The theater of honour and knight-hood. Or A compendious chronicle and historie of the whole Christian vvorld Containing the originall of all monarchies, kingdomes, and estates, with their emperours, kings, princes, and gouernours; their beginnings, continuance, and successions, to this present time. The first institution of armes, emblazons, kings, heralds, and pursuiuants of armes: with all the ancient and moderne military orders of knight-hood in euery kingdome. Of duelloes or single combates ... Likewise of ioustes, tourneyes, and tournaments, and orders belonging to them. Lastly of funerall pompe, for emperours, kings, princes, and meaner persons, with all the rites and ceremonies fitting for them. VVritten in French, by Andrew Fauine, Parisian: and aduocate in the High Court of Parliament. M.DC.XX.

A Proceeding in the Lineall Descent of HELIAS, Knight of the Swan, and Madame Beatrix of Cleue, his Wife.

I. OF this Marriage, betweene the fore-named Helias, and Beatrix of Cleue (so surnamed of a Castle, which shee had caused to be built) issued three male Children: the eldest whereof, was named Thierry, to whom hee gaue the Shield of his Armes, and his Golden Sword. The second was Godfrey, to whom hee gaue the Horne (others say, it was a Trum∣pet) and made him Counte of Lotier: and the last was Conrade, to whom hee gaue his Ring: but by Marriage, hee had the Landsgrauiate of Hessen. Helias hauing reigned one and twentie yeeres, with Madame Beatrix his Wife (Qui portoit d'Argent à vne Teste de Boeuf de Gueules Accornee de Sable, au muffle boucle d'Argent) left for Successour his eldest Sonne.

II. Thierry, first of the Name, second Counte of Cleue, in the yeere seuen hun∣dred thirtie and one. Hee tooke to Wife the Daughter of the Counte of Henault: Qui porto••t d'Or au Lyon rempant de Sa∣ble, qui est Flandres, Escartele d'Or au Ly∣on rempant de Gueules, & sur le Tout d'Ar∣gent à Trois Cheurons de Gueules. Hee reigned fiue and twentie yeeres, and left his Sonne and Successor

III. Renauld, first of the Name, in the yeere seuen hundred fiftie and eight. He espoused the Daughter to the Counte of Ardenne: Qui portoit de Gueules au Lyon rempant d'Or. Hee reigned but eleuen yeeres, and then succeeded his Sonne

IV. Loët, or Lewes, first of the Name, who reigned the space of twentie yeeres, and tooke to Wife the Daughter of Sigi∣bert of Guienne, who was of the same Ligne as the Princes of Holland are des∣cended of originally. The said Sigebert bare de Gueules à deux Leopards d'Or. Loët began to reigne in the yeere seuen hundred threescore and eight, leauing for Successor his Sonne

V. Iohn, first of the Name, the yeere seuen hundred fourescore and eight. Hee had married the Sister to the Emperour Michael, who was the last Emperour of the Romans in the East, before the Empire was transferred into the House of France. This Infanta of the Emperour Michael, is said to beare d'Or au Loup tourne de Sable. And this Iohn, Counte of Cleue, reigned but eight yeeres: after whom, succeeded his Sonne

VI. Robert, first of the Name, in the yeere seuen hundred fourescore and sixe, who reigned but eight yeeres. Hee tooke to Wife the Daughter of the Duke of Lorraine, whom they make to beare d'Or à la Bande de Gueules, chargee de Trois A∣lerions d Argent. Yet it is supposed (for all this) that the Dukes or Lords of Lor∣raine

Portoient d'Argent au Cerf de Gueules somme d'Or. And the Sur-tout or Ouer∣all of Lorraine, at that time, was but the sole Deuice of Godfrey of Bologne, Lord of Mentz and Bouillon, first King of Ie∣rusalem, in the yeere One thousand, one hundred, as wee shall declare to you else∣where.

VII. Baldwin, first of the Name, suc∣ceeded after Counte Robert his Father, in the yeere Eight hundred and foure. Hee married the Daughter of Prince Lewes of Prouence, who is said to beare Seme de France sans nombre, escartele d'Or, contre escartele de Gueules à la bordure engreslee d'Argent. This Lewes of Prouence is made to descend of a Sonne of France, in re∣gard, that his Father was the fourth Sonne of King Charlemaigne, and of Hil∣degarde, his first Wife: So that the Em∣perour Lewes the Debonaire was his Vnc∣kle, and great Vnckle to this Countesse of Cleue. By whom, Baldwin her Husband begate three Sonnes: Lewes, who was Counte of Cleue after his Father: Eue∣rard, likewise Counte of Cleue after his Brother; and Robert, who was Counte of Theysterbant, a Countrey which at this present is called Bommelrewert, and the Countrey of Huesden, and of Artenack. This Count of Theysterbant changed the ancient Armes of Cleue, Et porta d' Azur, à Huict Sceptres fleuronnez d'Or. The first Lord of Huesden had a Brother, Lord of Theysterbant, and of a Castle and Vil∣lage, called Huesden, with the round neighbouring places; and nominated by the course of Time, The Seigneurie of Huesden.

The first Lord of Artenack, was Bro∣ther to him of Theysterbant, being so na∣med of his Castle of Artenack: Which Land and Seigneurie belonged (as well as those of Huesden and Theysterbant) to the said Countes of Cleue, and which they held in Fiefe of the Bishops and Chapter of Vtrecht, two hundred yeeres before the Seigneurie of Gueldres or Ghel∣res was erected into a Countie. And yet notwithstanding, the Countie of They∣sterbant was not of any long continu∣ance; because in the yeere Nine hundred fourescore and foureteene, Infundus, the eighteenth Bishop of Vtrecht (who for∣merly had been Counte of Theysterbant) brought this Countie into Mortmaine, by the Foundations which hee had graunted to his Church, and other Monasteries, whereof hee was Founder, and Bene∣factor.

VIII. Lewes, second of the Name, Sonne to Count Baldwin, succeeded him in the yeere Eight hundred and twentie. Hee reigned but foure yeeres, and dyed before he was married, leauing the Coun∣tie of Cleue to his Brother

IX. Euerard, or Edward, the yeere Eight hundred twentie foure, and reigned the space of nine yeeres. Hee espoused the Daughter to the Duke of Bauaria: Qui portoit Lozengie d'Argent & d' Azur en Bande. And by her he had two Sonnes, Luthard his Successor, and Berengari••••, who was Bishop of Toul.

X. Luthard was Counte of Cleue i•• the yeere eight hundred thirtie and three, and reigned foure and fortie yeeres. Hee tooke to Wife Bertha, Daughter to the Emperour Arnoul, Qui portoit de France sans nombre, party d Or a Quatre Cheu∣rons de Sable; because this Arnoul was descended of the House of France, both by his great Grandfather, & Grandfather Lewes of France, King of Germanie. In this Marriage, two Sonnes were borne: the first whereof, was named Baldwine; and the other, Richefordus, Bishop of Vtrecht. Luthard and his Wife founded two Canonicall Churches: the one at Vuiscel, or Wesele, in the County of Cleues; and the other at Nuisse, a Fiefe of the House of Cleue, in the yeere Eight hun∣dred thirtie and eight.

XI. Baldwine, second of the Name, was Successor to his Father Luthard, in the yeere Eight hundred threescore and sixteene, reigning seuen and thirty yeeres. Hee espoused the Daughter to the Count of Saxonie, Qui portoit Burele d'Or & de Sable a la Coronne de Rue de Synople perit en Bande. And after him succeeded his Sonne

XII. Arnoul, first of the Name, in the yeere Nine hundred and thirteene, and reigned fiue and fortie yeeres. Hee tooke to Wife the Daughter to the Counte of Zutphen, Qui portoit d'Argent party de Deux Lyons rempants, l'vn tourne de Gueules, & l'autre de Sable, aux queuës noüees en Sautour.

XIII. Vichinan, Sonne to Arnoul, was the thirteenth Counte of Cleue, in the yeere Nine hundred fiftie and eight, reig∣ning six and thirtie yeeres. Hee married

••he Daughter to the Landsgraue of Thu∣••••ge, who bare d'Azur au Lyon rempant 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Argent. After him, succeeded his Sonne

XIIII. Conrad, first of the Name, ••he yeere Nine hundred fourescore and ••oureteene. Hee reigned one and fortie yeeres: and his Wife was Daughter to the Counte Zeim; but it is to be diuined, whereof hee was Lord. Et portoit de Gueules au Lyon rempant d'Argent.

XV. Thierry, second of the Name, Sonne and Successor to Conrad, was Counte of Cleue in the yeere of Grace, One thousand, thirtie fiue. Hee reigned ••hree and fortie yeeres, and espoused the Daughter to the Counte of Scombergh, Qui portoit d'Or au C••q de Sable. His Sonne, and Successor, was

XVI. Thierry, or Dictherick, third of the Name, in the yeere One thousand, ••hreescore, and eighteene, reigning nine ••nd thirtie yeeres. His Wife was Daugh∣••er to the Counte of Hennenberg: Qui ••ortoit a la Bordure d' Argent endenchee au Chef, & aux Flancs de Quatre pieces. Next him, succeeded his Sonne

XVII. Arnoul, second of the Name, ••n the yeere of Grace, One thousand, one hundred and eight, and reigned seuen∣teene yeeres. His Wife was Daughter to the Duke of Zubanes, Qui portoit d' A∣zur au Leopard d'Or, a la queue passee en Sautour. Hee had for his Sonne and Suc∣cessor,

XVIII. Thierry, fourth of the Name, in the yeere One thousand, one hundred, fiftie, and fiue. His Wife was Daughter to the Duke of Bauaria, who bare as be∣fore hath beene declared. After him suc∣ceeded his Sonne

XIX. Arnoul, third of the Name, in the yeere One thousand, one hundred, fourescore, and foureteene, and reigned but tenne yeeres. He married Margaret, Daughter to Florent, Counte of Holland: who bare d' Azur au Lyon rempant de Gueules, Escartele d'Argent au Lyon rem∣pant de Sable.

XX. Arnoul the Fourth, his Sonne, succeeded him in the yeere, One thou∣sand, two hundred, and three. He reigned thirteene yeeres, and tooke to Wife the Daughter of Adolphe, Counte of Monts: Qui portoit d' Argent a Trois Cheurons de Gueules. He had for his Sonne and Suc∣cessor

XXI. Thierry the Fift, in the yeere One thousand, two hundred, and six∣teene. Hee reigned eleuen yeeres; and ioyned to his Countie of Cleue the Seig∣neurie of Dislaquen, by meanes of his Wife, the onely Daughter to the Lord of Dislaquen: Qui portoit de Gueules a Cinq Fesses demy-viurees d'Argent. Next him succeeded his Sonne

XXII. Thierry the Sixt, the yeere One thousand, two hundred, twentie, and seuen, and reigned eighteene yeeres. His Wife was Isabel, Daughter to Henry, Duke of Brabant: Qui portoit de Braban, qui est de Sable au Lyon rempant d'Or, Escartele de France sans nombre; because her Mother was Daughter to Philip Au∣gustus, King of France: Wherein this Chronologie deceiueth it selfe, because Madame Mary of France was but twice married: first, to Philip, Counte of Na∣mur, Brother to the Emperour of Greece, Baldwine, Counte of Flanders: and lastly, to Henry, Duke of Lorraine; but not to Henry, Duke of Louaine, which is Bra∣bant.

XXIII. Thierry the Seuenth was Counte of Cleue, by the death of Thierry the Sixt, his Father, in the yeere One thousand, two hundred, fortie fiue, reig∣ning sixteene yeeres. Hee married the Daughter of Otho, the seuenth Counte of Gueldres: Qui portoit d'Azur au Lyon rempant tourne d'Or, party d'Or au Lyon rempant de Sable. By her hee had Thierry the Eight, his Successor, and Isabel, who was Wife to Gerard, Counte of Gulich: And of this Marriage issued two Sonnes, William, Counte of Gulich, and Vale∣ran, or Wal••ran, Archbishop of Co∣logne.

XXIIII. Thierry the Eight began to reigne in the yeere One thousand, two hundred, threescore, and one, reigning fifteene yeeres. Hee had to Wife the Daughter of the Counte of Luxem∣bourg: Qui portoit d'Argent, au Lyon rempant de Gueules. Hee had for Sonne and Successor

XXV. Thierry the Ninth, in the yeere One thousand, two hundred, threescore, and sixteene, reigning seuen and thirtie yeeres. Hee tooke to Wife the Daughter to the Duke of Austria, of Ha••spourg, whom they make to beare d'Argent a la Fesse de Gueules: but that is a false embla∣zon, in regard that the moderne Armes of

Austria are de Gueules a la Fesse d'Argent, as we haue before made apparant to you. Of this Marriage, issued three Sonnes, all Countes of Cleue, each after other: and a Daughter named Elizabeth, Wife to the Lord of Perwis: And of that Marriage descended many great Houses.

XXVI. Otho, first of the Name, suc∣ceeded after Thierry the Ninth, his Fa∣ther, in the yeere of Grace One thousand three hundred and thirteene, reigning sixteene yeeres. He had to Wife Ade∣leida, that is, Al••x, Daughter to Engilbert, the eight Counte de la Mark: Qui portoit d'Or a la Fesse Eschecquee d'Argent & de Gueules de Trois Traicts.

Of this Marriage was borne one onely Daughter, called by the Name of her Mother, married to Iohn, Lord of Arquel, of whom came Otho, Lord of Arquel, and many Daughters which had no Issue, and one named Ioane.

Otho, Lord of Arquel, left his Sonne Iohn, Father to William, a young Gallant of Arquel: who dwelling in the Land of Gorchen, had to Wife the Daughter of the Lady of Gimonde; of whom, was borne Arnoul, Duke of Gueldres, and Wil∣liam de G••monde.

Of Ioane, Daughter to the Lord of Ar∣quel, Lady of Leana (this Genealogie is in this partie much hudled, and very ill di∣stinguished) descended the Lords of Ge∣neppe, of Heyn••b••rg, of Brederodde, de la Vere, of Groeninge, of Drongelem, of Meru∣uic, of Vl••ct, of Ostende, and many other in the Netherlands, in regard that this Lady had many Daughters.

Now, because by the Inuestiture made of the Countie of Cleue to the Knight of the Swanne, this County was made a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Empire, and subiected to the Sa∣lique Law of the French; by the doing whereof, Daughters were excluded from succession in the said Countie: the onely Daughter to Counte Otho the First, could not inherite the Countie of Cleue, by the death of her Father; but after him suc∣ceeded the second Brother

XXVII. Thierry, Tenth of the Name, who reigned eighteene yeeres, and had to Wife Mary, Daughter to the Counte Regnauld of _____ _____ Sister to the first Duke of _____ _____ Qui portoit d'Azur, au Leopard passant d'Argent. And of this Marriage issued but their onely Daugh∣ter, named _____ _____ who was Wife to Adolphe the Ninth, Counte de la Mark, whereby descended three Sonnes, as namely Engilbert, Counte de la Mark, who was Lord de la Mark; Adolphe, who was Bishop, Archbishop, and afterward Counte of Cleue, and de la Mark. Lastly, Thierry, a young Gentleman (as meaning a younger Brother) de la Mark, who was Lord de la Mark, and Lord of Eslaquen, not hauing any legitimate Children, no more then Engilbert his eldest Brother.

But of the second Sonne Adolphe des∣cended many Children, as wee shall see hereafter. And Thierry the Tenth dying without heire male, his yongest Brother

XXVIII. Iohn second of the Name, was Counte of Cleue, and held the said Countie fifteene yeeres. Hee tooke to Wife Margaret, eldest Daughter to Reg∣n••uld the first, Duke of _____ _____ Qui portoit d Azur, au Lyon rempant d'Or. But of this Marriage came not any Issue.

So that by the death of this Iohn the Second, contention grew about Succession in the said Countie of Cleue, which (by right of Reuersion) returned to the Empire, whereof it was a Fiefe, according to the words of his Inuestiture, made to the Knights of the Swanne. For the Lord of Peruueis maintained, That although Elizabeth of Cleue (his Mother) was departed out of this life, yet notwithstanding, by representing his Mother (Sister to the three last Countes of Cleue) he ought to be preferred before any other. And ioyning deedes to words, by force of Armes he possessed himselfe of Cra∣nembourg, and of other places in the Countie of Cleue.

Engilbert, Counte de la Mark, defended against him, That the Countie of Cle••e should (in right) belong to him, because his Mother liued still, who was the onely Daughter of Counte Thierry, and so (by consequent) much neerer then Elizabeth of Cleue, were she as yet liuing Moreouer, that by the Lawes of the Empire (in cases of Successions) the Sonnes of Brothers ought to precede the Sonnes of Sisters. And hereupon he imployed his best endeuour, to make himselfe Master of the Countie of Cleue, as indeed he did, by being assisted with mighty forces, which his Brother Adolphe, Archbishop o•• Cologne, brought him, beside the powers of the Bishop of Munstere.

The third pretender to the said Countie of Cleue, was Otho, Lord of Arquell, in re∣gard

that his Mother (albeit then dead also) was the onely Daughter to Otho, Count of Cleue, Niece to Iohn the last Count. And yet notwithstanding, most part of the Nobilitie, and the best Cities in Cleueland, would not accept any one of these three Pretendents; but rather desired to haue for their Count and Lord Adolphe, Archbi∣shop elected of Cologne, enclining all to his side, because he was not yet restrained by the Churches Orders, being yong also, and very dexterious in Armes. Hereupon, En∣gilbert, Count de la Mark his Brother, and the Lord of Arquel, ioyned themselues with this Adolphe, to expell thence the Lord of Peruueys, which they did, & Prince Adolphe became Lord of the Countie of Cleue: resigning his Bishopricks (with consent of the Pope and the holy Seate) to Messire Engilbert de la Mark his Vnckle, then Bishop of Luge, and to the halfe-brother of the Lord of Arquel, who tooke part with him. He caused himselfe to be Inuested in the said Countie of Cleue, by the Emperour Charles of Bohemia: And so

XXIX. Adolphe was Count of Cleue by a new Inuestiture, made in the yeare One thousand three hundred fiftie and seauen, & by Succession to his Brother Engilbert (de∣ceasing without issue) he became likewise Lord de la Marke And thereupon he tooke De Cleues party de la Mark. He reigned the space of two twenty yeares, espousing Margaret Daughter to Gerard, Count of Monts: Qui portoit d'Argent à trois Cheurons de Gueulles; And by her hee had a plenteous linage, seauen Sonnes, and nine daughters.

The Sonnes were

Adolphe, Successour to his Father.

Gerard, Count de la Marke, third Sonne, and others.

The Daughters were

Margaret, wife to Albert Duke of Bauaria, and Count of H••lla••d, Sonne to Lewes the Emperour, and other.

XXX. Adolphe, second of the name, was the thirtieth Count of Cleue, and the twelfth de la Mark, who reigned foure and fifty yeares, beginning in the yeare of Grace One thousand foure hundred & seauenteene. At the Councill of Constans this Coun∣tie of Cleue was erected to be a Duchie, by the Emperour Sigismond, in the person of Adolphe the second, who was the first Duke of Cleue, An. One thousand foure hundred and seauenteene, as by the Record appeareth▪

He had two wiues, the first whereof was Agnes, Daughter to Robert, Duke of Baua∣ria, by whom he had no issue.

The second wife was Mary, Daughter to Iohn Duke of Bourgongne: Qui portoit de Bourgongne Moderne, Escartele de la Vieille, & sur le tout de Flandre And by her he had three Sonnes and seauen Daughters. The eldest Sonne bare the name of Iohn of Bour∣gongne; the second carried the name of his Father, and was Lord of Rauestaine, who tooke to wife the Daughter to the Duke of Coimbre, Brother to the King of Portugall, of which marriage issued a Son and a Daughter, Phillip and Louisa de Rauestein. The third Son was Engilbert, who dyed yong.

The first of the Daughters was named Margaret, wife to William, Duke of Bauaria, in first mariage; and in the second, to the Lord of Wittemberg: The second was Katha∣rine, wife to Arnoul, Duke of Gueldres. The third Isabel, wife to the Count of Zuuar∣tonbroch: the fourth Agnes, who is said to be wife to a Prince, the eldest Sonne of Na∣uarre and Arragon, whereof he bare the Armes, but quartered without any specifying: The fift Helena, wife to the Duke of Brunswicke; Qui portoit ae Gueulles à Deux Leo∣pard: d'Or: The sixt Mary, wife to Charles, Duke of Orleans, to whom the ignorant P••i••r h••th giuen De France sans Lambell. And the seauenth Daughter dyed yong, about seauen yeares of age.

Iohn, third of the name, Sonne of Adolphe, was the second Duke of Cleue, and Count de la Marke, who reigned fiue and thirty yeares. Hee married the Daughter to Iohn, Count de Neuers, d'Estampes and de Rethell: whom (very simply) they make to be••re De France de Trois Fleurs, & la Bordure componee d'Argent & de Gueulles. Hee had by her one Sonne, and fiue Daughters: But the eldest Sonne of Iohn the third, was

Iohn, the fourth Duke of Cleue, and Count de la Mark, who reigned forty yeares. He tooke to wife Mathilda, Daughter to the Landsgraue of Hessen: Qui portoit d'A∣zur au Lyon rempant d'Argent, tenant vne Hache de mesme. He had for Successour in the Seigneuries of Cleue and de la Mark, his Sonne

Iohn the fift, who espoused Mary, the onely Daughter to William, Duke of Gulich and of Monts; by meanes of which marriage, he enioyed the said Counties and Seigneu∣ries, and charged his Armes with them. Portant de Cleues party de Iulliers, qui est d'Or au Lyon de Sable party d'Argent au Lyon de Gueulles, tranchez, ou soustenus de la Mark, & de Monts. Of this Marriage issued three Daughters, the eldest whereof was named Sibilla, wife to Fredericke Duke of Saxonie; and of this marriage is descended the Duke of Saxon, reigning at this present. The other Daughters are no way materiall to this our Chronologicall discourse.

William, onely Sonne to Iohn the fift, was Successour to his Father. He had to wife Mary, Daughter to Ferdinand, King of Hungarie and Bohemia, King of the Romaines, yongest Brother to the Emperour Charles the fift. Portoit de Hongrie, Escartele de Boëme, sur le tout party d'Austriche, & de Bourgongne ancienne. This William held the forenamed Seigneuries in the yeare One thousand fiue hundred and fiftie, where the Genealogie of the Counts of Cleue ceaseth, and proceedeth on no further: yet be∣ginneth againe at Engelbert of Cleue, allied in the House of Bourgongne by Iohn, Duke of Neuers. But we will supply this defect, and finish the Ligne.

This William of Cleue and of Gul••ch, was sometimes in seruice to King Frances the first, who to make him vnited to the Crowne of France by an vndissolueable bond: did then affiance vnto him Iane d'Albret, being then Princesse, and afterward Queene of Nauarre, Grandmother to our King at this instant reigning. But this inconstant Prince, intruded himselfe into pertaking with Charles the fift, who caused him to marrie his Niece, the Daughter to his Brother Ferdinand, as we haue already said. By this marriage the Emperour Charles compelled him to part with the Duchie of Guel∣dres, whereof he was before possessed. And by meanes of his wife Mary of Hungarie, the Principalities of Cleue, Gulich and Berghes were left to him, with the Counties de la Mark and of Rauenspourge in Algaw: the Duchie of Gueldres remaining annexed to the Nether-Lands, by the said Emperour Charles the fift; who auouched and maintai∣ned, that Charles the last Duke of Bourgongne had possessed, and annexed it to the Ne∣ther Lands.

By Mary of Hungarie his wife, this William Duke of Cleue had a Sonne, bearing the names of his Grandfather and Father together; and foure Daughters beside, as namely Mary Elenora, Anne, Magdalen and Sybilla.

Iohn William, the onely heire masle by the death of his Father, he was Duke of Cleue of Gulich and of Monts, Count de la Mark, and of Rauenspourg. Hee had to wife the Daughter of Lorraine, but no issue by her, he dying of a Feuer as he returned from Hunting, the fiue and twentieth day of March, One thousand sixe hundred & nine:

For Succession (after him) happened the like contention, as did after the death of Count Iohn, second of the name. For it was pretended, and laid claime to, as well by the descendants of Sybilla, Daughter to Iohn the fift, as by the Sisters to Iohn William, and others farre further off in this Succession: In regard that Charles de Gonzaga of Cleue, Duke of Niuernois & of Rethelois made his pretence; that the Countie of Cleue appertained to him, because he bare the Armes and Sirname of Cleue.

The Count of Mauleurier, his pretence was to the Countie de la Mark: because (of his owne naturall and legittimate Stocke) he carried the full Armes, and also the Sir∣name de la Ma••k.

The Duke of Saxonie, Son to Fredericke the Saxon Duke, and Sybilla of Cleue, eldest S••nne of Iohn the fift, pretended, that he had double right thereto, for his owne part. First of all, because he was descended of the said Sybilla, married to the Saxon Duke his Father, in the yeare One thousand fiue hundred twenty and sixe, by which contract of M••ri••ge it was namely couenanted and concluded, that the said Iohn Duke of Cleue and Gul••ch, his children and descendants, happening to dye without heires masle; the said Sibilla should then be sole heire to the said Seigneuries, by exclusion of her other two Sisters, whose Mariages were endowed with Money, and not Lands.

Secondly, that although the Contract of this had not bin set downe in expresse words, and made so cleare as the Sun at midday: yet he had another right, accumu∣lating one vpon the other, to wit; That these Principalities were acquired by grant and donation of them, made to the Duke of Saxonie Fredericke his Father, and to his Grandfather, by the Emperours, if the Lords of them should chance to dye without heires Masles.

Against these Pretendants, came much neerer Heires to the defunct Iohn William, to wit, his Sisters and their Children. Mary Elenora the eldest Sister, had maried with the Duke of Prusia, Marquesse of Brandenbourg, Electour of the Empire: And of this mariage were descended many Daughters, the eldest whereof was married to Iohn Sigismond Marquesse of Brandenbourg, Elector, who in the right of his Mother (al∣though deceased) pretended, that by the representation of his Mother, the Succession after the dead party, belonged to him onely.

On the contrary, Anne, the second Daughter, who was yet liuing, widdow to Phil∣lip Lodowicke, Count Palatine of Neufbourg, Father and Mother to Wolfang William, Count Palatine of Neufbourg, maintained, that this succession appertained to her; as being a much neerer heire, then the Childrens Children of her elder Sister, who was not of this world. Moreouer, that the Inuestiture of the Seigneuries in questi∣on, made by the Emperour Charles the fourth, King of Bohemia, in the yeare One thousand three hundred fiftie and seauen, to Count Adolphe, first of the name; the Inuestiture was made (for perpetuitie) to him & his heires, as well Females as Masles, Ordine seruato viuentium. And therefore, she was to be preferred before the Chil∣drens Children of her Sister; as it was by the law of Nature due to her third Sister

Magdalen, widdow to Iohn. Duke des deux Ponts Count Palatine, &c. & to her sister

Sibilla, wife to the Marquesse of Burgaw.

The Emperour Rodolphe, second of the name, he stept in to be a party also, & pre∣tended; that the said Duchies and Counties belonged to him, as being masculine Fiefes of the Empire, which neuer could fall to Females, or the distaffe: And there∣fore inuested in them one of his owne Brethren, named Lupold, or Leopold, Bishop of Strasbourg and of Passaw (which Bishopricke, called Episcopatus Patauiensis, is seated on the Duchie of Bauaria, neere to the frontiers of Austria, the Cathedrall Towne or Citie whereof, is named Patauia inter Danubium, Rhenumque sita) who stiled him∣selfe Archduke of Oenipont, and taking Poastage in a disguised habite, roade secret∣••y from Prage to Gulich, whereof he possessed himselfe by Intelligence with the Gouernour, and so prepared with all dilligence, for gathering and leuying troupes of men, to obtaine all the rest, by vertue of his Imperiall command.

The Count Palatine of Neufbourg, from the beginning of Aprill kept himselfe in ••ield, to make head with an Armie, and vpon the meeting of the States of Cleue and ••uli••h held at Duisseldorpe; he accorded with the Elector Marquesse of Brandenbourg, ••nd both of them were acknowledged in that meeting, to be the lawfull heires of their Vnckle William; so that they made themselues Maisters of those Seigneuries, which ••ppertained to the d••f••nct, seated beyond the Rhine.

Because on the hither side, where Gulich is placed; all that part swarmed with Ar∣••ed forces, belonging to the Archduke Leopolde.

And thus bec••me all Germanie moued and deuided, in fauouring and defending the ••••ght and quarrell of these pretending Princes. For the Emperour holding those par∣••kings to be the worst, which had bin done without him; stood vpon his Imperiall E∣••••cts and Commands, against the Elector of Brandenbourg, and the Palatine of Neuf∣••ourg: who likewise maintained against him, that these Estates thus standing in quar∣••l•• and contention, could be no Masculine Fiefes of the Empire, The Salicke Law be∣••g no where in force or effect (say they) but onely in the Kingdome of France.

And to speake vprightly, this was the more iust and equall side, but that of the Em∣••erors was the strongest; carrying along with him the whole House of Austria in gene∣••ll, with all their well-willers, as well in Germanie and Italie, as elsewhere. Beside all ••ese, the Princes of the House of Saxonie (though they pretended to haue a share ly∣••g at the maine stake) yet they tooke part with the Emperour.

Now concerning the part of the Marquesse and Palatine, in outward apparance, it

could beare no body or subsistance, against so potent a part as the Emperors, being put into the Ballance, and compromising the merit of their cause, as (indeede) good right hath neede of as good helpe. Wherefore these Princes made their recourse to the Crown of France, who being the Chiefe, most potent and redoubted Monarch of Christendome (Henry of Bourbon, fourth of the name, King of France and Nauarre, the meere respect of his authority, might serue as an Adamant, to attract to him all the Iron or Steele of Germanie, and of any place else.

A great stocke of money, well spared by good Husbandrie, and strongly Coffred vp in the Bastile: An Arsenall of Armes and Artillerie, able to win passage through the best defenced places; A Thunderbolt of Warre, borne and bred vp in the very midst of Armies for fiftie and so many yeares: was more then sufficient, to shake with trembling, and to ballance the Iudgement of Europes Princes, to make them take part wheresoeuer he pretended. Because the inuincible power of France, led and con∣ducted by her Prince, was able to beare along with it a motion, though the contra∣ry Orbes were opposed against it.

The Electors had their recourse to the King, to maintaine the iust merit of their cause. He welcommed their Ambassadours, in the Moneth of September, sixe hun∣dred and nine, promising their Maisters all assistance and fauour. But yet with such conditions, that the States of Cleue and Gulich should conserue the free exercise of Christian Religion; because some disputes and arguings were then called in questi∣on, that might grow on to greater danger. Which being faithfully promised; the King gaue them assurance of his best meanes, and to be with them in person at the Spring time following sixe hundred and ten.

Hereupon was prepared a puissant Armie of threescore thousand men, and the like number of Artillery, already gon vpon the Frontiers, awaiting onely for their Prince. But oh the misfortune of France! her sinnes, and the greedy desires of some, coue∣ting to fish in troubled waters: caused that good King to be murdered by a damna∣ble villaine, long time incited on to this tragicall act, who killed him with three stabbes of his Knife: he being in his Carroche, in the sight and armes of the grea∣test Lords of the Kingdome, and in the very midst of the Citie of Paris, on Friday the foureteenth day of May, in the yeare One thousand sixe hundred and ten, be∣tweene three and foure of the Clocke in the after noone. And thus was the Sunne of France Eclipsed

qVo Mo Do per It glor Ia LILII.

This his disastrous death, so vnhappy to France, was yet no impediment, for sen∣ding to the said Princes the succour of twelue thousand men, conducted by Claude de la Chastre, Marshall of France, to the Siedge of Gulich, begun by the Count Maurice, about the ending of the Moneth of August. But the Towne being surprized by the Archduke of Oenipont Leopolde; was yet so narrowly engirt, beaten and vndermined; that they which held it, were enforced to yeelde vpon composition. Which was a∣greed on by a Treatie, containing thirteene Articles, the first whereof was in these words:

Ayant cy-deuant estè promis par Messieurs les Prinoes au f••u Roy de loūable memoire••l In∣uincible Henry le Grand IIII. du nom Roy de France, & de Nauarre qu és Pais de Iulie••••▪ Cleues, Berg, & autres appartenants, & possedez par lesdicts Sieurs Princes, qu'il ne se fe∣roit aucun changement en l'exercice de la Religion Chrestienne, ains que ledit exercice ser•• permis à toutes personnes esdicts Pais: Lesdicts Princes promettent le faire ainsi garder, & obseruer. Seront toutes personnes Ecclesiastiques conseruez, & maintenus en leurs Priui∣leges, & Immunitez, & en la iouissance de leurs biens, rentes, & reuenus.

Hauing heretofore made promise be my Lords the Princes, to the late King of famous me∣mory, Henry the Great, fourth of the name, King of France and Nauarre, that the Cour¦treyes of Gulich, Cleue, Bergh, with others appartaining and possessed by the said Lords Prin∣ces, should not make any change or alteration in the exercise of Christian Religion; but th•• same exercise shall be still permitted to all persons in the said Countries: The same Prince•• doe promise to haue it still kept and conserued. And that all Ecclesiasticall persons shall b•• kept and maintained in their Priuiledges and Immunities, and in the enioying of thei•• goods, rents and reuennues.

The other Articles doe concerne and respect the perticulers of the besiedged.

The Princes issued and descended of the House of Cleue, to preserue the memorie of the Knight of the Swanne: doe beare (to this day) the Swanne for their Order, De∣uise, Crest and Supporters of their Armes; as we haue declared in the Tract of Or∣leans, and Knights of the Holy-Ghost.

Notes

• The last Ea∣sterne Empe∣rour.
• Contention for the Coun∣tie of Cleue.
• The Answere made by the Counte de la Marke.
• All the three Pretenders re∣fused and a fourth man chosen.
• Adolphe the first Duke of Cleueland.
• The issue of Adolphe by his two wiues.
• The seauen Daughters, & their mariages
• Descent of the Dukes of Cleue
• The House of Saxon at this present.
• The Authors supplement whe••e the Ge∣nealogy failed
• The Duchie of Gueldres parted withal.
• The issue of William Duke of Cleue.
• Another acci∣dent of conten¦tion happe∣ning about Succession in Cleue.
• A ••ou••le rig•••• of 〈…〉〈…〉 plea∣d•••• by t••e Duke of Sax∣onie.
• Anne the se∣cond Daugh∣ter, her interest pleded against the childrens children of her eldest Sister.
• Rodolphe the Emperour a competitor in plea likewise.
• Two lawfull heires ack••ow∣ledged in an open Assembly
• Brandenbourg and the Pa••a∣tine against the Emperor.
• Succor fought for to the King of France
• Ambassadors sent to the King and his accep∣tance of their cause.
• The businesse hindered by the Kings vn∣timely death.