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.

A Declaration of the King, confirming the Edicts of Pacifica∣tion, and the Assemblies of Castle-Jaloux, and others ap∣prov'd. Given at Amboise, May 24. and verify'd July 5.

LEwis, by the Grace of God, King of France and Navarr, to all, &c. It has bin always our Intention carefully to main∣tain and cause to be observ'd to∣ward our Subjects professing the pretended Reformed Religion, the Favours, Concessions and Advanta∣ges which the Deceased King our thrice honour'd Lord and Father granted 'em by the Edict of Nantes, and by the Brevets and Declarati∣ons which ensu'd upon it, and which have since by us bin confirm'd. On the other side, we have desir'd that on their part they would con∣fine themselves to the Observance of the same Edict, and live un∣der the Protection of it, with the same Fidelity as the Rest of our Subjects. And when they have gi∣ven themselves the Liberty to do any thing contrary to their duty, we have been oblig'd to let 'em un∣derstand our Resentment, and for that reason to set forth Declarati∣ons and other Letters Patents, such as we our selves thought ne∣cessary, upon the Occasion which presented themselves. As we did in April the last year, being in∣form'd that some among 'em took upon 'em, contrary and in con∣tempt of our said Edicts and De∣clarations, to summon and hold unlawful Assemblies, and such as were by us prohibited, as also that they had appointed one at Castle-Ja∣loux in Guyenne. We therefore ex∣pedited our Letters Patents of the 20th. of the said Month, by which we declar'd the said Assembly and all others that were held by 'em, o∣ther then those that were permit∣ted by us, to be unlawful, and con∣trary to our Authority and Service, and as such we forbid 'em under the Penalty of disobedience. Since that, we have bin inform'd, that they themselves who had contriv'd to hold the said Assembly at Castel∣jaloux, finding that they were ob∣structed by reason of our said De∣claration, were resolv'd to call a∣nother without the Jurisdiction of our Parlament of Bourdeaux, and to appoint it at Orthes in Bearn, to the end they might hold it there with more freedom. Upon that we set forth a Declaration dated the 21st. of May ensuing: By which we declar'd it to be our plea∣sure, that upon the Prosecution and Solicitation of our Advocate Generals and their Substitutes, the Judges and other Officers of the places should rigorously proceed against such as should be the Au∣thors, or should be found present in the said Assemby which was said to be call'd in Bearn, or in any o∣ther unlawful Assemblies forbid by our Edicts, as Violators of our E∣dicts, and Disturbers of the pub∣lick Peace. Which nevertheless did not prevent the holding of the

said Assembly, nor the Removal of it afterwards to our City of Ro∣dy; at which we have just Reason to be offended, were it not but that upon this last Motion, they who met at the said Assembly, acknow∣ledging that some of our Subjects, desirous to make use of the Name of the Queen, our thrice honour'd Lady and Mother, to trouble the Peace of our Kingdom, sought their Advantages, to the Prejudice of our Authority and the good of our Service, and that if they had done amiss in meeting to the preju∣dice of our Prohibitions, they had no Intention however to disserve us; having sent their Deputies to us upon this Occasion, to protest and assure us of their Fidelity, O∣bedience and Duty to our Service, and to beseech us to honour 'em with our commands. Which be∣ing well understood and consider'd, we resolv'd to hear their Deputies mildly and favourably, and to for∣get the Offence which they had committed by reason of that Assem∣bly. Which being desirous effe∣ctually to do, for these causes, af∣ter the Affair was set afoot and debated in our Council, where were present several Princes, &c. With their Advice, and of our own certain knowledge, full Power and Royal Authority, we say and de∣clare, and it is our Will and Plea∣sure, that our said Subjects who met in the said Assemblies, held in the said Cities of Orthes and Rody, together with those that were de∣puted thither, shall not be di∣••••••rb'd, molested or prosecuted up∣on that Occasion; but that they be absolutely discharg'd, and that they may return home with free∣dom and safety to their own Hou∣ses and Places of abode; notwith∣standing the Declarations above mention'd, and all Decrees and Judgments that might be issu'd forth against 'em. It is our plea∣sure also that if any of 'em have bin taken and imprison'd, or have had their Goods seiz'd upon the said Occasion, their Persons shall be ac∣quitted, and their Goods restor'd; as having upon the said Considera∣tions, extinguish'd and buried in Oblivion the Miscarriage which was committed upon that Occasi∣on. And we impose perpetual si∣lence upon our Advocates Gene∣ral, their Substitutes and others, whom we charge and command however to he assisting in the Exe∣cution and Observance of our E∣dicts and Declarations aforesaid. So we command our faithful and beloved Counsellors, &c. That these presents may be read pub∣lish'd and register'd, &c. And that our Subjects of the pretended Reformed Religion, may enjoy the Benefit of the Contents fully and peaceably, without suffering the least Injury, Trouble or Impeach∣ment to be offer'd 'em. For such is our Pleasure. In Witness, &c.

Given at Amboise, May 24th. 1619. and 10th. of our Reign.

Sign'd LEWIS.

And below, By the King,

De Lomenie,

Seal'd &c.

Register'd upon the Motion of the Kings Attorney General. At Paris in Parlament, July 15th. 1619.

Sign'd, Gallart