A Declaration of the Kings Majority, containing a Confirmati∣on of the Edicts of Pacification, and Prohibitions of Duels. Dated at Paris, October 1. 1614. Verifi'd the second of the said Month and Year.

LEWIS, by the Grace of God, King of France and Navarr. To all, &c. It having pleas'd God to bless our Reign with so many Favours and Successes, and to bring the course of our Years to the Age of Majority, to which we have now attain'd, as we have at all times all the Reason in the World to commend and be thankful for the happy Adminstration of our Kingdom, during our Minority under the Regency and Prudent Conduct of the Queen our thrice Honour'd Lady and Mother, we are willing to seek all ways, possi∣ble and agreeable to the Duty of a most Christian Prince, jealous of Gods Glory, and who desires to maintain the Publick Peace and Tranquility, for the welfare, repose and ease of his Subjects, whether in causing an exact Observation of the Good and Holy Laws made by the Kings our Predecessors of most praise worthy Memory, or by new Laws, which we shall deem pro∣per to make as occasion offers, and upon such Advice as may be given in the next Assembly of the States General of our Kingdom, which we shall cause to be summon'd; for the attaining of which, and to the end that all our Subjects may live in Peace, Union, and Right Understanding in the fear of God, Obedience of his Commands, and Observation of our Ordinances; so that the publick repose and tranquility, which we desire to preserve among 'em, may not be interrupted or violated,

We have with the Advice and Counsel of our thrice Honour'd La∣dy and Mother, the Princes of our Blood, other Princes and Lords, principal Officers of our Crown, and most remarkable Persons of our Council, said, declar'd and ordain'd, and we say, declare and Page  490 ordain, and it is our Will and Pleasure, in Conformity to what we have already formerly ordain'd, That the Edict of the Deceased King our thrice Honoured Lord and Father, given at Nantes in A∣pril 1598. in favour of those of the pretended Reformed Religion, in all the Heads and Articles of it, together with all the other Arti∣cles to them granted, and Regula∣tions made, Decrees given either by way of Explanation, or for the Execution of the said Edict, or in pursuance of it, may be fulfill'd and inviolably kept and observ'd, as has been ordain'd and perform'd by our said Deceased Lord and Fa∣ther, and that the Infringers may be severely punish'd as disturbers of the Publick Repose.

And the more to secure the Pub∣lick Peace and Tranquility under our Authority and Obedience, we prohibit all our said Subjects from holding any particular and private Intelligences, Leagues or Associa∣tions, as well within as without our Kingdom; nor without our Per∣mission to send to any Forreign Princes, whether Friends or Ene∣mies upon any occasion whatever: And we enjoin all our Officers to look carefully after it, and to be as∣sisting as need shall require, upon pain of being responsible, and of being punish'd for their Negli∣gence, with the same Severity as the Disobedience of the Offen∣ders.

We also forbid all our said Sub∣jects, of what Estate, Condition or Quality soever, who receive Estates, Pay or Pensions from us, not to take, accept or receive any Estate, Pay or Pension from any Prince or Lord whatever; nor to follow, be present with or accom∣pany any other then our selves, upon pain of being depriv'd of the said Salaries, Estates and Pensi∣ons.

And for as much as for want of due Execution of the Edict made by the Deceased King our Lord and Father, concerning Duels, Combats and Encounters, and af∣terwards by our selves, and for that they have not been obey'd by several of our Subjects, in Con∣tempt of our Authority, great Disorders and Confusions have from thence arose, which greatly offend God, and may provoke him to send the Scourges of his Wrath among us, and upon our King∣dom, if we should not provide against so great a Mischief; it is our Pleasure, and we ordain, that all the said Edicts, Ordinances and Declarations made by the Decea∣sed King, and by our selves, upon occasion of the said Duels, Com∣bats and Encounters, shall be in∣violably observ'd for the Future, and fulfill'd and observ'd accor∣ding to their Form and Tenour, nor shall they who shall presume to infringe our Commands hereaf∣ter, so much as hope or expect from us any Favour or Pardon, upon any excuse, pretence, occasion or consideration whatever. And we enjoin all our Officers to proceed against the Offenders with the ut∣most Rigour of our Laws, without any Exception of Persons: And our Advocate Generals, and their Sub∣stitutes, Page  491 to make all necessary Pro∣secutions against such Malefa∣ctours.

Considering also, that the Di∣vine Majesty is greatly offended with Oaths and execrable Blasphe∣mies, which are utter'd daily by several Persons, against the Edicts and Ordinances made by the Kings our Predecessours, We have or∣dain'd and do ordain, that the said Edicts and Ordinances shall be Publish'd de novo, that no Body may pretend Ignorance. And we enjoin all our Judges and Officers, within their several Jurisdictions, upon pain of losing their Offices, to proceed against the Offenders with the utmost Rigour contain'd in the same; with which thy shall not dispense upon any Cause what∣ever, upon Pain of being respon∣sible to us in their own Names and Persons. Farther we Command our Advocates General, and their Substitutes, to use all requisite Di∣ligence in the Execution of these Presents.