Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 2, part 1] with an vniuersall history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitiue age to these latter tymes of ours, with the bloudy times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions agaynst the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperours, as nowe lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realme of England and Scotland. Newly reuised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time agayne published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the helpe of Christ our Lord) Iohn Foxe, which desireth thee good reader to helpe him with thy prayer.

Conclusions and Articles, lastly agreed vpon be∣tweene the right honourable Lorde of Raconis on the part of the Dukes highnesse, and them of the Valleys of Piemont, called the Waldoys.

THat there shal shortly be made letters Patentes by the Dukes highnesse,* 1.1 by the which it may appeare that he hath forgeuen and pardoned them of the Ualleys of An∣grongne. Boby, Uillers, Ualquichard, Rora, Tailleret, La Rua de Bonet bordering vppon Tour. S. Martine, Perouse, Roccapiata, S. Bartlemew, and al suche as haue aided them: of all such faultes as they haue committed, as well in bearing armour againste his highnesse, as against the Lordes and certaine other gentlemen whom he retei∣ned and kept in his protection and safegard.* 1.2

That it shalbe lawful for them of Angrongne, Boby, Uillard, Ualquichard, Rora, (members of the Ualley of Luserne) & for them of Rodoret, Marcele, Maneillan, and Salsa (members of the Ualley of S. Martine) to haue their congregations,* 1.3 sermons & other ministeries of theyr religion, in places accustomed.

That it shalbe lawfull for them of Uillars (members of the Ualley of Luserne) to haue the same,* 1.4 but that onely vntill the time that his highnes doth builde a Forte in the same place. But whilest the sayd fort is in building, it shall not be lawful to haue their preaching and assemblies with in the said precinct of the place, but it shalbe lawful for them to build a place for that purpose, neere at hand, where they shall thinke good, on that side towardes Boby. Neuerthe∣les it shall be permitted to their ministers to come wythin the precinct aforesayd, to visite the sicke, and exercise other things necessary to theyr Religion, so that they preach not nor make any assemble there.

* 1.5It shalbe also permitted to them of Tailleret, La Rua de Bonet bordering vpon Tour, to haue their Sermones and assembles in places accustomed, so that they enter not for that purpose into the rest of the confines of Tour.

* 1.6That it shal not be lawful for the saide members of the Ualleys of Luserne and S. Martine, to come to the rest of their borderers, nor any other of his highnesse dominion: nor to haue their preachinges, assembles or disputations, out of theyr owne borders, hauing libertie to haue them therein. And if they be examined of their faith, it shall be lawfull for them to answer without danger of punishmēt in body or goodes.

The like shall be lawfull for them of the parishe of Pe∣rouse,* 1.7 which at this present are fled because of the said reli∣gion, & were wont to haue their assembles and preachings & other ministeries according to their religion, at the place called le Puis: so that they come not to other places & bor∣ders of the said parish.

It shal be permitted to them of y^e parish of Pinachia, of the Ualley of Perouse,* 1.8 which at this present be fled because of the said religion, and were wont to go to Sermons and assemblies and other ministeries of that religion, to haue the like onely at the place called le Grandoubiou.

* 1.9It shall be permitted to them of the parishe of S. Ger∣main of the Ualley of Perouse, and to them of Roccapia∣ta, which at this present are fled because of the said religion and cōtinue in the same, to haue one onely minister, which may the one day preache at S. Germaine, at the place cal∣led l'Adormilleux, and the other day at Roccapiata, at the place called Uandini only.

It shalbe permitted to al them of the townes and Uil∣lages of the said Ualleis,* 1.10 which at this present are fled, and continue in the said religion, notwithstāding any promise or abiuration made before this warre against the said reli∣gion, to repaire & returne to their houses with their hous∣holdes, and to liue according to the same, going and com∣ming to the Sermons and assembles which shall be made by their ministers in the places aboue specified, so that they obey that which is abouesayd.

And because that many of the sayde townes and villa∣ges dwel out of the precinct of the preaching, hauing neede to be visited▪ and of other things according to their said re∣ligion, their ministers which dwel within the precinct, shal be suffred without preiudice, to visite and duely aide them of such ministeries as shall be necessary for thē, so that they make no sermons or assembles.

By especial grace it shall be permitted to al them of the Ualley of Meane,* 1.11 and them of S. Bartlemew, neyghbors to Roccapiata, and are fled and continue in the sayd religi∣on, peaceably to enioy the grace and liberties graunted in the next article before, so that they obserue all which they before promise to obserue.* 1.12

The goodes alredy seased as forfait, shalbe restored to all the inhabitants of the saide Ualleis, and to all that are fled and continue in the said religion, as wel of them of the said Ualleis, as of Roccapiata, S. Bartlemew, and of Meane, so y^t they be not seased for any other cause then for the sayde religion, and for the warre present and lately past.

It shalbe lawfull for them aforesayd, to recouer by way of Iustice, of their neighbours, their moueable goodes and cattell, so it be not of Souldiours: and that whyche hathe bene sold, they shall also recouer by way of Iustice, so that they restore the price for which it hath beene solde. Theyr neighbours shall haue the like against them.

All their franchises, fredomes, and priuiledges,* 1.13 as wel generall, as particular, graunted as well by his highnesse predecessours, as by him selfe, and obtained of other inferi∣our Lordes, whereof they shall make proofe by publicke wrytings, shalbe confirmed vnto them.

The said Ualleis shalbe prouided for to haue good Iu∣stice ministred vnto them, whereby they may knowe they are kept in sauegard by his highnesse, as wel as all hys o∣ther subiects.

The inhabitants of the sayd Ualleis shall make a rolle of all the names & surnames of al them of the said valleys, which are fled for religion, as wel such as haue abiured, as other, to the ende they may be restored, and maintained in their goodes and housholdes, and enioy such grace and be∣nefites as their Prince and Lord hath bestowed on them.

And in so much as it is knowen to euery man, that the Prince may builde fortresses in his country, where it shall please hym without contradiction, neuerthelesse, to take all suspition out of the mindes of the aforesaide Waldoys, it is declared that if, at any time hereafter, his highnesse will make a Forte at Uillars, the inhabitants of the sayde place shall not be constrained to beare the charges, but onely as they shal thinke good, louingly to aide their Prince. Which Forte beinge builded (by Gods aide) A Gouernoure and Captaine shall therein be appoynted, which shall attempt nothing but the seruice of his highnesse, wythout offence of the inhabitants either in their goods or consciences.

It shalbe lawful for them, before y^e discharging of theyr Ministers, such as it shall please his highnesse to haue dis∣charged, to chuse and cal other in their steades:* 1.14 so that they chuse not M. Martin de Pragela, nor chaunge not from one place to another, of the said valleis, any of them which be discharged.

The Masse and other seruice after the vsage of Rome, shalbe kept in all the parishes of the sayde Ualleis, where the Sermons assembles,* 1.15 and other ministers of their reli∣gion are made, but none shall be compelled to be presente thereat, nor to minister aide or fauour to suche as shall vse that seruice.

All the expenses and charges borne by his highnesse in this warre, shalbe forgeuen and released to them for euer. Also the eight thousand crownes wherin the inhabitants of the saide Ualleys were behinde, as parte of sixteene M. crowns, which they had promised in the warre passed: and his highnesse will commaunde that the wrytings, for that cause made, shalbe adnulled and cancelled.

All the prisoners shalbe rendred & restored which shall be found to be in the hands of the souldiours,* 1.16 paying ran∣some reasonable, according to theyr goodes, as they shalbe seased: and those which shall be adiudged to be wrongfully taken, shalbe released without raunsome.

Likewise, all they of the sayd Ualleis, whych for religi∣on, & not for other causes, are deteined in the Galleis,* 1.17 shall be released without raunsome.

Finally, it shalbe lawfull for all them of the said valleis, them of Meane, Roccapiata, and s. Bartlemewe, of what degree, estate, or cōdition so euer they be (except ministers) to accompany and dwel, and to be in daily conuersation w^t the rest of his highnes subiects, and to tary, goe & come, in all places of his highnes country, to sel and buy, and vse al trades of marchandise, in all places in his highnes coun∣try, as before is said, so that they preach not, nor make any assembles, or disputatiōs, as we haue before sayd: and that they whiche be of the limites, dwell not oute of them: and they which be of the townes & villages of the said valleis, dwel not out of them, nor of their borders:* 1.18 and in so doing they shall not be molested by any meanes, and shall not be offended nor troubled in body or goods: but shall remaine vnder the protection and sauegarde of his highnesse.

Furthermore, his highnes shal set order to stay al trou∣bles, inconueniences, secret cōspiracies of wicked persons after such sort,* 1.19 that they shall remaine quietly in theyr reli∣gion. For obseruation whereof, George Monastier, one of the elders of Angrongne, Constantion Dialestini, other∣wise called Rembaldo, one of the Elders of Uillars, Pir∣rone Arduino, sent frō the comminaltie of Boby, Michael Ramondet, sent from the comminaltie of Tailleret and of

la Rua de Bonet bordering vpon Tour, Iohn Malenote, sent from certaine persons of S. Iohn, Peter Paschal sent from the comminaltie of the valley of S. Martin, Thom. Roman of S. Germain, sent from the comminaltie of the same place, and of all the Ualley of Perouse, promise for thē and their comminalties seuerally, that the cōtents of these conclusions aforesayd, shall be inuiolately kepte, and for breach thereof do submit themselues to such punishment as shall please his hignes: promising likewise to cause the chiefe of the families of the comminalties, to allow and confirme the sayd promise.

The honourable Lorde of Raconis doth promise that the Dukes highnes shall confirme and allow the foresayde conclusions to them both generally and perticularly,* 1.20 at the intercession and especiall fauour of the noble Lady the Princesse.* 1.21

In testimonie whereof, the foresayde Lord of Raconis hath confirmed these present conclusions, wyth hys owne hand, and the Ministers haue lykewise subscribed in the name of all the sayd Ualleys, and they which can write, in the name of all theyr comminalties.

At Cauor, the v. of Iune. 1561.

• ...Phillip of Sauoy.
• ...Fraunces Valla, Minister of Villars.
• ...Claudius Bergius, Minister of Taillaret.
• ...Georgius Monasterius.
• ...Michael Raymundet.

THis accord being thus made and passed, by the meanes of the Duchesse of Sauoy, the poore Waldoys haue ben in quiet vntill this present: and God of his infinite good∣nes hauyng deliuered them out of so many troubles and conflicts, hath set them at libertie, to serue him purely and with quietnes of conscience.

Wherfore there is none at this present (except he be alto∣gether blind or senceles) but he seeth and well perceiueth that God would make it knowen by experience, to these poore Waldoys,* 1.22 and al other faithful people, that al things turne to the best to them, which loue and feare hym. For by all these afflictions which they suffered (as is before re∣hearsed) this good heauenly father hath brought them to repentance and amendement of life. He hath effectuously taught them to haue recourse to his fatherly mercy, and to embrace Iesus Christ, for their onely Sauiour and redee∣mer.

Furthermore, he hath taught them to tame the desires and lustes of the flesh, to withdrawe their harts from the world, and lift them vp to heauen, and to be alwayes in a readines to come to him, as vnto their most louing and pi∣tifull father. To be short, hee hath set them to the schoole of hys children, to the end they should profite in patience and hope: to make them to mourne, weepe, and cry vnto hym. And aboue all, he hath made them so oft to proue his suc∣cours at time of need, to see them before their eyes, to feele and touch them with their handes (as a man would say) after such sort, that they haue had good occasion and all the faithfull with them, neuer to distrust so good a father, and so carefull for the health of his children: but to assure them∣selues neuer to be confounded, what thing soeuer happen.

And yet to see thys more manifestly, and that euery man may take profite therof, it shal be good to vnderstand what this poore people did, whiles they were in these combates and conflictes.* 1.23 So soone as they sawe the armye of theyr enemies approch, they cryed altogether for ayde and suc∣cour to the Lord, and before they begā to defend thēselues they fell to prayer, and in fighting, lifted vp their hartes, and sighed to the Lorde. As long as the enemyes were at rest, euery one of these poore people, on their knees, called vpon God. When the combate was ended, they gaue him thankes for the comfort and succour, which they had felte. In the meane time, the rest of the people with the Mini∣sters, made their harty prayer vnto God with sighes and teares, and that, from the morning vntill the euening. When night was come, they assembled agayne together. They which had fought, rehearsed the woonderfull ayde and succour which God had sent them, and so altogether rendred thankes vnto hym for hys fatherly goodnes. Al∣wayes he chaunged their sorrow into ioye. In the mor∣ning trouble and affliction appeared before them, wyth great terrour on all sides: but by the euening, they were deliuered, and had great cause of reioysing and comfort.

* 1.24This poore people had two terrible enemies: warre and famine, which kepte them vnder, in such sort that a man would haue thought they had bene vtterly lost & destroy∣ed. But God of his endles mercy, deliuered thē from such dangers, and restored them to their houses, where they re∣mained afterwards in peace and quietnes, & al they which had declared themselues to be their open enemyes, were brought to confusion, as well those whiche fought to get their goodes, as those whiche onely desired to shedde their bloud. For proofe wherof, the onely exāple of two Gentle∣men of the Ualley of Luserne shall suffice. These not one∣ly moued cruell warre agaynst their poore tenauntes and others, but most shamefully spoyled them, and tooke vn∣tollerable fines of all those that disobeyed their Edictes, to keepe a good conscience.

Besides this,* 1.25 they went about to sease all their goodes as forfaite: waytyng to haue the whole forfayture thereof themselues. And for this cause they did not onely incense the Duke with false reportes and with greeuous com∣playntes and accusations, agaynst these poore Waldoys: but also pursued the same so long and with such charges, that they were fayne to sell their inheritaunce, in hope to bring their purpose to passe, and to enioy that goodly pray, which they thought could not escape their handes. But in the ende, for their rewarde, they got nothyng but shame and confusion.

And as for the Monkes and Priestes whiche by such meanes thought to aduaunce themselues, & to bryng their trumpery to estimation, they haue lost the litle rule which they had ouer that people, and are confounded, and their Religion brought in disdayne. Thus God beateth down those which exalte themselues aboue measure, and maketh his aduersaries to fall into the pits whiche they themsel∣ues haue made.

Let vs pray vnto him therefore, that it would please him likewise to stretch out his puissaunt arme at this day, to maintayne his poore Church now afflicted, and to con∣found all the deuises of Sathan and his members, to the aduauncement of his glory and kyngdome.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The compositiō and agreement vpon conditiōs, betweene the Duke, and the Waldoys.
• * 1.2

  Pardon promy∣sed.
• * 1.3

  Sermons & con∣gregations per∣mitted.
• * 1.4

  The parishe of Villars.
• * 1.5

  The parishe of Tailleret, La Rua de Bonet.
• * 1.6

  The valleyes of Luserne, and S. Martin.
• * 1.7

  The Parishe of Perouse.
• * 1.8

  The parishe of Pinachia.
• * 1.9

  The parishe of S. Germain.
• * 1.10

  Order for Vil∣lages being farre from the parish Church.
• * 1.11

  The parishe of Meane, & S. Barthelmew.
• * 1.12

  The goods of the waldoys restored.
• * 1.13

  The liber∣ties restored▪
• * 1.14

  M. Martin de Pragela▪ Minister of the Wal∣doys.
• * 1.15

  Masse set vp, but none compelled to come to it
• * 1.16

  Their priso∣ners resto∣red by raun∣some reaso∣nable.
• * 1.17

  The captiues in Galleys restored.
• * 1.18

  The liberty of Trafficke graunted.
• * 1.19

  The elders of the Val∣leys of Pye∣mont.
• * 1.20

  The Lord of Raconnis.
• * 1.21

  The Lady Princes in∣tercessour for the Waldoys.
• * 1.22

  All thinges turne to the best, to thē that loue the Lord.
• * 1.23

  The beha∣uiour of these good men in their persecutiōs.
• * 1.24

  Warre and famine two enemies a∣gainst these men.
• * 1.25

  Example of Gods fauour toward his ser∣uantes & cōfusi∣on toward their persecutors▪