The history of Levvis the eleuenth VVith the most memorable accidents which happened in Europe during the two and twenty yeares of his raigne. Enricht with many obseruations which serue as commentaries. Diuided into eleuen bookes. Written in French by P. Mathieu historiographer to the French King. And translated into English by Edvv: Grimeston Sergeant at Armes

Allyances.

BEtwixt the Kinges of France and the Emperors, there are great oathes and confederacies not to attempt one against another. 〈2 pages missing〉〈2 pages missing〉

The first Suisses that were seene in this Realme,* 1.1 and who haue gi∣uen credit to them that haue come after them, were at the Siege of Paris, in the war of the common-weale, whereas they behaued them∣selues most valiantly, and in all other places where they were im∣ploied.

The English are in a manner vnprofitable in the wars of France. If the Duke of Bourgundy would haue made vse of them,* 1.2 it had bin needfull that for a season hee should haue accompanied them, to help, to direct and gouerne their Armie, according to the manner of our warres. For there are none more ignorant nor more vnto∣ward when they first passe: But in a short space they become good Souldiers, wise and valiant.

There is but one high Chamberlaine in England:* 1.3 and for that there is but one, it is a great office.

The English are the best Archers in the world.* 1.4

The English are suspicious.* 1.5

The English haue a common saying,* 1.6 whereof they haue some∣time told me treating with them: That in battails which they haue had with the French, they haue alwaies, or most commonly won: But in all treaties with them they haue euer lost. And in my opinion I haue knowne men in this Realme, as worthy to manage a great Treatie, as any other in the World, and especially of the breeding of our King.

The Florentines did euery three months change their Lords who had al the gouernment of the Cittie.* 1.7

The English are not so subtile in Treaties and Accordes,* 1.8 as the French: and whatsoeuer is saied they goe grossely to worke, but they must haue patience and not debate matters cholerickly.

The Italians take not Townes besieged so speedily as the French.* 1.9 They know not so well how to force places and to defend them: but to hold the fielde, and to settle a good order for their victuals, and all other thinges necessary to hold the field, they vnderstand it better then we do.

I doe not thinke that I lie,* 1.10 to say that I beleeue, that since the first battaile of Granson, vnto the death of the King our Maister, the said Townes, and priuate men of the Suisses, haue gotten of our King a Million of Florins of the Rhin, of the Townes I meane but foure, Berne, Lucerne, Friburge, Zurich, and their Cantons, which haue their Mountaines. Suisses is one, yet it is but a Village. I haue seene one of this village, being an Ambassadour with others, in a very meane habit, who notwithstanding gaue his aduice with the rest. Soleuure and Ondreual are called the other Cantons.

The English,* 1.11 as well Nobility, Commons, as Clergie, are incli∣ned to warre against this Realme, as well vnder colour of their quar∣rels which they pretend, as for the hope of gaine; for that God hath suffered their Predecessours to win many great battels within this Realme, and to haue a long possession, both in Normandy and in Guyenne, which they had held three hundred and fiftie yeares,

when as King Charles the seuenth won it first, as I haue said else∣where, at what time they carried great spoiles and riches into Eng∣land, as well of Princes and Noblemen of France, which had been their Prisoners, and in great numbers, as of Townes and places which they had taken in the said Realme, and hope still to doe the like. But hardly should such an aduenture haue happened in the time of the King our Maister: for he would neuer haue hazarded his Realme, by putting himselfe, and all his Nobilitie, on foot to fight with them, as they did at Agincourt, but would haue proceeded more wisely if it had come to that point.

The Earledome of Flanders is a smal matter,* 1.12 without the Coun∣try of Artois; which lies betwixt France and them, and is as it were a curbe vnto them.

Offices and Estates are more desired in Paris then in any other place of the World,* 1.13 for they that haue them make of them what they can, and not what they ought: There are Offices without fees, which are sold for aboue eight hundred Crowns, and others which haue very small entertainment, are sold for more then their wages amount vnto in fifteene yeares. Wherefore seldome doe any dis∣appoint themselues. And the Court of Parliament maintaines this Article. It is reason, for it concernes them all. Among Coun∣sellors there are also some good and worthy men, and in like man∣ner there are some ill conditioned: So is it in all Estates.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Lib. 1. Chap. 6.
• * 1.2

  Lib. 4. Chap. 5.
• * 1.3

  Lib. 6. Chap. 2.
• * 1.4

  Lib. 1. Chap. 3.
• * 1.5

  Lib. 6. Cha. 11.
• * 1.6

  Lib. 3. Chap. 8.
• * 1.7

  Lib. 6. Chap 5.
• * 1.8

  Lib. 4. Chap. 9.
• * 1.9

  Lib. 6. Chap. 5.
• * 1.10

  Lib. ••. Chap. 2.
• * 1.11

  Lib. 6. Chap. 2.
• * 1.12

  Lib. 6. Chap. 7.
• * 1.13

  Lib. 1. Chap. 6.