Epistolæ Ho-elianæ familiar letters domestic and forren divided into sundry sections, partly historicall, politicall, philosophicall, vpon emergent occasions / by James Howell.

XIX. To my Brother Dr. Howell.

BROTHER,

BEing to morrow to part with Paris, and begin my journey for Spain, I thought it not amisse to send you this, in regard I know not when I shall have opportunity to write unto you a∣gain.

This Kingdom since the young King hath taken the Scepter into his own hands doth flourish very much with quietnes and Commerce; nor is there any motion or the least tintamar of trou∣ble in any part of the Countrey, which is rare in France. Tis true, the Queen Mother is discontented since She left her Regency, being confin'd, and I know not what it may com unto in time, for she hath a strong party, and the murthering of her Marquis of Ancre will yet bleed as som fear.

I was lately in societie of a Gentleman, who was a Spectator of that Tragedie, and he pleas'd to relate unto me the particulars of it, which was thus: When Henry the fourth was slain, the Queen Dowager took the Reins of the Government into her hands during the young Kings Minority; and amongst others whom she advanc'd Signor Conchino, a Florentin, and her Foster-Brother was one; Her countenance came to shine so strongly up∣on him, that he became her onely confident and favourit, inso∣much, that she made him Marquis of Ancre, one of the twelve

Marshals of France, Governour of Normandy, and conferr'd di∣vers other Honours, and Offices of trust upon him, and who but he; The Princes of France could not endure this domineering of a stranger, therefore they leagu'd together, to suppresse him by Arms; The Queen Regent having intelligence hereof, sur∣priz'd the Prince of Conde, and clap'd him up in the Bastile; the Duke of Main fled hereupon to Peronne in Pycardie, and other great men put themselves in an Armed posture, to stand upon their guard: The young King being told, that the Marquis of Ancre was the ground of this discontentment, commanded Mon∣sieur de Vitry, Captain of his Guard, to Arrest him, and in case of resistance, to kill him: This busines was carried very closely till the next morning, that the said Marquis was coming to the Louvre with a ruffling train of Gallants after him, and passing over the Draw-Bridge at the Court-Gate, Vitry stood there with the Kings Guard about him, and as the Marquis entred, he told him, that he had a Commission from the King to apprehend him, therefore he demanded his Sword; the Marquis hereupon put his hand upon his Sword, some thought to yeeld it up, others to make opposition; in the mean time Vitry discharg'd a Pistoll at him, and so dispatch'd him: The King being above in his Gal∣lery, ask'd what noise that was below, one smilingly answer'd▪ nothing Sir, but that the Marshall of Ancre is slain; who slew him? The Captain of your Guard; why? Because he would have drawn his Sword at Your Majesties Royall Commission, then the King replied, Vitry hath done well, and I will maintain the act: Presently the Queen Mother had all her Guard taken from her, except six men and sixteen Women, and so she was banish'd Pa∣ris, and commanded to retire to Blois: Ancre's Body was buried that night in a Church hard by the Court, but the next morning, when the Laquays and Pages (who are more unhappy here then the Apprentises in London) broke up his Grave, tore his Coffin to peeces, rip'd the Winding-Sheet, and tied his Body to an Asses Tail, and so dragg'd him up and down the Gutters of Paris, which are none of the sweetest; they then slic'd off his Ears, and nail'd them upon the Gates of the City, they cut off his Genito∣ries (and they say he was hung like an Asse) and sent them for a present to the Duke of Main, the rest of his Body, they carried to the New-Bridg, and hung him his Heels upwards, and Head downwards upon a new Gibbet, that had bin set up a little before to punish them who should speak ill of the present Government, and it was his chance to have the Maiden-head of it himself: His

Wife was hereupon apprehended, imprisond, and beheaded for a Witch som few dayes after upon a surmise, that she had enchanted the Queen to dote so upon her Husband; and they say the young Kings Picture was found in her Closet in Virgin-Wax, with one Leg melted away; a little after a processe was form'd against the Marquis (her Husband) and so he was condemn'd after death. This was a right act of a French popular fury, which like an angry torrent is irresistible, nor can any Banks, Boundaries, or Dike•…•… stop the impetuous rage of it. How the young King will prosper after so high, and an unexampled act of violence, by beginning his Raign, and embr•…•…ing the Walls of his own Court with blood in that manner, ther are divers censures.

When I am settled in Spain, you shall hear from me, in the in∣terim, I pray let your Prayers accompany me in this long jour∣ney, and when you write to Wales, I pray acquaint our frends with my welfare. So I pray God blesse us both, and send us a happy enterview.

Paris, 8. of Septem∣ber, 1620.

Your loving Brother, J. H.