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 Articles of the Conference made at Nerac by the Queen Mother, with the King of Navar, and the Deputies of the Pretended Re∣form'd Religion.

IN order to facilitate the last Edict of pacification made in the month of September, 1577. and to clear and resolve the Difficulties that have in∣terpos'd, and that might still retard the good Effect of the said Edict; It has been resolv'd at the Request, Supplication and Articles presented by those of the said pretended Re∣form'd Religion, and agreed upon as

followeth, in the Conference held at Nerac, in this present Month of Fe∣bruary, 1579. between the Queen Mother, assisted by some Princes and Lords of the King's Privy-Council, and the King of Na∣var, also assisted by the Deputy of the Prince of Conde, Lords and Gentle∣men, and the Deputies of those of the pretended Reform'd Religi∣on.

I. That the High Justicers, or those that hold full Fief d' Haubert, either in Proper, or Ʋse-Fruit, in the whole, Moietie, or third, shall be allow'd to continue the Exercise of the said pre∣tended Reform'd Religion, in the pla∣ces by them nam'd for their principal abode, although they and their Wives are absent from the same, pro∣vided part of their Families remain in the said places, and though the Right of Justice, or full Fief d' Hau∣bert, be in Controversie, yet the Ex∣ercise of the said Religion shall be continu'd there, provided the above▪ said persons are still in actual possessi∣on of the said Justice. And as for the Publick Exercise of the said pre∣tended Reform'd Religion, in the pla∣ces ordain'd by the King, in case any of ihe said places prove inconvenient, they petitioning the King to have it remov'd elsewhere, his Majesty shall provide them another that shall be convenient for them.

II. That according to certain Letters-Patent granted by the King, given at Paris on the 13th of Nov. 1677. confor∣mably to the eleventh Article of what was agreed on at Bergerac on the 16th of September of the said year, 1577. which through inadvertency had been omit∣ted in the last Edict of pacification: those of the said pretended Reform'd Religion are allow'd to buy, build, or construct places to perform the said Exercise of Religion, in the Suburbs of Cities, or in Towns and Villages that are or shall be allow'd them in every Baliwick and Seneschalship, or Government, and in the places where the Exercise of the said Religion is allow'd them by the Edict. And such as shall be found in the said places, that have been built by them, shall be restor'd to them in the same condition they now are.

III. Those of the said pretended Reform'd Religion are allow'd to as∣semble before the Judge Royal, and by his Authority to equal and raise a∣mong themselves such sums as shall be thought necessary to be employ'd for the maintenance of those who are employ'd to perform the Exercises of their said Religion, of which an ac∣count shall be given to the said Judge-Royal for him to keep.

IV. That according to the 20th Article of the Edict of pacification, the Judges and Magistrates of Cities shall forthwith provide convenient places for the interment of the Dead, of those of the said pretended Re∣form'd Religion. And the said Offi∣cers and others are forbidden to ask any thing for the Transportation of the said Corps, on pain of Extor∣tion.

V. And to prevent all Differences that might arise between the Courts of Parliament, and the Chambers of the said Courts ordain'd by the said Edict, the King shall speedily make a good and large Regulation between

the said Courts of Parliament, and the said Chambers: Insomuch that those of the said pretended Reform'd Religion shall fully enjoy the benefit of the said Edict: The establishment of the Chamber of Languedoc shall al∣so speedily be perform'd in pursuance of the said Edict. And in case at any time hereafter the Number of Judges should not be sufficient in the same, by reason of the afflu••ncy of Causes, those of the said Religion shall apply themselves to his said Majesty, who will make sufficient provision for it. As to what relates to the King's Council, the secret Articles of the Year 1577, shall be observ'd, both as to what relates to the Chamber of Languedoc, and that of Guienne. Ne∣vertheless, the said King's Council shall be continu'd in their Places, without being liable to revocation, unless in the cases of the Ordinance, although they bear the Title of Sub∣stitutes, of Advocates and Attorneys-General in the said Courts of Parlia∣ment. The Committes of the Re∣gisters Civil and Criminal in the said Chamber, shall exercise their places by the King's Commission, and shall be call'd Committes of the * Registry* 1.1 Civil and Criminal, and therefore shall not be liable to be turn'd out, or to be revok'd by the said Registers of Parliament, and that they shall be bound to yield the emolument or profit of the said Registries to the said Registers; and the said Commit∣ties shall receive Salaries from the said Registers, according as it shall be thought fit, and agreed upon by the said Chambers. And as for the Mes∣sengers, besides those that shall be taken out of the said Parliament, who shall be Catholicks, two more shall be erected in every Chamber, who shall be of the said Religion. And the said Messengers shall be directed by the said Chambers, both as to the execution of their Places, their District, and the Fees they shall take. In the Cities where the said Cham∣bers shall be erected, there shall also be two Offices of Serjeants, to be kept by those of the said Religion. And as to Attorneys, the Attorneys of the said Parliament shall be allow'd to plead in the said Chambers. And in case their number should not be sufficient, the King shall create some without paying of Fees, who shall be nominated by the said Chambers, in such a number as they shall think fit, provided it does not exceed ten; of which they shall send a Roll, ac∣cording to which their Patents shall be made and seal'd. The Expediti∣ons of the Chanceries, or Seal-Offi∣ces shall be made in presence of two Counsellers of the said Chambers, of which the one shall be a Catholick, and the other one of the aforesaid Religion: In the absence of one of the Masters of Requests belonging to the King's Hostel, one of the No∣taries and Secretaries of the said Courts of Parliament shall reside in the places where the said Chambers shall be establish'd, or one of the Se∣cretaries in ordinary of the Chance∣ry, to sign the Expeditions of the said Chancery. And it has been a∣greed that the Chamber of Languedoc shall be setled in the City of L'Isle in Albigeois.

VI. As to the Decrees given in the Court of Parliaments since the said Edict, in which Courts the Parties

have not proceeded voluntarily, that is, have alledg'd and propounded ends declinatory; or that have been denounc'd through default, both in matters civil and criminal, notwith∣standing which the said Parties have been constrain'd to go forward, they shall be deem'd and reputed as those that have been given before the Edict, and revok'd by the same. The same is ordain'd for the presidial Judg∣ments given since the Edict, and for the Cases abolish'd by the said Edict, and by the present Conference. And as for the Decrees given against those of the said pretended Reform'd Reli∣gion, who have proceeded voluntari∣ly, without proposing ends Declina∣tory, the said Decrees shall remain in force. Yet nevertheless without pre∣judice to the execution of the same, they shall be allow'd, if they think fit, to take some course by way of Civil Request before the said Cham∣bers. And until the said Chambers and their Chanceries are establish'd, Verbal Appeals, and those in Writing interpos'd by those of the said Reli∣gion, before Judges, Registers or Committees, Executors of Judgments and Decrees, shall have the same ef∣fect as if they had been sued out by Letters-Patent. And as for Pro∣cesses not yet determin'd, depending in the said Courts of Parliament, of the Quality▪ abovesaid, they shall be return'd, whatever condition they are in, into the said Chambers to which they have their reference, if requir'd by one of the Parties, and according to the Edict, within four Months, in such Provinces where the Chambers are establish'd, after the Registring of these present Articles: And as for the other Provinces in which they are not yet establish'd, four Months after the establishment thereof, before the Registers of the said Courts of Parliament, and that for Suits that are ready for tryal. And as for such as shall be discontinu'd, and are not in a state to be judg'd, the above-mention'd of the pretended Reform'd Religion shall be oblig'd to make the said Declaration, at the first intimation and signification that shall be made unto them of the pur∣suit; and the said term being expir'd, they shall no more be admitted to demand the said Returns. And as for the Suits remov'd either in the Courts of Parliament, Great Coun∣cil, or elsewhere, those of the said Religion giving a particular account of the said Suits, provision shall be made for the same.

VII. All Sovereign Courts, and others within this Kingdom, are prohibited and forbidden, (before the installati∣on or seting of the said Chambers) to take cognisance of, and to judge the Processes either Civil or Criminal of those of the said Religion, and others who have been engaged in their Party, the cognisance whereof by the last Edict of Peace is referr'd to the said Chambers. The Prohibiti∣ons contain'd in the 26th Article of the said Edict of pacification about the cognizance of matters relating to the Troubles until now, shall also be reiterated: And generally all Judg∣ments and Decrees given contrary, and to the prejudice of the Edict, shall be annihilated and revok'd, to∣gether with all that has follow'd thereupon.

VIII. That henceforward in all Instructions other than Informations of criminal processes in the Seneschal∣ships of Thoulouse, Carcassonne, Rover∣gue, Lauragais, Beziers, Montpellier and Nimes, the Magistrate, or Commis∣sary deputed for the said Instruction, if he be a Catholick, shall be oblig'd to take an Associate of the said pre∣tended Reform'd Religion, which the Parties shall approve of: And in case they cannot agree about it, the above∣nam'd Magistrate or Commissary, shak take one of the said Religion out of the Office; as in like manner if the said Magistrate or Commissary be of the said Religion, he shall be oblig'd in the form abovesaid, to take a Catholick Assistant. And when any occasion of Criminal Tryal shall occur before tbe Provost Marshals, or their Lieutenants∣against any one of the said Religion, being an Housholder, who shall be charg'd and accus'd of any publick Crime, the said Provosts, or their Lieutenants, if they be Catholicks, shall be bound, to call to the hearing of such a matter an Assistant of the said Religion: The which Associate shall assist also at the Judgment of the Competency, or Validity of the Indictment, as well as at the Definitive Judgment of the process. The Validity of which Indictment, shall only be judg'd at the nearest presidial Seat or Tribunal, in an Assembly, before the principal Officers of the said Tribunal, who shall be found there, on pain of Nul∣lity.

IX. In puting the said Edict of pacification in execution, the Seats of Justice shall be re-establish'd at Mon∣tauban, Montpellier, Nimes, and in all other places where they us'd to be before the Troubles.

X. The Mint shall be re-esta∣blish'd in the City of Mont∣pellier, as it us'd to be before the Troubles.

XI. The King in order to remove all occasion of Dissentions that might create the least Division among his Subjects, ordains that whatever has happen'd since the publication of the said last Edict, until now, against, and to the prejudice of the said E∣dict, on either side, shall remain ex∣tinguish'd and be forgotten as if no such thing had been. And that no body shall be prosecuted upon the ac∣count of the Assembly of Soldiers, made in Cities, or in the open Fields, establishment and maintaining of Ga∣risons, Enterprizes and Seizures of Cities, Places, Castles and Houses, Murthers, Imprisonments, Ransoms, or any other Excess; neither for de∣stroying of Churches, Houses, and Buildings belonging to Ecclesiasticks and others; of all which, the said Subjects on both sides shall be and re∣main acquitted and discharg'd: Nei∣ther shall his Majesty's Attorney-Gene∣ral, or any other persons publick or private, at any time, or on any oc∣casion, be allow'd to make any pro∣secutions of the same in any Court of Jurisdiction, nor in any wise whate∣ver. The whole in the same form and manner as it is express'd by the 55th Article of the last Edict of Paci∣fication; excepting Ravishments of Women, &c. Incendiaries, Robbe∣ries, Murthers committed treache∣rously, and with premeditation, and not by way of Hostility, upon the account of private revenge, and o∣ther

Crimes and Misdemeanours re∣serv'd by the last Edict of pacificati∣on, which shall be prosecuted accor∣ding to Law, and punish'd according to the nature of the same. And as to what relates to the Money that has been taken, either out of his Maje∣sty's Exchequers, or out of Cities and Commonalties, and from other pri∣vate persons; and the Sums that have been impos'd and rais'd of any kind whatever, and howsoever rais'd by those of the said Religion, and other who have been engag'd in their Par∣ty since the said Edict of pacificati∣on, they are and shall remain absolute∣ly discharg'd for the same, without their being any wise liable to be pro∣secuted upon the said account; nor those who shall have order'd it, Corporations of Cities and Commu∣nalties, nor yet their Clerks. Ne∣vertheless those of the said Religion shall be oblig'd to assemble with the Corporations of those Cities; to make a true estimate among them, on the last Day of April next at farthest, both of their Receits and Expences: The which Estimate they shall be oblig'd to sign, and jointly to affirm, and to deliver the same within the said time of two Months, into the hands of those that are appointed to execute the said Edict of Pacification in Lan∣guedoc, to the end that upon the said Estimate the Chamber of accounts may pass into receipt, and allow in ex∣pence what shall be contain'd in the said Estimate, and no more. And in order to check the insolence of se∣veral, and to prevent those Evils for the future, the King declares that hereafter he will no more grant any Pardons for the abovesaid, or the like Transgressions of the Edict: And forbids his Chancellor or Lord Keep∣er to seal any such, and his Judges to have the least regard for the same. And in case any of those to whom this Pardon is granted, should relapse into the same Fault, they shall not only be punish'd for the new Fault, but shall also be depriv'd of the fruit and benefit which is granted them by this Article.

XII. That all the processes and causes concerning the case of the said Troubles that have been return'd by the Commissioners, Executors of the preceding Edict of pacification, before the presidial Judges, or other Judges, shall be return'd in the State they now stand to the said Chambers of the Edict. The King not intending that any of his Subjects should be prosecuted for what has been done since the last Troubles, according to the 55th Ar∣ticle of the said last Edict: And in case any of the said processes should already be judg'd, the Parties shall be allow'd to apply themselves for re∣dress, by the ways of Right to the said Chambers of the Edict.

XIII. Whereas at the beginning of the 42d Article of the said last Edict of pacification, in several Common Impressions that have been made of the same, these Words are found: And that shall have been taken by way of hostility, by way of affirmation; altho it should be conceiv'd negatively, and in this manner: And that shall not have been taken by way of hostility: As it is written in the Original agreed on, and sign'd at Bergerac on the 17th of September, 1577. It is ordain'd, that it shall be corrected by the said Ori∣ginal; And all Judges are enjoin'd to

judge conformably to this present Correction.

XIV. That all Assesments, Impo∣sitions, Gatherings, raising of Mo∣ney and new Subsidies, by whom∣soever, and on any account what∣ever, unless by the King's express Commission, shall cease, and that none shall be made otherwise here∣after, on the Penalties mentioned in the Ordinances.

XV. The General Assemblies of Cities and Corporations, shall be made according to the Ancient Cu∣stoms, and such Inhabitants as us'd to come to the same, shall be sum∣mon'd thither, without distinction of Religion, according to the last Edict of pacification, Article 19.

XVI. That the Edict of pacificati∣on, and what has been resolv'd in this Conference, shall be executed in every Article, according to its Form and Tenor, and that the said Execu∣tion thereof shall begin on the 1st Day of March next coming at farthest, and shall be continu'd in Guyenne without interruption on either side. And as for Languedoc, the said Execution or Performance shall begin on the 1st Day of April next coming at farthest: But that in the mean time all Prisoners of War shall be put at liberty without paying any Ransom: And all Acts of Hostility, and other Transgressions of the Edict in general shall cease, accor∣ding to the Commissions that have been issu'd out to that end, which shall be sent every where in the Go∣vernments of Guyenne, Languedoc, and other Provinces when it shall be necessary.

XVII. It has also been agreed by the said Lady Queen, Mother to his Majesty, the King of Navar, and all the above-mentiond, that all the Cities and Places kept by those of the said Religion, shall be restor'd in the Go∣vernments of Guyenne, and Languedoc, at the time declar'd by the preceding Article: And the Edict of pacificati∣on shall be put entirely in execution in the same, as also, and by the same means, in the other Cities where the Catholicks are more numerous, neither Parties being allow'd to put Garisons into them: And thus the Inhabitants of the same, of both Religions shall remain under the special safeguard of the King our Sovereign Lord, it be∣ing forbidden on pain of Death, to wrong them, or to undertake any thing against the Liberty and Safety of the said Cities. Nevertheless, for surety of what is above written, and for an assurance of the execution of the said Edict, the King leaves and gives in keeping to the said King of Navar the following Cities; In the Government of Guyenne, Bazas, Puy∣merol and Figeac, until the last Day of August next ensuing, and no longer: And in the Government of Langue∣doc, Ravel, Briateste, Aleth, Santei, Agreve, Baiz sur Baiz, Baignols, Alletz, Lunel, Sommieres, Aymargues and Gignac, until the first Day of October also next ensu∣ing, and no longer: On condition, and no otherwise, that they shall make no Fortifications there, nor de∣molish Churches and other places, nor act any thing else contrary to the Edict.

XVIII. That the Ecclesiasticks, and other Catholick Inhabitants shall be receiv'd again into the said Cities without any difficulty, and shall ful∣ly injoy all their Estates, and the

Fruits, or the Revenues of the same: That they shall perform Divine Ser∣vice in the same, according to the use of the Catholick Church: That Justice shall also be freely admini∣stred there; That the King's Money as well ordinary as extraordinary, shall be rais'd and receiv'd there: And that the Edict shall be intirely kept and observ'd there. And the same shall be done, according to the said Edict, in relation to those of the said pretended Reform'd Religion, in the other Cities where the Catholicks are more in number. It is also re∣solv'd, That the Magistrates and Of∣ficers of the Cities, shall take care to see it perform'd, on pain of being suspended of their Officers for the first times, and on forfeit of them for the second.

XIX. That the said Cities during the time heretofore declar'd, shall be govern'd by Persons of Integrity, Lovers of the Peace and Publick Good, who shall be nominated by the King of Navar, and approv'd by the said Lady, Queen Mother to the King; who shall engage, and be bound with Six in the chief, and Four in the other of the said Towns, the same well to preserve in their Obedience to the King, and to cause the Edict to be well main∣tain'd, and what has been now re∣solv'd between the said Lady Queen Mother to the King, and the said King of Navar, to maintain all the Inhabi∣tants thereof in Safety, according to the said Edict, and namely to restore the said Cities, viz. those of the Government of Guyenne on the First day of September next coming; and those of the Government of Langue∣doc, on the First day of October also next coming, into the Hands of the Person the King shall be pleas'd to Depute to go to the said Cities, to see them forthwith-restor'd in the Condition set down in the said Edict of Pacification, without putting any Governor, or Garison into the same, and without removing the Ammu∣nitions and Artillery that is in the said Cities, belonging either to the King, or to the Communalties of the said Cities.

XX. The said King of Navar has also remitted the Mur de Barais, to the said Lady Queen, who upon his Nomination has agreed to Trust the keeping thereof to Monsieur d'Arpa∣jon, to have it in Charge until the said First day of August next. At which time the said Monsieur d'Arpagon shall be oblig'd to Surrender it into the hands of the Commissary, who shall repair to the other Cities, to leave them in the Condition mention'd by the Edict, as the other Fourteen Ci∣ties aforemention'd.

XXI. And to avoid all manner of Burthening and Oppressing of the Inhabitants of the said Cities, and Adjacent Parts, the said Lady has and does promise to the said King of Navar, and to the said of the pre∣tended Reform'd Religion to furnish Thirty six thousand Livers Tournois, which shall be deliver'd into the hands of those the sail King of Na∣var shall nominate at the beginning of every one of the said Months, pro Rata, and by equal Portions, accord∣ing to the Division they shall make of it.

XXII. And therefore it has been expresly resolv'd, That the said of

the pretended Reform'd Religion; those who shall Command in the said Cities, and those who shall be com∣mitted for the Guard thereof, shall not be allow'd to Quarter in the Houses of Catholicks, as least as few as possible can be, neither shall they raise, or exact any thing from the Inhabitants thereof, or others, nor from the Adjacent Places, under any colour and pretence whatsoever, without the Kings leave. The Con∣suls of the said Cities shall be oblig'd during the said Term of Six Months to furnish the Candles for the Guard, and the Wood for Corps de Guard; which cannot amount to much, con∣sidering the Summer season: Allow∣ing them however ••at the first Sessi∣ons to impose and raise upon the Diocesses and Seneschalships, the Sums to which the said Candles and Wood shall amount, without consequence. And as for the Gari∣sons lying at present in the Cities of the said Country of Languedoc, held by those of the said Religion, they are allow'd to raise, if it has not been done already, what is bare∣ly necessary for their Maintenance until the last day of March next, and no more. In order to which, they shall give the Commissaries who are now going to put an end to all Acts of Hostility, the true estimate of what the Payment of the said Garisons will amount to. And the said Esti∣mate shall be drawn without Fraud, upon the old Roles: In which shall not be included in the upper Coun∣try of Languedoc, Dornhe, S. Germa, Pechaudie, Pierreficte, Carlus, Frigerolles, Myeules, and Postrims, which shall be speedily dismantled and quitted. And to that end, those who detain them, shall forthwith deliver them into the hands of those who are sent to cause the Acts of Hostility to cease, if they design to injoy the be∣nefit of the General Pardon, grant∣ed to those who have been Infractors of the Edict of Pacification, since the Publication thereof. And in case they do not obey what is abovesaid, they shall be depriv'd of the benefit of the said Pardon, and punish'd like Disturbers of the Common Peace, without hope of any Favour. And a Nomination shall also be made to the Executors of the Edict, both in Guienne, and in Lower Languedoc, of the Cities, Towns, and Castles, it will be fit to dismantle, according to the Advice of the Inhabitants of the Country of both Religions; and what the King shall afterwards be pleas'd to order upon the said Ad∣vice, without including the Places belonging to private Lords. And as for the Ʋpper Languedoc, accord∣ing as abovesaid, the said Executors shall consult, whether there are any Places of those that are possess'd by the Catholicks, requisite, and fit to be dismantled, according as above∣said, to the Advice of those of the Country of both Religions; and al∣so according to what the King shall be pleas'd to order about it.

XXIII. And for a good, firm, true, and sincere Assurance of what is abovemention'd, the said King of Navar, together with the Prince of Conde, and Twenty of the Principal Gentlemen of the said Pretended Re∣form'd Religion, such as the Queen Mother shall be pleas'd to nominate, together with the Deputies that are

here, in the Name of the Provinces that have sent them; besides those who are to Command in the said Cities, that are left in their hands for the said Six Months, shall promise and swear upon their Faith and Ho∣nour, and ingage their Estates, to cause all the Garisons to march out of the said Fourteen Cities, and Citadels thereof, and to deliver the said Cities and Citadels, without delay, excuse, evasion, or any other pretence whatever, on the above∣said 1st days of September and October next coming, into the hands of the abovesaid Commissary, to leave them in the Condition specifi'd by the said Edict of Pacification, as is afore∣said.

XXIV. It has been resolv'd, That in case any Attempt should be made on either side, to the prejudice of the last Edict of Pacification, and of all that is abovesaid, The Complaint and Prosecution thereof shall be made before the King's Governours and Lieutenants-General, and by way of Justice in the Courts of Par∣liament, or Chambers Establish'd, in regard of both, according to the Edict. And what shall be ordain'd by them, shall forthwith be put in execution, at farthest, within a Month after it, by the diligence of the King's Council, in relation to the Judgements that shall intervene, without using any Connivence or Dissimulation. And the said Go∣vernors and Lieutenants-General are expresly order'd, together with the Bailiffs and Seneschals, to further, give Aid and Comfort, and to em∣ploy all the King's Forces for the execution of what shall have been ad∣vis'd and order'd for the reparation of the said Attempt. Thus the At∣tempts on either side shall neither be taken, or reputed as Infractions of the Edict in respect to the King, and the King of Navar, the General of the Catholicks, and the Gene∣ral of those of the said Religion. It being his Majesty's true and firm Intention, at the request of the said King of Navar▪ to have them immediately redress'd, and the Guilty severely and exemplarily pu∣nish'd.

XXV. And to that end, the Gen∣tlemen and Inhabitants of the Towns, of both Religions, shall be obliged to accompany the Governors, and the King's Lieutenants-General, to aid them with their Persons and Means, if necessary and requir'd so to do, in order forthwith to repair the said Attempts. The said Governors and Lieutenants-General, together with the Bailiffs and Seneschals, shall be oblig'd to apply themselves about it, without delay or excuse, and to use their utmost Endeavours and Dili∣gence for the Reparation of the said Attempts, and to punish the Guilty according to the Pains specifi'd in the Edict. Moreover, it has been resolv'd, That such as shall make any Attempts upon Cities, Places, or Castles, or that shall Abet, Assist, or Favour them, or give them Coun∣sel, or that shall commit any At∣tempt against, and to the prejudice of the Edict, and all that is above∣said: Also such as shall refuse to obey, or shall oppose themselves, or by others, directly or indirectly, the Effect and Execution of the said E∣dict of Pacification, and of all that

is abovesaid, are from this moment declar'd guilty of High-Treason, both they and their Posterity, Infa∣mous, and for ever incapable of in∣joying any Honours, Imployments, Dignities, and Successions; and lia∣ble to all the Punishments inflicted by the Law against those that are guilty of High-Treason in the high∣est degree: His Majesty declaring moreover, That he will grant no Pardon for it; forbidding his Se∣cretaries to sign them, and his Chancellor, or Lord-Keeper to pass them: And the Courts of Parlia∣ment to respect them for the fu∣ture, whatever express or reitera∣ted Commands they might receive a∣bout it.

XXVI. It has also been resolv'd, That the Lords deputed for the Execution of the said Edict of Pa∣cification, together with the Secret Articles made at the time of the said last Edict of Pacification, and of all that is abovesaid, proceeding to the said Execution, shall restore the Houses and Castles of the said King of Navar, as they pass along the Seneschalships, where the said Castles and Houses of the said King of Navar are Situate; which shall be left without Garisons on either part, and put into the Condition men∣tion'd by the Edict of Pacification, and according to the Ancient Privi∣ledges.

XXVII. That all that is above specifi'd, and what is contain'd in the last Edict of Pacification, shall be inviolably kept and observ'd on both sides, under the Penalties set down in the said Edict. That the Courts of Parliament, and Cham∣bers ordain'd for Justice, according to this said Edict; the Chambers of Accounts, Courts of Aids, Bailiffs, Seneschals, Provosts, and all other Officers, to whom it may concern, shall cause to Register the Letters-Patent, that shall be issued out for all that is abovesaid, and the Con∣tents thereof to follow, keep, and observe in every particular, accord∣ing to their Form and Tenor. And the Governours and Lietenants-Ge∣neral of all the Provinces of this Kingdom shall be injoyn'd, in the mean time, forthwith to publish, every one within his District, the said Letters-Patent, to the end that no body may pretend to plead ignorance, and the Contents of the same also inviolably to keep and observe, under the Penal∣ties specifi'd by the said last Edict of Pacification, and others here above declar'd.

Done at Nerac on the last day of Fe∣bruary, 1579.

Thus Sign'd

Katherine. Henry.

Bouchart, Deputy from the Prince of Conde, Biron, Joyeuse, Jansac, Py∣brac, de la Mothe Fenelon, Clair∣mont, Duranti, Turrenne, Guitry, Du Faur, Chancellor to the King of Navar; Scorbiac, deputed by the Generality of Bourdeaux; Yolet, and de Vaux, Deputies for Ro∣vergue.

The King having seen, and maturely consider'd word by word, the intire Con∣tents of these present Articles, agree on in the Conference which the Queen his Mo∣ther has held at Nerac▪ with the King of

Navar, and the Deputies of those of the pretended Reform'd Religion, who were assembled there, to facilitate the Executi∣on of the last Edict of Pacification: The said Articles agreed on, and sign'd on both sides at the said place of Nerac, on the last day of the Month of February last past: His Majesty has approv'd, confirm'd and ratify'd the same; wills and requires that they shall be put in execution according to their Form and Tenor, and to that end that the Letters-Patent, and all necessary Dispatches of the same shall be forthwith made and sent.

Done at Paris on the 14th Day of March, 1519.

Sign'd, Henry.

And lower,

De Neufville.

Notes

• * 1.1

  In French Gr••ffe.