Memoirs of the Sieur De Pontis who served in the army six and fifty years under King Henry IV, Lewis the XIII, and Lewis the XIV containing many remarkable passages relating to the war, the court, and the government of those princes / faithfully Englished by Charles Cotton.

BOOK II.

The Sieur de Pontis enters into a Regiment of Champaigne. A great Accident that befell him in the Forrest of Beau∣mont. He is made the King's Lieutenant in the City of Nogent, during the War of the Princes. He goes to force a Captain of Light Horse in a Castle, and brings him as a pub∣lick Incendiary to his Trial, notwithstanding the Opposition of all the Gentlemen of the Country. How he made an end of all the Quarrels he had with the Gentry there. He makes Head in the open Field with 200 Foot, against 600 Horse commanded by the Cardinal of Guise. And goes to the Seige of St. John d' Angely.

I. SOme months after this affair I had had with the Parliament, about Monsieur d' ••requ••'s concerns, Monsieur de Boulogne, that I mentioned before, procured me the Ensigns place of his own Company, which was to me the first step by which I began to enter into Command; not reckoning the short employment I had had in Savoy, for any thing at all: But in the time that I serv'd in this Commission, there hapned to me a rencounter, which well delerves to be mention'd in this place.

About the Year 1611, our Regiment, which was that of Champaigne, finding it self very much streightned in Verdun, where we lay in Garri∣son, entreated leave of the King that they might quarter in Mont-Fa••con too, which is a very pretty Town, some Leagues distant from Verdun. Monsieur de Ville, at that time. Governour of Verdun, writ about it to Court, and obtained of the Queen Regent the favour we desired, so that his Majesty writ to Monsieur de Nevers, who was Governour of the Province, that it was his pleasure it should be so; and so soon as the Letter was writ, I was chosen out to carry it to Cassine, the ordinary place of Monsieur de Nevers his residence, and so to bring back his Orders for the Quarters. I accordingly went, and finding that Mon∣sieur de Nevers was gone to Montaigu in Flanders, I went after him thi∣ther, and had from him all the satisfaction I could desire. But I was not so happy in my return.

II. When I was some ten leagues off Verdun, at a Bourg called Rau∣court, about three or four in the afternoon, and I was preparing to con∣tinue my Journey through a Forrest, which I must of ••ecessity go over, I had warning given me at the Inn, that they would by no means ad∣vise me to travel alone through this Forrest, because there were a great many High-way men there, and that it was better for me to stay till the morning, that they might provide a good Guide, and that there might peradventure be some body in Town with whom I might pass with more safety▪ I thought it convenient ot take this Counsel, and

not to stand upon the punctilio of Bravery, and so rashly to expose my self, where there was no Duty to ••ngage me. I sent therefore to the Inns to enquire whither there was any body that was to go over the Forrest. It hapned luckily that a Canon who was, returning to Verdun, being in the same concern that I was, sent at the same time to my Lodgings to make the same enquiry. About eight a clock in the morn∣ing we set out with a Guide▪ of whom they gave us a very good cha∣racter. Being advanc'd into the Forrest we met a man a foot in red Breeches, and a blew Doublet, with a Fusee upon his Shoulder; I askt the Guide the meaning of that odd kind of habit, who made answer, that it was a Countryman that was shooting. The way we rid was very troublesom, by reason the branches of the Trees hung down so low, as forc'd us continually to stoop which made me tell the Canon, that we were better to alight, and lead our Horses in our hands; and this little foresight serv'd not only to ••ase us, but moreover to save ou•• lives, seeing that we could very hardly have escap'd in the rencounter that presently after befel us, had we not been alighted from our Horses. Being then a little further advanc'd in the Forrest, we met with three men laid down by the road side, with Fusees lying by them. As we past by they rose up and complimenting us, God protect you Gentlemen, said they, whether are you travelling after that manner? and we had need indeed that God should protect us from the conse∣quence of such a Compliment. We replied that we were going to Verdun. We will bear you company, said they, very civilly, if you please, for we are going thither too. I▪ who thought it not conveni∣ent to tye our selves to such Company, and that absolutely concluded them to be Rogues, made answer, though civilly enough too, That it appear'd a little hard we should travel far together, and that they could not well keep pace a foot with us who had Horses. They, who desir'd nothing more but to begin a quarrel, presently made what I had said an affront of honour, and brutishly replying, What! Gentlemen, said they, because we are a foot, are we less men of honour, and less honest men? I reply'd again very civilly to this huffing return, That I was very far from undervaluing them, and that it was not my humour so to do. Upon this, instead of taking notice of what I said, they grew hotter▪ and proceeded to rage, when three or four more at the instant rusht out of the Wood, asking their Comrades what was the matter? and al∣most before they could give them an answer, were all upon us with fu∣ry, crying out, Kill, Kill. I had no more time at the instant, but to seize on our Guides Quarter-staff, who ran away in a moment, with all the good testimony had been given us of him; we let go our Horses, and clapping my self back to back to the Canon, who I spoke to not to forsake me, but to defend himself on his side as well as he could, I began to lay about me with my Quarter-staff with all my force and art, and I stood in need of it all in this rencounter. The great blows and thrusts I made at them kept them at a distance, and hindred them from ap∣proaching too near: They presently made some shots at us, with which the Canon was only wounded in the Thigh; but the heat of the Com∣bat made him that he did not feel it: for he defended himself on his side with incredible ardour, having about him a girdle of 300 Pistols, which made him fight like a Tyger.

After this manner we defended our selves above a quarter of an hour without intermission, against all these fellows, arm'd with a Halbert,

Fire-arms, and Swords. They made but little use of their Fusees, he that had the Halbert made mighty attempts to get in to us; but being I had a continual eye upon him, and that the furious blows I every mo∣ment dealt amongst them with my Staff kept them in awe, they could do us no harm, and durst not venture too far. The bravest, or the most furious amongst them, was a young red-headed Rogue, who prest very hard upon me, and that I found always upon the attack. But begin∣ning to feel my self weary with so long and so rough a Combat, I made a final effort, and having as it were muster'd all my forces together, and made a kind of a falsifie, I reacht this young Rogue such a rap, as made him immediately retire forty paces, and sit down upon the ground. Never were people so astonisht, to see us so obstinate, not to yield our selves to so many as they were; and I assure my self that could they have foreseen such a consequence of their first Compliment, they would have fav'd both themselves and us so much fruitless labour. In the end, seeing the stoutest of their company hurt, they began by little and little to slacken their ardour, and to talk amongst themselves: which made us judge that it was time to think of a retreat, and accordingly we threw our selves back together into the Wood, and get away in the strangest equipage that ever eye beheld, having neither Cloak, nor Hat, nor my Sword, which was also lost from my side: and being out of breath, and almost quite spent, we rested our selves a little in the Bushes. Our Horses, which at the first firing of a Fusee had ran away, stay'd for us about a league off, as much out of breath as we; we found them too in so ill equipage, that their Bridles and Girts were broken, and the Pistols batter'd; but however we made shift after the best manner we could to get to a Bourg call'd Beaumont.

The noise of our adventure being spread abroad, the Judges of the place came to seek us out, and compell'd us against our wills, to stay a day or two, by reason that they had orders the next day to raise the Country, and search in the Forrest, to see if they could find out these Robbers, of whom so many persons made every day publick complaints; and they hop'd that peradventure we might know some of them. It hapned indeed the next day that the young Rogue that I had hurt was taken, not being able to get away: I knew him as soon as ever I saw him, and he was himself constrain'd to confess the truth. In the mean time we took our leaves, and departed, leaving the miserable wretch upon the point to be hang'd, and came to Verdun, with the Orders from Monsieur de Nevers for the Quarters at Mont-Faucon.

III. The Lieutenant of our Company having been kill'd, I some time after had his command, and return'd the Colours into the hands of Mon∣sieur de Boulogne. I remain'd in Garrison in Nogent upon Marne at the time when the Princes rebell'd against King Lewis XIII, and began to raise Forces, having many of the Gentry of Bassigny on their side, which was the reason that Nogent was beset round with enemies. Monsieur de Boulogne, who at that time had business at Paris, entrusted the place to me, with the quality of the Kings Lieutenant, which he procured for me.

IV. Some time before this War, a Gentleman within two leagues of Nogent, call'd Guyonnel, was so out of order in his affairs, that there was a Decree granted for the sale of his House of Bonnecourt; which

Monsieur de Boulogne having bought, this man was so enrag'd to see himself turn'd out of his House, that he lookt upon this War as a happy opportunity to revenge himself, and by siding with the Princes, by force to get into possession again; but Monsieur de Boulogne having as it were foreseen his ill design, had plac'd some good men for the guard of the Castle.

Guyonnel had also a kinsman call'd Aurillot, who was in the Princes party, and had rais'd a Troop of Light Horse, with which he resolv'd to force and pillage Bonnecourt. He came therefore demanding to Quar∣ter there, and seeing himself deny'd, fell to plundring the Village, say∣ing that he would presently do as much by the Castle. He accordingly advanc'd towards the Castle, as if to enter by force, but the Souldiers that kept it, shewing a resolution still to defend it, and beginning to fire upon him, he was fain to retire. The spite of this disappointment made him set fire to the Basse-Court, and animated him to such an excess of barbarity, as there to burn the Farmer, his Wife, and Children; whom he cruelly repulst when they attempted to save themselves through the flames. Bonnecourt being near to Nogent, the news of this was pre∣sently brought thither to us; for besides, that we had heard shooting, and seen the flame, some of the Inhabitants came crying out that they put all to Fire and Sword. I was surpriz'd and afflicted to the last degree at hearing the least violences; but I found my in a sad perplexity, ha∣ving but a very few men in the Garrison, and fearing to expose the place, should I go out with my Souldiers.

I contriv'd notwithstanding to cause the young people of the Town to mount to Horse, and with them to command fifty Musqueteers of the Garrison. Having drawn them together ready to march, I aloud laid before them the cruelty that had been exercis'd upon the Inhabi∣tants of Bonnecourt, and gave them to understand that they were to re∣venge it; assuring them upon my word, that I would post them so, as that they might charge the enemy without danger: whereupon they all promis'd me to do wonders, and they kept their words as I did mine. I plac'd them in an Ambuscade, where they had all manner of advan∣tage without peril; for having caus'd a false Alarm to be given at one end of the Village, which made the Country go out at the other, they there met with our young people, who had march'd all night without their knowledge; and who on a sudden gave them so brisk, and so un∣expected a Charge, that they all fled without any manner of resistance, leaving their prey behind, with some of their won men, who were all either kill'd or taken. I restor'd to every one of the Inhabitants what was properly his own, caus'd the fire to be put out, and put courage and life into these poor people again.

After this I return'd to Nogent, to put the Inhabitants of the Town out of the pain they were in about their Sons, whom they thought dan∣gerously engag'd with the Enemy. The joy they were in to see them all safe return'd, with the glory of having so bravely reliev'd their Neighbours, made them forget the fear they had been in of losing them▪ and as oftentimes there needs but a very light occasion to acquire either the affection, or the hatred of a people; this little Action procur'd me so absolute a credit with the whole Town, that I needed but to say the least word to be obeyed in a moment, and they call'd me the Conservator of their Country.

V. Aurillot, vext to the soul to see himself thus baffled and put to flight, resolv'd to be reveng'd at any rate, and having several Persons of Quality of his Kindred, as the Marquess de Creance, de Clermont, and others, who were of the Princes Party, as well as himself; he assem∣bled them all together, to acquaint them of the affront he had receiv'd from me, and the resolution he had taken to recover his reputation; entreating them to joyn with him to this end, and all together to swear a mortal War against the Gascon, for so it was that in contempt they were pleas'd to call me. These Gentlemen made no great difficulty of consenting to his request, and consequently openly declar••d a War against the King's Lieutenant of Nogent.

Having intelligence of this practice I gather'd together some Horse, and put my self into a condition, not only of defending my self, but of attacking them upon several occasions, wherein my chiefest aim was to take Aurillot Prisoner, to make him repair the horrible crime he had committed in Bonnecourt, not being able to forget so great a barbarity. To this end I sent out several Spies on all sides, to bring me certain intelligence of the several places to which he went, and where he stayed, that of them I might make choice of that which was most proper for the executing my design. One of these Spies one day brought me word, that Aurillot was that night to lye within three Leagues of Nogent, at a Castle call'd Perse, or else in another call'd Persigny, which was but half a League from the first, in order to a design he had to go out with a party the next morning towards Langues, which held out for the King. Upon this intelligence I immediately sent in all post haste to tell Mon∣sieur de Franciere, who was Governor of Langues; to Monsieur de Rhes∣nel, Governor of Chaumont; and to Monsieur de Saint Aubin, Governor of Montigny; which were three places united to Nogent, and which had all promised mutual assistance against these Invaders, that if they would send me some Troops, I did assure them the next morning to take Au∣rillot Prisoner; that it was of moment to the publick quiet, since it was he almost that disturbed the whole Country.

Monsieur de Rhesnel, and Monsieur de St. Aubin, sent me forthwith some Horse, and Monsieur de Franciere would come himself in person; but he came a little too late: for the very moment that the men from the two others arriv'd, having no time to lose, I made those men I had, which were about 60 Horse, and as many Foot, ready to march; and with them set out about midnight, and came to invest the Village of Persigny, into which Aurillot was retir'd. I plac'd Corps de Guard on all the Avenues, and with the rest of my men without any noise went to storm the House; yet could I not do it so softly, but that those within heard us, and did what they could to oppose us: but we made our selves Masters of it, and having forc'd the doors, we struck so great a terror into all those within, that they made little or no resistance. Aurillot, seeing no possible way to escape, barricado••d himself in a Chamber, and having a Pistol in his hand, cry'd out, that he would kill the first man that advanc'd, and that he would dye before he would surrender himself to me, being conscious without doubt that he was guilty enough, to know that he was not to have any very good composition from me. He enquir'd at the same time, whither there was no other Commander; to which he was answer'd, that Monsieur de Franciere was just arriv'd, and that if he had a desire to surrender himself into his hands, I was

willing to consent to it. Aurillot took the course, and so became a Pri∣soner; as also were all the rest of his men, some few excepted, who by the favour of the night escap'd into the neighb'ring Houses, and there conceal'd themselves.

VI. Monsieur de Franciere and I, were of opinion, that we ought to carry our Prisoners to Langues: and being accordingly about to enter the Town, we were very much surpriz'd to see all the Citizens come out of the Gates to meet us. The joy wherein they were, to hear that we were bringing in Aurillot Prisoner, would not give them leave to stay till he came within the Walls of their City; and one of them, more foreseeing and zealous than the rest, fearing lest he should compound for his Ransome, as he might have done, had he not committed that barbarity at Bonnecourt, thought it best, in good time to prevent it, and fir'd a Musquet at him; but was so ill a Marks-man, that instead of his Head, he hit mine, the ball cutting my Hat-band in two, and graz'd upon my Hat, yet without any other harm to me at all. This heat did a little surprize us, and made me tell Monsieur de Franciere, that there was no safety there for Aurillot, and that it was better to carry him to Nogent; but he made answer, that he would go and speak to the peo∣ple, and going immediately up to them, he there gave them to under∣stand, that if they would permit Justice to have its course against this publick Enemy, they should have all satisfaction; but if they would make use of violence, he should be constrain'd to convey him to some other place. This remonstrance stopt their fury, and they past their words, that they would do him no harm, wishing much rather to see him dye upon a Scaffold; and so they brought him into the Town, and clapt him up in Prison.

VII. This news of taking Aurillot made a mighty noise in the Coun∣try; all the Gentry mounted to Horse, and sent to Monsieur de Franci∣ere that he might be ransom'd, as being a Prisoner of War. Monsieur de Franciere return'd them answer, that it was I who had taken him, and that he being my right, they were to apply themselves to me; but that if he was absolutely at his disposal, he could not treat him as a Prisoner of War, having been taken not only as an Enemy to the King, but as a Destroyer of the Country, and a publick Incendiary; who had burnt Men and Villages, and committed Outrages that were not ac∣cording to the ordinary Rules of War. To which the Nobless return'd answer again, that all this could be no other but an occasion of inhanc∣ing his ransom, that due satisfaction might be made; and therefore did humbly beseech him to set his rate, and to consent, that every Gentle∣man amongst them might have a particular obligation to him for the favour. Monsieur de Franciere found himself in a very great straight, being unwilling to fall out with all the Gentlemen of the Country, and very well foreseeing all the consequences of this affair, told me, that he thought he should not be able to detain this Prisoner any longer; and that therefore I was to consider whither or no I would take him into my own Custody, for that otherwise he should be compell'd to deliver him upon Ransom. I for my part, who thought I ought not to prefer any consideration to my duty, made answer, that I would take the charge of him upon me, and would keep him safe enough; and accordingly two hours before day in the morning▪ I took him, and with

my Horse convey'd him to Chaumont, where I secur'd him in a good strong Prison.

Monsieur de Franciere at the same time sent to acquaint the Nobless, that he had him no longer in his power, not having been able to deny him to him by whom he had been taken, and to whom he did of right ap∣pertain. This news troubled them very much, not doubting but that I was resolv'd to proceed to the last, as I had begun. The only re∣maining comfort they had, was that being condemned at Chaumont, he might appeal to Paris, and that in so long a way, they might find some means or other to rescue him. They sent nevertheless to demand him of me, and upon my refusal said, that I should make haste then to bring him to his Trial, hoping for the forementioned reason, to procure his deliverance so much the sooner. They had the satisfaction they de∣sir'd; for in a few days he was condemned to have his Head cut off; and to make restitution to all those he had undone.

He appeal'd from this Sentence to Paris, demanding to be carried thither, and withal gave notice to all his Friends, that if they would rescue him now was the time to do it: His Relations hereupon drew all their Friends together, and mounting to Horse, came to place them∣selves in Ambuscade upon the way by which they thought he was to pass: but I easily put the change upon them, for having sent to take up an Inn at Bar-sur-Aube, which was the great road to Paris, for the next night; all these Gentlemen who had had intelligence of it, made them∣selves sure upon the orders I had given, and not doubting of any thing else, posted themselves in the place I named before. In the mean time I sent Aurillot away the same day by eight of the clock in the morning, in the sight of the whole Town; having put him into a close Waggon, and order'd Thirty good Souldiers for his Guard, of which Twenty four, after having conveyed him three Leagues return'd; and the six others under the command of a Serjeant carried him, not by the way of Bar∣sur-Aube, which I had commanded them to quit, but by another which was all wood, and the concealing them there kept them in absolute safety. And thus all this rout of Gentlemen were deceiv'd; not ima∣gining that any one would have taken a way that was 30 Leagues about; and after having continued four days on Horseback retir'd, and gave over their design. The Convoy convey'd their Prisoner to Paris, where Monsieur de Boulogne expected him with great anxiety and impatience, knowing that so many Gentlemen had taken the Field to rescue him. He caus'd him to be put into Prison, and pursu'd his process with might and main.

In the interim the Peace of Lodun was concluded▪ and an Act of Oblivion was past without exceptions; which Monsieur de Boulogne hav∣ing notice of, he presently took Post and went to Court, where he mov'd, that Incendiaries at least might not be comprehended in the Pardon, as having committed actions too black, and too cruel to be forgiven. His request was granted; and there was a particular Article inserted in the Treaty to that effect.

VIII. Whilst Monsieur de Boulogne was busie at Paris in pursuit of his Process, I had no less to do at Nogent, to maintain my self against all this Nobless, who were furiously enrag'd against me for the affront they conceiv'd I had put upon them. Of which some proceeded so far as out of bravado to send me word, that if I durst come out of the

Gates, they might see what I was in the Field, where a better Judg∣ment might be made than within the Walls of a Town. Thus it fell out, that in doing my best for the King's interest and the publick peace, I brought a hundred inconveniencies upon my selt, from which I should have had very much ado to disengage my self, had I inconsiderately abandon'd my self to the heat of youth: But as I conceiv'd, that I ought not to recede in affairs that prest upon me, so I thought it indiscreet to make too precipitous advances: and also having created my self so many enemies all at once, I must either have been forced to engage all my friends in the quarrel, which I have ever evaded as much as possibly I could, or I must have render'd my self ridiculous, as the common mark of all the Bravo's in the Country. I therefore upon necessity chose that way of proceeding which appeared to me the wisest and most safe, which was as much as I could do to joyn prudence with constancy in the whole management of this affair, and I succeeded so well in it, that I put an end to seventeen quarrels I had upon my hands at once, without being oblig'd to draw my Sword: which I purposely set down, as con∣ceiving that true honour does not consist in a blind and brutish courage, and that all my life have been of opinion, that nothing was more wor∣thy a truly generous man, than to constrain himself to gain his enemies by civil ways, and to overcome them by his moderation and wisdom. Every one may make of it what judgment he pleases; but I can boldly say, that even they, of those Gentlemen of whom I speak, who thought themselves the most offended by me, have since confest that they esteem'd me the more for that manner of proceeding with them, and for having as it were compell'd them to be my friends; and it will not peradventure be unseasonable to give here one example, that what I say may be better understood.

IX. The King had order'd Monsieur de Boulogne to bring fifty Villages about Nogent under contribution for the subsistence of the Garrison; which was no very new thing, but had been a great while in practice. I who acted for him in his absence, sent to these Villages to signifie to them the Kings order; but was a little surpriz'd when I was told that several of these Parishes belonging to one Lord, which was the Baron of Clermont, had made answer that they would pay nothing, and that their Lord had commanded them the contrary. I had moreover word brought me, that this Lord himself had said, that if de Pontis found fault, and was not satisfied, it would be easie to satisfie him after another manner. To which I made no other answer, excepting, that I should see that.

But though I felt my self very sensibly toucht with such a complement, I consider'd nevertheless that I ought not to mix my particular interests with those of the King; and that I was oblig••d first to try all civil ways to acquit my self of my Commission, and to make the fault lye at this Lord's door, that nothing might be laid to my charge. Some days after therefore I went to his House, and sent him word, that I was come to have the honour to see him; he was surpriz'd at the news, not expecting to see me there, and came to receive me; I told him at the first meet∣ing that I was come to pay him my respects, and after some discourse of indifferent things, it being dinner time, he invited me after so ob∣liging a fashion, that I could not refuse to stay, and there was no body at Table but us two, and Madam de Clermont. Being risen from dinner, I told him, that besides the honour I was ambitious of, of kissing his

hands, I was come to speak with him about the Order I had received from the King, to put fifty Villages under contributions, of which se∣veral belonged to him, and that I did beseech him, he would please to command them to obey this Order, which withal I presented to him. He return'd me answer, that this affair being of Monsieur de Boulogne's business, and not mine, and he being upon no good terms with him, he could not consent to it, but that had it been my own particular concern, he would have granted it with all his Heart. I reply'd, that having the Honour to be the King's Lieutenant in the Government of Monsieur de Boulogne, his interest was mine, and that I hop'd he would not separate them; that on the other side it was the King's business, and not Monsieur de Boulogne's; and that in short, if he would not make his Villages contribute, I entreated he would sign his refusal under the King's Order, that it might serve me for a discharge. Being much surpriz'd at this, he answer'd me with heat, that he would not do it; neither would he make his Parishes pay contribution; and fairly added, turning to∣wards his Page, give me my Sword; and to me, Sir, we had better go walk in the Garden. I understood his meaning well enough: but I fear'd nothing in performing my duty, and obeying the orders of the King.

He led me quite round the Garden, all the while discoursing of in∣different things, and after carried me into a great Park that was much more remote, and walk'd me quite round about it, all the while looking me in the face, and observing my countenance, which was still that of a man that fear'd nothing in maintaining the interest of the King, and my own duty. At last, seeing that I was always equally firm and civil, he final∣ly told me, that he had so much esteem for me, that for my sake, seeing I desir'd to have it so, he would make his Tenants pay, but that it was not out of any respect to Monsieur de Boulogne. I replied, that I stood oblig'd to him for his civility, and that, provided he caused his Maje∣sties Order to be obey'd, it was all one to me in favour of whom it was granted: but that nevertheless I was oblig'd to tell him▪ that he ought to remember who Monsieur de Boulogne was, and not to forget the Friendship that had ever been betwixt their two Families; which also he ought not to break, when there was as much reason as ever to pre∣serve it, and that the advantageous qualities they were both Masters of, seem'd to be a kind of new tye to unite them faster: That as to the rest, I did once more beseech him to beleive, that Monsieur de Boulogne••s interest••s were mine, and ought not to be separated: I further intreated him to give me the order he was pleas••d to send to his Villages in writing, that they might not doubt of what I should tell them, nor have any excuse if I compell'd them to obey. He granted every thing I desir'd, setting down in the writing that he commanded all his Villages to pay contribution, and entreated Monsieur de Pontis to compel them to it, in case they should refuse; and so at last we took leave of one another with mutual assurances of a true and sincere Friendship, such as in effect it has been ever since. And this example, that may peradventure be of some use to others, to retain them within the bounds of a temperate conduct and a regular courage, was also very serviceable even to me my self, to put an end to a great number of other disputes. For the issue of this affair made so great a noise in the Country, that all who were upon ill terms with me, began to consider me after another kind of manner than they had done before; and even seeking means of ac∣commodation

with me, became most of them my Friends; prudently judging, that it was no dishonour to live in amity with a person who had thus engag'd one of the chiefest amongst them, from an enemy that he had been before, to become his Friend. I can also say, that this civil way of proceeding, which I practised as much as possibly I could upon all occasions, did not only acquire me the Friendship of the No∣bless, who at first were so violent against me, but moreover the affection of all the Inhabitants of Nogent, who in acknowledgment of the Friend∣ship I manifested to them in all the Wars, ever after maintain'd the custom of presenting me with Wine, when ever I past through the Town, as if I had been still the King••s Lieutenant there; which I say, not out of any vanity to myself, but only to let such as are in employ∣ment see, how much moderation in all sorts of Government is prefera∣ble to insolence, especially when supported by steadiness and con∣stancy.

To conclude this affair, which has put me upon saying all that I have said, and the cause of most of the quarrels of which I have spoken; Monsieur de Boulogne so vigorously pursu••d his prosecution against Au∣rillot, that he soon caus'd the Sentence of Chaumont to be confirm'd by an Arrest, that condemn'd him to have his Head cut off in the open Market-place, and to carry a Writing upon his back, that set out the cause of his condemnation in these terms; For burning Houses: which gave great satisfaction to all the Country, where he was lookt upon as a common enemy.

X. Two Years after the first War of the Princes they began a second; when Monsieur de Boulogne, having sent to me to come to him with a recruit of 200 men, that I had raised about Nogent; I prepar'd my self to march them up to the Army, commanded by the Mareschal de Bassom∣pierre, where our Regiment of Champagne was already arriv d, and set out with my Recruit, having only a young Ensign with me called Saint Aubin. After two days march we had intelligence, that the Cardinal of Guise was at hand with 600 Horse, that he had rais'd about Metz, which he brought up to join with the Army of the Princes towards Pont de Sè. The Match being unequal, I thought presently to recover Sezan∣ne, a little Town that held out for the King; but being I was to pass a great Plain, I fear'd a surprizal there, and would have been very glad to have found some means to shelter my self.

It fell out by good luck, that I met a great many Waggons of Bar∣sur-Aube laden with Wine, which I thought very proper to serve me for a retrenchment in case I should be surpriz'd upon the Plain. I therefore told these Carters, that they must help to cover us if they ex∣pected that we should defend them, promising them that they should run no other hazard but what we would first be expos'd to our selves. The danger wherein they saw themselves engag'd, together with the necessity of obeying me, prevail'd with them immediately to unlade their Wine, because I would have them in a condition to make more haste; and so of all these Waggons link'd to one another I made two Files, which I caus'd to march on the right and left of my Souldiers, of whom I form'd a Battalion, and gave order to those at the Head and the Rear of these two Files, to draw up near one another so soon as they should see the Enemy▪ that so they might wholly shut up the Bat∣talion.

XI. We had not march'd far in this order, but that being yet a League from Sezanne, in the open Field, we saw the Avant-Couriers of the Enemy appear upon the top of a little Hill that bounded one side of the Plain, and presently after discovered the whole body, which consisted of six Squadrons, making full drive toward us. I caus'd my men to halt, who were at the same instant enclos'd by the Waggons, according to the order I had given; I there endeavoured to encou∣rage them to the fight, assuring them, that if they would faithfully obey my orders, I would disengage them from the danger wherein they were, but that if they would not do it their ruine was inevitable. I also gave them my word, that if it should so fall out, as I despair'd not but it would, that they should get any prize by the spoils of such as they should kill, it should be entirely their own; and that I would pretend to no other share, but only that of procuring them the Glory of the Victory, and in saving their lives, to enrich them at the Enemies expence. The pres∣sing danger in which they were, and the hopes that I gave them made them presently obedient, and they all assur'd me that they would faith∣fully acquit themselves of their duty. Having, as I said before, form'd one sole Battalion of all my men, I made them make a Front every way, to the end that on which side soever the Enemy should fall they might be in a posture to receive him. I only drew out twenty, which I plac'd some six paces without the Waggons in two ranks, consisting each of ten, that they might fire at greater liberty than if enclos'd; giving them order to kneel on one knee that they might be more sure of their execution, and not to do it till they came very near, and when I should give the word.

XII. The Cardinal of Guise, who was himself in person at the Head of these six Squadrons of Horse, sent a Trumpet to bid us throw down our Arms, being of so unequal force as not to be able to resist him; assuring us at the same time of fair Quarter if we did so: but that if we refused to yeild, he would kill us every man, and cut us all to pieces. I made answer to the Trumpet, that I return'd the Cardinal of Guise thanks for the favour he offer'd us; but that we demanded no other Quarter, than what we could procure our selves by a good defence, for which we were all very well prepar'd; and that he should return no more on the same errand, because we should no longer consider him as any thing but an Enemy. So resolute an answer made the Cardinal a while de∣liberate what he should do, where he resolv'd to send the Trumpet a second time to try if he could fright us by new threats, but I made my men cry out that they would fire upon him if he approacht any nearer; and the betrer to shew him his danger, order'd them to present their Muskets against him. So resolute a proceeding made him think better on't, and the Cardinal seeing we were resolv'd to stand upon our de∣fence, detach'd fifty Light Horse with a command to discover our posture. These Cavaliers rid round about us at so great a distance, that I did not think fit to fire upon them, and returning to make their report, were immediately order'd to come and charge the Head of our Retrench∣ment; the Cardinal assuring them, that so soon as they had routed the first, he would come and fall on with all the rest. They came up ac∣cordingly at a good round trot, and being come on within twice Pistol shot, spur'd on to a Gallop, as if with design to break into our twenty

Musqueteers. I let them approach till they were advanc'd within Pi∣stol shot, and then commanded those of the first rank to give fire; which they did so resolutely and discreetly, that laid several of them dead upon the place, and the rest wheel'd off, not daring to ad∣vance, by reason that the other ten Musqueteers having immediately taken the place of the first ten that had given fire, were ready to have done as much. Being thus return'd fewer than they came to their main body, I sent in the mean time to rifle their dead, about whom they found near a Hundred Pistols, which I put into a Hat shaking them, and saying, Here my Boys, these are all your own, I pretend to no other share but only to divide them amongst you; this happy begin∣ning presages Victory; Courage! let us stand firm, and expect till they bring us as many more.

These words, together with the sight of the first advantage they had had, encouraged them to that degree, that they wish'd with impatience the Enemy would attack them again, in hopes of a greater booty. And they were not long before they had that satisfaction; for we presently saw one of the six Squadrons advance a trot, till they came within Cara∣bine shot, and there on a sudden they separated themselves into two bodies, to fall upon both sides of our Battalion; but the first rank making a front every way, they gave them from behind the Waggons so brisk a Volley at the Muzzel of the Musquet, that several Men and Horses lay dead upon the place, and some that were dismounted were forc'd to get up behind the others to get off. After this they retreated towards their main body, and went to see if they should receive a new order to come back to be knock d o'th' head. I made these dead be rifled too, about whom we found some twenty Pistols more, which encourag'd our Souldiers anew.

XIII. In the mean time the Cardinal of Guise, seeing the night draw on▪ and very well judging that he should lose a great many men, should he attack two hundred desperate men that were retrench'd, resolv'd to encamp in a little Wood that was near at hand, and so to keep us as it were besieged, till he could send for some more assistance. And, be∣ing he stood in need of Foot, without which he believ'd he should not be able to force us, he sent to some neighbouring Garrisons to supply him. But so soon as I had intelligence of his design, I thought it not good for me to stay till the morning, and that it would be necessary to attempt to escape away by the favour of the night. But the business was, how to decamp that the Enemy's Sentinels and Guards should not perceive it; and to this end I thought fit to make a shew of encamping as well as they, and that I had no design of drawing off no more than they. I therefore caus'd a great fire to be made in our Camp, and or∣der'd the Souldiers to make a great noise, as if they were merry and diverting themselves; but gave them notice withal, that when they should see another fire kindled at midnight, that should be their signal to decamp, and they were then every man to follow his Leader in File without speaking a word. I commanded the Waggons also not to stir from the place till we had recover'd the Wood, fearing the noise of the Horses and the Wheels; and being assur'd by the knowledge I had of the Map of the Country, that we should find a little Wood, in which we might march all the way under cover till we came to Sezanne.

This resolution taken, the orders given, and midnight come, I caus••d the Fire to be lighted which was the signal, which every one was care∣ful to obey, and in a very little time we recover'd the Wood I spoke of, without any sign that the Enemy had in the least discover'd our march, and at break of day found our selves under the Walls of Se∣zanne; where we were in absolute safety. I then kept my word with the Souldiers, and divided amongst them the Spoil of the Enemy, by which means the joy of seeing themselves escap'd contrary to all ap∣pearance, was encreasd by the sight of the booty they had got, but much more, when within a few hours after we had intelligence that the Enemy had pursu'd us as far as to the Wood, but no further; being told that we were already arrived at Sezanne.

This action mightily pleas'd the Cardinal of Guise, who openly commended the valour of those who had so dar'd to resist him, and particularly enquir'd who was the Commander. It made also a great noise in the Country, in the Army, and as far as the Court, by reason of the great number of those who had attacked us, and of the quality of him that was Chief. For the first rumour went, that two hundred Foot having been met with in the open Field by six Hundred Horse, under the command of the Cardinal of Guise, had been all cut to pi••ces: but the truth was soon known, and they heard the whole thing as it past, with great joy.

XIV. Sometime after that we had join'd wi••h the Army at Pont de Sè, the Peace was concluded; where the King having a mind to take a review of his Troops, commanded them to be drawn up in Battaille, and so Regiment by Regiment to march off before him. Here it was that the Cardinal of Guise manifested an extraordinary bounty and g••∣nerosity in my favour; for being return••d to his obedience, and recon∣••il'd to the King, and at that time about his Person, he desired Mon∣sieur de Villedonné, a Captain of the Regiment of Champagne, to show him when the Regiment past by, an Officer called de Pontis, who was of that body. When I came to pa••s, and that Monsieur de Villedonné had shew'd me to him, he came to me, and in the presence of the King himself embrac'd me, and said to me these very words, That he would have me to be his Friend, having known me by that which past near Sezan∣ne; that he thought himself oblig'd to love me af••er so particular a proof of my conduct, that he assur'd me no occasion should offer it self wherein he might do me service, but that he would do it with all heart, and that he conjur'd me to employ him in whatever should lye in his power, whether in himself, or towards the King, to serve me. The extraordinary astonish∣ment and surprize, wherein I was at so great a generosity, did not hinder me from making answer with all acknowledgement and due sub∣mission; and from telling him that he highly reveng'd himself on me, in putting me into so great a confusion before the King and the whole Army.

The King in the mean time was in pain to know the subject of this conference, and Monsieur de Villedonné having told him his thought, which was, that the Cardinal was doubtless talking to me, about what bad past betwixt us near Sezanne; his Majesty exprest a desire to see that Officer, to hear a particular account out of the Cardinal's own mouth, after what manner I had escap'd from his hands. The relation he then made gave me occasion of being known to the King, and was,

as it were, the foundation and beginning of the great favour and bounty his Majesty has manifested towards me ever since; as shall be made appear in the progress of these Memoirs. He very much com∣mended the generosity of Monsieur de Guise his proceeding with me in this affair, as indeed it was highly commendable, especially in a person of his great quality and merit: and this Cardinal was always mindful of the promise he had done me the honour to make me, having exprest so much kindness to me even to the end of his Life; as in the sickness whereof he died at Xaintes, to send for me, and tell me with extraor∣dinary favour and goodness, that I ought to regret his death, since I in him lost one of the best Friends I had in the world, of which he would have given me proof, had he lived longer.

XV. The Army was after this sent away to several Quarters upon the confines of the Kingdom; and we of the Regiment of Ch••ampagn•• had the little Town of Oleron in Bearn assign'd for ours. Our Compa∣ny and another was lodg'd in a Suburb call'd Mercadet: and the two Captains being retir'd to their own Houses, had left their Companies to their Lieutenants, of which I was the eldest, and consequently commanded the Quarters. About a Year after the Hugonots began the War again, and to rise in Arms. The Marquess de la Force was Governour of the Country, but being one of the greatest zealots of the Hugonot Party, he abandon'd the King's service, and laboured to raise all the men he could. Having one day sent a Trumpet into the Suburb of Mercadet, to pro∣claim that all the Captains of the Religion were suddenly to repair to Pa••, the Capital City of Bearn, where he made his ordinary abode, to receive his orders: I was surpriz'd at the noise, and stept to the Trum∣pet to demand of him what it was that he p••oclaim'd, and why he was so bold as to dare to sound in my Quarter without my leave, seeing he knew, what was but too well known throughout the Country, that his Master had already manifested himself to be less affected to the King's service, than that of his Enemies; and therewithal commanded him immediately to be gone, threatning him if he did not do it, to make him know, that I very well understood how to maintain his Majesty's interests▪ Upon this he left the place where he had begun to sound; but being got a little further off, fell to sounding again. This so manifest con∣tempt of the interdiction I had given him, in order to the maintaining the King's right, so far incens'd me, that coming up to him, and seeing that, relying upon the authority of his Master, he, to this first contempt of my orders added an insolent reply; I snatcht his Trumpet from him, broke it over his shoulders, and beat him out of my Quarters; assuring my self, that the King would not disapprove my defending thus his interests against an Enemy of his Crown.

Nevertheless I went immediately to wait upon Monsieur de Poyenne the King's Lieutenant in Bearn, who was very affectionate to his Maje∣sties service, and consequently little belov'd by the Governour, and gave him an account of what I had done; who told me I had done well, and no more than my duty: But foreseeing the consequence of this affair, being well assur'd that Monsieur de. la Force would never par∣don this affront; and being moreover afraid, that should the King come to hear of it before he was inform'd of the truth, his Majesty might perhaps accuse my zeal of some excess; I entreated Monsieur de Poyenne that when he writ to Court, as he frequently did, he would

put in a word in my behalf, to prevent all the ill reports by which my enemies might have decry'd my conduct. He did accordingly, and so effectually withal, that the King to assure me he was satisfied with my service, gave me the Government of the Tower of Oleron, a little For∣tress that commanded the Town; which, though a little thing in it self, and that no great revenue belong'd to it, yet was it of consequence that this Tower should be in the hands of a faithful person to keep the Town in its duty; and it was no less advantag••ous to me after the Act I had committed, that had made a great noise in the Country, that the King should publickly manifest his being satisfied with it, in giving me this Government; whilst Monsieur de la Force was making my process at Pau. For though it was not hard for him to cause me to be condemn'd there, to have my Head cut off, he did not find it so easie to execute the Sentence, seeing I was of his Majesty's Party, and under his pro∣tection.

XVI. The War breaking out still more fiercely, our Regiment of Champagne was commanded to the Rendezvous of the Army, which ob∣lig'd me to think of divesting my self of my Government, being unwil∣ling to be stinted to so small a preferment; I thought fit therefore to re∣sign it into the hands of Monsieur de Poyenne, who had procur'd it for me: who, after having been very importunate with me to stay there, and giving me many assurances to procure for me something mor•• con∣siderable for the future; seeing me absolutely resolv'd to leave it, com∣pell'd me however, whether I would or no, to name another in my stead. I therefore presented him a Gentleman call'd Domvidaut, who was indeed a H••gonot, but who had always manifested so great a zeal for the Kings service, that I thought it impossible for him ever to fail in his duty. And because I would tye him yet faster to Monsieur d•• Poyenne, I gave him to understand, that he was oblig'd to him only for this Government. He on his part thought he could not better express his acknowledgment, than by entrusting me with his Son, whom he en∣treated me to receive in the quality of Cadet, into the Company of which I was Lieutenant.

XVII. We went presently after to the Siege of Saint John d' Angely, which the king in person came to besiege, in the year 1620, of which Siege I shall only make report of one action, wherein I with several others underwent a very great peril, from which it appears we were only deliver'd by a kind of miracle.

Being upon the point to spring a Mine, I was commanded with 40 Men to charge into the breach so soon as ever it should be open, by that means to deprive the Enemy of the means to repair it. We were there∣fore of necessity to approach very near, and to have something to cover us, in case we should be forc'd to retrench our selves. I therefore de∣sired Baskets instead of Sacks, which were commonly made use of upon such occasions, arguing that it would be much more easie to fill them that stood open, and stiff of themselves, than Sacks that did not so; and accordingly we had forty deliver'd to us, which serv'd us very much, but after another manner than we propos'd to our selves. We then ad∣vanc'd as near as we could to the Mine, which in playing had an effect quite contrary to what was expected: for instead of throwing the Earth into the Town, it threw it back upon us, the soil being lighter on our

side, and buried us under its ruines. But by the greatest good fortune imaginable, having made all our Souldiers by my example carry all their Baskets upon their heads, that our hands might be at liberty to handle all our arms, they not only broke part of the force of the Earth, and Stones, and preserv'd us from having our brains beaten out, but more∣over serv'd to give us a little breath, in leaving us a little vacuity, that preserv'd us from being stifled before we could be reliev'd. Monsieur de Cominges, who was at the end of the Trench, having seen some Soul∣diers hurt with the Stones that the Mine had blown about, and judging in what extremity we were likely to be, came running to assist us, and disengag'd us from under the Rubbish, whilst the Enemy were busie in repairing the breach, without thinking of us.

In the mean time, that which by accident sav'd our lives on this oc∣casion, was afterwards put into practice in other Sieges; and they have ••ince often made use of these Baskets, as very proper to make quick lodgments, and speedily to cover themselves; which also made the King himself to con∣fess, that I had herein done him a very considerable service, which was almost all the recompence I had for having ran so great a hazard. My inclination for War, and the aversion I have ever had for all remedies, hin∣dred me from causing my self to be let blood, as I had been advis'd: but I found my self so ill by having been so bruis'd and overwhelm'd by these ruines, and by having been more led by my own inconsiderate heat than the counsel of my Friends, that I had the Jaundice for a month together, to that degree that I was hardly to be known. But my better parts being still in their vigour, and my heart always whole and good, I never excus'd my self from my ordinary duty upon the Guard, in one of which I receiv'd a Carabine shot in the body, which entring but a little way, kept me but a very short time in bed.

The End of the Second Book.