Certaine orations and answeres made by Iohn Casimire Countie Palatine of Rhyne ... vnto the French king & his embassadours in defence of ye maintenance of his peace, and Christian religion. Translated out of French. 1579.

The Oration of the Lord of Bu∣terich Embassadour from the most no∣ble Prince, Iohn Cassimir, Countie Pa∣latine of Rhine, Duke of Bauier, &c. pronounced before the King in his tovvne of Bloys.

SIr we haue our commissi∣on on the behalfe of my Lord y^e Duke Iohn Cassi∣mire, Countie Palatine of Rhine, Duke of Bauier &c. aswell in his owne name as also in the name of all the Lords, Colo∣nels, Rheystremaisters, & Captains, and generally of all his men of warre, who in his second voyage into Fraunce accompa∣nyed him, after their moste humble com∣mendations, to beséech your maiestie to ful∣fill that which you haue promised, signed, sealed, & oftentimes confirmed, as wel by mouth as letters, touching the pay and as∣suraunce of the said men of warre, whiche is the cause of our ariuall in your Court.

Truely it would cause vs to blush if particularly we should rehearse all that is

wanting of the performance of the promises made vnto vs bothe before and after our de∣parture out of this Realme. The place whereof we doo claime our selues, would séeme to make this matter much more odi∣ous, were it not on the one parte the ne∣cessitie, wherevnto we are bound by the commaūdement of them that haue sent vs, and on the other parte the assurance which all they whome this matter concerneth haue conceiued, that your Maiestie know∣ing the ground of this case, how it goeth and what dependeth therof, will take so good and spedy order, that besides the increase of your reputation, we shall receiue such satisfacti∣on, as bothe we doo promise our selues, and ought to hope for of a King of Fraunce, who hath made a solemne promise to a forraine nation, especially vnto ours.

First your maiesties Obligation bearing date the 27. of Iuly 1576, doth expressy im∣porte that at the faire of Francfort in Sep∣tember last past, the third, fourth and fifth moneths should haue bene paid. That the 100000. francks which my Lord the Duke Iohn Cassimire lent to your Maiestie for the supplying of the payment of the two

first moneths should at the same faire haue béene discharged.

That your maiestie before the same terme should haue sent Commissioners to take order for that which yet resteth due vnto my said Lord the Duke Iohn Cassimir since his first voyage, together with that al∣so which yet is behinde of the voyage of my late Lord the Duke of Deux ponts or two bridges.

That your Maiestie would with all ex∣pedition accomplish the promised number of hostages and that before our departure out of Fraunce.

These Articles together with many o∣thers are promised and signed by your Ma∣iestie, conter-signed by one Secretary of e∣state, and one Secretary of your treasury and sealed with your brode seale, the effect wherof or accomplishment we haue not he∣therto found.

Leauing the reserch of the botome of these matters (as the first agréement which my Lady your Mother made at Chesteau neuf) immediatly after that my Lord had recei∣ued the money of your maiestie shewing in effect by y^e law of an C. thousand franks of

his owne for the supplying of the pay of two moneths, how affectionate he was vnto your crown, how he departed with al spéed out of Fraunce (which all Beystres would not haue doon) not minding by way∣ting for the perfect accomplishment of your promises to be gréeuous or trublesō to your people, so that what so euer aduertisment he receiued, as assuredly he had many, and those from the best, that there was some hidden mistery, yet could they not so much win him, as to cause him to shewe any to∣ken of mistrust so much did he assure him selfe in your worde.

Afterwarde your Maiestie gaue him to vnderstand by sundry letters, that you could not according to promise satisfie him at the fair of September, by reason of the assembly of the Estates, who (besides the confirmation of the Edict made by your owne absolute and royall power) as we were promised, should entreate vpon some meanes how to discharge your Maiestie towarde straungers, and so to content vs, also that at Christmas this fault should be amended.

Immediatly after Christmasse and be∣fore

Newyéeres day, your maiestie sent my Lord woord that the Estates had put a dout and let in the behalf of Castelas, which could not so soone be decided, also that in y^e meane time your Maiestie would cause to furnish at the faire of Strasbrough which was hol∣den at the same season, the partes of my Lord the Duke of Lorreine, and my Lord the Duke of Vaudemont.

Sir wée are sory to say so much: but the trueth is, there wanteth 250000. which is in manner the one half which yet wée haue not receiued of those two parts, and in the meane time my said Lord was personally at Strasbrough, where were also sundry Colonels, Reistremaisters, Captaines, and Souldiers at the least xv. dayes and more, to their great costs, charges, labour & tra∣uaile, procured by the delay of the said payment.

Now is Easter fair, which is to be hol∣den at Francfort at hand, at the which your maiesties promise should take place.

First concerning the former dets dewe vnto bothe my Lord the Elector Palatine, next to my aforesaid Lord the Duke Iohn Cassimire.

Item touching the sixt and seuenth mo∣neths pay for the armie.

Which articles, we can if néed be, specifie vnto your maiestie. Hauing cōmission and expresse commandement to desire your ma∣iestie to satisfie the same at this next faire at Fancfort, which is to be holden at. Easter next, vnto eche and euery of them, aswel for the time past, as y^t which is to come, which amounteth almost to 4. Millions of franks, besides costs and domages. The payment of which sum within such a tearme, would go hard with any flourishing estate, not indet∣ted, turmoyled, or sacked with continuall wars, for the space of xv. or xvi: yéers, wher∣as if all had béene quiet and in reste all things might haue abounded, so that now it cannot be but we must néedes much doubt therof. And that that moste troubleth vs is that before our eyes we sée that you séek not the meanes so to doo, as is euident euen by practise, thereby to frustrate vs of all hope of receiuing any thing out of Fraunce into Germanie, either at this fair or any other, or of long time héerafter, notwithstanding that by your obligation no troubles should im∣peach the effect of your promises, which pro∣cedeth

of I wot not what league. This (to be bréef) is the final breaking of the Edict of pa∣cification, required (say they) by them who ought to buy the firme establishment thereof with their owne blood, which cānot be other then accompanied with the moste cruell and lamentable war that euer was. These vn∣doutedly wil be y^e last ciuil troubles of your Realme, we are no French men, this mat∣ter toucheth vs not so néere. We be men and Germaines endewed with humanitie, which moueth vs to compassion in respecte of the slaunder that is like to enfue of this warre, so far are we voyd of any desire to kindle the wars, neither are we much practised in mat∣ters of Estate, and yet doe wée assuredly knowe that there was neuer any league but hath béene domageable to a Monar∣chie, in the estate and among Subiectes.

We haue no commission (for your ma∣iestie lately sent vs woord, that it was not your pleasure, although oftentimes your selfe haue requested vs) to deale in your affaires, either in the affaire of your estate, as with any your meanes, either to exa∣mine such dealing as haue past, neither haue we héeretofore doon it without the purchace

and instaunce of those which doo touch your person very nigh, or els at the soliciting of other Kings your predecessors. Well haue we bothe charge and expresse commaunde∣ment to open vnto you the present necessitie of our affaires, and to propounde the ready meanes to reléeue the same, the which are so conioyned with the generall and superficiall consideration of your estate: that we cannot speake of our owne matters, but we must therewithall somewhat touch yours.

Séeing therefore that my Lord the Duke Iohn Casimire a Prince and your neigh∣bour, besides all auncient bonds wherwith he is bound to wish the welth of this crown, hath in declaration of his goodnes towarde you, béen honoured with goodly lands, a pen∣tion, a charge of a hundred men of armes, & an estate of Colonel, which dignities he yet inioyeth, he findeth him selfe so much bounde to your maiestie that he thinketh he should doo iniury to his deputie, if he should dissem∣ble the inconueniences like to insue.

At such time as Fraunce was replenished with forraine Souldiers, euery one bothe great and small cryed for peace, and such as supposed vs not to be so attentiue thereto, as

in effect we haue declared our selues, saide that the same was the onely way to collect money for our payments, because say they that the charges of war were infinite and incredible, whereby it must néeds followe that the breaking of the peace dooth cut of & take away all meanes of our satisfaction, so as we gather that we haue therin as great interest, or more then many great Lords of your subiects, and therefore that it is our duetie most humbly to exhorte your maies∣tie to the entertayning and assured obser∣uing of the same, yea although neither the duetie of Christian charitie, the simpatie that is in one only faithful body, or our af∣fection to the wealth and quietnesse of your dominions & crown, should driue vs there∣vnto, either the desire y^t we haue that your maiesties credite might remaine in his full force among all forraine Princes, and that the confidence which your Subiects ought to repose in your should in no wise be demi∣nished. There is none but knoweth (it is so fresh in minde) what time, labour, & tra∣uail first your selfe my Lord, then my Lady your mother, my Lords y^e Princes of your blood, my Lord y^e Duk Iohn Casimire, your

Counsaile and others did sustaine and in∣dure, what ruine, yea and how much money it cost before you could attain to this peace.

All good Frenchmen wished it, or iudged it most profitable and necessary for your e∣state, your people accepted it and ioyfully receiued it, it was signed, sealed, sworne, and published throughout all the Courts, Bayliwickes, Townes, and places of this Realme, and notified vnto straungers by your Embassadors, vnto the singular con∣tentation of such as wished the wealth of your Estate. Finally no necessary ceremo∣ny was ommitted. We haue, enioy and po∣ssesse the lands, commodities and honours which you haue conferred vnto my said L. the Duke Iohn Casimire, for vnder any o∣ther title, he neither would receiue thē, nei∣ther accept of your hostages, we haue also parte of the iewels of your Crown, & which we estéeme more then all, we haue your royall woord.

Now that we should reape the frutes of this peace, and receine that which is pro∣mised & dew vnto vs, also y^t all men should congratulate with your maiestie for y^e qui∣etnes y^t you should finde, we must chaunge

such spéeches into a bewayling of the mise∣ryes arysing of warres.

At the least if the destenie of Fortune be such, either of royall and absolute authoritie, either for certaine considerations to vs vn∣knowen, as we y^t be Germains are to rude to vnderstand them, and our selues not open i∣nough to comprehend that your maiestie wil not that your subiecte should inioy the frute of the Edict of pacification, then let it remain closed within the boundes of your Realme, and not be dispersed in all corners of Germa∣ny, and in most parte of Svvizerland, for we cannot, but must néedes receiue much gréefe and intollerable damage thereby.

This consideration togither with infinite others, which to this purpose might be allea∣ged by such as would enter into the view of your estate, doo to vs séem sufficient to extin∣guish, or at the least suspend this abolishment of the Edict, vntill we be satisfyed, and then might you more iustly alledge that we haue not to doo to meddle therein, for now we deal with that that concerneth our selues, our ho∣nour and credit, togither with the reputati∣on of our whole nation.

Yet if it were but a matter of fiue or six

moneths labour, the end whereof we might then finde, and that it might so be easely com∣passed, then were there some hope as touch∣ing our particular interest. But we now are certaine and well assured, that if we be once entred aborde this warre: we be all ready o∣uer olde to see the end.

It is no small matter when a man is re∣duced to these extremities, that he wil rather ouerthrowe him selfe and others, then with his goods to loose both Countrie, honour, and life, when a man procéedeth so farre, it is doon, all respect and all duetie of one side, and other vanisheth away. The politike per∣son, and the refourmed, each of them forget∣teth him selfe, whatsoeuer tendeth either to the one or other end séemeth lawful. Such as haue abidden these extremities the space of xv. or xvj. yéeres, will not be daunted with such beginnings, hauing so many intelligen∣ces and good aduertisements from all partes, we know it: for we haue frequented it. There must be a whole storehouse of money, besides the shedding of the French blood. There will ensue a stiffe determination of irreconsilia∣ble war, while in the meane time what will become of our payments, the wayting for

which, will be vnto vs as gréeuous & intol∣lerable, as it wil be harde to send the same into Germany (so long as the warre dooth last) or easy to subdue the Huguenots.

What wil our Reystres and souldiers, who are determined to méete at the next faire of Francfort, say. I wil leaue to such as knowe what maner of men they be in mat∣ters touching payments due. What will be the general iudgemēt of our forrain neigh∣bours? The soberest will say that Fraunce which in all ages hath borne away y^e price of humanitie towarde straungers, is now become impatible to it selfe, neither able to abide peace, neither to maintaine war.

To conclude we doo beséech your maiestie on the part of my Lord the Duke Iohn Ca∣simire, who hath in his owne behalfe togi∣ther with the behalfe of the body of his ar∣my sent, vs hether, to cause to furnish & sa∣tisfie at this next fair at Francfort, the whol contents of the Obligation which we haue of your maiestie, according as is afore set downe,

This Sir is (without speaking any far∣ther in your affaires, thē they concerne vs) the effect of all that we are commaunded to showe vnto your maiestie at this present,

whome we doo moste humbly beséech to take the same in good parte. We are Ger∣maines & therfore doo want copie of French phrases. The commandement of those that haue sent vs, dooth lay vpon vs the necessity of acquitting our selues, whereto we hope your maiestie wil haue respect, for it tēdeth onely to our satisfaction, & the peace which mainteineth & preserueth all estates. The hazardes of warre haue often dispearsed, wasted & subuerted in one day, yea in one houre, great Monarchies, how wel so euer they haue béene ordered or established. God for his grace, preserue yours in full perfec∣tion.

At Bloys the 23 of February. 1577.

¶This béeing ended he procéeded on this wise.

SIr, I am to speke for my Lord the Duke Iohn Cassimire who gaue me perticuler instructions to request your Maiestie in his behalf, that you would not permit your self to be led by such as doo endeuour to procure you to breake the peace whiche was so harde to be made. Also that if there be any

Article conteined therein which troubleth your Conscience, or y^t séemeth to rigorous, he wisheth that it might please you rather to procure some tollerable moderatiō of the same, then again to areare warres by the breaking of the saide Edict.

To which end he hath commaunded mée to offer vnto you whatsoeuer credit he may haue with the King of Nauarre the Prince of Conde, the Marshall of Anuile and the Churches, wherin he hath sufficiently au∣thorised me to procure any thing tollerable, rather then to subuert all, namely to con∣ferre with y^e King of Nauers Deputie: wher¦fore it is in your Maiestie to consult and de¦uise, what I may doo therin wherto I doo moste humbly offer my Person.

❀To the King.

SIr I doo most humbly request your ma∣iestie not to mislike that this day may finish and cut of all such slaunders as haue béene sowen and spread throughout Ger∣manie, Fraunce, and other places against my Lord and maister the Duke Iohn Cas∣simire to the great preiudice of his honour and reputation. Namely that the conside∣ration

and respect of his perticular profite held him so intangeled and brideled, that the same was periuditial vnto the publique and particular commoditie of his souldiers which followed him. In respect wherof: his excellencie hath charged me before my de∣parture, to remit into your maiesties hands all such lands and estates wherwith it hath pleased you of late to gratifie him, whiche are the Duchie of Estampes, the nine Lord∣ships situated within the Duchie of Bur∣gundie, the pention, the Captainship ouer a hundred men of armes, together with the estate of Colonell ouer 4000 Reystres.

The possession and inioying of all whiche things and of euery of them, his excellency hath and héere dooth renounce, not willing heerafter to pretend any right in the same, neither minding at this present to reape a∣ny commoditie therof. He dooth also render vnto your maiestie, all letters and déedes concerning the same, except such as are de∣pending of the aforsaid lands situated with in the Duchy of Burgundy, the which the chamber of accounts hath deteyned, the ar∣rest wherof is héerunto adioyned. Also in case his excellencie hath reciprokely pro∣mised

or sworne vnto your Maiestie any kinde of duetie, if he hath bound him selfe in any respect whatsoeuer, by woord of mouth, letters, or procter, his intent and purpose is by this restitution to be fully and perfectly discharged, as of matter graunted in consi∣deration of the landes & estates aboue men∣tioned, héerein reuoking all duetie or Obli∣gation whatsoeuer, except of good agréement and neighbourhood, which at all times hath béene maintained betwéene the Kings of Fraunce, and the famelies of the Palatine Princes, besides the earnest zeale which he beareth to the welth of this Crowne, from the which this restitution shall in no wise alienate his minde.

I haue no Commission otherwise to dis∣cend to the particular occasions, but to show your maiestie that in case you be any thing desirous to knowe the same, his excellency immediatly after my returne wil not much stick to declare it.

In respect of our selues, who vnder the assurance of publique faith and the safe con∣duct which it pleased you to sende vs, are come euen to your Court, I haue expresse charge of his excellencie, moste humbly to

request your Maiestie to giue leaue to two of vs with all spéede to returne into Ger∣manie, and me Buterich to departe into England according to my maisters com∣maundement about sundry his ex∣cellencies weightie affaires of importaunce, graunting vs to the same ende two seuerall Pas∣ports and safe conducts. (?)

At Bloys the 7. of March. 1577

FINIS,

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