An epitome of all the lives of the kings of France From Pharamond the first, to the now most Christian King Levvis the thirteenth. With a relation of the famous battailes of the two kings of England, who were the first victorious princes that conquered France. Translated out of the French coppy by R.B. Esq.

Lewis the 8. and 43. King of France. Anno 1223.

[illustration] portrait

LEwis, the eldest sonne of Philip, succeeded to the Crowne, Anno Domini 1223. Hee, together with his wife Blanch, sister to the King of Castile, was Crowned at Rheimes, the 6. of August, to whom afterwards the Surname of Montpensier was given, be∣cause

he dyed there: In the beginning of his reigne, he renewed the ancient consideration and allyance which was betweene France and Almany, and upon his returne he led his Army into Guien∣ne; where in a set battaile he overthrew the English, whereof Savary of Maleon had the command: by meanes whereof the French tooke the townes of Niot, S. John D' Angely, and Rochelle, leaving nothing of the Countrey of Guienne, on this side the River Garonne, unredu∣ced to the obedience of the King. In∣somuch, that all the Lords as well of Poicton, as Lymosin, and Perigort, came to sweare him fealty and obedience. Amaury also, sonne to the Count of Montfort, came to resigne into the hands of the King of France the right which his Father had left him in the Coun∣tries of Alby, Languedoc, Agenois, Quer∣cy, and the County of Tholouze, whom in recompence he made his Constable, knowing him to be a man capable of such a charge. The yeare following

Richard, Brother to the King of Eng∣land, besieged Rochelle; but hearing of the comming of the French Army, he passed over Dardonne with his forces, and so into England to his brother. The yeare following, the King, with the greatest part of his Nobility, upon the encouragement of the Popes Legate, addressed himselfe to goe against the Albigenses and Tholosans, to encoun∣ter whom, he led his Army, and encam∣ped on Witsun Eve, before Avignon, which he tooke: passing further, hee received the keyes of all the Townes, Places, and Castles of Languedoc, as farre as within foure leagues of Tho∣louze: where, through the incommo∣dity of the winter, and maladies which much weakned his Army, he retreated and wintered in France, with an intent of returning thither the Spring follow∣ing to accomplish his enterprize. But his death prevented him at Montpen∣sier in Avergne; the twelfth day of No∣vember, 1226. leaving Lewis, Charles,

Alphonse, and Robert his sonnes, all very young, and in their minority of yeares.

This King reigned but three yeares, in whom Vice had struck no reproach, nor Vertue had made him famous; whereby it seemes that his minde was of a middle temper, not so poore as to become impious or wicked, nor so well bent and enclined to noble actions, that hee would strive to get Fame by his owne vertue; therefore he was onely famous in this, That hee was Sonne to an excellent Father, and Father to an excellent sonne.

In his reigne the Counsell of Lateran was assembled, whither resorted all the chiefe Bishops of Christendome, and Embassadours sent from Kings and Princes.

After Lewis had subdued the Albi∣geois, and left Governour to suppresse any rebellion which should happen, for the affection of conquerd people is trea∣cherous, who doe watch only an oppor∣tunity

to revolt; hee came to Mount Pensier, in the yeare 1225. October the seventh, and there resigned his life and Scepter, leaving a faire progeny, having foure sonnes, who were flourishing Branches of the Royall stemme, the el∣dest whereof was heire unto his Fathers Crowne, but inherited more vertue than his Father gave him by naturall discent. The Flemings were now much disquieted by an Imposture, pretending that he was their Prince; some were drawne to beleeve his claime, untill by putting him to death the people were better satisfied, and cleerely discerned that his right was meere fixion, main∣tained by boldnesse, as that Scene was, wherein Parkin Werbecke in England plaid the same part.