The history of the famous Edict of Nantes containing an account of all the persecutions that have been in France from its first publication to this present time : faithfully extracted from all the publick and private memoirs, that could possibly be procured / printed first in French, by the authority of the states of Holland and West-Friezland, and now translated into English.

The Edict of King Chares the IX. of the Year 1570. about the pacification of the Troubles of this Kingdom.

CHarles, by the Grace of God, King of France, to all those present and hereafter to come, Greet∣ing. Considering the great Evils and Calamities occasion'd by the Troubles and Wars wherewith our Kingdom has been long, and is still afflicted; and soreseeing the desola∣tion that might ensue, unless by the grace and mercy of God the said Troubles were speedily pacifi'd. We in order to put an end to the same, to remedy the Afflictions that proceed from thence, to restore and make our Subjects live in Peace, Union, Quiet and Tranquility, as it has al∣ways been our intention. Let it be known, that after having taken the good and prudent Advice of the Queen our most dear and most ho∣nour'd

Lady and Mother, of our most dear and most beloved the Duke of Anjou, our Lieutenant General, and the Duke d' Alencon, Princes of car Blood, and other great and no∣table Persons of our Privy-Council; We have by their good Counsel and Advice, and for the Causes and Rea∣sons abovesaid, and other good and great Considerations Us thereunto moving, by this our present Edict, perpetual, and irrevocable, said, de∣clar'd, enacted, and do ordain, will and resolve what followeth.

I. That the remembrance of all things past on both sides, from the ve∣ry beginning of, and since the Troubles happen'd in our said Kingdom, and on the account of the same, shall be extinguish'd and laid aside, as of mat∣ters happen'd that had never; and that it shall not be lawful for our Ator∣ney-General, neither for any Publick or Private Persons, whatever at any time, nor on any occasion soever to men∣tion the same, or to commence any Pro∣cess, or suit thereof in any Court or Jurisdiction.

II. We forbid all our Subjects of what Estate or Quality soever, to revive the remembrance thereof; to in∣jure or provoke each other by Re∣proaches for what is past. To di∣spute, contest, quarrel, wrong or offend one another in Word or Deed, but to forbear, and live peaceably together like Brethren, Friends, and Fellow-Citizens; on pain, for the Delinquents, of being punish'd as In∣fractors of the Peace, and Perturba∣tors of the Publick quiet.

III. It is our Will and Pleasure that the Roman Catholick Religion shall be restor'd in all parts and pla∣ces of this our Kingdom and Coun∣trys under our Obedience, where the exercise of the same has in∣terrupted, there to be freely and peace∣ably exercis'd, without the least trouble or hindrance, on the Penal∣ties above mention'd. And that all those who during the present War have seis'd on Houses, Goods or Re∣venues belonging to Ecclesiasticks, or other Catholicks, who detain and possess the same, shall surrender them the intire possession, and peaceable enjoyment thereof, with the same freedom and safety they enjoy'd them before their being dispossess'd of the same.

IV. And that there may remain no occasion of difference and contention among our Subjects, We have and do allow those of the said Pretended Reform'd Religion, To live and inhabit in all the Cities and parts of this our Kingdom, and Territories under our Obedience, without being urg'd, vex'd, or molested, or constrain'd to do any thing against their Conscience, in point of Religion: Nor examin'd in their Houses, or places where they shall inhabit upon the said account, provided they behave themselves according to what is contain'd in the present Edict.

V. We have also given leave to all Gentlemen, and other persons, actual Inhabitants, and others possessing in our Kingdom and Territories under our Obedience, High Jurisdiction, or Full * Fief d' Haubert, as in* 1.1 Normandy, whether in Proper, or Ʋse-Frint, in the whole, or in a part, to have in such their Houses of the said High-Jurisdiction, or

Fief which they shall nominate for their Principal abode to our Bailiffs and Seneschals, every one in his Precinct the Exercis of the Religion they call Reform'd, as long as they reside there; and in their absence their Wives or Children, whom they shall answer for; and they shall be oblig'd to name the said Houses to our Bailiffs and Senes∣chals, before they shall enjoy the be∣nefit thereof: They shall also enjoy the same in their other Houses of High Jurisdiction, or of the said Fief de Haubert, as long as they shall be actually there, and no otherwise, the whole as well for themselves as their Families, Subjects and others, who shall be willing to go there.

VI. In Houses of Fief, where the said Reform'd shall have no High Ju∣risdiction, and Fief de Haubert, they shall only be allow'd the said Exercise of Religion for their Families: Yet in case any of their Friends should chance to come there to the number of Ten, or some Christning happen in haste, the Company not exceeding the said Number of Ten, they shall not be prosecuted or troubled for the same.

VII. And to gratifie our most dear and most beloved Aunt the Queen of Navar, we have allow'd her, besides what has been above granted to the said Lord's High Justicers, over and above in every one of her Dutchys d' Albert, County's d' Armagnac Foix & Biggore, in a House belonging to her, in which she shall have High-Jurisdi∣ction, which House shall be by us chosen and nominated, there to have the said Exercise perform'd for all such as shall desire to assist thereat, even in her absence.

VIII. Those of the said Religion shall also be allow'd the Exercise thereof in the following Places, viz. For the Government of the Isle of France, in the Subburbs of Clermont and Beauvois••s, and in those of Cr••spi in Laonnois. For the Government of Champagne and Brie, besides Vezelai which they possess at this time, in the Subburbs of Villenece. For the Go∣vernment of Burgundy, in the Sub∣burbs of Arnai-le-Due, and in those of Mailli la ville. For the Government of Picardy, in the Subburbs of Mondi∣dier, and in those of Riblemont. For the Government of Normandy, in the Subburbs of Ponteau de Mer, and in those of Carentan. For the Govern∣ment of Lyonnois, in the Subburbs of Charlieu, and in those of St. Geni de Laval. For the Government of Bretagne, in the Subburbs of Becherel, and in those of Kerhez. For the Go∣vernment of Dauphine, in the Sub∣burbs of Crest, and in those of Chor∣ges. For the Government of Provence, in the Subburbs of Merindol, and in those of Forcalquier. For the Go∣vernment of Languedoc, besides Au∣benas, which they are in possession of, in the Subburbs of Montaignac, for the Government of Guienne, at Berge∣rac, besides S. Sever which they are also in possession of. And for that of Orleans, Le Maine, and the Coun∣try of Chartrain, besides Sencerre which they have, in the Town of Ma∣illi.

IX. Moreover, We have also grant∣ed them to continue the exercise of the said Religion in all the Cities in which it shall be publickly perform'd on the first Day of this present Month of August.

X. Forbidding them most express∣ly to make any Exercise of the said Religion, either as to the Ministry, Regulation, Discipline, or publick intiitution of Children or others, in any Places besides those above grant∣ed and allow'd.

XI. Neither shall any exercise of the said Pretended Reform'd Religion be perform'd, in our Court, or with∣in two Leagues round about it.

XII. Neither do we allow the Ex∣ercise of the said Religion, within the City, Provostship and Vice∣comty of Paris, nor within Ten Leagues of the said City, which ten Leagues we have and do limit to the following Places, viz. Senlis and the Suburbs; Meaux and the Suburbs; Melun and the Subburbs, a League beyond Chartres, under Mount-le-He∣ri, Dourdan and the Suburbs; Rem∣bouillet Houdan and the Suburbs; a long League beyond Melun, Vigni, Meru, S. Leu de Serens; in all which abovesaid places we do not allow any exercise of the said Religion: Ne∣vertheless those of the said Religion shall not be disturb'd in their Houses, provided they behave themselves as abovesaid.

XIII. We do enjoin our Bailiffs, Seneschals or ordinary Judges, each in their Precincts, to appoint Places for them of their own, either such as they have heretofore acquir'd, or such as they shall purchase, there to bury their Dead; and that at the time of their decease, one of the House or Family shall go to acquaint the Captain of the Watch therewith, who shall send for the Grave-Digger of the Parish; and order him to go with such a number of Serjeants of the Watch as he shall think fit to al∣low to accompany him, and to pre∣vent Scandal, to remove the Corps in the Night, and so carry it to the place appointed for that pur∣pose, only allowing Ten persons to accompany it: And in such Towns as have no Captain of the Watch, the Judges of the Place shall appoint some other Ministers of Ju∣stice.

XIV. Those of the said Religion shall not be allow'd to marry, in such degrees of Consanguinity or Af∣finity as are prohibited by the Laws receiv'd in this Kingdom.

XV. All Scholars, the sick and Poor shall be receiv'd in the Ʋniversi∣ties, Schools, Hospitals, &c, without difference or distinction upon the ac∣count of Religion.

XVI And to the end that no que∣stion may be made of the good Inten∣tion of our said Aunt, the Queen of Navar, of our most dear and most be∣loved Brother and Cousins, the Prin∣ces of Navar and of Conde, Father and Son, we have said and declar'd, do say and declare, That we hold and repute them our good Relati∣ons, faithful Subjects and Servants.

XVII. As also all Lords, Knights, Gentlemen, Officers and other Inha∣bitants of the Cities, Corporations, Villages and Hamlets, and other Places of our said Kingdom and Ter∣ritories under our Obedience, who have follow'd and assisted them in any part whatever, for our good loyal Subjects and Servants.

XVIII. And likewise the Duke of Deux-Ponts, and his Children, the P. of Orange, Count Ludovic and his Brothers, Count Wolrat of Mansfeld,

and other Foreign Lords, who have aided and assisted them, for our good Neighbours, Relations, and Friends.

XIX. And our said Aunt, as well as our said Brother and Cousin, Lords, Gentlemen, Officers, Cor∣porations of Cities, Communities, and others who have aided and as∣sisted them, their Heirs and Succes∣sors, shall remain acquitted and dis∣charged, as we do acquit and dis∣charge them by these presents for all Sums of Money by them or their Order taken and rais'd out of our Offices of Receit and Treasures, whatever Sums they may amount to, as well as out of Cities, Com∣munities, or from particular persons, Rents, Revenues, Plate, Sale of Goods, both Ecclesiastical and others, Forests belonging to us or others; Fines, Booties, Ransoms, or other kind of Sums taken by them, upon the account of the present as well as precedent Wars: Neither shall they, or those by them appointed for the raising of the said Sums, or those that have given and furnish'd the same, be any ways troubled or cal∣led to an account for the same either now or hereafter; and both they and the said Clarks shall be discharg'd for all the Management and Admi∣nistration thereof, only producing for a full discharge, Acquittances from our said Aunt, or from our said Bro∣ther and Cousin, or from those that shall have been appointed by them, for the examination and passing of the same. They shall also be acquit∣ted and discharged for all Acts of Hostility, Levies, Marching of Sol∣diers, Coining, Casting and Ta∣king of Artilleries and Ammuniti∣ons, either out of our Magazines, or from particular persons; making of Powder and Saltpeter; Taking, For∣tifying, Dismantling, and Demolish∣ing of Cities and Towns; Enter∣prizes upon the same; Burning and Demolishing of Temples and Hou∣ses; Establishing of Courts of Ju∣stice, Judgments and Executions by them; Voyages, Intelligences, Trea∣ties, Negotiations, and Contracts made with all Foreign Princes and Communities; introducing of the said Strangers into the Cities and other parts of our Kingdom. And generally, For all that has been done, manag'd, and negotiated during and since the present, first, and second Troubles, tho neither particularly express'd nor specified.

XX. And those of the said pretend∣ed Reform'd Religion, shall depart and desist from all Associations they have made either at home or abroad; and henceforward shall raise no Money without our Leave, or list any Men; neither shall they hold Congregati∣ons or Assemblies, otherwise than a∣bovesaid, and without Arms; all which we prohibit and forbid them, on pain of being rigorously punish'd, as Contemners and Infractors of our Commands and Ordinances.

XXI. All Places, Cities, and Pro∣vinces, shall remain and enjoy the same Privileges, Immunities, Liberties, Franchises, Jurisdictions, and Seats of Justice, they had before the Troubles.

XXII. And to remove all Cause of Complaint for the future, we have declar'd and do declare, Those of the said Religion capable to hold and exercise all Estates, Dignities, and Publick Employments, both Seignorial,

and of the Cities belonging to this Kingdom; and to be admitted and receiv'd without distinction into all Councils, Deliberations, Assemblies, Estates, and Functions, depending on the things abovesaid, without be∣ing any ways rejected or hindred from enjoying the same immediately after the Publication of this present Edict.

XXIII. Neither shall the said of the Pretended Reform'd Religion be overcharg'd or burthen'd with any or∣dinary or extraordinary Taxes, more than the Catholicks, and according to their Estates and Substance. More∣over, in consideration of the great Charges those of the said Religion take upon themselves, they shall be free from all other Taxations the Cities shall impose for the Expences past; but they shall contribute to all such as shall be impos'd by us; as also for the future to all those of Cities, like the Catholicks.

XXIV. All Prisoners that are de∣tain'd either by the Authority of Ju∣stice or otherwise, even in the Gal∣lies, on the account of the present Troubles, shall be released and put at liberty on both sides, without pay∣ing any Ransom: But yet the Ran∣soms that have been paid already, shall not be re-demanded or recover∣ed of those that have receiv'd them.

XXV. And as to the Differences that might arise upon the account of the foresaid Sales of Lands, or other Immo∣vables: Bonds or Mortgages given on the account of the said Ransoms; as also, for all other Disputes belonging to the case of Arms that might occur, the Par∣ties concern'd shall repair to our said most Dear and most Beloved Brother the Duke of Anjou, to summon the Marshals of France, and he shall de∣cide and determine the same.

XXVI. We Order, and it is our Will and Pleasure, that all those of the said Religion, as well in general as in particular, shall be restor'd, pre∣serv'd, maintain'd, and kept under our Protection and Authority, into all and every their Estates, Rights, and Actions, Honours, estates, Pla∣ces, Pensions, and Dignities, of what quality soever they be, except the Bayliffs and Seneschals of the long Gown, and their Lieutenant-Generals; in the room of which o∣thers have been plac'd by us during the present War; to whom, Assig∣nations shall be given to reimburse them of the true value of their said Offices, out of the clearest Money of our Revenue; unless they had rather be Counsellors in our Courts of Par∣liament, within their Precinct, or of the Great Council, at our Choice; in which case, they shall only be reim∣burs'd of the Overplus of the Value thereof, in case it fall out so; as they shall also pay the Surplus, if their Offices were of less Value.

XXVII. The Moveables that shall be found in being, not having been taken by way of Hostility, shall be restor'd to the Owners, however re∣turning the Purchasers the Price they have been sold at by Authority of Justice, or by other Commission, or publick Order, as well belonging to Catholicks, as to those of the said Religion. And for the Performance of the same, the Detainers of the said Moveables shall be constrained to make immediate restitution there∣of without delay, all oppositions or exceptions notwithstanding; and to

return and restore them to the Own∣ers for the Price they have cost them.

XXVIII. And as for the Fruits or Revenues of the Immoveables, every one shall re-enter into his house, and shall reciprocally enjoy the Income of the gathering of the present year. All Seizures or oppositions made to the contrary during the Troubles notwithstanding. As also every one shall enjoy the Arrears of Rent that shall not have been taken by us, or our Order, Permission, or Ordinance from us or our Justice.

XXIX. Also the Forces and Gari∣sons that are or shall be in Houses, Places, Cities, and Castles, belong∣ing to our said Subjects of whatever Religion, shall immediately retire out of the same, after the Publicati∣on of the present Edict, to leave them the free and intire Possession thereof, as they enjoy'd it before their being dispossess'd.

XXX. It is also our Will and Plea∣sure, That our Dear and Well-belo∣ved Cousins the Prince of Orange, and Count Ludowic of Nassau his Brother, shall be actually restor'd and re-establish'd into all the Lands, Lord∣ships, and Jurisdictions they have in our said Kingdoms and Territories under our Obedience; as also to the Principality of Orange, the Rights, Titles, Papers, Informations, and Dependancies of the same, taken by our Lieutenant-Generals, and other Ministers by us employed to that end; the which shall be to said Prince of Orange, and the Count his Bro∣ther, restor'd in the same condi∣tion they enjoyed them before the Troubles; and shall enjoy the same henceforward, accord∣ing to the Letters Patent, Decrees, and Declarations granted by the late King Henry of most laudable Memo∣ry, our most Honoured Lord and Fa∣ther, whom God absolve, and other Kings our Predecessors, as they did before the Troubles.

XXXI. We also Will and Require, That all Titles, Papers, Instructions, and Informations, that have been ta∣ken, shall be restored and returned on both sides to the true owners.

XXXII. And in order to extin∣guish and lay aside as much as can be the Remembrance of all Trou∣bles and Divisions past; we have de∣clar'd and do declare, All Sentences, Judgments, Decrees, and Proceedings, Seisures, Sales, and Statutes, made and given against the said of the pretended Reform'd Religion, as well dead as alive, since the Death of our said most honoured Lord and Father, King Henry, on the account of the said Religion, Tumults, and Trou∣bles happen'd since, together with the Execution of the said Judgments and Orders, from this moment Void, Revok'd, and Annull'd; and there∣fore order the same to be raz'd and taken out of the Registers of our Courts both Sovereign and Inferior, as also all Marks, Tracts, and Monu∣ments of the said Executions, defa∣matory Books and Acts against their Persons, Memories, and Posterities; and order the whole to be raz'd out. And the Places that have been de∣molish'd and raz'd on that account, restor'd to the owners thereof, to be us'd and dispos'd of according to their pleasure.

XXXIII. And as for the Procedures made, Judgments and Decrees given,

against those of the said Religion up∣on other accounts than the said Reli∣gion and Troubles; together with Prescriptions, and Feodal Seizures ac∣cruing during the present, last, and precedent Troubles, beginning the Year 1567. they shall be void, as never having been made, given, nor happen'd; neither shall the Parties derive any advantages by them, but shall be put again into the same con∣dition in which they were before the same.

XXXIV. We also ordain, That those of the said Religion shall keep to the Political Laws of our King∣dom, in observing Festivals; neither shall they labour, or sell in open Shops on the said days; nor yet open their Shambles to sell meat on such days in which the use of meat is pro∣hibited by the Roman-Catholick Church.

XXXV. And to the end that Ju∣stice may be render'd and ministred to all our Subjects, without Partiali∣ty, Hatred, or Favour, we have and do Ordain, Will, and it is our Plea∣sure, That Suits and Differences mov'd or to be commenc'd among Parties being of contrary Religion, as well in being Plaintiffs as Defen∣dants in any Civil or Criminal Cau∣ses whatever, shall be heard in the first place before the Bailiffs, Senes∣chals, and other our ordinary Judges, according to our Ordinances: And where Appeals shall lye in any of our Courts of Parliament, in relati∣on to that of Paris, which is com∣pos'd of Seven Chambers, The great Chamber, La Tournelle, and five Chambers of the Inquests, it shall be lawful for those of the pretended Reform'd Religion, if they please, in the Causes they shall have depend∣ing in each of the said Chambers, to demand that four, either Presidents or Counsellors, may abstain from the Judgment of their Processes, who without alledging any Cause, shall be bound in this case to abstain, not∣withstanding the Ordinance by which the Presidents and Counsellors cannot be excepted against without just Cause. And besides that, all Refusals of Right shall be allowed them against all others Presidents and Counsellors according to the Ordinances or Statutes.

XXXVI. As for the Suits they shall have depending in the Parliament of Thoulouse, if the Parties cannot agree about another Parliament, they shall be return'd before the Masters of Re∣quest of our Hostel, in their Court in the Palace at Paris; who shall judg their Suits Impartially and Sove∣reignly, without Appeal, as if they had been judg'd in our said Parlia∣ments

XXXVII. And as to what relates to those of Roan, Dijon, Provence, Bretagne, and Grenoble, they shall be allowed to challenge Six Presidents or Counsellors to abstain from the Judgment of their Suits, that is three out of each Chamber. And in that of Bourdeaux four out of every Chamber.

XXXVIII. The Catholicks shall also be allow'd to challenge, if they think fit, all such Members of the said Courts as have been discharg'd of their Offices upon the account of Religion by the said Parliaments, ••o abstain from the Judgment of their Suits; also peremptorily; and they

shall be oblig'd to abstain from the same. They shall also be allow'd all usual Recusations against all other Presidents and Counsellors, accord∣ing as they are of Right allow'd by the Statutes.

XXX••X. And whereas several per∣sons have receiv'd and suffer such In∣juries and Damages in their Estates and Persons, that it will be difficult for them to lose the remembrance thereof, so soon as it should be requi∣site for the execution of our Inten∣tion, being desirous to avoid all In∣conveniences that might arise from peoples being disturb'd in their Houses, until all Grudges and Ani∣mosities are allay'd, we have given in keeping to those of the said Reli∣gion, the Cities of Rochel, Montau∣ban, Coignac, and La Charité, in which all such as shall be unwilling to repair so soon to their own Houses, shall be free to retire, and to inhabit. And for the surety of the same, our said Brother and Cousin the Princes of Navar and Condé, together with Twenty Gentlemen of the said Re∣ligion, who shall be by us nominated, shall swear and promise one and for the whole, for themselves, and for those of their said Religion, to pre∣serve the said Cities for us; and at the end of two years to deliver them again into the hands of such a one as we shall think fit to depute, in the same condition they now are in, without innovating or altering any thing in the same; and that without any delay or difficulty, upon any ac∣count or occasion whatever: At the expiration of which term, the exer∣cise of the said Religion shall be con∣tinued there, as while they held them. It being nevertheless our Will and Pleasure, that in the same, all Ecclesiasticks shall freely re-enter and perform Divine Service in all Liberty, and enjoy their Estates as well as all the Catholick Inhabitants of the said Cities; which said Ecclesiasticks and other Inhabitants, shall be taken into the Protection and Safeguard of our said Brother and Cousin, and o∣ther Lords, to the end that they may not be hindred from performing the said Divine Service, molested nor disturb'd in their Persons, or in the enjoyment of their Estates; but on the contrary restored and reintegrated into the full possession of the same. Willing moreover, that in the said four Cities our Judges shall be re∣establish'd, and the exercise of Ju∣stice restor'd, as it us'd to be before the Troubles.

XL. It is also our Will and Plea∣sure, That immediately after the Publication of this Edict made in the Two Camps, Arms shall strait be laid down every where; the which shall only remain in our hands, and those of our most Dear and most Beloved Brother the Duke of An∣jou.

XLI. A Free Commerce and Pas∣sage shall be re-established through all Cities, Towns, Villages, Bridges, and Passages of our said Kingdom, in the same condition as they were before the present and last Trou∣bles.

XLII. And in order to avoid the Violences and Transgressions that might be committed in several of our Cities, those who shall be by us ap∣pointed for the Execution of the pre∣sent Edict, in the absence of one ano∣ther,

shall make the chief Inhabi∣tants of the said Cities of both Re∣ligions, whom they shall chuse, swear to keep and observe our said Edict; shall make them guard each other, charging them respectively and by publick Act, to answer for the Transgressions that shall be made to the said Edict in the said City, by the Inhabitants thereof respectively, or else to secure and deliver up the said Transgressors into the hands of Justice.

XLIII. And to the end that our Justices and Officers, as well as all other our Subjects, may be clearly and with all certainty inform'd of our Will and Intention, and to re∣move all Doubts and Ambiguities and Cavillings that might be made in relation to the precedent Edicts, We have and do declare all other Edicts, Letters, Declarations, Modifications, Restrictions, and Interpretations, De∣crees, and Registers, as well secret as all other Deliberations heretofore made in our Courts of Parliament, and others that might hereafter be made to the prejudice of our said pre∣sent Edict, concerning the case of Religion, and the Troubles occa∣sion'd in this our Kingdom, to be void and of no effect. To all which and the Derogatories therein con∣tained, we have by this our Edict de∣rogated, and do derogate, and from this very time as for then, do cancel, revoke, and annul them: Declaring expresly, That it is our Pleasure, that this our said Edict should be sure, firm, and inviolable, kept, and observed by our said Justices, Offi∣cers, and Subjects, without respect∣ing or having the least regard to whatever might be contrary and de∣rogating to this.

XLIV. And for the greater assu∣rance of the maintenance and ob∣servation we desire of this, it is our Will, Command, and Pleasure, That all Governors of our Provin∣ces, our Lieutenant-Generals, Bai∣liffs, Seneschals, and other ordinary Judges of the Cities of this our Kingdom, immediately upon receit of this our said Edict, shall swear, The same to keep and observe, cause to be kept, and observ'd, and main∣tain'd, every one in their Precinct; as also the Mayors. Sheriffs, Capi∣touls, and other Officers Annual or Temporal, as well the present, after the reception of the said Edict, as their Successors, in taking the Oath they are used to take when they are admitted into the said Places and Of∣fices; of which Oaths, publick Acts shall be expedited to all such as shall require it.

We also require our Trusty and Well-beloved, the Persons holding our Courts of Parliament, imme∣diately upon receit of this present Edict, to cease all their Proceedings; and on pain of Nullity of the Acts they should pass otherwise, to take the like Oath, and to cause our said Edict to be Published and Registred in our said Courts, according to the Form and Tenor thereof, purely and plainly, without any Modifications, Restrictions, Declaration, or secret Register; and without expecting any Mandamus or Order from us: And our Attornies-General to re∣quire and pursue the immediate Pub∣lication thereof, without any delay; the which we will have perform'd

in the Two Camps and Armies, within six Days after the said Publi∣cation made in our Court of Parlia∣ment of Paris, in order to send back the Strangers forthwith. Injoyn∣ing likewise our Lieutenants-Gene∣ral, and Governors, speedily to Publish, and to cause this our said Edict to be published by the Bai∣liffs, Seneschals, Mayors, Sheriffs, Capitouls, and other ordinary Judges of the Cities of their said Govern∣ment where-ever it will be necessary: As also the same to keep, observe, and maintain every one in his Precinct, in order to put a speedy stop to all Acts of Hostility, and to all Imposi∣tions made, or to be made upon the account of the said Troubles after the Publication of our present Edict. Which from the Moment of the said Publication we declare liable to Pu∣nishment and Reparation; viz. a∣gainst such as shall use Arms, Force, and Violence, in the Transgression and Infraction of this our present Edict, hindering the Effect, Execu∣tion, or Injoyment thereof, with Death without hope of Pardon or Remission. And as for the other In∣fractions that shall not be made by way of Arms, Force, or Violence, they shall be punish'd by other Cor∣poral Inflictions, as Banishments, Amende Honourable, and other Pe∣cuniary Punishments, according to the Nature and Exigency of the Of∣fences, at the Will and Pleasure of the Judges to whom we have assign'd the Cognizance thereof: Ingaging their Honours and Consciences to pro∣ceed therein with all the Justice and Equality the Cause shall require, with∣out respect or exception of Persons or Religion.

Therefore we command the said Persons holding our Courts of Par∣liament, Chambers of our Accounts, Courts of Aids, Bailifs, Seneschals, Provosts, and other our Justices and Officers whom it may concern, or their Lieutenants, this our present Edict and Ordinance to cause to be Read, Publish'd, and Register'd in their Courts and Jurisdictions, and the same to maintain, keep, and ob∣serve in all Points, and all whom it may concern, the same fully and peaceably to use, and to enjoy; ceasing, and causing all Troubles and Hinder∣ances thereunto contrary to cease For such is our pleasure. In witness where∣of we have sign'd these presents with our own hand; and to the same, to the end that it may be firm and last∣ing for ever, we have caus'd our Seal to be affix'd.

Given at St. Germain en Lays, in the Month of August, in the Year of our Lord, 1570. and of our Reign the Tenth.

Sign'd▪ Charles.

And beneath it, by the King being in his Council.

Sign'd De Neufville.

And on the side, Visa, and Seal'd with the great Seal with green Wax, upon Knots of red and green Silk.

Read, Publish'd, and Registred, at the request and desire of the King's Attorney-General, at Paris in Parlia∣ment on the 11th of August 1570.

Sign'd▪ Tu Tillet.

Notes

• * 1.1

  An Inheri∣tance held immediate∣ly and in Capite of the King.