A general chronological history of France beginning before the reign of King Pharamond, and ending with the reign of King Henry the Fourth, containing both the civil and the ecclesiastical transactions of that kingdom / by the sieur De Mezeray ... ; translated by John Bulteel ...

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE General History OF FRANCE.

THE Romans gave the Name of Gaul to that Extent of Lands, which lies between the Alpes and the Pireneans, the Mediterranean, the Ocean, and the Rhine: at present, excepting the Low-Countreys, and some others, which for the most part, hold of the German Empire, It is named France, from the name of the French, who sub∣dued it under their Power. Julius Caesar had compleated the Conquest of it about 48 years before the Birth of JESƲS CHRIST; So that when the French had perfectly setled them∣selves, it had been almost Five Ages under the Laws of that Empire.

Now without reckoning those Countreys the Gauls had Conquered between the Alpes, from those Mountains, to the little River of Rubicon* 1.1 and which was named Gallia Cisalpina, in respect of the Romans: It was divided first by Augustus, into Four Parts, Gallia Narbon••ensis, which they na∣med Province, because they had 〈…〉〈…〉 first, and reduced it into a Province; Gallia Aquitania, Gallia Celtica, and Gallia Belgica: To these three last they gave the name of Gallia Comata; and when they said absolutely Gaul, they understood the Celtica. Then by succession of Time, and under divers Emperors, it was a∣gain divided into Seventeen Provinces, that is Five Viennensis, of which number was the Narbonneusis Prima & Secunda; Three Aquitani; Five Lugdunensis, if we comprehend the Sequani; Four Belgicae, whereof Two were called Germanic••e, be∣cause some German People had inhabited there for a long time; and Two Belgic••e, properly so called.

Each of these Provinces had its Metropolis, viz. the Five Viennoises, Vienne, Narbone, Aix, Tarentai••e, and Embrun; the Three Aquitains, Bourges, Bourdeaux, and Saulse: the Five Lyonnoi••es, Lyons, Rouen, Tours, Sens, and Besanson; the Two Germanick, Ments and Colen; the Two Belgick, Treves and Rheims,

Under these Seventeen Metropolitans, there were above an hundred Cities and Towns that were the Chief of the rest, in which the Church did afterward place their Episcopal Sees: Under these Cities, there were yet a greater number of

other Towns, which they called Oppida; they reckoned Twelve hundred, which were Walled in when the Romans conquered Gaul; but they broke down the En∣closures of most of them, or let them run to ruine.

As for the Government of these Seventeen Provinces, six of them were Consula∣ry, and Eleven were under Presidents, sent by the Emperor. Constantine the Great placed Counts in the Cities, and Dukes in some of the Frontier Towns: their Laws were according to the Roman Rights, only withal, as I believe, some Munici∣pal Customs they had preserved. They were little vexed with the Soldiers, be∣cause the Legions, even to a great part of the Fourth Age, lived in good order, and besides, there were hardly any but in the Frontier Provinces: But the Coun∣trey being Good and Rich, and the People extreamly submissive, they were loaden with all sorts of Exactions; so that their plenty begot their misery, and their Obedience aggravated their Oppression.

An. 330. When Constantine the Great divided the Office of Praefectus Praetorio in∣to Four, Gaul had one, who had Three vicars under him, one in Gaul it self, one in Spain, and one in Great Britain: the First that held this Office, was the Father of Saint Ambrose, bearing the same Name as his Son; This Praefect ordinarily resided in the City of Treves; which for that reason was the Capital of Gaul, till having been four times Sacked by the Barbarians; the Emperor Honorius would needs transfer this Prerogative to the City of Arles, which was afterwards dismembred, and cut off from Vienne, and became the Eighteenth Metropolis.

From Augustus to Galienus, the Peace of these Provinces was not disturbed, but only by two Revolts▪ that of Sacrouir and Florus, in the 23 year of JESƲS CHRIST, and that of Civilis Tutor, and Classicus, much more dangerous in An. 70. After the death of the Emperor Decius, the Barbarians began to torment them by frequent Incursions. The first hundred years there were none but the French and the Almans that made any on this side the Rhine; but afterwards the mischief increased by the Devastations, and horrible irruptions of the Vandals, the Alains, Burgundians, Sueves, Visigoths and Huns, which never ended, but by the ruine of the Western Empire▪

As to the Original of the French, the common opinion is, that they are naturally Germans, and that France is a Name, which in their Language, signifies Fre••, or as others say, Wild, and Ʋntameable. Indeed the Authors of the Third and Fourth Age, by the Name of Germans, do almost ever understand or mean, the French. For the time wherein they first began to appear, it was exactly two years after the great [Year of our Lord 254] Defeat of the Emperor Decius▪ in Mesia, which hapned in the year 254. by the Goths, and other People of Scythia; the Goths had not begun to make themselves known, till about Twelve years before, when they came out of their own Countrey, (which was the Scythia Europ••ea, between Pontus Euxinus and the Tanais) to ra∣vage the Provinces of the Empire: they were divided into Ostrogoths and Visigoths, which is to say, according to some, Eastern-Goths, and Western-Goths.

After that Defeat, all the Enclosures of the Roman Empire being broken down, and laid open on that side, a Torrent of all sorts of Barbarians rouled in upon them, of whom till then no mention had been made; For this reason therefore amongst others, and likewise because the French had much of the Manners and Customs of the Scythians, (as to use Bows and Arrows, exercising themselves in Hawking, and having many Dukes or Cans) one may conjecture that they are originally Scy∣thians. But it is not possible, and it 〈…〉〈…〉 no purpose to tell certainly of what part, because the Scythians were all Vagabon••s, and would now be in one place, and in a very short time after, would be removed two or three hundred Leagues from their former Habitation.

[Year of our Lord 256] The first time therefore that mention is made of them is in An. 256. under the Empire of Gallus and Volusian, when they passed the Rhine near Mentz, and that Aurelian, who was then but Tribune of a Legion, slew 700 of them in a ren∣counter, and took 300 Prisoners, who were sold by Out-cry▪

After this first irruption, nigh 180 years passed before they conquered, or obtain∣ed, by request from the Romans, some Lands in Gaul▪ viz. in the Countreys of Colen, Tongres,* 1.2 and some neighbouring Territory, which hapned about the year 416▪ There had some Bands of them lodged themselves in ^a Toxandria, in the days of Julian the Apostate, towards the year 358▪ but it is not known whether they were suffered to take root there.

During those two Ages, they continued their Incursions with various success, al∣ways retiring into Germany with their Plunder; they possessed the most part of the

Lands which lye between the Mein and the Rhine, the Weser and the Ocean, some∣times more, sometimes less, extended according as they were stronger or weak∣er, and were pressed upon by other Nations, especially by the Almans, from to∣wards the Mein, and the Saxons from the Sea-side.

These last coming from the Countrey, named at this present, Holstein, seized up∣on Frisia, and the Maritime Countreys on this side the Elbe: then as the French in∣habited Gaul more and more, they in equal proportions got the most part of those Lands, which they had held beyond the Rhine.

The French Nation was divided into several People, the Frisii great anda 1.3a 1.4 little,b 1.5 Salii,c 1.6 Bructeri,d 1.7 A••grivari,e 1.8 Chamavi,f 1.9 Sicambri, and ^g Catti; they had be∣sides, as I believe, many more of their Alliance, and several also under their Do∣minion.

Oftentimes the Romans went to attaque them in their Woods, and in their Fens, and thought two or three times to have destroyed them, particularly Constantine the Great, but they always sprung up again.

They had several Chiefs, or Commanders, Kings, Princes, Dukes, or Generals, who had no absolute Authority, but in time of War.

Sometimes they became stipendaries to the Romans, sometimes their Subjects, but as soon as times changed▪ and they found any opporunity to plunder, they held them∣selves no longer obliged by former Treaties. It is for this reason the Authors of those times accused them of Levity, of Leasing, and Treachery. But on the other hand it is confest, that they were the most warlike of all the Barbarians, of great Humanity, Hospitality, and a People that had a great deal of Wit and Sense. Very often they had some that served the Empire, and others at the same time that made War against them. We find many of them in all those times that were raised to the Dignities of Consul, Patrician, Master of the Militia, Great Treasu∣rer, and the like; insomuch as they Governed in the Courts of many Emperours, [Year of our Lord 406, &c.] as of the two Theodosius's, in that of Honorius, and in Valentinian's the III. * 1.10

The last day of the year 406. the Alains, and the Vandals, bringing along with them the Burgundians, the Sueves, and divers other barbarous People, passed the Rhine, and made an irruption in Gaul, the most terrible that had been ever known.

Some conjecture it was at this time that they Massacred St. Ursula, and her Glorious Train, which have been called the Eleven thousand Virgins, though in the Tombs, said to belong to those Martyrs, were found the Bones of Men and Children; there are three or four different opinions on this Matter, but neither of them without such difficulties attend∣ing, as are not to be solved. [Year of our Lord 407]

* 1.11 Those Barbarians having ravaged all Germania Prima, and Belgica Secunda, fell upon Aquitain. In the year 409. some numbers of the Vandals and Sueves marched from thence into Spain; Two years after the rest being affrighted upon the coming of Ataul∣phus, King of the Visigoths out of Italy, took the same course, and follow'd them. How∣ever, there were some Alains still remaining in Dauphine, and about the River Loire, who had Kings amongst them for above Threescore years; but in the end, they submitted to the Dominion of the Visigoths, and the Burgundians.

[Year of our Lord 408] The Vandals and the Sueeves possessed Galicia; the Silingi and Betica; and the Ala∣ni, part of Lusitania, of Provence, and Carthagenia: Sixteen years afterwards, the Vandals passed over into Africa; but in the mean while, Vallia, King of the Visigoths, who fought for the Romans, utterly rooted out the Silingi, and weakened the Alani so much, that being unable to subsist alone, they put themselves under Gunderic, King of the Vandals. The Suevi maintained themselves almost two Ages in Spain. In fine, their Kingdom was likewise extinguished by Leuvilgildus, King of the Visigoths, in the year 588.

All these Barbarians were divided in several Parties, or Bands, and had each their Chief, running about and scowring the Countreys without intermission; so that at the same instant there were several of the same People in Places far distant from one another, and of contrary Interests.

[Year of our Lord 409] Ann. 408. Stilicon, who was accused for bringing them in, is Massacred, by order of Honorius. Alaric, King of the Visigoths his good friend, to revenge his Death, besieged the City of Rome three times, and the last time he takes it by Treachery, the 20th day of August, in the year 410. About the end of the same year he dyes in Calabria, near Cosentia, while he was making himself ready to go into Africa. Ataulphus his Cousin succeeded him; and Married Placid ia, Sister to the Emperor Honorius, whom he had taken in Rome.

[Year of our Lord 412] Ann. 412. Ataulphus goes into Gallia Narbonnensis, and takes Narbonna; he re∣mained there but Three years. The Count and Patrician Constantius, who was since

Emperour, and Married his Widdow Placidia, compelled him t•• go into Spain, where he [Year of our Lord 415] was kill'd by his own People in Barcelonna, about the Month of September, Ann. 415. They elected Sigeric in his stead, and served him after the same manner within Seven days. Vallia his Successor was recalled into Gaul by Constantius, who gave him Aquitania Se∣cunda, with some Cities of the neighbouring Provinces, amongst others Thoulouse, where [Year of our Lord 419] he fixed his Royal Seat, Ann. 419. But he dyed in a few Months afterwards, and The∣odoric succeeded him. Ʋnder this King and under Evaric or Euric, the Visigoths made themselves Masters of all the Three Aquitani, and the Two Narbonnensis.

* 1.12 Hitherto very few of the French had received the Light of the Gospel, they yet [Year of our Lord From the year 300 to the year 400.] Adored Trees, Fountains, Serpents, and Birds; but the Gauls were most of them Christians unless it were such as dwelt in places less accessible, as the Mountainous, Woody, and Boggy Countreys; or in the Germanick or Belgick Territories, which were perpetually infested by the incursions of the Barbarians. The Faith had been Preached to them by some Disciples of the Apostles, and even from the Second Age, or Century, divers Churches established amongst the Gauls, at least in the Narbonnensis, and Lugdunnensis Prima. Under the Emperour Decius, about the year 250. there were divers Holy Preachers sent from Rome, who planted other Churches in several parts; as Saturninus at Thoulouse, Gatian at Tours, Denis at Paris, Austremonius at Clermont, and Martial at Limoges. The persecutions of the Heathen Emperours had sorely shaken them: Constantine re-assured them, after∣wards the incursions of the Barbarians again destroys them, especially those in Germania, and Belgica, and the Arian Heresie much troubled those in Aquitania: Clowis restores them, and endowed them plentifully.

In the fourth Age, the Gallican Church produced a great number of Holy Bishops; above all, Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers, an invincible Defender of the Holy Trinity; Maximin and Paulin de Treves, who maintained the same Cause, and at the same time with him, the Great St. Martin of Tours, parallel to the Apostles. Liboire du Mans, Severinus of Colen, Victricius of Rouen, all four contemporaries, Servais de Tongres, elder by some years, and Exuperius de Tholouse, who lived yet in 405.

About the middle of the same Age, many of those that had Devoted themselves to God, came from towards Italy, to inhabit in the Islands of Provence, and the Viennensian Mountains; as likewise a while afterwards, great numbers flocked out from Ireland, and took up their stations in the Forrests of the Lyonnoises and the Belgicks. Their example, and a Zeal to that Holy Profession, drew many People, either to come into their Monasteries, or dwell in Solitude; but still under the Conduct of the Bishops, and the Discipline of the Canons. Of these there were principally Four sorts; such as lived in Community, those were called Cenobites; such as ha∣ving formerly lived so, retired into Solitude, aspiring to a greater perfection, these were the Hermits, or Anchorits; such as associated in small companies, of three or four in a knot, without any Superior, or any certain Rule; and such as wandred all about the Countrey, on pretence of visiting Holy Places, and finding out such Per∣sons as were most advanced in Piety. There were some also that strictly confined themselves to a Cell, either within some City, or in the Desert, they were called In∣cluses, or Recluses; all lived by the labour of their Hands, and most of them gave what they got to the Poor, though in the greatest strictness, they were not obliged to renounce their Wealth; nor were they excluded from enjoying it, in case they returned again to the World: but such a return was indeed, looked upon as a kind of a desertion.

Councils being extream necessary to preserve the Purity of the Faith, and Ec∣clesiastical Discipline; there were several held in Gaul, An. 314. The Emperour Constantine caused one to be Assembled at Arles, where there were Deputies from all the Western Provinces, to determine the Disputes of the Donatists in Africk. There was one at Colen in 346. which condemned Euphratas the Bishop of that City, who denied the Divinity of Jesus Christ; One at Arles, in 353. One at Beziers in 356. One at Paris An. 362. All three for the business of the Arians; The two first were favourable to them against S. Athanasius; the Third condemned them. One at Valence, in the year 374. about Discipline. One at Bourdeaux in 385. to whom Priscllians Cause having been referr'd by the Emperor Gratian, that He∣retick perceiving cleerly he was going to be condemned, appealed to the Tyrant Maximus, but it was to his great misfortune. One at Treves the year following, where Bishop Itacus was accused for having contrary to the Spirit of the Church, pro∣secuted Priscillian and his Abettors to the death: his Party, or Cabal, caused his

bloody proceedings to be approved, which notwithstanding, were condemned by the most Conscientious Bishops. One at Turin, An. 397. Upon the desires of the Gallican Bishops, to compose the differences about Proculus de Marseille, and that of the Bishop of Arles and Vienne. Proculus pretended to Ordain Bishops in some of the Churches in Provence, which had been dismembred from his, or himself had in∣stituted; they allowed him that Honour for himself only: the Bishops of Arles and Vienna disputed the Right of Metropolitain, it was divided between them by provision. This Cause having been transferred to the Holy Chair, and judged va∣riously, by three or four several Popes, was determined by Symmachus, Ann. 513. who conformably to the Sentence of Leo, adjudged to Vienne, only the Bishop∣ricks of Valence, Tarentaise, Geneva, and Grenoble, and all the rest to Arles.

Our Margent not allowing room enough to set down all the Popes without in∣cumbrance, it was thought necessary to place them in the Page with the Kings, in the same Reigns wherein they sate in the Holy Chair. Though for those of this Fourth Age; it seems more fit to range them here to the time of Phara∣mond. Silvester I. therefore held the Chair from the 1 of February, An. 314. till the last of December, in the year 336. In the time of his Pope-ship, Constantine the Great was Converted to the Faith; and the Holy Nicean Council was Assembled, An. 324. Marcus Governed from the 16th of January following, to the 7th of October of the same year. Julius the I. from the 27th of the same Month, to the 13th of April, of the year 352. Liberius, from the 8th of May to the 3 of Septem∣ber, in the year 367. Damasius, from the 15th of that Month, to the 11th of De∣cember, An. 384. In 381. was the Council of Constantinople. Siricius was Pope from the 12th of January to the 24th of February, An. 398. Anastasius, from the 14th of March of the same year, till about the end of April, An. 402. Innocent I. from the 14th of May, to the 28th of July, in the year 417. And Zosimus, from the 18th of August, to the 26th of December, An. 418.

The First Race.

Pharamond, King I.

POPES,

• BONIFACE in December 418. S. almost Five years.
• CELESTINE I. The 3 of Nov. 423. S. 8 years 5 Months, whereof Five years in this Reign.

[Year of our Lord 412] DURING the great Revolt of the Armoric••e, or Maritime People, (who were those of the coast of Flanders, Picardy, Normandy, and Bretagne) which hapned towards the end of the year 412, The French King being joyned with them, occupied that part of Germania Secunda, named Ripuaria, and the People Ripuarians▪ or Ribarols. The Romans by Treaty, or otherwise, left them the free Possession thereof; and it was a little after this that Pharamond began to Reign.

* 1.13 We find in the Historians of those times, that the French had had several Kings before him, I do not speak of those of the Monk Hunibaud, they being as Fabu∣lous as the Author; But we find towards the year 288. Genebaud and Atec, who came to Treves to Demand a Peace of Maximian, An. 307. Ascaric and Rhadag••ise, whom Constantine took in War, and whom he exposed to wild Beasts, as a punish∣ment, for that having given their Faith to Constantius his Father, they had never∣theless taken up Arms again. In the year 374. one Mellobaudes, who being Grand Master of the Militia, and Count of the Palace to the Emperour Gratian, flew and vanquished Macrian King of the Almans, and did the Empire many other Services. About the year 378. one Richemer, who had the like Office under Gratian, as Mel∣lobaudes. An. 382. One Priam, or Priarius, whom some will have to be the Father or Grandfather of Pharamond. In the year 397. Marcomir and Sunnon, Brothers, the first of which, Stilicon banished into Tuscany, and caused the other to be Mas∣sacred by his own People, when he attempted to stir to Revenge the exile of his Brother. And An. 414, or 415. One Theodemer, Son of Richemer, who was Behead∣ed with his Mother Ascila, for having attempted against the Empire.

Nevertheless, common Opinion hath ever begun to reckon the Kings of France from Pharamond, whether because the preceding ones had never had any fixed abode in Gaul, or because he re-established the Royalty amongst the French In effect, it seems the Romans had in some manner subjugated this Nation; and after the Treatment they had shewn to Marcomir, and Sunnon, and Theodemer, they would no longer suffer them to have any Kings.

[Year of our Lord 1418] He began to Reign, not in 424. which is the common opinion, but in the year* 1.14 418. very remarkable for a great Eclipse of the Sun. It may be doubted, whe∣ther Pharamond be a proper Name, or whether it be only an Epithet, which signi∣fies, that he was as it were, the Father, and the Stock of the French Nation: For Pharamond in the German Language, imports Mouth of Generations.

For the manner of the inauguration of the French Kings, the Lords, or Chief Heads having Elected them, or at least approving them, set them up on a great Shield or Target, and caused them to be carried into the Field, where the Peo∣ple were Assembled in Arms, who confirmed this choice with acclamations and applause. The same Ceremony was practised for Emperours and Gothish Kings.

The Scottish Historians begin the Kingdom of Scotland, An. 422. with King Fergus, from whom they derive the succession of their Kings; though withal they will have us believe, that he only restored it, and that it was first begun or formed 330 years before the Nati∣vity of JESUS CHRIST; from which time it lasted till the days of the Tyrant Maxi∣mus, who ruined it about the year 378.

[Year of our Lord 427] The Vandals, who had passed out of Gaul into Spain, were from thence called into Africk by Count Boniface, Revolted against the Empress Placidia: They went over, to the number of 80000, only under the Conduct of their King Genseric, and within seven or eight years, drove the Romans totally from thence, and setled their own Kingdom there.

[Year of our Lord 428] The Romans drive the French beyond the Rhine, and take away the Lands they had bestowed on them in Gaul, or at least a good part of it. It is not certain whether this hapned in the last year of the Reign of Pharamond, or the First of that of Clodion.

[Year of our Lord 428] In this year they date the death of Pharamond, who by that account had Reign∣ed Ten years. They know not his Acts, the place of his Burial, the Name of his Wife, nor of his Children, excepting Clodion, who succeeded him.

An antient Chronicle gives him the Glory of setling the Salique Law by Four an∣tient Lords, and says they laboured in it for three Malles or Assizes. It is called Salique, from the Name of the Saliens, the Noblest of the French People.

Clodion the Hairy, OR Long Locks, King II.

POPES,

• CELESTINE I. Three years.
• SIXTUS III. The 26th of April, 432. S. Eight years.

[Year of our Lord 428] HE was Surnamed the Hairy, or Long Locks, because in my opinion, he first brought in a custom, that Kings, and those of their Blood should wear Long Hair, well Combed and Curled, not only on the top of their Heads, as all the Princes of this Nation had done before him, but like∣wise on the hinder part. The rest of the French had all their Hair cut round, a little beneath their Ears.

[Year of our Lord 431] It is not known whether there were yet left them any Land in Gaul. It is cer∣tain that Clodion in the beginning of his Reign, Inhabited beyond the Rhine, and that he marched over it in the year 431. to make an irruption, but he was beaten, and driven back by Aetius.

He contained himself some years without undertaking any thing, making his Re∣sidence at the Castle of Disparg, on the other side of the Rhine: but being inform∣ed by his Spies, that there were no Garrisons in the Towns of Belgica Secunda, he went thither in great diligence with his People, and keeping his March private by the Forest Charbonniere, which is Haynault, made himself Master of Bavay and Cam∣bray, and some other adjacent places.

The English Saxons subdue Great Britain▪ They had been called in by the natural In∣habitants, who being forsaken by the Romans, had set up Kings of their own Nation; and those Kings did not find themselves strong enough to oppose the Picts and the Scots, which were People inhabiting the Mountainous Countreys, now called Scotland. The English gave the name of England to their Conquest, and set up seven Principalities, of little Kingdoms, which in the end were Ʋnited into one.

The Britains, or Inhabitants of Great Britain, being tormented with these Barbarians, got together in great numbers, and passed into Gallia Armorica: It was then the Ro∣mans, who suffered them to settle in the Countrey of Vennes, and Cornualles, and having in process of time, extended themselves to the Bishoprick of Treguier and Leon, and even to the Loire, and the Confines of Anjou; they gave the Name of Bretagne to that Pro∣vince, which it retains to this day.

[Year of our Lord 133] The Burgundians a People of Germany, or Scythia, (for there were of them both in the one and the other) after they had remained a long time on the borders of the Rhine in Germania Prima, obtained the Countrey adjoyning to Geneva, of the Romans: and there multiplied so much in a short time, that they seized on the Province of Vienne, on that of the Sequani, and of the First Lyonnoise. They had received the Christian Faith in Ann. 430. by the Preaching of St. Sever, Bishop of Treves, but some years after they fell into the Arian Heresie.

There were then Five several Dominations in Gaul, the Romans, the French, the Visigoths the Burgundians, and the Bretons.

Clodion pursuing his Conquests, during the extream confusion of the affairs of the ••mpire, received a great check by the valour of Aetius, in the Countrey of Artois, near to Vicus Helena, perhaps it is Lens. Nevertheless Aetius having [Year of our Lord Towards 444.] too much to do elsewhere, did not wholly destroy him; so that recovering Breath, he made himself Master of Artois, and enlarged his Dominion as far as the Soame, having taken the City of Amiens, which was his Royal Seat, and of Me∣roveus also.

He likewise sent, saith a Modern Author, his eldest Son to besiege the City of Soissons, where that Prince having lost his Life, the Father was so touched that he died for Grief, after he had Reigned Twenty years. It was about the end of the year 447. having before constituted Meroveus Tutor to his Sons. [Year of our Lord 447]

It is certain he left two; and I find they were named Clodebaud, and Clodomir. Some of the Moderns give him Three, whom they call Renaud, Auberon▪ and Rag∣nacaire; and from Auberon they make Ansbert the Senator to be descended, and from Male to Male, Pepin First King of the Second Race. But for Ansbert; others have proved, that he was issued of the Family of Tonnance Ferreole, Prefect of the Gauls Pretorian.

Meroveus, or Merovee, King III.

From whom the Kings of the First Race, have taken the Name of Merovignians.

POPE, LEO I. The 10th of May, 440. S. 21 years, 3. in the following Reign.

[Year of our Lord 448] ACCording to most Authors, who were nearest to these times, he was not Son to Clodion, but only of his Kindred. It is said, that his Mother ba∣thing her self on the Sea-side, a Sea-Bull came out of the Water, and made her Pregnant with this Prince. This Fable seems to be ground∣ed upon the Name, because Mer-veich signifies a Sea-Calfe.

Now whether he were only Tutor to Clodions Children, or otherwise, the French Elected him for their King or General Commander. This was in the City of Amiens.

* 1.15 The Children of Clodion having been deprived of the paternal Succession, their Mother carried them beyond the Rhine: where it seems they disputed amongst them∣selves, about that part of their Succession; but in time that came likewise to Mero∣veus, we know not how.

After Attilla, King of the Huns, who caused himself to be named the Scourge of GOD, had pillaged all the Provinces of the Empire in the East, and had killed his Brother Bleda, to invade his Kingdom: he would likewise needs plunder those of the West; He crossed the Panonias and Germany, entred into Gaule with 500000 Combatants, under pretence of going to attaque the Visigoths, in Aquitain; and after he had sacked and burnt Mets, Triers, Tongres, Arras, and all those Cities that lay in his March, he passed along by Paris, and came and besieged Orleans: The Town had already capitulated, and part of his Forces were entred, when Aetius General of the Romans, Meroveus King of the French, and Theodoric King of the Visigoths, having joyned their Armies together, charged them unawares, and drove them thence, paving all the Streets with their slain.

[Year of our Lord 448] A little while afterwards they gave him Battle, in Campis Catalaunicis, which is interpreted the Plain of Chaalons in Champagne; but some imagine with pro∣bability, that it was in Campis Secalaunicis, in Soulogne near Orleans. Attila lost nigh 200000 Men. Theodoric King of the Visigoths was killed in the Fight, and the next day his Son Thorismond elected King by the Visigoths.

Notwithstanding this infinite loss, Attila had still Men enough left to Retreat to his own Countrey, Aetius having discharged the Visigoths and the French, lest he should be obliged to pursue and make an end of them. The youngest of Clo∣dions Sons had cast himself into the Arms of that Prince who adopted him for his Son, and the other under the protection of Attila: what their Fortune was we

know not; but for Attila, upon his return from another irruption he made into Italy about the year 452. he died in his own Countrey while he was in Bed with a new Spouse.

[Year of our Lord 452] This year 452. is commonly reckoned to be the time of the wonderful birth, or beginning of the City of Venice, in the Adriatick Gulph. It is held that the terror of Attilas For∣ces, after he had taken Aquilea, making all the people of those Countreys flie from thence, some numbers of them got into the Island Rialto, and other Islands adjacent, who fixed their Habitation there, which was the first foundation of that noble State.

[Year of our Lord 454] The Emperour Valentinian caused Aetius to be Massacred, who alone upheld the Em∣pire, shaken and assaulted on all hands. The following year he is slain himself, by the [Year of our Lord 455] friends of that great Captain, and upon the solicitation of Petronius Maximus, whose Wife* 1.16 he had violated. Maximus seizes on the Empire, and Eudoxia his Widdow, whom he Married. The peasure of his Revenge, and his Reign, lasted but three Months: The People stoned him to death, as soon as Genseric, King of the Vandals, whom Eudoxa had called over from Africa to revenge her, was come to the Gates of Rome. But that Barbarian sacked the City, and took the Empress, who was carried into Captivity with her two Daughters, being at the same time both revenged and punished.

From thence followed the utter destruction of the Western Empire, there being no one Head left powerful enough to repair, or indeed prop the ruines of that vast Building: but only divers petit Commanders, who were but the sport of the Barbarians, and who con∣sumed the small Forces they had, by pushing at one another.

* 1.17 So that Meroveus, and afterwards Childeric his Son, had the proper time to ex∣tend their limits. Meroveus took on the one hand all the Germania Prima, or ter∣ritory of Mentz; and on the other the Belgica Secunda, which is named Picardy, a good part of the Second Lyonnoise, named Normandy, and almost all the Isle of France.

He Reigned almost 11 years, and dyed Anno 458. we know nothing either of [Year of our Lord 458] his Age, nor of his Wife, nor his Children, but only that Childeric his Successor was his Son.

Childeric, King IV.

Aged XX to XXV years.

POPES,

• LEON I. Three years,
• HILARY the 12th Nov. 461. S. Five years Ten Months.
• SIMPLICUS the 20th Sept. 561. S. Twenty Five years, Five Months.

[Year of our Lord 458] THis Prince, being yet Young, much addicted to his Pleasures, and ha∣ving a Kingdom too peaceable, gave himself the liberty to debauch [Year of our Lord 459. Or 460.] his Subjects Wives and Daughters.

The French who were not accustomed to such infamous dealings, de∣graded him from his Throne, either by Sedition only, or by some kind of judici∣al proceedings, and in his stead, Elected Aegidius or Gillon, Master of the Roman Militia, who was a stranger, but in high reputation for Wisdom and Probity. Childerick knowing after this, that they sought his Life also, retired himself into [Year of our Lord 460] Turingia to King Basin, but left a faithful friend in France, named Guyemans, who promised to work his Restauration, by turning the Hearts of the French against Gillon.

Guyemans being very subtil, gained much upon the Good Will and Confidence of Gillon, and encouraged him to charge them with Taxes or Imposts; and when they made a great noise about it, he counsel'd him to strike off the most stirring Heads, who were the same that had degraded Childeric: then do they come secretly to make complaints to Guyemans, who perswades them to recall their natural King: and when he observes them disposed so to do, gives him notice of it, and for a [Year of our Lord 468] token sends him the half of a Gold Crown broken in two, of which the King kept the other half. The French go as far as Bar to meet him, and re-establish him in his Royalty with formal Solemnity.

[Year of our Lord From the year 468. To the year 481.] After his return, he made use of the heat of his Subjects against Gillon, he push∣ed at him vigorously, forced him to abandon Colen, took Treves by Assault, and Burnt it, Conquer'd the Countrey now called Lorrain; and afterwards crossing Cham∣pagnes which then remained firm to the Romans, he made himself Master of Beau∣vais, Paris, and of many other Towns upon the Oise and the Seine; the People gi∣ving themselves up to the French, rather out of choice than by compulsion, to free themselves from the horrible Tailles, and cruel Concussions of the Roman Magi∣strates, who had put them into so great dispair, that they sought their own re∣lief in the ruine of the State.

A little after, Childeric came from Turingia, Queen Basina charmed with his Virtues, forsook her Husband to come to him; he took her to Wife, and within the year had a Son by her, who was named Clovis.

Gillon, as it should seem, had called in some Auxiliaries of the Saxons, Com∣manded by their King Odoacer, which he employed to defend the Cities above the Loire, as well against the Visigoths as the French. When he was dead, viz. in the year 464. the Count Pol took the Command, and Odoacer on his side, would se∣cure the City of Angiers, and fortified the Islands in the Loire to preserve his boo∣ty: but Childeric vanquished the Count Pol near Orleans, and after he had possess'd himself of that City, pursued him to Angiers, where he forced his way in, and laid him dead on the Pavement. This done, he dislodged the Saxons from their Islands; and after an agreement with them, he set them at work to drive away the Germans, who at that same time had made an irruption into Gaul.

[Year of our Lord 476] Anno 476. Of the Christian Aera, and the 1229. from the foundation of Rome, the Roman Empire ended in the West; there having been in the last Twenty years Nine or Ten Abortives of Emperours, of which Romulus, whom they called Augustulus, was the last. He was a young Child of about Ten or Twelve years old, to whom the Patrician Orestes his Father, had given the Title of Emperour to Govern in his Name. Odoa∣cer,* 1.18 King of the Heruli having slain Orestes, locked up this Child in a Castle, and gave beginning to the First Kingdom in Italy.

Divers years before Gondiochus, King of the Burgundians was dead, and his Four Sons Gondebaud, Godegesile, Chilperic, and Gondemar, had shared his Kingdom a∣mongst them. Now Anno 477. Gondebaud the eldest, and the most knowing of all, had [Year of our Lord 477] Leagued himself with the Second, to dispoliate the two others; at first he was defeated, and kept himself hid for a time: then when they thought him dead, he comes forth on a suddain and surrounds them in Vienne: Gondemar was burned in a Tower, where he was defending himself: Chilperic fell into the Victors hands, who caused him to be Mas∣sacred with his two Sons, and his Wife thrown into the River with a Stone tied to her Neck, but spared the Lives of his two Daughters. They were called Sedeleube, and Clotilda, both of them were of the Orthodox Faith, though their Father and Ʋnkle were Arrians. The First Consecrated her self to God, the other Gondebaud kept, and had her bred up in his own House.

King Childerick, upon his return from an Expedition against the Almains, is as∣saulted by a Fever, and dyes, aged at least 45 years, of which he had Reigned 22 or 23. He left Four Children, one Son whom they named Clouis, and three Daugh∣ters, Andeflede, who espoused Theodorick, King of the Orstogoths, Alboflede and Lan∣tilda. [Year of our Lord 481] These two received Baptism with their Brother Alboflede, being Converted from Paganism, and Lantilda from the Arrian Heresie; These were not Married.

It is conjectured, that he held his Royal Seat at Tournay, because in our times, in the year 1654. digging under some Houses, there was a Tomb discovered, and amongst other singular Curiosities was found a Ring, whereon his Effigies and his Name are Engraved.

* 1.19 Clovis, King V.

Aged Fifteen years.

POPES,

• FELIX III. The 8th of March, S. Twelve years.
• GELASIUS I. in March 492. S. Four years nine Months.
• ANASTASIUS II. the 28th. Novemb. 496. S. Two years.
• SYMMACHUS the 20th. Novemb. 496. S. Fifteen years, Eight Months, whereof Three years in the following Reign.

* 1.20 CLovis, or Louis, (for 'tis the same Name) handsome, well shap'd, and personally brave was not so soon at age to Command, but he under∣takes a War against Siagrius, Son of that Gillon, who had been set up in the place of his Father Childeric; he Fights him, and Defeats him near to Soissons; the unfortunate Man flies to Aleric, King of the Visigoths for refuge: but [Year of our Lord 481] Clovis by Threats, forces him to send him back; and when he hath him in his hands, he puts him to death, having first secured all his Towns to himself, which were Soissons, Rheims, Provence, Sens, Troye, Auxerre, and some others; and thus there remained nothing in the hands of the Romans amongst the Gauls.

[Year of our Lord 484] It was a Law amongst the French, that all the Plunder should be brought in common, [month Or 485.] and shared amongst the Soldiers; there had been taken a precious Vase or Vessel in a Church by his People, he desired as a favour, they would set it apart to restore it to the Bishop, who had besought him for it; an insolent Soldier opposed it, and gave it a blow with an Ax, saying he would have his share: Clovis took no notice of it for the present, but a year afterwards, upon a general Review, he quarrell'd with him, because he did not keep his Arms in good Order, and cleft his Head with his Battle-Axe: a bold undertaking, and which made him to be the more dreaded by the French.

From the year 489, Theodoric, King of the Ostrogoths was entred into Italy; after [Year of our Lord 489] various events, having overcome, and put to death Odoacer King of the Heruli, he setled a potent Monarchy there, Anno 494.

[Year of our Lord 489] Clovis subdues a part of the Thuringians, and imposes a Tribute upon them.

[Year of our Lord 494] His Victories and his Conquests increase his Renown, and his Dominion, and lift him above other Princes; his Power must have been great, since Gondebaud King of the Burgundians was either his Vassal, or his Officer, perhaps Grand Master of his Militia.

* 1.21 Towards the end of the year 491, he Married Clotilda, Daughter of King Chil∣deric, and Neece to that Gondebaud, who consented not to that Match but out of fear; Aurelian a French Lord was the Mediator, and had the County of Me∣lun for a recompence.

The Almains one of the most puissant people of Germany, who then inhabited Suabia, part of Retia on this side the Rhine, Swisserland, and perhaps the Countrey of Alsatia, to Strasbourg, were entred in hostile manner upon the Lands of Sige∣bert, King of Colen, or of the Ribarols: Clovis his Kinsman went to his assistance, [Year of our Lord 496] and gave them Battle near Tolbiac; it is guessed to be Zulg, within Ten Leagues of Colen. In the midst of the Engagement, his Men gave ground, and ran into dis∣order: the greatness of the danger made him then think of Praying to the God of his Wife, and to make a Vow, that if he delivered him from that peril, he would be Baptized. Immediately the Scene of the day changed, his Men returned

to the Charge, the Enemies were put to flight, and left their King, and a multitude of their Army slain upon the place.

He hotly pursued his Victory, entred upon their Countrey, and without Mercy exterminated all that were on this side of the Rhine; the others saved themselves [Year of our Lord 496] in Italy, under the protection of Theodoric King of the Ostrogoths. It is to be belie∣ved, that at the intreaty of this great Prince, who was his Brother-in-law, he suf∣fered such as desired it, to return to their own Dwellings; but he perfectly subdu∣ed them, gave them some Counts, and a Duke to Govern them, and shared their Lands amongst his Captains. After this check they had no more Kings, and were but inconsiderable, till the time of the Emperour Frederick the II. under whom, in my opinion, they gave the Name to all Germany.

As he returned from this Expedition, his Wife took care to send some Holy Men to him, to exhort him to keep his Word, and to instruct him in the Orthodox Faith. St. Vaast, who was as then but a Priest, and dwelt at Verdun, Catechized him by the way. St. Remy, Arch-Bishop of Rheims, powerful in Works and Elo∣quence; confirmed him mightily in the belief of Christianity.

Having therefore brought the most part of his Captains to have a good opinion of this Conversion, he received Holy Baptism, with great Ceremony in the Church of Rheims, on Christmass day, Anno 496. The Bishops plunged him in the Consecrated Lavatory: Three thousand of his French Subjects followed his example; and this regenerated Flock with their Leader, wore the White Robe eight days together, ac∣cording to the Ceremony then practised in the Church.

[Year of our Lord 496] It is said, that Heaven in favour of his Conversion, Honoured him and the Kings of France, his Successors, with many miraculous and singular Favours; That the Saint Ampoulle, i. e. Holy Oyl, was conveyed at his Baptism by a Celestial Dove; That the Shield Semé with Flower-de-Luces, and the Standard Royal de l'Oriflamme, were by an Angel, deposited in the hands of a good Hermit, living in the solitudes of Joyenval, near St. Germans en Laye; That he had the Gift of Healing the Evil, and made proof of it upon Lanicet his Favourite. But God made him a more ex∣traordinary and more excellent Present than all those, when he bestowed upon him the Heavenly Knowledge of the Orthodox Faith, there being amongst all the Princes upon Earth, none but himself that did not live either in Error or Idolatry.

This Conversion did him no little Service towards keeping the Gauls, who were all Christians, in Obedience, and to allure others who were Subjects to the Gothick and the Burgundian Princes, whose Government was odious to them, because they would compel them to follow the Opinion of Arrius.

The zeal of Christianity did not allay his Warlike heats, Gondesigilus having promised, if he would assist him in suppressing his Brother Gondebaud, to share the spoil with him; he fell with his Army upon the Burgundians Countrey; Gondesigilus [Year of our Lord 500] pretending he was mightily scared, sent to pray his Brother to come to his assistance; Gondebaud failed not, but when it came to the Battle, which was fought on the borders of the River L'Ouche, near Dijon, Gondesigilus went over to the French, and began to Assault him: Gondebaud finding it was a thing designed betwixt them, fled to Avignon, Clovis pursues, and besieges him there. The Sage Aredius, Principal Counsellor to Gondebaud, cunningly contrives to do his Master Service upon this occa∣sion; the Siege spinning out to some length, he pretends to desert him, and renders him∣self to Clovis, with whom he manages Affairs, so wisely, as that King agrees to a Composition, and Gondebaud becomes his Tributary.

[Year of our Lord 500▪ and 501.] When Clovis was out of that Countrey, and perhaps employ'd in other business, Gondebaud scorning to pay him the Tribute, assembles his Forces together, and be∣sieges Gondesigilus in Vienne. One Fontenier, whom they had thrust out amongst the useless People, discovered to him the mouth of an Aqueduct, by which way he sent in some Men, who surprized the City; his Brother having sheltred himself in a Church belonging to the Arrians, was there slain, together with a Bishop of the same Belief. Thus Gondebaud remained sole King of all Burgundy.

[Year of our Lord Towards 502 or 503.] It is my opinion, during these years that the French, as Procopius tells us, not having been able to subdue the Armoricae, betwixt the Seinè and the Loire, did in∣corporate with them by a mutual Confederacy, which of two made them bat one People. The Roman Garrisons not being strong enough, either to Retreat or to Defend themselves, restored their Towns to them, but did not quit the Coun∣trey, where they for a long time afterwards retained their Laws, their Discipline, and Habits.

The Citizens of Verdun being Revolted, it is not said for what reason, Clovit be∣ing ready to force them, the Prayers of Euspice, Arch-Deacon of that City, a Man of a very Holy Life, allayed his Wrath, and obtained their Pardon.

I cannot tell precisely in what year hapned that which Procopius relates, how Clovis and Theodoric, King of the Ostrogoths, having made an agreement together to conquer Burgundy, and divide it, upon condition, that if either of the two Armies did not meet at a certain time appointed, they should pay a certain Sum to the other: the Visigoths made no great haste, but left the French to bear all the brunt; then co∣ming when the hottest work was over, and the Countrey subdued, took their share of the Conquest, paying the Sum as had been stipulated.

[Year of our Lord 503, or 504.] Neither the one nor the other held those Countreys long, but restored them en∣tire to Gondebaud; who afterwards made a strict Alliance with Clovis against the Visigoths.

There is great likelyhood that it was in these peaceable days that Clovis labour∣ed to reform the Salique Law, which having been made by the French, when Pagans might contain many things, contrary to the manners and Laws of Christianity. This Law was only for the French in his own Kingdom, for those of Colen had another which we find to this day by the name of the Law of the Ripuarians, conformable, notwithstanding in many particulars to the Salique Law.

[Year of our Lord 506. And the following.] Two Kings powerful and young, as were Clovis and Alaric, could not be long Neighbours and good Friends. Divers petty differences set them at variance, by the secret practises of the Bishops of Aquitain, who being troubled they should obey Alaric an Arrian Prince, pushed on Clovis to a Rupture. The Two Kings had an En∣terview, and discoursed each other in the Island D'Or, nigh Amboise,* 1.22 between the City of Tours, which belonged to the Visigoths, and that of Orleance, appertaining to the French. This Meeting salved up their quarrel for a time, and Theodoric, King of the Ostrogoths, Father-in-law to Alaric, and Brother-in-law to Clovis, un∣dertook to make them agree; but as great a Polititian as he was, he could not re∣strain the Ardour of Clovis. This Conquerour knowing the Visigoths were softned,* 1.23 or effeminated by a long Peace, and having made sure of Gondebaud, by a League contracted betwixt them, resolved to Attaque Alaric, under the specious pretence of Religion; the French followed him with great cheerfulness, those of Aquitain in∣vited [Year of our Lord 507. 507 and] him, Heaven conducted him by visible Signs and Miracles: Immediately the City of Tours surrenders to him; Alaric, who was getting his Forces together at Poitiers, lets him pass along to Vienne, then imprudently resolves to give him Bat∣tle; it was in the Plains of Vouglay, Ten miles from Poitiers. Clovis having ex∣horted his Soldiers, Armed them with the Sign of the Cross, and for the Word, gave them the Name of the Lord. Alaric's Army was defeated, and he slain in the Fight by Clovis's his own hand.

The vanquisher divided his Army in two Bodies, with the one his Son Thierry makes himself Master of Albigeois, of Rouergne, of Quercy, and of Auvergue; and himself with the other, of Poitou, of Saintonge, all Bourdelois, and Burdeaux it self, where he passed the Winter; then in the Spring, of Thoulouse, wherein was the Trea∣sure [Year of our Lord 508] of the Visigoths: At his return he took the City of Angoulesme, the Walls where∣of sell down before him; in fine, of all the Three Aquitains, the Catholicks cast∣ing themselves into his Arms, to be freed from the yoak of the Arrians.

At the same time Gondebaud, pursuant to the Treaty made with Clovis, Con∣quered the two Narbonnoises, and the City of Narbona, from whence he drove Ge∣sali••, [Year of our Lord 508] so was called the Bastard Son of Alaric, who had seized on the Kingdom of the Visigoths, because Almaric, the Legitimate Son, born of the Daughter of Theo∣doric, was yet in his insancy.

The Fame of Clovis his Valour, spread even to the East; The Emperour Ana∣stasius, thereby to engage him the closer to the Empire; sent him Consulary (Ho∣norary) Letters, and the Imperial Ornaments, viz. The Purple Robe, the Mantle, and the Diadem. Clovis having put them on in St. Martins Church, Mounted on Horseback in the Portall, and bestowed a Largess on the People; after that day he was ever Treated with the Title of Consul, and August, which were not altoge∣ther useless to him, towards the bringing the Gauls to better Obedience, by those Titles, for which they had still some reverence.

Theodoric, King of the Ostrogoths, jealous of his success, takes in hand the De∣fence [Year of our Lord 508 and 509.] of his Grand-Son, and sends a great Army on this side the Mountains, made up of Goths, and of Gepide, and Commanded in Chief by the Count Ibba. The French held then the City of Carcassonne, besieged, and the Burgundians that of

Arles, the first quitted their Siege, and joyned the others at Arles, to hinder him from passing the Rhosne.

There hapned many Combats, and at last a bloody Battle; the Count gained it, having killed 30000 French and Burgundians, and afterwards wrested from them all [Year of our Lord 510] they had conquer'd in Provence, and in Languedoc, excepting Thoulouse, and Ʋzez.

After this advantage, Theoderic remained King of the Visigoths; and having taken away the Crown and Life of Gesilac, joyned what they held in Gaul and in Spain to his Kingdom of Italy, till his Grandson* 1.24 Amalaric should be come of age.

Clovis fretted at these losses, distemper'd with a long Fever, and having the Spi∣rit [Year of our Lord 510, and 511.] of a Conqueror, that is to say, Unjust, and Sanguinary, lays snares for the other petty Kings of the French, who were his Kindred, and rids himself of them by me∣thods full of Cruelty and Treachery. He incited Chloderic Son of Sigeb••rt, King of Colen, to kill his Father, and caused him afterwards to be Massacred by his own Domestiques. He compelled Cararic and his Son (we know not in what Countrey they Reigned) perhaps it was at Triers or Arras) to enter into Holy Orders; and being informed that the Son expressed some threatnings, he sent, and caused the Throats of both to be cut. He cleft in two the Heads of Ragnacaire, King of Cam∣bray, and Riquier his Brother, with a Battle-axe, they being both delivered into his hands by their own Subjects, and his Satellites assassinated Rignomer, King of Mans, in his own City.

He dyes himself at Paris, the 26th of November, in the year 511. and is interred [Year of our Lord 511] in the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, which he Built; and where St. Genewiefue had been buried the same year: his Reign was 30 years, and his Age 45. Some have made him parallel with Constantine the Great, and find great resemblance betwixt them both, for Good and Evil.

He had four Sons living, Thierry, Clodomir, Childebert, and Clotaire: the first by a Concubine, the other three by Clotilda, and by the same also a Daughter, named Clota, or Clotilda, who Sixteen years afterwards married Amalaric, Ring of the Vi∣sigoths in Spain.

Under his Reign the French wholly freed themselves from the Roman Empire, and became their Allies on equal terms; till then, as I believe, they had been stipen∣daries, or tributary to them. That part of Gall which reaches from the Rhine to* 1.25 the Loire, was called France. The French measured those Lands, and took the third or fourth part, which they shared amongst themselves. There were but two sorts of People, or Conditions amongst them, the Free-men and the Slaves; all the Free-men bore Arms. Gall, which was almost a Desert,▪ began to be re-peopled, and to rebuild their Towns. The Galls paid a Tribute to the French, but the na∣tural French paid hardly any thing but their personal Service. These lived accord∣ing to the Salique Law, the Galls Conformed to the Roman Institutions. These were called Romans, all the other Nations which flocked thither from beyond the limits of the Empire, were named Barbarians.

They were bred to the exercise of War, from their greenest years, of a good shape and stature, enured to Labour, strong, and so nimble, that they were upon the Enemy almost as soon as the Dart they had thrown against them. They had left off the use of Arrows, and employ'd in their stead for offensive weapons, the Sword, the Angon, which was a Dart of moderate length, having an Iron bearded Head, and cheeks of Iron, and the two-edged Axe, which they called Francisque. This might be darted as well as the Angon, but neerer at hand. For defensive A••ms▪ unless it were their Commanders, they had only the Buckler, which they managed very dextrously to shelter, and Tortoise-like, cover themselves when they went to make a Charge or an Assault. Their whole Armies were Infantry; or if there were some few Horse, they served only to attend the General, and carry his Orders.

They retained a good part of the establishment, made by the Romans, as the manner of raising Imposts, but much lesser, of providing Magazines for the sub∣sistance of their Forces, of maintaing Horses and Carriages for Travellers on the great Roads, of publick Sports, Horse-racing, and combats of wild Beasts; and their Kings believed themselves as absolute as Emperours, created Dukes, Counts, and great Masters of their Militia, nay, even Patricians, and perhaps the Mayers of the Palace held the Office of Praefecti Praetorii.

In the Fifth and Sixth age, the Gallican Church received few into the Church for* 1.26 Bishops but Saints, or such as they made so. They were for the most part, the greatest Lords of the Countrey, who to secure themselves from the suspicions and

[Year of our Lord 400. unto 500. or thereabouts.] jealousies the Visigoths and French might have against them, cast themselves into the Church, as a safe Harbor or Asylum.

They reckon amongst the most Holy, Honorat d'Arles, being of the Monastery of the Isle of Lerins, which bears his Name to this day; Hilary his Successor, and Eu∣eheres of Lyons, coming from the same place, German d'Auxerre and Loup de Troyes, Palladius, or Palais de Bourges, Brice de Tours, Agnan d'Orleans, Simplicius de Vienne, and Mamertus his Successor: This was he who instituted, or rather revived those Processions or Litanies we call Rogations, which all the Church hath received. All these did not survive the one half of this Age, unless Loup or Lupus, who lived a long while after.

In the Second, lived Apollinaris-Sidonius of Clermont, Alcimus Avitus, the Successor to Mamert, Eleutherius of Tournay, Remy de Reims, the true Apostle of the French, and Vaast of Arras; these three survived a long time after Clovis. We should not omit the illustrious Virgin Geneviefve, who even in her life time was the Patroness of Paris, and remaineth so still; nor St. Maximin, or Mesmin, Abbot of Micy, near Orleans, which Place now bears his Name, and from whence came about Eighteen or Twenty good Friars, who spread themselves in several Countreys, where they are all at present prayed to as Saints; nor the good Hermit Severin, whom Clovis, being long sick of a Fever, caused to come from the Monastery d'Agaune, that he might be healed by his Prayers; Nor that other, named Maixan, who had his little Cell in that part of Poitou, whereon there is built an Abby, and at length a Town of his Name.

Clovis resetled the Bishopricks in Belgica, bestowed great Possessions on the Church, and built many. The French who were Converted, imitated his Pious Examples. I do not know, whether before his Reign there were many Parish Churches in the Coun∣trey, but since his time we find great numbers, and likewise many Oratories, in which the Sacraments were not administred.

We need not tell you that the Titles of Pope, of Father of the Church, of Beatitude, and of Beatissimus, of Holiness, of Sovereign-Priest, of Servant of the Servants of God, of Apostolique, were common to all the Bishops; nor that almost every one of them erected Monasteries in their Episcopal Cities. They often elected Widowers and Married Men, provided, they had been so but once, and to a Maiden. The Vote of the People passed in these things for a Call from God: they were bound to obey, and to live with their Wives as with their Sisters: if they had any Children, or Nephews that were Wise and Learned, they often succeeded them. Their Election was made by the Clergy of their Church, and by the People; the Confirmation by the comprovincial Bishops, principally by the Metropolitan, and never without him: They were to have regard only to Merit, oftentimes they considered his Birth: and even in those early days there were some wicked enough to make use of Bribes and Corruption.

Simony is the most antient or first, and will be the last of Heresies; In all Ages it hath stuck like Rust on the Church, the others did not make any great mischief in Gall during this age. That of Eutyches did not extend so far, but the Condemnation of him by the Council of Chalcedon was sent by Pope Leo I. who before had demand∣ed the Suffrages of the Bishops, the more to authorize that celebrated Letter, which he wrote to the Council.

The Monk and Priest Leporius hatched an Heresie, almost the same as that which Nestorius maintained since; but having been for that reason expelled from his Church at Marseilles, he retracted in Writing Anno 425. That of Pelagius, a Monk of Great Britain, who began to dogmatize towards the year 412. was first discovered by two of the Gallican Bishops, named Heros and Lazarus, who prosecuted his condemnati∣on, first in Palestine, afterwards in Africa.

After St. Augustin had trampled that proud Heresie in the Dirt, which made the Salvation of Man depend upon his own strength; no body in France durst openly embrace it. But in Provence there were Priests and Monks who framed a middle Opinion, between that Error, and the Doctrine of this great Bishop: they were cal∣led Semipelagians.

As for Councils, they were often held by Order from the Emperours and Kings. Sometimes the desire of the Pope, the request of a Metropolitan, that of a single Bishop, or the least occasion caused them to assemble. It is not known in what place that was held which Anno 429. sent St. German, and St. Lupus into England, to op∣pugne the Errors of the Pelagians; nor that which Anno 444. deposed Chelidonius, Bishop of Besancon, because he had been married to a Widow, and had been assist∣ing

in Judgment, of matters criminal; but it is well known, that the Council at Riez was held in 439. The first at Orange in 441. That of Vaison in 442. That of Angiers in 443. The second of Axles, towards the year 452. The third of the same place, Anno 455. That of Tours, 461. That of Vannes, 465. The fourth of Arles, 475. That of Agde, Anno 506. and that of Orleans, (the first that was celebrated under a French King) Anno 511.

All these Councils were composed only of the Bishops of the Province where they were held, excepting that of Agde, and that of Orleance; whereof the first compre∣hended the three Aquitanes, and the two Narbonnoises, as yet subject to Alaric, King of the Visigoths; and the other of the three Aquitanes, newly conquered by the French, and the second, third, and fourth Lyonnoises; for the first belonged to the Kingdom of Burgundy.

At the third of Arles, that Error was condemned which they call the Predestinati; and there was another called at Lyon for the same purpose: but both by the pursuit of Faustus de Riez, who was a Semipelagian.

At the fourth of Arles, was Treated concerning the difference of Foustus, Abbot of Lerins, with the Bishop Theodorus, and there they made for the first time, a no∣table breach upon the Authority of the Bishops, in limiting their power over Mo∣nasteries; they had ever had it entire, even to that degree, that they had the pow∣er of placing Abbots, and to chuse them out of any of the Clergy.

In these Councils, several Canons were made for Ordinations, to prevent the en∣croachments the Bishops made upon one another, to preserve the Rights, the Privi∣ledges, and the Goods belonging to the Church. To regulate the Functions of the Clergy▪ hinder them from Pleading before Secular Judges, Repress Usury, and the liberty of running out of their Diocess. To preserve the Chastity of Virgins, and Widows; touching Homicides, and false Witnesses; touching Penances, and the Penitents; touching the Holiness and Celibacy which the Priests and Deacons ought to observe. To the same end tended the Epistles of the Popes Innocent, Zozimus, Boniface, Celestin, Leons, Simplicius, Felix, Gelasius, Anastasius, Symmachus, which they generally directed to the Bishop of Arles, as their Vicar, to be sent to the other Gallican Bishops.

As there were no great Bishopricks in Gaul, the Gallican Church was much more submissive, and subjected to those Bishops of Rome, then the Eastern ones, or those of Africk, but yet much less then the Italians. There was often recourse had to them; upon the greatest occasions they were consulted withal, touching the usages and meaning of the Canons: and afterwards when they found that their Answers were held for Decisions, they Ordained what they thought good, even before they were consulted withal. They made themselves immediate Judges of all Disputes between Bishops, before the Cause had been brought to the Metropolitan, intermedled in bounding their Territories and Jurisdictions, deposed those that were not well Or∣dained, or were Criminal, and compelled them to trudge to Rome to prosecute their business before them. The Power they had by the Primacy of their See, to cause the Canons to be duly observed, advanced them to this great Authority, but the Bishops took great care they should not be infringed, and themselves acknow∣ledged they were obliged to walk by them.

Childebert, I. King VI.

POPES,

• [Year of our Lord 512] HORMISDA, The 26th of Ju∣ly, 414. S. Nine years.
• JOHN I. The 23 August 423. S. Two years nine Months and a half.
• BONIFACE II. The 15th Oct. S. One year.
• JOHN II. In Decemb. 431. S. Three years four Months.
• AGAPETUS, In July 534. S. One year.
• SILUERIUS, In June 536. S. Four years.
• VIGILIUS, In 540, S. 15 years.

Thierry, King of Me••z. or of Austrasia, aged between 28 and 30 years.

Clodomir, of Orleans, aged 16 or 17 years.

Childebert of Paris, aged 13 or 14 years.

Clotaire of Soissons, aged about 12 years.

[Year of our Lord 511] THese four Brothers divided the Kingdom betwixt them, and drew their shares by Lot; Thierry had all Austrasia, and the Countreys beyond the Rhine, the other Three had Neustria; they were all equally Kings, and without dependence upon one another: yet nevertheless all these parts together, made but up the body of one Kingdom. The Historians count their Succession by the Kings of Paris, because that City, hath since been the Capital of all France.

[Year of our Lord 512. &c.] Five or six years successively these Princes lived in quiet, the three Sons of Clo∣tilda being yet young, and perhaps the two last under the Government of their Mo∣ther; it seems a little after the death of their Father, the Visigoths regained from them the Countrey of Rouergne, and some other Lands in the neighborhood of Lan∣guedoc.

France then began to be divided into Oosterrich, or the Eastern part, called by corruption, Austria, and Austrasia; and into Westrich, or Western part, and by cor∣ruption, Neustria. Austrasia comprehended all that is between the Meuse and the Rhine; and even on this side the Meuse, Rheims, Chalons, Cambray, and Laon. Be∣sides antient France, and all those people subdued beyond the Rhine, as the Bava∣rois, the Almains, and a part of the Turingians depended upon it. Neustria ex∣tended from this side the Meuse unto the Loire. Aquitain was not comprised under the name of France, nor Burgundy, not even after it was conquer'd, nor Bretagne. Armorick, at least the lower, because it was an independent Estate.

[Year of our Lord 516] Gondebaud, King of Burgundy, dyed in the year 516. He had compiled, or written a Law, called by his Name, the Law Gombete, which was long in use amongst the Burgun∣dians, as the Salique was amongst the French. He had two Sons, Sigismond and Gon∣demar: The first succeeded him in all his Dominions; and having been Converted many years* 1.27 before, by the Instructions of Avitus, Bishop of Vienne, he abjured Arrianisme, at his first coming to the Crown, and brought all his People over with him to the Orthodox Faith.

A Danish Captain, named Cochiliac, exercising Piracy, had made a Descent on the [Year of our Lord 518. towards 519.] Lands belonging to Thierry's Kingdom, near the mouth of the Rhine; when he would have gotten on Ship-board again with his Plunder, comes the Prince Theodebert, el∣dest Son of Thierry, who assaults him, kills him, and having stained both Land and Sea with the Blood of those Pirats, regained all what they had seized and stollen.

Sigismond bad at his first Marriage espoused Ostrogotha, Daughter to King Theo∣dorick of Italy, by whom he had a Son named Sigeric. After the death of that Queen, he took one of his Servants into his Bed, who having conceived a Step-mothers hatred a∣gainst the young Prince, made him seem criminal in his Fathers Eyes, by her frequent ca∣lumnies, who caused him to be strangled with a Napkin as he was sleeping: but imme∣diately he was so struck with Remorse, that he retired himself for a time to weep for this [Year of our Lord 522] crime, into the Monastery of d'Agaune, which he himself had built, or much enlarged, in Honour of St. Maurice and his Companions.

The Divine Justice, as may be well believed, stirred up the French Kings to cha∣stise him, though he had married his Daughter, Sister to Sigeric, with King Thierry; the other three Brothers forbore not to conspire his ruine, being incited thereto by [Year of our Lord 523] their Mother Clotilda, who yet cherished in her bosome, the desire to revenge her Fathers death. If at least we may suspect such a thing from so pious a Princess.

In few days they made themselves Masters of a great part of Burgundy, either by the gaining of some Battle, or the defection even of the Burgundians. Sigismond fear∣ing to be delivered up by his own Subjects, disguises himself like a Monk, and retires to the top of an inaccessible Mountain; he had not long been there, but some of those he thought his most faithful Servants, went and found him, and advised him to quit that place, as not safe, and betake himself to St. Maurice's Church, the most Sacred Asylum of all those Provinces; when he was come almost to the Gate of that Monastery, the Traitors delivered him into the hands of the French; Clodomir car∣ries him away with his Wife and Children, and shuts them in a Castle not far from Orleans.

As for Gondemar, having saved himself by flight, he awhile afterwards, gathers [Year of our Lord 524] up his Brothers Wrecks, and puts himself in possession of the Throne. Clodomir could not endure it, and Leagued himself with Thierry his elder Brother, to com∣pleat his overthrow, Before he set forth, he was resolved to rid himself of Sigis∣mond. St. Avy, Abbot of Micy, endeavoured in vain to prevent him by his Pious Arguments; adding, In the Name of God, the threats of a Reprisal on his Head and his Family: but he Treated him in Ridicule, and caused Sigismond to be cruelly Massacred, with his Wife, and Children, and their Bodies to be thrown into a Well.

The prophetick threatnings of the Holy Abbot, soon had their effect. It was impossible but Thierry must in his Soul have a just Resentment for the death of Sigis∣mond, his Father-in-law; so that when he beheld Clodomir far engaged in the med∣ley (which was, in a Battle they fought against Gondemar near Autun) he forsook him, and suffer'd him to perish. The Burgundians knowing him by his long Royal Locks, cut off his Head, and fixed it on a Lance; but that spectacle, instead of terrifying the French, inflamed their Courage and Fury: they revenged his death by a horrible slaughter of the Burgundians, and conquer'd a part of that Kingdom, to wit, that which lay nearest the Kingdom of Orleans.

Clodomir was aged some Thirty years, he left three Sons, then but Children, Theo∣bald,* 1.28 Gontair, and Clodoaldo, whom Clotilda their Grand-mother took care to breed, hoping that when they came to be of age, their Uncles would restore their Fathers Kingdom to them. Clotaire his younger Brother presently married his Widow, she was named Gondiocha; so little the Princes of this First Race had any considerati∣on for their Blood, being as bruitish in their Amours, as in their Revenge.

THIERRY in Austrasia, at Mets.

CHILDEBERT in Neustria, at Paris.

CLOTAIRE, in Neustria, at Soissons.

The Kingdom of Burgundy was not shared amongst these Brothers, till some years afterwards, and Thierry had no part of it.

Theoderic, King of the Ostrogoths, and Visigoths, the greatest Prince amongst the [Year of our Lord 526] Barbarian Kings, had he not been an Arrian, being in the end become a persecutor of the Catholicks, died at Rome the second of September; he left his Kingdoms to two Sons of* 1.29 his Daughters, that is to say, that of Spain, or the Visigoths to Amalaric; and that of Italy, or the Ostrogoths, to Athalaric, who was under the Tutelage of his Mother Ama∣lasuinta: To this last he likewise gave Provence, which in those times comprehended the Second Narbonnoise, part of the First Viennoise, and all the Fifth; and to the other, the First Viennoise, otherwise called Septimania, and which even at that time was also known to the French, under the Name of* 1.30 Gothia, because it was poss ssed by the Goths.

[Year of our Lord 528] Amalaric re-establisht in his Kingdom, dreading the Power of the French Kings, desi∣red their Sister Clotilda in Marriage.

The King of Turingia (perhaps it might be Basin) had had three Sons, Hermen∣froy, Baderic, and Bertier. The First married Amalabergue, Daughter of Amalafrode, who was Sister to Theoderic, King of the Ostrogoths, and Widow of Trasimond, King of the Vandals, at the instigation of this wicked and ambitious Woman, not con∣tent with having taken away the Life, and part of the Kingdom from Bertier, he was besides, Leagued with Thierry, King of Metz, and by his assistance, had in the [Year of our Lord 531] same manner, Treated his other Brother Baderic. This year 531. Thierry, angry that he gave him no part of this last Conquest, as he had promis'd him, made an agreement with his Brother Clotaire, to over-run Turingia. Hermenfroy meets them, and fights them; at the first they were in some little disorder, their Horses falling into pits, covered with Branches and Turfs; but having gotten out of the snares, they drove him as far as the brink of the Onestrud, where there was so great slaugh∣ter, that the dead Carkasses made a Bridge over the River. He narrowly made his escape out of this danger, and with much ado shut himself up in a Fort.

[Year of our Lord 531] The Kingdom of Turingia wholly Conquer'd and Extinguished, remained to Thierry, Clotaire satisfied himself with the Spoil and Captives, amongst whom was found the Prince Amalafroy, and the young Radegonda, Children of Bertier. He caused Rade∣gonda to be carefully brought up, and Married her some years after; but by the Council of some wicked People, he caused Amalafroy to be slain, and Radegonda af∣terwards parted from him, and went and Founded the Monastery of the Holy-Cross at Poitiers, where she piously ended her days.

Mean while Thierry being returned to his Kingdom, allured Hermenfroy to his Court, having sowrn he should be in all security; then barbarously falsifying his Faith, as they were one day walking together upon the Walls of Tolbiac, there came a fellow and thrust him down from top to bottom. Amalabergue, the cause of all these Tragedies, made her escape into Africk to her Mother.

The same year upon a false report blown abroad, that Thierry had been slain in [Year of our Lord 531] the Wars of Turingia; Arcadius, one of the Senators of Auvergne, invited Childebert to seize upon the Town of Clermont, which belonged to Thierry's share. The Peo∣ple and Lords being well contented to be rid of the Government of the Austrasi∣ans, submitted easily to his: but after finding that Thierry returned victorious, he quitted Auvergne, and marched into Septimania, to make War upon Amalaric, King of the Visigoths.

[Year of our Lord 531, and 532.] His pretences for this War, were the Outrages that Arrian Prince used towards his Sister Clotilda, in hatred, for that she constantly persevered in the Catholick Religion. Amalaric lost the Battle not far from Narbonne, which was his Royal Seat; and when he thought to fly to his Ships, he was killed, either in that City, or in Barcellona, by the French, or by Theudis himself, who succeeded him. Clotaire nevertheless gained nothing but some plunder, and the honour of having revenged his Sister, who died on the way as he was bringing her back: For Septimania still remained in the hands of the Visigoths; but their Kings, naturally timorous, trans∣ferred their Royal Seat to Toledo, to be for the future at a more safe distance from such like irruptions.

[Year of our Lord 534] Childebert and Clotaire being associated, go on to pursue Gondemar, take him pri∣soner in a Fight, lock him up in a Tower (where in all probability he ended his days) and invaded all that was left of his Countrey. Thus the First Kingdom of Bur∣gundy was extinguished, after it had subsisted Fourscore and ten years, and became united to France; but it retained its Name, its Laws, and its particular Magi∣strates. Its Governours were ordinarily stiled Patricians.

[Year of our Lord 534] The two Brothers desiring to share Burgundy between them, sent to the Queen Clotilda their Mother, that she should let them have the three Sons of Clodomir, to put them in possession of their Fathers Kingdom; Clotilda did the more easily be∣lieve it, because in effect, they had not yet divided it amongst themselves: but when they had these poor innocent Creatures in their hands, they most inhumanely mas∣sacred the two eldest; the Third, named Clodoald, or Cloud, was saved by his Fathers* 1.31 Bravo's, and after he had lain some time concealed, he secured his Life by cutting* 1.32 off his Hair, and then confining himself in a Holy Sanctuary, or Retreat at the Borough of Nogent, near Paris, which keeps even to this day, his Relicks and Name.

Because Thierry of Metz refused to accompany his two Brothers against Gonde∣mar, the French Austrasians, angry that they should not have their share in the plun∣der of Burgundy, threatned they would own him no longer; In the First and Second [Year of our Lord 534] Race they have often given themselves this liberty: He was forced, that he might appease them, to lead them into Auvergne, who were revolted from him, to give themselves up to Childebert, whence they brought away an innumerable multitude of Captives, and all that was portable.

A Lord named Munderic, reckoning himself of Blood-Royal, acted the part of King, and made the Mobile follow him as such. Thierry at his return from Auvergne, besieged him in the Castle de Vitry; and seeing he could not gain it by force, he makes use of Perjury: Aregisa, one of his Captains engages his Faith that he should be well received; and when he was come out of the place, he gave a Signal that they should fall on him. Munderic perceiving it, prevents him, and kills him with a Dart; and afterwards taking his Sword in hand, together with such as had follow'd him, he sold his Life at a dear rate.

[Year of our Lord 534] The same year saw an end of the Kingdom of the Vandals, and Asrick, with the Islands of Corsica and Sardinia, and the Baleares returned to the Empire, after they had been cut off from them 107 years. The Emperour Justinian, under pretence of taking in hand the Defence of King Hilderic, whose Kingdom Gilimer had usurped, sent the great Cap∣tain Belisarius thither, who made an end of that Conquest in less than Six Months, having happily overthrown those Arrian Barbarians in some Battles; taken Carthage, and recei∣ved the Tyrant Gilimer upon Composition, who had sheltred himself in a Fortress.

The Visigoths during the Wars of Burgundy and Turingia, had taken divers places of Septimania. The Princes Gontier and Theodebert, who were Sons, the former of Clotaire, the latter of Thierry, had Orders from their Fathers to recover them. Gou∣tier returned without doing any thing; Theodebert took some Castles in the Coun∣trey of Beziers, but suffered himself to be taken also by the Beauty of the Artifici∣ous Deuteria, Lady of Cabriere, who received him into her Castle, and into her Bed.

From Septimania he carried the War to Provence, reckoning to have a better Mar∣ket of the Ostrogoths. When he had sorely snaken it, and already received some Ho∣stages from the City of Arles, he received news that his Father was very sick at Mets: he goes away in all diligence, and arrived there some few days before he died. [Year of our Lord 538]

Thierry Reigned a little more then 23 years, and had lived about 55. He had no Son but Theodebert; but a Learned Historian gives him likewise a Daughter, named Theodechildus; he believes it to be her that was Married to Hermegisile, King of the Varni, of whom Procopius relates a memorable Adventure, and who being returned into France, amongst many pious Works, built the Monastery of St. Pierre le Vis, near Sens.

It is fit we observe that the* 1.33 Bavarois, or Bojarians, were under his obedience, since in their Estates, or General Assembly at Chaalons, he put their Laws in Writing. They were originally of Germany; it is not certain of what Canton, but that they had the same Language as the Lombards. About the time of the death of Odoacer, King of Italy, they were come to possess that part of the* 1.34 Norica which lies on the Banks of the Da∣nube; and in time they also gained the Mediterranean part, and Rhetia Secunda, which was situate betwixt the Rivers L'Oein and the Lec, so that they were bounded by Pa∣nonia, Swevia, Italy, and the Danube. Perhaps Clovis subdued them at the same time he subdued the Almains, but they had always retained their Laws, and a Duke of their Nation, who was confirmed by the King of Austrasia, he was to be of the Race of the Agilolfingues, or Descendents of Agilolfe, who in all appearance brought them into that Countrey.

CHILDEBERT in Neustria at Paris.	CLOTAIRE in—and—Neustria at Soissons.	THEOD'EBERT aged about 30 years, in Austrasia.
Burgundy betwixt both.

[Year of our Lord 534. and 535.] The Uncles of Theodebert were prepared to invade the Kingdom of his Father, his diligence broke their measures. After he had agreed with them by a Peace, which he bought, and that he in appearance had tied the knot of a strict amity with Chlidebert, who promised him the Succession, because he had no Children, he sent for Deuteria, and publickly Married her, despising Wisgard, the Daughter of Wa∣con,

King of the Lombards, whom he had betrothed in the life time of his Father Thierry.

[Year of our Lord 534] In this year they place the Erection into a Kingdom, True or Fabulous, of the Countrey of Yvetot in Normandy, which was done, say they, by King Clotaire, in sa∣tisfaction for his having with his own hand in the very Church, and on a* 1.35 Holy Friday, Killed one Gautier, who was Lord of the Mannor.

Athalaric, King of Italy, dies in the age of Adolescency. Amalasuinta his Mother, espouses Theodad, Son of Amalafrede, Sister to King Theoderic, and sets him on the Throne: but shortly after the Ingrateful makes her away, upon a suspicion of Adultery.

The death of Amalasuinta caused the ruine of the Ostrogoths. Justinian, with whom she had always kept in amity, gave Command to Belisarius to revenge her death, and to recover Italy. At first Dalmatia, the Islands of Sicily and Sardinia, after that Abbruz∣za and Lucania, the Campagnia, or Terra del Lavor, surrenders to him without any re∣sistance; and the City of Naples is surprized by a way thorough an Aqueduct. Theodad sends an Army under the Conduct of Vitiges his* 1.36 Officer; but the Ostrogoths who had a hatred for him, elect this Vitiges; who to secure the Diadem for himself, puts Theo∣dad to death, and Marries Mattasuinta, Daughter of Amalasuinta.

[Year of our Lord 536] When Theodad dyed, he was in Treaty with the French, and proffer'd them Pro∣vence, and Two thousand pound of Gold, if they would embrace his Defence. Viti∣ges being pressed by Belisarius, and finding himself not strong enough to resist the Imperialists and the French, put in execution what his Predecessor had projected, and deliver'd Provence, and the Money to the French. If we must believe Procopius; Justinian confirmed this Cession by his Letters Patents. It seems they divided it into two Provinces, that of Marseilles, and that of Arles.

[Year of our Lord 537] Theodebert made no scruple to take off both Parties, that he might be the better enabled to ruine them both; He had caused Ten thousand Burgundians to slip into Italy, who having joyned with Oraia, one of Vitiges Chiefs, had helped him to re∣take Milan.

[Year of our Lord 539] When he believed both parties to be much weakned, he entred the Milanois with Two hundred thousand Men. The Roman Army, and that of the Ostrogoths were encamped one just over against the other neer Pavia; either of them thought he came to their assistance, and his design was to surprize them both. He therefore Assaults and Defeats the Ostrogoths, and then comes thundering upon the Romans, and cuts them all in pieces: But a Plague and Famine soon revenged them upon him for this perfidiousness. When he found his Men perished by thousands, he repassed the Mountains with all speed, for fear lest Belisarius, who was in Tuscany, should come and attaque him.

[Year of our Lord 539] Afterwards Vitiges being Besieged by Belisarius in Ravenna, omitted not to crave help of the French, who promis'd to come to his assistance with Five hundred thou∣sand Men; but before they were arrived, he had compounded with Belisarius, and was gon to Constantinople, where of a King, he became an Officer to the Emperour. The Visigoths in his stead chose Theodobaldus Governour of Verona; and he being slain three years after, they substituted the famous Totila, who Took, and Sacked the City of Rome twice, in 547. and in 550.

[Year of our Lord 540] The Queen Deuteria became so furiously jealous of her own Daughter, because the King her Husband began to look on her, that she made her away in a cruel and inge∣nious manner, having caused untamed Bulls to be harnassed, to draw her Chariot, who precipitated her from off the Bridge at Verdun into the Meuse. The French, who during the Two first Races, and a good while in the Third, had a right to concern themselves, and to intermeddle about the Marriage of their Kings, offend∣ed at so unnatural an act; and besides, touched with a just sence of pity for Wisgard, whom Theodebert had contracted seven years before, obliged the King to repudiate Deuteria, and take Wisgarda. This lived but two years, and made room for a third Wife.

[Year of our Lord 541] The following year Childebert's Uncle and he, fell unawares upon Clotaire; he had only time to retire with what people he could get together to the* 1.37 Forrest d'Are∣laune, neer the Banks of the Seine, and to stop up the Avenues with great Trees, cut down and laid across. When they were ready to force him in this Post, the Hea∣vens moved by the Prayers of the Queen Clotilda, excited a miraculous Tempest, which not hurting the Camp of Clotaire, and thundering upon theirs, did so astonish them, that they sent to him to desire a Peace, and his Amity:

Theudis Reigned then over the Visigoths; the French being ever their mortal ene∣mies: [Year of our Lord 543] Childebert and Clotaire passed the Pireneans, and ravaged all Arragon. The Ci∣ty of Saragossa being besieged, the Inhabitants bethought themselves of making a ge∣neral Procession round their Walls in the habit of Penitents and Mourners, carrying, instead of a Banner, the Vest of St. Vincent, Martyr, their Patron. This extraordi∣nary Spectacle amazed Childebert, and mollisied him; insomuch as he accepted of some Presents made him by the Bishop, amongst which was the Robe of St. Vincent,* 1.38 which he brought to Paris, where he built a Church in Honour of that Martyr, and put that precious Relique there in Depositum.

The Spanish Authors say, that upon their return, the French were beaten at their passage to the Mountains, by one of the Generals of the Visigoths, who was called Tediscle: If this be so, there is some likelyhood that they made two Expeditions in∣to [Year of our Lord 544. or 545.] Spain at different times, yet soon after one another.

In the year 548. Theudis, King of the Visigoths was killed in his Palace, and this Theudiscle set upon his Throne; but within two years after be was Treated in the same [Year of our Lord 548] manner, and Agila put in his place.

Whilst the Imperialists and the Ostrogoths were engaged with each other, Theodebert, who was already master of Rhetia, of Vindelicia, and of Suevia, would needs take his advantage of that War, and by his Lieutenants (Hamingue was the Principal) made himself Master of the lesser Italy, that is to say, what they have since called Lombardy. [Year of our Lord 548] After which, Justinians Forces having gained some advantage over his, That Em∣perour had the vanity to thrust in amongst his other Titles, that of Francica, which is to say, Conquerour of the French.

Theodebert not able to suffer it, would cross over Panonia, and Mesia, and bring all his Power into Thrace, to let him see the French were not vanquished. As he was preparing for this Expedition, a mournful accident took away his Life. Being one day a Hunting, (an exercise fatal to many Princes) a wild Bull pursued by his Hunts∣men, whom he waited for with a Javelin in his hand, broke down a Branch, which hit him so rudely upon the Head, that a Fever seized him, whereof he dyed in the 14th of his Reign, and about the 43 of his Age. He had one Son and one Daugh∣ter, Theodouval, or Theodebaldus, and Bertoaire; Theodebaldus born of Deuteria, suc∣ceeded in his Estates; a Prince of a weak Mind and Body, who became impotent and benummed from his Waste downwards. Bertoaire kept her Virginity, and served the Church with great Devotion.

About the time of the death of Theodebert, hapned that also of Clotilda, who pi∣ously ended her days at Tours; She retired her self thither, to pray to God on the [Year of our Lord 548] Sepulchre of St. Martin, where in those times were the greatest Devotions of the Gauls and French.

As Theodebert had been a Prince of vast Undertakings, he had mightily burthened [Year of our Lord 548 or 49.] his Subjects with Imposts, even the French. Partenius had been the chief Author and Minister; he was a terrible Glutton, as most of those Men or Cattle generally are, who took Aloes to digest his Meat, wherewith he cramm'd himself, and so emptied his Belly more Beast-like then he filled it. The French Men being stirred up to do Justice upon him, he besought two Bishops to convoy him to Tryers; he was in no more safety there then at Mets, the People seeking for him to murther him, and having haled him out of a Church Chest, where those Prelates had concealed him, affronted him by a thousand Outrages, and after tied him to a Post, where they stoned him to death.

CHILDEBERT in Neustria, at Paris.	CLOTAIRE in Neustria at Soissons.	THEODEBALDUS, Aged 13 or 14 years, in Australia.
Burgundy belonging to both these.

Ambassadors from Justinian sollicited Theodebaldus to abandon the Defence of the [Year of our Lord 551] Ostrogoths, and to make a League with the Empire; he refuses the one and the other, and nevertheless sends his to Constantinople, to Treat of some difference concern∣ing the Cities he held in Italy. They had full satisfaction from Justinian, but could not prevail with him, whatever instances they urged, upon the requests of the Ita∣lian Bishops, to restore to their Sees, Pope Vigilius, and Datius, Bishop of Milan, whom he detained, and Treated very ill.

[Year of our Lord 552, &c.] A Civil War being broke out amongst the Visigoths, between King Agila and Athana∣gildes, this last had recourse to the assistance of the Emperour Justinian, who failed not to make use of so good an occasion. The Patrician Liberius having conducted several Forces there on his behalf, seized on several Towns, and was going to regain all Spain, as Beli∣sarius had Africk, if the Visigoths had not killed Agila, and Elected Athanagildes; which did not however prevent the Romans by the Alliances they made in the Countrey, and with the assistance they received from time to time, to maintain themselves there about 90 years, till the Reign of Suintila, who drove them quite out from thence.

[Year of our Lord 552] Totila, King of the Ostrogoths, too proud of the Victories gained over the Ro∣mans, is Defeated, and slain in Battle by Narses the Eunuque, Lieutenant to the Empe∣rour Justinian. Teia his Successor hath the same misfortune a short time after, and Narses brought under the Imperial Laws, the greatest portion of what that Nation possessed. Thus the Kingdom of the Ostrogoths was extinguisht, in Italy, where it had subsisted but 58 years.

The remainder of the Ostrogoths having implored the assistance of the French, two Alman Lords, who were Brothers (they were called Leutarius and Bucelinus) by the permission rather then by Order of Theobaldus, descend into Italy with 75000 Combatants, partly Almans, and partly French, and ravage it both on the Right and Left, even to the further end of the Countrey.

[Year of our Lord 554] The Army of Leutaire, which had pierced as far as Otranto, thinking to bring their Plunder to some safe place, was beaten near Fano, in the Province Emilia,* 1.39 and from thence, being Retreated by very difficult ways into* 1.40 Venetia, which then be∣longed to Theobaldus; when they thought to rest themselves in a little Town, the small and unwholsome Lodgings bred so furious a Contagion, that it destroyed them all, not one Soldier escaping.

That of Bucelin, who staid in the Countrey de Lavour, being already weakned very much with the like Plagues, was made an end of in a Battle which Narses gave them neer Capoiia, from whence only Five Men escaped. The year following the Duke Amingua, another General of Theodebaldus, being joyned with the gleanings [Year of our Lord 555] of the Ostrogoths, whom the Count Vidin had gathered up, had the same fate as Bu∣celin; there remained nothing to the French in Italy, but the passage of the Alpes.

After such bloody Losses, Theodebaldus ended his languishing Life, being in the 20th of his Age, and the 7th of his Reign. He had Married but one Wife, Valdrade, Daughter of Wacon King of the Lombards, by whom having no Children, his Succession returned to his Two Great Uncles. But Clotaire who was the strongest, because he had Five Sons, all bearing Arms, seizes upon it immedi∣ately, and on his Wife likewise, whom he Married. As touching the Kingdom, Childebert, who had none but Daughters, durst not then speak a word; but as for the Wife, the Bishops made him so many Remonstrances about that Incest, that he quitted her, and gave her in Marriage to Garibald, Duke of Bavaria.

CHILDEBERT in Neustria at Paris,	and	CLOTAIRE in Neu∣stria and Austrasia.
Burgundy to them Both.

The Saxons, who were Tributaries to the French, even from the time of Thierry [Year of our Lord 555. and 556.] of Mets, having heard of his death, took occasion to Revolt conjoyntly with the Turingians. Clotaire straightway goes thither, and having beaten them near the Weser, plundered the Countreys both of the one and the other.

[Year of our Lord 556] The following year they revolt again, but when saw him him on the Frontiers, they sent Deputies to implore Mercy, and to submit to any Conditions. The French would give no Ear, but resolved to chastise them; and because he refused to lead them on, they tore down his Tent, and forced him to go in the Front; and indeed they were beaten with a horrible slaughter, and the King gladly proffer'd the Saxons that Peace which had been denied them.

[Year of our Lord 557] His Brother Childebert, jealous of his prosperities, incited them a third time to take up Arms against him, and at the same instant, set his own Son Chramne to re∣bel against him. Clotaire had bestowed on him the Government of Aquitain where he had behaved himself so tyrannically, that great Complaints were brought against him; his Father had therefore recalled him to Court, to give an account of his actions: he having refused to come, he sends his two other Sons, Charibert and Gon∣tran into Aquitain, to compel him to Obedience; and in the mean time marches

against the Saxons, whom he brought under by several Defeats, and imposed a Tri∣bute on them of 500 Oxen.

While he was in Saxony, a rumour was spread that he was slain; Childebert falls into Champagne, and ravages it; the two young Brothers being affrighted, retired into Burgundy; Chamne pursues them, and from thence comes to Paris, where he engages himself by an Oath to Childebert, never to reconcile himself to his Fa∣ther.

[Year of our Lord 558] Childebert returning from Champagne, was struck with a troublesome malady, which having made him languish for some time, ended not but in death. St. Germain, Bishop of Paris, buried him in the Church of St. Vincent, which he had Erected. Amongst his Virtues, he was eminent in his Charity towards the Poor, and his Zeal for Religion. The first made him part with all his Gold and Silver Plate, to be∣stow it in Charity; the other was signalized by the several Foundations for pious Uses, and by his care to propagate the Faith, and preserve its Purity. For he made an Edict to demolish all the Pagan Temples; and the Pope Pelagius being suspected guilty of the Errors, condemned by the Council of Chalcedon, he sent to him to know his Profession of the Faith, that he might take some course against that scandal.

His Wife Ultrogoth survived him a long time, and led a Holy Life, with two Daughters she had by him; they were named Chrotherge, and Chrotesinda; they never Married. Their Uncle Clotaire, whether in hatred to their Father, or for fear lest they should pretend to the Succession, detained them in prison with their Mother, till he had secured himself of the Kingdom.

This is the First Example of the Salique Law, in favour of the Males to the Crown. Clotaire succeeded, to the exclusion of his Nieces; and he was so happy, that having survived his three elder Brothers, he rejoyned in his own person, the en∣tire Succession of the Grand Clovis.

Clotair I. King VII.

POPE, JOHN III. 559. In March S. 14 years, Two only under this Reign.

[Year of our Lord 560] THe Prince Chramne, destitute of the protection of Childebert, reconciled himself to his Father; but soon after he flies off again, and retires in∣to Bretagne to Conober, one of the Princes of that Countrey; for there were divers, and such as did not depend upon the French. His Father hotly pursues him, and fought him neer the Sea-side; History does not exactly mark out the place, but that the Bretons were defeated, Conober killed in the Fray, and Chramine taken prisoner. The cruel Father orders his People to burn him, with his Wife and his Children, which they presently executed on the spot, putting Fire to a place filled with Straw, where they had locked them up.

So cruel an action caused in him a cruel Repentance, in vain he strove to appease [Year of our Lord 560] that remorse by his Devotions, and great Donations to the Church. Coming back from a great Hunting in the Forrest of Cuise, a burning Fever seized on his Bow∣els, whereof he died at Compiegnè. He was in the 61 year of his age, and about the [Year of our Lord 561] end of the 49th of his Reign.

His four Sons conducted his Corps with great Pomp, the Priests Singing all the way of the City of Soissons, where they buried him, as he had ordained, in the Church, and before the Altar of* 1.41 St. Medard.

He had four or five Wives, amongst the rest, he kept two Sisters together at one time, Ingonde and Haregonde, by the First he left three Sons, Cherebert, Gontran, Sigebert, who Reigned, and a Daughter named Clodosuinda, who Married Alboin, King of the Lombards. By Haregonda he had Chilperic, who Reigned likewise; and by Ghinsine, the unhappy Chramne. Many Authors, antient enough, give him a Daughter named Blitilda, and Marry her with the Senator Ansbert, whom they make paternal Grandfather to St. Arnold. Some modern Critiques have maintained, that the Chronology did not agree; but there is no appearance that so many Authors should, or could have invented such a Fable without any necessity, or ground to move them to it.

Cherebert, King VIII * 1.42.

POPE, JOHN III. S. Ten years under this Reign.

• CHEREBERT, King of Paris, aged Twenty years.
• GONTRAN of Orleans, and of Burgundy, aged 36 years.
• SIGEBERT of Austrasia, aged Twenty five or Thirty years.
• CHILPERIC of Soissons, aged Twenty, or Twenty five years.

THe Kingdom was for the Second time divided into Four, for his four Sons, which was the cause of infinite Civil Wars, Murthers, Treasons, Plun∣derings, and Calamities.

Before their shares were setled, Chilperic the youngest of them had [Year of our Lord 561] seized upon all the Fathers Treasure, which was at Bresne, and afterwards that at Paris; but he was driven thence by the other three. This done, they drew Lots which gave the Kingdom of Paris to Cherebert, that of Orleans, and a good part of that of Burgundy to Gontran, (he resided at Chaalons) that of Austrasia to Sigebert, and that of Soissons to Chilperic.

Besides this, each of them had a share in Aquitain, as the four Sons of Clovis be∣fore [Year of our Lord 562] had, and also in Provence; that so each of them, and altogether, might be obliged to maintain them with their joynt Forces.

The Austrasians had nominated for the Office of Mayre of the Palace, a Lord na∣med Chrodin; he refused to accept of it, considering, that all the Grandees of the Countrey, being his Kindred, would have thought they might have taken the liber∣ty of committing all sorts of violence on the People with impunity; and that he could not have the severity to punish them for it. He therefore advised them to [Year of our Lord 565] make another choice, and they relying upon his probity, he recommended Gogon* 1.43 to them, who was of his Educating, and taking him by the Arms, he puts them round his Neck, in token that he owned him for his Superiour.

The Avarois, a People of Hun, flying the Tyranny of the Turks, who were of the same Nation, had forsaken their Native Soil, and were come to the Service of the Emperour Justinian. After his death, being slighted by Justin, they sought their Fortunes elsewhere, and having penetrated into the heart of Germany, they rava∣ged Turingia, which belonged to Sigebert. This King not fearing these Barbarians, who were reckoned so terrible, attaqued them neer the Banks of the Elbe, and ha∣ving mated them in a great Battle, he sent them back again with shame to the Da∣nube, from whence they were come.

Chilperic in the mean time falls upon his Territory, and ruined all the Countrey of Rheims. Sigebert being come back, repels him most vigorously, and took his Son [Year of our Lord 567] Theodebert prisoner, with the Citty of Soissons. In this same year the quarrel ended in a peace, followed with the liberty of the young Prince; but not a perfect reconci∣liation,

In 570. began the Kingdom of the Lombards in Italy, their King Alboinus being [Year of our Lord 570] Crowned at Milan this year, after he had conquer'd all the Countrey from the Alpes to Tus∣cany, excepting only the Exerchat of Ravenna, which yet remained in the Empire. The name of Lombards came either from their wearing of long Beards, or that they were arm∣ed with long* 1.44 Bards; which was a kind of Axe. Their first Habitation was on the further Banks of the Elbe, whence coming forth, and having often changed their Dwel∣lings, Four hundred years together, they in the end fixed themselves in Pannonia, in the days of the Emperour Justinian. From thence their King Alboinus, a very War-like Prince, and brought some Forces into Italy for the Romans Service, in the time of the Funnque haarses. Now they had takensuch delight in the Habitation so rich and fruitful a Land,

that that Great Captain being dead, they all went thither with their Wives and Children, in the year 568, under the Conduct of that King. He likewise carried thither Thirty thou∣sand Saxons, who were willing to follow him, and the remainder of the Gipedes, whose Kingdom he had extinguish'd in Pannonia.

[Year of our Lord 570] The Neighborhood soon set them together by the Ears with the French, and be∣got a mortal Enmity between them. As they were huge covetous, and pussed up with their Victories, they were not satisfied with the spoils of Italy, but made fre∣quent incursions into Rhetia and Provence. In that very year, some numbers of them, in a body, without a Head, were sallen into the Countrey of Valais, but instead of carrying away Plnnder, they lost their Lives.

The year following, they marched much stronger into the Kingdom of Burgun∣dy, [Year of our Lord 571] and at the first, in a bloody Battle, defeated the Army which King Gontran had sent against them, and slew their General. This was Amat Patrician or Governour of the Province of Arles; but when they would needs come again the Third time, and had ransacked the Countreys about Ambrun, the Patrician Mummole, Successor to Amat, insnared, or surrounded them; and having stopped all the ways, by felling of huge Trees, charged these Robbers so smartly, that he destroyed almost the whole Army, or made them prisoners.

[Year of our Lord 562. and the following.] There was nothing more disorderly then the liberty which these Four Kings of France took in their Marriages. Gontran after he had chosen a Servant for his Mistriss, belonging to some Courtier, from whom he had forced her, espoused Marcatrude, Daughter of Magnachaire, whom he rejected in a short time afterwards, to take one that waited on her; she was called Austrigilda Bobilla. Chilperic had repudiated Queen Andovere, though he had three Sons by her, for the love of Fredegonda, one of the Women belonging to his Chamber. Cherebert put away Ingoberge, whom he had Married in the life time of Clotaire, and Married with Meroflede, Daughter to one that worked in Woollen; and then afterwards with her Sister Marcovefe, though she were under the Holy Veil, and likewise with Theodegildus, Daughter to a Shep∣herd.

King Sigebert on the contrary, desiring a lawful Marriage, and one well qualify'd, espoused Brunechild, or Brunehand, Daughter of Atanagildus, King of the Visigoths. Sometime afterwards Chilperic follow'd his example, and having for a short while quitted his Amours to Fredegonda, demanded likewise Gelasuinta, Sister to Brune∣baud. The Father consents to it, but not without a great deal of repugnance, and the obliging both himself, and the chief Lords his Subjects, to swear by many Oaths, that he should never take any other whilst she was living.

[Year of our Lord 570] Cherebert being gone into Xaintonge, which was in his Lot, dyed in the Castle of Blaye on the Garonne, and was buried in the same place, within the Church of St. Ro∣main. He was little less then Forty nine years, and had Reigned Nine. He had but three Daughters, Berte by Queen Ingoberge, and Berteflede, and Crodielde by some Mi∣striss. These two last were Veiled; but very vain Nuns. Berte was Married to Ethelbert, King of Canterbury in England, and the most potent of all the English Kings. She was bestowed upon him, on condition she should have the free Exercise of the Christian Religion: and to this end she took a Bishop along with her. She was a very Beautiful, and yet a more virtuous Princess, who wrought upon the mind of her Husband to embrace Christianity, and who insinuated Civility, and Polite∣ness amongst the English, who were very barbarous till then.

Chilperic, King IX.

GONTRAN in Neu∣stria and Burgundy, at Chaalons.

SIGEBERT in Au∣strasia, at Mets.

CHILPERIC in Neustria, at Paris.

CHerebert's three Brothers immediately re-divided the Kingdom amongst [Year of our Lord 570] them, and even the City of Paris, and put in this Condition, which they confirmed by Oath, upon the Relicks, or at the shrine of some Mar∣tyr, That neither of the Three should go in thither, without the consent of the other two, and he that should offer it, was to forfeit his share in that City, and in the Kingdom that was Chereberts.

Chilperic, notwithstanding his solemn Oaths, soon joyned again with his Fredegonde; [Year of our Lord 571] and that he might have liberty to Marry her, he caused Gelasuinta to be strangled in her Bed. His Brothers conceived a horror for this Crime, and made War upon him; Sigebert, more hotly then the other, being incited by his Wife Brunehaud, to whom he was forced to give up for reparation of this Murther, the Countreys of Bourdelois, Ly∣mosin, Quercy, Bearn, and Bigorre, which he had given to his Sister for a Marriage Por∣tion, and which he had seized on afterwards

The Avarois broke the Treaty, and made a Second irruption into Turingia Sigebert presenting himself to give them Battle, upon the nick of the On-sett, instead of Wea∣pons, they made use of Diabolical Enchantments, and caused hideous Fantasmes, or Spirits to appear, most dreadful to the French mens Sight; perhaps they had ugly Vi∣zards on, or had blacked their Faces. Whatever it were, it dismaied them so much, that it put them to the rout, and drove them into a corner, where they hemmed them in on all sides. Sigebert could not get out from this extremity, but by the power of Mo∣ney, and by furnishing them with Provisions, which they had great need of.

Going from hence, he made War against Gontran, to get from him the City of Ar∣les, [Year of our Lord 573] and joyn it with those of Aix, Avignon, and Marseilles, which he held in Provence. Firmin Count d'Auvergne, and Audover, drawing near with some Forces, the Burghers easily surrendred to them, and then drove them out again with more ease. For as soon as Celse the Patrician of Arles, appeared on the behalf of Gontran, they perswaded them to go forth and Fight him, assuring them, that whether Victors or Vanquished, they would receive them again into the Town: but when Celse had repulsed them, and they desired to be let in, they kept the Gates fast shut against them. Thus their Men were all cut off or drowned in the Rhosne, and they made prisoners. Sigebert ha∣ving [Year of our Lord 574] missed his Design, agreed the more easily with Gontran.

Anno 574. Alboinus, King of the Lombards was poisoned by Rosamond his Second Wife, cruelly enraged, for that he had constrained her at a Feast, to drink out of the Skull of Cunimond, King of the Gepides, her Father. Clepbus having succeeded him; and a while after he being also assassinated by one of his own People, the Lom∣bards would have no more Kings, and committed the Government to Thirty Dukes, each of them having a City. Three of the most potent, undertook to Conquer, up∣on the score of conveniency, that part of Gaui, which lies between the Alpes and the Rhosne, and entred upon it with three several Bodies of Soldiers. But the Patrician Mummole beat them in several Rencounters, and drove them out all three.

Upon the dividing the Kingdom of Cherebert, Touraine and Poiton fell to Sigebert, Chilperic burned with a desire to accommodate himself therewith, at what price soe∣ver. [Year of our Lord 574. and the following.] This unjust desire caused a cruel War, the desolation of many Provinces, and in fine, the death of Sigebert; King Gontran their Elder, endeavoured all he possibly could to prevent them, and when he could not, he sometimes went along with the strongest.

After two or three Ruptures, and two or three Agreements, Chilperic, who would not let fall his design, allured Gontran to his Party, took up Arms again, and fell into Champagne; whilst on the other side, his Son Theodebert entred into Poiton. Sigebert hearing of it, took a positive Resolution to pursue him to the death. Having there∣fore drawn together all those fierce People from beyond the Rhine, he penetrated without opposition, even to the Banks of the Seine. At the same instant he sent Gon∣tran-Boson, and Gondesigilus to Poitou, to drive out Theodebert thence. That young Prince being forsaken by his Men, would nevertheless Fight, but he was Taken, Slain, and Stript by Order of Gontran-Boson, who afterwards being afraid of Chilperic's wrath, took Sanctuary in St. Martins at Tours.

[Year of our Lord 575] With the lamentable news of the death of his Son, Chilperic received notice like∣wise of the agreement between Gontran and Sigebert. The same hour, overwhelmed with grief and astonishment, he went from Rouen, whither he had retired himself, and shut himself up, together with his Wife and Children in Tournay. Every thing surrendred to Sigebert, Paris opened her Gates to him, and his Wife Brunehaud anima∣ted by revenge, came presently thither with her Children to establish her Throne, and push forward her Husbands resentment against Chilperic. For this purpose he dis∣patches away a part of his Army which besieged him in Tournay; and he with the other Body encamped at Vitry, where he took the Oaths of the Neustrian Lords, who having abjured his Brother, acknowledged him for their King, and lifted him up on their* 1.45 Target or Shield; or set him on the Throne.

Nothing was left for Chilperic, but the determinate Courage of Ferdegonde, this was enough to save him. She by her flattery and caresses, knew so well how to Enchant a couple of Citizens of Terouenne, Men robust and bruitish, that they coming to Sigebert, under pretence of entertaining him with some affair of great consequence, did stab him in his Tent, where they were soon cut in pieces by his Soldiers, as she wished.

Sigebert was very near the 44th year of his age, and about the end of the 14th of his Reign. He had a Son but four years and eight Months old, named Childebert, and two Daughters, Ingond and Clodosuinde, the first was Married to Hermenigildus, the Son of Leuvigildus, King of the Visigoths; the Second betrothed only to Recare∣dus, elder Brother to Hermenigildus. His Body was interred in St. Mards at Soissons, near his Father, by whose Order he had finished that Church.

GONTRAN King of Burgundy at Soissons.

CHILPERIC King of Soissons and Paris, in Neustria.

CHILDEBERT II. called the Young, aged Five years, in Austrasia.

[Year of our Lord 575] The death of Sigebert was followed with a suddain and general Revolution, the Austrasians raised the Siege of Tournay, and having joyned with those who were at Vitry, they retired in confusion: the Neustrians returned to the Obedience of Chilperic; and Brunehaud found her self surrounded and cooped up in Paris, where she then was with her Children, and knew not how to get thence. But the wisdom of the Duke Gombaud, the greatest Lord of Austrasia, found out a way to save the Pupil Childe∣bert, having let him down over the Walls in a Basket, and put him into the hands of a faithful Person, who himself carried him into the City of Mets.

Already some of the Austrasians had made their Composition with Chilperic, but the rest being assembled together in great numbers, according to their custom, set the young Prince upon the Royal Seat on New-years-day, and put him under the pro∣tection of Gontran; so that Chilperic lost his hopes of invading that Kingdom: but he seized upon that of Paris, and banished Brunehaud to Rouen, and her two Daugh∣ters to Meaux.

[Year of our Lord 576] He had sent Meroveus his eldest Son by Queen Audovere, to seize upon Poitou, which belonged to the Kingdom of Childebert. Meroveus, instead of putting this design in execution, went to Tours, and from thence to Rouen, where he suffered himself to be so much surprized with the charms of Brunehaud, as then aged at least 28 years, that he Married her; Pretextat, Bishop of Rouen, God-father to the young Prince, making the Marriage. The Father hastens thither, and having by deceitful words drawn those so newly Wedded out of a Church, where they had taken shelter, he set a Guard upon Brunehaud, and carried his Son away with him.

Mean time the Austrasian Lords, who were come to submit to him, returned again to Childebert: Godin amongst others, who to carry somewhat with him that might bid him welcom, armed the Champanois and made himself Master of Soissons, where he wanted but little of surprizing Fredegonda. Chilperic was quickly there, vanquishes him, and re-takes the Town: but Fredegonda believing that Godin had not undertaken so bold an enterprize without the participation of Meroveus and Brunehaud, obliged her Husband to confine that young Prince, and a while after to force him to turn Priest, and send him to the Monastery of Aunisse, which is called now St. Calas, the name of its first Abbot.

The Austrasians demand their Queen Brunehaud with so much earnestness, that [Year of our Lord 576] he sent her to them; and yet he could not forbear to invade the Lands of Childebert. His Son Clovis took the Town of Saintes: but the Duke Didier going to besiege that of Limoges, met in his way the Patrician Mummole, whom Gontran sent to [Year of our Lord 577] defend the Country belonging to his Pupil: the Fight was so obstinate that there were slain Thirty thousand on both sides, three parts of them were Didier's, who saved himself with much ado.

About the same time Meroveus escaped from the Monastery, and secured himself in the Church called St. Martins of Tours, prompted thereto by Gailen his most intimate Confident, who was come to visit him, and drawn by Gontran-Boson, who had sheltred himself in that place, as we have related. The Step-Mother Ferdegonda favoured this Boson, for the same reason that Chilperic would put him to death, and maintained a private Commerce with him, that he might destroy Meroveus, as he had made his Brother Theodebert to perish.

The young Prince having notice that Fredegonda sought by all means to take away his life, did not find himself there in security: He goes out from thence ac∣companied with this Boson, whose treachery he knew not of, and would go to find out Brunehaud, but the Austrasians refused to admit him: he remained then some time concealed, and a Vagabond in Champagne. After which, this Boson and Giles Bishop of Rheims, upon the pretence of delivering up the City of▪ Teroüenne to him, made him fall into their Ambuscades, surrounding and taking him Prisoner in a Village, of which they gave immediate notice to Chilperic: he went thither with [Year of our Lord 577] all diligence, but found that his unfortunate Son was dead, he had been Poynarded by the order of Fredegonda, who made him believe, that apprehending he should be put to tortures, he had borrowed the helping hand of Gailen his favourite to dispatch him.

A while before the Bishop Pretextat his Godfather, was accused before the Bishops assembled in Councel at Paris, where no proofs appearing strong enough against him touching what was alledged, he suffers himself to be induced by two false Brothers, upon an assurance the King would pardon him, to confess more than they could desire, for which he was banished to an Island near Coustances: but with hopes of returning, because he pretended he had not been degraded, though they had placed Melantius in his See.

Death having snatched away the two Sons which Gontran had by Austrigilda his second Wife, although he were not above the age of getting Children, not being above Fifty, he desired the Austrasians to bring his Nephew Childebert to him, and Adopted him, having placed him in his Royal Seat. These two Princes being thus allied, sent to Chilperic to demand their part of the Kingdom of Paris, and declared War against him: Chilperic did but scoff at them, diverting himself in building of Cirques (or places for publick Spectacles) at Paris and at Soissons, where he would have entertained the People with Chariot-races, could he have found Charioteers that had skill enough.

The Bretons about the year 441. had possessed themselves of Vannes; afterwards [Year of our Lord 578] Clovis had taken that place again, and likewise the Cities of Nants and Rennes, at that time governed by Roman Captains. This year 578. Waroc or Guerec a Count of Bretagne had the boldness to seize again upon Vannes, which appertained to the Kingdom of Chilperic, and march up to the French who were encamped on the Banks of the River Vilain. They had some Companies of Saxons or Sesnes-Bessins in their Army; one night he passes the River and beat up their Quarter; but three days afterwards finding himself too weak for so potent an Enemy, he desires* 1.46 Peace, swore fealty to the King, and renders up the City of Vannes, upon condition he should remain Governor. A short while after he again seizes it, and so long as he lived put the French to a great deal of trouble.

Chilperic and his wicked Wife Fredegonda over-burthened the People with Im∣posts: they had taxed an Amphore of* 1.47 Wine upon every half Acre of Vine∣yard, several other Charges upon things of another kind, and a Tribute upon the head of every Slave, and indeed a kind of Poll-money for every Freeman, insomuch that their Subjects ran away out of the Kingdom, as a place of Tor∣ment, and peopled that of Gontran and Childebert: Wiser in so doing, than those of Limousin, who having opposed a Referendaire (or Lord Chancellor, so named in those times) who was going to settle the Taxes or Duties in that Country, and [Year of our Lord 579] having burnt his Registers, left themselves exposed to the Sanguinary Avarice of an Intendant (or Judge) whom Chilperic sent thither to chastise their Sedition.

[Year of our Lord 597] This year Sampson, eldest Son of Fredegonda died: the following year Chilperic was tormented with a long and continual Fever; as he was upon Recovery, two [Year of our Lord 580] other Sons whom he had by that Woman, were afflicted with a Dissentery, which was rife all over France, and affected Children most generally. Fredegonda believed this Sickness of her Children was inflicted by Heaven, who thus avenged the Suf∣ferings of the oppressed People: she was stricken to the heart, and wrought so far upon her Husband by her arguments and intreaties, that he threw the Lists of all the Tax-gatherers into the Fire, and recalled those that were sent abroad to col∣lect them.

[Year of our Lord 580] But this forced Repentance did not save the life of her two Sons; as on the other hand these Afflictions laid upon her, only made her the more wicked: she was pierced with sorrow for the loss of all her Children, and with jealousie that there was one of her Husbands yet alive, begotten on Queen Audovere; his name was Clavis. This Prince seeing himself necessarily the Successor▪ let fall some words of Resentment and Threatning imprudently; By this she well foresaw what must become of her if he Reigned, and resolved to prevent it: she therefore accuses him to his Father for having poysoned her two Sons, and pre-possessed him so far with this Calumny, that he gave up his only Son to her Vengeance. The wicked Woman causes his Throat to be cut, and the Body to be cast into the River, and afterwards the unfortunate Audovere to be Strangled, though she wore the Sacred Vail, and her Daughter Basina to be locked up in the Monastery of Poitiers, after her Sattelites had deflowred her. A Fisherman having found the Body of the young Prince, and knowing it to be his by the long Hair, buried it under a Monu∣ment of Turf, from whence King Gontran afterwards transferr'd it to St. Vincents Church in Paris.

Two years before Chilperic had sent Ambassadors to the Emperor Tiberius, to congratulate him, as I believe, upon his promotion to the Empire, and make up some kind of League with him against the Lombards. This year they brought him back all imaginable satisfaction and very rich Presents, amongst others were Medals of Gold a pound in weight.

[Year of our Lord 581] The Kingdom of Austrasia and Childebert's Person being under the Government of Queen Brunehaud, the Lords of the Country despised the Commands of a Wo∣man, and lived in excessive Licentiousness; Those that gave her the most trouble, were Ranchin, and Gontran-Boson, Ʋrsion, Bertefrey, and Giles Bishop of Rheims, who associated together and oppressed whom they pleased. Loup Duke of Cham∣pagne, a faithful Servant to his Prince and Master, as Wise as Just, was insufferable to them because of his good qualities: they took up Arms to destroy him, and he got his Friends together to defend himself. The Queen had all the trouble ima∣ginable to prevent their coming to blows, even to the enduring outrageous words from Ʋrsion: but after all she could not so well secure the Duke from their fury, but he was forced to quit the Kingdom, and take refuge with Gontran.

[Year of our Lord 581] The most dangerous of these Factious Spirits was the Bishop of Rheims: as he was secretly engaged and wedded to Chilperic, of which he had given testimonies, having formerly treacherously delivered up the City of Rheims, and drawn Mero∣veus into the fatal snare: he caused his Faction to act so powerfully, that the Austra∣sian Lords, to the prejudice of the Alliance their King had made with his Uncle Gontran, obliged him to make a League with Chilperic against him; The Lure was, That Chilperic having at that time no Son, promised the Succession to him.

This League being made, Childebert sent to demand the half of Marseilles of his Uncle, who very far from restoring it, made himself Master of the other, by the treachery of Dynamius Governor of Provence for Childebert. After this feat Dynamius goes over to Gontran, as in revenge the Patrician Mummole, pushed at by some intrigues of Court (ever satal to great Commanders) forsakes Gontran

to be of Childebert's side, and sortifies himself in the City of Avignon, which that King without doubt had put into his hands for his security, and that from thence he might make incursions in the Enemies Country.

The business of Marseilles caused an absolute Rupture betwixt the two Kings; Chilperic who desired this, presently falls upon Gontran's Countries, and the Duke Didier by his order invades Perigord and Agenois, without much opposition.

Another of his Dukes by name Bladastes was not so fortunate against the Gascons; [Year of our Lord 581, or 82.] For having undertaken to seek them out in their own Country to chastise them for the frequent Irruptions they made into the third Acquitaine, he was hemm'd in, and his Forces cut in pieces. The Gascons then inhabited upon the Confines of Can∣tabria, between the Countries of the Visigoths and the French, and by their Ex∣cursions made themselves formidable both to the one and the other, carrying away whatever they could meet withall, and afterwards sheltring themselves again on their Mountains.

There was only Chilperic that made open War upon Gontran: but the Patrician Mummole with the secret support of the Lords of Austrasia, was contriving a dan∣gerous Design against him; There was a certain Person named Gondebaud who pretended to be the Son of King Clotaire, and he might well be so, considering the multitude of Wives that King had. This Gondebaud not having been able to get [Year of our Lord 583] his pretended Brothers the Kings to acknowledge him, had retired himself to Constantinople, Tiberius the Emperor then living; It happened that Gontran-Boson* 1.48 made a Voyage into those parts, it is not mentioned upon what account, and he persuades this Man so much that the French wished for him, and that Gontran and Chilperic having no Children, he might safely come to the Succession, that he re∣solved to return into France. Tiberius having a prospect of what he might pos∣sibly attain to one day, assisted him with great Sums of Money: he comes ashore at Marseilles, was received by the Bishop, and afterwards Entertained at Avignon [Year of our Lord 583] by Mummole. But the same Gontran-Boson who had persuaded him to return, ha∣ving set himself now to persecute the Bishop and such as favoured him, he wisely withdrew himself into an Island at the mouth of the Rhosne: and then the Traitor seized on all his Moneys, and took a Commission from King Gontran to besiege Mummole in Avignon. Childebert being informed of it, sent one of his Dukes, who quashed that Design.

The Provinces suffered most horribly by the cruel Discord of these Kings, the Soldiers who marched every where, plunder'd, burnt, and put all to the Sword. There was no Discipline, but so uncontroul'd a License, that the Soldiers would fly in the faces of their own Officers, if they did but question or forbid them, as soon as on the meanest fellow.

With this cruel Desolation, Heavens sent a cruel Epidemical Disease which raged over all France, but most fiercely over Paris and that Vicinage: it was called, Lues Inqui∣naria, because it appeared in those parts: it burnt those that were tainted with it, with great pain, and made an Escar in a short time like a Cautery: the most part died how∣ling and shreiking most horribly, and there was no cure found but in the Churches, and especially that of our Ladies.

Chilperic had besieged Melun, and commanded three of his Dukes to attaque [Year of our Lord 583] Bourges: the Berryvians came forth to meet them, and gave them Battle, which was very bloody to both Parties▪ Gontran who went in his own Person to fight Chilperic, having met with a Body of his Men, who had left the rest to get Plunder, cut them all off; Chilperic much cooled with this Rebuke, caused some Propositions to be made towards an Accommodation: and Gontran who was of a mild and peaceable Temper, receives them with joy.

Chilperic thought with himself that now he should get him to joyn to oppress Childebert, in whose Kingdom he had great intelligence by the means of the Bishop of Rheims: but maugre all the intrigues of those Factious Spirits, Gontran and Childebert were reconciled, the Uncle restored that part of Marseilles which began the breach to his Nephew again, and they formed a League together to recover at their joynt Charges and Expence, those Cities belonging to Chereberts Kingdom, which Chilperic had gotten from it.

Upon the point when Childebert was preparing himself to assault Chilperic, the Emperor Mauritius for the Sum of 50000 Crowns of Gold, ready Money, obliges him to carry his Forces into Italy against the Lombards who held the City of Rome besieged. The young Prince but Fourteen years of Age went in Person; Their King Autaris did not oppose Force with Force, but putting his Men into several

places, let the Torrent run on: and that it might for ever be turned another way, he yielded up his Kingdom to the French, and became their Tributary.

It is fit we understand that in the year 584. the Lombards perceiving that the Emperor Mauritius would needs endeavour by all means to root them out of Italy, they thought the best way to preserve themselves was to restore their State to a Monarchy again, and made Autaris the Son of Clephus King; But nevertheless their thirty Dukes kept as their Propriety, and as Hereditary the Titles to those Cities they then held: but so that they should be obliged in certain Services to him, particularly to obey and follow him in time of War. This is perhaps the true Original of that Knights Service, or Fee, so much searched after by the Curious: at least it is said they were setled or establish'd according to the Custom of the Lombards.

[Year of our Lord 584] After many Wars, Chilperic thinking to enjoy some rest, was Assassinated in the Court of his Palace of Chelles in Brie, which hapned towards the end of September. One Evening in the twilight, as he was alighting from his Horse, being come from Hunting, accompanied with but few, a Murtherer gave him two Stabs with a Knife, one under his Arm-pit, the other into his Belly. An Author attributes this unhappy blow to Brunehaud, but others accuses his Wife Fredegonda, who was obliged, say they, to prevent him, because he had discover'd her Adultery with a Lord named Landry.

History describes this King to us Proud, Inhumane, Malicious, Dissembling, and a great Projector of Imposts: but Crafty, Patient, Magnificent, and instructed with good Learning. In our days have been found (it was Anno 1643.) a couple of Tombs just by one another, under ground at the entrance into the Church of St. Germain des Prez; the name of Chilperic which was written upon one of the two, hath made it to be conjectured that it was his, and the other his Wife's: how∣ever it be, that other Tomb in the same Church, whereon we see his Statue, is a Cenotaph which hath been placed there in these last Ages.

Of so many Sons as he had gotten on divers Women, there remained but one, who was but four months old, and had as yet no name: he caused him to be Nursed at the Burrough of Vitry near Tournay for fear they should destroy him by Poyson or Witchcraft, as he believed they had done the others.

He had likewise a Daughter by Fredegonda (she was named Rigunta) who was then on her way into Spain to meet with Ricarede the King, eldest Son to Leuvi∣gildus, to whom she was betrothed. When she was gotten to Thoulousa the news came of her Fathers Death: Didier Duke of that Country rifled all her Equipage, so that she went no farther, but returned to her Mother, to whom she gave a great deal of trouble, being much like her in Humour and ill Qualities.

Clotair II. King X.

POPES,

• PELAGIUS II. S. Five years during this Reign.
• St. GREGORY I. Called the Great, chosen Sept. 590. S. thir∣teen years six months.
• SABINIANUS, In Sept. 604. S. five months nineteen days.
• BONIFACE III. Chosen in Sep. 606. S. nine months.
• BONIFACE IV. Chosen 607. S. six years eight months.
• DEUS-DEDIT, Elected in 614. S. three years.
• BONIFACE V. Chosen in 617. S. nine years.
• HONORIUS I. Elected 13 May 626. S. twelve years five months, of which six years in this Reign.

Ʋncle.	Cousin Germans.
GONTRAN in Burgundy and part of Neustria.	CHILDEBERT in Austrasia.	CLOTAIR II. Aged four or five months in Neustria.

[Year of our Lord 584] THe Conscience of the Crime and the fear of Childebert, who was at that time at Meaux, terrified Fredegonda so much, that leaving part of her Treasure at Chelles, she flies to Paris, and thrusts her self for Sanctuary in the Church of Nostre-Dame, under the Protection of the Bishop.

Gontran having heard of the death of his Brother, came presently with great Company; Childebert was set forward likewise to have gotten in, but finding the place was possessed, he retires to Meaux, and sends Ambassadors to him, to demand part of the Kingdom of Paris, and then again some others to pray him to deliver up Fredegonda to him to punish her for the Murther of her Husband, and of Mero∣veus and Clovis. To the first he Replied, That all the Kingdom of Paris belonged to him, because his Brothers Sigebert and Chilperic had forfeited their shares by vio∣lating the Treaty of Agreement made between them three: and as for the other, he would refer it to an Assembly of the Estates, which was to be held on a day appointed.

He remained two months at Paris, in which time Fredegonda knew so well how to sooth him, that he took her and her Son into his Protection, and ordered the Lords of Chilperic's Kingdom to repair to Vitry, and acknowledge that Son for their King, and to name him Clotaire, however he appropriated most of the Kingdom of Paris to himself, only the City of Paris excepted, which he left to the young Child.

He afterwards employed himself in doing Justice to those that made complaints of the several violences of the deceased Chilperic, and of all the Grandees belonging to that Kings Court, who being unjust and griping to the utmost extremity, had suffered all manner of Robberies and Spoil in them. In fine, believing himself Master of all France, during the Minority of his Nephews, he took possession of their Lands in Neustria as he pleased: but in Austrasia his Power was not owned.

The hatred they had against Fredegonda did not diminish, she durst not come out of her Asylum of Nostre-Dame, wherefore he sent her to Van de Rueil near Rouen; Being there in more security, she began afresh to make use of Poyson and Poyniard, they did several times apprehend and discover some Assassines which she was sending to Murther King Childebert and Brunehaud; That Queen having detected one especially amongst the rest (it was a Clerk) after he had been put to many Tor∣tures,

sent him back again to her in derision: and she for shame and madness, caused the Feet and Hands of this miserable Wretch to be cut off.

Two years after the beforementioned Gondebaud, who was come from Constantinople, [Year of our Lord 535] had kept himself close and concealed in an Island at the mouth of the Rhosne, Gontran-Boson, the Patrician Mummole, Didier Duke of Thoulouse, Bladaste, who had been beaten by the Gascons, and some other Factious Heads sworn Enemies to King Gontran, had persuaded him to take the Title of King, listing him up upon the* 1.49 Target at Brine la Gaillarde: The Lords of Childebert's Court, several Bishops of Aquitain, Brunehaud her self, who desired him for her Husband, favoured him openly enough, and all the Country beyond the Garonne obeyed him.

The thing did particularly concern King Gontran, he seared his Nephew Childebert might assist this Conspiracy, which aimed at no less than to strip him: it was by this Motive that he desired he would come to him, and that he confirmed the Adop∣tion before made, putting his Javelin into his Hand; At the same time he caused an Army to march into Aquitain under the Conduct of Leudegisile, and the Patrician Egila. Gondebaud knowing they approached, shuts himself up with good store of Ammunitions in the strong City of Lyons de Cominges: he was there besieged a while after. The Fifteenth day of the Siege, Mummole ever perfidious, and the other Lords delivers him to the Besiegers, thinking to purchase their Lives with the price of his; In effect he was kill'd upon the place; but they fared never the better for that, Mummole was treated in the same manner as well as Bishop Sagittary, as soon as they had orders from the King; The City was sacked and destroy'd, and re∣mained buried in its Ruines, till about the year 1005. when Bishop St. Bertrand, whose name it bears, Rebuilt it in the very same place: but of a far less Circumference than before.

[Year of our Lord 585] That War ended, Gontran came to Paris to hold the little Clotair at the Font, which was not performed this time, Fredegonda keeping the Child at a distance, and fearing that he desired to see it only to seize upon it, and to shave it, for he could not believe it was his Brothers Son; so that to cure him of this doubt, she sent him three Bishops, and three hundred Notables, who affirmed upon Oath, that this little Prince was Legitimate.

[Year of our Lord 584, and 85.] The Prince Hermenigilda second Son of King Leuvigilda, had Married Ingonde Daughter to King Sigebert: The young Princess having Converted him to the Catholick Religion, Goisuinte her Mother in Law used her outrageously; Hermenigild her Husband had taken Arms against King Leuvigild his Father, and being Leagued with the Sueves and the Greeks, had trusted his Wife in the hands of these last; Now, not being able to resist his Father, he had surrendred to his Mercy, and the Father kept him miserably confined in close Imprisonment. The Greeks seeing him de∣tained, retained his Wife also, and Embarqued her to transport her to Constantinople. Her Brother Childebert, that he might obtain her Release of the Emperor, sent a puissant Army to make War upon the Lombards: but it being made up half of French and half Almains, the Discord betwixt those two Nations made them trudge back again as they went, without so much as seeing the Enemy.

[Year of our Lord 585] Immediately after this, it was known that Ingonde was dead in Affri••k, and that Leuvigildus had caused her Husband to be Strangled. King Gontran animated with a just Resentment against those Arrian Barbarians, undertook to drive them out of Languedoc; His Forces of the Kingdom of Burgundy besieged Nismes, and those of Aquitain, Carcassonne: but there was so little Order and so much Licentiousness in both these Armies, that they reaped nothing but shame, nor did they make any feel the effects of War but their own fellow Subjects, plundering and killing all the poor Peasants: and indeed at their return the lower Countries being utterly destroy'd, and the Bridges broken down, some of them perished for Hunger, others in passing over the Rivers, nay above five thousand by their own Swords, in the Contests one Company had against another almost every hour.

[Year of our Lord 586] Leuvigildns broken with Age, spared not either Prayers or Presents to obtain a Peace with Gontran: but that King would never hearken to it, he could not so soon forget the ill Treatment they had shewed to his Nephew, nor the Affront he had received the year before from Recarede, who had made Inroads and taken some Places in Provence.

[Year of our Lord 587] Some while after this Leuvigildus dies, but had before renounced Arrianism, and his Recared or Richard professed the Catholick Religion, and Established it amongst his People.

[Year of our Lord 587]

Before his Death he had practised some Intelligence with Fredegonde, to rid themselves of their common Enemies: he meant Childebert and Gontran, who at that time were firmly united; For Gontran having again declared Childebert his only Heir, without making any rockoning of Clotair whom he counted a Bastard or one foisted in, Fredegonda mortally hated them both, and sought to thrust them out of the World: Two Clerks were apprehended whom she had sent to assassinate Childebert with Poysoned Knives, they were put to death by Torments, their Noses, Hands, and Ears being cut off.

[Year of our Lord 586] Every hour were such like Plots found out contrived by that wicked Woman; Pretextat had been restored to his Bishoprick of Roüen by King Gontran, she could not behold him without rage, in so much that having one day had some words with him, (for she was come from Val de Rüel to Rouen) she hired a wicked Slave, who upon Easter-day wounded him to death, whilst he was at the Altar in his Cathedral [Year of our Lord 587] Church; The Murtherer (for she was compell'd to deliver him up to a Nephew of that Bishop to do what he thought good with him) confessed that she and Me∣lantius, with the Archdeacon of Rouen, had given him Money to commit the Par∣ricide; and that none might doubt of this truth, she put Melantius into that Epis∣copal See.

King Gontean by good fortune avoided three or four Attempts she made against his Person; and notwithstanding, either out of faint-heartedness, or because the Neustrian Lords jealous of their Authority, would not have suffered him to under∣take any thing against the Mother of their King, he did not do so much as he ought to secure his Life by the Chastisement of this Megera.

[Year of our Lord 587] When Childebert had attained to the age of Fifteen years, he began to make him∣self to be feared by some examples of severity, having caused Duke Magnoald to be killed, whom he had invited to his Palace to see a Combat of Wild Beasts, and Arrested Gontran-Boson, to Punish him according to what Judgment King Gontran should pronounce, who very well knew the Treachery of this Villain, and indeed did not pardon him.

The other Grandees of Austrasia, particularly Ranchin, Ʋrsion, and Bertefroy took the allarm at it: Fredegonda by her secret Correspondence encreased their Apprehensions, so that in Consort with her, they conspited to kill their King, and make his two Sons to Reign, the eldest of which was but two years old. Childebert having had notice hereof from Gontran his Uncle, sent for Ranchin, and caused him to be knocked on the Head going out of his Chamber; Ʋrsion and Bertefroy who had sheltred themselves in a Church were handled after the same manner.

[Year of our Lord 588] The Emperor Mauritius had for some time sollicited King Childebert upon very advantageous Conditions, to make a Descent into Italy, for the driving out the Lombards: at length Childebert to acquit himself of his Promise and the Sums he had received, went thither with a powerful Army. Autaris knowing by experience that Money drew the French thither but would not drive them back again, did not profer them any, but resolved in himself either to Conquer or else to dye with Honour; The Fates were favourable to him in a great Engagement at the entrance to the Alpes; Childebert having been soundly beaten, retired.

[Year of our Lord 589] What ever Intreaties Rccared could make to King Gontran, he could not obtain a Peace; on the contrary, he was obstinately bent to continue the War against him: but he only encreased his Shame and Losses. Duke Boson, whom he had sent into Septimania, despising the Enemy and minding nothing but to Debauch, suf∣fered himself to be drawn into an Ambuscade, where most part of his Army was defeated by a very small number of Visigoths.

[Year of our Lord 589, & 90.] The stirs and troubles between the Nuns of the Abby of St. Croix of Poitiers did puzzle King Gontran as much as if it had been a business of greater moment; a∣mongst them there were two Princesses, Crodield Daughter of King Cherebert, and Basine Daughter of King Chilperic: Crodield having a fancy in her own Head to Command, accused Lubovere her Abbess of many Irregularities to make her be put out; After that she went away with forty Nuns of her Cabal, to make com∣plaint to King Gontran: then being returned to Poitiers, she seized upon St. Hilary's Church with a Troop of Pick-pokets, who committed a world of Villanies and lewd Actions there: They were fain to make use of the Regal Authority and Power to punish those Rascals, and call an Assembly of the Bishops to judge of the Ac∣cusation against the Abbess: She was declared Innocent, and Crodield and Basina Excommunicated; which was again confirmed by another Assembly of Bishops of the Kingdom of Gontran: but at the Intreaty of the King's, the Council of M••ts

gave them Absolution. Basina went again into the Monastery, Crodeild stubborn in her Disobedience, had leave to dwell in a Country-House which King Childebert had ordained for her.

[Year of our Lord 590] A second Army which Childebert sent into Italy against the Lombards, did most of it perish there by Famine and Sickness: but withall struck King Autaris into so much dread, that he promised the French, if they would leave him in Peace, that he would every year send them some Presents.

Childebert discovered again another of those Assassins whom Fredegonda sent to Murther him; This new Attempt, giving him occasion to examine and inquire into the old Conspiracies, they apprehended Sonnegisile who had been concerned in that of Ranchin: This Person accused Giles Bishop of Rheims, and the King gave order to lay hold on him: but upon complaints made by the Bishops, that they should treat a Prelate thus without hearing him, he released him to bring it to a formal Trial. For this end he calls a Councel at Mets the Fifteenth of November, and there this unhappy Wretch convicted by Witnesses, and his own Confession of Treason, and Lasae Majes••atis, and of his having been the Firebrand of the Civil Wars, he was deposed from his Bishoprick and banished to Strasburgh, the King having given him his Life upon the Petition of the other Bishops.

The Count Waroc and other Princes of Bretagne, notwithstanding the Oath they had given two or three times, ransacked the Bishopricks of Rennes and Nants, which belonged to King Gontran; he would once for all punish their audacious Attempts, and commanded his Forces in the Kingdom of Burgundy to march that way. They had two chief Commanders, Ebracaire and Boubelene, who could not accord together: The first of these left his Companion with the best part of the Army upon the point of the business; however Boubelene defended himself valiantly for two days together, but on the third he was overwhelmed and perished with almost all his Men. Ebracair being returned to Court was devested of all his Estate and Goods to the King, who awarded them to the Heirs of Boubelene.

[Year of our Lord 590, or 591.] King Gontran Hunting one day in the Vosga, perceived that some body had killed a Buffalo; The Keeper accused the Chamberlain to the King: and the Chamberlain denying the Fact, Gontran compels him to justifie himself in Combat, as the custom then was in doubtful cases. His Champion and the Keeper kill each other; and he, as being Convicted by the death of his Champion, was tied to a Stake, and Stoned.

[Year of our Lord 592] From the same Principle of levity of mind, which caused these violent Fits in Gontran, proceeded his Inconstancy and Apprehensions, which turned him some∣times on one side, sometimes on another: He could not but mortally hate Fredegonda, and yet nevertheless upon her intreaty he came to the Palace of Ruel, and held the young Clotaire her Son at the Font for his Baptism in the Church of St. Genevieue of Nanterre, which gave great Umbrage and cause of Complaint to Childebert his other Nephew.

[Year of our Lord 593] The following year, or according to others, two years after, this Prince being at Chaalons, where he kept his ordinary Residence, and had caused the Church and Abby of St. Marcel to be built, he fell Sick, and died the 28th of March, being in the One and thirtieth or two and thirtieth of his Reign, and above the Sixty eighth of his Age.

Of several Children he had had by several Wives, but one survived him, which was a Daughter named Clotilda, who was vailed. It appears, he left all his Lands to Childebert, and little or nothing to Clotair, though he were his God-father.

He was beyond comparison the best of the four Brothers, pious, Charitable, a lover of Justice and of publick good, respectful to the Church and Prelates, taking a particular care the Canons should be observed: but Inconstant, Timorous, Sus∣picious, and easie to be caught by Flatteries, and transported with Choler, which but too frequently gave him cause to repent.

CHILDBERT in Austrasia, Burgundy, and part of Neustria.

and

CLOTAIR in Neu∣stria at Paris.

Childebert, Valiant, powerfully Armed, and enriched by the Succession to Gon∣tran, whereof he went immediately to take Possession, thought to have an easy task of Clotair a young Child, and his Mother Fredegonda, who was hated by all the French: but this Woman, Subtil and Courageous, sparing neither Flatteries nor Money, nor Promises, regained the most alienated Minds, and tied them to her

Service. She appeared every where, carried her Son about with her, and holding him up, sometimes in her Arms, shewed him to the Soldiers, and crouds of People, and did animate them with compassion of his innocence.

Thus with their faithful assistance, and with the Conduct of her Landry Mayre of the Palace, she obstructed the progress of the Enemy, having surprized and defeat∣ed his Army by stratagem, in a place of So••ssonnois which they called Truec. The Dukes Gondouand, and Wintrion Commanded it; There was slain 3000 Men on their [Year of our Lord 593] side, which did not a little confirm the Crown to Clotair; but could not however prevent Childebert from tearing away some Towns at the further part of his King∣dom.

The Warnes, Garues, or Guerins, were a People of Germany, whose first Habita∣tion had been in that Countrey, where is at this day the Duthcy of Mecklenburgh (where there is a River which they yet call Warne, which passes by Rostoc.) From thence they issuing out with the English, the Saxons, and the Heruli, were come to Lodge in Friesland, and in Batavia; on the North of those Countreys, the French held beyond the Rhine; and there had setled a little Kingdom: but I believe they had been conquered by Theodebert, or by Clotaire I. and subjected to the Kingdom of [Year of our Lord 554] Austrasia. Now having Rebelled this year 594. against Childebert, they were utter∣ly extirpated, either by the Sword, or led away into Captivity; insomuch, as since that time the name of them hath never been heard of.

[Year of our Lord 595] About the Month of October, in Anno 595. Childebert and his Wife were both snatched out of the World by Sickness, near the same time; perhaps it was by poison from Fredegonda's Shop, or of Brunehauds preparation, Fredegonda being their avowed Enemy, and Brunehaud put beside her Authority by her Sons age, which she might possibly endeavour to recover in the minority of her Children. Childebert dyed in the 25th of his age, and the 20th of his Reign. I know there are some Chronologists that allow him three years more; as also 33 years Reign to Gontran: but let us leave them to handle these Bryers and Thorns. He had two Sons, Theodebert and Thierry, who succeeded him; Theodebert had Austrasia, Thierry had Burgundy, and the Kingdom of Orleans.

CLOTAIRE II. In Neu∣stria, aged Eight years, under FREDEGOND his Mo∣ther.	THEODEBERT, King of Austrasia, aged Nine or Ten years.	and	THIERRY, King of Burgundy, aged Eight or Nine years.
	BROTHERS. Ʋnder Brunehaud their Grandmother.

[Year of our Lord 595] Thus in all the Kingdoms of France, they were but Children that had at this time the Titles of Kings, and which was worse, two Women versed in all manner of crimes, held the reins of Government. Brunehaud ruled those of her Grand-Children by her self, and by her Confidents, she resided in Austrasia with Theodebert, whose Seat was at Mets, as Thierry's was at Chaalons on the Soane.

[Year of our Lord 595] Fredegond more Fortunate, and also more Active then she, betook her to the Field to regain Paris, and the Cities on the Seine, which Childebert had taken from her. The Austrasians came to meet her, and there were the three little Kings to be seen, of whom the eldest was but Eight years, at the Head of their Armies. The Victory fell to Clotaire, with the Cities for which he fought.

[Year of our Lord 596] Soon after Fredegond, Victorious and Triumphant, but more Illustrious, yet for her Crimes, then by her good success, dyed, aged 50 or 55 years, with this advan∣tage, that she left her Sons affairs in a condition to defend themselves alone.

[Year of our Lord 596] This year or the following, the Huns made inroads upon Turingia, passing tho∣rough the Behemans, or Bohemians Countrey, (a Sclavonian People) who were their Subjects. Brunehaud durst hazard nothing against them, but removed them by force of Money.

This Princess was not less cruel and vindicative then Fredegond; and besides that, very covetous, and who making her Revenge ever tend towards the filling of her [Year of our Lord 597] Purse, took away the Lives of the Richest to get their Wealth. Amongst others, she caused the Duke Wintrion to be killed, who had great Treasures; he was Father of that Glosina, who much against his Will, did shut her self up in a Monastery at Mets, where she is to this day venerated as a Saint.

[Year of our Lord 598] This Conduct of Brunehauds became so insupportable to the Austrasians, that they haled her by force out of the Royal Palace, and led her even to the Frontiers of the Kingdom, where they left her all alone, cloathed only in Rags, nigh the Ca∣stle d'Arcies, upon the River Aube, which parted the Kingdoms of her two Grand∣sons. A poor Man knowing whom she was, conducted her to Chaalons upon the Soane, to her Son Thierry, who received her both with joy, and indignation at once. Her Conductor for his reward had the Bishoprick of Auxerre.

The two young Brothers could not forget the loss of Paris, and other Cities a∣bout the Seine, which Clotaire had forced from them; their Grand-Mother provo∣ked [Year of our Lord 599] them to call him to account, and invade his Kingdom. Knowing their design, he comes boldly to meet them, even near the Frontiers of Burgundy. The two Armies fought nigh the Banks of the little River Arouane, which glides betwixt that of Yonne and Loing, and falls into the Loing, close by Moret. Clotaire lost the Battle, and almost Thirty thousand Men, and saved himself by speedy posting to Paris. But he durst not stay there long, for the Victors being advanced as far as Essonne, he retired into the Forrest of Arelaune. In fine, he was constrained, left he should lose all, to yield up to them, the greatest part of his Kingdom; to Thierry, all that was between the Loire and the Seine, as far as the Sea, and to Theoderet the Dutchy of Dentelen, which was between the Oise and the Seine, or perhaps between the Somme and the Oise.

[Year of our Lord 600 601.] During the controversie between the Cousins, the Gascons took occasion to come and plant themselves in the Countrey of Oleron, of Bearn, and of Soule. The two Brother Kings thought it to better purpose, having vanquish'd them, to make them become Tributaries, then to drive them quite away, and gave them a Duke to Go∣vern them, he was called Genialis. But as they are a stirring People, during the Ci∣vil Wars of the French, they gained all Aquitania Tertia, which because of them is named Gascongne.

[Year of our Lord 601] Brunehaud had all the power in the Court of young King Thierry, having made him taste the pleasure of Women, and Love betimes, to keep him from medling with business of State by charms of voluptuousness, and out of fear, le••t a lawful Wife, if he should take one, should induce him to retrench her Authority, by gain∣ing* 1.50 the Affections of her Grand-Son from her. This year he had a Son by one of his Mistresses, which they named Sigebert.

Though Brunehaud were a Great-Grand-Mother, she was not exempted from Love, nor from inspiring it in others, by the opportunities she had of bestowing the greatest Favours, but this she did most commonly at the expence of the richest, whom she fleeced by her Calumnies, and her assassinations. The precedent year she [Year of our Lord 602] had taken away the Life of Egila, Patrician of Burgundy, to enrich her self with his [Year of our Lord 603] spoil.

She loved amongst others, a young Lord named Protades, of Roman extraction, that is to say, Gaulois, and had already made him Duke des Transjurains: this was not enough, she must raise him to the Office of Mayer of the Palace▪ But Bertoald, who then executed it, must first be put out of the way. To this end she sent him to gather up the Imposts in Neustria, newly taken from Clotair, and as yet not well sub∣jected. Landry, Mayer of the Palace, soon chases him, pursues him even to Orleans. and Besieges him. King Thierry being informed thereof, Mounts on Horseback, the Battle was fought at the passage over the River of Estampes, most part of Landry's Men were cut off; but Bertoald was slain there, as Brunehaud had wished, and she gave that Employment to her Protades.

[Year of our Lord 603] At the same time King Theodebert had taken the Field, to run upon Clotaire; but the two Kings being there present, Theodebert, grants him a Peace, desiring to pre∣serve him for a time of need against his Brother Thierry; who likewise, and perhaps upon the same consideration, did in a while after, make his accommodation with Clotaire.

[Year of our Lord 604] The Old One had not forgot the Outrage she had received by Theodebert, or ra∣ther the Austrasian Lords; she infinitely desired Thierry might make himself Master of that Kingdom, that she might execute her Revenge. She made him believe there∣fore that Theodebert was not his Brother, but that he was the Son of a Gardiner. Was it that she would have it meant he had been Supposed, or Changed; or that the Queen Faileube had committed Adultery with some person of that condition? Upon all occasions she and her Favourite thundered it in the Ears of Thierry, and laid hold of every little subject of Pique, to exasperate the Spirit of that young ambitious and violent Prince: Insomuch as that in fine, he took up Arms to deprive his own Bro∣ther, both of his Crown and Life. One day as the two Armys were encamped near

each other, the Leudes or Vaslals of the Kings, detesting this impious War, en∣deavoured an accommodation; Protades opposing it, those that belonged to Thierry gathered together, and notwithstanding the Intreaty and Commands of that Prince [Year of our Lord 605] to the contrary, went and ••lew him in his Tent, where he was playing at Chess.

[Year of our Lord 605 & 6.] In time Brunehaud found means to sacrifice all those that had procured his Death, to the Manes of her beloved Friend. But notwithstanding, instead of one Gallant she chose many, and those the handsomest of her Court. The scandal was so great, that St. Didier, Bishop of Lions, was obliged by his Pastoral Office and Duty, to make some publique Remonstrances of it to her. They wrought no effect upon a Soul so plunged in the Mire of her Lust; but they acquired the Crown of Martyrdom for this Holy Prelate; This Second Jesabel having first caused him to be degraded, and banished by an Assembly* 1.51 of Bishops, devoted to her passion; then two years after stoned to death by her Satellites.

Some remorse of Conscience having touched Thierry, he would needs take a lawful Wife, and caused Hermenberg, the Daughter of Bertric, King of the Visigoths, to come out of Spain, that he might Marry her: But Brunehaud by her Witchcrafts, as it was said, hindred him from consummating the Nuptials, and even perswaded him to send her back, and most unjustly detain all that she had brought with her for him.

The disorders of this Court were at such a height, that it was to ruine ones self not to approve of it. Nevertheless, the H. Abbot Colomban, who feared nought but God alone, spared not to conjure King Thierry, to put an end to his De∣bauches, [Year of our Lord 608] by a legitimate Marriage, and refused to give Blessing to his Bastards, boldly assuring him, that God would never suffer the Sons of Sin to Reign. This Christian liberty thwarted too much the Interests and Pleasures of Brunehaud; she ceased not from irritating the King her Son against the Saint, till he had caused him to be plucked out of his Monastery with violence, and turned out of his King∣dom.

At that time when she her self was driven from the Court of Austrasia, she had left one of her Servants there, bought with the price of Money, named Bilechild, a Virgin of much Wisdom, and more Beauty: Theodebert having Married her, the kindness that Prince had for her, begot the aversion of Brunehaud. It hapned that this year she dyed by some ill beverage. It was not known from what hand it was directed, whether that old jealous Woman, or her Husbands, who was grown wea∣ry of her, and would have another▪ as indeed he Married Theodechild, one of the same quality and condition.

But her death was imputed to Brunehaud, as well as the War that was kindled betwixt the two Brothers. Theodebert, a Prince more stupid and cruel then vali∣ant, began it to his own misfortune, having taken Alsatia, and the Countreys of Suntgow, from Tergow and Thierry, alledging for a pretence, that her reassumed them, as pieces belonging to the Kingdom of Austrasia. They had been so indeed, but Chil∣debert had cut them off by his Testament, to joyn them to Burgundy.

The Lords of both Kingdoms prevailed with the two Brothers, to meet with Ten thousand Men apiece at a Castle situate on the Rhine, between Savern and Strats∣bourgh, to refer all the differences between them to the French. Thierry came inno∣cently [Year of our Lord 610] thither with the numbers agreed to, but Theodebert brought a great Army,* 1.52 and beset his Brother; insomuch as he was constrained, that he might get himself out of this Net, to yield up to him that Countrey which was in question.

After this, Thierry inflamed with a desire of Revenge, which was more blown up by Brunehaud, easily perswaded himself, that he was not his Brother, and vowed to pursue him to the death. [Year of our Lord 610]

The end of this detestable War was, that Thierry having vanquished his Brother in two Battles, the most bloody and furious that can be imagined, the First hard by Toul, the Second at Tolbiac: he destroyed him with his whole Race. Some say that the Ribarols when he had made his escape to Colen, cut off his Head, and stuck it on the top of a Pike, to get the better Composition from the Conquerour; others tell, that he was taken beyond the Rhine, and carried to Brunehaud, who ha∣ving first caused him to be shaved, Murthered him some few days after, as well as his two Sons, Clovis and Meroveus, which last she brained against a Wall. He Reigned 16 years, and Lived 25.

When Thierry had resolved first upon this fatal War, he made an agreement with Clotaire, that he might have no Enemy behind his back, and promised to restore the Dutchy of Dentelen to him, upon condition; he would not concern himself in this quarrel.

CLOTAIRE II. in one part of Neustria.

and

THIERRY. in Austrasia, Bur∣gundy, and part of Neustria.

[Year of our Lord 612] This War finished, Clotaire according to the Treaty, put himself in possession of the Dutchy of Dentelen; but Thierry naturally violent, and grown more insolent by his Success and Victories, sent to him to withdraw his Garrisons, otherwise he would ove-run his whole Countries with Armed Soldiers. And indeed Clotaire having scof∣fed at his threatning words, he made all his Forces march that way, when a sudden death put a period to all his Designs, and made his Armies retire again into their own Provinces.

[Year of our Lord 612] His Brother had left a Daughter, named Bertoaire, who was about Twelve years old, he took a fancy to Marry her, Brunehaud strove to disswade him, shewing him that it was not lawful to Marry with his Neece; upon this he flies out into fury, even to the reproaching her, that she was then a wicked and unnatural Woman, who had caused him to Murther his Brother and Nephews; and had he not been with-held, had at that time run her through with his Sword; but she cunningly dissembling it, took a fit opportunity to give him poison, which brought a Disentery upon him, whereof he dyed in violent Torments. He is allowed 17 years Reign, and to have li∣ved 26 years.

He had Six Sons, all Bastards, Sigebert, Childebert, Corby, Meroveus, and two others, whose Names are not known. Sigebett was I leven years old, and Childebert Ten.

He left Austrasia to the First, and to the Second he gave Burgundy.

CLOTAIRE II. in Neustria.

SIGEBERT, in Austrsia. aged Eleven years.

CHILDEBERT in Burgundy, aged Ten years.

Brunehaud imagined that she should Reign still, under the name of her Great Grand∣sons; and to this end she would needs make one King of Austrasia, and the other King of Burgundy. But the Austrasian Lords, amongst others, Arnulph and Pepin, who could no longer endure this abominable Conduct, were more willing rather to submit to Clotaire; who much unlike his wicked Mother, had many Virtues of a good Prince. Those of Burgundy were likewise drawn into the same Conspiracy by their Mayer Varnaquier. Clotaire assured of their Suffrages, pushed forwards with his Forces into Austrasia, as far as Andernac, which is betwixt Bonne and Coblents: She sends to warn him out of the Territories of her Grand-Son; and he answers, that the Succes∣sion after Thierry's death belonged to him, to the exclusion of Bastards, and protests to stand to the Judgment and Award of the Lords of those Kingdoms.

But she being rather willing to trust to the chance of War, then their Judgment, caused Sigebert to mount on Horseback, who got together those People beyond the Rhine, as Varnaquier, who had not declared himself, did those of Burgundy. Sigebert was advanced to defend the Frontiers of Austrasia, as far as the Plain of Chaalons, near to the River d'Aisne: there when the Armies were in a posture ready to come to blows; Sigebert's Men, upon a signal given, instead of Sounding a Charge, Sound∣ed a Retreat; Clotaire pursues gently, without pressing upon them; and when they were got to the Banks of the Soan, they delivered up to him Sigebert, and his Bro∣thers Corby and Meroveus. Childebert saved himself on a nimble Horse; it is not known what became of him, a brave subject for the Genealogists, who would oblige some Family with his illustrious Pedigree.

[Year of our Lord 613] When Clotaire had got these Children, he went and encamped at Rionne, upon the brink of the Vigenne, which disgorges into the Soane. Brunehaud was retired with Theudelain, Sister to Thierry, to the Castle d'Ʋrbe, in the Countrey of the Trans∣jurains; she was immediately taken, and brought to Clotaire: the same moment he had her in his power, Sigebert and Corby had their Throats cut; Meroveus, who was his God-Son had his Life spared: but he must dye as to the world, by taking Sacred Orders upon him.

That done the French were called together in a Military Assembly, to judge the miserable Brunehaud, Clotaire himself became her Accuser, and represented all her Crimes, my, even more then ever she had committed, for he reproached, her even

with the death of Ten Kings, though he himself had killed two of them that very hour, and his Mother at least four. All cried out aloud, that she deserved death, and the most exquisite Torments; and this voice of the French Nation formed her Sentence. She was wrackt three days together, afterwards they led her through the whole Camp upon a Camel, then they fastned her to the Tail of an unback'd Mare, who beat out her Brains, and dragging her over Stones and Briars, tore her in pieces. Others say she was drawn in pieces by four wild Horses; the Flames consu∣med [Year of our Lord 613] her Carkassthat was left, and the Wind sported with her Ashes. A terrible Judgment, which God, the Sovereign of Kings, caused these Men to execute upon her.

CLOTAIRE II. called the GREAT, remains sole King, Aged 32 or 33 years.

[Year of our Lord 614] Thus for the Second time were all the parts of France restored to one hand; but Clotaire himself Governed only Neustria; for Austrasia and Burgundy would needs re∣tain the Title of a Kingdom, and their distinct Officers: Varnaquier was Mayer of Burgundy, Radom of Austrasia, and they Ruled as Vice-Roys.

He had given the Office of Patrician, or Governour, in the Dutchy Transjurane to Duke Herpin, a very good Man, to settle things with Order and Justice. The Grandees of the Countrey fearing the Reformation might extend to them, caused him to be slain by the People. Clotaire going expresly into Alsatia, punished that crime, by the death of many that were guilty.

The Patrician Aletea had tampered in it with Count Herpin, and Lendemond, Bi∣shop of Sion: beside, he grew so impudent, as to send to tempt the Queen by that wicked Bishop, to throw her self into his Arms with all the Kings Treasure, endea∣vouring to make her believe the King would dye that year infallibly, and that he being of the Royal Blood of the Burgundians, would recover the Kingdom of Bur∣gundy. The Queen sad and allarmed, having related this feigned Prophesie to her Husband, the Bishop made his escape into the Monastery of Luxeu. He had the good fortune to obtain his Pardon, by the intercession of the Abbot Eustaise: but Aletea being Commanded to Court to give an account of his actions, could not justify him∣self, and paid down his Head for it.

[Year of our Lord 614, 15, and the following.] Clotaire heving no more Enemies, made it all his business to regulate his King∣dom, and establish Law and Justice. All those that had unjustly been thrust out of their Estates he restored again, he abolished all Imposts, that had been made without the consent of the French People, by Brunehaud and Thierry; revok'd all excessive Grants, and resumed all that had been Usurped, or Alienated from the Demesnes of the Crown; enlarging the Fountain of his Revenues, at the same time when he eased his Subjects, ••or he had learned by Brunehaud's example, that those people can easily forsake that Prince who oppresses them.

[Year of our Lord 619] And likewise that he might keep Peace abroad, he released the Lombards of the 12000 Crowns of Gold which they owed him for Tribute; provided they paid him down in hand, what was due for three years only.

[Year of our Lord 620] Queen Bertrude, a very good, and most amiable Princess, being dead, Anno 620. he espoused Sichilda; of whom he became so jealous, that he caused a Lord named Boson to be killed, who he imagined held too great a correspondence with her. His eldest Son, whether by Bertrude, or by some other, was then about Twelve years old. He placed him under the Tuition of Arnulphus, or Arnold Bishop of Mets, to instruct him in good Literature and Virtue.

[Year of our Lord 622 and 623.] The Book of the Gests of Dagobert relates, how one day this young Prince Hunting a Buck, and that Beast taking Covert in the place, where as then were the Reliques of St. Denis and his Companions; a Divine power with-held the Dogs, so that they could never break into the place; That Dagobert some while afterwards, having in∣curred the indignation of his Father, because he had chastised the insolencies com∣mitted against him, by Sadragisile, Duke of Aquitain, who was made his Governour or Tutor, and remembring this Miracle, put himself for security into the same place; and that he found the same effect against those Men the King his Father sent to take him thence: In acknowledgment of which miraculous protection, he took the Holy Bodies out of that little Chappel, which was then but ill adorned, and much neglected, and built them a magnificent Church and a fair Abby. This Narrative, to say no more, is much suspected of falsity.

[Year of our Lord 623] Austrasia more exposed to the Barbarian Nations then the other parts of France; needed to have a King upon the place; Clotaire gave this Kingdom to Dagobert, under the Regiment of Pepin the Old, who was Mayre of the Palace; (the Mo∣derns call him Pepin de* 1.53 Landen,) and Arnold Bishop of Mets; but reserved to himself all the Ardennes, and the Vosge, with the Cities of Aquitain, which the Kings of Austrasia had possessed.

CLOTAIRE II. in Neustria and Bur∣gundy.

DAGOBERT his Son in part of Au∣strasia, aged 15 years.

Dagobert was 15 or 16 years of age when he began to Reign, whilst he followed the wise Counsels of P••pin and Arnold, and afterwards of Cunibert Bishop of Colen; his Life was an exemplar of Wisdom, of Continency, and of Justice.

[Year of our Lord 624] The Nation of the Vencdes and Sclavonians, inhabited originally that part of the Eu∣ropean Sarmatia, which is at this day called Prussia; from whence in process of time, they spread from the Scythian Sea even as far as the Elbe, and from the Elbe as far as Bavaria, and Hungary, nay even into Greece, and occupied Dalmatia, and Liburnia, which from their Name have to this day the appellation of Sclavonia. There were above Thirty people Sclavonians; those who possessed Carinthia, Carniola, and the other Countreys along the Danube, were under the Dominion of the Avarois, who were gotten into the Lands which the Lombards had forsaken, when they passed over the Alpes. The places near Italy obey'd the Lombards, there were some of them free; those that were under the subjection of the Avarois, finding it heavy and tyrannical, cast off the yoak, and chose for their King one named Samon, a French Merchant, Native of the Bishoprick of Sens, who Traded into their Countrey, and appeared to them to be a Man of a good Head-piece. It is believed be resi∣ded in Carinthia, and that from thence he extended his Kingdom to the Elbe, and at length to the confines of Turingia.

[Year of our Lord 626] The fourth year of his Reign, Dagobert is sent for by his Father, who Marries him* 1.54 with Gomatrude, Sister of Sicbilda his Wife. The Nuptials were kept at the Palace de Clichy, where his Festival ended in a quarrel between the Father and Son. The last would have what his Father reserved to himself, of that which belonged to the Kings of Austrasia. The business put to a reference of Twelve French Lords, the Son gained what he demanded, except the Cities of Aquitain.

St. Arnold quits the Court and his Bishoprick, to retire into Solitude, where he pas∣sed the remainder of his most happy Life. Cunibert Bishop of Colen, a Prelate of great Merit, took his place in the Councils of Dagobert, and the friendship of Pepin.

Varnaquier was Deceased, and his Son Godin killed by the Kings Command, upon an accusation of the crime de L••sae Majestatis, brought against him by his Fathers Wife, whom he had Married, but was forced to part withal, because such Incest was punishable with death; Cl••taire assembles the Estates of Burgundy at Troyes, and ask∣ed whether they would Elect another; they made reply, that they desired no other but him; and since that they were a long time without any.

[Year of our Lord 628] Those of Saxony were a potent People, it comprehended divers of different Names, and they had Dukes in each Countrey. Those that owed Tribute to the French, were this year revolted against them. Dagobert making War upon them was wounded with a blow of a Sword, which took off part of his Helmet, and a little of the skin of his Head, with some of his Hair. It is said, that having sent these Tokens to his Father all bloody, who was Hunting nigh Ardennes, the King moved by his good nature, got what Forces he could together, and having passed the Rhine, attaqued the Saxons, encamped on the other side of the Weser, where he slew Bertold their Duke with his own hand; and after scowring over all the Countrey, he did not leave any one of them alive, that was taller then his Sword.

In the Assembly of the Estates of Neustria and Burgundy, which was holden at Clichy, there arose a great quarrel. Eginaire, Intendant of Ariborts Palace, the Se∣cond Son of Cl••taire, having been killed by Egina's People; the Favourite of this King, the young Prince and his Uncle Brunulph would revenge his death. Egina en∣camps with his Friends upon the side of Montmercure, or Montmars, at this day

Mont-Martre. But the King having commanded the Burgundians to sall upon the first that began to stir, it cooled the hottest amongst them.

[Year of our Lord 628] After Adaloald King of the Lombards, and Son to King Agilulf, had been poisoned by his People, Arioald was raised to the Throne upon the consideration of his Wife Gundeberge Sister to Adaloald; who nevertheless being accused how she intended to Poison him, that she might Marry Tasin Duke of Tuscany, he had kept her Prisoner for three years. King Clotaire, to whom she was of Kin, took compassion on her, and commanded his Ambassadors to reproach that wicked Husband. One of these having upon his own head proposed to the Lombard King that it would be well to put the decision of so important a matter to the Judgment of God by Combat, two Relations of Gundeberges brought a Champion, who vanquishing Adalulf (so was the Accuser called) asserted and recovered the Honour and Liberty of that Princess.

This year is remarkable for the Death of that famous Impostor, and most false Proph••t Mahomet, whose abominable Religion composed partly of Judaism, and partly of the Whimseys of several Hereticks who were retired into those parts, and accommodated to the Sensualities of Corrupt Nature, was embraced by such Robbers and wicked Varlets as knew neither Justice nor the Deity. The greatest part of our Hemisphere bath submitted to the Tyranny of that Law; and had it not been for the Valour of the French, they had divers times made themselves Masters of all Europe.

The Aera or manner of accounting and Calculating the time by this Sect, commences at the year of the Egyra, or the Retreat of Mahomet to the City of Medina, which hapned the 26th of July in the Six hundred twenty second year of Jesus Christ; But it must be noted that they are Lunary years, consisting but of 354 days, whereas those amongst Chri∣stians are solary of 365 days, without reckoning the Bissextile.

[Year of our Lord 628] The Death of Clotair hapned Anno 628. in some House of his near Paris: He was buried at St. Vincents, at this time St. Germain des Prez; The time of his Reign in Neustria, within four months of the time of his Age, was about forty five years, and his Reign over all France, after the death of Thierry, was fourteen.

We know the names of two of his Wives: the one was Beretrude, the other Si∣childa; perhaps he may have had some other before these. He left two Sons, Da∣gobert and Aribert, of what Mothers we cannot tell certainly, but only that they were not both of one and the same Bed.

He was an affable Prince, very different from the cruel and brutish ferocity of his Predecessors, Just, Pious, instructed in good Learning, and Liberal, especially to∣wards the Church and such as professed a Monastick Life.

* 1.55 Their Kings were always chosen of the Blood of the Reigning Race: three Con∣ditions were required in them, their Birth, (it mattered not whether they were Legitimate) the Will of the Father, and the Consent of the Grandees; the last did ever almost follow the two first. After the death of Clovis (as I believe) they added to the ancient Custom of lifting them upon the Target * 1.56, that of seating them on the Throne or Regal Chair; which had neither Arms nor Back, for a King must support and sustain himself by his own strength; The Regal Ornaments were long Hair or Locks pleited, the Purple Mantle and Tunick, and the Diadem or Head∣band enriched with Precious Stones.

When they left Children that were in Minority, if they had not allotted their shares, the Queen-Mother and the Grandces ordained as they thought convenient, and had the Administration of Affairs, and the Education or Bailifes of the Minor Kings. From hence these Lords were called Nourricers;* 1.57 Nursers) but there was one amongst the rest that bore this Title.

When a King undertook any Expedition, they held up their Hands in token of the Assistance which they promised him; Peace might be made without them, but War could not. In Civil Discords they made themselves Arbitrators between the Princes, and obliged them to agree.

The first day of March they held an Assembly in the open Field under Tents, where the Militia was often sent for; Because of the day on which they met, it was called the Field of Mars. The Kings presided and consulted with the Lords concerning the* 1.58 Affairs of that year either touching Peace or War; These Assemblies gave them the Command of the Armies, which was not necessarily tied to their Persons, at least till the time of Clovis. They ever had about them a certain number of Braves or Barous who guarded them, and for their safety exposed themselves to all manner of dangers.

The most eminent Offices of the Kingdom were the Prefect or Mayre of the Palace, who was elected by the great ones or Grandees, and confirmed by the King; The grand Referandary, who had the Royal Seal, and under him several lesser or petty Referandary's, and also great numbers of Expeditioners, whom they called Chancellors, because they did their business Intra Cancellos or Lattices; The grand Apocrisiary who was the chief of the Priests and Clerks of the Court (in the second Race he was called Arch-Chaplain:) The Count of the Palace who was Judge, the Chamberlain* 1.59 who gave all Orders in the Kings Chamber, the Count of the Stable who took care of the Stables and perhaps of the Equipage. I cannot tell whether they had in those times a Provost or grand Seneschal of the Table, as there was since under Pepin the Bref. The Children of Lords were bred in the Kings House, or in the Houses of great Officers, and Trained up to all noble Exercises, more ho∣nourably then Pages are in these days.

The Kings Revenues consisted in Lands or Demeasns, and in Imposts which were taken only of the Gauls, for it was thought odious to take any of the French; Some of them were levied in Moneys, others in Goods. When they made the Di∣vision of Lands into Acres, or Furlongs, the Kings for their shares had much of the best, especially about and near the greatest Cities; They made their Residence and built them Palaces in the most pleasant places, and especially near some great Forests: for they delighted in Hunting, and made a general one every Autumn. In all those places which they called Villae Fiscales* 1.60, they had Officers or Servants, who were named Fiscalins, and he that commanded them, Dom▪stick. There they laid in Stores of Provision, as Wines, Wheat, Forage, Meat, especially Venison and Pork. Amongst the Lords they always chose out some to eat at their Table; and that was one step towards the highest Employments. They only took the Qua∣lity of Illustrious* 1.61, which was common to all the Grandees of the Kingdom; Some∣times the Title of Dominus was given them, which was likewise ordinary to all that were any way considerable, also of most Glorious, most Pious, most Clement, and* 1.62 Precellentissime. The Kings wrote their names under that of the Bishops when they wrote to them. On the contrary Pope Gregory I. and the Emperor Mauritius pre∣posed theirs before that of any Kings, Gregory II. did not do so. The Popes and Councils stiled them sometimes their Sons, and sometimes the Sons of the Catholick-Church; Their Male-Children in their young age were named* 1.63 Damoiseaux; and at their Birth they gave some Fiscalins their Freedom in all the Lands and Houses belonging to the King their Father.

They oft took Wives of mean Birth and servile Condition, on whom they did not bestow the Title of Queen till after they had born Children, nor always then neither. The Daughter of a King had that Title as soon as they were Married: They had their Dower in Lands, some Possessions in proper which their Kindred in∣herited, their share of the Houshold Goods, and great Officers just the same as the Kings had. Oft times the Sons of France before they came to Reign were called Kings, and the Daughters Queens.

There were but two Conditions of Men, the Free or Ingenuous, and the Slaves; Amongst the Free there were Nobles, who were so by Blood, and by Antiquity, not by Exemptions, and amongst the Nobles the Grandees optimates. I believe that those they called Majores were the Noble, and the Minores those that were not so.

One knew not then what People of the Gown or Robe meant, all the French made profession of bearing Arms: Justice was rendred by People Armed, their Battle∣ax and Buckler hung upon a Pillar in the midst of the Malle. In the Kings House it was the Count of the Palace that administred it, sometimes the King himself took the Seat together with the Bishops and the Grandees, and having heard Causes of highest concern, pronounced Sentence himself; In Villages the Centeniers, in Cities the Counts and Dukes that gave Judgment without any thing of Pleadings or Writings. They were called in general terms Judges and Seniors; The Kings gave them these Offices for time, and frequently continued them for Money. Some∣times it was left to the People to chuse them, and perhaps it was their Right. There were no Degrees of Jurisdiction, all judged without appeal, because they took Cognisance of nothing but what was proportionable to their Degree; It is true the Parties had a way of carrying their Complaints to the King, if they believed they had not been judged according to Law: but if the Complaint were not made good, they were condemned, is * Persons of Quality to a pecuniary Mulct, the

other to be* 1.64 Whipp'd. The Counts and Dukes had Viguiers, or Lieutenant-Ge∣nerals who did Justice in their absence, and several petty Viguiers which administred it in the Country. They had Assessors whom they called Rachinbourgs; they sat on every eighth or every fifteenth day, according to the multiplicity of Affairs; But the Dukes held the Grand Assizes from time to time, where the Bishops of the Province were bound to be present; There were likewise a kind of Commissary's or Envoys, some for the King, others for the Dukes, who went about to visit the Provinces; In their Proceedings and Publick Acts they counted their Terms by Nights. As the Galls governed themselves according to the Roman Rules and Laws, they were forced to have Judges that understood them: and the French might perhaps imitate and follow them in many of their Contracts, for the Salick Law was not extensive enough to comprehend and regulate every particular case.

The same Counts and Dukes, as judged the French, led them to the Wars: There were no other Soldiers but the Militia: They commanded those of the nearest Provinces, or of any Province as they thought fit▪ those that failed were put to a Fine; they gave Letters of Dispensation to such as were grown over-aged in the Service. In all the Provinces and particularly on the Frontiers they had Magazines of Provisions and Forage, but as I believe they had no pay but their Plunder▪ which was brought together and so shared always equally amongst them.

They put those into the condition of Slaves or Servants whom they took Priso∣ners of War, as likewise such as were sent them for Hostages, if they broke their Faith.

The great ones that were accused of any Crime, were judged Militarily by their Equals, the Execution was performed with a Sword, or Battle-Ax, sometimes by Dukes and Counts themselves. Often times their Kings would not wait till Judgment was given, their Wrath or Covetousness made Death go before any Sentence; As for the People of a meaner Stamp, they were extended on a Stake, and were either Strangled or Whipp'd. In some places they were Hanged on a Gallows, or they were branched upon a Tree; For lesser Crimes they were con∣demned to grind like Mill-Horses, to dig Vineyards, to work in Quarries, and sometimes they were Branded with a hot Iron. When a Man was accused for a Crime of State, they tore off his Military Girdle and his Clothes, and dressed him all in Rags. Between Private Persons, they might seek their satisfaction with their Swords, and do themselves justice, whence proceeded infinite Murthers, if the King did not prevent it. Murtherers bought their Lives with their Money, and the pu∣nishment of most Crimes, unless they were Crimes of State, were pecuniary and determined by the Law. The whole Kindred were liable to the payment, if the guilty Person were insufficient. When the Parties wanted Evidence to prove the Fact, they came to a Combat, either in Person, or by those Champions they could procure; This they said was to determine a Cause by the Judgment of God Al∣mighty. The Ordeal-Trial by red hot Irons, or Brass, that by boiling Water or cold Water, and another likewise by presenting themselves before the Cross, were in use also by the approbation of the Bishops. Such as had any Quarrels and Contests gave their Oaths for caution and security in publick, which were made upon the Shrines of Saints or on their Tombs. This was also the way to purge or clear them∣selves of any Crime when accused in a Court of Justice; and the Accused in certain cases, as Adultery and the like, when it could not be fully proved, was allowed to bring several of their Friends to make publick Oath, either Men or Women, ac∣cording to their Sex.

As for Marriages they took the liberty to repudiate or cast off their Wives when they could not endure them; Their Kings had sometimes several at the same time, and the Proximity of Blood or Degrees of Parentage never hindred them from satisfying their Desires; When it pleased them the Children of their Mistresses suc∣ceeded them, as well as the Legitimate.

They made Money of the Gold they found in their own Country, and Coyned it more fine, and of a much higher value than the Visigoth Kings, a Mark of the Ex∣cellency of their Royalty above all others. Payments were made as much with Gold and Silver not Coined as Coined. But we shall elsewhere more amply Dis∣course and Explicate the Manners and Customs of this Nation, and all the Orders they observed in their Judicatories, their Wars, and in their Government.

The natural Language of the French was the Teutonick or German: the Austrasians, at least those nearest to the Rhine, kept to it ever, and use it still, but much changed or corrupted. Those the most distant on this side, and the Neustrians left it by little and little for that of the Galls, which was the Romanick, or Romanciere, otherwise called the Rustick Latin, engendred of the Rust and the Corruption of the Roman or Latin, wrested and turned according to the genius of the Nation, and the Idioms of the several Provinces as well for the inflexion and signification of Words, as the Air, Accent, and Phrase.

* 1.65 Notwithstanding the Conversion of Clovis and all the care of the Prelates, who by Authority of the Kings pulled down the Temples, there were yet a world of Pagans, especially amongst the French▪ and those of the most Principal; and as for those that were converted. they had much ado to wean them from their ancient Superstitions: they bore a Reverence still to the places where the Gentiles had Worshipped and Adored, and still retained some remainders of their Ceremonies, their Festivals, Augures, and the Witchcrafts of Paganism, which they mingled with the Exercises of the Christian Religion.

Since the Baptism of Clovis the Gallican Church not only enjoyed in all liberty the Gifts the Galls had bestow'd upon her, but likewise acquired much greater ones by the liberality of the French. Her excessive Riches begot envy in the Ambitious and the Covetous; To enjoy them, they Courted and Caball'd for Bishopricks, which they would not have desired, if there had been nothing but Study and Labour. The Grandees of the Court renounced the noblest Employments for a Miter, where they met with Honour, Authority, Riches, and assurance against Disgrace; There was no need of forbidding them to chuse Lay-men against their Wills: but rather not elect them when they used underhand dealings to obtain it. There were few chosen but of noble Race: and the Elections were ever made with the Kings leave, never against his Will. Oft times he forced them by his absolute Commands, or prevented them by Recommendations, which were all one as a Command. The Bishops knew well enought this was to violate the Canons: but the fear of bringing things to greater disorder, Interest and Complaisance shut up their Mouths and tied their Tongues. The only Man Leontius of Bourdeaux had the courage or boldness to call a Councel at Saintes to thrust out one Emerius a young Youth who had been named for Bishop of that Church by Clotair I▪ but King Cherebert his Son received him but very scurvily that was put in his place, and caused him to be carried into Exile in a Chariot full of Thorns.

These unworthy Elections and Intrusions bred most infinite Disorders, publick Simony, which spread it self from the Head even over all the Members, the Non-Resi∣dence of Bishops, their servile and perpetual adherence to the Court, a disgust to Christian Vertues and the Functions of their Ministry, the love of Vanity and the things of this World, which led them into all manner of Pleasures and Secular Em∣ployments, as Feastings, sumptuous Cloaths, Hunting, and the use of Arms. From hence arose the scorn of the People towards these false Pastors who were crept in at the Windows, and in the Civil Wars a wonderful desire and itch to invade the Wealth and Goods of the Church, as esteeming it only the taking from such as were wholly unworthy of enjoying them, thereby to correct their excess by paring away what was superfluous.

It cannot be denied but there were some extreamly irregular, as Salonius d'Am∣brun, and Sagittarius de Gap, who should rather be termed Bandits then Bishops, Giles de Rheims a perfidious and factious Firebrand of Civil Wars, Saffarac Bishop of Paris, and Contumeliosus of Riez, both of them, as I think, guilty of Unclean∣ness, and Deposed for that Crime, and that Cautin of Tours, of whom Gregory re∣counts most horrible wicked things.

But in Recompence there were a great many, who having edified their Flocks by a most Religious Conduct, have left their Names and Memory in great veneration amongst all the Faithful.

In the beginning of this Age flourished Remy de Reims, and Vaast d'Arras, whom I have mentioned in the last, but were still in being, Gildard of Rouen, Aquilin d'Eureux, Contest de Bayeux, Melaine de Rennes, Avite de Vienne, Cesarius d'Arles, Venne* 1.66 de Verdun; a little after Ageric or Agroy of the same City, Lubin de Chartres, Firmin d'Ʋzez, and Macutus or Malo first Bishop of Quidalet. This City having been ruined, the Bishoprick was transferr'd to another, which was raised out of its

Ruines, and bears the name of this holy Prelate. About the middle of the same Age, were Nicetius de Treues, Paul de Leon in Bretagne, Felix de Nantes, Aubin d'Angers, Lauto or L, de Coutances, Medard de Noyon, Saulge d'Alby, Germain de Paris. This last died Anno 579. and was Interred in the Church of St. Vincent, which was likewise called St. Croix, and is at this day St. Germain des Prez; And about the latter end lived Gregory de Tours, who hath written the History of the French, till within a year or two of the time of his Death: it hapned, as I believe, Anno 595. Sulpicious de Bourges, whom they surnamed the Severe, to distinguish him from the Affable who since fat in the same Bishoprick, St. Gall de Clermont, Milleard or Millard de Sees,* 1.67 Arigla de Nevers, and Sanson de Dol.

Amongst those most holy for a Monastick Life, we find Queen Radegonda, Insti∣tutrice of the Monastery at Poitiers, and Glodesina or Glosina of that which bears her name at Metz, she was Daughter of Duke Guintrion; Maur the Disciple of St. Bennet came to dwell in France about Anno 540. and brought his Order which in time increased so much, that it abolished, if we may call it so, all the others. Cloud or Clodoald lived in the Diocess of Paris, Leufroy in that of Eureux, Calais* 1.68 in that of Mans, Cibard* 1.69 in Perigord, Leonard in Limousin, the Hermit Victor at the Diocess of Troyes, Celerin in that of Sees, and Senoc in Poitou.

The Church of Rome had in Gaul, as in divers other Countries, a certain Re∣venue in Lands, which she called her Patrimony; and the Popes had a Vicar, who failed not to set a value on his Power, to make this Commission of the higher value. It was the Bishop of Arles (from whom they had taken almost all the Rights and all the Authority he pretended to, as well for the Antiquity of his Church Established by St. Trophime Disciple of the Apostles, as from the preheminence of his City, which the Emperor Honorius had made the capital of seven Provinces) they pitched upon (for fear he should make his too great a See) to be their Vicar in Gaul; and so he held two during pleasure, which he might have held in chief, and that Supe∣riority which his Bishoprick gave him over the seven Provinces, was absorbed by that which they gave him over the whole seventeen.

Moreover they favourably received all those that appealed to Rome; Leo X. re∣stored Chilidonius of Besanson, deposed by Hilary of Arles his Vicar, and Agapet re∣stored Contumeliosus whom John II. his Predecessor had judged very Criminal.

As they had a right to see the Canons observed and the ancient Customs, when any one desired any Prerogative or any License, they applied to them, so that by little and little it brought them to allow some small favour, even in things of little weight, but at length even to dispence with the Canons. Pope Gregory I. amongst others gave it to several Churches; which induced others to desire it also, and sometimes pretend that his Predecessors had before granted them the like.

The question concerning Images made a noise in France even in the days of that Pope. For he reproved Serein Bishop of Marselles, for having broken them down, but however applauded his Zeal from having hindred the People from adoring them: because they might be used as Books to instruct the ignorant, but not as the Objects of Divine Adoration.

We observe in this Age near forty Councils; I shall quote those of whom we have any Canons or Acts. The first of Orleans, which we mentioned before, was assembled in 511. in the Reign of Clovis; The second in 533. to abolish the remainders of Ido∣latry; The third five years after; The fourth in 541. and the fifth in 549. These four in the Reign and by the Authority of Childebert, who likewise called another at Arles, (which was the fifth) Anno 554. There were two held in the Reign of Sigismund King of Burgundy, that of Epaon, Anno 517. and the first of Lyons in the same year: This last upon the account of* 1.70 Estienne his Intendant, who had Married Palladia his Cousin-German, and was upheld in it by that Prince. There were two Convocated at Arles; to wit, that which is reckoned the fourth in Anno 524. by the consent of Theoderic King of the Ostrogoths, to whom the Province at that time obeyed, and the fifth above-mentioned in the Reign of Childebert. Three met in the Countries of Atalaric King of Italy, that of Carpentras in 527. of which there is but one Canon remaining; the second of Orange two years a terwards: and the third of Va••son in the same year. There were two in the City d'Avergne, (that is Clermont) the first with the consent of King Theodebert in 535. and the second of his Son Theodebald in 549. Four at Paris, viz. the second Anno 555. the third Anno 557. the fourth Anno 573. and the fifth Anno 615. The second and third

were by order of King Childebert, and the first of these two, to review the Process against the Bishop Sa••••aracus, who had been condemned and deposed (the Sentence was confirmed); the other to confirm some Canons touching the Discipline. The fourth was held by the consent of Chilperic I. to suppress the attempt of Giles Me∣tropolitan of Rheims, who had ordained one Promotus Bishop in the City of Cbasteau∣dun, though it depended on the Bishoprick of Chartres, and had never been made an Episcopal See. The fifth was summoned by order of Clotair II. for Reformation of Abuses. I do not speak of that in the year 577. where Pretextat of Rouen was condemned, having suffered himself by a credulous and weak condescention to be induced to confess such Crimes which he had not committed: no more then that of Valence, Anno 584. which confirmed all the Grants King Gontran, his Wife, and his Daughters had bestowed on the Church. There were three at Lyons, the first under Sigismond before noted, the second in 567. and the third in 583. Two at Mascon, the first Anno 581. the second four years afterwards, all these four by the Authority of King Gontran. One at Tours, Anno 567. in the Reign of Cherebert, which ordained many things, and confirmed the Religious Congregation of Virgins instituted by St. Radegond. One at Auxerre, Anno 578. where none met but the Bishop of the Place, (his name was Aunaquaire) with his Abbots and Priests. King Recarede called one at Narbona, Anno 589. Clotaire II. one at Metz, Anno 590. and one at Paris, which was the fifth, Anno 619. as we have already hinted. In that of Metz, Giles Bishop of Rheims was condemned for the Crime of Treason, de∣posed and banished to Strasburgh.

Of all these Councils there was only that of Orange that medled with Controver∣sies, having fully discussed the points of Grace, according to the Judgment of St. Augustin, and of the Holy Chair. The rest spent their time to compose Quarrels and Disputes, or about Discipline, and especially such particulars as we have already mentioned. This History not allowing us to quote more than some necessary Articles.

In the reading of these Councils, one may observe, that there were great mul∣titudes of Lepers and of Jews in France; (perhaps the Jews had brought in and spread abroad that Leprosy.) That the Bishop took care to relieve the first, and prohibited all manner of Communication with the other.

The Church had a particular care or the Poor, of Widdows and Orphans, the first being made as it were of the Family, the rest under their Protection: in∣somuch that they espoused their Cause in Courts of Judicature, and the Judges never gave Sentence in any Cause of theirs, but he first acquainted the Bishop thereof.

In her Judicature she followed that Order Established by the Roman or Written Law. The Canons concerning Degrees prohibited, were different according to the different Countries. In the beginning in some Churches they hardly prohibited the Marrying with two Sisters, or two Brothers; But the Council of Agde, the third of Orleance and other following Councils, extended it to a Niece, to the Aunt, to the Brothers Widdow, and the Uncles, to the Wives Sister, to Cousins and Cousin-Germans.

There were Sanctuaries in the most famous Churches, which the Bishops made good to the utmost of their power. Their intercession often times obtained Pardon for the greatest Criminals; and whatever failings themselves did fall into, they most commonly came off only with Degradation or Banishment, their Brethren most times persuading the Kings to spare their Lives.

St. Augustin had began to persuade the Faithful to give the Tithe of their Goods for the relief and support of the Poor, grounded upon this Principle, That Chri∣stians were obliged to a greater Perfection then the Jews, who had allowed it to the Levites. The Prelates of the second Council of Tours exhorted the People to pay them to God, according to the example of the Patriarch Abraham. The second of Mascon ordained it, as being a Right and Duty Established in the Old Testament, and which they affirmed had been of a very long time observed by the Christians. The Temporal Lords to whom they primarily belonged, bestowed much upon the Monasteries, little on the Bishops and Curats; to whom notwithstanding, in case they were of Divine Right, they ought to belong.

There were ••ew Festivals observed as Holy in all Churches, except Christmas, Easter, and Whitsuntide. The noblest of the Diocess were obliged to keep them in the Episcopal City: the Country Curates the same, as likewise to meet as the Synod

which was yearly held at a time certain. The King solemnised these Holy-days in what City he pleased; and the Bishops ambitiously courted and strove who should have that honour in his own Church. Since, that Method being altered, and the Charms of the World being stronger to allure the Bishops to Court, then the Duties of Christianity were to draw the Court to the Church: the Kings celebrated those Festivals in their Palaces, and the Bishops forsaking their Flocks went thither in greater Crowds then was desired.

New Cells or Hermitages were not suffered to be made, nor new Congregations of Monks without the Bishops allowance. An Abbot durst not run forth nor absent himself from his Monastery; when he fell into any fault, the Bishop might displace him, and give him a Successor; and if he were rebellious he was not admitted to the Communion. Shame alone could not confine and keep those in their Monasteries who had Vowed and Dedicated themselves to God, but the Church compell'd them to continue by all the Penalties that were in her power.

No Tribute or Tax was raised upon any thing belonging to the Church, neither upon their Foundations, their Goods, nor their Persons; and neither the Judges, nor the Kings Receivers could exercise any Power or Jurisdiction on their Lands. But those Bishops and Abbots who desired to obtain the King's, or the Grandees fa∣vour and protection, having begun to make them Euloges or Presents, this Custom grew into a necessary Right and Duty, which was afterwards exacted from them, when they failed to do it voluntarily.

Dagobert I. King XI.

POPE, HONORIUS I. Who S. nine years and an half during this Reign.

DAGOBERT I. Aged Twenty six years, in Neustria, Austrasia, and Bur∣gundy.

ARIBERT, Aged Thirteen or four∣teen years, in part of Aquitain.

[Year of our Lord 629] PRince* 1.71 Aribert being with King Clotaire when he died, it might be thought that in the absence of his Brother Dagobert who was in Austrasia, he might with his Fathers Treasure have raised Men and Friends enough, to have seized on the Kingdom: but as he was young, and perhaps his Father had bequeathed him no part in the Kingdom, by his last Testament, it was in vain that Brunolph, his Mothers Brother, endeavoured to stir up the Neustrians in his behalf. Dagobert used such diligence, that he made himself secure of the Kingdoms of Neu∣stria and Burgundy; so that Aribert with his Uncle were constrained to go and meet him, and to submit. It was in the beginning of the Seventh year of his Reign in Au∣strasia.

[Year of our Lord 629] Nevertheless as it were out of pity, and according to the counsel of the French Lords, he gave him Saintonge, Perigord, Agenois, Thoulousam, and all the third Aqui∣tain. Aribert setled his Royal Throne at Thoulouse.

As soon as he was acknowledged in Neustria, he went to visit Burgundy, which in many years had not beheld a King, but was governed by Mayers, neither had they had any Mayer since the death of Varnaquier.

Being at St. John de Laone, he heard the complaints of his People, rendred Justice to all his Subjects, took a care to compose all their Disputes: but it seems all these fair appearances were but to cover a Villanous Murther, for which purpose perhaps he had undertaken this Journey. For one Morning going into a Bath, he com∣manded three Lords of the Court to kill Brunolph who had followed him, though he were guilty of nothing, unless being affectionate to the Interest of his Nephew Aribert, they might apprehend he would be again stirring and acting something for him.

It seems the Neustrian and the Austrasian Lords did each of them struggle, who should possess the King. The first carried it from the others, by taking him on the blind side, and flattering him in his Passions. The Queen Gomatrude was an Austrasian of Kin to Cunibert and Pepin, who were present at her Wedding, the Neustrians who knew the amorous inclination of their Prince, persuaded him to repudiate her upon the pretence of Barrenness, to Marry Nantilda one that served him.

By this means Ega Mayer of the Neustrian Palace, got the highest place in the young Kings favour, who presently dismissed Cumbert, but retained Pepin still at Court; not to make use any more of his Counsel, but for fear he might cause the Kingdom of Austrasia to revolt, his Office of Mayer of the Palace and his Vertues giving him too great a power.

Nantilda was soon deprived of the Affection of her Husband by another Woman. Being gone into Austrasia, and delighting to shew himself in his Royal Habit to those Provinces, with great Pomp and a splendid Court, he in her room took a very beautiful Virgin named Ragnetrude. Sometime after he Married two more

Women, Wlfegunde and Bertechilde, (for Kings thought they had this Priviledge of having several) and took as many Mistresses as the desire and gust of change could wish for, which is infinite.

After he had thrown off his two prudent Governours, who kept him within com∣pass, he let himself loose to all the heats of his Youth, and the violence of his Sove∣raign Authority. The first cast him into all sorts of Pleasures; The second made him heap up Money, and lay his griping Hand upon his Subjects Treasure, as if all had been his own. It was natural to see a Prince of Twenty six years to be amo∣rous: but it was a prodigy against nature, that at that age he should have such a co∣vetous heart, as nothing could satisfie. Nevertheless being in himself at the bottom very good, the Remonstrances of St. Amand Bishop of Tongres, somewhat allay'd the heat of his Covetousness; He took Nantilda his first Wife again, and lived with her the rest of his days.

[Year of our Lord 631] Mean time he had a Son by Ragnetrude the same year that he Married her. He sent to pray his Brother Aribert to come and hold it at the Font. Both of them met at Orleance for that Ceremony, and the Child was Baptized by the Bishop St. Amand, and named Sigebert.

[Year of our Lord 631] Aribert was no sooner returned to Thoulouse, but he died; and his Son Chilperic who was yet in his Cradle, survived him but a few days. It was suspected that Da∣gobert had contributed to the death of that Innocent, to regain Aquitain by seizure, as he presently did.

DAGOBERT I. Sole King.

It is certain this King had a singular Devotion for St. Denis, and his fellow-Martyrs, and that he Erected a Church in honour of him, to which he joyned a rich Abby. But the subject or cause which we related elsewhere, passes amongst the Criticks but for a Fable; I cannot tell whether it be a truth that he unfurnished several other Churches of their most precious Ornaments to enrich this same.

[Year of our Lord 631] It hapned this year that some French Merchants who Traded with the Sclavonians were Robbed: King Samon having refused to repair this Wrong, Dagobert would needs right himself by the Sword. The King of the Lombards and the Duke of the Almains, the first of which was Allied, and the other Subject to France, attaqued them joyntly on the one hand, whilst the Austrasian French assaulted them on the other.

The first got the advantage and slew a great many of them: but the Austrasians who were discontented with Dagobert, because he had preferred his Residence in Neustria before that of Austrasia, behaved themselves very cowardly. For having besieged the Castle of Vagastburgh, wherein the bravest of the Enemies had put them∣selves, they raised it the third day, and retreated in great disorder.

After this the Sclavonians were emboldned to make Incursions in Turingia, and other Countries belonging to the French. And Debvan or Dervan, Duke of the Sorabes (they were a People of Sclavonia who inhabited M••snia) drew himself off from the Obedience of the French to put himself under Samon.

There had been of a long standing a Colony of Bulgarians who had taken up their Quarters in Panonia, where they were Allied or become Tributaries to the Avares, who possessed the greatest part of that Province with that of Dacia. It is disputed whether the ancient Bulgaria was in Sarmatia Asiatica, along the River [Year of our Lord 631] Volga, otherwise called Rha, or else in the European on the borders of the Euxine. Now the Bulgarians being entred into a War with the Avares were vanquished and so trodden under foot, that there were left but nine thousand, who were forced to forsake the Country with their Wives and Children. These Wretches having besought Dagobert to give them an abiding in some Corner of his Dominions, he sent orders to the Bavarois to receive them and to quarter them separately in Villages and Bur∣roughs, till the Estates of the Kingdom had ordained how to dispose of them.

The Estates found the best Expedient would be to cut the Throats of them all in one Night, and that was put in execution but too punctually. One of their Chiefs having got some wind of it, made his escape with seven hundred of them into Sclavonia, that Country is yet called the March of Wenden, between the Rivers Save and Drave.

[Year of our Lord 631] The Visigoths in Spain made and un made their Kings as they pleased. This year 631. the Government of Suintila who had Reigned ten years, being uneasie and displeasing to them, they cast their Eyes upon Sisenand, who implored the Assistance

of Dagobert, promising him in Recompence the great Golden vasa or Vessel, weighing 500 pounds and enriched with Jewels, which Aetius had bestowed upon Torismond for helping him against Attila. Sisenand being instated in his Throne by the assistance of the French, could not refuse this Vessel to the Ambassadors: but the Visigoths Way-laid them and took it away again from them by force. Dagobert was offended and threatned; the business was canvassed, and in the conclusion he was contented with two hundred thousand pieces of Silver.

As he was raising great Forces to stop the Incursions which King Samon with his Sclavonians made into Turingia, the Saxons came and profer'd to repel them at their own Peril and Charge, if they would forgive them the Tribute of Five hundred Beeves which they owed to France. The profer was accepted, and they were relied upon to make good their Promise; but either they wanted strength, or perhaps faith to perform it and secure Turingia as was expected.

Thus it continued still exposed to the insolency of those Barbarians. The Neu∣strians were too remote to defend them, the Austrasians should have done it; and they had strength more then enough to have accomplished it, but being ill affected, they did not much trouble themselves about it. It was necessary therefore to regain their hearts and affections to give them a King that should reside amongst them.

DAGOBERT in Neustria and Bur∣gundy.

SIGEBERT his Son in Austrasia.

[Year of our Lord 633] Wherefore Dagobert having Assembled the Prelates and the Lords of this King∣dom at Mets, he by their Advice, and with their Consent makes his Son Sigebert King of Austrasia, furnished him with a Royal Treasure, that is to say rich Move∣ables, Precious Vasa's or Vessels, and Silver Coyn, and left the Conduct of his Edu∣cation, of his Court, and his State to Cunibert Bishop of Colen, and to the Duke Adalgise. Then the Austrasians counting themselves restored to their Liberty, be∣cause they had a King, stood up for their Honour, and valiantly repulsed the Sclavonians.

[Year of our Lord 634] The following year he had a Son born by Queen Nantilda, who was named Clovis. Nantilda considering that if her Husband should come to die without setling the Succession, this Son would have no share, solicited him so earnestly, that he sent for the Lords of Austrasia, and made them understand that he meant and intended that Neustria and Burgundy should belong to the Infant that was newly born: but that all the Cities of Aquitain, of Provence, and of Neustria, which had been joyned to the Kingdom of Austrasia should so remain united, excepting the Dutchy of Dentelen, which Theodebert the Young, had taken from King Clotaire.

[Year of our Lord 635] The Gascons who had possessed one part of the Novem-populania, or third Aqui∣tain, had again began their Robberies after the death of Caribert. There were sent twelve Dukes with the Militia of Burgundy, and several Counts without Dukes to bring them to their Duty. They fallied forth out of their Rocks and their Fast∣nesses, and set upon the French with wonderful alacrity: but after all they found it better to make use of their agility to save themselves then to Fight; They were pursued without stop or stay, and Fire and Sword flew after them even into their strongest Retreats; till there being no other security left them but the Mercy of their Prince, they promised to sall down at his Feet and submit to all his Com∣mands.

I know not where some Authors have found how Aquitania Secunda was con∣cerned in their Revolt, and that Dagobert having gone thither in Person, razed the City of Poitiers and sowed it with Salt in token of its Desolation. If this were true, it must have been because of the too heavy Imposts upon Salt, that the Poito∣vins Rebelled.

[Year of our Lord 635] The lucre of Plunder had likewise incited the Bretons to run upon the French Territories. Eloy, who was since Bishop of Noyon, went and demanded Repara∣tion of their King Judicael or Giquel Son and Successor of Jukel. He found it no difficult thing to persuade that Prince, that he were better come and wait on the King then have his Country over-run and plundred by the Forces that were return∣ing Victorious out of Gascongne: he brought him to the Palace of Clichy, where he humbly craved pardon of Dagobert, promised him for the future to prevent the like Disorders, and submitted both himself and Kingdom to his disposal.

[Year of our Lord 636] The Gascon Lords, with their Duke Aighina came to the same place, as they had promised the foregoing year, to surrender themselves up to the mercy of Dagobert; and because they dreaded his wrath, they had recourse to the intercession of St. Denis, and put themselves into Sanctuary in his Church. The King in honour to that Saint, gave them their Lives and Fortunes, and they in acknowledgment laying their hands up on his Altar, swore an eternal Fidelity to him, to his Sons, and to all his Successors, Kings of France.

[Year of our Lord 636] The whole Kingdom was in peace, both within and without at this time; Dago∣bert did not enjoy this Repose very long: for the Second year he was taken with a Dysentery at Espinay, which was one of his Royal Houses upon the Seine, a little be∣low St. Denis. His Sickness increasing, he made them carry him to that Abby, where he dyed the 17th of January, in the year 638. being very neer 38 years of age. He Reigned in all but 16 years, as I think, that is, Six in his Fathers life time, and Ten after his death. At his dying he earnestly recommended his Wife Nantilda, and his Son Clovis to Ega, Mayre of the Palace of Neustria, and to such Grandees as were then present.

The great Donations he made to the most famous Churches of France, deserve the unparallell'd Encomiums of the Clergy, who have allowed him all the qualities of as Virtuous, as Wise, as Valiant, and as much accomplish'd a Prince, either for Peace or War, as any that ever Reigned over the French,

The Chronology begins to be very confused and uncertain in this Reign, for some will have it that he dyed An. 639. others, that it was in 643. Some reckon the Six∣teen years of his Reign from the death of his Father, others, from the year that he made him King of Austrasia. I am of the opinion of the latter.

Gold and Silver had been very scarce and rare in France in the Reign of Clovis and his Children; but since then, the Expeditions they made into Italy, the Pensions they drew from the Emperours of the East; and as it is credible, the Commerce they set∣led with the Nations in the Levant, brought great quantities of those precious Met∣tles, as likewise precious Stones, and rich Vasa's, and Ornaments; insomuch, that the Bravery and Luxury of the Court of France, was not inferiour to the Em∣perours.

Clovis II. King XII.

POPES,

• SEVERIAN Elect in 639. S. some Months.
• JOHN IV. Elect in Decemb. 639. S. One year nine Months.
• THEODORE, Elect in No∣vemb. 641. S. Seven years and half.
• MARTIN I. Elect in July 649 S. Six years three Months.
• EUGENIUS I. Elected in Au∣gust 654, S. One year.

PEPIN and then GRIMOALD Maire.

SIGEBERT in Austrasia, aged 8 or 9 years.

CLOVIS II. in Neustria, aged 4 years.

EGA then ER∣CHINOALD Maire.

[Year of our Lord 638] WE shall now henceforward behold the Royal Power in the hands of the Mayres of the Palace, and all the affairs of State, governed according to their capricious Fancies and their Interests. Pepin de∣livered by the death of Dagobert, who had always kept him near himself, upon some Honourable pretence, got again into the administration of his Office of Mayre of Austrasia. Dagobert having committed the Government of that Kingdom to Duke Aldagise; that Lord gave it up to him, either willingly or by com∣pulsion, and he gave notice thereof to Cunibert the Bishop, his old friend, who was Governour to Sigebert. It was perhaps for his sake that he transferr'd the Court, and Royal Seat of Austrasia, from the City of Mets to that of Colen.

[Year of our Lord 638] At the instance of the Governours of Austrasia, who required that the Fathers Treasures should be divided betwixt the two young Kings; the Grandees both of the one, and the other Kingdoms assembled at Compiegne, to make the estimate, and to share it.

[Year of our Lord 639] A year after Pepins return into Austrasia, he fell sick and dyed, having held the Office of Mayre Seventeen years: a Man as great for Honesty as Policy, being one according to the Heart of God and Man: By his Wife Itta, whom some do name Juberge, he had three Children, a Son named Grimoald, and two Daughters, Begghe and Gertrude; The First Married Ansegise* 1.72 the Son of St. Arnold, and Father of young Pepin; and being a Widow, Devoted her self to God in the Monastery of Nivelle, with her Mother who built it, and her Sister Gertrude.

Grimoald, with the assistance of Cunibert, got himself into possession of the Office of Mayre of the Palace: but Otho, who was Bail, or Fosterer of the young Prince, and for that reason, very powerful in the Kings House, disputed it with him for three years. In fine, Grimoald, to enjoy it quietly, caused him to be slain by Leutaire, Duke of the Almains. This is the First time that Office descended from Father to Son; hereafter we shall sind it Hereditary.

[Year of our Lord 640] During this Discord, and the minority of Sigebert, Radulfe, or Raoul, Duke of Turingia, sets up for Sovereign; having allied himself with the Sclavonians, and made a League with Fare, who would needs revenge the death of Chrodoald his Father, whom King Dagobert had caused to dye for his Crimes. The Austrasian Lords led the Forces of their Kingdom, and the King himself thither, to chastise their Rebel∣lion. At first, Fare having dared to come and meet them, was discomfited, and laid

dead upon the spot, with the best part of his Men. But the end was not answera∣ble to the beginning. Radulfe being retreated with his Forces, resolved to under∣go all extremities, in a Castle built of Wood, which he had furnished with all sorts of Provisions, upon a HIll, nigh the River Onestrud; and Sigebert having Besieged him, a difference hapned amongst his Commanders, some would immediately assault it, others would give the Soldiers time to refresh, and recruit themselves. The First persisted obstinately, and went up to make their Attaque, the rest foreseeing what the event would be, found fit to remain in their Camp, and keep about the King's Person. Radulfe comes forth to meet those that were climbing up to assail him, beats them back, and tumbled them down the steep Hill head-long with great slaughter, the young King who was on Horseback could do nothing more then weep, to behold them cutting the Throats of his Men in his sight. Those who were about him, grew so much afraid, that they sent to demand permission of Radulfe, that they might re∣tire, and had leave from him as a singular favour. [Year of our Lord 641]

* 1.73 Ega, Mayre of Neustria being dead this year of a Fever, at the Palace of Cli••hy; Erchinoald, who was of Kinn to King Dagobert, by his Mothers side, a person who had all the Virtues that could be desired for that great Office, was substituted in his place.

* 1.74 It was in the Lords of the Kingdom to elect the Mayre, and in the King, or his Guardian to confirm him. Since the death of Varnaquier, who ended his life, An 607. there had been none in Burgundy. Queen Nantilda having held an Assembly of the most Principal at Orleans, which was become the Capital of that Kingdom, recom∣mended Floachat her neer kinsman to them, who was chosen for the place. [Year of our Lord 642]

This good Queen ended her life soon after, having Governed in Neustria four years and a half, without any trouble. [Year of our Lord 642]

[Year of our Lord 642] While she was alive, there arose some jealousie in the Governors of Austrasia, against those of Neustria and Burgundy, because those would fain have joyned these* 1.75 two Kingdoms to their own, and have put all France under the Empire of Sigebert, as it had been under that of Clotaire: Erchinoald and Floachat understanding their design, united themselves more closely together, and promised each other mutual assistance.

Floachat made use of this Union to ruine Villebald or Guillebaud, Duke of the Transju∣rains, his Enemy. They had reconciled themselves, and sworn, and given mutual Faith to each other on the Tombs of Saints, and divers Holy Relicks: Nevertheless Floachat did not forbear, having caused Guillebaud to come to an Assembly which was held at Autun, to fall upon him in his Lodgings; Guillebaud defended himself very bravely, at length he was over-powred and slain, with a great number of his friends, and his Equipage rifled by Erchinoalds followers. But the Murtherer, as by Divine Judg∣ment, was seized with a burning Fever, going down the Soan, of which he dyed.

[Year of our Lord 644, &c] The Sarrazins, a People of Arabia, who were known even in the days of Pompey the Great; and who had since served the Romans in their Armies, were retired into their own Countreys, and had frequently made incursions upon the Empire. As they were addicted to Robberies, and had neither Law nor Religion, they easily embraced the Mahumetan, which was propagated by the Sword.

That Impostor lived but Ten years after he had declared himself Legislator, and made no great progress, having only small numbers of Soldiers, rather like a Captain of Thieves, or High-way Men, then a Prince. But in a very short time his Successors raised themselves prodigiously. Abubecre, the next after him broke into Syria, Ann. 635. his Successor Omar took Damas, with all that fair Province, Ann. 636. and in a few years afterwards Phoe∣nicia, Palestine, Egypt, and Persia it self; the last King whereof was Isdigerd, infect∣ing all those Countreys with the Superstitions of Mahomet. Their Sovereign Communders were Heads of their Religion, as well as of the State; and they were called Caliphs; an Arabian word, which signifies Lieutenant, that is to say of God, whom they pretended to represent both in Spirituals and Temporals.

[Year of our Lord 645] A great Famine which afflicted Neustria, obliged Clovis to take the great Plates of Silver, which cover'd the Tabernacle or Chappel of St. Dennis his Shrine, to buy Provisions for the feeding of the Poor; a pious and just Act, for which, neverthe∣less the Monks say, that God did severely punish him, having weakned and stupi∣fy'd his Spirits. It is true, he had a weak Brain, and all those that descended from him, were tainted with that Defect; but at that time he was not above 14 or 15 years of age at most.

The indigency of Authors of those times is so great, and the stile of such as are yet left of them, so confused, that we can hardly tell any thing of certainty, neither [Year of our Lord 650] as to their actions, nor to the time. Some Chronologists place in Ann. 650. the First day of February, the death of Sigebert, King of Austrasia, who lived but little above 21 years. His Merciful Humour, his Devotion, and Ten or Twelve Abbeys which he built in his Kingdom, have acquired him a room in the Roll of Saints. His Body was buried in the Abby-Church of St. Martins, which he had erected in the Su∣burbs of Mets, from whence it was transferr'd to Nancy; when the French demolish∣ed it, to maintain the Siege against the Emperour Charles V. in the year 1552.

He had but one Son, named Dagobert, aged at most but two years: Grimoald his Mayre of the Palace published, that before he had that Child, he had adopted his Son, named Childebert. It is not credible that he could despair of having any at the age of 19 years, unless that he had made a vow of Continence, and afterwards had broken that Vowagain. But perhaps Grimoald proclaimed this, to have some Title to usurp the Kingdom, as he did, when he thought he had disposed things so as he might undertake it.

CLOVIS in Neustria and Bur∣gundy.

DAGOBERT an Infant in Austrasia.

[Year of our Lord 651] In the mean time Dagobert the Son of Sigebert, bore the name of a King a year and an half or two years, in which time I meet with nothing considerable, or memorable.

[Year of our Lord 653] Towards the year 653, Grimoald imagining, as it is probable, that he had duly ta∣ken all his measures, caused him to be shaven by Didon, Bishop of Poitiers, and ba∣nished, and transported him into Ireland, under the Guard of some people, whom we may believe, had all the care imaginable to keep him concealed, and confined in some remote Monastery. It was a long time before any news could be heard of him; the Queen Imnechild his Mother, sheltred her self under the protection of King Clovis, with whom, as afterwards with Childeric II. his Son, she had great In∣terest and Power.

This done, Grimoald confidently sets up his Son upon the Throne; there are proofs of some Royal Acts he did: but this attempt lost him all the veneration the Austrasians had for the memory of Pepin, and gave them such horror for their Mayre and his Son, that having taken them in some Ambuscades laid for them, they led Grimoald to Paris to King Clovis, who caused him to be put to death, or as others will have it, confined him to perpetual imprisonment; however there was [Year of our Lord 652] no more heard of him. It is not said what became of his Son, nor whether the Au∣strasians elected another Mayre. Perhaps Erchinoald executed that Office in all the three Kingdoms: for since the Decease of Floacat, the Burgundians had created none.

CLOVIS II. Solus.

[Year of our Lord 653. &c.] In these Minorities there being no Authority great enough to curb the Grandees, they audaciously undertook to do any thing what pleased them best, and most com∣monly deciding their quarrels by the Sword, they put all the Kingdom into a com∣bustion.

The Authors of those times accuse Clovis with giving himself up to the Debauchery, or pleasures of the Mouth, and Women, and make a mighty noise for his having plucked off an Arm from the Body of St. Denis, to place it in his Oratory. They say he immediately fell into a fit of Madness, as if he had been smote from Heaven, [Year of our Lord 655] and attribute to this attempt, which at the worst, was but an indiscreet Zeal, all the mischiefs that afflicted the Kingdom of Franee during the Reigns of his Succes∣sors.

The same year this King, aged only 21 or 22 years, but having his Brain much sha∣ken [Year of our Lord 655] with frequent Convulsions, dries up at the Root, and dies in the spring of his age. He did not Reign Seventeen years, if we leave out that whole year wherein Dagobert dyed; as the Authors of these times usually do: but if we account from the very day he succeeded him, he was entring into the Eighteenth; he was interred at St. Denis.

His Mayre Erchinoald had amongst his Domestiques, a young English Maid, named Batilda,* 1.76 of a rare Beauty, but whom he had bought out of the hands of Pyrats, who had stollen her away amongst some other Captives, for in those days they brought great numbers from those parts: he bestowed her upon this young Prince for a Wife, about the year 548, or 49. and of his Slave, made her the Wife of his [Year of our Lord 548] King. It was given out, that she was of the Blood of the Saxon Princes, who Reign∣ed in England.

By this Batilda, Clovis had three Sons, Clotaire, Childeric, and Thierry; Clotaire was saluted King of Neustria and Burgundy, under the Government of his Mother, and Erchinoald, and Childeric made King of Austrasia; whither he was Conducted and left, he and his Kingdom, under the management of Ʋlfoad, Mayre of that Kingdom: Thierry had no share, perhaps, because he was but yet in his Cradle.

Clotaire III. King XIII.

POPES.

VITALIANUS, Elected in August 655. S. Thirteen years three Months.

EBROIN Mayre.

CLOTAIRE III. King in Neustria and Burgundy, aged at most but Five years.

CHILDERIC King of Australia, aged Three or Four years.

[Year of our Lord 655] THe Government of the Mayre Erchinoald ended with his Life, which hap∣ned in a few Months after the death of Clovis, the II, or as others say, a short time before. Some, with probability enough, make him the prime stock of the House of Alsatia; whence is issued that of Lorrain of these days, which for Nobility, yields to none in Chistendom, unless that of France.

The French bestowed that Office upon Ebroin, a man active, valiant, and who be∣ing greatly in friendship with the most Holy Men of those times, and Founder of some Churches, was held a good Man; and he lived in that Reputation many years.

[Year of our Lord 655, &c.] Queen Batilda Governed with as much Goodness, Prudence, and Justice, as any wi••e King could have done: And indeed for Ten years together there hapned no Trouble in her Sons Reign. Before her time, the Gauls, as well those Infants that lay in their Cradles as their Fathers, paid a great Tribute by Poll, which restrain∣ed many from Marrying, or obliged them to expose their Children: the good Queen discharged them from it, and forbid those Jews that used to buy such poor innocent Children, and send them into Forreign Countreys, to deal any longer in so inhumane a Trade. Nay, she bought several that those Infidels had already purcha∣sed; and likewise such as had been stollen away by Thieves, and sold for that pur∣pose: but she exhorted them to put themselves into Monasteries, which she very greatly desired might be well Peopled.

She had a very particular care for all that concerned the Church: For some time past the Princes had taken Money for Spiritual Promotions; and the Bishops sold by Retail what they bought in the Lump: She forbad that Sacrilegious Traffick. [Year of our Lord 656. 57, &c.] Besides, she enriched divers Monasteries, with Possessions, and precious Ornaments, obtained immunities for them, and exemptions from Tribute; built two famous Mo∣nasteries, one for Women at Chelles, the other for Men at Corbie, on the Somme, and invited many Holy persons to Court: but to tell truth, she gave too much access to the Bishops, either for the good of the Church, or her own Reputation.

[Year of our Lord 664, or 65.] Amongst the rest, there were two in very great credit and esteem, Leger, whom she had made Bishop of Autun; and Sigebrand, we cannot tell of what place. This last extreamly proud of the Queens Favour, which gave occasion of much jealousie and ill report amongst the envious, did so highly distaste the great ones, that they put him to death, without any form of Process or Trial. After this attempt, whe∣ther they apprehended the Resentments of that Princess, or had slandered and be∣spattered her on purpose, to make her uncapable to Govern; they besought her so importunately to retire, that she was obliged to condescend. Even those whom she had most gratified with her Goodness, were of the party: Some of the Gran∣dees conducted her to her Monastery of Chelles, where of a Queen, she became

only a simple Nun, and yet was more Illustrious in her Humility, then she had been in her exalted Greatness. She lived till the year 686.

[Year of our Lord 665. &c.] It is to be believed, that Ebroin the Mayre had managed all this contrivance, that he might be left sole Governour; for when the Reyns were off, his Pride, his Ava∣rice, his Cruelty and Treachery began to appear bare-faced. He seized the Goods, he took away the Offices, he hunted away the Greatest that were about the Court, and forbid any others to come in there without his leave. Above all, he hated Leger, the Bishop of Autun, because he was a Creature of Queen Batilda's, and more able then any other to make head against him, and to bring many more to joyn with him.

[Year of our Lord 668] King Clotaire having been about three years in the hands of this wicked Minister, dyed the 14th of his Reign, An. 668. He had no Children, but was capable of ha∣ving some, being 17 or 18 years old. Some say he was buried at Chelles, others at St. Denis.

Childeric II. King XIV.

POPES.

• VITALIANUS, some Months in this Reign.
• ADEODAT, Elected in April, 669. S. Seven years eight Months and an half, of which, Four in this Reign.

Ebroin Mayre.

THIERRY King of Neustria and Burgundy, aged 16 or 17 years.

and

CHILDERIC. of Austrasia, aged 18 years.

Wlfoade Mayre.

* 1.77 AFter such an insolent Deportment, Ebroin could not hope that the Gran∣dees of Neustria and Burgundy, whatever King they should Elect, would confirm his Office of Mayre; and therefore upon his own Head, and without waiting for their Assembling or Consent, which was necessary in this case, he takes Thierry, and sets him upon the Royal Throne, according to cu∣stom, [Year of our Lord 668] that this young Prince might have no obligation but to himself alone.

[Year of our Lord 669] This attempt gave them together, both apprehension and indignation. Fear might have had the upper hand, and made them acquiese, if he would at least but have suffer'd them to come and congratulate their new King, and make their Court to him: but having sent them a Command not to stir forth of their Houses, their in∣dignation prevail'd, they communicated their Grievances and Discontents; the Bishop of Autun got and kept them together, and they sent a dispatch to Childeric, to proffer him the Kingdom of Neustria.

[Year of our Lord 669] Childeric comes greatly accompanied; Ebroin is forsaken of all the World, and found no Sanctuary, but the Horns of the Altar. The French, touched with an im∣prudent Mercy, content themselves with Shaving, and Confining him to the Monaste∣ry de Luxeu, to do Pennance. His King Thierry is likewise Shaved and sent to the Monastery of St. Denis, not to play the Monk, but to be prisoner there. He had Reigned almost a year in Neustria.

CHILDERIC alone. WLFOADE Mayre.

[Year of our Lord 670] FOr the Fifth time, the whole Monarchy of France was re-united under one sin∣gle King. Wlfoad was Mayre of Austrasia; and Leger, if he did not bear the Title, did at least bear the Office in Neustria, and in Burgundy.

They had very much changed the Laws, which the best Kings and the wisest Ma∣gistrates had made to deal Justice impartially: honest people desired they might be restored, or revived; their Demand was granted, and it was ordained amongst other things, that the Judges, Counts, and Dukes, should observe the antient Customs of the Countrey, and that those Employments should not be perpetual, lest they should become Tyrannical.

But some wicked persons having gotten the ascendent over the young King, and plunging him into the Debauches of Wine and Women, soon brought him to a breach of all these Ordinances, and to do many unjust actions, without the know∣ledge, [Year of our Lord 671] or against the opinion of Leger. The Prelates enemies imputing all these faults to him, he was obliged, that he might justifie himself, to speak somewhat freely to him, even to the threatning him with the wrath of God.

The young Prince was at first touched with his Remonstrances, or seemed to be [Year of our Lord 671] so; but when he was confirmed in his Vice, he conceived a Mortal hatred against him: and those Courtiers that had pretended to be Leger's best friends whilst he was in greatest Favour, were those that threw most Oyl upon this Fire.

Childeric was gone to celebrate the Festival of Easter at Autun, where one certain Hector, Patrician of Marseille, being arrived some days before; they perswaded the King, that those two Lords were met only to plot against him: so that upon the Easter-Eve, being troubled, and having his Head full of the fumes of Choler and Wine, he ran into the Baptistary to kill him. The Holy Prelate, and Hector percei∣ving his wrath, endeavoured the following night to avoid it by flight, but they were pursued. Hector was killed on the way, and the Bishop brought back to the King, who with much ado gave him his Life, and confined him to Luxeu. There he found Ebroin, who reconciled himself to him: The Wolf and the Lamb dwelling to∣gether under the same roof, for fear of a more terrible power, and because they had nothing there to decide betwixt them.

In those days Flavius-Vamba was King of the Visigoths. Three Lords of Septimania, [Year of our Lord 672] a Count, a Bishop, and an Abbot, having revolted against him, he sent the Duke Paul with an Army to chastise them. But that General proving unfaithful to his Prince, joyned with them, taking advantage of their Rebellion, and the assistance of the French and Gascons, to get himself to be Elected, and proclaimed King in Narbona. His Ambition had a shame∣ful end: Vamba having retaken all the Cities he had seized upon, besieged him in the* 1.78 Sands of Nismes; and the unfortunate wretch surrendred to the Kings Mercy, who led him in tri∣umph thorough the Cities of Spain, and caused his Eyes to be put out. But he durst not break with France: on the contrary, he loaded all those French whom he had taken prison∣ers, with Gyves, though they had sided with that Rebel.

Childeric's Debauches and Excess easily led his ill nature to the highest Cruelties; [Year of our Lord 673] he sent two Dukes to Luxeu, to drag out the good Bishop Leger, and hurry him to Court, to be sacrificed to his revenge: and about the same time it hapned, that he caused a Lord, named Bodillon, to be tied to a Post and whipped. The Great ones of the Kingdom resented this Outrage, as if themselves had felt the blows, and wick∣edly conspired to Treat him as a Tyrant, who Treated them like Slaves. The bu∣siness being agreed upon, they wait for him at his return from Hunting, in the Forest of Lochonia, which is perhaps that of Lyhons: Bodillon, the most furious of all, re∣venging himself with his own hand, Massacres him, and with him the Queen Bile∣child, who was great with Child; and also a Son of theirs, but very young. The Mayre Wlfoad made his escape, it is not known how, from amidst the swords of these Furies, and retired into Austrasia.

Bilechild is by some Authors, said to be Sister of her Husbands Uncle: but which, they say nothing, nor whether he left any Children, unless we will believe a Chart, or Manuscript, wherein that Daniel Chilperic, whom we shall mention hereafter, is called his Son. The time of his Reign is not agreed upon. The most probable opi∣nion is, that it was Fifteen years in Austrasia, and Three in Neustria and Burgun∣dy, which is about Eighteen years in all

Some years since, as they were repairing the Church of St. Germain des Prez; they found two Stone Tombs, side by side, in the one lay the Body of a Man, and in the other a Womans, with a little Child. The Inscription bearing the Name of Childeric, and some Regal Ornaments which were therein, discovered that they were the Tombs of this King and his Queen.

An Inter-regnum of some Months.

THis Tragical Death was followed with an Inter-regnum, and universal Confu∣sion [Year of our Lord 673, and 74.] in all three Kingdoms. The Dukes that had haled St. Leger out o•• Luxeu, asked him pardon, and conducted him to his City of Autun; where the Burghers and

the Lords of Burgundy made a League to defend him, in case they should attempt upon his Life, during this Inter-regnum

It is credible, that amidst these Divisions, all the Austrasians, or at least, part of them, by the perswasion of Queen Imnichilda, Widow of King Sigebert II. and who had had credit in the Court of King Childeric, desiring to have a King that they might not fall under the power of the Neustrians, recalled her Son Dagobert, whom Grimoald had shaven, and banished into Ireland, and acknowledged him for King of Austrasia, where he Reigned many years.

[Year of our Lord 674] The Lords of Neustria and Burgundy, that they might not fall into an Anarchy, went and drew forth Thierry from the Monastery of St. Denis, where he had time to let his Royal Locks grow again, and set him on the Throne, giving him for Mayre of the Palace Leudesia, or Liuteria, the Son of that Erchinoald, who had that Of∣fice under Clovis II.

Thierry I. King XV.

POPES,

• ADEODAT, S. three years and an half in this Reign.
• DONUS, Elected in No. 676. S. one year three months.
• AGATHON, Elected in 678. S. three years eight months and half.
• LEO II. Elected in August 683. S. eleven months.
• BENEDICTUS II. Elected in 684. S. eighteen months and half.
• JOHN V. Elected in 685. S. one year.
• CONON, Elected in 685. S. one year.
• SERGIUS, Elected in Decemb. 687. S. thirteen years eight months and half, whereof three years and an half under this Reign.

LEUDESIA then Ebroin Mayres.

THIERRY in Neustria and Burgundy, Aged 22 or 23 years.

and

DAGOBERT in Austrasia, Aged a∣bout 15 years.

EBroin having quitted the Monastery of Luxeu, after he had wandred a while with a small Band of Men, grew so Confident as to throw off his Clerical Habit; which was in those times esteemed a most horrid thing, though a Man had even been compelled to put it on. His design was to seize upon the Government again: to this end he got together all such as were banished, and such as were Enemies to Leger, whose opposition he most feared, and made a League with Wlfoad Mayer of Austrasia, who mortally hated the Holy Bishop.

With this Crew of Rascally Villains and Austrasians, he takes the Field, and in [Year of our Lord 674] an instant falls into Neustria to surprize Thierry and Leudesia his Mayre. The first was passing his time at Nogent in the Country of Laonnois, and the other was in a Palace on this side the Oise. His Enterprize having failed him, because they got away with all speed, he applies himself to fraud; and having, under colour of an Accommodation, engaged Leudesia to come to a Conference, he laid an Ambuscade for him by the way, where he was Assassinated.

All this notwithstanding did not restore him to the Office of Mayre, King Thierry [Year of our Lord 675, and 76.] hating him the more, it was not likely he would admit him. He bethinks himself therefore, when he was returned to Austrasia, as he was advised by two evil Bishops who had been Deposed, Didon-Desiree of Chaalons, and Robon of Valence, to spread the Report abroad that Thierry was dead, and to impose a false or pretended Clovis whom he said was Son to Clotaire III. This Statue being set up, he forces the People to take an Oath of Fidelity to him, and ruines all those Countries that refused so to do.

But principally he Assaults Leger in Autun by Vaimer Duke of Champagne, who [Year of our Lord 676] was accompanied by the two wicked Bishops. He believed with much reason that this was the most stout Opposer of his Tyranny, and that having vanquish'd him, he should easily overcome all the others. The City being besieged and in danger to be forced, this good Prelat could not be persuaded to betray that Faith he owed the King, and on the other side would not expose his Flock, for whom a good Shep∣herd ought to expose his Life. He therefore went voluntarily out of Autun, after he had broken all his Silver Plate to give to the Poor, and delivers himself to Vaimer. That wicked Man caused his Eyes to be plucked out, and shut him up in a Mona∣stery.

In Recompence for so good a piece of Service, Ebroin instals him in the Bishoprick of Troyes by fraud and violence, and Didon invaded that of Autun; but both the one and the other perished soon after by the same Tyranny, of which they were the Ministers.

Immediately after this, the Grandees of Neustria and Burgundy, as if they had left their hearts by the imprisonment of Leger, who indeed was the greatest Genius of that Court, accepted Ebroin for Mayre of Thierry's Palace; and then he having no more need of his false Clovis, took off his Vizard, and returned him to a private Condition.

Being in this high Power, his Tyranny had no bounds, he sacrificed all that had opposed him to his Revenge, and to his Covetousness those that possessed fair Estates, or great Employments: but all under the pretence of some imputed Crime, which deprived them of their Honour, before he robb'd them of their Lives. The most wary saved themselves in time, some in Aquitain, others in the utmost skirts of▪ Au∣strasia.

[Year of our Lord 678] That he might have a specious Pretence to extend his Cruelty as far as he pleased, he set himself upon a discovery of all those that had any hand in the Death of Chil∣deric, for which, it was well known, he rejoyced more than the Actors themselves. He failed not to bring in and involve Leger and the Count Guerin his Brother; These two Lords being brought before him, he caused the latter to be Stoned to death at a Stake, and the other to have the Soles of his Feet torn out, and his Lips cut off, then put him into the Custody of one of his Sattelites, who kept him near two years in the Monastery of Fescamp.

The most part of the Bishops flattered him in his Injustice, because they either dreaded him, or had some interest in it. Dadon himself, otherwise* 1.79 Ouin Bishop of Rouen, and one that has a Place in the Kalender of Saints, was his Friend and one of his principal Counsellors. This Man clapt St. Filibert Abbot of Jemieges in Prison, for having made some Remonstrances to the Tyrant; And afterwards per∣ceiving that such Violence was too odious in the Eyes of honest People, he banished him to Aquitain, under colour of building a Monastery in the Isle of Herio; Indeed he did Erect one there, whence it took the name of Noir-moustier.

The Exemplary Vertue and Christian Liberty of a few Prelats made the Tyrants Process: he undertook to make theirs, and dishonour them to justifie his own Conduct which they had condemned. This could not be without the Sentence of their Brethren. To this purpose he therefore calls an Assembly of some that were most devoted to him in one of the Kings Palaces in the Country. They began (thereby to gain a good opinion of their Justice and Impartiality) with two Bishops who deserv'd it very well. These were Didon and Vaimer, who had offended the Tyrant, it is not said wherein. Both these were Degraded, and afterwards de∣livered over to be put to Death. Didon perished by the Sword, and Vaimer by the Cord.

That done they proceeded against Amat de Sens, Lambert de Tougres, and Leger d'Autun: the two first retired into Monasteries: but as for the other, the Fathers of the Council, or rather the Slaves to that Tyrant, tore his Garment from top to bottom, that was the manner of Degradation; then he was put into the hands of Crodebert Count of the Palace, who having with grief carried him into the Forest [Year of our Lord 679] d'Iveline, caused his Head to be cut off.

[Year of our Lord 680] About this time died Dagobert King of one part of Austrasia. I know there are some Authors that make him live many years longer, and bestow a Son, and many Daughters upon him: but in my mind it is upon very doubtful proof, and if he had any Son, we cannot say that he outlived his Father, unless some Modern Genealogist have need of it to make up his Account.

A little before, or a little after him, Wlfoad his Mayre ended his days, having enjoy'd that Office near twenty five years. The Austrasians having no Prince of the Blood, and refusing to obey Thierry out of hatred to Ebroin, put the whole Govern∣ment of the Kingdom into the hands of Martin and Pepin; They were Cousin-Ger∣mans issued from two Sons of St. Arnolds, the first from Clodulph, the second from Anchisa and Begga the Daughter to Pepin de Landen. To distinguish these, some of our Historians call this Pepin the Gross, others Pepin de Herstal; which is a Village upon the Meuse between Jupil and Liege, where he had been brought up.

THIERRY in Neustria.

MARTIN and PEPIN Princes in Austrasia.

THe two Cousins foreseeing Ebroin would come upon them, went out to attaque [Year of our Lord 681] him first, and gave him Battle near the Forest of Locafao* 1.80 at the entrance into Neustria. The Tyrant gained the Victory, and they escaped by flight, Martin to the City of Laon, and Pepin a great way in the Kingdom of Austrasia.

Ebroin with his Army approaches Laon, and finding the place impregnable by force, gives out Propositions of Accommodation. Two Bishops, Engilbert of Paris, and Rieul* 1.81 of Rheims would needs be Instruments of the fraud. They per∣suaded Martin to go and meet him in his Camp; and for security gave him their Oaths upon the Shrines of some Saints, which they carried about them, but out of which they had taken the Relicks. Martin having forgotten the Example of Leudesia, relies on the Faith of these Prelates; When he was come into the Camp, Ebroins Soldiers surrounded and cut him off with all his Men. Thus all the Government of Austrasia remained in Pepin, who made advantage of his Enemies Crime, and the defeat of his Cousin. [Year of our Lord 682]

This great success pushed the insolence of Ebroin to the highest degree. But Treating the French more tyrannical then ever, a Lord named Hermenfroy, whom he had stripp'd of all his Estate, and whom he threatned with Death, delivered France from that Monster: He watched him one Morning before break of day at his going from home to the Church, and cleft his Head with a Sword; afterwards he made his escape into Austrasia. [Year of our Lord 683]

In his place the French made choice of Varaton a wise old Man, who imme∣diately Treated with Pepin, and gave him Hostages. He had joyned with him in that Administration, a Son of his (named Willimer * 1.82) able, crafty, and underta∣king: but rough, cholerick, and one that had nothing more in view then the ho∣nour of Commanding; This unnatural Child grew weary of being his Fathers Com∣panion, he would be his Master and dispossess'd him of his Employment.

Presently after he breaks the Treaty with Pepin, and having raised a great Army, marched as far as Namur, where he catches some of his Enemies with the lure of an Hipocritical Faith, and caused them to be slain. At his return from thence he was seized with a Distemper, whereof he died, not without Divine Punishment, being [Year of our Lord 684] but entred upon the second year of his Office. The old Man was restored to the Place, and Death dispossessed him again a year after. * 1.83

Berthier who had Married a Daughter of his Wives, succeeded him by Election. This was a little fellow, Ill-shaped, Hair-brain'd, Unjust, Proud, Covetous, and in fine much the same as Willimer, only he had neither Wit nor Judgment. The greater part of the Neustrians finding themselves despised and controuled by so con∣temptible a Creature, conceived so much scorn and hatred for him, that they for∣sook [Year of our Lord 685. 686. 687. 687.] him the very next year to Ally themselves with Pepin.

This Lord both Generous and Politick took in hand the Cause of those that had been banished by Ebroin, and whom Thierry treated still as Criminals, that he might have some colour to detain their Estates. He advised them to send to that King to implore an Amnesty and Pardon for what was past in the most submissive manner: and after their Supplications had been rejected, he brought them back into their own Country with an Army, and spared not to assault Thierry and his Mayre; He fought them at Tertry, which is between St. Quentin and Peronne. Heavens having favour∣ed him with a compleat Victory, he seized on the Royal Treasure, then on the City of Paris and Thierry's own Person who had sheltred himself there. After which Berthier, whose evil Counsels had occasioned all these mischiefs, was knocked on the Head by Combination of almost all the Neustrians, and the instigation even of his Wives own Mother.

Some, not without reason, do here put an end to the Reign of the Merovignians, because in truth and in effect they never had after this but only the vain and empty Title of Kings, their whole Kingdom, and even their Persons being in the Power of Pepin and his Children. He was owned Mayre of the Palace through all France, and he took the Title of Duke or Commander of the French, according to the ancient usage of the Germans; that is to say they gave him all Authority in the Ar∣mies without dependance upon the King, but under whose name notwithstanding all Acts were passed; and that was the sole honour that remained still in him.

Austrasia environned with fierce and rebellious People, wanted the presence of Pepin: He durst not take King Thierry with him, lest he should displease the Neu∣strians, but he left a Lord with him called Nordbert who disposed of all, and gave him an account.

[Year of our Lord 687] The French found no prejudice by this change, the interest of a new Prince who desired to Establish himself, being to gain the Affections of the People: and indeed, he repaired all the Breaches that he possibly could, which had been made in the fore∣going Reigns, restored what had been ravished from the Church, the Bishops to their Sees, the Grandees in their Dignities and Lands, resolved upon nothing without the Advice of the Lords and Prelates, defended the Cause of the Oppressed, of Widdows and Orphans, and applied himself to give vigour to the Laws, which are the only Shields for the weak against the mighty ones.

[Year of our Lord 688] The second year of his general Command, he drew the French Militia together, and by the Advice of the great ones carried the War into Frisia, and compelled the Duke or King Ratbod who revolted, to render him Obedience, and to pay him Tribute.

At his return he called a Council, the place is not named, wherein they Treated and Considered of the ways and means that should be taken to repress Disorders and Violence, and for the defence of the Church, of Widdows and Orphans. He knew there were no greater Charms to make them love his Government, then Piety and Justice.

Poor Thierry being stripp'd of the real part of his Royalty, which is his just Power, and reduced to be contented with a moderate Revenue in Lands, ended his [Year of our Lord 690, or 91.] days, but not his shame, in the year 690. or 91. They allow him Thirty nine or forty years of Age, and his Reign to be Seventeen entire, that is Thirteen before Pepins Victory, and four under the Power of that Mayre.

He had two Sons, Clovis and Childebert, and two Wives Clotilda and Doda, unless that name of Doda* 1.84 were an Epithet of Crotilda, who perhaps was so called because she was fat and plump. His Tomb and that of this Doda are to be seen at St. Vaasts of Arras.

Clovis III. King XVI.

POPE, SERGIUS, Who S. four years in this Reign.

CLOVIS III. In Neustria.

PEPIN, Mayre in Neustria, Soveraign in Austrasia.

IF there had been two Kings, there must have been two Mayres, but Pepin would [Year of our Lord 691] hold that Office alone: besides he could not suffer any King in Austrasia, be∣cause he held that as properly his own: for this reason he gave to Clovis, which was the eldest of Thierry's two Sons, the Title of King in Neustria and Burgundy, but himself kept the whole Administration. * 1.85

Perhaps the French according to their ancient Right, had conferred upon him the Soveraignty of Austrasia: but it is certain, that all those People who were Tributary's to that Kingdom, as the Turingians, the Frisians, the Saxons, the Almains shook off the Yoak and made themselves Independents. On the other hand, the Aquitains, and likewise the Gascons created each a Soveraign Duke of their own, and the Bretons enlarged their little Frontiers

Clovis, according to some, Reigned but two years, others more probably give him [Year of our Lord 694] four compleat. He died about the end of the year 694. or in the beginning of 695. [Year of our Lord 694, or 95.] being Aged Fourteen or fifteen years, and neither had seen nor done any thing that was Memorable in his Reign.

Childebert II. King XVII.

POPES,

• SERGIUS, Who S. five years and an half during this Reign.
• JOHN VI. Elected in Oct. 701. S. three years two months.
• JOHN VII. Elected in March 705. S. two years seven months.
• SISINNIUS, In January 708. S. twenty days.
• CONSTANTINE, In March 708. S. six years, whereof three i•• this Reign.

CHILDEBRT II. Called the Young, aged Eleven or twelve years.

PEPIN, Mayre, &c.

[Year of our Lord 695] IN his room, Pepin set up his Brother Childebert, who because of his Minority, was yet reduced to a lesser scantling of Allowance, then his Brother had been. The great Officers, as the Count of the Palace, the great Referendary, (or Chancellor) the Intendant of the Royal Houses, were all with the Mayre: The Kings had only a small number of Domesticks, which served rather as Spies and Jaylors then Officers; And indeed they needed them not, being ever locked up in a House of Pleasure, whence they never went forth, but in a Chariot drawn with Oxen, and shewed not themselves to the People but once a year, in the Assembly of Estates which was held the First day of March.

[Year of our Lord From 690, unto 700.] In these days Egica King of the Visigoths had War with the French, towards the borders of the third Aquitain; the success we know not.

Norbert who was the sub-Mayre and Lieutenant to Pepin in Neustria, being de∣ceased, [Year of our Lord 696, and 97.] Pepin caused Grimoald his young Son to be elected Mayre of that Kingdom, and gave the Dutchy of Champagne to his eldest Son Drogo, whom he would keep near him.

* 1.86 Ratbod King of the Frisons, notwithstanding he had given his Faith and Hostages, revolts a second time, and is again beaten by Pepin near Dorstat.

There was nothing observable in the eight or nine following years.

Pepin, besides his Wife Plectrude, who was already old, had taken a Concubine, or if you will a lawful Wife; for the French, notwithstanding the sacred Canons and the Prohibitions of the Church, repudiated their Wives when they pleased, and Wedded others. The Kings themselves, according to the ancient Custom of the Germans, had often many at one time. This same was called Alpaide: Pepin had a Son by her named Charles, and since surnamed Martel. Lambert Bishop of Liege, a Zealous Defender of the Christian Truth, having dared to reprove him several times, and called that Conjunction Adultery in publick: Dodon the Brother to Alpaide Assassinated him by consent of Pepin. Soon after, the Murtherer being eaten with Worms, and enduring horrible Torments a while, cast himself into the Meuse. This infection of Worms was very frequent, and as it were Epidemick at that time, as have been St. Anthony's Fire and some other odd Diseases.

[Year of our Lord 708] Not long after Pepin lost Drogo or Dreux his eldest Son, who left two Sons, Hugh and Arnold, by his Wife Austrude, who was the Widdow of the Mayre Berthier.

The Almans and Souabues made now but one People; governed by the same Duke, who appertained to the Kings of Austrasia, or held of them: But Godfrey the now Duke had cast off the Yoke to make himself independent; Being dead Anno 709. Willehaire succeeded him. Pepin in two Expeditions which he made thither, van∣quished him, and triumphed over his Pride. He could not wholly subdue it though, so that it was found necessary to send a third Army into that Country: but when [Year of our Lord 711] they were just ready to march in, he was obliged to recall it because of the Death of Childebert.

The last of this Kings days was the 15th of April, Anno 711. He was Aged about [Year of our Lord 711] Twenty eight years, and had enjoyed the Title of King Sixteen or seventeen years. He was buried at the Church of St. Stephens at Coucy.

Though he had not the opportunity of doing any Act himself, being as it were Tethered by the Authority of Pepin: nevertheless they gave him the name of Just, rather to distinguish him from the other Childebert, then because he deserved it.

Some give him two Sons, Dagobert and Childeric. The first Reigned, the other was bred up to Learning or clerkship, and surnamed Daniel. There are those that will make him to be the Son of Thierry the First.

The Piety of Gontran, the Mildness and Justice of Clotaire, and the Tranquillity* 1.87 of his Reign after the death of Brunehaud, turned the genious of the French, al∣ready very Devout, to be highly Religious, and inclined them more generally to Reverence holy things, and such as they believed to have a more frequent Com∣munication with Heaven. The Kings and Grandees outvied each other, who should bestow most Gifts upon the Churches: They deposited in those sacred Trea∣suries even to their very Girdles, their Belts, their Precious Vessels, their Apparel when they were rich and set with precious Stones, or Embroidered, their Houshold Furniture, and any other Rarities which were more for Ornament then use. It was then who should build most Churches and Hospitals, and who should found the noblest Monasteries.

The Kings strove to exempt such as they founded, from all Temporal Juris∣diction and Charges, and to ascertain the full and free Possession of all what they bestowed. And therefore because of the assumed power the Bishops had to lay hands on all those Goods, and that they disposed of the Donations and Offerings which were made to any of the Churches within their Diocess, and for that besides they took some certain Duties for Blessing the Chrisome, for the Consecration of Altars, for their Visiting, and sometimes for Ordinations: they obliged them to free them from all such Impositions, and even not to meddle with any Monastery, but to leave the Correction and Government of the Monks to the Abbot, excepting in case he had not power enough to compel Obedience, and withall to confer the Sacred Orders to such Monks as should be presented, without exacting any thing.

The Princes on their part did likewise freely bestow many the like Immanities, which exempted them as well from Contribution for their Lands, and from all Imposts on their Goods, as from New-years-Gifts, Lodging and Expence of Judges, which they claimed from all other People wherever they went to hold their Courts.

Now these Exemptions were agreed to by the Diocesan, but with the consent of his Brethren of the Clergy. That of St. Denis, the oldest now remaining, was conceded by Landry of Paris, upon the intreaty of King Clovis II. Anno 659. in the Assembly of Clichy: it containeth many more things then the Protocole or Deed of Marculfe. That of Corbie was given by Bertefoy of Amiens, Anno 664. at the request of Queen Batilda. It makes mention, that there had been the like hereto∣fore granted to the Monasteries of* 1.88 Agaune, and* 1.89 Lerins, and Leuxeu.

Pope Adeodat in the year 672. confirmed that which had been granted to St. Martins at Tours, saying, That divers others in France had obtained the like, without which he would not have given his consent, it being contrary to the Canons, There was the like granted to* 1.90 Fontenels by Ansbert of Rouen, in a Council which he called for that purpose in that City, 682. In fine, there were few great Abbies that did not obtain the like; and ever the last gained something more, and enlarged themselves as I may say, to the prejudice and cost of the Hierarchy, who lent them her Authority to destroy her self, and them likewise, since the Perfection of a good and holy Monk consists in Obedience and Humility.

I hardly find any Age wherein the heat for a Monastick Life reigned so greatly as in this. Such as were prompted with that Spirit, went from one Country to another, wandring in every corner to seek out Forests and Mountains; which were the more and sooner peopled by how much they were the more solitary and melancholly. Ire∣land, Scotland, and England sent great numbers of these good Monks into France. Colombanus the most renowned of all, Irish by Birth, having been very well received by King Gontran, then by Childebert, built the famous Monastery of Luxeu, in the Mountain of Vosge; His Reputation spreading over the three Nations, drew thi∣ther a vast number of People; and the Sentence of the Council of Mascon in the year 627. who undertook the defence of this Institute, against the Monk Agrestin who would oppose him, gave him such a Vogue, that it spread all over France, going an equal pace with St. Bennets, and producing most eminent Servants to God, as Emery, Deile,* 1.91 Eustasius, and Gal, Disciples of Colombanus. Eustasius was Abbot of Luxeu, and Gal who was likewise an Irishman, went and built a Monastery in the Country of the Swissers, about which was afterwards raised the City of St. Gall.

St. Vandrille built one in the Diocess of Rouen, at that place called Fontenelle. St. Riquier one in Vimieu. St. Vallery and St. Josse two others in the Diocess of Amiens upon the Sea-coast. This St. Josse was younger Brother of Judicael King of Bretagne, and had for Brother Vinok and two more who all chose to lead the same Life. St. Ghislain one in Haynault, Romaric one for* 1.92 Nuns in the Vosge, in the place where stood his Castle of Romberg * 1.93, St. Tron one in the Country of Liege, St. Bavon one at Ghent, St. Goar one on the River Woker near the Rhine; All these Mo∣nasteries to this very day bear the names of these Saints.

The Princes or Grandees gave them Ground whereon to build them, together with the assistance of devout People, and sometimes some of them did build at their own Charge and Expence. Sigebert King of Austrasia erected twelve; A Lord named Bobelen four in the neighbourhood of Bourges; Clovis II. or rather an Archdeacon of Paris, St. Maur des Fossez; The Queen Batilda two very famous ones, viz. Corbie for Men, and Chelles for Women; King Thierry St. Vaast of Arras, as an Expiation for having consented to the death of St Leger; St. Ouin or Owen filled his Diocess with a great number, the most illustrious of them are Fontenelle, Fescamp and Gemieges. This last, as likewise that of Noir-moustier in an Island of Poitou was the work or production of the care of that Philebert whom we have men∣tioned. St. Eloy amongst many others built one at Solongnac in Limousin, and one for Virgins at Paris, of which St. Aura was the Abbess; At this time it is the Church of St. Eloy before the Palace inhabited by the Barnabites.

Nor was there ever in France such prodigious multitudes and swarms of Monks who lived a most admirable Life in the Eye of all the World. For besides those I have mentioned, there was likewise Ame whom Colombanus had brought from the solitude of Agaune, Bertin who made a Monastery at Sitieu: 'Tis there where at present is the City of St. Omers.* 1.94 Germier who has given his name to a small City within twelve Leagues of Lyons: Foursy a Scotchman who erected a Mo∣nastery at Lagny: Landelin who began that of Lobe upon the Sambre: St. Sor a Hermit in Perigord, and divers others, whose Memories the Church does Celebrate with Veneration.

We must acknowledge that these Flocks of Penitents were very useful to France, yea, beneficial to the Temporal Advantage; For the frequent and long incursions of the Barbarians having destroy'd and laid it waste and desolate, it was yet in many parts over-run with Thickets and Woods, and in the low Grounds, drowned and Boggy. These good Monks who had not devoted themselves to God to live an idle life, wrought with their hands, to clear and drain, and Plant and build, not so much for themselves who liv'd in great frugality, as to maintain the Poor, so that of Barren, Woody, overflown drowned Desarts, that were fright∣ful to look upon, they made fruitful and delightful places, the Heavens with its sweetest influences favouring those places that were cultivated by such pure and disinterressed Hands. I shall not mention how that all what is remaining of the History of those Ages has been preserved by them also, and derived to us.

The weaker Sex had not less strength and resolution to lead this Penitent Life, then the Men. The noblest Virgins sought for* 1.95 Husbands in the Cloister, and Widdows found their greatest Comforts there. Princesses built some expressly for their own Retirement. Queen Batilda, or Baudour made one at Chelles in Brie;

Fare or Burgundofare Sister to the Bishop St. Faron another in the same Country, which is called Fare-monstier; Gertrude a Virgin, and ••egge her Sister, Widdow of Ansegise Son of St. Arnold, both Daughters of Pepin, retired to that of Nivelle, which their Mother Ita had founded; Aldegouda and her Sister Va••ltrude erected one at Maubeuge on the Sambre; And Saleberge another in the Town of Laon.

In all these Ages (which we shall observe once for all) a great many of the Bi∣shops were taken out of Monasteries, or made their retreat thither after they had served the Church some years. Amongst those holy Pastors who most enlight∣ned the Church by their Life and Doctrine, we find in this, Romain of Rouen, who is said to have quelled and overcome a prodigious Dragon, in memory whereof his Shrine hath yet the priviledge to save every year one Murtherer from Execu∣tion, Faron de Meaux, Magloire de Dol, Archard de Noyon, two Didiers, one of Vienne Martyr'd by Brunehaud, the other of Cahors promoted to that Bishoprick by Dagobert I. whose Grand-Treasurer he was; Arnold of Metz, Cunibert de Cologne, Oudrille* 1.96 de Bourges, Amand the Bishop of Tongres or Liege, Audoen surnamed Da∣don, vulgarly St. Owen, Successor to Romain before-mentioned, and Eloy de Noyon after Archard. These two were illustrious in the Court of Clotair II. the one for his rare Goldsmiths Works, the other in the Office of Chancellor or Referendary, and for his Counsel, both these were Consecrated on the same day in the Reign of Clovis II. and this Character gave them the greater Authority with the King. At the same time lived Landry of Paris, Paul de Verdun, Leger* 1.97 d'Autun,* 1.98 Prey or Priet de Clermont, who was not much his Friend, no more then Owen or Ouin; Omer de* 1.99 Terrouenne, Sulpitious the Pious after Oudrille. About the end of this Age or Century, Robert first Bishop of Salzburgh in Bavaria, Remacle Bishop of Tongres, who was a Monk both before and afterwards, and Wilbrod who took the name of Clement, an English Priest, in whose favour was first Established the Arch-Episcopal See at Ʋtrecht, Anno 697. Amongst all these I observe four that made most gene∣rous Remonstrances to their Princes against their excess, Amaud to King Dagobert, Didier to Brunehaud, Leger to Childeric, and Lambert to Duke Pepin; These three last sealed the Christian Truths with their Blood.

The Kings favour having the greatest influence in all Elections, we must not won∣der if those that attained to a Bishoprick by that means, were either People of the Court, or became so; and if by the advantage of Study and Learning they had a little more knowledge and insight then others, the Princes would keep them there to serve in their Councils. But we may observe that the Court Air was no less dangerous to them, then contrary to the Duty of their Residence, since Arnold himself retired from thence to do Pennance, and that those who passed for the most holy, as Owen and Leger, had their Interests, their Cabals and their Passions there. What can we believe of others who were less Vertuous, but they com∣mitted all sorts of Irregularities, which sometimes led them into the most enormous Crimes, of which they were the Instruments, and many times the Actors and Exe∣cutioners. For proof of this, we need but call to mind that wicked Bishop, who undertook to suborn Queen Beretrude, those two Flatterers of Ebroin who forswore themselves upon the empty Cases or Shrines to bring Martin to Butchery, and those two false Councils, whereof the one condemned Didier of Vienne, the other St. Leger d'Autun, without ever endeavouring afterwards to interpose by Petitions and Prayers for saving their Lives, which those Kings never refused them.

Because of these Disorders and those the Civil Wars produced, which much troubled France, the Councils were much less frequent then in the foregoing Age. We have already mentioned the Fifth of Paris * 1.100. There was one assembled at Mascon in 627. which approved the Rule of St. Colomban, much opposed by the Monk Agrestin revolted against him. Anno 630. there was one at Reims concerning Disci∣pline, one at Chaalons, Anno 650. and one at Autun called by St. Leger, Anno 670. for the same purpose. In that of Chaalons, Agapius and Bobon, who, as I believe, were Concurrents, were deposed. There was one at Orleance in the year 645. which confuted a Greek Monothelite Heretick, and drove him most shamefully out of France. We have the Canons of that of Paris, of Reims, and of Chaalons, and some of that of Autun, which are most of them no other then a Confirmation of such as had been made by the foregoing Councils.

France had no share in the Controversy of the Monothelites, who mightily disturbed the Eastern Church. The shame that Grecian met with in the Council of Orleance, who thought to have introduced that Heresie, hindred others, as I suppose, from coming to Preach or cry it up, and the French from being infected with it. Which without doubt encouraged Pope Martin not to be daunted with the Threatnings of the Emperor Constance * 1.101, nor the endeavours of Paul Bishop of Constantinople, who had undertaken to obtain the Reception of that condemned Opinion, and had joyned all those to his Party that adhered to the Doctrines of Severus, of Eutyches, and of Manes. And indeed we find that in the year 649. he sent the Articles of the Council of Rome to Clovis II. and desired him and also King Childebert to depute some of their Bishops to Rome, that they might accompany and countenance the Legation he intended to send to the Emperor upon that Subject.

Dagobert II. King XVIII.

POPES,

• CONSTANTINE, Three years in this Reign.
• GREG. II. Elected March 714. S. sixteen years nine Months and an half, of which one year in this Reign.

DAGOBERT II. Called the Young, Aged Eleven or twelve years.

PEPIN, Mayre in Neustria, and So∣veraign in Austrasia.

CHildebert being out of the World, Pepin made choice of Dagobert his* 1.102 eldest Son to wear the Bauble, and instaled him in the Royal Throne, by the Counsel and Approbation of the Estates. Where having caused him to preside, after he had received the Gifts or Presents from the French, after he had recommended the care of the Rights of the Church, of Widdows and Pupils, renewed the Decree against Rapine, and give Command to the Army to [Year of our Lord 711] hold themselves in readiness at a time appointed to March where Affairs required: he sent him back to one of the Royal Houses to be Bred and Entertained with great Respect in outward appearance, but without any Power or Function.

The first year of his Reign, Pepin undertook a fourth Expedition against the [Year of our Lord 712] Almans; who were this time so battered, that they could not stir again for many years.

After many Wars, having not been able wholly to bring under him Ratbod Duke of the Frisons, he not only came to an Agreement, but likewise allied himself with him, by Marrying his Son Grimoald to that Kings Daughter.

The Sarrazins who were Masters of Africa, did not let slip the fair occasion that presented to invade Spain. The Children of King Vitiza had been Excluded the Kingdom by Roderick, (whose Fathers Eyes Vitiza had caused to be put out) and had retired themselves to Julian, Governor of the Visigoths in the Province of Tingi, who was himself likewise much offended for that this new King having Debauched his Daughter would own her but for his Concubine. These three Lords having joyned their Resentments, addressed themselves to Maza Lieutenant in Africa under Valit or Ʋlit Caliph, or chief Soveraign of the Sarrazins; He gave them some Forces, over whom Roderick getting the better, he again sent others commanded by Tarac (this was he that gave the name to Gibal-Tar) to the Mountain Calphe, where he built a Fort, whence likewise the Straights-mouth hath its denomination. At length there hapned a great Battle betwixt him and Roderick, where that King was overcome and slain with all the flower of the Visigoths.

Within two years all Spain was subjected to the Tyranny of the Sarrazins, the remainders of the Visigoths fled part of them into the Mountains of Asturia and Galicia, part into France, from whence they by degrees came all to Prince Pelagus,* 1.103 Son of Fafila and Grandson of King Chindasuint, who yet preserved to himself a petty Principality amidst the Mountains of Asturia, which in process of time and by assistance of the French, increased so much that it consumed the Sarrazins in the end.

While Pepin was at Jupile, he fell into a long and troublesome Distemper. His Son Grimoald going to Visit him, passing by Liege to make some Prayers for him on St. Lamberts Tomb, this was in the Month of April, he was Assassinated by a Rascal named Rangaire, a Frison, for which reason an Author hath pretended, that it was [Year of our Lord 713, 714, April.] done by the command of Rotbod his Father-in-Law.

* 1.104 Pepin being Recovered, severely revenged the Death of his Son upon all the Ac∣complices he could lay hold on. This was the dearest to him of all his Sons, he had likewise a great regard for his Bastard, named Theodoald, and obliged the Neu∣strian Lords to elect him for their Mayre.

Some months after he relapsed more grievously then before, in so much as he died [Year of our Lord 714. 714, in December.] of it the 16th of December, having held the Government of all France from the Battle of Tertry, which was in 687. even to his Death, with great success, and with much greater Vertue, of which the most eminent, and which gained him most the favour of Heaven, was his Zeal for the propagation of the Faith, not having spared any thing to plant it in Germania, Secunda, and beyond the Rhine, where all the In∣habitants were at that time Idolaters.

Besides Drogon and Grimoald, he had two more Sons, Charles Martel and Childebrand. It is unknown by what Woman he had the last, but a very exact Historian hath proved that this Robert le Fort, (the Strong) who was the Paternal Great, great Grandfather of King Hugh Capet, was descended from him by the Male Line.

Now be it that Pepin left the Mayrie of Austrasia to Arnold, who was the Son of Drogon, as that of Neustria to Theodoald, or changing his mind a little before he died, had bestowed it upon Charles for all the three Kingdoms, or perhaps only the name of Prince of the French, which seems to be above that of Mayre; Plectrude his Wi∣dow seized upon the whole Government, and got Charles by a wile into her hands, keeping him Prisoner at Colen, where she made her usual abode.

[Year of our Lord 715] But the Neustrians already tired with the Domination of the Austrasians, were yet more impatient of being ruled by a Woman. They therefore Armed themselves, and put their King Dagobert in the head of their Forces, to prevent her from coming under the name of Theodoald a Child and a Bastard, to usurp the Government of their Country.

The Army that brought Theodoald being near Compeigne, the Neustrians went to meet them, and put them to the rout: All the Austrasians could do, was to save Theo∣doald. After this Victory they chose Ragenfroy, or Rainfroy for their Mayre, being one of the most considerable and most valiant Lords amongst them: who to perplex the Austrasians the more, made a League with Ratbod Duke of the Frisons, and led King Dagobert to ransack Austrasia even to the Meuse.

[Year of our Lord 715] It then hapned that the Austrasians being in a great consternation, Charles happily made his escape out of Prison, and having gotten his Friends together, was received with incredible joy by all his People.

About the end of the same year died Dagobert King of Neustria, after he had [Year of our Lord 715] been a property to the Mayres for four or five years. He left one Son named Thierry, who was yet in his Cradle, and who had afterwards the surname of Chelles, because he was brought up there.

Immediately upon this Rainfroy that he might have a name under which he might still hold the Government, took Daniel out of the Monastery, caused him to be instaled in the Throne by the Grandees according to custom, and named him Chilperic. It is not certainly known whose Son he was, some believe him to have been Childeberts, others Thierry's, and others again the Son of that Childeric who was Assassinated by Bodillon, Anno 673. If these last are in the right, he was at least Forty four years old when he began to Reign, and indeed he must have been of some years, since he had been a Clerk, and had stayed time enought to let his Hair grow long again.

Chilperic II. King XIX.

POPE, GREGORY II. Who S. six years during this Reign.

• CHILPERIC II. King in Neustria, with Rainfroy his Mayre.
• CHARLES, Mayre or Prince in one part of Austrasia.
• THEODOALD, Ʋnder the Regency of Plectrude in the other part.

BY vertue of a League contracted the foregoing year, Rainfroy and Ratbod [Year of our Lord 716] did both assult Charles on each side, Ratbod being entred into the Country as far as Colen, met him in his way, it was in the month of March. The Battle was very bloody on either hand; but disadvantageous to the last; and this was almost the only misfortune or defeat he met with in his whole Life.

After this Victory the Frisons and the Neustrians joyned their Forces, sacked all [Year of our Lord 716] the open Country and besieged Colen. Plectrude who was in the Town with her* 1.105 Nephews, found means to make them withdraw again by giving them Money. In the mean time Charles having rallied his Men together, laid an Ambuscade for Rain∣froy at his return, where he beat and plundered a Party of his Army. This was in the Ardennes at the place named Amblave from the River which passes there near the Abby of Staulon.

The following year he in his turn made an irruption into Neustria. Rainfroy with [Year of our Lord 717] his Childeric came against him, and gave him Battle at the Village of Vinciac, in Cambresis, upon a Sunday the 20th of March. The success being a long while doubt∣full ended in favour of the last; he put Rainfroy to the rout, and pursued him very near to Paris.

At his return Austrasia owned him for their Head, Colen opened him her Gates, and Plectrude was constrained to give him up his Father Pepins Treasure, together with his Grand-children Theodoald, Hugh, and Arnold, whom he kept under a strong Guard.

Though he had all these Advantages, he yet wanted the name of a King: he [Year of our Lord 717] therefore gave that Title to one Clotaire who was of the Blood Royal. Some make him the Son of Thierry III. not long since deceased, perhaps he might be the Son of Clovis II. Son of Dagobert.

RAINFROY, Mayre.

CHILPERIC, in Neustria.

CLOTAIRE, in Austrasia.

CHARLES MARTEL, Mayre.

RAinfroy finding little Assistance from the Frisons, had recourse to the Aquitains, [Year of our Lord 718] who during these Troubles had taken to themselves the liberty of electing a Duke; his name was Odon or Eudes. This Duke and Rainfroy having joyned their Forces nigh Paris, took their March to find out the Enemy in Austrasia. Being come near Soissons, they were much amazed to hear that he was come to meet them himself, and was very near at hand▪ And indeed, he Charged them so furiously, that he routed them, and gave them Chace even to Paris. Eudes retired himself into Aquitain, and

carried Chilperic and his Treasure with him. Charles pursuing him over-ran Orlean∣nois and Tourrain at his pleasure. This Victory put the whole Kingdoms of Neustria and Burgundy into his hands.

[Year of our Lord 719] His Clotaire did not long bear the Title of King, he died the same or the following year. His Tomb is at Coucy in Vermandois.

After his death Martel governed some months without any King: but knowing the People were too much accustomed to that name to be without it, he sent to Eudes to profer him a Peace, and to send back Chilperic: Eudes accepted the Conditions, and sent him to him with many Presents. Charles causes him to be owned for King thorough all the three Kingdoms, that so he only might be Mayre. Pope Gregory II. calls him Duke and Mayre of the Palace of France; which shews that he held himself as an Officer of the Kingdoms, and not of the King.

CHILPERIC alone.

MARTEL sole Mayre.

OF all the People who being Tributary's to the French had revolted, the Saxons were the most Potent: They had not only thrown off the Yoak, but had like∣wise imposed it upon the Bructeri, the Attuari, and the Toringians. Martel carried his Forces thither three or four times to quell them: but that honour was reserved for Charles the Great. It is worthy our taking notice, that they were divided into several distinct People, and that they had almost as many Dukes as there were several Countries belonging to them.

The Saracens pretended that Septimania, or Narbonnensis Prima, having been part [Year of our Lord 721] of the Kingdom of the Visigoths, ought to be an Augmentation to their Conquests. Zaman Governor of Spain under the grand Emir, Isic or Gizit, took Narbonna and put in a Garison: but having besieged Thoulouze, Duke Eudes began to bestir him∣self, defeated his Army, and drove him bravely thence. Ambissa Successor to Zaman Conquered Carcassonna, Nismes, and all the rest of Provence as far as the Rhosne.

Chilperic did not live two years after his Re-establishment, and Reigned in all but [Year of our Lord 721] five or six, dying in the City of Noyon either in this year 721. or in the year before. He was buried in the same place.

Thierry II. King XX.

POPES,

• GREGORY II. Who S. near Ten years, during this Reign.
• GREGORY III. Elect 731. in Apr. S. Ten years Three Months, of which about Seven in this Reign.

THIERRY II. named de Chelles, aged about Six years.

CHARLES, Duke and Maire of France.

IMmediately after, Charles, who would ever have an Image wherewith to amuse the People, caused Thierry, or Theoderic the II. Son of King Dagobert the II. to be Installed by an Assembly of the Grandees.

[Year of our Lord 722] Rainfroy was abandoned by Eudes, but had not yet laid down the Title of Mayre of Neustria, and for this cause Charles besieged him in Angi••rs. He secured himself for this bout by the strength of the place; but the year after he was forced and slain, or at least degraded of his Mayership, and reduced to a private condition.

[Year of our Lord 733] During these Four or Five years, Charles had divers Wars with the Saxons, the Almans, and the Bavarois. In the year 725. he reduced Hubert, Duke of Bavaria, [Year of our Lord 725] and all that Countrey, and carried away with him Bilitrude, and her Neece Bilichilde. Some are of opinion, that this Bilitrude is the same before-mentioned Plectrude, that had retired her self to this place, to procure him fresh troubles. She must needs then have been very aged; but it appears rather that she was Sister to Odillon Duke of Bavaria, and Widow of some Lord of that Countrey, as yet very beautiful, since Martel would take the trouble of bringing her; unless it were some affection he had for the Neece, whom indeed he was Married unto some while after.

After divers Wars against the People beyond the Rhine, of which we have no par∣ticulars, [Year of our Lord 730] hapned that against Aquitain, Duke Eudes had broken the Treaty made with Charles, and made a League with the Sarrazin Munuza, giving him for pledge of this Union, his Daughter Lampagia, one of the most beautiful Princesses of those times. This Munuza was Governour of the Spanish Countreys on this side the He∣brus, but was revolted from Iscam, who was Caliph. Charles, who was ever on Horse∣back, having had intelligence that Eudes moved, falls immediately into Aquitain, and having sacked it all as far as the Garonne, severely chastised him for his breach.

But he was not quit for all this, for at the same time as Charles went out, Abdi∣racman, or Abderame, Lieutenant-General of the Caliph Iscam in Spain, being entred [Year of our Lord 731] in another way, after he had vanquished, and taken Munuza prisoner in Cerdagne, with his new Spouse, traversed Aquitania Tertia, perhaps not without fighting the Gascons who held it, and forced and sacked the City of Burdeaux. In this manner it was that Eudes drew the Sarracens into France; which hath given occasion to some to write that they were called in.

Now he durst not wait for them beyond the Rivers, but was retreated on this side the Dordogne: and there being reconciled with Martel, he assembled his Forces, stay∣ing for him to come and joyn him with his French Men. Abderame would not allow him the time, but pressing still forwards, passed the River to attaque him in his Camp. [Year of our Lord 732] The Duke stood his ground, and fought him as bravely as could be; but in the end was overcome with inestimable loss of People. However some small portions of this great wrack were left him, with which he made his Retreat, and came and joyned Martel's Army, which had passed the Loire, and were Encamped, some say near Tours, upon the River of Cher; others a little on this side of Poitiers.

Abderame following his blow, after he had sacked the City of Poitiers, marched [Year of our Lord 732] directly to Tours, to plunder the Sepulchre of St. Martin; in his way he meets with Martel, who puts him to a full stop. The two Armys having looked with threatning countenance upon each other seven days, beginning first with several skirmishes, at length came to a general Battle, which was given upon a Saturday in the month of Octo∣ber. The Saracens being light and nimble, charged with much briskness; but being ill Armed, broke themselves against the great Battallions of the French, who were shel∣tred under their Bucklers. There were great numbers slain, but not 375000, as hath been said, for in their whole Army there were but 80 or 100000 Men. Abde∣rame himself the General perished there. The night parted the fray, and favoured the Infidels, who not daring to abide another days Engagement, Retreated by long Marches into Septimania: the French perceived, very late, that their Camp was forsaken; but fearing some stratagem, and withal, being busie in getting together, and sharing the Plunder, which was very rich, they did not endeavour to pursue them.

[Year of our Lord 733] This great Victory secured Christendom, which would have become a prey to the Barbarians, if they had gained France, which was its only Bulwark: but it seems Charles did not make good use of this great advantage, no more then of all those others that Heaven bestowed upon him: when he gained his ends, he set himself upon persecuting every thing that cast but the least shaddow upon his Grandeur; even the very Prelats, whom he banished, and imprisoned, taking away, not only the Treasures and Revenues of the Churches, to pay his Captains; but likewise bestow∣ing on them Abby's and Bishopricks for their reward; so that there were many without Pastors, and Monasteries were filled more with Soldiers then with Monks. The Churches of Lyons, of Vienne, of Auxerre, were destitute of their Bishops, and dispoiled of their Goods, which he had given to his Martial Officers, as if they had been a Prize taken from the Enemy.

Upon his return from Aquitain, he banished Eucher, bishop of Orleans, with some of his Kindred, First to Colen, then into the Countrey of Hesbain, because he de∣fended the Rights and Possessions of the Church with too much courage. Five years before he had also banished Rigobert, Bishoy of Reims, who had refused him his Gates when he marched against Rainfroy.

[Year of our Lord 733] The Kingdom of Burgundy did not as yet own his Commands; perhaps Arnold, the Son of Grimoald, whom some believe was their Duke, thought to hold the Sove∣reignty. When he had conquered the Saracens he marches directly to them, and brings all the Countrey into subjection.

[Year of our Lord 734] With the like expedition he vanquished the Frisons, killed their Duke Popon, who succeeded Ratbod in a great Battle, subjugated afterwards the Ostergow, and the We∣stergow, these are two Countreys in West Frisia, pulled down all their Temples, their Sacred Groves, and their Idols, and covered all the Land with slaughter and destru∣ction, and the rubbish of their Ruines.

[Year of our Lord 735] The year following a new War was kindled betwixt him and the Duke of Aqui∣tain; this Duke having been compelled to make a very disadvantageons Treaty with Charles, to procure assistance against the Saracens, as soon as the danger was over, scorned to keep his word; Therefore Martel marches a third time into his Countrey, and having followed him at the very heels with his drawn Sword from place to place, without being able to catch him, returned home loaden with spoil.

The same year Death ended the misfortunes of that Duke, but not those of Aqui∣tain. He had two Sons, Hunoud and Hatton; some add Remistang, who to others appears rather to be his Wives Brother. He bestowed upon Hatton the County of Poitiers, for his Portion; Hunoud had all the rest of the First and Second Aquitain,* 1.106 of which he took possession, as if it had been an Hereditary and Independant Estate. Charles, who would have no other partaker, soon returned again with his Army, and marching quite thorough to the Garonne, seized upon Blaye, and some other places; so that Hunoud was constrained to submit to his Will, and receive the Dutchy from him as he had before from his Father, giving his Oath both to him and to his Son Pepin.

[Year of our Lord 737] His Celerity and his Valour did let nothing escape; the same year he beat the Aqui∣tain Forces, and went and setled the Governours that had disturbed the City of Ly∣ons, and a part of Burgundy, and proceeding forward, made sure of Provence, and put Governours into Arles and Marseilles. From thence he turned upon the Saxons, beyond the Rhine, and brought them so low, that they did not afterwards make any attempt for divers years.

As Martel was an Usurper, every Governour thought he had reason enough to dis∣obey [Year of our Lord 737, and 38.] him, and acted like Soveraigns. Maurontus, Governour of Marseilles, that he might make himself Independent, craved the assistance of the Saracens, and deliver∣ed the City of Avignon up to them, whence they spread themselves over Dauphine, Lyonnois, and if credible, even as far as Sens, with a horrible desolation of all those Countreys.

The Barbarians did not hold Avignon long, Charles sent thither his Brother Chil∣debrand, who having made them quit the Field, besieged them in that City. Soon after he came thither himself with the gross of his Army, gave an Assault by Scalado, and forced them; part of the City was burnt, and all the Infidels that were within it put to the Sword.

This done, he crosses over Septimania, and goes to besiege Narbonne, resolved to have it what ever it cost, thereby to shut up that passage into Gall.

Athim, Governour of the City, and perhaps of all that Countrey for the Saracens, was gotten into the Town: Those in Spain, informed of the danger the place was in, made great Levies of Soldiers, and put them aboard some Vessels to relieve it. There is a Lake between Narbonne and Ville-Salse, at whose Mouth the little River of Bere discharges it self into the Sea; it is called the Lake Oliviere: there it was their Boats came into Land those Forces they had brought; Amoroz, Governor of Terragonne was their General. Martel leaving his Brother with part of the Army to maintain the Siege, went thither to them, and gave them Battle nigh Sigeac. It was very obstinate; but in the conclusion, Amoroz was overthrown upon huge heaps of his slain Men, and most of the rest that fled into their Boats, Drowned, or put to the Sword.

Athim's courage increased by this ill success, and he defended himself so bravely, that Charles left him there, and turning his Forces towards more easy Conquests, made himself master of Besiers, Agde, Maguelonna, and of Nismes, all which he dis∣mantled.

[Year of our Lord 738] About the year 738. hapned the death of Thierry of Chelles, about the 23 year of his age, and the 17th of his imaginary Reign. Now Charles Martel, having per∣haps the design of taking up the Title of King, as he had the Authority, put no other in his stead, nor his Sons neither, till a year after his death, so that there hap∣ned an Interregnum of Five years.

Interregnum.

* 1.107 Charles Martel, Maire and Duc of the French.

A Second time Maurontus calls the Saracens into Provence; Jusep, Gover∣nour [Year of our Lord 739] of Narbonne, Besieged and Took the Town of Arles, and from thence ove-ran, and ransacked all Provence. Charles summons Luitprand, King of the Lombards, to joyn with him against this Enemy. Luitprand, who did not desire to have them so near Italy, and who besides was a friend to Martel, presently march∣es to joyn him; the Infidels dare not stay for them, but retreat to Narbonne without striking a blow. Maurontus likewise forsakes Marseilles, and retires amongst the Rocks; so that Provence remained peaceably in the hands of the French.

[Year of our Lord 738] The power of the Saracens which threatned to overwhelm all Christendom, being as it were upon its ebb, the Spanish Princes recovered themselves by little and little again, especially with the assistance of the French; and yet nevertheless, they were above Seven hundred years in regaining what they lost in three years time. This year Charles Martel sent them a considerable assistance, which helped them more then a little towards the setling their affairs.

In Spain they called the Saracens Moors, because indeed they were come from Mau∣ritania, which they had conquer'd, and because most of their Forces were composed of Men from that Countrey.

The dispute about the worship of Images caused a pernicious and bloody Schisme in the Church. The Emperour Leon upon the reproaches the Saracens and Maho∣metans had made him, that it was Idolatry to adore Stone and Wood, would needs pull chem out of the Churches, the Popes at the same time contending to keep them there. Gregory II. stood up stoutly in this Cause; the Dispute went so far, that An. 726. not looking upon Leon as his Sovereign, he wrote him Letters that were very haughty and full of new Maxims, stop'd the Moneys he was raising in Italy, and turned the People from that Obedience they owed to him. Gregory III. his Succes∣sor went yet farther, and Excommunicated him. On the other hand, the Empe∣rour turned every stone to revenge it: but all his endeavours proved fruitless, and a shame to himself in the end.

* 1.108 Whilst affairs were in such a condition, that the Pope could hope for no assistance of the Emperour in his occasions, it hapned that he offended Luitprand, King of the Lombards, by giving Retreat to Trasimond, Duke of Spoleta; and making League with Godescal, who had invaded the Dutchy of Beneuent: That King pressing upon him with his Army, and having seized some Towns within the Dutchy of Rome, he had recourse to the protection of Martel, and wrote two or three very moving Letters to him, in [Year of our Lord 740] the Titles whereof he called him his most excellent Son, and gave him the Title of [Year of our Lord 741] Sub-King, or Vice-Roy.

Charles was a little hard to be moved, the Letters having operated no great mat∣ter; [Year of our Lord 741] he sent him a most remarkable Embassy, which carried as a Present, the Keys of the Sepulchre of St. Peter, and the Bonds wherewith that Apostle had been tied; and after that came another, which bestowed and conferred upon him the Sove∣reignty of Rome, and the Title of Patrician.

He was not now any more in a condition for great enterprizes, a troublesome and lingring distemper which undermined him by little and little, forwarned him to think of his Death, and the settlement of his Family: He had three Children Legiti∣mate, Carloman, Pepin, called the Breif, and Griffon; the two first by Cbrotrude, and the other by Sonichilde; and besides these, three Bastards, Remy or Remede, Hierosme, and Bernard. Remy was Bishop of Rouen, Hierosme and Bernard Married. The First had a Son named Fulrad, Abbot of St. Quintins, which he built. The Second had three Sons and two Daughters, the two eldest Sons were Adelard and Vala, both Counts at Court, then successively, Abbots of Corbie, and the Third named Bernier was likewise a Monk. The two Daughters Gondrade and Theodrade, vowed themselves to God in a Religious Life: the first in her Virgin State, the other in her Widdow-hood.

Now Prince Charles dividing the Estate between his three Legitimate Children, as if he had been the lawful Sovereign, gave to Carloman, who was the eldest, Austra∣sia, Souaube, and Turingia; (Bavaria had its Dukes, Frista and Saxony were Revolt∣ed) to Pepin, Neustria, Burgundy, Septimania, and Provence; and to Griffon, a Por∣tion betwixt his two Brothers, made up of some parcels of the three Kingdoms. The Son of the Duke Eudes held Aquitania Prima & Secunda, and the Duke of the [Year of our Lord 741] Gascons the other.

Shortly after, on the 20th of October, he ended his Life in the Castle of Carissy* 1.109 upon the Oyse, within three Leagues of Noyon. He had ruled about three years in Austrasia, and 28 in this Kingdom and in Neustria. The Martial Courage and Spi∣rit which inclined him to have always his Sword in hand to smite his Enemies, ac∣quired him the name of Martel in History, and an immortal Fame: But the Ecclesi∣asticks, whom he had rudely handled, fullied his Memory, and would not forgive him in the other World. For they affirmed, according to a Revelation of St. Eucher, Bishop of Orleans, that he burned both Body and Soul in Eternal Flames, and that his Tomb having been opened, there was nothing to be found in it, but a huge Ser∣pent and a stinking Blackness, the marks of the ill condition of his State, or Salvation.

CARLOMAN in Austrasia,

and

PEPIN in Neustria & Burgundy.

Dukes and Princes of the French.

HOw little soever the share was which Griffon had, his two Brothers could not endure it; they Besieged him in the City of Laon, shut him up in Chasteauneuf in

Ardenna, and having seized on his Mother Soxichilde, allotted him the Abby of Chel∣les for his Subsistence and his Prison. At the same time Theodebald Son of Grimoald, whom Martel had left in Peace after he had strip'd him, was taken out of the World, perhaps because he had some intrigues with Sonichilde.

All those People, whom Martel had brought to their Duty by the power of the Sword, imagined, that after his death it would be easie for them to cast off the yoak: Particularly Thibaud, Son of Godefroy, Duke of the Almans, and Hunoud Duke of Aquitain. This last being the most dangerous, the two Brothers joyned their Force against him. They handled him so roughly, having driven him beyond Poitiers, and forced the Castle of Loches, that he desired a Peace, the conditions are not spe∣cified. Before the two Brothers left Aquitain, they shared the Kingdom▪ betwixt them, or rather what they had taken from Hunoud, which they did at the place called The Old Poitiers, between the Clain and the Vienne, near Chastellerand.

Besides these two Expeditions, the year was remarkable for the Birth of Charles [Year of our Lord 742] called the Great, or Charlemain, the Son of Pepin, and Berte his Wife, who was born into the World in the Palace of Ingelheim upon the Rhine, this year 742.

The same year Carloman passed the Rhine, marched into the Almans Countrey, [Year of our Lord 742] as far as the River Lee, which separates them from the Bavarians, and brought them so low, that their Duke Thibaud, Son of Godefroy, gave him up Hostages for pledge of his Faith, and the tribute he was to have from him.

It seems to have been in this year, or at least the next, that the two Brothers be∣thought [Year of our Lord 743] themselves of filling the Royal Throne, in appearance, which had been va∣cant five years, and putting Childeric in it, who was surnamed the Witless, or* 1.110 Sense∣less, as being either really such, or so represented to the People. Some make him to be the Brother of Thierry de Chelles, others of Clotaire III. and if so, he must have been at least ••7 or 18 years of age; but many think him the Son of Thierry, and then he could be but 10 or 12 at most.

Childeric III. called the WITLESS.

King XXI. Aged Eighteen years.

POPE.

Zachary Elect in Dec. 741. S. Ten years Three Months, whereof above Nine Months in this Reign.

CARLOMAN in Austrasia.	and	PEPIN in Neustria.
Dukes and Princes of the French.

[Year of our Lord 743] THose Princes that had Revolted in the time of Martel, obeying his Chil∣dren but unwillingly, made a powerful League to break and throw off the Bonds of their subjection. Odillon Duke of Bavaria was the Head, insti∣gated, no doubt, by his Wife Chiltrude, Daughter of Martel, and Soni∣childe, who two years before, having stollen away from her Brothers, went into that Countrey and was Married to him. The Saxons and Almans assisted him with Men, and at the same time, while the two Brothers were on their way thither. Hunoud, Duke of Aquitain falls upon Neustria, and descends as far as Chartres, which he for∣ced, and buried almost under its own Ruines.

Odillon was encamped with his Army on the brink of the River Lecq, which he had Palisadoed with strong Timbers. The two Brothers having staid Fifteen days right over against him, without attempting to pass; one fair night, a kind of impatient Spirit prompting the French, they forced their way over, with the loss of many of their Men, who were drowned, and brought a terror to his whole Camp: All his Men betook themselves to flight, and left their Baggage, and the two Brothers their full and free liberty to range over the whole Countrey of Bavaria for two Months together.

[Year of our Lord 741] From thence Carloman marched against the Saxons, gained the Castle of Hochs∣burgh, upon Composition; and Theoderic Duke of that Countrey, who solemnly gave his Faith to him; and yet he nevertheless broke it again presently, and obliged Car∣loman to return thither the very next year, to the very great damage of his Coun∣trey.

But it was not till after the two Brothers having ravaged Aquitain, had constrained Hunoud to crave their pardon the third time, and redeem his fault with the price of many great Presents made to them.

[Year of our Lord 745] He had the courage of a Woman, quarrelsome and weak, and consequently sus∣picious and cruel. His Brother Hatton being come to see him upon the security of his Word, he put him to death, and a short while afterwards, either upon some Moti∣ons of Repentance, or lightness and giddiness of Brain, he made himself a Monk in a Monastery, in the Isle of Rhe, having left his Dutchy to his Son Gaifre, about the age of 18 or 20 years.

Prince Carloman, after he had struck his last blow against the Almans, whose pride [Year of our Lord 746] he had abated by the blood of a great many of the most mutinous, which was in the year 746. resolved likewise to quit the World, either by a powerful and efficacious inspiration of God, or the terror of those most dismal Stories they spread of his Fa∣thers Damnation.

The Fifth year of his Principality, having given up his Estate, and his Son Dro∣gon, or Dreux into the hands of Pepin; he went to pay his Devotions at St. Peters in Rome; from thence he went to take the Habit of St. Bennet at Mount Sora••ie, or Mount St. Sil; and some while after, because he was too much importuned by Visiters, he retired to Mount Cassin.

Pepin allowed no share of his Dominion to his Nephew Dreux, nor his Brothers other Children: but the same year, and perhaps at his request, he set their youngest [Year of our Lord 747] Brother Griffon at liberty, Treated him Honourably in his Court, and gave him some Counties for his allowance.

The ambition of this young Prince, not being tamed by a Prison, could [Year of our Lord 748] not be so by kindness, he made his escape, and went and stirred up the Saxons in his quarrel. Pepin followed him close, the Sorabe Sclavonians, who were divided from the Turingians by the River of Sal; the Abrodites and other Sclavonians, who were spread all along the Frontiers of France, brought him 10000 Fighting Men. Inso∣much as the Saxons Nordsqaues, overwhelmed with his numbers, submitted to his pleasure, and received Baptisme. Griffon with the other Saxons, was Encamped and Intrenched on the other side of the River Ovacre; fear seized upon them, they de∣serted their Post in the night time, and their Countrey remained exposed to the mercy of the French: so that not finding himself any longer in safety there, he leaves them to make their Peace, and retired to Bavaria; where he seized on that Dutchy, usurping it from the young Tasillon, aged but 6 or 7 years, who was the Son of his Sister Chiltrude and Odillon.

This Countrey no more then that of Saxony, could not protect him from the pur∣suit of Pepin, who joyning Gold and his Favours, with his Sword and Threats, soon unhinged his Party. The Bavarois made their agreement; Landfroy Duke of the Al∣mans, and Suidgard Earl of Hirsberg did the same; and he finding himself alone, was compelled to follow their Dance, and come to his Brother. He receiv'd him most kindly, and assigned him the City of Mans, and Twelve Counties in Neustria: but the very self same year he made a third escape, and cast himself into the Arms of [Year of our Lord 749] Gaifre Duke of Aquitain.

Pepin having gained the better over all his enemies, had no more left him to do, [Year of our Lord 750] but to sit down in the Throne, a thing his Father durst not undertake. He saw all the power in his own hands, with the Treasures of the Kingdom, and the Affecti∣ons of the French, and there was no other Prince of the Merovignian Race remain∣ing, but one young stupid and witless Man. He therefore assembled a Parliament, which being wholly Devoted to him, were very willing to confer the Title of King on him: but he was glad that he might be disengaged from his Oath of Fidelity, to consult with the Pope, who had great authority over the Galican Church, and whose Answers passed for Oracles, though not for Laws.

He who sate then in the Holy Chair was Zachary, a most intimate friend of Pe∣pins, who wanted his assistance against the Lombards, and who could well apprehend, that what was desired of him, was a most favourable prejudgment for the Popes [Year of our Lord 750] against the Emperours. Besides, it seemed reasonable and just that France, after so many Idols and Shadows, should now have a King in reality; and therefore he could not but answer favourably to the point that Pepin propounded, and consulted him about; and his Reply was certainly of great weight. It is in this sence, according to my opinion, that we must understand some Authors of those times, who tells us, that Boniface set him upon the Throne by the Command of Zachary. Otherwise we should say the French did not truly understand their own Right, and that this Pope attributed to himself what did not belong to him.

Upon this Answer, the French having called another Parliament at Soissons, degra∣ded [Year of our Lord 751] Childeric, and elected Pepin. There is some likelyhood that this was done in the general Assembly, which was held in the month of March. The Bishops were there in great numbers, Boniface, Arch-Bishop of Ments being in the head of them, who declared to them the validity of the Popes Answer; and indeed this King and his Successors, as if they had some obligation to the Clergy for their Royalty, gave them a great share in the Government.

By the same Decree Childeric was shaved and made a Monk at Sitieu* 1.111 There are some affirm, that from thence he was removed to the Monastery of St. Himeran at Ratisbonne, and his Wife being vailed to that of Conchiliac. But others believe he was not Married, though he were of an age ripe enough for it.

Thus endeth the First Race of the Kings of France; who if we reckon from the year 418. to the year 751. had Reigned 333 years, and had 21 Kings, only account∣ing those of Paris: but Thirty six, if we take in all those that had the Title, as well in Austrasia, where there was but one that resided at Mets, as in Neustria, while some∣times three of them at the same time had their Seats at Orleans, at Soissons, and at Paris. The first Four of these Kings were Idolaters, and all the rest Christians. But their Baptisme did not quite purge away their Barbarity, they were Savage and Bloo∣dy till Clotaire II. Those that followed were more Benigne, Merciful, and Religious, excepting Childeric II. But all being either shallow-Brain'd, or Minors, they fell ne∣cessarily under the Government of others.

End of the First Race.

The Second Race OF KINGS Which have Reigned in FRANCE, And are Named CARLIANS, OR Carolovinians.

THIS Second Race is commonly called the* 1.112 Carlian, or Carolovinian Race. We know not whether it took that denomination from Charles Martel, or Charles the Great. After it had been raised to a great height by the Vertue of its Five first Princes, to wit, the two Pepins, Charles Martel, Charlemain, and Lewis the Godly, and had extended their Empire much beyond the Bounds of the First; It began to decline under the Children of that Lewis, and in the end was reduced to so narrow a compass, all the Lords having made themselves Masters in their Governments, that their last Kings had nothing left which was properly their own, but the Cities of Laon, and that of Reims.

It is observed, That they had much resemblance with the First Race, in that they had a very fair beginning, and an unhappy end; That Charles of Lorraine their last Male, was deprived of the Crown, as Childeric had been; and that they had several stupid and senceless Princes amongst them. But this held one Advantage above the other, That they Reign to this day in all Europe, by the Males in the House of France, and by the Women in that of the other greatest Princes. Insomuch, that the Carlovinian Blood is held for the most Noble in all the Earth; whereas there is not any remaining of that of Meroveus.

PEPIN named the Breif, OR, The Little, King XXII.

Aged XXXVI, or XXXVIII Years.

POPES,

• ZACHARY, One Year during this Reign.
• STEPHANUS II. in 752. S. 2. Years, 3. days.
• STEPHANUS III. The same Year, S. 5. Years, 20 Days.
• PAUL I. Elect in May 717. S. Ten Years, one Month.
• CONSTANTINE and PHI∣LIP, False Popes, in 767.
• STEPHANUS IV. In August 768. S. 3. Years, 5 Months, where∣of 2 months in this Reign.

[Year of our Lord 751] AFter the Estates of Soissons had Elected Pepin, and, as it is believed had lifted him on the Pavois and upon the Royal Throne, he would needs add the Ceremonies of the Church, to consecrate his Royalty, and ren∣der it more august: Boniface Archbishop of Ments Crowned him in the Cathedral of Soissons, and anointed him with holy Oyl, according to the Custome of the Kings of Israel, that thereby the Word of God, Touch not mine Anointed, might become a Buckler to him and his Successors.

The Anointing and Crowning began from this time to be practised at the Inauguration of the Kings of France, and hath been continued to this day.

Being of a very low stature, the Lords had not all that respect for him which they should. Having perceived it, he would needs let them see by experience that he had more Courage and Vertue than those great bulks who very often have no∣thing but an outward appearance of bravery. Those Kings took much delight in Combats of Wild Beasts, and not only pleased themselves with the divertisement of such Spectacles in those Publique Entertainments they gave the People, but many times in private in their own Palaces. One day being at the Abbey of Ferrieres, a furious Lion having grappled with a Bull, whom he held fast by the Neck, he said to some Lords that were about him, That they must needs make him let go his hold. Not one had the Courage to undertake it, the very proposition affrighted them. After he had observed them all, and plainly perceived their astonishment, he leap∣ed down from the Scaffold, his Back-Sword in his hand, went directly to the Lion, and at one stroak managed with as much skill as strength, divided his head from his body, his Sword entring even a good way into the Neck of the Bull. After this wonderful blow turning himself towards his Lords, Do you not believe, said he with a kind of Heroick Pride, that I am worthy to Command you?

[Year of our Lord 752] His first Warlike Expedition, after his Coronation, was in Saxony, where he

constrained the Saxons to pay every Year Three hundred Horses for a Tribute, and to bring them to him into the Field of Mars or General Assembly of the French.

[Year of our Lord 753] On his return from that Country, he heard of the Death of Griffon his Younger Brother. That unquiet Spirit being come out of Aquitain whither he had retired to Duke Gaifre, was assassinated in the Valley of Morienne going into Italy, either by some People of Pepins, says our Author, or by some of Gaifres, who conceived some Jealousie for having been too familiar with his Wife.

To Childebrand Grandson of Luitprand King of the Lombards, degraded by his Subjects, Rachis Duke of Friul succeeded by Election: who professing himself a Monk in the same Covent with Caroloman Brother of Pepin, Astolphus his Brother had taken his place. He finding the Emperour Constantine Copronimus full of Trou∣ble, had seized on the Exarchat of Ravenna and Pentapolis, which till then had been held by the Exarchs or Vicars of the Emperour. Besides, he had got into his power even under the very Walls of Rome, several Towns, belonging to several private Lords who had made themselves as it were Soveraigns in the time of the distress and disorders of the Grecian Empire; and finding all things submitted to him, he had likewise a great desire to make himself Master of Rome, pretending and maintaining, That the Exarchat he had conquer'd, gave him all the Right and Title the Emperours had enjoy'd in Italy, and therefore Rome and the Popes being in subjection to the Empire, were now under his.

[Year of our Lord 753] By vertue of this pretence he marched with his Army towards Rome, and sent to Summon the Romans to acknowledg him, and to pay him a Crown in Gold for every head. Pope Stephanus much amazed at this enterprize, beseeches him to leave the Lands belonging to the Church in Peace, hath recourse to the interces∣sion of the Emperour Constantius, and afterwards comes himself to Pavia to see the Lombard. But finding his Intreaties, nor the Emperour's Request had no influence upon him, he implored the Assistance of Pepin and his Protection, as Gregory III. had done that of Martel. So that, after he had prepared and disposed him by some Ambassadours sent before-hand, he went from Lombardy into France, to the great astonishment and vexation of Astolphus, who however durst not detain him.

[Year of our Lord 753] The King being unable to go so far as Morienne, as he had made him hope, sent to intreat him to come to Pontigon a Royal Castle near Langres; Charles his Eldest Son went above fifty Leagues to meet him. The Pope arrived at Pontigon the sixth day of January: the King with his Wife and Children, received him about a mile from the place, and treated him with all manner of respect and ho∣nour; But not to that degree as to walk on foot by his Horses side, and hold the bridle, as Anastasius hath written, who in some places hath spoken of ancient times, rather according to the Practice and Customs of the days he lived in, then accord∣ing to the naked truth.

After several Conferences both publique and private, Pepin promised him all manner of assistance, as soon as he had put his own affairs into some order, and wished him in the mean time to go and repose himself in the Abbey of St. Denis in France. Stephanus hath written, That being fallen desperately ill, and causing himself to be carried into the Church under the* 1.113 Bells to begg his recovery of God, ••e be∣held St. Denis in a Vision, together with the Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul, who miraculously restored him. Which could not but be very pleasing to the French, who had a singular Veneration for that Saint, and to Pepin himself, whose Father, either out of devotion, or to do like other Kings, had acknowledged he was greatly beholding to the intercession of those Holy Martyrs.

A little while after his being recovered from his Sickness, which was in the Month of July, he Crowned and Anointed Pepin and his two Sons with his own hands, exhorting the French to keep their Faith▪ and from that time Excommu∣nicating [Year of our Lord 754] them, if they ever chose a King of any other Race. Some say that this Ceremony was performed in the Church of St. Denis, before the Altar of St. Peter and St. Paul, which the Pope did on that day dedicate, in remembrance of the re∣covery of his health. Others believe it was in the Abbey-Church of Ferrieres. Wherever it were, the Ceremony being ended, Stephanus declared him* 1.114 Advocate or Defender of the Roman Church.

Astolphus well foreseeing that the Pope would bring the French upon him, had by Threats obliged the Abbot of Mount-Cassin to send the Monk Carloman into France to bring Pepin his Brother, upon pretence of demanding the Corps of St. Bennet, which had been stolne, and convey'd to the Abbey of Fleury upon the Loire, which from thence was named St. Bennets▪ but it was to oppose the endeavours of the Pope, and countermine his Designs in those Undertakings. In effect the Monk pleaded the Cause of Astolphus so stoutly in the Parliament of Crecy, that it was agreed some Ambassadors should be dispatched to Astolphus to endeavour an accom∣modation.

The Lombard received and treated them as coming from a Great and Potent State. He was willing to lay aside his pretences to the Soveraignty of the City of Rome and its dependences; but would reserve the Exarchat he had conquered by the Sword. The Pope on the contrary maintained that it belonged to him a•• being the spoiles of an heretick; and he sollicited Pepin so effectually, that that King promised to assist him in the conquering of it.

[Year of our Lord 754] Mean time Carloman for having espoused the Interest of the Lombard too far, brought himself to an ill pass: for the King and the Pope consulting and contri∣ving together, shut him up in a Monastery at Vienne, where he dyed the same Year, and his Sons were shaved for fear they should one day claim the Estate their Father had once possessed.

[Year of our Lord 755] The great Preparations for War, and a second Embassy being not sufficient to remove Astolphus from his firm resolution of detaining the Exarchat and the Pen∣tapole, Pepin caused his Army to march that way. His Van-Guard having seized the Cluses or the Passages of the Alps, and beaten off those Lombards that thought to defend them, Astolphus retires into Pavia, where presently afterwards he was shut up by Pepin.

The havock, the ruine, and firings the French made use of round about that City, could not draw him into the Field. The Pope in the mean while grew wea∣ry and melancholy at the desolation of Italy, and he also feared lest Pepin should make himself absolute Master, if he took that Place by force. He therefore con∣descends to an Accommodation at the earnest intreaty of the Lombard; and it was easily obtained, for he then promised him to give up the Exarchat, and the Justices of Saint Peter; which in my apprehension were certain Lands within the Bishoprick of Rome.

[Year of our Lord 756] So soon as the French-mens backs were turned, the Lombard instead of perform∣ing those hard Conditions, resolves to revenge himself upon the Pope, and the fol∣lowing Year went and laid Siege to Rome, where he made such spoil as declared his cruel resentment. This infraction obliged Pepin to repass the Mountains. Upon the noise of his March, he decamps from before Rome, which he had much strait∣ned, and retreats the second time to Pavia. Pepin besieges him and presses on so close, that having no other means to save his Life and Crown, he is compell'd to take himself for Judge and Arbitrator of the differences between him and the Pope. It was not possible but Pepin must judge in favour of the last. And indeed he would grant no Peace to Astolphus, but upon condition he should make good his former Years agreement, and moreover give up Comachio. This was treated and negotiated in the presence of the Emperour's Ambassadours, who being come to that Siege to demand those Countries for their Master, the Lombards had taken, suffered the displeasure and shame of a refusal.

The Exarchat comprehended Ravenna, Bologna, Imola, Faenza, Forly, Cesenna, Bobia, Ferrara and Adria.

The Pentapole held Rimini, Pesaro, Conca, Fano, Senigalia, Anconna, and some other lesser places.

[Year of our Lord 756] A Chaplain of King Pepin's received all these Towns, brought away Hostages, and laid the Keys upon the Altar of St. Peter and St. Paul at Rome, with the draught of the Treaty, to signify that Pepin made a donative thereof to those Ho∣ly Apostles. Some do imagine he did it in the Name of the Emperour Constantine

Copronimus, who indeed would not consent to it; and they believe that it is upon the equivocation of this name, that the Popes have founded their fabulous donation of Constantine the Great.

Astolphus dyed the Year following by a Fall from his Horse, Didier his Constable had a Party strong enough to Elect him King. But those for the Monk Rachis Brother to King Luitprand, who had left his Cloister, puzled him very much. He betakes him∣self to Pope Stephanus, promising him to make good the restitution Astolphus had agreed to. Pepin's Ambassadours were of Opinion that he should assist him in it; so that he constrained Rachis to return and betake himself agen to his Monastery. Stephanus dyes some Months after, Paul I. succeeded him, Didier and he lived well enough with each other.

[Year of our Lord 757] The Emperour Constantine had not yet lost all hopes of recovering the Exarchate by means of the French; and he endeavoured to regain it by the force of Presents and fair Words. Amongst other things he sent a pair of Organs to the King who was then at Compiegne. These were the first that had been seen in France.

Tassillon Duke of Bavaria, Son of Duke Ʋtilon or Odillon, came to the same place to take his Oath of Fidelity to King Pepin, rendring Homage to him, his hands* 1.115 within the Kings, and promising him such Service as a Vassal oweth to his Lord; which he confirmed by Swearing on the Bodies of St. Denis, Saint German of Paris, and Saint Martin at Tours.

[Year of our Lord 758] This Year they changed the time of the General Assembly which was held in March, and was now put off till May. And so it was no longer called the Field of Mars, but the Field of May.

Pepin thought to take some rest this Year, when Intelligence was brought him, that the Saxons were revolted. Though they were embodied in an Army, and had made Retrenchments upon all the Passages into their Country, he gained them all at the first attempt, and forced them to give him their Oaths and to pay Tri∣bute.

The Kings of this Second Race Celebrated the Festivals of Christmass and Easter with great Solemnity, cloatbed in their Royal Ornaments, the Crown upon their heads, and keeping open Court: and for this reason the Authors of those times never fail to put down every Year the place where they solemnized those holy Feasts.

[Year of our Lord 759] The City of Narbonna was yet held by the Saracens. This Year Pepin having besieged it, the Citizens who were Visigoths and Christians, slew the Infidel Gar∣rison, and delivered the place up to him, upon condition that he should suffer them to live according to their own Laws; that is to say, the Roman Law, which had ever been observed by the People of Septimania, and is yet to this day.

[Year of our Lord 760] There remained of all the Countries that had been subject to the Kingdom of France, none but Aquitain, that was not brought to their duty. Their Duke Gaifre did not acknowledg Pepin; and moreover he, or the Lords of his Country, retained what belonged to those Churches the French had in Aquitain. This was a plausible pretence for Pepin to quarrel, by demanding restitution of the Poors Patrimony. He expected that Gaifre would refuse to do right; thereupon he gets his Militia together and marches into Aquitain, to the place they call Theodad, where was an Ancient Palace of their Kings. Gaifre who was not prepared for so sudden an Expedition, was so much astonished, that he promised him full satis∣faction, and gave him up some Hostages.

It was to be feared that the Saracens in Spain would bring assistance to this Duke, and that he might be persuaded to deliver some places into their hands for Security and Retreat, which would have given them footing in France: Pepin pro∣vides against this, by pretending to desire the Alliance of their Caliph; to whom he sent a splendid Embassy. The Caliph looked on this proposition as very ho∣norable coming from so great a Prince, agreed to all what was desired, and sent back; the Embassadors loaden with rich Presents, whose Voyage thither and home again took up three Years time. [Year of our Lord 761]

* 1.116 Instead of performing his promise, Gaifre sent out his Forces, who ravaged all about Chaalons upon the Soane. Pepin extraordinarily offended at this Infidelity, resolves to make a perpetual War upon him, till he were quite ruin'd. This Year

he conquered Bourbon, Chantelle, Clermont, and divers Places in Auvergne, and from thence descends into Limosin and took Limoges, having defeated and slain in a great Battle Chilping Count d'Auvergne, and Amingue Count de Poitiers, who would have hindred him. His Eldest Son Charles began his first Apprentiship of Warr in this Expedition.

[Year of our Lord 762] The following Year after he had held the General Assembly at Carisy, or Crecy upon the Oyse, he entred for the third time into Aquitain, and by force took the City of Bourges and the Castle of Tours.

[Year of our Lord 763] At his Fourth Expedition, which was after the Sitting of the Parliament of Neuers, he pierced as far as Cahors. But the Duke Tasillon his Nephew, whom he carried along with him, having made his Escape and got into Bavaria, he feared that Young Prince might have some League with the Saxons and with Didier King of Lombardy, whose Daughter he had married.

[Year of our Lord 764] Therefore returning again into France, he let slip one Year without taking the Field: during which time nothing was done, but sending and receiving Messengers from Bavaria and Lombardy, concerning Treaties with Didier and Tas∣sillon.

[Year of our Lord 765] When he had made sure of them by some agreement, he undertakes afresh his design of Warr upon Aquitain. Gaifre had dismantled most of his Towns, as not having Numbers sufficient to maintain them: Pepin Repairs them, and places good Garrisons, then made himself Master of Angoulesme, Saintes, and Agen.

[Year of our Lord 766] The Year after he fortifies Argenton in Berry, and according to some Chro∣niclers, took the Town of Limoges, which by this reckoning must have been ta∣ken twice.

[Year of our Lord 767] Anno 767. After the General Assembly of Orleans was over, he enters into Septimania, and gained the Cities of Nismes, Maguelonne, Beziers, Thoulouse, Albi, and the Country of Givaudan. We cannot find by what Title these Cities could belong to Gaifre; and if it be said, They were in the hands of the Visigoths, what reason had Pepin to take them from those People.

He must of necessity have made all this long March in the Winter time, since he kept his Easter Festival at Vienne, held the Field-meeting of May at Bourges, and in the Month of August descended from thence as far as the Borders of the Garonne, clearing all the Country of such of Gaifres Garrison Soldiers as skulked amongst the Rocks and in the Caves of Auvergne and Perigord.

After the Celebration of the Christmass Festival at Bourges, he crossed Aquitain [Year of our Lord 768] as far as Saintes. In his way he took Remistang, Brother, or Uncle by the Mothers side, to Gaifre, whom he caused to be hanged for having broken his faith to him Three Years before; and while he was at Saintes, they presented to him the Mo∣ther, a Sister and a Niece of the same Dukes.

This Unfortunate Man fled still before him, sometimes into one Town, then into another. In fine, the King after he had kept his Easter at Selles in Berry, divided his Forces in two Bodies, that he might be hemm'd in. So that Gaifre being put to a full stop neer Perigueux, was constrained to stake his last Fortune in a Battle: but he lost it and his Life soon after, being slain either by the French, or even by his own men, who were willing to put an end to their Troubles, and the desolation of their Country.

Thus all Aquitain was entirely subdued, saving only they permitted the Gas∣cons to have a Duke. Pepin had but life enough just to finish this Conquest: for being come back to Saintes, he fell sick of an Hydropisia. As they were convey∣ing him to Paris, he paid his Devotions and made his Offerings on the Tomb of St. Martin de Tours; and being brought to perform the same duty at St. Denis [Year of our Lord 768] in France, he resigned up his Soul the 24th of September, in the Year 768. Aged 52. or 54. Years, of which he had reigned Seventeen and a half, if we reckon from the day of his Election, supposing that was made in the Field of Mars, Anno 751.

He married but one Wife who survived him, which was Bertha, whom the Histo∣rians have surnamed Great Foot, Daughter of Caribert Count of Laon, by whom he had four Sons, Carloman, Charles, Pepin and Gilles; and three Daughters, Ro∣taide, Adelaide, and Giselle. Of his Sons, the Youngest was thrust very young

into the Religious Monastery of Mount Soracte; Pepin dyed when three years old; The Kingdom was left to the other two, who were Crowned in the Month of October following, Carloman at Soissons, and Charles at Noyon. As for the Daugh∣ters, the two Eldest Rotaida and Adelaida, dyed young, Griselle married to a Cloi∣ster and was an Abbess. Some Genealogists bestow five or six Sons more upon him, and as many Daughters, of which, say they, Berte was married to Milon Count of Angiers, and Father of the invulnerable Orlando, and Chiltrude to René Count of Genoa, who was the Father of Oger the Dane.

[Year of our Lord 768] The two Brothers being in dispute about their partition, the Lords interpo∣sed to bring them to an agreement, and obliged them till all should be deter∣mined, by way of provision to take, Charles all Neustria, and Carloman Au∣strasia.

In the Reign of Pepin, God began to make Christendom feel the stroakes of the se∣verest scourge that was ever laid upon them. I mean the insulting Turks, which to this day threatens to overwhelm us. They were not unknown in Pliny's time, who rec∣kons them amongst those who inhabited along the Palus Meotides. There may have been some likewise amongst the Messagetes and elsewhere, as we have observed of some other Barbarians. In the time of the Emperour Justin, they were even then so potent, that they over-awed the Avari and other Neighbouring people. The Emperour Heraclius made use of them against Cosroes, and they made a mighty diversion being entred into Persia, a great part whereof paid them Tribute divers Years afterwards. But in the Year 763. they fell upon Armenia, and so spread themselves very far into Asia, where they subdued even the Kingdom of Persia, An. 1048. Nevertheless they had no So∣veraign, nor Chief General, but only many Colonels, till the first Croisado of the Chri∣stians in 1196. at which time they made choice of one to be the better united for their own defence and preservation.

CHARLES I.

CALLED The Great. OR, CHARLEMAINE, King XXIII.

Aged XXIX, Or XXX. Years.

POPES,

• STEPHANUS III. S. Three Tears, and Three Months.
• ADRIAN I. Elected in Feb. 772. S. neer 24. Years.
• LEO III. Elected in Decem. 795. S. Twenty Years, Five Months, of which Eighteen under this Reign.

Charles in Neustria and Bur∣gundy, Aged 29. or 30. Years.

Carloman in Austria, Aged 22 Years.

[Year of our Lord 769] DUring the Discord between the Two Brothers, which lasted some Months, Old Hunoud the Father of Gaifre who had put himself into a Monastery, throwes down his holy Frock to take up the Title of Duke of Aquitaine, and endeavoured to make that Province Revolt by the assistance of his Friends, and a League he made with Loup Duke of Gascongny. Charles, to whose share this Province fell, intreated his Bro∣ther to help him in quenching this Flame of Rebellion. Carloman joyns Forces with him: but in the mid-way, either of himself or by the suggestions of some busy-bodies, he conceives a Jealousie against his Eldest Brother, and leaves him there. Charles however continues on his March.

[Year of our Lord 770] Upon the noise of his approach Hunoud flies, and goes to hide himself in the farthest parts of Gascongny, where he thought to find an Asylum. But there is none against too great a Power. The Duke of Gascongny fearing the Threat∣nings of Charles, proved no more a Faithful Ally, then he had been a Faithful Vas∣sal, but comes to meet Charles, submits intirely to him, and delivers up that Unfortunate Man to his disposal; who notwithstanding a short while after ha∣ving made his Escape, got into Sanctuary at Didiers King of the Lombards. Thus ended the Dutchy of Aquitaine, which about Eleven years afterwards was Erected to a Kingdom by Charlemaine for Lewis the youngest of his Sons.

In this Expedition he built Franciac, which is to say, the Castle of the French upon the River Dordogne. It is now called Fronsac.

Pepin in his Life-time had married his two Sons, it is not mentioned to whom, per∣haps they were only betroathed; but if they were compleatly married, we must say they afterwards were divorced: for their Mother obliged them to take other Wives. Carloman espoused Berthe or Bertrade, whom the old Annals make to be the Daughter of Didier King of the Lombards. Charles likewise was married to Hildegard another of that King's Daughters, notwithstanding the great opposi∣tion the Pope made, even so far as to represent to him, how the Lombards stunk, and were infected with the Leprosie.

Carloman his Brother was of an odd humorous spirit, which gave him a great deal of trouble. But death happily delivered him in the Month of November of this Year 770. having cut the thrid of his Life in the Palace of Montsugeon nigh [Year of our Lord 770] Langres, at the beginning of the Third year of his Reign, and the 28th of his Age. His Brother caused his Corps to be conveyed to the Abbey of St. Remy of Reims, which he had greatly endowed. He had one Wife named Berthe, and two Sons.

While Charles held a General Assembly at Carbonnac, most part of the Lords and Austrasian Prelats came thither to acknowledg him for their King. They might do so; and it must be granted, that if he had not had that right, he had been an Usurper. The Widow of Carloman apprehending they might proceed further, [Year of our Lord 771] took her Children and went her way to Tassillon Duke of Bavaria.

Some Spanish Chroniclers, to whom I know not what faith we are to give, have writ∣ten, that besides Gaifre and Hatton, Eudes Duke of Aquitaine had a Son named Az∣nar, who considering the misfortune of his Brother, passed the Hebre, and having in Battle slain four petty Kings, or Saracen Generals, became the First Earl of Arragon. It was at that time but a small Territory between two Rivers of that name, whereof the City of Jacque was the Capital.

Charlemaine alone in all the Kingdom.

ONe cannot hear the Name of this Prince, without conceiving some great Idea. He was of a tall and becoming stature, seven foot in height, well shap'd in all his Limbs, unless his Neck, which was somewhat too thick and short, and his Belly strutting out a little too much. His gate was grave and firm, his voice of the shrillest. His Eyes were large and sparkling, his Nose high and long, his Countenance Gay and Serene, his Complexion fresh and lively, nothing of effeminate in his gesture and carriage, his humour sweet, facile and jovial, his conversation easy and familiar. He was humane, courteous and liberal, active, vigilant, laborious, and very sober, although fasting were prejudicial to him; an enemy to Flatterers and vanity, who hated huffing and new modes that were strange, cloathing himself very modestly, unless it were on some publique Ce∣remonies, where the Majesty of the Kingdom ought to appear in their Soveraign. At his Meals he made some read to him the History of the Kings his Predeces∣sors, or some Works of St. Augustine's; took two or three hours repose after Dinner; interrupted his sleep in the Night, rising three or four times; heard all Complaints, did Justice at all Seasons even at his time of dressing himself.

The Spring and Summer time he spent in War, part of Autumn in Hunting, the Winter in Counsels and the Management of his Government. Some certain hours both of the day and night in the Study of Learning, as Grammer, Astronomy and Theology. And in truth he was one of the most Learned and most Eloquent of that Age; the Works he left behind him to posterity are undeniable proofs of it. With all this clement, merciful, charitable, who maintained the Poor even in Syria, Egypt, and in Africa, who employ'd his Treasure in rewarding Soldiers and Schollars, in building publique Structures, Churches and Palaces, repairing of Bridges, Cause-ways, and great Roads, making Rivers Navigable, silling Sea-Ports with good Vessels, civilizing Barbarous Nations, and carrying the Honour of the French Nation with much Credit and Lustre into the remotest Kingdoms. And who above all other things had the greatest care to regulate his People with good and wholesome Laws, and bent all his Actions and Endeavours to the Wel∣fare of his Subjects, and the advancement of the Christian Religion.

Amongst the rest he had four very Potent Enemies to deal with, the Saxons,

the Huns, the Lombards, and the Saracens. The Saxons a most Warlike and as yet Idolatrous Nation, compounded of several People, and such as had been in∣vincible, had they acted by a mutual agreement and consent, gave him work and exercise enough for above Thirty Years; during which time he made divers Ex∣peditions against them always with advantage. He never denyed them Peace, and they broke again as soon as he was out of their sight: But his Piety constant as their Malice, was never wearied in forgiving them; not so much out of a desire to allure them to his obedience, as to bring them under the Yoak of Christ Jesus; The highest part of his Care having no other end but the propagation of Reli∣gion.

He entred into Saxony therefore this Year, and would try to terrify those Re∣bels by Fire and Sword: but they were not afraid to bid him Battle somewhat neer Osnabrug. Their Confidence was punished by a huge Slaughter of their men; those that remained made their escape beyond the Veser. He pursuing his Victory, took in the Castle of Eresburgh, demolished the Famous Temple of the false God Irmensul; and broke his Idol; It is supposed to have been the God Mars, whence Mers-purg took it's name. He afterwards pass'd the Veser, compelled the Saxons to give him some Hostages, and having rebuilt Fresburgh, put a French Garrison into it.

[Year of our Lord From the Year 767, to 771.] King Didier not able, or willing, to give over the Design his Predecessors had formed to abate the Power of the Popes, to make himself thereby Master of all Italy, sowed a Schisme in the Church of Rome whereby to discompose and weaken them. Pope Paul being dead Anno 767. Toton Duke of Nepet at his instigation enters into Rome, and forced the Clergy to Elect his Brother Constantine who was not in Orders. The following Year another Cabal, Enemies to this Violence of Constantine's, sets a Priest in the holy Chair, named Philip; But Crestofle Primicera (this was the highest Dignity in the City, next to the Prefect) constrained both the one and the other to renounce the Popeship, and caused Stephanus to be duly elect∣ed, a Priest of St. Cecil's, who was the fourth of that name.

Didier bethinks him of another method, in the Year 770. he goes to Rome upon pretence of Devotion, and by force of Presents, gained Paul Afiarte, Duke or So∣veraign Judge in Rome, to cause this Crestofle to be put to death, and to banish, or imprison for colourable reasons all such Roman Citizens as he knew to be most able and disposed to thwart his attempts. Afiarte did according to his desire: but Adrian, who was chosen after Stephen, stopt those unjust proceedings, and not only eluded all the vain essays of the Lombard; but was likewise the cause of his utter destruction.

After all other Experiments, Didier employs Force, seizes on several Cities of the Exarchat, ravaged the Neighbourhood of Rome; and the Year after, to tur∣moil the Pope, advances towards him, upon pretence of Visiting the Sepulchre of the holy Apostles; carrying along with him the Sons of the late King Carloman, to oblige him to Crown them. The Holy Father flatly refuses him, and failed not to make use of this Motive to exasperate Charlemaine the more against the Lombards. [Year of our Lord 773]

Betwixt these two Kings there were already some other causes of Enmity. For in the Year 771. Charles had repudiated Hildegard the Sister of Didier, saying she was infirm; A pretence that did not please a great many good people, parti∣cularly Adelard the King's Cousin, who for this reason retired from the Court into a Monastery. And Didier on his side had given a reception to Carloman's Widow, and promised her his assistance and support to restore her Sons to the Inheritance or Kingdom of their Father. These offences having inclined Charles's Mind to hearken to the Pope's Intreaties, he was the more easily induced to pass over the Mountains, but with so great and numerous Forces, that it was evident it was not meant so much to assist him, as to conquer Lombardy.

Having therefore Rendevouz'd his Army at Geneva, he divided it in two Bo∣dies, his Uncle Bernard with one took his way by the Mount Jou, and himself led the other by Mount Cenis. Didier had fortified the Passages; and in case they should be worsted, himself was advanced with all his Forces neer Turin, and in [Year of our Lord 773] the Valley of Aost; to observe and oppose the French even to the hazard of a Battle: but some of their Army having stollen by him very silently, and charging them in the Rear, he was so much afraid of being hemm'd in, that he cast him∣self into Pavia, and Adalgise his Son, whom he had made Partner of his Crown, into Verona.

Those of Spoletta and Rietta had already forsaken him to joyn with the Pope. When his Retreat was known, all the Marca Anconitana, and many other Cities followed their Example. Charles with a part of his Army encamped before Pa∣via, and sent the remainder before Verona. And to demonstrate he did not in∣tend to go thence till he had them in his power, he ordered his new Wife Hilde∣gard, Daughter of Childebrand Duke of Suevia, to come to his Camp, and passed the Winter there even till Christmass, at which time he goes to Verona to press that Siege forwards. Adalgise apprehending to fall into his hands, abandoned that City, and fled to the Emperour of Greece. The Veronese soon after yielded, [Year of our Lord 774] and gave up Carloman's Children and Widow; they were carried into France, what afterwards became of them, is not mentioned that I know of.

Nothing remained but Pavia. The Siege spinning out in length, Charles had a desire to go and pay his Devotions at Rome, at the good time of Easter. The Pope made him a magnificent Entrance; such as was accustomed to be made for the Exarchs. He in return confirms all the Grants made by his Father, and be∣sides, say some, added that of Soveraign Justice and absolute Power in all those Countries. So that, to speak properly, the Popes before this time, held what they had from the French Kings, from whom it must be owned they derive the best portion of their temporal Grandeur.

In length of time Pavia became so straightned, not by any Attaques, but by Famine, and the people so ill disposed, Hunoud the Fire-brand of this War, having been knock'd on the head by the Women, that Didier surrenders himself with his Wife and Children to Charles. He was conveyed into France, Cloister'd and Shaved, and died soon after. Thus was the Kingdom of Lombardy in Italy Extin∣guished, after it had lasted some 204 Years.

Before his return into France, Charles made a second Voyage to Rome, where the Pope with 150 Bishops whom he had summoned to honour his Reception, and likewise the Roman People, conferred upon him the Title of Patrician, which was the Degree the nearest to the Empire. It belonged to the Emperours only to bestow it: but they being now no longer acknowledged in Italy, the Pope and Romans attributed that Power to themselves: and which is more, agreed, That Charles should have the power of the Investiture of Bishopricks, and even to No∣minate the Popes, to prevent those Cabals, and the Disorders that hapned upon Elections. The Italian Authors assure us that he remitted this right to the Ro∣mans: but however he at least reserved to himself that of Confirming them, which the Emperours had enjoyed without the least contradiction, for above Three Ages. After this there was a very great and strict Friendship betwixt Charles and Adrian.

[Year of our Lord 774] Upon his Return Charles was Crowned▪ King of Lombardy, as the Kings of that Nation were used to be▪ at the Burrough of Modece near Milan, by the Archbishop of that Great City, who Anointed him, and put the Iron Crown upon his head. It is so called, because indeed it was made of a Circle or hoop of Iron, but cover'd over with a Plate of Gold. It is said, That the generous Teudelaine, Daughter of Garibald Duke of Bavaria, she who about the Year 593. converted the Lom∣bards from Arianism had it made for the Coronation of her Husband Agi∣lulf.

The Order he established in Italy was thus. To the Pope he left the Exar∣chat, the Pentapolis, (they were since called Romandiola) the Dutchies of Perusia, of Rome, of Toscana Ʋlteriora, and Campagnia. He gave the Dutchy of Benevent to Aragisa Son in law to Didier, that of Spoleta to Hildebrand, and that of Friul to Rotgaud, upon conditions only of Homage and Service, and to revert again to him for want of Heirs Males.

He gave the Earldomes and Captainries of those Countries upon the same con∣ditions. The rest he reserved for himself, viz. Liguria, Emilia, Venetia, and part of the Alpes, and setled Counts there to govern them, and do Justice. He imposed a certain Tribute on the Cities, and would have the Salique-Law be in force there; so that they had three sorts of Laws, the Lombard, the Salique, and the Roman; and the Subjects were permitted to live, and observe, and make any Contracts according to such of these Laws as they best liked. Since that, this Con∣quest hath been called the Kingdom of Italy, and it extended to the River Aufidus, or Ofantus, Puglia and Calabria together with Sicilia, belonging then to the Grecian Emperors.

During his absence the Saxons had unchained themselves, and put all in the

[Year of our Lord 774] Countrey of Hesse to Fire and Sword. About the latter end of the Year he sent four squadrons of men thither, who Attaqued them in four several parts, and brought a great deal of booty thence.

[Year of our Lord 775] The following Spring, he went amongst them himself with greater forces, took the Castle of Sigeburgh, rebuilt that of Eresburgh which they had demolished, drove them upon the Veser, and having beaten them soundly, forced them to quitt the Post of Brunsberg, where they had fortified themselves.

He after this divided his Army in two Bodies, and chased them to the Ri∣ver Ouacre, and there he received the oaths and hostages of Prince Halson or Helsis, and of the Ostfales or Ostrelands, which is to say Easterlings; then upon his re∣turn at the place named Buki, those of Vitikind, and the most considerable of the Dutchy of Angria.

In the mean time the other part of his Army had like to have been surprised by other Saxons near the River Ouacre, of whom he took so severe a revenge by Fire and Sword, that these likewise cryed him mercy, and gave him up hosta∣ges.

During all this, Adalgise Son of Didier, whom the Emperor had honoured with the Title of Patrician, got an Army at Sea to recover his Kingdom of Lom∣bardy, and debauched Rotgaud Duke of Friul, who was very unwilling to obey a stranger. Charles hastens thither with all diligence, defeated Rotgaud in a great Battel, caused his head to be cut off, and having chastised those that supported this Rebellion, gave that Dutchy to a French Lord by name Henry, together* 1.117 with Stiria and Carinthia, placing Counts and Garrisons in the Cities.

In his absence the Saxons fly to their Arms, surprized and razed the Castle of Eresburgh: but thinking to do the same to that of Sigeburgh, they were re∣pulsed by the French, who pursued them with slaughter to the banks of the Lipp. With this misfortune they had intelligence likewise that Charlemain was in their [Year of our Lord 776] Countrey, looking out for them; they came with all humility to prostrate them∣selves before him, together with their Wives and Children, desiring his Pardon and Baptism. Their submission and conversion though dissembled disarmed his wrath.

[Year of our Lord 777] In the Month of March following they all came from their several quarters to the general Assembly of Paderborn, excepting the Valiant Vitikind Duke of Angria, who had retired himself into the Country of Danemark, which the Authors of those times call Normandy. Thither likewise came the Saracen Ibnalarabi Go∣vernour of Sarragossa, with some other principal persons of the same Nation, who implored the protection of Charles. He easily granted it, and would lead his Army thither himself, rather to defend and encrease the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, then for his own honour or augmentation of Empire.

There had been Nine or Ten Lieutenant Generalissimo's in Spain belonging to the Caliph, who resided at Damas; whence he ruled all that vast Empire extending from the Indies to the Pyreneans. There were two very potent Families amongst the Saracens, that of Humeia and that of Alevaci. The first had held the Sove∣raignty for 150 years, and there had been Fourteen successive Caliphs of them: the other pretended to be descended from Fatima the Daughter of Mahomet; and for that reason had their claim. Now it hapned that Abulguchase, who was of the Alaveci, revolted, and having vanquished and slain Meroüane the last of these Fourteen Caliphs, and undertaken the task to destroy the whole Race; Abde∣rame flying from that Persecution, had saved himself in Spain, and freed that part from the dominion of the Caliph, by making it a distinct and independent Kingdom. But in this revolution other Governours had also fallen off from his obedience; and amongst these was Ibnalarabi, with the rest that came along with him, who wanted the assistance of the French to maintain them in their Usurpation.

[Year of our Lord 778] The great Forces raised by Charles, being divided in two Bodies, marched two different ways. The first with whom he went in person, passed thorough Bearn into Navarre, and laid Siege to Pampelune. This was the longest and the most memorable that ever the French had undertaken. At last the place surren∣dred upon composition.

From thence he marched towards Sarragossa, where the other part of the Army who had taken their way thorough the Countreys of Rousillon and Cerdagne joyned him. Ibnalarabi, and the other Saracen Chiefs came to meet him, and tendred him hostages and other assurances of their fidelity.

We must know that till this time the Christians on all those Frontiers, as well

as those of Spain had been subdued by the Saracens, to whom they paid a Tribute. Charlemain delivered them from that Slavery▪ and made them joyn in a League with these petty Moorish Princes who had put themselves under his Protection. It is said that he also sent some Forces to Alphonso the Chaste, to help him to throw off the Yoake of Vassallage and Tribute to which he had been hitherto compelled: Which these Divisions of the Moors made the more easie to be effected▪ Thus do the Spaniards owe their first Enfranchisement to the Assistance of the [☜] French.

The Gascons about the Pyreneans, who carried on the Trade of Theft, rewarded him but very ill for all his generous help; As he returned into France, passing by Pampelune which he dismantled, these Banditi lying in Ambuscade in the narrow Passages about Roncevaux, took all the Baggage which was in his Rear, and slew many of his brave Lords; amongst the rest, that Famous Rowland his Nephew, his* 1.118 Sisters Son, who was Marquess of the British Seas; that is to say, Governour of the French Coasts along that shoare. The Lords of those Countryes fearing his just Anger, delivered up many of those Robbers to him, that they might suffer such punishment as he would have inflicted on them. [Year of our Lord 780]

[Year of our Lord 780] The Spanish Authors triumph of this Defeat, and cry they have Vanquished Charles the Great and his Twelve Peers. But certain it is that Navarre, Arragon, and all that is between the Pyreneans and the Hebre, was at that time brought under the dominion of this King, and that he placed Counts at Girone, Ampuries, Ʋrgel, Barcelonna, Ribagorra, and other places. This Extent of Land was called the Marches* 1.119 of Spain.

When he returned he placed French Counts in all the Cities of Aquitain and of Septimania, to keep those People the better in obedience. Some others will have this Establishment to have been in 781. at the time when he bestow'd the Kingdom [Year of our Lord 778] of Aquitain upon Prince Lewis.

[Year of our Lord 778] In his absence Vitikind had re-inflamed the Fury of the Saxons, who made most terrible havock as far as Ments and Colen. As soon as he was come back, he sent away Three Squadrons of his Army, who soon beat them off; and the following year went thither in Person. They had the confidence to wait for him near the [Year of our Lord 779] River of Lipp, and to give him Battle: but he overcame them, and afterwards reduced Westphalia, Eastphalia and Angria; and the next year went outwards as [Year of our Lord 780] far as to that place where the River Hore meets and joyns with the Elbe, and recei∣ved many of their People, amongst others those that are called Nordleudes and Bar∣dogaves. Then having given the necessary orders to secure these new Conquests, and bridle the Sclavonians who were on the other side of the Elbe, he returned into Neustria.

Now fearing left Italy, wont to have a King, and who besides were molested with the Huns by Land, and the Saracens at Sea, should receive Adalgise, or give the Crown to some other; He makes a third Journey to Rome under colour of De∣votion. He celebrated the Feast of Christmas at Pavia, and that of Easter at Rome. The Pope baptized his second Son Pepin, and was his God-father, and afterwards [Year of our Lord 781] Crowned him King of Italy, and Lewis his younger Son King of Aquitain: This last was scarce three years old. His Kingdom contained the Dutchy of Aquitain, that of Gascoyne, and the Marca of Spain. The King gave not any to Charles his eldest Son, because he would keep him near himself to manage the Affairs of France and of Germany.

Charlemaine King of France.
	Pepin—King of Italy.	And	—Lewis King of Aquitaine.

[Year of our Lord 781] HE sent Lewis to Orleance under the Tutelage of a Bail, or Governor, named Arnold, and left Pepin in Italy, where he kept his Royal Seat at Milan, but yet was frequently at Ravenna. Though he had been already Crowned at Rome, yet he would be again Crowned at Modece.

Tassillon Duke of Bavaria had suffered his Faith to be shaken by Luitperge his Wife, Daughter of King Didier. Whilst Charles was at Rome, the Pope had agreed [Year of our Lord 781]

with him to send a couple of Bishops to that Duke, to put him in mind of his Oaths. The Pope failed not, and Tassillon having taken Hostages for his Security, comes to Wormes, and gave Twelve on his behalf.

[Year of our Lord 782] For some Years Charles held his General Assembly in Saxony: This was held at the Spring-head of the Lippe, where he gave Audience to the Ambassadours of Sifroy King of Denmark, and those from Cagan and Ingurre, Princes of the Huns. The Assembly being ended, he repassed the Rhine, and then Vitikind, who upon his former approaches had saved himself in Denmark returned to his own Country, and caused part of the Saxons to rise up again.

The Sorabi, a People that inhabited the Country between the Elbe and the Saal, were of the Confederacy. Three of the Kings chief Commanders who were or∣dered to observe and oppose them, leaves them, and goes against the Saxons; and falling rashly and disorderly upon them, without staying for Count Thierry, who was of Kin to Charlemaine, because they thought all the honour of the Victory and Success would be attributed to him; they were surrounded, and most of them cut off and destroy'd. The shame for this rebuke and loss inraged the King so high∣ly, that for this time he would not forgive the Saxons▪ unless the Country would deliver up Four thousand of the greatest Mutineers to him, all whose heads he cau∣sed to be struck off upon the Banks of the River Alare.

[Year of our Lord 783] This Severe bleeding did not yet qualify them so much as to hinder them from rising in Arms again the next Year, not one part of them, but all as one. Their Courage was so undaunted, that they gave him Battle, and their Forces so nume∣rous, that having lost it, they had yet enow left to sight him the second time, wherein they were as unsuccessful as at the first.

Before he took the Field, Charles had the unhappiness to lose a very good Wife Queen Hildegard, who died on the last of April, on the Ascension Eve.

The very same Year he married another who was named Fastrude, Daughter of a French Count called Raol.

All the following Year the King with a Flying Army, and Charles his Eldest Son with another, did only scowre and make Incursions upon the Saxons, sometimes up∣on [Year of our Lord 784] one side of the Country, sometimes on another: and it was resolved in Coun∣cel, That he should never give over till he had wholly subdued them.

[Year of our Lord 785] Though he had much broken them, yet they failed not the Year after to take the Field again, with the assistance of the Frisons their Allies: but they were as ill handled as before. In fine, their two Bravest Leaders Albion and Vitikind being disheartned by so much ill success, gave ear to the Friendly persuasions which the King, being touched with a real esteem for their great Courage, had made use of to bring to their duty. Having taken their Sureties, they appeared before the Estates at Paderborne, and thence followed him into France, where they were Baptised in his Palace of Atigny. He gave the Dutchy of Angria to Vitikind, who from that day forward led so good and Christian a life, that some have placed him amongst the Saints. From him many do derive the descent of the Race of the Capetine Kings.

[Year of our Lord 785] At this Assembly of Paderborn, Lewis King of Aquitaine, came to his Father with all his Forces. He often sent for him and his Brother Pepin, either when he wanted them, or to call them to an accompt, thereby to keep them in sub∣jection.

[Year of our Lord 786] After Easter in the Year 786. the Army went and fell upon Bretagne, whose Princes thought themselves independent, and had their little Kingdom apart. These likewise were compell'd, after they had lost divers strong Places, to sub∣mit to the Grandeur of Charles, and to send several Lords to him to take their Oaths of Fidelity; But not believing themselves bound to do so, they kept them no longer, then till they found an opportunity to violate their Faith without danger.

[Year of our Lord 786] In the mean time Adalgise, Son of the unfortunate Didier, was at Sea with an Army, solliciting his Brother in Law Tassillon to fall into Italy at the same time as he should land, for the same purpose having made sure of Aregisa Duke of Bene∣vent who married his Sister; Charles to prevent the execution of their Designes, passes the Mountains the fourth time, and having taken Benevent and Capova from Aregisa, who would be called King, forces him to give sufficient Pledges, and re∣nounce that vain Title.

He had seen the Pope at his passing by Rome, upon his return he saw him again. [Year of our Lord 786] In this Voyage to please himself, he brought into France the Gregorian Singing, and the Liturgy or Mass that was used at Rome, and would needs abolish the Mu∣sick

and Service of the Gallican Church. This change begot many difficulties, and stirred up Persecutions against the Ancient Galls, who persisted in keeping their own Customs: This good Prince was so wedded to this Singing, that he made it a considerable business, and a main point of Religion; whereas several of the An∣cient Fathers held it as a very indifferent thing.

[Year of our Lord 787] Whilst he was last at Rome, Tassillon's Ambassadors came thither to intreat the Pope to reconcile Charles perfectly to him. The holy Father and the King willing∣ly hearkned to it. But when the King press'd them to name the time wherein their Master would perform what he promised; they replyed, that they had no∣thing in Commission but to carry back his answer: So that the King perceiving he did not walk uprightly, resolved when he got again into France, to make him speak clearly. Having therefore held the Estates at Wormes, he drew three Armies into the Field, his Son Pepin's in Italy, one of the Eastern French, and a third which himself Commanded.

[Year of our Lord 787] When Tassillon saw them all upon his Frontiers, the first in the Valley of Trente, the second on the Borders of the Danube, and the other under the Walls of the City of Augsburgh, not knowing which way to turn, he came with all humility to begg his pardon, and delivered up Thirteen Hostages, whereof his Eldest Son, Theudon was one.

Yet the hatred he had for the French, and the correspondence he held with Adalgise his Brother in Law, still prompted him secretly to sollicite the Bavarian to take up Arms, and to joyn in League with the Huns his Neighbours who held Pannonia; which is Hungary and Austria. Part of these were led by his persua∣sions, but the rest apprehending the Calamities of War, gave the King notice hereof. For which cause this Duke being a second time summoned to the Assem∣bly of Estates which met at Ingelhenin, and there accused by his own Subjects, and convicted of Treason, was by his Peers condemned to lose his Life. Howbeit the King, in favour of him as being neer of Kin, commuted that punishment; so that both he and his Son Theudon were only Shaved and sent to the Cloister of Loresheim, and then to Jumiege. And at this time The Dutchy of Bavaria was Ex∣tinguished, and divided into several hereditary Counties.

[Year of our Lord 788] Out of these ruines sprung a more powerful Enemy. The Huns angry for the loss of their Allie, and that the French were become their Neighbours, began a most bloody War with them, which lasted for Eight Years together. This Year let them however know what the Event was like to be, for they lost three Battles against them, one in Friul, and two in Bavaria.

At the same time Adalgise having obtained some Forces of Constantine the Empe∣ror of Greece, who was netled for that Charles had denied him his Daughter Ro∣trude in Marriage, descended into Italy by Calabria, imagining the rest of the Lom∣bards would take up Arms in his Quarrel. But he was mistaken in his reckoning. Grimoald Son of his Sister, and Aragise Duke of Benevent, whom Charles had grati∣fy'd with the Dutchy after the death of his Father, Hildebrand Duke of Spoleta, Vinigisa who was so after him, and some other of King Pepins Captains, fought him at his going forth of Calabria, and obtained an entire Victory. That unfor∣tunate man falling into their hands alive, was cruelly put to death, as generally most Princes are that endeavour to regain their own, when they suffer themselves to be taken.

[Year of our Lord 789] Of the German People, there was hardly any but those that Inhabited along the Baltick Coasts, who did not acknowledge Charlemain, or held themselves Enemies to the French and their Allies. Those nearest to his Frontiers were the Wilses, seated on the further side of the Elbe, in the Southern part of the Country. He built a Fort upon that River, which he strengthened with two Castles, and having made an inroad even to their Principal City, which they called Dragawit, brought such astonishment amongst them, that they all submitted without striking one blow; Their chief Head, named Viltzan, coming forth together with the most eminent of them to take the Oath of Fidelity, and offer him pledges for Security.

[Year of our Lord 790] He spent the Year 790. in his Palace of Wormes, without undertaking any Mi∣litary expedition. He addicted himself to works of Piety, sent great Almes to the Christians in Syria, Egypt and Africa, who groaned under the Saracen yoak, and besought the amity of those Infidel Princes, thereby to oblige them to treat the Christians more mercifully.

[Year of our Lord 790] This very Year was begun, as some do hold, that indissoluble Alliance between France and Scotland. Charles having sent four Thousand Men in assistance of King Achaius, who made him a present (say the Scottish Authors) of Claudius Clement,* 1.120 and Alcuinus an Anglo-Saxon, two learned Men for that Age. It is added that they came to Paris, and erected some publick Schools, Beginning of that Famous Ʋniversity, the Mother of all those that are in Europe.

[Year of our Lord 791] France having at this time no other Affairs, Charles thought it was time to take his Revenge of the Huns: but so as it proved a blessing to them, by their being subdued to embrace the Christian Faith. They had, say some Aut••ors, seven Ringues, or Vast Enclosures, lock'd within one another, and wonderfully Palli∣sadoed and strengthned with Rampires, into which they made their retreat with their Spoil, which they had practised above two hundred Years. Charles having passed the River Emms, which divides Bavaria from their Country, went forwards with his Forces who marched along the two sides of the Danube, attended with a Fleet which sailed on the same River; and at the same time another Body of Eastern French-men entred upon them from Bohemia. Upon his arrival they all fled, and left two of their Ringues to him, and afterwards he made his way and ravaged as far as the River Rab. Had it not been for a great mortality which al∣most destroy'd all his Horses, he would have push'd his Conquest further.

We must observe, That the Country of those Avari, which lay on the East of Bava∣ria, was by the French, because of their Situation Eastward in respect of them, called Oosterich, whence comes the name of Austria.

[Year of our Lord 792] An eminent danger wherein he found himself the following Year, prevented his return thither as he had projected. The French Austrasian Lords, offended at the lofty behaviour of the Queen Fastrade, conspired to be freed from her to ridd themselves of their King her Husband, and to set up one of his Bastards, named Pepin, in his stead, who had a handsome face, but crooked, and as malicious as it was possible. The plott was discover'd by a poor Priest, who being accidentally in the corner of a Church, where they met for this purpose, over-heard them discoursing of the design. Charles by Sentence of the Estates, caused several to be beheaded, some their Eyes to be put out, others hanged, and his Bastard to be shaved and thrust into the Abby of Prom, which is in the Bishoprick of Triers.

[Year of our Lord 793] This Year Liderick de Harlebec Great Forester of Flanders, was made Earl of it, but not hereditary; though from him are descended the Earls of that Country.

[Year of our Lord 793] The same Year a Tumult was raised in the Dutchy of Benevent, contrived per∣haps by Grimoald and the rest of the Lombards, which proved so dangerous, that Lewis King of Aquitaine went into Italy with his Forces to assist his Brother Pepin.

[Year of our Lord 793] Whilst Charles was at Ratisbon, and had laid a Bridge over the Danube, to go and subdue the Avari; A Design was propounded to him which would have pro∣ved of great benefit in that War, and for ever after to all Europe. Which was to make a Communication between the River Rhine and the Danube, and by con∣sequence between the Ocean and the Black-Sea, by cutting a Channel from the River Almu••s, which discharges it self into the Danube, to the River Redits, which falls by Bamberg into the Meine, which does afterwards run into the Rhine near Ments. To which end he caused a world of men to work: but the continual Rains that hapned, filling up his Trenches, and over-flowing and washing away his Banks, ruined that brave and useful Undertaking.

Besides, he was diverted by two accounts of ill tydings; one, the revolt of the Saxons, who having kept themselves quiet seven or eight years, now threw off again both the Yoake of Obedience and of Religion; The other, that the Forces Commanded by his Counts in the Marea of Spain, were defeated by the Saracens.

[Year of our Lord 794] Felix Bishop of Ʋrgel had in his answers to Elipand Bishop of Toledo, published a most dangerous heresy: That Jesus Christ as Man, was but the Adopted Son of God the Father; And although about two Years before the King having sent for him, obliged him to recant, and to go to Rome to abjure his Errour: nevertheless he

began anew to dogmatize. Wherefore he caused a Councel of French Bishops to assemble at Francfort, as also several Bishops of Germany and Lombardy, who all condemned that Error in presence of the Pope's Legat: They also rejected the Second Councel of Nice, which had ordained the adoration of Images, and pro∣nounced that it did not deserve the title of Oecumenique.

Whilst the King was at Francfort, died Queen Fastrada his third Wife.

[Year of our Lord 794] From thence he went and fell with all his Forces upon the Saxons Country, his Army being divided in two, whereof he Commanded one part himself, and his Eldest Son the other, struck so great a Terror thorough all those Provinces, that instead of running to their Arms, they came running to him to begg for Mercy; and this good Prince sparing the blood of those obstinate People, contented him∣self with the taking away of one third of all such as were capable of bearing Arms, and transporting them to the Sea-Coast of Flanders.

[Year of our Lord 796] Upon his Return he passed away his Winter in the Country of Juliers, where ha∣ving discovered some hot Baths, he built a fair Palace and a Church to the honour of the Virgin Mary. For which reason that place was called Aix la Chapelle. These Baths had in former times been accommodated and adorned with handsome Stru∣ctures by some great Lord, or Roman Governor, whose Name was Granus, (it is not well known in what time) from whence in Latin it takes the name Aquis Granum.

But I should have told you, that before this Year was expired, the Saxons had once more play'd the enraged Devils, cutting in pieces an Army of the Abodrites in the Passage to the Elbe, as they were marching by the King's Command upon an Expedition against the Avari. Viltzan who Commanded them was slain; which put the King into so great Wrath, that he gave up all Saxony to the mercy of the Sword; and at this time there were slain at the least Thirty thousand of those People bearing Arms.

Pope Adrian his intimate Friend being dead, Leo was Elected by the Senators and the Principal of the Clergy at Rome. He sent him an Ambassadour to give [Year of our Lord 796] him notice of his Election, and to carry the Keys of St. Peter's Church, with the City Banner and other honourable Presents to him, desiring him to send one of his Princes thither to receive the Oaths of Fidelity of the Romans, a certain proof, that the King in quality of Patrician, held the Lordship of the City of Rome.

[Year of our Lord 796] The Two most potent Princes of the Avari-Huns were so strangely bent to destroy one another, that both of them perished in that Civil War. Henry* 1.121 Duke of Friuli, taking his opportunity when that Nation was weakned by so much loss of Blood, enters the Country and makes himself Master of their principal Ringue, where he sound Vast Treasures which those Robbers had heaped up, out of the plunder of all their Neighbouring Provinces for at least two Ag s. He sent all to Charl••••aine, and Theudon one of their Princes came to him almost at the same [Year of our Lord 796, & 797.] time, and was Baptised; but being sent again to Rule in these Countries along the River Raab, he did not keep his Faith long. And so he was slain by the French and Bavarians.

[Year of our Lord 796] The other Avari thinking to restore themselves, Elected a* 1.122 Kan, (that is to say, a Commander, for so they called all their Princes) but he was likewise Slain in a Battle by King Pepin; all the Country conquer'd from the River Raab to the Dravus, and from thence to the Danube, and all those Barbarians put to the edge of the Sword, or driven over the River Tissa.

[Year of our Lord 797] There was a continual War between the French and the Moors, beyond the Py∣reneans. The City of Barcelonna, which was sometimes the ones, sometimes the others, fell into the hands of Zad a Saracen Prince, who fearing he should not be able to keep it, came and paid Homage to King Lewis: but upon the first occasion broke his Faith with him.

Charlemaine spent this Year and almost the two following in compleating the Conquest of the Saxons, who broke all Agreements as soon as they had made them, and sometimes signalized their Treachery by some base and mean Cruelties; As they did Anno 798. having killed the King's Commissaries or Judges, who did not [Year of our Lord 798] leave that Crime unpunished. He built some Cities within their Country, amongst [Year of our Lord 799] others Heristal upon the Weser.

The Astronomers of those times, observe that the Planet Mars was not visible in the Heavens, from the Month of July in the Year 797, untill the same Month of the Year 798.

Some Roman Officers Kindred of the deceased Pope Adrian, and Enemies of Pope Leo, having made a great Faction, fell one day upon him, whilst he was at a Solemn Procession, and endeavoured to tear out his Eyes, and cut out his Tongue, afterwards dragging him to a loathsom Prison. But he scaped being so mangled as they supposed him to be, and he found friends that contrived his escape to the French Ambassadors, who were lodged at Saint Peters: they conducted him to Spoleta, and thence sent him to the King, well guarded, who at that time was in Saxony. The King having heard his sad complaints, sent him back again to Rome with the same honour as he had received him, promising he would soon be on the place to do him justice.

The Islands called Baleares,* 1.123 gave themselves up to France, that they might be protected against the Saracen Pyrats.

[Year of our Lord 799] The Saracen Aza, who had made himself Soveraign of Huesca, that he might have the protection of the French, sent the Keys of his City with Presents to Charles the Great, proffering to deliver it up to him when ever he desired it. But when they would have taken him at his word, he failed them, and they did very well in keeping the Forts in their own hands which were erected opposite to Huesca and Sarragossa. Count Aureolus Commanded them.

[Year of our Lord 799] The Avari after several vain attempts to recover their Liberty, were entirely subdued, all their Nobility cut off in the several Battles that had been fought, and the remainder of their Wealth carried away by the French, who became very rich, and began to adorn themselves with Ornaments of Gold even to the very com∣mon Soldiers.

[Year of our Lord 799] Guy Count of the Marches of Bretagne wholly submitted that Country, and brought the Shields and Arms together with the Names of all the Lords and Com∣mons that were become Subjects to the King. So that all that Country was for a time under the Dominion of France.

[Year of our Lord 800] The Danes, Normands and Saracens began their Pyracy and robbed the Coasts of France, these in the Mediterranean, the others in the Ocean. Charlemaine Vi∣sited them all, gave Orders to build Vessels, and to raise Forts in several places; and amongst others, to repair the Tower d'Ordre* 1.124 at Boulogne, an ancient Build∣ing which had been erected by the Romans.

The Pyracy of those Insidels was not only an effect of their inclination to get Wealth and Plunder, but like wise of their false Zeal against the Christian Religion. Idolatry being hunted and pursued from one Country to another, and drove be∣yond the Rhine, had taken refuge in Saxony with her false Priests, together with all those that struggled in their defence: And then being hotly attaqued by the French, had thrown themselves beyond the Elbe and in Denmark, as their last Bulwark. From whence those Exiles and their Off-spring, burning with the cruel desire of avenging their Gods and their loss of Liberty, made perpetual Excursions, and prin∣cipally exercised their bloody malice upon such Priests and Monks a•• they could light upon, as being those that had destroy'd their Superstitious Temples and false Gods.

Luitgard fourth Wife of Charlemaine dies at Saint Martins de T••ars, whither she was gone to pay her Devotions.

From Ments, where he had called a Parliament, he went into Italy, as well to take cognisance of those Outrages committed against the Pope, as upon some vehement suspitions that they were contriving with Grimoald Duke of Benevent, not well affected, and the Inhabitants of Friuli, who had ••lain their Duke Henry, to revolt from the French.

[Year of our Lord 800] Passing by Friuli, he punished the Authors of that Murther. Being at Rome, he admitted Pope Leo to justify and purge himself by Oath, no body then appear∣ing to accuse him. He afterwards ordered Process to be made against those that had attempted him so basely, who were all condemned to death: but the Pope imitating the Mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, interceded and obtained that both their Lives and Limbs should be spared. For in those times it was so common a punishment to Mutilate, that even some Abbots used it towards their Monks.

The Pope in retribution of so many favours which this King, his Father and Grand-father, had conferr'd upon the Holy Chair, and to gain that protection which the Grecian Emperours were uncapable to give, obliged the Romans to de∣mand him for their Emperour, and Crowned him upon Christmass Day in Saint Peter's the People crying aloud three times, A long and happy Life and Victory to Charles the August, Great, and Peaceable Emperour of the Romans, Crowned by God.

This was in the Year 800▪ beginning the Year on the First day of January; but [Year of our Lord 800] 801, if we account Christmass Day the first of the New Year, as the French Au∣thors* 1.125 of those Times are wont to do. After the Ceremony the Pope adored the New Emperour; that is to say, Kneeled down before him, and acknowledged him for his Soveraign, and caused his Portraiture to be exposed in publique, that so all the Romans might pay him the same respect. If we give credit to some of the Annalists of those Times, he did not seek for this honour, and the Pope surprized him when he besought him to accept of this Title. And indeed, it was so far from bringing him any advantage, that it made him now hold that only by the Election of the Romans, which he before held by the power of his Sword.

By this means the West had an Emperour again: but one that had no connexion now with that in the East, as formerly it had.

[Year of our Lord 801] As the New Emperour was returning into France, being at Spoleta, there was a furious Earth-quake, accompanied with horrible Noise which shook the Country thereabouts. Neither was France and Germany free from it. But Italy felt it most: a great number of Cities being thrown down and destroy'd: and this Prodigy was followed with Furious Tempests, and afterwards with divers Contagious Mala∣dies. This Year Charles made no Military Expedition: but his Son Lewis made himself Famous by the taking of Barcelona.

[Year of our Lord 801] When the petty Saracen Princes upon the Frontiers of Spain feared they should be oppressed by the King of Cordoüa, who was Generalissimo of Spain, they made an Alliance with the French, but the danger once past, they fell again to their wonted Treachery. Zad Prince of Barcelona studying some Treason against the French, was nevertheless so imprudent, thinking the better to conceal his Design, as to come to King Lewis at Narbonna, who caused him to be seized. The Sara∣cens Elected one Hamar of his Kindred in his room, resolved to defend themselves to the uttermost.

Whilst this hapned the Gascons revolted, because Lewis had set up at Fesensac a Count they were not pleased with. After he had severely chastiz'd them, he un∣dertakes the Siege of Barcelona. The King of Cordoüa takes the Field to Relieve it: but being informed there was a Body of an Army to hinder his passage, he bends his Forces against the Asturians. The besieged after a Twelve-months re∣sistance, surrendred themselves up to Lewis, who came himself to hasten forwards the Attaques, he settled a Count in it, named Bera, who is said to be the Stock of the Earls of Barcelonna.

All the Princes of the Earth either feared or loved Charlemaine. Alphonso King of Galicia and the Asturia's, writing or sending Ambassadours to him, would be called no other but his Man* 1.126, his Vassal. The Scottish Kings* 1.127 always stiled him their Lord, and termed themselves his Subjects, and his Servants. The Chiefs of the Saracens of Spain and Africa, reverenced him and besought his Alliance. The Haughty Aaron King of Persia, who despised all other Princes in the World, desired no Friendship but his; He this Year sent him Jewels, and Silks and Spices, and one of the largest Elephants. Withal, understanding that he had a great de∣votion for the Holy Land, and the City of Jerusalem, he gave him the Propriety of them, reserving to himself only the Title of his Lieutenant in that Country, And two Years after interposed so earnestly in his behalf with Nicephorus, that he engaged that Emperour to conclude a Treaty of Peace with him very ad∣vantagious to France.

[Year of our Lord 802] During this great Torrent of good Fortune, it had been easy for Charlemaine to conquer all the remainder of Italy and their Islands; the Grecians having only a very wicked Woman in their Imperial Throne, it was Irene the Widow of Leo, who had caused the Eyes of her own Son Constantine to be put out. But to stop his progress had the policy to amuse him with the hopes of marrying her, which would have put the Empire of the East into his hands.

* 1.128 This Negotiation was well advanced, and Charle's Ambassadours were at Con∣stantinople to conclude it, when she was driven thence by Nicephorus who made him∣self Emperour.

Nicephorus having chaced away Irene, proposed to the Ambassadours of France, who were come to Treat with her, to make an agreement with Charles about

[Year of our Lord 802] Sharing the Empire. He agreed therefore that he should bear the Title of Em∣perour as well as himself, and that all Italy should be his to the Rivers of Ofantus * 1.129, and the Vilturnia, with Bavaria, Hungary, Austria, Dalmatia, and S••l••vonia, the Gauls, and Spaines. For as to Germany, it had never been in subjection to the Romans: But Great Brittain or England had been a Member, and by conse∣quence ought to hold of Charlemaine.

[Year of our Lord 802. and 803.] Grimoald Duke of Benevent had revolted under the favour and with the support of the Greeks. The French gain'd from him the City of Nocera: but soon after he retook it with Vinigisa Count of Spoleta who lay sick in the place. But when the agreement was made betwixt the two Empires, he sent him back again very civilly, and made his peace with the French.

[Year of our Lord 804] The Saxons now revolted for the last time, especially those beyond the Elbe, in∣cited by Godfrey, who was King of Denmark, and very potent at Sea. Charles being come thither with all his Forces, aud having pitched his Camp near the River Elbe, that King advanced as far as Sliestorp upon the Borders of his Kingdom and the Country of Saxony, to confer with the Emperour: but some kind of Jealousie made him on the sudden turn back again: and so the Saxon Holsatians finding them∣selves abandoned, redeemed themselves from utter destruction by turning all Chri∣stians.

But he transported one part of them into Flanders, and another into the Helvetian Country, whence it is said the Swisse are descended, a People who are very free in their own Country, and yet serve in all others. He bestowed the Lands they inha∣bited beyond the Ebre upon the Abrodite Sclavonians; and he established a Councel in Saxony in manner of an Inquisition, who had power to punish Mutineers, espe∣cially such as returned again to their Idolatry. This sort of Inquisition lasted in Westphalia to the 15th Age. Thus ended the long and obstinate Rebellion of the Saxons, who partly by consent, partly by force, submitted to the Yoak of Jesus Christ, and the Dominion of France.

[Year of our Lord 804] In the Month of October of the same Year, Pope Leo's Ambassadours came to him at Aix la Chapelle, to let him know their Master desired to see and entertain him with some of the Miraculous Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was affirmed to have been found at Mantoüa. The King sent his Eldest Son Charles as far as Saint Maurice in Chablais to meet him, and himself went and received him at Rheims, whence he had him to his Palace of Crecy* 1.130 upon the Oise to pass his Christmass, and from thence to Aix la Chapelle, to consecrate the Church. The Holy Father having been there eight dayes, went back again to Rome thorough Bavaria.

He had undertaken this Journey to complain how that Maurice Duke of the Ve∣netians, and his Son John whom he had joyned with him, persecuted the Patriarch Fortunatus whom he had approved of, and honoured with the Pall; and also how they favoured the Grecian Emperour. The City of Venice was not yet built, and the Seventy two Islands that compose it, together with the Country and Towns upon the Shoars of the Gulph, were governed by Tribunes who counter-balanced the power of the Duke. Now those Tribunes (Beat and Obelier whom our French Authors of those Times call Willeric) had caused themselves to be Elected Dukes by one part of the People, and had driven away Maurice and John, who had re∣course to the Assistance of the Greeks.

[Year of our Lord 806] These therefore and John Duke of Zara, with some other Lords of Dalmatia, came to the Palace at Thionville to desire assistance of the Emperour, in case the Greeks should assault them.

Whilst he remained there, he shared his Estates between his three Sons, in such manner that either of them hapning to dye without Children, his Portion should [☞] be re-divided betwixt the other two; but if a Son were born, and that the People would Elect him to succeed his Father, the Uncles were to consent thereunto.

This partition was made, all his Sons being present, subscribed by the French Lords, and carried to the Pope, that he might likewise Sign it, not to make it the more Valuable, but to render it the more Authentique.

[Year of our Lord 806] This Year the Navarois were reduced to the Obedience of the French, from whom they had withdrawn themselves (upon what motives is unknown) to put themselves under the dominion of the Saracens.

The Emperour's eldest Son employ'd himself without intermission in subduing the remaining Idolatrous people in Germany. The preceding Year he had gained a very great Victory over the Beheman Sclavonians, or* 1.131 Behains, they are now called Bohemians, and slew their Duke named Lechon. This Year he had the like advantage over the Sclavonian Sorabes, who inhabited on the other side of the River Elbe.

At the same time, his two other Brothers laboured each in his division to en∣crease their Limits upon the Infidels. Pepin made War against the Saracens at Sea, Ademar Count of Genoa lost a Battle and his Life: but Bouchard Count de l'Estable obtained another very signal one. Lewis with his Aquitains made his Incursions to the further Shoar of the Elbe.

[Year of our Lord 807] Nicetas Patrician of the East, sent into the Adriatique Sea by the Emperour Nicephorus, to recover Dalmatia, restored that Country to the obedience of his Master, and re-settled Maurice and John Dukes of Venice, who had been expell'd, and they soon expelled all those that had taken part with France. Pepin had re∣solved to attaque Nicetas; yet he made a Truce with him for some Months, per∣haps because he had enough to do with the Saracens who infested the Tuscan Seas.

This Year 807. was seen in the Heavens two extraordinary Phenomena, besides three Eclypses, two of the Moon, and the third of the Sun. For on the last day of January the Planet Jupiter seemed to enter into the Moon▪ who was in her 17th day, and the 14th of March Mercury appeared in the diske of the Sun, a little above the Center, like a little black speck; which lasted so eight dayes.

[Year of our Lord 807] The Pyracies of the Normands, and their Descents and Landing on the Coasts of Neustria, and even in the Mediterranean, became more frequent and troublesome. Charlemaine one day being in Provence, and seeing some of them appear, was so touched with the Misery France was like to suffer by these Pyrats, that he could not refrain from Tears.

[Year of our Lord 807] The Ambassadors from the King of Persia brought him Rare Presents, Tents all of Silk, and a Striking Clock with wonderful Automata. They were accompanied by some Monks whom the Patriarch of Jerusalem (for Syria was then under the obe∣dience of the Persians) had given them to be their Guides.

In the East all acknowledged or honoured Charlemaine. There was none but Godfrey that countermined his Grandeur; and Charles desired to get into his Coun∣try, not to take possession of the Ice and barren Rocks of that Northern Region: but to bring those poor ignorant Wretches to the Knowledg of true Faith.

[Year of our Lord 808] The Dane prevented him, and had the confidence to attaque his Country. At first he made a great bustle, drove before him Traciscon Duke of the Abrodites, who was under the dominion of the French, took by Treachery, and hanged an∣other of their Dukes, and made two thirds of those people become his Tributaries. Nevertheless having lost his best Men, and his Brothers Son upon the storming of a Castle, being informed that Charles eldest Son to the Emperour had passed over the Elbe, he retreated, and spoiled or ruined his Haven at Reric, whither much Goods and Merchandise had wont to be brought, for fear the French should for∣tify themselves there.

He designed likewise to shut up and cover his Country of Danemark, by draw∣ing a line and making a great rampart just opposite to the Saxons Territory, from that Gulph of the Sea on the Eastern part to that on the West; and all along the Banks of the River Egidore or Egid, and in this part of his Earthen Wall or Work, he had but one Gate well flanked, for the passage of Carts and Soldi∣ers.

Amongst divers exploits which were done in the Marches of Spain, Lewis King of Aquitain took by force of Engins and assaults the City of Tortosa in Catalonia. But Count Aureolus who had the Government of those Frontiers dying the year after, Amoroz a Saracen Prince of Sarragosa seized upon several Fortresses of the French, protesting notwithstanding he was ready to restore these places and his own person to the Emperors disposal. Whereupon a Treaty was begun, during which Abular King of Cordoüa, to whom these Negotiations were no way plea∣sing, sends his Son Abderaman, who craftily seized upon Sarragosa, and constrain∣ed Amoroz to retire himself to Huesca.

[Year of our Lord 808] The Truce being expired between the French and the Greeks, Pepin enters into

the Gulph of Venice, and gave Battel to Paul, who was Patrician and one of the Greeks Generals. Each side pretended they had gained the Victory.

[Year of our Lord 809] The following year Nicetas having presented him Battel near Comachio was rude∣ly repulsed.

At the same time Charlemain desiring to repress the Danes incursions, sent or∣ders and materials to build a great Fort on the River Sturia, at the place called Aselfelt.

The Gascons were again revolted, Lewis being gone to Dags with a powerful Army ruined all the Countries of the most Factious and Stubborn, and gave quar∣ter only to those that besought his Pardon. From thence finding he was so far on his way, he pushes on to Pampeluna, where he made some stay to assure himself of the fidelity of the Inhabitants of that Country, which was very uncertain. Be∣fore he Filed off his men thorow the passages of those Mountains, he would needs be precautioned against the Robberies of those Gascon Mountaineers, some of them being already in Ambuscade, by seizing on their Women and Children, and hanging one of their Spies, who came on purpose to observe them, and give his Companions notice of their motion.

[Year of our Lord 810] Being returned into Aquitain, he mightily laboured to reform that Kingdom, and especially the Ecclesiastical Order, which was so much deformed, the Prelates and Priests being all turned Sword-men, that there were no footsteps of any Disci∣pline remaining. He not only restored it by his exemplary devout life, and by his good Rules and Orders, but also by the great care he took to repair or build Mo∣nasteries which were as the Seminaries of good Church-men. The Author who wrote his life, reckons no less then Five and Twenty, or Thirty.

[Year of our Lord 810] Pepin not able any longer to endure the double dealing of Maurice and John Dukes of the Venetians who favoured the Greeks, and desiring to restore Obelier and Beat who were expelled, goes out of Chiassi, which is the Port of Ravenna, with his Fleet, and enters the Lake of Venice. In the beginning he took all the little Towns which were upon the Shore, then turned towards the Island of Malamauca the Dukes Seat, which he found quite forsaken, Maurice and John his Son having with∣drawn themselves into that of Rialto and Oliuolo.

The Venetian Authors relate that commanding his men to Attaque those Islands with floats of Boards or Timber, and the Army of the Dukes defending them, it hapned that wanting knowledge of the Channels and Depths, his Fleet received a notable repulse; That a great number of the French were slain, and stifled in the Mud; and that he himself who staid in the Island Malamauca with the least part of his Forces, Retreated to Ravenna carrying Obelier and Valentine, who had very un∣luckily engaged him in this enterprise, along with him.

In this Island of Rialto was soon after built a Palace for the Duke, and in that of Oliuolo another for the Bishop, and in time they joyned all those little Islands, near one a∣nother, by Bridges, so that all these together have made the City of Venice so renowned, for its wonderful situation, and more for the wisdom of its conduct.

In the mean time Godfrey with a Fleet of Two Hundred Sail, lands in Frisia, pillaged the Country, and exacted Tribute. He bragg'd also that he would give the Emperor Battel, who was encamped near the place where the Rivers Alare and Veser joyn together: but instead of coming forwards he retreats back into his own Country, where he was killed by a certain Son of his, in revenge for ha∣ving repudiated his Mother. Heming his Brothers Son, who succeeded him, Treated a Peace with the French.

[Year of our Lord 810] France had not their revenge for the affront received in the Gulph of Ve∣nice,* 1.132 because Pepin, a Son worthy of his Father, dyed at the age of 33 Years, the 29th of his Raign in Italy. He left only one Bastard-Son named Bernard, who succeeded him in that Kingdom, a young Prince not above Twelve or Thir∣teen Years old at most.

About the end of the following Year Charles the Eldest Son of the Emperor dyed likewise, who left no Children. But the preceding Spring his Father concluded a Peace with the Dane, and sent Three Armies, one against the Sclavo∣nick [Year of our Lord 811] Hedinons beyond the Elbe; the second into Pannonia to make head against the Sclavonians, for they molested the Huns very much who were Subjects to the [Year of our Lord 812] French: and the third against the Bretons, who renouncing that obedience they had sworn to him, had chosen themselves a King named Coenulph Machon. The [Year of our Lord 812] two first returned home loaden with Spoil, and the last with the honour of having vanquished the Bretons and their new King.

[Year of our Lord 812] Charlemain being already broken with Age and Labour, the loss of his two Sons made him more inclinable to have a Peace with the Saracens in Spain, with the Greeks, and with the Danes. Which was the more easie to be compassed, for that Mahumed King of the Saracens in Spain being in War with Abdella his Brother, was the year following forced to let him have a share in the Kingdom in Greece, [Year of our Lord 812] the Emperor Nicephorus was slain in a Battel against the Bulgarians, and Heming King of Denmark being dead there was a Civil-War about the Succession between Sigifroy and Amulon or Hamildon, this Nephew to Hericold, and the other to Godfrey. They fought a bloody Battel, where both of them were slain together with Ten or Eleven Thousand men: but Amulon's Party remaining Victorious, Secured the Kingdom to Heriold and Rainfroy his Brothers.

Amidst the Multitude of Affairs which Charlemain had in all the three several parts of the World, he did not forget what concerned Religion. Upon the in∣treaty of Biorn King of Sweeden, he sent some Priests thither to instruct those People in the knowledge of the Gospel, Ebon a Man of a holy life established a Bishoprick there in the City of Lincopen.

[Year of our Lord 813] Finding himself grow weaker day by day, he caused his Son Lewis to come to the Parliament of Aix, where he had called together the Bishops, Abbots, Dukes* 1.133 and Counts; he asked them all one by one, whether they would be pleased that he should give him the Title of Emperor. To which all having replied, yes, he declared him his Partner in the Empire, commanded him to go and take the Crown which was upon the Altar, and put it himself upon his own head.

In the same Parliament he likewise declared Bernard the Son of his Son Pepin, King of Italy, whither he had already sent him under the Conduct of Vala, or Ga∣lon Son of Bernard his paternal Uncle.

The death of this mighty Prince was preceded with all sorts of prodigies both in the Heavens and upon the Earth, enough to astonish even those that have but little faith in such presages and give least Credit to them. Whilst he was studi∣ously employed in the Reading and the Correcting some Copies, or Manuscripts, of the holy Bible in his Palace at Aix, a Feaver seized him and carried him out of this World the 28th of January the Two and Seventieth year of his Age, at the beginning of the 14th of his Empire, and the 48th of his Raign. His Will and [Year of our Lord 814] Testament which is yet to be seen, is one of the greatest Tokens of his Piety; For he left but one Fourth part of his Treasure and Goods to be divided a∣mongst all his Children, and gave the rest to the Poor, and to the Metropolitan Churches of his Kingdoms. He was buryed in the Church of Aix la Chapelle which he had erected▪

* 1.134 He caused all the Laws and Customs of the several Nations under his Empire to be digested in writing, contrived several Capitulary's or Ordinances, he Col∣lected all the ancient Poetry that contained the brave Acts of the French, to serve as Memoirs for a History thereof, which he did intend to Compose. He understood Theology so well, that he wrote himself against the Heresy of Felix Ʋrgel, and about the controversy of Images. He made Speeches in their great Assembly's, and took as much care to make his Eloquence triumphant as his Arms. In the clearest Nights he pleased himself in the Observations of the Spheres and Planets; whereof there are many curious things in his Annals, which it is be∣lieved were made by himself. To illustrate his Language, which was the Dutch, he brought it under Rules and made the Grammer, and assigned names for all the Months in that Tongue, as likewise for every Wind, such as for the most part are retained to this very day.

In fine, hitherto no King of France hath had a life and Reign so long and so Il∣lustrious, nor a Kingdom of so large extent as he. His Fame would be without blemish, as it is beyond parallel, had he not been too much given up to Women, and too indulgent towards his Mistresses and his Daughters in their carriage.

He had at least Three lawful Wives, Hermengard Daughter of Didier King of the Lombards whom he repudiated the second year, Hildegard Daughter of Childe∣brand Duke of Suabia, and Fastrade Daughter of one Count Rodolph. The last brought him no Children: but Hildegard had Nine, Four Sons, and Five Daugh∣ters. The Sons were Charles, Pepin, Lewis, and Lotaire; these two last were Twynns. Lotaire dyed young, Charles and Pepin fell in the strength of their Age. Louis reaped alone the whole Succession of his Father. The Daughters were named, Rotrude who was promised to the young Emperor Constantine, Son of Leo the III. and Irene, she dyed when Marriageable: Berte who espoused Count

Angilbert afterwards Abbot of St. Riquier, Gisele who became a Nun, and Hilde∣gard and Adelelaid who dyed in infancy.

Neither the number or names of his Mistresses are set down, who were not few: but amongst his Bastards there is mentioned Pepin the Crook-back, Hugo Duke of Burgundy, called the Great Abbot, Dreux Bishop of Mets; and amongst Seven or Eight Daughters, Tetrade Abbess of Argentuil, Euphrasia Abbess of Saint Laurence of Bourges, and Hildetrude who became scandalous in her Fathers House, by her actions.

* 1.135 The Gallican Church had never yet been in so great disorder as towards the lat∣ter end of the Seventh Age or Century, and to the middle of the Eighth, and in∣deed they were above Sixty Years without any Council. Nevertheless they had happily enough preserved their Temporal Estates under Pepin the young, who was a liberal and religious Prince; but Charles Martel his Son had not the same countenance, nor shewed the same respect as he had done. Many Prelates of Neustria and Burgundy, having favoured Rainfroys Party, gave him an occasi∣on to squeeze them; and the Wars he had against the Saracens, furnished him with a pretence of taking away the riches of the Altars to defend them.

In some Countries he gave the Abbeys and Bishopricks to Lay-men, who instead of keeping Clergy-men, maintained Soldiers: In others he took away their Lands and Tithes, and distributed them amongst his Warriours. The Priests and Monks that mixed with them laid down their Psalters to take up the Sword, some out of pure licentiousness, others to get a livelihood; For the same reason the Bishops and Abbots turned Soldiers and were made Captains. The whole Clergy was in extreme disorder, the most of them had Concubines, there were some Deacons known to have at least Four or Five in keeping. The least debauched married Wives and proceeded even to second Marriages. The Nuns neither kept their Cloisters, nor their Vows. In fine, there was no rule, no obedience of Inferiours towards their Superiours, little Divine Service, no Study, and great ignorance in things of Religion, and the Holy Canons.

This disorder gave opportunity to Boniface a Man very Illustrious in those days, as well for his exemplary Life, as his Activity and Zeal to strengthen himself with the Authority of the Pope, that he might apply some Remedy. He was an Englishman by birth, who by a particular inspiration, and emulation of divers holy men of the same Robe had gone from his Monastery, to sow the Seed of the Gospel amongst the barbarous Nations in Germany, especially the Frisiae, the Turingi and the Catti, and had devoted his Service to the Pope so strictly and in∣tirely, as to change his English name which was Vinfred or Winifred, to that of Boniface: he had been first made Bishop by Gregory the II, then Archbishop by Gregory the III, and by him not only honoured with the Pall, but also with the Ti∣tle of his Vicar. In this quality he divided Bavaria, where there was but one Bishoprick, into Four Diocesses. This was in the Year 739. The following Year he established Three in Germany, one at Wirtsburgh, another at Buraburgh, and the third at Herpsford. These two last held not this honour long. But the Pope, together with the Title of Vicar had given him power to call Councils and to make Bishops in those Countries which he had Converted to the Faith, with Letters of Recommendation to those People, and to Charles Martel, praying him to take him into his protection, which he did; as likewise an Order to the Bi∣shops of Bavaria and Germany to assemble together when he should call them, as being his Vicar.

Now Prince Carloman having declared he would restore the Ecclesiastical Dis∣cipline, Boniface embraced that work with much willingness; and as he was active and indefatigable, he advanced apace, but not indeed without somewhat diminish∣ing the Liberty and the Dignity of the Gallican Church to the advantage of the Popes.

At his instance Carloman held a Council in Germany (the place is not mention∣ed) where he assisted with the Grandees of his Kingdom, and the Year after ano∣ther at the Royal Palace of Leptines or Estines, just against Bincks in Hanault, which confirmed the Acts of the former. Pepin likewise Convocated one at Sois∣sons An. 754. and subscribed it with three of the Great Men of his Country's, perhaps there might be one belonging to Neustria, one to Burgundy, and one to Aquitain. In all these Councils Boniface presided in quality of Legate from the Holy Chair. And in the first the Clergy Signed a Profession in writing, which ob∣liged them not only to keep the Catholique Faith, but likewise to remain in Unity,

subject and obedient to the Roman Church, and Saint Peters Vicar: which being carried to Rome and laid upon the Tomb of that Prince of the Apostles, was re∣ceived with huge joy by Pope Zachary, and not without reason. Thus there, as upon all other occasions, he contrived things so, that all made still more and more for the Popes Severaignty, and tended chiefly to that end.

As to the Discipline, it was resolved that the Bishops should be re-admitted to their Sees, the Churches to the enjoyment of their Goods, and the Clergy to their Rules: but the two first particulars were not brought to pass till the time of Charlemain. The Canons which they made were principally to prohibit the Cler∣gy from bearing Arms, or going in the habit and garb of Soldiers; and yet the Bishops could not be excused from going to their Wars and Armies, till Charlemain exempted them by a particular Capitulary: to take away their Wives and Con∣cubines, to hinder and prevent Incests and Adulteries, the punishment whereof was left to the Bishops, and also to abolish and root up the remainders of Pagan Superstition. The Religious of both Sexes, were enjoyned to walk by the Rule of Saint Bennet which Wilfred Bishop of York had set up and caused to be observed in England. Till that time the Rules of Saint Colomban and Saint Cesarius of Ar∣les, amongst many others, had born the greatest Vogue in France.

At the Council of Soissons were two men Condemned, who were Consecrated, but without any See, Adelbert a Gaul, and Clement of the Scotch Nation. The first was an Hypocrite and Frantick, rather then an Heretique, he made the igno∣rant people follow him, as having a particular Spirit of God, built Oratory's, and set up Crosses near Fountains, in Woods, and the midst of open Fields. The other Preached divers Errours, maintaining that Jesus Christ descending into Hell, Redeemed Pagans as well as the Faithful, that they ought according to the Jewish Custom, to marry their Brothers Widdow, and that which appeared more horrible, he would needs keep his Wife, and wear his Mitre at the same time.

At Leptines, Carloman caused it to be ordained, with the Consent of the Clergy either voluntary or extorted, that to carry on the War which he had on every side of him, he might take part of the Lands belonging to the Church, and bestow it during pleasure, or while that necessity lasted on his followers, who for every Mansion or House, should pay only a Crown in Gold, or twelve Deniers in Silver, and the Ninths or Tenths towards the reparation of the buildings, and that such as held these Precaires, or Leases during pleasure, hapning to dye, the Prince should give it to any other upon the like conditions.

In the Year 779. Charlemain made an Edict; wherein he ordains that such as held those Lands should pay the Nones and the Tithes to the Church. But mode∣rates the Tax or Quit-Rent to a Sol for Fifty Manses, and half a Sol for Thirty. Besides the Council of Francfort, and Lewis the Debonnaire in his Edict of 828. Charges the Possessours with the Reparation of Churches. This was the begin∣ning of the Alienation of those Lands, by publick Act and Authorized by Law. There are some that maintain that those Kings did not only invest the Laity with these Church Lands, but the Tithes, and all the Rights and Revenues of the Al∣tar, as the first fruits, oblations, distributions for* 1.136 Masses and other Prayers, and even with the right of putting in Priests, whence say they is derived the gifts and presentations claimed and exercised by many Lords in divers Churches: Hence they are called Patrons; a name found in the Council of Rheims held Anno 878.

It had been ordained in the Council of Soissons, that thenceforward a Council should be held there every year to stifle and suppress disorders, and heresies at their first birth. Likewise Pepin called one at the Royal Palace of Verberie Anno 752. where he would assist in person, one at Mets the year following, one at Vernon upon the Seine two years after, one at Compiegn about the same distance of time, and one at Gentilly right against Paris Anno 767. We have the Canons of the first four: but nothing of that at Gentilly, unless the two questions they pro∣pounded: to wit, Whether the Holy Ghost proceeded from the Father and the Son, which the Greeks denyed, and whether we ought to adore Images.

We may almost put in the Rank of Councils the Conventus or Assemblies which the Kings often held, as that of Duria in 760. that of Neures, of Wormes, At∣tigny, Orleance, and Saint Denis, which were held successively from the year 763. to 768. In all which the Lords being joyned with the Bishops, they ordained such things as concerned the Polity and Government of the Church, as well as

what concerned the Temporal and Government of the Kingdom. Of the deci∣sions of Councils, and the Ordinances made in those Assemblies, partly Politique and partly Ecclesiastical, were Composed those Laws which are called Capitulary, the best and most holy that any Nation hath had since the Roman Law.

Never Prince had more affection for the Honour and the Discipline of the Church then Charlemain; There hardly passed any year in all his life but there were either some of these Assemblies or Councils for that purpose. I will not quote the years of the Councils held at Wormes, (which were Five) at Valenciennes, Gene∣va, Duren and other places, because we have only the names. But that of Frank∣ford is very considerable. It might be called the Western Council: for the Bi∣shops of the greatest part of Italy, with those of Germany and those of Gall, were there. It was called and appointed by Charlemain, who it seems presided in it, at least he reasoned and argued very learnedly against the Errors of Elipand, of Toledo, and Felix d'Urgel, who taught that Jesus Christ was the adopted Son of God the Father according to the Flesh. Those whimseys were Condemned, and that Great King refuted them, in a long Letter which he wrote to the Bishops in Spain, very amply and very learnedly.

They also discussed the questions about Images. The Council of Nice had or∣dained that they should be retained in the Churches and adored. In France they would have them allowed to be set up in Churches as things proper to instruct the people, but not to be adored. Wherefore the Fathers in this Western Coun∣cil Assembled, disdaining to acknowledge that for Oecumenick rejected that Adora∣tion in all respects and manners, and condemned it by common consent; and Charlemain wrote a Book to oppose it, to which Pope Adrian made a re∣ply.

There remains nothing of that of Aix la Chapelle held in 809. but that the question concerning the Procession of the Holy Ghost was again debated, and no doubt but they agreed, That the Holy Ghost proceeded from the Father and the Son; For the French believed that so firmly, that it was the cause of having it added as an express Clause in the Symbol* 1.137 of Faith or Creed. The last year of his life, he Convocated Six, at Arles, at Ments, at Reims, at Towrs and at Chaa∣lons on the Soan, of all which the Canons are still to be found. Thus the Church of France could not miss the being reformed, and Pope Adrian would needs con∣tribute towards it by giving several Reglements to Charlemain, drawn from the Councils of the Greek and Latine Churches, and the Papal degrees, which he sent to him in the Year 789, by Ingilram Bishop of Mets.

The Ecclesiastiques had their particular Judges for their Lands, where the Kings Judges had no inspection neither for things Civil nor Criminal, and as for their persons, they were judged by none but of their own Body. Now it was al∣most impossible to Convict them, for mean and reproachful people were not admitted to accuse them; and there were to be Seventy and Two Witnesses to Convict a Bishop, Forty for a Priest, Thirty Seven for a Deacon, and Seven for others of inferiour degree, all without exceptions, and if they were of the Laity, only such as had Wife and Children. This last condition was required in all sorts of Testimonies, at least in matters Criminal.

Charlemain excessively encreased the power of the Bishops, by renewing in all his Dominions the Law of Constantine the Great, quoted in the Sixteenth Book of the Theodosian Code, which allows of one of the parties pleading before a Secular Judge, to bring the Cause before the Bishops, and leave it to their Arbi∣tration without Appeal, though the other party doth not consent thereunto. Which would have still continued perhaps, had they not corrupted the effects of so holy a Law by infinite deceits, and by appeals to the Metropolitan, and from thence to the Court of Rome, against the express terms of it.

It was in the Eight Century that the Metropolitans commonly took up the Title of Arch-Bishops; for there are none mentioned in the foregoing. Those that subscribed the Council of Chaalons, and to the immunity of the Abby of Saint Denis had not this Title as yet.

Towards the end of the same Age, or about the beginning of the Ninth, be∣gan the Devotion and Pilgrimages to Saint Jacques,* 1.138 or James, the Great in Gallieia. This Apostle suffered Martyrdom at Jerusalem, however his body was immediately carried into Spain, and being hid in the times of the Pagan Persecu∣tion,* 1.139 was not found out again till about that time by the Bishop of Iria, near Compostella, where King Alphonsus built him a Church, at the recommendation

of Charlemain, Pope Leo transferr'd thither the Episcopal See of Iria, and Two Hundred years afterwards Pope Calistus II. the Metropolis of Merida.

We find by the Ecclesiastical Capitulary's of Charlemain, that there were be∣sides some* 1.140 Chorevesques, and although they were only the Successors of the Seventy Disciples, they pretended nevertheless to do all Functions of Bi∣shops, who were Successors to the Apostles. There were indeavours for Five or Six Hundred Years together used to bring them to the just bounds they ought to have kept (it were difficult to describe it) and in the end, it was found much more easie to abolish, then to regulate them.

The ignorance amongst the Bishops was amazing, since they were enjoyned even to learn to understand the Lords-Prayer, and Charlemain after so great a reformation had much ado to bring them only to make some little kind of exhor∣tations to the Peple▪

To dissipate these Clouds of Darkness, it was ordained there should be Schools in the Bishopricks and the Abbeys: but they only taught the Psalter, Musick, to Compose, and Grammer. I find one Capitulary that enjoyns them to send their Children to study Physick, it does not mention at what place.

Under so ignorant a Prelacy the People could not but be blockish, unpolished and very illiterate, all their Religion was turned into Superstition; and there were a great many Soothsayers, Enchanters,* 1.141 Tempestaries, and other such in∣famous Sorcerers, who were very wicked, because they thought themselves such, or would have others believe so.

We must not wonder if amidst such gross Ignorance, even the very Women would needs Usurp a Power in the Church. There were some Abbesses so vain, without doubt because many of them were of great Families as to give their blessing to people with the sign of the Cross, and Vail some Virgins with the Sa∣cerdotal Authority.

Likewise the better to reform the Clergy, it was ordained that they should live by Rules and in common. The superiours of those Communities were cal∣led Abbots, and they Chanons, which is to say, Regulars.

In those very times there were found to be certain Amphibies, if I may so say; Who put on the habit of the Religious, and yet would neither be Monks nor Priests. It was said they should be compelled to one of the two Professions, it be∣ing fit they should make their choice to be either one or other.

The Covetousness of the Clergy was not less apparent then their ignorance, all the Councils from the Fifth Century, and all the Capitulary's are full of Rules and Orders to Tye them up from Selling of Holy Things. They took Money for Ordinations, for Visits, for the Crisme, for Baptising, for Preaching, for Con∣firmation, and for every thing.

People of servile condition were not admitted to Orders: which we should have noted before. If such had been admitted their Masters had power to disband and turn them out of that sacred Militia, and bring them back to the Slavery and Chains of their former mean condition. Even the Free-men could not be admit∣ted to enter into Orders, or into a Monastery without Letters from the King, be∣cause many were otherwise apt to creep in, either out of base Cowardise as afraid to serve in the Wars, or for want of understanding, being seduced thereto by such as had a mind to get their Wealth and Estates from them.

Because the Arch-Deacons managed the Almes and Offerings, the Laity would needs get that preferment; and this abuse had been introduced in the former Ages. Whatever Orders Pepin could make, they still held the most part of the Abbeys and Bishopricks, and enjoyed the Revenue, allowing but a small portion thereof to the Bishops and Abbots. Charlemain did almost quite root out this abuse, and restored the liberty of Elections, at least his Capitularies bear it: however History makes mention that he often named and recommended people to Benefices.

Tithes were become obligatory, so that such were excommunicated who did refuse to pay them after three admonitions: and it was even exacted upon the en∣crease of Cattle. Pious Donatives were not restrained, unless by one Law, which prohibited the Church from receiving any which disinherited Children and the next of Kin.

Charlemain had a very great care of the poor. Of every thing that was bestowed upon the Church, there was Two Thirds alloted for them, the other third only be∣ing for the Clergy, unless in some places where they were richest they shared

them equally, afterwards they made the Division in Four parts, one for the Bi∣shop, one for the Clerks, one for the Poor, and one for Repairs.

The practice of publick Pennance and Absolutions, was almost the same as in the Former Ages, I mean the third and fourth, as well as that of Baptisme, which was performed by dipping or plunging, not by throwing on or sprinkling of the Bishop, or the Priest, and this was only done at Easter and Whitsuntide, unless upon urgent occasions.

The prayers for the dead were very frequent. Singing made up a great part of their Study and Employment, not only amongst the Clergy, but the Nobility al∣so that were very devout. The French had brought this Passion towards Musick from Rome. Bells grew also mighty common, but they did not make any very great ones. The Churches as well as most of their other Buildings, were almost all of Wood. It was ordained that the Altars should be made of Stone.

The Bishops and Abbesses had their* 1.142 Vidames, the Abbots their Advoyers or Advocates; some Cities likewise had the same. They were as their Proctors or Administrators, in whose names all things were transacted, and who Treated and Pleaded every where for them. Every Bishop, Abbot and Count, had his Nota∣ry. Excommunications were so frequent as they even became an abuse. The person Excommunicated was Treated with great rigour, no body would keep any Commerce or Conversation with them.

The Gallican Church had not extended the degrees prohibited in Marriage but to the Fourth, in which Case it self they did not separate them, being satisfied with imposing a Pennance on both the Parties: but the Popes extended it to the Seventh; and Gregory the II desired it might reach as far as any thing of paren∣tage or kindred could be made out between the parties. But if so, it being notori∣ous to Christians that all Mankind are of Kin in Adam, to whom should they mar∣ry? They likewise established the degrees of Spiritual Affinity between the God∣father and Godmother, and between the Godson and his Godmother, as well in Baptism as at Confirmation.

* 1.143 Notwithstanding the Corruptions we have noted, the Church was not without her great Lights and Ornaments, I mean a good number of Holy Men, and some that were not Ignorant. Amongst the Bishops Sylvin de Toulouze, Wlfrain de Sens, who renounced the Miter to go and Preach the Faith in Frisiae, where he Convert∣ed Ratbod the II, Son of that King of the same name, who was so obstinate a de∣fender of Idolatry. Rigobert de Reims who was driven from his Seat by Martel. Gregory of Ʋtrecht who was the Apostle of the Turingians, and the Countries ad∣jacent to Dorestat. Corbinien Native of Chastres under Montlehery near Paris, who was the first Bishop of Frisinghen in Bavaria; as Suidbert the first of Verden, Immeran of Ratisbon who was a Poitevin by birth: Eucher d'Orleans, who was banished by Martel, and lived a good while after him, as appears by the revelati∣on he had how it fared with Martel after his death, as hath been observed in the life of Martel, if that were true. Gombert held the Bishoprick of Sens, and then retired to the solitude of the Vosge, Lohier* 1.144 that of Sees, and after him Gode∣grand, doubly remarkable, both for his own Vertue, and for his Sisters Saint Opportune, who took upon her the Vows of Virginity, and listed many more in∣to her Muster-Roll, of whom she had the Gonduct. But above all Boniface of Ments was eminent, whom we have mentioned; he suffered Martyrdom An. 754. amongst the Frisons; He was Founder of▪ the Great Abbey of Fulda, in the Forrest of Buken, the most Noble of all that are in Germany.

In the monasterial retirements, we observe two Fulrads or Volrads, the one Ab∣bot of Saint Denis, however a little too much taken up with Court Affairs and Negociations for one that is dedicated entirely to God, the other Cousin to King Charlemain, and Abbot of Saint Quentin. Adelard of the same degree of paren∣tage to the same King, who withdrew from Court for the reasons we have before noted, and was Abbot of Corbie, and from thence recalled into the Kings Council. Angilbert who exchanged the favour of Charlemain, one of whose natural Daugh∣ters he had married, for the austerity of the Monastery, and was Abbot of Centu∣le* 1.145 Pirmin, who is said to have quitted the Bishoprick of Meaux, and who ha∣ving

retired himself into a solitary place in Germany, built there that Celebrated Abbey of Riche-Nowe, Augia Dives, and Nine or Ten other Monasteries in those parts and in Alsatia; and the learned Alcuin to whom Charlemain gave the Abbey of Tours in recompence of those inestimable Treasures of Learning and Science he brought into France, with Claud and John the Scotsman.

* 1.146 A great part of the Manners and Customes we described under the First Race were preserved under the Second. All the great Offices of the Kings House were still the same, unless the Maire of the Palace, in whose place it seems the grand Seneschal or Dapifer succeeded, but with much less authority, and different Functi∣ons. Hincmar sets down an Apocrisiaire, a Count of the Palace, a great Camerier or Chamberlain, three Ministerial Officers, to wit, the Seneschal, the Butler, and the Count of the Stable, one Mansionary, that is, grand Mareschal of the House, Four Huntsmen, and one Faulc'ner. The King had ever a Council of State, in his Train, consisting of men chosen out of the Clergy and Nobility. The Apo∣crisiary assisted in it, when he pleased, the other great Officers never went but as they were sent for.

Those of the Clergy had a place apart to meet in, where they treated of Ec∣clesiastical Affairs, as the Nobility treated of matters purely Temporal; and when there was any thing of a mixt nature, they joyned all together to determine it.

In the Militia and Courts of Justice we hardly meet now with any Dukes, but only Earls; some of whom were called Marquesses, when the Care and Guard∣ing of the Marches was committed to them, which ordinarily was in the new Conquered Countries: others were called Abbots, either because they possessed the Revenue of the Abbeys, or because they commanded some certain Company's near the King, and taught them their Discipline and Exercise, the Grandees were called Princes, and we have light enough even in those dark times to see, that it was not in the power of the King to disseize them, nor put them to death but by certain Forms and Rules, and the Judgment of their Peers and Equals where he presided, or in their general Assemblies.

I find three sorts of great Assemblies, the general Pleas of the Provinces; the May-Assembly whither came the Seniores & Majores natu of the French people, there they chiefly consulted about Warlike Affairs; and the Conventus, Colloquia, Parliaments where met together, the Bishops, Abbots, Counts, and other Grandees, consider of Laws and Rules for their Policy, Justice and the Treasury, as well as the Discipline of the Militia both sacred and prophane. The two last kinds of Assembles were after confounded in one.

The Kings had ever made use of Envoyez or Intendan, of Justice. But Charlenain made them ordinary; and I observe that there were Intendances fixed and prpetual, but no Intendants that were so. Neither do I find that they hadany i•• Aquitain nor in Lombardy. He most commonly joyned in such Commissi∣ons 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Count and a Bishop. Seldom do we find two of either of these qualities joynd in the same Commission; they were called Missi Dominici, and their Juris∣dicton Missaticum. The People found them Lodging and a certain quantity of Proision; They took care chiefly to publish the Kings Orders and put them in Excution, to hear the Peoples Complaints and do them right, to punish the Cont or Bishop if they were faulty, to reform and reverse unjust Judgments, and co••pel the refractory to obey. And if they wanted strength or power to effect it, hey gave notice to the King. They likewise drew up into Writings and D••ds such Grants of Lands as the King and the Church bestowed in Benefice. They roe their Circuits Four times a Year, in January, April, July and October. They co••d not keep Courts but in those Months, and in Four different places if they th••ght fit; They summoned the Counts, and were forced to let them hold al••the rest. They Elected Sheriffs with the consent of the people, as also A••oyers and Notary's. The Sheriffs were, if I mistake not, the Assessours of the C••nts.

••hose that were Free-men were only obliged to be at Four Assizes or Pleadings a ••ar. This was a most Christian Method that the cause of the Poor was the fir••of all determined, the Kings business next, then what belonged to the

Church, and last of all that which concerned the People in general. The Cente∣nier had not power of Condemning to death. The King gave Audience one day in every Week, before whom were brought only such Causes as concerned the Grandees who had no other Judge but himself, or such whom the Commission∣ers or Counts had refused to do Justice to, or had adjudged contrary to Law.

The licentiousness in times of War had made most part of the Frenchmen turn Thieves and Robbers, and some of them false Coyners. The greatest diffi∣culties the Judges met withal were to suppress these disorders. Those that made counterfeit Money had their hand cut off, the other accomplices escap'd only with a Whipping. They were forced to reduce all their Money to one sort of species, and to punish such as harboured a Thief with the same severity as the Thief him∣self; and that was the loss of an Eye for the first fault, the loss of the Nose for the second, and the third cost them their life.

Even in those days drunkenness was very frequent, particularly in the Armies, since they were fain to punish such as forced another to drink, and he that made himself drunk was Excommunicated and Condemned to the Pennance of drink∣ing Water only, for a certain time.

The Law permitting every one to take his own satisfaction or revenge for an affront or injury, unless he chose rather to accept of a certain Sum of Money Taxed by Law, Murthers were very frequent. Charlemain Commanded the Judg∣es to be very careful in agreeing such as had any thing of a quarrel, and if any appeared too obstinate to bring them before him.

There was three sorts of restraint, the one was imprisonment, another was a Guard set upon them, the third was bail or caution who obliged themselves to answer for the Parties.

Homicide committed on a Clergy-man cost them much dearer, then upon any other of equal condition; for they were to pay 800 Sols of Gold for killing a Bi∣shop, 600 for murthering a Priest, 400 for a Deacon, and as much for a Monk.

[Year of our Lord 814] The Method of making War and arming themselves was much changed since the Reign of Clovis. They had as much Cavalry as Infantry almost; and they used great Launces* 1.147 which they darted, or retained in their hands after they had struck their blow. They were Armed Cap a Pie, their very Horse were barded, so that a Squadron seemed to be all of Iron. The Infantry had no Cuirasses on Armour, but cover'd themselves admirably well with their Bucklers. They also began to learn the use of Engins in some Sieges.

Whoever deserted the Army without leave incurred Capital Punishment. Eve∣ry one was obliged to carry Three Months Provision, and Arms and Cloat••s for Six, to be reckoned from the time they went beyond the Marches or Lim••ts of their own Country. This when they came from Aquitain hitherward wa the Loire; to those that went thence into Spain, it was the Pyrrenean: to tho••e of Neustria, when they made War on Germany, it was the Rhine, and to tho••e in the Provinces beyond that River, when they were to march far into Germany it was the Elbe, which were thus set as their Limits, or Frontiers. The Solders were allowed to take nothing but in an Enemies Countrey. Those Lords tat led them were responsable for their pilfering, and they were disbanded presenly in the Field if they did not justly punish them. When the Captains cameo Court they were presented with some Gifts or Regalia; and it was the Queen••d the care and charge of such distributions, or in her absence the grand Chambriar •• Chamberlain.

Though the Demeasnes of the King and those of the Church were inalier∣ble, they had been necessitated either to reward such as had served them, or to ••∣tain such as could do them mischief, to bestow upon several, but it was ••∣ly for life and by title of gratification; wherefore they were called Benefi••, which term remains only in the Church. Which had of two sorts, the onef such Goods as are effected to such as deserve, which at the present we call a Be••∣fice, and the other certain Lands which they gave to Seculars, to hold of 〈◊〉〈◊〉

during Life. There were even in those times Arts and crafty ways to confound the demeasnes of the Crown with the Lands of particular People; and this sub∣straction was accounted for a Crime, since it was punished with Banishment and Confiscation of Goods.

There were besides another sort of Lands, which were called Dominicates, ap∣propriated to Dominus which was the King, but which were Rented by particular Men, at about the Ninth* 1.148 of the Profits. These were ordinarily only some little Farmes or petty Portions of Lands perhaps lopp'd off from the greater ones be∣longing to the Crown, which could not all be set to the most advantage.

The Levying of Moneys was of three sorts, either by Poll, or upon the fruits and growth of the Earth, or Merchandize and Goods for Traffique; But of the last kind, the Carlovinian Princes took none but of the Trading Merchants. For every one besides sent his Goods up and down in Carts or any other ways for his own Families use without paying the least Toll, no more then those that supply∣ed the Kings Household, or even those that went to the Wars.

We may again in some other place, according as occasion requires, take a sum∣mary Notice of certain Laws and Usages practised in the time of the Carlovinian Race.

[Year of our Lord 814] LOUIS I.

CALLED* 1.149 Debonnaire, or Pious.

King XXIV.

POPES,

• LEO III. S. 2. Tears, 4 Months, under this Reign.
• STEPHANUS V. Elect. in June, 816. S. 7 Months.
• PASCAL I. elect. January 817. S. 7 Tears, 3. Months and a half.
• EUGENIUS II. Elect. in 824. S. 3. Tears, 3 Months.
• VALENTINE, Eect. in 827. S. 40 Dayes.
• GREGORY IV. Elect. in Sep∣tember 827. S. 16 Tears, where∣of 13 under this Reign.

Lewis I. Called the Debon∣naire, Emperour and King of France, Aged about 35 Years.

Bernard his Nephew, King of Italy, Aged 16 Years.

[Year of our Lord 814] As the Court of that Prince whose Reign is at end, is ever an Enemy* 1.150 to that which is to succeed, it was to be feared there might be some Faction in that of Charlemain which would oppose the advancement of Lewis. He particularly dreaded Walla an undertaking person, who being a Prince of the Blood, and one that had a great hand in the management of his Fathers Affairs, might have aspired to the Succession, or have called in Bernard King of Italy who was the Elder Brothers Son; and he might likewise have been incited thereto by the Daughters and Mistresses of Charlemain, who were confederated against Lewis, because he would reform their disor∣ders.

The Forces he brought from Aquitain, and which he gathered up in his way dispersed the whole Faction, if any such were: Walla comes to him upon his Summons with an intire submission, and all the French Nobility made haste to go and meet him. He had a very great mind to purge the Court from Scandal, and to that end had Commanded Count Garnier to seize upon two Lords Odille and Tulle: who lived too familiarly with his Sisters. The first of these had the impu∣dence to find out Garnier and murther him, but he was cut in pieces on the place, and the Emperor inraged at his insolence caused the eyes of Tulle to be put out.

After he had celebrated the Funeral of his Father, and divided the Goods with his Brothers and Sisters, he thrust out of the Court all those Women who were there only upon pleasure, and sent his Sisters to remain in those Abbeys which Charlemain had bestow'd upon them.

[Year of our Lord 814] The Ambassadors which his Father had sent to Constantinople, returned home in Company with some who came from the Emperor Leo, and brought with them a Treaty of Peace betwixt the two Emperors. He sent Lothaire the eldest of his Three Sons into Bavaria, and Pepin into Aquitain, but retained Pepin at Court with himself, because he was as yet too young.

[Year of our Lord 814] Grimoald Duke of Benevent surrendred his Dutchy into his hands, that he might receive it again and hold it from him, upon condition of a yearly Tribute of Seven Thousand Crowns of Gold. Bernard King of Italy in obedience to his Command, came to wait on him, acknowledged himself his Vassal, and gave him Oath of Fidelity. He could not require this in quality of Emperor, nor as the first of the Family: It must be, in my opinion, that Charlemain had given it to Bernard, upon condition that he should hold it of his Uncle.

[Year of our Lord 814] The Sons of Godfrey who had sheltred themselves in Sweden being returned to Denmark with their Friends, had given Battel to Heriold and Reginf••oy, where the last was slain, but the others obtained the Victory. Heriold driven out of his Country came to Louis to implore his Assistance, and became his Vassal.

The French Counts who Commanded in Saxony, with the Abrodites, had orders to restore him again. They passed the River Egid with a potent Army. The Sons of Godfrey raised one more numerous, and withal a Fleet of Two Hundred Sail: but keeping themselves at Sea near an Island about Three Leagues from the Shore, the French could do no other mischief but only scowre and plunder the Country.

[Year of our Lord 4] The same Year a Peace was made with Abulaz King of the Moors or Saracens in Spain; but that Prince being dead, and the Moors still pillaging the Coasts of Italy and its Islands, the Deputies of Calara in Sardinia obliged the Emperor to break it.

[Year of our Lord 815] The Romans having Conspired against Pope Leo, he put some to death by his own Authority. The Emperor took those proceedings very ill as being contrary to his natural Clemency, and his Soveraignty over the City of Rome. He order∣ed Bernard King of Italy to go thither and inform himself of the full truth and particulars, which he did; the Pope on his part, sent his Legates into France to cleer himself there: but the Romans were so dissatisfied at that cruelty, that Leo be∣ing fallen sick, they did not only seize upon those Lands he had Usurped from them, but likewise ransack'd his Castles in the Country. Bernard was forced to send Vinigise Duke of Spoleta with an Army, to appease the Tumult. He took some of the most active and leading Mutineers and sent them into France.

[Year of our Lord 816] The Sorabes having rebelled were reduced, after the taking their best Hold, by an Army of Austrasian, French and Saxons. The Gascons a giddy People, had al∣so taken the Field, because their Count named Seguin was taken from them, who had shewed himself disobedient to the Emperor: They were punished for their insolence by the loss of two Battels, and compelled to renounce him whom they had Elected in the room of Seguin. We must observe that Gascon••ne was divided into a County and a Dutchy, and that the County held of the Dutchy, and comprehended the Country from the Pyrene••ns to the River of Adour, so that Dags was part of it.

Pope Leo being dead the 23d of May, Stephen the Deacon, was put in his place by Election of the Clergy. He waited not for the Emperors confirmation to be Installed, to whom nevertheless he made the Romans swear fidelity and afterwards came himself to him at Reims to tender his Devoirs. The Emperor gave order to his Nephew Bernard to accompany him as far as the Alpes, where divers Lords attended to receive him on his behalf; and when he was gotten farther into the Country, he found his Arch-Chaplain and Two or Three Bishops. The Empe∣ror staid for him at Reims, received him upon his allighting* 1.151 off his Horse, ac∣company'd him to the Abbey Church of Saint Remy, which when they entred he took him by the hand to help him. The French Clergy sung the Te Deum, and the Romans made loud acclamations in the Emperors praise.

The Pope and the Emperor eat and drank some consecrated Bread and Wine to∣gether; then the Emperor retired to the City, and left him to lodge in the Ab∣bey. They entertained each other with Feasting, and gave mutual Presents:

the Emperor began, and the Sunday following the Pope Crowned both him and the Empress Hermengarde, having purposely brought with him two gold Crowns: that for the Emperor was set all over with Jewels and Stones, the other being plain Gold without other Ornament.

[Year of our Lord 817] Three Months after Leo went out of France, he died at Rome the 25th of Ja∣nuary An. 817, a nd the Clergy Elected Paschal: this man knowing the softness of the Emperor, durst likewise take his Seat in the Pontificial Chair without wait∣ing for his consent; and yet excused it to him by an Ambassador sent expresly. Though the Emperor was not very well pleased, yet he did what was required for his Confirmation: But he reproved the Romans, and admonished them never to fall upon such an attempt again. And yet if we believe the Partisans of the Court of Rome, Paschal wrought so far upon the Emperor that he yielded up his right of confirming Popes.

The Sons of Godfrey demanded Peace of the Emperor: It was taken to be on∣ly [Year of our Lord 817] a pretence, and therefore great succours were sent to Heriold. Upon the de∣mand of the Grecian Emperors Ambassadors, who were come for that purpose, Louis dispatched a Deputy to settle the Limits of Dalmatia between the two Em∣perors, together with Cadolac who commanded for him in those Marches, and the Sclavonians that had some interest.

[Year of our Lord 817] The 17th of February, during an Eclipse of the Moon, a Comet began to appear in the Sign of Sagittary.

[Year of our Lord 817] Upon Holy-Thursday, as the Emperor was coming out of the Church belong∣ing to his Palace, a Gallery fell down under him, twenty persons of Quality were hurt; but it proved to have more of fear then danger, for their bruises and bro∣ken-shinns were soon healed.

It seemed Louis was Born rather for the Church, then for the World; For as he behaved himself he would have proved a better Abbot or a Bishop, then a King. Besides his perpetual exercise in Devotion) (which does not always sute with the Activity of Government) he busied himself very much about the reformation of the Clergy; Amongst other things in the Assembly at Aix la Chapelle, he caused a Rule to be made for the Chanons, drawn from the Writings of the Holy-Fathers, commanded the Benedictins to observe theirs, sent Commissary's into the Provin∣ces to prevent the Simony, Luxury and Pride, with such other like abuses of the Churchmen, and obliged the Bishops, in Fine, to Reform at least in outward ap∣pearance, and throw aside their Belts, and Embroid'red Girdles, their Daggers with Hilts beset with Jewels, and gingling Spurs; which drew upon him the ha∣tred of the Churchmen, amongst whom the Greatest number were the worst.

In this assembly he Associated Lotaire his Eldest Son in the Empire, and gave Aquitain to Pepin, and Bavaria to Louis, both with the Titles of Kingdoms. Tegan Chorevesque of Treves hath written that he designed Lotaire his Eldest to be Sole Heir; whether he did it before or after this partition, it was a great weakness.

Louis the Debonnatre, Emperour and King of France, Eastern and Western.
	Lotatre, King of Italy, and As∣sociate in the Empire.	Pepin, King of Aquitain.	Louis, King of Bavaria.

To this place they brought him intelligence of the defection of the Abodrites, and the conspiracy of Bernard King of Italy: both the attempts of the one and the other were suppressed and stifled in their Birth. Bernard a young Prince had suffered himself to be possessed with an opinion that he could dethrone his Uncle. This counsel came from the very Court of France, where he had divers abettors, who without all doubt persuaded him that all the Kingdom was his, belonging to him as Son to the Eldest. His design was discovered before he had time to take his measures: the Forces to whom he had committed the defence or keeping of the passages to the Alpes, abandoned them upon the first notice of the March of the Emperors Army, and those that first set him upon this business, were the first that

forsook him. In this distress he took the most dangerous counsel, which made him come himself to Chaalons, and fall down at his Feet begging his pardon. This hindred not his being made a Prisoner, together with all those Lords that were in his Train.

The Emperor being returned to Aix la Chapelle caused their process to be made: The Seculars were all condemned to Death: The Bishops, amongst whom was Theodulfe d'Orleans, degraded and consined to a Monastery. Some of the first suffered the rigour of the Sentence, others had their eyes put out, whereof two of the most Eminent died, and Bernard himself lost his life within three days af∣ter. Whoever disturb the Peace of a Nation deserves death; but it was too ex∣tream a rigour towards a young Prince of nineteen years, and an Uncle towards his Nephew. And indeed Louis had great remorse all his life, nor did the French forgive him that cruelty.

Bernard left but one Son named Pepin, and at his age, he could scarce have any more, at least Legitimate. This same begat three, Bernard, Pepin, and Heribert. From Pepin sprang The First Branch of Vermandois.

The Emperor apprehending his Bastard-Brothers, (Charlemaine had left several) might fall into the like Conspiracies, caused them all to be shaved and thrust into Monasteries, and sent away Adelard Abbot of Corbie, and Valla his Brother.

The Bretons had created a King called Morman or Morvan. The Emperor go∣ing thither in Person reduced all the Country in Forty days and Morman being Slain in his own Camp, either by his own, or by the French-men, he gave them a Duke of his own.

At this return from this Voyage he lost his Wife Hermengard. She died at Au∣giers, leaving him three Sons Lotaire, Pepin and Louis.

The Abodrites were Subjects and Tributaries to the French, who nevertheless allowed them to have a King. He whom they then had was called Sclaomir; who having intelligence with the Enemies of France, was seized upon by the Emperors Lieutenants, and being unable to justify himself before him, was banished, and his Crown given to Ceadragne Son of Traciscon who had been cut off by the Danes.

Loup Centule Duke of the Gascons, guilty of the like Crime, being vanquished in a great Battel by the French Counts, and afterwards taken Prisoner, was likewise destituted and exiled. He withdrew himself into Spain to the Court of the King of the Asturias.

These Commotions shewed enough the weakness of the Government, Liudewit Duke of Pannonia Inferiora, who sought pretences to revolt for grievances he al∣ledged to have suffered by Cadolac Duke of Friuli, threw off his Masque in the end, and for three or four years gave a great deal of trouble to those Lieutenants that served the Emperor in Dalmatia, Friuli and Bavaria, till at length he was quite driven out of those Countries. The same Year, upon his return from that expedition, Cadolac died upon the Frontiers, and Baudry succeeded in his place.

In the general Assembly held at Aix Bera Count of Barcelonna being accused of Treason, and thinking to justify himself by combat, fell under the Sword of his accuser, and should have shamefully forfeited his life according to the Law, had not the Emperor changed his Sentence of Death, for banishment.

[Year of our Lord 819] It was ill counsel made the Emperor give his Sons their shares so young, as he had done: But it was worse after he had done so, to Marry a second Wife. But being resolved, notwithstanding his Devotion, to taste again the pleasures of the Nuptial Bed, he made choice of Judith Daughter to Helpon Duke of Bava∣ria, so much the more a trouble to his repose as she was Beautiful Witty and Gal∣lant.

The Truce between the French and Saracens of Spain is broken, and the Sara∣cens begin to range about the Coasts of Italy, Sardinia and Corsica. [Year of our Lord 820]

Thirteen Normand Vessels having attempted to make a descent in Flanders at the Mouth of the Seine, went and pillaged the Island of Amboum upon the Coasts of Poitou. So great a Mortality hapned amongst Bulls and Cowes, that it almost de∣stroyed the whole Race of that sort of Cattel thorow all France.

[Year of our Lord 821] The Emperor confirmed the partition he had made amongst his Sons, and ob∣liged all the Lords that were present to Swear they would maintain them therein; and as though he feared his Family might want Princes, he made hast to marry them.

Lotaire with Hermengard, Daughter to Count Hughes, and the year after Pepin* 1.152 with Engheltrude Daughter of Thietbert Earl of Matrie. Lotaire, when his Mar∣riage was consummate, went into Italy, where the Pope Crowned him Emperor, and Pepin returned into Aquitaine.

We omit several minute things, as the Negotiations of Ambassadors from divers Princes, little exploits in War against the Abodrites, Bretons, Saracens, and others. But it is a very memorable thing, that Louis the Debonnaire touched with remorse for having put his Nephew to Death, and Cloister'd all his Brothers and natural Cousins against their wills, made his confession to the Bishops, and did publick Pennance before all the People at the general Assembly of Attigny. After which he gave liberty to all those he had caused to be shaven to quit their Cloister, and recalled Valac and Adelard to be of his Councel.

[Year of our Lord 823] Birth of Charles the Bald, and with him a world of Michiefs. Which one may say had been presaged by many terrible prodigies hapning this year: an Earth∣quake which shoke the Palace of Aix la Chapelle, Furious Stormes which spoiled the Corn and Fruits of the Country, a showre of huge Stones which fell together, with Prodigious Hail, many Men and Beasts in divers places struck with lightning, a Girl that lived ten Months without eating, and after all these a most raging Pestilence.

[Year of our Lord 823] The Authority of the French at Rome did much incommode the Pope; He knew what Emperors he had to do with, and sought under-hand to weaken them, and to render them odious and contemptible. It hapned that Theodorus Prmicere of the Church, and Leon Donatour his Son in Law, were killed in his House, for no other reason, but because they had too much affection for Lotaire. He purged himself by Oath that he had not consented to this Murther: but however he would not deliver up the Murtherers, saying they were of the Family of St. Peter: And Louis too Debonnaire, or meek, puts up this injury, whereas he should at least have required Justice upon them.

[Year of our Lord 824] Shortly after the Pope comes to die. Eugenius II. his Successor made some sa∣tisfaction to the French, and there were Judges establisht in Rome, all of the Em∣perors Palace, none of the Popes.

The Bretons as obstinate for their Liberty, as the Saxons for their Religion assayed to withdraw themselves from the obedience of the French, and Elected a Lord of their Country to command them: He was called Wihormac, or Guyor∣mac, and was Vicount of Leon. The Emperor being entred into the Country with three Armies, whereof he commanded one, and his two Sons the two others, made so great waste in the parts belonging to those Rebels, that about the end of ten or twelve days they were glad to come and fall at his Feet, and give up the Chil∣dren of the most Noted Families for a Pawn of their Submission. The following year the Principals, and Guyomare their Chief, came to the general Assembly at Aix, as making up now a part of the French Monarchy. The Emperor rewarded them all with rich Presents: but when occasion offer'd they made it appear they could swallow the Bait and yet avoid the Hook.

The Peace being broken with the Saraeens of Spain, the French Earls, Guardians of the Frontiers had in An. 822. passed the Segre, and going a great way into the Country, brought thence very rich booty. The King of Cordona would needs have his revenge upon Navarre, and those Neighbouring Countries that were un∣der the French. Those People could hardly receive any assistance: For the Saracens held Sarragossa and Huesca, which hindred the passage of any succours that would go the lower way, I mean Catalonia: and the way thorow Gascony by Aspe and Ronceveaux was very incommodious: insomuch that the Emperor could send only the Gascons, unde r command of the Counts Ebles and Azenar or Aznar, who were of that Country. When they had taken care to secure Pampelonna, and thought to retreat, they found the Saracens had cut off their way back. So they were forced to get the assistance of the People Inhabiting those Mountains to shew them some [Year of our Lord 824] bye unknown ways: but those treacherous Villains led them into places where the Saracens lay in Ambuscade, so that they were cut in pieces, and Ebles sent in Triumph to Cordoiia, but Aznar set at liberty as being of Kin to some of those false-hearted Robbers.

The Bulgarians had already signalized themselves by their Incursions into the Territories of the Eastern Empire: The French began to know them when they came to be their Neighbours. Omortag their King sent Ambassadors to the Empe∣ror

to settle the Limits between the two Nations. He detained them above two years with him, and then sent them back without any answer.

By the assistance of the French, Heriold was received in part into the Kingdom of Denmark with the Sons of Godfrey. But those Princes out of hatred for that he [Year of our Lord 825. and the following] and all his Family had received Baptism, drove him out of the Country: which broke the Truce made with the Dane. Soon after it was renewed, and Heriold forced to content himself with the Earldom of Riusty which the Emperor had gi∣ven him in Frisia.

[Year of our Lord 826] The Normands Scowring the Coasts of Spain, took Sevil which they held a whole year.

The Affairs of France, being in a declining condition towards the Marches of Spain since the defeat of Ebles and Aznar, a Lord named Aizo, who had left the Emperors Court in discontent, seized by a wile upon the City of Ossonna in Catalo∣nia, and made a League with the Saracen King who gave him Powerful assistance: with which help he so tormented the Governors of places, that some quitted them, and others went and joyned with him. There was none but Bernard Earl of Barce∣lonna, that persevered in the fidelity he owed the Emperor.

[Year of our Lord 827] The next year Aizo got a very great re-inforcement of the Saracens, and the Emperor on his part gave Pepin an Army to chastise him, and to re-settle his affairs in those Countries: But the Infidels ransacked the Counties of Gironna and Barce∣lonna at their pleasure, before the French Forces were in condition.

The negligence of their Commanders was the cause of this delay: which was most severely punished at the general Assembly of Aix, with the loss of their im∣ployment: And whatever other favour they held of the Emperor. This done to repair their fault, he gave a great Army to his Son Lotaire, who advanced as far as Lyons, but having conferred with his Brother Pepin, he went no farther, because the Saracens had made no new attempt.

This was the last Trial the French made for those Marches. For the following year, there being a division bred in the Royal Family whereof Bernard Earl of Bar∣celonna was the pretence, the Saracens and Spaniards too, made great advantages of the same; So that France could preserve only the Lower Marches, to wit, the Counties of Barcelonna, Ampuries, Roussillon, Cerdagne, Ʋrgel, Paillars, Ossonna and Ribagorce. The People of the higher Marches seeing themselves abandoned by the [Year of our Lord 828] French bethought themselves of making a King; and chose Eneco or Inniguo Earl of Bigorre; surnamed Arista, by corruption from Ariscat, a word which▪ in that Country Language signifies the bold, the resolute: By whose valour and the ere∣dit he had amongst the Gascons and the Inhabitants of the Pyreneans, they promi∣sed themselves assistance sufficient enough to make Head against the Saracens. As indeed he regained Pampelonna, and some other Cities from those Infi∣dels. [Year of our Lord 829▪ Or 830.]

'Tis here therefore we must assign the beginning Of the Kingdom of Navarre, and not 70 years earlier by one Garcia Ximenes. For all the Six Kings whom they place before this Inniguo Arista, are fabulous; as well as the pretended Kingdom of Sobrarue where they tell us they Reigned. Now Sobrarue is a little Country be∣tween the Ancient Earldom of Arragon, and that of Ribagorce, which is within the precincts of the Kingdom of Arragon, not of Navarre, and hath but six Leagues of extent, and some Burroughs in a Valley, with the Abbey of Penna. Inniguo Arista had for Son and Successor Ximene or Semenon* 1.153 d'Innigo, and he had one Innigo de Semenon, and Garcia both Kings. D'Innigo II. was Son of Garcia II. who had two Sons which were Successively Kings, viz. Fortunius Garcia, and Sance Abar∣ca the first of that name. After him the Succession of their Kings of Navarre is clear and indisputable.

The Bulgarians ransacked Pannonia Superiora as they listed, Balderic Duke of Friuli never stirring to repel them; But his cowardly neglect was punished as it [Year of our Lord 829] deserved: He was devested of all his Honours, and his Dutchy was divided into four Counties.

The Emperor desperately fond of his Wife and of his Son Charles, bestowed Rhe∣tia and part of the Kingdom of Burgundy upon that Child, his other Brothers pre∣sent. But Trembling with jealosie and wrath. [Year of our Lord 829]

* 1.154

Louis Emperor

Lotaire Empe∣ror and King of Italy.

Pepin King of Aquitaine.

Louis King of Bavaria.

Charles King of Rhetia, aged 6 years.

Then all the re••t of the Party that had been for King Bernard, the Relations [Year of our Lord 829] and Friends o•• those whom the Emperor had put to Death, those whom he had Banished and sent away and afterwards recalled, Leagued themselves together, and taking this opportunity of the discontent of these young Princes, Heated and Ani∣mated the People with divers rumours and reflections.

The Emperor fore-saw the Tempest well enough by the gathering of these clouds; His Wife, as well to have the Absolute Government of her Husbands weak Spirit, as out of affection, increased his Apprehensions, and perswaded him to put an entire confidence in Bernard Earl of Barcelonna whom she loved, with the Office of Chamberlain, that she might ever have him near her.

[Year of our Lord 830] Bernards Pride and his too great familiarity with the Empress bred envy and jea∣lousy, which caused several other Lords to joyn with the contrary Party. All the discontented therefore address themselves to Pepin: And in the ill humour he had conceived against his Mother-in-Law, easily made him believe that Bernard was her Gallant, and that she had bewitched her Husband: and therefore it was a becoming Duty in the Son, to revenge those injuries Practised against his Fa∣ther, and to restore him to his Honour and Witts again. He believes them▪ and takes the Field; The Emperor being informed that he approached permits Ber∣nard to retire, sends his Wife to a Monastery at Laon, and comes to Com∣peigne.

The Conspirators Seize the Empress; she promises them to perswade her Husband to suffer himself to be shaved, or deposed: and upon this assurance they grant her the liberty to speak with him in Private. They having conferred to∣gether made an agreement that the Empress should wear the Vail for a time, but that he should demand some longer time to consider and resolve them.

Mean time his Son Lotaire arrives from Italy, who confirmed all that had been done, shutts up his Father in the Abbey of St. Mard at Soissons, and appointed some Monks to instruct and advise him to put on the habit.

Some time after the Empress was brought to her Husband and upon the Peoples clamours confined to the Monastery of St. Radegonde of Poitiers.

[Year of our Lord 830] In this Miserable condition the Debonnaire passed the Spring and Summer-season, his Courage so sunk that he would have consented to turn Monk, if the very Monks themselves, who designed to take advantage of the opportunity, and by some me∣thods bring the Affairs of Court into their management by his means, had not dis∣suaded him, and found a way for his escape out of that Captivity. One Gonde∣band amongst others stickled much in his service, and went in his behalf to his two Sons Pepin and Lewis, to entice them to embrace their Fathers Case, to which they were already much inclined out of the jealousy of the growing power of their elder Brother, and his undertaking to govern all things according to his own fancy.

The Power of these two Brothers serving as a Counter-poise to that of Lotaire, there needed a general Assembly to settle the Government. The contrary Faction would have it in Neustria where they were the stronger, to degrade him, or at least to dissolve his Marriage with Judith, because she was of Kin to him: But yet he had Friends or craft enough to have the meeting held at Nimiguen. There ma∣king his Party the strongest by the help and addition of the Eastern French, he ob∣liged his Son Lotaire to come and submit to him in his Tent, and give up the prin∣cipals of the Confederates into his hands. All the Lawyers, and his Sons themselves Judged them worthy of Death: He Pardoned them notwithstanding, and did only command the Laity to be shorn, and the Church-men to be shut up in Mo∣nasteries.

When he was got back to Aix, he recalled his Wife, and her Brothers who [Year of our Lord 830] had been shaved at the beginning of the Commotion; but he would not admit her till she had cleared her self according to the usual manner, of every thing laid to her charge. In the Easter-Holy-days, he was so merciful, that in Honour of him who with his own Blood had Redeemed all Mankind and obtained Pardon for Sin∣ners, He released and recalled likewise all those whom he had caused to be shorne,

and restored them to their Estates and Lands; but he sent his three Sons into their own Kingdoms. Bernard was admitted to purge himself by combat, and there appearing no accuser to oppose him, he purged himself by Oath.

[Year of our Lord 832] After these broils neither of his three Sons shewed him a perfect obedience. Pepin and Louis, though he had enlarged their shares, did not leave vexing him; And Lotaire their elder did under-hand contrive all their practices. Pepin being sent for to a general Assembly at Automne, came not till they were broke up, which made his Father keep him with him. At the same time almost Louis was making ready to come and visit him with too great an Attendance: But the Father going forth to meet him, made him retire, and pursued him as far as Augsburgh. From thence he summoned him to be present at the Assembly of Franefort; to which he obey'd.

[Year of our Lord 832] When he had done with one, another began anew. He had intelligence that Pepin was again Arming himself; he went therefore as far as the Palace of Iogon∣tiac in Limosin where he Assembled the Estates of Aquitain. The rebellious Son was forced to appear there; And his Case having been discussed, he was kept Pri∣soner. As they were conveying him to Triers he escaped, and assoon as his Father was out of Aquitain, he got in again with the same evil Spirit. In fine, having been Summoned to appear at the general Assembly of Saint Martins, he not o∣beying, his Father punished his Rebellion by taking the Kingdom of Aquitain from him.

[Year of our Lord 832] It was said that Gombaud the Monk enraged because Pepin hindred him from Governing the Emperor, in recompence of his good Services; stirred up his Fa∣thers wrath against him, and Judith with her Artifices compleating the Project, pushed the young Prince on to these extreams, that she might have his spoil for her own Son Charles; as in effect the Emperor did bestow it on him, and caused him to be acknowledged by the Lords of the Country, to the great displeasure of the other two Sons, who feared the like Treatment.

[Year of our Lord 833] They therefore conspired all those afresh against him; and the two youngest leave the management of it all to Lotaire, who brings Pope Gregory along with him the better to Authorize him. They take the Field with a numerous Army; The Father on his side gets his Forces together at Wormes; for they were arrived nigh Basle. The Ambassadors he sent to his Sons, and the Pope, finding they ur∣ged the Pope to Excommunicate him, declared before his face, that if he came for that purpose, he might return Excommunicated himself, since he trangressed the Holy-Canons.

The two Armies remained encamped between Basle and Strasburgh Five or Six days, during which time the Emperor and the Pope had some conference about a Peace: But under the pretence of Treating, his men were debauched and persua∣ded to forsake him, and went to the service of his Sons; In so much, that himself was likewise compell'd to go over to them, having before Stipulated that his Wife nor his Son Charles should either of them forfeit Life or Limbs.

They immediately confin'd young Charles to the Monastery of Prom, but did not shave him, and banished the Mother to Tortona in Italy, maintaining that her Mar∣riage was Null, because she was of Kin to their Father within the degree prohibi∣ted, which was truth. And that in those days was accounted a crime so great, by the Church, that they punished it with the utmost rigour. Add that the Pre∣lats were mightily offended with her, for that she had caused Frederic Bishop of Ʋ∣trecht, a man reputed to be of Holy-life, to be Massacred, because he had dared to reprove the Emperor publickly as he was eating at his own Table.

The Debonnaire, being thus detained, Pepin returned to Aquitaine, and Louis to Bavaria. Lotaire assigned a general Assembly at Compiegne to be on the first of October, leaving his Father under a strong Guard in the Monastery of Saint Me∣dard [Year of our Lord 833] of Soissons. During the Assembly the French beginning to be touched with compassion towards their ancient Emperor, some Lords with some of the Bishops, who feared they should be punished if ever he were again restored, contrived whol∣ly to exclude him, by degrading and condemning him to do publick Pennance. Ebon Arch-Bishop of Reims, his Foster-brother and his School fellow, but Son of a Slave, was the principal Author and Promoter of this Counsel.

The Ceremony of this Degradation was as follows. The Bishops having re∣monstrated his Scandalous faults to him, he sent for his Son Lotaire, and his Prin∣ces, and made his reconciliation with him. Then they led him into St. Medards Church, where prostrated before the Altar upon a Sack-cloth, he confessed he had

been the cause of great mischiefs and troubles to France; and the Bishops exhor∣ting him to name his Crimes openly, he repeated them according to a writing they had given him, containing amongst other things, that he had committed Sa∣criledge, Parricide and Homicide, in that he had violated the Solemn Oath made to his Father in the Church and Presence of the Bishops, consented to the Death of his Nephew, and done violence to his Relations. That he had broken the agree∣ment made betwixt his Children for the Peace of the Kingdom, and compelled his Subjects to take new Oathes, which was Perjury; from whence proceeded all manner of mischiefs in the Government. That after so many disorders and infinite damages and losses to his People, he had again brought them together to destroy each other: For which he desired pardon of God. Then he presented a Paper to the Bishops, who laid it upon the Altar. After this they took off his Military Girdle, which was laid there likewise: And lastly they disrobed him of his secular Habit, and cloathed him with a Penitential one, which was never to be quitted, when once they had put it on.

The People (that is say to the Soldiery) who would dave trampled him under foot before he was depes'd, now pittied him after his deposition. Louis King of Ger∣many feeling some remorse, or thinking to Aggrandize himself if he restored him, Sollicited Lotaire to deliver him, to which Pepin joyned his interest. But Lotaire not being inclinable thereto, and having transfer'd him thence to Compiegne, and then to Saint Denis, both of them brought their Forces into the Field, and ap∣pointed a place to joyn together nigh Paris. Lotaire observing they flocked thither from all parts, amuses them for some days with the Prospect of a Peace; then find∣ing there was no safety for him, he takes his way by Burgundy, and retires to Vi∣enne, leaving his Father at Saint Denis.

The Debonnaire being at liberty, would not immediately put on his Imperial Robes, but first desired to be reconciled to the Church by the Bishops: So that even in Saint Denis Church it self, they returned the Crown and Military girdle to him with the deliberation and consent, or Counsel of the French People. Some time after a couple of Bishops brought his Wife and his Son Charles to him who were set at li∣berty by those that were to guard him.

[Year of our Lord 834] Lotaire had placed some Counts in the Cities above the Loire, amongst others Lambert at Nantes and Mainfroy at Orleans, who undertook to preserve those Countries for him. These Counts having with great advantage defeated those sent by the Emperor who went and unadvisedly Attaqued them, did so importunate∣ly Sollicite their Master to return thither and pursue the Victory, that he went to them immediately, having forced and burnt the City of Chaalons upon the Soane.

Pepin was come to the assistance of his Father with considerable Forces: So that they were much Superiour to him in strength. Nevertheless he came and Encam∣ped right over against them, not far from the City of Blois, promising himself to withdraw and get away his Men, as formerly. But finding that on the contrary he was in danger of being forsaken by his men, and that he could not make his retreat without a hazardous Battel, he resolved to come and beg pardon; which he could never have obtained, had he been taken with his Sword in Hand.

His Father received him Sitting on a Throne which was raised very high in the midst of his Tent, where he would see him prostrate on his knees, and condescen∣ded not to pardon him and his, but upon condition he should come no more into France without his leave, but should remain in Italy; all the passages from which place he shut up after him with strong Garrisons.

[Year of our Lord 834] The Princes party being thus abandoned and without support, Ebon Arch-Bi∣shop of Reims, who had most contributed to the degradation of the Emperor, being taken as he was flying away with the Churches Treasure, was brought before the [Year of our Lord 835] Parliament of Mets. And there the Emperor accused him personally, after his own restauration had been signed by all the Grandees. The unhappy Creature did not endeavour to make any defence, but as a favour desired he might be judg∣ed in private by the Bishops, and owned his Crimes in writing, whereupon he was deposed, and subscribed his own degradation. After this Ignominy he retired into Italy to Lotaire, whither many others had already saved themselves.

[Year of our Lord 835. And 836.] It had been much better for the quiet of France that Lotaire had never repas∣sed the Mountains. But the Empress Judith desiring to have a support for her Son Charles after the death of the old Emperor, who was very Sickly and Infirm, en∣deavoured to reconcile them, and caused word to be sent, that he should come to

Court. To which notwithstanding he durst not trust so soon; And besides he could not have come, being at that time fallen ill of an Epidemical distemper which brought him to extremity, and almost all the French Lords, who went thither with him, to their Graves. It carried off Valac esteemed the best Head-piece and the most powerful Genius of his Court, as it had been of Charlemains, and so many o∣ther of the most considerable Lords, that it was said it had left France naked both of Counsel and Strength.

[Year of our Lord 836] In the year 836. the Emperor had a design to go and visit the Sepulchres of the Holy-Apostles in Rome: But the Rumour of the Normands falling upon Frisia, where they burnt Dorstat and Antwerp, detained him in France, where he called general Assemblies as was usual.

[Year of our Lord 837] Towards Easter-day there appeared a Comet in the Heavens in the Sign Virgo, which having in 25 days passed thorough the Signs of Leo, Cancer, and Gemini, came and lost its Train and Globe of Fire, right against the Head of Taurus under the Feet of the great Bear. The Emperor who was a great Astronomer, did first discover it. There had been another Visible the preceding year, on the 11th of April, in the Sign Libra, which shewed its self but three days only.

The principal cause of the trouble and Rebellions of Debonnaires Children was the frequent alteration he made in the partitions and division of the Portions of his Sons. The Empress who feared Lotaire, and desired to gain him persuaded her Husband to send for him, and to propound to him the division of his whole Estate in two parts, Aquitaine and Bavaria not comprehended, whereof the Emperor should chuse one, or else that he should divide it, and Lotaire should take his choice. Lo∣taire referr'd the division to him; and that being done, he took the Eastern France from the Meuse upward, and left the Western to Charles his youngest Brother, ob∣liging himself by Oath to defend him▪ and not to undertake any thing against the will of his Father.

[Year of our Lord 838:] The Normands ceased not from pillaging the Coasts of Flanders. They had gained a great Battel in the Island Walcheren, which makes part of Zeland, where the Count of that Country was slian; and having afterwards Fortified themselves in that Post, made great Ravage, till the French Army beat them from thence.

[Year of our Lord 838:] From the First of January a Comet appeared in the Sign Scorpio a little after the Sun-set. Some fancied it presaged the Death of Pepin King of Aquitaine, which followed in the Month of November after. He was Aged some 35 years, and had Reigned Twenty one. They buried him at Sainte Croix of Poitiers. He left by his Wife Engeltrude, Daughter of Thiebert Earl of Matrie, two Sons, Pepin and Charles, whose adventures we shall relate in due place, and one Daughter named Matilda who Married Giraud Count of Poitiers.

To have done as Charlemain; when a King had allotted his Children their divi∣sion and that one hapned to dye, if this left any Sons, it depended on the People to Elect one in his stead, or to let his share be given amongst the rest of the Bro∣thers. After the decease of Pepin there were two Parties in Aquitain: One where∣of a Lord named Emenon was Chief, would have the eldest Son Pepin to succeed him; the other, headed by Ebroin Bishop of Poitiers, referr'd it to the Emperor. Ebroin comes to him to know his Intentions, for which he was rewarded with the Abbey of Saint Germain des Prez. At the very time when the Emperor would have followed him into Aquitain with an Army, he was drawn towards the German side.

[Year of our Lord 839:] After the partition made with Lotaire, Lewis was forbidden to take upon him the Title of King of East-France any longer: his interest and resentment made him take up Arms to preserve it. Now before he could put himself into a posture of de∣fence, his Father passed the Rhine, and stuck so close to him, that he was either ad∣vised or compelled to come and ask his Pardon.

At his return from this Voyage, the Emperor goes into Aquitain; and being entred as far as Clermont in Auvergne, he there met and gave reception to the Lords of the Country, whom Ebroin had disposed to obedience, and made them give their Oaths for his Son Charles. But young Pepin with his Friends, kept the Inheritance of his Father still by some corner or other, and held so fast and tugged so strongly against him, that he could not be dispossess'd in many years.

• Louis the Debonnaire, Emperour and King of France.
  • Lotaire, Emperour and King of Italy, aged 45. years.
  • Louis King of Bavaria, aged 34 years.
  • Charles King of Rhetia, Burgundy, Neustria & Aquitain, aged 17. years.
  • ...
    • Pepin dispu∣ting Aqui∣taine, aged 14. years.

[Year of our Lord 840] When the Emperor, after the Parliament of Chaalon, was returned to Aqui∣tain, being at Poitiers to take some course to secure that Kingdom to his Son Charles, he had notice that Louis had debauched the Saxons and Turingians, that he had Siezed all the Country without the Rhine, and then being come to Francfort had ta∣ken the Oaths of several Eastern-French. Never any business troubled him so greatly as this same; Though he were indisposed by a defluxion upon his Stomach, and the Weather as yet very unseasonable, he went from Aquitain with the resolu∣tion of putting an end to that affair.

He left his Wife and his Son Charles at Poitiers, kept his Easter at Aix, passed from thence into Turingia, and held a Parliament at Vormes. Then his Malady encreasing, he went down the Meine to Ingelheim near Ments, where lying in his Tents, his Heart pierced with grief, and his Stomach oppress'd with an Impos∣tume, he gave up the Ghost the 20th of June, having every Morning for forty days together received the Sacrament or Body of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was in the beginning of the 64. Year of his Age, and the end of the 27th of his Empire and Monarchy, before which time he had been King of Aquitain 32 years.

His Brother Dreux convey'd his Corps to Mets, whereof he was Bishop, and Intombed him in the Abbey of Saint Arnoul; who was the Stock of the Carlovinian Family.

He was of a mild and sweet Nature, but too easy and too credulous, insomuch that sometimes his Counsellors could persuade him to unjust things. From his youth he had plunged himself into a profound Devotion; And if we may not say, that he gave too much credit to the Church-men, we may at least own, that he could not discern the good from the bad, or that employing them in his affairs, and bestowing too much wealth upon them, he spoiled them. His Fathers method had been much better, who never suffer'd one man to have more then one employ∣ment, or more then one Benefice at the same time. For the rest of his character, he was Laborious, Sober, Vigilant, Liberal, very knowing and Learned, both Speaking and writing Latine as well as any man in his Kingdom, and who together with the perfect knowledge and understanding in the Laws, had ever a great care to see them put in execution.

His first Marriage was with Hermengard Daughter to Duke Ingelram, by whom he had three Sons, Lotaire, Pepin, and Louis; and three Daughters, Adelais whose first Husband was Conrard Earl of Paris; her second Robert le Fort; Gisele, who married Everard Duke of Friuli, Father of that Berenger who was King of Italy; Hildegarde married to Count Theodorus; and Alpais Wife of Count Begon. By his second marriage which was with Judith Daughter to Ʋelpon or Guelfe Earl of Ravensperg, he had Charles, whom they surnamed the Bald.

CHARLES II.

Surnamed The Bald.

King XXV.

Aged xvii. Years.

POPES,

• GREGORY IV. S. 3. Tears un∣der this Reign.
• SERGIUS II. Elected in Febr. 844. S. 3 years, one Month.
• LEO IV. Elected in April 847. S. 8. Tears, 3 Months.
• BENNET III. Elected in Au∣gust 855. S. 4. Years.
• NICHOLAS I. Elect. in April, 858. S. 9. Years, 6 Months.
• ADRIAN II. Elect. in Decemb. 867. S. 5. Years.
• JOHN VIII. Elect. in Decemb. 872. S. 10 years, whereof 5. under this Reign.

Lotaire Empe∣rour and King of Italy.

Louis King of Germany.

Charles King of Burgundy and Neustria.

Pepin Fighting for the King∣dome of Aqui∣taine.

[Year of our Lord 840] SOme few days before his Death, the Debonnaire had sent his Scepter, his Crown* 1.155 and his Sword, the tokens of Empire, to Lotaire his eldest Son, re∣commending to him the protection of Prince Charles, and enjoyning him to preserve that share for him which had been allotted with his own consent. But Lotaire, or Lotharius was possessed in his mind that his Birth-right and his Quality of Emperor ought to make him Soveraign over his younger Bro∣thers.

With this design he parts from Italy, comes to the Kingdom of Burgundy, where he designed to Rendezvous and bring his Forces together with his Friends, dispatch∣es

his Commissaries into all parts to sollicite the Lords to give their Oathes to him, passes from thence to Wormes, and draws the Saxons to his party. From thence Marches even to Francfort. But Lowis coming to encamp close by him, startled him: and as he made more use of craft then strength, he made Truce with him till the 12th of November, at what time they were to meet in the very same place to decide their differences, in a Friendly manner if possibly they could, if not, by Dint of Sword.

Charles was then at Bourges where he waited for Pepin who failed at the Rendez∣vous promised. From thence he dispatched one to Lotharius to intreat him to re∣member his Oathes, which he had made in the presence of his Father, and withal [Year of our Lord 840] to render him all respect and submission as to his eldest. Lotaire amuses him with fine words, and in the mean time adjusts all his Engines to turn him out of his Estates.

After Charles had by his presence confirmed those People betwixt the Meuse and the Seine, and had withal made a Journey into Neustria, he returned with diligence into Aquitain, to put a stop to Pepin's progress, whose courage was much aug∣mented upon the approaching of Lotharius. He took off somewhat of the sharp∣ness of his Mettle by gaining a Battel: but in the mean while, the Neustrian People joyned with Lotaire.

Those Lords that accompany'd Charles observing these Artifices believed the best way was to breake thorow them all with a brave resolution, and advised he would march directly to him. Thus the two Armies were found to be within Six Leagues of each other, the City of Orleans lying between them. Then the Lords on either part endeavoured to bring them to an accord as was the usual custom of the French. Those of Charles's party, finding themselves by much the weaker, yielded to an agreement very disadvantagious, whereby was left to him only by provision Aquitain, Languedoc and Province with some Counties between the Lo∣ire and the Seine; and it was said, they should meet at the Parliament to be hol∣den at Atigny, to compose all their differences: but they added this Clause, that in the interim Lotaire should attempt nothing upon Charles nor Louis, otherwise they should be quit of their Oathes and promises.

[Year of our Lord 841] This Treaty finished, Charles marched towards Bretagne to quell the moti∣ons of some Lords of that Country. From thence he returns on his way to be at the Parliament of Atigny. Lotharius had in the mean while endeavoured to shut up the passages against him, broken down all the Bridges over the Seine, and ordered Forces on either Shoar, who coasted along incessantly. Which did him no good, because Charles having information that there were several Vessels at Roüen Seized them with great diligence, and wafted over his Army with them. His ene∣mies betook themselves to Flight upon the first appearance of his Standard.

At the same time Lotharius by the advice of Albert Earl of Mets, his chief in∣cendiary, and Othbert Bishop of Ments, were dealing with the French Austrasians; and knowing that Louis of Germany was upon his march to joyn with Charles, cau∣sed some Troops to pass over the Rhine to meet him, and did entice away a part of his men, so that he was councell'd, fearing he might lose the rest, to retreat into Bavaria: where it had been easy for Lotaire to have crushed him, had he but pursued it.

[Year of our Lord 841] Charles marching up along the River Seine, makes his Prayers in the Church of St. Denis, joynes some Troops which two or three of his Counts, brought him near Montereau on Yonne, beats two of the Counts that Lotaire had sent to oppose him in his March, goes on to Troyes, where he celebrated the Feast of Easter. From thence he went to Atigny, to let them know he would not neglect to meet at the conference appointed between him, and Lotaire. After his having remained there some days, he Marched towards Chaalons, and there finds his Mother the Empress Judith, and those Forces she brought him out of Aquitain.

He had intelligence at the same time that his Brother Louis having gained a Bat∣tel against Albert Count of Mets, made all possible hast to joyn with him. Where∣fore he goes that way to meet him. Lotaire gave out a report that he fled, and pursues him. Mean time Louis arrives, and thus the two young Brothers being united, were found to be the strongest. Lotaire therefore gains some days time by his feigned negotiations, till Pepin who was upon the March, could joyn with him. When he had this re-inforcement, he talked of nothing but bringing them to obe∣dience, and having a Monarchical Soveraignty. All the tenders they could prof∣fer, did but confirm his resolution of having all. So that they were constrained

to send him word they would give him Battel the next morning about the second hour of the day; which was the 25th of June.

[Year of our Lord 841] The two Armies being encamped against one another, near the Burrough of Fontenay by Auxerre. The whole Power of France, all the bravest Officers, and most of the Grandees and Nobility were about the Four Kings, who were to be both the Witnesses and rewarders of their Actions. Since the Beginning of the French Monarchy, to the very day I write these Lines, there hath not been so much French Blood spilt in any Battel whatever. A Hundred Thousand men perish∣ed there; a horrible wound, and which weakned the Carlovinian-House so great∣ly that it could never well recover it self again. The victory fell to the younger Brothers share. They used it with all humility, and would not give the Emperor chace, for fear of spilling more blood. They likewise caused his men to be buried, and took care to dress the wounded as their own, proclaiming a general pardon to all those that would accept thereof.

[Year of our Lord 841] The most part of those Officers that had been with these Princes, being gone a∣way, they could not reap all the Fruits might have accrued upon so notable an ad∣vantage. Louis repassed the Rhine, and Charles took his way towards Aqui∣tain to drive Pepin entirely from thence. But some dissention hapning in his Coun∣cels, so that he acted not vigorously enough; Pepin, who had been brought very low, and would certainly have submitted, re-assumed his courage.

On the other hand Lotaire having gathered up his scatter'd men, and raised new ones appeared soon after in Neustria, where he had a great many abetters. His Army and Charles's drew near each other about St. Denis, the River betwixt them. Charles's being the weakest saved themselves in the Forrests of Perche; Lotaire pur∣sued them, but not able to compel them to a Battel, he sent back Pepin whom he had called thither with his Forces of Aquitain.

[Year of our Lord 842] The two young Brothers at their parting had appointed to meet again at soonest. As soon as Charles found the way open and clear, he went to the banks of the* 1.156 Rhine to his Brother; and both of them being met the 22th of February in the Ci∣ty of Strasburgh made a new League, and Alliance of Friendship, promising by So∣lemn Oath never to forsake each other. This Treaty was framed and written in two Languages, viz.* 1.157 Romance (the Original of the present French) and the* 1.158 Tu∣desque. It mentioned that if either of the two Brothers contravened, their Sub∣jects should be no longer obliged to serve them. Which was in truth to leave a gap open for them to change their Soveraign when they pleased.

[Year of our Lord 842] This union having reassured their Subjects, brought back those whom Lotaire had inveigled, and encreased their Forces, they sought for him to give him battel: but he left the Country in so much hast that he made no stop till he was gotten to Lyons, and by his slight abandoned all Austrasia to them, and part of the Kingdom of Burgundy.

[Year of our Lord 842] When they were come back to Aix, the Bishops by them Assembled pronoun∣ced a Solemn Judgment, whereby they deprived Lotharius of all his Portion of Lands on this side the Mountains; and yet they would not admit the two Brothers, till they first were assured by them, that they would govern according to the Com∣mandments of God. To which having answered that they desired so, the Bishops told them: And we by the Divine Authority do pray you to receive and govern them according to the will of God. They then divided betwixt them that porti∣on of Austrasia which had been possessed by Lotaire.

Nevertheless this partition did not stand: for that Prince endeavouring an acco∣modation with them, the Friends on all hands brought it so to pass that the three Brothers had a parley together in an Island on the Soane, each accompanied and assisted with Forty Lords, in the presence of whom they agreed to divide the whole Succession of their Father (not including Bavaria, Lombardy, and Aquitain,) in three equal parts, whereof Lotaire should take his choice. That the same forty Depu∣ties on the behalf of each of them, should meet together in November in the City of Mets to make that division, and that in the interim each of them should keep the same Portion he then enjoy'd, and remain therein.

The Assembly of the Six-score Lords was not held at Mets; because Lotaire be∣ing at Thionville it would not have been secure for those on the behalf of the two younger Brothers; It was removed to Coblents; where for want of ample powers they could agree to nothing but a Truce till St. John Baptist's-day, and another meeting at Thionville before that time.

[Year of our Lord 843] In this Interval Charles Married in his own Palace of Crecy upon Oyse, with Hermen∣trude

Daughter of Wodon * 1.159, Grand-child to Adelard who had governed Louis the Debonnaire, and had been a most horrible squanderer of the Treasures and Demes∣nes belonging to the Crown; which on the one hand had got him the hatred of those that loved the welfare of the State, and on the other the affection and esteem of Courtiers, and all such as were not able to maintain their expences but by the profusion of such Ministers.

[Year of our Lord 843] The French Lords assembled at Thionville succeeded so well about the partition between the three Brothers, that they compleated it the 6th Day of March. To Charles fell the western Kingdom of France, which is near upon the same which we call at this very day France, that is from the Brittish Ocean to the Meuse: To Louis fell Germany unto the Rhine, with some Villages on this side which he would needs have included, because there were some Vine-yards; and to Lotharius with the Title of Emperor, the Kingdom of Italy, and Provence, and all that lay [Year of our Lord 843] between the Kingdoms of his two other Brothers, which were the Lands between the Scheld, the Meuse, the Rhine, and the Soane. In the German Tongue this was called Loterreich, in Romance or Old-French Lohier-regne, and by contraction Lor∣reine, that is to say the Kingdom of Lotaire or Lotharius. The Country that bears this Title at present, is but a small part thereof.

As for Pepin, they allotted him no share: but having gained a great victory o∣ver those sent by his Uncle, who endeavoured to take away his Kingdom of Aqui∣tain, he maintained himself for some years, even till his Vices, rather then the pow∣er of his Enemies, dethroned him.

This division of the Kingdom betwixt Brothers equally, divided the affections of the People of Germany, Gaul and Italy, who had begun to cleave, if I may say so, or joyn together in one Monarchick body, and made the Subjects become incon∣stant, unfaithful, Factious, and take to themselves a liberty of chusing their Prin∣ces, believing they might do so, provided they were of Royal blood. But that which was worse, was that France, having lost the best of her Forces by that blood∣dy Battel at Fontenay, was no longer able to keep those People under which had been subdued, especially the Gascons and the Bretons, neither to defend themselves against the incursions of the Normands.

As for the Gascons, Azenar who had Seized upon the County being dead in the year 836. his Brother Sance had also invaded it in despite of Pepin, and justified it by the assistance of the Basques, and the Navarrois. The Dutchy was then held by a Lord named Totilus; Azenar far from obeying him, did tyre him with his conti∣nual incursions, and whilst he held him in play, gave opportunity to the Normands to ravage the whole Province.

One cannot without horror recount the Ruines, Murthers and Destructions by Fire, which those Barbarians practised over all France▪ Necessity forced them out of their houses to seek for a subsistence elsewhere: for every fifth year they sent out Colonies or swarms of young People, to go and seek out their Fortunes in other Countries. The desire of plunder and honour, made them ever fall upon the richest Provinces; the false Zeal of their Brutish and Impious Religion made them cruel and bloody, especially towards Church-men; the French making use of their assis∣tance in their publick quarrels, had brought them into their Country; and such rascally people as were but too much at liberty, and in too great numbers during the Civil-War, served them for guides, and not only so, but sometimes became their commanders and encouragers, assisting them in their pillaging and robberies, with so great destruction, that no times nor History can parallel. For from one Sea to the other, there was not one Monastery standing that had not felt their fury and devilish rage, not one Town that had not been ransom'd, plundred or burnt two or three times. Which was demonstration sufficient that it was a terrible ven∣geance sent from God.

[Year of our Lord Towards 840.] And to make this yet more plain, there were every one of those years most visi∣ble fore-warnings to repentance, by some extraordinary Signs shewed from Hea∣ven. A little before the death of Louis the Debonnaire, appeared a Comet; and another again in An. 842. From the year 840. to 850. there were frequently Bat∣tels in the Air to be seen: And the Earth-quaked often times with Terrible roar∣ings.

During the Government of Duke Totilus in Gascogny, those Barbarians having failed in an attempt upon Burdeaux, ruined Basas, Ayre, Laitoure, Dags, Tarbe de Bigorre, Labour, Oleron and Lascar; and beat that Duke Twice; But the Third

time he had the advantage against them, and drove them quite out of all Gas∣cogny.

He survived but a short while after his victory; that command was given to Seguin: and to strengthen him the better against Sance, and likewise against the Nor∣mans, the County of Burdeaux was joyned to his Dutchy, which before was Aqui∣tania Secunda; and if I am not deceived, that of Saintes. Which hindred not the Normans upon a second descent An. 843. from defeating him in a bloody Battel [Year of our Lord 843] between Saintes and Burdeaux, where his death Crowned their Victory.

Duke William his Successor could not stop this Torrent which overslowed Aqui∣tania Secunda, and made them Masters sometimes of Saintes, another while of Angou∣lesme, then of Lemoges or Perigueux. The confusion they brought into those Coun∣tries, and the revolt of Bernard Duke of Septimania, which hapned in the same years, gave so much confidence to the Gascons of the Dutchy, that they joyned with those of the County, and together made Count Sance Duke of Gascogny. To whom some years after succeeded Arnold Son of Emenon or Immon Count of Perigord.

In the year 841. whilst the Kings were in the Field to destroy each other, Ho∣chery or Oger, one of the most Famous Commanders of the Normands, who com∣manded a Fleet of 150 Ships, Burnt the City of Rouen the 14th of May, and the Ab∣bey* 1.160 of Gemiege some days afterwards, and for Fifteen or Sixteen years together continued his Barbarities upon Neustria, and more particularly upon Bretagne and Aquitain.

They had also taken their course by Bretagne to make a descent. The revolt of that Province opening a gap for them. Louis the Debonnaire had given the Go∣vernment to Neomenes descended from the Ancient Kings of those Countries, and younger Brother of Rivalon Father of Salomon. Now Neomene having acquired some reputation for having made head against the Normans An. 836. began to think himself worthy of the Crown belonging to his Ancestors: however his design did not appear till after the Battel of Fontenay, when being incited thereto by Count Lambert, he openly declared himself Soveraign, and drove all the French out of Bretagne, unless those in Rennes and in Nantes, who held out.

This Lambert enraged because King Charles had refused him the County of Nantes which he desired and demanded as a reward for having fought valiantly for him at the Battel of Fontenay, renounced his Service and Leagued himself with Neomene; with whose assistance having beaten and slain Reynold Count of Poitiers, to whom the King had given Nantes, he remained Master of the City. But being in a short time driven thence in a contest hapning between Neomene and himself, he mischievously went and fetched the Normans, and brought them up the River before Nantes, which they took by Escalado on Saint Johns Festival, cut the Throats of most of the Inhabitants who were gotten into Saint Peter's Church, [Year of our Lord 844] and Massacred the Bishop at the High-Altar while he was saying Mass; carried away all that were left alive, and from thence went and Burnt the Monastery of the Islands, which was Noir Moustier. Thus Lambert became Count of a ruined City, and endeavoured to maintain himself there wavering betwixt the King and Neomene, unfaithful to both, and beloved by neither.

After the division made by the Kings, Bretagne being a pretended Member of West-France, which fell to the lot of Charles the Bald, that Prince having now no enemies at home, turned his Sword that way, thiuking to bring Neomene to obedience. But he confidently comes towards him, and meeting him on his March in the Road from Chartres to Mans charged him so smartly, that he put his Army to the Rout, and forced him to fly to Chartres on Horse-back.

This advantage redoubled the Bretons Forces, who made inroads upon Maine, Anjou, and Poitou. It seems nevertheless there was some Truce, since upon King Charles's intreaty, Neomene drove Count Lambert out of Nantes who went and Nestled himselfin the Lower Anjou, and there Built the Castle of Oudon.

At the same time that Charles was defeated by Neomene a Civil-War infesting Denmark, the Lords of those Countries who found themselves strong at Sea, amongst others Hasteng and Bier Iron-sides, fell upon West-France, and ha∣ing forced the Guards that defended the Mouth of the Seine, went up that River with their Barks. They Sacked all on the right and left Shoar, and [Year of our Lord 845] being unable to take Paris, they destroy'd all that lay without the Island, Plundred the Abbey of Saint Germain des Prez, and Ruined the City of Melun.

When they were pretty well laden with spoil, they were soon tempted with Presents made them by Charles to withdraw themselves, but as they returned they ravaged Picardy, Flanders and Friseland, and took the City of Hamburgh: how∣ever observing all Germany was rising up, to expel them from thence, they quit∣ted it.

The Priests and all Religious Orders fled before them from place to place, seek∣ing out places of safety, or at least hiding places to conceal and keep the Churches Treasure in, as also their Holy-Relicks; towards which their devotion did so much [✚] increase, when that furious Storm was over, that it occasioned sometimes bloody contests between the Citizens and Nobility, when the one would have them restored and the other would detain them.

[Year of our Lord 843] Whilst Lotaire had denuded Italy of all it's Forces to lead them into France, the Dukes Radelchise of Benevent, and Sigenulfe of Capoua, quarrelling with each other, without regarding young Louis his Son called the one the Saracens of Spain to his assistance, the other those of Sardinia (for those Barbarians had invaded that Island) and gave them entrance into Italy, where having Fortified themselves ••in many places they exercised their fury for twenty years together. And An. 847. pillaged the Burrough of Saint Peter, and the Church of that Prince of the Apostles. Which obliged Pope Leo the IV. to enclose it with a wall, and quarter the Corsi∣cans there whom the Saracens had driven from their Island.

[Year of our Lord 846] The Nobility respected their Kings so little, that Connt Gisabert dared to Steal away the Daughter of the Emperor Lotharius, and convey'd her into the Domi∣nions of Charles to marry her; which gave great cause of complaint to Lotaire, and much trouble to Louis of Germany to appease his resentment.

In Guyenne the great ones raised Forces for their private quarrels, and fought in despite of Pepin. In Italy in the year 844. the Clergy and Citizens of Rome had the considence to elect Sergius II. Pope, without the Emperors permission, who nevertheless having sent Twenty Bishops, and with them some Soldiers forced the Pope to render his devoir, and to acknowledge him for his Soveraign.

It is a Fable, that this Pope first changed his Name, and that before his Election he was called Swines-snowt, for it was Sergius IV. had that filthy Name, and he whom we here mention was called Sergius as was his Father. It is held by some that it was one Octavian introduced this mysterious change, who would needs be named John. He was the 12th of that name.

[Year of our Lord 846] The French being entred into Bretagne, intangled themselves unadvisedly in Boggs and Fenny-grounds, where they received a second blow.

[Year of our Lord 847] While Charles was preparing for a Third expedition against that Country, the terror of the Normans obliged him to agree to a peace with Neomene; which ne∣vertheless did not hold long, for he began immediately again to make his inroads [Year of our Lord 847. And 848.] upon France. For which Charles taking revenge by Fire and Sword in Bretagne, Neomene did the like to all the adjacent Countries, and the Territory of Rennes, which did not then belong to his petty Kingdom.

Hitherto he had not taken the Title of King, or at least had not put on the Crown. The custom of those times were, that the People did not believe a Prince wore it Legally, if it were not put on by the hand of one Bishop, and the consent of all. Now those of Bretagne having for the most part been nominated by Louis the De∣bonnaire, would not give their Ministery nor their approbation to this Usurper. He contrived therefore an accusation of Simony against them, by the means of an Abbot named Connoyon esteemed as a Saint by the People. The assembly sends them before the Pope to justify themselves, the Abbot follows them to Rome, and Ne∣omene causes him to be accompanied with a stately Embassy with a Present of a Gold Crown for the Pope, and an order to desire of him the Restoration of the extinguished Royalty in Bretagne. The whole House of France opposed this so strongly, that he obtained nothing of the Holy-Father but some Relicks, and ver∣bal Reprimands for the accusation against the Bishops. But at their return he fright∣ed them so with the fear of Death as made them confess those crimes, and thereup∣on caused them to be deposed.

[Year of our Lord 848. And 849.] Presently after he put men of his own Faction in their rooms, made three more Bishopricks, that is of Dole, Treguier, and St. Brieuc, and Ordained the Bishop of Dole for Metropolitan. The Popes had bestowed the Pall on those Prelats, in the sixth Century. All this tended towards his Crowning and Anointing, after

the Mode of the French Kings. Which was performed in the City of Dole, where he had assembled the Estates of his petty Kingdom. All his Bishops assisted ex∣cept Actard of Nantes, who for that reason being turned out of his See, retired to the Arch-Bishop of Tours his true Metropolitan: who having called together the Bishops of his Province, and those adjoyning, caused some Remonstrances to be made to Neomene, but to no purpose.

[Year of our Lord 848] Two other Enemies, perhaps leagued together, young Pepin and the Normans, drew Charles's Army into Aquitain. In the Month of March he took some of those Pirats Ships in the Dordogne, and compelled Pepin to leave the Field to him: But when he was gone from that Province, the Normands surprised Burdeaux by the treachery of the Jewes that were in it, and took William Duke of the Gascons Priso∣ner, and such others as their covetousness prompted them to spare alive, after their fury had been glutted with blood. The French were so feeble and weak, as to let them make that place, their Store-house and Armory for several years.

[Year of our Lord 849] The two Kings Lotaire and Charles had an interview in the Palace of Peronne, and by Oaths renewed again their affection and league for mutual Security. Charles Brother to Pepin of Aquitain, relying too much upon these seeming demonstra∣tions, was so imprudent, when he returned from Lotaire's Court, of whose protection he made no doubt, as to pass by West-France. Count Vivian observing his steps, stop'd him, and carried him to Charles the Bald; who at the Assembly of Chartres caused him to be shaved and sent him to the Monastery of Corbie. About four years afterwards Louis the Germanick his Uncle, made him Arch-Bishop of Ments.

[Year of our Lord 850] King Pepin his Brother had many very ill qualities, he was a Drunkard, filthy∣ly Debauched, and Violent, vexing and grieving his Subjects, and Authorizing the unjustice and robberies committed by his Officers. A good part of the Gran∣dees of Aquitain having conceived a kind of scorn and hatred for him, invited and called in Charles the Bald whom they received with great applause at Limoges, and attended him to the Siege of Tolouse, which surrendred on composition. But as soon as he had left Aquitain, they reconciled themselves to Pepin.

[Year of our Lord 850] The Voyage which Charles the Bald made into Bretagne, to put a reinforcement into Rennes, did not prevent Neomene from Besieging that Town, and taking Priso∣ners all the Chief Officers of that Garrison.

[Year of our Lord 850] The same year the Traytor Lambert having turned his Coat, seized Count A∣maulry▪ and divers other French Lords who were gotten into Nantes, without doubt to defend that place.

[Year of our Lord 851] The following year Neomene attaquing the French Territories by Anjou, and de∣stroying their Churches with as much Barbarity almost as the Normans, was smit∣ten, as it is believed, by the hand of God, whereof he died in few hours space. His Son Herispoux succeeded him.

There was a general Assembly held of all the Kingdoms of the French Monarchy on the banks of the Meuse, where the three Brothers met, and swore Amity and mutual Assistance. At their departure from thence, Charles goes into Bretagne to attaque Herispoux, whom he guessed to be as yet unsettled. Their Armies enga∣ged on the Confines of Anjou. If we credit the Bretons, Charles's was but ill hand∣led. However it were, he agreed to a Peace with the Breton, to take possession of Aquitain, which was a thing of more importance, and also to oppose the Nor∣mans.

The same year the Pyrate Hachery coming out of Burdeaux with his Fleet destroyed the Abbey of Fontenelle to the very Foundations, then going up the Seine with his small Boats, he plundred all the Country for a great way on either side, and burnt divers Cities▪ amongst others that of Beaurais.

[Year of our Lord 852] Pepins ill conduct had so highly offended the Lords of his Kingdom, that in fine they seized on his Person, and delivered him up to Charles, who caused him to be shorn and confined to the Monastery of Saint Mard. Whence making his escape he roved a while, and took part with the Normans, which made him only the more odious; So that being retaken, he was close shut up in the Castle of Senlis.

[Year of our Lord 852] The same year Lotaire associated his eldest Son Louis in the Empire. He had three living, this Louis, Lotaire, and Charles.

Lotaire, and Louis his Son, associate in the Empire.

Louis King of East-France & Bavaria.

Charles of West-France and Aqui∣taine.

There would be no end, if we should set down all the exploits and ravages of [Year of our Lord 852. And 853.] the Normans. In An. 852 and 853. other multitudes went up the Seine again, and this latter year some went up the Loire, plundred the City of Tours, and set Fire to the Churches, particularly to that of the Grand Saint Mar∣tins.

Ebon had setled himself again in the Arch-Bishoprick of Reims, when Lotaire in∣vaded [Year of our Lord 852] the Territories of Charles the Bald: Afterwards that King expelled him, and in his stead caused Hincmar to be Elected, who after many contests, was this year confirmed in that Arch-Bishoprick by the Synod of So••ssons.

[Year of our Lord 852] Whether it were by necessity, or evil counsel, the Bald treated the Aquitains ve∣ry rudely. He caused several of the principal Heads to fly, amongst others that of a Count named Gosbert, which begot so much aversion in them towards their new Soveraign, that under pretence that he took no care to defend them from the Nor∣mans they sent Deputies to Louis the Germanique to pray him to accept of the King∣dom, or send his Son to them.

[Year of our Lord 853] Whatever union, or strictness of Amity there had been for ten years together between these two Brothers, the German King scruples not to break it, when it concerned the gaining of a Kingdom, and sent one of his Sons into Aquitain to observe the disposition of those People. He did not find it such as he desired, there being none that concerned themselves or espoused his Interest besides the Friends and Relations of Gosbert. But Charles having discovered his towards him, sought the Friendship of Lotaire, with whom he conferred in a Parlia∣ment holden at Valenciennes, a place so situated between both their Territories, that Lotaire possessed one half and Charles the other half of the City.

[Year of our Lord 854] These two Brothers having brought themselves to a good understanding, called another Parliament at Liege, to which they invited Louis, to advise together in common touching the general Affairs of the French Monarchy, but he refused to be there.

Going from thence Charles passes into Aquitain, and was Crowned at Limoges. It is not true that he reduced it to a simple Dutchy: for his Son of the same name, held it for some time with the Title of a Kingdom; and we find that it conti∣nued so under the first Kings of the Capetian Race.

[Year of our Lord 855] In this year it was, that after the Death of Pope Leo IV. hapned that strange adven∣ture of Pope Joan, as is said. It was esteemed a very great truth for Five Hun∣dred years together; but in these latter ages, the Learned, nay even some of those that are separated from the Church of Rome, have held it to be a ridiculous Fable.

The Motions of the Grace of God, which when he pleases can mollifie the most obdurate hearts, or perhaps the Melancholly and restless thoughts of the Empe∣ror Lotaire, a Prince Fantastical and inconstant, gave him so much dissatisfaction and disgust of the Vanities and Pomp of the World, that he stript himself of his Soveraignty, and changed his Imperial Purple for a Frock, wherewith he cloathed himself in the Abbey of Prom, where he Died some Months after, having ruled the [Year of our Lord 855] Empire Fifteen years, and the Kingdom of Lorrain Twelve, reckoning from the time the partition was made amongst the Brothers.

He had for Wife Hermengard Daughter of Count Hughes the Coüard, who brought him four Children, Louis, Lotaire and Charles, and one Daughter named Hermen∣gard who was stollen away by Gisabert, Count of the Mansuarians.

Before his Abdication he shared his Lands between his three Sons, giving to Lou∣is the eldest of them, Italy and the Empire, wherein he had associated him in the year 851. To Lotaire the Kingdom of Lorrain, and to Charles, Provence, and part of the Kingdom of Burgundy.

Louis the Germanique in Germany and Bava∣ria.

Charles in Neustria. and Aqui∣taine.

Louis Empe∣rour and King of Italy.

Lotaire II. King of Lorrain.

Charles King of Burgundy and Provence.

[Year of our Lord 856. And 857.] Upon this change all these Princes framed new leagues and new designs. The young Lotaire much courted by his two Uncles, joyned at last with Charles: But the Emperor Louis made league with the German King, who sought all manner of ways to ruin him.

Charles was much hated by the Grandees of his Kingdom, forasmuch as out of mistrust of their affection, or contempt of their small courage, he bestowed his mi∣litary employments upon people of Fortune, rather then on them. Neither was he over-much in the esteem of the people, because he defended them but ill from the incursions of the Normans and Bretons, and also connived at the pilferings of his Officers. So that there being a grand Conspiracy contrived to set him beside the Throne, they deputed some to Louis the Germanique, offering to acknowledg him for their Soveraign, if he would govern them with Justice, and employ his Forces in their defence.

Therefore whilst Charles was gon to make Head against the Bretons, he crosses Alsatia with an Army, and comes into Burgundy, where in the Palace of Pontigon he receives the Homage of a great many Neustrian Lords. After that he assignes a Parliament at Atigny to receive it from all the rest, and is introduced into the City of Sens by the Arch-Bishop, named Wenilon or Guenilon; ungrateful and treacherous to Charles his King, who from a Clerk of his Chappel had made him Arch-Bishop, and would needs be anointed and Crowned by his hands at Sainte Croix of Orleans.

Charles who was then on the banks of the Loire with his Army to make head a∣gainst the Normans, having information that his Brother invaded his Kingdom, left those Barbarians there, and advanced to Brie to fight him: but when he percei∣ved that all went on that side, that his Soldiers themselves began to forsake him, being afraid his own People might deliver him up, he abandons his Army, which quick∣ly submitted to his Brothers commands.

This sudden revolution was as soon followed with one quite contrary. Those that had called in the German were the first that repented, and to repair one Treason by another, they conspired to make him fall into the hands of Charles; Which was very easy for them, since having been so credulous to follow their advice, he had sent away his own Forces. But he discover'd their intentions and evil de∣sign early enough to escape the snare; and upon the news he received of the in∣cursion of the Venedes, took therefore the opportunity to return to Germany. As soon as his back was turned, Charles having gotten his Friends together regained the Kingdom with as much facility, as he had lost it.

[Year of our Lord 859] The enterprize of the German gave some jealousy to young Lotaire, and induced him to league himself with his Uncle Charles for their common defence. In conse∣quence of this union the Bishops of the Kingdom of Neustria and Lorraine being Assem∣bled at Mets the 26th of May, charged Hincmar Arch-Bishop of Reims to go and sum∣mon the German to repair the wrongs he had done his Brother, and meet at the approaching general Parliament, where he that should be found guilty, should make satisfaction, and adhere no longer to those Traytors. He reply'd that he was ready to appear there, but having done nothing but by the Counsel of the Bi∣shops, he desired to consult with them.

About mid-June therefore was held a Councel at Savonnieres, in the Suburbs of Toul, consisting of the Bishops of twelve Provinces, wherein they laboured for the reconciliation of the two Brothers and Lotaire their Nephew. It is not expressed upon what conditions.

The 16th of that Month Charles presents them a Libel of complaints against Wenilon de Sens. It mentioned amongst other things, That he was anointed King by consent of the Bishops; therefore, he could not be deprived of that consecration without their consent: And likewise added, that he would have appeared there to answer them, had he been called thereto. They allotted four Metropolitans to Judge Wenilon,

who assigned him to give his appearance, before them within Thirty days. We do not find they continued this proceeding, for he died peaceably in his Arch-Bi∣shoprick in the year 865.

It is a mistake if we believe this man to be the Subject of those ancient Fables of Ga∣nelon, so renowned for his Treacheries in the old Romances: Such as understand the old French Tongue, know that Enganner signifies to deceive, and Gannelon a deceiver, a Traytor.

The Fathers of this Council, or perhaps of another held at the same place, wrote likewise to the Bishops of Bretagne to exhort them to acknowledge the Me∣tropolitan of Tours, and sent them a Memorial to admonish King Salomon to obey Charles King of France his Soveraign; which he took little notice of.

The two Brothers Lewis and Charles, and their Nephew Lotaire being reconci∣led by the mediation of honest men, had an enter-view at an Island on the Rhine near Andernac, attended by an equal number of Lords who staid upon either hand of the River. They shook hands, and agreed to meet the following Autumn at a general Assembly which was to be held at Baste. But they did not come there, having adjourned the enter-view till the next Spring at the Assembly of Cob∣lents.

At this place the Bishops who were then Masters of the Government through the weakness of the Princes, and the little Credit of the Grandees, who shewed no courage but in fighting one another and devouring the People, contrived the agreement between these three Princes, and drew up the Articles or Form to be observed in this Peace, which the German first swore to, and the two others after him.

This year 860. the Winter was so hard that the Adriatique Sea was Frozen, and the Merchants of the Neighbouring Countries carried their Goods to Venice by Wag∣gons. [Year of our Lord 860] In several places there was Snow observed to fall of the colour of Blood; which will not seem wonderful to those that consider how often it hath Rained the same colour.

* 1.161 The Bretons continually infested the Territories belonging to Charles, wherefore he gave the Dutchy, that is to say, the Government between the Seine and the Loire to Robert Surnamed the Strong or the Valiant, to keep those Marches or Frontiers. Which I was willing to observe, because he was certainly The stock of that Glorious Race of the Capetines; the which (should we reckon their Original or Commencement but from this year) would have eight hundred and odd years of Antiquity, clearly made out from Male, to Male, and of crowned Heads; an Honour which no Line on Earth besides can boast of.

This year the Bald made a Lord named Thierry Earl of Holland, from whom are descended those that have Hereditarily held that Earldom: but they have ever had a much limited Authority, and such a one as could undertake nothing against the Li∣berty of that Country.

* 1.162 Baldwin Earl of Flanders having the support of the German, took the confidence to come as far as Senlis and steal away Judith the Daughter of Charles his King, the young Widdow of Eardulfe King of England. He retired into the Country be∣longing to Lotaire, whence he conducted her to his own, and soundly beat those Soldiers under Charles's pay, who would needs pursue them. The Pope having ex∣communicated him at that Kings complaint, the young Count was so startled, that the following year he went to Rome and threw himself at his Feet: the Holy Fa∣ther touched with his submission, and the Princesses tears interposed to obtain his Pardon. Charles was advised to condescend; Nor indeed could the fault be any other ways repaired.

The passion of King Lotaire bred a greater scandal. He had married Thietberge Daughter of Huebert Duke d'outre le Mont-Jou, and allied to Charles the Bald: [Year of our Lord 862] Now in the year 860. having some disgust against her, and love for Valdrade Neece to Thietgaud, and Daughter of Gontier, this being Arch-Bishop of Colen, the other of Treves: these two Prelates Interessed and Flatterers having Assembled their Suffragans at Aixla Chapelle, obliged them to dissolve the Marriage; and immediately Lotaire publickly marries Valdrade. The pretended Motives for this Sentence, were a supposed Incest of Thietberges with her own Brother; and the Bishop of Mets his assuring them, that Duke Huebert who could do all things in that Court, had forced the Prince to take Thietberge for Wife after the death

of the King his Father, who in his Life time, said he, had made him Marry Valdrade.

At this time Nicholas I. was Pope, a Prelate of great capacity, and one that carry'd it high: He wrote concerning this to Charles, who before sought to quar∣rel with Lotaire; and indeed would have expell'd him, to break this Match, had not Louis the German King interpos'd and obliged them to meet at a general As∣sembly. Lotaire appearing there, promised to submit to the judgment of the Church; and to elude Charles his pursuit, appealed to the Pope, praying to let this cause be judged by a Council of French Bishops to be held at Mets, and whi∣ther his Holyness might send his Legats.

The Holy Father grants his request; the Council was assembled in June. The two Bishops Goutaire and Thietgaud served the passion of the young Prince: his [Year of our Lord 863] Presents corrupted the Popes Legats; in a word, the Council pronounced in favour of the dissolution. The two Arch-Bishops had the confidence to carry this Sentence to Rome to have the Popes approbation. But far from that, he calls a Council in the Lateran Palace, by whom they were deposed and both of them excommuni∣cated, and it was declared that all the other Bishops who were assisting at this false judgment should incur the same punishment, unless they craved pardon by express Legats.

Thietgaud and Gontaire replied very smartly to the decree he published, and framed another whereby they declared him excommunicate himself, and contra∣vening even, said they, the Holy Canons favouring the excommunicated, and se∣parating through pride from the society of the other Bishops. Which did not a [Year of our Lord 864] little encourage the revolt of Photius Patriarch of Constantinople, and the obsti∣nate resistance of Hincmar Arch-Bishop of Reims. Nevertheless soon after Thiet∣gaud submitted to the Sentence, but could not obtain his absolution during the life of Nicholas. But the Arch-Bishop of Collen regarded it not, still continuing in his obstinacy.

Charles the Bald's subjects, male-contented with his Government, had made several Leagues against him: he engages his Friends likewise to make one for his service, and to meet in all parts of the Country under his Standards, to be ready to [Year of our Lord 865] March when ever he required it.

Valdrade had promised to go for absolution to Rome; she went twice into Italy. And twice repenting her having repented, returned back. The Pope having there∣fore Assembled his Church declared her excommunicate, and wrote very harsh Let∣ters [Year of our Lord 856] to young Lotaire, threatning to deprive him of his Kingdom.

There is no craft nor submissions which this Prince did not put in practice to elude that Sentence. But the Pope not valuing all those Arts, sent a Legat into France named Arsenius: who addressing himself to the German Louis called a Synod, [Year of our Lord 866] and taking upon him a Supream Authority, declared to Lotaire that he must take his Wife again, or remain excommunicated with all his Adherents. The Kings his Uncles maintained this Sentence in such sort, that for the time he was forced to obey.

But so soon as the Legat was departed France, he began afresh to mis-use his Wife, to threaten to make process against her for Adultery, and prove that crime by combat. The accused retires to the protection of Charles, the Pope takes her business much to heart, and excommunicates Valdrade; and Duke Huebert Bro∣ther [Year of our Lord 867] of this Queen rebelling against Lotaire plunders his Country, kills his people,* 1.163 and exercised all manner of cruelty, till he was slain himself, by Count Conrard, Father of that Rodolph who was the First King of Burgundy beyond the Jour, or Trans∣jurain.

Salomon had fancied that the Kingdom of Bretagne, though Neomene had obtain∣ed it rather by conquest then succession, belonged to him, because he was the Son [Year of our Lord 867] of Rivalon eldest Brother to that King. Thus having forgotten he was carefully and tenderly bred under his tuition, he contrives a conspiracy against Herispoux his Son, assaults him in the Fields, then kills him in the Church to which he fled for safety, and so puts the Crown all bloody upon his own head.

Neomene and he intitled themselves Kings of Bretagne, and a great part of Gaule, because in effect they possessed the Countries of Mayne and with that the lower Anjou, which they had wrested from the French. For this cause was Anjou divided in two Counties, the one containing what is beyond the River Maine and held by these Breton Kings, the other what lies on this side, and remained to the French.

At the same time the Normans entring into Neustria by the Loire, spread them∣selves all over Nantois, Poitou, Anjou, and Tourraine. Ranulfe Duke of Aquitain, and Duke Robert the strong, who was so called because he guarded those Marches against these Barbarians and the Bretons, having attaqued them in a Post which they had forti∣fied near the River, were by misfortune both slain in the combat: So that their Army wanting a Head, though they got the advantage, let those robbers get a∣way from them.

Robert had two Sons very young, Eudes and Robert whom we shall find to have reigned hereafter.

The Saracens tormented Italy no less. Lotaire went thither with his Forces, not only to assist the Emperor Louis his Brother, but moreover by this means to de∣serve and gain the Favour of the Pope, which was Adrian successor to Nicholas; hoping in time to obtain the dissolution of his Marriage with Thietberge. The Holy-Father received him very well, because he assured him he had punctually obey'd to all that was enjoyned him: but when both he and his came to receive the Holy Communion from his hands, he obliged them all to swear it was true that he had quitted Valdrade.

Now it hapned shortly after that the most part of these Lords died of sickness or otherwise, in such numbers and so suddenly as if they had been cut down by the Sword of an exterminating Angel; and Lotaire himself was Seized with a Feaver at Luca, which he drag'd along to Piacenza where he gave up the Ghost the 6th of August. Which some interpreted a divine Vengeance, for the false and Sacrilegious Oath he and his Courtiers had made. The Body of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament being a destroying Sword to the wicked and unworthy Commu∣nicant.

[Year of our Lord 868] His youngest Brother Charles King of Provence, endeavoured to reap his suc∣cession, and was Crowned at Mets by the Bishop Adventius. But he survived not long after, and died without Issue. He was Interred in the Church of St. Peter's at Lyons.

LOUIS in Bavaria and Germany.

CHARLES in West-France, Bur∣gundy and Lorrain.

LOUIS II Emperour in Italy.

[Year of our Lord 868. And 69.] Charles who then held a Parliament at Poissy, informed of the death of Lotaire, went and Seized on the Kingdom of Lorraine, neither minding the Emperor Louis Brother of the two last Kings, to whom it should have belonged, nor the Medi∣ation of the Pope who desired him by an express Legation, to do his Nephew Ju∣stice. The Bishops of that Kingdom being Assembled at Mets, gave him the Crown; And Hincmar the Arch-Bishop, chief promoter of that Decree, put it on his Head with the usual Ceremonies.

Lotaire had one Son and two Daughters by Valdrade. The two Daughters were Berte and Gisele; Berte was first wife to Count Thibauld Father of Hugh Count and Marquess of Provence, and by her second Marriage to Adelbert Marquess of Tuscany, Father of Guy and Lambert. Gisele was Wedded to Godfrey the Dane, who Reign∣ed in Friseland, the Son was named Hugh who when he came to Age contended for the Kingdom of Lorrain.

Hermentrude Wife to Charles the Bald, dying at St. Denis the 16th of October, [Year of our Lord 869] he married for the second time Richende or Richilda his Mistriss, Daughter of Earl Buvin or Boves, and the Sister to Thietberge Widdow of King Lotaire III.

It was with some justice, but without legal power, that the Pope should take [Year of our Lord 870] any cognisance of the difference about Lotaire. He dispatched a second Embassy to Charles the Bald, to exhort him to surrender it to the Emperor Louis, other∣wise he would Excommunicate him; And he wrote to the Bishops that they should for∣bear all, Communion with that King, unless they would be cut off from the Church of Rome. Charles reply'd modestly enough to the Legats; but the French Bishops went a higher Note, and the Arch-Bishop Hincmar wrote very smart Letters to Adrian.

His Nephew, of the same name, Bishop of Laon, was of an other opinion,

and with much heat maintained all those Orders brought from the Pope. He had Excommunicated a Norman Lord, because he detained some Lands belonging to his Church whereof the King had given him the Benefice. His proceedings were blamed and condemned by the Bishops at the Synod of Verberie: he appealed to the Pope: for which cause his Uncle having cited him before the Council of Attigny, which consisted of the Bishops of twelve Provinces, he caused his Equipage to be Plundred by the way, and when he came to the Assembly forced him to renounce [Year of our Lord 870] his Appeal. The Pope made grievous complaint of it, and would have brought the Process and the two Hincmars to Rome: but the Arch-Bishop reply'd with force, and hindred him.

This dispute went so far that the Bishop of Laon was deposed and clapt in Pri∣son, whereafter two years Persecution his Eyes were put out.

The two Brothers Louis and Charles, after many persuasions used by the latter; and by the mediation of the Bishops and Lords, met in a place agreed upon on this side the Meuse, each with a certain number of People, and there divided the Kingdom of Lorrain in two, without having any regard to their Nephew the Em∣peror Louis.

Whose cause the Pope still supporting, sent a famous Legation to the two Bro∣thers. Louis s••nt them back to Charles, and he taking time to delay, advan∣ced as far as Lyons, as it were to confer with the Pope: but it was in effect for a quite contrary design. For very far from doing his Nephew justice, he likewise seized on the Kingdom of Burgundy, where he met with no opposition but from Berthe the Wife of Count Gerard, who sustained a Siege in Vienne and surrendred it upon composition. Charles the Bald gave this County in charge to Boson Brother to the Queen Richilda his Wife, whom he also made Duke of Aquitain and Grand-Master of the Porters * 1.164, and raised him in such sort, that he was shortly after one of those that dismembred the Monarchy.

[Year of our Lord 871] During this Voyage he had left the Lieutenancy of his Kingdom to the Arch-Bishop Hincmar, who by his Genius no less powerful then daring, had rendred himself very necessary. He had no small ado to hinder the designs and enterprises of Carloman eldest Son of his King. This Prince had some years before conspi∣red against his Father who had made him a Deacon in despite of him; and having rebelled another time, he put him in Prison. The Prayers of the Popes Legates, who came the year before into France, had got him out again: but abusing this mercy, he fell again to his old Practices. Now being fallen the third time into his Fathers hands, he caused him to be condemned to Death, and then changed that Sentence to a deprivation of his sight, that he might have time to repent Some time afterwards a couple of Monks craftily got him out of Prison, and con∣vey'd him to his Uncle the German King, who gave him an Abbey for his mainte∣nance. But Death did not leave him long in the enjoyment of it.

This cursed Custome of putting out Eyes and other ways of dismembring, was the inven∣tion of the Greek Princes; and it hath been long practised in the West, so that Vassals in their Oaths of Fidelity; swore they would defend the persons of their Lords, and never consent they should be maimed in any part of their Bodies.

About these times the Gascons desiring to collect their Forces under a Duke of their own Nation, and of the Race of their ancient Dukes to secure themselves against the fury of the Normans, and the revenge of Charles the Bald, went into Spain to the Son of Loup Centulle, whom the King of the Asturias had made an Earl in old Castille, to desire and get one of his Sons. The youngest after the refusal of all his Brothers, accepted the Honour: his name was Sanche, his surname Mitarra, the Saracens* 1.165 had bestowed it on him because he was their Ruin, and their Scourge. From him are proceeded the Hereditary Dukes of Gascogny who lasted near 200 years. He had a Successor of the same name and surname as himself. This Son was Father of Garcia Sanchez the Crooked, who had three, Garcia Sanchez Duke of Gascogny, William Count of Fezenzac, and Arnold Count of Astarack. This last not Born the natural way, but by an incision they made in his Mothers Flank, was surnamed Non-nat. Not Born.

The Princes of the Carlovinian Line, were for the most part, of weak Spirits, Fools, or Sottish. Louis Emperor of Italy, though Pious and Valiant, was so [Year of our Lord 872] slighted by his Subjects, that they would part him from his Wife, because he

had no Male-Children. And even Adelgise Duke of Benevent made him Prisoner, and extorted from him very unjust things.

[Year of our Lord 873] The Children of Louis the German gave their Father a great deal of trouble, and seemed to punish him for the disquiet he had given to his. The eldest named Charles, and afterwards surnamed the Gross, troubled without doubt with hor∣ror for the conspiracies he had made against him, had violent fitts of Madness, believing he had seen the Devil and was possessed by him. He was cured of that Frenzy for some time, after many Devotions, and Vows over the Graves of Saints: but his Brain having been once so disturbed, he felt it all his life after∣wards.

[Year of our Lord 873] The Normans had seized on the City of Angers about four years since, and setled themselves there with their Families, from whence, when they had a mind to it they ran about the Loire, and all those other Rivers which fall into it, loading their Barks, with the Plunder and Pillage of all the Country. Charles assisted by Salomon King of the Bretons, besieged them in that City. The Siege was long: the Bretons by great labour bring it to an end; they turned the stream of the Maine, and by this means their Vessels lay all on dry ground, and gave them opportunity to ap∣roach to the foot of their Wall. The Pyrats could no way have escaped, if they would have forced them: however the Bald, so terrible had they made themselves, fearing the revenge such other Parties they had abroad in divers parts of the King∣dom might take, not only did them no hurt; but likewise gave them the liberty to depart with all their plunder. They only made a promise never to return any more into France: but at their departure from thence, they went and nestled themselves in an Island within the Loire, from whence they continued their old Trade.

Towards the Month of August, an unknown cause brought towards the Coast, or Borders of Germany, a prodigious quantity of Locusts, which were about the bigness of an inch, having six wings, and teeth as hard as a stone. In less than an hour they had eaten up all the Herbs and Greens growing in a Country of seven or eight Leagues in length, and two in breadth, to the very Branches and Rinds of young Trees. After they had done incredible mischiefs, a strong Wind hurried them into the Brittish Sea, where they were drowned: But dead they did no less hurt then when living: the great heaps thrown by the Waves upon the Shoar, infecting the Country with the Plague.

[Year of our Lord 874] While King Salomon, who was become a good Man and devout to the doing of Miracles, was thinking to retire into a Monastery, and leave his Crown to his Son Gueguon: two of his Cousin Germans Pasteneten or Pasquitan Son of Neomene, and Ʋrsand, assisted by Wygon Son of Duke Rodolph, and some French Inhabitants of Bretagne, whom he had treated ill, conspired against him, and besieged him in his Castle of Plelan; where surrendring himself and his Son, upon some false promi∣ses the French put out his eyes, and a few days after put him to death.

The two Cousins having shared the Soveraignty, soon quarrell'd each other, and came to blows near Rennes; Ʋrfand with a Thousand men only, charged Pasqui∣tan who had Twelve times as many, and got the advantage.

The other Lords of the Country, after the example of these two, set up like∣wise [Year of our Lord 875] for Soveraigns, amongst others Alain Earl of Broerec, that is to say, the Ter∣ritory of Vennes and that of Porhoet, and Salomon Count of Rennes, Son of the Sister to a King of the same name; On the other hand the Normans wasted all the Country; so that Bretagne thus torn, lost the name of a Kingdom. And took that of a County, and then a Dutchy. In those days, these two Titles were confounded.

Soon after Ʋrfand fell sick to extremity; Pasquitan having notice of it gets his Forces together. Ʋrfand whose courage could not fail, but with his Life, was carried in a Litter to the head of his men▪ his presence gave them the victory, but hastned his death a little. A great deal of honour which cost him but a Moments Breath.

[Year of our Lord 875] His Rival did not long survive him, sickness deprived him of that which death had bestowed on him. His Succession remained in dispute between Alain his Bro∣ther, and Judicael Son of the Daughter to Herispoux. They found it better to share it by agreement then by the Sword, and at length it fell to Alain by the Death of Judicael, who was slain in a* 1.166 fight against the Normans.

Louis Emperor of Italy Dies without Male Children in the Month of August An. 875 the 20th of his Empire, who had been mightily disturbed by Factions of the Gran∣dees

his State, and incursions of the Saracens. His Tomb is to be seen at Milan in St. Ambrose Church.

His Wife was named Engelberge, according to some the Daughter of Ethico who was Son of another Ethico Duke of Suevia or Germany, by whom he had but one Daughter only, named Hermengarde, who An. 876. was Ravished by Boson Brother to the Queen Richilde, and with the consent of Everard Berenger Son of the Duke of Friuli; who had her in keeping.

Louis the Germanick.

Charles the Bald.

[Year of our Lord 875] It was now betwixt the Germanick and the Bald who should first Seize upon Italy. The Bald making great diligence got thither before Charles and Carloman two of the Germanicks Sons, who went two several ways, whilst their Brother Louis fell upon France to make a diversion. For the two first the Bald amused them with very fair words, and sent them back handsomely; and as for the third, the Prelats made such pathetical remonstrances to him, that he took pitty of the poor people, and returned without committing many acts of Hostility.

The Popes interest was to have an Emperor of a great name, one that could lend him powerful assistance, as Pepin and Charlemaine had done, but yet not abide in Italy, where he must have lain too heavy upon his shoulders: wherefore he would have no Italian Lord, because they were both weak and resided upon the place; and besides being to chuse out of the Carlovinian Line, he could not so well comply with the roughness of those that Governed in Germany. He therefore pitched upon Charles the Bald, and incited him by a sumptuous Embassy to come to Rome to receive the Imperial Diadem, as if it had been absolutely in his disposal. [Year of our Lord 875]

* 1.167 He set it on his Head upon Christmass Day with great Solemnity. After which the new Emperor bestowed the Dutchy of Spoleta upon Gay the Son of Lambert, and that of Friuli on Berenger the Son of Everard.

At his return he received also the Crown of Lombardy at Pavia, and a Confir∣mation of the Imperial one at an Assembly of Counts and Prelats in the said City, [Year of our Lord 875] the Pope assisting in Person.

And the following year, there being yet several Lords in Italy who refused to acknowledge him, the Pope held another Council in Rome to Confirm him a second time adding Excommunications against the refractory. [Year of our Lord 875]

[Year of our Lord 876] The Western Empire could be but a vain or empty Title, and at most had nothing be∣longing to it but the Exarchate of Ravenna, and the Pentapolis; for his power was not [Year of our Lord 877] absolute in the City of Rome, and the Kingdom of Lombardy belonged, nor held any wise of it.

Nevertheless the Bald esteeming himself wholly obliged to the Pope, and of [☜] his Soveraign being become his Subject; even so far condescending as to take it for an honour to bear the Title of his Counsellor of State: endeavoured in recom∣pence with all his might to extend his Authority over the liberties of the Galli∣can Church. In a Council held at Pontigon he supported as much as he could the Popes Legats, who brought Letters of Primacy to Ansegise Arch-Bishop of Sens, saying the Pope had Commissioned him to assist at that Council, and to cause his Orders to be put in execution, and in effect he made him take his Seat immedi∣ately next the Legats. But the French Prelats encourag'd by Hincmar, who thought he better deserved that honour then Ansegise, could never be induced nei∣ther by Prayers nor threatnings to give consent to that Novelty. At the eight Session the Bald brought in the Empress his wife (so fond was he of her) with the Crown upon her Head, to preside there with him; of which the Bishops were so ashamed that they did not so much as rise up to receive her.

Though the Germanick were Seventy years old, and much discomposed in his Family by the discord amongst his Sons, he had nevertheless so great a resent∣ment, for that Charles the Bald did him no justice in the matter of the Empire and Territories of Italy, that he gathered all his Forces to make a powerful irruption upon Neustria. Being come to Francfort, Death broke the thrid of his life and his undertakings the 28th of August, the Seventieth of his Age, and the 59, since his first Coronation

This Prince was well read in the Learning of those times. He was all his life long Active, Warlike and Liberal, one that cared not for money but to bestow it, and had a greater esteem for Steel then Gold; a great Zealot in Justice and Re∣ligion, an equitable distributer of commands and employments, in Fine approach∣ing more then any Prince of his Line, to the noble virtues and qualities of Char∣lemaine: By Emne his sole wife, a Spaniard by Nation, much applauded by the Authors of those days for her Wisdom and Piety, he had three Sons, Carloman, Charles, and Louis.

[Year of our Lord 876] Upon the News of his death, the Bald, of a defender which he was just before, became an aggressor, and resolved to strip those young Princes his Nephews before they could be aware. Louis nearest Neighbour to this danger sent Ambassadors to him, to put him in mind of the Treaty made with his Father, and offered him to prove by thirty witnesses, whereof ten should undergo the trial of cold water, ten more of hot water, and other ten that of burning Irons, that they had on their part never infring'd it in the least.

The Bald petended to give ear to those justifications, and agreed to a Cessation, du∣ring which he made Oath he would not molest them. Yet he pursued his march by narrow and unfrequented ways through the Mountains, intending to surprize him near Andernack where he lay encamped, and to put out his Eyes. But the Bishop of Colen who was with him, having in vain used all his endeavours to dissuade him from this treachery, gave secret notice to Louis, who put himself into so good a posture as he deseated his great Army, and might have cut them all off would he but have pursued them.

[Year of our Lord 877] The three Brothers confirmed by this victory in the Succession of their Father, divided it betwixt them. Carloman the eldest had the Kingdom of Bavaria to which belonged Panonia, Carinthia, Bohemia and Moravia. Louis the second had East-France or Germany, and with that part of the Kingdom of Lorrain. Charles had the Country of the Grisions, Swisserland, Souaube, Alsace, and the other part of Lorrain bordering on them.

CHARLES the Bald, Empe∣rour, King of Neustria, Aqui∣tain, Burgundy & Provence.	Carloman, King of Bavaria, and the Title of King of Italy.	Louis II. of East-France.	Charles of Ger∣many, properly so called.
		Lorrain between both.

During all these dissentions the Normans had fair play. The Bald put no stop to them but with Presents of Gold and the like, which rather invited them soon after to come again, then perswaded them to stay away; So that while he lost himself with the imaginations of vain conquests, they imposed* 1.168 Tribute upon West-France, and had it paid as themselves demanded, or after their own mode, the reason perhaps why they were called Truands.

The Saracens on the other hand tormented Italy no less: they had Fortified themselves at Tarente, and having made a League with the Duke of Naples, sack∣ed all to the very gates of Rome. Pope John cryes out and calls upon the Bald for help, and as a great favour sends him the confirmation of his Election to the Em∣pire. He goes therefore into Italy with Richilda his wife whom he led about eve∣ry where. The Pope comes to meet him as far as Versel, Crowned the Empress at Tortona, and from thence they went down to Pavia, to consult with the Lords of Italy about the means to drive out the Saracens.

While they were there they heard that Carloman King of Bavaria approached with a great Army to resume the Kingdom of Italy and the Empire. Upon the bruit of his march the Assembly dissolves, the Pope flies to Rome, and Charles makes hast into France: But at the same time Carloman Seized with a Pannique fear, turns back again to Germany.

Whilst the Bald was absent from his Kingdom, the French Lords formed a conspi∣racy against him, Boson himself his Favourite and Brother in Law to his Wife, was of the Knot. They hated him mortally, and the occasion or pretence was, that he raised people of mean Birth, and seemed to despise the French Nation, in affect∣ing

to wear his Cloaths after the Greek Mode who were their mortal Enemies. It hapned therefore by the wicked contrivances of these Factious persons combi∣ning, that upon his return, passing by Mount Conis, he was poysoned by Sedecias his Physician, a Jew by Birth, and reputed a Magician. Accidents not un-com∣mon [Year of our Lord 877] to Great ones who make use of such-like People. His body was Interred at Vercel, and seven years after brought thence to the Abbey of St. Denis. He died at the Age of 55 years, the second of his Empire, and the 38th of his Reign, ac∣counting from the Decease of his Father.

At he loved Pride and vain Pomp more than Solidity, so Fortune in conformi∣ty to his humour, made him happy in appearance but unhappy in effect, she bestow∣ed many great Lordships and but little good success upon him. The best of his qualities was that he acquired great learning, and gratified good Schollars with Honour and rewards, seeking and sending into Greece and Asia for them to enrich France by their knowledge; worthy of praise for so doing, had he but taken care to provide for the necessity and security of his Country, before be brought in those Ornaments.

His Father was blamed for raising people of a servile condition to Ecclesiastical dignities: And he going farther yet advanced very mean persons to Military Em∣ployments, and to such dignities as were due only to the greatest in his Kingdom: This turned the whole State, as it were upside-down, the greatest Families sunk to nothing, and the meanest were raised to the highest pitch, to whom the obscu∣rity and ignorance of those times was very favourable in concealing and preven∣ting [☜] all knowledge of the beseness or Poverty of their Original.

The City and Abbey of St. Denis are obliged to this King for the Faire at Landy.

He had no Children by Richilda his second wife; but by Hermentrude his first he had many: there was but one now alive, which was Louis whom they surna∣med the Stammering, because in truth he was so.

The hatred they bare to the Father was transferred to the Son: he endeavou∣red to take it away by force of gratifications, bestowing Abbeys upon some, to others Lands and Employments were given: but by pleasing and pacifying a few, he created a world of discontents; and the Princes (so the great Lords were called) took offence, that he should grant of himself, what he could not well do without their consent, and in the general Assembly.

[Year of our Lord 877] Whilst they were making divers Cabals, grounding all, as I believe, upon this pretence, that it did not appear to them that his Father had* 1.169 ordained he should succeed him; his Mother in Law Richilda comes with all speed and brings him his Father Charles the Bald's Will, by which it was manifest he had given him his King∣dom, and did invest him in it by the Sword of St. Peter, and the Royal ornaments which he sent to him.

Louis being a little better Authorised by this means, the Lords agreed with him, but certainly not till it had cost him a great deal: And the Arch-Bishop Hincmar Crowned him in the City of Reims the 8th day of December.

LOUIS II.

Surnamed The Stammerer.

King XXVI.

Aged about XXX, or XXXII. Years.

POPES, JOHN VIII. During all this Reign, and in the following.

Louis, called the Stammerer, Empe∣rour, King of* 1.170 Neustria, Aquitain, Burgundy & Provence.	Carloman, King of Bavaria.	Louis of East-France.	Charles of Germany.
		Lorraine to both.

[Year of our Lord 878] IN the mean time Lambert Count of Spoleta and Albert Marquiss of Tuscany, partisans of King Carloman who pretended to the Empire, being entred into Rome kept Pope John VIII. a prisoner. But soon after, having made his escape out of their hands, he takes Shipping and Lands in Provence, whence* 1.171 he was conducted to Lyons. From that place, always defrayed in his ex∣pences* 1.172 by the Bishops of France, he came to Troyes, where he held a Council: the King came likewise thither, and by his hands was Crowned Emperor, the seventh of September.

[Year of our Lord 878] In this Council the Pope Excommunicated Hugh Bastard Son to King Lotaire II. and Valdrade, who pretended to be Legitimate, and had collected together some herds of Robbers to regain the Kingdom of Lorrain. He likewise restored Hincmar Bishop of Laon, permitted him to say Mass, though he were blind, and bestowed one half of the revenue of the Bishoprick upon him.

[Year of our Lord 879] After the Popes departure, the Stammerer going towards Lorraine, conferred about Marsenne upon the Meuse, with Louis King of Germany. They made a Treaty by which they divided Lorrain betwixt them, as it had been betwixt their Fathers, and the Stammerer promised him part in Italy.

Neither the obedience nor affection of the Lords was firm towards him, they gave little heed to his Orders: and it hapned that having taken up Arms to sup∣press Bernard Marquiss of Gothia, whose Government he had given to Bernard

Earl of Auvergne, he fell sick in his passage by Autun in Burgundy, not without suspicion he was poysoned, wherefore he sent for his Son Louis whom he put into the hands and keeping of Bernard Earl of Auvergne, Thierry his great Chamber∣lain, the Abbot Hugh, and some other Lords. This Hugh or Hugues was very powerful towards the latter part of the Reign of Charles the Bald, under Louis the Stammerer, and likewise under his Children.

The Stammerer being with much difficulty brought to Compeigne, gave up his Soul upon Holy-Friday the 19th of April: He was buried at the same place in the Abbey-Church of St. Cornille, his Age was 30 or 35 years, of which he had Reign∣ed only [Year of our Lord 879] one and seven Months. Before his death he sent the Crown and other Regal ornaments to his Son Louis, by the Bishop of Beauvais and an Earl, with order to have him annointed King as soon as possible.

He was in his youth married to An••••arde, by whom he had had two Sons, this Louis of whom we speak and Carloman: but as she 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of mean extraction, the King his Father without whose consent he married her, obliged him to put her away. For this reason it is that some Historians say that these two Princes are Bastards. After this divorce he took another named Adelaid, or Alive Daughter of some English Prince, and Sister to Wilfrid Abbot of Flav••gny in the Dutchy of Burgun∣dy. She was with child when he died, and brought a Posthumus Son into the World, Born the 17th of September following. He was named Charles the [Year of our Lord 879] Simple.

The Western Empire remained vacant two whole years, and Italy in an extreme confusion, thorough the discords of the Lords, and the spoil and ravages of the Saracens, to whom the Pope was fain to pay Tribute.

We may in this Reign, place the Original of the Earls of Anjou, from a Lord named Ingelger, the Son of a Breton named Torquat or Tortulfe, on whom Charles the Bald had bestowed some Lands in Gastinois, and Perretta Daughter of Hugo Labbe in marriage. This Ingelger was the Father of Fulke le Roux, who being made Earl of Anjou by Charles the Simple, valiantly defended that Country against the Normans.

LOUIS III. AND CARLOMAN, King XXVII.

At the Age of Adolescency.

POPES,

• JOHN VIII. 3 Years and half in this Reign.
• MARTIN, Elected in January 883. S. one Year, and 20 days.
• ADRIAN III. Elect. in January 884. S. One Year, 3. Months, whereof Six Months in this Reign.

LOƲIS III. And Carloman, his Bro∣ther, Kings of West-France, Burgundy and Aquitain.	CARLOMAN King of Bava∣ria.	Louis the Young, King of Germa∣ny or East-France.	Charles the Fatt, of Ger∣many, pro∣perly so cal∣led.
		Lorrain to both.

[Year of our Lord 879] TO the very end of this Race we shall find nothing but factions, the Kings being but their May-games, and even their Creatures. Thierry and the rest to whom the Stammerer had recommended his Son, sent to the other Lords to meet at the general Assembly at Meaux: And they reconciled the quarrels between Thierry and Boson. Gauzzelin one of the Princes or great Lords of Neustria, Abbot of St. German des Prez, forgot not the injuries he had received by the preceding Government, and having made his Party with some Bishops and Lords, proposed that to heal the distem∣pers of France, they ought to bring it all under one head, and for that purpose call in Louis of Germany (with whom he had contrived and held intelligence, as ha∣ving formerly been taken Prisoner by him at the Battel of Andernac) promising to bring him in and make the French accept and own his Title to the prejudice of the Bastard Sons of Louis the Stammerer; For thus he called them.

The greatest Friends to these two Princes could no other way divert this Storm, but by yielding up to the German King that part of Lorrain which the Bald and the Stammerer had possessed. And ever since, that Kingdom, though disputed and divers times resumed by the Kings of West-France, yet remained at last with the Germans or Kings of East-France. [Year of our Lord 880]

Louis would not have been satisfied with less than the whole Monarchy, had not his affairs pressed him to return home in hast; For being informed at M••ts of the sickness of Carloman his eldest Brother who was Seized with the Palsie, he posted to Bavaria to prevent him from giving the Kingdom to Arnold his Bastard Son. Now Carloman died soon after, and was Interred at Ottinghen in Bavaria in St. Maximilian's Monastery founded by him. He had no Legitimate Children, but two natural ones, Arnold to whom he could leave only the Dutchy of Carin∣thia, King Louis having even in his life time received the Oaths of his Subjects; and Gisele, who An. 890. married Zuendipold King of Moravia, whom for that reason some have called Carloman's Son.

Louis III. and Carloman as beforesaid.

Louis and Charles the Fatt as abovesaid.

[Year of our Lord 880] In the mean while Gauzelin and Conrard fearing to be oppressed by the other Neustrian Lords, applied themselves to Lewitgarde the wife of Lewis of Germany, a very ambitious Princess who sollicited her Husband so earnestly, that she over∣persuaded him to return once more into France with much greater strength then he at first carried.

[Year of our Lord 880] Upon the rumour of this second Irruption, the Lords caused not only Louis el∣dest Son of the Stammerer, but also Carloman his Brother to be both Crowned in the Abbey of Ferrieres in Gastinois.

[Year of our Lord 880] Some while after these two Brothers being at Amiens, divided their Fathers King∣dom betwixt them; Lewis had Neustria, and Carloman the Kingdoms of Aquitain and Burgundy.

At their first accession they meet with the displeasure of seeing two Kingdoms, belonging to their Father dismembred from the Succession, which were Lorrein, as we have observed, and Burgundy. As for this last it was lopp'd off by Boson. That Lord had been in such high favour with Charles the Bald, that he had given him Provence, if not in Soveraignty, at least to perpetuity, and his Neece Hermengarde to Wife. Having these advantages he was encouraged by that ambitious Princess to make himself King; So that having gained the Lords and Prelats of those Coun∣tries he was Crowned King of Burgundy in the Royal Castle of Mantale in Dau∣phine by the hands of the Arch-Bishop of Lyons.

This attempt went near the hearts of the two Brother Kings: but besides him they had two Enemies more to deal withal, their Cousin Louis and the Normans. They gained a Battel against the last night the River of Vienne the first day of No∣vember. After which leaving their victory imperfect, they turned head against Louis, who by the instigation of the Abbot Gauzelin was advanced even to their Frontiers. Having intelligence they were coming towards him, he durst not march forward, but demanded to parley with them at Gondouville where they saw each other.

In his retreat he defeated in Hanault a crew of eight or ten thosuand Normans, but lost his Bastard Son in that Bustle. Those Pyrats had burnt Saint Omers, Teroüenne, Arras, Tournay, Saint Riquier, Saint Valery, and all the Countries of Hainault, Flanders and Boulonois. Four Burghers of Tournay, who fled to Noyon, rebuilt the City, and let houses at easy Rents. Arras was deserted thirty years, the Inhabitants having forsaken it for Beauvais.

The four Kings to compose their contests, had assigned a general Assembly at* 1.173 Gondoul a Town near Mets. Louis of Germany sent to excuse himself be∣cause he was fallen into a sit of sickness: but Charles his Brother came there and conferr'd with Louis and Carloman touching their common interest and affairs. They found it necessary to enter into a league together for the destruction of their Enemies. Louis the Germanick, with Louis and Carloman against Hugh the Son of [Year of our Lord 881] Valdrade, who sacked all the open Countries of Lorrein: And Charles the Fatt also with his two Brothers to pull down Boson's pride.

As for the first, the Forces of Louis the German and the two Brothers having

encountred the Army belonging to Hugh, commanded by Tybault his Brother in Law, they put it to the rout and made a great slaughter.

Then Charles the Fatt and his two Brothers marching joyntly against Boson, defeated him in Battel, and afterwards besieged Vienne, where that Rebel had left his wife, retreating himself to the Mountains. We shall not find this siege at an end till about two years hence.

Charles was come thither upon the request of his Cousins, and had left the af∣fairs of Italy, whither had he made one Voyage already, and in some Months time had secured to himself all Lombardy, whereof he was Crowned King by the Arch-Bishop of Milan. And being impatient to return again, he took leave of them, and having repassed the Mountains, went directly to Rome▪ accompanied by the Patriarch of Aquilea.

At this time the Pope, who hesitated on whom he should bestow the Imperial Crown, could not deny a Prince so powerfully Armed, and therefore set it on his Head upon Christmass Day, in the year 881.

[Year of our Lord 881] In the mean while a* 1.174 Fleet of Normans entring by the Vaal or Waal, fortified* 1.175 themselves at leasure in the Palace of Nimeghen: So that Louis not being able to force them, only obliged them to quit the Kingdom. They went away in∣deed with all their men, but took all their Plunder with them likewise.

Another very strong Fleet going up the Somme, forced the rich Abbey of Corbie [Year of our Lord 881] and the City of Amiens, then spread themselves at large over the neighbouring Countries. The mischief was very great: therefore Louis leaving his Brother Carloman at the siege of Vienne, hastned into Picardy, fell upon the Normans near Amiens, and laid nine thousand of them dead on the place. Nevertheless whether it were that he expected some other greater Body of them was marching towards him, or was Seized with a Pannique fear, he returned home, and the remainder of those Barbarians fell a plundring as before.

A third Body of them came to the place called Haslou nigh the Meuse, and ha∣ving fortified themselves there, set the City of Liege on Fire, and likewise burn∣ed Tongres, which had otherwhile been ruined by the Vandals, then set fire to Co∣len, Bonne, Nuis, the Palace of Aix la Chapelle, and Triers, and Mēts; and ha∣ving [Year of our Lord 881] gained a victory over the Bishops of those two Cities where the Bishop of Mets was slain, made a horrible slaughter amongst the poor Peasants who were in Arms for them.

[Year of our Lord 882] Whilst Louis the German was getting his Forces together to oppose them, he died at Francfort the 20th of January in the strength of his Age, having Reign∣ed but six years. His Corps was conveyed to St. Nazaire the Abbey-Church of Loreshein, where his Fathers lay.

He was the only Brother of three that married: his wife was called Luidgarde, daughter of Ludolfe Duke of Saxony, and Sister to Otho Father of Henry L'Oise∣leur, or Bird-catcher. He had but one Son, who in An. 880. playing in a Win∣dow, fell down and bruised himself so that he died.

Charles the Fatt Emperour, King of Italy, Germany or East-France, Bavaria and Lorrain.

Louis and Carloman of East-France, Aquitain and part of Burgundy.

The Succession of the German Kingdom and likewise the necessity of affairs cal∣led [Year of our Lord 882] Charles the Fatt into France, where the Normans posted at Haston plaid the De∣vils, assisting and being reciprocally assisted by Hugh the Bastard of Valdrade: who invited and animated those Barbarians, and kindled factions amongst the Lords, to revenge himself at least, if he could not settle himself.

Charles therefore comes over the Mountains, confirmed the donation of Carinthia to Arnold his Bastard Nephew, and gave him the command of his Army, and af∣ter he had held a Parliament at Wormes, Arnold having joyned him, he marched to∣wards Haston.

His Van-guard at first made the Normans retreat; And had it not been for the intelligence and correspondence between some of his Chief Officers (in favour with∣out doubt of Hugh) and those Barbarians, he might have forced them upon this first

disorder. The Emperor afterwards blocked them up with his whole Army: But a most dreadful Tempest and furious Plague infesting his Army, were once more fa∣vourable to them: So that after ten days Siege, they were quit upon condition to leave the Kingdom, whence they carried infinite riches.

[Year of our Lord 882] They had two Kings or Generals, Sigefroy and Godfrey. The first Embarked with above 40000 men. The other, whether for Interest or Devotion, recei∣ved Holy Baptism, and had the Emperor for his God-Father, who gave him a natural Daughter of King Lotaires II. in Marriage, named Gisile, and two thou∣sand and fourscore Livers in Gold, with the Dutchy of Frisia.

[Year of our Lord 882] About the same time Louis King of West-France, going to meet some Breton Princes, who were bringing him an Army to march against the Normans, fell sick at Tours, whence being brought back in a Litter, he died at Saint Denis in France, the of August, having Reigned somewhat more then three years. Paul Emilius says that spurring his Horse to run after a pretty Maiden that fled from him into a House, he broke his back riding in at the door which was too low, and thereof died.

Carolus Crassus, or Charles the Fatt, Emperor & King of Germany.

Carloman King of West-France, Aquitaine and Burgundy.

[Year of our Lord 882] His Brother Carloman immediately went from the Siege of Vienne, leaving the prosecution thereof to Earl Richard, to secure his Succession and head that Ar∣my, which was marching against the Normans. Upon his arrival at Autan he had information that those Robbers being afraid were fled out of the River Loire, and a few days after, he sees Richard come to him, who having taken Vi∣enne, brought thither both the wife and daughter of Boson Prisoners.

From thence he marches against another Body of Normans, who having got∣ten in by the Mouth of the Somme, ran up as far as Laon and Reimes: he charged them vigorously, and one part of them were defeated, the rest made their escape in their Barks by the River Aisne.

At this time the grand Hincmar Arch-Bishop of Reims worn out with age, and pierced with grief to see his Country thus Plundred and wasted, himself being forced to fly from his City, threatned by those Barbarians, as they were convey∣ing him in his Litter, he died at Espernay, leaving the Gallican Church almost quite destitute of any Prelate, that understood her Rights or took care of her di∣scipline.

After the example of the Emperor Charles the Fatt, Carloman his Cousin treated with the Normans to go out of his Countries, compounding with them for twelve thousand Marks of Silver to do so.

[Year of our Lord 884] Shortly after being a-hunting in the Forrest d'Iveline near Montfort a days jour∣ny from Paris, he was mortally wounded by a wild Boar, or as others say, by a Gentleman of his Train, who thought to dart the Boar. He lieth buried at Saint Denis. In all he Reigned five years, that is, three joyntly with his Brother, and two alone.

His Father had contracted him to Boson's daughter An. 878. But it is most like∣ly he never did marry her: Nor do we find that he had any Children. For that Louis le Faineant, or Do-nothing, which some would bestow upon him, is a pure Chimera.

[Year of our Lord 884] As soon as the Normans had the news that he was dead, they entred upon the Kingdom again, subtilly interpreting, according to their Genius, and their own interest, that the Treaty expired with his life. Hugh the Abbot fought them, and made so terrible a slaughter, that they left France in quiet for some time.

CHARLES III.

Surnamed Crassus, or, The Fatt.

King XXVIII.

Aged about L. Years.

POPES.

• ADRIAN III. Nine Months un∣der this Reign.
• STEPHEN IV. Elect. in May 885. S. five Years, and some Months, whereof 2 Years. 8 Months under this Reign.

Charles the Fatt Emperor in Italy, and Germany.

Charles the Simple aged 7 years, a Minor under the Tutelage of Hugues the Abbot, in France.

[Year of our Lord 884] IT need not be thought strange if the Western-French standing in need of a King in his Majority to command their Armies, did not confer the Crown upon Charles the Posthumus Son of Lewis the Stammerer, who was but seven years of Age, but gave their Oaths of Fidelity to Charles the Fatt, who was very potent, and was not as yet observed to be weak Spirited and inclining to be distracted.

[Year of our Lord 884] How-ever it cannot be said that they excluded the Pupil, since they entrusted the Abbot Hugh the Great with his Guardianship and Education; who held in Fief, the Earldom of Paris and the Dutchy of France, that is to say, all that lies within the Seine, the Loire and the Sea, excepting only the Bishopricks.

[Year of our Lord 885] Valdrade's Bastard had not quitted his pretention to Lorraine: And Godfrey the Norman Duke of Frisia, his Brother in Law, were creating some quarrel that they might have an opportunity to restore him to the possession of that Kingdom. The Emperor Charles ridd himself both of the one and the other, but by unhand∣some means, according to the contrivance of Henry Duke of Saxony. For this Henry and Guillebert, or Gilbert, Arch-Bishop of Colen, having drawn Godfrey to a Conference at an Island in the Rhine, there massacred him, and all the Normans that attended: And at the same time Hugh, who came upon his promise of Faith and security to Ioinville, was Seized an d his Eyes put out, then confined to the Abbey of St. Gal.

[Year of our Lord 886] The fury of the Normans which began to be allayed, burst out again upon this bloody Treachery, and made most horrible work under the conduct of Sigefroy. They entred the River Seine with 700 Barks, and so great a number of other Ves∣sels that the stream was cover'd with them for above two Leagues in length: the City of Paris seated on an Island, and having Bridges on either branch of the Ri∣ver, put a stop to this formidable Fleet. The Barbarians who would needs have the passage thorough this River free, held it besieged three years.

[Year of our Lord 886, 87▪ and 88.] During all that time they tried their utmost endeavours to accomplish their ends. But the Bishop named Gosslin, the Abbot Ebon his Nephew, the Earl Eudes, whom we shall hereafter find to be King, with a great many valiant Knights and the Parisians, whose courage was then greater than their City, defended it better then it was attaqued.

The besiegers did from time to time make attempts, and assaulted the Towers of the two Gates, from whence being repulsed would make incursions upon the ad∣jacent Provinces, still keeping the City block'd up with Forts which they had built very nigh the place.

Twice did the Emperor Charles send thither Henry Duke of Saxony upon the carnest intreaties of the French, who deputed Count Eudes to go and implore as∣sistance from him. The first time he forced the Danish Camp, and put some relief into the City, which done he returned: but the second riding headlong im∣prudently into a ditch cover'd with straw and some small branches (a Stratagem often used in those times) he fell into the snare, and was instantly slain and stripp'd. His Army finding themselves a Body without a Head returned into Germany.

[Year of our Lord 887] At last the Emperor came in person with numerous Forces, and encamped at Montmartre. Yet through some discontent which hapned between him and the French Lords, or some other cause, he chose rather to make use of Gold then Steel to drive out those Robbers, and came to composition with them: importing that for seven hundred pounds weight of Silver, they should go out of France in the Month of March, that in the mean while they might winter about Sens in the Dutchy of Burgundy, where those troublesome Guests staid six Months. And this concluded he returned much troubled with a grievous Head-ach, for which they were fain to make divers Incisions.

When they were assured of the State of his indisposition and affairs, they came and planted themselves again in the Fields of St. Germans, pretending however to keep their agreement; but indeed to surprize the City, as they thought to have done one day about dinner time (for it was the custom then for all the Inhabi∣tants to dine at the same hour) if they had not been observed to come up slow∣ly in their Boats, which they had made proof against their darts, and very well mann'd.

West-France was without any Head, and all the Lords of almost equal Autho∣rity, unless it were somewhat they shewed of more then ordinary respect to Hugh who was Tutor to Charles the Simple; but this eminent Lord died in the great disturbance and trouble of the Kingdom, An. 887.

[Year of our Lord 887] Count Eudes, as I believe, succeeded him in the most part of his Governments, more for his vertue, then because he was his own Brother by the Mother. For the Genealogists assure us that their Mother was Adeleis Daughter of Louis the Debonnaire, who had been first married to Count Conrard, by whom she had this Hugh the Abbot and another Conrard Father to Rodolph Duke of Burgundy, and in her second Marriage to Robert the Strong, she had Eudes and Robert.

Charles the Fatt had ever had a weak Brain, since he fancied he saw the Devil, which grew weaker after they made Incisions in his Head. He became suspi∣cious of his Empress, which gave confidence to Berenger Marquiss of Friuli to plun∣der the equipage belonging to Luitgard Bishop of Verseil accused of Governing that Princess at his pleasure. Nevertheless Charles shewing some resentment the Marquiss came and made him satisfaction at the Parliament of Ʋberlinghen. But [Year of our Lord 887] yet that very same year, he put her away in the open Assembly, swearing that he had never touched her, though they had lived ten years together. She was na∣med Richarde.

His frenzie appearing more notorious in the general Assembly at Tribur, all his Subjects both of the Kingdoms of Germany and Bavaria, forsook him even by the Brothers advice of his own Sister Hildegard, to Elect and own in his stead Arnold his

Bastard Son: And when he thought to Arm himself against him, he was likewise forsaken by the Lorrainers, then by the Almans or Suabes, his ancient Subjects. In so much, that he had not a man left to serve him, nor a single penny to help him∣self. There was none took any pity, or gave him Food but Luitperd Bishop of Ments, till Arnold to whom he sent a natural Son of his to beg Bread allowed him the revenue of two or three Villages for his Subsistence.

Thus was this Prince, who in those days had been the most potent of the whole world, having no apparent Vice, but on the contrary was very good, very just, and Devout to excess, reduced to this extremity because he had not strength of judgment, and wanted lawful Children, two things very necessary for a Soveraign.

This deplorable condition lasted perhaps a shorter time then he would yet have had it: He died a little while after, either with grief or strangled by his Enemies [Year of our Lord 888] the 8th of January An. 888. His Corps was buried in the Monastery of Riche∣noüe, situate on an Island in the Lake of Constance.

Of all the Carlovinian Race there was but two Princes left, Arnold and Charles, one a Bastard, the other but a Child. According to the humour of the French in those days, all should have been governed by Arnold: But there were so many of the Nobility equally Powerful and Ambitious, who thought themselves as worthy as a Bastard, being of the Carlovinian blood by their Mothers-side, that he could get no Authority amongst them neither in West-France, nor in Italy.

[Year of our Lord 888] There were two others in Italy, that is Berenger Duke of Friuli, and Guy de Spoletta, Lands wherewith Charles the Bald had invested them. Each of these de∣scended* 1.176 of the Blood Royal, though only by the Female side, who believed that for want of Males, capable to Govern, they ought to take their shares of the Succession of Charlemaine. They therefore agreed together, that Guy should have the Title of Emperor and Gallick France, and Berenger should enjoy Italy. Now the first having spent time in getting himself to be Crowned Emperor at Rome, stayed a little too long e're he came into France, so that finding their humours changed he went back into Italy, where he overthrew Berenger in two bloody Bat∣tels and forced him to take Sanctuary with Arnold.

Arnold likewise not making that diligence he ought, and besides the Neustrians, or Westerns not agreeing well with the Eastern or Germans: was much amazed that the Lords of Neustria, which henceforward we shall name simply France, sent word to him when he was coming, that in the Assembly at Compiegne they had Elected Eudes Earl of Paris and Duke of France.

And indeed, though some made a noise in favour of Charles the Simple, yet he was Crowned by Gautier Arch-Bishop of Sens.

On the other hand Rodolph the Son of Conrard, and Nephew of Hugh the Ab∣bot, occupied the Lands between the Mount-Jou and the Alpes Penines, that is, Savoy and the Swisse-Countrey, and was Crowned King of Burgundy, Trans-jurane, or beyond the Jour, at St Maurice's in Valais.

[Year of our Lord 888] As likewise Louis the Son of Boson, whose Father the Usurper of the Kingdom of Burgundy Cis-jurane, having been drove from thence by the Kings Louis and Carlo∣man, Seized on the Country which lies between Lyons and the Sea, betwixt the Rhosne and the Alpes, under the Title of King of Arles or Provence, and caused that Kingdom to be confirmed to him by a Council held purposely at Valence An. 890. [Year of our Lord 890] He claimed and founded it upon this, that he was the Son of a Daughter of the Royal blood, and that Charles the Fatt, had Adopted him, in the Assembly of Ʋberlinghen. You may observe that all those Princes that thus dismembred the Monarchy, were sprung from the Daughters of the blood Royal, and believed themselves fitter and more capable to Succeed then Arnold or Charles the Simple, whom they looked upon as both of them Bastards,

EUDES, King XXIX.

Aged XXVI. Years.

Arnold Em∣perour and King of Ger∣many.

Eudes King of West-France & Aquitain.

Louis of the Kingdom of Arles.

Rodolph of Burgundy Trans-jurane.

Guy Emperour, and Berenger dispu∣ting for Italy, betwixt them.

[Year of our Lord 888] THus the Succession of the Carlovinian House was divided into five Do∣minions (without counting the Lords who set up almost for Soveraigns) 1. Italy which was joyned with the Title of the Empire. 2. Germany, which then also comprehended the Kingdom of Bavaria. 3. France, which had the Kingdoms of Neustria, Aquitain, and part of Burgun∣dy. 4. Burgundy Cis-jurane, named ordinarily the Kingdom of Arles or Provence, under which were likewise the Lyonnois and Daufine. 5. and Burgundy Trans-ju∣rane, or beyond the Jour, as the other on the contrary.

We need not doubt but these new Kings gave part of the Quarry to the Lords of their Party, and consented to every thing to get only their Oaths and Homage; nor can we imagine but these Lords did the like towards their Vassals, and these again to the lesser Nobility. From hence arose so many Lordships both small and great, of which the Bishops themselves such as were of good Families and had but courage enough, did not forget to take their shares.

[Year of our Lord 889] Now Eudes to show himself worthy the choice they had made of him, went out against the Normans who ravaged Burgundy. He set upon them on St. John Bap∣tists Day, nigh Mountfaucon, slew nineteen thousand, and pursued the remainder to the very Frontiers, shewing himself personally brave on all occasions.

Another party of them who were in Champagne, descended by the Marne as far as Paris, and there loading the Barks upon Waggons, carried and put them into the River again below the City, then falling down to the Sea and so running along the Coasts plund'red the Country of Constentine.

[Year of our Lord 889] Alain and Judicael, who were contending for their shares in Bretagne, agreed together to sight the Normans their common Enemy. Judicael alone rashly pre∣sents them Battel, and so doing lost both his Life and honour: But Alain having gotten all his Forces together, fought them so fortunately that of fifteen thou∣sand hardly did four hundred escape. The Bretons attribute this success to a vow he made to bestow the Tythe of the Spoil he should gain upon St. Peter's at Rome.

Such Devotion towards the Holy-Chair was very ordinary in those Ages. Divers Princes devoted their Estates, and became Tributaries to St. Peter. Which did not a little contribute to imprint that persuasion the Popes then had in their minds, that they had a right both to give and to take away Crowns.

After these losses the Normans having but few men left in France, two of their Chiefs * 1.177, Godfrey and Sigefroy went and shipped a new levy of a hundred thou∣sand

men raised in Denmark, Sweden and Norway, that their reputation might not be wholly blasted. They entred the Meuse with fourscore and ten thousand, leaving the remainder to guard their Vessels. King Arnold's Lieutenants assault∣ing them indiscreetly, were defeated with the loss of an infinite number of the Nobility.

[Year of our Lord 890] But Arnold himself, picqued at so bloody an affront, passes the Rhine with the whole Force of Germany, seeks them in their very Camp which was close by the Meuse, and forced them with so much fury that he left not so much as one of them alive. The dead Bodies made a Bridge quite cross the River, and the Flood was swoln with the Blood of those Barbarians.

If any wonder whence there could come such vast numbers, we must know, First, that all the rascally and pilfering French, and the like of other Countries joyned with them: That besides those Countries were then extremely populous: and all those Inhabitants greedy of Plunder listed and embarqued themselves to come and rob such rich and fertile Nations. In fine, there came so many, who were either destroyed, or else Inhabited in France, that those large Territories of the North are unpeopled to this very day. Thus in these last Ages, Spain which once swarmed with men, has made her self become a Desart, through the covetous humour in her Subjects, who all transport themselves into that new World where are the Mines of Gold and Silver they so long for.

[Year of our Lord 891. and 892.] All the Neustrian Lords did not own Eudes for their King. Aymar Earl of Poi∣tiers, whom he would have dispossessed of his Estate to give it to his Brother Ro∣bert, Ranulfe II. Duke of Aquitain and some others in those parts, had taken up Arms against him.

[Year of our Lord 892] Now whilst he was employed in Poitou in the War, a confederacy was contri∣ved between* 1.178 Herebert and Pepin Brothers sprung from Bernard King of Italy, the one Earl of Vermandois, the other of Senlis, and Baudouin, or Baldwin, Earl of Flanders, Fulk Arch-Bishop of Reims, and many others, who having been to fetch Charles the Simple out of England, whither his Mother had carried him, caused [Year of our Lord 893] him to be Crowned at Rheims the 27th of January in the year 893. It was by the assistance of Fulk, that he immediately wrote Apologetick Letters to Arnold, Guy and Rodolph, exhorting them to help the Pupil against the Usurper. Which at first made some impression upon Arnold, in favour of Charles; but soon after, either in terest or inconstancy, turned him on Eudes side.

Some have said that that Guy of Spoleta whom we have mentioned, had likewise been Crowned at Langres three years before. So that there were three Kings chosen and Crowned in West-France: But Guy had absolutely quitted it for Italy, and seemed to pretend no more to it.

CHARLES, Called The SIMPLE, King XXX.

POPES,

• STEPHEN VII. Near Three years.
• THEODORE II. Elect. 901. S. 20 dayes.
• JOHN IX. also Elected in 901. S. 3. Years, 15 days.
• BENNEDICT IV. Elect. 905. S. about 2. Years.
• LEO V. Elected in 907. S. 40 days, after which Christopher de∣throned him, & S. 7 Months.
• SERGIUS III. an. 908. having dethroned Christopher. S. about 3 years.
• ANASTASIUS III. Elected an. 910. S. 2 years, 2 Months.
• JOHN X. Elected in 912. S. 15 years, whereof 12 under this Reign.

Arnold King of Germany, Bava∣ria, and Lor∣raine.

Eudes and Charles Competitors for West-France.

Guy Emperour and King of Italy.

Rodolph in Burgundy, and LOƲIS in Arles.

[Year of our Lord 893] FOr two whole years the parties for Charles and Eudes made War with va∣rious success. Eudes being returned from Guyenne drove Charles out of Neustria, but shortly after he got in again by the assistance of the Lords of his party.

Eudes made him work enough, and had no less to do himself, being forced to guard himself as well from his own party, as from his Enemies. Count Gautier, Son of Adelme his paternal Uncle and Count of Laon, drew his Sword upon him in open Parliament; and had afterwards the confidence to take shelter in the City of Laon: but Eudes followed him so close, that not giving him time

to put himself into a posture of defence, he took the Town, and caused his Head to be cut off.

[Year of our Lord 892. and 3.] Arnold was sometimes on his side, sometimes for his Rival.

The well meaning French tyred with these discords, during which the Normans took their opportunity to return, contrived I know not what kind of Truce, be∣tween the two Kings. It seems Burgundy and Aquitain, Champagne and Picardy were to belong to Eudes, all the rest was Charles's.

It troubled Arnold very much that contrary to the custom of France, such Prin∣ces who were of Charlemain's Blood but only by the Female side, should dismem∣ber the best Portions of his Succession. He goes down therefore into Italy, drives Guy de Spoleta out of all Lombardy, and forces him to retire to Spoleta. But he sa∣tisfied himself with that advantage only and went back into Germany. Now this Guy labouring to gather an Army about Spoleta, died of a bloody Flux, say some, though others make him to live a great while longer. How-ever it were, Arnold gained nothing by his Death, for as he was at distance, the Lords conferred the Kingdom upon Lambert his Son, before Berenger his Competitor, who thought to restore his own Title, had time to take his measures. This Lambert was Crowned Emperor, and bare the Title as long as he lived.

* 1.179 In the mean time Arnold attaqued Rodolph in Burgundy beyond the Jour or Trans-jourane, and put him to a great deal of trouble: however he could not force [Year of our Lord 895] him quite out of those Mountains.

[Year of our Lord 895] The year following he held a Council at the Palace of Tribur, which is betwixt Ottenhin and Ments on the other side of the Rhine, and after that a Parliament at Wormes, where King Eudes was present, and upon his return Plundred the Bag∣gage belonging to the Ambassadors whom Charles the Simple was sending to Arnold.

In this Assembly Arnoid, with the consent of the Lords, which he had very much ado to obtain, got Zuentibold his Bastard Son to be accepted for King of Lorrain. This young Prince embracing Charles's Party, besieged the City of Laon, then esteemed very important because of its advantageous situation upon a Hill: But when he found Eudes returned out of Aquitain with his Army, he raised the Siege and turned his back to him.

The Normans began again their Incursions on that unhappy Kingdom with so much the more assurance and facility, as they found Eudes backward and careless to suppress them, who indeed was only able to do it, but left them to go on to re∣venge the inconstancy of the French, who having made him King, would not obey him as he expected and required.

This year Rollo, or Rol one of the most considerable Leaders of those Pyrats after he found he could do nothing in England, where he had tried to Land, being also advertised by a Dream or divine Vision, steered his course towards France, and puts in at the Mouth of the Seine. Perhaps he might be called in by Charles, who turned every Stone to ruin his Rival.

As for the Empire of Italy, Arnold being invited by Pope Formosus, who would revenge himself for the outrages received from the Romans, forced the City of Rome, and having chastised them, was Crowned Emperor: But soon after as he was be∣sieging the Widdow of Guy in the Castle of Fermo, one of his Valets de chambre, whom that subtil woman had corrupted, gave him a Drink which laid him asleep for three whole days, and brought him to be Paralytick for a while.

[Year of our Lord 897] There hap'ned this year a horrible scandal in the Roman Church, Formosus Bishop of Porto, otherwhile degraded and condemned by Pope Nicholas, was elected Pope after Stephanus VI. This was the first example in the Church, and of most pernicious consequence, as we find it now every day, that without any necessity a Bishop is transferr'd to another See, and as one may say, does quit and forsake his first wife, to marry another. But after his death, Pope Stephen VII. his Succes∣sor, caused him to be taken out of his Grave, and having placed him in the Papal Chair dressed up in his Pontifical Ornaments, reproved and told him that [Year of our Lord 897] thorough his ambition he had violated the orders of the Church, then condemned him as if he had been living, disrobed him of his Ornaments, cut off those three fingers with which he gave his Benediction, and caused him to be thrown into the River Tiber with a stone about his neck.

[Year of our Lord 898] The enterprises, surprises and ren-counters, between Charles and Eudes, en∣ded by the death of the latter, which hapned the 3d. of January An. 898. about the end of the 36th of his Age, and the 8th. of his Reign. At his death he very

earnestly desired and enjoyned his Brother Robert and the other Lords to own and acknowledge King Charles, whom he hoped they should find a Prince as much de∣serving for his Vertues, as his Birth to Rule over them. He left but one Son by his Queen Theodorade, named Arnold, who took the Title of King of Aquitain: But death soon snatcht the Crown from him before he was married, or, as I believe, of Age enough to be so.

Arnold Emperor in Germany.

Charles alone in France.

Zuendibold in Lorraine.

—Louis in Provence.

Rodolph in Burgundy.

Lambert in Italy.

[Year of our Lord 898] The loss of the Kingdom of Lorrain did much displease the French; wherefore Charles to gain their esteem endeavoured to recover it. The rebellion of Duke Reinier who had been the Favourite of Zuendibold, and whom that Prince had driven out of his Country, did facilitate the means, he therefore passed the Meuse, with a great deal of company. Zuendibold betakes himself to flight, but soon after all his Lords coming to him, he pursues him in his turn; and there had been a Battel if the Lords on either Part had not procured a Truce between them.

Soon after an Assembly was held in the Abbey of Gorze nigh Mets, which con∣firmed a Peace between Charles, Arnold and Zuendibold.

Towards the end of the year Arnold died, having Reigned twelve years since the Death of his Father Charles the Fatt; And held the Empire only two years [Year of our Lord 899] and a half.

He had divers Children by three several women; amongst others Zuentibold, and Arnold the Bad, by two Concubines, and Louis by a lawful Wife. This last was but eight years old when his Father died.

Charles the Simple, in France.

Zuentibold in Lorraine.

—Louis in Germany.

* 1.180 Rodolph II. in Burgundy Transjurane.

Lambert and Berenger in Italy.

The German Princes immediately Crowned Louis, and committed his person to the care and Guardian-ship of Otho Duke of Saxony who was married to his Sister, and Arch-Bishop Haton, as they did the conduct of his Army to Lutpold or Leopold, Duke of the Eastern Frontiers of Bavaria. From whom some make the House [Year of our Lord 900] of Bavaria to be derived.

The Dominions of Louis were soon enlarged by the death of Zuentibold who be∣having himself with much irregularity and little justice, and making his chief ex∣ercise the divertisement with women, and taking counsel only of the lowest and meanest People, gave the Lords of Lorraine just cause to forsake him to submit themselves to Louis. Those that had the Government of this young Prince brought him purposely to Thionville where they put the Crown upon his Head: and Zuen∣tibold endeavouring to revenge it, was slain in a Battel fought between them, the [Year of our Lord 900] 3d. day of August in this year 900. He Reigned five years.

Charles in Neustria, or West-France.

Louis in Germany & Lorraine.

Rodolph I. in Burgundy.

Louis in Provence.

Lambert and Berenger in Italy.

In the War which Arnold Earl of Flanders made against Hebert Earl of Verman∣dois, Eudes had favoured Hebert, and King Charles took part with Arnold to whom he was in some sort obliged for what he enjoy'd. Now Eudes being dead, Hebert who was subtil and insinuating, found means to make friends with Charles, and got into so much credit with him, that this simple and un-knowing King, took the City of Arras from Baldwin, and gave it to Count Altmar, that he might restore Peronne to Hebert.

Baldwin or Baudouin coming to the King, to beseech him to let him have his Town again was denied with rough language. Now Fulk Arch-Bishop of Reims, great both by birth and merit, was then chief Counsellor to Charles, and holding the Abbey of Saint Vaast, had excommunicated Baldwin, for invading the Lands there∣of: Wherefore Winomach Lord of the Island, Vassal to the Count, imputing the affront his Lord had received to the Counsel of this Arch-Bishop, way-laid him in a Wood and murthered him; for which being pursued and excommunicated by all the Bishops, made his escape into England, where he was eaten up with Lice.

It seems this was an Epidemical distemper in those days; For we find divers persons in History that died thereof, amongst others Arnold the Emperor the preceding year, and King Rodolph of whom we shall hereafter make mention.

The Hungarians began to make themselves known about the latter end of the Reign of Charles the Fatt. They then seated themselves in Pannonia, having chased out the Huns; and from thence became a Scourge to all the Provinces beyond the Rhine and the [Year of our Lord 900] Danube, as the Normans were to all on this side. They were Originally a People of Scythia, Brutish and Barbarous beyond all imagination. Their Mothers trained them to inhumanity from their Birth, gashing and mangling their Faces that they might have no∣thing of humane; and by swallowing down blood mixed with their own tears before they sucked their first Milk, they might grow Blood-thirsty, and pitty-less to all mankind. They caroused in blood, and fed upon raw flesh, cut the hearts of those they took Prisoners in quarters, and swallowed the gobbets reeking warm, had no faith, nor truth, nor honour, no wit but to defraud and contrive mischief, always a turbulent and furious courage either against an Enemy or against one another. The women were yet worse then the men. They had scarcely any other weapons besides Arrows, but were so dextrous in the use of them, that every one they shot did some execution, and every wound almost was Mortal. They were all Horsemen, very serviceable in flat and open Countries, who would notably harrass an Army within their Bow-shot, but aseless in Mountainous or Woody places, or for Sieges; Nor indeed would they ever adventure to come to handy-blows, but ever made a running Fight.

King Arnold had brought them in to fall upon the back of Zuentibold* 1.181 a Scla∣vonian Prince, who would have usurped Moravia and make himself King. He being dead, they were not afraid to fall upon the Countries belonging to Louis his Son; And this year they gained a great victory against his Forces near the [Year of our Lord 901] City of Augsburgh, and afterwards Plundred Bavaria, Scwaben, Franconia and Saxony.

[Year of our Lord 902] The year following having good information of the Civil War betwixt Beren∣ger and Louis the Son of Boson they marched into Italy. The Italians An. 899. tired with the Government of Berenger, and above all with Adebert Marquiss d'Yvree Father of another Berenger who was likewise King of Italy, had called in Louis: But Berenger I. had made himself so strong with the assistance of Adebert Marquiss of Tuscany, that he hemm'd him in and forced him to a promise he would renounce the Kingdom, upon condition he would give him free liberty to march home again without farther lett or molestation.

The oaths of ambitious Princes are as frail and short liv'd as the vows and pro∣mises of Lovers: the same Adelbert who had supported Berenger's cause, turning Coat, and solliciting Louis to return thither again, that un-advised Prince confides in Faithless men. But he had time to repent at leasure. For they delivered him up to Berenger, who deprived him both of his Empire and his fight. That done he* 1.182 forces the Pope (it was John IX.) to Crown him Emperor, but so soon as he was gone from Rome, the Pope sent for Lambert, who was then private in some corner of Italy, and Crowned him. Which was confirmed by a grand Council held [Year of our Lord 902] at Ravenna.

Berenger Governed 22 years, we might say happily enough, had it not been for the incursions of the Bulgarians. In the Month of August this same year, they again entred Italy with a numerous Army, and having ransack'd the Territory of Aquilea, Verona, Coma and Bergamo, came at last towards Pavia, Berenger mean while had got his Forces together: When they saw his numbers three times more then they expected, they endeavoured to make a retreat; and when he followed and pursued them so close that they could not get off without fighting, they pro∣fer'd

him all their Plunder and their own Baggage. The Italians would hear of no∣thing less then to have them all upon discretion. Necessity converted their fear into fury and dispair; the Hungarians now attaque their pursuers, and cut their Army all in pieces. And Lombardy did afterwards become their prey: Nor did they attempt to drive them thence but with their money: a Bait so sweet that it allured them to return again often.

In the year 903. a Star appeared near the Pole-Artick, which darted from the North-North-East, towards the South-West, along Train resembling a Lance, which passing between the Signs of the Lyon and the Twinns, crossed the Zodiack. It was seen for three and twenty days.

For seven or eight years together there was nothing so remarkable as the cruel incursions of the Normans. An. 903. Heric and Haric two of their Captains burnt [Year of our Lord 903] the Castle of Tours, and Saint Martin's Church.

[Year of our Lord 905] An. 905. Rodolph and Gerlon two other Commanders of the same Nation took the City of Rouen upon composition, and there setled their Habitation, fortifying the Castles that were near them.

From thence for five years space they made Incursions into all the neighbouring Provinces, conquered Constentine, and Inhabited it, sacked all Picardy, Artois, Champagne, and the Country of Messin, often frighted Paris, covered the Seine, the Marne and the Loire with the Ashes of those Cities they consumed by Fire near those Streams, and beat the French every where; excepting at Chartres from whence they were repulsed by the protection of the Holy Virgin, and the courage of Bi∣shop Gosseaume, and at Tonnere, where one of their Parties was defeated by Richard Duke of Burgundy.

The foregoing year Lambert was killed by treachery, as he was taking his pleasure in hunting, by Hugo Earl of Milan. The Western Empire remained vacant till the year 915. When Berenger was again Crowned by Pope John X.

We may here place the Birth of the Kingdom of Arragon, because about this time Sancho Abacca I. having extended his Kingdom of Navarre, or Territory of Pampelu∣na, towards Huesca, and conquered all the rest of the Province of Arragon, besides the Earldom of the same name which held already of him, took the Title of King of Pam∣pelune and Arragon.

[Year of our Lord 911] In An. 911. hapned the Death of two Kings, Rodolph of Burgundy beyond the Jour, and Louis King of Germany. The first left Rodolph II. his Son for Suc∣cessor. The second being only 19 or 20 years of age, had only two Daughters* 1.183 Placidia or Plesance, and Matilda, who for Husbands had Conrard Duke of Fran∣conia, and Henry the Bird-Catcher Duke of Saxony and Son of Duke Otho. The Lords of Lewis's Kingdom intending to bestow the Crown upon this Otho, he excused himself upon the Score of his great Age, and generously advised them to Elect Conrad Duke of Franconia, though he had been his Enemy.

Charles the Simple in France.

Conrad in Germany.

Louis in Provence.

Rodolph II. in Trans-jurane.

Berenger in Italy.

[Year of our Lord 911] Rollo the great Captain did by little and little make himself familiar and friendly with Franco Arch-Bishop of Rouen. Upon his intreaties he had twice or thrice granted a Truce. The design of that vertuous Prelat was to convert him, Rollo's was to attain the Soveraignty, and of the head of those Pirats become a Legal Prince. The French Lords had much ado to suffer such a Stranger to be setled thus in the best Country of the Kingdom: But the People so long and often tor∣mented by their plundrings and continued disturbance, cried out to them to put a period to their miseries. Besides Robert Earl of Paris, who aspired to the Mo∣narchy, desired he might remain in that Station, to have his assistance in time of need. For these reasons, Charles made a Truce with him, during which he pro∣pounded to him, to give him in propriety, and with the Title of a Dutchy, that part of Neustria between the Sea, the River of Seine and the Epte which falls in∣to

the Seine; with his Daughter Gisele in marriage, if he would be converted and embrace Christianity.

Upon these conditions Rollo was Catechised, and received holy Baptism upon Easter-Eve An. 912. Earl Robert was his God-Father and named him. After this [Year of our Lord 912] he went and did homage to the King for the Lands he gave him, and then wedded the Princess his Daughter, but she lived only a short time with him, and brought him no Children.

Thus this Province which the Romans called Lugdunensis Secunda, was dismem∣bred from the propriety of the Kings of France; But not from their Soveraign∣ty: and according to the name of it's new Inhabitants took that of Nor∣mandy.

As this was granted to them, because they knew not how to drive them out, so for the same reason they were released of the Homage, and dependance of Bretagne, because they were indeed Masters of it, and pillag'd it when ever they pleased: And withal by this means it was reduced to the Soveraignty of the Crown, by subject∣ing it under a Duke that held it of the King.

[Year of our Lord 913] The year following Rollo failed not to demand Homage of the Bretons with his Sword in hand. Duke Alain* 1.184 Rebre' or the Great had been dead six years and left his Children very young. Those that govern'd them, rather then let them de∣rogate from their Soveraignty, carried them out of the Country with some of the greatest Nobility. And since that we find no meution of them in History * 1.185. Count Porhouet, named Mathued, who had married a Daughter of Alain's the Grand, went into England with his Wife. Berenger Earl of Rennes and Alain de Dol having defended themselves the best they could, were at last constrained to bow the Knee before the Normans and shake hands with them.

There were besides in divers other parts of France, especially in Bretagne, An∣jou and the Country of Maine, and the Islands in the River Loire numbers of these people; but in time, following the example of Rollo, they took Habitations, and Naturalized themselves French, but not without first doing a vast deal of mischief; and for a long while after, the settlement of these drew in fresh swarms from Denmark and Sweden, who were no less ravenous and cruel, though not so formi∣dable as the first.

[Year of our Lord 913. and 14.] All the Grandees of Germany were not satisfied with the Election of Conrard.

Arnold Duke of Bavaria Proud for having vanquished the Hungarians in his Dutchy, rose up against him with design to make himself King: and not being able to compass it, pretended to stickle that Charles might have it.

[Year of our Lord 915] That King had it ever in his thoughts to Sieze again upon the Kingdom of Lor∣rian. Now meeting this fit juncture, and the assistance of Reiner Count of Ardenn••, who was very potent in those Countries, he enters into Lorrain and makes him∣self Master of part of that Kingdom, whereof he made him Governor with the Quality of a Duke.

[Year of our Lord 916] Duke Rollo had repudiated Pope Daughter of the Earl of Bayeux to marry the Daughter of Charles the Bald; that Princess being dead, he takes his former wife again, by whom he had two Children William and Gerlote or Gerloc.

Henry Duke of Saxony rebels against Conrad, gains a Battel over Everard his [Year of our Lord 916] Lieutenant, and gives chase to Conrad himself; whilst on the other side, the Hungarians over-run even to Alsace, burning the City of Basle, and can have no stop put to them but by Sums of Money, which Conrad is forced to give them.

[Year of our Lord 917] An. 917. Died Rollo first Duke of Normandy, for ever renowned for that severe justice and exact policy he establisht within his Dominions; Where the very men∣tion of his name is able to this day to stop the Progress of Villians, and bring those that are such before the judgment Seat. Some put off his death to the year 924. his Son William, afterwards surnamed Long-Sword, Succeeded him; And be∣cause he was but yet a Minor, Robert Earl of Paris, God-Father to his Father, un∣dertook his Tuition.

[Year of our Lord 918] The following year hapned the Death of Baldwin the Bald Earl of Flanders. His Eldest Son, Arnold the Fatt Inherited his Earldom; Adolph the Second Son, the Cities of Teroüenne, Boulogne and Saint Omers, but some few years after he died with∣out Children.

Fulk le Roux Earl of Anjou, Son of Ingelger, quickly followed Baldwin, Fulk the Good his Son Succeeded him.

[Year of our Lord 918] Conrad King of Germany went off likewise the same year by a Wound he recei∣ved in the Bavarian War. Dying he commanded with a more then Royal gene∣rosity, Everard his Brother, to carry the Regal Ornaments to Henry Duke of Saxony, though he had always made war against him. Thus he returned the kind∣ness that Otho his Father had shewed in giving him the Crown, and laid down all thoughts of revenge to promote the happiness and safety of his Country which stood in need of a Prince able to defend it against the Incursions of the Hungarians. This Henry was called the Bird-Catcher, because he was found catching of Birds, when they brought him the news of his Election.

Charles the Simple in France.

Henry the Bird Catcher in Germany.

Rodolph II. in Burgundy Transjurane.

LOUIS in Provence.

Berenger in Italy.

Before Henry was well settled, Charles falls into Lorrain, conquer'd it all as far as Wormes, and compel's him to become his Subject for the remainder of that Kingdom.

[Year of our Lord 919] But the French Lords, who apprehended that if Charles grew too potent and too peaceable, he might take away their Estates which they intended to make He∣reditary, stirred up new troubles. Amongst others in Lorraine Gisalbert and Otho Son of Duke Regnier, the first of these had wedded a Daughter of King Hen∣ry's, and in France Robert Brother of King Eudes who held Intelligence with the Son of Regnier.

[Year of our Lord 920. & 21.] These Male-contents being joyned with divers others, during the time the two Kings Henry and Charles were thrusting each other out of Lorraine, did in the end make their Cabal so strong that all Charles's Subjects abandoned him, as had done otherwhile those of Charles the Fatt. The pretence for this general revolt was, that he had a Favorite by name Aganon, who disposed of every thing, wasted the Royal Treasure, and treated the Grandees of the Kingdom insolently.

[Year of our Lord 921] However Herve Arch-Bishop of Rheims getting him into his house, found a means to make up the Breach between him and his Subjects, so that they restored his Crown to him, but not his Authority.

[Year of our Lord 922] For a new broil being started up, because Charles refused the Abbey of Chesles to Hugh called the Blanc Son of Robert who pretended to it, for that his Aunt and Mother in Law had enjoy'd it, to bestow it upon Aganon his Favourite: the troubles not only began again, but which was worse, Robert at the Instigation of Gisalbert, having gained a great Party amongst the French Lords, got to be E∣lected and Crowned King at Rheims by the Arch-Bishop Herve the 20th of June in the year 922.

Charles the Simple. in France.

Robert his rival.

Henry the Bird-Catcher, in Germany.

Rodolph II. in Burgundy Transjurane.

LOƲIS in Provence.

Berenger Emperor in Italy.

[Year of our Lord 922] Upon this news Charles raises his Siege from before the Castle of Capremont, where he held Gisalbert one of his greatest Enemies cooped up. This Gisalbert had once before been stripp'd of all his Estate by this King, and being restored again by Henry his Father in Law, had revolted this second time. Then Charles, who had had the advantage over Henry, changed condition, and became a sup∣plicant to him. Both he and his rival strove to get him first; and by that means confirmed him in the possession of the Kingdom of Lorraine.

However these two competitors had each of them still some share. Charles ha∣ving raised considerable Forces in that part which he held, came resolutely to find out Robert encamped with his men near Soissons, on this side of the River Aisne, and having passed over unawares, charged him furiously whilst his men were feed∣ing and refreshing themselves. Robert fighting at the head of his Army, was slain with the stroke of a Lance, which honourable deed some Authors bestow upon Charles. Nevertheless Hugh his Son, Earl Hebert of Vermandois and the others Chief Officers of his Party, not only made head against Charles, but gained so upon him, that they had utterly defeated him, had they but followed their pursuit.

This combat hapned the 15th of June, so that Robert Reigned not one whole year. He had married Beatrix daughter of Hebert II. Earl of Vermandois, by whom he had a Son Hugh, whom they surnamed the Blanc * 1.186, the Grand, and the Abbot, and one Daughter Emma wedded to Rodolph Duke of Burgundy, Son of Duke Richard who died the year preceding.

[Year of our Lord 923] The string or knot of Roberts Party was not broken thorough the loss of their Head, but held the firmer united because their danger appeared the greater, Therefore the Lords by the persuasions of Hugh his Son, who found himself not potent enough to be a King, but to make one, Elected Rodolph Duke of Burgundy his Brother in Law, a Noble-man of a brave presence, and a much better judgment, and Crowned him at Saint Medard in Soissons the 13th Day of July.

The French Historians place this Rodolph and Eudes before mentioned in the rank of their Kings, and yet they do not put in Robert Brother of Eudes, for which there can be no reason assigned but the shortness of his Reign.

RODOLPH, King XXXI.

Charles—Rodolph the Simple his rival. in West-France.

Henry the Bird-catcher, in Germany.

Rodolph II. in Burgundy Trans-jurane.

LOƲIS in Provence.

Berenger, Emperor.

AFter the Election of Rodolph, all the world forsook Charles: the Norman assistance which should have come to him, not being able to pass, because his enemies lay betwixt them, rendred him more odious. Having therefore no other refuge, he wrote in a doleful manner to Henry King of Germany, and gave him up Lorrain, upon condition he would help him against these Rebels. The reward was great, and the Act of restoring a King very glorious, Henry did therefore promise he would undertake it with all the power of Germany.

Robert's Party was greatly astonished at this News, they did not know how to ward so dangerous a blow, Hebert Earl of Vermandois draws them out of this difficulty. King Charles believed he had quite taken him off from their interest: But this Traytor, whose Sister Robert had married, having decoyed his King into the Castle of Peronne, whither he was so simple as to let them lead him, detained him Prisoner, and confined him to Chasteau-Thierry, where he was strongly guarded.

Queen Ogina having heard of this detention of her Husband fled to England her own Country, and carried with her the only Son she had by him, named Louis, to wait a better opportunity out of the reach of those who could no way secure their Royalty but by his Death. Seulfe Arch-Bishop of Rheims, having had some contest with the Kindred of Hetto his Predecessor, for having taken some Fiefs from them which they held of the Church, was joyned with Hebert's Party to gain their protection, and had made him a promise never to assent to any Election whatsoever but whom he pleased.

[Year of our Lord 925] During the Reign of Rodolph, of Lewes Transmarine ••nd Lotaire III. there was almost a continual War betwixt the French and the Germans, for the Kingdom of Lorrain; We shall mention only the great events. It is certain that Rodolph reduced a great part thereof to his obedience.

[Year of our Lord 924] They were fain this year 924. to make a Collection for the Normans, as Charles the Bald had done several times, partly by voluntary contribution, the rest by way of a Tax.

The Duke of Aquitain, William I. of that name the Son of Ebles, did not sub∣mit himself so much as he ought to Rodolph, he was obliged to turn his Sword that way. William knowing his resolution, advanced to the River of Loire, which made the bounds of his Dutchy: where after some negociations he passed the same, and alighting came to Rodolph, who embraced and kissed him sitting on Horse-back, and the next day granted him a Truce for eight: Which being ex∣pired the Duke did him Hommage, and in requital had the City of Bourges and Berry restored which Rodolph had taken from him.

[Year of our Lord 924] The Italians grown weary of Berenger, bestowed the Soveraignty upon Rodolph II. King of Burgundy Trans-jurane. Berenger taking no other counsel but from revenge, was so unhappy as to make a league with the Hungarians, and drew them into Italy. Those Barbarians having sacked Mantoua, Brescia and Bergamo, redu∣ced the celebrated and rich City of Pavia Capital of the Kingdom of Lombardy to

a heap of ashes. Two hundred of the Citizens escaping the Fire and Captivity re∣deemed the Walls thereof from the hands of those destroyers for eight Bushels of Silver, which they had raked together out of the Ashes and Rubbish of it's ruines.

This money being received the Bulgarians passed the Mountains, and penetrated [Year of our Lord 924] even into Languedoc. The same Rodolph, and Hugh Count of Vienne followed them and pressed so close upon them, that those Barbarians partly cut off by the Sword, and the rest perishing by the Flux or Dysentery, and want of Food, en∣riched greatly those Countries with their Spoil which they came to plunder.

[Year of our Lord 925] The year following Berenger struggling to regain the Kingdom of Italy, was slain by his own People at Veronna. After his death the Title of Emperor in the West was not conferr'd upon any, at least by the Pope or Italians, till Otho I. An. 962.

* 1.187 By his death the Kingdom remained entirely Rodolph's: but the inconstancy of the Italians, who were ever hunting out one Lord and Master by another, made them resign themselves to Hugh Count of Arles the Son of Brethe, to ridd them∣selves of Rodolph. Who being informed that they had Treacherously killed Bur∣chard Duke of Swevia, his father in Law, withdrew himself into his own King∣dom of Burgundy, not daring to attempt any thing amongst such wickedly disposed people.

Rodolph King of France.

Henry of Germany.

Hugh of Italy.

Rodolph II. of Burgundy.

Every year almost the Normans made Incursions: Besides those that were in [Year of our Lord 926] Neustria, there were others in Burgundy, and towards Artois; and at all times they were forced to be making head against them, or be in pursuit of them; but they had such sure friends amongst the Grandees, who would not suffer the King∣doms grievances to be scann'd, that they ever got away scot-free.

This year Rodolph King of France, having surrounded them in a Wood in the Country of Artois, they made a Furious Salley unawares, in which he was woun∣ed, and had been taken without the timely assistance Count Hebert gave him. Those that held the Islands in the Loire, having been a long time besieged by Hugh and Hebert, defended themselves so stoutly that they gave them the City of Nants for their habitation.

[Year of our Lord 927] Notwithstanding the strickt alliance which seemed to be between King Rodolph and Hebert, the City of Laon, became an occasion of discord between them. Hebert would have it for Otho his Son, and the King desired to keep it to himself. Hebert not able to get it by friendship, had thoughts of gaining it by force. He therefore draws Charles the Simple out of Prison, and carries him to parley with the Normans, who suffer'd his confinement with great impatience, because he had bestow'd upon them the richest Province of France. This menace having effected nothing, for as much as Emma the Wife of Rodolph was obstinately bent to preserve Laon, and had put her self in there, he conducts him to Reims as if designing to restablish him.

Then was the Queen forced to let go her hold, and surrender up the place to [Year of our Lord 927] Hebert: who being by this means appeased, returned Charles to the Castle of Peron∣ne, and made a new Oath to Rodolph.

[Year of our Lord 928] In the year 928. Hugh King of Italy came into France (we do not find for what reason) King Rodolph went towards Lyonnois to receive him and conferr'd with him.

* 1.188 A crew of Normans gotten into Boulenois made a double Foss or Water-graft round about Guises. Afterwards Arnold Earl of Flanders gave it in Fief to Si∣gebert [Year of our Lord 929] Commander of that Fleet: who some time after stole away his daughter Eltrude; but finding he came to besiege him, was in so much dread of his wrath that he hanged himself, and left that Woman great with child of a Son named Adolph, who was since Earl of Guisnes.

[Year of our Lord 929] Sometimes Rodolph, otherwhile Hebert gave hopes of setting the unfortunate Charles the Simple at Liberty, and paid him all the respects due to a Soveraign. Yet only death took him out of their custody, putting a period to his Captivity and unhappiness in the City of Peronna, the 7th Day of October in the Year 929. He was Interred at St. Foursy's in the same City. His Reign if we reckon from his

Coronation day to that of his imprisonment was 37 years, his life 50. He left but one Son named Louis by his Queen * Ogina, Daughter of Edward King of* 1.189 England.

Rodolph King of France.

Henry of Germany.

Hugh of Italy.

Rodolph II. of Burgundy.

Whilst King Rodolph was gone into Aquitain, he had news that the Normans of the Islands in the Loire had adventured to run as far as Limosin: He went and [Year of our Lord 930] set upon them in the place called Dextricios, we cannot well tell where that was, and so hemm'd them in that not one of them returned. This seasonable victory gained him great esteem amongst the Aquitains, and induced them to acknow∣ledg him with a little more submission.

[Year of our Lord 930. & 1.] The Regal Authority was in an extreme low Ebbe and feeble condition, the Lords made War upon one another for their under Vassals, and such places as they usurped from each other, and often times attaqued their Kings when they refused them certain Lands or Abby's.

Hebert could not agree with Rodolph, because he was his Soveraign, he held a correspondence with all his Enemies, and sought all means to weaken him. The pretence for this quarrel was that Hugh Brother in Law to the King had al∣lured some of his Vassals from him, amongst others Herluin Earl of Monstrueil.

[Year of our Lord 931] There was a rude War betwixt them for five years together, divers places taken, and much Country laid wast. Hebert made use of the assistance of the Lor∣rainers against him, and had given his Oath to Henry King of Germany. But Ro∣dolph being helped by Hugh the Great, took the City of Rheims which Hebert en∣joy'd, because he had caused them to Elect his Son Arch-Bishop, though a Minor destituted Benon Bishop of Chaalons, who had followed Hebert, and besieged him in Laon himself, which he gained upon composition.

Hebert's Insolence being a little abated, Rodolph made a journey into Aquitain and Languedoc, where he received hommage of Raymond and Ermengard Gothian Prin∣ces (for so was named that part of Languedoc, nearest to the Pyrennean Hills) and of Loup Azenar Duke of Gascogny, whom, if we credit Flodoard, was moun∣ted upon a Horse one hundred years old, and yet vigorous and lusty.

[Year of our Lord 932] William Duke of Normandy did likewise pay him hommage, and in retribution he gave him those Lands the Bretons held on the Sea-side; I believe those were the Bessin and the Constentin.

In Italy King Hugh from the year 929. had obtained the Seignory of the City of Rome, by wedding the lustful Merosia Widdow of Guy Marquiss of Tuscany, who then Governed the City and the Holy Chair: but he was soon driven thence by Al∣beric the Son of that Woman, to whom he had given a Box on the Ear, and retired into Lombardy. Lambert who Succeeded in the Marquisat of Tuscany to Guy his Brother, was likewise Brother by the Mothers-side to King Hugh, for he was Son to Berte his Mother, who in her widdow-hood married the second time to Adelbert Father of Guy and Lambert. Hugh notwithstanding put him to death, and be∣stowed Tuscany upon Boson his Brother both by Father and mother, who proved as little faithful to him as Lambert.

[Year of our Lord 931] The People were soon distasted with his Government, and recalled King Rodolph. These two Princes being ready to embroil all Italy, their friends contrived an agree∣ment between them, which was such that Rodolph should renounce the Kingdom of Italy, and also should assist Hugh with a certain number of men to preserve it, on condition Hugh should give him la Bresse, Viennois, and all that he held in Provence, [☜] with the Title of King of Arles; which by this means was united to the King∣dom of Burgundy Trans-jurane.

The name of the Kingdom of Arles, was not given it because those Kings that enjoy'd it, did ever reside there, nor were ever Crowned there, but because that was so renowned a City as to deserve the Title, having been in the Roman Emperors days, the Capital of seven Provinces of the Gauls, and her Metropolitans Vicars of the Holy Chair.

Notwithstanding this agreement, the Italians persisting in their resolution to set aside Hugh, invited Arnold Duke of Bavaria to come and take the Crown. [Year of our Lord 933] He made way as far as Verona and was well received; but Hugh got good footing

there, and chased him back again into Bavaria. After which to maintain his ground the better, he associated his Son Lotaire to the Crown.

The Acts we find of Louis the Blind King of Provence, makes it appear he was yet alive An. 933. So that there is no colour to mention his death till An. [Year of our Lord 934] 934. He was then 55 years of Age, and had but one Son named Charles Constan∣tine, who not being at that time out of his Child-hood, the Provensals who then stood in need of a King able to Govern, Elected Hugh Son of Count* 1.190 Thibauld and Be••the, who was Marquiss of Provence.

In the mean time the two most potent Lords in France, Hugh le Blanc and He∣bert [Year of our Lord 933. 34. 35. 36.] de Vermandois, not being able to agree together made a rough War upon each other, the King favouring Hugh, whose Sister he had married. Henry King of Germany having interposed to make up this Breach, Saint Quintins was restored to Hebert, and likewise Peronne, by a Cessation which ended in a final Peace.

Anno 935. The three Kings of Germany, France, and Burgundy had an enterview near the Meuse, to give joynt orders for repressing the cruel incursions of the Bul∣garians, who infested the Dominions of all these Princes. This very year having ransacked Lombardy, they were gotten into Burgundy: but when they understood the King of France was marching that way, they returned speedily into Italy.

In this march the same King besieged and took Dijon, which Boson his own Brother had got in his possession. Which I mention only to shew the universal disorders of those Reigns, even amongst the nearest Kindred.

[Year of our Lord 936] In the year 936 died Ebles Earl of Auvergne and Poictou, and Duke of Aquitain, the Son of Ranulfe and Successor to William, leaving his Estates to William surna∣med Teste d'estoupe, or Flaxen-head, his Son.

As likewise Rodolph the King of France left this World the 14th of his Reign and the 15th of January in the City of Auxerre, where he fell sick in the for∣mer Autumn of a Phtiriasis. His Monument is at St. Columbes of Sens. He was a Prince most Liberal, Valiant, Religious, Just, and worthy of better times. His wife died a Twelvemonth before him, and his Brother Boson about a quarter of a year: both Child-less. But they had another Brother called Hugh le Noir, i. e. the Black, who bare the Title of Duke of Burgundy and the surname of Ca∣pet.

[Year of our Lord 936] The same year Henry the Bird-Catcher also ended his days, and in his place the Germans set up Otho his eldest Son, afterwards surnamed the Great.

* 1.191 Never Prince employ'd so much care, and so much Time in regulating all that concerned the advantage and administration of the Church, the Discipline of the Clergy, and Christian manners, as Louis the Debonnaire. In all the Assemblies, hard∣ly any other thing was ever treated of: He and the Grandees of his Kingdom were present in the Councils to approve and subscribe what was ordained; which after∣wards he confirmed by his Letters Patents.

At the Council of Aix-la-Chapelle in the year 816. were digested in writing the Form and Method of the Insticution of the Ecclesiasticks in CXLV. Articles, and those of Religious Orders in XXVIII. both taken out of the Ancient Councils, and Holy Fathers. After this Council, and in the same place, he made XXIX. Capitulary's, as was the Custom upon the like occasions.

The year following 817. he assembled the Abbots and their Monks in the same place, who made XC. Chapters or Rules for Monastick Discipline: After which Bennet Abbot of Aniane, laboured in the reformation of the Order of St. Bennet, which was much u••settled and shatter'd.

The Laity were much given to abuse and often murther the Clergy: And for this reason he called a Council at Thionville An. 821. where the Bishops ordained long and tedious penances for such as should commit those crimes. The next year he convocated another at Atigny, and there in imitation of the Example of the Great Theodosius, he would needs voluntarily undergo publick Penance for the Death of Bernard, and those violences he had committed against some other of his Kindred. He also made several Capitulary's for the Government of Church and State.

To the same end, and to find out some way to appease the wrath of God, which appeared visibly in the frequent Incursions of the Normans, he gave order An. 828. for the Assembling of four Councils the year following, in four several parts of the Kingdom, at Ments, Paris, Lyons and Thoulouze, and framed Articles of what they were to consult about. He confirmed the Decrees of all those four in one at Wormes, which was held the same year in presence of some Legats sent by Pope

Gregory IV. We have the Acts of that held at Paris, which is the VI. of that name. They are very judicious, and divided into three Books.

He called another Assembly An. 832. in the Abbey of St. Denis, to re∣establish the Monastick Orders, and Authorised this Reformation by a Decla∣ration.

We must not amongst these Holy Assemblies place that of Compiegne, where this good Prince was degraded and condemned to wear the Habit of a Penitent. That of St. Denis in the year 834. reconciled him to the Church, and restored him to the Communion. The Council of Thionville did the same thing, and be∣sides that, degraded Ebbon Arch-Bishop of Reims, who had been the Principal Au∣thor of that attempt.

To shew his thankfulness to God as well by his works, as his Prayers and De∣votion, he caused one to be held at Aix An. 836. where some excellent Decrees were made, which the Fathers sent to Pepin of Aquitain, thereby to admonish him of his Duty towards God, and restrain him from treating the Churches so ill for the future, as he had done. These Decrees were Commented as one may say, and Corroborated with Reasons and Arguments extracted from the Fathers, which was frequently practised by the Councils of those Ages.

It would be too tedious to mention all those that were held during the Reign of Charles the Bald, with all those Capitulary's which were framed for the same pur∣pose of Reformation. We have the Council of Lauriac in Anjou An. 843. that of Thionville and another at Vernon in An. 844. those of Beauvais and Meaux An. 845. that of Paris the year following, to compleat the Regulations which could not be finished in that of Meaux; One at Soissons in 853. and another at Verberie, to digest all that had been Ordained at Soissons; One at Touziack* 1.192 in the Bishop∣rick of Toul, An. 860. composed of the Bishops of fourteen Provinces. One at Soissons, An. 866. One at Troyes the year after, as it were for a supplement to that of Soissons, all these being for the Reformation of Discipline, and Man∣ners. Most of the others were for particular affairs, and yet did often make Ca∣nons. That of Ments in the year 848. where Rabanus Maurus the Arch-Bishop presided, sent back Godeschale the Monk* 1.193 to Hinomar of Reims his Metropolitan; who at the Council of Crecy on the Oise, the same year, caused him to be condemned. This Monk was accused for preaching errors concerning the Doctrines of Predes∣tination, Free-will, and the Redemption by the Blood of Jesus Christ; These questions were debated again An. 853. in the third Council of Valence, which met to prosecute the Bishop of that City for certain Crimes.

The Council of Paris of the year 847. was called for the business of Ebbon of Reims, that of Tours met An. 849. about the enterprise of Neomene, who had given the Bishops of Bretagne a Metropolitan, and had thereby substracted them from the Arch-Bishoprick of Tours. In that of Crescy An. 858. the Bishops de∣puted two of their Assembly to go and make remonstrances to Louis the Germa∣nick, upon his invading the Kingdom of his Brother Charles. There was one at Savonieres, the Suburbs of Toul, An. 859. to make up that Breach. Lotaire the Young convened two at Aix-la-Chapelle, in the year 860. about the business of the Marriage of Thietberge and Lotaire II. and there was likewise a third at Mets for the same Subject.

In that of Senlis An. 863. Hincmar caused Roüauld Bishop of Soissons to be de∣graded, upon the accusation of a Priest whom Roüauld had deposed, for being sur∣prised with a Woman, and Mutilated in those Parts or Members, which are un∣useful to a good Ecclesiastick. Roüauld appealed to Rome; Pope Nicholas sent word to Hincmar and the Bishops that they should order the Party accused to come to him that he might review his Process; and upon the second Summons he interdic∣ted their saying Mass, till they did obey. But Hincmar who had great Credit in the Gallican Church, stood it out, and caused Guards to be set upon Roüauld lest he should slip out of the Kingdom. Nevertheless two years after he went to Rome, and was restored to his Bishoprick by Pope Nicholas.

The same Holy Father ordered Herard Arch-Bishop of Tours to call a Council at Soissons An▪ 866. (which was the III) to restore Wlfade* 1.194 and his Companions to their places of Clerks in the Church of Reims, in case Hincmar who had dis∣placed them, refused to do so: That of Troyes in 867. laboured in the same bu∣siness. There was a Council Verberie in 869. One at Atigny An. 870. and ano∣ther at Douzy in 871. concerning the affair of the unfortunate Hincmar of Laon. In that of Atigny, was likewise debated the division of the Kingdom of Lotaire I.

and the Rebellion of Carloman Son to the Bald, who was condemned to be kept Pri∣soner at Senlis. Which was confirmed in another held at Senlis An. 873.

The Council of Douzy* 1.195 II. An. 874. was against incestuous marriages, and such as invaded any thing belonging to the Church. That of Pontigon* 1.196 in 876 con∣firmed the Regulations framed in that of Pavia. Pope John VIII. having esca∣ped out of the Captivity of Lambert Count of Spoleta, and Albert Marquiss of Tuscany, while he was in France, called that of Troyes in 878. where he caused the Excommunication he had at Rome thrown upon those persecutors to be approved, as also the Condemnation of Formosus Bishop of Porto, and his Adherents. The Bi∣shops of Burgundy in that of Maintaille* 1.197 gave the Kingdom to Boson An. 879. There was one at Fimes in Champagne in 881. amongst whose Acts we find an ex∣hortation and advice to King Louis Son of Louis the Stammerer to Govern well. King Arnold had one held at Mets An. 888. That of Valence in Daulphine An. 890. gave the Kingdom of Burgundy Cis-jurane or Arles to Louis the Son of Boson. In the same Kingdom there was one at Vienne two years after, of which some Canons are remaining. The same year that of Reims, where Foulks Suc∣cessor to Hincmar presided, which ordered comminatory Letters to Baudouin, or Baidwin, Earl of Flanders, who Invaded the Propriety belonging to the Chur∣ches.

The question about the Worshipping of Images, and that touching Predestina∣tion, had like to have divided the Gallican Church. For the first, it is certain there were no Bishops in all France that would have broken them, or rejected the Intercession of Saints, unless Claude de Turin, who was so pelted on all hands, that he could not stand his ground. But many, and those of the most Learned, amongst others Jonas of Orleans and Agobard of Lyons, could not consent or yeild, that Images should be adored. In so much that the Emperors Theophilus, and Mi∣chael having sent Ambassadors into France An. 825. to consult with the Debon∣naire about the means to take away that Schism which divided the Greek Church from the Roman, the Bishops who were Assembled at Paris to confer about it, examined the Sayings of the Fathers with their reasons and opinions on that Sub∣ject, whence they did infer that the Worshipping of Images was not to be permitted.

They also wrote Letters conformable thereunto, to be sent unto the Pope on this occasion, as well in their own as in the Emperors name, and others likewise for his Holyness to send to the Eastern Emperors. But we do not find that these re∣solutions had any effect; the Gallican Church hath allowed and received the Wor∣shipping of Images, and hold those of a contrary opinion to be Heretiques.

For the question of Predestination, that made more noise y••t. It was Godes∣chale the Monk a Native of Germany, but who had taken his Frock in the Abbey of Orbais in the Diocess of Soissons, who gave occasion for these Disputes. On his return from a Pilgrimage to Rome passing by Ments, he made out some propo∣sitions upon this Subject, which seemed to be hard and Scandalous; he was accu∣sed for Teaching that God destined, or Predestinated unchangeably, the repro∣bated to be damned, as the Elect to be glorified, and therefore as he was the Author of good Actions, so he was likewise the Author of Sin. Those on the other side for him maintained that he held no other then the Doctrine of St. Augustine, St. Gregory, St. Fulgentius, and in fine the whole Church, which is, that God pre∣pares Eternal punishments for those whom he foresees will dye in Sin, without Pre∣destinating or Inclining them to Sin.

However it were, Rabanus Maurus Arch-Bishop of Ments, adjudged him guilty of the Error whereof he was accused: but because in condemning him he seemed to contradict that Proposition in General, that God Predestinates to Death, not knowing it was the opinion of St. Fulgentius and authorised by many of the Fa∣thers, Godeschale reproached him that his was contrary to their Sentiments.

There is some likely-hood this Monk did not express himself with all that re∣spect and submission he ought to so great a Prelat; and indeed being cited before the Council of Ments, he presented a Petition containing an accusation against him; The Arch-Bishop call'd him Make-bate and Insolent, and sent him back to Hincmar his Arch-Bishop to give judgment against him.

Hincmar, who of himself had but little mercy, and was besides'something evilly disposed against the Monk, because of his too confident proceedings, used great severity towards him. For in the Council of Crecy, he caused him to be condem∣ned for his Incorrigible obstinacy, and for his having been the cause of trouble, to be deposed from the Order of Priesthood, whipped till he should throw his

Writings into a Fire which was kindled near him, then shut up in close imprison∣ment, where he died at ten or twelve years end.

He persisted however in his opinions to the last; and Hincmar treating him like one excommunicated deny'd him the Sacraments, even at the time of his disso∣lution, and Christian Burial after his death.

Now as in the Council of Crecy, that the Arch-Bishop had composed four Chap∣ters, wherein he seemed to refute that Proposition of St. Fulgentius, and examine and oppose some others of St. Augustin's; the greatest men of those Times with∣stood the enterprise. Amongst others St. Prudence Bishop of Troyes, Servais Loup a Priest of Ments, Loup Abbot of Ferrieres, Ratramne a Monk of Corbie; Nay even the Church of Lyons, to whose judgments Hincmar referr'd himselftogether with all those of the Kingdom of Arles, and his Pastor St. Remy, who for his Doctrine, and Ecclesiastical capacity was to be compared with the ancient Fathers.

Divers Councils were held, and many things written on either side, especially by John Scot for Hincmar, and by Florus for the Church of Lyons: By which, (say the Learned) it appears they were all for St. Augustine, but did not well under∣stand themselves, or explain their own meaning clearly, so that the Errors they charged each other withal lay only in the different Interpretations and Sence of either Party. And indeed the Councils before whom these Controversies were brought wisely suppressed them, declaring that they were to be considered in a more ample manner and sober discussion. Which certainly they would never have done if there had appeared any positive or notorious errors in either Party.

All the mischief of this Storm fell upon two Priests, Godeschale and John Scotus▪ who suffer'd because they had reflected on the Bishops. The first was handled as is above-mentioned; the other having been mightily baffled and despised, was compelled in the end to forsake the Court and Kingdom: And even after his death was condemned as the Precursor of Berenger, and the Sacramentarians; Ra∣banus, and Amalarius Deacon of Treves were likewise censured or blamed in their life time for holding that villainous or filthy opinion of the Stercoranists, which is not to be explained without trespassing on that respect, which is due to the most Sacred of all Mysteries.

The Authority especially was excessively encreased ever since Pepin made use of their interest to obtain the Crown, and Charlemain, after the Pattern of the Visi-Goth Kings, would have affairs both Civil and Ecclesiastical debated in the same Assemblies; where those Bishops being the Principals, often times carried things so as best pleased and served themselves. But the Rebellion of Louis the Debonnair's Children against their Father, and afterwards the Civil Dissentions en∣suing, raised their power to a higher pitch yet, and put them into such a Capa∣city that they seemed to pretend a Right of Electing Kings, like the Pope, who disposed of the Empire, as if it had been a Benefice depending on him.

It is fit we observe that at the Coronations of Kings, they forgot not their own Interests, nor failed to make them promise solemnly to maintain the Rights of the Church: But we do not find them always so careful and zealous for the good of the People and the Prerogative of the Nobility.

Of those that appeared with most Splendor, some were such as were noted for Intrigues and Factions; and of them were a great number, Ebbon of Reims, Agobard of Lyons, and Bernard de Vienne active in the degrading of Louis the De∣bonnaire. Ebroin of Poictiers for disposing Aquitain to surrender themselves into the hands of that Emperor, who would bestow it upon Charles his beloved Son. Thietgaud de Colen and Gontier de Ments touching the marriage of Valdrade. And Hincmar of Reims for his resisting the Pope, and intermedling with all affairs both of Church and State, wherein he acted with as much heat as judgment during the Reign of Charles the Bald.

The others were illustrious for their Learning; as the same Agobard, Theodulfe, and Jonas his Successor, Rabanus Maurus of St. Bennets Order and Arch-Bishop of Mentz, Hincmar of Reims who had been Abbot of St. Denis, and the other Hinc∣mar his Nephew, Remy de Lyons, Adon de Vienne, Hilduin Abbot of St. Denis, Loup Abbot of Ferrieres in Gastinois, Henry Monk of St. Germain d'Auxerre, Va∣lafride Strabon Abbot of Richenoue, Florus Master of the Church of Lyons, that is a Divine, and John Scot, or Scotus, surnamed Erigena. This last was a great Phi∣losopher, and for the Beauty and Delicacy of his wit, highly cherished by Charles the Bald, even to the lying in his Chamber: But in Theology he passed for one of a raving Brain, whose sentiments were not right and sound.

As for Hincmar de Reims, we have his works whereof every one may judge. The other Hincmar his nephew very zealons for the Popes authority collected their Decretal Letters, and was the first that durst put down the names of some Anci∣ent Popes, who till that time had none, but which Is••dore Mercator had already ga∣thered together. Other Canonists followed his error, till at length the more ju∣dicious found they were but fictitious. Adon de Vienne composed a Matyrology which is yet in being: Hilduin wrote the life of St. Denis the Areopagite by com∣mand of Louis the Debonnaire, from the Memoires of Methodius, Patriarch of Con∣stantinople; who to flatter the French endeavour'd to have two things believed, which the Criticks pretend to condemn of false-hood; The one, that this Saint Denis had been Bishop of Paris; the other, that those Writings which go under his name, were his own.

We have the Epistles of Loup de Ferrieres which give a great light in the affairs of those times; And the Monk Henry wrote the Life of Saint Germain de Auxerre in more Elegant Verse then the roughness of that Age could promise.

I shall observe en passant that Latin Poetry began to rouze its self under Charles the Bald, and amongst other Poets that flatter'd him, there was one that made a Piece containing three hundred Hexameters in praise of the Bald, where every word began with the Letter C.

* 1.198 Some for their good lives deserved to be placed in the Catalogue of Saints; as Anscher taken out of the Order of St. Bennet by Louis the Debonnaire, to be the first Arch-Bishop of Hamburgh Established by that Emperor, and to Preach to the Danes and Swedes; the same Rabanus whom we have mentioned: Two Audr••'s, one of Sens, the other of Mans; Ayos* 1.199 de Bourges, Prudence de Troyes, Hildeman de Beauvais, Foulquin and Hunfroy de Teroüanne, Amant de Rodez, and Bernard de Vienne. This last had Adon above-named for Successor both in his Sanctity and his See: But he had very few in that good Christian Maxim, so often in his Mouth, and ever in his Soul: That the Riches and Goods of the Church, are the Patrimony of the Poor, and that a Clergy-man hath no right to them but for his necessities. Nor did he keep any more Domestique Servants but one Priest and one Lay-man; Pro∣claiming to all Prelats by this noble example; That he who is great in himself, hath no need of other Equipage, or Train of Servants to make him appear so.

LOUIS IV.

Surnamed TRANSMARINE, King XXXII.

Aged XIX, or XX Years.

POPES.

• LEO VII. in 936. S. 3 years, 6 Months.
• STEPHEN IX. Elect. in 939. S. 3 years, 4 Months.
• MARTIN II. Elect. 943. S. 3 years, 6 Months and one half.
• AGAPET II. Elect. 946. S. 9 years, 7 Months.

Louis IV. surnam'd Transmarine, in France.

Otho I. in Germany.

Rodolph II. in Burgundy Transjurane.

HUGH and Lotaire his Son in Italy.

[Year of our Lord 936] OF all the French Lords Hugh le Blanc Earl of Paris and Orleans Duke of France, and Brother in Law to the late King, had the greatest Autho∣rity in the Kingdom: He durst not however take the Crown, because Hebert Earl of Vermandois and Giselbert Duke of Lorraine, two very potent Enemies would have broke his Measures. He found it there∣fore more safe to make a King of the Blood of Charlemaine, who should be wholy obliged to him for his Crown.

To this purpose he dispatched a Famous Deputation of Prelats and Lords, whereof William Arch-Bishop of Sens was the Chief, into England, to beseech Ogina the Widdow of Charles the Simple, to bring back her Son Louis, whom the French desired to own for their King. She granted their request, but not with∣out great opposition of King Aldestan her Brother: He apprehended his Nephew might be destroy'd by some treachery as his Father had been; and therefore

would not be satisfied with only their Oaths, but took Hostages besides. Hugh and the other Lords came to receive their King at his Landing at Bullogne, tender'd their Hommage on the Strand, and thence conducted him to Laon where he was Anointed by Arnold Arch-Bishop of Reims the 20th day of June.

[Year of our Lord 936] Immediately after his Coronation, Hugh who still retained the Administration of the Kingdom, carried him into the Dutchy of Burgundy for his own ends, for there were some pretences, but how grounded we do not well know; And Hugh le Noir appropriated it to himself as Heir of the Deceased Rodolph his Brother, who had it from Richard his Father, on whom Boson had bestowed it when he was made King of Burgundy. Le Noir, or (the Black) had therefore Seized on the City of Langres after the Decease of King Rodolph, but the new King and Hugh thrust him cut again without striking one blow, and engaged him to yeild up one half of the Dutchy to Hugh le Blanc or the White.

An. 937. King Rodolph died, having Reigned 25 years in Burgundy Transjurane, and only five in the Kingdom of Arles. He left three Children, Conrade who Suc∣ceeded him, but whom Otho Seized upon and detained fourteen years: Burchard Bishop of Lausanne; and Adeleis a most Illustrious Princess, who by her first mar∣riage was Wife to Lotaire King of Italy, and at her second to the Emperor Otho I.

LOUIS in France.

Conrad in Burgundy & Arles.

Otho in Germany & Lorrain.

HUGH and Lotaire his Son in Italy.

[Year of our Lord 937. & 938.] The second year of his Reign Lewis Transmarine took the Government in hand, and sent for the Queen his Mother to come to Laon to have the Benefit of her Counsel. To settle his Authority the better, he first began with some petty Re∣bels by little and little, then falls upon Hebert himself whom he thought the more easily to overcome because he was grown odious for his Treachery against Charles the Simple. And indeed he gained some places very quickly: But Hugh fearing they would set upon him likewise joyned with Hebert, who was besides his Uncle by the Mother; And because he judged there would be little security in a person that had broke his Faith, he armed himself likewise with the Alliance of King Otho by Wedding his Daughter, named* 1.200 Havida.

The King on his side fortified himself in a more strict Union with Arnold Earl [Year of our Lord 938] of Flanders a Mortal Enemy to Hugh, Artold Arch-Bishop of Reims, Hugh le Noir Brother of the Defunct King Rodolph, and some others: but this year Giselbert Duke of Lorraine, being come to the assistance of Hugh the Great his Brother in Law, Arnold and the Noir negociated a Truce till the first day of January of the following year, between the King and that Duke.

As soon as that was expired the War began afresh. Whilst the King was in Bur∣gundy, to divide it with the Noir, Hugh le Blanc, Hebert & William Duke of Normandy, over-ran and Burnt the Territory's of Arnold. The Bishops censures had not pow∣er enough to stop them: but the Kings Return gave them more cause of dread, and made them renew the Truce to the Month of June.

Henry the younger Brother of Otho fancied to himself that the Kingdom of Germany belonged to him, he being Born when his Father was a King, whereas Otho came into the World before he was so. Giselbert very powerful in Lorraine, and who had married Gerberge Sister to these two Princes, instead of behaving himself as a Mediator between them, takes part with the Younger.

These two Brothers in Law thus Leagued, sent to King Louis to put themselves under his obedience; After which Otho having beaten and forced them at a pas∣sage over the Rhine, the dispair they were under made Giselbert and some other Lorrain Lords, come even to Laon to do him Hommage.

Louis wanted but very little of having the whole Kingdom of Lorraine sur∣render to him; he got into Alsace and was well received every where: But when he came to treat those as a conquered people, who had voluntarily submitted to him, it soon alienated their affections.

[Year of our Lord 939] Mean time Hugh the Great, Hebert, William Duke of Normandy, and even Ar∣nold

of Flanders not thinking it expedient for themselves that King Lewis should make himself so potent, re-allied themselves with Otho; who having quitted th•• Siege of Capremont, which was Giselbert's impregnable Fortress, and joyned with them, easily drove Louis out of Alsatia, then laid Siege before Brisac, a place very considerable in those days, and where they shewed notable Feats of Arms.

Whilst Otho was at this Siege, a party of his, especially the Clergy abandoned him. But Giselbert and Everard were defeated by his men at their passage over the Rhine near Andernac, where the last remained dead on the spot, and the other that had been the Fire-brand, of all these Wars, was drowned. This unho∣ped for advantage, having ruined Henry's Party, he grew wise, and timely yiel∣ded [Year of our Lord 934] himself up to the discretion of his Brother; who sent him away Prisoner for some time. In the interim Brisac surrendred and all Lorrain was his, the Govern∣ment whereof he bestowed upon Henry himself, and soon after upon Count Otho.

The year following King Lewis thinking to strengthen himself on that hand, or perhaps gain Vassals and Friends amongst the Lorrainers, married that Kings Sister Gerberge, the Widdow of Giselbert by whomshe had two Children Regnier & Lambert. [Year of our Lord 940]

Count Hebert of Vermandois had by craft and force got his Son, but ten years of Age, to be nominated Arch-Bishop of Reims: which being contrary to the Rules of the Church, the Clergy placed one Artold in that Episcopal See, who by con∣sequence was an Enemy to Hebert, and a great friend to the King. The contest about this Arch-Bishoprick begot a War, which lasted 18 or 20 years, and great∣ly molested all Champagne.

[Year of our Lord 940] This year after, some other inconsiderable actions, Hebert with Earl Hugh, and Wlli∣am Duke of Normandy besieged Reims; The Inhabitants being terrified, forsook Ar∣told and opened their Gates to them. Artold thorough the like fear suffers himself to be persuaded to renounce the Arch-Bishoprick and accept of an Abbey; where∣of repenting again, the King embraces his defence, and the quarrel revived again.

From thence the Confederates went and planted the Siege before Laon: but upon the noise of the Kings March, who was returning from Burgundy, they re∣tired towards Otho, and having led him as it were in Triumph to the Palace of A∣tigny, they put themselves into his protection.

King Louis having refreshed Laon, retires into Burgundy. His strength lay that way, because of Hugh le Noir who together with William Count of Poitiers accompanied him. King Otho having a potent Army, pursued him thither, and struck Hugh le Noir with so much terror, that he made Oath never to employ his Forces more against Hugh le Blanc, nor against Hebert, who were his new Vassals.

[Year of our Lord 941,] The next year Louis notwithstanding besieges Laon, wherein was Count Hebert; but it was to his own great dammage; for being surprised in his Legements by his base Subjects, he beheld above one half of his men slain with his own Eyes, and could not save himself but by a shameful flight.

After which forsaken of all his Neustrian Subjects, he took shelter under Charles Constantine Earl of Vienne, his Cousin German, being the Son of Louis the [Year of our Lord 941] Blind King of Italy and Arles, and a Sister of Queen Ogina's. Thence he had recourse to the Pope, the Lords of Aquitain, and to William Duke of Normandy. The Pope sent a Legat to exhort the Lords of Neustria to be faithful to him: those of Aquitain came and tendred him Hommage at Vienne, and profer'd their assistance; And William quitting the Associates treated him magnificently in his City of Rouen, and served him with his Forces, as did likewise the Bretons.

With these Forces he sought all opportunities to fight his Enemies: but they were retreated on this side the Oise, and having broken down all the Bridges would not come to any Engagement. Therefore a Truce was made between them; [Year of our Lord 942] and by the mediation of King Otho a Peace was concluded, by which Hugh and He∣bert submitted to their King.

[Year of our Lord 942] There was a mortal hatred betwixt William Duke of Normandy, and Arnold Earl of Flanders, because this Last would constrain Herluin Earl of Monstreuil to become his Vassal, and had taken his Castle, whilst William on the contrary had espoused Herluin's quarrel and powerfully assisted him. Arnold not being able to have his will of Herluin, betook himself to base and treacherous means to com∣pass it; For having upon pretence of reconciliation, procured an enter-view with William in an Island on the Somme right against Pequigny, he caused him un∣happily to be assassinated the 18th of December An. 942.

That good and vertuous Prince had just designed, before he was murthered to take upon him the Habit of St. Bennet in the Monastery of Jumieges, which he had begun to rebuild. He left but one Son named Richard, Born of Sporta his wife who was Daughter of Hebert Count of Senlis; he Succeeded him in his Duke∣dom.

A great part of the Normans were yet Idolaters, and there came every day new flocks of them from the North, who encouraged them in their Superstitions. Af∣ter the Death of William they rebelled against his Son, and would force him to [Year of our Lord 943] renounce his Baptism. Hugh the Grand allied to his Father assisted him against those impious revolters, beat them in several rencounters, and help'd him to destroy their Leaders: their names were Setric and Rodard.

The King knowing that while the Normans were divided, their little Duke Richard might easily be stript, and that it would be a Noble act to recover so great and good a Country, went to Rouen about Autumn, and Siezed upon Ri∣chard's person, under pretence of breeding him in his own Court. The Burg∣her's at first took the Alarm, and stood in his defence, so that he was fain to shew him to the people and confirm the Dutchy to him: but their first heat being spent, he so managed the business that persuading them he would have a great care of his Education, they suffer'd him to be carry'd away to Laon.

When he had gotten him absolutely in his power, Arnold Earl of Flanders whose interest it was to exterminate all the Normans, by his Presents and Counsel, easily inclined him to the resolution of incapacitating him for ever, and resuming [Year of our Lord 943] the Dukedom. Before they came to the Execution of this, Richard's wise Go∣vernor, by name Osmond, craftily drew him out of the Danger; He stole him out of Court, trussed up in a Faggot of Herbs, and conveyed him into Senlis. That City one of the strongest in those days, was then held by Count Bernard Uncle to Richard by his Mother; who kept that Pupil and would not surrender him either to the King, nor to the Normans, till he could see a little more clearly what was like to be the event of that War then threatned.

[Year of our Lord 943] During these stirrs Hebert of Vermandois died at Peronne, tormented with the gnawing remorse of his treacheries, crying perpetually in his Agonies, We were twelve of us that betrayed King Charles! He had three Sons, Hebert and Robert who shared his Lands, and Hugues or Hugh pretended Arch-Bishop of Reims.

King Lewis, who had that fault that he could not dissemble, adventures rashly [Year of our Lord 944] too early to ruine them. His precipitate revenge drew great troubles upon him; the other Grandees apprehending the like usage, joyned all to defend them. Even Hugh agreed with the Normans, and King Otho made one, and openly declared against Louis: who for that reason reconciled himself to Hugh.

At first this Duke had embraced the cause of little Richard: but the King pro∣mising he should share the Dutchy of Normandy with him, and likewise have the Territory's belonging to the Bishopricks of Evreux, Lysieux and Bayeux, he not only abandoned the Pupil, but also joyned with the King to ruine him. They entred the Country therefore at the same time, the King by the way of Rouen, and Hugh towards Evreux. Bernard Count of Senlis, who had saved his Nephew, did likewise preserve his Country by his wonderful Sagacity. He advised the Normans to pretend a submission to the King, to avoid the desolations of a War; and afterwards easily persuaded him to reserve all that rich Province to himself, and take away from Hugh those places which he had conquer'd; so that by this Me∣thod he caused a new rupture between those Princes.

[Year of our Lord 944] He afterwards omitted not to make those advantages he had designed: for he engaged the discontented Hugh to undertake once more the protection of Richard, and to promise him his Daughter* 1.201 Emine, who was not however married till Sixteen years after. And more-over this little Prince being still dispossessed, he so craftily contrived his affairs that he restored him. And thus it was. There was a Chieftaine or Norman King named Aigrold, who being come some years before from Denmark, had taken his Habitation in Constentin: This Prince having consulted with Bernard, revolts against Lewis, and sends to summon him to set the little Richard at Liberty. Upon this news Bernard counterfeiting great zeal, assures the King that all Normandy was united for his service, and by these plausible pretences obliges the King to go thither in person to suppress that P••rat. His Army and Aigrold's being near each other, Aigrold seems to be afraid, and demands a Conf••rence; the King agrees to it, and to that end goes to the Village of Crescen∣ville in the mid-way between Caen and Lisieux. The train was so well laid that

the Norman finding himself the stronger, cuts off all that came with him, Seizes upon his person, and sends him Prisoner to Rouen.

[Year of our Lord 944] In this rencounter Herluin Earl of Monstreuil, the principal subject of the quarrel between the deceased William and Arnold, was slain by Aigrold in revenge for that although he had always been protected by William, nevertheless he had ingrate∣fully sided with Arnold to oppress Normandy and it's little Duke.

[Year of our Lord 945] In vain did Queen Gerberge implore the assistance of King Otho her Brother for the deliverance of her Husband. He refused to apply any other means but only his mediation. By vertue of a plenarie power Signed by the Bishops at his desire and by all the French Lords, he decreed with them at a Conference held at St. Clair sur Epte, That Louis should restore Richard to his Dutchy and receive hommage, and from that time he should be set at Liberty, and give his second Son and two Bishops for security. But Louis getting out of the hands of the Normans, remain∣ed still under the power of Hugh; who upon I know not what pretences detained him at least a year under the guard of Thibault Earl of Blois his Cousin German, and would not let him go till he had gotten the City of Laon of him.

In the mean time King Otho who had conquer'd the County of Burgundy, whe∣ther he feared an absolute re-union between the King and his Subjects, or whether the Tears of his Daughter Gerberge and compassion to behold a King so ill treated by his means moved his heart, he roughly refused Hugh who sought his amity, and [Year of our Lord 946] profer'd Louis his assistance to revenge himself.

[Year of our Lord 946] Lewis accepted it, and soon after he was out of his imprisonment, went to Otho at Cambresis, where Arnold Earl of Flanders had joyned Forces with him: So that they had together above thirty Legions: And which is remarkable, all these com∣batants, except the Abbot of Corbie in Saxony, had all Straw-hats, without doubt to defend their heads from blows, or from the cold.

[Year of our Lord 946] One would imagine such a prodigious Army must overwhelm Hugh and all his Allies: but after they had tried Laon, driven away Arch-Bishop Hugh from Reims, and restored Artold to his See, having shewed themselves before the Gates of Sen∣lis and the Suburbs of Paris, they ran themselves on ground and Shipwrackt against Rouen. The death of Otho's Nephew and a great number of Saxons who were slain there, the autumnal Rains, the approaching Winter, Arnolds desertion who withdrew in the night time with his Forces, apprehending to be delivered up to the Normans, constrained Otho to raise his Siege and retire.

[Year of our Lord 947] Afterwards Hugh besieged Reims, and King Lewis Monstreuil, held by Rotgar Son of Count Herluin: but both without success.

In August the two Kings Louis, and Otho conferred together on the Kar, or the Cher, concerning their affairs. This River which coming from the Country of Luxemburgh falls into the Meuse between Sedan and Mouson, hath ever since made the bounds or separation of the Kingdoms of France and Lorrain as it did heretofore of Neustria and Austrasia.

[Year of our Lord 947] Anno 947. Italy suffer'd a New change. Auscare and Berenger, one Brother, and the other Son of Adelbert Marquiss of Ivrea, having ingratefully conspired against King Hugh, that Prince put Auscaire to Death, and Berenger escaped to Her∣man Duke of Suabia. Now this man having good information that Hugh had ren∣dred himself very odious to the Italians, having sounded their affections, repassed the Alpes. He was received in Verona and in Milan, and seemed welcom to most part of the Nobility. Nevertheless the People moved with pity towards Lotaire the Son of Hugh, a handsom young Prince not above 14 or 15 years old, would have the Title of King to be preserved for him: And Berenger consented for that time the more willingly, because all the Authority was in him. The agree∣ment made, Hugh returned into Provence with his Treasure, where he died the same year.

Lewis in France.

Conrad in Transjurane and Arles.

Otho in Germany & Lorraine.

LOTAIRE and Berenger in Italy.

The dispute for the Arch-Bishoprick of Reims between Hugh of Vermandois and Artold was a mighty business. It was first treated of at Douzy by some Prelats, [Year of our Lord 948,]

who having not power to determine it; referr'd it to a Synodical Assembly of Galli∣can and German Bishops, which was held at Verdun in the middle of November. Robert Arch-Bishop of Triers presided there. Hugh appeared not, but having sent thither certain Surreptitious Letters from the Pope, which they little valued, the enjoyment of the Arch-Bishoprick was awarded to Artold, and Hugh was excluded for his contumacy, till he should appear before the General Council in the Month of August following, and had purged himself of the crimes imputed to him.

Hugh makes complaint to the Pope, who sent a Legat to Otho to injoyn him to [Year of our Lord 948] call a general Council of the Gallicans and Germans to determine this difference, as also to decide the quarrel between King Lewis and Hugh le Blanc. He convo∣cated them at his Royal Palace of Ingelheim; he and King Lewis assisting there and sitting on the same Bench. The Council heard the Kings complaint, and then Artold's Petition. The King declared all the mischiefs Hugh had done him, even [☞] to the detaining him a Prisoner a whole year, and offered, if any one could re∣proach him that the troubles and calamities of the Kingdom were by any fault of his, to justify himself in such manner as the Council should advise, even by personal proof in the Field of Battel. Upon these complaints they wrote Letters to Hugh le Blanc and his adherents, to admonish them to return to their duty, under pain of an Anathema; and doing justice upon the Petition of Artold, they confirmed the Arch-Bishoprick to him, and excommunicated Hugh his competitor, till he duly repented.

With this, Otho assisted Lewis with good Forces, the Lorrain Bishops his Vas∣sals took Mouson and razed it, excommunicated Thibault, who maintained the City of Laon for Hugh, and caused Hugh himself by vertue of the Legats letters to be cited to appear before the Council of Triers, to give satisfaction for the damage he had done the King and the Church. Who not appearing was excommunicated.

[Year of our Lord 949] The War was not abated by this; and divers Castles were taken by the two rivals for the Arch-Bishoprick of Reims as well as by the Kings Forces, and those that belonged to Hugh.

This year hapned the death of Fulk the Good Earl of Anjou, a mighty Religi∣ous Prince and a lover of Learning; who being one day informed that the King scoffed at his going so often to Sing in the Quire, wrote only these words to him; Know, Sir, that a Prince without Learning, is a Crowned Ass.

[Year of our Lord 949] The Hungarians being fallen An. 949. upon Lombardy, Berenger compounded with them for eight Bushels of Silver, and upon pretence of raising that money committed violent extortions. About that time Lotaire either out of grief to find himself despised, or by some poyson fell into a Phrensie and died without Children towards the end of the same year. Berenger immediately caused himself to be pro∣claimed King and was Crowned together with his eldest Son Adelbert.

[Year of our Lord 950] Otho very glad of the disturbances in France, gave slight assistance to Louis, who in the necessity of his affairs, relied much upon him and often went to him, or sent his wife Gerberge. He also made cessations from time to time: In one of which he and Hugh meeting by consent at the Marne, the River between them, [Year of our Lord 950] they patched up I know not what Peace, upon which Hugh was to surrender up to him a great Tower which he held in the City of Laon.

Peace being made on this side, Lewis takes his progress towards Aquitain to se∣cure himself of the Fidelity of the Lords of that Country. For during these re∣volutions the Subjects faith was grown so wavering, that often in less then a years time, they swore obedience and fealty to three or four several Kings. Which was indeed, because they would have had none, had it been in their power.

This year 951. Ogina* 1.202 Mother to King Lewis, Aged above 45 years, went [Year of our Lord 951] from Loan, where her Son kept her as a Prisoner, and married Hebert of Verman∣dois Count de Troyes, Son of that Traytor Hebert who made her Husband die in Prison. She thus satisfied her revenge to the prejudice of her honour, or perhaps made that only a cover for her incontinence.

LOUIS Transmarine in France.

Otho in Germany & Lorrain.

Conrad in Burgundy & Arles.

Berenger II. and Adelbert his Son in Italy.

[Year of our Lord 950] Adeleida the Widdow of Lotaire was Beautiful and Charming, she had the City of Pavia in Dowre, and besides great riches and possessions, much credit, and many Friends as well in that Country, as on this side the Mountains, being the Daughter of Rodolph II. and Sister to Conrad Kings of Burgundy. For these reasons Berenger sought to gain her for his Son; but she couragiously rejected the proposition. Upon her obstinate refusal he besieges her in Pavia, took her, and sent her Prisoner to the strong Castle of Garda, whence the Lake hath borrowed its name. She notwithstanding made her escape by the help of a Priest, reduced after she was got out to live upon such Alms as the Priest begg'd for her; Then retired to the Mar∣quiss Athon her Kinsman, who undertook to protect her in his Fortress of Canossa.

[Year of our Lord 950] Presently Berenger besieges it with all his Forces. The second year of the siege and the end of their provisions drew near, when that Queen sent to implore the aid of King Otho, and to offer him with her self the Kingdom of Italy. The Love of Honour, more then Love to that Lady, drew this Prince thither: He [Year of our Lord 951] delivered her, Married her, because he could not otherwise enjoy her, and carried her into Germany, leaving his Army with Conrad Duke of Lorrain to finish that War.

[Year of our Lord 952] This Conrad prosecuted the War so briskly against Berenger and his Son, that both of them laying down their Arms came to a Conference with him, and thorough his persuasions went both of them into Germany to King Otho; who having treated them magnificently, and taken their Oaths and made them do hommage restored to them all that Kingdom, excepting only Veronnois and Friuli, which he bestow'd upon his Brother Henry Duke of Bavaria.

The contest about the Arch-Bishoprick of Reims and some other particular Lordships, had brought King Lewis and Hugh le Blanc again to Daggers-drawing: But Hugh in fine, whatever motive prompted him, desired to confer with Queen Gerberge his wives Sister, who came to meet him; And afterwards treating with the King personally in Soissons, he made Peace about the end of March in this year 953.

[Year of our Lord 953] This re-union perhaps pleased King Otho but little, but he found himself not in a condition to disturb it. He was too much troubled with the Civil-War made against him by his own Son Luitolf, incited by Conrad Duke of Lorrain, who made him jealous of a Son as yet in the Cradle, which his Father had by Adeleida his second wife. Otho thrust Conrad out of his Dutchy, and at length brought his Son to his duty, not without much hazard fighting and labour.

[Year of our Lord 954] But Conrad obstinately rebellious turned every stone to be revenged. He made a League with Berenger King of Italy, as ingrateful as perfidious against Otho, and drew the Hungarians in twice; first into Lorrain An. 954. whence they over-run even to Champagne and Burgundy, and having done a world of mischief were beaten back into Italy; the second into Bavaria, where a most dreadful multitude got in [Year of our Lord 955] together. Yet Otho fought them, and cut them all off, after Conrad had been killed in the scuffle. This was in Anno 595.

[Year of our Lord 954] During these troubles, in the year 954. King Lewis died by a strange accident. As he was going from Laon to Reims, spurring to ride after a Wolfe which he met in his way, his Horse stumbled, and threw him so rudely on the ground that he was bruised all over. These bruises turned into a kind of Leprosy, which caused his death the 15th of October in the City of Reims, whither he would be car∣ried, and where he lies buried in the Church of St. Remy. His Reignwas 18 years, three Months, and his Age 38, or 39, years.

Of five Sons which he had by Gerberge, there were but two remaining, Lotaire and Charles, whereof Lotaire the eldest was about 14 or 15 years old, and Charles but 15 or 16 Months.

The small Age of this last, the poverty of the Kings who had scarce any other Towns in propriety but Reims and Laon, and perhaps the interest of Hugh le Blanc; were the reasons why he did not share the Kingdom with his elder, as had been ever almost the Custom in the first and second Race, or Line. Since this time it was never equally divided amongst the Brothers: the eldest alone hath had the Title of King, and the cadets, or younger have only had some Lands in appennage and under an entire Subjection. And even of these the Kingly power being increased hath taken the Reversion for want of Heirs-males; which hath not a little contri∣buted to restore the Grandeur of the Monarchy.

LOTAIRE, King XXXIII:

POPES,

• AGAPET II. above a year in this Reign.
• JOHN XII. who was the first that changed his name, introduced An. 955. S. 9 years within some Months: is deposed.
• BENEDICT V. put in by the Romans An. 964. S. some Months.
• JOHN XIII. nominated by the Empp. Otho in 964. S. almost 7 years.
• DOMNUS Elect in 972. S. 3 Months.
• BENEDICT VI. in 972. S. one year 3 Months.
• BENEDICTUS VII. in 974. S. 9 years, and some Months.
• JOHN XIV. Elect. in July 849. S. one year, one Month.

Lotaire in France.

Otho in Germany & Lorrain.

Conrad in Burgundy & Arles.

Berenger and Adelbert his Son in Italy.

THE greatest part of the power being in the hands of Hugh, he might have taken the Crown, had he not feared the Forces of King Otho, mater∣nal Uncle to the Sons of the deceased King, and the jealousy of the other French Lords. For these reasons, Queen Gerberge his wives Sister, be∣ing come to him to take his Counsel, he chose rather to preserve his Authority by protecting a Widdow and a Minor, then by oppressing them. Having therefore carried Lotaire to Reims, he caused him to be Crowned the 12th of November by the Arch-Bishop Artold.

Upon this occasion the young King gave the Dukedoms of Burgundy and Aqui∣tain to Hugh le Blanc and to Hugh Capet his eldest Son: who being satisfied and the Duke of Normandy likewise for their sakes, it was not difficult to calm the other Lords who were less considerable.

These Dukes in my opinion, were of two sorts in those times; the one held the Cities and Lands, and were become Hereditary; the other were general commands over a whole Kingdom, as well for the Militia as to do Justice, which the Kings could bestow, or take away. So there was a Duke for Lorrain which was Bruno Arch-Bishop of Colen, King Otho's Brother, One for France, one for Aquitain, and one for Burgundy; and Hugh

was such in all those three Kingdoms, by consequence he was as the Kings Lieutenant Ge∣neral, and in that quality might be set aside, if his great alliance and the Cities in his possession had not rendred him indestituable.

[Year of our Lord 953] France was quiet enough three years together, only Hugh An. 955, led the King into Poitou to make William Earl of that Country and Duke of Aquitain become obedient, and laid Siege to Poitiers. Scarcity of provisions and the terror of a Thunder-clap which tore his Tent in two, forced him to raise it; and yet the Count presuming to pursue the French upon their retreat, they turned head and put him to the rout with great slaughter of his Nobility.

The following year Hugh, who without a Scepter, had Reigned more then 20 years, being the Son of a King, Father of a King, Uncle to a King, and Brother* 1.203 in Law to three Kings, died in his City of Paris full of years, glory, and riches. He was surnamed the White * from his skin, the Great from his power, or per∣haps his bulk; and the Abbot, because he held the Abbeys of St. Denis, St. Germain des Prez, and St. Martin's of Tours. At his death he intreated Richard Duke of Normandy his Son in Law, to be the Protector of his Children and Vassals.

He had three wives, Rotilda Sister of Lewis the Stammerer, Ethild Daughter of Edward King of England, whose two Sisters were married to Charles the Simple and Otho, and Avida * 1.204, or Avoye Sister of the same Otho and Queen Gerberge. There came no Children by the first two, but by the third he had Hugues, or Hugh, surnamed Capet, who was Earl of Paris and Orleance, then also Duke of France; Otho who was Duke of Burgundy after the Death of Gilbert his Father in Law: Eudes or Odon who succeeded him; and Henry who likewise enjoyed it after them.

[Year of our Lord 956. 57. and 58.] These four Sons not being yet in a capacity to make any noise, the eldest not above 16 years of Age, Gerberge governed peaceably enough, excepting some petty quarrels about the Castles belonging to the Arch-Bishoprick of Reims and some private contests.

The worst of it was, that it seemed most of the affairs were managed according to the pleasure and will of King Otho and Bruno his Brother Arch-Bishop of Colen, and Duke or Governor of Lorrain, so that they became as it were the Moderators and Arbitrators of France.

[Year of our Lord 959] The Queen being at difference with the Children of Hugh and the Widdow Avoye her Sister, for some Castles which King Lotaire had taken from them in Burgundy, Bruno came into France and brought them to an agreement in a Parlia∣ment held at Compiegne. After which the Queen and her Son Lataire went to keep Easter at Colen with Bruno who entertained them splendidly, and sent them back furnished with very brave Presents.

A while after being called to their assistance against Robert Earl of Troyes, and Count of Chaalons by his wife, who had surprized Dijon, he returned into France with his Lorrainers and regained that place. At the same time he sent some Saxon Forces to Troyes to restore the Bishop whom that Robert had thrust out thence: But Renard Earl of Sens and Rimbauld Arch-Bishop of the same City, friends to Robert gave them Battel and defeated them.

The same year died Alain surnamed Barbe-torte* 1.205 Duke of Bretagne and Son of Earl Matueda, who left two Bastards, Hoel and Guerec, and one Legitimate Child named Drogon then in his Cradle, whom he declared Heir. Thibauld Earl of Chartres Grand-Father by the Mother to this Child had the Tuition, and the Mo∣ther the care of his person. Now marrying again with Fulk Earl of Anjou, this [Year of our Lord 959] wicked woman unhappily killed him, by causing scalding water to be thrown down upon the Infants head.

The Succession begot a bloody debate in Bretagne which lasted 34 years. The two Bastards of Alain disputed it with one Conan, who was descended by a Daughter from King Salomon: he made them both perish, Hoel by the hands of a Souldier who assassinated him, and Guerec, by a poysoned Lancet wherewith a Chyrurgeon let him Blood. But himself perished at length in a Battel he lost An. 992. against Fulk Earl of Anjou a Capital Enemy of the Bretons. Geofrey the eldest of the four Sons he left succeeded him.

The Children of the Defunct Hugh the White, thorough the persuasion of Arch-Bishop Bruno, tendred hommage for their Lands to King Lotaire, who in retribution declared the Eldest, Duke of France, as his Father had been, and bestowed Poitou upon him; you must understand if he could conquer it, for it

was possessed by another very potent Earl. This is a conjecture that the Kings had not yet given entirely away their power, of bestowing Dutchy's and Earl∣doms, and that if they were Hereditary, it was only by Usurpation, not as yet by Concession.

All the new Principalities and Seigniories or Lordships which were started up in the Kingdom did not trouble the King so much as that of the Normans, who being strangers and the Issue of those Fathers that had plagued and plundred France 80 years together, should yet enjoy so rich a Province. Wherefore Bruno who governed the affairs of the Kingdom, being excited by the persuasions of Ar∣nold Earl of Flanders, Baldwin his Son, Thibauld Earl of Chartres, and Geofrey Earl of Anjou; combined to ruine Duke Richard. For this purpose he sent for him to come to the Royal Parliament, or General Assembly of Estates at Amiens▪ putting him in hopes, if he came thither, they would give him the Admi∣nistration of the Kingdom: But it was with design to Sieze and send him Prisoner into Germany. Richard who was on his journey, being informed of this Combina∣tion by two unknown Cavaliers, returned whence he came and stood more upon his Guard.

[Year of our Lord 959] He avoided likewise another Snare the King had laid for him near the River of Epte, to which place sending for him to come and do him hommage, he meant to lay hold on him. The Duke had already passed the Epte, when the Scouts he had sent forth to discover what the King was doing, brought him word that all his Enemies were about the King, and were making ready to set upon him. By this he understood the meaning of the French, and withdrew in time.

[Year of our Lord 957] Since Berenger and Adelbert had been restored to the Kingdom of Italy by Otho, they never ceased to conspire against him, and withal cruelly vexing their Subjects, so that he had sent his Son Luitolf to chastise them. This young Prince had almost hunted them quite out of the Kingdom, when he was surprised by Death An. 958. not without suspition of poyson, and thus left his Conquest im∣perfect. [Year of our Lord 958]

* 1.206 Now the complaints of the Lords and Prelats, and the earnest entreaty of the Pope pressing King Otho, he resolved to go himself, after he had Crowned his Son Otho II. at Aix la Chapelle, though he were but seven years of Age.

Upon his Arrival in Italy, Berenger, his Son, and his Wife abandoned the Cities and Country, and retired each of them into a strong Fort. Otho was there recei∣ved with universal applause, recovered Pavia, was Crowned King of Lombardy at Milan by the Arch-Bishop, and thence marched to Rome, where he received the Imperial Crown upon Christmass-day by the hands of John XII. who had been put into the Holy Chair by the Credit and Money of his Father Alberic before [Year of our Lord 960. 961. 962.] the Age of 18 years.

This Alberic was the Son of Marosia, who had chaced King Hugh from Rome; after which he had changed the Government there, and made himself Consul that he might command in Chief with a Prefect and some Tribuns. [Year of our Lord 963]

Now the young Pope who had earnestly desired Otho to come, quickly changed his mind, and recalled Berenger to Rome as soon as Otho was gone from thence to reduce the rest of those places which that Tyrant still held. Otho being informed of this odd fantastical news did not give over his Conquests, then when he thought* 1.207 it seasonable to return to Rome he led his Army thither.

The young Pope being fled with Berenger and the Treasure of the Church, he caused his Process to be made, not for his Intrusion, but for Murther, Sacriledge, Adultery, Incest, Simony, and other enormous crimes. For this end he Assem∣bled a Council, John was cited before them in due form, and not appearing they deposed him, and in his place put Leo, who was the VIII. of that name.

[Year of our Lord 963] This Pope to avoid the trouble the Cabals caused in Elections, gave the Em∣peror Otho the power thenceforward to Elect the Popes and Bishops, and to give him Investiture. The Ecclesiastical History does likewise observe that this John XII. was called Octavian before his Election, and that he was the first Pope that changed his name.

Whilst Otho was passing the Christmass Holy-days at Rome with the new Pope, having quartred his Army out of the City: the Faction and money of John the deposed Pope, made the Romans rise to Attaque him Treacherously, he had notice of it time enough to prevent surprize, put himself in the head of his Army [Year of our Lord 965] and came boldly to them. They were afraid and coming to a composition with him gave several Hostages.

He delivered them up again some few days after upon the entreaties of Leo; but no sooner was he gone to besiege Camerin, but they revolted, drove out Leo, and received John in their City: where he exercised most revengeful cruelty upon Leo's Friends. He had continued it to the end, had he not been killed in the very act of enjoying a Woman. After his death the Romans persisting in their Rebellion Elected the Arch▪Deacon Bennet. Immediately Otho returns again, reduces Rome to a Famine, compels Bennet to ask pardon in the Synod of Bishops, and causing him to be degraded of his Priest-hood, sent him Prisoner into Germany, where about a year after he died at Hamburgh.

Some months thence believing Italy might remain in Peace, because he had ta∣ken Berenger and confined him to Bamberg in Germany, he returned home and marched his Army with him. After his departure some Lombard Counts re∣volted having Adelbert and Guy the Sons of Berenger at their head: But Duke Bur∣chard whom he sent back overthrew them in a great Battel, which was fought on the Banks of the Po. Guy the most mischievous of them all was left dead up∣on the place, and Adelbert escaped with much ado.

This last having gathered some Forces together, hazards another Battel An. 968 [☞] which loosing he died with grief. And thus with him ended the second Kingdom of Italy, or if you will it passed over the German Princes who let it moulder away and come to nothing.

After Pope Leo VIII. was dead, and that John XIII. had been set in the Chair with the consent of Otho, on whom Leo had bestowed the power of Confirming the Election of Popes: the Prefect, Consuls, Tribuns and other Magistrates of the City of Rome, displeased that Otho had greatly limited their power, which before led all Italy as they pleased, they put this Pope in Prison, then turned him out of Rome, calling to their aid Rofroy Count of Campania.

The Pope retires to Pandolfus Prince of Capoua who restored him, and John his Brother slew Rofroy. In recompence the Pope erects an Arch-Bishoprick at Ca∣poua, [Year of our Lord 966] and bestowed it on the murtherer of his Enemy.

But Otho desiring to remedy things once for all by suppressing these Rebellions, returns to Italy, where he setled his Authority by severe punishments, by reward∣ing [Year of our Lord 966. and 967.] of friends, by creating new Counts, by good and wholesome Laws, and in fine by the conquest of Calabria and Puglia, which he wrested from the Grecian Empire, who had kept them hitherto.

[Year of our Lord 968] And to compleat all he Crowned his Son Otho at Milan by the hands of the Pope, and joyned him in the Empire. This young Prince three years after, that is to say in An. 971. Married Teophania or Tifaine Daughter of the Emperor Ni∣cephorus who was then dead.

Thus Otho but little inferior to Charlemaine, raised the Western Empire, the [☞] Title thereof ever since that time remaining as it were annexed to Germany, with pretences much more great and extensive then their Forces. We shall henceforth speak no more of the affairs of Italy, and little of Germany, unless where things do joyntly relate to the French.

[Year of our Lord 962] During these Transactions, in Italy, divers quarrels were troublesome to France, the two greatest were that about the Arch-Bishoprick of Reims, and the hatred of the Counts Thibauld de Chartres and Arnold of Flanders against the Normans. The first might have been ended by restoring Hugh of Vermandois to his Dignity in Reims, Artold the Arch-Bishop being dead An. 962. if the Queen could have suffer'd it: But far from giving her assent, she so brought it about, that the Council of Soissons refer'd it to the Pope who declared him Excommu∣nicated.

[Year of our Lord 963] The Brethren of this Hugh furiously Animated against Guibuin Bishop of Chaalons, who in that Assembly had proved thechief obstacle against his restoration, Burnt the City.

[Year of our Lord 964. and 65.] The Earl of Chartres was supported by the King against the Normans, because he was joyned both by alliance and affection to the Interest of the Sons of Hugh the Great. He lost a Battel in Normandy, for which he received satisfaction by the conquest of Evreux which the King put into his hands, having obtained it by intelligence. Richard followed him close at the heels, and getting into the Coun∣try almost as soon as himself made terrible havock. The Earl of Chartres had his revenge the very same year, carrying Fire and Sword to the very Gates of Rouen: but was rudely repulsed, and lost his Son in the Retreat.

[Year of our Lord 965] Arnold surnamed the Old, the Fair and the Great, Earl of Flanders died in the

year 965. The Son of Baldwin his Son, named Arnold the Young Succeeded him under the Guardianship of Matilda of Saxony his Mother. This was that Arnold who being come to Age, began to Fortify the Port of Petressa or Scalas, which then belonged to the Abbey of St. Berthin. It is now named Calais Neighbour to Portus Iccius; in these days, as it is believed, called Blanc Nez, and very Famous in the Romans times, who from thence passed over into Great Britain. He thought to make good use of it against the Normand Pyrats, and because he could not al∣ways be on those Coasts, he gave the County of Guisnes to Adolph Son of Siffroy, who had married the Daughter of Hernieulle Earl of Boulogne.

King Lotaire having heard of the Death of Arnold the Old, went immediately into the Country to receive Hommage of the Lords, and took Arras and Doway. As on the other side William Earl of Pontieu, took from that Minor Boulogne and Terouenne, and two of his Sons were Earls, each of one, of those Cities.

[Year of our Lord 966] The same year Arch-Bishop Bruno being come into France to determine some difference between his Sister Gerberge and King Lotaire with the Children and Widdow of Hugh, was Siezed with a Feaver at Compiegne, which he carried to Reims with him and there Died.

Some Authors give him the Title of Arch-Duke of Lorraine, because he commanded all the Dukes and Earls of that Kingdom. And this is the first time that I find that Title in any Authors.

There was before this time a Marquiss and Duke of the higher or Mosellanick Lorrain; which was Gerard, from whom it is held the Lorrain Princes of our days are descended. Some Genealogists derive it from Erchinoald Mayre of the Palace, and from the same stock they make the Austrian Habspurgh-House to spring, with that of Zeringhen, from whence is issued the Princes of Baden.

The King marry's Emme or Emina Daughter of that Lotaire King of Italy Poyso∣ned by Berenger II. and the Queen Adeleida whom the Emperor Otho made his [Year of our Lord 966] Second Wife; which strengthned the good correspondence between the two Mo∣narchs of France and Germany.

There hapned nothing very observable during these two years, unless it were that in An. 967. King Lotaire gave his Sister Matilda in marriage to Conrad King [Year of our Lord 967. and 68.] of Burgundy, and for her Dowre bestowed the City and County of Lyons.

The Earl Thibauld supported by the King, went and encamped before Rouen, from whence he could not be forced but by the help of the Infidel Normans, which the King of Denmark of Kin to Richard sent thither, who having made him retreat, ran [Year of our Lord 969] to the very Gates of Paris. * 1.208

The ignorance of those times was extream; which is the reason that for want of Histo∣rians, we scarcely find any thing, and must sometimes slip over whole years without menti∣on of any occurrences.

* 1.209 In the year 973. Died the Emperor Otho, very justly surnamed the Great, foun∣der of the Germain Empire, Subduer of the Hungarians and Sclavonians, and who found out the Method to Quell the Italians Pride, and Chain up their persidious mutability.

LOTAIRE in France.

OTHO II. Emperor of Italy and Germany, Aged 21 or 22 years.

CONRAD in Burgundy.

* 1.210 The Reign of his Son Otho II. was neither so steady nor so happy as his own. Gi∣selbert the Husband of Gerberge, afterwards Queen, had a Brother named Regnier Long-neck Earl of Mons in Haynault, and Valenciennes, who having been taken in that City by Arch-Bishop Bruno, had been confined to the Country of the Venedes; and some time after two Counts named Garnier, and Raginald or Renold, who were in my opinion of his Kindred, were invested in his Lands. But his Sons Regnier II. [Year of our Lord 973] and Lambert after the Death of Otho, Armed themselves with the Aid of the French to be restored.

* 1.211 This begot a Bloody and most obstinate War. The two Brothers defeated and slew in a Battel, fought at a Village of Peronne near Binns, the Counts Garnier and Renold: But Otho II. immediately substituted Renauld and Godfrey two Lorrain Lords, whom he invested with the Earldoms of Hainault and Valenciennes. Now [Year of our Lord 975] after various events the two Brothers assisted by Charles Brother to King Lotaire and Hugh Capet, whose Daughters they afterwards Married, got possession again of those Counties: But it was at soonest not till An. 983.

[Year of our Lord 977] The Emperor was highly displeased that these two Sons of a Rebel should pos∣sess such large and great Feoss in his Kingdom of Lorrain in despite of him; how∣ever he dissembled it, having other affairs which would not allow him time to break with King Lotaire.

[Year of our Lord 977] Which is more whether out of design to oblige him, or rather to put a Barr in his way, he Created Charles his Brother Duke of Lorrain, a young Prince about the Age of 23 or 24 years.

The French had not forgot the remembrance of their Ancient right to Lorrain; And the King, as Son of Gerberge, who of her own held very many great possessions in Capite, expected that Otho his Cousin German would restore some part to him, especially seeing he had given such sweet Morsels to the Bishops of Liege and Colen.

But not doing so, Lotaire undertakes to compel him. He gets unexpectedly into the Country with an Army, takes the Oaths of the Lorrainers in the City of Mets, and from thence marches directly to Aix-la-Chapelle. Otho was diverting himself there very securely with his Family, it wanted not above half an hours time to have surprised him: He could do no other, but only just get on Horse∣back and fly for his safety, leaving his Dinner at the Table, and all his precious [Year of our Lord 978] Houshold Furniture in the Palace, which Lotaire plunder'd, and then scowred thorough all the whole Country.

In revenge of this Exploit, the very same year Otho made a great irruption in France with Three-score Thousand men, sacked all Champagne, and that which is called the Isle of France even to Paris, sending word to Hugh Capet, who being Count of that City had put himself in there, that he would have an Alleluya sung upon Montmartre by so many Clerks it should be heard at Nostre-Dame.

Those Rodomontado's were not justified by the effects. His* 1.212 Nephew going in a Bravado to plant his Lance in one of the Gates of Paris, was slain by Gefrey Grise∣gonnelle Earl of Anjou; Winter which came on obliged him to retire, and Lo∣taire and Hugh Capet having drawn their Forces together, cut off all his Reare-Guard at his passage over the River of Aisne, which was overflown, and pursued him fighting to the Ardennes.

The Almain Monks of those days, as it is the Genius of men to pretend Miracles in great danger, write that St. Udalric Bishop of Ausburgh, who accompanted that Emperor in this War, went over the River Aisne dry-fout, leading the way before him and his whole Army who followed, the over-following Stream miraculously growing hard and firm under them, the River becoming a Bridge to it's self.

In this retreat the Earl of Anjou did let the Germans know, that the quarrel being between the two Kings, it would be better according to common right, for them to decide it singly hand to hand, then to spill the Blood of so many innocent people▪ But the Germans reply'd, that although they did not doubt the courage of their [☞] King, nevertheless they would not consent that he should expose his person singly; Confessing tacitely thereby that they did not think him so brave as the King of France.

[Year of our Lord 978] Otho thus roughly handled, sought an accommodation with the French: Lotaire and he conferring together in the City of Reims, concluded a Peace upon condi∣tion, that Lotaire should yeild him Lorrain to be held in Feif of the Crown of France, say our Authors; for which the French Lords shewed a great deal of dis∣content.

[Year of our Lord 978] Thus the Soveraignty of that Kingdom remained in Lotaire, the Dutchy of the Lower Lorrain, which two years before had been bestowed upon Charles his Brother by Otho, reverted to his disposal: but as he must give some part to Charles, he agreed he should enjoy that also. Which was consented to at an enter-view be∣tween that King and Otho upon the River of Kar, the German Prince having

desired that conference before he undertook this expedition into Italy against the Saracens.

[Year of our Lord 978] Charles imagining his Brother had yeilded him that Dutchy but by compulsion, was so ill advised, that he might have some body to support him in it, as to ren∣der Hommage for it to Otho, instead of holding the Soveraignty himself as he might have done.

[Year of our Lord 981] Two years after, Otho, to oblige hm the more, gave him likewise the Coun∣try all about Mets, Toul, Verdon, and Nancy and other Lands between the Meuse and the Rhine.

Now this submission tendred by Charles to a Stranger, sounded very ill amongst the French, and the Augmentation of his power certainly shock'd the designs of Hugh Capet, who was preparing his way to the Throne. For we must consider that Charles was the only obstacle, Lotaire having but one Son, weak both in Age and understanding, and of very small hopes.

Besides the long abode of that Prince in those Countries without coming into France, the too great affection he shewed for the Germans, who at that time were the Capital Enemies of France, as likewise some ren-counters with the King his Brother; one amongst the rest about the City of Cambray, which he defended against that King who would have plundred the Churches as he had done those of Arras: gave his Enemies occasion to decry him amongst the French.

[Year of our Lord 982] The Emperor Otho II. Died in the year 982. having before declared his Son of the same name Successor of his Estates.

LOTAIRE and LOUIS his Son in France.

OTHO III. Emperor and King of Germany and Lorraine, Aged 17 years.

CONRAD in Burgundy.

* 1.213 Upon the News of his Death Lotaire believed that Germany was going to be all in confusion and combustion by reason of the contests about the Guardianship of young Otho, who was then but seven years old: wherefore he entred Lorraine An. 983. to regain it, and took 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with Godfrey Earl thereof: but when he un∣derstood Otho was Crowned by th•• content of all the Grandees, he engaged no [Year of our Lord 982] farther, but returned home to Fran••••

[Year of our Lord 985] Two years after he rendred up the City of Verdun, gave Godfrey his liberty, and caused his Son Louis to be Crowned to Reign with him. He had already mar∣ried him to a Princess of Aquitain, named Blanche; And yet was at most not above 18 or 19. years of Age.

It is not well known of which Aquitain she was; for in that Age, and the next follow∣ing, the French comprehended Languedoc and Provence likewise under that name.

[Year of our Lord 986] This couple were ill-matched, the Woman couragious and gallant, the Hus∣band wanting vigour of mind, and perhaps of Body; in so much that she despised him, and carrying him into her own Country under colour that she could procure the conquest of it by the assistance and interest of her Kindred and Allies she plan∣ted him there, and the King his Father was forced to go and fetch him thence again.

This was a great misfortune in the Royal Family, and a greater yet that Lotaire Died the 12th Day of March in the following year of some desperate morsel, given [Year of our Lord 987] him by his own wife.

He was a Warlike Prince, active, careful of his affairs, and worthy in fine to have commanded better Subjects. He survived little more then the 45th year of his Age, and the 33th of his Reign.

LOUIS THE* 1.214 Lazy, or Sloathful, King XXXIV.

Aged about XX Years.

POPES,

• JOHN XV. Elected towards the end of An. 985. S. 10 years, 4 Months, and a half, whereof 16 Months, under this Reign.

LOUIS the Do-Nothing in France.

OTHO III.

CONRAD.

IT was divulged that at his Death he left the Guardianship of his Son to Hugh Capet, who in effect was his Cousin German. How-ever it were, Emina [Year of our Lord 986] not relying too much upon him, as it seems had resolved to carry him in the Month of June to his Grand-mother Adeleida, Widdow of Otho I. and Tutoress of Otho III. A Heroick Princess who was called the Mother of Kings.

But they did not give her the time: for the 22th of the same month, the Poor Prince ended his Life in the same manner as his Father, and by the crime of Blan∣che of Aquitain his wife. He lieth at St. Corneille of Compiegne. An Author of those times sayes that he gave his Kingdom to Hugh Capet; another, that he be∣queathed it to his wife, upon condition he should marry her.

He Reigned in all about three years, Eighteen or Twenty Months with his Fa∣ther, and sixteen Months alone.

With his Reign ended that of the* 1.215 Carlian or Carlovingnian Line, after it had lasted 236 years, and had a Succession of Eleven Kings* 1.216 taking only those of West-France; for if we reckon all the others, we shall find above thirty, without speaking of all those Princes who dismembred this Kingdom, as being issued of this August blood descended by Women.

There were sprung up three Branches of this Race, one in Italy by Lotaire I. Emperor, another in Germany by Lewis his Brother, named the Germanick, and a third in West-France by Charles the Bald. All three ended their Reigns

with a Louis, that of Italy by Louis II. great Grand-Son of Lotaire, that of Ger∣many by Louis Son of Arnold, and that of France by this Lewis the Faineant.

The Princes of this Race at their Coronation, received the Sacred Unction. They were almost ever on Horse-back and in the Field, and had their wives with [Year of our Lord 987] them. Charles Martel and Pepin, when they were at rest and peace, held their re∣sidence at Paris and thereabout, Charlemain at Aix-la-Chapelle, the Debonnaire in the same place, or at Thionville, Charles the Bald at Soissons and at Compiegne, Eudes at Paris, Charles the Simple at Reims, Lewis Transmarine at Laon.

If we consider the causes of the ruine of this Race or Line, we shall meet with five or six principal ones. 1. The division of the main Body of the Estate into divers Kingdoms, which was necessarily followed by Discords and Civil-Warrs between the Brothers. 2. The irregular Love the Debonnaire had for his too dear Son Charles the Bald. 3. The imbecillity of most part of these Princes, there not ha∣ving been amongst all of them above five or six who were furnished with Sence and Courage together. 4. The ravages and inroads of the Normans who ransacked France for Four-score years together, and favoured the attempts of the great Lords. 5. The multitude of Bastard Children which Charlemaine had, who plaid the So∣veraigns in those Countries allotted them for their subsistance. 6. And if we will believe the Clergy, the Curse of God, which fell upon those Princes, because they gave the Churches goods to their Lay-officers and their Soldiers of Fortune.

7. One may add that this Tree bearing no more good Fruit, God would pluck it up to plant another in its place, infinitely more fair and more fertile, whose duration shall be extended to the end of time, and it's renown and glory to the ends of all the Earth.

End of the Second Race or Line.

THE THIRD RACE OR LINE Of the KINGS of FRANCE, Called the Capetine Race, or of the Capets.

First Part.

Hugh Capet, King XXXV.

POPES,

• JOHN XV. S. Eight years and an half during this Reign.
• GREGORY V. Elected in June 996. S. Two years eight months, whereof some months under this Reign.

* 1.217 HUGH CAPET, Aged Forty four or Forty five years.

[Year of our Lord 987] THere was none of the Carolovinian Race remaining but Charles Duke of Lorrain. This Prince was absent, of little Merit, and very ill in the minds of the French. Hugh Capet on the contrary was in the heart of the Kingdom, Powerful and Esteemed; He held the Dutchy of Burgundy by Henry his Brother, that of Normandy by Duke Richard his Nephew, and that of France, with the Counties of Paris and Orleance in his own hands. Besides he had a Party made; so that having Assembled the Lords in the City of Noyon, he prevailed to be Elected and Proclaimed King about the end of the month of May. From thence he went to Reims to receive the Unction and the Crown from the hands of the Archbishop Adalberon, who invested him the Third of July; Not one of all those that were present at Noyon, and at that Ceremony claiming for Charles, but on the contrary all giving their Oaths in Writing as well as by Word of Mouth to his Enemy.

One might say, that this poor Prince had destituted, or deprived himself, by ren∣dring himself a Stranger, and that this Estate could not suffer or admit a Head that was Vassal to another King. Hugh might also make use of the Testament which King

Lewis made in his favour: but his best Right and Title was the general consent of the French People.

[Year of our Lord 987, &c.] After his being first Crowned, he never put the Crown more upon his Head during his whole life time, because it having been predicted to him by Divine Revelation, That his Race should hold the Kingdom for seven Generations, he thought to pro∣long that Honour one Degree more, by not wearing himself the Regal Ornaments, that so he might not be reckoned one of the seven. He did not know the number seven in Sacred Language, signifies an extent to all Ages.

You must observe, that from about the time of Charles the Simple, under the name of the Kingdom of France were comprehended that of Neustria, that of A∣quitain, and that of Burgundy, at least that part of it which lies on this side the Saon; and therefore when those Kings would be Crowned, they were fain to call together the Lords of all these three. For this reason perhaps it was, that the first Capetine Kings having joyned them all under one Title, took likewise upon them the Quality of Emperors; unless we should say, they did so not to seem inferior to the German Kings: but either by some Treaty, or upon some other Condition to us unknown, they quitted it, and contented themselves with that of King.

[Year of our Lord 987] The same year Geofrey called Grise-Gonelle, Earl of Anjou, ended his days. His Son Fulk surnamed Nerra was his Successor.

Hugh Capet six months after his Coronation, desiring to have an Assistant, obtained in an Assembly of French Lords, which was held at Orleance, that his Son named Robert, should be Associated in the Throne with him. He was Crowned in the same [Year of our Lord 988] City the first day of January in the year 988.

HUGH CAPET, and ROBERT his Son Aged about Sixteen years.

IT is to be presumed, that Prince Charles did not omit to present himself to have or demand the Crown: but being come too late, he was rejected by the French, so that he betook himself to Arms, to resume his pretended Right.

Amongst all the Lords of the Kingdom, there were only Arnold Earl of Flanders, and Hebert Earl of Champagne, his Wives Father, that assisted him: but the first died this year, having been ill handled by Capet, and Hebert durst not proceed to act any farther for his Son-in-Law, but under-hand.

Mean time the young King Robert Married Lutgarde the Widow of the Earl of [Year of our Lord 988] Flanders, though she were already very aged, and he not yet above Seventeen years old.

Duke Charles had a Bastard Brother named Arnold, who was a Clerk in the Church of Loan: by his means he seized upon that City and upon the Archbishop Ancelin-Auberon * 1.218. This Ancelin was a very subtil Man, but without Faith, who to regain his liberty, pretended to be come wholly his Friend, and wrought so upon his Mind, that he made him the first of his Council.

[Year of our Lord 988] The new King knowing that Charles was in Laon, came presently to besiege him, re••olved to take it by Famine. In the length of the Siege, his Men not standing carefully upon their Guard, Charles made a stout Sally, put them to the rout, burnt their Lodgments, and forced them to retire; Then made himself Master of Reims and Soissons.

But suffering this heat of good success to grow cool, few People declared for him, and even the Archbishop of Reims whom he importuned to Crown him, told him that he could not do it of his own head, and that it was a publick Business, that is to say, it required the Consent of the Lords of the Kingdom.

[Year of our Lord 989] It was greatly Hugh's interest to gain Arnold Bastard Brother of Duke Charles to his Party; To this end he gives him the Archbishoprick of Reims, which was vacant by the death of Aldaberon, having first taken an Oath from him in Writing: but six months after his being in that Town, Charles his Brother was introduced there, and made himself Master by means of a Priest named* 1.219 Aldager, and in Con∣federacy, as was thought, with the Archbishop; who notwithstanding, ever denied it, and remained Prisoner in the hands of Charles, either really or at least pre∣tended.

[Year of our Lord 990] At the same time William III. Earl of Poictou and Duke of Aquitain refused to acknowledge the two Kings Capet and Robert, though he were Uncle to Robert by

the Mother, openly accusing the French of Perfidiousness, and their having abandoned the Line and Blood of Charlemaine. Both the Kings marched that way to bring him to Obedience, and besieged Poitiers. He repulsed them smartly, pursues them to the Loire; and there happens a bloody Engagement, but the conclusion was to the Advantage of the French.

[Year of our Lord 991] The year ensuing this Duke made War upon the Count of Anjou, for Mirebalais and Loudunois, and did so roughly handle him, that in the end he was constrained to acknowledge him and hold them in Fief of him.

[Year of our Lord 991] Charles living in too great security at Laon, and with too much confidence in An∣celin, King Hugh gained that Traitor; who like another Judas, upon Holy-Thursday-night opened the Gates, and delivered the poor Prince and his Wife up to him. He sent them away Prisoners to Senlis, and from thence to Orleance, where they were shut up in a Tower.

[Year of our Lord 992] The Archbishop Arnold his Brother was taken with him. The Bishops of France Assembled in Council at Reims, made his Process as one that was guilty of Perjury, and who had broken his Faith to King Hugh, and therefore degraded him of his Pre∣lature; after which the King sent him Prisoner to Orleance to keep his Brother com∣pany.

Gerbert a Benedictine Monk, who had been Tutor to the Emperor Otho III. and to King Robert, was chosen in his place. He was so Learned for those times, particu∣larly in the Mathematicks, that it gave him the Reputation of a Magician amongst the ignorant.

[Year of our Lord 993] Anno 993. William III. Duke of Aquitain made Peace with the King, and owned to hold his Lands of him. But another William Duke of Gascongne kept himself still independent. He it was who having gained a memorable Battle against a Fleet of Normands landed in Gascongny towards the end of this Century, and believing he ob∣tained that Advantage by the intercession of St. Sever, who was said to have appeared that day on a white Horse with glittering Arms fighting against the Barbarians, put his Dukedom under the protection of that glorious Martyr, and Erected a Church and Abby over his Tomb; round about which Edifice is built that City called St. Sever, Cape of Gascongny.

Many believe, but without any certain proofs, that Hugh Capet confirmed the In∣heritance of all the great Estates, Dutchies and Earldoms to those Lords that had usurped them; and it is probable that they themselves had first given such as de∣pended upon them, to their own Vassals, thereby to engage them to maintain and justifie them in their Usurpations.

It is certain he annexed to the Crown, which had scarce any thing left in Propriety, the Earldom of Paris, the Dukedom of France, containing all that is between the Loire and Seine, and the Earldom of Orleance.

Amongst a very great number of Lords who enjoy'd of the Regal Rights, the Eight most considerable were the Dukes of Burgundy, Normandy, Aquitain, and Gascongne, (Bretagne then held of Normandy) the Earls of Flanders, of Champagne and Thou∣louze; This last was likewise Duke of Septimania and Marquiss of Gothia; the Earl of Barcelonna in the Marches of Spain, and the Earl of Anjou on the Frontiers of Bre∣tagne, this held of the Dutchy of France. All these Lords had a great many more besides who took upon them to be Soveraigns.

I do not speak of the Estates that were set up in the Kingdom of Lorrain: amongst others the two Dutchy's that bare that name, to wit the higher or Mosellanick, which retains it to this day, and the lower which is Brabant; Nor of those that were framed out of the Ruines of the Kingdom of Arles, and that of Transjurane, as the Earldom of Burgundy, those of Viennois, Provence, and Savoy, Daufine, the Duke∣doms of Zeringhen and Alman, and divers others, because those Countries were not of France, but held of the Emperors of Germany, who were Titularies of those two Kingdoms.

The Grandees of the Kingdom thought that Capet ought to suffer all from them, because they had set the Crown upon his Head: His Patience and Courage, which he exercised diversly according as occasion required, kept them from running to extre∣mity, and maintained him in his Throne.

One Adelbert Count de la Marche and Perigord was one of the most unruly, and concerned himself in all their Quarrels. Fulk Nerra had some Pretensions to the City of Tours; he besieged it in his behalf. The King sent and commanded him to desist; Adelbert would do nothing; and asking him, Who was it that made you a Count? He insolently replied, Those same that made you a King, continued the Siege, and took the Town.

[Year of our Lord 993] This year was memorable for the death of Conrad King of Burgundy, William III. Duke of Aquitain, and Hebert Count of Meaux and Troyes. Conrad left his Estate to his Son Roldolph called the Faineant or Do-nothing, William left his likewise to his Son of his own name, but surnamed Fierabras; and the third dying without Chil∣dren, to Eudes his Brother, Earl of Chartres and Tours: who was the first that in∣titled himself Earl of Champagne.

William IV. of that name, Earl of Toulouse and of Arles, turned Monk, and his Son William V. succeeded him.

After the death of the Count of Poitou, his Son being yet but young, found his Country in Combustion, by the Rebellion of many of his Vassals, especially Adelbert who besieged Poitiers, and made divers other Enterprizes: but in the end he met with that fate which attends the Factious, being slain at the Siege of a small Castle. Boson his Fathers Brother succeeded in his Dominions.

[Year of our Lord 994, & 95.] The Pope could not suffer their having Deposed the Archbishop Arnold without his Authority, which the Bishops of France believed to be in their own power. He therefore took this Business mightily to heart, and dispatched the Abbot Leon to France, with an order to the Prelates to Assemble in Council about that Affair, and to Seguin Archbishop of Sens, to Represent his Person amongst them.

[Year of our Lord 994] Hugh complained, opposed it, and held good some time against this Enterprize; But a new born Royalty could not but comply and yield at last to those Orders, for fear of being quickly tumbled down again. The Council which was held at Reims deposed Gerbert, and restored Arnold to his See after three years imprisonment Gerbert withdrew himself to his Disciple King Otho, who bestowed upon him the Archbishoprick of Ranonna, from whence some years after he was raised to the Holy Chair.

[Year of our Lord 994] In the year 994. the unhappy Charles died in Prison at Orleance. It is not said what became of his Wife, but he two Sons, Otho and Lewis; and two Daughters, Gerberge and Hermengarde. All these Children went to the Emperor Otho III. The eldest enjoyed the Dutchy of the lower Lorrain some years, and died without Heirs. The other is not mentioned. Hereafter we shall take notice to whom his Daughters were Married.

[Year of our Lord 994, and the following.] King Hugh as well as Pepin, and all such Princes as set up by a new Title amongst People that are not perfectly Barbarians, was truly Religious, Devout, and a lover of the Church and Church-men, gave up all the Abbies he held, and surrendred the Right of Election to the Clergy and Monks.

By his Example those Lords that possessed Church-Lands, as their own Patrimony: not only restored them, but for Restitution of their unjust Enjoyment and Detention, founded divers Monasteries which they peopled with reformed Monks: who certainly were much less good and more interested, then the former had been.

[Year of our Lord 996] He ended his Life Anno 996. the 29th of August, or according to others the 22th of November, aged about Fifty five years, having Reigned nine years and some months. He was buried at St. Denis. If he Married Blanche, the Widow of Lewis last Caro∣lovinian King, he had no Children by her: but by his first Wife Adeleide, Daughter, according to some, of William II. Duke of Aquitain, he had a Son named Robert, and three Daughters, Haduige or Avoye Wise of Renier IV. Earl of Monts and of Haynault, Adelais Wife to Renand I. Earl of Nevers, and Gisle who Wedded Hugh I. Earl of Pontieu, to whom she brought the City of Abbeville in Marriage.

[Year of our Lord 996] The same year 996. Richard surnamed Sans Peur, or without Fear, Duke of Normandy, ended his days in his Palace of F••scamp, aged Sixty four years, of which he had Reigned nine, and was Interred before the Portal of the Church there: His Son Richard II. succeeded him.

About these times, that Sacred Fire which they named the Burning* 1.220 Sickness, and had otherwhile made great destruction, broke out and kindled again, cruelly tor∣menting France, especially for two Ages. It seized again on a suddain, and burnt the Intrails, or some other part of the Body, which fell off piece-meal. Happy were those that escaped with the loss of a Leg or an Arm. This caused many great Dona∣tives to be given to those Saints whose help they believed they had received in the midst of their dreadful Torments: as likewise the frequent sounding of Hospitals for such as were infected with this Distemper.

The Calamity, which Anno 994. destroyed in Aquitain, Angoumois, Perigord, and Limosin, above 40000 Persons in a few days time, wrought at least this good, that the Grandees who had troubled this Province by their private Feuds, fearing the Wrath of God, made a Solemn Oath amongst themselves, to do Justice to their

Subjects, and for this end formed a Holy League, which drew other Provinces by their Example to do the like,

It was likewise in this Age that Pilgrimages to the Holy Land grew very Frequent; I mean amongst the Seculars, for the Monks and Clergy-men travelled to those Holy Places from the time of King Clovis.

* 1.221 If the Tenth have deserved the name of the Iron Age, which is commonly bestow'd upon it, must have been for the continual and very Bloody Wars, between the Western Princes, and for the terrible Devastations of the Normans, the Hungarians, and the Saracens, but if they called it so for the ignorance and irregularity of their Manners, it was rather in respect to the Church of Rome, where in truth there were horrible Disorders and Crimes, then those of France and Germany.

It is certain that the Bishops and Abbots notwithstanding the Prohibitions of Princes and Councils bore Arms and went to the Wars; a Custom which passed into a Law and Obligation, and lasted a long time in the third Race; That several were plunged into Vanity, Luxury, and Dissolution, and lived rather like Princes of this World, then Apostles of Jesus Christ; That those Wars which scourged them, made them yet but more worthy of Chastisement, for the Disorders and Licentiousness they fell into; That their Manners run to ruine with their Buildings; and that as there hardly re∣mained any Monastery or Church entire, so there was scarce any Discipline left, not even amongst the very Monks That, in fine, many Churches were without a Pastor; for example, there was but one Bishop in all the Country of Gascongny, who enjoyed the Revenue of six or seven Bishopricks.

But after all these Ruines, they began, before the middle of this Century, to gather up the broken pieces or fragments, and reform the behaviour of the Clergy, as well as rebuild their Churches. William Duke of Aquitain and Auvergne, having founded the Monastery of Clugny in the year 910. and St. Mayeule having raised, as it were a Nur∣sery of Religious good Men, they took some Plants from thence to stock and furnish those Abbys which the Princes re-edifi'd. This Abbot and Odillon his Successor fur∣nished at least twenty or thirty, who remained still in submission to their common Mo∣ther, and formed the Congregation of Clugny. As much did William Abbot of St. Benigne at Dijon; as likewise Abbon de Fleury, to some others about Aquitain; Subor∣dinations which may procure much good, and perhaps much greater evils. St. Gerard of the Blood of the Dukes of Lorrain, having embraced a Monastick Life, reformed Eighteen or twenty. Adalberon Bishop of Metz, Brother to Frederic first Earlo Bar, made a Regulation in those of his Bishoprick, amongst others in that of Gorze, and at St. Arnold, from whence he expelled the Canons who were grown disorderly, to place Monks in their stead.

Abbon de Fleury going to settle his Reformation in the Monasteries of Squirs upon the Garonne, which therefore was called the Rule, and in the Language of that Coun∣try, La Reovle, and near to which was built a City of that name: was knock'd down by a Sedition which the Gascon Monks of that place, and the Women had raised a∣gainst him.

Amongst the Bishops there were divers that were noted for their famous Intriguing and Disorders. In the Wars between the Kings, Henry the Bird-catcher, and Charles the Simple, Hilduin falsifying his Faith, which he owed to Charles, who had given him the Bishoprick of Liege, went and acknowledged Henry, and forced away the Treasures of the Church, which he distributed to that Prince and his Courtiers, to maintain him: but the face of Affairs being changed, Charles would not suffer him to hold that Bishoprick, but bestowed it upon the Abbot Richer, which was confirmed by the Pope. King Henry recompenced Hilduin with the Bishoprick of Milan. Herve de Reims, otherwise a very learned Prelate, was likewise unfaithful to Charles the Simple, whose Chancellor he was, and Crowned Robert Brother to Eudes: but he died within three days after, as if he had been smitten by the avenging hand of God. Seulfe, Hugh, and Artold his Successors, did all cause many troubles for more then Twenty five years. The Traytor Adalberon de Laon delivered up Prince Charles, who had made him his prime Minister; and Arnold de Reims was contented to owe the Obligation of that Archbishoprick to his Brothers mortal Enemy, and then broke his Faith with him.

* 1.222 It will be difficult to cull out any so excelling in Christian Vertues, as to merit the Titles of Saints; unless we place in this Rank Erembert of Toulouze, Gambert of Cahors, and Turpion of Limoges. I do not speak of those of Germany; amongst them this Age produced a sufficient number, whose Apostolical Labours and Endeavours converted the Danes, Sclavonians, Hungarians, and other Infidel Nations. But a∣mongst the Monks, we find in Burgundy five Abbots, Bennon, Odon, Mayeule, Odillon

and William, the four first of Clugity, the last of St. Benigne, and in Lorrain Gerard, who are respected by the Church.

Books were become mighty scarce, the Wars had almost destroy'd them all by burning, tearing, and other such like barbarities; and as there were none but Monks who Transcribed the Copies, and that Monasteries were much deserted, the numbers of Learned Men were very small. However Herve of Reims about the beginning of this Age, Ruthier de Liege about the middle, and Arnold d'Orleans towards the latter end, made it appear they were not ignorant in the knowledge of Holy Scripture, and the Canons and Usages of the Church. Aymoin a Monk of Fleury, Frodoard Abbot of St. Bemy of Reims, and Dudon Dean of St. Quentin, wrote of History; and Gerbert passed for a Prodigy of Science. He had been bred young in the Monastery of Orillac, and going into Spain, he was by the Recommendation of Borel Count of Barcellonna instructed in the Mathematicks, either by Bishop Hutton, or by some Arabian Doctors. He was afterwards Rector or School master in the City of Reims, (and perhaps he was the first that taught it in France) where for Scholars he had Prince Robert Son of Hugh Capet, Leoterick Archbishop of Sens, and Fulbert Bishop of Chartres; After which he had also the honour to teach Otho III. We know how he was raised to the See of the Church of Reims by Hugh Capet, then to that of Ravenna by Otho, and at length to that of Rome by the name of Silvester II.

* 1.223 As for the Councils of the Gallican Church, the first that I find in this Century, is that of Trosly, Anno 909. Trosly is in the Diocess of Soissons,* 1.224 and pretty near that City; Herve Archbishop of Reims was President.

There are fifteen Chapters, which are as so many warm Exhortations and excellent Sermons, against all the Abuses and enormous Crimes, that had* 1.225 over-whelmed France, where the weak were become a prey to the stronger, where the Laws were made a snare and burthen by the violence of particular powers; for which reason God had, to the plague of War, added that o•• Barrenness and Famine, caused by a most horrible Drought.

Anno 921. King Charles the Simple Convoked one or Sixteen Bishops for the bu∣siness of Hilduin whom he had thrust out of the Bishoprick of Liege. I neither find the Place nor the Acts.

There were three more at Trosly, one in 921. where Erleband Earl of Castrice, who had been Excommunicated by the Archbishop Herve for invading what belonged to the Church of Reims, was absolved after his death upon the intreaty of King Charles, by the same Archbishop. Another, Anno 924. wherein Isaac Earl of Cambray having given satisfaction for some wrongs to Stephen his Bishop, was absolved and reconciled to him. The third, Anno 927. of six Bishops called by Count Hebert of Vermandois, Mangre King Rodolph, where Herluin Earl of Monstreuil was admitted to Pennance for having Married a second Wife, his first being yet alive.

In the year 923. there was one in the Diocess of Reims, the place is not named, which ordained those that had born Arms in the Wars betwixt King Charles and King Robert, to do Peunance for three whole Lents, three several years consecutively, and also fifteen days before the Feast of St. John, and fifteen days after it, fasting all the Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays during that space of time, and besides all the Saturdays throughout the whole year with Bread and Water only, unless they bought it off. The first time of this Pennance in Lent, they were to stay out of the Church, and at the last to be reconciled upon Holy-Thursday.

The Council of Duisburgh, Anno 928. Excommunicated the Factious Party of Mets who had put out the Eyes of their Bishop Bennon; after which King Henry the Bird-catcher severely Revenged that villanous act of theirs, and made it fall upon their own heads.

That at the Abby of Cherlien in 926. and that of Fimes in 935. endeavoured to re∣pair the Desolations of the Holy Places ruined by Robbers and other such wicked People.

The Debate for the Archbishoprick of Reims between Artold* 1.226, and Hugh the Son of Hebert Earl of Vermandois, was an occasion of calling divers Councils. Hugh having been advanced to that See too young and against the Canons, was deposed, and Artold placed in his stead. But Anno 940. Artold had renounced, and made Solemn Oath not to intermeddle any more in the government of that Church. Thereupon a Council called at Soissons in the year 941. by Hugh and Hebert, destituted him, and re-establisht Hugh. On the contrary that of Verdun, Anno 947. restored him. That of Mouson in 948. confirmed him: and that of Ingelbeim the same year where the Kings, Lewis Transmarine and Otho l. were present, Excommunicated the Bishop Hugh of Vermandois, and resolved to Treat Count* 1.227 Hugh in the same manner,

who being a Rebel to his Prince had held him Prisoner a year, if he did not come and give satisfaction.

The same year that of Treues, where Marin the Popes Legat presided, confirmed the Sentence against the two Hughes, and thundred against the Bishops irregularly Ordained by Hugh of Vermandois.

Artold being dead, Anno 961. some Bishops Assembled together near Meaux, the year following, to contrive some Method to bring Hugh in again to that See: but considering that a small number could not undo, what had been done by a greater, and that they had notice from the Pope to clear their doubts, that he had Excommunicated him in a Council held at Rome Anno 949. they broke up without proceeding any farther.

That of Reims in 975. wherein presided Stephen Deacon to Bennet V. Pope, and Adolberon of Reims, Excommunicated Thibauld who had usurped the See of Amiens.

In 983. that of Mount St. Mary in the Diocess of Reims, where Adalberon pre∣sided, confirmed the Decree made by that Bishop, to put Monks into the Monastery of Mouson, in the stead of those Canons that were there. In the foregoing Age, in many places the Canons were more desired; The Humour was changed in this.

Gerbert solliciting with heat to have Arnold de Reims his Process made, a Council was called in that same City Anno 992. where his Credit and the vehement Elo∣quence of Arnold d'Orleans carrying it against the Remonstrances of Abbon Abbot of Fleury, and the Sentiment of Seguin de Sens who was President, Arnold was deposed and Gerbert instaled in his See. The Pope believing it intrenched upon his Authority if he suffer'd them to undertake this without his Order, sent a Legat into France the year ensuing, who first called together some Bishops at Monson, then a greater number at Reims, where Seguin representing the Person of the Pope, it was said that Gerbert should be deposed and Arnold restored: but this last being a Prisoner at Orleans, Gerbert disputed it, and stood his ground yet for some time; and appealed to the Pope, who grew more stubborn and stiff in favour of Arnold, and forced the King by the threatnings of a terrible Excommunication to release him and suffer him to enjoy his Bishoprick.

Robert, King XXXVI.

POPES,

• GREGORY V. About two years under this Reign.
• SILVESTER II. Elected in March 999. S. Four years and two Months.
• JOHN XVIII. Elected in May 1003. S. Five Months.
• JOHN XIX. Elected in Novem. 1003. S. Five years ten Months.
• SERGIUS IV. Elected in Aug. 1009. S. Two years eight Months, and an half.
• BENEDICT VIII. Elected in 1012. S. near Twelve years.
• JOHN XX. Elected in March 1024. S. Nine years eight Months.

ROBERT, King XXXVI▪ Aged Twenty four or Twenty five years.

THis King compleat both in Body and Mind, of a handsom Stature, a sweet and grave Air, a composed and sage Humour, having been nurtur'd to Piety and good Learning by Gerbert, became very knowing for that Age, much more Religious and Zealous in the Service of God, and as Just, Charitable, and Debonnaire towards his People, as any Prince that ever wore a Crown. And indeed God favour'd his Reign with the choicest Blessing he is wont to bestow upon those Kings who are according to his own Heart, I mean with a long and happy Peace, which he enjoy'd near Thirty years, after some slight and petty Wars.

[Year of our Lord 996] This year 996. died Richard I. Duke of Normandy, who was past his Seventieth year; He left his Dukedom to his Son Richard II. surnamed the Good.

[Year of our Lord 997, & 98.] William Earl of Poitou and Duke of Aquitain, having War with Boson II. Earl of Perigord and de la Marche, Robert was obliged to assist him as his Kindred and Vassal. They both laid Siege to the Castle of Belac: but their Army wanting Provisions, be∣cause they were too numerous, could not subsist till the taking of the Place. The Chronicles of those times who are all very succinct, do not give an account of the end of that War, no more then of many other things.

Eudes Earl of Brie and Champagne prompted with great desire to have a passage [Year of our Lord 999] over the Seine as he had already over the Marne, thereby to go commodiously from Brie to his County of Chartres, cast his Eyes upon Melun, and with Money gained the Vicount or Castellaine belonging to Earl Bouchard, who deliver'd it up to him.

Bouchard had been the favourite of Hugh Capet, who had given him that Earldom, and he was yet at this time Count Palatine for King Robert. Wherefore this King took in hand his defence, sent Richard II. Duke of Normandy his Cousin and good Friend, and with him besieged the place. The Battery with their* 1.228 Engines having made a Breach, the Garrison surrendred upon Composition: the Castellaine and his Wife were both Hanged on the top of a Hill near the place.

They did not punish Gentlemen with Death for Rebellion or Felony, unless they committed Treason; but in that case they hanged them in some eminent Place, that Crime degrading them of all Nobility.

[Year of our Lord 999] Poland was honoured with the Title of a Kingdom by the Emperor Otho III. who going to Gnesne to Visit the Sepulchre of St. Adalbert Martyr, gave the Regal Ornaments to Duke Boleslaus.

The following year Hungary had the same Advantage and Honour, but would receive it from the hands of the Pope, to whom Prince Stephen the Son of Geisa, who first embraced Christianity, sent to demand the Royal Crown. [Year of our Lord 1000]

* 1.229 Towards the end of January in the year 1002. the Emperor Otho, aged but Twenty nine years died in the City of Rome, or in Paterna, not leaving any Children. It was believed to be of Poyson; the cursed practise thereof being much in use, as I have observed in this Age, thorough all the West. Henry II. of that name, called the Cripple, Duke of Bavaria and Earl of Bamberg, succeeded him by an Election of the German Princes, but did not bear the Title of Emperor, at least not in Italy, till he had been Crowned by the Pope, which was Twelve years afterwards.

[Year of our Lord 1002] The degrees of Parentage wherein Marriage was prohibited, having been ex∣tended to the Seventh, besides the obstructions from Spiritual Alliance or Gossipship, caused much Broil especially amongst Princes and Grandees, who commonly are of Kin to one another, even within that degree. For so soon as a Husband or a Wife were disgusted with each other, or that any one had a mind to trouble them, they needed but to Article and make Oath they were of Kin within the degrees forbidden, and produce Witnesses upon it, (to the number of nine, as I believe) which were not wanting, or difficult to get; and thereupon the Diocesan Bishop, or an Assembly of Bishops, if there were any greater difficulty, pronounced Judgment.

[Year of our Lord 1003] Now Queen Lutgard the first Wife of Robert being dead, he was advised, by Maxims of Policy, to Wed Bertha Sister to Rodolph the* 1.230 Lazy King of Burgundy, Widow of Eudes I Earl of Chartres, and Mother of Eudes II. as yet but young. She being of Kin in the fourth Degree, and besides he having held a Child with her at the Font; he thought he might prevent the inconveniency of nullity of Marriage by the Authority of the Gallican Church: he called therefore his Bishops together, who having heard his Reasons, were of opinion upon consideration of the publick good, that he might take her for his Wife notwithstanding the Canonical Obstructi∣ons; which was a kind of Dispensation.

Abbon who was Abbot of Fleury, a vehement Man, not having been able to dis∣suade him from this match, bestirr'd himself with much heat to have it dissolved. The Pope, to whom Robert had made no Application, Excommunicated the Bishops that had authorized it, and the two Parties that were Contracted, if they did not separate forthwith.

[Year of our Lord 1003] The King not giving Obedience to a Sentence which appeared to him contrary to the good of his Kingdom, the Pope by an unheard-of Proceeding put the whole Nation under an Interdiction. To which the People so humbly submitted, that all the Kings Domestick Servants, excepting only two or three, forsook him, and they threw whatsoever was left at his Table to the Dogs, no body thinking it lawful to cat of that Meat he had but touched.

These Severities, and not a Monstrous Birth by his Wife, whom the Miracle∣mongers say was delivered of an Infant with the Neck and Feet resembling a Goose, con∣strained him to part from her, but that was not till two or three years after; and we find that they made a Journey to Rome, either to defend their Cause before the Pope, [Year of our Lord 1006] or to crave his Pardon. However it were the Marriage remained Null.

I cannot forget one memorable Example of the Soveraign Power, and the extream Rigour of the Pope, it was Silvester II. Guy Vicount of Limoges was cited to Rome by the Bishop of Angoulesme, because he had detained him Prisoner in a Castle. The two Parties appeared. The Cause pleaded upon the very Easter-day, the Pope pro∣nounced that Guy for Reparation of his Crime, should be tied to the Necks of two Wild-horses, and his Body thus torn and bruised, thrown on the Dung-hill, which was to be put in Execution three days after. In the mean time Guy was deli∣vered up into the hands of the Bishop; but the Prelat being moved with pity par∣doned him, and stealing away in the night, generously brought him thence into France again with him.

About this time Henry Duke of Burgundy Brother of Hugh Capet, died without Children. Now by the induction of Giselle his Wife, Widow of Adelbert, as above, King of Italy and Son of Berenger II. he left his Dakedom by Will and Testament, to Otho-William surnamed the Stranger, issue of that Woman by her first Husband, [Year of our Lord 1003] who finding himself already Earl of Burgundy beyond Soane, named Franche-Comte, and besides assisted by Landry Earl of Nevers his Son-in-Law, and Brunon Bishop

of Langres, whose Sister he had Married, took possession of all Burgundy by vertue of that Grant.

But King Robert, to whom this Dukedom belonged lawfully, as Heir to his Uncle, led a powerful Army thither, with the aid of Richard II. Duke of Normandy, sup∣pressed the Usurpers Faction, took Auxerre by Composition, and Avalon by Battery; the Walls, as 'tis said, falling down miraculously before him; and at length forced out Otho-William and confined him beyond the Saone, where he became the Stock of the Earls of* 1.231 Burgundy.

[Year of our Lord 1004] Otho Son of Prince Charles, Duke of the Lower Lorrain, being dead without ever Marrying, King Henry gave his Dukedom to Godfrey Count of Verdun, Bouillon and Ardenne, without any regard to the Sisters of the Defunct who were Married, Gerberge to Lambert Earl of Brabant, and Hermengarde to Lambert Earl of Namur. From these issued the Dukes of Brabaut, and the Earls of Namur.

[Year of our Lord 1005, &c.] Baldwin Earl of Flanders already an Enemy to the Emperor, undertook the* 1.232 Quarrel of these Daughters. The Emperor came to the Relief of Godfrey whom he had invested with this Fief; and the King of France embraced Baldwin's Party who was his Vassal. The Emperor in vain besieged Valenciennes and then Gaunt: Finally this War being made at the Charge and Expence of the Flemming, he agreed with the Emperor and restored Valenciennes.

[Year of our Lord 1008] Afterwards the Emperor desiring to make use of his Valour in the great Troubles brought upon him by the Rebellion of the German Princes, gave him that City again, and withall the Island of Walcheren being part of Zeland: whence proceeded a long and bloody Contest between the Flemmings and the Hollanders, these pretend∣ing that Zeland appertained to them, by vertue of a certain Grant which they alledged had been made to them by the Emperor Lotrire Son of Lewis the De∣bonnaire.

[Year of our Lord 1007] I think we ought to place in the year 1007. the Marriage of Robert with Con∣stance surnamed Blanch Daughter of William V. Earl of Arles, Provence, and Tou∣louze; a Beautiful Princess, but Haughty, Capricious, and Insupportable.

We must observe that the Authors of those times frequently called Provence, Aquitain, whether out of ignorance, or because of its City of Aix, Aquae Sextiae.

[Year of our Lord 1009] The Saracens at the instigation of the Jews in France demolish the Temple of Jerusalem and the Holy Sepulchre; which re-inflames the Devotion of the Western Christians, and their hatred against the Jews, whom they Banish or knock on the Head every where.

[Year of our Lord 1009, 10, &c.] The good King Robert addicted himself intirely to works of Piety, Charity, Mercy and Justice, re-edified old Churches, or built new ones, and fed great numbers of poor People in all the Cities throughout his Kingdom. He kept above Two hun∣dred in his House whom he led every where; having no aversion to see them even under his Table, to touch their Ulcers, and make the Sign of the Cross over them, [ ☞.] whereby they were oftentimes made whole.

He delighted to Sing in the Quire, and Compose Words and Notes for the Songs and Responses, in honour of God or his Saints. The Church hath preserved some of them which they make use of to this day.

This year 1012. was seen towards the farther Southern parts, a Star of an extraordi∣nary magnitude, which seemed to dart its bright Rays into the beholders Eyes. It ap∣peared for three months together, sometimes contracting its self, other while seeming much greater, as if it took new Fire, then again as it were quite extinguished. Anno 1003. a Comet had likewise been observed which kept near the Sun, and appeared but seldom, which was about the break of day. Eight years before, viz. Anno 995. another had been observed upon St. Laurences-day; And in 981. also another yet about Autumn. Which I take notice of to shew that these Phenomena are not so rare as to make so much noise about them.

[Year of our Lord 1013] The King having bestowed the Archbishoprick of Bourges upon Goslin his Natural Son Abbot of Floury, the Clergy of that Church made great opposition, saying, That the Holy Canons admitted no Bastards to the Prelacy: Which occasioned many Tumults, that were not allaied till five years afterwards.

The Earl of Sens, Raynard II. of that name, called the Bad* 1.233, using much violence against Leoteric his Archbishop and all the Clergy within his Territory, the [Year of our Lord 1015] King besieged his City and took it, deprived him of his Earldom, and rejoyned it to his Demeasns.

The Burgundians having Rebell'd, and divers Lords plundering and committing Robberies in the Province by means of their Castles and Fortified places, the King [Year of our Lord 1015] went thither and pulled down and destroy'd all those Nests and Dens of Thieves.

His eldest Son whose name was Hugh, a Prince accomplish'd both in Mind and Body, giving very great hopes, though he were not yet Ten years old: He caused him to be Crowned at Compiegne on the day of Pentecost in the year 1017. and after∣wards his name was put to all Acts with that of his Fathers. [Year of our Lord 1017]

ROBERT, and HUGH his Son.

[Year of our Lord 1018] THe Duke of Aquitain at his return from his third, or fourth Pilgrimage to Rome (those that made most were the most esteemed) found his Country enriched with a new Treasure. The Abbot of St. John's de Angery having lighted on the Scull of a Man in a Wall, the Report was spread that it was the Head of St. John Baptist. The People of France, Lorrain, and Germany, who in those days ran with much Zeal after all sorts of Relicks, flocked thither from all parts: King Robert, the Queen, the Duke of Normandy, and a great number of other Lords, brought their Offerings thither. The Kings was a Scollop-shell of Gold which weighed Thirty pounds; an admirable Present in such times when Gold and Silver were fifty times more scarce then in our Age.

The Danes or Normans beyond Seas, having not quite forgotten their custom of Piracy, did yet sometimes make Descents in England and on the Coasts of France. They had Conquer'd a great part of England, and at last made some Kings there. This year they landed in Poitou, being perhaps informed of the great Crowds of Pilgrims that came to see the Head of St. John; and indeed they carried away a great many good Prisoners. All the Country Armed to drive them thence; The Duke of Aquitain going to attaque them, twenty or thirty of his most considerable Gentlemen fell into Holes cover'd over with Branches and green Turfs which the Normans had digged about the Avenues to their Camp. This accident disheartned the rest from going on; however the Normans fearing a ruder onset, dislodg'd in the night, and got into their Vessels: but they were forced to give them what Ransom they pleased to demand for the Prisoners they had gotten.

Gefroy* 1.234 Duke or Earl of Bretagne (for in those times the Dukes took indifferently the Titles of Earls) dying, his eldest Son Alain III. of that name succeeded him in his Dukedom, and Eudes his second had the Earldom of Pontieure in Partage. Alain espoused the Princess* 1.235 Avoise Sister of Duke Richard; and by that means Normandy and Bretagne hitherto great Enemies, were united in Alliance and Amity.

[Year of our Lord 1020, 21, &c.] There was a War begun from the year 1017. between Richard Duke of Nor∣mandy and Eudes or Odon Earl of Champagne and Chartres, because Eudes would not give up the City of Dreux granted him in Dowry with Matilda the Sister of Richard, who was lately dead: so that Richard had built the Castle of Tilleres, from whence he made incursions on the Country of Dreux. Eudes put himself in a posture to surprize the Garison, having with him the Counts Valeran de Meulan, and Hugh du Mans: but he was soundly beaten and put to the rout.

[Year of our Lord 1022] The War growing hotter he raised so many Enemies against the Norman Duke, that that Prince fearing to be overwhelmed, sent to Lagman or Lacime King of Sueden to assist him, and also Olaus King of Norway, who being landed in Bretagne, and having forced and sacked the City of Dole, marched towards the Chartrain Country. All France upon remembrance of their former Desolations, fell into an extream ap∣prehension and dread, and the King bestirr'd himself with so much activity to quench this Flame, that he brought the two Princes to an Agreement, and satisfied the Nor∣thern Kings, who returned again, after the Norwegian had received Baptism at Rouen, having the name of Robert give him at the Sacred Font.

The Emperor Henry and King Robert desiring cordially to take away all cause of difference between them, agreed upon an Interview at the River Meuse. Whilst the Courtiers on either side were making several Scruples about the Place, the Manner, and such like trivial Circumstances and Punctillios, and the two Princes on the con∣trary had it in their thoughts to outvye each other in Civility; Henry passes the River early in the morning and pleasantly surprizes Robert, who the next day repays his Visit in the same manner. Both Treated one the other Magnificently, and of∣fered each very rich Presents to the other: but Robert took only a Book being the

New-Testament, and a Reliquary or Shrine, wherein was a Tooth of the Martyr St. ••incent, which was enriched with Precious Stones: and Henry a pair of Ear-Pendants.

[Year of our Lord 1024] This last being dead at Bamberg, the German Princes elected Conrad Duke of Wormes, who could not go to Rome to receive the Imperial Crown, till the year 1027. At first the Italian Princes and Prelats hating the Teutonick Nation, who Treated them Peremptorily, ruling as it were with a Rod in hand, refused to obey, and sent into [Year of our Lord 1025] France to profer King Robert the Kingdom of Italy for his Son Hugh.

* 1.236 Upon his refusal they Addressed themselves to William Duke of Aquitain, very well known in Rome by his frequent Pilgrimages. He hearkned to the Proposal, under∣stood their Methods, sent some thither to found them throughly, and after went him∣self. When he was amongst them, he found nothing of all they had promised, every one demanding of him instead of giving to him; they propounded no Conditions but such as were very ridiculous; so that finding they had a design upon his Purse, and feared his Power, he laughed at them and left them.

The imperious and proud Humour of Queen Constance gave the King perpetual trouble and displeasures, who used all means to soften her. One day being offended and angry with a favourite of his named Hugh de Beauvais, who upheld the Husbands Spirit against her undertakings, she makes her complaint to Fulk Earl of Anjou her Cousin, intreating to Revenge her. The Count sent twelve of his own Country* 1.237 Gentlemen, who taking their opportunity when this Favourite was Hunting with the King, seized on him, and cruelly cut off his Head in the Kings presence, without any regard to his Intreaties.

[Year of our Lord 1025] The King was forced to put up this Affront for fear of a greater mischief, and withall to endure this Step-mother should Treat his Son King Hugh with the greatest indignity, even to the reducing him to much indigence of all things fit for him.

I find in the Life of this most Wife King an act of Clemency more then Royal. There having been discovery made of a grand Conspiracy against his Life and State, and the Authors taken, when the Lords were assembled together to Sentence them to Death, he caused those Wretches to be splendidly entertained, and the next day admitted to the Sacred Communion: then would needs have them be set free, saying, They could not put those to Death whom Jesus Christ had newly received at his* 1.238 Table.

This year William IV. Duke of Aquitain and Earl of Poitiers died, and his eldest Son William V. surnamed the Gross took the Goverment of his Country. The Widow Dutchess second Wife of William IV. having Children, to gain assistance against those of the first Bed, Married Geofrey Martel a most valiant Prince, the Son of Fulk Earl of Anjou.

[Year of our Lord 1025] The year after, Richard the Good Duke of Normandy ended his days, and for Suc∣cessor [Year of our Lord 1026] had Richard III. his eldest Son.

[Year of our Lord 1027] Othe-William Earl of Burgundy, left this World likewise, and his Son Renauld possessed his Estates.

An enraged Passion to govern Armed Baldwin, then surnamed the Frison, and af∣terwards the Debonnaire, against Bearded Baldwin his own Father Earl of Flanders, so that he drove him out of his Country; This unnatural Son valuing himself highly on the Alliance of King Robert, whose Daughter he had Married, but who neverthe∣less did not countenance his impiety. Richard III. Duke of Normandy (others affirm it was Robert) received the old banished Man and restored him to his Earldom: but he could not totally supress the Partialities in those Countries, where some still sided with the Son, as others stood up for the Father.

[Year of our Lord 1028] The 17th of September the young King Hugh died in the Flower of his Age, be∣moaned of all Europe for his rare and lovely Qualities, which had acquired him so great Reputation, that he could hardly have made it good if he had longer survived.

King Robert had three more Sons remaining, Henry, Robert, and Eudes. Some [Year of our Lord 1028, & 29.] say that Eudes was the eldest of them all. However it were, the King after the Death of Hugh would have Henry Crowned: but Queen Constance by a depraved* 1.239 appetite had undertaken to put Robert in the Throne.

The Fathers Authority and Reason carried it for Henry amongst the French Lords: and yet this Womans Obstinacy could not acquiesce, but caused many Tumults, her Husband not being able to prevent her even in his Life time, from contriving a great Conspiracy to dethrone the eldest, and place the younger in his stead.

ROBERT, and HENRY his Son Aged some Eighteen years.

[Year of our Lord 1029] RIchard III. Duke of Normandy having Reigned but two years, died of Poyson by by his Brother named Robert, who after his death enjoyed the Dukedom ob∣tained [Year of our Lord 1028] by Fratricide.

[Year of our Lord 1029, & 30.] In the year 1029. and 30. there began a great War between Eudes Earl of Champagne, Chartres and Tours, and Fulk Earl of Anjou, because Fulk fortified the Castle of Montrichard which Eudes said did belong to the Country of Touraine. Af∣ter some Rencounters they came to a pitched Battle, each being at the head of his Army: the loss was great on either side, but the Angevin obtained the Victory.

[Year of our Lord 1030, 31, and the following.] Though King Robert commonly permitted the liberty of Elections, yet the Bishop of Langres being dead, he by his absolute Authority substituted another, as having need of one wholly at his Devotion in that place, to help him in the bridling and containing of Burgundy. The Canons having Poysoned this, he put in a second there; which excited so great trouble amongst the Clergy of that Diocess, that he was forced to send his Son to install the last promoted, and to secure him from their Attempts.

[Year of our Lord 1033] Whilst Henry was in that Country, hapned a great Eclipse of the Sun, and Robert his Father was seized with a Distemper, whereof he died the 20th of July in the year 1033. having lived Sixty one years, of which he Reigned Forty five and an half, that was Nine and an half with his Father, and Thirty six since his death.

He had four Children living; three Sons, Henry who had the Crown, Eudes who contended with him for it, and Robert who was Duke of Burgundy: and one Daughter named Adeleida, who Married Baldwin Earl of Flanders.

It was no fault of his Government that France was not compleatly happy: he gave his Subjects what depended upon him, Justice and Peace; but had the unhap∣piness to see a Famine three times, and after that a Plague make great destruction in his Dominions, the first in Anno 1007. the second, Anno 1010. and the third from the year 1030, to 1033. The first was general over all Europe, and the last so severe in France, that many People were seen to dig up dead Carkasses for Food, to go a hunting after little Children, and lie in wait at the corners of Woods like Beasts of Prey, to devour Passengers. Nay there was a Man so possessed with the covetous desire of gain, more cruel then the Famine it self, that he exposed Human Flesh to sale in the City of Tournus: but that detestable Prodigy was by them ex∣piated in the Flames.

Henry I. King XXXVII.

POPES,

• BENEDICT IX. A young Boy intruded in December 1033. S. near Ten years.
• Three Anti-Popes, the same BE∣NEDICT, SYLVESTER, and GREGORY VI. Elected after the Abdication of BENE∣DICT, Anno 1044. S. Two years.
• CLEMENT VII. Named by the Emperor, Anno 1046. S. Nine Months.
• DAMASUS II. Elected in 1048. S. Twenty three days.
• LEO IX. After Five Months va∣cancy, Elected in Feb. 1049. S. Five years two Months.
• VICTOR II. Named by the Em∣peror, Anno 1054. S. Three years.
• STEPHANUS X. Elected in August 1057. S. Eight Months.
• NICHOLAS II. Elected in 1058. S. Two years six Months.

[Year of our Lord 1033] THe first and most capital Enemy against this King was his own Mother: who continuing to the prejudice of his Fathers Declaration, and the right of Nature, to endeavour to set the Crown upon the Head of Robert her beloved Son, raised a good Party of the Grandees against him, particu∣larly Baldwin Earl of Flanders, and Eudes Earl of Champagne, bestowing the City of Sens upon this last to engage him to her Party.

But Henry whose Resolution was above his Age, went himself, being the Twelfth, to Robert Duke of Normandy to implore his Assistance. The Duke by Motives of Fi∣delity, or hatred against the Champenois, aided him with all his Forces: With which having in a short time defeated the Queen's in several Rencounters, and taken the Rebels Holds, he unlinked the whole Party, and reduced her in despite of all her Pro∣jects to live quietly with him.

The War ended, he gave Robert the Cities of Chaumont and Pontoise, and the French Vexin.

[Year of our Lord 1033] It was then likewise he yielded the Dukedom of Burgundy to his Brother Robert. From whom issued the First Race of the Dukes of Burgundy of the Blood Royal.

The Earl of Champagn did not hold himself vanquish'd by the defeat of the Party: to make him lay down his Sword the King was forced to beat his Army twice, and [Year of our Lord 1033, and the following.] the third time put him to a rout, and made him fly away half naked, and hide him∣self, before he could compel him to shake hands.

About the year 1032. or 33. Geofrey surnamed Martel, made a cruel War upon William V. called the Gross, Duke of Guyenne and Earl of Poitou, whose Mother-in-Law, or his own Fathers second Wife he had Married; She was named Agnes Daugh∣ter of the Earl of Burgundy. The Subject of the Quarrel was the Earldom of Saintonge and the Country of Aulnis, which he disputed for. The Authors do not tell us plainly by what Title he claimed; but that he vanquish'd the Duke in a great Battle near Monstrenil-Bellay, took him Prisoner, and did not release him till three years end, after he had yielded up Saintonge, and paid a lusty Ransom.

[Year of our Lord 1033] Rodolph or Rouel King of Burgundy beyond the Jour and of Arles dying in the year 1033. instituted his Heir Conrad the Emperor who had Married Gis••lle his youngest Sister, and had by her a Son named Henry, and made no account of Eudes Earl of Champagne the Husband of Berthe his eldest Sister, because while he was living

he would have forced him to acknowledge him for King, and had bred Factions and Stirs in his Country.

By this Institution the Kingdom of Burgundy and Arles passing over to German Princes, was by them as it were united and joyned to the Germanick Kingdom and the Empire, who being at too great a distance have insensibly let it slip through their Fingers, and after they had lost the Possession, have likewise lost the very Title to it.

In these days lived Humbert, Surnamed White-hands, Earl of Maurienne and Savoy, Stem of the Royal House of Savoy, which at this day holds a great Rank amongst Christian Soveraigns, the Off-spring of this Humbert, having by Marriages, Successions, Con∣quests, and other means, assembled and joyned all the several pieces whereof that State is composed. Some Historians make this Prince to be descended from Boson King of Pro∣vence, others from Hugh King of Italy, and some from the ancient Counts of Mascon; but Tradition, and which appears most probable, makes him the Son of one Berald of Saxony who descended from Vitekind, by the same Branch as the three Otho's Emperors, or by some other.

[Year of our Lord 1033, & 34▪] The Earl of Champagn not able to endure that Conrade should allow him no part of a Patrimony, of which the best share ought to be his, took his time when that* 1.240 Prince was employ'd in Hungary, and with his own Forces and those of his Friends, made himself Master of a great part of the Kingdom.

[Year of our Lord 1035] But Conrad at his return having led his Army into those Countries, drove Eudes Garrisons forth of all the Places he had taken, put in his own, and received Hom∣mage [Year of our Lord 1034] of all the Lords. In fine, he handled him so roughly, that all help failing, and perhaps an apprehension getting into his thoughts, that the King of France who hated him, might agree with the Emperor to strip him, he went and surrendred upon Mercy, and humbled himself before him.

[Year of our Lord 1035] Robert Duke of Normandy by force of Arms constrains the Bretons to do him Hom∣mage.

[Year of our Lord 1036] He dies the year after at Nicea in Bithynia, upon his return from a Pilgrimage to Jerusalem. At his departure he had instituted an only Son of his, but a Bastard named William to be his Heir, begotten on a Citizens Daughter of Falaise, leaving him at Paris, in the guard and protection of King Henry who had very great Obliga∣tions to him, and giving the Regency of the Country to Alain Duke of Bretagne.

[Year of our Lord 1036] William had two Paternal Uncles, Mauger Archbishop of Rouen▪ who was Married and had Children, and William Earl of Argues, to whom the Nobility of the Country would much rather have obey'd then to a Bastard. This was the occasion of great Troubles, and would have ruined Normandy, had the French King's Forces been but as great as his desire to regain it.

[Year of our Lord 1003, and the following.] About this time the name of the Normands began to grow famous and potent in Italy, especially in Puglia and Calabria. In the year 1003. forty Adventurers of that Nation, upon the quitting the Holy Land, having acted some things there almost incre∣dible against the Saracens, in favour of Gaimar Duke of Salerna, who was hugely tor∣mented by them, being returned into Normandy loaden with Honour and Presents, had excited other brave Men of their Country to go seek their Fortunes beyond the Moun∣tains. The first that try'd, was a Gentleman named Drengot-Osmond, who being forced to quit the Country for killing one William Repostel in the presence of his Prince having vapoured that he had abused his Daughter, went with four more Brothers and some others of his Kindred, to offer his Service to Mello Duke of Bary, and Pandolphus Prince of Capoua, who were Revolted against the Greeks. They received them with open Arms, and gave them a City and some Lands to maintain themselves. Then after these were setled, not without many hazards, Combats and Adventures, six of the Sons of Tancrede d'Auterville, a Gentleman of the Bishoprick of Constance, who had twelve all of them brave and courageous, arrived there and carried their same to a higher pitch then the former.

[Year of our Lord 1036] Normandy was all in Fire and Blood by the particular Feuds of some Lords upheld by the Uncles of the young Duke Alain III. Duke of Bretagne, his Guardian being come to appease them, could not avoid a Mortal Poyson given him by the Factious Anta∣gonists. Conan II. his Son but then in his Cradle succeeded him.

[Year of our Lord 1037] About these times William the Gross Duke of Aquitain was delivered out of Prison and died the same year. Otho or Eudes his second Brother succeeded him. Two years after he inherited the Dukedom of Gascongne, taking possession thereof in the Church of St. Severin at Burdeaux according to the Custom. He had this Lordship in Right of his Mother Brisce who was the Daughter of Duke Sance. Thus the House of Gascongne resolved, or dissolved into that of Poitiers or Aquitain.

[Year of our Lord 1037] The Pretensions of Eudes Earl of Champagne to the Kingdom of Burgundy not being wholly stifled, he fell with an Army into the Kingdom of Lorrain which belonged to the Emperor, and took the City of Commercy: but as he would have attaqued Bar, Gotolon Duke of Lorrain came and opposed him so roughly, that he defeated his Army and laid him dead upon the place. His two Sons Thibauld and Stephen shared his Lands. Thibauld had the Earldoms of Chartres and Tours, and Stephen those of Troyes or Champagne, and Meaux in Brie.

[Year of our Lord 1038, and 39.] Geofrey Martel, following the Passion of Agnes his Wife, excited the Subjects of Eudes Duke of Aquitain to rebel against him, thereby to advance his Brothers of the same Venter, Peter-William and Guy the Son of that Agnes: which succeeded as he wished; for Eudes who had no Child being slain in the year 1039. at the Siege of a little paltry Town, Peter-William succeeded him, and Guy-Geofrey had the Earldom of Gas∣congny.

[Year of our Lord 1038, and 39.] The Normans under the Conduct of William surnamed Fierabras, the eldest of Tan∣••reds* 1.241 Sons, were employ'd by the Grecian Emperor's Lieutenant, to drive the Saracens out of Sicily, upon condition they should have part of the Conquests. Whereof finding themselves frustrate by the Greeks, they fell upon Puglia or Apulia, which they began to take footing in. Duke Fierabras their General hapning to die, they chose his Brother Drogon in his stead, and he being likewise treachcrously kill'd by the Lords of that Country, they Substituted Onfroy the third of those Brothers.

[Year of our Lord 1039, and the following.] The Grecian Emperor's Lieutenant brought his Army from Sicily to stop their En∣terprize, and fought them near the Streams of Aufidus, and not far from Cannes, where otherwhile Hannibal made so horrible a Slaughter amongst the Romans. The Greek was not more fortunate then the Carthaginian, he lost the Battle and so great a number of his Men, that the Grecians could never raise themselves again in that Country; and the power of the Normans increased so much, that it suppressed theirs in a few years.

Foulk* 1.242 Earl of Anjou died in the City of Mets in his return from the Holy Land: Geofrey surnamed Martel his Son succeeded him. This Foulk being in Jerusalem touched with a deep Repentance for his Sins, caused himself to be drawn all naked on a Hurdle with a Rope about his Neck, and Whipt till the Blood run, crying out, Have Mercy Lord, on the Treacherous and Perjur'd Foulk.

[Year of our Lord 1040, and 41.] The Sons of Eudes Earl of Champagne refused to do Hommage for their Lands to King Henry, because he had not assisted their Father against the Emperor Conrad. The pretence of their Felony was, that they said the Crown belonged to his Brother Eudes; In effect they encouraged him to set up for King. Which hath made some suspect that he was the eldest.

[Year of our Lord 1041] Henry did not give this Conspiracy time to make any progress, he besieged his Bro∣ther in a Castle whither he was retired, and having taken it, sent him under a strong Guard to Orleans. I do not find what became of him.

This done, he marched against Stephen Earl of Brie and Champagne, whom he put to a rout; and thence turns against Galeran Earl of Meulan their Allie whom he de∣prived of his Earldom.

On the other hand he animated Geofrey called Martel against Thibauld, whereupon he besieges the City of Tours, and whatever Agreement could be afterwards made be∣tween the King and Thibald, Martel would not give over his Enterprize.

He had kept it block'd up almost a year; Thibald knowing it was like to perish for want of Victuals, resolves to relieve it. Geofrey going to meet him with the Chappe or Mantle of St. Martin, which he caused to be carried in manner of a Standard, gained the Victory, made Thibald a Prisoner, and afterwards reduced the Town, which since belonged to the Earls of Anjou.

In those times Princes caused the Relicks of some Saint Worship'd in their Countries to be carry'd for their Ensigns, or some which they had procured from other places, and likewise often took the Banners used in Churches which served as their Standards.

[Year of our Lord 1039] During the Troubles and Factions the Minority of William the Bastard occasioned in Normandy, the King took his opportunity to make them deliver up the Castle de Til∣leres, upon pretence that the Rebels might seize upon it: and in truth he caused it to be razed, but soon after he rebuilt it, and placed a Garrison there, then stepping farther into Normandy, he ransacked the County of Hiesmes, and there burnt the little City of Argentan, which perhaps is the place the Romans called Arae Genuae.

[Year of our Lord 1040] Soon after William took the Government; and because he was yet a Minor, chose himself a Guardian, it was Rodolph de Gace his Constable. But the Lords obey'd un∣willingly because of the defect of his Birth: they had for Chief Guy of Burgundy, who being the Son of Reynold Earl of the Franche Compte, and Alix Sister of the deceased Robert, pretended that in his Conscience the Dutchy belonged to him.

[Year of our Lord 1041. and 42.] The Faction was so strong that they had like to ruine William; but being some∣what re-assured, he had recourse to King Henry, who having now another design then to destroy him, went and joyned Forces with him: both gave the Rebels Bat∣tle* 1.243 in a place called the Valley of the Downs, some Leagues on this side the City of Caen. The King was struck down with a Lance by a Gentleman of Constantine, but recover'd himself again without any hurt. The Rebels were wholly cut off, Guy of Bur∣gundy [Year of our Lord 1042] besieged and forced in Brionne, was devested of the Lands he held in Normandy, and retired to the Franche Comte.

[Year of our Lord 1043; and 44.] The Earl of Anjou, who had been once in greatest favour with the King, there being I know not what coldness grown betwixt them, let fall some words, which so highly offended the King, that he undertook to chastise him; he sent therefore to the Norman Duke to accompany him in this Expedition, and entred upon the Earls Lands; but they were immediately reconciled.

[Year of our Lord 1041] The quarrel was still to be decided between the Norman and the Angevin; it last∣ed as long as the life of the latter, and Fortune was favourable sometimes to the one, sometimes to the other.

The Norman Duke having attained to years fit for Marriage, espoused Matilda, Daughter of Baldwin, called the Pious, Earl of Flanders, and Alix, or Adeleida, Daugh∣ter of King Robert. Being of kin to him, they were fain to obtain a Dispensation from the Pope, who allowed it, upon condition to build four Hospitals in four several Ci∣ties, each to maintain an hundred poor People.

[Year of our Lord 1046] The Church not being used to these Dispensations, Mauger Arch-Bishop of Rouen, Uncle to the Duke, not out of any zeal for Canonical Discipline, but because he would embroil them, that his Brother the Earl of Arques might make himself Duke, Excommunicated them both. The Duke having Convened the Bishops of the Province at Lisieux, the Popes Legat presiding, deposed him, and banished him to the Island of Grenezay.

[Year of our Lord 1047] The Earl of Arques having his Party Formed, rises up in Arms, the Duke gives him a repulse, and besieges him in Castle of Arques; the King who changed sides, either according to his Interest or Humour, highly undertakes his Defence, and goes in Person to put Provisions and Relief into Arques. Notwithstanding this Refresh∣ment, the Duke is bent to keep the place blocked up; so that the Earl wanting Pro∣visions, is obliged to Capitulate, provided he may enjoy his Life without loss of Members, and some Lands for his subsistance.

The broken remnants of the party fled to the King, who being a little jealous of the prosperity of William, and pushed forwards by the Earls of Anjou and Poitou, ene∣mies to the Duke, promised to turn him out of his Dutchy. He had but the design, the event was contrary: being advanced towards Rouen, the Normans cut his Van-Guard in pieces, between Escouy and Mortemer; he was compell'd to face about, and after this checque to deliver up the Castle of Tilleres to him.

This Duke not wont to pardon any that took up Arms against him, especially his Relations by the Fathers side; most of those who had engaged for the King, or the Count d'Atques, went into Puglia, where they made a better fortune then they were like to have found, had they remained in Normandy.

The victorious Duke carries the War into Anjou, and in his passage seizes on the County of Maine, which Earl Hebert had given him by Will, in recompence for that he had defended him against the Angevin.

The valiant Geofrey Martel, Earl of Anjou in the year 1047. about Eight and for∣ty years old, quitted the World, and retired to the Abby of St. Nicholas of An∣gers, where he lived till An. 1061. Before his Retreat, he left his Estates to Geofrey called the Bearded, and to Foulke surnamed the Rechin, who were the Children of his Sister Adeleida, and Alberic, Earl of Gastines in Poitou. Geofrey bare the Title of Earl of Anjou, and dying, left it to Foulk.

[Year of our Lord 1048. or 49.] The Emperour Henry III. called the Black, and Henry King of France had an In∣terview this year in the Countrey of Mesin, where they renewed the antient Alli∣ance between the two Crowns.

[Year of our Lord 1050 and the following.] Pope Leo IX. a Lorainer by Birth, and who had been Bishop of Toul, being come into Gall, to reconcile Godfrey Duke of Lorrain with the Emperour, and put a period to that bloody quarrel, which was betwixt that Godfrey supported by the Earl of Flanders, and the Houses of Alsace and Luxemburgh, held a Council at Reims, and ne∣gotiated so effectually, that he made an end of that War.

At his going from Germany he carried some Forces into Italy, to oppose the Nor∣mans, who being grown potent did sometimes undertake upon the Countries be∣longing to the Holy Chair. These brave Adventurers conducted by Onfroy, did first [Year of our Lord 1053] shew their valour to him by cutting his Army to pieces, and taking him prisonet; then their Piety and Respect, by Treating him with great submission, and restoring him to his Liberty.

In recompence, he granted and gave them Title to all the Lands they had conquer'd, and likewise all such Lands as they should hereafter gain from the Greeks and Saracens; and Onfroy shared part of his Conquests with Robert surnamed Guischard, which is to say the Crasty, and Roger and the rest of his Brothers.

[Year of our Lord 1054] Thibald Earl of Chartres taking it to heart that the King should thrust him out of the Earldom of Tours, and not being able to get satisfaction, went and waited on the Emperour at Ments, who made him his Knight, and promised him his prote∣ction.

[Year of our Lord 1055] To prevent the seeds of Jealousie and Discord, which this Voyage might have* 1.244 sown between the Emperour and the King, 〈…〉〈…〉 fit to set all right by a mu∣tual Interview, at the same place where they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 met. The King complain'd that the Governour had contraven'd to the Articles o•• Alliance, but he found no satisfacti∣on; and having conceived some apprehension of an ill design upon his Person, reti∣red by night.

The brave Robert Guischard with his Normans having compleated the Conquest of [Year of our Lord 1057, and 58.] Calabria, called himself Earl for two years, and after feared not to take upon him the Title of Duke.

[Year of our Lord 1058] Normandy having still in its bosom some sparks of Division, the King who thought to make advantage by it, attempted to bring it to his bow by a second Expedition, which was no more fortunate then the first, his Army having been set upon, and defeated on the Common of Varaville, between Caen and Lisieux, he accepted of a Peace with the Duke.

[Year of our Lord 1059] Anno 1059. was seen an unheard of Prodigy, a vast multitude of Snakes and other Ser∣pents,* 1.245 being assembled together in a Plain neer the City if Tournay, divided into two Bo∣dies, who fought obstinately, till one of them being overcome and fled, left the Field all co∣ver'd [Year of our Lord 1059] with their Dead, and retreated into the hollow of a great Tree, whither the Con∣querours pursued them to compleat their Victory: but the Countrey people running thither with Clubs, Fire and Fagots, destroyed both the one and the other.

Not long after King Henry finding himself broken with labour, though he were not above 54 years of age, assembled the Grandees of the Kingdom, and having told them the Services he had done for the Nation, and how well he had acquitted him∣self [Year of our Lord 1060] of the Command of the Armies; he prayed them all in general, and every [☞] one in particular, to own Philip his eldest Son for his Successor, and to give him their Oaths; which having all promised, he caused him to be Annointed, and Crowned at Reims the 22 of May, being the Feast of Pentecost, by the Arch-Bishop Gervais, whom afterwards this young King Honoured with the Office of Chancellor.

[Year of our Lord 1050] About the end of the same year he was taken with a little Fever, of which he dyed at Vitry neer Paris, having Reigned Twenty eight years and four Months after the death of his Father.

To avoid the danger of contracting a Marriage within the Degrees prohibited, he sent to seek a Wife as far as Russia or Moscovia: She was Ann, the Daughter of George, some call him Juriscold, King of those Countreys, by whom he had three Sons, Philip, Robert, and Hugh: the Eldest was then but Seven years old; Robert dy∣ed [☞] in Infancy, and Hugh when come to age had the Earldom of Vermandois, and was the Stock of the Second House of that Name. For they made him Marry* 1.246 Adeleida Daughter of Hebert, last Earl of the First Branch of Vermandois, She en∣joying her Fathers Lordships, though She had a Brother alive named Eudes, his Vassals judging him uncapable to succeed, from the imbecillity of his understanding; a defect very ordinary in the Carolovinian Race.

Henry left all his Three Sons under the Guardianship of Baldwin Earl of Flanders, who had Married his Sister, and likewise entrusted him with the Regency of the Kingdom.

Queen Anne his Widdow retired to Senlis, where she was building a Church in Honour of the Martyr St. Vincent. Her Solitude was not so Austere, but she could listen to the Addresses of Rodolph Earl of Grespy, who was of that neighborhood. She made no difficulty to Marry him; and this Second Flame had like to have kind∣led a Civil War, not for the difference in their Qualities, for the Grandees went almost equal with their Kings; but because Rodolph was of Kin to the First Hus∣band; for which reason the Bishops Excommunicated that Lord: but nothing could make him let go his hold of her, save death, which untied him from his Princess, Ann. 1066. Being a Widow, and destitute of support, she returned to end her days in her own Countrey.

Philip I. King XXXVIII.

Aged Seven or Eight years.

POPES.

• Vacancy of Three Months.
• Alex. II. Elect 1 Octob. 1061. S. Eleven years, and neer Seven Months.
• Gregory VII. Son of a Carpenter, Elect in April 21. 1073. S. Twelve years, One Month.
• Victor III. Elect in May 1086. S. about One year Four Months.
• Vacancy Five Months.
• Urban II. Elect in March 1088. S. Eleven years and Four Months.
• Paschal II. Elect 12. August 1099. S. Eighteen years, and Five Months.

[Year of our Lord 1060, 61, and 62.] ALL quietly gave Obedience to the Regency of Baldwin, the Gascons only refused to submit themselves, apprehending, said they, lest by that Title, he should destroy his Pupil to invade the Crown, upon pretensi∣on that he was Married to the Daughter of King Henry.

He wisely dissembled this injury; but two years after marched an Army towards the Pyreneans, giving out, it was to make War upon the Saracens in Spain; and when he had passed the Garonne, he stopp'd in the Rebels Countrey, and brought them to their Duty without striking a blow.

[Year of our Lord 1062] Guy Gefroy-William Duke of Aquitain, believed that Gefroy Martel Earl of Anjou, being dead without Children, his Nephews, Sons of his Sister, had no right to Xaintongne. He would therefore seize it, and besieged Xaintes: his Army was defeat∣ed by the two Brothers neer Chef-Boutonne: but the following year he got another Army, and took the Town from them.

[Year of our Lord 1062, and 63.] The two Brothers minded not the relieving it, they were at mortal feud a∣mongst themselves. Foulk le Rechin, the younger of the two, gained the Lords of Touraine and Anjou, who betraid his Brother Gefroy, and unfortunately deliver'd him up with the City of Angers.

In the mean while the Duke of Aquitain having re-conquered Saintongne, led his victorious into Spain, where he forced the City of Barbastre, at that time very rich and renowned.

The Zeal of Religion did often lead the Princes and Lords of Aquitain and Langue∣doc into Spain, to succour the Christians against the Saracens, and their assistance raised, and very much supported the petty Spanish Kings.

[Year of our Lord 1064] Edward, King of England, whose Christian Virtues have placed him in the num∣ber of Saints, dying without Children, left his Kingdom by Will and Testament to William the Bastard Duke of Normandy, in consideration of the good Reception and Treatment he found in the House of Robert his Father, when he was driven out [Year of our Lord 1064] of his own Countrey; as likewise because he was neer of Kin. But the English not affecting the Government of a Stranger, gave the Crown to Harold, Son of Godwin, one of the great Lords of the Kingdom.

The Bastard on his side sought from all parts the assistance of his Friends and Al∣lies, to get himself into possession of his Right; insomuch as having got by his large promises, a powerful Army of Normans, French, Flemmings and others together,

he landed in England, gave Battle to Harold the 14th of October, who was slain in the Fight with his chief Commanders, and left England to the discretion of the Conquerour. A Revolution thought to be presaged by a terrible Comet, which for Fifteen days blazed with three great Rays, over-spreading almost all the Southern parts of the Heavens.

Before William past the Sea, hapned the death of Conan Duke of Bretagne; it was said he caused him to be poysonn'd, because he claimed the Dutchy of Normandy, as belonging to him by his Mother, Daughter of Duke Robert. Hoel who was Mar∣ried to his Sister, succeeded him.

[Year of our Lord 1067. and the following.] The English ill-Treated by Williams Lieutenants and Officers, Revolted the follow∣ing years, and called in the Danes to their aid, but that only increased their misery and yoak, for he took from them almost all their Lands, and even their antient Laws, introducing and imposing those of his own Countrey, as he did that Language in all Courts of Justice, and instruments of Law, withal putting such Lords as follow'd him, in possession of English Mens Estates, the greatest part of them being pu∣nished or slain.

Thus ended the Reign of the English in that Island, which hath notwithstanding retain∣ed their Name; but in effect hath ever since been sway'd, and is still by the Norman Blood, their Kings, and the greatest of the Countrey being descended, and holding their Rights of this William the Bastard, to whom was given the Surname of Conquerour.

[Year of our Lord 1067] Baldwin, Regent of the Kingdom of France, and Earl of Flanders, ended his days An. 1067. He had Two Sons, Baldwin, called of Monts who was Earl of Flanders, and Robert, who was Surnamed the Frison, as being Lord of that Countrey of Friesland.

[Year of our Lord 1069] It is observed that in the year 1069. Arnold Lord of Selne began to build the City of Ardres, upon the ruines of his Castle of Selne. * 1.247

A War did soon break out between Baldwins two Sons, the Eldest thinking to de∣vest the Younger, was by him beaten and slain in the field of Battle, leaving two Sons, Arnold and Baldwin very young. The Guardianship of these begot a bloody contest between Robert their Uncle, and Richilda their Mother. This Princess, sup∣ported by Gefroy Crook-Back, Duke of the lower Lorrain, defeated Roberts Army, and thrust him out of a part of his Countreys. This happy success made her so haughty [Year of our Lord 1068] towards her Subjects, that the Flemmings Flammengant forsook her, and she had none left but the Walloons and the Hennuyars. The King would have made himself Judge and Arbitrator between both parties; but Richilda coming to Paris with great Pre∣sents, gained his Counsel, and engaged him openly to take her quarrel.

[Year of our Lord 1070] The King inflamed with the heat of Youth, would needs go in person to make his first Essay in War and Arms. It proved not very successful, for he was beaten and pursued, Richilda taken and carried to St. Omers. But as he was retreating towards Monstreuil, Eustace, Earl of Boulogne, who had a great Body of Reserves, took Robert, and carried him to St Omers: He that Commanded the place, surrendred it to de∣liver Richilda, for which the King was enraged, that he sacked and burnt the City.

[Year of our Lord 1071] The same year Richilda, though still assisted by the French, lost another Battle; in which Eustace Earl of Boulogne being made prisoner, his Brother, Chancellor of France, and Bishop of Paris, to obtain his freedom, obliged the King to intermedle no more in that dispute.

* 1.248 Nay, which was more, he made him Marry Bertha, the Daughter of Florent I. Earl of Holland, and Gertrude of Saxony, who had taken Robert for her second Hus∣band.

By this means he was engaged to maintain the Cause for his Father-in-law, who by his assistance defeated Richilda's Army the Fourth time, and so remained Master [Year of our Lord 1071] of Flanders.

Roger, Brother of Robert Guischard, Duke of the Normans in Puglia, was by his Bro∣ther sent into Sicilia, which was possessed by the Saracens; he conquerd d the Ci∣ty of Panormus* 1.249 and Messina, which opened him a way to become Master of the whole Island.

[Year of our Lord 1073. and 4.] After the death of Baldwin the Regent, King Philip being arrived to the age of Adolescency, ran into many disorders and vexations with his Subjects. Whereupon Pope Gregory VII. who sought but the occasion to constitute himself the Judge and Reformer of Princes, wrote to William Duke of Aquitain, that together with the Lords, he should make him some Remonstrances, and Declare, that if he did not amend, he would Excommunicate both him and all the Subjects that obey'd him, and would place the Excommunication upon St. Peters Altar, to re-aggravate it every day.

[Year of our Lord 1076] The death of Robert I. Duke of Burgundy; his Son being deceased before him, had left two Sons, Hugh and Otho, the first of these succeeded his Grandfather.

[Year of our Lord 1077] After William the Conquerour had entirely subdued England, suppressed the Rebel∣lion of his Son Robert, and quelled the Manceaux, he went into Bretagne to reduce* 1.250 them to his Obedience, and laid Siege to Dol. The Duke or Earl Hoel implored the Kings help, who marching in person to his assistance, made them raise their Siege.

A Peace immediately follow'd, but was broken almost as soon again upon another [Year of our Lord 1076] score; which was for that the Conquerour in the Kings Presence, having given the Dutchy of Normandy to his Son Robert, before he went to invade England: Robert would take possession of it, the Father hindred him, and the King justified the Son in his demands. This was the subject of a new War.

The Father besieges his rebellious Son in the Castle of Gerbroy near Beauvais. In a Sally the Son wounds him, and turned him off from his Saddle with his Lance; but [Year of our Lord 1077. 78. and the following.] coming to know who it was by his voice, he helped him up again with Tears in his eyes; and the Father at length overcome by the sentiments of nature, and the intrea∣ty of his Wife and Barons, gave him his pardon, and quitted the Dutchy to him, then returned into England.

Gozelon,* 1.251 Duke of the Lower Lorrain, who in favour of Baldwin, Earl of Monts, [Year of our Lord 1077. and 78.] the Son of Richilda, had fought, and defeated Robert the Frison, being a while after this Victory assassinated in Antwerp, the Emperour detained the Dutchy of the low∣er Lorrain, and gave only the Marquisate of Antwerp to Godfrey Duke of Bouillon, the Son of Adde, Sister of Gozelon and Eustace, Earl of Boulongne; but Twelve years af∣ter for his great Services, he gave him the said Lorrain.

[Year of our Lord 1080] The Lords of Touraine and of Maine extreamly pressing Foulk Rechin by force of* 1.252 Arms, to set Gefroy his Brother at liberty; this barbarous Man, rather then release him, chose sooner to give the County of Gastinois to King Philp, that he might main∣tain him in his unjustice.

Some time after his own Son named Gefroy likewise, and surnamed Martel, moved [Year of our Lord 1080] with the miseries of his Uncle, forced his Father to set him free: but whether it were the Melancholy he had contracted, or some Drink they had given him, he could never relish the sweetness of his liberty.

The famous Robert Guischard, Prince of the Normans in* 1.253 Puglia, after he had gain∣ed [Year of our Lord 1085] two Naval Victories, one over the Venetians, and the other over the Greeks, died this year 1085. He had two Sons, Boemond and Roger; the eldest being then upon the coasts of Dalmatia with a Navy, his younger Brother seized on the Dutchies of Pou∣ille* 1.254 and Calabria; for which the Brothers were contending, till the time of the first Croisado, or Holy War, when the French Lords passing that way to the Holy Land, brought them to an agreement. Their Uncle Roger held Sicily, with the Title only of Earl.

[Year of our Lord 1085] Upon complaints about the vexations, and ill Treatment Duke Robert shewed to his Norman Subjects; his Father the Conquerour comes over out of England to cha∣stise him; but his paternal tenderness did easily admit of a reconciliation.

The death of Guy-Gefroy-William, his Son William VIII. aged but 25 years suc∣ceeded him.

[Year of our Lord 1086] King Philip, a very voluptuous Prince, being disgusted with Berthe his Wise, made use of the pretence of Parentage which was between them, and having proved it ac∣cording to the course then in use, caused his Marriage to be dissolved by authority of the Church, though he had a Son by her named Lewis, about Five years old, and a Daughter named Constance. He banished his Divorced Wife to Monstreuil upon the Sea-side, where she lived a long time poorly enough.

[Year of our Lord 1087] This Divorce according to Rule, and a judicial Sentence being made, he demanded the Daughter of Roger Earl of Sicilia, named Emma, who was conducted as far as the coasts of Provence: however he did not Marry her, the reason is not given.

[Year of our Lord 1088] William the Conquerour become crazy, was under a strict regiment of Dyet at Rouen, to pull down his over-grown fatness, which did much incommode him. The King rallied at him, and asked when he would be up again after his Lying in: the Duke sent him word, that at his Uprising he would go and visit him with 10000 Lances instead of Candles: and indeed, as soon as he could, he got on Horseback, he destroy'd all the French Vexin, and forced and burnt Mantes. But he over-heated himself so much in the assaulting of that place, that it set his own Blood and Body on fire, and brought a fit of Sickness, so that he returned to Rouen, where he dyed in a few days.

By his Will he gave the Kingdom of England to William called Rufus, who was bat his Second Son; Normandy to Robert who was eldest; and some Rents and Mo∣neys to Henry the youngest of the three.

[Year of our Lord 1089] An. 1089. hapned the death of Robert called the Frison, Earl of Flanders. His Son of the same name succeeded in his Earldom. Some time after he was Surnamed of Je∣rusalem, because he was present at the Siege of that City, An. 1099.

[Year of our Lord 1093] Foulk le Rechin extreamly incontinent and changeable towards Women; but yet fuller of desire then ability, after he had turned away two, under colour of Proxi∣mity, had in An. 1089. Married Bertrade, the Daughter of Simon de Montfort. The appetite of this Woman, Young, Beautiful, and Gay, did not sute with the age of her Husband; she forsook him at three years end to cast her self into the Arms of King Philip, who was a lover of Ladies, and had not passed his 35th year. There hapned to be a Bishop (it was Eudes of Bayeux) who undertoo to Marry them to∣gether, upon condition he might have the Revenue of some Churches, which the King bestowed upon him.

[Year of our Lord 1094] Bertrade was of Parentage to the King in the Fifth or Sixth Degree, and le Rechin her Husband in the Third or Fourth; these were therefore two obstacles: besides, if Philip were free, as he pretended he was, Bertrade was not, because her former Marriage had not been dissolved: wherefore upon the hot pursuit of Ives, Bishop of Chartres, who shewed himself a zealous Defender of the Discipline of the Canons; he was threatned with Excommunication at the Council d'Autun, though the Pope suspended the effect or execution till the following year, that he thundred it himself [Year of our Lord 1095] in the Council of Clermont.

[Year of our Lord 1095] The famous quarrel between the Pope and the Emperours, which has caused so much mischief to Christendom, was grown very hot: it began betwixt Gregory VII. and Henry VI. The First very imperious and undertaking, the latter wicked, cruel, and irregular to the highest degree. The Pope pretended to take away from the Emperour, the investiture of Benefices, as an unjust and sacrilegious thing; but his true motive was a desire of the Empire of Italy, and to subject all Princes to his Pontifical Power, which seemed very feasible and easie, because all Europe being divided into a Hundred, and a Hundred several Dominions; the Princes were but weak and the greatest number of them, either out of Devotion, or to avoid the So∣vereignty of the more potent, submitted, and even devoted themselves to the Holy Chair, and paid him Tribute; so that had there been but three or four successive Popes, crafty enough to have cloaked this design, with at least an appearance of Sanctity, and would have taken fit opportunities of relieving the people against their Oppressors; they had made themselves sole Monarchs, as well in Temporals as in Spirituals.

There was not that little Lord that did not Brave King Philip, rocked asleep within the Arms of his Bertrade. Miles, Lord of Montlehery, and Guy Troussel his Son, made him sweat for anguish, with their Castle of Montlehery, and four or five others which they held in those parts,: with which they domineer'd over all the Country, and interrupted the Trade betwixt Paris and Orleans; though Guy Lord of Rochefort, Brother of Miles, was greatly in favour with Philip.

[Year of our Lord 1095] This year Ʋrban II. being come into France, the refuge of persecuted Popes, that he might be owned the true Head of the Church (for the Emperour had dethroned him, and caused another to be Elected) Assembled a Council at Clermont in Auvergne, in the Octave of St. Martins: wherein he made a great many Canons for the refor∣mation of the Clergy, and especially to root out Simony, and prohibit the Marriage of Priests; and afterwards he Excommunicated King Philip, and Bertrade his Con∣cubine.

In the same Council, upon the application and instances made by the Emperour Alexis, to have some assistance against the Turks; and upon the Remonstrances of Peter the Hermit, a Gentleman of Picardy, neer Amiens, who having made a voy∣age into the Holy Land, had been witness of the cruelties those Insidels did exercise upon the Christians: the Pope by a warm discourse animated all the Prelats then pre∣sent, to incline the Faithful to take up Arms for the defence of Christendom, and go into the East. His Exhortations were so moving, that they made impression on all their minds; and this Zeal in a short time was spread all over Europe; an infi∣nite number of all qualities, of all ages, and of all Sexes, Listed and Enroul'd them∣selves in this Sacred Militia. The Signal was a Red Cross sowed upon the left Shoul∣der, and the word Dieu le Veut * 1.255

The Turks after divers irruptions, being called and taken into Pay by Machmet, King of Persia, who was a Saracen, and had War with the Caliph of Babilon, a Mahome∣tan, turned their Swords against himself, and made themselves Masters of part of his Coun∣trey

in An. 1048. then of Mesopotamia, Syria, Judea, and almost all Asia; and had formed five or six Kingdoms, one in Persia, one in Bithynia, one in Cilicia, one in Da∣mas, whereon Jerusalem depended, and one in Antioch. Now subduing the Persian, they had taken up their Religion, which was the Mahometan; This Reason joyned with their natural Barbarity, inclined them to treat those Christians that inhabited Judea with all manner of cruelties; and besides, they threatned to invade the rest of Asia, and destroy the whole Eastern Empire.

These Croisado's and beyond-sea Voyages, the heat whereof lasted for above two hundred years, was the ruine of the Great Lords, and multitudes of the common people. But the Popes and Kings found great advantages towards the making themselves absolute. Those, because they had the Command of these Expeditions, whereof they were the Heads; took into their protection, the Persons and Estates of such as adventured; made the use of Indulgences and Dispensations more common and current then formerly; their Legats collected, and managed the Alms and charitable Contributions that were given for the carrying on these Wars; and it was even made a fair pretence to raise the Tenths upon the Clergy.

The Kings found their reckoning likewise, because all the brave active, and hottest Spirits going into these forreign Provinces, left them a cleerer stage, and more easie Government, with less opposition to attain their chiefest ends. The Lords and Grandees sold them their Estates, or Engaged and Mortgaged them to raise Moneys; or at their death they fell to Minors, or Women, from whose hands they were easie to be wrested; And in fine, France which swarmed with prodigious numbers of Men, being evacuated by these great and frequent Phlebotomies, became more gentle and submissive, and their Wills less dependant on the Laws and antient Orders of the Kingdom.

[Year of our Lord 1096] In the first Expedition there adventured above 300000 Men, which were divided in several bodies. Some took their way by Germany, and Hungaria; others by Sclavonia: o∣thers again by Italy, to embark in Fuglia* 1.256; these conducted home the Pope, and resto∣red him to the Chair in despite of his Enemies. They all got into Greece, and thence passing the straight of the Hellespont, or arme St. George, arrived in Bithynia. But those who were led by Peter the Hermit, and Gautier* 1.257 de Saint Sauveur being ill con∣ducted, were almost all cut in pieces by Solyman Sultan of the Turks in Bithynia.

[Year of our Lord 1096] Amongst the Chief Commanders of these Forces, were Hugh the Great, Brother to King Philip, Robert Duke of Normandy, the Earls Raimond of Toulouze, Stephen de Chartres, Baldwin of Hainault, Hugh de St. Poll, Rotrou du Perche, William de Forez, Rambol of Orange, Baldwin of Mets, Fulke of Guisnes, Stephen d'Aumale, another Stephen of Franche Comte, William of Angoulesme, Herpin de Bourges, who sold his Earl∣dom to the King, Boemond Duke of Apulia, Tancred his Nephew, Son of Robert Guischard, and above two hundred other Lords of note.

All these being passed into Bithynia, elected for their Chief, Godefroy* 1.258 Duke of Bouillon and the lower Lorrain, Son of Eustace Earl of Boulogne. An Election so glorious for him, that all the Scepters of the Universe together, are not comparable to it.

[Year of our Lord 1096] For several nights together it was seen to rain down Stars by intervals, but thick and very small, as if some sparks had fallen from the shatter'd Orbs.

[Year of our Lord 1097, and 98.] The City of Nicea in Bithynia, was the first exploit of these Christian Adventu∣rers; The defeat of Solymans Army, followed with the surrender of the places in Lycaonia, Lycia, Cilicia and Pamphilia, the Second; and the taking of Antioch, which held them seven Months, and cost them a great deal of Blood and Trouble, the Third.

After they were got in, they went to meet Corban, or Corbaget, General of the Army to the Sultan of Persia or Babylon, fought him, and slew an hundred thousand of his Men, which weakned the power of the Turks so much, that the Sultan of Egypt, who was a Saracen, took from them Judea, and the Holy City of Jerusa∣lem.

[Year of our Lord 1099] He kept it but a little while, the Christian Army besieged it the 9th of June, and carried it by main force the 15th of July. All the chief Commanders agreed to give it, with all its dependencies, and the Title of a Kingdom, to Godfrey of Bouillon, their Prime General; who notwithstanding, was so humble, that he would never suffer them to put the Crown upon his Head, nor give him the Title of King in a City where the King of Kings had been Treated like a Slave.

The Sultan of Egypt with reason apprehending, left the Christians, after so ma∣ny advantages should deprive him of his Countrey likewise, without which it is very difficult to preserve the Holy Land. Seeing them therefore much weakned, so that they had scarce 5000 Horse, and 15000 Foot left, he got together an hundred thousand Horse, and four times as many Foot, giving the Conduct of them to a Lieu∣tenant, to cut them off. Godfrey the greatest Soldier of his age charged them so resolutely, that he put them into disorder, and slew above an hundred thousand. So great a Victory gave him all Palestine, one or two places only excepted.

[Year of our Lord 1099] This year therefore commenced the Kingdom of Jerusalem, under which were the County of Edessa, the capital City of Media, the Principality of Antioch in Ce∣losyria, and the County of Tripoly, which was not conquer'd till many years after∣wards, upon the Maritime coasts of the Phenician Syria. At that time was Caliph in Babilon, Albuguebase Achamet the Son of Muquetady, the Eight and twentieth of the House of Guebase.

[Year of our Lord 1100. and 1101.] The Fame of this Conquest published in the West by those Princes that returned, excited such others as had not been there, to go and signalize their Names. They made therefore a Second Croisade, composed of above 300000 Men, French, Al∣mains, and Italians. William VIII. Duke of Aquitain, carried an hundred thousand, two thirds of them being his own Subjects: Hugh le Grand the Kings Brother, and the Earl of Burgundy who had been in the first Expedition, went also in this: and divers Prelats, and many illustrious Ladies would go this Voyage. Godfrey being dead the preceding year, his Brother Baldwin succeeded him in the Kingdom of Je∣rusalem.

[Year of our Lord 1101] This Army took their way by Hungary and Thrace, and by the straight crossed over into Asia. In their passage Duke William saw the Grecian Emperour, and in too lofty Language, deny'd to pay him Hommage for those Lands he should con∣quer from the Infidels. The persidious Emperour being offended in his mind, order∣ed them such Guides, who having harass'd, and enseebled them, by the difficulties of the bad ways, and want of Food, made them pass over a River, where the Ene∣my waiting for them with advantage, kill'd above Fifty thousand in one day, the rest made their escape as they could in Cilicia. Hugh the Kings Brother went to Tarses, where he died of his wounds.

These Voyages to the Levant renewed, and extreamly increased the hatred the Greeks had conceived against the Latins, or Western People; insomuch that those Traitors did them more mischief a great deal, then the Infidels themselves. Here∣after we shall mention no more of these Wars then what relates to our History.

But we must not forget to tell that they gave beginning to the use of Coats of Arms * 1.259. In all times every Nation bore some Figure or Symbol in their Banners or Ensigns. The Roman Legions were distinguished by the different painting of their Shields or Bucklers, and the dif∣ferent Lines traced or drawn upon them. Particular Men did likewise adorn their Shields with devices which made known their birth, or their brave acts, or their Wit and Humour.

Now in these Expeditions to the Holy Land, those that had such Symbols before, made them more proper for them; and those that had none, contrived, and made choice of such as might render them conspicuous and remarkable in Battle (their Armour for the Head, hin∣dring them from being known by their Faces) as well as to distinguish them from others; And likewise that those Coats of Arms might serve them as it were for Surnames; for in those days there were yet but few or none.

Some therefore to shew they were going in these Croisades, took Crosses in their Shields, of which there was infinite variety and several sorts; others to make known they had been in the Levant, and passed the Seas, took Besants, Lions, Leopards, or Escollop Shells. Others framed their Arms of the Linings of their Mantles or Cloaks, according as they were Checkie, Varie, Diapred, Gyroned, Lozanged, Ʋndulated, Paled. Some there were that chose rather to charge their Field with some piece of their Arms, as the Spurs, Lance, Maillets and Sword. Several chose such things as had resemblance to the Surnames people had gi∣ven them, or to the Lands they held, as what they produced, how situated, or some parti∣cularities of their Castles, or such Office they bore. Some there were that chose such things as preserved the memory of their brave Feats of Arms, or some singular Adventure which had hapued to them, or theirs: and others in fine would have such as betokened their inclination; not to mention those that would needs have their Coats out of a meer fantastical Humour, and without any design.

These glorious Marks and Badges belonged otherwhile only to the Nobility, and was not the least illustrious part of the Succession of their Noble Families. Now at this time every one hath them, the meanest villains are the most curious herein; they have not only brought the [✚] Rebus's of the little Citizens, Merchants, Cyphers, Shop-keepers, Signs, and Artists tools and implements into their Coats, under the shadow of Crowns, Helmets, and Supporters; but likewise by a confidence not to be endured, they have made choice of the most illustrious things, and given occasion to observe, that there are no better Coats, then the Arms of a Villain or Plebeian.

[Year of our Lord 1096, 97, 98, and 99.] From the first Croisade, William Rufus King of England, taking the opportunity of his Brothey Roberts absenc, had seized on the Dutchy of Normandy. Swoln with this increase of Power, he promised himself to invade France, because he saw the Excommunicated King, languishing in the Arms of his Concubine; who besides, had but one lawful Son of 15 or 16 years of age, and was destitute both of Money and Friends. Nevertheless this young Prince surpassing his age, did by his Courage and Virtue defend himself so well three years together, that Rufus was forced to leave him in Peace, and retired again into England.

In that Countrey letting himself loose to all sorts of infamous pleasures, tiranny, [Year of our Lord 1100] and execrable wickedness, both towards God and Man, he perished in a tragical manner, being as he was Hunting shot with an Arrow, either designedly aimed at [☞] him, or by chance, which pierced his very Heart. Henry his younger Brother got* 1.260 into the Throne during the absence of Duke Robert, who was still in the Holy-Land.

Notwithstanding the Popes Excommunications, the King had renewed society with Bertrade, by the consent even of Foulk her Husband, being so infinitely en∣chanted with that Woman, that he was often seen at her Feet, there to receive all her [Year of our Lord 1098, 99, and 1100.] Commands, as if he had been a Slave.

Some of the Belgick Bishops honour'd the Kings Adultery with the name of Mar∣riage, and on their great Feasts, according to ancient custom, placed the Crown upon her Head, to shew or signifie they did not hold her to be Excommunicated; but the Popes Legats denied to communicate with him, and conven'd a Council at Poitiers in July, where he was Excommunicated once more. William Duke of Aquitain, who feared the like Treatment, having committed the like fault, for he entertained a Concubine, and had forsaken his lawful Wife, affronted and abused the Prelats greatly; and perhaps his Sorrow and Repentance for it afterwards promp∣ted him to go to the Holy Land, as we have observed.

The King constant in his Affections, solicited the Popes Favour so earnestly, that he sent some Legats to re-view the Cause.

[Year of our Lord 1101] They assembled a Council at Baugency. The King and Bertrade promised to ab∣stain from each other till the Popes Dispensation, and thus the Council broke up [Year of our Lord 1102] without giving any Judgment. The King continued with the recommendation of the Bishops, to endeavour the obtaining a Dispensation in the Court of Rome; in the end he had it, he was Absolved in the City of Paris, and his Marriage confirm∣ed; so officacious is constancy, even in things not commendable. The opposition of the Bishops served only to authorize the use of Dispensations from Rome, which since have been very common in all matters and occasions.

Young Lewis, whom they named the Prince of the Kingdom, and was designed King by his Father, (it is not specified in what year) took the Government of Affairs.

[Year of our Lord 1102, 3. and the following.]

PHILIP

LEWIS, Surnamed the Gross, designed King, aged 19 or 20 years.

In those times the Rights* 1.261 of the French were such, that they could not legally arrest the Lords, nor punish them with death, unless it were for Treason; but only deprive them of their Lands; I mean those they held of the King. (they called them Honours.) This was it that gave them Licence to arme, to oppress the weaker, to rob and plunder, and above all, usurp the Goods of the Church.

[Year of our Lord 1100] Lewis had to do first with Bouchard Lord of Montmorency, against whom he em∣braced the Cause of the Monks of St. Denis, whose Lands that Lord had pillaged, and having appeared according to an assignation in the Kings Court of Justice, re∣fused to obey the Sentence or Judgment given against him therein. He forced him by destroying and burning all his Villages, and his Castle it self, to submit to Reason.

In like manner he chastifed Droco or Dreux de Mouchy, and Lionnet de Meun, who tyrannized, this over the Churches of Orleans, the other over those of Beauvais.

Also he humbled Matthew, Count of Beaumont upon Oise, Son-in-law to Hugh Earl of Clermont in Beauvoisis, who having half of the Lands of Luzarches in Dowry, had seized upon all, and had devested the good Man his Father-in-law.

[Year of our Lord 1103] He durst, or would not intermeddle with the quarrel between the two Norman Brothers, Robert and Henry. The First upon his return from the Holy Land demand∣ed the Kingdom of England of his younger Brother, who had usurped it after the death of William Rufus. The business after three years Negotiation and War, was determined in this manner; Robert An. 1107. having lost a Battle at Tinch••bray in Nor∣mandy, was made prisoner by his cruel Brother, who deprived him of Sight, by placing a burning Bason of Brass before his Eyes, whereof he dyed in Prison. Thus the whole Succession of William the Conquerer, remained in Henry the youngest of his three Sons.

[Year of our Lord 1103] In the year 1103. Lewis passed into England to King Henry, I cannot tell upon what design. Bertrade his Mother-in-law, who could willingly have sent him out of the World, sollicited Henry to make him away; and this Artifice failing, she caused poison to be given him at his return into France, which put him in great hazard of his Life.

[Year of our Lord 1104] The King to rid himself of the trouble brought upon him by the Family of Mont∣lehery, agreed upon a Marriage with Guy Troussel, betwixt Philip his Son, and bertrade, to whom he gave the Earldom of Mantes, on condition that Guy should deliver him the Castle of Montlehery, which he did.

[Year of our Lord 1104] At the same time, or a little after, Guy Lord of Rochefort, Uncle of Troussel, en∣tirely possessing the Kings Favour, contracted his Daughter Luciana, but ten years old, to Prince Lewis.

[Year of our Lord 1103] Ebles Baron de Roucy a famous Captain, who often raised Soldiers, with which he went into Spain, not so much to fight the Saracens, as to find opportunity to plun∣der and pillage the Churches, vexed all those of Champagne, upon complaint of the Clergy Lewis hastens to Reims; his Celerity astonished the Plunderer so much, that he laid down his Arms, and promised to forbear those Robberies.

[Year of our Lord 1106] The protection he gave to Thomas Lord of Marle, against Enguerrand de Boves his Father, was not so just. Thomas by means of his Castle of Montagu in Laonnois, committed a thousand Cruelties and Robberies, insomuch that his Father was forced to besiege him. Lewis upon the request of Thomas re-victuals the Castle, at which Enguerrand and the Lords were so enraged, that they declared they owned him no longer for their Sovereign, since he protected the wicked. They were almost rea∣dy even to give him battle; but being brought to a Conference, they kissed his Hand, and swore Service to him.

The unhappy Emperour Henry IV. against whom the Popes had stirred up first his eldest Son Conrad, then he being dead, Henry his Second Son, being taken pri∣soner by this unnatural Child, wrote very pathetical Letters to King Philip and Prince Louis, which begot a great deal of compassion towards him, but no help. Being got out of prison, he died in the City of Liege the Second of August, and Hen∣ry V. his Son succeeded him in his quarrel with the Pope, as well as in his Estates.

* 1.262 Pope Paschal II. not willing to go to this Henry, because, said he, the Germans are yet enough humbled, came into France, passed to Clugny, la Charite, Tours, Paris, and went to St. Denis, where the King and his Son paid him their Respects, by bow∣ing [Year of our Lord 1106] down to the very ground. At Chaalons he Treated with the Ambassadors of Hen∣ry V. and held a Council at Troyes.

In this Council, whether by the zeal of the Prelats, or the suggestion of Prince Lewis, the Pope pronounced the Dissolution of his Marriage, not yet consummated with Luciana.

Guy de Rochefort discontent for the Divorce of his Daughter, retires from Court. Anseau and Stephen de Garland the Brothers exasperate Prince Lewis's Spirit a∣gainst him, which they swayed. Rochefort commits some hostilities at his Castle of Gournay upon Marne. Lewis besieges the place; a League is formed between Rochefort and Thibauld Earl of Blois and Chartres; Lewis goes to meet the Army of these dis∣contented Gentlemen, defeats them, and returning to the Siege takes Gournay.

[Year of our Lord 1108] King Philip quite wasted with excess of pleasures, dies at Melun the 26th of July, aged 56 years, whereof he had Reigned 48 and two Months. From thence he was carried to St. Bennets Abby on the Loire, where he had chosen his Burying place. He was a Prince of a good shape and stature, but his softness and amorous Commerce had rendred his Body unactive and heavy, and stupisied his Conscience and Cou∣rage.

He had had two Wives, Berthe the Daughter of Florent Earl of Holland, and Ber∣trade of Simon de Montfort. The First brought him two Children, Lewis who Reign∣ed, and Constance who Married Boemond Prince of Antioch, An. 1106. By Bertrade were born two Sons, Philip and Florus* 1.263 or Fleury, and one Daughter named Cecely. The two Sons were Married, but had no Male-issue. The First was Earl of Mantes, M••un upon Yeurre, and Montlehery: the Daughters first Husband was Tancred Prince of Antioch, the Second was Ponce* 1.264 de Toulouza Count of Tripoly.

* 1.265 The Tenths, the Offrings, the Presentations, and the very Churches as we have related, had been Infeoffed to the Laity by a strange abuse, whereof the Footsteps are yet to be seen in Gascongne. The Lords took the investiture of the Prince, and held them of him in Fief; so that they could not alienate them without his consent, and when they sold them, it was upon condition of preference for the Curate, or for the Bishop, if he would.

Now to bring them back by little and little to the Ordinarys, it had been ordain∣ed by the Councils, especially by that of Mets under King Arnulf, that the Laicks should not put them off of their hands, nor give them to the Monasteries, without the permission of the Diocesan Bishops or the Pope, which was since confirmed by the Council of Rome in the year 1078. and by that of Melfe, An. 1090.

When it hapned then that the Seculars would discharge their Consciences, and restore those Possessions to the Church, which their Fathers had usurped during the Wars; the Ordinaries believed they ought not to suffer the Monks should draw these to themselves, and joyned together to make them revert to the benefit of the Hierar∣chical Order.

This was the subject of an obstinate and bloody quarrel between the Bishops and the Monks; the First held divers Assemblies to preserve their Rights. There was one amongst the rest in the Abby of St. Denis, about the end of the Tenth Century, where Seguin de Sens, venerable both for his Age and Virtue presided. The Monks perceiving the Council was going to pronounce against them, raised a furious Sedi∣tion to scatter them. Abbon de Fleury was accused to have been the Boute-feu * 1.266. How ever it were, Seguin was wounded with an Axe betwixt the two Shoulders; and Ar∣nold d'Orleans, a particular enemy to Abbon, had lost his Life there, had he not fled away betimes.

As the conduct of the Prince is the Rule to all his Kingdom, the Piety of Robert served not a little to contain the Ecclesiasticks in their Duty, and incline them to* 1.267 the exercise of their Religion, and the study of good Literature. We ought cer∣tainly to reckon him the first amongst the Learned Men of this age, not so much for his quality and rank, as for his capacity, which was not little for those times; and to him we may add Gauslin his bastard Brother, Arch-Bishop of Bourges, who amongst other Works, composed a Discourse about the causes of the showre of Blood that had fallen An. 1017. in Aquitain for three days together, and had this of wonderful in it, That it could not be wiped or rubbed off from any Flesh, Cloaths or Stones, but out of Wood the spots might be easily taken away, and leave no stain behind. Amongst other persons of erudition, those that most excell'd, were* 1.268 Foulk and Yves, Bishops of Chartres, Leoterick of Sens, Gervas de Reims, Chancellour of France, Beranger Arch-Deacon of Angers, Hildebert du Mans his Disciple and Admirer, and Gefroy de Vendosme (these two passed very far in the other age) Lanfranc Abbot of St. Stephens at Caen, Durand Bishop of Liege, and the Monks, Sigebert of Gem∣blours, Glaber of Clugny, and Helgaud de Fleury, who all three labour'd in History.

* 1.269 We must take notice besides those most eminent Servants of God, Odillon, whom we have already mentioned, and Hugh, both Abbots of Clugny, who being favour∣ed by Heaven, were in great credit with the Princes of this world; of Thierry Bi∣shop of Orleans, Burchard de Vienne, Bruno de Toul, all three in the beginning of this Century: and in the latter part of it, Austinde d'Auch, Hugh de Grenoble, Arnold de Soissons, and Maurille de Rouen. Add to these Prelats Brune who was Institutor of that most austere Order of the Chartreux; and Robert Abbot of Molesme, who was Institutor or Founder of the Cisteaux. For Robert d'Arbresel he is not yet in the Ca∣talogue of Saints.

* 1.270 France was not exempted from Heresies; In the year 1000, there started up a Phanatiqee Peasant, named Leutard, in the Burrough de Vertus, within the Bishoprick of Chaalons, who broke down the Images, Preached that they ought not to pay Tithes, and maintained, that the Prophets had not always spoke those things that were good; he was followed by an innumerable multitude of the Populace, who belie∣ved

him to be inspired of God: his Bishop (it was Guibin) having easily convinced him, and afterwards disabused those ignorant people; the unhappy wretch, in despair to see himself forsaken, cast himself into a Well, his Head foremost.

Some years afterwards came from Italy I know not what Woman, infected with the dotage of the Manicheans, which she inspired into a couple of the most Noble, and most Learned Clergy-men of Orleans, and those into several other people of seve∣ral conditions. King Robert who made his Residence in that City, being informed hereof, assembled a Council, An. 1017. to convince them; but not able to dis-infatu∣ate them, they kindled a fire in a neighbouring Field to burn them, if they persisted in those Follies. These obstinate Zealots far from dreading those Flames, ran to them, Thirteen were burnt, Ten whereof were Canons of St. Croix.

The same severity was practised towards all of that Sect that could be discovered in any place, especially at Toulouze An. 1022. But the remainders or Seeds of those ashes, or (as some say) the frequent Commerce the French, who travelled to the Le∣vant, had with the Bulgarians, who were Manicheans, soon after raised up this Phren∣sie again in Languedoc and Gascongne.

The error of the Sacramentaries was more subtil, and therefore did not make so great a progress. Joh. Scot. Erigene, and other half Learned, and too subtil Wits, disputing about the incomprehensible Mistery of the Holy Sacrament, according to the notions and terms of humane Philosophy, had raised doubts and difficulties in the minds of Men, touching the real presence of the Body of JESƲS CHRIST in the Holy Eucharist. We may believe that even in the Tenth age, some scruples had been made by people contending herein, since there were miracles wrought to prove it.

But the First that durst openly say contrary to the belief of all former ages, that the Holy Sacrament was but the Figure of the Body of our Lord, was Berenger, Arch-Deacon of Angers, Treasurer and* 1.271 Super-intendant of St. Martin de Tours. As he was one of the most Learned Men of his time, and had such charms in his Discourse and Entertainment, that he was followed by vast numbers of Disciples, for which reason his adversaries said he was a Magician: he drew to his party Br••••o Bishop of Angers, and very many others, who spread his Doctrine thorough France, Italy and Germany. Durandus Bishop of Liege, and Adelman his Rector, afterwards Bishop of Bresse, stopt the current of it by their Writings; and King Henry by his Authority: so that he kept close and quiet for some years. At the end whereof moving the que∣stion afresh, Pope Leo IX, condemned it in the Council of Rome, and in that of Vercel, both in An. 1050. In the last they ordered Scots Book to be burned, which was the Well from whence he had drawn his error. Five years afterwards Hildebrand Legat from Pope Victor II. being sent into France to reform the Clergy, convened a Council at Tours, where he compell'd him to abjure his Error, and subscribe his Re∣tractation.

For all this he desisted not from his former ways, they were fain to cite him be∣fore the Council which was held at Rome, An. 1059. where he was ordered to burn Scotus his Book with his own hand, and Sign to a Confession of Faith composed by Cardinal Humbert: but as soon as he was at liberty he renews the Dispute, which lasted till the year 1079. when Gregory VII. having summon'd him before another Council in Rome, managed this turbulent Spirit so well, that he owned and confes∣sed both from his Heart and Tongue, the substantial Conversion of the Bread and Wine into the Body and Blood of JESƲS CHRIST..

Being returned into France, he took up the Habit of St. Bennet for his pennance, and retired into the Priory of St. Cosmo, which is in an Island of the Loire, about two Leagues from Tours, whither he drew several Cannons of St. Martins, who were en∣chanted with the sweetness of his Conversation. He passed the rest of his days there with great austerity, and died very Religiously, An. 1091. aged above Fourscore years.

What care soever was used to reform the disorders, and take away the Weeds and Darnel out of the Church, yet they could never pluck up the most spreading and fruitful root of Simony. I shall give you a little taste of it. In a Council which the Legat Hildebrand held at Lions, An. 1055. there were 45 Bishops, and 23 other Prelats, who without any other accusation but their own Consciences, publickly avowed this crime, and renounced their Benefices: An example very common as to the fault, but singular for the repentance.

I do not know any times wherein so many Churches and Abbeys were built, as in these days. King Robert himself founded above 20. There was not one Lord but

[✚] valued himself in so doing. The most wicked affected the Title of Founders; whilst they ruined the Churches on the one hand, they built on the other, and made their Sacrilegious Offrings to God of those things they had ravisht from the poor, and needy.

The fancy that reigned in Mens minds at the beginning of this Century is most remarkable, which was to pull down old Churches to build new, nay, even the fair∣est and noblest, to erect others after their own mode.

This change of material Walls, seemed to be a sign of that change was made in those times in the whole Face, and if we may say so, the Body of the Gallican Church. From the Eighth Century the Popes had found out means to diminish the Authori∣ty of Metropolitans, obliging them by a Decree in Council, held at Ments by St. Bo∣niface, necessarily to receive the Pall at Rome, and subject themselves Canonically to obey the Roman Church in all points. A Profession since changed into an Oath of Fidelity, under Gregory VII. They had likewise attributed to themselves, exclu∣sively to all others, the Right of Separating, or Dissolving the Spiritual Marriage which a Bishop contracteth with his Church, and to give him the liberty of Mar∣rying with another, they had enlarged their Patriarchal Jurisdiction over all the West, by necessitating the Bishops to have confirmation from them, for which they paid certain rates, which in time were converted into what they call Annates; in admitting the appellations of Priests, and in taking cognisance of things that be∣long only to Bishops.

Nay, much more, they had as it were annihilated the Provincial Councils, in ta∣king away their Soveraignty by a cassation of their Judgments; insomuch as those Assemblies were in the end laid aside as useless, yielding no other satisfaction to such as resorted thither, but the displeasure of having their Sentences oftentimes reversed at Rome, without any proofs, or any reasons brought before them. Gregory II. made it a Rule of common Right, That none should be so bold as to condemn any that appealed to the Holy See.

But they never made a greater breach in the liberties of the Gallican Church, then when they introduced the Belief, that no Councils could be called without their Au∣thority; and after they had made divers attempts to set up perpetual Vicars in Gall, found out the way to have their Legats admitted and received. To this purpose they first made use of a Canon of the Council of Sardique, which gave them power to send Legats into the Provinces, to review any Process of the Deposition of Bishops, where complaint was made. After they had accustoned the French Prelats to suffer the Legats in such Cases, they gained by little and little another Point, during the weakness of their Princes, which was to send a Legat whether there were any such Process, or Appeal, or not; and finally when they had received the Yoak, Alexandre II. setled it for a maxime, that the Pope ought to have the whole Government of all the Churches.

Of these Legats, some of them had the whole Kingdom under their jurisdiction, others a part only. They came with Authority to Depose Bishops, or the Metropo∣litan himself, when they pleased; to Assemble Councils in their District, to preside with the Metropolitan, and precede him, to make Canons, to send to the Pope the decision of such things to which the Bishops would not consent; as likewise all Acts of the Council, which he disposed of at his Will; and it is to be observed that their Suffrage counterpoised those of all the Bishops; and often, by their sole Autho∣rity, they judged of the Elections of Bishops, of Benefices, of the Excommunicati∣ons of Laics, and other such like: so that those Assemblies formerly so Holy and So∣vereign for the Discipline, having now no more power, were to speak properly, rather Councils to assert the Will of the Pope, then lawful and free Coun∣cils.

Now after Alexandre II. had ordained, that the Bishops of those Provinces, whe∣ther the Legation extended, should be at the charges for their subsistence, and de∣fray their expences; and that Gregory VII. had added to the Oath the Bishops take when they receive the Pall, that they would Treat them Honourably at their going, and upon their return, and would furnish them with all necessaries; the profit of those imployments was not less great then the Honour and Dignity. So that the desire of gain made them court these imployments with great earnestness; and the Popes bestowed them as rewards upon their creatures. There was nothing but go∣ing and coming of Legats, and as soon as one had cramm'd his Purse, immediately another came in his place. Insomuch as the Bishops and Clergy extreamly tired,

and impoverished by these perpetual exhaustings, did not look upon these Legations any longer as a remedy, but as a disease. In effect, it became so importunate and vexatious, that at length they were forced to consider of some moderation, and not to receive any more Legats, but upon very important occasions.

We should never have done if we quoted all the Councils that were assembled in this Century. We find a great number in the Epistles of Yves de Chartres, Gregory VII. and Gefroy de Vendosme. I will likewise set down some, An. 1003. The Bishops of France approved the Marriage of King Robert with Berthe; and the year after, be∣ing constrained by the Anathema's from Rome, they revoked their Sentence, and Ex∣communicated the King.

Glaber relates that many were celebrated in Italy, and in Gall, about certain usages of no great importance; as to consider, whether they should Fast on the days between the Ascension and Pentecost; permit the Benedictines to Sing the Te Deum on the Lent Sundays; and celebrate the Feast of the Anunciation the 25th of March, or else the 18th of December, as the Spaniards did, according to the Decree of their Tenth Council of Toledo. The decisions were, That those Fasts should be all abo∣lished, excepting upon Whitsuntide Eve; the Benedictines maintained in their Sing∣ing the Te Deum in Lent; and the Festival of the Annunciation be observed in March.

King Robert convened several Councils, particularly one about the year 1017. at Orleans, to extirpate the Heresy of the Manicheans, which sprung up apace in that City; another in the same place An. 1029. for the Dedication o•• St. Agnes Church, which he had built there. The same year was held one at Limoges, Gauzlin de Bourges presiding, about the contest started, Whether they must give St. Mar∣tial, the Bishop of Limoges, the Title of Apostle, as the Limosins would have it, or only that of Confessor, as some others maintained. These frivolous questions proceeded from the ambition of the Prelats, who to gain precedency from others, did all of them attribute the Foundations of their Churches to the Apostles or Disciples of Jesus Christ, and to that end invented Fables, and perverted all History.

This Council had not power enough to determine this question, it was again de∣bated with great contention in that of Bourges, An. 1033 in the second of Limoges, and that of Beauvais, which were held in the year 1034. and withal, they consulted the Holy Chair herein, where it was decided, that St. Martial ought to be revered as an Apo••••le.

In this second Council of Limoges, complaint being made concerning Absolutions granted to such as being Excommunitated, addressed themselves to the Pope; it was said, That none could receive Pennance or Absolution from the Pope, if he were not sent thither by his Bishop.

The same Glaber writes, that the same year 1034. there were divers Coun∣cils in the Provinces of France, particularly in Guyenne, for the reformation of Manners, which all people most earnestly desired, thereby to appease the wrath of God, who had sorely afflicted France with Famine. Amongst divers Decrees, there was one which Ordained upon pain of Excommunication, abstinence from Wine upon Fridays, and Flesh upon Saturdays, unless Sickness, or some great Fe∣stival hapned upon those days. Gerard the Bishop of Cambray rejected this Decree as a Novelty, contrary to the Orders and Rules of the Church, and which had no Foundation, but I know not what Revelation.

These Assemblies labour'd likewise to secure what belonged to the Church from the Rapine and Thefts of some Lords, and restore the Discipline, for which some Canons were made in the Second of Limoges, That of Beauvais was held Fifteen days after that of Bourges. Pope Leo IX. being come into France, Conve∣ned one at Reims, towards Autumne, An. 1049. Victor II. One at Toulouze, An. [✚] 1056. To extirpate abuses, and especially Simony, which is more difficult to be taken from the Church, then their Riches which is the cause of it.

King Henry desiring to have his Son Philip Crowned, Assembled the Pre∣lats and Lords of the Kingdom at Paris, An. 1059, or 60. Amat, Bishop of Ole∣ron, Legat from Rome in Aquitania Tertia, and Narbounensis held divers; Two in Gascongne, One wherein he Excommunicated such as detained any Goods belong∣ing to the Church; another wherein he Dissolved the Marriage of Centulle, Vi∣count of Bearn; and another also at the Burrough of Deols in Berry, with Hugh, Le∣gat and Arch-Bishop of Lyons, about the affairs of that Abby. The same having

the Popes Legation in the lesser Bretagne, Convened one An. 1079. in that Pro∣vince, to take some course against the abuses of false pennances, that is to say, their [☞] imposing of slight pennances for great crimes.

About the end of the year 1080. there were three, One at Lyons, where Hugh, de Die, the Popes Legat caused the Sentence to be confirmed, whereby Manasses, Arch-Bi∣shop of Reims had been deposed; One at Avignon, where he consecrated another Hugh, Bishop of Grenoble, and the Third at Meaux, in which Ʋrsion de Soissons was deposed, and Arnold a Monk of St. Medard installed in his place.

The year following the same Hugh, and Richard, Abbot of Marseille, Cardinals, called one at Poitiers; Amat d'Oleron Legat in Aquitain came likewise thither. They provisionally ordained a Divorce of William Earl of Poitiers from his Wife, because of their consanguinity.

That of Toulouze in An. 1090. was Convened by the Legats of Ʋrban II. Some Rules were there made concerning Causes Ecclesiastical, and the Bishop of that Ci∣ty purged himself of certain things imposed upon him.

The most famous of all was the Council of Clermont, An. 1095. where the same Pope with great zeal Preached up the First Croisade; and to obtain the assistance of the Holy Virgin towards those that should undertake the Expedition, ordained the Clergy to recite the Office, or Heures* 1.272 of our Lady, which the Chartreux and Her∣mits instituted by Peter Damianus, had already received amongst them. There was one more at Tours the year following, to prepare them to that expeditition of the Holy Land.

The last year of this Century they had one likewise at Poitiers, whereat John and Benedict, Cardinal Legats presided; King Philip was here struck with an Anathe∣ma, for having retaken Bertrade; and the Kingdom of France put under an interdi∣ction. The precedent year, there had been one held at Autun, and the following, there was also one at Baugency for the same business.

The prohibition of Marriages, even to the seventh Degree, extreamly embarrass'd the Eleventh and Twelfth Century; and as that rigour was excessive, the Princes broke thorough without much scruple, and afterwards became obstinate against Ex∣communications, with so much the more Reason and Pretence, as having the opini∣ons of many great Lawyers, who reckoned these Degrees after another manner then the Church-men; so that it served for little else but a specious colour for such as were distasted with their Wives, to procure their Divorce.

The custom practised in the Church of Jerusalem, where because of the too great confluence, the Laity communicated only under the species of Bread, introduced it self by little and little, into the Western Church; and there is some appearance that the Canon of the Council of Clermont was favourable to it, ordaining, That those that communicated should take the two species separately (this was to avoid that abuse of the Greeks, who soaked or dipped the Bread in the Wine) Ʋnless in case of necessity, or by PRECAƲTION, That is to say, if there were danger of spilling the Chal∣lice, as when the multitude and throng of Communicants was* 1.273 too great.

There was like a change in the Government of some Churches; the Sees of Gas∣congny, which had been vacant above two ages, were filled; the Bishopricks of Arras and Cambray, both which had been Governed by one Pastor since Saint Vaast, began each to have their own, after the death of Gerard II. who held them both; and Manasses was the first Bishop of Cambray, An. 1095.

The same thing was attempted for Noyon and Tournay, which had been joyned since St. Medard: but King Philip opposing, they remained so united till the year 1146. When Simon the Son of Hugh the Great being Bishop thereof, they were divided. Anselme a Monk of Soissons, and Abbot of St. Vincent de Laon, was the first that held the See of Tournay.

An. 1179 Gregory VII. by his Bulls gave, or as others say, confirmed to the Arch-Bishop of Lyons the Primacy of the four Lyonnoises only, being perhaps perswa∣ded, as some others, that Lyons was in antient times the capital City and first Church of the Galls. The Arch-Bishop of Tours was the first who submitted, but those of Sens and Rouen opposed it with all their might: and although this establishment had been maintained in the Council of Clermont, and since by judgment contradictory, which was given in the Court of Rome, Anno 1099. they had much ado to submit them∣selves; and it was, as I believe, during this Contest that he of Rouen began, out of emulation, to take up the Title of Primate of Normandy.

The Abbot Odillon being excited by divers Revelations to ease the Souls that were in Torments after Death, ordained the Monks of his Congregation of Clugny to make a Commemoration every year the day after All-Saints, in their Prayers and Divine Service; which the Universal Church received soon after.

About the end of his Age three famous Religious Orders had their Birth; That of the Chartreax Anno 1086. by Bruno Canon o•• Reims, and St. Hugh Bishop of Gre∣noble, who were the first that retired into the horrid Solitude of the Chartreuse in Dauphine, which gave name to this Order. That of St. Anthony at Vienne, in the same Country, by a Gentleman named Gaston, who devoted his Person and Estate to the assistance of those that were seized with the Distemper called St. Anthony's Fire, and came to implore the intercession of that Saint at Vienne, where they had his Corps, brought thither from Constantinople by Jocelin Count d'Albon, in the time of King Lotaire Son of Louis Transmarine. This Gaston got together some Companions, who at first were of the Laity, but soon after they became Friars under the Rules of St. Augustin, and planted their Congregation in several Provinces.

In the year 1098. Robert Abbot of Molesme Instituted the Order of the Cisteaux, being as it were a younger Sprig of that of St. Bennet, and became so Potent that for more then Twenty years it governed almost all Europe both in Spirituals and Temporals.

We must not omit how Robert, Native of the Village d'Arbresel in the Diocess of Rennes, founded the Order of Fontevralt, whose Monasteries are double, of Men and Women, living according to the Rule and wearing the Habit of St. Bennet. This Robert was at first Archdeacon of Rennes, then had a particular Mission from Pope Ʋrban II. to Preach to the People. Finding he was every where followed by an in∣finite multitude of either Sex, he built Cells for them in the Woods of Fontevrault three Leagues from Saumur on the Confines of Poitou; and then shutting up the Wo∣men apart (this was perhaps after the good Advice of Gefroy de Vendosme) he made a large Monastery, which produced many others in each of them the Abbess Com∣mands, and she of Fontevrault is the General of the whole Order.

About the year 1048. began a famous Dispute between the Benedictine Monks of St. Denis in France, and those of St. Himmeran of Ratisbonne, these having given out a report that they had the Body of St. Denis the Areopagite, and that it was bestow'd upon them by King Arnold. They held a famous Assembly at St. Denis upon it, where the Contenders of either side, having fasted and pray'd, the Shrine of this Saint was opened; and there his Corps was found intire, excepting one Arm which Pope Stepha∣nus III. had carried to Rome. Those of Ratisbonne would not yield for all this, but always maintained their Supposition.

The great Zeal People then had for Reliques, prompted such as hold nothing so Sacred as Money, to go for some to Jerusalem and the East, to steal Reliques where∣ever they could come at them, and oftentimes likewise to suppose and bring Coun∣terfeit ones to make Merchandize: and the great Lords gave dear Prices for them, not only out of Devotion, but also to enrich their Towns and Castles, by the affluence of those People that came to behold them.

Lewis the Gross, King XXXIX.

POPES,

• PASCAL II. Nine years six Months during this Reign.
• GELASIUS II. Elected in Ja∣nuary 1118. S. One year.
• CALISTUS II. Elected in Feb. 1119. S. Ten years, ten Months.
• HONORIUS II. Elected in Decem. 1124. S. Five years, one Month and an half.
• INNOCENT II. Elected in Feb. 1130. S. Thirteen years seven Months, whereof Seven years seven Months during this Reign.

LEWIS the GROSS, King XXXIX▪ Aged about Twenty seven years.

[Year of our Lord 1108] THis Prince no less Massive of Body then his Father, but brave, active, vi∣gilant, exposing himself boldly to all Labours and all Dangers, had under∣taken to suppress the Pilferings and Licentiousness of the Lords. They had made several Leagues against him; and at that time there was one, whereof Guy Earl of Rochefort was the chief Promoter; and, this perhaps, had hindred him from being Crowned in his Fathers life time.

The fear of this League obliged him to hasten his Coronation, so that five days after the Death of Philip he was Anointed and Crowned at Orleans by Giselbert Archbishop of Sens, assisted by all his Suffragants. He would not have it performed at Reims, because Rodolph who was chosen Archbishop by the Clergy, and confirmed by the Pope, had not his approbation, for which reason he disturbed him in the en∣joyment, and Rodolph thereupon had put the City under an Interdiction.

[Year of our Lord 1109] The War raised by Guy de Rochefort and his Friends, lasted still. The new King besieged Chevreuse and other little Castles which the other party defended well. Mean time Guy died, and Hugh surnamed de Crescy, his second Son, succeeded to the Animosity of his Father.

Hugh Lord Puiset in Beauce, mighty famous for his Robberies, was of the League. Eudes Ea. I of Corbeil, Grandson to Earl Bouchard* 1.274, having refused to joyn with the Male-contents, Crescy, though his Brother by the Mother, made him Prisoner, and shut him up in the Castle of la Ferte-Baudouin. The King set him free soon after, taking the place, partly by Intelligence.

[Year of our Lord 1109. 1110, &c.] At the same time the King had War with Henry King of England and Duke of Normandy. The Subject was, that that Prince did not keep the Promise he made upon his doing Hommage for Normandy, to pull down the Castle of Gisors, built on this side the Epte, a River which served as a Boundary between the Territories of the French and the Normans.

The Difference put to Discussion between the Deputies of the one and other side, and the Parties not able to agree the Fact; King Lewis offer'd to prove it by Combat Body to Body. Some idle Jesters said, the two Kings had best fight upon the Bridge which shook and was ready to fall. Henry having refused this Challenge,

they came to a Battle, the English lost it, and their broken Remains sled to Meulan.

Robert Earl of Flanders pursuing them too rashly, was wounded to Death. His Son Baldwin surnamed* 1.275 a la Hache succeeded him.

Under the favour of this War, the Male-contents drew Philip the Kings Brother to their Party: The power and greatness of Amaury de Montfort his Uncle by the Mother, the credit of his Mother Queen Bertrade and of Foulk Earl of Anjou, after∣wards King of Jerusalem, his Brother heightned his courage. He had two strong Holds, Mantes and Montlebery; the King besieged Mantes, and forced it to sur∣render.

For that of Montlehery, the better to keep it, they would have given it to Hugh de Crescy with a Daughter of Amaury's in Marriage: but the King prevented it, and restored it to Milon Vicount de Troyes who had some right to it.

He after this attaqu'd le Puiset in favour of Thibauld Earl of Chartres, who was mightily molested by Hugh, Lord of that Castle, and took the place together with the Lord, whom he kept under a good strong Guard in Castle-Landon.

This War begot another. Thibauld would build a Fort on the limits of the Country of Puiset: the King obstructing him, he maintain'd he had promised him leave to do it: and therefore did him wrong, which he offer'd to prove by Combat, pro∣posing his Chamberlain for Champion, in his own stead, he being yet too young. The King on his part appointed his Grand Seneschal Anseau de Garlande: but the Cham∣pions could find no Court or Judge in the Kingdom, who would secure them the field of Battle. Perhaps the King might underhand obstruct it.

The Earl therefore declares War against the King with the Assistance of Henry King of England, his Mothers Brother, and the Duke of Bretagne; for according to the Customs of those times the Lords thought they might do it, when they appre∣hended there was a denial of Justice. With him joyned the Lords, Hugh de Crescy, Guy de Rochefort returned from the Holy Land, Lancelin de Dammartin, Payen de Mont-Jeay, Rodolph de Beaugency, Milon Vicount de Troyes, and Eudes Earl of Corbeil.

To tell it in gross, the King received a great deal of trouble, and made them suffer so much too, that he brought most of them to their Duty one after another. Eudes being dead during these Transactions, he Treated with Hugh de Puiset who was to inherit that Earldom, and making him resign his Right provided he would give him his liberty, put himself in possession of that place, of great importance at that juncture.

[Year of our Lord 1112, &c.] Some time after Hugh having re-fortisied le Puiset, and committing a thousand In∣solencies upon the Neighbouring Countries, he besieged him in that place: but the Champenois having the rest that were in League together for him, failed not to come to relieve it. Two great Battles were fought, one to the Kings disadvantage, the other to his advantage; after that they talked of an Accommodation, and Hugh obtained his Pardon.

Milon Vicount de Troyes whom the King had re-setled in Montlehery, had with∣drawn himself from the rest of the Leagued Party, Crescy not being able to draw him in again surprized him by Treachery; and after he had led him about to divers Castles bound and setter'd, not knowing where to secure him so, but the King would deliver him, nor how to let him go but he would take his Revenge, he caused him to be Strangled in the night, and thrown out of a Window at the Castle of Gumet. He would have had it believ'd that he had broken his Neck, endeavouring to make his escape; but the Crime was discover'd; and the King with great diligence besieged the Castle of Gumet. The wretched Murtherer being condemned to justifie himself by Duel in the Court of Amaulry de Montfort, had not the courage to expose himself to that hazard; and therefore finding himself Convicted, he came and cast himself at the Kings Feet, gave up his Lands to him, and put on the Habit of a Monk as his Pennance.

[Year of our Lord 1116] Hugh du Puiset being Revolted the third time, the King again besieged that Castle, razed it, and then turned that Rebel out of all his Estate. This unfortunate Man having in a Sally killed Anseau de Garlande Grand Seneschal and Favourite to the King, and not daring to remain any longer in the Country, went a while after to the Holy Land, which in those times was the Refuge of Banish'd and Condemned People, as it was likewise of true Penitents.

[Year of our Lord 1116] Thomas de Marle Lord of Coucy had been Excommunicated and Degraded of his Nobility Anno 1114. by the Popes Legat in the Council of Beauvais, for the Sacri∣ledge and Robberies he committed upon the Churches, and the People belonging to the Bishopricks of Reims, Laon and Amiens. That Sentence had inflamed his

Rage to do yet worse, even to the setting Fire to the City of Laon, and the Noble Church of Nostre-Dame, (I believe it was that of Liesse) to Massacre the Bishop Galderic, and cut off that Finger whereon he wore the Episcopal Ring. The King who flew about every where with incredible Celerity, ran that way before this Robber had seized the Tower of Laon, forced and razed his Castles of Crecy and Nogent, and brought him to Reason.

[Year of our Lord 1116, & 17.] He quelled likewise another puny Tyrannet named Adam, that ravaged all the Neighbourhood of Amiens. He had gotten possession of the City Tower which was very strong, and gave a great deal of trouble: but the King having begirt it for two years, gained it and razed it.

About Ten or Eleven years afterwards Thomas draws the King again upon him, by the like Deportment, so that he went and besieged his Castle of Coucy. It hapned that making their approaches, Rodolph Count de Vermandois met him, wounded him, and took him Prisoner. He was carried to Laon where he died miserably of his Wounds.

Henry King of England was the Boute-feu* 1.276, and Support of all these Revolts: [Year of our Lord 1117] King Lewis in Retaliation had stirred up against him his Nephew William Son of the Deceased Duke Robert, whom he admitted to do Hommage for the Dukedom of [Year of our Lord 1117] Normandy, and gave him the Castle and City of Gisors, the first occasion of the Quarrel. This Nephew being thus supported, put his Uncle to so much trouble that he was fain to make a Peace with Lewis, promising to leave all the Rebels to his Mercy.

* 1.277 [Year of our Lord 1118] Archambaud Lord of Bourbon being dead, Hemon his Brother surnamed Vaire-Vache, under pretence of claiming his Share detained the whole Possession to the pre∣judice of the Son, and Treated his Subjects, especially the Clergy very Tyranni∣cally. The King assigns him to plead his Right before the Parliament. Upon his refusal to appear, he went in Person to compel him, and besieged his Castle of Ger∣migny. Hemon dreading his Wroth, came and craved his Pardon: he received him to Mercy, and took both him and his Nephew along with him, to bring them to an agreement of all their Disputes.

* 1.278 The Quarrel between the Emperor and Pope concerning the right of Investitures, being burst out anew with more heat then ever. Pascal II. being Pope, the Emperor Henry V. had seized both upon him and all his Cardinals, and constrained him to allow him the priviledge of nominating two Bishopricks. Afterwards that Pope being at liberty annull'd that Treaty in the Council of Latran, and Excommunicated the Emperor.

[Year of our Lord 1118] In this year 1118. Galasius was elected in the room of Pascal, or Paschalis, but he sought not the approbation of the Emperor, who being displeased at that neglect or contempt, caused one Maurice Burdin to be chosen, a Limosin by Birth, and Archbishop of Braga in Portugal, to whom they gave the name of Gregory.

[Year of our Lord 1119] Gelasius being then driven from Rome took his way into France, to hold a Council there, as he did in the City of Vienne: but he died the same year in the Abby of Clugny.

[Year of our Lord 1119] The Cardinals that had followed him elected Guy Archbishop of Vienne, who took the name of Calixtus II. He was the Brother of Stephen Earl of Burgundy, and Uncle of Adele or Alix Queen of France, who was the Daughter of his Sister and of Hum∣bert Earl of Morienne: and this consideration did fortisie the Holy See with great Alliances against the Emperor.

[Year of our Lord 1119] The whole Kingdom of France having taken his part, he came from Vienne to Toulouze, where he held a Council. Thence he went to Reims where he called ano∣ther, in which divers Canons were made to take away Simony, the Investiture of Be∣nefices from Laicks, Concubines from Priests, and the selling of Sacraments. The King was present, the Emperor Henry would not be there, and having refused to part with the right of Investitures, was Excommunicated.

There was almost the same contest and difference betwixt the Popes and the Kings of France; These pretending the Election and Provisions of the Popes were not sufficient without their consent. So that it had begot great troubles in the Churches of Bourges, Reims, Beauvais and others. But the Popes durst not shock these Kings so rudely. It was good Policy not to make so many Enemies at once, to keep France in reserve as a Refuge against the Emperors; and bring down the Germans first, because they troubled them most.

The Peace between the two Kings Lewis and Henry, was of no long duration. The Friends of the late Duke Robert and William his Son declared for Lewis, and the

Earls of Anjou and of Flanders served him zealously: as Thibald Earl of Champagne served Henry who was his Uncle.

[Year of our Lord 1119] Baldwin Earl of Flanders being wounded upon an assault of the little Castle of Bures in Caux, did so inflame his Wound with his Debauches, that he died of it at Aumale. Charles surnamed the Good, Son of his Sister and Camut King of Denmark succeeded him in the Earldom of Flanders, and maintain'd himself there courage∣ously, notwithstanding that Clemence of Burgundy Mother of Baldwin, who was again Married to Godfrey Earl of Louvain, endeavoured to make it fall into the hands of a Bastard of Flanders named William of Ypres who had Married her Neece.

After a world of Ravages, Firings, Sieges, Surprizes, and Plunderings of Places; after two great Battles fought betwixt the two Kings, one in the Plain of B••eneville near Noyon on Andelle, where the French had the worst, the other near Bre••euil where the success was doubtful: Pope Calixtus, as the common Father, being come ex∣pressly [Year of our Lord 1120] to Gisors, brought them to agree, by persuadin them to restore what places they had taken to each other. Thus the Dutchy remained to Henry; who gave it to his eldest Son William, surnamed Adelin * 1.279, in wrong of William his Nephew.

This Peace did not put an end to his grief and troubles; For a few weeks after he lost his three Sons, and with them above Three hundred Gentlemen, the flower of [Year of our Lord 1120] his Nobility and his best Captains. It was a strange misfortune. They being Em∣barqued at Harfleur to go into England, their Seamen who were drunk, split the Ship as they were getting out of Harbor. And at the same time his Nephew's Friends and Partisans stirred up new Disturbances in Normandy, and re-engaged the King of France to uphold them. Which renewed the Desolations of that Province.

In Anno 1119. died Alain surnamed Fergeant Duke of Bretagne Son of Hoel, who departed this Life Anno 1084. His Son Conan surnamed the Gross or Ermengard suc∣ceeded him.

This Alain, if we believe the Historian of Bretagne, prescribed certain Forms and Rules for the doing Justice in his Country, where before it was administred very confusedly. For he Establisht a Seneschal at Renes, to whom he would have all Persons to resort, unless those of the County of Nantes who had one likewise; and began to hold an Assembly or Parliament, which judged of Appeals from the Seneschals of Rennes and Nantes, for in Matters Criminal there lay no Appeal. There were no certain and fixed Officers, no more then any certain times for sitting. They afterwards made a President in the absence of the Chancellor and a Master of Requests.

[Year of our Lord 1123] The death of Hugh III. of that name Duke of Burgundy, to whom succeeded Odon his eldest Son, who Married Mary the Daughter of Thibauld Earl of Champagne.

[Year of our Lord 1123] The War grew hotter in Normandy betwixt the French and King Henry, and was ca ried on with various success. But Henry found nothing more troublesome then his Domestick Officers and Servants, who had framed a Conspiracy against his Life. He could confide in no body, he trembled at the approach of all that came near him, he died a thousand times a day for fear they would Murther him, and in the night shifted Beds five or six times, and changed his Guards, not thinking he was safe in any place, believing there were none but Enemies about him.

[Year of our Lord 1124] The Emperor reconciled himself with the Pope, and laid down the Investitures: But his Wrath still boiling in him, would needs discharge it self upon France.

[Year of our Lord 1124] He had Married Matilda, Daughter of the English King, for that reason, as likewise for the Resentment he conceived because Lewis had protected Pope Calixtus, he raised a very great Army to destroy and lay that City of Reims flat with the ground, where Calixtus had held the Council against him. Lewis on his side resolved to draw all the Forces of his whole Kingdom together, even to the very Priests and Friers, so that in a short time he had 200000 Men out of the Isle of France, Cham∣pagne and Picardy only. The Emperor having information of these prodigious Levics, found it safer for him not to come into the Country of Messin, but retire.

At his return Triumphant Lewis brings back the Martyrs Holy Standard, (called the Oriflamme) and deposites it again in St. Denis, whence he had taken it, rendred Solemn Thanks to those Glorious Saints, carried their Shrines upon his Shoulders, which had been taken down and exposed on the high Altar during all the time of the War, and made or confirmed several Grants to that Abby, especially the Fair of Lendit out of the City, for they had one already within.

Ʋpon this occasion we may observe the difference there was between the Forces of France and the Kings. For when he made a War for himself, he could have only the People of those Countries properly in his own possession, and they served but unwillingly; but when it was the Kingdoms Cause or Concern, all the Forces of France were in action, every Lord came in Person, and brought all his Subjects along with him.

[Year of our Lord 1125] The Emperor Henry being dead, the Princes of Germany brought in Lotaire* 1.280 Duke of Saxony; who likewise retaining the Kingdom of Burgundy as united to the Empire, Renold Duke of Burgundy refused to acknowledge him. For which he* 1.281 would have deprived him of his Earldom, and have bestow'd it upon Bertold Duke of Zeringhen; and this begot a bloody War between these two Houses, who fought till the time of Frederick I. who Married Beatrix the Daughter of Renold.

This year 1126. the King received the Complaints made by the Bishop of Clermont [Year of our Lord 1126] concerning the Usurpations and Tyrannies of Robert Earl d'Auvergne, and going [Year of our Lord 1126] thither in Person forced the Earl, notwithstanding the Rocks and Castles of his High-Lands or Mountains, to submit to Reason.

Five or six years after, the repeated Violences of the same Earl engaged him to make a second Expedition and besiege Montferrand. The Duke of Aquitain came to relieve his Vaslal; but having from the height of a Mountain taken a view of the great Strength and Forces the King had with him, he sent to offer him all Obedience, and brought the Earl as far as Orleans to demand Pardon, and submit to all that should be injoyned him.

[Year of our Lord 1126] Death of William VIII. Duke of Aquitain Aged Fifty six years. He left his Pos∣sessions to William IX. his Son, who was the last Duke of those Countries. The Father had Married Emma only Daughter of William Earl of Arles and Toulouze, and Brother of Raimond de Saint Gilles. By her he pretended to the Earldom of Tou∣louze: but Raimond de Saint Gilles said his Brother had sold it to him, before he went to the Holy Land. It caused a War between William Duke of Aquitain, and Alphonsus Son of Raimond, and afterwards again between Queen* 1.282 Elionor and the same Alphonso.

[Year of our Lord 1127] Whilst Charles, most justly surnamed the Good, prudently governing Flanders, relieving the Poor, protecting the Clergy, and doing Justice to all; a Family in Bruges abounding in Riches and in numbers of Men, but of Servile Race, taking offence for that he had commanded them to open their Granaries in the time of Famine, and withall being instigated by the Bastard William of Ypres, plotted the Death of this Prince; So that one Morning before day-light whilst he was at Prayers in St. Donats Church at Bruges, these Villains Murther'd him at the foot of the Altar.

The horror of the Fact, and intreaties of the Nobility of the Country, made the King take Horse immediately to revenge this Parricide. He besieged the wretched Authors in the Church, and having taken them, punished the two principal very severely. For one, after they had put out his Eyes and cut off his Nose, was bound to a Wheel planted very high, where they pierced him with an infinite number of Arrows and Darts thorough every part of his Body. The other was hanged on a Gallows with a Dog tied on his Head whom they beat continually that he might tear his Head in pieces. All the rest who fled into the Steeple were cast down from the top to the bottom, and dasht against the Ground.

This done he adjudged the Earldom to William of Normandy Son to Duke Robert as being the nearest, or next Heir, without any regard to Baldwin Earl of Hainault, and to William of Ypre, who pretended a Right. The last obstinately strugling to carry it by force, the King handled him so roughly, that he took from him the City of Ypre, and all the Lands he held in Flanders.

[Year of our Lord 1128] As little gained Stephen Brother to the Earl of Champagne, who was Earl of Bou∣logne, by his Wife, though the King of England his Uncle supported him in this de∣sign, not so much to advance him, as out of hatred to the King of France, and a fear of the growing greatness of his Nephew William. The King finding that with the Assistance of the Earl of Hainaults and Godfrey of Namurs Forces, he had besieged Ypres, led his Army into that Country again, gave them Chace and secured the Country to William.

However the Covetousness of this Prince vexing his new Subjects with Imposts he wanted not, and selling of Offices; the principal Cities revolted, and invited in Thierry Earl of Alsatia whom they owned for their Prince; and in truth he was of the Blood of their Counts by the Female side. The King therefore made a third March towards those Quarters, and advanced as sar as Artois, to serve William: but

not finding things disposed so as he expected, he came his ways back again.

William did not lose Courage for all this; He gave Battle near Alost to Thierry, and put him to the rout: but pursuing his Victory, he received a Wound in his Arm, which being ill-dress'd caused his Death; and after that all the Disturbances raised in Normandy by his Partisans wholly ceased.

In this Kings Reign there were four Brothers, private Gentlemen of the Family of the Garlands, Anseau William, Stephen, and Giselbert, who had the greatest share in the favour of the King, in his Council, and Offices. Anseau had that of Grand Se∣neschal or Dapifer, which he held in Fief of the Earl of Anjou, who was the Lord Suzerain: (for in those times Offices and Dignities were granted in Fief, and even the Contributions or Offerings, and other Revenues proceeding from the Charity and Devotion of the Faithful.) Stephen who was Archdeacon of Paris was provided with that of Chancellor, and Giselbert with that of Butler. Now Anseau being slain at the Siege of Puiset, Anno 1118. the King bestowed his Office upon William; and he being dead about the year 1120. Stephen desired it rather for himself, then for his younger Brother Giselbert.

This was a Monster, that never any Reason, nor any Example could justisie, a Soldering-Priest, making profession to spill Human Blood. And indeed all good People had him in horror, but his Ambition, and the flattery of Courtiers, who lay the fairest Colours upon the fowlest Facts, stopp'd his Ears, that he might not hear the just Reproaches of his Brethren, nor the checks of his Conscience. His Pride ascended to that height to shock Queen Alix, who had Spirit enough not to endure it, and it was perhaps for that reason that he would surrender his Office to Amaulry de Montfort who was Married to his Neece the Daughter and Heiress of Anseau.

[Year of our Lord 1128, &c.] The King not thinking that convenient, he dared to take up Arms against him, and made a League with the King of England, Thibauld Earl of Champagne, and other of his Masters Enemies, plainly demonstrating thereby, that in his former Services his [✚] aim was not the good of the Kingdom, but his own Grandeur. The King vigorously assaulted the Castle of Livry which they had fortified; they shot at him, and he was wounded in the Thigh with an Arrow. The smart of his Wound redoubling his Anger, he forced the Castle and razed it; In fine, he continued to make so hot a War upon them, that Stephen was constrained to renounce the Office of Seneschal. But the Party being strong, he thought fit to leave him that of Chancellor.

[Year of our Lord 1129] Great toil and labour, more then number of years, making Lewis old, he found it fitting the better to secure the Kingdom to his Family, to have his eldest Son Philip Crowned. Which was performed in the City of Reims the 14th of April, being Easter-day, in presence of Henry King of England his Vassal.

LEWIS the Gross, and PHILIP his Son.

HEnry likewise having no Children by his second Wife, caused his Daughter Matilda Widow of the Emperor Henry to be acknowledged and accepted of as Heiress to his Crown and Dominions, and Re-Married her to Gefroy surnamed Plantagenet Son and future Successor to Fulk Earl of Anjou. The Party was good, and besides he made it his choice thereby to divide this House of Anjou, which had given him so much trouble, from the King of France's Party, and joyn it to his Interest.

King Lewis who had defended the Churches and protected the Clergy, changed his Language towards the end of his Reign, because they carried themselves too haugh∣tily towards him, and would not suffer he should meddle with the nomination of Be∣nefices, nor lay his hand upon their Revenues. He turned some out of their Sees, and seized their Lands. Stephen Bishop of Paris, and Henry Archbishop of Sens ad∣ventur'd to Excommunicate him: but the Pope Honorius annulled their Censures.

[Year of our Lord 1130] Pope Innocent II. Successor to Honorius, was no sooner elected, but makes himself General of an Army, to compel Roger Duke of Puglia, to resign that Country to him, which he pretended (I know not wherefore) to belong to the Holy See. In the be∣ginning he overcomes Roger and blocks him up in the Castle of Galeozzo; but his Son William hastning thither, disingages his Father, cuts the Popes Army in pieces, and takes him Prisoner. Now although he set him immediately at liberty again, never∣theless the report of his Captivity being carried to Rome, caused them to elect another Pope, who took the name of Anacletus.

Innocent not daring therefore return to Rome, held a Council at Pisa, where he Ex∣communicated Anacletus. From thence he came into France, where he called another

at Clermont in Auvergne. His Cause had some difficulties; the King assembled the Prelats of his Kingdom at Estampes to know which Party they must take. St. Ber∣nard Abbot de Cleruaux strongly maintained Innocents, after his example every one embraced it. Nevertheless Girard Bishop of Angoulesmes advice, to whom Anacletus had restored the Legation of Aquitain that had been taken from him; had so much influence upon William Duke of Aquitain, that he declared himself for this Anti-Pope, and persisted a year and an half in that Schism, vexing those Church-men extreamly who would needs side with Innocent.

[Year of our Lord 1131] One day being the Fifth of October, as the young King Philip was riding thorough some Street of the Suburbs of Paris, a Hog thrusts himself betwixt his Horses Legs, who flownced and curveted in such a manner as threw him on the Ground, and then ran over his Body; wherewith being much bruised, he died the same night.

To Comfort the King for this loss and the great and sensible grief it was to him, and in some measure repair it, he was Counsell'd to let his other Son named as himself Lewis be Crowned. He carried him to Reims, where the Twenty fifth of the same Month he was Anointed and Crowned by Pope Innocent, who then held a Council there against the Anti-Pope Peter Laon.

It seems it was at this Coronation that they reduced the Pairs or Peers, who were hereafter to be assistant at those Ceremonies to the number of Twelve, Six Ecclesiasticks, and Six of the Laity, who were chosen from amongst all the Lords and Prelats of that Quality. They did not however take away from the other Pairs their Prerogative of not being Judged by any but their Pairs in matters Feodal, as well Civil as Criminal.

Of these Twelve Pairries are remaining only the six Ecclesiasticks, five of the Lay ones having been re-united to the Crown by Confiscation, Marriage, or otherwise, and the sixth, which is that of Flanders, torn from them by the Emperor Charles V.

LEWIS the Gross the Father.

LEWIS the Young his Son called the Pious or Debon∣nair, Aged about 20 years.

[Year of our Lord 1132] THierry of Alsatia remaining Master and Possessor of the Earldom of Flanders, was admitted to render Hommage to the King who received him, because it would not have been in his power to drive him out, and besides he was his Kinsman.

Geofrey Plantagenet was come to be Earl of Anjou, Fulk his Father being returned to the Holy Land to take possession of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, to which he was called by King Baldwin his Father-in-Law. He pressed King Henry his Wives Father very earnestly to give him Places and Money for advancement of Succession; which begot such a divorce between them, that Gefroy besieged and burnt Beaumont, and Henry had carried his Daughter back into England, had she not been in Child-bed.

When she was up again, she fell into Dispute with her Father, and parted very much discontented from him; which gave him so much jealousie and anguish, that being taken ill of a slow Fever and a Loosness, he died the First day of December, having Reigned Thirty five years.

[Year of our Lord 1136, &c.] His Succession no more then his Life was without great Troubles. That Stephen Earl of Boulogne of whom we have spoken, his Sister Adela's Son, being in England, seized on that Kingdom, and maintain'd himself in it as long as he lived; Not con∣tent with that, he likewise disputed for Normandy, and almost totally dispossessed Matilda and Gefroy her Husband. The unhappy Province dividing it self in favour of both Parties was ravaged by both, and the King of France favouring sometimes the one, sometimes the other, kept it still in a Flame.

William IX. Duke of Guyenne touched with Compunction, resolved to go in Pil∣grimage to St.* 1.283 James's in Galicia. Before he went he made his Will and Testament, wherein he ordained that his eldest Daughter named Alianor should Marry the young King Lewis, and should bring him all his Lordships in Dowry; For his only Son was dead: but he had yet another Daughter called Alix-Pernelle. In his Journey he fell sick and died having confirmed his Will.

His Corps was conveyed to St. James's in Galicia and interred in the Church; and yet the Legend-makers do not stick to say, That he feigned only that he was dead, and stealing away so privately that his own Secretary knew not of it, he went and turned Hermit in a Grotto or Cave near Florence, where he macerated his Body by terrible Pennance, and that it was he who instituted the Order of the Guillermins * 1.284.

Of the same Fabrick is the Tale they make of the Emperor Henry V. saying, That to do the greater Pennance for his Faults, he caused it to be reported that he was dead, and re∣tired to Angers, where he ended his days serving the Hospital, but before he died, discovered himself to his Confessor, and was known by Matilda his Wife, who was again Married to Gefroy Earl of Anjou.

King Lewis was likewise fallen Sick of a Diarrhea, which took him upon his return from his last Warlike Expedition, in which he had razed the Castle of St. Bricson on the Loire, the Lord thereof using to rob the Merchants.

William's last Will and Testament being brought to him, he accepted of the Match, bestowed a gallant Equipage upon his Son, and ordered a Train of many Lords and above Five hundred Gentlemen, with whom he went to Bourdeaux, where Elienor Re∣sided, and there Espoused her in presence of the Lords of Gascongny, Saintonge, and Poitou, then brought her to Poitiers towards the middle of July.

[Year of our Lord 1137] In that City he heard of the Death of the King his Father, which hapned at Paris the First day of August, the Thirtieth of his Reign, and the Fifty eighth of his Age. His Body was carried to the Church of St. Denis.

Before this Prince Violence reigned, Majesty and Justice were trampled under foot; the People, Merchants, Clergy, Widows and Orphans were exposed to Rapine and Plunder; The Lords and Gentlemen had all of them Castles from whence they fallied out to Rob upon the High-ways, upon Rivers, and the defenceless Countries. As soon as he could ride on Horseback he buckled on his Armour, running wherever the Oppressed cried out to him for help, and sighting Personally as a private Soldier, so that having brought many of these Tyrannets to Reason, he began to settle things again in order and security.

He had by his Wife Alix Daughter of Humbert Earl of Savoy Seven Children yet living, Six Sons and one Daughter. The Sons were Lewis who Reigned, Henry who was a Monk at Clerveaux then Bishop of Beauvais, Hugh of whom we know nothing but his Name, Robert who for his share had the Earldom of Dreux, from whom sprung the Branch of the Earls of that name, Peter who Married Isabella Daughter and Heiress of Renaud Lord of Courtenay, whence came the Branch of Courtenay, whereof there are yet some younger Brothers or Cadets. Philip who was Archdeacon of Paris, and being elected Bishop, had so much modesty that he yielded it to Peter Lombard called the Master of Sentences; whose Book hath served as a foundation of School-Divinity. The Daughter was called Constance, she was Married first to Eustace Earl of Boulogne by whom she had no Children, her second Marriage was with Raymond V. Earl of Toulouze.

As for Scholastick Learning, it is fit we observe that towards the end of the Reign of Lewis the Gross, a Philosopher named John Rousselin, and after him the famous Peter Abelard his Disciple both Bretons, introduced in the Schools certain Notions and certain Ex∣pressions, with a Sophistical manner of Arguing, drawn from Philosophy and applied to Theology, which hath intangled it with Questions subtil and dangerous, and which savour more of the Metaphisicks then of the Holy Scripture. The great Wits of those times, having nothing better to apply themselves to, there being none that taught the true Sciences, nor good Literature, fell all into these Ergotries.

Lewis called the Young, King XL.

POPES,

• INNOCENT II. S. Six years under this Reign.
• CELESTINE II. Elected in Sept. 1143. S. Five Months and an half.
• LUCIUS II. Elected in March 1144. S. Eleven Months and an half.
• ANASTASIUS IV. Elected in July 1153. S. One year and five Months.
• ADRIAN IV. Elected in Dec. 1154. S. Four years and near eight Months.
• ALEX. III. Elected in Sept. 1159. S. almost Twenty two years.

LEWIS called the Young, during his Fathers Life time, and the Pious, King XL. Aged Nineteen or Twenty years.

[Year of our Lord 1137] AFter Lewis the Young had taken possession of Guyenne, he brought his new Spouse to Paris, where he laboured with his Council to establish the publick Safety, and that Justice, which some petty Tyrants began to disturb afresh, Ranfomming the Common People and Merchants.

The Cities to defend themselves from these Oppressions had framed Communities, that is to say, created Popular Magistrates, with power to Assemble the Citizens and Arm them. For this end they must have the Kings Letters Patents, which he granted willingly, with many fair Priviledges thereby to oppose them against the over∣grown power of the Lords. Some Citizens of Orleans making use of this power, to the prejudice of the Regal Authority, and running into Mutinies, he repress'd them as he past that way, and brought them to their Duty again.

[Year of our Lord 1138] As he was Soveraign Lord of Normandy, he was obliged to concern himself in the Dispute between Gefroy Plantagenet Husband to Matilda, and Stephen Earl of Blois and Boulogne, who disputed it between them. At first he took part with Gefroy, in∣vested him in the Dutchy and received Hommage from him, and in Recompence Gefroy gave him the Normand Vexin: but when Stephen who was come over from England, had got some advantage upon Gefroy, Lewis changing his Party, puts his Son Eustace into possession, aged not above Fourteen or Fifteen years, and gave his Sister Constance in Marriage to him.

The Schism in the Roman Church was extinguished by the Death of Anacletus, and after by the Cession of Victor, whom the Cardinals of Anacletus had elected Pope.

The Emperor Lotaire II. deceased in a thatched Cabbin, the Third of December Anno 1138. After four Months Interregnum, Conra dIII. of that name was elected.

[Year of our Lord 1139] Roger having made himself Master of the Dutchy of Puglia by the Death of Duke Rey∣nold Feudatary to the Holy See bad taken Pope Innocent Prisoner who made War upon him without Mercy ever since he got into the Papacy: Now having him in his own hands be obliged him partly by force, partly by his good Ʋsage and Respect to confirm the Title of King of Sicily

to him, which Anacletus the Anti-Pope had already bestowed upon him. Thus began the Kingdom of Sicily, which besides the Island likewise comprehended Puglia and Calabria, that is to say, what we now call the Kingdom of Naples.

* 1.285 Thierry of Alsatia goes into the Holy Land with great numbers of the Nobility, to the relief of Fulk King of Jerusalem his Wives Father, and leaves the Administration of his Earldom of Flanders in the hands of Sibylla his Wife.

Stephen returned into England is vanquish'd and taken by Robert Earl of Gloucester Bastard Brother to Matilda. William of Ipres a brave Soldier, who had taken Sanctuary in that Country, found a way to make this Robert Prisoner, the sole Coun∣sellor and Support of Matilda: so that to get him again she releases Stephen: but during the time he was under Restraint, Gefroy recover'd a great part of Normandy.

[Year of our Lord 1139] This year Alfonso I. Duke of Portugal having obtained a most famous Victory over five petty Moorish Kings or Generals, was saluted and proclaimed King by his Army. Five [Year of our Lord 1139] years after, he renders his Estates Tributary to the Holy Chair, to pay down four Ounces of Gold annually, Anno 1078. he puts it wholly under the protection of the Pope, and encreases the Tribute unto two Marks of Gold; upon which Condition Alexander II. confirmed the Title of King to him.

This Alfonso was the Son of one Henry, who going into Spain about the year 1089. to seek his Fortunes, Married Tresa Daughter of Alfonso VI. King of Castile, and had for Dowry the Earldom of Portugal, formerly gained by him from the Moors. The most exact Genealogists assure us that this King Henry was of the French Blood, being Son, say they, of another Henry, who was Son of Robert Duke of Burgundy, Son of King Robert.

[Year of our Lord 1140] We do not find during these years any Stirs or Troubles in the King of Frances Ter∣ritories; unless it were some Contentions amongst the Divines. Peter Abelard, dis∣puting with too much subtilty concerning the Trinity and other Misteries of Faith, had given occasion to accuse him of Novelty and Error, for which he was condemned by the Popes Legat. Afterwards the Archbishop of Sens gave him leave to explain and make good his Propositions against St. Bernard. But being come for that purpose to the Council of Sens, he would or durst not dispute there, but appeal'd to the Pope. Being on his way towards Rome to pursue his Appeal, he stopt at the Abby of Clugny, and there led a holy Life in the Habit of St. Bennes, which he had long before taken upon him.

These Prosecutions were carried on by the Zeal of St. Bernard Abbot of Cler∣vaux, a Burgundian Gentleman, who had raised himself to so high an Esteem for se∣veral years before amongst the Clergy, the Nobility and Common People, that there hapned no Cause in Matters Ecclesiastical, no considerable Contest, no im∣portant Enterprize, wherein his Judgment was not required, together with his Counsel and Mediation. To shew us, that the Wise and Virtuous have a more na∣tural [☞] Empire, then that which proceeds from Power, or the Institution of Man.

[Year of our Lord 1141] The Clergy of Bourges had elected for their Archbishop one Peter de la Chastre a Person of singular Learning and Piety: The King whether he did not like him, or de∣sired that Benefice for another, refused to give his consent. Peter would therefore have desisted: but Pope Innocent enjoyned him to perform his Duty; which the King obstructing, it bred a great deal of trouble, and grew to that height, that the Pope Excommunicated the King, and put the King under an Interdiction.

Thibauld Earl of Champagne, a Lord of great Authority, as well for his Power as his Vertues, having intermedled somewhat too much about this business, offended the King; whose anger was yet more inflamed upon another occasion, which was this.

Rodolph de Vermandois, who was in effect the first Prince of the Blood (but in those days that Title was not known, those Princes being considered only according to the [Year of our Lord 1141, & 42.] dignity of their Lands) caused his Marriage with Gerbete Cousin German to Thibauld to be dissolved, upon pretence of Parentage, that he might have Alix-Pernelle the Sister of Queen* 1.286 Alienor for his Wife. The Pope at the instigation of* 1.287 Thibauld Excommunicated Rodolph, and interdicted the Bishops that had pronounced the Divorce.

* 1.288 Lewis lays all upon Thibauld and enters his Lands in Hostile manner; Thibauld has recourse to the Pope, who to deliver him from that War which oppress'd him, takes off the Excommunication; but as soon as that was over he thunders it a second time, and then the King more exasperated then before, turns his Army into Champagne; They take Vitry by force, putting all to the Sword and setting Fire on the Church, wherein three hundred poor innocent People were burnt who were got in to secure themselves.

[Year of our Lord 1143, and 1144.] At the recital of this Cruelty the Kings Bowels yearned, and his Conscience was mightily troubled. He mourned and dispairs; St. Bernard had much ado to persuade him that he might obtain Mercy from God upon his Repentance. In this Condition it was easie to persuade him to restore the Archbishop of Bourges to his See, and pro∣cure a Peace for the Earl.

[Year of our Lord 1143, and 1144.] Fulk King of Jerusalem being dead, Anno 1142. the Government being in the hands of Melisenda his Widow, his youngest Son Baldwin, and the Christians of that Country worse then the Turks; their Affairs ran all into confusion: so that Sangnin Sultan of Assyria tore the Principality of Edessa from them, one of the four Members of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

The King had before Vow'd a Voyage to the Holy-Land, these sad Tidings moved both him and the other French Princes to carry them Relief. St. Bernard the Oracle of those times being consulted with herein, refers the business to the Pope, who sent him orders to Preach the Croisade over all Christendom.

[Year of our Lord 1146] Beginning with France, he Conven'd a National Council at Chartres, by whom he was chosen for Generalissimo of that Expedition: but he refused the Sword and was content to be the Trumpet only. He proclaim'd it every where with so much fervour, so great assurance of good success, and as they believed, with so many Miracles, that the Cities and Villages became Deserts, every one listing themselves for this Service.

[Year of our Lord 1147] The Emperor Conrad and the King were the first that took the Badge of the Cross with an infinite number of Nobility. Each of these Princes had a Legat from the Pope in his Army. Conrad led threescore thousand Horse, he went away first and arrived at Constantinople about the end of March in the year 1147.

[Year of our Lord 1147] The King staid some while in France after him, to receive Pope Engenius who by the Revolted Romans was forced to quit that Country. He set forwards a fortnight after Whitsontide in the same year, and having marched thorough Hungary and Thrace passed the Bosphorus; so that the following Lent in Anno 1148. he got into Syria whilst on the other hand his Naval Force was put to Sea to meet him there.

[Year of our Lord 1147] By Advice of his Parliament held at Estampes, he left the Regency of the Kingdom to Rodolph Earl of Vermandois, and Suger Abbot of St. Denis who was in great Credit at Court, even from the time of Lewis the Fat. Before his departure he went ac∣cording to the usual Custom into St. Denis Church to receive his Staff and Scrip, the Badges of Pilgrimage, and the Standard de L'Oriflamme on the Altar of the Holy Martyrs.

It is fit we should tell you the Kings of France of the Second Race display'd at the head of their Armies St. Martins Cope or Mantle: But Capet and his Line, after their great Devotion to St. Denis made use of the Banner belonging to his Church, which they called Oriflamme. It had wont to be carried or born by the Count de Vexin-Francois who was Hommager to the Church of St. Denis: After the Kings had possession of this County they appointed some Person of great Merit and Illustrious Birth to carry it.

There is not that wicked or mean Artisice and Treachery but the perfidious Manuel Emperor of Greece put in practise to destroy both the Emperors and the Kings Ar∣mies. Against the first he had his will, by Poysoning their Meal, he was to furnish them withall with Lime and Plaster, and appointing such Guides, as having led them a long way about, which made them waste all their Provisions, at last delivered them half dead, and languishing into the hands of the Turks, who cut them all in pieces, so that there was not a tenth part of them escaped.

[Year of our Lord 1148] The King being likewise gotten into Asia, found the Emperor Conrad at Nicea where he comforted him in the best manner he could. Then he marched along by the Sea-side and ran the same hazard as the other had done, however he saved himself, more by good fortune then prudence. He won a Battle at his passage over the Meander: but reaped little benefit: for after that, not standing upon his Guard, he received a notable check in a narrow Pass through the Mountains. At last he ar∣riv'd at Antioch, whereof Raimond Uncle to the Queen his Wife then held the Principality.

[Year of our Lord 1148] This Raimond did all he could to oblige him to employ his Forces for the enlarging the limits of his Principality. The King refusing it because he would continue his march towards Jerusalem, he resolved to be reveng'd, and to this purpose persuades the Queen, to demand to be Divorc'd from him, as being of Consanguinity within the third or fourth Degree. This Princess being Fickle and Amorous, and having but a mean Esteem for her Husband, was easily over-sway'd by her Uncle: The

King could find no other remedy to avoid this scandal, then by taking her away in the night time out of Antiocb, and sending her before him to Jerusalem.

Now the Emperor Conrad after he had been at Constantinople to refresh himself was come to Jerusalem to pay his Devotions. The King and he holding a Council to∣gether with the Lords in that Holy City, resolved to besiege Damascus. This En∣terprize had no better success then all the rest, by reason of the horrid treachery of the Christians of those Countries. So these two Princes detesting their wickedness, which outvied the Malice and abominable Vices of the very Infidels, thought of no∣thing but their return again.

The Emperor having made Alliance with the Greeks against Roger King of Sicily, was by them brought back into Italy. Soon after the King being Embarqu'd in his [Year of our Lord 1149] Fleet met the Navy belonging to those Traitors, who lay in wait for him. Whilst they were engaged, or as some Authors tell us, were carrying him away Prisoner, by good fortune arrives the Fleet of Roger King of Sicily their capital Enemy, command∣ed by his Lieutenant, who made them quit their Prize, having burnt, taken, and sunk a great many of their Vessels.

Alfonso Earl of Tonlouze Third Son of Raimond de Saint Gilles, had also made that Voyage about the same time as the King, but went all the way by Sea, and landed at the Port of Ptolemais. He got not far into the Country before he died, having been basely Poyson'd, though it could not be known who had committed the Execrable Deed. His Son Raimond was his Successor.

During the time of this Expedition, St. Bernard was wholly employ'd in Languedoc in opposing one Henry a certain Monk that had cast off his Frock a Di∣sciple of Peter de Bruys, who Preached with much applause, but with little integrity of Life as it was said of him, almost the same Opinions as the Zuinglians and the Calvinists Preached in these latter Ages.

[Year of our Lord 1148] A certain Wealthy Citizen of Lyons named Valdo, did likewise about Ten or twelve years after this Preach the same things in Lyonnois and the neighbouring Provinces. They called such as were Followers of Henry and Peter de Bruys, Hen∣ricians, and Petro-Bruysians, and those Valdo, Poor of Lyons or Vandois. There were some Remnants of these last in the Valleys of Dauphine and Savoy, when Luther be∣gan to appear.

[Year of our Lord 1148] In the year 1148. hapned the death of Conan the Gross Duke of Bretagne; Eudon Earl of Pontieure, who was Married to Berthe his Daughter, seized on the Dutchy, to the prejudice of Hoel, whom the Duke Conan had disowned for his Son. From hence broke forth a War between these two Princes; which two or three years afterwards was complicated with another much longer, which lasted Thirteen or fourteen years at times between the same Eudon and Conan III. surnamed the Little his own Son, who would needs enjoy the Dukedom, because it came by his Mothers side. This bad Son having recourse to Henry King of England for assistance, used his Father roughly, and also compell'd the Nantois who took Hoels part, to forsake him: we do not know what became of him at last.

The ill success of the Foreign Expedition, which had made so many Widows and Orphans, ruin'd so many good Families, and unpeopled so many Countries, bread [Year of our Lord 1149, & 50.] grievous Murmurings and Reproaches against the Reputation of St. Bernard, who seemed to promise them a quite contrary Event. So that when the Pope would, two years after, have had him Preach up another Croisado, and obliged him to go Personally to the Holy-Land, to draw the greater numbers after him: the Monks of Cisteaux broke all those Measures, fearing a second misfortune, which might have proved greater then the first.

[Year of our Lord 1150] The King at his return to France finding the War continued still between King Stephen and Matilda, joyned his Army with Eustace Son of Stephen to besiege the Castle d'Arques. Gefroy the Husband of Matilda and his Son Henry to whom the year before he had resigned the Dutchy, marched to the Relief. The two Armies being within sight, the Lords on either side undertook an Accommodation, and manag'd it so that the King (who without doubt found himself to be the weaker) agreed to receive Prince Henry upon Hommage; who by this means was the Twelfth Duke of Normandy.

Towards the end of the year Gefroy ended his days at the Castle du Loir, leaving three Sons, Henry, Gefray, and William. He ordained that forthwith Henry should [Year of our Lord 1150]

quietly enjoy the Mothers Estates, to wit England and Normandy; That Gefroy should have the Paternal, that is Anjou, Touraine, and Maine, with the Castles of Loudun, Chinon, and Mirebeau; and William the Earldom of Mortaing.

[Year of our Lord 1151] Not long after died Enstace Earl of Boulogne: his Death was a means to restore Englands Peace, for as much as Stephen his Father seeing himself Childless, was over∣persuaded (it was not though till two years after) to consent that when he died the Kingdom should return to Henry.

This Prince, as English Authors tell us, would have resumed the County of Tou∣louze in right of his Wife: but Earl Raimond gained so much upon him by Marrying his Sister Constance the Widow of Earl Eustace newly dead, that he confirmed to him the possession thereof.

The following year 1152. hapned the death of Thibauld Count Palatine of Cham∣pagne, [Year of our Lord 1152] surnamed the Liberal, the Father of the Council, and Guardian of the Poor and Orphans; a Man of great Justice, who notwithstanding was almost in continual War with the Kings. He had four Sons, and five Daughters. The Sons were Henry Earl of Troyes or Champagne, Thibauld Earl of Blois and Chartres, Stephen Earl of Sancerre, Henry Archbishop of Sens, afterwards of Reims.

This year also died the Emperor Conrad, to whom for want of Male Issue by Election succeeded Frederick I. surnamed Barbarossa Duke of Alman or S••wabe his Sister Son.

If I do not mistake, it was under this Frederick that the French began to give the Germans the name of Allemans, or Almans, because this Prince being Duke of the Almans, had ever both in his Train, and in all Offices more of those People then of any other Country. The Italians even in those days called then* 1.289 Tudes••hi, as they do still.

Death ravisht from the King his two ablest Councellors, which were Suger Abbot of St. Denis the Fifteenth of January, and Rodolph Earl of Vermandois, the last Prince of the second Royal Branch of that name. He having no Children, and his Sister being Married to Philip Son of Thierry Earl of Flanders, the King who cherished this Philip, left him the possession of Vermandois; the Subject of a Quarrel in the Reign following.

[Year of our Lord 1152] Whether it were jealousie or scruple of Conscience, the King eagerly pursued the Separation from his Wife, and obtain'd it by Sentence of the Prelats of his Kingdom whom he had called together at Baugency.

Immediately proceeding with integrity, he withdrew his Garrisons from Aquitain to leave her that Country in freedom, and gave her liberty to go whether she pleased, keeping the two little Daughters he had by her with him. This Woman burning with Love and Ambition, Married some Months after Henry Duke of Nor∣mandy and Presumptive King of England, a Prince both young, hot, and Red-Haired, very able to satisfie her Desires.

As soon as* 1.290 Alienor was Divorced, Lewis sent to demand Constance-Elizabeth [Year of our Lord 1152] Daughter of Alfonso King of Castile, by Hugh Archbishop of Sens, who performed the Ceremony of that Marriage at Orleans, and there Crowned the new Queen; the Archbishop of Reims protesting in vain that this Right belonged to him only.

Lewis not able to endure his Vassal should go equal with him, nor Henry who had so many great Lordships, suffer a Soveraign above him, it was imposible they should continue good Friends. This last being assigned to appear in Parliament, refused to come. Lewis to punish him besieged and took the City of Vernon, but Henry sub∣mitting out of some apprehension he yet had of King Stephen, the Lords reconciled him with Lewis, who restored the place to him.

[Year of our Lord 1152] King Stephen the Usurper of the English Crown being dead, Henry gets into possession of that Kingdom, according to the former agreement betwixt them.

* 1.291 It was not permitted the Kings of France, says Yves de Chartres, to Wed any Bastards. Now there went a report that Constance was such: wherefore King Lewis two years after his Marriage would satisfie himself herein, and under the pre∣tence of going on Pilgrimage to St. Jago in Galicia, took her Fathers Court in his way, the most magnificent Prince of those times, who received and entertained him [Year of our Lord 1154] most Royally at Burgos, and took away that suspicion he had conceived.

[Year of our Lord 1154] Divers do in this year 1154. reckon the Death of Roger I. King of Sicily, one of the most Warlike and Potent Princes of this Age. He raised the reputation and fame of the Normans to its highest pitch, in so much as after him, it did ever decline.

He had a Son named William, and a Daughter called Constance, the Son Reigned, but with so much Injustice, Avarice, and Tyranny, that he deserved the surname of Wicked or Bad. He prided himself most in filling his Coffers, and draining his Sub∣jects to the very last Penny. Constance being an old Maid Married the Emperor Henry VI. in the year 1186.

[Year of our Lord 1155] Gefroy Earl of Gien on the Loire knowing himself too weak to oppose William Earl of Nevers, who made a rude War upon him, allied himself with Stephen de Cham∣pagne Count of Sancerre, and gave his Daughter to him, and for Dowry his Earldom, to the Exclusion of his Son Herve. The Son thus disinherited by his Father with∣out any fault committed, implored the Kings Justice, who goes in Person and besieges Gien, takes it upon Composition and settles him there.

[Year of our Lord 1159] When Henry was possess'd of England, Gefroy his Brother demands Anjou, Tou∣raine, and Maine, according to their Fathers Will: but far from giving these, he takes Loudun, Chinon, and Mirebeau from him; so that he had been left without any thing, had it not been his good Fortune to be chosen by the Nantois for their Earl, who having forsaken Hoel, stood in need of a Prince to defend them against the Assaults of Conan.

[Year of our Lord 1158] The Enmities between King Lewis and Henry being ready to break forth, the Lords found out a way to prevent it yet a while, by the Alliance of Henry's eldest Son of the same name, with Margaret Daughter of Lewis by his second Wife, though both of them were Children and had scarce left off their Bibs. The Girl was put into the Father-in-Law's hands, and Lewis promis'd to bestow in Dowre with her Gisors and other places in the Normand Vexin; which in the interim were trusted to the keeping of the Grand Master of the Knights-Templars, to be deliver'd up to Henry when the Marriage should be Consummate.

The Emperor Frederick composed the Difference between Bertold of Zeringhen and Renauld about the Earldom of Burgundy, in such a manner that he dismembred or cut off from it the little Country of Nuctland which is beyond Mount-Jou, and the Cities of Geneva, Lausanna, and Sion to give them to Bertold, leaving the remainder to Renauld, whose Daughter and Heiress named Beatrix he Married. After which keeping open Court with great Pomp at Besancon, he received Hommage of all the Lords and Prelats belonging to the Earldom of Burgundy and the King∣dom of Arles; who notwithstanding regarded not his Soveraignty, but only to obtain a better Title to their Usurpations.

Those that were common Friends to both endeavour'd to procure an Enterview between him and the King of France, and agreed upon the time and place: but the King stung with Jealousie at the Grandeur of that young Prince, or having some suspicion he would design upon his Person, would go attended with a great number [Year of our Lord 1159] of Soldiers; which caused Frederick to withdraw very much dissatisfied.

Gefroy Earl of Nantes being dead without Children, Conan Earl of Renes or of Little Bretagne, seized on the City of Nantes. King Henry Brother of Gefroy pre∣tending it belonged to him by Succession, undertakes to recover it by force of Arms. [Year of our Lord 1160] Conan being hardly press'd, buys his Peace by giving him his Daughter, and Heiress, (named Constance) for his Third Son, by name Gefroy, the same as his Uncle de∣ceased.

After the Death of Pope Adrian, the greater number of the Cardinals elected the Cardinal Rowland a Siennois, who was named Alexander III. But the Roman People and two Cardinals only gave their Votes for Cardinal Octavian a Roman, who took the name of Victor. The Right of either side was dubious: for on the one hand the Decrees of some Popes had referr'd the Election to the Cardinals only, and on the other the Roman People pretended they had the better Title, and had most com∣monly maintain'd themselves in possession of it, alledging the Popes could not deprive them of a Right born with the Church its self, and practised in the times of the Apostles.

[Year of our Lord 1160] King Lewis relying upon the Judgment of the Gallican Church, whom he As∣sembled for this purpose at Estampes, adhered to Alexander. All the West followed his Example, excepting the Emperor Frederick, who with his Almans, and what Partisans he had in Italy, fiercely rejected him, because he was Install'd without his Approbation.

King Henry besides the Kingdom of England, held the Dutchy of Normandy, (which had then a part of Bretagne holding of it) the Country of Maine, Anjou,

Touraine, and the Province of Aquitain. His Ambition upheld by this great increase [Year of our Lord 1160] of Power, made him revive afresh the Right his Wife had to the County of Toulouze. For this end, having made Alliance with Raimond Prince of Arragon and Earl of Bar∣celonna, he raised a great Army of Aquitains and* 1.292 Routiers, amongst whom was Malcolme King of Scotland; enter'd upon Languedoc, took M••issac, Cahors, and some other places.

The jealousie Lewis had of his growing Greatness, moving him at least as much as [Year of our Lord 1160, & 61.] the Prayers and Intreaties of Earl Raimond his Brother-in-Law, caused him to march that way, and cast himself into Toulouze, but he had so few with him, that it was in the power of Henry to have forced that City, had not the scruple of falling upon his Soveraign deterr'd him from it. After which they were reconcil'd: but Henry would not let fall his claim and hold of the Earldom of Toulouze, till he bestow'd his Daughter Jane Widow of William II. King of Sicily, on Earl Raimond.

In these days the cursed Crew of Routiers and Cottereaux began to make them∣selves known by their Cruelties and Robberies; we cannot tell certainly why they were so called; but they were a kind of Soldiers and Adventurers coming from divers parts, as from Arragon, Navarre, Biscay, and Brabant, who wandred over all Countries, and would be hired by any one that offer'd to take them, provided they might be allow'd all manner of Licence. The Cottereaux were most of them Foot-Soldiers,

the Routiers served on Horseback.

In the mean while Pope Alexander fearing the Emperor, after he had pull'd down the Pride of the Milannois, might come to Rome, did not judge himself a fit match, and so retired into France, where he remained above three years.

[Year of our Lord 1161] This year he held a Council at Clermont, in which he did not forbear to thunder against Victor, Frederick and all their Adherents.

[Year of our Lord 1161] The most Potent and most Factious Family in all France was the House of Cham∣pagne: Lewis to divide them from the English and gain them to himself, takes Alix for his third Wife who was youngest Sister to the four Brothers Champenois; for Con∣stance his second Wife was dead, Anno 1159. and for the two Daughters of his first Bed he gave one to Henry the eldest of the four Brothers Earl of Troyes, and the other to Thibauld the second Earl of Blois.

[Year of our Lord 1162] Pope Alexander came to Torcy on the River Loire, where the two Kings Lewis and Henry received him with extream submission: Both of them alighted, and each taking one of the Reins of his Horses Bridle, conducted him to the House prepared for him.

[Year of our Lord 1162] A second time the Emperor came into the County of Burgundy bringing his Victor with him, and a second time some endeavoured to procure a Conference betwixt him and the King, to determine that Difference which made the Schism, by the Judgment of a Council. They agreed upon the place of Interview to be at Avignon, as being the Frontier of either Prince, whither the King by Oath obliged himself to bring Alexander. But that Pope refusing to go there, saying he could be judged by none, it broke off the Conference, and put the King in very great danger. For the Almans having reproached him that he kept not his word, plotted to way-lay him, and had taken him Prisoner, had not the King of England caused his Army to advance to disengage him. Thence follow'd a cruel War between the Emperor and Alex∣ander, which horribly tormented Italy, and out of which the Emperor could not withdraw himself but by the means of a shameful submission, craving Pardon of the Pope, and suffering him to set his Foot upon his Throat. Which hapned in Anno 1177. in the City of Venice.

[Year of our Lord 1163] Anno 1163. Alexander assisted at the Council of Tours Assembled by his order; and there he thunders once more against Victor and Frederick. He caused some Decrees likewise to be made against the Hereticks who had spread themselves over all the Province of Languedoc.

There were especially of two sorts. The one Ignorant, and withall addicted to Lewdness and Villanies, their Errors gross and filthy, and these were a kind of Manicheans. The others more Learned, less irregular, and very far from such filthiness, held almost the same Doctrines as the Calvinists, and were properly Henricians and Vaudois. The People who could not distin••uish them, gave them alike names, that is to say, called them Cathares, Patarins, Boulgres or Bulgares,

Adamites, Cataphrygians, Publicans, Gazarens, Lollards, Turlupins, and other such like Nick-names.

[Year of our Lord 1163] Death of Odo III. Duke of Burgundy, to whom succeeded Hugh III. his Son.

There being Peace between the two Kings, Lewis employs himself in doing Justice and suppressing Disorders. The Inhabitants of Vezelay having made a Corporation, would have shaken off the Abbot who was their Lord, protected by the Earl of Ne∣vers: He compell'd them and their Earl to ask Pardon and break their Corporation. The same year he went in Person to ••ight the Earl of Clermont, the Earl du Puy, and the Vicount de Polignac, Lords of Auvergne, who denied to forbear plundering of Churches, overthrew them and brought them Prisoners to Paris; where having de∣tained them a long while, he releas'd them upon giving their Oaths and Hostages.

In like manner he punished the Earl of Chaalons with the loss of his County, be∣cause he had pillag'd the Abby of Clugny and kill'd above five hundred, some Monks, some Servants. However the Daughter of this Man re-entred upon her Pa∣trimony.

[Year of our Lord 1163] Thomas Becket Chancellor of England, elected Archbishop of Canterbury Anno 1163. soon lost the good favour of King Henry, for divers causes; and particularly [Year of our Lord 1164] for stickling too fiercely in maintaining the Priviledges of the Clergy: Being ba∣nished the Kingdom he retired himself in France in the Abby of Pontigny of the Diocess of Sens, whence he gave much trouble to his King, and suffer'd not a little himself during six years.

[Year of our Lord 1164]

Death of Victor the Anti-Pope, in whose stead the Cardinals of his Party elected Guy de Creme who named himself Paschal, and was confirmed by Frederick. But Alexander III. recalled by the Romans, left France the year following and returned to Rome to put an end to that Schism.

[Year of our Lord 1165] In the year 1165. Lewis had a Son born, whom he believed Heaven had sent him in return of his Prayers. For this reason he was surnamed* 1.293 Dieu-Donne, i. e. Gift of God, or God-Gift, and after for his brave Acts the Conqueror, which Paul Emi∣lius has rendred by Interpretation Augustus, and is followed in the same by all the Modern Historians.

[Year of our Lord 1166] The Life of Conan the Little, Duke of Bretagne which had been ever full of trouble, ended Anno 1166. to make room for Gefroy of Normandy his Son-in-Law. This Prince being yet but Fifteen years of Age, remained together with his Datchy under the Guardianship of the King his father for some time, after which being at liberty, he begins a War against him, because he would make him do Hommage for his Dukedom; a Duty he required by vertue of a Treaty made by Charles the Simple with Rollo Duke of Normandy.

[Year of our Lord 1168] Thierry of Alsatia Earl of Flanders dies at Gravelin, Philip his Son governs after him.

[Year of our Lord 1169, & 70.] The Feud was renewed between the two Kings upon several occasions; one was the Earl d'Auvergne, whom Lewis as Soveraign Lord took into his protection and safeguard against Henry to whom the Earl was a Vassal holding of him in Aquitain; the other, the support he gave to Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury. The War thereupon breaks forth, and lasted for two years; however it was carried on but slowly, and so, as the Respect either of them had for Pope Alexanders Mediation, brought them to an Agreement for some time.

[Year of our Lord 1170] These two Princes having Conferr'd together at Saint Germain en Laye, concluded the Peace betwixt them; and there the King of England's Sons rendred Hommage to Lewis for those Lands their Father assured to them by advance of Inheritance; Henry of the Dutchy of Normandy, the County of Anjou, and the Office of Grand Senes∣chal, joyned thereto from the time of Grisegonnelle, as also the Earldoms du Maine and de Touraine; and the second named Richard, of the Dakedom of Aquitain; as for the third (which was* 1.294 Gefroy) he had Bretagne by his Wife, and ow'd Hommage to none but the Duke of Normandy.

The Kings Intercession obtained of Henry, that Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury might return into England: but he continuing to act with the same heat, four Gentle∣men of Henry's Court out of Complaisance as mean as detestable, having plotted and contrived to deliver their King of him, entred the Church at Canterbury where that Holy Prelat was reading Service, (it was on the Christmas Holy-days) and Murther'd him at the foot of the Altar.

[Year of our Lord 1171] Though the King disown'd this Murther, and shewed an extream grief: never∣theless [Year of our Lord 1172] having given cause to commit it, if perhaps he did not command it, the Pope [Year of our Lord 1173] made a mighty business of it, from which he could not get clear without submitting to great Pennance and such Reparations and Satisfactions as was ordained by his Legats. The Holy Archbishop revered as a Martyr, was Canonized the following year, and the frequent Miracles wrought on his Tomb, attested his Holiness.

[Year of our Lord 1173] Every year almost there was some Rupture, then a Peace or Truce, between the two Kings, either concerning their own proper Interests, or that of their Friends and Vassals. Lewis had this advantage, that being the Soveraign Lord, he had a right of hearing the Complaints of Henry's Vassals, and of making himself his Judge.

[Year of our Lord 1173] He had stirred up many in Aquitain and Normandy: but this year he Armed his own Children against him. The eldest with Margaret his Wife, being gone to Visit him, and having staid some time in that Court, had a fancy put into his Head that since he was Crowned he ought to Reign, and to demand of his Father the enjoyment either of the Kingdom of England, or the Dukedom of Normandy.

With this disposition, and fretted for that his Father had taken some young Peo∣ple from about him who gave him such like ill Counsels, he stole away one Night from him, and came and cast himself into the Arms of the King.

Immediately all the young Nobility follows him, Queen Alienor favours him, his two Brothers, Richard Duke of Aquitain and Gefroy of Br••tagne joyns with him; and those whole Provinces follow their Motions. The King of France takes them into his protection, William King of Scotland declares for them and attaques England, whither at the same time went some French Forces under the Command of Robert Earl of Leicester.

[Year of our Lord 1174] It seemed therefore as if the unhappy Father must needs be overwhelm'd on a suddain: but he overthrew all the Enemies. Lewis having taken Verneuil au Perche, durst not hold it, and retreated before him. The Earl of Leicester is defeated in England, and all those that followed him either slain or taken, then all the Kingdom reduced in less then Thirty days by old Henry, who went thither presently after this defeat.

[Year of our Lord 1175] The following year whilst he was doing Pennance at St. Thomas Becket's Tomb, William King of Scotland his most capital Enemy loses a Battle against his Lieutenants, and was taken Prisoner. The Fleet of young Henry is dispersed and disabled by Tempest; King Lewis who had carried Philip Earl of Flanders with him, is rudely repulsed from Rouen; so that finding Henry who was come over-Seas again to Relieve this City, made ready to give him Battle, he hearkens to a Truce for some Months.

[Year of our Lord 1175] Whilst that lasted old Henry going into Poitou, and subduing Richard the worst of his three Rebellious Sons who held that Country, all the others returned to their Obedience; and he enters upon a Treaty of Peace with Lewis; who gave him* 1.295 Alix his Daughter for his Son Richard, and put her into his hands to compleat the Marriage when she should be Age for it.

[Year of our Lord 1177] The two Kings now grown old were weary of so many Wars and Disturbances; Either of them had cause to fear, the one the activity of his three most valiant Sons, the other the weakness of his only Heir as yet too young; so that they confirmed the Peace by new Oaths, promised mutual friendship against all others, and took up a resolution to go joyntly into Languedoc to extirpiate those Hereticks, already menti∣oned by us. But they thought it more convenient first to send the Popes Legat thi∣ther with three or four other Prelats to endeavour to reclaim them by Exhortations and Anathema's which converted and brought back a great many, and kept the rest within bounds for some time.

These Hereticks were all called Albigensis, because they propaged most in those Countries, under the protection of Roger Earl of Alby who much favoured them.

[Year of our Lord 1178] During the Calm of this Peace, Lewis who was extream feeble with Age, using the same provident foresight as his Predecessors, resolved to have his Son Philip Crowned: but it hapning that this young Prince fell ill upon an afright for having lost his way in a Wood as he was Hunting, this Ceremony was fain to be put off, which was not performed till the year following.

In the mean time Peoples Devotion increasing towards the Reliques of St. Thomas of Canterbury, from the example of King Henry, who of his Persecutor was become his Adorer: King Lewis passes into England, prayed on his Tomb, and left very rich Tokens of his Piety there behind.

[Year of our Lord 1177] In sine Prince Philip was Anointed Crowned at Reims on All Saints day by Wil∣liam Archbishop of that City and Cardinal, Brother to the Queen his Mother; The

Duke of Normandy and Philip Earl of Flanders, both Pairs or Peers, assisting at that Ceremony, and holding the Crown upon his Head.

[Year of our Lord 1180] Soon after Philip Earl of Flanders faithful and affectionate to King Lewis, procured the Marriage of his Neece Isabella-Alix Daughter of his Sister and of William Earl of Hainault, with the new King who was his God-son; and treating her as his own Daughter because he had no Children, he gives her in favour of this Marriage the County of Artois, and the County all along the River of Lys.

[Year of our Lord 1180] Hardly was the joy of this Festival over, when King Lewis died of the Palsy in the City of Paris the 18th or 20th of September, Aged, as many tell us, near Seventy years, but according to my Computation not above Sixty three or Sixty four, whereof he had Reigned Forty three. His Corps lies in St. Denis.

He was not very happy in his grand Designs, and too effeminate or mild in Affairs that required vigour; but as Pious, Charitable, Good, Just, Liberal, and Valiant as any Prince in his Time. He can be taxed but for two faults, the one against Prudence for Divorcing his Wife; the other against the Laws of Nature, having supported the Rebellion of Henry's Children against their Father.

He had three Wives, Alienor or Eleanor of Aquitain, Constance of Spain, and Alix or Alice of Champagne. By the first he had two Daughters Mary and Alix, who Married the two Brothers, Henry Earl of Champagne and* 1.296 Thibauld Earl of Chartres and Blois. By the second came Margaret Married first with Henry the young King of England, and then with Bela III. King of Hungary. By the third he had two Daugh∣ters, Alix who was betroathed to Richard of England, afterwards Married to Wil∣liam Earl of Pontieu, Agnes Married to Comnenius the Son of Emanuel of Constanti∣nople; and a Son named Philip who Reigned.

Philip II. King XLI.

POPES,

• ALEX. III. One year under this Reign.
• LUCIUS III. Elected 29 Aug. 1181. S. Four years three Months.
• URBAN III. Elected in Decemb. 1185. S. One year and near Eleven Months.
• GREGORY VIII. Elected in Octob. 1187. S. a little less then two Months.
• CLEMENT III. Elected in January 1188. S. Three years three Months.
• CELESTINE III. Elected in April 1191. S. Six years nine Months.
• INNOCENT III. Elected in January 1198. S. Eighteen years six Months nine days.
• HONORIUS III. Elected in July 1216. S. Ten years eight Months, whereof seven during this Reign.

PHILIP II. Surnamed the Conqueror, or Augustus, King XLI. Aged Fifteen years.

* 1.297 EVen in the Life-time of Lewis the Young, Affairs began to be governed in the name of Philip, and by the Administration and Care, as I believe, of Philip Earl of Flanders, who was his Guardian, his Governor, and his God-father.

The Methods of Piety and Justice his Father and Grand-father had taken to [Year of our Lord 1180] strengthen their Authority, had much advanced them in their Design; He was there∣fore Councel'd to pursue them. Wherefore immediately undertaking the Protection of the Church, he with a high hand went and reduced Ebles Lord of Charenton in [Year of our Lord 1180] Berry, Imbert Lord of Beaujeu in Lyonnois, and Guy Earl of Chaalons upon Soane, who oppress'd the Ecclesiasticks.

At the same time he began to let the Grandees of the Kingdom know how he could order and reduce them, for he dissolv'd a powerful League which they had formed against him, perhaps out of the jealousie they had conceiv'd of the greatness of the Earl of Flanders, and forced the Earl of Sancerre, who was the first that declar'd himself, to fly to his Mercy.

[Year of our Lord 1181] After the Death of his Father, desiring to Sanctifie his new Reign, he publish'd an Edict against such as utter those horrible Blasphemies composed or made up of the* 1.298 Name and Body or Members of the Son of God, condemning them to pay a certain Pecuniary Mulct, if they were People of Quality, and to be thrown into the Water if they were meaner People.

[Year of our Lord 1181] Prompted with the same Zeal, he caused strict search to be made after all those that were accused of Heresie, and sent them to the Fire; expell'd all the Jews within his Territories and Confiscated their Estates, suffering them to carry away only the Price of their Household-Goods.

His Piety appeared no less in the expulsion of Comedians, Juglers, and Jesters or Buffoons, whom he turned out of his Court▪ as People that serve only to flatter Vice, encourage Sloath, and fill idle Heads with vain Chimera's which perverts them, and puts their Hearts into those irregular Motions and Passions as Wisdom and true Religion commands us so much to suppress and mortifie. Princes were wont to bestow great Presents on those People, and reward them with their richest Clothes: But he, being persuaded, says Rigord his Historian, That to give to* 1.299 Players was to Sa∣crifice to the Devil▪ chose rather according to the Example of that Holy Emperor [☜] Henry I. to make a Vow he would henceforth employ his Money towards the main∣tenance of the Poor.

* 1.300 Anno 1183. he encompassed the Park du bois de Vincennes with a Wall, and stock'd it with Deer which the King of England sent over to him.

The same year Henry, the young King of England, died in the Castle of Martel in Quercy; Perhaps by the just Punishment of Heaven, for having been so often, as he was at this time, in Rebellion against his Father.

[Year of our Lord 1183] Every private or particular Lord having usurped a Right of making War upon one another after either had sent his defiance, there followed Murthers and continual Spoils and Plunderings; For which the Bishops and some of the wisest Lords of the Kingdom had endeavour'd to find a Remedy, from the year 1044. having ordained the Truce or Peace of God, for those Disputes and Contests betwixt particular Men during certain times in the year, and certain days of the week, with most se∣vere Punishments against the Infringers, even to the killing them in the very Churches, which served as a Sanctuary to all other the most enormous Criminals. William the Conqueror had Establish'd this Law in England and in Normandy, Anno 1080. Raimond Berenger Earl of Barcelonna in his Country Anno 1060. the Council of Clermont had confirmed it Anno 1096. and that of Rome Anno 1102.

Now as these Truces were but ill observed, and Languedoc and a part of Guyenne, principally upon occasion of that War betwixt the King of Arragon and Raimond Earl of Toulouze, were most miserably tormented with Factions, Murthers, and Robberies: a certain Carpenter named Durand, who seemed a plain simple Fellow, [Year of our Lord 1183] found the Remedy against these Calamities, and a Means to enrich himself. He asserted that God had appeared to him in the City du Puy in Auvergne, commanding him to proclaim Peace, and for proof of his Mission had given him a certain Image of the Virgin which he shewed. So that upon his Veracity, the Grandees, the Prelats and the Gentry being Assembled at Puy on the day of the Feast of the Assump∣tion, agreed amongst themselves by Oath upon the Holy Evangelists, to lay down all Animosities, and the remembrance of former Injuries, and made a Holy League to reconcile Mens Spirits, and entertain Love and Peace, which they named the Peace of God. Those who were of it, wore the Stamp of this Image of our Lady in Pewter upon their Breasts, and Capuches, or Hoods of white Linnen on their Heads which this Carpenter sold to them. Which had such power over their Minds, and had made such Impression, that a Man with those Badges was not only in security, but likewise in Veneration amongst his most mortal Enemies.

[Year of our Lord 1184] Whether the three Princes of Champagne, Brothers to the Queen Mother, had gotten the upper hand at Court, and put the King out of conceit with the Earl of Flanders, or for some other cause; the King summon'd him to surrender up Vermandois, which Louis the VII. had given him only, as was pretended, for a certain time. The Earl being very Potent would maintain the possession, passed the Somme with a great Army and came as far as Senlis. But upon tidings of the Kings march, he turns back the way he came and went and besieged Corbie; from whence he decamped again immediately for the same cause. The King not being able to overtake him, besieges Boves, the two Armies drew near to engage. Some Mediators put a stop to their impetuous haste, and made up the Peace; The Earl yielded all Vermandois, excepting Peronne and Saint Quentin, which they let him enjoy during Life.

[Year of our Lord 1184] To this Agreement the King called all the Bishops, Abbots, Earls and Barons, that served in his Army, with their Ʋnder-Vassals. And such was then the Rights of the French.

The Patriarch of Jerusalem, and the Prior of the Hospital of St. John's, deputed on the behalf of the Christians from the Holy-Land, brought the Keys of the Holy City to King Philip, imploring his assistance, and representing to him the extream danger it was reduced unto. Whereupon having held a great Assembly of Prelats and Lords at Paris, he enjoyned them to Preach the Cross or Croisade, and to publish it every where: and in the mean time sent at his own Expence a considerable Relief of Horse and Foot into that Country.

The Complaints of the Clergy of Burgundy whom Duke Odo had plundred, and the [Year of our Lord 1184] Lord de Vergy, whose Castle that Prince besieged, ingaged the King to march that way, and besiege Chastill••n on the Seine, the strongest Bulwark belonging to that Rebel. Who finding his Fort taken by Assault, came humbly to submit to his Commands, pro∣mised to pay 30000 Livers for Reparation to the Clergy, and gave up four Castles; which however were soon after put into his possession again; without doubt because they had some need of him.

[Year of our Lord 1183, & 84.] In Berry there were several Bands of Robbers that wasted the Country: they were named Cottereaux, and were believed to be tainte ••ith the Heresie that spread in Lan∣guedoc, because they aimed chiefly to do m••schief to the Churchmen: the Berriers get∣ting together with the help of some Men sent them by the King, cut them in pieces, killing seven thousand upon the place.

* 1.301 The vast Multitudes of eople that flocked to Paris, the Kings Train encreasing with his Authority, made the Streets so dirty and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that there was no going in them. The King sent therefore for the Citizens and their Provost, and enjoyned them to remedy it, which they did by Pav ng it with Stone at their own expences.

I find about this time, that one Girard de Poissi, who managed the Exchequer brought in thither of his own proper Moneys or Fund, Eleven thousand Mark in Silver. It is to [Year of our Lord 1185] be imagin'd that he had gotten them by the King: but however we may say, that this Example [✚] will be singular, and that we shall never meet a Chequer-man will follow his Example. What ever can be done, that sort of People will sooner go to the Gibet, then be brought to make Restitution.

[Year of our Lord 1185] Margaret of France Widow of Henry the Young King of England, is Re-Married to Bela III. King of Hungary.

Gesroy Duke of Bretagne and Brother of that Henry, being come to wait on the King who tenderly lov'd him, died of a Distemper at Champeaux, and was Interr'd at Nostre-Dames in Paris. He had one Daughter named* 1.302 Alienor; and one Son only, aged but three years. The Bretons would give him the name of* 1.303 Artur, in memory of that famous King whom the Romancers make to be the Author of the Knights of the [Year of our Lord 1185] round Table, and many high feats of Arms. He remained under the Guardianship of his Mother, and the Protection of the King, in despite of all the Efforts of Henry, and Richard his Son, who made several Attempts to seize upon his Person that they might get Bretagne into their possession. The Widow Constance afterwards Married Guy Lord de Thouars.

The memory of Gefroy is still very famous amongst the Bretons, because of that Law he made in his Parliament or Estates General, which was called the Assize of Count Gefroy; Whereby it was ordained that in the Families of Barons and Knights, the Estates should not be shared or equally divided as heretofore; but that the eldest should reap the whole Succession, and bestow such part upon the younger as himself and the rest of his Kindred should think fit. This hath since been thus proportion'd, the Thirds amongst all the younger Children, during Life to the Males, and Inheritance to the Female. In time, the rest of the Gentry, not to yield in Quality to the Barons, would needs be comprehended herein likewise.

Towards the end of the year 1186. a War was raised between King Philip and Henry of England, for two causes; One was, that Richard refused to do Hommage to [Year of our Lord 1186] the King for his County of Poitou, grounded perhaps on this, that it held immediately of the Dutchy of Aquitain. The other, Henry deferr'd to surrender Gisors and other places of the Vexin, which Louis VII. had given in Dowre to Margaret who had no [Year of our Lord 1187] Children by young Henry. Philip sets upon him towards Berry, took Issoudun, and be∣sieged the Castle-Ruouel. The King of England and his Son came to its Relief, and sent to bid Battle: but the two Armies being ranged, Henry's heart failed him, he talks of an Agreement, promises Satisfaction to Philip, and leaves him Issoudun for his Ex∣pences in that War.

[Year of our Lord 1187] The Fifth of September, Lewis the first born Son of Philip, came into the World, for which the City of Paris expressed so much Joy, that they made the whole week but one Holy-day, keeping all darkness at a distance by the infinite numbers of Flam∣beaux every where.

Saladin King of Syria and Egypt, who from a low Birth was raised to that high power, not without great desert, after his having obtained many Victories over the Christians, at last tears the Holy City of Jerusalem from them, whereof Guy de Luzignan was then King (it was taken the Second day of October) and all the Holy-Land, excepting only Tyre, Tripoly, Antioch, and some strong Holds.

Thus at the end of Eigthy eight years, Ended the Kingdom of Jerusalem, which Title

after it had ambitiously passed through the Houses of divers Princes, does at this day make us part of the Catholick Kings.

At this dreadful news which arrived towards the end of the year 1187. all the Faith∣ful made a great moan: never was any sorrow so great or so universal. The Kings Philip and Henry being sensibly touched, Conferr'd together at Gisors and Trie, and re∣solved to take up the Cross with great numbers of Princes, Lords and Prelats to recover those Holy Places out of the hands of the Infidels. In remembrance whereof they erect∣ed a Cross in the Field, where they had resolved upon this Croisade, and mutually pro∣mised to leave all Disputes in the same posture they then were, till after their return from this holy Expedition.

[Year of our Lord 1188] The Month of March following Philip Assembles a Parliament at Paris, where it was resolv'd by Advice of the Bishops and Barons, to take the Tenths of all Goods, Mo∣vables and Immovables of all Persons, as well Ecclesiasticks as of the Laity, excepting only the Monks de Cisteaux, the Chartreux de Fontevrault, and the Spittles belonging to the poor Leprous People. This Impost was called the Saladine Tith.

[Year of our Lord 1188] Whilst they were preparing with great chearfulness and courage for this Expedition, Richard for I not what little Injury received of Alfonso Earl of Thoulouze, renew'd the old Pretention of his Mother Alienor to that County, and endeavoured to recover it by the Sword. Philip to disengage his Brother-in-Law and make a Diversion, falls into Berry, takes all the places the English were possessed of, drove out old Henry who was got thither with an Army, and pursued him as far as Normandy.

[Year of our Lord 1189] Winter brought them to a Truce. In the mean time Richard falls out with his Fa∣ther, and threw himself into the Arms of Philip. His discontent proceeded from his Fathers delay in giving him Alix of France betroathed to him. Some believe the old Man cast other looks upon her, then he ought towards his Sons Wife, and besides by compleating this Marriage, he had been obliged, according to the Contract; to let his be Crowned, and give him the Title of King.

The Physitian Rigord in the History of Philip relates, That being at Argenteuil, when the Moon was at Full, and the Night very clear, a little before day-break, the Prior of that Monastery, and several of the Monks saw that Planet descend in a Moment to the Earth, where having rested some time, it went slowly up again and took its former place▪

[Year of our Lord 1189] The following Spring Philip takes the Field, Conquers all the Countrey of Mayne and the City of Mans, Touraine and the City of Tours, himself having, as by Miracle found a Foard in the Loire which he discover'd to his Army.

At the same time John surnamed Without-Land, the Third Son of Henry, likewise takes up Arms against his Father, who not knowing which way to turn himself, leaves Chinon and advances towards King Philip humbly to desire a Peace: Philip grants it, and reconciles him to Richard, upon condition that one of them should ac∣company him to the Holy-Land.

[Year of our Lord 1189] But Henry as unfortunate in War as he was unfortunate in his Children, overcome with shame and sorrow, dies three days after he was returned to Chinon. Richard suc∣ceeds him: and then Philip his Brother-in-Law generously restores to him all he had Conquer'd of his, excepting Issoudun and the Fiefs he held in Auvergne, settling Gisors and all the Vexin for his Wives Portion.

The two Princes thus united in a Friendship which appeared to be very cordial, and so firm that one would imagine nothing could untie or shake it, fitted themselves for their Expedition to the Holy-Land, appointed the Rendezvous for their Armies at Vezelay, and took Shipping, Richard at Marseilles, and Philip at Genoa. Both of them landed in Sicily; but Philip not so happily as Richard, a furious Tempest having forced him to throw over-board part of his Horses and his Equipage.

[Year of our Lord 1190] Before their departure, Philip with the leave and by the agreement of all his Barons left the Guardianship of his Son and the Government of the Kingdom to the Queen his Mother Alix de Champagne, and to William Cardinal-Archbishop of Reims Brother to that Queen. But fearing they might abuse it, he left an Authentick Order in Writing Signed by the Great Officers belonging to the Crown, which li∣mited their Power and prescribed their Lesson in many cases. Amongst others he would have them bestow vacant Benefices of the Regalia by the Advice of Brother Bernard, who was a devout Hermit living in the Bois de Vincennes, and that during his absence, no Tailles should be levied by any Lords upon their Lands, nor in case he should happen to dye, by the Regents during the Minority of his Son.

[Year of our Lord 1190] He likewise ordered the Sheriffs of Paris, that they should take care to enclose it with Walls and Towers. There were no Ditches made, the Enclosure on the left hand of the River upwards hath been often enlarged and altred. The Burghers of

other Cities by their example, were ambitious to Wall their Towns and make Ram∣parts for defence.

William the Good King of Sicily, Son of William the Wicked or Bad, being dead without Children Anno 1189. He had an Aunt the Daughter of King Roger, named* 1.304 Constance, who being almost Thirty years of Age, not a Nun as some have falsely maintained, who had Married Anno 1186. Henry Son of the Emperor Frederic. This young Prince was raised to the Empire this year 1190. The Emperor his Father having drowned himself while he was bathing in the little River of Serre be∣tween Antioch and Nicea, as he was leading great succours into the Holy Land. Now Constance pretended to succeed his Nephew: but Tancred his Bastard Brother had excluded him, and seized on the Kingdom.

It was he that received the two Kings at Messina, where they landed in the Month of [Year of our Lord 1190] March, and sojourn'd there above six Months. During their stay Richard had great Contests with Tancred, concerning the Articles of his Sister Jane's Dowry, Widow of King William. He was often like to come to blows about it, and had thoughts of forcing the Town of Messina. In sine Philips Mediation procur'd him 60000 Ounces of Gold from Tancred, whereof he had a third for his pains.

[Year of our Lord 1190] Now Tancred, whether it were true, or whether by a Diabolical Artisice, shew'd Richard some Letters, which he affirmed to have been written to him by Philip, where∣in that King profer'd him all his Forces to attaque Richard and seize upon him in the night, if he would at the same time fall upon him likewise. Richard believed the Letters to be real, and made a great stir about it. Thus the two Kings were migh∣tily exasperated against each other; Richard for the design contrived against his Life: Philip for the reproach against his Honour.

[Year of our Lord 1191] Towards the end of the Winten Richard makes known to Philip that he cannot Wed his Sister for certain Reasons, which he will not discover, (perhaps it was because old Henry his Father had kept her too long and declares to him he had betrothed Berengaria Daughter of Garcias King of Navar, and that his Mother Alienor was bringing her thither to Consummate the Marriage.

Philip was not Transported, but wisely suppressing his Anger, left him to his liberty of quitting his Sister, provided he would surrender those Lands he had given him for her Dowry, and would at the first conveniency go along with him to the Holy-Land. Also he consented to a Truce for those Countries during all the time they should re∣main abroad. Richard accepted of the Truce willingly, but refused to go so soon. These were the chief causes that changed the mutual affectionof these young Kings into a cruel hatred.

[Year of our Lord 1191] James d'Avesnes with some Flemish Forces and the remainders of the Emperor Frederic's had already besieged the City of Acre* 1.305 (it was otherwhile called Ptolemais) very considerable for its Port and its strong Walls. King Philip parted from Messina in the beginning of March, and landed near this place, took his Quarters about the Town, raised his Batteries and made a wide breach.

[Year of our Lord 1191] In the mean time Richard putting to Sea, was driven by Tempest on the Coasts of the Island of Cyprus, It was then in the possession of one Isaac* 1.306 a Grecian Prince, who having abused and pillag'd his weather-beaten Soldiers, whereas he ought to have relieved them, provoked his just wrath, in so much that he seizes on that King∣dom, and carried away an immense quantity of rich Plunder together with the said Isaac and his Wife, both of them bound in Chains of Gold.

[Year of our Lord 1191] He got not to Acre till two Months after Philip; and far from promoting the taking thereof, he retarded it by the continual disagreement between them. The Siege lasted five Months in all, and caused a great many Princes and brave Men to perish there.

In the end the City surrendred upon Composition, importing that the Besieged should obtain of Saladine the release of all the Christian Prisoners in his hands, and the true Cross which he had taken in Jerusalem, for which their Lims and Lives were to be Security till performed, at the Mercy and discretion of the Conquerors. They were therefore, together with all the Spoil, equally shared betwixt the two Kings; and as Saladine would not perform the first of these two Conditions, and the second was not in his power, because the true Cross was not to be found, Richard too passionate and cholerick put seven thousand of them to the edge of the Sword who were his Prisoners, and reserved not above two or three hundred of the Prin∣cipal.

In this Siege were slain a great number of People of quality, Rotrou Earl of Perche, Thibauld Earl of Blois, Great Seneschal and Uncle to the King, and Alberic Clement Lord du Mez his Mareschal, Son of another Clement who had executed the same Office.

Our Kings of France in those times had but one, and these Clements were the first who raised or improved this Office by their favour, and extended it to the Soldiery, whereas before them, it had nothing to do but with such as belonged to the Kings Stables.

[Year of our Lord 1191] The contagious distempers destroy'd yet more of their Men, then the Sword. Phi∣lip d'Alsace Earl of Flanders, ended his days in the Month of June. He had no Chil∣dren, but only one Sister whom he had Married to Baldwin Earl of Haynault, from whom were sprung two, Elizabeth who was Married to King Philip, and a Son of the same Name as the Father.

[Year of our Lord 1191] King Philip being likewise seized with a long fit of Sickness, which was suspected to proceed from some ill morsel, because his Nails and Hair fell off, resolved to re∣turn into France: but to remove the jealousie Richard might conceive at his depar∣ture, he made Oath he would not in the least meddle with his Lands, till forty days af∣ter he were certain of his being returned into France.

He likewise left with him near Six hundred Horse, and Ten thousand Foot, with their m inainance for their three years, under the Conduct of Hugh III. Duke of Burgundy. After that, having taken leave of his Lords, he puts to Sea; and being Convoy'd by three Gallies only, which the Genoese furnished him withal, landed in Puglia. When he had somewhat recover'd his Health, he sets forward on his journey with a small number of followers, visited the Sepulchre of the Apostles at Rome, and [Year of our Lord 1191] having received the Popes Blessing, parted from thence, and arrived in France in the Month of December. He pass'd his Christmass Holy-days at Fontaine* 1.307 Eblaud, and from thence came to his dear City of Paris.

After his departure, all the Forces put themselves under the Command of Richard; who did so many prodigious acts of valour, that they surpass the belief, as well as the ordinary strength of Mankind. In a word, he had regained the Holy-City, if [Year of our Lord 1191. and 92.] the jealousie of Hugh, Duke of Burgundy, had not obstructed his progress.

And indeed he had a design in his Head of forming a great Kingdom in those Countries and that none might dispute the Title with him of King of Jerusalem, he purchas'd it of Guy de Luzignan, giving him in exchange for it, the Kingdom of Cyprus, which the House of Luzignan held, till the year 1473. as we shall observe in its due place.

We find frequently enough in History, the apparitions of Meteors in the Air, representing Battles, Firing, and as it were engaging one another: but this year a most wonderful thing, some were seen to descend upon Earth near the City of Nogent in Perche, and fought in the Fields, to the great terror of the Inhabitants of that Countrey.

[Year of our Lord 1192] In the mean time Philip being returned into France, remembred very well, that Philip d'Alsace Earl of Flanders, had promised upon his Marriage with Queen Eliza∣beth his Niece, Daughter of the Earl of Hainault, to give him after his death, the County of Artois. He consider'd likewise, that to the Queen belonged some part of the inheritance of the said Uncle. To this end therefore he goes very well attended into Flanders, and forced him to give up all the Countrey of Artois, with the hom∣mage of the Counties of Boulogne, Ghisnes, and St. Pol, which till then had ever held of the Earls of Flanders, and extended as far as Neuf-Fosse. This was the first leaven of that mortal hatred, and obstinate feud and wars, between the Flemming and French.

[Year of our Lord 1192] Now the misunderstanding that was between Richard and the Duke of Burgundy, the perpetual jealousie that King lay under, lest Philip in his absence should seize up∣on his Lands, and withal the indisposition of his Body, which had been twice or thrice sorely shaken with Sickness during his stay in that Countrey, would not let him remain any longer in the East. Of a sudden he grew so impatient to return, that he sacrificed all the fruits of his heroick Valour to that longing and pressing desire. For on condition of a three years truce, he renders to Saladin all those Places he had Taken or Fortified in this last Expedition.

[Year of our Lord 1192] Some few days before Hugh Duke of Burgundy died of a fit of Sickness, to whom Odo, or Eudes III. his Son succeeded.

[Year of our Lord 1192] After Richard had left what Forces he had yet remaining, and such places as the Eastern Christians had still in Syria, with Henry Earl of Champagne his Nephew,; he embarqued the 10th of October with little attendance; and because he durst not pass thorough the territories of the King of France, his declared Enemy, he went and

landed near Aquilea to pass thorough Germany. But the Lords of those Countreys, especially Leopoldus Duke of Austria, whom he had highly offended at the Siege of Acre or Acon, caused him to be so narrowly watched, that notwithstanding he went disguised, and travelled thorough unfrequented Roads, he fell into the hands of that Duke. He delivered him basely up to the Emperour Henry, who kept him prisoner Fourteen Months.

When Philip heard of his Captivity, he dispatched Messengers into Germany to negotiate with the Emperour to detain him as long as possibly he could. Some Months after he sends to declare a War against him, incites under hand his Brother John, a Prince without Honour or Faith, to seize upon the Kingdom of England; and he at the same time falling into Normandy, takes Gisors, and some places in Vexin. Some reckon this last event in Anno 1292. and by consequence before the imprisonment of Richard.

However it were, in the month of February Anno 1193. he took the Town of Evreux which he gave to John, keeping the Castle himself, and went to besiege Rouen, but lost his labour there.

[Year of our Lord 1193] Queen Elizabeth his Wife had been dead about two years, he demanded in Marri∣age the Princess Isemburge* 1.308 Sister of Canut King of Denmark, a beautiful and chaste Princess, but one that had some secret defect. And indeed the first night of the Nuptials, they being Married at Amiens, in the beginning of the month of August, he took such an aversion that he would never touch her.

He kept her notwithstanding some time; and afterwards growing weary of that unnecessary Expence, he so contrived it, that the Arch-Bishop of Reims the Popes Legat with some French Bishops, gave sentence of Divorce or Separation. He did it upon the testimony of some Lords whom he produc'd, who asserted they were of kindred within the Fifth and Sixth Degree. In effect Isemburge and Philip, had both of them for Great, Great, Great, Great Grand-Father Jaroslas, or Jarisclod, King of Russia. This Jaroslas was Father of Ann, who was the Wife of King Henry I. and of Jaroslas II. whose Son was Vlodimer, that had a Daughter named Isemburge, wife of King Ca∣nut IV. This Canut begot Voldemar; and from Voldemar came Canut V. and our Isemburge,

[Year of our Lord 1194] Richad having in fine got himself out of Captivity, in despite of all the obstacles Philip had made use of, endeavour'd to revenge himself by force of Arms: but having drained himself of Moneys to pay his Ransom, his Exploits did not an∣swer his Resentments.

During two years, the two Kings reciprocally destroy'd eithers Countreys with Fire and Sword, demolished a great many places, and then made a Peace about the end of the year 1195. restoring on either side what they had taken from each other, unless it were the Vexin which remained to Philip.

[Year of our Lord 1194. and 95.] It hapned in this War, that as Philip was passing by Blois, the English who had laid themselves in Ambuscade, took all his Baggage, amongst which (as the Grand Seignor does to this day) he made them carry all the Titles, or Papers belonging to the Crown. Thus they were all destroy'd or lost to the great damage of the Kings af∣fairs, and the French History. He caused Copies to be collected where ever they could meet with them, to compleat and furnish the Treasury of his Charters or Paper-Office.

In the Month of March of the year 1196. the great overflow or inundations of Waters, [Year of our Lord 1196] especially the Seine, were so terrible and frightful, that Paris, and the Isle of France sear∣ed a second Deluge. We take notice of it, because it was the greatest of any whereof the Histories of France make mention.

[Year of our Lord 1196] The Peace betwixt the two Kings lasted hardly six Months. Philip commences the War against Richard for two reasons: One, because he had built a Fort in the Island d'Andely on the Seine: And the other, because he had taken the Castle of Vier∣zon in Berry, from the Lord to whom it belonged, who claimed Justice of the King their Sovereign Lord.

[Year of our Lord 1197] The next year Baldwin XI. Earl of Flanders, grudging in his heart that Philip had taken from him, the half of his Succession left by his Uncle, Leagued himself with Richard against him; as did likewise Renauld, Son of the Count of Dammartin, notwithstanding Philip had assisted him in getting the Heiress, and the Earldom of Boulogue.

[Year of our Lord 1197] Amongst all the events of this War, which amounted only to Burnings and Plun∣derings, is to be observed what hapned to Philip de Dreux Bishop of Beauvais, Cou∣sin german to the King. This Bishop being taken in the War Armed and Fighting,

by some of Richard's Soldiers, was detained a long time in an uneasie prison. The Pope would interpose his recommendation to Richard for his deliverance, and in his Letters he call'd this Bishop His most dear Son. But Richard having sent word back, in what posture and manner he was taken; and having sent his coat of Maille all Bloody, with order to him that carry'd it, to ask him, Behold Holy Father, whe∣ther this be the Coat of your Son? The Pope had nothing to reply, but that the Treat∣ment they shewed to that Prelat was just, since he had quitted the Militia of Jesus Christ, to follow that of the World. * 1.309

Death of the Emperour Henry. As he had manifested himself as rude an enemy to the Popes as his Predecessors; and besides, was very odious for his cruelties; Inno∣cent III. strongly opposed the Election of Philip his Brother, excommunicating all his Adherents, and stood up for Otho, Son of the Duke of Saxouy, and a Sister of Richards, who was Crowned at Aix la Chapelle: so that there was a Schism in that Empire, which had often occasioned one in the Church. The King of England, the Earl of Flanders, and the Arch-Bishop of Colen supported Otho, and King Philip on [Year of our Lord 1197] the contrary made a League with his Rival.

The same year died in the City of Acre, or Acon, the generous Henry, Earl of Cham∣pagne, Titular King of Jerusalem; his Nephew Thibauld, or Theobald III. of that Name, Earl of Blois, inherited those Lands he had in France, in prejudice of his [Year of our Lord 1197] Uncles two Daughters. The eldest was named Alix, and was Queen of Cyprus, and by her was born a Daughter of the same Name, whom we shall find making War against Thibauld IV. The Second was called Philippa, who was Married to Erard de Brienne.

[Year of our Lord 1198] These bloody and obstinate Wars, the particulars whereof cannot be brought within the compass of an Abridgement, caused much mischief in France: but the greatest was, that Philip grew extreamly covetous, and became too greedy in heap∣ing up Treasure, under pretence of the necessity of raising and maintaining great numbers of standing Forces; which are truly very proper to make Conquests, and new Acquisitions; but some times become oppressive to the Subjects, and destructive to the Laws of the Land.

As he was the First of the Kings of France that kept Men in pay, and would have Soldiers always ready, to employ them in what he pleased; he set himself likewise upon making great exactions upon the People, ransoming or taxing the Churches, and recalling the Jews, who were the introducers of Usury and Imposts. But, how∣ever he was very frugal, and retrencht himself as much as possible, knowing and con∣sidering [☜] that a King who hath great designs, ought not to consume the substance of his Subjects in vain and pompous expences.

[Year of our Lord 1199] At the end of two years War, the Pope by his intercession, procured a Five years truce between the two Kings: during which, Richard as covetous of Money as he was proud, having intelligence that a Gentleman of Limosin had found a vast Trea∣sure, and carried it into the Castle of Chalus, he went presently and besieged him: he was wounded there with a Cross-bow; and his debauchery having envenom'd his wound, he died of it the Eleventh day of April, in this year 1199.

He had introduc'd the use of Cross-bows in France; before that time, Sword-men were so generous and brave, that they would not owe their Victory but to their Lances or Swords: they abhorr'd those treacherous weapons, wherewith a coward sheltred or conceal'd, may kill a valiant Man at a distance, and thorough a hole.

[Year of our Lord 1199] He had no Children, therefore the Kingdom of England and the Dutchy of Nor∣mandy, belonged of right to young Arthur Duke of Bretagne, as being the Son of Gefroy his Brother, elder then John, without Land: but John having seized the Mo∣ney, gained Richards Forces, and stept into the Throne.

In the mean while the Earl of Flanders with his Allies, regained the Cities of Aire, and St. Omers. It hapned that the Kings party took his Brother Philip, Earl of Na∣mur, and Peter, Bishop Elect of Cambray. The King refusing to release this last, the Popes Legat puts the Kingdom of France under a prohibition; so that after three Months time he was constrained to set him free.

[Year of our Lord 1200] The day of the Ascension, in the year 1200. Peace was concluded at a solemn Conference between the two Kings, between Vernon and Andeley. It was warranted by Twelve Barons on either part, who made oath to take up Arms against him that should break it: and moreover, confirmed by the Marriage of Blanche, Daughter of Alfonso VIII. King of Castille, and Alienor, Sister to King John, with Lewis the el∣dest Son of Philip; to whom King John, in favour of this Alliance, yielded up all the Lands and Places which the French had taken from him.

Each had a care to secure his Partisans, John was oblig'd to receive his Nephew Arthur into favour, who did hommage to him for his Dutchy of Bretagne, but yet re∣mained with Philip. Reciprocally Philip pardon'd Renauld Earl of Boulogne, and some while after Treated the Marriage between his Son of his own name, whom he had by his Queen Agnes, and that Earls Daughter.

Since the repudiation of 1semburge of Denmark, King Philip had kept her in a Con∣vent at Soissons; and at three years end, that is, Anno 1196, he had espoused Mary-Agnes, Daughter of Bertold, Duke of Merania and Dalmatia. Pope Celestine III. up∣on the complaints of King Canut, Brother of the Divorc'd Lady, had Commissioned in the year 1198. two Legats to take cognisance of this Affair, who had assembled a grand Council at Paris, of the Bishops and Abbots of the Kingdom: but all those Prelats, being partly terrify'd, and some corrupted, durst give no Sentence, and the Legats were suspected to favour the Cause of Agnes. Afterwards the Holy Father more [ 1159] importunately desired to do justice, had sent two more; One of them in the month of Decemb in the year 1199. having called the Prelats of France to Dijon, notwith∣standing the Appeal interjected by Philip to the Pope, pronounced Sentence of pro∣hibiton upon all the Kingdom, in presence, and by consent of all the Bishops; and nevertheless that he might have leasure enough to get away into some place of safety, he was willing it should not be publish'd till twenty days after Christmass.

He had reason to fear Philips anger. In effect, it burst out with furty against all his Subjects; against the Ecclesiasticks first whom he believ'd to be all accomplices in this injury: for he drove the Bishops from their Sees, cast the Canons out of their Churches, put the Curats from their Parishes, and consiscated and plundred all their Goods; Then against the Laity, vexing and loading the Citizens with new Imposts, and unheard of Exactions, tiercing, or thirding the Gentry, that was, taking away Thirds of their Revenues, and of all their Goods, which had never been heard of in France.

The Interdiction lasted Seven Months: during this time, Philip sollicited the Pope so earnestly, that he gave order to his Legats to take it off, upon condition he should take Isemburge again, and in six Months, six Weeks, six Days, and six Hours, he would have the Case of her Divorce decided by his two Legats, and the Prelats of the [Year of our Lord 1200] Kingdom; the Friends and Relations of that Princess being assigned to defend her.

The Assembly was held at Soissons, by Isemburges choice, King Canut sent the ablest people in his Kingdom to sollicite and plead her Cause. After twelve days jug∣ling and proceeding, Philip had intimation that Judgment would be against him; he goes one fair Morning to fetch Isemburge from her House, and setting her up on Horse-back behind him, carries her thence, having order'd notice to be given to the Legat, not to give himself so much trouble about examining whether the Divorce he had Decreed were good or not, since he owned it, and would have her for his Wife. Nevertheless he used her but little better then before, nor did shew any more kindness, besides some little Civilities to her.

[Year of our Lord 1200] Besore the years end, Agnes her Rival died, having been five years with the King. She had two Children by him, One Son and One Daughter, whom Pope Innocent III. Legitimated.

Died likewise Thibauld Earl of Champagne, who had then only One Daughter, a Minor. The King would have the* 1.310 Guardianship-Noble: but soon after the death of Thibauld, his Wife was brought to bed of a Post-humus Son, who had his Fathers Name, and the Surname of Great. The Daughter lived not long after the birth of the Posthume.

In those times Usury and Uncleanness Reigned bare-faced in France; God raised up two great and virtuous Men, Fulk, Curate of Neuilly in Brie, and Peter de Roucy a Priest in the Diocess of Paris, to Preach against these Vices, with so much power and efficacy, that they reclaimed a great many Souls from those Sins and Follies.

Now it hapned, that a few Months before the death of Thibauld, Fulk, who had this gift of perswading People to what he approved, by his earnest Exhortations, knowing there was to be a great meeting of Princes, Lords and Gentlemen, at a [Year of our Lord 1120] Turnament or Justs, at the Castle d'Ecris, between Braye and Corbie, went thither, and exhorted them so earnestly effectually to undertake the voyage to the Holy Land; that the Earls Baldwin of Flanders, Henry d'Anguien his Brother, Thibauld de Champagne, Lovis de Blois his Brother, Simon de Montfort, Gautier, or Gualtier de Brienne, Matthew de Montmorency, Stephen du Perche, and several other Lords* 1.311 Cros∣sed themselves: nevertheless they could not set forwards till two years after∣wards.

The reconcilation between the two Kings, seemed perfect and sincere. This year they conferr'd at Andeley. Nay, Philip had the the King of England with him [Year of our Lord 1201] to his City of Paris, and Treated him with all the magnificence, and all the demon∣strations of friendship he could desire.

But John had begun to contrive his own unhappiness, by casting off his Wife Avice or* 1.312 Avoise, Daughter of the Earl of Glocestre, to Marry Isabel, only Daugh∣ter of Aymar Earl of Angoulesme, and Alix of Courtenay, whom he ravished from Hugh le Brun, Earl de la Marche, to whom she was affianced,

From that time, the said Lord sought all manner of ways to revenge himself for that injury. He began to hold private intelligence with Philip, he endeavour'd to make an insurrection in Poitou▪ and Rodolph his Brother, Earl of Eu, began to com∣mit Hostilities on the skirts of Normandy. John chastised them for their Rebellion, bydepriving them of their Lands, especially some Castles in the County d'Eu. They make address to the King of France their Sovereign Lord, and demand Justice of him.

Upon this difference, the two Kings saw one another near Gaillon; where Philip who had laid his design; spake high, and summon'd John to appear in his Court, that right might be done, not only upon the complaint of Hugh, but likewise of Prince Arthur, who demanded Maine, Anjou, and Touraine.

[Year of our Lord 1201] The Earl of Flanders and the other Lords that had taken the Cross, departed for the Holy Land; and as in those times there were but few Vessels upon the coasts of Provence, they had taken their way by Venice, where they hop'd to find a great many well fitted; and there Thomas I. Earl of Savoy, and Boniface, Marquis of Montferrat joyned them. But the Venetians would not furnish them with Vessels, till they had first employ'd their Arms to recover the Cities of Sclavonia, especially that of Zara for the Republique, from whom they had withdrawn themselves to own the King of Hungary; which retarded them above a year in those parts.

[Year of our Lord 1201] In the year 1195. Isaac Angelus, Emperour of the East had been deprived of his Empire, his Sight, and his Liberty, by his own Brother Alexis. And the Son of that Isaac likewise named Alexis, had made his escape into Germany, flying to Philip of Snevia* 1.313 pretended Emperour, who had Married his Sister. This young Prince ha∣ving notice, that there was an Army of the Crossed at Venice, went thither to implore their assistance. Several difficulties hindred them from going into the Holy-Land; be∣sides the Venetians hoped to find it better for their purpose to make a War in Greece, because the spoil and plunder promised more gain, and seemed more certain to them; and more-over, all the Latine Christians were ravish'd to meet with this occasion and opportunity, to revenge the Treachery and Outrages the Greeks had practised since the beginning of the Holy-War. They concluded therefore to turn their Arms that way, upon condition the young Alexis would defray the charges of their expe∣dition, allow them great rewards, and submit the Greek Church to the Obedience of the Pope.

To provide for the expences of his War, King Philip endeavour'd to accustom the Clergy to furnish him with Subsidies; and they excused themselves upon their Liber∣ties, and for that it was not lawful to employ the Moneys belonging to the Poor in prosane uses: they only promis'd to assist him with their Prayers to God. Now it hapned that the Lords de Coucy, de Retel, de Rosey, and several others went and pil∣lag'd, and invaded their Lands; they fly to the King for protection, who in their own coin, assisted them with Prayers to those Lords: but as they understood one another, they proceeded to worse dealing. Then the Prelats redoubled their intrea∣ties, and besought him to employ his Forces; to which he replied, that Soldiers could not be kept without Money. They soon understood what he desired, and the mis∣chief pressing hard upon them, they were constrain'd to give, and immediately the Lords desisted from plundering.

[Year of our Lord 1191. and the following.] In the interim, John King of England summon'd for three several times, to answer the accusation in King Philips Court, endeavour'd to gain time, and made all delays. But Philip finding himself strong in Men, and provided with Money, having no coun∣ter-poise in his Kingdom, because he held in his own hands the Garde-noble of the po∣tent House of Champagne, and the Earl of Flanders was gone into the Levant; had resolved to push on against him. He therefore gave some Forces to Prince Arthur, to pursue his Right, having before betrothed his Daughter Mary to him. At the same time he entred upon Normandy, where he forced five or six places; and received the most considerable Lords of the Countrey into favour, amongst the rest, Hugh de Gournay, and the Earl of Alenson, who assured him of their Service and their Towns.

Arthur on his side attaques Poitou, the Earls de la Marche, and d'Eu, Gefroy de Luzignan and their friends being joyned with him. His Grand-Mother Alienor had [Year of our Lord 1201] put her self into Mirebeau; he besieges her there: King John hastens thither with so much diligence, that he surprizes him one fair Morning napping in his Bed, takes him prisoner, and sends him to the Castle of Falaize.

Normandy and Poitou being shaken in this manner, comes a Legat from the Pope, who ordains the two Kings to assemble the Bishops and Lords of their Countreys, [Year of our Lord 1202] and by their Consultations, put an end to these Disputes. John would readily have consented to this Order, but Philip who was not willing to give over so fair a Game, obliged his, who were assembled at Mantes, to throw in an Appeal from the Sentence of the Legat to the Pope himself, which was to gain time, and continue his pro∣gress.

[Year of our Lord 1202] The respect for Queen Alienor had still with-held King John from staining his hands in the Blood of the unfortunate Arthur: Soon after her death, he caused him to be brought to the Castle of Rouen he kept his Court in that City: and in a very obscure night he drew him forth thence, and led him to such a place, that afterwards he was never seen.

It being justly presum'd that he had murther'd him. Constance, the Mother of that young Prince, demanded Justice of King Philip for that parricide committed in his Territory, and upon the person of one of his Vassals. He caused John therefore to be summoned before his Peers or Pairs; where not appearing, nor sending any to excuse him, he was by judgment of that Court, Condemned, as attainted and con∣victed of Parricide and Felony, to lose all the Lands he had in France, which should be consiscated and forfeit to the Crown, and all such as should defend them, reputed Guilty de Laesae-Majestatis.

[Year of our Lord 1203] In prosecution, or rather execution of this Decree, Philip partly by force, part∣ly by intelligence, took from him this year, almost all the higher, or upper Normandy, whilst this unworthy lazy Man, pass'd away the time with his Wife at Caen, as if all had been in a profound Peace.

We may imagine that if he would have taken some care of his Affairs, Philip could not so easily have conquer'd so many places, since the single Castle de Gaillard neer Andeley, situate on a Rock, both very high and steep on all sides, endured a Five months Siege: but both Heaven and Earth had declar'd against him, his friends betray'd him, his Subjects became unfaithful, and he meanly abandonn'd him∣self.

[Year of our Lord 1204] The following year Philip made himself Master of all the Cities of the Lower Normandy, almost without a blow. Rouen it self, which was the Capital of the whole Province, environ'd with a double Wall, and very affectionate to her natu∣ral Dukes; After a Siege of forty days, being informed by the Deputies sent to King John, that no Relief or assistance could be had from him, surrendred to the Con∣querour, upon condition he should maintain the Citizens in their Franchises and Pri∣viledges: which he agreed to, and they obtained Letters, or a Charter to secure it; a procaution as feeble against an absolute Power, as Paper is against Steel.

[Year of our Lord 1204] Two or three other places which yet defended themselves, followd the example of Rouen; and so it was that in less then three years he gained all Normandy, which had had Twelve Dukes of that Nation (whereof John was the last) who had Go∣vern'd them about Three hundred and sixteen years.

At the same time William des Roches who had quitted John's party to joyn with Philip, secured the Counties of Anjou, du Maine, and de Touraine; and Henry Cle∣ment, Mareschal of France, conquer'd all Poitou for him, excepting only Niort, Touars, and Rochel.

[Year of our Lord 1205] The next year the King himself having gotten a great Train of Artillery, forced the Castle des Loches, and some places that remained in the hands of the English in Touraine.

[Year of our Lord 1203] The French and the Venetians sailing to Constantinople with only 28000 Men, for∣ced the Harbour, and afterwards the City, though there were above Threescore thou∣sand Fighting Men there, deliver'd Isaac out of prison, and caused the young Alexis his Son to be Crowned. The Tyrant Alexis and his Brother-in-law Theodorus Lus∣caris having made their escape over the Walls, retir'd to Adrianople.

[Year of our Lord 1204] Whilst this Army of the Cross wintered about Constantinople, and Isaac and his Son endeavour'd to make good what they had promis'd them for their reward; the peo∣ple upon whom they Levied very great sums of Money, mutined, One certain Alexis Ducas, surnamed Murzufle, Great Master of the Wardrobe to young Alexis headed

the sedition, seized on that Prince, whilst Isaac was in his last Agonie, and strang∣led him with his own hands. Then caused himself to be Declared Emperour, and went forth with the City Militia against the aforesaid Army, but they were pre∣sently beaten back, Constantinople besieg'd, and within Sixty days taken by Storm, swimming in Blood, and a great part consumed by Fire.

The Conquerours gave power to Twelve of the chief amongst themselves, to e∣lect an Emperour, upon condition, That if he were a French man, the Patriarch should be a Venetian, and so on the contrary. The intrigues of the Venetians, for whose interest, Boniface Marquis of Montferrat was not so convenient, though he seemed most worthy of the Empire, manag'd it so, that the Electors conferr'd it upon Bald∣win Earl of Flanders, and the Patriarchat upon Thomas Morosini a Venetian.

* 1.314 After they had setled things in order within the City, they easily conquer'd all what the Grecian Empire possess'd in Europe, and formed several Principalities there, of which the Marquis de Montferrat, who married Isaac's Widow, had Thessaly for his [Year of our Lord 1204] share, with the Title of a Kingdom: upon which condition he gave up the Island of Candia to the Venetians. The Grecian Princes preserved Asia to themselves, where they established divers Sovereignties, Theodorus Lascaris attired himself with Impe∣rial Robes at Nicea in Bithynia, and had the largest Dominion for extent. Of the Family of the Comnenes, Michael had part of Epirus, David Heraclea, Ponticus and Paphlagonia; and Alexis his Brother the City of Trebisond on the Pontus-Euxinus.

There was the Empire of Trebisond formed, which still remained separate and di∣stinct from that of Constantinople, till the Turks devoured both the one and the other.

Baldwin enjoy'd not the Empire two years; for going to besiege Adrianople, Joan∣nitz, or Calojan King of Bulgaria, coming to assist the Greeks, drew him into an Am∣buscade, made him prisoner, and having carried him into Bulgaria, cut off his Arms [Year of our Lord 1205] and Legs, and cast him into a Precipice, where he languisht for three days. It was thus given out; but many are of opinion that he escaped from that imprisonment. However it were, his Brother Henry succeeded him in the Empire. He left two* 1.315 Daughters, the eldest Married Ferrand, Brother of Sancho, King of Portugal, who by this means was Earl of Flanders, the youngest had Children by Bouchard d'Auesnes.

[Year of our Lord 1205] King John not attributing his misfortunes to his crime, his cowardize or sloth, but to the ill-will of his English Subjects, particularly the Clergy who had not as∣sisted him in his necessities, sets himself upon molesting and vexing them by all [Year of our Lord 1206] manner of exactions.

Guy de Touars who Govern'd Bretagne, being Husband to the Dutchess Con∣stance, had turned to Philips party, and assisted him not a little in his late Con∣quests. He had likewise brought over to him the Vicount Touars his Brother: but this year both of them were at variance with him. Guy would Cantonnize himself in Bretagne, the King begirts him in Nantes, and compels him to return again to his Service; how-ever, the Vicount remained for the English In∣terest.

That King having Levied vast sums of Money, and a powerful Army in Eng∣land, comes and Lands at Rochel: the Vicount Savary de Maulcon, and some other Lords joyn with him; Philip finding himself too weak, contents himself only with providing and strengthening his Towns in Poitou with all speed, and then retires to Paris. John marches into Anjou, takes Angers, dismantles it, and pre∣sently after, remembring that it was his Ancestors native City, causes the Walls to be rebuilt.

At the same time there were some Bretons, who seizing upon the Promontary de Garplic, built a Fort there, to favour the approaches of the English upon those Shallows.

These were all the Effects of the great Prowess of King John; for being soon tir'd, he caused a Truce to be propounded, by the interposition of the Pope, who threatned Excommunication in case of refusal. Philip agrees it for two years, against the opinion of the French Lords, who proffer'd him all assistance, and engaged not to forsake him, although the Pope should proceed against him by censures.

[Year of our Lord 1208] The two contenders for the German Empire, Otho and Philip had agreed, An. 1207.

in such sort, that Otho who had the approbation of the Pope, but was the weaker, should leave the Empire to Philip, whom if he hapned to die with∣out

Children, Otho should succeed him, and in the interim Marry his Daughter. Now this year Philip being Murthered in his Sick Bed by Otho Palatine of Vitel∣spack, the Empire fell to his Competitor, who the following year went into Italy, and was Crowned at Rome. Immediately after he had a quarrel with the Pope, about some Enterprize upon the Lands belonging to the Church, and those belong∣ing to Frederick King of Sicily, Feodary to the Holy See, for which he was Ex∣communicated, An. 1210.

* 1.316 Innocent III. was then Pope, a Prelat of great courage, rare merit, and who be∣ing in the strength of his age, was stirring in every place, and concern'd himself in every thing, driving all things to the height, where he met with a weak or divided party. England made an unhappy Experiment. King John being absolutely resolv'd not to accept of Cardinal Stephen Lanctbon for Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, whom the* 1.317 White Friers had Elected to the Popes liking, but without the Kings consent, and the Pope standing stifly up to maintain and justify this Election, the contest grew so hot, that the Pope sends to three of the English Bishops, a Sentence of Interdi∣ction to be laid upon the whole Kingdom. John was so enrag'd, that he confis∣cated the Estates of all the Clergy, and resolv'd utterly to abolish Episcopacy in the Nation, Commanding them immediately to depart; and to secure himself a∣gainst any personal effects of the Excommunication, wherewith he was threatned, he took Hostages of the Towns and Nobility.

The Pope not being able to reduce the Hereticks of Languedoc, who had almost gained the whole Province, fals upon Raimond Earl of Toulouze, because he was their chief promoter and encourager, and had caused one of his Legats to be massacred; it was Peter de C hastean-neuf, a Monk de Cisteaux, or White Fryer, and the First that exercised the Inquisition. He Excommunicated that Earl, Absolv'd his Subjects of their Oath of Fidelity, and gave his Lands to the first Occupier, but without prejudice to the right of the King of France his Sovereignty.

Such an apprehension seized on the Earl, that being come to Milon the Popes Legat at Valence, he intirely submitted; gave up eight places of strength to the Roman Church to perpetuity, as a pawn of his Conversion; and the following year to obtain Absolution, suffred himself to be scourged with Rods at the Gate of St. Giles's Church, where Peter de Chasteau-neuf lay buried, and thence dragg'd to that Friers Tomb by the Legat, who put the Stole about his Neck, in presence of Twenty Arch-Bishops, and an infinite multitude of People. After which he like∣wise crossed himself, or put on the badge of the Cross, and joyned the next year with those that took his, and the Towns of his Allies.

[Year of our Lord 1208] It was not his penitence that humbled him to undergo so horrible a shame; it was the fear he had of a dreadful storm, just ready to break and fall upon his Head. For the Pope having turned that sorvent Zeal which animated the Peo∣ple so much, to go in defence of tho Holy-Land, had this very year order'd a Croisade to be Preached against the Albigenses, and many Lords, Prelats, and great numbers of common People, had listed themselves in this Militia; the King himself set out Fifteen thousand Men, that were to be maintain'd at his own charge.

These bore the Cross upon their Breast, to distinguish them from such as went to the Holy-Land, who wore that badge upon their Shoulder.

Amongst these Heretiques, there were some whom they called the Poor, others who named themselves the Humbled. The First made profession of an Evange∣lical poverty; the Second undertook to Preach wherever they came. To con∣tradict or countermine these, two Religious Orders were instituted: viz. The Friers Mineurs or Cordeliers, and the Preaching Friers, or Jacobins. The First Foundation of that was laid in Italy by St. Francis d'Assise; of the other in Lan∣guedoc by St. Dominique of the Noble Family of the Guzmans in Spain, and Can∣non of Osma, who came into this Province with a Bishop, to Convert the Al∣bigenses.

[Year of our Lord 1208] King Philip would have been himself in this Expedition, or would have sent his Son; (for these Sectaries had committed some Hostilities in his Territory, ac∣knowledging his Enemy King John) had he not feared a Landing of the English in Bretagne, under favour of the Fort du Garplie. He went not therefore beyond the Loire, but Commanded the Nobility that held of him to arm themselves, and take that Fort, as in truth they did this year.

The Bishops of Orleans and Auxerre who had been sent thither with their Vassals upon this Expedition, being return'd again without leave, pretending not to be oblig'd to march with the Army but when the King was there in Person: the King commanded their Regalia to be seized, that is to say, what they held in Fief of him, not their Tithes, Offerings, and other dues necessarily belonging to People of that Function. They made complaint, by their Envoys, to Pope Innocent III. then went themselves. The Pope having examined the matter, found they had failed and transgressed against the Customs and Laws of the Kingdom, so that they were fain to pay a Mulct to the King to re-enter upon their Temporals.

[Year of our Lord 1209] The number of these New-Crossed Soldiers were not less then 500000 Men, (not all Combatans as I believe) amongst whom there were five or six Bishops, the Duke of Burgundy, the Earls of Nevers, St. Poll, and de Montfort. The general Rendezvous was at Lyons about the Feast of St. John. Thence going into Languedoc, they assault the City of Beziers, one of the strongest held by the Albigenses, forced it, and put all to the edge of the Sword, there being slain above threescore thousand Persons. Those in Carcassonne terrified with this horrible Slaughter, surrendred upon Discretion, thinking themselves very happy to escape naked, or only in their Shirts.

[Year of our Lord 1209] The Lords in this Army having called a Council, elected Simon Earl of Montfort, chief Commander in this War, and to govern the Conquests they had and should make upon those Hereticks. That done, the Earl of Nevers returned with a great Party of those Soldiers, and soon after the Duke of Burgundy with another; so that Simon was left ill attended, yet he maintained himself by a more then Heroick Va∣lour, and Conquer'd Mire-p••ix, Pamiers and Alby. In so much as in a little time he made himself Master of the Albigois, the Counties of Beziers and Carcassonne, and above an hundred Castles.

[Year of our Lord 1209] In these times the School at Paris flourish'd more then ever. They gave it the name of University, because all sorts of Sciences were universally taught there, al∣though in effect the desire to Study or Learn, and the affluence of Scholars were much greater then their Doctrine. A certain Priest of the Diocess of Chartres named Almaric, beginning to Preach up some Novelties, had been forced to recant, for which he died of grief. Several after his Death following his Opinions were discover'd and condemn'd to the Fire, he Excommunicated by the Council of Paris, his Body taken out of the Grave, and his Ashes cast on the Dunghil. And because they believ'd the Books of Aristotles Metaphysicks lately brought them from Con∣stantinople, had fill'd their heads with these Heretical Subtilties, the same Council prohibited either the keeping or reading them upon pain of Excommunication.

[Year of our Lord 1209] Guy Count d'Auvergne for the violence and injustice he committed against the Clergy, particularly the Bishop of Clermont whom he had imprison'd, was deprived of his County by King Philip, and could never be restor'd again.

[Year of our Lord 1210] The Emperor Otho grew stubborn in the defence of the Rights of the Empire, and prepared to go into Italy wholly to subdue it with a mighty Army, which he raised with the Money his Nephew King John had sent him, upon condition that from thence he should fall upon France. Thereupon he was thunder-struck with Ex∣communication by Pope Innocent; and a little after a great part of the German Princes elected Roger-Frederick II. Son of the Emperor Henry VI. about the Age of Seventeen years, and who in his Fathers Life-time had already been named King of the Romans. The Pope consented to this Election, and the following year Frederic, who was then in his Kingdom of Sicily, passed into Germany.

Every other while there came new Bands of Soldiers of the Cross to the Earl de Montfort, even from Flanders and Germany, but slipt away again within six weeks or two Months. With these Recruits he carried all the Places and Castles not only of the Hereticks, but likewise of other Lords. The King of Arragon, of whom divers in those Countries held their Lands in Under-Fiefs because of some Lordships he was possessed of, wrote to the Pope about it, and the Earl of Toulouze went even to Rome to make his Complaints, where his Holiness receiv'd him well enough, and promis'd him Justice.

[Year of our Lord 1210] But at his return they propounded an Agreement with Montfort, if he would let him have all he had already taken. He could never consent to it, and Milon the Popes Legat Excommunicated him in the Council of Avignon, because he levied cer∣tain new Tolls upon his Lands. The King of Arragon, came in Person to another Council which was held at St. Gilles, to endeavour to accommodate Affairs, and

restore the Earl of Foix and the Vicount de Bearn who were dispossess'd as favourers of Hereticks: but he could not obtain any thing.

[Year of our Lord 1211] The Toulouzain, after so many mean and ruinous Submissions, takes the Bit in his Teeth and puts himself in a posture to defend his own. Then is he openly Excom∣municated, and his Lands exposed to any that could Conquer them. Montfort be∣sieges Toulouze, but the grand Recruits that were come with him stealing away in a little time, he is forced to raise the Siege. The Earls of Toulouze and de Foix with their Confederates pursue him and besiege him in Chasteauneuf; a thing incredible, above 50000 Men could not overpower or force three hundred, are beaten and shame∣fully retreat.

[Year of our Lord 1211] The young Princes Frederick II. and Lewis eldest Son of King Philip, delegated by his Father, Confer at Vaucouleurs upon the Frontiers of Champagne, to renew the Alliance between France and the Empire, and to unite themselves more closely against Otho and against King John his Uncle, two irreconcilable Enemies.

Renauld* 1.318 Earl of Boulogne had served Philip very well since his Reconciliation, and had likewise been very well recompenc'd, by a great deal of good Land bestow'd upon him in that Country. Nevertheless the King suspecting him of holding Corres∣pondence with the King of England, demands his strong Holds of him; and upon his refusal to deliver them, he attaques them, and press'd upon him so briskly that he durst not defend them, but went away to the Earl of Bar his Kinsman, and from thence to Flanders.

[Year of our Lord 1212] Although King John had been Excommunicate the precedent year by the Popes Legat, he scoff'd at those Censures. But he was hugely astonished when he under∣stood, that by a more terrible Sentence the Pope had absolv'd his Subjects of their Allegiance, and expos'd his Kingdom as a Prey, and that King Philip made great preparations to invade it, having already a prodigious number of Vessels ready at the mouth of the Seine.

The Legat by secret Informations increases his fears, and disturbs him to that height as he promises to make his Kingdom hold of the Holy See, and to pay a thousand Mark of Silver as a yearly Tribute, besides the Peter-Pence.

When the Legat had wire-drawn all he desired from him, he tries to persuade Philip to wave his Enterprize: but he was too far engag'd in Honour and Expence to break off so.

[Year of our Lord 1213] All the Lords of the Kingdom in a Parliament held at Soissons the Morrow after Palm-Sunday, had promis'd to assist him with their Lives and Fortunes. There was only Ferrand* 1.319 Son of Sancho I. King of Portugal, Earl of Flanders that refused to accompany him in this Expedition, unless he would restore the Cities of Aire and St. Omer which he had gotten from him, to have his consent that he might Marry the Heiress of Flanders who was the eldest Daughter of Baldwin V.

The King thought that his approach might bring him back to his Duty, when he should see him on those Coasts ready to Embarque. Therefore when he was at Boulogne, he sent him order to come and meet him at Graveline: The Earl made them wait for him, but he appeared not: so that the King resolv'd before he took Ship∣ping to put him in a Condition not to be able to hurt him.

[Year of our Lord 1213] The Towns of Ipres, Cassel, and all the Country to Bruges submitted to his Sword, His Naval Force consisting of One thousand seven hundred Sail, having cast Anchor at Dam. While the greatest part were in the Road with scarce any Men, comes the English Fleet Commanded by the Earls of Boulogne and Salisbury, who took and sunk a great many, and laid Siege to the place. Philip decamping from before Ghent, routs those they had sent on shoar and slew two or three thousand. Never∣theless they keeping the Seas, and his Vessels not being able to get out without falling into their hands, he took out all their Furniture, and caused them all to be burnt, and the City of Dam afterwards.

[Year of our Lord 1213] Then having wasted and plundred the Territory of Bruges, squeezed great Sums of Money from those Citizens, as likewise from the Inhabitants of Ghent and Ipres, sack'd and dismantled L'Isle, he left his Son Lewis, and Gaucher Count de Saint Pol in that Country with a strong Body of Horse, and Garisons in the Cities of Doway and Tournay only.

When he was retir'd out of Flanders, the Earl Ferrand re-entred, and soon Master'd Tournay and L'Isle which Lewis was beginning to repair, as in revenge Lewis sack'd and burnt Courtray. Philip for the second time goes into Flanders to secure his Con∣quests, and presently Ferrand withdraws: but as soon as Philip was gone, Renauld Earl of Boulogne took the Field with some Forces he brought out of England; But

without doing any Exploit, only after he scowred about the Country once or twice, and attempted two or three Sieges in vain, he forced Henry Earl of Louvain and Duke of Brabant, who had Married one of the Kings Daughters to joyn with him.

On the other side King John landed at Rochel with a great Army▪ and having patch'd up again with the Earls de la Marche, d'Eu, d'Angoulesme, de Lezignan, and other Poitevins who assisted him with their Forces, crosses Poitou, made himself Master of some places in Anjou, and began to rebuild the Walls of Angers his Native City.

To hinder this Progress, the King recall'd his Son out of Flanders, and sets him in opposition. This Prince takes his head Quarters at Chinon, and was seconded with the Forces of Bretagne by Peter de Dreux, who this year had Married the Heiress of that Dutchy. It was Alix or Alice Daughter of the Dutchess Constance and Guy de Touars.

[Year of our Lord 1213] In the mean while the English wrought diligently about the fortifying Angers, and enclosed that part towards the River of Maine with a Wall. His Soldiers made excursions to the very Suburbs of Nantes on the other side of the Loire, surpriz'd Robert the eldest Son of the Earl of Dreux in an Ambuscade, who was got over the Bridge to attaque them, cut his Men in pieces, and made him Prisoner.

Peter King of Arragon having gotten into his League and under his Protection, the Earls of Toulouze, de Foix and de Comenges, the Vicount de Beziers and others whose Lands Montfort had usurp'd, s••••t his Heraulds to de••ie him. Montfort had left a strong Garison in Muret to make waste in the Neighbourhood of Toulouze. This King lays Siege to it in the Month of September. His Army consisted of an Hundred thousand Men almost: Montfort who was at Castlenaudry, having hardly drawn toge∣ther a thousand or twelve hundred, got into the place. From whence making a fu∣rious Sally upon the King, who slighting so small a number, set down to eat at the beginning of the Fight, cut all his Army off, threw him on the ground, where his Throat was cut by a private Soldier, took his Royal Standard which was carried in Triumph to Rome, and cover'd the Field with dead Bodies, without the loss of [Year of our Lord 1213] above eight Men.

The weighty blow of this Club made the Earl of Toulouze and the Inhabitants of that great City fall down at the Legats Feet; they offer'd to submit to whatever Conditions he would impose: but they could not get off with words, it was resolv'd they should be plum'd of all.

[Year of our Lord 1214] This year 1214. France was shrewdly attaqu'd by King John, and on the Flanders side by the Emperor Otho, and the Counts Ferrand of Flanders, and Renauld de Bou∣logne: but both in the one and the other part his Arms remained Victorious. Prince Lewis having drawn his Forces together at Chinon, march'd resolutely against King John who besieged the Castle de la Roche au Moine upon the Loire between Angers and Nantes. Being within a days Journey of that place, that King was frighted, repasses the River in such great haste that he left all his Warlike Engines behind, and part of his Men who were kill'd or drowned upon the Retreat. Never after durst he shew his head in any place where he knew Lewis could come, and abandoned all Anjou to him, and his new Fortifications of Angers which were presently demolish'd.

[Year of our Lord 1214] Before the Month was expir'd after Lewis's Victory, King Philip his Father gained a much more signal one nigh the Village of Bouvines which is between L'Isle and Tour∣nay, against the Emperor Otho and his Confederates. They had an Army of 150000 fighting Men, his was weaker by one half, but strengthned with the flower of the Nobility, and many Princes of the Blood, viz. Eudes Duke of Burgundy, Robert de Courtenay, Robert Earl of Dreux, and his Brother Philip Bishop of Beauvais. The Battle was fought the 25th of July, and lasted from Noon till Night. Guerin Knight of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, and a little before elected Bishop of Senlis, to whom the King left all things, drew up the Army in Battalia, Matthew Baron of Montmorency, William des Barres Seneschal to the King, Henry Earl of Bar, Bartho∣lomy de Roye, Gaucher Count de Saint Pol, and Adam Vicount de Melun, had the greatest shares in the Danger and in the Victory. Guerin fought not with his hands, because of his Quality of Bishop, nor did Philip Bishop of Beauvais smite with the Sword, but a Wooden Club, believing that to beat out Peoples Brains was not shed∣ding of Blood.

The King ran a great hazard in his own Person, having been beaten down, trod under the Horses Feet and wounded in the Throat: but in fine his Enemies were worsted every where, Otho put to flight, his great Standard, being a Dragon with

an Imperial Eagle over it, and the Chariot which bore it broken all to pieces, and five Earls, amongst whom were Ferrand and Renauld, with two and twenty Lords that carried Banners, taken Prisoners.

The Fortune-tellers had assured the old Countess of Flanders, Ferrands Aunt, that there should happen a great Battle, that the King should be overthrown, Horses tread over him, and that Ferrand should enter in Triumph into Paris. The first part of this Prediction held good without Equivocation, the second was likewise true, but after another manner then they imagined: for indeed, they carried him into Paris in Triumph, but in quality of a Captive, loaden with Chains, and linked fast in a Chariot drawn by Ferrand Horses; that is according to the Language then used, of an Iron-grey-Colour.

The Parisians made the King a most pompous Entrance, and Celebrated his Victo∣ry with Solemn Joy for eight days together. Ferrand was shut up in the Tower of the Louvre without the City Walls, and Renauld in the new Tower of Peronne with Shackles on his Legs, and a Chain that fastned him to a great piece of Timber. Philip had made a Vow in the midst of his Joy for this most happy success to build an Abby in honour of God and of the Blesled Virgin, his Son Lewis performed it by founding that of Nostre-Dame de la Victoire, near Sanlis.

The Lords of Poitou that had favour'd the English, finding that Lewis was Victo∣rious, sent to tender him all manner of Submission. He would not trust to their words, but went into the Country with his Army to bring things to a full period. The Vicount de Touars, the most considerable of them all, obtained the Kings Pardon without much ado by the intercession of Peter Duke of Bretagne: the rest were utterly lost, and King John who was then in Partenay, could not have avoided being taken, if he had not bethought himself of interposing the Popes Legat to demand a Truce. That power was so formidable, that the King durst not deny him, and agreed to it for five years.

[Year of our Lord 1215] When that was done Prince Louis or Lewis, whether out of devotion, or jealousie of the Power of Count de Montfort, took up the Cross on him against the Albigeois, and made a Voyage to Languedoc; Montfort came to Vienne to meet him, and the Legat to Valence. Montfort who accompanied him received Bulls from the Pope, [Year of our Lord 1215] which in Consequence of the Decree of the Council of Montpellier held some Months before, gave him the Tolosian Territories in guard or keeping, and all those other that had been Conquer'd by the Adventurers of the Cross, upon Condition to re∣ceive Investiture of the King, and render him Feodal Duty. So that we may say, [☜] the Pope named, and the King Confer'd upon his Nomination.

From thence Lewis was at Montpellier, then at Beziers, where he gave order the Walls of Narbonne and Tolose should be demolish'd. Mean while the Lateran Coun∣cil, notwithstanding the pitiful Remonstrances of the Count de Tolose, who was there in Person with his Son, adjudged the propriety of his Lands to Montfort, re∣serving only those he had in Provence for his Son, and four hundred Marks of Silver yearly for his Subsistance; to be understood if they shew'd themselves obedient to the Holy See. From that time Montfort took on him the Quality of Earl of Tou∣louze, and came to receive Investiture from the King in the City of Melun.

While Lewis was yet in those Countries, the English Lords sent to offer him the Crown of England and demand Assistance against the Tyrannies of John who was Excommunicated by the Pope, and who had robb'd them of their Liberties and Priviledges, for which cause they had taken up Arms to Dethrone him. They had the City of London and some other places for them: nevertheless their design did not go on well, and their dispair forc'd them to seek their safety by some Foreign Assistance.

[Year of our Lord 1215, & 16.] The Tyrant seeing his loss infallible, stuck not to abase the Dignity of his Crown to gain the Popes Protection. He satisfies him therefore, and becomes his Vassal and Tributary of a thousand Mark of Silver: but this abasement added scorn to the execration his Subjects had for him. Now the Holy Father resolv'd highly to protect his new Vassal, Excommunicated the English, and sent a Legat into France to divert Lewis from that Enterprize, and desired King Philip to put a stop to it.

Philip makes protestation of all Respect and Obedience to the Holy See, but said he could not impose upon his Son that necessity not to pursue the Rights of his Wife, who was Neece to King John. So that Lewis accepted the Crown of England, and landed with a great Equipage in the Isle of Thanet, thence went to London, where he was solemnly Crowned.

John being excluded from his Capital City retired to Winchester, and by his flight gave him full leisure to receive the Hommage of all the Nobility and secure all about London. The Legat not being able to put a stop to Lewis by any Arguments or Per∣suasions, Excommunicated him and all his Adherents, but he appeal'd to the Pope, (they had not yet found out the way of appealing to the Councils) and notwith∣standing goes on and reduces Sussex, and all the Southern parts, excepting Windsor and Dover.

The Ambassadors pleaded his Cause earnestly at Rome, they shewed that John was justly degraded for his Tyrannies, and because he had been condemned to death for the Murther of his Nephew Arthur by the Pairs of France, and made it out that the Kingdom, since he was Excluded, belonged to his Neece the Wife of Prince Lewis.

Whilst they disputed their Masters Rights, he successfully employs his Sword in Conquering Essex, Suffolk, and Norfolk. Having reduc'd them, he returns to besiege Dover, his Father reproaching him for having imprudently left that place behind him.

The Pope offended at his Progress confirmed the Sentence of Excommunication against him, and although Philip protested he gave him neither Assistance nor Advice, prosering even, if the Church did so ordain, to Confiscate his Lands: nevertheless he commanded the Bishop of Sens to denounce him Excommunicate likewise, and to put France under an Interdiction; but the Prelats assembled at Melun, declared they would not submit to that Sentence, till they were more fully informed of the Popes Intentions.

Mean while King John who wandred about the Country hating all his Subjects, hapned to dye by Poyson, which as it was believ'd, a Monk had given him. He left three Sons very young, Henry, Richard, and Edmond.

The hatred of the Englishmen towards him expired with his Life, and their Af∣fection for his Son Henry revived, being their Natural Lord, and one whose Inno∣cence and Tender Age called for their Compassion; so that the young Kings Affairs began to prosper, and Lewis's to decline. He perceiving the English forsook him one after another, and his own People afrighted with the thundring Excommuni∣cations from Rome, inclined to make a Truce with Henry for some Months.

[Year of our Lord 1216] During this Suspension he returns into France to Consult with the King his Father, but he fearing to exasperate the Pope, refuses to see his Son, and would not Confer with him but by the interposition of others. Lewis upon his return into England, found his Enemies Party were the stronger; his Army was afterwards defeated near Lincoln, and he besieged in London after that rout.

Wherefore to free himself from farther danger, and retire with Bag and Baggage, he was forc'd to Treat with Henry, promising amongst other Conditions, to surren∣der all the places he held in England, to submit his Pretensions to the Judgment of the Church, to use his utmost endeavour to oblige his Father to restore all what he had taken from King John in France, and if he could not prevail, to do it then himself when he came to the Crown. Which was to promise more then he would or could perform.

[Year of our Lord 1216] Henry Emperor of Constantinople, and Brother to Baldwin, who had been so like∣wise, died Anno 1216. having Reigned Eleven years. Peter de Courtenay Earl of Auxerre, who Married his Sister Yolant, went this year from France to take that Crown. Passing thorough Italy he was Crowned at Rome with his Wife, took Shipping eight days after and arriv'd in Greece: but as he was crossing Thessalie ha∣ving Pass-ports from Theodorus Comnenus, he was made Prisoner by that perfidious Man, who slew most part of those Lords that went with them, and having detained him three or four years caused him cruelly to be Murthered. Yolant, a Heroick Woman, govern'd the Empire two years after his death, in which time the Lords sent to profer the Empire to Philip Earl of Nevers his eldest Son, but he refused to accept it; and yielded up willingly that perilous Honour to Robert his younger Brother.

[Year of our Lord 1217] When young King Henry was fully setled in his Throne, his Council sent Ambassadors into France to challenge Lewis of his Promise, and re-demand the Dutchy of Normandy, and other Countries taken from his Father. They were answer'd with the Confiscation that had been ordered by the Judgment of his Pairs.

[Year of our Lord 1217, & 18.] Whilst the Eari of Montfort in vain besieged the City of Beaucaire, Count Raimond brought some Forces from Arragon, whither he was retir'd, with which he regained several of his places, and especially Toulouze, which he presently fortifi'd with Intrenchments and Pallisado's. Montfort went and laid Siege to it, but after he had held it besieged seven whole Months, he was slain in a Sally. He had three Sons, [Year of our Lord 1218] Amaulry who succeeded him in the Rights of his Conquests, Guy who was Married to Petronella, Heiress to the Count of Bigorre, as being Daughter of Estiennete, the Daughter and Heiress of Count Centulle, and Simon Earl of Leicester in England by the Grandmother.

[Year of our Lord 1219] Amaulry was not strong enough to maintain his Conquests; the King assisted him first with Six hundred Men, then with Ten thousand Foot, who not being yet enough to compass that business, Prince Lewis upon the Popes earnest Request undertakes that Expedition the second time. He happily succeeded in the taking of Marmanda on the Garonne, and some other places in Angenois, but not in the Siege of Toulouze, because his Father recalled him, fearing the Troubles that were begun in Bretagne might be created by the English, on purpose to set France in a greater flame.

[Year of our Lord 1218, 19, and 20.] The business was that the Earls Salomon and Conan, whom Duke Peter had unjustly thrown out of their Estates, being retir'd into the Forests, ravaged and wasted his Country with some Bandits they had got together, and at the same time the Barons revolted against him, because he would arrogate to himself the Guardianship or* 1.320 Wardnoble of Gentlemens Orphan-Sons till they had attained to Twenty years of Age. They had Combined in a League, and with Amaulry Lord de Craon, very potent in Friends and Alliance, who had declared War against him about a certain Castle that Duke had usurped from him. This Quarrel complicated with several Interests lasted above two years, and ended not but by a great Battle fought near Chastean-briand, where the Duke, much the weaker in numbers of Men gained the [Year of our Lord 1220] Victory, and made Amaulry Prisoner. The Barons were not brought so low by this bloody loss, but they continued the War for some Months; but that was only to obtain the better Conditions.

[Year of our Lord 1220, 21, and 22.] The Truce with the English being prolong'd, France enjoy'd a Calm for three or four years, during which Philip employ'd himself about the Walling, Enlarging, Fortifying, building Bridges, making Causeys and the like conveniencies in all the Cities that were of his Demeasns, or belonging to the Crown, which Expences though for the publick good, was out of his own proper Fund, not raised or exacted upon his Subjects, but paying very justly for all those Grounds and Houses belonging to private Persons which were necessary for him to have towards carrying on these Publick Works.

[Year of our Lord 1222] A prodigious Comet appeared in the Heavens shortly after: and whether it were the Sign, or were the Cause, or perhaps neither the one nor the other, a Quartain Ague seized King Philip, which continuing and wasting him near a years time, did in the end bring him to his Grave.

Amaulry de Montfort had profer'd to give up all his Conquests in Languedoc to Prince Lewis: But Philip knowing the Constitution of his Son was too delicate and tender, could not give consent he should undertake so toylsom a War: notwith∣standing the Pope and the Clergy press'd mightily to have them make an utter de∣struction of those Hereticks, who without any respect still aimed at their Persons [Year of our Lord 1223] and Estates principally. They had therefore at Paris called a grand Assembly of Prelats and Lords to compleat this business. John King of Jerusalem and the Popes Legat were Assistants, Philip sick as he was would needs be amongst them, and went expressly from Chasteau de Pacy on the Epte, where he had diverted himself. When he arriv'd at Mantes, the Distemper so encreased upon him that he was forc'd to stop there, and some days after gave up the Ghost the Twenty fifth of July in the year 1223.

The length of his days was Fifty eight years, that of his Reign from his Corona∣tion Forty four. His Monument is at St. Denis, whither his Corps was convey'd with great Ceremony. By his Will made the year before, he ordained and appointed that 50000* 1.321 Livers, or 25000 Mark of Silver at 40 Solz to the Mark, should be put into the hands of his Executors, to be restor'd and paid to those from whom it should appear he had detained, or unjustly taken any thing. He bequeathed like∣wise Ten thousand Franks* 1.322 to Queen Isemburge ..... to Lewis his Son, to employ for the defence of the Kingdom and no other use; 53500 Mark of Silver to the King of Jerusalem, 2000 to the Templars, and as much to the Hospitallers (of

St. Johns) towards the Recovery of the Holy Land, 21000 Livers Parisis to the Poor, to Orphans, to Widows, and Leprous People, and 20000 to Amaulry de Montfort to redeem his Wife and Children out of the hands of the Albigois.

He Married three Wives, Isabella Daughter of Baldwin IV. Ears of Haynault, Isemburge Daughter of Waldemar the Great King of Denmark, and Agnes Daughter of Bertold Duke of Merania. Of the first he had no Child remaining but Prince Lewis who Reign'd; by the second he had none, but he had two by Agnes, these were Philip who had the Earldom of Boulogne, by Marrying the Heiress, which was Mahauld or Matilda, Daughter of the unfortunate Regnauld de Dammartin, and Mary who was first joyned in Marriage Anno 1206. with Philip Earl of Namur, and afterwards Anno 1212. with Henry IV. Earl of Louvain, and Duke of Bra∣bant.

He had also a Natural Son named Peter Charlot, who was Treasurer of Tours, and afterwards Bishop of Noyon.

Of all the Kings of the Third Race, he annexed most Lands to the Crown, and most Power to those that succeeded him, wresting Normandy, the Counties of Anjou and Maine, Touraine, Berry, and Poitou from John Without-Land: he did not a little contribute on his part towards the lessening or pulling down the Earl of Toulouze: and by ruining those two Princes, took away the Counterpoise that balanced his own Power in the Kingdom. After which he brought the Grandees more easily both to respect and fear him, and the People to bear greater Burthens and Taxes then they had done under his Predecessors. The French gave him the name of Conqueror, which Paulus Emilius has rendred in Latin, Augustus, and this seemed so proper and sounded so well to all that have written since, that they have follow'd and continued it, and have almost forgotten the other.

He was well shap'd and without any Corporal defect, excepting that one of his Eyes was half obscured by an Amblyopia, for which some Italian Authors* 1.323 have called him One▪ey'd. He was a brave Cavalier and excellent Captain, laborious and active, happy in his Enterprizes, because he undertook with Deliberation and Counsel, and executed with celerity and heat; sometimes a little Cholerick and oversway'd with Passion, but bating that, a great Politician, who knew where it was fit to use Caresses, where to employ Threats, whom to Reward and whom to Punish; somewhat more enclined to Severity then Mercy; Splendid and Magnificent; highly Charitable to the Poor; zealous in doing Justice to his Subjects, and no less zea∣lous in Religion, taking as much care to preserve the purity of Faith by rooting out all Heresie, and defend the Goods and Liberties of the Church against Usurpers, as to maintain the Rights and Honour of the Kingdom; and therefore he was respected by the Clergy and People, as the Defender of the Church, and Father of his Country.

It is to be observ'd, that in his Reign, and in his Fathers and Grandfathers, there were five great Officers of the Crown, that is the Grand-Seneschal, in Latine Dapifer, great Chamberer* 1.324, Butler, Constable, and Chancellor. I believe they were in the Kings Gift, who might both place and displace: I do not know what the Formalities were he used, or whether the Grandees and Parliament, or General Assembly of Prelats and Lords had any part in the nomination: but I know they were not perpetual, and did in some measure resemble rather Commissions then Offices; that nevertheless their Function was so necessary, that whoever held those Places, signed all Acts and Writings of importance, so that if any one of these were* 1.325 vacant, it was ever noted down at the bottom of such Writing or Act. The Author of the Lives of the Ministers of State, hath very curiously observed, that the Office of Constable was a Member taken from the Grand-Seneschal, and that of Great Chamberlain from the Grand Chamberer. That the Constable had no Power or Command in the Armies till about the year 1218. after Philip Augustus had long left the Office of Grand-Seneschal vacant on purpose to destroy it, as I suppose, because it had too great Power. He likewise proves very plainly, that the High-Chamberlain had the management of the Kings Treasury: and that the Office of Chancellor, was the lowest of the five great ones we have specified; till Guerin Knight of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, and afterwards Bishop of Senlis, having that Place conferr'd on him by Lewis VIII. after he had held the Seal Five and twenty years together, raised it to a higher pitch of Honour and Degree then ever.

Towards the end of this Reign Families began to have fixed, certain and hereditary Surnames. The Lords and Gentlemen, took them most commonly from the names

of their Lands and Estates they had in possession; Men of Learning from the places of their Nativity, and Jews when they were Converted, as likewise the Wealthy Mer∣chants from the place of their abode. As for what has given Surnames to the Plebeians, some had it from the colour or cut and fashion of their Hair, the habit or defects of their Bodies, from their Dress or Age, Profession, Office, or Trade; some from their good or ill Qualities, others from the Province they dwelt in, or the Town or Village where they were born. But for the most part they were called by some proper name which was current in the Family, or even some Nick-name, which descended to their Generations. Whoever shall take the pains to examine these Heads throughly and distinctly, will find that there are few others can be made out.

Through all this Age there were two great and cruel Evils predominant in France, but which were not new, the Leprosie and Usury: the one infecting the Bodies, the other consuming the Estates of most Families. Those that were tainted with the first were secluded from all Society, and shut up in places far distant from the Habitations of other People, but yet upon or near the greatest Roads. The number increased so fast that there was not one City or Burrough that was not forced to build some Hospital for their Retreat. They were called Lazar-houses, and the Leprous Lazars, from St. Lazarus, the Patron of the Poor and the Sick, whom the Vulgar by cor∣ruption called St.* 1.326 Ladre. Now the publick Foundations, the Gifts of the Relations and Kindred of the Infected, the Alms of particular People, and with these the Im∣munities and Priviledges granted by the King and the Clergy to these miserable Wretches, made them live so much at their ease, that in length of time they became rather Objects of envy than of pity, at least in respect of the meaner sort of People. They were taxed of leading Lives guilty of great Disorders, and sometimes of Crimes. But when they were convicted of any they were burnt alive, that so the Fire might at the same time purifie and purge the infection both of their Bodies and Souls. I have read that there were some Men so apprehensive of this villanous, loathsom and shame∣ful Disease, that they guelt themselves to avoid it, and be preserved from it.

Usury was very common, and yet more excessive, the Jews practis'd it with so much cruelty, that they did not seize upon Peoples Goods only for satisfaction, but likewise upon their Persons and reduced them to slavery. The Popes oftentimes endeavour'd to suppress them, but it was in vain: for the Princes, and especially King Philip upheld them, receiving Tribute from them for suffering their Exactions, and withal they had it in their power to squeese these Blood-suckers whenever their occasions re∣quired it.

* 1.327 Since the first Birth of the Church there had not been any Age wherein she was so much shatter'd and rent with Schisms as she was in this same. I speak not of the Schism caused by the Emperor Henry IV. for that was more in the preceding Age then this, though it did never end but with the Life of that Emperor, who died at Liege, Anno 1106. after he was unfortunately deprived of his Empire by his own Son. I must note however that his Tyrannical and Scandalous Deportment, gave a* 1.328 fair opportunity to Gregory VII. whose Life was irreprovable, and exemplary, to constitute himself his Judge, to summon him before his Tribunal upon the universal complaints of his Subjects, to Excommunicate him and depose him from his Empire, and after all this to wrest from him the disposition of great Benefices. Which seem∣ed the more favourable, because that Prince made a most infamous and shameful Traffick of it, giving them to the worst, and investing them with the Ring, &c. be∣fore they were Consecrated. But after this Schism there were three more, two oc∣casioned by the Quarrels that the Emperor Henry V. Son of the abovenamed Henry, and then Frederic II. surnamed Barberossa, had with the Popes: and a third, which hapned between these two through the ambition of Cardinal Peter Leonis. That of Henry V. began in the year 1118. the Emperor having caused one Maurice Burdin Archbishop of Braga in Portugal to be elected, and ended Anno 1122. the Anti-Pope, named Gregory VIII. falling into the hands of Calistus, and Henry afterwards obtaining Absolution of that Pope. The Schism that Frederic caused lasted from the year 1159. under three Anti-Popes, Octavian, Guy de Crema, and John Abbot de Strume, who assumed the names of Victor IV. Paschal III. and Calistus III. and did not cease till the year 1183. For although Frederic were absolv'd at Venice, Anno 1177. he was not fully reconciled with these Popes till six years afterwards.

* 1.329 The Schism of Peter Leonis began in 1139. (for in that year he got to be Elect∣ed to the Papacy, concurrently with Alexander III. taking the name of Anaclet (and was extinguished Anno 11—. After his death, the Peace of the Church lasted but Seven years, and then was disturbed by the Rebellion of the City of Rome. Arnauld, Clerk of the City of Bresse stirred it up, in the year 1145. The people of Rome by his instigation, would needs shake off the Priestly yoke, and restore the ancient Re∣publick. These disturbances ceased An. 1155. for that incendiary being expell'd the City, went to the Emperour Frederick, who sacrific'd him to his Interests, de∣livering him up to Adrian, who caused him to be hang'd and burnt.

During the troubles of these Schismes, and the combustions Arnauld promoted in Rome; there were Five Popes that sheltred themselves in France, Paschal II. An. 1106. Gelasius IV. An. 1118. Innocent II. An. 1130. Eugenius, An. 1147. and Alexander III. An. 1161. without reckoning Calistus II. who sojourn'd there some time after his Election, which was made at Clugny, An. 1119.

The Son of the unfortunate Henry IV. of his Fathers Name, and who had com∣pell'd him to resign the Empire, made it plainly appear he did not rebell against him out of any zeal to Religion, since so soon as he thought himself well setled in the Throne, he began to tread in the same steps, and the very next year following 1107. he made it known to Pope Paschal, and the Council of Troyes, that he in∣tended to enjoy the Apostolique priviledge of instituting Bishops, which he pre∣tended had been given to Charlemain. This question was referr'd to a general Council, to be held at Rome in the year 1110. Paschal therefore returns: but Henry coming thither with an Army, seizes on his person, and forces him to Sign an agree∣ment, wherein he allows him the investitures, obliging both him and his Cardi∣nals by the most Sacred Oaths to observe it. All the Prelats in Europe cried out against this agreement, which by leaving such Elections in the power of Temporal Princes, caused great disorders in the Church. They held many Councils in several Provinces to damne it, Excommunicated the Emperour, and gave out, it was an He∣resie to say, that Investitures could be made by the Laity, not considering that this proposition made the Pope himself an Heretique, since he had newly granted it to the Emperour.

The same question of Investitures had also troubled England; the Kings William and Henry maintaining it was a Right and Prerogative of their Crown, and in all times possessed by their Ancestors. For which cause, Anselme Arch-Bishop of Canter∣bury had lost his See; but at last that difference was composed, An. 1107. upon con∣dition the King should for ever relinquish the Investitures in the Church, and that re∣ciprocally the Bishops should render him Hommage.

This was to speak properly nothing but the changing of terms, for he that doth Hommage is a Vassal, and receives, and holds of him to whom he renders it. And indeed the Popes could have wished that the Bishops had not done it to Lay-Prin∣ces; and they had expresly forbid it to those in France: but the resolution King Lewis the Gross and his Successors shew'd in this point, obliged them to relaxe. They durst not at the same time contend both with this great Kingdom and Germany; they must leave some place of shelter in time of need, and besides, they did not so much trouble their Heads to lessen France, with whom they had no contests for Dominion; as to pull down the Emperours, who being very powerful in Italy, had still an aim of restoring their Imperial Throne in the City of Rome. Besides, France was better united, and by consequence more difficult to be subdued then the Empire. where the Subjects (as well those of Germany as those of Italy, and the Kingdom of Arles) being divided amongst themselves, and having all different Interests, have at length ruin'd that vast body by their Jealousies and Rebellions. It was for this reason the Popes made it their business so much to lessen that power; and it is cer∣tain, that all other Princes of Europe, growing jealous of it, as the most formidable then in being, joyned willingly with the Popes to suppress it. The defence of the Holy See, and the Authority of the Church, admitting a specious pretence to side with them. This reflection is not useless.

Now to return to our Narrative, Henry V. sunk under all this weight, as his Fa∣ther had done before. In the beginning his Presence made things prosper in Italy: but when after various success he was driven thence, his burden was left to the mer∣cy of Calistus, who confined him to a perpetual imprisonment. Then he himself tir'd with the daily Admonitions and Remonstrances from all parts, and not able to wade through the many Conspiracies and Rebellions which hourly threatned to or'e∣whelm him, yielded the Cause at last: He utterly renounced the Investitures, and

* 1.330 promised to leave the liberty of Elections to the Ecclesiasticks. This was in Anno 1122.

The scandal and persecutions which these Schismes caused in Christendom, gave occasion, in my opinion, for that false prediction which was spread abroad in those days. That the world was near its end, and the Kingdom of Antichrist was then begun. St. Norbert, and some other persons of an irre••ragable Sanctity, preach'd it as a most certain Truth; which was but little doubted, and begot so much terror, that Pope Paschal, who fled into France to avoid persecution, staid some time in his journey at Florence, to see what the event of this dreadful report would come to.

Soon after the agreement, Henry V. being dead without Children, the Empire was given to Lotbarius Duke of Saxony, and after him to Conrade. Those two Prin∣ces left the Popes in quiet, and made no breach of Peace with them. So that there was no more fear of Schisme on that side. The Church having rested in tranquillity for eight years; began to be disturb'd again by another most dangerous division: for af∣ter the death of Honorius II. which hapned in the year 1134. two contrary Factions, or Interests, in the Sacred Colledge, elected each a Pope on the same day; One the Cardinal Gregory, who took the name of Innocent the II. The other the Cardinal Peter Leonis, who called himself Anaclet. This last had been a Monk at Clugny, a scurvy commendation for him to the Order of the Cisteaux, which was then become the most predominant in France. His Right, if examined in due form, appeared the best; but his ambitious and haughty proceeding spoil'd his Title; the great Gifts [☞] he made of things belonging to the Church, to make himself Master of Rome, gave just cause to believe there was somewhat of Simonie in his promotion, and that he deser∣ved not the Popedom, since he bought it. Many good people were of opinion (so says John of Salisbury) that in the like contests, they ought to have owned neither of those concurrents, but have elected a Pope anew, who had not privately made any interest for the Popedom; which is of such a nature, as well as all other Benefices, that who∣ever bribes for it, renders himself unworthy of it. And indeed King Lewis VII. wa∣vered for some time betwixt both parties, and assembled the Council of Estampes, to resolve him which of the two was the Legitimate. The perswasions of Henry II. King of England, had already a little inclined him towards Innocent: the Council of Estampes fully determin'd it, that Council having been satisfied by the discourses of St. Bernard, who with much zeal and vehemence, set forth the Right and Merits of that Pope. After so solemn a decision, most of the Princes in Europe declared for him; there was only Roger, Duke of Apulia, and William Duke of Aquitain, that sup∣ported Anaclet; The First, that he might have a Pope convenient for him, and more easie to be managed then his predecessors: the Second, having been perswaded by Gerard, Bishop of Angoulesme, that his Election was Canonical. It was thrown in Gerards Teeth, that at first he had been of the contrary party; but his spleen, because he was not continued in his Legation of Aquitain by Innocent, drove him to side with Anaclet; who indeed confirmed it to him. It was one of the handsomest, and indeed most profitable employments the Court of Rome could bestow: for besides the three Aquitains, both Touraine and Bretagne were comprehended in it.

I divide Bretagne from Touraine, because the former had its Arch-Bishop apart, this was the Bishop of Dole, who since the insurrection of Neomene, took upon him to be the Metropolitan. The often reiterated complaints of the Metropolitan of Tours, and the sollicitations of the Kings of France in the Court of Rome, could not obtain a Judgment in this matter for a long while: but Philip Augustus tyr'd with their long delays, prosecuted it with so much resolution, and talked so high, that Innocent III. determin'd it by a definitive Sentence, in An. 1198. which restored Dol, and the other Bishopricks of Bretagne, to the Metropolis of Tours.

We find in the Life of St. Bernard, how he withdrew Duke William from espousing the party of Anaclet, so that there was none for him but Roger Duke of Apulia, on whom Anaclet conferr'd the Title of King of Sicilia, upon condition to pay an ac∣knowledgment of Six hundred Crowns yearly to the See of Rome. The Kingdom of Sicilia comprehended the Island so named, Apulia, Calabria, and some other neigh∣bouring Countreys which Roger held in Italy.

Now although William Duke of Aquitain had suffer'd himself to be brought back to the Obedience of Innocent II. in the year 1135. yet Gerard nevertheless stood up obstinately for Anaclet to the end of his days; but some while after he was found dead in his Bed, horribly black, and blew, and swoln. About three years after, viz. in An. 1138. Anaclet died also; his Relations placed another Cardinal in his stead, to whom they gave the name of Victor. In fine, Innocent found it better to buy his

peace of them, then to leave these Divisions smothering and smoaking any longer;* 1.331 and when they were agreed, Victor laid down the Tiara, and cast himself at his Feet. Notwithstanding Roger held out still some time, not owning him for Pope, because he would not own him for a King, till having taken him prisoner in War, An. 1193. he came fairly to an agreement with him, and got the Title of King confirmed to him.

Frederick I. being come to the Empire, young, haughty, and ambitious as he was, undertook to recover its dignity, to which the easiness of Pope Anastasius seemed to chaulk out a way; but Pope Adrian IV. who succeeded Anastasius, resolv'd to obvi∣ate his designs, and keep him under as his dependant. Hence proceeded a mortal enmity betwixt them, which however came not to an open rupture; but made Fre∣derick more plainly sensible that it was necessary to have a Pope at his Devotion. Adrian being dead, An. 1159. it hapned that all the Cardinals, excepting three, elected Cardinal Rowland, who took the name of Alexander III. but whilst he was shewing some kind of unwillingness to accept the Popedom, those three that were not for him, Elected immediately the Cardinal Octavian, who was named Victor. The Emperour having notice of it, favour'd him first underhand, thereby to frighten Alexander, and bring him to his bent; then openly, when he found he could not lead the other as he pleased. So he causes his Election to be authorised by the Coun∣cil of Pisa, which he had call'd by his own authority, after the example of former Emperours, and employ'd all his Interest to perswade other Princes to adhere to him. The Kings of France and of England, who had been at war, having now agreed, assembled their Bishops, Abbots, and Barons; the one at Beauvais, and the other at New∣market, to discuss the right of the two concurrents: the Legats both of the one and other side having been heard; Alexander was approved by all, and Victor Excom∣municated. This hapned in the year 1161. The good Title and Right of the former was this year confirmed by a great number of miracles, as many Authors write; and yet there is one affirms likewise, that God wrought some in favour of Victor after his decease. In the mean time, this last being most powerful in Rome, Alexander seeks his refuge in France, and remained there three years: at the end whereof, his Affairs going in a better method in Italy, the Clergy and People call him back to Rome, An. 1164. To defray the Expences of his journey, he was sorced to impose a [Year of our Lord 1164] Collection on the Gallican Church.

[Year of our Lord 1164] The same year Victor his Rival died in the City of Luca. Some Prelats of his Fa∣ction being assembled at the same place, gave the Popedom to one of those two Cardinals that had elected him, which was Guy de Crema. He lived five years, and deceased An. 1170. Those of his party substituted another, I cannot tell what Ab∣bot, not known but by his debauches; they call'd him Calistus III. and Frederick sup∣ported him, as he had done the two others.

At the same time there were great stirs in England, King Henry stickling to pre∣serve certain pretended Rights, which he called Customs of the Kingdom; and Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury not to suffer them, as being contrary to Ecclesiastical liberty. It would be thought strange in these days, if a Bishop should hold his Head up so high against his Prince for the like cause: but then the best of Men were perswaded, that such Liberties were the pillars of Religion. The contest lasted seven or eight years, and ended not but by the death of the Archbishop, who was murther'd in his Cathedral in the year 1170. and the Kings penitence, which was so great and so pub∣lick, that the Church was edified more by such an example, then it had been scan∣daliz'd by his offence.

The Emperor Frederick was not more fortunate then the two Henrys, so that be∣ing shatter'd by the Popes Thunder-bolts, and more severely yet by his ill fortune, driven out of Italy, and apprehending the sudden Revolt of Germany, he could find no other way to save himself, but to ask pardon of the Holy Father, and prostrate himself at his Feet, to gain his Absolution, which was done at Venice, in An. 1177. His Anti-Pope Calistus did as much the following year, throwing himself at the Feet of the same Alexander. Afterwards Frederick had again some Disputes with the Popes Lucius, Ʋrban, and Clement III. of that name; but he was reconcil'd to Clement, and lived well enough with the See of Rome to the time of his death. Henry VI. his Son was Crowned by Celestine III. in the year 1191. He undertook nothing directly against the Popes, but yet he suffer'd himself to be Excommunicated, for detaining Richard King of England prisoner, and for not restoring the Money he had extort∣ed from that Prince to purchase his liberty. He died without Absolution, Anno 1197.

* 1.332 Let us now speak of Heresies. About the end of the Twelfth age, the opinions of one named Rousselin, had made a great deal of noise. He said the three Divine* 1.333 Persons were three separate or distinct things, as three several Angels were; but in such sort nevertheless, that all three had but one and the same Power, and one and the same Will: and that if custom would permit it, one might say that they were three Gods; or otherwise it would follow, that the Father and the Holy Ghost had been incarnate. These Sophistical impieties were condemned in a Council held at Soissons: notwithstanding the Author did not refrain Teaching in private; and per∣haps he might have made a greater progress, if there had not been some watchful persons, amongst the rest, Yves de Chartres, who broke his measures. I cannot tell whether it were the same, against whom St. Anselme, when he was but Abbot du Bec., wrote his Treatise of the Incarnation of the Word, which he sent to Pope Ʋrban II. to examine, An. 1094.

About the year 1125. one Tanchelin, the most profligate of all Mankind, infected Brabant and the neighbouring Countreys with his Errors: he asserted that the Mini∣stry of Bishops and Priests was a cheat, and that the Communion of the Holy Eu∣charist availed nothing to our Salvation. He drew people after him by the magnifi∣cence of his Feasts, and the pomp of his dress and garb, being attir'd in Cloth of Gold, and his Hair pleated, or wove with strings of the same; those that follow'd him were so bewitch'd, that they drank his Urine, kept some as Treasures and Re∣licks, and took it as a particular favour, that he would in their presence abuse their Wives and Daughters.

At the same time another Innovator wandred through Provence, Gascongne, and Languedoc, named Peter de Bruys, Preaching, that Baptisme was ineffectual before the age of Puberty; that they ought to pull down the Churches, such places not being necessary for Christians to worship in; That the sacrifice of the Mass was nothing; That the Prayers of the Living did not avail the Dead; and above all things he pre∣tended we ought to have the Cross in abomination, because our Lord had been most ignominiously nailed to it. Himself burnt a large heap upon Good-Friday, and with that Fire boiled several pots with Meat, of which he made a publique Meal, and in∣vited the people to eat with him. But Peter de Clugny going into that Countrey to hunt him thence, the people seized on his Person, and burnt him alive in the City of St. Giles.

His Sect was not blown away with the Wind like his Ashes; one of his Disciples named Henry, made himself their head; this was a Monk that had mew'd his Frock, who becoming a vagabond, because his Apostacy had left him no place of security, set himself to preach up these Heresies from place to place; to which he added some others of his own invention. Peter de Clugny refuted him in an excellent Trea∣tise. St. Bernard in a journey he made into that Countrey, confounded him by his sound Doctrine and moving Sermons, justified with many miracles, informed the poor People he had seduc'd, and follow'd him so close, that at length he was ta∣ken and deliver'd up to the Bishop, bound Hands and Feet, An. 1147. They called these Innovators Petrobrusians and Henricians, the names of their two principal Doctors.

The same St. Bernard had likewise to deal with another sort of Hereticks, who gave themselves the name of Apostoliques, bragging they were the only people that fol∣lowed exactly the Doctrine of the Apostles, and were the true mistical Body of Je∣sus Christ, none other Christians having the true Belief like them. They held many of the extravagancies, as those who since have been called by the name of the Illu∣minated, or Enlightned.

We may well reckon amongst the Heresies those over-bold, and too subtil propo∣sitions broached by Peter Abailard, touching the Trinity, since they were condemned as such in the year 1140. at the Council of Sens, which was confirmed by the Pope, though it appears to some, that if there were too much presumption on his part, there was also a little too much heat, and some want of understanding on theirs. However it were, his Humility repaired his fault, for having appeal'd to the Holy See, he was easily perswaded to stop at Clugny, by Peter the Venerable, and there spent the rest of his days. His Wife Heloise had also put on the Holy Vail. The Hi∣story of their Lives and their Loves is well enough known; this is not a place to men∣tion it in.

The Preachings of a certain Monk named Rodolph, were something worse then Heresies. I find that in the times of the Croisado, or Crusado in the year 1146. having assembled I know not how many thousand Men to go into the Holy-Land, he

preached, that they ought before they went to kill all the Jews, who were much* 1.334 greater enemies to JESƲS CHRIST, then the Mahometans. St. Bernard had much ado to save those miserable creatures from the fury of the common people, who are never so easie to be moved, as when some act of cruelty is propounded, and [☜] to get the Monk to return into his Covent.

The Popes were persecuted by other Heretiques, whom we might call Politiques, because they would not allow the Church-men should have any dominion nor jurisdi∣ction in Temporals. The Romans stirred up, as we have related, by Arnauld de Bresse, designed amongst themselves to take it from the Pope in their City, and leave him only the Spiritual; So that Eugenius III. flying from their persecution, was for∣ced to retire into France, An. 1147. whilst he was there he called a Council at Reims, where they examined the propositions of Gilbert Poret or Poree, Bishop of Poitiers: who having for Thirty years together profest Philosophy in the chief Cities of the Kingdom, spake of God and the persons of the Trinity, rather according to the Topicks of Aristotle, then conformably to the language of the Holy Scripture: He said the Divine Essence was not God: that the proprieties of the Three Persons were not the persons; that the Divine nature had not been incarnate; that there was no merit but that of JESƲS CHRIST, and that none were truly Baptized unless he were to be saved. His Arch-Deacons themselves,, moved with Zeal or Enmity, became his Accusers. St. Bernard stoutly Seconds them; the business was debated in two conferences, the one at Auxerre, and the other at Paris, and at last determined in a Third, which was held after the Council of Rheims; the Pope being unwilling before so great an Assembly, to censure a Bishop of so much Learning, and who besides protested he would submit to what his Holiness should think fit to judge of it. His propositions were condemned, he received this judgment with all possible submis∣sion; but some of his Disciples were still so confident as to maintain them.

That we may know how prone our humane nature is to be deluded, and led into the most extravagant novelties, we need but consider and mention a wretched fanatical Dotard, who was presented to the Pope in the beginning of this Council. His name was Eon de l'Estoile, a Gentleman of Bretagne; he was so ignorant, that having heard them Sing at Church, Per Eum qui venturns est judicare vivos & mortuos, he fancied to himself, and affirmed to others, that it was, he should judge both the quick and the dead. It is almost incredible, how many people were infatuated with this ri∣diculous extravagancy: they follow'd him as a great Prophet; sometimes he march∣ed with a stately Train, sometimes he hid himself, then he appear'd again more Glorious then before. They said he was a Magician, and made sumptuous Feasts to allure the World, but that it was but illusion, and that the Meats they eat at his Table, and the Presents he bestowed were only charms that alienated the Mind. The Arch-Bishop of Rheims having taken him, presented him to the Council, and to his Holiness. His Answers full of frantick Conceits and Whimseys, made them look up∣on him as a mad-Man, or rather a Fool; but yet they clapt them into close impri∣sonment, where he died shortly after. Many of his Disciples more senceless yet then he, chose rather to be burnt to death then renounce him.

There was certainly some remainders left of that Leaven of the Petrobrusians and Henricians, which infecting many people, did again inspire them with new and dangerous Questions and Propositions; but besides all these, another sort of poyson∣ers came out of Italy into France, bringing along with them the most pernicious ve∣nom of the Manicheans; and these were they in my opinion who first infected the Dio∣cess of Alby, for which reason those Heretiques were named Albigensis. They were convinced at a Conference in that City at the Bishops, who was chosen Arbitrator by both parties, in presence of many Lords, Prelats, and Constance the Wife of Raimond Earl of Toulouze, and Sister to the King of France; Gozelin the Bishop of Lodeve, refuting their errors by arguments and proofs drawn out of the New Testament.

This Conquest could not wholly destroy these unwholsom Seeds, they multiplied every day more and more, and soon mastered Toulouze, the capital City of Langue∣doc. The Kings of France and England were almost resolved to make use of Fire and Sword to destroy them; however, they thought fit to send some Preachers first amongst them, to labour and endeavour to convert them, or confound them, and to cut them off from all communion with the faithful, that they might corrupt no more of them. The Popes Legat went thither in Anno 1178. accompanied with Four or Five Bishops and several other Clergy-men; they discover'd many of these peo∣ple in Toulouze: amongst the rest the oldest and the richest; and as I may say, the cock of all the others, who let them have his Towers to Meet and Preach

* 1.335 in. They forced him to submit to a publique pennance, pull'd down his Towers or Turrets,* 1.336 and excommunicated and banished several of those Heretiques, who re∣tired into Albigeois; that was as it were their Fort or Cittadel, because Roger Earl of Alby favour'd them, and made use of them to keep the Bishop of his City a pri∣soner.

These Countries of Languedoc and Gascongny, as well because of their distance as their situation, and likewise the fiery warlike disposition of their people, were filled with another sort of wild Beasts, and such as delighted in Blood; I mean Troops, or Herds of Bandits, who hir'd themselves to any one that wanted them to take re∣venge upon their Enemies, or else roved all about to seek prey for themselves. They sought not only after Money and Goods; but took their Persons or their Lives away, sparing neither condition, nor age, nor sex. They were of no Religion, but help'd the Heretiques, thereby to have some pretence to rob Churches and Church-men; some of them were called Brabanders, Arragonians, Navarrois, and Basques, as coming from those Countreys: Others Cottereaux and Triaverdins, a Nick-name, whose original I do not know: and their Horse-men Routiers, from the German name Reuter. The General Council of Lateran, which was held in Anno 1179. Excommunicated both the one and the other, forbid the burying them in Holy Ground, and exhorted all Catholiques to fall upon them, seize upon their Goods, and bring their Persons into slavery, allowing all those that took up Arms against them, Indulgences and Relaxa∣tions of pennance, proportionable to their Services, and at the discretion of the Bishops.

Amongst these Heretiques, there were some that were called Popelicans, who held a great many strong Castles in Gascongny, where they had cantoniz'd themselves, and made up a body ever since they were cut off from the Church. Henry, who from be∣ing Abbot de Clervaux, had been made Bishop of Albe, having in quality of Legat, gathered a good force together by his Preachings and Exhortations, went to visit them with a strong hand in Anno 1181. They feigned to avoid this storm, they would ab∣jure their errors; but the danger being over, they lived as before. This contagion spread it self in many Provinces, both on this and the other side of the Loire; one of these false Apostles, by name Terric, who had kept himself conceal'd a long time in a Grott at Corbigny, in the Diocess of Nevers, was taken and burnt. Divers others suffer'd the same death in several places, particularly, two horrible old Women in the City of Troyes, to one of whom, as it was said, they had given the name of Holy-Church * 1.337, and to the other, that of St. Mary, that so when they were examin'd by the Judges, they might swear by St. Mary, they believed no other then what was the belief of Holy Church.

These Popelicans, amongst other things, did openly repugne the reality of the Bo∣dy of Our S. J. C. in the Sacrament, for which cause there were divers miracles wrought in those times to confirm people in the faith of that mistery. They were con∣demned in the Council of Sens, of the year 1198. as were likewise the Vandois, the Patarins, and the Cathares. The name of Patarins came from the Glory they took in suffering for the Truth patiently; that of* 1.338 Cathares, because, though falsly, they professed great purity of Life. These last were called in Flanders, Pifles, and in France Weavers, because the most part of them lived by the labour of their hands, which they employed in that Trade. It would require a whole Treatise to enumerate and particularize all these Sects, their several Names, and their Opinions, which agreed in some points, and were quite different in others: but in my judgment, they may be all reduced to two, that is* 1.339 Albigeois, and Vaudois* 1.340 and these two held almost, or ve∣ry near the same Opinions, as those we call in our days Calvinists.

There arose, if not an Heresie, at least some great doubts, touching the resurrecti∣on of the Body, in the time of Maurice Bishop of Paris, by reason whereof to testify what his Faith was concerning this Article, he ordain'd they should engrave upon his Tomb the first Response, which we find in the Office for the deceased. After his ex∣ample, many other Ecclesiastiques gave Order before their death, that these words should be affixed upon their Breasts in writing, and put into the Graves with them.

These Schismes and Errors thwarting the power of the Pope and the Clergy, con∣firmed and increased it the more. For First, the Popes gained the whole advantage upon the Emperours, concerning those Disputes about Investitures. Then when they had gotten that liberty of Elections, they would needs extend it likewise to the per∣sons and Goods of the Ecclesiastiques; they said the Church owed no Contribution* 1.341 but to her own Head, who is the Vicar of JESƲS CHRIST on Earth, and that the Clergy could not be corrected but by their Superiours, which they founded upon that

Maxim, That the less Noble or Worthy, ought not to command the more Noble or Worthy; nor* 1.342 the inferior be judge of him that is above him. However, this point striking at, and di∣minishing the Authority of all other Temporal Princes, as well as the Emperours, could not pass for current, but in the Countreys of those that were weak, and on the other side of the Mountains.

The third subject of the differences they had with the Emperours, was, they pre∣tended it belonged to them to dispose of, or give the Empire; and that the election of the Grandees belonging to it, could make but a King, unless their own Authority would honour it with the Title of Emperour. This belief was grounded upon what they had done for Pepin and Charlemain, whom indeed they first dignified with the Title of Pa∣trician, and afterwards conferred that of Emperour upon Charlemain. As for this point they carried it cleerly against the Emperours. The example of Henry VI. puts it out of all doubt; for when he took the Imperial Crown at Rome, in the year 1191. Pope Celestine III: who was upon a Scaffold, and sitting, holding it between his Feet, threw it down upon the ground, to shew, it lay in his power to overthrow it; and the Car∣dinals having caught it in their hands, put it upon the Emperours Head, who was below, and on his knees, waiting that favour with submission.

But the Popes could not so easily gain a fourth point, which was to hinder the Bi∣shops from paying Homage to their Temporal Sovereigns. They opposed this submis∣sion, because they thought it unworthy that those Sacred Hands, which were employd in the operations of the most Holy Mysteries of Religion, should be touched or pres∣sed by Hands profane. Now although Sovereign Princes, especially the Kings of France had a great reverence for all that came from the Holy See, they could not for all that yield them this point, nor that concerning the franchise of Goods and Persons. For King Lewis VI. would not suffer Rodolph to re-enter the Arch-Bishoprick of Bourges, till he had done him Homage; which Yves de Chartres excused to Pope Paschal, upon the apprehension of a greater inconvenience. And that Pope having granted a Bull, at the requisition of the Clergy of France, which prohibited, upon pain of Excommunica∣tion, all Bayliffs and Prevosts* 1.343 belonging to the King, the exacting any Loan of poor Clerks; the said King wrote Letters full of heat to Yves, threatning he would take the Goods of any Clerks wherever he could find them, if that Bull were not revoked: I cannot say what hapned upon this.

There was a Maxim set up in those ages, which gave the Popes an indirect Domi∣nion over Princes, and right of animadversion on their Government; which was, that although they did not believe the Princes depended upon them for things Tem∣poral, they thought they had good ground, considering the Spiritual, to judge whether their actions were good or evil, to admonish them, to correct them, to forbid them things they held unlawful, and command them to do what they thought was just. When two Princes made War, they concern'd themselves to bring them to a Truce, to re∣fer their business to Arbitration, and oblige them to debate it in their presence. King John pressed upon by Philip Augustus had recourse to Innocent III. who wrote thereup∣on, that being proposed to the Government of the Universal Church, he found him∣self obliged by the command of God, to proceeed in that Affair, according to the Rules and Forms of the Church, and to pronounce the King of France to be an Ido∣later and a Publican, if he did not make his Right appear before him or his Legat. For although, said he, it did not belong to him to judge of the Fief, yet he had right to take cognisance of the Sin; and it appertained to the Holy See to correct all persons of what quality soever they could be, and if they proved refractory to his Commands, to employ the Power and Arms of the Church. These were the Ex∣communications, and also the Interdictions, cruel remedies, which took away the use of the Sacraments, and the Divine Service from the Living, and sometimes the very Burials from the Dead. They were perswaded it was part of their Duty to pro∣vide against all publique scandals; of their paternal care, to help and protect all the oppressed; and of the grandeur of their Tribunal, to do justice to the whole World. So they received the complaints of all that were under oppression; nay, they would go to meet them, as it were, and take cognisance of what injustice Princes used towards their Subjects, and of their new exactions. They sometimes denounced Anathema against those that levied them; and sometimes exposed the Goods and Estates of these they Excommunicated as a Prey, and gave Command to seize their Persons, and bring them into slavery. The Sovereigns were not exempted or secure against these Thunder-claps: for whether by virtue of an opinion, commonly recei∣ved in those days, but in my judgment not to be maintained or made out, that the Ex∣communicate have lost all Titles to their Estates, or whether they did not believe the

* 1.344 Government of Catholique people, was not to be left in the hands of Princes re∣volted from the Church, they proceeded even to the deposing them, declaring their Subjects Absolv'd of all the Oaths they had taken, and forbid them longer to obey them. Gregory VII. began to exercise this Authority against the Emperour Henry IV. He would have practis'd the same towards Philip I. King of France: For he once wrote to all the Grandees of the Kingdom, to hinder the excess he committed, espe∣cially towards those Merchants that went to great Fairs: And another time he threat∣ned to dissolve those Bonds and Obligations of Fidelity, which tied his Subjects to him, if he did not forbear the sale of Benefices, and suffer the elect Bishop of Mas∣con to enter upon his Bishoprick. Victor II. did in effect, Excommunicate him in the Council of Clermont. Other Popes Excommunicated and deposed the Emperours Henry V. Frederick I. and Frederick II. and have attempted the like things against di∣vers other Crowned Heads.

It is admired that Popes who had so great a reputation for their goodness, parti∣cularly Gregory VII. and Alexander III. should have undertaken such things, which seem so contrary to the Maxims of the Ancient Fathers, and the Innocency of former ages. We must therefore know, that these supposed Letters of the First Popes, upon which they founded a new Cannon right, had made their Predecessors believe, even from the end of the Eighth Century; that their Authority and Power over the Faith∣ful had no limits; that in quality of universal Pastors, they had Power to lay Com∣mands, or to forbid any of the Faithful, in any thing that concerned their Sal∣vation, and the promotion of Religion; to admonish them, and afterwards punish them if they did not obey. That if the predecessors of Gregory had not made use of this power against Emperours; it was because those Princes were then more regular, and the Popes of those times involved in great troubles: but on the contrary, Henry IV. had made himself execrable by his infamous Vices; And Gre∣gory was venerable through all Christendom for his Virtues.

I shall presume to add that there was even some things in the preceding Ages that might give some colour to what that Pope did undertake. For in the Sixth, the Church had assumed power to exclude those who were enjoyned publique pen∣nance, from exercising any function Civil or Military, or even from Marriage, that it might be the more humble and perfect. S. Leo the Pope had only advised it, his Successors made it a Law, and the Councils of Toledo reduced it into practise towards their very Kings; witness Vamba, one of the most illustrious, and most renowned of their Monarchs: who being ordained Pennance, while he was in the agonies of death, not with his consent, for he was deprived of all understanding, but according to the custome of those times, was yet obliged upon his recovery, to renounce his Kingly Office. Observe, if you please, that these Councils of Spain furnished the Popes with great advantages and presidents, to bring other Sove∣reigns under their Command and Disposal. For the Visigoth Kings being elective, the Bishops had a great share in their Election, and their Councils were as so many Assemblies, where the Grandees and the Kings themselves were present. There they corrected all the disorders of the Crown, and imposed Laws upon them under the penalty of Anathema, or Deposition if they infringed them. The Bishops of France undertook the same thing by deposing Louis the Debonnaire; and though it were a perfect Faction, that Prince however did not resume the Crown, but by the authority of another Assembly of Bishops. Foulk, Arch-Bi∣shop of Rheims, threatned Charles the Simple, he would withdraw his Subjects from their Obedience, if he made any Alliance with the Normans, who were then Barbarians and Unbelievers. Now the Popes believed it as an Article of Faith, that their power was much greater then that of all the Bishops; and that it had no other limitation then was express'd in the Canons of the Councils, and the Decrees of the Apostolique See, which never had forbid them to Depose Kings, because it cannot be imagined, the thoughts of such a thing could ever enter into their brains. Gregory II. in Anno 730. having thundered his Anathema against Leo Isaurian, suspended at least the payment of all Tribute, and Obedi∣ence of his Subjects, or perhaps wholly Absolved them, as some pretended. Moreover, taking upon them, as they did, the Authority of creating Kings, which was allowed by the ambition of such as desired that Title: they imagined they might well take away the Crown from those that were unworthy, since they could bestow one upon such as did deserve it.

* 1.345 There were besides all this many occasions which served not a little to confirm this opinion. Amongst others the Prohibition of contracting Marriage between Kindred, even to the Seventh Degree, and betwixt Allies to the fourth and fifth; The cognisance they took of all great Causes, not only amongst the Ecclesiasticks, but Temporal Princes; and the Croisado's. For as to the first they could easily find enough of Parentage or Alliance to dissolve a Princes Marriage, and by this means made themselves formidable. And for the second, they were not less considerable for the power they had to judge of all Causes, because all Parties have naturally a fear and a respect for their Judges; and they having by this incredible affluence of Business, an opportunity to employ great numbers of People, it drew to their Court all those that had an ambition to be made use of by them, or such as had the curiosity to be fashion'd, or instructed in that most famous School of the whole Universe. In effect all the greatest Wits of Europe flock'd thither to gain Employments; and as we have still an Affection for those by whom we are advanced, when they went from thence, after they had done their Business, or made their Fortune, they pro∣claimed the Grandeur of the Popes in every Country, with an ardent desire to set up their Maxims.

The Crusado's or Holy War made them likewise very powerful. For in all the Expeditions to the Holy-Land, they enjoyned Princes to list themselves, they held the Soveraign Command of those Armies by their Legats, and in a manner made them∣selves Lords of all those Adventurers: not only because they exacted obedience from them, but which was more, because they took them under their Protection till their return; which was, as it were an Order of State to stop all Proceedings both Civil and Criminal. In other Crusado's which were undertaken against Schismaticks and Hereticks, they made it a Law, That whoever were convicted of those Crimes, should forfeit all their Goods, Honours and Dignities: In pursuance whereof, they de∣prived those that were guilty, or caused them to be deprived by Councils assembled by their Legats; then gave the Spoil to such as had served well in those Expeditions, without consulting the Soveraign Lords of whom they held those Estates, because they durst not refuse Investiture to those whom so holy a Power had provided in that manner for.

But their greatest Power or Force consisted in that of the Clergy and Religious Orders; Those great Bodies being in those times very firmly united for the main∣tenance of his Franchises and Liberties, which they positively believed to be Jure Divino, looking upon the Pope as a Chief Head, and Potentate that would never fail them at need. Indeed his absolute Authority lay heavily upon the Bishops Shoul∣ders: but when it pressed too hard, they had recourse to that of the Prince, as Protector of the Goods and Liberties of the Clergy. Reciprocally they made use of the Power of the Pope, to shield them from the Attempts of their Princes: and governing themselves thus between the Power of both, they endeavoured to moderate and qualifie the one by the other.

However they had cause to complain that the Popes took from them a good part of that Authority belonging to them, as Successors to the Apostles; as by drawing immediately to their Tribunal, the Cognisance of all Causes, not leaving them any thing almost to judge of Primarily, or Originally. By obliging them to give them their Oaths according to a certain Form to which Gregory VII. had added some Terms which amounted to Fealty and Hommage; By imposing the necessity for their going to Rome; By arrogating to themselves the Right of Consecrating Metropolitans; By granting Dispensations for not observing the holy Canons, as if the whole Ec∣clesiastical Discipline depended only upon their absolute Authority; By allowing Exemptions to Inferiors to withdraw them from their Obedience to their Superiors. They complained moreover of their having reserved to themselves alone the power of receiving Caodjutories, and that of dissolving the Spiritual Marriages of Bishops, that is, of separating them, or putting them away from their Churches, by Cession, or Translation, or Deposition; and their taking upon themselves the disposing of most Benefices.

Let us say something more particular upon the chiefest of these points; The dif∣ferences between particular People were handled only in the Court of Rome in the Twelfth Age: however when the Cause was very important, or concerned the whole Church, or a whole Kingdom, they referr'd it to the Judgment of a Council. Thus Gregory VII. when the Quarrel betwixt him and the Emperor Henry V. came to be renew'd, promised he would assign a Council, in a place of safety, where every one might come Friend or Foe, as well those of the Clergy as the Laity, to

* 1.346 judge whether he, or the Emperor had broke the Peace, and to consider of some means to restore it again. Gelasius II. said the same thing, and that he would acquiesce in the Judgment of his Brothers the Bishops, whom God had Constituted Judges in his Church, and without whom a Cause of that Nature could not be determined. Innocent III. wrote word, That he durst not decide any thing concerning the Mar∣riage of King Philip II. without the determination of a General Council: and that if he should do it, he might run the hazard of his Order and of his Office; very re∣markable words, for that they seem to insinuate that a Pope may be deposed not only for Heresie, but likewise for abusing his Power.

In those times they were likewise obliged to govern the Church by Advice of the Cardinals; whose Power was raised to such a height, since the year One thousand, that they were the Collaterals and Coadjutors of the Pope, saith St. Bernard; that their Priviledges or Rights were greater then those of the Patriarchs and the Primates, and that they had the Power of giving Authentick Censures against the Popes them∣selves. The assistance and ability of so many great Men chosen out of all the Western Churches, as fill'd this sacred Colledge, did not a little help the Popes in bearing the great burthen of Affairs, and maintaining and encreasing their Authority in the remotest Countries. But when they were once become great enough by their assistance, they freed themselves from their dependance, and now they only ask them their opinions, and do not think themselves at all obliged to follow what they Advise or Councel.

As for the disposing of Benefices, they had gotten the greatest into their own power, as the Archbishopricks, Bishopricks and Abbies, by making themselves Ma∣sters of the Elections, under pretence of judging those Differences that hapned be∣twixt opposite Parties; and the lesser as the Dignitaries and Canons of Cathedral and Collegiate Churches, by their recommendations to the Chapters in favour of those Clergy-Men that follow'd their Court. When having often obtained the thing desired, they at length turned such Recommendation into an absolute Command by the instigation of Flatterers and interessed People; and then that was follow'd with Reservations, and after with Expectatives, the abuse whereof went on increasing still, notwithstanding the Pragmatick of St. Louis, and the Remedies Philip le Bel, or the Faire, would have applied, and lasted till the time of the great Schism, when King Charles VI. and after him Charles VII. set roundly upon it, and brought back all Elections, Collations and Presentations to the same method and order as had been Decreed by General Councils, without any regard or respect to those pretences and claims the Court of Rome had taken up and exercised.

In the Fifth Age not only the Bishops, but almost all the Church-men on this side the Mountains, had taken up that pious Custom, of going to Rome to visit the Se∣pulchres of the Apostles, St. Peter and St. Paul, as it were to pay their Hommage, and testifie they held the same Faith which those Apostles had preached. At the same time they paid their Respects to their Holy Fathers, who in length of time converted this Voluntary Devotion into an indispensable Obligation, in so much as they highly reproached such as omitted it.

Dispensations were utterly unknown in the first Ages, and when they did begin to give them, it was not to allow them to infringe the Canons, but rather to absolve those that had infringed them. After the Eleventh Age the use grew very frequent. I observe four or five causes; The continual Wars between private Persons as well as between Princes: The multiplicity of Decrees, which were so numerous, it was dif∣ficult to avoid breaking some or other of them; The corruption of Manners, and the little regard they had for Ecclesiastical Orders or Rules: insomuch as they obliged to obviate that scorn by granting Dispensations, and they thought to hide or conceal the Transgression by permitting it. The Popes however did not dispense in things against our Faith, nor against good Manners, but in those that were only forbidden or permitted by positive Law. As for the Divine Law, they did not directly dis∣pense with that, but by Interpretation and by Declaration.

As for the Exemptions of Monasteries, we have observed in the Sixth Age, how they began by the concessions of the Bishops, and how all the Grandees affected to obtain them for such as they founded. The first we find that were allowed them was only to free the Monks from Temporal Payments and Duties. Afterwards they obtained some kind of Priviledges to be added; amongst others, That they should chuse their own Abbots; That they should be Masters of their own Discipline, and that the Bishops should Ordain Priests for them, at their Request. In fine, they found out means to extend them to the Spiritual Jurisdiction, and free them∣selves

from any dependance upon Bishops: to which three things were required, * 1.347the Bishops Consent, the Authority of the Holy Chair, and the Pragmatick Sanction of the King.

The number of these Exemptions encreasing day by day, the Pope arrogates to himself the power of giving them, and of submitting the Monasteries to the Holy See, maugre the Bishops Diocesans. He did the very same in relation to some Bishops and some Chapters, substracting these from their Bishops, and the Bishops from their Metropolitans. Vertuous Men could not held their Tongues upon these Disorders: their Writings mention it yet: St. B••ruard though a Monk and very [✚] zealous for the Holy Chair, highly condemned them. For to exempt the Abbots from the Jurisdiction of the Bishops, what was it else, said that great Saint, but to command them to Felony and Rebellion? and was it not as monstrous a deformity in the Body of the Church, to unite an Abby or a Chapter immediately to the Holy Chair, as in a Human Body to joyn and fasten a Finger to the Head?

These favours were not bestow'd gratis at Rome, the Abbots and Monks stript their Monasteries to purchase this independance, and made them oft-times Tributary to the Holy See, of many Silver Marks which they paid yearly.

The Abbots notwithstanding these Exemptions were still obliged after their Electi∣on to render Obedience to their Bishops, and by a Writing: but the most part refused it, so that the Council of Rheims was forc'd to make a Decree to compel them, and yet they did over-much care to submit to it; which Disobedience was so far carried into a common Right, that Henry II. King of England made bitter complaints to Pope Innocent II. for that Hugh Archbishop of Rouen exacted this said Duty of the Abbots of Normandy. The Pope perceiving with what heat the King wrote to him, sent to the Archbishop that he should for a time forbear to ask that Right too rigo∣rously, for fear of greater inconveniency.

The need the Pop s had of the Credit of the Order of St. Bennet during their Quarrels with the Emperors, inclined them, as I believe, to bestow upon the principal Abbots of those Congregations, the Ornaments which had belonged only to the Bishops: Those were, the Miter, the Surplice, the Gloves and the Sandals; some have since added the Crosier. But such as loved the Hierarchy, detested this abuse, and those Abbots that were but somewhat humbly Religious, did not often make use of those Tokens of Honour, believing that what is the Mark of Jurisdiction in a Bishop, is a stain of Ambition in a Monk. Peter de Blois wrote to his Brother, an Abbot in the Kingdom of Naples, to whom the Pope had made a Present of these Pontifical Ornaments, that he should send them back again, or rid himself of his Abby. Pope Ʋrban II. beholding the happy Peter Abbot of Caves bare-headed in a Council, sent a Miter to him to cover it; This holy Man having received it with great Respect, would not however put it on, but kept it still upon his Knees. But Hugh Abbot of Clugny did not refuse those Ornaments from that Popes hands, who gave them to him and all his Successors. Calistus II. desiring to gratifie that Abby, because he had been Elected and Consecrated there; gave likewise the Title of Car∣dinal to the Abbot Ponce de Melgueil, to enjoy it, both he and all the Abbots of that House.

The Popes Originally had Right to confirm only the Elections of the Metropo∣litans of the Roman Diocess. The sending the Pall to those of the Galican Church, chalkt out the way to usurp it upon them also. In the beginning St. Boniface Arch∣bishop of Mentz, engaged them to seek that Honour, to bring them by that means to the greater dependance, then when they were accustomed to deck themselves with those Ornaments, which in their opinions distinguisht them much from Bishops, the Popes obliged them to receive them always from him, as a thing very necessary, and forbid them all Exercise of their Function till they had received them.

Bishops could not change, or take another Bishoprick, unless they were turned out of their own by the Barbarians, or upon some very urgent necessity; and that by Sentence of the Metropolitan and Bishops of the Province: the Popes notwith∣standing permitted it without restraining them to all those Forms. Which was introduced in this Twelfth Age, not all at once, but by little and little, as it were sounding the Foord.

The ancient form of Elections was yet preserved as the Soul of the Hierarchy, that is to say, they were made by the Clergy and by the People, afterwards they were examined by the Metropolitans, assisted with the Counsel of his Suffragans. If he judged them good he approved them, and if he found any default, he annul'd it and sent them back to proceed to a new one: that is to be understood, if they had

* 1.348 not knowingly and designedly, elected one that was unwerthy, or lay under some Canonical impediment; For in such case the Metropolitan and his Suffragans, elected one themselves. The Bishops were not obliged to be Personally present at such Elections and Judgments; but sent some Clergy-men who represented their Persons.

The Consecration of Bishops in France was performed by the Metropolitan and his Suffragans, the Pope or his Legat having no right to it: but if the Metropolitan refused to Consecrate the Elect, the Electors appealed to the Pope, who sometimes did Consecrate them himself. When the Metropolitans were suspended from their Episcopal Functions, the Legats, as representing the Holy Father, pretended that that lame belonged to them.

The Elections, and the Right the Metropolitans had to Consecrate the Bishops, were not directly overthrown during this Age, but suffer'd great breaches and diminution. For the new Right founded upon the supposed Epistles of the first Popes, having perverted all the Canons, and reduced all Elections to the litigious forms of Pro∣ceedings, as there most commonly hapned divers Contests between the opposite Parties electing, or difficulties in the Judgment given by the Metropolitans, one of the two Cabals seldom failed of making an Appeal to Rome, which was an inextricable labyrinth of perplext Proceedings; and if there were any omission of formality in the Election, the Pope declared it null, and reserved to himself alone the right of providing the Bishop, and of Consecrating the Person whom he chose. Though it were forbidden to take any thing for that, notwithstanding the Officers of the Court of Rome exacted furiously, under pretence of their Salaries, and Paper and Ink: afterwards the Popes themselves, who had so highly condemned all Exactions, converted to their own proper benefit those abuses which they could not hinder. I find that the Bishop of Manse gave for his Ordination Seven hundred Mark of Silver. In time they setled this Exaction at a years Revenue moderately Taxed, which they and their Cardinals shared amongst them.

The power of the French Bishop; was likewise great proportionably. For be∣sides that they were the most considerable Member of the State, and had most power in the great Parliaments, or General Assemblies, the Kings rested much upon their Counsels, submitted to their Remonstrances, and were Crowned by their hands upon every Solemn Feast in the year. So that when any King was Excommunicate, as was Philip I. the Bishops refused to do this Office, and held in a manner, as in suspence, not the Royalty, but the Respect of his People. By the Popes example they some∣times made use of Interdicts, often of Excommunications; which by being so often employ'd upon trivial occasions, became so odious, that the Secular Judges appearing against them, caused those to be apprehended that carried them, tormented them in their Estates, and the Estates o•• their Relations, and vexed even such as obey'd those Fulminations, or who refused to hold Communication with such as were Ex∣communicated; And therefore in the year 1274. the Council of Lyons one of the most famous that hath been held in France, Ordained in presence of King Philip the Hardy or Bold, and the Emperors of the East and West, That those that did so hereafter should be cut off from the Communion of the Church, and if they per∣sisted two Months in their Contumacy, should not be absolv'd but by the Holy Chair. Which was allow'd in France, provided those Excommunications were just, and did intrench upon the Rights of the Crown. Now for as much as it depended upon his Officers to judge herein, they eluded them most commonly, and seized upon the Temporals as well of those that pronounced it, as those that submitted, and even caused their Houses to be pulled down.

The reason why they fore-armed themselves so strongly against these Censures, was because that in those times so soon as a Man was Excommunicate, he forfeited the benefit of his Goods, Honours and Dignities, that any one had a right to pil∣lage him, that they denied him the Sacraments and Burial, and he could not be ab∣solved but upon very hard Conditions, and by doing Publick Pennance, the Mortifi∣cation whereof is more cruel then Death it self to such who have much more concern for the shame of this World, then fear of God before their Eyes. And indeed the Clergy reveng'd their Injuries, how great soever, no other ways then by the Spiritual Sword, and were so jealous of their Sentences, that if a Secular Judge would ac∣cording to the Laws of his Prince have Chastised an Excommunicated Person for killing an Ecclesiastick, they would have oppos'd it, as an attempt upon their Juris∣diction. And therefore the Murtherer of a Layman was punished with Death, and of a Priest, nay even a Prelat, had oftentimes no other Punishment but Excom∣munication.

* 1.349 The most part of the Bishops were taken out of Monasteries: for as it went by Election, and those Houses were taken for Schools of Piety and Wisdom, such as aspired to this Dignity or that of an Abbot, which was not so honourable, but much more convenient, thrust themselves into the bottom of a Cloister, and affected a [☜] very severe Vertue and profound Humility, falling thus low that they might be raised, and hiding themselves that they might be sought out. Then when their Hypocrisie, had dazled the Eyes of those silly Folks till they were chosen, they laid aside that mask of austerity and made much of themselves.

But often times those good Prelats who were not zealous for a Bishoprick out of any other Motive then the call from God, when they found their strength decay and grow too weak for that great Office quitted the Bishoprick, and made their retreat into some Monastery to recollect and prepare themselves to render an account of their Administration to their Soveraign Judge.

They had yet the power of declaring to the People whom they might Honour and Pray to as Saints, which is that they call Canonizing; This was ordinarily done in a Council, or in an Assembly of the Fraternity; The Bishop in whose Diocess the Party died that merited this Honour, gave account of the great Vertues had made his Life illustrious, and the Miracles that were wrought on his Grave, according to publick Fame and the evidence of many particular People; and thereupon the Assembly giving their Judgment by Acclamations rather then in Writing, they all went to take up the Holy Body, put it into a Shrine, exposed it to the Devotions of the People, and ordered his Festival should be Celebrated.

It had been a very ancient and abusive Custom in the Eastern Churches, that Clerks should rob and plunder the Bishops Goods as soon as ever Death had clos'd his Eyes. In France, from the year One thousand, at least for as much as I can observe, the Laity took the same Licence as well towards Bishops, as all other that were Beneficed, grounding their so doing upon the Consideration perhaps, that the Goods of the Church belong to and are the Portion of the Poor, and therefore they might justly take them again, when the Pastor to whom they were given for that purpose had kept it so long from them. However it were, this abuse continued notwithstanding all what the Popes and Councils could do to prevent it. Now the Soveraign's who think that all Rights of their Subjects are eminently theirs, because they are head of them, made a Right of this Custom to themselves, and in a short time made it ex∣tend to the whole Revenue of vacant Bishopricks, and afterwards to the collation of Canons and all other Benefices depending thereon, excepting such as have the cure of Souls. This Right is called Regalia. This Custom was before the Reign of Philip Augustus, though in his time, it were not approved of by all the World. Yves de Chartres redeemed it of King Philip I. for his Bishoprick, and Lewis VII. permitted Peter Archbishop of Bourges to dispose of the Fruits of that Church by Will, when he died.

The Custom of the Kingdom which obliged the Bishops to follow the Kings because of their Fiess, was not much unplesant to such amongst them as delighted more in the Court then in the Church. Nevertheless those that desired rather to have the reputation of good Pastors, then great Statesmen retir'd from Court: but some∣times the Kings interpreted such retreat a want of Duty. We find that Louis the Gross was distasted with the Archbishop of Sens and the Bishop of Paris: and that Phi∣lip Augustus caused the Goods of the Bishops of Paris and Auxerre to be seized, because they came not to his Army. In the end the good and vertuous Bishops gained this point of the Kings that they dispenced with their Personal Attendance in the Wars, provided they sent those number of Men to which they were obliged by their Fiefs.

The Parochial Churches of Borroughs and Villages had for a long time been served by Canonical Priests whom the Bishops sent thither, and recalled again when he pleased to his Cathedral. The Lords having erected Chappels in the Country for the conveniency of their Dove-coats, and Peasants, appropriated to them the Oblations, First-Fruits and Collections, for they had not then the Tythe of the Fruits of the Earth and increase of Cattle, but the Lords themselves took those. 'Tis a great question by what Title, I think they were part of their Demeasns, and that it was a Duty they levied upon their Tenants, in most places the Tenths, in others the Elevenths, the Fifteenth and the Twentieth part. However it were, when once they had suffer'd themselves to be persuaded, that of Divine Right they belonged to the Ministers of the Church, and that they were bound to restore them; They gave a good part to the Benedictine Friars, who in those days did the Chruch very great Service, and gained the love of the Nobility, their Monasteries being like

* 1.350 open Inns for Gentlemen and other Travellers, and Free-Schools to instruct their Children. Upon condition of these Grants they ordered some Priests of theirs to serve in those Chappels; and finding such Funds and Incomes very sweet, as accruing to them without labour, they hooked in as much as possibly they could. The Re∣gular Canons obtained likewise some. In so much as there remained very little for the Secular Priests.

Now these Benedictine Monks thus dispersed through all the Country Villages wandring from the strictness of their Rules, and growing corrupt out of their Mo∣nasteries, as the Fish perishes out of the Water: The Council of Clermont in the year 1095. ordained that they should quit those Employments and leave them to the Secular Priests. This Decree was not altogether observed, no more then that of the Council of Poictiers in the year 1109. which prohibited them all Parochial Functions: they held these Cures till Anno 1115. the Latran Council took them all wholly away from them by a general Constitution. However they left them a right of Presen∣tation, and the Tythes likewise, unless it were some small or moderate proportion for the Curate that Officiats in those Churches.

By this Constitution the Regular* 1.351 Canons were excepted, upon condition they should have a Companion to converse always with them, that they might not turn absolute Brutes by daily frequenting of rude Peasants, worse then solitude it self. This Companion was but his second, and by consequence the other who Officiated was first in respect of him; for which reason they called him Prior; and hence comes it that those Benefices were named Priories, though in effect they are but simple Cures, no more then those held by the Secular Priests.

There are several proofs in the Acts of the Councils and elsewhere, that Plura∣lities were forbidden; an Abuse that must be for ever condemned by true Church∣men, who look upon their Benefice as a Charge of Souls, but ever practised by such as consider them only as a Revenue.

The Princes of those times did easily give way to great Revenge, and run into extream Violence: but when the first heat of their fury was spent, they were easily persuaded to Repentance, as well by the Sentiments of Christianity imprinted in their Hearts, their Religion not being only meer Policy, but true Faith, as by the good Instructions and Arguments of their Bishops and others of the Clergy. For those godly Pastors not knowing how to sooth and flatter Vice in any one, much less give way to Crimes in Ruling Potentates and Grandees that ought to be Exem∣plary to inferiors, boldly reproved them for their faults, which otherwise they knew themselves must answer for at the Tribunal of the King of Kings. They first made use of Admonitions, which they did by word of Mouth if there were oppor∣tunity of access, or else by Writing. If afterwards they found the Vice incurable, the Scandal continue and increase, they added reprehensions, and those sometimes publick, and in the end let loose the Censures of the Church upon them. By this Evangelical liberty assisted with the Holy Spirit; they often mollified the hardest hearts, and gained respect by their Apostolick constancy, whilst others were but slighted and contemn'd, as not having the courage to open their Mouths against the greatest Sinners.

When any Church was wronged in her Liberty or Goods, the Priests took down the Shrines and Images of their Saints, and set them on the ground, either to turn the hearts of their Persecutors and bring them to Repentance, or to inflame the in∣dignation of the People against them.

Those that did not believe the reality of the Body of Jesus Christ in the Holy Sa∣crament, were Hereticks: but the too curious started several Questions touching the manner and the circumstances of that incomprehensible Mystery. Some not being able to conceive what could become of the Sacred Body of Our Lord, after they had eaten it, said it passed with the rest of our Digestion. Rupert Abbot de Tuit, was of that opinion, that the Bread and the Wine remained with the Body and the Blood of Jesus Christ. And it appears that Peter de Blois, believed, that the Cup could not be Consecrated without Water, and that it was no Sacrament without the Chalice, because it is a Mystical Repast; and in a Supper there must be some∣what to drink as well as to eat.

In those times they yet Communicated in both the Species, but divers, and amongst others the Monks of Clugny, to prevent the Profanation in case the Cup should happen to be spilt, or some small drop should remain sticking on the Beard of the Communicant, administred the Bread dipt in the Wine, and that Bread was round and about the thickness of a Crown. Now this method not seeming conformable

to the institution of the Sacrament by our Saviour, was often reproved and con∣demned* 1.352 by the Popes themselves, who at length not being able to rectifie this abuse, took the Cup wholly from the Laity. Such as impugne the real Presence, however, are mistaken in saying that the word Transubstantiate, was introduced by the Council of Latran, which was held in Anno 1215 for we find it in Peter de Blois, who wrote some years before; but it is true that that Council authorized that Term of Tran∣substantiation.

The use of publick Pennance was yet very common, the Penitents could not come into the Church, nor Communicate, nor receive the Blessing or the Salutation of Peace, nor Shave his Beard, nor cut his Hair, nor put on any Linnen, nor Christen a Child; they eat nothing but Bread, and drank only Water, on Mundays, Wed∣nesdays, and Saturdays in each Week. But this severity was much abated by the Indulgences or Relaxations of Punishments allowed by the Canons. The Popes freely bestowed these Indulgences on such as took the Cross to go into the Holy Land, or against Hereticks and Schismaticks; The Bishops likewise when they Consecrated any Church were not sparing to such as would come to visit them, upon condition they would come the day before, and give their Alms or Contribution towards the upholding and maintaining of the Fabrick.

They had then a particular fancy to build Subterraneal Chappels. I have observed that at the building their Churches, they would in the Foundations often times bury Vessels full of Silver, that so when either Time, or other accidents should come to destroy them, they might find wherewith to rebuild them anew. Also when any happen'd to fall to ruine, they brought the Relicks of that Saint that was most honour'd by all the Neighbouring Countries, to invite People out of Devotion to contribute largely towards another Edifice. It was impossible but they should be rich, for there was no one died that did not leave them some Legacy. I shall observe by the way, that by their Wills they ever affranchised some certain number of Slaves according to their Qualities, and we may reckon this amongst others for one main cause which hath by little and little abolish'd Slavery or Servitude in France.

Those Persons that had committed great Sins, though they were not such whom the Canons ordained to do publick Pennance, yet they omitted not, especially being at the point of Death, to make a publick Confession; and divers great Princes would needs die flat upon the Ground, lying upon a Cross of Daft and Ashes; some even with a Rope about their Necks, others in the Habit of a Monk, or Friars holy Frock and Cowle, believing that Sacred Livery would shelter them against the Tor∣ments in the other World.

Auricular Confession had ever been practis'd in the Church; Gratian examining in the second part of the Decree, whether it were of absolute necessity or not, after he hath mustred the Reasons on either side, according to his Method, seems to leave every one his Judgment free, assuring us that Persons both very Devout and Pious were many for it, and many against it. But the Church hath determin'd it in the affirmative.

The Monks did not Administer the Sacraments to the Laity, nor did they hear Con∣fessions unless it were from those of their own Coat, it being forbidden them by the Councils to exercise any Curial Function. A certain Abbot of St. Riquier undertook to Confess some Seculars, and to Preach without leave of the Ordinary, of which complaint was made against him at Rome, the Pope caused him to be cited before him, but he pleaded his Cause so well, that the Holy Father allowed him both the one and the other, and gave him Sandals, which in those times were the Marks or Badge of a Preacher.

The Clergy busied themselves mightily in multiplying the Ceremonies, the Or∣naments, and practise of Devotions, and in making a great many frivolous Disputes upon each of these.

The profession of Physick, and that of Law, were hardly exercised by any but the Churchmen. the Laity being very little addicted to Study: and as they were very profitable, the Monks and Regular Canons had likewise an itch to practise them; The Council of Latran under Innocent II. did expressly forbid their medling with either of them.

The Mortifications and Austerities, the Sackcloth, Shirt of Hair, knotted Girdle, and voluntary Fustigation, which they called Discipline, was much in practise, at least in the precedent Age, since Peter Damianus mentions it as a thing that was very common. When they desired to appease the Wrath of God, or obtain some par∣ticular favour from his Bounty, the Pope, and sometimes the Bishops of their own

* 1.353 Heads would ordain new Fasts. Thus in the year 1187. Gregory VIII. sorely afficted for the loss of Jerusalem, thought fit thereby to animate the Christians to Arm themselves powerfully for its Recovery, to command all both Men and Women to fast every Friday for five years successively, with the same strictness as in Lent, and to abstain from Flesh the Wednesdays and Saturdays. He enjoyn'd all the Cardinals and their Families to do the same, and imposed it upon himself and all his.

As for the Fast of Lent it was then very strictly observ'd; they eat but once in the whole day, and that after Sun-set, all the Divine Service, and Masses being then over. We may see some footsteps of it remaining to this day, in that they say Ves∣pers with the Mass before Noon. Some gave themselves the liberty of eating at the hour of Noon, which is Three hours after Twelve, or Dinner time. The Friers fasted but till that hour from the Septuagesima to the Quadragesima; but from the Quadragesima; till Easter they nor any of the Faithful did eat till after Vespers. The Princes and great Persons did not omit this abstinence, nor fasting neither, which did not so much impair their Health as it abated their Concupisence: and in these Holy Times, the least Devout were obliged at least in Honour, to give Alms every day.

The Functions of those in holy Orders were yet different and different and distinct; the Priest seldom did the Office of a Deacon or Sub-Deacon. Many out of humility remained Deacons still, or at least a long time, not taking upon them the Order of Priest∣hood till near the end of their days. We read that Celestine III. at the time he was elected Pope was but a Deacon, and had lived Sixty five years in that Order without aspiring to be a Priest.

They sometimes tolerated the Marriage of Sub-Deacons, but it was Sacriledge in a Deacon.

Baptisin was commonly not Ministred or Conferr'd but at the time of Easter, if those that were to receive it, were not in danger of Death. They plung'd them three times in the Sacred Font; to shew them what operation that Sacrament hath on the Soul, washing and cleansing it from Original Sin.

After they had given the extream Unction to the Sick, they ordinarily laid them upon a Bed of Straw, where they gave up the Ghost. Some would needs die upon a Bed of Ashes, with their Heads lying on a Stone.

In those times the Clergy called all those Martyrs of their Order that were kill'd, though it were neither for Religion, or the maintaining of Christian Doctrines. We find in the Decretals, some Apostolical Letters of Alexander III. which forbids they should honour the Prior of the Monastery of Gristan as a Martyr. The History is strange and odd enough. The Monks of that House distributed to the People I know not what sort of Water which they hallowed with certain Prayers, and by that invention got store of Alms, wherewith they made good Chear. It hapned one day that their Prior being drunk, wounded two of his Friers with his Knife, who im∣mediately beat out his Brains with a Staff that was at hand by chance. The rest of their Fellows instead of concealing this Scandal, had the impudence to make ad∣vantage and profit of this accident, and feigned divers Miracles upon his Corps, by vertue whereof they Crowned him with the Laurel of Martyrdom, and the silly People gave credit to the Cheat.

They had been mightily puzled in the other Age to bring the Priests to Celibacy. There were some yet that could not agree to it. The Popes Calistus II. and Eu∣genius III. compell'd them by divers Punishments, and amongst others deprived them of their Benefices, and Excommunicated all such as went to hear them say Mass. Now it not being allowed them to make use of the rights of Nature by Marriage, there were some, though but few in number, who made use of things against Nature, burning with such flames of Lust, as ought not to be extinguished but by Fire from Heaven. As for the greater part of the rest, the Law of God, that is to say his Church* 1.354 forbidding them to have Children, the Author of all Confusion substi∣tuted great Throngs and Crowds of Nephews in their stead; and from thence fol∣low'd great Disorders: for if those Nephews were Ecclesiasticks, they perpetuated the Benefices in their Families by Coadjutories or otherwise, and possess'd as by Right of Inheritance the Sanctuary of the Lord: If they were of the Laity, and thrifty People, they made their Uncles grow Covetous, Usurers and Extortioners to heap up Riches for them, or else they endeavour'd by all ways imaginable to alienate the Lands of the Church, and joyning them to their own, appropriate all to themselves. Often times they became Masters of their Parents House, and living there with too great a Train, squandred away the Patrimony of the Cross and the Poor, in Feasting, Equi∣page

of Hounds and Horses, and sometimes in things much worse. We might quote* 1.355 a great many Examples of this scandalous Nature, I shall instance one which is of the Nephews of an Archdeacon of Paris, who committed extraordinary Violences and Exactions in his Place: whereof Thomas Prior of St. Victors having often given him warning, they Murther'd this holy Holy Friar in the very Arms of the Bishop himself near Gournay, as he returned from a Visit.

* 1.356 The Councils of the Gallican Church having now but little Authority, because their Decisions were often annul'd at Rome, without hearing their Reasons, the Bi∣shops took not so much care to call any. I cannot tell in which it was where an old Bishop appear'd with ill Cloaths, a Crosier half broken, and a Mitre out of order, to let them see by that Equipage to what a vile Condition those holy Assemblies were reduc'd. Most of those held in France during this Age, were called either by the Popes themselves or by their Legats. The Popes were Personally present in Six, Paschal II. in that of Troyes, Anno 1107. and there the Simoniacks, and the Laicks, that conferr'd Benefices were Excommunicated. Gelasius held one at Vienne in the year 1119. where he thundred his Anathema against the Emperor Henry V. and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Anti-Pope. Calistus II. his Successor (Guy Archbishop of Vienne) did the same thing in that of Rheims the following year, which had been denounced by Gelasius. Those that made sale of things Sacred, and took Money for burying the dead, for the Crisome and Baptism, were likewise Excommunicated. Innocent II. held one at Clermont in Anno 1130. and another at Rheims in Anno 1131. where he fulminated the Anti-Pope Anacletus, and his Adherents. Eugenius III. did Celebrate one at Rheims in the year 1137. where divers excellent Regulations were decreed. And Alexander III. one at Tours in Anno 1163. where he gave an acount of his Election, and proved the nullity of Octavian's his Rival.

These are a good part of those called by the Legats. One at Troyes in Anno 1104. in which the Bishop of Senlis was accused of Simony by some ill designing People, but the Bishops rejected them as no good Evidence. He desired nevertheless to purge himself from that suspicion by Oath before the Legat, to which he was admitted. Two Cardinal Legats assembled, one at Poitiers, in Anno 1109. to re∣form the Manners and Habits of the Clergy: They were forbidden to take any Benefice from the hands of the Laity: The Abbots to use Gloves, Sandals or the Ring; Monks to Exercise Parochial Function, as to Baptise or to Preach; which nevertheless was allowed to the Regular Canons. There was one at Vienne, Anno 1112. where Godfrey Bishop of Amiens was President, in Quality of Legat, because the Archbishop Guy had no very fluent Tongue. The Emperor Henry V. was Ex∣communicated there: As were also those guilty of Simony, and such of the Laity as gave the Investiture of Benefices.

There were three in the year 1114. one at Soissons, one at Beauvais, and another at Rheims to Excommunicate Henry V. and Burdin his Anti-Pope. One at Toulouze in Anno 1124. which condemned certain false Brothers or counterfeit Monks who declaimed against the Temporal Riches and Incomes of the Church, and against the Sacraments. One at Troyes, Anno 1127. where the Order of the Templers was confirmed; The Abbots Stephen de Cisteaux, and Bernard de Clervaux were assistant there, and the latter drew up the Rules of that Order of Knights Templers. There was one Assembled at Estampes in the year 1130. to condemn the Anti-Pope Anacletus. One likewise at Jouars the same year, to avenge by Canonical Punishments the Murther of the B. Thomas Prior of St. Victors. Another at Soissons, Anno 1136. which condemned the Errors of P. Abailard. One at Sens four years after for the same business: King Lewis the Young was present there. Another at Veze∣lay in Burgundy, in the year 1145. for the Expeditioin to the Holy Land. That of Paris in the year 1147. confuted the Opinions of Gilbert Poree Bishop of Poictiers, who REcanted before Pope Eugenius at Rheims, after the Council was dissolved which had been held in that City.

That of Fleury in the year 1151. was to annul the Marriage of King Lewis VII. and Alienor of Aquitain. In that of Auranches in Normandy, Anno 1173. the Legats gave for the second time, the Absolution for the Murther of St. Thomas of Can∣terbury to Henry II. King of England. That of Alby, which was in Anno 1176. condemned the Heresie of the Albigensis. In that of Dijon which was held about Michaelmas in the year 1197. the Legat from Pope Innocent III. put the whole Kingdom of France under an Interdiction, to comple Philip Augustus to quit Agnes de Merania, whom he had Espoused in prejudice of Isemburge his Lawful Wife.

* 1.357 In that of Sens, which was held in the year 1198. the Abbot of St. Martins of Nevers, and the Dean of the great Church of the same City being present, were convicted of the Heresies of the Popelicans, the Abbot deposed, the Dean suspended, and both of them sent to Rome.

We hardly find above three or four that were called by the Kings order, and the Authority of the Bishops of France. Amongst others one at Rheims, Anno 1109. one at Estampes, Anno 1130. and two at Paris, the first in the Year 1186. the other in 1188. Both of them were called by King Philip, to consider of the best means to relieve the Holy-Land; and in the last they agreed to raise the Tenths, which was called the Saladine Tythe. That of Estampes was called by King Lewis VII. to judge whether of the two Popes they were to own, either Innocent or Victor. That of Rheims was by the proper motion of the Bishops of that Province, to do right to Godfrey Bishop of Amiens against the Monks of St. Valery. He had made discovery that certain Letters of Exemption by them obtained of the Holy See were false: their Cause was worth nothing in France, they transferr'd it to Rome, and found such Advocates there as obtained a Sentence to their advantage. The Bishops complained to the Assembly. We find in the LX VIII. Epistle of Peter de Blois, that sometimes the like counterfeit Letters were discovered: These were declared such by the Council. Thus it is related by Nicholas Moine of Soissons, who has written the Life of this holy Bishop. A modern Author hath endeavour'd to invalidate this Nar∣rative by contradicting of the Dates of times assigned: his proofs may be examined.

Monastick Discipline was in its vigour in the newly Establisht Orders, but some of the ancient Monasteries, as well of Men, as Virgins, and the old Canons, were greatly in disorder having run into much irregularity; Sometimes there were Bishops, that took care to reform them by gentle means: but when the Debaucheries were too great, they put Regular Canons, or some new Monks in those places.

There were time out of mind some Canons in the Church St. Genevieve du Mont, which was called the Chapter St. Peter, and who upon the Recommendation of King Robert had been exempted from dependance on the Bishop, and immediately subject to the Holy See: it hapued that Pope Eugenius being lodged in their House, a Quarrel arose between them and his Officers, these would needs take away a rich Silk Carpet, which the King had made a Present of to his Holiness to cover the place he kneeled on at Prayers; the others pretending it ought to be left to their Church: From words they came to blows, the Canons fell upon the Popes Officers so rudely, that several of them were hurt, the King himself had like to have been so, while he was endeavouring to prevent the Scuffle. For punishment of this Insolence, upon the Popes complaint, the King resolv'd to expel them from that House, and gave it in charge to Suger Abbot of St. Denis: who placed twelve Canons Regulars there whom he took from St. Victors; Thus of a Chapter they made an Abby, the first Abbot they had was named Odon.

As for that of St. Victor, it was built in Anno 1113. or rather amplified by Lewis the Gross, for before that time it was the Habitation of a Recluse, a famous Doctor named Thomas de Champeaux, who taught Divinity at Nostre-Dame, having taken on him the Habit of that Order, was Commissioned for the Government and Con∣duct of the new Institution, and transferr'd the Divinity Schools to that place, where he read, till he was called thence to the Bishoprick of Chaalons. Geduin his Pupil succeeded him, and bare the Title of Abbot. We may say in praise of this House, that they never withdrew themselves from their Obedience to their Bishop, but that they ever allow'd and received his Visitation and his Correction, whereby they have fared so well, that in Five hundred and fifty years, for so long they have been there, they never fell into any so great disorder as hath required a Reformation of the whole, as all the rest have done, who did shake off that Yoke of Lawful Authority.

The Order of Fontevraud, of which we made mention about the end of the last Age, was confirmed by Pope Paschal II. in the year 1117. The following year some Gentlemen zealous for the defence of holy Places, amongst others Hugh de Paganis and Gefroy de Saint Ademar, to that end Instituted an Order of Religious Kinghts, who were named the Poor Knights of the Holy City, then the Templers, be∣cause they had their first Lodging or Quarters near the Temple of Jerusalem and for the same reason they likewise called those Houses they had in France, Temples, and so in other Countries. Their Order received its Confirmation, Rules, and Habit at the Council of Troyes in the year 1127. Their Rules were contrived by St. Bernard, and their Habit was to be white for the Knights, and black or grey for the Servants.

Their number was then but small, but it increased in a while to three hundred, I* 1.358 mean of Knights alone, for the Servitors were almost innumerable. The Order de Premonstre was instituted in Anno 1120. by Norbert, who was afterwards promoted to the Archbishoprick of Magdebourg. That of the* 1.359 Carmelites did not begin till the year 1181. as you shall find in the other Age.

The Orders of the Chartreux, de Grandmont & de Cisteaux, were instituted in the preceding Age, as we have observed: They were all in great Veneration because of their austerity: the two first were so still for their horrid solitariness, indeed both of them were reckon'd amongst the Hermits; and besides they consider'd that of Grandmont for their rigorous Poverty. The Friers Converts of this last (they were named the Bearded, because they wore great Beards) having the management of their Temporal Goods, would have the Government of the Order, and bring the Priests under their Ferula or Lash; but in the end they lost their Cause.

The Chartreux have to this day preserved their Cloister and their Discipline, ha∣ving ever avoided all Intrigues of the World, Conversation with Women, and the [✚] ambition of attaining to Prelacy. Three Rocks which ever have, and will be fatal to other Orders.

These good Fathers had so much respect for the holy Sacrifice of the Mass, that within their Walls they never celebrated it but upon Sundays and Holidays: never∣theless they sometimes allowed those that had an earnest desire to it, to say Mass every day to such as were indeed devout. We must not wonder at this practise, which would appear strange in these days: St. Francis, in his Letters which are called his Testament, ordains his Brothers, that but one Mass be said each day in the places where they lived, according to the custom of the Church of Rome. Masses were not then the best part of the Revenue and Subsistence of the Convents, and poor Priests.

The Congregation of Clugny had been an hundred years in very high Reputation, but her Monks had made themselves a litle too dainty, taking too much delight in being Clothed in the finest Stuffs, providing against the Heat and Cold, avoiding all Labour and the open Air, and seeking the Shades and Rest. They heaped up Riches with both Hands, got all the Cures to themselves to have the Offerings and Tythes, and obliged the Chapters and Bishops to bestow the Prebendaries of their Churches upon them. In so much that when the Reformation of the Citeaux appeared, and those new Friers were observed to follow St. Bennets Rule literally, without omitting one single point, labouring with their hands, refusing to acept of any Tythes, and behaving themselves with great submission towards their Prelats; the Reverence and Devotion of the People turned to them. Thus they acquired much Wealth, as well by Gifts presented to them, as by their assiduous Labour, there being in some of their Houses two or three hundred Friers that clear'd the Lands of the Woods and other Lets to Tillage, drained the Fens and Bogs, digged and planted, and withall lived with great Frugality. Being very poor in their beginning, Pope In∣nocent would have them exempted from paying Tythes for their Lands; a favour that was allowed to some Abbies, the Lazar-Houses, Canons Regulars, and the Kinghts Templers and Hospitallers. Now as their great Thriftiness, and Gifts of Pious People, did furnish them wherewith to make new Purchases; the Prelats made great complaint of this Covetousness, which did with-hold from them what they believed to be justly theirs by Divine Right. The Monks of Clugny, who were much per∣judic'd or impair'd by them, because they had the Tythes in divers places, made loud complaints and a great stir wherever they could come to be heard, so that in fine the Council of Latran which was held in the year 1115. restraining that Privi∣ledge to the acquisitions they had already made.

This Difference joyn'd with the jealousie of growing too powerful, prompted these two Congregations to decry each other. Both of them were very Potent, the Popes and Kings took their Counsels, gave them notice of their good or ill suc∣cess, recommended themselves to their Prayers in all their great Undertakings, and made them large Gifts and Presents to be Associates and Partakers of the Merits of their Societies. That of Clugny had acquir'd much Renown by the desert and reputation of four or five of her first Abbots, but lost a little by the irregularity of Ponce, who squandred away a great part of the Wealth of that rich Abby: on the contrary the Cisteaux encreased so much in Credit by the Reputation of her St. Bernard, that those Monks were the Agents or the Organs of all the weighty Affairs of those times.

* 1.360 I must tell you here, (if I have not mentioned it already) that the Will of the Parents made the Monk, as well as his own choice. The Father might put his Children into the Monastery without acquainting the Mother, and even against her will. He had that power over them till they were Ten years of Age, afterwards that Term was enlarged to Thirteen, says Yves de Char••res; and then to Fourteen, as we find it in Gratian. When the Father had resolv'd and destined his Son to Monachism, he offer'd him to God in the Church belonging to the Convent, wrap∣ped all over, or sometimes only the Arm in the Altar Cloth, and by that Devotion obliged him so fully, that he could not gainsay it. But Clement III. and Calistus III. changed that too unnatural Right and Power, and declared, That those Children ought not to be compell'd to Monastick Life, unless they did by their own free choice oblige themselves when they had attained to years of Discretion.

* 1.361 The Dignity of Cardinals was in great lustre, their Colledge was numerous, and their Vertue and Birth most eminent. France had as great a share at least in this Ad∣vantage, as Italy. Duchesne who has written their Lives very exactly, hath noted in this Twelfth Age above Fifty that were Frenchmen: the greatest part of them having been bred in Monasteries, particularly in the Congregation of Clugny, and Order de Cisteaux; These last were almost all of them the intimate Friends or Disciples of St. Bernard. Galon Disciple of Yves de Chartres, Bishop of Beauvais then of Paris, Guy Brother of Stephen Earl of Bu••gundy Archbishop of Vienne, and afterwards Soveraign Prelat by the name of Calistus II. Pontius de Melgueil Abbot of Clugny, Stephen Son of Thierry Earl of Montbelliard, William de Champagne succes∣sively Archbishop of Sens and of Rheims, Uncle to King Philip Augustus, and very powerful in the Government of the Kingdom, Rodolph de Nesle, Henry de Sully, and Albert Brother of the Duke of Brabant, were all of illustrious Birth, and withall of extraordinary Vertue, excepting Ponce, or Pontius, who was singular for the Disorders of his Life; which were scandalous after his re-entry perforce into the Abby which he had once renounced, that going to Rome, whither he was cited by the Pope, he was confin'd to a perpetual imprisonment, where a Month after he died. And nevertheless a certain Martyrologist quoted by Duchesne does call him Saint.

The end of Albert was also Tragical, but the Cause being brave, his Memory is the more glorious. He had been Elected Bishop of Liege upon the Sollicitation of Henry Duke of Brabant his Brother; The Emperor Henry VI. who hated both of them, would not give his consent to this Election; The Pope however confirms him, and Albert comes to Rheims to be Consecrated, which was then the Metropolis of Liege. The Emperor took this for an outrageous affront and slighting, and dis∣patches some German Cavaliers after him to take his Revenge. These Ruffians ha∣ving craftily insinuated themselves into a familiarity with the Bishop, who then sojourned at Rheims, found an opportunity one day to get him out of Town to take the Air and walk, and Murther'd him with Nineteen Wounds, then made their escape to Verdun, and from thence into Germany to the Emperor. Four hundred and twenty years after, that is in the year 1612. the Arch-Duke Albertus of Austria, and his spouse the Infanta Clara Eugenia, obtained leave of the Most Christian King Lewis XIII. to take his Corps up out of the Cathedral Church at Rheims, where it had been deposited till that time, and caused it to be convey'd to Brussels in great Pomp. Paul V. compleated his Crown of Honour by Canonizing him as a Martyr for the liberty of the Church which is the Spouse of Jesus Christ.

I observe Eight or ten other Cardinals, who had no other Nobility but what their Vertue acquir'd: as one Robert de Paris, who with some others so pressed Pope Pas∣chal, that he had made him break the Treaty by which he had yielded up the Investi∣tures to the Emperor Henry V. Foulcher de Chartres, Matthew de Rheims, and Alberic de Beauvais, the first of whom had been Secretary to Godfrey de Buillon in his Ex∣pedition to the Holy Land, the second Prior of St. Martins des Champs, or in the Fields, and the third a Monk of Clugny and Abbot of Vezelay; Stephen de Chaalons, Bernard de Rennes, (these two had likewise been Monks) Rowland d'Auranches, and Matthew d'Angers; all which took their names from the places of their Nativity, according to the Mode of Men of Learning who were of mean Extraction.

There were divers others besides whose Parents are unknown to us, as one Yves a Canon of St. Victor raised by his Learning to that Dignity, and one Martin who came from the Abby de Citeaux, and was Bishop of Ostia, a Prelat of an Apostolick Continence and Fragality. It is related that he being sent as Legat into Denmark for the Conversion of those Infidels, he came back so poor that he Travel'd on Foot as far as Florence, herein much more like the humble Apostles of Jesus Christ, then the

other Legats of those times, who comming very beggerlike into those Provinces whi∣ther* 1.362 the Popes sent them, went thence again loaden with Spoil, as from a Country Conquer'd by them, and returned back to Rome with an Equipage sit for a King. The Bishop of Florence seeing this good Man on foot, made him a Present of a Horse, not out of generosity, but hopes to oblige him to be his Friend in a Process he had at Rome ready to be determined; but when it came to Judgment, and this good Man to deliver his opinion, he Addresses himself to him, and said freely he did not know he was to have been his Judge, and therefore pray'd him to go to the Stable and take his Horse again, that his Vote might be without partiality.

Neither did France want for Bishops, whose Learning, Merits, Zeal, and Piety acquir'd the Titles of Great Men, and of Saints. Not to mention again that Galon, Guy of Burgundy, William de Champagne, and Albert de Brabant whom we lately ranged amongst the Cardinals: France had amongst others seven great Archbishops, Hildebert de Tours, Peter de Bourges, who was of the Family de la Chastre, Odvard de Cambray, Arnold Amaulry de Narbonne, Henry de Rheims, Rotrou de Rouen, and Hugh de Vienne. Arnold had been Abbot of Clerveaux, and was the first Inquisitor to root out the Heresie of the Albigensis; Rotrou was Son of the Earl of Warwick, near of Kindred to the King of England, as Henry was to the King of France, Louis the Gross: but both of them more eminent for their Christian Humility, then high Birth. Hugh endured rather to be expell'd from his See by the Emperor Frederic I. then to renounce Alexander III. whom he believed to be the true and Legitimate Pope. I should never come to an end, if I undertook to give an account of all the Bishops of this Age who deserve Immortality and Renown. But can we forget Yves and John of Salisbury who governed the Church of Chartres, the first in the begin∣ning of this Century, and the last towards the end? Godfrey d'Amiens of whom we shall speak hereafter; Peter of Poitiers, who courageously opposed William VIII. Duke of Aquitain, who would force him to absolve him of the Excommunication wherewith he was fetter'd; Gilbert Poree who held the same See as Peter, but Twenty five years after; Arnoulf Bishop of Lisieux; Robert de Beauvais, he was the Son of Hugh Duke of Burgundy. John surnamed de la Grille who transferr'd the Bishoprick of Quidalet to that place now called St. Malo's; Simon de Noyon, and Guerin de Senlis. In the time of Simon, whilst he was at Jerusalem with King Louis VII. (in the year 1146.) the Church of Tournay was cut off from that of Noyon, to which it had been joyned in the days of St. Medard, and had for their first Bishop Anselme who was Abbot of St. Viucent of Laon, Guerin de Senlis was very great in the Reign of Philp II. and of Louis VIII. Keeper of the Seals under the first, Chancellor under the second.

I shall conclude with four Bishops of Paris, whose Memory ought to be dear to that great City, and the whole Gallican Church. Stephen de Garlande, Peter Lombard, Maurice and Odon. These two last bare the name of Sully, Maurice because he was a Native of that place, but of very poor Parents, Odon because he was of that il∣lustrious House, Issue of the Earls of Champagne. Stephen had been Chancellor of France under Louis VI. Peter Lombard was called the Master of Sentences, from that Book so well known through all Christendom, and which was the Foundation of all School-Divinity. Maurice had a noble Soul, liberal and magnanimous: He founded the Abbies de Herivaux, and de Hemieres, as likewise two Monasteries for Virgins, Gif and Hieres, and laid the Foundation of the Church Nostre-Dame, one of the greatest Buildings to be seen in France. Odon his Successor finisht it, and founded a Monastery for Women of the Order de Cisteaux at Port Royal, being assisted in that Pious Work by the Liberality of Matilda Daughter of William de Garland. He la∣boured also to root out an ancient but ridiculous Custom which had been suffer'd in the Church of Paris, and in divers others of the Kingdom. It was the Holy-day or Feast of Fools; in some places they called it the Festival of Innocents. It was observ'd at Paris, principally upon the day of the Circumcision, the Priests and Clerks went in Masquerade to Church, where they committed a thousand Insolencies, and from thence rode about the Streets in Chariots, mounted upon Theaters or Stages, singing the most filthy Songs, and acting all the tricks and postures the most impudent Buf∣foons are wont to shew to divert the Rascally and Sottish Populace. Odo or Odon en∣deavour'd to put down this detestable Mummery, having to that effect obtain'd an order of the Popes Legat, who made his Visitation there: but we may well believe that his desire had not its full accomplishment, that Custom lasting Two hundred and fifty years afterwards, for we find that in the year 1444. the Masters of the Faculties of Divinity at the request of some Bishops, wrote a Letter to all the Prelats and Chapters, to damn and utterly abolish it, and the Council of Sens which was

* 1.363 held in Anno 1460. does yet speak of it as an Abuse which ought to be Re∣trencht.

The Bishops labour'd assiduously to edifie and instruct the Faithful by their Works and Doctrine: most part of them have left their Writings, whereof many have been published, the rest as yet lie hid in several Libraries. And truly as this Age was not ingrateful to Persons of Merit, the liberty of Elections giving them opportunities to reward them, there were more Men of worth and parts to be found, then had been heard of in a long time, who improved the Sciences with good success, and drew an incredible number of Students to learn Philosophy and Divinity at Paris.

Human Learning, or Les belles Lettres, made some Attempts and Essays to raise it self, which were not altogether in vain. It appears in the Writings of Hildebert, of John of Salisbury, and Stephen de Tournay. Peter Comester or the* 1.364 Eater, Dean of the Church of Troyes, and afterwards a Monk of St. Victors, compiled the Ecclesiastical History; and he was called the Master of it; and Elinand Native of Beauvais, a Monk of Froidmont, wrote the Universal History to the year 1212. in Forty eight Books.

We have three Latin Poets or Versisicators, who are not to be despised, Galternus, William le Breton, and Leonius. The first made a Poem of Alexanders famous Ex∣ploits, which he Intitled Alexandreides. Le Broton in imitation composed the Philippides containing the History of Philip Augustus; and Leonius made himself known by se∣veral Copies, which though not very long, are gentile and full of Wit. He was Canon of St. Victor.

I shall not set down all those whom in this Age the Church put into her number of Saints; but only the two Bernards, the one being the first Abbot de Tiron of St. Ben∣net's Order, and the other Abbot of Clervaux, whose Wit and clear Judgment, his Zeal and Piety, his Conduct and Capacity in business of the greatest weight, made him appear with more luster then any other in his time. Three Institutors of new Religious Orders, Robert Abbot de Molesme, that of the Cisteaux, Stephen that of Grandmont, and Norbert that de Premonstre; Five Bishops, Anselme Archbishop of Canterbury, whom I place amongst the French, though he were a Native of the Valley d'Aost, because he Studied in France, and was Abbot du Bec; Peter Abbot de la Celle, then Bishop of Troyes; another Peter, Bishop of Poictiers; Aldebert de Brabant Bishop of Liege; and Godfrey, Bishop of Amiens▪

They relate an action of this last which our times would sooner wonder at, then imitate. It was the Mode then, for such as would be Gallants, to wear long Hair, curled and tressed: this courageous Prelat one time refuses to admit any to the holy Table who came tricked up in that fashion; and that refusal put them to such shame and confusion, that they all cut it off themselves, chusing rather to lose that vain Or∣nament of their Heads, then the Comfort of eating the holy Bread of Angels. When he found them so well disposed, he admitted those as Men and Christians whom he before had turned away as dissolute Women, or Men wholly effeminated.

About the year 1180. the People Reverenced a certain Maiden as a Saint, whose name was Elpide or Alpaida, dwelling in the Village du Cudot, in the Diocess of Sens, who for Ten years together would swallow nothing but the Sacred Host; and though a simple Country Girl, had great light and knowledge of things Natural and Divine. This debility hapned after a severe fit of Sickness, which had turned all her Body into a corrupt and stinking purulent Matter extreamly infected. I cannot say how long she survived after the year 1180. but there is yet to be seen in the Parochial Church of that place her Monument, and her Effigies also in Stone, which over-head is crowned with Flowers; The People of that Country assure us, That God by divers Miracles hath approved the Devotion they have towards her.

Lewis VIII. King XLII.

POPE, HONORIUS III. All along this Reign, and beyond it.

LEWIS VIII. Surnamed the Lyon, and the Father of St. LEWIS, King XLII. Aged Thirty six years compleat.

[Year of our Lord 1223] PHilip Augustus had not caused his Son to be Crowned in his Life-time, whe∣ther he had a jealousie of him, or thought his Family so well Establish'd that he had no need of such precaution to secure the Crown to him. He was therefore Crowned at Rheims with his Wife Blanch de Castille, the Tenth day of the Month of August

The King of England did not assist at his Coronation as he ought to have done, in Quality of Pair of France: but sent Ambassadors to summon him according to the Oath he had made at London, to surrender Normandy to him with all those other Countries that had been taken from King John his Father. They receiv'd for Answer, That they had been Consiscated by Judgment of the Pairs, and that they pretended to have the remainder likewise which he held, so far were they from giving back what he demanded.

[Year of our Lord 1022, and 1223.] As the People of Languedoc did easily return again to their Natural Lord Raimond Earl of Toulouze, Amaury finding himself too weak to stay in those Countries, came and resigned and yielded up all the Right and Title he had into the hands of the King; who for Recompence made him High Constable.

It was then but an Employment, lasting no longer then the War; So that we sometimes find such Lords on whom it hath been conferr'd two or three several times.

[Year of our Lord 1224] Raimond Earl of Toulouze having made his Address to Pope Honorius with all ima∣ginable submission, the Holy Father sent to his Legat to call a Council at Montpellier to reconcile him with the Church. After which Raimond before an Assembly of the Clergy in Languedoc, promis'd and sware entire Obedience to the Roman Church, sufficient security to the Clergy for restitution and the enjoyment of their Goods and Profits, and the extirpation of Hereticks throughout all his Country. Upon this sa∣tisfaction the Pope received him to Mercy, and owned him for Earl of Toulouze.

[Year of our Lord 1224] But as the resistance and opposition of his Subjects hindred him from making good his Promises, the Pope sent a Legat to the King, it was Romain a Cardinal that had the Title of St. Angelo, to persuade him to undertake that Expedition; which he did the more readily because it suited with his zeal and with his Interests.

[Year of our Lord 1224] The two Kings, Lewis of France, and Henry of Germany, eldest Son to the Emperor Frederic, had a Conference at Vaucouleurs, where they Treated about several Diffe∣rence between the two Crowns, and made divers Propositions, but came to no con∣clusion.

At his return from thence, pursuant to a Resolution had been taken to drive the English wholly out of France, Lewis enters Poitou, gains a Battle there over Savary de Mauleon General of the English in Guyenne, makes himself Master of the Cities of Niort and of St. John d'Angely, and generally over all the Places even to the Garonne, and receives the Homage of all the Lords of those parts.

[Year of our Lord 1224] There was nothing left but Rochelle, where Savary de Mauleon defended himself for a long time expecting Relief from England. In fine, being basely disappointed and deceived by the King of England's Ministers who sent him Chests full of old Iron in stead of Silver to satisfie the Garison, he was forced to surrender the Town the 28th day of July; and afterwards pretending, whether true or false, that he had been Treated in England as a Person whose Faith they suspected, he quitted his old Master, and went to the King of France.

After the taking of that important City, the Kings to secure it the better to themselves, had as it were outvied each other, in gratifying it with many great Priviledges, by which means it was raised to a high pitch of Renown, for its Wealth and Liberty: but through their ill management of those Advantages, she hath utterly lost them all in these latter times.

[Year of our Lord 1225] The rest of Guyenne had been gained by the French, if Richard Brother to King Henry had not landed at Bordeaux with a great Army, which raised up the drooping Spirits. He took St. Macaire near Bordeaux by Storm: but la Reoule gave him a great Repulse; and being inform'd that the French Army was at the River Garonne, he Ship'd himself again and left order with Aimery Vicount de Touars to procure a Truce.

There wandred a certain Person about Flanders, near this time, who said he was that Baldwin Earl of Flanders, and Emperor of Constantinople, that had been taken Prisoner by the King of Bulgaria. He related how he made his escape out of Prison, and put them in mind of several Tokens and Circumstances to know him by. The Flemings who mightily loved Baldwin, gave Credit to this Man, and put him in pos∣session of all Flanders.

[Year of our Lord 1225] The Countess Jane Daughter of Baldwin finding her self at a loss (for her Hus∣band Ferrand was still a Prisoner at Paris) had recourse to the King, who sent word to this pretended Baldwin, that he should come to him at Peronne. He came boldly thither: but disdaining or not being able to answer the Questions put to him, which he must needs have known if he were not a Cheat, the King com∣manded him to depart his Territories within three days, and gave him a safe Con∣duct. Being afterwards forsaken by all the World, he endeavour'd to escape away in a disguise, but he was taken in Burgundy and carried to the Countess; who after [✚] she had made him undergo divers Tortures, sent him to the Gibbet as an Impostor. His Execution did not hinder malicious People from believing that the Daughter had chosen rather to hang her Father then to restore him to his Soveraignty.

[Year of our Lord 1225] This same year the King being in Touraine, the Legat went to him and obliged him to prolong the Truce with Aymery Vicount de Touars, the only Nobleman that op∣posed the King yet in Poictou. This Vicount shortly after came to Paris to render Hommage to the King in presence of the King of England's Ambassadors.

[Year of our Lord 1226] The City of Avignon having refused the Army passage, was besieged the 14th of June. It defended it self obstinately, Guy Count de Saint Pol one of the bravest of the Besiegers was slain there, the Plague got amongst the Soldiers, and the Earl of Champagne Male-content went away without leave. The King nevertheless swore he would not decamp till he brought the Besieged to Reason; in so much that on the* 1.365 Assumption-day they were reduced to a Capitulation. They gave up two hundred Hostages, their Walls were pull'd down, their Moats and Grafts fill'd up, and three hundred Houses with Turrets demolish'd. These were Inns belonging to Gentlemen, who had the like at Toulouze, and other great Cities in those Provinces.

Going thence, the King went into Provence, and all the Towns surrender'd to him within four Leagues of Toulouze. The Season growing bad, and he somewhat tender of Constitution, he takes his way back towards France, leaving the Conduct of his Forces and the Government of those Countries in the hands of Imbert de Beau-jeu.

[Year of our Lord 1226] Upon his return one of the Grandees of the Kingdom, whom History has not dar'd to name, caused some Poyson to be given him, whereof he died at the Castle of Montpencier in Auvergne, upon a Sunday being the Octave of All-Saints. He had [Year of our Lord 1226] lived Thirty nine years, and had Reigned three, and about four Months. He is buried at St. Denis by his Father.

The Clergy because of his Piety and his Chastity, reported that his Sickness proceeded from his too great Continence; (for his Wife did not go with him) and that he chose rather to dye then make use of an unlawful Remedy they pre∣sented him for Cure.

As he foresaw things in a posture that threatned great troubles after his death, he took the Oaths and Seals of Twelve Lords that were about him, that they should cause his eldest Son to be Crowned, and if he failed, they should put the Second in his stead.

By his Wife Blanche de Castille he had nine Sons and two Daughters; there were but five Sons alive, Lewis, Robert, Alphonso, Charles, and John. According to his Will and Testament Lewis Reigned, Robert had the County of Artois, and propagated the branch of that name; Alphonso had that of Poitou, and Charles that of Anjou. From him sprung the first Branch of Anjou. John dyed at the age of 14 years. Of the two Daughters, only Isabella was left, who having been promised to divers Princes, and grown to be an old Maid, took on the Holy vail, and shut her self up the year 1260. in the Monastery of Longchamp, between Paris and St. Cloud, which the King her Brother founded for her.

Saint Lewis, King XLIII. Aged Eleven years six Months.

POPES.

• HONORIUS III. Five Months.
• GREG. IX. Elect in April, 1227. S. Fourteen years, Five Months.
• CELESTINE IV. Elect in Sept. 1241. S. Eighteen days. Vacancy of Twenty Months.
• INNOCENT IV. Elect in June 1243. S. Eleven years, Five Months and a half.
• ALEXANDER IV. Elect in Decemb. 1254. S. Six years, Five Months.
• URBAN IV. Son of a Cobler of Troyes, Elected about the end of August, 1261. S. Three years, Thir∣ty four days.
• CLEMENT IV. Elected in Feb. 1265. S. Three years, and about Ten Months.
• Vacancy of Thirty five Months, from Dec. in the year 1268. the Car∣dinals not agreeing amongst them∣selves in the Conclave, about the Ele∣ction.

THis is the Third Minority in the Capetine Race; and the First wherein a [Year of our Lord 1226. in Novembre.] Woman had the Regency. Blanche de Castille a stranger, but courage∣ous and able; undertook it, and carried it, being assisted by the Coun∣sels of Romain, the Cardinal Legat, who had great power with her, and grounded upon the Certificates of some Lords, who attested that her Husband being on his Death-bed, had ordered that he would have his eldest Son with the King∣dom, and all his other Brothers, be left to her Guardianship and Government.

Immediately before the Lords had time to contrive any obstacles to her Regency, [Year of our Lord 1226] she drew all the Forces she possibly could together, and with them, went and caused her eldest Son Lewis, to be Crowned in the City of Rheims. The Episcopal See being vacant, the Bishop of Soissons, who is the Suffragant, performed the Cere∣mony. It was on the First day of December.

The Lords of the Kingdom had been invited thither by Letters, but the greatest part refused to come; amongst others, Peter Duke of Bretagne, Henry Earl of Bar his Brother-in-law, Hugh de Luzignan, Earl de la Marche, Thibauld Earl of Cham∣pagne, Hugh de Chastillon; Count de St. Pol, and divers others. They were fra∣ming a League amongst them, demanding, that the Regent who was a Stranger, should give security for her good Administration, that whatever had been taken from the Lords during the two last Reigns, should be restored to them, and such as were prisoners should be released, especially Ferrand Earl of Flanders.

[Year of our Lord 1226] After her departure from Rheims, notwithstanding the severity of the Winter, she marched towards Bretagne, where lay the strength of the League. The Confe∣derates being not yet ready, avoided what mischief they could by a Retreat; but she followed so close at their heels, that the Earl of Champagne fell off from the

party; then the others entred into a Treaty, and promised to appear in full Par∣liament, which was to be held at Chinon, and which at their request was removed to Tours, then to Vendosme.

[Year of our Lord 1227] In that Parliament which was held in the Month of March, a Peace was patched up between the Regent and the Lords; but the same year they being assembled at Corbeil, plotted to surprize the King as he was coming from Chastres to Paris: their design had infallibly succeeded, if the Queen Regent had not been informed, and cast her self with the King into Montlehery. The Citizens of Paris having taken up Arms, went thither to guard him, and brought him back with joyful acclamations to their City.

The Earl of Champagne was the man that had given this private intelligence to the Queen. This young Prince had a pretence of Love or Gallantry for her, rather out of some Court-like vanity, then for the power of her charms, she being a Wo∣man of above Forty years of age; she knew how to make her own advantage of his folly, and wished him to continue amongst those discontented People, that he might betray all their intrigues to her.

[Year of our Lord 1227] The King of England would needs concern himself in this quarrel, and promised them his assistance; and the Earl of Toulouze taking his opportunity, during these Brouilleries and Stirs, had got possession again of all his Places. The Queen Regent fearing this Flame might be blown too high, renew'd a Treaty with the Princes of this League, whom by that means she kept from farther proceeding all this year; and in the mean while, she confirm'd the Alliance with the Emperour Frederick, made a Truce with the English for a Twelve-month, and came to an agreement with the Duke of Bretagne, who gave his Daughter to be Married to a Son of hers, named John.

Thus the Earl of Toulouze was left alone. Imert de Beau-jeu having received a notable re-inforcement, bethought himself, instead of taking the Castles one by one, it would do better to spoil and ruine the whole Countrey about Toulouze, pull down the Houses, root up the Vineyards, and burn the Corn; which so disheartned the Toulousains, that both they and their Earl, were forced to submit to what conditions he pleased.

[Year of our Lord 1228] The Treaty was chalked out at Meaux, and compleated at Paris, the Earl and Deputies of Toulouze being present: The Earl was deprived of all his Lands, except∣ing some little fragments they for meer pity left him. It was order'd they should all devolve to his Daughter Jane, who should be Married to Alphonso the Kings Brother, into whose custody she was put forthwith; That the Earl should pay Seventeen thou∣sand Marks of Silver, part to the King, some to the Monks de Cisteaux, and the rest for a Foundation of Doctors in Divinity at Toulouze; That the Walls of that City, and of Thirty more should be demolish'd; for performance whereof he should give Hostages, and in the mean time remain prisoner; That there should be an exact search after Heretiques, at his charge; and that for pennance he should go and make war five years against the Saracens.

These Articles Signed, he and those of his company that had been Excommuni∣cated, were at Nostre-dames of Paris upon Good-Friday bare-footed, in their Shirts, to receive Absolution of the Popes Legat. That done, the Earl returned prisoner to the Tower of the Louvre, till he had given his Hostages. About the Feast of Pentecost the King gave him the Order of Knighthood, and sent him into his own Countrey. The Legat went with him, and setled the Inquisition, which exercised great seve∣rities, and was again the cause of many troubles and Massacres.

[Year of our Lord 1228] The Male-contented could not disgest that the Government should be in the hands of two Strangers, a Spanish Woman and an Italian Cardinal; they therefore took up Arms again, drew to their party, Robert Earl of Dreux, elder Brother to the Duke of Bretagne, and Philip Earl of Boulogne, the Kings paternal Uncle, to whom they promised the Crown: so that the King feared a second time to be involved by this conspiracy, and had been surprized, if the Earl of Champagne had not run sea∣sonably to him with 300 * Horse-men to bring him off.

* 1.366 In Spring the Conspirators turned all their Force against the Earl of Champagne and Brie. They demanded those Counties of him for Alix Queen of Cyprus, Daugh∣ter of his Uncle Henry, who died in the Levant; and more then that, called him Traytor, and accused him of having poysonned the deceased King, proffering to con∣vict him by Duel; a reproach that made him so black and loathsome amongst his Vassals, that they joyned in League with his Enemies against him.

The Count finding so heavy a burthen on his Shoulders, and his City of Troyes be∣sieged, implores the assistance of the Queen Regent, who caused the King to march to his relief, and commanded them, if they had any thing to say against the Earl, they should come and require justice upon him in her Court.

But they who would not acknowledge her Regency, as if the Kingdom had been va∣cant, elected in a private Assembly or Cabal, the Lord de Coucy for King, who was in great reputation for his Wisdom and Justice. The Queen Regent having got intelligence, gave immediate notice of it to Philip Earl of Boulogne, whom they had made believe they would give the Crown to: by this means she took him off from them, then by divers politique contrivances made all their designs vanish, but not their ill intentions.

[Year of our Lord 1228] For a few days afterwards the Duke of Bretagne, by their assistance and Councils, took up Arms again, and called the King of England to his aid, who landed in Bre∣tague with considerable Forces: but when he saw the King, conducted by the Queen Regent, had taken the Castle de Belesme au Perche from the Duke, which was held impregnable: he Shipp'd himself again. The Duke thus abandonned, was constrain∣ed to betake himself to an agreement.

[Year of our Lord 1229] The very next year he broke it, but not without punishment: the King having ta∣ken all his Holds and Places, and gained all his Vassals and Friends, shuts him up in his City of Nantes; so that to get out of the Briars, and make the best of a bad bargain, he was forced to render him hommage of Allegiance for the Dutchy. The Bretons, who pretended they owed but ouly single Homage, named him, because of his so doing, Mau-clerc, as who should say, Witless, or wanting Judgment and Un∣derstanding.

* 1.367 Thibauld Earl of Champagne was ill rewarded for the good services he had done the Queen Regent. She took in hand the cause of her Cousin Alix, and condemned him to pay her Forty thousand Marks of Silver, and sell to the King to raise that Money, the Counties of Blois, Chartres, Sancerre, and the Vicount of Chasteaudun.

[Year of our Lord 1230] After all these disorders, there was a calm and peace for four years, which was on∣ly a little disturbed by some tumults, caused by the remainders of the Albigensis, and the hurly-burlies of the Scholars belonging to the University of Paris. It was then the fair∣est Ornament of the Kingdom, and the innumerable numbers of Scholars that flocked thither from all parts of Europe, brought great riches to that City, which in a man∣ner made all the other Universities in Christendom submit to it. Now some of them having been ill handled in some scuffle with the Citizens, and not obtaining such satisfaction as they desired, they all resolved to quit Paris; not without having first published a great many Songs, and Licentious Poems, which fullied the reputation of the Queen Regent, and Cardinal Romain the Popes Legat, who swayed her. The Duke of Bretagne and the King of England proffer'd to receive them into their Countries, and to grant them great priviledges; but the Kings Council fearing that capital City might be deprived of so great an advantage and benefit, found means to allay their heats, and keep them there.

[Year of our Lord 1231. and the following.] The Inhabitants of Marseilles, and the adjacent Countreys being revolted against Raimond Berenger, Earl of Provence, called in Raimond, Earl of Toulouze to Com∣mand them, because he was next Heir; For we must know that Gilbert Earl of Pro∣vence and Nice, had had two Daughters, Faidide, who Married Alphonso, Great, Great, Great. Grandfather of Raimond de Toulouze, and Douce that had married Raimond Berenger, Earl of Bacelonna, from whom was descended the Earl of Pro∣vence now mentioned.

He therefore accepted of their Homage, and acted as their Lord, whence follow'd a War that lasted four years between those two Cousins.

This Earl of Provence having been harrass'd by divers Revolts, and other misfor∣tunes, was at the end of his days, made compleatly happy, by the Marriage of four Daughters he had by his Wife Beatrix of Savoy, a most Virtuous Princess. For all four of them had the honour to be Married to Kings: Margret, who was the eldest, was the most happy, being joyned this year to Lewis King of France, a Prince that [Year of our Lord 1235] was much greater by his Virtues then his Crown.

The same year the Earl of Champagee, it is not said for what cause, fell again in∣to Rebellion, for which he was punished with the loss of his Cities of Montereau-Faut-Yonne, Bray and Nogent upon the Seine. These losses did not make him much wiser, he persisted still in his foolish passion for the Queen who had ruin'd him, and retired to his Castle of Provins to write Verses and Songs, for entertainment of his amorous Dotage.

[Year of our Lord 1235. and 36.] Nevertheless he was soon diverted by the death of Sancho VIII. called the Strong, King of Navarre, who dying without any Males, left the Kingdom to him as the next Heir and Son of his Daughter* 1.368 Blanch. So he went and took possession, and transported a great number of Husbandmen from his Landes in Brie and Champagne, who improved, and made that Countrey very fertile and populous.

The Countrey of Artois was erected to an Earldom* 1.369 Pairrie, in favour of Robert the Kings Brother, on whom his Father had bestow'd it by his Will. Some place this erection in the time of Philip Augustus. However it were, I think we may be confident it is the first of that nature.

At the sollicitation of Pope Gregory (who had as well a quarrel to the Emperour Frederick's Forces, his Enemy declar'd, they being in possession of the remainder of [Year of our Lord 1237. and 38.] the Kingdom of Jerusalem, as to the Saracens) there was a great Crusado of French Lords, over whom the new King of Navarre was made Chief. But these Adventurers had no better success then all the rest; for the ill conduct of these new Soldiers of the Cross, and their Divisions, brought the whole Army almost to ruine, and most part of the Officers and Commanders were slain there, or taken prisoners.

[Year of our Lord 1238] Peter, Duke of Burgundy died in his return from this Expedition, his only Son John, Surnamed Rufus succeeded him. The affairs of Constantinople were no whit better; the Emperour Baldwin comes into France to beg assistance against the Greeks, and for a great sum of Money, sold the Crown of Thorns wherewith our Saviour was Crowned, the Spung, and the Lance, which pierced his Side, to St. Lewis the King, who put them into his Treasury of Reliques in the Holy Chappel, which he had pur∣posely built in his own Palace.

It was now about three years that all the Doctors both Seculars and Regulars of the Sa∣cred Faculty of Divnity at Paris (which was then almost the only School for that Science, and as it were the perpetual Council of the Gallican Church) had resolv'd the question, and were all agreed upon this judgment in a famous Assembly, and after mature deliberation and discussion, that oue and the same Ecclesiastical person could in Conscience hold but one Be∣nefice at one time.

This year 1238. William III. Bishop of Paris, held another Assembly of the same Fa∣culty in the Chapter of the Jacobins, where it was unanimously concluded, That one could not, without forfeiture of Eternal Happiness, possess two Benefices at the same time, provided one of them were of the value only of Fifteen Liures* 1.370 parisis, per annum. There were none but Philip, Chancellour of the Ʋniversity, and Arnold, af∣terwards Bishop of Amiens, who were obstinately resolv'd to hold their own. The First when he lay on his Death-bed, being earnestly desired, and pressed home by the Bishop William, to discharge himself of that burthen which would sink him down to Hell; replied, That he would try whether that were true. How few are to be seen in these days that do not chuse to run the same hazard, or are not troubled that they cannot have the opportunity of such [✚] a Trial? But it does not appear so great a risque to them, since the Popes give Dispensations. [Year of our Lord 1239]

The quarrels between Pope Gregory IX. and the Emperour Frederic growing hot, to all extremity of Outrages on either side. Gregory sent to St. Lewis King of France, to proffer him the Empire for his Brother Robert, Earl of Artois. The Lords assem∣bled by the King, upon a proposition so important, did not approve that violent proceeding, and said it was sufficient for Robert, that he was Brother to a King, who was more excellent in Dignity and Nobility, then any Emperour whatever.

The Albigensis could not submit themselves to the Orders of the Inquisition; Trincavel, Son of the Vicount de Beziers, and five or six Lords of the Countrey, put∣ting themselves at the head of them, they seized upon Carcassonne, and some [Year of our Lord 1239] other places, and ran into some parts belonging to the King, in hostile manner. He presently sent some Forces thither, Commanded by John Earl of Beaumont, who drove them out from Carcassonne, and besieged them in Mont-real: where after they had held some time, they made their capitulation, by means of the Earls of Foix and Toulouze. [Year of our Lord 1239]

The old de la Montagne, so they named the Prince of the Assassins, a People that occupied the mountainous Canton of Syria, had dispatched two of his Murtherers into France to kill the King: but soon after, I cannot say by what motive, he repented, and countermanded them by some others; who before they could find them out, ad∣vertised the King to have a care of himself.

This old de la Montagne bred up great numbers of young Youths, in pleasant aud delicious Palaces, and the hopes of an Eternal Felicity in the other World, if they obey'd his Com∣mands blindfold; and to make them the more capable, and fit to execute his bloody Will in all Countreys, he made them learn all Languages.

[Year of our Lord 1239] The interests of the Pope and the Emperour were not at all compatible together; and therefore Frederick and Honorius, and then Gregory IX. who succeeded Honorius, fell necessarily into discords, and afterwards into mortal hatred. Gregory lets fly the Thunder-bolts of the Church against Fre∣derick, and his Legat having called the Prelats of France together at Meaux, order'd several of them to go to Rome to hold a Council, where they pretended to degrade that Emperour.

He complained to the King, desired him not to permit his Bishops to go out of France; and his desire not taking effect, he caused them to be way-laid, and watch'd at Sea, and having taken them, distributed them in divers prisons. Then in his turn, he for a while slighted the Kings intercession for their release; which thing made some alteration in that good correspondence, that for some time had continued be∣tween France and the Empire.

In the year 1240. The King having assembled the flower of the Barons, and the [Year of our Lord 1240] Knights of his Kingdom at Saumur, gave the Girdle of Knighthood to his Brother Alphonso, (whose Marriage had a little before been compleated with Jane, Daughter and Heiress of the Earl of Toulouze) and also gave him the Counties of Poitou and Auvergne, and all that had been conquer'd in Languedoc upon the Albigensis.

[Year of our Lord 1241] These years the Tartars made cruel irruptions: amongst others, one in Hungary, under the Command of Bath, who was one of their Generals; and one in Russia, Poland, and Silesia, whither they were conducted by another of their Generals, who was named Pera.

These Barbarians were Scythians, Originaries, between the Caspian Sea, and Mount Imaus. Some make them descended from the Ten Tribes of the Hebrews, who were transferr'd by the King of Assyria into those Countreys, and derive their Name from the Hebrew Word, which signifies Forsaken. Others derive it from the River Tatar, which ran thorough their Countrey, and say it was given to the whole Nation of the Mogles, composed of seven principal People, of which they made one: They were Tributaries, and as we say, Slaves to a Christian Ne∣storian Prince, whose Kingdom was in the Indies; he was called Prestor-John. But Cingis, or Tzingis-Cham set that Nation free about the end of the last age, ruined the States of Prester-John, and founded a very great Kingdom out of it; from whence divers Colonies went forth and setled in other Countreys* 1.371 even in some parts of Europe.

The Earl of Toulouze sought out all means, underhand, to repair the shameful Treaty he had made with the King: and therefore he consulted, and contrived with James King of Arragon, who was come to Montpellier, and with the Earl of Pro∣vence, though he were the Kings Father-in-law, to Dissolve his Marriage with Sanchia, [Year of our Lord 1241] the Arragonians Aunt, upon pretence of parentage, that he might Marry the Daugh∣ter of the Earl of Provence, and that his Daughter Jane, whom he had perforce given to the Earl of Poitou, might not be his Heiress. An example that proves, to any that might doubt, that amongst Great ones, Honour, Parentage, Alliance and [☞] Conscience does easily give way and stoop to their Interest and Humour.

Hugh, Count de la Marche, to his misfortune, had Married Isabella, the Widow of King John, who had formerly ravished her from him. This Womans pride would not suffer him to do Homage to Alphonso, the new Earl of Poitou; the King undertook to compel him, and on a suddain took several of his Towns, and demolish'd them; amongst others, Fontenay, where his Brother Alphonso was wounded with an Ar∣row.

The King of Englands assistance in behalf of his Mother, was too slow; he and his Brother Richard landed in the River of Burdeaux. The Earl de la Marche had as∣sured them, that all Poitou would rise and joyn with them upon their arrival: but as his promise failed, their courage failed too; the King falls upon them at the Bridge of Taillebourg, fighting desperately in person, making them retreat as far as Xaintes, and from thence to Blaye. The Earl and his proud Dame, being forced to forget she had been a Queen, found no safety but at the Kings Feet. They experimented his Goodness was as great as his Courage; and although she had suborn'd Rascals to Murther him, who had been discover'd, and punished, he pardon'd both her and her Husband, keeping only two or three of their Places in his hands, till he was bet∣ter assured of their Obedience.

[Year of our Lord 1243] Italy was horribly shatter'd by the Factions of the Guelphs and Gibelins. The First held for the Pope, the others for the Emperour.

[Year of our Lord 1243] The jealousie betwixt the Franciscans and the Dominicans, which had its Birth almost with their Orders, encreased likewise proportionably with their growth; Insomuch that the Pope, who stood in need of them, and the King St. Lewis, who cherished them, found it no little trouble to distribute their favours equally, and hold the ballance so even, that they should have no cause to take advantage of each other.

But both of them took much over all other Religions Orders, whom they de∣spised as more imperfect, and not only set a value upon themselves for their Divi∣nity, wherein sometimes they were so meerly notional, and over-subtil as it ap∣proached very near to error, but likewise took upon them the functions of ordi∣nary Pastors, drawing the grists of Alms, pious Legacies, and Burials of rich peo∣ple to their own Mills, concerning themselves in the directing of Consciences, and the administration of the Sacraments, to the prejudice of the Hierarchy, who from that time hath ever been contending with them to maintain her authority.

[Year of our Lord 1244] The Holy See having been vacant near twenty Months, Innocent IV. was elected. He was thought to be a friend to Frederick; but whether that Emperour had not used him well, or what else it were, he followed the steps of his Predecessors, and began to quar∣rel with him upon the same score of differences. The feud grew so hot, that Frede∣ric being the stronger in Italy, Innocent went thence, that he might with more safety let fly his Thunder against him, and came into France, where being arrived in December this year 1244. he called a Council at Lyons, for the year following.

In the year 1228. the Emperour Frederic being constrained by the threats of Pope Gregory, was gone into the Holy-Land, where by his Reputation rather then his Sword, he had so contrived it, that the Sultan had given him up the City of Jeru∣salem, but dismantled, with part of the Holy-Land. The Pope not satisfied with that agreement, had afterwards procured other Adventurers to go, who broke the Truce aforesaid, to the great damage of the Christians; who being mightily weak∣ned; it hapned Ann. 1244. that the Chorasmins, a People drove out of Persia by the [Year of our Lord 1244] Tartars; others say of Arabia, fell upon the Holy-Land, laid it all waste, ruined all the Holy places of Jerusalem, and drowned them in the Blood of Christians.

This news was brought to St. Lewis whilst he was fallen sick at Pontoise, towards the end of December. All those that were about him, despairing of his Life, he made a vow to God, if he restored him to health, that he would go in person to make war against those Infidels: and in truth, being recover'd, he took the Cross from the hands of the Legat, but could not so soon accomplish his pious design.

[Year of our Lord 1245] The Council of Lyons was open'd the Monday after St. John Baptists Feast, in the Abbey de St. Just; and from thence transferr'd to the Cathedral Church of St. Johns. The Emperour Baldwin, the Earl Raimond de Toulouze, and Berenguier de Provence were present there, these two solliciting for the dispensation, that Raimond might Marry with Beatrix, the youngest Daughter of Berenguier: but the Kings of France, and of England, and Richard Earl of Cornwal, who had Married the other three Sisters, hindred the Grant of it.

[Year of our Lord 1245] The Emperour Frederic having quitted his Affairs of Italy to come there, and ha∣ving in the mean time sent his Ambassadors thither before, received tidings when he was got to Turin, that the Pope and the Fathers had Excommunicated him, with Candles extinguished; and degraded him for divers things imposed upon him: amongst others, That he detained the Church-Lands, That he had intelligence with the Saracens; That he erred in divers Articles of Faith,

[Year of our Lord 1245] After this deposition all his Affairs crumbled to nothing in an instant. The Mila∣neses beat him, the other Christian Princes took an aversion for him as an impious person; even the Germans, (that they may not reproach the French for contributing to ruine the Empire) rejected him, and for King of the Romans, elected Henry VII. Landgrave of Hesse and Turingia; when as the King in an enterview he had with the Pope at Clugny, endeavour'd to make up the breach, by an agreement betwixt this unfortunate Emperour, and the Roman Church, by virtue of a Procuration he had from him.

[Year of our Lord 1245] This year 1245. died Raimond Berenguier, Earl of Provence, having by his Testa∣ment constituted Beatrix his fourth Daughter, his Heiress. James King of Arragon caused some Forcesto march into Provence, to secure so good a party for his Son. But the King of France did not intend to let a stranger run away with such a prize;

He therefore drove the Arragonians out of that Countrey, and by consent of the Daughter, as well as her Mother, and her Uncles the Earl of Savoy, and the Arch-Bishop of Lyons, he so order'd it, that she was promised to her Brother Charles, who was Earl of Anjou. The Marriage was not consummated till the year fol∣lowing.

[Year of our Lord 1245] The same year on the First of December, died also Jane, Countess of Flanders without having had any Children by her Second Husband Thomas, Earl of Savoy, no more then by her First, who was Ferrand of Portugal; her Sister Margaret succeed∣ed her.

This Margret had had Children by two Husbands, John and Baldwin by Bouchard d'Avesue her first Husband, and William, John and Guy, by William de Dampierre her Second. These pretended, that the Sons of Bouchard ought not to inherit, because it had been discover'd that he was in Holy Orders when he married their Mother; and for that reason the Marriage was declared null.

[Year of our Lord 1246] Those of the first Bed observing the Mother favoured the others, had recourse to the King. He sent both parties to a Parliament at Peronne, and therein it was or∣dained, that those of the first Bed should have Hainault, and the others should have Flanders.

[Year of our Lord 1246] The pretended King of the Romans, Henry Landgrave of Hesse, being dead in Battle, or of sickness; the Germans, who persisted obstinately, under the pretence of Biety, to ruine the dignity of the Empire; elected the year following, William Earl of Holland, potent in Friends and Alliances, whilst Frederic was strugling with his misfortunes, and his enemies in Italy.

[Year of our Lord 1247 and 48.] The Duke of Burgundy and some French Lords were Leagued with him to defend the Liberties of their Countreys, against the usurpations of the Court of Rome; be∣ing supported by this League, he leaves Lombardy to come to Lyons, whether to in∣vest the Pope, or to mol••ifie him by his Prayers: but he was recalled by a blow the Milanese had given his bastard Son Entius, whom he had left in Parma.

These Affairs, and the great preparations for War, detained the King till the month of May of this year, from accomplishing the Vow he had made three years before. It cannot be written in Characters ••o great as it deserves; how this pious King being perswaded that Sovereigns are responsable by Laws, both Divine and Humane, for all the miscarriages of their Officers, caused it to be published thorow [✚] all his Kingdom, that whoever had suffer'd any wrong or damage by any belonging to him, should make it known, and he would give them satisfaction out of his own I state; which was performed punctually.

That done, and having taken leave of the Holy Martyr, and given the Regency to the Queen his Mother, he quitted Paris, being conducted out of the City by all the Orders in Procession: He took his two Brothers Robert and Charles with him, the Queen his Wife, theirs, and an infinite number of Princes, Lords, Prelats, and Gen∣tlemen. He received the Popes Benediction in his passage thorough Lyons, thence [Year of our Lord 1248] he descended by the Rhosue, and going on board at Aigues-mortes in Languedoc, the 25th of August, set sail two days after, and landed happily in Cyprus the 25th of Sep∣tember, where he past the Winter, to wait for the rest of his Forces and Ammuni∣tions.

In this Island he received at the beginning of December, Letters from Ercalthay, one of the chief Chams of the Tartars, and soon after arrived Ambassadors from the King of Armenia. Ercalthay sent him word how the Great Cham, and a good num∣ber of his Captains had embraced Christianity, and that he had sent him with a great Army to destroy the Sultan of Balduc, or Bagdet, the most potent of all the Ma∣hometan Princes. The Armenian Ambassadors assured him that this news was true, and that their King had vanquished, with the assistance of the Tartars; the Sultan of Iconia or Cogny, to whom they were tributary, and cast off the yoke of those In∣fidels

[Year of our Lord 1249] The Saturday after the Ascension, the Holy King having drawn all his Men togther from their Winter Quarters in the Island of Cyprus, and received a new reinforce∣ment, brought him by Robert Duke of Burgundy, came the fourth of June into the Road before Damiata in Egypt. The Saracens expected him in good order upon the Shore; he landed in despite of them, and made them give way. They being well beaten, so great a fear seized upon them, that the next day they forsook the Town, after they had set fire to it in several places, and carried off in Boats beyond the Ri∣ver Nilus, all their Families, and the richest of their Goods.

The overflowing of the Nile, which infallibly begins some days before the Sum∣mer Solstice, hindred the Army from going on at the same time, to take the City of Grand-Cairo, and kept them almost till the midst of Autumn, in so much idleness, as brought them into all manner of debauchery and dissoluteness.

[Year of our Lord 1249] In the Month of September, Alphonso the Kings Brother arrived with new Adven∣turers of the Cross. Raimond his Father-in-law, who had accompanied him as far as Aigues-Mortes, where he took Shipping with his Wife, died upon his way home in the Town of Millau in Rouergne, giving all the demonstrations of a hearty Repen∣tance. He was the last of the Earls of Toulouze, who had Ruled over the greatest part of Languedoc above 350 years. His Daughter Jane being deceased without any Child by her Husband Alphonso, his Lordships were re-united to the Crown, in pur∣suance of the Treaty made in the year One thousand two hundred twenty eight.

The 20th of November, the pious King parted from Damiata, and marched against the Saracens, who had drawn all their Forces about the City of Massoura. He encamp∣ed on an arm of the Nilus, formerly called Canopus, and in those times the Raschit, which was not foordable; whilst this was doing, their Sultan, named Melidin hap∣ned to dye, and till his Son could come, they gave the Command to the most vali∣ant of his Emirs or Satrapes, who was Farchardin.

[Year of our Lord 1250] In sine, the French having passed over the Raschit, gained in two several days two Battles against the Insidels, wherein St. Lewis, animated with a Sampson-like Spirit and Zeal, did prodigious acts of Valour but in the first which was fought in Febru∣ary, his Brother Robert was slain, pursuing too inconsiderately the flying enemy tho∣rough the City of Massoura.

[Year of our Lord 1250,] The Christians Army being Encamped near to Pharamia, to refresh themselves, Melec-Sala, the Son of Meledin, arrives with another Army which he had obtained of the several Sultans of his Religion, wherewith he so beset the Christians, stopping up all passages by which they were to receive Provisions, that hunger, and the di∣stemper, now call'd the Scurvy or Scorbut, reduc'd them to a miserable condition. In this extremity it was resolv'd to lead them back to Damiata; but it proved too late, the Army was utterly defeated in their march, and the King taken prisoner with his other two Brothers Alphonso and Charles, and almost all the Officers; there were but very few of his who escaped from captivity or death. This misfortune hapned the 5th day of April.

To this grief of the good King's, the Barbarian Conquerours added an outrage, which touched him yet more sensibly, than either the loss of his Army or his Liber∣ty. They scourged a Crucifix before him, defiled it with spitting upon it, and dragg'd it thorough the Mire. However, the Sultan-Melec-Sala took a particular care of his person, so that he restor'd him to his health again. He also agreed a ten years Truce with him; but thereupon, being murther'd by his Emirs, the King was likewise in great danger of perishing in the same storm of rage: notwithstanding him whom they elected for Sultan (he was named Turquemir) preserved him, and confirm'd the Treaty.

By those Articles they gave both him and all the Christian Captives their liberty, with leave to carry away with them all their equipage: they agreed to a Truce for Ten years, and left them all they held beside in the Holy Land, upon condition they [Year of our Lord 1250] surrendred Damiata, and should set free the Saracen Slaves, and give them 400000. Liures ready Money. It is remarkable, that this generous King not enduring they should set a price upon his Person, would needs have that sum to be the ransom for the rest, and the City of Damiata for his; and having notice that upon payment of the said Moneys, the Saracens had mis-told, and taken less then was agreed by a great deal, he sent them the remainder immediately.

It is a Fable that he should give a consecrated Host to those Barbarians for security of his Word: He would have exposed himself a thousand times to death, rather then have deliver'd uphis God, to those impious enemies. It is true indeed, that they af∣terwards coined Moneys, with a Pix stamped upon it, and the Sacred Host over it, and that the same Figures were wrought in some pieces of their Tapistries, and to this day there are the Figures of some Chalices Graved or Carved about the Walls of Damascus, or Damas; perhaps they meant to let the World know by these means, and preserve the memory of it to future ages, what Victories they had obtained against the Christians, and how they had led their God in Triumph.

[Year of our Lord 1250] The Sum paid, and Damiata restored, the King and Princes were deliver'd, and embarquing upon some Galleys belonging to Genoua, landed at the Port of Acon: but for the rest of the prisoners, such as were sick, being in great numbers, were knock'd at head, and the remainders constrain'd to pay a new Ransom; or to renounce.

It hath been said, that the Barbarians put out the Eyes of Three hundred Gentle∣men; and that in memory of those Noble Martyrs, that St. Lewis some years af∣terwards, Founded the Hospital des* 1.372 Quinze-vingsts at Paris; but this is no whit mentioned in the Grant or Writings for this Foundation; and I find far before this time, that a Norman Duke built one of the very same sort at Rouen, only it was for maintenance but of One hundred blind People.

Of above 30000 Fighting Men who follow'd him in this Expedition, there were hardly Six thousand remaining, too scanty a number for any Enterprize. Notwith∣standing upon the Christians carnest intreaties who belonged to those Countreys, and because he knew those Barbarians would break the Truce as soon as ever he were gone, he resolv'd to stay some time; and in the interim sent his Brothers Alphonso and Charles home into France.

[Year of our Lord 1250]

Whilst the Emperour Frederic was again drawing his Sword to be revenged on the Pope, he died at Firenzuole the 13th of December, perhaps stifled or poison'd by Mainfroy, one of his Bastard Sons. He left the Empire and Germany to his eldest Son Conrad, to Frederic his Grandson, issue of his eldest Son Henry, the Dukedom of Austria, and to the above-named Mainfroy, the Principality of Tarentum. But all that Race was extinct in a few years, for having, say some, opposed the Holy See.

[Year of our Lord 1251]

When Pope Innocent had heard of the death of Frederic, he went from Lyons, where he had staid Six years and a half, to return again to Rome.

[Year of our Lord 1251] Upon the news of the pious Kings imprisonment, a certain Apostate Monk, by name Master Hungary, pretending, and affirming he had a particular Mission from God, went picking up all the young Countrey fellows over the whole Kingdom, to go, said they, and deliver their Prince, and the Holy Land. These new Brothers of the Cross were called* 1.373 Pastoureaux, i. e. Shepherds, or Graziers.

The Bandits, Robbers, Heretiques, and all manner of wicked rascally people listed themselves in this crew; who took the liberty to commit all manner of disorders, especially against the Clergy, and against the Jews. The Inhabitants of Berry, with the Nobility, fell upon them and routed them; some of them were hanged, afterwards this rabble was dispers'd and vanish'd to nothing.

[Year of our Lord 1252] Queen Blanch afflicted for the absence of the good King her dear Son, and for the sickness of her other Son Alphonso, who seemed incurable, ended her days at Melun the Six and twentieth of November, aged above Sixty and five years. Her Son having sounded the Monastery of Maubuisson, of the Order des Cisteaux for her; She was conveyed thither in great pomp, upon the Shoulders of the chief Nobility of the Court, sitting in a Golden Chair, her Face bare, being cloathed in her Royal Robes over her Religious Habit of that Order, which she had taken some time before her death, being besides, and long before that time, of the third Order of St. Francis, accord∣ing to the Devotion of those times.

Some modern Historians are much in doubt, whether she were elder or younger then Berenguelle, who was Married to Alphonso, King of Leon. This had the Guar∣dianship of her Brother Henry, and that Prince being dead, succeeded to the King∣dom [ ☞.] of Castille; but some have believed that it was by Usurpation upon Blanch her Sister, who was then a great way off from that Countrey: and they go upon this ground, that amongst the Records, they find Letters from nine Castillian Lords to Lewis VIII. in which they own and acknowledge his Son for their* 1.374 King, and say, that Alphonso IX. King of Castille, had declared by his Will, that in case his Son Henry died without any Heirs, the Children of Blanch were to succeed by right of Inheritance: but to tell the truth, it does not follow from thence, that Blanch was the eldest; it is more probable that these discontented Lords grounded it up∣on this, that Alphonso and Berenguelle being of kin, within the degrees prohibited, Pope Innocent III. had declared their Marriage to be null, and the Children that should proceed from that conjunction* 1.375 incestuous, Bastards, and incapable to suc∣ceed: So that upon their exclusion, those of Blanch came to the succession of Al∣phonso IX. their Grand-father: and this is it that gave a Right to the Kings of France, which they held a long time to the Kingdom of Castille.

[Year of our Lord 1252] Some Months before the death of Blanch, there arose a sharp contest between the Secular Doctors of Theology at Paris, whereof William de St. Amour was as it were the Head; and on the other part the Orders Mendicants of Preaching Fri∣ers, and Friers Minors: because those Monks as the others, reproached them, were so far from submitting to the Statutes and Discipline of the University, that they aimed to make themselves the Masters.

The thing was obstinately debated five or six years together, St. Amour got the better at Paris, but the Dispute being transferr'd to Rome, he was worsted, and his Book was condemned, not as Heretical, but as scandalizing those good Fathers. They had great credit in that Court, and obtained great Priviledges with so much the more facility; as their trampling on the Laws increased the power of the Do∣nor, and diminished that of the Bishops, to whose prejudice they were granted.

About the beginning of this quarrel, Robert de Sorbonne, Doctor in Divinity, and very highly esteemed by St. Lewis,

built the Colledge of the Poor Masters of SORBONNE; under which Name the Vulgar are wont to comprehend all the

Faculty of Theology of Paris. In effect, it is the most renowned of all those Col∣ledges.

[Year of our Lord 1253] In the year 1253. died Thibauld, who was the Fifth of that Name, as Earl of Champagne, but only the First, as King of Navarre. His Successor in all his Estates, was Thibauld II. or VI. aged Fourteen years, under the Guardianship of his Mo∣ther.

[Year of our Lord 1254] Conrad the Son of Frederic did not find himself strong enough in Germany, to cope against William Earl of Holland, pretended King of the Romans: he was gone into Italy in the year 1251. and some time after, having unhappily caused his Nephew Frederic to be strangled, had seized upon his Treasure, and upon his Kingdom of Sicilia. But this year 1254. was himself poysonn'd by Mainfroy; to whom, not knowing he was the Author of his death, he lest the Regency of the Kingdom, and the Guardianship of his Son Conrad the Young, vulgarly named Conradin, aged but Three years.

[Year of our Lord 1254] It was neer Six years since St. Lewis the King went out of France, and Three years and a half that he had been in the Holy Land, visiting the Holy Places with an incredible Devotion, sortifying the Towns, and reviving the courage and affairs of the Christians in those Countreys, as much as possibly he could.

France destitute of any Pilot by the death of his Mother, most earnestly desired his return. He therefore took Shipping at the Port of Acon, or Ptolemais, on St. [Year of our Lord 1254] Marks Eve, and landed at Marseilles the Eleventh day of July.

[Year of our Lord 1254] The King of England, who was this year come into Gascongne, desiring to avoid the long voyage by Sea, obtained leave of the good King to cross thorough France, and take Shiping at Boulogne. He met the King at Chartres, who from thence took him along to Paris, where he Treated him Four days together with all the magnifi∣cence imaginable. The joy and splendor was the greater, because the four Sisters, Daughters of the Earl of Provence, the eldest Married to the King of France, the Second to the King of England, the Third to Richard his Brother, and the Fourth to Charles, Earl of Anjou, met all there together.

William Earl of Holland, and King of the Romans, making War against the Frieze∣landers, who were Rebels to him, had lately been knocked on the Head by certain Peasants hid amongst the Reeds, when his Horse was sunk into the Snow and Ice. The following year being 1256. the Electors basely selling the Honour of the Ger∣man Nation, and their Votes, to Foreign Princes, gave the Empire some of them to Richard, Brother to the King of England, others to Alphonso X. King of Castille. Richard went into Germany, and sojourn'd there above two years, having* 1.376 been Crowned at Aix la Chapelle in the year 1247. Alphonso was no way known to them but by his Money, and both of them disputed their Right and Title before the Pope for divers years, without eve coming to any agreement.

The Son of Bouchard d'Avesnes, cast out by Guy Earl of Flanders, and their Bro∣thers of the Second Bed by the same Mother, took Sanctuary with William Earl of [Year of our Lord 1255] Holland, who had vanquish'd Guy, and taken him prisoner with one of his Brothers. The Mother to be reveng'd, had called in Charles, Earl of Anjou, and given him the enjoyment of Hainault and Valenciennes during his life.

He regained those Countreys easily enough from the Hollander, because he found him fully enough employ'd against the Frisons, where he was kill'd, as we have rela∣ted. His Son Florent who succeeded him, set the two Brothers at liberty for a great Ransom; and St. Lewis obliged his Brother Charles to restore Hainault for

a sum of Money, as likewise the parties concern'd, to stand to the award he had made in Anno 1246.

[Year of our Lord 1256] There being an universal calme thorough all his Kingdom, he set himself upon the regulating it by good and wholsome Laws, the banishing from it all violence and op∣pression, the instructing others by his good examples and by all manner of Just and Holy Works, undertaking the protection of the Weak, the Widdows, and Or∣phans, procuring with all his Power the advancement of Religion, and the Service of God, providing for the nourishment of the Poor, the Marriage of decay'd Gen∣tlewomen, the maintenance of the Church, and above all, the ease of the People, by the revocation of all Tolls, and extraordinary Subsidies and Taxes, which the malignity, or necessity of former times had introduced and imposed.

The Titles of the Chamber of Accompts which have been shewed us by Mr. d'He∣roval, to whose care the History of our Kings of the Third Race is indebted for the greatest part of the new discoveries made known in these last times, tells us, amongst many other rare and curious things, that this, truly, most Christian King, spared nothing for the Conversion of Infidels: that for this end he took up all the Jewish Children that were Fatherless, or in want, caused them to be bred up in the Christian Faith, and allowed them two, four, six Silver Deniers a day for their Dy∣et or Keeping, which was paid out of his own Demesnes, and pass'd in Dowry to their Widdows, and oftentimes to their Children; that these were called the Bap∣tized, as those who embraced Christianity being of age, were called the Converted; That the Duke of Burgundy, the King of England, and some others, practis'd the like in their Countreys, which brought over a world of Jews from their obstina∣cy; and that the Kings his successors did imitate him therein, till the Reign of King John.

We have by the same means likewise learn'd that when St. Lewis made a journey any where, there was always a Prelate, which was ordinarily the Arch-Deacon of Paris, and a Lord of some note that follow'd some days after the Court, and made inquiry at all the Lodgings, and in all the Countreys and Places they had pass'd, what wrong or spoil they might have done to the Landlords, or to their Lands; and the just King made present reparation and satisfaction with his own Money, without any complaint made by the party agrieved; so far was it from suffering [☞] them to spend and squander away what they had in Fees and Charges to get Justice done to them.

[Year of our Lord 1256] The City of Marscille did not give that obedience to Charles as he expected and desired, wherefore he blocked them up with his Army, and brought them to that low condition by Famine, that they surrendred at discretion to this merciless Prince, who caused many of the principal Citizens to be beheaded.

[Year of our Lord 1256] Three sorts of People of Italy, the Venetians, the Genouese, and the Pisans, were be∣come mighty powerful in the Levant Seas, and for that reason were grown very jealous of [Year of our Lord 1256] each other. The two first having each of them their several quarters; and their Magistrates in the City of Acon or Acre, fell to quarrelling with each other, upon some private pieque, and went together by the ears, to their mutual destruction; which compleated the ruine of the Western Christians in the East.

[Year of our Lord 1258] In an enter-view at Montpellier, the two Kings Lewis of France, and James of Ar∣ragon, Treated the Marriage of Philip, then Second Son to King Lewes, but who in two years after became the eldest, with Isabella, younger Daughter of James, to whom her Father gave in Dowry, the Counties of Carcassone and Beziers.

[Year of our Lord 1258] After this they agreed about their other differences in this manner, St. Lewis yielded up to the Arragonian, the Sovereignty which France had still held upon Ca∣talonia, Barcelona, Rousillon, Empurs, Ʋrgel, and Geronde, from the time the French first conquer'd those Countreys of the Saracens. And on the other hand, the Arra∣gonian yielded to him all the right he pretended, whether by Marriage of his pre∣decossors, or otherwise by any Title whatsoever, to the Counties de Razez, Narbonne, Nisines, Alby, Foix, Cahors, and other parts in Languedoc, held in Under-Fief of the Crown of France: as also the Rights he had in Provence, to the Counties of Forcal∣quier and Arles, and to the City of Marseilles.

[Year of our Lord 1259] The English had still a very passionate desire to recover Normandy, and the other Countreys they had lost in France: and if Richard could have fixt himself well in Ger∣many, he and his Brother Henry might have attaqued France very shrewdly on both sides. The pious King was not ignorant of it, but he knew likewise that Henry was so dangerously engaged in a quarrel with his Barons, that it would be easie to con∣tent him with a little, and even to oblige him to an acknowledgment; and there∣fore

the business having been stated by the Popes Legats, the King of England passes over into France, together with his Wife, his Brothers and his Children, and being arriv'd at Paris, confirmed the Treaty.

The substance of it was, That he, his Sons, Brothers and Successors, should for ever∣renounce all claim to Normandy, Anjou, Maine, Touraine, and Poitou; and that the King gave a great sum of Money to Henry, and released to him and his, that part of Guy∣enne beyond the Garonne, and on this side Limousin and Perigord, upon condition, to do Homage-Liege to the Kings of France, and take place amongst his Pairs, in quality of Duke of Guyenne.

Immediately upon this, the King of England does this Homage, and the eldest Son of France hapning to dye, he was at his Funeral, and helpt to bear his Corps upon his own Shoulders, with the other Lords, part of the way from Paris to St. Denis.

[Year of our Lord 1260]

In the year 1260. a new and strange heat of Zeal inspired many Christian peo∣ple, which was to whip themselves in publique with small Cords, or with Thongs of Leather. These whipsters were called the Devots, and afterwards they were na∣med the Flagellants. This Phrensie begun in the City of Perugia* 1.377 in Tuscany, by the example and Preaching of a Hermit, named R••ynier, spread it self even into Poland, travell'd as far as Greece, and in the end degenerated into Superstition and Heresies.

[Year of our Lord 1261]

In the month of July, of the year 1261. a Lieutenant to Michael Paleologus VIII. of that name, Emperour of Greece, who returned from making a War against Mi∣chael the Despote* 1.378 of Epirus, made himself Master of Constantinople, getting entrance by a hole under the Walls of the Town, discover'd to him by some Traitors; a thing of great importance, which he effected the more easily, because the Empe∣rour Baldwin was abroad, having carried his Naval force to besiege a little City up∣on the Black Sea, or Pontus Euxinus.

Thus was it that Constantinople fell again into the hands of the Greeks, from whom about two hundred years afterwards, it fell under the Tyranny of the Turks. The Latins had kept this fragment of the Eastern Empire, about Seven and fifty years,* 1.379 and as it had begun with a Baldwin, it ended with a Prince of the same name.

The Venetians who had a great interest in this loss, put a mighty strong Fleet to Sea, wherewith they Commanded the whole Archipelago, and reduced Constantinople [Year of our Lord 1262] to such streight, that Manuel was upon the point to abandon it. But the Genoese in hatred to the Venetians, made a League with him, and relieved him, notwithstand∣ing the intreaties of all the Christian Princes, and the Popes Excommunications. The Emperour Baldwin yet held for some time after, the Island of Eubaea or Ne∣gropont.

The bastard Mainfroy, not content to have usurp'd the Kingdom of Sicily, without consent of the Holy See, domineer'd over the Pope, and the Countreys belonging to the Church most strangely; Insomuch that Alexander IV. had offer'd that Kingdom to the King of Englands Son Edmund, who had accepted it; and to this end his Fa∣ther had laid so many Imposts and Taxes upon the People, that most of them made a League against him, and were revolted.

Ʋrban IV. Successor to Alexander, having caused the Crusado against Mainfroy to be Preached, stirred up some French Lords to go into Italy, who at the very first, forced the passages of Lombardy, and beat the Saracen Soldiers, whom Mainfroy en∣tertained in his Service; but soon after, their Pay falling short, they came back in∣to [Year of our Lord 1262] France, leaving the Pope more in the Briers then ever.

[Year of our Lord 1262] The better to fortifie himself against his implacable wrath, Mainfroy contracted Alliance with James III. King of Arragon, giving his Daughter in Marriage to Peter his eldest Son, who disdained not the Match, because it gave him approaching hopes of having the Kingdom of Sicily; Mainfroy having no Male-Children. In effect, it is by this means, the Kings of Arragon have attained it, and they must needs own they hold their Right from a Bastard, an Usurper, and Excommunicated person.

[Year of our Lord 1263] The pious King Lewis did not understand this false policy, which has quite other Maximes then are practised, taught, or allowed by Christianity, and natural Justice. And for this reason it was, that he endeavour'd with all his power, to decide the quarrels between his neighbours, and not to foment them; with this spirit of Cha∣rity, he labour'd so happily to compose the business between the Barons of England, of whom Simon Montford Earl of Leicester was Head, with their King, that they submitted to what he should ordain. He calls his Parliament for this purpose at

Amiens, and pronounced the Sentence in presence of King Henry: However, the Barons found some difficulties and exceptions, and would not abide by it.

Insomuch, that the troubles continuing, the Pope sent to revoke the gift of the Kingdom of Sicily, which he had made to Edmund the King of Englands Brother, since he could not pursue it, and invested Charles, Earl of Anjou, Brother of St. Lewis. His Wives vanity, which made her greedily long to have the Title of Queen, as well as her other Sisters, inclined and perswaded him to accept of it.

[Year of our Lord 1264] It hapned this year 1264. in a Village near Orviete, that the Sacred Host cast forth Blood upon the Corporal, or fine Linnen, wherein the Sacrament is put, to convince the incredulity of the Priest that celebrated the Mass. Pope Ʋrban satis∣fied of the truth of this Miracle, instituted the Feast and Procession of the Holy Sacrament, to be solemnized the▪ Thursay after the Octave of Whitsunday. St. Tho∣mas Aquinas, who was then Professor in Theology at Orvieta, composed the Office for it.

Ʋrban IV. being dead at Perusia the third of October, the Cardinals after a vacan∣cy of Four Months, elected the Cardinal Guy the Gross, a native of the Province of Languedoc, who had been Married before he entred into Holy Orders. He took the name of Clement IV. amongst his Virtues he is admir'd for his rare Modesty, though very little imitated by his Successors: He made a protestation at his first coming to the See, that he would advance none of his kindred; and so exactly did he keep his word, that of three Prebendaries which his Brother had in possession, he obliged him to quit two; and far from Marrying his Daughters to great Lords, [✚] as he might well have done, he gave them such small portions, that they chose ra∣ther to make themselves Nuns.

Towards the end of the Month of July, about the beginning of the night, a Comet was observed towards the West, and some while after, a little before break of day, it appeared in the East, pointing its tail Westward. It was visible till the end of September, lasting two Months and a half.

[Year of our Lord 1405] Clement IV. upon his advancement to the Holy See, ratified the Election his pre∣decessor had made of Charles of France for the Kingdom of Sicily, obtained of St. Lewis, a Tenth of all the Clergy of his Kingdom for him, and lent him all the Mo∣ney he could scrape together, having for that purpose engaged the Revenue of the Churches in Rome.

[Year of our Lord 1265] Charles with this assistance, with the Kings help, and his Wives great care, who sold all her Jewels to raise Soldiers, which she cull'd and chose for the bravest; got a good Army on foot to go into Italy by Land, and in the mean time put to Sea with Thirty great Vessels, and sailed to the Port of Ostia.

He was received at Rome with great Honour by the People, declared Senator of that City (which was as it were Governour, and Sovereign Judge.) And the year following, upon the 28th of June, Crowned King of Sicily by the Pope in St. Peters Church, upon condition, to pay the Pope Eight thousand ounces of Gold, and a white Palfrey every year; never to be elected Emperour, nor to unite that Kingdom to [☞] the Empire: For the Popes would have no power left in Italy that was not lesser then their own.

[Year of our Lord 1266] His Land-Army arrived not till about the years end, which he compleated in Rome. The following he marched to Naples, the Guelphes flocking from all parts, to List themselves under his Banner. The Earl de Caserta quitted the passage du Gariglian most basely to him; he afterwards gained the Post of St. Germain, guarded by Six thousand Men; and in fine, the Twenty sixth day of February, in the Cam∣pagne of Benevent, he gained an entire, but bloody victory against Mainfroys Army, who was slain upon the place.

All submitted to the Conquerour, both beyond, and on this side the Fare, except the City of Nocera, where Frederic II. had placed a strong Garrison of Saracens, which yet held out a long time. It then appeared, that Charles knew not how to Govern his good fortune with Humanity; for he let Mainfroy's Wife and Children dye in prison, with many Lords of that party, and his Army committed horrid cruelties upon the taking of the City of Beneventum,

[Year of our Lord 1267] Nevertheless, as he shewed himself very obedient to the Popes Orders, he decla∣red him Vicar of the Empire in Italy, with the Title of Keeper of the Peace, and in this quality he by one of his Lieutenants, subdued all the Gibbelins of Tuscany, espe∣cially those of Florence, and restored all the Guelphes to their Lands and Dwel∣lings.

In the mean time the young Conradin had sent a Manifesto to all the Princes of Europe, declaring himself to be the rightful Successor to the Kingdom of Sicily, and imploring their assistance to recover that Succession of his Fathers. Insomuch, that with the aid of the antient friends of the House of Souaube, or Scwaben, and some [Year of our Lord 1267] adventurers that sought their fortunes, he gathered a huge Army, and came into Italy about the end of October; observing, and giving ear rather to the importunities of the Gibbelines, who pressed him to march on, then the wise Counsels of his Mo∣ther, who feared the unexperimented Youth of her Son, scarce Sixteen years of age, would be Ship-wrack'd, against the fortune and courage of Charles.

He had brought with him out of Germany the young Frederic, Son of Herman Marquiss of Baden, who said likewise he was Duke of Austria, being Son of a Daugh∣ter of Henry, Brother to Frederic, last Duke of those Countreys; and withal, he held himself certain of the assistance of Henry and Frederic, Brothers of Alphonso X. King of Castille, who upon his arrival in Italy, were to declare in his fa∣vour.

Those Brothers having been driven out of Spain by the King Alphonso, had retired themselves into Africk to the King of Tunis, where they had acquir'd a great deal of reputation, Money and Friends. Henry having information of the progress of Charles in Italy, was come to proffer him his Service, with Eight hundred Horse, and had lent him a considerable sum of Money. In requital, Charles had gotten him to be chosen Senator of Rome: hut because he afterwards thwarted him in his designs of obtaining by the Pope, the Kingdom of Sardinia, that Spaniard was alie∣nated from him, and secretly conspired with Conradin, so that he disposed the Ci∣ty of Rome to receive him, driving thence, or imprisoning all those that contradicted; and when he saw him approaching near, he set up his Flags and Arms upon the Gates and joyned openly with him.

Conradin having spent the Winter at Verona, despising the Popes Thunders, em∣barqued at the coast of Genoa, on some Vessels belonging to Pisa. Being landed in Tuscany, he surprized, and cut in pieces those Forces that Charles had left there; and [Year of our Lord 2268] at the same time Conrad* 1.380 being come from Antioch, caused all Sicily to Revolt, ex∣cept only Messina and Palermo.

These prosperous beginnings betraid young Conradin, and flattered him to bring him to his death: while he was entring into the Kingdom of Sicily, Charles quitted the Siege of Nocera, and came to meet him, resolved to decide the quarrel by a Bat∣tle: it was fought the Five and twentieth day of August near the lake Fucin, now [Year of our Lord 1268] called the lake Celano: the French gained it, but not without much hazard, and much blood. Conradin, Frederic Duke of Austria, and Henry of Castille saved themselves by flight; but being discover'd, they were taken and brought back to the Conque∣rour.

After this Victory, he took upon him again the dignity of Senator of Rome, which he had been obliged to lay down, and by the Pope was constituted Vicar of the Em∣pire in Tuscany. His Fame would have been beyond a parallel, had he been but as merciful as valiant, and had not exercised such mortal feverities upon his prisoners of War, and such people as revolted from him.

[Year of our Lord 1269] They were so great, that being resolved to pass into Africk with St. Lewis the King, not knowing what to do with Conradin and Frederic, whom it was very dange∣rous to keep, and more to set them free in a Kingdom full of Factions and Rebellion; he caused their Process to be made by the Syndics of the Cities of that Kingdom. Those Judges having condemned them to death as disturbers of the Churches quiet, their Heads were cut off upon a Scaffold in the midst of the City of Naples the Twen∣ty seventh day of October: an execution which makes posterity tremble yet with hor∣ror, but which seemed a retribution of the Divine Justice, for those yet more hor∣rible barbarities, which Frederic the Grand-father of Conradin had used to all the Fa∣mily of the Norman Princes.

Henry de Castille had his Life given him, but was confin'd to a prison, from whence he got not out till Five and twenty years after, to return into Spain.

Almost at the same time, this Conrad Prince of Antioch, Son of one Frederic, a ba∣stard of the Emperour Frederic II. who was come from the East, to the assistance [Year of our Lord 1269] of Conradin, and had contributed to make the Island of Sicily revolt, being taken by some belonging to Charles, was hanged: and thus ended by the Hangmans hands, that famous and glorious Race of the Prince of Scwaben, of whom there have been so many Kings and Emperours.

I should have told you before, that Conradin being upon the Scaffold, after he had made bitter complaints of his misfortunes, and the cruelty of his Enemies, threw down his Glove in the Market-place, as a token of the investiture of his Kingdoms to such of his kindred as would prosecute his quarrel: a Cavalier having taken it up, carried it to James King of Arragon, who had Married a Daughter of Mainfroy's.

The abuses and the designs of the Court of Rome were grown to such a height, and come to that pass, that the King St. Lewis, though very devout to the Holy See, made this year a Pragmatique, to stop the current of them in France, especially, touching the dispensation of Benefices.

This same year the Marriage of his Daughter Blanch was made with Ferdinand, eldest Son to Alphonso X. King of Castille, the Pope having given his Dispensation for the near consanguinity between the parties. The Nuptials were celebrated at [Year of our Lord 1269] Burgos; Philip, Brother to the Bride, Edward Prince of England, James King of Arragon the Bride-grooms Grand-father, Alhumar, King of Granada, and divers other Princes, and great Lords honoured the Solemnity with their Presence; and it was expresly said in the Contract, that if Ferdinand died before his Father, her Chil∣dren should represent him, and succeed to the Crown.

The affairs of the Christians in the Levant being reduced to the last extremity by Bendocabar, Sultan of Egypt: the exhortations of the Pope, and the zeal of St. Lewis stirred up those of the West, to make one more great attempt to support them. The King of Arragon, and Edward, eldest Son to the King of England, promised to Se∣cond St. Lewis, and his Brother Charles to go thither with all the force of Italy. The number of Adventurers of the Cross, consisted of Fifteen thousand Horse, and Two hundred thousand Foot, which were divided in two Armies, to attaque the Sara∣cens in two several places at once.

[Year of our Lord 1270] The Arragonian and the English undertook to go and make War in the Holy Land; the Arragonian being Ship'd, turn'd back again, and only sent some Vessels Com∣manded by Ferdinand his bastard Son: but Edward did generously make good his Vow.

As for St. Lewis, he turned his Enterprize against the Kingdom of Tunis, the con∣quest thereof being in his judgment the way to conquer Egypt, without which, they could never keep the Holy-Land. Besides, his Brother perswaded him to it, to make [Year of our Lord 1270] the coasts of Africk become Tributaries to his Kingdom of Sicilia, as they had been in the time of Roger the Norman Prince.

Having therefore left the administration of his Kingdom to Matthew Abbot of St. Denis, and Simon, Earl of Nesle, he left Paris, as I believe, the first day of March, [Year of our Lord 1270] in the year 1270. if we begin it in January, or the year 1269. if we make it begin at Easter, as they then did in France. He was accompanied by three of his Sons, Philip, Tristan, and Peter, his Brother Alphonso, his Nephew Robert II. Earl of Artois, Thibauld, King of Navarre, Guy Earl of Flanders, and a great number of the No∣bility.

He was near four Months, either upon his way, or about Aigues-mortes, where he waited some time till his Vessels were ready. He went on board in the beginning of July with his Brothers, and set fail the day following; his Forces, and the other Lords took Shipping in several Ports, particularly at Marseilles: the Rendezvous for the whole Fleet was appointed to be at Sardinia in the Road of Calary.

[Year of our Lord 1270] He got first thither with four great Vessels, not without meeting with very bad wea∣ther; the rest arrived Eight days after him: and having all held a Council together, they persisted in their design to Land in Africk, and secure themselves of Tunis, as well because it was thought important to have that coast, as for that the King of those Countreys had given them hopes he would become Christian, if they would but stand by him with their Forces, against his resisting Subjects; but this was on∣ly to amuse them.

The Army being then landed on the African shore, immediately took the Castle and the City of Carthage, built indeed upon the ruines of that famous rival to Rome, but which had nothing now that was great but its name. Afterwards they besieged the City of Tunis, which is situate at the further end of the Lake of Goletta, five miles distant from the Sea.

At five weeks end from the beginning of the Siege, the excessive heats of the Countrey, scarcity of Water, the Sea Air, and the toil the Army endured, having the Saracens perpetually upon them, it bred the pestilential Fever and Dysentery's amongst them, whereof a great many people of note dyed; amongst others, Prince John, Tristan de Nevers, and Peter de Ville-Beon, Chamberlain to the King, and his intimate Confident.

The good King himself being seized with a Flux, was some days afterwards taken with a continual Fever, which put an end to his glorious Labours by a happy Death [Year of our Lord 1270] the 25th day of August, the Seventy fifth year of his Age, and the Four and fortieth of his Reign. Being on his Death-bed, he called for his Son Philip to leave most Excellent and most Christian-like Instructions, which he had some time before drawn up and written with his own hand.

He had together all the Vertues of a great Saint and a great King, of a true Christian and a true Gentleman. He was humble to his God, and fierce to the Ene∣mies of the Faith, modest and a hater of Luxury, as to his particular, but brave and pompous in publick Ceremonies; as mild and affable in Conversation, as rough and terrible in Fight and Battle; prodigal to the Poor, and sparing of his Subjects Mo∣ney more then of his own; liberal to Soldiers and Men of Learning, prompted with a sincere desire to keep the Peace between his Neighbours, enflamed with an incre∣dible zeal for the glory of God, and for the administring of true Justice: in fine, worthy to be the Model of all Princes that desire to Rule according to the will of God, and the good of their Subjects.

Amongst his servent Exercises of Piety, which never did abate in all the days of his Life, he observed the Fasts Ordained by the Church with great exactness, eating but once that day; and if either his weakness or the unavoidable labour in business did at any time oblige him to eat twice, he redeemed the Transgression according to the Ca∣nons of the Church, by some great Alms, feeding an Hundred Poor some other day; I mean an Hundred extraordinary, for he ordinarily entertain'd a very great number, and served Two hundred at Table, upon every great Festival day.

I find that every Lent, he distributed Sixty three Muids of Wheat, sixty eight thousand Herrings, and three thousand two hundred nineteen Livers Parisis to the Mo∣nasteries and Hospitals, and One hundred pence a day to other poor People. And to make this Alms and Charitable Benevolence perpetual, he charged his own De∣measns with it, as also with many other Pious Grants and Foundations, which instead of diminishing the Estate of his Successors, hath been as it were a miraculous Leaven that hath increased and multiplied it.

It were to be wished that that great and good Ordinance he made upon his return out of the Holy Land, to root out the Misdemeanours of Judges, the Debaucheries of Gaming, Drinking, and Women, were as much in our practise, as it is yet in our Books.

I cannot omit that he did never intermedle in the naming any to Bishopricks and Abbies, but left the liberty of Elections entirely free. Insomuch as an Ambassador of his having brought a Bull to him from Rome which gave him the right of Nomi∣nation, he was very angry with him, and threw it into the Fire. For the other Be∣nefices he ever bestow'd them upon the most Worthy, and never on such as were in Em∣ployments already, unless they first surrendred the other.

He founded a great many Churches and Monasteries, particularly for the Orders of St. Dominique and St. Francis; several Hospitals, amongst others that for the* 1.381 Quinze-Vingts, the fair Abby of Royaumont, that of St. Matthew near Rouen, and the Holy Chappel in his Palace, where he put in Canons and Chaplains. They attribute to him the Institution of the University, and the first Parliament of Toulouze. It is cer∣tain he was the first, who out of humility, added the Sign of the Cross to the Cere∣mony of touching those troubled with the Kings-Evil.

He had Eight Children, four Sons and four Daughters. The Sons were Philip who Reigned, and was surnamed the Hardy* 1.382 or Daring, John Tristan who was Earl of Ne∣vers, Peter Earl of Alenson, these two left no Posterity; Robert Earl of Clermont in Beau∣voisis, who Espoused Beatrix Daughter and Heiress of Agnes de Bourbon, (who was so of Archembald Lord of Bourbon) and of John III. Son to Hugh Duke of Burgundy. From this Marriage issued the Branch of Bourbon, who came to the Crown Three hun∣dred years after by King Henry the Fourth, surnamed the Great.

The Daughters were named Isabella, Blanch, Margaret, and Agnes; Isabella was Married to Thibauld the II. King of Navarre, and died without Off-spring. Blanch a little before this Voyage to Africk, Married Ferdinand, called De la Cerde, eldest Son of Alphonso X. King of Castille, and had two Sons who were unjustly deprived of the Kingdom by their Grandfather, because their Father had preceded him, and Repre∣sentation had no place. Margaret was Affianced to Henry Duke of Brabant and Lim∣bourg, then that Prince turning Monk, Married to John his Brother and Successor; They had no Children. Agnes Espoused Robert Duke of Burgundy, and brought him many.

Philip III. King XLIV.

POPES,

• A Vacancy.
• GREGORY X. Elected the 1st of September 1271. S. Four years four Months ten days.
• INNOCENT V. Elected in January 1276. S. Seven Months.
• JOHN XXI. Elected in July 1276. S. Eight Months.
• NICHOLAS III. Elected in November 1277. S. Two years nine Months.
• Vacancy of Two Months.
• Martin IV. Elected Feb. 21. 1281. S. Four years, one Month, seven days.
• HONORIUS IV. Elected in April, 1285. S. Two years, one Month, whereof six Months in this Reign.

PHILIP III. Surnamed the Hardy* 1.383 King XLIV. Aged Twenty five years four Months.

[Year of our Lord 1270] THE Christian Army wholly disconsolate for the death of their King, and ready to sink under their Toils and Dangers, resumed courage, and received refreshments upon the arrival of Charles King of Sicily, who with his Naval Forces landed at the very time the King his Brother was giving up the Ghost.

Being come ashoar he came and paid him his last Duty, and caused his Flesh to be all taken from his Bones, as it was then the Custom when any died in Foreign Countries. He carried the said Flesh to Sicily with him, and buried it in the Abby of Montreal near Palermo; and King Philip kept the Bones, which he deposited in St. Denis in France. The Funeral being over, they continued the Siege, Charles having the Com∣mand of the whole Army, because Philip being fallen Sick could not act.

At the end of three Months, the taking of the place being most infallibly certain, though not till the Winter was over, King Philip's impatience, who much desired to [Year of our Lord 1270] go and take possession of his Kingdom, and yet more the interest of his Uncle Charles who cared for nothing but to get Money, and oblige the King of Tunis to pay him Tribute, were the Motives that made them give Ear to Propositions of Peace with that Barbarian King.

[Year of our Lord 1270] They allowed him a Truce for Ten years, provided he would defray the whole Expences of that Expedition; and that he would pay to Charles as much Tribute, as he paid to the Pope Annualy: That he would deliver up all the Christians he then held in Slavery: That he would grant free liberty of Trade, and exemption of Imposts to all their Merchants; and would permit them to dwell in Tunis and have the Exercise of the Christian Religion.

At the end of the Siege Prince Edward of England arrived there with his Forces, hoping that after the taking of that place, the two Kings would go into the Holy-Land, as they had promised: but they thought it fitter to return to their own homes, and left him to pursue his Voyage.

[Year of our Lord 1270] Heaven seemed to be angry at their return: all manner of misfortunes followed them. Part of the Vessels wherein Philip was Embarked, arrived happily enough at the Port of Trapani or Trapos in Sicily: but the others that had King Charles and his on board were overtaken with a moit furious Tempest, which destroy'd most of them, with the loss of Four thousand Men, all their Equipage and the Treasure that was in them.

Besides all this, Thibauld King of Navarre being taken Sick, ended his days at Tra∣pani about the end of December, (his Brother Henry the Fat succeeded him) Isabella of Arragon Queen of France being great with Child, hurt her self by a fall from her Horse, and died in the City of Cosenza; Alphonso Brother of St. Lewis was taken off with a Pestilential Fever at Siena: and his Wife Isabella de Toulouze died in the same place about twelve days after him. So that King Philip cloathed in Mourning Weeds for the Death of his Father, his Wife, and his nearest Relations, after so much Ex∣pence and Toil, brought nothing back into France but empty Chests, and Coffins full of the Bones of the dead.

[Year of our Lord 1271] He staid in Sicily about two Months, departed towards the end of February, cros∣sed Italy and arrived at Paris in the beginning of Summer. He was Crowned at Rheims the Fifteenth day of August, or as others say, the thirteenth, by the Bishop of Soissons, the Archbishops See being vacant. Of the ancient Pairs of the Laity, there was none assisted at this time but the Duke of Burgundy and the Earl of Flan∣ders; Robert Earl of Artois bore the Sword of Charlemaine, they name it Joyeuse; At their going thence he intreated the King to go and visit his Country, and received him in his City of A••ras with such Welcom and Expressions of Joy, as hitherto had not been heard of in France.

This King passing thorough Rome paid his Devotions on the Tomb of the Apostles. At Viterbo finding the Cardinals had been there Assembled for two years together without coming to any agreement concerning the Election of a ••ope, he exhorted them to make some end, that the Church might be no longer without a Head. His good Advice did not take effect till Eight Months afterwards, upon their electing of Thibauld de Piacenza Arch∣deacon of Liege, who went Legat into Syria with Prince Edward; he took the name of Gregory X.

[Year of our Lord 1271] The Earldom of Toulouze was vacant by the decease of Jane the Daughter of Rai∣mond and Wise of Alphonso, Philip put himself into possession pursuant to the Terms of the Treaty made with Raimond in the year 1228. but it was King John that an∣nexed it to the Crown.

[Year of our Lord 1271] This year died Richard pretended King of the Romans. The year after his Bro∣ther Henry III. King of England followed him, and his Son Edward I. of that name, who was in the Holy Land, succeeded. [Year of our Lord 1272]

[Year of our Lord 1272] In a Bloody Quarrel the Earl of Armagnac had against Gerard Lord of Casaubon his Vassal, it hapned that Roger Earl de Foix, whom the Earl of Armagnac had called to his aid, pursued Gerard and besieged him in a Castle belonging to the King, whi∣ther he was fled and had put himself under his Protection. The King angry for the little Respect these Earls had for him, marched into those Countries with an Army capable of striking a terrour to the very heart of Spain. He besieged Roger in his Castle de Foix, and being resolved to level a Mountain wich hindred his approach to it, daunted him so much, that he came and threw himself at the Kings Feet; He could not however obtain his Pardon till after he had been detained Prisoner a year in the Castle of Beaucaire.

At his return from the Holy Land Edward passed thorough France, and did Ho∣mage to the King. Being afterwards gone to visit his Countries of Guyenne, Gaston de Moncado Lord of Bearn refused to render him Homage; Edward seized upon his Person, and kept him Prisoner in his Train for a while. From whence making his escape, the King of England made complaint to Philip Soveraign Lord of Guyenne. This King having summon'd his Parliament and Debated the Case, gave Judgment in favour of Edward, and compelled Gaston to hold his Lands of him.

The Viscounty of Bearn was Originally a Member of the Earldom or County of Gascon∣gny which held of the Dutchy, but had been dismembred and held by Lords who were the Issue of those Dukes, till it came to the House of Moncado by the Marriage of the Princess Mary Daughter of Vicount Peter, and Sister of the Vicount Gaston deceased without Children; This was about the year 1170. The Princess being yet a Minor, having put her self, I know not for what reason, under the Power of Alphonso II. King of Arragon, in whose Dominion she had also some Lands, was obliged to do Homage for Bearn to that King, and to Marry William de Moncado; which Advantage Alphonso procured him as

a Recompence for his having brought about the Marriage between Prince Raimond Berenger Earl of Barcelonna his Father, and Petronella Daughter and Heiress of Ramir le Moyne king of Arragon. The Family of Moncado is one of the Nine most illustrious of all Catalongne, and are said to be Issue of a Dapifer or Grand Seneschal to Charlemain.

[Year of our Lord 1273] The Electors displeased to see the German Empire so long in confusion, met together at* 1.384 Francfort upon the earnest intreaties of the Pope; and without any regard to the opposi∣tion King Alphonso made, resolved never more to make any Emperor that was not of the German Nation. So that at that very time they elected Rodolphus Surnamed Rufus, who had been Master of the Palace to Othocare King of Bohemia. He was Earl of Habspurg, a Family which as well as that of Lorrain, were the Issue of the Earls of Al∣satia, and the Mayre Erchinoald.

He was raised to the Imperial Dignity principally by the Suffrage of Vernher Archbishop [Year of our Lord 1273] of Mentz, the only Elector almost that knew him, and whom he had otherwhile obliged in some Affair of Importance. Now it was the more easie for this Elector to do him this good Office, because the King of Bohemia, and all the other German Princes refused this Title, as being much more burthensom then gainful or honourable.

[Year of our Lord 1273] Many and different Subjects required the Assembling of a Council; The necessary Regulation for the future in the Election of Popes, the Refermation of Abuses in the Church, and of Morality amongst the Christians, the Differences about the Grecian Empire between Michael and Baldwin, and for that of Germany between Rodolph and Alphonso, the hopes to unite the Greek Church to the Roman, and the pressing necessity for assisting the Faithful that were remaining in the Holy Land, to which the Pope had solemnly obliged himself at the time he received the news of his Election.

[Year of our Lord 1273] For these Reasons he had Convoked a Council in the City of Lyons, which lies, as it were in the midst of the principal Estates of Christendom. He came thither himself about the latter end of this year 1273. and was visited by the King, who let him have several of his Gentlemen and Officers to serve him for a Guard.

[Year of our Lord 1274] The Council was open'd the First day of May in the year 1274. there were pre∣sent Five hundred Bishops, seventy Abbots, and a thousand others, as well Doctors and Deputies as Chapters. Gregory presided accompanied with Fifteen Cardinals. The Ambassadors from the King, the Emperor Rodolphus, and from several other Western Princes were there. Those from Michael, the Emperor of Greece, arrived there at the Fourth Session, and prescuted some Letters from him; by vertue of which they were admitted to an abjuration of their Schism, and a profession to follow the Faith of the Roman Church, especially about the Procession of the Holy Ghost. After that, the Pope owned Michael for rightful Emperor of the East, and forbad Baldwin to bear that Title any longer. This was the end for which Michael had feignedly desired the re-union.

The Election of Rodolph was likewise confirmed, but not till after King Alphonso had submitted and referr'd his Right to the disposal of the Pope, upon Condition he might have leave, which was granted him, to take the Tenths of all the Clergy in his Kingdom, to make War against the Moors. Thus all the Reparations, whatever happens, are ever laid upon the Peoples Shoulders to make satisfaction, who pay for all at last.

There were several Constitutions concerning the Elections, Provisions, and the Residences of Benefices. They Treated about the setling many Differences betwixt the Princes and Cities in Italy: It was Ordained, That the Cardinals should be hence-forward shut up in the Conclave for the Election of Popes; and they made very severe Decrees against Usurers, by vertue whereof the King put them all in Prison thoroughout the whole Kingdom: but soon after he released them upon the payment of some certain Taxes which he imposed upon them. Which was, to tell [ ✚.] the truth, only the way to teach them for the future to take the greater Usury, that so they might have enough both for themselves and for him.

They granted likewise a great many Indulgencies and Priviledges to such as listed themselves for the Holy Land, or did contribute their Money towards that Expedi∣tion; and they suppressed all the Orders Mendicants excepting only the Preachers and the Minors. The Augustins and the Carmelites were tolerated only till a more ample deliberation.

Two great and Holy Scholastick Doctors died in these times, St. Thomas Aquinas [Year of our Lord 1274] near Terracina as he was coming to the Council, and St. Bonaventure in Lyons after he had been assistant there. The first was of the Order of the Preaching Friers, the other of the Minors, and had been made a Cardinal by Pope Gregory X.

[Year of our Lord 1274] Philip tired with being a Widower four years, cast his Affection upon Mary Daughter of Henry and Sister of John Duke of Brabant, Married her at the Bois de Vincennes in the Month of August, and Crowned her the year following in the Holy Chappel of Paris on St. John Baptist's day. He would needs have the Archbishop of [Year of our Lord 1275] Reims perform ••he Ceremony, without any regard to the right of him of Sens who was the Metropolitan.

The 21th of July, Henry the Fat King of Navarre died at Pampeluna, his Fat ha∣ving suffocated him. He left by his Wife Blanch of Artois one Daughter only, named [Year of our Lord 1274] Jane, but Three years of Age. By his Will and Testament he gave the Guardianship to her Mother, and enjoyned she should Marry her in France: but the Lords were di∣vided upon the point, and the greatest Party being against the Mother, gave Don Pedro Sancho de Montagu to the Pupil for her Guardian.

The King of Arragon and the King of Castille had, I know not what, pretences to that Kingdom; under that colour each of them makes his Party to get the Regency, and have the young Heiress in their hands; Peter Infant of Arragon desired to have her for his Son, and Ferdinand Infant of Castille for one of his.

[Year of our Lord 1274] This last entred into Navarre with his Sword in hand, seconding his demand with his force: The Lords of the contrary Party called in the Infant of Arragon and made an agreement with him; but the Widow whose inclinations tended towards France, came and cast her self with her Daughter into the Arms of Philip. Who accepting of the Guardianship, sent Eustace de Beaumarchais to govern the Kingdom in his Name, and immediately all obeyed him.

[Year of our Lord 1275] Ferdinand de la Cerde died in his return from Navarre. He had Two Sons by Blanch of France his Wife, those were Alphonso and Ferdinand, who ought legally to have succeeded to the Crown of Castille after the decease of their Grandfather Alphonso: but Prince Sancho second Son of Alphonso, maintaining that it belonged to him as the nearest, not to his Nephews, (though the contrary was expressed in the Contract between Ferdinand with Blanch) got himself immediately to be acknowledged pre∣sumptive Heir. Alphonso their Grandfather, instead of opposing this Usurpation did authorize it with all his might; and to reduce Blanch and her Children to such a low condition that she might not have it in her power to Resent it, he denied that Princess all she was to have by Agreement, and even the means to Subsist.

Queen Yolante could not bear the ill Treatment used towards her Grand-children; so that it was by her Counsel and in her Company that the unfortunate Widow stole away, and fled into the King of Arragons Country. But that Prince being gained upon by Alphonso, suffer'd himself to be persuaded to send her back to him, and detain the young Orphans in a Castle. The Mother fearing to be used like the Children, escaped into France, not without great difficulty. Some say the Castillian set her at liberty upon the earnest intreaty of the King, but the Arragonian still kept the Chil∣dren in hold.

[Year of our Lord 1276] This year Lewis Son to the King, and the eldest of the first Bed, being dead, Peter de la Brosse, who was not loved by the young Queen, would needs make use of this opportunity to ruine her. He was a Man came from nothing, that had served as Barber to St. Lewis, had been taken into favour by Philip, and by that Prince raised to the highest Degree. In this post, having nothing to fear but the too great Affection the King had for his Wife, he found out an Accuser, that said she had caused Prince Lewis to be Poyson'd. In effect the Child was so made away; And if we be∣lieve an Author, she had run the hazard of being burnt alive, if the Duke of Bra∣bant her Brother had not sent a Gentleman who offer'd to prove her Innocency by Duel against the Accuser, who not having courage enough to justifie what he had spoken, was Condemned to the Gallows.

There were in the Kingdom three false Prophets, the Vidame of Laon, a wandring Monk, and an old Nun, or Beguine, whom La Brosse, as it was believed, had Con∣sulted and Instructed to soretell something that might cool and change the Kings Affection towards his Wife. Admire the simplicity of this King; Devout as he was, he sends Matthew Abbot de Vendosme, and Peter Bishop of Bayeux to Discourse the Beguine (or old Nun) about that business. The Bishop being of Kindred to La Brosses Wife, going before, talked alone to the Beguine, to inform her what to say, and brought word back to the King, that she would discover nothing to him, but at Confession. The King dissatisfied with this proceeding, sent again the Bishop of Dol and a Templer to her, who returned with this Answer, That the Queen was Innocent and faithful to her Husband, and all what had been talked to asperse her,

was Falsehood and Calumny. From that time the Credit of the Queen was much strenthned, and that of La Brosse began to diminish.

Now after the King, who had undertaken the defence of Blanch his Sister, found that Three several Ambassadors whom he sent to Castille, could obtain nothing from an unjust Uncle, and an unnatural Grandfather, he at length defies them by a Herauld, and having gotten a great Army together, not only of French, but Low-Country-Men and Germans, marches directly to the foot or the Pyrenean Mountains, and took a re-view of his Army in Bearn.

[Year of our Lord 1276] This Power had certainly overwhelmed the Spaniards, had not their Gold, which procured them private Agents and Intelligence, stopp'd them there, contriving it so that there was neither Provisions nor Ammunitions to be had for them. So they could advance no farther. Only one Party of them under the Conduct of Robert d'Artois was sent into Navarre. The Castillian Faction had made them rise up against Eustace de Beaumarchais the Kings Lieutenant; and the Rebels who possessed that part of Pampeluna, which they named the City or the Navarrerie, held him besiged in the other part which they called the Burrough.

The Gentry and Soldiery of the Faction having defended themselves for some time, feared they should be over-power'd at length, and retired in the night time; The Burghers forsaken, and knowing not either how to Capitulate or defend themselves, were soon forced, and a great number fell by the edge of the Sword, the rest were Hanged without Mercy, the fugitive Gentlemen degraded of all Nobility, and by these terrible Examples the Regency of the French was setled in Navarre.

The King was still in Bearn: The Castillan with design to amuse him that he might enter upon Spain, demanded to Confer with Robert, and made him lose five weeks time. In so much that the Army wanting Provisions, Philip decamps on a suddain and marches towards France; whereof the Castillan being informed by some Traytor, does immediately give notice to Robert, who was much amazed at it.

[Year of our Lord 1277] The suspicion of this Treachery fell upon Peter de la Brosse. Now the Court being at Melun, a Jacobin of the Town of Mirepoix delivered a Pacquet to the Kings own hand, which he told he was enjoyned to do by a certain Man who died in that City. What it contained was not known, but only that there was a Letter Sealed with the Seal of Peter de la Brosse, and that the King having read it stood much amazed. It must be some Intelligence he gave to the King of Castille. Whatever it were, he was made a Prisoner, carried to Paris, thence transferr'd to the Castle of Janville in Beausse, then some days afterward brought back again to Paris, where he was Hanged on the publick Gallows, in the presence of the Dukes of Burgundy and Brabant, and of Robert Earl of Artois. Guilty enough, had he committed no other Crime but the [ ✚.] bewitching his King, and fettering both his Sacred Person and Mind in his Artificial Snares. The Fortunes of all those whom he had advanced were utterly ruined, the Bishop of Bayeux his Brother-in-Law, made his escape to the Pope, where he re∣mained a long time in Exile.

[Year of our Lord 1277] The boundless Ambition of Charles King of Sicilia aspired to all. He thought to hold all Italy by the Offices of Senator of Rome, and Vicar of the Empire; he was contriving the Conquest of the Grecian upon the right Baldwin had to it, whose Daugh∣ter he had taken for his second Wife; and this year 1277. he purchased the Title of King of Jerusalem of the Princess Mary Widow of Frederic, Bastard of the Emperor Frederic the II. and Daughter of Raimond Rupin Prince of Antioch, and Melisinda Daughter of Aymeric de Lusignan King of Cyprus and Jerusalem. This Kingdom had been already annexed to Sicilia by the Marriage of Yolante de Brienne who was Heiress to it, and since it hath ever remained so annexed.

[Year of our Lord 1278] But the Pope, the Emperor Rodolph, and the Emperor Michael Conspired together to put a stop to that Grandeur which run up too fast, and threatned to stifle theirs. And besides the Pope, (it was Nicholas III. of the House of Ʋrsini) who not only, did not desire to have to so Potent a Neighbour, but withall was cruelly offended, for that having demanded one of his Daughters for one of his own Nephews, Charles had received his insolent Proposition with raillery and contempt.

[Year of our Lord 1278] At the same time the power of Rodolph mightily increased by the Victory he gained over Othocare King of Bohemia, who was left dead in the Field. Of the Spoils of that Prince, whose Domestick he had been, he got the Dutchy of Austria, and invested his Son Albertus in it. His Posterity have still preserved it, and have taken the name of it, as more illustrious then that of Habspurg.

[Year of our Lord 1278] Not to thwart the Pope who sought to pick a Quarrel, Charles quitted the Title of Senator and that of Vicar. He wanted but little in Anno 1279. of losing Provence likewise: Queen Margaret Widow of St. Lewis his Sister-in-Law disputed it with him as being elder Daughter of Earl Raimond Berengier, and implored assistance of the Emperor, of whom that County was held, because of the Kingdom of Arles. Notwithstanding the business being brought to Examination, Provence was left to [Year of our Lord 1279] Charles upon Condition of doing Homage to the Emperor, whose Daughter Clemence should likewise be Married to the Son of his eldest Son. His Name was Charles, as was his Fathers and Grandfathers.

[Year of our Lord 1279] Edward King of England crossed over Seas with Alienor his Wife, and came to King Philip at Amiens to Treat of their Affairs. Philip agreed he should have the Earldom of Agenois, and surrendred up that of Pontieu which belonged to Alienor by right of her Mother. She was Jane the Wife of Ferdinand III. King of Castille, and Daughter of the Earl Simon, and Mary Daughter and Heiress of William, likewise Earl of Pontieu. Reciprocally Edward renounced the Dutchy of Normandy, but re∣tained Thirty Livers Rent upon the Exchequer or Court of Justice of the Province.

John otherwhile Lord of the Island de Procida had been devested of his Estate by Charles, for having tamper'd in some Conspiracy. Being therefore prompted by a cruel Resentment, he framed the design to bring the King of Arragon as Heir to the House of Scwaben by his Mother, into the Kingdom of Sicilia, and made so many Journeys backwards and forwards to the Pope, the Emperor, and the Sicilians, that he brought the Project to his desired issue.

[Year of our Lord 1281] Mean time Pope Nicholas who had projected for the most part what we shall find to break out in those Countries, hapned to die, and a French Cardinal, it was Simon de Brie, was Elected in his room, he was named Martin IV. This last knew nothing of the Tragical design contrived by his Predecessor, and had intentions quite con∣trary: but it being already put in motion, he found the effect of it before ever he could foresee the blow.

The Death of Nicholas did not discourage the Conspirators, the Lord de Prochyda* 1.385 continuing his Voyages disguised like a Monk, brought from Constantinople Three hundred thousand Ounces of Gold to the Arragonian, who was ready to put a great Naval force to Sea under pretence of making War upon the Saracens, and had the Craft, the better to conceal his intentions, to borrow Twenty thousand Gold Crowns of King Philip, and even, as some say, of Charles himself whom he was going to Dethrone.

[Year of our Lord 1282] He lay for some time upon the Coasts of Africa to favour the Enterprize agreed upon, and in the mean while Charles neglected the Advice was given him to stand upon his Guard and be aware, and employ'd all his Forces for the Conquest of the Eastern Empire, in which he did not succeed very well, his Fleet having been worsted at Sea by that of the Emperor Michael. Whilst he is thus lull'd asleep by his ill fate, the Sicilians upon an Easter-day, at the first ringing of the Bell to Vespers, cut the Throats of all the French that were in the whole Island: which they did execute with so much fury and rage, that the good Friers Jacobins, and the Cordeliers, did with pleasure wash their hands in Blood, and Murthered their unhappy Enemies at the very Altars; The Fathers ripping up the Wombs of their own Daughters if great with a French Child, and dashing little Infants against the Rocks. They killed Eight thousand in two hours space, and pardoned but only one by reason of his rare Probity. He was called William des Pourcellets a Gentleman of Provence.

[Year of our Lord 1282] Charles who was at this time in Tuscany, more enraged then frighted at so terrible a blow, Arms himself powerfully by the assistance of the Pope and the King of France, which was brought him by the Earl of Alenson, and besieges Messina. That City terrified with the glittering of his Arms and the Fulminations of the Holy See, would have surrendred at the very first, and all the Island afterwards, if his just Wrath could have received them to any Mercy: but that Prince being grown inexo∣rable, dispair puts some courage into their faint hearts, and the arrival of the Arra∣gonian who landed at Palermo, about the end of August, and was Crowned King of Sicily there, re-assured them wholly. So that Charles, whether for that, or for some other reason, raised the Siege at the latter end of September, and went back into Calabria.

The Arragonian notwithstanding, finding himself unequal in Strength to Charles, whom he observed to be daily supplied out of France, bethought himself of a Villa∣nous piece of Subtilty, which made him keep Sicily, but with the loss of his Honour. He profer'd Charles to decide this great Quarrel by a Personal Combat between them,

each to be assisted with an hundred choice Knights. Charles more brave then well advised, accepted the Challenge, notwithstanding the contrary Counsel and reiterated Commands of the Pope. King Edward being related to both, undertook to secure the Field for them at Burdeaux, the day was appointed to be the first of July the year following, and upon the word of this perfidious Man, Charles raised imprudently the Siege, and agreed to a Truce.

In the interim the Pope pouring all the Treasures or Viols of his Wrath upon the head of the Arragonian, not only Excommunicated him, but likewise degraded him of his Kingship, and exposed his Kingdom as a prey; but he turned all this into raillery; and as though he would obey the Popes Sentence, he would no longer be called King, but the Knight of Arragon, Lord of the Sea, and the Father of three Kings.

The day of Combat being come, Charles enters the Field with his hundred Knights, and remained there from the Suns rise till Sun setting. The Arragonian ap∣peared not, but towards night comes post thither, goes to the Seneschal of Burdeaux, takes Witness that he had presented himself, and leaves his Arms with him to serve for Testimony, then retires in great hast, feigning he was in dread of some suprizal by the King of France. A very brave act of Apparence or Comparition, worthy the Courage of a Prince, to whom his Subjects have given the Surname and Epithet of Great.

* 1.386 The Pope who had thundred his Excommunication against him the former year, did re-aggravate it again in this, published a Crusado or Holy War against him with the very same Indulgences and Priviledges as for the Holy Land, and gave his King∣dom to Charles de Valois, the second Son of France, whom he caused to be invested by Cardinal John Cholet his Legat, whom he expressly sent into France. And cer∣tainly the destruction of Peter having place, that Crown was devolved to this Charles [Year of our Lord 1283] by Hereditary Right, since he was the Son of that Kings Sister.

[Year of our Lord 1284] These Threatnings did not daunt the Arragonian, he was confirmed in his Crime by the good success of Roger de Lauria his Admiral. This Captain, the ablest Seaman of his Age, having gained several Advantages over Charles's Subjects, came and planted himself before Naples in his absence, engaged Charles the Lame, his Son, to a Battle the fifth of June, vanquished him, and carried him Prisoner to Palermo. His Head ran great danger of serving as a Reprizal for the Head of Conradin: The Sicilians had Condemned him to Death, Constantia drew him subtilly out of their hands, and sent him into Arragon to the King her Husband.

[Year of our Lord 1284] The Fathers anguish was the greater, for that he arrived there within three days after the taking of his Son, with a good number of Ships well Armed. He had much ado to keep Apulia and Colabria, and having wrastled six Months longer with his Mis∣fortunes, [Year of our Lord 1285] he died at Foggi in Apulia the 17th of January, in the year 1285. leaving his Son, Charles the Lame, the Heir to his Misfortunes, as well as to his Crown.

[Year of our Lord 1284]

The foregoing year Alphonso King of Castille died, dispossessed almost of all his Estate by Sancho his unnatural Son. On his Death-bed he made his Will and Testament, whereby he left him his Paternal Curse, deprived him of the Succes∣sion, and recalled Alphonso and Ferdinand, who were the Sons of his eldest Son Fer∣dinand, and upon their default Philip King of France, to whom Castille already did belong by right of Blanch de Castille the Mother of St. Lewis: but Sancho knew how to keep himself securely enough in possession of it.

[Year of our Lord 1284] The 16th of the Month of August King Philips eldest Son of the same name, and the Surname of Fair, Aged but Fifteen years, Married Jane Queen of Navarre, and Countess of Brie and Champagne, who was but Thirteen, the Pope having given Dis∣pensation because she was his Cousin German.

A Legat of the Pope having caused the Croisado to be Preached, against Peter King of Arragon; King Philp would go himself in this Expedition, to Install Charles his second Son in that Kingdom. He had no less then Twenty thousand Horse, and four∣score thousand Foot. He Shipt part of these Foot-Soldiers in fourscore Vessels which he took with him to carry Ammunition, Provisions, and Artillery. James King of Majorca and Minorca, whom Peter his Brother had devested of his Lands, followed him, or to say better, Conducted him in this Voyage, thereby to recover them.

[Year of our Lord 1285] The Army being drawn together at Narbonna, began to march in the Month of May. Perpignian surrendred to James and received the French. Elna was taken by Storm, and all that were within destroy'd, excepting the Bastard de Roussillon, who shewed them a passage through the Mountains. These two Cities were belonging to James.

The Arragonian who guarded the narrow Passages, finding the French at his back, quitted his Posts, and left their entrance into Catalonia free. They on the suddain took several little places, and laid Siege to Geronde. That King was lying in wait to relieve it: but being beaten and grievously wounded in an Ambuscade, he had de∣signed to intercept the Convoy which was marching from the Port of Roses, the place surrendred for want of Provisions, after a two Months Siege.

Three Months after the Fight, that King died of his Wounds in Valentia. Al∣phonso his eldest Son succeeded him in that Kingdom, and James the second Son seized on that in the Island of Sicilia.

[Year of our Lord 1285] The rest of the Campagne was not so happy for the French, the Admiral Lauria knowing, that out of an imprudent Management and Husbandry to save Charges, they had sent back the Vessels belonging to the Pisans and Genoese who were under pay, fell upon the rest of the Fleet and defeated them all, except such as escaped into the Port de Roses. The scarcity of Provisions and Sickness, brought the whole Army almost to nothing; The King falling Sick, and hoping for no good by the approach∣ing Winter, took his way towards France, and was brought back to Perpignian in a Litter.

[Year of our Lord 1285] Geronde, and all the places he had Conquer'd in Catalongne, held but a very few days after his departure: The Melancholy he conceived upon this Revolution, and the agitation of the Journey increased his Sickness so much, that he died at Perpignan the 6th day of October. He was in the beginning of the Five and fortieth year of his Life, and the Sixteenth of his Reign. His Flesh and Bowels were interred in the Cathedral of Narbonne, and his Bones brought to St. Denis.

If we consider his Qualities, he was Valiant, Good, Liberal, Just, and very Pious, but too simple, and too easie to be deceived. If his Conduct, it was not over-happy in those undertakings he made abroad, but for his Enterprizes at home they could not succeed better for his Kingdom, since it grew rich and flourishing by a Peace of Fifteen years continuance, without any vexation of Imposts, and the maintenance of a most exact and speedy Justice.

By Isabella, Daughter of James I. King of Arragon, he left two Sons, those were Philip and Charles; The first Reigned, the second was Earl of Valois, and Father of a Philip who came to the Crown. By his second Wife, Mary de Brabant, he had one Son and two Daughters, the Son was Lewis Earl of Euvreux. From him sprang the Branch of Euvreux, into which the Crown of Navarre was brought by Marriage. The Daughters were Margaret and Blanch, Margaret was Married in the year 1298. to Edward••. King of England; Blanch having been twice Contracted, once with John de Namur, eldest Son of Guy Earl of Flanders, the other time with John d'Avesnes Earl of Ostrevant, eldest Son of John d'Avesnes Earl of Haynault, Married at last in the year 1298. to Rodolph Duke of Austria, eldest Son of Albertus the Emperor, by whom she had a Son, but both the Mother and the Child were Poysoned in the City of Vienna, Anno 1305.

Philip IV. King XLV.

POPES,

• HONORIUS IV. Eighteen Months.
• Vacancy Nine Months and an half.
• NICHOLAS IV. Elected the 22th of February 1288. S. Four years, one Month and an half.
• Vacancy Two years, three Months.
• CELESTINE V. Institutor of the Celestines, Elected the 5th of July, 1294. S. Five Months and an half.
• BONIFACE VIII. Elected the 24th of Decemb. 1294. S. Eight years, nine Months and an half.
• BENNET XI. Elected the 20th of October, 1303. S. Eight Months, seventeen days.
• Vacancy Eleven Months.
• CLEMENT V. Elected the 5th of June, 1305. transfers the See into France, S. Nine years wanting five weeks.

PHILIP IV. Surnamed the Fair, King of France XLV. and of Navarre also by his Wife, Aged Seventeen years, and some Months.

[Year of our Lord 1286] After Philip had brought back into France the remainder of the Army, and conveyed his Fathers Bones to St. Denis, he went to be Crowned at Rheims by the hands of the Archbishop Peter Barbet, the Sixth day of January, with the Queen his Wife.

[Year of our Lord 1286] Guy de Dampierre had succeeded in the Earldom of Flanders after the death of his Mother, and had done Homage for it to Philip the Hardy, but neither his Mother, nor himself, for want either of will or power, had not as yet caused the Articles to be Sworn to, and Ratified, which were made in the year 1225. between Philip Augustus and Ferrand, because in truth they were very destructive and ruinous to the Flemmings. This year the King having threatned Guy, if he did not perform it without delay, to own him no longer for his Vassal, but to declare a War, the Cities and Commonalty of the Countrey were so alarmed and scared, that they obey'd his Will and Pleasure.

Ever since the death of Philip III. Edward King of England had omitted no endeavour to confirm the Treaties with his Successor. In the year 1286. being landed in France about Pontieu, he was received at Amiens by several Lords whom the King sent to meet him, from thence he came to Paris, where he was Treated magnificently, was present at the Parliament which was held after Easter, and going from thence about Whitsontide, went by Land to Burdeaux.

The apparent cause of his Voyage was the desire he had to Compose the business of the King of Arragon, because Alphonso the eldest Son, and Successor of Peter, had Married his Daughter Alienor. He forgot not likewise to press earnestly he might have some reparation for Normandy, and those other Countries which both his Father and himself had renounced, but could obtain nothing in either of these

two points. Being returned to Burdeaux, he solemnly received the Ambassadors from the Kings of Castille, of Arragon, and of Sicilia, all Enemies to France, which gave no little jealousie to Philip.

John de Launoy Vice-Roy for Philip in Navarre, continued the War against the Arragonians. But a Lord of the Country named John Corbaran, whom he had en∣trusted with the Command of the Armies, having been worsted by their Forces, a Truce was agreed upon between the two Crowns.

The King of England laboured very seriously to Compose the Difference between the Kingdom of France and that of Arragon and Sicilia. To this purpose he Con∣ferr'd with Alphonso and Ol••ron de Bearn, and afterwards took the pains to make a Voyage into Sicily, that he might Treat with James the Brother of Alphonso, who, as we have related, had seized upon that Island.

The Negotiations of the King of England were somewhat retarded by the Pro∣gress some French Lords had made in that Island. But the rest, who were going thither to compleat that Conquest, being beaten and taken at Sea by Lauria the Ad∣miral, they gave a more willing Ear to what was propounded.

[Year of our Lord 1288] The Treaty was carried on so well, that Charles the Lame was set at Liberty, pro∣mising he would bring it so about with the Earl of Valois, that he should renounce the Kingdom of Arragon, and with the Pope, that he should invest James of Ar∣ragon in that of Sicily, which his Brother Alphonso should yield to him: For secu∣rity whereof, Charles gave his Three Sons, and Fifty Gentlemen of Quality as Hostages.

When he was deliver'd from his Imprisonment, he did not hold himself obliged to make that good which he had been forced to promise: on the contrary, being in France, he exhorted the Earl of Valois not to desist from his Right to the Kingdom of Arragon, and going afterwards into Italy, he got himself to be Crowned by the Pope, who was then at Geronsa, King of Sicilia both on this side and beyond the Fare.

* 1.387 So that James of Arragon perceiving the Treaty was broke, fell upon Calabria, where the City of Catensana had revolted in his favour. Robert d'Artois laid Siege to it, James and his Admiral Lauria hastned to its relief, and being beaten, went and blocked up Gaieta, thinking to make a Diversion: but Charles and Robert followed at the same time, and besieged the Besiegers so straightly, that they reduced them to Famine.

Then the Sicilian caused, I know not how, the Popes Legat to intervene, who de∣manded a Truce for two years, and Charles not well informed of the extremity wherein his Enemies were, consented to it a little too easily; at which Robert was so incensed that he retired into France, and carried all his Forces with him.

[Year of our Lord 1289] Don Sancho King of Castille desired earnestly to have a Peace with King Philip; and for that reason he would have given him up the two Sons of Alphonso de Cerda, and to this intent had endeavoured to get them out of the hands of the Arragonian who kept them. Now the Arragonian having denied so to do, he Treated with Philip, obliging himself to give the Kingdom of Murcia to the eldest of those two Brothers, and some other Lands to the second. The Arragonian hearing of this Treaty, made haste to set them at liberty, that so they might be obliged to him, and continue still Enemies to Sancho. In effect, they were so ill advised, as to refuse to stand to the Agreement which Philip their Cousin German had made for them, and immediately took up Arms against the Castillan.

[Year of our Lord 1290] Philips displeasure for being thus cantradicted by these two Brothers was craftily manag'd by the Castillan, so that those two Kings had Interview at Bayonne, and there made a Treaty; by which Philip, according the Advice of some interessed Counsel∣lors, totally abondoned his unhappy Cousins, and withall yielded up and gave to Don Sancho all the rights he might have to the Crown of Castille.

This year Alexander III. King of Scotland dying without Children, there arose a long and bloody Quarrel for the Succession between two Lords, each of them pre∣tending to be the next Heir. Both of them being of the Blood Royal by their Mothers, who were the Daughters of Scotland; Their names were Robert Bruce, and John de Baliol. This last was Originally of Normandy, History does not mention of what part, for there are divers places have the name of Baliol. These two Competitors, having referr'd their Difference to Edward King of England, he gives Judgment in favour of Baliol, whether he believed his Title to be the better, or whether it were because he made himself his Vassal, as the Scots reproach him, and had promis'd to hold his Crown of him.

[Year of our Lord 1291]

Alfir Sultan of Egypt had in the year 1288. wrested all the Cities of Tripoly, Syria, Lidon, and Tyre, with some other strong Holds out of the hands of the Christians. They had nothing more left in all those Countreys, but the Sea-Port Town of Ptolemais, which made a Truce with the Sultan. The French, the Pisans, the Genoese, and the Venetians had each of them their distinct Quarters and Magistrates. The Pope, the King of Cyprus, the Earl of Tripoly, the Patriach of Jerusalem, and the Templars contended for the Soveraignty. Amidst these Divisions there was nothing but Murthers, Robberies, and Plunderings, both within and without the City.

Besides all this, they were so imprudent as to suffer some numbers of new Re∣cruits that were come to them as Adventurers of the Cross, to break the Truce. The Sultan Mebee-Arafe who succeeded to Alfir, demanded Reparation, but as it was not in their power to deliver up the Violators, he besieged the City, and after Forty days continual attaques, gained it by Storm, putting to the Sword all that were within,

excepting only such as could save themselves on Ship-board.

Such was the end of the Christians Conquests in Syria, and their Expeditions into the Holy Land. For although the Popes have since caused the Croisado's to be preach'd for the recovery of it, and several Princes and great Persons have made [✚] ••ow, to go thither for the same purpose: Nevertheless since the loss of Ptolemais, none of them have gone thither, but only some Pilgrims.

[Year of our Lord 1291] Charles the Lame was in the end forced, that he might free his Children and release those Gentlemen he had given in Hostage, and who were all sent into Arragon, to persuade his Cousin Charles Earl of Valois, to renounce the Kingdom of Arragon; upon which Condition King Alphonso engaged himself to go with his Forces into the Holy Land, and in his pasiage through Sicilia, to do his utmost to induce his Brother James, Usurper of that Island, to restore it to Charles the Lame. Who in the mean while gave his Daughter Clemence in Marriage to Charles de Valois, and for a Portion the Counties of Anjon and Maine.

[Year of our Lord 1291] Otheline Earl of Burgundy ready to be trod under foot by Robert Duke of Burgundy, who would have the Earldom to hold of the Dutchy, and do him Homage; cast him∣self head-long into the protection of King Philip, bringing to him his eldest Daughter named Jane, that he might Marry her to one of his Sons: and in favour of this Al∣liance, he from that time gave him up his Earldom, reserving only to himself the Revenue during his Life. This Jane was afterwards Married to Philip the Long, the Kings eldest Son, who was then but in his Cradle, and her Sister Blanch to the second, who was called Charles the Fair.

[Year of our Lord 1291] The excessive Usury of the Italian Bankers, suckt all the Substance of the poor People: The King had need of Money, he was glad o•• such an opportunity and pretence to do Justice to get some from them. He therefore caused them all to be seized upon May-day night; This was a sweet Knot or Nose-gay of May-Flowers: but since under the same pretence, they laid hold of many honest Merchants likewise, and raised great Fines or Taxes upon them, as well as upon the Blood-sucking Leeches, this inquiry, which in it self was just and necessary, was converted into a most odious Robbery.

[Year of our Lord 1291]

It is believed that this year the holy Virgins little House at Nazareth, where the Incarnation* 1.388 of the Word was declared to her, was by Angels transferr'd to the top of a little Mountain in Dalmatia, on the other side of the Adriatique-Sea, That from thence, three years afterwards, it was brought to the hither-side in a Wood that belonged to a Widow named Loretta, and that it was removed at two other times into two several places, in the last whereof, the Angels left it. There is a Magnificent Church built there and a pretty good Town, and both are called by the name of Loretta.

[Year of our Lord 1291]

The Emperor Rodolph ended his days in the Burrough of Ge••inesheim near Spire, the last day of September, having Reigned Eighteen years. He laid the foundation of the prodigious Grandeur of the House of Austria, but undermined that of the Empire in Italy, by neglecting to go thither, and selling the Soveraignty to divers Cities of Tuscany in the year 1286. especially to that of Luca and Florence, who bought it of him with their Money.

[Year of our Lord 1292]

In his room Adolph Earl of Nassau was elected the 6th of January and Crowned at Francfort; a brave and generous Prince, who would have maintained that Title better then any of his Ancestors, had he but had as much Riches as Vertue

The Peace between France and England had lasted to this time, to the great sa∣tisfaction of both Nations, when the accidental Quarrel of an English Mariner with a Mariner of Normandy upon the Coast of Guyenne, where they had landed to take

in fresh Water, set them against one another. First, Ship and Ship endeavour'd to* 1.389 plunder or take what they could singly on each side, then they brought Fleet against Fleet. The English had the worst, their King Edward demanded restitution of such Merchants Goods as had been made Prize in these Scuffles. Philip on the contrary Summons him to appear in his Court of Parliament as his Vassal, Edward sent his Brother Edmund, but Philip not satisfied with that, caused him to be declared Contu∣macious, and ordered his Lands should be seized.

[Year of our Lord 1292. 1293.] In Execution of this Decree, the year following the Constable Rodolph de Nesle seized several Cities in Guyenne, and even that of Bourdeaux, which was the Ca∣pital.

Thus a Riot between Private Men blew their little Sparks of Contention into a flame of War, which, one may say, proved very fatal to France, since it gave way to the overthrowing of her ancient Laws and Liberties, and the introducing and esta∣blishment of divers Charges and Subsidies on the People. The increase and burthen whereof is ordinarily followed with Revolutions and Seditions, as it fell out this year by a great Commotion hapning at Rouen; but which had the same end and event as all the like Enterprizes generally come to, that is to say, the Hanging of the most froward and hottest, and the Banishment or Ruine of the rest.

[Year of our Lord 1294] The King of England vexed at the loss of, those places in Guyenne, sollicited all Princes against France, particularly the Emperor Adolph with great Sums of Money, and Guy de Dampierre Earl of Flanders, with the hopes o•• the Marriage of his Son, Prince of Wales, with Philippetta, that Earls Daughter. Adolph sent to defie the King in haughty language, but they gave him no other answer but a Sheet of white Paper; For which he shewed no other Resentment but by Threats, and so turned his Arms against some German Rebels.

[Year of our Lord 1294] As for Guy, having been allured to Paris, with his Wife and Daughter, by Letters from the King, fraught with Expressions of Kindness, he was much amazed to find himself made a Prisoner there. It is true, that about a Twelve month after, him∣self and his Wife were set at liberty, but his Daughter they kept still to break the Measures of that Match, too pernicious to the French.

[Year of our Lord 1294] In the year 1294 the Cardinal Benedict Cajetan, by intrigues, or by deceit and fourbery, obliged Pope Celestin to resign the Popedom, and by the same Methods got himself to be elected, he was named Boniface VIII. His Ancesters were Originally Catalonians, and had taken the name of Cajetan because they first dwelt near* 1.390 Cajeta, before they transplanted themselves to the City of Anagnia, where he was born.

[Year of our Lord 1294] At his advancement to that Dignity, he endeavours to mediate a Peace between all Christian Princes. He could not procure it between France and England: but he setled that between Arragon and France. King Alphonso was dead, and James his Brother succeeded him. It was agreed, that Charles Earl of Valois should renounce the Kingdom of Arragon, wherein he had been invested by Pope Martin V. upon which Condition the Arragonian repudiating Isabella de Castille for being too nigh of Kin, should Marry his Laughter, set the three Sons of Charles the Lame, and other Ho∣stages at liberty, and surrender Sicily, and what he had Conquer'd in Abruzza: but Frederic his younger Brother, to whom Alphonso had by his last Testament will'd that Kingdom, got himself to be named King by the Sicilians.

Since then, that which we call the Kingdom of Sicilia, was dismembred in two, that beyond the Fare, which was the Island, and that on this side which they called the Kingdom of Naples. They were again re-joyned in Anno 1503. and are to this day in the same hands.

[Year of our Lord 1295]

The Sons of Charles the Lame being set at liberty, the eldest named Charles entred into the Order of the Friers Minors. The following year he was by the Pope promoted to the Archbishoprick of Thoulouze, which he accepted not of till after he had made his Vows.

The King of Englands heart was much set upon two things, the one to Subject the Kingdom of Scotland, and the other to recover the Tows in Guyenne; He thought the first was pretty well advanc'd, having obliged Baliol to render him Homage; and to compass the second, he prepared a mighty Fleet, and had strengthned himself with Friends and Alliances. But Philip to prevent his designs, induced the King of Scot∣land, already threatned by his Subjects, who scorned to subject themselves to the English, to break the Treaty he had made with Edward, and Allie himself with France; and for security of this new Bond of Alliance, he promised to give the eldest Daughter of the Earl of Valois to his eldest Son, whose name was Edward.

At the same time he caused the People of Wales also to rise, who out of a wild and

untamed humour for Liberty, were easily heated and drawn into the Field. The great devastations and spoil they made this time in Pembrook-shire, and thereabout, broke all the King of England's Measures. He was forced to go in Person that way to stop their progress, and lay aside the business of Guyenne, till he had quell'd those hot and stubborn old Enemies; as he did, having overmaster'd almost all of them, in four Months time.

About this time the Principality of Milan and Neighbouring Cities was fixed and perpetuated in the Family of the Vicounts, to which Otho Vicount Archbishop of Milan contributed not a little. Matthew his Brothers Son was created the first [Year of our Lord 1295] Duke, this year 1295. and took the Investiture of the Emperor Adolph, who like∣wise gave him the Vicarship, or Vicegerency of the Empire in Lombardy.

[Year of our Lord 1295]

In Pistoya, a City in Tuscany, as then powerful enough, it hapned that the rich and numerous Family of the Cancellary were divided in two Factions, the one of the White, the other of the Black; The first joyned themselves with the Guelphes, the second with the Ghibelins; and that fury and madness spread over all Italy, and caused insinite Seditions and Murthers.

[Year of our Lord 1295] Pope Boniface was Proud, Haughty, Imperious, and Undertaking, he thought all the Princes of the Earth must bow to his Commands: but he found a Philip of France at the head of them, a young Prince of no very patient Humour, more Potent then any one of his Predecessors, and who had a Council consiting of People that were [Year of our Lord 1295] stout and impetuous. So that Boniface, who ardently pursued the Design he aimed at to oblige all Kings to the Holy War, having sent to tell both him and the King of England, that they must make a Truce upon pain of Excommunication, he made Re∣ply, That he took no Rule or Law from any one in the Government of his Kingdom, and that the Pope had in this case no right, but to Exhort and Advise, not to Com∣mand. This was the first occasion of Enmity betwixt these two great Powers.

[Year of our Lord 1296] There were two more almost at the same time; The one, that Boniface received the Complaints of the Earl of Flanders, who implored his Justice, because Philip denied to restore his Daughter to him; The other, for that he erected the Abby of St. Antonine de Pamiez to a Bishoprick, and put the Abbot of St. Antonine into it. Ob∣serve, en passant, that this City was other while called Fredalas.

King Philip was offended at this Erection, and more yet with the choice of the Bishop, (his name was Bernard Saisset) because he believed him a Factious Man, and too much devoted to Boniface. Nor would he suffer him to take possession, and therefore Lewis Bishop of Toulouze administred in that Church for two whole years together.

[Year of our Lord 1295, and 96.] The War was still carried on in Guyenne by the Earl of Valois and the Constable de Nesle, and then by Robert Earl of Artois. The English had for Commanders there, John Earl of Richmond, and Edmond the Kings Brother. To what purpose would it be to relate the taking of many petty places, and the divers small Skirmishes? The French say they won two Signal Victories, one of them was gained by the Earl of Valois, and the other by the Earl of Artois. It is certain, that Edmond being beaten by the first near Bayonne, was forced to retire into that City, where he died; and the Earl of Lincoln, who commanded that English Army afterwards, having lost many of his Men before Daqs, durst not stay for Robert d'Artois, and retreated.

[Year of our Lord 1296] In the mean while a most dangerous Storm was forming against France. A League was made at Cambray, by the Interest of the King of England, whereinto he entred with the Duke of Brabant, the Earls of Holland, Juliers, Luxemburgh, Guelders and Bar, Albert Duke of Austria, the Emperor Adolphus, and the Flemming him∣self; all which sent their several Cartels of Defiance to King Philip; but none of them vexed him so much as the Challenge from the Earl of Flanders, because he was his Vassal.

The Earl of Bar began the Attaque, by ravaging Champagne: but he retir'd when he heard how Gaultier* 1.391 de Crecy Lieutenant of the Kings Army, burnt and plundred his Country. Soon after the Queen being advanced that way to defend her Country of Champagne, he was so saint-hearted as to surrendet himself to her with∣out making any desence. They sent him Prisoner to Paris; from whence he could get no Release but upon very hard Conditions. For he did Homage to the King for his Earldom, which he ever had pretended to hold in Franc Alleud, or Free-Tenure; and moreover he was condemned by a Decree of Parliament to go and bear Arms in the Holy Land till the King were pleased to recall him.

[Year of our Lord 1297] As for Florent Earl of Holland, he was kill'd by a Gentleman whose Wife he had Dis∣honour'd. His Son John died soon after him, by eating of some ill-Morsel. John d'

Avesnes Earl of Haynault their Cousin and nearest Relation, inherited Holland and Frisland.

[Year of our Lord 1297] The greatest burthen of the War fell upon Flanders: King Philip marched into the Country with a vast Army, to whom the Queen joyned her Forces after she had subdued the Earl of Bar. He took L'Isle by a three Months Siege, and Courtray and Douay without much difficulty; whilst on the other hand Robert Earl of Artois gained the Battle of Furnes, where the Earl of Juliers was so ill handled, that he died of his Wounds.

[Year of our Lord 1297] Adolphus detained in Germany by the private Troubles the French started amongst them, or the Sums of Money Philip gave him under-hand, did not bring the Flem∣ming that Relief which he expected. Withall they found a way by the all-powerful∣influence of Money to debauch Albertus Duke of Austria from the Party, who brought over with him the Duke of Brabant, and the Earls of Luxembourg, Guelders and Beaumont. As for the King of England who was there in Person, and had his Navy at Damm, and his Land Forces in the Country Towns, he brought more inconve∣nience then assistance to the Flemming. Besides we may add, that the greatest Cities in Flanders, as Ghent and Bruges, had been against the making of this War, and amongst them a Faction had declared for the French, who called themselves the Portes-Lys, or the Flower-de-Luce-Bearers.

Now the King being retired to Ghent with the Earl of Flanders, could find no other way to Charm the Swords of the French in those Countries, but by a Truce. The intercession of the Earl of Savoy, and Charles King of Sicilia obtained it with difficulty for them, from the Tenth of October till Twelfth-day, for Guyenne, and to S. Andrews Holy-day for Flanders only.

Edward knew how to employ that time to good purpose; Having passed the Sea, he went against the Scots who had shaken off the Yoke; and not only forced their King John and his Barons to do Homage to him a second time, of which a Charter written in French was Signed and Sealed, and to renounce the Alliance with France: but likewise kept him Prisoner a while with some of those Lords, confining them in the Tower of London, resolving not to release him till he had made an end of his Disputes with the French.

[Year of our Lord 1298] The Truce being expir'd, he made ready to return into Guyenne by the Month of March in the year 1298. Nevertheless, as either of these Kings had partly what they desired, that is, the King of France the Towns in Flanders, and the King of England the Kingdom of Scotland: it was not difficult for their Ambassadors, who met about it at Monstreuil on the Sea Coast, to prolong the Truce to the end of the year.

It was agreed, That the Allies of both Kings should be Comprised, by consequence John Bal••ol ought to have been so, but they could never obtain his liberty; and that all the places Conquer'd in Flanders should be in the hands of Philip during that Truce. The King of England had obliged himself by Oath to the Flemming, not to make a Peace till they were restor'd: but in the mean time he agreed his Marriage with Mar∣garet the Sister to Philip, and that of his Son Edward with Isabella the Daughter of that King.

[Year of our Lord 1298] The Money that Adolphus had received on both hands, from the Kings of France and England, was the cause of his Ruine, and on the contrary, what Albertus had taken for the same end, served to raise his Fortune. For this last having made use of some of it to corrupt the Princes of Germany, who were displeased for that Adolphus had given them no share of his, it hapned that in an Assembly they had at Prague for the Coronation of King Venceslaus, they easily suffer'd themselves to be persuaded, that the Pope was consenting to the Deposition of Adolphus, as being useless to the Em∣pire; And in effect, the Cabal was so strong that they did Depose him, and elected Albert Duke of Austria. The two Competitors came to blows about it near Spire the Second of July, Adolph fighting valiantly, but betray'd, or at least forsaken by his Men, lost his Life there.

[Year of our Lord 1298] The Election of Albert was illegal, to rectifie it he was fain to lay it down, at least seemingly, in the hands of the Electors, who elected him the second time with all the Formalities, the Seven and twentieth of the same Month. But the Pope still* 1.392 refused to approve it, and designed that Crown for Charles de Valois, for whom he had a particular Esteem.

He seemed now as if he would have sweetned the sharp Humours of Philip; for the year preceding he Canonized St. Lewis his Grandfather, and he interpreted the Bull, by which he had forbidden the Clergy to pay any Tenths or Contributions to Princes, very favourably. Philip believing he had done it expressly to choque him,

was offended, several Letters had been written on that Subject to each other, and things were like to have proceeded to the greatest Extremity. However Boniface upon the intreaty of some French Prelats, yielded to reason, declaring, that he in∣tended not to forbid voluntary Contributions, provided they were made without Exaction. He added, that they might be levied without permission from the Pope in times of the Kingdoms necessity; and that, even upon urgent necessities, they might be constrained by the Authority Apostolick, Spiritually and Temporally.

But as their Spirits were already exasperated on either side, the Wound burst open afresh in a short while afterwards. Boniface had been chosen Arbitrator of the Dif∣ferences between the King, with the English and the Flemming; After the hearing of their Deputies, he gave his Sentence of Arbitration, which ordained, That the [Year of our Lord 1299] Flemmings Daughter should be set at liberty, and his Towns restored; and as if he had been the Soveraign Judge, he caused it to be publickly pronounced in his Con∣sistory. Which so touched the King and his Council, that it being brought to Paris by the English Deputy, the Earl of Artois snatched it out of his hands, rent it, and threw it into the Fire.

The Queen on her part made use of the means within her power to highten the King her Husbands Wroth against the Flemming, for whom she had a mortal hatred. So that the Truce being expir'd, the Earl of Valois had order to enter into Flanders, and carry things on to the last push.

[Year of our Lord 1299] He pursues him so smartly, that having taken Dam and Dixmude from him, he be∣sieged him in Ghent with all his Family. That unfortunate Prince destitute of all succour, and forsaken even by his own Subjects, was advised to render both himself and his two Sons into his hands. The Earl of Valois promised he would carry him to Paris to Treat with the King himself, and assured him, that if within a Twelve∣month he could not procure a Peace, he should be set again at liberty, and brought back to the same place where they had taken him. But the King would have no re∣gard to what his Uncle had sworn, detains the Flemming and his two Sons, and dis∣poses them into several Prisons asunder from each other.

[Year of our Lord 1300] The Earl of Valois being picqued for that they violated the Faith he had given the Flemming, or by some other motive of Ambition, went out of the Kingdom, and passes into Italy, whither the Pope had earnestly invited him for at least Three years. He there Married Catharine the Daughter and Heiress of Baldwin the last Emperor of Constantinople, and the Pope gave him that Empire, and made him his Vi∣car or Lieutenant over all the Lands belonging to the Church, hoping by his means to carry on that great design of the Holy War which was ever rumbling in his Head.

[Year of our Lord 1299] For the third time the Truce was prolonged betwixt the two Kings, by vertue where∣of the Prisoners on both sides were set at liberty, and particularly John Baliol* 1.393 King of Scotland, who was brought into Normandy, and left in the keeping of some Bishops who were willing to take that Charge upon them.

[Year of our Lord 1299] The Emperor Albert could not obtain his Confirmation of Boniface, and Philip was apprehensive of the audacious Undertakings of this Pope: for this reason, both the one and the other to prevent him from taking advantage of their Divisions to ruine them, Conferred together at Vaucouleurs. In that Interview they renewed the an∣cient Confederations of the Empire with France; and to unite themselves more closely, Treated the Marriage between Rodolph the Son of Albert, and Blanch the Daughter of Philip. It was not compleated till the following year.

[Year of our Lord 1300]

At the end of the Thirteenth Age of the Christian Aera, the Pope publish'd a general Indulgence or Relaxation of Canonical Pains due for Sins, for all those who being Confessed and Penitent, should visit the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, for a certain number of days. Since that, Clement VI. reduc'd it to Fifty years, and called it the Jubile.

Boniface hath been reproached, that on this Ceremony he appeared sometimes in Pontifical Habit, sometimes in Habits Imperial, causing two Swords to be carried be∣fore him to signifie his double power, Spiritual and Temporal. He had so in effect, but the last only in his own Territory. However he did not understand it thus: as his Actions, and the Sixth Book of the Decretals, wherein he boldly affirms, that there is but one Power, which is the Ecclesiastical, does but too plainly shew.

This Institution of the Jubile seems to have its Original from Secular Pass-times. The Ancient Romans Celebrated them once in every Hundred years; Paganism be∣ing abolished, the People did not lay aside their Custom of coming from all parts to Rome the first year of every Age: but sanctifying that profane Solemnity, they paid their Devotions on the Tombs of the Apostles, St. Peter and St. Paul.

Several do in this year place the beginning of that dreadful Family, or House of the Othomans,

and tell us that the Turks having conquer'd much of the Countreys belonging to the Greeks in Asia, divided those Lands into seven Principalities, of which the Province of Bithynia fell by Lot to Osman, or* 1.394 Othoman, Son of Ortogules,

who was in great reputation of probity and valour amongst his Countrey-men. His Successors have devoured, not only the other six Principalities, but the Grecian Em∣pire, the Kingdom of Egypt, and so many Countreys of the Christian Princes, that it is to be feared they may swallow up the Western Empire likewise.

[Year of our Lord 1300] Boniface was grown obstinate in his design for the expedition to the Holy-Land, and perswaded himself he had a right to oblige all Christian Princes to it. He there∣fore sent Bernard Saisset, Bishop of Pamiez to Philip, with a charge to exhort him to this voyage; and also to summon him to make good his word to the Earl of Flanders, by setting his Daughter at liberty. He acquitted himself of his Commissions in such high terms, and it was told the King that he held discourses upon several occasions so injurious to his Person, and so factious against the quiet and peace of the King∣dom, that he made him be seized and kept prisoner.

Then their hatred ran up to the extremity, the King besides all this being mighti∣ly heated by the ill reports of William de Nogaret. For he informed him, that when he was sent Ambassador to the Pope, to acquaint him of his Alliance with the Em∣perour Albert; he perceived that his Holiness was very ill inclined towards him, that he had bad designs, and that he led a scandalous life, and most unworthy of the Succession to the Apostles.

[Year of our Lord 1301] On his part, Boniface dispatched the Arch-Deacon of Narbonna to Command him to set the Bishop of Pamiez at liberty, and let him know there was a Bull, import∣ing, that the King was under his correction for the sins he committed in his Tem∣poral Administration, as well as for others; That the collation of Benefices did not appertain to him, and that the Regalia was an usurpation. By another Bull he suspended all the priviledges granted by his predecessors to the King, to those of his House, and to his Council. And by a Third he ordered all the Prelats of the Kingdom should come to Rome, to find out some remedy against Philips disorders, and the Enterprizes he made upon the Ecclesiastical State.

[Year of our Lord 1300] The King upon the earnest intreaties of the Clergy, put the Bishop of Pamiez into the hands of the Arch-Bishoy of Narbonna, his Metropolitan: but he forbad the Prelats for going out of the Kingdom, or the transporting of any Gold or Sil∣ver. And for that point which he believed did concern his Sovereignty, he thought it best to support himself with the Authority of all the Estates of his Kingdom against Boniface. The Estates assembled in Nostre-Dame the 10th of April, in the year 1301. [Year of our Lord 1301] declared, that they owned no other Superiour in Temporals besides the King; and in conformity to that, the Clergy wrote to the Pope, as the Nobility, and the third Estate did to the Cardinals; who in their answers assured, that it had never been the Popes intention to attribute that Superiority to himself.

During these quarrels a prodigious Comet appeared in the Heavens; it began to shew it self in Autumn, towards the West, and in the Sign of Scorpio, darting its Rays sometimes to the Eastward, and sometimes to the Westward. It was seen but one Month.

The Earl of Artois, Nogaret, Peter Flote, Chancellor to the King, and the Colona's, whom Boniface had thrust out of all, proscribed and imprisoned, exasperated all things more and more. Many nevertheless were scandalized, that they should contend against the Pope, and therefore it was thought decent to maintain that he was not so, and that by opposing his Person, they did not oppose the Vicar of Jesus Christ, but an ill Man that had intruded himself into the Papacy.

The King being therefore at the Louvre, Nogaret in presence of divers Princes of the Blood, and Bishops, presented a Petition the Twelfth day of March, accusing him of Heresie, Simony, Magick, and other enormous crimes, and demanding the Kings assistance, that there might be a general Council called, to deliver the Church from this oppression.

The Pope had dispatched into France a Cardinal, named John Le Moyne, a native of the Diocess of Amiens, a knowing Man, and very Learned, upon pretence of negotiating some agreement with the King: but indeed, to sound the inclination of the Clergy in his favour. Now being but ill satisfied with the answers the King made to his Quaeries; he sent another Bull which declared him Excommunicate, for having hindred the Prelats from going to Rome, forbid them to admit him to

the Sacraments or Mass, Commanded them to be at Rome within three Months, and summoned some by name, upon the penalty of being deposed.

[Year of our Lord 1302]

During these Contrasto's, Charles Earl of Valois was gone into Sicilia with a great Army, with design to reduce it to the Obedience of Charles the Lame his Nephew. He made so little progress, that he thought fitter to make peace between both parties. In effect, he succeeded better in it then in his War. The conditions of the Treaty were, That Frederic should marry his Daughter Eleonor, for whose Portion Sicilia should remain to him under the Title of the Kingdom of Trinacria: but if he had no Children by her, the Island should return to Charles the Lame, or to his Heirs, upon their payment of a hundred thousand Ounces of Gold.

Before his expedition into Sicilia, he had been sent to Florence by the Pope, to calm the Factions wherewith that Republick was most horribly tormented. Du∣ring five Months time that he remained there, his Care nor his Authority could by no means prevent the Guelphs and Black from proscribing the White, who were for the most part Gibbelins, and from ruining their Houses. Dante Aligeri, one of the rarest wits of his time, who was of the faction of the White, though otherwise he were a Guelph, was put into the number of the banished, and could never obtain to be recalled. He lays the fault upon the Earl of Valois, for not having provided against those injurious proceedings, and tried to place his revenge upon all the House of France, by the cruel bitings of his Pen; which certainly would have made some impression upon their posterity, had there not been prooss much clearer then the Sun at Noon-day, which dispelled that Satyrical calumny.

[Year of our Lord 1302]

There are some Authors that assign in this year 1302. the Invention of the Mari∣ners Compass, or Needle, by one Flavio a native of Melplus;* 1.395 However, since we find some mention of it in Authors long before this time•• we can at most but give this Flavio the honour of having brought it to greater use and perfection.

This same year 1302. Flanders revolted, and was lost as to the French. Those peo∣ple, irreconcileable enemies to Taxes, and heavy oppressions, could not endure the violence and imposts wherewith their young Governour James de Chastillon vexed and tormented them, by the evil Counsels of Peter Flote, a violent and most covetous Man; and indeed he was one-ey'd. They therefore called in William Son of the Earl of Juliers, and a Daughter of ••arl Guy's to be their Chief, whose younger Sons, with the Sons of his Brother John, came into the County of Alost to support this Rising.

[Year of our Lord 1302] The Fire began at Malan, but broke out more fiercely at Bruges, where the French Garrison, being all knoc'd on the Head, the Towns of Furne, Bergh, Bourbourgh, Cassel followed, and Guy Earl of Namur, one of the Flemmings Sons, laid Siege before the Cittadel of Courtray.

The King raised a great Army to chastise the Rebels, and gave the Command of it to Robert d'Artois. That Prince marched to relieve Courtray, with Ten thousand Horse, and Forty thousand Foot; The Flemmings though they were but ill Arm'd, had neither Nobility, nor Cavalry, durst resolutely wait his coming, and gained the Victory, with the slaughter of Twenty thousand French, amongst which number was that Prince himself, above Twenty great Lords with him, and Peter Flota, prin∣cipal cause of those misfortunes. This was on the 9th of June.

[Year of our Lord 1302] To revenge this bloody affront, the King takes the Field himself; with above an Hundred thousand Men, but the assurance of the Flemmings, and the intelligence sent him by his Sister the Queen of England, that if he hazarded a Battle, he would be betraid to his own Men, hindred him from proceeding any farther then Douay; besides the Autumnal Rains rendred his march very difficult.

This War very troublesome in it self, would have been much more so, had the King of England medled in it; as he ought to have done after he had engag'd the Flemmings. Their troubles help'd to advance his Affairs, after his having prolong∣ed the Truce two or three times with the French, he converted it at last to a final [Year of our Lord 1303] Peace. The Treaty was concluded at Paris the Twentieth day of May 1303. It was agreed that Philip should restore to him all what he had taken from him in Guyenne, and should grant him a Patent for the investiture of that Dutchy. John Baliol was set at full liberty; but the Scots despised him as a Man of little courage, who had twice bowed the knee before the King of England, and would not own him for their lawsul King; so that he remained in France, where he ended his days as a pri∣vate person. It is not said what the fortune of his Son Edward was. However, al∣though the English had wholly subdued Scotland, it nevertheless hapned, that some

years afterwards, Robert, Son of Robert Bruce raised that Kingdom again, which seem∣ed to be extinguished, and freed it from the bondage of England.

[Year of our Lord 1303] Now the courage of the Flemmings being untameable, their old Earl who grew weary of his imprisonment, obtained a Truce, by the means of Ame Earl of Savoy, during which interval they permitted him, leaving his Sons in hostage, to go to his Towns in Flanders, to endeavour to bring them back again to the obedience of the King.

The same year the King having had information, that there was a dangerous Faction brooding in Languedoc, and in Guyenne, took a progress into those Coun∣treys, where he visited, and highly caressed the chief Cities and Nobility: At his return Guy de Luzignan Earl of Angoulesme, and Lord of Cognac having no Chil∣dren, resigned his Lands to him, to the great prejudice of three Sisters he had. The King, to make those Sisters some manner of reparation, gave them I know not what Lands in Angoulmois.

Queen Jane his Wife, Heiress of Navarre, Champagne and Brie, built and founded in the University of Paris, that famous Colledge that bears the name of Navarre, and [Year of our Lord 1303] which, even to this day has been the Cradle, or rather Nursery of the most illustri∣ous Nobility of France. She died about the end of the same year.

The Earl Guy not having been able to gain any thing upon the Flemmings, the King resolved to make them bend by force. He got together the most numerous Ar∣my that had been levied of a long time of French, Germans, Spaniards, and Italians, and put himself at the head of them. At the same time he had a Fleet at Sea, com∣manded by the famous Roger de Lauria. This Admiral gained a bloody Battle against Philip, one of the Flemmings Sons, who besieged Ziriczea, that held for John Earl of Holland, who by this means preserved Zealand and kept it. The King soon after [Year of our Lord 1304] gained another at Land near Mons, the Eighteenth of August, but not without great danger to his Person. Above five and twenty thousand Flemmings were slain there.

For all these rebukes they would not stoop, nor give over; but having shut up shop in all their Cities, and got an Army on foot of Sixty thousand fighting Men, they came before l'Isle, which he then held besieged, demanding Peace, or a Battle. This [Year of our Lord 1304] furious resolution obtained them a Peace, upon condition that they should enjoy their Liberties, Goods, Priviledges, and strong Holds; that the Earl should be re∣stored to his Earldom, excepting those Lands on this side the River Lys, which should remain to the King, as likewise the Cities of l'Isle and Douay, till the Earl should be more fully agreed with him, and the Flemmings paid down the sum of 800000 Livres.

* 1.396 The prisoners set at liberty, the Earl Guy went to visit his Countrey and his Chil∣dren. Being returned to Compeigne upon his faith, as he had promised to finish the Treaty; he died some few days after, aged Fourscore years. His eldest Son Robert de Betune succeeded him in his Earldom. [Year of our Lord 1303]

The preceding year before he undertook this Expedition, King Philip had consi∣der'd how to pre-arm himself against the Bulls of Boniface; and for that purpose had [Year of our Lord 1303] convoked a second general Assembly of his Subjects at Paris. The Earls Guy de St. Pol, John de Dreux, and William du Plessis, Lord de Vezenobre, did there accuse the Pope of Heresie, and divers things so horrible, that a Christian can hardly tell how to name, much less to believe them. Duplessis offer'd to prosecute him before the Council, adhering to the Appeal heretofore brought by Nogaret, and putting himself under the protection of the Council, and the Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul.

The King promised to procure the Convocation, and in case Boniface should any way proceed against him, formed his Appeal as Duplessis had done.

Moreover, fearing his People too much oppressed with Imposts, and dissatisfied with the Government of his Ministers, should chance to fail him in his necessity, he found it necessary to prevent all stirs and factions that might be set on foot in fa∣vour of the Pope, to have. Writings or Letters of all the Provinces, Cities, Corpo∣rations, Churches, Religious Houses, Prelats, and Lords of his Kingdom, who ap∣proved of his Resolution, and joyned therein with him.

[Year of our Lord 1303] During these proceedings Nogaret was gone into Italy to seize upon the Person of Boniface, under pretence of bringing him by fair means or by foul to the Council. The Pope had retired himself to Anagnia, the place of his Nativity, where he thought himself in greater security then in Rome; and there he was upon the Birth∣day of our Lady, to publish a Bull, by which he Excommunicated the King, dis∣penced his Subjects of their Obedience to him, and gave his Kingdom to the first

occupier. He had already offer'd it to the Emperour Albert, and to engage him to it, had confirmed his Election.

But the Eve before, Nogaret, who was in a Castle near at hand, assisted by Sciarra Colonna, whom Boniface had kept in the Galleys, with some other Gentlemen of the Countrey, enemies to Boniface, and Two hundred Horse of those Troops as Charles de Valois had left in Tuscany, enters into Anagnia, gained the People, and having forced his Palace, seized on his Person; which was not done without some sort of Outrage worthy an Italian revenge, and by plundring his Treasures, which were immense, together with the Houses of three or four Cardinals.

[Year of our Lord 1303] The fourth day the People of Anagnia repenting of their baseness, drove the French and their Soldiers out of the Town. The Pope being thus at liberty withdrew to Rome; and there that haughty spirit was assaulted by a burning Fever, of which he died upon the Twelfth day of October.

Nicholas, Cardinal of Ostia, of the Order of the Preaching Friers, elected by the Cardinals the Two and twentieth of November (he was called Benedict XI.) carried things with more sweetness, received the Ambassadours sent by the King very honou∣rably, not admitting Nogaret however at their Audience, who was one, and sent three other Bulls which annull'd all those of Boniface, and restored all things to the [Year of our Lord 1303] same condition they were in formerly. He also revok'd the Condemnations of the Colonna's, excepting only that he did not restore those two again to the dignity of Cardinals, who had been degraded: but he proceeded severely against Nogaret, and all such as had assisted at the Capture of Boniface, and the robbery of the Churches Treasure.

He died the Eighth Month after his Election, being the Seventh of July, in the [Year of our Lord 1304] year 1304. The two Factions of Cardinals, whereof the one were French, the other Italians, and friends to the Pope, were almost eleven Months in the Conclave at Pe∣rugia, before they could come to an agreement; in the end the Italians named a French man, which was Bertrand Got* 1.397 Arch-Bishop of Bourdeaux, whom they knew to be a great enemy to the King; and besides, a Subject to the English. The French before they would consent to it, gave speedy notice to the King, who having sent privately for him, and conferr'd with him near St. John d'Angely, declared to him, it was in his power to make him Pope, provided he agreed to Six things which he required of him, whereof he named five of them to him, but reserved the sixth to time and place. The Arch-Bishop a Gascon, and Vain, cast himself at his Feet, and promised him all; by this means he was elected, being absent, the fifth day of [Year of our Lord 1305] the year, 1305.

[Year of our Lord 1305] Instead of going into Italy, as the Cardinals be ought him, he sends for them to Lyons, to assist at his Coronation, which was performed the Fourteenth of November. The King, his Brother Charles, a great number of Princes and Lords, and infinite multitudes of People came to be present at this Ceremony. The King having for some space held the Reins of the Popes Mule, left that Office to be done by his Bro∣ther Charles, and John Duke of Bretagne, whilst he mounted on Horseback, to march along beside the Holy Father. As they were in their march, an old Wall over-charg∣ed with People, tumbled down, and by its fall, overwhelm'd the Duke of Bretagne, and a Brother of the Popes, hurt Charles most grievously, the King somewhat lightly, and beat the Tiara off from the Head of the Pope. A presage of the misfortunes the translation of the Holy See into France was to bring to the Kingdom, and to all Christendom, nay, to the Papacy it self, which by this means did submit to the discre∣tion of the secular Power.

[Year of our Lord 1306. 1307.] Departing from Lyons the Pope returned to Bourdeaux, where he sojourn'd all the year 1306. went the following year to Poitiers; then in Anno 1308. to exempt him∣self from the importunities of the Court of France, removed his See to the City of Avignon, which belonged to Charles, King of Sicilia his Vassal.

The Residence of the Court of Rome in France hath introduced three grand dis∣orders, Simony the off-spring of Luxury, and Impiety; Litigious Law-suits, the exercise of Scratch-papers, and idle fellows, such as were the swarms of puny-Clerks who follow'd that Court; and another execrable irregularity, to which na∣ture cannot give any name.

[Year of our Lord 1306] To make good his promises, Clement continued the Absolution which Benedict had given the King, restored the Colonna's to their Dignities of Cardinals, made a pro∣motion of Ten Cardinals more, Nine of them being French, and explicated or revo∣ked all the Bulls which Boniface had made, that prejudiced the Kings Authority.

[Year of our Lord 1307] Nogaret, and the other persons of the Kings Council, by the dispair they were in of obtaining their Absolution, persisted still in their accusation against Boniface; and the King pressed Clement to condemn his Memory, and cause his Body to be burnt, not believing he could otherwise wash himself clean of those censures and reproaches he had bespatter'd him withal; but Clement to elude that pursuit, referr'd it to a general Council, which was assigned to be three years after that at Vienne in Dauphine; and in the mean time there were divers proceedings and instructions towards carry∣ing on that business. [Year of our Lord 1308]

The Jews were still the execration of Christians, and especially of the common people, because they grated, and even flayed them by their cruel Usury, and by the exactions of new Imposts, of which they were the Farmers. And truly in revenge, or retaliation, they were liable to all sorts of affronts; in any sedition, in their Cru∣sado's, they ever fall upon them; and they were every day accused, either of having committed some insolence against the Sacred Host, or the having crucified some Chil∣dren upon Good-Friday, or for having affronted the Image of our Saviour; and if they did get out of the Judges Hands, they could hardly save themselves from the fury of the Populace. The Princes after they had made use of those cursed Instru∣ments, made them disgorge again, and often drove them out, that they might have Money to recall them back. This year they were seized upon thorough out all France, the Two and twentieth day of July, banished the Kingdom, and their Goods confis∣cated. Was this Zeal or Avarice?

[Year of our Lord 1307] The King had Ministers obdurate, pityless, and resolved to squeeze to the last penny. The chiefest and most in power, was Enguerrand le Portier, Lord of Marigny, who in scraping and levying great sums of Money to bring to his Master, did not for∣get to fill his own Coffers, and to enrich his Family with more Lands, Employments, and Benefices, then a faithful and disinteressed Servant ought to do. So the Peo∣ple had extream troubles and vexations to undergo; one of the greatest was the changing of Moneys, they had made it light and weak, of too base allay, and put too high a value; then they would set them at a lower rate, the loss was great, the people of Paris mutined▪ pillag'd and ruined the House of Stephen Barbet, Treasurer; from thence ran to the Temple where the King lay, and committed a hundred in∣solences there: but the sedition over, a great many were hanged in several places.

The Templers were observed to have contributed to this mutiny; it was believed they had done it, because having a great deal of Money, they lost much by this aba∣ting the value of the Coine. It is likely that the King, who never forgot an injury, kept the remembrance of this in his mind, and it was one motive that induced him to revenge himself upon the whole Order.

In compleating the peace with the Flemmings, several Articles were changed or added; amongst others it was allowed that the King might banish Three thousand of the most factious; that the Cities of Ghent, Bruges, Ipre, l'Isle and Douay, should be dismantled, and that if the Countrey in general, or any particular person of∣fended the King, or his Officers, they should immediately be liable to the thunder∣ings of Ecclesiastical censures.

[Year of our Lord 1307] Lewis Hutin the Kings eldest Son, visits his Kingdom of Navarre, fallen to him by the death of his Mother, and is Crowned at Pampelona, the Fifth of June. Before his return, he took off the two Heads of the Factions that had much troubled Na∣varre, these were Fortunio Almoravid, and Martin Ximenes de Aybar.

The effect of that secret promise the Pope had made to the King, began to ap∣pear in his revenge upon the Templers. The too great riches of those Knights, their unsufferable pride, their covetous and disobliging behaviour towards such Prin∣ces and Noblemen, as went into the Holy-Land, the little esteem they made either of Temporal or Spiritual Power, their dissolute and libertine Humours, and rendred them obnoxious and very odious, and furnished those with a specious pretence, who were resolved to exterminate them.

[Year of our Lord 1307] This year therefore upon the discovery and confession of some villains amongst themselves, the greatness of whose crimes, or the desire of the Kings mercy and re∣ward had prompted to it; the King by consent of the Pope, whom he had newly held conference with at Poitiers, caused them all to be laid hold on in the same day, the Twelfth of October, thoroughout the whole Kingdom, seized their Goods, and took possession of tho Temple at Paris, and of all their Treasures and Writings.

The Great Master, whose name was James de Molay, a Burgundian, being sent for by Letters from the Pope, to come from Cyprus, where he valiantly made War up∣on the Turks, presented himself at Paris with Sixty Knights of his Order, amongst

whom was Guy, Brother to the Dauphin de Viennois, Hugh de Peralde, and another of the principal Officers. They were all arrested at the same time, and their Process was immediately made, excepting the three I have mentioned, whom the Pope would reserve to his own judgment. Fifty of them were burned alive in a slow Fire, but who denied at their deaths what they had confess'd upon the wrack.

Without doubt they were guilty of many enormous crimes, but not perhaps of all the things (I cannot tell whether I should say horrible or ridiculous) that were imposed upon them, and laid to their charge in general. In the mean time upon King Philips importunity, the Templers were likewise seized on in all the other States of Christendom, and severely punished, yet not with death in many places. This prosecution lasted to the year 1314.

[Year of our Lord 1307] As Edward I. was going to make War upon Robert Bruce, who disputed for the Crown of Slotland, he died upon the borders of that Kingdom.

His eldest Son Edward II. succeeded him, but was neither like his own Father, nor his own Son, but only in Name. This Prince suffered himself to be Governed, first by his Favourite Peter Gaveston, then by the two Spencers; caused great troubles and commotions in his Kingdom.

[Year of our Lord 1307]

This year the first lineaments of the Helvetian Alliance were rough-drawn in a generous conspiracy of the Three Cantons of Swits, Ʋren, and Ʋndervald, against the oppressions of the Lieutenants for the House of Austria who possessed the Du∣chy of Scawben. But it was not till the year 1315. that they drew up conditions in writing, and got them confirmed by the Emperour Lewis of Bavaria.

[Year of our Lord 1308] In Anno 1308. the Emperour Albert was slain near Rhinfeldt, under the antient Castle of Habsbourgh, by the conspiracy of John the Son of Rodolph, Duke of Scaw∣ben, whose Countreys he kept from him. King Philip importun'd the Pope extream∣ly, to make the Empire fall into the hands of Charles Earl of Valois: but the Pope dreading the too great power of the House of France, sent to the Electors to make* 1.398 haste, so that they named Henry Earl of Luxemburg, who was the Eighth of that Name.

[Year of our Lord 1308]

The Sixth of May, Charles the Lame, King of Sicilia, on this side the Fare, a Prince unfortunate in War, but very illustrious in Peace, and highly beloved of his Subjects, ended his Life and Reign in his City of Naples. He had nine Sons, the Eldest was named Charles Martel, the Second Lewis, and the Third Robert. The First was King of Hungary, by Mary his Mother, Daughter of King Stephen IV. but he was dead before his Father, having left a Son, whom they named Carobert, Successor in his Kingdom. The Second was Bishop of Toulouze. For the Third which was Robert, a great question was started between him and Carobert, to wit, which is preferable to the Succession, either the eldest Son, or the Uncle; and whether the Son represented the Father to succeed his Grandfather. The Lawyers of those times, and the Pope himself (as well upon motives for the publique good, as Reasons and Grounds of Right and Title) were for the Nephew; the Pope ad∣mitted him to Homage, Invested him, and Crowned him in Avignon, the first Sun∣day of the Month of August.

Observe that Carobert had two Sons, Lewis and Andrew; that Lewis was King of Hungary after his Father, and of Poland, by his Wife Elizabeth, Daughter of La∣dislas, and that Andrew Married to his great misfortune, Jane I. Queen of Sicilia, Daughter of Charles Duke of Calabria, who was Son of King Robert. As likewise that Lewis had two Daughters, Mary Queen of Hungary, who Married Sigismond of Luxemburgh, afterwards elected Emperour; and Heduige Queen of Poland, who was Married to Jageston, Grand Duke of Lithuania, in which Family that Kingdom remained till the year 1572.

[Year of our Lord 1310] The Council of Vienne coming on, the Pope to hinder the obstinate pursute of the Kings people against the memory of Boniface, gave all the Bulls they could desire for the justification both of the King and his Officers. Nay, even for fear lest No∣garet should blow up the flame anew, he granted him Absolution; but upon condition he should go on certain pilgrimages, and also travel into the Holy-Land.

[Year of our Lord 1310] The Knights of St. John of Jerusalem were retired to the Island of Cyprus, after the loss of Ptolemais; but finding themselves ill Treated by the King of that Island, they sought another Habitation, and gained themselves one by the taking of the

Island of Rhodes, and five other neighbouring Islands: they gained it from the Turks after two years Siege; the Turks had taken it from the Saracens, and the Saracens from the Grecian Empire.

[Year of our Lord 1311] A year afterwards the Turks made great attempts to recover it, but the Knights maintained it bravely, by the assistance of the generous Earl of Savoy, named Ame V. who got the Surname of Great by it, and preserved it, as well as he had gained it, by many other generous actions. To this might well be applied the Simbol or Devise FERT, which his Successors retain to this day, and the four Letters might be thus made to say, Fortitudo Ejus Rhodum Tenuit: but it is certain, the Princes of this House bear it a long time before.

[Year of our Lord 1311] The General Council was open'd at Vienne the First day of October, in the year 1311. the Pope declaring it was for the Process of the Templars, for the recovery of the Holy-Land, for the reformation of Manners and Discipline; and for the extir∣pation of Heresie. Philip came thither the year following about Mid-Lent, with a stately Train of Princes and Lords, assisted at the opening of the Second Session, and took his Seat at the right Hand of the Pope, but on a lower Chair. The Order [Year of our Lord 1312] of the Knights-Templars was there condemned and extinguish'd, their Goods left to the disposal of his Holiness, who bestow'd part of it upon the Knights of St. John. That of the* 1.399 Begards and Begardes was likewise abolished; they were a sort of Monks and Religious People, that made profession of Poverty, but not of Abstinence nor Celibacy, and who besides were acccused of many errors.

As for the most important point, which was the Process against the memory of Boniface, the King, though there present, had no satisfaction in it. For it was de∣clared that Pope Boniface had always been a good Catholique, (the other crimes were not mention'd.) Three famous Doctors, one in Theology, another of the Civil-Law, and the Third of the Canon Law, made it out to the King by several reasons and particulars; and there were two Catalonian Gentlemen that offer'd to justfy it by combat, throwing down their Gantlets, which no man there would take up. How∣ever, the Pope and Cardinals made a Decree, importing, that the King should ne∣ver be hereafter reproached for all, or any thing that he had done against Boniface.

[Year of our Lord 1312] The City of Lyons had for a long time held of the Kings of Arles, who had given the Temporal Lordship thereof to the Arch-Bishop: but since the Kings of France taking advantage of the weakness, and the distance of the Emperours, who were Kings of Arles, had by little and little drawn to themselves the Sovereignty of this Kingdom, and the City of Lyons had began to hold of them. Now during the War between Savoy and Dauphiné, the Citizens fearing they might be plundred, had re∣course to Philip, who gave them a Warden; who coming within the City, contrary to what had been agreed upon; the Arch-Bishop stirred up the People against him. Prince Lewis Hutin going thither with an Army, brought the Bishop away prisoner and he could never get cleer, but by yielding up the Temporal Jurisdiction to the King, for which the Pope helped him to some recompence. But afterwards Philip the Long gave it to him again.

[Year of our Lord 1310]

The Emperour Henry who was gone into Italy from the year 1310. thinking to restore the dignity of the Empire there, found so much opposition from the Guelphs, the great Cities, and Robert King of Naples, that he perished there, as well as his Predecessors. He died the Four and twentieth day of August, in the territory of [Year of our Lord 1313] Sienne, having been poysonn'd, as it was reported, with the Sacred Host, by a Do∣minican Monk, a Florentine. * 1.400

Robert Earl of Flanders would needs have again his Cities of l'Isle, Douay, and Orchies, affirming that he had paid down the redemption to Enguerrand de Marigny, who governed absolutely both King and Kingdom. The Flemmings refused also to [Year of our Lord 1313] dismantle their Towns, or to pay either the Principal or Interest of those Sums they owed the King; They were therefore forced to begin another War.▪

To provide for the charges of it, the King summoned the Notables of the People, and from a Theatre raised high, he shewed them his Necessities. The Deputies had suffer'd themselves to be perswaded, and granted him by the mouth of Stephen Bar∣bete, the Impost of Six Deniers in the Livre, and other Subsidies more troublesome yet; but the Cities of Picardy and Normandy opposed it highly, and all the rest cal∣led for the justice of Heaven to fall upon the Head of Marigny, the Author of all these galling and flaying extortions; These moans and curses did not move him: on the contrary, he aggravated their misery by making new Coins of very bad Gold▪ and Silver.

After all, none but himself and the Exchequer-men, or Receivers could get any profit by it. The King having past over the River of Lys, and the Armies in sight of each other, Marigny, who had done his own business, took advantage of the inter∣posing of the Popes Legats, to bring the parties to an agreement, and perswaded the King to an ignominious Truce. Thus that great Army which ought to have con∣quer'd all Flanders, vanished in smoak.

This disgrace of Philips was followed with one much greater. All the Wives of his three Sons were accused of Adultery; Margaret, Jane, and Blanch. The First the wife of Lewis Hutin, and the Third the wife of Charles, being convicted of that crime with Philip, and Gautier de Launoy, Brothers and Gentlemen of Normandy, [✚] were by decree of Parliament, the King being present, confined to the Castle Gail∣lard of Andeley; and their two Gallants slay'd alive, dragg'd into the Field de Man∣buisson, which was newly Mow'd, those parts cut off that had committed the Sin, then beheaded, and their Bodies hung up, being fastned under their Arm-pits upon a Gibbet. Margaret the most guilty of the three, perish'd in prison; Blanch was di∣vorced seven years after, upon pretence of Parentage. As for Jane, who was wife of Philip the Long, after she had been confined almost a year, her Husband was willing to own her for honest, and took her to himself again; Happier, or at least wiser then his two Brothers.

[Year of our Lord 1314] Molay, Grand Master of the Templers, and his three Compagnons, had confessed all whatever they would accuse them of, in hopes of gaining their liberty: but finding they were still kept prisoners, Molay and the Dauphin's Brother retracted; but they were burnt alive upon the eleventh day of the month of March. Molay by his mar∣vellous constancy made every one judge he was innocent. It is related, but without any proof, that he summon'd the Pope to appear before the Tribunal of God Al∣mighty within Forty days, and the King within that year; and indeed neither of them out-lived that time.

As for the Pope, being tormented with troublesome and cruel distempers, and going to his native Countrey to take the Air, he died at Roquemaure upon the Rhosne. He gave order for his Corps to be carried to the Church of Ʋzest, a Burrough in the Diocess of Basas. The Cardinals met at Carpentras to elect another, after four Months debate, not being able to come to an agreement, and growing weary of their confinement, they set fire to the Conclave and retired some to one place some to another. Thus the See remained vacant two years and three months.

And afterwards the Empire was so likewise for a time, then fell into a dange∣rous Schisme, one party of the Electors having given their Votes for Lewis Count Palatine of Bavaria, and the other for Frederic the Fair, Duke of Austria.

* 1.401 About the end of the year, King Philip was seized with a grievous fit of Sickness, which put a period to his days the Four and twentieth of November, whether pro∣ceeding from some occult cause, or a fall from a Horse, while he pursued a wild Bore too eagerly. Fountainblean, which had been the place of his birth, was that of his death, in the Forty eighth year of his age, and the Twenty ninth of his Reign, His Monument is at St. Denis,

[Year of our Lord 1314] Being on his Death-bed, touched with a very late repentance, he took pity of his poor People, put a stop to the Levies of new Imposts, and gave his Son order to moderate them, to Coine good Money, and have a care of the Justice and Polity of his Kingdom.

He had by his Wife Jane Queen of Navarre, three Sons, Lewis Hutin, Philip the Long, and Charles the Fair, who Reigned after each other, and left no issue-male. He had likewise three Daughters, Margaret, who married Ferdinand King of Castille, Son of Sancho the Usurper; Isabel, who was wife to Edward II. King of England, and Blanch, who died young.

He was the handsomest and best shap'd Prince of his time. He had a proud and haughty Heart, a lively and quick Spirit, a firm and resolute Soul, was magnificent and liberal, and yet very greedy of Money, severe even to hard-heartedness, and more inclined to revenge then pardon.

As to the rest, the furious exactions on his People, the frequent change and alte∣rations of Moneys, and the little progress he made in Flanders with the many vast sums he had raised, the absolute power of his insolent and covetous Minister, his proceedings against his Daughters-in-law for Adultery, and his bitter repentance at death for having so greatly oppressed his Subjects, demonstrates what his Reign was, and his Conduct.

* 1.402 The zeal for Croisado's lasted yet all this age, and beyond it. The Popes who were the promoters had found a way to make use of them, not only against the In∣sidels and Heretiques, but even against their particular enemies, which at first ac∣quir'd them some kind of grandeur; but at length a great deal of jealousie and ha∣tred from the most Christian Princes, who besides were concern'd to see them un∣dertake to do acts of Sovereignty in Temporals upon every occasion. For they gave away the Lands of Heretiques to those that should conquer them, as they did those of the Albigensis to Simon de Montfort, and reserved a quit-Rent or Tribute to themselves; they took otheir Lands and their Lords under their protection, and the protection of St. Peter: for in the War or Feuds between particulars, which were then allowed of, and very frequent, there was always safety for the Lands of the Church: they enjoyned Christians to list themselves under the badge of the Cross, gave their Legats the conduct and absolute command of those Armies, im∣posed Tenths and Subsidies on the Clergy for those expeditions, and distributed them to such Soldiers and Officers, or Noblemen as they pleased. They exhorted Sovereigns, and if they found them a little weak, commanded them to take up, or to lay down their Arms, constituting themselves the Arbitrators and Judges be∣tween Kings; and when one party made application to them, they would for∣bid the other to prosecute him. In fine, they made themselves absolute Masters of Priviledges, Dispensations, and of all Discipline; even of most of the Benefices, to which they nominated upon divers pretences.

* 1.403 Councils were held almost every where by their Legats, and none without their consent. As for those of this age, some were called for the extirpation of Heresies, some concerning the quarrels between the Emperour and the Pope, several for the reformation of abuses, others for particular facts.

* 1.404 For the Heresie of the Albigensis, there was a Council de Lavaur in 1213. upon the request of the King of Arragon, who desired an accommodation for the Earls of Toulouze, Foix, Cominges, and Bearn; he obtained of the Pope a Truce between the Toulouzian and Simon de Montfort; but the Holy Father revoked it immediately. That of Montpellier in 1215. gave unto Montfort the Lands he had conquer'd of the Albigensis. This was an act of Sovereignty which Treated the King as a Vassal, and those Countreys as Under-siefs.

That of Toulouze assembled in the year 1228. to compleat the ruine of those He∣retiques, confirmed what had been done the same year at Paris, with Raimond Earl of that Countrey. The Cardinal Romain Legate, had assembled one at Bourges in the year 1226. to judge of the said Earls Lands, to which his Son demanded to be restored. There met seven Arch-Bishops; but he of Lyons pretending the Pri∣macy over him of Sens, and he of Bourges over those of Bourdeaux, Ausch and Nar∣bonne; they took their Seats as it had been in a Counsel* 1.405 rather then in a Council. At their breaking up, the Legat endeavour'd to make valid some Bulls, by which the Holy Father reserved the Revenue of two Prebendaries in each Cathedral Church, and of two Monks places in every Abbey, to increase the Revenue of his Court. The Churches grew hot against this enterprize, and stickled so highly, that the Legat was forced to let it fall, and to own the unjustice of it.

There was one held at Narbonne in Anno 1235. wherein the Legate, Arch-Bi∣shop of the place presided, to give advice and assistance to the Jacobins, in order to their rooting out the Heretiques. They regulated the method of proceedings against them in the year 1245. in that of Beziers which was composed of Prelats of the Narbonnensian Province. And that of Terragona, Anno 1242. did the same thing against the Vaudensis, whose Opinions were creeping into those quarters.

Besides the Albigensis, the Vaudensis, and that swarm of different Sects which had got in, nestled and increased greatly in Languedoc and Gascongny; there was one Amaulry* 1.406 of Chartres, a Doctor of Paris, who went about teaching his fan∣cies for Truths; saying amongst other things, That if Adam had not sinned, Men would have been multiplied without Generation; that there was no other Paradice but the satisfaction of well-doing, nor any other Hell besides the ignorance and obscurity of Sin; That the Law of the Holy Ghost, or Spirit, had put an end to that of Jesus Christ, and to the Sacraments, as these had accomplished that of Moses, and the Ce∣remonies of the Old Testament; and that all such actions as were done in charity, even Adulteries, could not be evil. This Doctrine being a great encouragement to lewd∣ness and Scandal, the Author was obliged to go and give an account to the Pope, who forced him to retract, which having done with his Mouth only, and not

from his Heart, his Disciples persisted in his whimseys, and added many others to them. Peter II. Bishop of Paris, and Frier Guerin, Principal Counsellor to King Philip, having made discovery both of the Persons, and the Secrets of these Se∣ctarics; by an Emissary who crept in amongst them, caused a great number of Men and Women, Clergy and Laity to be laid hold on. These People having been convicted in a Council held at Paris, in the year 1209. were delivered over to the Secular power, who gave the Women their Pardons, and ordered the Men to be burnt.

The Friers Preachers, and the Friers Minors endeavouring to out-vie each other in Scholast que Subtilties, there were some that lost their way in that Utopian, or Imaginary Countrey, of Terra incognita, and who were as soon restrained and cor∣rected by the Sacred Faculty, or by the Bishops. Thus by Bishop Stephen II. at the Council of Paris, which met in Anno 1277. was William the Frier Minor correct∣ed, who had published divers Heterodox propositions touching the Soul, Free Will, the Resurrection, and the worlds Eternity: but as soon as they were condemned, he retracted them with great submission, contrary to the custom of those sin∣gular Spirits, who having once taken their flights, do hardly ever stoop again. We find likewise a certain David of Dinand, who maintained, that God was the Materia Prima; St. Thomas hath Learnedly refuted him. In the Fourth Tome of the Library of the Fathers we read; That Anno 1242. William Bishop of Paris, in an Assembly of the Doctors of Theology, condemned some errors touching the Divine Essence, the Holy Spirit, the Angels, and the place where Souls remain af∣ter death, and several other propositions, either rash or false, which all proceed∣ed* 1.407 from the contentious subtilties of Scholastique Doctors.

It would be too tedious to quote all those Councils that were held about Di∣scipline, and for other matters. The two most famous were those of Ly∣ons, Pope Innocent III. presiding in the First, Anno 1245. pronounced a Sentence of Excommunication against the Emperour Frederic II. In the Second, which was in the year 1 74. the most numerous that ever was, for there were Five hundred Bishops, Seventy Abbots, and a Thousand other Prelats; Pope Gregory X. made divers Constitutions, amongst others, that which directs the Cardinals should be shut up in the Conclave for the Election of a Pope; and he admitted the Em∣perour Michael and the Greek Church to a reconciliation with the Church of Rome. Robert de Corceonne, Cardinal Legate, assembled one at Paris in the year 1212. for the reformation of Abuses, and of Clerks, as well Secular as Regulars. Gerard de Beurdeaux held one of his Province at Cognac, in Anno 1238. for the same purpose, and to maintain the Rights of the Church. Vincent de Pilonis, Arch-Bishop of Tours, likewise one of his Province at Rennes, in the year 1263. for the Second point. In that of Bourges in the year 1276. held by Simon de Brie, Car∣dinal Legat; they Treated of the Liberty of the Church, of Elections, of the power of Judges Delegates, or Ordinaries, of Bishops Courts, of Tithes, of Wills and Testaments, of Priviledges, of Canonical punishments, of the Jews. Simon de Beaulien, Arch-Bishop of Bourges, Assembled one in the year 1287. where he Collected and Reformed all the Constitutions his Predecessors had made in the divers Councils of that Province.

The Bishop of Beauvais pretending that the King (it was Saint Lewis, but as then very young) had usurped on the Rights of his Church; Henry de Brienne, with all his Province of Rheims, undertook this Cause very vigorously, and held three Coun∣cils to have satisfaction, two at St. Quentin in 1230, and 1233. and one at Laon in 1232. when he put the business so home, that in fine, the King gave them satisfaction.

Before Charlemain, the Arch-Bishop of Bourges pretended to no Primacy over the other Metropolitans of Aquitain; but that King having made this City the Capital of the Kingdom of Aquitain, composed of the three Provinces of that name, and the Narbonnensis Prima, which is Languedoc, would needs, to link them together the better, that they should all resort for Spirituals to Bourges; and the Pope au∣thorised this Novelty, the colour for it being, that Bourges was the Metropolis of Aquitania Prima. Thus this Bishop took up the Title of Primate, and that of Patriarch, over the Arch-Bishops of Narbonna, Bourdeaux, and Ausch. He of Nar∣bonna shook off the yoak at the time the Earls of Toulouze became Marquis de Got∣tia; He of Bourdeaux would have done as much when Aquitania Tertia was left to the Kings of England, under the Title of Dutchy of Guyenne. He of Bourges stood

upon the possession for at least three ages, and the Judgment of several Popes: but the other defended himself by his common Right, and the antient usages of the Gallican Church. The quarrel lasted a long while; he of Bourges assembled many Councils for that business, one amongst the rest in that City, in the year 1212. proceeding always against the other as his inferior; even so far as that Giles de Rome about the year 1302. caused Bertrand de Got to be Excommunicated, by* 1.408 Gautier de Bragas of the Order of the Minors, and Bishop of Poitiers, because he, like himself, took up the Title of Primate of Aquitain. Bertrand was so offended, that Gautier who was his Suffragan should joyn with that party, and have the confidence to fulminate against him, that when he was raised to the Papacy, being at Poitiers in 1308. he Deposed him, and sent him hack to his Convent: A terrible punishment for a Monk! and indeed he fell sick upon it; and it was easier for him to go out of the world, then get out of the Town of Poitiers, where he died.

The attempts the Friers Preachers and the Friers Minors made for Confessions and Pennances against the Rights of the Ordinaries, by virtue of some Bull they had gotten from Pope Martin the IV. obliged Peter Barbet, Arch-Bishop of Reims, to assemble a Council in his Metropolis, Anno 1487. where it was ordered they should pursue that business in the Court of Rome; the Bishops not finding in themselves a sufficient power to apply any remedy.

* 1.409 In the beginning of this age, France had four Orders of Religious People, which were called the four Mendicants, that is, the Preachers, Minors, Carmelites, and Augustins, who took deep rooting in her Territories, and increased wonder∣fully; the two latter have no certain Instituters; but were composed of a mixture of several pieces, as we shall observe. That of the Minors* 1.410 was instituted by Saint Francis, a Merchants Son of the Town of Assise; That of the Preachers by Saint Dominique de Guzman, a Spanish Gentleman aud Canon of Osma; each of them have their Nuns living under the same Rules. Sancta Clara, a Native of Assise was the first that listed her self in that of Saint Francis. They both had their be∣ginning at the same time, about the year 1208. and were both confirmed in the Council of Lateran, Anno 1215. by Pope Innocent III.

That of the Friers Minors was the first that renounced to the propriety of all Temporal Possessions, and made profession of an Evangelique poverty, to be con∣formable to JESƲS CHRIST and his Apostles. Afterwards the three others were stirred up to follow their example.

It hath multiplied into above Fifty several Branches, produced by different Re∣forms, Additions, or Retrenchments; notwithstanding the History of them does expresly mention, that the First, who would be particular in the change of his Habit, though he were one of the Eight oldest Compagnons of Saint Francis, was smitten with the Leprosie, and hanged himself in despair.

Now the Patriarch Saint Francis Preaching on Mount Carmerio near Assise, was followed by a vast number of People, both of the one and other Sex, who would never forsake him, till he had received them all for Brothers and Sisters. From whence the Order of the Penitents took its birth, which they named the Third Order, in regard to that of the Minors, and of Sancta Clara. The Friers Preachers would be sure not to want one likewise. Those that enrolled them∣selves were only Seculars, and for the most part Married; The Religious could not admit them under any Vows, nor have any Superiority over them, because they were Subjects to the Hierarchical Jurisdiction. Since then, at least amongst the Minors, there hath some sort of Religious Institution been made, tied to some Vows, and a Capouch as well as the rest.

The Order of the Carmelites began in Syria after this manner. Several Pil∣grims of the Western Regions lived in Hermitages, scatter'd up and down, expo∣sed to the incursions and violence of the Barbarians. A••••nerie the Popes Legat,* 1.411 and Patriarch of Antioch, gathered them together, and placed them all upon Mount Carmel, which having formerly been the retreating place of the Prophet Elias, gave them occasion to call themselves his Disciples and Successors. Al∣bert the Patriarch of Jerusalem, a Native of the Diocess of Amiens, and Nephew, once removed to Peter the Hermit, drew up their Rules, or approved them about the year 1205. Pope Honorius III. confirmed them, Anno 1227. Saint Lewis at his return from the Holy Land, brought some into France with him, and setled them in Paris. There were however already some of this Order in divers places,

especially at Bourdeaux: for we find that Simon Stock, an English Man by Birth, their Prior-General, died there in the year 1250. Their first Habit was White, the Coat or Mantle laced at the bottom with several rows of Yellow. Pope Honorius having commanded them to change it, they left off lacing their Mantles: but not to lose any of their colours; they took a light* 1.412 reddish Yellow for their under Garment, with the White Mantle over it.

As for the Augustins, that Order was composed by the bringing, or assembling together of several Congregations of Hermits in the West, who were of different Habits, and under different Rules. I have taken notice of one amongst the rest, named, Of the Penitence of our Lord JESƲS CHRIST, which had been institu∣ted at Marseilles by the order of Pope Innocent IV. towards the year 1251. and had spread it self in France and Italy. Pope Alexander IV. by his Constitution of the month of May, of the year 1256. assembled them all in one, under the Rule of Saint Augustine, gave them the Black Habit, and for their first General, Lan∣franc Septalana, a Milanese. Then they quitted the Desarts, and willingly came to dwell within the Cities.

The minds of the Religious in this age, was so much taken with the Wallet, (therefore most of them were named Walletiers, or Budget-bearers * 1.413) and in be∣lieving the highest perfection consisted in that humble poverty, which begets peo∣ples admiration; that there swarmed great numbers from all parts of these Sects of Mendicants, or Beggers of both Sexes. The most famous, besides those al∣ready mentioned, were the Begards and the Beguines: but the Church finding they were over-stockt with these new bands of idle drones, who besides, were proud of their vain poverty, and let loose their fancies to sow new Doctrines: she suppressed them all, and reserved only those four that remain to this day.

Under the Rules of Saint Augustin, was also established the Congregation of Saint Catherine du* 1.414 Val des Escoliers, in Anno 1217. in the Diocess of Langres, by one William, who having studied in Paris, and afterwards taught in Burgundy, retired into that solitude with his Scholars, and got his Institution to be appro∣ved by his Diocesan Bishop. Seven or Eight years before, there was another Or∣der began of the Cisteaux, in the place called Le val des Choux.

That of the Holy Trinity, of the Redemption of Captives, was confirmed by the Pope in the year 1209. They vaunt their not being of the invention* 1.415 of Men, but the appointment of God, who gave the Form and Design of it to the bles∣sed John de Mata, a Gentleman of Provence, and Doctor in Divinity at Paris, and to the Hermit Felix who were both retired into the solitude de Cerfroy, near Meanx. I find that the Religious of this Order, called themselves otherwhile the Friers of the Asses, because they used to ride on them.

That of* 1.416 Nostre Dame de la Mercy, instituted to the same end, owes its being to James King of Arragon, in the year 1223. to Raimond de Pegnafort, a Domi∣nican his Confessor, and to Peter de Nolasque a Gentleman, Native of the Diocess of Saint Papoul in Languedoc.

The Congregation of Des Serfs* 1.417 de Saint Marie Mere de Christ, was instituted at Marseilles, in the Monasterie of Saincte Marie des Arenes, by the Prior, and the Religi∣ous of that House, and confirmed by Pope Alexander IV. Anno 1257. The people because of their Habit, called them White Mantles; and the Convent given to them at Paris, retains that name still; it was bestowed on them in 1268. the Benedictins have the House at present.

* 1.418 All these Orders, particularly the Mendicants, applied themselves much for the stirring up peoples Devotion towards the Sacrament, and the Virgin Mary. Saint Dominique instituted the Rosary, which is composed of a certain number of Ave Ma∣ria's, and Pater-nosters, which are repeated, and whereof as one may say, they make* 1.419 a Hatband or Coronet of Flowers to put upon the Head of that Queen of Angels. The Carmelites, not to come behind them in their Zeal to the Holy Mother of God, established the Devotion of the Scapular, to which they attribute great Virtue, par∣ticularly to redeem them from the pains of Purgatory, and not to die without Con∣fession. They affirm that Saint Simon Stoe, their General, instituted it upon a Vision he had of the Holy Virgin.

The peoples Devotion towards the Reliques of Saints was still very warm and zealous. Charles the Lame, King of Sicilia, and Earl of Provence, at his coming out of his imprisonment, being perswaded by the Revelation of two Friers, where∣of one was his Confessor, caused a certain place, named Ville-late, in the Diocess of Aix, to be digged, where they found a Corps, believed to be St. Mary Magdelins, said to be buried by Saint Maximin, and afterwards removed and hid in another place, not far from the first in the time of the Saracens incursions. Charles caused it to be taken out with great ceremony, and built a fair Convent in the same place for the Preaching Friers; the resort of people by succession of time, hath added a Town to it, which bears the name of St. Maximin.

The Benedictine Monks of Vezelay in Burgundy, were notwithstanding able to aver, they had the full possession of this Holy Corps, which had been brought to them from Aix; or as others say, from Jerusalem, by the care of Gerard de Rousillon, Foun∣der of that Abbey about the year 882. The universal concourse of the whole Na∣tion, the Bulls of divers Popes, even after this invention of Ville-late, the Authority of two Kings Lewis VII. and Lewis IX. who had paid their Devotions in this place, made this believed to be a Truth, above contradiction amongst the French. But that of the Greeks destroy'd equally both the pretences of the Monks of Vezelay, and of the Jacobins. For we find in some of their Writers of the Seventh age, that the Body of Magdeline was at Ephesus; and their Historians relate, how the Empe∣rour Leo the Philosopher, who began not to Reign till the year 886. transferr'd it from that City to Constantinople, as also the Corps of Lazarus from the Island of Cyprus.

However it were, after this new discovery at Ville-late, they told how this Holy Woman flying from the persecution of the Jews, had made her escape by Sea into Provence with Lazarus her Brother, her Sister Martha, Marcella servant to Martha, and Saint Maximin, one of Seventy two Disciples of our Lord. That Maximin was the first Bishop of Aix, and Lazarus of Marseilles. That Martha preached the Faith in the Diocess of Aix, and that she vanquished the Dragon whom they called the Ta∣rasque, which hath given name to the City of Tarascon, where the Den of that Mon∣ster was. That Magdeline retired into a* 1.420 Baulme or Grotto, where after Twenty years solitude and mortification, the Angels carried her Soul up to the Region of the Blessed; and many other things unknown in the former ages.

The Sciences flourish'd with great luster in the University of Paris, Theology, the study of the Civil and Canon Law, Physick, and Philosophy with the Arts: but not being accompanied, or joyned with humane and polite Learning and Eloquence, which came not into play or use till a long while after, they expressed themselves but in barbarous terms, and learned more Sophistry and shuffling then solid Truths.

All the substitutes of the University being Ecclesiastiques, the skill and knowledge of the Law and Physick was in their hands, and the Pope was owned for Head of that Body, and of all the Men of Learning. As for Physick, they taught little more then the Theory, under the name of Physick, leaving the practical part of Medi∣cines to the Laity. For the Law, the Popes would willingly have reduced it all to the Canons and their own Decretals: (from which we must ackowledge, that France hath taken most of her Forms and judicial Orders, that so all Christendom making use of the same Laws, both in Temporals and Spirituals, might accustom themselves to own but one Head, to wit, him who hath all the Laws both Divine and Humane in his own Breast.

It was for this in my opinion, that Honorius III. by his Bull of the year 1219. did forbid, upon pain of Excommunication, to Teach the Civil Law at Paris▪ and all other Citis in France: and Gregory IX. renewed it as to Paris. Some are apt to believe those two Popes did it upon the request of the two Kings, Philip Augustus and St. Lewis. In effect, the Letters of King Philip the Fair, for the Institution of the University of Orleans speak the same: but some doubt of the truth of their ex∣position, and believe the prohibitions of Honorius, and of Gregory, was only intend∣ed to have respect to the Ecclesiastiques, whom they would fain have weaned from that too great affection they had to the study of a thing which being very gainful made them lay aside, and desert their Divinity.

Now whether one or other of these Opinions be the Truth, it is certain, that since they forbore not to Teach the Civil Law in the University of Paris, till in the year 1579. that advantage was taken away from them, by virtue of an Arti∣cle found in the Ordonnance of Blois: but truly it did not slourish there so much as in those of Toulouze and of Orleance.

The University of Toulouze was instituted in Anno 1230. by Saint Lewis: that of Orleance was not till the year 1312. by King Philip the Fair. It is true, that above One hundred years before, there was in this last City, as also in Toulouze, Angers, and divers others, a famous School: but which had no Seal, nor the pow∣er of making Graduats, and other marks of a Company formed and approved by the Prince. Clement V. in acknowledgment of his having studied there, gave seve∣ral Bulls, all in the year 1303. to make it an University; The Scholars thinking to have the benefit in the year 1309. before they were approved of by the King, the Burghers opposed them with Sword in hand; and those troubles were not quieted, till the King in 1312. had given a Being to that Body by his lawful Authority.

That of Montpellier, otherwhile very famous for the Art of Physick, because of the commerce and correspondence they had with the Arabian Physitians that were in Africa, had been erected by Pope Nicholas IV. and by the Kings Letters Patents in the year 1289. The others of this Kingdom which are now Ten in number, Angers, Poitiers, Bourges, Bourdeaux, Cahors, Valence, Caen, Reims, Nantes, and Aix, were instituted in the following ages, and at several times.

* 1.421 Now the University of Paris, which excepting that of Toulouze, was as yet the only singular one in France, drew thither, or bred there all that were then Men of Parts and Learning. Albert the Great, Thomas Aquinas, Vincent de Beauvais, all three of the Order of the Preaching Friers; John Gilles, or Joannes Aegidius, who was also of the same Order, Rigord of the Order of St. Bennet, and Chaplain to Philp Augustus, and Richard of Oxford, all three Philosophers and Physitians; James de Vitry Cardinal, John de Sacrobosco, who excelled in the Mathematiques, Roger Bacon an English man by birth, and of the Order of St. Francis, a very sub∣til Genius, and thoroughly versed and accomplished in all manner of Learning, par∣ticularly in Chymistry, in whose Works is to be found the secret for making Gun-powder. Michael Scot, who to acquire the knowledge of these Arts more perfectly, and that of Astronomy and the Mathematicks, Learned the Oriental Languages. Alexander de Halez, Bonaventure his Disciple, and a long time after him, John Duns Scotus, all three of the Order of the Friers Minors, and great Scholastiques. Scotus lived Ten years in the following age, they called him the Subtil Doctor, and he was so indeed. He was excited to some Opinons, opposite to those of St. Thomas, as their two Orders were, which produced in the Schools those two Sects, the Thomists and the Scotists. They also reckon amongst the Learned, Guy le Gross, and Gilles de Rome, famous Lawyers; the first had been Married, and yet became Pope, the other was an Augustine Monk, then Arch-Bishop of Bourges; he lived many years in the age following, and wrote Anno 1302. in favour of Philip the Fair against Boniface, demonstrating, that the Popes Au∣thority does not extend to Temporals. Robert de Sorbonne, a native of the Vil∣lage of that Name near Sens; William de St. Amour, and Christian de Beauvais, born in those places, and rough adversaries of the Friers Preachers and Minors; William III. and Stephen II. Bishops of Paris; Henry de Grand, a famous Doctor in Divini∣ty, Hugh the Cardinal, William Arch-Bishop of Tyre, and Chancellour to St. Lewis.

Many of these Learned persons joyned a Holiness of Life to their exquisite knowledge. The Church implores the Suffrages of Albert the Great, of Thomas Aquinas, and of Bonaventure; as likewise of Peter de Chasteau▪neuf, of the Order de Cisteaux, and Legate from the Pope, Martyr'd by the Albigensis in the year 1208. Of Bertrand, Bishop of Cominges who rebuilt that City, to which the name of its Restorer hath been given. Of William de Nevers, who daily fed Two thousand Poor. Of Stephen de Die in Dauphiné, taken out of the Order of the Char∣treux. Of Gefroy de Meaux, who renounced his Bishoprick, and retired himself in∣to the Monastery of St. Victor in Paris, which then was, as it is now at this day, most flourishing in Doctrine and Piety. Of William de Valence, under whom the Bishopricks of Valence and Die were united in the year 1275. and of Robert de Puy. This Man very Noble for his Birth, and much more so for his Virtue, be∣ing slain by a Gentleman whom he had Excommunicated for his Crimes, the Peo∣ple in revenge razed all the Houses belonging to the Murtherer; and the King banished both him and all his Race out of the Kingdom.

We ought to add to this immortal company, Eleazar de Sabran, a Gentleman of Provence, Earl of Ari••n, whose perpetual celibacy in Marriage, made him the compagnon of Angels; and his charitable liberalities the Father to the Poor;

Yves Priest, Curate and Official of the Diocess of Treguier in Bretagnc, a good Lawyer, and who by a more noble interest then that of Money, was ever the Advocate of the Indigent and the Orphan. The Men of that Calling own him for their Pa∣tron, but imitate him seldom. He died in the year 1303.

Amongst those that wear the Crown of Glory in Heaven, the great King Saint Lewis, who wore the Royal Crown here below, and his Nephew of the same name, the Son of Charles II. King of Sicilia, are of the highest rank. This last buried the Grandeurs of this World in the Sack-cloath of his pennance, turning Monk of the Order of St. Francis, from whence he was drawn out againsth is Will, to be made Bishop of Toulouze. He died in the year 1298.

Lewis X. called Hutin, King XLVI.

Aged XXV, or XXVI years.

Vacancy, which began at the end of the Reign of Philip the Fair, and lasted in all Two years, Three Months and a halfe.

AS soon as Philip was dead, his eldest Son Lewis succeeded him, but he could not get to be Crowned at Reims, till the Third day of August in the following year, as well because he waited for his new Spouse Cle∣mence, Daughter of Charles Martel King of Hungary, as because all the Kingdom was in combustion for the vexation of Imposts, and the alteration of Moneys.

[Year of our Lord 1314. and 15.] Though he were in his majority, and had been employ'd in Affairs for divers years: nevertheless Charles de Valois his Uncle, put himself in possession of the Au∣thority, displaced many Officers to advance his own Creatures; and there being no Money to be found for the expences of the Coronation, he upon that score took occasion to inquire into, and examine the Officers of the Treasury, especially En∣guerrand de Marigny, with whom he before had some rude bustlings.

Enguerrand sent for before the King to give an account of the Treasury, had the impudence to tell him who was his Masters Uncle, that he had had the great∣est part, and even to return him the Lie: That Princes Sword had punished him at the same time, if Heaven had not reserved him for a more infamous chastise∣ment. He was therefore seized upon some weeks after as he was coming to the Council: this was on the Tenth of March, put in prison in the Tower of the Louvre, and from thence transferr'd into that of the Temple.

The prosecution being slow, it was discover'd that his Wife abused by some En∣chanters, sought to bewitch or charm the King, and make him languish to death by means of some waxen* 1.422 Images; Those rascals being taken, the King gives him up to the Law. There were four chief Heads of accusation against him, his ha∣ving alter'd the Coins, loaden the people with Taxes, stollen several great sums, and degraded the Kings Forrests.

His Process was made in the Bois de Vincennes, by the Lords Pairs, and Barons of the Kingdom, who condemned him to the Gallows the Saturday before the Fe∣stival of the Ascension. The Saturday following he was transferr'd from the Tem∣ple to the Chastelet, and from thence they carried him to Montfaucon* 1.423 Where on the highest part of the Gibbet, with the other Thieves he was hanged. His immense Riches sufficiently proved the Justice of this Sentence.

Afterwards those Receivers or Officers of the Treasury who were of his gang, were laid hold on, and several put to the Wrack: they would confess nothing however; so well those Caterpillars know how to wind up their bottoms, desiring rather in the greatest extremity to lose their Lives, then part with their Money.

They carried on this search even to his very friends, and particularly, Peter de Latilly, Bishop of Chaalons, and Chancellor of France. He was accused of gi∣ving the Morsel, that is to say, of having poysonn'd the Bishop his Predecessor; and also the late King. He was put out of his Office, and left a prisoner in tbe hands of the Arch-Bishop of Reims his Metropolitan.

The execrable Custom of Poysonning was grown very common in France, and it grew so in my opinion, because the Ministers of the deceased King had been so extream Violent and vindicative. This Prelat accused of so Villanous a Crime, was referr'd to the Judgment of the Bishops of his Province. To that end there was a Council Assembled at Senlis in the Month of October of this year 1315. where the Archbishop of Reims was present with his Suffragans. The Party accused, upon his request, and according to Law, was first redintegrated to his Liberty, and his Bishoprick; and afterwards it having been proved, that four Women had been Convicted and Punished for Poysonning his Predecessor, he was absolved fully and wholly.

[Year of our Lord 1315] The Gentry and Commonalty of the Country of Artois, having divers causes of Complaint against their Countess Mahaut, the King sent for her, in presence of Ame the Great, Earl of Savoy, and obliged her to give him her Hand, that he might take notice of it.

[Year of our Lord 1315]

This Ame the Great was one of the most considerable Princes of his time. He acquir'd the Title of a Prince of the Empire, which was granted him by the Em∣peror Henry VII. in Anno 1310. He increased his Territory with the Lordships of Bresse and Baugey, by his Marriage with Sibilla the only Daughter of Guy Lord de Baugey; as likewise with a part of the little Country of Revermont by Purchase of the Duke of Burgundy, who had it of Humbert Dauphin of Viennois, and the Earl∣doms of Ast and Yvree, the first whereof came to him by the Concession of the Emperor Henry VII. the second by the voluntary subjection of the People. His Wisdom made him reign in all the greatest Courts in Europe, the Emperors, King Philip's of France, Edward King of England's, and made him find the Art to be so much a Friend to all these Princes, who were at great variance, that he be∣came the perpetual Mediator, concerning those Differences which Interest and their Jealousie bred amongst them.

[Year of our Lord 1316] The Truce with the Flemming being at an end about the very time of the Corona∣tion, the King assembled his Forces, and whilst on the other side William Earl of Hay∣••ault ravaged the Country along the Scheld, he besieged Courtray. The unseaso∣nable Weather did what the Flemming durst not undertake, and forced him to raise the Siege: but the infinite havock and spoil the Soldiers made, caused a horrible Fa∣mine in Flanders.

About the end of the Month of May, in the year 1316. King Lewis began to feel the effects of those Poysonnings grown so rife in France; They had given him a Dose so violent (by what hand was not known) that it carried him off the Fifth day June. An Accident which the Vulgar thought to be presag'd by a Comet, which had [Year of our Lord 1316] display'd its terrible Train in the Heavens the One and twentieth of the Month of December before. He died at the Bois de Vincennes, the Nineteenth Month of his Reign, and the Eight and twentieth of his Age.

He left Clemence his second Wife with Child, being four Months gone. By his first, which was Margaret Daughter of Robert II. Duke of Burgundy, he had had a Daughter named Jane, to whom belonged the Kingdom of Navarre, and the Counties of Brie and Champagne: but the Kings, Philip the Long, and Charles the Fair, found out pretences to detain them.

REGENCY without a KING for Five Months.

[Year of our Lord 1316] WHen Lewis Hutin left this World, Philip the Long Earl of Poitiers his Brother was at Lyons, where in pursuance of his Orders he laboured to make them elect a Pope, to supply the See that had been vacant for above three years. He had employ'd himself with so much zeal, that at length he got all the Cardinals to Lyons, and had shut them up in Conclave, in the Jacobins Convent. They had been there together some days, when the news was brought him of the death of Hutin, this made him return to Paris with diligence, after he had left the guard of the Conclave with the Earl de Fores.

After the end of fourty days, the Cardinals could come to no other agreement about the election of a Pope, then to refer it to the single Vote of James Dossa a Cardinal, Bishop of O Porto, who without hesitation named himself, to the great astonishment of the whole Conclave, who notwithstanding let it pass so. He took

the name of John, the Twenty second of that name. He was of the Country of Quercy, the Son of a poor Cobler, but very Learned for those times.

The Succession of the Males to the Crown was established, not by any Written Law, but by the inviolable Custom of the French: nevertheless, because in all other Kingdoms, and in great Fiefs the Daughters succeeded, and that in France of a long time no occasion had been offer'd to exclude them: The Friends and Parents of little Jane, particularly Eudes Duke of Burgundy, Brother of her deceased Mother, were on the Watch, pretending the Crown belonged to her, in case the Fruit of Queen Clemences Womb should come to no Perfection.

In the mean time they named Philip the Kings Brother for Regent till the time of her delivery.

Philip V. King XLVII.

POPE, JOHN XXII. Elected the 7th day of August 1317. S. Eighteen years and Three Months, whereof Five years under this Reign.

PHILIP V. Called the Long, because he was Tall, King of France XLVII. and enjoying the Kingdom of Navarre, Aged Twenty six years.

[Year of our Lord 1316] THe Fifteenth of November the Queen brought a Son into the World, whom they named John, but he went out of it again eight days after. He was buried in St. Denis; and in the Funeral Pomp was declared King of France and Navarre. Which hath given some occasion to some Modern Authors, to increase the number of the Kings of France, and to call him John I.

[Year of our Lord 1317] Then the Dispute touching the Crown was renewed with more heat then before. Charles Earl of Valois seemed to favour little Jane, and the Duke of Burgundy her Uncle claimed and stickled for her: but the Grandees of the Kingdom, and the Pairs assembled in Parliament towards the Feast of the Purification, confirmed the Right of the Males, and gave Judgment in favour of Philip. Who, well attended, went to be Crowned at Reims the Ninth day of January, the Gates of the City being shut, fearing some might have come to make opposition. The Bishop of Beauvais, though only a Count-Pair, carried the Precedency from him of Langres, who hath the Title of Duke.

The Estates being Assembled at Paris, where were present most part of the Lords, the Deputies of Corporations and Cities, and above all the Burghers and the Uni∣versity of Paris, gave their Oaths to the Chancellor, (Peter d'Arablay, afterwards Cardinal) not to acknowledge any other King but Philip and his Heirs Male, to the Exclusion of Females.

Robert II. Earl of Artois had had a Sister named Mahaut, and a Son named Philip. Mahaut was Married with Othelin Earl of Burgundy, and from that Marriage were issued two Daughters, whom the Fair gave unto two of his Sons. Now Philip died in the War of Flanders before his Father: but he left a Son who was named Robert as his Grandfathers name. The Earldom of Artois ought to have belonged to this same, however the Fair had adjudged it to Mahaut, upon this pretence, that it was not a Fief Masculine, and that according to the Custom of those Countries, Repre∣sentation did not take place. Robert Armed himself during the Regency of the Long, and got himself into the possession by force: but the business being examined, the Lands were sequestred into the hands of the King, and at last adjudged to Mahaut, whose Daughter Philip the Long had Married. This partial or interested Judgment caused a world of mischief.

[Year of our Lord 1318, &c.] For three several times in less then Eighteen Months they began a War against the Flemmings, and three several times it ended in a Truce.

Eudes Duke of Burgundy, could not forbear mentioning the wrong they did to young Jane by detaining the Kingdom of Navarre, and the Earldoms of Brie and Champagne from her. The Long desiring to appease him, gave him his Daughter also named Jane, in Marriage, with the Earldom of Burgundy.

[Year of our Lord 1318] Notwithstanding this tie, Eudes insisted so highly for his Neece, that the King was obliged to Marry her to Philip the Son of Lewis Earl d'Euvreux, (this Lewis was

Paternal Uncle to the King) with the Rights she could have to the Kingdom of Na∣varre, and the Earldoms of Brie and Champagne.

The great Peril France was in after the death of Hutin, about the doubt of Suc∣cession, and the cruel War that had afflicted Scotland for a business almost of the same na∣ture after the decease of Alexander IV. was cause, that upon the renewing the Alliance which was made between the two Crowns, they added this Condition, That if ever there hapned any difference for the Succession of one of those two Kingdoms, he of those two Kings that should survive, should not suffer any other to step into the Throne, but him that should have the Judgment of the Estates for him; that he should come in Person to defent it, and should oppose whomsoever would contend for the Crown against him.

[Year of our Lord 1319] The Countess Mahaut was so obstinately bent to change the Customs of the Country of Artois, that the Lords and Commonalties revolted against her; and nevertheless they got nothing by it, being subdued by the Assistance the King and the French Princes lent her.

[Year of our Lord 1319] The Citizens of Verdun molested by Thomas de Blamont their Bishop, put themselves under protection of the King.

A fourth time Robert de Bethune Earl of Flanders broke the Truce; but Ghent and the other Cities in his Country, who in all these Wars had gotten a Power that counterbalanced his, being risen up in Arms against him, he was fain to consent that the Popes Legat, who was a Cardinal, and had been chosen Arbitrator, should come to Paris the following Spring.

[Year of our Lord 1320] The Peace was then concluded the Twentieth of May. The Cities of Douay, L'Isle, and Orchies remained to the King. The Flemmings obliged themselves to pay Thirty thousand Florins of Gold, and gave Oath not to assist their Earl in case he contraven'd to this Agreement. The King promised his Daughter Margares to Lewis Earl of Nevers, and Retel Son of another Lewis eldest Son of Earl Robert, upon condition he should succeed his Grandfather in the Earldom of Flanders, though his Father should die before his Grandfather.

[Year of our Lord 1319, & 20.] The Gibbelins growing powerful in Italy, Pope John XXII. solicited the King so earnestly, that he sent thither his Son Philip Earl of Valois, who was afterwards King, to relieve Vercel, whom the Sons of Matthew, Viscount, Lord of Milan, held be∣sieged. He had but Fifteen hundred Horse, but the Pope, Robert King of Sicilia, the Florentines, and other Guelphs were to send him Forces to make up a great Army while he was at Mortara; Matthews eldest Son had so wrought upon his Lieutenant by Money, and upon himself by submission and fair words, that he persuaded him to return into France without once drawing his Sword, after he had made I know not what kind of Treaty, which plaistered up a reconciliation between the two Factions in Lombardy.

[Year of our Lord 1320] A like Frenzy, to that we have already seen in the time of St. Lewis, seized the Peasants and Pastorels for the recovery of the Holy Land, upon the instigation of a renounced Monk and a Priest put out from his Cure. They made their Muster in the Pre an Clerks at Paris, marched into Aquitain, from thence to Languedoc, Mas∣sacring the Jews every where, and Plundering their Magazines. The Earl de Foix gave them Chase so smartly that he dispersed them all.

Robert de Cassel second Son of the Earl of Flanders, having accused Lewis his elder Brother, that he would have poysoned his Father, Lewis was made Prisoner, his Servants and Confesser put to Torture; but not being able to make out any proof, he was set at liberty, but upon condition, however, that he should never enter into the Country of Flanders. By this means Robert would chalk out his way to the Succession, to the prejudice of his elder Brother.

History has not thought it unworthy its Remarks, that in this year 1320. the Prevost* 1.424 of Paris, named Henry Capperel, for having caused an innocent, but poor Fellow, to be Hanged in the stead of a Rich Man condemned for great Crimes, was by a Sentence of Parliament tied up to the same Gibbet. We every day see his parallels, save the rich Man that is guilty, and punish his innocent Purse.

The Lepers did not give only a horror to all the World, but envy likewise, be∣cause they enjoy'd great Wealth, and that loathsom Distemper did not render them uncapable of enjoying their pleasures, add, that they paid no Subsidies, wherewith the rest were so overloaden. It was perhaps for these reasons they were accused for having by a Compact made with the Jews, these had been restored in the Reign of Lewis Hutin and Intelligence with the Turks, cast some of their Ordures, or some Bags of Poyson into the Wells and Fountains, thereby to infect all those that

were in Health with their fowl Leprosie, or else to poyson them. They were besides guilty of several Crimes against nature: so that great numbers were condemned to the Fire, the rest shut up very close within their Lazar-Hospitals. As for the Jews, the Populace did justice upon those themselves, and burned a great many. The King drove the whole Nation of them out of the Realm.

[Year of our Lord 1321] His Council had resolved to settle over all France, the same Weights, the same Measures, and the same Coyns: but as under the pretence of some Expence and Charges they would be at, they would likewise take the Fifth part of the Subjects Goods▪ The Princes and Prelates who had a right of Coyning Money, would not suffer the Kings Commissaries to go on in this Reformation, they appealed to the Estates, and Leagued themselves with the Cities; so that the Impost being not raised, the Reglement was let alone.

[Year of our Lord 1322] During these Disturbances, Philip loaden with the Curses of his People, and hated of the Clergy, because of his too frequent exaction of the Tenths, fell sick of a Quartan Ague, wherewith he langushed five whole Months, and in the end died at Bois de Vincennes the Third day of January. He lived One and thirty years, and Reigned Five years and six weeks. His Corps was conveyed with Ceremony to St. Denis, his Heart to the Cordeliers at Paris, his Bowels to the Jacobins. Ever [Year of our Lord 1322] since St. Lewis, these good Fathers claim it as a special Right, to have some part of the Entrails of our Kings, which were not given them without Foundations.

He Married but one Wife, to wit, Jane, who was Daughter of Othenine Earl of Burgundy, and was also his only Heirese, her Sister Blanch having been forced to En∣cloister her self to expiate her Crime. By this Jane he had Three Daughters, Jane Countess of Burgundy and Artois, who Married Eudes IV. Duke of Burgundy, and brought him these two Earldoms; Margaret, who had for Husband Lewis Earl of Flanders, Nevers, and Rhetel; and Isabella, who first Married Guignes Dauphin of Viennois, and afterwards John Baron de Fanlcongmey in Franche-Comte.

Charles IV. King XLVIII.

POPE, JOHN XXII. During all this Reign.

CHARLES IV. Called the Fair, King of France XLVIII. and enjoying the Kingdom of Navarre, Aged Twenty eight years.

[Year of our Lord 1322] THe Succession of the Males being well setled, Charles came to the Throne, and was Crowned at Reims the Eleventh of February without any oppo∣sition, all the Pairs assisting thereat, excepting the King of England and the Earl of Flanders.

The named Gerard de la Guerre Native of Clermont in Auvergne, and of mean Pa∣rentage, had held the Soveraign management of the Treasury under Philip the Long, and had been the grand Projector of the Imposts. In the beginning of this Reign being sought for and taken for his Depredations, he was put to the Wrack and Exa∣mined, which they did so rudely, that he died in the midst of those Torments. This prevented not the dragging his Body thorough the Streets, and hanging him on the Gallows at Paris.

There was afterwards a general search made for all the Farmers, and such as were any ways concerned in the Revenues, who were for the most part Lombards and Ita∣lians, horrible Usurers and Exacters. Their Goods were all Consiscate, and they sent back into their own Country,* 1.425 as beggerly as they came thence.

The King had been indulgent enough in not putting his Wife Blanch to Death, who had been condemned for Adultery: When he came to the Crown, the desire of having Children prompted him to repudiate her under pretence of Parentage; and after she had taken on the Vail at Maubuisson, he Espoused Mary Daughter of the Emperor Henry of Luxembourg. Who dying in the year 1324. in her first Child-bed, and the Infant some few days after, he Married for the thrid time Jane Daughter of Lewis Earl of Evreux his Uncle, having to that end obtained a Dispensation from the Pope.

After the death of Lewis de Nevers, Earl of Rhetel, which hapned at Paris (for he had retir'd himself into the Court of France) and also the death of Robert de Be∣thune, his Father, Earl of Flanders, which followed soon after, the eldest Son of Lewis bearing his Fathers name, enjoy'd all those three Earldoms.

But Robert de Cassel his Uncle, pretending to be the nearest by one degree, because he was the Son of Robert, whereas Lewis was but Grandson, presented himself to the King, demanding the Investiture of that of Flanders. In the mean while, Lewis went immediately to take possession, without rendring him that Devoir. Which so irritated the King, that although this young Prince were his Nephew, he caused him to be summoned before the Parliament, and kept him Prisoner.

The Parliament taking this weighty Affair into their Cognisance, pronounced in favour of Lewis; who being set at liberty, did Homage to the King, and gave Oath never to re-demand the Cities of Lisle, Douay, and Orchies. The King con∣firmed the Appennage given by the Father to Robert de Cassel. He likewise made an Agreement between William Earl of Haynault and Holland with Lewis, who desisted from disputing with him for the Islands of Walcheren.

One Jordain Lord of the Island in Aquitain, had committed many enormous Crimes, and Murthered an Usher of the Kings with his own Mace, as he was sum∣moning him to appear in Parliament. He was notwithstanding so much a fool as to come to Paris, trusting to his great Alliances, and upon his having Married the Neece of Pope John XXII. But for all those Considerations, he was committed Pri∣soner to the Cha••tellet, and by Sentence dragg'd at a Horses Tail, and hung up on the Gallows at Paris.

[Year of our Lord 1323, and 24.] The King had cause to compalin of Edward because he had not assisted at his Coro∣nation, and that his Seneschal of Bourdelois had placed a Garison in a Castle which the Lord de Montpesat had built in a place which was Land belonging to France. Wherefore after some Negotiations, in which the English seemed not to proceed fairly; he sent Charles de Valois, his Uncle, into Guyenne; who set so close upon the Skirts of Edmond Earl of Kent, Brother to King Edward, in the City de la Reoule, that he obliged him to Capitulate, and then pass immediately over into England, to persuade his Brother to give the King satisfaction, promising, that if he could not obtain it, to return as his Prisoner. In the mean time the Earl of Valois made an end of the Conquest of Guyenne, excepting only Bourdeaux, St. Sever, and Bayonne.

[Year of our Lord 1324, and 1325.] The Council of England found it necessary that Queen Isabella, who was Sister to Charles the Fair, should pass over into France with Edward his eldest Son to Ne∣gociate the Peace.

She managed the business with a great deal of Skill, and finished the Treaty, con∣triving it so, that her Son Edward was invested in the Dutchy of Guyenne and the Earldom of Pontieu, for which he did Homage to the King.

The King of England had too near him the two Hugh Spensers, Father and Son: the last having been bred with him in an unbecoming familiarity, had an absolute empire over him, and made him do what ever he desired. The English Lords ha∣ving made some Conspiracy, and taken up Arms against this Favourite, he drew them to a Parly, where he caused them also to be seized against the Publick Faith, and afterwards chopt off the Heads of Two and Twenty Barons, amongst whom was Thomas Earl of Lancaster, Son of Prince Edmond, who, when living, was Brother to King Edward. Pursuring his design, he kept Queen Isabella and the Earl of Kent, the Kings Brother, at distance from the Court; and likewise did privately seek to de∣stroy them, whether for that they had been in the Conspiracy with the Lords, or that he apprehended their Credid or Interest; and this was the chief ground for their coming into France.

[Year of our Lord 1325] King Charles received his Sister with all the tenderness of a good Brother, kept her a great while in his Court, Treating and Honouring her according to her Quality, and promised her assistance both of Money and Men, as much as he well could, with∣out breaking with the English, to Chastise that insolent favourite, who continued to take off all those Heads that stood in the way which his Ambition led him to.

Unhappy Flanders was hardly ever without Troubles. The Flemmings had but little affection to their Earl, because he was too much French by inclination, and re∣sided but little in that Country. He had a long and bloody Contest with the Citi∣zens of Bruges, Robert de Cassel supported them because he would have had him been kill'd. They made John Earl of Namur, his Uncle, Prisoner, and a while after they also did detain himself. But when the Pope had laid an Interdict upon the Country, when those Mutineers had been beaten by the Ghentois * 1.426, and they found the King was sending Forces to his relief, they were forced to bend the Knee and humble themselves before him. He Chastised them by great Fines, the loss of their fairest Priviledges, and by the banishment of a great number of the hottest Spirits.

[Year of our Lord 1325] It was above a year that Charles Earl of Valois languished with a Distemper which was very odd, and yet more painful. Who knows whether it were not the effect of some cruel Poyson. The Physicians not knowing either how to find out the true cause of the Malady, nor any Remedies, the poor Prince falls into an ima∣gination that it was a Divine Punishment, for the too eager and severe pusute he had made against Enguerrand de Marigny. They have not forgot to mention his Penitence, and to enumerate the satisfactions he offer'd to his Memory: but perhaps these pro∣ceeded from a Mind as sick and as much out of tune as his Body. After all, if God so severely Chastised a Prince for persecuting a publick Robber, and bringing him to Justice by unjust Methods and with an ill intent; what did not that Robber de∣serve, who for so long a time had tormented Millions of innocent Souls?

[Year of our Lord 1325, and 26.] The Spensers dreading the Storm which threatned them from the Coast of France, obliged Edward earnestly to re-demand his Wife: and they made use of so many

Arts, and scattered so much Money in King Charles his Court, and even in the Popes, to make him bestir himself for them, that at length Charles, won by their Presents, or frighted with the fears of a Rupture, not only retracted those Promises he had made his Sister, but likewise, upon pain of Banishment, forbid all Knights to assist her, and Commanded her to go out of his Countries.

[Year of our Lord 1326] One Roger de Mortimer, a Gentleman of Normandy, was very much in the favour and good opinion of this fair Princess▪ the Spensers had taken occasion to raise some Jealousie in the King her Husband, and detain this Roger in the Tower of London: but having sound means to escape, he was come over into France; and perhaps this was none of the least Arguments for which King Charles, who was an Enemy to that unclean Folly, would endure her no longer, and so abandon'd her.

[Year of our Lord 1326] At her leaving the Court of France, she retired disconsolate into the County of of Pontien, then into Hainault: where she was so happy, that John Brother of Wil∣liam, the Earl, declared himself her Knight-Errant, caused her to be well and kindly received in his Brothers Court, and having mustred Three hundred Knights more, he carried her back into England.

No sooner was the news of her being landed known, but Henry Earl of Lancaster, the Brother of Thomas came to her, the Earls, Barons, and Knights flock'd thither from all parts. She besieged the King and both the Spensers in Bristol; Spenser the Father, and the Earl of Arundel, Son-in-Law to the younger Spenser, were taken in the City and beheaded. The King and Spenser the Son, who were retired into the Castle, and from thence thought to make their escape in a Bark, were taken at Sea. The Favourite, according to his Sentence given by the Barons, was drawn on a Hurdle thorough the Streets of Hereford, then led to the top of a Ladder, where the Executioner cut off those parts that had transgress'd, and plucked out his Heart, then threw it into the Fire, and quarter'd his Body.

[Year of our Lord 1326] As for the King, the Lords made his Process, degraded him of his Royalty, and condemned him to perpetual Imprisonment, to put his Son Edward III. in his stead. Afterwards, the Friends to this unfortunate Prince, by practising several means to save him, compleated his ruine; It was resolved to dispatch him out of the World, and that after a most cruel manner. They thrust a red hot Iron up into his Fun∣dament through a Pipe of Horn, fearing the burning should be discovered. His Wife in her turn was punished by her own Son in the same horrible manner of revenge.

[Year of our Lord 1326] In the mean time young King Edward Married Philippa, the second of the four Daughters which the Earl of Hainault had by Jane Daughter of Charles Earl of Valois.

Divers Bands of Gascon Adventurers, whom they called the Bastards, perhaps be∣cause their Chiefs were such, ravaged Guyenne; They went into Saintonge, where they seized upon the City of Xaintes: but perceiving that the Captains whom King Charles had sent thither, were resolved to give them Battle, they withdrew in the night having set Fire to the City.

[Year of our Lord 1327] Alphonso of Castille surnamed de la Cerda, who had brought some Forces against them, was fallen sick in that Country; from whence being returned to Court, he died in the Village of Gentilly near Paris, at the Inn* 1.427 of the Duke of Savoy. He had a Son named Charles, who was afterwards Constable, but the cause of great Mischiefs.

At the request of the Romans, who were troubled that their City was deprived so long of the presence and emolument of the Papacy, Lewis of Bavaria had passed the Mountains in [Year of our Lord 1324, and the following.] the year 1324. without coming to any agreement with the Pope. Thus these two great Powers set all Italy in a flame, the Guelphs and the Gibbelins by their Factions renewing their horrible Tragedies.

[Year of our Lord 1327] France it self felt it in the excessive Levies the Pope made upon the Churches to maintain that War, and to revenge himself upon the Milanois, the most obstinate of all the Gibbelins, and his worst Enemies. At the first beginning the King op∣posed it with vigour, but he relaxed as soon as the Pope had permitted him to levy the Tenths upon his Clergy for two years together.

Thus both the one and the other taught their Successors to share those Sacred Goods between them, and gave the Church a Wound which is so far from closing up, that it grows wider every day.

[Year of our Lord 1327] Upon Christmas-Eve of the year 1327. King Charles grew sick at the Bois de Vin∣cennes, and after he had languished six weeks, died at last on the First day of February, Aged Thirty four years, having swayed the Scepter Six years and one Month.

He oppressed the People as his Father and his Brother Philip had done; Though [Year of our Lord 1328] he were otherwise of a Nature very liberal and gentle, and loved to take Counsel of those he thought to have the clearest Judgments, and most honesty, having ever about him Noblemen and Prelats of known Prudence. [☜]

He Married three Wives. The first was Blanch Daughter of Othenine Earl of Burgundy, who being proved faulty, he was contented only with a Divorce, and chose to cover her Shame under a Sacred Veil. The second was Mary Daughter of the Emperor Henry VII. who having hurt her self when going with her first Child, died with the Fruit of her Womb. The third, which was Jane Daughter of Lewis Earl d'Evreux her Uncle, had only two Daughters; whereof the one named Mary survived her Father but a few years, and the other which was Posthumus, and was called Blanch, Married Philip Duke of Orleance, Son of King Philip de Valois.

REGENCY.

AS Charles the Fair had no Male Children, and that his Wife was pregnant, the Regency of the Kingdom, and Guardianship or Care of the Fruit to come were given to Philip, eldest Son of Charles Earl of Valois, and the nearest Male to the deceased King, whom it was said had so ordained it in his Testament, and last Will.

[Year of our Lord 1328, in April.] Two Months afterwards the Queen was delivered of a Daughter, she was named Blanch, who in due time was Married, as we have hinted.

Thus dried up at the Root and perished the whole Descent of Philip the Fair. Whereupon one might say, as a famous Author hath done, That the Divine Pro∣vidence would not permit that those who had sacked the Kingdom by so many Exacti∣ons and Violences, should have any Descendants that should possess it, were it not that the Branch of Valois hath used them yet worse then they had done.

The end of the First Volume.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Pisatello▪
• * 1.2

  Countrey of Liege▪ a Kempen in Brabant.
• a 1.3

  East Frisia▪
• a 1.4

  North Hol∣land.
• b 1.5

  Zealand.
• c 1.6

  Bishoprick of Munster.
• d 1.7

  Bish. of Os∣nabrug.
• e 1.8

  Dutchy of Westphalia.
• f 1.9

  Hesse.
• * 1.10

  Emp. Arcadius and Honorius in their 5th year, 406.
• * 1.11

  Emp. Honorius, and Theodosius II. Son of Arcadi∣us, 408. in May.
• * 1.12

  Church.
• * 1.13

  Emperour Ho∣norius in his 18th. and The∣odosizs 11. in his 5th.
• * 1.14

  Emp. Theodo∣sius 11. and Valentinian Son of Constantius and Placidia, Si∣ster to Hono∣rius, 423. in August. Reigned 29 years, 6 Months.
• * 1.15

  Emp. Valentinian III and Marcian, who Marries Pulcheria, Sister to The∣odosia, in August 450. R. Six years, six Months.
• * 1.16

  Emp. Marcian and Maximus, Murtherer of Valentinian, 455. in March▪ Then Majo∣rian R. six years and half.
• * 1.17

  Emp. Stiff Majorian and Leon I. R. 17 years and half.
• * 1.18

  Emp. Zenon, 474.
• * 1.19

  Clovis, or Louis, so to be u d rstood th rough the whole Histo∣ry.
• * 1.20

  * Clodowic, Ludwin, or Louis, all the same Name.
• * 1.21

  Emp. Anastasius rais∣ed to the Em∣pire by Ari∣adne, the Murtherer of Zeno her Hus∣band.
• * 1.22

  It lies be∣tween the Bridges of Amboise.
• * 1.23

  First Wars for Religion
• * 1.24

  Or Amaulry.
• * 1.25

  Manners and Customs.
• * 1.26

  Church.
• * 1.27

  Emp. Justin is Elect∣in July. R. 8 years.
• * 1.28

  Or Gontier.
• * 1.29

  Emp. Justin••∣an, Son of a Sister to Ju∣stin, Created by his Uncle, in April, R. 38 years, 7 Months.
• * 1.30

  Languedoc.
• * 1.31

  Barons.
• * 1.32

  Tis the Town of St. Clou.
• * 1.33

  They were named Bajo∣bares, or Bajo∣arians.
• * 1.34

  Part of the high and mid∣dle Austria.
• * 1.35

  Good▪Friday
• * 1.36

  Great Master of his Horse.
• * 1.37

  It is not well known what Forrest this was.
• * 1.38

  It is now St. Germain des Prez.
• * 1.39

  Dutchies of Parma, Plai∣sance, Modena, and Boulognia.
• * 1.40

  States of Venice, Trent and Mantcua.
• * 1.41

  Vulgarly, St. Mard.
• * 1.42

  Cherebert, Aribert, Caribert, is the same Name.
• * 1.43

  Emp. Justin. Son of a Si∣ster of Justi∣nians, in No∣vemb. R. 13 years 9 Months;
• * 1.44

  Thence com••s the Name of Halbards.
• * 1.45

  Pavois.
• * 1.46

  Emp. Tiberi∣us II. Chosen by Justin in August, R. four years.
• * 1.47

  The 7th or 8th part of a Muid, and the Muid is a third part of a Tun.
• * 1.48

  Emp. Mau∣ritius Son in Law to Ti∣berius, in Aug. Reigned nigh twenty years.
• * 1.49

  They set up their new made King on a Shield or Target, and so carry'd him before the People.
• * 1.50

  Emp. Phocas, chosen by the Army; kils Mauritius in Novemb. R. 18 years.
• * 1.51

  At Chaa∣lons.
• * 1.52

  Emp. Hera∣clius elected by the Army, put Phocas to death, R. 3•• years.
• * 1.53

  This a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 upon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 confines 〈◊〉〈◊〉 B••abant, ••nd of Has 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.54

  The ••th. of 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.55

  Manners and Customs.
• * 1.56

  Le Pavois.
• * 1.57

  Fos••erers.
• * 1.58

  Campus Marti••
• * 1.59

  Cubicularius.
• * 1.60

  Regiae.
• * 1.61

  Vir inluster.
• * 1.62

  Queens were fined most Pious and most Cle∣ment.
• * 1.63

  Domicelli.
• * 1.64

  Majores per∣sonae, Minores personae.
• * 1.65

  The Church.
• * 1.66

  In Latin Vide••••••.
• * 1.67

  Agricola.
• * 1.68

  Carilesa••.
• * 1.69

  Eparch••us.
• * 1.70

  Stephen.
• * 1.71

  Aribert, Ca∣ribert, and Cheribert are the same Name.
• * 1.72

  Ansegisile, Ansgise, An∣chisus.
• * 1.73

  Emp. Con••tantin••, Son of Hera∣clius, R. four Months.
• * 1.74

  Then Hera∣cl••••n, Son of his St••p mo∣ther, R. Six Months.
• * 1.75

  Emp-Constance, Son of Constantine, R. 26 years.
• * 1.76

  Vulgarly Baucdour.
• * 1.77

  Emp. Constant. Pogo, or the Bearded. Son of Con∣stans. R. 17▪ years.
• * 1.78

  Arenes, A Theater, or Gravelly place to Fight, or a kind of Am∣phitheater.
• * 1.79

  Owen.
• * 1.80

  Not now known.
• * 1.81

  Regulus.
• * 1.82

  Guillimer, Gislimer.
• * 1.83

  Emp. Justini∣an II. Son of Progonatus, Reigned nine years and an half.
• * 1.84

  They yet call such in French Dodüe, as are fat.
• * 1.85

  Emperor Le∣ontius I. ha∣ving chas••d and mutilated Justin, Reign∣ed two years and some months.
• * 1.86

  Emp. Tiber. Absim▪ elected by the Soldi∣ers degrades Leont. Reign∣ed seven years. 700, &c. 706, and 7. Emp. Justini∣an II. restores himself, and puts Tiberius to Death, Reigned se∣ven years.
• * 1.87

  Church▪
• * 1.88

  St. Mauries in Chablais.
• * 1.89

  St. Honorat.
• * 1.90

  St. Vandrille.
• * 1.91

  Deicola.
• * 1.92

  Remiremont.
• * 1.93

  Trudon.
• * 1.94

  Baldomer.
• * 1.95

  Vowed or Marry'd themselves to Chastity and Devotion.
• * 1.96

  Ausiregesilus.
• * 1.97

  Leodecarius.
• * 1.98

  Prajectus.
• * 1.99

  Audomarus.
• * 1.100

  See Page the 51.
• * 1.101

  By others named Con∣stantine.
• * 1.102

  Emp. Philippi∣cus Bardanes, causes Justi∣nian to die, Reigned two years.
• * 1.103

  Emp. Anasta∣sius II Philip∣picus having been degrad∣ed, and his Eyes put out, Reigned one year six months.
• * 1.104

  Emp. Theodo∣sius, elected by the Army, degrades Anast. Reign∣ed two years.
• * 1.105

  Emp. Leon Isaur▪ by the cession of Theod. Reign∣ed Twenty four years.
• * 1.106

  The Gas∣cons held the Third.
• * 1.107

  Popes, Greg. III.
• * 1.108

  740. Emp. Constan∣tine Coprin Son of Leon IV. R. 34
• * 1.109

  Now Crecy a small Vil∣lage.
• * 1.110

  L'Incense or L'Hebete. Dull, Slow Blockish.
• * 1.111

  St. Bertin at St. Omers in Artois.
• * 1.112

  Or Caro∣line. 752.
• * 1.113

  Belfrey.
• * 1.114

  Advocatus.
• * 1.115

  Se commen∣dans per ma∣nus.
• * 1.116

  And the fol∣lowing.
• * 1.117

  Empp. Leon. II. Son of Copro∣nymus, in Sept. 775. R. 5 Years.
• * 1.118

  Irene Empress, Wife of Leon with Constan∣tine her Son, in Sept.
• * 1.119

  Limes Hispa∣nicus, Marca Hispanica.
• * 1.120

  Emperour istantine ••ing banish∣his Mother.
• * 1.121

  Irene the Em∣press having put out her Son Constan∣tine's Eyes, in July.
• * 1.122

  Cagan.
• * 1.123

  Majorque. Minorque.
• * 1.124

  A Tower called the Man of Bou∣logne.
• * 1.125

  Emperour Constantine in the East. And Charlemaine in the West.
• * 1.126

  Proprius.
• * 1.127

  Of Scotland, and Ireland.
• * 1.128

  Emperour Nicephorus ha∣ving chaced away Irene and Charlemaine.
• * 1.129

  Ausidus.
• * 1.130

  Carisiacum.
• * 1.131

  Within 200 years Bohemia was called Be∣haigne.
• * 1.132

  Emp. Michael. Curopal. Bro∣ther in law to Nicephorus. R. 19 Months, and Charle∣main.
• * 1.133

  Emp. Leo the Armenian Mi∣chael being turned Monk An. 813. R. 7 years and an half.
• * 1.134

  Capitulary's is a name that extends to all sorts of consti∣tutions, as well ecclesiastical as civil, or po∣litical, &c.
• * 1.135

  The church in the 8th Cen∣tury.
• * 1.136

  Missa can∣tania.
• * 1.137

  Qui ex Patre Filioque pro∣cedit.
• * 1.138

  St. Jago.
• * 1.139

  Sancta Maria finis terr▪
• * 1.140

  Chore Bi∣shops.
• * 1.141

  Who raised Storms and Tempe••s at their Vintage and Harvest time.
• * 1.142

  Judge of a Bishops Tem∣poral Jurisdi∣ction.
• * 1.143

  Saints.
• * 1.144

  Lotarius.
• * 1.145

  St. Riquier.
• * 1.146

  Manners and Customes un∣der the Second Race.
• * 1.147

  Used a∣mongst the Moroccans to this day.
• * 1.148

  Nona.
• * 1.149

  Debon∣naire, is Courteous, Affable, Meek, Gen∣tle, Mild, Friendly, of a sweet temper, and conversa∣tion, Pious.
• * 1.150

  Empp. Leo the Ar∣menian, And Louis I. Called the Debonnaire.
• * 1.151

  Thegan says he prostrated himself before him, with his whole Body.
• * 1.152

  Empp. Michael the Stammering. and Louis.
• * 1.153

  Ximene Se∣menon, Emiron, Emenon, Ximi∣nus, Eminus are the same Name.
• * 1.154

  Empp. Theophilus Son of Michael, and Louis Debon∣naire with his Son Lotaire in Octob.
• * 1.155

  Empp. Theophilus, and Lotharius 1. 840.
• * 1.156

  Empp. Michael III. and Lotharius.
• * 1.157

  Romanied or Rustica Latina.
• * 1.158

  German.
• * 1.159

  According to some Odo, or Eudes, Earl of Orleance.
• * 1.160

  Pridie Idus.
• * 1.161

  861. Empp. Basilius.
• * 1.162

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.163

  Empp. Basilius, Mace∣donius, who flew Michael III. who Asso∣ciated him. And Louis II.
• * 1.164

  Princeps O▪ stiariorum.
• * 1.165

  Medarra in their Tongue signifies ruin and destructi∣on.
• * 1.166

  mention'd hereafter.
• * 1.167

  Empp. Basilius and Charles II. cal∣led the Bald at Christmass.
• * 1.168

  Tru in old French signi∣fies Tribute.
• * 1.169

  The Fathers Will, was a necessary con∣dition.
• * 1.170

  Neustria and West-France are the same.
• * 1.171

  Empp.
• * 1.172

  Basilius and Louis the Stam∣merer.
• * 1.173

  It may be Gondreville.
• * 1.174

  This was the proper word, as well for Land, as at Sea.
• * 1.175

  Empp. Basilius and Charles the Fatt, at Christmass.
• * 1.176

  Empp. Louis IV. and Guy, in 888.
• * 1.177

  They called them Kings.
• * 1.178

  Herbert, Hebert.
• * 1.179

  Empp. Leo and Lambert.
• * 1.180

  Louis in Provence.
• * 1.181

  You must mistake this Zuentibold, for the Son of Ar∣nold.
• * 1.182

  Empp. Leo VI. and Lambert.
• * 1.183

  Empp. Constantine VIII. Son of Leo, Reigned 50 years.
• * 1.184

  Rebre in Bre∣ton does signi∣fy great.
• * 1.185

  Perhaps some Genealogist may find them out again, for his advantage.
• * 1.186

  Blanc, is white.
• * 1.187

  Western Emp. vacant Emp. of the East likewise.
• * 1.188

  A Trench or Moat.
• * 1.189

  Ogiva.
• * 1.190

  See before in An. 829.
• * 1.191

  Church of the 9th Century, or Age.
• * 1.192

  It is believed to be Tuze nigh Vaucouleurs. Diocess of Toul.
• * 1.193

  Of this see hereafter.
• * 1.194

  He was after∣wards, Arch-Bishop of Bour∣ges.
• * 1.195

  Perhaps it is Tuisy upon the River of Vesle, Diocess of Reims.
• * 1.196

  Thought to be Pont-yon, two Leagues above Vitry,
• * 1.197

  The Palace of the Burgun∣dian Kings, a∣bout four Leagues from Vienne.
• * 1.198

  Saints.
• * 1.199

  Aigulsus.
• * 1.200

  Hanvide, Ha∣duid, Haduige, Avoy.
• * 1.201

  Emma.
• * 1.202

  Ogiva.
• * 1.203

  Le Blare.
• * 1.204

  Hauvida and Hadevida.
• * 1.205

  Curle-beard, or Twist or Twine-beard.
• * 1.206

  Empp. Roman. Porphy∣rogenetus having poyson'd Con∣stantine the VIII. his Fa∣ther, in No∣vember and the Empire vacant in the West.
• * 1.207

  Empp. Nicephorus in March, Basil, and Constan∣tine, the Sons of Romain be∣ing Minors. and Otho I.
• * 1.208

  Empp. John Zemisy, ha∣ving kill'd Ni∣cephorus, in De∣cember
• * 1.209

  969. and Otho I. 970. 973.
• * 1.210

  Empp. John Zemis, and Otho II. in May▪ R. 10, years and 6. Months.
• * 1.211

  Then Basilius and Constantine R. 50 years. in Decemb.
• * 1.212

  History does not mention his name.
• * 1.213

  Empp. Basile and Con∣stant. and Otho III. R. 20. years.
• * 1.214

  Falneant, La∣zy, Idle, Do∣nothing.
• * 1.215

  Or Caroline.
• * 1.216

  There were two of these that were not so, to wit, Eu∣des and Ro∣dolph.
• * 1.217

  Hugues.
• * 1.218

  Adalberon.
• * 1.219

  Adalger.
• * 1.220

  Mal des dents.
• * 1.221

  Church of the Tenth Age.
• * 1.222

  Saints.
• * 1.223

  Councils.
• * 1.224

  Between Soissons and 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.225

  These were the Expre∣sions.
• * 1.226

  Artaud.
• * 1.227

  Father of Hugh Capet.
• * 1.228

  Battering Ramms.
• * 1.229

  Emperor Ba∣silius and Con∣stan. and Henry II. Reigned Twenty two years and an half.
• * 1.230

  Faineant, Do-little, or Do nought, or the Idle or Lazy.
• * 1.231

  Franche-County.
• * 1.232

  Emperor Basi∣lius and Const. and Henry II. Crowned by the Pope.
• * 1.233

  Or Wicked.
• * 1.234

  Jefroy. 1018.
• * 1.235

  Or Avice.
• * 1.236

  Emperor Ba∣sil•••• and Cons. and Conrad II. Reigned 25 years.
• * 1.237

  Emperor Con∣stantine alone and Conrad.
• * 1.238

  A Criminal is reputed to have Pardon if the Sove∣raign admits him to his Table.
• * 1.239

  Emperor Ro∣man II. Cousin to Const. in November, Reigned Five years six months, and Conrad.
• * 1.240

  Emperor Mi∣chael Paphla∣gonian, in April, and Conrad.
• * 1.241

  Emperor Mi∣cbael, and Henry III. or according to others II. Son of Conrad, in June 1039.
• * 1.242

  Or Fulk, 1039.
• * 1.243

  Emp. Constan∣tin Monomaq, in June. And Henry III.
• * 1.244

  Emp. Theodo∣ra, Daughter of Constant. then Michael VI. and Henry, IV. Son of Henry II.
• * 1.245

  Emp. Isaacius Comenus, and Henry IV.
• * 1.246

  Emp. Constan. Ducas, chosen by Michael, who turned Monk. And Henry IV.
• * 1.247

  Emp. Roman▪ Diog. having Married Eu∣doxia, Wi∣dow of Ducas▪ R. Three years. And Henry IV.
• * 1.248

  Emp. Michael VII. Son of Ducas, R. Five years, and Henry IV.
• * 1.249

  Palermo now.
• * 1.250

  Emp. Niceph. Boton an Usurper R. three years. And Hen. IV.
• * 1.251

  Gotelon.
• * 1.252

  Emp. Alexis Comn. R. 37 years 7 Months▪ and Henry IV.
• * 1.253

  Apulia Puglia.
• * 1.254

  Apulia, or Puglia.
• * 1.255

  God will have it so. Or Diex el vol••▪
• * 1.256

  Pouille. A••ulia.
• * 1.257

  Waher.
• * 1.258

  Or Godfrey.
• * 1.259

  Scutcheons, Cognisances, also Armoires, Coats.
• * 1.260

  It is observed that more Kings perish in Hunting then in Wars.
• * 1.261

  Liberties and Privi∣ledges.
• * 1.262

  Emp. Alexis, and Henry V.
• * 1.263

  Was he not also called Charles?
• * 1.264

  Or Pontius.
• * 1.265

  Church of the Eleventh age.
• * 1.266

  Fire-brand.
• * 1.267

  Learned Men.
• * 1.268

  Or Fulk.
• * 1.269

  Saints.
• * 1.270

  Heresies.
• * 1.271

  Or School∣master.
• * 1.272

  Prayers for certain Hours.
• * 1.273

  They per∣mitted then in that case to communicate under one species.
• * 1.274

  See before Fol.
• * 1.275

  Of the Hatchet.
• * 1.276

  Firebrand
• * 1.277

  Archimbald, or Archibald.
• * 1.278

  Emperor Joh. Comnenius, Son of Alexis in Aug. Reigned Twenty four years nine Months; and Henry V. still.
• * 1.279

  Or Athelln.
• * 1.280

  Or Lotha∣rius.
• * 1.281

  Emperor Joh. Comn. and Lotaire II. Reigned 13 years.
• * 1.282

  Or Alienor.
• * 1.283

  St. Jago, or St. Jacques. 1136.
• * 1.284

  Or Willer∣mins.
• * 1.285

  Emperor Jo. Comnenus; and Conrad III. elected in May after the death of Lo∣taire II. Reign∣ed near Thir∣teen years.
• * 1.286

  Or Eleanor.
• * 1.287

  Or Theobald.
• * 1.288

  Emperor Ma∣nuel the Son of John e∣lected in A∣pril, Reigned Thirty eight years, and Conrad III.
• * 1.289

  Teutonici.
• * 1.290

  Eleanor.
• * 1.291

  Emperor Ma∣nuel and Fre∣derick Barba∣rossa in Feb. Reigned Thir∣ty six years.
• * 1.292

  Old Soldiers experienc'd.
• * 1.293

  Given by God, or God's Gift.
• * 1.294

  Jeffery, or Geofrey.
• * 1.295

  Alice.
• * 1.296

  Or Theobald.
• * 1.297

  Emperor A∣lexis II. Son of Manuel in Octob. Reign∣ed Two years, and Frederic I.
• * 1.298

  Gods Heart, Gods Foot, &c.
• * 1.299

  Histriones.
• * 1.300

  Emperor An∣dronic who strangled A∣lexis, Reigned Three years, and Frederic I.
• * 1.301

  Emperor Isaac Angelus, ha∣ving kill'd An∣dronicus, R. Nine years nine Months, and Frederic.
• * 1.302

  Eleanor.
• * 1.303

  Artus, or Arthur.
• * 1.304

  Emperor Isaac Angelus, and Henry VI. Son of ••rederic I. Reigned seven years, about the end of 1190.
• * 1.305

  Acre, or Acon, in La∣tine, Ptole∣mais.
• * 1.306

  Or Isaacius.
• * 1.307

  Vulgarly Fontain-bleau.
• * 1.308

  Or Inge∣burge, some name her Bo∣tile.
• * 1.309

  Emp. Alexis Ange∣lus, and Otho IV. Duke of Sax∣ony, R. 21 years. Philip his competitor
• * 1.310

  Garde-no∣ble; or Wardship.
• * 1.311

  Or put on the badge of the Cross.
• * 1.312

  Havoise.
• * 1.313

  Suabe, or Scwaben.
• * 1.314

  Emp. Baldwin and Otho.
• * 1.315

  Emp. Henry the Brother of Baldwin and Otho.
• * 1.316

  He was elect∣ed at the age of 35 years.
• * 1.317

  Moines de Cisleaux.
• * 1.318

  Or Reynold.
• * 1.319

  Or Ferdi∣nand.
• * 1.320

  Garde-noble.
• * 1.321

  A Liver is twenty pence.
• * 1.322

  Twenty pence, the same as a Liver.
• * 1.323

  Villany and Bocace.
• * 1.324

  Chambrier.
• * 1.325

  They put down, Va∣cante Cancel∣lariae, or Da∣pifero, Buti∣culario & ••ullo.
• * 1.326

  Whence the Hospitals in French are called Ladre∣ries.
• * 1.327

  Church of the Eleventh Age.
• * 1.328

  Schismes.
• * 1.329

  Church.
• * 1.330

  Church.
• * 1.331

  Church.
• * 1.332

  Church.
• * 1.333

  Heresies.
• * 1.334

  Church.
• * 1.335

  Church
• * 1.336

  The chief Citizens of Toulouze, and Avignon had Towers or Turrets to their Houses.
• * 1.337

  Or Mother-Church.
• * 1.338

  Catharos, in Greek signifies Pure.
• * 1.339

  Albigensis and Vaudensis.
• * 1.340

  Credo quod redemptor me∣us vivit, &c.
• * 1.341

  Power of the Popes.
• * 1.342

  Church.
• * 1.343

  Collectors.
• * 1.344

  Church
• * 1.345

  Church.
• * 1.346

  Church.
• * 1.347

  Church.
• * 1.348

  Church.
• * 1.349

  Church.
• * 1.350

  Church.
• * 1.351

  Augustins.
• * 1.352

  Church.
• * 1.353

  Church.
• * 1.354

  Cumque sator rerum privasset semine Clerum. Ad Satana vi∣tum successit turba nepotum.
• * 1.355

  Church.
• * 1.356

  Councils.
• * 1.357

  Church.
• * 1.358

  Church.
• * 1.359

  Carmes.
• * 1.360

  Church.
• * 1.361

  Cardinals.
• * 1.362

  Church.
• * 1.363

  Church.
• * 1.364

  Margeur.
• * 1.365

  Our Lady-day in Har∣vest.
• * 1.366

  They were called Militer▪ 1228.
• * 1.367

  Emp. Baldwin II. Reigned 35 years. And Frederic II.
• * 1.368

  Some say she was Sister to Alphonso VIII.
• * 1.369

  Of the Peerage.
• * 1.370

  Each Liver Parisis, is •• about 2 s. 6 d. sterling.
• * 1.371

  Tartars of Procop. or Crim. Tartars along the Volga, &c,
• * 1.372

  Or Fifteen∣score.
• * 1.373

  Pastorels.
• * 1.374

  That is, St. Lewis.
• * 1.375

  Vide the Letters of Innocent III. Printed at Colen.
• * 1.376

  Emp. Baldwin II and Richard, and Alphonso, competitors.
• * 1.377

  Perusia, or Perouse.
• * 1.378

  Lord Go∣vernour.
• * 1.379

  Emp. Michael VIII. and Richard, and Alphonso.
• * 1.380

  See hereaf∣ter in Anno 1269.
• * 1.381

  Or Fifteen∣score.
• * 1.382

  Valiant, Stout, Ad∣venturous, Bold, Cou∣rageous, &c.
• * 1.383

  Bold, Reso∣lute, Vali∣ant, &c.
• * 1.384

  Emperor Mi∣chael VIII. and Rodolph I. the Stock of the House of Austria, Reign∣ed Eighteen years.
• * 1.385

  Prochyt•• Island.
• * 1.386

  Emperor Andro••ious, Son of Mi∣chael, Reigned Fifty years, and R••l••lph.
• * 1.387

  Sicilia on this side the Fare, is the Kingdom of Naples.
• * 1.388

  The Annun∣ciation.
• * 1.389

  Emperor or An∣dron. and A∣dolphus of Nas∣sau, Reigning Six years and an half, is slain in a Battle.
• * 1.390

  Gaeta o•• Gaetan.
• * 1.391

  Or Walter:
• * 1.392

  Emperor An∣dron. and Albert, elect∣ed in Anno 1298. Reigned Ten years.
• * 1.393

  Or, de Bail∣••eul, if a Frenchman by Descent.
• * 1.394

  Or Ottoman.
• * 1.395

  Or Melfe.
• * 1.396

  Emp. Androni. and Albert.
• * 1.397

  Or De Got, de Agatis. He was the Son of Ber∣raud, Lord of Villandraud, neer B••urde∣aux.
• * 1.398

  Emp. Andronic and Henry VIII. R. Five years.
• * 1.399

  Or both Sexes of that Order.
• * 1.400

  Vacancy of the Western Empire One year.
• * 1.401

  Emp. Androni. and Lewis of Ba∣varia, R. 33 years. Frederic of Austria his Competitor.
• * 1.402

  * Or Holy Expeditions
• * 1.403

  Councils.
• * 1.404

  Those that were held a∣gainst the He∣retiques.
• * 1.405

  Or Cabal.
• * 1.406

  Or Almeric.
• * 1.407

  Such as were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for the Discipline, and upon other occasi∣ons.
• * 1.408

  Or Gualter or Walter.
• * 1.409

  Religious Orders.
• * 1.410

  The Mi∣nors are called Corde∣liers, because they wear a Cord for their Girdle. And the Preachers Jacobins, be∣cause their first Convent was in the street of St. James in Paris.
• * 1.411

  * Or Almeric.
• * 1.412

  Or a Soot and Gray, called Minime in French.
• * 1.413

  Saccati.
• * 1.414

  The Vale of Scholars.
• * 1.415

  Non a sanctis fabricatus, sed a solo summo Deo.
• * 1.416

  Our Lady of Mercy.
• * 1.417

  Servants of St. Mary the Mother of Christ.
• * 1.418

  Devotions.
• * 1.419

  * A Hat is Ʋn Chapeau, whence the word Chaplet for Beads.
• * 1.420

  This is t••at they call the Holy Baulme.
• * 1.421

  Learned Men.
• * 1.422

  Devovet ab∣sentes simula∣craque cerea fingit, &c. 1315.
• * 1.423

  These are the words of the great Chronicle of St. Denis. 1315.
• * 1.424

  Or, Sheriff.
• * 1.425

  This is the greatest of Punishments to such Ras∣cals.
• * 1.426

  Those of Ghent were then true to their Prince.
• * 1.427

  Hostel, Princes Hou∣ses are called Inns, as Au∣dley Inn.