The history of the civil wars of France written in Italian, by H.C. Davila ; translated out of the original.

THE HISTORY OF THE Civil Wars of France. By HENRICO CATERINO DAVILA. The FIFTEENTH BOOK. (Book 15)

The ARGUMENT.

THis Book relates the progress of the Spanish Forces in Picardy; the ta∣king and recovery of Han; the siege of Castelet; the design of the Conde de Fuentes, General of the Forces in Flanders, to besiege Cambray, the pre∣parations for that purpose: To facilitate that enterprise, he resolves to besiege Dourlans first, and sits down before it: The French Commanders on the other side prepare themselves to relieve it; they attempt to put in men, and come to a Battel; the Spaniards get the Victory, and the Admiral Villars is slain, with many of the Nobility: The Conquerors storm Dourlans with a very great slaughter: The Spanish Army beleaguers Cambray; the Duke of Nevers, who was arrived a while before for the defence of that Province, sends his Son the young Duke of Rhetelois to relieve the besieged, who fortunately passes thorow the Enemies Camp, and enters the Town. After him the Sieur de Vic gets in, and they defend themselves constantly. The people ill satisfied with the Government of Balagny, who had gotten that Principality, mutiny, make themselves Masters of a Gate, and open it to the Spaniards; the French re∣tire into the Cittadel, where finding neither Ammunition nor Victual, they are constrained to surrender; the Conde de Fuentes grants them honourable conditions. The King departing from Bourgongne, marches to relieve them, but comes not time enough: He consults what is best to be done, and resolves to besiege la Fere; there follows an Accommodation with the Duke of Ne∣mours and the Duke of Joyeuse, and finally also with the Duke of May∣enne, who comes to wait upon the King before la Fere. Albert Cardinal and Archduke of Austria comes out of Spain to govern the Low-Countries; he puts relief into la Fere by means of Nicolo Basti; but the King slackens not the siege for all that. The Archduke resolves to try if he could raise him by diver∣sion, and suddenly assaults Calais▪ and takes it: He obtains Guines, lays siege to Ardres, which yields for want of men to defend it: la Fere yields to the King at the same time, who finding his Army in an ill condition, re∣solves

to disband it. Cardinal de Medici, the Pope's Legat, arrives in France, and is received there with great honour. An Accommodation is treated with the Duke of Mercoeur, who artificially prolongs it. The King assembles the States in the City of Rouen to provide moneys, and settle the affairs of his Kingdom; being indisposed, he retires into the quarters about Paris. The Spaniards surprize Amiens the chief City of Picardy. The King exceedingly stricken with that loss, resolves to besiege it without delay; the varieties of the siege and defence are related. The Archduke marches with a very potent Army to relieve that place; the Armies face one another many days, and have divers encounters: The Archduke retires, and the besieged City sur∣renders. The King makes an incursion into the County of Artois; but because of the Winter and of the Plague, he retires. A Treaty of Agreement between the two Crowns is introduced by the Cardinal-Legat; the Deputies of both parties meet at Vervins: The Duke of Mercoeur submits himself unto the Kings Obedience: After some defficulties in respect of the Duke of Savoy, the general Peace is at last concluded and published.

MAtters of War went not on so prosperously for the King of France in the confines of Picardy, as in Bourgongne, and the Franche Comté; for the Spanish Forces ordered by Commanders of experience and resolution, having found in the French either little unani∣mity, or much weakness; besides the slaughter of men which had happened in divers encounters, had likewise made them∣selves Masters of many Towns and places of importance.

The Duke of Bouillon, and Count Philip of Nassaw, had from the year before prosecuted the War unsuccessfully in the Dutchy of Luxemburg, and made divers incursions into it; where having possessed themselves of some places of small consequence, they were so streightened by Count Mansfelt's Army, but much more by the inundation of the Rivers, and the excessive abundance of waters, that they were necessitated to retire, one into the City of Sedan, the other by Sea into Holland; and though the Duke of Bouillon had afterwards in the beginning of the year rais'd the siege of la Ferré which the Spaniards had laid, yet that was done rather by art, than force, and, except some excursions, things were quietly setled on that side.

* 1.1But the Archduke Ernest dying unexpectedly in the beginning of March, the Condé de Fuentes took the Government of the Low-Countries, who full of Warlike Spirits, and desirous to restore the reputation of the Spanish Forces, apply'd his mind with all diligence to reform the Discipline of the Militia, which he had seen flourish gloriously in the time of the Duke of Parma; wherefore Count Charles of Mansfelt being gone to serve the Emperour in the War of Hungary, he was left alone to the administration of both Civil and Military affairs, and making use of the assistance of the Sieur de la Motte,* 1.2 the Prince of Avellino, Monsieur de Rosne, and Count Giovan Giacopo Belgiojoso, and Colonel de la Berlotte, old experienced Commanders, that were observant of Mi∣litary Discipline, he had not only quieted a great part of those that mutinied for want of pay, but also reforming and re-ordering the companies of every Nation, and filling them up with old Souldiers, he had brought himself into such a condition, that with an Army more valiant than numerous, he might put himself upon the attempt of some gallant enterprise; which whilst he was contriving in his mind, they of the Province of-Haynault and of the County of Artois propounded unto him the taking of Cambray, offering a good number of men, and great contributions in money as soon as they should see the Army encamped before that City, from whence those Provinces received great and continual damage with the interruption of commerce and the hinderance of til∣lage. The Archbishop of Cambray made the same request, who having been driven out from the power of that Town, proferred likewise money and Souldiers, provided the Spaniards would attempt to recover it. This enterprize seemed great and mag∣nificent to the Condé de Fuentes, as well by reason of the greatness and splendour of the City and its Territory, as for the glory he should attain thereby; for since the time

it was gotten by the Duke of Alancon, the Spanish Forces had never had the heart to venture the recovery; and the Duke of Parma himself, either withdrawn by more ne∣cessary occasions, or disswaded by the difficulty of effecting it, had given it over. But if the enterprize carried with it so great reputation, it carried also no less difficulty by reason of the strength of the City and Castle, of the number of the people, the riches of the inhabitants, the Garison which Monsieur de Balagny kept in it, and many other circumstances which represented themselves to the consideration of the Count, who though in mind he was resolved to attempt it, did yet dissemble it prudently, making those preparations maturely which he thought convenient, that he might not strike in vain.

But while being intent upon this action, he was preparing matters,* 1.3 a new Emergent that sprung up in Picardy did, with very great and reciprocal danger, hasten the motion of the War. Han, a considerable Town in that Province, was governed by the Sieur de Gomeron, who having in the declining of the League taken a resolution to join with the Spaniards, agreed to receive what Garison they should think fit, not only into the Town, but also into the Castle; to which effect Ceccho de Sangro being come with eight hundred Italian foot, and Signor Olmeda with two hundred Spaniards, two hundred Walloons, and four hundred Germans, Gomeron though he admitted them into the Town, would not yet admit them into the Castle, fearing lest being become the stron∣ger, they should attempt to drive him out of the place; upon which doubt, there ha∣ving past many letters and messages, at last Gomeron was perswaded by Don Alvaro O∣sorio, Governour of la Feré, to go into Flanders, where he should receive not only the full sum of money that had been promised him, but also fitting security to continue in the Government of the place; wherefore he having left his Brother-in-law the Sieur d' Orvilliers and his own Mother in the Government of the Castle,* 1.4 went himself with his two younger Brothers to Antwerpe, where the Condé de Fuentes, incensed by the ambiguity of his Faith, made him and his Brothers be kept prisoners, and wrote to Orvilliers, that if he did not put the Castle into the hands of his Commanders, he would make himself satisfaction with Gomeron's head. But Orvilliers no less doubtful than his Brother-in-law, (though the Mother anxious for the safety of her Sons, press'd him very much) could not tell what resolution to take, but sometimes intimating to the Spaniards that he would give them the Castle, sometimes treating with the Duke of Longueville,* 1.5 and Monsieur d' Humieres the Kings Lieutenant in that Province to bring them in secretly to suppress the Spanish Garison that lay in the Town, kept both parties long in hope, till Monsieur d' Humieres proffering him larger conditions, and that all the Spanish Commanders that should be taken, should be given to him to ex∣change Gomeron, he resolved at last to adhere unto the French; wherefore (the Duke of Longueville having been slain a while before, with a Musket-shot, received by chance in a Volley which his Souldiers gave him in honour) his Brother the Count de St. Paul, to whom the King had granted the same Government, having sent to the Duke of Bouillon to meet him at St. Quintin, resolved to attempt that enterprise, though by reason of the doubt of Orvilliers his fidelity, and because of the strength of the Gari∣son it was thought very difficult. Monsieur d' Humieres undertook the charge of or∣dering the business, and that he might effect it prosperously, took very great care to gather together all the Gentry of the Province, and all the Souldiery that was in the neighbouring Garisons.

In the mean time the Condé de Fuentes having setled the affairs of Flanders in good order, was advanced with eight thousand Foot and two thousand Horse unto the con∣fines to take in Castelet, a place built by King Henry the Second, in the time of the Wars with the Emperour Charles the Fifth upon the confines of the Territory of Cambray;* 1.6 and because the taking of this place was necessary to the besieging of that City, he had encamped himself before it, and battered it with twelve pieces of Cannon, which not interrupting the designs of the French, who thought it much more considerable to take Han, than to relieve Castelet, had taken the field with Four thousand Foot, and above One thousand Horse, encamping sometimes in one place, sometimes in another, in the quarters about that Town. But though they dissembled it, and made shew to have some other design, yet their drawing so near, and some provisions that Orvilliers made in the Castle, had put Ceccho de Sangro, and the other Spanish Commanders in a jealousie, who doubting of that which indeed was true, determined to shut up the assage of those ways that went from the City to the * 1.7 Esplanade of the Castle, and

there being three that led thither, they drew a traverse cross every one; raising them with Barrels and Earth, and made holes through the Houses on all sides, that with their small shot they might gall the place that extended it self from the City to the Moat and Raveline before the Castle Gate; and for more security, they sent with speed to the Condé de Fuentes, letting him know the suspition they had, and desiring relief.

* 1.8The French on the other side, being assured of Orvilliers his fidelity, by many of his Kinsmen that were in the Army, drew near betimes in the evening between the Gate of the Castle, and that of the Town which led to the way of Noyon; but the Per∣dues that lay without the works, having given the Spaniards notice of the Enemies arrival, Ceccho de Sangro caused many Cannon shot to be made that way, whereby the French knowing that the Garison was advertised, and in order to receive the assault, resolved to enter into the Castle, and go down to fall upon the Town on that side: The Count de St. Paul with all the Cavalry,* 1.9 and a Body of a thousand Foot stood firm in the field: Monsieur d' Humieres and the Duke of Bouillon went into the Castle, where the difficulty of assaulting the Enemy appeared exceeding great; for the Gate of the Raveline was so narrow, that it forced them to go out but few at once stragling, and as they went forth they came upon the Esplanade which lay open to the shot of the Town; wherefore they would not put themselves in so manifest danger in the darkness of the night, but staying for the morning, resolved to open the Gate of Re∣lief, which was walled up, and through it, go down without opposition into the Moat, from whence cutting away part of the Counterscarp, they might come forth up∣on the Flank of the Castle, in a place that was not subject to their shot. This they effected at Sun-rise, and being divided into three Squadrons, each of which had One hundred Gentlemen compleatly armed in the Front of it▪ they marched on to fall up∣on those of the Town, who standing ready at their Works, received the assault very va∣liantly. The conflict was sharp and obstinate, fighting on both sides with old Soul∣diers, full of experience and valour, but the event had different success in the three several places where they fought; for Monsieur d' Humieres being faln on to assault the Traverse that was guarded by Baldassare Carracciolo and Marcello del Giudice, was not only opposed, but after two hours fight repulsed with much blood; on the other side, upon the left hand where the Sieur de Sessavalle, and Colonel la Croix assaulted the Traverse guarded by Signior Olmeda, they fought with equal fortune without ad∣vantage; but in the middle way, where the Visdame of Amiens, and the Governour of Noyon assaulted Ceccho de Sangro, after they had fought a great while, (Ceccho ha∣ving received two wounds with a Pike) the French broke through the Traverse, and though they found a firm resistance every where, yet they got near to the Porte de Noyon, which they had designed to open, and bring in the Count de St. Paul at it; but Ceccho taking a resolution in the extremity of the danger, caused the houses of that quarter to be set on fire, which carried by a prosperous wind for him, followed the French so close at the heels, that it constrained them to retire, the flame making such havock, that they were fain to cease the assault: It was already Noon, and the Souldiers being weary every where, slackned the fight; and yet Monsieur d' Humieree seeing the wind turn, and the flames of the fire flie towards the Spaniards, set his Squadron again in order, and placing himself in the Front, went to renew the assault, in the beginning whereof he received a Musket shot in the head, and fell down dead upon the ground; which accident abated not the courage of his men, but being relieved by the Duke of Bouillon with fresh Forces, they at last possessed themselves of the Porte de Noyon, by which the Count de St. Paul entring with the rest of the Army, the Spaniards straitned on all sides, never turned their backs, but still courageously fighting, retired into the Fauxboug de St. Sulpice, where having fought till night, and the relief not appearing, which they expected from the Conde de Fuentes, ordering their Pikes, they made shew, that they would yield themselves; but the French either incensed for the death of Mon∣sieur d' Humieres, or by reason of their most ardent hatred against the Spaniards, prose∣cuted the Victory without regard, and would have put them all to the Sword, if the desire of recovering Gomeron had not perswaded them to take many prisoners. Of the Spaniards side there were killed about Eight hundred men▪ Ceccho de Sangro, Bassadassare Carracciolo, Signior Olmeda, Ferrante Nimfa, Marcello del Giudice, and Alessandro Bran∣caccio, were all taken prisoners, with many other Officers and Souldiers. Of the French were killed about One hundred and twenty Soldiers, and forty Gentlemen, among which

Colonel la Croix, the Sieurs de * 1.10 Bayancourt, des Masieres, Lieutenant to Monsieur de Surville, and many Captains of Foot. Among the wounded were Colonel Lierville, and the Sieurs d' Arpajon, and de Chalande.

The Conde de Fuentes, having received intelligence of the assault which his soldiers expected, left the Duke of Pastrana at the siege of Castelet, and went, with a part of the Army to relieve them; but being come the day after the fight within three miles of Han, he heard the news of their misfortune, and not thinking it fit to attempt any thing for that time, returned to prosecute the siege he had begun; whereby the French remaining free Possessors of the Town and Castle, left the Sieurs de Sessavalle and Plain∣ville with a convenient Garrison in the Town, and consigned Ceccho de Sangro, and ma∣ny prisoners to Orvilliers, with the exchange of which he might redeem the Sieur de Gomeron: But the event of the business proved very different, for the Prisoners ha∣ving secretly dealt with a Neapolitan, (who,* 1.11 as the Sieur de Gomeron's Rider lived in the Castle,) they came to an agreement, That he, and two other Soldiers of the Gar∣rison, should free them out of the room where they were shut up, and furnish them with Arms, so that they might unexpectedly, not onely recover their liberty, but by killing Orvilliers, make themselves Masters of the Fortress. The business succeeded prosperously at first; for Ceccho de Sangro with his Companions, suddenly assaulting the Guards at noon-day, possessed and locked up the Castle Gate; but running to the Governors Chamber to kill him, they found that he with those about him, were alrea∣dy in a posture of defence. Whereupon there began a very sharp fight among them, at the noise whereof the Commanders that lay in the Town suspecting the matter, ran violently to the Castle, and tried to get in with Ladders, and so the conflict was redu∣ced to a third party; but, the Italians not having strength to resist in two several pla∣ces, made composition with Orvilliers, by the means of Madam de Gomeron, that open∣ing the Gate towards the field, they should suffer them to go out freely, and he as be∣fore should remain absolutely Master of the Castle. Thus the Prisoners being at li∣berty, Gomeron remained without hope of help in the power of the Spaniards; and yet his Mother ceasing not to try all means to free her Son, had, with Tears, Prayers, and Promises, brought Orvilliers into such a wavering doubtfulness of mind, that he seem∣ed inclined to make a new agreement with the Spaniards; wherefore she judging, that if their Camp should draw near, he would easily resolve to receive it, writ to the Conde de Fuentes, that if he came with the Army, Orvilliers would deliver up the Castle to him.

In the mean time the Count had battered the Walls of Castelet, and given it a vi∣olent assault, which, though it was stoutly sustained by those within, yet as they fought, the fire taking and blowing up all their Powder, the Sieur de Liramont,* 1.12 Governor of the place, was necessitated to surrender, and their goods and persons being safe, he came forth in a soldierly manner; whereupon the Count having dispatched that en∣terprize, moved with the whole Army to draw near to Han; but at his arrival, Orvilli∣ers, more uncertain in his mind than ever, and not knowing what to determine, open∣ed the Gate that was towards the Town, and fled out of the Castle, retiring to Roys; and the Sieur de Sessavalle being entred with Two hundred Soldiers, began to fire his Artillery against the Spanish Camp, at which the Conde de Fuentes much incensed, cau∣sed Gomeron to be brought within sight of the Castle, where, in the presence of all, he made him to be Beheaded, and sent back his Brothers Prisoners to the Castle of Ant∣werp. The Count, perswaded by the heat of Passion, was minded to besiege the Town, but the next day, when that first motion was quieted, not being willing to interrupt the already intended enterprise of Cambray, he raised his Camp and marched away to spoil, and pillage the places of that Country: At the first arrival of his Army, Clery and Bray, weak Towns of that territory, standing upon the River Somme, yielded with∣out resistance, and to the infinite terror of the Country people, they began to plunder Cattel, and to spoil the Corn in many places; but the Forces were not yet in readi∣ness which the Provinces of Artois and Heynault had obliged themselves to contribute, and without them, by reason of the great circuit of the Town, and the number of the Defendants, the Commanders thought not fit to attempt the siege: Wherefore the Count, that his Army might not be idle, and to facilitate the enterprise of Cambray by shutting up the passages in many several places, resolved to fall upon Dourlans,* 1.13 a Town not very great, but reasonable strong, and situate near the confines, that separate Picar∣dy from the Territory of Cambray; but on the higher side above Peronne and Corbie, the

Sieur d' Arancourt was in the Town, and the Sieur de Ronsoy as Governor of the Castle, for all the places of that Province, was near the confines, are secured by Castles; the most part of them stronger by situation than by art, with Walls of the old fashion, flank∣ed onely with great Towers; but this, either by reason of the nearness of the dan∣ger, or of the Governors diligence, was much bettered by Ramparts and Ravelines, according to the manner of Fortification of our times. The weakness of the Garri∣son that was in the Town, being very much inferior to what need required, encoura∣ged the Count to set himself upon that enterprise; but though he resolved it upon the sudden, and turn'd that way without losing a minutes time, yet could not the siege be layed, and the passages blocked up so speedily, but that the Duke of Bouillon was ad∣vertised of it, who being taken at unawares, put in four hundred Gentlemen, and eight hundred Foot; but it was a very pernitious Counsel; for, if he had put into the Town all the Foot that he had with him, which was above Two thousand, he would not afterwards have been necessitated to attempt with so great a loss to re∣lieve it; and if he had not engaged the Gentry within the circuit of those Walls, he would have been so strong in Horse, that by obstructing the wayes, he might have forced them to rise; but in sudden occasions, the wisest persons do not remember all things. As soon as these Forces were entred into the Garrison, which, in all, a∣mounted to the number of Eleven hundred Foot, and Five hundred Horse, the fault began to appear; for, there being no Commander of Authority, to manage the weight of the defence,* 1.14 the Lords and Gentlemen of the Country who were there, by desiring all to Command, put all things in disorder and confusion, so that their presence, which would have been very proper, very helpful in the field, proved rather destructive than serviceable in the Town; And yet every one knowing it was needful to keep the Ene∣my at a distance from the Walls, they betook themselves to bring some of those Rave∣lines that were without the circuit of the Ramparts into so good forwardness▪ as to re∣tard the approach of the Enemy for some dayes; but the defect of the Garrison ap∣peared likewise in this; for the Gentlemen did not care to lay hand to the work, and the Foot being few in respect of the necessity, all preparations went on but slowly.

* 1.15The Spanish Army encamped before Dourlans, upon the fifteenth day of July, and the same evening Valentine Sieur de la Motte, who executed the Office of Camp-Master-General, going to view the place near at hand, to resolve on which side it should be fittest to assault it, was killed with a Musket-shot in the right eye; a Soldier, who, from small and low beginnings, passing through all Military degrees, was risen with a most renowned fame of valour and experience, unto the eminency of the most remarkable Offices, and most important commands. The man whom the Conde de Fuentes de∣signed to supply his place, was Christian Sieur du Rosne, who, by his sagacity, (which was exceeding great, (added to the valour and experience of many years,) had got∣ten himself an infinite reputation among the Spaniards; and by his Counsel, before all other things, they began to fortifie the quarters of the Army, and with Forts and Half∣moons to shut up the Enemies, as well to hinder the relief that might endeavor to get into the Town, as to secure his Camp, which was not very great, from the sud∣den assaults and attempts of the French. These Works being ended, there remained to be resolved, on which side the Place should be assaulted; for many were of opinion to begin with the Castle first; and many others finding it very difficult to take the Ca∣stle, advertised to possess themselves of the Town first, to facilitate the way to the ta∣king of the Castle. But after long consultation, a third opinion carried it, propound∣ed by du Rosne; which was, that the Town should be assaulted on that side, where it joyned with the Castle, because at the same time a breach might be made in the Wall, and part of the defence of the Castle taken away: The quality of the situation advised the same, which (in respect of the River Oyse that passes there) was more easie to be made defensible; whereby the Batteries would be the stronger and better sheltered from any attempt the Duke of Bouillon or the Count de S. Paul should make; who, it was already known, were with very great diligence drawing their Forces together, to relieve the Gentry which they unadvisedly shut up in the Town. The first violence of the siege met with an Half-moon without the Ramparts, that se∣parated the Castle from the Town; which, though of nothing but earth, yet being by length of time firmly knit together, did little fear the battering of the Cannon: Wherefore, Monsieur du Rosne having found the small fruit of playing upon it,

began two Trenches, to approach covered from the shot both of the Town and Ca∣stle, and brought them within a stones cast of the Half-moon; but while the Defen∣dants believed he would continue them to the Moat, he suddenly caused two Squadrons that were prepared ready, one Italians, the other Walloons, to sally out of them; who, some scrambling up upon the Earth, others clapping scaling ladders against it, got so quickly upon the Parapet, that they fell in pell-mell with the Defendants, before the Artillery of the Castle could hurt them. The fight was short, but valiant; for the Defendants were all soldiers of experience; and yet their being taken so at unawares, was the cause, that after they had fought a quarter of an hour, being over-pow'red by the greater number, they were forced to retire, saving themselves within the covered way that was without the moat of the Town. Monsieur de Rosne entering the Half∣moon, commanded la Berlotte's Tertia to cover and fortifie themselves in that place, ha∣ving designed to make use of that same Post to plant his Battery in it: The Walloons were diligent and careful in fortifying themselves; but they of the Town were no less ready to hinder their work; for with three Sacres that were upon a Platform of the Town, and on the other side, with the Artillery from the Castle, they did so play upon the place where the besiegers wrought, that the slaughter of them was very great; and yet the Italians, Spaniards, and Walloons working by turns, the Half-moon was at last made defensible, and in it they planted seven Culverins, which battered the Works of the Castle, and six Cannon that played against the wall of the Town; insomuch, that having shot continually for two dayes together, matters were brought to such a pass, that they were ready to open two trenches into the Counterscarp, wherewith ap∣proaching, they might advance to the assault.

But, in the mean time, the Duke of Bouillon and the Count de St. Paul being joyn∣ed with the Admiral Villars, and the Forces of Normandy, were intent upon relieving that place; but not so much for the importance of the Town, as in respect of the great number of Gentlemen that were shut up in it; and though the Army they had was not very numerous, yet they were confident the Gentry which they had with them would inable them to put in men and ammunition, by forcing the Guards on some side or other, though they were diligent, and well strengthened by the Enemy. The Sieur de Sessavalle's design was, to enter into the Town with a Thousand Foot, and Four and twenty Carriages of Ammunition, and at the same time to make the 400 Gentlemen that were in Dourlans, retire into the Army▪ wherein, besides the Infantry, there were Twelve hundred Curassiers, and Six hundred Harquebusiers on Horse-back; and be∣cause the circuit and the entries into the Town were unequal, and some on this side, some on that side of the River, which nevertheless, by reason of its shallowness, might be forded in many places without difficulty; they determined to divide themselves in∣to three Squadrons, and appear three several wayes, to keep the enemy divided and imployed in divers places; they consulted among themselves the evening of the twen∣ty third of July, what was best to be done; the Count de S. Paul was of opinion (to which the Marquiss of Belin, and the Sieur de Sessavalle assented) that they should stay for the Duke of Nevers, who being appointed by the King to the superintendence of the affairs of that Province, was already near at hand: it seeming to them a very great rashness, to attempt that then with exceeding great danger, which they might under∣take within two days with more force, and more hope of good success: But the Duke of Bouillon (an old emulator of the Duke of Nevers, not onely by reason of their difference in Religion, but also of the fame of wisdom,* 1.16 to the first place whereof they mutually aspired) could not endure to hear of staying for his coming and that the glory should be reserved for him, which he pretended should result unto himself, by raising the siege, or relieving the Town, and having drawn the Admiral to his opinion, he caused it to be determined in a manner by force, that the next morning they should try their fortune.

On the other side,* 1.17 the Count de Fuentes knowing that all the hope of the French could consist in nothing, but keeping him distracted in several places, resolved to ad∣vance three miles to meet them, that he might oppose their attempt with all his Forces united; and having left Harnando Telles Portocarrero to guard the Battery, with Twelve hundred Foot, and Gasparo Zappogna with a Thousand more to defend their quarters and works, he, with all the rest of the Army advanced upon the same way the enemy was coming: The Prince of Avellino led the Van, wherein were two Squadeons of Horse, one Walloons and Flemings, and the other Italians; and on the Flanks of them,

two Wings of Spanish Musquettiers, the Duke of Aumale, and Monsieur du Rosne followed with two Squadrons of Infantry, which had each of them four field-pieces in the Front, and in the last was placed the rest of the Cavalry, with the Count him∣self, and by his side a Battalion of Germans.

On the other side; the Admiral and the Duke of Bouillon led the Van; the Count St. Paul was in the Battel, and had by him Monsieur de Sessavalle, with the Foot that were to go into Dourlans, and the Marquiss of Belin commanded the Rear. It was the four and twentieth of July, the Eve of St. James the Apostle, and it was near noon, when the Armies marching mutually to meet, came within sight of one another; without delay, the French Vanguard with very great violence charged the two Squa∣drons of the enemies Cavalry, whereof that of Walloons, which was upon the left hand, being broken and disordered by the Admiral, manifestly ran away; but that of Italians, where the Prince of Avellino was, did long sustain the fury of the Duke of Bouillon, till the Admiral, who had routed and driven away the Enemy, drawing near upon the Flank, it likewise was constrained to retire, though without falling into dis∣order; but the Wings of Spanish Musquettiers coming up, the service was hot and furious, and so much the more, because the Walloon Horse rallying again, had like∣wise faced about, and fought with no less courage than the rest. In the mean time, Sessavalle advancing out of hand, to march to Dourlans, fell into one of the Squadrons of Foot that followed, being led by the Duke of Aumale, and there beg••n between them a no less fierce encounter than there was among the Horse. But as soon as du Rosne saw those Squadrons charge one another so courageously, he, with that which he led, turning a good pace upon the right hand, possessed himself of a higher ground, which was upon the Flank of Sessavalle, and first raking through them with his field-pieces from thence, and then falling in with two Wings of Muskettiers that were in the Front of his men, did so great execution upon them, that the Sieur de Sessavalle and Colonel St. Denis▪ being slain, and all their Colours lost, the French Foot were so dis∣persed, that they could no more be rallied, and the Carriages of Ammunition remain∣ed in the power of the Enemy. In the mean time, the Conde de Fuentes getting up to an high place, from whence he discovered the various fortune of his men, sent out two Squadrons of Horse to assist the Prince of Avellino, and Monsieur du Rosne, with the Duke of Aumale, having put their Squadrons again in order, advanced on each side to the place of fight. Wherefore the Duke of Bouillon knowing how to yield to for∣tune, without being willing to adventure any farther, retired with small loss towards the Battel, with which the Count de St. Paul, reserving himself untouched, had not at all engaged in the encounter; but the Admiral, who much more fiercely had, from the beginning, rushed upon the greater number of the Enemy, having seen the Sieur d' Arginvilliers, Governor of Abbeville, and the Sieur de Hacqueville, Governor of Pon∣teau de Mer,* 1.18 Captain Perdriel, and above Two hundred Gentlemen of Normandy fall dead before him, though later, and with more difficulty, would likewise have taken a resolution to retire, if pity and gallantry had not called him afresh into the midst of the Battel▪ for seeing his Nephew, the young Sieur de Montigny, with fifteen or twenty of his followers, totally engaged, and sharply prosecuted by the Spanish Infan∣try of Antonio Mendozza, he calle•• back his men that were retiring, and furiously turn∣ed about his Horse to fetch him off; but being surrounded by the Spanish Muskettiers, and his passage cut off by the Italian and Walloon Cavalry, fighting valiantly, and wounded in many places, he fell at last from his Horse; and though telling his name, he offered Fifty thousand Crowns in ransome, he was killed, in cold blood, by a Spa∣nish soldier; and another, to get a very rich Diamond Ring he wore, without any regard cut off his finger▪ for which crimes they w••re, by the severity of the Count de Fuentes, both put to death. All those that followed him were killed upon the place close by him, though, fighting desperately, they made the Victory very bloody to the Enemy. The Duke of Bouillon (either judging it a greater service to the King to save the rest of the Army, or else moved by his ill will towards the Admiral, who was a very zealous Catholick) perswaded the Count de St. Paul (who being a young man, referred himself to the opinion of those that were elder) that without making further tryal to recover the day, they should get the Battel into security. But the Marquiss de Belin detesting that advice, fell on with the Rere, to relieve the danger of the Admiral; and yet being encountred by four Squadrons of Lanciers, whom the Count de Fuentes sent out against him, he had not strength to resist their fury, and being routed and

dispersed in a moment, the rest saved themselves by flight; but he and the Sieur de Longchamp remained the enemies prisoners: And this was one of those encounters which gave clear proof,* 1.19 that Cuirassiers in the field are very much inferior to the vio∣lence of Lances. The loss the French received in this Battel, was greater, in regard of the quality, than number of the slain; for they were not in all above 600, but most part of them Gentlemen, and persons of note, whereof the whole Army was composed; which made the D. of Bouillons excuse the better, in that he had saved the remainder, though it was a most constant opinion, that if all the Squadrons had charged at once, or if he obstinately fighting, had called up the Count de St. Paul with the fresh Forces to his assistance, he might either have put relief into Dourlans, or at least might have retired without receiving so great a loss. On the side of the Spaniards there were killed but few, and all obscure persons, and among the wounded, none was reckoned on but San∣cho de Luna.

While the Armies fought thus, the besieged in Dourlans were not idle; for having heard the noise of the fight hard by, they made a gallant sally to assail the Trenches, in which, finding the Posts well fortified, and all the Guards in Arms, they were no less valiantly repulsed; though in that action they received not much loss. The Conde de Fuentes returning victorious to the Leaguer,* 1.20 and freed from the fear of being any more infested by the French, applyed himself, with all his study, to hasten the end of the siege, which, though the defendents answered with very remarkable courage and va∣lor, yet was not their conduct and experience correspondent; so that it manifestly ap∣peared, the Town (though with much slaughter) would fall into the power of the Spaniards. Upon the 28th day the besieged made a great sally in the heat of the noon∣day, and because they found the Foot ready and prepared for their defence, after a long fight they were at last constrained to retire; and while they did so very softly, and without any sign of flight, being assaulted by the Cavalry, and charged very furiously on the flank, they lost many of their men, and were fain to run back full speed to the very Counterscarp. The next day the Artillery, having battered not onely the Walls of the Town, but made a breach also in a corner of the Castle, the Count caused the as∣sault to be given; and to divide the strength and courage of the defendents, he sent Foot to fall on in both places. The Spaniards stormed the Castle, the Walloons the Town, and a while after the Italians entering into both Trenches, reinforced the As∣sault: In this occasion, the valor of Hernando Telles Portocarrero appeared most remarka∣ble, who being the first that got up into the breach of the Castle, fought there with so much courage, that the Count de Dinan being slain, who,* 1.21 on that side had the charge of the defence, and the Squadron of those within being beaten back and broken, the Castle was taken with a wonderful great slaughter; from whence the Assailants go∣ing down, without having found any obstacle or impediment of Trenches or Casamats (for the unskilfulness or discord of the defendents had been such, that there was no Works cast up) they impetuously also possessed themselves of the Town; where, in revenge of the slaughter of Han, (the name of which sounded aloud in the mouth of every one) all that were in it, were, without any regard, put to the Sword, in the vio∣lence of the fight: so that of so great a number of Gentlemen and Soldiers, scarce the Sieur de Haraucourt, and the Sieur de Gribo••al, with forty soldiers, remained prisoners, there being slain upon the place Monsieur de Ronsoy Governor of the Castle, the Sieurs de Francourt and Prouilles who had principal commands, above Three hundred Gentle∣men, and above Six hundred Soldiers. The Town was sacked in the heat of the action, and continued at the dis••retion of the Soldiers till the evening, and then those had quarter given them who were retired to the security of the Churches. The Conde de Fuentes having obtained so full a Victory,* 1.22 betook himself to repair the ruines of the wall, and to throw down the Works without, and having given the Government of the place to Portocarrero, who had behaved himself so gallantly in the taking of it, applyed himself with very great diligence to make preparation to besiege Cambray, not being willing unprofi••ably to lose that prosperity which the countenance of fortune shew••d him

In the mean time the Duke of Nevers was arrived at the half-defeated, and quite affrighted Army, and though he strove to dissemble those errors that had been com∣mitted, yet talking with the Count de St. Paul, and the Duke of Bouillon at P••quigny, he could not fo••bear telling them, that in their consultations they had been too courageous, and in their re••reat too prudent; By which words, and their old emulation, the Duke of Bouillon being disgusted, departed from the Army; and likewise the

Count de St. Paul not very well satisfied, retired to Bologne, the whole weight and care of the defence remaining upon one man alone. The Duke of Nevers having ta∣ken the charge of the Army, though brought to a very weak estate, drew into Amiens upon the second day of August, to secure that City, which, by the near slaughter of Dourlans, was struck with very great terror; and because the Citizens running popu∣larly to him, shewed him in how great fear they were, lest Corbie, a Town not far from the place where the Enemy was, should fall into their hands, he promised to go in∣to it the next day himself in person, and so having left his son, the young Duke of Rhetelois at Amiens, he went without delay to Corbie; in which Town, though weak, he began to set himself in order to receive the Spanish Army, in case it should march that way; but the next day, the Conde de Fuentes, who was not above seven Leagues from thence, having raised his Camp from Dourlans, advanced in one dayes ma••ch near to Peronne; wherefore the Duke with all his Forces leaving Corbie, went to quar∣ter at Arboniers, that he might go the same night into Peronne. The Spaniards upon the fifth day passed near the Walls of the Town, marching towards S. Quintin; where∣fore the Duke being sent to by the Viscount d' Auchy, who was in it, went thither up∣on the sixth in the morning, which day the Spanish Army made a halt in the same quarters, and stayed there four dayes, to make provision of victual from all parts, and upon the eleventh of August, drawing within four miles of Cambray, discovered their design of besieging that place, freeing all the rest from the suspition they had been in.

The Mareschal de Balagny who was in Cambray, knowing himself weak in the num∣ber of his soldiers, and much more hated of the inhabitants, who could not indure his Dominion; and besides that, not having any means to pay and maintain the Soldiers, solicited the Duke of Nevers, by four Messengers, dispatched post one after another, to assist him with some men, and pleasure him also with a sum of money, letting him know the little confidence he had in the people, and the great terror that was in th•• Garrison, by reason of the noise of the slaughter at Dourlans. The Duke of Nevers having called a Council of War,* 1.23 was doubtful a great while whether he should go into Cambray himself in person or not; for, on the one side, the jealousie of keeping that City, and the Glory of defending it, spurred him on; and on the other, the necessity of endeavouring to recruit the Army, and set it again in order, disswaded him from it; but all the Commanders agreeing, that he ought not to engage himself, since they hoped, that Balagny would supply what was needful in the Command within the Town, and that his presence would be most necessary to prepare relief; he resolved to send his Son Charles, Duke of Rhetelois, with Four hundred Horse, and four Com∣panies of Firelocks, which he mounted all on Horseback, that they might march the faster; he sent, in company with his Son, the Sieur de Bussy, and Trumulet, the first a Colonel of great experience, the other Governor of Ville-Franche; He gave the com∣mand of the Firelocks to the Sieur de Vaudricourt, a soldier of long experience, and intended, that within a while after, his Son Monsieur de Vic should attempt to get in∣to the Town, with an hundred Horse, and Four hundred other Foot, to the end that he might supply the charge of the defence, in those things which the Mareschal de Balagny could not attend, or had not experience in, under whose obedience all those Forces were to be.

In the mean time the Conde de Fuentes having received Five thousand Foot, sent from the confining Provinces, under the Prince of Chimay, and a Regiment of Wal∣loons, rais'd and payed by Louis de Barlemont Arch-Bishop of Cambray, was drawn be∣fore the Town upon the fourteenth day, and presently began to shut up those passes by which the relief might enter, which he thought would come; which diligence, not at all retarding the Duke of Rhetelois, he put himself upon the adventure of getting in∣to the City, and having marched all night, appeared by break of day upon the Plain, which largely incompasses the Town on every side; His appearing by day, contrary to w••at he had designed, was caus'd, not onely by an excessive Rain that fell that night, but much more because being to pass a certain Water in the Village of Aune, over a Wooden-bridge, part of it was fallen, so that he was fain to make a halt, till with Planks and beams, the Bridge were hastily made up again: wherefore the Spaniards, who had had time, both to be advertised of it, and to get to Horse, at the Dukes arri∣val were drawn up into the Plain, expecting him in very good order upon the straight way; He made a stop when he perceived the Enemy, being not well as∣sured

what he should do; but the Guide that led him, well versed in the Countrey, shewed him, that between the Enemies Horse, and a lower Gate of the City, there was a hollow, craggy way, which could not so easily be past, so that turning on that side, they might get under the Walls of the Town, before they could be overtaken by the enemy, who of necessity, were to take a great compass, not to disorder themselves in the hollow of that way; wherefore, the Duke placing himself courageously at the head of his men, went out of the great Road, and declining upon the left hand, march∣ed a round trot whither his guide led him, hoping to get to the Gate without any ob∣stacle of the Enemy: but when he was drawn very near the Town, he found a Corps de Garde of Fifty Horse, who, at the Alarm, which sounded aloud through the whole field, had set themselves in order to stop the way; wherefore, being necessitated to fight, he shut down his Beaver, and having incouraged his soldiers, charg'd up with so much fury, that in the first encounter, he routed and beat back the Enemies Troops, without the loss of any one man, and having quickly wheeled about, he closed up, and in his first order continued to march on his way at a good rate; but he was not ad∣vanced Two hundred paces further, when he fell upon another body of an hun∣dred and twenty Horse, which being charged with the same fierceness, were fain to retire without making any great resistance. In the mean time the main body of the Spanish Horse, which from the beginning had discovered him,* 1.24 moved on with no less celerity towards him; but, the hinderance of the hollow way, and the dirt of the field, which by reason of the rain the night before, was all wet and slippery, retard∣ed their march so much, that when the first Troops came to charge the Duke, he was already defended by the Artillery of the Town, which thundering with exceeding great violence, and scouring all the field, hindred him from receiving any harm; so that en∣tring into the City, and being received with marvellous joy by every one, he found he had lost only one Page, and an inconsiderable part of the Carriages, which having not been able to come so fast as the rest, fell into ••he hand of the Spaniards.

The Duke of Rhetelois his getting in, necessitated the Count de Fuentes to strengthen the siege more closely, that he might hinder any new relief from entring; to which likewise he was perswaded by his want of money to pay and maintain the Army, since though the Bishop of Cambray, and the confining Provinces, had obliged themselves to contribute Five hundred thousand Florines, yet they denyed to pay them down, be∣fore he had begun the siege, and was got upon the Counterscarpe.* 1.25 To this was added his ardent courage, carried on by the felicity of former success, which excited him to undertake, even beyond the number and strength of his Army, as it were presaging a prosperous event, notwithstanding many difficulties; wherefore the City being great in circuit, and not having men enough, he resolved, with Forts and redoubts, to shut up all that part, which on this side the River Scheld (that divides the City in the mid∣dle) lies towards France; judging, that with the impediment of Fortifications, he might supply that defect, all the Soldiers in his Army not being sufficient to possess so large and ample a Plain, which contains the space of many miles; but it appeared in this occasion, as it hath done in many others, that Forts and Redoubts (if they be not joyned with a convenient number of resolute men) do not hinder the entry of those, who take a resolution to pass, with the hazard of some Cannon shot; and yet the Count de Fuentes having caused Four thousand Pioniers to come out of the adja∣cent Provinces, and having Seventy two pieces of Artillery of several sizes, and won∣derful preparations of all Instruments of War and Ammunition, full of hope and cou∣rage, began to incompass the City on all sides, but on that especially, where it might be relieved by the French. Between Porte Neufue, and the Porte de St. Sepulchre, over against that part of the City that stood towards the South, he caused a Fort to be raised after the manner of a Platform, which being able to contain One thousand Foot, was (by the name of the Bourg close by it) called the Fort of Guiargni, and caused another, not very much less, to be cast up over against the place where the River enters into the City on the West side, which they called the Fort de Premy, from the name like∣wise of the adjacent Bourg; and between these two there were seventeen Re∣doubts, like so many Sentinels, in each of which, there were Twenty five men, and the two Forts, with all the space between them, were guarded by the Prince of Chi∣may, with the Forces that were newly come out of the neighbouring Provinces: Besides these Posts between the Porte de Quentimpre, and the Porte des Selles,

winding towards the North, there was raised another great Fort, which they called St. Oloy, where the Count de Bie commanded with a Regiment of Ger∣mans; from the Porte des Selles as far as the Cittadel, over against the Bastion de Ro∣bert, a place that extends from the North unto the East, they resolved to plant the Battery; therefore, in that space they intended to cast up Trenches, and the command thereof was given to Agostino Messia. The Count de Fuentes with the Cavalry of the Army, and two Tertia's of Walloons was quartered in two little Villages behind the Fortifications, and Ambrosio Landriano, Lieutenant-General of the Light horse, with Four hundred Horse, and Six hundred Foot, placed himself upon that way that leads to Peronne, keeping continually many Ambuscadoes in divers Woody places, to assault and hinder the passage of those that should hazard the attempt of entring the Town.

Things being disposed in this order, they began to break ground, the Engineer Pac∣ciotto, and Colonel la Berlotte overseeing the Works, the one for his skill in Fortificati∣on, the other for experience in War, men of exceeding high estimation: But the work proved difficult beyond all belief; for in the lower places where the River Sckeld passes and overflows, they could not dig above a span for water, and the higher places were so gravelly and stony, that they could not approach without great toil and much time; and yet the Soldiers accustomed to labor, full of courage, by reason of their past victories, and aspiring to sack so rich a City, wrought with incredible patience: Either Monsieur du Rosne, or the Count himself, continually overseeing the Works, and with words, promises and gifts, hastening the perfecting of them; so that upon the first of September, two very large Trenches were brought to the edge of the Moat, between the Bastion de Robert, and a Raveline in the midst of the Courtine. It is evident, that if the besieged had, with Sallies and Counterbatteries molested their Works, they must needs have approached with extream difficulty, and perchance without fruit at last; but it was well known, that Monsieur de Balagny, either had lost his courage, or had not much experience; for, during the space of ten dayes, that the Works of the Spaniards lasted, the Defendants continually lay idle, without molesting them in any kind; and the young Duke of Rhetelois, who, by reason of the tenderness of his years, referred himself to the discipline of others, though he said, and laboured very much, could not, or had not credit, to move the rest to do any thing; in so much, that even the very day the Trenches were opened, there would have been nothing done, if he himself levelling a Culverin, had not given fire luckily against the Enemy; for it shot into the very mouth of their Trench; by which example, his Gentlemen excited more than many others, shot many pieces of Cannon, and did some harm to the be∣siegers.

But the day following Monsieur de Vic came in opportunely, a man of great credit and long experience, who having happily avoided all the Ambushes laid by Landria∣no,* 1.26 got near the City, upon the second of September in the morning, with all his men on Horseback▪ and because the guards of the Infantry were but thin, and few, he passed between Fort and Fort, without receiving any harm by the Artillery that plaid on all sides, and got, without any loss, near the Walls of the City, not far distant from the edge of the Moat; but when he believed he had escaped all dangers, he saw himself unexpectedly charged in the Rere by a Body of Italian Horse, which led by Carlo Vis∣conte, was advanced full gallop towards him; so that to avoid that imminent danger, since already, all the rest of the Cavalry were at his back, he presently caused all his men to alight, and leave their Horses a prey unto the enemy, who, while they were greedily busied in catching them, afforded them so much time, that he with most part of his men got into the Moat; whither, though the Spaniards advanced couragiously, yet they could neither hurt him, nor hinder him, (after a long skirmish, and an infinite number of Cannon shot) from coming safe into the Town. His presence seemed to put heart and spirit into the Defendants; for the same night, the Soldiers stri∣ving who should work fastest, two Platforms were raised, behind the Courtine that was plaid upon by the Enemy, and a Cavalier at the Gorge of the Bastion de Robert, in which places many pieces of Artillery were planted, and they made a furious Counter-battery with so much violence, and so much harm to the besiegers, that having lamed their Artillery, and dismounted them, broken the Carriages, and beaten the Gabions all in pieces, the Spaniards were three dayes without being able to do any thing of importance against the Town: At the same time he caused two Mines to be made, which being prosperously brought under the principal Battery, blew it up

into the Air, and buried five pieces, overturning and disordering all the rest. Nor did he cease in the mean time, opportunely to make some Sallies, though the great number of places which were necessarily to be kept guarded, would not allow them to be fre∣quent or numerous.

Against so gallant a defence, Colonel la Berlotte who had the principal charge of the siege, approached more under favour of Gabions than Trenches, though with the loss of many Souldiers, till he came to pierce the Counterscarp; but it proved so high, that it was necessary to make use of Ladders to go down into the Moat, which ap∣peared wonderful dangerous, for the Flank of the Bastion de Robert, and a Casamat (made about that time in the Moat) plaid openly on both sides upon whosoever dared to come unto the Ladders, wherefore it was necessary to raise a battery of five Culve∣rins, which thundred against the Flank of the Bastion de Robert; and at the Casamat they fought desperately four days together, with an innumerable company of Fire∣works, to make themselves Masters of it. But to take the Casamat by reason of the valour of the defendents, proved exceeding difficult; and in the Flank by the Bastion, Monsieur de Vic had caused five pieces of Cannon to be planted so low, that no vio∣lence was sufficient to hinder them from doing mischief, wherefore the Commanders resolved to remove the battery to a lower place, close to the Porte des Selles, where the whole Camp working with infinite eagerness, in two days time they planted two and twenty pieces of Cannon, which plaid upon the Curtine, and upon the Flank six great Culverins, which discurtining the Flank of the Bastion de Robert made it very dange∣rous for the defendents to stay and make good that place. Almost at the same time Colonel de la Berlotte with two other Trenches, made his approaches so far, that ha∣ving under covert passed through to the Casamat, he forced the besieged to quit it; so the Moat remaining free, the Artillery began to play, and the Army to set it self in or∣der, to give the assault.

It troubled the Condé de Fuentes to hear that the Duke of Nevers staying at Peronne, had gotten together above Four thousand Foot, and between Seven and eight hundred Horse, wherewith he thought he would without all question hazard himself to relieve the City, in which he had so great a pledge as his own Son; wherefore having with marvellous diligence made all the Avenues to be cut off, and blocked up, he caused another great Fort to be raised at the mouth of the High-way, in which he put Gastone Spinola with one thousand Foot, and all the Army was with admirable order disposed in such manner, that standing all to their Arms at every little stir, the whole Plain was on all sides filled with Forts and Squadrons, each between the other, which, Flanked with the Troops of Horse, and with field pieces in their Front, made it most difficult to get through the Town, without very great danger, or without coming presently to a Battel. But want of money troubled the Count no less than this, for the neighbouring Provinces much forwarder to promise, than able to perform had been able to raise but half the money they had promised, whereof he had been fain to spend a great part in satisfying the Souldiers that had mutinied at Liramont, to the end that being quieted they might come to reinforce the Army; wherefore the provisions of Spain proceeding with the wonted delays, the Count was reduced into very great perplexity how to maintain his Army, which being all imployed either in the ap∣proaches, or guard of the Forts, could not inlarge it self to live upon the Country, though the season of the year, and the fields full of fruits, were very favourable for the sustenance both of men and horses: To these respects was added, the difficulty of the siege, which (by reason of the strength of the City, the number and valour of the defendents, and the prudence and diligence of Monsieur de Vic) proved so hard and dangerous, that many counselled to raise the Camp without losing themselves upon an impossible enterprize, and not stay for the King of France his coming, who being victorious in Bourgongne, was already known to be moving towards Picardy.

But in the midst of these difficulties there arose new unthought-of accidents: The people of Cambray accustomed to live under the pleasing Government of the Archbi∣shops, had impatiently brook'd the Rule of the Mareschal de Balagny, and their dis∣dain and heart-burning had increased so much the more after the King of France, de∣priving the Crown of the Dominion it had over it, had granted it in Fee to Balagny, whose haughty covetous mind did very much augment the discontents of the Citizens. To this evil was added the insupportable nature of Madam de Balagny the Mareschals Wife, who being partaker in the Investment, did not only turn and govern her Hus∣band

as she pleased, but with extortions, rapines, womanish taunts, and extream ill-usage had brought the City into, a general desperation: wherefore when the Spanish Camp began to hover in those quarters, the people under colour of sending to demand relief from the King, had dispatched unto him two of their most noted Citizens, who propounded, that if the King would take away the Dominion of the City from Ba∣lagny, and incorporate it into the Crown of France, they at their own charge would pay the Garison, and defend and maintain it against the siege of the Spaniards, so that the King should be put to no manner of trouble nor expence at all; which request ha∣ving been rejected by means of Madam Gabriele, infinitely beloved and favoured by the King▪ they were returned, and by putting the business in despair, had absolutely stirred up and enraged the people. When men were thus ill-affected, the necessity of the Siege came upon them,* 1.27 in which Monsieur de Balagny being utterly without mo∣ney, found a way to coin certain pieces of Copper, commanding by a publick Procla∣mation, that every one should receive them without dispute, they being afterward to be changed, when the City was freed from the present siege; but many being very backward to take that money, (as well because they knew not what the event of the siege would be, as because they trusted little to the faith of Balagny) were the cause that he and his Wife used many violent ways to make their Decree be obeyed; by which, the people exasperated, took their opportunity when (the breach being made) all the Souldiers were disposed in several places upon the wall, and rising tumultu∣ously in arms,* 1.28 made themselves Masters first of the Market-place, kept by a Main∣guard of two hundred Switzers, and then of the Porte de S. Sepulchre, which as fur∣thest from danger, was least guarded, and then dispatched two of the principal Citi∣zens to treat of surrendering upon certain Conditions: These happening into the Squa∣dron of the Prince of Avellino, were sent by him to the Condé de Fuentes, who being assured by the Prince that the Citizens had indeed made themselves Masters of the Port•• de S. Sepulchre, commanded the Battery to cease, and applied himself to treat with the Deputies.

In the mean time Monsieur de Vic having heard the noise, was come into the Market∣place, striving to appease the tumult, and quiet the Citizens with effectual perswasi∣ons, since that by force they could not be compelled, being very many in number, fierce in courage, well armed, and, which imported more, not only Masters already of all the streets, but also of a gate, whereby they might let in the Spanish Army at their pleasure: but his words did no good at all, so that accommodating himself to the necessity of time, he exhorted them to treat warily with the Spaniards, and to se∣cure their business well, lest they should run into the precipice of being sacked, as it often uses to happen to those who slacken their defence, while they treat of composi∣tion. This he said, and perswaded the people, because he desired to prolong the time, that in the interim he might withdraw his Souldiers into the Cittadel. After him came Madam de Balagny, who with a manly spirit made a long discourse unto the people: but her presence did rather stir up than appease the tumult; insomuch, that scarce were the Souldiers gotten into the Cittadel, when the people began to open the gate they had got into their power. The Deputies at the same time came in with the Ca∣pitulations subscribed by the Conde Fuentes, which in substance contained, That the City should be freed from plunder,* 1.29 and should have a general pardon for all things past; That the Citizens should enjoy their ancient Priviledges, and remain under the obedience of the Archbishop, as they were wont to be before; which Articles being ac∣cepted by the people, Gastone Spinola and Count Giovan Giacopo Belgiojoso entered with∣out delay into the City with three hundred Horse, and after them Agostino Messia with the Spanish Foot, and without any tumult or loss to the Inhabitants, possessed them∣selves of the place. The same night entred the Archbishop with the Conde de Fuentes, and were received with marvellous joy by the Citizens, who were glad after the space of so many years to see themselves free from the vexation of an insolent power, and to return to their old manner of Government.

In the mean time the French were retired into the Cittadel, with a resolution to de∣fend it a long time; but they presently perceived the impossibility of their design; for having opened the Magazines of Corn, and other Victual, they scarce found where∣withal to subsist two days: This unthought-of defect proceeded from Madam de Ba∣lagny, who no less imprudent than covetous, had (unknown to her Husband) sold all that was in the publick Store; so that the Count de Fuentes having sent to summon

the Defendents to yield before the Artillery were planted, they seeing they could not sustain themselves, did to the wonder of every one that knew not the cause, and to the amazement of the Count himself, accept the proposition of surrendring upon certain Articles that were demanded by them; which the Count shewing to bear respect to the youth of the Duke of Rhetelois, and to the valour and reputation of Monsieur de Vic; but indeed, that he might not make the obtaining of the Castle more difficult to himself, did very largely grant them.

The Conditions were, That the Cittadel should be consigned into the hands of the Count de Fuentes, with all the Artillery and Ammunition of War; and that on the other side, he should be obliged to cause the Castle of Clery, taken by his men a while before, to be dismantled within six days; that the Duke of Rhetelois, the Mareschal de Balagny, Monsieur de Vic, and all the other Lords, Commanders, Gentlemen and Souldiers of what Nation soever, might march out in rank and file, their Cornets and Colours flying, Match lighted, and Bullet in mouth, and that to that end, those Co∣lours should be restored unto them, that had been left in the City, and that they might march on their way, with Trumpets sounding and Drums beating: that the Arms, Horses, and Baggage belonging to Souldiers, which had been left in the Town, should be restored; and if any thing were wanting, the value of it should be paid at that price which should be agreed upon by Monsieur du Rosne, and Colonel Messia on the one part, and the Sieurs de Vic and de Buy on the other; that likewise Madam de Balagny, with all the other women, the sick and wounded men, Courtiers, and servants of any per∣son whatsoever might go forth freely; that the prisoners should be freed without ran∣som; that Monsieur de Balagny's debts, whether about the money, or any other occa∣sion, should be remitted, neither should he be molested, or his baggage seized on for them; that all that the said Mareschal, his Wife, Sons, Captains, Officers and Ser∣vants had done in times past, should be forgiven and forgotten, neither should any of them be therefore questioned, either by the Catholick King, or the Citizens of Cam∣bray.

These Conditions were concluded upon the seventh of October, and were executed the ninth, which day all went forth in the manner determined, marching towards Pe∣ronne; only Madam de Balagny, (being desperate no less because she was to leave the Principality, than because of her own improvidence, by reason whereof they were ne∣cessitated to yield the Cittadel) out of anguish and affliction of mind, fell grievously sick, and not only refusing to take medicines, but also even all kinds of nourishment, died miserably before the time of their marching out was come.

The Count de Fuentes having so fortunately obtained so many and so signal Victo∣ries, whereby his Name resounded with infinite fame, seeing his men were tired,* 1.30 and out of order, by their past toils and sufferings, and finding himself in exceeding great straits for money to satisfie the arrears of their pay, resolved to dissolve his Army, and draw it into several quarters; so much the rather, because the season was near to the usual rains of Autumn, and because the King of France was expected in Picardy with a victorious Army; wherefore having put five hundred Spanish Foot into the Cittadel of Cambray, under the command of Agostino Messia, and having left two thousand Ger∣man Foot to defend the Town, he gave the Archbishop liberty to govern the City, in the same manner he was wont to do, before it came into the power of the Duke of Alancon; and having divided his Foot into the Towns of Artois, Heynault, and Flan∣ders, he went to the City of Bruxels, at such time when the King of France was come with the greatest speed he could possibly to Compeign, being exceedingly afflicted at the sufferings of his party, for which not only that whole Province was sad and grieved, but even the very City of Paris was full of fear and terrour, seeing the Spaniards run on victorious in a Country so near it.

These were the Progresses of War between the French and the Spaniards upon the confines of Flanders; but they were no less prosperous this year; for the same party in the Province of Bretaign, though they were still managed under the name of the League; for the Duke de Mercoeur (though there was no very good correspondence be∣tween him and the Spaniards; yet making use of their shelter, in things which were of common interest, and holding the principal places of the Province, and the major part of the Nobility of the Country at his devotion) hindred all the proceedings of the Mareschal d' Aumont, and Monsieur de St. Luc, who commanded on the Kings side; and though for the most part, they spent their time in incursions, and actions

of small moment, wherein fortune often varied, yet the sum of affairs inclined still in favour of the Duke, insomuch that he had in a manner reduced all the Province into his power;* 1.31 which was the more easily effected by him, because the Mareschal d' Au∣mont, while he fruitlesly busied himself about the siege of the Castle of Comper, a wonderous strong place, was wounded under the left Elbow with a Musket shot, which broke both the Bones, whereof he died within a while after. Wherefore Mon∣sieur de St. Luc, who succeeded him in that command, though a Cavalier of exceeding great valour, yet neither by the authority of his person, nor by the dignity of his charge, could he equal the reputation wherewith the Mareschal upheld the precipitate declining of affairs; to which was added, that the King having conferred the dignity of Mares∣chal upon Monsieur de Lavardin, which St. Luc expected should have been conferred upon him, he was afterward by discontent of mind, much cooled, and taken off from action; so that it was necessary for the King to call him to him, and give him hopes of rising to those honours which seemed due unto his merit, by which changes, the affairs of War, on that side, went on but with small success.

But if the affairs of the League seemed something prosperous in Bretagne, the adverse∣ness of them in Dauphine, reduced the state of it to utter ruine. The Duke of Ne∣mours held in that Province, the City of Vienne, whither he had retired after the loss of Lyons, and having well fortified the Town with the Castle of Pipet, near unto it, and furnished them with French Horse, and Italian Foot, he did continually infest the Country about Lyons, obstructing the ways, and interrupting the commerce, which that Merchant-City hath with the Neighbouring Provinces; so that by his fierceness and diligence, he put all the Country of Lyons into such fear, that from the beginning of the year, they had begged of the King to send them such relief as might be suffici∣ent to free them from those streights to which they were reduced. But the King bu∣sied in the affairs of Bourgongne,* 1.32 gave order to the Duke of Montmorancy, (whom he had already declared Constable) that he should go down from Languedoc, and assist the City of Lyons against the Duke of Nemours, which he preparing to do, Nemours knowing he was unable to resist, and hold out of himself, resolved to make his ad∣dresses to the Duke of Savoy, and to the Constable of Castille for supplies, for the faci∣litating whereof, he determined to go personally to Turin and Milan, leaving the Sieur de Disemieux, a Colonel of Foot, and a near Confident of his, to govern his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and the Town of Vienne: But the High Constable Montmorancy, coming much sooner than the Duke believed, united his Forces, with those of Alfonso Corso, and fiercely made War against his party. Whereupon Disemieux, either following the inclination of Fortune, (as most men are wont to do) or not thinking his strength sufficient to make resistance, agreed underhand to deliver up Vienne unto the Constable; provided, the Duke of Nemours his Forces might be suffered to march away without molestation, and retire into Savoy; and to the end the design might be the more easily effected, and not be opposed by the Captains of the Garison, or Officers of the Town, he secretly gave the Castle of Pipet into the hands of Alfonso Corso; and then having unexpectedly sent for the Constable to one of the Town-gates, which was guarded by those he trusted, he at the same time let the Captains of the Garison know, that the Enemy was at the Gates, that he had delivered up the Castle, and had made an agreement to admit him into the Town, upon condition that they might march safe away: Wherefore they be∣ing confounded and affrighted at a thing never thought on before, but much more at the urgency of the business, since the Constable was already received in at the Gate, accepted of the safe conduct, without contradiction, and retired unmolested to the confines of the Duke of Savoy. All the other Towns followed the example of Vienne; insomuch, that the Duke of Nemours returning out of Italy, found not any place where he could stay; wherefore going to Anicy, a Town of his own Patrimony, he was so oppressed with despair, that he fell into a grievous sickness, which brought him to his end in the Autumn of this year.

Thus the whole Province of Dauphiné being reduced unto the Kings obedience, there remained only the War which Monsieur Les Diguieres (passing the Alps) had carried into Piedmont, which though it varied with diversity of effects, and with fre∣quent valiant encounters, which by the difficulty of places where they happened, were rendred more sharp and bloody; yet in the main it proved of very great damage to the Duke of Savoy, whose Country was the seat of the War.

Nor were the affairs of the League more prosperous in Gas••ogne and Languedoc; for though the Duke of Joyeuse (who after his Brothers death had left the Cloister of Capuchins,* 1.33 and put on arms to sustain the weight of that Government) laboured to keep the Nobility united, under pretence of expecting what would be determined at Rome; yet many of them weary of the War, and dejected by so many adversities of their party, came in daily to acknowledge the King; and the Parliament of Tholouse was so divided, that part of the Counsellors declaring for the King, went forth of the City, and retired to Chasteau Sarrazin, where being succoured by the Duke of Va••ta∣dour, the Constable's Lieutenant in the Government of Languedoc, and by the Mares∣chal de Matignon Governour of Guienne, the War was fiercely kindled: but fortune and the will of men inclining already to favour the King's affairs, first the Town of Rho∣dez came in, with many Castles and Towns depending upon it; and then Narbonne and Carcassonne, principal places for the League, making a tumult, yielded themselves; so that the Duke of Joyeuse was as it were shut within the walls of Tholouse, and kept himself up with nothing else but the meer hope of the Accommodation which was closely treated by President Jeannin for the whole League; for the Duke of Mayenne who for that purpose was come to Chalon, after the King's Absolution was published, (which to the exceeding great prejudice of his own affairs, he had resolved by all means to stay for) that he might shew the end of his designs had been barely respect of Religion; and that therefore he had never been withdrawn from the Pope's obedi∣ence by any adversity whatsoever; being now freed from that impediment, closed up the Treaty of Agreement, in which, as Head of the Par••y, he reserved an entrance for all those that would follow him.

In the Treaty of this Accommodation there arose two wondrous great difficulties,* 1.34 which were very hard to be overcome; one, the great sum of the debts contracted by the Duke of Mayenne, not only in many places, and with many Merchants of the King∣dom of France, but also with the Switzers, Germans, and Lorainers, for the raising of Souldiers; for the Duke of Mayenne standing upon it to have them paid by the King, and he at that present not having money to satisfie them, it was very difficult to find a mean in that business: the Duke being resolved that his estate should not be ly∣able to the payment; and on the other side, the Creditors neither consenting to trans∣fer nor defer what they had trusted, but would have satisfaction in ready money; The other difficulty was the commemoration of the late King's death; for all the Decrees and Agreements made in favour of those of the League, who were returned unto the Kings obedience, having still contained pardon and forgiveness of all past offences, except the death of Henry the Third, (which had always with express words been distinguished and excepted:) The Duke of Mayenne would have such a kind of mean found out, whereby on the one side he might not appear to have been the Au∣thor of it; and on the other, he might not be subject to the Inquisition which might be made concerning that business for the future, lest under that pretence occasion might be taken some time or other to revenge past injuries. It was extreamly dif∣ficult to untie this knot; for not only the King thought it very hard to let pass into oblivion so hainous a fact, and pernicious an example of attempting against the per∣sons of Kings, but also the Parliament would not suffer it, and, it was most certain, the Queen Dowager, who often had demanded justice, would oppose it.

These two difficulties hindered the concluding of the Accommodation in Bourgongne; and the King being necessitated to go speedily into Picardy, had taken President Je∣annin with him to continue the Treaty; but nothing at all having been concluded in the journey, much less could it be done when they were come to Paris; for the affairs of the War with the Spaniards were brought into so great danger, that the King and all his Ministers were taken up and afflicted both in mind and body: wherefore the President was fain to follow the Army into Picardy, whither the King marched with an intent to relieve the City of Cambray; but the speedy victory of the Spaniards ha∣ving taken away the necessity of relief, the King being come to Fol-ambray, (a house of pleasure built by King Francis the First for a hunting-seat) called all his Council to him,* 1.35 that the things appertaining to the peace with the Duke of Mayenne might with maturity be discussed and determined. After much treating and much debating, ob∣stacles and oppositions arising in all things, it seemed most expedient to send for the proofs and inquisitions that had been made by the Parliament touching the Kings death, and also for some of the Presidents and Councellors of that Court, to see what clear∣ness

there was in them, and that they might determine which way was the best to manage the expedition of that business. The Writings being seen, and the matter put into consultation, though some signs appeared diversly against divers persons, yet did there not appear any such thing as was sufficient to determine the proceeding against any body; and though neither the Queen Dowager as Plaintiff had yet brought in the particulars of her accusation, nor the Parliament had dived very far into the discussion and inquiry into that business; yet it was thought, the not appearing, at that present, that the Duke of Mayenne or any of his were guilty of that fact, might serve for a pretence of finding out a mean to satisfie his honour, and likewise free him from the danger of future inquisition. Wherefore it having been many days consulted of between the High Chancellour, the first President Harlay, the Sieur de Villeroy, the Count de Schombergh, and President Jeannin, they at last determined, That in the De∣cree which the King was to cause to be published, and registred in the Parliament, there should be a clause inserted, which in substance should contain, That the King having caused the Process made upon the death of the late King to be viewed in the presence of himself, the Princes of the Blood, and the Officers of the Crown in Coun∣cil, there had not been any token found against the Duke of Mayenne, nor against any other Prince or Princess of his Blood; and that having been desirous for the greater certainty, to hear what they alledged about it, they had sworn that they had not any any knowledge of,* 1.36 nor participation in that crime; and that if they had known it, they would have opposed the execution of it: Wherefore he did declare, that the Duke of Mayenne, and all the other Princes and Princesses his Adherents were inno∣cent of that fact; and therefore he prohibited his Atturney-General to urge at any time that they should be proceeded against, and likewise forbad the Court of Parliament, and all other Officers and Lawyers, to make any inquisition about it.

The difficulty concerning the payment of debts was also taken away: for the King promised secretly to disburse unto the Duke of Mayenne Four hundred and twenty thou∣sand Crowns for the payment of his debts contracted to particular persons; and as for the debt of the Leavies, the King freed the Duke of Mayenne from it, constituting himself Pay-master for him, and transferring the debt upon the Crown, forbidding the Duke or his estate to be molested for that occasion. It was likewise established, though not without dispute, that peace should be made with the Duke of Mayenne, as Head of his Party; which the King had refused, by reason of the multitude of those that were severally come in to his obedience; and chiefly in respect of Paris, and the other principal Cities: And the Duke of Mayenne for his own honour, and the repu∣tation of his agreement, stood obstinately for it.

* 1.37The King granted three places to the Duke of Mayenne for his security, which were Soissons, Chalon, and Seure, the Dominion of which he was to hold for the space of six years, and after the said term to restor•• them. He confirmed all the Collations of Offices and Benefices that had been vacant by death during his Government, pro∣vided the Possessors should take new Patents for them under the Kings Broad-Seal. He made a Decree of oblivion and silence of all things past, intelligences with Foreign Princes, raising of Moneys, exactions of Taxes, impositions of Payments, gathering of Armies, demolishings or buildings of Cities and Fortresses, acts of Hostility, kil∣lings of Men, and particularly of the Marquiss de Menelay, killed by Lieutenrnt Magny at la Fere; and finally, all things done till the end of the War, which he with honou∣rable expressions declared and certified to have been undertaken and continued for the sole respect and defence of Religion. He granted him the Government of the Isle of France, and the Superintendence of the Finances; and to his Son the Government of Chalon, separated and divided from the superiority of the Governour of Bourgongne. He comprehended in the Capitulation all those that together with him should re∣unite themselves under his obedience, and particularly the Duke of Joyeuse, the Mar∣quiss of Villars and the Sieur de Montpezat, the Duke of Mayenne's Sons-in-law; Monsieur de l' Estrange Governour of Puyts, Monsieur de S. Offange Governour of Rocheforte, the Sieur du Plessis Governour of Craon, and the Sieur de la Severie Go∣vernour of Ganache. He suspended the Sentences and Judgments past against the Duke of Mercoeur and against the Duke of Aumale, till it were known whether they would be comprehended in the Accommodation; granting to every one (besides the oblivion of what was past, and the full enjoying of their Estates, Offices, and Dig∣nities)

leave within six weeks time to come into the Capitulation, and adhere unto the peace.

Within these principal Conditions, and many other lesser ones,* 1.38 the Duke of May∣enne concluded the Agreement; but there was enough to do to get this Decree accept∣ed in the Parliament of Paris; for though the King with his own mouth forbad the Queen-Dowagers Ministers to oppose the publication of it, yet was there notwith∣standing as great an obstacle and opposition: for Diana de Valois Dutchess of Angou∣lesme, and Bastard-Sister to the late King, appearing personally in the Parliament, pre∣sented a Petition written and subscribed with her own hand, whereby contradicting the confirmation of the Decree, she urged to have them proceed in the Inquest about the Kings death: whereupon most of the Counsellors being stirred up, because the major part of their Fathers had either been created by that King, or highly offended by the League, the acceptation of the Decree could not be obtained; and yet the King with very vehement Letters reprehended the Parliament, and declared that the publick peace and safety requiring that the Decree should be registred, his will and command was that it should be accepted. Yet neither by this were the Counsellors of the Parlia∣ment quieted; but they came to this resolution, That the Decree should be published, but with two conditions; one, That it should be no prejudice to the right of the Duke of Mayenne's Creditors; the other, That he should be obliged to come into the Par∣liament, and with his own mouth swear that he had not been any way accessary to the fact; that he detested the murther committed upon the Kings person, and pro∣mised not to save, protect, or favour any one that in time to come should be questi∣oned for it. At which stubbornness the King more than moderately incensed, with grave resenting words replied, That they should take heed how they put him to the trouble of leaving the War, to come personally into the Parliament; That he was their King, and that he would be obeyed by them. But neither did this protestation suffice; for they deter∣mined to accept the Decree, but with such words as should shew that it was done by force of the Kings express command; which neither pleasing him nor the Duke of Mayenne, it was necessary for the High Chancellour to go to Paris, and after a long effectual demonstration of the interests of the general quiet, cause the Decree at last to be approved, without clauses or conditions.

The Duke of Meyenne's example was followed,* 1.39 not only by those that were named in the Capitulation, but also by the Marquiss of St. So••••••n, the City and Parliament of Tholouse, and all the rest which formerly held the party of the League, except the Duke of Aumale, who having accorded with the Spaniards, and being exasperated by the Sentence published this year by the Parliament, (wherein he had been declared Rebel) would not consent to submit himself unto the Kings obedience. The Duke of Mercoeur, though by means of his Sister the Queen-Dowager,* 1.40 he kept the Treaty of Agreement alive; yet being still full of hopes, by the help of the Spaniards, to re∣tain the Dutchy of Bretagne, he deferred it, and put off his determination till another time.

But in the interim, while the conditions of these Accommodations were treated of, and discussed in the Council, the King exceedingly afflicted for his late misfortune, and sollicitous by some means to repair the losse•• he had received, wherein he seemed to bear a great part of the blame, as well by reason of his too long stay at Lyons, as of the ill-satisfaction he had given the Citizens of Cambray in their requests, was still contriving in himself, and continually consulting with his Commanders, to what en∣terprise he should apply himself. The Duke of Nevers had formerly an intention to assault one of the places of the County of Artois, belonging to the King of Spain, not only to do the same mischief unto his Country, which he had done to the Jurisdiction of the King of France; but also because he believed that long peace had abased the courage of that people▪ and made many of their provisions for defence useless: Where∣upon he had exhorted the King, that increasing his Army to the greatest number he could, he should unexpectedly fall upon Arras, or some other great City in those quar∣ters; judging that the Condé de Fuentes, troubled with the many mutinies of several Nations, and reduced to extream want of money, would very hardly be able to re∣unite his Army time enough to relieve the place that should be assaulted: But after that he being spent with a tedious indisposition, departed this life at Nesle,* 1.41 this intention (which was set on foot by the reputation of the Author) came to nothing; for the other Commanders thought it too dangerous an attempt to invade the Bowels of an

Enemies Country, where all the Towns are populous and powerful, while by the loss of so many places, they were so much troubled at home, and while the Spanish Ga∣risons over-running all parts, kept the whole Country in fear and terrour.

True it is, that of all the places that were lost, their opinions concurred not so well in the choice of that which they should assault, as they did in refusing to invade the Enemies Country; for some held it best in the same heat of affairs to besiege Cam∣bray, to try to recover it before the Spaniards had setled themselves, by mending the breaches that were lately made; but the smallness of the Kings Army excluded this opinion, it not being sufficient to begird a City of so great circuit, exceedingly well fortified with a very strong Garison. Many others counselled to fall upon Dourlans, to take the same way to streighten Cambray which the Spaniards had done; but the oppositions against this advice were, the strength of the place, and the diligence where∣with it was guarded by Hernando Telles Portocarero, who was the Governour of it: So that at last the opinion that prevailed was that of the Mareschal de Byron, and of Mon∣sieur de St. Luc, (who was come to the Camp to execute the Office of General of the Artiller••, which was left by Monsieur de la Guiche, to whom the King had given the Government of Lyons) they counselled to besiege la Fere, a place of chief importance, but shut up in such manner by a Fen that invirons it, that there are but only two ways to come from the field unto the Town: wherefore th••y demonstrated that by block∣ing up those two Avenues with a Fort upon each of them, the place might with a small number of men be so besieged and streightned, that there being no means to re∣lieve it with Victual, it might without much difficulty be taken, not by force, but famine.

* 1.42The King resolved to follow this advice; and having drawn his Forces together which were scattered thorow the Province, drew near unto la Fere upon the eighth of November with Five thousand Foot, and Twelve hundred Horse, and having taken the Avenues, and caused the people of the Country round about to come in to work, he in a few days raised two Forts, each of which being able to hold One thousand Foot, and conveniently furnished with Artillery, did totally block up the ways unto the Town; the rest of the Foot in respect of the season, lay in a great Village upon the edge of the Fen, and the Horse took up their Quarters in the Villages on the North-side towards Flanders to hinder relief. Don Alvaro Osorio, an old experienced Souldier, was in la Fere; For the Vice-Seneschal de Montelimar, to whom the Duke of Mayenne had intrusted that place, had by little and little given it up unto the Spa∣niards, reserving only the title of Count de la Fere, and the revenue of the place, with other recompences, which had been liberally given him, first by the Archduke Ernest, and then by the Condé de Fuentes. The place abounded in Ammunition of War▪ for the reliques of all the Catholick Kings Armies which of late years had march∣ed into France, had been left there, and the Garison of Spaniards, Italians and Ger∣mans, was not only sufficient, but more than need required for the defence of it, which increased the want of Victual, whereof (there being but small provision in the Town) the Kings sudden approach had not given them time to get in any; wherefore the Forts being raised, and the passages of both ways shut up on all sides, the Defendents began from the first days of the siege to feel great scarcity of Victual.

* 1.43About this time Albert Cardinal of Austria destined by the Catholick King to the Government of the Provinces of Flanders, was come to Bruxelles, and having received the Administration, and the Army from the Condé de Fuentes, he began to think how he might uphold that degree of prosperity and glory, in which his Predecessors in a few months had setled himself with victorious actions; and because the redoubled let∣ters of Don Alvaro from the very beginning of the siege gave notice of the want of Victual in la Fere, he determined before all things else, to apply himself to the relief of that place; but it was difficult to resolve upon, for the Army out of order by the toils and sufferings of the late Summer, was divided into many several places, to their Winter Quarters, and there for want of pay had made many insurrections, so that the Italian Cavalry had mutinied afresh, and turned to seize upon Liramont; in another place Gastone Spinola's Tertia of Sicilians had done the like, two Tertia's of Spaniards having cast off their obedience, did likewise quarter themselves at discretion in advan∣tageous places; and the Walloons not openly in Rebellion, did yet deny to stir out of their Quarters, unless they were fully paid; insomuch that before the Merchants

could satisfie the Bills of exchange brought by the Cardinal,* 1.44 and that the Soldiers could be paid and regulated with that mony, much time of necessity must be spent; and therefore there could not be a body of an Army drawn together sufficient for that or any other enterprise. To this was added the crossness of the season, by reason of raines and other incommodities so contrary, that before better weather it was impos∣sible to think of stirring with men, Artillery, and other provisions which War requires; besides, to enter into an Enemies Country, nay, and to the very center of one of their Provinces, in a time, when not only the fields neither afforded sustenance for men, or horses, but even the crop of the late harvest was consumed by the ruinous War that had been there already, was not a thing to be thought on, by reason of the difficulty of feeding the Army, and for fear of being reduced to some sinister accident, by the diligence of the King of France; which considerations seemed greater to the Cardi∣nal, not accustomed to the dangerous experiments of War; wherefore, after long con∣sultation, it was determined in the Councel, that Nicolo Basti, marching with part of the light-horse into Picardy, should attempt to put some quantity of victuals into la Fere, wherewith the besieged might subsist till the favourableness of the season, and the course of affairs in Flanders would afford means to give them full re∣lief.

With these Counsels ended the year Fifteen hundred ninety five, leaving many oc∣casions of War and bloody encounters kindled for the revolution of the year follow∣ing; in the beginning whereof, the first event was the recovery of Marseilles,* 1.45 a City and Haven of high consequence, standing in the County of Provence, upon the sho••r of the Mediterranean Sea. The people of this City rich by Trafique of Merchandize, and numerous in inhabitants, hold many priviledges, and injoy many important immuni∣ties, obtained from the time that they were subject to the Counts of Provence; and am∣ply confirm'd afterward,* 1.46 when they came under the Dominion of the Kingdom of France, among which the most principal is this, that the Citizens chuse a Consul of themselves, who, together with a Lieutenant named by him without other suffrage, governs the affairs of the Town, keeps the Keys of the Gates, and hath the care of the defence as well of the City as of the Haven; and this Prerogative, which looks rather like a kind of liberty, than an intire subjection, the Marsilians have alwayes conserv'd with that vivacity, that is proper to their nature and disposition, not admitting any kind of Garrison, and governing themselves with customs, fit for a Merchant and Sea-faring life, of which two sorts of persons the inhabitants for the most part con∣sist.

In the beginning, when the first originals of the League began to spring up, this City, by the authority of Monsieur de Vins, and by reason the Consul and Lieutenant had been gained, took part with that side; and though by perswasion of the Countess de Saux, it first received the Duke of Savoy, and then out of jealousie of their own li∣berty excluded him again, within a little while, and though the Count de C••rsy and the Marquiss de Villars, were often call'd for thither, for more security, yet it had ever pre∣served its own being, and kept free from all forraign subjection. True it is, that ha∣ving from the beginning of the War elected Charles Cas••nt their Consul,* 1.47 and he ha∣ving nominated Louis de Aix, his Lieutenant, men of subtil natures, and of bold fierce dispositions, they agreed so well among themselves, and had so great authority with the people, that continuing in their Magistracy for many years, without permitting any successors to be chosen in their places, they had made themselves as it were Lords of the City, and rul'd it their own way; But after the declining of the affairs of the League put every one upon a necessity of thinking of himself, these men knowing them∣selves envied and ill-willed by the major part of the principal Citizens, and being in fear, by reason of their consciousness of many misdeeds, which they had committed, to keep themselves in their Government, thought of applying themselves to the Spanish party, and held Treaties in that Court, about putting that City into the hands of the Catholick King, which being of so high importance and conveniency to his Kingdoms, as its greatness, strength, richness, and situation shewed it to be, orders were given to Carlo Doria, that going from Genoua, into that Port, with ten Gallies well arm'd, and mann'd, under pretence of sayling towards Spain, he should favour their power, and attempts, to the end that being back'd with his Forces, they might have the better means dexterously to draw the people to put themselves under the Spanish Signory, which Doria performing with infinite diligence, things went on in such a ••anner, that

the Catholick King was not far from obtaining his intent; and so much the rather, be∣cause this attempt was coloured over with many reasons, for which they pretended the Dominion of the County of Provence belonged to the Infanta Isabella, besides those other rights she had to the Crown of France.

* 1.48The King of France being jealous, that the leavies of Spain and Italy, and the great preparation of a Fleet which the Catholick King made, tended to this end, and that the stay which the Conde de Fuentes and the Duke of Pastrana (who were gone from Flanders) made at Geneva, was to oversee that business, was exceeding much trou∣bled in minde, because he could not turn that way, and gave Commission to Monsieur d' Ossat to make complaint about it to the Pope, letting him know, that if he with∣stood not that design, he should be constrained by necessity to call the Turkish Fleet into the Mediterranean Sea for his relief; which being effectually performed by d' Ossat, the Pope structen, and grown pale, either through fear or anger, made a grave discourse against it: and yet, the Kings Agent shewing, that if Marseilles, and the other Towns of Provence, should fall into the hands of the Spaniards, Avignon also, and other Towns of the Pope's would not be without danger; he promised to use his indea∣vours to make that attempt be laid aside. But there being added to the Kings com∣plaints, the interposition of the Venetian and Florentine Ambassadors, jealous, that a City and Haven of so great consequence, and that overlooks Italy so neerly, should fall to the augmentation of the Spanish Monarchy; the Pope having often consulted about this business, and not finding any provision against it, which he thought fit, took it to be expedient, that the Cardinal of Joyeuse, who was returning into France, should pass by Marseilles, and in his name use convenient mediation to Casaut, and remove him from his design; which, though it was diligently executed, produced but small effect; for Casaut, a fierce man, and one more stout than prudent, did not with∣draw himself for that, from his already established appointment; so that the Veneti∣an Senate, and the Grand Duke began to think of some more potent remedies to op∣pose that indeavour; nor was the Pope altogether averse from their intention. But this stone of scandal was removed, either by the King's wonted fortune, or by the courage and diligence of his Ministers.

He had newly conferred the Government of that Province upon the Duke of Guise, and to advance matters towards their proper end, had also chosen Monsieur de les Di∣guieres his Lieutenant, who, though they agreed not very well together, by reason of the difference of their Religion, and of the antient diversity of their factions, were yet both ill-affected to the Duke of Espernon, who, contending that that Government was lawfully his, used all his indeavours and utmost industry, to put himself in the pos∣session of it, and to drive out, no less those of the King's party, than those that yet held for the League; wherefore the King, desirous that he should, by some means, be constrained to quit what he already possessed there, receiving other Governments in other parts of the Kingdom, had appointed the Duke of Guise as his old Emulator, and les Diguieres as an honest man, but his bitter enemy, to secure the affairs of Pro∣vence. This determination had also other ends, and more remote considerations; for the Duke being newly come into the friendship and obedience of the King, with con∣dition, to have that Government, to which the House of Loraine had some pretensi∣ons, by the antient hereditary rights of Anjou; the King thought it convenient to assure himself of him, by giving him a Lieutenant of such a condition, as not onely was faithful by antient experience, but also wary, and resolute to oppose whatsoever at∣tempt the Duke (in so great a discord of mens minds, their old enmities not fully laid aside) might perchance contrive. To these, another important respect was added, that les Diguieres, and Colonel Alfonso Corso, residing both in Dauphine, disagreed, and thwarted one another in the service, to the prejudice of common affairs; wherefore the King thought to remove the occasion of that discord, by sending les Diguieres into Provence, and by electing Colonel Alfonso Lieutenant to the Prince of Conty, who was newly declared Governor of Dauphine.

But though the Duke of Guise nourished sincere thoughts, and no indirect ends, yet being come into the Province, either not being well satisfied to have a Lieutenant of so great credit, and of another Religion; or desiring that the businesses with the Duke of Espernon should pass under the name, and by the means of les Diguieres, not to put his own authority and name of Governor in doubt, he had given charge to his Lieutenant to put the Garrisons out of many Towns, which the Duke of Espernon

held in them; and he himself going to Aix, applyed his mind whol∣ly to the recovery of Marseilles, as a thing of greater glory and importance, without al∣lowing part in that to any body; and though many treaties, held by the means of men banished out of that City, proved vain and fruitless, yet at last he gained one Captain Pietro Liberta, of Corsica by extraction▪ but born and bred in Marseilles, who,* 1.49 with some certain Foot, guarded one of the Town-gates; wherefore, some of the Exiles being got unknown into the City, and having secretly stirred up the minds of many, who hated the tyranny of Casaut, and who feared the Dominion of the Spaniard, they re∣solved, that upon the eighteenth day of February, the Duke of Guise should, with a good number of Horse and Foot, be, about break of day, at a neighbouring Village, where, if certain signes were given him by them of the plot, he should draw near to the Porte Royale, (a Gate so called) to be received in with all his Forces; where∣upon, having drawn the men together, which he had in that Province, except those of les Diguieres, (to whom he would not impart any thing of his design, that he might not share in the honor of it,) he made shew that he would go and besiege a Town within five Leagues of Marseilles; and whilst mens minds were amused on that side, he turning his Forces another way, the evening before the day appointed, advanced, with very great silence, toward the City; in which march, though in a very dark, and ex∣tream rainy night▪ and through dirty uneven wayes, he made so much haste, that he came in the morning, according to appointment, to certain houses near unto the Church of St. Julian▪ to expect there till the countersigns were given him.

They that were o•• the plot, doubting that the strange ill weather might have stayed the Dukes journey, sent some of their soldiers forth of the gates, to the end, that disco∣vering (according to the custom) if the coast were clear round about, they might come to know whether he were arrived or no; These returning back with exceeding great haste, and saying, they had discovered armed men, under St. Julian's, were the cause that Louis d' Aix (who was come to the gate a while before) after he had given the Consul notice of the discovery, went out himself, with twenty of his most trusty men, to see whether that were true which the Soldiers related. As soon as he was out of the gate, they of the design shut down all the Portcullices; nor was it long before the Consul came, who, while he was questioning his Soldiers, of what they had reported, was suddenly set upon by Pietro Liberta, and four of his companions, and being at first knock'd down with a great blow of a Partesan, was presently killed by them with their daggers; which being luckily effected, and the whole guard willingly following the will of their Captain, the Countersignes were given by fire to the Duke of Guise, who being advanced to draw near unto the Gate, met with Aix the Lieutenant-Governor, and without much dispute routed him so, that, being wounded, and in a very ill ta∣king▪ he ran back; where, having found the gate shut, and possessed, he was constrain∣ed to save himself in the moat, and from thence scaling the Wall near unto the Ha∣ven, got into the utmost parts of the City▪ where, calling all his adherents into Arms, together with Fabian Casaut Son to the Consul, who was already slain, he march∣ed up tumultuously with above Five hundred armed men, to recover the Gate; but in the mean time, it had been opened, and the Duke of Guise was entered with his Forces, and on the other side, the exiles calling the Citizens and common people to liberty, had rais'd the whole Town; wherefo••e, after that Aix and Casaut had fought for the space of half an hour at the entry of the street that led to the Port-Royal, the tumult still increasing every where of those that being in Arms cried out Vive le Roy, et Les Fleurs-delis, they fearing to be catch'd in the midst, retired into the Town∣house, where, being fiercely press'd by the Duke of Guise, who, among the bullets, stones, pieces of wood, fire-works, which flew on every side, fought undauntedly at the head of his men, they being unable to resist, fled secretly from thence, and crossing the Haven in a Boat, got one of them into St. Maries-Church, and the other into the Convent of St. Victoir, and their men being left without help, were, in a very little time all cut in pieces.

The whole City was already run to the Duke of Guise, with white Scarfs; where∣upon he not losing a minutes time, at the same instant assaulted, and with small resist∣ance possessed himself of the Forts of S. Jehan, and of Cape de More, which are upon the Sea, and from thence began without delay to play his Artillery upon Doria's Gal∣lies, which were gotten near the mouth of the Haven: great was the fright and tu∣mult

in the Gallies; but Doria, who had wisely kept himself far from the Forts, and in the beginning of the uproar had made all his Soldiers imbark, got out happily with∣out receiving any harm,* 1.50 and putting out to Sea made away from the City. The Duke of Guise, victorious every where, was busied all that day in taking care, that the Town might not be indammaged in the tumult, and having lodg'd his men in the most principal posts, made himself absolute Master of the City, with so much the greater facility, because with his courage in fighting, and prudence in appeasing the uproar, he had exceedingly won the affections of the Marsilians. Louis d' Aix, and Fabian Ca∣saut yielded the next after, having articled, that they might go freely to Genona with their Goods, and that none of their adherents should be proceeded against with more than banishment; the City, in this manner, remaining free from their usurped Dominion, and utterly reduced unto the Kings obedience. The gaining of this place was very seasonable, and of great consequence, being a principal Port of the Mediterranean Sea, and a proper landing place for the commerce of many Nations; and so much the more seasonable was it at that time, when the Spanish power had al∣ready got footing in it; for, if with the benefit of time, they had setled themselves there, it would have been wondrous difficult, by reason of the neerness of the Catho∣lick Kings other States, to drive them out again.

In the mean time, while the re-union of the County of Provence is thus prosecuted, the besieged in la Fere were reduced to exceeding great want of victual; wherefore Nicolo Basti, who was destined to carry them relief, being come to Doway, was consi∣dering with himself, which way he should manage the business, to get some quantity of provisions into the Town; and every resolution seeming difficult, not only because the King's Cavalry, did with very great diligence obstruct all the wayes, but because the narrow passages that led to the Town were so much incumbred by the largeness of the Forts, that there was no hope of getting past them; and yet necessity urging, he gave Alvaro Osorio notice, that he should keep some little Boats ready to come forth of the Town, as soon as the sign was given him, and to draw near the Banks of the Fen, to receive the relief which he would attempt to bring unto that place; which intelligence being happily got into the Town, and the appointment made, he marched from Doway with Six hundred horse, and came by night to Chasteler, where he caused the Gates to be kept lock'd, to the end, that the French might not know any thing of his design: And having that day provided, that every one of his men should carry a Bag of Meal be∣hind him, and a bundle of Match about his neck, (for they had also great want of that in la Fere) he set forth when it began to grow dark, and having past the River Somme, went upon the way of St. Quentin, and leaving that Town upon the right hand, march∣ed with so much diligence, that upon the sixteenth day of March in the morning, he came ne••r the quarters of the Kings Cavalry, who being advertised by the Sentinels shoot∣ings, took the Alarm, and got speedily to horse, believing that some relief of the enemy was near; but, a thick mist, which, by chance, rose by break of day, was so favourable to Basti's designs,* 1.51 that the Kings Corpes de Gardes, betaking themselves to their arms on all sides, could not discover which way the Enemy came; and while they warily endeavoured to know and make discovery, Basti, without meeting any body, passing be∣tween the quarter of the Reiters, and that of the Duke of Bouillon, came to the bank of the Fen near the current of the River, a••d having found Osorio ready with his Boats to receive the relief, he made the Meal and Match be unladed with great celerity, faced about, and with the same speed, seeing the French and German Cavalry, who at last having notice of his arrival, had placed themselves upon the Road of St. Quentin, to hinder his retreat, he took a contrary way, and falling into that which leads to Guise, came back fortunately to Cambray, without meeting any opposition.

This relief (in which industry and fortune were equal sharers) gained Basti a won∣derful reputation; yet gave but little help to the besieged; the Meal that was brought lasting them but a little while,* 1.52 by reason of their great number, and the King, who from day to day had new Forces came up to him, streightned the siege more closely, and stopt up all the wayes, which being cut off, and fortified with Banks and Trenches, and kept with strong guards of Horse, left no hope at all of thinking of new relief. But the siege being prolonged by the constancy of the Defendants, the King was perswaded by the reasons of some of his Engineers, to stop the course of the River which caused the Fen on the lower side, thinking to make it swell and rise in such manner, that the De∣fendants should be constrained either to yield or drown. This work was begun with

an exceeding great ••umber of Pioneers, drawn together from all the neighbouring pla∣ces, but though they wrought at it with great art, and no less assiduity, yet the rains of the season, which from time to time increased the current of the River, which ordi∣narily was quiet and gentle, hindred the progress by breaking down the Banks, often carrying away the Piles, and in one hour frustrating the labours of many dayes; and yet the King being himself present at the work, it was at last brought to perfection. But it was no sooner finished, when it appeared, how deceitful the fancies of Engineers prove oftentimes; for the Town being much higher than the Fen, (a thing foreseen from the beginning by many, and constantly oppugned by the authors of the design,) the water rose not above a foot or two in the Town, and was so long making that increase, that the inhabitants had conveniency to remove their things into higher places, without receiving any damage; though the water falling within two dayes, by having broke through the lowest part of the Fen in many places, the Town remained full of dirt and mud, by the exhalation whereof the Air being corrupted, caused dangerous diseases in the Town, so that the besieged being endamaged onely by accident, and after the space of many days; the labors and endeavors of the Kings Army proved fruitless in their principal intent.

There yet remained the wonted hope of Famine, which, after so many moneths siege encreased exceedingly, and was already become irrepairable; nor did any thing make the Defendants hold out, but hope of relief. The Cardinal was intent with his ut∣most endeavors upon giving it to them; for having in great part quieted those that had mutined, and conveniently paid his men, he had set the Army in a readiness to attempt the effecting of it, but none of his Commanders (among which, the princi∣pal were the Duke of Arescot, the Marquiss of Ran••y, and Francisco de Mendozza, the Admiral of Aragon) counselled him to adventure his Camp upon that enterprize; and the reason was in a readiness, for not onely the King in the space of many moneths, had had full conveniency to fortifie his own quarters extraordinarily, but that which im∣ported more, he had put strong Garrisons, and many Horse into S. Quentin, Monstru∣eil, Boulogne, and all the other Towns that stand round la Fere, in such manner, that if the Spanish Camp should pass beyond them to raise the siege, they remaining at their backs, would cut off the wayes, and take away the concourse of Provisions; so that if the enterprize of making the King dislodge, should require many dayes, (as it was certainly to be doubted) the Army would be put in danger of some hard en∣counter; To this was added, that the King, having after the publication of the Agree∣ment received the Duke of Mayenne with great demonstrations of honor, being come with his attendants to wait upon him in the Camp before la Fere, and the Constable Montmorancy, the Duke of Montpensier, and the greater part of the Lords of all the Kingdom being come unto the Army, he had under his Colours Eighteen thousand Foot, and little less than Five thousand Horse; an Army so potent, especially by rea∣son of the valour of the Cavalry, that it was necessary to proceed with great circum∣spection, in advancing so far into that Province, against so great Forces, and in the midst of so many of the Enemies Towns. The Cardinal likewise was not ignorant, that the States of Holland, desirous that the War should continue in Fran••e, had set forth a fleet of many Ships to land men at Boulogne, in relief of the King of France; and that the Queen of England, though the King consented not to all her demands, had yet, to uphold the common interests, sent out a Navie to his assistance, with Eight thousand Foot aboard it, which it was believed were to land in the same place; wherefore, the Commanders doubted, that these Forces uniting together, it would not onely be vain to attempt to relieve la Fere, but also very dangerous to make their re∣treat.

These causes fully debated in the Counsel, made the Cardinal take a resolution to try to do it by way of diversion: for, by encamping before some Place of importance be∣longing to the King, either he should constrain him to rise from la Fere with his whole Army, to succor the place so straightned, or if (persisting in the siege) he should not care to relieve it, he might easily get another place as good as la Fere. But there arose no less difficulties in chosing the place, that should be pitched upon; for Guise, Han, Guines, and the other such like places that were nearest to Flanders, were not to be compared unto la Fere; and S. Quentin, Monstrueil, and Boulogne were so well fortifi∣ed, and mann'd, that it was impossible to think of attaining them; so that between the ambiguity of these considerations, the Cardinal would have been long unresolved, if Mon∣sieur

du Rosne had not secretly perswaded him to a new enterprize, not foreseen by any other body.

Monsieur du Rosne was, by long experience, versed in all the King of France his Fortresses, and the example of things past made him remember how easily Calais might be taken; for by how much more the strength of it by situation, and art, made it in appearance be counted impregnable, so much less carefull were the defendants to guard it with that diligence wherewith places of such high importance ought to be kept; wherefore, while that Town was under the Dominion of the Kings of Eng∣land,* 1.53 the smallness of the Garrison they kept in it had invited Francis Duke of Guise to besiege it in the year 1557, which also had so happy an event, that, contrary to the Common expectation, he made himself Master of it only by that defect, which com∣ing often into du Rosne's mind, he, as being curious and full of industry, had got cer∣tain information, that Monsieur de Bidassan, Governor of the place at that present, had not above Six hundred Foot in it, a Garrison no way sufficient to make it good: either private interest, or the general error of men, having perswaded him to trust more to the strength of his Works, than to the number and valour of the defendants; some add, that the King of France, having sent the Sieur de la Noue, and de la Valliere, to view the condition of all the places standing upon the Frontiers of Picardy, they not making their visitation with that secrecy, which ought to go along with such businesses, had, with the same French lightness discoursed very freely of the weak estate of those Frontiers, and the strength of Calais so magnified by fame, being objected to them, they inconsiderately answered, that whosoever should assault that Fortress in the place, and manner that was fitting, the taking of it would be but twelve dayes business; which words being told du Rosne, by one that he had imployed as a Spie, excited him to search out the place and manner which these discoverers had intimated. Thus being fallen into a thought, that he might obtain the Town, famous for its fortification, by reason of its standing upon the Sea, and the quality of the Haven opportune for the affairs of Flanders, and England, he, with his reasons, made the Cardinal Arch-Duke incline unto it, and so much the rather, because all other enterprizes were thwarted with exceeding great difficulties.

But having determined between themselves to apply their mindes to this attempt, without making any outward shew of it, they made all the other Commanders be∣lieve, they would assault Montrevil, a place standing upon the straight way that leads to la Fere, and less considerable than either St. Quentin or Boulogne; and with this pretence, having caused great provision to be made of Victual and Carriages to bring them to Doway, Arras, and the other confining places, the Cardinal having appointed Valentiennes for the general Rendezvous of his Forces, went thither personally upon the thirtieth of March, where, having mustred his Army, in which were Six thousand Spanish Foot, Six thousand Walloons, Two thousand Italians, and Four thousand Ger∣mans, Twelve hundred men at Arms, and Cuirassiers, and little less than Two thou∣sand Light-horse, he divided his Forces into many parts, and made them march seve∣ral wayes, to hold the Enemies in the greater suspence. He sent Ambrogio Landriano towards Montrevil, with part of the Light-horse, and with the Marquiss of Trevico's Tertia; with the rest of the Light-horse Basti marched into the Territory of Cambray; Agostino Messia▪ with a Tertia of Spaniards, and two of Walloons went towards St Paul, and the Count de Bossa, with the Flemish Troops, took towards Arras and Bethune; which outward shews, while they held those of their own side in suspence no less than the French, Monsieur du Rosne, with the Spanish Tertia's of Ludovico Valasco, and Alon∣so Mendozza, and Four hundred Horse went out of Valentiennes, upon the fourth of A∣pril in the evening▪ and marched all the night to St. Omer, where, having joyned with Colonel la Berlotte,* 1.54 and the Count de Buquoy, who stayed there for them with two Ter∣tia's of Walloons, he took along with him three pieces of Cannon, and four of smaller Artillery, and advanced speedily towards Calais, where he arrived so much the more unexpectedly, because being a place out of the way, standing in the utmost point of a tongue of Land, which advances it self a great way into the Sea, neither the Spaniards nor the French had ever thought of defending or besieging it.

Calais stands upon the shore of the Ocean Sea, in the furthest parts of a Promonto∣ry, not above * 1.55 Thirty Leagues from England, and hath a very large Haven, which sheltred on each side with great high banks of sand (which they commonly call les Dunes)

is made secure and commodious for a very great number of Ships. The Town is in∣vironed almost quite round with low grounds where the Sea overflows, and drowns the Plain for many miles; and, being shut up within four banks by a very large moat,* 1.56 it is of a square form, having, at three of the angles (besides many great Towers, and Ravelines along the Courtine) as many Royal Bastions of modern structure, with their Cavaliers within them, and at the fourth angle which reaches from the West unto the North, stands the Castle, built likewise of a square form, but with great Towers of the old fashion, that flank it round about, The moats are very large and deep, for they receive the water on both sides, and the Town, which is little less than a League in circuit, is all fortified round with thick Ramparts, though (by reason of the care∣lessness of the Governors) in many places (by length of time) grown defective, and in some, decayed and fallen down. On the outside, along the Haven, there is a great Suburb full of Inhabitants, in regard of Traffick, and the conveniency of Marriners, and on that side a great Current of waters, which coming from the Fenny grounds, is straightned all into one Channel, and crossing through the Town, empties it self im∣petuously into the Sea. On the other side of the Haven, and in the point of the Dunes, which cover it on the North-side, there stands a great and exceeding strong Tower, called the Risbane, which shutting up the mouth of the Haven, is well sto∣red with pieces of Cannon, and with great ease hinders any kind of Ships from enter∣ing into it. But on the side of the firm land (which, in respect of the moorish grounds that largely environ it, is very narrow) about a league from the City there stands a Bridge over a Water that runs into the Sea, which being fortified with Towers, doth totally shut up the passage which leads to the Town along a very narrow bank; this is called the Fauxbourg de Nieulet.

Monsieur du Rosne knew, that all the hope of obtaining this Fortress, was placed in speedily possessing the Bridge of Nieulet and the Risbane; for if he took not Nieulet, it would be very hard to pass the water, and come under the Town; and if he posses∣sed not himself of the Risbane, so that he might be Master of the mouth of the Ha∣ven, there would come such supplies into the Town by Sea, that there would no longer be any building upon the small number of the Defendants: wherefore, marching to St. Omer with admirable celerity, in regard of the Artillery he had along with him, he came upon the ninth of April, in the morning, by break of day, within sight of Nieu∣let, and without giving the Defendants (who were not above forty) time, either to take courage, or to receive assistance, he made it be assaulted on the one side by the Spanish, and on the other by the Walloon Foot, still playing with the four small pie∣ces, not because they did any great harm, but to increase the terror of the Defendants; who being so few, ill provided, taken at unawares, and (which imported most) with∣out any Commander, who, by (his Authority, might) keep them faithful, they basely quitted the defence, and retired flying to the Town.

Nieulet being taken, du Rosne left four Companies of Walloons to guard that Post, and not losing a minutes time, advanced the same instant to assault the Risbane, and having planted his Artillery in exceeding great haste, began furiously to batter about noon; besides which, having drawn three of the smaller pieces to the brink of the Ha∣ven, with them and with the Walloon Muskettiers, he hindred more defendants from entring into it, so that they of the Suburb, that stands on the far side of the Haven, ha∣ving often attempted to get in, were alwayes constrained to retire. There were but sixty men in the Risbane, and those also without any considerable head, insomuch, that though the place was strong, and might have been defended many dayes, yet they, as soon as they saw the assault was preparing against them, utterly losing courage, quitted it, and being faln upon and routed in the flight, scarce thirty of them, with the help of some small Boats, got safe into the Suburb; du Rosne not failing to prosecute so happy a beginning, entred into the Risbane; set the Artillery again in order, and lodged ma∣ny Foot in it, to the end, that relief by Sea might more assuredly be hindred, and there was very great need of it; for the next morning, many Ships of the Holland Fleet, that was above Boulogne, appeared, and laboured with all possible industry to get into the Haven; but being driven back and bored through by the Artillery of the Risbane, they were at last made to tack about; and one Ship loaden with Wine, being sunk by many Cannon shot in the mouth of the Port, the passage was so much the more stop∣ped up, against whosoever should try to enter; and yet two little Barks of the Holland∣ers,

with two Captains and eighty men, got in fortunately, and landing in the Suburb, staid there for the defence of it.

* 1.57In the mean time the Cardinal of Austria having had notice of the prosperous pro∣gress of his Forces, turning all his Army that way, marched thither with the same ce∣lerity upon Maundy-Thursday (being the eleventh of April) in the evening, and ha∣ving designed the quarters of the Camp, between Casal de Mer, the Bridge of Nieulet, and the way that leads to Gravelin, he encamped in the Church of St. Pierre, half a League from the Walls. The Town being besieged, and their quarters, in respect of the situation (which was all Moorish grounds, and full of Ditches) easily fortified; du Rosne, well informed of the defect of the Wall on that side that stands towards the Suburb, resolved to plant a battery in the utmost part of the Haven; for, though the impediment of passing it, seemed in appearance exceeding great, yet he had observed, that at the ebbing of the Sea, the water fell in such manner, that the utmost part of the Haven remained dry,* 1.58 and the bottom was so firm and gravelly, that it afforded very convenient means of marching on to the assault; but that he might not leave the besieged without trouble on the other side, and to divide their weakness, he purposed to make another battery, over against the way to Gravelin; though the Wall on that side was extreamly well lined with Earth, and defended by the Flanks of the two Roy∣al Bastions. Both the Batteries were perfected upon the fourteenth day of the month, being Easter day, and upon Munday in the morning, as soon as it was light, they be∣gan to thunder furiously on both sides; nor did the Defendants (disheartned by the smallness of the number) make any attempt to hinder the enemy, and only the first day, while the Risbane was battered, they sallied, to bring in the Goods and Victuals; nor from that day forward, durst they attempt any other business.

In this state of Affairs, the King having had intelligence of the moving of the Spa∣nish Camp, and not being able to discern, which way it would bend at last, lest the Constable to Command the Army before la Fere, and marched with 600 Horse, and the Regiment of his Guard to Abbeville, and from thence sent forth the Sieur de Mon∣luc with 2000 Foot to Montrueil, doubting (as some reported) that the Spanish Ar∣my would fall upon that Town; but having, upon the 13th day had notice, that the Camp was suddenly gone before Calais, he sent the same Monluc, the Count de St. Paul, Governor of the Province, and the Marquiss de Belin, with great diligence, to imbark at St. Vallery, and try to get into the Town; and though they boldly executed the or∣ders they had received, yet being driven back by contrary winds, which blew impe∣tuously all those dayes, they were constrained to return to the same place without fruit; wherefore the King, become impatient at the near danger of his Subjects, would needs go personally into that Port, and the cross weather still continuing, he went to Boulogne, the next day hoping (as the Seamen said) that it would not be so diffi∣cult to relieve the besieged from thence▪ but being come to Boulogne, and the same winds holding, the difficulties were the same, or perhaps greater; nor was there any thought of giving the besieged any succor by Land, as well the Bridge of Nieulet, as Casal de Mer, being strongly guarded, and the Enemies whole Army encamped on that side; wherefore the King, for a last resolution, having put some chosen Foot aboard certain ships, sent them forth to ride thereabout, and fight with the diversity of weather, that they might be ready, upon the first gale of a favourable wind, to get, by some means or other into the Haven; but neither was this course any way beneficial; for the Ships long tossed, and driven into several places, could never get near the Ha∣ven, and if they hag, they would certainly have been beaten back by the Risbane.

At the same time the King dispatched many Shallops to the English Fleet, to hasten the coming of it, hoping, if those men could be landed time enough, to make some gal∣lant attempt, and force the Cardinal to raise his Camp from before that Town; but it was all in vain, for the English Fleet gathered together in the Haven at Dover, and rea∣dy to set sail, was yet detained by the Queens different intention. The French Am∣bassadors, and particularly Monsieur de Sancy, (newly gone thither for that purpose) treating closely of the Conditions, upon which the men should land, about which the Parties being not able to agree, by reason of the variety of interests, the time ran on without coming to any conclusion.

But in the interim, the Spanish Artillery having plaid upon Easter Munday, from break of day till evening, and the opportunity of low water hapning at that time, the Spanish Foot advanced on both sides to give a resolute Assault. Fortune was not

altogether so favourable to du Rosne's intentions in this as she had been before: For though the wind had sate right all that day for his Artillery, a thing of no small ad∣vantage to free him from the smoke, that he might play the faster; yet in the evening, continuing, nay, blowing more stifly every hour, it would not suffer the Tide to fall so low, as that the farther part of the Haven might be quite dry; wherefore his Foot were fain to go above the knees in water, and in some places to the girdle, which re∣tarding the Assault, proved no small impediment; and yet having overcome that ob∣stacle, and fought till Nine of the Clock at night, (the Moon shining brightly in the Full) the French having lost above an hundred of their men, and among them one of the Holland Captains, resolved to retire, and having fired the Suburb in all places, got safely into the Town. Upon Tuesday, du Rosne drew his Artillery into the Suburb which they had quitted, and there being no Flanks on that side that could hinder the Battery, he without any difficulty planted two and twenty pieces upon the edge of the Moat, with no other defence but single Gabions, and those not very high, and the next day began to batter the Wall with so great fury,* 1.59 that not being lined with Earth, it in a few hours gave a large conveniency of assaulting it: But while the Infantry, being Spaniards, Walloons, and Italians mixt together, prepare themselves to fall on, the Defendents (terrified at the wideness of the breach, and the small∣ness of the number they were reduced to) send forth a Drum to Parley, and the same evening capitulated to leave the Town, and retire into the Castle, which they promised to surrender into the Cardinals hands▪ if they were not relieved within six days.

The King, who was at Boulogne, quickly had notice of the composition of Calais, and of the Earl of Essex his answer, who was General of the English Land-forces, with whom Monsieur de Sancy having conferred, had entertained great hopes of get∣ting the English to land, and that being re-inforced by them, the Castle might be re∣lieved within the appointed time; but the Earl was not so forward as he desired: for the King having often promised to give some place upon the Coasts of his King∣dom, for the conveniency and security of the English, and afterward with divers ex∣cuses deferred to do it, and his Ambassadors to Queen Elizabeth having at last (to get the Fleet to move for his relief) condescended to promise that it should be performed; the Earl refused to put into any Haven, or land men, unless first the promise were effe∣ctually observed; and though Sancy urging the exigency of the need, and the shortness of the time, desired the Earl to consider of what importance the conservation of Ca∣lais was to their common interests, yet was it not possible to move him from his de∣termination: wherefore he was necessitated to write to the King to know his pleasure; who highly incensed tha•• his Confederates should make use of his adversity to constrain him to their own appetites; answered resolutely, That he would rather be robbed by his Enemies, than by his Friends; and being minded to try what he could do by himself, he saw the fury of the wind which had been so contrary all those days past not at all abated, and therefore he sent the Sieur de Matelet Governour of Foix with three hundred Foot, backed with a good ••umber of the Duke of Bouillon's Cavalry, to strive to pass thorow the Enemies Guards, and get in to relieve the Castle.

These coming by night close by the Quarter of the Italians,* 1.60 commanded by the Marquiss of Trevico, found such slack and careless Guards, that without being per∣ceived, they got all into the Castle, where the Sieur de Matelet having encouraged the Governour no less then the Inhabitants and Souldiers that were in it, after the time of truce was expired, they not only refused to surrender, but protested they would de∣fend themselves to the last man; wherefore the Cardinal being assured that some relief was got in unknown to him, gave order to Monsieur du Rosney valiantly to prosecute the assault, who having planted his Cannon against the great Towers, or (as we may call them) Bulwarks of the Castle, battered them with so much diligence, that upon the six and twentieth day it was in a fit condition to be stormed. All the Italian Foot fell on the next morning, who being desirous to cancel the reproach of having so care∣lesly suffered relief to pass in, fought desperately, and being seconded first by the Wal∣loons, and then by the Spaniards, after a most bloody fight of six hours, the Gover∣nour Bidossan being slain, and above four hundred Souldiers cut in pieces,* 1.61 they at last entred the Castle▪ where the Italians put all the rest to the Sword, except Monsieur de Campagniole and some few others, who having taken refuge in a Church, were re∣ceived upon discretion. Above two hundred of the Spanish Army were killed, among

which Count Guidubaldo Pacciotto an Engineer of high esteem,* 1.62 and about one hundred wounded; a loss very inconsiderable for the taking of a place accounted impregnable, and one of the principal ones of all France, in so few days: but it had always been alike ill-defended by the carelesness of those within, the effects being no way corre∣spondent to the same of the place.

But the so easie and so sudden loss of Calais did not only much perplex the King, but also put him in a necessity of agreeing with the Queen of England and the States of Holland; for la Fere being not yet given up, he thought it very hard to rise from that siege, and lose the expences and labours of so many months, to the no small de∣crease of his reputation; and on the other side, if he did not speedily receive Supplies from both places, he was not able to draw another body of an Army together, where∣with he might resist the victorious, force of the Enemy; so that all other places in the Province would be given over, with little hope that they should defend themselves more constantly than Calais had done, a place excellently fortified by art and nature. Being moved with this consideration, and judging that the authority of the Duke of Bouillon would be very prevalent to work upon the Queen, whose determination he was certain would be followed by the Hollanders, he dispatched him into England with resolute orders, to the end that concluding a reciprocal Confederacy, the Fleet might set sail with all speed, to land men in the Port of Boulogne.

But the difficulties were great, and the Queen had no inclination to it; partly, be∣cause she intended to make use of the Kings necessity, to get a Port in his Kingdom; for which end, before Calais was lost, she had been backward to relieve it, that she might constrain the French to put it into her hand; partly, because seeing the King reconciled to the Catholick Religion, she thought it was in the King of Spain's power to conclude a Peace whensoever he would resolve no longer to molest the Kingdom of France: and therefore she difficultly inclined to put her self to new expences, which it was in the will of her Enemies to frustrate and make ineffectual; wherefore having stifly denied for many days to hearken to any Treaty of new Obligations, she only prof∣ferred to give those assist••nces for the time to come, which she could without such great inconvenience to her self as she had done in times past: and because the French pres∣sed very earnestly to have the Earl of Essex come to Picardy with the Fleet; the Eng∣lish answered, That it was for the most part composed of ships and men that were Voluntiers, who had put themselves together under the conduct of the Earl, to make prize upon the Coasts of Spain, from which design the Queen had not power to take them off, having granted them licence for that purpose; and that nevertheless they would be of great advantage to the King of France his affairs; for the damage the Kingdom of Spain would receive thereby, would divert the Catholick Kings Forces from the War of Picardy. But these hopes and remedies were very far off, and the Duke of Bouillon offering to consideration the interests of their common Religion, if the prosperity of the Spaniards should still increase, excited both the principal Mini∣st••rs; and the Queen her self to imploy her u••most Forces in so urgent and so near an occurrence: and he moved much with his authority, eloquence, and reasons, but most of all by being of the same Religion; for he seemed to be principally zealous for the common interests, and for the conservation of the Hugonot party in France, to the end the King might not be constrained to come to such an Agreement with the Spaniards as might be prejudicial to the States of Holland, to the quiet of England, and to the Liberty of Conscience in his own Kingdom:* 1.63 and yet the business went on so slowly, and with such weighty difficulties, that though the Confederacy with England was at last concluded, differing little from the other contracted with King Charles the Ninth, and without obligation to consign any Place, (for shame made the English to desist from that demand:) and though the Duke of Bouillon went with an Ambassador from the Queen into Holland, where the same Confederacy was established; yet the time was so far spent, that the affairs of Picardy were no way relieved by it, and the E••••l of Essex his Fleet having scow••ed the Coasts of Spain, was dissolved without having done any thing considerable.

While this League was treated of in England, the Cardinal Archduke not depending upon any body but himself, after he had spent ten days in making up the breaches at Calais; Guines and Han having surrendred at the bare summons of a Trumpet, he de∣termined to set upon Ar••res, a place of a good circuit, excellently fortified, and stand∣ing but three leagues from Calais, by the taking whereof he thought he should abso∣lutely

secure what he had gotten: and though the situation of it seemed very difficult,* 1.64 because, standing on the top of an Hill, it (as a Cavalier) commands all the Plain be∣low it, which extends it self a little more than Cannon-shot, and from the Plain there are Mountains and Woods as unfit to encamp in, as opportune for the Ambushes of an Enemy; yet the Cardinal encouraged by his prosperous successes, sided with the opi∣nion of Monsieur du Rosne, who hoped to carry it before the King could be disintangled from la Fere, and able to relieve it.

There were in Ardres the Marquiss de Belin Lieutenant of the Province, Monsieur d' Annebourg Governour of the Town, and the Sieur de Monluc, who was come in to re-inforce it, and they had with them little less than Two thousand Foot, an Hundred and fifty Horse, and convenient provisions of Artillery, Ammunition, and other things necessary for defence. And because the Siege had been foreseen by the Commanders, they had laboured with all possible diligence not only to better the Fortification of the Town, but also to repair those of the Suburbs that stands towards Boulogne; for that being the side on which Batteries might most easily be raised, they determined by de∣fending the Suburb to keep the Enemy as far as was possible from the Wall. The Au∣thor of this counsel was the Governour of the Town, a Souldier not only of much va∣lour, but also of great experience, whose design was to defend the ground span by span, to give the King so much time, that la Fere falling, he might come to succour that place before the last extremities: but the Marquiss de Belin was of another mind, and thought it a pernicious counsel to lose men in defending useless places, and such as were not tenable; wherefore he would have had them only engage themselves in maintaing those Posts, which for their quality might be long made good; and yet all the other Commanders being of opinion, that the holding of the Suburb would be a benefit of great importance, the Governours advice carried it; and there was a con∣venient guard put in there to keep it. Another difference of opinion there was among the Commanders; for the Marquiss would have had the Enemy molested, and their works hindred by smart Counterbatteries, without sparing Ammunition; and on the other side, the Governour judging their store but small, in respect of so great waste, desired it might be husbanded to prolong the defence, that they might not want a thing so necessary in their greatest exigency; and because the Marquisses Authority was above his, he kept part of the Ammunition hid, to the end they might make use of it op∣portunely when the other was spent.

With these discords (which to the great prejudice of mens own affairs, do commonly reign where more than one commands) they in the Town prepared themselves for the defence; but the Cardinal Archduke having left Juan de Rivas in the Government of Calais, upon the sixth of May moved with the whole Army, and made his first quar∣ters at Guines; the next day he marched to the Walls of Ardres, so early,* 1.65 that in that day and the next, their quarters were perfected and fortified, which being made (as far as they could possibly) out of reach of the Cannon of the Town, were not yet very near to the Hills and Woods; but between the Hills and their Works, there remained so much space, that the Squadrons as well of Foot as Horse, might commodiously spread themselves in Battalia; and upon all the ways that through the Woods come down the Hills, strong Corps de Guards were placed with double Trenches, and double Works be∣fore them, or▪ to say better, behind them, in those places that stood toward Boulogne, Montrueil, and the other of the King of France his Towns. The Army being encamped and secured with wondrous diligence, upon Thursday the ninth of May, Agostino Messia's Spanish Foot, and Colonel la Berlotte's Walloons advanced to make their approaches, that they might get under the Works of the Suburb; but the Sieur de Monluc, whose fierceness passed by no occasion of troubling the Enemy, sallied out so briskly to skir∣mish, that their Works were foreslowed for a long time, and after that another Tertia of Infantry under Iago Tesseda, and Colonel Coquels Walloons came to re-inforce the besiegers, and that Monluc was constrained to retire; the Marquiss began such a furious Counterbattery, that they were necessitated to intermit their work, and stay till night; but it being very clear and light, the Artillery ceased not to play with great damage to the besiegers, who nevertheless constantly overcoming all obstacles, got to the Counter∣scarp of the Suburb, and the next morning planted some pieces of Cannon to facilitate their entry; but because Monluc ceased not to sally every hour,* 1.66 and to keep those that wrought in great perplexity, they made no greater progress till he being taken with a Cannon-shot, was miserably torn in pieces; for after his death, there being no Commanders

so valiant, or so diligent, the besiegers began to batter the Works of the Suburb, which by reason of their weakness, being easily beaten down, they made an assault with so much violence, that the Defendents were constrained to quit it with the loss of above forty men; but while the Spaniards and Walloons enter pel-mel, Monsieur de Montaut, a Colonel of French Infantry, fell upon them so sharply, that after a bloody conflict of two hours he recovered the Suburb, having impetuously driven out the Enemy with the loss of three hundred of the stoutest Souldiers of the Army; and yet the next day the Cannon having plaid from morning till noon, the Foot stormed it in four several places, in each of which, fighting gallantly, Colonel la Berlotte was sore wounded, Agostino Mess••a struck upon the head with a stone, and the Suburb was defended till the evening; but the assault being renewed on all sides, the next morning the Mar∣quiss considering the weakness of the place, gave the Defendents order to retire, that he might not lose so great a number of valiant Souldiers: And yet the Enemies pur∣suing closely, and they that were at the Town-Gate, fearing lest they should get in pel-mel with their own men, let the Portcullis fall so soon, that above two hundred of them were shut out and cut in pieces.

The Foot covered themselves diligently in the Suburb▪ and Monsieur du Rosne ha∣ving determined to play upon that side, caused two batteries to be raised, one of which was plyed by the Spaniards with nineteen pieces of Cannon, and the other by the Wal∣loons with seventeen pieces of several sizes, the works of which being not yet finish∣ed, the Counter-battery of the Town did a great deal of mischief on all sides; but after the Batteries were sufficiently covered, and that the Artillery began to thunder against the Flanks of the Bastions, the Marquiss either out of meanness of courage, (as the general opinion of men would have it) or, because he thought it impossible to defend that place, and had a desire to save himself, and so many other valiant Defen∣dents, for a better occasion; called the principal Officers to Council, and strove to per∣swade them to surrender:* 1.67 But the Governour opposing, and likewise Charles Sieur de Rambours, a man of great note in that Province, the Officers answered, that they would defend themselves to the utmost; and the Marquiss replying, that all the Am∣munition was already spent, and that he had no longer wherewithal to defend them∣selves; the Governour made known that he had hid and preserved so much, as being discree••ly disposed of, would be sufficient for many days, and that in the mean time they might be relieved by the King, to whom he believed la Fere would yield at last. To which words the Marquiss replied angerly, That he deserved to be punished for having concealed the true quantity of Ammunition from his superiour Officer, and that two days more or two days less imported little, for he knew that the King would not take la Fere so easily; and going incensed from the Council, though many protested against it, he presently sent out a Captain, and articled to march forth with their Arms and Baggage, their Colours flying, and Drums beating, and that the Towns∣men might be free to stay or go as they pleased; but those that staid were to acknow∣ledge the King of Spain to be their Supream Lord. Thus to the wonder of all men, and the great murmuring of his Souldiers, the Marquiss marched forth with all his men in Arms upon the twenty third of May towards la Fere; but Captain Mainferme, one of the Captains of the Garison, having the guard of a Bastion towards the Spanish quarters, would by no means consent to the Agreement; and though the Enemies were Masters of all the rest of the Town, he intrenched himself within the circuit of his Bastion, and defended himself undauntedly, till the Artillery being planted, and all his defences beaten down, he thought he might honourably march away.

The day before this, the besieged in la Fere being reduced to extream necessity, and knowing by the effects the Cardinals intention, that being intent to divert and take new places, he had no hope to relieve them any other way, at last yielded to the Kings power, having by their constancy afforded time and conveniency to make so great and so important successes; the King desirous to disengage himself, that he might think of relieving Ardres, granted them the conditions they demanded; for it was agreed without contradiction, that the Seneschal de Montelimar avouched Count of la Fere, and Alvaro Osorio Governour of the Garison, should march forth with all their Souldiers, Foot and Horse, with their Arms, offensive and defensive; all their Bag∣gage, Cornets, and Colours flying, Trumpets sounding, Drums beating, lighted Match, and Bullet in mouth, and should be convoyed safely as far as Castelet; that they might take along with them one piece of Cannon which had not the Arms of France upon it,

and Ammunition for ten shots; that the Seneschal should be acquitted of all the Pay∣ments, Rents and Contributions received,* 1.68 and that there might be no Inquest made for any past action, or crime either against him, or any others of the Garison, nor any of them molested for the debts they had contracted; that the Inhabitants ta∣king an Oath of Allegiance, should be used as good Subjects, and pardoned all past offences, and whosoever would go forth with the Garison, might have liberty to depart.

With those Articles la Fere yielded it self unto the King upon the two and twen∣tieth day, and the next morning he impatient of delay, moved with all his Cavalry towards Ardres, leaving the Constable to follow him with all the rest of the Army, in∣tending to draw near by the way of the Woods, and by all means to try his fortune; but he had not marched above two miles when the news came of the Marquisses com∣position, which seemed so much the more bitter to him, by how much the more lively the hopes were he had entertained of relieving that place. Being struck with a most piercing grief, and no less kindled with a most just disdain, seeing the course of all his designs cut off, by the pusillanimity of one man, he would not suffer the Marquiss to come into his presence, either judging him unworthy of his sight, or doubting he should not be able to contain his indignation: But having caused his process to be made by the Mareschal la Chastre, he was often times minded to take away his life ig∣nominiously; yet Madam Gabriele interposing effectually, and begging for him, the sentence published after many days delay, contained nothing but that he should be de∣prived of all his Offices, and confined perpetually to his own lands.

Ardres being taken on the one side, and la Fere on the other, the common opinion was, that the Armies would meet, and that the King, desirous to make up his losses, and being grown strong by the concourse of all the Nobility of his Kingdom, was re∣solved not to pass by any occasion which might opportunely invite him to a Battel; But the Cardinal Archduke more intent to keep what he had gotten, than forward to adventure his Army to new dangers,* 1.69 and being re-called by the urgency of the affairs of Flanders, left Villeverde a Spanish Commander with a good Garison in Ardres, and in three days march retired into the Territory of St. Omer, and from thence ha∣ving had notice that the Cavalry left behind to guard the Provinces of Flanders, had had been routed by the Garisons of Bergen and Breda, which freely over-ran all that Country, he marched further to oppose their incursions, and to turn the violence of his Arms against the States, who during the War in France, got daily greater footing.

The King stood long doubtful whether he should apply himself that year to the re∣covery of some of those places that were lost: but finding his Infantry (the principal instrument for the taking in of strong Towns) much out of case, by their long lying before la Fere: for, besides the continual watchings and toils of so many months, the illness of the Air in low moorish places, had bred many diseases among his men; who having spent the Winter in much hardship, began now to feel the effects of their suf∣ferings. Besides this, he wanted the most important sinew of War: for many Pro∣vinces being newly returned to his obedience, and the rest that had been for him be∣fore, being undone by the War, the whole revenue of the Kingdom was, by long troubles and infinite disorders, quite out of frame; insomuch that being utterly with∣out money, he was not able to maintain his Army in Picardy, which Province by the last two years Wars, was in great part destroyed and desolate. To these two weighty difficulties, was added the ill success the King had had in managing the War by his Commanders; wherefore being constrained to return to Paris, to receive the Pope's Legat, who was come to confirm, and make those things be performed, which had been promised by his Intercessors, in the act of the Benediction; he thought he should reap but small fruit by his Army, in which he could not be present in person.

For all these reasons, after long doubtfulness in the Council,* 1.70 he determined to dis∣miss the Nobility, that he might have them again more fresh for future occurrences, and to distribute the rest of his Forces into the Garisons of the most important pla∣ces, so that he might not fear the Enemies unexpected return, and to go himself (assoon as he had received and satisfied the Legat) into some convenient City in the centre of his Kingdom, where having made an Assembly of the principal Magistrates from all the several Provinces, he might apply himself with diligence to set his reve∣nues

in order, and regulate the domestick affairs of his Court, and to make fitting provisions, that upon a solid foundation he might set himself the next year to recover the places he had lost in Picardy. In the mean time he hoped the League with the Queen of England and the States, would be concluded; so that uniting all his Forces, he intended to march so strong into the field, that the Enemy should not be able to for∣bid him the recovery of his own.

Having taken this resolution, he left the Mareschal de Byron with Three thousand Foot and Six hundred Horse upon the Banks of the Somme, to the end that coast∣ing along the River side, he might be ready upon any occasion that should happen in the Country. He left Peronne, Bologn, Montrueil, Abbeville, and St. Quentin, well guarded; and the Count de St. Paul in Amiens, though that City, great and po∣pulous, alledging its ancient Priviledges, refused to receive a Garison, being con∣fident it should defend it self, as it had formerly done in the revolutions of so many Wars.

* 1.71In this interim, Alessandro de Medici, Cardinal of Florence, and Legat from the Pope, was come into France, with mutual satisfaction as well of the King, who de∣sired wholly to gain the Pope, as of the Pope himself, who could not perfectly quiet his mind, unless he established the ancient obedience and respect which was wont to be held by the Crown of France unto the Apostolick See. Wherefore being arrived upon the confines of Dauphine, he was received with great pomp, and with the Army drawn up in Battalia, by Monsieur de Les Diguieres; who though averse from the Ca∣tholick Religion, omitted not any terms of duty and honour, as well in receiving him, as in waiting upon him to Lyons, where having stayed a few days, he hastened his journey, and went to Moulins; from whence though, in regard of the Plague, which was very hot in many places, he took a much longer way, yet he came upon the nineteenth of July to Montl'hery,* 1.72 ten leagues from the City of Paris. Thither the King (not with publick pomp, but as in a familiar visit) coming from Picardy, posted with a hundred in his train to meet him; shewing, by his impatiency to be with him, and his familiarity in meeting him, his affection towards the Pope, and his particular confidence in his person, which, besides nobleness of birth, and maturity of years, had an exceeding great fame for wisdom, and ancient inclination to the affairs of the Crown. The principal Lords of the Court attended the King in this visit, but par∣ticularly the Duke of Mayenne, to let the Legat see the sincere reconciliation that was between them, and how much the Heads of the Catholick party were esteemed and honoured. As the King in this first Interview omitted not any exquisite demonstra∣tion of reverence toward the majesty of the Pope,* 1.73 and toward the person of the Le∣gat; so did not the Cardinal fail to shew himself so moderate, and so well disposed to∣ward the interests of the King and of the Crown, that the good expectation formerly conceived of him, was turned into a very great affection.

The King returned the next morning to Paris; and the Cardinal going on his jour∣ney, was met first a league from the Fauxbourgs by the young Prince of Condé, to the end that he might know how diligently he had endeavoured the Popes satisfaction, in getting him out of the Hugonots hands: and at the Gate of the Fauxbourgs he was received by Cardinal Gondi, all the Princes, and all the Court, with such a throng of people, that if the Dukes of Mayenne and Espernon, alighting from their horses, had not with Swords drawn made room among the people, there was some danger that the vehemence of those who crowded inconsiderately to honour him, might have stifled him in the heat and tumult. Thus being brought into the City with great joy and contentment of every one, he performed the wonted Ceremonies in the Cathedral of Nostre-Dame; and being conducted to his lodging furnished with the Kings stuff, he with infinite courtesie received the visits of the Parliament, the first President Har∣lay speaking for all; and then successively the other Magistrates of the City, and of many particular persons; every one rejoycing to see with their own eyes, and hear with their own ears, the reconciliation as well of the King as Crown unto the Apostolick See.

In the Parliament they accepted and published the Commissions, or (as they call it) the power of the Legat: and though some of the Counsellors were of opinion that certain clauses should be added to the publication, which had been wont to be used in former times, to limit and circumscribe the Authority of Legats within the Pri∣viledges of the Gallique Church; yet the King would have them freely published

as they were, without making mention of any such thing, to take away all scruple that might be had of the sincerity of his mind: a thing which redounding to the full sa∣tisfaction of the Pope, and the glory of his Papacy, not to find that opposition which the other Popes before were wont to meet, was exceedingly well recompenced by the moderation of the Legat, whose dexterity well instructed by prudent Orders from Rome, still declined those occasions which might bring his Authority, the Priviledges of the Clergy, or the Jurisdictions of the Crown into controversie; the true and only way to avoid the so hateful contentions of Jurisdiction, and a temper very proper as well to establish the received obedience, as to serve the difficult condition of the times. This, besides the Pope's prudence, and the Legat's moderation, was the counsel of Gio••anni Delfino the Venetian Ambassador at Rome, and who afterward was also Car∣dinal; who well versed in the affairs of France, advertised both the Pope and the Legat, that they should not take particular notice of the excesses formerly committed in the Ecclesiastical affairs of France, while it was in a manner separate from the Church before the Absolution; but that feigning not to see many things that were past, they should content themselves with great patience and dexterity to regulate the future: which counsel greedily received, as from a person that was well versed, and very prudent, gave a rule to govern themselves by, in many difficult businesses that happened afterward.

The Legat had his first publick audience at St. Maur, without the City,* 1.74 upon the first of August, in which the King ratified all the Conditions accepted by his Procura∣tors in the Absolution at Rome: By which ready demonstration having satisfied the Pope in all points exactly, he afterward received those Dispensations which the pre∣sent conjuncture perswaded. From these things, appertaining to the Majesty of Reli∣gion, and of the Pope, the Cardinal-Legat passed to treat of those which concerned the quiet of the Kingdom, and the peace of Christians: For the Pope knowing, how af∣flicted, and how bloodless the Kingdom of France was, having been tormented with the so long Civil Wars,* 1.75 and how much need it had of ease and tranquillity to recover its ancient vigour; and on the other side, considering how exhausted the King of Spain's Coffers were, and how much oppressed and ruined his people, he saw the Crown of France, by continuing the War, was in great danger to be diminished, and the most Christian King necessitated still to keep near correspondencies and interessed friendships with Princes that were averse from the Catholick Church: And he believed on the other side, that King Philip being ill able to supply two so potent Wars, though near, by keeping up the reputation of his Arms in Picardy, came to lose much of his own in Flanders, to the increase of the States of Holland, and the diminution of the Faith; wherefore he was resolved to mediate Peace between those two Crowns, well perceiving that neither of them would ever incline to demand it, if he, as a com∣mon Father, and independent Mediator, should not interpose. To this was added, the consideration of the War with the Turk, which was extream fierce and hot in Hungary; which the Pope desiring the Christian Princes should vigorously concur in, that the Forces of the common Enemy might not increase any more, he thought it chiefly necessary to make an Agreement between those Crowns, to the end, that both together, or at least the King of Spain, for the common interest of the House of Austria, might be able to lend his assistance. He therefore had given strict Commis∣sion to the Legat, that as soon as the Kings Absolution was ratified, he should pre∣sently begin to introduce this business, which he accounted not only necessary for the security and repose of Christendom, but also highly glorious to the memory of his Papacy.

Neither was the Cardinal (being a man of a mild peaceable nature, and full of ex∣perience in the affairs of the world) less ready to procure the general good,* 1.76 and his own particular honour, than the Pope was careful to incite him to it, so that in the first meetings after the publick audience at St. Maur, he deferred not to sound the Kings inclination, who no less quick-sighted than others in discovering the wounds of his Kingdom, and agreeing with the general opinion of all men, that peace was the only remedy to cure them, was inclined to imbrace any kind of peace wherein his reputation might not suffer. The difficulties which his Ambassadors found in treating the League with England, perswaded him the same; for he perceived very well, that the Queen aimed without regard to get some place in his Kingdom, that she might have means to keep him bound, and to procure greater matters as occasion should

serve; and it was not unknown to him, that she, by reason of the Irish commotions which were then in their height, was so much taken up, that though she had a desire to it, she was not able to spare many forces to his assistance. To this was added, the condition of the Hollanders, who though they endeavoured to have the War continue in France, that the Spanish Forces might be diverted and divided, yet had they not any ability to lend supplies unto their Neighbours, whilst the War was so hot in all places at their own home. Neither were the Protestant Princes of Germany (whose minds were now bent upon the urgent necessity of the Turkish War) either able or willing to trouble themselves about the Kingdom of France; which they thought powerful enough of it self, to make head against the Arms of Spain: Insomuch, that the King being able to promise himself little of the Foreign Aids of his ••on∣federates, was fain to make his whole foundation upon the Forces of his own King∣dom.

But these were hindred and debilitated by many weighty accidents: For the Royal Revenues by the ruines of Civil Wars, and the multiplicity of abuses introduced, were subverted, and little less than brought to nothing, and the profit that was wont to rise from Imposts and Gabels in the Merchant Towns of the Mediterranean and Ocean Seas, was extreamly diminished by interruption of the commerce with Spain, the West Indies and the Catholick Kings other Territories: Nor did the trading in English and Dutch-bottoms help much; for navigation being interrupted, the business was re∣duced rather to a kind of Piracy than Traffick. To this want of money (the vital substance of the War) were added other perturbations. The Duke of Mercoeur yet in Arms, and potent in Bretagne, who with his forces over-running and disquieting the Country, sometimes toward Normandy, sometimes towards Poictou and Xaintong••, kept those Provinces in continual commotion: Provence and Dauphine not yet well reduced to obedience, and fiercely molested by the Duke of Savoy, so that it was necessary to keep two Armies there continually employed; and, which imported most of all, the Hu∣gonots,* 1.77 either incensed, or grown jealous at the so near conjunction between the King and the Pope, were in a manner up in Arms, and (asking liberty to meet together to take some course about their own affairs) shewed designs of new Insurrections: Where∣upon there was great danger, that before the Peace was totally established with the Ca∣tholicks, it would be necessary to begin a War with the Hugonots.

These causes moved the King to wish for Peace; but the spur of reputation, which had ever been very sharp in his mind, did make him in appearance desire War: Where∣fore in the first Treaties with the Legat, he told him resolutely, that he would not ac∣cept of any kind of Peace, unless first all the places taken were restored, and all the losses of the Crown repaired; adding such lively a••••ent speeches, as shewed he would not lend an ear to a negotiation of Peace, till first by his Arms he had set his reputation up again in War; and yet the Legat gathering the Kings secret intention from the state of affairs, which were very well known to him, being upon the place; and judg∣ing it by all means necessary to break the Ice first, though there appeared no glimpse of hope, he dispatched Father Bonaventura Calatagirone, General of the Order of St. Francis, to the Court of Spain, to sound how mens minds corresponded on that side.

But the diligence the Legat shewed for Peace, hindred not the King of France from being intent upon Provisions of Arms,* 1.78 and preparations for the year following; where∣fore having called a Congregation of all the Officers of the Crown, principal Magi∣strates, and Treasurers of his Kingdom in the City of Rouen, where besides regulating many disorders and abuses, he intended to establish and settle his Revenues, and to perswade the Heads of the Provinces, and the chief of the Clergy and common people to assist him in such manner, that he might be able to uphold the weight of the War by himself, which he accounted not difficult, as well by reason of the urgent necessity well known to them all, as of the good condition many rich and fertil Provinces were getting into, since Civil Wars had ceased in them, if necessary rule and order were added to the benefit of quiet; and he thought every one would run willingly to contribute to that expence, which was not made as in former times, either to satisfie the Kings ap∣petites, or to move domestick Arms against those of the same Blood, but to maintain a War against strangers, and to defend the Crown, assaulted and invaded by its ancient Emulators and inveterate Enemies.

And because from the year before, there had been a Truce (though an uncertain one, and from time to time violated and interrupted) with the Duke of Mercoeur to treat in the interim, and find some temper of Agreement with him, the King at this time deputed the Count of Schombergh, and President de Tho••, who were to go to the Queen Dowager of France to treat in her presence with the Dukes Deputies: But this Treaty was not only doubtful, but also various and unsetled; for the Duke, a subtil man, of a deep reach, and one not easie to be withdrawn from his designs, held several practices both in Spain and France, promising himself yet, that he should dismember the Dutchy of Bretagne from the Crown (which had been united no longer than since the times of Lewis the Twelfth, and Francis the First) to esta∣blish it to his Posterity; or, if he could not do so much in favour of himself, at least, to keep up that State in the name of the Infanta Isabella,* 1.79 who pretended to succeed unto it, as next Heir of the House of Valois, since women were not excluded from the inheritance of Bretagne. For this purpose he had sent Lorenzo Tornabuony to the Court of Spain, and still held practices within the Province, to draw many of the principal men to be of his mind, hoping he should obtain much larger conditions from the Infanta, than he could do from the King of France. But because the ad∣versity of the affairs of the League crossed his designs, and the agreement of the other Princes of his House, and particularly of the Duke of Mayenne, held his mind in suspence; He still kept the Treaty of Accommodation alive, and still prorogued the Truce with short additions, making use sometimes of force, sometimes of art, to obtain some convenient place, and to keep the Provinces confining upon Bretagne in commotion.

Following this his design, he about this time set on Charles Gondi Marquiss of Belisle, Son to the Mareschal de Retz, to seize upon Fongeres, a Town of much im∣portance upon the Confines of Normandy; and from that place he had held a Treaty, that the same Marquiss might be let in to Mont S. Michel, a wonderful strong place upon the shore of the Ocean, to which one cannot go by Land, except for the space of two short hours by day and by night when the Tyde is low, which Treaty having gone on so far, that the Marquiss was already certain to be let in, he departed se∣cretly by night from Fougeres with an hundred Horse and four hundred Foot, and came to St. Michel just at low water; there having given and received the appointed signs, he was invited by the Governour of the Castle to come in with half a dozen in his company to possess the first Gate, and bring in his men; at which invitation the Marquiss, a young man, more fierce than circumspect, refused not to enter, but seeing the Gate that led into the first Raveline was presently shut at his back, he turned about with an angry countenance to the Captain that shut it, and commanded him to keep it open; which command being no l••ss haughtily answered, they of the Castle took occasion to fall to their Arms, and having killed the Marquiss with his six Companions, they began to fire their Artillery against his party, which be∣ing already certain of their Commanders misfortune, retired unpursued to Fou∣geres.

This accident slackened not the designs of the Duke of Mercoeur, who having had the success to get the Fortress of Tifange in Poictou, and to make other pro∣gresses in divers parts, continued to treat of peace ambiguously, being minded to govern himself according to the variety of affairs, sometimes moderating his de∣mands in the Kings prosperity, sometimes enlarging them in his adversity, being himself no less uncertain of the event than others. Nor did the King, to whom the cause of these alterations were known, withdraw himself from his purpose of treat∣ing, being disposed to grant him advantageous conditions, to exclude the Spaniards from Bretagne, and re-unite unto himself so important a part of the Crown; where∣fore to that effect he had newly destined the * 1.80 Count and the President, whose wis∣dom he thought sufficient to deal with the Dukes arts and inconstancy.

He likewise sent the Sieur d' Emery,* 1.81 and Godefroy Calignon Chancellor•• of Navarre to the Hugonots, who absenting themselves from the Court, and being retired to

the Towns near Rochell, had drawn some number of armed men together, continuing to make their Conventicles and Assemblies to the great jealousie of the King, and great indignation of his Council: But the Duke of Mayenne, though formerly an Enemy to that party, yet having moved the rest of the Council to consider how per∣nicious it was to provoke a new Civil War at a time when the whole State was af∣flicted, and that the Arms of the Spaniards insulted with many successful proceed∣ings, they determined to send those two persons of very great esteem to treat, to shew them that nothing prejudicial to Conscience was intended nor thought of: for though the conditions imposed by the Pope were such as every one knew, yet that clause was added, that they should be executed without danger of War or pertur∣bation; with which condition at the same time the Popes obedience and the secu∣rity of the Hugonots was preserved; since the conjuncture of the times was mani∣festly such, that the King could not constrain their Liberty, not only without com∣motion of War, but also not without great danger of the Crown. These two De∣puties being come to the places of the Hugonots, treated many times with the Heads of that party, and the rest that were come to Chastelrault, and assuring them, that the Edicts made in favour of their Religion should be observed, stayed the breaking out of new troubles which were already contriving; but they could not obtain that the Duke of Bouillon, and the Duke de la Tremouille should (as the King desired) march with the Forces of that party into Picardy; for the coming of the Legat, and the near correspondence that past, had made them so suspicious, that they would not stir from the places of their own security.

* 1.82While they were negotiating on this side, Arms were not altogether quiet upon the Confines of Picardy: for the number of Garisons on both sides did with fre∣quent encounters keep matters in commotion, and the Mareschal de Byron not fail∣ing to molest the Enemy in all places, made incursions into the Catholick Kings Pro∣vinces in such sort, that in the month of September being entered with his Horse into the County of Artois, he put the whole Country in a very great tumult: where∣fore the Marquiss of Varambone Governour thereof, having sent for Count Giovan Giacopo Belgiojoso, and the Count de Montecucoli, resolved to meet him with Eight hundred Horse to put a stop to those mischiefs which he did on all sides; but the Mareschal informed of his coming, having staid the whole day to rest himself at St. André, within the Jurisdiction of St. Omer, set forward in the dusk of the even∣ing with his men fresh, and purposed to fall unexpectedly upon the Marquiss, who thought him a great many miles from thence: nor did he fail of his design; for ha∣ving marched easily all the night, in the morning at Sun rise he light upon the Ene∣mies Vanguard led by Montecucoli, and without much considering they charged cou∣rageously on both sides.

In the beginning the French had the worst; for their first Troops were beaten back half in disorder to the main Body; but a while after the Mareschal advancing in person, charged Montecucoli so furiously, that he was forced to turn his back full speed; it not being possible to stay his men, who fell foul upon the Marquiss his Bat∣tel and disordered it, so that he being forsaken, was taken prisoner with Montecu∣coli, still fighting valiantly. Belgiojoso advanced with the Reer, and for some time gallantly withstood the fury of the Conquerours; but the other Bodies being rout∣ed, and he himself wounded with two Pistol-shots in the Arm, was at last con∣strained to save himself by flight, leaving the Field free to the Mareschal de By∣ron, and free power to go where he would: so that he would have done more harm to the Country, and perchance have made greater progress, if the Rains of Autumn, which that year fell much before the usual time, had not put a hindrance to his incursions.

* 1.83About this time there happened an accident at Court, which as it gave private men an example of that moderation wherewith they ought to curb their passions, so did it advertise Princes how far they ought to bear those terms of necessity in their Subjects to which Honour constrains them; for a Controversie in words arising in the Kings Ante-chamber, between the Sieur de Coqueinvillier one of his Gentlemen-Waiters, but a man of approved Valour, and Monsieur de Bonivet, a Cavalier of an∣cient Nobility and great note; Coqueinvillier forgetting the place where he was, struck Bonivet a Box on the Ear, who restraining his own fury, in respect of the place,

they went both out of the Court, and being separated by their Friends into several places, Bonivet sent to challenge his Enemy, that he might be revenged of the affront he had received: but he (acknowledging his errour, in having wronged him in a place where it was not lawful for him to draw his Sword to right himself) refused to meet him in the field, and offered to ask him pardon, which all men knew was not for want of courage, whereof he had given proofs in other Duels, but out of re∣morse of Conscience; yet Bonivet, notwithstanding the common opinion, reiterated his challenge oftentimes, which not only was answered with the same moderation, but Coqueinvillier kept within doors for some time to avoid the occasion of fighting, and yet the other urging him with injurious Letters and Messages, and not accept∣ing the offer he made, to refer himself to his discretion, he was at last constrained to meet him in a private place hand to hand, where having made his former prof∣fers, and protested that he acknowledged himself much to blame; he was constrained by Bonivet's fierceness to draw his Sword, wherewith having wounded him with a thrust in the first bout, retiring back,* 1.84 he would have ended the business at the first blood; but Bonivet furiously insulting, and making many thrusts at him, he being so hard pressed, ran him thorow the body, and laid him dead upon the ground. The news being come to the Kings ear, who knew all that had passed very well, and bearing not only with the necessity that had forced Coqueinvillier to fight, but for his Valours sake forgiving also the offence he had committed in striking in the Court, said publickly, That since one of them was lost, it was not good to lose the other too, and granting him his pardon, he commanded the Magistrates not to proceed against him.

In the mean time the Deputies were met together at Rouen, whither the King came upon the eighteenth of October, (accompanied with the Cardinal-Legat, the Duke of Montpensier, Governour of that Province, the High Constable Montmorancy, the Dukes of Nemours and Espernon, the Prince of Jainville, the Mareschals of Retz and Matignon, the Admiral d' Anville, the Cardinals of Giury and Gondy, and a se∣lect number of the principal Lords of the Kingdom;) and being received with a very solemn pomp, he spoke to the Assembly the fourth day of November, showing them how much need the affairs of the Kingdom had of a Reformation, and the ur∣gency of Supplies to maintain the War upon the Confines: Which things after they were more at large unfolded by the High Chancellor, every one set himself with great desire to think upon those remedies which they judged might prove convenient. But the infirmities of that Body afflicted with so long distempers, were such as could not be so easily cured and every one perceived how necessary a general Peace was to introduce and establish a wholsom permanent Reformation, since that, amidst the ne∣cessities of War, new disorders still spring up; nor can the strictness of Reforma∣tion be observed, where Military exigencies continually extort licentious dispensa∣tions. Nor was there any body who thought not, that the proper means to ob∣tain peace was to have a great strength for the War, to the end, that recovering their reputation, and the places that were lost, the two Crowns might agree in peace with equal honour. But as the remedy was known, so was the means of attaining it very difficult; for the whole Kingdom was so exhausted and weakned, that the peo∣ple could confer but little to the Kings assistance; who, to maintain the Armies in Dauphine and Bretagne, and to raise a greater one in Picardy, was forced to think of great preparations of Men, Money, and Ammunition, which was gotten out of Eng∣land and Holland at a very great charge; and though it was hoped, that some Pro∣vinces which had not been so much divided, might (with good order taken) afford some considerable supply, yet that required length of time, which the Exigency and the War would not allow. But nevertheless, not being able to forbear doing all that was possible, every one applied himself heartily, as well to reform, as to make preparations.

With the consultation of these affairs, ended the year 1596. And though the Assembly continued in the beginning of the year following,* 1.85 * 1.86 yet the Reformation was but very weak; for the matter was not disposed to receive it, and the times were unseasonable for the rigours of a resolute course; only the expence of the Kings Houshold was lessened, some supernumerary Offices were taken away, and the Pensi∣ons of particular men were restrained, but not in such manner, that the Treasury was

much eased by it. The provisions made for the King, were something more con∣siderable; for the payment of the debt•• of the Crown were suspended for the two next years, but without prejudice to the Creditors; an increase was granted in the peoples name upon the Gabelle of Salt, one of the chief Revenues of the Crown; all Usurpers of Confiscations were by a severe Edict constrained not only to re∣store the Land, but the profits so usurped, from which business there resulted no small benefit: And finally, many of the Treasurers, and of the Clergy, volunta∣rily obliged themselves to contribute a certain sum of money, though no very great one.

But the King having ended the Assembly at Rouen, and being come into the quar∣ters about Paris, to take Physick for some private indisposition, to the end, that be∣ing freed from it, he might more freely apply himself with the first season to the toil of Arms, a new important accident gave beginning to Actions of War before the time. Hernando Telles Portocarrero, a man, who in a very small stature of bo∣dy, contained a lively sprightly courage, was Governour of Dourlans: This man ha∣ving in the whole course of the War, given great proof of no less sagacity than va∣lour, stood watchful upon all occasions that offered themselves to atchieve something. He having begun to court a very rich Widow, who, according to the use of the French, dwelt in the Country, was faln into a desire of getting her for his Wife; but having often discovered his intent, she still answered him, That she being subject to the King of France, and he to the King of Spain, who made War against one another,* 1.87 it was not fit to satisfie him; but that she would dispose her self to do it, when either he had put Dourlans under the Kings obedience, or drawn Amiens (in which City she was born) under the subjection of the King of Spain. These words moved the spirit of Portocarrero, who (besides his natural desire to serve his Prince, spurred on by love, and the hope of obtaining so rich a Dowry) began to think how he might make himself Master of the City of Amiens; and having had some dis∣course about it with one * 1.88 Dameline, a man that was banished out of the Town, he heard that the City had refused to receive a Garison of Souldiers, and that the Towns∣men kept their Guards diligently by night, but carelesly by day, whereupon he en∣tred into good hopes of getting unexpectedly within the Walls, and by his sudden ar∣rival, easily to make himself Master of it; but having heard afterwards, that there were fifteen thousand men in the City, well provided with Arms, and ready to run together upon the stir of any accident, he stood long in suspence, and doubtful in himself, whether he should attempt the enterprise, notwithstanding that so great difficulty. He was much more out of hope, when he understood that three thousand Swissers sent to the King to convoy great store of Artillery and Ammunition into the City for the provisions of the future War, staid to take up quarters in the neigh∣bouring Villages. But he took up his design again, when he heard that the Count de St. Paul, to satisfie the obstinate importunities of the Citizens, had made them draw away; nay, he was excited so much the more out of a desire to get all the preparations that were brought into that City; wherefore he gave order to a Ser∣jeant named Francisco del Arco, (a man whom he had tried in many occurrences) to go into the City in disguise, and diligently to observe the quality of the Citizens, and the manner of their Guards. The relation was very favourable to his design; for the Citizens imployed themselves by day, in following their businesses, and those few that remained to guard the Ports, (being invited to it by the season) shut themselves up in a room to enjoy the benefit of the fire, and the Gate was for the most part left alone, except one Sentinel that stood at the Turn-pike; whereupon being confirmed in his design, he dispatched the same Serjeant to the Cardinal Archduke to obtain leave and supplies of men, that he might set himself upon the enterprise. The Arch∣duke consented, that he should venture upon a business of so great hopes; and gave order to the Garisons of Cambray, Calais, Bapaulme, and Castelet, that upon the day appointed, they should send aid of men into the quarters of Dourlans, to obey and be commanded by Portocarrero.

He having well fitted all things, called the help that was prepared, and gave order, that upon the Tenth day of March, they should be toward the evening, at a Village called Orville, a League from Dourlans; whereupon there met from several parts six hundred Horse led by Girolamo Cara••••a, Marquiss of Montenegro, and two thousand Foot of divers Nations, commanded by old Spanish, Italian, and Walloon Officers;

to whom Portocarrero communicating nothing else, but that they were to go upon Amiens, marched all night; the * 1.89 Cadet Panure, a Walloon, and Inigo d' Ollava, a Spaniard, who were privy to the whole design, leading the first Troops, who ar∣riving in the morning before day, laid themselves in ambush behind certain Bushes not far from the City, and after them the same did Captain Fernando Dizz•• with an hundred Spanish Foot, and Captain Bostoc, with as many Irish. Portocarrero, who had made an halt with the main Body, near the Abbey of Mary Magdalen, above half a Mile from the Town; after that the Cadet climbing to the Top of a Tree, had given him a sign, that the Gate was open, and that the stir of those that went in, and came out, was over, he sent forth Giovan Battista Dugnano, a Mi∣lanese, and the same Serjeant del Arco, to execute what had been agreed of between them.

They, with Twelve in their company, disguised like Country-fellows, after th•• fashion of that Country, wore certain long Cassocks, some of Cloth, some of Can∣vas, under which each had a Case of short Pistols, and a Dagger. Four of them drove a Cart with three Horses fastned to the Draught-Tree in such manner, that by pulling out an Iron, they might be loosned from the Cart, which being laden with thick pieces of Wood covered with Straw, was sent before to stop under the Port∣cullis, and hinder it from shutting down. Behind the Cart followed other four, who upon their Shoulders had Sacks full of Apples and Nuts, and after them came the other six stragling, and last of all Serjeant Dugnano, the Captains Brother, with a great Pole.

It was already Sermon-time, (for by reason it was Lent, there was Preaching in many Churches) and the people being gone several ways, had left few to guard the Ports; when the first entred with the Cart at the Turn-pike, and went on under the Gate to do the effect already designed,* 1.90 and one of the second company making shew to let his Apples and Nuts fall by chance scattered upon the ground, many of those that were upon the Guard ran to catch them up, and the rest laughing and mocking, took no heed to the Cart, which being got under the Portcullis, the Horses were presently loosened, lest being frighted with that stir they should have dragged it too far; and so that impediment remained in the midst of the passage, that it could not be shut down. The last came unto the Turn-pike, and at the very first killed the Sentinel, then presently the rest discovering their Weapons, fell upon them that were catching up the Apples, and fighting fiercely killed some of them, and drove the rest into a room where the fire was, shutting them up in such manner, that the first Companies of Foot had time to come unto the Gate. In this inte∣rim the Sentinel that was above in the Gate-house, having heard the noise, spee∣dily cut the Ropes by which the Portcullis hung, which being made of several Bars and not all of a piece, two of the Bars broke through the bottom of the Cart, but the other three were kept up, leaving space enough open for two Souldiers to enter abrest. Through that passage the Commanders and Officers advanced compleatly armed, and after them above an hundred Souldiers, before any aid came from the City; and yet the people coming up on all sides, they would at last have defeated the Assailants, (among whom Dugnano was killed with a great wound on the head) if the Bars of the Portcullis being broken, and all impediments taken away, the Cadet had not come in seasonably with the Walloons, and Captain Bostock with the Irish; by which the people who ran stragling thither without order or without Commander, being beaten back and put to flight, and above eighty of the Citizens killed, there was no body that made resistance any longer; for the Count de S. Paul, who was in the Town without any Garison, at the first notice of the business, got out of the Forte de Beauvais and sav'd himself by flight. Fernando Dezza entred presently after the first, and last of all Portocarrero with the main Body, keeping the Souldiers from running about to plunder, as well for fear of the people, (a very great number in respect of them) as because he doubted the Kings Forces that were not far off, might strive to recover the Town in the first heat. But the people too bold before the urgency of the danger, and too fearful in the act, dejected in so sud∣den an accident, laid down their Arms, and the Kings Cavalry advancing to the very Wall, having met the Marquiss de Montnegro, and seen that they could not effect any thing, returned without further attempt into their own Quarters.

The news of this loss struck the King so deeply, that despising his own health, and breaking off the course of Physick he had begun, he posted speedily into Pi∣cardy, accompanied with none but those that were then about him, being con∣firmed more than ever in his old conceit, That where he was not himself in per∣son,* 1.91 businesses went on either carelesly, or unfortunately; and passing with great hazard in those places where the Enemy roved about victoriously, he came to Cor∣bie, where the Mareschal de Byron was, being resolved, or rather excited by despair, to begin the War again, happen what would; and to encounter any danger what∣soever to attempt some enterprize, though without hope to effect it. For he thought nothing more contrary to his success than ease, and nothing more beneficial than action.

But this accident struck the adjacent Provinces no less than him, and particularly the City of Paris;* 1.92 between which and Amiens there not being above eight and twen∣ty Leagues of open way, not hindred by any strong place, there entred a great ter∣rour into the people, fearing lest the Spaniards now victorious should advance to spoil the Country, and interrupt the concourse of victual, while the King had no Army wherewith he could withstand their progress; and the fresh sufferings which were lately passed, did by the yet bitter memory of them, make dangers seem more grievous, and more near than was fitting; the whole people therefore was in an up∣roar; the Country frighted, the Nobility stirred up, and many murmured against the King, as one who accustomed only to conquer in Civil Wars, yielded in all places to the discipline, policy, valour, and diligence of Foreigners; and others go∣ing yet farther, spoke against his manner of life, as if having given himself a prey to the love of Madam Gabriele, he had retired to pass his time idly with her, while the Enemy sollicitous and vigilant, insulted furiously against the principal Cities of the Kingdom: and that which these men said, was not without probable appea∣rance; for the King having made great show of the love he bore this Lady, even to the having caused the Baptism of a Daughter born of her, to be celebrated with Royal pomp, in the face of the Assembly at Rouen, was afterwards retired in her company to the solitariness of St. Germains, St. Maure, and the other places of plea∣sure near the City, in so much that those who knew not the necessity he had to take Physick, attributed all to the desire of ease, and to the appetite of womanish delights.

Nor was the King himself ignorant of the popular rumours; whereupon exceed∣ingly vexed, he ceased not with words and letters to clear himself, attributing the loss of Amiens to the obstinacy of the Citizens, who never would receive a Gari∣son, to which he would not constrain them, because that City being newly come unto his devotion, he was unwilling the people should believe that he fought to vio∣late the Priviledges of their Corporation, and fail of his Promises. He shewed like∣wise that not the pleasure of the Court, but his need of Physick, which would ad∣mit no delay, had constrained him to enter into a course, though the season were yet extreamly cold, to the end that after the space of a few days he might be able with perfect strength to undergo the burthen of the War himself in person. And to that which was said of his being only skilled in Civil Wars:* 1.93 He objected the two several times he had met the Duke of Parma, and what he had done the year be∣fore against the Constable of Castile's Army; in which enterprizes (contrary to what his Detractors said of him) He had shewn as much circumspection and discipline as the custom of the French Nobility, and the quality of times and occasions would allow.

* 1.94To these words joining actions sutable, though he had not above Four thousand Foot and Two thousand Horse, he determined to draw near Amiens to begin the siege; for he was resolved to ••et his utmost endeavours to recover that City; con∣sidering that it was best to begin betimes to straighten it by what means soever he could; to the end that those within might not have conveniency to provide them∣selves of things necessary to feed that abundance of people that dwelt continually in the Town. Wherefore being departed from Corbie, and past over to the far side of the River Somme, he caused his men to encamp in the midst between Amiens and Dourlans, to the end he might interrupt the commerce and mutual assistance of those two places, and having left charge with Mareschal de Byron to advance the siege ac∣cording as new supplies of men came up daily to the Camp, He giving no rest un∣to

himself, went up and down to convenient places, drawing Horse and Foot out of the Garisons to increase his Army the most he could, and at last returned to Pa∣ris, to hasten such provisions as were necessary, and to raise a sum of money, suffi∣cient to go through with the siege, which at that time was the utmost scope of all his thoughts.

The City of Amiens stands upon the River Somme, which being divided into many streams, runs through the midst of the Town, and encompasses, and washes the Wall in many places. On the one sid•• it hath the great Castle of Pequigny, and Corbie on the other; the Castle four Leagues, and the Town seven Leagues distant from it. The City is invironed with thick and well-contrived Walls, flanked with their Bulwarks and Ravelines, in some places more, in some less, according as it is washed more or less by the River; and though in all parts it be more excellently fortified, yet it is much stronger, and built with greater industry on the side beyond the River towards Flanders. On this side the King had given order, that siege should be laid, not only to hinder the commerce of Dourlans, but also because he intend∣ed to fortifie the quarters of his Army in such manner, and to environ the Town so closely with Trenches and Forts, that the Cardinal Archduke, though he came strong into the field, should not have power to relieve it, finding it wholly shut up on the right way. But the Mareschal de Byron not having strength enough to be∣gin the Trenches, had quartered himself with the Vanguard in the Abbey of Mary Magdalen, and spread himself with the rest of his Forces upon the rode to Dourlans, breaking the ways with the Cavalry, and hindring victual or relief from getting into the City.

On the other side, Portocarrero, though besieged much sooner than he had at first imagined, having sent Serjeant dell' Arco to Brussells, as well to give notice of it, as to require new supplies, applied himself with his usual diligence to repair the For∣tifications, and to provide against all other wants; and after he saw the French en∣camp so near, he resolved while they were weak, to trouble them so with sallies, that they should be fain to get further off; wherefore upon the thirtieth of March in the morning, he gave order, that the Marquiss de Montenegro should march forth to fall upon the quarter of the Vanguard, which was at the Abbey of Mary Magdalen, who having sent fifty Walloon Horse before to assault the first Corps de Garde, kept by twenty Souldiers, he himself followed so furiously with two hundred other Horse, that having beaten the Corps de Garde, and taken some prisoners, he advanced un∣expectedly to the quarter of the French, and yet four hundred Horse coming forth to receive the charge, they skirmished long without advantage, till the Marquiss feigned to give back, that he might draw the Enemy into an Ambuscado; where Cap∣tain Inigo d' Ollava lay among certain bushes with two hundred Spanish Foot. But the Sieur de Montigny, who commanded the French, having pursued them gallantly at the heels as far as the bushes, made a stop, out of a doubt, that some ambush might be laid in so fit a place; whereupon the skirmish ending, both parts retired without do∣ing any thing of moment.

The Marquiss sallied again the next day with three hundred Light-horse, followed by an hundred Lanciers; but the skirmish growing hot on all sides by their mutual Fire-arms, neither would the French advance into the hollow places, which are near the Walls; nor durst the Spaniards draw near the Post of Mary Magdalens Abbey, both the Commanders doubting they might be catched in some trap. Portocarrero then took another course to free himself from being so nearly molested by the Vanguard of the French, and began to batter the Abbey with many Culverines, whereof he had found store in the City, and continued to play upon it so obstinately, that there was no stay∣ing in that Post, and the Vanguard was fain to retire to a Village further back, from whence though they obstructed the ways with no less facility, yet they within had more means to provide themselves of Earth, Bavins, and other things necessary to raise new defences.

In this interim, the Cardinal Archduke had given careful order,* 1.95 that before the French Army grew stronger, new supplies might be put into the Town; where∣fore Juan de Gusman going from the Territory of Cambray with four Companies of Firelocks, but all mounted, and three hundred Light-horse, took his way by night, that he might come betimes in the morning to the Gates of the City, which ha∣ving prosperously done, as well because the Air was cloudy and dark, as because the

French advertised of his coming, expected him not till night; yet he destroying the benefit of Fortune by an unseasonable Vanity, as soon as he saw himself near the City, caused his Trumpets to sound, and a great Volley of Shot to be given in to∣ken of joy; at which noise the French who were prepared, ran so courageously to charge them, that the Troops being instantly mingled pel-mel, the Artillery of the Town had no longer any means to defend their own men; who being constrained to yield to the greater number, had retreated still fighting to the covered way, and there would have been routed and defeated, if Fernando Dezza who defended it with two hundred Spanish Foot, giving fire without distinction at them all, had not made the French retire. In the mean time, the Firelocks that came with the relief, leaping from their Horses, saved themselves almost all in the Moat, and the Marquiss of Mon∣tenegro sallying with his Horse, after the French were separated, valiantly beat them back as far as the Abbey. The relief got in with the loss of under forty men, yet was it great, because Kuggiero Taccone was wounded in the left Leg, and Fernando Dezza slain with a Musket-shot in the head. There entred together with the relief, Federico Pa••••io••te, (Brother to Guidobaldo▪ who was killed at the assault of Calais) an Engineer of very great fame, of whom the Commanders had exceeding great need for the making of works, and together with divers sorts of necessary matters, there got in also a good sum of money.

* 1.96Whilst with frequent bloody skirmishes, and with minds wholly intent upon the business, they fight thus under the Walls of Amiens, the Mareschal de Byron watch∣ing all occasions of advantage, resolves to give a sudden Scalado to Dourlans; and having caused many Ladders to be prepared, he gave order that the Sieur de Mon∣tigny who commanded the Light-horse, should lead the Foot of the Reerguard upon that enterprise, and he himself after having been forth in the evening, and made diver•• skirmishes under the Walls of the City, to the end, the Enemy might not perceive the lessening of his Camp, marched with sixty Cuirassiers, and his own Life-guard of Horse the same way, to give courage to his men. It was two hours before day, when the Sieur de Flassan on the one side, and the Sieur de Fou∣queroles on the other, both Captains of the Regiment of Piccardy, seconded by two hundred Switzers▪ clapt the Scaling-Ladders to the Walls of Dourlans, which be∣ing found extreamly much too short, the attempt proved vain without any other danger, and the Assailants returned the next day to lie before Amiens in their old quarters.

But the Mareschal de Byron exceedingly vexed at this unprosperous success, ha∣ving received four thousand English, (at last, after many delays, sent by Queen Elizabeth to the Kings assistance, in performance of the League lately made) and many other Troops of Horse, and Companies of Foot, who made great haste from several parts, being come up, he resolved to encamp just under the City, and for∣tifying his quarters, to shut up all the Avenues of the Town on the far side of the River at the same time. His Army amounted to the number of Twelve thousand fighting men; but he with his diligence, courage, and vigilancy, made it appear much greater, gallant in fight, careful in action, unwearied in labour, rigorous in exacting that from others which he himself did in his own person:* 1.97 Which quali∣ties being naturally his, were now redoubled by a Spur which he received from the Kings words, who could not contain himself from saying openly, That where he was not himself in person, things went on either with little fortune, or much neg∣ligence; wherefore, the Mareschal who attributed a great part of the past Victo∣ries, to his own fortune and personal courage, seeing now that glory called in que∣stion, which he accounted to be certainly his, as a man of infinite pride and insup∣portable haughtiness, was wholly kindled with an incredible indignation, and strove with his utmost spirits to do something that might plainly shew the effects of his Va∣lour without the Kings assistance or command; wherefore though the fierceness and number of the Defendents were such, that a great Body of an Army was necessary to straighten and besiege them, yet was he resolved to attempt it with those forces he had.

The first thing that was begun, was a Bridge over the Somme, in a Village called Longpre, about a League above the Town, and it was fortified with a Half-Moon on each side the River, as well that they might have free passage, both above and be∣low the City, as to hinder the Enemies from passing the River in that place, where

the streams divide themselves, and relieving the City on that side that was not be∣sieged. Besides this Fortification, a Trench was drawn, which beginning within a quarter of a League of the Town, near the Bank of the River came in the form of a Half-moon encompassing all the Plain, and ended at the other Bank of the River, about the same distance below the City; and this Trench was divided into seven parts, by seven Royal Forts, which furnished with small Artillery, scoured and flanked the Trench, utterly shutting up all the passage of the field. Such another Trench, though of much greater circuit, and as many Forts, closed up the outward part toward Dourlans, and the other wayes that led into the Territory of Cambray, and into Flanders, and on that side the Trenches were much deeper, and the Works much higher to de∣fend them on the back from the attempts of the Spanish Armies. The whole Army was imployed about this work, and a very great number of Pioneers, who being drawn together from the Country round about, by Birons imperious severity, wrought day and night at an exceeding cheap rate.

The courage of the Defendents was no less fierce and resolute, who being careful not to pass by any opportunity of interrupting the Works, sallied every hour, some∣times on hors-back, sometimes on foot, and making the whole Camp stand to their Arms, did, by very long skirmishes, keep the Works at a stay, and do mischief, some∣times in one place, sometimes in another. The skirmish was very sharp and bloody,* 1.98 which hapned upon the twenty fourth of May, which day the Marquiss and Portocar∣rero sallied out several ways, each with Three hundred Horse and as many Foot; and while Portocarrero gave a hot alarm on the lower side, the Marquiss taking towards Longpre; and passing by the side of the Trench, not yet finished, put them that guarded it in a very great confusion, and would have destroyed the Half-moon, and nailed three pieces of Cannon that were in it, if the Sieur de Mon∣tigny had not hasted thither with the Light-horse, with which, while he skirmish∣ed courageously, the Mareschal de Biron thought to posssess the Pass between his Trench and the River, and so cut off the enemies retreat; but being advanced at a good round pace that way with many Troops of Horse, he found, that Diego Duran∣do, Francesco del Arco, and Captain Falme, an Irish-man, had taken that Pass, to keep the retreat free and open for their own men; so that the fight began there again more furiously than before; for the Infantry making use of the hollow places and bushes, which in that place were very many, did much harm to the French Ca∣valry, and the Marquiss having faced about, charged the Mareschals Troop in the flank and in the reer, in such manner, that being catcht as it were in the midst, it was in very great danger of being defeated, if the rest of the Cavalry, led by the Commendatory de Chattes had not run speedily to disingage it, at whose arrival the Spanish Foot giving back on the one side, and the Mareschal retiring on the other, each marched off free, it being already almost Sun-set, and there remained many, as well French as Spaniards dead upon the place.

The King came to the Army upon the seventh of June,* 1.99 to the Mareschal de Bi∣ron's great displeasure, who desired to finish his line of circumvallation before his ar∣rival; so that seeing Madam Gabriele was come with him to the Camp, he cryed out publickly, that she was the prosperity and good fortune the King brought along with him; nor would he so easily have been quieted, if the King, visiting the Tren∣ches, had not highly commended his diligence and industry, and given order, that he should command the Forces, and all military matters, as he did before his com∣ing. The King, invironed with many Princes, took up his Post in the ruines of the Abby, among which there were yet some Arches standing entire, nor would he stir from thence, though the Spaniards ceased not to make many Cannon shot that way. The Constable, the Duke of Mayenne, the Duke of Espernon, and the Prince of Jainville quartered in the Forts, and the Mareschal de Biron got into an Hermitage within musket-shot of the Counterscarp, intending to begin his approaches on that side, as soon as the Works of his Camp were brought to perfection, in which they made huts of boards to shelter themselves from the Rain, and other ill-weathers, since the King, in the Council of War, had determined to approach by sapping, though it were the longest way, that he might not endanger the lives of his Soldiers in assaults, the War having swallowed up so great a number of them, that it was necessary to proceed very sparingly, the whole Kingdom being extreamly exhaust∣ed of men, and the Nobility more than moderately diminished.

The pay of the Army (many of the old Officers being removed) passed through the hands of Monsieur d' Inquerville Superintendent of the Finances, with the assi∣duous unwearied assistance of Secretary Villeroy, who, having in great part laid other businesses aside, applyed himself particularly to that, as well to the end the fraud of the Commanders might not, by deceits, increase the scarcity of Money, which was ex∣ceeding great, as that the decrease or increase of the Army might be known from day to day, and that the number might not differ in effect from what appeared in their muster-Books; nor ever was there so exact diligence used in times past; for formerly the Soldiers maintained themselves more upon free quarter and plunder than upon their pay; but now the Country being every where destroyed and emp∣ty, and the Foot particularly being fain to work daily at the Fortifications, and keep continually in the Trenches, it was necessary they should be paid, in which, and the other occasions of the siege, it is manifest there were spent above Three Milli∣ons of Ducates.

The Artillery was commanded by Monsieur de S. Luc, who, excited by his own genius, and the emulation of Monsieur de la Gniche his predecessor, busied himself with infinite industry in all occasions, in which the Swissers and the English were alwayes more ready and more diligent than all the rest; for the French Infantry, except the Regiment of Picardy and that of Navar, was all made up of new men, and such as were not accustomed to toyles and labours, and to lie in the field; and yet the healthfulness of that year was so great, assisted by the excellent Government of the Commanders, and by the conveniences that were in the Camp, that almost none died, and but very few were sick. The light-Horse commanded by the Sieur de Montigny were quartered at the back of the Army, and making large excursions, convoy'd in provisions, and infested all the Country to the very Gates of Dour∣lans, into which Town Cavalliere Lodovico Melzi being entred with ten Troops of Horse, there happened frequent skirmishes, and bloody encounters between both parties.

Nor were the besieged less ready to interrupt the Fortifications, and molest the Camp continually,* 1.100 though the French Army was increased to the number of Eighteen thousand fighting men; and though in the Town, whatsoever the occa∣sions were, many diseases raigned, which, as the weather grew hotter, became also contagious and pestilential; but the courage of the soldiers, and the valour of the Commanders overcame all, insomuch, that their sallies slackened not, and with their Artillery they did much harm; one shot having hit into the Arch under which the King himself lay, and filled the place with so much dust and rubbish, that if the building of the Wall had not been very strong, he had been in great dan∣ger of being buried in the ruines with his attendants.

To the valour of Armies were added also Treaties with some of the besieged; so that a Bourguignon Captain being got into the Town in the habit of an Augustine Frier,* 1.101 not onely induced those Fathers to receive some others with offensive Armes into their Monastery, but also got certain Walloon soldiers to consent to open a Gate that was furthest from the work, as soon as it should come to their turn to guard it: but while they still treated to draw many others into their company, notice of it came unto the Governor, who, having caused nine of the accomplices to be hang∣ed, made most part of the Friers be put in Prison, and set strict guards upon the Monastery. From this accident there arose another trouble to the besieged; for not confiding in the people, among which they thought there were many partakers of the Intelligence discovered, they were fain, when they made any sallies, to go round the streets of the City at the same time with strong guards, to the end that none might rise within; and when an alarm was given, they were necessitated to man the heart of the Town no less than the Bulwarks. But notwithstanding all these diffi∣culties, they omitted not any occasion of sallying; judging that the most powerful remedy to foreslow the Kings works, and give the Cardinal Arch-Duke time to draw an Army together and bring them relief.

On the other side, the Mareschal de Biron, whilest all were intent, either to make, or hinder the Works, thought to attempt some unexpected surprize; wherefore, up∣on the one and twentieth day of June at night, which proved dark and cloudy, he caused two Captains to advance silently with some Foot, and to get down secretly into the Moat, where having cast many Saucissons into the skip-gates, and the hol∣low

places of the Cassamattes, they gave fire to them without delay, and with some affright to those within; but not having been able to aim them right, and they not taking fire equally, made more noise than they did harm, having only beaten down some of the facing of the Wall, and some loop-holes for small shot, and kill'd only three sentinels, so that the Captains not seeing any breach at which they could make an attempt, and great store of fire-works raining on all sides into the moat, they retired, leaving many Saucissons, which, in regard of the Powder, were of great help to the besieged. Saucissons are long sackes of Leather, which, filled with Pow∣der, and fired at a certain time, do a like effect (though much weaker) to a pettard or mine.

This danger excited the defendants to man the Counterscarp more carefully, so that they lodged two Companies of Spaniards there, and two others of Walloons, who, after that, staid there day and night, and all the Cassamattes of the Moat, were, with equal diligence, plentifully guarded, insomuch, that the Colonel of the Regi∣ment of Navar going to make another trial of the attempt of the Saucissons, near the Raveline of the Gate that looks toward Long-pre, was, at the entry of the Counter∣scarpe forced to return back with some loss.

In the mean time Mareschal de Biron fortified the Hermitage, to begin two Trenches of approach from thence; but the Marquiss of Montenegro being resolved to hinder that as much as he could, sallied upon the nine and twentieth day of the Month with Four hundred Horse, back'd by two hundred Irish and Italian Foot, and advan∣cing straight as far as the Hermitage, began so fierce a fight with those that were at work, that the Mareschal himself was fain to fall in with his Troop; nor would that have been sufficient to repulse him, if the Count of Auvergne had not come up with a strong Troop of Horse, at whose arrival the Marquiss retiring still fighting, the Foot came in courageously to the encounter, and being placed in the hollow of the field, did so much mischief to the French Cavalry, that they were fain to retire without much resistance. Above Two hundred of the Camp were slain, and of the besieged not above Ten.

The night following the Mareschal laid an Ambush of Two hundred French Foot in the ruines of St John's Church, which, together with the Suburbs had been pull'd down by the Defendants from the beginning, and in the morning stood with his Horse in order, expecting their wonted sally, to which the Marquiss coming forth, with a number equal to that of the day before, and having faln at unawares into the ambush, lost not courage for that, but rallying his Troop close, and wheeling, would have turned back. But the Mareschal coming out of his quarter, overtook him in the Rere, and made him face about again: Whereupon, there was so close an encounter, that the Marquiss overpowred by the greater number, and charged in the flank and front, would have been cut off with all his men, if the Governor with the rest of the Horse had not sallied forth to dis-ingage him; who having for that pur∣pose sent on two Troops of Cuirassiers, and one of Lances to the skirmish, the service was so hot, that for a long space they fought desperately; but in the end, the English Tertia coming up, the Spaniards were repulsed, and driven full speed to the Counter∣scarp. There were slain that day seventy of the besieged, and among the rest Juan de Gusman, a Cavalier of great birth, who had lately brought the relief.

Yet did they not forbear for this to sally the next day, and charging the Foot that wrought at the Hermitage, killed many Soldiers and Pioneers; but seeing four Troops of Horse, and the Battalion of the English come toward them, they turned back without doing any thing else. The Sallies continued so frequent the following dayes, that the Works proceeded very slowly; but upon the fifth day of July the Mareschal having laid two Ambushes in the field, catched those that sallied between in such manner, that Diego Benavides his company was quite defeated, and he himself ha∣ving lost his Alferes, and his Serjeant, had much ado to save himself: And Ruggiero Taccone, who followed him with the Cavalry, being furiously repulsed and pursued at the heels, could hardly retire safe under the shelter of the Covered-way.

By this misfortune, and the diseases which increased, the ardor of the Defendants was something cooled, insomuch, that Biron had conveniency to plant eleven great Pieces of Battery in the Hermitage; which scouring the field, hindred them from sal∣lying out of the Counterscarp, and sheltered those that began to work at the Trenches,

which going on apace, the Defendants thought to disturb them, by making so strong a Sally, that part of what was done might be thrown down, Biron's Artillery nailed, and that they might not be able to annoy them for some dayes. Wherefore the Go∣vernor gave order, that Captain Diego Durando, and Francesco del Arco (who had also got a Company) should stand ready in the Covered-way; the first with Two hundred Spanish Foot, the other with as many Italians and Walloons; and that after them, two Irish Captains should be ready to sally with Three hundred Foot of that Nation; and for the Rere-guard, Carlo de Sangro, with eighty Men at Armes, who marching on Foot should carry Halbards. He gave direction, that Captain Ruggiero Taccone, and Captain Francesco-Fonte, should sally out at the Gate that was approach∣ed to, each with an Hundred Horse to back the Infantry, and that Captain Simone La∣tro, with other Two hundred Horse sallying at the Porte de Beauvais, should give an alarm on the contrary side, and then crossing through the Field, should come to re∣inforce his own party. It was the seventeenth day of July, upon the point of noon, when the Governor, by a Cannon-shot, gave sign to fall on; at which, all sallying courageously, Diego Durando ran into the right hand Trench, and Francesco del Arco into that on the left, and fell in with so much violence, that having routed and beaten off the first Guards, they assailed the Regiment of Picardy that kept them, before it had time to get into order to receive the charge; so that having killed the first that advanced to fight, and having laid Flessan la Viette, and Fouqueroles, all Captains dead upon the place, they routed and dissipated the whole Tertia, which they chased fly∣ing to the very Redouts of the Hermitage; in which place, both the Fugitives and the Enemies fell so impetuously into the Regiment of Champagne that was upon the guard, that it also being disordered, plainly took flight, running to get themselves in order in the Alarm-place that was at their back. In so great a tumult and flight, the Spanish Commanders, valiantly followed by their men, having filled the Trenches with slaughter, came up to the mouth of the Redouts of the Hermitage, which would have been quitted, and by consequence lost, if the Mareschal de Biron, with four Gentlemen of his own, and with Captain Franc••sco Benzi a Florentine, with some few other Sol∣diers that followed him▪ taking up Pikes, had not exposed himself to the violence of the Enemy; but still fighting desperately, though the passage of the Redouts was narrow; those few could not hold out long, and withstand the fury of so many, nei∣ther did any relief come up, for Captain Simone scouring the Field, and behind him the Marquiss of Montenegro and Ruggiero Taccone, and Franc••sco Fonte on the other side, put every one in a necessity of defending his own post: Wherefore the Battery of the Hermitage, and the Mareschals life were in desperate danger, if the Prince of Jainville, who was in the nearest Fort, knowing in how great trouble they w••re, had not resolved to run with One hundred men into those Redouts; at whose arrival Sangro's men at Arms came valiantly into the fight, who better enduring the blows that were given them, because they were armed, gave the French such a shock, that they already were retired (though fighting) as far as the Artillery.* 1.102 The Mareschal de Bi∣ron all in sweat and blood, with the right side of his hair all burnt, still caused many signs to be given of his danger. Wherefore the King himself not having a more rea∣dy remedy, alighted from his horse, and taking a Pike in his hand, with those Gen∣tlemen that were about him, ran desperately to defend his Cannon; after whom the Count d' A••vergne, and the Count de St. Paul, hasting up one after another, with a great number of the Nobility, who were come out of Mary Magdalens Abby, there grew so hot a conflict as had the appearance of a very great Battel. They fought obstinately above two hours, the King himself being at the head of his men; but at last the number of the French encreasing, and the Spanish men at Arms finding their strength fail them,* 1.103 by reason of the weight of their Arms in the greatest heat of the day, began (though softly) to retire, being still driven and charged home by the Prince of Jainville, who, with a courage equal to his birth, fought very gallantly. At the coming out of the Trenches, the Battel was reinforced, the Spanish Cavalry being come up to succor their party, which charging in upon the Flank, separated the Prince of Jainville and his company, from those of the King, and of the Mareschal de Biron▪ in such manner, that the conflict being divided into two parts, one not be∣ing able to know any thing of the other, they fought desperately with extream danger and wondrous great contention; but the Duke of Mayenne came up seasonably with Five or six hundred Horse, who, notwithstanding that the Cannon of the Town fired

without intermission, had passed through the Field between the Quarters and the Moat, whither the Spaniards, being tired and wearied out, took a resolution to retire, being pursued and followed at the heels to the very Counterscarp. It was a great while be∣fore the Prince of Jainville was seen, and the King staying at the mouth of the Trench, called out aloud, enquiring earnestly after him, and every one already suspected he was slain, when, with some few in his company, he appeared all smeared with blood, and bruised with blows, which put joy into the sadness of the Army, of which there were killed that day above Nine hundred men, and of the Spaniards there remained above Ninety dead upon the place. The wounded were many, and those of the most re∣markable of the French Army, besides many private Gentlemen, among which also Henrico Davila, who wrote this History, was hurt with a Partesan in the right knee.

From that day, both by reason of the number that had been slain in so many other sallies, and by diseases which still increased more and more, malignant Fevers being apparently turned into the Plague, their sallies slackned; and in stead of them, Cap∣tain Falme, an Irish man, and Francesco del Arco, set up Pallisadoes round about the Covered way, to keep the enemies so much longer imployed, and at a distance, that they might not come to offend the Counterscarp, which was defended till the last day of Ju∣ly. But, upon the first of August, the Trenches being already in a condition to be opened, the Defendants fastned two Petards unto them, and breaking through them before the time, assaulted them, and did some harm; and yet the same day to∣wards the evening, the French opened them, and got upon the Counterscarp, and the Spaniards at the same time springing a Fougade, which they had made there, sent above forty of them into the air. The mouthes of the Trenches were fortified that night, and the second day they began to raise a great Cavalier, close by the right hand Trench, which should batter the Defences and Flanks of the Bulwarks, and the following dayes they strove with Fougades, Saucissons, Fireworks, and other instru∣ments to take or destroy the Cassamats; in which action they fought no less by night than day with a continued assault; but so great was the industry, and constancy of the Defendants, that in many dayes they could scarce get a few spans of ground. But having gone as far as was possible by sapping, the Galleries were already brought just under the Walls; wherefore Monsieur de S. Luc raised a Battery of eight pieces of Cannon, to gain the Raveline that stood to defend the Bridge and the Gate. The Ar∣tillery batter'd till the four and twentieth day, upon which the English and the French severally gave the assault, and took the Raveline; but not having covered themselves sufficiently, by reason of their weariness, and of the shortness of the night, the next day at the beating of the Riveille, Captain Durando assaulted them so fiercely, that a great number of Fire-works being thrown from the Wall, and Captain Ollava's Mus∣ketiers playing upon their Flank, they were constrained to forsake that Post, which nevertheless being all beaten in pieces by the Artillery, and the Cavalier (brought to a just height) already battering, it was recovered again the same night, and the Regi∣ment of Cambray entrencht it self in it.

But the Governor knowing the Wall was lost, caused a little half-Moon to be made upon the edge of the Rampart, for the raising whereof they carried the earth in scuttles and baskets; and at the same time, to anticipate the cutting off the retrench∣ments, the Marquiss of Montenegro caused a great Trench to be made along the bank of an arm of the River, which runs on that side near the Walls, that the first Works be∣ing lost, the enemy might find opposition at the second.

In the mean time, they without endeavoured to make themselves Masters of the great Tower of the Gate, which being soundly battered, was stormed upon the eight and twentieth day, and at the same time a Mine was sprung that had been made be∣tween the Tower and the Wall, which having made a very great breach, filled the entrance of the Tower in such manner, that it was separated from the City, and de∣prived of relief; and yet Captain Olava with one Alferes, who had that Guard, made it good courageously; nor did the Marquiss and the Governor labour less care∣fully to cause the rubbish to be taken away, that some relief might be given them, so that working on all sides, the business was drawn on till night, when the passage being already opened, Fourscore Irish, and as many Italians, entered to defend the great Tower, those that had made it good before, retiring weary, and in an ill condition; and yet the Sap overcame what men could not, and four days after, not only the Tower,

but the adjoyning Wall was taken by the French; nor was it long before they got al∣so upon the Rampart, where, beside the first half-moon made by Gagliego, Fedrico Paccio••to had also in the mean time made two others, by which the Assailants were hindered from getting farther in, and in the front of them new Casamattes, and a new Trench were made.

In this interim the King having had intelligence that Commissary Conerrea, with many other Commanders, being departed from Doway, came to discover the wayes and quarters of his Army, left the care of the Camp to the Duke of Mayenne, and upon the nine and twentieth of August in the evening, went in person with the Mareschal de Biron and Six hundred Horse to meet them, leaving the Count of Auvergne to follow the day after with Eight hundred Horse more. He himself marched before with a Hundred Gentlemen, and the Sieur de Montigny followed him with all the rest of the Horse; in which manner marching, upon the last day of the month in the morning, about eight of the clock, and being come to the top of an Hill, he found him∣self suddenly in the front of the Enemy, who came out of a Wood. The space be∣tween them was but short, and there was no thought of retiring; wherefore, it was necessary to shew a good heart in the inequality of Forces, and having suddenly sh••t down their Beavers, the King trotted on to charge the Enemy.

Nor was this boldness without its due effect; for the Spaniards, astonished at that unexpected assault, and judging, that the courage of the French grew, from ha∣ving strong Squadrons behind them, faced about without making resistance, and were pursued by the King fighting a great way, till being come to a little River, which run∣ning from Miraumont, falls into the Somme near Corbie, they passed over it precipitately, and being dissipated several wayes saved themselves with much adoe at Bapaulme. Yet there were but eleven soldiers killed with one Captain of Horse, and some few others remained prisoners: But the King obtained not all his intent; for on the other side, Count Giovan Giacopo Belgiojoso and Emanuello de Vega not being met nor heeded, because they carried but few with them, got so near unto the Camp, that they had conveniency to discover all things, and returned well informed to the Cardinal Arch-Duke.

The King being returned to the Army, and believing that relief would presently come,* 1.104 caused the works to be so hastened, that upon the fourth of September his men attempted to gain the Half-Moons, which, though it succeeded not the besieged receiv∣ed a greater loss; for the Governor Portocarrero, while he advanced to succor the Ra∣veline, being taken with a Musket-shot in the left-side under his Arms, fell presently dead upon the ground; which accident, as most sad to the Defendants, so was it, by reason of his courage, no less deplored by the enemies.

The Marquiss of Montenegro succeeded him in the command, who, with equal va∣lour and constancy assumed the charge of the defence; for the continuance whereof Alonso Ribera, and Captain Durando entered into the Half-Moons; and on the other side, Monsieur de St. Luc, with the Regiment of Navar, and the Mareschal de Biron with the English Tertia, drew two Trenches in the midst of the Rampart, to take away the defences on both sides, and to come to the work that was before them, at which the Marquiss and Federico Pacciotto were continually present: and because the Infantry was in a manner consumed by toil and hardship, and many of them lay sick, the Men-at-Arms, Cuirassiers, and Light-Horse, refused not to do the same duties, working with spades and shovels, and fighting with Pikes and Muskets. While these Trenches were making,* 1.105 Monsieur de St. Luc, upon the eighth of September, being en∣tered to hasten the Works, was hit with a Musket-bullet in the head, and was carried dead into the Camp, to the exceeding great grief of the King, who was very affectio∣nate to his valour and dexterity; for, being beside Military experience adorned with learning, and endowed by nature with a most noble aspect, he did, in action, consultati∣on, conversation and discourse accomplish all the degrees of perfection. The works that were before the Trenches were storm'd upon the twelfth day; but though the as∣sault lasted from Sun-rising till two of the Clock in the afternoon, yet did not the assai∣lants get any advantage at all; and while in the following dayes they thought to redouble the assaults, and break the constancy of the Defendants, the arrival of the Spanish Camp diverted their mindes from the Siege to more dangerous thoughts.

The Cardinal Arch-Duke had found many difficulties in drawing an Army toge∣ther; for the Spanish Ministers having overlooked the accounts of those who had lent Money to the King, and having used much rigour unseasonably, the Merchants with∣held their hands, and afterward money could not be provided time enough for the pay∣ment of his Forces; whereupon, those that came out of Italy, under the command of Alfonso d' Avalos moved late; and those that were raised in Germany had been slowly gathered together; and yet the Cardinal overcoming all impediments with industry and diligence, had made a general Rendezvous of his Army in the end of August at Doway, being Twenty thousand Foot, and Four thousand Horse; and though the States of Holland insulted in many places, and made great progresses in Frieseland and the County of Brabant, yet he either having such Commission from Spain, or being more inclined to defend and keep what had been gotten in the time of his command, resolved to lay aside all other interests, and advance to relieve Amiens; being desirous to preserve so many good Soldiers as were besieged in it, and judging that he should obtain exceeding great glory, if he could make the King of France retire, who was at that siege with all the Forces of his Kingdom united.

With this determination departing from Doway in the beginning of September, with a great Train of Artillery, and great preparations of Bridges, Carriages, and Ammuni∣tion, he came to Arras, where, having the informations of Belgiojoso and Vega, he pro∣pounded in the Councel of War, what course was to be taken to put relief into Amiens, or to make the French Army rise. Some Counselled to pass the River below Corbie, and bring his Army on that side, which standing toward France, was not besieged by the King; for putting strong relief into the City without resistance, there would be no necessity of hazarding the danger of a Battel, and the Kings attempts receiving a new and powerful opposition from new supplies, would, with the help of Winter, which was coming on, prove vain of themselves. But the greater part of the Commanders considered, that to pass the River, and march into a Country quite destroyed, desolate, and encompassed with so many of the enemies Towns, was a besieging of themselves; for, if the King, who had all the passes upon the River, should hinder them from go∣ing back, they would be constrained, either to die for hunger, or to take many strange and dangerous resolutions; which difficulty was the principal cause, that it was deter∣mined to go the streight way by Dourlans to the French Camp; believing, that if the King moved to meet them, he should afford them some opportunity to put relief into the Town; wherefore the Arch-Duke went to Dourlans upon the twelfth of Septem∣ber,* 1.106 and there having made provision of victual, as well to feed his Army, as to put into the City, if he could make passage to it; upon the fourteenth day he marched be∣times in the morning towards the Enemy.

The first Troops of Horse were led by Lodovico Melzi, Ambrogio Landriano, between whom marched the flying Squadron of Four thousand Foot, Spaniards and Italians, un∣der the command of Diego Pimentello: And in the Front of it, were above Two hundred Captains armed with Pikes and Corslets. Next followed three Squadrons of Infantry, two of Spaniards, led by Carlo Colombo and Lodovico Velasco; and the third, which marched in the midst, was of Walloons, led by the Count de Boucquoy. After these was the Battle, in which were the Duke of Aumale, the Count de Sore, and the Prince of Orange; and the Squadron of Alonso Mendozza, in which were two Spanish Tertia's, brought up the Rere. The Artillery were guarded by the three first Squadrons, and on both sides of the Army were the Carriages of Baggage chained together, as the Duke of Parma's custom had taught them.* 1.107 The charge of Camp-Master General was executed by Count Peter Ernest of Mansfelt, an old man of venerable gray hairs, who not being able to ride on horseback was carried in an open Litter, and had taken that weight upon him, because Monsieur du Rosne, besieging Hulst, a few Months before, had been killed with a Cannon shot. The Archduke likewise was carried in a Litte••, and had near him the Duke of Arescot, and the Almirante of Aragon for Counsel∣lors.

But the King, whose Army, by the coming up of the Dukes of Nevers and Montpen∣sier, was so increased, that he had Eighteen or Twenty thousand Foot, and more than Eight thousand Horse, having strongly garrisoned Corbie and Pequigny, to make difficult the passage of the River, had an intention (being so advised by the Mareschal de Biron) to go and meet the enemy in the Field with all his Cavalry; for judging him∣self

much superior in number and quality of Horse, he thought it good to keep the enemy far from his Infantry, in which he had little confidence; but while he was get∣ting ready to take Horse,* 1.108 the Duke of Mayenne came in, who having asked and un∣derstood the Kings design, said so loud, that he was heard by many, That those that gave His Majesty such Counsel, did not well know the quality of the Enemy; and that venturing him∣self with onely his Horse, against a potent old Army, he put himself in certain danger of en∣countring some sinister accident; whereby afterward his Infantry remaining alone, the men would be lost, the quarters lost, and so many toils and labours undergone to fortifie them, all lost; and his Kingdom set upon one single point of a Dye. To which the King replying, What then was to be done? The Duke answered, That they were come to take Amiens, and that they ought to mind that end; wherefore, keeping the Army in the security of their Forts, they ought to leave the thought of assaulting them, and driving from thence unto the Arch-Duke: And the King adding, That the enemy would pass the River, and relieve the besieged. The Duke answered again, Let your Majesty set your heart at rest, for the ene∣my neither will pass the River, nor can force these Trenches. So the Mareschal de Biron fret∣ting, who was alwayes inclined to precipitate resolutions, the King concluded to stay, and let the Duke of Mayenne manage the business of the Camp, who having caused Fifteen hundred Foot to pass on the far side of the River, under the command of Mon∣sieur de Vic, presently made a Church to be taken and entrenched, which stood upon the further Bank, little more than a mile from the Town; and having set many Corps de Gardo along the side of the River, went personally to Longpre to fortifie it better. The Foot were placed in the Forts and Trenches, and the Cavalry spred it self in Battalia under the defence of the Works.

The Archduke lay with his whole Army that night at the Abby of Betricourt, and caused all his Cannon to be shot off, to give the City notice that relief was near. Mon∣sieur de Montigny, who, with the French Light-horse had still scoured the wayes within fight of the Enemy, came into the Camp about midnight, and having given the King notice where the Spaniards were, and that they would appear the next day, was sent to quarters, to refresh his Horse, tired with the two last dayes duty. The next day, which was the fifteenth of September, the first Troops of the Archdukes Army appeared about one of the clock in the afternoon, which having passed a Water that was fordable two Leagues above Amiens, and left Pequigny upon the right hand, bend∣ing their course toward the left, made shew as if they would march straight to Longpre, whereupon the rabble of Suttlers and Freebooters, with many other persons who lay there for greater conveniency, taking flight precipitately, ran to save themselves in the Camp, by which hurry, the Foot being affrighted (who believed it had been Mon∣sieur de Montigny, that fled routed from the Enemy (for his return by night was known but to a few) forsook the Trenches so hastily, that neither the Constable, nor the Duke of Espernon could stop their flight, but with a full carriere they ran with their Ensigns (who fled more than the rest) toward the River, on that side that leads to Abbeville.

* 1.109In the mean time the Spaniards Flying-squadron was come within sight of the Trenches, and the experienced Captains that were in the Front, knowing the disorder and flight of the Colours, cryed out aloud, Victory, Victory, and Battaile, Battaile. But the Archduke hearing the tumult, and their voices, though he inclined to give way that the Trenches should be stormed, yet being perswaded by the Almirante and the Duke of Aresc••t, not to credit the precipitancy of the Soldiers, who were still desirous to fight without consideration, but rather to proceed warily, and first to discover the condition of the French, resolved at last to make a halt.

In this interim, The Dukes of Nevers and Montpensier spreading the Cavalry of the Vanguard in Battalia, hindred the Enemy from seeing the Trenches, and the Canno∣neers gave fire without intermission, to the end, the smoak might hide the disorder that was there, giving them time to recover themselves; for, the Mareschal de Biron running full speed, made the Infantry know their error, and pointing with his finger to shew, that the Enemy had made a halt in the midst of the field, perswaded them all within a while to return unto their Posts. In this manner, the Archduke, by the too much wariness of his Counsellors, lost so certain an occasion of so glorious and so great a victory, which, at the first arrival, had been very well observed by the experience of private Captains.

The Marquiss of Montenegro knew the advantage no less than they, and would have sallied upon the Trenches of the French which were in the Moat, and upon the Ram∣part over against his Retrenchments; but he found, that the Regiment of Navarre that guarded them was not moved, and that the Switzers who were encamped something lower, stood likewise firm in their Battalia.

The rest of the day was spent in divers skirmishes in the field, which the King caused purposely to be made hot and furious, to keep the Enemy in play, the Arch∣duke still having a thought to assault the Kings Fortifications; but the Commanders shewed, that it was necessary first to fight with so great a strength of Horse drawn up without the works, and defended by so many pieces of Artillery, that the con∣quering of them was not to be thought on; and shewed the Trenches and Forts so high, that a stronger quarter had not been seen of many years: Wherefore it being resolved at night to attempt some other way, upon the sixteenth day in the morn∣ing, the Count de Buquoy with his Squadron, and many Boats carried upon Carts, drew near the River to attempt to pass it; but the Guards the Duke of Mayenne had placed there, resisted stoutly, and though they fought with such wondrous fury in many places, and that sometimes it was likely the Walloons would obtain their intent, yet after having laboured all day they retired without fruit.

In the mean time, they had skirmished fiercely on the other side, both with Horse and Cannon; for the King having caused seven Culverins to be drawn to a higher gro••nd that was behind the Vanguard, made them play from thence, and so pro∣sperously, that twice they light upon the Mules that carried the Cardinals Litter; whereupon he was constrained to get on horse-back, and the Enemies Cavalry re∣ceived much harm by them on all sides. The Spanish Cannon fired no less hot∣ly▪ but because they were in a higher-place, they shot so under mettle, that they did but little execution. But in the variety of the skirmishes that were continually made in the field, many observed, that while the business passed between Cuirassiers and Cuirassiers, or between Carabines and Carabines, the French for the most part had the better; but where the Flemish and Bourguignon Men at Arms came in, the French Cavalry were fain to yield to the violence of the Lances: to hinder which en∣counter, which happened to the loss and trouble of the Nobility, the King himself ad∣vanced to the head of his Squadrons, gave order that as the Cuirassiers skirmished they should not join so close together, but leave a good space between one another, which ha∣ving been often done, they found that the sho•••• of the Lances not meeting a firm op∣position proved for the most part vain, which was of very great advantage, as well because they skirmished with small Troops in the wide field, where it was easie to them to open, as because the Spanish Lanciers were very few in respect of the great number of French Cavalry.

Toward the evening a Trench was finished▪ with which the Duke of Mayenne la∣bouring all that day, had shut up the way to Longpré; wherefore the Count de Bouc∣quoi's attempt being frustrated, and there being no more hope of getting the Pass over the River, since that neither Longpré had been attacqued,* 1.110 nor the Kings quarters as∣saulted the first day, the Commanders of the Spanish Army (according to whose opinion the Cardinal Archduke governed himself) determined to retire the same way they came, and make their retreat, before the victual which they had brought with them being spent, the Army should begin to suffer; for, as for the Country, it was so wasted, that for fifteen Leagues round about, there was nothing to be found that could be useful either to horse or man.

The sign of their departure appeared the next morning by their Baggage and the Free-booters that covered all the way towards Dourlans; whereupon the King desi∣rous not to let the Enemy draw off without some trouble, commanded two Squa∣drons of Horse flanked with two others of Carabines to fall upon them in the Reer; but the Sun being many hours high when the Army departed, they saw them re∣treat in such a marvellous order, that their main proposition being chiefly to prose∣cute the siege of Amiens, the King himself thought best, and all the rest of the Com∣manders concurred with him, not to attempt any thing. The Spanish Army had faced about, so that Alonso de Mendozza led the Vanguard, (if the first divisions that retire can be called a Vanguard) and the flying Squadron now was left in the Reer∣guard to make the retreat. This, being Pikes in the midst, with two great wings of Muskettiers on each side, make a crooked form, and an appearance something like a

Half-Moon, so that whosoever advanced to charge it, fell first into a thick storm of Musket-Bullets, after which they found a firm Battalion before them, which fiercely shaking their Pikes, made a terrible shew of a valiant opposition; and if any Body of Horse made as if they would assail the Wings of the Squadron, presently Melzi's and Landriano's Squadrons advanced, which with two Bodies of Lances flanked with Carabines withstood the shock, till the Muskettiers charging and setting themselves in order, came furiously up to give fire again. In this order the Pike-men with their Pikes upon the left shoulder, retired step by step, and facing instantly about at every little touch of the Drum, retreated so quietly, and with so slow a pace, that in two long hours they were drawn off little more than half a mile; in which space the Kings Light-horse ceased not to make many attempts, and to give many charges, but still with great loss; for they were too fiercely answered by the ranks of the flying Squadron;* 1.111 and at last Monsieur de Montigny having obtained leave to skirmish in many several places, the Spanish Squadron made a halt, pouring out such an abun∣dance of small-shot, that the Light-horse were forced to wheel about, and being at the same time furiously charged by the Carabines who came out of each flank, they were driven back even to the Kings Squadrons, which advancing gently more for reputation than any thing else, followed on the way the Enemy retired. Above forty of the Light-horse were slain, and many more wounded, among which the Sieur de Coqueinvillier received a Musket-shot in the left Arm. But after this last charge of the Light-horse, the Kings Squadrons made a stand a while, and the Spaniards con∣tinued retiring a great deal faster; and after they were gotten off as far as Cannon-shot, shouldering their Pikes and Muskets, they marched on their way without trou∣bling themselves any further. But being come to the water, which of necessity they were to pass, the King advanced with all his Cavalry to see if that impediment would give him any opportunity to disorder the Enemy; but the flying Squadron instantly facing about, made a stand in the midst of the way, till the rest of the Army was past over; and then observing the same order, past thorow the water up to their knees without disordering their ranks at all, or making the least discernable stop: which marvellous form of retreating, while so great and so numerous Squadrons of the Enemies Horse covered the field on all sides, drew from the Kings own mouth, That no other Souldiers in the World could do so much; and that if he had had that In∣fantry joined with his Cavalry,* 1.112 he would dare to undertake a War against all the World. When they were past the water, the French forbore to follow any further; for the King would needs send back part of his Horse to defend the Camp, and towards the evening he, with the Duke of Nevers and Montpensier, and with the Mareschal de By∣ron, followed the retreat of the Spaniards. The Archduke lay that night in the Abbey of Betricourt again, and the next day passing near Dourlans, marched strait to Arras, with a design, since he had not been able to relieve the besieged, to apply himself to the affairs of Flanders.

* 1.113The King being returned to the Camp, sent an Herald to tell the Marquiss of Mon∣tenegro, that having seen the issue of the relief he expected, it was time now to think of yielding; and that, because he d••sired not the destruction of so many gallant Souldiers, he would grant him honourable conditions. The Marquiss (who in a note brought him by a Boy, had already had leave from the Archduke to capitulate, would yet hear the opinions of the Commanders, who having unanimously concluded, that by reason of the contagious mortality, of their want of Match, of the small number of men to which they were reduced, and because the Enemies were now Masters of the Rampart,* 1.114 there was no thought of holding out) answered the King, That he de∣sired Safe-conduct to send a Captain to the Archduke, that he might know the cer∣tainty of his Command, which being courteously granted, he sent Federico Pacciotto, who brought express leave to make Composition: whereupon having treated a while, they agreed to surrender upon these Conditions:

That the Monuments of Hernando Telles Portocarrero, and of all other Commanders slain in the siege,* 1.115 should not be stirred, nor their Inscriptions cancelled, it being ne∣vertheless lawful for the Spaniards to take away their Bodies when they pleased. That all the Souldiers that were in the City should march out in Battalia, with their Arms and Baggage, Colours flying, Drums beating, and Trumpets sounding, and should

be fu••nished by the King with Carts to carry away their Goods and their Sick as far as Dourlans: That if any sick or wounded person should remain in the City, he should receive good usage, and have liberty to go away at his pleasure: That the Souldiers should be exempt from paying for any Physick or Surgery they had had in the City, and likewise for Two thousand pound weight o•• Musket-Bullet which they had taken up from particular men and made use of: That Prisoners on both sides should be set free without Ransom: That the Towns-men might stay without being oppressed, and be used as good Subjects, renewing their Oath of Al∣legiance to the King of France; but those that would march out with the Soul∣die••s might have free liberty so to do: That there should be a Truce for the six next ensuing days, within the term of which, if they were not relieved with at least ••wo thousand men, they should deliver up the City; and that in the mean time they should give Hostages for security, a Spanish Commander, an Italian, and a Walloon.

The Serjeant Major carried the Capitulations to the Archduke,* 1.116 who having rati∣fied them, the Defendents of Amiens marched forth upon the Five and twentieth of Sep∣tember, being Eighteen hundred Foot, and four hundred Horse; the Marquiss of Montenegro being at the head of them in a Souldier-like gallant••y, upon a brave Horse, wi••h a Truncheon in his hand▪ and being come to the place where the King and the whole Army in Battalia expected him, saying aside his Truncheon, alighted and kissed the Kings knee, and said,* 1.117 (so loud that he was heard by the by-standers) That he deliv••red up that place into the hands of a Souldier-King, since it had not pleased the King his Master to cause it to be relieved by Souldier-Commanders; which words moved every one to consider, that if the Spanish Army had either taken the way beyond the Ri∣ver, or laid hold of the occasion which fortune had presented them at the disorder in the Trenches, the siege had certainly been raised. The King answered,* 1.118 That it ought to satisfie him, that he had defended the place like a Souldier, and now restored it into the hand of the lawful King with the honour of a Souldier. To these words he added many other favourable demonstrations, as well toward him as the other Commanders, whom he desired to know by name, one by one; and being dismissed with the praise of the whole Army, they were convoyed safe to Do••rlans.

There entred into Amiens, the Constable, who received the place, the Mareschal de Byron, and the Duke of Mombason, and after them the King himself, who ha∣ving visited the Cathedral Church, gave the Government of the Town to Monsieur de Vic, and went forth without making any stay▪ as well out of a suspition of the Plague, as out of a desire to march after the Archduke▪ who having s••aid only two days upon the Pass of the River Ants, was in this interim gotten within the Walls of Arras.

Upon the six and twentieth day, there hapned an accident, which if it had faln ou•• before, would have discomposed all things, but at this time it proved rather a mat∣ter of sport than trouble; for there brake out suddenly so great a Fire in the Kings quarters, (the cause thereof not being at all known) that in a short space all the Huts were burned, which was no way harmful, either to Men or Baggage, because the Camp was already raised, and marching away. The whole Army rejoyced, calling it a Bonfire; and many from thence took a good Omen of future quiet, which was confirmed by the event; for the General of the Cordeliers being returned from the Court of Spain, and come with Letters to the Archduke about the same time,* 1.119 caused an interview upon the Confines which divide Pi••ardy from the County of Art••is, be∣tween Secretary Villeroy, on the Kings part, and President Ri••cardo••to, for the Arch∣duke, who determined that at Vervins, a place upon the same Confines, famous for the Peaces that had formerly been treated there, the Cardinal-Lega••, Father Francisco Gonzaga, Bishop of Mantua, the Popes Nuncio, and the Deputies on both parts, should meet together to apply themselves to a Treaty of Peace.

That which moved King Philip to an inclination to Peace, was the urgency of the affairs of Flanders, which by reason they had been abandoned for two years together, were extreamly much gone down the wind▪ so that the necessity of his own affairs, constrained him not to think of getting that which was anothers. To this was ad∣ded, the exceeding great scarcity of money, for which he had been fain this very year, to suspend all payments, to the disreputation of his greatness, and the undoing of those Merchants that were wont to have dealings with the Crown. Nor was the

respect of establishing the Succession upon his Son last in his consideration, for being now far in years,* 1.120 and knowing that his death drew near, he desired that his Suc∣cessor, who was very young, might not be ingaged in a great and troublesom War, against a King of manly age and strength, full of experience, and upheld by the mani∣fest favour of Fortune. His dependents add, that being in the latter end of his life careful to satisfie his Conscience, he desired to end his days with the Peace of Christen∣dom, and the restitution of that which was not his own; yet it is most clear, that the loss of Amiens gave great force to his first disposition,* 1.121 and perswaded even the Cardinal Archduke, who being to marry the Infanta Isabella, and with her to have the Dominion of the Low-Countries, endeavoured not to have so powerful and so troublesom a War as that with the King of France.

Secretary Villeroy returned with the resolved appointment, and found that the King with his Army following the prosperity of Fortune, was incamped before Dourlans; for having made an incursion, even to the very Walls of Arras, filling the whole Coun∣try with terrour, he perceived afterward that the places of Picardy were left behind with very great danger, and therefore was come to besiege Dourlans as the nearest place, the taking whereof would be of wondrous advantage to his Country. But already the Rains of Autumn did very much incommode and annoy him; and his Army which had been healthful till then, began now to be troubled with the Bloody Flux, and the Plague; in such manner, that the Treasurers putting him in mind, that all means of paying his Foot was utterly gone, the King resolved to disband his Army, and to apply himself heartily to the Treaty of Peace, which now, being high in repu∣tation and honour, and having satisfied himself and the expectation of his people, he desired more boldly and openly than before.

* 1.122This reciprocal desire of both Kings, facilitated the Treaty of Peace; but the Duke of Savoy's interests kept all things in difficulty: For though the War these two last years had been various, and with hot encounters, and bloody assaults, rather disad∣vantageous than otherwise; and though Monsieur de Lesdiguieres having taken St. Jehan de Morienne, and all that valley in the Alps, was gone down into Pied∣mont, to the ruine and spoiling of the Country; yet he being resolved to retain the Marquesate of Saluzzo, either crossed the Peace, or cared not to have it con∣cluded.

But yet the meeting at Vervins held, whither Monsieur de Bellieure, and President Sillery, came from the King of France; and President Riccardotto, Juan Boptista Tassis, and Ludovic•• Verichen, Auditor of Brabanza for the King of Spain. The French De∣puties were brought by the Popes Nuncio, and the Spanish by the General of the Cordeliers; and the Cardinal-Legat came to the same place, by whose Authority all difficulties of precedency being removed, they entred upon the Treaty of the bu∣siness;* 1.123 but not before the beginning of the month of February in the year 1598, a year destined by Divine Providence to close up the grievous wounds of forty years past.

Great was the desire of Peace on both sides, and great likewise the Authority of the Legat with each party, nor were the demands very different: For the Spaniards proffered without difficulty to restore Ardres, Dourlans, la Cappelle, Castelet, and Mon∣taulin in Piccardy, and the Port of Blauet in Bretagne, and desired only to retain Ca∣lais as long as the War with the Hollanders lasted, and to give the King of France an equivalent exchange in the mean time:* 1.124 And the French stood to have Calais re∣stored freely; they likewise demanded Cambray, and renewed some old pretensions upon the Confines of Flanders. The Spaniards shewed, that all old pretensions were terminated in the Peace concluded between the two Crowns at Chasteau Cambresis in the year 1559, and that Cambray was not of the King of France his Jurisdiction▪ but a City of the Archbishops, usurped a few years before by the Duke of Alancon's Forces, and that therefore being a free Town, the King could not pretend any right unto it, but that the Master of the Low-Countries had the ancient protection of it; and yet not a direct Dominion, but one established by reason. Upon these Answers the French easily gave off their old pretensions, and the demand of Cambray; and with as much facility did the Spaniards lay aside the demand of retaining Calais: Whereupon all the difficulty was reduced to this point, That the King of France would have had Blauet in the condition it then was, with all the Artillery, Shot, and Ammunition of War▪ and the Spaniards stood totally to demolish the Fort they had

built, and to carry away the Artillery, and other things which they had brought thi∣ther of their own; but this difficulty also was easily taken away; for the Treaty be∣ing managed with great sincerity, the French satisfied themselves, knowing that the Spaniard had reason on their side.

All other matters were of small importance, so that nothing remained, save to treat about the interests of their adherents: for the King of France desired there might be an Agreement made with the Queen of England and the States of Holland; and the King of Spain would have had the Duke of Savoy and the Duke of Mercoeur com∣prehended in the Peace. About this there arose a sharp contention; for the French having said that they would not include the Duke of Mercoeur, as being the Kings Sub∣ject; the Spaniards answered, That also the States of Holland were the King of Sp••i••s Subjects: and here mutually upbraiding one another that they fomented Re∣bels, they grew extreamly angry, and broke forth into words of indignation; and yet the Cardinal-Legat interposing, they agreed to make their Princes acquainted with the business, and expect their resolute orders.* 1.125 But within a few days these diffi∣culties were removed; for the King having left the Constable with reasonable Forces in Picardy, was gone personally to Angiers to draw his Army together, and march with all his Forces into Bretagne. Wherefore the Duke of Mercoeur seeing his designs ruined, and not being willing to hold out till the last necessities, which he was not able to resist, condescended to the Agreement; by which, marrying his onl•• Daugh∣ter to Caesar the Kings Bastard Son, and receiving other recompences of Pensions and moneys, he delivered up that part of Bretagne that was in his possession unto the Kings obedience; whereupon the occasion ceased for which the Catholick King en∣deavoured to include him in the Peace.

Nor was there any need to contend long for the Queen of England and the States of Holland; for those Princes, after they had done all that was possible to hinder the Treaty of Peace, shewing themselves ill satisfied with the King, because in the League of the year before he had promised not to agree without them, declared that they would not be comprehended as Adherents, and that they would have no Peace with the King of Spain.

There remained only the point concerning the Duke of Savoy, which was like to have interrupted the whole agreement when it was brought to perfection:* 1.126 for the Marquiss de Lullin the Dukes Ambassadour, being introduced into the Conference, said, That President Sillery, one of the Deputies there present, had from the year before treated an accommodation with the Duke, and that the King was then con∣tented he should hold the Marquesate of Saluzzo in fee from the Crown. The Pre∣sident answered, That it was true, the King was so contented, but at a time when the state of his affairs perswaded him by all means to divide the Duke from the King of Spain, and that to that condition the Marquiss knew well there were others joined, which he would not mention, lest he should set discord among Friends; by which words he meant to infer that the Duke to retain the Marquesate had proffered to make War against the State of Milan. Many contentions there were about it, and the whole Treaty seemed to be discomposed; but the General of the Cordeliers going to the King, and Juan Baptista Tassis to the Archduke,* 1.127 they returned within a few days, and concluded, that the Duke and the King should retain what they possessed at that present, and that the difference about the Marquesate should be referred to the Pope, who was to give judgment within the space of one year, and then what each held of the others would mutually be restored. But the Marquiss refused that the King should retain the Valley of Morienne, and would not ratifie it without adver∣tising the Duke, and this by reason of his nature, would have been a difficult impe∣diment, if good fortune had not removed the obstacle; for the Duke about this time recovered Morienne with a great slaughter of Les Diguieres his Forces; and on the other side, Les Diguieres took a Fort which the Duke had built near Grenoble, and having put the Garison to the Sword, demolished it to the very ground: wherefore there remaining nothing but Berre in Provence in the Dukes possession, they agreed that he should restore that Town in present, and that the business of the Marquesate should be decided by the Pope.

The Peace was concluded and subscribed by the Deputies upon the second day of May,* 1.128 with express condition that it should not be published till a month after; for the King of France desired that the English and Holland Ambassadors should first be gone from Court, that the Peace might not be published in their presence; and the Cardinal Archduke desired space to receive the Countersign of Blauet from Spain. The Peace was published upon the seventh day of June in Paris, and the same day at Amiens, in the presence of the Legat, and the Kings Deputies, as by agreement it was likewise done at Bruxels; all men generally rejoycing, that after so long and so calamitous Wars, the Kingdom of France distracted into so many Factions, was at last re-united in the entire obedience of a Catholick French King, to enjoy the fruit•• and blessings of Peace for the future, in recompence of so many past miseries and af∣flictions.

FINIS.

Notes

• * 1.1

  By the death of the Arch∣duke E••nest the Govern∣ment of the Low-countries is given to the Count de Fuentes.
• * 1.2

  Count Charles of Mansfelt goes to serve the Emperour in the War of Hungary.
• * 1.3

  The Sieur de Gomeron Go∣vernour of Han agrees with the Spa∣niards, and re∣ceives their Garison into the Town, but not into the Castle.
• * 1.4

  Gomeron ha∣ving left the Sieur d' Orvil∣liers in the Ca∣stle of Han, goes into Flan∣ders, where he is kept priso∣ner by the Conde de Fuen∣tes.
• * 1.5

  The Duke of L••ngueville, Governour of Picardy, killed by a musket∣sh••t.
• * 1.6

  The Conde de Fuentes goes into Picardy, and besieges Castelet, with a design after∣ward to be∣siege Cambray.
• * 1.7

  The open space without the C••∣stle, from the edge of the Counterscarp.
• * 1.8

  Orvilliers ha∣ving agreed with the French brings a strong party into the Castle
• * 1.9

  The French go out of the Ca∣stle of Han, and attack the Spaniards that hol•• the Town.
• * 1.10

  The Fre••ch sayes Haran∣c••nes.
• * 1.11

  Many Priso∣ners are left with the Sieur d' Orvilliers, that he might exchange his Brother-in-Law the Sieur de Gomeron.
• * 1.12

  The Count d•• Fuentes, upon hopes given him by Ma∣dam de Gome∣ron, comes be∣fore Han: but his design of taking it not succeeding, he causes Gome∣ron to be be∣headed in sight of the French.
• * 1.13

  The Count 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Fuentes be∣sieges Do••••∣lans.
• * 1.14

  There being no comman∣der of autho∣rity in Dour∣lans, and all desiring to command, there grows a confusion a∣mong the De∣fendants.
• * 1.15

  Monsieur de la Motte, Camp-Master-Gene∣ral of the Spa∣nish Army, is slain, Mon∣sieur du Rosne is chosen in his place.
• * 1.16

  The Duke of Bouillon intend∣ing to relieve Dourlans, cau∣s••s the Com∣manders to re∣solve, that his opinion should be executed.
• * 1.17

  The Count de Fuentes having left Harnando Telles at the siege, draws off to meet and hinder the relief.
• * 1.18

  The Admiral Villars fight∣ing gallantly, is slain.
• * 1.19

  The Marquiss de Belin, and the Monsieur de Longchamp, are taken pri∣soners by the Spaniards.
• * 1.20

  While the Ar∣mies fight in the Field, the besieged sally into the Trench; but are repulsed.
• * 1.21

  The Spaniards assault Dour∣lans, and take it, and to re∣venge the slaughter of Han, put all to the Sword without re∣gard: A great number of the French Gentry are slain there, and the Town sacked.
• * 1.22

  The Conde de Fuen••es gives the Govern∣ment of Dour∣lans to Porto∣carrero, and ap∣plies himself to the enter∣prise of Cam∣bray.
• * 1.23

  The Duke of Nevers having called a Coun∣cel of War, resolves not to ingage him∣self in Cam∣bray, but sends his Son the Duke of Rhe∣telois, who af∣terwards was Duke of Man∣tua, with a good relief.
• * 1.24

  The Duke of Rh••telois, ha∣ving over∣come many impediments, and fought with two Squadrons of the Enemy, en∣ters with re∣lief into Cam∣bray.
• * 1.25

  The manner of Count de Fuentes be∣sieging Cam∣bray.
• * 1.26

  The Sieur de Vic with great difficulty en∣ters with men into Cambray.
• * 1.27

  The Sieur de Ba••agny in ne∣c••ssity, coins copper-money
• * 1.28

  The Citizens rising in an uproar, make themselves Masters of a gate, and send their Deputies to capitulate with the Count de Fu∣entes.
• * 1.29

  The Citizens open the gates and receive their Deputies with the Capi∣tulations, and the Spaniards are brought into Cambray.
• * 1.30

  The Count de Fuentes having put the Go∣vernment of Cambray into the Archbi∣shops hands, leaves Picardy, and goes to Bruxels.
• * 1.31

  The Mares∣chal d' Au∣mon•• is killed with a Mus∣ket shot.
• * 1.32

  While the Duke of Ne∣mours who up∣held the League in D••uphine, goes to Tu••in and Milan to get supplies, Co∣lonel Disemi∣eux his Lieu∣tenant delivers up the Fortres∣ses unto the Duke of Mont∣morancy, whereupon he seeing himself deprived of all retreat, in de∣spair falls sick and dies.
• * 1.33

  The Duke of Joyeuse who formerly turned Capu∣chin for his wifes death, now upon oc∣casion of his brothers death leaves the Cloister, and takes arms for the League.
• * 1.34

  Difficulties that interposed themselves in the setling of the Accommo∣dation with the Duke of Mayenne.
• * 1.35

  The King be∣ing come to Fol-ambray, consults long about matters concerning the Agreement with the Duke of Mayenne.
• * 1.36

  The Duke of Mayenne and the Princes and Princesses his Adherents are declared innocint of the death of Henry the Third.
• * 1.37

  The substance of the agree∣ment with the Duke of May∣enne.
• * 1.38

  Difficulties and oppositi∣ons in the Par∣liament of Paris, about receiving the Decree of the Agreement with the Duke of Mayenne.
• * 1.39

  The Duke of Aumale incen∣sed by having been declared Rebel, keeps united with the Spaniards.
• * 1.40

  The Duke of Mercoeur Bro∣ther to the Q. Dowager, per∣sists in his proposition of keeping Bre∣t••gne to him∣self.
• * 1.41

  The death of Lodovi Gon∣zago, Duke of Nevers.
• * 1.42

  Upon the 8th of Novembe•• the King lays siege to la Fere, a place strong both by art and nature.
• * 1.43

  The Archduke Albert Cardi∣nal of Austria goes to be Go∣vernour in Flanders.
• * 1.44

  1596.
• * 1.45

  1596.
• * 1.46

  The City of Marseilles in the County of Provence, is govern'd by the election of a Consul and Lieutenant.
• * 1.47

  Carlo Doria, by order from the Catholick King, goes with ten gal∣lies to Mar∣seilles, to fo∣ment the Con∣sul and Lieute∣nant of that City.
• * 1.48

  The King of France makes complaint un∣to the Pope, concerning the attempts of the Spaniards.
• * 1.49

  The Duke of Guise plots to get into Mar∣seilles, by means of Cap∣tain Liberta of Corsica, who guarded a Port there.
• * 1.50

  Af••er a short fight the Duke of Guise makes himself master of the Ci y and Forts of Marseilles, and drives Carlo Dorias Gallies out of the Ha∣ven.
• * 1.51

  Nicolo Basti, under favor of a thick mist, passes through the Kings quar∣ters, carries relief to the besieged of la Fere, and re∣turns to Cam∣b••ay without the least loss.
• * 1.52

  The King makes the Course of the River S••mi••e to be stopt▪ with a design to make the water rise into la Fere, but after many difficulties, the effect answers not the inten∣tion.
• * 1.53

  Francis Duke of Guise reco∣vered Ca••ais from the En∣glish, Anno 1557. being thereunto in∣vited by their negligence in guarding and maintaining it.
• * 1.54

  Monsieur du Rosne besieges Calais with the Spanish Army.
• * 1.55

  The Author is mistaken, for it is but se∣ven Leagues.
• * 1.56

  The d••scripti∣on of the situ∣ation of Calais.
• * 1.57

  The Arch∣duke Albert comes with the rest of the Army to the Camp before Calais.
• * 1.58

  The Defen∣dants of Calais, without at∣tempting any thing for their defence, suf∣fer the Spa∣niards to pro∣secute the siege.
• * 1.59

  The Defen∣dents being few, when they saw the Spaniards ready to give the Assault, sent forth a Drum, and a∣gree to sur∣render, if not relieved with∣in six days.
• * 1.60

  Monsieur de Matelet with 300 Foot gets into the Castle of Calais: whereupon, the six days being expired, the Defen∣dents refuse to surrender.
• * 1.61

  The Spaniards storm the Ca∣stle of Calais, kill the Go∣vernour, and put all to the Sword.
• * 1.62

  1595.
• * 1.63

  A League con∣cluded be∣tween Henry the Fourth and the Queen of England, little diffe∣rent from that which had been made by the English with Charles the Ninth.
• * 1.64

  1596.
• * 1.65

  The Archduke marches with his Army to besiege Ardres
• * 1.66

  Monsieur de Monluc killed with a Can∣non shot.
• * 1.67

  The Marquiss de Belin having called a Coun∣cil of War, proposes to give up the place; the Go∣vernour with the other Offi∣cers opposes it; but he sending forth a Captain, ca∣pitulates with the Enemy.
• * 1.68

  La Fere yield∣ed to the King, who de∣sirous to re∣lieve Ardres, grants the be∣sieged very large Condi∣tions.
• * 1.69

  The Cardinal Archduke lea∣ving the For∣tresses he had taken well provided, re∣tires into Flan∣ders.
• * 1.70

  The King see∣ing his Army tired out with sufferings, di∣vides it into▪ Garisons, and goes to Paris to receive ••he Popes Legat.
• * 1.71

  Cardinal A∣lessandro de Medici, who after was Pope Leo II. now Legat from the Pope, is received with great demon∣strations of honour, by Monsieur de les Disguieres, though a Hu∣gonot.
• * 1.72

  The King goes post to Montl'∣hery to meet the Popes Le∣gat.
• * 1.73

  The Cardinal de Medici's so∣lemn entry in∣to Paris.
• * 1.74

  The King gives the first publick audi∣ence to the Legat at St. Maur, and ra∣tifies all the Conditions accepted by his Procura∣tors at Rome.
• * 1.75

  The point of Religion being setled, the Cardinal Le∣gat begins to promote a Treaty of Peace between the two Crowns.
• * 1.76

  Emergents that perswade the King to desire peace with Spain.
• * 1.77

  The Hugonots jealous of the Kings conjun∣ction with the Pope, begin to plot new trou∣bles.
• * 1.78

  The King calls a Congregati∣on of all the Officers of his Crown at Rou∣en, to setle the disorders of his Kingdom, and to de∣mand Supplies for the War.
• * 1.79

  The Infanta Isabella's pre∣tensions upon the Dutchy of Bretagne.
• * 1.80

  Schombergh and de Tho••.
• * 1.81

  The Hugonots absenting themselves from Court, retire to places near Rochel, and drawing Souldiers together, the King sends to treat with them and appease them.
• * 1.82

  The Mares∣chal de Byron making great incursions into the County of Artois, the Spaniards at∣tempt to op∣pose him; they fight, the Spa∣niards are ro••ted, and the Marquiss of Varambone their Com∣mander in chief, and the Count de Mon∣tecucoli taken prisoners.
• * 1.83

  There grows a quarrel in the Kings Ante-chamber be∣tween the Sieur de Coque∣invillier and Monsieur de Bonivet, so that the first gives the other a box on the ear
• * 1.84

  Bonivet chal∣lenges Coquein∣villier to a du∣el, they fight▪ and he is f••ain▪
• * 1.85

  1597.
• * 1.86

  A weak Re∣formation is made, Provisi∣ons are or∣dained for the Kings wants, and the Con∣gregation is dismissed.
• * 1.87

  Hernando Tel∣les Portocarrero being by the Cardinal Archduke ••left Governour of Dourlans, con∣trives how to surprize A∣miens.
• * 1.88

  The French says, Du Mou∣lin.
• * 1.89

  Of youngest Brother.
• * 1.90

  One of the Gates of A∣miens is possest by twelve Spanish Soul∣diers disguised like Country-fellows, who bringing a Cart under the Portcullis, and scattering fruit upon the ground, de∣ceive the Guards, who were very negligent.
• * 1.91

  The King for the loss of A∣miens breaks off the course of Physick he had begun, and goes into Picardy to as∣sist the affairs of War in per∣son.
• * 1.92

  They are much troubled in Paris for the loss of Ami∣ens, and mur∣mur against the King.
• * 1.93

  The King ex∣cuses against the accusati∣ons and mur∣murings of the French.
• * 1.94

  The King be∣sieges Amiens, being desirous to recover it.
• * 1.95

  Juan de Gus∣man goes to put relief into Amiens, but being discove∣red by the French, he hath much ado to save himself
• * 1.96

  The Mares∣chal de Byron gives a Scal••∣do to Dour∣lans, but the Ladders being very much too short, the en∣terprize suc∣ceeds not.
• * 1.97

  The Mares∣chal de Byron stirred up by some words of the Kings, la∣b••urs unwea∣riedly in the siege of Ami∣ens, that his actions might answer the Kings stinging words.
• * 1.98

  The Defen∣dants of A∣miens sally to skirmish, and Portocarrero himself being present, the fight is very hot and bloo∣dy.
• * 1.99

  The King comes to the Camp before Amiens, and leaves the Command to the Mareschal de Biron.
• * 1.100

  A Cannon-shot lights in the Kings Lodgings, whereby the King himself is all covered with dust.
• * 1.101

  A Treaty of giving one of the Gates of Amiens to the Enemy is dis∣covered, many of the accom∣plices are hanged, and many Augu∣stine Friers imprisoned.
• * 1.102

  The Mares∣chal de Bi∣ron being in very great danger by a sally which the Spaniards made out of Amiens, the King alight∣ed from his horse, and ta∣king a Pike, ran to help him.
• * 1.103

  The Du••e of Mayenne com∣ing in the heat of the fight with five hundred Horse to help his own side, causes the Spaniards, who were al∣ready weary, to re••ire into Ami••ns.
• * 1.104

  Bernardo Tel∣les Po••tocar∣rero killed with a Mus∣ket-shot, to the extreme loss of the ••esieged, his valour ma∣king his ve∣ry enemies ••orry for his death.
• * 1.105

  Monsieur de St. Luc, a man of very great note, hastning the Works, is killed with a Musket-shot, to the Kings great grief.
• * 1.106

  The Cardinal Arch-duke marches with a great Army towards Ami∣ens.
• * 1.107

  Monsieur de Rosne killed with a Can∣non shot at the siege of Hu••st.
• * 1.108

  The King being coun∣selled by the Mareschal de Biron to go meet the ene∣my with all his Horse, the Duke of May∣enne counsels him to stay and expect them: The King imbra∣ces this coun∣sel, and gives the charge of the Camp to the Duke.
• * 1.109

  A disorder a∣mong the French, gives the Spaniards▪ an evident as∣surance of vi∣ctory; but the Archduke being uncer∣tain of the ac∣cident, ma∣king an Halt, loses so re∣markable an occasion.
• * 1.110

  The Cardinal Archduke re∣••ire•• with his Army for want of victual; the King follows him, but seeing their excellent order forbear••
• * 1.111

  The Kings Light-horse attempt by skirmishes to do some harm to the Spanish Army; but they still come off with the worst.
• * 1.112

  The Kings praise of the Spanish In∣fantry.
• * 1.113

  After the Car∣dinals depar∣ture, the King sends an He∣rald to Caraffa Marquiss of Montenegro, to perswade him to surrender.
• * 1.114

  The Marquiss sends Captain Pacciotto with the Kings pas∣port to the Cardinal for leave to sur∣render.
• * 1.115

  The Articles of Composi∣tion.
• * 1.116

  U••o•• the 25 of Septemb. 1597▪ the Marquiss of Montenegro marches with his forces out of Amiens.
• * 1.117

  A saying of the M••rquiss to the King of France.
• * 1.118

  The King•• Answer▪
• * 1.119

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Fr••••ci••∣can•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈…〉〈…〉 agreed, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Deputies of both par∣ties shall meet at Vervins to treat of Peace,
• * 1.120

  The King of Spain being now grown old, sets his thoughts to establish the Succession of his young Son.
• * 1.121

  The Cardinal Archduke be∣ing to marry the Infanta Isabella, and to have the Do∣minion of the Low-countries with her, de∣sires also to settle himself in the peace∣f••l possession of them▪
• * 1.122

  The Duke of Savoy desirous to ••••ep the Marquesate of Saluzzo to himself, cross••s the Treaty of Peace.
• * 1.123

  1598.
• * 1.124

  The pretensi∣ons of the French, and of the Spaniard, stood upon in the Treaty of Peace.
• * 1.125

  The Duke of M••rcoeu•• Bro∣ther-in-law to Hen••y the III. being reduced almost to ex∣tremity, agrees with the King giving his on∣ly Daughter to Caesar of Bour∣bon, Bastard Son to Hen. 4. and g••ve up what he held in Bretagne un∣to the Kings obedience.
• * 1.126

  The Duke of Savoy's Am∣bassador being present in the meeting at V••rvins, said, That he had a promise the Duke should retain the Marquesate of Saluzzo in fee.
• * 1.127

  The differen∣ces about the Marquesate are referred to the Pope, who is to give judgment within a year.
• * 1.128

  The Peace is concluded and published.