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.

An Edict of the King upon the Peace which his Majesty pleas'd to give his Subjects of the Pretended Reformed Religion. Given at Paris, March 1626. and Publish'd in Parlament April 16.

LEWIS by the Grace of God King of France and Navar, To all, &c. In regard that Sove∣raign Authority is no less Illustri∣ous in Acts of Grace and Clemen∣cy, then in of those Justice and Arms, and for that to know how to vanquish and pardon, are the highest Marks of Grandeur, for the same reason we ought to esteem that Prince most worthy of Honour and Glory, who having letn loose

the fury of his Arms against those that drew his Provocations upon 'em, and subdu'd 'em to their du∣ty, is contented to exercise his Clemency toward 'em, and to let 'em reap the publick Fruits of it, by restoring 'em to Peace; whence it comes to pass that God is call'd upon and serv'd in all Places, that the Royal Authority is reverenc'd and acknowledg'd by all, that the Laws are religiously observ'd, the People eas'd from their Oppressi∣ons, and that the Body of the State uniting Forces together be∣comes more puissant for their own Preservation, and for the Succour and Protection of their Confede∣rates; These considerations which we have always had before our Eyes, have been the reason that we have us'd so much Moderation, to lay asleep and extinguish the Com∣motions that have so many times, like so many Convulsions shak'n this Kingdom, making use of Fa∣vour toward those who had over inconsiderately engag'd themselves, as we have exerted our Vigour, resolution and diligence, in sup∣pressing and chastizing, when we have been thereto constrain'd. As to the present Affairs, our Conduct has been such, as having employ'd both Threats and Punishment, in Places that openly stood out in their Disobedience; and Mildness, Patience and Remonstrances, to∣ward others that continu'd in their Duty; so that we have restrain'd the bursting forth of that Trouble with which this Kingdom was menac'd by reason of a Civil War, and preserv'd the best and greatest part of the Religion, in that Fidelity and Obedience which they owe us. Who have no less clearly seen and understood, that our Intentions have always been, as still they are, to maintain 'em in Peace, Concord and Tranquili∣ty, and to cause 'em inviolably to enjoy the Favours bestow'd up∣on 'em by our Edicts and De∣clarations. All which they who' have taken Arms, and the Cities which sided with 'em, having late∣ly well consider'd, and having understood the Nature of their Crime, the Publick Indignation, the Ruin and just Punishment which they drew upon themselves, by continuing to Trouble the repose of the Kingdom, they had re∣course to our Goodness, as their only safety and Refuge; and by their Deputies have several times besought us with all the submis∣sion that Subjects could pay to their Soveragn, to pardon 'em, to bury things past in Oblivion, and to afford 'em Peace. Upon which, We enclining rather to Mildness and Clemency, then to the Ruin and Desolation of our own Subjects; having al∣so a regard to their most humble Supplications, in the Name of those of the Pretended Reformed Religion, who have remain'd with∣in the Bounds of their Duty, since we had accepted the sub∣missions of the rest, to pardon them for their sakes, and to reu∣nite 'em all in Peace and Concord under that Obedience which they owe us, protesting and assuring us, that they will never swerve

again from the same upon any pretence, occasion or cause what∣ever, We make known that for these Causes, and for other great and weighty Considerations Us thereunto moving, with the Ad∣vice of the Queen our thrice Ho∣nour'd Lady and Mother, the Princes, &c. We have said and declar'd, and do say and declare by these Presents, Sign'd with our Hand, and it is our Will and Pleasure:

I. That the Edict of Nantes, the Declarations, and secret Arti∣cles, Publish'd and Register'd in our Courts of Parlament, shall be inviolably kept and observ'd, to be enjoy'd by our Subjects of the Pretended Reformed Religion, as they were well and duly observ'd in the Time of the Deceased King our thrice Honour'd Lord and Fa∣ther, whom God Absolve, and since our coming to the Crown, before these last Commotions.

II. That the Catholick, Apo∣stolick and Roman Religion, shall be restor'd and re-establish'd in all Parts and Places of our Kingdom, and Countries under our Obedience, where it has been interrupted du∣ring these last Commotions, to be fully, peaceably and freely exer∣cis'd. And we expresly forbid all Persons of whatever Quality or Condition soever, upon Pain of being punish'd as Disturbers of the Publick Peace, not to trouble, molest or disquiet the Ecclesia∣sticks in the Celebration of Divine Service, and other Functions of the Catholick Religion, enjoy∣ment and Collecting the Tenths, Fruits and Revenues of their Be∣nefices, and all other Rights and Duties that belong to 'em; and that all those who during the said last Commotions, had made them∣selves Masters of the Goods and Revenues of the Churches belong∣ing to the said Ecclesiasticks, shall deliver up to 'em full Possession, free and peaceable enjoyment of the same, according to the III. Article of the Edict of Names, and restore 'em such Goods as shall be found in specie.

III. That the Exercise of the Pretended Reformed Religion shall be re-establish'd in Places where it was settl'd, according to our E∣dicts and Declarations in the Year 1620. And our Subjects of the Pretended Reformed Religion shall be restor'd to the said Places, as also to their Church-yards in Pla∣ces which have been allow'd 'em, or others, such as the Commissi∣oners who shall be by us deputed, or Officers of the Cities shall judge most convenient. And where it shall happen, that for any Reason of great Importance, the Church∣yards cannot be restor'd in such Places, which they possess'd in the Year, 1620, others as conveni∣ent shall be allow'd 'em at the expences of those who shall require the change.

IV. And to give a Publick Te∣stimony of the value which we have for our Subjects of the Pre∣tended Reformed Religion, who abide in that Fidelity and Obedi∣ence, which they owe Us; and for the remarkable Proofs, which some among 'em have giv'n us of

both, in those employments which they have had in our Armies, as well within as without our King∣dom, We have at their most hum∣ble Suit, having also a regard to the Submissions of others who have swerv'd from their Duty, and of our special Grace, full Power and Royal Authority, acquitted, for∣given and Pardon'd, and do by these Presents acquit, pardon and forgive all raising of Arms, enter∣prizes and acts of Hostility, com∣mitted by our said Subjects of the Pretended Reformed Religion, of what Condition or Quality soever they be, as by the Cities that have sided with 'em, and the Inhabi∣tants of the same, both by Sea and Land, since the first of January, 1625. and the Commotions prece∣ding, till the day of the Publicati∣on of these Presents, comprehen∣ding and including whatever might have happen'd in the interval, be∣tween the Signing of the Declara∣tion of October 20. 1622. and the Publication of this in our Courts of Parlament, from which they shall be fully and perfectly dis∣charg'd; as also from all General and Provincial Assemblies, Circles, Insurrections, Popular Commoti∣ons, Excesses, Violences, Breach∣es of Letters of Protection, and all other things in general what∣ever, comprehended in the LXXVI. and LXXVII. Articles of the said Edict of Nantes, altho' they are not here particularly express'd and declar'd; without any Inquisiti∣ons, Prosecutions or Molestations hereafter for the Future to be made or offer'd, except in reserv'd Cases, such as are specifi'd and declar'd in the LXXXVI. and LXXXVII. Articles of the said Edict of Nantes, after which In∣quisition may be made before the Judges, who have Cognizance of those causes.

V. As for the Money that shall be impos'd, levi'd and taken upon our Subjects, or our Receipts, Managements or Administration of the same, and discharges of the Persons accountable, together with what concerns the Commo∣nalties on both sides, as to Debts by them created and not paid, the LXXIV. LXXV. LXXVIII. and LXXIX. Articles of the Edict of Nantes, shall be observ'd and kept.

VI. To this purpose, all the Seats of Justice, Audits of Re∣ceipts and Offices of the Finances, that may have been remov'd by Reason of the Present Commoti∣ons, since January of the last Year, and more especially the Office of the Court of Election at Rochel, shall be restor'd in the same Condi∣tion as they were; in like manner the Cities which remain in the Hands of our Subjects of the Pre∣tended Reformed Religion, shall enjoy the same Priviledges, Fran∣chises, Immunities, Fairs and Mar∣kets which they formerly did. The Election of Consuls, shall be after the accustom'd Form; and in Case of Appeal, the cause shall be remov'd to our Chambers of the Edict.

VII. It is likewise our Pleasure, that our said Subjects of the Pre∣tended Reformed Religion, shall

be absolutely discharg'd from all Judgments, Sentences, and De∣crees given against 'em, upon oc∣casion of the Present Commotions, according to the LVIII. LIX. and LX. Articles of the said Edict, imposing as to the whole, perpe∣tual Silence upon our Advocates General, and all others concern'd to take care of such Prosecuti∣ons.

VIII. We ordain that all Pri∣soners of War, detain'd on both sides, that have not paid their Ransoms, shall be releas'd and set at Liberty without paying any thing; declaring all Promises made or caus'd upon Ransoms, not discharg'd before the Date of these Presents, null and void; yet so as that the Ransoms already paid, shall not be repaid again, tho' de∣manded. Also all our said Sub∣jects of the Reformed Religion, seiz'd by warrant of Justice, de∣tain'd in our Prisons, or in our Galleys, by Reason of the last or preceding Commotions, even those that were taken at the enter∣prize of Port Lewis, shall be en∣larg'd and set at Liberty, imme∣diately after the Publication of these Presents, without any let or delay.

IX. In like manner it is our meaning, that the XXVII. Arti∣cle of the said Edict of Nantes, concerning the Admission and Re∣ceiving of our said Subjects of the Pretended Reformed Religion into Offices and Employments, shall be observ'd and kept; and that all those of the said Religion of what Quality or Condition soever they be, who by Reason of the present Commotions may have been depriv'd of their Offices, Employments, Dignities, Houses, and Habitations, since the first day of January 1625. shall be restor'd and resettl'd therein: As also to their Goods, Titles, Accompts, and Actions, seiz'd as well during the Preceding as the late Trou∣bles, notwithstanding any Patents for Offices, Grants, Consiscations, Reprisals, Payments and Acquit∣tances. Permitting the Creditors to take out Execution for their Principal Stock, notwithstanding all Sentences and Decrees, unless upon a definitive Decree in our Council, or in our Chambers of the Edict, or that the Particular Persons have been other where re∣imburs'd.

X. Our Pleasure is, that these our Present Letters Declaratory, be observ'd and kept by all our Subjects, according to the Form prescrib'd by the LXXXII. Arti∣cle of the Edict of Nantes; and Commissioners shall be sent into all parts where occasion shall require, to see that the Contents thereof be executed.

XI. In regard, that our said Subjects professing the said Pre∣tended Reformed Religion, may not for the Future hold any Gene∣ral or particular Assemblies, Cir∣cles, Councils, Abridgments, or any other of what Name or Qua∣lity soever, without express Per∣mission by Letters, or a Brief par∣ticularly Sign'd by Us, and sub∣scrib'd by one of our Secretaries of State, yet the Assemblies of

Consistories, Colloquies and Sy∣nods are permitted 'em for Affairs that Purely concern the Regulati∣ons of the Discipline of the said Pretended Reformed Religion, conformable to our Letters De∣claratory of April 17. 1623. set forth upon the Holding of Synods and Colloquies, with express Pro∣hibitions to treat of Politick Af∣fairs. Nor shall they for the Fu∣ture raise any Fortifications of what sort soever they be, to en∣close our Cities, without our ex∣press Permission by our Letters Patents. Nor shall they raise any Money upon our Subjects, upon any occasion whatever, without a Commission under our Great Seal. All this, under the Penalty of High Treason, and forfeiture of our Present Favours.

XII. It is our farther meaning also, that the Articles by Us de∣creed, which concern the City of Rochel, the Islands and Country of Aulnix, be observ'd and put in Execution without delay; and that the Cities and Castles which shall have been taken by those of the said Pretended Reformed Re∣ligion, since the present Troubles, shall be surrender'd up into our Hands within fifteen days after the Publication of these Presents: Declaring all such of our said Sub∣jects of the Pretended Reformed Religion, who shall scruple to submit themselves to this our Will and Pleasure, depriv'd, by just Forfeiture, of the Benefit of this our present Favour.

So we command, &c. And to the end that this may be for ever firm and stable, we have affix'd, &c.

Giv'n at Paris in March, 1626. and 17th. of our Reign.

Sign'd Lewis.

And below,

De Lomenie.

Register'd, April 13. 1626.

Du Tillet.