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.

Edict of Pacification made by King Henry the 3d, in order to put an end to the Troubles of his Kingdom, and to make all his Subjects thenceforward live in Peace and Quietness, Ʋnion, and Concord, under his Obedience; Read and Publish'd in the Court of Parlia∣ment, the 8th of October, 1577.

HEnry by the Grace of God, King of France and Poland, to all present and to come, Greeting. God. who is the Searcher of the hearts of Men, and sees the bottom of their thoughts, shall always be Judge for us, that our Intention has never been other than to Reign according to his Holy Commandments, and to govern our Subjects in all up∣rightness and Justice; approving our self a Common Father to all, who has no other end but their welfare and quiet. In order thereunto, we have always us'd our utmost endea∣vours to do whatever we judg'd most proper according to the occasi∣ons and times; even with a design to establish a certain Peace in this our Kingdom, and to provide against the Disorders and Abuses that have crept in to the same through the Li∣cense of such long Troubles; and to restore it to its Pristine Dignity and Splendor. To which end we did convene our Estates General in our City of Blois, where several things were treated of, and particularly upon matter of Religion; it being propos'd by some, that one of the best Remedies was, to forbid the Exercise of all Religion besides the Catholick. However, it has not been God Al∣mighty's Pleasure to let us reap the fruit we desir'd thereby; but as it is sometimes his pleasure to visit Kingdoms and Princes, with his Rod of Rigor for the Offences and Sins of Men, the Troubles were kindled a new in our Kingdom more than ever, to our great Grief and Sorrow. And that which troubled us more, was that the Innocent, that is, our poor People endur'd the greatest Hardships, Oppression, and Injuries. All which things having consider'd day and night; and expe∣rience in our majority of twenty five years, having convinc'd us that the Continuation of Arms and War could not afford us the advantage we have so much desir'd and endeavour'd; and being fully perswaded that God Almighty will finally convert his Rigor into Mercy; and that his said Visitations are salutary Admonish∣ments to acknowledg him, and to return into the right way of our Du∣ty: After having implor'd his Aid and Assistance, to inspire us with means to find the most necessary and most proper Remedies for the good of our State: And thereupon taken the Advice of the Queen, our most Honour'd Lady and Mother, of our most dearly Beloved Brother, the Duke of Anjou, of the Princes of our Blood, and others; of the Officers of our Crown, and other Lords and Notable Persons of our Council: We have, until it please God, by means of a good, free, and lawful

General Council, to reunite all our Subjects to our Catholick Church, by this our present Edict perpetual and irrevocable, said, declared, en∣acted, and ordain'd: Say, declare, enact, and ordain what followeth,

I. First, That the Remembrance of all things past on either side, from the beginning of the Troubles happen'd in our Kingdom to this present time, and upon the account of the same, shall be extinguish'd and laid aside, as of things that had never been. Neither shall it be lawful for our Attornies-Ge∣neral, or any other Persons, publick or private, at any time, or on any occasion whatever to mention, or make any Prosecution of the same, in any Court or Jurisdiction what∣ever.

II. We forbid all our Subjects of what Condition or Quality soever, to renew the Remembrance thereof, to affront or provoke each other by Reproaches of what is past, upon any account or pretence whatever: To dispute, contend, quarrel, abuse, or offend one another by Word or Deed, but to forbear and live peace∣ably together as Brethren, Friends, and Fellow-Citizens, on pain for the Delinquents of being punish'd as In∣fractors of the Peace, and Disturbers of the Publick Good.

III. It is our Will and Pleasure, that the Catholick Religion shall be restor'd and re-establish'd in all Places and Parts of this our Kingdom, and Territories under our Obedience, where the Exercise thereof has been interrupted, there to be freely and peaceably perform'd without the least Trouble and Molestation. Forbid∣ing most expresly all Persons of what State, Quality, or Condition soe∣ver, on the pains abovemention'd, to trouble, molest, or disturb the Ecclesiasticks in the Celebration of Divine Service, injoyment and ga∣thering of their Tythes, Fruits, and Revenues of their Benefices, and all other Rights and Immunities to them appertaining. And that all such, who during the present and precedent Troubles have taken Possession of Churches, Houses, E∣states, and Revenues belonging to the said Ecclesiasticks; and who de∣tain and occupy the same, shall yield them the entire Possession, and peace∣able Injoyment thereof, with such Rights, Liberties, and Immunities, as they injoy'd before their being dispos∣sess'd of the same.

IV. And to remove all occasion of Contentions and Differences among our Subjects, We have allow'd and do permit those of the said pretended Reform'd Religion, to live and inha∣bit in all the Cities and Places of this our Kingdom and Territories un∣der our Obedience, without being troubl'd, vex'd, molested, or con∣strain'd to do any thing against their Conscience, or disturb'd in the Houses and Places where they shall think ••it to inhabit, they behaving themselves according to the Contents of this our present Edict.

V. We have also given leave to all Lords, Gentlemen, and others, as well actual Inhabitants, as others professing the pretended Reform'd Re∣ligion, possessing in our said King∣dom, high Jurisdiction, or full Fief de Haubert, as in Normandy, either in pro∣per, or * 1.1 Ʋse-Fruit, in the whole,

or half, or third part, to have in such their Houses of the said High Jurisdiction, or abovesaid Fiefs, which they shall be oblig'd to name to our Bailifs and Seneschals, every one in his Precinct, for their chief Abode, the Exercise of the said Re∣ligion, as long as they shall be resi∣dent there; and in their absence their Wives or Families which they shall answer for. We also allow them the said Exercise in their other Houses of High Jurisdiction, or abovesaid Fiefs of Haubert, as long as they shall be present there; the whole as well for themselves, their Families, Sub∣jects, as others, who shall be desirous to go to it.

VI. In such Houses of Fief, where those of the said Religion shall not possess the said High-Jurisdiction of Fief de Haubert; they shall only be al∣low'd the said Exercise for their Fa∣milies. Yet, in case any of their Friends should chance to come there to the number of Ten, or any Bap∣tism happen in haste, the Company not exceeding the said number of Ten, they shall not be disquieted or pro∣secuted for the same. Provided also, That the said Houses are neither sci∣tuated within Cities, Towns, or Vil∣lages belonging to Catholick Lords, High-Justicers▪ other than us, in which the said Catholick Lords have their Houses. In which case those of the said Religion shall not be allow'd to perform the said Exercise in the said Cities, Towns, and Villages, with∣out leave and permission of the said Lords High-Justicers, and no other∣wise.

VII. We also allow those of the said Religion to perform and conti∣nue the Exercise thereof in all the Ci∣ties and Towns, where it shall be publickly perform'd on the 17th day of the present Month of September. However, excepting such Towns as belong to Catholicks, possess'd at present by those of the said Religion, in which those Exercises were not perform'd before the last taking up of Arms, even in the time of the former Peace.

VIII. Moreover, in every one of the Ancient Bailiwicks, Seneschal∣ships and Governments, holding the Place of a Bailiwick, referring di∣rectly, and without mediation to the Courts of Parliament; we ordain, That in the Suburbs of one City, there being several Cities in the Bailiwick, or for want of Cities, in a Town or Village, the Exercise of the said Religion shall be allow'd for all comers.

IX. Forbidding all those of the said Religion, most expresly to per∣form any Exercise thereof, either as to Ministry, Regulation, Discipline, or publick Institution of Children, and others, in this our said Kingdom and Territories under our Obedience, in whatever relates to Religion, ex∣cepting in the places above granted and allow'd.

X As also to perform any Exer∣cise of the said Religion in our Court and Attendance, nor within Ten Leagues about it, nor in our Lands and Countries beyond the Mounts, nor also in our City, Provostship, and Vice-County of Paris, nor with∣in Ten Leagues round about the same; the which Ten Leagues we have limited, and do limit to the following Places, Meaux, and the

Suburbs; Meulun, and the Suburbs; a League beyond Charters, under Mont-le-hery; Dourdan, and the Suburbs; Rambouillet, Houdan, and the Suburbs; a long League be∣yond Meulun, Vigni, Meru, and S. Leu de Saraus. In all which places we do not allow any exercise of the said Religion. Nevertheless those of the said Religion, living in the said Lands and Countries beyond the Mounts, and in our said City, Provostship, and Vice-County of Paris, extended as abovesaid, shall neither be di∣sturb'd in their Houses, nor con∣strain'd to do any thing on the ac∣count of Religion contrary to their Consciences, provided always they behave themselves according to the Rules prescrib'd in our present E∣dict.

XI. We do injoyn all Preachers, Readers, and others, who speak in Publick, not to use any Words, Dis∣courses, and Expressions, tending to excite the People to Sedition; but on the contrary to content and be∣have themselves modestly, saying nothing but what may tend to the Instruction and Edification of the Hearers, and to maintain the Peace and Tranquility by us establish'd in our said Kingdom, on the pains mention'd in our precedent Edicts. Commanding our Attornies General, and other our Officers most expresly to see the same perform'd.

XII. Those of the said Religion shall no wise be constrain'd, neither shall they remain bound upon the ac∣count of the Abjurations, Promises, and Oaths, heretofore made or taken by them or security by them given upon the account of the said Reli∣gion; and shall never be molested or troubled for the same in any kind whatever.

XIII. They shall be oblig'd to keep and observe the Festivals established in the Catholick Apostolick, and Ro∣man Church: Neither shall they be allow'd on such days to Labour, Work, Sell, or expose Goods to sale in open Shop: Neither shall the Shambles be open'd on such days, in which the use of Flesh is forbid∣den.

XIV. No Books shall be allow'd to be sold in our Kingdom, Coun∣tries, Territories, and Lordship un∣der our Obedience, without being first examin'd by our Officers resid∣ing there; and such as are written in Relation to the said pretended Re∣form'd Religion, by the Chambers hereafter by us ordain'd in every Parliament, to judge of the Causes and Differences of those of the said Religion. Prohibiting most expresly the Impression, Publication, and Sale of all Defamatory Books, Libels, and Writings, on the pains contain'd in our Ordinances: ••njoyning all our Judes and Officers to have an eye up∣on the same.

XV. We also order, That no Dif∣ference or Distinction shall be made upon the account of Religion: To receive Scholars to be instructed in the Universities, Colleges, and Schools: And the Sick and Poor into the Hospitals, &c. and publick Alms.

XVI. Those of the said pretended Reform'd Religion, shall be obliged to observe the Laws of the Catho∣lick, Apostolick, Roman Church, re∣ceiv'd in this our Kingdom, in re∣spect

to Marriages contracted, or to be contracted, as to the Degrees of Consanguinity and Affinity, to avoid the Debates and Suits that might be thereby occasion'd, to the ruin of most of the best Families of the same, and the dissolution of the Bonds of Friendship that are acquir'd by Marriage, and alliance among our Subjects.

XVII. Those of the said Religion shall be oblig'd to pay the Rights of Entrance, as is usual for the Places and Offices they shall be admitted into, without being oblig'd to assist at any Ceremonies contrary to their said Religion. And being called to their Oath, they shall only be oblig'd to hold up their Hand to swear, and promise to God that they will speak the Truth, without being bound to take a dispensation of the Oath by them taken, in passing the Contracts and Bonds.

XIX. It is also our Will and Plea∣sure, that all those of the said pre∣tended Reform'd Religion, and others who have been ingag'd in their Party, of what Degree, Quality or Conditi∣on soever, shall be bound and con∣strain'd by all due and reasonable Ways, and under the Penalties con∣tain'd in our precedent Edicts made upon this Subject, to pay and acquit the Tithes due to Curates and other Ecclesiasticks, and to all others to whom they may belong, ac∣cording to the Use and Custom of Places.

XIX. And in order the better to re∣unite the Wills of our Subjects, which is our Intention, and to remove all cause of complaint for the future, we do declare all those of the said preten∣ded Reform'd Religion, and others our aforesaid Subjects that have been in∣gag'd in their Party, Capable to hold and exercise all Estates, Dignities, Offi∣ces, and Publick Employments whatever, Royalties and Lordships, and such as belong to the Cities of our said King∣doms, Countries, Territories and Lord∣ships under our Obedience, and to be admitted and receiv'd into the same without distinction, and without being oblig'd to take any Oath, or lie under a∣ny Obligation, but well and faithfully to discharge their Employments, Digni∣ties, Places and Offices, and to observe the Ordinances. And when any vacan∣cie of the Employments, Places, and Of∣fices within our disposal shall happen, they shall be by us reimplac'd without distinction of Religion, by able per∣sons, as we shall think proper for the good of our Service. We also allow those of the said Religion to be ad∣mitted and received in all Councils, Deliberations, Assemblies and Fun∣ctions depending on the abovesaid things, and that they shall neither be rejected, or debar'd the enjoyment thereof on the account of the said Re∣ligion.

XX. We also order, that for the interring of the Dead of those of the said Religion, within all the Cities and places of this Realm, our Officers and Magistrates shall speedily pro∣vide a convenient Place in every place for that end. The which we enjoin our said Officers to do; and to take care that no Scandals may be committed at the said Buri∣als.

XXI. And to the end that Justice may be done and ministred to all our Subjects, without partiality, ha∣tred

or favour, which is one of the principal means to maintain them in peace and concord; We have and do ordain, that in every one of our Courts of Parliament of Paris, Roan, Dijon and Rennes, there shall be a Chamber establish'd, compos'd for that of the Parliament of Paris, of a President and 16 Councellors: For that of Roan of a President and twelve Councellors, and for those of Dijon, and Rennes, of one President, and ten Councellors: Which said Presidents and Councellors shall be selected and taken by us out of the number of those of the said Courts.

XXII. And as for the Courts of Parliament of Bourdeaux, Grenoble and Aix, a Chamber shall also be esta∣blish'd in every one of them, com∣pos'd of two Presidents, the one a Catholick, and the other of the said pretended Reform'd Religion, and 12 Councellors, of which eight shall be Catholicks, and the other four of the said Religion. Which Catho∣lick Presidents and Councellors shall be by us selected, and nominated out of the number of the Presidents and Councellors of the said Courts. And as to those of the said Religion, such shall be employ'd, as shall be found at this very time in possession of the said Offices in the said Courts. And in such places where their number shall not be sufficient, we shall erect other Offices, as much as shall be ne∣cessary to accomplish the aforesaid number, with the same Salleries, Ho∣nours, Authorities and Prerogatives as the others of our said Courts, for persons of the said Religi∣on.

XXIII. A Chamber shall also be establish'd for the Jurisdiction of our Court of Parliament of Thoulouse, compos'd as the others of two Presi∣dents, the one a Catholick, and the other of the said Religion; and of twelve Councellors, eight Catho∣licks, and the other four of the said Religion. Which Catholicks shall be by us chosen out of our other Courts of Parliament, and out of the Great Council: And as for those of the said Religion, such shall be em∣ploy'd there as shall be found still at this present time provided with Offi∣ces in the said Parliament of Thou∣louse, besides which a sufficient num∣ber shall be created to supply the said Chamber, as is above said, for the others. Which Chamber being thus compos'd, shall by us be sent into the City of—And as for that of Dauphine, it shall sit six Months in our City of Grenoble, and the other six Months in such another City as we shall hereafter order.

XXIV. The said Chambers com∣pos'd as abovesaid, and establish'd in all our said Parliaments, shall take cognisance, and judge sovereignly, and definitively, by Decree, exclu∣sively to all others, of Suits and Diffe∣rences mov'd or to be mov'd: In which Suits those of the said preten∣ded Reform'd Religion, and others that have been ingag'd in their Party, shall be Principals, or Warrantees, ei∣ther Plaintiffs or Defendants in all Causes, Civil or Criminal, whether the said Processes be by Writ, or Ver∣bal Appeals, in case the said Parties like it so, and one of them requires it before any Plea in the Cause, in re∣spect to Suits to be commenc'd.

XXV. It is also our Pleasure by way of Care and Circumspection, until we have otherwise ordain'd it, that in all Processes mov'd, or to be mov'd, in which those of the said Reli∣gion shall stand as Plaintiffs or Defen∣dants, Principals or Warrantees in Civil Causes, in which our Officers of Presidial Seats have power to judge Sovereignly and definitively; they shall be allow'd to demand that two of those of the Chamber, where the said Cause is to be try'd, shall abstain from the Judgment of the same: Who without alledging any cause, shall be oblig'd to abstain in this case: Notwithstanding the Or∣dinance by which the Judges cannot be excepted against without a just cause, besides their still retaining the Refusals of Right against the others. And in Criminal matters in which they also judge Sovereignly, the ac∣cus'd of the said Religion shall be al∣low'd to demand, that three of the Judges may abstain from the Judg∣ment of their process, without shew∣ing cause. And the Provosts of the Marshals of France, Vice-Bailiffs, Vice-Seneschals, Lieutenants of the Short Robe, and other Officers of the like Quality shall judge according to the Ordinances and Rules hereto∣fore given in respect to Vagabonds. And as for Housholders charg'd and accus'd of Provostal or Criminal cases, if they be of the said Religion, they shall be allow'd to demand that three of the Presidial Judges, before whom the said Cases are to be try'd by the Statutes, may abstain from the Judgment of their Process: And they shall be oblig'd to abstain from the same without shewing cause; except when in the Chamber of the said Presidial Seats, where the said Processes are to be judg'd, there be to the number of Two in Civil Cases, and Three in Criminal matters of the said Religion: In which Case it shall not be allow'd to refuse without shew∣ing cause. But yet we do not mean that the said Presidial Tribunals, Pro∣vosts Marshals, Vice-Bailiffs, and Vice-Seneschals, by vertue hereof should take cognisance of the Trou∣bles past.

XXVI. It is farther our Will and Pleasure, that our most Dearly Belo∣ved Brother the King of Navar, our most Dearly Beloved Cousin the Prince of Conde, as well as all other Lords, Knights, Gentlemen and others, of what Quality and Condi∣tion soever of the said Religion, and others that have been ingag'd in their Party, shall be restor'd, and effectu∣ally preserv'd in the possession of their Governments, Places, Estates, and Royal Offices, which they enjoy'd before the 24th of August, 1572. the said to hold and to use in the said form and manner, as other Gover∣nors and Officers of this our same Kingdom, without being oblig'd to take new Letters Patents; all Decrees and Judgments given against them, and Letters Patent obtain'd by others for the said Employments notwithstand∣ing. As also that they shall re-enter in∣possession of all and singular their E∣states, Rights, Names, Dues and Actions, all Judgments and Senten∣ces given upon the account of the said Troubles notwithstanding. The which Decrees, Judgments, Letters Patent, and all that may have fol∣low'd, we have to that end declar'd,

and do declare null, and of no effect and value.

XXVII. Not intending however that those of the said Religion, and others that have been ingag'd in their Party, who have resign'd their Employ∣ments and Offices by vertue of our Let∣ters Patent, or of the Late King our most honour'd Lord and Brother, whom God absolve, should recover the same, and re-enter into the pos∣session thereof; reserving to them how∣ever, all Actions against the Possessors and Titularies of the said Offices, for the payment of the price agreed on between them, upon the account of the said Resignations. And as for those who have been constrain'd by parti∣cular persons by Fact and Force to re∣sign their said Employments and Offi∣ces, we do permit them and their Heirs to sue for the same by Law, in a civil manner, both against those that have us'd the said Force, and against their Heirs and Successors.

XXVIII. And as for those of the said Religion, and others who have been ingag'd in their Party, and had the grant of the said Offices before the 24th of August, 1572. and were not yet receiv'd into the same: It is our will and pleasure that they be re∣ceiv'd into the said Employments, and that all necessary Patents be expedited them to that End.

XXIX. It is also our will and plea∣sure, That in case any Commander∣ships of the Order of St. John of Jerusa∣lem, belonging to those of the said pretended Reform'd Religion, and others who have been ingag'd in their Party, shall be found seiz'd by Au∣thority of Justice, or otherwise, bare∣ly upon the account and pretence of the Troubles, and they any wise dis∣possess'd of the same, they shall be immediately restor'd to the said Com∣manders, and they again put into the same possessions of the said Comman∣derships, as they were before the 24th of August, 1572.

XXX. The Outcries, and Publick Sales of Inheritances, against which a Decree is prosecuted, shall be perform'd in, and at the usual hours and places, if possible, according to our Ordinan∣ces, or in the Publick Market-places, in case there be a Market in the place where the said Heritages lie: And in case there be none, it shall be done in the next Market-place belonging to the Jurisdiction of the Court, where the Judgment is to be pass'd. And the Paper of Notice shall be affix'd to the Post of the said Market∣places, and at the Entrance of the Auditory of the said place. And in so doing the said Publications shall be good and valuable, and they shall proceed to the Interposition of a Decree, without regard to the Nulli∣ties that might be alledg'd in that respect.

XXXI. The Acquisitions of Church∣lands made by those of the said pre∣tended Reform'd Religion, and others who have been ingag'd in their Par∣ty, without our Authority, shall be void, and of no effect: And there∣fore we ordain, and it is our will and pleasure, that the said Ecclesiasticks shall be restor'd without delay, and confirm'd into the real and actual possession and enjoyment of the E∣states thus alienated, without being oblig'd to pay back the Price of the said Sales: The said Contracts of Sale notwithstanding. The which to that

end we have cancell'd and revok'd as null, saving a Redress to the Pur∣chasers, against such as it may concern. And in order to the Reimbursement of the Purchasers of the said Lands, for the Mony by them really and truly disburs'd, we will grant our Letters Patent for leave to those of the said Religion, to impose and equal upon themselves the Sums to which the said Sales may amount, without the Purchasers being allow'd to pretend any Action of Damage or Interest, for want of enjoyment, but shall rest satisfi'd with the reimbursement of the Money laid out by them, for the price of the said Acquisitions, abating upon the said price, the Fruits gather'd and receiv'd by them, in case the said Sale be adjudg'd to have been made at an unreasonable and too low Rate.

XXXII. All Disinheritations, or Privations, either by way of disposing among Living Persons, or by Wills, barely out of hatred, or upon the account of Religion, shall not be al∣low'd, neither for the time past, nor for the future, among our Subjects. Yet notwithstanding all Military Wills made during the said present and precedent Troubles on either side, shall be valid, and shall hold according to the Disposition of Right.

XXXIII. The Disorders and Exces∣ses committed on the 24th of August. and the following Days in conse∣quence of the said Day, in our good City of Paris, and other Cities and parts of our said Kingdom, were done to our great regret and displea∣sure. And therefore as a singular Demonstration of out goodness and kindness towards our Subjects, we do declare the Widows and Children of those that were kill'd on the said Days, in any part of our said King∣dom, free from contributing towards the Impositions that shall be laid for the Ban and Arriereban, if their Hus∣bands or Fathers were Nobles: Or if their said Husbands or Fathers were not Gentlemen, and consequently liable to pay the * 1.2 Taille; We for the same Considerations discharge the said Widows and Children of all Tailles and Impositions, the whole, for and during the term of six Years next coming: Forbidding all our Officers, every one in his Precinct, to comprehend them in the same, contrary to our present Will and In∣tention.

XXXIV. We likewise declare all Sentences, Judgments, Decrees, Pro∣ceedings, Seizures, Sales and Orders made and given against those of the said pretended Reform'd Religion, whether alive or dead, since the Death of the late King Henry, our most honour'd Lord and Father, up∣on the account of the said Religion; Tumults, and Troubles happen'd since, together with the execution of the said Judgments and Sentences from this very time to be raz'd, void and null, as we do hereby raze, re∣voke and annul the same. And order the same to be raz'd and taken out of the Registers of the Registries of the Courts, as well Sove∣reign as Inferior: As also our plea∣sure is, that all Marks, Signs and Monuments of the said Executions, Books and Acts, defamatory to their Persons, Memories and Posterities, should be remov'd and defac'd. And

that all Places where Demolishments or Raisings have been made on that account, shall be restor'd, such as they are, to the true owners thereof, to enjoy the same, and dispose of them as they shall think fit. And we have generally cancell'd, revok'd and an∣null'd all Proceedings and Informa∣tions made for any Enterprizes, pre∣tended Crimes of Leze Majesty, or others; the said Proceedings, De∣crees and Judgments containing Re∣union, Incorporation, and Confisca∣tion notwithstanding, willing that those of the said Religion, and others who have been engag'd in their Par∣ty, should be restor'd to the real and actual possession of all and every their Estates.

XXXV. And whereas by vertue of our aforesaid Deciaration, all De∣crees and Judgments given against the late Sieur de Chatillon, Admiral of France, and the execution of the same, remain void and of no effect, as things never done nor happen'd: We in consequence of the said Decla∣ration, Order that all the said De∣crees, Judgments, Proceedings, and Acts made against the said Sieur de Chatillon, be rac'd, and taken out of the Register of the Registries as well of our Courts of Parliament, as of all other Jurisdictions: And that the memory of the said Admiral shall be untainted; and that his Children shall remain in full possession of their Honours and Estates, in that respect, notwithstanding the said Decrees, importing reunion and incorporati∣on of the said Estates, to the demean of our Crown, of which we will cause a larger and more particular Declaration to be given to the said Children, if necessary.

XXXVI. We will have the same done in relation to the Sieurs de Montgommery, Montbrun, Briquemaut, and Cavaignes.

XXXVII. We forbid the making of any Processions, either for the Death of our late Cousin the Prince of Conde, or for what happen'd on St. Bartholomew's Day, 1572. and all other Acts that might refresh the me∣mory of the Troubles.

XXXVIII. All Proceedings made, Judgments and Decrees given against those of the said Religion bearing Arms, either absent from our said Kingdom, or retir'd into any Cities and Countries of the same, held by them, but not upon the account of Religion and the Troubles; together with all Nonsuits, Prescriptions as well Legal, Conventional, as Custo∣mary; all Feodal Seisures accrued during the present or precedent Troubles, shall be esteem'd as not perform'd, happen'd, nor granted, and as such we have and do declare them to be; have and do annihilate them, without any redress to the Parties, but they shall be restor'd to the same condition in which they were before, notwithstanding the said Decrees, and the execution thereof; and the possession of the same, shall be re∣stor'd to them as they had it on the said 24th of August, 1572. What is above written shall also hold good for others who have been ingag'd in the Party of those of the said Re∣ligion, since the last taking up of Arms, or that have absented from our said Kingdom upon the account of the Troubles, and for the Minor Children of those of the Quality abovesaid, who died during the said

Troubles. Restoring the Parties to the same Condition in which they were before, without paying Char∣ges, or being oblig'd to consign the Fines.

XXXIX. All Prisoners that are detain'd, whether by Authority of Justice, or otherwise, even upon the Gallies, on the account of the pre∣sent or precedent Troubles, shall be freed and set at liberty on both sides, without paying any Ransom. Can∣celling and anulling all past Obligati∣ons on that subject, discharging the securities thereof; inhibiting and for∣biding most expresly all such, in whose keeping the said Prisoners are, to use any force or violence against them, to abuse or misuse them any wise in their Persons, on pain of be∣ing severely punish'd and chastis'd. However not meaning that the Ran∣soms that have already been disburs'd and paid by those who were Priso∣ners of War only, should be rede∣manded of those that have receiv'd them. And as to what relates to the Differences concerning the said Ran∣soms of those that have been made Prisoners on both sides during the said Troubles, the Cognizance and Judgment thereof is reserv'd, as we do reserve it to us, and to our Per∣son, forbidding the Parties to sue for the same any where but before us: And all our Officers and Magistrates to take the least cognizance there∣of.

XL. And as to what has been done or taken, without hostility, or in an hostile manner, contrary to the publick or particular Regulations of the Chiefs, and of the Communalties and Provinces that had a Command; it shall be lawful to fue for it, accor∣ding to the common Practice of the Law.

XLI. It is also our Will and Plea∣sure, that all Crimes and Offences com∣mitted between persons of the same Party in times of Troubles, Truces and Suspensions of Arms, shall be punish'd, unless in Actions comman∣ded by the Chiefs of either part, ac∣cording to the Necessity, Law, and Order of War: And as for all Rai∣sings and Exactions of Money, bear∣ing of Arms, and other Warlike Ex∣ploits, done by private Authority, and without being warranted so to do; the persons having so done, shall be prosecuted according to Law.

XLII. The Goods that shall be found in being, and that shall have been taken by way of hostility, shall be restor'd to the Right Owners, in case they be, and are found to be at the time of the publication of the present Edict, in the possession of those that have taken them, or of their Heirs, without paying any thing for the Restitution thereof. And where the said Goods shall have been sold or alienated by Authority of Ju∣stice, or by Commission or Publick Order, belonging either to Catho∣licks, or to those of the said Religi∣on, they shall have leave to redeem them, returning the price thereof to the purchasers; declaring that what was committed at Paris and else∣where, on the 24th of August, 1572. and the following Days in consequence of that, was no Act of Hostility.

XLIII. As to what relates to the Fruits of the Immoveables, every one

shall retake possession of his Houses and Estates, and shall reciprocally enjoy the fruits or products of the present Year, that shall not have been taken or gather'd on the 17th Day of this present Month of Septem∣ber. Even the Ecclesiasticks. All Sei∣zures and hinderances made to the contrary, during the said present and precedent Troubles notwithstand∣ing: As also every one shall enjoy the Arrears of the Rents that shall not have been taken by us, or by our Orders and permissions, or by order of Justice, or by command of our said Brother and Cousin, the King of Navar, and Prince of Conde, or by others authoris'd by them.

XLIV. All Titles, Papers, Listructi∣ons, and Informations that have been taken, shall be return'd on both sides, to the right owners, altho the said Papers, or the Castles and Houses in which they were kept, have been ta∣ken and seiz'd, either by our special Commissions, or by order of the Governors, and Lieutenants-General of our Provinces, or by the authority of the Chiefs of the other Party, or under any pretence whate∣ver.

XLV. Those of the said Religion shall not be overcharg'd for the fu∣ture, nor oppress'd with any ordinary or extraordinary Charges, more than the Ca∣tholicks, and according to the propor∣tion of their Estates and Substance; and it shall be lawful for such as shall think themselves overburthen'd, to seek for a Redress before the Judges to whom those Matters shall be re∣ferr'd. And all our Subjects of what Religion or Quality soever, shall be indifferently discharg'd of the Char∣ges that have been impos'd on both sides, on those who were absent, and did not enjoy their Estates by reason of the Troubles, but still without restitution of the Fruits that shall have been imploy'd for the pay∣ment of the said Charges.

XLVI. Neither shall those of the said Religion, and others who have been ingag'd in their Party, nor the Catholicks, who inhabited in the Cities and places by them detain'd and oc∣cupy'd, and who have paid Contri∣tributions to them, be liable to be sued for the payment of the Taxes, Subsidies, Grants, Increases, Asses∣ments, Wastes, Reparations, and other Impositions and Subsidies ac∣cruing and impos'd since the 24th of August, 1572. until now, either by our Orders, or by the advice and deli∣berations of the Governors and Estates of the Provinces, Courts of Parlia∣ment, and others, which we have and do discharge them of, command∣ing the Treasurers of France, Gene∣rals of our Revenues, Receivers Ge∣neral and Particular, their Clerks and Deputies, and other Intendants and Commissioners of our said Revenues, neither to sue, molest or disquiet them for the same, directly or indi∣rectly, in any wise whatever.

XLVII. The Forces and Garisons that are or shall be in Houses, Places, Cities and Castles belonging to our Subjects, shall march out of them immediately after the publication of the present Edict, and leave the free and absolute enjoyment thereof to the true owners, as they enjoy'd them formerly; notwithstanding all the pretensions of right that might be alledg'd by those that detain

them; which pretensions they shall be free to prosecute according to the Common Course of Law, after ha∣ving quitted the said possession, which we will have effected, espe∣cially in respect to the Benefices the Titularies shall have been dispossess'd of.

XLVIII. Free Commerce and Passage shall be restor'd through all the Cities, Towns, Villages, Bridges and Passages of our Kingdom, Coun∣tries, Lands and Lordships under our command and protection, both by Sea and Land, Rivers and Fresh-wa∣ters, as they were before the present and precedent Troubles; and all new Tolls and Subsidies impos'd by any Authority but our own, du∣ring the said Troubles, shall be re∣mov'd.

XLIX. All Places, Cities and Pro∣vinces of our said Kingdom, Terri∣tories, Lands and Lordships under our Obedience, shall use and enjoy the same Priviledges, Immunities, Liberties, Franchises, Fairs, Markets, Jurisdictions and Seats of Justice, as they did before the present and precedent Troubles, all Letters to the contrary, and the removing of any of the said Tribunals notwith∣standing; provided those things have only been done upon the account of the Troubles, the which Tribunals shall be restor'd and re establish'd into the Cities and Places where they were before.

L. In such Cities as have been dis∣mantled, during the pass'd and pre∣sent Troubles, it shall be lawful for the Inhabitants to rebuild and repair the Ruins and Dismantlings of the same with our leave, at their own cost and charges.

LI. Such of the said pretended Reform'd Religion, and others who have been ingag'd in their Party, which had taken to Farm before the present Troubles, any Registries, or other Demean and Rights to us be∣longing, which they have not been able to enjoy, by reason of the said Troubles, shall remain discharg'd, as we do hereby discharge them of what they have not receiv'd of the said Farms, since the 24th of August 1572. as also of what they have paid with∣out fraud in places not belonging to the Receipt of our Revenues; all Ob∣ligations pass'd by them upon the same notwithstanding.

LII. And to the end that no body may doubt of the good Intention of our said Brother the King of Navar, and of our said Cousin, the Prince of Conde; We have said and declar'd, do say and declare, that we hold and repute them our good Kinsmen, faithful Subjects and Servants.

LIII. As also all the Lords, Knights, Gentlemen, Officers, and other In∣habitants of Cities, Corporations, Villages and other places of our said Kingdom and Countries under our command, who have follow'd, suc∣cour'd and favour'd them in any part whatever for our good and loy∣al Subjects, declaring all Decrees, Informations, and proceedings made and given against them upon the ac∣count of the said Troubles, void and of no effect, as things never done nor happen'd; willing the same to be raz'd out of the Registers of the Chief Clerk's Offices, both of our Courts of Parliament, and other Jurisdicti∣ons, where they have been recor∣ded.

LIV. We also declare, that we hold and repute our Cousin Duke John Cazimir for our good Neighbour, Kinsman and Friend.

LV. We do also acquit and dis∣charge our said Brother and Cousin the King of Navar, and Prince of Conde, as well as all the Lords, Knights, Gentlemen, Officers, Corporations of Cities and Communities, and all others that have abetted and succour'd them, their Heirs and Successors, for all Sums taken and rais'd by them or their Orders, out of our Offices of Receipt and Revenues, to whatever sum or sums they may amount, as well as out of Cities, Corporations, and from particular persons, Rents, Revenues, Plate, Sales of Estates, Goods, both Ecclesiastical and others: Forests belonging to us or others: Fines, Booties, Ransoms, or other Sums taken by them, upon the ac∣count of the present and precedent Troubles; and that neither they, nor any that have been employ'd by them for the raising of the said Sums, or that have given and furnish'd them by their Ordinances, shall any wise be liable to be call'd to an ac∣count for the same, either at present, or for the future: And that both they and their Clerks shall remain acquitted for all the management and Administration of the said Sums, only producing for a full Discharge within four Months after the publica∣tion of our present Edict, given in our Court of Parliament at Paris, acquittances duly expedited by our said Brother and Cousin the King of Navar, and Prince of Conde, or by such as shall have been by them com∣mitted for the audit and closing of their Accounts, or from the Corpo∣rations of the Cities that have been employ'd and intrusted during the said Troubles. They shall also re∣main acquitted and discharg'd for all Acts of Hostility, Levies, and march∣ing of Soldiers, Coining and Rating of Species made according to the or∣der of the said Chiefs, Casting and taking of Artillery and Stores, both out of our Magazine, and from par∣ticular persons; making of Powder and Saltpeter; taking, fortifying, dis∣mantling and demolishing of Cities, Castles, Towns; Enterprises upon the same, Burning and demolishing of Churches and Houses, establishing of Courts of Justice, Judgments and Executions of the same, either in Ci∣vil or Criminal Causes, Civil Go∣vernment and Regulations made a∣mong themselves, Voyages, Intelli∣gences, Negotiations, Treaties and Contracts made with all Foreign Princes and Communities, introdu∣cing of the said Strangers into the Cities and other parts of this our Kingdom, and generally for all that has been done, manag'd and nego∣tiated during the present or past trou∣bles, since the Death of our late Lord and Father, by those of the pretended Reform'd Religion, and o∣thers that have been engag'd in their Party, although it be not particular∣ly express'd and specifi'd.

LVI. And those of the said Reli∣gion, and others that have adhered to them, shall give over, and desist from this time forward, from all Practices, Leagues and Intelligences they hold out of our said Kingdom; as also all other our Subjects that might have held any. And all Leagues,

Associations, Fellowships con∣tracted, or to be contracted, under any pretence whatever, to the prejudice of our present Edict, shall be cancell'd and annul'd, as we do cancel and annul them, forbidding our Subjects most expresly to make any Assessments, or raise Money without our leave, Fortifications, listing of men, Congregations, and Assemblies, other than such as are allow'd them by our said present Edict, and without Arms: Which we do prohibit and forbid them on pain of severe punishment, as con∣temners and infracters of our Com∣mands and Orders.

LVII. All Prizes taken both by Sea and Land, by vertue of the Li∣censes and Warrants given, which have been judg'd by the Judges of the Admiralty, and other Commissi∣oners deputed to that end by those of the said Religion, shall remain dor∣mant under the benefit of our pre∣sent Edict, for which no prosecution shall be made, neither shall the Cap∣tains, their Securities, and the said Judges, Officers and others, be call'd to an account for the same, nor mole∣sted in any kind whatever: All Letters of Mark and Seisures depending, and not judg'd, notwithstanding; of which we will have them absolutely dis∣charg'd and releas'd.

LVIII. It is also our will and plea∣sure, That the Children of such as have retir'd out of our said Kingdom, since the Death of the late King Henry, our most honour'd Lord and Father, upon the account of Religion and the Troubles altho the said Children are born out of our said Kingdom, shall be acknowledg'd as true Natives of France, and actual Inhabitants there∣of; and such we have and do declare them to be, without their being ob∣lig'd to take any Letters of Natura∣lization, or other provisions from us besides the present Edict: All Ordi∣nances thereunto contrary notwith∣standing, the which we have and do derogate from.

LIX. We also order, that immedi∣ately after the publication of this our Edict, all Forces and Armies both by Sea and Land, shall disband and retire. Those of the said Religion, and such as have been ingag'd in their Party, shall be oblig'd to remove all Garisons out of the Cities, Places, Castles and Houses they are possess'd of, belonging either to us, to the Clergy, or other private persons; to quit, restore, and surrender them in full liberty, as they were in full peace before the present and precedent Troubles. ¶ Nevertheless, where∣as several private persons have re∣ceiv'd and suffer'd during the Trou∣bles, so many Injuries and Dama∣ges in their Estates and Persons, that it will be difficult for them to lose the remembrance thereof so soon as it should be requisite for the executi∣on of our Intentions; we being de∣sirous to avoid all inconveniencies that might arise from thence, until the Heart-burnings and Animosities are allay'd, have thought fit to give in keeping to those of the said preten∣ded Reform'd Religion, for the time and Term of six years, the Cities following, viz. In Languedoc, those of Montpelier and Aiguesmortes: In Dauphine, Nyons and Serre, City and Castle: In Provence, Seine, La Grand∣tour, and the Circuit thereof: In Gu∣lenne,

Perigueux, La Reolle, and the Mas of Verdun; which Cities our said Brother and Cousin the King of Na∣var, and Prince of Conde, and twenty Gentlemen of the said Religion, or others that have been engag'd in their Party, who shall be by us nomina∣ted; Besides such as shall be com∣mitted for the Guard of the said Cities and Castles, shall swear and promise, one and for the whole, for themselves, and for those of the said Religion, and others of their Party, well and faithfully for us to keep them; and at the expiration of the aforesaid Term of Six Years, to reckon from the day and date of the present Edict, to redeliver them into the hands of such as shall be by us deputed, in the same condition they now are in, without the least Inno∣vation or Alteration, and without the least delay or difficulty, upon any pretence whatever; at the end of which Term, the exercise of the said Religion shall be continu'd there, as while in their Possession: Never∣theless it is our Will and Pleasure, That in them all Clergy-men shall freely return, perform Divine Ser∣vice in all Liberty, and enjoy their Estates; and likewise all the Catho∣lick Inhabitants of the said Cities. The which Clergy-men and other Inhabitants, our said Brother and Cousin, and other Lords, together with the Governors of the said Ci∣ties and Garisons, shall take into their Protection and Safeguard, to the end that they may not be distur∣bed in the said Divine Service, molest∣ed nor disquieted in their Persons, and in the enjoyment of their E∣states; but on the contrary, restor'd and re-established into the full Posses∣sion of the same: Willing moreover, that our Judges shall be also re-esta∣blish'd into the said Cities, and the exercise of Justice restor'd, as it us'd to be before.

LX. Forbidding strictly all our Subjects, of what Quality or Con∣dition soever, to form any Enterpri∣zes or private Conspiracies to sur∣prize the said Cities given in keeping to those of the said Religion, or to take or seize any other Cities, Castles, and Places of our said Kingdom, and Territories thereunto belonging, on pain of being punish'd and chastis'd as Infractors of the Peace, and Di∣sturbers of the Publick Quiet.

LXI. No Governors or Garisons shall be put by us into the Cities at present in Possession of those of the said Religion, which are to be quitted by them, un∣less they have always had such, and even in the Reign of the late King Henry our said Lord and Father. Likewise, desiring to ease our Subjects in all our Cities, as much as in us lies, it is our Will and Pleasure, That the Go∣vernors, Captains, and Soldiers, that have been put in Garison there, shall be remov'd out of the same, except∣ing out of such as are Frontiers of our said Kingdom, which are fit to be kept there for the Defence and Safety thereof. Neither shall any other Garisons be kept in the Cities, Castles, Houses, and Estates, belong∣ing particularly to our Subjects, than such as us'd to be kept there in time of Peace.

LXII. And to the end that our Ju∣stices, Officers, and other our Sub∣jects, may be clearly, and with all certainty, inform'd of our Will and

Intention; and to remove all Ambi∣guities and Doubts that might arise on the account of the precedent E∣dicts, by reason of the diversity of the same, we have and do hereby de∣clare all other Precedent Edicts, secret Articles, Letters, Declarations, Modi∣fications, Requisitions, Restrictions, Interpretations, Decrees, Registers, as well such as are secret, as other Deliberations by us made in our Courts of Parliament, and elsewhere, concerning the Case of Religion, and the Troubles happen'd in our said Kingdom, to be void, and of no effect and value: To which, and to the derogatories therein contain'd, we have by this our Edict derogated, and do derogate, and from this time as well as then, cancel, revoke, and annual the same; declaring expresly, That this our Edict shall be firm and inviolable, kept and observed by our said Justicers and Officers, as well as by our other Subjects, without minding or regarding whatever may be contrary or derogating to the same.

LXIII. And for the better Assu∣rance of the maintaining and obser∣vation we desire to have of the same, it is our Will and Pleasure, That all our Governours, and Lieutenant-Generals of our Provinces, Bailiffs, Seneschals, and other common Judges of the Cities of this our said Kingdom, immediately upon receit of this our said Edict, shall swear to cause it to be observed in their several Precincts; as also the Mayors, Sheriffs, Capitouls, Con∣suls, and Jurats of Cities, Annual or Perpetual. Enjoining also our said Bailiffs, Seneschals, or their Lieu∣tenants, or other Judges, to swear the chief Inhabitants of the said Ci∣ties, of either Religion, to the keep∣ing and maintaining of the present Edict, immediately after the Publi∣cation of the same, putting all the Inhabitants of the said Cities under our Protection and Safeguard, to guard each other; charging them re∣spectively and by Publick Acts, to be responsible for the opposition that shall be made to our said Edict in the said Cities by the Inhabitants there∣of, or to represent and deliver the said Opposers into the hands of Ju∣stice.

LXIV. We also charge our Trusty and Well-beloved the Members of our Courts of Parliament, immediate∣ly upon receit of the present Edict, to forbear all manner of Proceedings, on pain of Nullity of the Acts they should otherwise pass, and to take the Oath above-mention'd; to cause our said Edict to be Publish'd and Recorded in our said Courts, accord∣ing to the Form and Tenor thereof, purely and barely, without using any other Modifications, Restricti∣ons, Declarations, or secret Regi∣sters, and without staying for any other Order or Command from us; and our Attorneys-General from them to require and prosecute forth∣with, without the least delay, the said Proclamation. Likewise enjoin∣ing the said Governours and Lieute∣nants-General of our said Provinces, to cause it immediately to be pub∣lished in their several Districts, through all the places in which it is usual in those cases: To cause it to be kept and observed, without tar∣rying for the publication of out

said Courts of Parliament, to the end that no persons may plead igno∣rance. And that all Acts of Hostili∣ty, Raisings of Money, Payments and Contributions due, and drawing on, Takings, Demolishings, Forti∣fying of Cities, Places, and Castles, may the sooner cease on both sides. Declaring all such raisings of Money, Fortifications, Demolishings, Con∣tributions, Takings, and Forcing of Goods, and other Acts of Hostility, that shall be made or done after the said Publication and Verification, made by the said Governors and Lieutenants-General of our said Pro∣vinces, liable to Restitution, Punish∣ment, and Reparation. To wit, a∣gainst such as shall make use of Arms, Force, and Violence, to oppose our said Edict, hindering the Effect and Execution thereof, with Death, with∣out hopes of Pardon or Remission. And as for other Oppositions, that shall be made without Arms, Force, or Violence, they shall be punished with other Corporal Inflictions, as Banishments, and the like; accord∣ing to the Nature and Exigency of the Offence, which shall be left to the Arbitration and Moderation of the Judges, to which we refer the taking the Cognizance thereof. In this place, charging their Honours and Consciences to proceed therein with the Justice and Equality that is requisite, without any regard to the difference of Persons or Reli∣gion.

Therefore we charge and require the said Persons holding our said Courts of Parliament, Chambers of Accounts, or Exchequers, Courts of Aids, Bailiffs, Seneschals, Provosts, and others our Justices and Officers whom it may concern, or their De∣puties to cause our present Edict and Ordinance to be Read, Publish'd, and Recorded in their Courts and Jurisdictions, and the same to main∣tain, keep, and observe in every par∣ticular, to the end that all those that are concern may fully and peaceably enjoy and use the Contents thereof; ceasing, and causing all Troubles and Hinderances to the contrary to cease. For such is our Will and Pleasure. In witness whereof we have sign'd these Presents with our own hand; and to the end that it may be firm and lasting for ever, we have caus'd our Seal to be affix'd to the same.

Given at Poictiers in the Month of Sep∣tember, in the Year of our Lord, 1577. and of our Reign the Fourth.

Sign'd Henry.

And Lower, by the King be being in his Council.

Sign'd De Neufville.

And on the side,

Visa.

And Seal'd upon Knots of red and green Silk, with green Wax, with the Broad Seal.

Read, Publish'd, and Recorded, Heard, the same being requir'd and approv'd of by the King's Attorney-General, at Paris in Parliament on the 8th of October, in the year 1577.

Sign'd De Hivez.

Read likewise, Publish'd and Record∣ed in the Chamber of Accounts, or Ex∣chequer, heard, the same being requir'd and approv'd by the King's Attorney-Ge∣neral in the same, on the 11th of Octo∣ber, 1577.

Sign'd, Danes.

Read and Publish'd by Sound of Trumpet, and Publick Cry through the Streets of the City of Paris, Places, and Parts appointed for Cries and Publicati∣on, by me Paquier Rossignol, his Ma∣jesty's Crier in the City, Provostship, and Vice County of Paris; accompanied by Michel Noiret, Sworn Trumpeter to the said Lord in the said Places, and four other Trumpeters, on the 8th of October, 1577.

Sign'd, Rossignol.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Use and Profit.
• * 1.2

  A heavy Tax upon such as are not Gentle men.