The declarations as vvell of the French King, as of the King of Nauarre Concerning the truce agreed vpon betwene their Maiesties: and touching the passage of the riuer of Loire.

A DECLARATI∣ON OF THE KING OF NAVARRE, VPON THE treatise of the Truce made betweene the French king, and the said L. king of Nauarre.

HEnrie by the grace of God, King of Nauarre, first Prince of the bloud, chiefe Péere, and protector of the re∣formed churches of Fraunce, &c. To all Gouernors of Prouinces, Cap∣tains of townes & cities, fortresses and castles, Chieftaines and leaders of men of warre, Maiors, Consuls, and sworne men of townes, Iusti∣ces and officers, as well of our soueraigne Lord the king, as to all others to whom it may appertaine, & that are vnder our authoritie and protection, Gréeting. Whereas it is wel knowen to all men that we neuer tooke or retayned armes in this miserable warre, but so farre as necessitie enforced vs: Also, that we haue by our actions sufficiently testified our extreame sorow, séeing our selues entangled, and bound thereto through the malice of the enemies of this Realme. On the other side, the desire that we had to be able to serue his Maiestie against them for the reestablishing of his au∣thoritie, and the rest and tranquilitie of his good Subiectes: yet such was the mischiefe, that our good meaning was by sundrie sleights disguised, & the bad mindes of the said ene∣mies

so farre cloaked vnder beautifull and fauourable pre∣tences, that this Realme was brought to the point of ineui∣table ruine, had not the wisdome of our said soueraign Lord the king, sundrie times contraried and crossed with infinite lets, bene sufficient to discerne our innocencie from among their slaunders, he had not also euen through their coulors and dissimulations espied their inueterate malice: And it is most euident that this warre begun vnder colour of religiō, is euen at once found to be méere warre of estate: That those of the League are not gone to séek or assaile those of the religion which we professe, but haue abused both the wea∣pons and authoritie which were to that end deliuered vnto them, to get such townes of this realme as were farthest of and least suspected for religion: as litle also haue they em∣ployed their preachers in the conuersion of those whom they did pretend to be hereticks, but contrariwise they haue vsed them in all townes to the subuersion of this realme, as fire∣brandes to kindle the estate, to suborne the subiects against their prince, to make them reiect all obedience to their ma∣gistrates, to frame them to seditions and alterations, with∣out any respect to confound all things both diuine and hu∣maine: whereby haue happened to the great griefe of all good men, an incredible reuolt throughout this nation a∣gainst our soueraigne Lord the king, and consequently such a confusion in sundry townes and prouinces that the pre∣tended shadow of piety and iustice hath quite extinguished the body, the feare of God, the reuerence of his true image, and the lawfull and soueraigne Magistrate by him insti∣tuted in these extremities: wherevpon acknowledging our duetie vnto our said soueraigne Lord the King, and euen from the bottome of our hart bewayling the calamitie of this estate and people, we haue withdrawen our selues vn∣to his Maiestie, and at his féete presented him our liues and goods to assist him against his enimies, for the reestablish∣ment of his authoritie and his good subiects. Protesting, as before we had done, to intend to no other but his seruice: as

also euery man may iudge that if we had otherwise meant, we had fit occasiō to helpe our selues by y^e publike miseries: who did vs this honor to acknowledge vs & willingly to ac∣cept of our good willes: also to y^e end to giue vs better means to serue him, he resolued vpon a Truce or abstinence of warre with all hostilitie, whereof we hope through Gods helpe, of a good peace to ensue. Therefore that wée giue you to wit, and to all and euery of you which acknowledge our authoritie and protection, and that haue and doe follow that part which we vphold, euery one for himselfe, that we haue treated, decreed and concluded with our soueraigne Lord the King, vpon a truce or abstinence generall from armes throughout this land for one whole yeare, to begin the third day of Aprill, and to end vpon the like day, as well the one as the other therein concluded. Wherein also our meaning is to comprise the state and Countie of Venise with the subiects thereof as being vnder the protection of our said soueraigne Lord the King: & so consequently we doo forbid all persons of whatsoeuer estate or calling, not to attēpt or enterprise against those places where his Ma∣iesties authoritie is acknowledged, neither against the said state or Countie of Venise, or in any other place or places where we shall enter, passe by, or soiourne, expresly cōman∣ding that there be nothing enterprized against his good and loyal subiects, no not against y^e Clergie, neither to innouate or interrupt any thing concerning the Catholike Romane religiō, as also in case by Gods grace we enter whether by surprize, force or otherwise into any hold or towne occupied by the enimies, our meaning is there shall be no alteration in the seruice or other matter belonging to the said Catho∣like Romane religion, according as more at large haue by vs béene concluded with our soueraigne Lord the King. Also whereas in consequence of the premisses it hath plea∣sed his Maiestie to graunt and yéeld a generall enioyment of their goods, & to all those of the religion which we do pro∣fesse and others of this partie, to enioy the same during this

present truce, our intent reciprocally is that al his good sub∣iects as well of the Clergie, as other shall enioy their goods and reuenues during the same in those places that we doe hold, whereof besides these presents we will dispatch them all letters necessary.

Moreouer we commaund you & euery of you so farre as to him appertaineth, to cause these presents to be read, pu∣blished, inrolled, kept and obserued in euery point accor∣ding to their forme and tenure, ceasing and causing to cease al troubles and impeachments to the contrarie. In witnesse whereof we haue caused these Presents, signed with our owne hande, to be sealed with our Seale of armes. Gi∣uen at Saulmur this 24. of April in the yere of grace. 1589.

Thus signed.
HENRY.

And vnderneath,
BERSIAV.

And sealed vpon a single lable with the said Lordes great seale in redde waxe.