins of the City went away, some with the Legat, and some with the Spanish Ministers, all the rest of the people, and many of those that had been the Kings bitter Enemies remaining, against whom (according to his promise given) he suffered not any commotion at all to be made.

* 1.58The Bastile remained in the Enemies hands, governed by the Sieur du Bourg, who for the first and second day was so far from making any shew of yielding, that on the contrary with many Cannon-shot he laboured to infest the Town; but after that a Battery was raised against him, and that he found he wanted Victual and Ammuni∣tion, he surrendred it the fifth day, and having left it in the Kings power, followed the journey of the rest.

Thus without tumult, without difficulty, and without blood, the City of Paris was recovered absolutely to the Kings obedience, who having caused a general pardon to be published, sent his Army forth of the Town, to quarter; recall'd the Parliament, open'd the ways for provisions, to the publick comfort of men of all qualities; and within a few days setled the City again in its former populousness and ancient splen∣dour.

The Example of Paris was followed by Monsieur de Villars Governour of Roüen, who having treated and concluded by the means of Maximilian de Bethune Sieur de Rosny, agreed about the same time to acknowledge the King, bringing with him the free navigation of Seine, Harfleur, Havre de Grace, and all the Coast of upper Normandy. The Treaty of his Agreement had been something difficult; for Villars demanded the confirmation of the degree of High Admiral, which Office he executed in the party of the League, and the Baron de Byron, who a while before had obtained that dignity of the King,* 1.59 was very unwilling to let it go; but in the end it being clear that those who returned to the Kings obedience, were to be allured by the Confirmation of the Offi∣ces, and Governments whereof they were in possession, the Baron was fain to quit it, receiving in stead thereof the degree of Mareshal, which his Father had held very long; and yet was it not without his exceeding great discontent, though the King made him a gift of Twenty thousand Crowns, and promised him many Governments, he pretending his merit to be the chief in all the Kings Victories, and that it was not fit to deprive him of his honour and revenues to give them to Enemies; which though he with his wonted freedom of speech exaggerated oftentimes, saying he would give his Office of Mareshal for a Nag of Fifty Crowns, yet could he not divert the Kings determination, whereupon he conceived so great disdain, as in after-times brought forth wonderful great inconveniences. But Villars having got the charge of Admiral, the confirmation of his Governments, entertainment for the Provencial Souldiers that fol∣lowed him, and the Government of Havre de Grace in reversion for his Brother the Chevalier d' Oyse, declared himself in the end of March, and put those places under the Kings obedience, which obtained all things fit, as well for the maintenance of Re∣ligion, as their particular interests.

Thus the whole Province of Normandy being come into the Kings power, there re∣mained only Honfleur in the lower Province which held for the party of the League. That Town stands in a corner which like a Peninsula thrusts it self forwards and advances into the Ocean Sea, over against Havre de Grace, lying on the other side just in the place where the River Seine falls into the Sea, so that between the two Fortresses there is nothing but the current of the River which receiving the flux of the Sea, and largely overflowing, is two great French Leagues in breadth. The Commander of this place was Commendatory Grillon, who as being a Provencial had got thither a great Garison of that same Country, and there being with him in it one of the Sons of the Sieur de Fountaine Martel, a principal man in the Country of Caux, Captain la Tour, a valiant and expert Warrior, Captain Glaise Nephew to the Governour of Caen, one Truville a Curate, who from a Priest was become a famous Commander, and many other Souldiers and Gentlemen who followed the same faction, they had made it a principal retreat, and over-running and pillaging the Country, and taking any prisoners

without regard, imposing taxes upon rich men, and with a good number of barks well manned, making prize of those vessels that past at the mouth of the River, had filled the place not only with store of Souldiers, and all preparations for War, but also with abundance of riches: wherefore the Duke of Montpensier,* 1.60 desiring to take away that obstacle, that stood in the midst of his Government, and to free the neighbour∣ing people from those sufferings, resolved to besiege it in the beginning of April; wherefore he summoned in the Gentry of all the Province, and with two thousand English Foot that were newly landed to go into Bretagne, eight hundred Germans who had served in those parts a great while, four French Regiments drawn together out of the Garisons of that Province, which amounted to the number of three thousand, three hundred Harquebussiers on horse-back, and eight hundred Gentlemen marched from Lisieux upon the tenth of April, and appeared before the Town upon the eleventh in the morning.

The Town on the land-side, is encompassed with a Moat of forty paces broad, through which the Sea ebbs and flows, and over it stands a spatious Bridge, upon Pillars of Stone, but covered above with planks, and timber which the Duke had de∣signed to possess himself of, at his first arrival; wherefore while the Army drew near with an easie march, Colonel la Liserne advanced with his Regiment towards the Bridge, being seconded by Monsieur de Fervaques with two hundred and fifty Horse, but they of the Town foreseeing the design, had placed two Falconets upon the Bridge, and had given the charge of making it good upon Truville the Curate with one hundred Foot; whereupon at the arrival of the Kings Infantry, they began a fierce skirmish; to which Captain la Tour coming on the Towns side with another hundred of the stoutest Souldiers, la Liternes Foot began to retire, when the Sieur de Fervaques (perchance with more courage than discretion) ran full speed to beat back the Enemy, who already was advanced into a large place without the narrowness of the Bridge; but Truville and la Tour, when they saw him so far engaged, that he was come with∣in shot of their Falconets, made so seasonable use of them, that being laden with * 1.61 Tarling, they killed above twenty of his men at a clap, and wounded twenty more, among which Henric•• Davila who wrote this History having his Horse killed under him, was in very great danger of being slain; but Fervaques wheeling off, the Eng∣lish came up to the skirmish, which (being reinforced sometimes by the French Foot, sometimes by the Harquebusiers on horse-back, sometimes by Fervaques with his Horse again) lasted that whole day, without being able to beat the Defendents from the Bridge.

Monsieur de Surrenne one of the Field Mareschals, caused a Fort to be cast up that night, over against the Bridge; which though the Artillery from within annoyed it very much, was yet made defensible the next day, and having planted four pieces of Cannon in it, they played so hot upon the Enemies, that Truville the Curate being killed with a Culverin Bullet, they were forced to forsake the Bridge; but they shewed so firm resolution, that they would not leave it to retire into the Town till they had seen all the wood-work burnt, or thrown into the water. The three days following, the Artillery were planted, which to the number of fourteen Pieces battered from the Gate to the Sea-shore on the West-side; but they were so much despised by the be∣sieged for some few days at first, that Captain la Tour feared not between shot and shot to appear upon the Wall, nor, for all the Cannoniers could do, (who interpreted that action to be in scorn of them) was it possible either to hit him or daunt him; and yet within five days they had made so great a breach with their Artillery, that upon the two and twentieth day, the Foot advanced to give the assault.

The Moat had been very ill discovered,* 1.62 (a thing more pernicious than all others in matter of assault) and the Commanders believed it had been full of Sand, brought up by the flowing of the Sea, that might have been able to bear the weight of those that should fall on; so that watching the opportunity of the Tyde, the English and the French, when the Water was at the lowest, gave on in several places of the Moat; but though they found firm Sand at the first, and so went on; yet being come into the middle, they sunk in so deep, that many of them stuck fast, without being able to get out, and so like wild Beasts catched in a Net, were with cries and hissings pelted to death with small shot by the Enemies that were upon the Wall. Captain Gasconet was slain there with eighty French; and of the English above 150, with their Lieu∣tenant Colonel.

But the Duke vext at this so great mischance, would needs after that be present himself in all businesses, and with very great art, and no less diligence caused certain Bridges to be made of a middling length, which reached from the edge of the Moat as far as the Mud, each having in the Front of it a little Gabion filled with Earth, under favour whereof, casting great brush Faggots, Stones, and other rubbish into the hollow of the Moat, they laboured to fill it up by little and little, though it was done with evident danger, and the loss of a great many of the best Souldiers, by reason of the continual showring of Musket-shot, Stones, Fire-works, and other inventions, with which the Defendents used incessantly to offend them. But the work being fi∣nished in four days, they found the Enemy had cast up a great Trench within, where∣with they had made up and covered all that space of the Wall that was battered: Whereupon the place being viewed, it was judged very difficult, and in a manner im∣possible to enter it. Wherefore the Duke making all their endeavours to be imployed that same night at the Bridge which was broken down, caused it to be so pieced up with new Beams and Planks, that it might be passed over, though with some diffi∣culty, and but few in Front, which was effected beyond every ones belief; for the night was short, and they wrought in the dark, except only the light the Defendents made by throwing great store of Fire-works to discover what was doing. The same night five pieces of Cannon were drawn thither from the next Battery, and they be∣gan furiously to give fire by break of day, in such manner, that they beat down the Tower of the Gate, and a great part of it before the besieged had time to make any * 1.63 Retrenchments. Scarce was the breach so wide, that two or three might enter abrest, when the Sieur de Pompiere and the Baron d' Ailly, with two valiant Squa∣dro••s ran furiously to the Assault; but finding a no less valiant resistance from the be∣sieged, there began a short, but furious conflict, wherein they of the Town prevail∣ing, by reason both the Commanders that made the Assault were sorely wounded, the Infantry within half an hour drew off from the Wall; which that it might not be re∣paired, the Artillery began to play again without intermission; so that toward the even∣ing Colonel la Liserne, and Colonel Colombiere, two Brothers, renewed the Assault in the same place, which though constantly sustained by those within, yet the stoutest Pro∣vencials being slain, Captain Glaise wounded, Fountaine Martel lamed, their Fire-works spent, and four of the best Pieces they had broken, Commendatory Grillon be∣gan to think of surrendering; so that news coming thither opportunely by Sea, that the Admiral Villars, and the City of Rouen, Monti-villier, Honfleur, and Havre de Grace, standing on the other side of the River, had imbraced the Kings party; be∣ing by that means deprived of all hope of being relieved, he bent his mind to think of saving the abundance of riches they had there gotten together: For which pur∣pose it was necessary to make composition, and not stay till they were brought to the utmost weakness. Wherefore having sent to parley with the Sieurs de Fervaques and Surene,* 1.64 he at last concluded to surrender upon condition to go forth, their goods and persons safe, laying down Twelve thousand Crowns for the payment of the Army, and to march on the other side of the River, to those Towns that held yet for the League. Thus the Town being put into the hand of the Sieur d' Aleret, Governour of Tuques, a Servant of the Duke of Montpensier's, the whole Province of Normandy remained in the Kings obedience; for la Fountaine Martel, who was Governour of Neuf-Chastel in the County of Gaux, submitted himself in like manner about the same time.

But already the people, and the Governours being weary of the troubles of War, and allured by the Kings clemency, and the liberal conditions he gave, who with full satisfaction contented the desires of all those that came over to his Party, made haste in all places to acknowledge him; and the Court was full of those that negotiated the Peace, either of their Friends and Dependents, or of the Cities and Towns that came into the Kings obedience. Abbeville and Montrevil followed this counsel in the Pro∣vince of Picardy;* 1.65 Troys, a great City, and well-peopled, in the Province of Cham∣pagne; Sens, a City and Archbishoprick, in the confines of Brie and Bourgongne; Agen, Ville-neufue, and Marmande, in the confines of Guaseogne; and finally, the City of Poictiers was reduced to the Kings devotion by Scevole de St. Marthe, Treasurer of France, a man no less adorned with excellent Learning, and sweetness of Eloquence, than with Experience and Civil Prudence.

Charles de Lorain, Duke of Elboeuf, compounded also by means of the same St. Marthe, to come over to the Kings Party, with promise,* 1.66 that the Government of that Town should be reserved for him, and that he should have Thirty thousand Franks in Pension: But he desired the Agreement might for some time be kept secret, hoping that even the Duke of Mayenne also would come in within a while, and desiring, if it were pos∣sible, not to separate himself from him.

But the Duke of Mayenne was quite of another mind; for being still intangled in his long-setled hopes, or thinking it so befitted his reputation, he was resolved to look Fortune in the face, and not to come by any means to terms of Agreement, unless the Popes judgment and consent preceded. Wherefore after he went from Paris, going straight to Soissons, he began with infinite diligence to reunite his Forces, and set them again in order, and had sent to the Duke of Lorain, that together with the Dukes of Guise and Aumale, he would come and confer with him in some convenient place, to take some resolution about their common affairs; judging, that if they would keep united with him, they might gather so many Forces again together, as being assisted with Supplies from Spain, they might easily, either set their own Fortune on foot again, or advantage themselves in a beneficial and honourable Accommodation, in case the Pope should resolve to approve the Kings Conversion.

The Duke of Lorain came to Bar-le-Du••, in the confines of his State,* 1.67 and there were the Dukes of Mayenne and Aumale; but the Duke of Guise could not be at the meeting, because the Province of Champagne was all in a tumult, not only by reason that the City of Troys had driven out his Brother the Prince of Jainville, and declared for the King, but because the Count de St. Paul, anciently bred up in, and depending on his Family, was suspected to plot new designs: Wherefore not to leave those places that yet acknowledged him, he was fain to stay in the Province, and to send Pellicart his Fathers old Secretary in his name unto the Meeting. There the opinions disagreed; for the Duke of Lorain, weary of the War, to the end, that he might not see his state more destroyed by the continual passing of Foreign Forces, inclined wholly to Peace. But on the contrary, the Duke of Aumale, a man of a fierce obstinate nature, was more than ever inflamed to follow the War, and had determined rather to put himself and the place he held in his hands, under the Dominion of the Spaniards, than submit himself to the discretion and obedience of the King. The Duke of Guise kept his opinion the more secret by not being present, and his Secretary with excuse of giving him information of the things in Treaty, and of expecting his Orders thereupon, held his sentence ambiguous and unresolved. But the Duke of Mayenne, in whom the sum of the business consisted, and who was able to turn the rest to his opinion, as he was firmly resolved not to make Composition without the Popes consent, so think∣ing ••hat might without much difficulty be obtained, if it were but endeavoured, was in that case uncertain what he should demand; and whether it were better counsel to follow the hopes of the War, or accommodate himself to the security of Peace: But because he saw the Duke of Lorain,* 1.68 and thought he found the Duke of Guise more in∣clined to Peace, he took a middle Resolution; and permitting the Duke of Lorain to manage a Treaty of Agreement in the name of them all, he caused them all jointly to determine that their Forces should draw together, and that Supplies from Flanders should be earnestly laboured for, that they might have means to expect what end the Popes judgment would have, and that by the reputation of their strength, and by force, they might extort more advantageous conditions of Agreement. Wherefore the Duke of Lorain presently dispatched Monsieur de Bassompier into France, to treat with the Count de Schombergh and Villeroy of an Agreement, and at the same time gave or∣der that two hundred Lanciers, and three hundred Harquebusiers on horseback should go to Laon, to join with the forces of the Duke of Mayenne, who having till then, by the means of Monsieur de Rosne, treated with the Archduke Ernest, who was newly come to Govern the Low-Countries, going now to la Fere, he sent the Vice-Seneschal de Montlimar, and his Secretary Des Portes to him.

The opinions of the Spanish Ministers were no less entangled, yet very different from what he believed; for Count Charles of Mansfelt, and Count Peter Ernest his Father, a man of long experience, and much reputation, President Riccardotto, and the major part of the Flemish Councellors, were of opinion, that at last, giving over the vain and ruinous hopes of France, and agreeing with the King in some advanta∣geous resolution, they should apply their utmost forces to their own interests in the

Low-Countries, where the united Provinces with the opportunity of the Armies being diverted, and of the Commanders being far off, had in a few years made exceeding great progresses, so that the Catholick King, according to the common saying, lost his own State by attempting to get another's; but on the contrary the Conde de Fuentes, and the other Spanish Counsellors, wrong informed of the affairs of France by the Duke of Feria, and Diego d' Ivarra, persisted still in the thoughts of getting the In∣fanta elected, or at least to make themselves Masters of many places, and get firm footing in Picardy and Bourgongne, Provinces confining upon Flanders, which in the end should either remain to the Crown of Spain, or if the King of France got them by composition, he should be necessitated to lay down money in exchange, and to piece up the vast expences which the Catholick King had profusely been at for the space of so many years. While the minds of the Counsellors were in this doubtfulness, came the news of the loss of Paris, which made the Archduke resolve upon this last Counsel of the Spaniards; for now all hopes failing that the League should be longer able to subsist,* 1.69 having lost the City of Paris its first Basis and principal Foundation; and on the other side, not judging that the Catholick King, either could very easily obtain, or for his reputation ought to demand Peace, he thought it a very prudent Counsel (disintangling themselves from the ingagement and impediment of the League in which it was necessary to spend without measure, to maintain many who at last proved either faithless, or almost fruitless) to make war in King Philip's own name, to imploy all their forces in one place and spend for their own interests, and since to talk longer of the Infanta's election would be but ridiculous, to endeavour at least with the present op∣portunities to get possession of the places of Picardy and Bourgongne that they might be a limit to the affairs of Flanders, and serve partly to make amends for their past ex∣pences.

With this resolution he presently dealt with Monsieur de Rosne, who agreed to serve the Catholick King for eighteen thousand Crowns of annual pension,* 1.70 and without much difficulty compounded also with the Vice-Seneschal de Montelimar, that for the recom∣pence of thirty thousand Crowns, and retaining the title of the Government for him∣self, he should bring a Spanish Garison into la Fere, the principal Fortress of all Picardy. They treated at the same time with the Duke of Aumale, who was inclined more than any other to follow them, and with the establishment of forty thousand Crowns Pen∣sion they brought him over with the Towns he possessed, and with an hundred Cu∣rassiers, and two hundred Light-horse; nor did they fail to work with the other Go∣vernours in both Provinces, and to give warmth unto those practises; the Archduke gave charge to Count Mansfelt, that drawing the Army together without delay, he should advance, and make War resolutely upon the Confines of Picardy.

The Archduke wrote all this distinctly to the Court of Spain, shewing that thi•• was the most profitable and most expedient resolution; but offering to consideration at the same time,* 1.71 that it was necessary to reinforce the provisions both of men and money, to maintain it; that till then they had spent unprofitably to feed the instability of the French, who as long as they had been able to suck their milk, had made themselves fat at the expences of others, and now they saw the brest dry, revolted another way, and returned to their own nature; that their natural enmity with the Spanish Nation and their own lightness, could never consent they should think of any thing either pro∣fitable, or honourable for the Crown of Spain; that the proposition of the Infanta, though born of a Daughter of France, and gotten by that King who had emptied his Kingdoms to succour their necessities, seemed to them as strange and monstrous, as if the Dominion of a Scythian, or an Indian had been propounded; that when to miti∣gate it, they propounded that she should marry a French-man, to shew clearly there was no design of subjecting them to the Spanish Empire, the discords and ambition that reigned amongst them had not suffered them to consent; but they had rather thoughts of making peace with their common Enemy, than to yield to one another; that the little resistance which had been made in not satisfying their devouring gree∣diness profusely with Spanish Gold, had in a moment not only disgusted them, but put them in an uproar; for their natural impatience had brought so many Cities, and so many great Lords to submit themselves without regard to the faith and discretion of their Enemy, that already the principal Foundations of the League were fallen away; the Cities of Paris, Orleans, Roüen, Bourges, and Lyons revolted; the Admi∣ral Villars, the Count de Brissac, the Mareschal de la Chastre, and the Sieur de Vitry,

principal Heads of the Union, and who had sustained the weight of the late War, were gone over to the Kings obedience, and already the Duke of Elboeuf of the very House of Lorain, notwithstanding his sharp inveterate enmity to the House of Bourbon, either treated or had concluded an Agreement; that therefore it was no longer time to re∣fer the Infanta's rights to the arbitrement of the French, but to uphold them by force of Arms, and prosecute the enterprize under his own name, and with his own hopes; that already in Bretagne (a member apart, in which the Salique Law had nothing to do) the forces of the Spaniards were vigorous and powerful, which (if they were as∣sisted, and by help of the Sea opportunely recruited) would be able to maintain that Province; that in Picardy they held many places gained by means of the Duke of Au∣male, Montelimar, and Rosne; that endeavours should be used to draw the Duke of Mayenne to serve in the same manner, not as Head of the League, but as a Commander for the King of Spain; and by his means the attaining of many places in the Dutchy of Bourgongne should be attempted; that the same should be done with the Duke of Guise for the places of Champagne, and with the Marquiss de St. Sorlin for those of Dauphiné; that the Sieur de Montpezat might be treated with in Spain to obtain some places, to get footing in Provence; that Count Charles was already advanced with the Army to the Confines of Picardy, in which Province they might make very great pro∣gress before the King could draw an Army together sufficient to oppose them; but that it was necessary to cut off delays, to hasten the raising of moneys, to make Leavies in Italy and Germany to encrease the Army, and to labour now in good earnest to do themselves service, and no longer to uphold the pretensions and interests of others; that by possessing themselves of many places, especially upon the Confines, where they might be relieved and maintained, a War would be prepared for the King of France, who would be fain to spend many years in the regaining of his own, and by keeping him busie at home, that might hinder him from having time to think of the affairs of the Low-Countries, and of the recovery of the Kingdom of Navarre: and finally, if it should be convenient for the Crown of Spain to desire peace, the King by having that pawn in hand, might make himself be partly satisfied for his expences and losses; so that the profit and reputation which would ensue from that Counsel being present and manifest, the Expedition likewise ought to be present, and the Supplies quick and resolute.

These Letters, very conformable to the humour and designs of the Spaniards,* 1.72 pre∣vailed to cause a resolution in the Court of prosecuting the enterprize according to this determination: Wherefore, though the Sieur de Montpezat strove to get a favour∣able return to the Duke of Mayenne's demands, he was answered much more resolutely than before; that Orders were given to the Archduke, and that determinations were to be setled there, at which the Duke of Mayenne being near might be present himself: And King Philip was so pleased with this Counsel, that applying his whole mind un∣to it, and with a more than ordinary brevity dispatching the execution of business, in which he was wont to be very slow, he gave fitting Commissions in Flanders, Italy, and to his own Council, concerning what should presently be done.

But this design which (by many conjectures) was found out by the Duke of May∣enne,* 1.73 made him more sollicitous than before, seeing himself reduced between two ex∣treams, to the hard necessity, either of agreeing with the King, without expecting the Popes determination, or else to put his own liberty and the places that depended upon him into the hands of the Spaniards, contrary to what from the beginning he had firmly resolved. On the other side, it afflicted him that the Duke of Elboeuf had made his peace with the King; on the other, that the Duke of Aumale had made a Composition with the Spaniards, and in this doubtfulness sometimes he inclined to follow the Duke of Lorain's counsel, and conclude Bassompier's Treaty; sometimes to meet with the Archduke, who had invited him to come to Mons, and there jointly to treat of their common Affairs; but before he determined to make peace with the King, he thought best to stay for new informations from the Cardinal of Joyeuse, and the Baron of Senecey; and before he treated with the Archduke, he desired to see a new dispatch from Montpezat, that might certifie him what was resolved on in Spain; and amidst these ambiguities he was well pleased that Madam de Guise should treat for her Son with her Sister the Dutchess of Nevers, to the end, that she might interpose to make his peace with the King; and he was glad to hear that the Queen Dowage•• was gone into Bretagne, to treat an Agreement with her Brother the Duke of Mercoeur; nor did it displease him,

that his Mother Madam de Nemours, and his Sister Madam de Montpensier, being de∣parted from Paris, where they had often discoursed with the King about the present affairs, were come to him to propound Conditions of Peace: But in all these things, he not only interposed delays, but secret obstacles and impediments, to the end, that businesses might be drawn out at length, and that between Peace and War, the Progress of Arms, and the Resolutions of the Towns that remained of his Party cooling, might allow him the benefit of time, to which, being by nature a Friend, he now thought it the only remedy for the safety of the present conjuncture. But that which kept him most of all from inclining absolutely to an Agreement with the King, was, the obdu∣rateness of the Pope, who though (after the Duke of Nevers his departure, lest he should utterly break off the Treaty of the Kings Absolution) he had given way that Cardinal Gondi might come to Rome,* 1.74 yet had he done it with express command, that he should not open his mouth concerning the Affairs of France, whereby the Popes se∣cret intention being hid, it was in appearance manifest, that he continued in the thought of rejecting the Kings earnest desires: And on the other side, that which with∣drew him from agreeing with the Spaniards, was the obstinate persecution of him by the Duke of Feria, and Diego d' Ivarra; who after their departure from Paris, had discoursed with him at Laon, and attributing all things that had come to pass amiss to his fault, used him scurvily, and openly threatned him, which he not enduring, but imputing the ill success of things to their imprudence, despised and abused them no less both in words and actions.

* 1.75But the Duke of Mayenne's doubts were removed, and he necessitated to take some resolution by Count Mansfelt's entry into Picardy with Ten thousand Foot, and a thousand Horse, and a convenient Train of Artillery; and though the Duke of Au∣male counselled him to advance into the Province, and besiege Corbie, yet he resolved to fall upon la Cappelle, a place near the Frontiers of the Dutchy of Terriache, accoun∣ted reasonably strong, but at that time (as they had intelligence) in as great want of Ammunition, as it was full of abundant store of Victual; so that they hoped, the taking of it on the one side would prove very easie, and on the other very profitable for the future sustenance of the Army.

La Cappelle, situate in a spacious Plain, is of a Quadrangular form, of no great cir∣cuit, and flanked in the Angles with four Bulwarks: It hath a deep Moat, and full of Water, which coming rather from a Rivulet than a River, that runs through the Field, is swelled and raised by a Bank or Dam, placed upon the edge of the Moat: It was likewise encompassed with a covered way, and a Counterscarp after the Modern Fashion; so that if to the strength of the place, there had been store of Ammunition, and constancy in the Defendents, it would have held the Spanish Army long in play. But the coming of the Enemies having been altogether unexpected, (for first, it was not believed they would come into France without the Duke of Mayenne, and then it was thought they would sit down before Corbie) the Defendents had so little Courage, or so little Conduct, that at the very first arrival, Agostino Messiaes Tertia of Spaniards, and the Marquiss of Trevicoes Tertia of Italians, made themselves Masters of the Coun∣terscarp without dispute, and yet not having lodged themselves in the place where the dam of the Water was, they fought two days with very great loss of men, before they could possess themselves of it; for the besieged having placed their greatest hopes in the defence thereof, strove with store of Cannon-shot, Fire-works, and an incessant Hail of Musket-bullets, to keep the Enemy far from thence. But the third day Co∣lonel la Berlotte advancing suddenly with his Walloons in another place, came at last to the dam, and having broken the Engins that s••opt the Water, and by the help of Pio∣neers made a descent to drain the Moa••, it remained quite empty within a little time; wherefore the two following days, the Trenches were made, and perfected; and with a Platform which it was easie to raise in respect of the softness of the Earth, they planted Fourteen pieces of Artillery, Ten that battered right upon the Wall, and two at each Flank, that cleared and took away their defences. The Artillery plaid twelve hours together, and the breach having been viewed, la Berlotte with his Walloons ad∣vanced to fall on; but they within having thrown down a certain old Tower, and made the ruines of it fall into the Moat, the Water was thereby stopt in such manner, that rising in an instant, it drowned above seventy of the assailants, and the rest had much ado to save themselves, being plaid upon in their retreat with three Falconets laden with Tarling, which the Defendents had turned toward the breach. The next

day they laboured to make a new passage for the Water to run out, which though it was effected more easily than before, yet there were slain seven Captains, and above one hundred Souldiers; but the defence of the Water being utterly taken away,* 1.76 and a very great space of the Wall being beaten down, the Sieur de Mailleraye, Governour of the place, not staying for the utmost force of the Army, resolved to surrender, and marching out with his Garison, their Goods and Persons free, delivered up the place into Count Charles his hand.

In the interim the King laboured with infinite diligence to set the affairs of Paris again in order, for the establishment whereof to the general satisfaction, it was neces∣sary to increase the number of the Parliament, and of the other Magistrates; he not being willing to break his word, or pay them with ingratitude, who having been no∣minated by the Duke of Mayenne, held the degree of Presidents or Counsellors, and who had lent their effectual endeavours, as well in excluding the Election of the In∣fanta, as in reducing the City to his obedience: And on the other side, not thinking it fit to put out them who in the worst times had kept the Parliament in the City of Tours. Wherefore President le Maistre who had held the first place,* 1.77 yielding to President Harley and his other Seniors, took the seventh place; and Jehan Huillier, Prevost des Marchands, was created President of the * 1.78 Chambre des Comptes; as Martin l' Anglois Sieur de Beaurepaire, and Guilliaume du Ver Sieur de Neret, obtained the degree of Ma∣sters of the Requests of the Palace Royal. The Parliament being setled, and reform∣ed, and the High Chancellor with the Officers of the Crown sitting in it, it was so∣lemnly decreed, That obedience ought to be yielded to King Henry the Fourth, as lawful Successor of the Kingdom, declaring all those to be Rebels, who should deny to acknowledge and obey him; and with another Decree they deprived the Duke of Mayenne of the Office and Title of Lieutenant-General of the Crown. The like De∣cree was made by the Colledge of Divines of Sorbonne, who to the number of Seventy,* 1.79 declared the Absolution that was given the King to be good, and valid; and that, without mortal sin, none could deny him the obedience that was wont to be yielded to the other most Christian Kings of France; and going to the Louvre with the same company, they did him solemn homage, Jaques d' Amboise, Rector of the Univer∣sity, speaking for them all; which Ceremony was the more welcome to the King, because they were the Men that had even oppugned the lawful Title of his Succes∣sion.

But the affairs of Paris being setled, he received news that Count Charles had be∣sieged la Cappelle, and having presently dispatched the Mareschals of Byron and Ma∣tignon to draw the Army together, he himself with Monsieur de Guiry, Two hundred Gentlemen, and Four hundred Light-Horse went towards Picardy the same day that he was advertised of it. But being come to Chauny, word came to him that the place was lost; to make amends for which, he began to think of setting himself upon some enterprize.

If the news of the siege and taking of la Cappelle was very sad and displeasing to the King, it was not much more welcome to the Duke of Mayenne, who apprehended clearly, that since the Spaniards had not made any application to him, they were re∣solved for the future to manage the War of themselves: which thing grieving him ex∣treamly, because it not only deprived him of the remainder of his hopes, but also took away from him both his reputation and force, by means whereof he thought to better his condition for the accommodation, which he might have occasion to make with the King, and judging that all proceeded from the sinister relations of the Duke of Feria and Diego d' Ivarra, he resolved at last, laying all respects aside, to have an enterview with the Archduke, and try to set his affairs right again with the Spa∣niards.

The Archduke likewise desired this enterview, not for the same end the Duke of Mayenne had, but to see if he could induce him to put himself under the Catholick King, as the Duke of Aumale had done, and to deliver up into his hands those Towns and Fortresses, which yet depended on him: and therefore with courteous friendly Letters, and with messages full of trust and confidence,* 1.80 invited him to come to Bru∣xelles; which not being longer to be deferred, the Duke leaving his second Son the Count de Sommerive at Laon, with part of the Forces commanded by Colonel du Bourg, (he that came out of the Bastile) went with the remainder as far as Guise, where having left all his Souldiery, he passed on with a Train of only threescore Horse to

meet the Archduke, who having received him with all the most exquisite demonstra∣tions of Honour, in other matters shewing himself very averse from the beginning, to the demands which he made.* 1.81 The Duke thought that the same Spanish Ministers, who had crossed him in France, did so likewise in his present Treaty; and therefore being in private with Juan Baptista Tassis, and President Riccardotto, he began at large, with the narration of all particulars, to shew that the adverseness of businesses had proceeded wholly from the imprudence, and perverse managery of those Ministers; to whom it not being obscure what was imputed to them by the Duke, (for they were provoked to clear themselves of many things) they went on so far in anger, that they began to counsel the Archduke to keep the Duke of Mayenne prisoner, and trust the managing of affairs of France unto the Duke of Guise, accusing the Duke of Mayenne of perfidiousness, and too crafty and dissembling a nature, and that only minding the object of his ambition, he was much a greater Enemy to the Catholick King, than to the King of Navarre. But the Archduke not only thought that a counsel too unwor∣thy, and such an one, as he believed, would gain him the general hatred of all men; but also judged that in many things the Duke had reason on his side, and that those Ministers had indiscreetly abused him beyond measure; nor did it seem strange to him, since the Spanish Ministers had treated of making any other man King of France, without consenting to his person; that he on the other side paying them in their own coyn, should think of any other resolution, rather than to content and satisfie the Spaniards; and as he was a Prince of great vertue, and a Friend to what was just and fit, he counted it too great a fault, to deny the principal recompences and honours to so principal a Head, and, one that had done so much for the common benefit: Be∣sides, he was of opinion that those Ministers counselled very crosly, to take away the management of affairs from a man of so great reputation, and such experienced wis∣dom, to put it into the hand of the Duke of Guise, a young man, and though of a high spirit, yet by reason of his youth, and want of experience, little able to rule so great a weight. To all this he added the continual treating of the Dutchess of Guise, to make her Sons peace with the King, which besides that it was known in the Arch∣dukes Court,* 1.82 was likewise dexterously mentioned by the Duke of Mayenne at con∣venient times; for which reasons, there having been many meetings between the Princes, the business in hand began to change its form, the Archduke knowing that the Duke of Mayenne was not in so weak a condition, as that he would easily submit himself to the Spanish yoke: and on the other side, that he abated much of his former pretensions by reason of the urgent necessity which pressed him at that present; so that both of them reserving themselves for the opportunity of after-times, determined that the Duke of Mayenne should go with his forces to join with Count Mansfelt, and that jointly with a common consent they should manage the War, to oppose the Kings proceedings, deferring till another time, both the establishing of conditions, and the manner how they should order matters for the future.

The King (to whom the Duke of Nevers (lately returned out of Italy) and the Duke of Bouillon, were joined) was already marched from Chauny with twelve thou∣sand Foot,* 1.83 and two thousand Horse, with intention to besiege Laon; where besides the Duke of Mayenne's young Son, there was also the greatest part of his Personal Estate; but to come upon it the more unexpectly, and catch the Defendents unpro∣vided, he marched with the Army before, and by the way of St. Quintin and Cressy, came near to la Chappelle, making show as if he would assault the Spanish Camp; but while standing near and facing the Enemy, they were skirmishing with one another, he gave order that the Reer led by the Mareschal de Byron should march off, and go back to besiege Laon, whither not many hours after, having first sent away the Sieur de St. Luc, and then the Baron de Salignac, he with the Duke of Nevers departed the next morning, and came last of all before the Town.

In it with Colonel du Bourg, and the Count de Sommerive, there were many Com∣manders of note, six hundred French Foot, two hundred Germans, three hundred Neapolitans, sixty Cuirassiers, and two hundred Light-Horse, and besides the Soul∣diers of the Garison, the Towns-men also concurred willingly to defend the place; they had great store of Ammunition and Fire-works, and the Commanders (who had suspected a siege) had prepared and fortified all convenient places in such manner, that the siege seemed like to be of great difficulty, and uncertain event; and so much the rather, because the Spanish Camp being near▪ it might keep the Kings Army in

jealousie many ways; nor was it to be doubted, but that the Duke of Mayenne would use his utmost Forces to relieve and disingage his Son. Wherefore the King, intent be∣fore all things to shut up the passage against the relief which might come from many places, sent Monsieur de la Chastre, with the Troops under his command, to lie upon the way that leads from Reims, and the other places of Champagne, doubting that the Duke of Guise with the Forces he had in that Country, and perchance reinforced by the Duke of Lorain, might come on that side: on the other side, the Duke of Nevers places himself upon the other way that leads from Soissons right unto the Town; the Duke of Longueville with his Troops of the Province, quartered upon the way of Noyon, and of la Fere, and all these causing the field to be scowred with infinite dili∣gence, were ready to oppose and fight with them that should advance to bring either victual or other relief to the besieged. The principal Pass by which the Spanish Army might come directly remained yet, upon which the King lay himself; and because the way was incumbred with an Hill that had a Wood upon the right hand, and a great Village upon the left, he took up his Quarters within the Village, and made Count Soissons and the Sieur de Vic encamp on the other side, at the entry of the Wood; and upon the top of a Hill, where the way was, Monsieur d' Humieres lay in the Field with three hundred Cuirassiers, and the Baron de Giury with five hundred Light-horse: besides, to the end the Enemy might not come unexpectedly, he sent the Sieur de Cler∣mont of Amboise with five Companies of Harquebusiers on horse-back to lie at Cressy, and strengthened the Garison of St. Lambert, a Castle standing upon the same way the Enemies might come directly.

The Passes secured in this manner, five Redoubts were begun to make approaches to the Moat; of the first of which the Mareschal de Byron had charge, Monsieur de St. Luc of the second, the Baron de Salignac of the third, Monsieur de Montmartin of the fourth, and the Count de Granmont of the last; and in every one of them the Infantry being set on work, besides many of the Country people, they laboured with wonderful great diligence, though they of the Town, both with their Artillery and strong Sallies, strove to hinder their Works in every place; insomuch that the two first days, before the Besiegers had time to recover themselves, there were above four hundred Souldiers slain, and among them the Sieur de Forcade, one of the Mareschal de Byron's Lieutenants, and there were wounded the Baron de Termes, who lost a leg, and the Marquiss de Coeuvres, who within a few days died of his hurt.

But in the mean time the Spanish Army (which had received order from the Arch∣duke resolutely to relieve Laon,* 1.84 according as the Duke of Mayenne should think fit to manage the business) having left Cressy and St. Lambert on the left hand, took upon the right, and came upon the thirteenth day of June within a league of the Kings trenches: the Duke and Count Charles, as soon as the Quarters of the Army were entrenched and fortified, intended to make themselves Masters of the Wood that was before them, and by means of it to draw so near the Town, that they might relieve it without venturing the sum of affairs. The Sieur Montluet was fortified in the Wood with four Companies of Foot, who, when upon the fifteenth day, two Captains, the one an Italian, the other a Spaniard, advanced with fifty men to discover the quality and si∣tuation of the place, and of the way, repulsed them valiantly, but without any great difficulty, because there came so few of them, and had no design to take that Post: But the next morning the event of the business was quite contrary;* 1.85 for la Berlotte enter∣ing unexpectedly into the Wood with two thousand Foot, did with small resistance beat out Montluet, who making his retreat in the Reer of all his men, was taken pri∣soner; and the Kings Regiment of Guards being advanced to oppose the Enemy, three Captains and many valiant Souldiers were slain in the first encounter: So that they being thus handled, would have retired, if Monsieur de Vic, with the Regiments of St. Ange and Navarre, had not come up to resist the Enemy: But the Tertia's of Ago∣stino Messia, and the Marquiss de Trevico, being likewise advanced, the service was ex∣ceeding hot at the entry of the Wood; and to second these, Count Soissons, and the Baron de Giury advanced on each hand; and on the other side, the Duke of Mayenne with his own Troop, and the Lorain Light horse appeared in the entry of the Wood, to back the Foot of his own party. But the courage of the Infantry was not equal, and the Horse by reason of the narrowness of the place, fighting among Shrubs and Trees, could do but little service; whereupon the Kings Regiments receiving very great loss in the fight, began to stagger; and so much the rather, because the Duke of

Mayenne seeing a Wing of Muskettiers advance in the opening of a Meadow, had faln upon them with threescore Horse, and cut them all in pieces; whereby it not only appeared, that the Enemies would have possession of the Wood, but also the Foot was in exceeding great danger of being defeated. Thus difficult and dangerous was the state of the encounter, when the Mareschal de Byron came up, and knowing the hazard of the Infantry, and of utterly losing the Wood, drawn by his wonted fierceness, he alighted from his Horse, causing the Count de Torignyes and Sieur de la Curée's Troops to do the like, and placing himself in the Front of the Battel, sustained and stopt the violence of the Spaniard. At the same time the King also came up, who though the Trees and Hedges hindred him very much, would needs have the Baron de Guiry advance with all his Horse, to attack the Lorain Cavalry, which being gallantly received, for the Duke of Mayenne himself was there in person, the conflict was as difficult, as bloody; and supplies hastening upon both sides from all parts, Count Mansfelt came into the Wood, and the Sieur d' Humieres went down from the Hill, so that the business grew to a certain kind of battel, in which though all fought not, yet the major part was either engaged or hindred by the unfitness of the place. The fight lasted with various success, and several encounters till the evening, at which time, the King having caused all his Infantry to lie upon the very way near the Wood, to fortifie against the Front of the Enemy, and stop up their passage, sent back his Horse to their wonted quarters. But the Duke of Mayenne, and Count Mansfelt considering that the most part of their Foot were advanced to make good the Wood; whereby their quarter was left so weak, that it might with danger be assaulted by the King in the Rear; and so much the more, if he should resolve upon it by night, they quitted the Wood by little and little, and drew off their men to the Camp, the Wood being left free, and exposed to the incursions, and skirmishes of both Armies.

* 1.86While they fought here and kept the Kings forces busied, the Duke of Mayenne had given order, that Nicolo Basti, and the Sieur d' Escluseaux, Colonel of a French Regi∣ment, should move from Noyon with abundance of Victual and Ammunition, to put it into Laon, for the relief of the place; but the Duke of Longueville, who scoured the ways on that side, having notice of it, laid an ambush for them not far from the Town, which though it was discovered by the Scouts that went before, yet the Convoy being either affrighted at that unexpected encounter, or thinking all the Kings Cavalry was there, took a resolution to retire, which not being able to do without time, and much confusion, by reason of their carriages, the Sieur d' Escluseaux, who was in the last Ranks, as soon as his men were routed remained prisoner; the Powder was divided among the Souldiers, and the carriages of victual burnt, but Nicolo Basti got back safe to Noyon.

The greatest difficulty of the Spanish Camp was want of victual, without which they could not lie long in that place, where while they staid, they did so incommode the King, that he could not prosecute the besieging of the Town; wherefore the Duke of Mayenne had caused great store of provisions to be made at la Fere, having deter∣mined to have them brought to the Camp, the straight way, which was in a manner behind them; for this purpose Six hundred Spanish Foot, a thousand Italians, and an hundred Light-horse were gone thither, the Commanders thinking that guard suffi∣cient, because they believed not the King would dare to pass by their Camp, and leave it behind him, to go to a place, so far off, and so dangerous to fall upon them; but the thing proved otherwise, for the Mareschal de Byron, taking with him the Sieur de Montigny, eight hundred Switzers, and as many French Foot of the Regiments of Navarre and St. Ange, two Companies of English, the Baron de Giury with the Light-horse, and four hundred Horse of the Count de Torignyes, and the Sieur de la Curées, departed by night from the Camp before Laon, and being come with wonder∣ful silence within a League of la Fere, caused the Horse to lie hid in two little Woods, which were on each side the way,* 1.87 and he with his Foot hid himself in the Fields, which being full of Corn almost ripe, gave them conveniency to lie unseen. The Spa∣nish Camp was not above two Leagues from that place, and people going continually from thence to la Fere, they were often like to have discovered the ambush, if the Mares∣chal very patient, beyond his own nature, had not with marvellous silence withheld his men, who many hours being already passed, began to be hungry, and were with much ado kept in by him; yet they persevered so long, that towards evening certain Carriages began to appear; having intended to have gone under favour of the night: Much more

difficult was it then to withhold the English from falling upon the enemy before the time; but in the end, part of the Carriages being past, they rose up furiously and as∣saulted the Guards on all sides. The Van which was of Italian foot, made resistance valiantly, and the same did the Battel which was of Spaniards; but the Rear find∣ing themselves nearer la Fere, faced about precipitately to retire; but with so ill for∣tune, that falling among the Horse, which was already come out of the Wood, it was in a moment cut in pieces. The defeat of them was a wonderful disadvantage to the rest of their companions, who, drawn into a Body, bravely withstood the fury of the Kings Infantry; for, being left unguarded in the Rear, they were assaulted also on that side by the Harquebusiers on Horse-back, and yet facing every way, and sheltring themselves with their Carriages, they made it good a great while, and that with no small loss to those of the King's party, among which, Colonel St. Ange, and Mon∣sieur Faveroles Lieutenant-Colonel of the Regiment of Navar were wounded, and still marching on, fought valiantly with their Pikes and Swords, being partly defended and covered by their Carriages, till the Mareschal de Biron, fearing least the noise of it be∣ing heard, the whole Spanish Army should fall upon their backs; and therefore ma∣king haste to put the business to an end, caused the Gentry to alight, and advancing at the head of the Switzers, charged with so great violence, that the less number, not being able longer to resist the greater, the Italians and Spaniards stoutly defending them∣selves, were all slain upon the place: The Horse that fled were pursued by the Ba∣ron de Giuri, even to the Gates of la Fere; and of all those that were about the Car∣riages, very few were taken prisoners. On the Kings side were killed above Two hundred, and few less wounded, among which, in the last brush, the Sieur de Ca∣nisy, Son-in-law to the Mareschal de Matignon, and the Sieur de la Curee. In this place also Henrico Davila (who was one of those that alighted from their horses with the Count de Torigni) put his Ankle out of joynt with getting over one of the Carriages, and was in very great danger, of being lamed for his whole life. The Mareschal de Biron considering, that by reason of the enemies nearness, he might be assaulted every moment, set fire on the Carriages to the number of Four hundred; and having spoiled some, and bringing away others of the Teams that drew them, retired with infinite ce∣lerity the same night.

But the Spanish Army failing of this hope, the Commanders were no longer able to subsist, and therefore determined to take some resolution, before they were further straightned by the necessity of hunger; but they disagreed among themselves, about the manner of their retreat; for Count Mansfelt, for the greater security, would have raised the Camp by night; and the Duke of Mayenne fearing both confusion, and dis∣honor, would needs have the retreat made by day: And because Mansfelt perseve∣red in his opinion, he was content, that the Vanguard, led by the Sieur de la Motte, and the Battel commanded by the Count himself, should march away, with the greater Artillery, before it was light, and he, with the Rere, undertook to make the retreat by day. In this occasion, both the discipline and valour of the Duke of Mayenne (quali∣ties for the most part obscured by ill fortune in his military enterprises) appeared clear∣ly; for being to retire four Leagues, through an open Country, in sight of the Ene∣my, who had so much a greater number of gallant horse, he did it with so great or∣der and resolution, that he received no damage at all in his retreat. He placed eight Corps de Garde, part Italians, and part Spaniards, commanded by Ceecho de Sangro, and Don Alonzo Mendozza, and behind these he put the flying Squadron, in the Rere of which, he himself, with his Pike in his hand, and with him the Prince of Avellino, the Marquiss of Trevico, Agostino Messia, Don Antonio de Toledo, Don Juan de Bracamonte,* 1.88 and above 100 Reformadoes, and a little before la Berlotte retired with his Tertia of Walloons, who had six Field-pieces with them, ready to be turned against the Ene∣my: As soon as it was broad day light, the Walloons began to march; and after them the flying Squadron; at which time the King (who had notice of it from Pa∣rabere, being encouraged by the Mareschal de Biron, who affirmed, he had left so many broken Carriages, and so many dead bodies upon the way, that the Enemies would find it extreme difficult to make their retreat) advanced with his Cavalry to fall up∣on them in the Rere: but the eight Corps de Garde, who were the last that moved, re∣tired with admirable expertness; for as soon as the Wings of Musketiers had given fire, they fell off into the Rere of the Pikes without facing about, but fronting still to∣wards the Enemy, and in the mean time the shot played that were among the Files,

who had no sooner ended their volleys, but the hinder Wings were come to be the Front, and while they gave fire, the Squadron retired without turning their backs: after which, the second following, and after the second the third, and so the rest one after the other, drew off all by little and little to the Rere of the flying Squadron; which, when the Baron de Giury was come up unto, with the Count de Soissons, and the rest that were at the Head of the Kings Cavalry, they fiercely charging their Pikes, and powring forth a terrible thick hail of Musket-shot, repulsed them in such manner, that they wheeled about, not daring to charge in amongst them; which having been done several times, the retreat went on with particular honor to the Duke of Mayenne, who, very tall of stature, and compleatly armed, stirred up the courage of all by his words and example, and also with his own hand over-turned the Sieur de Persy upon the ground, who, with a Troop of Light-horse had the boldness to charge his Squa∣dron. But being come (already tired with service, and with heat) unto a narrower way, la Berlotte presented his Artillery, placed on each hand upon the banks of ditches, in such manner, that the Kings Horse were constrained to make an halt, letting the whole Camp march off safe unto la Fere: Nor did the obstacles alledged by the Ma∣reschal de Biron prove any hinderance; for the retreat proceeding slowly and warily, without hurry or confusion, the Pioneers had time to free and clear the way.

But the enemies Army being gone, the King returned unto the Siege, and began to batter the Town; and while the Artillery played upon it, from every redoubt, they made a mine, to blow up the Ramparts, and make a breach with more speed and Secu∣rity; but the besieged, not being willing to lose themselves, without making due re∣sistance, sallied out at the Skyt-gates upon the first of July, and fell into the Mares∣chal de Biron's and the Sieur de Montmartin's Trenches, with so much violence, that making themselves masters of the Redoubts, they made a very great slaughter there, Eleven Captains, and above Two hundred Soldiers being left dead upon the place; But the Mareschal de Biron coming happily at the noise, and the soldiers running arm∣ed from all parts into the Trenches, the enemy was at last beaten in again, who, taking another course, made a furious counter-battery, from whence they dismounted and spoiled many pieces of Cannon, and yet all things being repaired with marvellous dili∣gence, there was already a great part of the Wall beaten down, after which, the Ram∣part appearing high, it was necessary to stay till the mines and works under ground were brought to perfection; which, while they were about, the Baron de Guiry, who, with extreme diligence hastened the work,* 1.89 was shot in the head with a Musket in the flower of his age, and to the infinite grief of every one, lost his life; a Gentleman of great courage, and exceeding worth, but of so sweet behaviour, and so pleasing a wit, improved with additions of Learning, that forcing a general affection, he was praised and beloved by his very enemies; The mines (which had been many dayes in hand) being perfected,* 1.90 had very different effects; for the Sieur de S. Luc's proved fruitless, because the water got into it; the Count de Grammont's had vent given it by the be∣sieged; the Sieur de Montmartin's threw down the Wall, but did no hurt at all to the Rampart; only the Mareschal de Biron's, and the Baron de Salignac's wrought very great effects, and yet being assaulted, one by Colonel Grillon, and the other by the Count de Torigny, they were valiantly made good by the defendents, who having at the same time sprung * 1.91 a Fougade, and blew up many of those, who inconsiderately were advanced upon the Rampart; the next day the assaults were redoubled several times, the Duke de Bouillon and the Mareschal de Biron having the care of them: in which, though the assailants could not lodge themselves upon the Rampart, yet the besieged lost so many men, that without relief it was not possible for them to hold out longer; wherefore they began to parley, and upon the 22th of July Capitulated to surrender, if within twelve dayes the Duke of Mayenne did not either raise the Siege, or put at least six hundred Foot into the Town: but in such manner, that the besieged might not assist the relief any way, except onely in opening the Gate to it when it came, nor might receive less than Three hundred Foot at a time; Which Articles being made known unto the Duke, the King sent the Duke of Montpensier, the Admiral Vil∣lars, and the Sieur de Balagny, (who had newly submitted himself to his obedience) to possess the wayes as far as la Fere, and hinder the passage of relief, which not being come within the time prescribed, the Count de Sommerive, Colonel de Bourg, President Jeannin, and the whole Garrison marching out with their Armes, and Baggage, were

convoyed as far as la Fere, the King honouring the Duke of Mayennes young Son with great demonstrations of courtesie.

The besieged of Laon had hoped, the Duke of Guise would bring them some relief by the way of Champagne, and the King had suspected the same; but the affairs of that Province were so distracted, that it was not possible for him to think of stirring at that time; for there were not onely practices on foot in every Town, but with every Governor in favour of the King; and not onely the people were inclined to acknow∣ledge him, as had been clearly seen in the Commotion at Troyes; but more pernicious thoughts reigned even among those of the very party.

Monsieur de St. Paul, a man of mean parentage, had, by all the degrees of War, raised himself to the Office of Colonel in the time while the Duke of Guise's Father was living, and had served him with so much valour and fidelity, that he deserved not onely to hold one of the first places in his favour, and also to be advanced to higher charges of Command; but being favoured by his protection, had, by the marriage of a very rich Widdow, setled himself in a gallant and plentiful fortune. He, after the accident at Blois, having, as one of the principal dependants, taken part with the D. of Mayenne, continued to serve with so much diligence, and so prosperous success, that he not onely was appointed Lieutenant to the Government of Champagne, which Pro∣vince was governed under the name of the Duke of Guise, though a prisoner; but al∣so in process of time he was by the Duke of Mayenne created and declared Mareschal of France: He, when Paris was besieged, having gathered together great store of victu∣al in the Province of Brye, put them happily into the City, while the King stood fa∣cing the Duke of Mayenne, and he thence drew so great a profit, that, added to the Dowry of his Wife, he made himself possessor of very considerable riches, which, toge∣ther with his pay from the Spaniards, (who at first proceeded with an open free hand) gave him conveniency to gain many followers and dependents, and to set himself in a condition of high reputation. His prosperity of fortune was accompanied (as it is wont) with pride of mind, and haughtiness of carriage, in so much, that the Duke of Guise, being at liberty, and come into the Province, he who was accustomed to rule of himself, did very unwillingly hear of submitting himself to his command: and since the obligation of benefits received, and the greatness of his blood did not permit him to refuse obedience, he endeavoured at least to keep at a distance from him, and in∣terpreting his Orders and Commissions his own way, onely executed what suted with his own fancy, and excused himself for the rest under several pretences. The decli∣ning of the affairs of the League increased his Pride and his Ambition; and seeing the Princes of Lorain disagreed among themselves, and were ill-grounded, he took the greater boldness, and in his thoughts went on to a design of making himself Master of certain places, whereof he had the command.

He began with seizing upon the Dutchy of Retel, belonging to the Duke of Nevers, and with intolerable arrogancy assumed of himself the title of Duke of Reteloys; nor stopping here, he went on plotting which way to make himself Master of Vitry, Rheims, ••ocroy, and St. Disier; and he was the more fixt upon his thought when he saw the Spaniards intent upon gaining the French Lords and Commanders, and getting them into their pay; intending, as soon as he was in possession of those places, or some of them, to put himself under the protection of the Spaniard, and labour to establish him∣self in his usurped greatness.

To this end he began to introduce a Garison of his adherents into the City of Rheims,* 1.92 and to design the building of a Citadel, which might serve for a curb to keep the Citi∣zens in obedience, who, not being accustomed to be commanded by a Militia, fearful of losing their liberty, and of being made subject to many burthens and insolencies of the Soldiers, (to keep whose affection St. Paul cared not, though they plundered and op∣pressed the people) oftentimes took recourse, and made their complaints thereof unto the Duke of Guise, who having written also about it many times, and see∣ing he was not obeyed, not onely took a wondrous great disgust at it; but al∣so began to perceive St. Paul's arts and his intentions. Wherefore, departing from Paris after the Truce was expired, and being come into that Province with an in∣tent to remedy so great a danger, he wrote resolutely that there should be no more soldiers brought into that City, the fidelity whereof he suspected not: But St. Paul continuing his design, without making reckoning of the command he had received, and the complaints of the Citizens multiplying, the Duke went thither well

accompanied to bridle the insolency of the attempt; but so far was St. Paul from for∣bearing that on the contrary, being either in greater necessity or suspition, he persist∣ed yet to call some Companies into the Town; which being come to the Dukes know∣ledge, and he inflamed with a generous disdain, not thinking to endure it, was the cause, That coming one morning out of the Church, and meeting with St. Paul, who daigned not to company him, he asked him the reason, Why, contrary to his Orders, he yet brought more Soldiers into the City? to which he answering, That he did it for the common security, and because he had notice of some practices that were on foot in the Town; the Duke seeking to make a quarrel, replied angerly, and with high injurious words, That those were inventions of his own; but that he would teach him to obey. St. Paul being incensed with these contumelious speeches, and not enduring such a publick affront, told him, That being Mareschal of France, he ac∣knowledged no superior in matters of War: And in saying those words, whether by chance, or by way of boasting, put his hand upon his Sword; at which action, the Duke running upon him with his Sword drawn, and thrusting him quite through the body, instantly took away his life: With him fell his ill grounded greatness; but the Sol∣diery was displeased at it, which, by reason of his indulgence to them, and of the pro∣fit they made under his command, loved and honoured his name; nor were the Citi∣zens (though they rejoyced at his death) any way satisfied afterward; for the strength of the League still declining, the Duke of Guise resolved both to keep the Soldiers there, and prosecute the design of making a Cittadel.

But the example of Rheims stirred up all the other Cities, and many Governors of the Province; in such manner, that all of them were in a commotion, and had an in∣clination to put themselves under the King's obedience, to free themselves from immi∣nent dangers.* 1.93 So that scarce could the Duke of Guise withstand the troubles of his own Government, much less was he able to succor or assist the necessity of others: Nor was his stay there, and his diligent care sufficient to keep them all faithful; for the Sieur de Peschay, Governor of Chasteau-Thierry, at the same time when Laon was sur∣rendered, made composition with the King, and with the same conditions the rest had, keeping his Government, went over unto his party.

Almost about the same time happened the revolt of the City of Amiens; for, the People stirred up by the Kings adherents, who told them, That the Duke of Aumale having made agreement with the Spaniards, was likely to put the City under the do∣minion of strangers,* 1.94 attempted to drive out the Duke who was in the Town without a Garrison; for the inhabitants alledging their priviledges, would not receive any; but the tumult having lasted four dayes without any certain resolution, the Duke of May∣enne came thither, who being admitted only with the company of his Guard, appeas∣ed (as he thought) the tumult, and reconcil'd the Chief Citizens to the Duke of Au∣male; but, after he was departed, to return again to the Army, the people took up Armes afresh, crying out openly, For the King, for the King; and having brought Mon∣sieur d' Humieres into the City, drave out the Duke of Aumale, who, having lost the hope of being able to uphold himself, chose to depart, before he should enter into a thought of seizing upon his person.

The Sieur de Balagni was before this gone over to the King's party, with the City of Cambray; which having been in the power of the French, ever since the time of the Duke of Alancon, and after his death possessed by his mother, as inheritrix of what her son had gotten, had been put under the Government of the Sieur de Balagny, who, the Queen being dead, and the revolution of France following, chose to take part with the League,* 1.95 to the end the Spaniards might be kept from troubling him; and, of Go∣vernor, by little and little made himself absolute Master, both of so noble and famous a City, and of its most fertile Territory; but now the affairs of the League declined, he desiring to keep that dominion, held a Treaty with the King, that if he would declare him Prince of Cambray, and after his declaration protect him from the Spanish Forces, he would submit himself to his obedience, and to the Soveraignty of the Crown of France, and that moreover he would receive the King's Garrisons into the Ci∣ty, and Castle, obliging himself to serve him in time of War, with Two thousand Foot and Five hundred Horse, and that on the other side the King should pay Seventy thousand Crowns every year to maintain the Garrison at his devotion. It was not hard to ob••ain these conditions from the King, as well because of his desire to keep the supream dominion of that Principality unto himself, as to oppose such

a difficult encounter unto the enemy upon the frontiers; and though these reasons were manifest and apparent, yet many stuck not to say, that the King condescended to grant Balagni that Principality which was already in the power of the French, to please Madam Gabrielle d' Estree, whom he ardently loved, and who was nearly alli∣ed to Balagni: However it was, the King having caused the Patents to be dispatched, and allowed in the Parliament before he went from Paris, sent the Mareschal de Re••z about this time to make him be elected, and declared Prince of Cambray by the City, confirming the Title to his Wife, his Sons, and his posterity, and after the taking of Laon, he entred personally into the Town with his Army, received the homage of obe∣dience, and having setled a Garrison, and the affairs of the City, returned to Amien••, where, being received with wondrous pomp, he granted the same conditions to the Citizens, which, with his wonted liberality, had been granted to the other Cities. In this expedition, the King created two Mareschals of France, the Duke of Bouillon, and the Sieur de Balagni, intending to make use of them both in the War, which he alrea∣dy designed to make against the Spaniards.

The news of the King's prosperous successes, which, from several parts came succes∣sively to Reme, moved, but did not much trouble the Pope; for, having already se∣cretly given the King hopes, that he would give him his Benediction, and signified so much unto him, not onely by the Sieur de la Clielle, but also by words that might receive a double interpretation, intimated as much to Paulo Paruta, the Venetian Am∣bassador, a prudent man, who was well able to apprehend the Pope's intentions; he was pleased to hear businesses went on in such a way, that he might not prevent, but be prevented by the motion of the people; and that he might come to his last deter∣mination, in such manner, as he might seem to be drawn unto it by necessity, and that the Spaniards might not condemn him of too inconsiderate forwardness, nor accuse him of want of inclination to the interests of their greatness; For this cause he had from the beginning of the year, permitted Cardinal Gondi to come to Rome, and though he did it with a manifest injunction, that he should not open his mouth about the affairs of France, yet secretly in their private meetings he gave him leave to al∣ledge and repeat all the King's reasons to him, to represent the disorders, and wants of the Clergy, to put him in minde of the causes, why Religion would be in danger, if he should not satisfie the King, and finally, to inform him of every small particular, that he might make use thereof to the advantage of his design; For this same cause (though he knew it) he was not offended at the Decree of the Divines at Paris, in fa∣vour of the King, but rather was well pleased, those very men, who had made the pre∣amble and way to make him be excommunicated, should now be as active in smooth∣ing the passage to his reconciliation; and though upon all occasions he shewed anger and disdain in his words, in his private actions he did not so, but rejoyced as often as he heard that his perseverance was interpreted obduratness, telling the Spaniards, as well Cardinals, as Ambassadors, who were at his ear every day, that he suffered much, and exposed his own reputation to a general blame, because he would not dissent from their desires; in the mean time▪ he also satisfied his own conscience, by making him∣self certain of the King's constancy, and of the truth of his conversion, and by means of Sannesio, and d' Ossat had let him know, that many conditions were necessary to his rebenediction, and particularly, that he not having any lawful heir male,* 1.96 the young Prince of Conde, who was nearest to the Crown, should be taken out of the hands of the Hugonots, and bred up in the Catholick Religion, to the end that whatever should hap∣pen, they might not fall again into the former dangers and inconveniences; which ha∣ving been also intimated by way of discourse, both to Cardinal Gondi, and the Venetian Ambassador, the King was not only advertised of it, but counsel'd to take away that scruple, because it might hinder the progress of what was in Treaty; wherefore he be∣gan to think, by what means he might get him out of the Hugonots hands, who, after the King's Conversion, esteemed him much more dearly, that they might breed them∣selves up a head, and support unto their faction.

But Cardinal Gondi thinking himself informed of all those things that might take away the Popes doubts, and facilitate the King's reconciliation, resolved to return into France, and to endeavour the execution of them, by speaking with the King himself in person; so being come to the Camp before Laon, he was two dayes in close confe∣rence with the King, and going from thence to Paris, feared not to command the Cler∣gy to use those Prayers again, which were wont to be made for the most Christian

Kings, and absolutely to acknowledge Henry the Fourth for their true and lawful Lord, sharply also reprehending, and driving from his presence, certain men of Religious Orders, who dared to oppose that determination; which, though (as other things) it was written to Rome, and amplified, the Pope made no other shew of resenting it, than to tax Gondi for no good Cardinal, and to threaten, that with time and opportu∣nity he would punish him for his fault; adding, that the affairs of France were in such a condition, as it was not fit to put more fuel to that fire, which was already kindled; since the businesses of the Catholick Union went on so ill, that it would be no small matter to be able to uphold it; but the news of the taking of Laon, and the retreat of the Spanish Camp being come, the Pope made shew to be very angry; and desiring to find means to make it appear, that the fault was the Spaniards, he told the Duke of Sessa, that the Catholick King desired to have him to resist onely with spiritual Arms, but that he in the mean time was not careful to make use of Tem∣poral ones; that he should remember, though Excommunications are pernicious to the Souls of the obstinate, yet are they not destructive of their corporal affairs; and that whosoever would have businesses effected,* 1.97 must unite the two Swords, and proceed equally with both hands; that he saw, or thought he saw, the Catholick King was al∣ready weary of expence, and of the War, and that if it were so, he desired to be made privy to it, that he might in time find the best remedy that might be for the danger of Religion, since the French Union was already in a manner dissolved, and the Spanish Armies either could not, or did not care to sustain that weight. These stinging words of the Pope, deeply pierced the minds of the Spaniards; who, suspecting the end to which he tended, and not being willing to give him that occasion, which they were of opinion he sought, they wrought with the same heat not only into Spain, shewing the King the necessity, either of yielding, or of doing something in good earnest, but also to Bruxelles, to the end the Arch-Duke might sustain the manifestly falling affairs of the League.

Wherefore the Duke of Mayenne, after the loss of Laon, being gone back to that Court, to find means to settle their common affairs, yielding now something on both sides to the quality of the time, they treated a little more pleasingly to each other; for the Duke knowing himself in a weak estate,* 1.98 had abated much of his first demands, and the Arch-Duke knowing it was no time to exasperate him, for fear he should be dri∣ven into utter desperation; and seeing that he could neither accommodate his mind, nor his ears to hearken to a Treaty of putting himself under the Catholick Kings obe∣dience, as Rosne and the Duke of Aumale had done, he resolved to hold him in hand with a shew of fitting conditions, and of a Treaty in a manner equal, still keeping alive the proposition of the Infanta's election, being certain afterwards to bring matters to his own end and intention, and to behave himself in his secret design, in such manner as time and opportunity should advise; Wherefore, there having been a long Treaty between President Riccardotto, and President Jeannin, and the Princes themselves, ha∣ving often conferred together, they at last agreed to establish a Capitulation, which seemed just and honourable to both parties.

* 1.99The Agreement contained in substance, that the Catholick King should continue to use the Duke of Mayenne as before, in the quality of Lieutenant-General of the State, and Crown of France, and that so he should be acknowledged in all places and Armies, where he should chance to be: That the Ten thousand Crowns by the Moneth, should continue to go on, which had been assigned to him by the Catholick King from the beginning: That he on the other side, should continue to make War in those Places, where he should think best, and particularly in the Province of Bourgongne; for the upholding whereof, certain supplies of Horse and Foot should be given him; That whatsoever should be acquired, should be held by him in the name of the King, who, in due time should be chosen, by the common consent of the French Confederates of the Apostolick See, and of the King of Spain; That the said King should be obliged, to re∣inforce his Armies to make War in Dauphine, Picardy, and Bretagne, those conquests likewise which should be made, being to be held in the name of the future King, under French Governors: and that the Dukes of Lorain, and Guise, and the other Lords, and Heads of the Vnion, should be exhorted to continue the War.

The Duke of Mayenne, thinking, that by these conditions (though ambiguous) he had in some measure stopt the precipice of his affairs, departed from Bruxelles,

and with a Gentleman sent from the Arch-Duke, went straight to Nancy to speak with the Duke of Lorain; His intention was to try to keep him united to the League, and to perswade him to continue the War▪* 1.100 but he by the means of Monsieur de Bas∣sompier, had not onely concluded a Truce with the King of France, but also being desi∣rous to disburthen himself of the expence, permitted his soldiers to take pay under him; wherefore the Baron d' Ossonville, and the Sieur de Tremblecourt with Three thousand Foot, and Four hundred Horse, had put on white Skarfs, and were gone to serve the King, having obliged themselves to molest the County of Bourgogne, which till then had been neutral, and had not been troubled on any side. The Duke of Mayenne having found things in this Condition, and not having been able to remove the Duke of Lorain from his inclinations to Peace, resolved to go into the Dutchy of Bourgogne, (the Dutchy and the County are Provinces divided one from ano∣ther; that appertaining to the King of France, and this by antient division to the King of Spain) and there endeavoured to establish himself absolutely, holding already the most part of the Towns, as Governor of the Province; for he had plotted, what∣soever event his affairs should have, to retain either the free dominion, or at least the Government of that Dutchy. But the King, who was very well aware of his design, after he saw the Treaties of Peace broken off, which had been held by the means of Villeroy and President Jeannin▪ resolved to oppose what he intended concerning the Dutchy of Bourgongne; and that he might make use of the boldest of all his Com∣manders, he chose the Mareschal de Biron Governor of that Province, and made him be set in order with convenient Forces to go to recover those places.

In the mean time Tremblecourt and Ossanville were gone into the * 1.101 Franche Compte, and having suddenly made many incursions into the Country, took Vesu and Jainville, putting the whole Province in wondrous terror, and confusion: for, by reason of the Neutrality which had made the People secure, there were no Forces in the Province able to oppose their invasion; wherefore, having hastily demanded succors both from Savoy and Flanders,* 1.102 though some few were sent to keep Garrison in the principal places; yet the Winter beginning, would not suffer greater preparations to be made by the Spaniards, and so much the rather, because the very season hindred the King of France his Soldiers from being able, in respect of the smallness of their number, and the quality of the weather, to make any greater progress.

That which compleated the disordering of the League, was the composition of the Duke of Guise, who, either incensed that the Duke of Mayenne had hindred his great∣ness, or else vext, that the Spaniard had shewed him a flash of exaltation, and then had presently drawn in those beams, shutting up the passage to all other favors; and knowing that his Fathers ancient greatness, was all turned upon the Duke of May∣enne, whereby he, both in regard of his youth, and because he had no Dependents, was fain, not onely to yield the first place, but also to content himself with one of the inferior ones, resolved, about this time, to establish his own fortune with the King,* 1.103 and by the means of his Mother, and of the Mareschal de la Chastre, agreed for himself, his Brother the Prince of Jainville, and Monsieur Louis destined to an Ecclesiastical life; to restore Rheims, Vi••ry, Rocroy, St. Disier, Guise, Moncornet, and the other places in Champagne, and the quarters thereabout unto the Kings obedience, receiving in recom∣pence thereof the Government of Provence, Four hundred thousand Crowns, to pay the Debts their Father had ran into▪ and many Ecclesiastical preferments for the third Brother, which formerly were the Cardinal of Bourbons, who, after a long sickness, held by the Physitians to be an Hectick Fever, departed this life about this time, not without suspicion of Poyson. The Treaty of this agreement had been very long; for the Duke of Guise stood to retain the Government of Champagne,* 1.104 and the King would not deprive the Duke of Nevers of it, and there were likewise exceeding great conten∣tions, about giving him the Government of Provence: for the Duke of Espernon, who had gotten it after the death of his Brother, and had, by many successful enterprises against the Duke of Savoy, and against the League, setled himself in the command, was not willing to leave it; nor was it this alone that hindred it; but the High Chan∣cellor, and many of the Council perswaded the King, not to put that Province into the Duke of Guise his hands, to which he pretended right, as heir of the House of An∣jou; but the King desired on the one side to have the Duke of Espernon leave that Go∣vernment, into which he had skrew'd himself, in the greatest distraction of af∣fairs, without his Commission: and on the other, he knew that it was necessary to remedy the present, without having so unseasonable a fear of the future:

besides that, the Duke of Guise's ingenuity and moderate nature, of which he had gi∣ven clear testimony in the businesses lately treated by the Spaniards, perswaded the King to a confidence in him. Therefore the Agreement was established, whereby, as the King's party increased in strength and reputation, so the League was not onely weakned and languishing, but little less than utterly dissolved.

Now, having told the principal matters of the War, appertaining to the main body and substance of affairs,* 1.105 the things that hapned in the remoter Provinces of the Kingdom, ought likewise briefly to be related. The party of the League was most firmly setled in Bretagne, and more powerful there than in any other place; for, besides the Forces of the Province, which (much more united than any other) followed the Duke of Mercoeur, who, by the prosperity of many successes, had raised himself to a very high estimati∣on, there were also Five thousand Spanish Foot under Don Juan de l' Aquila, who, pos∣sessing Blauet, and the neighbouring places about it, were ready to help wheresoever need should require in that Province. But, their mindes here were neither more a∣greeing, nor more satisfied than in other places; for the Duke of Mercoeur was dis∣contented, that the Spaniards should proceed with ends and designs apart; nor could he frame his ears to hear talk of the pretensions which the Infanta of Spain had unto that Province, as contrary to those rights which his Wife Margaret Countess of Pontie∣vre pretended also to it: nor did other things trouble him more, than the Commissi∣on they had, not to meddle in matters out of that Province; insomuch, that when the course of Victory carryed him upon some important design into the neighbouring Provinces, they clipt his wings, because they should not pass beyond the limits of Bre∣tagne; They, on the other side, were ill-satisfied, that he limitting them within the circuit of Blauet, would not suffer them to take footing in the Province; and because going forth of that Fortress, seated in the extremity of a Peninsula, they had begun to raise a Fort in the neck of another Peninsula, which blocked up on the land-side, and hindred the entrance of ships into the Port of Brest, a place frequented by the Nor∣thern Nations, the Duke seemed not to consent unto it, and to use many arts, that the Fortification might not go forward.

On the other side, the Mareschal d' Aumont Governor for the King, had more cou∣rage than strength; for the wants of the near adjacent Provinces, did not suffer him to draw together above One thousand English Foot, Two thousand French, and Four or five hundred Horse of the voluntary Nobility of the Country: but after that the King's conversion began to give him favour, and to move the humours of the Pro∣vince, he advanced, and received Laval, a Town that voluntarily submitted to him, and then having laid siege to Morlais, he took it, notwithstanding the Duke of Mer∣coeur laboured to relieve it; and being recruited with new English Foot, led by Co∣lonel Norris,* 1.106 which had been in Normandy, he resolved to assault the Spaniards new Foot before it was brought to perfection, and before they could settle themselves in the possession of that fertill and populous Sea-coast: Wherefore, having drawn the Army together, in which there were Two thousand English Foot, commanded by Colonel * 1.107 Norris, Three thousand French, commanded by the Baron de Molac, Three hundred Harquebusiers on horse-back, and Four hundred Gentlemen, and being abundantly fur∣nished with Artillery, Ammunition, and other necessaries, by Monsieur de Sourdiac Go∣vernor of Brest, who, being hard by, to ease himself of the trouble of the Spaniards, supplyed all wants, he brought his Army before it upon the Eleventh of October.

The Fort was seated upon a natural Rock, and incompassed by the Sea quite round, except onely where the Peninsula joyns to the firm Land; on which side they had raised two Bulwarks in form of a Tenaille, and between them was the Gate, with its Draw-bridge, Moat, and Counterscarp, all designed with excellent skill, though not yet perfected to a defensible condition. The Governor of the Fort was Don Tomaso Prassides, an old experienced Commander, and he had with him Four hundred Spanish Foot, with plentiful provisions of all things necessary for the defence of it. The diffi∣culty of that siege appeared at the very first; for, as soon as they began to break ground, and make their approaches by the help of Trenches unto the edge of the Counterscarp, they found, there was not above two foot of earth, after which they met with the im∣pediment of the hard rock; wherefore it was necessary to make use of Gabions, in the bringing, planting, and filling whereof, they disputed for the space of nine dayes, with great execution upon the Besiegers; they within with singular art ma∣king use of small pieces of Artillery, wherewith they were abundantly stored,

and fallying out at the Skyt-gates sometime of one Bulwark, sometimes of the other, molested them continually, no less by day than they did by night; but at last the con∣stant resolution of the Besiegers, overcame the difficulty of the enterprise, and having planted twelve pieces of Cannon, they began to play upon the Bulwarks; and though at the first their Bullets, striking upon the Earth, did little harm, yet their continual battering having broke the fence of Bavins wherewith the Rampart was fastened to∣gether, and made it slip down, the Moat began to fill by little and little, affording better conveniency of advancing to make the assault. Wherefore the Baron de Molac wi••h the French assaulted the Bulwark on the right hand; and Colonel Norris with the English assaulted the other on the left:* 1.108 But though the assault was bold and vio∣lent, the Spaniards received it with so much constancy, that after a wondrous hot fight of three hours, the Assailants were precipitately beaten off, above an hundred being slain, with three French Captains, and four English; and that loss was much increased by their own Cannoniers; for they, as the Assailants were retiring, going to fire their Artillery against the Defendents that were upon the Rampart, did it with so little discretion, that they blew up their Powder, and killed many of their Soul∣diers. This accident gave the Spaniard great opportunity to make up their Works again; for while they stayed for new Supplies from Brest, of powder, and new instru∣ments to use their Cannon withal, they had time to mend up their Bulwarks again with the same Earth, fortifying them with two strong Pallisadoes (the French call them * 1.109 Phraises) which compassed them round about: But the Battery being furnished again, they began to batter again upon the fourth of November, with more fury than they had done before; and the Pallisadoes yielding easily to the force of the Cannon, they began to plain the way once more, and make it fit for an assault; which whilst it was just ready to be given, there came such a sudden storm of Thunder and Light∣ning, and such abundance of Rain, that it was necessary to defer it till the next day, in which time the besieged cut off the points of the Bulwarks, and made a retrench∣ment, to cover themselves in such manner, that the next morning they sustained the assault very valiantly with small loss to themselves,* 1.110 and a very great one to the Ene∣mies, who were scarce gone down from the assault, and setled to their rest, when the Spaniards sallying out to the number of seventy, suddenly made themselves Masters of the Battery of the French, kill'd a Colonel, and above two hundred other Soul∣diers, whom they found unprovided, and laid to sleep, and nail'd three pieces of Can∣non; yet the Baron de Molac being come up, they were beaten back into the Moat, not having lost above eleven of their men.

The Siege went on but slowly; for the Mareschal d' Aumon•• being burthened with years, but more with toil and labour, was fallen dangerously sick; and yet the con∣tinual molestation they of the Fort received, consumed them from day to day, in such manner that they began earnestly to sollicite relief;* 1.111 but the Duke of Mercoeur took small care of them, for he was not displeased that the Fort should be taken, knowing the Spaniards aim'd to possess themselves of all that coast, which, full of Islands, secure Harbours, and great well-peopled Towns, by reason of the Supplies it might receive from the Spanish Fleet, was marvellous opportune to nourish a long War, and dange∣rous combustion in all Bretagne; wherefore though he had been constrained to grant them Blauet, yet he took it extream ill, they should endeavour to enlarge themselves further; for this cause alledging divers excuses, and causing many obstacles and impe∣diments to arise, he still deferred the relief; Don Juan del Aquila, who had not any number of Horse with him, could very hardly move to raise the siege of Fort Croisil, (for so they called the place) yet the siege still pressing, and it seeming to him a very great fault to let his own Country-men be destroyed without assistance, he advanced with four thousand Foot, and two pieces of Cannon towards Quimpercorantin, to see whether the jealousie of that place could move the French to draw off; but having met the Sieur de Mombaraut, who lay upon that way with two hundred Curassiers, and fifty Harquebusiers on Horse-back, though he retiring by little and little,* 1.112 drew at last within the Walls, yet the Town was so secured thereby, that the fear of losing it made no necessity of raising the siege of Croisil, besides he had no such Artillery, nor preparations, as were sufficient for that enterprise; wherefore turning another way, and passing under the Walls of the Town, he came upon the Road that leads straight from Quimpercorantin to the French Camp, intending to encamp in advantageous places, where the Horse might not hurt them, and try in some sort, by drawing near, to hinder

the taking of the Fort; but Mombraut following them in the Rere with his Cavalry, and the Sieur du Tremblay advancing from the Camp with an hundred and fifty Horse more, Don Juan del Aquila was forced to march not only very warily, but very slowly, lest he should be molested in open places by the Cavalry, to which the Chevalier de Po∣stonville, and the Sieur de Basternay being joined with the rest of the Horse that be∣longed to the Camp, he was constrained to go a great circuit of ground, to get to the Peninsula by Land, which if he had had Shipping, he might have done in a short space by Water.

In the mean time the Mareschal d' Aumont recovered of his sickness, having call'd Monsieur de Sourdiac unto the Camp, press'd the besieged with his utmost power; and having upon the eighteenth day of November, battered from break of day, till the Sun began to decline, he caused the Baron de Molac to give the assault, who being beaten off, Colonel du Bordet fell on, and he being likewise repulsed, with a greater slaughter than the other, the English without delay stormed it on the other side, and a valiant Squadron of Gentlemen renewed the assault on the other; and though Mar∣tin Frobisher, one of the English Colonels, and Colonel Trescane, one of the French Commanders, were killed in the first fury of the assault, yet the Defendents being over∣come more by their own weariness, than the valour of their Enemies, were at last, af∣ter two hours resistance,* 1.113 all cut in pieces, without stirring one foot from the defence of the Rampart, upon which they fought desperately to the last man, and that with so much loss to the Assailants, of whom there were slain that day above six hundred, and all the best and stoutest Souldiers of the Camp, that if Don Juan del Aquila, who was come very near, had marched straight on, perchance the Mareschal d' Aumont could not have escaped a very great defeat, and the Fort would the same day have been lost and recovered; but he staying for fear of the Cavalry, and quartering so near that he heard the ratling of the shot while the fight lasted, when he at the same time was told of the singular courage, and total destruction of his Country-men, he resolved to retire the next morning; and not being followed by any body, marched away to Blauet without any other attempt.

After this the Kings forces increased in that Province; for the Sieurs de St. Luc, and Mommartin, departing from the siege of Laon, were come thither with five Companies of Switzers, three Regiments of French, and three Companies of Harquebusiers on Horse-back, who in their march having either by force, or composition taken many weak Towns, brought the Duke of Mercoeur to a necessity of uniting himself with the Spaniards, to hinder these new Forces from joining with the Mareschal d' Aumont, and thinking of some enterprise of great importance; so that the disgust ceasing which had been about Fort Croisil,* 1.114 (which after it was taken, was by Monsieur Sourdiac utterly slighted with great forwardness in the Country people) the Duke of Mercoeur resolved to unite all the Forces in one body, and labour to resist the Kings, as he had very pro∣sperously done until that present.

In the beginning of this year there brake forth a little fire in Provence; the sparkles whereof would have caused a wonderful great combustion in those parts, if there had not been seasonable provisions made against the beginning of it. The Provencials and Gascons are by long and ancient emulation naturally Enemies, which respect not ha∣ving withheld King Henry the Third from giving the Government of Provence to the Duke of Espernon, though he was a Gascon by birth, the Gentry and people of that Province were so incensed at it, that it was necessary to force them with an Army to yield their wonted obedience; which as it was an occasion very much to encrease the followers and adherents of the League, so would it have produced other mischiefs, if his Brother Monsieur de la Valette, who was left to govern as his Lieutenant, had not with singular dexterity, and mild gentle usage appeased their minds, and brought them to make more account of the merit of vertue,* 1.115 than difference of birth. But after his death the Duke of Espernon being come thither with greater Forces than his Brother had, began also to execute his Government, and follow the War with more vivacity, exacting a punctual obedience from those of the Kings party, and fighting vigorously against the rest, who held part with the League, among which the Count of Carsey, and the City and Parliament of Aix which he had besieged, when they saw they could not resist so powerful an Enemy, were content to yield to the King, and for him unto Monsieur de Les Diguieres or Colonel Alfonso Corso, but with express condi∣tion, that the Duke should have no Power nor Superiority in that Town, which

though it was promised them, the Duke nevertheless made himself the stronger, and (being the more exasperated by the ill will they had shewed against him) began to build a Fort, which commanding the City might keep it in subjection; this the Citi∣zens impatiently brooking, and the same humours reigning through the whole Pro∣vince, they dispatched Agents to the Court, to beseech the King to take the Govern∣ment from the Duke of Espernon, and provide another Governour. The King, who by reason of the uncertainty of his affairs, had till then dissembled, nor at that present was willing to alienate the Dukes affections from him, and who on the other side saw the discontents of that Province, and the troubles that were like to come, thought it a moderate way to refer the business to the Mareschal d' Anville Governour of Lan∣guedoc, who was newly by him made High Constable of the Kingdom:* 1.116 For on the one side the Provencials being well affected to his person; and on the other, the Duke of Espernon having married a Neece of his, he thought that by his prudence and dexte∣rity, he might find a middle way, whereby both the people might remain satisfied, and the Duke handsomly removed from that Government; but after that he saw the Duke resolved to maintain himself in that Office, and the Constable slack in finding out a remedy, he gave order to Les Diguieres to go, as he was wont, from Dauphiné into Provence, and with as much speed as was possible, oppose the Duke of Espernon, into whose designs he thought he could not see very clearly. Les Diguieres ready to make use of Arms, and enclining to satisfie the Provencials, having drawn together seven thousand Foot, and twelve hundred Horse, marched without delay, to pass the River Durance, and to enter hostilely into the Province against the Duke of Esper∣non; but being come to the River side, he met Monsieur de la Fin, a discreet man, versed in the affairs of the Court, who coming from the Duke of Espernon, perswaded him to stay his voyage; for without the tryal of War the Duke was ready to obey the Constable's Orders, according to the Kings intention and command; which Les Di∣guieres believing, resolved to stay in the same quarters, not being willing to precipi∣tate matters for the delay of a few days, which were afterwards prolonged by his falling sick of a feaver, which necessitated him to stay much longer in that place. But though la Fin passed often between them, and went also to know the Constable's pleasure, yet could no invention be found to accommodate so different interests; for the Duke pretended, that by his Sword he had acquired the merit of that Government, having maintained it in the most difficult times against the Duke of Savoy,* 1.117 and against the League, at his own charge, with his own Forces, and with the blood of his own Brother; and therefore declared that he would defend it in what kind soever: On the other side, Les Diguieres argued, that there was no reason to put the whole Pro∣vince in desperation, and make it incline to cast it self into the protection of the Duke of Savoy, or of the Spaniard; and that the Duke of Espernon had so many Govern∣ments, that he might be contented without usurping this, to the damage and preju∣dice of the Kings affairs: and because the diversity of Religions stirred up their minds one against another, Les Diguieres being a Hugonot, and the Duke sincerely a Catho∣lick, they were very sharp upon one another; besides, the one having been so much favoured by Henry the Third, and the other an Enemy who had always lived in re∣bellion during his Reign, there grew a private enmity between them, very prejudicial to the publick businesses they had in hand; whereupon the Treaty of Agreement being broken, Les Diguieres past the River with his whole Army in the beginning of the month of May, and the same day there was a hot encounter between the Forces of the two Armies, which lasted many hours: but though the difference was not great in the event, yet Les Diguieres remained Master of the Field, and the Duke made his retreat with∣out receiving any loss, carrying away many of the Enemies prisoners with him.

But at last the Duke seeing the Forces of Dauphiné joined with those of Provence against him, and (as he was very prudent) not seeing any seasonable opportunity of forming a third party, nor no support ready to which he could have recourse for the present, having about the same time received the news of the revolt of Paris, and of the other Cities of the League,* 1.118 he thought it no wise resolution to swerve from the Kings obedience, when others returned so fast unto it; and therefore taking hold again of the Treaty of Accord, which had never been totally intermitted, he submitted him∣self to the Constables arbitrement; who declared that he should put the Fort of Aix into the hands of Monsieur de la Fin, and draw out his Garisons from Thoulon, St. Paul, Treques and Mirebeau, till such time as the King should determine the manner

of proceeding for the future: in execution of which order, the Duke delivered the Fort into the hands of la Fin upon the tenth of May, and the same day Les Diguieres en∣tered into Aix, and was received with great solemnity by the Citizens; but whiles their Arms are suspended in expectation of orders from the Court, Les Diguieres ta∣king for an excuse that some of the Dukes Souldiers had taken some of his, and pilla∣ged the Country, and that therefore the Truce was broken, entered suddenly into the Fort without staying for the Kings orders, and delivered it up into the hands of the Citizens, who with a wondrous concourse of people slighted it so in two days, that there remained not any kind of Foot-steps of it; which being performed according to the common desire, he having left the other places in the hands of the Count de Car∣sy, returned with the rest of the Army into Dauphiné. Afterwards followed the Ac∣commodation with the Duke of Guise, to whom the King granted the Government of that Province; which though it afflicted the Duke of Espernon, yet he thought it best to dissemble the matter, reserving himself to take a resolution with the benefit of time; and being desirous to have it believed that the businesses that had passed were but pri∣vate enmities and contentions between him and Les Diguieres, though he was not faulty to himself in neglecting any means possible to keep possession of that Govern∣ment.

* 1.119But in Dauphiné, whiles Monsieur de Les Diguieres in the beginning of September prepares himself to go into Piedmont, having received intelligence that the Duke of Savoy had laid strait siege to Briqueras, he was constrained to do that by necessity which he would have done by choice before. The Duke of Savoy had got together four thousand Germans commanded by the Count of Lodrone, five thousand Italian Foot commanded by Colonel Barnabo Barbo a Millainese, and fifteen hundred Horse under the conduct of Don Alonso Idiaques, with which Body of men he resolved to try to drive the French from beyond the Alps: and because Briqueras was the principal place they held, he laid siege before it, and afterwards having battered it with many Can∣nons, he caused it to be assaulted by Don Filippo of Savoy, his Bastard Brother; and at the same time a scalado to be given on the other side by Don Sancho Salina; where∣fore the Defendents invironed on all sides, left the Town, and retired into the Castle. It was closely besieged without delay; in which interim Les Diguieres having passed the Mountains, came to relieve that place: but the Duke had provided against that; for in the narrowness and difficulty of those ways, of themselves s••eep and full of Pre∣cipices, he had caused all Passes to be so shut up, and had set so strong Guards upon them, that after the French had made many attempts without any fruit at all, they were constrained to retire, and the besieged straitned on all sides, and having no longer any hope of relief, resolved to surrender; so upon the second of October they delivered up the Castle into the Dukes hands, who having freed himself from that impediment, within a few days recovered Fort San Benedetto, which had been taken by Les Diguie∣res in his retreat; and within a while the Snows fell, which put an end to the troubles of this year in those parts.

* 1.120The Duke of Nemours escaped not long before from his imprisonment in the Castle of Pierre-Ancise; being much more cunning in saving himself, than he had been wary in avoiding the dangers of imprisonment: for having a certain Servant that had an ex∣tream long and thick head of hair, which sometimes hanging down covered all his face, he found means to have a perruque made like it very secretly, and knew how to manage his business so subtilly, that one morning having put his Servant into his bed, and covered him in his place, he went forth of the Chamber carrying a Close∣stool-pan, as if he went to empty it, and going hastily, escaped out of the Castle-gate, hiding himself first among certain Houses, and afterwards getting down opportunely into the Field, where being received by some few that waited for him, he came safe to Vienne in Dauphiné, and there being joined with the Marquiss his Brother, conti∣nued to make War in favour of the League, and above all, to infest the Country, and trouble the Inhabitants of the City of Lyons, with which (besides publick businesses) he had a private enmity: but his, and his Brothers weakness, and their want of mo∣ney and adherents, would not suffer them to do any great matter.

The year was shut up with an hainous fact, dangerous beyond all belief, and which was like in an instant to have subverted all that had with so long pains been victori∣ously atchieved; for the King being returned to Paris from the War of Picardy, upon the Seven and twentieth of December, whilst having alighted from his Horse, he, in

one of the Chambers of the Louvre, saluted the Knights, who being elected to receive the order of the St. Esprit upon New-years-day, were come to do their wonted obey∣sance to him, a young Merchant named Jehan Chastel, born in Paris,* 1.121 being got into the same room with the train of the Sieur de Ragny, and Montigny, in the action the King used, stooping to imbrace one of those Knights, struck him with a knife in the face, thinking to strike him in the throat: The blow being diverted, as it were by a Divine Hand, hit him in the lips, and having met with the hindrance of his teeth, made but a slight inconsiderable wound. At the commotion of the by-standers, the young Merchant having dextrously let the knife fall, mingled himself in the crowd, hoping to get out of the room undiscovered; but being known by many, he was in∣stantly seized on, and whilst every one transported with a just indignation would fu∣riously have fallen upon him, the King commanded that the Malefactor should not be hurt; and having caused him to be delivered into the Custody of the Grand-Prevost de l' Hostell, he was by him carried to prison,* 1.122 from whence being put into the Power of the Parliament, and examined with the wonted forms, he freely confessed, and af∣terwards ratified his ••onfession when he was tortured. That he was bred up in the Schools of the Jesuites, and had often heard it discoursed, and disputed, that it was not only lawful, but also meritorious to kill Henry of Bourbon, a relapsed Heretick, and Persecutor of the Holy Church, who falsly appropriated to himself the Title of King of France; wherefore having afterwards fallen into hainous and abominable sins, even to the attempting to lie with one of his own Sisters, he fell into so great despair of having Gods forgiveness, that he chose to execute that fact, which he believed to be of inestimable merit, to free him from the horrour and punishment of his offences; that he had imparted his design unto his Father, who had effectually disswaded him from it, but that being more effectually moved by an inward Spirit, he had at last resol∣ved it, and attempted to perform his resolution; that having in his private confession conferred about it with the Curate of St. André in the City of Paris, he was by him (though ambiguously) confirmed in his intention, so that after long contriving, he had chosen that place, and time to put it in execution.

As soon as he had made this confession, they presently sent to lay hold on his Fa∣ther, Mother, and Sisters, with the Writings that were in the house, among which there was nothing found considerable, save a Confession written with his own hand, wherein he had set down his sins, to confess them to the Priest, which for the most part consisted in wicked and beastly dissoluteness But the ill will the Parliament bore unto the Jesuites, (the first Authors and continual Fomenters of the League) added to the conjectures drawn from the confession of the Traytor, who said more than once that he learned that Doctrine from them, was the cause that their Colledge was suddenly beset, and that some of them were led to prison, and the Writings which every one had in his Chamber diligently searched, among which in the Closet of Fa∣ther Jehan Guiguard born at Chartres, there were many Writings found which taught the Doctrine, praised the murther of the late King, perswaded the killing of the pre∣sent, and contained many other such like things, with odious Epithets and Attributes given to those Princes, and many others. They likewise proved many things of that like nature, spoken in the fury of the War by Father Alexander Haye a Scotch-man; and others not very unlike, spoken in the same times, by Father Jehan Guerat Master in Philosophy, and the ordinary Confessor of this Jehan Chastel;* 1.123 wherefore after ma∣ny debates in the Parliament, the Counsellors at last agreed in this sentence, That Je∣han Chastel being bare-head, and bare-foot, before the gate of the Cathedral Church, should abjure the Doctrine which till then he had believed, and confess the enormity of that parricide which he had attempted, and then be put into a Cart, and his flesh pulled off with pincers in the four principal places of the City, and being brought to the place of execution, his right hand should be cut off, holding the same knife where∣with he had hurt the King, and finally that he should be dragg'd in pieces by four horses; that the Jesuites, as well those that were professed, as the others not professed, should be as Enemies of the Crown, and of publick tranquillity, be banished out of the whole Kingdom, their goods and revenues distributed to pious uses,* 1.124 and all French∣men prohibited to study or converse in their Schools; that Father Jehan Guigard should be condemned to the Gallows, and Father Jehan Gueret; and Father Alexander Haye perpetually banished from all places under the dominion of the Crown; that Pierre Chastel the Delinquent's Father should be banished for ever from Paris, and nine

years out of the whole Kingdom; that his House standing right over against the great Gate of the Palace of the Parliament, should be razed to the very foundation, and a Piramide erected in the place, wherein the present Decrees should be registred, as well against Chastel, as against the Company of Jesuits; the Mother and Sisters of the Cri∣minal were let at liberty.

* 1.125To this decree of the Parliament, the Divines of the City being met together in Car∣dinal Gondi's House, added a Declaration, whereby they determined, that the Doctrine which taught to kill Princes was Heretical, prodigious, and diabolical, and gave ex∣presly in charge to all men of Religious Orders, to acknowledge and obey King Henry the Fourth as their lawful Prince, and Lord; and that in their Masses, and Cano∣nical hours they should insert those prayers, which were wont to be said for the safety of the most Christian Kings of France. In the end of the Decree they intreated the Cardinal, as Bishop of that City, to beseech the King in the name of them all, that he would send a new Embassy to the Pope, to hinder by his reconciliation, the imminent and manifest danger of Schism. This was procured by the Cardinal himself, who be∣lieving he had apprehended the Popes mind, desired to give the King a fair colour and occasion to try again to get his benediction.

In this condition of affairs began the year 1595, the first business whereof after the King was cured,* 1.126 was the promulgation of the Edict in favour of the Hugonots. They at the Kings Conversion, had not only been much moved to their hopes lost of ha∣ving a King of their own Religion, and of obtaining by that means, that it might be the chief in the Kingdom, and that the Catholicks should be reduced to be but by permission; but they had also begun to waken new thoughts, and practise new de∣signs, to unite themselves more closely to one another, and to provide themselves a new Head. For which having turned their eyes upon the Duke of Bouillon, they per∣ceived that he, as a most prudent man, was very backward to separate himself from the Kings prosperous fortune to follow the uncertainty of new, and not well grounded hopes; and therefore he protracted businesses that he might take some counsel from the maturity of time.* 1.127 The Mareschal d' Anville likewise, who in former times would have readily imbraced that occasion, at that present was little inclined to side with them; for being already old without Sons, (for those he had were unfortunately lost) newly married to a young Wife, out of a desire of issue, and as concerning the rest of his fortunes, firmly established in his Government of Languedoc, was not like to adventure himself upon new designs, and put that into the arbitrement of fortune, which with so much pains, and so long patience, he had attained among the difficul∣ties of a thousand dangers; wherefore they had necessarily set their thoughts upon the Prince of Condé yet a Child, who living at St. Jehan d' Angely with his Mother, was bred up in the rites of their Religion; but the tenderness of his age, and the many accidents that might happen before he could come to mans estate, held the whole Fa∣ction in suspence and trouble; wherefore ever and anon, making meetings and assem∣blies, sometimes at Rochel, and sometimes at Saumur, sometimes at St. Foy, and some∣times at Montauban, and not abstaining to speak high injurious words against the King, calling him an ingrateful man, and one that did not acknowledge what they had done for him, and threatning not only to forsake him, but also to take that Crown away from him,* 1.128 which they professed (though without reason) that they had gotten him, they put jealousie and trouble into the mind of the King himself, who by long expe∣rience knowing their humours, and what they might contrive, and put in execution, doubted not only that they would alienate themselves from him, but that before he could absolutely conquer the forces of the League, they would stir up War against him otherwhere. And though he had gained one Morlas an Hugonot Minister, born in Bearne, and not Rottan, another born in Piedmont, subtil men, of great-authority and eloquence, who discoursing severally, among those of their Religion, concerning his Conversion, exhorted the party not utterly to lose their confidence, but expect the be∣nefit of time, making profession that they were privy to some secret designs of his; yet he feared these arts would not be sufficient to bridle the violence of some new dangerous insurrection.

This Doubt which had retarded his Conversion much longer than the necessity of his affairs required, had also made him yield to many things which were contrary to his own Genius, and inclination; for he had declared the Mareschal d' Anville High Constable of the Kingdom; though t here were many to whom he had much great obli∣gations,

that he might confirm him to his devotion, and deprive the Hugonots of the hopes of having him. He had likewise preferred the Viscount de Turenne before the Duke of Nevers, in the marriage of the Heiress to the State of Bouillon, whereby he had attained that Dukedom, and now he imployed him in the War upon the Confines of the Low-Countries, to divert his thoughts, and ingage him in long businesses, far from the Countries possessed by the Hugonots; and finally desiring to get the young Prince of Conde out of their hands, and in some part to sweeten the bitterness which they generally had received at his Conversion, he thought of causing that Edict to be proclaimed and ratified, in the Parliament, which Henry the Third had made in favour of them, in the year 1577. which was much better regulated than all the rest.

It was a very hard matter to get it to be received in the Parliament, where the debates were very long and diverse; for by how much the more dexterously the King laboured to proceed in the business, lest he should discontent the Pope, and put him into an ill opinion of his inclination; so much the more ardently did many of the Counsellors oppose it: and the King not being willing that either the Chancellor, or any other should go in his name to desire it, the first President Harlay and President de Thou, who knew his intention, had much ado to perswade the rest (who thought they did as they ought) to consent unto the promulgation of it. But in the end, the Counsellors whom the King had confirmed through favour, after the reducing of the City, and particularly Lazare Coqueille formerly a great Stickler, and a Minister for the League, desirous to shew themselves less sharp and severe in what concerned the Hugonots, lest they should seem to persevere in their old opinions, laboured so far, that the Decree was received and proclaimed; though neither did this publica∣tion much satisfie the Hugonots, with whom the King, both by reason of his past Ob∣ligations, and present need, proceeded mildly, and kindly,* 1.129 endeavouring to remove suspicions out of their minds, and confirm them by good usage to his devotion, and knowing by his long conversing with them, the poverty of many of the principal Hu∣gonots, and the narrowness of the condition they were in, and being certain that the Heads and Incendiaries being taken away, the poor common people would be abun∣dantly contented with quietness, and security, he procured that many Deputies should be sent from several places, to treat of the affairs of that party, the most part of which he afterwards gained to himself, with gifts, pensions, and promises, so that by mild and gentle ways, he insensibly took away the pulse and strength from the whole par∣ty; but if the Kings incredible want of money, and his own nature, frugal in expen∣ces, together with the hard austerity of Monsieur de Rosny, who then manag'd the Finances, had given this remedy liberty to dilate it self more amply, those that are well versed in the Kingdom, believe that a few years of such sweet poyson would have extinguisht that faction which so many years of desperate War had not with the effu∣sion of so much blood been able to weaken.

The second action of this year was the Kings resolution to denounce open War against the King of Spain; for though in the beginning of the year before,* 1.130 the Duke of Bouillon, united with Count Philip of Nassaw, had taken some weak Towns in the County of Heinault, and in the Dutchy of Luxembourg, that was rather an incursion than a formed War, and partly by reason of the sharpness of the weather, partly for want of money, they quickly retired, having also received no small loss from Count Charles his Army in their retreat; but now the King had determined to proclaim open War, and turn all his Forces against the States of King Philip. This resolution to many seemed strange and unseasonable, considering that the King of France was so troubled, and so unsecure at home, that he had no need of foreign contentions; they saw the Kingdom so exhausted of men and moneys, and so tired and worn out with Civil War, that they knew not which way he would be able to sustain the weight of a Fo∣reign War; and recalling to memory that the King of Spain, without hazarding at all his own affairs, had in times past troubled, and little less than conquered the King himself in the heart of his own Provinces, and in the midst of his Forces, it seemed to them a ridiculous thing, that now with his Forces still divided, and discords still burn∣i••g in his State, he should dare to think of offending the States of the Catholick King founded upon the Basis of so great a Monarchy; wherefore they should have thought it much more to the purpose, for the King to have endeavoured by some tolerable conditions to attain Peace, than to provoke and stir up War, so much the more, by the vanity of a publick Declaration.

But the Causes that moved the King were very powerful; for he foresaw that the overture of a Foreign War would help to close the wounds of a Civil War,* 1.131 as skilful Chirurgions are wont with seasonable Cauteries to divert the hurtful humours that corrupt and infect our Bodies; He knew there was nothing that could move the French more to a Reconcilement and Re-union, than the appearance of a War with the Spa∣niards, the natural Enemies of their Nation; he desired the War might no longer carry the name of a Civil War for Religion, but of a Foreign one for interest of State, and that in the flame of this Controversie between Crown and Crown, the yet remain∣ing sparks of the League might be extinguished; he knew that howsoever he should still have the Catholick Kings forces against him, which since they could by no means be avoided, it was less hurtful to have them open and publick, than treacherous and dissembled: He thought the Princes confederate with the Crown of France would have much less caution in lending him favour and assistance in the War, between the Spa∣niards and the French, for matter of Empire, than between Frenchmen and Frenchmen, whether they were real or feigned for matter of Religion: He considered that nothing would more please, nor satisfie the Hugonots, than War against the Spaniards, in which they being imployed with their utmost spirits, their minds might be withdrawn and diverted from the thoughts of new designs; besides all these causes, having made a League offensive and defensive with the United Provinces of the Low-Countries, with a mutual obligation of concurring jointly in War, and hoping to draw the Queen of England and some of the Princes of Germany into the same confederacy, it was ne∣cessary to imploy his forces in some enterprize of common profit and conveniency in Flanders, and the County of Bourgongne, and being desirous to do it for his own re∣putation, and to interess the other Confederates, he judged the Declaration of the War to be very proper to stir up the minds of his Subjects, and to necessitate the forces of the Confederates: But above all being again to treat of his Reconciliation to the Apostolick See, and knowing he should have all the power of the King of Spain against him, he desired to have him known for his open Enemy, and that he and his Mini∣sters might not be admitted to that deliberation, as being excluded, and excepted by the publick and open War, which should yet be between the Crowns; and if the minds of great persons, among so many interests of State, are sometimes also moved, and driven by passions, the old persecution he had suffered from the Catholick King, stir∣red up and spurred on by the so late danger, in which he was like to have lost his life, by the suggestions of persons whom he esteemed to be dependents upon that Crown, had perchance some part in this resolution; for the execution whereof upon the Twen∣tieth day of January,* 1.132 he caused a Declaration to be published, and the same to be pro∣claimed by Heraulds in the Towns upon the Confines, wherein after having related all the injuries done by the King of Spain unto himself, and the King his Predecessor, imputing also the act lately attempted against his person to the suggestion of his Cham∣pions; he denounced open War against him by Land and Sea, took away all Commerce between the two Nations, and permitted his Subjects to invade, spoil and possess the States under the Dominion of that Crown.

King Philip answered this Proclamation about two months after with another Wri∣ting,* 1.133 wherein reckoning up the benefits and supplies lent to the most Christian Kings, his Confederates and Allies, he declared and protested, that he would not break the peace which he had with the most Christian Crown, and the good Catholicks of the Kingdom, but persevere in their assistance, and defence, to the end they might not be oppressed by the Prince of Bearne, and the Hugonots his Confederates, and commanded all his Subjects not to molest or hurt those French, that should follow the Catholick party in the Kingdom, giving order on the other side to his Governours and Com∣manders, to defend his Countries, and likewise to offend the Prince of Bearne, and his adherents.

This Declaration was slow, but so were not the preparations; for not only in Fla••∣ders Count Charles his Army was recruiting, to enter upon the Confines of Picardy in the Spring, but also Hernando de Valeseo Constable of Castile, and Governour of the State of Milan, was preparing a great Army in Italy, to march into Bourgongne, and in Spain new Forces were raising, that they might send new Supplies to Don Juan del Aquila in Bretagne, as soon as the season would permit; the like preparations were made in France, Holland, and England, so that the course of this year seemed on all sides likely to prove formidable and bloody.

In the mean time, the King, cured of his hurt,* 1.134 had celebrated the solemnity of the Knights of the Holy Ghost; among the Ceremonies whereof, he renewed his Oath of living and dying a Catholick, and of defending Religion,* 1.135 and afterwards with great pomp and demonstrations of honor, he had received Vincenzo Gradenigo, and Giovanni Delfino, Ambassador of the Venetian Senate, who came to congratulate his assumption to the Crown, and Pietro Duodo, that came to reside in the place of Giovanni Mocenigo, who, for the space of seven years together, had made his residence with him, and the King his Predecessor; having, with exceeding great praise of singular prudence, ma∣naged the most weighty businesses in the ambiguous revolutions of past affairs.

The first action in the War of this year, was the taking of Beaune, a principal Town in the Dutchy of Bourgogne, wherein some of the chief Citizens having begun to muti∣ny from the year before, to put themselves under the Kings obedience, the Duke of Mayenne, who had a special jealousie concerning the affairs of that Province, (as be∣ing his own particular government) went speedily, at his return from Lorain, into that City, where, having found businesses all in a combustion, he caused fourteen of the Citizens, which seemed to him more inclined to an alteration than the rest, to be imprisoned in the Castle, and having removed that difficult scruple, he, in all things else, sought to appease the generality of the Citizens, without using any kind of se∣verity; He endeavoured to make them understand, that he was about to conclude the general peace, with the Popes consent; and therefore it would be much more ho∣nourable, much more advantageous to them, to be included in the general agreement, than to compound by themselves, and forsaking him, who had alwayes governed them gently, refer themselves to the uncertain discretion of a new Governor, with which reasons thinking he had setled their minds, he left a good Garrison in the Ca∣stle, and a convenient one in the Town, and went with speed to Dijon, where he fear∣ed some insurrection, no less than in other places; but being advertised, that after his departure, there had been new tumults at Beaune, he would needs return to provide against them, and began to contrive how to fortifie both the Town and Castle, which being not to be done, according to the design of Carlo Bonaventura an Italian Engineer, without pulling down some principal Monasteries, and a great many private houses to the very ground, the Citizens opposed it; shewing the Duke, that it was no time, to come to so precipitate a determination; but he, entring by this opposition into a greater jealousie of their inclinations, resolved to prosecute the Fortification, and brought in a greater strength of Soldiers, which were distributed into several parts of the Town, to bridle the People, and to secure them to his devotion; and having given con∣venient order for these things, he departed, to oversee the rest of the Province, and secure other places, believing he had sufficiently provided against that danger; but the Citizens, exasperated by the pulling down of their houses, and by the imprisoning of the chief of them,* 1.136 resolved to use their utmost force to deliver the City to the Mares∣chal de Biron, who, with Two thousand Switzers, Four thousand French Foot, and Twelve hundred Horse, was come into those quarters in the month of January; wherefore, having secretly invited him, and setled the agreement, that he should pre∣sent himself at the Gates of the City upon the fifth of February, they, upon the same day, as soon as it was light, took Armes, and running up and down the streets with white Scarfs, began to cry out, For the King; to which the greater part of the common people answering, Jaques Richard, one of the Plot, ran to that Gate, which alone was wont to be kept open, and letting down the Portcullises that were on the inside, shut out the guard of Soldiers, who negligently and carelesly guarded the Raveline; then many others running thither arm'd, they made themselves Masters of the Gate, driving out the soldiers that were upon the guard, who, having forsaken the Raveline to save themselves in the Fields, were, by the Country-people (no less exasperated than the rest) miserably defeated and dispersed. At the same time Guilliaume Allesan, and Mi∣chel Richard, two other contrivers of the business, ran to the house of the Sieur de Montmoyon Governor of the Town, and suddenly made him prisoner, having killed Guillermin a Colonel of Foot, and some other Captains that were with him; and Carlo Bonaventura the designer of the Fortifications (who, in his own defence, had wound∣ed Alesan, and many others) being almost stoned by the fury of the people, could scarce, by the diligent care of some, be carried alive into the common Gaol. The Gate and the Governor being taken, the next work was to master the Quarters of the Soldiers, who, though divided in different places, had fortified themselves there from the be∣beginning

of the tumult;* 1.137 in which combustion the City being all in an hurly-burly, and even the very Women and Children betaking themselves to Arms, they began to fight in many several parts of the Town with various and bloody events: In the mean time came the Mareschal de Biron, who had delayed longer than the Citizens had appointed, and being entered into the Town with his whole Army, the Soldiers, who were no longer able to make resistance, yielded, saving their goods and persons; and he, with very great and unusual severity restraining his soldiers from pillage, appeased the whole tumult that night. The next day siege was laid to the Castle, which, be∣ing battered with Twelve pieces of Cannon, after Three thousand shot, and having held out Two and forty dayes, surrendred it self into his hands.

* 1.138The Baron de Senecey, with the City of Ossonne followed the example of Beaune▪ for, he having been Ambassador to the Pope, and having found there was no hopes, either from Rome or Spain, of such Supplies as were necessary to uphold the enter∣prise, and having diligently informed the Duke of Mayenne of it, and exhorted him (in vain) to imbrace peace, he took a resolution, and submitted himself to the Mareschal de Biron, upon condition to keep the Government of that place.

The Citizens of Autun resolved to do the same; but because that Town was guarded with a good Garrison, nor could the inclinations of all be sounded without evident danger of discovery,* 1.139 the Heads of the design determined to call the Mareschal, and not to make any stir at all till he was at the Gates; one of which being kept by them, they had resolved to open to him: wherefore be being come secretly into the Suburbs upon the eighth of May at night, the Mayor of the Town, who had under∣taken to bring him in, with great silence caused the Gate to be opened, into which a Captain entering first of all with Five and twenty Cuirassiers and Fifty firelocks, quick∣ly made himself Master of that Post; and having sent word that the Pass was secure, the Sieur de Sapiere and the Marquiss of Mirebeau entered, after whom followed the whole Army, which being drawn up in the open space between the Walls and the houses of the Town, was divided into four parts, which took possession of the streets of the City four several wayes: One of these having fallen upon a good number of Soldiers, which, according to the Military custom were going Patrouilles, there began a furious conflict in the dark, at the tumult whereof all the Guards being wakened and in Arms, as likewise all those Citizens that were not privy to the business, they continued with various uncertainty fighting all the night, till day being broke, every one perceived that the City was possessed by the whole Army; whereupon, all laying down their Arms, and hiding themselves in houses, Biron caused a pardon to be pub∣lished through all the Streets, and having plundered the Soldiers of the Garrison, and sent them forth of the Town, it remained without further harm under the Kings obe∣dience.

The affairs of Bourgongne being in this condition, the Constable of Castile having past the Mountains with ••ight thousand Foot,* 1.140 and Two thousand Horse, had crossed through Savoy, and was come into the Franche Comte, where, being united with the Duke of Mayenne, who, with Four hundred Horse, and a Thousand French Foot was gone to meet him, recovered Jaunevillet (which they of the King's party had quitted) and re∣solved without delay to besiege Vezu; in which Town the Sieur de Tremblecourt was with Four hundred Foot, and 60 Horse; nor was it very hard to take it, because his weakness would not suffer him to make any great resistance: whereupon the Duke of Mayenne, who, as a Soldier of greater experience, commanded in Military matters, having caused a Battery to be planted, made an open breach within few hours, and the Sieur de Tremblecourt not being obstinate to make a vain defence,* 1.141 resolved to retire into the Castle, and expect relief from the Mareschal de Biron. But he could not receive the assistance that was needful in due time; for the Mareschal being at the same time called by the Citizens of Dijon, resolved to attend that as the more impor∣tant occasion; so that the Sieur de Tremblecourt not being able in a weak place to resist the Forces of a whole Army, was constrained to surrender the Castle.

But the Citizens of Dijon, having declared themselves unseasonably, ran a very great hazard of being suppressed; for the Viscount de Tavanes who governed that Province as the Duke of Mayenne's Lieutenant, being advertised of their intention, drew all the neighbouring Garrisons together with infinite celerity; and while the chief Citizens stood perplext, and irresolute, whether or no they should call the Mareschal de Biron, for fear of being scacked, Tavanes appeared with a considerable force to

enter into the City; but that being denyed him by the people already up in Arms, he turning towards the Castle, was willingly received by the Governor of it: There, af∣ter having refreshed and ordered his men, he caused an hundred of his stoutest Horse∣men to alight, and placed them in the front of the Squadron, and then incouraging his men to fight gallantly, marched down in order the common way, to enter the passage towards the Market-place, where, being encountred by the Townsmen in Arms, there began between them a sharp and obstinate fight, which lasting stiffly from the morn∣ing till it was far of the day, some of the Heads of the people, taking a resolution in necessity, determined to send for the Mareschal de Biron, who, having already many dayes expected that opportunity, hovered up and down about those quarters. But, not being able to bring the Army with that celerity, which so sudden an exigent required, the Mareschal having left order, that the Cavalry should follow him with all speed, en∣tered into Dijon with onely Sixty Gentlemen towards the evening; at whose arrival the Citizens recovering courage, who not being able to resist, were already reduced into a corner of the Town, and then the whole Army coming up successively one part after another, Tavanes not willing to lose the Castle, while he contended obstinately to get the Town, resolved to retire thither, and leave the possession of the Town unto the Army; wherefore, making the Rereguard of his Squadron face about, he drew off softly, and still fighting, got safe into the Fortress, the day being quite shut in but leaving it to the care of the wonted Governor, he retired himself into the Castle of Talan, a little distant from the Town. The Mareschal was reduced into a great straight, his Army not being sufficient to divide it self and besiege both Castles; and be∣cause he feared the Duke of Mayenne, and the Constable of Castile, having dispatched at Vezu, would come straight to Dijon, he solicited the King by redoubled Messengers, to advance into Bourgongne, whither the greatest weight of arms was already incli∣ned.

The King had staid at Paris longer than he had at first intended; for President Jeannin being come unto him, they had great hopes to conclude the lately renewed Treaty of Agreement, which afterwards was prolonged many dayes; for not onely the King was backward in granting conditions, by reason of the prosperity of his affairs in Bourgongne; but also the Duke of Mayenne, according to the variation of hopes vari∣ed also his determinations, and without proceeding further, would have had a Truce established, to expect (as he said) the Popes resolution, and (as the Kings said) the resolution of King Philip; and finally, the revolt of those Towns having hapned on the one side, and on the other, the Constable being come, the Treaty dissolved without conclusion▪ and the King having left the Prince of Conti to govern Paris, and with him the Count of Schombergh to counsel him, was come to Troy•• upon the thirtieth of May, to draw his Army together in that place, and to march thence whither need should require. Thither the earnest desires of the Mareschal de Biron came unto him, who solicited him to march speedily to Dijon; wherefore, without interposing any de∣lay, he, with the Troops that were with him, having left order that the rest should follow, took his way, with all haste, toward Bourgongne, having with him the Count of Auvergne, the Duke de la Tremouille, the Marquiss de Pisany, the Count de Torigny, the Chevalier d Oyse, the Marquisses of Tresnel, and Mirepoix, and the Sieurs de Chiverny, Liancourt, Vitry, Montigny, d' Interville, and de la Curee.

Being come to Dijon upon the fourth of June, he presently gave order, that both the Castles should be beleagured, setting the Count de Torigny to besiege that of the City,* 1.142 and the Baron of St. Blancard, Brother to the Mareschal de Biron, to take in the Castle of Talan; but because to shut up the Castle round about was a work of many da••es, all the Infantry not being yet come up (which could not march so fast as he had done) the King resolved to advance with the major part of Cavalry towards the Spanish Camp; for, having intelligence, that the Constable had cast two Bridges over the Ri∣ver Saone at Gray, to pass all his Army at once, and come to raise the siege of the Ca∣stles, he hoped to foreslow him, till such time that all his men were come up, and the Trenches brought to perfection. The Duke of Mayenne had likewise,* 1.143 partly with rea∣son, partly with authority, partly by entreaty perswaded the Constable to advance to recover the City of Dijon, telling him, that the Mareschal de Biron's Forces were much inferior to his, and that the Castles, in which the sum of affairs consisted, afforded them a very easie way to drive out the Enemies; and though the Constable (a Lord of high birth, and great riches, but small experience in the affairs of War) was

very unwilling to do it, yet his confidence in the Dukes prudence and valor, and his not knowing that the King was so near, had induced him to yield unto it; where∣fore, having passed the River the day before with his whole Army, he had quartered himself in the Villages on this side of the River, eight Leagues from Dijon. Things being in this condition, and neither the Constable, nor the Duke of Mayenne knowing of the Kings being come, he, without losing time, upon the seventh of June in the morning departed from the City with Twelve hundred Gentlemen, and Curassiers, and Six hundred Harquebusiers on hors-back, and gave order that all should march toward Luz, he being to break his fast that morning at the house of the Baron of that Town, and to stay there for some intelligence of the Enemies moving: Luz stands up∣on the confines of Bourgongne, and of the Franche Comte, four Leagues from Gray, and as much from Dijon; so that he was in the way between the City and the Spanish Camp, between which and Gray there was nothing but the current of the River; As soon as the King was come to the place appointed, and not meeting that intelli∣gence he expected, to know what the enemy did, he sent forth the Baron d' Os∣sonville, with Sixty Light-horse, to discover and to bring him back the certainty of all things;* 1.144 and he, resting his men, and refreshing his horses at leasure, gave order, that at three of the clock in the afternoon all should meet at Fountain-Francoise, a village upon the edge of his confines, there to dispose of themselves according to the infor∣mation he should receive. It was not yet noon, when he and the Mareschal de Bi∣ron, with Three hundred horse went that way to be upon the Rendevouz first of all, to order and dispose the Forces as they came one after the other, but when he was two miles from Fontain-Francoisé, he saw three Horsemen come full gallop towards him, who brought word, that the Baron d' Ossonville being charg'd with Three hundred Horse of the League, was forced to retire, not having been able to discover any thing, and that he desired relief, that he might be able to withstand the greater Forces of the enemy; The King not knowing what to believe, whether the 300 Horse were the ene∣mies Vanguard, or else but some party that was scouring the Campagne, sent forth the Mareschal de Biron, and the Baron de Luz, and the Marquiss de Mirabeau followed by 60 horse, to succor Ossonville, and to know matters more certainly; who, advancing at a large trot,* 1.145 out of has••e to recover Ossonville, as soon as he was out of Fontain-Fran∣coise, discovered a Troop of 60 light-horse which were upon the steep of the hill, just upon the way that led to S. Seine, a village that stood upon the great Road which led straight to the River Saone; wherefore he resolved (without doubting) to charge them, and to advance to the top of the hill, from whence he thought he might dis∣cover all the Countrey: nor was it hard for him to obtain his intent; for the light-horse received the charge without opposition, and left them the hill free, which, as soon as he was gotten upon, he discovered the whole Spanish Army at a distance, which marching in its ranks, was coming to quarter at S. Seine, standing in a Plain, which on the right side is bounded with a hill, and on the other is covered with a Wood; wherefore, being desirous to carry back certain news of the quality and order of the enemy, he resolved to advance, that he might have means distinctly to observe the march and order of that Camp; but he was no sooner descended into the Plain, when he saw the enemies Three hundred Horse, who having routed and pursued Osson∣ville, came resolutely towards him: The Mareschal knowing himself inferior in strength, thought to retire without doing any more, giving the Baron de Luz order to make a stand in the Reer with twenty of his men, and endeavor to detain the enemies, if they should come up to molest him; which the Baron courageously performing, their fury came upon his back with so much violence, that being overthrown with his horse, and four of his men slain, who gallantly faced about, the rest were constrained to gal∣lop away:* 1.146 Wherefore, the Mareschal being likewise forced to face about towards the enemy, fell in furiously to dis-ingage the Baron, who, having freed himself from his horse, and much more difficulty from the enemy, had got over a ditch and came to∣wards him with his Sword and Pistol in his hand: The encounter was very sharp and furious in the beginning; but the Mareschal who fought without a head-piece, being wounded with a ••lash in the head almost at the very first, and some of his men being slain and trampled under foot by the fury of the enemy, he began, by reason of the inequality of the Forces, to be in extream danger of being defeated; yet was he not at all dismaid, nor did he slacken the ardor wherewith he fought, being accompanied by the Baron d'Ossonville, who again was joyned with him, and the Baron de Luz, who was fortu∣nately

gotten again on horse-back, till at the same time there appeared out of the Village, and out of the Wood eight Squadrons of the enemies horse, which separating themselves from the Army, came a round pace towards him; wherefore, having some∣thing repressed the first violence of them, who charged him first, he turned his bridle, and rallying his men, began to retire, galloping to get to Fontaine-Francoise, where he believed the King to be already come, with all the rest of his Forces: But the hour assigned for the Rendezvous was not yet come, wherefore the King, though he had with him onely Two hundred horse of the Nobility, and sixty Harquebusiers on horse∣back that were come up before the rest; and though he had no other Arms on but his back and brest, yet was he necessitated to advance,* 1.147 and receive the Mareschal de Biron, who was hotly pursued at the heels by a much greater number of the enemies.

The first Troops of the League were led by Louis d' Hudan Sieur de Villers, and Captain Giovan Battista Sansoni a Milanese; the first one of the Duke of Mayenne's field Mareschals; the second, Lieutenant of the Constables Light-horse: the other French Troops were commanded by the Sieur de Tenissay, and the Baron de Tianges, and the Italian and Bourguingnon Light-horse, by Don Roderigo Bellino, and the Marquiss de Varambone. An hundred Carabines marched first to begin the charge, and after the other Squadrons followed the Duke of Mayenne, with a body of Gens d' Armes. The King was put upon a necessity of fighting with all this fury of the enemies, and his Forces being not yet come up, he closed upon the right hand with the Dukes de la Tremouille, and d' Elboeuf, the Baron de Termes, and the Sieur de la Curee; and, upon his left hand the Mareschal de Biron, though weary and wounded, with the Baron of Os∣sonville and Lux; and with the Marquiss de Mirabeau. Monsieur de Villers with his Squadron charged that part where the Mareschal de Biron was; and Giovan Battista Sansoni fell upon the other where the King himself was; but with different fortune, though they fought with equal courage on both sides; for Monsieur de Villers at last beat back the Troops of Ossonville and Lux, and forced the Mareschal to retire as far as Fountaine-Francoise; but on the other side where the King was, new Troops of Gen∣try and Cavalry coming up straglingly every minute, who, having heard the danger he was in, advanced with all possible speed to assist him; Sansoni was killed with five wounds, and his horse being routed and dispersed, were driven back, even to the last Squadron of the enemy; Nor could the Sieur de Villers prosecute the victory on his side; for having received a shot in his arm, he was likewise constrained to retire; For all th••s the King's danger lessened not, for the Baron de Tianges and the Sieur de Te∣nissay advanced with fresh and numerous Squadrons to charge, and the same did the Marquiss Varambone, and Roderico Bellino, in that place where the Mareschal de Biron fought; so that being very much inferiour in number, their men wearied, and their horses haggled out and tired, they were almost in a certain danger of being overcome; yet the King, with his voice even hoarse, and with the example of his own valour, encouraging every one; and the Mareschal de Biron all bloody, and covered with sweat and dust, charging desperately among the first, they prevailed so far, that each fighting beyond his own power, and above his own strength, they gave time to the rest who were upon the way to come up; amongst which▪ the first were the Count of Au∣vergne, Monsieur de Vitry, and after them the Count de Chiverny, the Chevalier d'Oyse, and the Monsieur d' Inteville;* 1.148 At the arrival of these (after whom the whole Army was believed to follow) the Duke of Mayenne caused the Troops to withdraw from the fight, and the King seeing it was no time to think of any other safety than what courage afforded, followed them with a gallant skirmish to the Plain and Wood of S. Seine, where they met the Spanish and German Infantry, which advancing valiant∣ly in two divisions, came to give their charge: when they appeared,* 1.149 the King drew back his bridle, and the D of Mayenne having rallied all his Horse into one great body, made shew as if he would charge him: but the King's Troops were already arrived; whereupon the number of the Cavalry was not much different, and the Constable of Castile riding up to the head of the Army, commanded his men to make an halt, being re∣solved not to hazard all his Forces, and all the Franche Compte to the danger of a Battel: wherefore, it being already late,* 1.150 the King began to retire with a gentle pace toward Fontaine-Francoise; and the Enemy, though at first, to conserve their reputation, they made shew that they would follow him, retired also without doing any thing else.

The Spaniards lay that night at S. Seine, the King's Forces at Fountaine-Francoise, and his own person at Lux, having that day run one of the greatest dangers that be∣fell

him in all the revolutions of the past Wars; in which he ought to acknowledge his safety, no less to his own valour, than the courage of those were with him, among which, after Biron, the principal praises were given to Marquiss de Mirabeau, the Count de Grammont, and the Sieur de la Curee: In this encounter, which fame published to be much greater than the truth, there were kill'd about forty on the Spaniards side, and of the King's above sixty; the wounded were many more, nor fewer were the number of those that were taken prisoners on both sides: each party laboured to draw the fame of the victory and the honor of that day unto it self; the ••panish Commanders, because the number of the slain and prisoners were greater on the Kings side; the French, because they remained Masters of the field, and likewise of the dead bodies, and because they made the enemies retire to their very quarters. But that which con∣firmed the victory on their side, was, the determination of the Constable, who, having heard from the Prisoners, that the King himself was there, and had been in the fight, resolved (though the Duke of Mayenne laboured much to the contrary) not to pass any further; and the next morning having caused his Army to repass the River, went to lye in a place of advantage, having Gray behind his Camp, and the obstacle of the Ri∣ver before it. The King advanced the next morning with all his Cavalry, to see which way the Enemies would move, and being come to the hill from whence he discovered the Plain, and the Village of St. Seine; he stood there a long time in Battalia, not seeing the retreat of the Spaniards, in respect of the Wood, and of the opposite hill; not would the King, being without his Foot, in a various Country, full of advantageous places, and not well known unto his men, put himself into the danger of falling into some great Ambuscado; but it being already past noon, the Sieur de Tremblecourt, and d' Ossonville, with a few horse, went up to the very entry of S. Seine, where certain Peasants that were working in the Fields told them of the retreat of the Army, where∣of having speedily informed the King, he advanced at a round trot to fall upon the Enemies Rere; but he found that already they were all safely past the River, and the boats taken away, upon which they had made two Bridges; wherefore, having scowred and beaten the wayes along the banks of the River, he returned that night to his quarters at Lux, and the next morning went to Dijon to hasten the Siege of the two Castles.

The Duke of Mayenne on the other side, not having been able to perswade the Con∣stable to stay beyond the River, began to intreat him, to let him have some number of men, wherewith he might go and defend his own in Bourgongne; but neither was it possible for him to obtain that; for the Constable, who was come onely to defend the Franche Comte, thought he had done enough in recovering Vezu, and all the other Towns the French had gotten possession of, and would no more put himself to the ar∣bitrement of fortune, so much the rather, because his want of experience in Military matters, made him very much to fear, every small encounter; and though he had a great Army about him, he thought not himself secure from the celerity and courage of the King of France; besides the continual Treaty the Duke of Mayenne held of ma∣king his peace with the King,* 1.151 rendred him suspected to the Constable, and to all the Spanish Ministers, nor would they trust any thing of moment to his fidelity: where∣fore (seeing himself destitute of all succor; and that the Constable, being grounded up∣on good reasons, was not like to change his resolution) he determined at last to close up the treaty of agreement, and so much the rather, because he was advertised by his A∣gents at Rome, that the Pope manifestly inclined to the Kings absolution; and therefore having sent the Sieur de Liguerac to Dijon, he concluded upon these terms; That he leaving the Spanish Camp, should retire to Chalons, upon the River Saone in the same Province of Bourgongne, where, without using Arms, he should expect the event of the deliberation at Rome; and that on the other side, the King should not any way molest him, nor any of his followers, nor should attempt any thing upon Chalons, and that in the mean time, while the Advertisements came from Italy concerning the absolution of the King, the difficulties should be smoothed, and the conditions agreed upon, where∣with the Duke should turn unto the Kings obedience. This truce or suspension of Arms being established, the Duke (making as if he had a minde to relieve the Castles of Dijon) departed from the Constables Camp with the French troops, and went straight to Chalons, where presently the Kings Deputies arrived to conclude the agreement, and he gave order to the Viscount de Tavanes and the Governor of the Castle of Dijon, to surrender both the Castles without delay.

But the King having dispatched that enterprise, resolved to go into the Franche Compte, to attempt something against the Constables Army, and with Seven thou∣sand Foot, and Two thousand Horse marched towards the River Saone.* 1.152 The Con∣stable lay still at Gray, thinking it a very convenient place to hinder the passing of the River, and to turn which way soever the French Army should move▪ which being quartered at S. Seine, fought all the banks for many dayes, without finding an oppor∣tunity to pass; but, it being already the month of July, and the waters of the Saone very much fallen; by reason of the time of the year, the Sieurs de Tremblecourt, and d' Ossonville, who attempted all manner of means to pass, found that the River was ford∣able in a certain place about three miles from Gray,* 1.153 which was guarded onel•• by One hundred Spanish firelocks; wherefore, upon the eleventh of July in the morning they appeared upon that Pass, with Two hundred Curassiers, and Five hundred Harquebu∣siers on Hors-back, and began to try the Ford where the River was shallowest. The Spanish firelocks opposed them, and bravely resisting, hindred the Enemies passage with their utmost power; but having no more Ammunition then what they carried in their Flasks, after they had fought for the space of half an hour, they were necessitated to retire; at which, the French taking courage, passed resolutely to the other Bank of the River, and after them the Count d' Auvergne, and the Mareschal de Biron with Five hundred Horse more: The news of the Enemies passing was already come to the Spanish Camp, and the Foot that had fought there, murmuring at the unskilfulness of their Commanders, who had left them without Ammunition, retired towards their Quarters, when Hercole Gonsaga advanced with the first Squadrons of Horse to beat back the French, and make them repass the River, being not believed to be many in number; but having found the truth to be different from what they thought, after the first volley he could not withhold his men from yielding to the greater number, though he fighting valiantly, and sharply rebuking those that turned their backs, did the Office of a very gallant Commander.* 1.154 Cavalliere Lodovico Melzi followed with another Troop of Horse, and having avoided the incounter of the first, who precipitately ran away, fell in couragiously to oppose the enemy▪ but the French were so much stronger, there coming up new Troops of Horse every minute to reinforce them, that it was not possible for him to stop their fury, but being routed and dispersed, fell foul upon the last squadron of Horse, wherewith Don Alfonso Idiaques came to second him, in such manner, that the Squadrons mingling confusedly with one another, being justled and disordered by the violence of those that fled, they that came up to charge, began likewise to run away without stop; in which flight, it being necessary to pass a great Ditch full of water and dirt, to come to the quarters of the Army, the disorder proved so great, that many precipitated themselves into the Ditch; and many, not to incur the danger of being thrown down and trampled under foot, fell into the power of the French; among which, Don Alonso Idiaques, his horse having fallen under him,* 1.155 was unfortunately taken prisoner by the Sieur de Chauliot, and was fain afterwards to com∣pound for a ransome of Twenty thousand duckets. The French seeing the Constable's Infantry drawn up on the other side of the ditch, stopped their pursuit, and stayed for the King; who, having past with all his Army, lodged in the nearest Villages two miles from the Enemies Camp.

By these two great disorders the Spaniards gave the King of France liberty to pass; for there was no doubt, but if the Foot that guarded the Pass had been more in number, and better provided with Ammunition, they would have hindred the first that came over, in respect of the difficulty of the passage, and the height of the banks of the River; and after they were past, if all the Cavalry had advanced in order to beat them back, it is most certain, they would either have totally defeated them, or made them repass to the other side of the River: but coming up disorderly, and in a manner scatteringly, they gave the French opportunity to conquer, and put themselves in danger of being utterly cut off; and therefore knowing Soldiers cannot endure those rash runnings out of the trenches of Camps, without order or consideration, at every litt••e call of a Trumpet; and that which the inexpert count boldness and resolution, they, with very good reason call rashness and ignorance.

But the King of France his passage, made with so much fortune or valour, produced little effect; for the Constable keeping himself in his wonted quarter excellently for∣tified, and placed between Gray and the current of the Saone, the King not having power to force it, and not being in a condition to assault it, went on the other side to make

incursions, and spoil the Country, and spent the time without receiving any fruit, save that Besancon, a Town no way strong nor tenable against his Army, to free it-self from danger, compounded for many thousands of Duckets. In the mean time the King's Camp was full of many dangerous diseases, whereof, being in an enemies Country, and in the exercise of Arms, there died very many, among which was the Count de Torigny, who had the Office of Field-Mareschal: For which reason, and be∣cause there came every day ill news from Picardie, the Cantons of the Switzers inter∣posing as common friends, and particular Protectors of the Franche Compte, the wont∣ed neutrality was established in that Province, which the King going out of, went to Dijon, and the Constable Velasco having left part of his Army, returned with the rest to his Government of Milan.

At Dijon, the business of the Hugonots still troubling the King, and he desiring, for his own security,* 1.156 and for the Pope's satisfaction, to get the Prince of Conde out of their hands, caused a Petition to be presented by the kinsmen of the Princess his Mo∣ther, wherein, relating in her name the imputation that had been laid upon her, of ha∣ving been privy to the death of the Prince her Husband, and the sentence that had been given against her by Judges that were not competent, nor capable to sentence her, they demanded, that she, having till then been kept in prison, at S. Jehan d' An∣gely, the King disanulling the first sentence, would be pleased to grant, that the Parlia∣ment of Paris, a natural and competent Judge, might hear her cause, and, having dis∣cussed the proofs, give sentence upon it: to which Petition the King answered, That if the Princesses Kinsmen would oblige themselves to put her into the power of the Parliament of Paris, he would disanul and make void the sentence that had been given, and would refer the case to the aforesaid Parliament, into whose power the Princess was to be delivered within the space of four months. This served for a colour and excuse to take away suspicion from the Hugonots, to deprive them of power to detain the person of the Princess and of her Son. And the King sent the Marquiss de Pisani to S. Jehan, who, though the Hugonots murmured at it, brought them both away to Paris, where the Princess having declared, that she would live for the time to come in the Catholick Religion, was absolved by the Parliament of that imputation that had been layed against her; the Prince of Conde remaining not only in the King's power, but instructed and bred up in the Catholick Religion.

The Duke of Montmorancy came likewise to the City of Dijon, and there took pos∣session of his Office of Constable; the Hugonots being thus deprived of those props, wherewith they had designed to uphold themselves. The Pope was by these lively effects very much confirmed of the King's sincerity, who already was wholly averse from them, and wholly intent to secure the State of Religion within his obedience; He shewed the same inclination by the strict orders,* 1.157 and particular Commissions which he had given to restore the use of the Mass in all those places from whence it had been taken; and he laboured continually in seeking means to restore the estates of the Clergy possessed by others, which, by reason of the difficulty of the matter, proved ve∣ry hard and troublesome; for the Lords and Gentlemen, who, in reward of their ser∣vices had obtained them, and had already possessed them a great while, could hardly be brought to leave them without equivalent recompences; which, by reason of the number of the pretenders, and the narrowness of affairs, in a time of so great distracti∣on, it was not possible to satisfie; yet the King, with infinite patience and dexterity studied how to compose things, so that if he could not altogether, he did at least in part satisfie the Clergy, though of necessity many of the principal of them could not be ab∣solutely contented; but discreet persons commended both the King's inclinations, and dexterous manner of finding a way to compose interests that were so oppositely di∣verse and repugnant.

These things brought by fame unto the Court of Rome, did opportunely promote the King's interests; but much more were they helped on by the contrary circumstances, which troubled the mind of the Pope, and of that Court; for Schism was in a manner totally setled; the Parliament continued diligently to hinder, that none should go su•• for Benefices at Rome, and whosoever procured any by such sutes, did not certainly ob∣tain the possession of them; the King, by some one of the great Council, did still dis∣patch Spiritual Oeconomies to the Bishopricks, and other cures of Souls that were vacant▪ the name of the Apostolick See seemed to be utterly forgotten; and the King's Forces prospering, it was doubted he would demand Absolution no more; the Duke of

Nevers having s••id publickly at his departure, that they should not look to have any more Ambassadors sent to Rome: wherefore though the Treaty was set on foot again by means of Cardinal Gondi, and that d' Ossat continued to treat with Sannesio, and with Cardinal Aldobrandino, yet the Pope fearing the mischief that was imminent, and considering the example of other States that had withdrawn themselves from the obedience of the Apostolick See was wonderful anxious, by reason of the danger of this division. To this was added the Kings confederacy contracted with the States of Holland; and the League which was still in treaty with England; whereupon it was doubted that so near confederacy being made with Hereticks, Religion would in some part be injured by it. That which the more incited the Pope, was the sharp War made by the Turk in Hungary; for being constrained to think of the progress of the common Enemy on that side, he desired to appease the tumults of France, that he might turn all his Forces for the maintenance and benefit of the Commonweal of Christians; for all these reasons being resolved within himself to condescend to the Kings benediction, to which he thought himself obliged in Conscience, he began to think of softning the Catholick King; and therefore besides satisfying him in all his demands,* 1.158 he resolved to send his Nephew Giovan Francesco Aldobrandino into Spain under colour of treating of the affairs of Hungary, but withal to negotiate the absolution of France; to which he laboured to bring the King of Spain gently, by shewing that he depended much upon his consent: In the mean time by the means of Monsieur d' Ossat, he secretly let the King know that things were already ripe, and that if he sent new Ministers to treat, the absolution perchance might be concluded.

The King desirous to reconcile himself fully to the Church, thought at first to send a gallant Embassy; but being informed of the Popes intention, who desired that the business should pass privately, and with terms of very great submission, he determined to send only Jaques Davy Sieur du Perron, who should treat of matters together with d' Ossat, being also desirous in case the business should not take effect, that the manner of treating might not make it the more eminent and remarkable. These men season∣ably making use of the conjuncture of present affairs, managed the Kings intentions modestly and dexterously, shewing no less the prosperousness of his enterprizes, which at last had gained him the whole Kingdom; than his Piety and most ardent affection towards Religion, from whence proceeded his infinite patience, hardened to bear so many repulses as had been given him by the Pope. But those that were well versed in the affairs of the World, gave loose reins to their discourse concerning those very things which much troubled the Pope, and said freely through the Court, that in the end the Kings patience would turn into fury, and that having subdued his Enemies, and made himself a peaceable Master of his Estate, it was to be doubted he would care but little to reconcile himself to the Pope, or rather it was to be feared, that with a dangerous Schism in the Church of God, he would attempt to revenge so many past injuries and persecutions; and upon these points they repeated and alleadged those reasons, for which it was just and convenient to receive and satisfie him▪ The Pope being between two contrary respects, one not to alienate nor offend the Catholick King; the other not to lose the obedience of the Kingdom of France, went very warily, and endeavoured, that time, the course of things, patience and dexterity might unloose that so difficult and so dangerous knot: He knew that those that took part with the King of France had reason on their side; that at length there was enough said, and enough done, to assure the sincerity of his Conversion, and that by standing firm against so many repulses, he had merited the pardon and reconciliation of the Church: but on the other side he doubted the Spaniards might upbraid him, that they had been more constant, and more jealous Defenders of the Majesty of Religion than he, and he thought it very hard to alienate King Philip an ancient and confirmed Defender of the Church, for a Prince, which, till then, had ever been an Enemy, and a Persecu∣tor of it; to this was added, that the merits of the King of Spain towards the Apo∣stolick See, and the many enterprizes he had done for the service of Christendom and of Religion, had gotten him so great authority in the Roman Church,* 1.159 that it seemed not fit for the Pope to determine a matter of so great consequence, without his liking and consent.

But whilst the Pope dexterously protracts this determination, the Kings Forces gain∣ing every day greater power, and greater fame, constrained him to come to a conclu∣sion; and the words of Monsignor Serafino wrought much upon him; who discoursing

often with him, and, according to his wonted liberty, mingling jests with serious mat∣ters, being asked by the Pope what the Court said about that business; answered, That it was now a common saying, that Clement the Seventh hath lost England, and Clement the Eighth would lose France: which conceit having pierced deeply into the Popes mind, spurred on by the evidence of reason, and the effectual sollicitations of the Venetian and Florentine Ambassadors, he determided to take his resolution upon his Nephews relation, who assured him that in Spain mens minds were no longer so ardent as they were wont to be in the affairs of France, and that being exceedingly exhausted of money, and weary of the War, they would make no great stir at the determination of Rome, though they yet shewed perseverance, desiring that the resolutions of his Ho∣liness might be protracted for some few days more, out of a desire to better their own conditions, than out of any hope they had that the King of France at last should not obtain absolution: wherefore the Pope taking courage, after he had oftentimes felt the pulse of the Duke of Sassa, the Spanish Ambassadour, upon that point, he at last could not but tell him, that the taking a course about the affairs of France could no longer be deferred, and that therefore he was resolved to hear the opinions of the Car∣dinals about it, to the end that with their advice he might determine what should be thought most convenient▪ The Duke of Sessa believed that the Pope would hear and gather the Votes of the Cardinals in the wonted Consistory, and in the wonted man∣ner, and knowing that many of them depended upon the will of the Catholick King, and that many others of themselves dissented from the King of France his Absolution, did not argue much upon that particular, because upon a diligent scrutiny of the Votes, he was of opinion that the Absolution would not pass in the Consistory, and he was certain the Pope would not do contrary to what the plurality of Votes should determine:* 1.160 But Clement, who would not refer a thing of so great weight, managed till then with infinite dexterity, to multiplicity of opinions, which if they should be laid open, would appear to be guided with particular interests and respects, after he had brought the Catholick Kings Ambassadors not to refuse that the business should be put in consultation, went not the ordinary way, but having called the Consistory, af∣ter he had read the Kings Letters and Supplications, declared that he would hear the counsel of the Cardinals about them; yet not briefly and confusedly at one only time, but that they should one by one come into his Chamber, where no other body being present, he would hear them privately; and gave them charge that they should come four every day severally to private audience, and to discourse with him concerning the present business. The Pope (shwing by this prudent manner, that he would ex∣clude all private respects, and give the Cardinals confidence to tell their opinions freely, without fear that they should be discovered) reserved unto himself the arbitrement of the determination, being able, when all had spoken, to declare what pleased him best, and to say in which opinion the major part of Votes concurred, so that none might be able to oppose or contradict: and just so it came to pass; for having first caused so∣lemn prayers to be made in every Church of the City, and having in himself shewed signs of profound and singular devotion, he, for the space of many days, heard the Cardinals one by one; and finally, being all met in the Consistory, he said he had heard the opinions of all the Cardinals, and that two thirds of them voted that the King of France should be absolved from Censures,* 1.161 and received into the bosom of the Church; and that therefore he would treat with the Kings Procurators, and in his Name impose upon them those penances and those conditions which he should think most profitable and advantageous for the service of God, and the exaltation of the Church. Cardinal Marc Antonio Colonna would have contradicted, and standing up, began already to speak; but the Pope imposed him silence, saying, It had been suffi∣ciently consulted of already, and determined with the plurality of Votes; and there∣fore he did not mean that should be any more put into disputation, which had once been ordered and decided.

In this manner having dismist the Consistory, the Pope betook himself to treat with the Kings Procurators concerning the Conditions, which already had been debated ma∣ny days by the means of Cardinal Toledo, who though a Spaniard by birth, and a Je∣suite by Profession, yet either because his Conscience did so perswade him, or for some other reason, was favourably inclined to the Kings affairs; and though he laboured much, because the Pope would needs declare that absolution Null that had been given him by the French Prelates at St. Denis, and the King stood to have it approved and

confirmed by his accomplishment, and because many things opposed the publication of the Council of Trent, which the Pope by all means urged to have; and most of all be∣cause the Pope pressed to have the Decree made in favour of the Hugonots to be bro∣ken and disanulled, which could not be done without stirring up new Wars; yet such was the dexterity and prudence of the Kings Procurators, and such the moderation of the Pope, that with convenient words and clauses all things were set right in such manner, that the reputation of the Catholick See was kept whole, and the King was not put into a necessity of new perturbations.

Things being setled and concluded, the Pope, upon the 16th day of September,* 1.162 went with all the Cardinals in their Pontifical habits into the Porch of St. Peter's, where he sitting in the Throne prepared for that▪ purpose, and incompassed with all the Car∣dinals, except Alessandrino and Aragon, who were not present at that solemnity; Jaques Davy and Arnaud d' Ossat appeared in the habit of private Priests, and holding the Kings Proxy in their hands, upon their knees presented the petition to the Secretary of the Holy Office, which being publickly read, the Secretary standing at the foot of the Throne, pronounced the Popes Decree, which cont••••ning the narrative of the whole business, did appoint and ordain that Henry of Bourbon, King of France and Navarre, should be absolved from Censures, and received into the bosom of the Church, being at that present obliged to abjure all Heresies held formerly by him, to undergo the publick penance that should be enjoined him, and observe the conditions established by his Holiness, which were these following:* 1.163 That the Catholick Religion should be introduced into the Principality of Bearne, and four Monasteries of Friers and Nuns founded there: That the Council of Trent should be received in the whole Kingdom of France, except in those things that might disturb it, which the Pope was willing to dispense withal: That within the term of one year the Prince of Condé should be given to be bred up in the hands of Catholicks: That in the disposing of Benefices and other matters, he should observe the course agreed upon with the Kings his Predecessors, taking away all abuses: That Catholick persons, and such as were of exemplary life, should be nominated unto Prelacies: That all lands and goods taken from Churches and Religious places should be restored without a judicial way, and without contradi∣ction: That those that were elected into Magistracy should be persons no way suspected of Heresie, nor such as favoured Hereticks, either directly or indirectly, but such as should not tolerate them, save in what could not be done without tumult and War: And that he should give account of his Conversion and Abjuration to all Christian Princes. The spiritual penances injoined him were, That every Sunday and Holy-day he should hear a Conventual Mass, either in his own Chappel, or some other Church: That, according to the custom of the Kings of France, he should hear Mass every day, and that upon some set days of the week he should say certain prayers: That he should fast Fridays and Saturdays, and receive the Communion publickly four times in the year.

The Procurators accepted the Conditions,* 1.164 and the publick ingrossments were de∣manded by them; and then kneeling down at the Gate of St. Peter's Church, they with a loud voi••e abjured the Heresies that were contained in a certain Writing; after which Abjuration, being touched upon the head by Cardinal Santa Severina the chief Penitentiary with his Rod of Office, they received Absolution: at which action the Gates of St. Peter's Church were opened, the whole Church resounded with joyful musical voices, and the Castle of St. Angelo with all its Artillery gave signs of extra∣ordinary joy and gladness: the Procurators clothed in their Prelatical habits were pre∣sent at the Mass in the wonted place of the French Ambassadors; after which they went to St. Louis the French Church, where the joys and rejoycings were redoubled; the Court and the people of Rome expressing infinite contentment, the one being much inclined to favour the French, and the other rejoycing at the re-union of so noble and so principal a Kingdom.

The Pope deputed Cardinal Toledo Legat to the Kingdom of France; but afterward,* 1.165 whatsoever the occasion was, having changed his mind, he appointed Cardinal Alessan∣dro de Medici, he who succeeded him in the Papacy. The Procurators who had hap∣pily brought so hard a matter, and of so great consequence unto a conclusion, were at several times by the same Pope created Cardinals, having often publickly said, That the modesty and prudent managery of them both had overcome those infinite difficul∣ties that arose in his mind about the determination of that business.

The news of the Absolution was brought unto the King by Alessandro del Bene, dis∣patched Post from Rome; who thinking to find him at Lyons, arrived there when he was already departed to return to Paris: For, having concluded a general Truce with the Duke of Mayenne for three months, to the end, that the conditions of Agreement might be conveniently treated of, and the event expected of matters at Rome, which went more slowly than was believed, the King (having setled the affairs of that Pro∣vince, and given way to treat an Agreement also with the Duke of Nemours, and his Brother the Marquiss of St. Sorlin) was returned speedily to Paris, to attend the busi∣ness of Picardy, where the Arms of the Spaniards made themselves be sharply felt: In which time, the Mareschal de Bois Dauphin, one of the Duke of Mayenne's nearest de∣pendents submitted himself to his obedience: And on the other side, the Duke of Elboeuf formerly reconciled unto him, had established a Truce with the Duke of Mercoeur for Bre∣tagne; so that all things in all places inclined to favour the Pacification of the King∣dom, save only, that on the side towards Flanders, by reason of the new War kindled particularly with the Spaniards, there arose by little and little new occasions of pertur∣bation and trouble.

The End of the Fourteenth BOOK.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1593.
• * 1.2

  Lodovico Gon∣zaga Duke of Neve••s is cho∣sen Ambassa∣dor of obedi∣ence to the P••pe from the King after hi•• Conversion, and four Pre∣lates are ap∣pointed to ac∣company him.
• * 1.3

  The Duke of Maye••••e send•• the Sieur de Montpez••t into Spain, to treat with the Ca∣tholick King, that t••e Infan∣ta being elect∣ed Queen of ••rance, might be given in marriage to his eldest Son.
• * 1.4

  The Pope nei∣ther approves of the Infan∣ta's election nor marriage, as things not fe••sable; but only seems to consent unto them not to disgust the Spaniards.
• * 1.5

  Pope Cle••••nt could have wished that some Catho∣lick Prince of the House of Bourbon might be elected to the Crown, and that he should marry the In∣fanta; but when he heard the Kings in∣tention to turn Catholick, he began to en∣cline to hi••.
• * 1.6

  Giacopo San••e∣sio a Servan•• to the Family of Aldobrandi∣no, favoured by Clement the ••ighth, was afterward en∣riched, and elected Cardi∣nal.
• * 1.7

  Arnaud d' Os∣s••t Ag••nt at Rome for the Queen Dowa∣ger of Henry the Third.
• * 1.8

  Giacopo Sanne∣si••, a Friend of d' Ossats, hath order from the Pope to treat with him (but as of himself) about the affairs of the King of France and the Kingdom.
• * 1.9

  Monsignore Se∣rafino Olivario having recei∣ved Letters from the King, brought by Monsieur de la Clielle, shews them to the Pope.
• * 1.10

  The Sieur de l•• Clielle is brought se∣cretly to the Pope, leaves the Kings let∣ters, and de∣parts with no very good an∣swer.
• * 1.11

  Cardinal Tole∣do treats often with la Clielle, but resolves that the Pope cannot admit the Kings de∣sires, he being a relapsed He∣retick.
• * 1.12

  D' Ossat gives order to la lielle to per∣••wade the ••King to go on in shewing himself a Ca∣tholick.
• * 1.13

  Divers Trea∣tises are prin∣ted against the Absolution of Henry the IV▪ given him by the French Prelates.
• * 1.14

  D' Ossat an∣swers them, but cannot ge•• leave to prin•• his discourse.
• * 1.15

  The Pope sends Antonio Posse∣vino a Jesuit•• to tell the Duke of Ne∣vers, that he should not come to Rom•• to execute his Embassy, be∣cause the King was not yet acknowledged a Catholick: thereupon the King goes to Man••u••.
• * 1.16

  The Pope sends Possevi••o again to the Duke of N••∣ver•• to bid him come ••n to Rome▪ where he should b•• received as a Catholick Ita∣lian Prince, though not as an Ambassa∣dor.
• * 1.17

  An ••nsurrecti∣on in the City of Lyon•• against the D••••e of N••∣mours, who be∣ing Governor, plotted to make himself absolute Lord, but being dis∣covered, he is imprisoned, and the Go∣vernment gi∣ven to the Archbishop of the City.
• * 1.18

  By a Decree of the chief heads of the City of Lyons, the Duke of Nemours is pu•• out of the G••∣vernment, and the Marquis•• of St. S••••lin out of ••hat of D••up••i••e.
• * 1.19

  Th•• Duke of Ma••enn•• and Guis•• united th••mselves in affection, and agr••e jointly to favour each other in th•• electio•• to be King.
• * 1.20

  Tassis being re∣turned from Flanders, treat•• with respect and confidence with the Duke of Mayenne.
• * 1.21

  The King of Spain, provi∣ded the Infan∣ta might be elected, re∣solves to give her any hus∣band.
• * 1.22

  The Truce is prolonged for two months more.
• * 1.23

  The Pope se••d•• the D. of Neuers word, he in∣tends not be shall stay at Rome above ten daye••.
• * 1.24

  The Duke of Nevers being entred pri∣vately into R••me, goes the same evening to kiss the Pope•• feet.
• * 1.25

  The Pope lets the Duke of N••ver•• know, that he can∣not prolong the term or ten dayes, and that he could not admit the Prelates who came along with him to his presence, unless they submitted themselves to the Penitenti••∣ro Maggier••, who is the chief Officer that hath power to ab∣solve a Peni∣tent.

  The Duke of Nevers falling upon his knees beseeches the Pope at least to give the King absoluti∣on in Foro Cons••ientiae, an•• it is de∣nied.
• * 1.26

  The Duke of N••vers goes a∣way d••s••on∣tented from Rome.

  The Duke comes to Ve∣n••ce, where the French Pre∣la••es print a Book of the reasons that moved them to absolve the King.
• * 1.27

  Pie re Barriere; a Vagabond fellow, ha∣ving conferred with two Fry∣ers, resolves to kill the King, but be∣ing discover∣ed, he is take••, tortured, and put to death.
• * 1.28

  No Money, no Vitry.
• * 1.29

  Monsieur de Vitry, Gover∣nor of Meaux, goes over to the King's Party, and causes the Townsmen to send Deputies to the King, to deliver the place into his hands.
• * 1.30

  The Duke of Alva, by granting a strict ambigu∣ous pardon to the Flem∣mings, alie∣nates more Cities from the Catholick King, than his former pu∣nishments and rigours had done.
• * 1.31

  The Deputies of Meaux are graciously re∣ceived by the King, who grants them many Privi∣ledges, and confirms the Government upon Mon∣sieur de Vitry, and his Son.
• * 1.32

  1594.
• * 1.33

  The Sieur de Estrumel and Monsieur de la Chastre, com∣pound with the King for themselves and their Go∣vernment.
• * 1.34

  The City of Lyons declares for the Kings P••rty.
• * 1.35

  The City of Aix in Pro∣vence besieg'd by the Duke of Espernon, being not re∣lieved, submits to the Kings obedience.
• * 1.36

  The substance of a Writing set forth by the Cardinal Legat▪ to keep the Catholick League on foot.
• * 1.37

  The Duke of Mayenne 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a∣vering i•• so man•• adversi∣ties, ••hinks to make his pe••ce with the King.
• * 1.38

  The Pope be∣ing sued to by the Duke of Mayennes Ambassadors, for supplies of men and mo∣ney, excuses himself by the War of Hun∣gary against the Turk.
• * 1.39

  The King of Spain shows the same cold∣ness in assist∣ing the League, to the Sieur de Mont∣pezat.
• * 1.40

  The Parisians murmur by reason of their sufferings, which they begin again to feel, and so much the more, because the point of Religion be∣ing taken a∣way, they eve∣ry day hear of the Kings good usage of the Catho∣licks.
• * 1.41

  The Count de Belin is remo∣ved from the Government of Paris, and the Count de B••••ssa•• elected in his place.
• * 1.42

  The Duke of Mayenne being resolved to lie no longer idle, to the lessen∣ing of the re∣putation of his Party, goes from Paris.
• * 1.43

  The Count de Brissac pre∣sently begins to deal with the chief men of the City, to perswade them to sub∣mit to the Kings obedi∣ence.
• * 1.44

  Conditions of agreement concluded be∣tween the King and the Governour of Paris.
• * 1.45

  Particular conditions concluded in the favour of the Count de Brissac.
• * 1.46

  The King de∣sires to be crowned; some object that it cannot be done but at Reimes where the Sante Ampoule or holy Vial is kept which (they say) was brought from Heaven by an Angel to a∣noint King Clouis.
• * 1.47

  The French says Dinan.
• * 1.48

  The obligati∣on of France upon the day of their con∣secration.
• * 1.49

  By an artif••c•• of the Gover∣nour of Paris a Proclamati∣on is made that upon pain of death, and confiscation of goods, none should assem∣ble but in the Town-house.
• * 1.50

  The Count de Brissac having agreed to re∣ceive the King into Paris, sends for••h the ••orces he di∣strus••s, feign∣ing that the Duke of May∣enne was send∣ing Supplies, and that it was necessary to meet them.
• * 1.51

  The manner used by the Governour to bring the King into the City of Paris.
• * 1.52

  The manne•• how the King and his Forces entered into Paris.
• * 1.53

  After eight years space (for so long it was since King Henry the III. fled from thence) the City of Paris returns into obedience, and Henry the Fourth enters into it.
• * 1.54

  The Count de Brissac cries Vive le Roy, and the same cry runs tho∣row the whole City.
• * 1.55

  The people strive who shall mark themselves first with white Rib∣bands and white Crosses in their Hats, and open their Shops, the City being quiet within two hours.
• * 1.56

  The Cardinal-Legat goes out of the Kingdom.
• * 1.57

  Many out of jealousie de∣part with the Cardinal-Le∣ga••, and with the ••panish Ambassador.
• * 1.58

  The Bastile af∣ter five days resistance is surrend••ed to the King by the Sieur du Bourg.
• * 1.59

  Monsieur de V••llars Gover∣nor of Rouen submits him∣self to the Kings obedi∣ence.
• * 1.60

  The Duke of Montpensier lays siege to H••nfl ur, which was the only place that held for the League in lower Norman∣dy.
• * 1.61

  Tarling is small pieces of Iron; for which kind ••f Charge, the narrow ••ore of Falconets is not very pr••per; and therefore I rather gh••ss they were Per∣riers, which are commonly used for that pu••pose.
• * 1.62

  The Kings Forces going on to the As∣sault without having well discovered the Moat, are kil∣led in it with showers of Musket-Bullets.
• * 1.63

  Or Cuttings off.
• * 1.64

  Honfleur is de∣livered up to the Duke of Montpensier.
• * 1.65

  Places that ••ield them∣selves to the Kings obedi∣ence.
• * 1.66

  The Duke of El••oeuf is the first of the House of Lo∣rain that makes his peace with the King.
• * 1.67

  The Lords of the House of Lorain meet at Bar, to treat of their common interests.
• * 1.68

  The Duke of Mayenne see∣ing the Lords of his Family were inclined to peace, per∣mits the Duke of Lorain to treat of it in all their names, and in the mean time endeavours to reinforce him∣self, that being armed, he might obtai•• the better Conditions.
• * 1.69

  The Archduke Ernest at the news of the loss of Pa••is resolves to think no long∣er of the In∣fanta's elec••i∣on, but to seize upon some places in the Provinces, confining up∣on Fland••rs to make amends for the past expences.
• * 1.70

  The Vice-Se∣neschal for mo∣ney put a Spa∣nish Garison into la Fere. The Duke of Aumale for 40000 Crown•• Pension re∣volts unto the Spaniard with the places un∣der his Go∣vernment.
• * 1.71

  The Archduke Ernest informs them in Spain of the state of affairs, and lets them know his determinati∣ons.
• * 1.72

  The Arch∣dukes resolu∣tions are ap∣proved and imbraced in Spain.
• * 1.73

  The Duke of Mayenne see∣ing the thred of his hopes broken, and knowing him∣self to be con∣strained to one of two Reso∣lutions, wav•••••• in determining and interposes obstacles to gain time.
• * 1.74

  The Pope per∣mits Cardinal Gondi (who had stayed some time in Florence) to come to Rome, but with a command, not to speak a word about the Affairs of France.
• * 1.75

  Count Charles of Mansfelt en∣ters into France with his Army, and besieges la Cappelle.
• * 1.76

  The Sieur de Mailleraye, Go∣vernour of la Cappelle, sur∣renders to Count Mans∣f••lt.
• * 1.77

  The Parlia∣ment of Paris decrees, That the King ought to be obeyed as lawful Prince, declares them Rebels that disobey; and takes away the Duke of Mayenne's Of∣fice of Lieute∣nant General.
• * 1.78

  The Court of Accompts or Exchequer; there is one of them in every Parliament.
• * 1.79

  The Colledge of Sorbonne de∣clares the Kings Absolu∣tion valid, and the Doctors thereof come to do him so∣lemn homage at the Louvre.
• * 1.80

  The Duke of Mayenne goes to Bruxelles to treat with the Archduke.
• * 1.81

  The Spanish Ministers ad∣vise to keep the Duke of Mayenne pri∣soner in Flan∣ders.
• * 1.82

  It is resolved at Bruxelles, that the Duke of Mayenne shall join with Count Mansfelt to oppose the King together
• * 1.83

  The King be∣sieges Laon, in which the Duke of May∣enne's Son was, with much of the Dukes wealth
• * 1.84

  Count Mans∣felt having re∣ceived order from the Archduke to relieve Laon with his forces as the Duke of Mayenne should think fit, marches within a league of the Kings trenches
• * 1.85

  The Spaniards ••eat the Kings forces out of a Wood, where they had forti∣fied themselves
• * 1.86

  The Kings forces take a great deal of Victual and Ammunition which were brought from No••on, to be put into Laon.
• * 1.87

  The Mares∣chal de Byron having placed himself in ambush, falls upon and takes great store of victu∣al, which were going from la Fere to the E∣nemies Camp.
• * 1.88

  The Duke of Mayenne makes his re∣treat by day in the face of the Enemy, much superi∣or to him in number, with so good order, that he re∣ceives no los•• at all.
• * 1.89

  The Baron de Guiry slain.
• * 1.90

  The mines are sprung, Laon is assaulted, and valiantly de∣fended.
• * 1.91

  Fougade is a kind of mine of about eight or ten foot square, covered with stones, pie∣ces of Timber, bricks, and such things as ••hey do mischief to to the ••ssailan••s, b••ing fiered when they come upon it.

  The number of the defen∣dents being diminished, they, not lon∣ger able to hold out, Ca∣pitulate and Surrender.
• * 1.92

  Col. St. Paul takes upon him the title of Duke of Retelois, and while he plots to get also the City of Rheims, he is killed by the D. of Guise.
• * 1.93

  The Sieur de Pres••••ay, Go∣vernor of Cha∣steau-Thierry, submits him∣self with that place to the Kings obedi∣ence.
• * 1.94

  The Citizens of Amiens raise a tumult against the D. of Aumale, and put themselves in∣to the Kings hands.
• * 1.95

  The Sieur de Balagny, who had had the Government of Cambray from Queen K••therine, as hetress to the D. of Alancon, and after ad∣hering to the League, had made himself Master of it, makes com∣position with the King, up-very large conditions.
• * 1.96

  Cardinal Gon∣di being re∣turned to Pa∣ris, commands as superior of the Clergy of that City, that they should use again the Prayers that were w••nt to be made for the King of France, and that they should ac∣knowledge H. the Fourth, their lawful King.
• * 1.97

  Words of Pope Clem••nt the Eighth to the Duke of S••ssa the Spa∣nish Ambassa∣dor.
• * 1.98

  The Duke of Mayenne goes to Bruxelles, where he is treated with complyance.
• * 1.99

  The Substance of the agree∣ment conclud∣ed between the Duke of Mayenne and the Spaniards at Bruxelles.
• * 1.100

  The Duke of Lorain makes a truce with the King.
• * 1.101

  Or County of Bourgongne.
• * 1.102

  The King sends the Lo∣rain ••orces that were come to him, to make in∣cursions into the County of Bourgongne.
• * 1.103

  The Duke of Guise leaves the League, and makes his composition with the King.
• * 1.104

  The Duke of Guis••, as hei•• of the House of Anjou▪ pre∣tends rights unto Provence.
• * 1.105

  The Duke of Mercoeur is disgusted at the Spaniards in Bretagne, be∣cause they would not meddle in matters out of that Province.
• * 1.106

  The Mares∣chal d' Au∣mont Governor for the King in Bretagne, be∣sieges the Fort of Croisil, begun by the Spaniard.
• * 1.107

  Sir John Nor∣ris.
• * 1.108

  The French assault Coisil, but are brave∣ly repulsed by the Spaniards.
• * 1.109

  Storm-piles.
• * 1.110

  The French renew the as∣sault, but are beaten off with great loss.
• * 1.111

  The Duke of Mercoeur takes no care to re∣lieve Croisil.
• * 1.112

  Don Juan del Aquila march∣es to relieve his Country∣men; but ha∣ving neither horse nor other preparations sufficient, he finds the en∣terprize very difficult.
• * 1.113

  After many assaults the defendents of Croisil are all cut in pieces, but with fame of most remar∣kable valour, and very great loss to the as∣sailants.
• * 1.114

  Fort Croisil slighted by the French.
• * 1.115

  The City and Parliament of Aix, not being able to resist the Kings forces under the Duke of Espernon, sur∣render upon condition, that the Duke shall have no supe∣riority in that City.
• * 1.116

  The Mares∣chal d' Anville is deputed by the King to compose the differences of the Provenci∣als by remo∣ving the Duke of Espernon.
• * 1.117

  The Duke of Espernon de∣clares, that he will defend the Govern∣ment of Pro∣vence; and the Sieur de Les Diguieres goes with good forces into the Province to put him out.
• * 1.118

  The Duke of Espernon re∣fers himself to the Constables arbitrement, who declares that he should go out of the Governmen••.
• * 1.119

  The Duke of Savoy besieges Briqueras, and the French not being able to pass to relieve it, he takes it.
• * 1.120

  The Duke of Nemours escapes out of the Castle of Pi••rre Ancise.
• * 1.121

  Jehan Chastel a Merchant of Paris wounds the King in the mouth with a knife, whilst he was Saluting the Knights of the Holy Ghost in his lodgings at the Louvre.
• * 1.122

  Jehan Chastel being impri∣soned and tor∣tured, confes∣seth that he was moved to attempt the killing of the King by the Doctrine he had learned of the Jesui••es▪ whereupon some of them are put in prison.
• * 1.123

  Jehan Chastell is condemned to be dragged in pieces by four horses.
• * 1.124

  The Jesuites are banished out of the whole King∣dom of France.
• * 1.125

  The Divines of Paris make a Decree, wherein they declare the Doctrine that teaches to kill Princes, to be Heretical.
• * 1.126

  1595.
• * 1.127

  The Mares∣chal d' Anville imbraces the Kings Con∣version.
• * 1.128

  The Hugonots threaten to forsake the King, and take the Crown from him which they said they had gotten him.
• * 1.129

  After many difficulties, the Edict in suc∣cour of the Hugonots, is accepted by the Parlia∣ment, and proclaimed; being the same which King Henry the III. had made An∣no 1577.
• * 1.130

  Henry the IV. resolves to proclaim open War against the King of Spain.
• * 1.131

  Causes that moved King Henry the IV. to proclaim Wars against Spain.
• * 1.132

  Upon the 20th of Jan. 1595. Henry the IV. causes War against Spain to be proclai∣med by his He∣ralds in all the Confines.
• * 1.133

  King Philip answer•• the King of France his Declarati∣on about two months after.
• * 1.134

  1594.
• * 1.135

  The Venetian Ambassadors sent to con∣gratulate the Kings assump∣tion to the Crown, are re∣ceived with great demon∣strations of honor.
• * 1.136

  The Citizens of Be••••ne in the Dutchy of Bourg••ngne cal∣ling the Ma∣reschal de Bi∣ron, submit themselves to the Kings obe∣dience.
• * 1.137

  1595.
• * 1.138

  The Baron de S••n••cey goes over to the Kings party with the City of Ossonne.
• * 1.139

  The Citizens of Autun put themselves under the Kings obedi∣ence.
• * 1.140

  The Consta∣bl•• of Castile with 8000 Foot, and 2000 Horse goes in∣to the Franche 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and be∣ing united with the Duke of Mayenne, re∣covers some places, and takes others.
• * 1.141

  The Sieur de Tremblec••urt not being re∣lieved by the Mar••schal de Biron, surren∣ders the Castle of Vezu to the Constable of ••astile.
• * 1.142

  The King comes to Di∣j••n, and gives order, that both the Ca∣stles be be∣sieged.
• * 1.143

  The Constable of Castile, per∣swaded by the Duke of May∣enne, advances with his Ar∣my to attempt the recovery of Dijon.
• * 1.144

  The Baron d'Ossonville sent ••orth to discover the Army of the League, is charged, and constrained to retire.
• * 1.145

  The Mares∣chal de Biron going to re∣ceive the Ba∣ron d'Ossonvil∣le, puts a Troop of the Enemies Ca∣valry to fl••ght.
• * 1.146

  The Mareschal de Biron being without his head-piece, is wounded in the head.
• * 1.147

  The King, half disarmed, suc∣cors the Ma∣reschal de Bi∣ron.
• * 1.148

  The King fol∣lows the For∣ces of the League, which retire still skirmishing.
• * 1.149

  The Constable of Castile, no•• to hazard the Fra••che ••••mte by a Battel, makesa halt, having resol∣ved not to fight.
• * 1.150

  The Constable retires with his Forces, though the Duke of May∣enne labours to the contrary.
• * 1.151

  The Duke of Mayenne see∣ing himself forsaken by the Spaniards, and advertised that the Pope inclined to the absolution of the King, makes an a∣greement with him.
• * 1.152

  The King goes into the Fra••che Com••e to molest the Spaniards.
• * 1.153

  The French pass the Rive•• Saone at a Fo••d, and the Spaniards that lay to defend the Pass, for want of Am∣munition, were forced to leave it and retire.
• * 1.154

  The Spaniar's are routed and dispersed.
• * 1.155

  Don Alonso Idiaquer taken prisoner.
• * 1.156

  The Princess of Conde be∣ing dexterous∣ly referred by the King unto the Parlia∣ment of Paris, concerning an imputation laid upon her, of being pri∣vy to her hus∣bands death, is cleared there∣of by the Par∣liament, ha∣ving promised first to turn Catholick, and that her Son should be in∣structed in the same R••ligion.
• * 1.157

  The Pope al∣most assured of the Kings sincerity, in∣clines towards him, and shews himself averse from others.
• * 1.158

  The Pope sends his Ne∣phew G ovan Frances••o Al∣dobrandino into Spain, to ••reat of the affairs of Hunga••y, and also of the Kings absolu∣tion.
• * 1.159

  Monsignor Se••••fino tells the Pope that Cl••ment the Seventh lost England, and Clem••nt the Eighth would lose France.
• * 1.160

  The Pope that he might have the more free and secure o∣pinion of the Colledge of Cardinals, re∣solves to hear them privately one by one.
• * 1.161

  The Pope in the Consistory declares, that two thirds of the Cardinals had voted the absolution of Henry the IV. and that there∣fore he was resolved to treat with his Procurators about it.
• * 1.162

  Upon the 16 of Sept. 1595. the Pope in the Porch of St. Peters doth with solemn Ceremony ab∣solve Hen. IV. from censures, and he is re∣ceived into the bosom of the Church.
• * 1.163

  The conditi∣ons established at Rome, to be observed by the King of France.
• * 1.164

  The Kings Procurators kneeling at the Gate of St. Peters Church do with a loud voice abjure the Heresie of the Kings false belief.
• * 1.165

  Cardinal A∣lessandro Me∣dici, who after was Pope Le•• the XI. is ap∣pointed Legat into France.