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 against those of the Assembly at Lou∣dun, together with a Confirmation of the Preceding Edicts of Pacification. Given at Paris, February 26. 1620. and Publish'd in Parlament, February 27. the said Year.

LEWIS, by the Grace of God, King of France and Navarr, To all, &c. As we have always held it for an assured Foundation of the publick Tranquility of this Kingdom, to maintain and preserve our Subjects, as well the Catho∣licks as those of the pretended Re∣formed Religion in good Peace, U∣nion and Concord one with ano∣ther, under the Benefit of the Edicts and Declarations made and set forth to that purpose by the De∣ceased King our thrice honour'd Lord and Father, whom God ab∣solve: So we have had a particu∣lar care, in causing 'em to be ex∣actly observ'd; and that they of the said Religion may enjoy the Favours and Concessions which were granted 'em by the same. Which also we have not only main∣tain'd and preserv'd, but also out of our special Grace and Favour have much augmented and en∣larg'd. And to be the more parti∣cularly satisfi'd of any Faileurs in the Observance of the said Edicts and Declarations, which might be commit••ed, and to give out said Subjects of the pretended Refor∣med Religion the means to inform us of 'em, in imitation of the Decea∣sed King our thrice honoured Lord and Father, we have agreed that they shall have near o•••• Person, and in our Train, certain Deputies who may inform us of 'em, and exhi∣bit their Remonstrances to us and our Council, as they shall judge re∣quisite to be provided against and remedi'd at their Instance and So∣licitation, and to the end those De∣puties may be made choice of and appointed, when they have a de∣sign to change 'em, we have for that reason given 'em leave to hold Pro∣vincial and General Assemblies, when they shall give us to understand that they have occasion for 'em. And altho' the Principal cause for which we have given 'em leave to hold those Assemblies, has bin for the Choice and Nomination of the said Deputies; we have nevertheless thought good, that the Com∣plaints which our Subjects of the said Religion of every Province may make of the said Breaches and Violations, shall be exhibited to the said Assemblies, for them to send their Deputies to present their Pa∣pers and Remonstrances to us. For this reason it is, and upon this on∣ly

Consideration, that we permit∣ted our Subjects of the said preten∣ded Reformed Religion, by our Bre∣vet, May 23th. to hold a General Assembly the 26th. of September en∣suing, in our City of Loudun, in which we were in hopes that accor∣ding to what is express'd by the said Brevet, they would have be∣gun to have proceeded to the Choice and Nomination of Depu∣ties, which they would have had to succeed to those that resided in our Train, in whose hands they would have entrusted the Papers of Com∣plaints and Remonstrances which they had to present to us, to the end they might solicit our An∣swer, and take care of putting in Ex∣ecution what should be by us or∣dain'd. But instead of so doing, they would needs send to us, certain of their Number with a first Paper, containing some principal Heads, to which they besought our answer, and to cause to be executed what we thought convenient, till they had compil'd their other Papers, which as they said they were pre∣paring to exhibit to us. Upon which we gave 'em to understand, that when all their demands should be reduc'd into one Paper, and that they should present 'em to us all at once, and according to the usual Method and Forms, we would re∣ceive 'em, and give a favourable Answer, and in such sort, that they should find by the Effects, our good will towards 'em, And tho' they were also oblig'd to cause the said Paper to be presented to us by such as should be made choice of among them to reside near our Person, and then to break up, as it was the Pra∣ctice, while the deceased King liv'd, of the Assemblies of Chatellerant and Gergeau, and that it is still ob∣serv'd by all the Assemblies of what Quality soever they be, that are held in this Kingdom: Neverthe∣less, we were willing to doe 'em that favour for once, not to draw it into President, as to receive the said Papers from the hands of those who did present 'em to us on their behalf. Which being reported to the said Assembly, after several Contests and Delays, at length they sent us other Deputies, with the Ge∣neral Papers of their Complaints and Remonstrances, whom we kind∣ly receiv'd, giving 'em assurance that we wou'd labour to return 'em a speedy answer, and by which they should not only receive the Justice which they demanded, but also as much as they could expect from our Grace and Favour. Which we gave 'em in charge to report back to their said Assembly, being also farther commanded to tell them in our Name, that since they had presented all their Papers, and that their longer sitting toge∣ther was to no purpose, but was prejudicial to our authority, and gave scandal to our Subjects, our Pleasure was, that they should proceed with the soonest, to the Nomination of their Deputies, that were to reside near our Person, and then break up. Which done, we promis'd to deliver into the hands of the said Deputies, the Answers which we should make to the said Papers, and within a Month after to proceed to the Executi∣on

of those things that should be agreed upon. But instead of re∣ceiving this with that respect and reverence which is due to us, they reply'd that the said Assembly was resolv'd to sit still, and not to stir, till they had the Answer that was to be made to their Pa∣pers, and that they saw the per∣formance of it. For which tho' we had just occasion to be offen∣ded, as being an Answer far re∣mote from the Duty which Sub∣jects owe their King: Neverthe∣less we contented our selves with laying before 'em the Fault which they committed, and exhorting them to demean themselves with that Obedience which became 'em. And however, to the end the said Assembly might be expresly in∣form'd of our Intentions, we re∣solv'd to send to 'em, the Sieurs Le Maine, Counsellour in our Council of State, and Gentleman of our Chamber, and Marescot, one of our Secretaries, to the end that after they had confirm'd to 'em the Assurances of our good will toward 'em in that particu∣lar, they might lay upon 'em the same Command which we had en∣joyn'd their said Envoys to car∣ry to 'em in our Names; which was, to proceed forthwith to the Nomination of the Deputies that were to reside near our Person, and then to break up in fifteen Days after, and return home in∣to their Provinces: Which was pronounc'd the 10th. of January last. To which they made no other Answer, only that they would depute Commissioners to us, to reiterate their humble Sup∣plications to us, as they did, in sending to us afterwards some others of their Society, who re∣peated the same Instances which others before had done. That is to say, that we would be pleas'd to agree to the Sitting of the As∣sembly, till their Papers were an∣swer'd, and that they saw the performance of those things that should be promis'd 'em; upon which not having any thing else to Answer, but what already we had given 'em to understand; and considering of what Importance it was, that they should rely up∣on the Assurances which we had given 'em of our good Intentions to do what should be to their Con∣tent, and that the usual methods in such Cases should be follow'd and observ'd: Considering also that they had sat near five Months, which might breed both Suspi∣tion and Jealousie in our other Sub∣jects, We order'd 'em once more to obey what we had given 'em to understand to be our Will and Pleasure. To which we order'd 'em, after that, to be particular∣ly exhorted, by several Persons well qualifi'd, and well inform'd of our Sentiments of these Affairs, who assur'd 'em of our good In∣tentions, to give 'em content. Having also sent 'em word in our Name, that tho' they had excee∣ded above a Month of the Time wherein we prefix'd 'em to sepa∣rate, yet we granted 'em eight Days more for their Return to Loudun, and eight Days after to Name their Deputies, and then

retire: In which if they fail'd to give us Satisfaction, we should take care so to provide as should be most for the good of our Service. But finding that instead of obeying our commands, they still conti∣nu'd together, covering their Dis∣obedience with the Pretences of new Envoys which they sent to us, to reiterate their Importuni∣ties and Supplications: Yet being well inform'd that there are seve∣ral persons in the said Assembly ill affected to the Good of our Service, and the Peace of this Kingdom, who labour to inveagle others into their wicked Designs, Therefore being no longer able to suffer this contempt of our Au∣thority, without testifying our Resentment toward those that are Guilty, and letting every one know what our Will and Pleasure is upon this Subject: We declare, that we have had this Matter de∣bated in Council, where were pre∣sent some Princes of the Blood, other Princes, &c. With whose advice, and of our certain know∣ledge, full Power, and Royal Au∣thority, we have said, declar'd and ordain'd as follows, that is to say, That to testify our good Inclinations in their behalf to our said Subjects of the said Preten∣ded Reformed Religion, we have again order'd our said Deputies assembl'd at Loudun, a Respit of three weeks after notice shall be given 'em by these presents, to break up the said Assembly, and to go home to their Houses, Du∣ring which time they may also Nominate their Deputies, accor∣ding to the Number and Method accustom'd, for two to be made Choice of by us, to reside near our Person, and upon their neglect to break up and Retire after that time expir'd, We have from hence forward, as then, declar'd the said Assembly unlawful and opposite to our Service and Authority: And all those who shall stay to continue it, either in the City of Loudun, or in any other Place, guilty of High Treason, and as such excluded from the Benefit of our Edicts, and other Favours by us granted to those of the Pre∣tended Reformed Religion, as al∣so of the Appeals which they may pretend to, to our Chambers of the Edict. We likewise will, and it is our Pleasure, that they be pro∣ceeded against with the utmost Rigor of our Laws and Ordinan∣ces, as well by our Ordinary Judges, as our Parlaments, as dis∣obedient Subjects, Rebels and di∣sturbers of the Publick Peace; as also all such as shall side with 'em in their Practices, Negotiati∣ons and Correspodencies. And as for those among 'em who shall obey our present command, and withdraw from the said Assembly within the time above mention'd, as also all others of the Preten∣ded Reformed Religion, who shall continue in their Obedience and Duty toward us, our Will and Pleasure is, that they live with all freedom under our Protection, and enjoy the Benefit of our Edicts, Declarations and other Favours by us granted in their behalf. And if they of the Assembly who

shall obey our present Commands, whatever their Nunber be, before they quit it, nominate the De∣puties that are to reside in our Train, our Intention is to admit their said Nomination, and to permit those whom we shall make choice of, to do the Duty of their Functions near our persons as is usual. So we command our be∣loved and Faithful Counsellours, holding our Courts of Parlament and Chambers of the Edict, our Bayliffs, &c. We also enjoyn all our Advocate Generals and their Substitutes, &c. And to the end the said Assembly may have suffi∣cient Notice of our present Com∣mand, and may have no cause to pretend Ignorance, our Pleasure is, that our Advocate General, or his Substitutes, give speedy notice thereof to the said City of Lou∣dun, or other Places where such Assemblies shall be held by the chief of our Ushers, or Serjeants. We also command our Governours and Lieutenant Generals in our Pro∣vinces, to be aiding and assisting in the Execution of such Decrees and Judgments as shall be given against the Violators of these Presents. For this is our Will and Pleasure. In Testimony whereof, &c.

Gi∣ven at Paris, Feb. 26. 1620. in the Tenth of our Reign.

Sign'd Lewis,

And below, By the King,

Phelippeaux.

Register'd upon the Motion of the Kings Atturney General; and sent to all Bayliwicks and Se∣neschalships to be there Regi∣ster'd, &c. At Paris in Parla∣ment, February 27. 1620.

Sign'd De Tillet.