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 King has deputed and sent a∣way Commissioners, as well Ca∣tholicks as of the Pretended Reformed Religion, to go from Province to Pro∣vince, where it shall be judg'd conve∣nient for the Execution of his Maje∣sties Declaration of the twentieth of October last.	I. FOr this Reason it is, that for the enjoyment of an ab∣solute Effect of your Justice, they humbly beseech your Majesty to send with the soonest into your Provinces, Persons both of the one and the other Religion, endu'd with that Affection for Peace which is requisite, to the end they may be the better enabl'd to put in Exe∣cution your Edicts, Briefs and De∣clarations.
After Satisfaction shall be given, to what is ordain'd by the Declaration of the twentieth of October, His Majesty will take Care as to the Con∣tents of this present Article.	II. And in imparting your Com∣passion and Clemency to that of your Cities, which has paid you such Obedience, that you have therefore vouchsaf'd it Peace: Your Majesty is most humbly sup∣plicated to Order, that the Garri∣son, which for so many Months, has been so numerous at Mompelier, may be withdrawn according to your Royal Promises, considering the Misery and Mortality which is in the City.
The Election of the Marine Con∣sulship, having been made by a De∣cree peremptorily set forth in the Cham∣ber of the Edict at Castres, there can 〈…〉〈…〉 nothing chang'd or alter'd. As to the Election of the other Consuls of the said City, His Majesty means that it shall be made according to the usual Forms, and as the Franchises and Liberties of the City require.	III. That in Conformity to the Private Brief, which it pleas'd your Majesty to grant that City, that there may be no Innovation introduc'd into your said City of Mompelier, more especially in that which concerns the Consulships •• Consequently that Reparation

may be made for the Innovation in the Marine Consulship, consider∣ing the Obedience that has been pay'd your Majesty in demolishing the Fortifications, for the Effect of which the Inhabitants are con∣tinually at Work with great Cost, Care and Diligence.
After his Majesty has heard the Report of the Commissioners sent to the said City of Rochel, he will consider of the Contents of this Present Arti∣cle.	IV. Also, Sir, for the removing all cause of Distrust and Fear, your Subjects of the Religion, hav∣ing fulfill'd your Majesties Plea∣sure touching the Levelling of the Forts of Oleron and Ré, may it please your Majesty to Order, that the Fort built before your Ci∣ty of Rochel may be demolish'd, as your Majesty was pleas'd to Pro∣mise.
The King will order the Prisoners of War, at present detain'd in his Gallies, to be releas'd: And for those that are accus'd of particular Crimes, let 'em provide for themselves by the Methods of Justice.	V. And as Mercy is all from God, whose Image, Sir, you are, may it please your Majesty, ••••••ou are plentifully endu'd with that Vertue, to grant your Comp••ssi∣on to a great number of Persons of all Ages, detain'd either by the late Wars, or for the sake of Religion, in your Gallies, Naked, and un∣der insupportable Severity and hard Usage, to that purpose order∣ing 'em their Pardon and their Li∣berty; as also to those other Pri∣soners for Accusations and Prosecu∣tions, occasion'•• by the late Times and Commotions, whether Con∣demn'd or not. Which Favour, Pardon and Liberty is granted 'em by the—and seventy third Arti∣cle of the Edict, which you were pleas'd to confirm to us.
To the sixth and seventh Articles, the King's Affairs not permitting him to provide for the Petitioners for what is past, His Majesty for the Future will deliver to the said Candal good and valuable Assignations for the Relief and Payment of the said Ministers: As also for payment of the Pensions contain'd in a small Roll, which he will cause to be drawn up.	VI. Your Majesty, by your Let∣ters Declaratory, April 24. 1621. were willing that your Subjects, who continu'd in their Obedience

should enjoy the Favours and Con∣cessions to them granted, as well by your Majesty, as by the Deceased K. Henry the Great of Glorious Me∣mory; nevertheless in the last year, 1622. they were utterly depriv'd of the Money, which you were accustom'd every year to distribute among 'em by the Sieur du Candal, Commissionated for that purpose. By which means particularly their Poor Churches are so necessitated, that they are constrain'd to have recourse to your Majesty, and to supplicate, as they do most hum∣bly, that you will be pleas'd to order Funds to the said Candal for the said Year; at least for the Pay∣ment of the Ministers of the Pro∣vince who remain'd in their Obe∣dience, and who are forc'd to bor∣row Money to buy Victuals, and supply their other Necessities.
	VII. In like manner we most humbly implore your Majesty, that as you have been pleas'd to grant to all your said Subjects, it may please you to ordain that the said Candal may be suppli'd with good and valuable Assignations for the Payment and Relief of their Mi∣nisters, during the present Year, as likewise for the Parties of the Petty Rolls, which he shall be pleas'd to draw up; and for Pay∣ment of the Places, which you were pleas'd to leave in their Custo∣dy, which Assignations may be pay'd without Deductions, as it has pleas'd his said Majesty and the Deceased King to grant 'em, by the Briefs which formerly were dispatch'd in their behalf.
The said Candal presenting a Pe∣tition to the Council shall be taken care of.	VIII. And for as much as out of

the Assignations, that have been order'd the said Candal for the Years, 1620. and 1621. there are still due very great and considera∣ble Summs, which the Receivers and Farmers, upon which the said Assignations are charg'd, detain in their Hands, your Majesty is most humbly supplicated to ordain, that all necessary Injunctions may be deliver'd him, to the end the Resi∣due may be pay'd.
The King will provide for the Fu∣ture, for the Contents of this Article, according as is above said.	IX. The Churches of the Baili∣wick of Gex, having enjoy'd the Salary of the Ministers upon the Ecclesiastical Revenues of the said Bailiwick, as upon the Money of the Princes that possess'd it, till the Year, 1601. and after that for several Years, under the Deceased King Henry the Great; till it pleas'd your Majesty by a decree of your Council, dated December 5. 1612. upon his depriving 'em of the said Ecclesiastical Fund, to ordain 'em the summ of 3600. Livres in lieu of the said Revenues, and to charge the said summ of 3600. Li∣vres upon the 45000. Livres of Augmentation granted to those of the Religion; which Money was pay'd 'em by the said Candal till October 1621. May it please your Majesty to let 'em enjoy the Effect of the said Order and Reassignati∣on; and to that purpose to grant necessary Assignations to the said Candal, as well for Payment of the Arrears, as of what shall be∣come due for the Future.
His Majesty referrs the Restorati∣on of their Church to the Care and Di∣ligence of the Petitioners.	X. May it please your Majesty to shew your Liberality, and to provide a Fund sufficient for your Subjects: professing the Religion in

your City of Paris, toward the Repair and resettling of their Church, and other structures in the place of their Exercise, burnt, demolish'd, and the Materials for the most part carri'd away; and all this by a Popular Tumult that happen'd in the Year, 1621. not∣withstanding that your Subjects remain'd in their Obedience, and were consequently under your Majesties Protection and Safe∣guard.
The Deputies Commissionated for the Province of Tourain shall pro∣vide the Petitioners a Convenient Place, for the Exercise of the Pre∣tended Reformed Religion. As for the Re-establishment, and Repair of their Church, his Majesty refers it to the Care and Industry of the Peti∣tioners.	XI. And dealing in the same manner with your Subjects of the said Profession in your City of Tours, may it please your Majesty to supply 'em with the summs which your Majesty had granted 'em for the same Reason, and for the Repair of their Church, the Place and Room of which 'tis hop'd your Majesty will continue to 'em, as having been adjudg'd to 'em by the Commissioners, after a Hearing between them, and the Bodies of the Clergy, the Court of Justice and the Town House. As also for that the said Place and Ground, was purchas'd, built, and Peace∣ably enjoy'd, till the Commotion in 1621. maintain'd in the said Possession, not only by the Edict of 1598. but also by those of 1610. and 1612. and more especially by your last Declaration. Besides which Right, the approach of your Castle of Plessis, usually granted to the People of Tours, would be a Security to 'em.
The Commissioners sent into Bress shall take care of this Article, so far as shall be agreeable to Reason.	XII. The same Supplication is made to your Majesty, for the Re∣pair of the Church of Burgh, upon the Ruins and Place, where those

of the Religion possess'd it, by the Sentence and Decrees of the Commissioners, in the enjoyment of which they are now disturb'd.
To the XIII. XIV. XV. Articles, the Commissioners are enjoin'd to take care of the Petitioners demands, ac∣cording to the Tenour of the Edicts, and the said Declaration.	XIII. It is remonstrated to your Majesty, that the Inhabitants pro∣fessing the Religion in the City of Villemur, are molested in the Li∣berty of their Consciences, de∣priv'd of all Exercises of Piety, refus'd Publick Employments, and very much overburthen'd by the Garrison. Those of Fontenai Le Comte expell'd, interdicted Preaching and Prayers, their Pa∣stor not being permitted to re-en∣ter; nor can they have their Church restor'd 'em, thô almost ruin'd, not so much as for the Bu∣rial of their dead; suff'ring on the other side all Excesses of Charges and Free Quarters, upon the com∣plaints sent to your Council. Therefore, Sir, may it please Ye to deliver 'em from their Oppressi∣ons, and by permitting 'em to en∣joy the Fruits of the Peace, to or∣der the Re-establishment of their Religion, their Churches and Mini∣sters, the Security of their Burials, and whatever Relief your Justice can afford their Grievances.
	XIV. That you would likewise be pleas'd to order the Restoration of their Exercise at Lusson, where it is deni'd to those of the said Re∣ligion, contrary to the Publication of your Declaration, thô they car∣ri'd themselves obediently, and that the said Exercise has been con∣tinu'd there for these fifty Years together, even during all the time of the late Wars, and Govern∣ment of des Roches Baritault.

	XV. Those of the Religion are likewise hinder'd their said Exer∣cise at Talmont, the Canon having been levell'd against 'em, while assembl'd to hear the Word of God. As also at Surgeres, the La∣dy of the Place forbidding any Preaching there, tho' it had been allow'd 'em during all the late Troubles. Also at Baignols, at St. Giles's in Languedoc, at Figeac in Quercy, Puymirols, and at Vic in Armagnac; from whence Mr. Te∣stas the Minister is fled, not daring to return, nor being able to abide in safety in the Place. Whereby your Declaration being violated, may it please your Majesty to command the Restoration of the said Places, and the said Testas. As also for the Church of Quilleboeuf, and the Pastour of it, pursuant to the Re-e∣stablishment of it a long time since.
The XVI. Article shall be commu∣nicated to the Maior and Sheriffs of Poitiers, to be by them heard and ta∣ken care of.	XVI. And for as much as the Catholicks of your City of Poitiers have impos'd upon those of the Re∣ligion the Summ of 1200. Livres, for the Guard that had been main∣tain'd during these Troubles, in∣to which they would not admit a∣ny of those of the Reformed Reli∣gion; may it please your Majesty, that they may be discharg'd from it, as from an unreasonable Impo∣sition.
The King will carefully accomplish and observe, what has, been granted •••• those of the Pretended Reformed Religion of Bearn, by the said Bnief •••• October the last.	XVII. They likewise supplicate your Majesty, that the Edict of Compensation touching the Churches of your Royalty of Bearn may be punctually effected, as you were pleas'd to grant by your Brevet given at Mompelier. And that the Exercise of the Reli∣gion, and the Minister, may be

restor'd in your City of Navar∣reins. That in Consideration of the Resignation of other Churches, they of the Religion may be maintain'd in the Possession of the Churches, Bells and Church-yards, which were granted 'em by the Commissio∣ners, or by the Parlament upon their Report. And that the Colledges and Academies may be restor'd, and payment made of the Salaries that belong to 'em.
His Majesty intends that the Chamber of the Edict of Langue∣doc, which remains only to be re∣settl'd, shall speedily be restor'd to Castres, according to the said De∣claration.	XVIII. And because Justice is that which most imports your Au∣thority, and the Preservation of the Peace, may it please your Ma∣jesty to Order a speedy Restorati∣on of the Party Chambers in Pla∣ces and Cities where they were wont to be. And in the mean time, may the Courts of Parla∣ment be forbid to take Cognizance, and Judge of the Causes of those of the said Religion: and that the Appeals by them brought before the Judges, Prothonotaries, or the Commissioners executing De∣crees and Sentences, may have the same Effect, as if they were re∣mov'd by Letters Royal, accord∣ing to the XLIII. Article of the Edict, and VI. of the Conference of Nerac.
Granted.	XIX. By the sixth Article of the Edict, and II. of Particulars, and other Answers made to our Papers, they of the Religion find them∣selves justly discharg'd from Con∣tributing toward the Repairing and Building of Churches, and their Dependencies, as things con∣trary to their Conscience. Ne∣vertheless, the Catholick Inhabi∣tants of Arnai le Duc, solicit in

your Council a Permission, to im∣pose in general upon the Corpora∣tion, and as well upon themselves as upon those of the Religion the Summ of six thousand Livres to build a Church for the Capuchins, which would neither be reasona∣ble nor conformable to the Edicts. Therefore may it please your Ma∣jesty to declare Acquit and Ex∣empted all your Subjects of the Religion from Payments and Con∣tributions of the like Nature, and that the abovenamed II. Article of Particulars may be put in Exe∣cution.
The said Deputed Commissioners in the said Places are enjoin'd to take care of the Contents of this Arti∣cle.	XX. 'Tis notorious, that du∣ring these last Troubles, they of the Religion have suffer'd many Violences through the Insolence of the People their Adversaries: As in the City of Romorantin, where they twice burnt the Meet∣ing-House wherein they per∣form'd their Exercise in the Sub∣urbs of the said City. But what is more strange, that since the Peace which it has pleas'd your Majesty to grant your said Sub∣jects, the Church which was long since built in your City of Gerge∣au, has been quite thrown to the Ground, and the Ruins of it re∣mov'd, by which means they of the Religion have been depriv'd of their Exercise. Wherefore, they most humbly beseech your Ma∣jesty, that amends may be made for this Notorious Breach of your Edicts and Declarations; and to order that the said Church may be rebuilt, and the Exercise resettl'd at Gergeau; as also that of Romo∣rantin.

His Majesty will write to the Duke of Espernon, Governour and Lieute∣nant General of Guyenne, to see that the Inhabitants of the said Cities of Bergerac, and St. Foy be eas'd, and favourably us'd upon all occasi∣ons; and that the Souldiers live under such Discipline, that they may do no wrong.	XXI. Your Cities of S••. Foy, and Bergerac, most humbly Be∣seech ye, Sir, that you would be pleas'd out of your singular Good∣ness, to discharge 'em of the Op∣pressions, which they have suffer'd so long and so excessive, letting your said City of Bergerac fully en∣joy your inviolable Promises, by hindring so many Innovations, and the building of the Cittadel inten∣ded, notwithstanding that your Subjects of the Religion have kept themselves within the Bounds of a most humble Subjection and Obe∣dience to your Majesty, out of a desire to Merit in some measure the Effect of your said Royal Pro∣mises, their Liberty, and the Peaceable Exercise of their Reli∣gion.
The King will take such Order as shall be most proper for his Service.	XXII. And by your Mildness and Gentleness to ease your People of the Religion, to bring 'em back to a firm Confidence, and to Corro∣borate as much as may be the Peace which you vouchsafe 'em, may it please your Majesty to obliterate all Marks that are contrary to it. And to these ends, to disband the Souldiers that are quarter'd in Lower Languedoc, Cevennes, and other Provinces, by this Means kept in continual Fears and Ap∣prehensions of your Displeasure; and beseech your Majesty to ha∣sten the said Disbanding, to the end that the Effects of their Obe∣dience, which they desire and ought to pay you, as well in de∣molishing the Fortifications of the Places, as in all other things, which you shall be pleas'd to command 'em, may not be de∣lay'd.Sign'd, Montmartin Deputy General, Maniald Depu∣ty General.
Done and Answer'd by the King in his Council, at Paris, March 4. 1623. Sign'd Lewis. And lower. Phelipeaux.

Compar'd with the Original, by Me Notary, Counsellour and Kings Se∣cretary. Du Candal.